I hope everyone has sat down and made some great goals for the Year of the Tiger coming up. Since we have been in operation for two years now, and are still a ¨baby school¨, we have lots of goals.
We do wish all a Happy New Year, with lots of good health, wealth and happiness. And throw in a very big dash of Pura Vida with that!
30 dic 2009
22 dic 2009
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
From Costa Rica School of Integrative Massage to you, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! May the coming year bring you peace, love, happiness and pura vida.
21 dic 2009
Holidays in Costa Rica
Christmas in Costa Rica is a blast. Our students are still here long enough to enjoy some of the festivities and we all enjoy all the cooking and foods.
Title - A Tico Christmas
by Michael L. Smith
As in other parts of the world, Christmas in Costa Rica is a time for celebration and parties, sharing and reflecting. The month of December is electric with thoughts of the season, and busy with preparations for festivities, family get togethers and vacations. In late November decorations begin to appear in downtown shops, and by the second week of December everybody has lights strung, cypress wreaths hung and Christmas trees decorated. And you can be sure that here, too, stockings are carefully in place awaiting the arrival of the Baby Jesus.
The traditional Christmas tree in Costa Rica is a big evergreen branch, a small cypress tree, or dried coffee branches. The "tree" is decorated with white paint and brightly colored strips of paper. Lights and small colored balls, a variety of small figures and lace are also used to adorn the greenery. A gold star is placed on top as a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem.
Christmas was first celebrated in Costa Rica in 1601 when then-Governor Don Gonzalo Vásquez de Coronado organized nationwide festivities.
A very popular Latin American tradition--the portal--is a nativity scene constructed of mosses and grass, colored sawdust, cypress twigs, black paper, silver glitter and figurines representing the birth of Jesus in the manger. Along with the traditional figures of Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, shepards, the three wise men and the ox and mule, Costa Ricans commonly add extra embellishments like dolls, little farm animals, tiny toys, fruits and berries, and lights.
While Costa Rican families spend a great deal of time arranging their portales just right, tradition says that families who don't own a home must use a portal that has been received as a gift--then the holy family will help them get a house of their own. The portal is often placed under the tree (along with the presents) but may sit on a table, platform or on the floor in a corner of the living room. Wherever it is, it occupies a position of honor and is a point of pride in the home. The people put a lot of effort into making each year's portal better than the last and the displays frequently outgrow the space under the tree or on the table and begin to monopolize a large part of the living room.
Christmas tree with portal
The figure of Baby Jesus is placed in the portal at midnight on December twenty-fourth. That's also when the adults open their gifts. The children are told that the Baby Jesus brings their gifts while they are sleeping. Nowadays, Saint Nicholas has also become an important part of the custom and his rotund presence is everywhere.
Posadas take place during the nine days before Christmas. Originating in Spain and Mexico, the posada consists of a group of neighbors getting together at a different neighbor's house each day to act out the pilgrimage of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem. This is accompanied by singing and praying, snacks of the season, and lots of tamales.
The Misa de Gallo, Christmas Mass, takes place at midnight on December twenty-fifth. That is the night that many families enjoy their traditional Christmas dinner.
The origin of the portal is attributed to Saint Francis de Asis. It is said that in the thirteenth century, St. Francis started making belenes-- representations of the birth of Christ-- with figures of humans and animals.
Throughout the month of December there are parades, carnivals, parties, and religious processions in all corners of the country. The tope has been celebrated in Costa Rica since colonial times. Originally the activity when bulls were cut out of the herd to be used in the bull fights, for the past forty years it has been a formal parade of horses down the main streets of San José. Riders from across the country come to the city to show off their best mounts and formal duds. Today's tope includes much more than stately horses and their proud riders. Other folkloric elements have been introduced such as horse-drawn carriages and the famous hand-painted oxcarts.
The tope is complemented with a grand parade complete with floats, marching bands, dancing girls and clowns. This also runs down the main streets of San José, turning the city into a sea of partying humans. For many Costa Ricans this parade is the party event of the year.
Bullfights are synonymous with the season's festivities in Costa Rica. Popular since the colonization, they take place in the Zapote Arena every night during the festive season. The bulls are never harmed in the Tico version of the bullfights. The most popular phase of the Tico bullfight is the run when dozens of young men race into the ring en masse with the intention of frightening the bull and provoking it to attack. Although the bull is never harmed, occasionally one of the men is gored. The whole thing is a performance designed to release adrenaline, relieving the frustrations of the past year.
Thanks to the Costa Rican government every worker in the country has extra money in December to spend on gifts. The aguinaldo is a government declared Christmas bonus, given to every employee in the country by his or her employer. It is equivalent to a full month's pay. Costa Rica was a Latin American pioneer in the establishment of this mandatory bonus. There is also a special drawing worth several million colones held during December by the National Lottery Commission. As Christmas Day approaches, much of the electricity in the air can be attributed to this Lotería Navideña.
On New Year's Day all Tica housewives prepare for the coming year by sweeping out the house, from one end to the other, removing the past year's bad luck and beginning anew.
Traditional seasonal foods include the tamal (corn flour dough stuffed with potatoes, vegetables and pork or chicken, then boiled in plantain leaves) (here is a recipe for Costa Rican tamales); pupusa (tortilla with cheese, corn and whatever); vigoron (cabbage, tomato, yucca and fried pork rind, served on a plantain leaf); and grilled pork, chicken and sausage. Many Costa Ricans have adopted the foreign custom of eating turkey and ham, as long as they are accompanied by the traditional Costa Rican tamal. Rompope is also in great supply. Known by North Americans as eggnog, it is generously fortified with dark rum or brandy.
The closing ceremony to the Christmas season isn't until January sixth (traditionally the date the three wise men arrived to worship Jesus) when neighbors get together for a special prayer for the Baby Jesus. Family and friends pray the rosary and sing Christmas carols. Then food is offered and the portal disassembled and put away until next year.
Baby Jesus
Feliz Navidad, Próspero Año Nuevo, and may the Baby Jesus leave a gift for you under the Christmas tree.
Title - A Tico Christmas
by Michael L. Smith
As in other parts of the world, Christmas in Costa Rica is a time for celebration and parties, sharing and reflecting. The month of December is electric with thoughts of the season, and busy with preparations for festivities, family get togethers and vacations. In late November decorations begin to appear in downtown shops, and by the second week of December everybody has lights strung, cypress wreaths hung and Christmas trees decorated. And you can be sure that here, too, stockings are carefully in place awaiting the arrival of the Baby Jesus.
The traditional Christmas tree in Costa Rica is a big evergreen branch, a small cypress tree, or dried coffee branches. The "tree" is decorated with white paint and brightly colored strips of paper. Lights and small colored balls, a variety of small figures and lace are also used to adorn the greenery. A gold star is placed on top as a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem.
Christmas was first celebrated in Costa Rica in 1601 when then-Governor Don Gonzalo Vásquez de Coronado organized nationwide festivities.
A very popular Latin American tradition--the portal--is a nativity scene constructed of mosses and grass, colored sawdust, cypress twigs, black paper, silver glitter and figurines representing the birth of Jesus in the manger. Along with the traditional figures of Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, shepards, the three wise men and the ox and mule, Costa Ricans commonly add extra embellishments like dolls, little farm animals, tiny toys, fruits and berries, and lights.
While Costa Rican families spend a great deal of time arranging their portales just right, tradition says that families who don't own a home must use a portal that has been received as a gift--then the holy family will help them get a house of their own. The portal is often placed under the tree (along with the presents) but may sit on a table, platform or on the floor in a corner of the living room. Wherever it is, it occupies a position of honor and is a point of pride in the home. The people put a lot of effort into making each year's portal better than the last and the displays frequently outgrow the space under the tree or on the table and begin to monopolize a large part of the living room.
Christmas tree with portal
The figure of Baby Jesus is placed in the portal at midnight on December twenty-fourth. That's also when the adults open their gifts. The children are told that the Baby Jesus brings their gifts while they are sleeping. Nowadays, Saint Nicholas has also become an important part of the custom and his rotund presence is everywhere.
Posadas take place during the nine days before Christmas. Originating in Spain and Mexico, the posada consists of a group of neighbors getting together at a different neighbor's house each day to act out the pilgrimage of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem. This is accompanied by singing and praying, snacks of the season, and lots of tamales.
The Misa de Gallo, Christmas Mass, takes place at midnight on December twenty-fifth. That is the night that many families enjoy their traditional Christmas dinner.
The origin of the portal is attributed to Saint Francis de Asis. It is said that in the thirteenth century, St. Francis started making belenes-- representations of the birth of Christ-- with figures of humans and animals.
Throughout the month of December there are parades, carnivals, parties, and religious processions in all corners of the country. The tope has been celebrated in Costa Rica since colonial times. Originally the activity when bulls were cut out of the herd to be used in the bull fights, for the past forty years it has been a formal parade of horses down the main streets of San José. Riders from across the country come to the city to show off their best mounts and formal duds. Today's tope includes much more than stately horses and their proud riders. Other folkloric elements have been introduced such as horse-drawn carriages and the famous hand-painted oxcarts.
The tope is complemented with a grand parade complete with floats, marching bands, dancing girls and clowns. This also runs down the main streets of San José, turning the city into a sea of partying humans. For many Costa Ricans this parade is the party event of the year.
Bullfights are synonymous with the season's festivities in Costa Rica. Popular since the colonization, they take place in the Zapote Arena every night during the festive season. The bulls are never harmed in the Tico version of the bullfights. The most popular phase of the Tico bullfight is the run when dozens of young men race into the ring en masse with the intention of frightening the bull and provoking it to attack. Although the bull is never harmed, occasionally one of the men is gored. The whole thing is a performance designed to release adrenaline, relieving the frustrations of the past year.
Thanks to the Costa Rican government every worker in the country has extra money in December to spend on gifts. The aguinaldo is a government declared Christmas bonus, given to every employee in the country by his or her employer. It is equivalent to a full month's pay. Costa Rica was a Latin American pioneer in the establishment of this mandatory bonus. There is also a special drawing worth several million colones held during December by the National Lottery Commission. As Christmas Day approaches, much of the electricity in the air can be attributed to this Lotería Navideña.
On New Year's Day all Tica housewives prepare for the coming year by sweeping out the house, from one end to the other, removing the past year's bad luck and beginning anew.
Traditional seasonal foods include the tamal (corn flour dough stuffed with potatoes, vegetables and pork or chicken, then boiled in plantain leaves) (here is a recipe for Costa Rican tamales); pupusa (tortilla with cheese, corn and whatever); vigoron (cabbage, tomato, yucca and fried pork rind, served on a plantain leaf); and grilled pork, chicken and sausage. Many Costa Ricans have adopted the foreign custom of eating turkey and ham, as long as they are accompanied by the traditional Costa Rican tamal. Rompope is also in great supply. Known by North Americans as eggnog, it is generously fortified with dark rum or brandy.
The closing ceremony to the Christmas season isn't until January sixth (traditionally the date the three wise men arrived to worship Jesus) when neighbors get together for a special prayer for the Baby Jesus. Family and friends pray the rosary and sing Christmas carols. Then food is offered and the portal disassembled and put away until next year.
Baby Jesus
Feliz Navidad, Próspero Año Nuevo, and may the Baby Jesus leave a gift for you under the Christmas tree.
18 dic 2009
Ayurveda in Costa Rica
I found the following article very accurate as far as our experience here in Costa Rica. When we study Health in class we cover a little ayurveda.
ayurveda
By Richard Barone
Ayurvedic formulas for health are popular with Costa Rican men and women. In a country where you grow up knowing all the names of medicinal plants and their uses, Ayurvedic medicine has skyrocketed in popularity. Primarily because of its effectiveness and the similarity of many plants here to ones in India where Ayurveda, which dates back tens of thousands of years, comes from. An alternative for more common store shelf health items, the Himalaya line has done a lot to bring Ayurveda to the masses.
Excellent lines of natural and homeopathic health remedies can be found in yoga and specialty stores. For those on a Costa Rica vacation combined with intensive therapies like cleansing and fasting or chemical and alcohol detox it means a readily available variety of quality products.
Health seems to be a primary reason for people to visit and subsequently return to stay here. The environment anywhere in Costa Rica is refreshing. Though I was initially apprehensive of the hot and dry season, it was not nearly as dramatic as those I experienced growing up in the Midwest.
The plants that grow in the different zones assure Ticos of a constant supply of fresh food and herbs to keep their health vibrant. The outdoor vegetable markets held weekends in most towns are a joy to stroll through. You will see beautiful fresh fruits and vegetables, some that will surely be new to you. No worries, it’s all time tested to please.
Costa Rica has rich, fertile soil and having a garden to enjoy and eat from is a dream come true. Even the compost heap becomes an adventure to visit when you know the schedule of wild visitors that come to pick it clean. So much clean air and green scenery full of sunlight act as the best medicine to turn back that biological clock.
A lotta laughter, ancient Ayurvedic knowledge and Costa Rica’s excellent environment, it’s a sure formula for paradise on Earth.
ayurveda
By Richard Barone
Ayurvedic formulas for health are popular with Costa Rican men and women. In a country where you grow up knowing all the names of medicinal plants and their uses, Ayurvedic medicine has skyrocketed in popularity. Primarily because of its effectiveness and the similarity of many plants here to ones in India where Ayurveda, which dates back tens of thousands of years, comes from. An alternative for more common store shelf health items, the Himalaya line has done a lot to bring Ayurveda to the masses.
