2010 In Review

As 2010 approached, I instinctively knew it was going to be a good year, and overall, it didn't disappoint. 

The hiccup my business ran into in March turned out to be a blessing in disguise combined with another change--getting my massage room to myself and no longer sharing it with another LMT. This change allowed me to redesign my treatment room, with the express needs of MY clients and myself in mind, not also those of the other therapist and trying to blend our styles and needs together. It also allowed me to increase my availability for appointments, moving from 3 days a week up to 5. 

The increased work time worked well for my income--I made 50% more in 2010 than I did in 2009, however, my bottom line didn't enjoy such a dramatic increase. Due in part to the redesign of my treatment room, as well as several continuing education courses, including planning for an upcoming out-of-state workshop, and a few new perks for my clients: new sheets, the full-back weighted heating pad that's getting lots of praise, and sample-size containers to allow clients to bring the spa experience home with them, my business expenses absorbed more than 50% of my total income for the year, a revelation that, while necessary at the time, I hope won't repeat itself for 2011.

In 2011, I have new goals. I will be going to a weekend workshop in Boca Raton in February to become a Certified Injury Prevention Instructor, so I will be able to teach other manual therapists ways to keep their bodies healthy, and prevent, recognize, and learn effective ways to treat injuries incurred due to the nature of their careers, and add value and longevity to their careers. I am very excited for this new venture. At this time, I don't expect it to interfere with my hands-on time with clients, but see it as another source of revenue, and likely will be implemented on the weekends. I've also decided to hold myself to a budget for my monthly business expenses, forcing myself to analyze the urgency of each potential purchase. 

In remembrance of my past life as an employee in a corporation, I don't want to sound as if my bottom line is what it's ALL about, but I would like to see the scale tip more in my favor than it did last year. My income, while not the breadwinner in my household, provides a very necessary contribution to my family's livelihood. My husband and I are beginning to very seriously consider buying a house, a goal of ours that I wasn't expecting to reach for another couple of years, and one that, if obtained soon, will require much more diligence of budgets, and watching my expenses is the biggest area I can work on to increase my bottom line. 

All that said, the good news is that you, my client, shouldn't notice much, if any, effect from these goals. I believe I set myself up pretty well in 2010 that I don't expect you or myself to feel the pull. As always, please don't hesitate to tell me your concerns. Without you all, I wouldn't be here anyway, and it will always be my goal to assure your happiness in having me as your massage therapist, this year and for many years to come.

2 Steps to a Feel-Good Body

The new year has brought new inspiration to at least a few of my clients already so far that want to make 2011 the year for themselves. It is so exciting to hear these clients talk about being ready to step into the spotlight in their own lives and deciding to make positive, healthy changes NOW.

If this is similar to your agenda, listen up. 2 simple steps will guide you on your journey to your best self. Ready?

1. Relieve the pain.

2. Fix the problem.

These steps apply particularly to how your body feels, though could be applied to other areas of your life that need attention. 

Initially, you need to end the pain. Along that process, if you are getting massages from me, I can help guide you into the next step: Fix the problem. That might mean seeing a chiropractor to re-align your spine. You might realize it comes from within--perhaps you need to change some of your lifestyle habits that have caused your pain, such as your eating, exercising, and stress-management patterns. It might be correcting a poorly designed workstation. 

Once you relieve the pain and fix the problem, check in periodically, whether with regular massage, chiropractic adjustments, or within yourself, and make sure the problem doesn't sneak back into your life.

Make 2011 an awesome year. This is your life. You only get one run through it, make it the life of your dreams--what is there that's holding you back? Tackle it. Live this life!

Healthy Living To Go

I happen to be a Kaiser member and recently found out about these complimentary audio programs on guided imagery. 


Guided imagery is a type of relaxation exercise designed to engage your mind, body, and spirit. Guided imagery programs are gentle, but powerful.


There are several titles/topics to choose from, including: Anger and forgiveness, Ease pain, Fibromyalgia and fatigue, Healthful sleep, Panic attacks and anxiety, Relaxation and wellness, Relieve allergies, Relieve headaches, Self confidence, Weight loss, Holiday depression, and many more.


You can listen directly from the website, or download as MP3 and take it with you wherever you go.


Please enjoy! 

Play Hard.

The holiday season is well known for being a stressful time of year. While it's taken some practice, I've enjoyed this season more by learning how to manage my 24 hours in the day, and you can too.

Being self-employed can make things a little more challenging at times, or maybe takes longer for the light bulb to click on and register a better idea or way of doing things. Sometimes, it takes 12 times to be told the same thing before recognizing a brilliant idea or needed change. Sometimes, you just have to sleep on it for 5 or 6 months and feel just a little slow in realizing how simple it really is. This much I know from personal experience.

