Theresa Franklin, NCTMB, LMT, RYT, CMT

Olivia Kelly, NCTMB, LMT

Chen style is for 10 weeks and will meet on Monday evenings at 6:30 and Wednesday mornings at 10:00. Cost is $60.

Yang style is for 8 weeks and will meet Mondays at 5:30 pm. Cost is $48.

Please pay in cash or checks made out to Charles Whitten.   

You can read more about Master Whitten and Chen Tai Chi Chuan in the July 2011 newsletter.  

The NEW Hot Yoga schedule is:
Tuesday 5:30-6:30 pm
Wednesday 7:30-8:30 am
Thursday 9:00-10:00 am and 5:30-6:30 pm
Friday 5:30-6:30 pm and 6:30-7:30 pm 

*a class will be added onto Sundays 12:30-1:30 p.m. starting MAY 20th*

Prices are now:
$10 - drop in
$50 - unlimited monthly
NEW -- 12 class card for $80 (any style yoga and card is good for two consecutive months).    

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Katie Roach, Licensed Massage Therapist, has completed another course in her Thai Massage training. Having completed levels one and two in 2011, this most recent course focused on a style known as Hands-free Thai Massage.

This course deepened and expanded the various applications of the foot, knee and tibia as massage tools in conjunction with full-body stretching and trigger point work.  

Thai Massage is deeply therapeutic, using the breath and deep tissue techniques to locate and break up pain patterns, causing an increase in range of motion and decrease in pain. This modality is excellent for chronic pain issues, athletes, and those who seek more flexibility and bodily awareness. These sessions are performed fully clothed on a padded floor mat. Call Katie for a Thai Massage session today!

Rates:  60 minutes    $65
             90 minutes    $85
            120 minutes   $120  

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Has it already been damaged by the sun?

Skin is an excellent record keeper. Every moment of exposure to daylight adds up like money in the bank. The problem is the payoff known as sun damage (also known as photodamage).

As the top cause of premature signs of skin aging, sun damage shows on skin in the form of wrinkles and hyper-pigmentation and can lead to a repressed immune system and the potential for skin cancer.

Statistics show that one in six individuals will develop skin cancer and 90% of these cancers are the direct result of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.

Even if exposure is limited to brief outdoor lunches or a 20-minute walk, cumulative exposure is enough to cause the signs of skin aging and increase the risk for skin cancer.

The first line of daily defense against sun damage is daily use of SPF. Even on cloudy or overcast days, UV light can strike skin and cause damage so simply wearing sunscreen on sunny days isn't enough.

Fortunately, more sophisticated (i.e., less greasy) sunscreen formulations with skin health benefits have made SPF a convenient addition to our morning routine.

Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery spf30 for mature or prematurely-aging skin is a daily moisturizer, AGE smart treatment and daily SPF all in one. It encourages firmness, elasticity, and hydration while helping to defend against the primary causes of skin aging.

For information about Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery spf30 and other skin care products, contact Kristi Watson at 462-3900.

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What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture uses ultra-slim needles inserted at various pressure points in the body to relieve pain and stimulate positive energy flow. It can help with pain management, may be useful as an independent treatment for some conditions and can also be used as a complement to other healthcare therapies.

What happens during a visit?

While acupuncture providers may have different styles, a typical visit includes an exam and assessment of your condition, insertion of needles and advice on home care. The initial exam and assessment could take between 30 minutes to an hour or more, depending on why you are there.

Before the needles are placed, you will lie down on a comfortable surface. Generally, acupuncture needles are placed at points in the body and then left in place for 20-30 minutes. The needles are pre-packaged, pre-sterilized and disposable. They are only used once.

Does it hurt?  

What a person feels during acupuncture depends on many factors, such as the needle location (for example, the back of the hand is more sensitive than the low back because the area has thinner skin and is bonier), the condition being treated, and the technique of the acupuncturist. You may feel a brief, sharp sensation when the needle is inserted and when it reaches the correct depth. Sometimes, the needles are gently moved or stimulated with electricity or heat. Each treatment may require the insertion of as many as 12 or more needles, which stay in place for 5 to 20 minutes.

 What are the benefits?  * Has few side effects
* Can be a useful complement to other therapies
* Is becoming widely available
* Helps control certain types of pain

Child's Pose     

The blueprint

The yogi kneels with forehead resting on the floor, arms extended behind, palms up.  

How to do it

1. Kneel and sit back on your heels with your legs slightly apart, your chest lifted and your shoulders relaxed.    
2. Allow your arms to hang by your sides and lengthen your spine.
3. Breathe in and as you exhale, fold forward, hinging from the hips until your forehead rests on the floor.  
4. Allow the weight of your arms to pull your shoulders down.    
5. Place your arms on the floor next to your legs, palms up.  
6. You can stay in this position 30 seconds or longer, depending on how comfortable you are.  

7. To come out of the pose, bring your hands to the floor and begin to push up slowly. Gradually come back up to kneeling, arms by your side, back straight.  

• Let your shoulders round 
• Breath deeply and relax   

Don't:

• Practice this pose if you have a knee injury unless you have an experienced teacher assisting you.  

Benefits

• Opens the upper back
• Stretches the ankles, knees and hips
• Opens the pelvic floor, hips and low back
• Alleviates head, neck and chest pain 
• Calms the mind 
• Lessens fatigue 

Contraindications

• Pregnancy (keep your knees apart and don't place pressure on your abdomen) 
• Ankle, knee or hip injury 
• Diarrhea  
• High blood pressure, detached retina or glaucoma - rest your head on the seat of a chair.  

Beginners tips and modifications

If you can't comfortably sit on your heels in this pose, put a folded blanket or mat between your back thighs and calves.      

If you can't reach your forehead to the floor, rest it on your fists. 

Advanced practitioner variations 

Bring your arms forward and walk  your fingertips forward and away from your shoulders to lengthen your arms and increase the stretch. Place your forearms on the floor.