Saturday, September 22, 2007

Favorite movie

If you read my profile, you will see that one of my favorite movies of all time is Whale Rider. Having just watched it again..... for like the 100th time.... I thought I would recommend it to my readers. It has nothing to do with Chinese medicine. It takes place in New Zealand. It is about a young girl who goes against tradition to become a leader. While many people haven't heard of this movie, it won many awards and by far is one of the best films I ever watched. One day I will get a copy of the book written by Witi Ihimaera.

Keisha Castle-Hughes plays Paikea and has to be the most mesmerizing character. The hardest of hearts will melt watching her on screen.

So rent it or better yet, just buy it. Trust me, you will want to watch it a few times.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Exciting changes coming

This is so exciting to me. I have been practicing massage and asian bodywork therapies for almost 7 years now and have worked in various situations. Sometimes an employee, other times as an Independent contractor. But in all these years, I never actually named my business. It was always just my name. Poo... how boring is that!

But one creative day a business name popped into my head and I LOVE it. I asked a few of my friends for suggestions and tweaked it a bit. Now, I will NOT reveal this until I get it safeguarded with the state but once I get the ok from the state (and by the way, its looking pretty much a sure win) I will tell everyone! I can't wait..... to me, it sort of feels like a new start. Anything can happen now. Watch out world. :)

The second new exciting change is a website. I have had 2 websites that I build for free. One with my DSL account, the other with my MAC account. I am not saying they are totally horrible but they shout out "non professional". So I broke the bank and found someone and he is currently working on some layouts to share with me. I also sent him my likes and dislikes and we will take it from there. Can you imagine designing something for someone you never met and know nothing about? I pity him.... he has no idea what is has gotten himself into. LOL

I have every intention on linking my site to my blog and then my blog will be less anonymous. Yikes.... you will know who I am. But then I can share this awesome new website with you and that makes me happy.

Happy days ahead!

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Tui Na vs. Shiatsu

Tui Na defined by the AOBTA states the following:

"Tuina is a method of Chinese bodywork characterized by the smooth gliding or rolling movements of the hands and arms. Through Tui (push) and na (grasp), kneading, pressing, rolling, shaking, and stretching of the body, acupoints are opened and qi flow is realigned in the musculo-tendon meridians. Tuina techniques are used to treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal and internal organ disorders by opening stagnant meridian channels and encouraging the flow of qi into deficient areas. Tuina utilizes TCM theory in assessing energetic and functional disorders. In addition, the use of external herbal medicines and therapeutic exercise is also included."

Shiatsu defined by the AOBTA states:

"The primary emphasis of Five Element Shiatsu is to identify a pattern of disharmony through use of the four pillars of examinations and to harmonize that pattern with an appropriate treatment plan. Hands-on techniques and preferences for assessment varies with the practitioner, depending on their individual background and training. The radial pulse usually provides the most critical and detailed information. Palpation of the back and/or abdomen and a detailed verbal history serve to confirm the assessment. Considerations of the client's lifestyle, emotional, and psychological factors are all considered important. Although this approach uses the paradigm of the five elements to tonify, sedate, or control patterns of disharmony, practitioners of this style also consider hot or cold and internal or external symptoms and signs."

Actually the AOBTA defines a few styles of Shiatsu so I am sharing Five Element with you. My studies included Zen shiatsu, and theories of TCM and 5 Element. Combining all I was taught, I should just call it The Therapist Shiatsu. :)

In my Shiastu training, we did learn many of the same hand techniques that I have learnt in my future studies in Tui Na. So I am finding it hard to define my sessions with clients. Some Shiatsu clients have noticed a slight difference in my work and really enjoy it but all I have done is included some of the protocol I am learning in Tui Na class. They ask me, what are you doing, Shiastu or Tui Na? Well, definitely both. They ask, is one better then the other? Hell no, they are both excellent modalities.

Now I am left wondering what to say the session is and I think Asian Bodywork is ok but still very extensive in possibilities. It has become obvious that it is impossible for me to say..... This session is shiatsu or this session is tui na.

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Herbal Aid Kit

I don't often recommend products to my readers but today I make an exception. I was browsing Kamwo Pharmacy's website and found they put together a kit of their most useful Chinese herbal remedies.

Click here to take a look.

The kit is made up of items for cuts, burns, bruising, the common cold, the flu, viral infections, stomach issues and even a remedy for bad breath. It covers most typical illnesses families get yearly.

I actually have a few of these items in my own little kit but plan to add more. Possibly I will just buy the kit so that I can have them all handy and to share. The price is right, at $24.95. There is nothing worse then getting sick and not having something to take when you need it. And if you are like me, you do not live close to a Chinese Pharmacy.

Take a look, read the information. See if its for you. If you are interested, don't wait till its to late. Buy them while healthy, especially if you are prone to that yearly cold or flu. Flu season will be here before we realize it.

Blogging etiquette

Maybe some of you more advanced bloggers can help me here. What sort of rules apply when blogging?

For instance, I just found my blog linked to a questionable website. Actually it was my article on headaches and trust me, this site has nothing to do with health. Maybe this is more a web etiquette issue in general. I was a bit shocked when I saw where I was linked and wonder if I contact that site, will they remove me from their list?

So is it courteous to ask permission before linking or are we all so hard up for more traffic that we don't care?

Personally I have many external links listed but mainly to direct readers in the right direction. The links are relavent to the subject at hand.

Could be I am thinking to into this and should just let it go.

Give me some advice people! :)

Sunday, September 2, 2007

Native American Powwow

Today I went to a local powwow to take in some music and good vibes. While there I got to thinking, what exactly does powow mean? One website I came across defines it this way: "powwow is the English spelling of the Algoquian word pauwau. The word pauwau means an elder, faithkeeper, healer, or chief. It has been speculated that to the observer, it appeared to be used to refer to a gathering, since the word was probably heard before such an individual was going to speak. Sometimes with certain speakers or messages, it is possible that an activity, like preparing food or singing, was appropriate. However, the word in the Native Algonquian language is more closely associated with the person rather than a celebration or gathering."

Regardless, it is good to see Native American customs still in practice. So on with some pictures.