Spring is almost here and it’s time for getting outdoors. Just a reminder to “Spring forward” with your clocks this weekend!

As you begin to emerge from your winter caves you might be thinking of ways to shed those extra pound and get your muscles back in shape. Let me introduce to Shari Dill, fitness coach and personal trainer.

Shari Dill

Her clientele relies on her for help in recovery from injuries and improving the quality of their life. They range from someone who wants to gain enough strength to hold their grandbaby or get in shape to run their first 5k to competitve athletes. Shari loves to see people grow and improve and make positive changes to their lives. She incorporates a lot of stability exercises using the swiss ball (or fitness ball) which strengthens the core muscles and a Bosu ball (inflated half ball) that provides an unstable surface which makes the workouts more challenging by forcing the muscles to stabilize and contract. You can stand on the bosu while doing weight lifting exercises which will force you to balance and improve your core strength. It is amazing what great results you can get by just using your own body weight as resistance.

Shari holds a degree in nutrition and fitness and I am a certified personal trainer from the National Association of Sports Medicine. I have competed and trained for running, cycling and triathlon events taking age-group wins in both triathlon and running events including one overall Master win in October 2007. She works with clients in their homes or at local gyms such as Rezults and Anytime Fitness.

If you have found that New Years Resolutions, Diets, or just going to the gym haven’t gotten you the results you have desired, then perhaps it is time to have the positive and dynamic support of a coach like Shari in your corner. Shari is offering special discounts and pricing for those of you get this newsletter. It may surprise you how affordable this help can be, call Shari at 530-888-7729 or e-mail her at shari@kayenta.net. Make sure you let her know you heard about her here!

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This month we will be participating in the Washington County School District Employee Health Fair. As you already know we offer employee discounts to employees of many local companies as well as to those who work for the school district. You can see which ones at http://www.stgeorgemassage.com/specials.html

However, this month only…..EVERYONE GETS EMPLOYEE RATE!

That is $40.00 for a Full Hour Massage or $20.00 off any hour or longer treatment (Hot Stone, Lomi-Lomi, Reflexology Plus or 90 minute). To buy this online go to the specials page and where is asks for company name simply type in “March” or you can just pay that amount at the time of your appointment anytime this month.

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BIO-LIFE Plasma Services.

Several months ago when my Son suggested I go to Bio-Life and donate plasma, I wasn’t very receptive. The very thought of it brought up images of the skid row wino selling blood to buy a bottle Ripple (that dates me ..lol), but I kept hearing positive things from clients and people who worked there who made me consider other things like how the donations save lives. So I decided to give it a try.

First benefit was getting a free physical. It was reassuring to know that my health was good. Besides knowing that my fat and cholestrol levels were good, my blood pressure pefect and pulse in the athletic range; I was impressed by the clean, professional atomosphere. Everyone there has been upbeat and acts genuinely glad to see that you are there. They do everything they can to make sure the experience is positive for you.

By donating, you can make as $50.00 a week for 90 minutes to 2 hours of your time. You can go before work or after and you can read a book, use the free wireless web, listen to your Itunes or watch a movie on your portable DVD (all these things I have done). The process is safe and comfortable. Some people have used the extra cash to save up for a trip (50 x 52 is $2400.00), just have some mad money, or even pay for massages.

It makes alot of sense that they would pick Southern Utah as a place to build a donation center as there is a higher percentage of people living here with a healthy lifestyle. If you think you are healthy enough to donate and would like to find out more go to http://www.biolifeplasma.com

They have a referal program where you receive $10.00 for everyone you send to donate. If you decide to go, please put me down as the referer. If you do that I’ll give you a free half hour upgrade on your next massage. In addition, anytime you pay for your massage treatment using your BioLife Visa, I’ll give you an additional $5.00 off your treatment even if you are getting another discount (example: employee rate $20.00 off plus BioLife $5.00, you get $25.00 total discount).

In these days where everyone is talking about tough times and bad economy, donating can be just the boost you need to not have to give up some things you rely on for a good life. And remember, you’ll be doing good for others.

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MARCH MASSAGE WINNERS

Cami Nelson  Sandy Wheeler  John Corriea

It pays to enter every month! click here to enter

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A monthly massage is another easy and affordable resolution you can make to have a healthier new year…..

Happy Valentine’s!

“Be a Hero” Valentine’s packages now available online at
http://www.stgeorgemassage.com/valentine.html

Get a full hour massage and two hours expert house cleaning by “Mercedes Quality Cleaning”
for only $88.00 .. .. once again we are offering “Black Tie” delivery on Friday February 13 or Saturday February 14 for just $10.00

or you can purchase house cleaning or massage gift certificates separately for just $49.00 “Mercedes Quality Cleaning” has been taking care of our house for nearly 2 years and I personally recommend this wonderful service.

