Let Us "Rock" Your World!

I am very excited about this month's special because I absolutely love giving massages with hot stones! Some may assume that hot stones are nothing more than a novelty offered by spas to people who want to be pampered. While hot stones ARE pampering, they are so much more than a novelty. The more I use them, the more they become a staple in my massage practice. The therapeutic benefits are amazing and the results are instantly noticeable.

For thousands of years, rocks have been used for healing by many native people including the Chinese who used small rocks over 4,000 years ago to work the meridians and bring wellness to the organs and muscles by pressing them into acu-points in order to balance the energy in the body and detoxify the organs. Some Native American tribes used stones in their healing ceremonies as I found last month when I visited the sweat lodge. Several people have developed the modern techniques for hot rock massage and there are many difference approaches out there. I received my training at the Utah College of Massage Therapy and have developed my own style over time and experience with the stones. Eileen has been trained by me in one on one sessions and will offer her own flavor to the style as well. Either way, the benefits are many and the experience is always one of a kind.

Rocks come from the earth and are very grounding. They have a presence about them that can be quite nurturing. The simple weight of a stone on the abdomen or lower back can bring awareness to that area and promote relaxation. Heat added to the pressure of the rock serves to deepen that awareness and intensify the relaxing effect. The smoothness of the rocks make it difficult for the receiver to tell the difference between the therapist's hands and the stones. Interestingly, the energy of rocks can be measured and they carry a negative charge that acts like a magnet to draw out and neutralize energy in the body. The therapist can work deeper into the tissue as the stones help to melt away the layers of tension.

Clients will feel deeply affected by this treatment on many levels. Rest and recovery time along with drinking plenty of water is recommended after a hot stone session. Also, due to the intricacy of the work with the rocks and the many phases that can be included in this treatment, a 90 minute session or longer is recommended. The only way to really know what a hot stone massage is like is to experience it and that's exactly what we hope you'll do this month.

During the month of March we'll be offering free hot stone upgrades! That means you'll only pay for a standard massage session, but you'll have the opportunity to enjoy the FULL hot stone experience. Also, this month we will allow new clients to combine their first-time client discount with this special. The hot stone upgrades will be given at your request. Because there is extra set-up time for these sessions, we ask that you give us some notice to ensure our ability to accommodate you.

Jenni Curtis, LMT 801*879*4173

Eileen Keiser, LMT 801*574*1325

Sunday in a Native American Sweat Lodge

While most people were at Super Bowl parties, I was sitting in a Native American Sweat Lodge in Sandy, Utah. It was a strange and wonderful experience I'd love to revisit and I don't regret missing the "big game" for one minute. It was all thanks to Brian Petersen, a massage therapist I met who recently moved here from San Diego. He told me about the active community of people here in Utah who enjoy participating in the spiritual ceremonies of the Native people who once roamed the countrysides of America.

I arrived at a private home where a local woman keeps an authentic Sweat Lodge built to the satisfaction of the Elders and there found a group of people sitting around a large fire which was being tended for the purpose of heating several melon-sized stones. The lodge was a dome-shaped framework of willow branches covered with blankets and tarp and its door was open and facing east. Inside, a pit had been dug and the dirt piled a few feet in front of the door as an alter with several spiritual symbols arranged on top. The leader of the Sweat was an older gentleman who had been trained in the Lakota ways and he spoke to us all as we sat around the fire about Wakan Tankan or Great Mystery and the purpose of the Sweat Lodge. I understood it to be a purification ceremony in which we hoped to achieve a closeness to Mother Earth and a connectedness to all things and the people around us, all of whom we could consider to be relatives.

As the sacred stones in the fire began to reach their intended temperature, the ceremony began. Prayers and songs were offered up in the seven directions as our leader put pinches tobacco into his peace pipe. Each participant was invited to take some of the sacred tobacco and offer their own prayer or intention to the fire and the stones. We then proceeded to walk around the lodge in a clockwise direction stopping at the doorway to be smudged with sage and lemongrass before crawling into the opening of the lodge. When all were seated within the walls of the lodge, the first seven stones were brought from the fire and carefully placed in the pit with antlers then positioned to represent the seven directions, north, east, south, west, sky, earth, and within. With the stones in place, the door was shut and the first round began.

