Five ways to beat holiday stress.

Five ways to beat holiday stress.
Breathe deeply to allow for full lung expansion,relaxation and oxygenation.
Be grateful for the people and situations you have in your life. Don't focus on what you don't have. Focus on what you do have.
Laugh. Laughing raises your vibration and smiling uses less muscles than frowning and it's infectious.
Sit in silence. Get away from the crowds and sit alone in silence for 5-15 minutes and un-plug
Take a walk outside in nature. Embrace the crisp winter smells; pine trees, and the smell of wood burning fires!

Make time for yourself this holiday .

December is now in full swing, and our schedules are full of commitments-- holiday parties, shopping for gifts, and all of the other plans that come about this time of year. Even though this is a busy period, make time for yourself, you will truly be better for it. And if you want your house to smell wonderful at this time of year, here's a tip from Csilla Bischoff Health Coach.
"Add some water to an old pot you do not use much. Place in some cinnamon and cloves. Add some orange or lemon peels and let it simmer. Beats any chemical laden plug-in."

Reduce Stress With Massage And Stay Young.

Too much stress has an almost unbelievable way of quickly aging people. Completely ridding our lives of stress is impossible. But fortunately we can adopt simple techniques for better coping with life's problems.

The first step to reducing stress is to reduce the physical chaos around you. This can be clutter in many forms: your car, home, and office. This helps you get organized and clean up your surroundings.

Another thing to keep in mind is to avoid setting unachievable goals. Many people strive to be the best. However, we all have limitations. Accept limitations and avoid undue stress.

Also, you can learn relaxation techniques to turn to when you are at your wit's end. This can promote peace, rest, and sleep. Finding it difficult to relax? Check out our menu of massage services, you can select the one that's right for your needs, or customize a spa package based on your budget.

Halloween is the perfect opportunity for a spa party

Maybe you think Halloween is more for the kids but how about a spa party for you & 5 girlfriends with our Halloween spa specials!

Pumpkins are not only a symbol for fall, they also have many health benefits. Our pumpkin peel facial rids your skin of dull, dry cells and promotes younger looking skin. Our pumpkin seed oil massage relieves tension, headaches, muscle pain, rheumatic problems, sprains, and redness.

Here is our pumpkin special:

30 minute pumpkin peel facial

30 minute pumpkin seed oil massage

Please note that we require six guests in order to receive this amazing deal. Invite five girlfriends and create your very own spa party!

Do you know a new mom in need of some pampering?

We just left a new mom enjoying her pampering spa service- a 1.5 hour spa manicure and pedicure. Her new-born is just one month old and since he was born she hasn't been able to drive to the salon for a spa service. Our mobile service is just what she needed and she was blown away by our high standard. Here's what she wrote me after her service.

I just want to thank you for an outstanding service; Maria was absolutely fabulous. She arrived early and set up quickly, even moving (heavy) furniture to make me more comfortable. She was calm, friendly and professional. My one month old son had a lengthy and vocal meltdown and she remained nonplussed and serene, which really put me at ease. He screamed non stop and I became a bit frazzled; but Maria's attitude and excellent mani-pedi took the edge off my worry and brightened my day. I love how my nails look and look forward to using your service again.

Yours sincerely,
Heather. Malibu, CA

Transition-Embracing the Seasonal Transition

Transition-Embracing the Seasonal Transition
Getting There

It seems that this time of year is when the light is more apparent-- as the sun shifts it delivers new angles of light. The sun is beginning to set earlier and earlier, and soon we'll be turning our clocks back an hour. The new season starts to settle in and with it comes the desire to transition, to establish a new beginning. It signals an opportunity to rejuvenate the body and alter our self-care routines.

Transitions can offer wonderful opportunities to reflect on and let go of what is past and prepare for what lies ahead. Indeed, many of our holidays are founded in seasonal transitions, and the roots of many religious rituals can be traced to seasonal observances.

To ensure a smooth transition it is important to set aside time for yourself right now. It is so easy to become so immersed in the busyness of life that the beautiful moments all blur together and leave you stressed. Before you know it the seasons pass, the new year looms, and you are exhausted.

