Blessings Readers,
Welcome back to the final Basics of Massage. This week I will be giving you insight into Hawaiian Lomi Lomi or Kahuna Massage. This is a beautiful massage with beautiful intention and philosophy.
Lomi Lomi means masseur, masseuse, or massage in Hawaiian language, and the word today is used to describe this Hawaiian massage. The early Polynesian settlers brought their own form of massage and it became something uniquely Hawaiian. It was an indigenous practise that evolved over hundreds of years in isolated villages throughout the island chain. Lomi Lomi is now a common and popular massage modality throughout the world.
To understand the depth of Lomi Lomi massage it helps to have an understanding of the Hawaiian philosophy called Huna. A fundamental aspect of Huna is that everything seeks harmony and everything seeks love. Lomi Lomi massage works gently yet deeply into the muscles with continuous flowing strokes, totally nurturing the body and enabling the recipient to relax, give in and simply be. The focus of the practitioner on the client is deep and complete using nurturing and loving intention.
The massage is given in fluid, rhythmic motion using forearms as well as hands. Another feature is that different parts of the body may be massaged at once. This assists the recipient in totally relaxing as its difficult for the brain to focus on two things at once. By not working on areas in isolation a deep sense of balance and harmony is achieved.
A major difference from other massage is that the person lays directly on the vinyl of the massage table and not on a towel and rather than being covered by towels is covered by a small sheet or towel, leaving most of the body exposed whilst maintaining the recipients modesty. This makes it easier to perform both underbody and full body strokes without interrupting the flow of the massage. In colder weather the room will be heated to a warm level.
Gentle stretches of the body and rotations of the joints are also incorporated to assist the release of tensions and flow of energy. The practitioner may even hum to facilitate energy flow!
Whilst technique is important the priority of Lomi Lomi is of nurturing the recipient, using intuition so the massage is 'right' for the client. Its important to remember that the practitioner does not heal but is the facilitator for the healing! The Hawaiians look at things in terms of energy flow, following the idea that ideas and beliefs can block energy flow as much as muscle tension can. Lomi Lomi helps release these blockages. Thus Lomi Lomi is not just a physical experience, it also facilitates healing on the mental emotional and spiritual levels as well.
On the physical level through Lomi Lomi stress and tension are relieved, blood and lymph flow assisted, and the elimination of wastes and toxins from the body stimulated.
If your feeling stressed, have emotional issues that are troubling you or are just not feeling your usual happy vibrant self, a Lomi Lomi massage (alongside other treatments) may be a fantastic support therapy.
If you would just like to pamper yourself and get back the 'spring' Lomi Lomi massage would be an ideal treat!
This is my last week of Basics of Massage, I hope you found the weeks informative and interesting. The Basics of Massage was an introduction of myself to you, and the therapies I use as part of my practise, plus others that you may wish to incorporate as part of your health programme.
I will be dropping in regularly with lots of interesting information. I still will be covering different massage and bodywork modalities including Remedial and Sports Massage Therapy, plus information on Energy work, tips for wellness physically, mentally, and spiritually.
I'm off to the country for my Christmas holiday break! Am really looking forward to seeing friends and family. Ill be back in the very early new years. I have one day available at my Preston clinic, that being Friday's. I am happy to mobile it to your home as well.
See you January!!
Have a lovely Christmas and an awesome New Years!!
Thursday, 15 December 2011
Saturday, 10 December 2011
Angie's Basics of Massage. Week 5. Shiatsu and Rolfing
Blessings Readers,
Welcome to week 5, Basics of Massage. This week we are going to look at Shiatsu and Rolfing. These are both bodywork therapy's.
Shiatsu is a system based on the body's energy meridians. Shiatsu is normally done fully clothed and
involves pressing points on the body and stretching and opening the energy meridians. The view of Traditional Chinese Medicine is that 'chi' or energy circulates along these meridians. Free flowing chi brings strong fresh energy and carries away spent energy along with toxins. Headaches, sleeplessness and depression is all viewed as blocked or diverted chi which must be cleared and restored.
Shiatsu is deeply relaxing and helps you release muscular and emotional tensions. It is excellent to re-charge your batteries and can be of great benefit for pregnant women and new mothers.
Additional benefits include:
Stress reduction and management
Release of toxins from the body
Reduced blood pressure
Reduces mental anxieties
Increases mental and spiritual awareness.
