In 2009, because of the recession, the family frame shop closed down. Leif worked freelance as a man with a van, set builder and handy man. But his Dumbo community especially, encouraged him to take up massage professionally. In 2012 he took the leap and applied to study at the Swedish Institute of Medical Science. Leif says, ‘I realized on the first day that there was a lot more to massage than I had anticipated. I figured that I would have to study anatomy and physiology, did not know about neurology and pathology or Shiatsu. It was an intensive grueling course of 5 semesters with 2 weeks off between semesters. I honestly didn't think I would make it past neurology but I worked hard and finished with a 3.9 GPA’.
Leif now specializes in Myofascial Release, a more medical aspect of massage integrating physical therapy techniques. ‘Myo’ meaning muscle, and ‘Fascia’ meaning connective tissue. Applying pressure gently on the skin at first without using any oils, then as the tissues relax building toward identifying the trigger points. Trigger points are often the source of pain that radiate out to other parts of the body.
In his youth Leif was also a photographer on long term projects documenting the difference between country life and city life back in Jamaica. Perhaps there is a correlation between these two skill sets that have shaped his path and led to a career in the healing arts. Both require sharp powers of observation, trusting your intuition, keeping your finger on the pulse in just the right way to capture that exact moment. Some detective work is involved, reading the clues that lead to the heart of the matter. Massage therapy works to locate, unearth, and release the crux of the story, the pain your physical body holds within it. Hands of Leif is dedicated to helping you heal, by working to let that pain go.
Leif Rodriguez was born on the island of Jamaica. His family moved to New York when he was five years old and settled in Far Rockaway, Queens. In 1996 he and his father and brother opened a fine art framing business in Dumbo, Brooklyn. The twenty-four year old Leif was drawn to the raw and little known waterfront community. ‘That was a different time in Dumbo’ says Leif ‘There was nothing but artists, sweatshops, garbage companies and thugs. Everyone got to know everyone else for the sole purpose of safety’.
After work at R.R. Frame Shop, Leif would go to the local artist hang out, where he discovered he had a knack for recognizing when people had pain. Artists’ work often requires repetitive motions and heavy lifting. A short shoulder rub or neck rub would soon bring relief, and word started to spread in the neighborhood about Leif’s innate ability to diagnose the source of the pain and help work it out.