What Valentine wouldn’t want a relaxing therapuetic massage and be able to come home to a beautifully cleaned home? Guaranteed to make you a hero for sure.——————————————————————————————–

The Healing Power of Gratitude

Nothing makes us feel better than a heartfelt “Thank You”. It’s important to feel appreciated, it fuels the fires of our inner drive to help us continue with our efforts. Life isn’t about surviving, it’s not about winning or losing, it’s not even about earning a living; rather it’s about the mutual benefit we receive from interaction with others. We learn nothing from solitude. The infamous monks who go up on the mountain top to meditate gain no enlightenment until they come down and communicate with their pupils, the vision they garnered from their meditation. It’s the journey and the lessons that help us grow.

One of my favorite quotes is from the late Cheif Dan George in the movie “The Outlaw Josey Wales”, in it he repeats the words told to him by the President when the tribal leaders were invited to Washington, “endeavour to persevere”. Sounds so much more worthy an effort than just merely surviving. I have always gained value from the precepts of being an “impeccable warrior”, that is to conduct yourself with dignity and taking full responsibility for your actions.

That being said, I want to thank all of you for the positive words of encouragement and support you have given me over the past few months. You have made a difference and have helped me to “Endeavour to persevere” during a difficult time. Recently I had been experiencing more and more pain in my wrist. I tried all my usual remedies, icing, wrapping and even massage but it just wasn’t improving. Now these type of injuries are common to massage therapists and I read articles on self care looking for some easy solution. It really began to worry me, even to the point of wondering if I was cut out for this career. So I put out the thought and asked for guidance. The answers came clear and strong.

Physically: I sought medical treatment firstly to get a clear diagnosis so that I knew what I was dealing with. First my physician tried steroid treatment which had no effect whatsoever. So then we had an MRI which confirmed that I had arthritic tendinitis and pinpointed the inflammation. Next we tried a Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drug which has given me great relief, reduced my pain from an 8 to about a 2 and has allowed me to continue to work as my body heals. Also some of you may have noticed me using some new strokes and using my forearms and left hand more recently during sessions. I will continue to learn techniques that allow me to improve my skills while putting less strain on my body.

Emotionally: YOU. I have had such positive feedback on everything I do. People have told me how much they enjoyed these articles and newsletters, appreciated my efforts in the community such as SGMT, and most of all for my body work. Let me share some examples; one client wrote, “Man, I wish I could come for a daily massage. If I were Oprah, I would hire you!!!” another wrote “I had my first massage from Michael in mid-December and was very impressed. Although I have Fibromyalgia, RA, and 2 torn menesci, I left the appointment pain-free and remained so for several hours, enabling me to Christmas shop and wrap gifts. What a treat! Thanks so much, Michael…I’ll be back for sure!”. Now I’m not sharing these to toot my own horn but rather to let you know that comments like these inspire me and most certainly helped me to recover every bit as much as the medicine the doctor prescribed. I continue to be an impeccable warrior not because I am strong but because I am stronger for connecting with all of you.

I am grateful that I have found a profession that allows me to do positive things for others. I am grateful for my health and that my work makes me healthier. I am grateful that because of my age and life experience I can connect with more people and share their health concerns. If I haven’t told you lately, “I love you” and thank you for letting me do work that I love.
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FEBRUARY MASSAGE WINNERS

Heather Allred   Cristina Werner    Penny Stewart

It pays to enter every month! click here to enter

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A monthly massage is another easy and affordable resolution you can make to have a healthier new year…..

Happy New Year!

Wishing you a prosperous and healthy 2009…

OOPS I did it again… Look for me January 8 through January 26 in the St George Musical Theater production of “Singing in the Rain“.

I was asked late in the rehearsal process to join the cast and was happy to be a part of the ensemble of this wonderful show. You will be surprized and delighted by al the great Tap dancinging as well as al the familar songs. To find out more got to www.sgmt.org

Singing in the Rain

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NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS YOU CAN KEEP

We all respond well to specific targets when it come to our goal setting. Vague starting or ending point don’t get much respect from our subconscious, so we end up seeming like procrastinators when we shoot for “someday’s, I get around to it, or even the haziest one of them all “tomorrow”. We set up conditions like, I’ll quit smoking when I finish this pack, carton, or the famous “I just won’t buy anymore” which turns us into the biggest moocher in town. (note: I smoked 35 years and have been completely smoke free 6 years 12/18/2008..so I know these)

We are all familiar with and often dread “New Years Resolutions”. This is one of the clearest target dates we can wrap our head around, and great beginning date that is so specific; so why do we have so much trouble keeping our resolutions? One culprit is that we may be uncertain, unspecific or unclear about our goals and the conditions we set up for them. Think about playing chess without knowing the rules or condtions for victory. You wouldn’t be very successful at it and would quickly become frustrated with the effort. Summarily, we do the same thing with resolutions, which we see as promises to ourselves. We become subconscious promise breakers (ie:bad people break promises or so our inner child perceives) and the whole process becomes one of disappointment. So what can we do create success? Here are some ways to change your thinking about resolutions.

