Somatic Arts | Bodywork | Movement | Education
When the body enters into a phase of transition, the mind needs to stay grounded, and strong. This is one of the many theories to this work, and I believe we as a collective are experiencing more than we have understood to know. Until now.
Somatic Therapy was first introduced in 1970’s- as a holistic approach to treating the psychological through the body.
It’s origins date back to the Ancient Times, where the word SOMA evolved from the word ‘breath’ to mean life or spirit.
Who makes the distinction?
From all over the world, Somatic Medicine has been widely used as the first form of intervention to treat causes like PTSD, and complex experiences. And, in some cultures Somatic Medicine is all they use.
In a very general sense, this form of therapy is wildly unconventional. It’s a form of psychological discipline that emerges gradually and increases with accuracy over time.
Today, the most common use for this medicine is it’s bottom-up-approach to treating trauma.
Though, there is SO MUCH MORE we can explore!
A deeper relationship with your body begins here.
Armadillo Moon is an integrative somatic bodywork and movement practice that includes individualized manual treatments for supporting the physical for the psychological. Making this work very complimentary to talk therapy and other forms of psychological treatments, including plant medicine.
This work supports people who are navigating a wide range of physical and emotional experiences, including persistent pain, tension, stress, trauma, overwhelm, restricted movement, and significant life transitions.
This work is equally suited to those seeking greater mobility, introspection, vitality, or a deeper connection with themselves, and the universe.
Grounded in more than 25 years of clinical experience, the approach here weaves together somatic education, trauma-informed care, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), nervous system awareness, the cultural principles of birth work and decades of movement studies.
Each session is thoughtful, responsive, and created with particular care for personal sensitivities, patterns of interest, and moves at a comfortable pace for exploring— change.
Sessions begin here. When we meet in person, we freely move throughout my home, studio and garden in Northeast Corvallis, Oregon. Virtually, we can also meet from wherever you are. Physical address provided with in-person services. Alternative locations can also be discussed.
This work is safe and suitable for most people at any age— birth through death. In which I also offer services for, if requested.
Rates and Duration of sessions are flexible to fit the capacity of holding space. 2-6 hours is about the average length of a full treatment. Which can be broken up into 2 or 3 sessions. New Client Offering begins at $165 for two hours.
Included in each treatment is: intake, thought vs. introspection, guided activity, manual treatment, nervous system education, and integration practices for building continuity.
The effort is communal.
Each session is precisely unique. We can roll through decompressions, jump into discharge drills, practice resetting the nervous system— and move all the way through to channeling ancient relatives.
Sessions move slow, but progress can be quick. Your body sets the pace. Your heart sets the tone.
Because this work is so broad in how it can help, I really encourage you to schedule a call to discuss the possibilities. And, if your in need of immediate care— contact me here.
Reimagining Possibility
This Practice is for those who…
Feel ready to try something therapeutically new.
You may feel disconnected from your body, experience persistent dysregulation or discontent, or simply sense that something needs to shift—but you’re not quite sure what that shift is.Experience chronic pain, panic attacks, or live on the brink of burnout.
You may have tried therapy, psychedelics, or other forms of personal work and still find yourself having difficulty integrating what you’ve learned or stepping away from old patterns. You may live with persistent pain, tension, or overwhelming sensations.Have thought, talked, studied, attended workshops, and tried to “fix” yourself—and still feel there is more.
You may be curious to what more is possible and are interested in leaning into yourself through embodied awareness.Want to develop a deeper capacity for listening, choice, movement, and self-trust.
This work invites you to move at a pace that respects the wisdom, protection, and capacity of your nervous system—while creating space for something new to emerge.
When we learn to observe differently, we may discover possibilities that weren’t available to us before.
A DIFFERENT WAY OF LISTENINGThe body is constantly responding, adapting, protecting, and communicating.
Rather than asking the body to perform, release, or become something it isn't, our work begins with listening.
Through attentive touch, movement, sensation, and conversation, we explore what is here—at your pace and within your capacity.
There is nothing you need to force.
There is ALWAYS something to discover.
Sessions Integrate
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Touch
Attuned, therapeutic bodywork that listens to the body rather than forcing change.
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Awareness
A deeper understanding of sensation, patterns, protection, and what your body may be communicating.
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Movement
Simple, responsive movement that helps you discover new options for how you inhabit yourself.
WHAT BECOMES POSSIBLEThe goal isn't to arrive at some final state of being “healed.”
Bodies are always adapting. We are always becoming.
As awareness and capacity grow, new choices may become available: a different way of moving, responding, resting, sensing, expressing, or relating to yourself.
Awareness → Capacity → Choice → Possibility
Working Together
Private Somatic Bodywork
A two-hour, individualized session for slowing down, listening inward, and exploring the relationship between sensation, movement, pain, protection, and possibility.
Movement & Community
Somatic movement, workshops, circles, and gatherings for exploring the body in relationship—with our-selves, with others, and with the world around us.
For Clinicians
When progress plateaus, Armadillo Moon offers complementary somatic support to help clients access the body-based patterns that may be getting in the way of change.
Birth & Early Beginnings
Birth is more than a single event; it is the beginning of our relationship with our bodies, our caregivers, and the world around us. Explore birth-centered care, early bonding, and supportive practices for parents and babies that nurture connection, awareness, and regulation.
Melissa Montague, LMT brings more than 25 years of experience in therapeutic touch and over 40 years of movement studies into this Somatic Arts practice.
Her work draws from the applied skills of Energy Medicine, Nervous-System education, Osteopathic Manipulation, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Visceral Readings, Connection, and Observing deeply.
Melissa also is a never-ending student. She takes pride in leaning into the natural world and is always looking to expand her knowledge through being with presence. Especially in and around the topics of Birth, Trauma, and Memory.
MISSION STATEMENT:
At Armadillo Moon, health is a human right, and not a commodity. We create new pathways for community care by combining holistic therapy with environmental stewardship, offering accessible education and fair-trade wellness services for all.
ARMADILLO MOON HEALING COMMUNITY
enter here
“Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.”
Armadillo Moon is an invitation to slow down. WHAT BECOMES POSSIBLE WHEN WE LISTEN?
Armadillo Moon is an invitation to slow down. WHAT BECOMES POSSIBLE WHEN WE LISTEN?
From the Source
From deep within and so without, we are malleable. We are the integration of:
Matter & Energy
Experience the power of combining ancient wisdom with modern somatic science to awaken your inner peace.
Introspection:
Dive into curiosities. Open. The body is profoundly the most beautiful instrument, with sounds forming a symphony. From out of the skin, come the elements. From out of bones, rattles the stories. From inside the heart comes:
Acceptance:This is my BODY
Truth: The body is intelligence.
Empowerment: Know your PURPOSE
Become. Nourish. Praise. Transcend.
