Kalispell massage therapist focuses on mind-body connection
The mind and the body work together, so it makes sense to treat healing that way says Aly Aiyn George, owner of Stone Tree Massage and Somatics in Kalispell.
George, born and raised in Eureka, opened her shop just across the street from Elrod Elementary in April. A year of renovations and work later, the building — originally built in 1893 — has a new, welcoming, fantasy sort of look with curving wood features.
“The one thing I’ve really learned throughout my life is you really cannot separate mental health and the body, and I would like to be able to treat that as such,” George said earlier this month.
Stone Tree Massage and Somatics has a peaceful interior. The clean, herbal scent contributes to the calmness of the place, with instrumental music quietly playing and the glow from an electric fireplace seeping into the room.
George graduated from the Massage Institute of Cleveland in 2012 and is currently licensed in massage therapy in Montana and Washington. Massage therapy, or caring for people through touch, has always been important in George’s life.
George’s older brother, Mack, lives in a group home in Kalispell, one of the main reasons George chose to open her business here. Mack has down syndrome, and throughout their lives, George would offer to massage his neck or back, something that always lit his eyes up.
“It made me realize how important touch is, especially for those who need it but may not be able to ask for it,” she said.
George is certified in somatics and trauma work as well. Somatics is a field within bodywork that takes a mind-body approach that helps increase bodily awareness and healing.
The concept of somatics first came into the picture for George around 2014 when she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and her psychologist suggested massage therapy. Involving somatics, the goal is to help the left and ride side of the body communicate better.
“It worked so well to help me with my PTSD I realized how important it could be,” she said. “It really is geared at reformatting the brain to feel safety.”
While somatics is an emerging field in traumatology, there is a lot of material and pioneers trailblazing the concept. If you think your pain — mental or physical — is chronic, George said, massage therapy and somatics could make you think again.
Somatic massage therapy helps regulate the nervous system, she said, incorporating gentle movement and awareness building techniques to help the body heal from and process trauma. A somatic massage session at Stone Tree is a mix of massage, awareness-building techniques, meditation and gentle movement.
Prior to opening Stone Tree, George worked at various spas and clinics. This is her first time operating her own massage business.
“This is the first time I can really spend the time I need to with my clients and work with them the way they need,” she said. “It benefits everyone.”
In the future, George hopes to expand her practice, combining with therapists and psychiatrists to use somatics in treatment and recovery plans. While she already works with mental health professionals today around the valley, she is interested in creating a holistic mind-body practice, she said.
“The one thing I’ve really learned... is you really cannot separate mental health and the body and I would like to be able to treat that as such,” George said.
The whole initiative is to help others, George said. From taking care of her brother to watching her mom survive cancer, George grew up understanding the importance of health.
“It was really formative to me how important maintaining that health is,” she said. “The health of our body has a much larger role in our lives than we may be aware.”
Stone Tree offers numerous services including therapeutic massages and hot stone therapy and great outdoors sports massage that focuses on recovery or preparation for outdoor adventures like hiking and skiing. The deep bamboo therapy uses heated bamboo sticks combined with therapeutic massage to break up difficult knots and stubborn areas. There are options to bundle the services for a discounted rate and gift certificates are also available.
Call 406-743-3497 to book a massage or visit stonetree.massagetherapy.com/home to schedule a session. Stone Tree is closed on Tuesdays and services are offered by appointment only.
Stone Tree Massage and Somatics is located at 415 3rd Ave. W. in Kalispell.
Reporter Kate Heston may be reached at 758-4459 or kheston@dailyinterlake.com.
The massage studio inside Stone Tree Massage & Somatics in Kalispell on Thursday, Dec. 19. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider