Reiki for Athletes

Last year was my first time attending a local race. I attended as part of the CNY Healing Arts massage therapy team offering post-event massage to assist in the recovery process for the athletes. It was so rewarding for me to share my services at such an amazing community event! What surprised me was how much education I provided in addition to actual massage therapy work. So, this year, I’m excited to offer you some ideas and thoughts BEFORE your event so you have the tools you need to keep yourself healthy and performing at your best! Today I would like to introduce you to the health benefits of incorporating Reiki into your routine.

What is Reiki?

For those of you who are not familiar with Reiki, it is a natural method of healing that brings alignment, balance, health and well-being to the recipient’s body. Due to the supportive nature of Reiki, it is a wonderful complement to anything you are already choosing as part of your self-care or medical care. Reiki practice releases energetic blockages, tension, and toxins from the body and is deeply restorative. It looks a lot like massage but is not the same. Instead of manipulating the muscles, it fosters healing that encompasses the mind, body and soul. Reiki is completely safe and has no known negative side-effects. From a scientific point of view, Reiki produces results on an electromagnetic level. From recent research, it appears Reiki acts to electromagnetically ‘jump-start’ the body’s own healing process by producing changes in vibrational frequency that, in turn, stimulate physical changes in the body.

How does Reiki Support Athletic Performance?

The health benefits of Reiki are becoming more recognized every day, and its popularity is growing, due successful integration into hospitals and other health care organizations, due to people sharing word of mouth success stories and because of recognition in the media, such as being featured on “The Dr. Oz” show.

For athletes, Reiki is supportive as a training aid, as a way to heal from new or old injuries, and as a way to improve the time for post-workout/event recovery. It is also a great tool to help boost the level of your overall performance! Here is a detailed list of ways Reiki may support you:

• Reiki can help prevent severe injury
• Reiki improves concentration and focus, creating a centered mind
• Reiki relieves muscle soreness and stiffness
• Reiki improves post-workout recovery, speeding up the healing of old and new injuries
• Reiki can reduce the healing time of injury and makes the healing process more comfortable
• Reiki supports athletes to be calm, secure & focused in the face of stress
• Reiki supports a positive mental outlook, creating a winning mind
• Reiki supports “refueling your gas tank” to relieve fatigue and to re-energize

 

Treatment – What to Expect

During the session, the person being treated is fully clothed and lies comfortably on a massage table with a pillow or bolster under his/her knees to protect the low back from undue stress. Blankets and extra pillows are always available to increase comfort and warmth if need be. The session begins with the recipient lying face up while the practitioner places his/her hands over strategic body positions designed to direct the flow of energy to the chakras and associated organ and endocrine systems of the body. Halfway through the hour, the person receiving Reiki turns face down, and the session continues.

A Reiki session lasts from one hour to one and a half hours in length. The area in which the session is offered is arranged to promote a feeling of relaxation and peace. It is normally quiet with only the addition of soft music. The person receiving can focus on themselves, going deep within, and take a break from daily stress and tension.

Falling asleep or entering a deep meditative state of mind is a normal response to receiving Reiki. This can be an indicator of a number of different factors. Most of us do not get enough rest, and the act of lying down–even for short periods of time–can prompt a state of deep relaxation. Add to that a constant flow of healing energy, and the stage is set for the body to go into a restorative mode.

Once the session is complete, the person receiving is invited to take a few minutes to integrate and absorb the work before beginning to sit up. It is common to experience a deep sense of peace and relaxation followed by a feeling of being energized. At least an hour of free time is recommended following the appointment to allow for a gradual reentry to the world. Eating a healthy meal, taking a leisurely walk, or sitting quietly are activities which often serve as a good transition to resuming whatever is planned for the rest of the day.

If you would like to explore reiki and the healing that it can offer, we welcome you to visit our website to learn more: http://cnyhealingarts.com, we have locations in Syracuse, Albany and Rochester, NY.

By Erin McCollough, LMT, RYT, Reiki Practitioner
2244 East Ave, Rochester, NY
585.244.1280
emccollough@cnyhealingarts.com

Your Core Health – Relieving Digestive and Reproductive System Ailments with Maya Abdominal Massage

I never dreamed as a massage therapist of being able to help people in such profound ways. Two years ago, my journey as a healer led me to learn The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy. Since then, I have been blessed to assist hundreds of women and men heal, release and navigate through life with no pain.

