Hi!

We at Massage Makers have been addressing stress throughout the Phoenix Metro area since 2005. Our specialty is Premium In-Office Massage, (aka Corporate Massage, Seated Massage, On-site Massage, Mobile Massage, etc.), using skilled, licensed and insured Massage Therapists.

Over time we have developed a collection of informative articles, and we thought it would be fun to share them.  They are a variety of lengths, with the number of words listed just after the title in parenthesis for the larger articles. (81)

You are welcome to distribute freely (and for free) any of the information here as long as Massage Makers is included as the source. Please use the blurb below, or something similar, at the end of our articles.  If you require any further information, please feel free to contact us.

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Blurb: Since 2005 Massage Makers has specialized in premium in-office massage throughout the Phoenix Metro area using guaranteed AZ licensed and insured massage therapists.  For more information, contact us via e-mail or at 602.826.5596

Be Well!    

Andrea “Andy” Sobczak
Contact@MassageMakers.com
www.MassageMakers.com

That darn ego!

We have internal battles with ourselves all day long when we make judgements on what is "right" or "wrong".  Yet nearly every situation, depending on how you look at it, has both aspects to it. 

It is our ego that wants to be right and it fuels that feeling that we are powerful and in control.  Knowing all along, at a higher level, it is all a false sense of righteousness. 

So just for fun, spend a hour, an afternoon, or a day and practice non-judgement. Be from another planet and just observe what is going on around you.  Keeping in mind the whole time, no one or thing is completely "right" or "wrong", it just is. And notice what happens to your stress levels.

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What is it...really?

When we sit in concentration, we are focusing on one thing, while excluding all others.  This one-pointed focus could be on a mantra or single sound, or the breath, on a specific object in our awareness, or whatever clears our mind of all the extraneous thoughts that cloud our thinking and prevent us from being in the present moment.  Have you noticed that when you're reading a riveting book, absorbed in a compelling movie, or involved in an interesting discussion, time seem to fly without your awareness of the fleeting moments? This is concentration, even without the intention to focus."

So what are you focusing on? Something positive?  Something negative.  Where are you investing your awareness?

*No Place No Place Like Om YogaLike Om Yoga

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Delegate!

 

Some times we get stressed not just from the multitude of demands of our “regular” job, but from all things on our personal to-do list.  Things like getting the house painted, cleaning out closets, mowing the yard and walking the dog before the day gets too hot. 

 

Well guess what?   We don’t have to do them all.  Yup, it’s true.  It is not quite like magic where it will go away, but the end result is nearly the same.  Delegate! (to commit (powers, functions, etc.) to another as agent or deputy/ Dictionary.com.).  Either the whole, or part, of the job to a “specialist”.  Think of the time and effort that can be saved and better used elsewhere!

 

There are a variety of agencies that specialize in listing respected companies; like the Better Business Bureau or Angie’s List.  And there  is always the time honored method of using personal referrals, like for College Works Painting, a professional group of college students that will prep and paint nearly anything inside and out.

 

If we employ others to help with our to-do lists, we can then pick and choose where we focus our talents and time.  Of course, we still need a bit of R & R, and massages fit so well into that niche. Now that we have the time, let’s go get a massage while someone else cleans the pool. 

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Stillness abounds...if you allow it.

Give yourself the gift of quiet.  Leave the radio off in your car.  Forego the MP3 player on your next walk....and just be.  Allow the sounds of life to come to you.  How many different sounds can you indentify by just standing out side your door?  How many different birds can you hear?  Do you hear planes, cars, kids playing, lawns being mowed? 

We are bombarded by sounds of all kinds from so many different sources throughout the day we don't realize how much that adds to our stress levels.  Feel the difference as you drive with the radio on... then off.  It may take some getting used to being alone with your thoughts, but it is easy to do with a little practice.  And do practice until comfortable with the quiet.  It won't take long and is very rewarding on so many levels.

