Equilibrium Massage Therapies
(Manchester UK)

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COMBATTING STRESS AND ANXIETY in challenging times...

Here are some videos that I think may be helpful during the Coronavirus Restricted Lifestyle, we are all currently living. A build up of stress and anxiety affects mind, which affects your spirit and also manifests in your body.

I will be regularly updating this page with further videos that you may find helpful in managing your stress and anxiety levels.

This information can also be found on my Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/equilibrium.massage.manchester

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(30/6/2020) BREATHWORK that really does work!

I have recently had a friend recommend the Wim Hof technique, which is based around a certain type of breathing exercise. I have been practising this myself for several weeks, 2 or 3 times a day, and I must say that it has had astounding effects on fully relaxing my mind, making me feel more grounded, also energised and more motivated.

I have included the beginner's video below. Do not worry if you cannot get the technique straight away and cannot hold your breath out, for as long as illustrated. Just breath when you need to, either through nose or mouth. Just make each breath nice and deep, and after a week of keeping up the practise, a few times a day, see how you feel....

When you feel more confident, there are longer breath videos on the Wim Hof Youtube channel. Also another aspect is taking a daily cold shower, after your normal one, which also compliments the breathing and is great for shifting inflammation from the body and mind.

Also, see his website for further information. There is also a free app that you can download for your smart phone. See: https://www.wimhofmethod.com/

Remember that this is a daily practise. If it works for you, keep it up and you will always feel the benefits of being a better version of yourself!

 

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(10/6/2020) Some further great chest (Pectoralis) muscle stretches, if you have a foam roller at home.

Foam Rollers are a great piece of equipment that you can easily purchase online. They can be used in many ways to help stretch out and relax muscles around the body...

(Make sure that you warm up your body before stretching, with some cardio vascular exercise. If you are feeling lazy then a hot water bottle, applied through clothing to the area, will also do!)

 

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(10/6/2020) Shoulders hunched forward? Tightness in the shoulders that never seems to go away? Possibly this tightness sometimes shoots down into your lower back?

These could all be connected. There is a muscle at the outer top of the chest called the Pec(toralis) Minor muscle. This muscle extends from three origins on the third, fourth, and fifth ribs on each side of the ribcage to the coracoid process (a small, hook-like structure) of the scapula, or shoulder blade.

So if this is too tight, it literally pulls the shoulder blade forward, causing the hunched forward posture at the front of body. It also drags the shoulder blade up and forward, out of its normal position, causing additional muscular pulling and stress in the back of the body.

It is very important to stretch the Pec (chest) muscles regularly, as part of your maintenance routine...

In the exercises below, having your arm out, to the side, 90 degrees to the body, works the Pec Major muscle more. If you then raise your arm higher, about another 30-40 degrees, then you work the Pec Minor muscle more.

(Make sure that you warm up your body before stretching, with some cardio vascular exercise. If you are feeling lazy then a hot water bottle, applied through clothing to the area, will also do!)

 

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(31/5/2020) Guided Meditations can be a great way to be lead into a more grounded state and turn off from any emotional stresses.

Just pick a meditation, dependent on your needs, plug in your earphones and close your eyes, then PLAY...

I have found some great guided meditations on this playlist, which have helped make my days better during lockdown. Hope they can help you too...

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(27/5/2020) Breath is a very simple way to re-connect with your body, heal and transform your mood...

Here are some different breathing techniques for you to try. See how you feel after practising them. Decide which is the most beneficial and just take a few minutes each day to practise and help make your body and mind feel more grounded and stabilised...

The best time for breathing exercises are first thing in the morning, before breakfast. Also, later in the day, before meals (not directly after them, leave 2hrs after eating).

Enjoy the simplicity and powerfulness of some of these techniques, that anyone can practise... xx

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(28/4/2020) Some you have been asking me about Self Massage, in these times where a proper massage by another, is not currently possible...

This a great video for showing you massage techniques all over the body, introducing acupressure points and no oil is needed!

Great way to help loosen your limbs and find those points which help deeply relax you... have fun! :-)

 

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(28/4/2020) Some soothing sound therapy for you, involving Tibetan bowls and Gongs. This is great for grounding, calming and bringing you back into your body, if you are feeling anxious or over thinking a situation.

Just plug in your headphones, close your eyes and immerse yourself in the healing quality and resonances of these beautiful natural sounds...

 

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(17/4/2020) For a more simpler, gentler meditation, using breath work...

Simply turn down the lighting, plug in your earphones and close your eyes...

I find his voice very soothing and the music very relaxing...

 

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(17/4/2020) Breath is vital and important to be truly aware of.

Being more mindful and guiding your breath can really help your whole body, mind and spirit through times of greater anxiety.

Here are some great techniques for releasing stress and anxiety through breath work...

 

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(17/4/2020) FOAM ROLLING! (a great alternative body massage workout)

A great way to give your muscles a kind of massage, work out and help loosen stiffness and work your knots out. I use one of these daily after heating up the muscles... that could be a run, a fast walk, a very warm bath/shower or just laying in the sunshine for a while!

Do not use foam rollers when your muscles are cold and not warmed up, as you could cause yourself an injury.

Foam rollers can easily be purchased online at very reasonable prices. The smooth roller is the best for overall body use. The knobbly ones are more challenging and designed to get into areas where you have muscle knots.

Be careful when you have very tight or knotty muscles, when using the foam roller (especially the knobbly one). Take long, slow deep breaths, move your body over the foam roller slowly and press into the muscle as you breath out.

Warming up the body and foam rolling every day is a great way to keep your body (and therefore mind) balanced during these testing, restricted times. They are a great alternative to getting a massage until I am open to give you a proper treatment again.

KEEP SAFE & HAVE FUN ROLLING!

 

 

Page last updated: 30th June, 2020