Abdominal massage has been known and practiced by healers for thousands of years. Throughout history, healers in Central America (home of the Maya) have used these techniques to assist men and women with their digestive and reproductive health.

My teacher, Rosita Arvigo, learned from several healers over 30 years that she spent living in Central America. Her mentors, Don Elijio Panti, a great Maya shaman of Belize and Miss Hortence Robinson, a renowned herbal midwife in Belize, represent an unbroken chain of knowledge passed down from generation to generation. I feel blessed to be a link in this chain and to be able to offer ATMAT to the Rochester community.

The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy (ATMAT) is an external, non-invasive manipulation using only hands to reposition reproductive organs and improve blood flow to digestive organs. It is gentle and supports the body’s natural healing power. The inherent ability to be self-regulating, self-healing and self-regenerating is known as homeostasis, or balance within. ATMAT works by improving organ function by relieving congestion and blockages to improve the flow of fluids of the circulatory, lymphatic and nervous systems to prevent the progression of chronic disease and symptomology.

A typical ATMAT treatment session starts with a comprehensive review of personal history and health care needs. This is followed by a back and abdominal massage as well as stretching to align the pelvis. Additional techniques are sometimes applied to complement the ATMAT techniques such as Reiki, Swedish or deep tissue massage. Last but not least, the session ends with a consult focused on lifestyle choices and self care techniques that can be applied at home. Follow up sessions are based on individual goals and results.

The techniques are used both as a preventative measure as well as to treat acute symptoms. The most common symptoms relieved by ATMAT treatment:

WOMEN:

* Displaced or prolapsed uterus * Painful periods and/or ovulation * Irregular menstrual cycles and ovulation * No menstruation at all * Recurrent pregnancy loss * Fertility issues * Bladder or yeast infections * Endometriosis * Uterine polyps * Painful intercourse * PMS/depression * Ovarian cysts * Peri menopause, menopausal symptoms * Discomforts of pregnancy (UTI’s, sciatica, low back pain, indigestion, heartburn, varicose veins, constipation, headaches, stretch marks, round ligament pain, edema, pain in pubic bone or tail bone) * Breech positioning of baby during pregnancy

MEN: * Early stages of prostate swelling * BPH * Prostatitis

EVERYONE: * Headaches/migraines * Digestive disorders * Chrohn’s disease * Frequent urination * Alleviates varicose veins

To learn more about Maya Abominal Therapy, visit www.arvigomassage.com or www.cnyhealingarts.com.

About the author:
Erin McCollough, LMT, RYT

Erin uses her twelve years experience of practicing complementary medicine to help nurture and support healing for women and men. Erin attended both Penn State University and Syracuse University to obtain a Bachelors of Science. While attending Syracuse University, Erin enrolled in a yoga class. That choice has forever changed her life. Since then, she obtained a degree from the Onondaga School of Therapeutic Massage and is both a NYS licensed massage therapist as well as a nationally certified massage therapist through the NCBTMB. In addition, Erin completed the Essential Yoga Teacher Training with Francois Raoult, is a Registered Yoga Teacher through the Yoga Alliance, and has completed both professional training in The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy (ATMAT) and advanced ATMAT for fertility and pregnancy ( www.arvigomassage.com). Her own journey into motherhood is her inspiration for assisting women to obtain optimal fertility and reproductive health.

Erin can be reached at: EMcCollough@cnyhealingarts.com

Rochester CNY Healing Arts Center Newsletter – May, 2010

One thing that makes CNY Healing Arts in Rochester unique is our class offerings. We have recently expanded our schedule to offer you more of what you already love and a few new classes that we are confident you will come to love once you give them a try!

Why classes at CNY?

• only studio in Rochester to offer yoga classes outside on a beautiful, custom mahogany deck (weather permitting of course)
• only studio in Rochester to offer 3 prenatal yoga classes per week
• only studio in Rochester to offer yoga for fertility
• affordable package rate ($72 for 6 classes)

Here is the newly expanded class schedule!

