 I don't know about you, but I've been thinking a lot about my breath lately (and monitoring it for changes). The breath reflects our internal state and can be a great way to gauge how we're feeling in the moment. It's very common during times of stress to restrict the diaphragm, our major breathing muscle and breath more shallowly. Focusing on breathing deeply into the belly slows the heart rate and blood pressure as well as switches the body out of "fight or flight mode." Deep belly breathing also gives our organs a gentle massage which can help to regulate digestion.
Here's a simple how to: 1.) Lay down flat with a pillow or bolster under your knees. 2.) Rest one hand on your rib cage (heart area) and one hand on your abdomen. 3.) Slowly start to regulate and even out your breath. This can be done by counting in for 4 on the inhale and out for 4 on the exhale. 4.) Inhale through your nose, drawing the breath in deeply to the abdomen. Feel the expansion of the abdomen with the hand that is resting there. 5.) Purse your lips and slowly exhale out of the mouth feeling the abdomen contract. 5.) Do this for 5-10 minutes or more. Checking in with your breath regularly throughout the day and using this tool to regulate it can start to train your body to breath this way naturally. This is also a great exercise to do before bed to settle into sleep mode and let go of the stresses of the day.
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 February is Heart Awareness Month and tomorrow is Valentine's Day. It's a great time to give your heart a little extra love. Our energetic hearts are influenced by our physical heart's health and vice versa. Many of the practices that are being suggesting are ones that I have picked up and/or adapted for myself over the last couple years.
Rose Oil Rose oil can be applied to your chest (or whole body) daily for some nice heart support and boundary medicine. According to my herbal teacher, Jessie Belden, rose can help our hearts to be open and receptive while also staying protected from encroachment. You can see this in the rose itself as a beautiful open flower which has grown thorns along it's stem for protection. You can make a simple solar infused rose oil by filling a jar with rose buds (about 3/4 of the way full) and then filling the rest of the jar with oil (jojoba, almond, olive and/or grapeseed oil are great). Make sure that the rose buds are fully covered by 1-2 inches of oil at the top. Seal the jar and let in sit on a windowsill for 2-4 weeks. The sun will warm the oil and help it to infuse with the rose buds. Shake the oil every day and give it a little love. After the 2-4 weeks, strain the rosebuds out. I like to keep my rose oil in the refrigerator and take a small portion out for using so that it stays preserved longer. You could also buy a rose infused oil, rose lotion or add a drop of rose essential oil to your daily lotion. Focused breathing for the heart In Chinese Medicine, the Heart organ system is deeply connected to all of the emotions of the body. Specifically, the Heart organ system is connected to the Spirit and the emotions of joy and love when in balance. When unbalanced we can tend towards hatred or cruelty. A simple way to nourish the Heart organ system is to do this simple breathing technique adapted from Chi Nei Tsang and the Taoist tradition. Find a comfortable sitting or lying down position. Close your eyes and focus your attention at your heart. Feel what the space around your heart. It may feel constricted or tight. It may feel open and expansive or somewhere in between. When you breath out imagine breathing out any hatred or cruelty that is accumulating around your heart. When you breath in, imagine a red nourishing light full of love and joy filling the space. As you breath you can repeat the mantra, "I breath out hatred and cruelty and breath in love and joy." You can take as many breaths as you need to start feeling openness in the area. At the end, sit for a couple breaths and feel the heart area full of warm, red light and a feeling of love and joy. Heart nourishing tea blend Some of my favorite herbs for the heart are linden, hawthorn and rose. You can make your own simple heart nourishing tea by mixing 3 parts linden flower and leaf, 1 part hawthorn flower and leaf and 1 part rose buds.* Mix all the herbs together so they are evenly distributed and store in an airtight container. To brew the tea, infuse one teaspoon of the mixture in a tea ball or strainer with 8 oz of hot water. Steep for 10-15 minutes and drink. *A "part" can be any quantity. For example, if you wanted to make a small batch of the herbal tea you could use 1 oz as a part. The recipe would be 3 oz linden flower and leaf, 1 oz hawthorn leaf, and 1 oz rose buds. I recommend using hawthorn leaf instead of hawthorn berries. Berries are denser plant matter and need a longer process to extract the herbal medicinal properties. A great place to buy bulk herbs is at The Medicine Tree in Minneapolis. Rose Quartz This is my favorite stone for the heart. It's said to be the Stone of Unconditional Love and is a gentle pink color. It can be used for healing the heart, increasing compassion and appreciation for ourselves and loved ones. You've probably noticed that I keep some in my room at Wellness Minneapolis. I like to think that they infuse the space with these properties as we work on your bodywork goals. You can buy small bits of Rose Quartz at a local rock shop like The Enchanted Rock Garden and keep them in your pocket. Necklaces with Rose Quartz are excellent as they keep the stone close to your heart. Hope you find these heart nourishing tips fun and simple. May your hearts be happy and healthy.  . This winter has seemed pretty mild to me. Little less snow, not as cold. I thought I was cruising through pretty unscathed until it hit. The winter doldrums.