1) clearly define you goal. Don’t just say “I want to lose 10 pounds”. Be specific, “I want to lose 10 pounds by April 1st”

2) set up conditions for small victories along the way. Using the above formula (10 pounds) work on 1 pound a week. Build positive mental energy around each successful step. Too often we only see the mountain top rather than breaking it down into steps we can achieve each day.

3) Keep quiet!! This may seem strange but we tend to give our power away to others. We may be honestly seeking encouragement from others but more often we get the opposite. People will shoot you down with all the stories of how they tried, gave up, failed. They are used to and comfortable with the the way they see you and will drag you back to your familiar self image. Remember Michael Corleone in Godfather III, where he laments about his failed attempts to go legitimate; “Just when I thought I was out, they drag me back in! (to crime)”

4) Do your homework. Even bad habits can become comfortable for us. You must therefore do a little sales job on your psyche. You must convince your subconsous that the new habit is truely better than the one you are used to. Since space abhors a vacuum, you must replace each bad habit with a new one that the mind perceives is better that the one it gives up.

5) Examine yourself. Are you making this change for yourself or to please others. Ultimately, you can only do it for yourself. You will not be successful being nagged into change, it must come from a clear choice.

Finally, I’m going to suggest a simply change everyone can easily do. Drink more water. I don’t care if it is the purest water from the virgin melted snow of the Alps or straight from the tap. We are lucky to have pretty good tap water here in Southern Utah, I have lived where it came out cloudy, smelling of chemicals, or even came out with a head like draft beer.

We all know the benefits of drinking more water. So here’s a tip to create success. Don’t think about drinking water, instead make a habit out of carrying a water bottle. Begin to think as you leave the house: cell phone-check, keys-check, water bottle-check. Tip 2, Become an expert sipper, set up the reward of punctuating each sentence or paragraph with a sip. Too often we hear about drinking so many glasses or quarts of water each day and all we can do is hear the sloushing of so much water in our tummies. Climb the mountain a sip at a time. Build a winning team, if you must have a support group hang out with those who already drink more water. Don’t talk someone else into joining with you as you then become invested in their success or failure.

People who drink more water have less aches and pains in their muscles because they improve circulation which includes delivering nutrients to the cells and carrying away the waste and toxins.

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JANUARY MASSAGE WINNERS

Beth Nichols    Susan Yeaton    Kevin Wright

It pays to enter every month! click here to enter

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A monthly massage is another easy and affordable resolution you can make to have a healthier new year…..

December Newsletter

Happy Holidays to all of you!

2 for 1 gift certificates… on any massage service from the ever popular Reflexology at just $35.00 to the yummy Hot Stone Massage at $75.00 or a full hour ($60.00) or 90 minute Massage ($90.00). Pick the right gift for those you love available until Christmas on-line only..click here to purchase
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ACUPUNCTURE is now available at Salone Sienne. Dave Flater, Lac. will be sharing my space and providing Acupuncture on Wednesday (other times by appointment) , so that will be my day off. He has 2 great offers so that you can take advantage of this service.

Introductory Special an initial consultation plus full hour treatment for just $45.00 ( an $80.00 value)

Christmas Special 2 for 1 Gift Certificates for just $80.00 for a full hour Acupuncture session.

To take advantage of these great specials and learn more about Dave and Acupuncture

click here

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Remember

You can now view my appointment schedule on-line. Use this to confirm your appointment or to check and see if a time is available before you call to schedule. For now you can only view the calendar, in the future we hope to add on-line booking and more.

go to: stgeorgemassage.com/events.html

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TOP TEN REASONS YOU DON’T GIVE FEEDBACK

Massage is usually a pretty passive experience. We want you to relax and enjoy the treatment, but we also need your feedback which can be hard to do because:

1) I’m in lala land..so leave me alone
2) I’m not sure if it’s supposed to feel this way..Besides he knows what he’s doing
3) It’ll be over soon anyway.. so just grin and bear it
4) hmm I have to pick up the kids at 4 and stop by the store..oh wait, I’m supposed to be relaxed.
5) is that a hangnail or is Freddy Kruger giving this massage.
6) maybe he won’t notice I didn’t shave my legs
7) Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
No pain no Gain..right?
9) oh yeah right, breathe….
10) cold hands..yikes