Monday:
All Levels Hatha Yoga, 5:00-6:00 pm
Prenatal Yoga, 6:15-7:30 pm
Tuesday:
Intro to Hoopdance, 6:00-7:00 pm * Limited space so pre-registration required
Wednesday:
Prenatal Yoga,  5:00-6:15 pm
All Levels Hatha Yoga, 6:30-7:45 pm
Thursday:
Building Energy with Qi Gong, 4:45-5:45 pm
Yoga for Fertility, 6:00-8:00 pm
Saturday:
“Baby and Me” Yoga, 9:00-10:00 am
Prenatal Yoga, 10:15-11:30 am

*All of our classes are ongoing. The cost is $16 to drop in to a class or $72 for a package of 6 classes (expires in 10 weeks).

Rewards Program and More
We are very excited to announce a new Rewards Program. We are honored that you chose us to serve you on your path to better health & wellness and have created our Rewards Programs to save you money. Click here to read more.

Mother’s Day
Since Mother’s Day is just around the corner (Sunday, May 9th) we have two ideas on how to make this day special for you and her.

1. With the introduction of our new rewards program, you will now be rewarded for purchasing a gift certificate for your mother! Receive 10 times the gift certificate amount in points you can redeem towards services of your own when you purchase a gift certificate.
2. Treat your mom and yourself to a spa day at CNY!

Upcoming Workshops
Connecting with your Higher Self, Tuesday, May 11th at 6pm
A guided meditation experience:  Join Julie Cramer, holistic life coach, intuitive and healer, as she guides you in a meditation to “meet” and reconnect with your higher self and learn how to get guidance and healing for your own life right from this beautiful source within.  *Cost is $15 per person. *RSVP to rochregister@cnyhealingarts.com

Weight Loss with Acupuncture Workshop, Thursday, May 13th, 6-7pm
Join Shelley for this informational session that will provide support for anyone seeking to lose weight.  *No cost to attend. *RSVP to rochregister@cnyhealingarts.com

Financial 101 Workshop, Sunday, May 16th, 3pm-5pm
Eileen Price and Lisa D. Miller from AXA Advisors are creating a network called Women Wealth & Wisdom.  They hold fun seminars for women to provide a comfortable atmosphere for women to speak freely about finances and answer questions they might have.  Lisa is a Wharton certified Retirement Planning Specialist.  Eileen is new to the world of finance but her years of work in the Syracuse Community brings a new vision on financial planning.  *No cost to attend
*RSVP to rochregister@cnyhealingarts.com

Cleaning with Essential Oils Class! Thursday, June 17th from 6-8 pm
Learn which essential oils are good for cleaning and how to incorporate Aromatherapy into your household cleaning routine.  $20 includes recipes and an antimicrobial cleanser we will make in class.  Class size is limited to 8 students.
*RSVP to rochregister@cnyhealingarts.com.

Featured Articles
Christa Tyson writes about  Yoga to Purify and Detoxify the Body. Click here to read it.
Meranda Thomas writes about  Ear Candling at CNY Healing Arts in Rochester. Click here to read it.
Shelley Szymko-Carroll writes about Building Energy with Qi Gong. Click here to read it.
Erin McCollough writes about Oprah and Maya Abdominal Massage for Fertility. Click here to read it.

FREE Qi Gong Classes in May
Buy 4, Get 1 Free:  acupuncture, massage, or Aveda Elemental Nature facial

Rochester CNY Healing Arts March Newsletter

We are so pleased to announce the introduction of esthetics services at CNY Rochester! Starting in March, you will be able to schedule a variety of new wellness spa treatments including facials, body treatments, waxing and ear candling. All of our skin care and body treatments will feature the earth friendly AVEDA product line.  We trust AVEDA for ALL CNY clients because it is an all-natural line. There are no chemicals or artificial fragrance and has never been tested on animals. AVEDA products are comprised of almost all organic plants and flowers. This past June, Health magazine named AVEDA the “Best Natural-Product Line”.

Our esthetician, Meranda Thomas, has been an esthetician for over 10 years! It is her mission to educate you on taking care of yourself as a whole, inside and out. What does she enjoy most about her job? Seeing her clients come in happy and leaving even happier and feeling more at peace. Book an appointment with Meranda in the month of March, and receive 25% off your service(s).

