Nabla Bodywork

02/23/2026

recently shared some great resources for massage therapists to engage professionally about ... those files. Happy to forward them by email.

Clients: Human trafficking is a huge part of why massage therapists have to be licensed in North Carolina. It's why the jokes aren't funny. If you are feeling unsure about something, a massage therapist's office is a great place to practice saying, "I'm not comfortable with XYZ." It's our job to help find a more comfortable space for you.

I am seeing less about the files in my corner of the internet. I understand keeping it serious and on a slow burn to be part of my profession. I hope our professional entities like start to visibilize their collective voices.

There are a lot of reasons to care, and a lot of unfortunate impacts that human trafficking has on massage therapy specifically.

The two big ones I will note here:

➡️ Human trafficking makes me less safe in my profession due to blurred lines around what massage is.

➡️ Human trafficking makes clients less safe when disreputable actors are using massage as sheep's clothing.

And yes, the victims deserve any justice this plane can deliver, to anyone responsible.

Keep it burning.🔥

02/15/2026

I see you don't have this fine, very American word in your dictionary???

On a definitely totally unrelated note, happy Mardi Gras.

12/31/2025

I hope this New Year's Eve finds you warm and well. Thank you for helping make 2025 another delightful year at Nabla Bodywork. As a small token of gratitude, essential oils are officially a no-cost add-on moving forward. ✨

I'm also continually grateful for the homeostasis yall create between the standard and pay-what-you-can sessions. You're free to switch between these options as needed, and you can modify the session type through your confirmation email or by mentioning it to me.

You might recall that I partner with a VA program to provide in-office medical massage for veterans experiencing chronic pain. A veteran recently asked about the difference between a medical massage and a normal massage. At Nabla Bodywork, every session, regardless of payment "tier," is designed around your needs and preferences -- and that is at the heart of medical massage, even in the absence of a major injury or condition. To this end, I'm looking forward to incorporating more dermo-neuro-modulation and even trigger point therapy in 2026!

Upcoming Availabilities:
— Saturday, 1/3, 12:00
— Wednesday, 1/7, 11:30
— Friday, 1/9, 2:00

More about Rendon's style and bodywork offerings.

10/01/2025

When I went full time with Nabla Bodywork a little over a year ago, I was ready to run my business the "right" way, the "modern" way. I was going to be active here on instagram, send out professional emails, create beautiful content with Canva - all the glitzy goals. I have since left Mailchimp -- do I really need to be monotoring whether and when you open my emails? I used Canva minimally -- why make my posts look like everyone else's when I have worked hard to make beautiful non-digital things? And now, I am taking a long pause from this platform.

I love the work I do, and I have realized that information about my practice only adds to the discordant nature of this platform. How does it make sense for my face to pop up talking about relaxation right after images of starving children?

I've posted reels of the basic techniques I love to use. You can find them in my story highlights, along with highlights about what to expect at your first session, the core principles of my practices, and who I am. There is no need for me to continue feeding the machine ~content~ at this time.

Most of you know about our rabbits, including the bone work I do. My family is fed and safe for the near future, in part thanks to these rabbits. These lives cannot be wasted, including by hoarding resources. For the near future, pieces will be exchanged solely for direct donations to , , or our local .

I will be at next weekend! I am also honored to be at Winter Solstice event on December 21 - they are hosting another event October 30 if that is your vibe. None of these organizations are part of this decision, so if you have any questions, email me directly.

Nabla Bodywork is not going anywhere. You can reach me at rendon@nablabodywork.com. Write me an email to get on the monthly email list. If you feel compelled to like or share or interact with this post positively, instead do one tiny thing that is illogical to the frameworks weaving a reality you are unsatisfied with.

It is a privilege to know and work with each of you. See you in the real world.

09/30/2025

I've been exploring dermoneuromodulation for over a year in my own practice, and it would be a disservice to massage therapy not to mention how heavily it overlaps Swedish techniques (originally based on traditional Chinese tui na) as well as client intuition and simple listening - the true cornerstone of massage therapy.

The combination of light compression amd movement blends so well into the work I gravitate toward. Even before I had a name for this technique, I had seen this type of work provide lasting relief for clients far more than heavy massage that might provide that "hurt so good" feeling in the moment.

Are you experiencing a particular restriction or sore spot? Let's plan a session incorporating some DNM 🤘

09/24/2025

I've posted about theories of reflexology before. Beyond the science, there's the feeling. Hand and foot massage can be so relaxing, differently therapeutic. We can always be sure to leave time at the end of a session for hand or foot massage.

09/17/2025

Passive movement adds to the melty goodness of myofascial massage. Here you can see how I rotate the arm gently while working across the antagonistic (opposite) muscle fibers.

09/10/2025

Doing less can be doing more. Passive movement is a great way to allow the body -- muscle, nerve, and all the rest -- to experience a greater range of mption than possible through active movement. And it is not as easy as it looks to "just let go" while someone else moves your body!

This is a technique I often use in combination with others, and it can feel pretty neat to practice this form of relaxation by itself, too 😎

For the rare viewer who doesn't know us both, the person on the table is Art, my spouse and fellow LMBT. They infamously do not like bodywork, so take their lukewarm review seriously. 🤪 And more importantly, I do still mask with all clients not in my immediate household. 😷 If you prefer, I can step up from the 3 ply to a KN95 for your session.

08/29/2025

The longer I do this work, the more I respect the subjectivity of perception, especially in terms of bodily perception. Every massage therapy session has 2 sets of perception. It's important to acknowledge how working with both can elevate the session and expand the recipient's senses of embodiment.

I am currently pausing myself from going on a long tangent about how any subjectivity of perception does not excuse certain behaviors. This is a tiny platform. Y'all know me. If your perspective is one of silencing other perspectives rather than working alongside them, bye.

08/08/2025

The Double V was originally to inspire the simultaneous fight against international fascism and domestic racism that African American troops led in WW2. I've been grateful to be educated about it recently through an event to support veterans hosted by (if yall see this, please remind me of the speaker's name from the virtual conference a couple months ago!)

I realize racial and gender-based discrimination are distinct and often compounding, and I don't have an eloquent statement on patriotism and military service. I'm just a civilian working with veterans. What I can say is that serving this diverse population for the last 2 years has been an opportunity to broaden my professional and personal lenses.

Specifically now, from a q***r MT with this experience to trans & q***r service people in the Triangle NC, I welcome you to get in touch about how my practice can support you. Know someone with this need? Send em my way. Always, everyone but racists, bigots, and fascists are welcome at my practice for standard and PWYC sessions.

08/08/2025

The Double V

06/23/2025

RAFFLE PRIZE to fundraise for Adriana Smith's family. Rabbit raisers will recognize the "hay mustache" typical of a doe getting her nest ready.

This raffle is open to Triangle NC locals (sorry, no shipping), and you can buy a ticket virtually or in-person at the event. I’ll hold the drawing at 4pm at Rest Our Weary Bones.

$10 per ticket, no limit on tickets

In-person: cash or Venmo before 4pm

Virtual: Venmo (confirm 1993) with the memo ‘raffle’ & DM/e-mail me your Venmo handle & phone number

Lil’ Mama rabbit cared for her babies tenaciously, despite the adverse circumstances we unknowingly put her in (farm accidents happen and demand improvement). I can think of no better way to honor Lil’ Mama’s life than by raising funds to support the family – particularly the children – of a mother who deserved so much better than the intentional disregard of our politicized medical systems.