Bodywork for Hockey and Figure Skating

Both hockey and figure skating are very tough on the body and necessitate regular massage in order to help prevent sport-related injuries, promote flexibility, and increase one's range of motion. Of course, repetition is crucial for figure skaters to be able to master their moves. Yet, this repetition can lead to over-development of certain muscle groups and increased risk of injury. Proper stretching, exercising and massage are all essential for a figure skater to be at the top of their performance. 

Similarly, hockey players tend to develop injuries that are a result of shortened muscles in the core area, specifically injuries to the groin, low back, and abdominal muscles. Of equal importance in skating for hockey players are the hip flexors and extendors, as the primary motions in skating are hip flexion (bringing the knee towards the chest) and hip extension (extending the leg behind
you) as well as external rotation through the low back and core. The iliopsoas and quadriceps muscles perform hip flexion and rotation, the gluteus maximus and hamstrings perform hip extension, and your abdominal muscles both stabilize and create the rotary movements. If your hip flexors or hip extensors are tight, you won’t get full extension
(or leg lift), which will then affect your skating stride, length and power. Massage will help to loosen these muscles in order to boost your hockey prowess.

CST for Labor and Childbirth

CranioSacral Therapy for Labor and Childbirth

Massage is wonderful for individuals expecting a baby and for those who have just delivered a baby. Massage is therapeutic, relaxing, and restorative as we all know. CranioSacral Therapy (CST), is another bodywork modality that is indispensable when it comes to labor and childbirth. 

One way CST can be helpful is during labor when many women experience the dreaded epidural-related headache. CST will help to relieve the stress of giving birth, alleviate a headache, and can also help to shorten the length of time in labor. After you give birth, CST can assist with latching issues when the baby is first nursing. CST is also safe enough for babies, so you may get CST for yourself and your newborn baby in order to help promote relaxation, sleep, and healing any trauma or stress associated with the birth. Read more benefits of neonatal CST here. Lastly, don't forget that I am a certified doula, available for in-hospital services as well as sessions before and after a birth. 

Self Care 2020

Sometimes we make the mistake of thinking massage therapy is a treat or an indulgence. But no one thinks of an oil change as a treat for our vehicles. Or car wash as an indulgence. Some of us treat a our cars (or bicycles or shoes) better than we treat our own bodies. Regular maintenence for our vehicles, rotating the tires on a regular schedule just seems to make sense to protect out investment. Yet how much more would it cost to replace parts of our bodies? Kidney transplant, joint replacement, all cost far more than regular massage therapy or acupuncture.

Are we pennywise and pound foolish? Do we tend to wait until we are injuried, and in excruciating pain before booking a session?
what would it take to convince ourselves to just get it on the calender and then switch it around or adjust the schedule if necessary? 

I recently found myself with a nasty cold, wondering how long I would stall before I took a sick day and spent a day in bed with a pot of ginger tea. It took a text message from a sick colleague, asking me to cover her clients, to shake me into this realization: I needed to reschedule clients for everyone's health, but especially mine. 

Don't wait to find yourself in the same position: practice self care on a regular schedule. Looking forward to seeing you in 2020. Book online at schedulicity.com, blooma.com, or text me at 612-205-4453 to schedule your next session.

schedule now!

Please Note: No shows and less than 24 hour cancellations will be charged full price for missed appointments unless someone on the waiting list is able to take your session. I am always available at Blooma Minneapolis on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 pm to 8:30 pm. And at my Kingfield neighborhood location on Mondays, and Fridays,11:30 am to 8:30 pm The fastest way to book an appointment with me is online: Blooma or Schedulicity If you cannot find a time or day that works for you please email (muellerbodywork!gmail.com) or text me at 612 205-4453 with your requests.

May Mother's Day Package Special Why not celebrate by purchasing a package special for the Mom in your life? Mother's Day is on May 13 this year, and a massage or package gift certificate can be a great way to show your love for mom. Three 90 minute sessions for $315 or four 60 minute sessions for $280. Single 60 minute sessions available for $80.

May Truffle Flavor: Grapefruit Rosemary

The benefits of grapefruit include:
cleansing the body, especially the liver, reducing depression,
stimulating the immune system,
decreasing fluid retention and inflammation,
and curbing sugar cravings. Rosemary's health benefits include improving digestion, and cognitive function, relieves stress, boosts the immune system and relieves pain due to inflammation. The combination of the two and dark chocolate must not be missed!
For those of you interested in purchasing your own batch of truffles, you can purchase onsite at the Kowalski's on Hennepin Ave or from the Lake Street Wine and Cheese shop.

