I have had a lot of questions regarding exactly what we're doing at Mount Airy Massage & Wellness. First, let me explain the premise of why MAMAW formed. As an ex-corporate professional, I realized the importance of helping others with God given talents find a way to leave the jobs they appreciate, but that is in some way hindering them from fulfilling their true purpose in life. Having traveled that road, I know the fears and uncertainties associated with it. MAMAW is the platform for these healers to congregate, grow, and prosper. It is a nurturing setting designed to let these folks ease into their calling. And with that as the foundation, the business that is created provides that same comfortable and supportive environment for our clients.
In developing the business plan, I looked to my clients to determine what they were needing as it related to their wellness. I've seen hundreds of people with various conditions in my 10 plus years of doing massage. I hear over and over the desire to be well, but they lack support in that pursuit. They're told to contact a physician early to avoid missing a diagnosis, but when they make an appointment to address a problem they're having they get: 1) very little interaction with the doctor, 2) made to feel like they're a hypochondriac, and/or 3) told that tests do not show anything, so therefore nothing is really be wrong with them. There is never any consideration of the fact that they do not FEEL well. Most are given at least one prescription to a medicine that usually doesn't address the original discomfort while at the same time, causes at least 2 or 3 other issues.
In my own aging process, I've experienced many of these same interactions with the western medicine community. I'm not trying to imply that there aren't good doctors out there that help people. I'm simply stating that the large majority of the population has health issues that they cannot get resolved. This is leaving them frustrated which only adds to the discomfort that they are already experiencing.
At MAMAW, we are first and foremost focused on listening to our clients. Using our training in various eastern culture medicinal practices, we can start the process of identifying the root of the issues they are experiencing versus simply addressing the symptoms. We operate on the principle that the body wants to be well.
There are 12 systems that work closely together to provide that health. Each has its own variance level between high and low. When they function within that variance, we achieve homeostasis - internal stability. When any one of these systems comes out of its allowable variance, illness begins that in turn is multiplied by the fact that the systems are so closely linked. A spiral effect takes root very quickly and the body retaliates.
Eastern medicine is based on the fact that everything is made of energy. That energy flows naturally in a specific pattern. In the human body, our energy follows pathways throughout our system. There is not a palpable organ or structure for this energy. These pathways can become blocked and thus sickness and disease take root. If these blockages are not removed, that disease grows. The various practices to remove and/or minimize these blockages are what MAMAW is exploring.
While massage is a manual manipulation of palpable tissue, it is also an exchange of energy between practitioner and client. Yoga helps clients recognize the energy in their body and discover how their movement and breathing best influences their energy flow. Reiki therapy is the hands on (without manipulation like massage) practice of removing blockages in our energy pathways with the client fully clothed. Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to remove blockages and encourage energy flow. We are also exploring Life Coaching and Personal Training. We are still in search of an Acupuncturist and any other practitioners that provide natural and holistic healing techniques.
We are carrying various retail items that are used in conjunction with our service offerings. Some of our items come from nature and are a beautiful reminder of the external energy around us. We have jewelry that is made of elements that have healing qualities. We have essential oils, vitamins, and supplements to assist your system in finding the right balance. We have a great yoga starter kit that will let you focus on the basics. Finally, we're carrying rice packs for hot and cold therapy for muscle tension and joint pain.
Bottom line, our primary goal is to educate people. Everything else is to provide them the tools they need to reach their wellness goals. If you have any further questions that I may not have answered here, please don't hesitate to contact us at 336.719.1633 or via email at contactus@mamawnc.com. We look forward to sharing this journey with you!
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Monday, January 19, 2015
Yoga Therapy
"All life, all history happens in the body."
Sidalee Walker in Divine Secrets of the YaYa Sisterhood by
Rebecca Wells
Today is a day off from training in the Phoenix RisingYoga
therapy. I have been encouraged to 'do nothing Phoenix Rising', to take a short
break from the intensity of the work, physically, emotionally and mentally. As
I sat this morning reading the 'Ya-Ya' book,
I took the quote above as affirmation of
the healing potential in this method of therapy.
Michael Lee is the founder of the Phoenix Rising program. In
his book A Bridge from Body to Soul he
states that 'our therapies must teach us to know and trust ourselves.' He also
tells us that 'freeing blocked energy and allowing its expression creates a
deep connection to the soul.'
Our bodies offer wisdom and getting in touch with that
wisdom provides us opportunity to grow, to rise up and meet life as it is,
where it is. We can use our experiences in life -pain, joy, longing- to connect
to our divinity - our highest, most precious and true selves. We can do this by
feeling, noticing, exploring and being inquisitive about our breath, body and
mind.
As a Yoga Therapist, my service is to offer unbiased
presence to your experience. With movement and dialogue you are invited to be
with what is, just as you are, whole in body, mind and Spirit.
