​If someone asked you to try a deep tissue massage in which the licensed massage therapist uses their feet instead of their hands to give you deep, consistent pressure throughout the Massage, would you do it? 

Simply put, No.
Sometimes, barefoot Massage is called body walking in layperson's terms. People will describe it as someone walking on your back. This is an oversimplification of this technique and can give an unclear idea of what barefoot Massage actually is, making people who are new to it hesitant. They might question, "Is barefoot massage safe?"
The good news is that barefoot Massage is safe under certain circumstances. Your licensed massage therapist must be licensed by the state (or hold whatever the equivelent of licensure is for that particular state) and have additional training in. barefoot massage to make it safe. Your LMT is trained to do a complete intake to ensure it's safe for you. If your therapist doesn't have forms for you to fill out and doesn't ask you any medical questions, this is a red flag, and it's time to consider finding a new massage therapist who will take the time to get to know you and customize a safe session.

​It might not seem that massagers would need an in-depth education. It's just rubbing, right? Well, not exactly. Licensed massage Therapists spend many hours studying and training in the art and science of massage therapy. We study sciences such as anatomy and physiology, pathology, and kinesiology and learn what we call endangerment sites. Barefoot Massage is an advanced technique, so your massage therapist should attend at least 24 hours of training in this style before offering it as a service to clients. Even more training is needed any where from 40-80 hours of training or more if they commit to the technique and become specialists. Coupled with that training, your intake forms, health history, and opening communication throughout your session, you can be assured that your Massage is safe. All of these elements together create the most effective and safest session. 

I use a pressure scale with my clients at The Heeling Hut Barefoot Massage. I found this to be a very effective communication tool. When using the scale, 1 being no pressure and 10 being excruciating, we keep it at no more than a 7. Of course, the scale is subjective, and we explain it more deeply during our intake process. This way, our clients can use introspection to give good feedback. ​We also educate our clients on the adverse effects of massage therapy.

​Did you know that there are times when getting a massage is a bad idea because you can have unintended or unpleasant after-effects? I always talk to my clients about this if I see something in their intake and health history or if we're doing our daily intake just to make sure that they will benefit from barefoot Massage and have the best outcome.

​Ashiatsu is an Eastern massage technique from Japan. Not only is it hard to say for some Texans, but the Westernized Ashiatsu style is much different from the traditional Japanese version. That's why we are dropping the "A Word" and using barefoot Massage to give a more straightforward, less appropriated description of our beloved massage style. The Center for Barefoot Massage is leading the way on this change and that's just another reason I love teaching with them. While some may stick with the original technique and not challenge themselves further, continuous learning and access to new information help me stay informed and interested. That's a huge deal when you've been a massage therapist for half your life...(Side note: I'm writing this during my 41st year of life and 20th year working full-time as an LMT!) For an LMT like me, it's not a selling point to stay with "the original" or old techniques that never change when we know the science of massage therapy and our understanding of the human body constantly changes. I'm always looking for training that is one step ahead of me and will challenge me. 

My most recent Fijian Barefoot Massage class in San Diego, CA.
​Massage Students who are commited to their growth. 

As a barefoot massage specialist, I continuously train in the art and science of barefoot Massage. EVEN as a teacher, every year, I spend a week training in barefoot massage specifically to ensure I'm keeping up with the latest information. The Center for Barefoot Massage is committed to evolving and improving Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage to ensure that it is effective and safe. Additionally, ​At The Heeling Hut Barefoot Massage, I train licensed massage therapists from all over the US, and I even have students come from other countries! As an approved instructor for The Center for Barefoot Massage, my office also serves as a training studio where I hold workshops at least once a month to ensure that my students get as much training as they need to be successful barefoot massage practitioners.

Let's discuss our complimentary (free!) add-on, Cupping Therapy. Cupping is excellent for people who want to level up their deep tissue massage and enjoy the sensation of Cupping; while it can be intense at times, we can customize the suction to your liking.

During Cupping, your massage therapist will choose static, gliding, or dynamic techniques to reach the goals of your session. Discoloration may occur in areas where the cups were placed. Clients typically experience a feeling of relaxation and release of tension in the targeted areas after the service.
​

By Hillary Arrieta, Your Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage Specialist at The Heeling Hut Barefoot Massage.

As I celebrate my 20th year as a massage therapist, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to work with clients in the Dallas, Richardson, and Plano areas of the metroplex. Over these two decades, I have been able to assist my clients in managing the aches and pains that often accompany the stress of modern life. This milestone is a big one! 
​
One thing I've noticed over all these years is that many people see massage therapy from a narrower lens than I'd like them to. Massage therapy has many more valuable benefits than relaxation and general stress relief. North Texans love sports. Whether we're rooting for the Dallas Cowboys or heading to the gym to reach our personal best, we love staying active.

Today, I'm talking about the intersection of sports massage and my specialized style of massage, which we call Barefoot Massage. I don't consider myself a "sports massage therapist." Still, I've helped many competitive athletes with barefoot massage and stretch therapy. I love working with clients seeking better movement and injury prevention. 