All kidding aside. Feedback is important after all it’s your body and it’s your massage. Most therapists (as do I) enjoy the challenge and break from the routine when clients have special requests. I once had a client who told me at the beginning of her session that she wanted to start laying on her back and didn’t want me to use any forearms or elbows. It was clear she knew what she wanted and liked and although this threw me out of my routine it ended up being a great session for both of us.
The worst thing you can do is lay there and suffer. If something doesn’t feel good a simple change may make all the difference such as more lotion to reduce friction or changing the tool from knuckles to palm. There are many strokes and ways to do them and as always, it’s my job to adjust to you not make you adapt to my style. Ladies, if you have tender breasts or have had augmentation, there is simple bolstering we can do that can ease discomfort. With the addition of a couple of towels to support your shoulders and ribcage, most of the pressure is taken off of the tender areas. Similar bolstering can be used for any sensitive area or injury so that the massage does not add unwanted pressure to those areas.
This goes for climate control too. Let me know if you’re too hot. Uncovering the feet (the bodies built in thermostats) can help you to cool off quickly. Or if your cold, don’t be afraid to ask for a blanket which I always keep handy.
All this might seem like common sense, but even I sometimes find it hard to communicate when I’m getting a massage, so I know both sides of the table. Yes, I look for signs of discomfort such as tensing up, clenching fists, or even the occasional scream but all in all I can’t read minds, so make sure your massage is great by giving a little guidance. Oh yes, 00hs and ahs count as feedback too, a little encouragement is like applause to an actor, you’ll get a better performance.

*note: I received some great response on Novembers article “How you can change the path of Health care” and I wanted to make it very clear that in no way was I trying to make massage seem superior to other forms of health care. My primary intention was to point out that choices are limited under today’s insurance options. I will continue to beat the pulpit for more choices which make for better and more Holistic health care. I do apologize if in my zeal it appeared that I was putting down any other health care profession.
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DECEMBER MASSAGE WINNERS

Debbie Warren     Rosemarie Swallow    Corey Stevens

Congratulations! After I put out the reminder to enter every month we had close to 40 people enter last month. Thanks and once again I encourage to enter again and tell your friends.

It pays to enter every month! click here to enter

Thanks to Dave Flater we have one more winner this month for a Free ACUPUNCTURE Session. Congratulations to Marci Ware ________________________________________________________________________________

Give the gift of Massage! And who deserves that gift more than you?

Exciting news!

The return of our most popular special this month only to help with your early Christmas shopping..

2 for 1 gift certificates… that’s right purchase 2 massages for just $60.00.

available online only..click here to purchase
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Just for Fun

As many you may know I do a back walking massage (Lomi Lomi) which I combine with Shiatsu. I recently came across a back walking video that I know you’ll just love.

click here and scroll to bottom of page

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Remember
You can now view my appointment schedule online. Use this to confirm your appointment or to check and see if a time is available before you call to schedule. For now you can only view the calendar, in the future we hope to add online booking and more.

go to: stgeorgemassage.com/events.html

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HOW YOU CAN CHANGE THE PATH OF HEALTH CARE

Unfortunately, massage is not covered by most insurances in the US. This is not true in other countries. I have had clients from Australia and Canada ask me for an invoice to have their insurance at home reimburse them for the cost of the massage treatment. At best, some of you School District employees who participate in Altius, benefit from my employee discount which was negotiated as part of your Coventry Care program. With the changes brought about by yesterdays elections we may see many changes in Health Care and Health Insurance. You have a voice in this.

There are two big factors that drive you insurance coverage and you may not know just how much you can effect them.

Factor One: Medicare.  What medicare covers and does not cover is used as the benchmark for what most insurances exclude or include in their coverage. This is one area where government and private sectors blend. This is why you can influence Medicare by demanding that your elected officials include massage in Medicare coverage. There are many studies that show that people who receive regular massage treatment spend less on prescription drugs and less doctor visits. The concern has been abuses. These are being addressed by the National Certification Board and by professional organizations such as the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), both of which I am a member. Many doctors would like to prescibe massage but are restricted to using Physical Therapists which could include hands on treatment but doesn’t because most PT’s like the doctors are trying to see as many patients per hour as possible. Therefore, massage remains the ONLY health care treatment that will give you specific hands on treatment for as long as you need it, just where you need it. Make sure our legislators know this.

Factor Two: Consumer. We tend to forget that you pay for the insurance coverage and you have the right to shop around. Even if your coverage is a Labor Union plan, you pay for it in dues and you elect your union officials. In other words, you are your own best lobbyist. Unfortunately, too many just go with the flow a don’t speak up. With huge insurance companies like AIG looking for a bail out, they will tend to look at cutting expenses but they can’t cut what they don’t have if you threaten their income by taking your business elsewhere.

We may see great sweeping change in Health Care in the next few years or at least we will see compromise and some restructuring. Make sure you get what you want and deserve by being heard.

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NOVEMBER MASSAGE WINNERS

LoyAnn McLendon   Karan Taylor

Congratulations! We only had 2 entries this month, so, just 2 winners. You gotta enter if you want to win.

It pays to enter every month! click here to enter

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Give the gift of Massage! And who deserves that gift more than you?

Well the St George Marathon is over for another year. Thanks to all the volunteers who made it great this year. A special thanks to those who offered host homes and to our corporate sponsors who made the therapists feel appreciated.

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Please visit my website for this month’s specials 2 for $99.00 or 3 for $122.00 (full hour massages)

You can now view my appointment schedule online. Use this to confirm your appointment or to check and see if a time is available before you call to schedule. For now you can only view the calendar, in the furture we hope to add online booking and more.

go to: stgeorgemassage.com/events.html

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Why we love back rubs.