Our leader instructed that a drum be played and Native songs sung while he poured sacred water representing the water of the womb, onto the glowing stones. Hot steam began to fill the small, dark, room as we all sang along in prayer. After four songs, the door was opened and some of the people took turns talking about whatever they felt like sharing. The lodge cooled, more stones were brought in from the fire, and we readied ourselves for the next round. The third round, named the "healing round" was the hottest. For a moment, I had to stop singing because I found it hard to breath in the super heated air. It was a short round, however, and it wasn't long before the door was opened again. It wasn't until the end of the fourth round that I began to feel the effects of the sweat. I felt tired and a little light-headed but I also felt a wonderful energy that offered a certain strength that I could take with me into the world.

When the final song ended, the door was again opened and it was at this time that the peace pipe was passed around. Each person took one or more puffs and then offered the pipe toward the sky to signify our connection between heaven and earth. When this was finished, the group crawled clockwise around the lodge and then out the door. I was completely soaked through and went to find my dry change of clothes. We all stood around the fire drinking water and eating snacks talking and reflecting on our experience. I did feel somewhat drained, but definitely renewed and ready to take on the world, after a good night's sleep, of course.

I can't help but feel like the Native people of this land really had a wonderful connection and harmony with the world and their spirituality is something all of us can learn from. I am so grateful to have had this experience and hope to take the energy I was able to harvest during the Sweat with me into my daily activities and even share it with all those I come in contact with from day to day. Life is a constant balancing act and being able to get away from daily routines to collect our strength is so vital to our ability to continue moving forward. I would encourage all people to find some way to recharge from time to time be it through meditation, exercise, getting out into nature, church, or whatever it is that keeps you sane. We all need some way to stay grounded.

Here is a web page with a lot of information on Sweat Lodges. The Sweat Lodge Now, go in peace, my friends.

~* Twice as Nice...February Special *~

Something as absolutely wonderful as a massage is meant to be shared. We all have someone in our lives who we'd like to see benefit from a practice that has made such a difference in our own lives. We have people we care about and we'd like to do something really cool together. Then there's that holiday, "Valentine's Day" and we've got to find a great way to celebrate it. Even the single and unattached can celebrate the holiday of love by treating themselves and a close friend or family member to a decadent massage from Salt Lake's Premiere Massage Therapy Team™.

This February, enjoy...TWO for ONE QUALITY Massage!*

Yes, you read that correctly. You and your sweetie, friend, family member, blind date, or even a complete stranger can each enjoy a rejuvenating massage, but you'll only pay for one of them. All you have to do is schedule your appointment with both Jenni and Eileen and come in together to enjoy this unprecedented special pricing. It's our way of helping to bring people together, chase those mid-winter blues away and celebrate the power of TWO.

Call either member of the Team to schedule your February appointment:

Jenni Curtis, LMT 801*879*4173

Eileen Keiser, LMT 801*574*1325

*Valid only when two people come in together at the same time to both Jenni and Eileen. No outcalls or gift certificates. Free massage must be of equal or lesser value. Not valid with any other offer.

Nintendo Wii Causes Repetitive Motion Injuries

I found a very interesting article about my favorite gaming console, the Nintendo Wii. It seems that excessive Wii playing can cause repetitive motion injuries. Surprising? Not really.

When I first started playing the Wii, I found myself quite addicted to the bowling game. It was a really fun game to play with my friends and even by myself. I could spend more than an hour at a time perfecting my throw. Once I even bowled a perfect 300! The key was keeping my technique consistent. Talk about repetitive motion! I would wake up the next day with a sore elbow, wrist, and shoulder. Just like real bowling right? Well, not exactly.

You see, when people play real sports there is typically a warm up involved followed by a variety of physical exertion and some kind of time limitation. With the Wii, you can play for hours at a time and body motions are less varied since you are playing in a small space in front of your television set, and does anyone stretch or warm up before playing a video game? I certainly don't. The availability and easy use of the Wii is also key since there is no need to round up other people to play with and weather delays are virtually non existent.

