Thursday, September 27, 2012

MASSAGE FOR CREATIVITY by Coach Cary Bayer

                                                                     Photo by Repubblica


Massage enhances creativity.  There are no ifs, and, or buts about it.  The relaxation stimulates inspiration, because a relaxed mind and body are more receptive to the impulses of creativity than their tense counterparts.  During massages, I've received ideas for columns, new workshops, and new books and mini-books.

If you want more creative people as clients, ask existing creative clients for testimonials about how massage awakens their creativity, during a session and after.  Then, create a brochure on massage and creativity, and target actors, directors and theater companies; dancers, choreographers, and their companies; writers and writer groups; painters, sculptors, and art schools; musicians, orchestras, and music schools.  Once you’ve completed the brochure, mail it to the heads of these organizations with a cover letter, saying that massage is a great boon to creative people.  Include your background, letting them know you work with creative people.  At the end of the letter, indicate that you’ll follow up with a phone call in about a week, then do just that.  Then, get ready for some new creative clients.



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Cary Bayer was keynote speaker at the 2006 AMTA national convention. Widely known as The Massage Marketing Coach, Cary is a Life Coach; CE provider licensed by NCBTMB and Florida Dept. of Health’s Board of Massage Therapy; and faculty member of Massage Business University, who writes for Massage Today, and AMTA publications in 14 states. His three dozen publications include 12 specifically for massage therapists, plus 2 DVDs, one of which has been translated into Japanese. He’s coached more than 270 LMTs. His 15 CE seminars and webinars—in particular, “Build a $100,000 a Year Massage Business”--are very popular among therapists.

http://carybayer.com/massage-therapist-coaching.html

Monday, September 24, 2012

Are You Watching Too Much TV? (by Irma Romano)




Are you watching too much television? And if you are maybe you might consider what it is doing to your health.

By the time we are in our sixties many of us will have spent watching fifteen to twenty years of television. For most of us this past time is relaxing and entertaining at best? Television watching puts us in a trance like state. The rapid screen and image change affect the nervous system and is extremely unhealthy to young developing children. So mothers if you’re using your television set as a babysitter think again. The exposure to rapid image succession has been linked to attention deficit disorder a mental dysfunction now affecting millions of children. The exposure to so much electronic devises is an insult to the wellness of kids all over the world. We have television, microwaves, cell phones, and computers exposing them to endless toxicinvisible waves. Prolonged television watching acts like a drug and will shave years off your life.

I use to work in a clinic with a chiropractor that ordered their clients to stay away from watching television until the back pain was better. Sometimes this would take four to six months. Why? Because the nervous system had to rest in order to heal the back pain, long periods of time in front of a television makes you passive and is draining.  Choose your shows wisely and think about how many hours you want to be sitting in front of the set. For me getting rid of the tube was the best thing I ever did. Most shows were a waste of time and money. I now find myself doing things that are productive towards my life and wellbeing. The obesity rate in children is also growing. Spend quality time with your children go for a walk instead of being in separate rooms and watching television. But most of all make sure you are not falling asleep with the TV on.

Unplug from the set more often and live life instead of watching others live life on TV. Do you really want to give away that many years of your life away or would you rather build a life you can be proud of and even retire early or become fit? Do you want to get rid of pain and insomnia? Switch off button is not that far away and if you can’t press on it than try experimenting with not having a television for a while or get rid of your cable and use the money to go on a trip instead. If you’re spending more than a hundred dollars a month on cable than that should pay for a nice vacation at the end of the year.

Most of you are not going to be as extreme as I am by giving away your television set but I seriously do not miss it and have gained a sense of joy from not getting hypnotized at the end of the day. I would rather go for a long walk or start a new hobby now. I spend my time writing and connecting with others. Many clients say they have no time to work out yet how many hours of mind less tube watching are they doing instead? Or they tell me that they don’t like their job and feel stuck. My friend replaced watching television with starting a new business and she is now retired. What are you doing with your time?

Friday, September 21, 2012

Deciding on Getting a Male or a Female Massage Therapist




Deciding whether you want a male or female massage therapist is one of the first questions you're faced when you get a massage.

When you make an appointment, the receptionist generally asks if you have a preference for male or female massage therapists. There are more female massage therapists in the business, and both men AND women tend to prefer women. Some of the reasons people prefer female massage therapists include: 

People feel vulnerable when they're nude, and want to feel safe.
Women believe male massage therapists will be judging their bodies.
People are worried the massage will be sexualized with male massage therapists. Men are afraid male massage therapists are gay....and women are worried they aren't!
Many hetereosexual men find a woman's touch pleasant -- even when it's not sexual -- and find it easier to relax.

