Full Range Bodywork

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01/01/2024

MEDITATION & TAI CHI PRINCIPLES CLASSES
TUESDAY NIGHTS 5:30 AND 6:30 IN CASPAR.

In these classes you’ll learn the fundamental principles of mediation, martial arts and qi gong from the perspective of Buddhist and Daoist philosophy and practice. While the meditation and Tai Chi Principles will be taught as separate classes, in essence, they are two aspects of the same thing: the path of self-cultivation. Traditionally the path (Dao) is said to consist of three things: the view or philosophy, the method, and the fruition. The view is divided into three aspects (Dao, Heaven/Earth, and the Self-nature). The method is divided into (1) substance (body and mind conditioning) and (2) function (application of the method) or skill. The fruition comes when the view and method are complete. A traditional Chinese saying is “To exercise without aiming at skill will be a sheer waste of effort even if you do it for your whole life.” (From “Wu Style Taichichuan Push-Hands” by Ma Yueh-Hang). In these classes we’ll be exploring all three aspects and the conditioning and application of the method.

I have studied meditation, martial and health arts for over 20 years. My teachers and community are primarily in the Bay Area. Living in the remote area of the Mendocino coast makes it difficult to others to practice with. I’m setting up these classes in hopes to establish a local community of people with similar interests.

I am fortunate to know high level practitioners who teach openly martial arts, qi gong, and meditation at a level which in former times was only available to family members and indoor students. While I am not of the same caliber as my teachers, I am able to share what I’ve been taught and introduce you to these principles and concepts, as well as connect you to my teachers, if you so desire. Such an opportunity is rare so if you have any interest in eastern philosophy and practices, I’d jump on board.

Please contact me if you’d like to attend. Space is limited due to size of location.

Kurt Baker
(707) 489-6892 text is fastest way to reach me.

01/14/2023

Physical Morality: The New Paradigm of Ida Rolf & Moshe Feldenkrais

“The Hindu culture discovered thousands of years ago that if you got a relatively good body, you had a reasonable, mild man [or woman]. So, the way a reasonably good body behaved became for them the cornerstone for morality. When morals are built from the body’s behavior, you get a moral structure and behavior that respect the rights and privileges of other individuals. This is a very interesting concept; it has surfaced every once in a while, down through the thousands of years man been on earth. It went completely out during the more ridged Christian era, when the church began to dictate morals from above rather than from within. In doing so a rigidity came into the concept of morals which people are now rebelling against and have been for the last seventy-five years.” –Ida Rolf, Ida Rolf Talks. Published 1978


Both Ida Rolf and Moshe Feldenkrais were establishing an entirely new paradigm, not simply creating systems of bodywork. The main tenant of this new paradigm was that the mind and body are not two separate things, but one unit; that the current state of the body was also the state of the mind. If one changes for better or worse, so does the other.

It’s clear that this perspective was derived by both pioneers from practices of the far east: Ida with yoga of India and Moshe with Judo of Japan. Within both cultures there is a concept that one does not reach full maturity until his or her posture is discovered. This is because maturity comes to fruition by training the spirit through the body.

In Judo this type of training is practiced first by learning how to roll on the mat (or the ground). Feldenkrais pointed out that to learn to roll is to overcome our only inherent fear: that of falling. * Therefore, it might be understood that through this basic judo exercise of rolling we are facing our most primal fear, that which all others proceed from. In order to do this, one needs to relax the fear response in the body, to successfully complete a functional roll. So, by posture we are not talking about a ridged way of holding the spine upright, but functionality for any movement (or in stillness.) For affect, Moshe coined the phrase “acture” to describe this state. As the training continues, whether in yoga, or martial arts, more and more refined adjustments and corrections are made to bring about the most functional state of the body in relation to the world.

However, it is enough to simply discover your alignment in relation to gravity. This is essential. Even if you don’t plan to practice yoga or martial arts, etc., finding your place with gravity in your own body is all that is required for “graduation”—you can take this and apply it to whatever you do, enhancing it. Further education beyond this is possible, but not essential. This is why Ida and Moshe did not emphasize yoga or judo, but instead created systems of bodywork to address this problem of reaching a mature, moral and highly functional state of not only the body but also the mind.
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*Soon after birth the fear of loud noises also forms, but this is via a neurological connection with the middle ear—the apparatus of balance—and so this fear stems from our fear of falling, physiologically.

09/01/2022

Work, move, dance and live in a healthy way inside your body

I work with people who have pain, and those who wish to maintain an open and aligned body that moves well. I use various bodywork modalities that address the structure of your body on a holistic level. My clients report such things as being able to go back to work, move, dance and live in a healthy way inside their body, pain-free. I am punctual with my sessions and work in a clean and clear space. Call or email me to come experience what I do.
Kurt Baker (707) 489-6892 Caspar, CA

08/31/2022

“HAULING WORM-DIRT IS WHAT'S IMPORTANT.”
And because of regular bodywork she’s still able to - into her 70’s, no less.

