Spa/Retreat/Massage Etiquette

Common Sense, Isn't So Common!

So what am I talking about here?  How about some basic courtesies that in theory should go without saying; but unfortunately need repeating and/or clarifying.  A very candid take on the subject of Spa Etiquette....

• First time visit:
• It's your first visit to the spa/clinic/retreat - It could even be your first Massage EVER!  But whatever the case, please arrive early to fill in necessary and confidential information that will give your therapist the information they need to customise your massage.
• If you arrive late, you will be shorting yourself valuable massage time as the therapist will have other clients after you. 
• Be courteous to your therapist and their time as well as the time of others who are booked after you!

• Cancellations:  
• Most spas will request 24 hours notice to cancel your appointment.  
• Why?  Well, they have set aside that time just for you! Your therapist has been scheduled for that time and if you do not show up or call last minute to cancel; your therapist will not get paid! Which is why in most cases you will be charged for missing your appointment; this covers the therapist's wages.  We are paid on commission.  Most spas will make an exception for emergencies, but if you can't manage your time;  it's best not to book in advance and call the spa last minute to see if they have available openings.  
• Last minute cancellations are not cool!  You are screwing a therapist out of their wages and you are taking up an appointment that could have been given to another client.

• Health & Hygiene:
• Pretty straightforward huh?  You'd think............
• Okay,  I don't want to work on your ' FUNK' anymore than you want to smell mine when you're receiving massage.
• This is your downtime, your relaxing time, your sacred "I'm taking care of me." time!  Have a little respect for your therapist as well as yourself!
• I promise to bathe, deodorize and even brush my teeth and hair before I meet you for your appointment.  I promise to use mouthwash and not eat garlic bruschetta just before your appointment.
• As for Health:  Um, if you are hacking up a lung, vomiting or running a high fever - you should be visiting a Dr. -NOT your massage therapist!  Any spa worth your money and time will not charge you if it's a less than 24 hour cancellation, but call and reschedule your appointment ASAP!

• Contraindications:
• If you are taking blood thinners, pain medications, high/low blood pressure, currently receiving chemotherapy, or have sustained an injury - TELL YOUR THERAPIST!  In some cases Deep Tissue massage will be a contraindication and could make you worse!  This is why you fill in an intake form!
• If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant - TELL YOUR THERAPIST!  A lot of spas have protocols about working with pregnancies!  Most will recommend that you wait until your second trimester!  The risk of miscarriage is high in the first trimester and even though there is very little evidence that massage can cause a miscarriage - it's not worth the risk to mother and baby at this very delicate stage of conception.  It's best to wait until your second trimester and get a doctor's approval.
• More about Prenatal massage:  No deep tissue on legs!  Best to receive massage in a side-lying position or a semi-reclining position.  Nothing in prone (lying face down on your belly) position. Even bolsters designed to accommodate lying face-down during pregnancy put strain on the uterine ligaments and are not recommended.
• From second trimester until birth, massage can be a safe and wonderful experience!

• Tipping:
• Tipping is not a city in China.
• Typically 15-20% of the menu price is customary.  If you have received a discounted service, please use the menu price for tipping.
• I have mixed emotions about tipping.  I consider myself a health care professional and find tipping in any service industry a gross misconduct on part of the industry itself.  Pay us what we are worth.  Unfortunately tipping in the service industry is necessary for us to make ends meet.  It's not fair, but necessary in this day and age.  
• If you found service exceptional and really want to thank your therapist with a little extra, I recommend cash.  Cash is king.  I also recommend handing it directly to your therapist!  I won't explain this one.... it makes me angry.  I trust everyone, it's the Devil inside them I don't trust.

• Cell Phones:
• Please turn off your phone before you enter the spa!
• Remember when you had that little machine that took messages for you and you got to them when you got home?  Same goes.... remember the good old days!  Turn your cell phone off and let them leave a message.  This is your 'self-care' time!  DISCONNECT!

• Chatty Cathy or Quiet Time:  
• Your therapist has been trained in taking cues.  If you want to chat and let off some steam, go ahead, we may engage - but we will never judge or proffer advice.
• If you just want to chill and zone out - we'll get the message.  Aum diggy.

