Island Oasis Massage Therapy

19/12/2016

Buy 2 gift certificates and get 20% off a service for yourself...

12/12/2016

12/12/2016

Island Oasis Gift Guide:

Compiling your gift list for your friends, family and co-workers can be a daunting task. We want to help make it easier with some fantastic suggestions for healthy living from Island Oasis. From the revitalizing skin therapy or massage gift certificate you can find something for everyone on your list this holiday season! Here are some unique gift ideas for those hard-to-buy-for people on your shopping list.

The Athlete:
Have a brother or sister-in-law that runs the marathon or is a biking enthusiast? We have the perfect gift package for the athlete in your life. Give them the gift of relief from sore, tired muscle with one of our hot & cold therapy treatments. The heat and cold gives sore muscles and joints the heat or ice therapy they need to repair quickly. Also add in an aromatherapy massage with a refreshing blend of peppermint and rosemary essential oils can provide hydration after workouts.

The Busy Mom:
Have a sister or niece that just had a baby or has a bunch of little ones at home? Give the busy mom in your life the gift of stress relief she can enjoy anytime. Our proprietary blends of aromatherapy include Relax, Breathe, Energize and Revive, which offer a natural relief for the mom that has her plate full every day. Choose from linen sprays, body butters, bath wash and body scrubs as well as many other aromatherapy products.

The Tired Teacher:
Do you have a friend or loved one who is a teacher? Give them the luxury of of a full body massage with the added benefit of a hot oil hair treatment or cold stone face massage.

The Stressed Student:
Have a student in your life that is struggling with finals or anyone that has stress in his/her life? Give them the gift of massage therapy with one of our gift cards! Nothing can relieve stress and boost productivity quicker than a relaxing massage. They can use the gift certificate any way they choose, for a massage, body treatment or to buy some of our fantastic products.

We have something for almost anyone on your list. Have a happy holiday season and thank you for letting Island Oasis be a part of it!

09/12/2016

"Simple Secret to Running Longer and Faster:

You’re an athlete. You expect your body to perform to the best of its ability. In order to do so, you have to care for yourself. Everyone knows that hydration, proper nutrition, plenty of sleep and regular training are key to sustaining your body during times of physical exertion. What you may not know is that regular massage is just as important in your training program as any of the obvious components. Massage, through its many health benefits, is an all-natural performance enhancer that stimulates the muscle, blood and lymph systems to keep muscles, joints and tendons in optimum shape so that you can reach your full potential.

Running requires sustained, repetitive muscle contractions. These contractions are what translate into the speed, power and distance you are able to run. The harder you work to contract these muscles, the more muscle fibers are required to shorten. If they are short and tight to begin with, the contraction will not be able to generate as much force, decreasing your range of motion and speed. Massage stimulates the muscles and soft tissue allowing them to stretch and elongate so that you can run further, faster. A study published in Medicine & Science shows that after consistent massage, runners gained four degrees of flexibility and 12 percent strength in their legs. This increase in flexibility and strength renders direct results in your running performance. Feeling more flexible and nimble, you will soon find yourself flying down the running path you once found difficult to traverse

With flexible, relaxed muscles, you are less likely to suffer an injury. Muscles that fit together well and work as a flexible unit are much less likely to rupture or tear than stiff sore muscles. Loosening up a tight spot in a massage session, before it turns into an injury, can be the difference between making it to the starting line or not. If you are suffering from an injury, massage is the ideal way to manage pain, swelling and soreness. Massage breaks down the rough scar tissue that builds in the healing of an injury in order to allow muscles fibers to bind together smoothly. With massage as a part of your treatment, you can soon be back to your normal self and on your way to improved athletic performance.

In fact, massage promotes relaxation by releasing 'feel-good' hormones, serotonin and dopamine, which act as the body’s natural painkillers.

Massage also suppresses stress hormones such as cortisol and norepinephrine, allowing your nervous system to rest in order to recover more quickly. This relaxation will also allow for deeper, more quality sleep so that you can rest up for the big day or wind-down after extreme exertion. Moreover, the “runners-high” that you experience during a strenuous run can be enhanced through massage due to the release of endorphins. Therefore, not only will you leave relaxed and calm, but recharged and energized—ready to take your workout routine to the next level.