During the winter, I try to allow myself to relax more, do some reflection, meditate more, and generally be quieter or stiller. It seems to match what is going on outside anyway. Over the last week, I started to question if my stillness was turning to stagnation and then something happened on Sunday that reminded me of the power of movement during times of stagnation. On Sunday evening, I had plans to meet a friend at a yoga class. Had been looking forward to it all week, but when the time came to leave for class I was feeling anxious, bummed out and generally did not want to leave the house. For anything! Off I went to yoga class, wondering if I should have just stayed home. Within the 90 minute yoga class, my mood flipped from anxious and bummed out to grounded, calm and clear. It was truly a transformation. Over the next couple days, I kept thinking about how stark the difference in my mood and physical state were before and after the class. Since I practice bodywork, I also started to think about how yoga and bodywork are really similar in their ability to dramatically transform our physical and emotional states. Both yoga and bodywork create physical movement. During a yoga practice, you are placing your body in different poses to open up different areas of the body and using breath to direct energy throughout the body. A well sequenced class can focus on a specific area of the body or intention like easing anxiety or stress and leaves the whole body feeling balanced as a whole. During a bodywork session the therapist is moving your body with manual techniques to free up areas of tension and pain, release stuck energy and stretch joints. Bodywork increases circulation and lymph and can aid in the detoxification process. Yoga and bodywork have both been clinically researched to prove their efficacy in working with depression and anxiety. Massage has been proven to decrease cortisol levels on average 31% and increase serotonin on average 28% and dopamine on average 31% (1). Yoga has also been proven to decrease cortisol levels (2). Cortisol levels tend to be high during times of stress. Increased serotonin and dopamine make you feel better. Yoga and bodywork both can be used as self care tools to reconnect to the body and breath. One of the things that I appreciate about doing yoga or getting bodywork is that focuses my awareness on what is going on in each part of my body. Is there pain, feelings of stuckness, restriction in my breath? The expertise of the therapist or yoga instructor facilitates this tour of the body and holds a nurturing space for healing. Both yoga and bodywork remind us of the container that is our body and the boundary of the physical body. A super bonus for those of us that tend to walk around in our heads for most of the day. All of this is to say that if you are starting to feel the winter doldrums it may be time to shake things up a bit with a bodywork session or a yoga class or some other activity that can create a shift. I also like to go for walks or use aromatherapy when movement or a mood shift is needed. Movement breaks up stillness and it's always helpful to have a healthy balance of both. References: 1. Hou, W.H., Chiang, P.T., Hsu, T.Y., Chiu, S.Y., Yen, Y.C. (2010). Treatment effects of massage therapy in depressed people: a meta-analysis. J Clin Psychiatry. 71(7):894-901. 2. J. Thirthalli, G. H. Naveen, M. G. Rao, S. Varambally, R. Christopher,1 and B. N. Gangadhar. (2013). Cortisol and antidepressant effects of yoga. Indian Journal of Psychiatry. 55(Suppl2): S405-S408.  There have been so many new and expecting parents in my life lately! Many of my friends are becoming parents and I have seen an influx of bodywork clients who are pregnant or new parents in the last couple months. All this parentness has inspired me to write a post about how awesome bodywork can be during pregnancy and as a person enters the realm of parenthood. Medical professionals are increasingly recommending bodywork during pregnancy for pain, stress and anxiety relief. Although one massage during pregnancy is great, regular bodywork during pregnancy and throughout the time of parenthood can be a wonderful addition to any expecting or new parent's self care routine.
