I want to thank you for your business by sharing this complimentary issue of Body Sense magazine.
www.abmp.com/bodysense/winter-2012
Body Sense provides valuable information about how to make massage and bodywork a healthy part of your lifestyle. Inside, you’ll learn nine tips for living authentically in the New Year; get the inside scoop on how massage therapy works; discover how to say “no” to sick days; and find the pathway to your healthiest skin yet.
This video is about NOW Nov/Dec 2012 and well worth watching. I’m not into gloom and doom, but I do believe in awareness and practical preparation. Thanks to Orice for posting the video and Evita for the article. Products are mostly likely available at your local store but if not they can be ordered at Mountain Rose.
PREPARING AN EMERGENCY PANTY ~ by Evita Ochel
In the wake of hurricane Sandy, we are reminded how vital it is to be prepared with some basic necessities always on hand. Whether it is a natural or man-made disruption, such as a temporary power outage, it is valuable to take accountability for our well-being.
One of the most essential steps we can take is to prepare an “emergency pantry”.
We’ve all had the experience of being impacted by scent. Fresh cut grass, home baked bread, the deep woods … the garbage.
Here’s a brief version of how it works: When an odor is inhaled it first hits the olfactory epithelium (teal green) which contains 20 million nerve endings. The odor is transmuted into a nerve message which is passed along the olfactory tract (black line) and enters the limbic system. It is first analyzed by the amygdala (yellow) and hippocampus (yellow) which are memory centers and a major player in emotional response. The memories may be current or from long ago. It’s then passed to the hypothalamus (green) which acts as a regulator and relay station. Some euphoric odors, like grapefruit and clary sage, stimulate the thalamus (purple) to secrete neurochemical inducing feelings of well-being. Others, like ylang ylang stimulate the pituitary gland (red) which secretes endorphins and governs other glands including the thyroid and adrenals. Still others, like marjoram and chamomile, causes the brain to stimulate the raphe nucleus (blue) which releases serotonin to relax us. And those stimulating oils, like rosemary, affect the locus ceruleus (yellow) which releases noradrenaline, waking us up.
If you think you aren’t affected by the world of scent that is all around you, think again.
There are times when you are in a situation where you don’t want to take in the aroma that surrounds you. What do you do? Read this – How do you smell?
Whether you set your energy for the day or a specific project, taking the time to feel into what it is you most want to create is time well spent.
Begin to become more aware of what you give and receive when you interact with others.
This weeks tip provides more information on the value of coherent breathing and the vagus nerve – and how that brings more joy and uplift into our lives. Breathe deeply … and relax.
Someone asked me about detoxing and this is the article I was trying to locate. So I thought I would just share it with all of you.
His focus is clearly on the physical body but/and we also hold toxins in our energy field. Energy work helps to keep your systems flowing freely which is mandatory for them to efficiently support our physical structures. But more on that later. Now … on to the article….
Most of us cannot escape to a safe haven, free from toxins and pollutants. The air that we breathe is polluted, the water that we drink is full of chlorine, the clothing we wear is made of artificial fabrics and chemicals, the lotions and shampoos that we use all contain chemicals. Once these chemicals are inside us, we can never fully eliminate them unless we undergo a detoxification process. As a result, most of us need some form of detoxification. It is one of the best ways to remain healthy in a polluted and toxic environment.
Signs that Detoxification is Needed
Due to the length of the article and the links within it, the following link goes directly to his site http://www.drlam.com/articles/2002-No1-Detoxificaton.asp
Relieve tension in your wrists, back, and shoulders at work.
By Elise Browning Miller & Carol Blackman
Side Stretch
This is a great stretch to relieve computer-related tension in your wrists and to stretch your sides. It will also help relieve lower back tightness.
Stand with your feet hip-width apart and parallel. Inhale and stretch your arms out to the sides and then over your head with your palms facing each other. Exhale as you take hold of your left wrist with your right hand. With an inhalation, stretch the fingers of your left hand to the ceiling. Exhale as you gently stretch to the right, drawing out your left arm and wrist with the right hand, and move your hips to the left simultaneously. Keep your head and left arm in alignment with the torso. Don’t drop your left arm in front of your face. Feel this stretch on the entire left side of your body, from your hips to your fingertips. Keep your feet solidly planted on the floor by pressing firmly down with your outer left heel. Continue to breathe softly as you stretch to the right, particularly noticing the deep stretch in the left rib cage as the breath enters your left lung. Inhale as you come back to center. Exhale and switch hands. Holding your right wrist with your left arm, inhale as you reach up through the fingers of your right hand. Exhale as you stretch to the left. Continue to breathe as you stretch to the left side. Inhale and return to the center. Repeat this sequence on each side.
Shoulder Rolls
The first of the year is always an inspiring time for me. I love to take a look at the direction that the new year will seemingly take and then be open to new twists and turns as they appear.
An intention is a direction, an aspiration, a big picture goal. It’s a statement of what you are moving towards. I intend to take better care of myself or I intend to play more.
A commitment is an act of will and integrity. It is giving your word to follow through on something. I commit to working out 3 times this week or I am committed to doing something just for the fun of it every week in January.
It’s important to keep your commitments – and that begins with the commitments to yourself. If you don’t trust your ability to be honest with yourself, how can you trust yourself in anything you say or think, much less anyone else? But if there is some reason that it really can’t happen, renegotiate the commitment in good faith as soon as you can.
Committing to huge goals can be setting yourself up for failure. Instead, intend the huge goal, but use smaller, consistent commitments to get there. One step at a time. Just one, small committed step.
Move into this exciting new year with awareness of your intentions and commitments – and make it the BEST one yet!!!
I want to share these favorite recipes for the oh-so-advertised cold and flu season. Be well! Live life! And, of course, Find Your Passion!
I’ve been drinking this for years and just recently came across an actual recipe for it in the book, Healing Tonics by Jeanine Pollack. They state “this is a simple warming and antiseptic drink that is both preventive and remedial for any upper respiratory congestion (coughs, colds, fly, bronchitis and so forth).” It tastes like lemonade, with a kick. Yummy!
Juice of 1 fresh lemon
2 c boiled water
1-2 TBSP honey or maple syrup
1/8-1/4 tsp Cayenne pepper
Stir the fresh lemon juice into the hot water. Add the honey or maple syrup and the cayenne pepper and stir well.
To use: Drink 1-2 cups as needed at the first sign of chills, sore throat or cough. Sip slowly, and be prepared to “feel the heat”! Can be drunk as often as needed; generally, 2-3 times per day if you’re feeling sick or a few times per week as a tonic.