Kelsey Holmes is bringing a new type of massage therapy to Columbia Falls as Kelsey’s Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork on Nucleus Ave. —recently offering yomassage classes.

A blending of traditional hand-on massage with relaxing yoga poses, the new modality of massage is catching on quickly.

“It’s pretty new. A couple of gals in Portland kind of created and discovered it about a year ago and they started doing trainings,” Holmes said. “It is essentially a fusion of restorative yoga with hands-on massage. It’s very relaxing. A lot of props are used to make yourself as comfortable as possible in these poses. While the clients are in these poses, I come around and do hands on massage with each person in the class.”

Holmes says the benefits of yomassage are many.

“Not only are you getting the hands-on massage, you are also getting these gentle stretches with the yoga poses. That way, you are getting all the benefits of both restorative yoga and massage all at once,” she said. “Restorative yoga is super-beneficial for mindfulness. It brings a lot of awareness to your breathing and being able to relax in your body. The massage aspect helps reduce muscle tension and increase circulation. It’s pretty much an ultimate fusion.”

Originally from Whitefish, Holmes spent several years living, studying and working in Bozeman before moving back to the Flathead Valley in 2016. While living in Bozeman, Holmes attended the Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy in 2014 and soon began working at Wellness Works upon her return to Montana. In 2015, she opened her own practice in Bozeman while also teaching sports massage at the massage school there.

After returning to the Flathead Valley in 2016, Holmes worked at A Whole New You massage therapy in Whitefish before deciding to open her own practice in 2018.

“We spent a lot of time at A Whole New You working with tourists, but I really wanted to open my own practice so I could focus more on locals. I love having regulars and being more involved with the community,” she said.

Kelsey’s Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork is located at 527 Nucleus Ave. in the alleyway next to Vaqueros Mexican Restaurant. The entrance is easily identified by its distinct purple sign.

Along with her $45 yomassage classes, which meet Wednesday’s at 6 p.m., Holmes also offers a variety of other massage services, including traditional therapeutic massage, craniosacral therapy, which uses light touch to release tension in the central nervous system, reiki, a Japanese energy balancing method, prenatal massage and more.

Holmes, says classes are filling up fast, but there is still spots available.

Kelsey’s Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork can be reached by phone at 406-270-4251 and online at www.kelseystmb.com.