Bodymind Now Accepts Health Insurance! bodyMinder, March 2008

Its hard to believe that Spring is just around the corner with all this recent snow, but it will be here before you know it! With a new spring in our step, Bodymind has great news! We now accept National Health Administrators Health Insurance! Massage can help you have spring in your step too! See the article below about Springtime running and outdoor activities. Listen to the radio much? Now is a good time to start! I will be interviewed on the radio on Friday, March 7th - you'll find the info in this newsletter too. And if you've always been a big Miss Piggy fan - don't miss this month's Mentastics Minute.

Click here to visit our website and here for our blog for even more information about how bodywork can help you be the best you you can be.

Peace,
Helen


In This Issue

• Amanda Paul, LMT Featured Therapist
• Tune In!
• Good News for Teachers
• Run, Don't Walk, To Your Massage Therapist
• Mentastics® Minute

Amanda Paul, LMT Featured Therapist at Bodymind Massage

After many years of studying dance and receiving Massage Therapy and other wholistic health care to maintain her body, Amanda enrolled at The Swedish Institute of Massage in 1987.

Licensed in 1989, she practiced in Manhattan for many years and along the way received a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Hunter College in 1995.

In addition to her passion for alternative health modalities, nutrition and movement, she adores children and worked for years in education, child welfare and childcare.

Amanda's specialties:

• Deep Tissue Massage
• Swedish Massage

Amanda's hours of availability are:

• Monday-Thursday
• 5:00-9:00 PM

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Tune In!
Friday, March 7
12:00 noon
950 AM, WHVWBe sure to listen in on Friday, March 7th from 12 noon until 12:30
to 950 AM, WHVW, when Helen Gutfreund, LMT
of Bodymind Massage will be interviewed on the radio
with Heather Malcom and Nancy Proyect, two of the other
Group Study Exchange Team Members with whom
she traveled to New Zealand last year,
courtesy of Rotary District 7210.

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Good News for Teachers in Kingston and Poughkeepsie!
Bodymind Now Accepts National Health Administrators, Inc. (NHAI) Health Insurance!

Over the years, one of the most frequently asked questions by clients and potential clients has been, "Do you accept health insurance?". With the acception of no-fault, which I have always taken, the answer, sadly, was no.

Well - that's all changed! Now the answer is "Yes!"

Bodymind is pleased to be a provider of health care services for National Health Administrators, the health insurance company that insures the faculty of Kingston and Poughkeepsie schools, so if you work in these districts, you are now covered for massage therapy at Bodymind!

We even have after-school and weekend hours to accommodate your busy work schedule. Make your appointment today - we look forward to serving you!

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Run, Don't Walk, To Your Massage Therapist

Spring is nearly upon us and for many, that means the return of outdoor activities like hiking, biking, running and gardening.

While we all love these activities, if you've spent the Winter on the couch, your muscles may not like you very much the day after your first run! So, why not come in for a massage to gear up for (or recover from) your first Springtime outing.

The soreness that you can feel after a vigourous workout, whether it is from hiking up Slide Mountain or from digging in your back yard to plant a new bed of annuals, is a result of lactic acid, a natural waste product of muscles.

It is important that you stay well hydrated, before, during and after your workout so your body has all the help it can get in flushing the lactic acid from your system.

Massage Therapy also can help you move lactic acid out of circulation, so the two make a great complimentary approach to your health and well-being.

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Mentastics® Minute

Welcome to the Mentastics Minute!
In each newsletter, I will be suggesting a Mentastics movement that you can "try on" for yourself. If you have suggestions or requests for the Mentastics Minute, please send an email.

"Miss Piggy"
This Mentastic movement is an all-over upper-body moment of joy.

Standing comfortably, make the movement with your hand and arm as if you are a princess stroking your beautiful, long, flowing flaxen hair, from forehead, over the top of your head and down your side. Some Trager Practitioners used to call the movement "Miss Piggy", because it reminded them of that puppet, when, very coyly, would ask, "Who... moi?!" How beautifully can you make this motion... how lovely... how fun?

How would it feel if you used half as much effort now... and half of that... and half of that... Make this movement for about a minute. Switch and do the movement with the other arm.

