Are you feeling the need to be Cleaning House? I am ... Body, Mind & Spirit!   We notice now that the days are increasing in length and we are reminded of the coming of Spring! With more light coming in, some of us can now see the things we need to let go of. I'm hearing a lot of my friends speak of giving away possessions that are no longer needed, and I myself am feeling a strong drive to do some deep cleaning at home. As home and possessions are cleaned and sorted, it seems to allow a cleansing of thoughts and feelings as well. Cleansing the body works in a similar process. Over months or years of accumulation the body's systems become burdened and less efficient. Periodic cleansing allows the body to have the space it needs to re-organize, becoming lighter and more efficient. That means More Energy, More beauty, More Aliveness. "When one completes a cleanse, energy flows cleanly through the body.  The charismatic qualities of bliss, joy, and happiness arise more easily. You will feel a change in your thoughts, emotions, judgements, and motivations. One's focus and concentration are naturally drawn to higher things.  You will eventually discover that there is  no limit to how healthy and happy we can be." -David Wolfe Here are some very basic but powerful steps to take before your cleanse begins. 1.  Drink more water 2.  Add lemon to your water 3.  Cut back on sugar and flour 4.  Eat more raw fruits and vegetables 5.  Cut back on meat and dairy products 6.  Re establish healthy bacteria in your digestive system by taking probiotics (found in fermented foods or supplements) Remember, each small step, if made with consistent effort, leads to new, healthy habits! ......And don't forget to schedule regular Bodywork during your cleanse.... That's right ....  book a session. While you're blissed out on the massage table, the session is helping your body rid itself of toxins. Increased circulation of blood and lymph helps transport wastes out of the body, reduce cellulite, and improve the feel and condition of the skin.  Read more on the benefits of bodywork here

Release your Psoas - Release Pain:
Body, Mind & Spirit

"Only when the psoas is free to move, can the energy of the body flow smoothly, the emotions balance, and our thoughts be integrated".

-Liz Koch 

    

The psoas (pronounced so-as) muscle is the deepest and most central of your core muscles. It attaches at the 12th thoracic vertebrae and to each of the 5 lumbar vertebrae, and inserts into the trochanter of your femur.  It is a connecting muscle - bridging your upper and lower body. It is the solar plexus, the hara, and is intimately connected with nearly every function of the body.

Last year I had the opportunity to learn about this complex muscle from the highly esteemed psoas expert Liz Koch. By attending Liz's workshop I was hoping to find the elusive key to unlocking chronic back pain and tension in my clients.  

A shortened or contracted psoas muscle can cause a wide array of somatic and emotional issues such as back and pelvic pain, digestive disturbances, sexual dysfunction, premenstrual syndrome, difficulties with pregnancy and birth, and fear or anxiety. It is associated with the fight-or-flight response, and, for many people, unresolved trauma prevents the psoas from ever relaxing fully.

As a bodyworker, it is my job to identify restrictions and help clients release the tension and holding patterns that are causing pain and discomfort. The psoas is so often indicated, however, it's position deep in the core makes it difficult to palpate. It can be traumatic and invasive to dig into it using standard deep tissue massage techniques.

According to Liz Koch, "invasive techniques can exacerbate psoas problems".  If it is trauma that caused the contraction in the first place, it makes sense that it wouldn't help to poke and prod at it. Rather, gentle noninvasive techniques must be employed. She explained at the workshop that the psoas is the messenger of our midline, informing us if we're safe. Safety in this context was described as the capacity to thrive. Psoas issues let us know that we are not thriving.

Fortunately, there are simple and pleasurable methods to resolve psoas tension, relieve pain, and thrive.

To start with, the "Constructive Rest Position" will lengthen and relax your psoas muscle.  Visit Liz's website for the easy instructions. As little  as 10 minute a day in this simple and pleasant position can lead to the benefits of a more relaxed psoas muscle.

Of course, with over 30 years of research and practice, Liz has extensive tools and exercises to offer. Below are some resources to help you get to know and release your psoas muscle. Enjoy!

 Resources Psoas and Back Pain CD  

  

Additional release techniques: Yoga Journal

Podcasts with Liz Koch

"It is from the area of the psoas that wise women and wise men ground themselves. With an integrated, well functioning psoas comes a quiet, safe haven to move from and be within."

-Liz Koch

Why is my pain not going away?

You've been getting regular bodywork but you're still suffering from joint or muscle pain. You may have already tried massage, acupuncture, chiropractic care and other remedies. Maybe you even went to your doctor and ran some tests, but you're still unable to find a reason! I've heard this a lot, and sometimes the following three questions have helped.