I have had a Shiatsu performed when I was feeling run down and lethargic. The therapy really did improve my energy levels and the benefits stayed with me for a good two weeks. I was able to find the energy to make some changes to my health (the reason i had become tired). This is only one reason to have a Shiatsu so check it out and see if it works for you.
Rolfing is a form of hands on manipulation and movement therapy. Rolfing works on the connective tissue (fascia) to release, realign and balance the whole body. Rolfing enhances your posture and freedom of movement. It may bring about very effective results including:
Injury recovery (including Repetitive Strain Injury)
Pain reduction (including back pain)
Stress relief
Increased flexibility
Headache relief
Better balance and ease
Rolfing is also an excellent complement to Yoga, Palates, and other personal wellness practises.
I haven't had a Rolfing session yet, but am definitely thinking of trying it out. I think it sounds wonderful and have had friends who have been very happy with the results. If you would like to share any of your experiences of any of the therapy's I cover, please post a comment.
I'm hoping you are starting to get a feel for what therapies may or may not be suitable for you. Alot of therapy's complement one another, for example you may try Deep Tissue Massage Therapy, alongside Bowen Therapy for maximum benefit if you are experiencing muscular tightness. Swedish Massage Therapy with Shiatsu as part of a stress reduction programme.
Next week is the last week of my Basics of Massage. I will be looking at Lomi-Lomi Massage. This massage is a real treat and a great way to indulge yourself (A lovely gift too).
Wishing you well.
Welcome to week 5, Basics of Massage. This week we are going to look at Shiatsu and Rolfing. These are both bodywork therapy's.
Shiatsu is a system based on the body's energy meridians. Shiatsu is normally done fully clothed and
involves pressing points on the body and stretching and opening the energy meridians. The view of Traditional Chinese Medicine is that 'chi' or energy circulates along these meridians. Free flowing chi brings strong fresh energy and carries away spent energy along with toxins. Headaches, sleeplessness and depression is all viewed as blocked or diverted chi which must be cleared and restored.
Shiatsu is deeply relaxing and helps you release muscular and emotional tensions. It is excellent to re-charge your batteries and can be of great benefit for pregnant women and new mothers.
Additional benefits include:
Stress reduction and management
Release of toxins from the body
Reduced blood pressure
Reduces mental anxieties
Increases mental and spiritual awareness.
I have had a Shiatsu performed when I was feeling run down and lethargic. The therapy really did improve my energy levels and the benefits stayed with me for a good two weeks. I was able to find the energy to make some changes to my health (the reason i had become tired). This is only one reason to have a Shiatsu so check it out and see if it works for you.
Rolfing is a form of hands on manipulation and movement therapy. Rolfing works on the connective tissue (fascia) to release, realign and balance the whole body. Rolfing enhances your posture and freedom of movement. It may bring about very effective results including:
Injury recovery (including Repetitive Strain Injury)
Pain reduction (including back pain)
Stress relief
Increased flexibility
Headache relief
Better balance and ease
Rolfing is also an excellent complement to Yoga, Palates, and other personal wellness practises.
I haven't had a Rolfing session yet, but am definitely thinking of trying it out. I think it sounds wonderful and have had friends who have been very happy with the results. If you would like to share any of your experiences of any of the therapy's I cover, please post a comment.
I'm hoping you are starting to get a feel for what therapies may or may not be suitable for you. Alot of therapy's complement one another, for example you may try Deep Tissue Massage Therapy, alongside Bowen Therapy for maximum benefit if you are experiencing muscular tightness. Swedish Massage Therapy with Shiatsu as part of a stress reduction programme.
Next week is the last week of my Basics of Massage. I will be looking at Lomi-Lomi Massage. This massage is a real treat and a great way to indulge yourself (A lovely gift too).
Wishing you well.
Friday, 2 December 2011
Angie's Basics of Massage. Week 4. Bowen Therapy
Blessings Readers,
Welcome to week 4 of Basics of Massage. Its been a busy week as I'm sure yours has been. Its now officially summer! Winter has its own beauty, but its great to be able to put the rugs away for a season or two!