Now rest for a moment. What do you notice about your body - your hands - your arms - your shoulders - your back - your mind?




Gift Certificates
As always, gift certificates are available

• Online
• In the office
• By phone at 845-255-3228

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LUCKY YOU!

Save 25% off your first Trager® Approach session in March!

Just mention this coupon when making your first appointment for The Trager® Approach and save 25% off the regular fee.

Session lasts approximately 90 minutes.

Call 845.255.3228 to schedule your appointment today!


Offer Expires: March 31, 2008

What is The Trager® Approach?

The Trager Approach

The Trager Approach is a gentle form of bodywork that aims to give positive, pleasurable feeling experiences to your body and mind, rather than reinforcing painful ones. Many people believe in the "no pain, no gain" philosophy, but Trager believes in "what can be softer, easier and freer". The Trager Approach can help to release mental and physical holding patterns, promotes deep relaxation and aids in increasing mobility and balance.

The Trager Approach comes in two parts:

1. Table Work
   The client lies on a massage table and is gently touched, moved and supported by the practitioner within your normal and comfortable range of motion. The feeling is of gentle, rhythmic, wave-like motions. The movement feels as if it is effortless and neither coming from you or from the practitioner. In these movements, tension disappears and old patterns slip away as new, freer movement possibilities arise.
   
   
2. Mentastics
   Mentastics are The Trager Approach's self-care movements. For those of you who have had physical therapy, you know that often the PT will give you a series of exercises to do on your own. Mentastics are similar to that idea, but are not strengthening exercises. The movements are designed to help you explore what could be freer in your own body. Taught individually or in groups, Mentastics allow each person to explore free and easy movement as well as stillness in their own body, in their own way, in their own time.
   

Benefits of Trager Sessions
The gentle, rhythmic movements of the Trager Approach can be beneficial to many people. Anyone who seeks massage or bodywork could benefit from Trager, especially people who suffer from:

Stress		Muscular Dystrophy
Limited movement		Everyday aches and pains
Back and neck pain		Muscle spasms
Depression		Headaches
Multiple Sclerosis		Physical/emotional trauma
Post-Polio Syndrome		Cerebral Palsy
Sports and other injuries		Parkinson's Disease
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome		Fibromyalgia

"Trager", "Mentastics", and the Dancing Cloud Logo are registered service marks of Trager International, which licenses their use in the USA to the United States Trager Association. In the USA, they can be used only by members in good standing of the United States Trager Association.

Heart Shaped Massage Why not treat your sweetie with our special Valentine's Day Warm Heart Massage? Nothing says "I Love You" like a 90 minute Hot Stone Massage! It'll really warm the cockles of their heart! Click here to send your sweetie a Valentine's Day gift they'll be sure to remember - a 90 minute Hot Stone Massage Gift Certificate! P.S. I actually have some heart shaped stones!

Mentastics® Minute

Welcome to the Mentastics Minute! In each newsletter, I will be suggesting a Mentastics movement that you can "try on" for yourself. If you have suggestions or requests for the Mentastics Minute, please send an email.

"Fuggetaboutit!"
This Mentastic movement helps free the hand, arm. shoulder and upper back. Make the movement with one arm first, then take a pause, then with the second arm.

Standing comfortably, make the movement with your hand and arm as if you are telling someone to "forget about it" - no worries mate... whatever - who cares. Make the movement with your whole arm, letting gravity gently guide the arm in it's downward motion. How easily can you make the upward motion - can your arm float up? Make the movement with the same "who cares" attitude that the message "forget about it" is meant to convey.

How would it feel if you used half as much effort now... and half of that... and half of that... Make this movement for about a minute.

Now rest for a moment. What do you notice about your body - your hands - your arms - your shoulders - your back - your mind?

