Massage practice "The Flexible Farmer" focuses on keeping professionals healthy

Date: 8/6/2012

HADLEY — Lydia Irons, a massage therapist, recently announced the opening of her new massage practice, The Flexible Farmer, which focuses on injury prevention and is geared toward professionals in the trades, such as farmers, landscapers, masons, mechanics and carpenters.

In addition to offering massage sessions in her studio in the Active Chiropractic office at 8 Goffe St., Irons also offers injury prevention and body care workshops and on-site chair massage.

"I have worked on farms for much of my life, growing up on a homestead and working the land," Irons said. "In studying human anatomy, I have realized that the body is a machine that can be repaired and restored, as can any machine we work with on the farm."

Irons is a Licensed Massage Therapist who completed the massage therapy certificate program at The Massage School in Easthampton.

She earned her bachelor's degree at Hampshire College and majored in Human Kinesiology and Anatomy and Sustainable Agriculture. She completed a thesis called, "Sustainable Bodies on Sustainable Farms: The moving body in an agricultural context."

Irons has also traveled across the world with the Willing Worker On Organic Farms program, and she is passionate about the new era of farming and the values of sustainable living.

Irons offers sliding scale fees and massage-package prices. For the month of August, she is also offering a special through which clients receive a one-hour massage for $45.

Gift certificates are available.

For more information on workshops, visit theflexiblefarmer.com or call 603-833-1809.