Hi, here is an update on the courses coming up.



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7 p.m. TONIGHT at Tasman Town Hall in Richmond Molly is running another free class on Aromatherapy.   It was a great class last week - Molly is a fountain of knowledge.  Don't miss this opportunity, its on tonight.   Click here to find out more.

Beginner’s Massage Courses – I have two dates 4/5 April and 2/3 May.  Click here for more information.

Intermediate Massage Course – 23/24 May.    I don’t often run this course so if you are keen please book early.  If you want to do a Beginner’s massage refresher course prior to the Intermediate, you can come on any of the weekends for $100 (subject to space being available).  Click here to book in.

If you want to learn Chi Kung, international teacher Gabriella Euterneuer is returning to Nelson mid May.  She will be running evening workshops on the 14th/15th May and classes on the weekend.  Mark these dates in your diary and Ill keep you informed once plans are finalised.  Here's the link.

Ever wanted to learn more about yourself?   This Enneagram Course on the 7th March is going to be fun – learn about your personality type and how you interact with other people.   Take a look at the details here.

If you want to stop Smoking, I have been learning Hypnotherapy over the past few years and am now ready to start using it!   If you genuinely want to stop smoking, please get in touch.  I am looking for some people to work with at a nominal cost.  

Please feel free to share this with your family and friends.    Do give me a call if you have any questions.

Elayne
www.MassageInNelson.com
0212211949

Stress is connected with being very busy, and sometimes having too much on our plate.  The mind gets into an overthinking loop and becomes hypervigilant - always watching out for the next thing to do.  A massage is a wonderful way to take some time out:- to calm down, release tension and relax.   Here are three benefits to having a massage when you are feeling stressed:
 
1.  You have probably heard of the term mindfulness?   Mindfulness brings you into the present moment.    It gives you ‘time out’ from your busy mind by slowing your thoughts and brings you back into your body.  Having a massage enables you to leave all that busy-ness outside the door, to lie down on a warm, comfortable table and do nothing for an hour.  The act of being focused on your body, and the sensation of being massaged, allows the mind to calm down and relax.
 
2.  Have you noticed that your muscles tighten up when you get stressed?   Particularly the neck and shoulders?  Often when we are stressed we lift our shoulders up just a little and hold them there for long periods of time.   Or maybe we stick the chin forward to look at the computer screen.  Being in these positions for long periods of time is not natural for the body and over time it becomes painful.   The pain then makes us tense up and so it goes on…. Having a massage breaks the cycle and relieves the pain.   
 
3.  There is a sense of general all-over body tension that occurs when you are very busy and stressed.   Shallow breathing indicates to the body that you are not safe, and it enters into flight, freeze or flight mode.   The body tenses up, ready to spring into action at any given moment.  Slow, deep breathing into the tummy indicates to the body that you are safe and it can relax.  So stress can be dissolved very quickly if you breathe into your belly, gently filling up the lungs all the way up with clean fresh air.    I often ask people to “take a deep breath” while I am working with them.  This not only helps to release tight muscles, it helps the whole body to let go of tension and relax.
 
Here are a few tips for you when receiving a massage:

1. Leave your hectic life at the door – you now have an appointment with your body!
2. Breathe long slow deep breaths throughout the massage
3. Focus on the massage – follow the hands touching your body and feel the body sensations
4. Keep all conversation (if any) to what you feel in your body and stay in the ‘here and now’.

   
Elayne Lane is a massage therapist and hypnotherapist. She specialises in massage and hypnotherapy. Book here for a massage.

Have you ever wondered why we need salt?   Apart from the fact that it tastes good, it also helps the functioning of our cells.   The problem is that there is table salt (an extract of sea salt) and THEN there is sea salt!    Table salt is made up of two minerals, Sodium and Chloride – the two major components of salt.    However it does not contain the 82 minerals that are found in Celtic or Himalayan salt.  Our body needs all the minerals and trace elements to function well.    
 

• Not only does salt assist with the uptake of water in our bodies, it also:
• Relaxes muscles because it contains 3 types of magnesium (a common remedy for cramp)
• Aids nerve function
• Helps with blood volume and pressure
• Helps the body transmit messages between the nerves and the muscle fibres for movement
  
• Increases fluid volume in the muscles

 
We lose about 2.5 litres of water a day and this needs to be replaced.   However some people find that drinking that amount of water means they either get fluid retention or they are often in the loo.   Water is absorbed and retained better when you put a crystal or two of Celtic or Himalayan salt on the tongue first, let it dissolve in your mouth, before you drink a glass of water.   

Are you having a BAD HAIR day?
 
Stress is something I am very aware of that this time of year.   It can build up to the point where we are constantly on high alert – ready to react to anything and everything.   
 
So what happens when we are stressed? A video I watched recently explains it perfectly (here is my synoposes).  
 
When we are stressed, we experience one of four things:
Fright – we get jumpy, sensitive to loud sounds, or feel uncomfortable in new places
Flight – we run
Fight – we kick, yell, hit
Freeze – withdraw or cannot move
 
All this happens because our thinking brain gets turned off, and our reptilian brain goes into action (this is our place of instinct).   We are having a healthy response to an unhealthy situation, and it happens on auto pilot.
 
Adrenaline is quickly released from the adrenal glands – this gives us a boost of energy so we can act quickly in response to the situation.  
 
Cortisol is slowly released from the brain.     It’s the cortisol that stays in the body a long time, which is why we can get re-triggered again very quickly if another “danger/stress” is perceived i.e. we are on “high alert”.
 
The antidote to stress is oxytocin which is released into the body by the brain when we interact with people (and our pets) in a positive way through cuddles, hugs, smiles and, of course, massage!   It is important to know that we have to actively engage with the interaction – to receive the hug, to allow yourself to feel good, to enjoy it – then the oxytocin is released.   
 
It’s a bit like walking through a park.   If you stop to look at the flowers, enjoy the colours, admire the trees - just experience the beauty of it for a few minutes - you will feel uplifted and refreshed.   However if you were to walk through the park thinking of your shopping list or work, there is no change.  You know what I mean?  Well it’s the same with human interaction.   We have to experience it to receive the benefits of it.
 
In an earlier blog of mine, I talk about another chemical the brain releases called DHEA which helps us when we are stressed.      This is released in the body when we get into “appreciation/gratitude” mode AND go for a walk at the same time (which moves the DHEA around the body).  
 
There is always a point after an event where we can take a few slow deep breaths, and allow ourselves to calm down, a time where everything is okay again.    You know what I mean?  
 
So remember to give each other hugs and smiles throughout this busy time.   To receive each other.  Take the time to be grateful and appreciate what you have and what is around you.  Smell the roses and enjoy the beauty of our country.   Stress will naturally melt away.
 
Elayne Lane is a massage therapist and hypnotherapist.   She specialises in relaxation massage and hypnotherapy for stress relief.    Click here to get in touch.