“If there is any wisdom running through my life now, in my walking on this earth, it came from listening in the Great Silence to the stones, trees, space, the wild animals, to the pulse of all life as my heartbeat.” Vijali Hamilton
Posts Tagged ‘manchester’
Twin Boys
In Children, Family Portrait, Photography, Portrait, Uncategorized on June 28, 2016 at 12:05 PMThat moment when you are photographing twin boys and you ask them to pretend to like each other. Young boxer in training. ;) Love how this joking moment shows their affection for one another.
Experimenting with light and layers.
In Art, art portraiture, personal, Photography, Portrait, Uncategorized on June 24, 2016 at 2:49 PM
Greta sat for me so I could experiment with some low-key lighting for a personal project I’m working on. It was going to be all black and white with minimal post processing. Now I find myself playing with color and layering of old, dusty, scratchy images. That seems to be how my creative process works. Starting off with an idea and playing around until what wants to be expressed reveals itself. Is that what it’s like for you?
Massage or Photography
In Art, art portraiture, Head Shot, Massage, Photography, Portrait, Uncategorized on June 4, 2016 at 9:25 AMClients often ask me what I enjoy doing more, Massage Therapy or Photography. The answer? They both energize me in different ways and have more in common than you’d think. In both spaces I’m working with people and quite often, their insecurities. There’s a lot of ‘space holding’ involved. Ensuring that no matter what type of work we’re doing the person feels safe, respected and witnessed. In both professions I get to meet fun, interesting people and always have the goal of having them leave me feeling better [about them selves] then before we met.
Last week I got to do a head shot for a gentleman who is training for an Iron Man competition [wow]!
Yesterday I had just enough time between massage clients to play with some photography techniques for a photo group I recently joined. Our prompt for this week was that the image had to be “artistic and red”. I played around with studio lighting, no lighting at all, long exposure, having a fan blow on the flower petals, etc … and choose this as the image to share with the group.
Then I had a massage client who had a major shift in her body during our session. No matter what’s going on in the studio it’s always about creativity, growth and supporting people in living their best life and I’m so grateful for each connection, no matter how it’s made.
Bo : Pet Portrait
In Head Shot, Photography, Portrait, Uncategorized on May 25, 2016 at 4:19 PM
Beautiful pup got all tuckered out after his professional photo shoot. Bo’s mom and dad use him as a therapy dog in their business and wanted him to have some new, fun head shots for the new website their building. Pictured here is Bo taking a five. ;)
Dogwood 52 : Week 1
In Art, art portraiture, CT, Manchester, personal, Photography, Portrait, story, studio on main, Uncategorized on May 24, 2016 at 6:52 PMA local photography group I’ve just joined has decided to challenge ourselves with a 52 week photo project. Rather than coming up with our own list we are following along with one that has already been published online – the Dogwood 52 Photography Challenge.
It’s a lot of fun to see how other people choose to express themselves and it’s motivating to be accountable to a group of people. I’ve been batting around an idea for a while now, but always put it last on my list of things to do. This week 1 challenge at least ‘forced’ me to start playing with the idea and to take one step towards executing what I really want. Yay!
Week One:
14 things I’ve learned since leaving massage school : #14
In Massage, Uncategorized on April 8, 2016 at 3:39 PM#14 A good majority of people still think taking care of themselves is an indulgence.
It’s true. With all the busyness of life, feeling 10 steps behind yourself in the day, taking the time for a health break can often feel like a poor use of time. When some days the time to brush your teeth or your hair feels like a negotiation, how can you justify an hour for a massage? Or even a 10 minute meditation break?
With the cumulative effects of stress on the body, how can you not? Not managing the pressures of your life can decrease your health both mentally & physically. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, been moody, had a hard time quieting your mind, felt depressed or are finding yourself isolating from others – you may be experiencing some symptoms of unmanaged stress. I was astonished to learn in massage school that upwards of 75% of all doctor’s visits are stress related. If you are sleeping less, have headaches, muscle aches, high blood pressure, etc. as a result of something that you have the power to reverse naturally, why wouldn’t you?
A few of the many ways massage can support your health and well-being? It gives you a mental break and helps you remember how to let go. It is calming to the nervous system, increases the flexibility of joints, eases muscle aches and can help you sleep better. It can increase circulation and help boost the immune system and decrease the stress hormone cortisol. It can also increase serotonin leaving you feeling lighter and more at peace. All of this without taking any medications and with the added bonus that it just plain feels good.
Being “selfish” is actually one of the most selfless things you can do. By taking care of you – body, mind and soul – you’ll have more to offer your loved ones now and in the future.
