Pages

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Aromatherapy!







The term “aromatherapy massage” refers to a popular method of relaxation and healing following a set of effective massage techniques.  Tracing back time, ancient peoples made use of different types of natural oils extracted from the plants and herbs they believed assisted in healing.   It is well known today that this method promotes mental, physical, and emotional relief. The secret to the effectiveness of aromatherapy massage is due to the aroma of the different essential oils used.   While each essential oil has different healing properties, the oils used in aromatherapy massage activate the nerve endings in the nose and which in turn deliver the impulses to the brain, stimulating memories and emotions. Many common aromatherapy oils, like lavender, have a soothing and calming effect which aids in relaxation

.Some documented benefits of aromatherapy massage are:
 Aids in fighting off the symptoms   of illnesses.
 Relieves stress.
 Tones down attacks of depression.
 Promotes sound sleeping. 
 Helps discomfort in pregnant women. 
 Helps fight off colds. 
 Contributes to a person's alertness. 
 Alleviates pain.

I use aromatherapy in my every day life. In practice and in my home aromatherapy  relieves muscle aches, head aches, it helps to induce sleep on a little person that won't agree to bed time. I very rarely reach for an aspirin. If I have a headache or pain anywhere in my body I reach for my collection of essential oils and use natural remedies to heal my body. 

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Stretch, It's Important

Stretching is important. Many of us live sedentary lives. Commuting, sitting at a desk all day and then another long commute. By the time we get home many of us are feel achy just from a day on the job. Even if you don't work out or your not an athlete, stretching can still help you feel better. Stretching helps improve your flexibility, improve your blood flow and even improve your posture by lengthening  your muscles.  Stretching will keep your muscles and tendons healthy. We often overlook it but stretching can make a real difference in how you feel each and everyday. 


A  stretching routine will help you improve range of motion and as said before improve your flexibility. Take a few moments and look up some stretches on line, download a stretching app on your smart phone or take a look at my facebook page where I post a stretch of the day. Set a timer for once an hour and take a few minutes to do some basic stretching. If you sit at a desk all day get up and move around as much as possible. Take a walk around your office space and  do a few lunges.Your muscles will love you for it. 

Saturday, February 15, 2014

The Mercury Retrograde: In Full Effect




This week my streams of communication have been all haywire. The culprit I have to thank... The Mercury retrograde!

What is it you may ask? 
Mercury retrograde is when Mercury the planet that rules communication spins backward in the universe.This can and often does cause many a melodrama in people's lives. 

I'm a Gemini Mercury is my ruling planet. The Mercury retrograde that happens sometimes 3-4 times a year has always and continues to cause mischief in my life.

Messages are not being sent through. I'm not getting emails or texts. People I usually have no problem communicating with are not picking up what I'm putting down. Oh my! This is a few weeks of craziness. 
If you are struggling with the Mercury retrograde take heart friend, you are not the only one. 


How I'm getting through:

Taking it easy- I'm not rushing through anything
Don't commit- to a contract, a promise, a person 

Take everything with a grain of salt-
People can be salty during a mercury retrograde. Know it's the universe spinning them backward and it's probably not their intention to behave that way towards you.

Take care of yourself - when things get hectic with lost communication it can stress us out. Take a moment to breathe deeply - from your core. 
Take a power nap or get to bed early
Beauty sleep is always a tool I use when I'm feeling overwhelmed
Eat a meal full of greens and protein
My quick go to is two scrambled eggs two handfuls of kale and mushrooms. I eat this often. Scramble all together like a little skillet and enjoy.

Watch your flow- what energy are you vibrating out? You want to be mindful that you are not sending mixed signals or pushing people away

reflect, reinvent,  rewrite, resolve, reform - I'm not saying dwell. I'm saying maybe just maybe you need to rethink on some things and if there are some things you need to clear up then do so but tread lightly. Communication is tricky now.

Although this is a chaotic time its also a time in the universe filled with energy and excitement. Take things in trust your intuition it might be a little extra sensitive.

Shine- brightly when things go haywire be a little beacon of light for yourself and the people you encounter. 

Mercury goes retrograde three times this year.
February  6-28th
June 7-30th June 7th is my birthday.I will be on a cruise to celebrate- YIKES!
October 4-24th 

Mark your calendars!

Friday, February 14, 2014

Ritual : Full Moon Intention


Each month when the moon is full I set intentions on what I want to create in my life. I have found this to be incredibly powerful. I make a short list of what I want to manifest and bring into my world. I think its helpful to keep the list short and do-able. Writing it down is a way to bring forth my own personal energy to those intentions and helps me to harness exactly what I want to come in. I keep this list available for me to see everyday. I also write them down in my day planner on the day of the full moon. I believe deeply that the universe wants to give you what you ask for.You just need to ask for it.  I check in on my list a few times a month to see where we are. If the universe and I are syncing at the end of the month.

Sometimes  I set an intention that  has not presented itself to me just yet. That can be discouraging but I really don't let it bother me too much. Everything is a work in progress, including myself and my intentions. It will present in the time its meant to. in divine timing.

This month on this Valentines full moon I set the intention to bring in:

 Love-  because we all need more of it. More hugs from friends, more kisses from my sons. I also want to make sure I am giving more love to the people in my world. Sending a friend a text to let them know I appreciate them.

Happiness- I was feeling down in the dumps for a couple of weeks. I really checked myself recently and thought this is not the way to be. You must create happiness and choose to be happy each day. You will live with yourself your whole life. Forgive yourself if you must and just be happy. Technically, after much consideration I have nothing to forgive myself for most recently but I still want to make sure I ask for it so it showers down on me in everything I do.

