SAGA FITNESS & MASSAGE THERAPY
Health is Wealth. Movement is Medicine. Stillness is attractive.
Mission
SAGA Fitness and Massage Therapy's mission is to promote health through a preventative approach including, fitness, massage therapy, meditation, nutrition and lots of empathy for where you are, right now, in your life.
Our main objective is to make sure that we help you find the right professional to assess your needs.
ABOUT ME
Sarah Gagné holds a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from McGill University in Montreal. In 2014, she became a certified massage therapist . She practices a variety of massage therapy techniques and she is part of the Fédération québécoise des massothérapeutes agréés (FQM).
She founded her own company, SAGA Fitness, 14 years ago and offers massage therapy, personal training services, and also serves as a strength and conditioning coach for basketball players.
SAGA Fitness offers a global approach focused on the individual and his movement by advocating prevention as a guarantee for good physical and mental conditioning.
It is impossible to talk about Sarah without mentioning the many facets of her journey. It is in her native Gaspésie that she gets introduced to sports: snowboarding, mountain biking, squash, tennis, ice skating, just to name a few. She willingly shares this extensive field experience with her clients.
Eternal sports enthusiast, Sarah was also an athlete for 30 years. A key player on the Martlet basketball team at McGill University, she stands out for her leadership, tenacity and resilience. Since 2019, she became the strength and conditioning specialist and assistant coach for the McGill women’s basketball team. Her multiple implications will have often led her to work with young people from all walks of life, to whom she offers a grain of hope and an inspiring model.
Sarah is also an entrepreneur and, over the years, has developed a rich and diversified professional network.
She was one of the organizers of a nearly $ 5,000 fundraiser (2014) for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. She presently shares her time between Atelier Palestra Inc. and her private practice in Montreal.
One of her career goal is to get her brand to be globally recognized.
Type of Massages/body work offered
A. Fasciatherapy
Integrated fasciatherapy combines several techniques whose common objective is the release of superficial and deep fascial structures. This course introduces the therapist to techniques employed to deal with the impact of the fascial system on the pressure sensitive structures of our bodies. The therapist will have access to the theoretical bases in order to use the information and the tools in a effective and secure way. Therefore, 90 % of the course focuses on hands-on practice. At the end of the course the therapist will be able to evaluate the various types of restrictions and tissue adherences and to use techniques allowing the reduction of these constraints on the body structures.
B. Deep tissue
As its name suggest, this massage therapy technique targets the various layers of muscles and tissues. Deep tissue massage targets specific areas of tension thereby addressing the source of pain. This type of massage is especially efficient for chronic tension and also for areas of the body, which are under constant strain such as the forearms, the upper, mid and low back, the shoulders and the legs. In a nutshell, all the body may benefit from deep tissue massage. The maneuvers of this style of massage are slow and the pressure exerted is deeper and more concentrated (direct) than a traditional massage. This type of work on the deep tissue enables the practitioner to alleviate pain and restore proper movement patterns.
C. Peri-Articular Stretching (Thai Yoga like)
Is performed on floor mats
This practice entails inducing movements at one or many joints. The person who is receiving the massage remains in a passive and relaxed state, this enables the massage therapist to bring the patient’s body into its full range of motion. These mobilizations are combined with traditional massage and periods of relaxation. They aid to speed up recovery and allow a quicker return to physical activity.
D. Cupping/IASTM/Gush
The cupping techniques are performed with silicone cups or glass cups for fire cupping, while the guasha and IASTM are "scrapping techniques". All three have similar effects by increasing blood flow and breaking down the fascia.
E. Cranio-sacral
The integrated cranial therapy is a blend of various approaches related to the craniosacral system. In this first level the participants will become familiar with the anatomy and the physiology of the cranial system with an emphasis on learning hands-on techniques. The participants will develop their tactile sensitivity and learn a protocol that can be applied from beginning to end as an effective cranial routine and/or used in parts in conjunction with the techniques the student currently uses in their sessions. This work will allow the opportunity for the student to increase their therapeutic effectiveness with easy to perform, non-injurious technique that are complimentary to the massage work that currently dominate their session time.
TESTIMONIALS
"I think this was truly the best massage I have ever had. Sara is very personable, interested and caring. She listened to my concerns and came up with an action plan. That’s just what I was looking for and I found it!"
Ida
"Sarah really knows how to help the client to solve the problem. After two treatments and with her instruction, I felt normal on my shoulder and neck. Thank you very much!"
Wei
"One of the nicest people I know, Sarah, has been my trainer for the past 8
years. Her training has made me feel stronger and fitter. From working out in my basement, to the park, the pool, or the basketball court, her training sessions are always different, fun and effective. During our workouts, I can tell she’s always listening to me and she’s always concerned that I don’t hurt myself. And when I don’t necessarily feel like working out, we negotiate, and she turns part of my workout time into massage time! "
Maria
professionalism!
Gladys (Former McGill University Varsity Women's basketball Team Captain)
"We were privileged to have Sarah as our strength and conditioning coach this year simply because she knew what exercices (aerobic, resistance and/or flexibility) to give each and everyone of us in order to challenge us and to be a better overall athlete. Sarah also brought her massage therapy skills in action while giving us pre and post games massage when needed. They didn’t go unnoticed as everyone felt better after being treated by her. However, Sarah didn’t just help us physically. She contributed to help bridging a communication gap that was initially lacking at the beginning of our season and we all saw some tremendous progress towards the end. I was lucky enough to have her for one season but the rest of the team are blessed to have her for longer. "
WHAT AM I PASSIONATE ABOUT?:
- Travel Enthusiast
- Meditation
- Foodie
- Writing
- Plant Mom
Montreal, Canada
5146773672