• Your comfort levels... "suffering in silence":
• BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION - it has to hurt to feel better- right?  UM, NO!  If it hurts and is out of your comfort level - TELL YOUR THERAPIST!
• If you are cold - TELL YOUR THERAPIST!
• If you don't like the music - TELL YOUR THERAPIST!
• If you have questions about other modalities:  hot stone, acupuncture, reflexology, facials, cupping, thai massage, etc.... - ASK YOUR THERAPIST!

This little post is all about 'Awareness' - again, it seems that Common Sense isn't so common these days.  Respect the people around you and respect yourself.  A little common Courtesy goes a long way.

You are beautiful.

Namaste~ Hope

Masseuse or Massage Therapist?

Masseuse or Massage Therapist?

Let's start with the definition of Masseuse:  From Merriam Webster Online Dictionary:

mas·seuse

 noun \-ˈsə(r)z, -ˈsüz\

: a woman whose job is to give massages

Okay!  With that out of the way we can see where one problem may lie. Masseuse is a feminine term!

Massage therapists come in all shapes and sizes these days, including female therapists and male therapists! By the bye, masculine of the term is Masseur. :)

Many of us, get our backs up when someone calls us, masseuse. First, we don't just 'give massages' - sure, we massage. But what does that entail? We have extensive knowledge of human physiology and anatomy. We are well trained in contraindications of receiving massage, including but not limited to; drug interactions, skin diseases, heat/cold therapies, special training to give prenatal massage, oncology massage for patients currently receiving chemo/radio therapies, etc..... 

We get as much training as LPNs, and some Doctor's assistants.  No we can't take blood, but we are CPR trained and have to pass rigorous testing to be in the profession we are in.  To call us 'Masseuse' or 'Masseur' - quite frankly IMHO - is to diminish and belittle my MADD SKILLZ!

With that said:

Peace, Light and Love!

Respect your Massage Therapist!  We Gotz Madd Skillz!

Undercover Boss: Massage Heights: S5, Ep10

Well, this won't be a very flattering post; but it will be a necessary one.

A client told me about this most recent episode of Undercover Boss:  Massage Heights (S5 Ep10).
  (click the link and you can watch the full episode)

I don't know if you've ever seen the show, but basically they take the head (CEO, COO, President, etc...) of a large company or corporation and put them in the shoes of their employees.  You know, "walk a mile in my shoes" if you like.

Sometimes these head-honcho moguls get enlightened, and sometimes they fall short of the mark.
In this particular instance the co-founder of Massage Heights falls WAY SHORT!  This gal just does not get it.

IMHO:

1.  She gives band-aids to a select few of the employees she encounters - while missing the big picture!  Maybe if MTs were paid a living wage we wouldn't have to have 2+ jobs, just to make ends meet!  Make ends meet!  Not support some lavish lifestyle she seems to think we all have.

2.  Who in their right mind would let a complete stranger into a massage session with a camera crew?  This totally breaks a million legal and sacred rules!  Massage space is sacred and the space shared with your therapist is a healing personal gift!  Makes me think this whole thing is a total set-up!  Everyone knew they were on UCB!

3.  MTs go through 100s, sometimes 1000s of hours of training, exams, continuing education to keep our licences to practice.  Not to mention our yearly insurances to practice and registration; including police background checks... just to be able to place our hands on another person!  This woman should have never been allowed to touch people!  Again:  SET-UP.

4.  She focuses on Brand and Consistency - Business Buzz Words, that have no place in a 'healing' industry.  MTs are like snowflakes as are guests/clients to a spa/clinic/retreat.  The relationships we build with regular clients is sacred.  Like the client who followed Colin from another spa.  Loyalty is NOT to the company, but to the therapist!  Large corporations and some smaller privately owned 'retreats' need to wise up and accept this!  You may pay for the marketing and advertising to get the guest/client in, but it's the MT that keeps them coming back!

5.  She gets all bent out of shape when she discovers that one particular retreat is NOT using Massage Heights 'branded' creams and lotions.  Well.... did you ever ask an MT to test the product for usability?  Did you ever ask the guests to your retreat if they liked the products?   Just like every profession involves the use of proper tools to get the job done right the first time, MTs are no different!  You give us crappy product to do our jobs and we'll give you shitty work!  I'm proud of those MTs taking a stand and saying - "NO, We want our clients to be happy and benefit from our madd skills with the use of good quality products." -  Well done!

In conclusion (oh, don't get me wrong... I could go on.), in conclusion; I'm not sure What UCB was trying to achieve with this particular episode... but they did get my feathers all ruffled on issues that consistently come up in my profession.

