Self Care

These links are of therapies and other self care regimens I have personally practiced and experienced. I tend to be flighty and edgy and have felt an amazing sense of calm and focus from each one of them. If you are interested in any of the massage modalities I suggest you find a massage school in your area to try them out for yourself ( it will be much cheaper!) and then find a professional practicioner if you love them as much as I do.

Cranial Sacral Therapy
Cranial Sacral therapy is a gentle hands-on therapy that provides deep relaxation and was pioneered and developed by Osetopathic Physician John E. Upledger to treat extreme ailments like autism, traumatic injuries, virtigo, chronic fatigue syndrome, and TMJ. This has got to be one of my favorite massage therapies out there.

Reflexology
Reflexology is similiar to accupressure in that it works with the bodies vital energy through the stimulation of certain points on the feet and hands. It works by stimulating points that coincide with other parts of the body.

Shiatsu
Shiatsu utilizes finger pressure and movement of the recipients body to help relieve stress, muscle pain, anxiety, and depression. It can be a very active massage therapy and utilizes the same energy meridians that accupressure and accupuncture use.

Yoga
I dabble in yoga. I struggle to make it a daily practice becuase it was not a priority to care for myself the way I am trying to now. Yoga is for every body no matter how big or small or old or young. We all can gain benefits from yoga, whether it be Yin yoga which is made up of restorative poses held for long periods of time or Ashtanga Yoga which is an athletic and demanding practice. Yoga Journal has got to be my most favorite of yoga sites. This link will take you to a page that defines different yoga practices so you can choose which is right for you.The site has a lot of free stuff: downloads, free video practices (my favorite being Jason Crandaell, the 21day Yoga Challenge.

Pema Chödrön
Pema Chödrön is perhaps one of the first Buddhist's I really understood.  Her work spoke to me in ways that no one elses has.