PRANA Healthworks - Massage & Yoga

What About Unity?

2011-11-14T00:02:00.001-05:00

I hesitate to post on this subject since itdoes not directly pertain to the work I do through Prana Healthworks but withthe Holiday season approaching, I thought I might share some of my thoughts onhow we as individuals can use the spirit of giving to help our country and itscitizens through this difficult financial time. Before I put forth my idea, I want to first draw attention to what I seeas a major disconnect between all the inhabitants of this great nation ofours. It seems everywhere I look thesedays there are signs and symbols of patriotism and nationalism. “Support Our Troops”, “God Bless America”,and other similar themes echo from the bumpers and tailgates of our cars fromcoast to coast. “Old Glory”, the starsand stripes is proudly displayed on buildings and houses nationwide as well asbeing tattooed to nearly every Harley Davidson I see, both man andmachine. Nationalism is everywhere butsomething equally important is missing from message. Unity! What about unity?

My father was a veteran of World War II. He fought in the Philippine Islands and inKorea. The freedoms he fought for are agreat source of pride in my family. Likemany of his fellow soldiers, he came home with a desire to apply those freedomsto his country thus they created a great sense of national pride. Along with that pride was a common bond thatwas forged on the battlefields of Europe and Asia as well as in towns large andsmall back here in America. That bondwas their unity in a common cause and everyone from my parent’s generationfought the same war for that cause. Tothem, rationing the staples we take for granted was a way of life and eachfamily supported the next in order to ensure that the men fighting abroad hadwhat they needed to succeed in defeating their enemies. After the war, our country flourished like noother time in history because every man, woman, and child was unified behindthat cause. The goal was to make everyproduct the best and provide impeccable service to all patrons because thatwhat America stood for. UNITED States ofAmerica!

On September 11, 2001, our country wasattacked in a horrific way. Many of uswatched mesmerized as thousands of our countrymen perished in the collapsingbuildings and plane wreckage. That daywas a turning point. Our national heartswere stirred once again. Unfortunately,soon after, the 9/11 spectacle was replaced on our televisions and computerscreens with more current affairs. Weall detached ourselves from the most devastating event in our countries’history in the last 50 years because it didn’t directly impact our complacentlives. There was no rationingneeded. Prices remained relativelystable. No one except the families ofthe victims had to sacrifice their day to day lives, thus what should haveunified our country actually further segregated us. Our economy took a nose dive, greed andcorruption were exposed in our financial institutions and apathy for the warIraq and Afghanistan divided our nation politically. Today, the rich continue to get richer, thepoor remain poor, and what was once a stable middle class family, now has torely on savings and frugality in order to maintain a modest living. Despite the fact that we all witnessed howquickly the world can change in a matter of minutes, none of us seem willing tocommit ourselves to solving the problems exposed by that cataclysmicevent.

What we need is to believe in each other againand support each other as Americans from the greatest nation on the Earth. The nation our fathers and mother,grandfathers and grandmothers sacrificed so much to protect and rebuild. We need to be diligent about choosing locallymade goods and services and stop relying on foreign imports of oil, goods, andservices. Our nation is being sold lock,stock and barrel to the highest bidder and we are all standing by watching, mesmerized. This attack is not coming from hijackedplanes though, but from corporate greed and foreign outsourcing. We have the resources, the ingenuity, and theman power to regain our strength as a nation but to do so, we have to put asideour selfish, capitalistic, corporate dictated mentality and become a nation whois not only proud of its heritage but one that is willing to sacrifice theallure cheaper goods and labor in favor of domestically made products andservices produced by small businesses.

What I am proposing this holiday season issimple. Instead of purchasing mountainsof Chinese made electronics and plastics, or boxes full of sweatshop producedclothing that support corporate excess; buy into local small businesses and domesticentrepreneurs. Purchase your friends andfamily members gifts made by hand in this country. Give gift certificates that support serviceindustries like hair stylists, personal trainers, and massage therapists! With near double-digit unemployment in thiscountry, it is time for Americans to unite behind one another and make a standin favor of quality not quantity. Sharethe wealth at home this holiday season and keep it out of the pockets offoreign millionaires. You’ll be puttingfood in the mouths of your neighbors. You’ll be buying clothes for the children in “your” child’sclasses. You’ll be making a differencein the lives of people in your home town who really need it most. Your hard earned dollars become their hardearned dollars. It our turn to be the heroesand protect the freedoms that our ancestors fought and died for. Keep your dollars in America this year!

God Bless You and God Bless America!

Matthew Corrigan, CMT, RYT

Prana Healthworks 2011

Be The Captain of Your Own Ship

2011-11-06T22:40:00.000-05:00

Last week I was inspired to touch on thissubject by two fellow bloggers, Marionand Nasrinewhose posts were directed at personal development and energy vampiresrespectively. Each got me thinking abouthow important it is in life to be the “captain of your own ship”. In other words, no one else is able to guideyour decisions or the possible outcomes of your life better than you. If you know yourself and what your personalneeds are then you will have a better chance of achieving your goals. But that’s the trick then isn’t it. Knowing yourself enough to trust your owninstincts and to listen to the internal voice of your own body.

Marion mentions in her post that one needsdiscipline to practice “fierce self care”. I truly love this concept and the use of the word fierce in this context. Self-care is so often over looked in today’sfast paced lifestyle. We just go, go, goand give, give, give until we drop or become ill. What this says about humanity is that wewould rather be recognized as someone who has compassion for the hearts ofothers and who selflessly devotes their time and energies to others than to beaccused of being selfish or narcissistic. Our fear of rebuttal forces us into sacrificing our own needs and well-being. Nasrine also makes a valid point in her post thatone must distance themselves from toxic relationships that eat up our time withgossip and rhetoric. Even worse are the “energyvampires” who constantly seek our affirmation when placing blame on someoneelse for their own mistakes. I applaudher discipline in practicing “fierce self care!” At some point we must learn to walk away fromthese toxic “friends” and stand alone in the storm, unafraid of reprisal orridicule.

So how does one go about being the “captain”? First and most important one must develop aquestioning mind. Do you take whatpeople say as fact just because they are friends of yours? What if they are wrong? Don’t be afraid to do your own research anddiscover your own truth. So much of whatis passed around as fact on television or in the media stream is hearsay andconjecture. Yet often with enoughrepeatability, what is fiction becomes the accepted “fact” and we are left witha skewed version of reality. Our friendsare very often our filter for what we decide to believe or not believe. How easy it is to go along with the crowdwithout really knowing the reason behind our actions. Don’t be a sheep, rather, be the shepherd!

