A massage for all seasons
Human bodies are built to adapt to external environments and seasons. Over time, we have forgotten to listen to our bodies and to respect their needs especially when we go from extreme cold weather to milder temperatures.
Changes in seasons or foreign travel to hotter or colder climates can have a significant effect on our physiology.
For health, wellbeing and relaxation, Energya's top tips are to look after our bodies by having a tailor-made massage programme adapted to each season.
Winter:at the beginning of the year, while we are still covered in layers and layers of clothes to keep ourselves warm, the cold weather makes our muscles feel stiff and achy. That's when a deep tissue massage can be useful. If performed quite briskly, a deep tissue massage using a bit of friction can warm up the muscles, making them less tense by releasing knots and adhesions. And if we've been indulging in rich foods that have left a nice, comfy layer of fat all around our waistline, a vigorous treatment can help to break down fat deposits for re-absorption into the bloodstream.
Spring:spring-cleaning our system is always a good idea after long winter nights with less sunlight and less exercise. Our digestion may have suffered in the winter with fatty foods and now it's time to support our digestion with a healthier diet. Abdominal massage is perfect to give our digestion a kick-start and facilitate elimination and detoxification. Abdominal massage works rather deeply into the small and large intestine to help shift what's inside for easier transit and evacuation. Or, in other words, to make it easier to go to the loo. This technique can also help to lose a few pounds over time and get a flatter stomach. Of course we still need to combine massage with healthy eating and exercise, but it is good to know that we can give nature a helping hand while we get ready for the summer.
Summer: manual lymphatic drainage is the ideal solution for swollen ankles when the weather is sticky. In the summer we also tend to travel more: sitting in crammed airplane seats can be detrimental for the circulation in our legs and we may end up with swollen feet. Lymphatic drainage is performed with light, rhythmic movements to pump the lymph and any toxins contained in it towards the main filtration points: ankles, knees, hips, wrists, elbows, armpits, collarbone, neck. Lymphatic drainage is like a chimney sweeper brushing away toxins and excess fluid trapped in our muscle tissues.
Autumn: time to wind down after an action-packed summer. Weather getting cooler again, days getting shorter. To avoid feeling blue and run-down, you can get your sparkle back with a natural facelift massage. The facelift technique works on the muscles of the face to give them a workout. It has also more profound benefits than just giving you a better appearance because it also works on the central nervous system. You will find yourself more able to relax and have a good night's sleep. Better sleep means better concentration at work, less wrinkles and a slimmer frame. In fact, those who lack sleep even tend to put on more weight.
Energya can help you during the transition from one season to the next by creating personalised massage and healthy eating plans. Now it's up to you to look after Number One.
For more information on massage treatments offered by Paola Bassanese of Energya see the website www.energya.co.uk
Saturday, 18 April 2009
Sunday, 1 March 2009
My personal bereavement journey
Dealing with bereavement
Paola Bassanese
My Dad died between 2.30 and 5.30am on Thursday 14th August 2008. My Mum found him peacefully departed in his sick bed at home. He was 73 and died of colon cancer.
My Mum and sister lived with him in Italy whereas I left my family home in 1996 to move to London. Sometimes I feel guilty I wasn't there when he died, but then again in 2008 alone I flew to see my family in March, June, July, November and December. Dad was briefly hospitalised in June and he urged me to go and see me; he was given one month to live, but then he made a somewhat unexpected recovery for about a month and when I went to see him at home in July 08, although painfully thin, he had so much zest for life it was practically unbelievable he was the same man as the one lying all tubed up in a hospital bed a month before.
I call this the miracle of love. I am not particularly spiritual even though I was raised a Catholic in Italy and have been dabbling with meditation and read about Buddhism. But in this case, this was love in the shape of having the support of a loving family that helped my father through the last few weeks of his life.
I was really selfish as I kept on working at my clinics between flying visits to Italy because I was so proud that I proved my Dad wrong. He didn't agree on my decision to leave the civil service and start a new career as a complementary therapist.
