 My jaw was killing me and I needed a solution fast...It was 2004 and as an enthusiastic, newbie massage therapist I immediately started to look for holistic therapies that could give me the relief that I needed. When I was in massage therapy school, I worked for a beauty company in the mall with an Ayurvedic theme. Referred to as the science of life, Ayurveda describes a holistic, folkloric, natural healing framework from India for a healthy lifestyle. I was exposed to a lot of wellness treatments and protocols during my time there. I learned about some Ayurvedic treatments that focused on the head and face so I started to do a search in my area for Shirodhara which was the first treatment that caught my eye. Heated oil passing through a beautiful copper vessel onto my forehead, into my scalp, it sounded like a dream. Especially with the tension building up in my face and jaw. I imagined this treatment to have the most amazing massage associated with it and luckily I was right. Enter Indian head massage or Shiroabhyanga You might be wondering ...What is Indian head massage?
Indian head massage is a folk tradition still practiced by many Indian families today. It’s also been introduced as a professional, natural healing massage modality or style of massage. IHM is very popular in the UK and of course in India, where it originates. The US has been slow to catch on but Americans are taking notice of this therapeutic bliss! One of the things that I love most about Indian head massage is it’s sweet origin. It was originally a family tradition in India, where Indian mothers would nurture their children and family members with a frequent head and scalp massage with the intention of passing on the many health benefits as well as to help keep their hair and scalp strong and healthy. It’s what I like to call, the people’s medicine. Things people did instinctually, wisdom passed down from their mothers, and as communities to stay well before they looked to doctors to tell them how to be healthy. It’s so inspiring to me! However, It was a man from India who popularized it in the UK during the 1970s while studying to be a physiotherapist. His name is Dr. Narendra Mehta. He started to miss having the benefits of his weekly head massage and he wanted to share the therapeutic properties that it provides. He named it Champissage and expanded it into a softer touch, and more Western-friendly protocol. It’s taught to massage therapists, barbers, and stylists all over the world today and has become a beloved way to rejuvenate during a haircut, get gorgeous at a beauty salon, or relax during a professional massage. The therapeutic effects of this massage can get a little complicated when we start to look at all the physiological benefits of blood circulation, the effects that massage has on the lymphatic system, muscles and bones, the skin and hair, as well as our body’s stress response / nervous system. So in a nutshell, the benefits of Indian head massage include:
Have you tried Indian head massage? Give your impressions in the comments sections!
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 Cold and damp seasonal changes are making me feel "off" today... I needed something warm and spicy this afternoon as I was working on scheduling and completing some of the tasks on my ever growing "to do" list so I decided to make a yummy cup of spicy chai. I adapted mine from the Herbal Academy's immune boosting chai recipe. You can read it here. Chai means tea and is a beloved drink from India. Traditionally, it's made by boiling tea leaves, spices, milk, and sugar. It's such a treat! I used almond milk and raw honey but you can use anything that you want. Making tea is creative! Many of the spices in this tea are perfect for me and some of my all time favorites but you can sub other herbs and spices that you love. Okay... Let's make some Chai!Ingredients1 1/2 – 2 cups water 6 black peppercorns, crushed 4 cardamom pods, crushed 2 cloves, ground or crushed 1 slice fresh ginger, minced - (oops! I originally forgot to add this but it was still excellent!) Two cinnamon sticks 1 teaspoon dried orange peel 1/2 – 1 cup almond milk 1 tablespoon loose black tea (or two tea bags) Raw honey, to taste (optional) Directions
Did you try this recipe? Let me know how it came out in the comments.Five things every client can do to make scheduling a massage appointment at Gaia Bodywork a breeze.2/28/2019  Lately, I've noticed that my appointment book has been getting especially full since I started teaching more continuing Education and community workshops here at Gaia Bodywork. These are all good things, but to help those who are having difficulty scheduling massages, I decided to break down some easy booking tips for those who might be a little confused by the limited openings on my massage scheduling book.