Prenatal Bodywork for Birth Partner Bonding If possible, it is ideal if the birth partner can accompany mom-to-be to a prenatal bodywork session. At a session, the partner can learn how to effectively alleviate the woman's sciatica, general aches and pains; figure out which techniques work (i.e. reflexology, or smooth, flowing strokes) and which do not. Additionally, massaging the mom-to-be once a day for 10-15 minutes can help the birth partner bond with baby, and help the woman sleep. If the birth partner learns these techniques early, chances are greater that communication skills will be healthy, so the partner knows not to massage too hard or too fast. This will also clarify reflexology and acupressure points, to ensure the birth partner is not scared or in danger of inducing a miscarriage. Prenatal bodywork sessions can also help to establish creative visualizations of a fantasy birth. The more detailed the visualization is, the more powerful it is for how the birth will manifest. For example, maybe a string quartet is playing in the hospital room when you deliver your baby, maybe your favorite restaurant delivers food to your hospital bed, or perhaps you deliver your baby in a tropical Tahitian island setting, or even at the top of a waterslide. The waterslide is an extremely strong visualization for promoting a smooth, easy birth. Another powerful visualization technique is to go back and envision where you were on your honeymoon, because often this is where people conceive. Getting your mind back to this place can help facilitate the birthing process. Visit this link to learn 10 ways to be the perfect birth partner.  And this link for more information on the impact of visualization for pregnancy and labor.

Health Benefits of Therapeutic Grade Frankincense Oil Ever wonder what King Tut's life was like? Well, we know that Frankincense essential oil was found in his tomb, so integrating Frankincense into your essential oil repertoire could bring you closer to his lifestyle! Frankincense has an aroma that is sweet, balsamic, warm, and incense-y. It will calm you while uplifting you, and enhance your spiritual connections, which is why it is commonly used in meditation and worship rituals. This oil is also incredible for bronchitis, relieving lymph congestion, promoting immune health, easing depressive symptoms, and ameliorating digestive issues. It is also great for your skin, reducing the appearance of scars, boils, wrinkles and acne. Feel free to request it in your next massage session. To learn about more uses and benefits of this powerful and sacred essential oil, you may visit these websites:  Health Benefits of Frankincense Essential Oil  Frankincense Oil Supports Healthy Skin and Is Grounding  Frankincense Essential Oil: Uses, Benefits, and Precautions

Massage for Runners If you aspire to be a runner, but are new to the practice, one way to ease into it is by run-walking. When I started running, I was a walker but wanted to increase my heart rate. So I would run the length of one house, then walk the length of the next house. You can also run for 10 steps, then walk the next 10, and so on. Then gradually increase how much you run. I have a couple clients currently training for marathons, and they started their running routine by run-walking, so it is a very effective way to up your fitness game. Speed-walking is another good way to increase your heart rate. Don't forget that massage and bodywork are just as important for people who walk as they are for folks who run. And remember that walking is a very valid approach to cardiovascular fitness. Walking also works your gastrocnemius, soleus, hamstrings, quads, and all the up to your psoas. Lengthening of psoas is so important, because these muscles contract when you are sitting. When you walk, the psoas stretch out, and act like a pendulum. Stretching these muscles then eases lower lumbar pain that develops when we sit for too long. So, contracted psoas muscles can lead to lower back pain, as can weak core muscles. In fact, the psoas are part of your core muscles, so walking does work your core, and can help ease lower back pain. Also, don’t forget to foam roll regularly to help prevent injuries and get your massage to last longer. For more supportive information on run-walking, check out this article.

CranioSacral Therapy for Head Injuries

Many people struggle with chronic neck pain. It is especially common during pregnancy, due to changes in the body's posture. It is also common for folks who have suffered any head trauma. A recent client of mine struggled with chronic neck pain as the result of a bad fall on her head as a young adult. When using the CranioSacral Therapeutic technique of holding her head in my hands, I could feel the trauma, described as an energy cyst. I generally feel these when people have been in a car accident, or experienced whiplash. As I continued to hold her head, I could feel all that energy releasing, and she too could feel relief as everything unwound itself. Of course, neck pain can lead to other consequences, including depression - postpartum or non, anxiety, sleep disruptions, weird dreams, sleeping in odd positions, foggy headed-ness, and many other complications. 
To learn more about chronic neck pain, head injuries, and how CranioSacral Therapy can help, click here.