In the Ya-Ya book, Vivi, Sidalee's mother says "Don't
hide your light under a bushel." In other words, YOU are a light that
inspires and illuminates the life and lives around you. Fan the ember, choose
how you want to be. Make a choice to live consciously.
In the spirit of Being Well~
Yvette
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Personal Training at MAMAW
Hiring a personal trainer isn't something to go into lightly. Paying for their focused attention can be costly and you have to work around their schedule. But if you're looking for help in setting personal physical fitness goals and having someone track your success, seeking the help of a personal trainer is right down your alley. It's also great to have someone there to cheer you on. Their expertise in working with you to really understand your body, identify reasonable goals, and create a work out designed to achieve those goals are all vital components to their value.
At MAMAW, Hannah Puckett is our resident personal trainer. She can utilize her training in PiYo (Pilates/Yoga) to target your core strength and abdominals, hand weights can be used to tone the muscles in the arms, shoulders, and back, and resistance/body weight training can be used to tone the muscles in the lower body and legs. She can also do cardio activities with you outside in the community.
One of the main benefits of training with Hannah at MAMAW is that you're not in the competitive, loud environment of a gym. She will work with you one on one in a safe, relaxed, and supportive environment. You won't build any negative feelings while doing your workout such as being on display or competing with the person next to you.
Another benefit is having the flexibility of training with a friend. We have space for small groups to train together. We don't offer classes per se, but if a group of people want to do a class together, Hannah can work with you to schedule that.
Lastly, having access to the other therapists at MAMAW provides enormous benefit. Your fitness and wellness is not limited to physicality. At MAMAW we have massage therapy, yoga therapy, aromatherapy, life coaching, and Reiki therapy at your disposal. You can give our therapists permission to discuss your case and work toward an integrative solution for your wellness.
Now that you have all of that information, what are you waiting for?! Give us a call today to get started on your road to wellness with Hannah at MAMAW!
At MAMAW, Hannah Puckett is our resident personal trainer. She can utilize her training in PiYo (Pilates/Yoga) to target your core strength and abdominals, hand weights can be used to tone the muscles in the arms, shoulders, and back, and resistance/body weight training can be used to tone the muscles in the lower body and legs. She can also do cardio activities with you outside in the community.
One of the main benefits of training with Hannah at MAMAW is that you're not in the competitive, loud environment of a gym. She will work with you one on one in a safe, relaxed, and supportive environment. You won't build any negative feelings while doing your workout such as being on display or competing with the person next to you.
Another benefit is having the flexibility of training with a friend. We have space for small groups to train together. We don't offer classes per se, but if a group of people want to do a class together, Hannah can work with you to schedule that.
Lastly, having access to the other therapists at MAMAW provides enormous benefit. Your fitness and wellness is not limited to physicality. At MAMAW we have massage therapy, yoga therapy, aromatherapy, life coaching, and Reiki therapy at your disposal. You can give our therapists permission to discuss your case and work toward an integrative solution for your wellness.
Now that you have all of that information, what are you waiting for?! Give us a call today to get started on your road to wellness with Hannah at MAMAW!
Sunday, January 4, 2015
The Making of MAMAW
Mount Airy Massage and Wellness sprouted out of no where it seems. Just over two months ago, I, as a co-owner of Infinity Day Spa, was at a precipice in my then business, Infinity Day Spa. After 6 and a half years of existence, the business was no longer paying for itself. At the same time, my business partner and I had reached different places and priorities in life and business. These facts led to the painful decision to close the doors on the spa.
Both of us initially decided to strike out on our own to do our individual services. As I searched for a place to relocate my massage practice, everything I looked at didn't seem to fit my intention. One night I finally turned it over to God to guide me to "the next place". I never expected to wake to his plan.
As is usually the case, God didn't have a specific plan for me. He just woke me to four different people on my heart. One was the man that owns the building the spa is locate in. My partner had been in the building for the last 11 years or so through three different spas. We were going to be leaving him without a renter. Our receptionist was the only one out of the four of us working for the spa that didn't have a "next gig". I felt badly that we were leaving her unemployed. My own massage therapist was having to leave massage and return to her primary profession of nursing for financial reasons. She loves massage and her plight broke my heart. And finally, there is a girl that makes the most awesome cookies who wants to do it full time, but isn't quite ready financially.
I didn't understand why all of these people were what God wanted me to focus on when I simply asked for a place to go. After talking through it with my husband, I realized God was laughing at my plan, and showing me a different direction. It took a few days to figure out, and actually it continues to evolve with each passing day, but I've finally 'Let go, and Let God!". His plans always work out better than mine, anyway.