NEW Services at CNY:

Green Science Skin-Renewing Treatment
Aveda’s signature 5 Phase Massage treatment. Combines powerful,high-tech plant technology with high-touch skin therapy to renew, repair and regenerate your skin. Clinically proven to lift and firm the skin, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve smoothness, tone and clarity, and reduce the appearance of age spots. Total rejuvenation.

Perfecting Plant Peel
Our professional facial masque actively smooths and retextures skin with the instant exfoliation and radiance benefits of a 30% glycolic peel without the associated redness and irritation. Warms skin, helping to open pores. For all skin types.

Elemental Nature Facial
Restore balance to your skin with a customized, relaxing facial. Includes a thorough skin analysis, deep cleansing, detoxifying, refining, massage, a masque and hydration.

Botanical Skin Resurfacing
Aveda’s alternative to microdermabrasion. Combines the power of tourmaline with a hands-on approach for smoother skin texture, fewer fine lines and wrinkles, decreased pore size, and significantly more radiance – without the irritation and inflammation.

Outer Peace™ Acne Facial
A botanical approach to treating acne – personalized with extractions and professional exfoliation – and utilizing Aveda’s Outer Peace™ Acne Relief with 100% naturally-derived salicylic acid.

Back Facial
A truly relaxing and invigorating experience. Focusing on deep cleansing, exfoliation and re-hydration of the back and shoulders. Feel confident exposing your smooth and clear skin.

Enbrightenment™ Discoloration Facial
Traditional Asian massage techniques combine with 100% naturally derived Brightening Blend to help diminish the appearance of dark spots and improve skin’s visible clarity.

ADD-ONs to any treatment:

• Eye Zone Treatment
• Focus on diminishing fine lines, puffiness and dark circles with a Firming
• Treatment containing anti-oxidants including Vitamins A, C and E.

Perfecting Plant Peel
Our professional facial masque actively smoothes and retextures skin with the instant exfoliation and radiance benefits of a 30% glycolic peel without the associated redness and irritation. Warms skin, helping to open pores. For all skin types.

Waxing: Eyebrows, Lip, Chin, Jaw, Full Face (eyebrows, lip, chin and jaw), Underarms, Half Arm, Full Arm, Back,    Chest and Stomach, Half Leg, Full Leg, Bikini, French Bikini (More hair removal than a regular bikini wax but less than a full Brazilian wax.)

Ear Candling
Ancient Chinese tradition that helps remove toxins, wax and yeast buildup from the ears. This is a non-invasive, super relaxing treatment that includes sinus massage using aromatherapy.

Girl’s Night Out is BACK!!!!!!
Invite your family and friends for an evening of relaxing and renewing with the girls! Instead of a coffee date, schedule your next gathering with the girls at CNY! Tuesday, March 23rd from 6-8pm.

Enjoy a sampling of the following:
.    chair massage
.    hot stone massage
.    Hoopnotic® Hoopdance
.    Mini-facials
.    Acupuncture Sample and more….

*RSVP-to rochregister@cnyhealingarts.com
Fee: $2o to hold your spot
Space is Limited
Light refreshments and wine will be served

Here are some great informative articles shared with you by our practitioners:

1.    Building Energy with Qi Gong
2.    Infant Massage at Baby and Me yoga

Also, below are several upcoming free workshops offered at our Rochester Center:

1.    Meditation for Life

2.    Smoking Cessation
3.    Aromatherapy Workshop for Pregnancy and Beyond
4.   Weight Loss

Rochester, CNY Healing Arts Prenatal Newsletter

Please enjoy the February Prenatal Newsletter from our Rochester, CNY Healing Arts Center, below. We are conveniently located at 2244 East Ave, Rochester, NY. If you have any questions about our services or would like to schedule an appointment, please call 585.244.1280.

One of our goals at CNY Healing Arts Center is to offer comprehensive holistic services for our prenatal and postnatal clients.  We understand that what you eat, what you do for exercise and how you handle stress can have far-reaching consequences for both your health and the health of your baby. That is why we have grown our staff to include massage therapists, acupuncturists, and yoga teachers to meet all of your day-to-day needs during this time.  CNY Healing Arts has a team of practitioners who are experts in holistic care for fertility and pregnancy.  Here’s a few examples of how we can work together with your health-care provider to ensure that both you and your baby receive everything you need for a joyful and healthy pregnancy.

