9 Healthy Reasons To Make A Massage Appointment Today (the benefits of massage)
With more and more research now being done to support the health and well-being benefits of massage, we are delighted to share this blog with you. It has been taken from the Huffington News (we would recommend this online site to anyone interested in all things health & well-being) and each point is supported by research. We hope you find them interesting and some surprising, so here goes -
1. Managing anxiety and depression as it reduces the stress hormone ‘Cortisol’ Could be useful for the January blues?
2. Eases pain, especially back pain and arthritis – just ask Amanda’s Mum – she can play golf again!
3. Improves sleep due to it’s effects on the delta brain wave pattern associated with deep sleep. Our clients would definitely confirm that!
4. Boosts immunity by increasing the number of white blood cells
5. Reduces PMS symptoms including pain, bloating and mood swings
6. Improves alertness (though probably not whilst you are having it done!)
7. Reduces the number of tension headaches and migraines in sufferers
8. Your skin loves it! It increases blood flow & lymphatic drainage giving you plumped up radiant skin.
9. Massage relieves the symptoms associated with serious illness including cancer – All of the cancer patients we have on our books will agree
So, officially, regular massage is good for you! But you already knew that didn’t you?
Need to book yours? Call 01342 842098 or go to the link below for further details
http://www.ananda-healing.co.uk/treatments-services/massage/
How to choose the right therapist for you-My Top Tips
OK, so you have decided you need or want a treatment and need a local therapist – what do you do now? Google one? Look one up in the Yellow Pages? Then you find there are 20 in your area alone so which one? Well here are my top tips for finding the right one for you.
1. Ask your friends if they know anyone. Personal recommendation is always a good place to start, especially if you know someone who has actually tried the therapist themselves.
2. Once you have a name, hopefully by recommendation, but if not, the same applies, give them a call. Ask them some questions. Do they sound friendly? Knowledgeable? Do you think they are someone you could trust and be happy in their company for the hour you are paying for!
3. Ask them to clarify their qualifications and experience. No therapist who is qualified is going to mind you asking.
4. Are they listed with any governing body, ie. The Beauty Guild
5. Are they insured? This is vital! You are putting your well-being in their hands. You need to know you are covered.
6. Confirm the price and length of time the treatment will last before committing. You don’t want any embarrassing surprises on the day.
7. Check if take your means of payment. Again, many small business do not take credit or debit cards. (We do btw!)
8. Do they insist on a proper consultation before treating you? Yes, this may seem like a waste of time and invasive, especially if you are busy, but it is vital to all concerned that an accurate picture of your health is gained BEFORE any treatment takes place. Personally, I would be very concerned if no discussion was had and no medical history taken.
9. Discuss your expectations with the therapist. You don’t want to waste your time and money and you don’t want to waste theirs.
10. Trust your gut! It will tell you when you have found the right therapist for you.
I hope you have found this informative and helpful. Let me know if you have or if there is something else I should have added. Its all about sharing!
Contact either Amanda or Duncan on 01342 842098 to discuss your needs. It costs you nothing for a telephone call and we always promise to make sure you get the right treatment for your needs.
Sensory Rooms and they can optimise a child’s life
When we heard about Christina, an interior designer with a difference, we became intrigued about her work with children with special needs. Several of our clients have children with such needs so we thought you would like to know more about her too.
Here Christina explains about her design of Sensory Rooms, their history, and how they can optimise a child’s life.
As well as being a qualified interior designer, I have over 36 years in Nursing and Health Visiting and have worked with families whose children have Special Needs. By using these two skills together I can enable children/people to optimise their communication, their well-being and help parents by listening to and working with parents. Communicating differently, face to face non-verbal communication and using smell, touch, lights, sound, colour and vibration, being more visual. Parents may be signing to their child, for example Makaton. I work with parents/carers to incorporate all of this to put together a bespoke Sensory Room for their child.
