My Other Passions: How Dance, Pickleball, & Tennis Influence My Approach to Wellness

As a massage therapist, my goal is to help clients feel their best—relaxed, restored, and free from tension. But outside of the treatment room, I also have my own ways of maintaining wellness and balance. Dance, pickleball, and tennis are not just hobbies; they’re part of what keeps me active, engaged, and in tune with the body’s needs. These passions influence my approach to massage therapy, shaping the way I understand movement, injury prevention, and recovery.

Dance: The Art of Movement & Body Awareness

Being involved with a prestigious dance studio has given me a deep appreciation for movement and body awareness. Dancers rely on fluidity, strength, and grace, but their bodies also endure immense strain. This has made me particularly attuned to the areas that need extra care—tight hip flexors, overworked calves, and tension in the lower back and shoulders.

Through dance, I’ve learned how important it is to listen to the body, a principle I bring into my massage practice. Whether my client is a dancer, an athlete, or someone who simply sits at a desk all day, I focus on helping them achieve balance in their muscles and movement patterns.

Pickleball: A Lesson in Agility & Recovery

Pickleball has become one of my favorite ways to stay active! This fast-paced sport requires quick reflexes, lateral movement, and endurance. But like any sport, it also comes with its fair share of tight muscles and occasional soreness.

Playing pickleball has made me more aware of the types of strains recreational athletes experience—tight hamstrings, shoulder fatigue, and wrist tension from gripping the paddle. Because of this, I incorporate techniques in my massages that focus on muscle recovery, improving flexibility, and preventing stiffness after intense activity.

Tennis: The Power of Strength & Endurance

Tennis, much like pickleball, is a physically demanding sport that engages the entire body. The repetitive motion of serves, volleys, and sprints can lead to overuse injuries, especially in the shoulders, arms, and lower legs.

Through my own experience with tennis, I’ve gained firsthand knowledge of how targeted massage techniques—like deep tissue work on the forearms and gentle stretching for the lower back—can help maintain peak performance. I use this understanding to help my clients, whether they play tennis themselves or just deal with everyday aches and pains from repetitive movement.

Bringing It All Together in Massage

My love for dance, pickleball, and tennis has given me a well-rounded perspective on movement, strength, and recovery. Whether my clients are active individuals or simply looking to ease muscle tension, I use this knowledge to personalize each massage session. My goal is not just to provide relaxation but to support mobility, relieve pain, and help every client feel more in tune with their body.

Wellness is about more than just what happens on the massage table—it’s about staying active, moving with ease, and taking time for self-care. And for me, these passions are a reminder of why I do what I do: to help others feel their best, whether they’re dancing, playing a sport, or just navigating daily life.

Need a massage after your latest workout or just looking to unwind? Book an appointment and let’s get you feeling great!