From the beginning to today
Baraka massage therapy was founded on the 10th of November 2003 by Nicolas Lakoff, massage therapist and entrepreneur. The 15th of December he opens the company’s first massage therapy center in the heart of the Plateau Mont-Royal burrough of Montreal.
The center rapidly reaches its cruising speed and following a fortuitous meeting of a talented colleague, he becomes partners with Cynthia Lemay, an accomplished massage therapist in her own right. Over the next few years the clientele and the staff grow steadily and finally in October 2007, together they open the second center on Monkland Avenue in the NDG borough of Montreal. In April of 2008, Cynthia wanting to work abroad decides to leave the business, ending their partnership.
At the begining of May 2008, the center in the Plateau expands and now has 7 massage therapy rooms, effectively becoming the largest massage therapy center in the borough. Baraka is now a family which groups close to two dozens people and the company’s future is brighter and brighter thanks to them and our wonderful clientele!
History
The origins of the name Baraka massothérapie inc.
Baraka (bah-rah-kah): The word “Baraka” reflects our ambiance as well as our vision. It takes on a particular significance in relation to massage therapy and our philosophy.
This is a term which originates from “Suffism”, a Middle Eastern mystical tradition. For Muslims it means presence, charisma, divine wisdom and even a blessing transferred from a master to his disciple. Derived from the Arabic word “Barakah”, it first makes it’s apparition in the French language during the colonisation of Algeria and it is then that it takes on the meaning of good luck, abundance and blessing but can also take on other meanings such as “breath” or “divine energy” much like the terms “Chi” in Chinese, Qi in Japanese and “Prana” in Sanskrit.
Additionally the expression “La Baraka” is often associated with the hand of Fatima, the daughter of the prophet Mohammed, who was renoun for her healing powers. This symbol, in the shape of a hand, is a talisman to protect against the “evil eye” and evil spirits; it represents the hand of God. Worn as a medallion around the neck or affixed on a door, it protects and watches over us.
For all these reasons, this mystical, watchful and appeasing hand corresponds to what we aspire to at Baraka massothérapie inc.
|
|
|
