Pregnancy is  a wonderful time, which can also be riddled with aches and pains.  Besides getting regular massage, it is a good idea to take part in a prenatal yoga class.

Prenatal yoga helps to strengthen uterine and pelvic muscles, improves circulation, and can aid digestion, while increasing the mother-to-be’s overall comfort.  The class consists of gentle postures, breathwork, and meditation. 

Anisha Desai will be offering prenatal classed as Gateway Yoga on Oberlin Road in Raleigh, on Fridays from 11:15 to 12:30, beginning on April 23rd.  There is a FREE introductory class on April 18th from 4:00 to 5:15.  No experience is necessary. 

For more information on Anisha, go to  http://www.AnishaDesai.com

For more information on the class, or to register, got to http://www.gatewayyoga.com

Have you ever thought about learning how to play a drum?  It is a wonderful way to reduce stress, while having fun and exercising your brain.  Studies have shown that drumming also boosts your immunce system! 

If you are in the Raleigh/Durham area, and would like to learn how to play the djembe, a traditional drum from West Africa, new classes are starting up soon with Ronnie Pulley, one of the areas’ best instructors.  A six-week beginner/intermediate class is being held at Music Explorium in Durham, only 15 minutes from Raleigh, starting March 16th, from 7:00 – 8:30 pm.  Classes are $85.00 for the entire six weeks, or $15/class.  You will learn basic hand-drumming strokes, discover ways to improve your sound,  learn traditional African rhythms, and build confidence to playin drum circles.  Ivory Coast Djembes are for loan or sale through the instructor.

If you’ve been playing the djembe for a while, another option is the Intermediate/Advanced class meeting on Monday nights in Cary. The next session starts on Monday, March 8th, and runs from 7:00 – 9:00 pm.  the fee for the class is $100 for the entire six weeks, or $20 per class.  This class is designed for serious drummers, and you learn both Djembe and Dundnun parts of traditional West African songs, as well as learn to play solo tecnhniques and other advanced techniques. 

If you would like more information on these classes, contact Ronnie Pulley at snorlp@yahoo.com.

It’s the Holiday Season, that time of year  when many of are looking for the perfect gifts to honor the ones we love.  Most women welcome gifts that truly show how much they are cared for and appreciated.  A gift that is all about them, that will give them time to nurture and care for themselves.

 What better way to show the women in your life how much you care, than giving them a gift of massage? During the month of December, all session-specific gift certificates are 15% off. (Not valid on dollar amount gifts) These can be purchased online at Raleigh Massage Gift Certificates for Women  or in person, by arrangement, by calling 919-602-5742.

Give that special woman in your life a gift that feel good to both you you, the gift of massage!

Several years ago, a dear friend of mine in California participated in a 12-week seminar based on the book The Artist’s Way – A Spiritual Path To Higher Creativity  by Julia Cameron.  My friend was so inspired by  the group, she continues to this day to practice the things she learned, has been taken courses at one of the local colleges, and is on her way to becoming a graphic designer.

Since then, I have been searching for a similar workshop to participate in.  I am happy to say, I have finally found a seminar right here in Raleigh!  Conduit For Change is a local organization dedicated to providing classes, workshops and retreats for people looking to reconnect with their creative side.  (I say “reconnect” because I believe that we all have a creative side, some of us just don’t know it yet!) 

They are offering a four-week creativity seminar that is based on the book mentioned above, as well as a few others.  The series begins Tuesday, July 21st, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., and will be held for four consecutive weeks.

For more information, go to www.conduitforchange.com

Looking for something new to do, where you can both give and receive at the same time?  An interesting event is being held at Moving Mantra Yoga Studio in Raleigh, to benefit the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle.  On Saturday, May 30th, from 9:00 a.m. until noon, several opportunites are presented.  You can take part in a yoga class or sit in a meditation group, giving you a chance to try one of regular offerings at the yoga center.   You can also receive special self-care services including chair massage, paraffin hand waxes, haircuts, Ayurvedic treatments, and foot reflexology. If you are one who likes to shop, items such as jewelry, t-shirts, and refreshments will be available.  Raffle tickets are also being sold for some really cool prizes, including a gift certificate for a one-hour massage from Metamorphic Massage For Women!

All proceeds from this event benefit the Inter-Faith food Shuttle, a Raleigh-based organization working to alleviate hunger through recovering, preparing and distributing wholesome food to poor, hungry, undernourished and homeless people in the area.
For more information on the event, go to http://www.movingmantrayoga.com.  To learn more about the Interfaith Food Shuttle, go to http://www.foodshuttle.org.

Spend some time May 30th at Moving Mantra Yoga Studio, and help feed the hungry,  while you nourish your own body and spirit!

Often when its time to tighten up purse strings, we look at trimming the luxury items from our budget….things that are fun, not really necessary, but that make us feel happy.  Activities such as movies at the theater,  eating out, and recreational shopping are three things that come to mind immediately when looking where to cut spending.  Others may look at their regular massage sessions and think that this is also a luxury item that can be tabled for the moment while balancing the checkbook.

