licensed masssage therapist, prenatal and postpartum speciality

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Rachel Shevlin Hart

“My intention is to be a loving source of therapeutic bodywork and support to help you maintain your sense of wholeness while embracing the overwhelming and joyful experience of motherhood…and a love wider and deeper than anything you have ever known.”- Rachel

welcome!

I am so excited to share a glimpse into my soul, the comforting wisdom I have learned and the purposeful work that lights me up! I am committed to showing up whole heartedly for each session as I support you on your journey of motherhood which, as a mama myself, find to be so beautiful and messy. From that initial desire to conceive, to preparing for labor, welcoming your sweet bundle of love home and adjusting to so much change and uncertainty in those early postpartum months, It is my honor to provide support for your mind, body and soul. The journey of motherhood is a vulnerable one and I hope to help you be more loving and compassionate towards yourself along the way, just as you are to your sweet child. When one feels nurtured and whole within, they radiate that light and energy to all those around them. That positive vibration is felt by others and will cycle right back around so the growth and benefits are endless. I am so grateful to love what I do and it is my deepest intention to empower you to nourish yourself so you can live and give from a wholesome, heart centered state of being.

 

certifications

As a mother myself, I can naturally connect and relate, while also honoring and acknowledging that every mother's experiences and individual needs are unique. After listening to many dear mama friends say they couldn’t find the specialized prenatal care and bodywork they needed, I am honored and feel so much joy being a source of the needed love, support and education during such a transformative time of your life. I go above and beyond the “light and fluffy surface massage” and use intentional, specialized techniques to create deeper therapeutic releases as the body is miraculously shifting and adjusting for your baby. I have endless pillow and body support options to ensure you feel as comfortable as possible and can fully receive the benefits. 

I was so fortunate to train and become certified by the one and only, Carole Osborne with Body Therapy Education. She wrote the Prenatal Massage Book that is used in most massage schools and has been a lead teacher nationwide for over 35 years. 

 

why prenatal massage is my passion

It is my honor to create a safe space for mamas to process and release emotions, take time for themselves to fully receive and feel replenished. When a mother learns to honor her needs and truly care for herself, she can handle the challenges of motherhood with more grace and feel the blissful moments of pure love with ease. From personal experience, I have felt the transformative effects of therapeutic bodywork during the most vulnerable and sacred phases of life; while creating life inside and while nourishing a sweet little newborn. With so much uncertainty, priority shifts, physical and hormonal changes through pregnancy and postpartum, massage is a powerful way to get out of our heads and connect deeply to our body, our soul and that powerful mother intuition. During such a challenging and sacred time in a woman's life, therapeutic massage is so transformative to help a mama feel nourished. When a mother feels cared for, she can naturally care for and nourish her baby from a healthy, wholesome, heart centered state of being. Everyone around her benefits!

I am committed to helping mothers embody their incredible feminine power so they can enter the transition into birth and motherhood feeling strong, confident and nourished.I often feel the magnitude of this transition is underestimated in our culture and hope to change that so women honor their divine feminine energy for all its worth.

 

my story

Let me briefly take you back with me to  age 23, 12 years ago, when I moved across country from Boston,  landing in San Diego to create a fresh start and “live the California Dream.” It wasn't so dreamy at first as I was working full time as a behavior therapist with children with autism and suffering from chronic migraines. This work was so purposeful and first opened my eyes to the power of touch and intention as I taught children how to regulate their bodies and  big emotions. I cared so deeply for those families and still do, so I somehow, I learned to “power through” the migraines for almost a year” (which I do NOT recommend!) I was living in my sympathetic nervous system “survival, fight or flight” mode far more than the healthy amount. My 23 year old self was a textbook people pleaser, “accommodator” with a “go go go” mentality - pouring so much of my energy and love to others and not nearly enough to myself, I allowed my worth to be defined by how much I was doing and giving rather than trusting I am worthy of unconditional love for simple who I am BEING. I wasn’t comfortable feeling anger so I suppressed it rather than feel it to release it,  which I now understand was a huge trigger for my migraines. 


My wise, loving parents back east were so concerned about my well being and my lack of seeking self care, they booked me an appointment with a highly respected acupuncturist in my area. That appointment will forever be imprinted in my heart as it was a huge “AHA” moment as it shifted the trajectory of my life.  I walked in his office carrying a dark cloud that hovered around me-  wishing I could numb the intense pain felt in the upper left quadrant of my head and neck. After only putting one tiny needle in my hand and one in my arm, I broke down in tears. I immediately felt clarity, peace and awakening come over my whole body. After he finished treating my meridian points, he left the room to give me space for a healthy healing release. When I walked out of his office, the sky had never looked so blue. The dark cloud I was carrying had vanished, like magic. I left relieved and perplexed wondering how two points in my arm could clear my headache when nothing else I knew of could. From that moment forward, I was fascinated by the holistic approach to healing and it couldn't have been more clear that our mind, body and soul are so closely interconnected. This led me to my advanced massage therapy training and discovering my calling to help others nourish their whole being with a holistic approach using bodywork, practicing love and compassion towards ourselves, mindful awareness, movement, and breathwork.

I am beyond grateful each and every day- as I do feel I am “Living the dream”- a life full of purpose, abundant love for my daughter and family, seeing challenges as opportunities for growth, a growing love and compassion for myself and others and so much joy. Although I still get a migraine every month or two, usually when my hormones dip, I now see my occasional migraine as a helpful reminder to slow down, honor my needs, look inward, Be with any uncomfortable feelings to release them and nourish myself on a deeper level. They have been a true gift of guidance in my life. 

Personal growth was never meant to be linear, so it was a windy road however I am so grateful for all I have learned and will continue to learn on this beautiful and messy journey of life and motherhood. I received so much valuable wisdom along the way that I hope to share and am also excited to provide support in areas where I was missing it. 

There is a special place in my heart for mothers as they prepare for the baby's arrival, mothers who just recently gave birth and parents. As a mother myself, I fully understand how much parents give each and every day to provide for their families.  In order to live and give from a wholesome, heart centered state, I feel it is essential to regularly nourish and replenish ourselves, It brings me so much joy to create a space for you to care for yourself and do just that!