To anyone else that may benefit from my experiences, I offer my knowledge to you. 

Create structure. Develop systems. Within these, don't forget to include "play" time--be it with your kids, a hot soak in the tub with the door locked and the phone turned off, or indulging in your choice guilty pleasure. Budget your finances and time alike. And, make comprises with both. Account for all things needed and desired. 

Your dreams and happiness are within reach. Do NOT allow yourself or others to encourage you to sacrifice your dreams or happiness. Understand, the old adage "work before play" holds true. Your dreams and happiness are your "play," and your work is whatever it takes to reach them--working to pay off bills from before you finally understood when you heard it the 12th time, getting up early to hit the gym or hit the books--whatever it may be in your life that is in your way. Deal with it head-on. Take one step at a time, leave one bite on the plate, work an extra hour each day. 

The feeling you get when you reach your goals and begin to live the life of your dreams is unimaginable. And even when you think life can't get any better, you start to dream again...of what else is possible in this life. And you can do it.

Play hard.

PS--this blog was inspired by rug burns I got on my arms today while playing with the kids at JJ Jump. Deep. :)

Remember to STREEEETTTTCCCCHHHH--Lower Back & Glute Stretch Videos

If you're experiencing lower back pain, try the stretches shown here.



If you're experiencing pain/tightness in  your glutes, try the stretch shown here.



This information is provided as a courtesy and is not intended to replace medical advice. Please consult your doctor or personal trainer to make any necessary modifications to prevent injury.

10 Benefits of Choosing Me As Your Massage Therapist

•I am a woman: a sister, a daughter, a mother, a wife. I can relate.
•You're not rushed in & out the door--your massage session is spent ON the table. One hour=60 minutes on the table.
•Ample time before and after your session, so you get personalized attention and care, which leads to reaching your massage goals faster.
•Quiet, private entrance with no chemical smells like other salons.
•Convenient online booking and gift certificate sales so you can schedule and make your purchases when it works for you.
•Evening appointments available.
•I use jojoba, which is closest to our natural skin oils and won't leave you feeling greasy after your massage.
•Balance your need for therapeutic massage and your "me time" with spa and add-on treatments.
•My Client Loyalty Program can't be beat.
•Making your experience the best it can be is my goal.

Let's focus on YOUR needs.
 It is frustrating when you don’t get the massage you had hoped for, but so restorative when you get just exactly what you wanted. When you come in for your massage, it is time to focus on YOUR needs.


My primary talent is reminding shoulders to let go of your ears using a mix of techniques and stretches to loosen the muscles of the neck, shoulders, and upper back. When you leave, the pain in your neck doesn‘t have to be the PAIN in your NECK.


Call me now at 503-318-9626, or jump ahead and book your appointment online.
I look forward to meeting you soon!

Finding Your Rhythm

Rhythms are a natural part of life that help soothe and comfort us. People are drawn to the rhythms in music. Babies are drawn to the rhythm of their mother's heartbeat. Our bodies are built for rhythm. Rhythmic movements, rhythmic breath.

When these rhythms are off, the result is noticeable. Any of my family can tell you my musical sense of rhythm is very poor. Fortunately for me, I chose to work with bodies, not music! 

Back to the body, yoga and tai chi help the body learn to move more smoothly and build strength in places prone to weakness to keep our bodies balanced against stressors in their daily use. You notice when this rhythm is off when you find a "catch" in your back/neck/shoulder/hip. 

Most people don't think much about their breathing or the impact it can make on their body. It is helpful to practice breathing exercises to avoid putting strain on weaker muscles in the neck and upper back, and to develop the diaphragm muscle. Begin with visualizing an oval. As you reach the end of your inhale, you are at the top of the oval, and as you complete your exhale, pause at the bottom of the oval before returning to the inhale. Done correctly, this exercise should not cause you to become dizzy or hyperventilate.

Your breathing can also impact the results of your massage sessions. When you breathe in a rhythm, I can adjust my techniques to work in sync with your body. Particularly when working with a trouble spot, it is helpful to focus on your breathing. I will lighten my pressure or pause while you inhale, and as you exhale slowly, I will work into the trouble spot. When you and I work in rhythm in this way, your guard is released so your muscles aren't resisting the work, your body becomes more receptive to the work I'm doing, and faster progress can be made.

Working in rhythm with my clients' breathing is one of my favorite things, unfortunately, not a lot of my clients utilize this tool they possess. It is my hope that by addressing it here, clients will become more aware of how to get even better results from their sessions with me.