Welcome to the June Revitalize Massage & Wellness Newsletter!

I am thrilled to announce that I am now offering Reiki Training! This training is perfect for those looking to learn more about Reiki and embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and wellness.

Reiki Training Level 1: A Journey of Healing and Personal Growth

Course Highlights:

• Manual: Each participant will receive a copy of Reiki: A Comprehensive Guide by Pamela Miles. This detailed manual provides in-depth knowledge about Reiki, its principles, and techniques.
• Personalized Training: The training is designed to cater to your individual needs. You can opt for one-on-one session for a deeply personalized experience or bring a friend or family member for a more interactive and shared learning experience.
• Flexible Duration: The training session will last between 2 to 3 hours, ensuring ample time for learning, practice, and Q&A.
• Cost: $150 per person

What You Will Learn:

Reiki Level 1 is the foundation of your Reiki practice. In this course, you will:

• Understand Reiki Principles: Learn about the history, principles, and philosophy of Reiki, which will help you establish a solid foundation for your practice.
• Hand Positions: Discover the hand positions used in Reiki sessions for self-treatment and treating pets (if desired).
• Energy Awareness: Develop a deeper awareness of energy flow in the body and learn how to use Reiki energy effectively.
• Self-Healing Techniques: Gain practical skills to perform self-healing sessions, promoting your own physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
• Ethics and Safety: Understand the importance of ethical practice and safety measures in Reiki.

Sign Up Today!

Embark on your Reiki journey! To register or for more information, please call/text me using Google Voice at 734-489-1547 or email revitalize.massage.karen@gmail.com.

Note: Reiki level 1 is all you need to perform self-reiki sessions and sessions for your family members and pets. If you choose to continue to Level 2, it will be offered after you have practiced self-reiki daily for at least 21 days.

Wishing you a wonderful month of June!

In health,
Karen

As the days grow longer and the sun graces us with its warmth, I find myself reflecting on the joy of laughter and the fun of Laughter Yoga.

As a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader, I led laughter yoga sessions during the stay at home phase of COVID-19. Laughter Yoga combines laughter exercises with the benefits of yoga breathing. It’s a wonderful way to reconnect with our inner child and experience laughter’s many health benefits.

Current research shows that as we age, many of us tend to laugh less frequently than we did in our younger years. Laughter is not only good for the soul; it’s excellent for our physical and mental well-being.

That’s why I’m thrilled to offer free weekly laughter yoga Zoom sessions lasting 20-30 minutes to anyone who wishes to join. Feel free to share this invitation with friends, family, or anyone you believe could benefit from a laughter-filled session. See below for more details.

What is Laughter Yoga?
Laughter Yoga combines laughter exercises with yogic breathing techniques. It doesn’t require special skills, just a willingness to laugh and let go of inhibitions. Through a series of laughing and deep breathing, Laughter Yoga helps to induce laughter, leading to numerous health benefits. It’s a safe space where we let go of stress, connect with others through shared laughter, and embrace the moment with childlike joy. Each session concludes with a relaxing laughter meditation, leaving you feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to start the day with a smile on your face!

Health Benefits of Laughter Yoga:

• Stress Relief: Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals, promoting relaxation and reducing stress levels.
• Boosts Immunity: Laughing strengthens the immune system by increasing antibody production and enhancing immune cells’ effectiveness.
• Improves Mood: Regular laughter sessions can uplift mood, combat depression, and increase happiness.
• Enhances Cardiovascular Health: Laughter improves blood circulation, lowers blood pressure, and reduces the risk of heart disease.
• Connects People: Laughter Yoga fosters social connection and builds strong bonds among participants, promoting a sense of community and belonging.
• Also! Many research articles note that simulated (fake) laughter has many of the same health benefits as spontaneous (real) laughter. (And usually, fake laughter turns into real laughter pretty quickly!!)

