http://lodochairmassage.com/ Lodo Chair Massage - Blog RSS Feed 2.0 en-us Tue, 07 Apr 2026 07:50:55 GMT Tue, 07 Apr 2026 07:50:55 GMT http://lodochairmassage.com/userfiles/2596/images/Depositphotos%5F67971089%5FS%2Ejpg http://lodochairmassage.com/ http://lodochairmassage.com/blog/13235/Four-Ways-To-Improve-To-Improve-Your-Sleep-For-Better-Work-Performance---Remote-Stretch blog Four Ways To Improve Your Sleep For Better Work Performance These days, it seems like so many factors are at play to prevent us from getting the proper deep sleep we need to function optimally. We know that sleep is fundamental for mental and physical health - it’s the time that our bodies go into deep regeneration mode, detoxify, and provide us the energy we need to move through our days.  Without the proper amount of sleep (seven to nine hours for most adults), a whole host of issues start to occur, spanning physical, psychological, and behavioral maladies. Sleep-deprived individuals tend to feel irritated, cognitively dull, depressed, lack creativity and initiative, and often suffer from digestive issues, headaches, muscular tension, and many other potential issues.  That being said: what are the factors that often threaten the sleep of corporate workers?    Procrastinating on bedtime - Many people tend to push off their sleeping time to fit more leisure hours into the after-work time of the day, when this actually just creates a viscous cycle of feeling more drained the following day.  Stress and overwork - It’s an unfortunately common habit for people to lay in bed with laptops open or frantically emailing on their phone well into the hours of the night. There are real benefits and drawbacks to our world of constant connection, but work stress and overwhelm can easily spread into the time we should be resting.  Too much screen time - Whether for work or personal use, screen time is at an all time high and is an absolute sleep killer. From blue light screens to the hyperactive state our mind goes into when flicking between apps and browsers, screen time before bed is the antithesis of a positive sleep habit.  Eating too late - Those habits of evening screentime are all-too-often accompanied by late-night meals or snacking, which impedes rest as the body is focused on digestion rather than rejuvenation.  From here, we can reverse-engineer the strategies to ensure regular, healthy sleep patterns for optimal health.  Create nourishing bedtime rituals When we mindfully bring nourishing rituals into our life, it helps to crowd out the less helpful and less conscious habits we have that compromise our well-being (late-night screen time, watching TV, snacking/drinking, etc.) The key is to make bedtime something you look forward to - just like when you were a kid! Your rituals might include drawing a bath or having a relaxing shower, using lotion or oils on your skin with a relaxing fragrance before sleep, lighting a candle, or dimming the lights in your room with some soft music half an hour before bed. All of these signals will notify your brain it’s time to start winding down, and you’ll find it much easier to get into a rhythm with a regular, earlier bedtime.  Have boundaries around work and screen time It goes without saying that healthy boundaries around work are imperative to maintain one’s well-being, but this is especially true for sleep health. Create a time frame around when you check your last email and sign out from work for the night, so your mind can relax in your personal life and pastimes in the evening. And on top of this, start “fasting” from screen time at least 1-2 hours before bedtime, to give your body the chance to enter into its natural circadian rhythms without the interference of blue light screens.  Try bedtime meditation Meditation is a wonderful way to slow your mind down and prepare yourself for a restful night’s sleep. There are many guided meditations online you can choose from, or simply try this: lay down comfortably in your bed, close your eyes, and focus on the rhythm of your breath in and out. Bring your awareness through your body, from the top of your head all the way to the bottom of your feet. As you scan through your body, see if you can bring a sense of total relaxation and openness to every muscle, joint, and bone. Allow your thoughts to come and go, simply bringing your awareness back to your breath. Do this for 5-10 minutes, and notice if you feel more relaxed and ready for rest.  Cut off the food  For optimal rest at night, it’s important to eat our last meal several hours before sleep, so the body is not working on digestion when it should be preparing for your sleep cycle. While it can be hard habit to break at first, set limits on your nighttime snacking with a simple time limit on the last food you eat before bed. (You may need to move dinnertime earlier, in case you like to have a small snack or dessert!) The positive effects will be immediately noticeable, and the more restful sleep you get will likely be a positive trigger to keep this cycle going. It’s also important to note that alcohol, while initially a relaxing agent, actually impairs sleep and will leave you feeling more tired the next day - so it’s wise to cut it out whenever possible.  Kristen Kristen is an RYT-200 certified yoga instructor, transformational life coach, and energy healer with a passion for guiding students back to their most powerful essence, purpose, and truth within. She originally studied yoga in India and has been leading classes and retreats worldwide in Europe, Thailand, Bali and the USA, gaining expertise in a variety of holistic healing and movement modalities while immersed in these cultures. She brings her warmth and humor to the mat, and helps her students and clients learn to live, move and breathe consciously, become empowered in self-care, and experience greater levels of energy and well-being. Find her meditation and stretching videos on Remote Stretch TV. Thu, 02 Mar 2023 06:00:00 GMT http://lodochairmassage.com/blog/13235/Four-Ways-To-Improve-To-Improve-Your-Sleep-For-Better-Work-Performance---Remote-Stretch http://lodochairmassage.com/blog/13234/Massage-and-Stretching-For-Pain-Management blog Chances are that you or someone you know experiences chronic pain. This might be low back pain, knee pain, or persistent tightness in the neck and shoulders. September is Pain Awareness Month, so let’s break down some helpful ways to manage this discomfort.   It’s no secret that stagnation and inactivity can greatly contribute to chronic pain, but you don’t have to be a triathlete to find relief. A Canadian study found that there is a direct correlation between physical activity and chronic physical, emotional, and mental pain (Warburton et al 2006). Something as simple as integrating a daily stretching routine can provide effective alleviation of pain, allowing you to move through your day with more ease. Stretching is a safe, accessible option for moving your body daily. Some folks get their stretching fix through activities like Pilates and yoga, which is an excellent way to move the body and increase range of motion. For those of us who need something a little more approachable, stretching on your porch with a warm cup of coffee is just as good! Stretching can increase blood flow, reduce stress, help with depression, loosen tight muscles and joints, and improve your posture. (Pain Pathways Magazine 2016) A good stretch routine should incorporate your whole body, even if you’re not experiencing pain in your whole body. The key is to hold each stretch for up to 45 seconds for maximum effectiveness. (Pain Pathways Magazine 2016) Remember - stretching isn’t a race to flexibility, so don’t over stretch, only go as far as is comfortable. Move slowly into stretches as well, so as to avoid further injury. Finally, don’t forget to breathe. This is a great opportunity to repeat some positive affirmations for your day while holding each stretch while focusing on your steady breathing. Another great way to manage chronic pain is with massage therapy. Once viewed as a luxury, massage is now being seen as a necessary method in aiding in pain management. More and more doctors and physical therapists are recommending massage as part of treatment plans. How does massage help with pain? First, let’s consider what pain does to our bodies. Chronic discomfort can affect our sleep, prompting insomnia, and most of us know that when we don’t get enough sleep, our mood and productivity