Most of my blog articles are inspired by actual questions and conversations I have with my clients, Hopefully this allows me to focus on the real questions you have and I am always open to responding in these posts to your concerns and curiosities. With that in mind, I was asked the other day during a session “why does getting your back massaged feel so good?”

The answer to this has less to do with the number of nerve endings and more to do with the genetic, social conditioning we higher mammals enjoy. The same triggers we have that cause a baby and mother to bond with each other and why we care for each other. Obviously, we are relatively helpless in our early development and require a high amount of nuturing. Touch is a big factor in this. Babies will respond to being picked up and cue into our emotions. The more stressed we are the less likely the baby will be comforted, while the more peaceful and serene we are the more likely the baby will be soothed by our efforts.

Because we are unable to reach our on backs, like the baby we are dependant on the help and care of others. For most of us this becomes a social part of our well being. Thanks to the efforts of people like Jane Goodall we have been able to observe Chimps and Gorillas in their native habitat and we see that in those times that aren’t spent foraging, much time is spent grooming each other. It is a show of trust to be able to turn one’s back and have the other groom those areas that can’t be reached. Besides the health benefits of controlling parasites, much like our barbers and hair stylists it improves appearance to smooth the hair/fur. Another element is the endorphines and hormones that are released in response to touch. We are just now beginning to understand how important a role these “bio” chemicals play in our well being.

Look what the cat does when you go to pet it; the cat will arch it back to meet the stroke of your hand as a signal of its pleaseure and acceptance of the touch. Elephants and Bears have been known to stratch their backs by rubbing against the bark of trees and still other kinds of animal will roll around in the dirt. Horses will stand end to end to help keep flies off each other and we have all seen horses and Giraffes rub necks and nuzzle each other.

So my contention is that we are wired and programmed for touch paticularily in those hard to reach areas of backs and feet. I always notice those families in church who sit there throughout the service scratching or gently rubbing each others backs.

I feel sorry for those few who were less nutured and don’t feel comfortable with touch. Perhaps they associate touch in negative ways such as an invasion of space or privacy. Chances are they may have been social outcasts early in life or don’t come from families who were physically demonstrative. It makes me happy when I give someone their first massage because I know that deep down I am passing on a caring touch as well as a healing touch.

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OCTOBER MASSAGE WINNERS

Diane Biasi   Kathy Adams  Brett Merrill

Congratulations! It pays to enter every month!

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Remember to look for Michael in St George Musical Theaters “Ghost Tours”

October 16th through October 30th

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Give the gift of Massage! And who deserves that gift more than you?

Have you noticed the change in the weather? We don’t have clear cut seasons here in Southern Utah but you can see and feel the subtle changes we do have. Cooler nights even amidst daytime highs in the 100’s is the first signifier of an upcoming Autumn. I have always loved Autumn as my favorite time of the year. Look for me as Ghost #4 in St George Musical Theater’s “Ghost Tours” this Halloween.

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Thank you to all who responded to my shout out for help with the Marathon. We still need more Host Homes, so here’s a repeat of last month’s message.

You know this town is booked solid during the Marathon with over 7,000 runners. In the past some of these massage therapists or massage students have had to sleep in the park the night before the event because they have to be here so early in the morning. So I am looking for “Host Homes”. If you would like to be a host home for any number of volunteers ( you don’t need a fancy guest room, just floor space for a sleeping bag and a shower) please let me know. This would be for one night Friday October 3rd. Chances are they will only be there from 10 pm until 7:30am and most of the time they be sleeping so you won’t have to do any entertaining. This is a great way for us to show these folks how great a town we live in.

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SUBSTITUTES: Better living through Chemistry?