 By Hillary Arrieta Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by all the things you need to do for the upcoming year that you don't know where to start? Or have been so excited about a new project, only to burn out in a few months (or weeks?) and throw in the towel? If this sounds familiar, It's because you're not alone. In this blog post, I'm sharing with you exactly how I start my year on the right foot. A few years ago, I overdid it... I was so pumped to get to the next level in my career that I signed up to do everything. A creative business plan PROJECT ( boy, was it!), Business and financial coaching sessions with not one but TWO coaches, and an even bigger business coaching project with Marie Forleo and her B-School program. What was I thinking?! My heart was in the right place but I should have known better. Most of the time, in my personal experience more is not better...UNLESS it's chocolate! My "gung ho" approach totally backfired, and by March I was braindead and tired of anything that had to do with business planning. All I wanted to do was take a nap...and then do what I love, work with my clients and forget about implementing anything I had planned. You don't have to own a business to get value from my New Year ritual... Here's what I do differently. I plan to take the first week of January to review my previous year. I go through it all, my numbers, my experiences, things I felt, new things I learned. I do this and usually find that my year was INCREDIBLE. It's mind-blowing how much we do and experience in just 365 days! Our experiences deserve this time of reflection and honor. This is life! I make sure to write down (very important) what I accomplished and where I fell short. I see how the steps I took either helped or hindered. Next, I write a note to myself about what I need to let go to be able to move forward in the new year. Frustrations, challenges, and resentments that are holding me back and keeping me from being the human I want to be. For me, all of that has to go. I’ve got stuff to do! Then I write down everything I'm grateful for and list my personal and career goals. I might go through and edit the list down to a few things that are top priority and write about WHY I want these goals and what my life would be like if I actually accomplished them. I like to choose a few goals that are easy to complete and write out a schedule to complete them fast - which gives me the motivation to keep going when I see things get completed! I take another week to research the things I want and need to learn in the new year. Usually, by the fourth quarter of the previous year, I've already decided what direction I'm going so some of this is already in place. Now, It's time to get stuff on the calendar. I schedule things, buy the books, put down deposits on classes, book travel, and get ready to make it happen. And then I come up with my wellness plan. A daily, weekly, monthly and seasonal plan on how I’m going to care for myself mentally and physically. This is a plan includes full of action steps to take when I am overwhelmed, anxious, unwell, and generally feeling like things are just not working out. I know, it sounds like a lot but when I take the time to do this, I feel supported. I feel like I’m committed to moving towards a better future and it gives me a clearer lens to see the meaning of and give reverence to my life. Now it's your turn! Leave a comment and tell me if you create a plan to make your future brighter? And what are some of your personal rituals that make you feel supported? I'm wishing you health, wealth, and happiness in the new year!  My first class teaching Ashiatsu was so much fun!By Hillary Arrieta This year I joined the teaching crew at the Center for barefoot massage! I've been in a teacher training program since January and I've learned SO MUCH this year. Even though I've already trained for years in this technique, I can see how I've barely scratched the surface. There's so much to know, refine, and refresh. I think that is why I am so drawn to this massage - and massage therapy in general. I've been truly lucky to have such amazing mentors and now students who teach me so much about my work. Yes, I'm the one teaching but it's incredible how much I also learn. September was my final teacher evaluation in the teacher training program and I had it in my brand new teaching studio. It's small but MIGHTY!! I'm so grateful to the students who challenged themselves physically and mentally through this three day workshop to learn or fine tune their skills. Also, I'm so thankful for my teacher, Jeni Spring who flew up here from San Antonio to make me first class a success. I couldn't have done it without her guidance. I'll be teaching a semi-monthly FUNdamentals class for 2018 and I'll be adding some new barefoot massage modalities and workshops to the training schedule in 2019. I've been wanting to bring more barefoot massage to Dallas and to the North Texas area for a long time and it's finally happening. Trainings are open to any licensed massage therapist. Find out more at on our Texas Ashiatsu training website. Enjoy some pictures from the workshop!
