Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy

We use essential oils which are pure essences that are extracted from plants. Specific parts of the plants are used to create essential oils examples are leaf (eucalyptus), peel (orange), bark (sandalwood), seed (nutmeg), root (ginger), and flowering plant (lavender). The extraction of oils from the plant are pressed, steam distilled, use of solvents (as in absolutes ex rose or jasmine) or a CO2 extraction. These become volatile plant oils with a shelf life. Like a bottle of wine is always moving and changing these gems also have a life force of their own.

Plants have physiological and psychological affect on our persons. One example is lavender which is good for almost everything. I call it an “all purpose” essential oil. Lavender is good for sore muscles, skin, insect bites (to name a few) but it also helps with anxiety. This creates a multi layered approach to our treatments massage since we can tailor massages, or body treatments to your specific needs or environmental changes. On a cold damp day we can warm you up by adding cinnamon or clove to your treatment.

We have approximately eighty single notes (single essential oils) and about twenty synergies (blends) of essential oils. For your treatment it is common to pick one to three essential oils to be mixed into carrier oils or lotion, scrub, hot towels, or an air diffuser in the room.

Here are a few of my personal favorites.

Lavender which I took a long time to like but it is good for almost everything. I suggest if you are using this for home use to get a very high quality essential oil.

Ginger oh how I love ginger. It warms; it’s an analgesic, anti inflammatory, and good for digestion, circulation & depression.

Ylang Ylang an exotic scent that balances both hemispheres of the brain. It melts away tension anxiety & stress. To do this you can put a drop or two on the bottom each foot and allow some time for your body pulses to balance.

Lemon or Lime on the bottoms of the feet with salt can detoxify and release negative ions in the body. Add warm towels and you have a lovely foot treatment!

Remember to be careful when using essential oils. As with any modality there are precautions to each plant. Ginger while warming would not feel good with menopausal hot flashes, lemon is a wonderful bright essence however I would avoid if you where going to be in the sun after your treatment as it is photosensitive.

A little history

Mountain Massage is located in the heart of Woodstock in an artist studio. Some how fitting as Woodstock’s rich history of being an artist colony. We support that history by having local artists’ our walls including Bob Mcknight, Eric Angeloc, Ronnie Jae, and Roger Bishoff. These are just a few of our regional artistic gems.

Right beyond our back yard is buried (not by us) the old Sled Hill Café where Janis Joplin, Jimmi Hendrix & of course Bob Dylan once played (along with many other talented musicians).

We are a private practice dedicated to quality treatments at an affordable price. I have worked at many high end spas in my day and believe me it is refreshing to be able to relax and enjoy working with every person that crosses my table. Spa work is very high volume and while I love the diversity of being a Spa Therapist I am able enhance your experience by giving you the time you deserve. Private Practice is all about a more personal experience.

Eat Local! Farm Shares are still available for 2009 growing season.

Hearty Roots Community Farm is located in the village of Tivoli in New York's Hudson Valley.

Community Supported Agriculture is a way that you as the consumer can support small farmers, eat local and reduce your carbon footprint! Wow! All in my salad bowl (and beyond)!

Their Farm Share Program (based on the Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA, model used by hundreds of small farms around the world). Farm Share members receive a bountiful array of just-picked produce all season long (June-October), to be picked up either at the farm in Tivoli, or at pick-up sites in Woodstock or Kingston, NY or three neighborhoods in Brooklyn.

Farmshares still available in Woodstock & Kingston for the 2009 growing season. Please click on the link below if you interested.

www.heartyroots.com