Maybe it started in World War II with K-Rations or in the scientific explosion that occurred in the 50’s & 60’s (what I like to call the “Tang” generation) but there is no doubt that we became voracious consumers requiring everything to be cooked up in a minute or freeze dried and just add water. In order to sell more products and fill up the shelves in the Supermarkets that replaced the neighborhood groceries, the ad men thought of new ways to convince the public that old was bad and new was good. Because 1 in 100,000 people had a problem with good old cheap aspirin, they convinced us that it was risky to take. They created a whole new market for higher priced Ibuprofen & Tylenol. They could also package these in 12 handy doses instead of the economical bottle of 100. With the power of television indoctrinating us it only took a decade to convince us that 4 out 5 doctors agreed that their product was the best and we bought it hook line & sinker.
Similarly, one calorie colas debuted in the early 60’s and the new wonder saccharine was introduced to replace sugar. This was when we began to hear the terrible propaganda about sugar. This was nearly derailed when the sugar substitute was taken off the market for causing cancer in lab rats. So the scientific minds that weren’t involved in putting a man on the Moon, had to find that wonder substitute for sugar and decided that presumption sounding names would remind people of these poor cancer ridden rodents so they named it “Splenda”.
Now here’s what they don’t tell you. White sugar is a pure crystal of glucose that the body uses for fuel. Fuel so powerful that it’s flammable (that’s what makes marshmallows burn). So we get the sugar high and sudden burst of energy because the body immediately uses this fuel source at the cellular level. Unfortunately, sugar also blends with other components in the things we like most into calories which we store up in fat cells for future energy reserves. Sugar in moderation is not bad for you. There are no additives in the crystallized form although there maybe some sulfates in molasses and brown sugar which is white sugar that hasn’t been cooked all the way to release the additives ( I worked in a sugar mill in 1971).
So back to the diet cola. Sugar substitutes have a metallic base which gives it that distinctive aftertaste which as time goes by we either get accustomed to or they continue to develop masking agents that cover the aftertaste. When you drink the diet cola, the body recognizes that there is no “fuel” in the product. The body needs fuel and since it isn’t getting want it needs the body’s own defenses puts us in starvation mode. This essentially causes the body to make more from the calories we do eat and is why people don’t lose weight on diet foods. The manufacturers know we need something which the body can recognize a fuel so they use additives like caffeine which give us a drug induced burst of energy which is quite different from the food induced energy of sugar, carb’s and proteins.
My point is, the more time goes by, the more we indulge in artificial nutrition. Substitutes for every thing to make products more microwavable and quicker at the drive through. Given enough time we may discover that these substitutes may be the cause of many of the modern ailments. Speeding up arthritis, fibromyalgia, vision problems and more. Just as we now learn many years later that Ibuprofen and Tylenol can cause liver or kidney damage but a aspirin a day can prevent heart attack. I’m not advocating that everyone go out and eat a chocolate eclair, but when did food groups get replaced by the periodic table?

“The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.” —Thomas Edison

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SEPTEMBER MASSAGE DRAWING WINNERS

Marci Ware Jacob Kleiner Margi Corona

It pays to enter every month!!

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Interested in having Michael come to your office, special event or party and do Chair Massage or Reflexology! (Sure beats that clown who blew up animal balloons last year) It’s easy to do and everyone loves bodywork. Call Michael at 435-215-3480

Amidst the long hot days of summer, many of us are getting ready for another school year or we need a vacation to rest up from our vacation… summer ends up being a busy time with many activities, we find ourselves falling out of our routines and often pushing ourselves to the limit. That’s why people are subject to summer colds or might be more accident prone. Why not take out a moment for massage? It’s a mini-vacation in itself and might be just what you need to keep on, keeping on.

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I will be the Massage Therapy Coordinator for the 2008 St George Marathon and I need your help. We want to double the number of therapists volunteering this year (from 60 to 120) to give the runners post event massages in Worthen Park after they cross the finish line. I am in the process of putting together welcome packages for all the volunteers, particularly those who travel long distances to come here to southern Utah to help out. If you have a business or work for a company that would like to donate items to include in the packets (wrist bands, bottled water, yogurt, discount coupons etc) that will help make this a more exciting event for these volunteer, please let me know.

Secondly, you know this town is booked solid during the Marathon with over 7,000 runners. In the past some of these massage therapists or massage students have had to sleep in the park the night before the event because they have to be here so early in the morning. So I am looking for “Host Homes”. If you would like to be a host home for any number of volunteers ( you don’t need a fancy guest room, just floor space for a sleeping bag and a shower) please let me know. This would be for one night Friday October 3rd. Chances are they will only be there from 10 pm until 7:30am and most of the time they be sleeping so you won’t have to do any entertaining. This is a great way for us to show these folks how great a town we live in.

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HOME REMEDIES

Most of you have enjoyed the cold stones I use in the massage sessions. The idea came from a headache remedy that my Grandmother who raised me used to use. She would take a cold wet wash rag and put it on her forehead, then go lay down in a darkened room. This was long before the over the counter remedies boomed in the 60’s (along with a TV in every house) and tylenol and exediren did massive ad campaigns and convinced people that aspirin wasn’t safe to take. This is when we became a culture that came to believe that health and magic came to us in a pill that we could take and everything would be all better. At what point is it that technology has improved our lives and at what point did we steer away from common sense and listening to our body? Today we live a balancing act of taking 2 of these pills to counter the effect of the other one we took. We take a multivitamin to counter the effects of a fast diet and we take energy drinks to counter the effects of not getting enough sleep (probably because we had too much caffeine in our system from the energy drinks).

I was fortunate to be raised by a farm girl who didn’t have a Drugstore just around the corner that’s open 24 hours and has a drive up window. She was taught the lore of plants and using the things around us as natural remedies. That is why even though I was raised in the suburbs, we always had mint growing in the yard so that if ever someone had an upset stomach we would make some fresh mint tea Spearmint was my favorite although we had peppermint too). I remember too getting a bee sting at about 5 years old and having my finger stuck in some cool mud until the pain went away. Most of these things worked well because back then we were more careful to listen to our body. If you could notice the telltale signs of a headache coming on (usually from too much stress) or the first signs of an upset stomach and use the remedy immediately, you could often reverse the condition before it became severe. Today we go until we drop. Why not when there’s a emergency room a few blocks away. After all we trust the medical field and it’s wonder pills to put humpty dumpty back together again don’t we? Is it any wonder we shop doctors and go from one to another till we get the answer WE like?