 Are you traveling to Dallas to take your Barefoot Ashiatsu massage class with Hillary? Consider this your "insiders guide" to the Big D.Training Location 213 Glenbrook Dr. Garland Texas75040 I ask that you don't arrive any earlier than 8:45 AM the mornings of the training, but don't be late! The class starts on time at 9:00 AM each morning and ends at 6:00 PM. We have so much to cover during our time together, so don't be late Accommodations: Choose hotels off PGB tollway (190) for best experience. Holiday Inn Garland TRU by Hilton Garland | Richardson or Airbnb options in zip code 75040 like this place...it’s super close to the studio https://abnb.me/ZxKEK5AA0gb Another option that many have enjoyed is to visit the Korean style saunas in the Dallas area, the King Spa and the Spa Castle. Please note: These are not close to the studio and also not high-end day spas but traditional style bathhouses. If you love trying something new, these are great to experience. They are open 24 hours a day, and some students even stay overnight. Buying a pass (Pro tip: check Groupon!) will give you 24-hour access to the lockers, hydrotherapy tubs, pools, spa/saunas. Check it out! Spa Castle has a hotel on site. Coffee + eats The Downtown Garland square has a great coffee shop and you'll find delicious lunch and dinner options. See the sights Any Dallas fans? Check out South Fork Ranch. It's about East of us in Parker, Texas. The local brewery is a short walk away with live music (many of the places off the Downtown square have live music.) Take the nearby DART rail to Downtown Dallas, Klyde Warren Park, Uptown, Lower Greenville and Deep Ellum for city nightlife. More Questions? Look over our foot notes first! (https://barefootmassagecenter.com/footnotes/ ) if your questions are still unanswered, send me an email at hillary@barefootmassagecenter.com Directions to the studio.If you're flying, I suggest flying in to Love Field airport. It is possible to take the DART light rail from a nearby station to a nearby station in Garland but it may take a long time. I'll do a test run and update this blog but for now just keep that in mind. From Love Field, take the Dallas North Tollway (North) to George Bush Turnpike towards Garland, Exit Lavon Dr. and head four miles in to Glenbrook Dr. Go North and we are two blocks down in the yellow house on the left across from the Garland utilities building. More Questions? Look over our foot notes first! (https://barefootmassagecenter.com/footnotes/ ) if your questions are still unanswered, send me an email at hillary@barefootmassagecenter.com See you soon!   Herbal Healing Salves with CBD isolate pack a major punch against inflammation.By Hillary Arrieta Dreaming up a superior herbal product that could help my clients with some of their most common complaints, and also delighted their senses was my goal! As a massage therapist, aromatherapist, and herbalist, I've been dreaming about creating a product for many years that could help my clients with their muscle, joint, and nerve pain. During my herbal training, I discovered fantastic infused oils and botanicals that inspired me to create these three formulas, which help address many of the common issues for which my clients are seeking help. While Hemp CBD is an exciting ingredient to share, I'm most excited about the way these ingredients work together in harmony from the botanical infusions, to the pure essential oils, to the healing carrier oils and the CBD isolate. These one ounce salves are small but mighty! Herbal Healing Salves with Hemp CBD isolate pack a major punch against inflammation. Each formula is handcrafted in small batches. Cooling + Circulating I love this combination of herbal botanicals. Arnica Montana, St. John's Wort, and Calendula flowers have been used traditionally for helping with both acute and chronic pain. The essential oils work in synergy to help cool and soothe. Warming + Circulating This balm acts similarly but opposite to the cooling salve. Arnica Montana, St. John's wort, and Calendula flowers are praised in the herbal world for helping with both acute and chronic pain. The essential oils work in synergy to help warm and move circulation and stagnation. Arnica Healing Salve { Lavender + Peppermint} Arnica Montana is a great anti-inflammatory flowering herb, and works well combined with Hemp CBD isolate and pure essential oils of Lavender and Peppermint. I see this as a great overall wellness balm. What is CBD? CBD stands for cannabidiol, a naturally occurring compound found in the cannabis plant. CBD has been valued for being non-psychoactive with promising medicinal effects. From a 2013 review in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, CBD has a wide range of medical benefits. The ones that inspired me to create herbal balms containing this compound are:
What is the difference between marijuana and hemp products? There are many difference between hemp and marijuana products, but the greatest difference is their breeding, based upon how the cultivators plan to use it. My healing salves contain an isolated CBD compound derived from Hemp, which contain zero percent of THC (the psychoactive compound in marijuana that causes the “high” feeling.) Hemp and marijuana are closely related, but, marijuana is for medicinal and recreational use, while hemp is grown and farmed for a much broader use. In fact, hemp has many practical uses, such as cooking oils, nutritional supplements, paper, concrete (called hempcrete), and several variations of fiber materials. Can I use your healing salve without a prescription? Yes, my salves are not considered a medical product so there’s no need for a prescription. They are handmade with botanicals, Hemp CBD isolate, pure essential oils, and carrier oils to support your health and well-being. Hemp is very different from marijuana. The Healing Salves
I love hearing about how people are enjoying their salves!
