6 Breathing Tips To DeStress You

Breathe and DeStress

Got stress? Overscheduling, relationship struggles and other stressors invade our lives on a daily basis, making it easy to feel overwhelmed and out of control. Running at top speed with our minds always three steps ahead, we miss out on much of the joy of being fully present and alive. But it is possible to get off this merry-go-round of distraction and reaction, and to regain a sense of center, purpose and meaning.

Stress is clearly costing us time, money and energy through proper breathing, we can begin break down the toll that stress takes on our bodies and find a sense of balance and revitalization. Take several moments out of your day to just take a deep breathe. While you're driving or standing in line. Or just before the meeting and let's see if you experience a difference. 

Breathing Tips 

• Exhale completely to relax the body and empty your lungs of air. Place your hands on your abdomen.
• Begin to inhale — and then exhale completely. Feel the depth of each inhalation.
• As you continue to inhale and exhale, whether you are sitting or standing, let your body become more symmetrical and aligned; keep your feet on the ground and your upper body erect, as if someone is suspending you from a string through the top of your head. Visualize gravity flowing through you, leaving you feeling weightless yet grounded.
• Focus on the breath and how it happens without your conscious energy. Inhale through your nose. Exhale through your nose or mouth. Notice how the inhalation expands the belly and the exhalation brings it in toward the spine.
• Give breathing your full attention. You might notice your breath getting slower, deeper, quieter and more regular.
• Draw your attention to the present moment. Witness internal and external sensations and thoughts without getting plugged into them. Your choices and thoughts will become more purposeful, open-minded and creative.

With that I wish you the very best today. 

Nancy

mcshane.massagetherapy.com
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Benefits of a 90 Minute Massage

 

60 vs 90: Thirty Minutes Can Make A Big Difference in Your Massage

Massage is a therapeutic means of relaxing and bettering yourself. If you’ve received a massage of any duration (even just 10 minutes!), you’ve experienced the soothing effect that leaves your body and mind feeling rejuvenated. It’s important to make time for any length massage in your wellness routine. While each massage modality offers a distinct experience, how does the length of a massage impact the benefits you receive? 

There have been a lot of discussions about whether it’s better to get a 60 or a 90 minute massage. I tend to believe a 90 minute massage is typically a better deal. Here's why I endorse it. 

1. In a 90-minute session, I have time to incorporate enhanced techniques that cater to your specific wellness goals, such as stretching or hot/cold therapy. 

2. A 90-minute session offers more time to drift into relaxation and allows the me time to focus on specific areas of concern and apply a wider array of techniques. While a 60-minute massage provides intense relaxation and targeted muscle work, there may not be enough time to introduce a number of additional (and beneficial) techniques. 

Finally, although my position is that a 90 minute massage is better, I have to conclude that any massage is better than none. 

See you at your next 90 min. massage.

Nancy

Happy Labor Day

 

Labor Day, a day marked on many calendars as a well-deserved day off from the grind. Which means it should be considered a day to relax and recharge the batteries, not cram in a weekend on endless activities. 

Use these tips to ensure a relaxing and stress-free Labor Day. 

• Connect with Family and Friends 

Connecting with family and friends is a stress reliever. Whether it is over the phone or during a relaxing family barbecue; use this Labor Day to sit back and connect with those you haven’t had time to see or talk to in a while.  

• Exercise 

Although Labor Day is for relaxing, it’s also a day to de-stress. Often when we’re going strong in the office — usually burning the “midnight oil” — exercise gets thrown out the window. Take the day to go for a jog, bike ride or a hike. Get out and enjoy nature, it will help you de-stress, and if you do it early in the day, you’ll be completely relaxed to enjoy the rest of your day. 

• Knock off an item on the “To-Do” list

If you’ve been putting off your to-do list, Labor Day is a perfect day to get something done. It isn't the most relaxing way to spend the day, but it will relieve the looming stress of needing to complete the list. Get at least one thing on your list done and you will feel great and have the rest of the day to relax.