14 random things I’ve learned since leaving massage school : #13
In Massage, Uncategorized on April 7, 2016 at 3:53 PM(March 15th marked 14 years since my first day of massage school out in Port Townsend, WA. I spent a little time reflecting on what I’ve learned from having my hands on countless bodies of all different shapes, sizes, and levels of health over the years. In random order here are some of my observations and things I wish my clients knew.)
#13 Our bodies are designed to move.
We have the opportunity to live mainly sedentary lifestyles now a days. Sitting in front of computers all day at work, then phones, laptops and TV’s at night means we never have to physically engage or challenge our bodies. We weren’t meant to be inactive.
Here are a few benefits of moving more, taken from the ACE Fitness website: lower blood pressure; better control of body fat; improved immune function; increased muscle strength; increased flexibility; improved mental functioning; higher quality of sleep. Some of the consequences of inactivity? Loss of bone density; stiff joints; weak muscles; weakening of heart & lungs; degeneration of the cellular energy systems.
I see lots of “holding patterns” in my practice. Limited range of motion in joints because they are rarely moved or stretched. Shoulders curved forward and curvature in the cervical spine from endless hours of sitting all day. Our fascia, especially if we are dehydrated, will tighten and sort of hold us into place if we are always in familiar movement patterns.
Self-care is vital. While you are making strides to take better care of you and increase your daily movement – take time now for bite sized changes. Once an hour stand up at your desk and stretch in any way opposite of what you do all day. If your hands are palm down typing, put them palm up, and gently stretch your fingers towards your elbow with your opposite hand. Shoulders always hunched forward? Clasp your hands behind your back to open up the chest and round the shoulders back. Walk to get a drink of water. Just little one minute “snacks of self-care” can really add up.
14 things I’ve learned since leaving massage school : #12
In Massage, Uncategorized on March 31, 2016 at 11:26 AM(March 15th marked 14 years since my first day of massage school out in Port Townsend, WA. I spent a little time reflecting on what I’ve learned from having my hands on countless bodies of all different shapes, sizes, and levels of health over the years. In random order here are some of my observations and things I wish my clients knew.)
#12 Massage Music-LESS Mondays
You know the campaign that’s been floating around for years now to get people to add more plant based meals into their diet? Meatless Monday. Well, the studio is closed on Mondays and I’ve taken the pledge to always have “massage music-less Mondays”.
Don’t get me wrong. Massage music is beautiful and soothing and an important tool in helping to create an environment that encourages relaxation. And, every once in a while I hit my limit of hearing ocean waves crashing, or bells ringing and flutes fluting. There was a time period about 4 years into my massage practice when I played anything but massage music for anyone who would let me. We did a lot stuff like Norah Jones and Madeleine Peyroux. Several clients made me ‘mix tapes’ of their favorite music to unwind to and we’d play that during their sessions.
Help us massage therapists get out of our massage music blues and bring in something you’d like to listen to. We’ll appreciate the variety and you may even let go more easily listening to something you can connect with.
14 things I’ve learned since leaving massage school : #11
In Massage, Uncategorized on March 30, 2016 at 2:58 PM(March 15th marked 14 years since my first day of massage school out in Port Townsend, WA. I spent a little time reflecting on what I’ve learned from having my hands on countless bodies of all different shapes, sizes, and levels of health over the years. In random order here are some of my observations and things I wish my clients knew.)
#11 Our bodies are always seeking balance.
Our bodies are equipped to heal themselves. They are always seeking homeostasis. They are amazing!!
The Merriam-Webster definition of homeostasis: a relatively stable state of equilibrium or a tendency toward such a state between the different but interdependent elements or groups of elements of an organism, population, or group
Put more simply via biology4kids.com: All of your body’s systems work together to maintain homeostasis inside of your body. Homeostasis is achieved by making sure the temperature, pH (acidity), and oxygen levels (and many other factors) are set just right for your cells to survive.
We had a fun hydrotherapy teacher in massage school who encouraged us to experiment and test ways to naturally heal ourselves using water and the bodies quest for homeostasis. One of my favorite techniques was using ice cold water to relieve a headache. There are many different types of headaches and this won’t work for everyone – but it’s worked for me when nothing else has brought relief.
When you feel a headache coming on put your hands in ice cold water for as long as you can. While your hands are in the water you can open and close your fists. The cold narrows dilated blood vessels. When you take your hands out of the water your body is going to naturally rush blood to that area to warm it [striving for homeostasis] and therefor relieve some of the pressure in your head. At least that’s my understanding of it. All I know is my body is wise and it can naturally heal itself when I do things to support it.
Tania Palermo [Studio on Main] 