with Rissa Wray - Thai Massage Therapist,
Yoga & Mobility Teacher, Conflict Coach
“Rissa is a true Healer and beautiful soul. With a calming presence and quiet patience she helped me deal with back pain and flexibility issues and become aware of the way my body speaks to me.”
-Peter, Mobility, Yoga, and Thai massage client
Yoga and Fitness classes by donation at the Sunday Market St. Pete on the campus of St. Petersburg High School every First and Third Sunday from 9-10am in the lawn area next to the food trucks!
Bring your yoga mat, towel, or blanket and meet Rissa on the back lawn at Pee-Pa’s Garage Craft Brewery in Pinellas Park for a well-rounded outdoor yoga class, featuring techniques from Hatha yoga, Thai yoga, and Mobility. Class is from 12-1pm and is offered by donation. It’s a monthly community event you don’t want to miss!
Come experience why clients say this the most effective type of bodywork they've ever received! Rissa has been studying and practicing Thai massage exclusively for eleven years (including four trips to Thailand), while most just dabble in the art. Click below for more information and to sign up for a session with Rissa. MA67263
Practice one-on-one or in a small group or class setting by appointment with Rissa Wray. Sessions take place in the comfort of your own home, work environment, or outdoors (if the weather allows). Rissa has in-depth knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and common structural distortions, so you're in good hands.
Cultivate closeness in a customized Couples' Massage Instruction Session! Thai massage is perfect for couples to learn how to give and receive because it is designed to be as comfortable and intuitive as possible. Learn adaptable touch techniques as you help alleviate pain and tension in your partner's body - and vice versa!
Create relationships where it’s safe to disagree so each person can express their authentic needs, experiences, and concerns without fear of punishment. Most people actively avoid conflict - especially in the workplace - so, cultivating a safe space where conflict is not seen as something bad or wrong is essential for honesty and efficiency.
THAI MASSAGE IS THE FOLK BODYWORK PRACTICE OF THAILAND. IT FALLS UNDER A LARGER UMBRELLA OF THAI HEALING, WHICH IS INFORMED BY BUDDHIST PRINCIPLES, LOCAL THAI CULTURE, AND THE PRACTICAL NECESSITY OF CURING REGIONAL AILMENTS. THAI MASSAGE HAS BEEN MADE INTERNATIONAL BY TRAVELERS AND BY FOREIGN PRACTITIONERS.
ACCORDING TO THAI MEDICAL THEORY, THERE ARE ENERGY LINES CALLED ‘SEN’ IN THE BODY, THROUGH WHICH THERE NEEDS TO BE FREE-FLOWING MOVEMENT IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN GOOD HEALTH. IN A THAI MASSAGE SESSION, THE PRACTITIONER WILL WORK TO MOVE ENERGY ALONG THE SEN BY COMPRESSING AND STRETCHING THESE LINES.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN A SESSION WITH RISSA:
Range of Motion + Compression. Efficiently and effectively releasing tension to free up better movement in the body.
Wearing comfortable clothing in which you can stretch and move around easily.
“Playing Dead” (aka relaxing your body) - there’s no need to help unless otherwise prompted by the practitioner!
Noticing how the techniques feel to different parts of your body - any patterns in your thoughts or emotions. Try to practice non-attachment, letting go of tension, effort, and resistance.
Keep in mind that receiving is a skill! Between the practitioner’s techniques and how you are feeling that day, we are trying to find your edge - the extent to which you can release into discomfort. Too much discomfort can cause the body to contract and reject the therapeutic techniques; too little might not elicit the desired effects. Together, the client and practitioner try to find this “edge” - not too much, not too little.
We are pro-social beings and disconnection and discord bring us great stress. Being ostracized is experienced as a threat to our survival. Your desire to avoid conflict is only natural - BUT - if you can make it through a conflict conversation without trying to force a one-sided solution and without walking away, you have a great chance of coming to a mutually-beneficial resolution, with the added benefit of strengthening the relationship.
And, the more you experience success in resolving conflict, the braver and more confident you can be moving forward. You will prove to yourself that conflict is an opportunity to learn and grow.
The Power of Vulnerability
Pursuing Your Passion
Being a Healing Artist
Rissa Wray is a healing arts professional from St. Petersburg, FL who specializes in Thai massage, yoga, and conflict competency skills. She’s worked with individuals, couples, and groups to help resolve the conflicts in the body, mind, and relationships.
Rissa has been practicing Thai massage for 12 years, and has taught this form of bodywork to everyday couples, partners, and friends for about 10! Rissa has also been teaching yoga since 2014 with experience in Hatha, Ashtanga, Flow, Restorative, and Thai Yoga - the yoga lineage of the Thai healing tradition.
Rissa loves to offer one-on-one sessions, group classes, workshops, retreats, and popup community events in the St. Pete/Tampa Bay area and beyond!
See what people have to say about working with Rissa:
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