We all accumulate injuries over time to our emotional make up. As they build up they can lead to increasing malaise and can sometimes manifest into physical problems. I find that working to let go and forgive makes a huge positive difference in my emotional well-being and my overall well-being.
I've been working with Mimi, a life coach and spiritual coach with GraceMoves, and she has passed along some great ideas on moving forward. Journaling, of course, is a tried-and-true method of venting the negative out. If you have a particular person with whom you have negative energy, writing a letter to them and destroying it, or at least not sending it, can help get things moving. Or, simply, having a conversation "with" them when they are not actually there.
Meditation is a great tool for grounding and centering and leading a balanced life. I have to admit to being pretty terrible at meditation, but even at my level, I still get a benefit from it. Reiki is also a great tool for surfacing energies that need to be released and rebalanced. And even organizing and Feng Shui'ing your physical environment can have a positive impact.
Mimi and I have started putting our heads together to develop an integrated program to help those on a healing journey. Stay tuned for details!
The first step, however, is realizing that there is something that needs to be let go. Then you can start on the path towards healing and integration.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
kristina's corner
Over the years I have taken many personality indices and assessments. The Myers-Briggs, the Communications Style, a couple of different "color" surveys, I've even explored my archetypes. Lately it seems that I do not know myself very well. The last couple I've taken, I have found much difficulty in objectively analyzing myself.
The last one I took, which asked me to circle all the words that described how I acted at work, came out very even on all styles. The facilitator said that people who came out that even were "gaming the system." But it got me thinking.
What makes our personality anyway?
I guess people have mused and philosophized about this for millennia, but in turning it on myself I find I wonder. How much is inner wiring, how much is forced behavior from family and society, how much is image fulfillment, and how much is given in grace?
The more I think about it, the freer I feel to not be tied down to "who I am." Because maybe that person has more to it than has been previously allowed to shine.
The last one I took, which asked me to circle all the words that described how I acted at work, came out very even on all styles. The facilitator said that people who came out that even were "gaming the system." But it got me thinking.
What makes our personality anyway?
I guess people have mused and philosophized about this for millennia, but in turning it on myself I find I wonder. How much is inner wiring, how much is forced behavior from family and society, how much is image fulfillment, and how much is given in grace?
The more I think about it, the freer I feel to not be tied down to "who I am." Because maybe that person has more to it than has been previously allowed to shine.
news + promos
I am working on improving my skills in the Differential Assessment in which I recently completed a course and I need some guinea pigs! Basically, this tool allows us to more thoroughly explore consistent "problem" areas and guide us towards better relief. The work itself is not massage, but more of a consultation and some movement tests (followed by me doing research) which may lead me to discover new courses of treatment options. If you would like to participate, let me know, and we can plan to have you come in early for one of your sessions.
quick tip - massage at home
We use our hands constantly and we often overlook them when we ask for massage. They get shoved aside for a nice foot rub or for attention to our aching necks and backs; but, I have to say, a thorough hand massage is one of my favorites (especially to receive).
To treat someone to a relaxing hand massage try the following:
Find some lotion, cream, or oil (especially at this time of year- skin can be dry and cracked). I usually use all natural products.
Have your person relax. You can sit across from them at a table (you may want to cushion their forearms with a towel or pillow) or have them recline and sit or stand next to them. Let them know to just relax their arm and you will move it as necessary.
You can begin with pressing down on the hand and arm with your palms, just to warm up the area and get the circulation going. Then put some lotion in your hand (and hold it for a sec to warm it) and apply it to their skin. Use long gliding movements with your hands on the forearm and gentle pulls on the hand.
Next use your fingers to massage the palm. Make sure you treat the whole area with special attention to the "meaty" areas below the thumb and pinkie. You can use a combination of vertical, horizontal, diagonal, and circular sweeps. You can also press in with your thumbs if they prefer a lot of pressure. Also work around the wrist.
Then move to the back of the hand. Work the back of the wrist. Then the hand, you can sweep along and in between the bones then across them. Next work up each finger- ending with a gentle tug.
Since the muscles that control the wrist and fingers go all the way up to the elbow, glide and knead the front and back of the forearm. You can end with a few more presses to "set" the work.
Then have them work on you!
