Making Time

Originally, I thought it was due to Valentine's Day week - a busy time for MTs and spas. However, the more I looked at my schedule the more I realized that I had maybe added to much to my plate at some point and thus something needs to go. It's always difficult when you relaize that you need to give something up, however, the benefit - personal time or quality time at home can often far outweigh the scheduled activities and things you may feel need you. It's easy to forget that your needs are important and some things, activities, even work, can get in the way of your self. You forget that time is as important to you as it is to others - you deserve it. I'm working towards where exactly I will find this time or how I will go about reclaiming it. I do realize that I need it and if I were to continue without making a change, one day I'll just check out and I'll be moving through life a little more like a robot or zombie rather than being present and able to enjoy all that life has to offer.

Action versus Perfection

As a member of a group focussed on business building I am looking to the other members both for how to lessons and how to handle what may go wrong. I've been knowticing a strange trend, there are times when we do nothing because we can't take the time to make things perfect or we may not be the best at it. I rescently had a conversation with someone about "failing forward". If we learn best from the misstakes that we make - shouldn't we allow ourselves some mistakes. THings can be corrected, wrongs can be righted, with technology somethings will even correct themselves or catch our mistakes. "are you sure you want to delete" etc. It's sometimes not obvious why we hold ourselves back - our own feers, success, money, being the center of attention, et cetera et cetera. However, sometimes any sort of doing "taking action" can be a good thing no matter how bad we may think it appears. I love this topic and may return to it.

I may actually make corrections to this post.

Take Action

"An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea.”

Buddha quote

Hatching new plans

As I watched the end of the lunar eclipse - I thought of how it looked somewhat like a hatching -the moon shedding old skin to return even more bright than before. We have these opportunities - whether we choose to see them or not. To start fresh - aim to not respond to certain situations in the same way - try a new way. Be they - sweets, quarrels, traffic, and on and on.

I hope that I can give myself new beginnings and shine better than before and that I can have patience with others as they deal with their own new beginnings.

laugh therapy

“I want to be a race car passenger: just a guy who bugs the driver.

Say man, can I turn on the radio?

You should slow down.

Why do we gotta keep going in circles?

Can I put my feet out the window?

Man, you really like Tide...”


Mitch Hedberg, comedian

Patterns and Shifts

I feel as though I've been through some sort of tidal shift. I'm on the shore, walking along a familiar beach, but something is slightly different. There's either a little more water or a little more sand, but I"m nearly certain it's the same beach.

Time is now divided now nearly equally between my own practice, the spa, yoga and this other place - at least it feels that way. I think though, for the first time in a while the pattern has been able to surface, like the trail of the mussels in the sand as the tide pulls away. This pattern is sometimes equally as confusing as the pattern of the mussels - an erratic display if you've seen it. There may be something in the water. I'm just hoping that the pattern - whether it looks like a Rorschach test or something happy is oen that stays for a little while.

I could use something formulaic about now.

Recovery

As earlier stated Valentine's is quite a season - some nights I had 7 sessions - as the weekend came to a close I was seriously drained. The week ahead brought it's own difficulties - flat tire, finally spending some family time, and my part-time work. Sometimes recovery is something that needs to be scheduled too. I slept very well last night and intend on resting for most of the day today. It can be hard not to aim to "push through" and keep going. However, making efforts to "catch up" often fail. Sleeping longer on days off or otherwise shifting schedules sometimes do more harm than good. Resting and relaxing for a couple of days is one thing, but once you mess with your sleep/wake schedule forget about it, it will take more time to get back on track and in the meantime your body and mind will not be happy until they're on some semblance of a schedule.

Keep the rhythm but let the tempo drift.

Rest

He that can take rest is greater than he that can take cities

Benjamin Franklin

We now return to .... Lessons from Teach and The Salesman

There are some new faces - I'll just call the newest Teach and the oldest I'll call The Salesman. The Salesman has a sharp mind, though his body is not cooperating - Teach is nearly opposite. They would make quite the odd couple - although something should be said of their organizational skills - Note to Self : Keep things in order, it may assist in longevity.

The Salesman and I tend to repeat - almost to the point of having the same conversation - It's good, though, stability can be a blessing. Teach and I tend to have new experiences almost constantly, which can be taxing (on the both of us). I'm learning a lot from each of them. They are both fascinating and have a wealth of knowledge that they've had enough time to make concise. Each bit just as important, but more of a bulleted list that once was a book.

For Valentine's - repeat if neccesary

It's a busy time of year for massage therapists. Couples are making trips to the spa, getting and giving gift certificates and such. As our books fill up we wonder - Why can't every day be Valentine's Day? Clients often come in for their first massage or their yearly visit expecting at the very least relaxation and at the most extreme - a fix.