This week Id like to give an insight into Bowen Therapy. This very effective therapy was developed by Australian Tim Bowen (from Geelong actually). He believed that the underlying source of many health or pain problems could be found in the soft tissue or fascia of the body. Bowen Therapy, through specific soft tissue or fascial release and integration techniques, stimulate specific receptors that enable the body to correct dysfunctions and restore balance.
Note: *Fascia is a specific type of connective tissue that forms a three dimensional web surrounding every tissue of the body. Fascia is the body organiser embracing all nerves, bones, veins, arteries and muscles. Therefore fascial dysfunction can affect every structure, muscle, nerve and organ in the body.
To receive a Bowen Therapy can seem quite unusual. The Bowen practitioner will usually use thumbs to roll across particular muscles and or tendons, seemingly quite briefly, then usually leave the room for a minute or two, then repeating the rolling technique across muscles elsewhere before once again leaving you for a brief time period. I must say that the first time I received a Bowen treatment I wasn't sure what was happening, as I think I had expected more of a massage. But soon, during the treatment and afterwards, I felt a lovely relaxation and an obvious and almost immediate relief to to the discomfort the the tight muscles I had presented with.
If used wholistically, Bowen Therapy will allow the body to repair itself from a wide range of chronic, long term health conditions and can be used to improve the performance and well being of people. This therapy can be used to treat a whole range of acute problems, such as sport and work related injuries. For example, Bowen Therapy will provide immediate relief to a sprained ankle.
Through treating the cause rather than the symptoms Bowen Therapy has consistently shown it can have profound and permanent healing and pain relief outcomes.
Bowen Therapy treats the whole body, and its wholistic effects are apparent in patients who find resolution to problems above and beyond those for which they sought treatment, for example lack of energy, stress or emotional issues.
Bowen Therapy has also been effective for some people who haven't found much success with other modalities.
I hope you found this week on Bowen Therapy informative and interesting. I personally love Bowen and it has been a health modality I have turned to at different times in my life with positive outcomes.
Next week I will be covering briefly a few basics on some forms of body work, such as Rolfing and Shiatsu.
Until then,
Take care
Welcome to week 4 of Basics of Massage. Its been a busy week as I'm sure yours has been. Its now officially summer! Winter has its own beauty, but its great to be able to put the rugs away for a season or two!
This week Id like to give an insight into Bowen Therapy. This very effective therapy was developed by Australian Tim Bowen (from Geelong actually). He believed that the underlying source of many health or pain problems could be found in the soft tissue or fascia of the body. Bowen Therapy, through specific soft tissue or fascial release and integration techniques, stimulate specific receptors that enable the body to correct dysfunctions and restore balance.
Note: *Fascia is a specific type of connective tissue that forms a three dimensional web surrounding every tissue of the body. Fascia is the body organiser embracing all nerves, bones, veins, arteries and muscles. Therefore fascial dysfunction can affect every structure, muscle, nerve and organ in the body.
To receive a Bowen Therapy can seem quite unusual. The Bowen practitioner will usually use thumbs to roll across particular muscles and or tendons, seemingly quite briefly, then usually leave the room for a minute or two, then repeating the rolling technique across muscles elsewhere before once again leaving you for a brief time period. I must say that the first time I received a Bowen treatment I wasn't sure what was happening, as I think I had expected more of a massage. But soon, during the treatment and afterwards, I felt a lovely relaxation and an obvious and almost immediate relief to to the discomfort the the tight muscles I had presented with.
If used wholistically, Bowen Therapy will allow the body to repair itself from a wide range of chronic, long term health conditions and can be used to improve the performance and well being of people. This therapy can be used to treat a whole range of acute problems, such as sport and work related injuries. For example, Bowen Therapy will provide immediate relief to a sprained ankle.
Through treating the cause rather than the symptoms Bowen Therapy has consistently shown it can have profound and permanent healing and pain relief outcomes.
Bowen Therapy treats the whole body, and its wholistic effects are apparent in patients who find resolution to problems above and beyond those for which they sought treatment, for example lack of energy, stress or emotional issues.
Bowen Therapy has also been effective for some people who haven't found much success with other modalities.
I hope you found this week on Bowen Therapy informative and interesting. I personally love Bowen and it has been a health modality I have turned to at different times in my life with positive outcomes.
Next week I will be covering briefly a few basics on some forms of body work, such as Rolfing and Shiatsu.
Until then,
Take care
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