October already?

Summer has passed and Autumn is showing its colors...

Wow, it’s been quite a month, once again. I thought surely I would have sent out another newsletter by now, and here it is, almost October - wait, it IS October - and getting downright cold, here in my hollow. I had to put some fires in this last week to get the cabin warm and cozy for clients!

Since my last newsletter, the practice is growing nicely. I am so grateful for you all and want to thank those of you who have sent your friends and loved ones to see me for care. I have met so many wonderful people since coming home to Georgia, and I have to say I am enjoying this work so very much - even moreso because I am doing it in the log cabin, where I have wanted for so long to do this kind of sharing and healing. Some days I am simply amazed that I get to do this work in this place, surrounded by such great beauty.

I lost a close friend a few weeks ago. Seems it has been a summer of letting go here, and this has come with opportunities to learn and grow. I have learned a lot about grief, and how it comes in waves, and how it leaves an unmistakable silence that is deafening. It opens one's mind to many questions. It helps us to recognize just how important our connections and friendships and relationships really are - that we are more than just passing each other, we truly become parts of each other, inextricably. And if we’re lucky, we remember what we learn from each other and keep the good parts going forward. From my friend I learned that, whatever the business at hand, it’s the people and their humanness that are most important - that really knowing and honoring each other, in the midst of what we are doing, is what life is really about. My friend always showed up, because this was important to him. Because it IS important to keep showing up. We bring our energy wherever we are - even if we don’t say anything or do anything, or bring anything material (though he did all of these) - we always bring our energy and attention. It IS important.

The wonderful poet/writer David Whyte writes:

"The ultimate touchstone of friendship is not improvement, neither of the other nor of the self, the ultimate touchstone is witness, the privilege of having been seen by someone and the equal privilege of being granted the sight of the essence of another, to have walked with them and to have believed in them, and sometimes just to have accompanied them for however brief a span, on a journey impossible to accomplish alone."

from Readers' Circle Essay, "Friendship" ©2011 David Whyte

As I like to think, we have no idea how far the ripples travel when we throw goodness into the waters. And we need not think of this - we need only throw the goodness - of our intentions, our thoughts, our actions, our energy - into the waters of the world, and KNOW that they are very real and they travel very far and wide (inside of us and outward into the world). I am so happy to have met each of you and had the opportunity to exchange energy with you in some way. We have benefited each other in some basic way, and this carries outward into the world around us. Thank you.

I know I can sometimes sound like a broken record about drinking water, stretching those pecs and piriformises, simply paying attention to shoulders and where they are, breath, etc., etc. I cannot express to you how exciting it is for me when you come back and tell me how this has affected you and what you have noticed or better yet not noticed anymore. You have been the answer to my call for clients who are ready for change and growth, who want to participate in feeling better and evolving, and I am so inspired by you. Thank you!

DREAMWORK! I am excited to report that I will be going to California(!) to a workshop with Robert Moss (www.mossdreams.com) in mid-November - Way of the Dreamer.

Here is a video interview with Robert regarding the upcoming workshop.

The holidays are fast approaching! Are you ready?

Holidays are a time of celebration, joy and visiting with friends and family. Sometimes, though, in the midst of festive times, we can feel the stress of family dynamics, travel and busy-ness.

Gift certificates for massage make excellent presents for friends and loved ones! And for my regular clients, I am offering a 30% discount on gift certificates purchased in October (that's $45.50), and 20% off of gift certificates purchased in November (that's $52).

Just email me your order at: honorcatalyst@gmail.com

Chair massage is great for holiday parties!

Chair massage is a great addition to any event, and a wonderful way to show appreciation for friends, employees and customers.

Call today and let's arrange chair massage for your Church Event, Office Party or a Holiday Gathering at your home!

706.212.7924

AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO THOSE OF YOU WHO TOOK THE TIME AND CARE TO FILL OUT MY CLIENT FEEDBACK QUERY!

It is so valuable for me to know what your experience is like so I can improve my service for all my clients.

Balls!

I often recommend to my clients that they try using tennis balls to work on their upper back (trapezius and rhomboids). Here is a nice article that touches on this and includes some other useful links. There are various sized inflated balls to be found cheaply at Walmart type stores, and these can be useful in many ways. Try laying on a 4" or 8" ball under various parts of your body and just see how it feels and where it feels beneficial. This can be a great way to loosen up and even make adjustments. Try it, and let me know what you experience... Here is the link: http://www.shiatsubag.com/main/page_tennis_ball_therapy.html And here is an excerpt:

"Who can benefit from myofascial ball therapy? EVERYONE! Tennis balls are one of the most recommended physical therapy tools for recovery and rehabilitation of soft tissue dysfunction. They are simple to use, readily available, and one of the most inexpensive physical therapy tools you can buy. “How-to” videos, pictures, and articles for treatment routines covering virtually every part of the body are available online for free. These resources are good to take a look at and offer techniques to treat specific areas, but you don't really need much instruction. The basic procedure is to identify and target the sore and tight areas of your body, and with the ball supported by the floor or a wall, let that targeted area SLOWLY sink onto the ball. You will feel some discomfort as the tissue fibers are being released from their contracted state. Concentrate on relaxing as much as possible and hold the area for at least 10 seconds. Release the pressure, take a breath and repeat. At least 10 seconds is beneficial, but longer periods are recommended. You can remain stationary, or shifting your body slightly as you continue to relax, roll around on the targeted area."

Masseuse or Massage Therapist?

Since becoming a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), I have noticed more and more that quite a few people still think that a Massage Therapist is the same as a “masseuse” (and many use this word to describe males as well, though it is a word to describe a female massager). The profession has come a long way in recent decades with more rigorous training and much more widespread licensure around the country. Most people who use the term “masseuse” to describe their massage therapists do not mean to be derogative at all, rather they are not aware of the connotations that have developed over the years, associating “masseuse” with downtown “parlors” and “stress release” and generally unlicensed, shady activities. Massage therapy is a health care profession, like physical therapy, chiropractic therapy and nursing.  The main distinction, though, beyond associations or connotations, is that LMTs have undergone several hundred (usually 500-900) hours of training in multiple modalities of care, anatomy and physiology, pathology, etc., and have passed board exams and become licensed, insured professionals, who update their education regularly. A masseuse or masseur is merely someone who massages - no training, license or insurance needed. So next time you are introducing your massage therapist to a prospective new client or friend, do them a favor and call them a massage therapist, so there is no doubt as to their professionalism and qualifications. They will appreciate it so much!