Then again, I feel blessed that I have ironed out my differences with my Dad just a month before he died: he told me he was proud of me and he encouraged me to continue my nutrition studies that I had started earlier on in 2008.
He also told me he would really like me to find someone and be happy. Bless him.
The funeral ceremony was beautiful, we found an agency that took on all the logistics from the flowers to the obituary on the local newspaper and we got complimented on how well organised it all was. Men in while gloves carried the coffin from the church into a Mercedes (my Dad's favourite car!) that drove slowly to the burial site.
It was weird to see so many relatives i didn't know, some of them came from Croatia where my Dad was from originally; a slice of Croatia used to be part of Italy and my Dad emigrated from his small village to move to Trieste when former Yugoslavia took over his native territory in 1956.
It was lovely to see one of my dear friends who took time off work to come to the ceremony. She lost her father a year and a half ago and her words were very poignant: she said that everybody's grief is different and that I will learn a way to deal with my loss over time.
My mum's cousin and her husband gave us a lot of support and helped us with the funeral organisation, we wouldn't have done it without them. As a family we never, ever, asked for help and were very proud of that. But I have learnt that it is important to ask for help when you lose someone and friends and family are more than happy to support you when you need them. So I would say don't be afraid to ask for help.
All in all this was a good farewell.
In my heart of hearts I knew that that man in that wooden box was not my father, that his spirit lives within me and that he is in a much better place. I felt very prepared for the event. He is not suffering anymore and is not limited by his earthly body which had betrayed him.
I had read books about death and I have been practising daily meditation and giving myself Reiki healing. More healing came from writing long emails to my friends in London. I also give thanks each day for my wonderful family, all the experiences that have made me grow, my fantastic friends and clients.
Seeing my Mum planning daily activities to keep busy was so inspiring. She said that for her it was like hell not to live with her husband anymore because he was the love of her life. They were married for 45 years and she cared for him emotionally and physically until the very end. She thought that he was calling her for help every night but these were nightmares she had every night as she suffered from insomnia. Keeping busy helped her deal with her loss. She found an inner strength I have never seen in her, because as an Italian woman brought up to be a good wife and mother she was always depending on my Dad and followed his lead as head of the family. The transformation in her was extraordinary. We created this strong family unit made of myself, my Mum and my sister, with this beautiful female energy that supported us during those though initial weeks since my Dad's death.
I left Italy a month after my Dad left this world; in a way, the old me died as well and a new me has emerged. I like the new me because she wants to be in this world to serve others and bring happiness in other people's lives.
I have learnt that if you just let it, life will teach you the way.
Paola Bassanese
My Dad died between 2.30 and 5.30am on Thursday 14th August 2008. My Mum found him peacefully departed in his sick bed at home. He was 73 and died of colon cancer.
My Mum and sister lived with him in Italy whereas I left my family home in 1996 to move to London. Sometimes I feel guilty I wasn't there when he died, but then again in 2008 alone I flew to see my family in March, June, July, November and December. Dad was briefly hospitalised in June and he urged me to go and see me; he was given one month to live, but then he made a somewhat unexpected recovery for about a month and when I went to see him at home in July 08, although painfully thin, he had so much zest for life it was practically unbelievable he was the same man as the one lying all tubed up in a hospital bed a month before.
I call this the miracle of love. I am not particularly spiritual even though I was raised a Catholic in Italy and have been dabbling with meditation and read about Buddhism. But in this case, this was love in the shape of having the support of a loving family that helped my father through the last few weeks of his life.
I was really selfish as I kept on working at my clinics between flying visits to Italy because I was so proud that I proved my Dad wrong. He didn't agree on my decision to leave the civil service and start a new career as a complementary therapist.
Then again, I feel blessed that I have ironed out my differences with my Dad just a month before he died: he told me he was proud of me and he encouraged me to continue my nutrition studies that I had started earlier on in 2008.
He also told me he would really like me to find someone and be happy. Bless him.