You can practice living in the moment by gathering your friends together and having a Girls' Night In Spa Party. You can take time to reflect and prepare your mind, body, and soul for the winter and holiday season.

Invest in your health.

I read an interesting article on retirement this morning.
The piece discussed how to retire successfully and covered investment strategies and living within your means, but it was the last point that really resonated with me. The point was that you will not enjoy your retirement if you are stressed out and unhealthy. Stress management and good health planning is just as important as financial planning.
Who wants to be finally retired but unable to enjoy it due to ill health? Not me.
Set your goals for good health and stress management along with your financial and retirement goals now. Consider a regime for stress management and set up regular massage appointments. Work a monthly massage into your budget to start with.
Remind yourself you are investing in your health if you start to feel guilty about getting massage.
How do you invest in your health?

Create a sacred space for your in home massage session.

You’d be surprised how easy it is to turn a spare room or a corner of your living room into a spa. New clients always ask me. “I want to get a massage or spa service in my home. How much space do you need?" If your spare room is full of boxes stack them in a closet. Now that's done let’s start with the massage table. A massage table is about 6 feet long and 3 feet wide. More importantly we need walking room around the table so if you can allow for at least a couple of feet around the table, we’re in business. Is there a window in your spare room? If so, make sure you can block light out with a blind or drapes. If other family members are home, make sure they know you are going to get a massage so they don’t disturb you. If you are home alone, turn your home phone and mobile off. Select some relaxing music, candles and we'll do the rest.

Is there anything you do in preparation for a massage? If we'd love to know.

Is massage always a good idea?

Yes for the most part massage is a good idea! However as massage increase your circulation there some contraindications and here's useful list.
You have a fever. When you have a fever, your body is trying to get rid an invader of some kind. Massage increases overall circulation and could therefore work against your body's natural defenses to fight it off.
An infectious disease. Better to stay home. You will probably infect your massage therapist.
Systemic infection.
Cancer. Always check with a doctor first.
Severe cold.
A bone fracture, bleeding, burn or acute injury.
Liver or kidney disease.
Blood clot.
Open skin lesion or sores.
If you have any doubts at all consult your doctor and your massage therapist.

Massage-Getting your monies' worth?

If you want your massage therapist to save time to massage areas like face, hands and feet as well as your aching back please let her know. She is not a mind reader and let her know before the session. If you still need the hour for your larger muscle groups you can tag on some extra time to your hour, say 10- 20 minutes. Have you left the massage table feeling disappointed? We welcome your comments.

Is touch important to you?

How important is touch to you? I am hoping your response is that touch is important but with more of us working in technology or alone in our home offices, I am afraid we have lost the sense that touch IS important. This saddens me as we all need touch. There are many studies confirming the positive effects of touch and here’s one.
Librarians were instructed alternately to touch and not touch the hands of students as they handed back their library cards. Then the students were interviewed. Those who had been touched reported far greater positive feelings about themselves, the library, and the librarians than those who had not been touched. This occurred even though the touch was fleeting and the students didn't even remember it!

If you do work alone, ask yourself how often you come into contact with other human beings? What is the typical relationship you have with that other human being? Is it a business or intimate relationship? If it's a business relationship when did you last give someone a hug?

How often should I have a massage?

How often should you get a massage? One a week, twice a month, once a month? Unfortunately this is oftentimes governed by your pocket book. Ask yourself why you scheduled your massage in the first place. Was it for relaxation or for a specific problem? If it was for relaxation there are additional ways to maintain a stress free body in between massage sessions so you can most likely schedule once or twice a month. However if you booked a massage for an injury or a pinched nerve have a discussion with your massage therapist. They will recommend when to schedule your next session. Ask your massage therapist if they would give you a discount if your purchase a series of massage sessions.
The benefits of massage are cumulative so don't expect miracles in one session. I remind my clients that if they want to get into shape they wouldn't expect to achieve their fitness goals in one session or if they visited the gym only once a month. Finally ask your massage therapist what you can be doing to help your body in between massage sessions.

Massage helps with body image.

