503-705-4762

Author: Anne

Maui 2012

Aloha!

We are back from our second annual Fluid Stress Relief Vacation in Maui and I wanted to share some of our adventures with you. Here’s a shot from my happy place, “Little Beach” just north of Makena.

 

We had an action packed week that included daily yoga and Pilates classes, several hikes, Stand Up Paddle, a snorkel cruise where we saw whales, dolphins and sea turtles, and couple of relaxing beach days. A few members of our group even made it to a sports bar to watch the Superbowl.

We had a few cloudy/rainy days in the beginning (see the Luau photos to follow) but then the skies cleared up and we were treated to sunny skies and temperatures in the high 70’s the rest of the week. For me the best part of the trip was being barefoot almost the entire time and seeing dolphins jumping alongside our boat on the snorkel cruise, and of course being able to relax with my cool Fluid family.

Our house in Kihei was a short walk from the beach. Here a view from the Lanai:

And our sunset view:

The custom in Hawaii is to head to the beach around 6 to watch the sunset which happens surprisingly fast. Here we are on our first night down by the beach at Kamaole Park. I noticed on my first day back on the mainland that as the sun was setting I thought “oh it’s happening, I better get somewhere to watch the sunset”. Ahhh Hawaii…

Our days began with some combination of yoga, Pilates, strength training, cardio, tai chi and running/walking drills. Here we are headed to the beach for our morning yoga session.

And some beach yoga action shots.

In an effort to keep each post brief I will stop here and continue on a new post. Want to find out about our yummy eats? Keep reading…

 

Anne McCranie owner of Fluid Movement + Massage is a Portland based personal trainer and massage therapist. This is her second annual client trip to Hawaii. If you are interested in joining us next year call or email Anne 503-705-4762  Anne@FluidPortland.com

Three Acupressure Points to Improve Digestion

Eggnog, sugar cookies, holiday cocktail parties… Are you suffering from post holiday belly blues? Here are three acupressure points that may help ease your digestive distress.

In this article Author Donna Gates quotes Yu Jia Yan a medical doctor from the 16th century:

If the Stomach is strong, life will be healthy; if the Stomach is weak, life will be unhealthy.

Good digestion is the key to a long, healthy life. Traditional Chinese medicine uses acupressure to help stimulate good digestion.

You can perform acupressure on yourself using the right essential oils to receive similar results to professional acupuncture. Stimulating specific points will improve your digestion, boost your immune system, and even improve your overall energy!

If you are suffering from major abdominal pains seek medical care.  If you suffer from the occasional upset stomach try stimulating these points and see if they bring you relief.

 

 

Foam Rollers!

My foam roller order just arrived. Happy early Christmas to me! I have two up for grabs. If you are in need of a last minute Christmas present give me a call. I will even include a handy dandy workout program.

Don’t know what a foam roller is or what you would do with one?  Check out this video of yours truly demonstrating Pilates stabilization exercises.

This is an excellent tool for strengthening your core and relieving low back pain.  I can even show you some tricked out moves you can do standing on the roller – believe it!

 

Ten Tips for Staying Healthy Over the Holidays

I just came across this Huffington Post article on ten tips for staying healthy over the holidays.  Great suggestions!

The author suggests setting realistic goals – say two workouts per week, keeping a food and workout journal to track your success and hold yourself accountable, enlisting a workout buddy, limiting your alcohol consumption, and finding healthy stress management techniques.   What are you doing to stay active and stress free over the holidays?

Looking for some new moves?  Check out this month’s “Fluid Five”.

Six Tips For Healthy Winter Skin

Six Tips For Healthy Winter Skin

  • Avoid super hot baths. Long hot showers or baths can dry out your skin.  Shorten your bath time, or try ending your shower with a shot of cold water.  This hot and cold contrast helps to boost your immune system.
  • Hydrate! After your bath slather on shea butter or jojoba oil.  I primarily use jojoba in my massage treatments.  It is suitable even for sensitive or oily skin.  Drink up! – water I mean.  Aim for half your body weight in ounces of water each day.  (So 70 ounces of water per day for a 140 pound person).
  • Feed your skin. Eat foods high in heart-healthy oils like avocados and walnuts to lubricate you from the inside out.
  • Buy a humidifier.  I know here in the rainy Northwest we get plenty of “moisture” but indoor heat dries out your skin and nasal passages.  Humidifiers send small molecules of moisture into the air, which helps to prevent and relieve dry skin.
  • Exfoliate. Dry Brushing is one of the easiest ways to slough off dead skin cells and improve your skin’s texture as well as encourage lymph flow which boosts your immune system.  Start with your hands and feet and move up your arms and legs brushing towards your heart.  I am happy to show you how to do this at your next massage appointment.
  • Get a Massage! I receive at least one massage a month.  This not only reminds me of how good my body can feel, but is part of my health maintenance plan.  Massage increases circulation, improves lymph flow, stimulates nerve endings and leaves your skin with a rosy glow.