Lately, for a number of different reasons, I've been dealing with above average levels of anxiety, which is something that 1 in 4 of us will suffer from at one or more points in our lives. In my attempt to restore balance, I've embarked on quite the journey of discovery, the full details of which you'll get to read about soon enough in IMAGE magazine.

Today, though, I want to share with you my experience of the Lomi Lomi massage at theDublin Holistic Centre. Well, I'll do my best, as truth be told I'm still floating on an enormous invisible marshmallow and have yet to come down from my high. 

For anyone going through any sort of difficult time, regardless of what that difficulty may be, Lomi Lomi will serve only to help you through it. It's so much more than your average massage, but rather, an experience centred around healing, for your body and your mind, and it's unlike anything I've ever tried before.
My treatment began with a quick chat with the lovely Eva, who, at the risk of sounding like a total tree hugger, I felt an instant connection with; she wasn't about to massage me in the same way she massaged ten people before me, she carefully considered my own personal situation, the reasons that had brought me to her, before setting me up on the massage table. With this tradition, no two massages are the same, the practitioner relies on their own intuition to guide their arms and hands around each person's body as required.

First of all, I was completely naked for the massage (bar a little bit of material where the massage doesn't go), and I LOVED it. This might be a bit disconcerting to some people at first but trust me, your body and mind will enter such a deep state of relaxation, you wouldn't care if you had three boobs. 

Originating in Polynesia, Lomi is characterised by continuous long, flowing, sweeping strokes that, I'm told, are reminiscent of the ebb and flow of ocean waves. If you insist on keeping your knickers on, you'll only restrict those long, gorgeous strokes that can travel form your neck to your toes in one swift move. That's why it's better to go commando. The massage then works gently yet deeply into the muscles enabling you to 'relax, surrender and simply be'.

Some movements even went under my body as I lay on my back, which is something I never dreamed could be so comforting. The massage lasted 90 minutes, with roughly one hour on the back and 30 minutes focusing on the front accompanied by some unusual, trance-inducing Polynesian music. Between the gentle massage on the tummy, the light, invigorating pressure on my chest (where we hold a lot of our anxiety) and the unlocking of all tension around my face and neck, I'm surprised I didn't pass out entirely. 

If you're open to it and prepared to leave all cynicism at the door, Lomi Lomi can be an incredibly uplifting, energising and liberating experience that allows you to break through various blockages in your mind and body, let go of whatever it is you've been holding on to (as our bodies hold all of our past experiences, good and bad) and give your energy a new, more centred direction.

I left feeling more peaceful than I've felt in months, and sure enough, I slept like a baby. I really can't speak highly enough of Eva Lennox in particular at The Dublin Holistic Centre, and I'll be counting down the days 'til I can get back in to her for some more of the good stuff. 

An oasis of calm in the heart of Dublin city, and without a doubt, the best massage I've ever had.

A 90 minute Lomi Lomi treatment costs €90

http://www.evalennox.com/

http://www.dublinholisticcentre.com/


Caroline Foran, Image magazine.

