Article Archive

The Interconnectedness of Body and Mind

A conversation with energy worker Barry Kapke

Massage & Bodywork: Tell me briefly about the incorporation of spirituality in your own bodywork.

Barry Kapke: My approach to bodywork is definitely influenced by Eastern views. My practice and teaching of forms such as shiatsu, nuad bo rarn (traditional Thai massage), Breema bodywork, and Swedish massage, and incorporating aspects of other approaches such as Ortho-Bionomy, Trager(R), Dzub-Nyin (Tibetan Ayurvedic massage), yoga and Theravada Buddhism, have led to my rather eclectic formulation of a way of working I call Insight Bodywork(R).

How To Find a Massage Therapist

According to the Experts

Whether new to massage therapy or long time patron, there eventually comes a time when massage recipients need to seek out a therapist. But how do you go about looking for one? Should you take your chances with the phone book, or ask coworkers or friends to recommend someone? Should you try newspaper ads, the Internet, or maybe a day spa? Considering your experience receiving massage, do you know what to look for in a massage therapist, and, for that matter, are you even aware of your needs during a massage session?

Common Exercise Myths

Or The Excuses We Can’t Use Anymore

Although old fitness fictions like “no pain, no gain” are fading fast, plenty of popular exercise misconceptions still exist. Following are some of the most common myths, as well as not-so-common facts based on current exercise research.

Myth: If You’re Not Going To Work Out Hard and Often, Exercise Is a Waste of Time.

Eating Disorders Explored

Ask a Therapist

Q. My therapist told me that massage and bodywork can be helpful for eating disorders. How can this be?

A. The truth is, millions of American men and women suffer from some sort of eating disorder. Bodywork, however, can help lessen the chasm between body and mind that helps “feed” these disorders. According to author Merrill DeVito, who went on her first diet in the fifth grade, the self-loathing that accompanies eating disorders gets trapped in the entire body, but bodywork helps release it.

When Drugs and Exercise Collide

Know the Physical Interactions of Pharmaceuticals

You probably know that problems can occur when you combine different drugs or use certain drugs in conjunction with certain foods. Yet, are you aware that a wide variety of commonly used drugs — including prescription, over-the-counter and herbal products — can affect your response to exercise, potentially increasing your risk of injury? Discover how to stay sage using these tips from Carol Krucoff, coauthor of Healing Moves: How to Cure, Relieve and Prevent Common Ailments with Exercise.

Finding Balance

Tools for Reclaiming Your Life

Too much on your plate? Millions of Americans know how you feel.

Stress has become a “given” in our modern world, and a primary cause of physical and mental illness for millions of us. Small amounts of stress can be a good thing, keeping us alert and on-task. But unrelenting stress, whether from overbooked schedules, financial strain, too little sleep or too much bad news, can lead to a breakdown of body, mind and spirit. When an overextended life puts you on a collision course with disaster, there are simple steps you can take to recover a sense of balance.

Aroma-oxidant

News Note

Breathing in aromas rich in antioxidants — the agents in fruits and vegetables, as well as vitamins C and E — may be an option for good health, according to Kwang-Guen Lee, a researcher at the University of California at Davis. Lee distilled and extracted 30 chemicals to produce aromas from 10 plants, including soybeans, kidney beans, eucalyptus leaves and several types of spices, including basil, thyme, rosemary and cinnamon. Lee then tested the extracts for antioxidant levels and found them to be similar to those in vitamin E.

Pages