Reflections from the beach

I've just passed a lovely, lazy week in beautiful Nikiana, home of Serenity Retreat where I worked for two months last year. This year I was off duty, just relaxing and rejuvenating. So I've had plenty of time to reflect on the year that's passed and where I'm at, and how lovely it is to be on holiday - and this is pretty much where I got to.

1.  Resting is not the same as Recharging.

I've been working more or less non-stop for months, plus in the few weeks before I went I moved house, never an easy process. Although I was (usually) getting enough hours of sleep, I realised when I got to Nikiana that I was weary. And that lasted for 4 or 5 days while I slept, chilled out, sunbathed - this last being very important, I swear I'm solar powered, the sun does me a world of good. The lesson learnt - to find ways to have a proper break regularly, and incorporate this into my life more than once or twice a year. It also ties in with some strands of ideas I have about what I can provide to my lovely clients, but it's early days on that still, so no spoilers.

2.  Mediterranean tomatoes are the best.

They just are.

3.  I don't read enough.

I got through 8 books in a week, and well into the ninth. That may be a little excessive for business as usual, but still - I like reading, I devour books when I get a chance, whether classics, fun light stuff (love supernatural fiction at the moment, I covered vampires, shamans and zombies this week) or practical books on running a business. Why limit something that I get so much out of to a few weeks in the year?

4.  Sometimes you have to permit yourself to do nothing.

Permit being the operative word - as in give yourself permission. Actively. When you're self-employed, it's easy to be always on, thinking about the next thing to do, constantly aiming to be productive. You're not constantly productive, it's impossible, but you always feel you should be doing MORE. I'm sure the same is true of raising a family, organising a club, running a household, all the things we do with our lives. A wise friend told me years ago that it's important, not just to slow down sometimes, but to STOP. To let go, step outside "normal life", and breathe. He was right.

5.  Swimming in the sea is my favourite form of exercise.

Some caveats - it must be warm, clear, turquoise sea, preferably in a beautiful setting. So this isn't entirely practical in Hertfordshire. Nonetheless, I think it's useful to know.

6.  Talking to lovely people outside your day to day life is good.

It gives you a chance to voice concerns, to air ideas you're not sure about without second guessing your listeners' reactions, worrying about the impact it might have on them or what they might think of you. There's no pressure to follow through on something you discuss, or explain. I think this is one of the nice things about travelling - often the people you meet who have gone to the same places as you, chosen to do similar things, are your type of people. It's easy to share ideas, think out loud, just chat and see where the conversation goes. It's about the present, not the past or future, as you don't have either together (except maybe the odd Facebook update down the road). This kind of holiday conversation can also be good practice in relating to people in a straightforward way, without hidden agendas or manipulation, which is always a useful reminder to have.

7.  I'd lost my connection to my body.

Being in my body was a lesson I'd learnt and valued. I'd built up a strong yoga practice and went outside and walked regularly, knowing it grounded me, made me better. But since I have been doing massage full time, I've become lazy. A little ironic - I think that as I was doing a physical job, I felt I was covered, wasn't I? Uh-uh. Doing massage, the focus is on my client's body, not mine, and mine needs some love and attention. Which this week it got - walking (a bit), swimming, basking in the sun, and three wonderful, nurturing, attentive massages. A double dose of TLC - from the lovely Jane, but also from me: noticing how it felt, where the tight bits were, enjoying the sensations and feelings of being stroked, kneaded, stretched. How lovely it would be to have massages every other day all the time! Unfortunately, it's just not possible, but I can have them every week or two (unsurprisingly, I know a lot of massage therapists) and I can attend to my body in other ways - self massage, yoga, walking. Even a simple bath can be a treat if taken with care and attention.

Taster Massage Day in Berkhamsted

My trip to Sarajevo to volunteer with the Healing Hands Network is now less than a month away. That really has come around quickly!

In one of those small world coincidences, Carol Quirk, a Sports Massage Therapist who also offers treatments at BAYoga Studio in Berkhamsted, will be out there at the same time as me.

So we've decided to team up for an event at the Studio,  to fund our volunteer work with Healing Hands and raise money towards our flights and accommodation etc. 

Try Indian Head Massage
at the taster afternoon

On Saturday 25^th August between 1pm and 5pm, in the BAYoga Studio, Carol and I are offering 15 minute massage ‘taster’ sessions.  These will include seated back massage, Thai foot massage and Indian head massage.

In return we are asking for a donation to the charity, which will go towards our costs.

So please come along to support us on the 25^th, and bring a friend or family member with you!

For further information about Healing Hands Network please see this previous blogpost or go to www.healinghandsnetwork.co.uk 

To donate directly to mine or Carol's fund, please go to www.mycharitypage.com/carolquirk or www.mycharitypage.com/lucinda

Celebrating the Olympics

Although it seems no time since London won the 2012 Olympics, they are nearly upon us. To mark the occasion I'm holding two special events, with an international theme.