tank. Pain also triggers the fight or flight response of our nervous system, and this constant response causes more and more suffering. (D’arcy-Sharpe 2020) Acute pain can have an extreme effect on our bodies and daily routine as well, though. We’ve all experienced the torment of waking up to what feels like a pinched nerve in our neck. This makes the commute to work painful (and potentially dangerous) as you struggle to check your blind spots, and prolonged desk work only perpetuates the pain. Some people still subscribe to the theory of “no pain, no gain.” In massage therapy, that just isn’t true. Even a Swedish relaxation massage can have positive effects on your body as far as pain management goes. The relaxing aspect of a good massage can work wonders for folks experiencing insomnia, and a big reason for this is that it triggers the rest and digest response of our nervous system. It tells your body that it can relax and let go of tension. Outside of the relaxing aspect of massage therapy, your therapist can also target muscles that are causing you pain. Through therapeutic techniques, your therapist can manipulate soft tissue and work with your muscles to relax and loosen up that tension. Again, this does not have to be painful. It’s important to always check in with your therapist and let them know if the pressure is too much or too little. So, as you can see, pain management doesn’t always have to mean that you need to begin training for a marathon or see a large team of health care providers. Incorporating a solid stretch routine and regular massage therapy are great options for moving your body and reducing pain. Check out our website or give us a call to book a chair massage event, stretch class, or restorative yoga class for your office or event today! For our Denver locals - come visit us in RiNo or Highlands for a therapeutic massage with a CBD pain cream upgrade or a private restorative yoga session. We can’t wait to help you feel better! Sources: Warburton, et al. March 14 2006. Canadian Medical Association Journal. Health Benefits of Physical Activity: The Evidence. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1402378/ Pain Pathways Magazine. September 1 2016. The Important Benefits of Stretching for Pain Relief https://www.painpathways.org/the-important-benefits-of-stretching-for-pain-relief/ D’arcy-Sharpe, Ann-Marie. February 21 2020. Pathways. How Can Massage Therapy Treat Your Chronic Pain? https://www.pathways.health/how-can-massage-therapy-treat-your-chronic-pain/    Fri, 10 Sep 2021 06:00:00 GMT http://lodochairmassage.com/blog/13234/Massage-and-Stretching-For-Pain-Management http://lodochairmassage.com/blog/13233/Create-Your-Happiness blog August is National Happiness Month! This might make you wonder - do massage and yoga increase happiness? Well, of course they do! Both massage and yoga have been proven to release happiness hormones into the body and increase overall well-being. Did you know that there are four hormones related to happiness? Serotonin, dopamine, endorphins, and oxytocin all flow through our bodies to increase our overall well-being. Sometimes, though, these hormones just need a little encouragement to get flowing. Serotonin is created in our gut, interestingly enough, and it is released into our bloodstream to help stabilize our mood. This hormone can be released through things like exercise and doing things you enjoy. Dopamine, also created in the gut, is your brain’s way of giving you a “gold star” for a job well done. It is your body’s reward system to keep you coming back for more or repeating something that had a pleasurable impact on you. Now, the slippery slope here is that things like drugs and alcohol can trigger a release of dopamine, so it’s important to find healthy ways of activating this release. Oxytocin, ah - the love hormone. A release of oxytocin into the body is typically triggered by a sense of closeness, but this doesn’t always have to be through a romantic relationship. In recent studies, it has even been found that oxytocin helps regulate our immune system! Finally, we have endorphins. You may be picturing a young Reese Witherspoon decked out head to toe in pink preaching about how exercise gives you endorphins, and “endorphins make you happy!”. Elle Woods wasn’t wrong. Exercise releases this chemical which triggers your body’s natural morphine and also triggers a release of dopamine with it. A “runner’s high” is a real thing and doesn’t even require an intense workout. In a 2014 Mayo Clinic article, it was said that serotonin levels increase by an average 28% after receiving a massage as it lowers cortisol levels by an average 60%. This means that even during shorter sessions, like a chair massage, the body is still responding in a positive way by lowering stress hormone levels and increasing happiness levels. Pretty incredible, right? Dopamine levels released from massage closely match that of serotonin, creating a “tag-team” effect. As for oxytocin, the release occurs from the closeness and safe touch element. You and your muscles are being cared for during a massage as tension and stress are being stripped away. This makes you feel cared for and loved, therefore releasing oxytocin into your body. This effect can be even stronger during a couples massage or friends’ spa getaway. And even though you’re not actively exercising during a massage, your muscles are being worked and that in itself will release endorphins. It’s encouraging to see more and more folks viewing massage therapy as an important part of self-care and all-encompassing care. Whether you’re getting a 15-minute chair massage at your office, a 90-minute deep tissue massage, or an hour of relaxation, you will leave the chair or table feeling refreshed and happier! Yoga works in a very similar way to massage. Practicing yoga decreases your cortisol levels, therefore increasing serotonin and dopamine production. Oxytocin can be released too, as this is often a group practice, and in some classes, the instructor might give mini-massage sessions or soft touch during savasana. Savasana itself can have you feeling like you’re floating on the clouds as your body happily soaks in everything it just did. And through all the bending, stretching, and breathing, your body releases endorphins during yoga, giving you that euphoric “high” after class. Knowing this, we can all level up our self-care and happiness game! I encourage you to book a massage and snag a yoga class in celebration of National Happiness Month. Lucky for you, we offer both! For Denver locals, check out RiNo Yoga Social and LoDo Massage Studio, and for everyone else, book Lodo Chair Massage for your next virtual yoga class or in-office chair massage event. Sources: https://atlasbiomed.com/blog/serotonin-and-other-happy-molecules-made-by-gut-bacteria/ https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00207450590956459?scroll=top&needAccess=true https://www.healthline.com/health/happy-hormone#massage   Fri, 06 Aug 2021 06:00:00 GMT http://lodochairmassage.com/blog/13233/Create-Your-Happiness http://lodochairmassage.com/blog/13232/No-Apps--Just-Personal-Service blog There seems to be an app for everything these days. You can book a table for dinner, buy tickets to a show, and even send money to friends at the touch of a button. These apps can speed up the process of tasks, make things easier and more seemingly convenient. What happens when you run into an issue or have a question? Getting an actual person on the phone can feel impossible when dealing with app-based services. These apps are not designed for prompt resolutions, and you’re often left to fend for yourself. In recent years, massage therapy has entered the realm of industries that use an app to book your service. That may be great for just booking a session at your favorite spa or studio, but not so much when thinking about a company-wide event. This false sense of convenience comes with real consequences. With app-based services, you lose the personal touch in the booking process and any sense of accountability from the company you are dealing with. Booking a hotel room online is easy enough, but organizing an event requires attention to detail and a client-tailored approach. Here at LoDo Chair Massage, we understand the importance of making sure things go smoothly, especially while planning an event. We value your time and money. That is why every event that comes through LoDo Chair Massage is handled