From the perspective of a  massage therapist, and I can only really speak for my self, there are few things that warm my heart more than a handwritten thank you note from a client.

If you’ve recently had a wonderful massage experience and want to leave or send a thank you note to your therapist, please do!

I can still remember one of my very first clients many years back.  When I can back into the room, I saw a very simple yet very lovely handwritten note had been left on my table.   It meant so much that I still have it. 

Moving a client is itself very rewarding, and the testimonials I receive by email or on sites mean more in terms of job fulfillment than money.  I need money to live, but money in and of itself contributes almost nothing to how you feel about how you spend your days.

It can be hard to know what to say and you may worry how it may come off, but as long as you are sincere and appreciative it will most likely be very well received.

If you are really uncertain what to say, I will make it simple. Two words- Thank you !

As a culture we have almost moved completely away from handwritten notes, postal letters and anything personalized. But a note not only shows how much you appreciated the experience but that you took the time even just a moment to do it.  It is likely to put a big smile on the face of your therapist which in turn will cause someone they encounter to smile.  There is an expression "most smiles are created by another smile" and this is true.

Some suggestions on what to write:

Why you’re thanking them – What was it exactly that made you want to write a note? Did they help fix a particular issue, resolve some pain, was it a life-changing experience?

How did the massage make you feel – I think it’s important to mention how their massage made you feel. This is great feedback and for me the most important. I generally don't work with pain as much as I do feelings and state of mind.

Let them know you will be back - or refer a friend
This is the most impactful way to also show your appreciation, by re-scheduling and or referring a friend.  When you write your note consider a short ending by letting them know you will be back.

And again, if you are really uncertain what to say, I will make it simple.
Two words- Thank you !

Try it, it may make you feel just as good writing it as the person reading it !

 Aloha

Have you ever written a Thank You note of this type? If so please fell free to comment with your story and or suggestions.

UPDATE / PART II TO AN ARTICLE WRITTEN 10/17

With  this subject coming up more and more online and with clients, here are some further thoughts utilized t.
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Breasts aren’t usually invited to the self-care party—despite the fact that there’s a restorative practice for pretty much every other part of the body (hair included). But there’s an argument, more than one, for incorporating full chest and breast massage into your treatment.

“Massage is a wonderful, stress-relieving, detoxifying practice for the whole body,” says natural beauty expert Jessa Blades.

                “It’s odd that we don’t massage the breasts [in the West].”
                                                                         —Jessa Blades

And no, you don’t need to be pregnant or nursing to reap the rewards, a fact the holistic wellness world’s been clued in to for ages. “In Ayurveda, if you get a full-body massage, your breasts are massaged too,” Blades notes. “It’s odd that we don’t massage the breasts [in the West].”

Breast massage  may provide huge psychological and emotional benefits, especially for those recovering from breast disease and the aftermath of invasive treatments.

While this work is not even close to being mainstream at the moment, that’s starting to change as word gets out about the physical and emotional benefits the practice produces. And lets not forget about choice.  There is an emotional long tail effect about subconsciously feeling the need to "hide" them.

Breast health is too often ignored until after a problem arises. It’s an area of the body with powerful associations that sometimes makes women hesitant to seek care, despite the fact that the vast majority experience discomfort at some point.

Breasts are often compressed with sports bras, constrained by underwire, or enhanced with padding. This can restrict the flow of lymph, the clear liquid derived from blood that contains disease-fighting cells called lymphocytes.  It is widely speculated that chronic impairment of lymph drainage may be implicated in many breast health problems, including cancer.”  This is the case for not wearing a bra.

Therapeutic breast massage also loosens the tissues of the chest, shoulders, and neck, using a combination of deep-tissue massage techniques, movement, breathing, and stretching. Whether your breasts are healthy or compromised, every woman can benefit from this work, and it can be a powerful aid to emotional healing or healing after surgery or radiation therapy.

If you are It is important that you find a therapist who is qualified;  trained and experienced with this work.  Just as it is surprising to many clients, it is surprising to many therapists. A qualified  therapist will be able to explain the work, discuss benefits, address curiosities, fears and or/concerns, go over the protocols for consent and choice - and ultimately help determine if you might be a good candidate for this work.

I have created an FAQ page that for the moment is password protected. It contains further discussion, FAQ's, and other information along with testimonials.  If you would like to access it, please go here 

Here is a list of prior blog posts for further reading on this topic:

•      Full Chest & Breast Massage and why it's Important
•      Breast Massage and Breast Cancer - Aids in Healing and Recovery
•      Ayurvedic Breast Massage - Why, Benefits & Self Care

If you have had breast massage and would like to share your story, it may help others - please send me an email.

 

A couple of clients have asked me about Chi Nei Tsang, and am I experienced in this work.  I am familiar with aspects of TCM, (Traditional Chinese Medicine), but because I was unfamiliar with this, I decided to investigate - to how if at all it shares any similarities, goals or methods of touch with Lomi Lomi.

What is Chi Nei Tsang?
Chi Nei Tsang is a centuries-old variety of healing touch therapy from China. It focuses on  gentle abdominal massage in order to “train” the internal abdominal organs to work more efficiently, which in turn is said to improve physical and emotional health.

The words "Chi Nei Tsang" roughly translated mean "to work the energy of the internal organs” Practitioners adhere to the belief that unresolved emotional issues are stored in the digestive system.

