Star Keys Massage - wellness for body and soul Lotus

Massage and wellness

Massage and wellness include a wide range of topics and can be a rather confusing area to discover and learn about. It is my hope that I can cover many of the topics in this series of articles. I will not only describe massages, but also expand to other topics related to wellness.

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Name: Pia Poulsen
Location: Noisy le Grand, Ile de France, France

Pia is educated as "Praticienne en Massage Créatif" at Institut FIGARI in Paris. She has more than ten years of interest in aromatherapy, massage and wellness. Taunaki (http://www.taunaki.com) is her current start-up and takes up most her time and she owns Star Keys Massage. Life is a constant journey in learning and knowledge. Pia wants to help people obtain and maintain their wellness, be it via education, articles, massages, building resources or as her dream is, creating a wellness resort one day.

14 October 2009

Creative LaStone

Petosky Stone, MacroImage by cobalt123 via Flickr

Combining the hot stones with massage creates amazing results. LaStone and Massage Créatif compliments each other beautifully and carry the same energy and purposes.

The two therapies can be combined in several ways, depending on the needs and requirements of the client.

One way is to use the hot stones to warm the tissue before the massage commences, simply adding another step to the Massage Créatif. Warming the tissue makes the hands-on work easier for the therapist and allows her to work much deeper after a shorter time of tissue manipulation. Heating the muscles makes them relax, which gives the therapist easier access to the tight knots and tense muscles.

The stones also provide a great massaging tool, which with less effort can go deeply into the muscles and reach the deeper layers. It is gentle on the hands and fingers of the therapist, allowing her to work for a longer time before tiring herself. Using the hot stones feels like a pair of very warm hands massaging your muscles.

If there is a particularly troubled area, then including a cold stone can provide that last touch needed to fully let a muscle release tension and return to normality.

For the Creative Lastone, the number of stones used can vary from 4 to 12, depending on how much deep work is needed. The fewer stones included, the more flowing and uninterrupted the massage will be.

Please note that the Creative LaStone is an extended version of Massage Créatif, adding certain elements from the LaStone therapy and combining the two into a symbiosis. It gives you a taste of what a LaStone treatment feels like, but doesn't replace it in any manner. The energy and flow of the massage is that of the Massage Créatif, enhancing it with the stone advantages and energies.
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09 July 2008

What to expect from a Massage Créatif

A Massage Créatif is a full body massage, which combines soft strokes with deep massage, as well as stimulates pressure points, employ stretching and massage of the hands, feet and head. The entire body will be massaged during the hour or one and a half hour a massage lasts.

You will come out from the massage feeling relaxed and calm. Tensions have been eased, worries lessened. You will feel lighter, as if a weight has been taken from your shoulders. Your skin will feel soft and be nourished by the oil used for the massage and your system will be busy flushing out the toxins released by the treatment.

First you will be welcomed to a warm room with candles lit and nice scents. A sheet covers the massage table and towels are arranged for your comfort. I will leave the room while you undress and lay yourself on the table. You can be keep your underwear on or be nude as you are most comfortable with. I will wash my hands and mentally prepare myself for the massage. As I enter the room I will inquire if there is anything I need to know about your massage or if you have any pains and problems I must be aware of.

Once you lie comfortably on the table with your face down, I will turn on the music and ask you to just relax and let go for the next hour (or one and a half). I will warm my hands and place them upon your feet with a firm assuring pressure. Then your ankles, calves, thighs, buttocks, back, shoulders, arms and hands. These are slow deliberate firm placements upon your body to build a connection between us and to prepare you for the massage. I will by this first contact get the first hints and clues as to where your body need treatment and care.

Next I will apply the massage oil to my hands. It is fragrant and contains essential oils which will enhance your massage. Perhaps lavender for physical and mental relaxation, perhaps ylang ylang for trust, perhaps geranium for balance and so on. Each oil has special properties and I will chose one of my blends which I sense will benefit you.

A quick brush from heels to back and the oil is applied upon the back with hands and forearms. You would almost think the massage is starting now, but it is merely your back receiving a good oiling. Oil will be applied to your arms as well and then it will be time to treat both your legs. Attending one at a time as you get a clear idea of what to expect from the massage.