A good simple remedy to relieve pain ( but only works if you apply it on the onset) is to pinch the small divot above your lips (called the philtrum) and just below your nose. You”ll know when you’ve got it as it is a minor pressure point. It has the effect of short circuiting the pain receptors, therefore it stops the pain in its tracks and resets the switches. If nothing else it lowers the pain waves so that they don’t hit those sharp spikes.

Here’s some good websites for simple home remedies. They don’t include wonder berries from the slopes of Mt. Everest or the latest phenfen pill to take off pounds while you sleep, but simple helps from everyday items, herbs, and lotions that have been around for a long time. Remember that nobody is going to recommend something they can’t make money off of, but isn’t it refreshing to find a doctor who simply say, “take 2 aspirin and call me in the morning”?

“The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.” —Thomas Edison

http://www.health911.com/remedies/rem_indx.htm

http://www.priceless-home-remedies.com/

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AUGUST MASSAGE DRAWING WINNERS

Lacy Davis Annette Reitano Shelly Derosia

It pays to enter every month!!

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Interested in having Michael come to your office, special event or party and do Chair Massage or Reflexology! (Sure beats that clown who blew up animal balloons last year) It’s easy to do and everyone loves bodywork. Call Michael at 435-215-3480

Got alot of things happening so make sure and scroll through the entire page…

First, Wanna a FREE Chair Massage?

Join us Friday July 11 from 8 am til 2 pm at Country Dentist at 2313 Santa Clara Drive in Santa Clara . You are welcome to participate in Free Vision Therapy screening, Dyslexia screening and Free reading assessment brought to you by “Clear View Eye Care” and Free Dental screening, oral cancer screening, and a visual decay exam brought to by “Country Dental“. Enjoy free refreshments and a 12 minute chair massage by Michael Forrest, LMT. Advance booking is recommended, so call 435 652-4100 to reserve your time slot.

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Allow me to introduce my good friend, Jennifer Iverson who is wonderful stylist with over 14 years of experience. She has worked for Redken as a color educator and as a learning leader at the Paul Mitchell school. She has put together a wonderful special for all my good friends who get this newsletter :

STEP INTO SUMMER WITH SOME SUN KISSED HIGHLIGHTS!!!

Did you know you could be many different things?

*Beachy Blond-Carmel candy-Butterscotch-or any color under the sun

For July Only Jennifer is offering $30.00 for a Halo of highlights (full foil weave not included, hair cut sold separately) Also receive a complimentary eyebrow arch with purchase of halo highlights.

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Thank you to Valerie Ciardi, who has MS, and who is finding that regular massage makes a tremendous difference in her ability to manage pain and function better as she continues her day to day activities. She found a graet article on massage in “Neurology Now” which further documents how beneficial massage is for those with Parkinsons, MS, and other neurological disorders.. click here to view the article

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I appreciate all the wonderful comments and feed back you’ve given me on our previous articles. Remember these articles are like editorials in the newspaper. They are opinion and anyone is welcome to post their reaction, comments etc on the blog (that’s what blogs are for) I love your support and would love to share your comments, so e-mail me or post a comment on the blog so we can all benefit.

WORLD CLASS MASSAGE

This past March I had the opportunity to cruise on Carnival’s ship Elation on a 4 day vacation from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas. I thought it was my professional duty to tour their spa and sample their massage treatments (tough job, I know); I’m always curious as to what other therapists are doing and not above stealing a good technique if I can. Besides, I had attended a recruiting event by Steiner (the London based company that runs most of the cruise line spas) while in massage school. In fact, half way through my schooling at Nevada School of Massage Therapy, we found out that Steiner had bought out all of the UCMT family of schools. So knowing a little about the spa onboard, I figured this would be a great opportunity to see what kind of product they put out.

I already knew that Steiner was a sales based spa with an emphasis on selling their spa products. Upon looking over their menu, I opted for the most economical service which was a one hour Hot Stone Massage for $175.00. There were lots of other treatments that included seaweed or some type of mud, but there was certainly no basic “swedish massage” or simple sports massage available (even though the spa is connected with the fitness facility) but hey, I love Hot Stone, so we were looking forward to it.