 Cupping therapy is coming to Gaia Bodywork this fall. I’ve been working with this new technique and I am loving the results and feedback I'm getting from clients. They're saying great stuff! One of the best comments that a client shared was that he felt like the relief from muscular tension and other positive effects of the massage were lasting longer. So far I've only been using my silicon styled cups on long-time clients. I'm excited to get all of my cups going soon! I'll be offering full cupping sessions as well as cupping in specific areas during regular massage sessions. I'm also working on a new signature wellness package that combines barefoot bar therapy and cupping so I can smoosh and compress everything with Ashiatsu and then lift the tissues up with cupping. I'm absolutely loving the opportunity to play with these two opposite techniques. Cupping is one of the oldest, and most widely used wellness treatments in human history. You can find evidence of cupping therapy in some variation in most cultures around the world. Ancient cultures would use anything from bamboo cups to animal horns to gourds in order to create therapeutic suction. It wasn't until the late 1800s when the westernized medical community considered cupping to be "folk medicine" and beneath the new medical paradigm. How does cupping therapy work? Cupping works by creating negative pressure (suction) above the surface of the tissues, the decrease in atmospheric pressure allows the tissues below to be lifted upwards, increasing the space for the underlying structures to move into better alignment. Myofascial release techniques and manual lymphatic drainage is easy to accomplish with cupping therapy. The suction in cupping rapidly releases tight and rigid soft tissue by pulling it up and away from underlying structures and loosening areas of restriction or adhesions. Are the cupping marks left after a session harmful? Marks left on the body after cupping session are not harmful. The Western term for cupping discoloration is petechia. While they may look like bruises, they're areas under the suction cup where minor, superficial capillaries have broken, bringing fresh blood to the local area. They don't hurt and they have a different healing process then a bruise from an injury. Many times the cupping marks will go away immediately but they can last up to two weeks. There are a few reasons why you might “mark up”’during a cupping session. Some reasons could be the presence of scar tissue from a past injury in the local suctioned area, tissue adhesions, and stagnant blood or body fluids. As you continue to get treatments, it's common to stop experiencing discoloration all together. List of therapeutic benefits of cupping.
Cupping therapy is very beneficial for many conditions such as poor circulation, swelling/edema, sports injuries, high blood pressure, sciatica, anxiety, nervous tension, chronic headaches, fibromyalgia and many more! Truly, the list goes on and on. Who should avoid cupping therapy? Cupping is contraindicated in cases of severe diseases like cardiac failure, renal failure, and severe edema. This is also true for diseases such as hemophilia and leukemia, and clients with dermatitis or allergic dermatitis. Cupping should not be applied on the area where hernia exists or has occurred in the past. For pregnant women, some areas of the body are contraindicated. Also, women should not start cupping therapy treatments during their first trimester but are fine to continue treatments in their first trimester if they've had cupping sessions regularly before getting pregnant. Some clients have asked if they can cupp themselves at home ao it's good to mention here that while there are great benefits to cupping therapy, there are some adverse effects as well which is why cupping is not a good DIY option. Cupping should be done by someone who has had some formal training or experience. Jerome Matthews, a certified cupping educator at International cupping therapy associations mentions this on facebook. “People need to know that there are several areas on the body that if cupped, can cause serious harm. Possibilities include interfering with blood flow, damaging nerves, tearing lymphatic webbing, tearing moles or skin tags, making various skin conditions worse (the list goes on). Also, if used with inappropriate pressure and/or left on the body for an inappropriate amount of time, severe blistering is possible. There are also many other health conditions that could be negatively impacted by cupping, which you as a trained professional are aware of. People really need to see a qualified practitioner to avoid the possibility of injuring themselves!”  Have you tried cupping? Share your experiences in the comments section of this blog and let us know your thoughts! AuthorHi! I’m Hillary Arrieta and I help people improve their lives by offering holistic solutions to ease stress, eliminate pain, and inspire self care practices. I own Gaia Bodywork in Richardson, TX.  