Excellent lines of natural and homeopathic health remedies can be found in yoga and specialty stores. For those on a Costa Rica vacation combined with intensive therapies like cleansing and fasting or chemical and alcohol detox it means a readily available variety of quality products.
Health seems to be a primary reason for people to visit and subsequently return to stay here. The environment anywhere in Costa Rica is refreshing. Though I was initially apprehensive of the hot and dry season, it was not nearly as dramatic as those I experienced growing up in the Midwest.
The plants that grow in the different zones assure Ticos of a constant supply of fresh food and herbs to keep their health vibrant. The outdoor vegetable markets held weekends in most towns are a joy to stroll through. You will see beautiful fresh fruits and vegetables, some that will surely be new to you. No worries, it’s all time tested to please.
Costa Rica has rich, fertile soil and having a garden to enjoy and eat from is a dream come true. Even the compost heap becomes an adventure to visit when you know the schedule of wild visitors that come to pick it clean. So much clean air and green scenery full of sunlight act as the best medicine to turn back that biological clock.
A lotta laughter, ancient Ayurvedic knowledge and Costa Rica’s excellent environment, it’s a sure formula for paradise on Earth.
17 dic 2009
Massage School Finances
As this article points out massage school is not free, nor cheap. Of course we feel it is well worth is, but that does not make money. The following article has some good ideas about affording massage school. Our school does provide a payment program which has helped some students out.
Financial Aid For Massage School Training
Attending a good massage school will not be cheap!
massage therapists financial aidThat certainly does not mean that receiving first-rate massage therapy training will not be affordable. Anyone with a desire to begin or continue their education in a chosen field should be prepared to examine and understand the various financial resources that are available. There are a variety of funding options to help you achieve your goal of becoming a massage therapist.
Student Loans
We won’t even attempt to try and fully explain all of the different loan options available through government and private sources. What we can do is identify the key lending programs so you can get the ball rolling.
* Federal Loans – You may be eligible for loan assistance through the federal government. First, you must determine if the massage school you would like to attend is eligible to participate in the federal loan programs. This will require proper accreditation from authorized agencies. Check with your school admissions office to see if the school is eligible.
You will first be required to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This will determine your eligibility and the amount of the loans for which you qualify. These loans are available directly to the student and for parents of dependent students. FAFSA will also determine eligibility for other federal grants, work-study and other types of financial aid.
* Alternative Loans – These loans are arranged through private lending institutions. These companies offer special education or career training loan programs. The interest on these loans is typically higher that the federal loans so they should be considered only when you have exhausted all of the federal options.
Scholarships
* As opposed to student loans, scholarships do not have to be repaid. Consequently, they are worth the effort it will require to track down and apply for them. Specific scholarships for massage schools or massage therapy students are rare but that shouldn’t discourage you. Many scholarship programs are available for students based on economic need, ethnic background, academic achievement, career aspirations, hobbies and interests or for a host of other reasons.
You can use a scholarship search program like FastWeb to find scholarships for which you may be eligible.
Veteran’s Benefits
* Those that have served in the U.S. armed forces may qualify for education subsidies from the U.S. Veteran’s Administration. Surprisingly, only about one-third of all veterans use the education benefits available to them. Veterans with an eye on a massage therapy career should contact the VA and explore the possibility of obtaining education funding.
Individual Massage School Programs
* Make sure that you speak to the massage schools you are investigating to see if the school offers any programs that will help fund your training. Some schools offer a payment plan that will allow you to spread your tuition program out over a period of time rather than paying it all up front. Many of these programs are interest free.
* Work-study and part-time job placement may also be available at a massage school.
Most students in a post-secondary school or career training program will assume some level of debt to finance their education. You must decide how much debt you are comfortable with. But with all of the financial aid options available, you should be able to structure a funding package that allows you to pursue your massage therapy goals.
Financial Aid For Massage School Training
Attending a good massage school will not be cheap!
massage therapists financial aidThat certainly does not mean that receiving first-rate massage therapy training will not be affordable. Anyone with a desire to begin or continue their education in a chosen field should be prepared to examine and understand the various financial resources that are available. There are a variety of funding options to help you achieve your goal of becoming a massage therapist.
Student Loans
We won’t even attempt to try and fully explain all of the different loan options available through government and private sources. What we can do is identify the key lending programs so you can get the ball rolling.
* Federal Loans – You may be eligible for loan assistance through the federal government. First, you must determine if the massage school you would like to attend is eligible to participate in the federal loan programs. This will require proper accreditation from authorized agencies. Check with your school admissions office to see if the school is eligible.
You will first be required to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This will determine your eligibility and the amount of the loans for which you qualify. These loans are available directly to the student and for parents of dependent students. FAFSA will also determine eligibility for other federal grants, work-study and other types of financial aid.
* Alternative Loans – These loans are arranged through private lending institutions. These companies offer special education or career training loan programs. The interest on these loans is typically higher that the federal loans so they should be considered only when you have exhausted all of the federal options.
Scholarships
* As opposed to student loans, scholarships do not have to be repaid. Consequently, they are worth the effort it will require to track down and apply for them. Specific scholarships for massage schools or massage therapy students are rare but that shouldn’t discourage you. Many scholarship programs are available for students based on economic need, ethnic background, academic achievement, career aspirations, hobbies and interests or for a host of other reasons.
You can use a scholarship search program like FastWeb to find scholarships for which you may be eligible.
Veteran’s Benefits
* Those that have served in the U.S. armed forces may qualify for education subsidies from the U.S. Veteran’s Administration. Surprisingly, only about one-third of all veterans use the education benefits available to them. Veterans with an eye on a massage therapy career should contact the VA and explore the possibility of obtaining education funding.
Individual Massage School Programs
* Make sure that you speak to the massage schools you are investigating to see if the school offers any programs that will help fund your training. Some schools offer a payment plan that will allow you to spread your tuition program out over a period of time rather than paying it all up front. Many of these programs are interest free.
* Work-study and part-time job placement may also be available at a massage school.
Most students in a post-secondary school or career training program will assume some level of debt to finance their education. You must decide how much debt you are comfortable with. But with all of the financial aid options available, you should be able to structure a funding package that allows you to pursue your massage therapy goals.
16 dic 2009
Did you know that our school is on Facebook? Check it out at Costa Rica School of Integrative Massage and join us.
15 dic 2009
Stress Management Over the Holidays
As we prepare to party out the year and welcome a New Year let's try to remember these tips to keep the time stress free. The following article has some great tips for all to remember. Let's enjoy our celebrations in a sensible way and reconnect with family and friends. Our students will be happy to return home and get moving with their families as well as new jobs.
So Black Friday has passed you by, and Cyber Monday is today, and you are behind on your holiday stress management already.
Sounds like you might be buying into what the retailers always want us to think, there is not enough time, not enough Zuu Zuu dolls, not enough money so you had better get yourself filled up with adrenalin and cortisol and charge out to slay the retail dragons.
The implication of scarcity is a key component in advertising of all kinds, and conversely, that abundance can be had with just this one more purchase, and perhaps you have heard the kids mentioning a preference or two.
If I am not careful, and I am not discerning in regards to my thinking and my breathing and my exercise and my nutrition and my sleep and my stress management, I will fill up with adrenalin and cortisol, which is the chemistry of stress (it happens really fast, in less time than it takes to blink my eyes)and keep that stress chemistry in place in order to live up the ideals of consumption that my culture is telling me I should live up to.
Holiday Stress Management Antidote
Stress management programs always focus on what to think about, and that is part of the holiday stress management solution.
What those programs neglect to teach however is that I may sustain gratitude thoughts, for example, for a few minutes, and those gratitude thoughts will change my chemistry in a healthy direction, a non-artery clogging direction, but I can switch right back to stress chemistry as soon as I contemplate the unpaid mortgage payment and try to figure out how to do both Christmas and the house payment.
So the key to holiday stress management is a balance of stress and relaxation thoughts which happen regularly.
There was a time when we did not have to schedule relaxation and stress, when stress happened only at those moments when we needed to fight for our lives, and if we came out of that struggle still alive, then we rested.
That is how our bodies stress response is supposed to be used. We were relaxing in between episodes of hunting, and in many indigenous cultures, that is still the norm, work to gather food for a day or two, then work on spirituality for several days.
Not in our culture, where we are invited to constantly stay stressed, so we have to plan relaxation, and I think we need to do relaxation in short bursts, and then re-learn to keep it going for longer periods until we learn to keep the stress response a choice again.
If the stress response happens inside me, then the contentment response must also happen there, which means holiday stress management is based on what I think, and how I breathe, and managing those two aspects of human experience is free, although I am sure someone is working on a way to tax the two.
Of Course There is a Hard Hitting Really Effective Holiday Stress Management Tool to Buy...
I began looking for stress management tools as part of a very important struggle that I began about 30 years ago, and I have tried many.
Luckily for us, research has given us tools like neurofeedback, or eeg biofeedback, which helps us train attentional styles in HZ. or cycles per second.
Great tool for ADD/ADHD and alcoholism, to name two, and Heartmath, which is the tool I am going to speak to for holiday stress management.
Heartmath or heart rate variability biofeedback is a tool that helps my train the brain in my heart, the brain in my heart that no one knew about not too many years ago, to beat coherently based on thoughts and breathing. That heart brain is affiliative and cooperative, by the way.
That brain in my heart, which is actually the heart's own nervous system, will learn and make decisions based on real time feedback from a computer screen in short order.
The kicker about heart rate variability biofeedback is that once I have trained my heart to respond to feedback, and to generate long periods of coherent heart rate variability, I can cue the coherent heart rate simply by remembering my cue thought.
(Remember, it is a perception of "lack" which cues us to make a stress response, and then go shopping and buy stuff to feel relaxed again, so a thought about someone you love should cue a different physiology, correct?)
No shopping necessary, and I can generalize this physiology to other stressful holiday thoughts, for example, having company over when you would prefer that there not be any company.
Are you a golfer, anxiously awaiting spring, or a student getting ready for the SAT or ACT college admissions test, or are you worried about emotional eating during the holidays?
All of those issues can be complicated by runaway stress, and the heart rate variability biofeedback tool impacts stress in a heart beat.
Worried about your brain fitness? Learning the heart rate variability biofeedback process actually opens up the higher perceptual centers of the brain for better brainstorming.
Most brain fitness writers say that we can enhance our brains natural ability to grow new neurons every day, and our brains natural ability to form new connections (neurogenesis and neuroplasticity) by taking care of the pillars of brain fitness, which are physical exercise, nutrition, sleep, stress management, and novel learning experience.
Looks like Heartmath is a perfect fit for holiday stress management, and even New Year's Resolutions.
I like to use it because it helps me to sustain an attitude of gratitude.
Merry Christmas to you, and may your heart beat coherently this holiday stress season.
Michael S. Logan is a brain fitness expert, a counselor, a student of Chi Gong, and licensed one on one HeartMath provider. I enjoy the spiritual, the mythological, and psychological, and I am a late life father to Shane, 10, and Hannah Marie, 4, whose brains are so amazing. http://www.askmikethecounselor2.com
So Black Friday has passed you by, and Cyber Monday is today, and you are behind on your holiday stress management already.
Sounds like you might be buying into what the retailers always want us to think, there is not enough time, not enough Zuu Zuu dolls, not enough money so you had better get yourself filled up with adrenalin and cortisol and charge out to slay the retail dragons.
The implication of scarcity is a key component in advertising of all kinds, and conversely, that abundance can be had with just this one more purchase, and perhaps you have heard the kids mentioning a preference or two.
If I am not careful, and I am not discerning in regards to my thinking and my breathing and my exercise and my nutrition and my sleep and my stress management, I will fill up with adrenalin and cortisol, which is the chemistry of stress (it happens really fast, in less time than it takes to blink my eyes)and keep that stress chemistry in place in order to live up the ideals of consumption that my culture is telling me I should live up to.
Holiday Stress Management Antidote
Stress management programs always focus on what to think about, and that is part of the holiday stress management solution.
What those programs neglect to teach however is that I may sustain gratitude thoughts, for example, for a few minutes, and those gratitude thoughts will change my chemistry in a healthy direction, a non-artery clogging direction, but I can switch right back to stress chemistry as soon as I contemplate the unpaid mortgage payment and try to figure out how to do both Christmas and the house payment.
So the key to holiday stress management is a balance of stress and relaxation thoughts which happen regularly.
There was a time when we did not have to schedule relaxation and stress, when stress happened only at those moments when we needed to fight for our lives, and if we came out of that struggle still alive, then we rested.
That is how our bodies stress response is supposed to be used. We were relaxing in between episodes of hunting, and in many indigenous cultures, that is still the norm, work to gather food for a day or two, then work on spirituality for several days.
Not in our culture, where we are invited to constantly stay stressed, so we have to plan relaxation, and I think we need to do relaxation in short bursts, and then re-learn to keep it going for longer periods until we learn to keep the stress response a choice again.
If the stress response happens inside me, then the contentment response must also happen there, which means holiday stress management is based on what I think, and how I breathe, and managing those two aspects of human experience is free, although I am sure someone is working on a way to tax the two.
Of Course There is a Hard Hitting Really Effective Holiday Stress Management Tool to Buy...
I began looking for stress management tools as part of a very important struggle that I began about 30 years ago, and I have tried many.
Luckily for us, research has given us tools like neurofeedback, or eeg biofeedback, which helps us train attentional styles in HZ. or cycles per second.
Great tool for ADD/ADHD and alcoholism, to name two, and Heartmath, which is the tool I am going to speak to for holiday stress management.
