Happy Halloween everyone!
It's fall and it's time to start thinking about staying healthy during cold and flu season. As a massage therapist, I'm always in close contact with people and because of that, I take my health pretty seriously. I know that I need to be there at my best when my clients come in for their sessions. Of course, we all get sick sometimes but there are certain measures I take in order to stay well. Here are some of my suggestions. 1. Get TONS of high quality sleep- Sure, this isn't always the easiest thing to do. With stress, the kids, the dogs...it can be hard to get to bed at a decent hour. Sleep is the one thing my doctor recommended for a healthy life. Above all else, get your sleep! Everyone has different requirements for how much sleep they need. There was a time where I NEEDED at LEAST 12 hours ;) but seriously, most adults need between 5-8 hours a night and little ones, teens, and elders need a bit more. Sleep is healing and rejuvenating. Need a recipe for insomnia? check out this herbal nightcap. 2. Keep your body and surroundings clean- Keeping your hygiene up to par will help considerably with staying well. Personal hygiene is an important part of preventive care. Daily showers, brushing teeth, and also keeping your clothes and home clean can ward off bacteria and viruses from spreading around. 3. Kick the stress habit- Stress is something that most everyone deals with on varying levels. Learning how to let go of those things that really aggravate or upset you is good for your health and your relationships. I offer massage therapy and meditation classes to help support people who are looking for new ways to deal with stress, depression, anxiety, and burn out. There are many alternative therapies out there to help with stress reduction and increase your quality of life. Try a soak with this awesome lavender bath salt recipe. 4. Give aromatherapy a try- So I just mentioned that there are many alternative therapies out there and Aromatherapy is one that I really love. Take a free online class at Aromahead to get the basics. Then get ready to use essential oils to support your good health. You can also ask me for help. I am a certified aromatherapist and I am always happy to help with questions or concerns. Essential oils are powerful distilled or cold pressed oils from plants and can cause adverse reactions so it's best to study up or get help before using them, I recently visited the chopra center in Carlsbad, CA. and they had a wonderful remedy for sinus support using aromatherapy. 5. Stay home when you're sick- Stay home and rest. when you're ill, it's important to give yourself time to heal. Wearing yourself down will lengthen your illness and keep you from doing your best. Be kind to yourself and take the time your body is requesting for healing. This also keep other people well too especially if you have the flu or a cold that can spread through the air. Don't forget to wash your hands and cover your sneezes/coughs just like mama said. :)) If you want to increase healing time, you can try medicinal teas and herbal infusions. Do you have any remedies for staying well? Share them in the comments!
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My husband recently purchased a wind chime on one of our weekend trips to the antique shops down in Dallas. I never thought too much of wind chimes- I hate wind. It's one of my least favorite weather conditions- seriously- BUT this chime has brought so much peace and tranquility to our home. I can't wait for a windy, warm day to open the windows and hear that beautiful music floating through the house. It's pretty unbelievable how this simple purchase has made such a huge difference. We both notice how it calms us and brings something beautiful to our home. Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again and again. -- Joseph Campbell My massage room or treatment room is considered "sacred space" for my clients and me. I've thought of all the little details that help my clients relax and fall into a meditative state. The music chosen with intention, the lighting is purposely kept low and dark, and the walls are not cluttered or distracting from the healing processes. Today I've come up with a few suggestions on how to get that peaceful feeling in your space at home. My tips for creating sacred spaceTip #1- Stake out a place to create your "sacred space." What will be the purpose of this space? Will you be using it for meditation? Yoga? Deep breathing? Or just to enjoy- a little place just for yourself? Sacred space could be just a corner somewhere in your home or even in your cubical or office, someplace where you can go for a bit of peace. It can be a big space, too-just choose a place that feels right. Tip # 2- Declutter your space and add inspiration Clearing your space of extra items is essential- especially if you are meditating in this space. You want to remove anything distracting. Once you have decluttered, bring in things that inspire you. Some