Next, be open to new possibilities anduncertain outcomes. So often I meetpeople who fear to try new things because of uncertain outcomes. They prefer the safe, the tried and true, thestatus quo. How boring life must be behindthe barriers, never playing the game but only watching from the sidelines. Where would we all be if not for theexplorers, the hunters, and the daredevils? I am not saying you have to try skydiving or travel into space, butfacing ones fears is how we learn. We mustovercome more than just the fear itself, but everything associated with thatfear including hatred, prejudice, jealousy and apathy. Overcoming fear requires a selfless act oftrust during which the body surrenders muscular control to the experiencerather than the outcome. Once the mindrealizes that no harm has been inflicted on the body, it relaxes and a newreality is established. Taking smallsteps toward an uncertain outcome will lead to the precipice of decision. Consider what you know and take a “leap offaith”.

Lastly, listen to your own voice. Instincts involve the whole body, not justthe head. What does your heart say toyou, what does your gut say to you, what do your feet tell you? A good captain assesses the situation at hand,takes in the counsel of their officers, but in the end, they make decisionsfrom past experience (knowledge) and “gut feelings” (instinct). Your body is your most precious gift. Don’t leave it to chance or let someone elsedictate its needs. Be fierce about yourpersonal need for time alone (spend time walking, meditating, or praying), befierce about doing something nice for yourself (buy yourself a gift), and mostimportantly, be fierce about your individuality and stand up for what youbelieve (disagree with the crowd). Letgo of toxic relationships no matter how long you have been cultivatingthem. If you’re afraid of losing afriend then how good a friend were they to begin with? Let them know you care by being a witnesswith out becoming involved in their outcome. Encourage them to be their own captain and let you be yours.

A captain is by no means perfect. On the contrary, a good captain understandsthat mistakes happen but also that with a certain risk comes the possibility ofa greater reward. Lead from the heart,not from the head, for the heart is capable of forgiveness. Know that there are always going to be roughseas ahead, but those are the opportunities to learn and grow. Navigate them with a questioning mind, anopen heart, and a certain voice.

Matthew Corrigan, CMT, RYT

Prana Healthworks 2011

Energetic Connections

2011-10-30T22:48:00.000-04:00

Imagine for a moment, that you are walking through a storeand you happen to bump into someone that you haven’t seen in years. Theconversation begins with a few questions about the past and what each of youhas done since you last spoke. You mightalso discuss mutual friends or anyone that the two of you know in common. Depending on the strength of your pastrelationship, this person may warrant a deeper conversation, so you agree tomeet at a later date when the two of you can “catch up”. At this point you might shake hands or hugeach other and say your goodbyes. Yeteven after the goodbyes, you notice that your thoughts are still with thisperson, recalling more past history between the two of you. Perhaps you notice a warm feeling ofgratitude that you have rekindled your relationship or possibly a feeling of sadnessthat you haven’t been better about keeping up with this person before now. What you are experiencing are thoughts andfeelings associated with the bond you have developed both past and present withthis person, or what I like to call, an “energeticconnection.”

Our bodies are filled with energy impulses running back andforth through our nervous system. Theseenergy impulses direct and maintain the functions of our bodies. Without them, we would be dead. In fact, every living thing on this planetpossesses energy, including plants. So, when two living things interact, thereis an exchange of energy between them. Just like magnets, sometimes these physical energies are drawn togetherand other times they repel one another. Becauseof a previous connection between you and your long lost friend, the energeticexchange that occurred further reinforced your relationship and thus the bondbetween you was strengthened. The morefrequently an exchange occurs between two people, the more your physicalenergies become bound together. That iswhy we are so close to members of our own families. Those bonds have been forming since we wereborn and therefore, they are much stronger than the bonds between friends. In addition, the more physical theinteraction between two people, the stronger the bond becomes. Thinking back to the exchange between you andyour friend, the simple act of shaking hands or from hugging each other createsa chemical bond when the two of you touch. The fluids, oils and skin cells from one body become mixed with those ofthe other body creating an energetic crossroads allowing energy to be exchanged. If you remember from high school chemistry,energy flows better through a liquid than through the air (don’t drop thehairdryer into the bathtub). As a resultof all this science, the simple act of touch between two human beings can sparka profound exchange of energy.

This energy of life that we all possess is known in yoga asPrana, in China it is called Chi. We are filled with it from the moment ofconception and surrounded by it everywhere we go. Recall that in the Star Wars movies, GeorgeLucas called it “The Force”. We absorbthis Prana (Chi, The Force) from the air we breathe, the food we eat and fromthose we interact with which is why it is essential to eat a good diet, take relaxingbreaths to dispel stress and to spend time with loved ones. When we are healthyand relaxed, our bodies are capable of miraculous physical feats and very deepmental intuitions. You have undoubtedlyheard of having a gut feeling about something or someone. That is because our bodies possess over 100million brain cells within our digestive tract. Yes, that’s what I said; we have in essence a second brain in ourdigestive tract called the Enteric Nervous System (ENS) that connects directlyto our brains along the Vagus nerve. The nerve cells of the ENS line the wallsof our esophagus, stomach and intestines. Whenever we encounter someone or a something that requires a judgment onour part, the ENS provides our brain with insight and often times, emotionalresponses. Intuition, ESP, andclairvoyance are all rooted in the ENS. Again, when we interact with another person, our “guts” are sendingimpulses directly to our “brains” telling us what we like and dislike aboutthis person. In yoga this area equatesto the 2^nd Chakra called Svadhistana or “the abode of the self”. Chakras are pools of prana or energy withinthe body. So, once we have developed apositive attraction to someone, each subsequent encounter further develops therelationship and over the course of time the energetic bond between the two ofyou remains active even though you may be a great distance apart. I am sure you have heard stories about howsomeone has sensed when a relative or close friend has suffered a terribleaccident or death. That is because theenergetic connection between them was so strong that the ENS was able to detecta disturbance in their shared energies as a result of the tragedy despite thefact that they may have been hundreds or thousands of miles apart.

So how is this possible and why doesn’t it happen moreoften? Because, even though energy cantravel very great distances, it can also be easily disturbed along itstransmission, thus the message gets lost. Whales can communicate with sound energy across thousands of miles ofocean. Humans can see images transmittedfrom a satellite orbiting a planet in our solar system that is 800 millionmiles away. Then why can’t our bodiessense a tragic disturbance in the energy between members of a family more frequently? The simple answer is environment. Whale sounds travel through water in a lowfrequency environment, undisturbed by other sounds. The transmissions we receive from spacetravel through a low frequency environment undisturbed by other transmissions. Yet, we live in busy cities surrounded bythousands of energy signals. These highfrequency environments are filled with radio, television, and cell phonetransmissions, in addition to power lines and traffic sounds all disturbing thedirect flow of energy between humans. Inour environment, we have to come within a close proximity of one another beforeour energies can interact. The sheervolume of energetic noise in our high frequency city environment is also amajor contributing factor to why our brains develop more stress. They are constantly bombarded by energysignals that they have to interpret or ignore. Why do you think we find it so relaxing to take a walk along the beachor to go on a hike across a mountain trail? Because those are low frequency environments and our brain doesn’t haveto work so hard to filter out all the extraneous energy buzzing through theair. Also, the low frequency energy ofthe surrounding trees, plants and other animals has a soothing effect on ournervous system. Taking a swim in theocean, in a lake or even a swimming pool has a similar effect. Water is a low frequency energy medium andbecause our bodies are made of about 80% water, we find great harmony in it's presence. Personally, I find that I dosome of my best thinking in the shower. That is a result of the low frequency connection to water mixed with thesplashing sounds to create a peaceful environment which allows the brainto function better!

