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Couples & Friends Massage Retreat (6 hours)
with Patrick Stockstill and Iona McCombie Smith
at Doe Bay Resort and Retreat, Orcas Island
Saturday, February 8, 2025
10am - 5:30pm | $250
Lunch provided by West Side Kitchen (included)
Spend the day at beautiful Doe Bay Resort and Retreat connecting with your partner or friend through skillful touch. This is the perfect time of year to get cozy and deepen your bond by playing with new ways of feeling good together.
During our time together we will introduce you to two different ways to approach massage - with and without oil/lotion. In the morning we will work on mats with our clothes on, using Thai massage techniques like compression and assisted stretching to relax our muscles. In the afternoon we will practice massaging the back side of the body with oil, using massage tables and a drape. Quality of touch, presence and self care are at the heart of our mission! Our goal is to help you and your partner connect through curious, caring touch, rather than overwhelming you with dozens of techniques or deep pressure massage.
Class will consist of grounding practices, demonstrations, and supervised follow-along practice, with plenty of time for questions and observations.This is a retreat-style course, as well as practice in techniques you can take home and expand upon.
This class is appropriate for all levels! Continuing education documentation is available upon request.
Delicious, nourishing lunch will be provided Saturday by island favorite West Side Kitchen. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated, including vegetarian, dairy free, and gluten free. Breakfast and dinner are not included in your registration. Doe Bay Cafe should be open for dinner - confirm at Doe Bay Resort and Retreat.
What to Expect in Class
Please come prepared to give and receive practice massages from your partner! We may engage in a brief mindful movement (e.g. meditative walking, qi gong, gentle yoga). Massage tables, mats, and oil will be provided. You may bring your own unscented massage oil or lotion if you like, and bonus points if you bring your own sheets and pillow case. Please bring clothes comfortable for movement (think yoga or dance), attend to your personal hygiene, and do not wear fragrances.
If you are visiting Orcas Island, you will need to arrange your own housing. We recommend booking the weekend at Doe Bay Resort and Retreat, which has a variety of housing options, a spa, a cafe, and a general store. The Outlook Inn, The Village Inn, Landmark Inn, and Kangaroo House B&B are in Eastsound, about 25 minutes from Doe Bay. Other options within driving distance include North Beach Inn, West Beach Resort, Deer Harbor Inn, Kingfish Inn, Otters Pond B&B, camping at Moran State Park, vacation rentals through AirBnB and other services. Consider arriving Friday and staying through Sunday or longer! February is a beautifully quiet time on Orcas. (These suggestions are made without personal or financial interest.)
Transportation
Orcas Island is served by WA State Ferries departing from Anacortes, WA. Anacortes is about an hour from Bellingham or 1.5 hours from Seattle. Ferry reservations are strongly encouraged! We also have a small airport in Eastsound with daily service from Bellingham, Seattle, Everett, and other locations. See San Juan Airlines and Kenmore Air for information.
Patrick Stockstill is a massage practitioner and teacher living on Orcas Island. He has been a massage therapist since 2008, a yoga teacher since 2013, a Deep Bodywork® practitioner since 2016, and an Esalen® Massage teacher since 2019. Patrick has taught at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, McKinnon Body Therapy Center in Oakland, as well as introductory Esalen Massage workshops in California and Washington.
Since moving to Orcas Island in 2021, Patrick has practiced at the Healing Arts Center in Eastsound, where he is currently the President of the Board. Read Patrick's full bio here.
Iona McCombie Smith received her Ayurvedic Massage Certification at the Ayur Ayurvedic School and Hospital in Rishikesh, India and her first Thai Massage Certification at The Old Teaching Hospital in Chiang Mai, Thailand. She later returned to Thailand to receive her advanced Thai Massage training at the ITM Massage School in the northern style of Nuad Bo Rarn Thai Massage in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
After arriving in the USA, she began studying massage at the North West Academy of the Healing Arts in West Seattle.
She is dedicated to drawing upon both her Eastern and Western training in the service of healing. Read Iona's full bio here.
Schedule*
Saturday, February 8
10 am - 1 pm Morning class
1 - 2 pm Lunch (provided)
2:30 pm - 5:30 pm Afternoon class
*subject to change
Cost and Registration
$250 US per couple
Includes 6 hours CE (NCBTMB approved), materials, and catered lunch.
Price does not include transportation, housing, breakfast, or dinner.