May 4, 2012 in Wellness by empoweringwellness

What my yellow lab has taught me about living in the moment

Nearly 2 years ago, my yellow lab Kossi was diagnosed with canine lymphoma. At the time, our doctor said that if we didn’t take any action, that he would have less than a month to live (3 weeks to be exact). He underwent chemotherapy and now almost 2 years later he is cancer-free.

I wrote a post for Owning Pink about Kossi. Today, he is dealing with “old dog” issues – principally arthritis. But as I wrote back then, I continue to appreciate every moment we have with him. Just this morning, I spent an extra few minutes with him before I left for my office. I stroked his soft head. I marveled at the softness of his fur, and the beauty of his dark brown eyes.

What do you think? Are you inspired by the animals in your life? What have you learned from your pets?

You can read my original article here.

April 9, 2012 in Essential Oils, featured, Massage Therapy, Wellness by empoweringwellness

Lomi Lomi massage – a true mind-body experience

When people first experience my bodywork, they often comment that they have never experienced anything like it before. Like many massage therapists, I combine a wide range of techniques to meet the needs of my clients on any given day. During each session, I am likely to combine essential oil therapy, energy work (both Reiki and Cranial Sacral) with a wide range of Western and Eastern massage techniques.

Of all of the different massage techniques to which I have been exposed or in which I have been trained, two techniques have influenced me profoundly. My first experience with massage was more than 30 years ago, when I had my first ever massage at the Esalen Institute, located just south of Monterey, CA. For years, I thought that this was the way all massage therapy was done. It wasn’t until I moved back to Washington, DC that I discovered Swedish or western massage was quite different from the nurturing, integrative and flowing massage that is a characteristic of Esalen massage.

When I became a massage therapy student, I learned the traditional Swedish style of massage. But, I was determined when I began my own practice that I would integrate much of what I experienced at Esalen into my own work. And then, I discovered Lomi Lomi, a Hawaiian form of massage and that changed the course of my work forever.

Lomi Lomi is more than a physical technique. Lomi Lomi involves a holistic approach to the person and seeks to heal and promote wellness in body, mind and spirit. In the Hawaiian language Lomi Lomi literally means “to and from,” referring both to the massage motion as well as to the healing energy that passes between the practitioner and the receiver. There are various kinds of lomi massage including “polole lomi,” the mother’s gentle hand; “oluea lomi,” harmonizing body, mind and spirit; and “oluli lomi,” igniting the life force.

Lomi Lomi is part of a broader Hawaiian belief system that embraces the body, spirit and healing. Therefore it traditionally includes the elements of prayer, breath and energy, rooted in the ancient Hawaiian philosophy known as Huna. It relaxes the nervous system, increases circulation and creates a tangible sense of well being. It is useful for maintaining health, and relieving pain from injury and debilitating illness.

What is it like to experience lomi lomi? This video provides an excellent example of a typical Lomi Lomi session.

Lomi Lomi differs from other forms of massage in many ways. It is an experience that overwhelms the mind with sensations and at the same time communicates an acceptance and a nurturing of the inner self. Most massage techniques work on only one level, usually the physical such as in remedial massage. Massage is often used in stress management but not necessarily addressing or transcending the cause of the stress. Lomi Lomi changes the way you think, feel, move and breathe.

Some of my clients request a full Lomi Lomi session. But, even for those who don’t I incorporate many of the same techniques into a massage session customized specifically for the client. Lomi Lomi is the “dance of massage,” and is just as wonderful to give as to receive.

Aloha!

March 19, 2012 in Uncategorized, Wellness by empoweringwellness

5 Interesting Facts about Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

I recently had the pleasure of completing a continuing education course in Shiatsu massage – a Japanese form of bodywork. In Japanese, the word “shiatsu” literally means “finger pressure.” It is a form of bodywork that developed in the early 20th century. However, Shiatsu grew out of earlier techniques such as, Tuina (pronounced “twee-nah”) in China and Anma in Japan, forms of bodywork that are thousands of years old. Shiatsu, Tuina and Anma can all trace their roots to Oriental, or Traditional Chinese Medicine often referred to as TCM.