Heartmath or heart rate variability biofeedback is a tool that helps my train the brain in my heart, the brain in my heart that no one knew about not too many years ago, to beat coherently based on thoughts and breathing. That heart brain is affiliative and cooperative, by the way.
That brain in my heart, which is actually the heart's own nervous system, will learn and make decisions based on real time feedback from a computer screen in short order.
The kicker about heart rate variability biofeedback is that once I have trained my heart to respond to feedback, and to generate long periods of coherent heart rate variability, I can cue the coherent heart rate simply by remembering my cue thought.
(Remember, it is a perception of "lack" which cues us to make a stress response, and then go shopping and buy stuff to feel relaxed again, so a thought about someone you love should cue a different physiology, correct?)
No shopping necessary, and I can generalize this physiology to other stressful holiday thoughts, for example, having company over when you would prefer that there not be any company.
Are you a golfer, anxiously awaiting spring, or a student getting ready for the SAT or ACT college admissions test, or are you worried about emotional eating during the holidays?
All of those issues can be complicated by runaway stress, and the heart rate variability biofeedback tool impacts stress in a heart beat.
Worried about your brain fitness? Learning the heart rate variability biofeedback process actually opens up the higher perceptual centers of the brain for better brainstorming.
Most brain fitness writers say that we can enhance our brains natural ability to grow new neurons every day, and our brains natural ability to form new connections (neurogenesis and neuroplasticity) by taking care of the pillars of brain fitness, which are physical exercise, nutrition, sleep, stress management, and novel learning experience.
Looks like Heartmath is a perfect fit for holiday stress management, and even New Year's Resolutions.
I like to use it because it helps me to sustain an attitude of gratitude.
Merry Christmas to you, and may your heart beat coherently this holiday stress season.
Michael S. Logan is a brain fitness expert, a counselor, a student of Chi Gong, and licensed one on one HeartMath provider. I enjoy the spiritual, the mythological, and psychological, and I am a late life father to Shane, 10, and Hannah Marie, 4, whose brains are so amazing. http://www.askmikethecounselor2.com
14 dic 2009
Outlook
In reviewing the United States Department of Labor outlook for massage jobs I found the following article very informative for anyone considering studying massage.
Job Outlook [About this section] Back to Top Back to Top
Employment growth for massage therapists is expected to be faster than average for all occupations with very good job prospects, particularly for those seeking part-time work.
Employment change. Employment for massage therapists is expected to increase 20 percent from 2006 to 2016, faster than average for all occupations. Employment will grow as more people learn about the benefits of massage therapy.
Increased interest in alternative medicine and holistic healing will translate into new openings for those skilled in massage therapy. Healthcare providers and medical insurance companies are beginning to recognize massage therapy as a legitimate treatment and preventative measure for several types of injuries and illnesses. The health care industry is using massage therapy more often as a supplement to conventional medical techniques for ailments such as muscle problems, some sicknesses and diseases, and stress-related health problems. Massage therapy’s growing acceptance as a medical tool, particularly by the medical provider and insurance industries, will have the greatest impact on new job growth for massage therapists.
Massage is an increasingly popular technique for relaxation and reduction of stress. As workplaces try to distinguish themselves as employee-friendly, providing professional in-office, seated massages for employees is becoming a popular on-the-job benefit.
Older citizens in nursing homes or assisted living facilities are also finding benefits from massage, such as increased energy levels and reduced health problems. Demand for massage therapy should grow among older age groups because they increasingly enjoy longer, more active lives and persons age 55 and older are projected to be the most rapidly growing segment of the U.S. population over the next decade. However, demand for massage therapy is presently greatest among young adults, and they are likely to continue to enjoy the benefits of massage therapy as they age.
Job prospects. In States that regulate massage therapy, those who complete formal training programs and pass the national certification exam are likely to have very good opportunities. However, new massage therapists should expect to work only part-time in spas, hotels, hospitals, physical therapy centers, and other businesses until they can build a client base of their own. Because referrals are a very important source of work for massage therapists, networking will increase the number of job opportunities. Joining a State or local chapter of a professional association can also help build strong contacts and further increase the likelihood of steady work.
Female massage therapists will continue to enjoy slightly better job prospects, as some clients—both male and female—are uncomfortable with male physical contact. In 2006, 84 percent of all massage therapists were female.
Job Outlook [About this section] Back to Top Back to Top
Employment growth for massage therapists is expected to be faster than average for all occupations with very good job prospects, particularly for those seeking part-time work.
Employment change. Employment for massage therapists is expected to increase 20 percent from 2006 to 2016, faster than average for all occupations. Employment will grow as more people learn about the benefits of massage therapy.
Increased interest in alternative medicine and holistic healing will translate into new openings for those skilled in massage therapy. Healthcare providers and medical insurance companies are beginning to recognize massage therapy as a legitimate treatment and preventative measure for several types of injuries and illnesses. The health care industry is using massage therapy more often as a supplement to conventional medical techniques for ailments such as muscle problems, some sicknesses and diseases, and stress-related health problems. Massage therapy’s growing acceptance as a medical tool, particularly by the medical provider and insurance industries, will have the greatest impact on new job growth for massage therapists.
Massage is an increasingly popular technique for relaxation and reduction of stress. As workplaces try to distinguish themselves as employee-friendly, providing professional in-office, seated massages for employees is becoming a popular on-the-job benefit.
Older citizens in nursing homes or assisted living facilities are also finding benefits from massage, such as increased energy levels and reduced health problems. Demand for massage therapy should grow among older age groups because they increasingly enjoy longer, more active lives and persons age 55 and older are projected to be the most rapidly growing segment of the U.S. population over the next decade. However, demand for massage therapy is presently greatest among young adults, and they are likely to continue to enjoy the benefits of massage therapy as they age.
Job prospects. In States that regulate massage therapy, those who complete formal training programs and pass the national certification exam are likely to have very good opportunities. However, new massage therapists should expect to work only part-time in spas, hotels, hospitals, physical therapy centers, and other businesses until they can build a client base of their own. Because referrals are a very important source of work for massage therapists, networking will increase the number of job opportunities. Joining a State or local chapter of a professional association can also help build strong contacts and further increase the likelihood of steady work.
Female massage therapists will continue to enjoy slightly better job prospects, as some clients—both male and female—are uncomfortable with male physical contact. In 2006, 84 percent of all massage therapists were female.
11 dic 2009
10 dic 2009
9 dic 2009
Dry Season
Costa Rica is in dry season officially. It is a little early this year, but so nice. We have been having morning yoga in the park to celebrate the beautiful weather. One more morning of yoga class before our session ends for this year. It has been a great one and hopefully all have learned and grown from it.
8 dic 2009
Coffee Scrub
Grandpa was walking by the school room today while we were doing coffee scrubs. This is what he saw, a little peeping Tom. He passed the camera over and we got the cute face on the other side from the inside of the school room.
I guess it was just too much for him to resist all the girls in bikinis rubbing coffee all over themselves. He sure looks amused for sure.
The following is a great article about coffee scrub and I sure have to agree that it is awesome. Can't tell yet if any cellulite has been lost, but we will keep trying.
How To Make a Coffee Body Scrub
Exfoliate Your Skin with Added Benefits for Half the Cost
Casey Nicholson's picture
By Casey Nicholson
Difficulty: Easy
Cost: $1-$50
how to make coffee lotion
The coffee we all love so much has many uses beyond just waking us up in the morning. One of those uses is to create a coffee body scrub. It’s usually just the high prices that deter us from enjoying the benefits of exfoliating body scrubs. Since most of us have a canister of coffee grounds in the kitchen, creating this scrub will be easy, beneficial, and most of all, cheap! Not to mention that the coffee itself has added benefits for your skin and body that many body scrubs do not provide.
Before we go into any recipes, let's discuss why a coffee body scrub is so much more beneficial than the everyday scrub. This information was provided by CancerLynx.
1. No more cellulite. While coffee is wonderful for many reasons, it is actually the caffeine it contains that provides the added health benefits as a scrub. When coffee is applied to the surface of your skin, it helps redistribute fat cells and decrease the formation of cellulite.
2. Problems with varicose veins. Many people accept varicose veins as a necessary evil--either as a sign of getting older or a predisposition inherited from Mom or Dad. Now with a coffee body scrub, you may be able to prevent varicose veins or even make them vanish! The caffeine in a coffee scrub acts as a vascular restrictor--shrinking blood vessels, thus helping to reduce varicose veins.
Now that we know why the coffee body scrub is so useful, we can move on to the recipe. The recipe for a coffee scrub is very simple, including only three main ingredients.
* 2 cups of coffee grounds (Brand does not matter--the cheaper the better.)
* 1/2 cup raw sugar or sea salt
* 2/3 tablespoon of massage oil (Any plain, cheap massage oil will do.)
1. Mix these three items together in a bowl.
2. If you wish to make more coffee scrub for later use, you can easily double the recipe.
3. When it comes to making a coffee body scrub, you also have a few add-in options:
* Brown sugar - Brown sugar adds a sweet smell, as well as a coarse texture that helps to rejuvenate your skin. Add until you reach the texture desired.
* A dash of cinnamon - Adding cinnamon will give your scrub a stronger sharper scent.how to make coffee lotion
* Vanilla extract - Vanilla extract gives your coffee scrub a sweeter smell. It also thins the scrub out a bit, if that is the texture you are going for. It may also make the scrub more soothing to the skin.
* Perfume oils - Perfume oils make an excellent addition to your exfoliating coffee scrub. These oils are usually pure and highly concentrated, so they have a very strong smell. Adding just a dash of perfume oil to your scrub will give it a marvelous scent. The nice thing about the oils is that the tiniest bottle will last forever, especially if you are using it only for this purpose. Also, perfume oils come in many different scents, from flowers all the way to name brand colognes and perfumes.
4. Keep these tips in mind when considering add-in options:
* Be cautious with perfume oils. Although they smell wonderful, if you are planning to apply the scrub to your face, the perfume oil may be too strong. This is especially true for sensitive skin.
* Try to avoid any items you may be allergic to. Many oils and scented items may seem to complement your recipe perfectly, but take caution in case you are allergic. Read all ingredients carefully before adding anything new.
When the scrub is complete, be sure to apply it to wet or damp skin. The best time to do this is in the shower so that you can rinse it off after application. Apply the scrub directly to your skin and rub it in circular motions with your fingers, or use a washcloth or loofah. Remember the circular motion helps to distribute the caffeine to eliminate cellulite and varicose veins.
If making something homemade, even something as simple as coffee body scrub, is simply not your style, there are a few companies out there that sell coffee body scrubs.
Michelle Daniel from Cozy Moments: Bath, Body, Home offered some suggestions for add-in ingredients used in their Hazelnut Coffee Sugar Scrub, a very efficient exfoliating scrub combined with skin-drenching oils.
* Pure cane sugar - Excellent as a gentle exfoliator.
* Sweet almond oil - Known for its ability to soften, soothe and recondition the skin, this oil is a great addition to many body care products and is quickly and easily absorbed into the skin. Contains a high percentage of iron, calcium and potassium as well as vitamins B1, B2, B6 and beta-carotene.
* Apricot kernel oil - Apricot kernel oil is easily absorbed and very good for sensitive, dry or inflamed skin.
* Vitamin E - A fat-soluble vitamin in eight forms that is an important antioxidant. Vitamin E is often used in skin creams and lotions because it is believed to play a role in encouraging skin healing and reducing scarring after injuries such as burns. Although originally extracted from wheat germ oil, most natural vitamin E supplements are now derived from vegetable oils, usually soybean oil.
Now that you know the benefits of the coffee body scrub, and how easy it is to make (and personalize), what are you waiting for? Get out there and start mixing! Your skin will look great in no time at all!
Casey E. Nicholson
7 dic 2009
Hydrotherapy
We are studying hydrotherapy this week in classes. I find it absolutely amazing to see the healing properties of water and water related modalities. The following article gives a good overview of hydrotherapy and the many properties involved.
updated 6/26/04
Hydrotherapy
An introduction to healing with water
by Paul Ingraham, Registered Massage Therapist, Vancouver, Canada
Hydrotherapy is healing with water. More exactly, hydrotherapy is healing by heating and cooling. Water in its many forms just happens to be a very convenient substance for heating and cooling the human body.
I teach hydrotherapy skills to most of my clients. Hydrotherapies are useful, safe, simple and inexpensive. Anyone can use hydrotherapy to increase their health and vitality, and to speed healing from injuries and illnesses. It’s not a miracle cure — but it is an effective healing tool that no one should be without.
Water in its many forms just happens to be a very convenient substance for heating and cooling the human body.
Actually, most people already practice simple hydrotherapy. We have many cultural habits — like hot baths — that are hydrotherapeutic. If you have ever dipped your feet in a cool stream on a hot summer’s day or put a cold pack on a sprained article, then you already know something about hydrotherapy. But just a little education can add a lot of value to hydrotherapy.
There are some simple reasons why hydrotherapy is so useful …
Helping out the body
The body is constantly trying to warm itself up and cool itself off. Sometimes, it needs some help.
A lot of physiological energy is devoted to the temperature balancing act. The whole system for temperature control is complex and surprisingly effective. Unfortunately, it isn’t perfect. We can’t always keep our tissues at the ideal temperature.