While the Wii's encouragement of physical activity is positive, the increase of these repetitive motion injuries is certainly the downside. Common injuries include tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, back and knee pain, and shoulder and elbow strains. Lucky for all those Wii players, massage therapy is a great solution for these kinds of problems. A good massage therapist can relax the muscles and release nerve entrapments associated with repetitive motion injuries. A reduction in pain and other symptoms can result, allowing the Wii player to play another day. Hooray!

Read this article in its entirety at www.integrative-healthcare.org

Wii players come see us for a massage...

Jenni Curtis, LMT 801*879*4173

Eileen Keiser, LMT 801*574*1325

The Amazing Body Worlds Exhibit

As a student of massage therapy, I had the opportunity to study the human body in great detail. With each discovery, I learned how unique and miraculous our bodies truly are. Each piece is a part of a symphony contributing to the beautiful harmony that is the living soul.

For many of us, the way our body functions is a mystery and with that mystery can lurk fear. I remember being afraid to go to my Anatomy class's cadaver lab because I knew I'd be seeing real human body parts and the idea was unnerving. Once I got there, I realized that my fears were largely unfounded and surrendered myself to the fascination that came with each new learning experience. Our bodies are these organic machines with so many layers and yet, we are simply animals in the end.

The Body Worlds exhibit takes the cadaver lab to a whole new level! They have transformed these donated bodies into complete works of art. I am so happy I had the chance to see it while it was here in Salt Lake City. I was able to walk around each display with wide eyes taking in a 360 degree view of muscles, bones, tendons, and organs. It was breathtaking!

The concept behind Body Worlds are the innovations of Gunther von Hagens who developed the process of plastination. He was able to preserve, dissect, and position the bodies for the purpose of education and appreciation. Each exhibit demonstrates different aspects, functions, and layers of the human body, all displayed with beauty and grace. Beyond the fully intact plastinates, there are countless glass cases showing various organs, some healthy, some diseased, some containing artificial additions depicting our modern technology at work. I was particularly impressed by the "smoker's lung," which was completely black. Appropriately there was a nearby station where smokers could dispose of their cigarettes and pledge to quit the habit right there on the spot. Also shown was a cross-section of an obese individual. You'd be surprised to know all the places where the body stashes extra fat. Great motivation to eat healthy and exercise.

The other exhibits that stood out to me were of the blood vessels. Plastic was injected into the arteries and then allowed to harden. After that all the rest of the matter was removed showing only the countless intricate vessels where the blood travels taking the fragile form of that particular living thing. This was done with organs, limbs, and even animals. It's hard to comprehend the sheer number of blood vessels present in any given specimen. Wow!

Since attending Body Worlds, I have found new perspective when working on the clients who come to see me for massage. I can better visualize the muscles I am addressing and I am constantly going back in my mind to the wonderful exposition of bodies frozen in motion depicting the exquisiteness of the human form. I am reminded of how much I love my work and the ability to help people to realize their potentials. I encourage people who have yet to see the Body Worlds exhibit to make it a point to go and see it. You too will be amazed!

BodyWorlds.com

Invest in YOU!

It's no secret that committing to regular bodywork is wonderful for your health. Consistent massage is a good way to prevent those problem areas from flaring up and injuries from occurring in the first place. Frequent massage will give you a general sense of well-being and facilitate a better awareness of your body which will help you to achieve your maximum physical and mental potential.

So what's stopping us? Many people find that when they aren't in the habit of doing something, it's easy to put it off. We can always find some excuse whether it be time constraints or budgeting issues. But how much time and money do we waste doing frivolous things that don't give us any long-term benefits in return? Not only is getting a massage good for you, but it's also very enjoyable! You have that time to escape into a world where stress can't reach you and get up feeling relaxed and better balanced. So what can you do to make this a reality for yourself?

Make a commitment and invest in yourself. Here is an investment that will always be good and always pay off. You'll never regret spending the money and time on something that is not only good for you, but feels good too. Nothing guilty about this pleasure!

I'd like to help you acheive your goals for the new year by offering 10% off all of my packages in January.* By giving you more for your money, I hope to really maximize this investment for you. Not only will you be locking in your price and avoid waiting for the "next special" but you'll also be adding to the convenience of your massage regimen. No need to put it off because it's already paid for. If you'd like, you can even book all your appointments in advance. After that, just show up and enjoy the experience. It's that simple.