Just like Western medicine, a person can spend a lifetime learning about TCM. I don’t want to trivialize the complexity of this form of medicine. However, the concept that each of us possesses the intrinsic or internal resources on which we can sustain our health is an important concept of Oriental medicine. That concept is slowly gaining acceptance in the West. There are many, many things that we can “re-learn” from the ancient Chinese.

Here are 5 key concepts that form the basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The Concept of Yin and Yang
The concept of Yin and Yang developed in the 2nd millennium BC. Remember, everything in the universe strives of balance. So, Yang which conveys the concepts of movement and direction is balanced by Yang, which conveys the concepts of stillness and space. Yang represents heaven, Yin represents earth. Yang is regarded as masculine, and Yin as feminine and life is dependent upon the harmonious interaction, or balance between Yin and Yang. Seasons change, day falls into night and back into day; these are examples of how Yin and Yang are related in our natural universe.

Energy – It’s all about Chi, Qi, or Ki
Energy is created when Yin and Yang interact and Chi (Qi pronounced “chi) or Ki (pronounced “kee” in Japanese) is the primary substance in the universe. Chi is both material and non-material. The Chinese discerned what Einstein so eloquently put forth in his famous equation, E=mc2. How does Chi exist as both matter and non-matter? Here’s just one example. Consider water boiling in a pot. When sufficient energy is applied to it, it boils, the water turns to steam and then the steam turns back into water droplets.

Chi is both matter and its’ capacity for change and the universe contains a constant interplay between Yin and Yang which creates Chi. The cycle continues over and over.

Energy Channels within the Body
Chinese medicine defined the channels within the body through energy is transported. These channels are called meridians, and according to Chinese medicine, there are 12 primary meridians that transport chi to vital organs and to the surface of the body. Energetic points along these energy lines are used in modern day acupuncture and in Shiatsu massage. By manipulating the channels on the outside of the body, we can affect healing to organs on the inside of the body. Acupuncture, massage therapy and even modern-day chiropractic use this concept to promote healing and well-being.

Connecting to our Natural World – the 5 Elements
In addition to the theory of Yin and Yang, and the bodily meridian channels, the ancient Chinese described how chi interacted in the natural world. The five elements, Water, Fire, Wood, Metal, Earth are the symbolic elements through which energy and all energetic phenomenon occur. The five elements are also associated with the seasons, colors, tastes, sounds and more. Eventually, the five-element theory incorporated the body’s organs, senses, and even emotions. When combined with the external factors including the world around us (seasons, climate, food, etc.), the 5-Element theory evolved into a system for diagnosing and providing treatment to promote healing. The 5-element theory is still widely accepted in Japan today, and modern Shiatsu massage uses this system extensively as part of its approach to diagnosis.

Everything is connected
The traditional Oriental view of health says that while the universe is infinitely varied, everything within it is connected. The universe is one vast energy field and everything within it is a different manifestation of energy. In Oriental medicine, body, mind and spirit are not separate entities; they are part of our whole being. In fact, the Chinese viewed the “spirit” as a rarified bodily substance that was actually housed in our organs. And finally, a principle tenet of the Oriental view is rather than trying to adapt nature to suit our needs, the objective is for us to live in harmony with nature. That point of view extends to the Oriental view of wellness and health.

To Sum it All Up
The Oriental view on health is different from our Western view. While a Western physician may treat the symptoms of illness and strive for a “cure,” an Oriental physician views illness as disharmony or discord between the individual and the universe around her. Therefore, an Oriental physician works with his patient to make the necessary lifestyle changes that helps to restore balance and harmony, and subsequently health. The Chinese observed the influence of the environment and the natural world and through observations amassed over thousands of years were able to link the tendencies of people to succumb to certain illnesses to the characteristics of the rational world.

