Client quote of the day

During the week we work like we're in control and at the end of the week we pray like we are in control. Amen to that!
That is why I became such addicted to yoga and massage. It gives me time to slow down and find out what it is like to relax and let go. We need to understand that we cannot control our situation at all times but we can control our reactions, thoughts and the way we live. Our choices and our thoughts are our lives. I found through yoga first what it was like to focus on one thing only and to let all the little irritations from the day just slip away. And then I discovered that massage does it better by giving me that free mind for many days after the massage. When the body feels good, so does the mind.

Another Great Detox Recipe

Cilantro Lime Hummus

Ingredients
2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
14 oz canned chickpeas, drained & rinsed
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup tahini
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro
Juice of 2 limes


Directions
Combine all ingredients into blender, except olive oil. Start to blend and add olive oil slowly. Add a little lime zest. That's it! Enjoy! Serve with corn tortilla chips or pita wedges.

Per two tablespoons: 94 calories, 8 g. fat, 1 g. sat. fat, 6.7 g. carbs, 1.4 g. fiber, 1.7 g. sugar, 2 g. protein

Massage Quote of the Day

Yesterday while I was giving a client a therapeutic massage, he let his true feelings about massage release. He suddenly bursted out during the session, "I don't know how I lived my life before massage!"
I often feel the same way after receiving a therapeutic massage. After the massage, my body floats to my car and away I go. Suddenly, my mind and body are at ease. Nothing can stir my mind at that point. But it's not the same day that is so wonderful, it's also the days following the massage. For example, Monday morning when I began to work I realized my neck and shoulders didn't hurt anymore. Then it occurred to me that I had just received a massage a few days earlier. The massage lasts for many days afer receiving the massage. I always repeat receiving the massage one to two days per month. Who would want to miss out on the most relaxing day of your life?

Yoga & Weight Loss

I have been into fitness since the day I was born. My family promoted physical fitness and trained my mind well to stick with it all of my life. People tend to think that people who participate in fitness have no trouble dealing with weight or eating habits. This has been a proven misconception in my lifetime of fitness. It wasn't until I started practicing yoga in 1999 that I began to feel better about food and body image. After the first year, I started wearing clothes that fit my body and didn't hang off of me. After two years my husband said,"I know why you are staying so thin. It's the yoga." I told him of course, he was nuts but later proven wrong. My food choices have become lighter. Sweets aren't so tempting and I am more mindful about how much I eat and what I put in my mouth in one sitting. I tend to snack all day because feeling full makes me feel sick. Now I need to tell my husband he was right. I have read studies that even the simplest yoga class can help a person maintain weight and increase their mindful eating habits. It is important to practice yoga regularly to gain this type if sense about your body. Regularly means at least 3 times a week or more.

Warm Asparagus & Courgette Salad Detox recipe con't

6-10 hazelnuts
250g (8oz) bunch of asparagus
1 large handful of salad leaves
½ large courgette
salt & black pepper

For the Dressing:
½ tsp Dijon mustard
½ tsp clear honey
juice of ½ small lemon
1 tsp olive oil

Chop the hazelnuts and then dry-roast them in a non-stick pan; when they start to smell toasted, remove the pan from the heat.
Fill a large pan with water and put it on to boil. Trim the woody ends from the asparagus and then discard them (they can go toward vegetable stock if you wish). Cut the remaining stems halfway along and put the thicker, lower halves into the boiling water for 3 minutes. Now add the rest of the asparagus to the pan of boiling water and cook for 2 minutes.
Make the dressing:
Whisk the mustard, honey, lemon juice and olive oil together until smooth. Arrange the salad leaves on a plate.
Meanwhile, make long strips of courgette with a potato peeler; discard any which are entirely peel and also get rid of the rather seedy core. Add the strips to the asparagus and cook for a further minute.
Drain and allow to cool briefly until the asparagus can be handled, and then arrange both the asparagus pieces and the courgette strips on top of the salad leaves. Whisk the dressing once more and drizzle it over everything, season with salt and black pepper and scatter the hazelnuts on top. Serve immediately.

Why get a massage?

If you'd like to get a massage, you first need to find a licensed or registered therapist. If it is your first massage, a licensed or registered therapist should be able to explain what you can expect. How can you tell if they are licensed or registered? Look for NCBTMB, NCTMB, LMT behind their name. If you see just Massage Therapist or CMT, be leery. They have limited education which leads to limited knowledge or skills. CMT means they are certified but, certification only means possibly 8 hours to 100 hours of training. It is important to know the muscular structure and function and also the physical body ailments.
I have an education in Radiography and Massage Therapy. My Anatomy and Physiology was studied in depth when I went to school for Radiography. I am so thankful for all the information that was taught to me because what I learned comes up a lot during an intake session in massage therapy.
Massage has many benefits with the biggest one being stress relief. Many of us are under stress in one way or another. Stress can create many issues with our body to include mental or physical pain. Mental pain can be felt in any area of the body and can deteriorate our health quickly as well as physical pain. It is important that we listen to our body during it's time of need. Getting a massage may seem expensive, but it is more expensive for surgery. There are some contradictions to massage so ask for physician if it is right for you.
I myself get a massage monthly for an hour and a half. If I feel I need more massage I go twice a month. I like to think I listen to my body. Don't let life get you down. Get a massage and practice yoga....

Thai Yoga Massage

Thai yoga massage was created based on historic Indian traditions. The session is a mix of stretches and acupressure massage which helps to promote the flow of energy in the body. Thai yoga massage is becoming more popular across the world.
Thai yoga aims to reduce blockages and promote healthy energy flow through gentle stretches, massage, and stimulation of central points of energy. Muscular blockages lead to insufficient energy levels and therefore health problems.
Thai yoga massage can last 60 to 90 minutes. It is a hands-on combination of gentle stretching and stimulating massage. The therapist leads the client through a slow, methodical process of breathing control, gentle stretching, and massage aimed at opening energy channels and stimulating muscular and nerve centers.
Christina has been practicing and training for two years. She plans to continue training this year and through 2011. She hopes to accumiulate more interest in Thai Yoga Massage as she feels it is beneficial for everyone just like yoga.
In Thai Massage, the client remains fully clothed in comfortable clothing that is not binding in any area of the body. This allows for full flow of energy through all of the centers. This is perfect for those who are uncomfortable undressing during traditional table massage.
In the end, the client will feel fully open and released from any muscular tension felt prior to the Thai Yoga Massage. There is about a 15 minute resting session in the end to fully relax the client and take them to a quiet place of meditation. It is the perfect end of a perfect session. Namaste'