~ embodygrace ~

Bodywork & Restorative Alignment

Location: 329 Gordon Drive Exton PA 19341

Lionville Business Center at the corner of Gordon Drive and Rt 113, inside Nature’s Healing Touch

Bodywork

Bodywork sessions are rooted in shiatsu.

Shiatsu (pronounced: ‘shee - ah - tzoo’) is a Japanese word that literally means, ‘finger pressure’.

Its origins are rooted deeply in Asian culture and the perception that all physical manifestations are seen as appearances representing an ever changing flow of energetic forces.

With the receiver fully clothed, and lying on a massage table or a futon on the floor, the practitioner approaches their body with thumb, finger, or palm pressure, rocking, stretching, mobilizing joints, fascial release and more.

The focus here is not so much on the muscles, but on ‘meridians’: pathways of subtle, bioelectric current which are the interface between the organs and the skin.

The initial intention is to calm the receiver’s nervous system, ease tension, and facilitate the flow of blood, lymph, and Ki (life force energy).

The session may also include rotation of joints, fascial release, abdominal massage, gentle prompts accompanying stretching or breathing, and stimulation of pressure points.

The benefits.

Many of my clients have shared that it’s hard to describe how shiatsu feels, as compared to other types of massage.

They do, however, all agree on feeling deeply relaxed, ‘transported’, looser, grounded, and ‘more themselves’.

Because tension and habits of limitation can hinder the sense of ‘coherence’ in the body, shiatsu can be helpful in softening these barriers, so the body can find its way back to homeostasis and healing.

For more about what a shiatsu session with me is like, check out this post: What Exactly Goes On In a Shiatsu Session?

  • "I had no idea what Shiatsu was. I've tried Massage and Acupuncture, both good healing tools, but I was more responsive to Shiatsu and found it to be a critical piece on my healing journey."

    Paula B., Downingtown, PA

  • "During any given session that you are fortunate enough to experience with Gina, you can expect that she will be fully present with a purposeful and intentional approach. She will listen to how you describe what brings you to see her, and she will listen to your body as it responds to her therapeutic touch."

    Darlene L., Kennett Square, PA

  • "(Gina) not only works on clients; she educates them. I appreciate her depth of knowledge in both Western and Eastern methods of bodywork and her very precise and understandable way of communicating that. Add to that her kindness, genuine care, and ability to attune to her clients. She is a truly gifted healer."

    Judith M., Downingtown, PA

  • "Gina is a gifted bodyworker. Sessions I have experienced with her have been extremely helpful; alleviating pain and dysfunction while putting me in a state of bliss. I refer my own clients to her, when I feel they would benefit from her knowing hands."

    Susan H., Phoenixville, PA

  • “As always ... going to see Gina is one of the best hours I can spend. The knowledge and insight she gives is so valuable. She is a warm kind hearted person who really believes in what she is doing and does it extremely well.

    Liz N., West Chester, PA

  • “So glad I found Gina in 2014. Her ‘Happy Feet’ class has given me pain-free feet, knees and hips. Her massage techniques recharge my mind and body. It’s always a relaxing experience!”

    Judy S.,, Glenmoore, PA

These services can be added on to a regular bodywork session.

Simply choose ‘Add to your appointment’ after selecting which length of bodywork session you would like.

If you’d like an Acupressure Facial or the Shiatsu Foot Massage as a stand-alone session, please schedule a 30-minute session, then indicate your preference on the intake form.

Add-On Services

close up of fingertips on a woman's faceal massage

Acupressure Facial

A lovely massage just for the face, head, neck and shoulders, this traditional beauty treatment uses no products - just gentle pressure that facilitates circulation, toning, and may bring relief for headaches, sinus pressure, and more.

close-up of fingers and thumbs on the sole of a foot

Shiatsu Foot Massage

Beginning with a warming ginger water scrub and ending with an application of coconut oil (both optional), this treatment works the muscles and shiatsu points all round the feet, toes, ankles and lower calves.

close up of fresh ginger in orange bowl

Ginger Compress

A traditional remedy using compresses of fresh ginger in hot water applied to areas of stiffness and stagnation in the body. Combined with gentle shiatsu, this can be a wonderfully tonifying treatment.

Please read more here about applications and contraindications.

Hours & Rates

Bodywork hours are by appointment Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Add-on’s (will appear as options when you select a bodywork session):

  • Acupressure Facial | $35

  • Shiatsu Foot Massage | $40

  • Ginger Compress | $40

For stand-alone facial or foot massage, please schedule a 30-minute session, and note which you’d like on the intake form.

Restorative Alignment

An integration of shiatsu, unique assessment and corrective protocols for the hips, sacrum and spine, Restorative Exercises* and more.

As the skeleton is the trunk of the tree, freeing up restrictions in the bony framework with client engagement can positively affect the mobility and ease throughout other systems.

