Santosha Bodywork

I had been suffering from debilitating low back pain for over a year when I was referred to Jennifer by a trusted friend.

Prior to finding Jennifer, I had tried everything to get better. I tried anti-inflammatory medication, weekly physical therapy for over six months, and chiropractor visits. All helped a little, but I still could not walk without the assistance of a cane. Even with the cane, I was having extreme difficulties walking around and doing simple things like getting dressed and cleaning the house. My life had become very limited. I could not even go to the grocery store without difficulty.

The first time I went to see Jennifer, I had to have my dad help me walk from the parking lot to her office. I could not walk on my own. By the end of the first session, I could already feel the improvement. After each session I always felt the improvement and was staring to get hopeful that life would return to normal soon.

By the end of the 12 session program (KMI 12-Series), my pain was gone and I was able to lead a much more active life. I am so thankful for Jennifer. She realigned my body and I am finally able to walk without a cane and I can bend and get dressed without pain. I can go grocery shopping again without having to struggle walking across the parking lot! My life is finally returning to normal!

Jennifer also taught me self care exercises that will help me maintain the alignment and space she was able to create for me. If you are experiencing chronic pain, I highly recommend Jennifer. She is amazing and was able to achieve results typical remedies could not. Thank you Jennifer!

Before I saw Jennifer for my Total Transformation Program (KMI 12-Series) I was experiencing a lot of hip pain. I'm a runner and am very active, so this was not okay. I really wanted more freedom and range of motion in my hips, less pain and overall better posture .

As we went through each session, I started feeling less and less restricted in my body, and generally just felt better! Even my balance in yoga was better! I really started paying more attention to my body; even my breath. I became more in tune and started feeling more space in my body.

By the end of my Program I didn't have nearly as much tension in my hips, and I was able to run a 1/2 marathon. I felt so good at the end of my marathon, that I felt like I could go and do another one right away! I never realized what an impact fascia has on the body, and really enjoyed learning more it, as well as self-care exercises I could do at home to help myself. I feel more open; no longer in a tight ball. The whole 12-session process was not just a whole body change, but also a mental change, which I didn't expect, but also really enjoyed. I feel really comfortable in my own skin now.

I recently went through a series with Jennifer and would recommend her and her services to every body (pun intended). As a fitness professional trying to get clients to move more and better, a series of this work with a professional such as Jen, would get people moving better so much more quickly and not only help people treat nagging injuries and prevent injuries, but it also would allow for greater performance. Jennifer was able to identify and correct some issues with my alignment (which accounted for a few aches and pains that had been creeping up), all the while talking me through it and helping to gain even more insight into my body. I know the series was well worth it from a preventative measure and I sincerely hope that more people undertake work such as this before diving into fitness programs to avoid costly injuries. If you truly want to transform your body, you should start with Jennifer at In Stride Body Work.

Jen is a professional in every sense of the word! I met Jen in yoga class and was excited when I found out she was a body-worker. I had had body-work done in the past and know how great it is for my body but the person I worked with was too far away and because of my busy schedule I couldn't spare the drive time. Jen is close in Maple Valley and I had always enjoyed talking with her about KMI. She is passionate about the human anatomy and the workings of structural integration and I felt very comfortable seeking treatment from her. Jen worked with my schedule and I was able to do a 3 session series. After each session I felt my body becoming more balanced and less restricted and really looked forward to each session. Jen has a blog as well and I have garnered some very helpful information and insight into how the body works in ways that most of us take for granted. I have recommended Jen in the past and will continue to recommend her in the future, she is as stated earlier a professional in every sense of the word!

As a professional dancer for around ten years I’ve had my fair share of massages. Being in a job so physical, they are among the many important things I’ve needed to keep my body going in good working condition. Although I’ve been living and working all over the country for years now, my parents live here in Washington, so whenever I’ve come back to visit I’ve tried to get in an appointment with Jennifer when I could.

I just recently moved back to the area and my parents gave me three series of KMI with Jennifer for a Christmas present. And it was terrific! This type of bodywork is great because not only are you receiving a massage but as the client you’re involved in the process too. I feel this is extremely useful because it makes you more aware of your body, it’s strengths, weaknesses, little quirks and so on. After each session I would feel amazing length and space within my body, between the joints and vertebrae. And my muscles felt more relaxed, that they were helping my body to find it’s correct alignment, but not gripping or trying to force it into alignment.

