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 Contrary
to what it may sound like, Brazilian toe massage is not having your
toes massaged or being massaged by toes. It is, however, a type of
healing art that came out of Brazil and has a great deal more in common
with acupuncture or reflexology than with massage. Based on healing
through meridians, Brazilian massage focuses on very light touches in
which the practitioner holds the toe between two fingers while
manipulating the chi in the body.
Brazilian toe massage helps to
empty out excessive energy trapped in the organs by increasing the flow
of energy into organs whose energy stores have been depleted or are
undercharged. There are six energy meridians in the body that run from
the organs to the toes. By holding the toes, the massage therapist
helps create a circuit of chi energy from their own body to the person
receiving the treatment, which, in turn, influence their organs.
During
a typical Brazilian toe massage session, the person receiving the
massage lies comfortably on their back, eyes closed and palms facing
upwards. When the massage begins, the massage therapist lightly holds
the tops of both middle toes with their middle fingers and thumbs.
After three minutes have passed, the massage therapist moves onto the
next toe for three minutes, and so on. Since the big toes have two
energy meridians in them, they are held by the first two fingers and
the thumb instead of just the one middle finger.
Brazilian toe massage is used for maladies as varied as insomnia, aches and pains, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
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 According
to the American Pain Foundation, 26 million Americans regularly
experience back pain and if you're one of them, you may feel like
you've tried everything yet still suffer from pain that prevents you
from doing the activities you love... but have you tried massage?
Massage has proven effective for those suffering from chronic back
pain, helping to relieve back pain while relaxing and loosening muscles
to improve range of motion. Other benefits of massage therapy:
Massage
relaxes muscles. When muscles are relaxed, your body's range of motion
improves, and a more flexible body means less stiffness and a lower
likelihood of re-injury.
Massage improves circulation, which aides your body's recovery process after physical activity.
Massage
increases endorphin levels. Endorphins are nature's "feel good"
chemicals and are extremely effective in treating the mental and
physical aspects of chronic pain, in addition to dopamine and
serotonin, whose levels are also increased during a massage.
If
you're new to massage and are suffering from chronic lower back pain,
try deep tissue massage, a combination of Swedish massage and
neuromuscular therapies. Deep tissue therapy helps to address the
specific areas of your pain and accumulated tension by releasing deep,
often hyper-contracted muscular tissue that's at the root of your pain.
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They
say good things come in small packages, and pears are certainly a
sweet, compact package, loaded with good for you stuff like vitamin C,
potassium, and dietary fiber. And with no cholesterol and only 100
calories per serving, pears are a snack you can feel good about. Try
this refreshing spring salad, packed with pear, spring greens, and
candied pecans, a filling main course that won't weigh you down – or
pair it with a lean protein and whole grain bread for a simple yet
delicious meal.
 Ingredients
6 cups assorted greens
2 medium pears, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
1/2 cup artisan bleu cheese
Dressing
2 tablespoons honey or agave nectar (soften the honey if necessary to make it easier to whisk)
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
Salt and black pepper, to taste.
Directions
1. In a salad bowl, lightly toss the greens with the pears.
2. In a small non-reactive bowl, combine the honey and lemon juice. Whisk with the salt and pepper, to taste.
3. Pour the dressing over the greens and pears and toss gently.
4. Garnish with walnuts and bleu cheese.
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If you want to create a massage environment at your home in between
sessions with your massage therapist, start with adding these objects
to create the perfect backdrop for mental and physical peace through
home massage:
Music
is not only the most widely accepted form of relaxation – it’s also one
of best ways to create the perfect ambiance for at-home massage. Choose
soft and relaxing music like classical, new age, or a CD created
especially for massage environments.
Massage oils reduce the
friction between the masseur and the receiver. There are a wide variety
of oils available specifically for massage, but common massage oils are
almond or jojoba oils. You may even want to choose a massage oil that
also offers aromatherapy benefits, too.
Low lighting will help
relax the receiver of the massage. Dim your lights and use candles to
set the mood for the massage. Choose pleasant aromas like lavender,
rose, or jasmine. Sweet smells help provide mental tranquility to the
person receiving the massage.
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In This Issue
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News from my office
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#my_firstname# #my_lastname#
#my_phone#
My Website
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Massage for More Energy
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Massage
is often thought of in terms of relaxation, and to be sure, that is
certainly a result of massage. However, an energizing massage is just
as possible. Relaxation of muscles and high energy levels are not
actually a contradiction either. When you don't have tension in your
body because of knots in the muscles and stiffness, you can actually
access a greater amount of your energy otherwise expended holding onto
tension.
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Detoxifying Baths
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Taking
baths is a great way to relax, but did you know that you could actually
detoxify your body that way as well? Most people know that putting
Epsom salts in their bath is a great way to soothe sore muscles, but
the benefits of bath salts go much further. Bath salts, including Epsom
salts and sea salt, pull toxins from the skin. Apple cider vinegar and
bentonite clay are also popular detoxifying bath additions.
To
truly experience detoxification to its fullest, you should be prepared
to be able to rest and recuperate afterwards. After soaking in your
bath for half an hour or so, making sure to drink water throughout if
thirsty, climb into bed and get under the covers. Stay there for at
least thirty minutes. You may begin to sweat- this is your body purging
toxins. If you can, take a nap. You might experience mild cold or flu
like symptoms the next day- this is normal and is part of the process
of detoxification in the body. Simply drink plenty of liquids and get
as much rest as possible. If you need something moisturizing, use
food-grade oil on your body, never lotions.
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Ocean Waves: A Serenity Meditation
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To
enjoy a relaxing beach-themed meditation, sit back and allow your mind
to transport you to your favorite secluded beach spot. Adding details
that correspond to multiple senses will increase the realism (and the
effectiveness) of your meditation. Here are a few ideas of how to bring
your serene ocean meditation more depth:
Sight:
See the sun bright overhead, the waves crashing on the shore, the sand
dunes behind you, the long stretch of horizon in every direction.
Smell: Smell the fresh ocean air, the odor of brine and sand, and even sunscreen to give your experience a taste of reality.
Taste: Conjure up the slightly salty taste that spending time at the beach leaves in your mouth, and your favorite seaside drink.
Touch: Feel the sand between your fingers and toes, the warm sun and the salty breeze against your skin.
Sound: Listen to the ocean waves crashing, the gulls calling out overhead and the dull steady roar of the ocean behind it all.
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