Have you been considering Reiki training but don't know where to start or what to expect? Maybe you've taken Reiki in the past but it's been a long time and you need to refresh your memory and skills. Also, you might be looking for more guidance and support after your classes. Great news! You've come to the right place. I've got plenty of options for Reiki practitioners at all stages of training. In order to get off to the right start, I require a pre-class preparation appointment. This is a MUST whether you're taking private training or a group workshop. During this 90-minute appointment, you will have one on one question/answer time and will receive a full Reiki session with a special healing attunement and a Reiki blessing (Reiju.) You will get preparation details and a full understanding of the Reiki attunement process. By the end of the session, You will be fully prepared to sign up for a workshop. Pre-class Preparation Appointment. *Required* Email to set up pre-class appointment | Purchase pre-class appointment Reiki Level One class is the beginners course. Level one will teach you the very basics of using reiki therapy for yourself, your family and friends, your favorite animals, and professional clients. Hand placements with focused intentions effectively help you care for those who trust you with their well-being. Relaxing, non-intrusive touch can now be offered as a tool to self soothe or help others towards their health and wellness goals. Email for the latest Reiki One Class Schedule or Set Up Private Instruction. The Reiki Level Two workshop is the intermediate course and dives deeper into the Metaphysical side of the Usui reiki system. Here we learn the three Reiki symbols, which helps us focus while working with clients specific intentions. We learn other methods of using reiki and some treatment protocols for specific intentions. This class also includes hands-on time to hone your skills. Email for the latest Reiki Two Class Schedule or set up private instruction. The Reiki Master workshop is an option once students have completed level one and two and have finished all of the required reading, practice sessions, and have attended required reiki share and fellowship events. Students become the teachers and learn the master symbols, how to teach the curriculum, how to do master healing attunements, and how to attune others to Reiki energy. Email for the latest Reiki Master Workshop Schedule or set up private instruction. Before you take the leap into reiki training, you might be wondering how you are supported and empowered as a student after you've taken your trainings which is a common question for those who really want to make reiki a priority or part of a successful career in holistic wellness and natural health. Additionally, as your Reiki Master, I offer one-on-one trainings for practitioners to get detailed feedback, as well as monthly Reiki meet-ups (which we call shares.) #DallasReikiCollective Your Reiki Master || Hillary ArrietaHi! I’m Hillary Arrieta and I help people improve their lives by offering holistic solutions to ease stress, eliminate pain, and inspire self care practices. I own Gaia Bodywork in Richardson, TX.  By Hillary Arrieta, LMT, MTI, and Certified Aromatherapist. It's summer and I absolutely love walking and hiking in nature on warm, dry days. If it were up to me, I'd probably spend most of my time outdoors. However, mosquitoes are a problem everywhere you go. Sometimes these Texas summers require early morning or evening hikes, which can be an issue because those are the times of the day when they are the most active. A few years back, I was at an outdoor meditation retreat where I forgot about these pesky and unrelenting creatures. I came away with welts that were so itchy and miserable that I decided to blend something that could take the sting out and give me some relief. This aromatherapy recipe worked like a charm! I make sure to always have some of it handy for the summertime. For this recipe, you will need to gather essential oils of: 4 drops Spike Lavender (Lavandula latifolia) 4 drops Blue Tansy (Tanacetum annuum) 2 drops of Tulsi (holy basil) (Ocimum sanctum ct eugenol) 3 drops of Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) (1) One ounce PET plastic flip top bottle. Carrier options: One ounce of any of the following: Organic, unscented lotion, aloe vera juice (a nice and cooling option), or your choice of organic, cold pressed seed or vegetable oil. Fill the bottle almost to the top with your carrier product. Drop by drop, add your essential oils. Shake to mix and apply to the itchy bites as needed. Avoid the area if the skin is broken and/or bleeding. Pro tip: Add your blend to a glass roller bottle for on-the-go convenience. I find glass roller-ball bottles at Natural grocers for a very reasonable price. If you don't have any of this stuff and aren't interested in blending oils at all, try an old folk remedy of using a banana peel! Just peel the banana and place the inside part of the peel on the bites. That should ease the itch. If you tried this recipe, Leave your results in the comments section! I'd love to hear how it worked for you. AuthorHi! I’m Hillary Arrieta and I help people improve their lives by offering holistic solutions to ease stress, eliminate pain, and inspire self care practices. I own Gaia Bodywork in Richardson, TX. and specialize in unique and effective massage and meditation techniques such as ashiatsu Barefoot Bar Therapy and iRest® Yoga Nidra. Gaia Bodywork PLLC offers the Best Massage and ashiatsu in the Dallas area for pain and stress management. |
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