So what does all this mean? It means that our bodies are extremely sensitive energeticinstruments. Yet we as humans seldomfind the time to really listen to what our bodies are telling to us. When we meet someone, do we really make aneffort to sense what we feel in our gut about them, or do we ignore thatintuition and act based upon time constraints or other sensory input? In my yoga classes, I am constantlyinstructing my students to get out of their heads and into their bodies. Four of our five senses are located in thehead. The sensory input from our eyes,ears, nose, and mouth has a much shorter path to the brain than sensory inputfrom the gut or from our touch receptors, therefore the brain tends to stayfocused on those sources of input in a high frequency environment. Only when we allow time for the brain tolisten to the body, do we overcome the high frequency input and begin to reachdeeper within ourselves for a more meaningful connection to our own energy,prana, or chi. Just like trees which are grounded in the soil (very low frequencymedium) but bloom into the air so too, humans are grounded by touching thesoil, the water and each other so that we might “bloom” as well. The sensation of touch is something uniqueand fulfilling on both an energetic and an emotional level. When two people share energy through touch,they become linked intuitively to one another. Sometimes those energies are combined making each one stronger. Other times those energies cancel out healinga discord in both by opening a blocked pathway or meridian. Either way, touch is a vital human need andone that is so neglected and misunderstood in our over stimulated society.

The next time you run into someone you haven’t seen in years,search deep into your gut and make time for energetic connections to prosper inyour life. A simple hug is so much morethan a gesture, it is a bond shared between two people. Seek out the low frequency environment inyour life whether it is a walk along the beach, a hike in the mountains, orholding hands with a loved one. Cultivatethe prana within your body and mind. Eatfood as though it were feeding your soul, breathe air into your lungs as thoughyou were walking beside a rolling stream through a forest meadow, and mostimportantly, extend your hand in touch to another human being as though youhave the power to heal.

May the Force be with you!

Matthew Corrigan,CMT, RYT

Prana Healthworks2011

Confessions of a Massage Therapist "Ironing the Wrinkles From the Fabric of Humanity"

2011-10-24T00:25:00.000-04:00

The massage therapist / client relationship is a uniqueblend of trust and communication. Oncethe therapist has determined the needs and goals for the session through apre-massage consultation, the stage is set for what I like to call an energeticpas de deux. As instruments ofexploration, my hands become my eyes. Throughpressure and subtle manipulation of tissue, I am able to sense specific areasof tension within the client’s body. Depending on how those areas are manipulated and how well the client isable to use a combination of breathing and relaxation to release the specifictension determines the effectiveness of the massage. The ancient art of massage is a potenttherapy when applied with knowledge and focused intention. The giver and receiver must be willing totrust one another in an act of mutual surrender; one to the heart that honorsthe spirit of life, the other to the hand that irons the wrinkles from thefabric of humanity.

A teacher of mine once used the analogy that the body islike a tent. The tent poles being ourbones, the outer fabric of the tent equates to our skin, and the muscles,tendons and ligaments are like the “guy lines” anchoring the tent to theground. Each of these in turn give usour shape, or more specifically; our posture. Posture is our dynamic presentation to the universe. It begins at birth and it adapts to everytask or event that we perform throughout our lives. Sports you have played, injuries you havesustained, emotional stresses you have endured; all dictate how each bodyadapts and compensates over time to physical demands or challenges. Imagine for a moment what happens when one ofthose “guy lines” is put under excessive tension; the shape of the tentchanges. So too, when one of our musclesis under excessive tension, our posture changes in order to keep us standingupright and our eyes level with the horizon. Many times these changes create postural imbalances, which over timebegin to exhibit symptoms of discomfort and pain. My goal as a therapist then is to assist thebody in releasing these structural imbalances so that normal pain freefunctionality is restored and overall posture is improved.

In my work, I visualize the 600 some odd bags of tissue wecall muscles, as a magnificent tapestry of overlapping fabric methodically laidout on a framework of pulleys and levers. The exponential possibilities of movement offered by this structure canvery often overload individual muscles or groups of muscles when the balancebetween strength and flexibility is exceeded. The result then is strain or injury exhibited by pain. Intrinsically though, there is often a deeperroot cause to muscle imbalances. Theexternal forces attacking the body combined with the internal resiliency tothose forces plays an ongoing tug of war between strength and flexibility. Repetitive motion, non-repetitive motion andemotional factors also play a dominant role in our resiliency to externalstresses. As a therapist then, itbecomes very important to be able to assess all the possible root causes forspecific tensions in a client’s body. This is why spending extra time with a client before the massage is socrucial to providing the most effective manual therapy during the massage. The more I know about someone’s past, thebetter able I am to understand the nature of that person and ultimately, thebetter able I will be to help them unlock the physical restrictions they areencountering as a result of a stressful environment.

There is an honesty inherent in this work that Iperform. The forces of nature arepresent each time I lay my hands on someone. Part knowledge, part intuition, and part understanding, massage therapyis a gift that has been shared between human beings for thousands of years andI am honored to uphold the integrity of my position as a massage therapist inevery time my hands make contact with another human being.

Matthew Corrigan,CMT, RYT

Prana Healthworks2011

What Are You Afraid Of?