In between sessions while in dance class or at the gym, I could still feel the length within my body and took note of my body’s reaction to movement. As a dancer, you always have to find the balance between activating your muscles but not tensing them. After experiencing KMI I know what areas of my body are prone to gripping or “sticking” so to speak, and am able to focus on relaxing them, activating them in a different way and moving more freely. This is huge for a dancer, because while we need so much strength and stamina, we also need to be limber and supple.

I highly recommend Jennifer’s work. Even for those who are not in a physically demanding occupation, it can still help to lessen aches and pains, boost your energy by feeling better within, and bring awareness and focus to your body to help lead an even fuller and healthier life.

I starting going to Jennifer because I was experiencing back pain that was preventing me from doing what I love - ride horses. I had been dealing with pretty chronic back pain for years and after having four kids, it had only gotten worse. I had done chiropractic, massage, cranial sacral work and none had alleviated one spot - my right low back. It plagued me and made everyday uncomfortable.
When I began our sessions, I was feeling pretty hopeless and thinking that I might need to give up riding (I hadn't ridden in a month). Jennifer was great at addressing my concerns and observing my body. The body work was gentle and yet, I felt a difference right away. After three sessions, my back pain is gone. I have been riding a lot and have been comfortable and strong. Sitting in the car used to be excruciating and I just got home from a long road trip and traveling was a breeze!
I am so glad that I went to Jennifer. Being relieved of this pain has helped me to have more energy, be more relaxed and enjoy riding again! I would recommend Jennifer and KMI to anyone struggling with pain that just won't go away.

Chronic knee and lower back pain (and really, any chronic pain, period) is exactly not what a 25-year-old wants to deal with. Especially not one like myself who works as a gardener – involving five days a week of physical labor. Before working with Jennifer, I was seeing a massage therapist nearly every week to maintain the aches. Dumping money into something that was not solving the problem.

I was pleased to get the opportunity to change up my methods by working with her. It's amazing how much more enjoyable it is to be constantly and physically involved in the work rather than merely laying down and getting massaged. Jennifer is so very excited about her work and it definitely shows. During the work I experienced the awesome phenomenon of noticing how most of my muscles move and connect and realized to the fullest extent how much muscles in the front CAN impact those in the back, and vice versa.

Now, post Total Transformation, I end my work days far less sore and drained, I can perform vigorous activities with vastly shorter recovery time, and my back and knee pains are virtually non-existent (aches here and there, but nothing worth needing to be worked on). I don't wake up with a sore back and breathing is so much more gratifying with how much air I can take in.

Jennifer is incredible and her help was worth more than I could have originally thought. Young or not, if you have aches and pains that you are done dealing with, pay her a visit, and retrieve the tools to move into a more satisfying life.

Jennifer is amazing!!! Before seeing Jennifer I had chronic knee pain, back pain, foot pain and less flexibility. During my 12 visits Jennifer and I, working together, realigned my body to its natural state. She showed me exercises to take home and complete everyday so that the work we did weekly would complement our areas of work. I am so thankful I found Jennifer. I am on the track again to lead a more active lifestyle that fits my physical and emotional self. I encourage others to experience this physical transformation for pain relief and body health and wellness.

I am a bodyworker and was injured in a car accident 7 years before seeing Jennifer. My wrists were holding the steering wheel as a car ran into me at a moderate speed, and suffered pain off and on since then. I decided to see Jennifer for a 12 week series to try to alleviate my wrist pain, and I'm happy to say that she's helped me where my acupuncturist, chiropractor, and physical therapist couldn't.
One thing I wasn't expecting - taking a full, deep breath! I don't think I ever took a real deep breath before seeing her. I'm really amazed at how much more movement I have overall, but being able to fully expand my lungs has been such a blessing!
Jennifer has a gentle, caring approach to her craft. After each session, I felt like my body gave me a big hug! Definitely recommend - you will leave with a new and improved body, as well as a renewed appreciation for your body!

My experience with Jennifer and In Stride Bodywork has been extraordinary from the minute I met her, which was at a networking event. I was so impressed by her "elevator speech" and so taken with her passion about her work I took her business card and booked an appointment with her within 24 hours.

