Spring clean your body with a massage

Yeah spring is here, the sun is out and everything feels brand new.  It's that time of the year where we instinctively feel the need to sort through a cupboard, drawer or pile of paper work; bag up unwanted items for charity, clean under and behind furniture and open windows and doors to let fresh air in.

In the same way I love to potter about in my back yard; clearing away old debris and compost, disinfecting pots, letting go of lost plants and enjoying the green shoots and colors of spring.  There's something very therapeutic about being in the flow of letting go, creating space and allowing life and energy to flow.

I think this is why I love practicing massage therapy (and yoga).

A healthy body is like a circuit or a series of channels in which energy, blood, lymph, fluid and solid matter moves freely.  Daily stress, poor eating habits and bad posture create blockages in the body resulting in ill health.  Massage spring cleans the body by releasing harmful toxins, re aligning muscles, creating space and improving posture; it nourishes the body with fresh blood and allows everything to flow. 

Feeling sluggish, tired, bloated, head achy, irritable, low in mood and uncomfortable in your body are signs that your body needs a good spring clean and here's how my special spring clean massage (including optional dry skin brushing, table yoga stretches and cleansing essential oils) can help.... 

Let go of what you don't need 

• Massage is great for letting go of stress!
• Massage stimulates the lymphatic system - our body's main system for eliminating waste.
• A combination of different massage strokes and alternating pressure gently compresses and stretches the muscle tissue enabling toxins to be released.
• A 1/4 of all toxins released daily are through the skin- the largest organ of elimination.  Dry skin brushing when combined with massage greatly enhances detoxification.
• Incorporating yoga stretches (on the table) into the massage routine further releases tight muscles, aches, pains and stiffness in the joints.
• Cleansing essential oils such as lemon, cypress, geranium, grapefruit, juniper and rosemary aid in cleansing the body of harmful toxins. 

Create some space 

• Releasing tension allows the shoulders to drop and space to be created around the head, neck and shoulders which improves our posture. With our head up and our chest open we not only feel better but we can breath better.
• Stretching, lengthening and re aligning the muscles to where they should be creates space in the body enabling better circulation of blood and lymph, greater mobility and freedom of movement.
• Relaxation de-clutters our minds and creates a feeling of space within.

Clean inside those hidden places

• Physically working into chronically tight, congested muscles allows trapped toxins to re released thus easing aches and pains. 
• yoga stretches nourish and de-tox the body by increasing blood and lymph flow to internal organs and deeper layers of the body.
• Cleansing essentials oils help to detoxify the body and clean out the harmful toxins that have been laying stagnant in our bodies.

Let life and energy flow

• Breaking down knots and adhesions allows nutrient rich blood to flow to the local area and heal injured muscles.
• Massage and yoga stretching opens up the body, creating a clear circuit for blood, lymph, fluid and waste to move freely.
• The life force energy known as 'prana'. 'chi' or 'ki' in different traditions such as yoga and martial arts is encouraged to move freely around the body as stagnant trapped energy is released.  This brings life and balance back to the body, mind and spirit.

So spring clean your body with a spring clean massage!   

 

Enjoy x

With only 4 days to go untill the Brighton half marathon now is the time to book in for those pre and post run massages!

Massage is a great way to prepare your legs and help them to feel 'fresh' for the big race and also reduce muscle soreness and facilitate healing afterwards.

I have purposefully  left a few slots free for pre event massage this Friday and Saturday and post event massage on Monday and Tuesday next week but be quick in booking because these slots won't stay around for long.

If you are running for charity then you will receive a complimentary £5 off your massage.

Good luck if you're taking part!

Beth x

Discover the benefits of regular massage

Wow its the end of January already.   I hope the new year is going well for you all so far! 

I've had a very busy month in my little treatment room; I've been doing a lot of reflexology, deep tissue massage and more relaxing head, neck and shoulder massage.  You all seem to be loving the heated table as more and more of you keep falling a sleep during treatment! 

I love treating you all and I hope you forgive this months price increase; please talk to me if you would struggle to pay for treatment and don't forget you can save £5 on each session by either buying a block of 6 or by setting up a standing order for regular treatments.

The benefits of having regular massage....

Any one who has ever had a massage knows how good it is for them.  You turn up for a treatment feeling stressed out, over tired and fraught with tensions, aches and pains to leaving an hour or two later, feeling completely relaxed, rested and at peace with what feels like a new body!  

Regular massage is great for our overall health and with our  'try to be healthier' new year resolutions to keep, massage is actually one of the more enjoyable ways to achieve good health!   