by our team, giving it a personal touch. All bookings go through the same process to ensure accuracy and customer satisfaction. When booking your event with LoDo Chair Massage, the process will be simple and clear. First, we gather information about the event via telephone, email, or an online submission form. Next, a customized estimate is sent via email. From there, we will directly work with you regarding your schedule and needs. We always work around YOU, not us. At this point, we will confirm the booking and email you an invoice with information on what to expect next. We prepare the event on our end by adding it to our scheduling system and staffing it accordingly. We offer a customized online schedule to help you keep your staff organized and the event on track. About a week before your event, you will receive an email confirmation with the date, times, address, and who to expect. This ensures we have all the information needed is correct and allows for any last-minute changes to be made. At this time, we also gather any additional information we may need, such as parking and any pertinent arrival instructions. These thorough steps are followed every single time to prevent any miscommunications or missed information. If you find yourself needing assistance or to ask a question, someone is available by email or phone. We are a company that cares about people and personal service which means LoDo Chair Massage will never have an app. That means questions and concerns can be addressed immediately, by a live person, keeping your event running smoothly. Our corporate team works closely with one another to ensure that all events have been double, and triple checked. Additionally, we have thoroughly vetted and established relationships with all of our massage therapists and yoga teachers. A common complication with large companies is that the employees don’t necessarily know one another. Think about the last time you called your cable company to ask a question. After ten minutes of speaking with one representative, the call dropped, and the next representative had no idea who the previous person was and had no record of your conversation with them. This cycle can be time-consuming and frustrating. This scenario can prove to be even more alarming if these employees are also unfamiliar with the massage therapist that is being sent to your event.  An absence of personal connection can cause a major lack of accountability. While having a readily available app for our services is certainly more convenient, building a relationship with our clients is what matters most to us. This connection is the foundation for a long-lasting working relationship. The individualized approach is what distinguishes our business relationships from transactional to meaningful. Authentic human connection is important, now more than ever. We recognize the significance of communicating with a live person when nailing down the details of your special event. At LoDo Chair Massage, we take pride in our 12 years of offering a personal touch in the world of corporate wellness.  Our staff is ready and waiting for you to book your next event!   Mon, 04 Jan 2021 06:00:00 GMT http://lodochairmassage.com/blog/13232/No-Apps--Just-Personal-Service http://lodochairmassage.com/blog/13231/More-than-Strictly-Survival--Why-You-Should-Be-Going-Deep-with-Breath-Work blog There are a few things so automatic in life that we do them in our sleep and the most important one is breathing. Nearly all of our bodily functions rely on it and it is critical to, you know, staying alive. In fact, we do it so much that on a single day, we take an average of 17,000 breaths in.  But what if I told you that a lot of us aren't doing it right? Yep, the simple inhale-exhale thing is not working out as nature intended. According to experts, most of us are on autopilot, and in all honesty, that pilot may be flying the cut-rate budget airline. We are breathing too shallow and as a result, our bodies and brains are not getting the oxygen it needs, among other things, to function at its optimal level. Right vs Wrong Breathing Picture a sleeping baby or dog. Reflect on how their inhales fill their bellies and their exhales empty them, generally at the same pace. Now think about how you are breathing; does the air stop short in your throat or chest and then puff out fast? Are you filling your lungs up fully? Are your inhales twice the length of your exhales or vice versa? Does it make you feel a little off-balance when you’re cognitively aware of your breathing? Don’t beat yourself up if so, it’s a by-product of the lives we lead. But it is also something you can change with a little practice and the rewards are both immediate and immense. Breathing and Your Body Breathing is about more than simply survival. Breathing has a direct effect on your nervous system which has a direct line to every cell in your body. Breathing touches everything from your organs to digestion to the immune system to memory to sleep to even your mental wellness. Proper breathing can be harnessed to improve focus, cultivate mindfulness, boost energy, decrease anxiety and stress, improve sleep, and promote stamina and endurance. It's also been clinically shown to improve memory, reduce blood pressure, and boost immune function â€" all things we could all stand to improve in the face of the continuing pandemic. Engage with Your Breath with Our Breathing Workshop Series In December, we’ll be offering a 3-part workshop focused solely on helping people break bad breathing habits and form new ones, as well as shine a spotlight on how to harness breathing to help with some common issues we collectively experience in life.  Session 1: Fundamentals of Breathing and Full-body Breath Connection In this first session, we’ll focus on correcting our breathing patterns, paying attention to posture and pace. In this guided format, you’ll connect to your breath and learn to “feel” the breath move through your body.  Session 2: Breathing to Decrease Stress and Boost Energy In our second session, we’ll build on our skills by spending a little time revisiting our foundation. We’ll then learn two new techniques: one for lowering heart rate and stress and one for boosting energy.  Session 3: Breathing to Reduce Anxiety and Release Tension In our final session, we'll learn two more techniques. The first will be to reduce anxiety and quiet the mind and the second will be a tension release exercise that is not only good for everyday aches, but we'll also show you how to transform it into a before-bed practice that will help you shut off your body for the night and drift into a peaceful sleep. Please contact us at info@lodomassage.com for more information on how you and your employees can register for this special December series. We hope to see you there!    Fri, 20 Nov 2020 06:00:00 GMT http://lodochairmassage.com/blog/13231/More-than-Strictly-Survival--Why-You-Should-Be-Going-Deep-with-Breath-Work http://lodochairmassage.com/blog/13230/Chair-Massage-is-Making-a-Huge-Comeback---Here---s-Why- blog Lately, it seems we can't schedule chair massages fast enough here at LoDo! As we all get more comfortable with social distancing protocols and returning to work in this new COVID age, employers are bringing back employee health benefits in a big way â€" and that means more chair massage. So, why are all these employers bringing back massage? It’s as simple as science. Paul Zak, a professor of economics, psychology, and management at Claremont Graduate University, talks about how important touch is in our daily life. He says, “When we’re touched [in a positive way], a cascade of events happens in the brain and one of the important ones is the release of a neurochemical called oxytocin,” he says, reiterating that this process reduces stress and improves immunity. “That’s super valuable in a time of pandemic.”  