Making Future Plans

I had previously said in my post about being a SAHM (Becoming a Stay At Home Mum) that it wasn't going to be forever. This year would of been 13 years since I qualified as an aromatherapist, followed by my other qualifications up to my BTEC in Make Up Artistry. I had invested hundreds of pounds in my training and I feel that I am wasting those years of training away. Trying to find work that also fits around looking after Beth is so rare it could be classed as gold dust.

This brings me round to what I am currently putting research in and require your help. I am planning to start a aromatherapy based beauty and massage company. To find if I am along the right lines with my thinking I am asking anyone and everyone with a few minutes to spend to help me by filling in a questionnaire.

Follow the link to the form here

As Yet I am still in the early stages of planning and researching but am excited. I briefly ran my own company a few years back (it was also ones of reasons I started the blog), but that was closed down last year after it wasn't successful, it was a great learning experience and this time I am using all the lessons I've taken and applying them for this.

Thank you to everyone who's taking the time to fill it in, and hopefully in the next few months I can give you some great news.

Masterclass - Other Massage Techniques

I originally planned for this to focus on Swedish massage technique, however it only ended up being a few lines long and I was only repeating what I had written before. After a rethink I thought I would give a round up on the other techniques that are out there and a symmetrisation of each one

Amna Massage is the Japanese version of massage, using more deeper techniques and kneading.

Ayurvedic massage is the mixture of yoga, medication and herbal remedies; this uses one or two therapist and heated oil  The central concept of Ayurvedic medicine is the theory that health exists when there is a balance between three fundamental bodily humours or doshas called Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Bare foot deep muscle uses the therapists feet that combines western and eastern techniques on the patients body. It is said that it can the same effect on the patient without causing strain of the therapists hand or back. Can also be done clothed or unclothed.

Bowen technique involves a rolling movement over muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints.The technique is less stress on the patients joints and is more recommended for very young or elderly patients.

Lympathic Massage technique used to gently work and stimulate the lymphatic system, to assist in reduction of localised swelling. Recommended for people who have slight;y sedate lifestyle, this works on a very light pressure combined with soft pumping movements in the direction of the lymph nodes.

Stone massage uses different temperature stones to soothe or stimulate the muscles, and can also take some strain for the therapist.

Swedish Technique uses five different long flowing strokes, it is only in English, Québécois and Dutch speakers that call it this, other countries refer it as a classic massage.

I do also recognise that there are many more variations out there with their own techniques and benefits.  

Next week - The start of the make up masterclass's

Masterclass - Reflexology

For someone who really didn't like feet that much, Reflexology was a weird choice of qualification I took after Aromatherapy and Indian Head Massage. My first practise model didn't increase my confidence as her feet didn't look very inviting with lumps of hard skin and general murkiness (sorry if you're eating). I had done my research before, it had ignited an interest so I ignored my fears and I am very glad I did.

Reflexology, also known as zone therapy, is done by applying pressure on either hands or feet using the therapists fingers and thumb. The belief is that the body is reflected onto the soles and palms of feet and hands, manipulating these areas can help the body into balancing the zones. It also can relief tension, and improves circulation.

The basis of reflexology was introduced by William H. Fitzgerald (ears, throat and nose specialist) and Dr. Edith Bowman in 1913, which split the hands and feet into ten zones that reflect the body. This was then modified by Eunich D. Ingham (a nurse and physiotherapist) who spilt the therapy into the 'reflexes' we use today.

Click to enlarge

The therapist will take a medical history before cleansing the feet, they will then either apply lotion or talc (I prefer talc a lot less slippery when your are working deeply). They will start with the head at the toes and systematical work down the foot, working a little harder on areas that they feel they need to. When I completed my Mani/Pedicure certificate I also Incorporated a pedi with the treatment, which also made my clients feel all floaty happy.

It is a interesting subject and from experience I have discovered things about the client just from their feet that they didn't inform me off. It is a recommended treatment for stress relief and has had some success (however no medically trailed) with fertility issues.

 Next week - The basis for most massage routines - Swedish

Masterclass - What Is Champissage?

In my whites from last weekend, ready for action!

For the regular readers who tuned into last weeks Aromatherapy Masterclass, will already know the answer to this weeks question. The belief in Champissage is that energy channels are unblocked by the head, face and shoulders massaged. Champissage is also known as Indian Head Massage, and originates as the name suggests from India. The therapy was brought over to the west by Narendra Mehta.

The key benefit of Champissage is that as it's a focused massage therapy it can be used in smaller amounts of time like 15-30 minutes. It can also be done fully clothed for people who feel uncomfortable undressing to be massaged, a massage oil/cream it not also necessary to perform this treatment as well (however it does make it easier). It can also benefit people in offices as it can fitted into lunch breaks and helps tense muscles that can come from slouching over a keyboard.

The treatment usual takes place with the client on a chair, the therapist will start from the upper arms and shoulders. Then would work the neck, scalp and lastly the face. For the face the client is asked to lean their neck back (if possible) and a support is put there while the therapist works.

I learnt about this therapy just as I was completing my aromatherapy training, I did mine in a week long course. I think out of all the massage therapies this is one of the best to start with as it the course prices are reasonable (mine was about £100 in 2002, compared to about £500 for a body course) and is the most simplest to pick up.

Next Week: Reflexology

Masterclass - Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the understanding of using essentials oils from plants can affect the physical and psychological of the client. The first record of use was ancient Egypt that used these extracts in embalming their dead (and also making them smell a little more pleasant). The Greeks also used an early kind of aromatherapy to treat aliments, including Hipprociates, the starter of medicine.