So, with all that said, is barefoot massage sports massage? Well, Yes, it is! Sports massage has some fundamental theories that can align with the way a barefoot massage therapist applies their technique. 

We can easily integrate stretching theory, too, like passive range of motion, active assisted range of motion, and dynamic stretching. I love to layer dynamic cupping and dynamic stretching to benefit clients looking for greater athletic performance. 

These barefoot massage techniques can help athletes with injury prevention, posture, and alignment needed for proper weightlifting form and ease of movement through their sport or activity. 
​
You don't have to be a professional athlete to benefit from the sports massage take on barefoot massage. Sitting for long periods can create back pain from compressing your spine, but our steam-roller-type techniques can decompress you back to feeling like yourself in no time. 

If you've tried traditional deep tissue massage and thought, "Meh, I can do this with a tennis ball or massage gun." Then, I challenge you to make an appointment and give barefoot massage a try. ​

Red light therapy, a highly effective form of phototherapy, utilizes red LED lights to address a range of conditions, from skin disorders to pain and inflammation. Its numerous benefits, including enhanced skin health, reduced inflammation, pain relief, improved joint health, and better sleep quality, are backed by scientific research. This therapy, by stimulating cellular energy production, fosters healing and regeneration in the body, offering a proven path to improved health and relaxation.


The Heeling Hut offers light therapy that includes Far Infrared light. Have you read our take on the benefits of Infrared Sauna benefits? Using our infrared sauna is a great way to complement the benefits of red light and massage. The warmth from the light is known to increase clients' relaxation benefits, which they're already receiving from their massage and cupping sessions.


If you want to learn more about how red light therapy benefits you, ask Hillary at The Heeling Hut Barefoot Massage in Plano, Texas. She can guide you on including it in your massage to get the most out of it.

It's fascinating how much more there is to an infrared sauna than just sweating. While sweating is the primary goal of any sauna session, an infrared sauna offers many health benefits beyond that. These small cedar boxes can work wonders for your health, with new benefits always being discovered. Some of the most notable benefits of modern FIR saunas include pain relief, lowered blood pressure, improved skin health, and overall well-being. If you want to take your health to the next level, incorporating an infrared sauna into your wellness routine is worth considering. At The Heeling Hut, we offer exclusive free access to our sauna for clients who book 90 minutes or more of extended services. We recommend using the sauna for up to 20 minutes after your massage session and wearing workout attire for your sweat session.

Specific health benefits of using an infrared sauna.

Healthy Blood pressure benefits
Rest assured, scientific studies from the University of British Columbia in 2009 have shown that far-infrared saunas (FIRS) have moderate evidence supporting their efficacy in normalizing blood pressure and treating congestive heart failure. You can trust in the proven benefits of this therapy. 

Enhanced Athletic Performance
Immerse yourself in the world of enhanced athletic performance with Far Infra Red Sauna bathing. It's not just a recovery tool, it's a literal game-changer. A study has shown that it's not only beneficial for the neuromuscular system to recover from max endurance performance, but it can also transform your athletic abilities.

Helpful in treating autoimmune conditions
Sauna is a valuable clinical tool for various chronic health issue such as cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune disorders, and toxicant-induced illnesses. Studies show that sauna use can improve cardiovascular health by reducing inflammation, improving blood pressure, and increasing circulation. Additionally, sauna therapy is beneficial when treating pain from inflammator autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

If you're looking for sauna sessions in Plano, Texas we've got you covered. Regular Sauna use alleviates mild depression, improves sleep, and brings one to a state of relaxation, much like a massage. This is why we love offering this complementary therapy to our clients. It's easy to pop into a sauna right after your massage - many people start with 10 minutes, working up to 20 minutes at a time. ​

Barefoot massage is quickly becoming the new go-to massage technique for people looking for a unique and effective way to alleviate stress and tension. This innovative massage technique is gaining popularity across the world due to its ability to provide deep tissue work while also being gentle and relaxing.

Barefoot massage is a technique that involves the therapist using their feet to apply pressure to the body. This is done with the help of bars that are mounted on the ceiling. The therapist uses their feet to apply pressure to the client's body, which helps to improve circulation, reduce tension, and alleviate pain.

The technique is particularly effective for people who suffer from chronic pain and tension in their muscles. It can help to increase flexibility and range of motion, and can also help to reduce the risk of injury.

"Barefoot massage is a game-changer when it comes to relaxation and pain relief," said Hillary Arrieta, the leading Barefoot massage therapist and instructor in Plano, Texas. "It offers a unique and effective way to reduce stress and tension, and it's quickly becoming one of the most popular deep tissue massage techniques out there." Many students travel from all over the nation to learn this style at The Heeling Hut. Hillary is the North Texas instructor for the Center for Barefoot Massage. 

If you love deep tissue massage and you're looking for a new way to unwind, or if you suffer from chronic pain and tension in your muscles, barefoot massage could be the solution. Contact The Heeling Hut Barefoot Massage and Wellness today to schedule a session and experience the benefits of this innovative technique for yourself. You can book a session and learn more about training at www.theheelinghut.com

When new clients visit my office in Plano, Texas, I ask them to fill out a health intake form and we discuss their goals and any pain they may be experiencing. During the intake, they often express doubts about whether I can help with their specific health condition, such as musculoskeletal issues. However, I can usually provide support for such problems.

