Soul Sanctuary

Embrace the healing benefits of darkness in this unique approach to holistic therapy for a deeply transformational experience including Neuroaffective Massage, Craniosacral Therapy, Energy Balancing, guided meditation, and gentle breathwork, all in the nurturing comfort of our specially designed dark room.

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Why Incorporate Darkness?

Darkness is sometimes used as a synonym for negativity however these do not have the mean the same thing. In the same way that the positivity of the light can flip into a problem if it is out of balance, so too can we suffer from absence of sufficient darkness in our lives. But we need the right kind of darkness, the healing darkness. In healing darkness, we confront the painful patterns of our suffering and work towards the release, the endings, the letting go. It is the absence of light but not the absence of love, wisdom and healing potential. The body sleeps best in darkness. It holds a potentially restorative quality.

Included Modalities

Neuroaffective Massage

A deeply relaxing style of massage designed to slow down, ground, and rehabilitate the nervous system while releasing tension and pain in the body. We will address the muscles of the neck, shoulders, upper back, arms, hands, legs, and feet.

Energy Balancing

Chakra and energy healing techniques are incorporated to harmonize imbalances within the body and mind to ease anxiety, release stress, and reset your circuitry. We will restore optimal energy flow to each chakra, the biofield/aura, and unhealthy patterns.

Craniosacral Therapy

A gentle manual therapy that releases and unwinds restriction patterns within the fascia and nervous system. Release traumas, regulate emotions, and reset the cycles of hormones and sleep. We will support the brain, spinal cord, and the different nervous systems.

Origins of Dark Therapy

The concept of Dark Therapy can be traced back to ancient practices, such as the use of dark caves for spiritual retreats and healing purposes. In modern times, the therapeutic potential of darkness was first explored by German anthropologist Holger Kalweit in the 1980s. Kalweit observed that many indigenous cultures utilized periods of darkness for healing and spiritual growth. In the 1990s, Russian scientist Oleg Chervinsky conducted extensive research on the effects of prolonged darkness on the human body and mind, leading to the development of modern Dark Therapy protocols. Since then, the practice has gained increasing attention in the alternative health community as a means of promoting physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Benefits of Dark Therapy

Improved Sleep Quality - Darkness helps to regulate the body's natural sleep-wake cycle, leading to more restful & restorative sleep.
Reduced Stress and Anxiety - Exposure to darkness can lower cortisol levels, the primary stress hormone, promoting a sense of calm and relaxation.
Enhanced Immune Function - Darkness stimulates the production of melatonin, which has potent antioxidant and immune-boosting properties.
Increased Creativity and Introspection - The absence of external stimuli during dark therapy can foster a state of deep introspection, leading to heightened creativity and self-awareness.
Improved Hormone Regulation - Dark Therapy can help balance hormones such as serotonin and dopamine, which play crucial roles in mood, appetite, and overall well-being.
Accelerated Healing - Darkness has been shown to promote faster healing of injuries and illnesses by reducing inflammation and stimulating cellular regeneration.
Spiritual Growth - Many individuals report profound spiritual experiences and a deeper connection to their inner selves during Dark Therapy sessions.

Considerations

While the practice of Dark Therapy is suitable for many, it may not be the approach for everyone. For people with highly stressed nervous systems, fear of the dark, or certain mental health diagnoses, a traditional bodywork session may be a better fit. We have created an environment that is adaptable to each person's preferences and health considerations. The room will not be 100% dark for safety reasons as the practitioner moves around the table throughout the session. The lights will be slowly dimmed in relation to the deepening meditation and breathwork guidance. Clients will remain supine (face-up) on the treatment table for the duration of the session. While completing any massage therapy work, the client will remain covered by the sheet/blanket unless working on the arms or legs. Other areas addressed with massage work will include the neck, upper back, and feet. As the session concludes, the therapist will bring the client back to fully present awareness through hypnotic guidance as the lights begin to brighten again.

Testimonial

"I prefer to do my sessions with Amanda in the dark because the older I've gotten, the more easily I get sensory overloaded. The dimly-lit room helps me feel calm and grounded. And in a very deeply rooted way, the dark makes me feel like I can more freely let my emotions release because I wasn't focused on what I looked like in the light (mouth open, eyes open or closed, tears rolling down my cheeks)."