The term 'aromatherapy' was first coined by french alchemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse in 1910. Gattefosse burnt his hand after an experiment went wrong; he then plunged his hand in the nearest liquid - a vat of lavender oil and realise that this oil had increased the healing time. His first work, "Aromathérapie: Les Huiles Essentielles Hormones Végétales" (1937) is what modern aromatherapy is based on today.

Essential oils is a term that is form the liquid that is extracted from plants, which can be the flowers, leaves, stem, and/or wood. These are distilled from then using different methods like steaming and pressing, until the oil comes out. They are highly scented and should not be put direct onto the skin, they should be diluted into a base oil or water before use.

The most popular essentials oils are tea tree (Latin: Melaleuca alternifolia), a fresh, zingy oil that is anti-septic, anti-fungal and anti-viral; and Lavender (Latin: Lavandula angustifolia), a woody floral that is anti-stress, soothes and calms frayed nerves. There are thousands of different oils, I have spent many an afternoon smelling scents and mixing my own blends. All true essentials oils should have their Latin name of the plant they came from on the label so you know its origin, unfortunately in this instance the manufactures ones are not up to standard.

Base oils (can be known as carrier oils as they 'carry' the essential oils) are slightly thicker than essentials oils, these contain nutrients for the skin. These are mostly pressed from nuts, seeds and fruit. The most popular in these are Almond oil, Grapeseed and Evening Primrose oil. Each have their own different nutrient value and are just as fun to mix up as essentials oil to produce the perfect treatment.

The way a treatment should be is that you will have a conversation with your therapist, and this can include how you are feeling as well as general medical issues. The therapist should then select a blend to you to smell, this is your blend (as they mixed together) as well as discuss how you are continuing your treatment. I found the best way to have a massage, the movements are flowing soothing and you come away floating away. As a therapist I also like giving a massage not only for the effect on the client but also on myself as I receive the benefits!

I got into aromatherapy just over 10 years ago now and love it. You do not know how much it touches your everyday life. I love scents and smells, this lead onto my job for Boots as a Fragrance Consultant for 3 and half years. It is a fascinating subject that infuses chemistry, biology and phsyicology, that not only takes in the body but the whole well being of the client.

Next week: My next qualification - Indian Head Massage

Masterclass - Massage Techniques

Which one are you? I'm hopefully none of these!

Last week we learnt that massage has great benefits not only physical but mental (Introduction to massage), this week we going to look at more the different movement or techniques that make up a massage routine.

Effleurage

This is always a smooth stroking movement, that is used firstly to establish a connection with the client and also to establish a level of firmness a therapist can have on the client. This is also a relaxing movement, repetitive to lull your muscles to relax. It is lead by the fingers and uses the whole of the hand to glide over the skin. Can also be used to disperse oil over the area. There is a one movement that is similar called feathering that uses the same technique but more with the finger tips than the whole hand.

Petrissage

Best described as a kneading action, and is carried out on more fleshy parts of the body. It feels like a rolling action as the hands of the therapists gently sqeeze and release handfuls of the flesh while pressure is being applied using the heels of the palms. For smaller areas thumbs and fingers can be used as well as varying pressures. Kneading promotes the draining away of waste prodcuts and aids circulation.

Pulling

Simply is what it says: A movement that more used on fleshier parts of the body, starting from the front the therapist using a curved hand would move their hands towards the back. This produces a slight "pulling" sensation with loosens the muslces on the side of the torso.

Friction

This uses the hterapists thumbs in to dig a little deeper into those tissues that need that little bit more help. This should only be done after 10-15 mintues of warming up the muscles as without it it's very uncomfrotable for the client. One of best wasy to have this done is to have the gaps of the spine done, this is a great tension release.

Nothing should feel uncomfortable or painful, we want you to feel relaxed and comfortable. For this we need your feedback on how it feels, a good therpist should check throughout the treatment if you are happy without distrubing the process of relaxation. If you're sleeping we will leave you alone until we really do have to move you (and don't feel ashamed I find it a compliment!)

Next we start looking at more individual thereapies starting with the one I first qualified in (and my persoanl favourite): Aromatherapy.

Masterclass - Introduction to Massage

The basis of massage consists of manipulation of superficial tissue and underlying muscle; this can be done by using different ways using hands, feet, elbows, and knees. The word massage comes from different languages but the general translation's to knead, touch, feel or handle.

Th practise of massage can be recorded to years back, Hippocrates (the founder of medicine) in the fifth century wrote that, "the physician must be experienced in many things, but assuredly in rubbing". He was an advocate of being "rubbed" to aid illness, fatigue and injury before any understanding of the circulation system was noted. It now be found widely used throughout the world with each country having its own technique and practise.

The benefits of massage are now clear in the modern world:

• Pain relief - When used correctly in injury can relieve slight swelling by moving liquid away from the area.
• Relieves anxiety
• Temporary lowers blood pressure and heart rate as it is a destresser.
• Can be used to treat people with depression alongside medication.

At most massage it a complimentary therapy which means that it can be used alongside or instead of modern medication (however if you are on medication it is best to get the go ahead from your doctor). 

One of most destressing part of massage is having a human contact that it involves as well as having that "time out" for yourself, and in the most part that's the most healing part of the treatment. There is also many ranges of massage so there is one for everyone, and not all of them involve taking your clothes of which is most common question about massage!

Next week we'll look at the basic techniques used in massage, so you know what movements construct a massage routine and what it should feel like.