The fact that massage actually feels like pampering doesn't take away any of its therapeutic benefits which are.....

Relaxation and stress relief

• It doesn't matter how well you eat and how many times you go to the gym, if you're always stressed out with a mind full of worry and anxiety then you're aging your body fast.       Taking time out to just relax is one of the best things we can do for ourselves and massage/ body work is very relaxing!

A rejuvenated body 

• Massage improves blood and lymph flow which nourishes and detoxifies the body keeping it healthy.  

• Massage releases tension and stiffness and re aligns the body.  When the body is 'open' and relaxed it becomes a clear circuit for blood (oxygen, nutrients, hormones), lymph and energy to flow. 
•  Improved circulation of hormones also has a positive  effect on our moods and behavior; and any health supplements you may be taking will become more effective.

  Supple muscles and prevention against injury

• After a couple of sessions the muscles soften and become less tender;and  this makes the treatment more enjoyable and relaxing.                                                                           
• Being able to massage into deeper layers of muscle tissue allows for a deeper treatment and a deeper level of healing within the body.  

• If you play a lot of sport or go to the gym a lot then regular massage is a very good idea.  By keeping the muscle tissue soft, pliable and in a healthy condition, massage helps to prevent against strain or injury from over use.

 Improved immune system.

• The negative effects of stress on the immune system is one of the biggest reasons why massage/reflexology is so beneficial at helping us fight off illness. 

• Clinical trials have shown that massage stimulates white blood cells and that by receiving massage regularly, naturally occurring anti biotics needed to fight of illness are increased.

 A positive body awareness 

• With regular massage the effects of bad posture are reversed and we become more in tune with our body and more conscious of the way we hold ourselves and the way we look after ourselves.

• A good posture with our chest open and our head up enables us to breath better and feel better! 

 An overall sense of well being.

• Improvement in stress related conditions. 
• better sleep. 
• Free from aches, pains and stiffness in the body.
• A deeper connection to our true selves.

''Massage is one of the best things we can do for our body, mind, soul; without actually having to do anything except be pampered for an hour or so!'' 

Beth x

Don't let the Christmas rush tie you up in knots...This year take care of your Christmas shopping whilst at the same time relaxing with a soothing massage...Sorted!

Yes, this year why not avoid the hustle and bustle of busy shops, the queues and the worry and anxiety over whether or not online presents will arrive on time (Ar humbug!); by taking care of your Christmas shopping at the same time as enjoying a relaxing massage?!?!

Aha, I can sense your shoulders dropping already! 

Well last week I was feeling very creative and came up with these hand made (well computer made) gift vouchers.  

They can be purchased for the price of a treatment or for £5, £10, £15, £20 towards the cost of a treatment.

A massage treatment really does make an excellent gift idea for somebody you care about, It's a gift of relaxation and something for them to look forward to in the new year (can be redeemed at any time).  It may even set them off on a healthier way of being for the new year ahead.

Wishing you all a merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year!

Beth xx

A new heated massage table + 10minutes extra free massage = just what you kneaded to relax this winter!

Yes, you are in for a special treat this winter as I have just bought a warming pad for the massage table...Yeah!

Heated before you arrive and temperature controlled for your comfort during the treatment; this warming pad provides a soothing heat and an added bit of luxury to your much needed autumnal/winter massages. 

How the colder weather effects our muscles and joints....

• We tend to hold ourselves differently; In an attempt to keep warm we try to make ourselves smaller by hunching our back and shoulders and bringing our head down.  Such bad posture enivitably leads to aches and pains in our upper back, neck and shoulders.  
• The colder months also bring lower air pressure which can cause the soft tissue around our joints to expand. Joint movement is infringed and pain radiates into the surrounding muscles.
• For this reason conditions such as fibromylagia, arthritis and chronic aches and pains may be exacerbated.  
• Our muscles automatically tighten up in cold weather and high speed involuntary muscle contraction (or shivering) makes us more prone to muscle cramps and spasms. 

So don't let your body rust this winter....
 
''Come and melt into the warmth of my new heated table + enjoy an extra 10min free massage work as a great reason to not get up straight away!''
(offer includes all treatments except hot stone work and ends 20th December 2013)


Enjoy!

Mellow your mind and boost your immune system with a massage!

Well folks I think that may be the end of our lovely, long, hot summer; it's certainly starting to feel a little chilly and the nights are drawing in fast.

I admit there is a part of me that still longs for just a bit more sun; but at the same time I do love this time of year for it's the season of change and new beginnings.

