The CORE Intensive Series is a series of five hour-long sessions in which a combination of pressure, breathing and movement are used to release fascial restrictions with a view to structural integration. Unlike traditional massage, CORE sessions are performed with the client fully-clothed. Wanting to try it, I signed up for the five-part series with Rachel to experience it myself.

The first session is an overview of the body – starting with the diaphragm and deep muscles in the abdomen, followed by specific points in the chest, sides, arms, legs, back and shoulder. Rachel encouraged my breathing into each point of pressure, some of which were surprisingly sensitive. My own body awareness improved during the session – noticing where there was difficulty or restriction in my breath or movement.

The remaining sessions focused on different specific areas – the side of the back and legs, the hips and front/back of legs, the arms and shoulders, with the fifth session re-visiting or working more on any particularly restricted areas found in the earlier sessions. Some of the areas worked on felt like a deep or old tension was being released – not painful, but like a deep itch I hadn’t been aware of. The fourth session includes some work in the mouth – sounds daunting, but surprisingly relaxing. I felt as if I had let go of something I hadn’t realised that I’d been holding on to in my mouth.

Throughout the sessions I would notice small changes, like my feet feeling more solid on the floor, my left hip feeling more open/free, shoulders releasing. At the end of the series, my breathing is definitely much easier as well.

If you’d like to try the CORE series, you can book in with Rachel on Tuesdays or Wednesdays until the end of September 2015. You can try the first session on its own to get a feel for it, and if you feel the series would be for you we are offering all five sessions on a weekly basis for £235 (saving £40 on the overall price).