For the last 9 years True Bleu Healing Arts has been serving clients in Richmond, VA. We help people manage their pain, anxiety, and stress with professional mind-body healing therapies. We invite you to meet our team of passionate licensed massage therapists, health care educators, and somatic bodyworkers authentically care about your wellbeing.
If you're like our regular clients you value a work-life balance and care to invest in your health and well-being. You may be dealing with discomfort due to overwork or life stress. We provide curative bodywork that will quiet your mind, heal your aches and pains, and bring you back to presence. If you're looking for genuine care from compassionate, intuitive, and professional bodyworkers you have found us!
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Our licensed massage therapist’s are trained to assess the body clinically and know where your pain resides. Our integrative approach combines therapies such as therapeutic massage, Craniosacral Therapy and Thai physical therapy. Whether your goal is pain management, healing a sports injury, stress relief, or grounding and realignment, we will provide an unforgettable healing experience.
Our healing services help relieve an array of ailments including: anxiety, depression, sports injuries, digestion issues, arthritis, back pain, numbness and tingling, sciatica, TMJD, muscle rehab, joint replacement rehab, headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, overwhelm, burnout symptoms, PTSD and more...
ABOUT US
Meet the Team
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Sophie Laleo
FOUNDER | LMT | CST | THAI MASSAGE THERAPIST
Hello, I’m Sophie. Since 2011 I've studied many massage philosophies and approaches and trained under chiropractors, physical therapists, somatic therapists, Thai massage teachers and Buddhist scholars. I have since curated a combination of techniques that allow me to deliver the most comprehensive healing results for my clients - now combining western physical therapies + eastern modalities.
True Bleu Healing Arts was born in Lafayette, Louisiana with the intention of giving Metta (loving kindness) and providing space for people to open their minds and bodies to new ways of being. It is my passion to educate people about massage as medicine and help others come back into their body. I continually expand my studies deeper in Thai medicine, somatic therapies, and meditation with a focus towards offering the most well-rounded healing experience in Richmond. It is my hope that True Bleu Healing Arts is your choice for alternative care.
As of October, 2021 I have expanded True Bleu to the west coast and now reside in Portland, Oregon. However, I have set up the best bodyworkers in the field to care for you in RVA! You will frequently find me traveling back and forth from PDX to our quaint little space in The Fan. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about our practice. ♡
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Sydney Batson
CRANIOSACRAL THERAPIST | CLINICAL HERBALIST
Hi. I'm Sydney Batson. I practice clinical herbalism and energy work. Think of me as your herbal matchmaker, pairing you with the plants and practices that best suit your needs. I am a graduate of Sacred Plant Traditions’ 3-year clinical herbalist training program, a certified Reiki “master”, and a practitioner of biodynamic craniosacral therapy.
As a clinical herbalist, I can assist you with digestive complaints, menstrual woes, blood sugar imbalances, and much more. I’m passionate about facilitating healing on multiple levels, so energetic medicine is woven into my practice.
My work goes beyond mere symptom management to nourish your mind, body and spirit. Because truly, we need healing on many dimensions—from the cells of our selves to our collective earth.
When I began studying herbalism, I just wanted to know which plants to use for various ailments. I wanted natural remedies for physical symptoms. Later in my training, I learned that real healing happens when we tend to all levels of our being. I learned that if we have help accessing those levels, each of us can heal ourselves. Your body is incredibly brilliant and wise. As an herbalist, I simply choose which plants can best meet you where you are. Naturally, you do the rest because your body already knows how.
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Lakeshia Dixon
LMT | THAI MASSAGE THERAPIST
I’m Lakeshia (pronounced Luh-kee-sha)
I am a lover of nature, yoga and laughter. Since 2019, through the power of therapeutic touch, I have developed my skills as a holistic massage therapist by working in clinical settings with chiropractors, physical therapists, and an acupuncturist.
After working with a variety of medical conditions, I noticed the connection between emotional stagnation and physical ailments. My approach to bodywork extends beyond relieving muscle aches and pains. By incorporating holistic practices, I help each client connect their emotional state with their physical well-being. Our bodies go through a constant cycle of transformation -when we bring awareness to internal stressors, we allot space for them to manifest and can physically ‘let go'.
I integrate western techniques with traditional eastern modalities, for a unique physiotherapeutic massage. Some of my advanced studies include, neuromuscular therapy, Thai massage, bamboo-fusion, oncology, and Ehlers-Danlos hypermobility. My future studies include diving deeper into Thai medicine. Overall, my goal is to offer a place of stillness-inner peace for restorative healing.
Healing Services
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This movement meditation takes place on a thick cushioned mat on the floor. The point of our Thai massage is to relieve deep rooted tension in your muscles, creating space and calm the "winds" in the system. With rhythmic rocking, long pulls, passive stretching, & therapeutic massage techniques we realign the body-mind connection. This service will leave you feeling rested, yet uplifted.
