Thursday, July 28, 2016

Tension, Yikes!



Common places you hold tension without realizing  



We’ve all seen it — the parade of zombie-teens (and adults) wandering around businesses, bathrooms and parks hunched over their cell-phones. Pokémon Go is sweeping the nation, but how is it affecting our bodies?  

The game brings up a larger issue. As a society that is so tech dependent, we all spend lots of time hunched over our cell phones and computers. This puts us in an uncomfortable position … literally! When we constantly sit bent over, looking down at the screen, tension builds between the shoulders.  

And shoulders definitely aren’t the only common place for tension. Another common area? Hips. We live in a society that is very linear—we move forward when walking, driving in cars or riding a bike. This doesn’t provide us with many opportunities to rotate the hip joints, causing tension in the hips.  

Yikes! Tension in the body can have many negative effects. One student of mine mentioned sleep issues because of lower back pain from his tight hamstrings. Many with tight neck and upper back muscles get stress headaches. Three top causes of tension are work, stress and repetitive movement. Who doesn’t have or do a least one of those things?  

But there is good news! By expanding their yoga practice, my students noticed their aches and pains disappear.  

Yoga allows us to focus on our bodies, analyzing areas of high tension. Once a union is formed with our body, we can learn which areas are causing us pain. For students with stress headaches, we learned that stretching the trapezius muscles that run down the neck into the back eases headaches. My student with sleep issues started stretching out his hamstrings. Now he sleeps through the night!  

Developing your yoga practice is an ideal way to decrease tension. If you’re looking for a less movement-dependent solution, try facial massages, body massages and foam rolling. Stress causes tense bodies, but massage melts away stress. By utilizing body massages, which target areas of tension, we can help decrease tension and stress.  

And, best of all, get a good night’s sleep! 

Monday, July 25, 2016

3 ways facial massages can improve your skin!

3 ways facial massages can improve your skin! 


Many of us go in for a massage asking for relief in our necks, shoulders and backs but what about our face? You would be surprised at the wonderful things facial massages can do for your skin. Here are a few ways facial massages can leave your skin refreshed and healthy.

1.     They increase circulation!
A good facial massage will promote blood flow to the face and stimulate lymphatic drainage. This can reduce dark circles and crows feet leaving the skin with a healthier appearance. At The Floating Lotus, we use Hungarian Facial Massage techniques and organic ingredients that detoxifies the skin and leaves you glowing.

2.     They can improve acne!
Acne can be caused by dirt and excessive dead skin cells on the skin’s surface. A proper facial can help exfoliate excess dead skin cells while increasing circulation to improve the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the skin tissue. This can reduce visible signs of acne without stripping the skin of moisture. The Floating Lotus will begin offering a 6-week Acne Facial Series beginning in August. Email at info@floatinglotusyogastudio.com for more information on this series.

1.     It’s a healthier alternative to Botox!
Facial massages not only improve overall skin appearance by clearing blemishes and dark circles but also by naturally tightening the skin. They can help increase muscle tone and tighten skin and muscles in the face stimulating the face’s collagen and helping to rejuvenate the skin. This can leave a more refreshed, youthful appearance without the needles!

If you want healthier skin without the hassle a facial massage is the way to go!

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Don't Shrink---Lengthen!





Don’t Shrink—Lengthen!

One of my 65-year-old students recently noticed something telling about yoga. While she’s maintaining her height, her friends are getting shorter! It’s true that we shrink when we age, but what’s going on here?

In short, it’s all about good posture. And yoga helps with that.

How? Improving your posture means finding what is imbalanced in your body. Yoga doesn’t just strengthen your core—it gives you a constant stream of information about what makes your body unique.

Each person has different muscles holding specific tensions that pull us off balance. Did you play a childhood sport that developed the muscles on one side of your body more than the other? How many times has your neck hurt from staring at the TV or computer screen? Or have your shoulders ached from gardening?

 Personal activities and skeletal structure can tighten different muscles in an imbalanced way, which, in turn, bends your posture.

For instance, I’ve found I have a very curved lumbar spine. It’s due to the tightness of my quads and hip flexors that pull down my iliac crest. Stretching out my quads and building up my hamstrings creates space for my sacrum to lengthen towards the ground. Once the iliac crest is lifted, there is space for the tailbone to release. After that, I can really straighten out and lengthen. My tension in gone!

Is it time for you to start lengthening? Begin by learning what makes your body unique.  

All asanas (poses) will help you in creating that union with your body. I especially recommend the tadasana (mountain pose). This pose will inform you of habits you have while standing. Once you identify your bad habits, different poses and practices can target the areas that you need to stretch.

Most likely, you’ll form better habits that will help you stand tall!

Monday, July 18, 2016

What to expect at your first Brazilian Wax

What to expect at your first Brazilian Wax
                    

It's swimsuit season, and many are looking for ways to keep their bikini line groomed without the hassle!
Brazilian waxes are often the route many choose to take, but for first-timers this can be nerve-racking. No need to worry! Here are a few things to keep in mind so you can walk in for your first Brazilian Wax with confidence.
When you enter the spa, you'll typically be greeted by an  esthetician (this is standard procedure at The Floating Lotus). You'll then be taken to the treatment room where you'll be asked if it's your first time. Good estheticians know you may be a little nervous and will do their best to help you feel relaxed.
Next you'll be told to remove everything from the waist down and given a towelette to cleanse the area. Your esthetician will step out while you prepare and re-enter once you're ready.
This is when you may feel most nervous. You may start to have many questions. You may be worried about the intrusiveness of it all. There are some positions that may be a little awkward. Our estheticians at The Floating Lotus are careful to work with positions that are less intrusive.
You may also be curious about the waxing itself, especially if you've never encountered wax before. The wax used at The Floating Lotus is by Lycon Wax and can be used on sensitive skin. The wax is never super hot, just warmer than room temperature. Your anxiety can actually make this part of the treatment seem worse, so having a good esthetician is key.
Here's how. While the waxing itself can be a little painful, a good esthetician will help you relax by sparking conversation. Stress can increase pain during a session, and small talk is a great distraction.  Before you know it, it's over! Most Brazilian Waxes last anywhere between 20-45 minutes.

Afterwards, no need to worry about shaving! The result can last for four to six weeks. In the meantime, it's important to exfoliate the area as new hair grows (typically five days after your wax). Other than that, throw on your bathing suit and enjoy a shave-free summer!

Friday, July 1, 2016

Happy Fourth of July from The Floating Lotus!



The Fourth of July is almost here and, like me, I'm sure you're all looking forward to some fun in the sun! 

The Floating Lotus will be closed on Monday, July 4, for the holiday. We will re-open for regular hours on Tuesday. 

Enjoy watching fireworks and sticking your toes in the sand, but don't neglect your skin. When the weekend's over, come in and enjoy a facial or body treatment with organic skincare products to nourish and renew that summer skin. 

Go ahead and enjoy a day at the lake, in the park, or on the hiking trail – we'll help you keep your skin healthy and glowing all summer long!