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There is something deeply relaxing about being on the floor. It seems as though the support and firmness of the floor allow for the body to yield more fully to gravity, encouraging a much longer and deeper breath which, in turn allows muscular tension to dissipate.  Thai massage differs from regular massage in that no oils or lotions are used, it is done fully clothed, on floor mats. Your body is moved and stretched while being massaged. Some of the many benefits include: Enhanced Energy Flow: Thai massage works off the belief that tightened muscles lead to the diminished flow of […]

In 1999 I began an epic yoga journey. I call it epic because it’s the only thing that has been consistent in my life for that long. I began practicing 6 days/week within the first month of my first class. Everything in my life changed in order to make space for my time in the studio. It’s still difficult to explain why. I can come close by saying that somehow the practice facilitated an improved management of my life choices. I was so desperate for everyone to feel the same empowerment, that I enrolled in teacher training and began teaching […]

If I do not metabolize my experiences, my system becomes congested, lethargic and grumpy. Sound familiar? me·tab·o·lism noun noun: The sum of the physical and chemical process in an organism by which its material substance is produced, maintained and destroyed, and by which energy is made available. Emotional Metabolism & Self Care We know that emotions impact the body because they often manifest physically through tears, digestive upset and wacky immune responses. So if emotional stress and trauma involve the body, it makes perfect sense that you must consider the body in healing. Firstly, through breath. Releasing stored emotion is […]

On my first visit to the gross anatomy lab in 2004, after recovering from the initial shock of what I was looking at, I was hooked. I entered the lab with an extreme excitement to see the muscles and bones I had been studying and trying to memorize. However, those were not the structures that ultimately seduced me into spending hundreds of hours and numerous dissection intensives in the lab over the years to come. That first day I was introduced to the greater omentum, which is basically a blanket of fat cells that lay over top of your digestive […]

If your day or week ends with burning muscles around your upper back, shoulders & neck, your body is expending too much energy trying to correct a poor working posture. This is a very common syndrome, and it’s not as tough to manage as you might think. A common misconception is that you need to fix your posture to calm those angry muscles, and while it is true that it all comes down to posture, it’s going to take a bit more than merely reminding yourself to sit straight. Proper ergonomics will put your body in the correct position which […]

As many as 45 per cent of people worldwide suffer from some form of sleep disorder. Studies suggest a myriad of possible treatments and solutions that still seem to fall short, but there is one thing they all agree upon.  Automatic functions such as digestion, sleep-wake cycles, healing and stress management are governed by the parasympathetic nervous system. If you can access the reset button on this system, you will see all of these functions improve. Unfortunately, this system is suppressed by our stronger and more well-known counterpart, the sympathetic nervous system, also know as the fight or flight response. […]

How can you sleep, read, or focus on anything when your brain is constantly interrupting? Just as you lay down to sleep, or take a moment to enjoy a quiet break, your brain pipes up with nagging thoughts of all that needs to be done, or begins to replay stressful situations you are facing. With all of the intelligence the brain is rumoured to embody, why is it that we struggle so much with the simple task of silencing this great structure for only a moment? Because the constant chatter overwhelms us so much so, that we convince ourselves the […]

I do NOT believe in “No Pain, No Gain.” Pain is complex. It demands one to feel and explore because let’s face it, not many sufferers appreciate pain. Pain is however an important part of healing, so how do you decide when pain is okay and when it’s not? You all know how I like to dissect things. Well, pain is no different. It provides and opportunity to be present with yourself in an attentive way. One cannot truly look into sensation without discovering something about oneself. It’s hard work. It’s time consuming. It’s definitely worth it! I am grateful […]

As more of you are becoming aware, I love anatomy and have a deep interest in dissecting the body both literally (yes, literally), and figuratively. For me, the journey into the body is paved by a rich terrain of mystery and self-discovery. It’s all about exploration and my need to let go of what I think I know. The way a body functions, although extremely complex, should be somewhat predictable when viewed through the lens of science and all its studies. Yet, there are new discoveries emerging all the time to challenge what we think we know. This past April […]

What is so great about having a massage therapist who is obsessed with anatomy? Have you ever visited the Genius Bar at the Mac Store? These dudes know their shit, and when I have a problem with my electronic device, I trust they will know exactly how to solve it. I strive to achieve their level of Geekdom … The crazy part is that most of us know more about our phones than we do about our own bodies. Not all of us are interested enough to regularly attend to our bodies; this vehicle we carry around for life. When […]