Massage therapists are trained to respect boundaries and use proper draping techniques, so these issues shouldn't be a problem. But since male massage therapists aren't as popular, anyone who doesn't state a preference will likely get booked with a male. 

More experienced spa-goers often don't care whether massage therapists are male or female. They're comfortable with the routine, and know the most important factor is skill, not gender. 

Some experienced spa-goers actually prefer male massage therapists. Male massage therapists often have more strength, which can be helpful with deep tissue massage And gay men, who are big spa-goers, tend to prefer male massage therapists. 

Whether you prefer male or female massage therapists, feel free to state it up front. It's your massage, and you should enjoy it. (Source)

I found this article today and decided to share it with you. I know you have asked me to post an article on the difference of ratio of male therapist to female. There are about 80% more female therapists than male. Male are having a hard time getting booked and hired compared to woman something to consider before going off to massage school. Massage therapy is a hard profession to begin with and has a burn out rate within the first three to six years. The compensation is low and the work is hard. There are benefits if you decide to launch a business and as a male therapist adding modalities and being a business owner is a way of making ends meet. You will need to be very patient and tenacious to have a long lasting career. The public still hasn’t been exposed to enough knowledge about massage and the benefits or know enough about it to allow a more neutral mentality towards gender not be an issue. Things evolve in life but sometimes not fast enough for some people.

I no longer give financial or business advice to massage therapist because I feel books have been written and there are others who are covering the issues better than I ever could. If you decide to be a massage therapist do it for the love of what you are doing and put your clients first the rest are details.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Tobermory Ontario, A Treat for the Traveler


Recently I visited seven cities in four days and among them was this jewel called Tobermory. 

I made my way to Tobermory Ontario last week and was delighted at the sight. This small town is surrounded by the waters of Georgian Bay. A marina with ships and cruises sits in the center of town. There is a bohemian feel as you look out at the coffee shops, restaurants, boutiques, surf shops, and hotels painted in vibrant yellow, blue, and red. The weather here is unusually warmer than other parts of the province. What is there to do here in the summer months and fall? If you enjoy boating, scuba diving, hiking, and caves this is the place for you. 

There are cruises that will take you to Flowerpot Island which is about 6.5 kilometers northeast of Tobermory. There is also boats with glass floors that allows further exploration of the flora and fauna and fish which lies under water.  The island is part of Fathom Five National Marine Park and it is famous for the two giant rock pillars on its eastern shoreline. There are six campsites on the island and you can explore nature here for several hours or set up your tent and stay overnight. 

Nearby you have Big Tub Lighthouse which stands on the mainland at the entrance of Tobermory. Here you will find a shipwreck in its shallow waters. Many scuba divers come here to explore the ship and 15 metre underwater cliffs. The islands and Tobermory are surrounded by some of the oldest cedars and trees dating at least 1500 years. Animals that live here include red squirrels, otters, beavers, raccoons, deer, snowshoe hares, red fox coyote, and black bears. The Massassauga Rattlesnake can be found on Cove Island which also exhibits a light house. The town of Tobermory and its neighboring islands are well worth the trip especially for outdoor enthusiasts. You will not run out of things to do and explore while you stay here. 







Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Interview with Rachel Mari Kimber, Singer Songwriter


Rachel Mari Kimber is a folk singer/songwriter from the UK. She has been performing from a young age all over the world and I met the musician back in 2004 on stage in Toronto performing her music. 

Her vocals have a wide range and can stand on their own with no help of additional instruments. The lyrics come from a place of spirit, life experiences and a journey within. 

Like most artists Rachel has lived her life fearlessly and has embraced travel. Her sense of curiosity and laughter is contagious. She is the ying and yang embodiment in one container. One minute she is a chef with a passion for food and cooking, and the next you can catch her on a race track racing at full speed or on her motorcycle which she has used to take her around Europe on many delicious adventures.

This mother of one beautiful daughter, Jasmine, whom she shares with John Brand, lives near Sedona, Arizona one of the many places she embraces as her home. We now catch up with her to see how life has evolved over the last few years.

When did you start playing guitar or any kind of instrument? How old were you?
I was 6 when I started having 'cello lessons, as my Welsh coal mining grandfather played cello alongside my grandmother who was a piano teacher. He died around the time I was born, so I never met him, but was blessed with his beautiful French cello, and ability to play it.