WHAT IS A SENSORY ROOM? It is therapeutic, it can be educational, it is a haven to relax in, or somewhere to chat to friends. Multi-Sensory Rooms or MSRs provide a sense of well-being, enhancing the quality of life, through stimulation and using the senses we have and optimising them; for example the Olfactory system (our sense of smell), pleasant smells can remind us of certain times in our life – toffee apples, newly mown grass, a certain perfume can evoke strong memory & subsequent feelings. All of these can be re-created in a Sensory Room. Auditory (hearing) senses help heighten our awareness, similarly visual, taste and touch can have the same effect. All these can be brought into the Sensory Room as required. Many people think of Sensory Rooms as being dark with lights but this does not have to be the case. In fact bright and cheerful rooms can equally be pleasing for a child. Sensory Rooms are individual for a child because what is pleasing for one child may not be for another.
WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF SENSORY ROOMS? They evolved in the late 1970s, when two Dutch psychologists thought about Snoezelen rooms to use as a therapy for those with learning disabilities. It soon became evident that the rooms had benefits for people with different disabilities. Eventually, a wide range of Multi-sensory stimulations was used to provide special environments for people with a variety of needs and conditions, including in a field autism, brain injury, chronic pain, and for those in palliative care. Snoezelen Rooms, Multi-Sensory Rooms tend to be used interchangeably hence the name MSR.
WILL IT BE EXPENSIVE TO INSTALL ONE? No, I work with your budget and you will be surprised how reasonably it can be done for. My design fee is £350 per room and for this I will discuss your ideas, provide a written client brief, measure up and take photographs (prior to project & after), provide sample board and 2D CAD plan.
We hope this information has been of interest to you – we were fascinated.
If you would like to know more about Christina’s work her contact details are as follows –
Christina’s Interiors Telephone: 01403 257074 Mobile: 07970 989640
Christina@christinasinteriors.co.uk www.christinasinteriors.co.uk
Massage, Meditation, Hypnotherapy, Athletes & You
Massage, Meditation, Hypnotherapy, Athletes & You
With everyone glued to the splendour of the Olympics and those amazing athletes, we can only wonder at what it has taken in training, sacrifice and determination to get them there. We strongly suspect that whatever admiration and awe we are watching with now will only increase with the start of the Para Olympics.
We have been lucky enough to look after a number of marathon runners this year at Ananda Healing. We have seen first hand what it takes to drive yourself forward through rain, pain and mental torment – when every fibre of your being is telling you to stop. Athletes seem to be built from stronger stuff than us mere mortals, but are they? Could it just be they have a stronger why? It seems to us that the only thing that separates us is their reason why. Could it be that if you dug deep and found a reason to do something that became so strong it would elevate you to a different league in your chosen area?
Some of you may also be wondering where Ananda Healing fitted into the sports training programme. Well, mainly with massage but also with meditation, hypnotherapy and NLP. Research is now proving the benefits of massage to athletes, with improved cell repair rate, in particular. Meditation – we you know that is our pet subject and everyone should do it! Duncan is also finding a number of sports people in particular are benefiting from the mind training techniques of Hypnotherapy & NLP which is invaluable to them to improve their game – the mind needing as much training as the body!
So you are not a top athlete or even aspiring to be one – how can you benefit from therapies?
Everyone can benefit from massage in particular as it lowers blood pressure, reduces pain (even in chronic conditions such as arthritis), releases “happy” hormones to improve your feelings of mental health and well-being. . As for meditation – again, don’t even get us started – we have a recent client who has just finished her meditation course who says she cannot believe the impact it has had on her life; she feels centred and peaceful for the first time in years! And finally, the hypnotherapy & NLP – maybe your first step to improved health is to give up smoking? Perhaps you don’t want to run a marathon but would just like to get through the day without that fear, phobia or habit controlling you?
If you’re having difficulty in getting your why clear and bright enough to drive you, speak to us about our Vision Boarding & Goal Setting workshop!
