bowenwork training

before i started massage therapy school i got myself a mentor. that was one of the best moves i have made. it's so wonderful having a mentor who has taken the path i have and can help lead me in the right direction.

and thanks to the wonderful advice my mentor gave me, this weekend i'm here in cincinnati, ohio doing modules 1 & 2 for bowenwork training.

today was my first day and i. am. loving. it!

i can't wait to share more with you as i learn.

hugs & namaste

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blissblissbliss open house

if you are local (or even semi-local) consider joining me tomorrow for our open house at blissblissbliss. here are the details of all of our free events:

A Day of FREE Bliss for ALL!

OPEN HOUSE CELEBRATION

Sunday, January 23, 9am - 5pm

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Free Informational Classes:

11:30am – 12:30pm Essential Oils and Mixology (Lela)

12 – 1pm Ayurveda 101 (Elizabeth)

1:30 – 2:30pm FYI: Ayurvedic Massage (Elizabeth & Melita)

3:30 – 4:30pm Essential Oils and Mixology (Lela)

Free Mind/Body Classes:

9 – 9:45am Hot Vinyasa (Melita)

10 – 10:45am Gentle Yoga (Laura)

11 – 11:45am Partner Yoga (Heidi & Mary Jo)

12 – 12:45pm Ashtanga Yoga (Mary Jo)

1 – 1:30pm Meditation (Lela)

1:45 – 2:15pm Belly Dancing Demo

2:30 – 3:15pm Restorative Yoga (Heidi)

4 – 5pm Shine On: Sun Salutations (Heidi) *active, flowing class

Free Body/Energy Work:

10 minute Chair Massages (9-10am, 10:30 – 11:30am, 12 – 2pm)

15 minute Thai Yoga Bodywork (9 – 10:30am)

20 minute Energywork & EFT for Pain Relief (9:30 - 11:30am, 3 - 5pm)

10 minute Reflexogy (10:30 – 11:30am)

20 minute Cranio Sacral Therapy (11am – 1pm)

20 minute Reiki Sessions (1 – 3pm)

40 days of yoga - day 16

the cleanse is going well. as part of my cleanse i wanted to make sure to book an ayurvedic massage session at blissblissbliss. just like the one i had on day 10.

anytime you are doing a cleansing you should try to find a massage therapist who does ayurvedic treatments as they really help the body shed it's toxins. not to mention, being slathered in warm oil is divine!! i am also certified to do ayurvedic massage and i really love doing these treatments. in fact, i am giving one to a client later in the week.

as far as my yoga challenge, i was able to get in some yoga before i gave a massage this evening. i made sure that after being holed up all day catching up on weeds (love this show!!). i love mary louise-parker and saw her play the leading role of hedda in hedda gabler last year.

i taught shoulder and heart openers in my morning vinyasa class today so i made sure to do a few of the asanas that i taught before and after giving a massage so that my shoulders were ready to do the job.

if you are still doing the yoga challenge, how is it going for you?

hugs & namaste

image credit

40 days of yoga - day 10

today was nice. and. slow. :) i didn't actually get in any asana but did 15 minutes of pranayama & contemplation in the tub.

as i was lying on the table before my ayurvedic massage treatment at blissblissbliss began, i set an intention to be open & receptive. after my wonderful treatment, i came home, make a cup of mint tea and vegged on the couch with my copy of 168 hours. i indulged in a little nap as well. after ryan came home, i made a very simple dinner: roasted cauliflower, broccoli & chickpeas and a salad. i decided to keep it low key and get into the tub to soak for a while. listening to my body and taking it easy was exactly what was in order for me today. but i still got my yoga in ;)

hugs & namaste

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morning and afternoon delight

i woke up naturally around 9am this morning. feels good to let my body decide how long it needs rest. i have been in quite a bit of pain since tuesday afternoon. i'm not sure exactly what has happened but i have a pain in my rhomboid/trapezius/latissimus dorsi region. say whaaaa?? see lovely image below:

due to the severity of this pain, i have had to turn down some massages and cancel a yoga class - boo!! i was scheduled to give the owner of blissblissbliss a massage today at but being the kind, considerate and lovely lady that she is, she is going to give me a massage to see if she can help relieve some of my pain.

now this isn't going to be a nice, sweet, relaxing massage (although i am sure there will be some of that love in there somewhere) but the focus of this massage will be harsh elbows and trigger points and who knows what else! but it is exactly what i need to get whatever the issue is out!! and hopefully out for good!!

so i've been spending my cool, crisp, autumn-esque morning snuggled up in bed with my laptop, cup of coffee, pets coming and going as they please, and my visual journal.

my visual journal has been rather neglected as of recent and i plan on changing that. this morning i have been incorporating my 2010 vision board/wheel of life into my visual journal.


so even though in pain, i am grateful for the opportunity to be able to take it easy when my body demands it.

what are you thankful for on this lovely thursday? hugs!!

image credit ici and moi

a closer look at lymph

with the upcoming colder months we want to do our best to keep our immune system functioning as best as possible.