So, you want to say:  It's the nature of the business?  Well you can stick that up your dark side.  I should be able to do my job, share my madd skills and be a facilitator of health - while being able to support a family, myself and have the support of my employer; including health benefits!  I worked hard (and continue to work hard) to stay in this profession.  I love what I do!  I Just wish more people understood that it is NOT JUST RUBBING LOTION ON ITS SKIN!

We got Madd Skills!

Homemade Christmas!

Hi Everyone!

Okay so it's been a week or so since I posted.  Welcome to December!  I always find that time flies and I feel overwhelmed and distracted this time of year.  But I just take it one day at a time and before you know it it's the New Year!

So I don't do Christmas presents, but if I see something that a friend just absolutely has to have, I'll get it. This happens Year-round!  But I do like to make things for people this time of year.

Things I've been making:

• Soy candles
• Bath salts
• Sugar scrubs

Things I've purchased that have been made locally:

• Handmade soaps from CeColours & Co.

I'm a huge supporter of 'buy local' !!!  I don't buy into the big box store hype and avoid Black Thursday/Friday and Cyber Monday like the plague!  I shop small businesses most of the time so Small Business Saturday also happens Year-round!  

soy candles cooling on the kitchen counter

I will put up December's Newsletter in the middle of the month, in the meantime.... Peace, Light and Love.  May you all be blessed and de-stressed.  Don't forget to take time for yourself this month.  Book a massage, facial, spa-day, hot springs get away, take a personal day, visit with friends, call your mom!

Namaste~ Hope J McDonald RMT

Chakra Cooking: RED - Muladhara Cranberry Relish

Today is brought to you by the colour:  RED!

The Muladhara Chakra is our Root Chakra.  The base, the foundation, grounding, rooting - it is our connection to Earth.

Associated with the Four "S's" as they are often referred to:

• Sexuality = physical
• Stability = mental
• Sensuality = Emotional
• Security = spiritual

Muladhara is about purifying the body.  Interestingly cranberries with their blood red colouring tie directly with Muladhara - they cleanse, detoxify and have anti-inflammatory properties.  Cranberries contain anthocyanins - these give cranberries their red colour.  Anthocyanins have been shown to have some anti-inflammatory affect on our cells.  A reduction in inflammation can help our bodies fight many diseases; cardiovascular disease and cancer are examples.

Other characteristics of Muladhara:

• physical location, between the anus and genitals, opening downwards
• colour, red
• grounding and spiritual energies

Crystals and stones associated with Muladhara:

• Carnelian to balance
• Emerald to calm

Aromatherapy:

• Cedarwood
• Patchouli
• Myrrh

Muladhara Cranberry Relish - from "Cooking with Reckless Abandon" by Hope J McDonald (2013)

1 bag of whole cranberries (rinsed)

1/2 cup of organic raw sugar

1/2 cup of water

1 organic orange - zest the rind and juice the orange

1 star anise seed pod

Place all ingredients into a medium sized saucepan and bring to a boil.  Once boiling, reduce the temperature and cook for approximately 15-20 minutes, until the cranberries start to burst.  Turn heat off and let cool.  Remove the star anise seed pod and keep in fridge.  Will last about a week.

I use this for the holidays and I also use it for my cranberry salsa recipe:

Muladhara Cranberry Salsa - from "Cooking with Reckless Abandon" by Hope J McDonald (2013)

1 cup of Muladhara Cranberry Relish

1 cup of your favourite salsa; hot, medium or mild (up to you)

1 bunch of cilantro - chopped

Mix all ingredients in your favourite serving bowl and add cilantro to taste - mix well and let sit at room temperature for about an hour so all flavours meld.  Best to make the day before serving and keep in your fridge.  Take out an hour before serving.

I'm a Frito addict, so that is my chip of choice.  Traditional tortilla chips work well too!

Whole cranberries in the pot

Chakra information from:  The Chakra Bible by Patricia Mercier (2007)

Recipes from:  Cooking with Reckless Abandon by Hope J McDonlad (2013)

The power of cranberries:  http://www.npr.org/2010/11/12/131272331/bow-down-to-the-medicinal-power-of-cranberries 

Make your own bath salts!

Hiya!

So I'm in the process of making homemade soy candles and bath salts for this year's pressies!