I also dabbled on piano at that age, and around age 9 got interested in my dad's Spanish acoustic guitar so he showed me some chords. He didn't see his guitar much until I invested in my own at 16! In my late teens I got into percussion, and still aspire to learning drums one day. I started singing around age 4 but didn't really find my voice until my late 20's.

Would you say you come from a musical family. Can you tell us what it was like growing up in Wales?
I have always been surrounded by music, my dad a naturally gifted aural musician, singer and guitarist with both his parents steeped in Welsh harmony. My mum is a talented pianist, her father was a violin maker. She reached grade 8 as a matter of course and to this day remains humble about her wonderful sight reading abilities.

My sister Kath sings, dances, plays flute and composes in her band 'Lament' and my brother DJ Owain K, composes techno/ funk/ electronic music and both do gigs all over the place.

Growing up was an insecure time for me, my dad an Anglican priest, moved us all over the UK with his job around every 2 years. I often felt alone and desperate to connect. The friendships I made were uprooted and lost like I was. With the instability I abused myself with junk food, alcohol and unsavory relationships. It took me until my 30's to find myself, start healing and build self esteem. Typical artist really!

Like many musicians or artists you enjoy travel and exploring the unknown. When I first met you Canada had a strong pull on you. Now your in the heat of Arizona how are you settling into your new life?
As a nature lover, Canada was a dream I had since I was a child, from listening to Joni Mitchell sing "I drew a map of Canada, Oh Canada.." The pull is still there but life has other plans for me at the moment.

Arizona is proving to be a time of spiritual reflection and healing. So far it is surprising me with it's beauty and serendipitous lessons.

What was your favorite place you have lived in and why? 
Earth is my favorite place I've lived, because it's so forgiving, beautiful and eclectic.

I have an as yet unreleased song, written some time ago - the chorus goes: "Some say that home is where the heart is, I say my heart is in the sky.. Who knows where my heart is landing, Mine is not to reason why.."

Too many favorite places for various reasons.

You have been exposed to many talented well known muscians in your career. Who has influenced you the most and who have you met that has had an impact on you and why?  
Jimi Hendrix was my biggest influence growing up with a guitar to hand, but all music and sound my ears have heard have influenced me. Even the rhythmic spin of a washing machine, or the clink of a spoon in a mug of hot chocolate can brew a song. Some people dream in pictures, I mostly dream in music.

The talented artist, 'Seal' once complemented me on my guitar skills and asked me to play in his band on tour which had an impact on how I saw myself. The invite didn't evolve but the complement did.

I had the good fortune to meet another of my musical heroes, Sting.

I have long been enraptured with his compositions and life philosophies and surprised myself by being tongue tied face to face. Never before or since have I been lost for words!

How are you writing now compared to five years ago or even ten years ago. Life has changed what are your songs about now?
I have found that since having a child 5 years ago, all of my creative energy has been focused on her. I still get music in my head but not the time or space to fulfill it. I am making time to play now, and really enjoying it. I am rediscovering songs written years ago, and they still seem appropriate, timeless somehow. I am often taken back with some of the wisdom that has already occurred in the lyrics. If only I had listened to myself back then! Songs are definitely channeled through me, like any other healing art. I do need complete space and time alone to get into the zone... There often aren't enough hours in the day! I hope my writing will continue to evolve as I do.

Will there be any new CD projects. What do you plan on doing with your talent as a musician in the present moment and in the future?
I have plans to re-record some good mellow songs that got left behind, and also am slowly working on a spiritual faith album of which I have 2 songs so far. My challenge with that is to write about the beauty and empowerment of having faith, without referencing any particular denomination. Our creator has many names so like music, is happiest label-free.

I have recently met some local musicians and already had my cello out and done some singing, it's a good restart.

What is the most important life lessons so far that you want to share with the planet. Shaping your daughter's perception of life what is the most important thing you can tell her and anyone out there?
The sooner you come to know yourself in truth from the heart, the quicker you will find your life's purpose and peace. If you do to others as you would have done to you, love and respect yourself unconditionally first otherwise that could backfire! True happiness comes from within. Love yourself, forgive yourself, know yourself. Then you'll have heart for everything else.

If you lose in life, don't lose the lesson. It's OK to be different and it's OK to be the same. Remain positive.

If you show your children how to live, better as an example than a warning. Never stop enjoying free play, it keeps the spirit sparkling. Dance often.

Self acceptance is the key, and love is the answer. Appreciate all that you have, and all that you don't have.

Laugh until your ribs are tired.

Wow I could go on for hours! How do you edit these things?!!