Some believe that massage is something you do to pamper yourself while you are on vacation, or on your birthday or some other special occasion.  Each time you receive one, you always feel so good, and swear that you are going to schedule one more often.  But, the regular routine sets in again, and all of a sudden a year has gone by since your last massage.

Many people recognize that massage is not a luxury, but a necessity.  Receiving regular massage, whether once or twice a month,  or every other month,  helps to keep stress at a manageable level, and keep muscles from getting too tense and knotted.  Some believe that regular massage helps keep them healthy, and look at massage as a form of healthcare.

    When you feel good, it is much easier to face the things that come your way. 

It is important to recognize that your health is a necessity, not a luxury.  Studies have shown that massage can help reduce blood pressure and improve your immune system.  The stress-reducing factor alone helps improve sleep, balances out stress hormones, and improves overall energy levels. Your thinking is clearer and your moods are stable.   When you are taking care of yourself, you make a better parent, spouse, employee or employer.

 With all the ways you can benefit from receiving massage at regular intervals, there’s no way you can consider it anything but necessary!

Don’t feel like you can justify budgeting money for a massage?  One idea is to start a massage fund. Get a good old fashioned piggy-bank or a jar.  Put all your loose change in it on a daily basis. Throw in a dollar bill every few days.  Skip that cup of coffee, or rent a movie instead of going to the theater, and put the money in your massage bank instead.  In no time, you’ll have enough to pay for something that lasts a lot longer, and is better for you all around.

Remember, your health is the ultimate way to pamper yourself.

During these stressful times, it is often beneficial to look deeper within ourselves to find true healing, which makes it easier to handle the stresses and strains of day-to-day living.  As I understand it, healing the deep wounds allows us to clearly see what is occurring in our lives, and helps us discover the best path to follow.  When we truly work on our selves, we respond authentically, which contributes to our personal growth and the healing of the planet.

Amy Pierce, a friend and colleague of mine leads a  five-part series of conversations, or interactive workshops,  which she calls Conversations About Authentic Self.  The five conversations are:  ~Authentic Self:  The Story Big Enough to Live In    ~New Wine or Old Wine Skins:  Symptom, Illness, and the Emotional Body     ~The Other Trinity:  Inner Child/Re-parenting work   ~As A Man Thinketh in His Heart:  The Deeper Meaning of the Law of Attraction   ~Is it About What We Expect of Life or What Life Expects of Us?

The next series is taking place on March 14 and 28, April 11 and 25, and May 7.  The fee for each conversation is on a sliding scale  of $10-$20. If you speak with the facilitator, Amy, an additional savings is available if you wish to pay in advance for the entire series.  Ideally, you would attend all five meetings ofthe workshop, but if you can only attend a portion of them, you will still benefit from the knowledge that Amy will share.

If you would like more information  on the series, or to sign up for a workshop,  go to http://www.meetup.com/WFC-SacredRealms/calendar/9791474/

 For more information on Any Pierce, go to http://www.authenticself.us

It’s the Holiday Season, a time when many of us honor those we love with gifts.  Most women I know  appreciate gifts that are just for them, gifts that make them feel appreciated and cared for. What better way to show them you care by giving the women in your life a gift of massage? During the month of December, all session-specific gift certificates are 10% off. (Not valid on dollar amount gifts) These can be purchased online at Raleigh Massage Gift Certificates for Women  or in person, by arrangement, by calling 919-602-5742.

For those women who come in and receive a massage during the month of December, they also have the opportunity to purchase gift certificates at their appointment for 15% off! 

Giving a gift of massage feels good to both you and the recipient!

There is a lovely little business very close to my office called Triangle Nutrition, located on Lead Mine Road near Baileywick.  A locally-owned and operated establishment, they offer a wide variety of nutritional supplements, healthy food for pets, gluten-free products, reference books, and more.  (I especially like their section of my favorite brand, of incense Aura Cacia) 

Their staff is very knowledgable on herbs and vitamins.  If they don’t carry an item you need, they are more than happy to order it for you, or they will find another local business that carries it and refer you to them.  I have found their prices on supplements to be very reasonable, in fact some things are cheaper than what you would find at Whole Foods or Earth Fare!

When my clients are looking for a product, I always send them to Triangle Nutrition.  I highly recommend you stop in for a visit.

I’ve recently added a new service to the menu at Metamorphic Massage For Women, a Body Polish, using a salt scrub made with all natural ingredients, including shealoe butter, jojoba oil, and essential oils of grapefruit and bergamot. 

Our skin takes alot of abuse, with exposure to the sun and wind, toxins in the air and the products we use, perhaps use of tanning beds, and improper water intake. Dry skin can make us feel years older than we are.  A Body Polish helps slough off dry, dead skin cells, and leaves your skin feeling softer, healthier, and much younger.  It also helps to improve circulation.

 A 30-minute scrub is $45.00.   It can also be combined with a 30- or 60-minute massage with products that leave your skin feeling ultra-hydrated.

 Remember—your skin is the largest organ of your body, and is the first defense system in staying healthy. Take care of yourself in every way possible.