Mentastics® Minute

Welcome to the Mentastics® Minute! In each newsletter, I will be suggesting a Mentastics movement that you can "try on" for yourself. If you have suggestions or requests for the Mentastics Minute, please send an email. Shifting Weight Stand up and notice how your legs and feet feel. No judgement - just noticing. How does your body feel in general? Your balance? Your connection to the ground? Imagine your legs are sandbags - filled with warm sand. As you stand and shift your weight from side to side, imagine the sand emptying from one leg and filling up the other. The movement from one leg to the other and back again is effortless as the sand moves from one leg to the other. How would it feel if you used half as much effort... and half of that... and half of that... Make this movement for about a minute. Now rest for a moment. What do you notice about your body - your legs - your feet - your balance - your mind?

INSPIRATION FOR THE HOLIDAYS

INSPIRATION FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Beat Holiday Stress with Breath and Massage

Take a deep breath. No, really... stop for a moment and just take a deep breath. During the holiday season, so many of us are running around at a hectic pace doing everything for everyone excpet for ourselves. When was the last time you just took a moment for yourself to relax? Its safe now. No one's looking. Take a deep breath.

Deep breathing can be the source of profound relaxation and it doesn't have to take any time at all. You can do it at your desk. You can do it in your car. You can do it at the dinner table. You can do it right now.

1. Find a comfortable sitting position
2. Close your eyes or keep them at a soft gaze at nothing in particular (eyes open, of course, if you are driving)
3. Inhale through your nose to a count of four
4. Exhale through your nose to a count of eight
5. Repeat the breath five times
6. Open your eyes and breathe normally and feel how your body and mind have shifted

It is no coincidence that the word inspire means both to breathe in and to fill with a special feeling. How do you feel when you take a few moments to inspire? Do you feel inspired? I know I do!

Many people release tension with long, deep and releasing breaths when they receive massage. Its part of what's so relaxing about massage. So if you find yourself needing to turn off the stress of the season, a massage right about now is a wonderful idea. And if you just cant find the time for that, stop for a moment and take a breath. No one's looking.

Insomnia? No Worries - Massage Will Put You Right To Sleep

WE'LL PUT YOU TO SLEEP
But We Don't Take It Personally...

Bodymind is pleased to announce that we have extended our weekday hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to 9:00 PM, so if you are a commuter, a weekend warrior, suffer from insomnia, have to get the kids off the bus in the afternoon, or just have a hard time finding time in the day for yourself, we've just made it a little easier for you.

According to the American Massage Therapy Association, people receiving therapeutic massage report a reduction in the symptoms of insomnia. And what better time to feel sleepy than at bedtime! Just think how lovely it would be to come for an evening massage and then, all relaxed, slip right in to bed. zzzzzzzz.......

Massage Therapy Can Help Relieve Holiday Stress

HO, HO, HO... OH, NO!
Holiday Time Can Bring Stress Whether
You've Been Bad or Good

For many people, the Holiday season, while exciting and fun, tends to also be the most stressful time of year. Over time, stress, whether physical or emotional, can negatively affect your body's inner workings. Stress has been shown to exacerbate and even cause conditions like:

• Heart Disease
• Disorders of the Digestive System
• Impaired Memory
• Decreased Immunity

In addition to the physical ailments, stress can leave you feeling fatigued, less able and less willing to do the things that bring you joy, like spending time with your loved ones.

Massage is one of the best stress-relievers I know. Each of us knows this in the very core of our being. Do you remember as a child when your aunt or mother or best friend used to rub your back to soothe you to sleep or patted you on the back to relieve a fear? We know that touch, even by untrained laypeople is healing. Imagine the stress-reducing healing benefits that massage has when applied by a Licensed Massage Therapist.

Perhaps the mere thought of coming to the massage studio where soothing music is playing, the lights are dim, aromatherapy is in the air and the time is set aside especially for you begins to evoke the feelings of rest, relaxation and stress reduction that a therapeutic massage promises.

During and after a massage, many people find their stress levels significantly reduced. The less stress you have, the more joyful you are able and willing to be, the better your immune function, and your sense of well-being? ... sky-high!

So, even though (and especially since) this is a busy time of year, consider making some time for yourself to de-stress and take care of yourself by receiving a massage. And after the holiday season is over, have another to really seal the deal.

Amanda and I look forward to helping you relieve your stress this Holiday season and throughout the year at Bodymind Massage!

Peace,
Helen Gutfreund, LMT, NCTMB