We made a promise to ourselves when we started this practice – we would be here to serve and to do what we could to improve life for you. That drive started us out four years ago and it drives us today – THAT IS OUR WHY!
Guided Meditation & Its Benefits
Amanda and I often will always recommend that people learn to meditate, and you always have that option at Ananda Healing. But, what if you don’t want to learn to meditate? What if you don’t have the time right now? How can you quickly and easily gain the benefits of meditation (more about those in a bit) without having to go through the process of learning the skills? Guided meditations are an easy way to gain some of the benefits of meditation, the easy path if you like. You get the deep relaxation and the health benefits that brings whilst listening to a Cd (or even an mp3 on your phone, or mp3 player). Now, I’m not suggesting that this is instead of learning to meditate with Amanda (which is a brilliant course, and worth every single penny), but simply that you can get some benefits immediately.
What are the benefits of meditation?
The benefits of meditation are many-fold, such as:
- Reduced Stress and anxiety by an opportunity to spend time by ourselves, without feeling at the beck and call of others.
- Reduced probability of heart disease. There is a growing awareness of the link between our state of mind and physical health. Quite often physical ailments are symptoms of inner turmoil.
- Happiness and Peace of Mind. Is there anybody who does not, in some way, seek after happiness? Meditation takes us to the source of happiness, which is to be found in our own peace of mind.
- Reduced pain for existing injuries and illnesses (I know a great deal about this one, and can definitely vouch for the power of meditation to ease pain).
- Control of your own thoughts. Increased positivity. Have a look at the Happiness Revolution for example.
- Detachment. It’s easy to get caught up by the rush of today’s world and it’s demands on us, detachment helps us to gain perspective.
- Concentration which is essential to fulfill our potential. When we have concentration we can do more in less time.
- Spontaneity and Creativity. Your creativity comes from your unconscious mind, and meditation helps us to access this part of the mind, allowing our creative side to come to the fore.
- Discovering the Purpose of your life. If you feel perfect contentment and happiness then, at the moment, meditation is not necessary, if not then meditation can be of great help. In meditation we gain a new perspective of life, uncoloured by our own egoistic perspective.
Why Guided Meditation rather than a Meditation Course?
Meditation takes time and perseverance, which is where a course comes in. You can’t expect to gain all the above benefits in the first few attempts and without some form of guidance. It takes time and effort to tame the mind. This is where a guided meditation comes in. During guided meditation you will be directed on a journey to deep relaxation, a place of wonderful peace. So you can gain a number of the above benefits without the need for meditation courses or tuition.
Also guided meditation helps to remove external distractions. The use of background music and noise help to block out external noises that otherwise may distract your meditation. In addition it provides a “story” to follow which will engage the mind and draw it gently to the meditative state.
Above all guided meditation allows you to start meditating immediately and helps to remove distractions.
So what’s so special about the Guided Meditations from Ananda Healing?
Each of our meditation tracks:
- is written and recorded by experienced professionals, mainly Amanda, so you receive the benefits of targeted language.
- uses soothing soft background noise to mask external and internal interferences.
- utilises bilateral sounds across all soundtracks to facilitate brain hemisphere synchronisation.
- adds Brainwave Entrainment techniques. Binaural/monaural beats and isochronic tones.
What we have done is to combine ancient meditation techniques with the modern science and the best technology available to deeply relax the mind which will help you to relax easily and effortlessly, and get the most out of your meditation time!
Amanda and I will be organising meditation groups soon, and we hope to see you there!
Wise Words from The Dalai Lama on Humanity and a little meditation from us to you
When asked what surprised him most about humanity, he answered -
Man, because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices his money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he doesn’t enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die and then dies having never really lived
Maybe we should take a few moments today to really think about what is being said here. Can you apply any of this to your own life? Does it resonate with you? And if it does, what can you do about it?