2011-10-09T22:52:00.000-04:00

This is the first installment of my 10-week bloggingchallenge proposed by Sue Ann Gleason – Chocolateforbreakfast.com &ConsciousBites.com. Joining me in this challenge is a group of 10other bloggers all of whom are women. Ironically, having grown up in a house with 3 sisters, I find myself infamiliar company; surrounded by a group of amazing women! My entire life, I have always been more comfortablein a group of women than in a group of like-minded men. Having never feared to walk the line between thegenders, I feel that my ability to transcend boundaries of any sort is what hasguided me to this fantastic group that Sue Ann has amassed. Both in my work and in my personal life, Istrive to be a “conduit”; facilitating change, pensive thinking, andself-exploration. As a yoga teacher, Iencourage my students to explore their own feelings rather than seekingaffirmations in comparisons to books, videos, or other students. The path of yoga leads one to look underneaththe skin where the Self resides; your soul if you will, and in that place, attributeslike gender are irrelevant. All that matters is the Who, the true Self, theperson that you “really” are without the attributes of society, family, gender,or personal image. Professionally I refer to myself as a movement therapist,which can take on many meanings depending on the person in front of me. If we look at licenses and certifications, Iam a massage therapist and a yoga teacher but those are merely labels inflictedby society. Is any one of us just ateacher, just a writer, just “Joe the plumber”? Certainly we are much more thanthe sum of a few labels, so why should I limit myself, particularly in abusiness where the goal is helping people find their own “health.” All of that aside, if I revert back to theconduit analogy, my intention is always to propagate change, whatever thatmight be. I deliver the spark thatinspires people to make realizations within their own lives. Sometimes for the better, sometimes not, butat least the awareness of possibility is now in their possession.

For me life is all about the journey, the exploration, andultimately the experience done so without regret. No Regrets! That’s my mantra. To reach for thatlifestyle successfully means reaching beyond one’s fears. That is a biggie! Fear! Yikes. The biggest obstacle tochange we all face is FEAR! The big “What if?” If I can lead someone to a closer relationship with their own fears,then I feel I have given them the keys to open any number of doors that maycome before them. Crossing the thresholdrequires a deep faith in ones Self. Thisblog is a personal threshold that I am hoping to walk across in the next 10weeks. I don’t feel a particular fear ofblogging per se, but more a fear that whoever reads this can see a part of mysoul and I will expose my foibles, dysfunctions. If there is one thing I have always loathed,it’s a Poser! An Amateur. A Wanna Be. Look in the mirror my friend; it don’t lie, or does it?

The external attributes that we “project” for everyone elseto see are not a reflection of who we really are. Often times though, we get stuck in thebelief that our external image “is” who we are. Changing that perspective is the goal of my work. Cultivating a better reflection of who wereally are. Hiding ones fears behind amask leads only to pain, regret, and loneliness. So here I am, all my faults and fears laidbare. I am an open book for you toread. I am blunt to a fault and brutallyhonest. No Regrets!

So what of my own fears? We all have them, right? I am certainlynot immune. Throughout my life I havetried to face my fears one by one. Bornan introverted child of similar parents, I constantly longed to be in thespotlight but remained a wallflower due to a lack of self-confidence and anover-riding perfectionist mentality. Thisis particularly evident in my musical pursuits. From the age of 12, I would spend hours and hours practicing guitar inmy room but never venturing out into the world to perform. I could never bring myself to exhibit mytalents in public because I didn’t feel I could live up to my own expectationof who I wanted to “project”. This is acommon fear I see many people and in many ways. In developing our elaborate personal image throughout our childhood, teenyears, and well into adulthood, we become slaves to that image thereby dodgingour true Self! Often times, we try aimlessly to incorporate both our “projectedself” and our “true self” into one person but inevitably we fall short becausethe “projection” keeps telling us to play someone else yet, in order to do that,we must ignore our own inner voice. Byexposing our true Self to scrutiny and possible ridicule, we risk failure andrejection. How then do we overcome ourfear and face the world as our ”Self?”

Honesty! Plain andsimple. We are all born perfect the way we are. Life is merely the pursuit of revealing that perfection withoutattributes; without posing as someone else. You have to be honest with your Self; who you truly are. This can be a daunting endeavor dependingupon how deep the Self is buried, but only through genuine self-reflection canthe face behind the mask be revealed. The past is the past, you can’t change it, but you can change the futureand that moment begins now. I spentdecades trying to overcome my fear of perfection and what I discovered on thatjourney was that I was perfect all along. How strange that something so simple was right in front of me the wholetime, hidden beneath the mask I had created.

Remember, a life lived in fear of the “What If” is justthat. Take the time to really get toknow your Self and you will become the person you have always wanted tobe. After all, what are you afraid of?

Matthew Corrigan,CMT, RYT

Prana Healthworks2011

A One Night (Epicurean) Stand

2011-10-02T13:16:00.000-04:00

A One Night (Epicurean) Stand

Blogging with Intention

2011-10-01T22:34:00.002-04:00

I have been approached by Sue Ann Gleason (http://www.chocolateforbreakfast.com/ & www.consciousbitesnutrition.com) to participate in Blogging "think tank" of sorts. I am so excited to be participating in this little experiment and can't wait to share some of the fruits of it with the rest of the world. Once the first few posts are written, I will know more about the direction of the group and what I can post here for everyone to read. I am in some pretty special company and it should be quite interesting bouncing thoughts and ideas off of complete strangers. If you choose to follow this blog, you will be the first to know when the cat is out of the bag. Otherwise, check back in a couple of weeks and see what's to come.

Matthew

An Athlete in the Workplace

2011-08-08T09:21:00.002-04:00

So I have recently finished work on my powerpoint presentation called "An Athlete in the Workplace". This 45 minute presentation describes how a typical person in the daily workplace is much like an athlete who needs specific training to achieve success in their career and avoid injury. Athletes focus their training toward a specific goal. As a person within a specific work environment, you too should train like an athlete in order to achieve your specific goal: a long healthy life free of aches, pains, and injuries. For more information about my presentation or to schedule a demonstration at your office or workplace, please contact Matthew Corrigan at pranahealthworks@gmail.com or by phone at 703-225-9111.

Months Away but Not to Play

2011-07-17T08:17:00.002-04:00

I have spent many months away from blogging and have lots to report. It has been a busy 2011 developing my business and learning the secrets of networking. Along the way, I have met so many interesting and talented people. Rest assured that I feel even more certain that my work will have a profound effect on your life. I am so thankful to all of you who put your faith in my teaching and in my bodywork. Movement is a universal experience and developing your personal connection to how your own body moves is critical to living a happy life.

As I expand into more group sessions and corporate wellness, I hope to bring my ideas to the ears of more people. Please tell your friends about me and spread the word. I am always interested in your referrals because that is how I build my business and can help you to build yours. Givers Gain.

Holiday Stress Relief from Prana Healthworks

2010-11-24T11:20:00.002-05:00

The Holiday Season is upon us and that means extra hours at the office finishing those end of the year projects, extra trips to the mall searching for that elusive gift, and more drive time in traffic taking the kids to Holiday activities. Who doesn't feel the stress building up in the neck and shoulders? Why not hire a Certified Massage Therapist from Prana Healthworks to come to your office or Holiday party and give 10 to 15 minute Chair Massages to all your employees? Chair massage is a non invasive form of massage that is the perfect antidote to loosen those overworked neck and shoulder muscles. Give the gift of massage this year!