To treat someone to a relaxing hand massage try the following:
Find some lotion, cream, or oil (especially at this time of year- skin can be dry and cracked). I usually use all natural products.
Have your person relax. You can sit across from them at a table (you may want to cushion their forearms with a towel or pillow) or have them recline and sit or stand next to them. Let them know to just relax their arm and you will move it as necessary.
You can begin with pressing down on the hand and arm with your palms, just to warm up the area and get the circulation going. Then put some lotion in your hand (and hold it for a sec to warm it) and apply it to their skin. Use long gliding movements with your hands on the forearm and gentle pulls on the hand.
Next use your fingers to massage the palm. Make sure you treat the whole area with special attention to the "meaty" areas below the thumb and pinkie. You can use a combination of vertical, horizontal, diagonal, and circular sweeps. You can also press in with your thumbs if they prefer a lot of pressure. Also work around the wrist.
Then move to the back of the hand. Work the back of the wrist. Then the hand, you can sweep along and in between the bones then across them. Next work up each finger- ending with a gentle tug.
Since the muscles that control the wrist and fingers go all the way up to the elbow, glide and knead the front and back of the forearm. You can end with a few more presses to "set" the work.
Then have them work on you!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
kristina's corner
Over the past couple of weeks I have been musing on happiness. Specifically on our public images. Someone commented on last month's body image entry, that constantly seeing media portrayal of air-brushed beauty can damage our self-image. It got me thinking while perusing the pages of a fashion magazine, that they send another subliminal message, too.
No one looks happy.
Vacant, detached, ferocious, dazed, tough, wanton, imperious, ambivalent... no happy.
We hold up these "edgy" looks as iconic desirable states to attain. I don't know about you, but I don't want to strive to maintain a cool detached demeanor. A moving manequin of unflappability. And I don't really like to spend a lot of time with other people like this.
These images suggest a notion strength and invincibility. But it's much harder to allow yourself vulnerability and trust that you will grow through it and emerge better. What if the true strength lies in showing a little truth?
No one looks happy.
Vacant, detached, ferocious, dazed, tough, wanton, imperious, ambivalent... no happy.
We hold up these "edgy" looks as iconic desirable states to attain. I don't know about you, but I don't want to strive to maintain a cool detached demeanor. A moving manequin of unflappability. And I don't really like to spend a lot of time with other people like this.
These images suggest a notion strength and invincibility. But it's much harder to allow yourself vulnerability and trust that you will grow through it and emerge better. What if the true strength lies in showing a little truth?
news + promos
Nimbus has a new partner therapist, Margaret Ellis, lending her skills at the Carytown location. Margaret graduated from the American Institute of Massage in 2010 and has a passion for Therapeutic Massage. Margaret does great Deep Tissue work and looks forward to working with you!
With Valentine's Day around the corner, Nimbus is poised to offer Couple's Massage and, as always, gift certificates. Both locations now have the capability to accommodate you and your Valentine side-by-side for a couple's escape. Call to set up your couple's appointment.
With Valentine's Day around the corner, Nimbus is poised to offer Couple's Massage and, as always, gift certificates. Both locations now have the capability to accommodate you and your Valentine side-by-side for a couple's escape. Call to set up your couple's appointment.
quick tip - chronic pain
A majority of my clients come to me with consistent problem areas. Tight muscles created by repeating an action over and over which stresses the muscle and at a frequency which disallows the muscle to heal properly. I created my membership programs with this in mind.
In many cases, the offending action is work-related; and while we'd all love to take a month off to rest our bodies, reality usually forbids it. Thus we must create a management program to help reduce symptoms and manage pain.
Personally, massage comprises a major part of my plan. In addition to receiving regular sessions, I exercise, stretch, rest well, watch my posture when I'm using the offending area, meditate and do-self Reiki to reduce stress, and lately I have been improving my diet. Putting all of these things together helps keep the pain at bay and my range of motion in tact.
I found a list of "warning signs" that indicate repetitive stress injuries on www.massagemag.com (Massage Magazine's website). Here is the list.
"• Stiffness
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Difficulty using body part
• Waking up with pain
• Tingling, numbness and burning
• Recurring pain
• Lack of endurance
• Feeling of heaviness in body part"
Feeling these sensations consistently in an area tells you that you need to start taking steps to care for that area.
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