Join Our Zoom Laughter Yoga Sessions (Starting in June!):
I invite you to join our laughter-filled Zoom sessions every Tuesday morning at 8:00 am. Let’s kick-start our day with joy, positivity, and lots of laughter!

To join, simply send me a message if you’d like to participate, and I’ll provide you with the Zoom link and further details. My contact info is revitalize.massage.karen@gmail.com or Google Voice at (734) 489-1547. Also, let me know if you are interested but cannot do Tuesday mornings.

Let’s spread laughter and positivity together! Hope to see you on Tuesdays!

In health,
Karen

References and Resources:

• https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456
• https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/advan.00030.2017
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266594412100016X
• https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/laughter_can_benefit_your_physical_and_mental_health
• Free videos from Robert Rivest (the person who trained me). https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL70_FYn4KGkBGvuGUs28qfkQYEQl0snUY

Happy Spring, and welcome to the April Revitalize Massage & Wellness, LLC newsletter!

As I write this newsletter, I’m enjoying a cup of green tea with hibiscus (I like tart). So, I invite you to grab your favorite drink, take a moment to relax, and enjoy reading. Plus, if you like to dig deeper, I’ve included some references to peer-reviewed articles and additional info at the bottom of the newsletter. Look for the related numbers in the section headers to geek out like I do. Cheers!

Please note that I will be out of the office the week of April 21.

April Discount!
Fresh from an enlightening Craniosacral Therapy advanced training weekend, I’m thrilled to share the knowledge I’ve gained. This month, I’m offering a $15 discount on 60-minute and 90-minute Craniosacral Therapy sessions (purchase in April and use before the end of June). With new techniques focusing on the jaw and mouth, I can now provide support for issues stemming from extensive dental treatments (keeping our mouth open for a long time may result in tensions/restrictions in the face/mouth/head) and TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) pain, as well as provide more targeted techniques for other affected areas.

April CST Discount

Since Craniosacral Therapy is closely connected with the Central Nervous System (CNS), we are spotlighting the CNS in this month’s newsletter.

Anatomy and Physiology: CNS (1)
The nervous system is like the body’s electrical wiring. One of the main components is the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS includes the brain and spinal cord, which are protected by the skull and vertebrae. As we all know, the brain does many things, like thinking, feeling emotions, and controlling movement. Meanwhile, the spinal cord acts like a messenger, passing signals between the brain and the rest of the body. It’s a super busy system, with billions of tiny cells called neurons working together to keep everything running smoothly. Craniosacral Therapy (CST) helps free the central nervous system to perform at its best.

Optimizing nutrition: CNS (2)
We can focus on good nutrition to help keep your central nervous system (CNS) healthy and strong. Omega-3s from wild-caught fish, flaxseeds (ground or oil), and walnuts boost brain function. We can protect our neurons with antioxidants like vitamin E from almonds, spinach, and avocados and fuel neurotransmitter production with B vitamins found in leafy greens, legumes, and whole grains. We can add berries and turmeric for extra CNS protection and enjoy magnesium-rich foods like dark chocolate (my favorite!), nuts, and seeds to support nerve health. Prioritizing a diet rich in these nourishing elements can give our CNS the essential building blocks necessary for optimal function, resilience, and longevity.

Movement and the CNS (3)
Regular exercise is crucial for keeping our central nervous system (CNS) healthy. It triggers the release of mood-boosting neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin while improving cognitive function. Aerobic workouts boost blood flow to the brain, delivering essential oxygen and nutrients for optimal brain activity. Try activities like yoga or dance to challenge coordination and balance, which can enhance neural pathways and cognitive abilities. Strength training is also important, as it maintains muscle mass and coordination while reducing the risk of falls. By making movement a priority, you’ll not only improve your physical fitness but also support a strong and resilient CNS.

Additional Reading:

1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21202-nervous-system and https://training.seer.cancer.gov/anatomy/nervous/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3258094/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4061837/, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-33063-9 and https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006899323001269

Wishing you a wonderful April!

In health,
Karen