Call 703-225-9111 for package prices and booking. You and your co-workers will love you for it!

Matthew Corrigan, CMT, RYT

Prana Healthworks

Welcome back to the blog

2010-09-24T17:12:00.002-04:00

It has been a long while since I posted to the blog. Too Long! The summer of 201o has come and gone and much has happened since my cross country trip for RAAM. The experience was one I will cherish for years to come. Met some fantastic new friends and felt like my participation in the fundraising effort for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) was well worth the effort. At last count I think the Georgia Chain Gang total was over $120,000!!!

July was hot, hot, hot. Many days near or over 100 degrees here in the DC area. Despite the heat, I spent many hours working on clients and making new discoveries about the efficacy of massage therapy. As a therapist, one is sometimes perplexed by the human body and when your instinct lead you to make a profound change in a client, the reward is heart felt. I love seeing the look on the faces of my clients when they experience relief from chronic pain. I continue to study and push myself into a deeper understanding of the body. My hope is to put some of this information back into the field either through teaching or via You Tube. Stay tuned for more later.

August is vacation month and business was up and down all month. Some weeks were good but I used the slow time to take a quick trip to the beach to reconnect with Mother Nature. Whether you love beach or mountains better, nothing soothes the soul like some time near a large body of water. Because the human body is made mostly of water, I believe the connection is not merely coincidental. Plus the salt air is just revitalizing!

September marked the anniversary of my birth once again. Another year gone by and going faster all the time. I find birthdays a good time to reassess things and make sure I stay on track with my goals. So much of our lives is spent chasing a short term goal while our greater goal continues to be overlooked or put on the back burner. As a birthday gift I received Richard Freeman's new book called "The Mirror of Yoga". So far, it is just what I needed to hear from one of the wisest yogis I know of. Check it out for yourself.

Namaste,

Matthew

RAAM Start - One Week Away

2010-06-05T20:30:00.004-04:00

The Georgia Chain Gang and I are ready to embark on the 2010 Race Across America next weekend. Take a look at our support vehicle! We will be "stylin" cross country.

The anticipation of the event has crept into my life in the last week! I am so excited to get started I can hardly contain myself. Once we start rolling in San Diego, it will be all out for 7 straight days! Along the way, I will do my best to keep posting to the Blog and Facebook to keep all my friends and supporters up to date with our progress. You can also follow our checkpoints on the official RAAM website (click the title link above). Thanks for all of your good wishes and for supporting the GA Chain Gang and our quest to find a cure for blood related cancer with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Matthew

It's Official - I am participating in the 2010 Race Across America

2010-05-30T18:21:00.002-04:00

On June 12th, 2010, myself and crew of 11 other men and women are participating in the 2010 Race Across America (RAAM), a grueling 3000 mile bicycle race from Oceanside, CA to Annapolis, MD - NON STOP! Together we are riding in support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) in a attempt to raise $200,000 to help find a cure for blood related cancers.

I know you receive numerous requests throughout the year begging for support of many charitable organizations, but please hear me out before you consider dismissing this one. My Team in Training, the GA Chain Gang (www.gachaingang.org) will be competing in the 4 man team event. Last year our team raise over $82,000 for LLS and came in second overall. This year we are set on beating our time of just over 7 Days coast to coast and taking the 1st place trophy! Along the way, I will be providing support for our 4 riders as a Massage Therapist to ease the stress and strain of continuous pedaling. Please consider making a 100% Tax Deductible donation to LLS through my secure website http://pages.teamintraining.org/ga/raceacro10/mcorrigk6s. If you don't wish to contribute online, you can mail a check or money order directly to me payable to LLS and I will forward the check to the proper address at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. My personal goal is to raise $4000 for the team before we leave Oceanside, CA in June. A donation of a $.01 per mile only comes to $30.00, so every mile we ride is one penny closer to a cure. Please give what you can afford. Every donation is truly welcome and appreciated.

On a personal note, I have dedicated my participation in the 2010 RAAM event in honor of my dear friend Karen who is personally battling lymphoma. She and I have known one another for 25 years and I want to personally ask you to join me in support of her quest to defeat blood cancer. I am sure you know someone in your own life that has been affected by cancer in some way. When it happens to a friend or family member, it takes the battle to a whole new level. To date there is not a cure, but recent drugs like Gleevec have increased the 5-year survival rate to 95%! That is fantastic news for my friend Karen and her family. However, in order to keep the “bike” rolling, I need your help and support. Please consider a donation to the GA Chain Gang in my name. Again, here is the link to show your support.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ga/raceacro10/mcorrigk6s

You will receive a confirmation by email and I will be notified as soon as you make your donation. Again, all donation amounts are 100% Tax Deductible!!! Each donation helps accelerate finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. More than 823,000 Americans are battling these blood cancers and I am certain that my participation and your support of our in Team In Training will help my friend Karen and all Americans battling leukemia and lymphoma.

On behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, thank you very much for your support. I greatly appreciate your generosity.

Thank you for your generosity ,

Matthew Corrigan, CMT, RYT

Don't miss the Spring Cleanse Detoxification Workshop!!!

2010-03-21T20:46:00.003-04:00

Saturday, March 27, 2010

9:30AM – 12:30PM
$45 per person
(cash or check only)

Space is limited
{Advance registration is necessary to reserve your spot}

Instructors:
Michelle Dexter – Ayurvedic Wellness Coach
Matthew Corrigan – Registered Yoga Teacher, Certified Massage Therapist

Learn simple at-home Ayurvedic cleansing methods to flush the body of toxins that build up in the winter months. Seasonal changes are the times when disease takes root in the body, and regular cleansing during the seasonal shifts help to prevent this process.

1. Begin the workshop with a 50 minute yoga practice incorporating detoxifying poses and breathing techniques.

2. Learn about Ayurveda (the medical science of India) and conduct an analysis of your personal Dosha (Ayurvedic constitution).

3. Learn to perform the Ayurvedic cleansing practices of sinus irrigation (Neti pot), eye washing, and gum massage/mouth wash.

4. Learn to perform Ayurvedic self massage (Abhyanga) and how to choose an oil specific to your own Dosha (Ayurvedic constitution).

