Vitality Center Sebastopol

Sep 2022

Trava Faust, at the Vitality Center in Sebastopol, is absolutely the best all-around bodyworker I have ever experienced. I say that after hundreds of massages over the years.I first went to Trava a year ago, with debilitating chronic pain issues from a spinal injury and have seen her almost every week since then for sessions of Integrative Deep Tissue Pain Relief Bodywork. After a year of treatment, the pain is significantly reduced and I have regained physical functionality to the point where I can walk, stand or sit without crippling pain. I've even returned to yoga classes, which were impossible before.Trava is proficient in multiple modalities (deep tissue, myofascial...read full review

Sep 2022

Trava Faust has helped me get relief from debilitating chronic pain. I went to her in desperation a year ago, sharing my X-rays and other medical details of a two-year old spinal injury. Before my injury, I was in super shape, for a 70-year-old, doing 5-6 hours of high-intensity aerobics classes per week. Then, I reached a point where I could not stand, walk or even sit for more than a few minutes without agonizing pain. My Kaiser physician recommended Spinal Decompression Surgery after four months of physical therapy, traction and other treatments had made little improvement. The prospect of such a major surgery frightened me. I explored alternatives. Trava listened attentively to my backstory and assured me that she would be able to help me, even in my condition. It turns out that Trava's partner had the same L4 anterolisthesis, with accompanying severe sciatica, so she was a specialist at treating it. Fast forward a year: last month, I returned to my first aerobics class in three years. I could only last 15 minutes, but I'm improving. I'm not as limited by pain in daily life. I'm beginning to feel hope again. Slow forward: over the year, I've received a 90-minute "Pain Relief Bodywork" treatment from Trava about every week. It's been a long, slow recovery process, no miracle one-session "cure," but Trava could see I was committed for the long haul, and she was all in. Now, let me rave about Trava: Trava Faust is absolutely the best all-around bodyworker I have ever experienced. I'm qualified to make that assessment. I have had hundreds of massages over the years, have my CMT, did massage professionally and helped teach at massage schools. Trava is proficient in multiple modalities (deep tissue, myofascial release, trigger point, etc.) and applies a mixture of techniques in every session. She doesn't follow some pre-programmed routine but adapts intuitively to whatever is needed at the moment. She finds the points of pain, aching, injury or stress and attends to them, not moving on until there has been sufficient release. Trava doesn't fade, with strong hands, forearms and even feet able to apply consistent pressure for long sessions of deep tissue realignment. With intractable pain, a person can become despondent. Trava's emotional support comes from her deep compassion and understanding. She has survived pain issues herself and been wheelchair bound. She did hospice work, cared for aids patients. She cares for reals. Her buoyant demeanor and affirming positivity have made my recovery process all the more healing. Besides being a phenomenal bodywork practitioner, Trava is also a seasoned businesswoman, with management experience in the hospitality industry. That tells me her Vitality Center business will reliably deliver services, even in our uncertain economic future. She has assembled a team of talented professionals. I have had excellent therapeutic bodywork from Briana Cole and David Lowenfels. I've experience profound Reiki healing with Diane Zepaltas, who, as an RDN, developed my anti-inflammation eating plan to reduce pain from spinal stenosis. Trava Faust and her Vitality Center have helped me significantly on my healing journey. This recommendation comes from my deep appreciation and gratitude.

May 2022

I was in search of a basic pair of black leggings and found exactly what I was looking for, then got sucked into their gorgeous jewelry and pillow displays. I also chatted with one of their massage therapists and felt so welcomed and taken care of here. Come support this lovely woman-owned shop for your yoga and wellness needs!