My therapist was from the Phillipines and I was up front with her that I was a therapist as well giving her instructions to spend a little extra time on my hands and wrists. She did a good job and I’m sure I noticed some of those “asian” techniques such as finger snapping that I didn’t learn in school but seem prevalent with the folks who do chair massage at the mall. We had a good visit some of the time but mostly I tried to be quiet and enjoy my treatment. I smiled as I noticed that the music playing was the same as CD’s I play during my sessions. I was a little disappointed in the treatment room which seemed bare and only had sliding doors to separate us from the next room. The ambience was further disrupted when I could hear a thumping noise that got loud and then faded at regular intervals. This was because the running track was over our head and it reminded me of family gatherings with the parents yelling at the kids upstairs to play quietly…. Of course, the session ended with the sales pitch for this product that would make my skin nicer and help me lose weight (would you care to add it to you cabin bill or have it shipped to you back home)…

What I came away with from my massage experience on the ship was a greater appreciation of the world class experience we provide for you at Salone Sienne. I would stack our massage up with any in southern Utah and in most places in the world. We may not have a soaking mineral pool or other such amenities but we do offer a phenomenial massage in a truly relaxing setting which is intentionally affordable (with a $30 tip my total was $225.00) so that you can come to us often.

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JUNE MASSAGE DRAWING WINNERS

John Schultz Shari Rammell Ashley Heaton

It pays to enter every month!!

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HOT JULY MASSAGE SPECIALS

take an additional $10.00 off on any service bought and booked this month

(this includes senior and employee deals)

Have a wonderful July and a fantastic 4th

Stay safe, stay healthy, keep smiling!

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Interested in having Michael come to your office, special event or party and do Chair Massage or Reflexology! (Sure beats that clown who blew up animal balloons last year) It’s easy to do and everyone loves bodywork. Call Michael at 435-215-3480

Aqua Detox Debunked: Does this spa treatment keep its promises …

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

Remember Dad this year with our special package that includes a full hour Swedish or Sports Massage and a $30.00 gift certificate for any merchandise at Rebel Sports in the Zion Factory outlet mall.

all this for just $55.00 (a $90.00 value)

You can purchase this package online* (click here)

or you can purchase them at Rebel Sports in The Zion Factory Stores

or come see us at the Downtown Farmers Market at Ancestor Square Saturday 8 am til 12 noon

*free mailing or delivery available before Fathers Day

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This month’s article

Debunking the Detox Footbath

I have often been asked my opinion about the detox remedies (patches) that are being promoted in late night infomercials or the Detox footbaths that are popping up in Chiropractic offices, salons, and recently in a ladies health club that has since closed it’s doors. I have always been cautionary in my remarks suggesting that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t. So I took it on myself to do a little google investigating and found that my reservations were justified.

We Americans have always been suckers for the “quick fix”. We fall prey to snake oil salesmen who promise us quick weight loss while we sleep or a magic elixir that will cure all our ills. The science behind these foot baths can’t support their claims. Anyone who knows basic anatomy has learned that the integument (skin) is formost a waterproof covering for our body and the skin of the bottom of our feet has a different pore system just like the palms of our hands and pads of our fingers. While it is true that the feet is a catching ground for toxins that the body fails to eliminate (urea acid crystals) because of gravity and because the feet, like storm drains, are a mix of muscles, tendons, and many small bones; these toxins are deep in the tissue beyond the integument and can only be reabsorbed and released thru the circulatory and lymph systems. In simple terms, it cannot be released through the skin. While much is made about the pads or footbaths changing color, the explanation is simple. The chemical reaction is similar to test strips used to test swimming pool water. Because we keep socks and shoes on most of the time our feet often become breeding ground for bacteria. Now most of this bacteria is helpful and part of our natural flora and fauna, sometimes it gets out of control such as athletes foot. Like pool water we change from acidic to alkaline and back again in regular cycles. This is the bodies way of keeping bacteria in check and the smell that emits from our feet is caused by this dead bacteria (no need to worry, normal bathing takes care of this) which will have a vinegar like odor when w are acidic and a sweet rotten smell when we are alkaline. So essentially the chemicals in the pads react to our bodies natural ph but do NOTHING to change this or have any effect on us. Really, it’s just smoke and mirrors but no more sophisticated or beneficial than the mood rings that were popular in the 70’s.

The problem is when claims are made that these baths do more than wash your feet. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of pedicures and healthy feet, and encourage anyone to have these treatments because they feel great and keep us healthy. I just don’t want anyone to be misled by false claims. I’ve attached some links to the end of this article if you’d like to investigate this further. You’ll especially like the eye witness report from a Phoenix TV news team. I don’t believe that you’ll find any medical doctor or true health professional that will support the claims of these detox products. Many States are investigating these products and their claims based on consumer complaints and such as their use becomes more prevalent. Let’s hope that common sense prevails over snake oil.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5uQz67L-oI&feature=related

http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2007/08/your_friday_dose_of_woo_a_soothing_footb.php

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May Massage Winners

Dave Biasi Susan Keller Nancy Mahi

it pays to enter every month!

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Due to popular demand the May specials are being extended through the end of June

2 for $88.00 3 for $111.00 or 12 for $400.00

click here to purchase

Thank You to everyone for making May so busy. The best clients come from referals, so tell a friend!

Have a wonderful June