We particularly struggle with temperature control when we are sick or damaged, and so hydrotherapy is most helpful at those times. It is a great service to your body to help out with a little hydrotherapy. Energy that would have been spent struggling to maintain the right temperature can be used for healing instead. Hydrotherapy treatments that seem unremarkable when you are healthy can turn out to be very potent when your system is challenged by an injury or an infection.
Hot and bothered
The treatment of inflammation in particular is another reason for the broad healing powers of hydrotherapy.
The process of inflammation always occurs with injury - you know it by the pain, swelling, heat and redness. It is a healthy response to any kind of tissue damage, and you couldn’t live without it. However, the body often over-reacts to trauma, which can be painful and counterproductive. Simple cooling in these situations is arguably one of the oldest and most useful healing tools ever devised.
Unfortunately, many people still rush to put a hot pack on a fresh injury, especially muscle strains. Except in a few very special cases, this is an error. Never heat a fresh injury - you’ll make it worse, not better, because you will aggravate the inflammatory process.
Moving blood around
The stimulation and control of circulation is another reason that hydrotherapy is effective. The circulation of blood is the major method by which the body regulates temperature. Therefore, it is possible to use hydrotherapy to manipulate and improve circulation significantly.
The need for proper circulation is even more important than the need to reduce inflammation when injured. Good circulation can make the difference between healing in a week or never healing at all! “The rate of flow of the blood determines the state of nutrition and the functioning of every cell in the body” (Frederick Erdman). Overall health also depends heavily on proper circulation.
“Pain is the prayer of the nerve for better blood.” — Mortiz H. Romberg
updated 6/26/04
Hydrotherapy
An introduction to healing with water
by Paul Ingraham, Registered Massage Therapist, Vancouver, Canada
Hydrotherapy is healing with water. More exactly, hydrotherapy is healing by heating and cooling. Water in its many forms just happens to be a very convenient substance for heating and cooling the human body.
I teach hydrotherapy skills to most of my clients. Hydrotherapies are useful, safe, simple and inexpensive. Anyone can use hydrotherapy to increase their health and vitality, and to speed healing from injuries and illnesses. It’s not a miracle cure — but it is an effective healing tool that no one should be without.
Water in its many forms just happens to be a very convenient substance for heating and cooling the human body.
Actually, most people already practice simple hydrotherapy. We have many cultural habits — like hot baths — that are hydrotherapeutic. If you have ever dipped your feet in a cool stream on a hot summer’s day or put a cold pack on a sprained article, then you already know something about hydrotherapy. But just a little education can add a lot of value to hydrotherapy.
There are some simple reasons why hydrotherapy is so useful …
Helping out the body
The body is constantly trying to warm itself up and cool itself off. Sometimes, it needs some help.
A lot of physiological energy is devoted to the temperature balancing act. The whole system for temperature control is complex and surprisingly effective. Unfortunately, it isn’t perfect. We can’t always keep our tissues at the ideal temperature.
We particularly struggle with temperature control when we are sick or damaged, and so hydrotherapy is most helpful at those times. It is a great service to your body to help out with a little hydrotherapy. Energy that would have been spent struggling to maintain the right temperature can be used for healing instead. Hydrotherapy treatments that seem unremarkable when you are healthy can turn out to be very potent when your system is challenged by an injury or an infection.
Hot and bothered
The treatment of inflammation in particular is another reason for the broad healing powers of hydrotherapy.
The process of inflammation always occurs with injury - you know it by the pain, swelling, heat and redness. It is a healthy response to any kind of tissue damage, and you couldn’t live without it. However, the body often over-reacts to trauma, which can be painful and counterproductive. Simple cooling in these situations is arguably one of the oldest and most useful healing tools ever devised.
Unfortunately, many people still rush to put a hot pack on a fresh injury, especially muscle strains. Except in a few very special cases, this is an error. Never heat a fresh injury - you’ll make it worse, not better, because you will aggravate the inflammatory process.
Moving blood around
The stimulation and control of circulation is another reason that hydrotherapy is effective. The circulation of blood is the major method by which the body regulates temperature. Therefore, it is possible to use hydrotherapy to manipulate and improve circulation significantly.
The need for proper circulation is even more important than the need to reduce inflammation when injured. Good circulation can make the difference between healing in a week or never healing at all! “The rate of flow of the blood determines the state of nutrition and the functioning of every cell in the body” (Frederick Erdman). Overall health also depends heavily on proper circulation.
“Pain is the prayer of the nerve for better blood.” — Mortiz H. Romberg
6 dic 2009
Manuel Antonio
Our students spent the weekend working at Manuel Antonio beach on the Pacific side of Costa Rica. It was an awesome experience and we all enjoyed the sun and surf. As you can see by the picture the view was great. Manuel Antonio is our favorite beach so far in Costa Rica. We have not see all of them but we are working very hard at it.
3 dic 2009
Therapy
Massage is Therapy. I read that recently on a blog and couldn't agree more. If I am ever in a bad mood, or feeling a bit stressed nothing can calm me like giving a massage. It is "meditation in movement and service".
2 dic 2009
25 nov 2009
Happy Thanksgiving
To all of you from all of us at the Costa Rica School of Integrative Massage, we wish all a very Happy Thanksgiving!
24 nov 2009
Shiatsu
Our Shiatsu class is having a great time and enjoying the heck out of Shiatsu. Just exactly what is Shiatsu? The following article gives a very good description of Shiatsu.
Ever since shiatsu massage therapy was brought into the healthcare market, many people has been benefiting from it. It is now popular worldwide and if you are reading this, you are probably interested to try it too. Why not? But first, let's see how shiatsu will benefit you.
Health Philosophy
Shiatsu adheres to the philosophy that in order to have healthy benefits, the vital energy, 'qi' for Chinese people and 'ki' for Japanese people, should flow the entire body through its meridians, which are the series of pathways. Other oriental health massage or therapy practices, like the acupuncture, also use these meridians principle likewise believing that these can be blocked once energy is not allowed to flow freely, subsequently producing symptoms of some diseases.
How It Is Applied
In the case of shiatsu, manipulative technique and pressure are used to adjust your body and allow the vital energy to flow generously. The pressure is applied onto the acupuncture points together with manipulating and stretching the body.
The techniques include dynamic rotations, palm pressing and gentle holding on the elbows, knee, feet and knees on your meridians. Shiatsu massage does not utilize massage oil and performed on you with full clothes on.
It is believed that this therapy can benefit those people suffering with any of the conditions, such as: migraines, arthritis, joint problems, muscular pain, stress, chronic fatigue, digestive and skin orders.
The massage therapy typically lasts between 30 to 60 minutes. This is done via sessions, with the first expected to be longer than the succeeding ones since the shiatsu therapist requires medical history, lifestyle detail, and other health information from you.
You will be applied with the massage with you lying down whether on a padded mat, at a floor level, or on a couch. If not, a shiatsu massage chair will be used, which is now gaining popularity because of its convenience and benefits.
A combination of different treatment styles are often applied by the shiatsu practitioners.
These include Tsubo therapy, which uses methods like needles, electrical devices, massage, and moxa, focusing on the pressure point natures. The moxa is an herbal plant derived, believed to prevent and treat diseases via heat application.
Namikoshi Shiatsu is another style which emphasizes more on physical techniques like rubbing on specific body areas and pressing to assist to its healing.
Zen Shiatsu, on the other hand, is the third style, which as opposed to particular points used on other styles, concentrates on the entire meridian points and performed with both hands.
What Are To Be Expected After The Therapy
After the massage treatment, the clients are expected to find new sense of energy levels, as well as relaxed muscles while joints with improved mobility. It is also normal for them to experience muscle soreness and mild headaches after the treatment but should disappear only after a few hours of rest.
The application of Shiatsu massage therapy depends on the condition of the client. The normal course would continue with sessions lasting up to 6 or even 10 treatments. However, most clients who experienced the benefits of the therapy continue to avail even after the condition is gone.
This is not a problem since shiatsu massage therapy is safe as long as it is performed by only qualified practitioner or therapist. It is deeply relaxing and releases the tension all throughout your body that you can still continue especially on the rough days that you went through.
For more information about Shiatsu Massage and other health tips, check out my Health Tips for Moms site.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gunawan_Harinanto
Ever since shiatsu massage therapy was brought into the healthcare market, many people has been benefiting from it. It is now popular worldwide and if you are reading this, you are probably interested to try it too. Why not? But first, let's see how shiatsu will benefit you.
Health Philosophy
Shiatsu adheres to the philosophy that in order to have healthy benefits, the vital energy, 'qi' for Chinese people and 'ki' for Japanese people, should flow the entire body through its meridians, which are the series of pathways. Other oriental health massage or therapy practices, like the acupuncture, also use these meridians principle likewise believing that these can be blocked once energy is not allowed to flow freely, subsequently producing symptoms of some diseases.
How It Is Applied
In the case of shiatsu, manipulative technique and pressure are used to adjust your body and allow the vital energy to flow generously. The pressure is applied onto the acupuncture points together with manipulating and stretching the body.
The techniques include dynamic rotations, palm pressing and gentle holding on the elbows, knee, feet and knees on your meridians. Shiatsu massage does not utilize massage oil and performed on you with full clothes on.
It is believed that this therapy can benefit those people suffering with any of the conditions, such as: migraines, arthritis, joint problems, muscular pain, stress, chronic fatigue, digestive and skin orders.
The massage therapy typically lasts between 30 to 60 minutes. This is done via sessions, with the first expected to be longer than the succeeding ones since the shiatsu therapist requires medical history, lifestyle detail, and other health information from you.
You will be applied with the massage with you lying down whether on a padded mat, at a floor level, or on a couch. If not, a shiatsu massage chair will be used, which is now gaining popularity because of its convenience and benefits.
A combination of different treatment styles are often applied by the shiatsu practitioners.
These include Tsubo therapy, which uses methods like needles, electrical devices, massage, and moxa, focusing on the pressure point natures. The moxa is an herbal plant derived, believed to prevent and treat diseases via heat application.
Namikoshi Shiatsu is another style which emphasizes more on physical techniques like rubbing on specific body areas and pressing to assist to its healing.
Zen Shiatsu, on the other hand, is the third style, which as opposed to particular points used on other styles, concentrates on the entire meridian points and performed with both hands.
What Are To Be Expected After The Therapy
After the massage treatment, the clients are expected to find new sense of energy levels, as well as relaxed muscles while joints with improved mobility. It is also normal for them to experience muscle soreness and mild headaches after the treatment but should disappear only after a few hours of rest.
The application of Shiatsu massage therapy depends on the condition of the client. The normal course would continue with sessions lasting up to 6 or even 10 treatments. However, most clients who experienced the benefits of the therapy continue to avail even after the condition is gone.
This is not a problem since shiatsu massage therapy is safe as long as it is performed by only qualified practitioner or therapist. It is deeply relaxing and releases the tension all throughout your body that you can still continue especially on the rough days that you went through.
For more information about Shiatsu Massage and other health tips, check out my Health Tips for Moms site.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gunawan_Harinanto
19 nov 2009
Yoga as Bodywork
At the school we have morning three days a week. We feel that yoga is an integral part of bodywork and that our therapists as well as their clients will benefit from knowing how to do yoga. For that reason we have integrated yoga into our course of study. The following is part of an article written for Massage Magazine.
Articles
Yoga and Bodywork
Expressing Our True Nature
By Sonia Osorio
Originally published in Massage & Bodywork magazine, June/July 2005.
Copyright 2005. Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. All rights reserved.
Yoga and bodywork, in their complete expression, are similar fields of practice and self-study. They support one another as learning experiences and as healing systems. Both share a common foundation that focuses on the body and the breath in order to deeply understand the physiological and psychological aspects of our form and the energy systems that support it. Both disciplines also require a willingness to explore and discover our own authentic nature, which involves an ongoing commitment, daily practice, continual exploration, and a willingness to open not just our bodies, but our hearts.
Yoga is not a string of acrobatic postures or dogmatic philosophy, just as bodywork is not a litany of preset movements or academic study of the body. Both yoga and bodywork are means through which we observe the quality of our own and another's experience in the present moment.
In the classical context, yoga has very little to do with physical fitness in the way we pursue it in the West. Rather, yoga is a system designed to unite body and mind with the divine (the word yoga means "union"), which is our true nature. Yoga cultivates awareness, which begins by being mindful of bodily sensations and breath. As we become more aware of our sensations, we also notice the reactive tendencies of the mind, and we can begin to bring them under conscious control (another meaning of the word yoga is "yoking," which refers to reigning in our distractive tendencies). By working with and observing patterns of thought and movement, we come to understand them better, we see through them, and can therefore allow them to fall away more easily. In doing so, clarity of thought and ease of movement arise, and we come closer to our genuine expression -- who we are when our habitual patterns and stories have fallen away.
Integrity of Body and Mind
The yoga postures (asanas) are an integral part of the yogic discipline, which comprises other elements considered essential to a complete practice of yoga: ethical principles (yamas), personal conduct (niyamas), breathing techniques (pranayama), sensing inwardly (pratyahara), concentration (dharana), meditation (dhyana), and connection with the universal (samadhi). This holistic approach to yoga reflects the notion that body, mind, breath, and spirit are intimately related and that to work on any one of these, is to reconnect with the others, ultimately helping us understand our connection with a universal life energy that is both in and around us.
In any bodywork session, this connection is inherently understood as we awaken sensory awareness, linking breath with touch and movement, honoring who we touch and who we are, respecting ethical and personal boundaries, releasing physical and emotional tension, and feeling our aliveness in the moment. Massage begins with the body yet often touches the deeper sensations and emotions that open those places in our hearts and souls seeking expression through our form.