Illness and disease are not created in a vacuum. Lifestyle, environment, seasonal changes, as well as our attitudes towards health and wellness are all contributing factors. Treating symptoms alone is not the long-term answer to health and wellness. Western medicine is now slowly coming around to many important aspects embraced by TCM, most notably that we have inherent capabilities for self-healing. I’ve been saying to my clients for a long time that the Chinese figured it all out thousands of years ago. We’re just starting to catch up!

March 7, 2012 in Wellness by empoweringwellness

Work, Life, Play. Finding your "Play Mojo"

In their new bestselling book, “Womenomics,” authors Claire Shipman (ABC News Correspondent) and Katty Kay (BBC World News American Newswoman) write about how highly credentialed and educated women have increased their value in the workplace. Based on a study conducted by Pepperdine University over a period of 19-years, Shipman and Kay note that companies with more women in top positions post higher profits that exceed their industry median.

What does this mean? It translates to greater leverage for women in the workplace. It means that if employers want to maintain their position, they will need to retain these highly skilled and experienced women workers. And Shipman and Kay contend, they’ll “adapt to our lifestyle demands.” Ultimately this translates to more opportunities for women to negotiate flexible work schedules that to create balance between the demands of career and the needs of their families.

Balancing work and the demands of home life have always been challenging for women, much more so than for men. According to my friend and colleague, Terrill Welch, a women’s leadership coach, “Women still usually have primary responsibility for home management, child-care and elder care.” Terrill emphatically suggests that companies establish a workplace culture that supports work/life balance for everyone in the office. “The encroachment of work into personal and family time is an issue for both women and men,” Welch says.

So that’s good news for women, right? Yes, but maybe no.

The good news is that women are in a better position than ever to negotiate “family friendly” work schedules. But, if all you are doing is substituting one form of work (your career) for another form of work (demands of home and family life), is that really contributing to your overall well-being?

Most of our adult daily life falls under one of two categories: work and play. And for adults the majority of time is usually spent on work with far too little time allowed for play. As adults, we tend to spend leisure time on escape activities, distractions from the responsibilities of work. And for working women, spending time with the family often means taking on the role of caregiver, taking the children to soccer practice, to the swim meet, planning activities and events for them.

Where is the playtime for you?

It’s not an easy question to answer, for we are all brought up in society where we put our needs secondary to those of our children. It’s natural. Every parent wants a better life for her child, and that is only right.

But maybe there is another way. What I suggest is that we look for ways to engage in joyful, creative and spontaneous play that is vital to your well-being. It doesn’t mean that you are going to shirk your responsibilities as caregiver, as chauffeur. Rather, I suggest that you look for ways to engage with your children in simple play.

The fondest memories of my childhood are the simplest memories – playing “catch” in the backyard with my father. Flying a kite with my mom and dad on a Saturday picnic. Helping my mom prepare a picnic lunch that we all enjoyed together as a family (ok, I admit there is some “work” in that!).

I turn to Vared DeLeeuw, who writes MomGrind and who is rapidly becoming one of my favorite writers on the Internet. She just published a great article titled 40+ Activities for Kids, and she lists some fabulous ideas and ways to re-introduce yourself to the idea of spontaneous play with your children.

Among my favorites:

Practicing hoola hoop! I actually remember doing this with my mom during the first hula hoop craze in the late 1950’s. It was a joyful moment, and is a lovely memory for me to this day!

Play hide and seek. I did that with my parents too! What fun!

Go exploring in the backyard. I remember “camping out” in our backyard with my dad and brother. What an adventure!

These are just a few examples, but I hope you can see how “playing” with your children can help rekindle the inner child in you. And what better example to set for your children than showing them that even as an adult, it is “ok” to play, to be spontaneous, to laugh and squeal with joy! Rather than teaching them how to live, you are living life and showing them how to live.

