A letter from Heather

Dear Friends,

It will be my pleasure to share with you recipes I've created and discovered for your personal pampering. Massage is one of the great pleasures in life — and it is good for you. Massage relaxes tight muscles, stimulates the flow of both blood and lymph, enhances the elimination of toxins and calms the nervous system. On the surface, massage helps to keep a healthy glow. Having just returned with my two young children from home leave in New Zealand, I felt a need to look into some travel pampering.

Here are two simple techniques.

• Dry Brush Massage
• Hot Towel Scrub

Dry Brush Massage or A Hot Towel Scrub can easily become part of your daily routine. Less than 5 minutes will greatly improve your skin texture; sweep away dead skin cells, and enhances the flow of blood and lymph, ideal for the long distance traveler.

Dry Brush Technique

To pack:

• Bristle brush preferably soft bristles with detachable handle so that you can easily reach your back.

Benefits: Stimulates lymphatic flow and surface circulation. Ideal to reduce fluid retention after a long flight and to freshen up tired skin promoting a healthy glow. When performed daily, skin brushing can help eliminate cellulite.

Before a shower or bath, brush vigorously, beginning with a light touch, increasing pressure as you become more used to it.

Brush with long sweeping strokes, moving in the direction of your heart, and avoiding the sensitive areas

Hot Towel Scrub

To pack:

• 10 to 20mls of lavender essential oil
• Rough cotton terry wash cloth. (Available at most hotels)

Benefits: Cleanses the skin, enhances circulation and improves lymphatic flow.

Fill a basin with very hot water, prior to going to bed, add 3 drops of Lavender essential oil and mix into the water with your hands. Dip washcloth in hot water, wring it out, rub briskly to stimulate circulation — You should immediately see healthy, rosy glow.

For both massages, begin with the soles of your feet; brush up your calves, behind your knees, up your thighs, and over your hips to your lower back. Brush your hands, up the front and backs of your arms, across your shoulders, down your chest, gently over your breasts, and down your neck and upper back. Finish by brushing your abdomen in a clockwise circular motion. Stretch and take 8 deep breaths, close your eyes and listen to your breath.

I look forward to hearing from you and sharing with you other of my home-grown recipes.

Enjoy,

Heather

Heather can be contacted at spa@breathingspace.net or post a message at Springs of Life