Winter Wellness Through the Lens of Remedial Massage
As winter settles in, muscles tighten, circulation slows, and familiar aches can resurface. Staying indoors more often and bracing against the cold can increase tension and lead to discomfort. It doesn’t have to stay that way.
Johanna Keyes’ Winter Tips
1. Mobility for posture and circulation
With 17 + years of experience in sports and remedial massage, Johanna prioritises gentle joint movement to keep blood flowing and muscles limber. She encourages simple exercises for ankles, hips, and wrists done daily while warming with a heat pack for enhanced tissue pliability.
2. Self-release for habitual tension
From her work with athletes, she emphasises self-massage of overworked areas like calves, forearms, and shoulders. A little warmed oil and hands-on kneading for a few minutes before bed supports relaxation and helps release patterns of holding.
3. Foot and posture awareness
Johanna is passionate about gait and posture. She recommends mindful foot placement during daily movement—standing evenly on your feet, gently rolling between heel, arch, and toes to reset foot posture, helping prevent tension up the spine.
Soledad Barahona’s Winter Insights
1. Lymphatic flushing via light movement
Soledad, with 16+ years’ experience in remedial massage, lymphatic drainage, and body‑mind approaches, advocates gentle body oscillation (limb shaking, rolling). This helps prevent fluid stagnation and supports circulation when we’re less active in winter.
2. Corrective stretches for chronic tension
Drawing from her training in trigger‑point therapy and corrective exercise, Soledad suggests simple neck and shoulder stretches held for 30 seconds—especially after desk work or extended phone use—to counteract stiff upper traps and prevent tension headaches.
3. Breath‑focused tension release
Believing deeply in the Body‑Mind‑Spirit connection, Soledad recommends combining slow diaphragmatic breathing (inhale through nostrils, exhale long and slow) with gentle exhalation while massaging the chest and upper rib area. This eases stress, opens the rib cage, and encourages better circulation.
Why These Techniques Matter in Winter
Circulation and fluid movement can become sluggish in colder months—mobility, lymphatic shifts, and self-release directly help.
Habitual postures and muscle holding are exacerbated by less movement—corrective touch and mindful posture resets restore alignment.
Mind-body tension can intensify with seasonal shifts—breath awareness and gentle touch support emotional and physical balance.
Ready for Personalised Care?
At Beattie Street Health Studio in Balmain, Johanna Keyes and Soledad Barahona can ease deeper tension with a tailored session.
Available Tuesday to Saturday. Your session can include guided self‑care suggestions, warm oil touch, and integrative techniques that pick up where these at‑home tools leave off.
If you’d like to talk through the best way to support your body this winter, book a time with Johanna or Soledad—sessions are designed just for you, and they’re happy to help you feel lighter, looser, and at ease through the colder months.
