Mindfulness Massage Therapy
Thank you for taking the time to discover what 'Mindfulness' Massage Therapy could do for your overall health and wellbeing!
A note from Alana...
I have been researching Mindfulness Practice for several years and I would like to share some of its benefits with you.
What is Mindfulness Practice?
Mindfulness is gaining a growing popularity as a practice in daily life, apart from buddhist insight meditation and its application in clinical psychology.[26] In this context mindfulness is defined as moment-by-moment awareness of thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, characterized mainly by "acceptance" - attention to thoughts and feelings without judging whether they are right or wrong. Mindfulness focuses the human brain on what is being sensed at each moment, instead of on its normal rumination on the past or on the future.[109]
What are some of the benefits of 'Mindfulness' Massage as it relates to Massage Therapy?
- through focused full-diaphragmatic-breathing you will reduce your Sympathetic Nervous System (fight-or-flight) & increase your Parasympathetic Nervous System (rest & digest), increase your circulation system, relax your muscles & mind…
- improve the overall effects of your massage therapy session through being present & aware of what you are feeling/sensing, while your Massage Therapist manipulates your tissue(s) for therapeutic &/or stress reducing purposes
- stress reduction & maintenance of healthy cortisol levels
What will actually occur if I request a 'Mindfulness' Massage Therapy session?
Everything you would expect from a regular Massage Therapy session, except the focus will be on you being mindful of your experience during the Massage Therapy session. This may likely include focused deep-breathing (aka full-diaphragmatic-breathing), being mindful of your breathe & body; and generally integrating complete relaxation into your therapeutic treatment. We can also include techniques such as: body scan(s), visualization etc. And most importantly, my job will guide you to be mindful of your thoughts as they arise; letting them arise, acknowledging them and letting them go throughout the session. I will also ask you how much or how little guidance, you feel comfortable with!
Any questions or comments are welcomed! Email: alanahamelin@gmail.com
Give it a try… Simply let me know in the note or comment section when booking online, or let me know by phone or email!
*Alana Hamelin's experience(s) include:
Meditation (Non-guided and guided meditation: ~146 hours, 852 sessions - at a minimum through 'Headspace' www.headspace.com (using the app); experience including other apps, such as 'Calm', 'Insight Timer', Energy work & personally lead meditation)
Yoga course (completed Yoga Teacher Training (YTT200) at Janati Yoga School - Meditation/mindfulness is a significant part of a Yoga Practice (2019-2020)
Advanced Meditation Teacher Training course - for Yoga Teachers (Winter 2021)
Other: Workshops, wellness retreats, & yoga classes, yoga & meditation books & audiobooks (For example: Pema Chodron's books - incredibly inciteful & highly recommend)
Resource links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindfulness
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindfulness#Therapy_programs
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindfulness#Scientific_research
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mindfulness-anderson-cooper-60-minutes-2/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diaphragmatic_breathing
http://www.cmto.com/for-the-public/about-the-profession/about-massage-therapy/
http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/cortisol.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cortisol
http://www.amazon.com/The-Science-Yoga-Risks-Rewards/dp/1451641435
