Sage spa

Is Your Mom A Style Icon?

With Mother's Day coming up on May 13th, this is the time of year when I start to think of my mother.  She passed away 5 years ago so I can't celebrate with her.  But, my brother and I always look for ways to celebrate her life in ways that honor the things that she loved.  My brother chooses to serve food to needy families at his church much in the way that our Mom did at her church.  It's a lovely thing for him to do and typical of my best-brother-in-the-world also being the-best-son-in-the-world.

 I, on the other hand, choose a different way to celebrate.  What I remember about my Mom was her love of stylish clothes.  It was a love she shared with me and that I inherited.  Every year she used to send me a few hundred dollars on my birthday and tell me to use it to buy some Spring clothes.  What ensued was a shopping trip to Macys.  It was a fun, self-indulgent day and I would call her afterwards to tell her what I bought.  It was a way to be together even though we were miles apart.

At one point after her passing I happened upon a site dedicated to stylish moms.  You could submit photos of your mom and possibly have the pictures accepted.  It seemed just perfect for her.  I submitted her photos and 
was delighted when they were accepted.  The photos you see on this post are the ones now  forever on the website (mymomstyleicon.com).

I just want to pass these ideas on to those of you who are remembering moms that are gone.  There are so many ways to keep the happy memories alive.

Comfort Measures/Coping Mechanisms for Labor

Looking for ways to cope with contractions?  This workshop from our friends at Choices In Childbirth 
would be a big help to you. And the nice thing is that it's free.

Comfort Measures/Coping Mechanisms

Date: Thursday, February 16th

Time: 6:15-8:30 pm
Location: 14th Street Y (344 East 14th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues)

Are you preparing to give birth and wondering how you'll work with contractions? Is your partner expecting and you are thinking about how you will support her in labor? Join us for a discussion on a range of labor coping strategies, between parents old and new, and the doulas and practitioners who support them.

 

What should every modern woman have? (No need to read this, guys)

There are several apps for tracking your periods (and the moods and symptoms associated with it) but this one seems to be particuarly good.  Sage is conducting a study on PMS and one of the participants in our study turned us on to it.

Here is a REVIEW by a woman iPhone user that I thought pretty much covered all the plusses and minuses of the app.

Also, you can check out Sage's PMS session if you are interested.

 

Visit the Museum of Motherhood

Interested in activities for the kids or just a peek into what mothering is like around the world?  This museum in New York City looks very interesting.  It has:

• informal baby groups and playdates
• exhibitions (the current one is on breastfeeding)
• an affordable venue for parties

The museum's is "a certified 501c3, committed to connecting women, mothers and families through music, art, activism and education for cultural, economic & social awareness free of age, race and socio-economic barriers. MFI cares about, and acts upon the status of birthers and caregivers, while addressing important issues, creating meaningful content, and providing compelling community experiences, marrying education, “her”story, creativity, culture & community benefiting all."  Sounds like a good thing in every way. 

MORE

Warm Compresses During Labor Help Prevent Trauma

Help me pass the word to all of our moms-to-be.  New research shows the warm compresses on the pelvic floor during the second stage of labor help prevent tears.  This is really good news, and it's such a nice low-tech solution.  Midwives have been doing this for generations; but, the medical establishment is just starting to get a clue.  According to the research, warm compresses reduce the incidence of tears by 52%. Unfortunately, they don't give the details of what materials, what temperature or how often to use the compresses; but, I bet your midwife can tell you  If you want to read the scientific data look here MORE

What Real Women Look Like

Unhappiness with our bodies is pretty common among women.  

I suspect it's the reason some women avoid coming for a massage, which is a shame because an attentive, professional massage could be just the gateway we need to open the door to healing these negative feelings.

 Though our society has come a long way, it seems that men are still judged more on their accomplishments and wealth and women on their beauty and body.  I hope this dichotomy will be gone in the not too distant future.  Meanwhile, we as women need to present ourselves with all of the positive body messages that we can.  

Recently I found a website that I really like.  It's called "My Body Gallery... What Real Women Look Like."  On this site women submit photos of themselves (heads/faces excluded).  Then you plug in height, weight, pant size and shirt size.  You also post a few words about your feelings like:

"I'll never be a size six." 

"I don't remember a time when my body wasn't big." 

"It all started before I was even a teenager."

"I've always been called too skinny by everyone I met."