Dry-Brushing for Self-Care Dry-brushing works wonders for promoting holistic health outcomes. It is amazingly effective for relieving edema and fluid retention during pregnancy, helping to drain toxins and waste products in the body through the lymphatic system, removing layers of dead skin cells, boosting immune system and skin functioning, stimulating circulation as well as hormone and oil glands, and toning the muscles. So how do you dry brush? You can dry brush daily before showering, ensuring the brush and your skin are both dry. Start at your feet brushing vigorously in a circular motion, then work in long sweeping motions up the legs, torso, back, arms and hands moving towards heart, then brushing down toward the heart when brushing the neck. Before your shower, tap the dead skin cells off the brush into the trash, and when you get out of the shower, be sure to moisturize with a natural plant-based oil such as coconut, cocoa butter, jojoba, almond, etc. Wash your brush once a week with hot soapy water, then dry completely in a sunny or well-ventilated area. Always store your brush in a dry area so it won't get mildew-y. Care to learn more about dry brushing? Here are a couple links to check out...  What is Dry Brushing? Benefits and How To  A Step-By-Step Guide to Dry Skin Brushing

May Full Flower Moon Full Flower Moon, which occurs on May 29th this year, is a time to pause, relax with your favorite beverage and ask the question, "What am I ready to release". Or, another way to express this: "Is there anything that no longer is of benefit to an authentic relationship with myself". For more on the full flower moon click here.

May 2018 Newsletter Update

Dear Kingfield and Blooma Clients, The snow is gone.  The tulips are coming up and my forsythia is blooming. Time to clean up the sand and take out the garden furniture. The days are blissfully longer and we are all increasing the time we spend outside.  As we enthusiastically move through Spring remember to take time for self care: book your massage before injuries occur. Soak in a tub of steaming hot salt water. Massage your feet with coconut oil or shea butter after enjoying a long, lovely day of walking in the sun. Eat dark chocolate, plant trees, stay hydrated, love your Mother. Savor the scent of lilacs and lily of the valley. Go online to schedule your next massage session: schedulicity.com or blooma.com Or text me at 612 205-4453 to schedule your massage.  Looking forward to seeing you soon!

DIY Spa Night for Self-Care

If you've been finding it more difficult to fall asleep lately, consider having a DIY spa night at home in order to coax yourself more readily into the arms of Morpheus. You can start by either soaking your feet in some warm water and Epsom salts, or soak your whole body by taking a hot bath with Epsom salts. Make the water as hot as you can stand and sit in the tub for at least 20 minutes, but ideally you would sit in the tub until the water becomes cool (please note: if you are pregnant, you should NOT make the water quite so hot). While soaking your feet or body, you can deep-condition your hair with a DIY hair mask, sip on some cucumber water or a smoothie, and listen to whale sounds or soothing music. 

Once you're adequately soaked, it's time to exfoliate with a citrus-salt scrub! Make your own easy-peasy scrub with just half a citrus fruit (orange, lemon, grapefruit, or lime), and some salt (sea salt is great if you have it, but regular old table salt will do just fine). Simply pour the salt onto a plate. If you like, you can add some essential oils, spices, or herbs (I like to add freshly ground Herbes de Provence, or fresh Rosemary). This salt mixture is then soaked up with the flesh side of your half-a-citrus. It will make a kind of paste that can then be massaged into your skin in order to eliminate dead skin. 

Then, don't forget to moisturize after you're done. Coconut oil or shea butter is best, as you want to avoid petroleum-containing lotions. If you do this process before bed, putting socks on your hands and feet will seal in the moisture, helping it to penetrate more deeply into your skin.

Finally, before you climb into bed, get on your foam roller in order to stretch out any tension stored in the body. Think of it as giving yourself a massage. Take your time with the foam roller, and allow yourself to relax as you foam roll your troubles away.

March Equinox Celebration

Minnesota weather in March might still be less than ideal, but at least spring, as defined by the astronomical calendar, begins this month. Yes, Monday March 20th will mark the vernal equinox, and the beginning of spring. On this date, the earth gets equal exposure to the sun and the moon, meaning we earthlings experience a perfect balance between light and dark. Thus, the time is prime for us to reflect on the balancing acts of our lives. Are we living in balance? How can we promote or sustain this balance throughout the rest of the year? To celebrate this celestial event, you are invited to a fire pit and pot luck celebration at my home beginning an hour before sunset (around 5 pm) until 9 pm on Monday March 20th. We can enjoy hot drinks, fizzy water, snacks, dessert, and think about or write out our intentions for promoting balance, review whether or not we are maintaining any previously set intentions, and also examine how we are balancing our internal and external work. You don’t have to talk about it, just be willing to think about it. Wildwood Tarot readings will also be available if people are interested. The full moon will occur this month on March 13th for those of us who want to take advantage of the prime time to shed unwanted things, patterns, or habits from our lives. Please text, call, or email if you'd like to attend the equinox celebration, or feel free to observe it on your own.

