Tag Archive for massage

Deep Tissue Massage

05/09/2011 Joh family, gratitude, health, home

On the weekend I had a massage that hurt. It was a deep tissue massage and I haven’t had one for over 10 years. This was my second visit to this therapist and I think she was gentle with me the first time, but this time, because I was in a better place… she went for it!

She had told me both times that I was really tired, exhausted in fact. I was quite flippant about it, thinking ‘no more than usual’. I have slept more in the past three days than I have for a long time. I just haven’t been able to stay awake. I feel very refreshed and alive though after each lengthy nap and full night’s sleep.

I honestly didn’t realise I was so tired.

The good thing is that the times I haven’t been napping I have achieved plenty because I feel energetic and refreshed. I have been for a walk every day except today cause I was helping Asha move house, not that I did much, but I was in and out a bit. My home is clean and orderly and I’ve shifted a bit of ‘stuff’. Darin has made a start on our vegetable garden, so I’m excited about that.

Asha’s new place is wonderful. It is perfect for them and it’s close to town (which is my main criteria for a home), and freshly renovated. I’ve just returned from dropping dinner off to them. They are sitting happily among a pile of boxes.

The warm, sunny weather has amazed and I’m booked to work for the next three days now the forecast has returned to cool and rainy. Life is good.

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Stand Up Straight

09/08/2011 Joh gratitude, health

I went to a new masseur on the weekend. She has a spiritual bent and was perfect for me right now. We had a big chat before I got on the table and it was great to unload a pile of things I’ve been grinding away internally about. She is also extremely reasonably priced and the space is heaven. I need a beautiful space to relax in. I need soothing smells, lighting, sounds and classy decor. Clinical doesn’t do it for me, nor does the latest fashion or imitation of every new age space I’ve been in. This space was amazing, beautiful original art, an impressive bookshelf, lots of texture and most of all very individual.

 I couldn’t believe my luck to be honest because I haven’t been taking care of my physical self lately due to lack of finances. She highlighted a few things that I’d said that probably weren’t working for me as a good counsellor would and I’m working on them.

Along the lines of taking better care of myself I’ve been noticing the things that feel better for me. All the simple things that I’ve worked out over the years of trying lots of stuff. I’ve stopped setting all these big goals and to do lists for myself. I’m out of emergency functioning and ready for the next phase. I think I am stuck in ‘I don’t know’ because I keep filling every space with things to do and haven’t given myself much time to work out what I really want right now.

I’ve been journalling daily in my private journal if not on my blog. I’ve been drinking plenty of water. I’ve been noticing my breathing. I’ve been standing up straight and letting go of scrunched up shoulders and enjoying that relief. I’ve been going to bed earlier. I’ve been using my essential oils and eating good food. I’m feeling a lot better.

Most of those things I knew worked for me, but I’ve just let them go. Standing up straight though is a new realisation. I remember my best friends mum Gail used to say to us ‘stand up straight’ and as teenagers we’d groan, but she was right. I often think of all the wonderful things Gail taught me and simply standing up straight is one of them. It’s also been great for times when I’m not feeling too confident yet want to look like I am;-). I’ve been doing it for a while really, but I must add it to my list of ways to pick myself up!

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Massage was Great

11/03/2010 Joh learn, reading

Great with a capital G! I have not been so impressed or rejuvenated by a massage for a long time. I haven’t had many this last year though to be honest. I waited until today to sing the praises though because I was waiting to see if I pulled up sore. It’s not always a bad thing to feel a bit tender the next day, but I don’t want to be crippled. I just feel great. I think after my second week of exercising that I’m finally starting to feel good in my body again.

I have to thank my daughter for referring this woman to me. She has been telling me for years to go to her, and I guess when she first told me I had been seeing Lynda for ages and was really satisfied with her. After trying a few other people who were just ok, I was reminded when I bought Asha a gift voucher for Christmas. Here it is March and I’ve finally got around to acting on that intention:-)

I’ve been listening to Malcolm Gladwell’s “Outliers” whilst I’ve been exercising. It is just as gripping as “Blink” was. Each night when Darin gets home from work I tell him another thing I’ve heard. He won’t need to read those books. Did you know it takes 10 000 hours to be an expert at something? I have been trying to think if there is anything useful I’ve done for that amount of time other than sleep and breathe.

