get your massage on,
san francisco.
bring us your
slept-on-it-wrong necks
blackberry thumbs
computer shoulders
post-flight backs
overworked hips
marathon legs
and stressed-out selves.
a visit to
mochi massage
will help you
breathe deeper
move easier
and simply
feel better.
These are the days, just after the daylight savings time shift happens, when we are likely to make the commute to work and back – in the dark. It leaves us wondering “Um. What happened to my day?”
Find some me-time by daylight this week. Step on out for a well-deserved break from the office.
MONDAY It’s use it or lose it time for your FSA dollars. Time to check your Flexible Spending Account for any unused funds. Use it for an econo-pack of Mochi Massages and book a stressbusting session this week.
TUESDAY November is the perfect time to jumpstart that yoga practice “that you know you should be going to more often”. Check out Darren Main’s oh-so-gentle hatha yoga class at the magnificent Grace Cathedral. It’s free, and it’s a cool place to practice. Word to the wise: bring a thicker yoga mat and some layers.
WEDNESDAY How to get through the holidays this year? Listen to the harrowing, heartstring-tugging and hilarious holiday tales of talented local writers and feel better immediately. The Lit Up Writers host Unwrapped and Regifted: Stories About the Holidays at 111 Minna. I made it to their last event and the whole room was sent flying off their chairs in laughter.
THURSDAY Track down the Creme Brulee Cart (some days on Market + Sutter). I recommend ordering a Yes, Please (Nutella and strawberries FTW!)
FRIDAY Let Houdini inspire you to make your own art and magic at the Contemporary Jewish Museum.
We’re digging on this Saul Bass-inspired infographic that demonstrates how sitting (at our desks, in meetings, during our commutes, on the couch, etc) isn’t as inocuous an act as it would seem. Turns out that being sedentary isn’t so natural for us humans, and can spawn health issues ranging from back pain to heart disease. Yikes. It’s no wonder that an increasing number of Mochi clients are resorting to standing desks at work.
The big takeaway from this latest study? Take every opportunity to get your body moving, every day. Take a stroll with your workmates. Run with your dog. Climb those stairs. Bike to work. Do one of those hikes on Weekend Sherpa. Find a local pool and get aquatic. Shake what your mama gave you. Not only will you be circumventing unpleasant health issues – you’ll also be having a ton of fun.
If staying indoors during the latest round of rain has left you feeling a wee bit disconnected from the world (I know it has me) check out this TED talk by Brené Brown about how the courage to embrace our vulnerability is necessary for us to truly feel connection, purpose, and joy.
I have a confession. I’m addicted to TED talks, especially on Mondays when I could use an extra boost of inspiration. Just caught this TED talk by statistician and happiness researcher Nic Marks.
The Happiness Index, Marks’ set of metrics used to measure just how successful we are as a happy, healthy, loving society – is as good of a concept as any for what Mochi Massage represents.
As we wrap up our third full year in business (whoa!), the Happiness Index serves as a succinct reminder of what we’re here to do – advocate for a greater investment in well-being, both for ourselves as well as that of our planet – so that we can embrace our happiness. That, and to figure out how we can land a Mochi Massage outpost in Costa Rica.
You’ve been trying to go local, bringing your cutsie basket to the farmers’ market. Instead you’re seriously going loco. What is the difference between ‘organic’, ‘certified organic’, ‘no pesticides’, and ‘no sprays’? You may as well be shopping at the mega-mart; there are far too many undefined labels and choices. Are you filling your basket with tasty, sustainable foods or just buying into clever marketing jargon? Below – a primer to help you decipher what it all means:
Certified Organic: The USDA has a ‘National Organic Program’, wherein accredited organizations inspect farms annually to ensure farming methods meet the national standards; organic produce must be free of most synthetic chemicals (e.g. pesticides, fertilizers, additives, GMOs, irradiation, antibiotics). Tests must indicate these results for several consecutive years in order to be certified. Records must be kept, and conventional & organic crops must be properly separated. Organic practices are more environmentally friendly as they don’t release pesticides into the environment, are better at sustaining diverse ecosystems, and often use less energy & create less waste than conventional farms.