This euphoric energy boost can also be attributed to the repetitive, continual movement of tissue, which stimulates the lymph and circulatory systems. These systems are responsible for oxygen transfer, nutrient delivery, and waste removal at the cellular level. Better circulation means superior delivery of energy-giving nutrients and oxygen to cells. This encourages improved cardiovascular health, pulmonary function and immunity while also reducing inflammation and facilitating speedy recovery—allowing your body to comfortably tolerate more intense and lengthy training sessions with less downtime.

Through the various techniques with which massage therapists are equipped, your treatment will be tailored to your particular needs. Whether it is Swedish massage, primarily used for relaxation, or a deep tissue massage, which concentrates on specific areas of tension or discomfort, you can be assured that you will leave rejuvenated and recharged. It is important to note though, that the effects of massage are cumulative. The more sequential and repetitive your massage routine, the greater you will feel. While one massage prior to a race will leave you relaxed, the benefits a runner may yield through a regular program of massage are exponentially higher. Incorporating massage into your routine will prevent and aid in the recovery of injuries, all the while improving your overall wellbeing and decreasing stress levels. Whatever you intend to accomplish, whether it’s winning the race or merely making it that extra mile—massage therapy will help you make it happen."

06/12/2016

Massage Therapy: Dealing With Holiday Stress:

The holiday season can be delightful- and stressful! There is so much to do, between the shopping, endless holiday parties, traveling and entertaining family and friends. It is no wonder that so many people feel overwhelmed as the holidays approach. It is important to pace yourself and find ways to relieve some of this tension and stress, so that you can enjoy this special time of year.

Tips on Coping With the Holidays

While we cannot do your shopping for you or cook that holiday dinner, we can give you some tips to help you sanely cope with the holiday madness. It is important to take care of yourself, especially during this busy time of year. While it may seem like there is not enough time during these crazy weeks in December to focus on your health, don’t let your massage or body treatment take a back seat. Take time out for yourself and be pre-emptive about your own pain and stress management.

During the next few weeks, make an effort to:

1.) Have some quiet time each day:
Give yourself a half an hour to just relax and clear your head. Take a bath with some therapeutic bath salts, sit alone in a park or just lay down on the couch. Even a few minutes of doing nothing can help you get your second wind to finish the day.

2.) Make time to exercise:
Exercise is one of the best stress relievers you can use. It does not have to be a full workout at the gym; it can be a fast walk or jog around the neighborhood, the mall or the beach. Getting your blood pumping and feel the tension leave your body.

3.) Have a plan:
One of the reasons we get stressed during the holidays is that it seems like there is just too much to do in such a short period of time. Being organized and having a plan can help relieve this stress. Write down your to-do list and schedule it out over the next few weeks. Breaking up the tasks into smaller, manageable daily lists can help you visualize how to get it all done.

4.) Schedule a relaxing massage:
You need to give yourself some “me” time, even during the chaos of the holidays. Consider it an investment in your sanity. Schedule a Massage and even a body treatment in the midst of the holiday madness to let yourself unwind and release some of that tension. It is the perfect way to rejuvenate your mind and body when your stress level is at the highest. Schedule your appointment to follow a particularly grueling day to give you incentive to finish everything you have on your list.

Do not let the holiday stress run you ragged. Let me work out some of that tension to help you relax and enjoy this festive season. You deserve to give yourself a gift, and what better gift can you give yourself than the gift of health and well-being with a massage gift certificate?

01/12/2016

Peace on Earth starts with a relaxing massage...

21/11/2016

There is always something to be thankful for... Book your massage today and get and extra 15 mins free...

14/11/2016

November Massage and Body Treatments Special 2:
50 Min... Fall Spice Body Wrap & Hot Oil Scalp Treatment $90
30 Min... Fall Spice Body Scrub & 15 Min Neck, Head & Shoulder Massage $50
50 Min... Fall Spice Full Body Tranquility Massage & Hydrotherapy Treatment $80

05/11/2016

5 Simple Ways to Relax:

The next time you’re feeling overwhelmed with stress take a deep breath and find a way to relax. There are plenty of quick, easy ways to de-stress no matter where you are. Here are five simple stress-reducer tricks you can try at home, at the office, or out and about.

