Why Scrub?

Most of us have used a loofah in our lifetime, perhaps not even knowing it's benefits, just that it feels good.  Skin brushing and the use of a salt or sugar scrub are vital in maintaining a youthful, healthy glow.  These processes remove dead skin cells and dirt, improving trans-dermal absorption of  nutrients.  Gentle exfoliation also promotes the circulation of lymph, aiding the body in ridding itself of impurities.

Enchanté offers sugar scrubs in addition to massage treatments.  Imagine your body revitalized by brown sugar, almond oil, orange, and patchouli.  Sure it smells good, but it's also good for you.


Patchouli heals inflammation, eczema, and other skin conditions.  It also helps regenerate healthy new cells, making it an effective treatment for mature skin.  Soothing, stabilizing and hypnotic, patchouli reduces stress, anxiety, and depression.  


Orange is joyful and warming.  It stimulates stagnant subtle energies and helps you find inner radiance and optimism.

Happy Feet

Within our feet a map of the body can be found.  This is the concept of Reflexology; applying pressure to specific points on the feet (hands or ears) to benefit and balance our organs, structures, and minds.

It is not uncommon to find tender areas on the foot which correspond to painful places throughout the body.  Even the condition of the colon can be assessed by palpation of the arch.  Below is a Reflexology Map of the Foot to provide you with some insight into this fascinating therapy.

It makes sense, since our feet bear the weight of our bodies and are the last area of compensation for postural imbalances.  Treat the feet and you treat the whole person.

If you have stumbled upon this article in your search for Enchanté related information, read on to learn the benefits of foot rejuvenation.

Our foot rejuvenation treatment is made in store using pure ingredients and essential oils.  A sugar scrub infused with tea tree and peppermint cleanses and rids the feet of bacteria, fungus, and viruses.  The scent alone promotes clarity and alertness while alleviating insecurities and deepening intuitive insight.  Wiped clean with hot towels and finished with Reflexology, this therapy is a real immune system booster.

Image copied and pasted from oceanicspa.us
The Aromatherapy Bible by Gill Farrer-Halls was used as a reference for writing this article.

Aromatherapy 101

A little research will reveal the fact that aromatic plants have been used throughout ancient history.  From medicinal purposes to psychic protection, Egyptians to Greeks and into the modern era; plant oils have proven themselves a worthy treatment option. 

Aromatherapy utilizes the very essence of a plant to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual health. 

A knowledgeable aromatherapist will choose the appropriate oils for your specific condition.

Lavender is probably the most popular of essential oils, due to it's soothing, relaxing effect.  The oil is gentle enough to be placed directly on the skin and is considered an analgesic.

Eucalyptus is another favorite.  Stimulating and refreshing, eucalyptus is beneficial in treating headaches and respiratory ailments.

That gives you a little taste of what these healing plants offer.  Their abilities are endless and I strongly encourage you to research their benefits.  A comprehensive guide that covers the basics and explains the properties of specific oils is The Aromatherapy Bible by Gill Ferrer-Halls.

I could write page after page on the magic of these natural wonders, but have chosen instead to keep this post brief.  As always, feel free to comment with any questions.  I also look forward to any insight you have to offer.

Good News

IS ONLINE!

Those of you who read my article about Jane McGonigal and her life-changing game idea, know what this is all about.  SuperBetter is up and running, and if you signed up on elle.com/friendswithbenefits, you have no doubt received an e-mail with an access key.

SuperBetter is Super Awesome!  You can choose to overcome anything from injuries to chronic illnesses, losing weight and learning to meditate (which is my goal).

The online version keeps track of your progress and prompts you on your next move. 

Join me and my hero "Inner Peace-A-Licious," to create a SuperBetter planet, one person at a time.  Starting with you of course!

If you neglected to sign up the first time, give elle.com/friendswithbenefits a go and see if you can still get in on the SuperBetter ground floor.  If not, let me know, I just may share my access key with you.

GOAAAAAAL!

We all want to succeed, but what does that mean for each of us individually?  It is important to evaluate our current situation and envision our future.  You didn't get where you are by chance.  The decisions you've made along life's path have shaped you and brought you to this place.  Where will you go from here?

There is a wonderful article written by Irene Diamond, readable by visiting this link:  Success

Her concise advice is encouraging, with a short mental exercise to get you moving in the right direction.  I have posted my goals in response to her blog and will post them here as well.  Feel free to leave a comment or question to support the discussion.

