72 uses for household products

I'm always looking for content to post on my Facebook page.  I saw this little gem this afternoon and knew that i just had to share.  The simplest of things that can do a host of everyday chores and make a difference to our physical bodies too and a fraction of the cost of shop bought products full of chemicals and other nasties.  Take a look, some fab ideas here; 

http://www.healthy-holistic-living.com/72-uses-simple-household-products-save-money-avoid-toxins.html?t=PD 

ps you can buy castile soap on amazon, it is a natural, neutral ph soap product.

September 15th Weekly Brief

Here is your new weekly therapy update. http://bit.ly/1uDnmtP  Email me synergy_therapies@icloud.com for any info, content ideas etc and to subscribe to my weekly emails.  Alternatively, fill in the form to the right and it'll all be done for you :) 

September Therapy News

The latest Synergy newsletter is out, with a truly awesome gluten free cake recipe included.  Click here to find out more. http://eepurl.com/2JAV5  To receive future newsletter, simply fill in the subscribe section to the right of this page or email me at synergy_therapies@icloud.com

I'm starting early this year

If like me, you are one of those people who can't stand it when just as the August Bank Holiday has passed, the shops start filling up with Christmas stock, then you are going to wonder why I'm contradicting myself.  

I will raise my hands and say "I loathe Xmas", the run up to it is too long, it's anyone can think/talk/facebook about and it drives me mad.  However, I also hate over populated city centres, pushing and shoving in shops, queues at checkouts and the rudeness that Christmas brings out in people, even more. And for what?  1 day?  Why do people strip the shop shelves bare of every scrap of food for one day?  Everything reopens Boxing Day and I bet somewhere, there is a Tesco Express open on Xmas Day too :)

I promised myself, this year would be different, I started buying little bits from the end of June.  This also allows me to spread the cost of gifts over such a long period, I don't notice it nearly as much.  So why am I going on about this now?  I've had quite a few people, clients and friends, asking me when the new Neal's Yard catalogue was coming up as this year, they wanted to get some of the NYR Organic gift sets for family members, but get them in advance so that they too, can spread the cost.

So here is the link to the online shop, where you can peruse the range available and start ordering your Xmas in advance too.  Many of the Christmassy things are located in the "What's New" section. https://uk.nyrorganic.com/shop/michaelbond/area/shop-online/

In case you missed it on social media, Tesco have already started stocking Xmas food and The Range are blasting out carols........now where did I put that bag of tinsel.........

S-T-R-E-T-C-H FLEXIBILITY

It has been my aim for some time now to produce a guide to some simple stretches.  A guide that clients could use at home in between their regular massage treatments.  This is just the first wave, I aim to add more as time allows.

Some stretching do's & dont's

• do remember to breathe as this brings oxygen to the muscles you are stretching
• do stretch evenly;for instance your left leg may be your tightest, also stretch your right side too.  If you stretch your your hamstrings, also stretch your quads.
• do maintain correct posture;keep your back straight

• don't bounce; ease into a stretch slowly and evenly.  Bouncing puts stress on the muscles & joints
• don't overstretch; be patient and never force your body to go somewhere it doesn't or can't get to.
• don't overextend the joints; hyperextending can cause injury
• if it hurts, DON'T DO IT!  Listen to your body.  If you are stretching correctly, you should feel tension and maybe a little discomfort.  If you experience a sharp or sudden pain STOP!

Begin holding your stretches for 30 seconds, building up to a minute.

Kneeling, place 1 arm out in front of you, move your other arm diagonally and place on the first.  Sit back on your heels, the top hand holding onto the bottom, to feel a stretch down the side of the body, and through the shoulder area.

Kneeling, lunge 1 leg forward.  Bend the second leg and hold onto your foot/shoe to feel a stretch down the front of your thigh and groin.  Repeat to the other side

To loosen off tight hips & glutes, bring one leg forward across your body, with the second leg flat to the floor.  Lean forward whilst also sitting down into your bum cheek.  You should feel a stretch deep in your bum.

Using a band or towel, loop it over the front of your shoe/foot.  Pull the ends over your back/shoulders and place on the ground in front of you.  Your leg with bend at the knee, providing a stretch down the front of the thigh.  Repeat to both sides.

 Lying on your back, using a towel or band, hook it under your shoe/foot and raise the leg, bringing the leg closer to your chest, to produce a stretch through the hamstrings/back of leg.

Either sitting or standing, move one arm across the body, placing the second arm/hand just above the elbow joint, gently forcing the arm further across to produce a stretch through the shoulder & triceps

Seated or standing, bend one arm, raise it over your back and hold.  With your remaining hand, place it just above the elbow joint and gently push the elbow further back to stretch the triceps

To stretch the pec area and front of shoulder, place one arm against a wall, step forward with that sides leg, and gently twist towards the wall

On all fours, twist your hands 180 degrees and sit back slightly onto your heels.  feel a stretch through the forearms

Seated, place one leg of the other as pictured.  Grab the outside of your outer thigh and gently pull towards you.  You will feel a stretch in your outer thigh and bum cheek

 Seated or standing, link your hands in front of you, lower your chin and round down.  Feel the stretch between the shoulders.

To achieve a stretch through the chest & shoulders, place your hands/arms out away from you.  Shuffle your bum further away from your hands to increase the stretch.

Sitting on your heels, arms out in front of you, relax and release yourself into the position.  Move the hands further from the body if you wish to increase the back/shoulder stretch

Fit a massage in this Sunday

Are you a headless chicken dashing here, there, and everywhere from the time you get up til bedtime 6 days a week?  Are those aching muscles you promise to get sorted out one day gradually getting worse, your neck is sore, your shoulders tight? Are you just generally over stressed, over worked and over due some time for yourself?  And finally, ain't it sod's law that the one time, the one day, that solitary Sunday when you have nothing to rush for, when you get finally get your body sorted with a much needed body massage, you discover that everywhere is closed in Nottingham on a Sunday!!!

I've been attracting increasing interest of late about offering Sunday appointments, and treated 2 clients last Sunday who had woken up with severe muscle pain and on the off chance contacted me to see if I would be willing to see them.  So it got me thinking, if most spas, therapy centres are closed on a Sunday, what a better chance to start offering Sunday appointments and see what is out there.  Appointments will be available 12-6pm on an appointment basis only.  Contact me at synergy_therapies@icloud.com for more info/to book etc