Priority #1, as a barefoot massage therapist: Foot care

Part of what helps me provide the best possible Ashiatsu massage care for my clients is having soft, smooth, and sensitive feet. People ask me, can you really feel as much with your feet as you do with your hands? The answer is, yes, and keeping them in top notch condition makes that 100% possible.

My go-to DIY foot scrub is super easy to make, and you might have everything you need at home already.

Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of salt (fine salt, not coarse)
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 5 drops of essential oil (or 1 teaspoon of aromatic ingredients like lemon zest or cinnamon)

To make the scrub:
Simply mix the ingredients together and put them in a jar with a lid.

To use the scrub:
1. Soak, shower, or bathe your feet
2. Apply scrub to wet feet and calves - scrub thoroughly
3. Rinse well, dry well, and massage any remaining oil into the feet and legs

*BE CAREFUL: too much oil remaining on the feet afterwards can be slippery.

Mother's Day is right around the corner.

Make it for yourself or gift it to someone you love. I've got a few ready-made ones at my studio, if you'd rather just buy one when you come in for a massage.

They smell like fresh mint and lemon tartlets. So good!

Here's a great link for additional scrub making ideas:
www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Own-Salt-Scrubs

Let me know how it goes, and surprise me with what fragrance you chose in the comments below. Happy scrubbing to you my friends!

Just a quick demo, easy and relaxing. Ashiatsu barefoot massage of the feet.

If your feet and calves get sore, like mine do, deep tissue relief is just a few steps away.

*An excellent technique for helping to relieve plantar fasciitis/fasciosis

Neck and shoulder tension is no match for my side-lying barefoot ninja skillz! If you haven't felt this, you are missing out.

My last video on this topic was less than perfect in production, but this one:

MUCH BETTER!

I feel like I am finally getting the hang of this video thing, AND my YouTube channel recently topped 400 subscribers! =O Thanks for all your comments, likes, and subscribes. All you ashi, deep tissue barefoot massage loving fans out there - YOU ARE THE BEST!

Big love and foot massage bliss to you,
Christina

That's right folks, I have a swing set at work.

This special tool helps me get into challenging or sensitive areas in a way that feels safe and comfortable for the receiver. Plus it's fun to relax into my work with a little extra support.

Pretty cool stuff. Check out my short demo video below...

Sometimes it's the simplest of things in life that can make a big changes in our mindset. Use this one minute guided relaxation from your desk or wherever you are at to help relax your body and clear you mind.

Big Love and Happy Holidays to you!!!

Having elbow pain from injury or repetitive-stress can be incredibly frustrating. Pain on the outer elbow is commonly referred to as tennis elbow, while recurring pain on the inner side of the elbow is commonly know as golfer's elbow. In the video below, I cover 2 self-care techniques. #1 is a pretty darn awesome self massage tool that I used in my own recovery from tennis elbow, and the other, #2 is an easy, do-it-yourself Ashiatsu massage tutorial that you can do on yourself for relieving forearm tension.

A little bit of deep tissue care on a regular basis can make a world of a difference in getting better AND staying better.

I advocate for the ArmAid tool, because it's been a huge help for me. I used it for about 20 minutes per day for 2 weeks (each followed by 5 minutes of a cold pack or cold water dunk) before I made a significant and lasting break through. I hope this tool will be just as helpful for you as it has been for me. Please tell them I sent you!

Once you realize that recurring pain is not just going away, you need to take action. Get some regular maintenance going ASAP, or come see me for some incredibly blissful deep tissue massage to really get in there and loosen things up.

The main symptom of plantar fasciitis is recurring pain on the bottom of the foot near the heel. It's most commonly felt in the mornings after getting out of bed or after periods of inactivity. 

In this video, I demonstrate a few easy techniques to help you prevent injury and recover quickly from plantar fasciitis/fasciosis. Deep tissue massage, stretching, strengthening, and resting... all key to your recovery. Check out the specific techniques in the video below.

Take good care of those feets!

December can be an especially stressful month when work and family demands are requiring more of your attention. Here's 5 ways to help you reduce stress and keep your sanity this month:

1. Stay Hydrated - Dry skin, chapped lips, tight muscles? Staying hydrated will help you move easier and feel better. A tall, crisp glass of water is a super-easy way to help take the edge off.

2. Take a Walk - Get some sunshine on your face and cool air in your lungs. A walk is a good way to warm up for a run, but listen to your body. Even just a simple walk around the block can be the perfect pick-me-up.

3. Prioritize Self Care - Treat yourself to a warm bath, cozy nap, or stress-relieving massage. You can’t take good care of anybody else unless you take good care of yourself first.

4. Simplify Your Schedule - Notice what you really want and need. Get enough sleep, and stand up for your rest and recovery time. You deserve it!

5. Celebrate! - I hope you’ve got a little extra time off work to spend with friends or family this year. Enjoy the bounty of the holidays with people you love, and when you can, donate food or helpful items to those in need. When you give, your heart opens.

Savor the richness of the season, and have a fun and safe holiday.