Chris Shewchuk

I’m passionate about all of us living our best lives.

I’m consistently focussed on finding a healthy relationship with myself and the world around me. While challenging at times, my pain and past trauma have helped shape me into a compassionate and effective therapist.

I’m trained and experienced in both deep and subtle tissue work, including craniosacral therapy, myofascial release, Swedish techniques, trigger point therapy, and a unique self-developed blend of rocking, shaking, and pulsing techniques. My preference is to hone in on dysfunction in the skeleton and fascia, and make adjustments to soft tissue to bring you into better alignment. Whether you’re looking for a mind-body-spirit relaxation massage, a purely physical deep-tissue “get the knots out” massage, or anything in-between, I’ve got you covered.

My designation as an RMT was earned by completing 3000 hours of training in Nelson, and by passing rigorous provincial licensing exams. My work as an RMT is supported by a foundation of knowledge shared by all massage therapists in British Columbia. My commitment to you as a person seeking massage extends beyond the basic requirements of my profession with a desire and capacity to honour your needs with empathy and non-judgment.

I connect deeply with cedar. You’ll find it adorning my website and infused in my practice in other ways. Over time, my relationship with cedar has come to include fascination, healing, forgiveness, compassion, and repair.

I love exploring the forest barefoot, swimming in the cool waters, basking in the hot sun, and cozying up during the rain and snow.

I am eternally grateful for the magnificent waters and beckoning landscapes of our home. The people and creatures I’ve met throughout my life have helped me to better understand and respect all beings, to learn the importance of honouring the wisdom of our bodies, and to receive the tremendous gifts of the natural world.

I am, you are, we are — nature.

You — that is, your words, your posture, and the tissues of your body — constantly communicate an enormous amount of information.

My approach is simply to listen deeply and respond with skill, sensitivity, and in the case of massage, an appropriate degree of pressure and depth.

I have a keen interest in helping people to navigate the complex interplay of aspects of themselves. Often in modern culture this manifests as a division between mind and body, or between physical and emotional, but in my experience these not only influence one another deeply, but are actually one and the same.

Tried and proven massage techniques — Swedish, myofascial, trigger point therapy, joint mobilizations, deep muscle stripping, craniosacral therapy, and more — are skilfully fused with a signature technique of rocking, shaking, tractioning and pulsing to impact multiple systems in your body simultaneously.

Typically I use little, if any, oil in my massages. When I do it’s for a specific purpose and is 100% pure organic jojoba oil. Jojoba is an oil that bears a strong similarity to the naturally ocurring oils in your skin, and doesn’t stain clothing or sheets with residue.

Ulitimately, my approach is focussed on helping you find a lasting somatic experience of safety, belonging, and peace. When you’re able to rest in this state, the entire organism that is you softens, grows, and blossoms at an organic pace — much like a flower unfolding.

Massage can go a long way in reducing stress, regulating mood disorders, decreasing chronic pain, promoting increased physical vitality, and speeding the recovery process associated with injuries and surgeries.

I am privileged to live, work, and play on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded land of the Sinixt people. I pledge myself to respect and learn good relationship with the Sinixt təmxʷulaʔxʷ (homeland), the Sinixt Nation, all peoples, and the animals, fish, birds, insects and plants that grow and live here. 

I will tend to the land, waters, and communities of my home in a good way, and will continually listen and learn to be in better relationship. I understand that this land has been traditionally held and tended by women, and will listen to and respect all women.

I am sorry for the hurt that my ancestors and I have caused through ignorance, hate, and fear. Cultural genocide has been forced upon many cultures and people worldwide for thousands of years in hatred, fear, and ignorance. It continues to this day in ways both obvious and subtle.

My desire is to forge a path forward based upon mutual respect, compassion, and cooperation.

I am deeply grateful to be here, and I invite you to learn more about your relationship to this place by visiting the websites below.