The funeral ceremony was beautiful, we found an agency that took on all the logistics from the flowers to the obituary on the local newspaper and we got complimented on how well organised it all was. Men in while gloves carried the coffin from the church into a Mercedes (my Dad's favourite car!) that drove slowly to the burial site.
It was weird to see so many relatives i didn't know, some of them came from Croatia where my Dad was from originally; a slice of Croatia used to be part of Italy and my Dad emigrated from his small village to move to Trieste when former Yugoslavia took over his native territory in 1956.
It was lovely to see one of my dear friends who took time off work to come to the ceremony. She lost her father a year and a half ago and her words were very poignant: she said that everybody's grief is different and that I will learn a way to deal with my loss over time.
My mum's cousin and her husband gave us a lot of support and helped us with the funeral organisation, we wouldn't have done it without them. As a family we never, ever, asked for help and were very proud of that. But I have learnt that it is important to ask for help when you lose someone and friends and family are more than happy to support you when you need them. So I would say don't be afraid to ask for help.
All in all this was a good farewell.
In my heart of hearts I knew that that man in that wooden box was not my father, that his spirit lives within me and that he is in a much better place. I felt very prepared for the event. He is not suffering anymore and is not limited by his earthly body which had betrayed him.
I had read books about death and I have been practising daily meditation and giving myself Reiki healing. More healing came from writing long emails to my friends in London. I also give thanks each day for my wonderful family, all the experiences that have made me grow, my fantastic friends and clients.
Seeing my Mum planning daily activities to keep busy was so inspiring. She said that for her it was like hell not to live with her husband anymore because he was the love of her life. They were married for 45 years and she cared for him emotionally and physically until the very end. She thought that he was calling her for help every night but these were nightmares she had every night as she suffered from insomnia. Keeping busy helped her deal with her loss. She found an inner strength I have never seen in her, because as an Italian woman brought up to be a good wife and mother she was always depending on my Dad and followed his lead as head of the family. The transformation in her was extraordinary. We created this strong family unit made of myself, my Mum and my sister, with this beautiful female energy that supported us during those though initial weeks since my Dad's death.
I left Italy a month after my Dad left this world; in a way, the old me died as well and a new me has emerged. I like the new me because she wants to be in this world to serve others and bring happiness in other people's lives.
I have learnt that if you just let it, life will teach you the way.
Saturday, 22 November 2008
Paola's top tips on coping with the recession
1. THE NUMBER 1 PRIORITY. Improve the quality of your sleep and take regular breaks at the office to increase productivity (being chained to your desk for 12-15 hours a day just doesn't cut the mustard! You need to take breaks!).
You lose 1 IQ point for every hour of lost sleep! To improve your sleeping patterns try the Natural Facelift Massage www.energya.co.uk
2. THE TRIVIAL BUT TRUE. Have plants at home and at the office. Plants release oxygen, absorb toxic ratiations and formaldehyde emissions and improve air quality in air-conditioned environments [Source: The Healthy Home, Gina Lazenby]. Exposure to radiation from mobile phones and computers can deplete your immune system (that's why you haven't been able to shift that nasty cold you've been nursing for the past 3 weeks!) and can increase your stress levels. Remember that the more stressed out you are, the less likely you become to make good decisions. Also, your memory and concentration tend to lapse (so, what was it again that I need to get for my home and office?).
Have a walk at lunchtime for at least 15-20 minutes to get fresh air, get your mind off things, take in some vitamin D from the sun to fix your calcium levels; plan some exercise into your diary and make it an unmovable appointment.
3. THE "WHY DIDN'T I THINK ABOUT IT?". Use any spare time you have to make order in your life: from getting rid of old clutter (why not sell on eBay those useless Christmas presents you got in 1995, I'm sure someone will buy them!), to writing down career and training plans. This is the right time to learn a new skill especially if - unfortunately - you are currently unemployed or may be made redundant. You apply for free or government-subsidised courses which can ultimately help your future career progression. If your focus is more on self-development, you can choose from a wide variety of subjects (needlework anyone?) and you never know, a hobby can turn into a profitable activity later on - it happened to me! A training provider on leadership and networking I partner with is Aquitude www.aquitude.com
4. THE EXTRA HELP. Choose an alkaline diet over an acidic one to strengthen your immune system, brainpower and general health. HANDS OFF THAT CHOCOLATE! I CAN SEE YOU!
