SARAH GAUDETTE'S – SIMPLE TECHNIQUES FOR REMOVING EVERYDAY STRESS AND MUSCLE TENSION
Give the gift of massage
The perfect Valentine's present
"Our favorite gifts are the ones that allow us to express emotion and make us feel special," said gift expert and author of The Perfect Present, Robyn Spizman. "They are personal expressions of our feelings for each other."
One survey found that 46 percent of the respondents said that they think flowers and candy are too nonspecific to show someone you care about them, and 51 percent would not care if their significant other passed on Valentine's Day gifts.
A gift of massage is a welcome exception: a caring gift of therapeutic, healthful touch. And if your special someone has never had massage, don't be afraid to introduce them to it. According to one consumer survey, first-time massage clients regard their massage experience as highly positive.
Massage is also a "green" gift -- one that satisfies the increasing consumer demand for experiences instead of more possessions. Massage is the kind of present people of all ages are looking for, and it matches most everyone's values and budgets.
Massage class for couples
Here's another idea. Learn to give and receive massage with your sweetheart. Receiving massage from your partner can yield all the benefits you expect like reduced stress, decreased achiness and improved sleep. But it can also do wonders for your relationship. It's a way to get away from interruptions, have a chance to listen to each other (body language as well as words), and increase trust and feelings of closeness.
"The fact that people are spending quality time with their partner and learning how to give nurturing touch really enhances their bond and gives them a chance to discover touch as a way to communicate," reports Doug O'Connor, a licensed massage therapist who has taught massage classes for 15 years, in San Marcos, California.
What to expect
In a massage class, you will learn simple, easy-to-remember, stress-reducing techniques. You will also learn techniques to minimize stress on the giver. The result: you will be able to give each other relief from daily stress, tension headaches, minor injuries, and other aches and pains.
A class with your partner is a wonderful way to be introduced to massage. If one of you is not comfortable getting undressed for a professional massage, sharing massage at home is one solution. Just think, with a massage class for two, you can receive massage often ... and from your sweetheart, too.
Massage & Wellness - Bradenton, Florida
Sarah Gaudette is the owner and massage therapist at her practice, Paradise Therapy. Before going to massage school, Sarah graduated from Johnson State College in Vermont with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology in 2002. Afterward, she worked as a Counselor for a Mental Health Agency. Sarah went on to graduate from Florida College of Natural Health in Orlando, Florida where she received her diploma in Therapeutic Massage in 2005. Sarah is a professional member of the American Massage Therapy Association and a Reiki Master. She received her certification for Reiki 1 in 2002, Reiki 2 in 2008 and her Reiki Master (Reiki 3) certification in October 2011. Sarah specializes in Swedish and Deep Tissue Massage. She believes that massage does not need to be painful in order to be effective. Her slow massage strokes and techniques allow the muscles to relax so that the deeper muscle layers can unwind without damage. Sarah is also well accomplished in Reiki Energy Work, Reiki-Massage, Combo Massage, Foot Reflexology, Hot Stone Massage and Prenatal Therapy. Her work in day spas before becoming a business owner influenced her in creating the mini-indulgences as well as the Aromatic Body Polish, Shea Butter Body Wrap and Aloe Sunburn Relief treatment. She is excited that the business continues to grow every year and looks forward to many years to come.
