Meet Massage Therapist Ally Russell (she/her)
Colorado Licensed Massage Therapist MT0025719
Registered Thai Therapist with Thai Alliance
Grief is what brought me to massage nearly 10 years ago, and Grief Massage and Nervous System focused touch is what I’m most proud of being able to offer to this amazing community right now.
If you can visualize a Venn diagram, you know those two circles that overlap, with more clinical pain relief work on one side, and nervous system regulation work on the other side, I spend most of my time with people right where the two overlap, and often have sessions where we are solely focused on touch that rebalances and reconnects folks with their bodies. I don’t spend much time anymore on the far side of the strictly clinical pain relief side of things, as I have found that if we allocate time in sessions to respecting the nervous system with a pace slow enough that the mind can interact with the touch, prioritizing informed consent both before and during sessions, offer pressure that doesn’t bully the body, and dedicate time to touch that solely focuses on integrating the deeper work done, the work tends to feel more profound and relief tends to stick around longer. I believe wholeheartedly that firmer touch doesn’t always equal better touch, and I think the best massage is where we find your “Goldilocks” pressure and preferences. Your voice and preferences are an important part of a therapeutic session and I value your input in sessions.
My favorite bodywork to receive is subtle and slow, where I feel listened to and seen, and I aim to provide this to clients as much as I can through moving at a pace that allows me to listen as best as I can. I try to work in a way that honors that your pain and tension may not just be physical, but may be your body doing its best to protect you, by simply inviting new ways of existing rather than trying to demand anything of your muscles, joints, and connective tissues. I tend to make more progress with tension patterns by working with clients in longer sessions so we can explore an area globally instead of focusing on just where pain is appearing. If the shoulders are tense, with your permission, let’s spend some time and attention at the front of the chest, the arms, and with the neck, jaw, face, and scalp to explore why those shoulder muscles feel they need to tighten up.
Modalities that I find are my favorite tools right now are the slow, melty style of Myofascial-Swedish massage which aims at addressing fascia by moving slow enough to allow the tissues to unwind long held patterns of tension, Thai massage which offers a focus on nourishing compression, gentle traction, and passive range of motion to the body, Nervous System informed work which aims to bring clients into relationship with their bodies, as well as Grief massage which acknowledges the physical pain of grief through body-based grief support. Abdominal massage can also be an amazing tool to release emotional armor, especially in times of chronic stress. I have particular interest in holding space for those navigating grief, those utilizing massage for mental health support, those in care-taking roles, women, non-binary folks, and aging populations. All bodies are welcome; Anupa Wellness is an LGBTQIA+ friendly space.
Every session includes an intake discussion, hot towels on your feet at the start, and essential oils of your choosing. Other complimentary options to make your sessions truly yours are:
-Weighted blanket - To calm and ground an overactive nervous system, or to offer consistent pressure stimulus to a disengaged nervous system.
-Heated neck pillow - To warm up tissues, or simply for comfort.
-Soothing ice pack pillow - To soothe the neck after heavier work.
-Breast bolster - For anyone uncomfortable lying face down. Please be sure to let us know upon booking for this option specifically.
Simply put, my goal with bodywork is to create a calm, safe, peaceful, and supportive space for your body to trust that it can unwind. Presence, intentional touch, and curiosity are what I bring to each session. I aim to touch every person with the awareness that most, if not all of us, have experienced trauma and are carrying some form of grief, and these things can manifest as pain in the body. I appreciate your interest in learning about what I aim to offer with massage and bodywork.
What I most often hear after sessions:
I feel taller and more spacious than when I walked in.
I feel like I can take a deep breath again.
That was exactly what I didn’t know I needed.
Wow, I really needed that slow down.
And my favorite… I have a neck again. My shoulders are out of my ears finally.
“This isn’t about “fixing” anyone. It’s about creating a space where the body can remember its own capacity to heal and thrive.” - Tracey W, Nervous System Informed practitioner and teacher
Education and credentials
After a 275 hour Thai massage program in Northern California and falling in love with that style of bodywork, I moved up to Portland, Oregon and graduated from an 800 hour program at East West College of the Healing Arts. I am dedicated to continuing my education with classes year round in order to better serve clients in an ever changing world filled with ever changing stressors. I hold a license for massage in the state of Colorado through Dora. Colorado Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) #MT0025719.
My other interests include long distance thru-hiking, practicing yin and restorative yoga, gardening, reading, volunteering in this amazing community, spending time outside with friends and loved-ones, and watching alpenglow shows with my partner and our 16-year-old rescue cattle dog, Tango.
Throughout my life and especially in the five years of being a bodyworker, I have developed a deep reverence for the human body. My goal with every client is to offer intentional touch with a grounding presence that allows them to remember that it’s okay to soften a little. I would be honored to work with you.
Much Love, Ally
May you be held in compassion.
May you be free from physical and emotional pain.
May you be at peace.
-Thai mantra
Massage/Floatation Tank therapy combo sessions are available occasionally or on request. Please check our online schedule for availability or reach out to Dr. Laura at (303) 229 - 5261 to request a combo session.
