Want to learn more about sports massage?  Then look no further than this great site:  Sports Injury Clinic.

This article from Healthypages  says that scientists have discovered that incense has a relaxing and therapeutic effect and can ease tension and depression.  I always chuckle when something is only deemed "admissable" once it's been given the green light by a scientist.  Nevermind if it's something  the religious and spiritual community has known for centuries.

The average person eats 230 sandwiches a year. Now, if you buy your sandwich every day that mounts up to the cost of another holiday!

Making your own lunch is not only lighter on the wallet but can make you lighter too. Many shop bought sarnies are high in fat and salt. Let's face it food made in bulk on a converyor belt is never going to taste as good as one made fresh by you. Also shop chains and even sandwich shops aren't always going to use the best ingredients. Most of the time cost is the overriding factor, so battery hen eggs, intensively farmed bacon etc. will no doubt be going into your sandwich.

Take a look here to find some quick, easy sandwich recipe ideas which are specifically designed for people who exercise or lead very busy lives.

If you can't always find the time to make your own, this article also highlights "shop bought champions" from Boots, M&S, Starbuck and Pret.

Don't forget to get up and walk outside for some of your lunch hour. It clears the head, gets the circulation going and will pep you up for the rest of the afternoon.

What is Deep Tissue Massage?

Deep Tissue Massage is a massage technique that focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue also called connective tissue. It aims to release the persistent patterns of tension in the body (also known as "adhesions") through slow strokes and deep finger, hand and forearm pressure on the tight areas, either going across or following the fibres of the muscles, fascia and tendons.

Deep tissue massage uses many of the same movements and techniques as Swedish massage, but the pressure will generally be more intense. It helps to break up scar tissue. Deep Tissue Massage usually focuses on more specific areas and may cause some soreness or discomfort during or right after the massage. It shouldn't hurt, but it's likely to be a bit more uncomfortable than a classic Swedish massage. However, if the massage is done correctly you should feel better than ever within a couple of days. You should always feel free to speak up if the pressure is too much for you!

Why get a Deep Tissue Massage?

It feels good and it is beneficial to your health. If you are stressed muscles are tense, they block oxygen and nutrients, leading to possible inflammation that builds up toxins in the muscle tissue. Deep tissue massages assist muscle tissue release, get blood and oxygen circulating properly and also “liberates” the knots. Because many toxins are released, it's important to drink plenty of water after a session to help eliminate these toxins quickly from the body.

So what is the purpose of Deep Tissue Massage?

The purpose is to "unstick" the glued fibres of a muscle while releasing the built up tension, eliminate toxins, while relaxing and soothing the muscle itself. It is both remedial and therapeutic.

Precautions:

Always let your therapist * know if you:

- have any skin allergies or conditions
- have problems with your joints
- are, or think you could be, pregnant
- have recently undergone surgery, or are prone to or recovering from injury
- you have any other medical condition
- have a history of respiratory or heart problems

* a good massage therapist should ask you these question before embarking on any massage treatment.

Hardly a day goes by when I don't sing the praises of yoga to my clients.

It's great for relieving stress in both body and mind and very importantly helps correct kyphotic [rounded shoulder] posture. Many of my clients seek treatment for upper back muscle tension and pain caused by a forward hunched posture. By the age of 30 or 40 this posture is often firmly entrenched in the spinal verterbrae and shoulder girdle and unfortunately there's no quick fix to rectify the condition. So yoga is a long term solution, which requires patience, time and dedication to yield excellent and amazing results.

Put you off yet? You don't have to be bendy and flexible or get into eye-watering pretzel positions I promise you.

This article on UK MSN gives a really good overview of the most popular yoga styles.

Give it a go - you'll wish you'd started in your twenties once you do - but better late than never!

If so, then how about a "coffee break" massage at work. Yes, in the time it takes for you to pop out to Starbucks or down to the canteen for your favourite caffiene fix, you could enjoy a 15-20 minute Seated Acupressure Massage.

Among other benefits, your massage with leave you with a caffeine-free natural high.

So what are the benefits of having a regular massage at work?

* eases tight and tense muscles in the back, neck, shoulders, arms and hands
* decreases the likelihood of succumbing to a repetitive strain injury
* lowers blood pressure and promotes a feeling of relaxation and calm
* increases circulation, improving oxygen flow to the body and the brain
* improves concentration and alleviates mental fatigue

What's great about my service?

- You get to sit on a luxury, padded, top of the range chair
- I have top notch professional qualifications and am highly skilled
- I leave you with a stretching programme to prolong the benefits
- My treatments are refreshingly affordable
- You've still got 40 minutes left to eat your lunch!

All you need to do is find three colleagues who'd like a chair massage and I'll come to your office. Find more than 3 colleagues and the price goes down and down .......

Prices:

4 x 20 min Chair Massage - £15 per person
6 x 20 min Chair Massage - £14 per person
8 x 20 min Chair Massage - £13 per person

YOU WORK HARD ENOUGH - NOW LET MASSAGE WORK FOR YOU!

This week I'm thankful for:

- the cute lambs frollicking in the fields
- they are testament to the fact that spring is finally upon us!
- my clients who teach me so much
- my yoga teacher who is just the best
- "The Apprentice"and "Dirty, Sexy, Money" [a girl has to have some vices]