Town Talk | Elaine’s touch: more than just a massage

Her name is Yin Syuan Hou — but you can call her Elaine.

She was born in Taichung, the second-largest city in Taiwan.

Always fascinated by Western cultures and the English language, she studied English Literature at university and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts.

In her early 20s, she worked as a personal trainer at World Gym in Taiwan.

One of her teachers, Teacher Yang, played a pivotal role in shaping her journey.

She didn’t know until years later that this man was, in fact, Dr Yang Qifeng — chairman of the board and honorary president of the Energy Medicine Association in Taiwan — a highly esteemed teacher who volunteered his time to help others.

This was just the beginning, as she continued to explore other healing modalities, including traditional Chinese medicine, kinesiology, acupressure, acupuncture, EFT (emotional freedom techniques) tapping, Reiki, of which she is now a practitioner, and “spiral emotional clearing”. All assisted her to raise her “somatic awareness”, to listen to her body and trust her intuition.

Australia calls

Early in 2022, with five friends for company, Elaine set out to visit Australia.

It had always been a dream — to get to know a Western culture.

For two and a half years, she travelled, taking work wherever she paused — Cairns, Brisbane, Airlie Beach, Caboolture and Melbourne.

She was tiring of Melbourne, where she didn’t like the air or the energy — and some of her friends had visited Shepparton.

Here she found what she was looking for — and here she started her business.

(She told me that “the air is wonderful”; I had never noticed!)

Utopia — Women’s Somatic Massage and Wellness

Originally, looking for a safe space to help women heal, Elaine saw patients at her home.

And just recently, she has moved her business to the Star Bowl Arcade.

As she showed me around the facility, I stood in the doorway of her massage room, where the work is done.

It is a beautiful space, and I felt impelled to step inside.

I felt, very clearly, an energy that included peace, harmony, justice and a feeling of love that was almost overwhelming.

I stepped outside quickly — because I had work to do, and my parking meter had run out.

Elaine smiled when she said, “It took me a long time to get it right.”

Now, what exactly does she do?

I can tell you that a Somatic massage gently reconnects body and mind and is a deeply healing experience.

Or I can tell you that a chakra balance is a holistic blend of Reiki and crystal healing.

It invites peace and balance into your life, body, mind and spirit.

However, it might be more beneficial if I tell you what others have written — people who have experienced Elaine’s skill.

Here are some of them:

“Oh my goodness. I slept soooo well. I feel relaxed and just not worried about anything, a really lovely feeling. I’m leaning more into that I’m on the right path. I truly can’t believe the difference.” — Prue

“The chakra massage therapy was a deeply relaxing experience, helping to release tension and restore balance. I feel more aligned, centred, and rejuvenated. Highly recommended.” — Susan

“I had my very first experience of a Somatic Massage with Elaine today … and it definitely won’t be my last! Elaine is very skilled and knowledgeable in her art of massage and the human body and mind ... I drifted to another land while she assisted to release trapped traumas from my body! If you are looking for a new therapist who knows her stuff, be sure to connect with Elaine ... Your mind, body and soul will be eternally grateful. Thank you again Elaine xo.” — Renee

“Elaine created a serene environment that allowed me to fully relax and connect with my body. Through a combination of gentle touch and mindful techniques, I felt tension ease. The session not only relieved physical discomfort but also fostered a sense of emotional release. I left feeling rejuvenated and more in tune with myself, and have booked in to continue the journey. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a holistic approach to wellness.” — Madeline

“I had the most amazing experience with Elaine. I cannot recommend her enough. I felt a heaviness had been lifted after my massage. I booked my next appointment before I left. Elaine was so caring and intuitive and made me feel so comfortable and relaxed.” — Sally

Is it for you?

If you decide to visit Elaine, please don’t feel compelled to put words to the energy — as I have just done.

I always try to be as honest as I can be when writing this column — and I feel obliged to explain what I was experiencing in the massage room.

‘Justice’ (or fairness) has always been a driving force for me.

In fact, it is a tipping point, and injustice is the only thing that truly causes me to be angry.

So, I wasn’t surprised to feel it in the energy around me at that moment.

If you visit Utopia, it is possible you will not be able to describe the energy you encounter, and that’s perfectly okay.

Or you may feel differences to my explanation, and that’s perfectly okay too!

In fact, perfectly normal.

We are all perfect in our differences!

Elaine was kind enough to offer me a massage this week, but I really didn’t have the time.

However, I will be going to see her as soon as possible because I have been putting myself last on the priorities list for some time now, which is probably why I keep advising my readers to put themselves first!

I need help to make that shift, without guilt.

It is possible that the Chakra Balance will help — but I need to talk to Elaine about that.

You will know when you are not dealing well with stress, or if you have an emotional pattern that needs shifting.

You will know when you simply want some pampering or perhaps the Ultimate Escape Package. (Ask Elaine about that one!)

Utopia is situated in the Star Bowl Arcade, in the True Colours Wellness shop.

However, you can learn more about Elaine’s work at the True Colours website or scan the QR code for even more details.

This week

By the time you read this in print, the election will probably be over — and, for the first time in my adult life, I don’t care about the outcome.

In May 2022, a week before we went to the polls, I took a phone call from a ‘research company’.

The woman asked me one question, then proceeded to tell me a number of lies about the local independent candidate.

I laughed — because what she was saying was ridiculous.

Then I began to realise how serious it was and told her so.

The ‘researcher’ hung up.

The slander continued online — and, for a week I waited for one of our local people to stand up and say, ‘This isn’t us! We are not involved!’

And no-one did.

It now seems that, during that week in 2022, the trust I had always had in our local politicians disappeared.

That election wasn’t a fair one, in my eyes, and all our elections should be fair!

But then, I’m too old to play ‘Pollyanna’, aren’t I?

Have a good week — find something to laugh at.

And may it be easy, my friends.

Marnie

Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au

Letter: Town Talk. The News. P.O. Box 204. Shepparton 3631.

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