I have a client who finds great joy working in her garden. However, there was a time not too long ago when she questioned how much more physical work she could comfortably endure, due to body aches and pains. As luck would have it, she came across my ad on Listserv for bodywork. She decided to try me out.
Later, when asked how the work had fared, she replied that it gave her hope. Hope that things don’t have to get worse, because 67 years of accumulated pain (emotional and physical) had been relieved after only a few sessions. And now, she has a beautiful garden to show for it, worms and all.

Not everything can be resolved with bodywork, but I’m always surprised at what is. Come give it a try!

Call Kurt Baker (707) 489-6892

I’ve moved again! I’m now doing bodywork in Caspar. Call to set up a session: Kurt Baker(707) 489-6892Fullrangebodywork@...
08/26/2021

I’ve moved again! I’m now doing bodywork in Caspar.

Call to set up a session:

Kurt Baker
(707) 489-6892
Fullrangebodywork@gmail.com
Fullrangebodywork.com

Client Testimonials:

*My experience is one of great relief and trust that I am safe with Kurt. Safe to allow pain, relax and get to the other side of it.
By his work, he is teaching me more about how to release held places… to expand and open to positions that I have never felt before.
There is also a calmness and an expanded sense of possibility that I experience after the treatments.

I came to him with acute shoulder pain.
With the treatments he addresses the whole body alignment. He brought me back to a more centered place with no pain.

The continued treatments bring more alignment and more mobility… there is an untwisting that is occurring.
~Carrie Durkee

*I have lived 40 years in severe pain. I have had extensive therapy over the years to realign my body. I have cervical, thoracic, lumbar & sacral issues. I moved here away from my body work therapist 3 years ago, I knew I needed help. Not any Spa Massage. I knew I needed realignment through manipulation of my muscular skeletal system. Kurt Baker has been by far the most beneficial help for me. He is professional, always on time and has helped in giving me back my life. He provides exercises to help me keep aligned and his fee is very reasonable. I think he has gained a lot of wisdom from the training he has had and I am very impressed with his skill.

~Lori
Enriquez

*Kurt’s hands are skilled and his attitude is caring. I enjoyed my treatments
very much and found relief from lower back and neck problems.
Highly recommended.
~Merry Winslow

*Kurt is a skilled, sensitive and professional practitioner. He has not only helped me with my chronic back pain but also educated me to understand some of the underlying connections so I can sustain myself and move with more ease. I gladly recommend him.
~C. Gerken

Kurt has a great technique for massage. When I asked him about his style, he said he went to a massage school in China! I was so amazed at his dedication to learn his craft. And it’s clear he did learn a great skill. I consider the style of massage that Kurt does to be among the best that I’ve experienced. Thank you, Kurt, this world needs more healers.
~M.Smyth

Kurt does a great job of realigning my body through his work. He takes the time to assess my body and then work to resolve those issues. I am very happy with his service and look forward to seeing him again.

~Thom Adams

Clinical bodywork sessions to ease pain and help you maintain a state of freedom of movement, and balance in your body. ...
02/28/2021

Clinical bodywork sessions to ease pain and help you maintain a state of freedom of movement, and balance in your body.

Sometimes the only way to address body pain is by touch. Having someone else work your muscles and joints to free them of tension, inflammation, and rigidity is often the best way to ease pain.

However, its more than just touch that is needed, its the RIGHT touch from someone who is both intuitive AND scientific in his/her approach.

By addressing your full body structure as well as your specific problem areas I can help to return your body back into its balanced state that is free of pain and restricted movement.

Correcting how the pelvis, head and ribcage relate and align with each other allows me to reorient your body to its natural balance with gravity, through specific massage techniques, props and movements. Leaving you in a state of poise, freedom and delight 🙂

I’m offering sessions in an open walled tent that is VERY warm and cozy in Mendocino. I also am doing house calls. I’m practicing COVID protocol.

Text, call or email to set up your session.

Kurt Baker
(707) 489-6892 (text for fastest response)
fullrangebodywork@gmail.com

Behold, the bodywork & massage pavilion! For those of you who are my personal clients who can’t do house calls, as well ...
10/29/2020

Behold, the bodywork & massage pavilion!

For those of you who are my personal clients who can’t do house calls, as well as for guests of the inn. Indoor/outdoor optionl, with heating!

To find out more contact me:
(707) 489-6892 (text okay)
Fullrangebodywork@gmail.com..

10/24/2020

What is “Bodywork”?

