The Four Elements

The Four Elements bring together the elements of living a healthy, balanced life. For us part of a balanced life is involvement in our community and supporting our business neighbors.. The September Evergreen Chamber Mixer was Liz's first one. She is new to Evergreen. Liz and her husband Kevin own Family Veterinary Hospital. Eric, i.Site Photography, was inquiring about membership in the Chamber. We enjoyed introducing Liz and Eric to our Evergreen friends.

Relieving Muscle Tension, Aches and Pains.

I am frequently asked for suggestions for relieving muscle tension, aches and pains, between massage appointments The following are some of my recommendations:

Maintain adequate hydration. Drink enough pure water on a daily basis! A significant number of people don't, especially at our altitude. Dehydration can lead to muscle cramps, and weakness. Our bodies do not function optimally without proper hydration. If you are drinking enough water you will feel better.

Indulge in Epsom salt baths. When I mention Epsom salt baths, many clients will say they can remember a grandparent who swore by these baths. Devotees of Epsom baths include elite athletes and supermodels like Heidi Klum. Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate which is absorbed through the skin when you add it to bath water. Magnesium is a mineral that is needed in our bodies for muscle control (and up to 300 other functions).  According to the National Academy of Sciences, the majority of Americans are deficient in magnesium. I suggest using about two cups of Epsom salt in a warm bath and soaking for up to twenty minutes prior to going to bed.. It can help relieve muscle soreness. Persons with certain medical conditions should not use Epsom salts. Please check with your health care person.

Use heat to relieve, sore, tight muscles. DO NOT use heat on an acute injury (within the first 24 to 48 hours). Generally, use ice on an acute injury due to the inflammation process. I have a cloth bag filled with rice (some are filled with flax seeds) that I heat up in the microwave and often use on my shoulders or back after a long day. These are widely available, and are carried by most health food stores. Another effective technique is to alternate heat and cold on an area, this increases circulation through vasoconstriction and vasodilation. Some studies have shown heat to be as effective as over the counter pain relievers specified for muscle soreness.

Self massage using foam rollers or tennis balls. These can be effective tools for releasing tight muscles. Just place your body weight on the roller or ball, placing as much pressure as is comfortable, and allow it to sink into the tight area. Gently roll if you like. I prefer the small foam rollers, the larger ones are often too big for many areas of the body that you may want to access. You can purchase inexpensive foam rollers online.

Practice Yoga. Yoga can really help with muscular imbalances that often cause our muscle tension and pain. Yoga also helps cultivate body awareness  - are you walking around with your shoulders pulled up towards your ears? The deep stretching often done in yoga can be beneficial. Many of us do not stretch on a regular basis, or if we do stretch we rush through and don't hold the stretches. Some of my clients have had very positive results from adding yoga to their self care regime.

Movement on a daily basis, especially for those who sit at a computer all day. Our bodies were meant to move for optimal functioning. Let your muscles do what they were designed to do. If you do sit for long periods of time, be sure to take frequent breaks, do shoulder shrugs and rolls or doorway stretch if you know that one.

This list is only meant to provide you with a few self-care tools, there are many not included here, such as daily relaxation and stress reduction practices. I hope you will share your tips, ideas, and the tools you have found helpful.

In the meantime, wishing you abundant health! Mary

Introduction: Back To The Basics

As I was trying to think of what I wanted to write for my first blog, I thought of my entire skincare career and how it has progessed. I pictured various laser procedures, chemical peels, and other intense treatments that I have performed over the years while working in the plastic surgery and dermatology industries.

When I moved from Houston to Evergreen this summer, I toured the charming downtown area. Walking past the terrific boutiques and restaurants along the creek, I noticed a deck overlooking the water and stopped to take a break and relax. It was so serene and beautiful. I realized then that I was ready for a change of pace in my career. I was ready to get back to the basics of skincare with a more natural and simple approach. I also knew where I wanted to start this new page in my life and career, right where I was sitting! It was the home of The Four Elements, a collective group of business owners that specialized in massage therapy, fitness, life-coaching and skincare. Fast forward a few weeks later: I am now part of this wonderful group that is dedicated to not only providing services, but also providing education to those wanting to improve the mind, body, and spirit.

My upcoming blog postings will be informative and educational. I will also discuss products and services, as well as monthly specials that will be offered at The Spa At Evergreen ( located inside The Four Elements). Questions, as well as topic recommendations are welcomed.

