Put down your weapons
Put down your guns Let us sit awhile in peace Let us sit awhile and pray Love your neighbor the Muslim Love your neighbor the Jew Love your neighbor the Christian Love your neighbor the Atheist Love your neighbor the Hater Love your neighbor the Lover Christ was killed for his non violent beliefs I fear not death My heroes have stood and stand in non violence Like Christ Like Gandhi Like Martin Luther King Like Mandela Like Aung Suu Kyi Like Malala Like Julia Butterfly I stand up to hatred and bigotry with the only thing I have Love - Morningstar- Sunday November 2nd, 2014 was my 24th Wedding Anniversary. I met Carol at a party in October of 1990. Our first date was on November 9th. It was memorable, but it was our 3rd date that was especially memorable – for that is when I fell head over heels in love with her. It was a cold and blustery late November day, a Sunday afternoon. We went shopping and had lunch in an old historic wharf neighborhood in Baltimore, Maryland called Fells Point. Near the water was an outdoor plaza with park benches. On a bench was a down and out man asking for money for food. He was shivering with no hat or gloves. He could barely move his fingers, they were stiff from the cold. Carol, a small town Midwestern girl, had not seen many homeless individuals before. The memory of what she did next still brings tears of joy to my eyes. Carol took off her hat, gloves and scarf and put them on this man. She then escorted him into a diner and instructed me to buy him coffee, soup and a sandwich. The man was extremely grateful, and I was extremely in love. You see, while my wife was and is beautiful and smart, it was her kindness that I fell in love with, and to this day it is her kind and loving heart that I am still in love with and why I will always be in love with the incredible women I call my wife. I went home that night and told my roommates I was going to marry Carol, and 11 months later we were married. A year after that we moved to San Francisco, and a few years after that we went to massage school together. We both became Holistic Health Counselors and Certified Massage Therapists. Carol went on to get over a 1000 hours of training and achieved the title Master Body Worker. She has been massaging and healing people for 20 years now. In 2005 she opened Feet Retreat in Salina Kanas, which became Feet Retreat & Blue Heron Massage a few years later when I joined the business. As a Massage Therapist Carol is as good as they come. I would argue that she is the best. That’s not bias, ask anyone who has gotten a massage from her. What makes her the best? Well with over 1000 hours of training and over 1000 hours of experience her technique is impeccable and her touch is amazing. But what makes her the best is that kind and loving heart I previously talked about. She brings that to every massage. And through the years she hasn’t become bitter and cynical like some, but instead has continued to evolve into a kinder, more loving being. I’ve stopped taking her to the grocery store with me because a 45 minute job will take 2 hours. Why? Because it is as if every person in town knows her and wants to say hi and give her a hug. Her energy is SO attractive. Every person who know hers, whether consciously or unconsciously, wants to feel and touch her kind and loving heart. Many of her clients come into her treatment room and unload all of their problems. Carol listens from a place of love, massages away their blues, and people leave feeling better (a LOT better) and knowing that everything is okay. If you live in or around Salina Kansas and you have not gotten a massage from Carol, my God, call her today. If you are looking for a massage therapist, do yourself a favor and schedule an appointment with her. Carol is an amazingly unconditionally kind and loving person. I cannot say it enough. She really is awesome. Get a massage from the purest heart I know. Call Carol at (785)819-4392. For more information go to salinamassagetherapy.com. Peace and Blessings, Joe Rubino What if the first thought upon waking in the morning was "How am I going to make a difference today?". If the first words spoken to Creator were "guide me Creator to make a difference today, a positive difference in the lives of others, to make the world a better place to live". Do you think the world WOULD be a better place to live? Would your life be better? Would you be happier? I think the answer to these questions is a resounding YES. If you are happier, then your life is better, and a happier you certainly makes the world a better place to live. Recently I've noticed that Facebook is abuzz with the term "Random Acts of Kindness", and lots of people are posting random acts of kindness stories. These stories are beautiful and touching, and I love it. Whether it be buying a homeless man a sandwich, or retrieving a child's stray soccer ball, or helping a dog find it's way home, I can tell you from firsthand experience that it feels great to do these kind deeds. Every time I do a random act of kindness my consciousness is raised. I bring myself to a state of "Kindness Consciousness", and it is a wonderful place to be. Now getting back to those first thoughts in the morning. What if you started your day in a state of kindness consciousness? What if you started your day by consciously choosing kindness? Here's a challenge - start each morning by declaring an act of kindness that you are going to complete that day. We will call this an "Intentional Act of Kindness". And know that all acts of kindness, no matter how tiny, make a positive difference. Start your day in a state of kindness consciousness and I promise you will be kinder, at peace and happier. Here's a few examples of potential intentional acts of kindness: call your mom, dad, son, daughter; write a letter and tell someone good job; donate; volunteer; say I love you and mean it; feed a hungry animal; feed a hungry person; visit a lonely person; help out at church, school, community