Finally the massage itself starts. First one leg will be treated, from heel to buttocks, soft and gentle, deep and thorough, stretching and loosening, all as is needed. Then onto the other leg and the same treatment. Next it is your back's turn. Working from one side, then the other, all of the back is massaged. Eventually I will stand by your head and massage your shoulders. All the sore spots and tensions which have built will be treated and eased, making you feel as a weight has lifted from your shoulders.

A long glide of my hands over your body, starting at the head and exiting by the feet, then I will gently ask you to turn over. Again oil is applied to your body, the arms first, then stomach and chest and finally the legs. Again preparing you for the massage and helping me know where the tensions are hidden.

I will start the second half of the massage by gently massaging your stomach. Soft circular movements which become stronger and stronger. The sides will be stretched as well before I massage the muscles on the chest and stretch the back.

Next comes the neck and head. Stretches to relax the muscles, pressure point stimulation and finally a scalp or face massage depending on your wishes. Often I have experienced people completely relax at this stage and even fall asleep.

Then onward to the arms and hands, one at a time and finally the legs. Sometimes I will turn a person on to the side to stretch the back muscles from another angle, or lift the legs to work in depth on the muscle or stretch them.

During the entire massage I will use my hands, fingers, arms and even elbows and knuckles to give you the best massage possible. The massage is a mix of classical deep massage, soft caressing massage, Shiatsu inspired stretches and pressure points, reflexology as well as some energy work and inspiration from other massage styles.

To complete the massage I will massage the entire body with long soft strokes ending by the feet and finally cover you with a warm towel. I will quietly exit the room while you slowly come back. Once I have washed my hands, I will bring you a glass of refreshing water and ask how you feel. Depending on you, I will stay or leave while you get up and get dressed again.

Once you are out of the room I will offer you more water to drink and tell you that it is important that you drink a lot of water to wash out the toxins which have been released in your body. We will chat if you desire. I often find that people want to be quiet and not talk while they prepare themselves to leave. Upon occasion some have the need to talk about their experience and I will happily make a cup of tea and sit down to listen to you. You are more than welcome to contact me later to talk about the massage if you want.

With a smile upon their face most people leave, ready to face the challenges of the day and week again.

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30 January 2008

More about Massage Créatif

A Massage Créatif employs many different massage methods, but is based on classical massage (also called Swedish massage), Californian massage and Shiatsu.

By merging the various massage forms and expanding upon the knowledge gained by each school, it has become possible to create an encompassing massage which takes the best elements from these massage forms.

Where a typical physiological massage is taken in steps with interruptions, the Massage Créatif is one long session tying the various body parts together and creating a flow which allows the client to completely let go and receive. Where a typical Californian massage is one long smooth massage, the Massage Créatif manages to work in depth upon muscles and include energy work and pressure points in such a way that it becomes part of the natural flow. Where Shiatsu is very methodical and works on pressure points and stretches, Massage Créatif manages to employ these effective methods while still giving the client a the benefits of a complete body massage.

The Massage Créatif has a clear inspiration from these three schools, and is capable of incorporating other massage forms such as lomi lomi, lymph drainage and reflexology techniques. The heart of Massage Créatif is that the masseuse employs the methods and techniques adapted to a given situation, based on her knowledge, experience and intuition.

More information: http://www.massage-creatif.com

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What is Massage Créatif

A Massage Créatif aims toward treating the person as a whole. Working on the muscles in depth where it is particularly needed, soothing and caressing others, while relaxing the entire body and helping the mind to let go of daily worries and concerns.

Through knowledge and intuition; compassion, fingers, hands and arms are employed to treat the muscles while at the same time working with the energies that flow through the body. By combining various massage methods and techniques the body is made to relax deeply while the mind floats away and the client forget worries and concerns while the massage lasts.

The massage becomes a complete treatment of body, mind and soul, filled with pleasure and well-being, leaving the client renewed upon completion.

During a massage it is not only physical tensions that are released and worked on, but also mental and spiritual tensions since a massage of such intense and intimate nature works on the entire person. The massage becomes a journey without pause through bodywork, energy work, meditation, relaxation and trust.

Music, candles, scented oils and a warm comfortable environment all serve to give the client the best possible experience.

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