Is body awareness and self image on your mind? How often do you think about your body? Are your thoughts positive or negative? Do you stand in front of the mirror and focus on the areas you don't like? Or, do you look in the mirror with conviction and say "Good for you. You have made a decision to take care of your body and invest in your health."
A word of caution, your thoughts affect your emotions and your emotions in turn affect your actions. If your thoughts are negative, they will impact your emotions which will affect your actions.
In other words, if you are thinking you are worthless and will never achieve your wellness goals, you will feel unworthy. If you feel unworthy you will not be motivated to take action to exercise/schedule a massage and invest in your health. If you are struggling, consider seeking support.

So how does massage help you with your body image? If you receive a massage on a regular basis you will experience positive effects on the body AND mind. If your body image is negative your muscles will be tense from the negative mind chatter. Massage helps the muscles to relax therefore releasing negative physical and mental patterns of tension.

Regular massage encourages awareness of the body

Regular massage encourages awareness of the body just as it enhances the body to relax. Body awareness is just what it sounds like, being aware of your body. I hear this from my clients. “I have muscles I didn't even know I had”. Most of us live "inside" our heads unaware of the body that carries us around. We don’t pay attention to what we put in it or how we treat it. Getting massage forces us to pay more attention to ourselves. We become more aware of the aches and pains that we ignore. When you do one thing that is good for you it snowballs and you want to do more good things for yourself. Massage also helps with workout soreness by flushing out toxins. Massage encourages us to take better care of ourselves.

Clear your mind before your massage session.

"Am I being rude if I don't talk to the massage therapist during my massage?" Absolutely not! A good massage therapist is focused on undoing your knots and kinks. Not chatting to you. If you have any health problems or concerns that could be affected by the massage or spa treatment, let us know prior to your session to help clear the air Your massage therapist will talk to you during your session to check that the pressure is comfortable. To help you empty your mind and decompress we encourage you to breathe deeply so your mind focuses on the breath and not your thoughts. If your mind starts wandering, bring the focus back to your breath.
Ultimately it is your session so if you really do want to talk, avoid negative subjects. I have actually noticed some client’s hands clench during a session and it turns out they were thinking about something negative! Now that defeats the purpose of your massage doesn't it?

Stretch to prevent injuries.

Do you stretch after your workout or between exercises? If you don't, you might want to reconsider.
Stretching helps prevent injury and if done correctly, increases flexibility. A flexible muscle is less likely to tear. Additionally, increased flexibility of the neck, shoulders, and upper back may improve respiratory function. I often incorporate deep breathing into sessions with my clients to encourage deep relaxation and to "be present." Sometimes I have to switch gears and loosen the muscles first in the upper body, before we can perform deep breathing.
If the muscles in the hips are tight you are more likely to get Sciatica. Sciatica is the inflammation of the sciatic nerve - the longest widest single nerve in the body and if not treated with ice, stretching and massage, can be a chronic condition.
Stretching also is thought to improve recovery and may enhance athletic performance.
Some tips on stretching.
Stretch only when your muscles are warmed up. It is very important to relax during the stretching routine. It should not be rushed. There are two types of stretching. Static which you can do yourself and PNF stretching which is assisted. Static stretching is where you hold the stretch for 15-30 seconds. PNF is specialized and increases flexibility by taking the stretch further.
Ask your massage therapist to include some stretching at the end of your massage. That way you will be relaxed and open. Just remember to breathe.

Schedule a massage and lower your stress.

81% of Americans are as stressed or more stressed than they were a year ago, according to a survey sponsored by Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals.
Massage reduces stress and anxiety by lowering the stress hormone cortisol by up to 53%.
If you are not giving yourself a break at the weekend or pulling in 10 hour days take a half day off and schedule a massage. We are available 9am - 9pm, 7 days a week. Try it, you''ll come back a new person.

You can enjoy a spa experience at home .

