SARGA BODYWORK TERMINOLOGY
1. TENSEGRITY
A concept coined by the architect Buckminster Fuller, referring to the pattern that results when "push" and "pull" have a synergistic relationship. This basic dialogue of polarity is at the foundation of Sarga Bodywork ideology and methodology.
2. FASCIA
Fascia is the connective tissue that forms a whole-body, continuous, 3-D matrix of structural support and wraps around every single cell, connecting cells to organs, organs to organ systems, and interpenetrates every structure in the entire body.
3. MYOFASCIAL TECHNIQUE
The prefix “myo” refers to muscle tissue. We define myofacial technique here as manual therapy characterized by sustained, oblique, and high-friction contact with the aim of stimulating a stretch response in the fascia associated with muscle (myo) tissue (think shear-force). Myofascial massage can help to treat muscle pain, inflammation and restriction, by relaxing contracted muscles, stimulating length, hydration and detoxification in the tissue, and improving blood and lymphatic circulation.
4. BODYWORK VS. MASSAGE
Referencing Mosby’s Dictionary of Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Massage is the application of diverse manual techniques of touch and stroking to muscles and soft tissue to achieve relaxation and improve recipients' well-being. Bodywork applies therapeutic touch paradigms with the aim of restoring health and balance to the entire person by working through the body. In other words, the body is viewed as a doorway to access the holism of sustainable and integrative health.
5. THE SARGA STRAP, or simply "The Sarga"
A piece of fabric fastened to a massage table that Sarga practitioners hold for balance and support. Selected for its lightweight strength and perfect amount of stretch, The Sarga Strap is cut to dimension with enough length to accommodate practitioner's varying heights and tensional preferences. For use with the Sarga Attachment or the Sarga Floor-Loops.
6. SARGA ATTACHMENTS FOR FLOOR-BASED MASSAGE TABLES
The Sarga Attachments for Floor-Based Massage Tables are hardware accessories that enable most portable massage tables to be quickly adapted for floor-based Sarga Bodywork. Our patent-pending, stainless steel Sarga Attachments provide secure tie-offs for the Sarga Strap. The Sarga Attachments are easy to set up and remove and do not require any alterations to your massage table. Sarga Strap not included.
7. SARGA FLOOR-LOOPS
Sarga Floor-Loops are hardware accessories that enable most massage tables to be quickly adapted for floor-based Sarga Bodywork, or to integrate Sarga equipment with Thai or Polynesian-inspired bodywork and assisted stretching therapies. Made from anodized steel buckles. Tools and installation required.
8. MYO.RUB
Specially formulated for Sarga Bodywork, Myo.Rub is a massage cream made from coconut oil and Hawaiian beeswax. This simple, unscented, high-friction cream is ideal for myofascial and deep tissue massage techniques. Efforts were made to keep this product as simple and natural as possible, free from complex ingredients and processing. The thick viscosity and high coverage of this product allows it to last much longer than most massage lubricants. Intended for sparing use in pea-sized applications. For more product information, click here.
9. DIRECTIONAL TERMINOLOGY
A concept coined by the architect Buckminster Fuller, referring to the pattern that results when "push" and "pull" have a synergistic relationship. This basic dialogue of polarity is at the foundation of Sarga Bodywork ideology and methodology.
2. FASCIA
Fascia is the connective tissue that forms a whole-body, continuous, 3-D matrix of structural support and wraps around every single cell, connecting cells to organs, organs to organ systems, and interpenetrates every structure in the entire body.
3. MYOFASCIAL TECHNIQUE
The prefix “myo” refers to muscle tissue. We define myofacial technique here as manual therapy characterized by sustained, oblique, and high-friction contact with the aim of stimulating a stretch response in the fascia associated with muscle (myo) tissue (think shear-force). Myofascial massage can help to treat muscle pain, inflammation and restriction, by relaxing contracted muscles, stimulating length, hydration and detoxification in the tissue, and improving blood and lymphatic circulation.
4. BODYWORK VS. MASSAGE
Referencing Mosby’s Dictionary of Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Massage is the application of diverse manual techniques of touch and stroking to muscles and soft tissue to achieve relaxation and improve recipients' well-being. Bodywork applies therapeutic touch paradigms with the aim of restoring health and balance to the entire person by working through the body. In other words, the body is viewed as a doorway to access the holism of sustainable and integrative health.
5. THE SARGA STRAP, or simply "The Sarga"
A piece of fabric fastened to a massage table that Sarga practitioners hold for balance and support. Selected for its lightweight strength and perfect amount of stretch, The Sarga Strap is cut to dimension with enough length to accommodate practitioner's varying heights and tensional preferences. For use with the Sarga Attachment or the Sarga Floor-Loops.