center, neighborhood; coach, teach, mentor; Need more ideas - random and intentional acts of kindness videos abound on the internet. Here's a good one on You Tube - "Make a Homeless Person Smile". No act of kindness is too small. All acts of kindness make a huge difference. As a massage therapist I feel fortunate that I get to make a positive difference in people's lives on a daily basis. In every massage I get to hold the intention for better for my clients. I like to think that I am making the world a better place one massage at a time. You too can make a difference every day, one act of kindness at a time. Intend to make a positive difference in all that you touch, in all that meet, in all that you speak, and in all that you think. Choose "Kindness Consciousness". -Joe www.salinamassagetherapy.com In choosing a massage therapist their can be many factors to consider. Experience, training and personality are a few factors that come to mind. However, the factor I consider to be the most important is mindfulness. Mindfulness is about presence. It's about being in the moment. It incorporates not only your attention to the moment, but your intention in the moment. In my opinion the two most important details in giving a great massage are attention (having your full attention on the client) and intention (intending healing and/or giving a great massage). A massage therapist who practices the mindfulness of attention and intention are much more likely to give a great healing massage than a massage therapist who doesn't practice mindfulness; regardless of the amount of training or experience. Twenty years ago, when in massage school, I learned this lesson experientially. In class they taught us that massage moves lymph, and therefore can speed up healing when ill. Well I got a cold, so I thought a massage would be a good idea. I also thought I needed someone with a lot of experience. I found "Terry" in the phone book, a massage therapist with 15 years experience. The massage felt good, but it was far from great. Why? Because, though "Terry" was proficient, I could feel that he was just going through the motions. He didn't really have his attention on me, and his only intention was to complete the massage and collect his money. Fast forward to a week later. I received a practice massage from a fellow student. Though "Chloe" had nowhere near the training or experience that "Terry" had, she gave me one of the best massages I have ever received to this day. Why? Because from the get go she had her full attention on me with the intention of giving me a great healing massage. It was mindfulness plus, and it was a lesson I'll never forget. Fast forward to the present. Now I have a lot of training and a ton of experience. Both important factors, but I truly believe my success has more to do with mindfulness. I attempt to bring this into every session - my full attention on my client with the intention of healing and improved health. Experience and training are important, but without mindfulness they could be rendered useless. They say "experience is the greatest teacher", but that is only true if you are mindful of the experience. Consequently I can honestly say that I learn from every massage I give, as well as from every massage I receive. I practice mindfulness, and your massage therapist should as well. Experientially I learn more from giving and receiving massages than I do from classes, books or videos. In my opinion in choosing a massage therapist I recommend interviewing them first. Ask them about their training, experience and philosophy. In the course of a 5 minute conversation you can get a pretty good idea if a person practices mindfulness. And a final word of advice, when receiving a massage. If your massage therapist spends the session talking about themselves, answers the phone, leaves the room inexplicably, or you can tell that thery are just not there - then find another massage therapist. Many Blessings and Be Well. -Joe www.salinamassagetherapy.com And Finally, More on Massage and the Relaxation Response Just in case you haven't gotten the message I've been relating, here it is in big bold type: MASSAGE GETS YOU HEALTHIER. MASSAGE MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER. Listed below are some of the health benefits of activating the relaxation response versus the effect of chronic stress: (Provided by The Center in Joliet, Illinois. www.centerjoliet.com/relax.php) Hmmm, this seems like a no brainer. In my opinion the list on the left, the effects of the relaxation response, should be actively pursued by everyone. And one of the most effective ways to activate the relaxation response is through massage therapy. Massage therapy IS relaxation therapy, and relaxation therapy IS stress reduction. Stress reduction leads to improved health and decreases the risk of chronic illness and discomfort. So what are you waiting for, try massage therapy - AND GET HEALTHIER! Peace
www.salinamassagetherapy.com Stress leads to disease. Relaxation leads to health. A person who feels "stressed out" all the time increases his risk of general illness, as well as increases the risk of developing a chronic, potentially debilitating health condition. A person who actively seeks relaxation is much less likely to get sick, and is much more likely to experience improved health. It's simple - activating your body's "relaxation response" on a regular basis will lead to better health. And one of the best ways to activate your relaxation response is by receiving a therapeutic massage. Here is a definition of the relaxation response: "The Relaxation Response is a physiological reaction of deep rest that changes, more effectively than rest alone, the physical and emotional response to stress." (Provided by The Center in Joliet, Illinois) In relation to massage, I once again quote The Center: "Once viewed as a luxury of indulgence, research has now proven that massage therapy and bodywork provides physical, mental and emotional benefits at all stages of life." Experientially