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Tuesdays that feel like Mondays

09/03/2010 Joh health, work

Ah the long weekend that passed. I felt reluctant about getting up this morning. I got into work and had morning yard duty straight up. It was cold. I missed getting my new timetable and thinking I had a free as per my old timetable missed a class altogether. The students obviously kept themselves to a low chatter about the weekend and didn’t alert anyone to having no teacher. Many of them had seen me in the morning and knew I was there so I’m at a loss to explain why they didn’t come and find me. The pleasant outcome for me was that I had an extra free later in the day.

Some switched on students in my IT class solved a problem I’d spent the weekend trying to work in about 10 seconds. They are destined to get good reports. There is a group of students that are really advanced in their skills. I asked them today who had taught them so much. Apparently they had a teacher who had provided a pile of videos for them to access when they had a problem to solve. I thought they were probably from Adobe TV, but when I asked the students thought they were more likely from YouTube. These students are great at solving problems when they come across them in class.  It makes me wonder if as an IT teacher I don’t sometimes hold students back by my own limited knowledge and trying to stick to the curriculum.

I am exercising again. I am tired of feeling tired. I’ve had a lot of physical discomfort since I adopted my luxurious lifestyle of not exercising and eating lots of divine food. I reckon I got away with it for about 9 months and the last 3 have piled on weight and become increasingly uncomfortable in my own skin, not to mention tightening clothes. Luckily I remember the formula for me of how to feel healthy. Less fortunately it feels quite harder this time I clamour back on the exercise wagon. I have a massage tomorrow night though. Not only have I neglected the parts of being healthy that I’m not so keen on, I’ve also let go of massages and other more pleasant parts of maintaining my health. It can only go on for a limited time, and I’ve reached my limit.

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The Perfect Night for a Massage

23/08/2009 Joh gratitude

The wonderful woman who has been massaging me for a couple of years has moved. She continued to come back to town for a while, but has now stopped. I would have to drive over an hour to have a massage with her, which I would be willing to do, yet the drive home would possibly negate the relaxation benefits of the massage. I tried someone during the holidays. She was ok, but I didn’t feel at ease with her to be honest.

When I was last at the chiropractors, I asked her to recommend someone. She had after all recommended Lynda, who had turned out to be so good. There was a new masseur who had just started at the chiropractors and she recommended him so I made an appointment. It turned out he only works Friday afternoons. What better way to start a weekend I ask you?

I had my first experience of dry needling. I am not into pain or needles in any way, but I seriously didn’t feel them and as I had never had them before, and I like to try new things, I agreed. I have to say when I left the massage, my back felt so good it was as if I didn’t have a back. I have spent quite a full on day today. Darin’s kids have been here and I have done all the playing and lifting and shuffling that goes with three young children and still, my back is relatively relaxed and feeling good. I am impressed. I made another appointment before I left the chiropractors. If word gets out how good this young man is, I imagine those Friday afternoons will become heavily booked.

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New Moon in Leo – Thursday 20th August 2009

20/08/2009 Joh astrology

Today is the New Moon in Leo, occuring at about 8pm in Australia. Set some goals for the month ahead. Since the moon is in Leo perhaps they could be hair goals. I made an appointment to get my hair cut tomorrow night, but I’d also booked a massage a couple of weeks ago for the same time. I had forgotten all about it. I’m trying a new masseur who is operating from the Chiropractors. Need I say, the massage won. I cancelled my hair appointment!

I’m not sure what my goals are going to be for this new moon. I guess I’ll have a quick think about it now.

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Relaxed Day

08/07/2009 Joh health, home

Today I went to a new massage lady. My favourite has stopped working here and I’d missed my last appointment with her, so it’s been about 2 months since I’ve had one. The massage was good. I had a sore shoulder and neck and it feels like it’s been sorted out. It was a different vibe to my previous lady. This lady is a nurse and is more clinical in her approach, although she works from home and the environment is more casual. My previous masseur created a really serene environment that felt more like an indulgence. Still I guess it’s all about how my body feels and it feels good.

I lost my tooth yesterday. It was cracked to the bottom of the root, so it really wouldn’t have lasted long. I think all my little health issues are sorted out now. I am glad mum will be coming home tomorrow also. I visited her tonight and she looks really good and seems in great spirits.