If you're looking for a natural way to address certain conditions, deep tissue barefoot massage may be worth considering. In my experience, I've seen great outcomes for a variety of issues. From reducing muscle tension to improving range of motion, deep tissue barefoot massage may be the solution you've been searching for.

​Steady Yeti Barefoot Massage Wax is an essential product for barefoot massage therapists. It provides excellent grip for every session, making myofascial barefoot massage easy and enjoyable. If you're looking for the ideal massage cream for deep tissue and myofascial massages, Steady Yeti Massage Wax is the perfect option.

This beeswax-based massage product slows your flow and gives you greater control, eliminating slippy/sloppy barefoot massages.

I created Steady Yeti Barefoot massage wax to help me achieve the perfect Barefoot Massage, and I also wanted to provide a healthy, convenient, and effective massage lubricant perfect for my myofascial barefoot massage students; I can confidently say that I've succeeded. I've been testing my product, and some feedback is optimistic that my barefoot massage wax will help you eliminate pain from death gripping your overhead bar support, which creates problematic shoulder pain.
 
From one of my former students and test subjects...
"I have been having impingement pain in both my right and left shoulders within a month of each other. When I’m working on most people’s backs with full weight, I worry I’m going to slip so I’m tightening my grip and pulling myself up on the bars. With the wax, I noticed immediately that I was barely touching the bars and felt confident I would stay on my clients erectors. 

With lotion I felt I was having to hold tighter on the bars to go slower. This wax will definitely prevent injury."
​
My massage wax is made with simple, all-natural ingredients that are either unscented or (coming soon) lightly infused with essential oils.

Steady Yeti Wax's thick viscosity makes it unique, because it offers maximum drag. I just did a demonstration at our regional AMTA meeting to show the difference between Swedish style ashiatsu and Myofascial Barefoot massage by experimenting; I used oil on the leg (Swedish style ashi) and Steady Yeti on the back (Myofascial style), and I can't wait to share a video of this! It perfectly illustrates how our work has evolved under The Center For Barefoot Massage and how this product will make your life much easier!

Another bit of feed back that I received that echos this,,,,
"Steady Yeti is excellent for detailed work of each individual muscle. It worked great on the IT band and I noticed how much slower I could move."

It also lasts longer than lotion or cream because it can be rehydrated with a spray of water and covers a vast area with a small amount of wax.


Additionally, it dries down to a light hydration that clients love. They say it feels buttery smooth!

I'm excited to announce that this new massage wax will be available June 2024.
Choose a 1 ounce sample $5 or a 3 ounce full size eco container $21 plus $9.98 for express shipping. Order for delivery during the week of June 24th, 2024

*****Thank you to all who ordered during my preorder event!
Orders are on Pause.****

Grab a "Get a Grip" Tank to perfect for the summer! Lots of colors to choose from!

And Find more swag here (I'm definitely getting a camping mug!)
https://my-store-e8daf5.creator-spring.com/listing/steady-yeti
​

Steady Yeti was a cute name I came up with inspired but the MANY barefoot massage therapists I see branding their businesses with images of Big Foot creatures. The symbolism has been a long tradition in our niche, Starting with Jeni Spring, our Boss Lady at the Center For Barefoot Massage...and I made it for them - to keep barefoot therapists steady and help them avoid giving Slippy/Sloppy massages with oil, lotion, or cream that just didn't work very well for our unique style of massage. 

This wax can also be used my any myofascial release practitioner and reflexology is great when using it too! 

Do you need to refresh your FasciAshi skills? Did you know you can join a class when there's an extra spot open? Hillary is now offering the chance to take one, two, or all three days (for Fundamentals) in a workshop and pay just $125 each day.
​You must have completed the course in the past to have this option. 

How do You take advantage of this opportunity?
Step One: Email Hillary within two weeks of your preferred course date to see if it is open for refresher students.
Step Two: Confirm with Hillary by paying the $125/day fee.
Step Three: Revisit our class policies and find your course materials. You'll want to dig out your manual and come prepared so you can get the most out of your refresher. This option does not include the manual but you may order a replacement for $50.

Additionally, Hillary offers private instruction for students who want extra one-on-one help. This option is a three-hour session where we work on polishing up your body mechanics, and skills, and answer questions specific to YOU. The first hour and a half is devoted to relearning each stroke. We spend 30 minutes talking about the goals that you've submitted. I work on you for 30 minutes allowing you to feel the strokes of your choice. We end with you practicing two or three strokes on me for direct feedback. You'll leave with a written feedback form and confidence to go forth in your massage practice or take that next class. Many students choose this option the day before a new workshop or make time to travel in for the day. You may also bring a friend to work on during the first hour and a half. 
How do you sign up for private training?
Step One: Contact Hillary to set up a session. 
Step Two: Pay the fee to hold your spot. This fee is Hillary's hourly rate and is subject to change. Please contact her for the most recent rate. 
Step Three: Reflect and set one to two goals for your private lesson. Find your manual and class materials.