Acidic forming foods are those we tend to crave the most (ouch!) like tea, coffee, chocolate, sugary snacks, processed meats and alcohol (it seems like a good idea to unwind at the pub with a pint of beer or 6 but your liver won't be a happy chappy and your sleep may become restless and shallow).
Alkaline foods include vegetables, pulses, nuts, seeds and wholegrains. For a personalised eating consultation please go to www.energya.co.uk.
5. LAST BUT NOT LEAST... THE ABSOLUTE VITAL TO BEAT THE CREDIT CRUNCH. Get free professional help from these sources: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com, http://www.debtadvicebureau.org.uk, http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk, http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk.
Recessions come and go. This is my third recession already (no I am NOT 100 years old thank you very much!) and I've seen bubbles burst before only to inflate back again.
Use this time wisely to build strong foundations in your personal, family and work life. It is a worthy investment that will never be affected by global markets or shares fluctuations.
Paola Bassanese
Copywriter
You lose 1 IQ point for every hour of lost sleep! To improve your sleeping patterns try the Natural Facelift Massage www.energya.co.uk
2. THE TRIVIAL BUT TRUE. Have plants at home and at the office. Plants release oxygen, absorb toxic ratiations and formaldehyde emissions and improve air quality in air-conditioned environments [Source: The Healthy Home, Gina Lazenby]. Exposure to radiation from mobile phones and computers can deplete your immune system (that's why you haven't been able to shift that nasty cold you've been nursing for the past 3 weeks!) and can increase your stress levels. Remember that the more stressed out you are, the less likely you become to make good decisions. Also, your memory and concentration tend to lapse (so, what was it again that I need to get for my home and office?).
Have a walk at lunchtime for at least 15-20 minutes to get fresh air, get your mind off things, take in some vitamin D from the sun to fix your calcium levels; plan some exercise into your diary and make it an unmovable appointment.
3. THE "WHY DIDN'T I THINK ABOUT IT?". Use any spare time you have to make order in your life: from getting rid of old clutter (why not sell on eBay those useless Christmas presents you got in 1995, I'm sure someone will buy them!), to writing down career and training plans. This is the right time to learn a new skill especially if - unfortunately - you are currently unemployed or may be made redundant. You apply for free or government-subsidised courses which can ultimately help your future career progression. If your focus is more on self-development, you can choose from a wide variety of subjects (needlework anyone?) and you never know, a hobby can turn into a profitable activity later on - it happened to me! A training provider on leadership and networking I partner with is Aquitude www.aquitude.com
4. THE EXTRA HELP. Choose an alkaline diet over an acidic one to strengthen your immune system, brainpower and general health. HANDS OFF THAT CHOCOLATE! I CAN SEE YOU!
Acidic forming foods are those we tend to crave the most (ouch!) like tea, coffee, chocolate, sugary snacks, processed meats and alcohol (it seems like a good idea to unwind at the pub with a pint of beer or 6 but your liver won't be a happy chappy and your sleep may become restless and shallow).
Alkaline foods include vegetables, pulses, nuts, seeds and wholegrains. For a personalised eating consultation please go to www.energya.co.uk.
5. LAST BUT NOT LEAST... THE ABSOLUTE VITAL TO BEAT THE CREDIT CRUNCH. Get free professional help from these sources: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com, http://www.debtadvicebureau.org.uk, http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk, http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk.
Recessions come and go. This is my third recession already (no I am NOT 100 years old thank you very much!) and I've seen bubbles burst before only to inflate back again.
Use this time wisely to build strong foundations in your personal, family and work life. It is a worthy investment that will never be affected by global markets or shares fluctuations.