When I saw these words today, I was so grateful to my dad for insisting on our family all learning to meditate. Meditation is the greatest gift and the best way to avoid the trap the Dalai Lama is describing. It allows you to be in the present, and not to be the slave to your thoughts. It gives you peace in an increasingly stressful world. It gives you clarity from all the confusion.
So take those few moments today. Close your eyes, feel your feet on the ground, take a deep breath in and then slowly exhale as if you are pushing the breath down to your feet and into the ground. Do this a few times, whilst concentrating of the breath and nothing else. If thoughts arise, just let them pass and bring the attention back to the breath. Open your eyes and look around you, really see the colours, hear the sounds, feel the air. Then you can say, just for a few moments, you lived in the present today. Feels good doesnt it?
If you would like to know more about meditation contact us on 07917 730944, 01342 842098 or email us.
Commuting – The Consequences
Did you know, according to recent research from Sweden, couples where one partner commutes are 40% more likely to divorce?
Other research has shown commuters have increased risk of obesity, insomnia, stress and muscle aches.
What exactly does this research tell you then? Well no more that we already suspected and that is -
COMMUTING REALLY IS NOT GOOD FOR YOU AND IT CERTAINLY ISNT ANY FUN
So what can you do to improve your lot as a commuter?
The first and most obvious thing is to move house or change your job but if that were possible you would have done it already right? So could there be answers elsewhere?
Well, as a therapist I would say “Yes”
The immediate issue to address is the stress. Long term stress has an impact on the mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. In fact, it is argued that the obesity, insomnia and muscle discomfort and even the divorce rate, are all the effects of the stress.
How do we relieve this stress?
This is down to personal choice – it may be joing the gym, jogging, taking up a new hobby. As long as it is healthy it will help – The key word here is healthy. Many a stressed individual has sought relaxation in the form of drugs or alcohol but the answer is not found here, only more problems.
I would certainly recommend regular relaxation treats such as massage to improve your wellbeing. However, by far, the single most significant and achievable change you can make for the benefit of your mental, physical and emotional wellbeing is LEARN TO MEDITATE
It is simple, easy to learn and may well change your life – it will certainly change your health
What Is Healing?
What is healing? A question we are often asked. The lovely explanation was given to us by Mary Maddux at www.heartofhealing.net in California.
Healing is a spontaneous event that comes about through a kind of grace. It can happen anytime, and in any place. It may or may not happen in the context of a healing session. It may come about simply with a smile from a stranger, the breeze blowing through the trees, the song of a bird – some reminder of our connectedness and wholeness – the beauty of life just as it is a t this moment for us.
Healing can happen on may different levels. Sometimes our healing is not what we expect. We need to be open to the gifts which life is always ready to give us. It may be that a physical problem heals, but it may also stay awhile to teach us something. Sometimes a health challenge is a doorway to a deeper healing, a cry from deep within for attention to some part of us that has been unloved and feels separated from the Whole.
Regardless of whether our focus in healing is on the physical, mental, emotional or spiritual level, all levels are invariably touched by the process, and none can be separated out from the rest.
Thank you Mary for giving us permission to use our beautiful words on our Ananda Healing blog.
The Happiness Revolution
Recently, on the way to work, I watched a fantastic short video clip from Shawn Achor about how we seem to strive for happiness, and yet manage to put it just out of reach. I often hear people saying things like, “When I’ve reached the next level [in work, sport, pastimes], then I’ll be happy”, or “If I could just change [fill in the blank], then I’ll be happy” If this sounds like you, or you’ve said this kind of thing in the past, then read on…..
The great thing about the video is that it doesn’t focus on the problem of putting happiness out of reach, it focuses on the solution, how to be happy and in that happiness achieve far more than you have before! It discusses something we, at Ananda Healing, already know. When you are happy your brain releases dopamine, which not only makes you happier, it also activates the learning centres of the brain. Therefore the happier we are, the more productive, creative, resilient we are and we tend to suffer far less from burnout. This is important not only for our personal lives, but also for our business lives, so for those of you with staff members suffering out there this can really help.