Chair massage is a safe way to get through the pandemic and here’s why. How Touch Deprivation Affects Humans Physical touch is a major way in which we connect with others. Without it, or at least, with a lot less of it, we can experience loneliness and feelings of isolation. This is in turn can affect our mental and physical health. While social distancing is critical to the health of ourselves, our community, and our world in general, it can be really hard to feel good all the time without it. Dacher Keltner, professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkley explains just why social distancing can impact us so much, "Big parts of our brains are devoted to making sense of touch and our skin has billions of cells that process information about it," he says. "The right type of friendly touchâ€"like hugging your partner or linking arms with a dear friendâ€"calms your stress response down. [Positive] touch activates a big bundle of nerves in your body that improves your immune system, regulates digestion, and helps you sleep well. It also activates parts of your brain that help you empathize." Without touch, we see the converse â€" sickness, sluggishness, insomnia, depression, and the list goes on. Thankfully, chair massage is a safe way to get the benefits of physical touch. Benefits of Chair Massage Chair massage is back in businesses because it provides some key benefits during this stressful time, potentially even more than it did pre-March. Chair massage is also a safe, pandemic-friendly way to get the benefits of both massage in general as well as physical touch in a short session. Here are just a few benefits of chair massage: Physical touch stimulates the release of oxytocin, the “feel very good” hormone. Mental health improvement â€" less depression, loneliness, and feelings of isolation Increased immunity Relief from hunched positions and back and neck pain from sedentary work A feeling of connectedness Safety First: The New In-Office Chair Massage Protocols Finally, let’s talk about how chair massage is safe during the pandemic. Here are some of the ways we are concentrating on key aspects of the precautions, social distancing, and safety measures we are taking to ensure safety and health for all parties. Therapists will: Wear a mask at all times Thoroughly wash hands between massage appointments Thoroughly sanitize the chair after each massage, including a new face covering Five minutes have been added in between services to facilitate this as well as to maximize the success of social distancing measures Not be allowed to work if they fell sick, have been recently sick, have potentially been exposed to COVID-19, or have traveled outside of their home state since April 2020 Have the right to refuse service to any person that does not comply with participant standards Participants will: Wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth unless they have a medical condition that prevents them from doing so Wash their hands before their service Complete a COVID-19 release form (please email us for a copy of the waiver) Be instructed to wash their hands immediately after service Not be eligible for service if they have traveled outside of their home state since April 2020 at this time or feel or have been ill recently. You can contact us to discuss our COVID compliance measures in more detail at any time. We want all of our clients to feel confident and safe bringing chair massage back to their very grateful employees. We look forward to serving you soon!   Fri, 09 Oct 2020 06:00:00 GMT http://lodochairmassage.com/blog/13230/Chair-Massage-is-Making-a-Huge-Comeback---Here---s-Why- http://lodochairmassage.com/blog/13229/Why-Massage-is-Safe-and-Necessary blog 2020 has been an eventful year, and you may be starting to feel the physical effects of the stress. If your self-care practice includes massage therapy, you may also be wondering what most of us are: Is massage safe? The short answer is yes! One of the really great aspects of massage therapy is that even prior to COVID-19, our industry has been dedicated to cleanliness and hygienic practices. With organizations, such as the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB), massage therapists and bodyworkers have science-backed, easy to follow guidelines to keep ourselves and our clients safe. Many of these guidelines are essentially what was considered standard protocol before, too.  Whether you are booking a table massage for yourself at your favorite studio or planning to surprise your staff with chair massages at the office, there are many ways to keep everyone safe. As a client, there isn’t much you will have to change from your previous routine. Some best practices for minimizing the risk of spread of COVID-19 include: Always wear a mask. Your therapist should be masked the entire time as well.  Wash your hands thoroughly before and after your massage. Therapists have always practiced this (even before the pandemic). Avoid touching your face. Massage therapists will not be able to offer face massage at this time for the same reason. Keep conversations to a minimum. Conversations in close proximity can result in more particulates in the air.  Opt for outdoor sessions whenever possible. It has been proven that the risk factor is dramatically decreased when outdoors.  Opt for shorter sessions when possible. Two-hour massages aren’t completely out of the question, but shorter sessions mean less time in a shared space. Chair massages are a great alternative for this reason! Be flexible with new safety protocols. You may be asked to remain in your car until your therapist is ready for you or to reschedule if your therapist isn’t feeling well. Your studio or practitioner of choice will ask you to reschedule if you feel ill as well. These measures are in place to protect everyone. We know how important human touch can be, especially now that we have been so isolated from our friends and family, and how beneficial massage is for stress. Since we are still adjusting to our “new normal” for the foreseeable future, it’s important to find a way to safely take care of ourselves and each other. Most businesses and therapists have increased sanitizing routines and are more careful than ever. Make sure to communicate with your therapist or studio, and ask questions. Don’t hesitate to ask about their safety protocols and what they’re doing to keep you safe. At LoDo Massage LLC, we are committed to the best practices of the massage industry and implementing as many safety protocols as necessary. If clients and therapists work together, the industry can continue to safely offer stress relief and pain management for our communities!    Wed, 30 Sep 2020 06:00:00 GMT http://lodochairmassage.com/blog/13229/Why-Massage-is-Safe-and-Necessary http://lodochairmassage.com/blog/13228/Planes--Trains--and-Party-Pains--Why-Digital-Nomads-Need-a-Nice--Long-Stretch blog It seems like only yesterday when I was hauling my life on my back, squeezing into shuttles with 72 other people, and marveling at the lack of elevators pretty much everywhere except in the States. My body was not in any way prepared for it, but hey, it wasn’t like I was doing marathons before I decided to give life as a digital nomad a shot. Well, I wasn’t the only one, even my uber-fit compadres were feeling the pain, literally, as well. Sure, I expected a few aches and pain, more than a few hangovers and headaches, and certainly some less than luxurious living situations, but I didn’t realize how quickly every little thing added up and started impacting my adventures in new cities. My FOMO was high because I would have to sit out a hike here and there because my body was like, “Aww, hell no,? and be stuck at home with a migraine from days of being hunched over my laptop while my tramily was out getting frisky on the dancefloor in some European club. I know, boo hoo for me and my life as an international seductress. There was something that always helped though, and in reflection, I wish I had done more of it: stretch. Like a good stretch, not the 30-second one you do to show so you look like an Olympic athlete; no, the kind where you get down in it, lean into the tender tight spots, and release it all. Being a yoga teacher with extensive training in anatomy and physiology myself, I could create my own classes. I wish I did it more. So, this is my advice for all those remote workers out there: schedule yourself into a regular stretching class. And since we (probably) don’t know each other yet, here are a few reasons why you should. Stretching Benefit #1: Extra energy Everyone thinks being a nomad is like a dream come true, and in some ways it really is. You get to jet set, have one life-altering experience after another, and take lovers in various exotic locals (ok, maybe not everyone does that last one). One thing no one tells you about the glamourous life of being remote is the exhaustion. ?All the parties and trips and late-nights (well, early mornings really) take a toll. Of course, while willing to pay it, this kind of