Paola Bassanese
Copywriter
Friday, 21 November 2008
Technology article: Access management: Unsung, but sexy
http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/security/0,39044215,38016425,00.htm
Originally published by Ovum (c)
Access management: Unsung, but sexy
By Paola Bassanese, ZDNet
Thursday, September 20, 2001 11:11 AM
COMMENTARY--Everybody may be talking about public key infrastructure (PKI), but only a few companies and providers have implemented it. In the meantime, other access security technologies have gained ground and access management has proven to be one of the most successful.
Access management performs different functions. For starters, it enables systems administrators to create, delete and edit user accounts. It allows them to assign rights to groups and individuals to view, copy and store information and to assign rights to users to perform processes and transactions. Also, it automatically reconfigures the system when employees leave, thus helping to avoid keeping user accounts of ex-employees open and vulnerable to exploitation.
Briefly put, access management can provide a cheaper alternative to PKI for creating groups of trusted individuals or organizations. In a trading exchange, for example, user rights are granted to trading partners for looking up prices and availability of products and services.
Access management's popularity continues to rise alongside the demise of PKI-enabled applications. PKI in general is different from access management because it deals with the identification of the users, whereas access management deals with what users are allowed to do with applications. PKI-enabled applications are a shortcut to resolve the issue of trusting where the application is coming from. All three types of technologies--PKI, access management, PKI-enabled applications--are complementary and can be used in combination or on their own to provide higher levels of trust for users accessing data and applications.
Why access management?
Compared to more sophisticated and expensive security implementation, access control and management--that is, the software and processes to grant users access rights to systems and applications (for example, an Intranet or extranet)--is enjoying great popularity. Many enterprises have given it priority over other IT security projects.
Access management is a type of technology within the access security category, which comprises: firewalls, PKI and access control and management.
After initial enthusiasm about PKI-enabled applications--that is, applications that have embedded security based on PKI technology (the typical example is secure e-mail)--security vendors are moving back to more traditional technology for access management. Entegrity, for example, is a vendor that had managed to market PKI-enabled applications successfully, but then realized that building security into applications is not as effective as securing the applications server. Entegrity will still push its PKI toolkit, but market demand remains low.
PKI-enabled applications: yesterday's stars, today's flop?
When first launched, PKI-enabled applications were hyped as being one of the best things that could happen to the e-security industry. However, they have not gained the mindshare that vendors hoped. Applications such as secure e-mail still have hopes for future success, provided that they can be controlled from a central management console, as today applications must be re-coded manually. Until a solution is available to solve this issue, there are a few chances for these applications to be deployed on a large scale.
However, the wave two ASP model could solve this problem due to its one-to-many distribution model. A second-wave ASP delivers an application as a centrally managed service only and has been designed from the ground-up for this form of delivery.
Some vendors managed to pick up early warning signs; for example, Tivoli, RSA Security and Entegrity have changed their strategy to accommodate the access management market, and have reorganized their resources in order to invest more in this type of technology in terms of sales support. Few eyebrows were raised when vendors announced new products for access management because, to be fair, access management is 'old hat'. Nevertheless, organizations have real problems granting the right level of access to users. They need to deploy a system in a short time frame and the system must be easy to control from a central point.
Most vendors of PKI-enabled applications have already diversified their offering, but one requirement is to improve the existing functionality of their applications to ensure they can be updated automatically, not manually. PKI will not disappear because it has few rivals in the intra-enterprise arena, but there is a market need for access management applications that are easier to use and flexible pricing models.
Access management vendors should expand their support of complementary products such as firewalls either through their own R&D or through partnerships.
So-called wave two ASPs have a real opportunity to reinforce security within their applications and therefore have an additional element of differentiation in their offerings, by partnering with access management specialists and embedding access management within their application servers.
Maintenance of the access management component will be quick and easy due to the true one-to-many distribution of the wave two model, thereby eliminating the usual problem of upgrading.
