Massage For Your Children

Massage is good for kids of all ages. In their younger years they may have an upset tummy or fever and as parents we will naturally try and comfort them with a light gentle loving touch. We are always asking permission to touch another individual. Toddlers are running all over the place and have lots of energy, they need help at times to unwind for some quiet time or a nap. Tina Allen has written a book “A Modern Day Guide to Massage for Children”. She is a licensed massage therapist and has taught home care massage to parents nationwide.

We can teach our kids at a young age about exercise and stretching to build strong healthy bodies. Giselle Shardlow has written several children's yoga books one is called “Rachel’s Day in the Garden: A Kids Yoga Spring Colors Book”. Also good for quiet time.

As kids enter their teens, there can be a lot of added stress such as, adolescence, sport activities, social acceptance, study and testing. This is an appropriate age to come to a spa setting. Their bodies can handle a 60 minute massage and may start to show signs of poor posture, sports related injuries, or growing pains in the joints.

Benefits of Massage

• Decreased anxiety and stress

• Improved joint mobility

• Enhanced body and self esteem 

• Improved muscle tone and muscle relaxation

Receiving a massage at this age is best monthly to biweekly if very active or recovering from an injury. As always if you have any serious health concerns see your pediatrician.

At this time I am not taking young adults under the age of 18 years.

Skin Care and Lotion

Skin is the body’s largest organ. It protects our entire body and, in doing so, it suffers physical damage by sun exposure, environmental pollution, cuts and scrapes. It has two main layers, the outer layer protects the body by shedding dead dry skin and regulating body temperature. Our entire body will sweat out toxins and cool us off to protect the internal organs. The second deep layer of skin is continually creating new skin to repair and renew. It is enervated to feel touch such as pain and can feel relaxation from massage.

I am not currently retailing any lotion products. It matters what we put on the skin. For better hydration, help with anti-aging, and skin irritation, I choose products that are spa quality and made from organic, local, biodynamically or hydroponically farmed ingredients. Water soluble lotions and oils penetrate more deeply to help our skin naturally regrow and repair. 

Vendors I Stand By  

• Eminence Organic Skin Care

• FarmHouse Fresh

• Salt of the Earth - was local and bought out, moved to CA when its gone its gone..

I choose what lotion to use based on the treatment. For example, for prenatal massage I want lots of hydration to help minimize stretch marks. For deep tissue, I  want a thick cream with little to no slide. The products I provide are free from artificial scents. You are more than welcome to bring your own concoction of lotion and essential oils.

Image Reborn Foundation

I have been with Image Reborn Foundation for the past three years working with breast cancer clients of all ages, in treatment and in recovery at their Park City, Utah Retreats. Breast cancer does not run in my family as far as I know. I was adopted as an infant from El Salvador, I was raised in Logan Utah. I have done a small amount of research into my heritage, 23andMe genetic testing showed few to no markers for me to experience breast cancer in my future if I maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

This Spring 2019 my dear friend lost her fight with breast cancer. I am so glad this organization was here for Mieke, who was fortunate enough to attend two retreats over the years. She gave her fellow attendees hope, strength and her humor- the minute you met her she was an instant friend. It was never about her, always about others. Mieke has inspired me to laugh often, tell family and friends daily how much I love and appreciate what they mean to me and how they help me grow. Each and every day I try to live to be my best self.

 It has been a privilege to work with these beautiful woman and give my support, love, and compassion though massage. What an incredible opportunity it is for these women to bond with and hold each other through this time in their lives, to teach others what is the most important part of living, and to slow down and enjoy the moments we create.

I look forward to seeing you here and sharing this experience together.

Flexibility is Movement

The more often we stretch our bodies the less tension and stress there is in the body. We already know of several massage benefits and the importance of a healthy diet and regular exercise. In a quick internet search there are many local yoga studios and online tutorials. Something to consider as well is our own daily routine of activities; our job, the type of exercise we do, and what areas of stress and tension we feel in our bodies. With this information we can select our stretching routine to reflect the opposite of what we do physically all the time. Daily stretching is wonderful, but how much time are we making for it? Here are a few tips to get more from our routine.

Here are some good considerations to prepare for the stretch:

• Inhale and exhale deeply, for even lengths of time

• Hold each stretch for 30 seconds to a minute

• Make minor adjustments to your stretch as you feel the muscles release and lengthen

• Keep your eyes open and focused four feet in front of you

• View your whole self in the mirror in order to see your vertical and horizontal lines

• Select several stretches and do two repetitions each; you might stretch further the second time around

• Stand or sit on a yoga mat for a good non-slip grip

• Keep your balance by engaging your core and lengthening your whole spine

For example as a massage therapist I bend forward, tilting or twisting over my client as I work. By bending backward, extending my abdomen and contracting my lower back, I release the tension from all that forward bending and twisting. Two of my favorite stretches are the camel pose and bow pose. Receiving a massage manipulates the muscles individually to stretch and lengthen the tissue which creates relaxation. I look forward to our next appointment!