Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1174218
Ta k e 5 a n d t r y A B M P F i v e - M i n u t e M u s c l e s a t w w w. a b m p . c o m / f i v e - m i n u t e - m u s c l e s . 87 surprisingly roomy for being so tiny," she says. She reached out to Ultimate Airstreams, a full-service Airstream customization facility in Oregon, to help her bring her dream to life. "The incredible team at Ultimate Airstreams was absolutely fantastic in taking my crazy ideas and turning them into reality," she says. A few of the customizations include: • Modifying cabinetry to house a towel warmer • Removing seating to create space for a custom-made massage table on pneumatic pedestals, allowing for a variety of heights • Creating an oversized lounge that comfortably seats two • Installing a teak bench seat and floor mat in the bath to create a sauna look and feel • Creating a micro-steam room using a portable steam converter • Converting lights to allow for dimming McLaughlin's Airstream, named the Peace Pod, is "a tiny healing capsule" where she can control and customize the ambience for each client. "It's like a sensory deprivation experience," she says, "where you leave one world and enter another—even if all the time you have is 20 minutes." BODYWORK LOGISTICS IN THE PEACE POD McLaughlin knew body mechanics would be a challenge in the custom build, but she considers herself a massage ninja. "I blend all the modalities I know into one fusion session," she says. "One half of the table I can walk around like a typical massage table, then I have grip bars I've placed on the ceiling that assist me in volleying to the other side of the table. This side of the massage, my techniques are more Thai style with a bit of ashiatsu. It's a unique experience! And I explain this to each client." A huge part of McLaughlin's practice is Yamuna Body Rolling (YBR), which is a self-healing, self- fixing, total-body exercise. She has been a certified YBR practitioner since 2011. "Without it, my massage career would have ended years ago," she says. "YBR is a self- healing tool I share with my clients. Depending on their health intake Mobile Studio vs. Various Venues According to McLaughlin, deciding between traveling to various venues or owning a mobile studio comes down to control. "Having the ability to control the environment is what I find so critical to providing a complete relaxation experience," she says. "Personally, I don't enjoy setting up in people's homes or at hotels. I never know what type of space I will have to work in, and that makes it difficult for me to feel grounded." Plus, she says, traveling to venues can become a physical nightmare—especially when there are stairs involved. "With the Airstream, I can offer people an experience—a unique, personalized, therapeutic experience— that allows for maximum rest and recharging. The Airstream is a space I created and am completely comfortable in. This environment allows me to do my best work—each and every time." The Peace Pod isn't just for the artists—McLaughlin helps roadies escape the chaos of touring life too. "My dream of an Airstream mobile studio would not get out of my head. It just started to make more and more sense for me to use my energy doing what I love versus hauling gear around." Illustration by Antonín Vach.