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The focus of this massage is to heal and prevent injuries, bring oxygen and blood flow to muscles, rid pain, and realign the mind-body connection. Each therapy session is different and is crafted to fit your healing needs. This service is wonderful for pain management and relaxation and is our most requested service! To save on these sessions check out our package options.
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In these sessions, our therapists communicate with your body to help re-establish healthy movement in the bones and cerebrospinal fluid. This practice is a non-invasive form of bodywork and is much different than massage. Using light pressure we hold various areas on the body and tune into the subtle rhythm of the fluid within the system. This service is all about creating safety within your body and will quiet the mind, reduce stress and anxiety and release fascial restrictions.
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Herbalism is the art and science of using medicinal plants for healing. Energetic herbalism goes beyond “this herb for that symptom” and supports the whole person in moving towards health and balance. These sessions will support your healing using custom herbal formulas, diet recommendations, and mindfulness practices. This service may take place in person or over zoom.
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Cupping is one of the oldest methods of Traditional Chinese Medicine. While opening up the skins pores through suction, we stimulate the flow of blood. By clearing blockages, the body's energy flow is realigned. This service includes essential oils, 30 minutes of focused massage and 30 minutes of cupping therapy.
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Reiki is a Japanese method of healing that uses energy to balance the body and mind. This gentle technique involves a series of hand positions placed on the client's body to free energy blockages. By realigning energy flow, we enhance the body's natural ability to heal. ?In these sessions we combine methods of Reiki and Craniosacral Therapy. These sessions are incredible for anyone with stress or anxiety and for those in need of healing, nurturing support, and grounding in their lives.
Giving Back
Giving Back
We acknowledge that not everyone can afford our massage and bodywork services. Each month we set aside a portion of our proceeds to go to our giving back fund. This fund allows us to give away free massage sessions to people in our community that need mind-body support. If you would like to donate to our giving back fund please do so here or Venmo @sophielaleo. Thank You for your support <3
FAQs
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We are intuitive in our approach and have been practicing using our arms, elbows, feet, hands, & forearms for a long time. After a while of doing massage you become very in tune with where people generally hold tightness. Trigger points (the "knots" you refer to) are mapped out throughout the body. It is common that people have trigger points in the same places. Knowing the trigger point pain patterns allow the therapist to know the exact place that your pain is coming from. We encourage you to research pain patterns to be more effective with self-massage.
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Undressing for a massage session allows the therapist to use topical cream, oil, or lotion to create less friction on the skin, allow smoother transitions, and get full efficiency out of the session. Generally, we encourage our clients to be in their underwear. Please undress to your comfort level. Draping the body is required by law. The only thing that will be exposed will be the arms, legs, and back! I have had people undress all the way and people that leave all of their clothes on. It is all up to you! We are professionals at what we do. You are in good hands.
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Frequency of massage will vary from person to person. For people that are not experiencing any particular pain, we recommend getting massage every 3-4 weeks. For specific ailments massage is recommended more frequently at first (once a week for 3-6 weeks) this allows the muscles to memorize that being in a relaxed state is how they're supposed to be. Over a period of sessions we will reevaluate and recommend a maintenance schedule that fits your needs. Always listen to your body. If you are sore, stressed, or in pain... you probably should get massage!
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Thai massage focuses on balancing energy pathways and opening up space in the body through compression, acupressure and stretching. Thai Massage in the west is known as "Yoga done to you". Tha Massage is much different from other massage modalities. In Swedish, Deep Tissue and other "western" massage modalities our focus is to target areas in the body that are are ailing you on a very physical level. Thai Massage is an ancient practice that works on all layers of the body, physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Wether or not you choose Thai or Therapeutic Massage at True Bleu, we will incorporate physical therapy techniques and help curate a unique approach for your needs.
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Every person has different sensitivities. During a massage session you may be surprised by areas that are sensitive to the touch. To maximize benefit of each session, open communication between the client and therapist plays a pivotal role. Generally, we work to the "edge" of your comfort level, but it isn't necessary to "dig in" all the time. Working to this edge ensures that you remain in normal breathing patterns and your muscles stay relaxed while being treated. Your therapist will be checking in with you to make sure the right level of pressure is being applied. Please tell your therapist if you are uncomfortable at any time and adjustments will be made!
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fifty percent of the appointment price is applied to any person who does not give us 24hours notice to reschedule an appointment. If you no show for a session the day of you are charged the full service price. If you choose to reschedule last minute frequently you will be charged the full service fee and may be unable to return to True Bleu Healing Arts. Our cancellation policy is to ensure that our therapists are paid and their time is respected. Please give us as much notice as possible if you are sick, need to cancel, or reschedule sessions. We appreciate your consideration.
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Massage should not ever be considered a substitute for medical examination, diagnosis, or treatment. Please see a qualified medical specialist for any mental or physical ailment you experience. Massage practitioners/bodyworkers are not qualified to perform spinal or skeletal adjustments, diagnose or treat physical and mental illness, or prescribe any medications; nothing said during the session(s) should be interpreted as such.