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    • Massage Therapy >
      • What is Massage Therapy?
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Calling all Goddesses & Angels - You do not Have to Navigate this Journey Alone

10/4/2020

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Many of my clients appreciate the intuitive approach I bring to my Holistic sessions. When you tell me to just go with it and offer the session as I think you need it's an honour to be trusted so deeply. What you may not realize is that your guides or the energy you're "putting out there", or your angels are, for the most part, showing me what you need. And in writing that I just took a big leap outside of my usually safe topics of discussion.

I hear you when you say you are struggling to figure life out, next steps, how to move forward in your journey...I also sense that many are not calling upon those spirit guides that are there to help them navigate their life path. These guides have so many different names (guardian angels, totem animals, god, goddess, ancestors...) and energies, none of them wrong or right. What is right is what feels as though it resonates with you and your beliefs.

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Phase 3 in the Journey - Maintenance and Moving Foward (A Journey Into A Holistic Approach to Discovering Balance During Covid19 - 6)

5/20/2020

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OK, so you’ve done the work, peeled back layers of your life, like an onion, to discover at least one thing that is no longer working for you. That something is up for change as you create holistic balance in your life. You’ve explored the ways that work for you and hopefully found 2 or 3 that work and you’re in the process of integrating those changes. Now what? 


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Phase 2 in the Journey - Acceptance and Investigation (A Journey Into A Holistic Approach to Disc0vering Balance During Covid19 - 5)

4/28/2020

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​At this point in our journey it's accepted that you have embraced the idea that the health of mind, body and spirit are all integral to our holistic well-being, and that it's totally ok to have any and all emotions during changes in your life that affect all parts of you. If you're not at this point yet then move backwards through the previous blog posts...this next part of the journey is interesting, playful and enlightening.


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Phase 1 in the Journey - Emotions (A Journey Into A Holistic Approach to Disc0vering Balance During Covid19 - 4)

4/18/2020

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I think that one of the downsides to people feeling safe to share their journey towards holistic balance is Toxic Positivity. Ourselves or others can often feel uncomfortable with emotion, and so will downplay it in others, or we stuff it down in ourselves. Neither are healthy and that is not what this journey will be about. It's time to get honest with how you're feeling.
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There really are no right or wrong feelings about all of the drastic changes to our lives due to the Covid19 pandemic. They are all normal, correct and understandable. Which ones do you identify with?
  • Shock
  • Grief
  • Despair
  • Depression
  • Calm
  • Peace
  • Uncertainty
  • Curiousity
  • Anger
  • Anxiety
  • Frustration
  • Overwhelm
  • Fear
  • Surprise
  • Stress
  • Denial
  • Other
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As you recognize each of the emotions that you have, do you identify where in your body you're also feeling them physically? Where they are expressing in your Spirit? A first step in creating holistic balance is first acknowledging and accepting your feelings about change, without feeling the need to justify or judge or suppress.

It can be simple frustrations such as not being able to find paper towels, toilet paper or flour in the stores, surprise that your kids can no longer play in parks, depression in not having any social interactions at work or with friends, fear and uncertainty with more questions than answers...
Allowing your feelings is healthy. Emotions are energy and in order to eventually be released, energy has to be allowed to move. Same thing with emotions, and yes, it can be super uncomfortable to allow our own emotions and to witness those of others.
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The next step is to acknowledge that how you're feeling mentally/emotionally is impacting you on all levels of mind, body and spirit. Checking in on how it feels physically often requires some action to get out of your head and into your body. Meditation, contemplation and physical activity are really helpful.
The final step in this phase is to cut yourself some slack. Allow the feelings, all of them and how they fluctuate. During this phase radical self-care is called for as we work towards managing our emotions constructively and turn towards allowing holistic balance.

Radical Self-Care during Phase 1 of Your Holistic Journey

Some of the following suggestions may seem like band-aid solutions to the emotions you're feeling about the changes you're experiencing due to Covid19. They are band-aid solutions for now. During this first phase in creating holistic balance your creating space for emotions and looking after yourself through that phase. (You're also teaching your loved ones that it's ok to have the emotions and to explore self-care techniques that work for them)
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Ways to Safely Express Emotion

Don't suppress them or tamp them down! Allow the energy of the emotions to move through you and if they get too much go ahead and scream in the car, cry, stamp your feet. Journaling through writing or art, breath work, laughter and physical movement are all great ways to safely express emotions.