The Importance of Sports Massage

By Sian Brice (No.1 GB female triathlete, bronze medallist at the European Championships and top ranked in the World) who is massaged by Chris Salvary (L.S.S.M. Dip., B.T.A.A., M.G.C.P.)
I am a full-time triathlete, having competed for Great Britain at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
I have been having regular sports massage now for seven years and see it as an integral part of my training. I rate sports massage as being as important as all the other parts of my sporting lifestyle – i.e. it is up there with technical, coached training sessions, general fitness sessions and mental preparation. Indeed, I see my sports massage therapist as an important member of my support team along with my coach, my sports physiologist, my team Doctor, my physiotherapist and my husband (and chief supporter!).
I train for 4-6 hours a day covering the 3 disciplines (swimming, running and cycling) as well as gym work three times per week and I feel that my weekly hour-long massage definitely prevents injury as well as the build-up of stiffness which would otherwise inhibit my training.
Each week, I really look forward to my massage; not because it is a totally pleasant experience – in fact, it is often far from it! I look forward to it because I know that I may have a few aches or slight strains that really need working on and will no longer be a worry after the massage.
Getting deep into the problem is often the painful part of a sports massage and may involve a lot of gnashing of teeth or even screaming! But as they say – no pain, no gain! – I know that 48 hours later the problem will, 99% of the time, have disappeared. Obviously for more serious injuries I may need further treatment by a physio or a massage may not be the correct treatment at all – my sports massage therapist always advises me on this. But with any aches or pains the massage table is definitely always my first port of call! I should also add that there are also some less painful and more relaxing parts each treatment – it’s not all pain! Also, over the years I have learnt to try to relax, even when the most painful areas are being worked on, as this enables the massage to be more effective.
I think it is important to find a sports massage therapist who you can see regularly and thus build up a relationship with. This works because then he/she gets to know your body and how it should feel on good, bad or normal days. They also, then get to know your ‘weak’ spots and can always do a little extra work on them if required.
My sports massage therapist is also very helpful in that she points out how I can help myself remain injury free. Often she will send me home with stretches and exercises or just simply point out areas that I should ice. All this is part of a valuable supportive service for me!
I think that at all levels of sport, massage is a necessity rather than a luxury (as many people see it!). The cost of a sports massage is money well spent especially if it saves expensive (both time and money – never mind the heartache!) trips to a physio because tightness has been allowed to turn in to injury! Perhaps it is not practical for people to go weekly as I do but something is better than nothing (fortnightly, monthly or when ever you can!).
Finally I would say that sports that do not use massage / it is not part of their ‘culture’ need to be educated as they really are missing out on something vital to their success, whatever the level they may be competing at! I see it as a small investment for a large return and wouldn’t be without my sports massage therapist.

The Importance of Sports Massage

By Sian Brice (No.1 GB female triathlete, bronze medallist at the European Championships and top ranked in the World) who is massaged by Chris Salvary (L.S.S.M. Dip., B.T.A.A., M.G.C.P.)
I am a full-time triathlete, having competed for Great Britain at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
I have been having regular sports massage now for seven years and see it as an integral part of my training. I rate sports massage as being as important as all the other parts of my sporting lifestyle – i.e. it is up there with technical, coached training sessions, general fitness sessions and mental preparation. Indeed, I see my sports massage therapist as an important member of my support team along with my coach, my sports physiologist, my team Doctor, my physiotherapist and my husband (and chief supporter!).
I train for 4-6 hours a day covering the 3 disciplines (swimming, running and cycling) as well as gym work three times per week and I feel that my weekly hour-long massage definitely prevents injury as well as the build-up of stiffness which would otherwise inhibit my training.
Each week, I really look forward to my massage; not because it is a totally pleasant experience – in fact, it is often far from it! I look forward to it because I know that I may have a few aches or slight strains that really need working on and will no longer be a worry after the massage.
Getting deep into the problem is often the painful part of a sports massage and may involve a lot of gnashing of teeth or even screaming! But as they say – no pain, no gain! – I know that 48 hours later the problem will, 99% of the time, have disappeared. Obviously for more serious injuries I may need further treatment by a physio or a massage may not be the correct treatment at all – my sports massage therapist always advises me on this. But with any aches or pains the massage table is definitely always my first port of call! I should also add that there are also some less painful and more relaxing parts each treatment – it’s not all pain! Also, over the years I have learnt to try to relax, even when the most painful areas are being worked on, as this enables the massage to be more effective.
I think it is important to find a sports massage therapist who you can see regularly and thus build up a relationship with. This works because then he/she gets to know your body and how it should feel on good, bad or normal days. They also, then get to know your ‘weak’ spots and can always do a little extra work on them if required.
My sports massage therapist is also very helpful in that she points out how I can help myself remain injury free. Often she will send me home with stretches and exercises or just simply point out areas that I should ice. All this is part of a valuable supportive service for me!
I think that at all level of sport, massage is a necessity rather than a luxury (as many people see it!). The cost of a sports massage is money well spent especially if it saves expensive (both time and money – never mind the heartache!) trips to a physio because tightness has been allowed to turn in to injury! Perhaps it is not practical for people to go weekly as I do but something is better than nothing (fortnightly, monthly or when ever you can!).
Finally I would say that sports that do not use massage / it is not part of their ‘culture’ need to be educated as they really are missing out on something vital to their success, whatever the level they may be competing at! I see it as a small investment for a large return and wouldn’t be without my sports massage therapist.

