Mind & Body

The body and mind are often seen as two separate systems, functioning separately. The body is fed and watered, taken for walks, exercised and its sensory capabilities enjoyed. The mind is fed with thoughts, ideas and concepts, and it is exercised with intellectual pursuits, while being amused with various forms of entertainment.

Do you notice some simple connections between your body and mind?

For example, when we feel nervous or excited, we tend to break out in a rash or sweat and become nauseated, or when we exercise and feel emotionally elated.

The most obvious way in which the mind adversely affects the body is through stress. Stress finds the weakest point in your body, whether through the digestive system, the nerves, immunes system or sleep patterns. When suppressed, it leads to illness, depression, addiction or anxiety; and when released, it is expressed through hostility, crime, prejudice or aggression.

In itself, stress is neither good nor bad. It is how we respond or react to stress factors that makes the difference. Everyday stress affects us most deeply by slowly grinding away at our inner reserves. Stress reactions happens because the body is unable to tell the difference between real and imagined threat.

What does stress do to us?

When we focus on our fears about what might happen, it plays havoc with our hormones and chemical balance as when we confront a dangerous situation in real life. Some physical symptoms that indicate excessive stress are:

• headaches
• high blood pressure
• heart palpitations
• heavy breathing
• disturbed sleep
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• dry mouth
• ulcers
• diarrhoea
• backache
• excessive sweating
• rashes

Psychological symptoms often go alongside their physical counterparts, such as:

• depression
• anger
• rapid mood changes
• anxiety
• impaired concentration
• memory loss
• inability to make decisions
• confusion
• irrational fears
• self-consciousness
• family or marital problems

-Debbie Shapiro

This is quite a list, we have to admit, but it scratches only the surface. While we strongly recommend you to refer to the health specialists for serious ailments, we do try our best to provide everything you need to prevent your stress conditions from escalating.

De-stress today with our special Spa treatment packages. Your body is a temple.

                                

 

What are the benefits of massage?

Massage can provide us with the means to counteract the relentless surge of work and domestic pressures. For too many of us, stiffness and pain are a way of life to which we have become habituated. It is often not until we receive a massage that we realize that our muscles are tight, or how much of our energy is consumed by tension. Massage involves systematically stroking, kneading and pressing the soft tissues of the entire body in order to induce a state of total relaxation.

What is Reflexology?

Reflexology, on the other hand, is based on the principle that there are areas, or reflex points, on the hand and feet that correspond to each organ, gland and structure in the body. It involves usage of special thumb and finger techniques to work on smaller areas, or reflexes, on the feet. By working on these reflexes, you are in fact affecting the entire body. While the main benefit of reflexology is relaxation, it also improves the blood supply, unblocks the functioning of nerve impulses and re-establish harmony among all body functions.

Since most of today’s diseases stem from the effects of stress, a reflexology treatment can be of enormous benefit for a wide range of conditions.

Pregnancy Massages

Massage is a wonderful way of preparing  a woman for childbirth, and of helping her to feel more at home with her changing body. It will not only combat tension and fatigue in pregnancy, but will also soothe and reassure a woman in labour.

What can pre-natal massage do for me?

• Stress relief on weight-bearing joints (ankles, neck, lower back and pelvis).
• Reduces swelling in hands and feet by increasing blood and lymph circulation.
• Emotional support through nurturing touch to the expectant mother.
• Improves delivery and reduces labor pain- muscles are preparedfor use during childbirth.
• Helps relaxation and beats insomnia
• Improves mother’s sleep and reduce depression
• Engagement of partner’s involvement in massage promotes better bond and relationship
• Assists in maintaining proper posture
• Helps to regulate blood pressure
• Eliminates lactic acid and enhance circulatory and lymphatic systems

Note of caution*:

There are no known association of increase chances of miscarriage due to massage. However, it is advised that proper medical consultation be sought prior to having the massage. It is, however, not recommended for expectant mothers in their first trimester.

More information on pregnancy and Pre-Natal Massage can be found here and here.

What can Post-Natal Massage do for me?

Massage ease stresses that come from a new mother’s rapid transition from a pregnant body (changes in chemistry, shape, centre of gravity) to the body after birth (lack of sleep, new muscle movements, getting back into pre-pregnancy shape).

It also improves circulation throughout the body, reducing the post-partum swelling that many women experience. Post-natal can help a new mother with proper stretching of tight, sore muscles, easing muscular tension and prolonging the massage’s benefits. With proper treament, post-natal massage can also reduce the appearance of stretchmarks due to pregnancy. (Adapted from external website. More information available from here and here)