My favourite way is to put on the music and dance with abandon. As I move the emotional energy moves as well. I encourage you to explore and discover new ways that feel good to you.

Nurturing Yourself Through the Tough Days

This can be a really interesting way to find out just what radical self-care looks like for you as you explore different methods.
  • Eating healthy foods,
  • Carrying crystals,
  • Aromatherapy,
  • Getting Physical with activity you love
  • Switching from listening to the Blues,
  • Watching comedies instead of dramas,
  • Turning off the news every day
  • Chat with friends and family through video or phone
 ... wrap yourself in comfort and care (yes, you are also teaching your children to care for themselves through example)
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Explore Aromatherapy
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Carry crystals
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Dance with abandon
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Spending time with friends and family on line until you can gather together again
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Journaling through written word, drawing, painting...
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Exploring activities that bring joy
I'ts ok to sit in this phase of discovering Holistic Balance for a period of time as you explore what works for you. But we're not going to wallow or set up camp in this phase for too long. That being said, there is no timeline. As I said in a previous post, you will work through this journey as it works for you and there is no right or wrong way. Get comfortable with self-care and emotional expression as best you can. Perhaps the weekly calendar guide below can help with that.
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A Journey Into A Holistic Approach to Disc0vering Balance During Covid19 - 1
What Does It Mean to Take A Holistic Approach (Journey Into A Holistic Approach to Disc0vering Balance During Covid19 - 2)
The Mind Body Spirit Connection & Dealing with Change (Journey Into A Holistic Approach to Discovering Balance During Covid19 - 3)
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The Mind Body Spirit Connection & Dealing with Change (Journey Into A Holistic Approach to Discovering Balance During Covid19 - 3)

4/14/2020

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Holistic Approach to Change
The basis of a holistic approach to health, to life and to change, is acknowledging  the mind, body and the spirit connection, and nurturing that connection.

What affects the mind has an influence on the body and visa versa. Anything affecting either or both, mind and body, impacts upon our spirit.

Let's take stress as an example. When we're feeling stressed about a situation we can feel it in our body. Some feel is as stomach upset, some as shoulder pain from tightened muscles, others experience headaches. Often, and at the same time, stress can cause a loss of hope, thus affecting the spirit.
Unexpected change is often uncomfortable and can create stress. Despite change being an ongoing occurrence in life it is one we can't seem to embrace. The drastic changes that COVID19 has brought to our lives is hard to navigate and it is no wonder that many balk at embracing it. But, what are our choices?
Holistic Approach to emotions
I am hearing a whole range of emotions from clients, family and friends as the life changes imposed by COVID19 unroll. Anger, fear, depression, anxiety, frustration, sorrow, shock,, grief... are just a few.

​Many feel changes "forced" upon them are impossible to steer through. There are many of us that have had to slow down or stop work due to social distancing or loss of business, parents are being asked to work at home while also home-schooling their children and at the same time keep them indoors and away from playgrounds and friends, those deemed essential are busy and stressed as they are daily put at risk of infection, as humans we are social beings and we are not able to spend time with our friends, or family members that live elsewhere...  I cannot think of any emotions that would be inappropriate, but there are ways to navigate through them, grow from them and thrive, holistically.

The first step in taking a holistic approach to the changes of COVID 19 is to acknowledge every single emotion experienced as valid, there is no right or wrong way to feel. Secondly, is to understand that those emotions are having an impact on your physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.
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Take some time over the next few days to allow your feelings, write them down or express them through art. If you meditate, try to check into where you're feeling those emotions in your body and what they feel like. Don't try to tamp them down as emotions are energy and energy needs to move to be released. 

Upcoming posts, as we travel this journey together will address ways to not only deal with the mental, physical and spiritual impact of COVID19, but ways to grow holistically. Tips that will assist you in addressing change throughout life, often making it something easier to embrace.
You may want to work through the steps as they are presented or may find yourself jumping back and forth. There is no right or wrong way to work through these steps, your way must work for you in realizing the benefits of a holistic approach. 
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Other articles in this series:

A Journey Into a Holistic Approach - Discovering Balance During Covid19 - 1

What Does It Mean to Take a Holistic Approach - 2

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Your Appointments After the Covid 19 Pandemic

3/20/2020

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PictureTeresa Graham, RMT & Holistic Practitioner
I chose my profession because people, their health and well-being, matter to me. I have been so fortunate to have found and to be able to work in a field where I can impact that directly. Each and every person that I see is of great importance to me, and the fact that I am trusted with your well-being is an honour that I take very seriously.
 
