Fragarance of the gods....Roses...

Rose Heaven For Skin and Soul

By Iris Brooks

Originally published in Massage & Bodywork magazine, February/March 2006. Copyright 2006. Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. All rights reserved.

For thousands of years, roses have been symbols of love, beauty, and spirit. They have also been used as universal healers in oil, water, and tea, as well as a flavoring and food. Once considered the "fragrance of the gods" in ancient Egypt, roses have a history that can be traced to Persia, Babylon, and China. In ancient Rome, roses were used for blessings, as garlands, to decorate war ships, and to float in wine as a tribute to Venus, the goddess of love.

Nowadays, roses are revered as the flower of choice for Valentine's Day and in all matters romantic. But its uses have blossomed to more than just symbolic gestures. Rather, the rose is used to produce many therapeutic benefits. But creating products from roses -- including essential oil, creams, and moisturizers -- is very labor intensive. In fact, it takes 20 roses to produce only one drop of rose oil. And rose hips or haws -- the fruit of the rose -- only develop after the petals have fallen. This prized fruit is exclusively gathered after the first frost.

At the Hills Health Ranch in western Canada, the harvest is a family activity involving nearly 150 people. "Rose hips are good for your insides and outsides," says ranch owner Pat Corbett, as he tours me around the crop. The picking area is 300 to 400 miles in length, and it is at an ideal 3,000 to 4,000 foot elevation. The wild crop is organic. No pesticides are used. And the hips -- all picked by hand -- are dried on racks without heat. The entire process takes approximately 9 to 10 months from picking to bottling the rose hip oil.

The real challenge comes in the extraction practice. That's what led the Corbetts to an agricultural lab in Manitoba for research and development of rose hips. They are also working in partnership with the University of Northern British Columbia, researching healing indigenous plants as well as planning a on-site lab at the Hills Health Ranch.

In my quest to further understand this complex growth and extraction process, I discovered Rudolf Hauschka, Ph.D., a Viennese chemist. His techniques involve growing plants biodynamically, according to the planetary cycles of nature. His company, WALA, hand harvests roses before sunrise (when the oil content is at its highest) and incorporates the results into 56 products, including mascara, where the rose helps protect fine lashes.

Hauschka's holistic and organic skin care line (sold internationally and used in select spas) relies on the damask roses grown and harvested by a cooperative of 2,000 people in southwestern Turkey. After the harvest, the roses are mashed with a mortar and pestle, put in a liquid ice bath, and aged for a year. The final products include a rose day cream (for dry, sensitive, or mature skin) using a combination of both rose petal and rose hip extract along with avocado to soothe red, irritated skin. The rose body moisturizer blends rose ingredients with almond, jojoba oil, and quince extract to hydrate and soothe even a baby's skin. And the rose oil is recommended for rubbing in the heart region, to create a calming effect.


Healing Benefits
The therapeutic benefits of roses are vast when flavoring a bath or applied to the skin. In Tibet, rose hips are put in a tub to help people with arthritis. In India, rose water is considered an ideal toner for skin as well as a gentle eyewash. When applied topically, rose oil is effective for a variety of skin conditions, including acne, thread veins, varicose veins, capillary damage, scars, burns, and wrinkles. Hans Harbst, M.D., head of the radiology department at the Chilean Air Force Hospital in Santiago, has successfully used rose hip oil to treat dermatitis resulting from radiotherapy and to reduce scarring.

Herbologist and organic chemist Claudio Dario -- who developed a memory serum from the skin of the rose hip seed-- believes rose hips are helpful for wound healing and for ulcerated areas in diabetics. He explains, "Rose hips have an anti-aging effect against the sun, and with their omega-3 and omega-6 properties, have the ability to reverse damage. But you have to be careful about oxidation," he warns. He suggests keeping it in the refrigerator or a cool place in a dark bottle.

Roses are said to be emotional uplifters, curbing stress. But a range of additional properties are also associated with the rose. They have a high nutrient content -- including vitamin C, which is used to treat infections and heal wounds -- as well as anti-microbial, antiaging, and circulatory benefits.

The healing properties of rose hip tea run the gamut from antidepressant and aphrodisiac to circulatory aid and infection fighter and are used by cultures around the world. Consumed either hot or iced, it is said to be a tonic for energy, a protector from disease, and a cleanser for the respiratory tract. Chinese medicine uses the rose hip for urinary disorders and kidney energy, while in Indian ayurvedic practice, roses act as a mental tonic. Rose hip tea even helps with menstrual difficulties.

The Oriental karkade tea mixes rose hips with hibiscus, black currant, apples, and spices. Native Americans drink the rose hip tea and also eat the fruit. Edible rose dishes are found around the globe, ranging from syrup in India and vegetables in China to a delicious petal jam in France. Rose hips may also be found in soups, stews, puddings, and pies. The most tasty variety is said to be rosa rugosa.