All bodywork approaches strive to improve and rebalance the functioning of our body, whether through massage, deep tissue restructuring, movement reeducation, or energy work. Often, these are used in concert and involve reestablishing a conscious connection to our bodies, helping us remember a deeper and more integral connection -- who we are at our core, which is both unique, yet intimately related to others and to this world. This is sometimes called our connection to the divine, to our essential self, which is often much more (or less) than we imagined it to be.
Bodywork, like yoga, is about this connection to the divine through the body. It is about a release of any preconceived notions of who we thought we were and how we believed we must move in our bodies and in this world. This is the essence of freedom -- to open to who and how we are in this very moment and to accept others in the same way.
Articles
Yoga and Bodywork
Expressing Our True Nature
By Sonia Osorio
Originally published in Massage & Bodywork magazine, June/July 2005.
Copyright 2005. Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. All rights reserved.
Yoga and bodywork, in their complete expression, are similar fields of practice and self-study. They support one another as learning experiences and as healing systems. Both share a common foundation that focuses on the body and the breath in order to deeply understand the physiological and psychological aspects of our form and the energy systems that support it. Both disciplines also require a willingness to explore and discover our own authentic nature, which involves an ongoing commitment, daily practice, continual exploration, and a willingness to open not just our bodies, but our hearts.
Yoga is not a string of acrobatic postures or dogmatic philosophy, just as bodywork is not a litany of preset movements or academic study of the body. Both yoga and bodywork are means through which we observe the quality of our own and another's experience in the present moment.
In the classical context, yoga has very little to do with physical fitness in the way we pursue it in the West. Rather, yoga is a system designed to unite body and mind with the divine (the word yoga means "union"), which is our true nature. Yoga cultivates awareness, which begins by being mindful of bodily sensations and breath. As we become more aware of our sensations, we also notice the reactive tendencies of the mind, and we can begin to bring them under conscious control (another meaning of the word yoga is "yoking," which refers to reigning in our distractive tendencies). By working with and observing patterns of thought and movement, we come to understand them better, we see through them, and can therefore allow them to fall away more easily. In doing so, clarity of thought and ease of movement arise, and we come closer to our genuine expression -- who we are when our habitual patterns and stories have fallen away.
Integrity of Body and Mind
The yoga postures (asanas) are an integral part of the yogic discipline, which comprises other elements considered essential to a complete practice of yoga: ethical principles (yamas), personal conduct (niyamas), breathing techniques (pranayama), sensing inwardly (pratyahara), concentration (dharana), meditation (dhyana), and connection with the universal (samadhi). This holistic approach to yoga reflects the notion that body, mind, breath, and spirit are intimately related and that to work on any one of these, is to reconnect with the others, ultimately helping us understand our connection with a universal life energy that is both in and around us.
In any bodywork session, this connection is inherently understood as we awaken sensory awareness, linking breath with touch and movement, honoring who we touch and who we are, respecting ethical and personal boundaries, releasing physical and emotional tension, and feeling our aliveness in the moment. Massage begins with the body yet often touches the deeper sensations and emotions that open those places in our hearts and souls seeking expression through our form.
All bodywork approaches strive to improve and rebalance the functioning of our body, whether through massage, deep tissue restructuring, movement reeducation, or energy work. Often, these are used in concert and involve reestablishing a conscious connection to our bodies, helping us remember a deeper and more integral connection -- who we are at our core, which is both unique, yet intimately related to others and to this world. This is sometimes called our connection to the divine, to our essential self, which is often much more (or less) than we imagined it to be.
Bodywork, like yoga, is about this connection to the divine through the body. It is about a release of any preconceived notions of who we thought we were and how we believed we must move in our bodies and in this world. This is the essence of freedom -- to open to who and how we are in this very moment and to accept others in the same way.
18 nov 2009
Massage Gift Certificates
I think massage gift certificates are the best gift on the planet. When I ran my private practice I would sell gift certificates. When I sold them I helped people feel better about buying them by telling them they could use them themselves if their recipient failed to use them. That helped them know their money was well spent. When we teach our business classes we encourage gift certificates as well as package deals. The following article from Ezine articles has good ideas about gift certificates.
Whether for mom or sister, girlfriend, wife or grandma, massage gift certificates are the perfect gifts that will especially please your recipients. A bit of imagination can help create a memorable special gifting experience. Men on your list can also enjoy the benefits of massage, and they know the self benefits from keeping the women in their lives happy. Massage is one gift that brings great returns.
Some massage therapists will give you a discount if you buy a pack of gift certificates. The whole package can be used by you; or used for other purposes. Many gifting situations lend themselves to such a valuable gift. Consider using a massage certificate as a hostess gift, birthday or wedding gift. Your Church building committee might be looking for a way to raise money. You could donate massage gift certificates for them to raffle off.
If you want to plan a romantic evening, you could arrange for a massage therapist to arrive at your home near the end of the day. Some therapists have portable tables and will travel to a hotel or your house to give therapy. After the therapist leaves it could be time for a warm rose petal soak in the tub and champagne and candle light...
An alternative to the above might be a couples massage date. You might arrange for the two of you to spend the weekend at a spa where you can sample several different kinds of massages. After experiencing a hot stone massage, followed by deep tissue and a sea weed wrap, you will both go home physically transformed and your relationship can also be renewed after the shared experience.
You can give a guilt-free day of pampering, even if you do not know where to find a well recommended licensed massage therapist. Visit SalonWish and you can buy gift certificates that can be used at any of 4,000 salons and spas throughout the US and Canada. These certificates can be used for massages, facials, pedicures, hair styling, or massage therapy and spa related merchandise. They are presented in a beautiful folder with your personal message.
There are a few contraindications to massage therapy, which could prevent your gift recipient from using a certificate, but, if they couldn't personally use it, they could have the happiness of gifting it to someone they love. Massage Gift Certificates are perfect for many of your gifting occasions: holidays, birthdays, client gifts, and anniversaries.
Cheryl has been writing articles for many years. She has many varied interests. Please visit her latest website about attic ventilation fans and, for those interested in kitchen remodeling, Wall Mount Range Hoods.
Whether for mom or sister, girlfriend, wife or grandma, massage gift certificates are the perfect gifts that will especially please your recipients. A bit of imagination can help create a memorable special gifting experience. Men on your list can also enjoy the benefits of massage, and they know the self benefits from keeping the women in their lives happy. Massage is one gift that brings great returns.
Some massage therapists will give you a discount if you buy a pack of gift certificates. The whole package can be used by you; or used for other purposes. Many gifting situations lend themselves to such a valuable gift. Consider using a massage certificate as a hostess gift, birthday or wedding gift. Your Church building committee might be looking for a way to raise money. You could donate massage gift certificates for them to raffle off.
If you want to plan a romantic evening, you could arrange for a massage therapist to arrive at your home near the end of the day. Some therapists have portable tables and will travel to a hotel or your house to give therapy. After the therapist leaves it could be time for a warm rose petal soak in the tub and champagne and candle light...
An alternative to the above might be a couples massage date. You might arrange for the two of you to spend the weekend at a spa where you can sample several different kinds of massages. After experiencing a hot stone massage, followed by deep tissue and a sea weed wrap, you will both go home physically transformed and your relationship can also be renewed after the shared experience.
You can give a guilt-free day of pampering, even if you do not know where to find a well recommended licensed massage therapist. Visit SalonWish and you can buy gift certificates that can be used at any of 4,000 salons and spas throughout the US and Canada. These certificates can be used for massages, facials, pedicures, hair styling, or massage therapy and spa related merchandise. They are presented in a beautiful folder with your personal message.
There are a few contraindications to massage therapy, which could prevent your gift recipient from using a certificate, but, if they couldn't personally use it, they could have the happiness of gifting it to someone they love. Massage Gift Certificates are perfect for many of your gifting occasions: holidays, birthdays, client gifts, and anniversaries.
Cheryl has been writing articles for many years. She has many varied interests. Please visit her latest website about attic ventilation fans and, for those interested in kitchen remodeling, Wall Mount Range Hoods.
16 nov 2009
NMT
We have begun our study of NMT this week. I found the following definition of NMT perfect. So far we have all been enjoying this modality, and the students are excited to learn something new. Tomorrow is the Spa trip, we will travel to Pura Vida spa for a short tour and description of how working in a spa can be a great adventure.
What Is Neuromuscular Therapy?
Neuromuscular TherapyNeuromuscular Therapy (NMT) is a very specialized form of manual therapy. A therapist trained in NMT is educated in the physiology of the nervous system and its effect on the muscular and skeletal systems. The Neuromuscular Therapist also is educated in kinesiology and biomechanics and how to work in a clinical or medical environment.
By definition, Neuromuscular Therapy is the utilization of static pressure on specific myofascial points to relieve pain. This technique manipulates the soft tissue of the body (muscles, tendons and connective tissue) to balance the central nervous system. In a healthy individual, nerves transmit impulses (which are responsible for every movement, function and thought) to the body very slowly. Injury, trauma, postural distortion or stress cause nerves to speed up their transmission, inhibiting equilibrium and making the body vulnerable to pain and dysfunction. It is therefore necessary to stabilize low levels of neurological activity to maintain normal function and overall health.
Neuromuscular Therapy will be used to address five elements that cause pain:
1. Ischemia: Lack of blood supply to soft tissues which causes hypersensitivity to touch
2. Trigger Points: Highly irritated points in muscles which refer pain to other parts of the body
3. Nerve Compression or Entrapment: Pressure on a nerve by soft tissue, cartilage or bone
4. Postural Distortion: Imbalance of the muscular system resulting from the movement of the body off the longitudinal and horizontal planes
5. Biomechanical Dysfunction: Imbalance of the musculoskeletal system resulting in faulty movement patterns (i.e., poor lifting habits, bad mechanics in a golf swing of tennis stroke, computer keyboarding)
What Is Neuromuscular Therapy?
Neuromuscular TherapyNeuromuscular Therapy (NMT) is a very specialized form of manual therapy. A therapist trained in NMT is educated in the physiology of the nervous system and its effect on the muscular and skeletal systems. The Neuromuscular Therapist also is educated in kinesiology and biomechanics and how to work in a clinical or medical environment.
By definition, Neuromuscular Therapy is the utilization of static pressure on specific myofascial points to relieve pain. This technique manipulates the soft tissue of the body (muscles, tendons and connective tissue) to balance the central nervous system. In a healthy individual, nerves transmit impulses (which are responsible for every movement, function and thought) to the body very slowly. Injury, trauma, postural distortion or stress cause nerves to speed up their transmission, inhibiting equilibrium and making the body vulnerable to pain and dysfunction. It is therefore necessary to stabilize low levels of neurological activity to maintain normal function and overall health.
Neuromuscular Therapy will be used to address five elements that cause pain:
1. Ischemia: Lack of blood supply to soft tissues which causes hypersensitivity to touch
2. Trigger Points: Highly irritated points in muscles which refer pain to other parts of the body
3. Nerve Compression or Entrapment: Pressure on a nerve by soft tissue, cartilage or bone
4. Postural Distortion: Imbalance of the muscular system resulting from the movement of the body off the longitudinal and horizontal planes
5. Biomechanical Dysfunction: Imbalance of the musculoskeletal system resulting in faulty movement patterns (i.e., poor lifting habits, bad mechanics in a golf swing of tennis stroke, computer keyboarding)
13 nov 2009
Lotion Lady
Today we took our field trip to the "lotion lady". Monika is a massage therapist who went on and developed her own line of massage lotions and other organic products. It is great fun to visit her little store and see where she does her magic.
We decided we would use her coffee scrub for our salt glow later in the week, it looks like fun! Check out her site.
We decided we would use her coffee scrub for our salt glow later in the week, it looks like fun! Check out her site.
12 nov 2009
Male Massage Therapists vs. Female Therapists
I have always seen a difference in the way people react to male versus female massage therapists. We saw first hand when we had a male student. It just seemed to take longer for people to warm up to him and feel comfortable. Once he got them here they were totally great with it. We have see the difference because our female student has filled her schedule for clinics in the first week! Of course he kind of paved the way for her also in that he gave lots of the people signing up with her their very first massage ever. I am just thankful that we can give back to the people of San Rafael some good massages in exchange for them making us feel very welcome and happy in Costa Rica!
11 nov 2009
Student Massages
Some of the best massages I have had have been student massages. When a student is giving a massage they are all tuned in to the work they are doing. Because they are learning a new skill they are totally focused and give a massage their all! that would certainly explain the success of the student clinics that work in conjunction with the many schools around.
10 nov 2009
Infant Massage
Next week our students are very excited about the Infant Massage classes.
What is Infant Massage?
Infant massage has been practiced by other cultures for centuries. Vimala Schneider McClure brought this ancient art to the United States in the 1970's, after she observed the positive effect it had on infants in India. She practiced the Indian massage strokes on her own baby and observed its benefits first hand. Ms. McClure is the founder of the International Association of Infant Massage, and the author of "Infant Massage, a Handbook for Loving Parents". Swedish strokes, reflexology, and yoga along with the Indian massage strokes, make up the curriculum for teaching parents the art of infant massage.
What are the benefits of infant massage?
* Relaxes Infant
Loving touch lessens tension, fussiness and irritability. Digestion is aided and this can provide relief of gas and colic. Massage is also a wonderful way to lessen stress parent and baby.
* Enhances Bonding
Touch conveys nurturing and love, the essential ingredients for emotional and physical growth and well being.
