Simply Breathing

As simple as this sounds, proper breathing is really important and many of us underestimate the power of that. Think of the ways that your breath is effected by things that happen - holding your breath when you're startled, breathing harder when you exert yourself - you can probably already come up with many examples of your own. Occasionally paying attention to your breathing can tell you a lot about yourself. Take some time to take in some full, lung filling, abdomen expanding breaths and I guarantee you'll feel the benefits.

Gift Certificates for the holidays

I am again offering a gift certificate special. This holiday special will be $175.00 for 3 gift certificates and $125.00 for 2 gift certificates.

Japanese Course

I began taking a course to finally learn to speak Japanese more fluently. Give me a few more weeks and then you can test my skills by asking me questions. I'm also learning to read and write Japanese (Nihongo) so you can also let me practice writing your name.

Recent workshop & website update

My apology for not posting for so long. For those that know, the new website is being worked on and will hopefully be up by the end of the month. After the website goes live, I will be on a regular schedule with updating this blog and using it for all sorts of information.

I attended a workshop a few weeks ago that has added a dimension to my Shiatsu practice that has already shown positive results. The work is linked with the Central Channel of the body (the vertebral information system) and works to alleviate stress patterns that have become locked in the body. I plan to have some "demo" times at the office to have people try the new work. It's a different way to work, so I want to allow people an opportunity to experience it. Look for that opportunity in the next few weeks!

Two Helpful Hints

There are 12 different fruit and vegetables referred to as the dirty dozen that most likely contain pesticides. They are strawberries, plums, peaches, apples, celery, cherries, grapes, bell peppers, potatoes, spinach, raspberries and nectarines.

Turning off the faucet while you're brushing saves bucketfuls of water!

The Benefits:

• Showing your eco-wisdom (teeth). Turning off your faucet while you brush saves about 2 gallons per brushing session.
• Taking a bite out of your water bill. You'll save a few pennies off your water bill each month.

Travel tales to share

The past twelve months have allowed me to gather experiences that have strengthened my Shiatsu practice. I was able to attend a convention in Boston where I attended workshops with Pauline Sasaki and Jake Paul Fratkin. One of the highlights of the convention was the keynote address by Candace Pert, PhD. During March, I was able to go to Japan and explore Nagasaki, Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka. There is a lifetime of special stories to share about that trip and yes, I did experience a Shiatsu treatment while I was there. During July I stayed at a Buddhist Monastery (Dai Bosatsu Zendo) in the Catskills and studied with Ohashi and participated with the monks in their daily activities of chanting, mediatation, samu (work detail) and silent meals. These trips were life altering and I will share some experiences once I am able to organize a picture slide show.