1. Are you drinking enough water?

When I ask my clients if they're drinking enough water, they almost always say, "Yes!" And then, when I ask them how MUCH they're drinking, they almost usually report drinking about fifty percent of what they should. How does this relate to pain? If the body doesn't get enough electrolytes and water, muscle cramping and spasms can occur. At a minimum, drink ½ your body weight in ounces each day, and avoid drinking out of plastic water bottles. If you must buy filtered water, buy it in glass bottles. A better option would be filtering your water at home and carrying glass or stainless steel water bottles with you during the day.  

2.  Are you getting enough nutrients?  

The standard American diet contains a fraction of the necessary nutrients to keep your body in optimal health. Magnesium, Potassium, Vitamins B and C are among the nutrients needed for muscle and joint health. Consider adding a high quality multi vitamin and/or mineral supplement to your health routine, and increase your intake of fresh, raw fruits and vegetables, and perhaps consult with a naturopath, a nutritionist, a chiropractor or other holistic healthcare practitioner about your nutritional needs.

3.  Are you carrying extra weight?

I work with pregnant clients quite a bit and have become familiar with the effects of the growing baby in the belly. Back, leg and hip muscles typically develop tension and pain as more weight is added to the front of the body. Fortunately for pregnant women, this problem is usually temporary. After baby is born, the body can return to normal and the muscle and joint pain will disappear.

Of course, if you're carrying extra weight around due to reasons other than pregnancy, waiting until the baby is born is not option for you. It may be time to release that weight and get some permanent relief.

According to Donald J. Frisco, MD, muscle and joint related pain is one of the most common problems related to extra weight,

Frisco says, "every pound adds strain to the muscles and ligaments in the back. In order to compensate for extra weight, the spine can become tilted and stressed unevenly. As a result, over time, the back may lose its proper support and an unnatural curvature of the spine may develop."

To learn more from Dr. Frisco about how weight release can affect your muscles and joints, check out this article. 

Terri Lambert

Terri Lambert's nurturing, skilled touch is a welcome addition to our team. Terri has been practicing massage therapy since 2005, as a Phillip’s School of Massage graduate.  Her continuing education over the years includes Swedish, deep tissue, anatomy, pathology, aromatherapy, prenatal, geriatric, Tuina, acupressure and Thai massage therapies.

Terri is passionate about massage and seeks to better serve her clients needs by continually educating herself about various modalities and specific types of bodywork.

 Treat yourself to one of Terri's fabulous sessions. She is available on select Saturdays between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm. Give us a call at 530-906-8668 to schedule.

CoMotion: Foothills Ecstatic Dance

Read my personal story about Ecstatic Dance

CoMotion is a regular Ecstatic Dance event for the Foothills. Our vision is to provide an all-ages community space for free-form self-expression, joyful celebration, deep exploration, and healing of body, mind and spirit, within a sacred container of rhythmic sound and movement.

We provide a safe, sacred space for movement, expression, connection & celebration. Conversations, shoes, fragrances are left at the door. This is a family friendly, drug and alcohol free event.

We dance the 2nd & 4th Fridays of each month at the Portugese Hall in Newcastle, California.
690 Taylor Rd, Newcastle. 7-9:30 pm

For more information find us on Facebook

Jessa Krissovich

Jessa Krissovich specializes in Pain Management and Trigger Point Therapy.  She is a available by appointment Mondays between 11 am and 7 pm, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between 3 & 7 pm.

Having experienced chronic and debilitating pain from an automobile accident, Jessa has an intimate knowledge of the frustration and fear you experience when pain pills, adjustments, and other treatments leave you feeling no better.  Suffering from profound, life-limiting pain prompted her to study human musculature. Treatment from a Neuromuscular Therapist helped Jessa to uncover the cause of her pain, and bring her body back into proper balance.  Trigger Point Therapy seeks to understand the cause of myofascial trigger points (or origins of pain) and eliminate those causes. For Jessa, this treatment offered immediate relief and lasting comfort.  With renewed passion for healing others as a result of her own amazing improvement, Jessa realized her dream of studying Neuromuscular Therapy. She greets each day with enthusiasm and compassion for her clients. Happy, pain free clients who are able to enjoy their lives fully is Jessa's goal.

To schedule an appointment call Awaken Wellness at 530-906-8668

I am a LOVE magnet! (and so are you)

I'm sure you've heard of EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), or "tapping", and many of you have learned firsthand how powerful this simple method can be to, well, create emotional freedom.

EFT combines gentle tapping with carefully chosen words and phrases to clear emotional blocks and limiting beliefs. You do it yourself, so it's an accessible and affordable way to change your life, beginning now.