Karen Sake Erwin

Before setting up a practice in Stowe - Sake/Inspired Wellness - she had private practices in Aspen, Colo., Bozeman, Mont., and New York City. She's been a licensed, certified massage therapist for 20 years, specializing in cranial sacral therapy and other techniques that provide relief for chronic pain. She's also a licensed instructor in Nia, a holistic dance-style aerobics class, and teaches in and around Stowe.

1. What is your favorite thing about Stowe?

The Rec Path. I live in the village and it's great to not have to drive to experience so much nature. I either ride my bike or walk on the path almost every day.

2. What caught your interest about cranial sacral therapy and Nia?

They are two very different things; however, both help to relax muscles and increase range of motion of joints, de-stress the mind, and help restore the whole body to a state of health and well-being. They both recognize that our bodies are more than just muscles and bones and that there is an intelligence working within.

3. What is your most surprising story about cranial sacral therapy?

Not surprising but wonderful is how much relief from chronic pain, tension, and stress people experience. Because it works with the central nervous system and taps into this very deep part of the spinal column, cranial sacral therapy triggers all the systems in the body to self-correct. What I love most about it is that it is so accessible. Anyone can try it, no matter what their condition, since it is a very gentle yet profoundly deep body therapy.

4. What advice would you give to someone considering going into massage therapy?

It must be a passion for them. It is very demanding work, with irregular work hours (and income) and tons of competition. To succeed, you have to have a natural affinity for the work and a high level of education and training. To have longevity in the field, you must walk that very fine line between helping others and taking care of yourself. It can be, however, a very rewarding field of work, as it has been for me.

5. What do you think are the major causes of stress, anxiety and chronic pain and what can be done to find relief?

Most people aren't aware of just how much their mental (psychological and emotional) world impacts their physical bodies. Not paying attention to the mind-body connection sets us up to store stress, worries and fears in our bodies, which then manifest as common complaints such as headaches, insomnia, low energy, back-neck-shoulder pain, etc. Our bodies can suffer greatly from long-term unresolved stress unless we do something to loosen and repair our burdened bodies.

6. What is your favorite sport and why?

Nia has become my favorite sport and I'm not just saying that. It incorporates many of the things I love: The joy of dancing to beautiful music, the fluidity and focus of tai chi and yoga, the energy and explosiveness of martial arts, and the inner peace of meditation.

7. What do you believe is essential for the overall well-being of a person?

Taking a daily timeout is essential. Taking time to meditate or even something as simple as sitting somewhere quiet and doing absolutely nothing for a short period of time every day can have profoundly positive effects on our well-being.

8. What's your favorite part of your job?

My passion is to inspire others to pay attention to the mind-body connection so they may make healthier life choices.

9. What was your favorite vacation?

About 15 years ago, I traveled to Thailand by myself for six weeks. It was an incredible trip. I went there because I love the food and was interested in Buddhism. Growing up, I got to travel to Europe with my family several times, but this time, by myself, I got to set the itinerary and go at my own pace. I really gained a lot of self-confidence and trust in myself on that trip.

10. What was your most challenging job?

Believe it or not, teaching in the 3-Ski program with the Stowe Ski and Snowboard School. It sounds easy and fun, but apparently I don't have a knack for getting crying 3-year olds to embrace the joys of skiing. I really respect all the ski instructors who do that so wonderfully. Perhaps if I had stuck with it for a few more seasons I would have learned a few tricks but for now, I'll stick to what I know.

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Sake can be reached at 802-585-1075; her website is sake.massagetherapy.com.

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