Then when you choose to add sound to your life, it is a choice, not an automatic reaction.  And you may find that you become more selective on what sounds you do add.  The gift of quiet is a wonderful way to honor yourself and a beautiful, restorative way to begin or end a day. 

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There is a Zen story of two monks who were once traveling together down a muddy road.  A heavy rain was falling.  Coming around a bend, they met a lovely girl in a silk kimono and sash, unable to cross the intersection.  "Come on, girl," said the first monk.  Lifting her in his arms, he carried her over the mud.  The second monk did not speak again until that night when they reached a  lodging temple.  Then he no longer could restrain himself.  "We monks don't go near females,"  he said.  "It is dangerous.  Why did you do that?" 

"I left the girl there," the first monk said. " Are you still carrying her?"

Pain is the reality of the situation around us, but suffering is caused by our relationship to that reality, whether we can let go of the past, and by our attitude.  Where can you let go of the past that is causing current suffering?

This is from Sandi Greenberg, a wonderful local yoga teacher.  For more on what Sandi does, check out her web site: NoPlaceLikeOmYoga.com or 602-741-2828

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Self-reflection is a wonderful way to become aware of the abundance in our lives, rather than the lack, as well as to learn about ourselves, our relationships, and what makes us truly happy and at peace.  The Naikan("Inside Looking") Practice, developed by Yoshimoto Ishin, a devout Buddhist monk, offers three insightful questions to answer honestly while sitting alone in a quiet place, looking within, without analyzing or judging ourselves or others.

1. What have I received today? Be aware of simple things like someone's smile, a bird's song, a polite act, etc.  The motivation for giving is not important. (Were you aware of feeling gratitude?)

2. What have I given today? Include the simple things like feeding your dog, sending a birthday card, making a call, etc. Your motivation is irrelevant.  (Were you aware of making a positive contribution to the planet?) 

3. What difficulties and troubles did you cause today? Don't forget honking at someone, asking an embarrassing question, being short tempered, etc.  We are all too aware of how others cause us inconvenience or difficulty, but rarely notice when we do it.

This comes from Sandi Greenberg, (with permission), a wonderful local yoga teacher. You can find out more of what Sandi does at: www.NoPlaceLikeOmYoga.com or 602-741-2828

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...It is how you are with how you are.

Honestly, think about that statement. It says so much is so little space.  It's NOT how you are, but how you ARE with how you are. What is your attitude towards your attitude? 

When we are frustrated or angry, most times it is due to feelings of lacking control. We may not have the power to change a situation or speed up a decision, but  we do have complete power over our reaction.  Some times just accepting the fact we can't change anything is just what is needed to make us feel less stressed.

When that feeling of angst starts to come into your awareness, your shoulder muscles begin to tense and your jaw tightens, stop and ask yourself some questions:  Do I really have any control over the matter?  Can I change anything?  If not, try moving into acceptance of the situation....not judging whether it is good or bad, just accepting what is. Then take a few deep breaths and settle into that sense of empowerment and allow the situation to unfold.

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You are empowered!

Stress can be caused by perceived feelings of lack of control.  Real or not.  And yet, outside demands do have a plus side as they get us up to walk the dog or make it to the grocery store when we don’t want to, because the benefits are obvious.

 

There are many other times, if we stop to assess a situation, we do have more options than we first realized.  Options that may be more in alignment with our needs and desires. One simple technique is to create the time to assess the situation and determine the best course of action.  Feel free to use phrases like, "I'll get back to you." or "I'll need a moment to think about this."  Rarely is a decision needed right then.
 
When we practice checking in with our heart or our gut, or wherever we keep our own personal guidance system, we can learn to find out how we really feel and determine a course of action that will be most beneficial.  Then we can make the best decisions that will get the job done, leading to less stress and more empowerment. 

It's not just for plants

75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3%.   One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of Washington study. Lack of water, the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.                      Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer. So drink up, my friends!! Back to Massage Makers' web site