Rachel we really look forward to having you come back to Canada in Toronto to perform again. I really hope to see you and hear you sing and brace the stage again.

Rachel will sing where she feels the need to with no agenda for the most part. You can hear her voice in the most humble places even a park, to a wider audience. If your sing, you sing from your heart and your allow your gift to touch everyone. That is how I remember her and I am proud to share her with all of you.




Visit Rachel's Website



Wednesday, September 5, 2012

The Human Heart Field



The human heart emits an electromagnetic field that surrounds the entire body and extends at least fifteen feet in every direction. This field sends signals to every cell in the body, affecting physical, mental, and emotional health and well being. 

The human heart field also interacts with and is affected by the electromagnetic field of the Earth, as well as other people, plants, animals - anything that has electromagnetic qualities - which includes pretty much everything, including space, planets and even stars. 

Exactly how and to what degree our individual heart fields are affected by the environment is still under investigation. However, it is clear beyond a doubt that this field connects all of us to each other, the Earth, and space in ways we don't yet fully understand. 

We do know that humans that intentionally create heart coherence in their own field have an impact upon their own health and well being. Creating heart coherence also has a positive impact upon those around us. The extent to which creating individual coherence can have an impact on global coherence is being tested now by the Institute of HeartMath .

The electromagnetic human heart field is a powerful source of energy and information that literally tells all the cells in our body what to do. It exists within and is a part of a Universal ocean of energy and information, which can be accessed by the human mind under the right circumstances. 

The information that can be accessed by the Mind via the Heart is what we call "heart intelligence". It includes and transcends the information we gain through the five physical senses, adding a new dimension to human intelligence that expands human consciousness and empowers the Mind. 



~ A Mind with Heart overcomes the Illusion of Separation and sees the connection in all things.

~ A Mind with Heart has access to infinite energy, intelligence, and Source.

~ A Mind with Heart receives inner guidance and experiences inner peace.

~ A Mind with Heart creates a world of abundance, happiness, and well being.
 



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Greg Braden & The Matrix of Energy



In 1944, Max Planck, the father of quantum theory, shocked the world by saying that there is a “matrix” of energy that provides the blueprint for our physical world. It is this place of pure energy where everything from the birth of stars and the DNA of life, to our deepest relationships, the peace between nations and our personal healing begins. The experimental proof that Planck’s matrix—The Divine Matrix—is real, now provides the missing link that bridges our spiritual experiences of imagination, prayer and belief with the miracles that we see in the world around us.

Through the connection that joins all things, scientists have shown that the “stuff” that the universe is made of—waves and particles of energy—responds and conforms to the expectations, judgments and beliefs that we create about our world. In a world where an intelligent field of energy connects everything from global peace to personal healing, what may have sounded like fantasy and miracles in the past suddenly becomes possible in our lives. There is one small catch, however. Our power to change our bodies and our world is dormant until we awaken it. The key to awakening such an awesome power is that have to make a small shift in the way we see ourselves in the universe. We must see ourselves as a part of everything, rather than separate from everything. Beyond merely thinking of ourselves from this unified view, we must feel ourselves as part of all that we experience. With this one little shift in perception we are given access to the most powerful force in the universe, and the key to address even the seemingly impossible situations in our lives.

With this connection in mind, we must begin to think of the way we relate to life, our families, and even our casual acquaintances from a powerful new perspective. Good, bad, right, or wrong, everything from the lightest of the light and most beautiful life experiences to the most horrible occasions of human suffering can no longer be written off as chance happenings. Clearly, the key to healing, peace, abundance, and the creation of experiences, careers, and relationships that bring us joy is to understand just how deeply we are connected to everything in our reality. And our understandings are based in our beliefs.

It makes perfect sense that to change our lives we need to change what we believe about ourselves and our world. For more than 20 years, Gregg Braden, a former senior aerospace computer systems designer, has searched for the understanding to do just that. From the remote monasteries of Egypt, Peru and Tibet, to the forgotten texts that were hidden by the early Christian Church, the secret of healing our false beliefs was left in the coded language of our most cherished traditions. It is verified in today’s science.

Gregg Braden is a New York Times best-selling author, scientist and visionary and has been a featured guest for international conferences, and media specials, exploring the role of spirituality in technology. A former Senior Computer Systems Designer for Martin Marietta Aerospace and the Technical Operations Supervisor for Cisco System Braden, he is now considered a leading authority on bridging the wisdom of our past with the science and peace of our future.

View more press and media : http://www.greggbraden.com/press-and-media


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