Bellelune Massage Therapy

MS 150 Tomorrow!

2011-09-09T14:46:00.000-05:00

I'm partnering with another massage therapist tomorrow to provide sports massage at the MS 150 bike ride near Columbia, MO. We'll be in the Team Bo'z Up Biking tent. Donate to this wonderful cause here. Always a good time with friendly people working to fund a great cause!

Massage Monday #1

2011-09-05T23:50:00.000-05:00

So, in an effort to be more regular about posting on this blog, I have decided to post every Monday.

Big news! I'm moving my business inside AlleyCat Yoga on October 1st. I've been in my current location in the Stephen's Building for three years now, and it's time for a wonderful change!

AlleyCat is moving as well, from the current location in the Tiger Hotel in downtown Columbia, four blocks west to 23 S. 4th St. I'll have my own office inside AlleyCat, bringing both of my wellness activities under the same roof! I'm so excited about it! The final touches are being made on the paint and carpet as I type this, and we will be having a joint Open House, October 1st from 3-6 pm.

Also! I'm teaching Yoga 101 four Wednesdays this month - Sept 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th - at AlleyCat's current location. Sign up for the whole series for $48. Just give me a call or email to register. rebecca@bellelunemassage.com or 573-639-9303.

Yoga 101!

2011-01-04T20:44:00.000-06:00

I'm teaching Yoga 101 at AlleyCat Yoga beginning next week, January 11th - February 1st!

The session is four weeks on Tuesdays from 7:30 PM - 8:45 PM.

Cost is $44 for the course! Call or email to sign up! 573-639-9303 or rebecca@bellelunemassage.com!

Learn ways to reduce stress, connect with your breath, and find an unshakeable sense of calm that you can take into the rest of your life! Hope to see you there!

Namaste!

Thanksgiving Hours

2010-11-24T12:57:00.000-06:00

Closed Thursday

Open 8 AM to 12 PM Friday.

Come get a relaxing massage after shopping!

Intro to Yoga :: Starts Aug 4th @ 5 pm

2010-08-01T18:32:00.001-05:00

Hello wonderful massage clients! Are you, or someone you know, interested in trying yoga? I am starting a four-week beginning yoga class at the Massage Therapy Institute of Missouri beginning this Wednesday, August 4th at 5 pm. The series is four Wednesdays in August 5 pm - 6 pm. Please give me a call or email for more info, or to sign up.

573-639-9303 or

rebecca at bellelunemassage dot com

Thanks, and hope to see you there!

5% for Facebook Fans!

2010-07-21T11:03:00.000-05:00

Hey fans! Join me on Facebook to receive a 5% discount for all massage or yoga sessions booked on Fridays! This includes gift certificates purchased on Fridays, and any sessions held or booked on Fridays! Start your weekend right with relaxation! See you soon!

COLORS Independents Week!

2010-06-30T12:50:00.001-05:00

Columbia Locally Owned Retail and Services (or COLORS) is promoting local businesses and challenging consumers to shop locally this July 1st-7th.

To celebrate all that local businesses have to offer, many businesses have special discounts and promotions. You can see all of the COLORS business member participants on their website, www.ColorsAlliance.org.

I am offering a discount to COLORS members, whether citizen members or business members! Save 10% on any massage services July 1st-7th. You can sign up to be a COLORS member if you are not already on their website.

See you soon!

Happy Father's Day!!

2010-06-18T19:17:00.000-05:00

Stumped for what to get the dads in your life for Father's Day?! How about a massage!? I have several appointment spots still open this weekend, and gift certificates are available. Please see www.BelleluneMassage.com for details! See you soon! Happy Father's Day!

Massage is a Co-creation

2010-06-03T10:12:00.000-05:00

Many times people think they shouldn't say something if a massage isn't going quite how they expected, perhaps out of politeness, or not wanting to hurt the therapist's feelings. I always encourage my clients to let me know if they would like more or less pressure, if they prefer to have the table warmer on or off, and if they are chilly, etc... I believe that open communication is the best way to ensure a therapeutic experience.

You and I co-create your relaxation experience. Your willingness to express your needs and my willingness to listen are key! Only when you truly feel your concerns are being listened to can you fully allow yourself to relax. See you soon!

Introduction to Vinyasa Flow Yoga

2010-04-30T17:35:00.000-05:00

I'm starting a 5-week Intro to Vinyasa Flow workshop at AlleyCat Yoga tomorrow! It will be 9-10 AM for the five Saturdays in May. $13/class. Hope to see you there!

True/False Discount!!