Usborne book party

Please join me on Sunday, March 26 at 4 pm for a traditional high tea and Usborne books. Think of this as an opportunity to relax, sip fragrant hot tea, and select a few special books to enjoy with the children in your life. You may also opt to shop online at: RELAX. The endocrine system is under-rated. The chemical balance of hormones affect the structure of our body and our experience of our world. If we live in a continual state of stress, our bodies age more quickly as the cortisol builds up in our systems. The body requires periods of deep relaxation to flush the excess cortisol out of the tissues. Massage provides a powerful opportunity to interrupt the activity of the adrenal glands while accelerating and improving the function of the lymph system. Schedule your session today by texting 612 205-4453 or book online at schedulicity.com or blooma.com. Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Prenatal Bodywork for Fluid Retention and Edema Issues

Commonly experienced during pregnancy, especially in the later stages when it becomes more laborious to move, swelling or edema can be uncomfortable, but also problematic because it means the lymph system is failing to flush out toxins and dead cells from the body. However, there are several things you can do to jump start the lymph system and thereby reduce edema. Massage is one of those things (light pressure is best for promoting drainage of the lymph capillaries), as is lightly bouncing up and down on a mini-trampoline (very slightly if you are pregnant). Another very effective treatment for edema is dry brushing the skin. In fact, dry brushing can be good to do even if you are not pregnant, as it helps eliminate dead skin cells, clear out toxins, and stimulates lymph circulation. This technique can also be especially beneficial for anyone who is recovering from any sort of lymph removal, such as a mastectomy. To watch a video that illustrates effective dry brushing technique, check out this link. To read more on helpful techniques for reducing swelling during pregnancy, check out this Birth Bliss blog entry.

Staying Sane Through Community Involvement

No matter how you felt about the recent election results, there is no question that our country as a whole and our local communities need some deep healing. We can all admit that it is easy to feel overwhelmed and powerless in the face of political forces, but let's not forget that change starts at home. Getting involved in local causes we feel passionate about, or volunteering our time to organizations and movements that work for positive change can help us regain a feeling of personal empowerment while we give back to the greater good. Personally, I volunteer as a Guardian ad Litem for Hennepin County. Guardian ad Litems (GALs) advocate for children in the foster care system's best interests, thereby giving a voice to the voiceless in juvenile court proceedings. Due to Hennepin County's recent spike in screened-in child abuse and neglect cases, there is more need than ever for volunteer GALs. Need more ideas for how to get engaged in your community? Check out VolunteerMatch.org, and read this blog post for an equal dose of hope and reality.

CranioSacral Therapy for Re-balancing the Body's Natural Rhythm While we are on the subject of self-care and the importance of reflecting inward during this busy time of year, CranioSacral Therapy (CST) provides another channel to reconnect with the body's natural rhythm and effectively switches the autonomic nervous system from sympathetic ("fight or flight") to parasympathetic("rest and digest") mode. Stressful events automatically stimulate adrenal gland activity, thereby flooding the body with cortisol. Right now, many of us are experiencing a great deal of insecurity, fear and anxiety due to recent shifts in the national political landscape. But we may also experience elevated stress levels from our work, family dynamics, the holidays, or any number of other things. Unfortunately, cortisol weakens the immune system, making us increasingly vulnerable to seasonal illnesses. Fortunately, CST shuts off the flow of cortisol, while switching our autonomic nervous system back into parasympathetic mode. Keeping tabs on the cortisol levels in the body is also crucial for pregnant women, because the body has a very difficult time giving birth if there are too many stress hormones in the system. Need more relaxation in your life? You can always request CranioSacral Therapy (CST) be integrated into your next massage session in order to reset the autonomic nervous system, halt the flow of cortisol, and boost the immune system.

Blogging for Self-Care

Speaking of stress, whether it be holiday-driven or politically charged, expressing yourself in a blog can be a terrific way to check in with your inner thoughts, and expel the stress that we tend to bottle up, this time of year especially. Channel your creative side through poetry, short stories, or memoir. Or why not just vent? While writing, you can diffuse peppermint oil to help keep you focused, mentally stimulated, and relaxed.

For inspiration, you can check out my daughter-in-law's blog.