Burr!  We have had quite a dose of cold weather lately and winter has just begun in Colorado.  Here are a few of my personal favorite suggestions for keeping warm this winter:

1.  Get regular massage!   As most of us know, #1 benefit of massage therapy is “improved circulation”.  The reason most of us have cold feet, hands, noses, and achy muscles during these fridgid months is “poor circulation”.  There isn’t a better way to keep the blood, oxygen and energy flowing.

2.  Step it up a notch and book a “Hot Stone” massage.  Depending on the price, therapist, etc.  hot stone massages come in different varieties.  Sometimes stones are placed on the body for healing or chakra balancing or integrated into a full body massage session.  In my own hot stone sessions I incorporate stones and hand manipulation.  The stones provide warmth to the tissue incouraging relaxation as well as a feeling of true groundedness.  You literally melt into the table.  For you massage therapists out there, we offer a great continuing ed class in hot/cold stone massage Feb. 19-21.

3.  Now for the adventurous, one of my favorite treats is a session at the Izba Spa in Denver.  This is not a 5 star resort but a simple, slightly unusual spa experience.  Izba spa provides Russian body therapy that incorporates hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, and massage.  A popular session includes a hot tub soak, a full body massage, and 2 Russian Banya treatments.  The Banya is equivalent to a sauna.  After a hot soak and 1/2 of your massage you go into the Banya to heat up again.  Here, “the whisks of oak/birch leaves are taken out of the water, shaken above the stove to warm the branches, and used to gently stroke, brush and tap the body from neck to toes, followed by a honey rub to draw out toxins to soften and condition the skin. This therapy has both antiseptic and detoxifying qualities.”  Then back to finish your massage, another Banya treatment and a final shower.  The prices are reasonable and most therapists are of Russian decent.  The massage is very deep tissue so be prepared!  I love the experience because it is something out of the ordinary.

So, don’t forget to take care of yourself this winter and get regular massage.  Plus, massage gift certificates make the perfect holiday gift..buy them from your favorite massage therapist for the best value.  Happy Holidays and Stay Warm!

Infant Massage Demo – BCMT

To many of us who are mothers, infant massage is a natural, intuitive, practice.  You would never know from meeting my grown-up beautiful, talented, well balanced daughter that her first four months of life were miserable, gassy, and seemingly unpleasant.  At that time, I wasn’t a certified massage therapist yet, but our happiest moments were spent gazing at each other as I gently rubbed her tension filled tummy, bent her little knees to chest, stroked her temples, patted her back, rubbed her little bum.  It seemed for brief moments, that the nurturing felt from gentle, loving touch gave her relief and a sense of security.

Natural remedies such as massage have been practiced for centuries on infants to promote better digestion, gas relief, reduce colic, lessen stress, improve sleep and aid in growth and development.  The unspoken communication that takes place through touch with parent/caregiver and child enhances the bonding experience.

Infant massage is just one of the many electives available in our 1000 hour massage therapist certification program.  Students practice on dolls and have an actual clinic where new parents bring in their infants and students demonstrate and teach the parents these delightful, effective, useful strokes.  What a wonderful skill to have whether you have children or not.  For some people, it is an intuitive response.  For others, it is a simple, effective skill to learn which will enhance the lives of infants in the home or in a care-giving situation.  Massage for peace… fewer crying babies!