What a wonderful lesson that would be.

February 22, 2012 in Massage Therapy, Wellness, Women's Health by empoweringwellness

De-stressing your commute – turning road rage into road sage

Today, a client arrived a few minutes late for her appointment. She got stuck in traffic due to the tremendous amount of construction that’s going on all over the greater Washington DC metro area. She was able to calm down after a few minutes, and once her session began, she was able to let go of the stress of her commute. But, it got me to thinking about how difficult commuting can be, and how much stress it causes in our daily life.

The average American commuter spends an hour a day driving to and from work. During this stressful, stop-and-go time, it’s likely that blood pressure increases, adrenaline begins pumping, and muscles constrict and tighten. By the time you get home, you’re wiped out and grumpy, and you have less to offer to those you come home to. If this sounds familiar, recognize that you have the power to reduce commuter stress.

Here are a few tips to make your commuter time contribute to — rather than detract from — your life.

Employ adjustable back cushions, pillows, wedges, and lumbar supports for a more comfortable commute. For more information, check out www.relaxtheback.com.

To successfully sidestep the late-afternoon slump often caused by the stress hormone cortisol, keep some healthy snacks within arms reach. Celery, string cheese, water, and nuts — especially almonds — are good options for the drive home.

Borrow books-on-tape/CD from the library. Consider purely entertaining novels to ease the intensity of your drive.

Learn a foreign language. Libraries also loan out these types of tapes and CD, too.

Use your commute as an opportunity for spiritual or emotional growth. When stressing about a traffic jam, remind yourself that it’s completely out of your control. Remember, attitude is everything.

Practice breathing. When stress occurs, breathing becomes shallow and constricted. Taking full, deep breaths gives the body more oxygen, helping to regulate physical and mental function. Exhaling fully releases tension and built up toxins.

For more ideas on achieving calm in a busy world, consider reading Serenity to Go: Calming Techniques for Your Hectic Life (New Harbinger Publications, 2001) by Mina Hamilton.

Of course regular massage therapy and bodywork can definitely help you to manage the stress of your daily commute. So, invest in yourself and in your health, and book a massage today.

January 23, 2012 in Emotional Healing, featured, Wellness by empoweringwellness

Learning to Tango

I was walking with my wife and our dogs the other day when we passed the local fire station. There was a young firefighter / EMT outside and when she saw us with our dogs, she called out to us, “Come on over! We have dog biscuits.”

Our dogs love walking near the local fire station. The crews who work there are all very dog friendly, and rarely a visit goes by without our dogs getting some sort of treat. The other day was no different.

As we continued our walk, I mentioned to my wife that “if I had it to do over all again, I would seriously consider becoming a firefighter / EMT.” My wife asked me why, and I said something about how I thought it was a really cool profession and that they get to drive really big, cool trucks!

After we returned home, I tweeted the following from my Twitter account, “So, if you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently? I, for one, would become a fireman / EMT! What about you?”

I received some very interesting answers. My friend Kat replied that she would have loved to have studied abroad when she had the chance. Another person replied that they wish they had become a physical therapist. And yet another said that she wished that she had continued to dance and that she would love to learn to tango.

The tango remark reminded me of one of my favorite film scenes. You know the scene. It is from “Scent of a Woman,” where Al Pacino gives an impromptu tango lesson to Gabrielle Anwar. He asks her why she hasn’t learned to tango and she replies that she is afraid. Afraid of what, Pacino asks? And she replies that she is afraid to make a mistake. Pacino says, “There are no mistakes in the tango.”

There are no mistakes in the tango. I really love that. I think what he means is that when you submit to the seductive power of the tango, you become swept away by it. That seductive power overcomes fear. And when you overcome fear, you are not afraid of making mistakes. As Pacino says, “When you make a mistake in the tango, you get tangled up, and then you tango on!”

