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January 1, 2015 
Greetings!


Each new year we take stock of our lives, thinking of what we've accomplished and what we want to achieve.  Health and wellness are almost always high on the list. Before you get caught up in your day-to-day routines and drift back into your familiar ways, realize that most of us believe the quality of our lives can best be improved by making healthier choices. Whenever possible, try to replace the things you're eliminating with healthier alternatives.

Ultimately, when we focus on ways to improve our health, we are improving all the other aspects of life. When we feel better we make better partners, and better members of our communities.  When we feel better the rest of life becomes more enjoyable.

 

This month's article "How to Receive a Massage," is full of tips for getting the most from your session.  Also find out what's new at Full Body Balancing for 2015 by scrolling to the bottom of this page.

 

The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, 
not on fighting the old, but on building the New.
- Socrates

 

Enjoy the New, see you soon!

 
Alie 
How to Receive a Massage: Before, During and After

Massage can be a powerful tool to help your body best perform its countless functions to maintain a healthy balance.  Here are a few tips to get the most from your bodywork sessions.

 

Before your session

 

The mood of your session can be affected by the things currently influencing your life.  You can improve your results by preparing yourself before your massage time by putting the events of your life on pause for a little while.  Life will wait a couple of hours, and you'll be in much better shape to deal with your responsibilities when you are feeling your best: 

 

  • Take a relaxing bath or shower before your appointment time.
  • Limit the consumption of caffeine, sugar and other stimulants.
  • Avoid eating immediately before your appointment.
  • Allow extra time in your schedule so you don't have to rush to or from your session.
  • Be aware of your current condition so you can report anything that needs attention.

 

During your session

 

Close your eyes, quiet your mind and let it all go.  Clear your mind of negative, skeptical, or resistant thought.  Each of my sessions begins with a series of compressions from the feet to the head. This is a basic Acupressure technique used to quiet the nervous system, evaluate the body, and equalize pressure between the upper and lower body.  Use this time to take inventory and to become aware of how each area feels.  Notice how you feel before the compressions begin.  During the compressions allow each part of your body to relax and sink deeper into the table.  Notice if one side of the body feels different from the other, notice which areas feel tender and which do not and notice how you feel at the end of the compression series.

  • Use your breath.  Breathing slowly and deeply (from the belly) provides your body with much needed oxygen, while signaling your body to let go of tension. I recommend visualizing your body (or a specific area) as a balloon; use your inhale to fill the balloon, use the exhale to disperse and push the air outward, down the arms and legs, releasing it through the hands and feet.  The exhale is just as important as the inhale. While during the inhale blood going to the body is oxygenated, blood returning to the lungs is carrying carbon dioxide and other wastes that must leave your body. Exhaling deeply sweeps away stale air, wastes, and carbon dioxide. 
  • Surrender to the experience.  It is the mind that is the organizer of our health and our strength, of our associations and responses, of our thoughts and our feelings and our tissues.  Friction on the skin (massage), pressure on the tissues (acupressure), and the distortion of the tissues surrounding the joints and muscles (myofascial release and movement of the limbs), are media through which the body can perceive itself.  Skillful touch can provide volumes of new data which the mind can scan in search of clues for releasing habitual patterns, creating new patterns, new modifications, and more constructive internal conditions.  How you think while you are on the table effects your chemistry, your ability to relax, and your ability to heal.  To optimize the benefits of your bodywork session use your time on the table to leave behind negative, resistive thought and surrender to the moments of new sensation and a reorganization of the mind. If your mind starts to wander return your focus to your breath which should be slow, deep and even. 

 

After your session 

 

The goal of each session is to help return you to a place of quiet meditation, where your body can remember how to care for itself, balance its energies, and enjoy the experience of being fully alive.  At the end of your session I ask you to take your time getting off of the table. Truly take your time.  I allow plenty of time between sessions for my own recovery and for you to take time in regaining a full sense of your body.  Rise slowly as pressure between the upper and lower body evens out. Rising too quickly may leave you feeling lightheaded and dizzy. Regain your equilibrium, and take a moment to do a few simple stretches before you dress.