Bodywork is performed with a different intent than, say, spa-style massage, manly to rebalance the body structure in relationship with gravity and itself. While the client may experience relaxation and stress release during these sessions as well the focus is to leave the client in a better state structurally as before.

Within the systems of bodywork there are many different modalities and views of how the body should or should not be worked. Often these differences have to do with the type of the imbalance and/or temperament of the client. What most of these modalities do have in common is to achieve a balanced structure. The study of regaining proper structure and how this relates relationship not only to the human being’s body but also to emotions and identity was largely developed by Ida Rolf and Moshe Feldenkrais, separately, during the 1960s.

From this perspective physical structure might be seen as a perceptible sign of what is happening on a deeper level of the person. While there are many different ways of being out of balance, there is essentially only one way to be in balance, and the principles of balance are indicative of the natural composition of our bodies – our natural human form. Until we can achieve this shared similarity of basic rules of anatomy that is universal for every human being, our ability to become unique individuals is impaired (at least to a degree), do to insufficient, errant, or disabled movement (and thus action), in the world.

Our identity is expressed largely in our posture and our movements. Even if we are not in pain or discomfort our limitations of ego are held in our connective tissues. This is because, from this perspective, our negative emotions (experiences) are stored in the muscles through tension (or shortening of the tissue), and until we can release this unconscious tension in our bodies our ability to experience our full potential is hampered. This is to say that our very status in society is the result of our ability to be in good relationship with gravity. Perhaps that is why in traditional Asian culture posture was considered part of education and character development, and only until an adult attained proper posture within his/her body, were they considered mature, and hence adequate members of society.

Being in alignment is more than just a static posture, it is that the joints all have the right relationship with each other in the context of the gravitational force. So that even being in the most twisted position is still correct in that you can easily assume that position and gracefully come out of it to a neutral position without any hangups along the way.

We have achieved this state the senses are enhanced and so too our ability to respond appropriately to our environment, or at least our ability to learn the correct responses. The further we go along this study of structure the more obvious is the inherent connection of mind and body. It becomes so apparent that it is hard to say where the line is drawn between mind and body and there is a burring of what is purely our mind and what is purely our body. The conclusion is that the body is not only a direct reflection of the mind but IS the mind. It is a part of the mind that is tangible and so can be changed much more concretely than merely trying to impose a change in, say, temperament with only the use of psychological means.

In short, the practice and study of bodywork is, or at least can be, an exploration into the Self. Though I find most people are happy with simply easing pain and discomfort and ending there. Yet knowing that the potential is significantly bigger than mere pain relief, allows us to rest assured that even if we chose to utilize only a small piece of the whole, we know that its application is supported by something much larger.

09/09/2020

Now doing house calls for bodywork sessions.

I come to you!

Indoor and outdoor

Call me for more info.

Kurt Baker
707 489-6892
Fullrangebodywork@gmail.com

06/15/2020

Being in pain sucks. Options such as drugs or surgery are undesirable, last resort solutions.

And while there is a lot of good bodywork out there, it is often hard to find modalities that address joint pain well. And for those that do, the work often doesn't hold.

I'm dedicated to addressing body pain issues in ways that are fast, effective, and that last.

I've been doing bodywork on the Fort Bragg/Mendocino Coast for about three years and had begun a new modality about a year ago. The results I'm seeing are phenomenal.

I'm amazed at how well this system works. All I'm doing is practicing what I was taught. I apply the principles and techniques I've learned and for the most part, people who come in with pain are leaving pain-free or noticing their pain subside over the course of only a few sessions.

If your in pain and like not to be, let's set up an appointment and we can see if this modality will work for you.

Call today Kurt Baker

707-489-6892

fullrangebodywork@gmail.com

03/10/2020

“I’ve always known I was restricted by my body, I just didn’t know what to do about it. I came to you on faith. What could be worse than the pain I was feeling then? I used to be able to out work everyone in my crew. Now I can again!” [Fist bump] ~ Client

Come try these sessions. It’s not for everyone, but 90% of the people I see experience results beyond their expectations that last.

You can do single sessions are all 10. I suggest trying the first three and deciding from there whether to continue or not.

Taking new clients as soon as next week.

Kurt Baker

707 489-6892 call or text to set up an appointment or talk.

FULL RANGE BODYWORK AT THE BODYWORK STUDIO Come and see what's happening this spring! I'm offering 30 min sample session...
03/02/2020

FULL RANGE BODYWORK AT THE BODYWORK STUDIO

Come and see what's happening this spring! I'm offering 30 min sample sessions, new package deals, as well as qi gong lessons. Pain-free living, revitalization, and tranquility.

350 S. Franklin Suite A
Fort Bragg, CA
707 489-6892
fullrangebodywork@gmail.com

02/29/2020

8 WAYS TO BE PAIN FREE

1. EAT REGULARLY: Inflammation is often caused by unstable blood sugar, from irregular eating habits. If you eat meals at regular intervals you will stabilize your blood sugar and reduce inflammation. 3 meals a day and snack lightly at roughly the same time everyday.