Fear of making a mistake is what holds most of us back. It keeps us tongue-tied when we try to learn a foreign language. It prevents us from trying something new or different. It holds us back from reaching our true calling. Fear of making mistakes sabotages our happiness.

My friend Lissa Rankin said to me that I could still become a firefighter if I wanted. She even suggested that the volunteer department in her town would welcome me with open arms, and that they also held the best BBQ party every summer! Now, I love BBQ a lot and it’s quite an incentive, but I do think I am pretty happy with my life right now. When I walked away from the corporate world 8 years ago to become a massage therapist and coach, I knew that I would make mistakes. But instead of fearing mistakes, I actually embraced them. Just like in Pacino’s tango, I knew that those mistakes would become part of my dance and that I would eventually glide through them. I would, as Pacino said, “just tango on!”

I’m very happy with all of the twists and turns my life has taken. I’m grateful for the incredible friends who grace my life every day. I know that on the long and meandering road called life, that I have “gone a long way out of the way, in order to come back a short distance correctly.”

But, I wouldn’t mind driving one of those cool fire trucks one day! And most of all, I really would love to learn to tango. So, I know I will. Someday, very soon.

I hope you enjoy this scene from Scent of a Woman as much as I do! And when you get tangled up in life, just tango on!

Please follow me on Twitter and Facebook!

January 16, 2012 in Wellness by empoweringwellness

A Walking Workout

Having Fun, While Burning More Calories!

Imagine the lone hiker, backpack laden with sleeping bag and bedroll, wielding a well-worn walking stick as she climbs the side of a snow-covered mountain. For centuries, trekkers have used walking sticks, partly as a defense against attacking wildlife, partly to aid in balance, and partly as support on long, arduous climbs. But in recent years, many hikers have replaced the single wooden walking stick with hiking poles.

Held in both hands and used to distribute weight more evenly through the four limbs, wilderness hikers have found poles invaluable for safety, efficiency, and comfort on long hikes. What wilderness hikers have known for some time now is that walking poles are a great way to relieve pressure on knees, ankles, and the back. They encourage better posture and provide a total body workout by engaging the upper body.

Now, hiking poles are showing up in urban areas as fitness walkers discover the benefits they provide. Nordic walking–similar in technique to cross- country skiing–is a great way to get a whole body workout, increase oxygen consumption, and burn more calories than regular walking or even speed walking. This total body workout burns 40 percent more calories and consumes 25 percent more oxygen. Poles can be purchased at most outdoor sporting stores, along with rubber tips for use on paved paths.

Technique
Adjust your poles to approximately 70 percent of your height and loosely secure the straps around your wrists. Hold the poles at an angle behind you so they propel you forward with a slight bend at the elbow. Use an opposite hand-and-heel motion as you walk–right heel strikes as left pole tip contacts the ground. And you’re on your way! Don’t be shy with your poles. Remember: You’re burning 40 percent more calories.

Read more about Nordic-walking.

Reward yourself after your walking workout with a relaxing, soothing massage! Schedule your session today!

January 12, 2012 in Essential Oils, Wellness, Women's Health by empoweringwellness

A Guide to Health for 50-something women

This is the fifth in a series of 6 articles on women’s health. In this article I focus on the “fabulous 50′s!”

The fifties – time for initiation into menopause

Menopause is a time in a woman’s life that can be a period of deepening wisdom and inner reflection. Medically, menopause means the ceasing of menstruation. Hormone levels begin to change and the adrenal glands become the primary source of hormonal support.

Some tips to stay healthy in your 50′s

- Increase essential fatty acids such as fish oil and vitamin E

- Take supplements that nourish and support the endocrine glands

- Make sure your diet includes vitamin C, vitamin B5 (best taken in a B-complex formula) and magnesium

Essential Oil Blend for Female Hormonal Balance

- 2 drops of Clary Sage

- 1 drop of Geranium

- 1 drop Ylang Ylang

This is a good blend for menopause discomfort, hot flashes, PMS and general female hormone balance. Clary sage releases dopamine in the brain, and some people experience a joyous almost euphoric response. It balances estrogen and helps balance the central nervous system. Geranium gently stimulates the adrenals, which play an integral part during menopause and hormone fluctuations.