2010-02-25T18:05:00.000-06:00

True/False starts today!

Seven years in a row now we have had a four-day film festival of documentary films here in Mid-Missouri. It gets bigger and bigger every year. There are nine (!) venues and forty films being shown! There is even an iTunes app to keep track of it all!

I highly recommend going to this once a year treat! Films are shown Thursday (today) through Sunday. A complete schedule can be found here: truefalse.org.

I'll be attending a few shows, and would like to offer a small discount on massage therapy services to other attendees. For a limited time only, receive $15 off one massage! All you need is your ticket stub as proof of attendance at a True/False show. It's simple to schedule a massage between films; my office is just across the street from Ragtag Cinema!

Discount effective Feb 25th - Mar 3rd.

Please call 573-639-9303 or book online at www.bellelunemassage.com!

Valentine's Weekend Appointments Still Available!

2010-02-11T19:12:00.000-06:00

I still have several appointment slots available for this weekend. If you would like to purchase a gift certificate for a loved one or purchase a massage for yourself, you can register online at BelleluneMassage.com or give me a call! 573.639.9303.

Have a wonderful, heart-centered weekend!

Beginning Yoga

2010-01-19T20:42:00.000-06:00

The beginning class at Greenway Massage still has spots open! I welcome you to come and try yoga. It's a wonderful practice to help you relieve stress and relax through deep breathing and becoming aware of bodily sensations.

You can sign up at 573-449-4929 or online at greenwaymassageteam.com

Hope to see you tomorrow!

New Gentle Yoga Classes Begin 1/6/2010

2009-12-30T18:57:00.000-06:00

Ever thought about trying yoga, but were intimidated by the "pretzel" poses? Or think you're not flexible enough?

I'm starting a gentle yoga class January 6th at 5 PM at Greenway Massage. No experience necessary. Come learn the basics! The emphasis will be on cultivating awareness through breath-centered movement. This class is perfect for those new to yoga, or anyone seeking a less strenuous relaxation experience.

Please call Greenway Massage at 573-449-4929 or email me (rsuepeters at hotmail dot com) for more information!

Hope to see you next week!

Happy Holidays to my clients!

2009-11-27T17:07:00.000-06:00

Very soon I will be sending out Happy Holidays Gift Certificates to my clients. One for $15 for you to keep for yourself, and one that's blank. You determine the amount on the blank one and give it to a friend. It has a minimum value of $15, so if that's the price level you wish to give, simply write $15 on the card and gift it to a friend. If you'd like it to be a higher value, please give me a call to purchase the upgrade.

Gift certificates make great holiday gifts for yourself and your loved ones!

If you have any questions, please call or email! 573-639-9303 or rebecca at bellelunemassage dot com!

I am grateful for my wonderful clients!

2009-11-25T19:52:00.001-06:00

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my wonderful clients who have made this a great year to be a massage therapist! Thank you!

I am offering expanded hours on Thanksgiving day ~ 8 AM - 8 PM and the Friday after ~ 8 AM - 3 PM. In this whirlwind of holiday obligations, take time for your own well-being! Breathe! Stretch! Relax! You can book an appointment online at http://www.bellelunemassage.com/contact or call 573-639-9303!

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T14:16:00.000-05:00

Here is a pic of my darling chat, Otto - post-nap. I thought it appropriate to post a photo of my cat on Halloween. He looks like he's eaten more candy than me!

Yoga Teaching Schedule

2009-09-28T16:30:00.002-05:00

This is a busy fall for me! I'm will be teaching yoga at three locations.

Beginning in September:

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm Saturdays @ Greenway Massage; $12/drop-in or $40 for four. Please email me to register.

Beginning in October:

7 pm - 7:55 pm Wednesdays @ Moon Belly Dance Studio; $11/drop-in; for more cost info, please see www.moonbelly.org

Beginning in November:

4 pm - 5 pm Sunday, November 1st @ AlleyCat (non-recurring)

9 am - 10 am Saturdays @ AlleyCat Yoga; $12/class, other pass options available at www.alleycatyoga.com

September is National Yoga Month

2009-08-17T12:17:00.004-05:00

In honor of September being National Yoga Month, I am offering 50% off your first private lesson! Please call to book today!

573-639-9303 or rebecca {at} bellelunemassage {dot} com.

Each private session is designed specifically for your needs. We develop exercises, called yoga asanas, for your individual situation, taking into consideration your fitness level, stress level, and personal goals. In a private session I am able to provide more hands on attention (physical adjustments and assisted stretching), than is often possible in a group yoga class. I do require a brief complimentary phone or email consultation before your first lesson to assess your experience and current needs with yoga lessons. I also offer semi-private lessons for two students (the second student is half price).

