By Karie Wik, LMBT, CYT

First of the Year Special on Gift Certificates

With the “holiday” season in the past, and at least one workweek into the New Year, many of us may already be struggling to keep up with our 2010 resolutions. Or perhaps, we are still deciding how to start the New Year off on the right foot. Whether your intentions this year fall under the category of being kinder to yourself, or to others, you might consider the gift of bodywork.

If the New Year is already off to a prosperous start and you are looking ahead, consider that Valentine’s Day is but a month away. Treating yourself and loved ones to massage treatments is a healthy alternative for expressing your appreciation and love.

In fact, the Ayurvedic Bodywork Center has an incentive for showing your gratitude all month. Purchase 2 gift certificates and receive one certificate for free this month only. Gift Certificates can be purchased easily over the phone or via email. Let us know what your needs are and we will contact you by phone to complete the transaction. Or, ask about the special at your next session.

Staying Well in Winter Conditions

Winter brings in a handful of elements that may disturb the healthy balance we maintain during more moderate seasons. Cold weather disturbs, and increases vata. Add the dryness in the air, caused by indoor heat and it increases doubly. Kapha is affected in damp, cold conditions and can also be also exacerbated by sleeping in late (rising in the Kapha hours of the day from 6-10) or from not getting much fresh air and natural light.

When the air outside remains cold, it provokes the Vata quality in us all; inside the constant blowing of dry heat can also disturb vata through the quality of dryness; remember that balancing Vata is key to all individuals since when Vata moves, it directly affects the complementary elements, or doshas, for better or worse. Cold, windy and dry conditions can be hard to avoid altogether, and the following actions can counteract disturbed Vata:

* Staying well covered in cold climates - hats, scarves, and gloves

* Nourishing the insides with warming foods, drinks and spices to promote internal fire

* Special attention to skin care in cold/dry conditions - keeping the skin, hair and nails hydrated and lubricated

* Establish and keep to a daily routine - balancing vata in this way will help to keep all the doshas in balance

Spotlight on Treatment

* Treat yourself to a full-body massage with warm herbalized oil (also known as abhyanga) that improves circulation, while the oil nourishes and protects the skin and tissues. Ask us how you can incorporate mini self-massage treatments into your daily routine between appointments.

Abhyanga - 1 or 2 Therapists
The Abhyanga is a friction massage performed by one therapist or two therapists in synchrony, utilizing warm herbalized oil and followed by a hot towel treatment. As the oil is massaged into the skin, it penetrates deep into the tissues to loosen toxins (which are fat soluble) at the cellular level. The Abhyanga enhances immunity, increases circulation and creates deep relaxation in body and mind.


Ayurvedic Tea Recipe

Bring 8 cups of water to a rolling boil. Pour it into a thermos with the following:

3 thin slices of fresh ginger
1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds
2 black peppercorns
a few mint leaves

Steep for an hour and sip slowly throughout the day

*recipe from Yoga+ Magazine, “Stay Warm,” By Shubhra Krishan

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