Physical & Mental Benefits of Massage Therapy

Exercise doesn’t have to be conducted on your own or at breakneck speed. Various forms of movement are good for the heart, lungs, muscles and mind. Exercise with a buddy or group not only makes the activity pass more quickly, it also makes it more enjoyable. A dance therapy group offers myriad physical and emotional health benefits. Dance therapists help their groups develop nonverbal means to express emotion, and they also assess physical limitations. Before beginning any exercise or therapy program, you should consult your physician.

Rationale

Dance is a form of movement that expresses emotion as it provides health benefits. According to the American Dance Therapy Association, dance therapy is the psychotherapeutic application of movement to benefit the physical, mental, emotional and social health of a person. When done in a group setting, dance therapy creates a connection between the mind, body and spirit as it creates a connection among people. While it’s easy to become discouraged working at a dance step or physical therapy exercise by yourself, the camaraderie of a group cheers on the individual to master the next movement.

Physical Advantages

Depending on your age and level of mobility, group dance therapy can provide vigorous exercise with complicated steps. It also can present deliberate, slow movements to exercise atrophied muscles, which is made easier when performed to the beat of music and with a partner or supportive group. With an accredited instructor, it can be used as a form of physical therapy. For example, rather than walking from one end of the room and back, dancers can shuffle, sashay or slide and cheer each other’s progress. Some champions promote group dance therapy as an exercise that boosts the immune system, helping to prevent illness.

Mental and Emotional Advantages

Exercise and movement boost the creation of endorphins, which are mood-enhancing neurotransmitters in the brain. Whether you enjoy nine holes with a colleague, take spinning classes with your significant other or dance with a group of friends, the endorphins reduce stress as they elevate your outlook on life. A dance therapy group applies the practice of dance and rhythm in a way that encourages emotional expression and movement, which also boosts self-confidence and allows for verbal and nonverbal expression. MayoClinic.com calls exercise “meditation in motion,” and group dance falls squarely in that category.

Socialization

Group dance therapy provides a setting in which you can socialize. Senior citizens who live alone or relatively isolated, can mix with other seniors as they collectively seek exercise. Dance therapy provides an avenue for people with physical disabilities to interact with others in a friendly, welcoming setting. For children, dance therapy teaches socialization skills when children have to rely on each other to complete steps, and it also helps them to manage their copious amounts of energy.

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Massages to Cleanse Chakras

Chakras are believed to be vascular forms of energy that run through the body and correspond to seven major organs and systems. When energy flow to an organ or system becomes impaired, the corresponding organ or system's functioning can be impaired, explains the website Reiki.nu. Therapeutic approaches such as massage are believed to be effective in relieving obstruction in chakras. As a result, the affected organ or system is restored to normal levels of functioning.

THE CHAKRAS

The premise of chakras is based in part on the science of energy. According to Neholistic, the energy of chakras closely resembles the vibrations of your body's own molecules, operating at approximately 8 cycles per second. Located in the center of your body, three chakras run the length of your spine and connect your spinal cord to the endocrine and nervous systems. Two forms of electrical current exist in your chakras: alternating and continuous. The alternating chakra current governs the energy exchange within your body, between the nervous system, brain and endocrine glands. Your continuous chakra current, in contrast, extends beyond the physical body and is responsible for the exchange of energy between you, your environment and other human beings.

SYMPTOMS OF BLOCKED CHAKRAS

Impairment of the flow of energy through one or more chakras generally is caused by the accumulation of chronic negative feelings such as fear. Because all of your chakras work together, an impasse in one causes impaired functioning of the others. As a result, you may experience psychological and physiological problems. As an example, blockage of your solar plexus chakra, which is responsible for digestion, can cause stomach upset, gas or constipation. While the symptoms of a blocked chakra often are physical, they can emanate from psychological problems such as low self-esteem.

MASSAGES TO CLEAN CHAKRAS

Chakra massage is performed using massage oil, clarified butter or an herbal blend, according to MassageTherapy. Each chakra has a physical point that responds to massage. Massage is administered by using a small circular stroke in a clockwise direction in the area corresponding to the blockage in your chakra. As an example, massaging the lower part of your abdomen corresponds with the second chakra, which is responsible for creativity and imagination. A blockage of this chakra causes difficulty with creative pursuits and abstract thought.

CONSIDERATIONS

Massage can relieve blocked chakras, according to proponents of the technique, but the approach should be implemented with other holistic methods. Meditation, exercise, eating a healthy diet and exposure to natural light all can help improve the flow of energy through your chakras. If you're feeling impairment in your creativity, energy or mood, engage in activities that encourage you to participate in a way that can restore chakra flow. According to The Energy Healing Site, you shouldn't expect your chakras to be in complete balance because each individual has a unique flow through each chakra.

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Posted in: Massage