One of the principles of Tantra is healing through pleasure, rather than being bound by pain.
 Tantra allows healing to happen through release, it allows the body and the being to do this in a way and at a pace that fosters integration.
 This is so important in a process as it gives a context for the healing, it allows the being to integrate and personalise the release, which helps change flow naturally, there is no force. There is alignment and harmony.
New understandings, new ways of being, new possibilities and the actions that these bring come out of who we are, not just something we do. There is depth, because they've become part of us, of who we are.
This is reflected firstly by a process we use called Layers, secondly by the progression through layers of being, going from healing to growth to expansion.
The initial healing is driven by some level of pain, physical, mental, emotional, sexual, spiritual, relationship... The focus is on changing the condition or situation.
However, once this has happened the healing never stops, it changes character.
It becomes more about growth.
If we say healing 'has happened', we're saying that it's complete. What has happened in fact, is that we've released one, a few, many layers of an issue that is rooted in the past.
As we become more conscious of ourselves, our patterns and responses, what we've done, what we do, and release that which limits us, which no longer serves us, we begin to free ourselves from the layer of pain.
We move into the layer of growth, the layer of choice. Here healing is not based in pain, it's based on possibility. We're no longer trapped by the past, we're moving to greater freedom and to positive choice. We're more in the present, and more aware of the future we'd like to create. We also become more aware of how much of this journey is about ourselves, how responsible we are for our happiness and pleasure.
Growth brings consciousness, awareness and presence. This naturally moves us into expansion. Simply put, we become aware of more. There are no limitations, other than those we accept. The field of possibility is continuously expanding. What is within us, thoughts, feelings, energy, sensations, expands, deepens, heightens. Awareness grows.
Consciousness deepens.
There is greater presence. We are present, more of us, more of who we are, more of the resources within us. The connections we have with people, with energy, with knowledge expands.
We see life, our lives, and the world differently.

The healing never stops, because the issues of life never stop.

But we start to live in a different world.

And we see that the layers of being are infinite.


( Thanks to Jonti Searle)

"Don´t condemn sensuality. It has been condemned by the whole world, and because of their condemnation, the energy that can flower in sensuality moves into perversions, jealousy, anger, hatred — a kind of life which is dry, with no juice. Sensuousness is one of the greatest blessings to humanity. It is your sensitivity, it is your consciousness. Consciousness filtering through the body is what sensousness is". OSHO. To make your appointment today, call John at 0868255206

People often say that health and fitness is free, and to some extent this is true – however, for some it can amount to a small fortune.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the hidden costs of getting fit. For starters, eating regular, healthy and nutritious meals can be expensive, especially if you’re trying to feed several mouths. This doesn’t even take into account the various health and fitness supplements which are advocated by a large percentage of the sporting population. The addition of essential vitamins and minerals alongside a tub of protein and creatine can soon start to move into hundreds of euros.

This is before you’ve even set foot inside the gym. Joining fees and monthly membership costs soon add up, and then of course you need the correct athletic attire in order to blend subtly into the background rather than sticking out like a sore thumb. Is this painting a familiar picture for some of you? Obviously the person that started the “fitness is free” rumour didn’t account for all these extras!

Although the list is potentially endless, there is one further expense that many individuals shell out for on a regular basis; sports massage. So just how good is sports massage? What effects can it provoke on your body and mind? You would surely only spend your hard earned cash on a sports massage if it produced the desired outcomes.

With all this in mind, the purpose of this article is to take a closer look at the effects of sports massage and the various physical and physiological benefits it claims to offer. I will place particular emphasis on its effectiveness at reducing the delayed onset of muscular soreness (or DOMS for short).

Delayed Onset Of Muscular Soreness (DOMS)So what is DOMS? This phenomenon has been previously described as “skeletal muscle pain that follows novel eccentric exercise” (Armstrong, 1984). Although the intensity of soreness can vary, DOMS often follows a similar pattern: increasing during a 24 hour period following cessation of exercise, peaking between 24-48 hours and then starting to subside and ease off during a 5-7 day period (Powers, 1996).

If you’ve ever undertaken a strenuous training session that you’ve felt in your target muscles for several days afterwards, you’ve experienced DOMS and its characteristics first hand. Symptoms can include a feeling of stiffness, tenderness and aching and although these might bring about a pain response, they rarely require medical attention.

There are various plausible hypothesises regarding the DOMS phenomenon, although general consensus states that it is caused by initial muscle damage through vigorous exercise followed by ion imbalances, inflammation and pain (Clarkson, 1999).