Indian Head Massage Day

Sohan Jalaiai, St Albans

Thursday 2nd August

45 minute Treatments for £30 (usually £38)

Thai Foot Massage Day

Revive Clinic, Apsley

Wednesday 8th August

Hour-long treatments for £35 (usually £45)

There is however a twist - these are TEAM EVENTS.

I have 5 appointments available on each day, and the special rates only apply if all 5 are taken. So if you want to take part, get all your friends to book in and fill those slots!

To take advantage of this offer, e-mail me with the day and time you'd like.

The slots to be filled are:

Indian Head Massage Day 2nd August:


1.00, 2.15, 3.30, 5.15, 6.30

I practice a gentle form of Indian Head Massage that incorporates shoulder, neck and face massage, as well as the scalp. The massage addresses the areas where many of us hold tension, gently releasing the muscles and connective tissue. It can feel wonderful to have our hair, scalp and face massaged, making this a surprisingly relaxing and enjoyable treatment.

Thai Foot Massage Day 8th August:


1.00, 2.30, 4.00, 6.00, 7.30

A recent import from China to Thailand, Thai Foot Massage has proven to be popular and effective. I use thumbs, knuckles, palms and a wooden massage stick to press, stroke and occasionally pummel the feet and lower leg, working on the reflex points and energy lines to affect the whole body. It is incredibly relaxing - I personally haven’t managed to stay awake while receiving a foot massage yet!

Appointments will be allocated on a first come-first served basis. If you could make more than one time, let me know and I'll fit you in to best fill the appointments.


Places will be held open until the 27th July - if they're not filled by then, anyone already signed up will have the option to keep the appointment at the full price, or to cancel.


For more information on these and other massages I offer see www.lucindacracknell.co.uk

Charity Massage-athon - in pictures!

Charity Massage-athon for the Healing Hands Network
Saturday 14th July 2012, St Albans Town Hall
Here's how it all went on the day...

Our beautiful display, with lots of information about
Healing Hands and our lovely massage therapists

Everything ready, waiting to go

An early client, he seems to be pleased

Neck and shoulder massages
proved to be the popular choice

Carly Day helping out with a shoulder massage

Danny Smith, who interviewed me on Radio Verulam
about the Massage-athon, came along to try a
massage for himself

The Massage-ometer!

Tracking our massage total throughout the day

(And everyone loves an excuse for a bit of colouring in!)

The end of the day,
21 massages done,
£129 raised!

1. 
   

Pilates - guest post from Carly Day

What is Pilates?


Pilates is a conditioning intervention that challenges the body and the mind. It combines mat exercises with the use of specialist equipment and aims to activate the deep, stabilising muscles of the body that many of us have 'forgotten' how to use properly. Humans have two layers of muscles, the deep, stabilising muscles that are located around the joints and the bigger, mobilising muscles on the outside of the body. If our stabilising muscles don't activate when they should do, the mobilising muscles have to do twice as much work causing fatigue and tension. Pilates aims to reinstate the neural activation of the stabilising muscles, making us more aware of how we move in every day life.

Stabilise your body from within

STOTT PILATES® practiced at Revive Sports Rehabilitation & Acupuncture Clinic is a contemporary approach to the original exercise method pioneered by the late Joseph Pilates. During his lifetime, Joseph Pilates studied many forms of exercise such as yoga and weight lifting as well as the innate movement of animals to develop a set of exercises to promote natural, tension free movement. The contemporary approach used in STOTT PILATES® includes modern principles of exercise science and spinal rehabilitation, making it one of the safest and most effective methods of Pilates available.


Pilates converts the way you look and feel about your body by eliciting core postural muscles to create a centre of strength, to stabilise and support the body from within. It is intelligent exercise with profound results.


Who will benefit from Pilates?


Pilates is great for those with movement difficulties but will be equally challenging to well trained athletes. This exercise method develops strength from within which means that tired, over used muscles of the back, shoulders and neck don't get overworked any more. It can help with reducing back pain and instability aggravated by occupational movements, is great for expectant and new mums as it promotes activation of the deep pelvic muscles and it can be combined with a regular exercise program for sports men and women to prevent injuries. Pilates is endorsed by many health professionals including GP’s, Physiotherapists and Osteopaths. Through regular practice, Pilates will help you restore more efficient and natural movement and can have profound results in relieving muscular tension, correcting altered alignment, breaking bad movement habits and improving posture. It’s used by rehab and prenatal clients, athletes, celebrities and everyone in between.


What does a typical session involve?

A holistic workout that will leave you
relaxed and rejuvenated

Pilates can be practiced in one to one, small group and larger group sessions. Private one to one sessions are a brilliant way to maximise each and every workout as the instructor can give absolute attention to every movement produced. These sessions involve a full postural analysis, outlining areas of tension, weakness and muscle shortening. You will then be taught the 5 basic principles of Pilates that are built upon throughout all of the exercises. Exercise modifications are then given to suit your own posture type and you will quickly learn what movements are beneficial and which are of less use to you individually. You can then use this knowledge of your body in future classes as well as during day to day activities.