I thought it would be nice if I shared my 'secret recipe' for bath salts, with you all! You can buy epsom salts at your local King Soopers, Walgreens, Sprouts, Smith's,  etc.....

Basic Recipe:

2 Cups Epsom Salts
10-15 drops of your favourite essential oils/blends/ single or mixed  ( I use http://www.rockymountainoils.com/ ) some of their blends, but their singles are fab!  Pricey, but quality is what you are  paying for!  Quality is paramount!  100% therapeutic grade.
1-2 drops of food grade/food colouring (experiment.... you may find other ways to dye the salts)
1 mason jar (16 oz)

Dead easy!  Pour about 8 oz... fill half the mason jar with epsom salts. Experiment with essential oils, I typically start with 10-15 drops of a blend then add more to your desire.  Blending:  blend with reckless abandon!  You'll find some winners, and some you need to toss out!
Colour:  leave it be or use as little as you like. Colour is secondary to your actual scent.

Add your oils to the 8 oz of salts, shake well!  Okay, keep shaking.   No, Seriously... shake shake shake shake it.....I'm having a Metro Staion moment.  SHAKE IT!

Okay... now add 1to 2 drops of food coloring, if you are using it.   Don't need a lot, the effect is subtle.  and ....... SHAKE IT! Add the next 8oz of epsom salts to top up the mason jar.    Then.... SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE IT!  Keep shaking........................

Alles Kla Sis Boom Bah!  Add about 2-3 TBS  to a warm bath and you are in heaven!  HEAVEN MUST BE THERE   Yea.......   you knew I would go there.

Enjoy!  Keep for yourself or share with family and friends.

Blend with Reckless Abandon!

You can decorate the jars if you want to give as gifts.

I will be adding some recipes to the book:  Cooking with Reckless Abandon by Hope J McDonald (2013)

Hot Stone Massage

Courtesy of ABMP

What is Hot Stone Massage?

Jed Heneberry

Stone massage is a luxurious experience in which the massage therapist uses warmed, smooth stones to provide bodywork, warming muscle tissue to reduce muscle tension and stiffness, and eliciting physical healing, mental relaxation, and a spiritual connection to earth energy

Photos frequently incorrectly portray the treatment with massage clients relaxing on a towel with stones placed artfully along their naked spines. 

In reality, two insulating layers, a sheet and a thick bath towel, will be placed on your skin, and the stones will be placed upon it. Your massage therapist will be using stones heated to 130-140 degrees Fahrenheit. Stones should never rest directly on your skin; they will only touch your skin if the therapist is holding them to apply strokes.



Should I Get One?
The heat of stone massage can be especially beneficial for certain populations and something to avoid for others. Specific chronic muscular conditions like frozen shoulder or low-back pain benefit as the heat helps tissues relax during massage work. And, while stone massage is lauded for the relaxation it promotes, therapists can use it for targeted trigger-point work and myofascial release as well.

Those who should avoid hot stone massage include people with diabetes, neuropathy, rheumatoid arthritis, skin conditions covering large areas of the body, or local skin conditions such as sunburn, broken skin, localized swelling, or other soft-tissue injuries.

Following are some of the benefits associated with stone therapies:
o Reduces anxiety, pain, and stress.
o Promotes mental and physical relaxation.
o Creates a feeling of groundedness and balance.
o Enhances connection to earth energy.
o Promotes local circulation in the area where it is applied. 
o Warms soft-tissue structures so they are ready for firm work more quickly.

Courtesy of ABMP

Back to Basics... Making your own.

Good morning CyberSpace!

So, I had a fun day yesterday making my own deodorant stick!  I've always used the salt stones, but those buggers get to a point (quite literally) where they just scratch the HE** out of your pits!  OUCH!

Time for something different.  I've always tried to use as natural as possible when it comes to masking B.O. - Let's face it, no wants a stinky massage therapist.  I know a lot of my colleagues use the clinical grade deodorant/antiperspirant sticks, but quite frankly the ingredients in these products scares the BeJeebus out of me!  The biggest one being aluminum!  Aluminum has been associated with a plethora of health issues:

• Seizures
• Alzheimer's disease
• Breast Cancer
• Bone formation disorders
• Kidney problems

(info from:  http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/miscellaneous-health-and-wellness/aluminum-free-deodorant)

So, Google being the amazing tool that it is... I 'Googled it'.

