 Stephanie (on right) in post massage bliss after a 90 Minute BWS signature massage with Mercedes. "Transformation is through the body, not away from it. This is why no true master has ever advocating fighting or leaving the body, although their mind-based followers often have." -Eckhart Tolle
Previously I have written about the difference between knowledge and knowing. I shared my experience with Eckhart Tolle and how the only true way to "know" something, is to experience it. What are you noticing...knowing? This week I encourage you to become curious about what and how your physical body is trying to communicate with you. Our physical body is a portal to what is really happening deep within. By deep within I mean beyond the mind and it's thoughts/story/narrative. For example, ever notice how physical pain causes us to "do" something when it no longer becomes tolerable? The moment we feel "we have had enough of feeling sick/tired/achy/lonely" (i.e.: suffering) we can decide it's time to make a change. Time for transformation!!! Perhaps we decide to become conscious of our food habits and choose to eat better. Or, maybe it's time to lace up those sneakers and exercise. For some it's time to ease up on the physical body and get a massage or finally try yoga, etc. And still for others there's a sense of the inner body that feels "off". Anxious, afraid, alone...endless cycle of emotional up and down. Why does connecting with the body matter? From a practical sense, we need it in order to live so why not take care of it the best we can? On a deeper level, the physical body is a powerful doorway to access wisdom and therefore transformation. Can't change what you don't know/want to know :) Perhaps most importantly, the body is the vehicle we have been gifted with to transmit the song of our soul. While some wisdom traditions may teach denying the body and/or ignoring the body, in my experience, it is the exact opposite. We must pay attention, listen, learn, respect, and celebrate the body. Then we must apply these lessons in the form of action. How do we access the physical body, in a deeper sense? It varies. One thread runs through all of it and that is the practice of presence...awareness. A.K.A - paying attention. Some of us pay attention quite naturally and either choose to take action or not. Doing nothing is also a choice :) Others of us engage in movement practices - yoga/running/walking outside/dance... to help us get in touch/feel the inner body. And still others rely on meditation, massage, energy healing, and soul work to assist in bringing us into deeper awareness. There's no right or wrong way. And the "way" may change over time as you change. Nothing is permanent in this world of form. Ha! As I say-- the only "wrong" way to meditate is simply to not do it all. And so it is with life and dealing with change. We will either consciously choose to listen to our body or not. Regardless, life / transformation happens anyway. We can embrace it (peaceful path) or fight it (suffering path). I don't know about you. I rather the peaceful path. Namaste, Stephanie  What is the Endocannabinoid System?
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has been called one of the single most important scientific discoveries of modern time. So why is it so significant? It does so much more than allow our bodies to interact with THC and feel the mind-altering effects of cannabis. As one of the 12 major systems in our body, it is highly involved in maintaining the homeostasis, or balance within the body’s systems as well as physiological functions such as modulating pain and inflammation. Why Is Homeostasis Important? Homeostasis refers to the body’s process of maintaining balanced conditions for the cells in our bodies to live and function. This is critical for the proper functioning of our bodies as a whole to keep conditions stable enough for all of our cells to thrive and do their jobs. To better understand the importance of homeostasis, think of it as needing our body systems to stay in the Goldilocks zone. For example, our blood sugar shouldn’t be too low or too high, but just right. The same thing applies to many other conditions within our body such as temperature, blood pressure, and more. The endocannabinoid system does just that! How Do CBD and the Endocannabinoid System Work Together? Plant cannabinoids are able to affect the body medicinally because of our endocannabinoid system and the interactions that happen there. Like some other neurotransmitters, cannabinoids such as CBD, interact with many different receptor types. This means that while the CBD is activating certain cannabinoid receptors, it may be interacting with other receptors as well. CBD has the ability to affect the overall levels of endocannabinoids in the body. This is referred to as endocannabinoid tone. CBD can increase the levels of anandamide by preventing the FAAH enzyme from breaking it down. Inhibiting the FAAH enzyme in this way has been shown to improve anxiety disorders. When the body does not produce enough endocannabinoids or is unable to regulate them properly, it becomes more susceptible to health issues that can manifest as anxiety, inflammatory diseases, or skin disorders. However, research has shown that CBD can directly activate serotonin (the feel good neurotransmitter) receptors that may decrease anxiety. Every mammal has an endocannabinoid system. This system is affected by internal and external factors, as it relates to inflammation, injuries, and balancing homeostasis. It also protects against cancers, diseases, and nerve damage. The ECS also balances and protects our Central Nervous System and Immune System responses. In return, when this system is activated properly it initiates pain control and calms inflammation. The ECS is critical to the life cycle of skin, fighting against skin cancers, eczema, psoriasis, dry skin, and internal/external inflammation. Psychologically, the ECS allows us to experience new perspectives. Evidence suggests that the ECS helps with subtle yet therapeutic shifts in the brain in the way we perceive the world. This allows us to relate to our internal bodily landscape, the way we think and feel about ourselves, and the way we interact with the people around us. CBD is a non-psychoactive part of the hemp plant. CB2 receptors communicate with our bodies when CBD is inhaled, ingested, or applied topically. This allows the CBD to work through healing pathways in our body. Note: Not suitable if you are pregnant or nursing.  "Your body is the temple for your soul."
At the Sanctuary, we think of our body as the vehicle which supports our total well being. In particular, physical well being is a cornerstone to living well and enjoying our life. Summer comes with a surge of outdoor activities: tennis, pickle ball, biking, jogging, swimming, hiking, volleyball, golf, paddle boarding... Great for your health? Yes! However, when taken on by storm, they often come with a price: think tennis elbow, shin splints, back pain… Massage can help. Tennis elbow, for instance, (a form of tendonitis caused by repetitive and stressful use of the tendons and muscles of the wrist) is helped by increasing blood flow to the area. Shin splints (brought on by overuse of weak leg muscles or ill-fitting shoes) are greatly relieved by massage on not only the leg, but the feet and ankles as well. Then again, the fact that it’s summer is the only reason you need to book a massage! Think self care. Our favorite, 90 Minute Deep Tissue/Sports Massage! We also offer a range of relaxing massage and specialty bodywork. >>>Book Now  Our Body Speaks - Are We Listening?
One thing I have noticed is that our body doesn't have an ego. Our body is always communicating with us. Are we willing to really listen instead of over-riding it with our mind? Massage is one way we can take care of our body, if we listen. Massage offers many benefits from relaxing muscles, soothing aches and pains, to releasing energy blocks. Massage helps us feel better, more connected, and can teach us about our body. Are we willing to listen? Our customized massage services are designed to put you first. We tailor each massage to what your body needs. Some days that's relaxation, other days it may be deep tissue work with stretching. Whatever you come in with, our intention is to provide you with relief and educate you about how you can continue nourishing your body at home. >>>Book Now  As you start your week, consider the promise of "never miss a Monday" to:
1. Meditate (Stephanie's Cat Pictured Above. Kitty knows!) 2. Create a Gratitude List and Review Daily- AM / PM 3. Make a Healthy Meal (or get one!) & Share It 4. Give a Compliment 5. Re-Commit 6. Invest in Your Well-Being- Check Out Our Services Here 7. Forgive 8. See the Opportunity in the Obstacle 9. Believe It's Possible 10. Ask For & Receive Support We got this! Stephanie |
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