I'm looking forward to your comments and insights. Lisa

The Four Seasons of the Four Elements

Each day at The Four Elements we are aware of the beauty of the changing seasons. We are located along Bear Creek in the Heart of Historic Downtown Evergreen. The Four Elements offers classes, workshops, coaching, and personal services (facials, massage, etc.) that embrace and enchance the beauty of the seasons of our lives. Please visit our website http://www.thefourelementsonline.com/

Vison Board Workshop

On Sunday, Carol and I held our first vision board workshop at The Four Elements. A vision board is a very powerful tool used to manifest into your life whatever you want i.e.; relationships, material things, money, health, happiness... anything you want! A vision board consists of cut-outs from magazines, drawings, pictures, words or sayings that represent what you want to bring into your life. Theses pieces of the life you want are pasted onto poster board. We encourage you to be creative and make your vision board pleasing to your eye.
  Carol and I have both used vision boards throughout our lives to help us get clear and focus on the lives we want to live. We both have had amazing results and wanted to share this tool with others. 

As I look back over my previous boards, almost everything on them has manifested into my life. On one board I have a picture of a successful yoga studio. I am teaching Yoga at The Four  Elements, and I was sought out to work here! Amazing! I also cut out the word Life Coach and pasted it on the board. At the time, I wasn't even sure what that meant for me, but now I do. I am being certified as a Satori Life Coach! On a more  recent board I had the words " retreats and travel" with beautiful pictures of a spa. This week I learned of a retreat I will be part of in the Virgin Islands in February! (contact The Four Elements for more information)
 I can hardly believe that these wonderful things have come into my life.  Now don't get me wrong,  I have put some energy into creating these things, but the vision board has been a big help in manifesting them as well. When my days would get out of hand and it felt like I was being pulled in a different direction, I would revisit my vision boards. This exercise reminded me of where I wanted to be, the life I designed and deserved.

 Vision boards activate the law of attraction. The law of attraction states that we attract into our lives whatever we give our attention to, regardless if our thoughts are positive or negative. The purpose of a vision board is to activate this law of attraction, in positive ways, and begin to draw things to you, sometimes miraculously. You can have the life you dream!

When you come to The Four Elements for our vision board workshop you will be lead through a deep relaxation meditation to prepare the mind and soul for the project. This enables you to get very clear about what you want to manifest in your life. We supply everything you need to create your vision board and encourage you to clip pictures from magazines before the workshop. Your vision is very personal begin collecting pictures, sayings, words, etc. before the workshop.
 We keep the environment of the workshop fun with great music, healthy appetizers and refreshments.

Our next workshop will be held on Sunday November 7th from 1-4 p.m. Cost is $30.00. Please reserve you seat now as space is limited. 303-204-1650

Hope to see you then and remember we humans have the ability to create what ever we can imagine! Imagine and life filled with joy, love and health. 
 Enjoy your day, Namaste        
~Stacey~

GIVING UP THE STRESS ADDICTION

As strange as it may seem, stress can become an addiction. If we are in the habit of resisting what is happening in our lives and trying to control what is not in our control, then we can be addicted to stress—the pain, the drama and the hormones that go with it.

Chronic stress is a thief and it robs us of our energy and destroys our peace of mind. When we are wound up tightly, or “stressed out” our experience is blocked and limited. Even when we go away on vacation it can take a week to unwind.

Stress has become so much a part of the “normal” lifestyle in our society that we tend to feel uncomfortable without it. Yes, it does have a purpose—it creates a “fight or flight” response that releases hormones to help us take a stand or run away.

On the other hand, chronic stress can cause some negative side effects, which include:

• tension getting stored in the muscles
• shallow breathing – causing more stress
• the formation of “knots” from chemical deposits
• incessant mental chatter that interferes with focus and
• a variety of physical and emotional symptoms.

All of these conditions contribute to mental and physical fatigue. When the tension in the body is not released, it builds up until it causes a physical reaction such as headaches, ulcers, asthma, high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes.

The key to preventing stress-related illnesses and diseases is to let go of the tension that comes with stress.

You can think of your body’s response to stress like a jack-in-the-box. You wind up the toy until it gets tighter and tighter and what you have is a box full of tension. When the lid opens, that is the release. When Jack pops out, there is a sudden burst of energy and he has a big smile on his face. This is how your body responds to the release of tension. You have more energy and feel better when you let it go.

Consider the possibility that there are a variety of healthy ways to release tension from your body. Smiling and laughing are two simple gestures that trigger the release of endorphins; the “feel good” hormones that automatically make you feel better.

Take several deep breaths. This will send a message to your body that everything is okay.

Get a massage and take time to stretch or practice yoga. Give yourself permission to play more. Not necessarily in a competitive way, but for no other reason than the pure joy of it.

Allow spontaneity to create fun-filled moments amid the planned-out routine of daily living. Be someone others want to be around simply because they feel better in your presence.

Stress reduction is both an art and a science. Listen to what your body is trying to tell you and respond to the messages. Learn ways to let go of tension to restore the flow of life force energy in your body and your body will serve you well.

One way to break the addiction to stress is to discover the joy and freedom that comes from no longer needing to control what you can’t control.

       “Relaxation is who you really are. Tension is who you think you should be.” 
~Carol~