toll doesn?t give a discount for frequent visits. In at 5 am and up at 8 am to be on a video call with your boss is part of the do-it-all, nomad lifestyle. Whatcha? gonna do? Add to that lack of sleep, hours in front of screens, and work-related stress and you have zero energy for the amazing stuff you?re there to do. Do you really want to miss a weekend of island hopping in Croatia because you?re burnt out? Nope. Fix it with stretching! It increases blood oxygen in the body, revitalizing the entire system and naturally boosting energy levels. Stretching Benefit #2: Reverse poor posture and alignment Most nomads sacrifice on comfortable travel to preserve their finances. This means that economical, feeling-squeezed-in-to-a-tiny-cardboard-box-like-cattle coach seat on a 14-hour trip to Argentina destroys your back. Don?t forget to stop at baggage claim to haul your 80-pounds of luggage, aka your home and office, to the shuttles, to then lug them up five flights of stairs in your temporary home. In a few weeks, you are doing it all in reverse as you leave for to your next location. All this back-and-forth leaves your back, to use a technical term, completely jacked up. Your shoulders won?t roll back and it?s hard to flirt when feeling like Quasimodo (though I hear he had a really great personality). A good, focused stretch reverses the hunched position back to upright and confident. Spinal alignment gets back on track and decreases pain and discomfort, making the remote lifestyle a much more enjoyable experience. Stretching Benefit #3: Stretching improves flexibility and mobility To pile on to the last benefit, stretching also increases flexibility and range of motion. This is key for squeezing into a minicab in India or three days of hiking and camping in Patagonia. Contorting yourself into a tiny, twisty pretzel and conversely having the ability to take long strides is critical for surviving remote life where personal space is at a minimum and you can?t always find accommodations for bodily limitations. Stretching also protects the body from injury, and honestly, a broken leg or out of joint hip can end your adventure. Need another bonus? Flexibility will give you big points in your, ahem, evening extracurricular activities. Let?s just say, #kamasutra. Stretching Benefit #4: Say adios to tension headaches The reality of being a digital nomad is a lot of screen time. No, not Netflix, but time writing, coding, emailing, processing reports, programming, etc., et infinitum. All that eye strain, hunched shoulders, and the lack of an ergonomically appropriate set-up sets off lightning-level tension headaches. Stretching creates space in the neck and shoulders, reducing pressure, and thus, expels the likelihood of tension headaches. Ain’t nobody got time for those when there are the Alps to ski and bars frequented by Hemingway to belly-up at. A remote stretching class should be something every nomad should pack (along with a luggage scale ? lesson learned) to be at their absolute best in health and mood. A simple 25-minute remote-stretch class taught by professionally trained, experienced instructors can make all the difference when running to catch that train in London or trekking Machu Pichu. There?s no need to find a stretching class in a new city, find transport, and then figure out the currency conversion. With Remote Stretch, you simply schedule yourself into one of our four daily drop-in classes for a nomad-friendly cost of five buckaroonies. Find a piece of floor, lie down a mat or just a towel (or go floor-commando), login to your old friend, Zoom, and do a little something for yourself that yields big rewards during and after class. No commitments, no contracts, and no equipment needed. It?s the best way to not only practice a little self-care but also ensure you enjoy every experience the nomad lifestyle offers. Thu, 11 Jun 2020 06:00:00 GMT http://lodochairmassage.com/blog/13228/Planes--Trains--and-Party-Pains--Why-Digital-Nomads-Need-a-Nice--Long-Stretch http://lodochairmassage.com/blog/13227/Feeling-the-Strain-from-Working-at-Home- blog FIND OUT WHY STRETCHING IS CRITICAL TO YOUR HEALTH AND WELLNESS Well, things are still pretty interesting aren?t they? As we move past two months of staying at home, it?s time to really talk about wellness and health. I bet you?ve run into many people who thought working from home was their ultimate dream, only to find that under these circumstances, with no time to prepare, it?s not quite what they bargained for, especially as it pertains to wellness. Let?s take a look at a few impacting factors that we may not think about as working from home becomes the new normal. Unique challenges working from home brings: More screen time and sitting in one position with an increase in both internal and external Zoom meetings and Google Hangouts Home offices, or impromptu offices, likely don?t have the proper ergonomic set-up ?Hunched? posture from increased sitting Less walking around the office to collaborate with colleagues or going off-site for client and vendor meetings More stress, in general, being away from necessary tools and resources Improper lighting, leading to eye tension and fatigue When looking at these challenges separately, they may seem minor; however, they all incrementally add up each day, resulting in neck, shoulder, back, and hip tension, general pain, eye fatigue, tension headaches, hand and arm cramping, and an overall decrease in energy and an increase in stress. How can you reduce the toll that working from home may be taking on your body? It’s simple ? take a regular stretching class that you can do from the comfort of your home. It’s a wonderful way to prioritize your health and wellness while adjusting to the current social-distancing and shelter-in-place mandates. Some of the immediate benefits of stretching include: Increased circulation of blood, oxygen, and nutrients throughout the body, decreasing soreness and increasing overall body health. This is especially valuable for people with arthritis, carpal tunnel, and joint issues, which are especially prone during this time. All the blood flow mentioned above also results in a regenerative feeling and a nice surge in energy levels, helping you get through the rest of your day productively and with positivity. Stretching reverses poor posture and encourages proper alignment. This creates space in the vertebrae and muscles which leads to less pain and tension, especially in especially vulnerable areas like the neck, shoulders, and back when sitting in front of a computer all day. Stretching reduces tension headaches. Taking time to create space in the neck and shoulders, key places where tension can cause these headaches, reduces the likelihood of them occurring. Also, stretching encourages facial movement and an overall reduction in stress through breathing exercises and muscle release. Stretching calms and refreshes the mind. Stretching releases synovial fluid, which is not only what makes our joints ?bouncy,? but it also lets off a pleasant tingling feeling which signals our body to relax. The beauty of stretching is it can be done from anywhere, requires no equipment, and the dress code is simply to wear what you can move in ? no lululemon required. The most important element of a stretching session is an experienced instructor. While stretching seems like an easy practice we instinctively know how to do, an instructor ensures it is done safely and can offer modifications to help every student reap maximum benefit, no matter what is going on in their body. They can also provide tips on how to reduce stress and stretch when away from class to maintain and extend the many benefits of stretching. Drop-in to one of our four daily classes to bring a little piece of wellness to your day with our Virtual Stretching Classes. It?s a short 25 minutes with a big impact! Wed, 22 Apr 2020 06:00:00 GMT http://lodochairmassage.com/blog/13227/Feeling-the-Strain-from-Working-at-Home- http://lodochairmassage.com/blog/13226/Social-Distancing-Meditation-with-Coworkers-Works-Wonders-for-Employees-- blog Does Desktop Meditation Work as Well as Traditional Classes? Meditation has become a buzzword of some sort over the last few years. What was once reserved for monks and Eastern gurus, meditation is now something everyone does. Meditation is simply the process of training the mind to focus and redirect thoughts. Now more than ever, it’s important to exercise control over your