I’ve had a pretty relaxing day today. Tomorrow it will be action again, so I’m glad I took the time out. I have to collect some window coverings from my mate Wilma and get them up before Darin’s parents arrive tomorrow night. It was super freezing last night so those windows need curtains, even though upstairs is always warmer.  I will also tidy up the little messes I’ve made since I cleaned up last week!

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Hard

30/05/2009 Joh family, health

I missed my massage last week. We had a function at school and I couldn’t make it. Today I feel like my body is an unhappy place to live in. Today was another difficult day. It’s difficult in my life right now. The thing is that nothing is bad, or not what I want. I want everything to be going the way it is.

I have faced a challenging situation at work. I wanted it the action to happen. It was the right thing to do. It was in the students best interests. I have wanted it for a long time. It was still difficult though. There is a price to pay and it all came to a head this week, today in particular. I hope it will bring an end to some ongoing problems, yet it will create other ones. I hope they will be easier to manage, but I don’t feel altogether sure or confident.  

Letting go of my son is painful. I adore him. He has been a constant loving presence in my life since he was born. I have always felt loved by him. I feel understood by him. He makes me laugh. He is caring and affectionate. His hugs have revived many a hard day. He forgives me when I am cranky and for countless other parental disappointments over the years. I want him to go out into the world and have adventures. I want it badly for him. I know he is resilient and independent. He has been financially holding his own for the last couple of years. He is well liked and makes friends easily. I am not worried about him because I think he lacks survival skills. I am worried about how I am going to move through my days without him. 

Today I had a few precious moments with Tom before we were interrupted by a visitor. Understandably it seems everyone wants to be around him lately. He told me to list all the things that were stressing me out. As I told him all the little things that had sapped me this week, all the hurts that had been brought to me by the students, the battles won and lost, he just looked into my eyes and he understood. He knows all my secrets. He doesn’t discount the things that give me grief. He doesn’t question why I care. He doesn’t dismiss. He doesn’t even take it on. Even when the visitor left and I expressed how angry I felt at the intrusion, he didn’t judge my irrational rage. He just knows me. I realised even more deeply what a gift he has been in my daily life.

Thank goodness for the internet, mobile phones and flights. I was thinking today about women who had to see their sons off into the world during times without our communication conveniences. It would have been so much harder. I am lucky in comparison. My mum has let go of six children. I have only had to do it twice. It helps to compare.

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How Relaxed? Very Relaxed!

19/12/2008 Joh gratitude

I went to Melbourne last night and visited Willy on the way to Asha’s. She is in a beautiful light, airy new home. I love seeing my friends in great homes. She is sharing the house with her beautiful daughter, Dallis and it will be great to catch up with them both at once in the future. I know they are going to love living there and there’s a pool and a spare bedroom, so I also know I am going to love staying there with them.

I got to the Camels Hump unfortunately after they’d turned the coffee machine off, but really who needs coffee at that late hour? I heard about the amusing Kev’s excellent adventure in Thailand as they packed up and waited for the lingering ones to leave. I slept at Asha’s so we could get to the radio station on time.

When we got to Nova 100 , the transport was late so we had a tour of the station. I don’t listen to the radio anymore, let alone Melbourne radio, so much of the excitement was lost on me, yet the people were warm, friendly, young and very upbeat. It was a happy environment, which I apprecitated.

The Aurora Spa Retreat was gorgeous. I had a deep tissue massage from Adamo that was the best ‘deep tissue’ massage I’ve ever had. I had a year of those kinds of massages at an earlier stage in my life and they were all pain. I decided I didn’t need that anymore, but clearly I was going to the wrong person. This guy was amazing, absolutely no pain, but the knots that had accumulated in my shoulders and neck were dealt with expertly.  Then we had a meditation session, which was really effective. It was lucky we had lunch after that, which grounded me, or I probably would have been a hazard on the road due to being over relaxed. I managed to skillfully avoid the lovely photographer, but Asha got snapped.

It was a blissful day and when I got home this afternoon, I had a lovely long nap. All is well in the world.

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Indulgence!

18/12/2008 Joh gratitude

I’m off to Melbourne tonight as my daughter has won a day spa and can bring a friend. I am so pleased she chose me to share this with! Tomorrow I am going to be spending the day being massaged etc with her. Aren’t we lucky! I tell you all about it when I get back. It couldn’t come at a better time.

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