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Remember to Breathe…

November 20, 2017 by Susan Ball

Oh, the holidays (daze) are upon us!!! So much fun and food and friends and family – a truly magical time of year with crisp, sunny days and beautiful decorations. But sometimes it can be a bit of a stimulus overload. All the shopping and planning, trying to find parking, passive aggressive relatives, relentless gray days. UGH! It’s enough to make you want to pull the covers over your head until January.

WOAH, Nelly! Let’s rewind to when it was still magical. If you’ve ever considered the notion that your mood is your choice, now’s a good time to recall that. If this is a new concept for you, hear me now and believe me later. It’s true.

The only things we actually have control over are our actions and our reactions. All the rest of it is out of our control, so let it go with a big ole deep breath and a really loud sigh. If folks are snipping and snapping, mentally put yourself in their shoes for a moment & see from their perspective. (Own it if you caused it.) Most crazy outbursts are fear driven in some fashion. Once the smoke clears, try this thought, “meh, no harm no foul.” And keep moving. We are each doing the very best we know how at this moment, and we’re all in a different place along the road. Allow for the differences.

In the thick of it, delegate what you can. Those you spoil are way more capable than they think they are. Say no to some of it. The world will keep turning. Choose to enjoy the process of every task, every visit, every detour. Actively look for some serendipity. And if you need to, stop a minute, close your eyes, take a few breaths. Take each big deep to the belly inhale and on the exhale think these thoughts with the emphasis on BEEEEEEE…

(inhale)   BE calm.   (inhale)   BE quiet.   (inhale)   BE still.   (inhale)   BE kind.

Some situations and people are easier than others, so keep practicing. Never mind trying to. Just be. And let it go.

Mongolian Lantern Festival

Photo credit: Jargalsaikhan Dorjnamjil via Flickr.com

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: breathe, de-stress, gratitude, holiday, massage, relax, self care

Happy Anniversary, Balancing ALL!

October 9, 2017 by Susan Ball

Has it been a year already since I opened my very own massage studio?! And what a fabulous year it has been! I’ve enjoyed every minute. I am so grateful for trusting clients, a beautiful space, a brilliant web designer, and supportive landlords, friends and family. It all fell right into place like it was simply meant to be.

It is such an honor and a privilege to be able to participate in someone’s wellness regime, and help consider the possible source of his or her discomfort. Sometimes a few simple changes in one’s daily routine can make all the difference. I think bodies are fascinating – our dynamic, beautiful, personal works of art! We have more to say about how they feel than we realize. Knowledge is power, so keep learning new things about the miraculous workings of your body.

In the spirit of gratitude and celebration, I offer you 15 bonus minutes on every massage received or gift certificate bought through the end of November, 2017. Include the code HAPPYFIRST when you schedule so we can allow for your bonus time.

Filed Under: Promo Tagged With: gratitude, happy anniversary, happy birthday, massage, promo, self care, specials

Steppin’ out this summer

June 9, 2017 by Susan Ball

YAY!! It’s Summer! The kids are out of school. The pools are open. It’s time to GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY!!!

I am newly acquainted with, and completely jazzed about GoVibrant.org’s 2nd annual, greatly expanded, 15 neighborhood 1 Million Step Challenge. I plan to do every last walking route they’ve created!

The challenge is only just now under way as of the 2 mile Veggie Walk downtown at the Taste of Cincinnati on 5/27, and runs through 10/28, wrapping up with the Zombie Walk. That’s 22 weeks. If you do the math, that’s just under 6,500 steps a day – totally doable! Hop online & learn so much more about this amazing city-wide experience. Let me know how it goes.

As you hit the trails, try these helpful tips that seem to keep me healthy and happy between massages.
1) Wear your sunscreen! Remember your ears and the back of your neck & knees & the part in your hair!
2) Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Drag a bottle of water with you. If you’re going on an extended jaunt, add some citrus juice, a crunch of sea salt, a drizzle of real maple syrup, some coconut water and maybe a mint sprig just for fun.
3) Warm up a little. Before you begin try some easy leg swings, arm circles, back movements just to oil the joints and wake up the muscles. Then after you’ve been at it a while give some gentle stretch to any muscles that are yelling at you.
4) Save your neck. Look out at the wonderful world around you rather than down at the ground right in front of your feet. You can glance once in a while for uneven pavement, but that’s it.
5) Save your low back. Engage your core. Pick up your rib cage. Pick up your head. Keep a neutral, upright spine. Your whole torso with thank you.
6) Stretch out when you’re done. Ahhh, great job! Reward your body with some gentle stretch. Maybe catch a breeze to cool off before you jump right in that hot car. Maybe catch a yin class a couple times a week for added bonus.

(Not medical advice. Know & honor your body, and adjust accordingly.)

Filed Under: Exercise Tagged With: GoVibrant, hydration, step challenge, walking

Pull those weeds — but honor your body

May 6, 2017 by Susan Ball

Gardening season is in full swing. What a beautiful time of year, but how’s your back feeling? Try these adjustments to your weeding & planting sessions, and let me know how it goes.

1) Before you hit the dirt, hit the floor with some Superman squeezes to warm up and tone your back muscles. Lie on your belly & lift your arms/legs/chest using your back muscles. Mix up the time/quantity to tolerance. Points for style creativity such as fake swim strokes or jumping jacks.
2) If you’re bending forward, use your big thigh & butt muscles, keeping the weight in your heels. Keep your belly muscles engaged! Hinge at your hips & knees, maintaining a flat back. Avoid rounding over with your upper body. Ouch! That hurts my low back just thinking about it.
3) If you’re down low weeding or planting, mix up your postures & always maintain a flat back w/ engaged core muscles. Alternate between a deep squat w/ wide knees, kneeling on one knee then the other, sit on a low seat. Whatever doesn’t hurt, but keep mixing it up.
4) Frequently stand up as soon as you feel twinges, and check out the top of that tree or watch that bird fly by while you squeeze your back muscles and your shoulder blades together for a moment.
5) Ahhh, then back to work! Keep your water handy and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!!

(Not medical advice. Know & honor your body, and adjust accordingly.)

Filed Under: Back Pain Tagged With: back pain, flat back, gardening, hydrate

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