For clients that are pregnant, massage can be a great way to relieve discomfort from the musculoskeletal changes that are inevitable during pregnancy. It is also a wonderful way to sooth anxiety or stress that comes with the current and expected changes to life. Bodywork is generally safe for pregnant individuals through the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester. High risk pregnancies can still benefit from bodywork, but be sure to let your practitioner know so that they can additionally modify the session. If you are not sure if bodywork is right for you it's always a good idea to check with your doctor first. Specific Symptoms that bodywork can address during pregnancy:
How is bodywork during pregnancy different than regular bodywork? Focus of the session: In general, bodywork for pregnant clients is focused on relaxation and increasing comfort. A session can focus on addressing any of the common symptoms that arise during pregnancy: sciatica, muscle/joint pain, stress and anxiety, edema, and decreased circulation. Specific work can be done to relief muscle and joint pain, but there are certain areas of the body where deep digging is avoided because of the vulnerability of these areas. During pregnancy, the body releases relaxin, a hormone that allows for the bones and joints to shift to make room for the baby. Work in the hips and low back is more gentle. Greater care is taken when stretching to take into consideration that the joints and bones are more loose and easily manipulated. In Shiatsu, certain acupressure points are avoided as to not move the energy too forcefully downward. Positioning: Special cushions are used to support the body during pregnancy. The cushions can be used to a certain point in the pregnancy (usually through the 1st trimester) to allow you to lay face down without pressure on the abdomen. The cushions can also be used to support you in laying on your side or in a semi-reclined position on the back. Getting a massage while laying on your side feels different than a regular massage, but still covers all the bases and allows for areas like the back, neck and shoulders to be worked on. How often to come: While one bodywork session during pregnancy is awesome, regular bodywork can have additional benefits and increase comfort for the parent and child. According to an article in Parent's magazine: "Studies from the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami suggest that moms-to-be who get a weekly massage have lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol and higher levels of the feel-good hormones serotonin and dopamine. Researchers have linked these hormonal changes to fewer childbirth complications, including a 75 percent reduction in premature births among depressed women. Though you don't need to be depressed to reap the benefits of massage, another Touch Research Institute study found that pregnant women suffering from depression had significant improvement in mood, as well as decreased anxiety, after receiving a 20-minute massage twice a week." Bodywork for all new parents Continuing to get regular bodywork after pregnancy is a great way to establish much needed self care into the new routine of raising a child. Postnatal massage can help the body adjust back to it's pre-pregnancy shape more comfortably. It can also be helpful to all parents as they get used to new movements that come with raising children: feeding, carrying the baby and juggling carriers and bags. I have found that many of these sessions are focused on neck, shoulders, back and hips as you get used to these new movements. Stress and anxiety relief are also incorporated to sooth the mind and enhance the mood as parents move through this transitional time. References: 1. https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-body/pampering/prenatal-massage/. The Benefits of Prenatal Massage by Belle: University Chancelor.  I don’t like to pick bodywork favorites, but shiatsu is pretty magical. To quote one of my teachers,”If massage and acupuncture had a baby, it would be shiatsu.”
Well, that sounds good, right?! The form of shiatsu that I work with the most is based in Traditional Chinese Medicine and called Shiatsu Anma. This form takes into account the whole body (physical, emotional, and energetic) when developing a treatment. A person might book a shiatsu treatment for a myriad of concerns including chronic physical pain and tension, pain from an injury or accident, headaches, sleep or digestive issues. Chinese Medicine considers any pain or dysfunction in the body as a symptom of imbalance. Shiatsu means “finger pressure,” and most techniques are applied with the thumb, fingers, or palms of hand pressing into the body. Kneading techniques may also be used and joint mobilization and stretching is an integral part of most treatments. Shiatsu treatments focus on restoring balance by working on the meridians (energy pathways) and specific points along the meridian. What will you experience during a treatment? A thorough intake is done on the first visit. This includes discussing your main concern and any related areas that may help me get a clear picture of your current and past health history. I will look at your tongue and take your pulses. Tongue and pulse diagnosis is a common way for a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner to get a clear understanding of where you may be struggling with balance. During the treatment, you will remain fully clothed. No lotion or oil is used, except for occasionally on the neck or abdomen. Staying fully clothed can make this an exceptionally accessible form of bodywork for those that have mobility issues, past trauma, are shy about practitioners working directly on their skin, or just don’t enjoy the oily massage feeling. It’s best to wear something that is loose and comfortable. In the same way, that therapeutic massage techniques can be performed more gently or more deeply, shiatsu also works at varied levels in the tissue. I always encourage clients to give me feedback about pressure. The whole body will be addressed during a treatment. The reason for this is that shiatsu focuses on the meridian system of the body and also that bodies function as a whole, not in parts. The