Chi in Chinese,  Ki in Japanese, or Mana in Hawaiian all translate to the inner life force or inner strength..

It is believed that Chi, the life-force energy, moves through the body’s internal channels, nervous system, blood vessels, and lymph glands.  Tensions, worries, and stresses of the day, month, or year accumulate and are seldom dispersed. The result is the gradual obstruction of energy circulation, which may lead to any number of maladies including, but not limited to, indigestion, constipation, bloating, insomnia, whole body toxicity, poor skin quality, and an inability to lose weight.

The ancient Taoists realized that negative emotions cause serious damage to one’s health, impairing both physical and spiritual functions. They understood that each human emotion is an expression of energy and that certain emotions could indicate the negative energy behind many physical ailments. They also identified a specific cycle of relationships between the emotions and the organs. For example, the experience of a “knot” in one’s stomach indicated the presence of worry, the negative emotion that accumulates in the stomach and spleen.

Whereas I am not trained in this work, I can not speak to it beyond what I have read - however I do find similarities to the work that I am trained in, specifically Lomi Lomi.

Abdominal massage is an integral component of Lomi Lomi.  For many it is their first experience with touch on the belly.  This is a personal and emotional center on people, but without exception every one of my clients who has received it has enjoyed it.

Why is it so important to Lomi ?
Lomi lomi is thought to have started as a method of aiding in digestion. Its true,  Hawaiian Royalty, after consuming large quantities of food would have a special servant Lomi Lomi their belly to aid in the digestion process.  From there as the practice spread beyond the palace to villages and family, it was taken on by the kahunas of medicine and refined to address other physical and mental issues. A combination of observation, touch and medicinal herbs constituted successful medical practice.  Later missionaries who arrived on Hawaii observed that Lomi Lomi was a remarkably relaxing experience that also induced calm and helped with sleep.

There are similarities between the beliefs and practices of many early cultures.  So while I cannot speak to the claims of Chi Nei Tsang, and in general I refrain from exaggerated claims of any type when it comes to bodywork, I can tell you from observation that abdominal massage when incorporated into tradition or Lomi work has positive effects on peoples sense of well being.  Abdominal work is always a choice, is is part of my regular intake. If you never tried, consider it as part of your next massage. 

Experience  Edward and this life-changing work in New York.

Aloha Friends

I will be traveling to NYC  March 19-21, 2019 to visit existing clients and to meet new clients.  I will accepting appointments for bodywork as well as workshops.

If you are interested in being on my mailing list for future visits or have any questions or suggestions please click here.

In addition to offering Authentic Lomi Lomi Massage, Swedish Massage and Soul Healing Energy Work, I will be offering Couples Massage private and group workshops.  As well as private one day Intro to Lomi Massage workshops for couples or singles.

I specialize in the ancient art of Lomi Lomi and all forms of relaxation bodywork with an emphasis on touch healing and the mind/body connection.  I am happy to help realize your goals.

If you would like to book any treatment, or schedule a workshop,  please just click on the button below.

If you have any questions please just send me an email here.

Mahalo


Please like and share if you know anyone that might be interested.

Having trouble sleeping? A Tranquility Massage promotes better sleep

I cannot tell you how many of my clients tell me they have difficulty sleeping at night.  I myself fall into this category from time to time.

Many people have a hard time falling asleep at night because they feel stressed or anxious. This could be caused by chronic stress or a major event.

Poor sleep is a common problem in the United States. As many as thirty percent of people in the United States have experienced bouts of insomnia, while at least ten percent experience chronic insomnia. Two things commonly rob people of a good night’s sleep: anxiety and pain. Massage can address both of those issues helping you rest easy.

An overactive mind can keep you awake. Massage can trigger serotonin, a neurotransmitter that induces calm feelings. In addition, we often hold tension and stress in our muscles, especially our neck and back. This tension can cause our bodies to feel tight and rigid, making sleep difficult. A massage can release the tension that is held in these places so that muscles feel relaxed and ready to rest.

Pain can also keep you awake at night.  If your neck throbs, joints ache, or your lower back is sore, it can be very challenging to rest comfortably. Massage therapy can relieve pain, even chronic pain so that you can improve the quality of your sleep. Massage reduces inflammatory cytokines, which are known for causing inflammation and pain. The article states that essentially, massage has the same effect as other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NAISDs) such as Tylenol and ibuprofen. Reduced inflammation means less pain which will result in better sleep. It is a more natural way to reduce pain.

The Tranquility Massage is designed to help calm your nervous system and quiet your mind.  To maximize the effect, I recommend booking the last or next to last
appointment of the evening. Better still if you can, would be an in home treatment ( not available as a promo, full price plus travel only).  Follow the massage with some chamomile tea, and quiet time in bed with a book or  something that generates soft nature sounds like rain falling. YouTube has many available like this  Do not go on the computer, phone or TV.

Try this amazing massage treatment, once a week for one month to see how it improves your sleep.

I have made this available at an affordable price. It covers 4 weekly appointments and must be used within a one month period.

Regular Price $440 Package Price $299 You Save $141 off the regular price.
Book your package HERE

To maximize the effect, I recommend booking the last or next to last
appointment of the evening. Better still if you can, would be an in home treatment ( not available as a promo, full price plus travel only).  Follow the massage with some chamomile tea, and quiet time in bed with a book or  something that generates soft nature sounds like rain falling. YouTube has many available like this 
Do not go on the computer, phone or TV.