Message from the Mountains

JOY is in the JOURNEY

Traveling in Peru

The path you’re on is one you’ve chosen to be on – either intentionally or as a result of other decisions you’ve made.  This path will lead to many other paths and new experiences.  Each journey you take has something to teach you.

Learning expands who we are, by broadening  our understanding.  Every trial we go through makes us stronger.  Every struggle reinforces our ability to survive.

It’s easy to lose sight of these positive aspects in the midst of a difficult time. Rest assured that every thing is a balance in Life. Tough times have an  end.  Sadness finds  its way to laughter.

So follow the path to the very end…

No matter if it is a difficult or easy path, the JOY really is in JOurneY.

A Step Toward Positive Health

Walking in Paris

There is nothing more therapeutic than a long walk…except perhaps a long walk in a place full of beauty, art and inspiration. For me, that place is and will forever be Paris.

Being in Paris was an experience of a lifetime, walking around the charming streets, with no place to be, no schedule, no one else to check in or content with.  I walked where and when and for as long as I wanted.  For 8 days, I walked, and walked, and walked and walked. The luxury of it all was the luxury of time to do so.  I live in New Jersey – we drive to destinations 3 blocks away.

Walking  is easy to do, requires no special skill or acumen, it’s free and it’s one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself.  It gets your blood pumping, your lymph moving, and gets those lungs working!  Walking engages your muscles, your bones, your senses.  All of this combined is excellent for your mind and body – AND it reduces stress! There’s a multitude of benefits to be had in the mere act of simplistic ambulation.

Now I realize that most local neighborhoods are not replete with carved marble statues and 16^th Century iron work, but the sights and sounds that the senses will pick up on will help you to discover the hidden treasures and gems that inspire the mind and uplift the spirit.

Take a Wellness Walk.  As you walk, take deep breaths and allow your mind to focus on the things around you.  It may slow down your pace.  If it does, let it.   Discover the buildings and streets, watch the people around you.  This is easier to do without music, and leaves you open and engaged to your surroundings.  As you continue your journey, you may find yourself open to new ideas.  We need that type of renewal, every day if possible.

You don’t have to jump a plane to a foreign destination to do it, just strap on a pair of comfy shoes and go outside – a world of health benefits awaits!

Walk with me

Share Your Journey

How many of us have told ourselves that we’re going to start taking better care of ourselves, only to slip into the same comfortable rut.  Indeed, I can all but gurantee that is what happens to most New Year’s resolutions.  It’s not that we don’t mean it, but habits are well-worn patterns, and patterns are hard to break. All too often the lack of accountability softens our well-meaning resolve to change.  So after writing the last entry about embarking on the Journey Towards Wellness, I felt that I had, perhaps inadvertently, created a level of accountability – which has served me well.  Having told people that I am actively working to protect and maintain a higher standard to positive health makes me accountable to everyone who knows me.

Why Be Alone?
If you have heard yourself exclaim that it was finally time to eat right, begin meditating, or lose weight, who’s to say you have to do it all by yourself?  Whether you ask your family and friends to police your snacking habits or start blogging or Facebooking about your progress, the truth is that there is power in numbers.

Share your Journey
I didn’t think my partner would relish the idea of getting up extra in the early morning to go walking.  I don’t relish waking up early at times either.  I explained to him my new-found committment toward every day wellness, and that carving out this time was really important to me.  To my surprise, he agreed to wake up with me (at least 3 times a week) and in so doing, it’s provided us with some much coveted personal time (which often is hard to come by with our varying schedules). Not only am I helping myself, but by asking my partner to join me I’m helping him live healthier too!

By including others, not only do your strengthen your own resolve to build better health, but you may inspire and strengthen the resolve of others around you to do the same.  Even if your spouse doesn’t join you on a walk every night, or your coworkers don’t chose to all order salads, that’s okay.  Just because they don’t join you, doesn’t mean they’re not supportive.  People want to see you succeed.

Most people want to make healthy changes, but like you, they may have lost inspiration and could use some encouragemnet.  So find a friend or partner who will workout with you. Tell everyone you know about your goals to lose 20lbs or to quit smoking. When you make positive changes to your health habits, you will be an inspiration to those around you to make their own changes!

You are not alone.

The 15 Minute Make-Over

Take a Mini-Vacation!

Workplace stress costs U.S. employers an estimated $200 billion per year in absenteeism, lower productivity, staff turnover, workers’ compensation, medical insurance and other stress-related expenses.

These increased levels of job-related stress directly affect an employee’s sense of job satisfaction, productivity and health.

Studies conducted by the Touch Research Institute in Miami, FL has shown that a 15 minute chair massage lowers blood pressure and anxiety, decreases job stress and depression, and increases mental alertness and vigor among workers.

Having now been on both sides of the chair, this does not surprise me.  As an admin assistant, I remember how good that little break made me feel.  Now, as a massage therapist, I get to see the happy smiling faces and hear the profuse statements of gratitude.

