Month: October 2017

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3 Playlists to Improve Your Mindfulness

Music is a well-loved expression of art. Artists capture the emotions we feel, going beyond words, and allowing vibrations, sounds, and the blending of instruments to guide us into an inspired world of our choosing. On any given day, we might look for music to boost our energy level, calm our heightened anxiety, or soothe our interrupted sleep.

When paired with mindfulness, music has three key perks: it elevates your mind, connects you with your inner peace, and improves your health. Music is a form of communication and a great resource for you to understand your inner thoughts, emotions, and feelings. Not to mention, it can be used as a tool to release the negative energy building within you.

When the demands of life come on a little too strong, use these 3 types of playlists to improve your mindfulness.

1. Restoration, Here I Come
We are busy people in need of a little slow down. Every yogi or spa enthusiast will tell you that music playing in the background is soft, peaceful, and relaxing. The gentle sounds of nature or synthetic blend of instruments is used to create a tranquil atmosphere. You can create the same blissful sounds wherever you are. Choose tracks that speak to your soul. Feel the vibrations. Focus on what you are hearing and block out the noise around you. Concentrate your thoughts. If you find yourself drifting, gently bring yourself back and be mindful of the restoration your body craves.  

Get Your Meredith Gray On
The on-screen doctor reminds us that there are times in life when nothing else can be done, you simply have to dance it out. Dance out your frustration, dance away your blues, dance for joy and happiness, and dance to celebrate. Not only is dancing an excellent form of exercise, it is also an incredible celebration of one’s self. Through dance, you can experience self-release, self-expression, and yes, a love of one’s own self. So find a batch of songs that brings you to your feet and don’t stop moving. Focus on the songs you choose. Music trips our memories so choose songs that won’t only make you shake your groove thing, but also take you to a happy place.

Sleepytown, Are You Out There?
Everyone wishes for a good night’s sleep. Unfortunately, there are a host of reasons why that doesn’t always happen in adulthood. However, science has proven that songs beginning with 60 bpm (that’s beats per minute) and slowing to 50bpm help listeners relax. Why? Because the beats per minute in the songs match our heart rate when we fall asleep. So, on the nights when your to-do list keeps growing at a rapid pace, or counting sheep doesn’t stop the worry and fear racing through your mind, turn on a playlist custom designed to send you to sleepytown. Focus on the music and not on all of your other worries.  

For more suggestions on how to incorporate mindfulness into your daily life, contact us!

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Spa Guidelines and Etiquette

RESERVATIONS – At the time you make your reservation, please notify us if you are taking any medications, have had recent surgery, are pregnant or have any other health concerns. We will discuss your treatment in more depth upon arrival, but some things are important to know in advance.

ARRIVING FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT – Unlike almost every day spa around, there is no need to arrive early for your appointment. If your appointment is at 2:00, come a 2:00. If you book a 90-minute massage, you will receive a 90-minute massage. That said, if you are more than 10 minutes late and there is another appointment booked within an hour after yours, then we reserve the right to shorten your service as necessary.

For the benefit of everyone, especially you, we ask that you silence your cell phone and refrain from cell phone use during your treatment.

NUDITY – The most effective massage is done on a completely naked subject, so that all affected muscle areas can be worked on. Please do not worry; even if you are shy, you will be modestly covered by an oversized sheet at all times, with only the part of the body being massaged being exposed. If you still feel uncomfortable, you may leave your underwear on, but please be aware that will result in certain muscle areas remaining unmassaged.

CANCELLATION POLICY –We ask that you notify us within 24 hours in advance if you are unable to keep your appointment. Cancellations that are not received within 24 hours must be rescheduled, rather than cancelled, to avoid a penalty.

ILLNESS – If you have a cold, you can have a massage. In fact, it will speed up the departure of your cold, although it could cause an intensification of your symptoms the day of the massage. If you are seriously ill, however, and especially if you have a fever, you should not receive a massage. If that is the case, please call, and we will be happy to reschedule your appointment.

SERVICE CHARGE – Miracles Massage charges substantially less than for the same services at any area spa. We are able to do this because I work out of my home, and have cut out most of the overhead that big spa’s carry which cause prices to be inflated. I try hard to keep prices low enough that massage is accessible to almost everyone. Any gratuities are deeply appreciated.

GIFT CERTIFICATES – Gift Certificates are available for purchase. They are non-refundable, but they are transferable.

PLEASE NOTE – All prices, services, and hours of operation are subject to change without notice.

For questions with anything herein or any additional matters, please either call 347.729.2755 or email miraclesmassage@yahoo.com.

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The Scariest ‘M’ Word They Ever Heard

Alright, thrill seekers. Halloween is almost here. Wanna give some coworkers a real fright? Spook them with the scariest ’M’ word they ever heard: meditation.

Does it seem like when the word meditation comes up people stare, blink, and then quickly change the subject? That’s because a lot of people don’t know what mindful meditation really is. Are you one of them? No need to worry, Freddy, won’t be calling you.