YOGA DOG

My dog Hammer is a yoga dog.  He crawls on his belly to the edge of the bed and places two paws on the floor.  Letting his back legs trail behind, Hammy slowly pulls himself forward, leading to a serious upward dog.  With four paws on the flour, he completes the routine with a downward dog. 

My natural curiosity lead me to give this exercise a try.  I discovered a great release in my hips and low back.

Animals have been the inspiration for many a yoga pose, and for good reason.  If you have a pet, you've probably noticed their instinctual stretching.  The cobra, cow, eagle, and crow also have a place in the lineup.  These poses emulate the natural activity of their namesakes, with healthy benefits.

Besides increasing strength and flexibility, yoga reduces stress and calms the mind.  Specific poses can be used to relieve chronic pain and tension, aid addiction recovery, and ease depression.  Yoga is a healing tool that can be used by anyone.  Consulting an instructor or attending a reputable class is the best way to get started or to achieve your desired goal.

Watermelon & Jicama Salsa

This recipe was given to Enchanté by our client Dorothy Dodge.  She has allowed us to share it with you.  Enjoy!


1 C. watermelon, seeded and diced
1 C. honeydew melon, seeded and diced
1/2 C. jicama, peeled and diced
1 bunch green onions, sliced thin
1/4 C. cilantro, chopped
2 small jalapenos, seeded and minced
salt and lime to taste


Dorothy also shared a yummy fruit salad with us.  Mix strawberries, watermelon, and blueberries with fresh, chopped mint.


I can't wait to try her delightful creations.

Super Better, A Healthy Adventure

Super Girl

Suffering a serious injury, game designer Jane McGonigal turned her powerful intellect toward saving herself. In the process, she may have found a key to overcoming obesity, depression, and illness, helping us all feel Super Better.

This is the hook used by Whitney Joiner in her article about game designer, Jane McGonigal.  You can read the full article at elle.com/friendswithbenefits, but I'm going to give you the gist of it here.

McGonigal grew up inventing all sorts of games and ended up making a career out of it.  In 2009, she suffered a concussion and was left struggling with how it affected her.  True to her nature, McGonigal came up with a game to assist her healing process.  I have copied and pasted Jane's description of Super Better from her blog, Avant Game.  

"SuperBetter is a superhero-themed game that turns getting better in multi-player adventure. It’s designed to help anyone recovering from an injury, or coping with a chronic condition, get better, sooner – with more fun, and with less pain and misery, along the way."

"The game starts with five missions. You’re encouraged to do at least one mission a day, so that you’ve successfully completed them all in less than a week. Of course, you can move through them even faster if you feel up to it."

As I understand it, Super Better, at this point in time, is a game where you log your progress in a journal.  There are plans to make it something more and you can sign up to be one of the exclusive beta testers at elle.com/friendswithbenefits.  Today I signed up to test the game, but for now am going to get started on the current version.  I am excited to find out what kind of super hero I will become.

To read Jane McGonigal's blog regarding Super Better, go to: http://blog.avantgame.com/2009/09/super-better-or-how-to-turn-recovery.html.  Learn the rules and how to play, and get Super Better with me!

A Career in Massage Therapy

Massage Therapy

as an Emerging Career

Many people are seeking more meaningful work in today's hectic world: work that creates connection and a sense of belonging. Massage Therapy has become a desirable profession because it is an effective treatment and provides a unique relationship between the client and therapist. Loving human connection is becoming a scarce commodity! 

Educationally there are two categories of training: becoming a Massage Practitioner requires 250 Hours of study, and having the title of Massage Therapist requires 500 Hours. The laws have recently changed, and by 2015 everyone will be trained as a Massage Therapist, and there won't be any shorter programs offered. Good programs are highly academic as well as holistic and teach students both the art and science of Massage. Students learn basic anatomy, physiology, kinesiology (the study of movement) ethics, history of Massage, and the therapeutic application of the art of Massage itself. It also requires excellent interpersonal skills, ability to listen deeply, and compassionate communication.

When looking at curriculum for Massage Schools, people are quite surprised at the content and complexity of what is being taught. We are a quiet profession with a surprisingly deep body of knowledge. To be an excellent practitioner, in my view, students must have an academic hunger as well as an inherent gift of touch.