Combine the oils and apply daily to the soles of the feet or to the abdomen.

January 4, 2012 in Massage Therapy, Wellness, Women's Health by empoweringwellness

Lymphatic Drainage – A Natural Immune System Boost

Lymphatic Drainage Massage Helps Fight Infection.

Does your immune system work overtime? If so, you might want to give it a boost by seeing a massage therapist or bodyworker trained in lymphatic drainage therapy. This technique can boost your immunity by increasing the production of antibodies, stimulating circulation, moving congestion out of the body, and reducing swelling, especially after surgery.

The lymphatic system supports our body’s immune function and involves several organs, glands, and tissues, hundreds of lymph nodes, and a network of vessels. A clear lymph fluid flows through these vessels and carries the metabolic waste (bacteria, dead cells, fats, fluids, proteins, and viruses) to the lymph nodes, where it is filtered. These nodes often swell when we are sick.

The lymphatic drainage techniques used by massage therapists and bodyworkers gently stimulate lymph nodes, help correct swelling and stagnation in those nodes, reduce local fluid retention, boost the overall immune system, and provide relaxation. As an essential tool in the treatment of lymphedema (excess lymphatic fluid), this therapy is often applied postoperatively and can be especially beneficial for breast cancer patients.

Administering this treatment requires advanced training and is performed with gentle, massage-like strokes. There should be no discomfort involved, in fact, you may feel you are hardly being worked on at all.

Aftercare
After your lymphatic drainage treatment, it’s possible you could feel some mild, flu-like symptoms, depending on how much strain your body has been under prior to treatment. This strain may be due to environmental pollutants, medication, and diet. Most people leave a session simply feeling relaxed, but if you don’t feel at the top of your game, drink plenty of water, limit your salt intake, and stay physically active.

Lymphatic drainage is one way to give your wellness a boost in a busy world that makes many demands on your immune system.

I incorporate lymphatic drainage into most of my massage therapy sessions with my clients. Help boost your immune system and schedule a session with me today!

December 28, 2011 in Essential Oils, Wellness, Women's Health by empoweringwellness

A Guide to Health for 40-something Women

This is the fourth article in a six part series on women’s health. In today’s post, I include an essential oils formula for adrenal fatigue. During this stage of your life, it’s especially important to maintain hormonal balance and adrenal health is critical.

Your 40′s are full of change.

During this decade, a women begins the transition into perimenopause, the five-ten year period before the onset of menopause. Hormonal shifts such as an excess of estrogen and declining progesterone often lead to unpredictable moods, heavy flow, hot flashes, night sweats, headaches and weight gain.

Tips:

1. Strengthen the digestive system by adding digestive enzymes and probiotics to your daily regimen
2. Magnesium, selenium, iodine and vitamin A help improve thyroid function
3. Regular exercise and proper nutrition are especially important

Essential Oils Blend for Adrenal Fatigue / Burnout

• 3 drops Pine Needle essential oil
• 2 Frankincense essential oil
• 2 drops Pine Bark essential oil

This formula is wonderful for “re-setting” the adrenal/pituitary response. It is best used in a fractionated coconut oil or grapeseed oil base. Pine needle or balsam fir oil is excellent for burnout and exhaustion. Its rejuvenating properties aid in balancing adrenal hormones and have a positive effect on the nearby kidneys. Frankincense helps to regulate the endocrine system by balancing hormones in the body (especially the pituitary and pineal glands.)

Frankincense also oxygenates the brain. Pine bark essential oil acts a restorative to the adrenals and tired bodily systems.