Walking and Connecting with Ease, Joy and Alchemy

Ease: A state of freedom and gentleness

Joy: Great delight or happiness

Alchemy: Power or process of transforming something ordinary into something of deep value

Greetings!

We send the blessings of Ease, Joy and Alchemy to you as school lets out and summer begins here in Annapolis and around the country.

This month, we share some research as well as thoughts on an ancient way of healing and resourcing we hope you connect with.

We also got busy in the world of the web and www.EaseJoyandAlchemy.com is up and running, as well as Laura's individual site, www.LauraMitchellCST.com.
Please stop by and visit!

Laura's schedule will include one Saturday a month - call her to book June 19th or July 24th.

And finally, Amelia is offering a slightly different type of session that might just be perfect for you this summer.

Thank you for spending some time with us this month. Look for this month's special below!

Amelia Mitchell, LMT
Laura Inman Mitchell, LMT, CST
Ease, Joy & Alchemy, LLC
Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork

The Ancient Healing Technique of ... Walking

Laura Inman Mitchell

When I read stories about the travesty and disadvantage to people who have to walk two miles, one-way, each day to just collect their drinking water or have to walk such and such a distance for some other basic necessity; there is something inside me that states very clearly this is not quite the tragedy it is being made out to be.

What is this assurance inside me that feels so strongly this is not some utter tragedy that some people in the world still have to walk distances every day just for their drinking water?

I know it is not that I am some calloused being that thinks there are some people who just don't deserve clean, fresh water to drink. I suspect it is because I am not keen on being Western-centric, or even more so American-centric, in my view of the whole world. And is there something more to it?

I have sat with this knowing in me for six years, or more, now. It arose again as I went out for a morning walk this AM. It's easily the first morning walk I've gone on in months.

Within the first 30 seconds, I felt the joy of movement and calming rhythm spread throughout my system. Within 2 minutes, I was relishing the beyond bursting, gorgeous azure hydrangea in the next block. The birds; robins, purple finches, house sparrows, mockingbirds, and more; were in full chorus. The air was just right on my skin and in my lungs, the sun was perfect on my body, the rhythms of nature flooded my soul. In less than ten minutes, I was transported to an entirely different universe.

In the last few minutes of my walk, I realized part of what that inner conviction was telling me. In less than 15 minutes, I had fixed and released all the tension of the last several months and in particular the hairiness and tortuous depths of the last few days in my life. With just a 15 minute walk, in my neighborhood, in the middle of a city!, I did all this.

The walk reconnected me with nature. It reconnected me with my body. Those simple 15 minutes reconnected me with the joys of life, of rhythm, of freedom to move, of sights and sounds to feast the senses. My muscles received new blood flow, fresh fluids flushed throughout my system, my brain was native-ly stimulated, my internal organs were gently massaged with the movement of my walking pace. I participated in one of the simplest and most available healing tools of all. I was connecting to a Truth and a Birthright, but also a Necessity, more ancient than I can fathom.

And thus I now understand why I find it OK, and beautiful even, that there are still people who have to walk two miles for fresh water. I tapped into an ancient understanding of the importance of movement and connection with our bodies and nature, on a daily basis. There is so much more that occurs for those people who walk two miles to fresh water; there is so much immersion in nature and the moment by moment process of living into and being in the journey of life.

We too can still access this ancient birthright. We can simply take a 15 minute walk around the neighborhood. While we may not have a goal of fetching fresh water for the family; it is the act of the walk that is the treasure. We are foolish to ignore this.

Blessings on those who still have the daily walk built in because they have some goal in it. May we be big enough, in our Westernization, in our Americanization, in our freedom, to not discard the treasure just because we no longer have the same goal.

Short Sessions with Amelia

Why would you want a short session?
Doesn't everyone want an hour and a half massage?

True, a long massage is a wonderful experience, yet there are times when a short session is just perfect.

Frequent short sessions are very effective when a condition is more acute, after an injury or surgery for example.
Short sessions are often ideal for fibromyalgia and other autoimmune conditions that involve a great deal of sensitivity and tenderness.
Focused work in a specific area, such as neck and shoulders, legs or back.
Maintenance Lymph Drainage Therapy.

Sessions are 1/2 hour in length, which includes intake/talk time as well as bodywork. The therapy will be done on the table or seated with the client fully clothed to get the most effect for the time available. Sessions are $50 and must be scheduled in advance.

Generally best for established clients, this is also a good way to experience Amelia's touch and style, so new clients are welcome.

To schedule or inquire further, contact Amelia at 410-570-8927, or book online at www.EaseJoyandAlchemy.com.

And do read on... there is a special below.

Research Review Shows Massage Therapy Effectively Addresses Symptoms of Depression

A research review of massage for depression has found "massage therapy is significantly associated with alleviated depressive symptoms," its authors say.

Researchers from the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, systematically investigated the treatment effects of massage therapy in depressed people by incorporating data from recent studies, according to a press release on www.pubmed.gov provided by Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.

Read more at Massage Magazine, or simply schedule a massage.

Applications of CranioSacral Therapy in Newborns and Infants
Laura with Charlotte

Dr. John Upledger shares his experience and thoughts about the effectiveness and importance of CranioSacral Therapy for our little ones in this article from Massage Today. Take a look.

Laura has received the advanced CranioSacral Therapy (CST) training to work with newborns, infants and children. We highly recommend an evaluation for all newborns and encourage you to consider CST for any child who is having challenges.

Ease, Joy and Alchemy, LLC
offices at Chesapeake Holistic Health Center
528C College Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21409

Amelia Mitchell, LMT
Nationally Certified and State Licensed Massage Therapist
Therapeutic Massage, Lymphatic Drainage,
Certified Nurturing the Mother Therapist
offering Pregnancy, Post-Partum and Fertility
www.AmeliaMitchell.com
410-570-8927

Laura Inman Mitchell, LMT, CST
Nationally Certified and State Licensed Massage Therapist
whose practice specializes in CranioSacral Therapy
www.LauraMitchellCST.com
410-570-7245

www.EaseJoyandAlchemy.com

And, because we love Louise Hay and offer many of her books at the office, we wanted to let you know about this opportunity.
And encourage you to Experience Your Good Now.

Save $50	Short Session Special - Get One Free Buy Five Short Sessions with Amelia - Get One Free Get your body the consistent therapy it needs with this series. Series valid for eight weeks from date of purchase. Regular price $300 - buy the series for $250
Offer Expires: 7/31/2010 Coupon not required. Please mention Short Session Series special. You may purchase at first session and schedule subsequent Short Sessions at that time. Not valid with other coupons, specials or gift certificates. Series valid for 8 weeks from purchase.