* Aids Growth and Development
Studies have shown increased weight gain, and immune function. Myelination of nerves is also increased. These things in turn are needed for brain and muscle development.
* Promotes Communication
Parents become more aware of baby's nonverbal cues. One-on-one communication instills a massage of love and security.
* Improves Baby's Sleep
As your infant learns to relax and release stress, sounder and longer sleep is often the end result.
Research
Research specific to the benefits of infant massage has been ongoing since the mid 1970's. This research has been conducted at various institutes and with infants who were premature, exposed to drugs in utero, and infants that had motor problems. All these categories of babies benefited from the nurturing touch of infant massage. These benefits included weight gain, neurological development, decreased hospitalization, and improved digestion.
Elaine Weisberg, RN and Rita Day, RN are infant massage instructors as well as mothers. For more information on their programs, contact them at Tender Loving Touch.
What is Infant Massage?
Infant massage has been practiced by other cultures for centuries. Vimala Schneider McClure brought this ancient art to the United States in the 1970's, after she observed the positive effect it had on infants in India. She practiced the Indian massage strokes on her own baby and observed its benefits first hand. Ms. McClure is the founder of the International Association of Infant Massage, and the author of "Infant Massage, a Handbook for Loving Parents". Swedish strokes, reflexology, and yoga along with the Indian massage strokes, make up the curriculum for teaching parents the art of infant massage.
What are the benefits of infant massage?
* Relaxes Infant
Loving touch lessens tension, fussiness and irritability. Digestion is aided and this can provide relief of gas and colic. Massage is also a wonderful way to lessen stress parent and baby.
* Enhances Bonding
Touch conveys nurturing and love, the essential ingredients for emotional and physical growth and well being.
* Aids Growth and Development
Studies have shown increased weight gain, and immune function. Myelination of nerves is also increased. These things in turn are needed for brain and muscle development.
* Promotes Communication
Parents become more aware of baby's nonverbal cues. One-on-one communication instills a massage of love and security.
* Improves Baby's Sleep
As your infant learns to relax and release stress, sounder and longer sleep is often the end result.
Research
Research specific to the benefits of infant massage has been ongoing since the mid 1970's. This research has been conducted at various institutes and with infants who were premature, exposed to drugs in utero, and infants that had motor problems. All these categories of babies benefited from the nurturing touch of infant massage. These benefits included weight gain, neurological development, decreased hospitalization, and improved digestion.
Elaine Weisberg, RN and Rita Day, RN are infant massage instructors as well as mothers. For more information on their programs, contact them at Tender Loving Touch.
9 nov 2009
I follow this blog and really enjoyed this article about receiving a massage. We try to teach at our school that students should follow the lead of the client when talking or not talking during a session.
The Beauty of Massage
November 9, 2009 by Erin
When I was training at Equinox over the summer, I was lucky enough to get treated to several massage sessions. I don’t know what sort of fitness-massage lottery I won, but when someone asks if I want a free massage, you better believe I’m going to take them up on that offer! I will say, though, that after my training—in which I felt soreness the likes of which I’d never felt before, in which I pushed my body harder, and in which I made my body stronger than it’s ever been—I deserved those massages.
It became my Saturday ritual. I’d take an hour-long group exercise class and schedule my massage for soon after. I’d work my tail off, and then I’d get rubbed down. It was the most pleasant reward for a week of hard work and training. I swore by those massages to help reduce my recovery time and give me motivation for another tough week.
My massage guru, Alicia, rocked. I think I was actually supposed to switch it up and try other massage therapists out, but no way! I knew a keeper when I found her. First, her massages were fantastic. I’d tell her what misery I’d endured that week and where I was sore, and she’d go to work taking care of the problem areas. I always felt like a million bucks when I’d leave, rejuvenated and ready for my next workout.
Now, typically when I get a massage, I want silence. I don’t like to chit-chat. I don’t like to “uh-huh” and “mmm hmmm” while my massage therapist is jabbering away, interrupting my precious time of peace. I want to zone out, relax and not think. I want me and me-only time.
That is, until I met Alicia. Alicia not only took me under her wing and massaged my soreness away, but she had me TALKING. Non-stop. For the entire massage. We’d jabber from the moment the massage started until I was out the door. I’d whine about how sore I was, and she’d empathize. We talked about our love for Olive Garden salad; she showed me a particular hand massage technique that felt amazing (and that I wish I could remember!). She told me a story about dancing so hard she almost threw her neck out that nearly had me in tears because I was laughing so hard. I’d leave in disbelief that I didn’t get my silent massage, and that I was actually okay with it! Being the pro that she was, I know she would have given me silence if I would have shut up for any length of time, but all of our silly chit-chat actually made my massages more enjoyable.
Those few sessions were a welcome reward for a lot of hard work, and if you’ve never had a professional massage, I’m so sorry. Go get one, whether as a treat every now and then, or as a reward for meeting a goal. Heck, make it your goal, and put money in a massage fund jar if you need to. It’s been a few long months now without a massage, and I must say I’m in going through withdrawal. But then a little fairy named Fit Bottomed Jenn dropped a little gift card in the mail for my birthday. A little gift card for a nearby salon, in my new hometown. I may not get to chat with Alicia, but I will be getting a well-deserved (and most likely silent) massage for my birthday. —Erin
The Beauty of Massage
November 9, 2009 by Erin
When I was training at Equinox over the summer, I was lucky enough to get treated to several massage sessions. I don’t know what sort of fitness-massage lottery I won, but when someone asks if I want a free massage, you better believe I’m going to take them up on that offer! I will say, though, that after my training—in which I felt soreness the likes of which I’d never felt before, in which I pushed my body harder, and in which I made my body stronger than it’s ever been—I deserved those massages.
It became my Saturday ritual. I’d take an hour-long group exercise class and schedule my massage for soon after. I’d work my tail off, and then I’d get rubbed down. It was the most pleasant reward for a week of hard work and training. I swore by those massages to help reduce my recovery time and give me motivation for another tough week.
My massage guru, Alicia, rocked. I think I was actually supposed to switch it up and try other massage therapists out, but no way! I knew a keeper when I found her. First, her massages were fantastic. I’d tell her what misery I’d endured that week and where I was sore, and she’d go to work taking care of the problem areas. I always felt like a million bucks when I’d leave, rejuvenated and ready for my next workout.
Now, typically when I get a massage, I want silence. I don’t like to chit-chat. I don’t like to “uh-huh” and “mmm hmmm” while my massage therapist is jabbering away, interrupting my precious time of peace. I want to zone out, relax and not think. I want me and me-only time.
That is, until I met Alicia. Alicia not only took me under her wing and massaged my soreness away, but she had me TALKING. Non-stop. For the entire massage. We’d jabber from the moment the massage started until I was out the door. I’d whine about how sore I was, and she’d empathize. We talked about our love for Olive Garden salad; she showed me a particular hand massage technique that felt amazing (and that I wish I could remember!). She told me a story about dancing so hard she almost threw her neck out that nearly had me in tears because I was laughing so hard. I’d leave in disbelief that I didn’t get my silent massage, and that I was actually okay with it! Being the pro that she was, I know she would have given me silence if I would have shut up for any length of time, but all of our silly chit-chat actually made my massages more enjoyable.
Those few sessions were a welcome reward for a lot of hard work, and if you’ve never had a professional massage, I’m so sorry. Go get one, whether as a treat every now and then, or as a reward for meeting a goal. Heck, make it your goal, and put money in a massage fund jar if you need to. It’s been a few long months now without a massage, and I must say I’m in going through withdrawal. But then a little fairy named Fit Bottomed Jenn dropped a little gift card in the mail for my birthday. A little gift card for a nearby salon, in my new hometown. I may not get to chat with Alicia, but I will be getting a well-deserved (and most likely silent) massage for my birthday. —Erin
6 nov 2009
More on Modalities
I found the following article with definitions of a few different modalities informative. Many people don't really know the difference in the different modalities and it is a great help for us to be able to explain these to them in English! Our students all have a favorite by the time they finish the massage program here in Costa Rica!
bout Massage by Brian K. Healy, LMT, CKYT
Massage Therapy may be loosely defined as 'the application of manual and mechanical techniques to manipulate the soft tissues of the body in order to bring about greater health, vitality and overall well-being.' There are many different techniques and approaches of bodywork from various healing traditions around the world. Most are intended to improve the functioning of the human nervous, musculo-skeletal, and cardiovascular systems. Doing so increases the flow of oxygen, nutrition, and life force to the tissues and the flow of waste products from the tissues. Other forms of bodywork focus specifically on movement of the lymphatic or cerebrospinal fluids of the body. Several techniques from the Orient and the Native Americas endeavor to affect change in an indivdual's energy (prana) body or emotional (astral) body. Several of the modalities that have been most widely accepted by Western consumers and health professionals are listed below.
Overview Of Popular Massage & Bodywork Modalities--
Relaxation (Swedish) Massage - A light, flowing massage primarily for relaxation purposes. Swedish massage is usually given as a full body treatment which involves gliding, kneading, and spreading strokes on the face, head, neck, arms, hands, legs, feet, and back. The client wears minimal or no clothing, is carefully draped with sheet and/or blanket at all times. Quality massage lotion or oil is used. Swedish is the most common type of massage technique being taught in the United States today and is arguably the most popular style of massage given in spas. One of the principals of Swedish massage is to improve the return of blood to the heart and lungs. For this reason swedish massage may be contraindicated for individuals with certain forms of cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, or cancer.
Therapeutic Massage - There are many different types of therapeutic massage, but generally speaking, these modalities address repetitive strain injuries, stress disorders, and aches and pains of the neck, shoulder, and back and encorporate many site specific techniques in order to achieve particular objectives such as pain relief, increased function, or rehabilitation. More specific forms of Therapeutic Bodywork are listed below.
Neuromuscular Therapy - A therapeutic form of bodywork focusing on treating pain and dysfunction by precise pressure on “trigger points,” which release areas of chronic neuromuscular tension. Excellent for headaches, neck, jaw, and shoulder pain. If you have specific, chronic points of tension or pain (knots) in your muscles, NMT may be for you. NMT can be performed on fully clothed clients or incorporated into the flow of a full body massage treatment.
Connective Tissue Therapy - Deep massage using forearm, elbow, and fist pressure and little lubrication to affect the connective tissue, or deep fascia of the body. Particularly useful to correct postural distortions, and helps to restore fluidity and flexibility to the tissues that hold the body together. Also provides a release of mental and emotional rigidity and leaves you feeling lighter, longer, and lovelier. Also known as Structural Integration. Note: This form of therapy is extremely powerful but the firm, slow, deep, pressure can be uncomfortable for some people.
Aromatherapy Massage- A wonderfully relaxing massage during which premium essential oils (distilled organic herbal compounds) are applied to the body in specific combinations and amounts so as to promote physical, mental and emotional healing. Essential oils have powerful anti-stress, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties and have been used by natural healers for at least 3 millennia. They contain powerful phyto compounds that can activate certain beneficial hormones and neurotransmitters and bring about muscular, endocrine and organ balance.
Hot Stone Massage - This sensually delicious treatment combines the properties of Swedish massage, hot & cold therapy, and the healing power of the mineral kingdom to literally melt away the tension, stress, bumps, and knots.- a truly relaxing therapeutic treatment that you will never forget. Especially effective on areas of chronically held rigidity.
Chair Massage - The chair massage is a simple approach to bodywork which allows effective techniques to be applied while the client, fully clothed, sits in a specially designed chair. Minimal oils or lotions are used and typical treatments are ten or twenty minutes. Great for the first time massage client, or for those in need of quick back, neck & shoulder relief. The portability of the massage chair allows on site massage to be offered in a wide range of settings. Chair massage is often available in malls, airports, sporting events and as part of corporate wellness programs.
Reiki - A form of hands-on-healing originated in Tibet. The Reiki practitioner acts as a conduit for healing energy, directing it to the client’s chakras or subtle energy centers. Reiki has been shown to be effective for healing stress, anxiety, depression, dyspepsia, insomnia, headaches, chronic pain, dysmenorrhea, and emotional trauma. Certain more progressive hospitals have instituted pre and post operative Reiki treatments and have seen significant decreases in post operative pain and greatly improved recuperation times.
Healing Touch - An eclectic approach to energy healing involving the assessment and treatment of the subtle energetic aspects of the whole human being. Practitioners typically read the subject's auric eminations and seek to smooth, calm, cool, fortify, etc. in order to bring balance and assist the individual's inate healing power. The Healing Touch technique has been embraced by many in the nursing profession.
Traditional Thai Massage - Typically performed on the floor on a mat with the client wearing loose clothing this is ideal for individuals with limited flexibility, recovering from injury or when other types of bodywork may be contraindicated. No oil or lotion is used. Sometimes described as a combination of yoga, chiropractic and physical therapy, Thai massage involves the application of active and passive stretches to client, with the therapist uses his body weight to apply rhythmic palm, thumb, and foot pressure which open up the lines of energy flow in the subtle body (the Sen lines) and lulls the client into a state of deep relaxation. Excellent for increasing vitality, flexibility and range of motion.
Pyrotherapy - The therapeutic use of heat packs and herbal products that stimulate heating. Indicated for stress, chronically tight muscles and connective tissue adhesions.