***

The rose means many things to many people. For some, it is a symbol of completion and perfection. For others, it is the mystic center of the heart and an emblem of Venus, associated primarily with romance. Perhaps you think of the rose in relation to the garden of Eros or the paradise of Dante. Or maybe it is simply a way to calm yourself with a cup of fragrant tea. Whether or not you use rose oil or rose products, try to make time in your day to just stop and smell these powerful healers.

Dealing with the Winter Blues By Mary Kathleen Rose

Ask a Therapist...

Q. Winter can be difficult for me. Do you have any ideas about how to ease the seasonal blues?

A. Just one fresh rose in a room can help ease winter's chill, according to Colorado bodyworker and aromatherapist Mary Kathleen Rose. "In the winter, when there's less light, there's a tendency for people to get a little depressed. One way to alleviate these "blues" is by integrating fresh flowers into your home. A couple of flowers or a stargazer lily in a bowl can make a difference. That ongoing connection with nature helps give us a feeling of hope for the spring.

"In the winter, I really like the infused oils that have an evergreen scent. An evergreen infused in a light olive oil reminds us that there are things that stay green throughout the winter and carry us through the season. Cut little boughs from your yard and add them to fresh flowers. Beeswax candles also give off a really nice scent -- very soft. Just their mellowness is comforting.

"Take advantage of the things you've gathered earlier in the year like dried roses. Dried lavender is wonderful. I always have a little basket of rose petals around.

"Remember that enjoying a massage in a nice atmosphere during the winter allows us to really appreciate this as a time of rest. As nature is at rest, so should we be."

Make Your Appointment for Relaxation...Today
Schedule Online-wwww.fingertipsmassage@gmail.com
EVERY BODY KNEADS A Massage !!

Hope to see you soon on my schedule

Fabulous Fall Masage.....Just For You

Fall is a time tot slow down a little bit, and begin to settle in for the Winter Months...the fast paced fun in the sun of summer is about to begin as Daylight Savings..makes our days shorter...

Massage can be a Wonderful Celebration of Yourself. Yes, Usually this Blog is an Educational Article that has Inspired me to keep Growing my Massage Business.
This Month...
I want to offer to you that Fabulous Fall Massage...and Give you an Experience that will Bring a Smile to your Face, and some Relief to your Achy Muscles...

Fall Special for the Fabulous Fall Massage is $39 for a 50 Minute Massage...Schedule your Massage online...and Guarantee your Time for Relaxation.

" Every BODY KNEADS a Massage !"

Releasing your Monkey Mind through the Art of Massage

The Healing Effects of “Massage Mind”

By Karrie Osborn

Originally published in Body Sense magazine, Spring 2011. Copyright 2011. Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. All rights reserved.

I used to sit at the edge of the ocean to find my rhythm. When planning my annual vacations, it was the water that called me--not so much to be in it, but to be by it. Maternal and soothing, the comings and goings of the tide was my "reset" button--you know, the one that allows you to deal calmly again with the world. Along came twins, and my exotic vacations were replaced with ventures closer to home. Being in a land-locked state, sitting by the ocean was no longer an option. How was I going to hit my reset button now? The answer was right in front of me--massage.

The Stillness
As a massage enthusiast, I have learned about and tried a great variety of techniques over the years, but some of my most profound and restorative experiences on the massage table have come in the "stillness" of the moment.

Massage therapist Bruce Hopkins calls this stillness "massage mind," something understood by those who've experienced it, but difficult to explain to those who have not. The easiest analogy for massage mind might be the quiet state the mind enters into the moments before sleep, or the place of stillness one reaches during meditation. "Massage mind is immediately recognized by clients who are experienced meditators," says Hopkins, who works exclusively with cancer patients in his Portland, Maine, massage practice. "It is the same mind-state that is accessed in deep meditation. And, as in meditation, practice makes getting there easier."

For Hopkins, helping his clients reach massage mind is paramount to his work. "When I am working, I am coaxing the mind to go deeper and deeper," he says. "The music I choose reinforces the work: no melody, no loud passages, always changing, no repetition, interesting, but ultimately boring." The massage itself mimics the music criteria, all with the intent of lulling the mind. Any deep-tissue work or range-of-motion tests, for example, would interfere with that sedative space, he says. "I want it all to be seamless and mindless. I don't want anything to cause the mind to stop and say, 'What is that?'"

But what can reaching the quiet stillness of massage mind actually do for clients? Plenty. "When the brain is in this meditative state, it is able to sort through the clutter and focus on any areas that need it, allowing healing to occur at the cellular level," says Pat Crozier, a massage educator and therapist in Chandler, Arizona. "I honestly believe that in those quiet, restorative moments, the brain has 'all power' and can hugely impact the massage experience. The meditative mind is a wonderful place to hang out. It's calming, strengthening, restorative, and clearing."