Working in this way helps to coordinate the synthesis between structure and energy in the body, allowing for a more seamless flow between intention and manifestation.

It also just feels really good when your parts are moving as an integrated whole!

*Restorative Exercises refer to the body of work developed and taught by Katy Bowman of NutritiousMovement.com.

Restorative Alignment takes the bodywork further.

When areas of tension and soft tissue restrictions can be pinpointed and gently released, the whole body seems to breathe more deeply.

It’s like clearing roadblocks in one’s coherent flow of movement, breath and energy.

Even life ‘outside the body’ seems to flow better.

Part of the power of this work is the attention/intention of the receiver as an active participant and witness, and the integration of the work with movements that are practiced beyond the bodywork session.

  • “It’s like massage for my skeleton! I’m not usually good with body scans, or visualizing my body, but I could sense every separate part. ”

    ~ Tammy C., W.Chester, PA

  • As a 5+ year "regular" shiatsu client, I was skeptical that the restorative alignment session would be different.

    But, WOW it is! When I left the session I felt like my back was perfectly aligned & connected. My breathing felt easier & more deep. And as I write this 4 weeks later, I still feel a new grounded connection myself.

    Even through stressful daily life, I can take a deep breath and feel inner balance and calm I hadn't felt in years. This is an amazing complement and addition to my regular shiatsu sessions.”

    ~ Susan G., Coatesville, PA

  • “My body feels at peace. I feel ease in my movements.”

    ~ John P., W. Chester, PA

  • I had a session with Gina that combined shiatsu massage and movement coaching. 

    I had never had shiatsu before, but felt well-prepared for my session from communication in advance and through the session and found it a combination of meditatively relaxing and helpful for working out my sore hips. The movement coaching was awesome! 

    Gina worked with me on some simple postural alignment exercises that were clearly individualized for my body and needs. She provided gentle, clear coaching that helped me notice how subtle shifts in how I held my body felt. I walked away with some simple movements and stretches that I could do at home and she emailed me with more detailed follow-up support. 

    Gina is a gifted holistic wellness provider!”

    ~ Sarah H., Baltimore MD

Scheduling Restorative Alignment:

If you feel that Restorative Alignment is a fit for you, you can go ahead and book your appointment for the Intro session when you’re ready.

If you have questions or want to clarify if this work is right for you, you can schedule a Zoom or phone call, or email me.

Restorative Alignment sessions are suitable for most people, but please consult your health care provider, as well as let me know before you schedule, if you have issues such as osteoporosis, spinal problems, or are pregnant.

Intro RA Session

75-90 minutes: $120

NOTE: From now through June 2025, I will be offering a limited number of Intro sessions each month on a Pay-What-You-Can basis (min $20) after which time the price may increase.

The session(s) include:

  • Hip alignment and sacral evaluations;

  • Passive structural corrections of the ilia/hip joints;

  • Working with the lumbar and thoracic vertebra;

  • Correction of the pubic symphysis;

  • Passive corrections for the sacrum;

  • Relational assessments between body parts;

  • Fascial release;

  • Shiatsu, including hara (abdomen) massage;

  • Restorative Exercise.

During and after the session, we’ll discuss what emerges, as well as any questions/insights you have, and if you like, I can offer suggestions on movement or other practices to help integrate the work.

Note: You can schedule as many Intro sessions as you like - even if you choose not to opt for the Deeper Dive sessions.

Deeper Dive RA Packages

These prices are good at least through June 2025, but may increase after that.

3 sessions: $350

4 sessions: $450

5 sessions: $550

For those who have received the Intro session and would like to have more consistent support and structure.

Deeper Dive sessions will hone in on a goal or intention, or carry the alignment work forward from the Intro session.

These sessions can include all of the Intro components, as well as more take-home practices for movement, ‘ecosystem’ tweaks and follow up to further support your goals.

Please schedule a call or email me to request an overview of what’s involved,

From there, we can decide if this work is a fit for you, with no obligation or pressure.

I’m Gina Loree Bryan:

… shiatsu and movement practitioner and writer in the Chester/Lancaster county area of Pennsylvania.

Since 2005, I've helped my fellow humans to feel more ease in their bodies, to discern the connections between their physical states and relationships with life; to move more freely, breathe more openly, and find relief from the tension and restrictive layers that contain their soulful expression.

My lineage draws from Asian medicine traditions, ancient and modern mystics, spiritual psychologists, biomechanists and fellow bodyworkers who respect the human form as a blueprint for the temple of the divine.

More about Gina.

Further Resources

Your Guide to Shiatsu: What it is, what it does, and how it can help you enjoy life more.

Download the eBook

What is Asian Bodywork Therapy?

Download article

Massage Magazine article about Asian Bodywork

Download the article