mind to stay positive, grounded, and healthy. Harvard Medical School even recommends yoga and meditation to quell anxiety, saying it’s “a tried and true way to relax.” In wake of the recent health issues that face the world, it’s more important than it’s ever been to meditate; however, with state, government, and the World Health Organization’s recommendation to practice social distancing, how can you learn to meditate and engage in regular practice? How can employers help employees cope during this time by offering meditation? The answer is simply â€" offer and engage in desktop meditation. What is Desktop Meditation? Desktop Meditation brings meditation instruction to your screen. Log in to a 30 or 60 minute live class via Zoom where you’ll encounter the soft, soothing voices of some of our best instructors as they usher you to a place of inner peace and calm so you can relieve anxiety in the mind, tension in the body, and redirect thoughts to a positive place. Besides a screen and the desire to relax and gain focus, nothing else is needed. Since the class is live and not recorded on an app, students have an instructor with them who will tailor the class for the group and be available before and after for questions and recommendations. Can I get the same benefits as I do with on-site yoga and meditation? Absolutely! In fact, some people prefer meditating in their homes because they find they are more comfortable in their own space.  There are many benefits of desktop meditation which overlap with more traditional classes such as: Reduction in anxiety and stress Reduction of tension in the body Pain relief Headache relief Improve sleep Improves mood Promotes focus Promotes creativity Of course, there are many other benefits from desktop meditation, all of which can ease the anxiety everyone is feeling in the wake of this world-wide health event. Why offer desktop meditation? Major companies understand the value of giving their staff the tools to do their jobs well, and that includes desktop meditation. They know that employees need to be happy and healthy to do their jobs well. During this time of social distancing, thought-leading companies also know that teams need some time together, and desktop meditation gives them that chance to see each other in a social realm. One of the cons of social distancing is a decrease in the ability to relate to and communicate with others. Desktop Meditation is a way to commune and can prompt employees to check in with one another on occasion and ensure communication across all lines is positive and productive. With all of this in mind and the benefits it provides, desktop meditation is one way to keep your business thriving during the good times and through challenging times, like now. Have questions or ready to Put Desktop Meditation for you? Just give us a call at 888.673.2535 or email us to get an instant quote. We’re excited to show you just how much a little guided breathwork can do!   Fri, 20 Mar 2020 06:00:00 GMT http://lodochairmassage.com/blog/13226/Social-Distancing-Meditation-with-Coworkers-Works-Wonders-for-Employees-- http://lodochairmassage.com/blog/13225/Social-Distance-Corporate-Desktop-Yoga-and-Meditation blog Desktop Yoga and Desktop Meditation: What Everyone Needs NOW! More than ever, employees need to destress. With the current state of things, companies are experiencing major transitions. Work as we know it is changing, and we don’t know how long these changes are going to last â€" businesses closing temporarily, minimizing things to a skeleton work crew, and creating an entire workforce that is new to momentarily working from home, are just a few of the changes making employees, and even employers, consider moving to a treehouse and quitting the adult world for a while (or forever). Employees are stressed about their health, their families, where they can buy extra Purell and Charmin, how their companies will fare, their own performance under new circumstances, and in totality, they’re worried about their jobs. It’s for this reason, LoDo Chair Massage is excited to announce Desktop Yoga and Desktop Meditation. With this new initiative, we hope to continue to facilitate office-based wellness that can be accessed by anyone and enjoyed by all employees, no matter their age, fitness level, or ability. What are Desktop Yoga and Desktop Meditation? Taught by the same amazing teachers that teach our in-office and in-studio classes, Desktop Yoga and Desktop Meditation bring a little Zen to employees at their desks and in their homes. No need to change, buy a yoga mat, or even move from your screen, Desktop Yoga takes employees of all abilities through a sequence of poses they can do, at their desks, to reduce tension, ease neck and shoulder pain, and destress in general. No lululemon pants required (but if you’re in the office, pants probably are). Desktop Meditation transforms your desktop into a wellness oasis of Zen amongst a field of paperclips and highlighters. Follow the gentle, lilting voices of some of our best instructors as they transport you to a place where you can acknowledge, identify, and release stress through breathwork. Again, no accouterment necessary and it's easy just to log in and tune out the stressors of the day while capturing some lasting peace you can take with you beyond your class. Befriending a Sherpa on a mountainside is totally optional. Both of these classes are not only wonderful for tension and stress relief, they also help ground employees. These classes connect them with others at their company and provide the same benefits in-person yoga and meditation provide such as calm, creativity, lowered blood pressure, and improved immunity. How Does it Work? Simply sign up for our service and we'll set up your employees for regularly scheduled classes through Zoom conferencing. All classes are held live, so students can experience a connected and dynamic class experience, similar to those they have come to expect from our on-site Yoga and Meditation classes. Employees can access the classes, whether they be in the office, on the road traveling, or working from home. Have Questions or Ready to Get Your Zen On? Just give us a call at 888.673.2535 or email us to get an instant quote. We are happy to get you up-and-running as soon as possible, so you and your employees can take a breath and get a little relief.   Sun, 15 Mar 2020 06:00:00 GMT http://lodochairmassage.com/blog/13225/Social-Distance-Corporate-Desktop-Yoga-and-Meditation http://lodochairmassage.com/blog/13219/LoDo-Chair-Massage-Services-Now-Available-in-Miami blog Updated: Jan 23, 2020 Affordable On-Site Chair Massage and Yoga Classes in Miami LoDo Chair Massage is excited to announce that we are open for business in Miami! We offer on-site chair massage and yoga classes by partnering with only the best massage therapists and yoga teachers in town. Our affordable flat-rate pricing is perfect for office wellness programs, company health fairs, convention booths, parties, and more. Once you book on-site chair massage with us, you can use our online scheduling system to secure time slots for individuals who want massage. Learn more about our services in Miami and get an online quote. We are also available by phone at 512-412-3171 Monday to Friday between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM Mountain Standard Time. We’re looking forward to doing business with you! Meet Our Miami Massage Therapists LoDo Chair Massage therapists are licensed and insured professionals. Here are some of the friendly faces you may see at your office chair massage event: Shannon, Licensed Massage Therapist Shannon is a highly trained massage therapist who incorporates techniques from many modalities including deep tissue, Swedish, myofascial, and neuromuscular. She also integrates yoga-inspired stretches that help expand your range of motion. She is passionate about using her knowledge of massage therapy to bring out the best in others. In her free time, she loves exploring creativity by practicing yoga and playing the piano. Frank, Licensed Massage Therapist Frank was inspired to pursue massage therapy from growing up with a mother who was very content with her own career as a massage therapist. He finds the best part about working as a massage therapist is his ability to help others become happier and healthier people. He’s ever-expanding on his understanding of health - he holds a Bachelor’s in Health Sciences, Master’s in Oriental Medicine, and currently studying for his board exams to receive his license in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Work with LoDo Chair Massage  LoDo Chair Massage is on the lookout for talented and reliable Licensed Massage Therapists and Certified Yoga Instructors to join our team in Miami! Working with us is an easy way to add a flexible source of income. Learn more about our hiring process here.  