So let's do the math...

5/1 hour massages, regularly $275 now $247.50 or $49.50 per massage

10/1 hour massages, regularly $500 now $450 or $45 per massage

5/90 minute massages, regularly $400 now $360 or $72 per massage

10/90 minute massages, regularly $750 now $675 or $67.50 per massage

5/2 hour massages, regularly $525 now $472.50 or $94.50 per massage

10/2 hour massages, regularly $1000 now $900 or $90 per massage

It is important to note that I will allow you to use these 2 or 1/2 at a time to add to the flexibility of possible massage times as you redeem your pre-paid package. Yes I do accept all major credit cards!

*Special offered by Jenni Curtis, LMT (801) 879-4173

A New Team Member!

The time has come to say goodbye to Tiffeny Salzetti, my business partner and friend of the past 3 years. I wish her all the best as she starts her practice anew in Boise, Idaho. I encourage anyone looking for a massage there to go and see her in her lovely new location. Her new website is QualityMassageIdaho Tiffeny, we will miss you!

So where does that leave Salt Lake's Premiere Massage Therapy Team™? I am excited to announce our newest addition, Eileen Keiser, LMT who is also committed to providing only the highest quality of massage therapy to our guests. You'll find that members of our Team are still down-to-earth, have positive attitudes, and a passion for our work. We genuinely care about your health and well-being and will work hard to earn your business while providing straight forward good bodywork.

To encourage everyone to give her a try, Eileen has chosen to add a little incentive to sweeten the pot a bit. For the entire month of January, her first time client discount will be doubled! That means $20 off every appointment! Get a one hour massage for only $40! Not a bad deal, eh? Give her a call at 801*574*1325

Awesome Holiday Special for December!!

We are all tightening our belts this holiday season and stress levels are on the rise. No worries! You can still afford QUALITY massage!

**$20 off Everything all month long!**

That includes all gift certificates too! Which means a bigger gift for your buck and more stress relief when you need it the most.

Call for your appointment! Jenni Curtis, LMT 801*879*4173

*This special is being offered by Jenni, LMT only.

A Massage Therapist's Dream Job

It's hard to believe that I've been a Massage Therapist for 10 years now, and when I look back on my career so far I can see that I've come a long way. As a student I couldn't imagine having my own private practice and was really just hoping to work at a spa somewhere. The idea of being self-employed scared me, yet here I am! I'm so happy that I've gone in this direction because I think it has been far more rewarding and fullfilling than a spa job would have been.

I worked for outcall services, salons, day spa's and "other people" for the first few years of my career and I learned things as I went. I found that the benefits of self-employment outweighed the risks and taking my destiny in my own hands was wonderfully freeing. I make my own schedule, living, working, and playing in Salt Lake City, Utah. This is natures playground and I have it all! My life is a balance between working with great clients who I get to see more than just once and playing in the mountains on my snowboard or mountain bike. I have time for my family and friends and I can take a vacation when I want to. I am in charge of my own success and the sky is the limit!

When I teamed up with Tiffeny Salzetti, things really began to take off! Together we had the motivation and commitment to quality necessary to build a thriving practice. We found a beautiful studio to call home and we absolutly love our clients. It's been an incredible ride! I'm sad to say that Tiffeny's path is taking her out of Utah leaving me with a void to fill. I wish her the best as I endeavor to find the right person to take her place.

I'm looking for someone who loves this work. We treat our clients as guests and pay close attention to every detail. Our studio is immaculate and welcoming to both our clients and us. We are always coming up with new ways to market ourselves and keep our phones ringing through the ups and downs of the economy and seasons. We run specials, post online, advertise in the City Weekly, and have a great website attracting thousands of visitors every month.

ExperienceQualityMassage.com

I need the right person to be a part of Salt Lake's Premiere Massage Therapy Team™. If you think that person could be you, or if you know the perfect woman/man for the job give me a call. I'm ready to meet you and discuss how we can move forward with a successful co-op of independent Massage Therapists or Wellness Providers. What a priviledge to be a positive part in the lives of the souls we encounter!

