Birthday Bliss

The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.

Oprah Winfrey

Just a few places that believe in celebrating your birthday with you - contact them for more details on how they wish you many happy returns through discounts and give - a - ways!

Shared Learning - Karina Braun

I came across this article about self care as a massage therapist. It gives therapists a helpful angle to how we should view the work that we do, and how to take care of ourselves while we do it!

Think Like an Athlete

Think of yourself as an athlete. Manual therapy demands skill, strength and endurance, just like a track and-field runner or baseball player. The symptoms of overtraining include fatigue, lack of energy, pain, insomnia and depression. Rest is essential for the treatment of overtraining. You can take your resting heart rate in the morning, and if it is higher than the day before, you may not have recovered from the previous day.
 
To prevent physical burnout, follow these tips:
Stretch and warm up before you start your day of massage
Stretch your arms and hands between each client
Alternate your working tools
Fuel your body with proper nutrition
Utilize cryotherapy after your day of massage
Receive massage weekly or bimonthly
Clear your body’s energy daily

 Article first seen Here

Massage in the Movies

A Fun screen shot of toys getting a massage in Disney Pixar's upcoming Toy Story 3. I think it's awesome.

Spa Scoop: Oasis Day Spa in NYC

My first visit to Oasis Day Spa on Park Avenue was a few years ago when I was working at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. There were some spa treatments scheduled for the big wigs that I worked for, and due to a business partner cancellation - they literally blessed us cubies with a trip to take their places on those Oasis massage tables. I have been back many times for a Seaweed Wrap (followed by their unbelievably intoxicating European Vichy Shower) and their classic Swedish Massages. This time was for Mending Hands Spa Scoop purposes, where I was delighted to return and receive another specialty, a Lava Stone Massage!  This award winning spa really does having everything to offer!

Monthly Essentials: February

What better time to celebrate the healthful aspect of chocolate than in the month of cold grey days and Valentine's Day! This delicious delight has quite a history that spans many cultures. In approximately 1,500 B.C  the Maya and Olmec people discovered the benefits of chocolate.  They used roasted cocoa paste as the primary ingredient in a bitter drink hailed for its nourishing qualities and ability to boost both energy and stamina. It was also used to treat stomach and intestinal complaints, infections, fever and coughs. It also played an important role in their religion, society and economy.

Until the 1500s, no one outside of the these cultures knew anything at all about chocolate. It wasn’t until Cortés conquered Mexico in 1521 that the Spanish began to learn about the delicious flavor of chocolate. After tasting it, his men dubbed it the “divine drink” that “builds up resistance and fights fatigue.” Observing that “a cup of this precious drink permits a man to walk for a whole day without food.”