Hi, I’m Maija Liisa Luttinger—equine massage therapist, licensed massage therapist, educator, and lifelong horsewoman.

I founded Freely Forward Bodywork in 2020 with one clear mission: to help horses and riders overcome the physical obstacles in their bodies so they can move, perform, and feel their best—together.

My work is rooted in enabling comfort, soundness, and performance through thoughtful, evidence-informed equine massage, myofascial release, and targeted stretching techniques. Every horse I work with is assessed as a whole athlete. I analyze posture, movement, and skeletal function, and I collaborate closely with owners and riders to understand what the horse is telling us—both on the ground and under saddle.

Rather than offering one-size-fits-all sessions, I create individualized treatment plans that address the entire body and support the horse’s ongoing development. When appropriate, I also recommend stretches, exercises, and training considerations to help extend the benefits of bodywork far beyond our session together.

I believe the best outcomes happen when professionals work as a team. I regularly collaborate with veterinarians, farriers, saddle fitters, and trainers to support each horse’s long-term comfort and performance. Today, I’m honored to provide bodywork services to horses and riders across Eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, Florida, and Iowa, and I treasure every partnership I build along the way.

My equestrian background spans dressage, eventing, western disciplines, and hunters, but across all disciplines I’ve always been drawn to thoughtful, alternative methods that help horses feel and move better in their bodies.

After relocating from the Midwest to the East Coast at 19, I immersed myself in the study of massage—learning from seasoned equine professionals while managing an upper-level eventing barn. I later pursued formal education in human massage therapy, becoming a Licensed Massage Therapist, and went on to apprentice under an equine myofascial release expert. That mentorship shaped my clinical eye and deepened my understanding of equine movement, structural anatomy, imbalance patterns, and the profound impact of myofascial release.

My personal journey riding and competing my heart horse, Westley, through Training Level eventing and Fourth Level dressage continues to inform my work. I know firsthand what performance horses require to function optimally—and how transformative the right bodywork can be.

I am deeply committed to ongoing education and to raising the standard of equine bodywork. I continually expand my knowledge through research, reading, and hands-on collaboration with veterinarians, chiropractors, and other equine professionals.

In addition to hands-on services for my already established clients, I offer online education courses and my professional equine bodywork certification program so horse owners and equine professionals alike can learn effective, practical techniques to support their horses with confidence.

Freely Forward Bodywork is proudly recognized as:

• An Approved Member School by the National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure and Massage (NBCAAM)

• An Approved Preferred Educational Provider by the International Association of Animal Massage & Bodywork (IAAMB)

• An NCBTMB Approved Continuing Education Provider

At its core, Freely Forward Bodywork exists to help horses move freely forward—supported, understood, and treated with the respect they deserve as true athletes.