5. Discussion of Internal cleansing through diet based on your Dosha.

Register for this workshop through:

Lofty Salon and Wellness Center
354 W. Maple Ave.
* Vienna, VA 22180
* 703-242-0609
loftysalon.info@yahoo.com
* www.loftysalon.com

Goal Specific Massage Therapy

2010-03-11T19:20:00.004-05:00

The goal of any massage therapy session is Relaxation. Working with a skilled therapist to unlock your specific areas of tension or pain and what causes them to occur is the first step toward achieving that goal. When we feel a pain, our natural response is to rub it! An intuitive therapist uses their knowledge of structural anatomy, postural adaptations, and repetitive movements to seek out the clues specific to your body which reveal the mysteries behind the pain. Whether it is work related job stress, repetitive motion strain or spasm, sport specific or exercise related injury, or just plain muscle fatigue that is causing you pain; PRANA Healthworks offers a comprehensive plan to get you back up to full speed again. Restore your range of motion, release muscle tension and stress, increase your flexibility, and relax those tired, overworked muscles with a full body massage. Each massage session is catered to your specific need and contains a goal oriented intention which is discussed in a pre-massage consultation. Maintaining effortless mobility should be your ultimate goal because it is our goal as well. Restricted movement causes a decrease in vitality, it inhibits your ability to do the things you love, and if left untouched, can lead to more complex patterns of muscular deficiency and chronic pain. Don’t be a victim of your own body. Give yourself the gift of mobility and relaxation with a massage from PRANA Healthworks.

PRANA Healthworks is prepared to help you meet the demands of your busy lifestyle head on. By combining elements of both eastern and western medical science, you will learn what it means to move through life with grace and ease; in total balance. Don’t be a victim of pain! Make a conscious choice to become the steward of your own health.

PRANA Healthworks – “focused breath, body, and mind…”

Spring Cleanse Detoxification Workshop

2010-02-27T21:22:00.000-05:00

Spring Cleanse Detoxification Workshop

Saturday, March 27, 2010
9:30AM – 12:30PM
$45 per person
(cash or check only)

Space is limited
{Advance registration is necessary to reserve your spot}

Instructors:
Michelle Dexter – Ayurvedic Wellness Coach
Matthew Corrigan – Registered Yoga Teacher

Learn simple at-home Ayurvedic cleansing methods to flush the body of toxins that build up in the winter months. Seasonal changes are the times when disease takes root in the body, and regular cleansing during the seasonal shifts help to prevent this process.

1. Begin the workshop with a 50 minute yoga practice incorporating detoxifying poses and breathing techniques.
2. Learn about Ayurveda (the medical science of India) and conduct an analysis of your personal Dosha (Ayurvedic constitution).
3. Learn to perform the Ayurvedic cleansing practices of sinus irrigation (Neti pot), eye washing, and gum massage/mouth wash.
4. Learn to perform Ayurvedic self massage (Abhyanga) and how to choose an oil specific to your own Dosha (Ayurvedic constitution).
5. Discussion of Internal cleansing through diet based on your Dosha.

Register for this workshop through:

Lofty Salon and Wellness Center
354 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA 22180
703-242-0609
loftysalon.info@yahoo.com
www.loftysalon.com

Peppermint and The Candy Cane

2009-12-28T20:34:00.001-05:00

Peppermint Candy Canes

With the onset of the Holidays, one can see decorations popping up everywhere. A common sight among the many lights and ornaments is the candy cane. These peppermint treats have a history that dates back nearly 400 years. Many urban legends surround the significance of the candy cane. The most popular tells of the candy maker in Indiana who created the J-shaped treat to symbolize the first letter of Jesus. He claimed the red and white stripes were to signify the scourging of Jesus at the pillar. This is truly urban legend because candy canes have been around since long before the state of Indiana. Originally all white in color, candy canes didn't take on the barber pole red stripes until the early 20th century. The crooked shape is said to have been adopted to symbolize the staff of a shepherd and to make them easier to hang on trees during Christmas time. Another legend tells of the Bishop of Cologne in 1670 who handed them out to children to keep them quiet in church. No matter whether fact or fiction, the candy cane has become part of our tradition. The reason behind its peppermint flavor however, may have more significance than mere legend.
Peppermint is a hybrid of the spearmint plant which was originally used in ancient times as a relief for stomach and digestive disorders. A sprig of spearmint was often consumed following meals to insure proper digestion. Ancient sailors used it to combat sea sickness. Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all revered this plant and used it for a number of reasons including hangovers, a preservative for milk, and a cure for hiccups. At some point in the past, two varieties of spearmint were bred together to yield a stronger tasting mint and thus "pepper" mint was born. Commonly, the natural oil from the plant is extracted before it is used. Since ancient times much has been written about the uses of peppermint oil. Physicians and herbalist have touted the benefits of peppermint oil for centuries claiming cures for colds, headache, gout, venereal disease and colic. The one thing that seems to be commonly agreed upon though is its ability to soothe the muscles of the digestive tract.
By the late 19th century, the Eclectic physicians who predate today's modern naturopaths, began using a distilled form of peppermint known as menthol. Menthol contains germicidal properties as well as strong anesthetic uses. They would often apply it externally to cuts, burns, stings, hives, and toothaches. The Eclectics also used menthol as an inhalant and chest rub to relieve cold symptoms, asthma, allergies, and morning sickness. Today's herbalists and naturopaths recommend peppermint externally for itching and inflammation as well as internally for digestive disorders, morning sickness, menstrual cramps, colds, cough, headache, heartburn and fever. As with any treatment, please use your best judgment and consult your healthcare provider prior to starting any therapy.
So there it is. The peppermint candy cane really does have more to offer than a mere holiday confection or decoration. They not only look attractive on your tree but they help settle your stomach after those big holiday meals. As for the urban legends surrounding its origin, that is best left to your own interpretation. Have a blessed and joyous Holiday Season!!!

Cinammon Packs a Punch

2009-12-16T14:28:00.001-05:00

For anyone who bakes, you know that cinnamon is a common ingredient used to add a warm, spicy flavor. What you may not know is that cinnamon possesses some remarkable properties that ancient Chinese and Indian healers discovered as early as 2700 B.C. Over the centuries, cinnamon has been used to treat a variety of illnesses and ailments including stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, uterine cramps, infant colic, and flatulence. Originally grown in southern Asia and Ceylon (Sri Lanka), early travelers first brought cinnamon to Egypt, where its preservative power was used in their embalming recipe. The phenols in cinnamon inhibit the growth of bacteria responsible for decay. Later the Romans found it useful as a spice, a perfume, and a treatment for indigestion. Pliny the Elder wrote in the first century A.D., that 350 grams of cinnamon was worth over five kilograms of silver. As an aside, Emperor Nero; after murdering his wife, ordered that a year's supply of cinnamon be burned as a sign of remorse. You can see that cinnamon was a prized possession among the ancient cultures.