2. HYDRATE: Drink 2-3 liters of room temperature or warm water per day. Water is the basis for life. In order for your body to heal it needs to be properly hydrated. Most inflamed tissue is dehydrated tissue. Tips: Adding a pinch of sea salt or Himalayan salt increases your body’s ability to absorb the water. Cold water doesn't absorb at all and most run through you.

3. BUY & READ “How to Deal with Back Pain” by F. Batmanghelidj. A great book on the science of back and joint pain spelled out in laymen’s terms.

4. LIGHT, REGULAR EXERCISE: walking, swimming, tai ch, yoga, qi gong, etc. We all need movement. Without regular movement the body begins to shut down.

5. AWARENESS EXERCISES: Learn to reprogram your sensory motor nervous system to free up unconscious tension and blockages in the skeletal muscles causing pain and restricted movement falsely attributed to over work and aging. I’m currently teach these exercises privately.

6. ALIGNMENT EXERCISES: Strengthen the intrinsic muscles that hold your body upright with gravity. I’m currently teach these exercises privately.

7. Receive Structural Integration bodywork. Schedule an appointment.

8. Take Chinese herbs that held increase circulation and reduce inflammation. I’m offering tongue and pulse assessments and herbal consultations at the office.

Call, email or text to book a session, or if you have any questions:
707 489-6892 : fullrangebodywork@gmail.com

The 10 sessions of Structural Integration (SI) are a sequential process of releasing old aberrations of the body and reo...
02/28/2020

The 10 sessions of Structural Integration (SI) are a sequential process of releasing old aberrations of the body and reorganizing the structure back to its original state as it was when you were a child. Its ability to erase pain and boost performance is well known by many. For instance, my dad went to an SI practitioner in the ‘80’s who could see through observation of my father’s structure that he turned his ankle often while jogging. Impressed by this observation, my dad agreed to do the 10 sessions. To this day my dad claims he never has turned his ankle since.

There is a pattern, there are steps to take. We can’t just start digging into the body arbitrarily. We need to follow a ...
02/24/2020

There is a pattern, there are steps to take. We can’t just start digging into the body arbitrarily. We need to follow a set pattern that is based on the makeup of our physical structure. A pattern that took Ida Rolf 30 years to identify and incorporate into bodywork. The result is a complete system of self-transformation grounded in the body.

Coming through to the end of the slow season. Good news is business was up from this time last year. Thank you, everyone...
02/15/2020

Coming through to the end of the slow season. Good news is business was up from this time last year. Thank you, everyone for your support through the slow winter months!

02/06/2020

CHINESE HERBS AND BODWORK

Something, I find to be key in addressing joint pain that is often overlooked in Western medicine is the elements, in terms of weather. In Chinese medicine, there is the 6 atmospheric influences: Cold, heat, damp, dry, wind and fire. These can also combine to create conditions like damp cold or damp heat, wind heat, etc.

Everyone has an elderly relative or friend who swears they can predict the weather by their knee pain. This is something not really looked into in western medicine. A typical influence this time of year is cold and damp cold. With this presentation, you’ll receive massage or chiropractic, etc and while the work will hold for a day or two the joint goes out again and the pain comes back. From a Chinese medical perspective, it is because the cold is blocking the channels (and sinews) and so even if the body is worked the cold is not expelled and so the pain returns.

I’m looking into caring a few Chinese herbal formulas to address pain here in the office because they can be so crucial in resolving certain issues. ling with atmospheric influences causing pain. An example of this is the formula Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang roughly translated as Body Pain Formula, which has herbs to open the channels, move the blood (and qi) and warm the sinews. I’ve used this formula personally and it has worked wonders. I’ve also seen a hairstylist go from nearly quitting her 20 year profession because of arthritis pain in her hand to cutting hair without the slightest bit of pain – after only two weeks - from taking this particular formula.

I’m looking into caring a few Chinese herbal formulas to address pain here in the office, because they can be so crucial in resolving certain issues.

Address

Fort Bragg, CA

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 9pm
Thursday 9am - 9pm
Saturday 9am - 9pm

Telephone

(707) 489-6892

Website

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FULL RANGE BODYWORK

MISSION STATEMENT:

It is my primary objective at Full Range Bodywork to address your body pain and discomfort effectively, so as to ensure your well-being of body and soundness of mind.

THE MODALITIS

Kurt offers several modalities of Full Range Bodywork for addressing pain and improving your overall wellbeing. He incorporates various modalities into a session as indicated by your body’s needs to relieve pain, improve posture and increase overall performance. The modalities he uses are: