What if there was a way to better understand the needs of your body. A way to manage pain, repair muscles, and event prevent injury and bring peace of mind. Good news, Wandsworth. Meet ANA TO ME.
We caught up with Chérelle, ANA TO ME’s director, to find out more.
What’s the story behind ANA TO ME?
Out of a passion for health and wellness and a desire to create a safe, rejuvenating space that fosters physical and mental restoration, ANA TO ME was born! ANA TO ME is a play on words. When you say it aloud, that’s exactly what it stands for – ANATOMY! Our anatomy speaks to us. It tells stories of our past, present and future. One body part can reveal so much information; the whole body together even more.
An experienced Sports Massage Therapist can gauge an individual’s likely physical habits; where their anatomical strengths and weaknesses lie; even which internal health symptoms they may be experiencing, just by looking at their musculoskeletal alignment, for example. So imagine what can be revealed through touch?
Our clients experience hands on expertise and precision through restorative treatments, ensuring their unique anatomical needs are met – be it muscle repair, joint realignment, injury prevention, or internal detoxification. For therapeutic massage treatments, stress and tension in the body melts away, giving permission for the mind to follow.
ANA TO ME is a beautiful retreat away from the hustle and bustle of London living, right in the heart of New Acres, Wandsworth Town. A place where health matters and solutions are created.
What treatments do you offer?
• Sports Rehabilitation – Best suited for those with joint or muscle pain, stiffness, or injuries. Primarily involves Sports Massage techniques combined with stretching. We also offer Taping and Strapping for injury maintenance and prevention.
• Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage – A gentle treatment designed to combat sluggish lymph flow. The techniques applied help push fluid, metabollic waste & foreign antigens such as bacterium and viruses out of the body through the lymph system. Those with swollen body parts or lymph nodes, bloating, frequent cold/flu symptoms, rashes, gut issues, fatigue & stress can benefit from this.
• Deep Tissue Massage – This deep pressure treatment may trigger a deep snooze! But most importantly, it targets tight and achey muscles, as the therapist works to break down any restrictions within them.
• Swedish Massage – A light to medium pressure massage that promotes relaxation, improved blood flow and better sleep.
• Pregnancy Massage – Swedish style massage tailored to pregnant women. This treatment helps relax the mind and body, and safely alleviate any physical pain or discomfort felt from the pressure of pregnancy.
What does wellness mean to you and your brand?
Maintaining a level of health within one’s mind, body and spirit that enables optimal function in a way that feels good and true! When we maintain balance between all three, harmony is created. Sometimes it’s our physical body that needs attention, other times our mental health needs some care, and so on.
Here at ANA TO ME, we know that the mind, body and spirit affect one another. When we treat people’s physical ailments for example, this can have a profound effect on their mental health and in turn uplift or calm their spirit. Similarly, when we provide therapeutic massages for those seeking mental relaxation, an improvement of physical symptoms may be experienced, as well as a change in their energy. So long as you’re aware of where you may need a little TLC and you take the steps to get there, you’re on the right track!
How do you address a client’s issues to ensure they receive the right treatment?
The client intake form is the first thing that is analysed. Important information regarding medical history is super helpful. This allows us to determine if the treatment booked is right for the client and provides insight into which part of the body may need to be treated or avoided. However, the magic happens in the treatment room of course! A quick brief on the reason for visiting and long-term/short-term expecations are discussed (a mini consultation, if you like!). If warranted, a quick examination of the client’s alignment, mobility, and physical sensations felt in the body will be carried out.
Information received from this is what finalises the decision on which treatment techniques will be used to treat the client. Most importantly, how the client is feeling and how their body is responding during and after treatment further establishes how well-suited the technique is for the individual and whether it should be continued or changed. Aftercare advice is always provided to ensure top tier safety and comfort for all clients. Progress is tracked through each session for those who come in regularly for treatments, which is highly advised.
What would you say to someone who’s curious about visiting?
If I had a penny for every client that expressed how they wish they’d made the decision to book sooner, I’d be rich enough to buy the whole of Wandsworth! But it’s no lie that clients who visit the studio always tell me how they wish they got treated sooner. We invest in clothing, holidays, outings with friends and family, beauty appointments; but why do we hesitate when it comes to our health? Health is the one thing we wish we had invested in when it finally takes its toll on us. Prioritise your health & wellbeing and book in with us! It WILL be your best investment this year.
What’s the feedback from your clients been like?
Our clients are more than satisfied! Although they book a treatment with the intention of finding relief from whatever their body is going through, the reaction from them post-treatment is often shock at how much better they feel. The most common phrase I hear after treating someone is “I feel so much lighter”. The 5 star reviews speak for themselves.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
Seeing my clients feel relief during and after treatments; knowing that they are no longer feeling the same pain, discomfort, or stress they arrived with. So many people carry tension in their body and go through a lot of stress for various reasons, which contributes to physical pain and mental exhaustion. Being able to take that pressure off them is a great feeling!
What’s an underrated stress reliever that more people could be incorporating into their daily lives?
Unclenching! Your jaw, your face, your hands, your stomach, your butt! Everything.
Many of us go about our everyday lives so tense, often unknowingly. Not only does this put additional physical stress on the body, but in turn triggers or worsens mental stress and affects our ability to think clearly. If you pause for a moment to pay attention to where you are tightening up, and choose to let go, you can feel the heaviness of everything you’ve been holding onto dissipate. The relief is instant! But the rest you finally gift to your muscles is the real winner here, as you’re no longer actively performing a workout you didn’t sign up for! Your organs will thank you too – double win!
If ANA TO ME was a song, what would it be?
‘Atomic Kitten – Whole Again‘, because after a visit to ANA TO ME, you will be whole again!
Why Wandsworth?
Why anywhere else? The passion and drive, from the local bakers to the Hyrox competitors; the warmth and support – from a community of creative and unique local businesses coming together for the development and growth of the area. The easy-going, yet uplifting spirit from the lovely residents who bring life to this place, as well as the visitors who pass by. Fresh grocers, the best gyms, saunas and cold plunges, 101 cuisines to dine in or out from, shopping, yoga, Pilates, massage, everything is right here! Wandsworth has it all. And it’s only getting better. ANA TO ME is truly grateful to be a part of this gem in South West London
Find ANA TO ME at Sangha Studios, New Acres, Wandsworth, SW18 1FN.