Paola Bassanese
Creative Writer and SEO
www.energya.co.uk
Originally published by Ovum (c)
Access management: Unsung, but sexy
By Paola Bassanese, ZDNet
Thursday, September 20, 2001 11:11 AM
COMMENTARY--Everybody may be talking about public key infrastructure (PKI), but only a few companies and providers have implemented it. In the meantime, other access security technologies have gained ground and access management has proven to be one of the most successful.
Access management performs different functions. For starters, it enables systems administrators to create, delete and edit user accounts. It allows them to assign rights to groups and individuals to view, copy and store information and to assign rights to users to perform processes and transactions. Also, it automatically reconfigures the system when employees leave, thus helping to avoid keeping user accounts of ex-employees open and vulnerable to exploitation.
Briefly put, access management can provide a cheaper alternative to PKI for creating groups of trusted individuals or organizations. In a trading exchange, for example, user rights are granted to trading partners for looking up prices and availability of products and services.
Access management's popularity continues to rise alongside the demise of PKI-enabled applications. PKI in general is different from access management because it deals with the identification of the users, whereas access management deals with what users are allowed to do with applications. PKI-enabled applications are a shortcut to resolve the issue of trusting where the application is coming from. All three types of technologies--PKI, access management, PKI-enabled applications--are complementary and can be used in combination or on their own to provide higher levels of trust for users accessing data and applications.
Why access management?
Compared to more sophisticated and expensive security implementation, access control and management--that is, the software and processes to grant users access rights to systems and applications (for example, an Intranet or extranet)--is enjoying great popularity. Many enterprises have given it priority over other IT security projects.
Access management is a type of technology within the access security category, which comprises: firewalls, PKI and access control and management.
After initial enthusiasm about PKI-enabled applications--that is, applications that have embedded security based on PKI technology (the typical example is secure e-mail)--security vendors are moving back to more traditional technology for access management. Entegrity, for example, is a vendor that had managed to market PKI-enabled applications successfully, but then realized that building security into applications is not as effective as securing the applications server. Entegrity will still push its PKI toolkit, but market demand remains low.
PKI-enabled applications: yesterday's stars, today's flop?
When first launched, PKI-enabled applications were hyped as being one of the best things that could happen to the e-security industry. However, they have not gained the mindshare that vendors hoped. Applications such as secure e-mail still have hopes for future success, provided that they can be controlled from a central management console, as today applications must be re-coded manually. Until a solution is available to solve this issue, there are a few chances for these applications to be deployed on a large scale.
However, the wave two ASP model could solve this problem due to its one-to-many distribution model. A second-wave ASP delivers an application as a centrally managed service only and has been designed from the ground-up for this form of delivery.
Some vendors managed to pick up early warning signs; for example, Tivoli, RSA Security and Entegrity have changed their strategy to accommodate the access management market, and have reorganized their resources in order to invest more in this type of technology in terms of sales support. Few eyebrows were raised when vendors announced new products for access management because, to be fair, access management is 'old hat'. Nevertheless, organizations have real problems granting the right level of access to users. They need to deploy a system in a short time frame and the system must be easy to control from a central point.
Most vendors of PKI-enabled applications have already diversified their offering, but one requirement is to improve the existing functionality of their applications to ensure they can be updated automatically, not manually. PKI will not disappear because it has few rivals in the intra-enterprise arena, but there is a market need for access management applications that are easier to use and flexible pricing models.
Access management vendors should expand their support of complementary products such as firewalls either through their own R&D or through partnerships.
So-called wave two ASPs have a real opportunity to reinforce security within their applications and therefore have an additional element of differentiation in their offerings, by partnering with access management specialists and embedding access management within their application servers.
Maintenance of the access management component will be quick and easy due to the true one-to-many distribution of the wave two model, thereby eliminating the usual problem of upgrading.
