ABOUT
HI! I’M MAIJA,
I launched my business Freely Forward Bodywork in 2020 with the goal of helping riders and horses overcome the obstacles in their own bodies. I’m dedicated to helping each pair achieve peak performance by working in cooperation with their team of vets, farrier, saddle fitter, and coach. I now provide bodywork services to horses and riders across Eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, Florida, and Iowa and treasure each horse and rider I work with.
While my focus is bodywork in the muscular system, I try to get a comprehensive picture of the horse through my observation and consultation with you as the owner/rider. In a session, I watch and evaluate your horse on the ground and, at times, under saddle. In certain cases, riding your horse myself could give me insight into what you are feeling under saddle and, as a result, help me focus my efforts. By the end of the session, I can recommend stretches, exercises, and dressage training to continue your horse’s improvement.
As a horse person, I have varied experience in dressage, eventing, western, and hunters, but throughout all disciplinary focuses I have been drawn to alternative methods for making my equine partner feel their best. After I moved from the Midwest to the East Coast at 19, I dove into the study of massage. I researched and learned from equine professionals while I was running an upper level eventing barn before adding human massage to my repertoire through Massage Therapy School where I became a Licensed Massage Therapist. While practicing in the Chester County area, I was fortunate enough to apprentice under an Equine Myofascial Release expert. Here I learned my knowledge and skills in evaluating horses’ movement, equine structural anatomy, correcting imbalances, and leveraging Myofascial Release to achieve best results.
I am dedicated to my craft and constantly seek ways to expand my skillset and further my understanding of horse and human bodies. My personal experiences riding and competing my horse Westley through Training level eventing and Fourth level dressage inform my evolving understanding about what performance horses require to function optimally. I take advantage of opportunities to acquire new knowledge through reading, researching, and shadowing vets, chiropractors, and other equine professionals.
EDUCATION
Maija holds the following certifications:
Myofascial ReleaseLicensed Human Massage therapistEquine Myofascial Release: PelvisJohn Barnes Myofascial Release: 1 and Pelvis
Integrative Muscular Movement Therapy
Integrative Muscular Movement Therapy: Levels 1, 2, and 3, and Cupping
Certified MagnaWave Practitioner
FUN FACTS
When traveling, the first thing I have to do is try the local cuisine
My dog Ty’s nickname is My Little Loaf, if you ever meet him, you’ll understand.
Favorite quote from the office: “I’m not superstitious, but I am a little ‘stitious”
I recently bought my first home and I am discovering my inner interior designer!
My boyfriend Cody and I are middle school sweethearts