You’d be surprised how easy it is to turn a spare room or a corner of your living room into a spa. New clients always ask me. “I want to get a massage or spa service in my home. How much space do you need?" If your spare room is full of boxes stack them in a closet. Now that's done let’s start with the massage table. A massage table is about 6 feet long and 3 feet wide. More importantly we need walking room around the table so if you can allow for at least a couple of feet around the table, we’re in business. Is there a window in your spare room? If so, make sure you can block light out with a blind or drapes. If other family members are home, make sure they know you are going to get a massage so they don’t disturb you. If you are home alone, turn your home phone and mobile off. Select some relaxing music, candles and we'll do the rest.
Is there anything you do in preparation for a massage? If we'd love to know.

In home massage saves you time & effort.

Have you ever considered scheduling your massage in the comfort of your home? I started a mobile massage and spa service in 2000 after receiving countless requests for in home visits. Clients told me it’s so much easier to relax at home in familiar surroundings and knowing that once their session was over, they could slip into a robe, stay home and avoid traffic. In this economy we all want extra value and a discount. Consider an in home session as a way to save on gas and your precious time. I’ll discuss creating the space for your in home session in another post.

The Perfect Spa Party Drink

Peppermint Iced Tea!
We always recommend you keep hydrated, especially in the summer,during your massage and spa services! As tempting as it is to serve alcohol during your spa party save a glass to the end for a celebratory toast!
Ingredients: 2 peppermint tea bags (we like Trader Joes Mint Mélange)
7 cups of fresh water
Fresh mint (optional)
Honey to sweeten (optional)
Directions: Bring water to boil. Then place your tea bags in a large tea pot and pour your boiling water over them. Let them seep for a while. Once your tea is cooler, discard your tea bags, pour tea into a pretty pitcher (presentation is everything) and place in fridge. You may add honey and mint!

Your massage question answered.

You can’t wait! You have your appointment scheduled for your massage but you have a question. You wanted to ask but you felt uncomfortable asking. Do I have to be completely naked for my massage? Do I take all my clothes off or can I leave my underwear on? We want you to feel comfortable so if you prefer to leave your underwear on please do. We all have different comfort levels so do what is right for you. We can work around your undergarments. We work on all body types of differing ages young and old and your comfort is our concern. Also please note during your massage we only undrape the body part we are working on. In other words, if we are working on your back, your legs and feet are covered with a sheet. We hope you are feeling more comfortable now and know that with each massage you will gain confidence and trust so that you will be able to fully let go!

Take time out for yourself a get a massage.

Don't think you have time for a massage? Well let me ask you this. Do you have an hour? Our in home massage service means you enjoy your massage in the comfort of your home. That means there's no drive to a spa, finding a parking spot and no drive home. Who wants to drive after a relaxing massage anyway?
Our mobile massage service will leave you feeling blissful and ready to enjoy the rest of your day or weekend and you'll wonder how come you didn't do this before.

Summer Foot Care

Do your feet perspire in summer if so I came across this wonderful spa treat.
A refreshing foot bath:
Brew some black tea and leave to cool. Find a pretty tub and place it on a colorful bath mat. Soak your feet in the brewed cold black tea for 30 minutes to minimize perspiration and odor.
Tea contains tannins, plant polyphenols that act as an astringent and help reduce sweating. The tannins in tea may also reduce odor. I am going to try it right now and let you know how it feels.

Do you have a medical condition that keeps you house bound?

Our customers sometimes can't leave the house due to medical conditions. That's why they love our mobile spa services. One of our loyal customers is Marianne. She has Cerebral Palsy. Her favorite spa treatment is a facial. We set up in her bedroom and turn it into her very own spa. We play relaxing music of her choice and burn aromatherapy candles. Her caregiver lifts her onto the massage table.
Both of her daughters (who live out of state) found us on line. Unable to visit as often as they wish they could, Sue and Mary were in search of an in home service to pamper their mom.
Their main concern was that we were familiar with Marianne's condition. Once we reassured them that we have medical experience they booked our service and continue to do so every month. We always take a picture at the end of the service with Marianne smiling and send it to the daughters!