ideas could be art, aromatherapy (candles or incense ) icons, pictures of loved ones, plants, bells, a water fountain. Anything that lifts you emotionally and spiritually. Tip # 3- Add some music Dean Evenson is one of my favorite artists to play during a massage session. His music is so peaceful and "mind-numbing," as one of my clients commented. I try to choose music that doesn't have distracting noises and is made specifically for sleep or deep relaxation. A few other suggestions are Liquid mind and Deuter. Try the Deuter station on pandora for a sample of some great relaxing music. QUESTION: What do you do to create tranquility at home? Let me know your tips in the comment section. I love hearing from you! Gaia Bodywork PLLC is the private massage practice of Hillary Arrieta LMT040051 in Richardson, TX. Hillary offers the best massage services in the area for pain and stress management. Visit Gaiabodywork.com for more information. I love New Years Eve! Any new beginning is exciting to me. I'm one of those people who love forward movement in my life and starting the new year out right is on the list this year. I've planned to clean my house, car, and my office, smudge everything with white sage and burn some cleansing white candles. I'm also going to take some time to dream my BIG dreams for 2014. One of my favorite NYE rituals is to sit and write down my dreams for the upcoming year and also address all the things I want to let go of. Things that no longer serve my greatest good- these things are usually the things that make me feel sad, anxious, or upset. Some times these are toxic people that I need to move away from or toxic habits that are not good for me. Taking stock of things at least once a year helps me keep my focus and allows me to really look at my goals and my decisions. I can look and see if my actions are bringing me closer to what I want or if I'm making choices that ultimately keep me from those things. If you're looking for an empowering ritual this year, give this a try. < Tweet this out >
Fire is a powerful symbol of transformation and cleansing.
Meditating on hopes and dreams and releasing old ways that don't work for us anymore is a fabulous way to take care of ourselves and connect our inner and outer worlds at the same time. Making this a family tradition can also teach your family members powerful strategies for self care, goal setting, self empowerment, and connection. If you tried this exercise, Leave me a comment below and tell me about your experience! I love to hear your thoughts. Gaia Bodywork PLLC is the private massage practice of Hillary Arrieta LMT040051 and is located in Richardson, TX. Hillary offers the best massage services in the area for pain and stress management. Visit Gaiabodywork.com for more information. Limiting beliefs- we all have them. The web defines a limiting belief as 'beliefs that are held either consciously or subconsciously that serve as obstacles to manifesting and attracting what you want'. Here are a few that I hear from time to time when talking with clients, friends, family, or coming out of my own mouth. 1. I don't have the time. Here's what I say to that, MAKE the time. This use to be one of my limiting beliefs (along with #3) and then I realized that I had to start planning my life and using my time better. I'm still working on it! believe me, I am far from perfect. I remember blowing off my teachers in school who tried to teach time management, thinking it was silly but now It really makes me wish I had learned that lesson sooner. If you don't plan the things you want to do and make them a priority, then something else is sure to come up and get you off your track to awesomeness. Prioritize your mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional health. Doing that will benefit everyone in your life- which brings me to #2. 2. Taking care of myself is selfish. Giving to others from a place in you that is nourished and happy is a more positive experience for both people. Many people give until they feel like there is nothing left and begin to resent giving. If you're not feeling full of love and compassion when you're giving your time or help to others, stop and make sure you're also recharging and "filling your cup." Choose to do something for yourself like reading a good book or going to the gym or a yoga class. 3. It's too expensive. In the long run, paying for something like a monthly massage or healthy food at the grocery will save you money on medical bills. There are even options like going for a walk or sitting down to meditate in the morning before your days starts that can make huge changes in your health and don't cost a dime. I believe preventative care can make a big difference in your quality of life and allow you to really enjoy living. Being ill mentally or physically is expensive and not as rewarding as a dinner made with fresh ingredients or a wonderfully relaxing massage session. 