3 Trimesters & Your Health: Utilizing Yoga, Acupuncture & Massage

First Trimester:
Acupuncture is recommended weekly to help secure implantation, prevent miscarriage, and promote the development of a healthy placenta. Prenatal acupuncture can also help alleviate symptoms of morning sickness and the exhaustion of early pregnancy.

Second Trimester:
Prenatal yoga teaches you breathing techniques and yoga postures to get your body active and stretched, creating space for your growing baby. Also, yoga class provides a great opportunity to create a network of support with other moms.

Prenatal massage assists in fetal development by supporting the body’s circulation, bringing more oxygen and nutrients to the fetus and removing stagnant fluids. Therapeutic touch provides your developing baby with stimulating and nurturing input. Massage is recommended monthly, or as needed, to help mom stay healthy and ease physical discomforts of pregnancy such as upper and lower backache, hip tightness and sciatica.

Acupuncture is recommended on a monthly basis to maintain the well-being of you and your baby. It is also recommended weekly, or as needed, as a great safe way to treat ailments (like colds, skin rashes, and headaches) that pregnancy may bring.

Third Trimester:
Acupuncture is recommended monthly for the six weeks of this trimester and weekly thereafter to encourage a timely and comfortable delivery. Acupuncture can help ease the pain in your hips and lower back, as well as relax you for the upcoming labor.

Prenatal yoga will focus on strength and mental preparedness for childbirth. Adding the practices of meditation and yoga nidra (yoga sleep) will help you get a good night’s rest and prepare you for childbirth and the joys and stresses of baby’s first few weeks of life.

Prenatal massage encourages a healthy labor, eases muscular tension, increases hip flexibility and reduces swelling and other discomforts. It increases endorphins and serotonin, promoting hormone-balance, relaxation, and a sense of well-being for both mother and baby. Massage is recommended as needed and weekly for the last 6-8 weeks of pregnancy.

Aromatherapy Workshop: Safe Essential Oils For Pregnancy & With Babies
Wednesday, March 24, 6:00-7:30pm
$20 per person
RSVP Required to rochregister@cnyhealingarts.com

If you are interested in learning how to naturally support your health during pregnancy as well as your baby’s health, please join us for this hands-on class. You will learn which essential oils are best to use during pregnancy and with babies and how to use them, and will make a blend to take home with you. You will also be given several handouts for further exploration of oils at home.

Mindy MacLaren is a nationally certified Aromatherapist and mother to twin girls. She has experience using oils during her own pregnancy and now, with her daughters, and she looks forward to sharing her knowledge with you!

This Months Highlights:

Loaning Library:
Open to clients at CNY Healing Arts.  Christa has a slew of books on Pregnancy, Childbirth and Parenting topics.  If would like more information email Christa for the Library List.  If you have old books you would like to donate, just drop them off at CNY-Rochester!

CNY Birth Book:
Christa is putting together a book of encouragement/birth announcement book for prenatal students.  If you were in Christa’s prenatal yoga class and would like to participate please fill out the following questionnaire. Feel free to send in a picture of your new baby! Email Christa with your answers to the questions below at ctyson@cnyhealingarts.com

1.) Baby’s Name, Parent’s Name, Birth Date and Time, Length and Weight

2.) Where did you deliver?  Who was your care provider?

3.) What was your favorite part of labor?

4.) Was there anything you learned in prenatal yoga that helped you during labor?

5.) Where there any other tricks that worked well for you during labor (positions, visualizations, etc…)

6.) What words of advice or encouragement do you have for new moms?

7.) Other Comments:

CNY Healing Arts at Rochester Wedding Expo

Brides and Grooms To Be: It was such a pleasure to meet you at the recent Rochester Wedding Expo! We met so many wonderful people there and got a chance to learn and share so much. Please keep CNY Healing Arts Center in your thoughts for when you are planning your engagement party, bridal shower, spa-themed bachelorette party, or when you need a little relaxation and pampering. Enjoy the virtual slide show of our Rochester, NY facility below.  We welcome you to call our center to schedule an appointment to take a live tour as well – 585.244.1280. In addition to providing our space for events, we offer massage, yoga, and acupuncture services . Read more