Paola Bassanese
Creative Writer and SEO
www.energya.co.uk
Natural Facelift Article
NATURAL FACE LIFT MASSAGE: LOOK MORE YOUTHFUL AND REFRESHED IN JUST ONE HOUR
www.holisticworld.co.uk
There are days when you think you just want to take a duvet day. You look in the mirror and the only things you see are baggy eyes, tired skin and general lack of energy. Depending on your lifestyle, a combination of poor sleep, alcohol and tobacco consumption, sun exposure, sleep deprivation, lack of water, fresh fruit and vegetables can all show on your face. Your skin appears grey and lifeless. Let's face the facts about your face: in your twenties you only needed to spend five minutes a day on your skincare, but over time your total investment in yourself has to increase to reap the benefits of a better looking and youthful appearance.
So why do we age? Stress can cause the muscles of the face, neck and shoulders to tighten and constrict the blood flow to the skin leading to a restriction in oxygen and nutrients. The collagen and elastin fibres of the skin’s connective tissue become locked together, restricting mobility of the facial muscles and giving a drawn appearance. Of course there are many quick fix solutions available today from botox to surgical procedures, but how many people are willing to go under the knife and, more importantly, spend thousands of pounds on surgical procedures?
Natural Face Lift Massage is one of the options available to look and feel younger. Just like you need to work out at the gym or practice a sport to increase your strength and stamina and boost your circulation and immune system, so is a targeted skincare regime for your face that works on the muscles and tissues to support the production of elastin and collagen. During a massage over ninety face and neck muscles are worked on as well as several acupressure and reflexology points.
Why does the Natural Face Lift Massage work? The massage stimulates blood circulation and boosts the production of collagen in the tissues. It is a very gentle technique and yet you can see results after only one treatment. It is normally advisable to have a course of six one hour treatments to have longer-lasting effects.
The clear advantage of using Natural Face Lift Massage is that it is non invasive, it is deeply relaxing and improves sleep patterns but most importantly it raises the client's awareness of how habitual facial expressions like frowning can draw fine lines on the skin. This improved awareness is the client's best ally to fight the aging process: most clients report that the facial exercises help them improve the way they use their facial muscles, they have made positive changes in their diets and increased their water intake as a result of a course of treatments.
http://www.holisticworld.co.uk/your_say.php?article_id=29
Paola Bassanese, Energya Ltd, creative writing and SEO
www.energya.co.uk
www.holisticworld.co.uk
There are days when you think you just want to take a duvet day. You look in the mirror and the only things you see are baggy eyes, tired skin and general lack of energy. Depending on your lifestyle, a combination of poor sleep, alcohol and tobacco consumption, sun exposure, sleep deprivation, lack of water, fresh fruit and vegetables can all show on your face. Your skin appears grey and lifeless. Let's face the facts about your face: in your twenties you only needed to spend five minutes a day on your skincare, but over time your total investment in yourself has to increase to reap the benefits of a better looking and youthful appearance.
So why do we age? Stress can cause the muscles of the face, neck and shoulders to tighten and constrict the blood flow to the skin leading to a restriction in oxygen and nutrients. The collagen and elastin fibres of the skin’s connective tissue become locked together, restricting mobility of the facial muscles and giving a drawn appearance. Of course there are many quick fix solutions available today from botox to surgical procedures, but how many people are willing to go under the knife and, more importantly, spend thousands of pounds on surgical procedures?
Natural Face Lift Massage is one of the options available to look and feel younger. Just like you need to work out at the gym or practice a sport to increase your strength and stamina and boost your circulation and immune system, so is a targeted skincare regime for your face that works on the muscles and tissues to support the production of elastin and collagen. During a massage over ninety face and neck muscles are worked on as well as several acupressure and reflexology points.
Why does the Natural Face Lift Massage work? The massage stimulates blood circulation and boosts the production of collagen in the tissues. It is a very gentle technique and yet you can see results after only one treatment. It is normally advisable to have a course of six one hour treatments to have longer-lasting effects.