meridians run in different lengths and pathways throughout the body. During a treatment, I work on the area that you are experiencing pain as well as the whole length of the meridian and/or any meridians that may be involved to create a smooth flow of Qi (energy) and other vital substances in the body. What happens afterwards? Post treatment effects vary from person to person and are based on your sensitivity as well as the treatment itself. Most often people feel more balanced and grounded after a shiatsu session. Muscular pain and tension should be decreased and you may notice your sleep or digestion improved. Like any other forms of bodywork you will most likely have marked changes right away and may continue feeling the work unravel for 24-48 hours after the session. It’s always a good idea to drink extra water and take it easy after any bodywork. If you enjoy baths, taking an epsom salt bath or a relaxing walk after your treatment can be beneficial. Each person and situation is different in regards to the way that they respond to a treatment. Follow up work may be needed and I always encourage regular treatments (usually every 4-6 weeks) for folks interested in continuing to explore the magic of shiatsu.  Despite our wintry excitement this week, it's beginning to feel a lot like springtime. Spring is one of my favorite times of the year. There is nothing like feeling the warmth of sun on your face after many chilly months. I also love clearing out the clutter, throwing the windows open and finally being able to go on long walks with my pooch. Conversely, springtime can be a physically, mentally and energetically uncomfortable time for many of us.
Learning more about Chinese Medicine and it's connection to nature has made a world of difference in my life as I move through the extremes of season here in Minnesota. My dad always told me to "work smarter, not harder." I like to take that phrase to heart when thinking about navigating through the seasons. Would you like to learn more about the springtime according to Chinese Medicine principles and how you can support yourself through the season? Here goes: In Chinese Medicine, it is thought that our bodies are simply a small universe within the larger universe. In this way, changes to the external world are often replicated in our bodies. One major way to observe this is how our bodies respond to season changes. Each season is connected to one of the five elements (fire, earth, metal, water and wood). Each element is connected to a pair of "organ systems". An organ system is a holistic and more energetically focused understanding of some of the forces that govern our body's functions. This is not to be mistaken with the Western physiological function of the organs, although there is considerable overlap. Each element is associated with a season, color, sound flavor, balanced/unbalanced emotion and much more. By association, Spring is connected to the Wood element and the Liver and Gallbladder organ systems. It is also associated with upward/expansive energy, new beginnings, the color green, the sour flavor, and the sound "Shhh." The balanced emotions are generosity and kindness and the unbalanced emotions of anger and frustration. The Wood element's energy is upward and expansive. During the winter, a lot of energy is spent reflecting and restoring our bodies. Plans get generated and energy is build to implement them. When spring hits we are ready for action. Think about the amount of force a little sprout has to use to push through the ground to get to sunlight. It's a lot! We feel the energy within us. This makes the springtime a wonderful time to start new projects, renew goals, join a group, and generally plant seeds for the future. The Liver and Gallbladder organ systems are particularly prone to fullness. Additional upward and expansive energy in these organ systems during the spring can result in increased neck and shoulder pain and headaches. I see this a lot in my practice! It's a great time to add in more stretching, especially lateral stretches. It's also a good time to schedule regular bodywork and acupuncture. Grounding exercises, meditation and journaling are also helpful tools for balancing all the outward energy if it's starting to feel like too much. Spring is the time for new beginnings and it's also a great time clear out any clutter in your surroundings and in the body. Chi Nei Tsang (abdominal massage) is a great way to support any cleanse or detoxification program you may be doing this spring. It's also a great stand alone therapy to support clearing and detoxify the organs. Incorporating cleansing breathwork, going for walks, and simply committing to drinking more water can also help get your system moving. Anger and irritability are the predominant emotions of an imbalanced wood element. You may find these emotions more prevalent in the spring time. Preemptively focusing on kindness and generosity can be a particularly great practice during the spring. Volunteer, donate the items that you no longer need, help a friend, give all the hugs. Also look for ways to express that anger in a healthy manner. Other fun ways to support the Wood element would be to incorporate the colors, sounds and flavors. You can't go wrong with eating more green foods. Also incorporating more sour foods into your diet can be supportive, although this it is best to not go too overboard with this one. A little sour goes a long way. The sound associated with the Wood element is "Shhh." One way that you could incorporate this is by taking 10 deep breaths and when you exhale make the sound forcefully. This could help dissipate any extra Wood element energy that is rising in the body. There are so many ways to support the Wood element during the springtime. I hope you enjoyed learning about some of them. This is a topic I like to get really nerdy about, so please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or want to know how you can learn even more.  I'm not one for New Year's resolutions, but there are some big changes in the works. Personal improvement is often at the forefront of my mind. I struggle with wanting to be more intentional, kind and patient AND remain accepting and loving of myself right where I am at.
