Wellness in Bloom Blog

Try Just One (part 2)

Rebecca R. Susi, LCMT — Fri, 18 May 2012 19:38:53 +0000

In my last post I shared some ideas that my family has used for becoming more earth friendly. Have you tried any of them? If so, how have they worked for you? Here are a few additional ideas which we like at our house...

Try Just One (part 1)

Rebecca R. Susi, LCMT — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 16:38:16 +0000

I try to be environmentally conscious. I am always looking for more earth-friendly alternatives, especially if they are ideas which are easy to incorporate into my life or the life of my family. Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start or what to do and we feel overwhelmed. I try to remember that even one change for the better can have a big impact (so true in all aspects of our life and health). I’d like to share with you some of the ideas that have worked in our home, and have been quite easy to integrate...

How Does a Massage Therapist Choose Her Massage Therapist?

Rebecca R. Susi, LCMT — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:35:53 +0000

I had a chance to put myself in your shoes recently. I needed to find a massage therapist. I felt desperate for a massage (some of you know what I mean). I go for regular massage because it keeps my body and mind healthy and makes me a better therapist, mom and wife. Having massage reminds me each time what an awesome experience it is and how massage helps me feel balanced and whole. Having a massage allows me to feel what the experience is like for the client on the table. Sometimes when I have waited longer than is good for me before my next massage, I start to feel a little off balance; as if there is something unsettling building up inside of me that needs to dissipate. I think this feeling is a combination of stress, muscle tension, emotion and energy picked up from others. Massage is a very effective tool for helping me remove these things and get myself back to a more grounded state. I have a few therapists that I see on a regular basis. I am blessed to have these therapists available to me; however, they are not always available on short notice. I looked around online to find a therapist in the area who does the kind of work that resonates with me. Turns out, it wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be...

Self-Care, Joy and Cinnamon Rolls

Rebecca R. Susi, LCMT — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:00:15 +0000

In my last post I talked about food as self-care and which foods I use in this way. Some of these foods I eat more often than others. Some are healthier than others. I guess you could also call some of these foods comfort foods. (Sometimes comfort and self-care are the same thing.) Sometimes my self-care includes a… ahem… cinnamon roll. Here is the recipe I use for cinnamon rolls (a.k.a. sticky buns in my family)...

Cinnamon Rolls and Collard Greens as Self-Care

Rebecca R. Susi, LCMT — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 01:49:29 +0000

So you probably know by now that I am a fan of self-care. Yay, self-care! Self-care can take many different forms and may vary for each person. Generally it involves any way we choose to improve our health and well-being, on our own, on a regular basis. Self-care can include the foods we eat, physical activity, social activity, learning new things, using tools such as massage, acupuncture and yoga and many other wonderful choices and practices. Self-care includes things that make us happy and improve the quality of our life and our well-being. One of the things I try to include in my every day self-care (besides my Maya self-care massage) is eating well and eating foods that I love...

How Can Massage Help Someone With Cancer?

Rebecca R. Susi, LCMT — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:11:07 +0000

Massage has much to offer a person living with cancer by improving many of the side effects of cancer and cancer treatment. Massage can reduce pain, anxiety, and depression. It can bolster the immune system and control nausea. It can also relax, energize and improve sleep. At a time when many treatments used cause pain and discomfort, massage therapy provides nurturing and restorative touch. Massage can empower a person to provide him or herself...

Great Massage Therapist: Good Listening Required

Rebecca R. Susi, LCMT — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:02:03 +0000

In order to be a great massage therapist I need to listen intently. I need to listen to what you say about your life and your body. When you come for a massage I will ask what has been going on in your life and how your body is feeling. Do you have any areas that are bothersome, tight, or painful? Do you have issues or areas on which you want me to focus? People usually do have at least one, if not several, areas of pain, tension, or injury. It is important as a therapist that I pay close attention to what my client is telling me and showing me. When you are on the table for your massage, I want to make sure I address the issues we have discussed. I am listening. Don’t fret that I haven’t listened if I work in areas other than...

It's the Little Things

Rebecca R. Susi, LCMT — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 23:35:17 +0000

In seeing clients over the past few months and introducing them to Maya Abdominal Therapy I have realized something; how easily we become accustomed to things being slightly off, bothersome or not in balance. We dismiss things if they hover below a certain threshold. When we live with something every day or every month, and it is not something too severe then we may adapt to it. But should we? Clients have come to me to experience Maya Abdominal Therapy and learn self-care, thinking they have have no specific issues...

My Favorite Things for Massage

Rebecca R. Susi, LCMT — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:22:58 +0000

I want to share some of my favorite tools for massage with you. You can use them at home for comfort, relaxation and self-massage, or you can visit me sometime for a massage and try them out. I love them, my clients love them and I hope you will too!

Green Spring Clean Giveaway

Rebecca R. Susi, LCMT — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:47:28 +0000

Mountain Rose Herbs is running a contest where you can win all the ingredients you need for a naturally clean and aromatic home. I love their essential oils, teas, and carrier oils. I don't know about you, but I would love to win these goodies! So what are you waiting for? Go enter!