The clear advantage of using Natural Face Lift Massage is that it is non invasive, it is deeply relaxing and improves sleep patterns but most importantly it raises the client's awareness of how habitual facial expressions like frowning can draw fine lines on the skin. This improved awareness is the client's best ally to fight the aging process: most clients report that the facial exercises help them improve the way they use their facial muscles, they have made positive changes in their diets and increased their water intake as a result of a course of treatments.
http://www.holisticworld.co.uk/your_say.php?article_id=29
Paola Bassanese, Energya Ltd, creative writing and SEO
www.energya.co.uk
Can driving a car give you a headache? Article
Can driving your car give you a headache?
"I tend to get 2-3 headaches a week", a client of mine complained recently. In my usual Miss Marple style, I started my investigations to get to the root of the problem. I am always looking for root causes – sometimes our physical pain stems from an emotional issue or incorrect posture.
During the conversation with my client I discovered that the pain was travelling from the left shoulder all the way up the neck, over the head and terminating at the forehead. By manipulating the top layers of muscles in the left shoulder I then discovered an area of tension with an accumulation of toxins due to an over-contracted muscle resting on top of a nerve. That nerve connected to the neck and head, causing a number of tension headaches. So we found the physical root of the headaches but a problem still remained: what movements or daily war and tear were causing that pain? Again, asking further Marple-esque questions, I found out that my client spends many hours driving and the gear box of his car was fairly stiff: the additional effort he puts into shifting gears had caused a chain reaction which ultimately brought about the headaches.
A few massage sessions later, my client was happy to report that the number and intensity of his headaches were much reduced (1 headache or less a week) and that he has been sleeping better.
So, next time you are behind your steering wheel, ask yourself: is driving my car giving me headaches? Rest assured that there are some simple solutions to prevent tension headaches: here’s some tips.
Posture. Mare sure you are not slouching on the car seat. Check that your back is straight and that your shoulders are relaxed, not raised and close to your ears.
Self-massage. With your right hand “pick up” the top muscle on your left shoulder; repeat at least 10 times and swap sides. The area should feel warmer after a few minutes.
Stretch. Tilt your head sideways until you feel a good side stretch in your neck. Do the same on the other side. To give your upper back a stretch, bend your head slightly downwards and sideways, then swap sides. Ensure you hold your stretch for 10 seconds.
By Paola Bassanese,
Creative writing
"I tend to get 2-3 headaches a week", a client of mine complained recently. In my usual Miss Marple style, I started my investigations to get to the root of the problem. I am always looking for root causes – sometimes our physical pain stems from an emotional issue or incorrect posture.
During the conversation with my client I discovered that the pain was travelling from the left shoulder all the way up the neck, over the head and terminating at the forehead. By manipulating the top layers of muscles in the left shoulder I then discovered an area of tension with an accumulation of toxins due to an over-contracted muscle resting on top of a nerve. That nerve connected to the neck and head, causing a number of tension headaches. So we found the physical root of the headaches but a problem still remained: what movements or daily war and tear were causing that pain? Again, asking further Marple-esque questions, I found out that my client spends many hours driving and the gear box of his car was fairly stiff: the additional effort he puts into shifting gears had caused a chain reaction which ultimately brought about the headaches.
A few massage sessions later, my client was happy to report that the number and intensity of his headaches were much reduced (1 headache or less a week) and that he has been sleeping better.
So, next time you are behind your steering wheel, ask yourself: is driving my car giving me headaches? Rest assured that there are some simple solutions to prevent tension headaches: here’s some tips.
Posture. Mare sure you are not slouching on the car seat. Check that your back is straight and that your shoulders are relaxed, not raised and close to your ears.
Self-massage. With your right hand “pick up” the top muscle on your left shoulder; repeat at least 10 times and swap sides. The area should feel warmer after a few minutes.
Stretch. Tilt your head sideways until you feel a good side stretch in your neck. Do the same on the other side. To give your upper back a stretch, bend your head slightly downwards and sideways, then swap sides. Ensure you hold your stretch for 10 seconds.
By Paola Bassanese,
Creative writing
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