Even if you're not involved with the rhythms of the new school year, September is the month where we settle back down into life, work or study after the summer break.  It's the season we feel inspired to learn something new, take up a new hobby or breath life into an old project as we return feeling refreshed and energized.

Unfortunately though the sudden drop in temperature also means colds, coughs and flu and being struck down by such seasonal bugs can really put us out of action before we've even begun.

Whilst eating plenty of antioxidant rich foods and getting enough sleep and exercise is essential for staying healthy; did you know that massage is also a great and enjoyable way of warding of those seasonal bugs?!

How massage strengthens the immune system.....

• Clinical trials have shown that levels of stress causing hormones such as cortisone are reduced after massage and levels of serotonin, our feel good hormones are increased.

• The negative effects of stress on the immune system is one of the biggest reasons why massage is so beneficial at helping us fight off illness.

• Clinical trials have shown that massage stimulates  white blood cells or killer T cells (the bodies army) by decreasing levels of cortisone which destroy these natural killer cells, thus giving the immune system a boost.

• Receiving massage on a regular basis also increases levels of naturally occurring antibodies  that are needed to fight of  illness.

• Massage reduces the production of cytokines which encourage inflammation and pain in the body.

• Circulation of blood and lymph flow is improved thus improving the overall health of the body and flushing nasty bugs from the body more effectively.

Interestingly....

The essence of immunity, is the ability for the white blood cells to distinguish self from non self.  A weakened immune system not only results in us being more susceptible to illness but it also increases our attraction to negativity and bad food choices.

Emotional symptoms of a poor functioning immune system include poor self esteem, lack of self care, lack of order in personal life and an attraction to junk food.  Improving the function of the immune system not only helps us fight illness but it may also help in resolving some of these emotional issues.

So mellow your mind and boost your immune system with a massage!

Feeling rested and with my batteries fully charged I look forward to treating you all again soon.

Beth x

Get your body ready for summer with lymphatic body brushing.

Free with any massage treatment this month
lymphatic body or dry skin brushing has been around for centuries.  The Japanese vigorously rub their bodies with loofahs before bathing, the Cherokee Indians brush their skin with dried corn husks to enhance their skins beauty and the Comanche Indians are known to scrub their skin with sand. 

Dry skin brushing combined with massage has been popular mainly amongst the Russians, Turks and Scandinavians.  More recently it was recommended to patients by a Finnish Dr. and is still popular in Europeans spas and many cancer centers today. 


The skin is the largest and most important organ of elimination, in fact a quarter of all toxins released from the body daily are through the skin. Dry skin brushing deals with the detoxification of the skin and when combined with massage, the benefits are greatly enhanced. 

The technique I have developed involves using long flowing strokes and circular motions to as to be like a massage in itself.  I hope you'll agree it's a lovely start to a treatment due to its stimulating and preparatory effect on the body and quietening effect on the mind. 

The benefits of dry skin brushing before a massage ....

• Removes dead skin cells.  Our skin is constantly renewing itself and dead skin cells can sometimes build up on the surface of our skin.  Dry skin brushing removes this layer improving the skins health and ability to renewal.  The skin is able to function more efficiently and so putting less burden on other organs of elimination.  Essential oils used during massage are also more readily absorbed.
• Great for the skin.  The exfoliating effect of dry skin brushing leaves the skin feeling silky soft as dead cells are shed.  The skin feels tighter, more toned and it's appearance improved.  The skin is less congested and swelling is reduced.
• De toxes the body. Dry brushing before the massage give the lymphatic system a good kick start!  This has a detoxing effect on the whole body as toxins are released, thus improving overall health.
• Improves the appearance of cellulite.  This may take up to 5 months but the dimpling effect commonly found on thighs and bums can be improved as trapped, toxic deposits of subcutaneous fat and fibrous tissue are gradually eliminated.
• Improves blood circulation. As well as increasing blood flow to the skin, dry skin brushing combined with massage acts as a great internal massage; thus nourishing our organs and keeping them healthy.  Muscles are also repaired and kept healthy. 
• Strengthens the immune system.  By removing extra toxins from the skin and improving blood circulation the immune system is strengthened and risk of infection reduced.  This is why dry skin brushing and massage are used in many holistic cancer centres. The lymph vessels are stimulated and toxic mucoid matter is drained into organs of elimination thus purifying the system. 
• Tones the muscles by stimulating the nerve endings which cause individual muscle fibres to activate and move.
• Improves the function of the nervous system by stimulating nerve endings in the skin.
• Invigorates your whole body! 

Enjoy! x