Summer Spa Services

I am ofter asked what's the difference between our mini pedicure and our spa pedicure.
I created the 20 minute mini pedicure for our spa parties when there's typically a large group getting multiple services and when there's a limited amount of time.
Here's the description:
Mini Pedicure: Includes polish removal, cuticle push, light filing & color change.
It is ideal for women who receive regular pedicures, say every 6 weeks and who want a freshen up pedicure without the full works! If you are someone who doesn't get pedicures regularly I highly recommend adding our 20 minute Foot Renewal treat beforehand:
Foot Renewal: Sea Spa mint exfoliate is applied to hands or feet, wrapped in steamed towels and followed by a rejuvenating massage. Revive tired hands or feet while relaxing to the wonderful mint aromas!

I always love looking down at my feet after a pedicure and showing my freshly pained toes! How about you?

Planning a spa party.

How much space do you need?

It all depends on which services you choose. If you are interested in manicures and pedicures we can improvise with your furniture. (We will cover them with towels if requested.) For example, we can use your sofa and do the pedicures there. If you have a back yard we can use your pool furniture. We always prefer to do the nail services outside for the ventilation.

We bring pedicure bowls, small tables for the manicures, and technicians' stools. We also bring all of our own supplies: towels, linens, sterilized instruments, and a huge range of polishes!

If you are having massages or facials we need a little more room. Our massage tables are approximately six feet long by three feet wide, but we also need room to move around the table. The massage table doubles up for facials and foot massage/reflexology too. We usually perform massages and facials in a spare room (for example in a guest room or room off of pool house).

Please let me know which room in your house you'd like us to set up in or if you have an outside area which could work.

Make your own relaxing refreshing facial mist

Facial mists are a great way to add some aromatherapy to your day. Try this simple recipe below for a quick pick-me-up that you can carry with you in your purse or car.

Organic Lavender Facial Mist

To make your facial mist, boil enough water to fill your spray bottle. Let the water cool, then pour it into the bottle. For each eight ounces of water, add ten drops of lavender. Replace the cap and shake.

Close your eyes, and spray, holding the bottle about six inches away from your face. Inhale the fragrance of the lavender and allow it to soothe your mind.

Let us know if you have a favorite facial mist recipe! I'd love to try it.

Aromatherapy natural stress reliever

Aromatherapy is one of the easiest, most natural ways to relieve stress. Based on the belief that smell is an important part of healing, this traditional therapy has been used since ancient times to soothe both body and mind.

When essential oils are inhaled there is an immediate link created between the smell and the limbic system of the brain via the olfactory nerve. They can provide almost instant relief. Some essential oils in particular are especially helpful at combating stress:
Basil

Reduces mental fatigue and any form of intellectual negativity, characteristics that are common in a stress-filled working environment.

Eucalyptus

Produces a very soothing aroma that helps clear out any blockage in your nasal passages. Battles any feeling of sluggishness, restlessness, or confusion.

Cinnamon

Exudes a sweet and warm aroma, helping to eliminate any mental anxiety. The initial relief leads further to a more effective stress-fighting mechanism and enhanced optimism.

Lavender

The sweet floral aroma produces a calming and relaxing effect when inhaled during stressful situations. Other proven effects are the regaining of balance, clarity of mind, and a feeling of relaxation.

Rosemary

Quite effective in waking up your senses, increasing vibrancy, and reducing any form of strain (mental or physical) that is produced after long hours of work at the office.

Oscar Winning Mobile Spa Services.

The countdown has arrived... only four more days until the Oscar Awards, and there's no business like show business on this night. To get you in the mood, we'd like to stage a contest of our own, by announcing our picks for the year's best spa services.

Best Massage

And the award for best massage goes to... Aphrodite's Delight! Like any screen siren, Aphrodite is the golden goddess of beauty, femininity, and above all, empowers sensuality. Just like you. Any goddess deserves a ninety minute soothing aromatherapy massage using delicious oils. Pure ecstasy!

" Thank you Helen my wife loved her massage gift certificate for Valentine's. She is my Goddess after all and I want her to feel like one."
Adam H. Century City.

Mobile Spa Services by Helen Hodgson Presented by PartyPOP www keepvid com

LAGirlSecretsTVPresentsSpaGirlsLAServeTheGoddess

It's been a busy week for us. We were interviewed by LA Girl Secrets TV Presenting Spa Girls LA. It was so much fun and you may discover another reason to utilize our mobile spa services! Check it out and leave us a comment.