This and That

Over the years, I have shared with you my many stories about the experiences I have had with clients in massage and caregiving. I often joke that my best accomplishment has been going this long with out having to have a job. I have always worked on my own terms, in my own business. Several years … Read more about This and That

Morning Stiffness

What do you do when you wake up in the morning and and the simple movement involved in getting out of bed has put your spine into a breathtaking painful spasm? The first thing I do is I reach for one of my fabulous rice bags, pop it into the microwave and heat it up. Then put it on my back as I … Read more about Morning Stiffness

Spring Time in Florida

For the rest of the country, spring has arrived. In Florida, spring was two weeks at the end of March, and now summer is here. It's hot already and only going to get more so. I like the heat. I have lived here in Florida since 1973, so I am used to it, but even I can get overheated when the temps … Read more about Spring Time in Florida

What Does A Good Massage Do For You?

People I meet will often ask what I do for a living. When I tell them that I am a professional massage therapist, I am usually met with one of two reactions. The first is, "oh my, I need a good massage." The second reaction is "what does a massage actually do for me?' What does a good massage … Read more about What Does A Good Massage Do For You?

What God Puts In Front Of Me

I had a wise friend who once told me, " I do what God puts in front of me, Val".  I have often felt like my life and my work was my own personal ministry. I look for signs of what I should be learning that day, and I try to notice the God nudge. That is how I describe the sensation I get that … Read more about What God Puts In Front Of Me

Memories

Sometimes I experience a memory that I am amazed I can recall because I was so young when the event occurred. It's funny how we, as humans, have some insignificant moment pop into our minds over and over. Yet there's times we can't even remember why we walked from one room to the other. I have … Read more about Memories

Learning How To Prevent Pain

  When I first started my massage practice, I sincerely wanted to help people feel better. It was my hope that massage therapy could relieve my clients' pain. I made it a goal to learn everything I could about pain-relieving techniques and how to help people notice imbalances in their bodies … Read more about Learning How To Prevent Pain

Intrinsiconnections

  I, Valentina Boonstra, am a Massage Therapist, Personal Trainer, and I help people recover from surgery. A couple of days a week I also work at Sara Care. For over 30 years I have been in business in Brevard County.  It's my home, and I feel very loving and connected to my community and … Read more about Intrinsiconnections

Musings On a Life

  I am largely a self-educated person. Yes, I have taken seminars and attended certification courses for my line of work. But I have gone way beyond those. I look at my experiences as a classroom in earth school.  When faced with a problem or situation, I ask myself, "what's the best way … Read more about Musings On a Life

What Makes Us Human?

Margaret Mead was a famous anthropologist. She is most well-known for studying human behavior. In her studies, she noted the plasticity of human nature and the variability of social customs. ... Mead's famous theory of imprinting found that children learn by watching adult behavior. I … Read more about What Makes Us Human?

How To Cope With Stress

This quarantine has been stressful for many people. It is especially so for me for two reasons. The first is, I am self-employed, so, not working with my clients means I make no income. Secondly,  because I am so used to working with people all day, every day. I am experiencing a people … Read more about How To Cope With Stress