• Catch up on Sleep 

Labor Day is your day off. Take this day to turn off the alarm clock and catch up on some much-needed sleep. You’ll feel refreshed and ready to go. 

• Schedule a Personal Massage.  

Perhaps one of the best things you could do for yourself is schedule some time for yourself to enjoy a well-deserved massage. Your body and your mind will thank you. 

Happy Labor Day from My Family to yours.

Nancy

mcshane.massagetherapy.com    

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Shades of Aura Color Blue Part II

 

Shades of Blue

Just as there are many shades of blue in nature, there are varying shades of blue energy. Aura colors interpretation is an art, not a science, but it may lend some interesting insights into a person’s life. From sky blue to a turquoise aura, every shade of blue is associated with its own unique personality traits. Is your aura a deep ocean blue, lighter, or maybe tinged with indigo?

LIGHT BLUE AURA

A baby blue or light blue aura is sometimes found in people who are good communicators. These people are also thought to be fully open to receiving spiritual or metaphysical energy. Light blue auras may also symbolize a peaceful and positive personality. By some accounts, streaks of sky blue in the aura are thought to be indicators that a person is communicating on an intuitive plane.

ROYAL BLUE AURA

A royal blue aura is sometimes considered the “truest blue.” People who are extremely poised, calm and empathetic may have this color in their aura. This shade of energy is believed by some to harmonize with the intelligence of yellow energy. If both are present in the aura, it could represent genius-level intuition and follow-through. This shade is even more open than light blue, and people with clairvoyant abilities may discover this color in their aura. People with a royal blue aura are thought to be undaunted by new challenges, as they are not held back by negative energy.

MUDDY BLUE AURA

Like storm clouds brewing on the horizon, a dark blue aura is associated with negative emotions. When light blues become muddy blue or tinged with black, the person may be feeling blocked. Perhaps he or she is fearful about opening up to people. This lack of communication can make it difficult to connect with others and share your perspective. Some people think the best method to heal this energy is to take a vacation. After all, dark blue is connected to stress and overwork. Additionally, finding a way to share your feelings can help you open back up and reconnect to the world.

Wishing the very best in the day ahead. 

Nancy 

mcshane.massagetherapy.com
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https://aura.net/blue-aura-meaning-personality/

Getting On and Off the Massage Table

Seems like a simple thing but when you're in a hurry because you may be so excited to finally be getting your massage, things can get complicated pretty quickly. 

When I meet a new client I take my time to go through their health intake form with them. I make sure to check on changes in medications and symptoms. And then I instruct them as to what they need to do to get ready. I don't know about you but at this moment even I get so excited it's like I black out. Did I say face up or face down, how much clothing do I need to take of, and then there is the question of: Do I lie on top of the sheets or between the sheets. If I feel that perhaps you're over excited and will easily forget, I will pull back the sheets even further and emphasize the need for you to crawl under them. I will admit that even sometimes this is not enough direction. And this is normal - no need to feel bad here. I simply ask that you get off the table and we take another try at it - under the sheets. 

Once you've made it on to the table it's time to --

STRAIGHTEN UP

The majority of clients end up in some sort of diagonal position on the table. 

My suggestion is that once you get on the table, under your sheets, that you take a moment to check your bearings:

• Use your arms to feel that table. Are in the middle? 
• Feel with your legs. Are they in the middle of the table? 
• Are your feet hanging over the table? If so - I bet you need to move up onto the table. 
• And here's another question - Is your head hanging off the other end of the table? 
• Do you feel comfortable right where you are. 

Once we are half way through the massage we are required to flip over. At this point don't be afraid to take that moment to check again. I will move your body parts as I need to but I will not know if you're comfortable or not. 

Once your massage is done - Take that time to rest. Again there is NO REASON to leap from that table and run off to do the next errand and if you try I'm guessing (pretty sure this will happen) you will be too dizzy to get out the door. Lie there a while and wiggle your fingers and toes. Stretch out. Once you feel ready then it's time to move. 