Healing- Life is full of boo boos. We get knocked down by big things and by small things that we never thought would harm us. But they can and they do. Often, you need to be the person that kisses your own boo boo and give yourself permission to heal. I'm setting time aside as much as possible this month to take time out for me.Practice yoga, meditate, perform reiki on myself, chant, eat clean, journal and sleep.

Do you set intentions often? Try doing so when the universe is full and bright with the full moon energy and see what magic and change come your way.

Love You!


Happy Valentines Day to you. I wanted to take a minute and write a little love note. For everything you do. Make sure you take a moment and pat yourself on the back. Do something that makes your heart sing. Only you know the song of your life. Sing it loud and without hesitation. Do what you need to honor yourself on this day full  of love. It maybe a Hallmark holiday to some but, the intention of love is everywhere it's in the air. Breath it in. Swallow it whole and let it fill you. Let that energy flow seep out to others today. And then except that energy that flows back to you.

Namaste Valentine :)

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Get Glowing










It's  just about Spring. Time to get glowing there is no better way then with a salt scrub. Salt scrubs help to keep your skin clear of impurities and nourished. After a long bundled up Winter you wanna show off some skin. I know during the Winter my skin is very lack luster and drab. I am always slathering on lotions ,creams and oils. What I learned awhile back is that a salt scrub will remove blah dead skin and reveal lush glowing skin worthy of some sun rays! 

Making and blending salt scrubs is what I do. Both at home and in the stdio in practice salt scrubs are a way of life for me. I always invest in quality sea salts and essential oils. I will occasionally add in a few secret ingredients my Be Blissed salt scrubs will leave your skin, relaxed, nourished and glowing. Don't just pile on lotions and oils,  scrub your skin and renew a fresher you. 

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Why I love massage



I'm often asked during sessions or when I'm out and about how I came to be a massage therapist. 

Once a long while ago I received work from a young lady. She was younger than me at the time of our meeting. I found her to be so inspiring. The way she spoke - her light, her way of being. Each time I came home from a session with her I felt very different.

 Her work rumbled something in me. It tugged at me. It massaged the idea of how this very non traditional type of work could invoke such  happiness in another person. I could only imagine how it must have made the therapist feel.

 I learned a lot about myself from my sessions.

 I enrolled in classes at the Berkeley Psychic Institute. I learned to ground myself- how to disconnect from energy paths that my spirit found harmful and how to tap into my intuition. I learned about meditation, and chanting and how these practices help to feed your spirit. Soon there after I enrolled in massage school at the National Holistic Institute and put my foot down on a path of becoming a massage therapist and health educator.  

Long before my meeting that therapist I had discovered aromatherapy . I used to practice it as a teenager carrying around a little lotion I concocted with peppermint, sage and lemon essential oils I would apply it on my temples if  I had a headache or if I was overwhelmed with the stress of high school politics. This natural healing I discovered worked for me and I very reach for an aspirin when I had an ache or pain.

The marriage of these three non traditional pathways lead me to a career and gift I am so very proud of. Massage is my passion. I love it! I could not ever see myself doing anything else. When I'm  not in the studio working I am often reading about body work. How to change a stroke up, experimenting with how to go deeper into a body and sometimes if the energy is right beyond that with energy work. Massage is not pampering, massage is medicine. One of the most ancient forms of it. In this country its very often overlooked as a luxury. I attempt to transcend that mindset when I work with clients.

Massage is a part of my everyday life. I love creating a space for people to come- relax and release. I love creating space in a persons body and in their spirit. I often hear the things that are troubling my clients. Most times they share but often it's felt in the energy that is exchanged while they are on the table. If they are sleeping well, if they are bogged down by bigger problems. Many times clients have broken down and cried over whatever issue is hurting them. I love being able to create a space and energy they can be vulnerable and feel what they need to feel in that moment of receiving... It's a powerful healing if you allow it to be.

I often hear -
Michelle, I don't even need to tell you where the tension is your hands just glide there.
Michelle, your work is so different it's a healing I receive when I'm here.
Michelle, I have been looking forward to seeing you all week.

Thank you. I do focus on intuitive work, it is healing it's not your basic cookie cutter massage. 

Thank you. I love being the high light of so many people's day. That's a blessing to receive that type of gratitude, over and over again. Not everyone can say that about their job. My work is greeted with a smile.

All of these things and more of what I hear further reinforce that I am doing what I was meant to do. Massage is my gift. Combined with the other modalities I practice . This work always fills me up. I love what I do and that in its self is its very own gift as my passion, talent and gift is what  I'm so appreciated for. Sharing my love for wellness and body work along with energy work and skin care makes me happy. I'm always pleased to greet a client and place my hands on them. Thank you for sharing yourself with me.

Monday, February 3, 2014

Well Hi There!








Hello! Hola! And all that jazz welcome to absolutely blissed! I am so pleased you are here. Please stop stay awhile and see what develops! Let me tell you a little more about little old me. I'm a licensed massage therapist and esthetician. I''m a health educator and an advocate for wellness. I practice reiki, read tarot  I live a positive life style. I rarely get out of bed without reading my horoscope... I like to take a glimpse and what maybe coming at me. For the most part I'm gluten free however,  that's been tricky to stick with since December 1. But I'm getting back on it. My life is ritual based. Everything I do seems to have a ritual attached to it. Some would say I'm a creature of habit. Others would say I'm a little OCD. I like to say ritual. It sounds way more lovely and whimsical and magical. I think every life should be filled with love, whimsy and magic. Massage and body work is my passion. I'm also a sucker for a great lip gloss and inviting cosmetics counter.I'm a girlie girl. I love to stop and smell the lotions at Victoria's Secret and the flowers in the park.  Here at absolutely blissed  you will pick up fabulous tips and tricks to care for your body, wellness and beauty. You will also find a comforting ritual or two. Thanks for stopping by!