Pilates can also be done in a group session which involves initially learning the 5 basic principles and then going through the repertoire exercise by exercise, working at a beginner, improver, intermediate and advanced level. Each exercise can be modified to challenge and support you depending on your goals for the session. Most exercises in the matwork repertoire are done in a lying position either on your front, side or back but it's not as easy as it sounds. Pilates involves the connection of the mind and body with breathing, so it's a holistic workout that will leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated, walking taller and with more confidence.


Carly is a Rehabilitation Specialist and Pilates Instructor, based in Apsley, Hertfordshire.


If you would like to talk to Carly about Pilates, or arrange a session, you can contact her on 07739 005874 or visit www.carlyday.co.uk.

Treating neck ache and tension headaches

Have you ever noticed that sometimes the same experience keeps repeating, as if the universe wants you to take notice of something? Several times in the past couple of weeks I've treated clients with tightness in their necks that transfers into the scalp and causes headaches. This has prompted me to explain a bit about why this happens, and a simple technique you can use when it does.

Here's "the science bit"

At the back of your skull there's a ridge of bone called the occipital ridge. You can feel it by putting your finger on the back of your head and running it downwards until you feel it dip onto softer tissue. The ridge is most obvious just to the side of the central line, but runs across from ear to ear, just above the hairline.


This ridge is an area for muscle attachment. Muscles from the neck, and even the shoulder, run up and attach to it, and a band of muscle and connective tissue runs from here, over the top of the head, to the forehead. Any tension in the neck and upper back, whether from computer work, holding stress in the shoulders, an injury, or anything else, is therefore transmitted to the occipital area. From here it can pull on the tissue over the head all the way to the forehead. This is why a tight neck can cause tension headaches.


It is also why, during massage, we work on the soft tissue at the occipital ridge. This is true of Deep Tissue Massage, Indian Head Massage, Thai Massage; there's even an occipital move in Pulsing.


By manipulating the tissue, we can often release contraction in the neck and shoulder muscles, and in the scalp. This can ease any pain and discomfort.


You can also do this yourself, if your neck is tight or you feel a headache coming on.

• Put your index and middle fingers together, and place the tips at the back of your head, on the occipital ridge, pointing inwards.
• If you have long hair, it's easier to work from under your hair, and with it loose - tying hair up tightly can also contribute to headaches.
• Make a few small circles with your finger tips, then move them outwards a bit, still on the ridge, and repeat.
• Resist the temptation to press hard - just firm enough to move the skin, rather than just the hair, is fine.
• Continue until you get to the corner of the ridge under the ear; you can then make circles back towards the centre, or slide your fingers back and work outwards again.
• You can also do one side at a time if it's more comfortable, but try not to twist your head too much.

Of course, if you have an underlying issue elsewhere that's causing the problem, this technique won't address that. However, easing the tightness in the occipital area may relieve the discomfort until you're able to take more permanent steps, whether that's taking more frequent breaks from the computer, or getting a massage to release tension in the muscles throughout the neck, shoulders and upper back.


There's more about Lucinda's massage at www.lucindacracknell.co.uk

Charity Massage-athon for Healing Hands Network

I hinted a while ago that I was scheming away on fund raising events for Healing Hands Network, and that there would be a chance to get involved (for those around Hertfordshire anyway). I've been true to my word, so without further ado, here it is!


What is it?  A Charity Massage-athon. Ten-minute mini treatments on as many backs/feet/shoulders/heads as possible


When is it?  Saturday 14th July, between 10am and 4pm


Where is it?  St Albans Town Hall, alongside the Artisans, Arts and Crafts Market, and the St Albans outdoor market


Who can get involved?  You can! Please bring along achey shoulders, sore feet, stressed heads or tight shoulders for us to treat; we can't do it without you!


Where do I sign up?  You can e-mail me to book a slot at a specific time, which will help with planning, but you can also just come along on the day and book in, or if we're free, get a massage there and then!


Who will be doing the massaging?  At the moment, me! But I'm hoping to have a team of brilliant therapists joining me throughout the day. If you're a massage therapist, or massage student, and would like to join in, if only for an hour, get in touch. It's a great way to get loads of experience and meet lots of people, and it's fun too!


What does it cost?  A minimum of £5 donation for each treatment - but any more you can give will be truly appreciated and it all goes to a great cause.


How else can I help?  Help man the stand for an hour (or more!). Tell your friends about the message-athon, and encourage them to come along. Even if you can't make it, you can sponsor me - go to my charity page or e-mail me.

Who are the Healing Hands Network?  A charity dedicated to the relief of suffering caused by war and disaster. In Sarajevo, volunteer therapists treat survivors of concentration camps, rape and horrendous physical injuries. "HHN is one of the rare things I look forward to in life because its therapies have enabled me to laugh again." Peljto Behija, Concentration Camp Union. For more information see their website and this blogpost.


What if I have more questions? Ask me - just drop me an e-mail and I'll do my best to help.


Any and all support you can give me, by coming along, helping out or spreading the word, will be hugely appreciated.