Organically Grown, Organic Methods, Organic but not Certified, Transitioning to Organic: A farm might use organic practices (no synthetic sprays, etc.), but may choose not to get certified, or may be in the process of certification. Certification can cost extra money, and takes at least 3 years of organic practices before a farm can be certified. (Though there are stipends to support farms going organic… so if you’re curious why a farm hasn’t bothered to get certified, or where they are in the process ask!) Without the certification, there’s no guarantee the farm is meeting the national organic standards, and the food may contain pesticide residues.
No Spray / Pesticide Free: This suggests just what the label says, however it does not guarantee that the produce is free of pesticide residue, irradiation or other more conventional techniques.
Bottom Line: When at the market, chat it up with your local farmers. If a grower isn’t certified, ask why. You may still be getting clean veggies sans the pricey stamp of approval from the government. Bonus: Getting to know the folks who are supplying you and your family with healthy, sustainable eats.
If you can’t go organic all the time, here’s a breakdown of which veggies and fruits you should buy organic vs. non-organic:
About our guest blogger: Ali G. Aiello, CHHC, RYT is a wHolistic Health & Nutrition Coach, a yoga instructor, and a down to earth foodie. She supports her clients in bringing compassion and awareness to the areas of their life that feed them, moving from mindful eating to mindful living in order to improve the quality of their life. Ali leads wellness workshops, offers individual, group or corporate coaching, and provides yoga instruction to those who want to feel great in their body, and lead an energetic, happy life. Find out more at Just Be Wellness.
(Part 1 of 2 in our series about how to keep your wrists happy while at the computadora.)
That cute little plastic 2 or 3 button piece of equipment (most likely) sitting on the right side of your keyboard, is often the most misused piece of technology at the workplace and at home. All too often we hang onto it for too long, move it back and forth too quickly, and pound on it with our index fingers to click.
I’m here to tell you to stop clawing and start loving your mouse.
My patients often wander into the clinic suffering from tendonitis, carpal tunnel, and ulnar nerve compression – all due to overuse or misuse of their mice.
Whether you operate a rollerball, rollerbar, joystick, hand cradled, touch pad or that basic no-frills mouse that comes with your system – these three rules should always be followed:
1) Let go. Once you have clicked and found what you’re looking for, let go of the mouse while you’re reading. Better to place your hand in your lap and turn your palm up to rest, than rest on top of the mouse.
2) Go big. Begin your mousing movements from your shoulder. Think of your hand and mouse as “Flintstone”. Your hand/palm should be flat, fingers together (this is especially true with rollerball mice) and you should use the palm of your hand to move the mouse or ball, NOT the fingertips. This is important for the scroll bar feature on your mouse too. Try to use your whole hand to move the mouse and whole middle finger and palm to move the scroll bar. All too often, people will drop behind the mouse and rest their palms/wrist, while slinging the mouse right and left with their fingers. This position can increase the pressure in your carpal tunnel by up to (and in some cases more than) 65%. Increased pressure = increased median nerve pressure which can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.
3) Stay close. If you’re reaching on top of your desk while using a keyboard tray for your keyboard, or if you are reaching way to the left or right to do your mousing, you can put your elbow and shoulder at risk for repetitive strain injuries. Consider a rollerbar or touch pad if you have a large keyboard or limited space.
Part 2: Stretch Your Way to Happy Wrists
About our guest blogger: Liz Sakaldasis is an Occupational Therapist (MA, OTR/L), Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) and Certified Ergonomist (CAE). She has been practicing for the last 14 years. She currently works in VibrantCare Rehabilitation in Oakland, CA. She welcomes your questions and looks forward to working with you! Please feel free to email her at lizsisle@gmail.com.
Valentine’s Day is lame for a lot of people, it seems. This ‘holiday’ that we either love, hate and love to hate brings on a barrage of anti-Valentine’s e-cards, events, and even iPhone apps. Those in relationships feel obligated to spend money on gauche candy hearts, those ubiquitous long-stemmed roses, overpriced couples’ massages and contrived pre-fixe dinners in romantic restaurants that would, on any other day, be romantic.
Yet, at its core, this is still an opportunity to celebrate love. And let’s face it. We’re all suckers for love.
So, for the cynics out there (*raises hand*) – put down those hater tots and throw out the hatorade. I’m saying – redefine and personalize what this day means to you and the peeps you love – then celebrate like this all the days of the year. There’s not a thing wrong with chocolate and flowers if that’s your thing. But you could also cook supper at home with your sweetie, play the day away with your kids, hang out with your best mates, or do something kind for someone you barely know. (Awwww.)
