New Virtual Massage Video

 John Morgan, my friend and former boss, put together this video so that I could offer my recording of Virtual Massage on YouTube. YAY!  Click on the video below to hear it. 

Here's the back story of how I came to write and record Virtual Massage:

My friend Lena was my first massage client here in my new home when I lived at the River House. After she left, I was on the phone to John Morgan, my boss of John Morgan Seminars fame and I said, "I wish I had another body to work on." And he said his shoulder was bothering him and what would I do to alleviate the pain. I told him I'd start with his traps and work into levator...and being the auditory person he is, he said, Tell me as if you're giving a massage in real time. So I did, without the anatomical nerd-talk. At the end of it, he said he felt better and said, "I think you have something here. Write a script." He came up with the name Virtual Massage AND did the post-production (he made my voice sound like velvet!) AND designed the CD for me. John was my willing guinea pig as we worked through the script together and he gave me advice on how to make it even better. On the final reading, he fell asleep (the ultimate success!) and I hung up the phone after I was finished. He phoned ten minutes later saying, "I think you're ready to go into the studio." High praise coming from "America's-Best-Known-Hypnotherapist."

I also wanted feedback from a fellow massage therapist, so I read it to my friend Bess. She said, "That was fantastic! I feel like I've just had a massage and a half!" High praise coming from my favourite massage therapist! The night before I went into the studio, I read it for XM Radio Guy, who has been a client for years. And he said, "That was amazing." THANK YOU!!!

I also have background music on this recording. And not just any music, but my favourite music when I'm giving a massage: Chesapeake Bay: Reflections of Beauty, by Mike Zampi. He let me use the whole CD just like I would in a massage session. So, it's been 13 years and things have changed!  But the recording still sounds fantastic. Thanks, John!

Anti-Anxiety Meditation: Part 2

Apologies for the delay!  I had major technical issues. Ugh. I couldn't synch the audio with the visual, blah blah blah. Anyway, here it is!

If you missed the introduction, you can click HERE for information about anxiety, as well as lots of helpful resources.

New Meditation Series

Meditation is one of those things that I practice daily. It varies in length; every once in a while it's 10 minutes, sometimes it's 2 hours. Usually, it's somewhere in between. I also take 5 minute breaks throughout the day. It doesn't have to take a long time; you could start out with just sitting down for 10 minutes everyday. The key to getting in the habit is to get in the habit. Decide on a time and place and do it every day. The more you do it, the more you'll want to do it.

I do it first thing in the morning with my cup of coffee, in my Meditation Chair:

Usually with this guy.  :-)

Meditation shifts your brain waves from Beta waves to alpha waves. Alpha waves are what you are experiencing in between sleeping and waking. It's a very relaxing space. Meditation also activates your parasympathetic nervous system, so that you are relaxed. This is important because this is the place of rest, rejuvenation and healing. Cell biologist Dr. Bruce Lipton, grandfather of Epi-genetics, says that 98% of all diseases are related to stress. So if you can manage your stress, you can manage your health. Meditation is a simple and beneficial way of enhancing your health and well-being.

Favourite Resources

If you want to explore more . . .

Audio

• Recordings of guided visualizations. First up: Dave Dobson. I have fallen asleep to Dave's Beach Trip for 30 years. This isn't technically a meditation recording, but it is incredibly relaxing and great to fall asleep to!    

• John Morgan (who studied with Dave):  Accomplish Anything Take a relaxing walk along the beach and program yourself for whatever you want to accomplish.
• Improve Your Self Image. John did this with me over the phone shortly after I started working for him. The knot that I'd had in my stomach for months, melted away, and I drifted off into a deep sleep. 

• Dr. Joe Dispenza: Joe teaches meditations in his seminars. He also measures brain waves and before and after meditations in his more advanced courses. See more in Books section.  Changing Beliefs and Perceptions
• Morning & Evening Meditations  (also an app)  

• Doug O'Brien (who also studied with Dave): Imaginary Journey; Health & Healing Another walk along the beach with beachy wave sounds. Doug has a very soothing voice. 
•  and Shamanic Journeys   Guided visualizations.. AWESOME drummy music that Doug wrote.

Music

• From Bruce Lipton: Translational Music BEAUTIFUL piano music based on Bruce Lipton's work.
• Michael Zampi; BEAUTIFUL guitar music. I use Chesapeake Bay: Reflections of Beauty when I give a massage; and Michael also let me use it in Virtual Massage. 
• Deva Premal has a beautiful voice and sings chants from different traditions. Here's the Gayatri mantra in Sanskrit.
• Elaine Silver, Allelujah Canon.  Breathe Deeply. Elaine has the voice of an angel!  Her music opens the heart and expands the mind.  www.elainesilver.com 
• Drone Zone by Kay Gardner   Really great background music to drown out background noise.

Books

• You Are The Placebo: Making Your Mind Matter  & Breaking The Habit of Being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza
• If you find yourself lacking discipline, motivation or strategy:
• The 5 Second Rule: Transform Your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage by Mel Robbins.  Watch her TED Talk.
• Master The Day: Eat, Move and Live Better With The Power of Daily Habits by Alexander Heyne
• Meditation: A Simple Eight-Point Program for Translating Spiritual Ideals into Daily Life  by Eknath Easwaran.  I'm throwing in at least one book on meditation!  :-)