4. I'm just getting old. I hear this a lot and sadly, I hear clients say that their doctors have told them that the aches and pains are just from old age. This may be true but there are things you can do to keep yourself from hurting. Whenever I hear someone tell me it's their age that impedes them from being healthy, I think of Vanda Scaravelli in her book Awakening of the spine. It's so inspiring to see her in her in her 90's posing effortlessly- full backbends and all. Keeping active and having a flexibility routine can keep your body going strong even through the aging process. Question: What are some of your limiting beliefs that keep you from reaching your life goals? Happy Halloween! More like this: Recharging in the sunshine state. My natural health care secrets. Gaia Bodywork PLLC is the private massage practice of Hillary Arrieta LMT040051 and is located in Richardson, TX. offering the best massage services in the area for pain and stress management. Visit Gaiabodywork.com for more information. There are simple things you can do everyday to keep yourself healthy. Here's a list of my all time favorite ways to stay out of the doctors office and have more time to devote to my life, instead of staying home sick. 1. Cleaning and exfoliating- Taking regular showers and exfoliating dead skin cells from your body with a luffa or scrub gloves (my favorite) washes away potentially harmful surface bacteria and increases blood and lymphatic circulation in your body. This is a pretty obvious way to stay healthy, but I wanted to mention it because it is probably the most important and easiest step to take in keeping healthy. Not only are you keeping yourself healthy, but you are also keeping others healthy by not spreading things like staph or gross E. Coli- yuck- 2. Vitamins, probiotics, & enzymes, Oh MY!- I take vitamins, probiotics, and digestive enzymes regularly to make sure I'm getting all my necessary nutrience and that my digestion stays on point. I believe that true health starts from there- and the older you get, the more outside assistance you need to make sure you can continue feeling youthful and confident. 3. Rest, Massage Therapy, Yoga, Acupuncture, and Chiropractic- When something comes up with my health, I try to use these four options first- then, I make a doctors appointment. If It can't be treated with a good nights sleep and massage or restorative yoga stretching doesn't work, I visit my acupuncturist. Because i believe that chiropractic is a little more invasive, I save that as my last option before a trip to the doctor- Of course if it's a bacterial infection- it's doctor time! I don't mess around with that. HA! 4. Exercise and a good diet- Everyone hates this advice (including me) but its 100% spot on. Finding an exercise that you like to do is a great way to ensure that you'll stick to it. I recently rediscovered how much I love to swim. I even taught myself how to do the flip turn when swimming laps! (FINALLY!) As far a keeping a good diet...well- I'm still working on that one. I've decided that it takes a whole lotta planning to make sure you- 1. Have the healthy food at home in your pantry and 2. Have the time, energy, AND desire to cook it... I loathe grocery shopping so #1 is rarely true at my house. Which brings me to #5.... 5. Organize your life and make your pleasures your priority. This may seem like a pie-in-the-sky idea for some but is extremely effective if you can manage it. Happy people have a regular schedule- they organize their activities, their homes, their cars- what ever. Maybe its creating a sense of control in a chaotic world, maybe it decreases the stress and tension of everyday aggravations "where are my dang keys." but it could allow you to schedule in things that make you happy- that bring quality to your life. When everything is organized, you have more time to do what you love. Like get a massage- from me :) QUESTION:: What do you do to keep yourself healthy? Tell me your secrets under the comments section- Gaia Bodywork PLLC is the private massage practice of Hillary Arrieta LMT and is located in Richardson, TX. offering the best massage services in the area for pain and stress management. Visit Gaiabodywork.com for more information. As a barefoot therapist, I get tons of people asking me how I keep my feet in such great condition. Clean, soft, and smooth feet are super important to me because I use them as massage tools so my feet have to be in tip top shape. Getting frequent pedicures really help to make sure everything is properly taken care of but daily care is a must. Besides wearing good shoes and avoiding situations where your feet can get rough or injured, I have a few suggestions for regular foot care. Scrubbing them every morning with a pumice stone only takes a few minuets, but makes a big impact on breaking down callous that forms on the ball of the foot or sides of the toes from everyday walking and shoes. My Mr. Pumice is truly fantastic and is my go to daily foot smoother. I also suggest their callous terminator If you really want to