As we move into the new year, my focus is on: Reconnecting to my breath. The breath has a powerful ability to nourish, break up stagnation and ease anxiety. Deep belly breathing is my go to. I notice that times of stress, anxiety and overwhelm often correlate with a feeling of breathlessness. Using deep belly breathing, helps my mind and body relax which gives me space to organize my thoughts. How to deep belly breath: during inhalation, focus on gently pulling the breath all the way down to your pelvis, letting your abdomen and rib cage expand. Exhale when comfortable. Take as many of these breaths as you need. Moving from Fear to Fearlessness. I'm learning that my actions often come from a place of fear. Fear about finances, fear about security, fear of the unknown. Fear is our bodies way of telling us that there is a potential threat. This may or may not be true. Being aware of the fear, but not attaching to it allows for more intentional choices. This year, I am planning on moving from a place of fear to a place of fearlessness. Creating deep connections with my community and clients. As I spend a longer period of time in practice, I have had the opportunity to observe how regular bodywork can be a catalyst and support for deep change. It may sound a little woo woo, but I truly do think that if more people got bodywork there would be less war. To help make bodywork more accessible to EVERYONE I have started offering a limited number of sliding scale opportunities. More info about sliding scale is under the Practice Updates section of this newsletter. I'm also enjoying becoming more rooted in the Kingfield neighborhood and am looking forward to doing more collaboration with small businesses in the area. Growing my business. My practice relies on having a solid client base. Go Figure! I have found that word of mouth referrals are my bread and butter. Please keep me in mind if someone you knows could benefit from bodywork. A solid internet presence is also key to building a business in this day and age. Please help me be found on the internet by reviewing me on google. You don't even know how much an awesome review can give a small business owner the warm fuzzies. Continuing to learn from client feedback. What you think matters. ALOT! I strive for the highest level of client satisfaction. Feedback of any kind is super helpful and allows me to better serve you. Do you love or hate the music that I play? Is the pressure too deep or just right? Are you broiling under that blanket, but afraid to speak up? Let me know! Also what changes in yourself have you noticed since we started working together? Bodywork is often focused on pain management, but it can be so much more. Regular bodywork can improve mood, sleep and digestion. It can help with stress management and anxiety. It can break down areas of stuckness that we didn't even know existed. Additionally, what areas you are interested in learning more about outside of the treatment room? If you haven't noticed, Traditional Chinese Medicine theory is my jam, but what kinds of information do you crave? Are you interested in learning more about anatomy, stretches to alleviate pain, self-massage techniques that you can do at home? What kinds of workshops are interested in attending? Help me help you! Email me at adawsbodywork@gmail.com Over the last year, I have been delving deeper into the world of Chi Nei Tsang (abdominal massage) and it is so exciting! As you know, the abdomen is the physical storage container for all major organs. In Western Medicine, we connect these organs to many functions of the body including digestion, detoxification, and elimination. In the Taoist tradition, which Chi Nei Tsang is rooted in, very similar physiological functions are attributed to the organs as well as a number of other associations including emotions, colors, seasons of the year, sounds, animals etc. Under this holistic framework,Chi Nei Tsang sessions can:
Want to know more? Here are some frequently asked questions about Chi Nei Tsang: What are you doing when you are massaging my belly? The main goal for treatments is to clear out physical and energetic knots and tangles (stagnation) so that Qi (energy) can flow smoothly. A smooth flow of Qi allows for a pain free environment where organs can function at their best. Balanced organs are connected to balanced emotions, strong immune systems and healthy bodies. Are you really going to rub my belly the whole time!? Yes, the majority of the session will involve massage directly on your abdomen. I often incorporate breathwork and meditation into the session. Also don’t be surprised if you are sent home with homework. Doing self-massage on the abdomen and/or a specific meditation focused at an organ between sessions is a great way to speed up the clearing and healing process. Does it hurt? Massage should never hurt, but there may be tenderness in areas. We will work to a depth that is comfortable for you as well as deep enough to affect change. I like to think about it as peeling an onion. We will start by addressing the first layer of tension. Within the session and with regular sessions we will be able to peel away layers for long lasting change. Can Chi Nei Tsang help with pain/tension in other areas of my body? Yes! Releasing physical tension in the abdomen can have a direct affect on other areas of the body such as the low back, neck and shoulders. Here's an example of how abdominal massage can affect lower back pain due to constipation: When a person is chronically constipated the large intestine physically enlarges with fecal matter that is not being eliminated. The expansion of the large intestine puts pressure on the surrounding organs as well as the lower back. Addressing chronic constipation with abdominal massage and promoting regular elimination reduces this pressure from the lower back. Interested in trying a session!? I recommend a 30 or 60 minute session if you would like to work solely in the abdominal area. Chi Nei Tsang can also be incorporated into a longer full body session. I recommend a 75, 90 or 120 minutes if you would like to include abdominal work into a full body session.  What is Chi Nei Tsang?
