I believe in living as close to nature as we can to move, eat and live well in our busy world of high tech. A daily walk is medicinal. You get to see the dormant winter when plant and animal life are hibernating, the early signs of spring when the snow drops and buds come out, and the beauty of May wild flowers signalling that summer is just around the corner. The autumnal burst of colour when the leaves change warn us to get ready to slow down for the winter coolness and introspection. Following nature's lead - move more energetically in spring/summer and conserve your energy more in autumn/winter. Likewise - eat seasonally to reap the benefits of seasonal veggies. Even better, grow your own!
Hot and Cold Stone Massage
I first recognised the benefits of the seasons when I was a 29 year old sports masseuse. I did not cotton on to how key the seasons would become to the way I worked until my 40s. Back in my late 20s, I started introducing hot and cold stones into my massage treatments to address the whole body - physical (soft tissues) and emotional (mind). Too many first timers to a treatment seemed a little tense and took some time to relax.
The stones worked their magic every time with the contrasting hot and cold temperatures, creating a calming effect on the nervous system and deep relaxation instantly. I'm still asked today if I could return to using them!
The Process:
The heat from the hot stones causes blood to move from the brain to each part of the body receiving the stone, causing a drowsiness/relaxation. Summer.
As the body absorbs some of the heat from the stone, the stone becomes cooler and can be tucked under an arm or leg . Autumn.
The cold stones are refreshing as they draw blood from the body, and its organs to the body part being treated, enabling the body to self-regulate its temperature, creating homeostasis. The cold stones help to break down scar tissue in muscles (knots around the neck and shoulders, tight hamstrings), to reduce inflammation and to re-align the muscle fibres for optimum movement and health. Winter.
As the body absorbs the coolness, the stone gets warmer and can be tucked too so the body does not overheat. Spring.
Everyone seemed to love the sports massage with the healing stones, however sceptical they were at first that this was a sports massage, as there was never any pain, only blissful relaxation! There was no need to "suffer" the next day.
The stones did all the work and were prepared with care, cleaned at the end of every day and arranged in a pattern on my massage table as a way of thanking and honouring them. I put them outside sometimes during the new or full moon and cleansed them in the summer and winter months.
Why Massage is Good for You
Stimulates circulation making the blood vessels better at pumping blood and absorbing nutrients for cell growth and repair
Stimulates lymphatic flow helping lymph (waste products) travel to the heart and then the venous system once toxins have been filtered. Injury restricts this.
Improves muscle strength & flexibility by breaking down scar tissue when tissue is damaged (strain, sprain) into small enough particles to be carried away in lymph vessels
Improves joint function by freeing up adhesions in muscles making it difficult to contract or stretch a muscle
Relaxes and de-stresses the body
Find a good sports massage therapist with excellent training via theisrm.com.
Sign up to Vanessa's newsletter for pilates course info throughout the year.
Comments