Friday 24 March 2023

Massage Shala - Friday mornings at The Canvas, Old Ford Road, Bethnal Green

Massage Shala community massage clinic started life at Centre 151 in the summer of 2017.

Little did we know that we would be invited to join a social presciption project called The Health Tree hosted by St Margaret's House in Bethnal Green as part of their recovery and healing programme after the global pandemic.

We were a group of 4 local practitioners (Jo Lim, Robert Peirce, Stuart Thomas and Rachel King) happy to be serving the community at a time of heightened sensitivity and need. Our floor-based, shared-space style seemed to fit in naturally into the old shop-front cosy venue called The Canvas.

Doors to the public opened on Friday 21st May 2021 for the first time. Offering low cost sessions open to all. Most clients pay £30-£40 depending on their means. For those who are claiming benefits we offer a concessionary rate of £15. We work on a trust basis and don't ask for proof of income. Our work at the clinic works well with a "pay what you can afford" approach.

We seem to have become victims of our own success recently as clinics get booked out very quickly. This makes it hard for new clients to find a space. We are wary about making any rules as this goes against the spirit with which we run the Massage Shala. 
 
 
To help us improve our accessibility please consider the following when booking:

1. Our reduced prices are offered by our therapists on a goodwill basis. Please pay what you can afford. We recommend those working full-time pay £40 and those working part-time or on a low income pay £30 while those who are claiming benefits and not working pay £15. Of course we understand times are hard for everyone and even for those who are working, especially with rising costs. Please make your own judgement about what feels appropriate to pay.

2. Please be mindful of taking up space by making multiple bookings. We understand that some people might be in extra need and coming for a few sessions in a row can be beneficial. We would like to encourage our clients to book a maximum of 2 or 3 slots per series (we usually run for 5-6 weeks each series).  

We love this work we do and are glad you do too!


 

Tuesday 20 April 2021

April 2021 - UNLOCKING WITH THAI MASSAGE

Photo by Rosemary Bolivar, Chiang Mai
“The treatments are massages but could also be described as an energy-balancing or body work session. The massage works on a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual level; almost like an MOT for the body which impacts all layers of body/mind/spirit.” 

I was asked recently what a Thai massage would be like.

Fridays (until 21.05.21), Saturdays and Sundays by appointment 07946-547-259 (Rachel King, London Fields)

 
 

Friday 12 January 2018

JANUARY 2018 - LONDON FIELDS THAI MASSAGE


HAPPY & PEACEFUL 2018 from 

Traditional Thai massage treatments available: 

Tuesdays 12-5pm 
Fridays 12-9pm  
Saturdays 9-5pm 
Sundays (occasionally)

Book in advance by text to 07946 547 259 or email rachelmaryking@gmail.com 

2018 Rates: 
£60 for 60 minutes & £80 for 90 minutes. 

Treatments take place in London Fields E8 (Tu/Fr/Sa/Su) at my home studio on Eleanor Road.
  
Also available on Tuesdays and Fridays at Centre 151 in Haggerston E2. 













Home visits within Hackney available with an extra charge.

Thursday 4 February 2016

What does a dynamic form of Thai massage look like?

I love watching Thierry Bienfaisant in the flow. His style is a great example of dynamic Thai massage and you can just feel the benefits on the receivers body by watching. Thierry and many other practitioners today have been influenced by Chaiyuth Priyasith a very special man from a family of Thai massage therapists.



I write this early February post with grateful reverence to Chaiyuth Priyasith, a Thai massage master from Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. I feel more and more how his energy is influencing me in my own practice. 

Chaiyuth is sadly no longer with us (he died while dancing in 2005). He touched many of us with his smile, small massage room, whirring fan to keep off mosquitos and post massage coffee and optional cigarette.




Sunday 16 August 2015

Camden Triyoga - Rachel's availability for Thai massage sessions in August and September 2015


reception area - cafe - shop



healthy teas and snacks available
Rachel will be available for Thai massage sessions at Triyoga Camden in August and September while she covers for therapists who are away.



Camden Triyoga which was once in the heart of Primrose Hill has shifted and is now located at 57 Jamestown Road, London NW1 7DB.




Rachel will be offering Thai massage sessions of 60/90/120 minutes on the following days at the following times:

Wednesday 19th August - 8am to 12pm
Friday 21st August    - 5pm to 9pm
Wednesday 26th August - 8am to 12pm
Friday 28th August    - 5pm to 9pm
Friday 4th September  - 5pm to 9pm

Looking forward to seeing you there! Any questions contact Rachel on 07946 547 259. 
For bookings contact Triyoga Camden directly here: www.triyoga.co.uk/camden 
call 020 7483 3344  

sauna for yoga students and massage clients

Friday 16 January 2015

Traditional Thai Massage in London Fields: Winter 2015 update


Traditional Thai Massage sessions available in London Fields E8 

Tuesdays 2pm to 6pm

Fridays 4pm to 9pm 

Saturdays 10am to 6pm

Call or text Rachel 07946 547 259 for more details.























Images by Gavin Freeborn 

Friday 26 April 2013

"OPEN YOUR WINGS" with Yoga and Thai Massage


Rachel and Angelika will be offering two more Yoga and Thai Massage workshops this spring and early summer once again in the beautiful spacious London Fields Yoga studio.


We are delighted to be offering more workshops together as we love the combination of yoga flow with the meditative and nurturing partner work of Thai Massage.

The afternoon will be open to beginners and those with some previous experience. Yoga and meditation will open and warm our bodies and hearts to be more ready to give. A guided sequence of Thai Massage will help open our shoulders and our capacity to spread our wings and fly! You will learn simple techniques for stretching the body and opening up our energy lines with acupressure.

We look forward very much to seeing you there. We will cover different techniques in each workshop so encourage you to attend both if possible (£5 reduction on each workshop if you book both in advance). No need to come with a partner but partners are also very welcome. It will help if you have some basic body flexibility as the Thai Massage involves floor work.


DATES: Saturdays 18 May & 22 June 2013 2-6pm

LOCATION: London Fields Yoga, Arthaus, 195-205 Richmond Road, London E8 3NJ

COST: £35 per workshop or £30 each if you book and attend both workshops


Please book in advance with Elizabeth at London Fields Yoga. 

Phone/Text her on 07403 423 187 or email elizabethyoga@live.com