speed up the process. After cleaning and drying your tootsies, YOU MUST lotion them up! This is pretty important because dry feet can start to crack. It can be painful and not at all sanitary. I choose Lush's foot lotion because I love the natural stuff and its got arnica, one of my favorite pain relievers. My feet and legs tend to get sore from standing all day and from giving Ashiatsu sessions so this stuff really helps. I LOVE Lush's Happy feet gift set that they put out during the summer! It comes with a foot mask that deodorizes and smooths them, The lotion mentioned above, that is minty and has arnica to help with achy or soreness, a foot shaped scrub that leaves em' soft and smooth and a fun bath bomb. Plus, check out the super cute bandana! Feet with mustaches! What's NOT to LOVE! Not an everyday regimen but a fun treat! So those are just a few of my suggestions on how to keep your feet looking and smelling yummy this summer. QUESTIONS: Do you have any tips to share? Tell me how you care for your feet in the comments below. Gaia Bodywork PLLC is the private massage practice of Hillary Arrieta and is located in Richardson, Tx. Visit gaiabodywork.com for more information. Trust me, I know It's not fun to walk around in pain. I've learned over the years to help myself with some tools and tricks. I'm a pretty busy person so I picked up some quick exercises and tools to help me NOW instead of waiting for my bi-monthly massage sessions. Pairing these exercises with regular bodywork and yoga has kept me going strong. The GIANT Tuff ball is a God send! I use it to work out my forearms when I start feeling that tingling pain that I get from overuse. It also feels pretty awesome to stand at a wall and roll the ball down the sides of the spine. Try it out- Get the GIANT one! It's worth the 5 Bucks! Regular sized tennis balls are great to work out knots in the upper shoulders or to create a "noodle Ball" All you do is put six tennis balls in one of your husbands (or yours) tube socks. Tie a knot and...Wah lah! You have made yourself a mighty fine noodle ball. You can use it much like a foam roller but I find that it works wonderfully down the length of my spine or across my shoulder blades. Foam Rollers work magic on my legs! I can use them to roll out my quads, work in to my hammies, get in to my adductors and feel some serious heat in my IT band! This one is from wal-mart and is not too pricey. You can find some great videos on "How to" Check out YouTube or Pinterest for some good ones. Use a rolled up towel to stretch your pecs! You'll feel so much better by opening up your upper body and you may be able to prevent thoracic outlet syndrome and nasty nerve impingement s. Roll your towel and place it on the floor. Lay down and position the towel across your back where your bra line would be (guys, horizontally, just below the shoulder blades.) Lay back and put your arms out to the side, Palms up. Lay there and relax, maybe move your head around. That's it! SOOO easy. Cat pose for fore arm pain! Check out Yoga journal for the instructions. Try turning your wrists so that your fingers are pointing to your knees. This will stretch out your forearms and help with pain from overuse. Questions: What do you do for a sore body at the onset of pain? Tell me in the comments section of this blog! Gaia Bodywork PLLC is the private massage practice of Hillary Arrieta and is located in Richardson, Tx. Visit gaiabodywork.com for more information. 1. Start a daily meditation practice. Meditation is a great way to learn to relax and taking time out everyday to consciously calm the mind and body can be a rich and valuable skill. Create a space in your home or outside where you can go to tune in and watch your thoughts. Check out this How- to on meditation and look for upcoming meditation classes at gaia bodywork in the future. 2. Use hydrotherapy. Heat is naturally relaxing so find a microwavable neck pillow or hot pack and enjoy. Also sitting in a sauna or taking a hot shower before bed can help relax your tight and tense muscles. 3. Unplug yourself. It's really easy to get overwhelmed by technology with out even knowing it. Go take a walk in nature or get a hobby that doesn't involve being glued in to a device like an Ipod or a tablet. 4. Use aromatherapy. Therapeutic aromas can be a great way to relax or unwind- Try using a lavender body cream before bed or even before work. I LOVE these aromatherapy patches and have used them to get a better nights sleep. If you're not a lavender lover, there are many other Aromatherapy oils that aid in relaxation. Bergamot, Clary Sage, Roman Chamomile, Vetiver, Marjoram, Tangerine, Rose Absolute, & Geranium are good choices. 