Initially the best I could figure out what he wanted me to do was to give wings to these people that I woke to. At first I thought I was supposed to create two separate businesses - massage and cookies. But after talking with the cookie girl, she wasn't quite ready. Because of a full time job she had already accepted, my massage therapist wasn't available either. And our receptionist decided to take the opportunity to retire as a result of our closing. Needless to say, I was getting a little worried that I had misread his plan.
Of the four people that I woke up to that day, that left only one - the owner of the building. I'll explain more on that later. But as the days wore on, he kept making his plan more and more apparent. People and events kept coming into my path and I was doing my best to keep my eyes and heart open to them. I'm a giver/doer and I felt he was calling me to service yet again. But I'm jumping ahead, so let me back track a bit.
Ten years ago, my oldest daughter went off to college. I decided I didn't want to raise our second daughter in the city anymore. Through divine intervention, I realized I wasn't being the best person that I could be. My corporate job was sucking the life out of me, and in turn, I was sucking the life out of everyone around me. I was a technology project manager with Bank of America and "i" dotting and "t" crossing was my thing, so much to the point that everything in life was scheduled. I decided something had to be done, and as is usually the case, I got busy doing it!
One thing led to another, and I decided I wanted to get back to the mountain life that my husband and I had been raised in. We owned a cabin in the woods off the BlueRidge Parkway in the mountains of VA. It was the perfect place to relocate to. I knew I'd need a new career, as I didn't think the Bank would let me work from there. I had to do some soul searching to figure out what my personality type was best suited for, but finally struck upon massage and yoga. I went to school for both while still working full time. My family was in shock at all the changing I was doing that would in turn impact them, both positively and negatively.
While I was starting the process of letting go of the reins, I was still a control freak and battling with God pretty much at every juncture. It's a good thing he has patience. I'm a pretty hard headed person (or so my husband tells me). But I'm still in pursuit of a Type B personality, even though my oldest daughter tells me I'll never get there. She says I'm just going to have to settle for Type A-.
I completely realized how lucky I was to be able to walk away from a job that paid me extremely well. I had worked hard to attend college as a newlywed with a baby. We had set ourselves behind the 8 ball as kids getting married so young. But through perseverance and hard work, we prevailed. A part of me felt that if I walked away from what I had worked so hard to achieve, I'd seem ungrateful. But I knew that in order to survive for both myself and my family, I had to. And thank goodness I did! We have been richly rewarded for the sacrifices we've made through the years since.
God's message to me that morning when I woke was that I was doing a disservice to him by even thinking about being selfish and going off on my own after all he had blessed me with. That was especially true when there were people I knew that needed help. Even though most of the original people on my heart that morning are not part of this initial business plan, God has since placed other people in my path that need help, too. And I have a feeling a couple of the original four will fall back into the fold eventually. Every time I doubt, he gives me another piece of the puzzle. I've resigned myself to blindly follow and trust in his will.
One of the most difficult decisions related to the new business was choosing to stay in the same building, as I knew it would cause hard feelings with my business partner. We both love the place and had done considerable work on it in starting the spa. But none of the other places I looked at worked based on what I was wanting to offer. And it was sad to think that both of us would walk away from this place when one of us had the opportunity to continue to share its charm and beauty. The building itself is a source of healing and good will. While it was a difficult discussion, I think in the end, it all worked out okay.
Also, as I begin this journey into this new business, I realize it is not just my journey. The people God has sent have unique gifts all their own. He is just asking me to provide the foundation they need to share it. With my years of experience in the business world, my ownership experience in the two days spas, and the networks I have built with clients and practitioners in this community are all part of his blessings for me to share.
And that's just from the practitioner's perspective. The clients that we'll be serving are also going to benefit tremendously! Some of the services and products we'll be offering are unique and not widely known about in this area. Our true purpose is to educate the community on natural and holistic ways of achieving better health. From there, they can choose to use the services we'll offer as part of their tool bag in managing their wellness.
I hope you'll take an opportunity to explore our new business in some capacity, even if you just want to come by to see the facility and the changes we've made. Mount Airy Massage & Wellness is your home, as well as ours. You're invited any time. We hope 2015 will be good to all of us as we pursue our best selves!!
~ Machelle
Both of us initially decided to strike out on our own to do our individual services. As I searched for a place to relocate my massage practice, everything I looked at didn't seem to fit my intention. One night I finally turned it over to God to guide me to "the next place". I never expected to wake to his plan.
As is usually the case, God didn't have a specific plan for me. He just woke me to four different people on my heart. One was the man that owns the building the spa is locate in. My partner had been in the building for the last 11 years or so through three different spas. We were going to be leaving him without a renter. Our receptionist was the only one out of the four of us working for the spa that didn't have a "next gig". I felt badly that we were leaving her unemployed. My own massage therapist was having to leave massage and return to her primary profession of nursing for financial reasons. She loves massage and her plight broke my heart. And finally, there is a girl that makes the most awesome cookies who wants to do it full time, but isn't quite ready financially.