In more recent times, it was discovered to be a powerful antiseptic which explains why it is found in toothpaste and dental floss. It has also been found to kill a number of disease causing bacteria including those that cause urinary tract and vaginal yeast infections. Its antiseptic power has also been tested on minor cuts and scrapes. Perhaps the best known benefit of cinnamon is its ability to aid in the digestion of high fat treats such as cakes, cookies, and ice cream. Put in more medical terms, it boosts the release of an enzyme called trypsin in the digestive tract, which breaks down fats. More recent studies have shown that cinnamon enhances the ability of insulin to metabolize glucose, helping to control blood sugar levels. Despite the fact that these studies have not yet been tested on humans, many diabetics are adding a 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon to their daily diet, proclaiming favorable results. By aiding the effectiveness of their insulin, diabetics can help prevent the onset of coronary artery disease and high blood pressure. Lastly, a study by Alan Hirsch, M.D. at the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago found cinnamon scored high as an aphrodisiac for males. Your results may vary.

Try this soothing Cinnamon infusion recipe:
3 sticks Cinnamon
6 Cloves
Small peice of dry Ginger (not powder)
1 ball of Nutmeg
2 tbsp Anise

Boil a teapot of water and add ingredients. Simmer for 10 minutes. Before serving, add some Pine Nuts and Walnuts and a dash of Brown Sugar to taste. This will make your house smell wonderful and inviting as well as providing you with a relaxing and warming drink.

One word of warning about the use of cinnamon is that it should not be confused with cinnamon oil. The oil extract from cinnamon bark and twigs is quite potent and can cause irritation and redness when applied to the skin. Do not ingest the oil either because it can cause nausea, vomiting, and possibly kidney damage. Stick to using cinnamon powder in culinary doses. If you are pregnant or nursing, check with your doctor about safe amounts to use.

Bees: Nature’s Miracle Workers

2009-11-22T21:16:00.006-05:00

Did you ever stop to think about the origin of the saying "Busy as a Bee"? Well the reputation is well deserved because these little creatures are some of the hardest workers in the world. Without their diligent efforts our lives on this planet would be profoundly different. In spite of that, you still may not be reaping all the benefits from them that you could.

Most of us are aware of the important roll that bees play in the pollination of plants. As they move from one flower to the next, their bodies become covered in pollen and thereby transport the essential ingredient necessary for plants to mature and bear fruit. Without the bees, crops would fail and the effect on our food supply would be drastic. In recent years a global crisis has emerged within the bee population. Colonies of bees are disappearing at an alarming rate due to pesticide use, loss of habitable areas, and illness. The consequences of this have yet to be taken seriously but you can rest assured that the cost of everything associated with bees will continue to rise in the future.

In addition to pollination, bees are busy manufacturing some of the most nutritious and beneficial foods known to man inside their hives. The most obvious of these is Honey. Since reading the children's stories of Winnie the Pooh and his love of honey, I too, have acquired a fondness for its sweet golden goodness. It can be used as a natural sugar substitute in just about any dish or recipe. It comes in a variety of flavors due to the subtle tastes imparted from the local pollen where the bee colonies live. It can be stored for years and years without refrigeration because bacteria and microorganisms cannot grow in honey. Honey is also extremely high in protein (35%) as well as being rich in vitamins like niacin, riboflavin, and pantothenic acid. It also contains a host of minerals like calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc. Lastly, it contains valuable amino acids and it is high in antioxidants. As a result of all this, honey is a great source of energy.

Research has shown that eating honey also promotes a number of health benefits. It relieves both constipation and diarrhea. It promotes healing and prevents infections due to its strong anti-bacterial properties. People with stomach ulcers noted a significant decrease in symptoms following daily doses of honey. It is also known to be a relief for persons with respiratory ailments such as bronchitis and asthma. Pretty remarkable stuff for such a little creature don't you think? But wait, there is much more to the story.

Also found in the beehive is a milk-like secretion produced in the glands of nurse bees call Royal Jelly. This wonderful substance is what turns an ordinary bee into a Queen. It is extremely rich in B vitamins, calcium, iron, potassium, silicon, enzymes, hormones, the eight essential amino acids. Because it is a natural antibiotic, it strengthens our immune system, promotes cell longevity and mental alertness, alleviates insomnia, stress, and fatigue; and improves the health of our hair and skin. Perhaps the most important benefit of taking royal jelly though is its ability to revitalize our endocrine system. These are the glands that secrete the hormones to regulate our body activities such as growth, metabolism, reproduction, and fluid balance. Royal jelly has been used to combat bronchial asthma, liver and kidney disease, inflammation of the pancreas, gall bladder disorders, stomach ulcers, migraines, and skin diseases. Royal jelly is available from local health food markets in capsules, powdered form and mixed into honey. It can be taken by itself or mixed into a soothing cup of tea. However you choose to take it, the benefits will be profound.

Another mysterious substance produced by bees is called Propolis. It is a resin like substance that the bees collect from the bark and buds of trees to use in building their hives. It is rich in antioxidants and protects the bees from infections. Recent laboratory tests have shown that it is effective in combating cancer cells. It also stimulates our thymus gland which increases our resistance to infection by producing T-cells. This miraculous substance is sold in capsules, lozenges, and tablets and is often touted as a remedy for colds, cough, pneumonia, acne and ulcers. With a combination of anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial properties, it has been used to effectively to manage arthritis and as a topical tincture for warts and lesions.

The last amazing product that bees make is called Bee Pollen. This superfood is popular with athletes for its instant energy. It contains B-complex vitamins, Vitamin C, beneficial fatty acids, enzymes, amino acids, carotenoids, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium, and is composed of about 15% protein. It works well for those recovering from illness and for those suffering with respiratory and intestinal conditions. It has also been found to relieve menstrual and prostate problems. Just a couple of teaspoons a day will delay the onset of aging and increase your mental capacity. It is hard to believe that all these benefits come from the same small insect. I hope you will think about the importance of these "miracle workers" the next time you see them working hard pollinating your gardens. They are truly one of nature's wonders!

**Caution - Do not give honey to infants under 1 year of age because is contains spores of the botulism bacteria. These spores could develop into botulism toxin and become poisonous in an infant's undeveloped digestive system.

The Artist Within You

2009-11-22T21:14:00.003-05:00

While touring the magnificent art galleries of this past spring, I was struck by an intriguing thought. Captured within these beautiful treasures was a combination of ingredients that transcended the image on the canvas or the figure made from the stone. Not only did the artists capture the essence of their subjects, but they also infused a minute sample of their surroundings as well. Perhaps a drop of sweat rolling off the brow, a bit of dirt kicked up from the floor, a crust of bread from a half eaten sandwich might have been somehow incorporated into the finish work of art. In other words, these masterpieces contain the "dirt" of a certain age if you will.

This can be taken both literally and figuratively. In a literal sense, the paint used by an artist must certainly contain a small amount of dirt from the surroundings where it was mixed and applied. When the paint dried, that dirt became permanently bound to the canvas and thus it became an integral part of the image and soul of the painting itself. Figuratively speaking, dirt also plays a role in the portrayal of the subject matter the artist was attempting to capture. Whether it was a portrait of an important person of the time, a re-creation of a significant event in history, or a beautiful landscape, the artist forever linked the painting to a certain time in history. It became a permanent record with all the back story, intrigue, and "dirt", if you will, associated with the person, place, or time. The connection between the artist and his or her surroundings is inseparable. A masterpiece begins with inspiration which stirs ones creativity which then becomes "art".