If you train infrequently, currently split your training into alternative body parts or can simply cope with the pain response produced through DOMS then you can sometimes get away with doing very little other than training through the discomfort. For others, this is simply not an option and alternative options of removing or alleviating this DOMS response are required and sought. Light exercise and stretching have been suggested as suitable strategies, howeverprevious research has suggested that these are not truly effective (Bougie, 1997).

Sports MassageThe alternative logical and suitable strategy, not mentioned above, is sports massage. This is a popular choice amongst sporting individuals and it is believed if delivered correctly has the ability to be effective at removing DOMS (Ernst, 1998).

Despite a considerable amount of research into this particular topic of interest, the results and findings are inconclusive. Many of these issues relate to research validity and the ability to transfer results to a real life setting. With different research investigations utilising different massage techniques, treatment lengths and application times, it’s hard to generate any definitive cause and effect relationship.

Research Investigation Into The Effects Of Sports MassageIn 2003, Hilbert et al. attempted to rectify previous conflicting findings through their aptly titled research investigation: ‘The effects of massage on delayed onset muscle soreness’.

This investigation utilised 18 male and female participants, all of whom were suitably screened to ensure their characteristics matched and they weren’t suffering with any injuries at the time of the research. Following a familiarisation period, participants were required to complete 6 sets of 10 maximal eccentric contractions, utilising their right hamstring muscle group. Variables around the exercise testing were controlled and maintained at all times.

Participants were then required to produce 5 more maximal eccentric contractions straight away and at 2 hours post exercise. Following this, participants were then assigned to a massage or control group. The massage group received a 20 minute treatment session. Further tests, both physical and psychological, were obtained from all participants at 6, 24 and 48 hours post exercise.

ResultsResults indicated that there were no significant differences between either group in terms of muscle strength and range of motion post exercise.

In terms of muscular soreness, both groups had enhanced levels of discomfort post exercise; however the control group recorded higher scores than the massage group at 48 hours post exercise with regards to their soreness intensity. However, this was not significant.

Results from this investigation indicate that sports massage, administered post exercise, did not offer any additional significant benefits in terms of muscle strength or range of motion. The only advantage of sports massage during this investigation was noted 48 hours post exercise, where the massage group recorded lower soreness intensity scores than that of the control group; these findings, however, were not significantly different.

These findings echo that of previous research, which suggested that the effects of sports massage on DOMS might be more psychological than physiological (Weinberg, 1988).

Final WordIf you’re a sporting individual that undergoes regular sports massage or have been contemplating sports massage following a strenuous session, then what do these findings mean to you? If you were to transfer findings with direct application then research suggests that no physiological gains – i.e. strength or range of motion – will be achieved through this treatment strategy.

It does suggest that sports massage might provide you with some psychological benefits, i.e. a lesser intensity pain response to the DOMS, although this is not likely to be significant and you will still experience some degree of pain.

At this point you might be thinking sports massage simply isn’t worth the money and if you were to base your decision solely on this research investigation then you would be right. However, as with anything in health and fitness, what works or doesn’t work for another individual, might be just what you and your body need to enhance your performance levels.

Furthermore, this research investigation focused solely on sports massage application to alleviate the effects of DOMS. It didn’t consider its proposed effects on injury prevention, correcting muscle imbalances or simple relaxation. These are other key variables where massage can be considered essential.

With all the conflicting research results and findings out there, the only sure way to determine whether sports massage works for you from a physiological or psychological perspective is to try it for yourself.
( Original article by Alex Goldsmith)

Have a look at the testimonials here , and see what previous clients have said after they had a massage.