My association has reached out to URGE RMTs to do our part in preventing further spread of Covid-19 by shutting down operation. From my personal perspective, my ethics as a (non-essential) healthcare practitioner requires me to put your health and safety first, always. It is impossible to offer safe distancing with most of the therapies that I offer.

On Tuesday evening I had to make a difficult decision to temporarily suspend providing massage and most holistic services. The situation with Covid19 is fluid and changing and I will be reassessing regularly. I really look forward to when I can book clients again. I'm sure we will all need some mind and body stress relief.

In the meantime, scroll down for what is still available and how I will be reaching out and staying connected with you until I can see you in person again.

Stay healthy, safe, and don't forget to practice self care!
Warmest Regards, Teresa

Long Distance Reiki Sessions with Reiki Master, Teresa Graham

Long Distance Reiki Sessions

​One of the key benefits to the beautiful healing energies of Reiki is the opportunity of receiving a session long distance.

Reiki helps with easing stress on the mind and body, encouraging relaxation and a state of vital well-being.


Contact me for more information or to book. Payment through etransfer only at this time.



​Gift Certificates are available for purchase for all of my services for an appointment once I re-open. The perfect way to treat yourself and someone special. 

During this time Gift Certificates are sent by email and payment through etransfer only at this time.
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Stay Connected

While closed I will be upping my blogs, facebook posts and other social media with ways to care for you until you can book in again. Beginning over the weekend you will find some videos for self massage and other holistic treatments, self-care techniques and ideas, favourite recipes, creating and crafting, guided meditations for relaxation and stress release (always good for mind and body),  and other ideas for keeping you well. 
​
Your input would be appreciated. What would you like to learn about or watch while you're social distancing or to help deal with working through this pandemic? What ideas do you have to share?
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​When We're Back
​

To reassure you for when I re-open. I always take sanitizing seriously, between each client, and that will not change.
All linens are changed between clients, individual oil containers are used and hard surfaces are wiped down with disinfectant. I will however be mindful and implement any other suggestions that are put forward by Alberta Health or Health Canada to ensure your good health and safety.

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The Big Sigh

2/16/2020

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Holistic Benefits of Sighing during your session.

The "sigh" is something I wait for, and eventually, in every holistic session, it comes.

​That is when I know that a client has given over to allowing the holistic session to work with them on all levels (mind, body and spirit)

The human sigh, while often a spontaneous occurrence, conveys a wide range of emotions and has an abundance of holistically healthy benefits. Our breathe impacts our emotional and physical state and the sigh can encourage a state of balance.
Benefits of Sighing
A sigh is the body's reset button. Whether we're releasing stress and tension, relaxing, or even in the midst of a panic attack, a sigh can trigger a spontaneous reset for mind, body and spirit. Sighing reminds us to breath more regularly, and often more deeply while at the same time encouraging us to come down a little from high anxiety. 

Take a Moment:

  • Sit down for a moment or move yourself to a quiet space
  • Take a deep breath
  • As you release your breath, audibly sigh
  • Repeat 2 or 3 times

​How do you feel?
Release shoulder tension with Teresa Graham RMT in Calgary


​You'll probably notice that your shoulders have moved down from your ears, your mind feels a little less foggy and overall, you feel "lighter". 

At the beginning of a Reiki or Craniosacral Therapy session I encourage clients to take 2 to 3 deep, slow breaths as it begins to encourage relaxation. However, I know they are in a deeper state of allowing stress and tension to release, when they sigh...and they always do.

​So let your body sigh...it's Good For You

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    Teresa Graham,
    ​RMT,  D.I.Hom
     

    Immersed in Holistic Health activities both personally and as a career I find it a path of continual learning...there's so much to share! More about me...

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Teresa Graham, RMT

Registered Massage Therapy and Holistic Health Sessions
#6 4624 Varsity Drive NW
Calgary
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Est. 1994
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