Quieting The Mind
In Buddhist tradition, the phrase "monkey mind" refers to the chatter that often goes on in the personal dialog we undertake with ourselves every day, every moment. Like a monkey jumping from limb to limb, monkey mind is the process of jumping from thought to thought without a singular focus. When our busy mind can do nothing but be chaotic, stressed, and scattered, it is in the throes of monkey mind. Calming the monkey mind, and realizing instead the massage mind, can have profound effects.

Many massage therapists say that some of the most therapeutic work that happens on the massage table is when the mind "gets out of the way." Hopkins says that's exactly his goal when working with the cancer patients who come to him for massage. "The mind has a profound effect on all physiological processes," he says. In fact, when you can get the mind to quiet itself, Hopkins says the body will heal faster on its own. His clients affirm that notion every day. "I have cancer patients coming from extreme stress who have broken down in tears of joy after the massage is done. They may remember it for a long time as the day life changed dramatically."

Hopkins has had many of his clients report the life-changing effects they found after an hour on his table: "Because of massage, I've come to be at peace with my mastectomy," "I'm not quite sure where I was, but I didn't want to come back," "It's a vacation from cancer," "I felt an overwhelming sense of peace," "The euphoria of the mind during my sessions transcended the quiet horror of cancer."

Now, after seven years working with cancer patients, Hopkins says to heal the body, ideally you want the mind going in the same direction that the body goes, if that's not working, then it's time to turn the mind off. He offers this bit of advice for clients who have a hard time getting there: "If the client is not letting go, I encourage them to focus on my hands. My hands become their mantra. I tell them that when their mind grabs something and tries to run with it, focus instead on my hands, where they are, and what they are doing at the moment."

This "between-the-ears" massage, as Hopkins calls it, is simply a traditional Swedish massage sequence of strokes that offers non-intrusive, gentle therapy. "It's a vehicle to lull the mind to go where I want it to go," he says, adding that most types of relaxation massage provide a framework within which clients can reach this quiet state. "Unwind the mind and the body unwinds on its own."

Emotional Release
Sometimes, by reaching the stillness of massage mind during your session, you might venture to a place you've never been before. If you've long ago buried emotional issues or traumatic experiences (whether it's the physiological impact of a car crash or the psychological turmoil of a parent's dying days), they might decide to rear up in these quiet moments. It's OK, and it's normal. Don't be afraid to venture along the path and address these challenges head-on.

During the process, if you find yourself unexplainably in tears while on the massage table, don't fret. Tears have been spilled there before and certainly will be spilled there again. Even if you don't feel like you're carrying emotional baggage, massage can sometimes unleash buried obstacles and ask you to address them if you're ready. "It is [the massage therapist's] job to get the body into a parasympathetic state to allow calm and clarity of mind," Crozier says. This is where massage mind lives. Once there, the healing begins on so many other levels. "Some clients will experience emotional release--being able to let go of baggage that is cluttering the mind and that they are sometimes not even aware of--and feel 'many pounds lighter' after the experience." Crozier says it's important to note that an emotional release will never happen without permission from the mind first. As the obstacles/traumas relinquish their hold, the body finds a clearer path toward wholeness and health.

It's Good For You
If you have already found your path to massage mind, then I'm preaching to the choir, but if not, ask your therapist to help you get there next time. Even if you see it as nothing more than giving your mind a one-hour vacation from the chaos of your day, or putting your worries aside for a few moments, accessing this place of therapeutic stillness is good for you.

Massage can be a journey in many ways and it can take you along a restorative path, both physically and mentally. That hour, when the sounds of the world surrender to the breath of client and therapist and the music lulls you into a meditative state, see if you can access your massage mind. In finding that place of therapeutic stillness, you too can reclaim your own rhythm, and hit "reset" without needing to find an ocean to do so.


Every BODY KNEADS a Massage....Schedule your Appointment for Relaxation today.
I look forward to helping you release your Monkey Mind....

Massage: It Does a Mama Good! ---author unknown

Mother's Day.....

