January 24th, 2014 • Posted by Tranquil Touch • Permalink
When it's time to kick back and relax, grab a drink that will do more than just quench your thirst. Here are three drinks that will not only rejuvenate and replenish your body, but also improve your beauty.
- Green Tea
More people are jumping on the green tea bandwagon these days and for good reason. Green tea contains a natural ingredient called theanine, which fights stress. According to a study done by Thorne Research Inc., theanine enters the central nervous system and exhibits calming effects similar to that of anti-anxiety medications. Green tea also contains panthenol, which is found in many shampoos and conditioners to strengthen hair and control split ends.
- Fruit Smoothies
Head to the produce section of your grocery store and grab all the necessities for a homemade fruit smoothie. Fruits are energy foods that contain antioxidants and vitamins, which increases scalp circulation, strengthens hair and promotes hair and nail. So grab as many fruits as you like, but stay away from fruit smoothies served at coffee shops. They're often full of empty calories from added syrups and sugars.
- Water
You've heard it before -- "Drink more water!" Drinking the proper amount of water on a daily basis rejuvenates your entire system. Not only does it replenish the body, improving brain function and mood, fueling muscles, fighting sickness, supporting kidneys and aiding in digestion, but it also helps improve skin and hair quality.
Think of your body as a plant. If you don't consume enough water, your vital organs act like a sponge soaking up the water that's available, while your skin and hair begin to shrivel, wilt and become dry and dull. The proper amount of water your body needs depends on your lifestyle, but the general rule is to drink an eight ounce glass of water eight times a day.
With these three beverages, you can drink yourself beautiful! If you've had a particularly stressful week and need a bigger pick-me-up, give us a call at to schedule a relaxing treatment tailored just for you.
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January 15th, 2014 • Posted by Tranquil Touch • Permalink
An athlete going through training needs to incorporate
body massage, so muscles can stay loose. When muscles are loose, blood and
other fluids can move freely through them allowing the body to maintain healthy
muscle tissue. Many athletes make the mistake of thinking that their tight,
sore muscles are good signs of a good workout. A sore tight muscle means that
muscle is nice and strong, right?
Wrong! Muscles actually have more strength to perform when
they aren't tight. Still, a lot of athletes think a tight muscle is a strong muscle,
but in fact, it is weak. Massage therapy can help athletes get more out of
their training. Loose relaxed muscles are strong muscles.When muscles are loose
it increases contractile strength, while maintaining flexibility. Contractile
strength is what athletes rely on to perform. In simple terms, contractile
strength is when, for example, you have a weight in your hand, and you use your
biceps to move it toward you.
When should athletes go to a massage therapist? One to two days after a
performance is the best time for a massage. Muscles can be massaged, pushing
lactic acid out. In the days prior to the massage, as well as after, it is
important to drink plenty of clean water, which flushes lactic acid and other
stress toxins out of the body. Again, it is so important for athletes to stay hydrated -- it's vital. If a
muscle is tight then the body can't get fluid to the muscle. Massage will help
maintain hydration and promote a faster recovery. Your therapist can target
soreness and weak points.
Another important aspect of incorporating massage into athletic training is
sports-specific massage. A pitcher, for example, works certain muscles specific
to the sport. Runners need the most attention paid to their hips, legs and
calves, while kayaking requires a lot of work on the shoulders. The type of
massage therapy these athletes receive will differ from head to toe. Sports-specific
massage can target the right areas that are placed under repeated stress during
training. Different kinds of athletes will have different needs and
incorporating a message therapist will lead to greater success on the field, in
the water, on the court, road or trail.
One great benefit gained by coming in to see the massage therapist regularly
during training is increased flexibility. Maintain a flexible body through massage
therapy increases range of motion while maintaining strength and power. When
muscles are stiff and sore, while it may remind you of that killer workout, you
can't perform at your optimal potential. The flexibility and increased mobility
also leads to greater longevity in your athletic career.
