Luminous Heart Reiki & Massage

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skin care

  • I rarely get facials. Twice per month I do an elaborate skin-care ritual at home with masks and goops to promote healthy, clear skin; and to be honest, I’d rather have a massage if I’m going to spend that kind of money. However I’ve been having trouble finding the right products for my skin in the hot, humid climate where I now live. So I decided to seek some professional advice.

    I’m pleased to have been educated about some things I’d been doing wrong and about the line of Dr. Hauschka products I ordered afterwards. Pricey, yes, but pure ingredients backed by scientific research, and most definitely a step up from most of the so-called natural brands found at a health food store. (Just because the word “organic” is printed on the label, or even in the brand name, doesn’t actually seem to mean much when you read carefully.) Over the past week of my new regime, I have noticed an improvement.

    However the greatest benefit I received from this experience was an awareness of how little I practice self-care while performing skin-care. During the facial, I noticed how gentle and soothing her touch was. Nothing like when I’m cleansing, toning, and moisturizing! I realized that I’m rough and rushed and not at all kind to my face. It’s something I just power through to get it over with so I can move on the next thing I need to accomplish.

    As much as I’m enjoying the new products, the epiphany I had about the approach to using them was even more  fantastic! I’m not talking about spending a lot of time either; merely two minutes twice per day. That’s the same amount of time I spend brushing my teeth! No big deal, really, but the change in attitude is huge. Including skin-care as an act of self-care, something I do to nourish and be kind to myself, seems pretty simply but is actually a radical shift in my consciousness. I can only imagine that the effects will ripple out into other areas of my life as well.

     

    Radical Self-Care, Enjoy a Facial!

    I rarely get facials. Twice per month I do an elaborate skin-care ritual at home with…

  • I’m in the midst of a busy stretch at work and feeling incredibly grateful for my commitment to maximum self-care. Tremendous benefits, including increased awareness and steady energy,  are emerging consistently. I’m making lots of small decisions throughout the day based on what would be kindest for my self in that moment. This is a huge shift for someone who tends to follow a routine and stick with what she “thinks” “should” be the best option. Tuning in moment by moment allows me to be more authentic in my exploration.

    Today my attention is drawn to the rewards of body brushing. If you’re not familiar with this technique, Google provides articles and videos galore to guide you. Basically you stroke a brush with soft, natural bristles over the surface of the body to exfoliate skin and stimulate lymph flow. I’ve done it for at least a decade now and really appreciate the softness of my skin as well as the fact that I rarely get sick. Healthy skin and lymph flow are two key components to promote a strong immune system, so this practice has double benefits.

    brush

    I had a steady habit of dry brushing before I get into the shower each evening. However, since it’s been so hot and sticky icky here in Philadelphia this summer, I’ve been skipping it. Today I realized it’s time to upgrade this habit so that it works for me, rather than avoiding it through the summer. This morning I decided to brush first thing. Even before I meditated! I might fine-tune the timing, but it felt wonderful to get back into the swing of this healthy habit by releasing my attachment to the “when” aspect of dry brushing.

    I’m learning that alongside commitment, flexibility is a major component of self-care. If the routine is too rigid, it will break rather than bend when there is a challenge. If there’s no commitment, it remains a lofty ideal, but never happens. Finding balance seems to be the key, in the arena of self-care as well as in life in general. Since my intention is not perfection but kindness and optimal wellbeing, it makes a lot of sense to allow the freedom to mix things up. Otherwise I’m just checking things off a to-do list, and really there’s not much joy in that.

    Radical Self-Care, Dry Brushing

    I’m in the midst of a busy stretch at work and feeling incredibly grateful for my commitment…