Welcome to Mind & Body Massage’s Seasonal Newsletter.

Welcome to our first issue of Health and Wellness seasonal newsletter.

In this issue you will find information on the wonderful world of Aromatherapy and a

powerful aromatherapy session using the Rain Drop Technique.

We will also profile modalities that we offer, this time it will be on Reiki.

There is plenty of information to peruse, we hope you enjoy it.

Thank you!  

Volume: 1 | Fall 2006

What is Reiki?

A type of energy bodywork, Reiki (pronounced ray-key) relies on the ancient belief in the life force energy, referred to as chi [or prana], that flows through all things. This life force runs throughout pathways in the body, nourishing organs and cells and supporting vital functions. When this energy is disrupted by negative thoughts, feelings or actions, illness and disease result. A Reiki practitioner’s hands hover just above, sensing the affected areas and infusing them with positive flow. This raises the energetic vibration and breaks up the negativity to heal, clear and restore the natural flow of the life force. The Reiki practitioner, trained to access and serve as a channel for the life energy, places their hands on or just above the client’s body and uses a passive touch that some clients experience with warmth or tingling.

The hands remain in position for 3-5 minutes, alternately covering 10-12 positions over the body.
 
Thought to be Tibetan Buddhist in origin, the practice of Reiki is comprised of three levels of training. Through this training, the practitioner learns how to access energy flow through the hands to heal. Completion of the third and highest level of training results in the title of Reiki master. Reiki is used to accelerate healing, assist the body in cleansing toxins, balance the flow of subtle energy by releasing blockages and help the client contact the healer within.
 
According to www.reiki.org, Reiki is beginning to gain acceptance as a meaningful and cost-effective way to improve patient care in hospitals and clinics across America.

In an interview on the website, Dr. David Guillion, an oncologist at Marin General Hospital in California, says, “I feel we need to do whatever is in our power to help the patient.
 
We provide state of the art medicine in our office, but healing is a multidimensional process. I endorse the idea that there is a potential healing that can take place utilizing energy.”
 
For more information, consult your bodywork practitioner.

Benefits of Breastfeeding

Meditation Corner

Having a baby is a huge commitment and may require a few lifestyle changes. One of the big questions parents have is whether or not to breastfeed.

When contemplating breastfeeding, consider this:

Breast milk provides all the essential nutrients the baby needs, including immunity. It is easily digestible and utilized efficiently.

Mothers benefit because the uterus shrinks to pre- pregnancy size more rapidly when nursing. Fat burning is also an added benefit with 500 or more calories used per day to make milk.

Not to mention the bonding that occurs between mother and child.

The baby will need to feed every 2-3 hours, so your time will be taken up by this.  However, after about 5 weeks you can slowly introduce breast milk in a bottle. This may enable the father to feed and bond with the child as well, giving the mother a well needed rest.

Breastfeeding my not come naturally but there are options. Please visit La Leche League for more info.

Meditation has been a popular word in recent times. Although you may claim to have never done it, think about those moments when there was no thinking or analyzing, just going with the flow; experiencing the present moment, that is meditation.

Meditation helps us bring more awareness to the present and experience life at a deeper level. It teaches us to be more grounded, centered and focused in all situations whether they are good, bad, happy or sad. On a physical level, meditation helps reduce blood pressure, respiratory rate and increases the alpha state. Alpha state is when you are alert but relaxed at the same time.

One easy technique is conscious breathing. While sitting in a comfortable position, with no distractions, bring your awareness to your breath. Focusing on the inhale and on the exhale. You can even place your hand on your belly for a reference. Whenever your mind wanders to a thought, acknowledge it but let it go, bringing your attention back to your breath. Try not to control it but just feel the sensations. Practice this technique for at least 5 minutes per day, slowly working towards 30 minutes.