Cryotherapy - The therapeutic use of ice, cold packs, and herbal products that stimulate cooling. Indicated for muscle spasm, strains, sprains, inflammation, injury, and headaches.
bout Massage by Brian K. Healy, LMT, CKYT
Massage Therapy may be loosely defined as 'the application of manual and mechanical techniques to manipulate the soft tissues of the body in order to bring about greater health, vitality and overall well-being.' There are many different techniques and approaches of bodywork from various healing traditions around the world. Most are intended to improve the functioning of the human nervous, musculo-skeletal, and cardiovascular systems. Doing so increases the flow of oxygen, nutrition, and life force to the tissues and the flow of waste products from the tissues. Other forms of bodywork focus specifically on movement of the lymphatic or cerebrospinal fluids of the body. Several techniques from the Orient and the Native Americas endeavor to affect change in an indivdual's energy (prana) body or emotional (astral) body. Several of the modalities that have been most widely accepted by Western consumers and health professionals are listed below.
Overview Of Popular Massage & Bodywork Modalities--
Relaxation (Swedish) Massage - A light, flowing massage primarily for relaxation purposes. Swedish massage is usually given as a full body treatment which involves gliding, kneading, and spreading strokes on the face, head, neck, arms, hands, legs, feet, and back. The client wears minimal or no clothing, is carefully draped with sheet and/or blanket at all times. Quality massage lotion or oil is used. Swedish is the most common type of massage technique being taught in the United States today and is arguably the most popular style of massage given in spas. One of the principals of Swedish massage is to improve the return of blood to the heart and lungs. For this reason swedish massage may be contraindicated for individuals with certain forms of cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, or cancer.
Therapeutic Massage - There are many different types of therapeutic massage, but generally speaking, these modalities address repetitive strain injuries, stress disorders, and aches and pains of the neck, shoulder, and back and encorporate many site specific techniques in order to achieve particular objectives such as pain relief, increased function, or rehabilitation. More specific forms of Therapeutic Bodywork are listed below.
Neuromuscular Therapy - A therapeutic form of bodywork focusing on treating pain and dysfunction by precise pressure on “trigger points,” which release areas of chronic neuromuscular tension. Excellent for headaches, neck, jaw, and shoulder pain. If you have specific, chronic points of tension or pain (knots) in your muscles, NMT may be for you. NMT can be performed on fully clothed clients or incorporated into the flow of a full body massage treatment.
Connective Tissue Therapy - Deep massage using forearm, elbow, and fist pressure and little lubrication to affect the connective tissue, or deep fascia of the body. Particularly useful to correct postural distortions, and helps to restore fluidity and flexibility to the tissues that hold the body together. Also provides a release of mental and emotional rigidity and leaves you feeling lighter, longer, and lovelier. Also known as Structural Integration. Note: This form of therapy is extremely powerful but the firm, slow, deep, pressure can be uncomfortable for some people.
Aromatherapy Massage- A wonderfully relaxing massage during which premium essential oils (distilled organic herbal compounds) are applied to the body in specific combinations and amounts so as to promote physical, mental and emotional healing. Essential oils have powerful anti-stress, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties and have been used by natural healers for at least 3 millennia. They contain powerful phyto compounds that can activate certain beneficial hormones and neurotransmitters and bring about muscular, endocrine and organ balance.
Hot Stone Massage - This sensually delicious treatment combines the properties of Swedish massage, hot & cold therapy, and the healing power of the mineral kingdom to literally melt away the tension, stress, bumps, and knots.- a truly relaxing therapeutic treatment that you will never forget. Especially effective on areas of chronically held rigidity.
Chair Massage - The chair massage is a simple approach to bodywork which allows effective techniques to be applied while the client, fully clothed, sits in a specially designed chair. Minimal oils or lotions are used and typical treatments are ten or twenty minutes. Great for the first time massage client, or for those in need of quick back, neck & shoulder relief. The portability of the massage chair allows on site massage to be offered in a wide range of settings. Chair massage is often available in malls, airports, sporting events and as part of corporate wellness programs.
Reiki - A form of hands-on-healing originated in Tibet. The Reiki practitioner acts as a conduit for healing energy, directing it to the client’s chakras or subtle energy centers. Reiki has been shown to be effective for healing stress, anxiety, depression, dyspepsia, insomnia, headaches, chronic pain, dysmenorrhea, and emotional trauma. Certain more progressive hospitals have instituted pre and post operative Reiki treatments and have seen significant decreases in post operative pain and greatly improved recuperation times.
Healing Touch - An eclectic approach to energy healing involving the assessment and treatment of the subtle energetic aspects of the whole human being. Practitioners typically read the subject's auric eminations and seek to smooth, calm, cool, fortify, etc. in order to bring balance and assist the individual's inate healing power. The Healing Touch technique has been embraced by many in the nursing profession.
Traditional Thai Massage - Typically performed on the floor on a mat with the client wearing loose clothing this is ideal for individuals with limited flexibility, recovering from injury or when other types of bodywork may be contraindicated. No oil or lotion is used. Sometimes described as a combination of yoga, chiropractic and physical therapy, Thai massage involves the application of active and passive stretches to client, with the therapist uses his body weight to apply rhythmic palm, thumb, and foot pressure which open up the lines of energy flow in the subtle body (the Sen lines) and lulls the client into a state of deep relaxation. Excellent for increasing vitality, flexibility and range of motion.
Pyrotherapy - The therapeutic use of heat packs and herbal products that stimulate heating. Indicated for stress, chronically tight muscles and connective tissue adhesions.
Cryotherapy - The therapeutic use of ice, cold packs, and herbal products that stimulate cooling. Indicated for muscle spasm, strains, sprains, inflammation, injury, and headaches.
5 nov 2009
Clinics
Great news from the Costa Rica School of Integrative Massage! Our free massage clinic will be open starting Monday for the next five weeks. You will have the opportunity to receive an excellent student massage for a song. Ok you don't have to sing, just come and if you feel generous you can even tip!
4 nov 2009
Costa Rica Weather
We are actually having a touch of fall in the air here and it is nice. It is actually just a little front moving through for a couple of days, but fun to pretend we are having a season. Our student had to go and buy a sweater today!
3 nov 2009
More Massage Trials
More evidence of the great good massage therapists can do.
Shay Beider1 and Christopher A. Moyer2
Randomized Controlled Trials of Pediatric Massage: A Review
1Integrative Touch for Kids, Beverly Hills CA and 2University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana IL 61801-4819, USA
The existing reviews of massage therapy (MT) research are either limited to infants, adults, or were conducted prior to the publication of the most recent studies using pediatric samples. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of pediatric MT are reviewed. A literature search yielded 24 RCTs of pediatric MT, defined as the manual manipulation of soft tissue intended to promote health and well-being in recipients between 2 and 19 years of age. Because RCTs of pediatric MT varied considerably in the amount and types of data reported, quantitative and narrative review methods were both used. Single-dose and multiple-dose effects were examined separately. Among single-dose effects, significant reductions of state anxiety were observed at the first session (g = 0.59, P <>g = 1.10, P <> a course of treatment. Effects for salivary cortisol (g = 0.28), negative mood (g = 0.52) and behavior (g = 0.37) were non-significant. Three of eleven multiple-dose effects were statistically significant. These were trait anxiety (g = 0.94, P <> (g = 0.90, P <>g = 1.33, P < 0.01). Results of studies not permitting effect size calculation were judged to be generally consistent with quantitative results. MT benefits pediatric recipients, though not as universally as sometimes reported. Numerous weaknesses endemic to MT research (e.g. low statistical power, frequent failure to report basic descriptive statistics) are identified, and recommendations for future pediatric MT research are discussed.
Keywords: CAM – child –
2 nov 2009
Be Healthy
As massage therapists we do not diagnose, but we can recommend as well as set a good example of healthy habits for our clients and students. This article is a great explanation if you need one, on why not to drink soda.
What Soft Drinks are Doing to Your Body
Soda, pop, cola, soft drink — whatever you call it, it is one of the worst beverages that you could be drinking for your health. As the debate for whether to put a tax on the sale of soft drinks continues, you should know how they affect your body so that you can make an informed choice on your own.
Soft drinks are hard on your health
Soft drinks contain little to no vitamins or other essential nutrients. However, it is what they do contain that is the problem: caffeine, carbonation, simple sugars — or worse, sugar substitutes — and often food additives such as artificial coloring, flavoring, and preservatives.
A lot of research has found that consumption of soft drinks in high quantity, especially by children, is responsible for many health problems that include tooth decay, nutritional depletion, obesity, type-2 diabetes, and heart disease.
Why the sugar in soft drinks isn’t so sweet
Most soft drinks contain a high amount of simple sugars. The USDA recommendation of sugar consumption for a 2,000-calorie diet is a daily allotment of 10 teaspoons of added sugars. Many soft drinks contain more than this amount!
Just why is too much sugar so unhealthy? Well, to start, let's talk about what happens to you as sugar enters your body. When you drink sodas that are packed with simple sugars, the pancreas is called upon to produce and release insulin, a hormone that empties the sugar in your blood stream into all the tissues and cells for usage. The result of overindulging in simple sugar is raised insulin levels. Raised blood insulin levels beyond the norm can lead to depression of the immune system, which in turn weakens your ability to fight disease.
Something else to consider is that most of the excess sugar ends up being stored as fat in your body, which results in weight gain and elevates risk for heart disease and cancer. One study found that when subjects were given refined sugar, their white blood cell count decreased significantly for several hours afterwards. Another study discovered that rats fed a high-sugar diet had a substantially elevated rate of breast cancer when compared to rats on a regular diet.
The health effects of diet soda
You may come to the conclusion that diet or sugar-free soda is a better choice. However, one study discovered that drinking one or more soft drinks a day — and it didn’t matter whether it was diet or regular — led to a 30% greater chance of weight gain around the belly.
Diet soda is filled with artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose, or saccharin. These artificial sweeteners pose a threat to your health. Saccharin, for instance, has been found to be carcinogenic, and studies have found that it produced bladder cancer in rats.
Aspartame, commonly known as nutrasweet, is a chemical that stimulates the brain to think the food is sweet. It breaks down into acpartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol at a temperature of 86 degrees. (Remember, your stomach is somewhere around 98 degrees.) An article put out by the University of Texas found that aspartame has been linked to obesity. The process of stimulating the brain causes more cravings for sweets and leads to carbohydrate loading.
Carbonation depletes calcium
Beverages with bubbles contain phosphoric acid, which can severely deplete the blood calcium levels; calcium is a key component of the bone matrix. With less concentration of calcium over a long time, it can lower deposition rates so that bone mass and density suffer. This means that drinking sodas and carbonated water increases your risk of osteoporosis.
Add in the caffeine usually present in soft drinks, and you are in for even more trouble. Caffeine can deplete the body’s calcium, in addition to stimulating your central nervous system and contributing to stress, a racing mind, and insomnia.
Skip the soda and go for:
• Fresh water
Water is a vital beverage for good health. Each and every cell needs water to perform its essential functions. Since studies show that tap water is filled with contaminants, antibiotics, and a number of other unhealthy substances, consider investing in a quality carbon-based filter for your tap water. To find out more about a high-performance filtration system, click here.
On the go? Try using a stainless steel thermos or glass bottle, filled with filtered water. Enhance the flavor of your water with a refreshing infusion of basil, mint leaves, and a drop of honey.
• Fruit Juice
If you are a juice drinker, try watering down your juice to cut back on the sugar content. Buy a jar of organic 100% juice, especially cranberry, acai, pomegranate, and then dilute three parts filtered water to one part juice. You will get a subtle sweet taste and the benefit of antioxidants. After a couple of weeks, you will no longer miss the sweetness of sugary concentrated juices.
• Tea
Tea gently lifts your energy and has numerous health benefits. Black, green, white, and oolong teas all contain antioxidant polyphenols. In fact, tea ranks as high or higher than many fruits and vegetables on the ORAC scale, the score that measures antioxidant potential of plant-based foods.
Herbal tea does not have the same antioxidant properties, though it is still a great beverage choice with other health benefits, such as inducing calming and relaxing effects.
If tea doesn’t satisfy your sweet tooth, try adding cinnamon or a little honey, which has important health benefits that refined sugar lacks. For a selection of healthy teas that promote total body wellness, click here. Drink up!
I hope you find the ways and means to avoid soft drinks. I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me.
May you live long, live strong, and live happy!
--Dr. Mao
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29 oct 2009
Uniqueness is key in avoiding economic hardship - Opinion
I found this most excellent article that tells it best about "why study abroad?"
Uniqueness is key in avoiding economic hardship - Opinion
Uniqueness is key in avoiding economic hardship - Opinion
28 oct 2009
Massage Modalities
Massage modalities are important, but as this article explains they are tools to be used by the intuitive practitioner. This is the reason we based our school here in Costa Rica, to help expand the minds and souls of our students. So far it has worked quite well.