Chi Nei Tsang is a form of abdominal massage that is rooted in Taoism. It focuses on clearing energetic and physical blockages in the abdomen so that the Chi (energy) can flow smoothly. Chi Nei Tsang treatments:
Who is a good candidate for Chi Nei Tsang? Most people can benefit from Chi Nei Tsang, BUT it can be especially helpful for:
What is a Chi Nei Tsang session like? Sessions start with a thorough intake focused on the client's goals for the session, their health history, energy levels, sleep/digestion patterns, physical activity, and where any pain in the body is felt. The client will lay on the massage table face up and bring shirt up and shimmy pants down to pubic bone to expose abdomen. We will start with connecting to the breath and having the client sense areas of tension in the abdomen and whole body. I will use manual technique with oil and essential oils to increase circulation, break up areas of tension, stimulate organs, clear pathways of elimination, etc. We may also do specific breathwork or mediations based on the client's needs. Between sessions: I like to give homework! Homework depends on the client's goals for the sessions. I may have them do daily abdominal breathing, self massage, or meditation. I often also recommend an observational exercise related to their goals. Feel free to contact me with any questions you have about Chi Nei Tsang and how it could benefit you. Cupping and Gua Sha are techniques that can be incorporated into your regular bodywork session or scheduled as a separate 30 minute service. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the cause of pain, stiffness and tension is often due to blockages in the meridians (energy pathways) of the body. Cupping and Gua Sha (and Shiatsu!) all focus on clearing these blockages for an easy flow of Qi and Blood, which can help with chronic/acute pain, headaches and migraines due to muscular tension, and even reduce the severity and recovery time from colds and fevers. Cupping can be done in a variety of ways using glass, plastic or bamboo cups. Suction is created with fire or a manual pump. I use plastic cups and a manual pump. The cups are placed on the area of discomfort and related areas. The cups can be moved, called slide cupping or left in place. Gua Sha is a scraping technique. A variety of tools can also be used for this including: wood, stone, bone. Techniques are usually used on the area of discomfort and related areas. I use a small wooden hand tool. What does it look like and how will it feel?Cupping
 After the cups are removed, you may have round marks that vary in color from light pink to dark purple. The color indicated the amount and type of blockage in the meridian that is causing the tension. The marks usually go away in 3-5 days. They should be covered until they are no longer visible. Sometimes the area will feel dry after a treatment. Apply lotion as needed. Gua Sha
How do you know if it's right for you?A thorough intake is always done before utilizing either of these techniques. Cupping and Gua Sha are not recommended for clients that are weak, have a compromised immune system or if the blockage in the meridian is due to deficiency. Generally they are safe techniques. Please let me know if you are interested in learning more! I would be happy to talk to you about it and demonstrate what it looks and feels like. Above is a very general description of Cupping and Gua Sha.
If you want to get science nerdy about it follow this link for an in-depth article about the science behind Guasha: https://www.pacificcollege.edu/news/press-releases/2015/05/05/science-gua-sha. |
AuthorAmy Daws is a trained Therapeutic Massage, Shiatsu, and Chi Nei Tsang therapist. She is interested in the way that these modalities can bring healing and joy to people's lives. Archives
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