Everyday we are surrounded by various neurological inputs that affect our senses and minds. It's easy to get through a day without a moment of peace and quiet. Especially when you are a mother as I've learned through my friends. Some of us are very career-driven and that means long hours, lots of effort and stamina and very little sleep.

Everyday, no matter how miniscule the amount of time may seem to you or those around you, take a quiet moment. Even if you have to spend that quiet moment in your car. It's so important just to give yourself that space to take one or five or ten minutes out of your day to sit in silence.

Now, at first, for many that are go, go, go; this may seem awkward. You may tell yourself, "this is stupid." Just sit with it. Make it a habit.

It's an awesome way to start or end a day and just breathe, just be. It's an excellent grounding exercise as you're taking your moment to stand or lay down in silence, imagining roots growing from your body down through all the layers of the Earth. Kind of like a tree! :) A tree may sway in the wind but its roots are firm.

Making it a daily discipline to take just a moment a day to envelop yourself in the loudness of silence is part of taking care of yourself. Giving and gifting yourself; allowing yourself to have this time to unwind or begin your day can be beneficial on all levels of your being. Just feeling who you are and where you are for a few minutes daily can be perspective changing.

In my moments of silence, I always find that my mind wanders to the things in life for which I am grateful. But the idea isn't to over think this, it's to just sit, stand or lay there without giving so much weight to the thoughts that come and go. Just allowing the moment to come as it does and watch it go as it does without attaching to it. Observe. Let the thoughts float on by like clouds in the sky of your mind.

Wishing you all a relaxing and peaceful holiday weekend!

Greetings Everyone!

Today I would like to elaborate on the therapeutic properties of gemstones and crystals.

I started collecting rocks when I was about five.  I've been using crystals and gemstones for their healing benefits on myself and others for about 20 years now. I have quite a collection. :)

Crystals and gemstones are comprised of a lot of the same elements and molecules as the human body; oxygen, iron, manganese, sodium, nitrogen, hydrogen, etc. The use of these stones for their healing properties goes back to ancient civilizations. I always have a skeptical take on things and I like to understand the process that connects one to the other so it makes sense.

It is scientifically proven that the human body uses energy to do its job. It is through a process of our metabolism that our bodies harvest energy and then direct energy throughout our systems. In resting state per day, on average, each human contains about 80 watts of energy. That's enough to power a light bulb! Not to get too quantum physics but everything is energy. Everything around us is comprised of atoms and ions vibrating very fast, so fast we believe everything is solid but in fact, it is not. Atoms are comprised of a nucleus, protons, electrons and neutrons.

"If a body has more or fewer electrons than are required to balance the positive charge of the nuclei, then that object has a net electric charge. When there is an excess of electrons, the object is said to be negatively charged. When there are fewer electrons than the number of protons in nuclei, the object is said to be positively charged. When the number of electrons and the number of protons are equal, their charges cancel each other and the object is said to be electrically neutral. A macroscopic body can develop an electric charge through rubbing, by the triboelectric effect." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electron

A crystal is an ordered pattern of arranged ions, minerals or atoms. Crystal formation happens when a liquid or gas changes to a solid. This happens within the Earth's crust. Living organisms can also produce crystals. Ever see a kidney stone under a microscope? Mollusks like snails can produce calcite.

I'm of the opinion that the Earth provides everything we need. It grows plants and herbs that have therapeutic properties. I believe crystals also have therapeutic properties specific to each stone. Crystals can attract, repel, absorb or release energy just like we can.  Therefore for me, it's not a stretch to understand how a crystal could serve to balance one's energy and energetic fields.  This is the fundamentals of crystal healing. Whereas, your own body has the ability to balance on its own, crystals and gemstones serve as a tool to help and facilitate that process along. Especially emotionally. Emotions are energetic expressions. Emotions too have energetic signatures and you don't need to understand physics to know that; love, anger, hate, joy, grief; it's not hard to discern the energy between them.

