Check out this video. It definitely made my heart happy. This man was determined and was able to focus his mind on healing his body through yoga! Love it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9FSZJu448&feature=share

Stay Healthy!

Karina

What a great self care regimen whether you are pregnant or not. Since we are on the subject of pregnancy, it is important to remember to get massage and keep your muscles strong and flexible. I would suggest using t sphere aromatherapy massage balls, performing prenatal yoga, and getting the proper exercise. You get added benefit from the t spheres because you get muscle tension relief and aromatherapy for reduction of stress- all at the same time. I use my t spheres on myself and my clients in session. It is also a good idea to suggest these aromatherapy massage balls as take home care for your clients.

If you want to learn more about how to utilize t spheres for self care or client care. Check out t spheres massage therapy continuing education classes. Get In Touch education offers home study, live courses, and webinar courses for massage therapists.

Stay Healthy!

Karina

I was talking to Elaine Stillerman which is one of the top Prenatal Instructors and she said a lot of therapists just haven’t been taught correctly and don’t have all the facts. I have been reading her book Prenatal Massage and have found so many helpful tips and great information. With prenatal massage, research has found abdominal massage to be extremely helpful especially with digestion and sidelying position is good but the supine position is just fine after 24 weeks if you prop the woman up or place a wedge under the right hip.

I understand having to follow the rules when working for a specific company but I also belief that education is very important. Continuing education for massage therapists is of utmost important for any modality but especially for prenatal massage. Opinions are changing all the time in relation to research but I belief that the same general rules apply for prenatal. Knowing the correct techniques, proper positioning, and using the proper amount of pressure in specific areas are very important to a safe and correct massage. So take the proper massage therapy continuing education courses and be knowledgeable about whatever modality you perform.

• Stand in Mt Pose and Step back 3-4 feet with your right foot. Make sure your left foot is facing forward at a 90 angle and your right foot  turns inward  at a 45-60 degree angle.
• Square and level your pelvis toward the front of your body.
• Press the head of the right femur down to ground the heel.
• Bend your front knee and make sure it is not bent past the ankle.
• Feel this firm foundation.
• Lift up through your arms raising the rib cage out of the pelvis.
• Raise the fingers toward the sky as you firm the scapulae and depress them against the back.
• Extend the arms from the strength of your legs.
• Make sure that your hips are aligned, navel is facing forward and your tailbone is relaxed downward.
• Take 3 deep breaths opening your heart and radiating power from the feet to the crown of the head.
• Step your back foot up and stand in Mountain Pose.
• Repeat on the other side.

Translate the power of this pose into your practice. Get into your body and feel alignment from the inside out.

Stay Healthy!

Karina

Create Peace Yoga for Massage Therapists and Bodyworkers is a great manual if you want to learn more about how yoga can help you to prevent injury and create health in your body.

Start by standing with your feet a few inches apart and your arms at your sides. Feel the ground under your feet. Bring your pelvis to a neutral position and feel your body lift from the bottom of your spine through the top of your head. Fix your gaze softly at a specific place in front of you. Breathe smoothly, relax, and be present in the stillness.

I believe that massage therapy continuing education is very important. Why not take a class to help yourself prevent injuries. This is a 12 CEH Course that will enhance your body awareness, strengthen your body, and teach you how to restore your mind, body, and spirit. The abilities that you as a bodyworker should possess are strength, flexibility, and endurance. Yoga adds strength and flexibility to your body and enhances the body’s ability to practice massage. Practicing yoga helps you to gain this awareness. The principles of yoga can make your job easier and can help prevent injury.

The principles of yoga can make your job easier and can help prevent injury.

•   Explore anatomy in movement
•   Learn how to use your breath combined with movement
•   Strategize a specific injury prevention strategy through yoga
•   Explore yoga for core strength
•   Incorporate balance exercises to help correct muscle imbalance
•   Understand how to prevent injury while doing yoga
•   Integrates your mind-body connection
•   Understand how to relax and restore your body

Sta y Healthy! Karina

On another note, I found how massage was delivered in Roatan to be very interesting. I had a massage by a professional at my resort and she was very good. She had a place in a cabana above the dive store. While you received your massage, you could here the ocean waves and feel the breezes. She was defintely trained and worked with confidence.

As I sat on the beach, I was approached by many women who would ask me if I wanted a massage or hair braiding. I politely declined. These women were not dressed appropriately and most likely were not trained. One women carried a massage table with her. I have never seen such a beat up and dirty table in my life. Others would just work on you wherever you were on the beach and some dragged lounge chairs around.

On one hand, these women are trying to put food on the table. This is a third world country and people don’t have as much opportunity as we do here in America. They are simply trying to make some money just like the other people selling jewelry. However, my issue with the whole thing was sanitation and cleanliness. I even asked one of them how they washed their hands. She answered, “She would wash her hands in the ocean.” I saw another girl take a small towel out of her bag and wipe a lady’s feet off. I am sure this towel had been used before.

The point I am trying to make is that regulation in our country has a place. The need for Massage Therapy Continuing Education is necessary. The courses on hygiene, AIDS, and Ethics are essential to our health and the health of our clients. Massage Therapists are artists and do not like rules but rules are important for many reasons.

Karina
Get In Touch Education

While I was attending a recent conference, I was pleased to find many genuine therapists who worked well together and shared information with passion. It was great to be present with so many experienced and talented teachers and therapists.

In the health care field, I really like to see each professional working as a team and maintaining the goal of health for the client.  When we open our mind to other people’s ideas we may just learn something we didn’t know or see something from a view we never even thought of.

I believe that massage therapy continuing education is important to be a great therapist. Try thinking this way next time you take a class and notice how much you learn.

Karina

Take a moment and lie on your back. Relax your neck and let all tension in your back, abdomen, legs, and feet release. Breathe into the sides of your ribcage. Feel how this motion opens the ribcage to the back. Each time you inhale, sense the ribs lifting toward the ceiling as well as, pressing against the floor. Take 10 deep breaths as you feel the ribcage moving from front to back and side to side. When you are ready, sit up and feel how open your body feels in every direction.

Breathwork 4 Massage Therapists

Many Massage Therapists need continuing education. Why not take some education for you so you can keep yourself healthy! Get In Touch offers Breathwork 4 A Healthy Life for 6 CEH and will teach you in depth anatomy, correct breathing technique, and give you massage therapy continuing education.

Karina Braun

Personal Body Maintenance 4 the Bodyworker

htttp://www.igetintouch.com