I came across a WikiHow site that is pretty simple to understand and follow.  Check it out -
Make Your Own Deodorant Stick

Basic recipe:
1/4 cup Baking Soda
1/4 cup Cornstarch
10 drops of tea tree oil essential oil
2 TBS of Coconut Oil (melted)

Now, the fun part.  Experiment with essential oils!  Many Essential oils have anti-bacterial properties.  It is the bacteria in sweat that causes an unpleasant odor.  So, with that said; here are a few oils you may want to experiment with:

• Oregano
• Thyme
• Tea Tree
• Rosemary
• Clove
• Cinnamon
• Eucalyptus

(info from:  http://greenbootliving.com/2013/08/18/essential-oil-bacteria-fighters/)

My little kitchen experiment included:  5 drops of tea tree oil, 5 drops of lavender, and a single drop of patchouli.  This made for a nice musky floral combination.  We shall see how effective it is with masking B.O.

I just put all ingredients into a mixing bowl and started mashing it all together.  You'll have to keep mashing until it is all incorporated and looks like the paste from elementary school.  Then start packing it into your container of choice.

I saved a stick container from my previous deodorant and used this to pack the mixture into.  It was all really simple and the whole process took about 20 minutes!  Easy!  I do have to keep the stick in the fridge as coconut oil melts at 75 F and could become a melty mess.

You could try this recipe too:
http://www.newdirectionsaromatics.com/blog/20111125/homemade-deodorant/1582

Now this recipe uses the antisudorific (prevents sweating) essential oils: Clary Sage, Cypress, Citronella
But, I think the body sweats for a reason and you shouldn't mess with physiology.

Next on my list of  'make your own' :  Laundry Detergent

The Benefits of Regular Massage.

The Benefits of Massage:

... and when I say massage I mean REGULAR massage.  That once a year birthday treat is just that, a treat.  To really truly experience what regular massage can do for you and your body, it is important to get regular treatments.

   With regular treatments massage can:

• Lessen back pain and increase ROM (Range of Motion)
• Boost your immune system
• Decrease depression and anxiety
• Relieve stress and encourage relaxation
• Improve rehabilitation after injury
• Relieve headaches and migraine
• Improve sleep

Even Fox News is willing to research and publish an article on the benefits of massage;  MASSAGE PROVES TO HAVE MEDICAL BENEFITS. Not that I'm citing them as a 'reliable' source.  FYI:  most of my fans know how I feel about dubious media propaganda.

But I digress.  Most information I will post here will come from various sources;   colleagues, AMTA, ABMP, MayoClinic, Huffington Post, NIH, etc...

Research into the benefits of massage is getting better.  Massage is older than dirt and it's only just now that it is coming into its 'own'.  By that I mean, recognition in the 'Medical World' as a viable treatment for a plethora of conditions and disease (dis-ease).

My intention with this Blog is to help bring a better understanding and appreciation for all the benefits of massage to everyone.

Namaste~ Hope McDonald RMT

Chakra Foods: Today is brought to you by the colour GREEN!

Today's recipe is quick and easy and can be made the night before for breakfast.  Or you could chill it down, cut it into serving size bites and take with you.

I call it Anahata Rice!

It's actually a version of Arroz Verde (Mexican green rice), but cooking with reckless abandon as I do.  This is my tweaked out version of it.  Feel free to experiment!

• 2 cups of cooked rice

(Make the rice to package directions.

I used brown rice and sometimes I'll use short grain rice.

Any rice will work.)

I usually add dried oregano and a vegetable stock cube to the rice while it is cooking.

For the Green!!!
Peppers:

• Green bell pepper
• Poblanos, roasted and seeded

Leafy greens:

• Kale
• Cilantro
• Baby spinach
• Fresh Parsley

Mix it up, play with the flavours.  I chop the peppers and leafy greens and add to a blender with:

• 1/4 onion
• pinch of salt
• splash of water
• splash of almond milk

Blend/pulse until well incorporated.  Once the rice has finished cooking, let it cool a bit.  Then add your green!  I mix it all up thoroughly, then add a cheese of choice. 

Add Cheese:  I usually add 1/2 cup to the mixture and save 1/2 cup for topping.

• Queso Fresco
• Mozzarella
• Monterey Jack

If I use the traditional Mexican flavour profile  I will add Queso Fresco to the blender before adding it to the rice.

Or I will just add shredded Mozzarella to the rice/green mixture, and stir it through. 

