 I probably ask about your self care time at pretty much every appointment. While your sessions with me count as self care it really is a practice that needs to be followed daily. Making it a habit isn’t really that difficult….here are some easy tips to bring self care into your daily regime AND they take 15 minutes or less
…just a few things to get you started! What ideas do you have for self care?
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 Through 20+ years of practice in Massage Therapy and other holistic modalities I have come to specialize in the individualized treatment of women. Not that it was intended, my practice has just evolved that way. Throughout the life of a woman she faces a myriad of physical, emotional and hormonal changes. (and no, this is not to say that men don’t as well). I've watched those changes over the years in practice and am always in awe, not only in how each woman's individual body deals with them but the strength each woman has in resolving emotional and physical challenges.  Women face different challenges to their male counterparts, be it in the workplace, societal expectations or their role within the family unit. I was told recently that my uprooting my life to relocate to Calgary was a “brave thing for a woman, especially of my age” to be doing…. Hmmmm. Would the same thing have been said if a man was making the same changes? I think so. I think as human beings, male or female, we can become stagnant in our lives and that can be a very comfortable place to be. When anyone chooses to change all of that it does take some courage, energy and resolve. So whether change is brought about due to physical changes in age, hormones, etc. or whether we are initiating the change, we can draw upon holistic therapies to help ease our bodies and minds through them.  Massage Therapy helps the physical changes in muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints whether a fast growing teen, pregnant, menopausal or arthritic. An added benefit that many women experience is that it assists in becoming more body comfortable and body confident...a great self esteem builder!  Craniosacral Therapy benefits physical change through unwinding the fascia that tightens around muscles, organs and the body from injury or stress. It also assists the body to release past traumas that can cause fascia to wind tight and stay tight. Craniosacral therapy is also helpful for learning disabilities, TMJ, concussion symptoms and headaches…things that can be experienced at any age. What I've also discovered that often, when a more aggressive therapy is not working, the body will respond to the gentleness of Craniosacral.  Reflexology stimulates all of the nerve endings in the feet and/or hands, and through that opens up the circulation, encouraging the body to relax, and in that, begin self-healing. Read more about this healing art.... (click here)  Reiki brings balance to body, mind and spirit which can be essential to working through those periods of raging hormones that continue throughout life, easing the stress and tension brought about with exams, raising a family, being in this life and dealing with societal expectations. Reiki is a gentle reminder for the mind to rest and the body to heal. Throughout my years in practice I have been honoured to share sessions focused on the health of women be they newborn or 98 years in age, and every age in between that. I’ve been witness to watching these women travel through life’s changes with more ease upon their journey and that has been a priceless gift. What stresses and challenges to you feel, as a woman, you experience differently to men?
What steps do you take to ease and meet those stresses and challenges? Have you tried holistic health modalities? With heart health month quickly coming to an end here is a special to reinforce all those good things you've been doing this past month for you! Ease away stress and totally relax...so good for YOU!   May sound strange…but there is a direct connection. With over 7,000 nerve endings in our feet, our entire body is constantly stimulated and circulation increased when we walk barefoot. This includes the stimulation of the glands that release all of those feel good hormones. Wonder why we feel so much better in the summer? It’s not just the sunshine.  When the weather cools our feet are stuffed into socks, slippers, shoes and boots and our body loses that essential connection to the earth. With cold weather the circulation to our feet and hands can also contract, just when needed the most, as our body works to keep its core warm. So with all the stimulation our nerve endings have been used to through the warmer months reduced considerably, our whole being suffers.  What can you do? Stimulate your feet on a daily basis through the winter months to increase the blood and nerve circulation. Here are a few diy suggestions:
Can Reflexology Help? Regular sessions during the winter months will keep your body and mind feeling great! Since ancient times Reflexology has shown to be beneficial for:
 Is the heat making you feel Hot, Irritable and Grumpy? Sun can be drying to our bodies; it can be scorching to our tempers as well! My session room is peaceful and cool. I invite you to a quiet oasis to relax, breathe and melt onto the table. A mini-vacation for just a little while. Choose scents of cooling mint or uplifting eucalyptus as an addition (scent optional) as you place yourself in my hands for a soothing session  While the weather is hot and dry here are some Cooling Hints for in between your sessions ….
*Drink LOTS of extra water to keep your body, mind and spirit hydrated! * Try to preplan your day and get your energy intensive obligations completed during the cooler times of the day (early morning, later evening) * Embrace the concept of the afternoon nap. Rest and restore your being during the hottest parts of the day. It is tradition in other, hotter climate countries for a reason. *Place a pan of cold water and ice cubes in front of your electric fan. It will blow the cool mist out and about your space. * Or take a cool shower and stand in front of the fan rather than drying with a towel *Place your feet in a pan of cool water and place a cold, wet cloth on the top of your head *Practice a cooling breath. Breath in through your nose and out through your mouth but create a tunnel with your tongue and lips and you’ll find your breath out is much cooler! Did you know that Hand to Health shares an amazing array of holistic health modalities offered by highly trained professionals? What we understand is that each person is an individual and because of that different modalities work for different people. As practitioners we enjoy working together as an integrated team to ensure that we can offer clients their best and healthiest way of being! For more information about each of the practitioners please click the name! 
From left to right...
Elizabeth MacKay, MH, Cht, MR - offering Clinical Hypnotherapy Teresa Graham, D.I. Hom - offering Spinal Touch, Reiki, Reflexology, Massage and Craniosacral Therapy Tammy Nielsen, DCH, RCSHom, CBP - offering BodyTalk and Classical Homeopathy Brenda Verhoven - offering Reiki, Manicures and Pedicures Are YOU ready to explore new ways towards holistically good health! Here are some special coupons to help you on the way! You do not have to be a Facebook Friend to use them! Book Now! 
What is Plantar Faciitis? A pain in the bottom of the heel that is becoming more of a problem for many people! For those dealing with this condition it’s usual to experience sharp pain first thing in the morning (which may or may not improve through the day) and again in the evening after resting. If you study the structure of the foot and it’s biomechanics it all makes sense. There is a band called the plantar fascia that runs from the ball of the foot to the heel. This band doesn’t stretch easily and when it is forced beyond it’s “elastic limits” it can tear at it’s weakest insertion point, the heel bone. There are many sites with information about Plantar Fasciitis and what causes it…let’s explore what can be done to help heal it. (this is assuming that you have a correct diagnosis) Natural Solutions for Plantar Faciitis
Teresa was trained through the Reflexology Association of Canada and has been practicing Reflexology since 1994. Clients have experienced amazing results from this gentle, holistic health session. Learn more by visiting this page
Are you one who participates in the Spring Cleaning rituals? Do they include only your home or do you also spring clean for mind, body & soul? Here are some ways to help you get started! 
 
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Teresa Graham,
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