holistic massage & bodywork in bath
Relief from your stresses and strains, aches, pains and emotionally challenging times
Creating Menstrual Health with Hilary Lewin teaching Maya Abdominal massage on Day 2.
April 24/25th 2010.
Minerva Centre, Bath
Contact: Carla Esteves 07946364898 or c.esteves@live.co.uk. Wildgenie.com
I’ve been on Alexandra’s Wisdom of Menstruation course and I can highly recommend exploring women’s health with her.
A few months ago I needed to call Sainsburys as the internet delivery was sent with around £30 of undelivered (but charged for) food. A few bags must have not made it too our door.
I always aproach these calls with a calm and polite demeanour and, most importantly, with a smile in my voice. Yes, there were groceries missing, but no point getting my knickers in a twist about it. I spoke with a friendly chap who helped sort out the problem and refund the money. We had a little chat while we waited for his computer to do stuff and it was a pleasant interaction.
During the call I could not help thinking about help desk people who must get some irate callers. I realised this chap sounded glad to be dealing with someone polite and I hung up the phone feeling incredibly happy. I was happy that I’d handled the call the way in which I did. I was happy that he sounded happy and that I’d made it pleasant. Being nice to him made me feel good. I had a pretty big smile on my face and a lot of warmth in my heart for a while after.
This post has been in my drafts box for a while. I have not found the time to finish writing it and on Wednesday it became clear why.
I received a newsletter from Dr David Hamilton, whom I saw speak a few months ago in Bath. He is inspiring and his work and knowledge are fantastic! Below is the newsletter and it’s self explanatory why I felt so good after that call. (Check out all the mind expanding articles on his site)
Why Kindness is Good for You
Did you know that when you are kind to someone it actually benefits your health? New scientific studies show that kindness, and also compassion and gratitude, produce chemicals in the brain that impact the body. One of these chemicals is a neuropeptide known as oxytocin.
Recent research shows that oxytocin is cardioprotective. Know what that means? It means that it protects the heart from damage. In other words, when you’re kind to someone you are actually doing your heart some good.
Many studies have shown that a kind nature reduces the chances of your arteries becoming hard-what is known as atherosclerosis. A 2008 scientific study investigated the process of atherosclerosis and actually found that oxytocin-the chemical produced when you’re kind to someone-halted it in its tracks.
Kindness, gratitude and compassion also impact the brain. A few good deeds here and there actually cause structural changes to the brain in a beneficial way.
So not only do the people we’re kind to benefit from our good deeds, but we benefit too. It has been said that you get back what you give out. Well, a host of recent scientific research is now showing the physiological truth in this.
This is a snapshot of some of the material from my new book, Why Kindness is Good for You (available from Hay House UK, 1st Feb 2010). I’m also speaking on it in Birmingham on Sunday 8th November. Come along if you want to learn more.
This article will soon be archived on my website feel free to visit the site to read other interesting articles in the health and mind-body field.
Please feel free to share this article with others.
David R. Hamilton PhD
www.drdavidhamilton.com
There are 2 main systems in the body that we are concerned with when it comes to massage; the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
The sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight response/stress response) is the system that helps us ‘keep going’ when we are under stress and the parasympathetic nervous system (relaxation response) is the one that helps us chill out. The Vagus nerve is responsible for the functions of the relaxation response.
The picture above shows the Vagus (meaning ‘wandering’) nerve starts in the brain and extends to all the main organs in the chest and abdomen. It is the only nerve that does this. By breathing deeply, we stimulate the many Vagus nerve endings which results in the switching on of our relaxation response.
Amongst other wonderful things, massage slows down our breathing resulting in the aforementioned: relaxation on, stress off.
So, we’re on the massage table, we’ve got a nice and relaxed stomach, colon and small intestine. Digestion is increased and our bellies start rumbling. It is therefor not uncommon to have escaping gas, from either end, during a massage. In fact, it’s a sure sign that we are nice and relaxed. Your massage practitioner won’t even expect you to stir from dreamland to excuse yourself.
As and aside, this is why massage is great of anyone with digestion challenges.
So next time you have a massage and you experience this, don’t be shy, it’s all part and parcel of our bodies amazing response to the good you are doing it by getting on the massage table.
All hail the Vagus nerve!
A few days ago I went to see Jay Ruddock who does Structural Integration/Rolfing in Bath. The treatment was interesting and effective, as expected. Now I’ve now got some of my missing mobility back. Thanks Jay!
I still find it fascinating how manipulating attachments (where muscles and ligaments attach to bone) can have such a great effect. Proof that working on one thing affects another.
We spoke briefly about the Psoas muscle (which amazingly attaches our spine to our legs) and I asked him if he’d seen this picture.
So, here you go Jay (and anyone else who finds it). Isn’t she a beauty?
As an aisde, Liz Koch has dedicated her life to the Psoas muscle. Imagine that? One life, one muscle. Fantastic! I wonder which muscle she’ll choose in her next life.