You might find that there is more liquid (green) than rice, if it seems a little 'runny' - just add about 1/2 cup elbow macaroni and stir that through.  Once in the oven, the macaroni will soak up the liquid and you'll end up with a nice stodgy rice cake of sorts.  I like to do this.

I then place this cheesy green mixture into a prepared casserole dish and top with more cheese.  Bake covered at 375 F for about 25 minutes, remove cover and bake an additional 15 minutes until the top browns a little.  Remove from oven and let cool.  Or you could serve it straight away.  I like to let it cool, cut into squares and have this as a snack if I'm on the go. Great hot or cold!

Anahata Green - it's made of poblanos!

Anahata Green Rice Casserole

Anahata Chakra:

• The heart chakra
• located at the center of the chest on the sternum
• associated with circulatory, lymphatic and immune systems
• unconditional love and compassion

Crystals to activate Anahata:

• Peridot

Crystals to calm Anahata:

• Pink topaz
• Rhodonite
• Pink or Lavender Kunzite

If you suffer frequent panic attacks, the Qi for Anahata is too strong and must be calmed.  Using the calming crystals can help with this.

Aromatherapy for Anahata:

• Rose
• Melissa
• Neroli

This is a fun recipe!  There are no rules!  Play with it and make it yours!  Enjoy cooking with reckless abandon and cook with HEART!  You can't go wrong.

Peace, Light and Love~  

Hope

Chakra information:  The Chakra Bible by Patricia Mercier (2007)
Anahata Rice:  Cooking with reckless abandon by Hope McDonald (2013)

Nutrition and Chakra Foods!

Today has been brought to you by the colour:  Orange!

Part and parcel of taking care of your body includes the foods we eat!
Just like a machine, it needs fuel and maintenance to function optimally.

I like cooking with colour!   I do chakra balancing in my work if someone requests it. I also like to
cook with chakra colours!  Today's colour is orange!

The orange chakra (Svadisthana) is:

• located just below your navel
• the colour of vitality and strength
• the colour of gentle and positive nurturing of ourselves
• associated with the endocrine glands
• often referred to the centre of self-expression and joy

Crystals can be used to enhance the orange chakra when it is sluggish; fire opal, carnelian

When Svadisthana is too active; emerald can be used to quiet this chakra.

It is possible to have too much Qi (life energy) flowing into your Svadisthana chakra.  When this happens it's a place where we store emotions.  Emotions such as anger and fear, if held onto can cause illness.

Today's recipe:  Svadisthana Soup (Butternut squash, sweet potato and carrot soup!)

1 onion (diced)

1 clove of garlic (crushed and minced)

2 carrots (diced)

1 Fuji apple (cubed)

2-3 small Dolce sweet peppers (red/orange/yellow)

1 sweet potato (cubed)

1/2 butternut squash (cubed)

2 tbs grated fresh ginger root

1/4 tsp Cayenne pepper

1/4 tsp chili powder

1/4 tsp cardamom (ground) 

pinch of saffron threads

pinch of nutmeg

salt to taste  (typically I use a vegetable stock cube)

Place all ingredients into a medium sized crock-pot/slow cooker.  Top with enough water to just cover, turn to low and get on with your beautiful day! About 6 hours later, you've got the most beautiful and tasty chunky soup in the most amazing orange colour!

If you prefer a smoother soup, get out your immersion blender and blend it all up!  I love to do this as it gives a thicker creamier soup.  Top with some soured cream and enjoy!  You could also chop up some fresh cilantro as a garnish (giving that emerald green colour to help balance the chakra).

Svadisthana Orange Chakra Soup before cooking

Svadisthana Soup after cooking and immersion blender served with Soured Cream and a sprinkle of dried cilanto (it's all I had). 

Source for Chakra information:  The Chakra Bible by Patricia Mercier (2007)
Recipe:  Hope McDonald - Cooking with reckless abandon (2013)

I sing the body Electric!

Hi!  My name is Hope McDonald and I am a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) with the state of Colorado.

I wanted to create an online space where people who had questions about massage and self-care could come and ask questions and read articles about the benefits of massage.

Take care of YOU!  As a massage therapist I am only but a facilitator of health.  I will give you tools, but you must take charge of your health.  Regular visits and we can discuss a plan.

Maybe a little shameless promotion of my private practice and the spa in LoDo I work at too. ;)  So, with that said... Welcome.

Let's share space.

~Hope