I had three things I wanted to address with her: Recurring, long-term pain in my left foot from an old injury that hadn't healed properly; worry over developing the "dowager hump" so many women are prone to with age and too many hours in front of a laptop; and, as someone with Crohn's disease, getting some help with the feeling of heaviness in my gut.

In our initial session, we concentrated on my foot issue. It felt so much better by the end of the session I decided to book the 12-week Total Transformation Series and see what we could do with my entire body. It was an AMAZING journey. Jennifer is so knowledgeable about every system within the body I gained a phenomenal amount of information along with guidance on how to walk, breathe, sit, and basically journey throughout my day with maximum efficiency and minimal pain.

My three primary goals were met: 1) After years of suffering from recurring foot pain that would get so bad it would wake me up at night, my foot has been pain-free from our first session on; 2) I have learned how to sit and walk properly to "find my tall place" and reduce the chances of developing the dreaded hump; 3) With better posture and breathing and greater space between my ribs and hips, my gut feels much lighter and less compacted, and even my digestion is better. My entire body has benefited in innumerable ways. I have greater consciousness in how I move and breathe, and have been able to add new and better habits to existing good ones to incorporate my new knowledge easily into my daily life.

On top of everything else, Jennifer is a joy to work with. She's clear, concise, and compassionate. She thoroughly explains every step of her process, and keeps checking in with you throughout to make sure you're comfortable. I can recommend her 100%.

I cannot begin to express my joy. I am so much better than I have been in over 10 years of suffering from back and leg issues. Before working with Jennifer, I had been suffering from long term lower back pain to the point of not being able to walk or stand for extended periods. Recently I began experiencing some bad issues in my right ankle (pain and instability). I also have scoliosis that causes a number of issues in my mid and lower back. I have been practicing yoga for over 14 years, but had been frustrated with the accumulative problems from the scoliosis and recently my ankle. The compounding of these issues had started to affect my ability to be on my feet for extended periods of time, walking distances and my alignment at yoga. I tried physical therapy and chiropractic but it seemed to only help for a short periods with me having to go back sometimes weekly for adjustments. Yoga definitely was helping but it was not enough.
Jennifer’s work really helped my overall alignment along with her educating me on sitting and standing. There were also some amazing take aways in the form of home therapy that I can do myself.
It has been some weeks now since completing the KMI 12 Series and to date I can report that I am feeling so much better. My feet and right ankle have not hurt me in weeks. My lower back and upper back feel great! I am not experiencing any of the pain or aches that I have been experiencing for years.
All I can say is that if you are suffering, please give her a call – this is one of the most amazing therapies I have ever tried and have had so much success from it!

My daughter has sever scoliosis that progressed very quickly – so quickly that we did not have the advantage of curbing it with a brace. The doctors were great to work with, but the only solution offered was surgery. Since surgery didn’t offer all of the benefits we hoped, and it was still optional, we decided to hold off. In the meantime, we wanted to do something to help with pain, general movement and comfort. We heard about Jennifer’s practice through a friend and were thrilled to have an option that may curb the issues my daughter was experiencing as a result of the scoliosis.
We met with Jennifer and didn’t know what to expect, we liked her approach, expertise and knowledge. We entered into the Total Transformation Program (KMI 12-series) with hope. We have been very happy with the results! My daughter has learned better ways to sit and stand with less effort, and clearly a straightened stance. She has therapy tools for pain and for maintaining her improved positioning.
Jennifer was great for my daughter to work with. She was kind, strong, comforting, very detailed about what/why she was doing during treatments, and was professional. From a parent’s perspective she was also very good about communicating with me along the way, allowing me a chance to ask questions, and is overall a pleasure to work with.

Jennifer was really great. I have been experiencing long term back pain since my children were born and it never seemed to go away. I would go see a PT, and then symptoms would return. Jennifer helped to get my body in alignment, with the 12-series, and it feels great. I now sit and walk with better posture and am able to participate more with my children. Thanks Jennifer!

"I feel like really tall JELLO." Those words pretty much sum up my experience at In Stride Bodywork! I went in not even really knowing where I was holding/trapped/tense. Left feeling so much space in my body! So much more comfortable in my own skin. The work Jennifer does is not a quick fix or a little pill--it is a LASTING change for your body. She opened doors I thought were locked & created new ways for me to view and use my body. For that, I am forever grateful. Thank you Jennifer!