I didn't understand why all of these people were what God wanted me to focus on when I simply asked for a place to go. After talking through it with my husband, I realized God was laughing at my plan, and showing me a different direction. It took a few days to figure out, and actually it continues to evolve with each passing day, but I've finally 'Let go, and Let God!". His plans always work out better than mine, anyway.
Initially the best I could figure out what he wanted me to do was to give wings to these people that I woke to. At first I thought I was supposed to create two separate businesses - massage and cookies. But after talking with the cookie girl, she wasn't quite ready. Because of a full time job she had already accepted, my massage therapist wasn't available either. And our receptionist decided to take the opportunity to retire as a result of our closing. Needless to say, I was getting a little worried that I had misread his plan.
Of the four people that I woke up to that day, that left only one - the owner of the building. I'll explain more on that later. But as the days wore on, he kept making his plan more and more apparent. People and events kept coming into my path and I was doing my best to keep my eyes and heart open to them. I'm a giver/doer and I felt he was calling me to service yet again. But I'm jumping ahead, so let me back track a bit.
Ten years ago, my oldest daughter went off to college. I decided I didn't want to raise our second daughter in the city anymore. Through divine intervention, I realized I wasn't being the best person that I could be. My corporate job was sucking the life out of me, and in turn, I was sucking the life out of everyone around me. I was a technology project manager with Bank of America and "i" dotting and "t" crossing was my thing, so much to the point that everything in life was scheduled. I decided something had to be done, and as is usually the case, I got busy doing it!
One thing led to another, and I decided I wanted to get back to the mountain life that my husband and I had been raised in. We owned a cabin in the woods off the BlueRidge Parkway in the mountains of VA. It was the perfect place to relocate to. I knew I'd need a new career, as I didn't think the Bank would let me work from there. I had to do some soul searching to figure out what my personality type was best suited for, but finally struck upon massage and yoga. I went to school for both while still working full time. My family was in shock at all the changing I was doing that would in turn impact them, both positively and negatively.
While I was starting the process of letting go of the reins, I was still a control freak and battling with God pretty much at every juncture. It's a good thing he has patience. I'm a pretty hard headed person (or so my husband tells me). But I'm still in pursuit of a Type B personality, even though my oldest daughter tells me I'll never get there. She says I'm just going to have to settle for Type A-.
I completely realized how lucky I was to be able to walk away from a job that paid me extremely well. I had worked hard to attend college as a newlywed with a baby. We had set ourselves behind the 8 ball as kids getting married so young. But through perseverance and hard work, we prevailed. A part of me felt that if I walked away from what I had worked so hard to achieve, I'd seem ungrateful. But I knew that in order to survive for both myself and my family, I had to. And thank goodness I did! We have been richly rewarded for the sacrifices we've made through the years since.
God's message to me that morning when I woke was that I was doing a disservice to him by even thinking about being selfish and going off on my own after all he had blessed me with. That was especially true when there were people I knew that needed help. Even though most of the original people on my heart that morning are not part of this initial business plan, God has since placed other people in my path that need help, too. And I have a feeling a couple of the original four will fall back into the fold eventually. Every time I doubt, he gives me another piece of the puzzle. I've resigned myself to blindly follow and trust in his will.
One of the most difficult decisions related to the new business was choosing to stay in the same building, as I knew it would cause hard feelings with my business partner. We both love the place and had done considerable work on it in starting the spa. But none of the other places I looked at worked based on what I was wanting to offer. And it was sad to think that both of us would walk away from this place when one of us had the opportunity to continue to share its charm and beauty. The building itself is a source of healing and good will. While it was a difficult discussion, I think in the end, it all worked out okay.
Also, as I begin this journey into this new business, I realize it is not just my journey. The people God has sent have unique gifts all their own. He is just asking me to provide the foundation they need to share it. With my years of experience in the business world, my ownership experience in the two days spas, and the networks I have built with clients and practitioners in this community are all part of his blessings for me to share.
And that's just from the practitioner's perspective. The clients that we'll be serving are also going to benefit tremendously! Some of the services and products we'll be offering are unique and not widely known about in this area. Our true purpose is to educate the community on natural and holistic ways of achieving better health. From there, they can choose to use the services we'll offer as part of their tool bag in managing their wellness.
I hope you'll take an opportunity to explore our new business in some capacity, even if you just want to come by to see the facility and the changes we've made. Mount Airy Massage & Wellness is your home, as well as ours. You're invited any time. We hope 2015 will be good to all of us as we pursue our best selves!!
~ Machelle
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