To begin our little introductory course, let’s first chat about what mindful meditation is not. Raise your hand if you think it is letting your mind wander or emptying your mind. If your hand went in the air, you’re wrong! Mindfulness meditation is actually working to be present in your thoughts, emotions, and surroundings.

When attempting to be mindful, you can take back control of your busy brain. Implementing simple mindful meditation techniques will allow you to possess an awareness of your thoughts and refocus them as necessary.

Here are six, not so scary, tips to help you and your pals mindfully meditate.

1. Clear Your Schedule
One gigantic problem for many of us is time. It seems like there is never enough time in the day to accomplish everything on our to-do lists. Everyone needs a little ‘me’ time, right? If it seems overwhelming to take an hour or even 15 minutes to mindfully meditate, start small. Baby steps, friends. Start by focusing for 3-5 minutes. You can always go up from there.

2. Turn Off Your Electronics
Nothing ruins a good relaxing mindset like a ringing or dinging phone. Fight the urge to stay connected. Turn off your electronics for a short while. Let your body rejuvenate without the familiar notifications from Facebook or Twitter.

3. Find a Sacred Space
Location, location, location. Find a sacred space where you are comfortable, the lighting is right, the sounds are soothing, and you are free from annoyances like clutter and dust bunnies.

4. Nourish Your Bod
Before you set out to mindfully meditate. Make sure you remember to eat and drink something. It may only take a few seconds until you suddenly remember that you haven’t eaten recently or you are parched beyond belief. Next thing you know, 15 minutes have passed, you’re in the kitchen whipping up a snack, and the time you allotted for this exercise is about to lapse.

5. Find a Comfortable Position
Whether you are sitting in a cozy chair wrapped in a blanket or sprawled out on the floor, find a position that works for you so you limit the urge to find a more comfortable place.

6. Take Deep Breaths
When starting out, remember to breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth in deep, slow breaths. Let your chest naturally rise and fall as you mindfully meditate.

Not so scary is it? The next time someone shrieks in horror at the word meditation, remember it isn’t something out of Stranger Things. Mindful meditation invites you to be more aware of your environment rather than switching to autopilot. You can take control of your thoughts and watch the world around you with a keen and observing eye.

Looking for more ways to mindfully meditate? We can help! Contact us today for suggestions to suit your personal needs.

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DIY Your Sacred Space Using Your 5 Senses

People may seek a sacred space because they are in need of a time for their body and mind to relax, or perhaps they are looking for a calming place to be more productive. You would be hard-pressed to find adults these days who would say they are not mentally overloaded, financially stressed, or emotionally spent at one time or another. Do you need a place to escape, recharge, and keep balanced?

When choosing a sacred space, your very first task it to find a place to call your own. Whether it is a room in your house, car, or patio, you have to find a place that speaks to you and makes you feel comfortable and safe. Consider things like the lighting, sounds, and temperature. Use all five of your senses to make sure the space will help you achieve the harmony you desire.

Consider engaging your five senses to DIY a sacred space custom-designed just for you.

1. Simplify
To make your space peaceful, you must keep it visually pleasing. Yes, you’ll want to add attractions like artwork or inspirational quotes to keep you charged; but remember, your space should be simple and clear from clutter. It is hard to find serenity in a place that is visually chaotic. Distractions come in the form of piled up bills, paperwork, dirty dishes, cascading laundry towers, and empty takeout containers. Rid your space of visual excess so you can tap into serenity.  

2. Do You Hear What I Hear?
Unwanted noise is the worst kind of distraction. As you try to empty your mind and enjoy a peace-filled place, the gentle hum of a refrigerator or the rattling of an old fan you normally don’t notice, may just make you bonkers. Find a space that is free from distracting sounds. If that isn’t possible, you may want to add your own soothing sounds of nature.   

3. 1, 2, 3 Breathe
Don’t forget to think about the air you are breathing. What kind of experience are you trying to create in your sacred space? Aromatherapy is an excellent way to engage your senses and heighten your experience.

4. Feel the Space
Your productivity or lack thereof could all come down to comfort. Choose furniture and carpets that suit the needs of the experience you desire. For example, make sure your desk chair is ergonomically correct. The last thing you want is for your sacred space to leave you with aches and pains. Similarly, choose a soft plush rug or carpet if you plan to do lots of floor work.

5. A Taste Treat
Delight the last of your senses with a tasty treat. Perhaps a bowl of chocolates, a crisp peppermint, a chai latte, or a glass of red wine. Taste and smell are closely linked. They can be quite powerful and trigger memories. Use tastes and smells to remind you of fond memories when you are trying to unwind.  

When you are mindful about engaging all of your senses, you can find easy ways to play into your sensory preferences. Let all of your senses work together to keep you in harmony. Need more suggestions on how to DIY your sacred space? Contact us today!