I have a friend who jokingly calls me the happy healer. I enjoy that title. While I don't spend every waking moment of my life trying to be happy, I do work at maintaining a positive outlook no matter what is going on in my life. I have always been happy to have my massage … Read more about Val Boonstra, The Happy Healer
Dealing With Stress During The Holidays
We are lucky. Our Valhealing blog has lots of readers and sometimes they even ask us to print a post they write. It's a nice compliment that people take time to let us know they like what we write. Today, we received a request from Levada Elrod to post this on our blog, and to supply a link to their … Read more about Dealing With Stress During The Holidays
Flexibility and Movement Class
I am excited to report the results of our last workshop to increase flexibility and movement. I recently enjoyed seeing a dear long-term client for her massage appointment. She thanked me for our workshop and told me she kept practicing the exercises she remembered. When I worked on her neck, her … Read more about Flexibility and Movement Class
The Gift of Massage
Massage as a gift. How lovely is that? I don't know of too many other professions where the actual work you do can be given as a gift. Every so often, not just on Valentine's day, some sweet person will call me and ask that I give a massage to their loved one. Sometimes it's a wife calling to get … Read more about The Gift of Massage
Yoga and Meditation
Did you know there is something you can do every day which will improve your brain's ability to retain information? It's true. No appointment needed. It's yoga. Many aspects of yoga have been proven to increase brain function and memory. Yoga stretches your body, it helps you to … Read more about Yoga and Meditation
The Morning Shift
The summer morning sun is shining brightly as I drive up my client’s driveway. I have arrived at the home of an elderly friend I am a caregiver for. I tend to the chores that she can no longer handle herself , emptying the cat boxes, refilling waters bowls, feeding the birds and emptying the … Read more about The Morning Shift
The Magic of Touch
It has been noted in study after study that the magic of touch is vital to all living things, and we humans need it most of all. One of the most beneficial types of touch is Massage Therapy. Massage Therapy has been in existence as long as mankind has walked the earth. From the esoteric to the … Read more about The Magic of Touch
Water Walking for Good Health
The months of summer allow for flow and ease when we coordinate our energies with the energy of the sun. Though more intense in the summer , the sun can bring enlivening exercises and energies to us and our bodies that are not available during the fall and winter months. Capitalizing on the ebb and … Read more about Water Walking for Good Health
The Difference Between Tai Chi and Qi Gong
What's the difference between tai chi and qi gong? Qi gong is a less a form exercise and more like a form of moving meditation . If you have never done either of these, it would be easy to mistake one for the other. While some of the movements may look similar, Qi Gong is prescribed to … Read more about The Difference Between Tai Chi and Qi Gong
Alzheimers Patient Care
Grace Under Pressure I spent a year taking care of an Alzheimer’s patient as a live-in caretaker. My daughter, Alexis, covered a shift as well and another staffer worked in the daytime. We all did our best to keep her safe and entertained, enjoying the sweet things about her and laughing … Read more about Alzheimers Patient Care
The “Silent, Artistic Generation”
Why are people in the seventies and eighties coming to my classes? I mentioned in a previous blog that when I began my career as a Licensed Massage Therapist I was constantly battling the impression that massage was simply a form of pampering. It was to be enjoyed only by the rich and the indulgent. … Read more about The “Silent, Artistic Generation”
Volunteering
Here, where I live in Brevard County Florida, we are known for being a hospitable community. In our area we give back, and as a result there are many organizations which help life to be richer and fuller made possible by the efforts of volunteers. My friend Ellen spends time volunteering at our … Read more about Volunteering