I could add spiritual benefits as well. The implications are that a one hour massage has the potential to be more restful than sleep. This is not to say that massage can replace sleep. However, I am saying that a one hour massage often activates the relaxation response to a greater, more health benefiting level, than sleep alone can. Many people go to bed "stressed out", sleep poorly, then awaken still feeling "stressed out". Many of my clients come to their massage session saying "I am so stressed out". They don't leave that way. After a session clients are much more likely to say, "I am so blissed out". Why? Because "The Relaxation Response" has been activated. And these same clients are more likely to sleep better, feel better and be more vibrant. In summation, massage therapy counteracts the stress response by activating the relaxation response. Regular massage therapy counteracts the snowballing effects of a stressful lifestyle. In time, regular massage may lead to a different snowballing effect, one that leads to a state of bliss. Stressed out or blissed out - you choose. Massage and the "Relaxation Response"
By Joe Rubino Years ago I was introduced to the term "The Relaxation Response" by Dr. Herbert Benson. Benson documented the healthful effects of meditation in Tibetan monks who meditated regularly. When meditating, these monks consistently experienced decreased respiratory rates, decreased blood pressure and decreased heart rates. They also experienced increased blood flow. Thus their hearts were pumping out more blood to the body while working less hard. Meditation had set off the healthful effects of the relaxation response of the body. In my 20 years of practice of Massage Therapy and Holistic Health Coaching, I have often suggested to clients to try meditation. More often than not I hear "I don't have the time", or "I can't sit still long enough", or "It just doesn't work for me". In essence, many people find meditating to relax to be stressful. Yet these same people manage to lie still for one hour while receiving a massage, and just like the meditating monks, those receiving massage enjoy the healthful benefits of activation of the relaxation response. So if the stress response (see previous blog) is actually the fight or flight response, then let's go ahead and call the relaxation response the “Chill and Be Still” response. Most people do associate receiving a massage with relaxation. What they often don't realize is the profound, healthful physiological benefits massage creates within their body. Clients not only leave a massage session feeling relaxed, they leave functioning at a healthier level. I definitely believe without a doubt that my regular massage clients get sick less often than the general population. Bottom line, regular activation of the relaxation response gets you healthier and significantly helps to keep you healthy. And one of the best ways to activate your body’s relaxation response is by getting a massage. So what are you waiting for? Get a massage today! Call me, Joe Rubino, at 785-819-4392. As a Massage Therapist I hear this a lot. But what does it mean to be stressed out, and how does Massage Therapy help in alleviating the symptoms of stress?
Most people speak as if stress just happens to them, when in reality it is something that is happening within them.Here's my take on stress - stress is a prolonged physiological response to a perceived threat. When we perceive a threat we have a physiological response called the fight or flight response. Our muscles tighten, heart rate elevates, breathing increases, etc. Your body is preparing you to fight or run away to protect you from the threat. This worked great in cave man days when the threat was a saber toothed tigers. But in today's society we have the ability to perceive almost anything as a threat. Anybody out there tighten up every time the boss enters the room? "My boss can fire me". That may be threatening. Anybody get stressed out by deadlines? "If I don't get that paper done I may not graduate". "If my wife/husband finds out the're gonna hate me". In each of these scenarios the perceived threat leads to activation of your fight or flight response. However in today's world fighting or running away from your boss is not deemed appropriate behavior. So what happens is that the fight or flight system stays activated or gets reactivated frequently (every time you see or think about your boss for example). And after awhile this becomes the norm for your body and your brain reacts accordingly. Thus a maladaptive neurophysiological feedback loop has been created and anchored within your body. Here's an example. Your boss = perceived threat = activation of the fight or flight response = tighter muscles. You neither fight or flight and so this system does not deactivate = even tighter muscles = pain. Pain is now a new perceived threat = fight or flight response = tighter muscles = more pain. And this is what I mean by a maladaptive neurophysiological feedback loop. And once this maladaptive feedback loop has been anchored in your body, well that is when you are "stressed out", and you really do need a massage. An occasional massage can definitely help in reducing stress by activating a relaxation response within the body. Regular massage, and regular activation of the relaxation response can change that neurophysiological feedback loop in a positive way. Stay tuned. In my next blog I will explain the relaxation response, how massage activates this response and how you can consciously anchor in a brain-body relaxation loop vs. the unconscious brain-body stress loop. Peace to you and all you touch, Joe Rubino www.salinamassagetherapy.com |
Joe Rubino, AuthorJoe Rubino is the Owner of Salina Massage Therapy and Blue Heron Massage. He specializes in Deep Tissue Massage, Myofoascial Release Therapy and Craniosacral Therapy. He also offers spiritual guidance counseling and medicine card reading. Archives
April 2020
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