Body Mechanics Orthopedic Massage is happy to introduce you to another new member of our team! Meet Zachary – a dancer, performer, mover and shaker. Zachary’s expressive and empathetic personality assists him in getting to the root of the problem with his clients, to fix issues they weren’t even aware were causing them distress.
Zachary gave us a peek behind the curtain as to what makes his sports massage therapy special and effective.
What is your background and what drew you to sports?
Zachary – I was a soccer player growing up and I competed in the NYC triathlon a few years ago. I was also a personal trainer for several years, and have spent a good portion of my life in the weight room doing resistance training.
How long have you been training or working at it?
Zachary – Being healthy and using my body to its fullest potential has been something that I’ve always enjoyed and been focused on. As I witnessed my father deal with chronic pain, illness, and physical disability through the years, I took it as inspiration to work (and play) to make sure my own body would last and allow me to enjoy every moment with it.
Can you share one experience as someone who uses their body, that has greatly impacted your massage?
Zachary – I first fell in love with bodywork through learning Thai massage. I was introduced to it as a recovery modality in the acro-yoga community I was a part of. In Thai massage the practitioner uses their whole bodies to stretch and support the receiver with acupressure and assisted yoga postures. It becomes almost a dance between the two.I carry that energy and intention in my work, as I integrate my training and my own movement practices, even while just using my hands. There is a silent dialogue, conversation, and dance that is occurring, that provides a fluidity and deep connection throughout my work.
What is your best “Uh-oh!” story? A time you really F-d up doing something with your body that helped inform your medical massage technique.
Zachary – I’ve often been of the personal mindset to just push through the pain. But in training for the triathlon, my body definitely got over taxed and I quickly learned the importance of allowing time for recovery and self-care
What are your favorite kinds of people to work on?
Zachary – People who either already have a strong connected sense to their body or are open to developing that mind-body connection. Not everyone is able to articulate where, exactly, their pain but through a bit of light conversation I can phish the info out of them during their sports massage, but the ones who know exactly how I can help them are my favorites.
If you could try any sport/or amazing physical activity what would it be?
Zahary – I love gymnastics! Shapes and poses that seem to defy gravity, and yet through dedication and training somehow go from feeling impossible to becoming possible. And for a sport- I’ve always wanted to try Kitesurfing.
Tell us a little bit about some of the other hobbies you enjoy
Zachary – I’m a mover and dancer. Active in many ways- yoga and acro yoga, cycling, swimming, hiking, dancing, contact improv. I’m also a performer and love working in collaborative and physical theatre.
What sets your sports massage apart from anyone else?
Zachary – I find that having a strong somatic understanding of my own body, combined with anatomical and physiological knowledge, has led to an strong intuitive sense of how to work with others’ bodies. By moving, stretching and sometimes injuring my body over the years, when a client and I narrow down their issue I can work fluidly through all the sports massage modalities I have trained in, from swedish to myofascial or neurofascial release, to trigger point orThai, to work out their issues with the perfect method.
Is there anything we do not know about you we should?
Zachary – I traveled across the country for a year after college dressed as Baloo the bear, performing in and directing children’s theater.
If you had a superpower what would it be?
Zachary – The ability to pause time so that I could read and learn uninterrupted.
What was the last book you read?
Zachary – The Overstory by Richard Powers. Life changing. Highly recommended.
Take a look at our other massage therapist profiles!