I was on one of my new favorite social sites, Baby Bump Fitness when I read this post. Anna, a massage therapist originally from Canada and now living in Hong Kong, wrote clearly and succinctly about the benefits of massage before, during and after giving birth. “Massage can be used for relaxation, but also to work out those muscles that may get tight while your body goes through the many changes during pregnancy,” Anna says. “It can also keep those muscles supple for labor and delivery.” Like many massage therapist, Anna has chosen to specialize and has advanced training in pre and post natal massage. She knows of what she speaks.
So why should expectant mothers incorporate massage into their prenatal care? Pregnant women go through a complete metamorphosis as they prepare to give birth. The uterus expands to accommodate the growing fetus. The tendons and ligaments of the hips and pelvis stretch to support the growing uterus. A pregnant woman’s entire center of gravity shifts as she endeavors to support the extra weight and girth in front of her, resulting in added stress on the lumbar spine. As I experienced, the ribs can expand to allow for more room as the top of the uterus rises higher in the abdominal cavity. My foot bones spread in an effort to better support me and give me a more stable foundation. (I now wear a size larger shoe than before I became pregnant.) I could go on but you get the picture. The body’s natural instinct is to stay in alignment, but with all of the changes of pregnancy, it fights a losing battle. We women experience this as the “common aches and pains of pregnancy.”
Massage is an effective combatant of the common aches of pregnancy. It not only feels good, but it is good. A good massage stimulates circulation of both the blood and lymphatics so that more nutrients are delivered via the blood and more waste is removed via the lymphatic system. Massage relieves muscle tension and and can relieve connective tissue that has become over stretched . It helps a pregnant woman relax and, if even just for the duration of the massage, to fully rest.
For women on bed rest, Massage is even more important. Because many women are instructed to lay on their left sides, imagine the stress place on that one side? A good massage therapist who is trained in prenatal massage can skillfully position a woman so that she can not only comply with her physicians instructions but also receive relief from developing aches and soreness.
If you haven’t tried it, I highly recommend you have a prenatal massage. Many Massage therapists will come to your home which is an added benefit if you are on bed rest. You’re doing something great for your baby by staying on bed rest. Now do something great for yourself and have a massage. You won’t regret it!

"Every BODY KNEADS a Massage!"

Massage For Mother's Day

Mother's Day is fast Approaching and I can only imagine trying to find a caring way to show your mother you care.
Why not give the gift of a Massage. Allow your Mother who has cared for you, washed your clothes, helped you through those wonder years, and now is your confidant and friend while you're managing your way through your Career days...Give her 1 hour of the attention she deserves.

And, those men, who have wives that are pregnant? they would appreciate a Massage to ease those aching backs, and those feet that may be swelling and the hips of having the weight of the baby imposing on their muscles. I am a Certified Pregnancy Massage Therapist, also.

The Gift of Massage for Mother's is a Wonderful Gift. The Gift Certificate is good for them to schedule their time of Relaxation at their Leisure; and they will know that you are ok with them spending and giving themselves some ' Down time'.

Gift Certificates can be purchased directly on my website, and printed from the comfort of your own home to present to her on Mother's Day.

Give the Gift of Massage and see how in turn that Gift keeps on Giving.

Schedule Your Massage Today..

"every BODY KNEADS a Massage"--why not you or your loved ones...
Hope to see you on my Table soon !

Massage: It Does a Mamma Good !

Massage: It Does a Mama Good!
--Author uknown
I was on one of my new favorite social sites, Baby Bump Fitness when I read this post. Anna, a massage therapist originally from Canada and now living in Hong Kong, wrote clearly and succinctly about the benefits of massage before, during and after giving birth. “Massage can be used for relaxation, but also to work out those muscles that may get tight while your body goes through the many changes during pregnancy,” Anna says. “It can also keep those muscles supple for labor and delivery.” Like many massage therapist, Anna has chosen to specialize and has advanced training in pre and post natal massage. She knows of what she speaks.
So why should expectant mothers incorporate massage into their prenatal care? Pregnant women go through a complete metamorphosis as they prepare to give birth. The uterus expands to accommodate the growing fetus. The tendons and ligaments of the hips and pelvis stretch to support the growing uterus. A pregnant woman’s entire center of gravity shifts as she endeavors to support the extra weight and girth in front of her, resulting in added stress on the lumbar spine. As I experienced, the ribs can expand to allow for more room as the top of the uterus rises higher in the abdominal cavity. My foot bones spread in an effort to better support me and give me a more stable foundation. (I now wear a size larger shoe than before I became pregnant.) I could go on but you get the picture. The body’s natural instinct is to stay in alignment, but with all of the changes of pregnancy, it fights a losing battle. We women experience this as the “common aches and pains of pregnancy.”
Massage is an effective combatant of the common aches of pregnancy. It not only feels good, but it is good. A good massage stimulates circulation of both the blood and lymphatics so that more nutrients are delivered via the blood and more waste is removed via the lymphatic system. Massage relieves muscle tension and and can relieve connective tissue that has become over stretched . It helps a pregnant woman relax and, if even just for the duration of the massage, to fully rest.
For women on bed rest, Massage is even more important. Because many women are instructed to lay on their left sides, imagine the stress place on that one side? A good massage therapist who is trained in prenatal massage can skillfully position a woman so that she can not only comply with her physicians instructions but also receive relief from developing aches and soreness.


---FYI---It can also do the Daddy Good !!--- Make your appointment for Relaxation...I look forward to seeing you on my Table..

"Every BODY KNEADS a Massage!"