My suggestion once you're ready:

• Roll onto your side first
• Then push yourself up with the arm under you and your free arm while at the same time lowering your feet to the ground.
• Once in an up right seated position, wait a moment. What is your head feeling like? Are you light head or dizzy. Wait a few moments longer until it is gone. There is no rush here. 
• Once your are ready - it's time to stand. 

I hope these tips help you have a more enjoyable massage. 

Nancy 

mcshane.massagetherapy.com
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3 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Sleep Your Stomach

Before you lay down on that bed and fall a sleep, let's look at what you're doing to you body.

I understand that the last thing anyone wants to think about after a long day is how they are sleeping. Does it matter how you are 'RESTING.' Sadly it does. It impacts how you will feel the next day and over time this behavior will compound the symptoms that will become the very thing keeping you up at night and possibly unable to do your job the next day. 

The main problem with this position is that you must turn your head to one side in order to breathe effectively. People tend to consistently turn their head to the same side as a preference: the long-term result can be "wear and tear" on the joints of the cervical spine and unfortunately we also engage our arms while we're sleeping so our shoulder and wrist joints become victims of this whole process as well. 

3 Reasons Why It's Not Good for You

1.  Strain on the Spine

As you've probably already heard, many people who sleep on their stomach experience some kind of pain—whether it is in their joints, back, or neck. It is sure to affect how much sleep they get during the night. Such pains usually lead to waking up in the middle of the night, directly affecting the amount of sleep that you'll get, which then leads to a feeling of discomfort during the rest of the day.

This stress on the spine leads to increased stress on the rest of your body structure and, additionally, to pain in all parts of the body, since the spine could be considered as a pipeline for the nerves. It also leads to sensations such as numbness and tingling, which are rather uncomfortable.

2. Pain in the Neck

Just like with the spine, sleeping on your stomach may also cause neck problems. Unless you manage to find a way to breathe through the pillow, you have to turn your head to one side when you're sleeping on your stomach. This causes your neck to be twisted, putting your spine and head out of alignment, leading to some severe damage. You probably won't notice this damage after only one night, but the problems will unquestionably become evident over time.

One of the biggest neck problems that you certainly don't want to experience is the so-called herniated disk. This issue appears when the spinal vertebrae shift enough to cause a rupture of the gelatinous disk inside, causing the gel to leak out and irritate the nerves. This is very painful and requires professional treatment to heal.

2. Shoulder and Wrist Pain

Most of the belly sleepers I see have spent a life time with their arms wrapped around their head in an effort to find comfort. Over time this wears out the joints and ligaments. They state feeling numbness in arms and wrist pain.

 

What Does A Pink Aura Mean? 

Last week I really took a look at the color Red and what does it mean for me. Aura colors are symbols to those that read them. They let us know what maybe going on physically, mentally, and emotionally with people. So let's take a look at what Pink means. As a Red color, people who are Pink are passionate and they rarely deny themselves anything and may live in a more primal, unreserved way.

When I see a ANY shade of pink it is often blended with a white or brown (I will touch on these later) because this is a symbol to me that the person is hiding from their own reality. Their realty maybe who they truly feel they are on the inside or simply that they are trying very hard to appear OK to the rest of us. My heart goes out to these individuals because I believe that real soul growth would mean you need to address these fears.  

Now I know you can easily google 'Aura Color' Pink and you will get a laundry list of what Google or other people think the color means. And I'm sure you're thinking shouldn't it mean Love or Fun to be with. The people that I know that stay in this color are loving and some of the funnest people to be with. They are the life of the party. They also have a lot more going on in their heart and mind then any of us realize. 

So a question came up - Do I let other's know if I see something wrong with their color? In Pink's case NO. Most of the time this person is well aware what they are doing and even the personal pain they maybe avoiding. It's just takes time. Often years before I will see this color change to Blue-Green or Yellow. 

And With that - Have a great day. Nancy