Tell Me More About: Reiki

“Tell Me More About:” is an on-going series that highlights types of bodywork and treatments in an effort to let you become an informed and curious consumer. Hopefully it will encourage you to explore some of these modalities and see if they are right for you.

Today we will be discussing Reiki. Pronounced “RAY-key”, it is increasingly found in spa and wellness centers across the United States. But what is it, exactly?

The word itself is actually a combination of two Japanese words: “Rei”, meaning spirituality or higher power, and “Ki” meaning life force. Reiki is not a religion, although some practitioners will say they feel connected to something higher than themselves when practicing. Reiki is, to put it very simply, “Universal Positive Energy.”

There are many different types of Reiki being practiced in the Western World today. One of the most common is Usui Reiki, named after Mikao Usui who developed the technique in 1920’s Japan. A student of his student, Mrs. Hawayo Takata, brought the healing technique to the United States.

Reiki falls under the category of “energy work.” Essentially, a Reiki practitioner will either rest their hands gently on you or slightly over you to affect your subtle energetic body. The treatments are highly relaxing and completely safe for all body types, illnesses and conditions. There are no contraindications when it comes to Reiki; the energy goes where it is most needed and will do what will help the client the most.

What does it feel like? Well, it feels like different things to different people. Many experience Reiki as a feeling of warmth. Clients will often report feeling their practitioner’s hands becoming very warm. It can also be a tingling sensation, a chilled sensation, an emotional or physical response, or even nothing at all.

Clients will sometimes say: “I didn’t feel anything, I don’t think it worked.” The nice thing about Reiki is, it always works. The effects can be very subtle, and it can take a while to notice the change. Reiki can trigger a muscular release, an emotional release, or just an over-all feeling of well-being and relaxation. It can be profound or subtle, depending on your needs in the moment.

Reiki is performed with the client fully clothed, though the practitioner may offer you a blanket as your body temperature can drop during your time on the table. Depending on the length of your session you might remain just face-up or face-down for the entire time, or you may experience both positions. Reiki can also be performed with the client comfortably seated.

If you would like more information on Reiki, we suggest you follow the link to The International Center for Reiki Training for more information.

The Benefits of Massage

Human beings are tactile creatures; not only do we crave touch, we need it in order to survive and thrive. Massage as a healing practice has been around for thousands of years. Virtually every culture on Earth uses massage in some form or another to facilitate the healing process. In our Western culture, massage is often considered a luxury: a once-a-year treat for special occasions or the ultimate in pampering. But is it so much more than that!

As we re-discover massage therapy, it is becoming an accepted treatment option in physical rehabilitation and medical doctors are finding it to be a useful tool in managing chronic conditions such as arthritis, high blood pressure, depression and more. In addition to finding massage therapists in spas, you may also discover them working in conjunction with chiropractors, physical therapists, and even your local hospital.

Massage can:
·    Help alleviate pain
·    Help expectant mothers shorten and ease labor
·    Stimulate the body’s lymph system, increasing immunity
·    Increase joint flexibility
·    Lessen stress, depression and anxiety
·    Reduce and relieve migraine pain
·    Improve circulation
·    Relax and soften tired, over-used muscles

Today’s Western culture is built on stress. We are always rushing to work, to school, to here, to there. We have short deadlines that require us to work long hours, and what little vacation we take we find ourselves checking in with the office. The human body was designed to deal with short bursts of stress in order to get us out of immediate danger. This is called the “fight or flight” mode. Our modern society keeps up in a near-constant state of fighting or fleeing, and our bodies simply cannot handle it. So many of our illness and diseases are directly related to the fact our bodies are over-taxed. Massage helps bring us from “fight or flight” to “rest and digest.” It gives our bodies time to reset and heal so they are better equipped to handle what life throws at us.

If you would like to learn more about the benefits of massage, the American Massage Therapy Association has an informative Research page that can give you more information and statistics.

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Sources:
  http://muskingum.edu/~psych/psycweb/history/harlow.htm
  http://www.massagetherapy.com/learnmore/benefits.php
  http://www.massagetherapy.com/articles/index.php/article_id/796/The-Visible-Effects-of-Stress

Tell Me More About: Thai Bodywork

“Tell Me More About:” will be an on-going series that highlights types of bodywork you may have heard about, but might like more information on before pursuing a treatment. We welcome comments and questions with these posts, and encourage you to suggest future topics as well!

The first topic of our series will be Thai Bodywork. Also known as Thai Massage or Thai Yoga Massage, it is a traditional Eastern practice that helps the body regain its balance, both physically and energetically. It affects both the superficial and deep layers of the muscles, ligaments, joints and connective tissue to encourage deep yet gentle release.

The practice itself goes back thousands of years, and was developed by a physician named Shivago Komarpaj. It has a close relationship with Ayurveda (a traditional healing system in India), Yoga, traditional Chinese medicine, and Japanese Shiatsu. In fact, many of its movements are reminiscent of postures found in Yoga.

Two of our therapists practicing "Cobra," a wonderful stretch that opens the shoulders

Thai Bodywork works by encouraging you to release holding patterns in your breath, body, and energy. By using gentle rocking, breathing exercises, and facilitated stretching, the therapist helps you lengthen and open tight joints and muscles, which encourages the flow of energy, often known as “ki,” “chi,” or “prana.” You leave the session feeling relaxed, more open through your joints and muscles, and more energized.

Thai Bodywork sessions vary from practitioner to practitioner. Some prefer two- or even three-hour sessions; others keep sessions down to an hour or 90 minutes. Sessions are generally performed on a large floor mat, and you are provided with pillows and bolsters to ensure comfort. You remain fully clothed the entire time and loose, comfortable clothing such as t-shirts, sweats, or yoga pants are encouraged.

While the practice itself is appropriate for everyone, not all stretches will be. It is very important for you to let the therapist know of any recent injuries or medical procedures that have occurred in the last three to six months, or if you are pregnant. If an injury has occurred in the last week it may not be appropriate for that area to be treated. As any therapist will say, please let him or her know if something becomes uncomfortable or painful.

Stowe Village Massage has been offering Thai Bodywork in 60- and 90-minute sessions since December of 2012, and we also offer a Shiatsu/Thai Package deal. You can book treatments online or by calling 802-253-6555. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Our Thai Bodywork therapists

Welcome to Stowe Village Massage... Again!

Happy Independence Day and welcome to the new home of the Stowe Village Massage blog. As you can see, we have a new look and a new address. If you bookmarked our old address, please be sure to update your reading list.

If you visited our locations on Depot Street or in the Club House recently, you will have noticed that we’ve been changing and expanding. As part of Green Mountain Inn’s renovation project, Stowe Village Massage is taking over the second floor of our building and adding in three new treatment rooms. Our lobby and waiting area are also receiving a facelift. We are excited to unveil our new space and hope to do so within the next couple of weeks.

In addition to a new space, we will also be offering some new services. We now offer Thai Massage, Reiki, an Exfoliating Body Scrub and a Hydrating Wrap. We invite you to check out our full menu. If you would like to book an appointment, you can do so online or call us at (802) 253-6555.

In the coming months, we look forward to sharing informational posts about the benefits of our different treatments, re-introducing you to our staff, and answering any questions you may have.

Thanks for visiting the new Stowe Village Massage blog. We welcome comments and suggestions to make this a space that works for you.