Haleiwa Massage Muse's Quote of the Day

This little quote from one of the most influential people in the field of psychology couldn't be more true. After contemplating my life lessons this week, it seemed to sum everything up.

When I look at my surroundings, what do I choose to focus on?  Why? What can I do to change my perspective? Perhaps I must examine myself...

This has been the quote of the day from your Haleiwa Massage Muse! . 

Haleiwa Massage Muse's Tip of the Day: Inner Sanctuary

Tip of the day: Create an inner sanctuary

Practice creating a place of inner peace where you can retreat during stressful situations. The more time you spend cultivating this space within your imagination, the more powerful it will be. Think of a place in nature where you feel relaxed and connected with your surroundings. For example, a small waterfall is often depicted to transfer spiritual energy, or many people feel a connection to unique majestic trees.

Imagine yourself in this special sanctuary by trying to include all of your senses. What does it smell like? Be as thorough as possible. Imagine touching the water, plants, and soil. If there is sunshine coming through the treetop canopy, imagine it's healing warmth on your skin. Imagine the coolness of the mountain stream as you wade through the water. The more you can fully immerse yourself in the experience, the more real this place will become.

Once you can easily transport yourself to your healing sanctuary with little effort, you can use this to your benefit during stressful situations. Your sanctuary can come in handy during doctor's appointments, in preparation for surgery or medical intervention, to help reduce chronic pain, before taking an important examination, or anytime you just need to relax.

Sincerely,

Sonia Beauchamp 

Haleiwa Massage Muse's Tip of the Day

Always be open to positive change and good things are more likely to happen.  What are the things you are thankful for? Focus on those things and they will magnify. Manifest your dreams by envisioning them.

A simple tip from your Haleiwa Massage Muse!
Relax and get a massage =)

Haleiwa Massage Muse's Quote of the Day

Quiet your mind and experience no boundaries.

Haleiwa Massage Muse: Tip of the Day

Relaxation can help boost creative potential. According to bestselling author, Jonah Lehrer, "The virtue of daydreaming is that it lets your mind wander." Everyone should allow themselves the pleasure to explore other worlds within the imagination daily. You may be surprised at how this simple act can transform how you live your daily life.

Enjoy your weekend and get a massage!
Sincerely,
Sonia- The Haleiwa Massage Muse

What is Ashiatsu Bar Therapy?

What is Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage?

I have to admit...  when I first heard about Ashiatsu Bar Therapy (AOBT), I found it interesting, but I was certain that it was some kind of massage gimmick created for therapists who were not strong enough to give firm pressure. Because of my misconceptions, I put off learning this amazing technique for years!  One day, I finally gave in to curiosity and booked a full-body barefoot massage session with local therapist, Abby Parker. It ended up being one of the most fabulous massage experiences of my life! I immediately enrolled in Ruthie Hardie's Deep Feet Bar Therapy (AOBT) massage course.  If you have ever wondered about ashiatsu massage, then read the rest of this post to find out more.

The history of barefoot massage

Ashiatsu Bar Therapy is actually not Ashiatsu at all.  Traditionally, the term Ashiatsu is Japanese for "foot pressure" and refers to a style of massage where the therapist uses static pressure to work on the various points that follow the meridians and energetic flow of the body.  This is similar to shiatsu or acupressure massage.  Other styles of barefoot massage can be found in Hawai'i, Thailand, China, and the Philippines.  However, American Ashiatsu is actually based on Chavutti Thirummal which is an ancient massage technique from India.  The founder of AOBT, Ruthie Hardee, spent many years studying the art of barefoot massage and was inspired to create a therapeutic barefoot massage technique for professionals.  Her rigorous curriculum has become the gold medal standard in the field of modern barefoot massage. American Ashiatsu massage is now a popular technique that is taught by many instructors outside of the original founder's training program. There are slight variations between each therapist's barefoot massage techniques.

The Ashiatsu Controversy

American Ashiatsu was once called Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy (AOBT). Because of the public outcry for a more politically correct term, it is now referred to as Ashiatsu Bar Therapy or simply just Ashiatsu. Some therapists have recognized the confusion in labeling a traditional Indian-based oil massage with the Japanese word "Ashiatsu" and are now using the term barefoot massage. Even Ruthie Hardie's Deep Feet Program has changed its logo to DeepFeet Bar Therapy instead of using the word "oriental." There may be many names for it, but there is no mistaking this one-of-a-kind massage modality!

What to expect in an Ashiatsu session

The Ashiatsu Barefoot massage style utilizes the therapist's feet to deliver very firm broad strokes in order to elongate the tissues of the client's body.  During a traditional hands-on deep tissue treatment, pressure is usually concentrated over a small area with the use of the therapist's forearms and elbows. This can be too painful for some clients.  Ashiatsu barefoot massage allows the client to experience a deep full body massage without any pain or discomfort.  It is also a favorite of many professional endurance athletes who need more pressure than the average client in order to effectively work through denser connective tissue and muscle mass.

Where to book an ashiatsu massage

If you are on the North Shore of Oahu, contact Abby Parker, owner of North Shore Ashiatsu and Massage in Haleiwa. You can also try DeepFeet's referral site at https://www.deepfeet.com/find-a-therapist/.