Today we’d like to introduce you to Kya Bliss.
Hi Kya, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In childhood, I was keenly aware of the connection between all beings and the energetic tapestries that flow through us. The world around me was pulsing with life and it brought me joy to experience all the sensations that being in this human form allows. I loved building imaginative worlds, exploring nature, creating dances, playing music, and being held in comforting arms. Expression through movement always felt natural for me and I developed a spiritual connection to the body at an early age. I thrived with activities that merged my love of the immaterial and material aspects of being alive. It was not always easy to be sensitive and open in a world rife with tragedy and there were times when it was safer to retreat and numb. I felt like a conduit for all the energies around me; it took me time to learn how to create boundaries and understand how to use this gift without destroying myself. I found that my innocence and freedom threatened certain people and I learned to make myself small, dimming my own energy and light. As a young adult, I immersed myself in new experiences hoping to find my place of belonging. I spent periods of time traveling the world solo indulging in freedom, other periods devoting myself to relationships and focusing on growth through these interpersonal relationships, and phases of discipline in traditional school settings. Each chapter took me to unknown places within and offered me lessons that are vital to my work now. I have ventured to the furthest degrees of pain and bliss trying to embrace it all; life is messy and I’ve made plenty of mistakes, but what a gift to feel. Some people still have strong reactions to my presence and I often feel like a mirror for their own projections, but I’m really working to not take it personally so that I can remain true to myself and provide a safe haven to the sensitive souls who don’t fear the depths and are open to embodying their wholeness. Going to school for the healing arts made me confront the parts of me that still needed to be seen, healed, and held. Language is valuable, but my cells needed the somatic component in order to alchemize the trauma. After eight years in the field, I still learn so much from each session and I look forward to how the story unfolds from here. It’s great to see the Western medical community finally recognizing and proving the science behind frequency, intention, and touch. Although there will always be some mystery and magic to healing work, I’m grateful more people are opening their minds to the transformative possibilities of body/energy work.
I started my healing practice in Echo Park in order to offer care and belonging to the tender hearts trying to thrive in this society that often minimized the wisdom of the body and gifts of sensitive spirits. I want all people to feel safe, loved, and worthy. In a culture that is becoming less and less embodied, it feels vital to let the body lead and express its stories, feelings, and sensations in order to find a dynamic balance of health. There’s an innate desire to let the body reveal possible transformations and paths forward rather than force the body into submission. We come into this world speaking the language of the senses. Inside the womb, we are deeply attuned to movement, vibration, and touch, but as we age in this society, our minds start to take over and lead us away from an embodied intelligence. Like many others in the healing field, I had to find my way through darkness, various crises of faith, and deep pain in order to reach new shores. I know I can only help others if I am willing to go to the depths of my own wounds, grief, and shadows. Dance and bodywork both feel like ways to digest all that life sends our way. In dance performance, my duty is to share stories that others can viscerally relate to and speak to collective symbolism & experiences. In bodywork, my aim is to hold safe, loving space for others to explore the totality of their inner terrain and build new patterns without re-traumatization or getting caught in analytical loops of the past. When we feel empowered to listen to our own bodies and make choices that align with our true nature, a new world opens; we are no longer enmeshed with the stories of an unhealthy culture and can build the world we long to be part of.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t think any person who finds success in the healing field has walked a smooth road. I embrace the wounded healer archetype and honor my struggles because my own bumpy past allows me to hold others through their difficult moments and internal storms. As I pursue this path and inevitably grow, it’s clear that not everyone understands my direction or is comfortable with the fullest version of me. When women shine, there are often jealous and critical bystanders. Healing requires courage, trust in oneself, and letting go of patterns that hold us back. In this society, it can feel like swimming upstream in a strong current. In the office, these are some of the biggest challenges I face:
•There is still stigma within this field and some men try to sexualize this work. Female massage therapists unfortunately face sexual harassment quite often. It’s unfortunate that these men can’t understand the magic of touch outside of a sexual context.
• I sometimes struggle with clients who seek pain and extra deep work. When I work deeply, I work in a thoughtful way that the body and nervous system can receive. It is against my gentle nature to cause harm and it can be difficult to educate clients that working smarter is better than working with excess force. However, it is rewarding to witness clients who used to seek pain start feeling a fuller spectrum of sensation. Those of us with trauma often want deep deep work because our bodies have become numb and have tuned out important signals as a protective mechanism. It’s a sign of healing when we start to thaw and regain the ability to feel again. Our interoceptive abilities are phenomenal when we learn to listen.
• Disconnecting from client outcome can be a challenge! As healers, we have to remember that clients have their own agency and we are not there to fix them, but provide informed support as they navigate their unique journey. As much as I want the highest good for each client, it would be toxic of me to invest in an outcome that I have control over.
• It can be difficult trying to explain the unexplainable in a society that often needs to see to believe. When an energetic release occurs, a client receives a vision, or a pain seems to magically disappear, I don’t always have the words to analyze what happened, yet my body registers everything. It takes trust on both ends to allow the session to unfold in the way it’s meant to.
• Marketing is a challenge for me! I want clients who resonate with my work to find me, but at the moment I mostly grow via word of mouth. It feels like a secret, special network of beautiful souls, but eventually I want to get better at this aspect of the business.
We’ve been impressed with Kya Bliss Massage Therapy & Healing at Sacred Fortune, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I specialize in working with artists, deep feelers, and those who need an extra safe container to process their emotions and explore the totality of their inner landscapes. I want to create the conditions for transcendent, yet grounded experiences. I equally value physicality and spirituality, helping each client feel embodied as well as connected to energetic realms. I genuinely care about each person who lands upon my table and listen thoughtfully to their story without judgement. It’s an honor to be trusted with this delicate work. I’ve been in Los Angeles for 5 years now and I’ve watched my clients bloom and transform in so many ways. I’ve even seen one client weekly through two pregnancies and now have a beautiful connection with her children. I’ve laughed and cried with everyone and there’s a level of vulnerability that makes my practice special. My heart is expansive and true; I hope everyone feels so held in my hands.
My favorite offerings are my experiential treatments “Heaven” and “Forest Path.” I love pampering my clients! “Heaven” is a combination of energy work, massage, and facial care to uplift and align the spirit! “Forest Path” is a deep, grounding treatment with cooling jade and aromatherapy inspired by my childhood in Oregon. As I learn more about herbalism and other healing modalities, I’m excited to create more services! Feel free to peruse my current menu and share what offerings you’d like to see in the future. I’m open to client requests that align with my mission!
What matters most to you?
The first things that come to mind are connection, nature, movement, water, art, ritual, and mystery. I love feeling connected to community, family, friends, animals, trees, projects etc… Without connection, there wouldn’t be much to live for. Nature has taught me everything about loss, abundance, team work, loneliness, hardship, happiness, etc… Observing Earth’s rhythms and power has given me insight on how to fluidly navigate this life. Movement and water are my main ways to come back to myself. When I dance or swim, I come home. Ritual gives meaning to cycles of life and helps me move forward with greater wisdom. Mystery gives me something to long for. Not having all the answers is exciting for me! I like daydreaming about things I don’t fully understand. It is satisfying to know there are forces at work beyond my comprehension.
Pricing:
- Bespoke Bodywork 60 Minute $140
- Bespoke Bodywork 90 Minute $180
- Energy Work 60 Minute $140
- Heaven $200
- Forest Path $200
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kyabliss.com
- Instagram: @kya.bliss
Image Credits
Olivia Ashton Daron Jackson Flora Vever