Oh, and as Kierkegaard says, “Don’t forget to love yourself.” Schedule in time in the coming months to give yourself a little more of that love you deserve. Perhaps once a day, take a break from your work, even if it’s just for a half hour. Once a week, indulge in a special treat. Once a month, restore yourself with massage. Repeat. At some point, treating yourself well will come oh-so-naturally. Keep looking for new ways to make yourself happy. Meanwhile, making others happy will be that much more effortless.
Enjoy your long weekend, friends. Hope to see you in the studio soon.
xoxo,
Mochi Massage
*Artwork above by that harbinger of love herself, choijoy
Perhaps you’re finding that your resolution to ‘take better care of yourself’ isn’t meshing so well with ‘save more money this year’. Flax seed oil and organic fair trade bananas ain’t so cheap, right? Well, here we are to save the day. You’re welcome. Below, four ways to make massage a regular part of your life in a way that still works with your fiscal plan:
Flex Your Dollar Power. It’s a common dilemma. You set aside pre-tax dollars for your flexible spending account (FSA) for general medical expenses. At the end of the year, you find yourself scrambling to use it or lose it. Turns out that most FSAs believe what we’ve known all along – that _massage is medicine_. FSA funds can be used for therapeutic bodywork and holistic treatments as long as you supply the proper paperwork. Happy happy joy joy. Here’s how:
1. Get a note from your doctor recommending therapeutic massage for your specific condition(s).
2. Find out what how your FSA handles reimbursement for doctor-prescribed bodywork.
3. Schedule your appointment. We are FSA-friendly and happy to provide you with the documentation you’ll need to get reimbursed.
Send your pains a-packing. Purchase a five-pack series and save big. Simply prepay for four sessions and the fifth session is on us. Free. Nada. Zero. Zip. You have a year to use ‘em. You can schedule them at your convenience. Aaand you’ll ensure that you’ll receive regular self-care. Available in 60- or 90-minute sessions.
Become a “Mochivangelist”. Tell your friends, family, and co-workers how much awesome you experienced in your last Mochi visit. Forward them this amazing email. When you refer three new clients to us (ask them to mention you as a referral), guess who gets a free 60-minute session? Mmmhmm, that’s right. It’s you – lucky you. Woot.
Follow our Sweet Tweets. Now and again, we offer same-day discounts for available sessions. You can save up to 50% off our regular rates if you follow us on Twitter. We go by ‘sfmochi’ in the Twitterverse.
Helping the world around us has always been our mission. To do our part in aiding the folks in Haiti as they recover from their catastrophe, we are donating 10% of your January massage dollars to Doctors Without Borders. When you book your massage this month, you will be doing good for others as you do good for yourself.
Don’t let seasonal allergies take the bounce out of your spring. Beat the sniffles naturally by test-driving a neti pot or some new breathing techniques, changing your diet, and throwing pollen to the curb.
Use a neti pot. Are you kidding? Sure, it’s a tough pill to swallow for Western sensibilities, but flushing out the nose and throat with warm water and a little salt via neti pot is an ancient Asian hygiene as commonplace as brushing your teeth. The idea is catching flow here, as daily use has been credited with easier breathing and a host of other great results, no pills required. They run about $12, and available at the Mochi Mercantile.
Eat to breathe. Local honey can help boost immunity to local allergens, and it’s a sweet source of vitamins, antioxidants, and more to boot. In the SF Bay Area, try Pollen Princesses or Marshall’s Farm Natural Honey. Also, apples, capers, and onions contain compounds that stabilize cells that secrete histamines in the body, helping to naturally alleviate runny noses and itchy eyes.
Breathe like a yogi. Duck into a hatha yoga class (or check out these videos) and request to learn the Breath of Fire (kapalabhati) and Purifying Breath (nadi shodhana). These intensive, nostril-clearing techniques will max out your airflow and help keep your nose free and clear.
Pollen-proof your life. Follow this advice from the Mayo Clinic to limit your pollen exposure, including getting hip to HEPA filters, timing your time outdoors, tips on tidying up your home, and more.
And don’t forget massage. Regular massage therapy can help keep your chi in check, and it can lead to better use of your nose and throat when nature is under attack. Stress can also trigger allergies and asthma attacks, and gum up the body’s own natural immunity. Stay calm, collected, and UNcongested with the aid of regular massage therapy from an experienced practitioner.