You may be wondering how this pertains to you and your well-being? We have all felt inspired by something at one time or another in our lives. However, what each of us chooses to do with that inspiration is what really matters most. Don't simply acknowledge it and let it pass. Force your own inspirations into creativity. Whether you choose to paint on canvas, hammer a chisel into stone, push a needle through fabric, or plant flowers in a garden, you are fulfilling an artistic desire. Run with it! Good health is a balance of both mental and physical exercise. All too often we sacrifice the mental aspects of our health in favor of the physical. Take time to feed the right side of your brain once in awhile. The next time you are inspired; don't let obligations and deadlines overcome you. Step back for a moment and give yourself the chance to create. Take the initiative and capture your surrounding, put a little "dirt" into your own masterpiece.

Open your mind.

BECOME AN ARTIST!!!

Where Am I Today?

2009-11-22T21:11:00.003-05:00

Yoga seems to be popping up everywhere these days. There is a good reason for this popularity. It works! If you are needing a way to cope with the tensions of day to day living in the modern world, then read on and discover what the "old world" practice of yoga can do to help you meet the challenges of a hectic lifestyle.

As part of a regular yoga practice, it is customary to "check in" with yourself before you start each session. So the first thing I do when I get on my mat is to ask myself, "Where am I today?" A quick mental checklist of emotional and physical well-being lets me begin my practice knowing where my mind and body are in relation to one another. As you begin to warm the body in the first few poses, take notice of what areas are tense. The stressors of daily living can manifest themselves in areas that we ignore most of the time. The purpose of each pose in yoga is to open these areas of tension and allow a free flow of energy to radiate throughout the body. You may find that you are able to do some poses better than others. Be proud of yourself for these accomplishments, but focus your efforts on the more difficult poses in order to reap the most benefit from your practice. The challenging poses build heat in the body which is a form of energy. The concentration of energy in these areas will start to unwind your tension and stress, leaving you relaxed and open.

Once you have opened the flow of energy in the body, you will feel a sense of calm and the mind is able to focus. You have achieved the ultimate goal of yoga which is to prepare the body for meditation. When you practice yoga poses without meditation you are missing the icing on the cake! The healing benefits of sitting in stillness can be profound. If you have never practiced meditation, then you owe it to yourself to seek out a qualified meditation instructor. Meditation will allow you to carry the positive benefits of yoga with you into daily life. You will be better able to cope with stress. Your overall outlook on life will improve and ultimately, you will find you are able to keep tension and stress at a distance which improves productivity and longevity.

Remember that yoga is not a one time fix. That is why it is called a yoga “practice”. The greatest yogis have devoted a lifetime, yet they still “practice” daily. Yoga is not something you master. Just because you see someone who can perform a particular pose better than you doesn’t mean that you are not as “good” at yoga as they are. On the contrary, your yoga is only for “you”. Where you are today is exactly where you are supposed to be! So be proud of yourself for your own sake and take yoga with you each and every day.

Namaste,

Take A Walk For Health

2009-11-22T21:05:00.006-05:00

The summer months are a great time to increase your outdoor activities. One of the easiest ways to benefit from Mother Nature is by taking walks. An evening stroll has been a tradition in European cities and towns for centuries. It is a common sight to see families or a group of friends out walking together around the local plaza.

Do they know something that we don't? Perhaps?

There is no better form of low impact aerobic exercise than walking. When performed on a regular basis it has countless health benefits. A 30 minute walk 4 to 5 times a week has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer, lower total cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and relieve stress and symptoms of depression. It can also help to stabilize blood sugar levels, improve immunity to illness, and maintain healthy bones and muscles. When used in combination with a balanced diet, walking is an effect way to control weight gain as well. A brisk walk can burn nearly 500 calories per hour depending on your metabolism. Daily walking also helps to speed your metabolism, furthering the benefits of weigh control. Walking boosts your energy levels, giving you a "lift" for up to 2 hours following the exercise. With all these physical and psychological factors going for it how can you resist? Get out this week and spend some time with friends and family in the great outdoors taking a nice long walk. You will be amazed at how good it will make you feel!

As a reminder, before exploring the numerous benefits that walking has to offer, remember to apply a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher to the areas of skin that may be exposed to the sun's harmful UVA and UVB rays. Yes, even evening sun has the strength to do damage to your skin. Once you are protected from the sun, it's time to put on a pair of comfortable shoes and go for a walk. Right?

Stretching Gives You Vitality

2009-11-22T20:45:00.001-05:00

Many times when clients come to me with sore necks or sore backs or other aching muscles, I will ask them if they have performed any stretches for the discomfort. Generally the reply is "no". For this reason, I always apply a few simple stretches to the body during my massage routine to give the muscles spindles a chance to reset. Stretching is a wonderful way to fight your daily aches and pains and if done properly and regularly, it can prevent those aches and pains from happening in the first place. Maintaining your flexibility is your first defense against the forces of aging. All too often as we age we become more sedentary in our lifestyle and we begin to lose our flexibility and muscularity. We start to drag our bodies around using our muscles only when we absolutely have to for a given task. I am here to tell you that a few simple stretches done daily and two 30 minute aerobic workouts per week will stave off the effects of aging for years to come. Listen to this, "you are never too old to stretch"! Even if you are not one who exercises regularly, you can still reap the benefits of stretching. It is a natural thing that each of our bodies need to keep our muscles supple and working properly. Think about yawning. This is the bodies built in stretch mechanism. It is trying to relax itself by telling your muscles to stretch. Think about how good you feel after a nice deep yawn. Now apply that to your whole body and imagine how good you could feel. You can do it anywhere, anytime, and any place and it doesn't require any equipment or great knowledge of the human body to perform. Since the subject has been well documented in books, on TV and on the internet, I won't go into the hundreds of different stretches you can do for all the muscles in your body, but I will give you a few simple suggestions on how to properly stretch without imposing injury to yourself. First, maintain an even controlled breath while stretching, you don't want to hold your breath. Next, move into the stretch slowly and gently. Don't bounce or force the body to go farther than it should normally. You should feel tension in the muscles being stretched but not pain. If it is painful then you are stretching too far and possibly doing harm. Hold the stretches for about 30 seconds each and maintain your breathing. With practice, you will be able to feel the muscles release as you hold the stretch. That's it. It's that simple. Give yourself a break to stretch those muscles everyday and you will be amazed at the vitality and flexibility you will gain.