Additionally, massage therapy does wonders for reducing anxiety and improving
mood, which will lead to faster recovery, relaxation, focus and better
performance. Incorporated in to your training routine, massage not only helps
performance, but it also relieves stress and tension. Anxiety is a combination
of emotions such as fear, apprehension and worry. While exercise is a good way
to address anxiety, massage therapy and aromatherapy, used regularly, will have
lasting effects and will allow you to live in the moment. Plus, regular massage
therapy can actually lead to better body-self-awareness with improvements in
coordination and spatial awareness.
Whether you have been injured, lost flexibility, are stiff
and sore or just looking to reach optimal fitness and gain a competitive
advantage, massage therapy is one of the keeps to keeping the body moving. By
utilizing massage you will feel better, perform better and have increased mobility.
It will help you carry through the longer distances and have a longer career.
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December 13th, 2013 • Posted by Tranquil Touch • Permalink
While some people tend to splurge on spa visits in the summer, when more of their skin is on show, the truth is, our skin needs to be pampered just as much in harsh winter months as it does in the summer, if not more. A luxurious Aveda facial is a great way to beat winter blues, but there are several types of facials to choose from, and finding the right one can be difficult. Here are the four best facials for winter:
- Hydrating Facials
Designed to hydrate and heal skin on a deep level, hydrating facials are very important because they help prevent the skin from drying out. They are an excellent choice during the harsh winter months for dehydrated, tired and sensitive skin. Hydrating serums are often used, and are delivered onto the skin, creating a relaxing experience. This facial is great for people of all ages who wish to restore their skin's natural moisture, and they help to diminish fine lines and plump the skin.
- Seaweed Facial
Seaweed products have long been used for food and healing, and are becoming increasingly popular for use in spa treatments. Scientists report that seaweed contains most of the minerals found in the ocean that have positive effects on a variety of health conditions. These include vitamins A1, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, E, K, panthothenic acid, folic acid and niacin. They are an important supply of 60 trace elements and an excellent source of over 12 minerals, especially sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc and manganese.
This vitamin and mineral packed gift from Mother Nature makes seaweed facials a great choice for dry, stressed skin. Experts tout this facial for eliminating impurities and toxins from the skin, leaving it purified, smooth, toned and moisturized, properties that make it another great facial for winter.
- Oxygen Facial
They are not the most relaxing of facials, but oxygen facials are very beneficial and can really make your skin look and feel smoother and clearer. Oxygen facials increased in popularity with the rise of high-definition television. Celebrities concerned about their up close and personal images appearing on hi-def TV sets turned to the oxygen facial to banish their imperfections, and their fears.
This facial involves the therapist blasting a mixture of hyperbaric or pure oxygen and anti-aging serum at a high pressure through an airbrush to the face and body. Some compare it to using a tiny power washer on the skin. The oxygen pushes the vitamin and mineral packed serum into the skin improving circulation and the skin's texture. Fans of the oxygen facial say it also improves makeup application because the skin is smooth and moisturized. And, unlike most facials, which require a 12-hour waiting period before you can apply makeup, it can be applied immediately after oxygen facial.
- Aromatherapy Facials
Aromatherapy facials are great for soothing the skin. They leave you feeling relaxed and stress-free, with the help of natural essential oils leaving a wonderful aroma. During this facial, our talented Aveda aesthetician will analyze your skin to determine which essential oils will be most beneficial to your skin type. A scrub, facial steaming or a peel may be used to unclog pores and the essential oils are massaged into your face and/or mixed into a mask. Most aromatherapy facials also include massaging the neck and scalp.
The benefits of this facial include improving circulation, ridding the skin of toxins, deep cleansing the skin and removing dead skin cells. Aromatherapy facials are also very versatile, in that they are suitable for all skin types.
Whatever your skin type, whatever your skin care concerns, there are several Aveda treatments that can help your banish winter blues. Call us at today to schedule your appointment and you could soon be on your way to healthy, glowing, sun-kissed looking skin -- yes, even in the dead of winter.
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