After submitting your search parameters a group of pictures of people similar to your body type will come up. It's often amazing and instructional how lovely these bodies are even though the women with these body types don't like them.  It's also somehow comforting to know that others struggle with this issue. The site is just beginning and they could use more photos.  I plan on submitting one.  I'm tiny to most people but with large, athletic legs, which I've always hated even though they are such talented legs (I was a dancer).  

A final word:

Women need to bond together on this issue and celebrate our differences and our beauty as well as our accomplishments. Celebrate your life and your body; get that massage! And, If it makes you feel any better, massage therapists, work by feel, often with our eyes closed while doing a massage! 

Pregnancy, Birth and the Newborn

Pregnancy, Birth and the Newborn:
 The Complete Guide

by Penny simkin, Janet whalley and Ann Keppler

A comprehensive and sensitive guide to the childbearing year written by three of the pioneers of childbirth education and the doula movement.

If you only buy one childbirth book this is the one. With over one million copies in print, this book gives you a wealth of information about pregnancy, birth, the postpartum period, and how to care for a newborn. It covers what to expect during pregnancy and birth and how to work with caregivers to make childbirth a happy and healthy experience. It is well organized for easy reading and quick reference. This book has more graphic aids than you'll find in any other childbirth book. It presents the latest, most effective self-help comfort measures and emotional support measures for use during labor.

Buy the Book

Sage Spa Client Writes: "May very well be one of the true spa experiences NYC has to offer."

 We try our best to exceed each and every client's expectation at Sage Spa. With all that hard work,  we love to hear that we got it right.  Here are a few recent comments from our Sage Spa House book. Our thanks to everyone who took time to share their thoughts. We hope to see you & your friends again very soon. - Sage Spa 

1/3/10 "I had a Hot Stone Massage + my fiance had a Swedish Massage. Great Experience. May very well be one of the true spa experiences NYC has to offer. Thanks so much." 

1/2/10 "Fantastic! Amazing. we got a couples massage from Remi and Kathy and will tell everyone this is THE place to go for a true spa experience!- Jorge & Dara" 

1/2/10 "Jill- you restored my balance and calm. Thank you for the customized experience. Ill definitely be back! - Emily" 

12/31.09 "Thank you Kathy! Perfect end of the year treat! De una hermana a otra...." 

12/30/09 "Wonderful experience! Relaxing, calming, and Elena's hands are something to write home about! - Margueria" 

12/30/09 "This is an amazing place. I am so glad it was recommended to me. I will be back as a birthday gift to myself. The masseur was amazing!- K.K." (for Suleika) 

12/22/09 Hi Susan, I just want to write a quick note to let you know that I had a wonderful experience at your spa today. It was my very first time receiving a full-body massage, and my therapist, Karen, did an EXCELLENT job! She was professional from start to finish, made me feel completely at ease and provided a great massage to boot. I'll certainly be coming back for more, as she has definitely got me hooked :-) Thanks again (especially to Karen). A.G.

Bodywork for Dogs, Horses & Cats!

Animals Healing, Inc.

An eco-conscious company dedicated to providing a wealth of fascinating & informative holistic health & lifestyle products for your animals. . . and you.

 My good friend and fellow massage school classmate back in the early 90's, Lynn Vaughn, is passionate about animals, so much so that she molded her entire massage practice around them. Lynn has been spreading the word about bodywork for animals; she has even been a guest on Martha Stewart's television show 

If you have a dog, or even a horse in need of  some bodywork, Lynn is the person to call. She's particularly great with  animals recovering from injuries or stress related issues.

Animals Healing, Inc.

We are Proud & Passionate About What We Do!

Spa Trends 2010

"Highly skilled healers and top-notch therapists will trump outsize spa meccas, Bisazza tile-lined wet lounges, and heavily scripted treatment rituals as the reason for spa visits in 2010"- Melisse Gelula and Alexia Brue, formerly of Luxury SpaFinder Magazine, just released their "10 NYC Wellness Trends for 2010".

A Recent Note of Appreciation & Thanks:

 

Date:     December 22, 2009   
 To:   Sage Spa

 

Hi Susan,

I just want to write a quick note to let you know that I had a wonderful experience at your spa today. It was my very first time receiving a full-body massage, and my therapist, Karen, did an EXCELLENT job! She was professional from start to finish, made me feel completely at ease and provided a great massage to boot. I'll certainly be coming back for more, as she has definitely got me hooked :-)

Thanks again (especially to Karen).

A.G.