The Fuzz Speech…

I have heard and read for years that it’s important to stretch before you exit the bed in the morning. Most of the reasons given have to do with blood flow and getting the blood that pools in the extremities out of the legs and arms and back into the core of the body.

Then I ran across “The Fuzz Speech” and this new approach to the importance of stretching and movement kind of smacked me upside the head. I knew about the “stuckness” that happens after injury or prolonged disuse of the body. As a massage therapist, I see these kinds of body issues every day in my clients. As a part-time desk jockey, I have struggled with these kinds of body issues for years. But I had very little visualization into what the anatomy and physiology behind it was.

I’ve never heard of this “fuzz” before and I am fascinated.

So the following video is a talk given by Dr. Gil Hedley about this stuff he calls fuzz that grows between what I understand is the fascial sheaths of muscles (perhaps it is part of the fascia?). The fuzz grows while the muscles are still, i.e., while we sleep or spend hours hunched in front of our computers or vegging on the couch. Enough fuzz and you realize you’re stiff and have trouble getting going again. Even more fuzz and it becomes strong enough to cause restrictions in movement. This is the point where I typically see a new client.

The solution to the fuzz? Movement, period.

As someone who struggles daily with getting enough activity and movement, I found this to be pure genius. It shores up my resolve to move more, to stretch more, to get more of the E-word.

So since I’ve told you all about it, perhaps you would actually like to see the video? Just a word before you view it, there’s cadaver footage in the video. In case you’re sensitive to that kind of thing, you might want to just listen.

http://youtu.be/_FtSP-tkSug

The Fuzz Speech… Read More »

Finally Bamboo-fusion Certified!

So if you follow along over on my Facebook page you already know that I spent last weekend in Nashville learning a new technique. It’s called Bamboo-fusion and it was created by the lovely Nathalie Cecilia.

All my friends are asking if I’ve gotten into caning. Bamboo-fusion can’t be any further from the punishing aspects of the Asian practice, unless of course you want me to whip those shoulders into line with a warmed bamboo tool. The warm tools come in various sizes and shapes and are used to melt the tension and trigger points away as well as releasing myofascial restrictions. Does that sound like a punishment?

I can tell you from experience it’s not! It is, in fact, a wonderfully relaxing and healing massage that is also therapeutic. My first experience with Bamboo-fusion was last spring when I had a massage from the lovely Melissa Millson in Gulf Shores, AL. At that time she managed to relieve my aching forearms and elbows with her warm bamboo in only one 1-hour treatment. Sweet relief!

Since my training and experiencing this modality while learning my shoulders and neck feel better than they have in quite a while. This even after I drove 2.5 hours home.

Below I am embedding a video of Nathalie Cecilia demonstrating Bamboo-fusion for chair massage. I certified in the table massage so it’s a little different. Nonetheless, I wanted to share with you not only a demonstration of the technique, but also her lovely French accent. Enjoy!

Oh, and don’t forget to call today to schedule your Bamboo-fusion massage with Harvest Moon Massage Therapy & Reflexology. We are Decatur, Alabama’s only Bamboo-fusion provider!

Finally Bamboo-fusion Certified! Read More »

To Sleep, Perchance To Dream

Here is an interesting article on sleep. It talks about how our ancestors used to sleep before the advent of the light bulb and the Industrial Revolution. I think I would like to experiment with sleeping this way some day.

I think I have experienced this bi-modal “phenomenon” at times in the past and didn’t know what it was. I tend to be much more relaxed about waking during the night these days than I used to be.

What about you? Have you experienced this?

To Sleep, Perchance To Dream Read More »

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

For the Pirates:
Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Let it be known that th’ brig, Scavenger, shall set sail on February 18th at 6 in the eve in barnacle-covered Decatur Town. Manned by th’ Krewe O’ Ye Crooked Goat thar shall be celebratin’ ‘n consortin’ throughout the eve to celebrate Mardi Gras!

For the Rest of Us Landlubbers:
Carnegie Visual Arts Center in Decatur, AL will be hosting its first ever Carnival and Mardi Gras parade. There’s a gnarly band o’ pirates called Krewe O’ Ye Crooked Goat who will be sailing through the parade. Like their Facebook page to keep up with news of when and where to find them. It’s going to be an awesome spectacle.

Come help us line the parade route February 18th @ 6pm. There’s going to be candy and beads and other fun things for the spectators in addition to the parade.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Read More »

Claire Marie Miller Seminars

Several years ago I took an Integrative Reflexology course from Claire Marie Miller Seminars and to this day I remember how professional and high-quality that seminar was. Thus, I have added several dates for her Nurturing the Mother and Integrative Reflexology to the Massage CEU Central Calendar.

Check out dates for Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee in February, June, July and October here. Other dates and locations can be found on the Claire Marie Miller Seminars schedule by clicking here.

Claire Marie Miller Seminars Read More »

January Special – Let’s Get Our Ashi-Thai On!

So yesterday as I was working with a regular client we were talking about Ashi-Thai and how she wanted to try it. After she got dressed, I put her back on the table and did a few stretches on her hips. That’s when I discovered that it’s been so long since I had anyone in for Ashi-Thai that I had forgotten which foot to use for which move.

So I’ve decided that January is going to be Ashi-Thai month. Book and receive an hour of Ashi-Thai during the month of January and get $10 off the regular fee. That’s $50 for an hour of Ashi-Thai goodness.

Call soon and get on the schedule!

January Special – Let’s Get Our Ashi-Thai On! Read More »

Meditation

Did I mention I’ve been taking a meditation class? I’ve only been a couple of times, but I’m really digging it. Anyone interested can join us at my office this Thursday evening, November 10th at 7pm.

Deb Paradise of The How of Tao will be leading the group and offering her expertise in all things meditation. Bring something comfortable to sit on (dog bed pillows work well) as most of us sit in the floor. We ask a $20 donation per person for Deb as she drives in from Birmingham to facilitate this group.

If you think you might make it, give me a call so we leave the door open for you.

Meditation Read More »