“Do you do sports massage ?”
That’s what Santi asked me on the phone last week.
“It’s for an English band arriving tomorrow! he said. “They’ve requested a sports massage therapist”.
OK … here I go.
The band turned out to be McFly.
Fun Friday night downstairs at La Trastienda with all the screaming girls above us. And a couple of satisfied customers 
.
The aim is to run workshops for massage therapists, personal trainers, yoga teachers and anyone who may find the use massage “handy” with students and clients.
Here’s your chance to enhance your palpation skills and acquire a number of tools to target trouble spots.
“… Just wanted to throw some props your way. My fill in yoga teacher said I have really good form in my poses and I give you all the credit. I know it’s been a while but I still remember all the instruction you gave. You’re a really great teacher.”
Kim S. (Texas) – massage therapist – March 2009
I had to write to you as yesterday I had a massage at work. It made me remember just how amazing your treatment was! … I had to keep explaining what I wanted and giving feedback on pressure. When I came to see you, you just got on with it and I felt so much freer. You worked it out yourself ! I now know why Cirque du Soleil want you! Sting missed out bigtime.
Please do let me know when you’re next in London.
Leena C. (London) – amateur salsa dancer - May 2008
Thought I would email you, to recommend a massage therapist that is based in London and in South America.
Her name is Sandra Diaz (cc’d on email). She is qualified by the London School of Sports massage with some nice experience. She worked for us in Buenos Aires, and without hesitation I would say there are not many hands better than hers. By far one of the best I massage therapists I have ever worked with.
Brad F. (Cirque du Soleil Senior Physiotherapist) – Aug 2006
The 6 weeks with Varekai are approaching the end. This will be the last week of this city. The show then moves on to Amsterdam for a long stay.
Working at the Royal Albert Hall has been a completely different experience to that of working inside the Big Top. Everyone seems to feel that way. The Big Top feels “cozy”; the big common space, everyone sharing it.
The Royal Albert Hall has an atmosphere of its own, it feels grand. Yet, we all seem to miss the one big family feeling you get from being inside the Big Top. During the 6 weeks of work with Saltimbanco in Buenos Aires (Big Top), the Health Services Department (Physios + Massage) had a reasonably large open space, with a “window” to the big area where artists train, rest and hang out. I was constantly in tune with what was going on out there, people coming in and going out. Now at the Royal Albert Hall, I find myself tucked into a partition off the Green Room (i.e hang out space for artists). After I check my list in the physio’s room, I move into this practice space and see the people as they come in and leave for their treatments. Of course, physios are just next door and any updates or special requests are relayed as needed. My work consists of (as Saro said) of doing the magic in working with the soft tissues.
Requests vary from artist to artist although backs are a classic. It’s either lower or middle and upper combo. I have found that the mid and lower thoracic areas of spine are tight in most bodies.
Depending on their number, their skill, ability or extra training, artists can be more specific requesting:
- shoulders and pecs
- glutes
- traps
- forearms
Legs are not a common request although it does come my way some times and it’s either quads or calves.
Today and tomorrow I rest my wrists.
Spending some time in Europe this summer and offering massage treatments to staff at UNDP and FAFO at their offices in Oslo.
Thai massage seems to be the favourite !
What is stress?
o Physical or mental overexertion
o A physical or emotional reaction, or both, to a mentally or emotionally demanding event or situation, that has a harmful effect on the general health and functioning of the body. Some physical disorders are worsened, if not caused by mental stress, e.g. eczema, migraine or certain allergies
o Pressure, strain, tension, worry, anxiety, burden, etc.
What can we do about it?
While it’s impossible to remove ALL stress from everyday life, we know that certain stressors prepare us to meet certain challenges and that is a “good thing” – sometimes called eustress. Other stress however – distress – is harmful. Distress can lower the body’s resistance leading to exhaustion. The mechanisms that keep our bodies in check may get depleted or shut down. Resistance mechanisms may persist even after the stressor is gone.
Work plan
Aim to reduce stress in the workplace
The task:
Develop a short program of yoga and stretching exercises as well as provide short massage treatments for the staff at XYZ & Co. tailored to specific needs and availability of the people and the space.
Yoga provides an excellent means of stress prevention. A consistent plan of regular stretching and breathing techniques designed to ease aches and pains will enable users to cope better with everyday stressors.
Massage, as well as alleviating pain and stiffness can also help with the treatment of stress or any stress related condition.
Together yoga and massage will help promote a feeling of well being.
Remedial, sports and Thai massage treatments in the Belgrano area.
Call to arrange an appointment.
