Considering therapeutic treatment for your adolescent?
Here is a link to a great article by art therapist Shirley Riley (published on the National Institute of Health web site). The article explains why art therapy may be the therapeutic modality of choice for teens.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1071468/
What if the doctor gave you the following prescription?
“Take in the good.”
What does that mean?
In the video link below, Dr. Rick Hanson explains such concepts as neuroplasticy, the duality of positive and negative thoughts, the effect of stress on health, and the necessary mindset for longevity and happiness.
Art therapy at The Lighthouse can help you improve your life by using right-brained, visual processes to move your thoughts toward the positive. Positive thoughts bring positive experience. Dr. Hanson explains this from the perspective of neuroscience…
“Take in the good.”
MOVING is the key word! Or should we say key ACTION! January’s clients presented the dreams and goals they wanted to accomplish! With the help of Young Living’s “Valor” Essential Oil, clients left the Fire and Water room at the Lighthouse feeling grounded and rejuvenated. And although we are still in the first few days of February, clients are ready to take even more action and put their energy to the test. So far, Sound Healing has been taking over, helping clients balance energy and even helping enhance their visualizations during meditation. Reiki has been calming the nerves and providing clarity. February has so much potential, hopefully providing the right amount of energy to propel us into March!
I am so happy to hear that so many clients (new and current) are gearing themselves up for a healthy 2012. This month I feel there has been a need for more of a mind-body connection. Being healthy is not just considered a physical state, but emotional and energetic state as well. Clients share common ground this month by seeking that deeper connection in how to listen to what theirs bodies are telling them. Clients are seeking tools to calm their mind and body in order to see the bigger picture. One of the tools many are finding helpful is aromatherapy. Choosing one or two oils per session with directional breathing and guided imagery are helping clients become an observer of their thoughts and their bodies and tuning in, rather than turning off or tuning out. Different oils have different energetic frequencies and can stimulate different emotions and thoughts. This can be helpful to re-energize the mind, body, and spirit, therefore strengthening the connection we seek.
This video will take your breath away.
Schwartzberg is a time-lapse cinematographer who speaks about his work and about gratitude. His images are spectacular! Find ten minutes of uninterrupted time. Sit back and enjoy. I guarantee you will be sharing this with those you love.
After a blogging hiatus, the Integrative Health Team is back in action to connect with you in your journey of Health and Wellness. We welcome all your questions and comments and look forward to spending the New Year with you. Please stop by and read the bio of our latest addition to the Integrative Health Team, Lindy, our Acupuncturist.
I’m so glad today is Friday! And what’s better is the sun shining, offering hope and renewal for Spring to come! It takes patience and hope to have faith that Spring will come, but I know it will come. I look forward to running outside in warmer weather and soaking in more Vitamin D from the sun. One way to practice my patience/hope/faith is MEDITATING! I’m sure Mia or Patti has posted on Meditation and its importance (check on our Main Blog Page too!). Starting next week, we are offering meditations on Wednesdays at 10am by donation only. This will definitely allow you to take some time for yourself, get in touch with your spirit and renew it! I look forward to meditating with you!
At one time or another, everyone has had the experience of not being able to relax on the massage table. Some people can’t relax at all! In fact, the more you tell them to relax the more they tense up! Crazy huh?! So why is that? Well, I find there are many reasons people have for not being able to “relax” once they hit the table. Here are the top 10 and what you can do to nix them!
1. Thinking too much—Remedy: try to focus on one thing during the massage, it can be the music, your breathing, or following the massage therapists hands as they do the work. This action alone can become very meditative and stop those wheels from spinning!
2. OMG! I’m gonna be naked, or I’m naked under here!—Remedy: Know that every Licensed Massage Therapist is fully trained on professional draping techniques and is very aware of your modesty. Know that you are in control 100% of the time as to what areas will get massaged and un-draped. Also know that the less you are wearing the easier and less cumbersome and awkward the draping will be, and you have a better massage experience.
3. First timers anxiety. —Remedy: ASK, ASK, ASK!!! If you are not sure about something talk about it with the therapist before the massage, let them know it is your first time, we are more than happy to explain everything about what to expect.
4. What is that smell? —Remedy: Sometimes we use oils, lotions, scented candles and even incense to set a mood, or treat you with aromatherapy. If you aren’t sure you would like that, or find that during the massage it is unpleasant, speak up! We are there to make you comfortable and make sure you have a good experience!
5. This music is driving me nuts! —Remedy: As mentioned before, speak up! don’t be shy, we want to make this about you!
6. It’s going to hurt… —Remedy: Know that there are many different types of massage, a relaxation massage is not supposed to hurt at all, a deep tissue can get uncomfortable, and some serious clinical work can be downright painful. Know what you are getting and talk to your therapist about what your needs are.
7. If you’re a guy, “I might get an erection” —Remedy: ok, I had to throw this one in there, because this is one NO ONE EVER wants to talk about. But guess what, it happens and it’s a biological fact of life. It’s not a big deal, and we know it’s not a sexually driven response. We are professionals and we know it’s a physiological response to increased blood flow from the body work. We simply put a heavy blanket over the area or have you turn over and continue on with the massage, it will go away and is a temporary physiological response that doesn’t last very long.
8. I talk a lot. —Remedy: Be aware that talking a lot is the same as thinking too much, try to use your time on the table as your quiet time and focus on one thing in the moment.
9. I have body image issues. —Remedy: Know that the massage therapist has seen it all, just like your Dr. and we are not there to judge, but to treat your specific issues. We tend to view the body like a machine that needs fine tuning. So forget your “flabby belly” or “knobby knees”, we don’t care.
10. I have an injury/medical condition/allergy. —Remedy: Inform your therapist, then you can put your worries to rest. Massage therapists are very well trained in common medical conditions, allergies, injuries and medications that can make massage counter indicated.
I hope this helps shine a little light on your worries for a better massage experience! AND HELP YOU RELAX! 
A New Year and a New You can mean working out, eating right, and yes, incorporating massage as part of your health maintenance!
In order to get the most out of your massage sessions, here are some tips to get you on the right path!
It’s a good idea to have a special consultation with your massage therapist to establish new goals and talk about your fitness plan so the sessions can be customized to your body’s specific needs. There are some specific questions you may need to answer.
For example:
1. How has your workout routine affected your body.
2. Are there any specific areas in pain or discomfort?
3. Where do you tend to gain weight first?
4. How is your digestive health?
5. Is your lifestyle relaxed or stressful?
The more information you can provide your therapist the better results you’ll get from your sessions. All of this extends to your medical history as well, medications, surgeries, health problems, even recent minor illnesses you’ve had. Basically, anything your doctor needs to know your therapist should know.
What to expect…
Generally massage on a healthy client should be no more than 90 minutes; 60 minutes is the most common. Weekly massages are ideal, but, you can reap benefits from monthly massages as well. Your massage therapist will set up a schedule that works with your specific needs both physically and financially. Don’t be concerned if your Massage Therapist wants to see you more often at the beginning of your plan, this is normal, as it helps the therapist get to know your body’s way of handling stress and exertion.
Please be sure to post any questions or comments you may have regarding this article. I would love to help you discover the true benefits of massage!
Greetings from the Integrative Health Team. We hope you are off to a great start for 2011. We know that many of you are starting with a brand new diet and exercise program for 2011 and we support you! Through the month of February, get $10.00 off a Deep Tissue Massage when you mention this blog, or if you bring in your coupon from our monthly email. Your Deep Tissue massage will focus specifically on the muscle groups you’ve been working out. We will flush out any lactic acid build up and get rid of your sore muscles! We look forward to being a part of your New Years Resolution!