Testimonials
“I especially love the work that Ally does because as a cyclist and trail runner, I constantly have neck and back issues. She absolutely works magic.” - Mateo W
I highly recommend Thai Table massage with Ally! It was incredible. Relaxing, calming, and definitely helped with pain and stiffness. I cannot wait to go back! Ally was welcoming, professional, and created a very comfortable environment. Highly recommend!” - Suzanne W
Day of your appointment
If it is your first appointment with Ally, please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time to allow time use the restroom, settle in, fill out a health intake form, as well as begin our intake conversation. During the intake conversation, you can expect to discuss any health conditions, medications, as well as your overall goals for massage and any special needs you might have, which will help Ally plan a session that is customized to you. This extended intake is a part of your first session and arriving 15 minutes early significantly helps our schedule run well so we are on time for all clients that day.
For returning clients, please arrive 5 minutes before your scheduled appointment time to allow time to use the restroom, settle in, and any communicate areas of tension and/or recent health changes, as well as your goals for the day, which will help to create an informed plan for your needs for your massage.
Please allow a few extra minutes to find parking, especially during the warmer months when downtown is busier. 5 minutes grace can often be added to the end of sessions for late arrivals, but we do need space in between clients to reset and be ready to start future appointments on time, so we can't always go over on time.
For Thai Table sessions
Please bring comfortable, loose fitting clothing that you can stretch in. Pants and an old t-shirt or a tank would be ideal so we can apply salve to your neck and shoulder area.
Waitlist
If you can’t find an appointment time that works for you, please fill out our waitlist. Thank you.
https://forms.gle/mBZBMgNKTDgRkA5c9
After your Appointment
In-person feedback is always welcome and encouraged. If you would prefer an anonymous way to leave feedback, please use the link below. We don’t know what we don’t know. Thank you for you input.
Pricing for Massage Therapy with Ally
45 minutes $95
60 minutes $120
90 minutes $160
105 minutes $185
120 minutes $210
Massage Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes, I am currently accepting new clients. Oftentimes sessions can be found a week in advance, but sometimes the schedule does fill up a few weeks in advance. If you are a regular client, I encourage booking your next appointment when you check out at each session so you have access to the time and day you would like for the following appointment.
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If you are a new client, please look further out on the schedule to try to find something that works for you.
If you are a regular client, you are welcome to reach out to me via text to inquire about more availability.
For both new and returning clients, if you would like to add yourself to the waitlist to be notified of earlier appointments that might become available, you may do so here: https://forms.gle/mBZBMgNKTDgRkA5c9
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No, tips are never expected. I encourage you to utilize the tip option as a way to customize the price of your massage, sort of creating your own sliding scale. If it is not a financial burden on you to tip, standard in the massage world is 20%. If, however, the price of the massage itself is a stretch for you, please simply opt out of tipping. We do our best to balance keeping sessions reasonably priced, while also making sure we can show up fully present and ready to give 100% to each client. Our care doesn’t change one bit whether you tip or not, we are honored to work with you regardless.
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Glad you asked. I love offering massage and want to continue to do so for 30+ year. These policies help support my dedication to this field. These are aimed at being educational and preventative more than anything else. Thank you for your support so I can continue to do what I love in supporting you.
Illness and Vaccines: For your own health and the health of others, please do not come in for a session at Anupa if you have a cold, flu, Covid, fever, or are within 72 hours of any vaccine. Massage can make illness symptoms much worse. We ask that you reschedule your appointment at the first sign of illness if it is within 7-10 days of your scheduled session. To reduce the risk of spreading illness in our community, we also ask that you reschedule if someone you live with falls ill. A new appointment may be made once you (or your housemate) have been completely symptom free for 7 days. For the safety of all, we make rare exceptions to our late cancellation policy for illnesses and emergencies, but late cancellations the day of or even up to a few days before an appointment still compromise our ability to continue to offer massage to our community. If you need to do so, please cancel your appointment as soon as possible so that the space can be booked by someone else. Thank you for not coming in to Anupa Wellness if you are sick, and thank you for your understanding.
Late Cancellations: Anupa Wellness is a small local business and because of this every time slot on our calendar is valuable as potential revenue for our growth and service as a healing center to the Arkansas River Valley. Late cancellations and no-show appointments challenge our ability to continue to offer our services to the community. Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice or no-show appointments, the full fee of the appointment will be charged. After 10 minutes into an appointment with no communication will be considered a no-show. Any no-show or late cancellation fees will be charged to the card on file, or invoiced if no card is available, and are due on the day of the missed session. Cancelling your appointment with as much notice as possible helps the sustainability of our business tremendously. We understand that emergencies happen, please just be in touch.
We are not able to accommodate for massage if you arrive impaired is it can be a danger to your body if I you are under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, illegal drugs. Please do not arrive impaired. We can accommodate if you are on prescription or OTC pain medications or muscle relaxers. Please inform us if you have taken any pain medications or muscle relaxers or have applied any topical medications or hormones the day of your session.
New Clients: If it is your first appointment with Ally, please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time to allow time use the restroom, settle in, fill out a health intake form, as well as begin our intake conversation. During the intake conversation, you can expect to discuss any health conditions, medications, as well as your overall goals for massage and any special needs you might have, which will help Ally plan a session that is customized to you. This extended intake is a part of your first session and arriving 15 minutes early significantly helps our schedule run well so we are on time for all clients that day.
For returning clients, please arrive 5 minutes before your scheduled appointment time to allow time to use the restroom, settle in, and any communicate areas of tension and/or recent health changes, as well as your goals for the day, which will help to create an informed plan for your needs for your massage.
Please allow a few extra minutes to find parking, especially during the warmer months when downtown is busier. 5 minutes grace can often be added to the end of sessions for late arrivals, but we do need space in between clients to reset and be ready to start future appointments on time, so we can't always go over on time.