Archive for the ‘Stress & Relaxation’ Category

The Shoulder and Sleep

Monday, December 7th, 2009

As a massage therapist I often hear about the shall we say “side effects” of pain.    Some of the most predominant are lack of sleep, especially among those clients with significant shoulder pain.   You may be accustomed to sleeping on your side, either directly on the injured shoulder, or leaving the injured shoulder in a somewhat lax position at the top, either of which can cause severe pain.     Unfortunately, there’s no fantastic answer for instant sleep, especially when pain is an issue.   However, there are a few things you can do that may make your rest a bit easier.

Lots of pillows is one way to go.   gather all the pillows from around the house, the couch, guest bedroom, maybe even some of those giant stuffed animals you won for your sweetheart at the fair.  I know you’re not a bird, but the pillows are to make a nest of sorts.    Give yourself some support on both sides as well as the head and leave an area in the middle not too big but enough to “sink in”.    You may have to test your bedding a few times before you get it just right.

Another method a massage client in West Springfield recommended is to sleep in a reclining chair.    While it is not recommended for sleeping in on a regular basis.   The few days it may take your shoulder to get to a point where sleep is no longer difficult in your bed will be a relief compared to other seemingly futile attempts.

As I stated earlier, there’s no simple answer, but you may have to make some seemingly drastic changes in order to ease your night-time discomfort.     If you follow the advice of your massage therapist, and take care of yourself, you should be feeling much better in no time.

All that energy on Black Friday

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

So many people converging on buildings, seeking, acting out of giving, making efforts to better the lives of others. If all days could be like this. Although, I am talking about Black Friday so it’s a bit more loaded than that. At first glance that is what it is, and what some would like for it to be. What if we were like this every day, now that would really be Worth Something.

Gratitude Attitude

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

Lately, I’ve really begun to see the true power of gratitude.   Currently, things have been taking off and I think it’s mostly due to the fact that I started appreciating what I had a bit more.  ALL OF IT.   The stuff and things, my own idiosyncracies,  the idiosyncracies of others, my routine both yoga and life.

I’m discovering that the more I love it, the more that it loves me back.    Even to the point of asking for things and having them happen.    I know that you can find this from any number of self-help - change-your-life-in-one-simple-step gurus out there, but you know, the funny thing is that they’re right. No matter what voice or face you put to it, being thankful actually brings you more to be thankful for.

As yet untitled

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

Starting with the title, always seems to trip me up.  I just realized, how can I have a title without anything written on the page.  Am I like the yoga student who is very fixed on knowing the name of the pose without taking even one second to think about its shape.   Every yoga practitioner has done this by the way, whether the moment is long or short, you’ve been there.

Can this also be what happens in those moments of  [insert un-named emotion here].   There are many different ways our emotions present themselves.  Some have a tendency toward tears, while others need physical activity to “deal with their emotions”   No matter how you deal.  Whatever way that feels right to you is what you should do.  So long as it does not have a negative impact on the ones you love.

Poor ways of dealing with emotions are those that mask the emotion or create a sort of numbing effect.    Pacifying oneself for a time can be fine, however, it is all too often that one thing leads to another and in the words of Snow Patrol “..it’s not a party if it happens every night”      The obvious are choices that are found on A&Es show Intervention, alcohol, drugs, gambling.  The not-so-obvious choices are things like cutting (it’s not about the pain), shopping(not really about having things), binging (it’s not about the food - no matter what you do with it afer) and other food-focused issues.

If you see someone or know someone with these issues, the best thing you can do generally is to give them attention.   That’s it, your time, open your ears, go for a walk, play a game, reminisce;  talking to them about their problem will not help much in most cases, that is unless they begin the conversation.

Loved ones aside, lets get back to you and me.   Are you dealing with your emotions in a healthy way?  Are you trying to influence others to deal with their emotions like you?    As a great meditation teacher once told me “Focus Inward”    It truly is amazing how when we focus on ourselves, the world around us seems to change right along with us, perhaps not always in even steps, but you’ll start to notice a shift.

Restorative or Gentle?

Friday, February 27th, 2009

To some this may seem like potayto, potahto; however, these are ultimately different. Restorative Yoga generally refers to a class style which includes poses that are gentle and held for longer periods and performed with a keen focus on the nervous system.

Gentle yoga is typically the ultimate in beginner’s yoga. The poses can be performed by just about anyone, yes that means even you can do yoga.
The thought that yoga is a laborious endeavor that only includes lots of stretching and requires pretzel-like poses that make you say “Why would I want my body to DO that?”
If you’re interested in a more laid back yoga session look for these types of classes. Restorative, Gentle, and Svaroopa are all different classes that have all of the benefits of yoga.

Want Change?

Monday, January 19th, 2009

Can the positive shift keep going?   Yes we can and One Love are themes of president-elect Barrack Obama and hopefully the years ahead.

Looking at both, togetherness seems to be the bond that ties.    Can we get along?  Can we take the time to listen and give eachother time to express ourselves.   This may seem important to the country but it is also important on a more local level as well.   It starts at home.  We all need to feel like we matter.   To be unified we must first come to understand ourselves.   These two themes apply to self as much as they do to those around us.

Yes we can -  an affirmative approach and positive outlook can drive us to realize more than we may with the alternate view.   It’s easy to see the negative or reasons not to take action, but those views simply get in the way of action.    Defeat without even making an attempt.   Are you simply looking to reduce your effort?   Making attempts requires taking action.   It is much easier to sit back and say you can’t than it is to take the first step in achieving a goal.   Persistence pays off, trying once may fail, but it is the decision to try again that separates the big fish from the little.    In a study of high profile CEOs versus CEOs of lower performing companies, it was simply the number of decisions that were made that made a difference.   It was not that they were correct more often, but that they made more decisions that separated the great CEOs from everyone else.

One Love -     This too focuses on togetherness, however, love of self is truly important as well.    How you see yourself heavily influences your view of how the world sees you.     Perception is everything, if you see yourself as worthy of love or unworthy of love, you will be seen in that way.    Focus on your own view of yourself before taking the “judgment” of others too harshly.     There are many ways to achieve this, yoga, meditation, affirmations,  all of which can help you feel more connected to your own thoughts and therefore help you better connect with the world around you.