There is a place in Valdosta where one can reconnect the body and mind in a quiet and peaceful atmosphere and simply enjoy his or her being.

Mindful Massage and Bodywork is a massage salon where therapists are state and nationally certified professionals.

“Our business is massage and bodywork,” said Pat Santas, owner. “It is our total focus, and as a result of this being our commitment, we are all dedicated to maintain all professional standards and expanding our knowledge on a regular basis. It’s not like icing-on-the-cake massage — it’s our commitment.”

The idea of a massage salon dates from 2000 when Santas and her husband, Ari Santas, first started this business. They wanted to provide unique types of massage. In 2005, they purchased and renovated the building at the current location, and added more staff as each of the therapists has a particular specialty. Seven therapists are dedicated to create a relaxing experience for their clients that they cannot get anywhere else in the region.

“Collectively, we represent many different aspects of massage, all done with mindfulness, awareness and quality in all that we do,” Santas said.

Altogether, the therapists at Mindful Massage practice about 50 different types of massage. She added that very few people who practice some of these massage methods are actually certified to do it.

Many have asked Santas through the years why she doesn’t add manicure, pedicure and other such services.

“My response is that we will keep this space quiet with a simplicity that allows for being present and aware of our bodies in a way that is focused on our health — body awareness of a very different sort than we are routinely presented with by the media,” she said.

The clients who have been with them since they open their business seem to appreciate the quality service and focus on the mind and body.

“‘Mindful’ is a Buddhist concept of awareness, of being present, being where you are,” she explained.

People’s lives are extremely busy now, Santas said, and they rarely have time to slow down and just be. The proper massage and atmosphere, however, are the way to make people feel comfortable with themselves again.

Mindful Massage and Bodywork provides a training facility for Valdosta State University Continuing Education and organizes various workshops.

Santas said people who go to a massage school, cannot learn everything there, but just the basics. That’s why this kind of practice takes years of experience in order to perfect the quality.

In addition, they have homemade handcrafted soup products to complement the massage and aroma therapy.

“It is a big part of what we do here,” Santas added.

Kristen Karrle, a therapist at Mindful Massage, said most clients who go there, usually have some health problem and they have integrated the massage sessions into their health-maintenance routine. However, many like to go there and have the basic massage called “Swedish,” as it relaxes the body completely especially after a stressful day.

The massage “increases circulation, relieves muscle tension, improves muscle tone, breaks down/prevents muscle adhesions, promotes general relaxation and stress reduction, helps improve sleep, increases body awareness, increases body’s ability to heal itself, and sharpens mental awareness,” according to the business Web site mindfulmassage.biz.

Karrle said people get massages as often as they need them or can afford them. The least, she recommends, is once a month.

To learn more, call the clinic at (229) 259-9535; or visit mindfulmassage.biz, which will be fully updated in two weeks. Mindful Massage is located at 2229 E. Park Ave. The official business hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. However, Santas said they are pretty flexible with the hours and sometimes she can come earlier or leave later depending on the clients’ needs.



Staff:

Mindful Massage and Bodywork Staff

Pat Santas, LMT, and Ari Santas, LMT: core myofascial, deep tissue, Swedish, sports, prenatal, Thai and Ashiatsu massages.

Kristen Karrle, LMT: Swedish, deep tissue, sports, core myofacial, hot stone.

Donna Garbett, LCMT: NMT, sports, Swedish, prenatal reflexology, deep tissue, direct myofascial release, visceral technique, aroma therapy and muscle testing.

Tracy May, CMT: deep tissue, Swedish, sports and prenatal.

Jessica T. Brannon, LMT: neuromuscular and sports massage specialist.

Gayle Primm, RN, LMT: Reiki Master; offering a full line of therapeutic massage.