The expectation of relaxation is typically easily provided, although, some clients need more time than others to get to the point where they allow themselves to relax - there is a level of trust that needs to be considered. If you're seeing a professional therapist - you're more than likely in good hands - all you need to do is breathe - your therapist will do the rest (oh, you will probably need to turn over at some point). This is sometimes easier said than done, if you need to be reassured about your therapists level of expertise or what you need to do - ask questions - there are no bad questions - trust me, we here a lot of interesting questions.

If you're looking for a fix - think of rebooking. We'd like to perform miracles and do magical things but one session can simply lead toward the path to wellness. Book another session, especially if you feel a connection with the massage therapist. It took some time to get your body into a not-so-great state, it will take some time for your body to re-adjust and get to a state of wellness.

Celebrate often - you deserve it. The benefits will be tremendous.

Learn about Cold Laser Treatment

The Third Saturday @ Three Series is kicking off with a talk given by Dr. Anastacia Samson

She is the first Brimhall Certified Wellness chiropractic physician in Western MA to train with and use this safe and effective innovation in painless, non-invasive health care..

Join us for discussion, Q & A with Dr. A, and demonstration.

755 Grattan St. 2nd Floor
Exit 4 - 391 (chicopee falls)

Thanks

No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.
James Allen (1864 - 1912)

knowing too late

Recently, I was asked by a friend to make a donation of any sort for the daughter of one of his co-workers. They were putting together a fundraiser as medical bills were piling up. I also contacted friends of mine, who, as it turned out, had closer connections to her and told me stories of someone I wish I had met or at least seen.

From what I've heard she had an amazing gift for dance that she shared with the world - teaching others and traveling to perform throughout the area.

I am glad I was able to collect gift certificates from other local businesses and also that I had the opportunity - albeit too late - to have my life touched by her amazing spirit.

If possible, please click on either of the above links to purchase a video or send a donation to the address given at her site. It also shows the love she had for her craft and how much she shared it with others.

Love

"You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection."

-Buddha

Yoga's Restorative Power

I attended two wonderful yoga classes today. I've been in a very transitional place with yoga as of late. The undertaking of a teacher training program put me into a sort of spell within myself. The original intention was - to expand my knowledge of yoga, as I find that postures can be effective for my massage clients - because I am a big advocate for yoga practice and for stretches that can help with their particular issues.
Somewhere along the way this original intention transformed me into a yogi I'm not quite ready to be, attempting poses and pushing myself a little further than my body was telling me I should. After some discussion with my teacher and much inner contemplation I am working my way through this problem and for the first time in awhile I took a yoga class with fresh eyes. I'm hoping I can continue working more in tune with my body - as this is also something I encourage clients to do.

Mandala Massage - South Deerfield

A quiet demeanor and brilliant smile that shows true joy, being in the presence of Maryam has a calming effect. She attended STCC - an intensive two year program from what I've heard and has since worked in a variety of settings - spa, chiropractic office, and on and on. I work with Maryam at Paradise Spa and her dedication to each client's needs is always evident. She has a knack for looking at the whole person beyond superficial appearances and assisting each individual achieve balance in energy, mind and body. She has quite a bit of information on her website about her background, massage sessions, and what she has to offer. After seeing her site, it will be obvious that Mandala Massage fits her well. If you're in or near South Deerfield, I highly recommend seeking her out for a session.

Radical Idea - promote others

I realize that I am not the only massage therapist in the world - especially since I live in a relative hub of bodywork and complementary therapies.

My radical idea is to promote as many of these people(bodyworkers) as I come into contact with - many will be posted here, some will make it to my links page . Those local to me may get some sort of review or synopsis of my interaction with them while those further away may receive praise or recommendations regarding their website.

I hope to keep this venture informative and broaden the reach as time goes on. I will allow comments throughout, mostly to keep myself in check. Anything inappropriate will be deleted.

That's is - shameless promotion of other people in my profession - strengths, background, their ideal client-type. Can't make any promises, but if I do one or two a week, I would still need a year and that wouldn't even get me through everyone in Northampton.

Musselman's - the great misnomer

I learned a valuable lesson today about the connection between the energy needed when you ask your body to do things and the food you choose to eat. I love my Flow class, flow as in yoga in continuous movement, I take this class every Tuesday. Typically, I try to have at least a small meal an hour and a half before class. Today however, I had a little something maybe 6 hours before class and apple sauce thinking I should eat something just before getting in the car.

Nutritional value of apple sauce aside - it wasn't quite enough. My stamina and strength were really low throughout the class - I think I would have preffered to have stayed in downward facing dog for most of it. Mama decided that we needed more triangles and warriors and parsvos - I won't get in to the chattaranga sequence at the end.

Honestly, I loved the sequence and the underlying challenge that comes along with every yoga class. I just thought after a very wonderful savasana - I should have had something a bit more substantial than apple sauce.