5. Keep your surroundings clean. It's very hard to clear your mind and relax your body when your surroundings are cluttered and unorganized. Cleaning and organizing your space is the first step to getting the rest of our life clean and organized and energetically allows for new habits and experiences to come your way. 6. Get out in nature. I love being outside hiking or just sitting under a tree looking out at the big sky and feeling small. It really puts things in to perspective forcing you to be more present in the moment instead of doing mind numbing activities like watching TV all day and the exercise you get from being active is a real stress buster. Fresh air always clears my mind and helps me get a good nights sleep. 7. Pet your furry friend. Did you know that pets can improve your mood? In a recent study they concluded that pets can help you control your blood pressure. They also provide companionship which lessens feelings of depression or loneliness and can encourage you to exercise. oh yeah, and who doesn't like unconditional love? Check out my favorite "furry friends" Moose and Winnie (as a baby) What do you do to relax at home? Let me know in the comments section! Thanks Gaia Bodywork PLLC is the private massage practice of Hillary Arrieta and is located in Richardson, Tx. Visit gaiabodywork.com for more information. When I was training to be a yoga Instructor, We talked a lot about Ayurveda ( Ayur- Life; Veda- Knowledge). This ancient form of medicine from India focuses on balancing the three doshas or constitutions that everyone is born with. If one or more of the doshas becomes out of balance, disease may occur. The doshas are called Vata, Pitta, & Kapha and each one corresponds to an earth element. Vata (Air) The Vata dosha controls all movement in the body. The Earth elements that correspond with vata are air and ether. The vata body is thin, prone to anxiety and/or nervousness, constipation, and dry skin. Pitta (Fire & Water)- The Pitta dosha is the energy of heat and metabolism. Earth elements that correspond with pitta are fire and water. The pitta body is medium build, prone to diseases processes of irritation/ inflammation, peptic ulcers, heartburn, and diarrhea. Kapha (Water & Earth)- The Kapha dosha is responsible for structure. Earth elements that correspond with kapha are earth and water. The kapha body is sturdy as these people are very grounded and very nurturing. They are prone to lethargy and obesity. Ayurveda is a complex system with many parts such as cleansing, diet, and plant based medicines given by an Ayurvedic doctor. In my practice, I offer a Shirodhara treatment that came from this ancient healing practice. You can read more about it here What's your dosha? Take the Joyful Belly Dosha Quiz Tell me what you discovered from taking the Quiz in the comments section of this blog!
I wanna know- What's YOUR dosha??? (I'm Pitta) Hippocrates, AKA The father of Western Medicine, was a Greek Physician who developed four "temperaments" that corresponded to body fluids that he felt contributed to different personality types (Blood, Yellow Bile, Black Bile and Phlegm.) While his theories may not have proven 100% true in every case, These Temperaments are used in modern day psychology to help us better understand ourselves. If you've ever taken the Myers-Briggs test or something similar, You'll see that they have developed it with the works of Hippocrates in mind. The Four Hippocratic Temperaments are: Phlegmatic, Melancholic, Sanguine, & Choleric. Phlegmatic Can Have A Round, Oval, Or Moon Shaped Face and the Lower Jaw May Be Large. A Phlegmatic maybe described as Having a Pear-Shaped Body. Personality Traits of a Phlegmatic are very Steady, Gentle, and Feminine. They Save for The Future, are Loyal, and can be Lazy and Inactive at times. Predispositions for the Phlegmatic: Depression and Obesity, Sluggish Circulation, & Constipation. Melancholics Have Triangular Faces, With Wide Foreheads and Brilliant Eyes. They Tend To Be Bony and Sometimes Fragile looking. They can to be Nervous, Intuitive, and Internalize pain and upsets. Melancholics are intelligent, Sensitive physically and Emotionally, and like to be challenged. Predispositions for the Melancholic: Anxiety, Infertility, Swelling, Arthritis Sanguine Temperaments Have Large Faces with High Cheek Bones. They can be stocky, Short and have well developed Muscles. They are Optimistic, Happy and Joyous. They Love to Talk About Their Feelings and Tell Stories. Nature is important to them and they hate to be confined to a small space. They can be vain and fall in and out of love quickly. Predispositions for the Sanguine: Over eating or Drinking, Cardiovascular Disease, Digestive Disorders. Choleric Faces are Square or rectangular. They Tend to be warm and hot in any season. Choleric s are athletic and have commanding personalities. They have a strong will power and can be very inspiring to others. Predispositions for the Choleric:Inflammation in the Joints, Liver Congestion, Rashes, Fevers Question: Which Temperament Best Describes you and Why? |
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Dallas Massage Blog is a written journal about Massage Therapy, Wellness, and Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage in the Dallas, Texas area. |