Monday, November 2, 2009

Heat & Massage

I recently have started to add heat to my massages. I have found that heat opens the muscles and relaxes the joints, which helps to penetrate the tissue more easily and leaves clients less sore from deep tissue work.
Most clients have felt the benefits of the heat immediately after the massage. The heat helps the relaxation process and destresses the muscular tissue prior to the massage. The benefit of the massage is therefore much more increased.
I also would like to mention that I still practice heated stone massage. The body is first warmed with the stones and then a deep tissue massage is performed to the heated part of the body.
Whether you come in for heated stone or just massage, you can have heat either way!
Hope to see you soon....

Yoga Therapy in New Jersey

In September, I had the opportunity to fly to New Jersey for a Yoga Therapy: Iyengar Yoga training. This training was to further educate my training I took in the spring in Yoga Therapy.
Yoga Therapy is a one-on-one session with Christina. A series of props will be used to allow the body to feel the full benefits of each pose. There will be poses that use strength and poses that allow for relaxation. All the poses will open tight, stressed muscles that need to be released. This modality has been known to treat many types of issues that we have with our body. Yoga Therapy is currently being offered at the low price of $43.00 for 1.5 hours of therapy.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Fitness class success

During my journey of owning this business, I have seen many fitness students come and go. I often wonder how well I am teaching and how much my teaching is helping my students. During this summer of 2009, I have seen many successful students. The ones I have seen the most successful are the students who pay the monthly fee and attend many classes per week. I also like to recommend that they not only do yoga, but join the strength and tone classes also. There are many benefits in attending both classes.
Now that fall is upon us, I hope to see returning students as well as new students who are committed to their health and well-being. Let's make a success out of being healthy! Namaste'

How I Healed My Shoulder Injury

In March 2009, we went to Jackson Hole skiing. I took a plunge and fell hard on my left shoulder. The next day I could barely lift my arm. A few days later, I returned to work not knowing if I could work or not. It was difficult for me to do some yoga poses and stretches, but I did them anyway. I just tryed my best to not go past my limitations. As far as massage went, the injury didn't affect that at all. It was the yoga that was more difficult to do. I kept it up no matter how much my shoulder hurt. Sometimes it would hurt more after practicing yoga. I just tollerated it and today I have very little pain and limitation in my left shoulder. My main goal in healing was not to let it get stiff. In my profession, I see too many people trying to protect their shoulder after an injury and it only leads to stiffness. I have seen that to be worse than the original injury. I also did my best to keep it strong. Teaching the strength and tone classes was very helpful. Combining them with yoga was the best medicine I could get for my shoulder...and it was very affordable ;o)

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Deep Tissue Massage

I recently went to a deep tissue massage training. The reason why I went was because I felt that there is a lot of confusion out there about what deep tissue massage is. If there was another way of performing deep tissue massage, I wanted to learn it. After the training, I realized that I was already performing deep tissue massage.
Deep Tissue Massage is not an aggressive type of massage. It should not damage tissue or cause bruising. It should be done with ease and patience. It is a gentle procedure that quietly relieves any muscle tension in the body.
I feel that I can ease most muscle tension in the body. Massage should be done with the understanding of patience. Take into consideration how long it took for the body to become stressed and then consider how long it may take to relax the tension. That is the reason massage should be done on a regular basis and not when a person feels they need it. A good maitenance program never hurt anyone. It costs less to get a massage then to see a medical provider...

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Yoga Therapy

I recently returned from my Yoga Therapy training and I am anxious to share my experience with you. I am also hungry for more information in Yoga Therapy. Learning is a never-ending journey. When you think you know it all, you learn more!
Yoga Therapy has been designed to bring together mind/body practices tailored to the health needs of the individual.. Through postural and breathing exercises, to deep relaxation and mediation, it helps to promote positive health and assist in particular medical conditions. It is appropriate for many chronic conditions that persist after having conventional medical treatment.
Yoga Therapy is not performed in a class setting but is a one on one treatment plan. The body is assessed and the client will be given a series of yoga poses and relaxation techniques to restore the body back to its natural health. The treatment plan is achieved through self discipline and perseverance.
Anyone interested in trying the treatment plan should contact me with any questions. I would love to work with many of you on freeing your body from its muscular prison.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Spring Detox

In April I decided I wanted to do a complete body detox. I found a kit at the local Food Coop and decided to try it. I also felt that in order to do a complete detox, my diet also needed some adjusting. I committed myself to a diet of fruits, vegetable, nuts, cheese and eggs. After I was on the program a few days, I couldn't believe how good I felt. After the first week I went for my 1.5 hour massage. I thought the massage was perfect timing since massage also helps to detox the body. There are many benefits to massage that many people cannot see or feel. I would like to list a few of them for you: Enhances immunity by stimulating lymph flow; Promotes tissue regeneration; pumps oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation; Improves the condition of the body's largest organ--the skin.; increases joint flexibility; releases endorphins, the body's natural pain-killer. I could go on and on but I will stop right there. If anyone can think of anything else, please add to my list.
It is healthy to detox the body with the changing seasons. There are many different toxins that enter our bodies with each season that we are not aware of. There are many different kinds of detox programs to choose one. Do your research and find that one that fits your lifestyle the best. Good luck and stay healthy!

Hip Hop Hustle Training

On May 8th I travelled to Milwaukee for a Hip Hop Hustle training. The reason why I chose this training was to receive CEU's for my personal training certification and also learn hip hop. I am interested in starting a new Yoga class called Hip Hop Yoga. I will need some time to practice hip hop and decide how I can integrate the two together. I would always appreciate any feed-back from anyone who has any idea on integrating the two together. I enjoyed hip hop and felt that it was very simple and easy to learn. There were not too many difficult moves. I found myself doing many moves that I was familiar with. I felt this is a type of dance anyone could participate in. I had a great time and I am excited to share my new class with everyone. Be prepared to have a great time!

Monday, April 27, 2009

Weekend Workshop

This past weekends workshops were well attended and we had a lot of fun! Shakti Yoga is absolutely the funnest yoga I have done yet. It's creative and designed so anyone can do it. After Christina took her first workshop on Shakti Yoga in Minneapolis, she knew she had to share it with the world because it is so fun and easy to do!
Restorative Yoga is the perfect follow-up to Shakti Yoga. The reason I say this is because Shakti is fun and invigorating and Resorative Yoga will restore the body back to its normal rythym and re-open any muscles that find it hard to relax.
We will offer more workshops in the fall when everyone's life slows down again. Ha ha ha! Like that will happen;o)
Hope to see you in the next workshop!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Yoga Journal Conference

I recently attended the Yoga Journal Conference and found it to be educational and informational. I learned new ways to practice Thai Massage and how to teach yoga safely for all students from beginners to advanced. I am anxious to show you all my new skills!
Last year, 2008, Kelly and I took a journey to Minneapolis to the Yoga Center. We attended three workshops to help us learn more about what we could offer our students. The workshops were on Kundilini Yoga, Restorative Yoga and Shakti Yoga. On the way home Kelly suggested we try to offer workshops. She was also excited about teaching Restorative Yoga. Christina was excited about teaching Shakti Yoga. Since then, we have put together classes and workshops on both entities. Kelly set out to learn Restorative Yoga through studying DVD's and books and Christina traveled to Minneapolis in January and February to learn Shakti Yoga. We have offered three workshops to try to introduce the new things we have learned.
It has been a very exciting journey for both of us and we hope you have all enjoyed what we have learned. We will continue to offer new and exciting things as the years pass.
Christina is already planning her trainings for the year and she will keep you posted as she attends them all.