What has been advocated is setting aside 2-5 minutes each day for 21 days for positivity, whether that be gratitude, meditation, keeping a journal and others. For those of you that know Amanda and I, we advise so many of our clients to do just that. But, and this is a big but (not a big butt though), do we lead by example or do we just talk the talk? I know that Amanda is a daily meditator, so that’s her covered, but what about me? Do I spend enough time each day looking at the positive? It’s easy to say yes, but how do you know that I’m actually leading by example? Well now is the time to address that!
So, who’s with me?
Firstly, I guess I should tell you what I’m going to do on this journey. I’m starting a new group, The Happiness Revolution, and I will be spending time each day meditating, doing my gratitude and writing a positive letter. Added to that I will be keeping you guys, the ones who choose to follow me on this journey, going with motivation, reminders and sharing my journal. Now, I’m not saying this is going to be easy, I have more time restrictions than most, but let’s face it that’s just an excuse! My priorities for the next 21 days are to meditate, do my gratitude, and write a letter on a daily basis. I will then share that journey with you who chose to accompany me. I’m only going to ask you to do one of these. Chose what you’re going to commit to, and spend just 2-5 minutes each day doing it! It’s as simple as that. Now, I don’t want you to just tell me each day that you’ve done it while you sit around moping about how bad your life is, I want you to commit to your own positive future! This isn’t an exercise for me in being positive, I can do that at any time I chose, it’s an opportunity for you to take a positive, and active role in your own life. I know that if you truly commit to this process, and follow through you will see the benefits within the next 3 weeks!
So what I want from you is to:
Decide
- Yes, I’m going to take a positive, and active role in my life
- No, I’m fine the way I am thank you
If you chose Yes above, then decide
- I’m going to do my gratitude each day for 21 days. I will spend 2 – 5 minutes per day reminding myself of everything I have in my life to be grateful for
- I’m going to write a positive letter. I will spend 2-5 minutes each day writing it and reading it through. The letter can be addressed to anyone and can address any particular issues you’ve been mulling over. If you’ve had an argument with someone, apologise for your part in it. This is a great release if you’ve been holding anger towards someone or something. The letter doesn’t necessarily need to be sent, just written. But, you can send it if you wish.
- I’m going to meditate for 2-5 minutes (at least) each day. I will make sure that I put aside a quiet time for myself with no external distractions and use this time to meditate. If you have difficulty with this option then contact Amanda to discuss your meditation needs
Sign up, at the bottom of the post, with your decision to join, and tell me what your preferred route is; Gratitude, Letter or Meditation.
I will be joining you on this journey, no matter which option you select because I’m going to do all three! I’m also going to be available to you all for help, advice, someone to share your successes with or anything else you feel the need to share (keep it clean though)!
Let’s start the revolution, dare to be different, and be happy!
I’ll speak to all of you that decide to join me tomorrow by email. Don’t worry if you miss the first day, I’m going to make the 21 days rolling for other people to join us. Maybe this can be seen as a pebble in the still water, I’ll be watching the ripples grow, spread and overlap!
I’ve created a Happiness Diary template and a set of instructions to help you get started.
The Happiness Revolution – What is it?
I’ve been asked by a number of people just what is The Happiness Revolution? And when is it coming around? So I thought I’d give you all a sneak preview.
I’m starting a 21 day, free programme, that will take up about 2-5 minutes per day for those that chose to follow me. It will be launching on Friday 9th March 2012 for 3 weeks initially, and continuing from there. The techniques that will be included are proven to increase happiness now rather than keeping happiness as that illusive desire just over the horizon.
I was inspired to take a 21 day journey changing some old, bad, habits and creating some new ones, and thought why not see if anyone else would like to join me?
I’ll be offering daily support throughout the programme, and will be taking you step by step to finding happiness right now in your own life!
So, on Friday 9th March 2012, look on here to see exactly what it’s about, and how you can easily join me on this wonderful journey!