Interestingly, California is one of the few states left that has no state licensure; in most states we are Licensed Health Care Providers. Fortunately we are moving in that direction. I strongly advocate state licensing for professional credibility.

Some schools focus on the intuitive aspect of Massage, others clinical, and others more holistic. A highly successful practitioner would ideally possess all of those skills and find a program that incorporates everything. Intuition is as vital to our work as is the core understanding of anatomy and physiology.

It is crucial to understand how the body works and why you're doing what you are doing in terms of technique, because Massage Therapy has a direct effect on every body system. Its efficacy goes without question, and Massage Therapy treatments have now been received by 60% of all health care consumers.

Our profession is emerging rapidly, and according to the US Department of Labor statistics (2010-2011), we are expected to grow “faster than average” with an expected growth of 14-19% between 2008 and 2018. These statistics express the value of our profession and the opportunities for employment are equally encouraging.

Graduates can open their own office, work together in a Wellness Center, with a Chiropractor, Salon, Spa, or Hospital. Forward thinking hospitals are incorporating Massage for their patients and staff. With some ingenuity and good marketing skills, the possibilities are innumerable. It is an excellent avocation or a serious vocation, and provides freedom, flexibility, and mobility.

In a part-time program, students can expect to devote about 20 hours per week in study, practice, and receiving including class time.  Every school has its own schedule. Tuition costs range nationally from $11 to $20 per clock hour.

If you love learning, have a desire to be of service to others, and intuitively understand the need for human touch, Massage Therapy might be an excellent career choice.

Deborah Heartwood is the Director of the Massage Therapy Learning Center in Pismo Beach - in conjunction with Lucia Mar Adult Education

Massage, It Feels So Good...

Yesterday, I had the great pleasure of receiving a massage from Chandra, owner of Enchanté.  The treatment was pure magic; exfoliation & salt scrub, perfect pressure, and a synchronicity of the movements with my breath.  As I communed with my body, I was reminded of a phrase I hear often when giving a massage, "I didn't know that hurt, until you touched it."  Massage has a way of bringing to our consciousness, the physical and emotional pains we have buried and desensitized ourselves to. 

Therapists can be the biggest offenders when it comes to caring for our bodies and actually getting massages.  We too struggle with the time, money, and commitment it takes to honor ourselves for that hour.  It's easy to come up with reasons not to treat ourselves to a massage or fit stretching into our day.  Humans, however, are brilliantly creative and will find a way to get what they honestly desire.  

Time can be on our side, if we plan our days, weeks, and months appropriately.  Find the value in five minutes of stretching each morning and slowly increase that number.  Carve fifteen minutes out of your week to implement self-massage techniques.  And, once a month, enjoy a professional massage.  Setting small goals is a good place to start, you can always replace them with bigger ones.

Money doesn't have to be a barrier to getting the treatment you need and deserve.  Figure massage into your monthly or weekly budget, and plan for this expense.  Explore alternative methods of payment, like insurance.  Maybe you have a service you can provide in trade.  Some massage centers advertise on the Internet and local publications, offering coupons and discounts, and there is always the option of calling to ask about current specials.  Use your imagination and you will find an avenue that leads to affordable services.

Having the time and money are great, but they are nothing without commitment.  Taking responsibility for your current state is the first step to improving your health.  By making stretching a part of your daily routine, you will rediscover your body and improve it's condition.  Seek out a therapist you can work with on a regular basis.  Let them know about your goals and ask for tips on how better to achieve those goals.  Soon you will be well informed and saying, "Massage, it feels so good."

Breathing to your Health

The diaphragm, located at the base of our lungs, is the primary muscle used for respiration.  If you take a moment to breathe using the diaphragm, you will notice a rise and fall of the belly.  This is caused by the muscle contracting and relaxing.  Filling the top portion of the lungs with a shallow breath, uses accessory muscles of respiration in the neck and upper torso.  Consider this if you suffer from neck, pectoral, or upper back pain.

Working with a knowledgeable massage therapist relieves pain and tension while increasing body awareness.  Soft tissue manipulation causes changes to take place throughout every system in our bodies.  Breathing deeply, in through the nose and out through the mouth, facilitates these changes.  Don't just take my word for it, give it a try.  During your next massage, practice deep breathing and experience the benefits for yourself!