Thu, 02 Jun 2011 11:37:51 -0800WeeblySun, 28 Nov 2010 21:41:52 -0800http://www.awakeningwithin.net/1/post/2010/11/osteopathic-studies-starting-april-2011.htmlI was recently accepted into the Osteopathic program at The Canadian Academy of Osteopathy, in Hamilton.  The part-time program will be starting April 13th of the new year.  I am extremely excited to be given this opportunity and even more excited to be sharing my new skills with my clients, present and future.  Keep checking in for more postings on Osteopathy - manual medicine.  If you are wanting more information on Osteopathy, you can visitwww.canadianosteopathy.ca .
Happy Holidays,
Sarah]]>Thu, 04 Nov 2010 13:10:26 -0800http://www.awakeningwithin.net/1/post/2010/11/why-massage-your-baby.htmlBenefits for Baby:

* Promotes bonding and communication
* Assists in overall growth and development
* Promotes sounder and longer sleep
* Improves function of respiratory, circulatory, digestive, eliminative, nervous, and immune systems
* Reduces the symptoms of colic, gas and GI tract distress
* Gives relief from the discomforts of teething and congestion
* Improves sensory awareness
* Helps baby learn to relax, decreases production of stress hormones
* Reduces fussiness
* Enhances awareness of being loved, accepted, and responded to
* Assists in increased vocalizations

Benefits for Parents/Caregivers:

* An opportunity to connect, interact and share quality time
* Builds a bond between parents and children that can last a lifetime
* Increases confidence in parenting
* Helps parents better understand and respond to baby's verbal and nonverbal cues
* Increases parents ability to help relax child at times of stress
* Positive effects on other relationships, including partner or children

Other Benefits:

* Cross cultural studies show that babies who are held, massaged, carried, and rocked, grow into adults that are less aggressive and violent, and are more compassionate and cooperative
* Recent research shows benefits for children with asthma, diabetes, and premature infants
* Mothers with postpartum depression have shown improvement after starting infant massage]]>Thu, 04 Nov 2010 12:55:50 -0800http://www.awakeningwithin.net/1/post/2010/11/benefits-of-massage-during-pregnancy-for-expecting-mothers.htmlDuring pregnancy a woman's body undergoes many changes, some of them stressful and uncomfortable.  Massage is the perfect way to reduce stress and promote general well-being.


*     Massage helps mom's body to eliminate waste products through the lymphatic and circulatory systems, which combats fatigue and helps the mother feel more energetic.
*     By aiding circulation, massage eases the load on mom's heart and helps to keep her blood
pressure in check.
*     Muscular discomforts, such as cramping, tightening, stiffness, tension, and knots, can be alleviated.
*     Massage helps carry away the lactic acid and other cellular waste products that build up and cause muscle fatigue.
*     Massage can help relieve depression and anxiety caused by hormonal changes mom can/may experience.
*    Massage relieves many of the normal discomforts during pregnancy, such as backaches, a stiff neck, legs cramps, tension headaches, edema (swelling), and sore, swollen ankles and feet.
*     Massage increases local and general blood circulation, which brings more oxygen and nutrients to the cells of both the mother and baby.  This means greater vitality and less fatigue for mom and better nourishment for her baby.
*     Massage stimulates glandular secretions, which helps stabilize hormone levels.
*     It relaxes tense muscles and tones loose muscles, and can also increase muscular flexibility.  Flexibility will be most helpful during the last trimester and during the birth itself.
*     Massage helps to soothe and relax nervous tension, which helps mom sleep more easily and more deeply.  Incidentally, doctors agree that a relaxed mother will have a happier, healthier pregnancy and possibly an easier childbirth experience, too.
*     Massage can be used during the birth to make it easier and more comfortable for mom, and after the birth as well, to help regain her strength more quickly and ease postpartum stress.
]]>Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:10:52 -0800http://www.awakeningwithin.net/1/post/2010/09/bodytalk-session-tonight.htmlI am so excited for tonight!  I have my first appointment for a BodyTalk session.  I will definitely be sharing my experience post session.  If you want to learn more about this holistic therapy go to www.bodytalksystem.com.


Had a fantastic experience with learning more about BodyTalk with Helen Smeh, in Burlington.  She is very knowledgeable in the modality and is very enthusiastic about its future.  My body was wanting to improve my lymphatics, diaphramatic breathing and opening the sinus cavities for better drainage.  It is building a platform for what is to come in future treatments.  So excited for my next treatment in two weeks.  Looking forward to learning the BodyTalk modality and incorporating it into my massage therapy practice.
Looking frward to a great nights sleep!]]>