one of the most important parts of our immune system is our lymphatic system. unlike the cardiovascular system, the lymphatic system doesn't have a pump like the heart to move lymph around. so our body relies on us to get our lymph moving.

lymph is the fluid that contains hormones and other chemicals from the various glands to the rest of your body. lymph is also rich in white blood cells, which as you well know, is vital for your immune system and helps remove toxins from the tissues in your body.

here are a few simple things you can do to help get your lymph moving:

• dry brushing before showering (i've wrote about this here)

• see a massage therapist

• do a simple self massage daily or every other day - this doesn't have to be anything major - just rubbing on your lotion helps move lymph around
  

• exercise - get moving

• yoga - twists and inversions are great for moving lymph

wishing you a happy and healthy autumn & winter season! hugs!!

image credit ici

ayurveda 101 for massage therapist

i just attended a 3 day 'ayurveda 101 for massage therapists' continuing education training. i had the most amazing time and didn't want it to end. i'm actually going through a little withdrawal today...


here are a few techniques i learned from the lovely karyn chabot d.ay, lmt

panchakarma (pancha meaning 5 and karma meaning action) is a wonderful cleansing sequence for the body, mind and soul. it helps to restore your constitutional (dosha) balance by improving health. it helps to eliminate toxins and brings a deep sense of relaxation to the body and mind.

some of the steps of panchakarma that i learned to do are:

~ garshana - dry brushing the body with raw silk gloves to benefit the lymphatic system, detoxify the body, and helps to alkalize the blood.


~ abhyanga - rubbing the body with oil helps to calm the nervous system, increases restful and restorative sleep, and gives smoother, softer skin.


~ nasya karma - application of medicated oil in the nose to benefit sinuses, brightening of the eyes, helps with migraines and headaches, and provides mental clarity.


~ karna purna - application of medicated oil in the ears to help alleviate tmj, ringing in the ears, improved hearing, removal of built up ear wax, and sinus infections.


~ swedhana - steam therapy to help detox, remove impurities, stimulates oxygen flow through the body, and brightens the skin.


~ shirodhara - warm oil flowing over the third eye and crown of the head to help calm the central nervous system, clears the mind and the senses, and activates the pituitary gland. this is the most spiritual and sought after component of pancha karma.


doesn't that all sound delightful? i am here to tell you that it is a magnificent therapy and can't recommend it highly enough.

ever since the day i heard the word ayurveda, i have been craving to know more. after attending this training, it only kicked my craving of all things ayurveda into high gear. i put becoming an ayurveda doctor on my long-term goal list. stay tuned for more tricks & tips i learned from this training.

hugs & namaste

image credits ici, ici, ici, ici, ici, et ici

salt scrub

ah the joys of massage therapy schooling. during a stress management class we made salt scrubs. we each brought in our own salt (or sugar), essential oils and of course we used our massage oil. we each made a scent that resonated with us. i did a combination of lavender (my fav!) and geranium. it was divine!!

to make your own salt or sugar scrub, find a container with a lid and add:

- some salt (preferably sea salt)
- add to that oil (any oil will do but you want an oil without any scent - olive oil will do nicely)
- an essential oil (or oils) of your choosing

depending on how dry your skin is is how oily you want your scrub to be. there is no right or wrong way to do this so just eyeball it and go with what you think is best for you. since my skin tends to dry out in the winter i made my scrub a little on the oily side. add to the salt and oil mixture drops of essential oil. depending on how much scrub you made will determine how many drops of essential oil to use. you can usually determine this by smell. you don't want it too strong.

- take your salt scrub to the bath tub. while standing in the shower rub the salt scrub all over the body. let it set for just a bit and then rinse off. don't wash off as you will defeat the purpose. after you towel off your skin will be soft and smooth and you will smell wonderful. enjoy!!

dress down day

from left to right: melissa, lisa, julie, shanin, and moi

my massage therapy classmates and i got to enjoy a rare occasion at morgantown beauty college a recently - dress down day. for most people that mean jeans and a sweater or hoodie. not me of course, i rocked my tranquilit from top to bottom! it was so nice that we got to enjoy a day out of our scrubs.

raindrop therapy

hour and a half massage + reiki + raindrop therapy = total bliss

that is what i experienced yesterday at bliss bliss bliss. for those of you curious to what exactly raindrop therapy is bliss bliss bliss describes it as this:

"Raindrop Therapy is a gentle massage employing 9 highly therapeutic essential oils. The oils are massaged into the back, legs and feet. These oils are anti-viral, anti-bacterial and are said to stimulate the immune system. The heat of hot stones is used to help the oils penetrate deep into the muscles. Raindrops & Stones is a beautiful meditative massage treatment that brings a warm spa like bliss."
if you've never experienced a raindrop therapy session i highly recommend it. elizabeth, massage therapist and owner of bliss bliss bliss said she gets her raindrop essential oils from young living. they offer tons of other essential oils, skin care, thieves products and more. you can see more here.

if you would like to experience your own raindrop therapy treatment you can contact elizabeth through her email elizabeth.blissblissbliss@gmail.com or call 304-685-9942.