Jenni Curtis, LMT 801~879~4173

~Your lifetime in form is to be honored and celebrated. Go beyond your enslavement and live fully in the now, the only time you have. ~Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

Ski Season is Here!

It's time for another season of "The Greatest Snow on Earth!" Many die-hard, super-excited skiers and snowboarders headed up Little Cottonwood Canyon for opening day at Snowbird. My dear friend Photo-John was one of them. Check out his picture montage.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1494779147/bctid1896800092

It didn't take many runs to feel those legs burning. They just aren't used to this kind of excercise anymore. It doesn't seem to matter what you do to keep in shape all summer, there is this unique combination of muscles used to slide down a mountain slope that just doesn't get used unless you're doing just that.

Photo-John was smart enough to drive directly from the slopes, to my office for what some call "The Greatest Massage in Salt Lake." Boy is that a great way to end a sweet snow day! Not only does is feel wonderful, but a massage is great prevention for the extreme soreness you're sure to wake up with the day after skiing or riding for the first time in months. It won't take away from that sacred experience of feeling each muscle you worked so hard the day before and remembering how great those first few turns were, but it will help your body recover more quickly and with more ease.

Try it! And who better to work out those kinks than someone who's out there riding the slopes too and feels what you're feeling right along with you?

Photo-John's blog post

TGIW!!

Midweek blues are no match for the skills of Salt Lake's Premiere Massage Therapy Team.TM

~$25 OFF ALL MASSAGE APPOINTMENTS EVERY WEDNESDAY IN NOVEMBER~

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That translates into 30 extra minutes absolutely free! This is the month to supersize your massage and find out what a difference that extra time can make. When it comes to QUALITY massage, you'll find it really goes a long way. We get results!

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No need to wait for the weekend. Get ahead of the game. Relax and feel good today!

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ExperienceQualityMassage.com

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Jenni Curtis, LMT (801) 879-4173

Tiffeny Salzetti, LMT (801) 635-6722

Doing Yoga Improves Your Quality of Life

For years I've been telling my clients about the benefits of adding yoga to their health maintainance routines. Yoga improves strength, flexibility, reduces the effects of stress and in general gives your body that extra edge. I guess what we're all looking for is a better quality of life. Yoga makes us more physically fit, gives us a better awareness of our bodies, more energy, and makes us more comfortable in our skin which can help us in all aspects of our lives and goes hand in hand with massage therapy. One of my favorite ways to spend a day off is a massage, yoga class, and a hot tub soak. It's the ultimate way to give back to your body, the body you ask a lot of day in and day out. Here is a website dedicated to yoga. http://www.yoga.com/ I found this article very interesting as well. http://www.naturalnews.com/024570.html Peace =)

Who is Joe the Plumber?

Craigslist 10/16/2008 While McCain and Obama argue over 'Joe the plumber' (anyone hear NPR this morning?) Salt Lake's Premiere Massage Therapy Team tm worries over YOU: your physical and fincancial well-being. Economic times being what they are, we've decided to "walk the walk" and not just "talk the talk." We offer this month's special because we are truly all in this together. 1/2 OFF FULL 60 MINUTE MASSAGE APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENTIRE MONTH OF OCTOBER! That comes out to an honest break - only $30 for a FULL HOUR of QUALITY massage therapy.

~Our massage, as you know, GETS RESULTS!

~No gimmicks

~No hassles

~No bargain basement massage

~No cutting corners

ExperienceQualityMassage.com

SLC's Premiere Massage Team Enters the Blogosphere

Known for being on the cutting edge in the massage industry, Salt Lake's Premiere Massage Therapy Team TM has now entered the blog universe. You've seen us on Craigslist, KSL.com, MyUtahMassage.com, and our popular website ExperienceQualityMassage.com, now we've got our own blog! This blog will be maintained by yours truly, Jenni, LMT who you may know from MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter. It will be my pleasure to keep you all up on the latest in our world as well as the ever clever ads and Craigslist posts made by Tiffeny Salzetti, LMT who is our brilliant marketing mind and cofounder of the Team. Thanks in advance for tuning in.