07/31/2024
“Live in the sunshine. Swim in the sea. Drink in the wild air.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
It's August already, can you believe it? I am so thankful for these long sunny days spent gardening, eating copious amounts of blueberries and cooling off in wild water to escape the Summer heat. I hope you've been having a lovely Summer, too!
In this months newsletter I'm going to give you a breath work exercise I've been enjoying lately. Life can feel like A LOT sometimes, and it's so important to have some tools in your pocket you can go to when needed to calm the nervous system and return to your body. Oftentimes with the intensity of Summer heat you can also experience heightened emotions - so this is going to be good for down regulating and "cooling off" your system!
At the end of this months newsletter you'll also see a new client referral program I'm offering and a link to book your next appointment. A gentle reminder that massage therapy is best received when incorporated into a wellness routine - think once a month or every six weeks. Massage therapy is wonderful for pain relief, preventing injury, helping speed up the recovery process, increasing flexibility, boosting the immune system, regulating the nervous system and more. You can always come in more or less frequently depending on your needs.
Take good care & savor the sunny days,
Shea McKibben LMBT
Breathwork Technique:
Box Breath
Another name for this breath technique is called four-square breathing. It's great for calming overwhelm from stress or anxiety and helps to navigate through tough times. Set aside 5 minutes in your day to try this breathing exercise.
Step 1: Find a comfortable seated position
Use bolsters, pillows, a yoga mat or a comfortable chair to create a space where you can sit upright and relaxed. Other things you may want to include in your space are calming scents, a candle or soothing sounds.
Step 2: Exhale to Prepare
To begin, exhale through the mouth while counting slowly to four and allowing all of your breath to leave the body.
Step 3: Inhale
Begin to inhale through the nose and slowly count to four, allowing the lungs to fill with fresh breath. Once you feel the fullness in your lungs, bring this down into your belly and feel the abdomen expand. Once you've reached the top of your inhale hold the breath and slowly count to four.
Step 4: Exhale
Exhale all of your breath through the mouth and slowly count to four. Invite your attention to the breath leaving the body and making room for new, fresh air. Continue this breathing practice for five minutes.
Step 5: Self check-in
Check in and see how your body feels after this practice. Do you feel relief? Any shifts?
This breathwork practice came from an amazing book that I highly recommend: The Power of Breathwork - Simple Practices to Promote Wellbeing by Jennifer Patterson
Refer someone + receive a discounted treatment!
Thank you so much for your referrals, they never go unnoticed. If you refer a new client who successfully books an appointment you will receive a 15% discount the next time you come in for a bodywork session!
Looking forward to seeing you soon. Now booking for August & September, secure a time on my schedule through the link below. Friendly reminder that I oftentimes don't have the availability for same day appointments but will try to accommodate if possible.
Thai Massage & Integrative Massage
Specializing in deep tissue, assisted stretching and creating customized relaxing + therapeutic bodywork sessions to suit your individual needs.
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