An optimist is a person who generally believes that life on earth, people and events are inherently good, so that most situations work out in the end for the best.

My entire life I’ve been told that I am positive and optimistic. I agree I am, but it’s not without effort, conscious choice and lots of letting go. I understand quite well that life is full of challenges but I believe there is a learning experience within each challenge and always good things to take away. I feel that practicing optimism has allowed me to view life in a more balanced manner.

Here are some of the facts, benefits and bonuses I found online regarding optimism:

- Optimists have superior health
in a study of 99 Harvard University students, those who were optimists at age 25 were significantly healthier at ages 45 and 60 than those who were pessimists.

-Optimistic athletes have greater achievement
In a study of competitive swimmers it was found that pessimistic swimmers who were never satisfied with their times, always thinking they should have done better were prone to future poor performance. Optimistic swimmers didn’t have this vulnerability.

- Optimists experience less stress because they believe in themselves and expect good things to happen

- Optimists do not give up as easy as pessimists therefore are more likely to be successful

- Optimists live longer
A study of heart health showed that the heart of an optimist stays healthy longer than those of pessimists.

Practice optimism right now. Here’s a good article to get you started – READ ARTICLE

As of May 5, 2010 there will be a very modest increase in session rates.  Please see new fee schedule below.  If this causes a problem for anyone please come talk with me.   Also know that you may purchase packages as a way to receive discounted sessions and that my gratuity policy has not changed, I do not accept gratuities.

Thank you for your support and loyalty, everyday in my practice is a pleasure because of you.

Rates

30-minute massage – $40
60-minute massage – $70
75-minute massage – $85
90-minute massage – $100

Packages
3 60-minute sessions – $195 ($65/session)
6 60-minute sessions – $372 ($62/session)
9 60-minute sessions – $540 ($60/session)
Packages are to be paid in full prior to first session in the series. Packages are available on 60-minute sessions only.

Rates are subject to change without notice. Payment is due when services are rendered in the form of cash or check.  Returned checks will be subject to a $20 return check fee.

Before, during or even after a sporting event, stress can affect you in many ways which will determine the outcome of your performance. The need for athletes to be focused in training and competition is of utmost importance. Under the negative effects of stress, psychological tension may develop and distract the you from staying focused. This, in turn adversely affects  your performance.

In addition to the psychological tension, your body may experience negative physical effects of stress. It may be in the form of muscle tightening which will affect your body’s coordination, speed and fluidity of movement as well as the outcome of your performance.

Stress has reportedly been the cause of many poor performances among athletes and sportsmen. So as we find ourselves on the verge of another busy race season please be sure to schedule your massage sessions.  This will help you reduce stress and maximize your potential.

The circulatory system comprises the heart, lungs, arteries, capillaries and veins. These major organs have a host of responsibilities for keeping the body alive. One of those responsibilities is to move oxgenated blood throughout the body and return deoxygenated blood to the heart. Oxgenated blood allows all the other organs and the body as a whole to function normally.

Cardiovascular disease is the general term for diseases of the circulatory system, commonly the heart, arteries and veins. It is believed that the stress hormones make blood thicker and thicker blood clots easier. Chronic stress could cause blood clots to form within the bloodstream and impact blood getting to and from the heart. This specifically leads to strokes. It is well documented that stress has a substantial affect on the heart.

It has been shown that massage will act as a second heart, pumping blood 5 times as fast to the area being worked. Massage has nothing but positive effects on the circulatory system. So please, don’t let your stress go untreated.

The immune system is a very complex system that functions to seek and destroy bodily invasions. It is responsible for identifying everything that is foreign to us and protects us from infection and foreign substance. This is a system I recommend taking care of. You see, high levels of stress that go untreated will supress your immune system preventing it from working at 100% of its ability.

The effects of stress on the immune system are many and include weakened defenses, lower resistance to infections and viral illnesses as well as increased susceptibility to allergies and malignant cell changes that encourage the growth and spread of cancer.

Unfortunately we have come to live in a highly toxic environment, therefore it is as important as ever to support healthy function of your immune system. I recommend regular massage to reduce stress and strengthen your immunity but in the short term, try a good laugh. Stress constricts blood vessels, and thus lowers our immune systems, and ability to fight off disease. Studies have shown that laughter lowers levels of the stress hormones cortisol and epinephrine, and in effect reversing the constriction of blood vessels.