FAQ's
What is Thai Massage?
Unlike traditional massage, Thai Massage is a "dry massage" - without the use of oils or lotions and is typically preformed on a padded mat on the floor. The client is fully clothed during the entirety of the session in comfortable clothing.
Thai massage, with its roots dating back to more than 2,500 years ago, thanks to founder, Shivago Kompara, is a whole traditional healing system, based on the energy lines throughout the body, or SEN. We use deep and rhythmic compression along these energy lines throughout the body to help stimulate the energy flow, (qi, prana, life force...she goes by many names).
This steady, open flow helps to restore balance to the body and mind. Along with deep compressions along the energy lines, Thai Yoga Massage uses facilitated stretching that is remarkably similar to many well-known yoga postures. This passive stretching allows the client to stretch deeply and thoroughly, in ways one may not be able to achieve otherwise. The client is relaxed throughout the entirety of the session.
What are Chakras?
In Sanskrit, "chakra" translates to "wheel" in English. It is believed that these "wheels" are energy centers throughout the body. The qi, prana, life force, energy as mentioned above is highly concentrated in these energy centers. These energy centers correspond to major organs and nerve bundles within the physical body, as well as "hot spots" within our energetic body. There are seven major chakras in each of us that pertain to various energies/emotions:
- Crown: Sahasrara, purple, connection to Devine, spiritual, peaceful
- Third Eye: Anja, indigo, intuition, wisdom, insight
- Throat: Vishuddha, blue, expression, communication, truth, clarity
- Heart: Anahata, green, compassion, love, forgiveness
- Solar Plexus: Manipura, yellow, willpower, self-esteem, authenticity
- Sacral: Svadhisthana, orange, emotions, passions, pleasures
- Root: Muladhara, red, sturdy, stable, supportive
The idea is to keep the chakras, or energy centers open and aligned so that the flow of energy is both steady and free throughout the body. When this energy is blocked, it is believed to set the scene for imbalance, and ultimately, disease in the physical body. Energetically speaking, one can feel a sense of "offness" or imbalance with their emotions and thoughts. There are many various techniques that have been used for centuries to keep these energy centers open and aligned, including, but certainly not limited to: yoga, massage, and reiki energy work.
What is Sound Therapy?
We all already know that music is the universal language. We can hear a song and it can completely transform our mood and even sometimes transplant us to a completely different time and place. The power within music is not hard to hear. We can even feel relaxed when listening to the sounds of a rainstorm or a cello playing in the background. It is more than just a feeling, though. There is science behind why we love and connect to music so deeply and the positive impact it has on our mental and physical wellbeing. The various vibrations emitted from instruments correspond to specific frequencies, in terms of sound, we are talking about hertz. As shown below, each set of frequencies, or hertz stimulates the brain, putting us in a specific state, or brain wave, which, in turn, affects our thinking/mood/energy level.
Hertz (HZ) - Brainwave - Effect of the brain
35 Hz - Gamma (γ) - Concentration
12–35 Hz - Beta (β) - Active, anxiety dominant
8–12 Hz - Alpha (α) - Very relaxed
4–8 Hz - Theta (θ) - Deeply relaxed, meditative state
0.5–4 Hz - Delta (δ) - Sleep
Sound therapy encompasses a wide range of treatments, from singing bowls, to gongs to rain sticks, and beyond. It has been practiced for centuries among various cultures and traditions. Crystal bowls and other singing bowls are handcrafted to emit frequencies between 4-8 Hz to stimulate Theta brainwaves, which encourage deep relaxation and a meditative state on the mind and body.
Sound baths are one of the most well-known and popular sound therapy techniques in which clients wear comfortable clothing, lay down a yoga mat and cozy up with their blankets and pillows while the sound therapist plays various instruments. It looks and feels a lot like meditation, where clients are encouraged to relax deeply and allow for whatever comes up, whether it be visuals, feelings, or more complex sounds, to remain open and curious about the experience.
The two main types of sound therapies offered at Soul Bliss Wellness are crystal bowl chakra clearings and reiki drumming journeys. The crystal bowls are a set of 7 frosted crystal bowls, each bowl corresponding to one of the 7 major chakras of the body. The sound and vibration emitted from each bowl is believed to be tuned to its corresponding chakra. When played, the sound and vibration of the bowl helps to open, unblock, and balance the corresponding chakra. Similar to tuning an instrument.
For our reiki drumming journeys, we use a buffalo reiki drum that has a deep, bass quality. The vibrations and tones emitted from the drum can be felt throughout the entire body. Similar to how the sounds and vibrations created by the crystal bowls are able to unblock and align the energy centers of the body, it is also believed that this rhythmic and deep bass drumming is able to unblock and balance the energy centers of the body.
Why Choose Magnesium Cream?
Many of us are low in magnesium. Recent studies indicate that over half of Americans are low in magnesium. Magnesium is helpful in supporting both muscle and nerve function and is helpful in regulating our mood, blood sugar and energy levels and is helpful in promoting restful sleep.
Transdermal, (absorbed through the skin) is considered the most effective way for the body to absorb magnesium. It has been well documented that taking magnesium orally through capsules is not the most effective way to take magnesium as much of the magnesium is either lost in the digestive system or not well absorbed in the body.
Steph Jay hand makes her own magnesium cream with the cleanest ingredients and magnesium chloride oil. Choose from two naturally scented creams.
UPLIFT with Lemongrass + Sweet Orange
Ingredients: Coconut Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Apricot Oil, Beeswax, Cocoa Butter, Lanolin, Magnesium Oil, Distilled Water, Rose Water, Aloe Vera Gel, Lemongrass EO, Sweet Orange EO and Frankincense Oil
UNWIND with Lavender + Clary Sage
Ingredients:
Coconut Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Apricot Oil, Beeswax, Cocoa Butter, Lanolin, Magnesium Oil, Distilled Water, Rose Water, Aloe Vera Gel, Lavender EO, Clary Sage EO and Frankincense Oil
What is Guided Meditation Massage?
Do you ever notice your mind wanders all over the place when you are receiving a massage? If you have ever wished to quiet the mind chatter and relax more deeply and soundly, you may want to consider trying a guided meditation massage. As a way to harness the time you are relaxing physically with massage, Steph Jay has created these guided meditations to inspire and encourage relaxation of the mind during your session as well.
Steph Jay has written four unique guided mediations centering around living your most authentic, abundant-filled life. During the meditations, you are asked to envision all you would like to do, be and have in your life. You have the opportunity to meet with, and gain wisdom from, your higher self. The meditations are inspired by the four elements: Earth, Air, Water + Fire. Each meditation takes you on a journey inspired by one of the four elements of your choosing. Steph Jay composed, preformed, and recorded the meditation music accompanying the meditations, including her set of chakra crystal bowls and the pure sounds of nature. You are sure to relax deeply and soundly and dream big with these guided meditations.
The Four Elements
Believed to be the essential to life in many traditions, the four elements surround us at all times and are part of our very being as we move through life. Each if us is drawn to one specific element at various times, but the key is to strike a balance between all four:
Element - Basic Characteristic
Earth - grounded, stable, reliable
Air - Joyful, imaginative, clarity
Water - Healing, peaceful, creative
Fire - Courageous, powerful, passionate