Yoga!

2009-08-01T07:47:00.005-05:00

Hello! Long blogging hiatus - I have been spending lots of time studying yoga at Kansas Siddhi Yoga. I will be finishing up my teacher training August 9th. It's been a wonderful experience for me!

Last summer around this time I was in Switzerland on a yoga retreat. Waking up to the massive mountains 'in my backyard' was really powerful. When I got back to the states I had the strong feeling that I wanted to share that deep sense of peace with others. My personal practice began to deepen and I found a yoga teacher training in St. Louis. Life "got in the way" and I had to leave that training half-way through, but I found another training in Kansas City in January. So really my training to be a teacher of yoga has ended up being a year-long process. I really relish the fact that I could evolve at a more natural pace. Taking a year really has allowed me to embody this practice more than I knew possible.

I feel so inspired by all of the information the teachers at Kansas Siddhi Yoga have provided me, and feel truly like the well is much deeper than I thought!

My first endeavor with teaching will be at the Massage Therapy Institute of Missouri beginning in September 2009. I will have more details forthcoming on my website: www.bellelunemassage.com/yoga.html also.

Earth Day Update!!

2009-04-22T07:01:00.001-05:00

Due to rain, Columbia's Earth Day Celebration has been rescheduled to Sunday, April 26th. Come see the interesting and educational booths and musical acts this weekend! I'm doing chair massage!

For more information, please see:

http://www.columbiaearthday.org

Earth Day in Columbia, MO

2009-04-13T17:55:00.001-05:00

I wanted to let all of my wonderful current clients and hopefully future clients know that I will be doing Chair Massage at Columbia's Earth Day festival this year, April 19th from 12 pm to 7 pm. My booth will be near the intersection of 8th Street and Elm. Hope to see you there!

Matsyasana, or Fish Pose

2009-04-08T09:48:00.000-05:00

The Yoga Journal Widget proclaims Matsyasana to be today's pose of the day. I love this pose!

Begin by lying on the floor on your back. Roll slightly to each side to place your hands under your buttocks, palms down, arms straight. Take a deep breath in, and as you exhale, press down with your forearms and elbows to lift your chest. Squeeze your shoulder blades together as your heart opens and place the crown of your head on the floor. There should be only a slight amount of weight on your head. Relax your face fully. Take several deep breaths here. Slowly lower your torso and head to the floor. Take a few moments to feel the results of this pose.

For me this pose feels as gloriously opening as urdhva dhanurasana (wheel pose), but with the added security of still being on the floor. You get that fun, "upside down" feeling too. I feel playful in this pose.

This photo comes from Yoga Journal.

National Consumer Research Shows Americans Are More Stressed Than A Year Ago...

2009-03-13T20:00:00.000-05:00

http://www.massagemag.com/News/massage-news.php?id=5773

Americans are continuing to experience stress at home and at work. Massage represents an inexpensive way to reduce stress when many people are foregoing expensive vacations in these economic times. People are continuing to receive massage therapy to help with stress reduction, relaxation, and restoration.

Anatomy Nerds Unite!!

2009-03-12T19:52:00.000-05:00

Here is a link to interactive 3D human anatomy:

www.visiblebody.com

And a great link to the Bandha Yoga site:

www.BandhaYoga.com

It allows you to explore the wonderful Scientific Keys books "The Key Poses of Hatha Yoga" and "The Key Muscles of Hatha Yoga," as well as view 3-D bodies in these poses.

Suboccipital Muscles

2009-03-03T21:30:00.000-06:00

Tom Myers' book Anatomy Trains rocks. I've only read excerpts, but I want to buy it! Most recently I read about the suboccipital muscles. They are located just below the occiput, the skull bump on the back of your head. If you place your fingers there and move your eyes, you can feel them tense up. In fact, it is impossible to move your eyes without causing them to contract! The spinal muscles even tend to follow suit when the suboccipitals contract.

That a cat always lands on its feet is testament to the intricate role these muscles play. A cat will use its eyes and ears to orient itself and thereby cause the suboccipitals to contract, and lead to further muscular contractions along its spine, ensuring its feet hit the ground first.

Like cats, the ways we use our eyes and necks, then, affect the tonus of the musculature of the rest of our backs. Often releasing the tension in the neck muscles first can aid the release of the rest of the back. And just think of all the darting around your eyes do in a given day!

Photo of Suboccipitals