As you lie on the table under crisp, fresh sheets, hushed music draws you into the moment. The smell of pure rose oil fills the air and you hear the gentle sound of massage oil being warmed in your therapist's hands. The pains of age, the throbbing from your overstressed muscles, the sheer need to be touched -- all cry out for therapeutic hands to start their work. Once the session gets underway, the problems of the world fade into an oblivious 60 minutes of relief and all you can comprehend right now is not wanting it to end.
But what if that hour of massage did more for you than just take the pressures of the day away? What if that gentle  massage helped you combat cancer? What if bodywork helped you recover from a strained hamstring in half the time? What if your sleep, digestion and mood all improved with massage and bodywork? What if these weren't just "what ifs"?
Evidence is showing that the more massage you can allow yourself, the better you'll feel. Here's why.
Massage as a healing tool has been around for thousands of years in many cultures. Touching is a natural human reaction to pain and stress, and for conveying compassion and support. Think of the last time you bumped your head or had a sore calf. What did you do? Rubbed it, right? The same was true of our earliest ancestors. Healers throughout time and throughout the world have instinctually and independently developed a wide range of therapeutic techniques using touch. Many are still in use today, and with good reason. We now have scientific proof of the benefits of massage - benefits ranging from treating chronic diseases and injuries to alleviating the growing tensions of our modern lifestyles. Having a massage does more than just relax your body and mind - there are specific physiological and psychological changes which occur, even more so when massage is utilized as a preventative, frequent therapy and not simply mere luxury. Massage not only feels good, but it can cure what ails you. To book your appointment for a massage call John today at 0868255206

Have you been to visit my new therapy room in Athlone?Situated at 2 Garden Vale, in the town centre,it's a bright sunny,private therapy room,in a beautiful Georgian building.Treat yourself to a relaxing holistic massage,or a robust sports massage.Affordable prices, and a warm welcome . Close to Athlone train and bus station, with convenient parking. Call me at 0868255206 to make an appointment, Open Mon to Fri, 11AM to 8 PM. Sat or Sun by appointment.

I recommend John Picard to anyone who needs healing, empathetic massage therapy--and isn't that everyone? He is simply the best I've ever met, and I can't recommend him highly enough. He's someone who--if you have never had a massage--will spoil you for all others. And if you are considering John because you know how crucial massage is to your own wellbeing, then your session with John will be more effective than any other.

Linda Rosewood, Santa Cruz, California.

Behavior Health and Motivation

If you’ve never had a real massage, it’s high time you treated yourself. You leave feeling rejuvenated, beautified, energized and relaxed all at the same time. Aches and pains can cause us to be in a bad mood, but after the massage you just feel on top of the world and ready for your next workout! As a motivation boost, nothing beats a massage.

Massage therapy alone isn’t going to get you into a bikini or your favorite little black dress, but it certainly will affect other efforts to lose weight and get into shape. Sometimes we get overwhelmed with what we can’t eat and how much exercise we have to endure to shed those extra pounds. Massage therapy can be the cherry on top of the cake and even help you reach your goals!

If you are carrying around extra pounds, you know how difficult it can be to achieve meaningful weight loss. But perhaps you haven’t heard of a powerful technique to help you shed unwanted fat: weight loss massage. Researchers have discovered that, following a workout, the right kind of massage session can help deliver desirable results. The secret is muscle recovery and development. When muscle displaces fat, you tend to lose weight and look better at any weight. A strenuous workout tires out muscles, which require nourishment to recover. Massage actually boosts the circulatory system, helping it to deliver the necessary nutrients and oxygen. Massage also can help regulate nutrient exchange between the bloodstream and body tissues. 

Muscles that receive a good supply of nutrients and oxygen are likely to undergo growth and development. This raises your base metabolic rate, which helps you shed pounds by efficiently burning calories, even when you rest. Body massage aids in this process. In addition, massage can increase your body’s flexibility and range of motion. This allows you in turn to have more effective workouts, burn more calories and lose more weight – a virtuous circle. Different workouts benefit from specialized massages. Swimmers do well with a follow-up massage that focuses on the shoulders and ankles. Your flexibility and power in the water will increase, and you will suffer less from muscle soreness which could interfere with future workouts. The added flexibility afforded by a good massage will help you avoid injury while exercising, keeping you on track towards your weight loss goal.

Another benefit of weight loss massage is the removal of toxic buildup. Exercise creates waste products in your body which can accumulate, especially in your muscle tissue. We are talking about such nasties as carbonic acid and lactic acid – they can slow down muscle recovery. Massage, by stimulating circulation, helps the body eliminate these waste products. This in turn cuts down on the amount of time you need to recover from a workout, meaning you can work out more often.

Finally, let’s not forget about stress relief. A luxurious massage is the right psychological reward after enduring a strenuous workout.

Stress produces cortisol, which interferes with efficient digestion, so a circulation-stimulating massage will aid digestion by ridding you of the cortisol buildup. Less stress also means less binge eating. So don’t be shy – get a wonderful body massage after your next workout!