Your chakras are the energy hubs of your being. Each one has its purpose and relative effect on your physical, emotional and spiritual bodies. You know these three bodies exist, correct? You know about the Law of Attraction? So most of us know that what we do in life affects the entire being simultaneously. Life is a constant exchange and interchange of energy between you and all. Energy vibrates at different intervals and when measured in light waves, creates colors as we know them.

Each chakra vibrates at a different frequency and hence is associated with its own color.  So you see when we transform energy into light, we get colors. When we transform energy into sound, it becomes a note.

During a crystal healing session, I first like to smudge with sage. I use stones that correspond to each chakra and add additional stones as I become more in tune with the energy of your body. I find the body will tell me what it needs and what it doesn't; some stones will fall off telling me, "I don't need this."  Instead of using my hands to massage the body, I let the stones do the work. I also like to incorporate the use of bells/sound (and in the future, tuning forks.) Sometimes, energy can get stuck especially when we are overwhelmed in our thoughts and emotions. When we continually focus on something painful or bothersome, energy gets tied up. Sometimes we can even hold memories within our muscles.The use of crystals and sound disperses the energy so that it can be balanced out and re-routed as the body sees fit. It's like when you focus on a sad time in your life; it makes you feel rundown and tired. The more you think about it, the more energy you invest into it. Crystals, gemstones and sound help the body to recalibrate itself. It's like getting a tune-up for a car.

A crystal therapy session with me is not just a session, it's an experience. It combines the five elements; earth, air, fire, water and spirit. As an aside, crystal and gemstone formation happens through a combination of those elements. I see the Earth as a living being in itself. Things grow on and within it. So, I believe Earth has a spirit element as well.

For now, I offer these sessions in the privacy of your own home. The length can vary from 30 minutes to 90 minutes. Usually your first treatment will range between 60 and 90 minutes. I charge a flat fee of $111 a treatment regardless of treatment length. Some days it will be longer, some days shorter depending on your state of being at the time.  I ask my patients to please plan to schedule your treatment in a way that affords you some peace and quiet for the duration of the treatment.

If you would like to know more or to book a crystal healing session with me, please email or use the contact form on my webpage and I will get back to you promptly.


Stay tuned for my new blog feature, "Gemstone Sunday." Each week,  I will highlight a stone and its therapeutic benefits.

Happy Afternoon!


Stop by my new Facebook page chock full of other great informational tidbits! I plan on updating it daily so there will always be something new! Also will be updating on events, specials and my weekly schedule.


https://www.facebook.com/massagetherapyJJK

  Allergy season is around the corner. For most of us that means hay fever, headaches, congestion, sore throats and runny noses. We all know that massage is great in helping to reduce pain and stress. Did you know massage can also help to alleviate your sinus symptoms?

Massage is a relaxing and natural way to relieve congestion and sinus pressure. Your sinus cavities are located above the eyebrows, under your eyes and around your nose.

During this treatment focus is given to these areas by applying finger pressure to acupressure/acupuncture points (they are the same) and gentle massage to promote sinus drainage. I know from experience that sometimes when allergies are running crazy, the pressure behind the eyes can be unbearable. Massage to the back of the neck at the ridge of the skull (occipital ridge) can serve to relieve this pressure and let you get on with your day. This treatment is also great for any type of headache. This is a customized treatment that was passed down to me from a highly regarded acupuncturist and was given to him by one of his mentors, a doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Over time, I have added some of my own techniques to this treatment. I have had a 95% success rate with my history of patients in relief of sinus pressure and alleviation of headaches, migraines as well.

This 30 minute treatment provides massage and acupressure to the face, scalp, neck with some shoulder work as well. As a finishing touch, enjoy some beneficial and refreshing aromatherapy with deep inhalation of eucalyptus and peppermint essential oils for further relief.

Book an appointment by calling Incentives Organic Spa and Salon at (631) 893-3490 or book online here http://www.incentivespasalon.com/Sinus-Relief-Massage.html