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Recently I asked, “what is Thai massage?”

Here are some of the responses I’ve received from you:

• gentle stretching and relaxation
• pressure with hands and feet to aid in releasing muscle tension
• feeling lighter, more mobile, and with a lifted spirit

Rather than being on a massage table, you rest on a padded mat on the floor, supported with bolsters and pillows.

I use my hands and feet to press gently in a rhythmic, wave like motion. While the goal of this work is moving energy, you may also experience softening of tight muscles, as well as immediate reduction in your pain levels, reduced stress, improved relaxation, and better sleep.

Using my feet to massage you allows me to leverage my body weight, while giving specific detailed pressure.

My goal with this work is deep relaxation, we’re reassuring your body that it’s ok to be soft, to let go.

This is not “deep tissue” massage, or a painful session. This work can be “deep” in that we’re gently peeling back the layers of tension, allowing for deep relaxation, encouraging your body to relax.

This work is subtle. We’re not attacking your muscles with a sledgehammer, we’re nudging, waiting, asking the layers of tension to slowly soften. If you often feel that therapists “do not press hard enough” then this is not the style for you right now.

If you’re curious about what can unfold when you soften and allow for space, this work may do wonders for your body and soul.

Here’s a testimonial from a client I worked on this month, who was suffering low back pain and hip tightness. We spent less than an hour doing gentle compression on her legs and back, and passive range of motion for her hips and shoulders. Later that night she sent me this text:

“OMG I just twisted my back and got the biggest crack and release over my left glute so I definitely think the massage released a lot and helped it relax. It felt so good when it cracked!

I’m gonna pay attention tonight and see how much better it feels to walk and then foam roll a little. Thank you so much!”

Then later she texted again:

“I’m walking and I don’t feel it at all!!! You loosened up whatever needed to be loosened up and now I’m not in pain anymore. Thank you!”

Contact me today to see if were a good fit.

Anne@ FluidPortland.com

503-705-4762.

Here are my next available appointments at my Hazel Dell office in Vancouver.

• Friday January 9th, noon or 2 pm
• Friday January 16th, noon, 2, or 4 pm
• Friday January 30th, 10:30 am or noon

If none of these times work, reach out to me about other options.

xoxo

Anne

Join us for week two of our Fall Reset. Movement, nutrition, and JOY!

This week’s assignments:

• Walking for 30 minutes, 5 days this week
• Strength training for 30 minutes 2-3 days this week

Why walk?

Walking can be done just about anytime, anywhere, by anyone.

It gets you moving, builds cardiovascular strength and endurance, improves digestion, helps you sleep, and clears your mind. guidelines suggest 150 minutes of moderate activity each week.

How do you get in 150 minutes of activity?

1. Break up your movement in a way that works for you.
2. Use the buddy system.
3. Attach your walk to something you’re already doing.
4. Dress for activity. Put on shoes and clothes you can move in.
5. Do the lowest amount possible. Start by walking around the block.

For example, your week may look like this: a 30-minute medium-paced walk on Monday, a fast 10-minute walk on Tuesday morning, a slow after-dinner stroll on Thursday night, a 90-minute slow nature walk on Saturday…

Meet a friend for a walk.

Park your car further away from your destination and budget 10 extra minutes to walk there. You will arrive feeling less rushed and more accomplished.

Start your day by putting on your walking shoes, go out and walk once around the block. This 5-minute walk may seem like nothing, but you’re priming your brain for this new habit, and starting your day off with a tiny win.

I’m walking, so that’s enough to strengthen my legs, right?

Nope.

YAY walking! You also need to do exercises that build muscular strength in all of your major muscle groups by pushing, pulling, lifting, and carrying something heavy.

Why strength training?

To build and maintain strong muscles and bones, the bare minimum recommendation is strength training for 30 minutes, 2 times a week.

If you want to live independently into old age, if you want to travel and be able to lift your suitcase into the overhead bin without assistance, if you want to be able to work in the yard for hours on a nice day, if you want to be able to haul a giant bag of dog food from the store to your car, you need to lift heavy things. You are training for life!

If your suitcase weighs 40 lbs, doing “toning” exercises with your tiny pink weights ain’t gonna cut it.

Most of my clients tell me they are walking (or biking, or swimming) but they struggle to lift weights on their own.

I hear people say lifting weights is boring, or they are afraid of getting injured, or they don’t enjoy working out. Maybe you did not play group sports in high school or college, or lifting weights is not something your friends do. If this system is not built into your culture, it may feel challenging to establish this habit.

How do you start?

1. Start small – 5 squats, 5 countertop push ups, do one minute of something today.
2. Schedule it. Put your workout in your calendar and treat it like a doctor’s appointment or an important work meeting that you cannot miss.
3. Hire a trainer (That’s me! Reach out to me today to schedule your consultation).

Here’s a simple strength program you can do at home.

Using dumbbells (or something heavy that you can lift 8-10 times), do 3-5 sets of 8-10 reps of each of these moves:

Hinge

Push

Pull

Hang

Twist

Need help? Reach out to me today!

We can talk about your current program, your goals, and set a realistic schedule for you this fall. I can show you how to safely get stronger (and have fun doing it).

xoxo

Anne

Have you met Alice? Let me introduce you…

You may have met her in Pilates classes here at Fluid World Headquarters. She hails from the bay area and now makes Sellwood her home. She never wears matching socks, and is fast becoming one of my favorite people!

Alice has been sewing for 28 years. She designs and crafts custom clothing and costumes including wedding gowns and bridesmaids dresses.

Who do you know who is getting married, or attending a wedding, a graduation, or another special event this summer? Send her to Alice for a custom creation that will have her looking and feeling her best.

For photos and more information about her work visit her blog.

Looking for a wedding or special occasion dress? Contact Alice at:

waywardseamstress@gmail.com

Anne McCranie is a Portland Oregon based Personal Trainer and Licensed Massage Therapist. She loves spreading the word about good people. Email her at anne@fluidportland.com.