6. SARGA ATTACHMENTS FOR FLOOR-BASED MASSAGE TABLES
The Sarga Attachments for Floor-Based Massage Tables are hardware accessories that enable most portable massage tables to be quickly adapted for floor-based Sarga Bodywork. Our patent-pending, stainless steel Sarga Attachments provide secure tie-offs for the Sarga Strap. The Sarga Attachments are easy to set up and remove and do not require any alterations to your massage table. Sarga Strap not included.
7. SARGA FLOOR-LOOPS
Sarga Floor-Loops are hardware accessories that enable most massage tables to be quickly adapted for floor-based Sarga Bodywork, or to integrate Sarga equipment with Thai or Polynesian-inspired bodywork and assisted stretching therapies. Made from anodized steel buckles. Tools and installation required.
8. MYO.RUB
Specially formulated for Sarga Bodywork, Myo.Rub is a massage cream made from coconut oil and Hawaiian beeswax. This simple, unscented, high-friction cream is ideal for myofascial and deep tissue massage techniques. Efforts were made to keep this product as simple and natural as possible, free from complex ingredients and processing. The thick viscosity and high coverage of this product allows it to last much longer than most massage lubricants. Intended for sparing use in pea-sized applications. For more product information, click here.
9. DIRECTIONAL TERMINOLOGY
- Medial: Closer to the midline.
- Lateral: Away from the midline.
- Anterior: Front of the body.
- Posterior: Back of the body.
- Prone: Face down.
- Supine: Face up.
- Distal: Further from the trunk.
- Proximal: Closer to the trunk.
- Oblique: Neither parallel nor at a right angle to a specified line.
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10. CHEVRONING
“Chevroning” refers to manual therapy techniques that take tissue in a chevron pattern from lateral to medial (towards the spine), and cranial to caudal (towards the sacrum). It is accomplished as a series of parallel strokes working either superior to inferior, or inferior to superior, from the recipient's inferior angle of the scapula to the sacrum. |
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11. PRIMARY CURVES
The thoracic and sacral curvatures of the spine.
12. SECONDARY CURVES
The cervical and lumbar curves of the spine. These are called secondary curves because they develop after the primary curves, during childhood development and in association with lifting the head (cervical curve) and assuming an upright position in sitting and walking (lumbar curve).
13. FOOT TERMINOLOGY
Like hands, the feet have many different aspects that can be used as working surfaces for manual therapy techniques, each with its own distinct function and qualities. Here are the main ones we refer to in class:
14. SARGA STRAP WRAPPING TERMS
Sarga wrapping techniques are used to achieve different degrees and angles of tensegrity. Sarga wrapping techniques are determined by a practitioner's position on the massage table and the manual therapy techniques being employed. Here are the main Sarga wrapping terms we refer to in class:
15. SARGA STATIONS
We use the term “stations” to refer to specific locations on the massage table (for work on raised tables) or their corresponding location on the floor next to the massage table (for floor-based work) where the practitioner stands. There are 6 stations. We refer to these in abbreviated form as S1 through S6.
The thoracic and sacral curvatures of the spine.
12. SECONDARY CURVES
The cervical and lumbar curves of the spine. These are called secondary curves because they develop after the primary curves, during childhood development and in association with lifting the head (cervical curve) and assuming an upright position in sitting and walking (lumbar curve).
13. FOOT TERMINOLOGY
Like hands, the feet have many different aspects that can be used as working surfaces for manual therapy techniques, each with its own distinct function and qualities. Here are the main ones we refer to in class:
- Medial Arch of the Foot: Inside arch of the foot, from the base of the 1st metatarsal to the base of the heel.
- Lateral Arch of the Foot: Outside arch of the foot, from the base of the 5th metatarsal to the base of the heel. This is a
- Ball/Pad of the Foot: The padded portion of the sole between the toes and the arch of the foot underneath the heads of the metatarsal bones.
- Leading Edge of the Heel: The aspect of the heel that is closest to the toes.
- Back Edge of the Heel: The aspect of the heel that is furthest from the toes.
- Base of the 1st metatarsal.
- Big Toe.
14. SARGA STRAP WRAPPING TERMS
Sarga wrapping techniques are used to achieve different degrees and angles of tensegrity. Sarga wrapping techniques are determined by a practitioner's position on the massage table and the manual therapy techniques being employed. Here are the main Sarga wrapping terms we refer to in class:
- Double Shoulder Wrap
- Single Shoulder Wrap
- Harness
- Handle Grip
- Double Arm Twine
- Cocoon (for seated techniques)
15. SARGA STATIONS
We use the term “stations” to refer to specific locations on the massage table (for work on raised tables) or their corresponding location on the floor next to the massage table (for floor-based work) where the practitioner stands. There are 6 stations. We refer to these in abbreviated form as S1 through S6.
- Station 1: Above the shoulder.
- Station 2: Above iliac crest.
- Station 3: Gluteal fold.
- Station 4: Above the knee.
- Station 5: Foot of the table.
- Station 6: Head of the table.
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