My most favorite essential oil right now is wonderfully grounding Rosemary. While the foods are being prepared for Thanksgiving feast my diffuser is emitting lovely holiday scents throughout our home. These oils help not only to curb tension in the air but also clean the air. Diffusing essential oils is quite a modern form of technology. We are able to incorporate the essential oils into the air we breathe in our homes and that is pretty amazing. For a diffuser to properly work without destroying or altering the original chemical composition of the essential oil being used, it must be either an ultrasonic or a nebulizer. Both of these designs use water and no heat to produce a finely scented vapor into the air. I am an avid essential oil user and I know the spa typically has the space smelling blissful year round. The fun part about the diffuser recipes is making up your own. So I am stuck on Rosemary and Clove right now because it is so very festive and healing. The more I begin to explore the wide world of essential oils and the healing power that even a diffuser can bring into the home the more curious I become. This holiday season I am thankful for a passion. I am thankful for my family and friends of course but I owe a lot of good to my passion for health and healing. When we follow our passion it never leads us astray. Don’t shy away from shining in whatever way is uniquely you. Now get out there and enjoy your snowy holiday, rest, relax, recharge and perhaps Rosemary? P.S. I think a little post Thanksgiving massage therapy ain’t a bad idea either.

The Reno Tahoe area is chalk full of avid winter sports enthusiasts. Once the snowfall commences the locals are geared up and ready to ride the slopes. Highly active individuals are more prone to injury due to overuse of joints and muscle groups needed to ski or snowboard all season long. One of the most vulnerable joints involved in winter sports are the tendons and ligaments that make up the knee. Shortly after ending a six-hour day on the hill it is typical to have some discomfort in the legs due to intense wear and tear. In order to keep your body in top shape it is important to seek out some self-care post shred session. A massage is the perfect way to unwind while also encouraging the body to heal after some serious skiing. One of my favorite essential oils for massage therapy is bold and beautiful Frankincense. This essential oil is also known as the master oil because it not only aids in the reduction of pain and tension but also puts the mind in a meditative state. I have found this oil to be my go to for helping to relieve tension in the knees. Try applying a drop or two directly onto the knee and immediately covering the area with a hot towel or compress. The heat combined with the essential oil of Frankincense produces a highly relaxing and soothing treatment. The knees can become fatigued and sore even due to repressed anger held within the body. Frankincense tends to help us feel grounded and stable therefore reminding the body that this long held anger needs to go. Please be sure to visit the spa on your way home from the slopes. We will be happy to help you recuperate from an exhilarating yet exhausting day on the mountain so you can get back out and do it again!

The area surrounding the hips and thighs is quite powerful and very in tune with the root chakra. When we feel grounded in our life and supported we tend to have good flexibility in this area with healthy joint mobility. However in times of financial distress or emotional turmoil we will typically feel tension and a sense of immobility in our hips. For instance, after a woman experiences a traumatic experience in childbirth her hips are usually quite sore and stiff for many weeks if not months to follow. When someone has a strong support system throughout something as intense and at times scary as childbirth the body tends to heal up quite quickly. The hips are where we process many of our burdens in life especially those related to money. When we struggle to get by financially there is often times more pain associated with the right side rather than the left. When the issue of distress is more emotionally based we will probably feel the pain or tension in our left hip. Being able to perform regular self care exercises involving not only stretching but also strengthening the hips is very important. Think of hip openers in yoga and exercises like skiing or biking for maintaining healthy hips and thighs. Massage therapy can be invaluable when it comes to relaxing and relieving tension in the hips. Ashiatsu is a beautifully deep form of massage that allows the therapist to position the client on his or her side therefore creating a deep connection with the muscles surrounding the hip. Prenatal massage prepares the body for birth and encourages the release of tension from the hips so that we are able to let go when it is time. The application of essential oils like Vetiver can encourage balance in the hips and remind our body that we are safe and supported. Ask your massage therapist about aromatherapy next time you’re in the spa for a luxurious boost in your treatment. Lets all try and be a support system for one another this holiday season, we all have the ability to lend a helping hand to those in need. Remember to take care of yourself and you will be better able to take care of others.

There is an old adage that goes something like, “if it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it." I am a firm believer in following the gut both physically as well as emotionally. If I experience an upset stomach after eating certain foods, well I just don’t eat those foods again. If I happen upon a situation that doesn’t sit right in my belly, well I just avoid those situations. Your intuition is linked up to your gut and when there happens to be discomfort in your stomach you are probably experiencing either a food borne illness or an emotionally difficult issue. Lets look at one of my most favorite essential oils: patchouli. Not only is this particular oil aligned with the root chakra but it is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to relieve cramping, nausea and indigestion. This herbaceous and spicy scent helps to remove dampness from the body and harness an earthy energy. Those who fear losing control of situations would be wise to work with Patchouli regularly. Just a simple topical application of a drop or two with coconut oil on the abdomen can help relieve tension in this sensitive area. We work through decisions with our brain but also with our belly. We may think we are ready to move on but feelings lingering in the stomach could be telling another story. Be open to receiving insight and wisdom from your gut, it is highly in tune with your immunity and wellbeing. Perhaps it is time we take some of the decision making process off the brain and learn to check things over with our digestive system first. I have been working with Patchouli for two years now and sense the grounded energy just from the aroma alone. It is powerful and gentle at the same time making it a fabulous essential oil for the entire family. Please stop by for some centering massage therapy work this season. Let the stress fall away with the leaves as we welcome changing seasons.

By Sarah McCallum
Massage Therapist
NLMSC