Stretch:
This is a particularly good thing to try if you’ve been mostly stationary for hours. If you’ve been working at a computer all day, try stretching your shoulders, neck, and upper back. You may also want to stand up to try a front thigh stretch, which involves grabbing one of your ankles and pulling it up behind you, and then holding that position for 15 to 20 seconds. When you sit back down, concentrate on fixing your posture and taking a few deep breaths before returning to what you were previously doing.

Visualize:
When everything gets too overwhelming, close your eyes for a few seconds and imagine something that makes you happy. It could be anything from a favorite memory to a dream vacation, as long as it temporarily takes your mind off of whatever is stressing you out. It’s a form of positive thinking that can go a surprisingly long way in elevating your mood.

Organize:
Cluttered environments often exacerbate stress, so if your desk is covered in miscellaneous papers or the family car is buried in toys, give yourself 5 or 10 minutes just to get organized. Completing this kind of tangible goal will help boost your mood and make you feel more prepared to tackle whatever the day has to throw at you.

Try Aromatherapy:
If you only have a few minutes to spare, try our Relax Aromatherapy. It’s excellent for reducing fatigue, insomnia, and stress with all natural ingredients orange sweet, lavender official, vetiver, ylang ylang and blue tansy. Also available in linen spray – which is so versatile! It can be used as a body spray, you can spray it in the room.

Schedule an appointment for a massage that incorporates aromatherapy. Aromatherapy massages can relieve sore muscles as well as stress, and it’s even beneficial if you’ve been feeling congested.

Do Nothing:
Think about the last time you went five minutes without doing anything (no looking at your phone, doing chores, driving around, watching TV). It’s apparently so challenging for people to take short breaks that there’s even a website called Do Nothing for 2 Minutes that plays quiet ocean noises while a timer counts down for two minutes (if you so much as move your cursor, the timer starts over again). If you’re having a hectic day, try taking five minutes to look out the nearest window. Looking at nature scenes has been known to be incredibly calming, especially if you’ve been looking at a screen all day.

02/11/2016

November Massage and Body Treatments Specials
50 Min... Autumn Spice Body Wrap $80
30 Min... Autumn Spice Body Scrub $30
50 Min... Autumn Spice Neck, Back & Shoulder Massage $50

01/11/2016

Fall Into Relaxation with an exfoliating body scrub, a hydrating body wrap or a theraputic massage...

31/10/2016

Establishing Good Habits:

With so much advice being doled out about how to get healthy in the New Year it’s hard to know where to begin and who to listen to. The reality is that personal health and fitness regimens are not a one size fits all – they need to be adapted to best suit your lifestyle needs. So, while I am not ready to provide you with the be all end all recipe for success in 2017, I have taken the time to compile some of my favorite tips and hope that you will find them helpful to you in your healthy resolutions.

1. Drink plenty of water.

2. Work vegetables into meals instead of just serving them as sides on a plate.

3. Keep your portions reasonable to get more in touch with your feelings of hunger and fullness.

4. Eat several mini-meals during the day. If you eat fewer calories than you burn, you will lose weight. But when you're hungry all the time, eating fewer calories can be challenging. Dividing your daily calories into smaller meals or snacks and enjoying as many of them as you can early in the day -- dinner should be the last time you eat.

5. Eat protein at every meal. Protein is more satisfying than carbohydrates or fats, and thus may be the new secret weapon in weight control. Getting enough protein helps preserve muscle mass and encourages fat burning while keeping you feeling full. So be sure to include healthy protein sources like yogurt, cheese, nuts or beans with meals and snacks.

6. Stock your kitchen with healthy convenience foods.

7. Stay active and exercise. No matter how you do it, incorporating physical activity into your daily life is critical for maintaining overall health.

*source: webmd.com

As you are getting back into or intensifying your exercise routine, remember that therapeutic massage is proven to help you recover from workouts faster, increase your flexibility, relieve pain and improve circulation. I can customize your massage, add experience enhancing elevations and incorporate all natural aromatherapy to best meet your particular needs.

Remember, changing your behavior means changing your habits. It takes 21 days to change a habit, so as you set your goals, be realistic and give yourself the time to get used to your new healthy way of living. Set small benchmarks for yourself and reward yourself for your accomplishments with a relaxing, therapeutic massage at Island Oasis.