Fri, 10 Jan 2020 06:00:00 GMT http://lodochairmassage.com/blog/13219/LoDo-Chair-Massage-Services-Now-Available-in-Miami http://lodochairmassage.com/blog/13218/Chair-Yoga-is-the-Yoga-for-EVERY-body blog Chair Yoga is the Yoga for EVERY body When you hear the word 'yoga,' does your mind fill with images of long, slender, young bodies ensconced in tightfitting Lululemon gear, contorted into a variety of positions that would make a warm pretzel jealous? You wouldn't be the only one. Minds often go from that image to one very dangerous thought: "I can't possibly do that. I don't have a yoga body." Pardon me, dear person, that is where you are wrong. Yoga is a practice that adapts and amends to each individual yogi. The practice itself is about being in the body, finding the dis-ease, and moving it out of the body through postures and breath. It's more a mental process than a physical one, but it is still a very physical practice. But don't let that intimidate you. There is a yoga for every body. One specific type of yoga that unites all students is Chair Yoga.  What is Chair Yoga and What are the Benefits?  Chair Yoga is s a type of yoga that incorporates sitting and standing postures using a chair for support. This type of yoga is amazing for everybody. It meets students where they are and provides gentle movement to increase mobility and release tension. There are no age, weight, economic, gender, or health requirements; it is truly a yoga for EVERY body. It truly shatters the idea that yoga is only for one or two types of people.  There are many benefits from a regular Chair Yoga practice. These benefits are not only felt as you practice but build over time to create greater peace and wellness in the body. Here are just a few of our favorites reasons to do Chair Yoga:  Improves strength, flexibility, and coordination Reduces stress and improves focus and mental clarity Supports healthy bones and joints Reduces anxiety Encourages and supports a Mind-Body connection  Ready to start? Great!  What to Expect from Chair Yoga Let’s walk through a typical Chair Yoga class from LoDo. The class is 45 minutes in length and is practiced where you spend your workday. You’ll just go to a conference room or other open space to practice or just at your desk! You don’t need to change into some spandex contraption or worry about missing class or running late back from class because you’re already there!  From there, participants will sit or stand at their desk, using their chairs for support. The teacher will then guide students through poses and postures that target the areas of the body that are most impacted by sitting at a desk all day. In addition to body movement, there will also be a focus on breathing while moving. Not only is this immediately beneficial, but it also shows compound benefit over time since students can practice this form of yoga at any time from their desks. They have the knowledge and the tools to have a mini yoga break anytime they need one. Are you interested in providing your employees with a wellness benefit that’s beneficial for every employee? Contact us at 888.673.2535 or LoDoChairMassage.com to learn more about bringing Chair Yoga to your team.    Wed, 04 Dec 2019 06:00:00 GMT http://lodochairmassage.com/blog/13218/Chair-Yoga-is-the-Yoga-for-EVERY-body http://lodochairmassage.com/blog/13215/Personal-Service-in-an-App-Age--The-LoDo-Distinction blog Lately, I’ve been noticing a disturbing trend in the wellness services industry. Automation seems to be replacing interaction, and there's something that feels very wrong about that. There's something oddly detached about using an app for ordering wellness services; it's almost an oxymoron. It's not like ordering up some Door Dash or an Uber, where the outcome is the same for everyone. Clients are finding and tailoring wellness services for their biggest company asset, their employees. A few clicks aren't going to encourage trust and confidence, and there won’t be enough generic options listed to meet every unique need. There should be a personal touch to facilitate that, right? After all, is there a drop-down service a client can click on to get excellent service? If so, I haven’t seen it yet. Investing in People and Personalized Contact As a business owner, it’s very seductive to automate to save money. Automation streamlines processes and reduces overhead when things are working, and the business is a good fit for automation. But that’s only when things are working and fits a one-size-fits-all model. High-touch client services, such as the type we provide, require a human element. We look at each client as an individual, having specific needs and desires. There is not going to be a generic app option that will fit every client’s need. We believe that people are the experts in Employment Perks, not algorithms and drop-down menus. In short, we don’t try to fit you to our model; we want to adapt to yours, and to do that, we need people. Employing people is not just great for our clients, but also benefits our industry and economy. Keeping customer service custom provides livelihoods for families and stimulates our economy. We, of course, utilize the latest technology for those areas of our business where it makes sense, and a lot of that is offering remote working opportunities for our employees. Our company is 100 percent mobile, so no matter where we are, you can always reach us. Our employees also love the flexibility remote work offers (who doesn't like working in their comfy pants?). We know that happy, fulfilled team members provide our clients with the best client experience, every time. It’s a win-win-win. The LoDo Difference At LoDo, we take a completely bespoke approach when it comes to our clients. We understand they are our lifeblood. To provide the best client experience in the market, we practice a high-touch, white-glove service aesthetic. Our clients have a real, human point of contact who is there to answer questions, coordinate services, and ensure every step is perfectly executed. Ready to leave the apps to your airport ride and late-night noodle order? If you are looking for a wellness company that practices what they preach, please contact us to talk about how we can serve you. Fri, 08 Nov 2019 06:00:00 GMT http://lodochairmassage.com/blog/13215/Personal-Service-in-an-App-Age--The-LoDo-Distinction http://lodochairmassage.com/blog/13213/Want-Happier--Healthier--More-Engaged-Employees--Add-Chair-Yoga-to-Your-Benefits-Package- blog A staggering 20.4 million people in the United States do yoga. That's a lot of "Namaste." Why? Yoga provides tons of physical, mental, and emotional health benefits to its students; however, yogis aren’t the only ones seeing benefits. Companies that offer yoga classes to their employees, especially Chair Yoga, are seeing additional benefits such as improved company culture, less sick days, and some serious cost savings. Let's talk about Chair Yoga and why companies should incorporate this beneficial class into their wellness initiative.  What is Chair Yoga?  Chair Yoga is an activity all ages, activity levels, and all levels of physical health can do. Chair yoga is just what it sounds like â€" it takes traditional yoga poses and modifies them into poses employees do in a chair. This makes yoga accessible to everyone, including those that don't have the mobility or ability to participate in a more traditional yoga practice.   Just because the poses are modified, it doesn't mean that they aren't just as beneficial. Participants can do twists, hip stretches, forward bends, and backbends that are the fundamentals of traditional yoga. They also reap the immediate benefits of yoga practice, as well as compounding benefits when they make it a part of their daily life.  