If you are looking for incense, new age music, chit chat and soothing scented oils In Stride is not for you. If you want to actively participate in your wellness and don't mind working to achieve results then In Stride is a good choice. Don't get me wrong, it is soothing its own way, and Jennifer will indulge your mindless chit chat (well she did mine at least), and you will leave the individual session (and over all multiple sessions) not only feeling immediately better but with long term results. Jennifer instantly builds trust and shares her knowledge, making you an active participant in the process. Sounds like work? Not really, nor is it a passive session. You will work a little, but walk out feeling a bit taller. I have tried it all Chiro, PT, other forms of massage (and I continue some of this work on a less intense basis) but Jennifer was able to break me out of a major 'loop' of pain that's months...nay years, of traditional treatment and surgery could not. If I had it to do over again, I would have done her 12 session plan from my first visit on.

I have known Jen going back several years when I saw her for monthly massages. When she transitioned to KMI, I did not sign on immediately, although I knew I would someday get on board. I'm happy to say that I've just completed her 3 session series. I would never have made it through the holidays without Jen's help. And now that they're winding down, my body continues to support all my daily activities. I'm no longer fatigued as a result of chronic aches and pains owing to fibromyalgia and arthritis. I plan to continue seeing Jen so that I don't revert back to feeling like a worn out pretzel. KMI lets me help Jen help me. The results are immediately noticeable. I needn't wait until I walk out of my appointment. My body began the process of fully re-inhabiting its skeletal frame from the moment Jen and I started working through my massages. I highly recommend In Stride Bodywork to anyone suffering chronic body issues. Combined with a healthy diet and exercise, I'm finally able to have quality of life again. At 64 I'm looking forward to many, many more enjoyable years. And I know this is possible with Jen and ISB on my side.

I recently completed a 3 session KMI series with Jennifer. Thank you Jennifer for the great work! She is very knowledgeable about body structure and how it should be working. The KMI series is designed to maximize your body structure’s potential. The visits consist of a collection of mini sessions, in which Jennifer assesses and then works on various areas of your body. After each area you take quick break and move around while focusing on how that area feels differently now. The changes were immediately noticeable. I noticed feelings on openness and ease of motion in each area that she worked on. It's not a spa type relaxation massage, but it's not meant to be. I will definitely go back.

For the first time in five years I am walking fluidly, with balance and without hip and low back pain. I had tried chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, stretching, all helping some but without permanent relief. After a three month series of sessions of the Kinesis Myofacial Integration, Jennifer and I, working together, realigned my body which had been twisted to the left due to a number of severe falls. I now have hope that I can resume a more active lifestyle that fits my physical and emotional perception of myself. I am encouraging many others to experience this physical modality for pain relief and body health.

I am a 54 year old female who enjoys working out at the gym, practicing Yoga, hiking, gardening etc. A year or so ago I was diagnosed with Plantar fasciitis(feet) and Sciatica (hamstrings). Not a nice combination. I tried a myriad of procedures: Physical Therapy, Steroid shots in my feet, Acupuncture. Now, not to discredit any of those by any means, but it wasn't helping. I had heard about In Stride Bodywork's (12-) Series and had had some previous sessions with Jennifer. After lengthy conversation about the benefits of the whole body (12) series I decided to take the plunge.

Each session was an adventure and with Jennifer's vast knowledge of the human body well I couldn't help but become totally engrossed in the whole concept of bodywork. Each session brought something new to my body. Better rotation in my head/neck. Shoulders and arms more relaxed at my sides and not sticking out like Robbie the Robot. Really! Going from not being able to do a forward fold comfortably and evenly to being able to it. Even in a standing position raising my leg to a 90 degree angle. Couldn't do it before. My lower back would be stiff. Now I can and with ease. I still smile while putting my socks on standing up. Today my plantar fasciitis has eased. With the bodywork and rolling my feet at home (my 'homework') I keep them happy. (See Jennifer about using tennis balls and foam rollers for self-care) The list goes on and on. I have become a cheerleader for bodywork. Ask my friends and co-workers. I have learned so much from Jennifer and I love sharing that knowledge. I highly recommend going and visiting In Stride Bodywork. I came up with a new catch phrase the other day for myself:
I have a new 'release' on life!
Thank you Jennifer Soames!

the pain in my neck has been resolved and I now have added flexibility and mobility with my shoulders that I didn't even know I was missing! can't say enough great things about my experience and how great I feel now!