if you are local and would like to stay current on all yoga & massage events, you can follow bliss bliss bliss on twitter or become a fan their facebook page.

image credit ici

ear candling

i love massage therapy school!! we got to try ear candling. it was my first time and let me just say, it was an interesting experience. above is little ol' moi getting my ear candling on with help of my fellow classmate julie.

first step, light the ear candle...
second step, place the ear candle in the ear canal...
if you see any smoke coming out around the ear then you don't have the candle securely in place...
the lovely models are my teacher yasuko and my classmate moose.

ear candling many criticisms, however, if you get a chance to try it i think it's worth it. what are your thoughts? have you tried ear candling before?

my first day

today was my first day of massage therapy school. we don't have our books quite yet (and i can't wait until we get them). i just wanted to let all of my readers know that it went really well.

we talked about the history of massage and a few techniques. what i was happy about was that the instructor told us that we would find our own techniques and our own rhythm. i appreciate that because what may work for some may not work for others. she also said to keep moving - make the massage a dance. i love that! if you've ever had the pleasure of watching someone give a massage, it is like watching them dance.

i also wanted to thank you for all of your well wishes for my first day and all of your continuing support. i love you guys!

image credit ici

orientation day

paging nurse melita, paging nurse melita....
oh, you thought i was a nurse... nope.... but i have to wear scrubs to massage therapy school. this is my first ever scrub experience. before last week i'd never even tried a pair on before. meh, they are ok but i'd much rather be in my tranquilit!

thank you for all of your well wishes regarding orientation day. i am happy to say that it went really well. there wasn't too much to it. we went over a few things in the student handbook, spoke with the financial aid officer and signed our contracts.

i was hoping to get our books but we will get those around the first day of class. i'm so happy, i can't wait to dive it!

thai yoga massage

today i indulged in my very first thai yoga massage from mary jo over at bliss bliss bliss. it was fantastic! if you've never had one before, it's like having the best ever yoga class only you don't do anything. you just lay comfortably on the floor and the thai massage therapist does all of the work for you. you get stretched out and massaged all at the same time. seriously, i can't recommend it enough!
these are examples of some of the poses that were included in my massage today. but this is something that you have to experience for yourself!
photo credit ici, ici, et ici

massage therapy

you guys totally know that you are going to be my guinea pigs right?!?! if we lived closer you'd be my hands on guinea pigs. :D

i have a questions for all of my lovely readers, a sort of poll if you will. (i'm sure i'll have more questions/polls along my journey of becoming a massage therapist so let's start with an easy one.)


why do you seek a massage?

photo credit ici

plan b part duex

as i mentioned in my first plan b post there were a couple different meetings that i had gone to. the first meeting was to the morgantown beauty collage, where i will be taking my massage therapy classes. the second meeting was to the unemployment/west virgina job service office to see about applying for the workforce investment act (wia, pronounced we-uh). if i qualify for the wia program then i will get $4000 grant towards my massage therapy schooling.

i am still in the application process for wia. there are a lot of hoops to jump through but i am more than happy to do so to get grant money. wish me luck in this process.

oh, and if any of you know about any other grant money in general or specifically geared towards massage therapy please let me know. thanks ;)

photo credit ici

my two days of bliss

i haven't been online as much in the past two days and for good reason.

yesterday, i had an amazing day. i fought the urge to sleep in and got up at 7:30. after i dropped ryan off at work, i came back home and did my planning for the day. i scheduled a massage for later that evening. i met ryan for lunch. we had bento boxes at our favorite local sushi joint. after dropping him back off at work, i had an solo artist date. i did a little bookstore browsing at the local barnes and noble. after that i hit up tarjay to see what there was to see. i ended up getting a small scrapbook (that was on the dollar rack) to put some of our 2009 traveling mementos in. i then headed to tj maxx. between those three stores i could drop a ton of money, but i was strong. i only ended up buying an accordion folder to put some important papers in and two boxes of english tea.

after getting back home from my artist date, i got ready for yoga and my massage. i met my dear friend for yoga at bliss bliss bliss and afterwords we went for smoothies. after smoothies it was time to head back to bliss bliss bliss for my massage. and let me tell you, it was BLISS! after my wonderful relaxing massage i headed home to a hot bath to soak. had a lovely salad for dinner and some hot tea and then to bed. it was a fabulous day!

today was almost as good. it started very much the same. i dropped ryan off at work and then headed to a local cafe for breakfast. i enjoyed a wonderful lox bagel and some coffee. after breakfast, i went to the beauty college to get something different done to my tresses. i have been admiring people decorating their hair with pink streaks, from kimberly wilson to carolyn to yogadiva. these lovely ladies serve as daily inspiration for me. and what can i say, the pink bug bit me :-) i also decided to get bangs. i haven't had bangs in years!!



pink streaks in my hair isn't exactly daring for me. you are reading the blog of a girl who once had a mohawk. yep, you read that right, a mohawk. and let me tell you, it was a kick ass mohawk too.

photos by ryan