Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ulyana. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Ulyana, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.
I am a single mom of two wonderful girls, and starting my own practice was terrifying. I wanted to create a healing space—one rooted in compassion, integrity, and intuition. A space where people, especially those living with trauma and chronic pain, felt seen and supported. My practice is not like any other. I’m endlessly curious by nature, and learning something new in my field is not just a passion—it’s a necessity. For me, growth is part of the work, and every client teaches me something new. Over the past 18 years, I’ve had the honor of working with an incredible range of clients—from tiny 2-month-old babies to vibrant 98-year-olds. Each session is different, each story unique. But they all remind me why I do what I do. A big part of my heart belongs to the veterans I serve—many living with PTSD. The trust they place in me is something I don’t take lightly. It’s sacred work, and it humbles me every day. Over and over, my clients have told me, “You’re a healer. Do your magic.” And even though I don’t always feel magical, I’ve learned to trust that what I do does make a difference. That showing up with presence, knowledge, and care can shift someone’s day—or even their life. If I could give one piece of advice to a new practitioner just starting their own journey, it would be this:
Do not sabotage yourself.
The hardest part isn’t the business licenses, or the marketing, or the long days.
The hardest part is believing that you can.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m Ulyana. I’m a medical massage practitioner with 18 years of experience, and the Director of the PNW Massage Championships in Oregon and Washington. I’m also proud to be the bronze winner of the 2024 American Massage Championship in the face massage category.” “In my practice, I work with everyone—from 2-month-old babies to 98-year-olds—using a wide range of modalities. Medical massage, fusion table Thai, Japanese facelift buccal massage… I love blending techniques to meet each person’s unique needs. I dedicate a big part of my heart to working with veterans with PTSD. This is sacred work to me. I’m endlessly curious. Always learning. Always driven by a deep desire to help.
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
Being a massage therapist—especially one practicing advanced or specific modalities—is hard. It’s not just physically demanding. It’s emotionally intense, too. You’re not just using your hands; you’re holding space for people’s pain, their stress, their stories. That takes a toll. So if you want to succeed in this field, the first thing you need to be crystal clear on is your “why.” You have to be deeply driven by the desire to help and to heal. This work isn’t just about technique. It’s about presence. It’s about resilience. You have to be willing to polish your craft until it becomes your talent. Until it looks effortless—like art. But behind that art is dedication, discipline, and heart. If you’re in it for the right reasons, your clients will feel it. And that’s where the real magic happens.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Honestly, my whole journey is built on resilience.
I’m a hard worker—and I’m not a quitter. Every single day, I walk into my practice knowing that my job is more than massage. I solve puzzles—puzzles made of pain, trauma, emotion, and hope.
Sometimes that puzzle is a sick child, barely old enough to sit up on their own. I’ll never forget the look in their mother’s eyes—filled with fear, but also trust. She placed her baby in my hands, hoping I could help. And in that moment, I carried not just a body, but her heart.
Sometimes that puzzle is a wounded soldier with PTSD. You feel it in the room before a word is spoken—the weight of their story. The sacred silence. The responsibility to do no harm. And the honor to be trusted by someone who may not trust easily.
Other times, it’s simply holding space when a client’s emotions flood open unexpectedly on the table. There are no words, just presence. A moment where they need to lean, and I need to be strong enough to hold that space without breaking. My work is full of these stories. Because healing isn’t just something I do—it’s who I am.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theartofhealinghands.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ulyaselfcare101/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ulyana-seryankina-08801b83/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr2oFE8i6X0
- Other: https://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/news/healing-through-the-power-of-touch/article_d8b18716-c151-5ab4-bef3-065cea4f1fe5.html
https://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/lifestyle/best_of_lake_oswego/#/gallery/464058941