Chair Yoga Benefits Employees  Chair Yoga is widely offered at companies all over the world as a wellness benefit for employees. While a 25-minute class once or twice each week doesn't seem like it would be that beneficial, it really is! Chair Yoga provides many of the same benefits a traditional yoga flow practice exhibit. Since it’s such an easy to incorporate practice, people can effortlessly do it between classes to experience and enjoy a wellspring of benefits. Chair Yoga benefits include but are not limited to:   Better concentration and focus Improved breathing ability More energy Sparks in creativity Less fatigue Decreased pain, especially in the spine, neck, and shoulders Strengthens and lengthens muscles which can also prevent against future injury Stress reduction  Better, higher quality sleep A happier demeanor and self-confidence Employees also report higher job satisfaction when their company provides wellness benefits. A survey by Virgin Pulse found that 85 percent of companies report that wellness programs increase employee engagement. When employees are engaged, they feel positive about their jobs and are more likely to stay with the company.  How Does Chair Yoga Translate Employee Benefits to Employer Benefit? Major companies are offering Chair Yoga and Meditation services to their employees because they are not only taking care of their employees but have also found it's adding massive benefit to their bottom line. So, how do employee benefits translate to employer benefits? Let's take a look.  Employers who create a wellness culture in their offices see an immediate return on investment. Here are just a few of the benefits employers have experienced:  Employees have greater job satisfaction which results in less turnover. Wellness programs can lower health care premiums. Employees are in better health and mental spaces, so they take fewer sick days. Employees get better sleep, resulting in a higher level of concentration, focus, and better judgment on the job.  When employees do yoga, there is a boost in creativity and collaboration, bringing better ideas and solutions to improve the company.  The reduction in stress means a decrease of burn-out, dread, anxiety, and hostility in the workplace. This makes for a happier, positive environment that translates into an upbeat, confident company culture where everyone is respectful and working toward the same company goals.  Still skeptical that a Chair Yoga program could translate into profitability? Healthcare behemoth, Aetna, found that their workers in the most stress-prone roles cost the company an additional $2,000 in medical costs each year. The company responded by creating a yoga and meditation program for employees. They marked increases in productivity and improvement in heart rates, all while reducing its employee healthcare premiums by seven percent in its first year.  Another way companies are finding real dollar savings with Chair Yoga is regarding employee turnover. On average, employee turnover costs an employer 33 percent of a worker's average salary to replace them. So, if an employee makes $60,000 each year, the estimated cost to replace them is $20,000. Now multiply that with last year's turnover to calculate your savings. Another interesting fact is 75 percent of the causes of employee turnover are preventable. Upon their exit interview, employees are very vocal about dissatisfaction with issues like work-life balance, compensation and benefits, and well-being as issues that spurred their resignation.  After seeing all this evidence for Chair Yoga, it's difficult to understand why more companies aren't creating wellness initiatives that include yoga and meditation. Contact us today to talk about bringing Chair Yoga and other wellness classes to your business.    Tue, 20 Aug 2019 06:00:00 GMT http://lodochairmassage.com/blog/13213/Want-Happier--Healthier--More-Engaged-Employees--Add-Chair-Yoga-to-Your-Benefits-Package- http://lodochairmassage.com/blog/13212/Five-Reasons-Companies-Should-Offer-Meditation-Classes-to-Employees blog More and more companies are offering Meditation benefits to their employees. Why are companies making this investment? Everyone from LeBron James to Jerry Seinfeld to your neighbor down the street has used meditation to reach new heights, improve focus, spark creativity, and reduce stress all by simply training their mind. Let’s talk about what meditation is, some of the most beneficial byproducts, and how to help your team start a regular practice. What is Meditation? Meditation is a practice wherein a person uses one of many techniques to train his or her brain to achieve a mentally clear, emotionally stable state. There are many styles of meditation such as Transcendental Meditation and mindfulness meditation, all which are effective, but some specialize in reaching particular goals. The beauty of meditation is anyone can do it and even a little bit done regularly can make a big difference in your life both while meditating and overtime. Five Big Benefits of Meditation There are many, clinically proven benefits of meditation that make the practice. Here are five big reasons why bringing meditation to your staff could improve and elevate your company culture and performance.   Meditation reduces stress. According to an abstract published in the Journal of the American Medical Association: Internal Medicine, meditation can result in a small to moderate reduction in several different dimensions of psychological stress. These benefits are not only felt while practicing but also add up over time, helping practitioners live in a less stressed, more peaceful state which promotes positive interpersonal interaction and well-reasoned decision making.  Meditation lowers blood pressure. It not only affects blood pressure while you meditate, but for individuals who make it a daily practice, it can lower it overtime, reducing pressure on the heart and arteries, and preventing heart disease. This is great news for health benefits and can potential reduce contribution costs. Meditation greatly helps concentration, focus, and attention span. An 8-week study of human resource personnel who regularly practiced mindful meditation were not only shown to stay on task longer and switch tasks less often but also remembered details of their tasks better than their colleagues who did not meditate.   Meditation not only increases the good vibes you feel for yourself; it also extends to others as well. Loving-kindness meditation is especially known to be a form of meditation that increases compassion toward the self and others. This breeds a positive, supportive company culture that sparks creativity through collaboration and improves peer-to-peer interactions and teamwork.  Zzzzzzzz…Meditation also helps you get quality sleep. People who meditate regularly fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer than their wide-awake, non-meditating friends and family. This means employees show up to work ready to greet the day and stay energized throughout the day, increasing output and quality. How to Make Meditation a Daily Practice Many people start their practice slowly, carving out five minutes and eventually moving to twenty or more minutes daily, sometimes meditating many times each day. Many long-time practitioners like Kristen Bell meditate first thing in the morning to welcome the day and to prepare and accept its unfolding. Some people prefer to meditate before bed to file away the day and prepare for sleep, while others meditate during the day, while at work or commuting on the subway. No matter when, where, and how you do it, just do it and make it a daily practice. Now, meditation can be quite daunting at first and it’s natural to judge yourself for your “monkey mind,” get frustrated, and want to quit. Hold on!  Many newbies (and even old pros) prefer guided meditation by a trained practitioner. They will tell you to sit quietly in a comfortable position and start breathing. Focus on the sound of your breath. When thoughts arise, acknowledge them and then send them on their way, coming back to the sound of your breath. Many students of meditation find that guided meditation from a professional helps them achieve that peaceful state more efficiently than struggling to learn on their own. In a guided practice, the teacher leads students through the practice, giving them reminders to follow the breath and reassurance they will eventually get to that peaceful place with time and practice. Contact us today to learn more about how we can guide your employees to a blissful state at work and home with our meditation services.   Wed, 07 Aug 2019 06:00:00 GMT http://lodochairmassage.com/blog/13212/Five-Reasons-Companies-Should-Offer-Meditation-Classes-to-Employees