It is in my nature to nurture
Kia ora koutou – Hello everyone! I am Elisa Humitsch, a Manual and Movement Therapist based in beautiful Wānaka, New Zealand.
Originally hailing from Austria, I feel grateful that Aotearoa has been my home for the past ten years. I am a big outdoor enthusiast, love being in nature, exploring different countries and their cultures, learning new languages, and surrounding myself with like-minded people. If I am not out and about skiing, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, surfing (at least trying to) or exploring, you will find me either on my mat practicing Mindful Movement or offering nurturing and Intentful Touch through Manual Therapy.
Manual Therapy
As a Manual Therapist I offer treatments which are tailored to each client’s needs. Having trained in and practised various massage techniques (Swedish Massage, Trigger Point Therapy, Neuromuscular Therapy, Cupping), my focus, interest and passion lies in Myofascial Release (MFR) Therapy - a safe and highly effective form of soft tissue hands-on manipulation that releases restrictions in the fascia to eliminate discomfort and to restore motion. Each MFR treatment session is performed directly on skin without oils, creams or machinery. This enables me to accurately detect fascial restrictions and apply the appropriate amount of sustained pressure to facilitate release of the fascia surrounding the muscle. When restrictions are released space is created, restoring movement and glide-ability in the body.
Infant Massage
As a Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI), I offer a five-week baby massage programme for parents and their babies at the Upper Clutha Plunket Room in Wānaka. Infant Massage is an ancient art that connects parents deeply with their babies by promoting nurturing touch and communication. This beautiful age-old tradition helps the parents to understand their baby’s particular nonverbal language and to respond with love and respectful listening. For infants, massage is much more than a luxurious sensual experience. It is a tool for maintaining the child’s health and well-being on many levels. For parents, it is vital to feel secure in your own ability to do something positive for - and get a positive response from - this squealing bit of newborn humanity suddenly and urgently put in your charge. It is not a therapy that you do to your baby; it is a deep communicative art that you do with your baby.
Movement Therapy
Along with manual bodywork, I offer mindful movement you can do at home, to maintain your body’s fascial health. This could include blended movement forms of Pilates and Yoga to work on strength, stability, flexibility and mobility, as well as Self-Myofascial Release (SMFR), using massage balls, foam rollers, and any other props you have available at home. Mindful movement is a way to tune in with your body and what it is asking for in terms of physical and emotional activity, rather than forcing it into doing something you feel like you “should” be doing. Human bodies are wired to track how they are doing. My intention is to find and give you tools to experiment with and empower you to create your own movement form that fits you and serves the projects of your body.
I look forward to starting your body project with you.
Whether you have an injury (or are recovering from one), are training for a sports event, are expecting (or just had) a baby, experience aches and pains from postural habits, keep having these stubborn old recurring niggles, can’t seem to muster energy, or simply just want to relax and give back to yourself ... Project Body is here to help you.
Having experienced and gone through various body (and mind) projects myself, I have no greater wish than to help people with their physical, mental, and emotional projects, so we can get you back on track with life.