The First Dimension of Touch
The First Dimension of Touch
There are seven specific dimensions of touch which create structurally and energetically effective work. Contact is the first dimension.
by David Lauterstein
It is not the educational intention but it is the meeting which is educationally fruitful. --- Martin Buber
The Spell of Modalities
There is a spell about the land of bodywork. The spell is that modalities are powerful and vast and that practitioners should be consumers of these modalities if they want to be powerful, successful therapists. In the market culture the product or service to be consumed is given more importance than the individual person who is consuming it. This turns the truth on its head. In bodywork the people - therapist and client - are the source of healing. The modality is of secondary importance. Nonetheless, most massage/bodywork training is modality training. Let us wake up from the spell of believing that modalities heal people - that cranial work is powerful, Reiki sublime, NMT great, Rolfing fantastic. Not true. Modalities have zero power. The healing power in bodywork is who is giving it and who is receiving it. You who are a bodyworker and your client are the source of healing. Modalities are tools at best, brainwashing at worst. Andrew Taylor Still stated "the body contains all the healing substances it needs." Each therapist with a good basic education and the simplest desire to help others by touching them, has all the healing energy - ideas, feelings, movements - he or she needs to help. A truly caring individual has more power than all the modalities combined. If I have the choice of an advanced practitioner who is full of himself vs. a basic practitioner who genuinely cares, I will go for the care. Because, if love is present, we open up and, if it's not, we don't. Perhaps love is that which opens. I may not be able to teach a student to love. I can't require it for their grades. But that doesn't make it any the less primary. It is harder to educate the character, the person of the therapist,who to be in the therapeutic relationship, than to just tell them what to do. Nonetheless, caring deeply remains our first concern and chief resource, technique a distant second. How can we rigorously develop theskill to love? How can we be rigorous in the study of this incredible primary content of our work? This on-going column is an attempt to help us answer these questions. First, we must all wake up from this spell and declaim loudly the primary role of deep care in massage. It is the reason why people are so attracted to this profession. Tragically, some schools and workshop marketeers are consistently selling off this precious birthright for the false idol of modality instruction. On the contrary, our source and destination continues to be the ever mysterious and wondrous LIFE and LOVE itself. To break the spell of modality worship the best tool I have come up with is to better understand the seven dimensions inherent in touch.
The Seven Dimensions of Touch
For years I've been receiving work from students and colleagues. And from this receiving it seems to me that, regardless of modality, there are seven specific dimensions of touch which create structurally and energetically effective work. The literally multi-dimensional experience of touch is the foundation which existentially precedes and underlies all bodywork techniques and modalities. For each upcoming column we will explore in detail one of each of these seven dimensions.
Contact - The First Dimension of Touch
The first element or dimension of touch occurs when we lay our hands upon someone. Just laying down a hand establishes a point or area of contact. Remember from geometry, a point has one dimension. So in this rigorous, geometric sense, the first level of touch is one dimensional, the laying on of a hand. But how powerful this is! In the one dimension of basic contact is summed up everything so eloquently depicted in Michelangelo's famous painting in which God and Adam are about to touch. The power of this picture is that it depicts with incredible power the creation of life. When we touch, in this first dimension, life itself is created. Because in the moment and in the space when and where two people touch, a new thing is created. This is the relationship. Two people share their lives by touching. And a third thing is created. How can we honor and further empower this incredible opportunity? First of all, we must believe it's real. Structurally, when two beings touch, it is an interesting physical occurrence. Energetically, however, it is a miracle. When two conscious beings touch, the combined vibration of these two beings, what Martin Buber called the I-Thou relationship, begins. This is the incredible power inherent in the first dimension of touch. There are two aspects to this dimension. The first has to do with location. Where do we decide to initiate contact? Where do we decide to first lay our hand down and why? If where we first make contact becomes habitual and not the result of a sacred decision, then we've lost an incredible opportunity. To make this decision we need knowledge of anatomy, especially musculoskeletal. Often we can tell if a therapist is competent simply by where they first place their hand. If it's, for instance, halfway down the back, this may give us the sense that they are beginning in the middle, not knowing or valuing the beginnings and endings of things, in this case the spine and muscles associated with it. Knowledge of appropriate boundaries and the individualness of this is also necessary. In one person the face might be the best place to start, in another the last. Refine your intuitive knowledge of the individual in terms of where might be the most lovely entry way to the massage for this person on this day.
The energetic aspect of the first dimension of touch has to do with conscious and intuitive decisions regarding how we touch the person. Do we use a lot of pressure or none at all? Do we bring a lot of energy into our hands or a modest amount? Do we touch with firmness, love, consolation, curiosity, etc.? The vastness of meaning conveyed by touch is daunting. Let us inhabit this vastness, enjoy the majestic and mysterious aspect of keeping the question open - how shall we meet?
Psycho - mechanics and the Organization of Awareness
Since energy follows awareness, the refining of the energetic aspect of basic contact involves the organization of awareness. For the first dimension, then, the question is not just where and how do you place your hand, but equally where do you place your consciousness? The Einstein of modern bodywork, Ida Rolf, spoke of many bodies as being "randomly" organized. Pointing out that children, for example, learn to walk by hook or crook, stumbling awkwardly across a room in search of the nearest grabable structure, she underscored the almost totally unmet need for movement education in our society. In massage school we attempt to address this need through the teaching of biomechanics, in which efficiency of posture and breath are emphasized. Accompanying biomechanics training, of course, is also the specific choreography of hand and body movements constituting the modality which the student is learning. (How beautiful a choreography it can be!) In our society and in our massage schools there is a yet deeper choreography that we can bring our attention to. This is the equally important choreography of awareness. In our regular schooling we are not taught directly how to think, nor how to access with alertness and curiosity the awareness of our own thoughts, movements, or feelings. People are left, as with the mostly non-existent movement education, to structure their awareness of themselves and the world around them with no systematic guidance. As a result, most of us grow up not just with "random" bodies, but also with "random" minds. Particularly under stress, people are often just reactive, on automatic, displaying about the level of psychic organization of your average pin ball machine. What are the steps then toward an appropriate choreography of awareness, a psycho-mechanics of massage? First of all we must literally and figuratively pay attention to the "matter at hand". This focused state may be described as "interface" (this terminology, by the way, is drawn from Zero Balancing). Working at interface involves the energy and structure of the therapist meeting with the energy and structure of the client. Generally, this meeting takes place where our hands, elbow or other part we are contacting with touches the body of the client. It may also be, as in the case of a stretch, where our force has the most impact. For instance, in a hamstring stretch, we are not usually touching the hamstrings directly but our structural and energetic impact will be experienced there. Interface is a more direct way of focusing during a massage than intention - since intention implies a cerebral directive. With interface, your attention is literally centered on the place and the moment where the two of you, client and therapist, bodily and consciously actually are meeting. The act of centering on interface itself is a radical organizing of consciousness. For, until we've centered on something, there is no point of reference around which our consciousness is organized. Without centering, we are like a body without gravity - floating with no reference point for up, down, forward, back. With a center, a home for our awareness, we can become aware of when we are focused and when we're not. As in meditation, then, where the awareness may be centered on one's breath at the tip of the nose, or on the hara just below the navel, healthy psychomechanics in bodywork involve working at the interface where our structures and energies meet. But, as in meditation, it is not the goal, nor is it truly possible, to remain unalterably centered at interface. As in meditation, your awareness may wander - at times to your movements, at others to your emotions, your thoughts or sensations. And, as in meditation, your job as a therapist is basically to bring your awareness back "home", to center. The role of home is not that we always stay there, but that it is a place to which we return. So frequently, during a session, we bring our wandering awareness back again and again to interface and so, bit by bit, our clients experience our commitment to be truly present with them, not just in body but in spirit as well. The psychomechanics of bodywork differ from meditation in this one very important respect - part of therapy involves conscious problem-solving. Therefore, the wandering of our awareness is more relevant and, at times, necessary. We need to be ready to access all of ourselves in order to be fully present. In the words of the French essayist, Jacques Riviere, "(the sincere man) stops at each level of himself and chooses what he needs to form his truth." For instance, I may be doing shoulder work and staying mostly at interface when I have the insight that the client's pain they described in their history may be more appropriately relieved through specific work on the supraspinatus than the general trapezius work I had planned. I then access my anatomical "data banks" visualizing the precise origin, route and insertion of supraspinatus. Then I bring myself from my mind, as quickly as gracefully as possible, back to interface and work there with heightened clarity and relevance, having accessed my knowledge. Similarly, I may bring my awareness to my emotions, when during a session I might feel, for example, anger. Is this my anger at a event earlier in the day, or am I "picking up" on the held-in anger of my client? If so, what might be the appropriate feeling content of my touch? Once I've sorted that out, I come back to interface and to a hopefully deepened, clearer emotional communication between myself and the client. During a session, I may also notice unnecessary tension creeping into my body or my breathing. People pick up not just on what we preach with our hands, but, perhaps more so, on what we practice with our whole bodies. It is vastly important to set a psychophysical example for one's client. Trying, for instance, to relieve shoulder pain without freedom in my own shoulders is therapeutically hypocritical. So I bring my awareness to my tension, let go, breathing, moving back now a freer person and returning gracefully to interface. There is such elegant integrity in modeling in our bodies/beings what we hope for our clients. That way as they get healthier, so do we. Finally during a session I may fall into the mistaken frame of reference that I am doing therapy to the passive client, that it's all up to me. In this case, we've created what Buber would call an I-it relationship. In order to restore the I-Thou, I access my spiritual sense, the knowledge that we are in a deep way connected in this world. Then I bring this acknowledged kinship- with-all-life feeling back to our interface. The delicate ballet of awareness in which we inhabit mostly interface, while circulating in appropriate ways through our mind, emotions, body, and spirit - this is the dance of therapy, the psychomechanics of bodywork.
Conclusion
In summary, we can look at therapy as beginning with this first dimension, basic contact. In this contact where we touch, how we touch, and how we organize our awareness is most of what creates the therapeutic effect. The belief that modalities are the source of our power as in "I hear that NMT is really good" or "What does Trager work do" is a widespread fallacy. In our market economy, many people try to sell you their product and try to convince you that you need it. The underlying social belief is - only what you don't yet have is worth having. The truth is the opposite. We already have everything we need. To paraphrase osteopathy's great founder, Andrew Taylor Still, you the therapist contain all the healing power you need. When one caring person touches another, healing (the experience of a new wholeness) takes place. Healing is in the nature of people getting together. We don't need modalities, we need each other. The power is in each one of us. Let us organize our awareness and touch and enjoy this incredible capacity to really meet one another. To paraphrase Martin Buber, "It is not the therapeutic intention but it is the meeting which is therapeutically fruitful." Touching with an appropriately organized body, mind, emotions and spirit is fruitful. It is creative and it is an honor to be in a profession where truly meeting is the point.
27 oct 2009
This and That about Costa Rica
I love Costa Rica! It is the best place on earth to open a study abroad Massage School.
Weird & wonderful facts about Costa Rica
The Tico guide for beginners
Costa Ricans are proud of their national identity. While on the surface they may seem similar to other Latin cultures, they actually have their own special idiosyncrasies.
Food & drink
- The first weird and wonderful fact is that Ticos (local slang for Costa Ricans) often give coffee to their babies and children!
- Great Costa Rican foods include: gallo pinto ("painted rooster"), which is rice mixed with black beans and often eggs; Olla carne, which is beef and rice in a delicious broth with many kinds of exotic root vegetables and chorreadas, sweet corn pancakes with sour cream.
- Traditional ice creams come in interesting flavours like wild blackberry, peanut, coconut, green mango and even sour cream.
People
- It might shock you to see a lot of Costa Ricans carrying around machetes. This common purpose tool is used for absolutely everything in rural areas and it should not worry you!
- Most adult Costa Ricans under 30 use the internet, and over 50,000 Costa Ricans use the social networking site hi5.com alone.
- The National Learning Institute (INA) provides free classes to Costa Ricans in all types of job skills, and many other organizations exist (e.g. IMAS or INS) to offer social welfare to poorer people. Somehow the country manages to provide these services while still maintaining taxes at a much lower rate than in the US!
Language
- Younger males often pepper their speech with the word " mae," which is derived from a word for "stupid." A typical statement might be, "Mae, mira que estos maes están jodiendo, mae." Literally, "Stupid, look how these stupid guys are bothering people, stupid."
- The government hopes to make English a "national second language," as in European countries. Over 100,000 Costa Ricans already work in jobs, such as in hotels or tech support call centres, where English is the main language.
- There is in fact a whole region of Costa Rica, the Atlantic province Limón, where English is a common language. This is thanks to the Jamaican ancestors of many Limonenses who settled there to work on the railroad and banana plantations. There are also large numbers of Nicaraguan immigrants and smaller populations of Colombians, Dominicans and others.
Getting around
- Nearly all Catholic churches in the country face west. This can be very handy as directions are usually given using compass directions, for example: "100 metres east of the university."
- Every town has its own plaza, or little park, in front of a Catholic church. Bigger cities have many such parks, and in most towns a soccer field is close by.
- There are usually no street names in Costa Rica so people get used to giving directions in relation to landmarks. In rural areas people will describe their official, legal address in ways such as "pink house just north of the big tree," or even "200 metres south of where the cow is tied up."
Trivia
- At 7am every morning, all Costa Rican radio stations play the national anthem. Many also play it again at night.
- The preferred music of older Costa Ricans is Cumbia. Younger Costa Ricans often favor Reggaetón dance tunes, although there are a great variety of tastes represented.
- Costa Ricans have a fondness for 80s action movies. Films starring Chuck Norris or Jean-Claude Van Damme get frequent showing on local TV.
- On Costa Rica's various patriotic days, young schoolboys dress up with traditional hats, shirts, red scarves and painted on moustaches. Girls sport traditional braids and coloured skirts. Oxen are also featured prominently.
- Costa Rica ranks at the top of lists for the world's best surfing, sports-fishing, dive spots and great mountain hiking. Costa Rica is considered the top spot for expat retirement, but the relocation process can be confusing.
By Paul Marin
Monte Alto Real Estate Company:www.montealtorealestate.com
At Monte Alto Real Estate we do all the paperwork, all you need to do is choose your favourite property. Our new residential project offers premium properties at below market prices.
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