Benefits of Work Place Massage include:

• Improve Productivity
• Improve Morale
• Improve Retention
• Reduce Stress
• Become Employer of Choice
• Enhance Employee Rewards Programs
• Prevent and Manage Repetitive Stress Injuries 

If you do not currently have a massage therapist coming to your office but would like to, talk to your HR Department or simply contact me with any questions you may have.

Weekly chair massages are quick, easy and cost-effective way to take care of the people who take care of your business.

Happier, healthier employees = happier, healthier businesses.

The only question is: Can you afford NOT to have a 15-minute make-over?

What is Reiki?

Discover Reiki Healing Touch

Reiki is a hands-on form of healing. Some people describe it inaccurately as a massage. However, no manipulation of the body takes place, and accordingly there is no risk of injury, aches or pains occurring after treatment, which makes is a safe choice for the elderly, for babies, and for conditions in which massage might be contraindicated.

Reiki energy is wise and knows where it is needed.
Reiki brings the body back into alignment, into balance, and into a state of homeostasis…

A treatment is gentle and relaxing.  The client is fully clothed. Hands are placed on (or just over) key places on the body that are either energy centers (Chakras) or simply areas that require healing attention.  Sometimes there is a “feeling”, often described as a glowing or warmth, but sometimes there is no specific “feeling” involved.  Reiki is at work regardless. By harmonising and balancing your chakras Reiki gives you a feeling of relaxation and well being.

Reiki treats the whole person: body, emotions, mind and spirit, creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and well-being, in addition to physical well-being.  It works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery. Many nurses are also Reiki practitioners and it is gaining popularity in hospitals & operating rooms due to its whole body healing effects.

Reiki is effective in reducing of pain, fatigue, stress and emotional dis-orders, easing the symptoms from all types of illness or addictions, both acute and chronic. A Reiki treatment can revitalize body energies and reinstate mental and emotional health allowing you to see clearly and focus easily.

Is Sports Massage Right For You?

Balance your Workouts with Massage

Sports Massage is type of massage designed to help athletes prepare their bodies for optimal performance by stimulating circulation, increasing range of motion, and reducing the risk of injury.

However, you don’t have to be training for the Olympics to benefit from sports massage.  Sports Massage is recommended for people with active workout routines, as well as people with injuries, chronic pain or restricted ranges of motion.

Sports Massage tends to focus on a specific area of the body rather than the full body (although it can), and involves a mixture of Deep Tissue and Stretching techniques.

What Happens During Sports Massage?
There are 3 types of sports massages:
* pre-event massage — a short, stimulating massage 15 – 45 minutes before an event or workout, directed toward the parts of the body that will be involved in the exertion to prepare the body for action.
* post-event sports massage — given after an event/workout, this session is designed to help flush the body of lactic acid and toxins stirred up during the event/workout.  This helps cool the body down and prevent delayed onset soreness.
* rehabilitative sports massage — aimed at alleviating pain due to exertion or injury, strengthening muscle tissue, increasing range of motion and returning the body to health.

When Should I Get A Sports Massage?
A sports massage is a good choice if you have a specific problem or concern, starting a new workout regime, gearing up for a specific event or to simply maintain peak condition. It can be scheduled before and/or after a workout.

How Do I Get the Most Out of My Sports Massage?
The more massage you get, the more effective it is as a therapy.  Goals can be more easily attained in a series of 30-minute sessions, especially if you are booking them 1-2x a week.

Be sure to communicate to your therapist your fitness goals. 
If you would like to strengthen an area, or increase flexibility, tell this to your massage therapist.  Always let them know if you experience any stiffness, resistance or pain throughout your day.  Inform your therapist of any past injuries or surgeries.

If you have any questions or are interested in learning more about adding Sports Massage to your fitness routine, contact me at: nicole@akneadedvacation.com

Who Doesn’t Knead a Vacation?

Have you ever noticed how popular massage therapy has become in the past 15 years? These days a person can receive a massage just about anywhere – at most every salon, spas, hotels, chiropractic offices, wellness centers, malls, and even massage franchise chain stores.

This is a sign that massage is such a necessary part of our lives.

But then I realized that while it is available everywhere, there remains a lot of misconceptions and ambiguities about massage and a lack of information about its many benefits.  While it is no secret that massage therapy feels good,  most people turn to massage for pain-relief and stress relief.

Massage offers a wealth of benefits and finding a good massage therapist, one who is attentive to your needs and intuitive about your body’s pain, someone who makes you feel comfortable, at ease, and genuinely cared for the duration of your session can make all the difference in your experience.

Working with the same therapist allows you to develop a stronger, more effective massage session.   I develop a greater cumulative  understanding of each client’s needs and preferences with each session.  And by delivering this “kneaded” care to your home or office, you have the time to take care of yourself, so that you can take care of your Life.

So if your body is making you “aware” that it may need some attention, make the time in your schedule to maintain your health.

Tell your pain and stress to start packing because you’re about to stay home and take A Kneaded Vacation!