8. Experience the Healing Power of Energy
Reiki
(pronounced “ray-key”) is an energy healing technique based in ancient
Tibetan practices. Practitioners of Reiki put their hands on or just
above the body in order to balance energy by acting as a sort of conduit
for life force energy. Reiki is used to treat physical problems as well
as emotional and psychological problems, and it is, more positively,
also used as a tool to support and facilitate positive changes. Becoming
a Reiki practitioner is a complex process and also is somewhat
mysterious. Advanced Reiki practitioners are even thought to be able to
perform long-distance healing.
9. Learn about Polarity Therapy
Polarity
therapy is a little like Reiki in that it is designed to free and
balance the body’s internal energy, but polarity therapy is more of a
melding of Eastern and Western approaches. It includes massage, dietary
counseling, certain yoga exercises, and psychological counseling for a
full mind-body approach to energy balancing.
10. Release Stress through Movement
The Alexander
technique is less massage than movement instruction. Clients are taught
to move and hold their bodies with full consciousness and in a way that
releases tension and uses the body to its best advantage. People say
that practicing the Alexander technique makes them feel lighter,
easier, and more in control of their bodies. The Alexander technique is
popular with actors and other performing artists.
11. Get an All-Over Cure with Applied Kinesiology
Applied
kinesiology is a muscle testing technique that helps people determine
where in the body they are experiencing an imbalance or problem. Then,
massage as well as movement of certain joints, acupressure, and advice
on diet, vitamins, and herbs are offered as treatment. Applied
kinesiology should be practiced by health care professionals such as
doctors, osteopaths, chiropractors, or dentists who are trained and
licensed to diagnose illness.
12. Do It Yourself
If you learn
about acupressure, Swedish massage, reflexology, and many other
techniques, you can perform massage on yourself. You can massage your
own neck, scalp, face, hands, feet, legs, arms, and torso. Many yoga
postures also result in internal and external massage by bending the
body in certain ways against itself or by using the pressure of the
floor against certain parts of the body.
13. Treat Yourself
You’ve
already learned that “treating yourself” with fatty or sugary foods like
cookies and candy can create a whole host of problems. So how about
treating yourself to something far better? A professional massage! A
session of massage generally lasts one hour, and that’s a whole hour
devoted only to you. Spas are all about luxury and pampering. All you
have to do is show up, and the professionals will do the rest. You’ll
feel infinitely revitalized when it’s all over; you might even get
hooked. Just don’t forget to tip your massage therapist!
14. Can I Afford This?
If money
is one of your sources of stress, you may be worrying about whether or
not a massage is a worthwhile expense. This is a good impulse; it’s
important to evaluate all purchases before you make them. However, if
you’re suffering from stress in your life, a massage will likely be
supremely helpful to you. You can almost think about it like a visit to
the doctor (except much, much more enjoyable). It’s something to do for
your health, and your health is always worth the expense. Many spas and
massage therapy centers offer discounts to first timers, and if you
enjoy your experience, you might consider purchasing a package deal on
multiple massages.