  • Drink water.  After you emerge you will be offered filtered water and the option of baking soda and water to reduce acid levels in the body.  Full Body Balancing works like a plunger, pumping and releases metabolic waste from the tissues.  Our bodies are fluid and increasing your fluid intake aids the body in cleansing the tissues, and lessens the strain on the filtering organs.  Drinking a small amount of baking soda (1/2 tsp. in 1/2c. water) enhances the cleansing effect by neutralizing acids and aiding the liver and kidneys in their cleansing functions.  The circulatory benefits of your massage will continue to progress for about 3 days, it is important to continue to drink plenty of water for at least 3 days after your massage.
  • Schedule your next appointment.  The effects of massage are cumulative.  If you are receiving massage to aid in the recovery of a musculoskeletal condition or injury, your sessions will need to be more frequent for a short time depending on your condition. If you are in good circulatory condition and seeking maintenance and relaxation consider a monthly routine.  Either way, getting that next session on the books insures you stay on track in meeting your health goals.
  • Enjoy your life!  Nothing is more important than your well-being, so continue to make taking care of yourself a high priority.  Notice how you feel the week following your massage.  Notice the quality of your sleep.  Notice how you eliminate. Notice your energy levels. Most people experience a progressive positive feeling in their wellbeing after each session. This is a good time to begin to practice some of the day to day changes you may want to make towards better health. When you feel your best, you are in a much better condition to shift your thoughts and practices and to deal with all of life's challenges and demands.
   
What's the Point?
Full Body Balancing utilizes the healing arts of Acupressure and Shiatsu. Each month I'll be highlighting one or more of the pressure points that may be used in your session. 

 

Cheng Shan, Mountain Support (Bl 57) 

 

Cheng Shan

 

 Cheng Shan, is located at the apex of the gastrocnemius, where it divides into two branches. Cheng Shan frees the flow of circulation

Bladder Meridian

along the Bladder Meridian and fortifies the network of blood, lymph and nerve vessels along it's pathway.  Cheng Shan is used to treat sciatic symptoms, lumbar

pain, muscle spasm of the leg, heel pain, restless leg syndrome, and conditions of the Achilles tendon.  Cheng Shan is a highly effective point for relaxing the muscles and tendons of the entire leg and regulating the function of the intestines.

 

 

 


 

 

 

Services
Full Body Balancing

 

This signature treatment massage addresses specific musculoskeletal, degenerative, and circulatory conditions.  Each session is a customized combination of Shiatsu, Acupressure, Deep Tissue, Myofascial Release and Visceral Manipulation merged together with Swedish massage to obtain the most effective, relaxing and restorative results. When seeking relief for chronic conditions 3 to 5 sessions are recommended. Choose the length of your session, and enjoy the effects of having  your body in balance.

read more

         3R's Massage

The 3R's: Rest, Relax, and Rejuvenate. This is the ultimate relaxation massage! Gentle, flowing strokes ease away tension, stretching and breath-work restore your equilibrium, and steaming hot scented towels refresh and revive the senses.  read more
 
Hara Hara
 
Hara simply means belly. The Hara is the center of our emotional well-being and the home of our organs. Unlocking Hara tension and pressure build-up promotes better organ function. This massage is a must for those experiencing emotional crisis, digestive issues, reproductive dysfunction, breathing difficulties, nervousness and anxiety. Try it you'll like it!
Tell A Friend
Referrals from you are the heart of my practice.  I am honored that you enjoy my work enough to recommend it to your family and friends.  When someone you know arrives for their first massage and writes your name in the "referred by" space on their intake form, you will receive my thanks and a $20.00 gift certificate towards your next massage. 

I appreciate your support!

What's New?
A 2015 Gift for You!
   
  This year watch your email for a special gift from Full Body Balancing.  Schedule your massage during the week of your birthday and enjoy 25% off any service.
Happy Birthday and Happy New Year from Full Body Balancing!
 
*Birthday discount not applicable with other specials or gift certificates, is non transferable, please show drivers license at time of appointment, must be registered with Full Slate online scheduler to receive an email reminder, valid during birthday week only - may not be rescheduled, cancellation policy applies.