When someone mentions meditation or mindfulness, many people's first associations are drawn to an image of someone sitting with their legs crossed, perhaps on a wooden deck somewhere in Bali, trying to find themselves... Do you recognise yourself in this, in our opinion, fairly common misconception?
Many of us are mind-full every day. The English translation could be mind-split. Do you know what it's like to be consumed by thoughts? Maybe you're reading this - while you're caught up in what was said in the morning meeting, planning what to make for dinner, or thinking about when it was that your daughter was going to be driven to soccer practice?
Whether they are thoughts or feelings, they have the ability to take our focus away from the moment or the task we are in right now. This can manifest itself in a stress response or fatigue. But it doesn't have to be that way.
In fact, you can learn to control your focus instead of letting your thoughts control you.
The exercise below takes just a few minutes and is the perfect break for those who are stressed or need to slow down and control their thoughts - a presence and focus exercise with a relaxing effect. We call it mindfulness - but you can call it whatever you like!
Start by going to a place where you can be by yourself for a little while, maybe in a meeting room at work between important tasks - or in your favourite armchair in the living room next to the table with your favourite magazines and that knitting you like to sit with but can't find the focus to finish? Then follow the steps below:
3 senses - A short exercise
Good luck! And remember, it gets easier every time you practice.
Tired shoulders? Headache? Neck pain? Have you heard of weather massage and massage story at the children's leisure time? This video series is designed for us adults who want to take turns massaging each other at home or in the office.
Get inspired by these simple massage exercises and tips to become a better amateur masseuse today!
1. Shoulder kneading
2. Fist pressure
3. Shoulder landing
4. Handcuffing
5. Neck massage
"Nuat phaen boran", Thai traditional massage, or Thai massage, is a treatment technique that dissolves blockages and tensions. The masseur works with the forearms, elbows, hands and thumbs to treat pressure points and stretch different parts of the body.
The benefits of Thai massage:
New in Uggla's offer - Thai massage at Södermalmspraktiken!
On the 5th of October we have the great honour to welcome our new masseur Wilaiporn to our practice in Södermalm!
"I have been working in Thailand in Thai spas for over ten years in Thai, oil and facial massage. It gives me great pleasure when I can help my clients to lead a more relaxed and pain-free life." - Wilaiporn Namma
To see what times are available in Wilaiporn's schedule and book a Thai massage, classic massage or facial massage now - click here
Thai massage is a unique form of body therapy that combines deep massage with stretching. In Thailand, this technique is called 'nuat phaen boran', which can be translated as 'traditional massage style'. The origin of this form of massage can be traced back to India, where it was influenced by Ayurveda and Yoga. Legend has it that Shivago Komarpaj introduced this style of massage to Thailand over 2500 years ago.
"Nuat phaen boran" is a term often used to describe this type of massage in Thailand. There are several names that describe this art, including 'thai yoga massage', 'thai bodywork' and 'passive yoga'. These terms reflect the different techniques and influences used in Thai massage.
Chiangmai in northern Thailand is known as the heart of Thai massage. It is here that the oldest school of Nuat Boran, "The Old Medicine School", is located. This school became popular with tourists in the 80s and 90s, especially for its ten-day "Nuad Boran" program. Aachan Sintorn Chaichgun, a prominent master of Traditional Thai Ayurvedic Medicine, led the school for over 30 years.
Many people mistakenly believe that the short ten-day course represents the entire Thai medical tradition. In reality, a full education in this field takes about two years. The short course is only an introduction to this healing art.
There are several regional variations of Thai massage in Thailand. Despite the competition between these schools, the Thai government is trying to create a standardized training. Different styles focus on different techniques, such as stretching or acupressure.
The northern style, often known as 'Lanna' Thai massage, originates from the region around Chiang Mai. This style is known for its slow, meditative movements and deep stretching. Lanna massage focuses on releasing blockages along the body's energy lines and often includes the use of warm herbal compresses to relieve muscle tension and improve blood circulation.
The southern style, sometimes referred to as 'Bangkok style', is more intense and focuses heavily on acupressure. It uses the thumb, palm and sometimes even the elbow to apply pressure along the body's energy lines. This technique aims to stimulate blood circulation and release blockages within the body's energy channels.
The Isaan region in eastern Thailand also has its own version of Thai massage. This style combines elements from both the Lanna and Bangkok styles but adds its own unique techniques, often influenced by Cambodian and Laotian massage.
Historically, there has been a degree of rivalry between the different schools and regions when it comes to Thai massage. Each region has proudly claimed that their style is the most authentic and effective. However, this competition has also led to innovation, with each school constantly refining and developing their techniques to meet the changing needs of those they serve.
To preserve the rich tradition of Thai massage and ensure a high standard of practice, the Thai government has taken the initiative to create a standardized training program for Thai massage. This initiative hopes to preserve the authenticity of Thai massage while ensuring that practitioners have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide safe and effective treatments.
During a Thai massage session, the recipient wears loose clothing and lies on a mat. The therapist uses a combination of hands, arms, legs and feet to apply pressure and perform stretching along the body's energy lines. No oils are used, but sometimes a heat compress may be used.
In Sweden, it is common for Thai massage sessions to last one hour, mainly due to the higher cost. But for those who want a longer experience, you can often book a two-hour session.
Examples of treatable problems include: neck and back pain, skeletal muscle disorders, headaches, sciatica, migraines, dizziness, respiratory problems, circulatory problems, digestive problems, stress and premenstrual symptoms.
Warm days! We Swedes aren't very fond of sun and warmth, but a few days a year the Mediterranean heat strikes. Have you ever wondered what effect the sun has on our health and well-being? In today's article, we list 6 health benefits of hot summer days!
1. Mood and mental well-being
When the sun shines, we smile more. An extra positive effect of sunlight is that it signals the body to produce more serotonin - the pleasure hormone that is also secreted through physical activity, massage, etc. In addition to regulating our mood in a positive way, serotonin also has beneficial effects on our appetite and sleep. The natural way to prevent anxiety and depression in a nutshell!
2. Vitamin D
Do you know that you need to strengthen your bones or improve your immune system so that you can fight bacteria and viruses more easily? The sun is our main and best source of vitamin D, and as Swedes are used to getting little sunlight, vitamin D deficiency is a common problem. Our skin contains a precursor to vitamin D, a hormone, which is activated when the sun's rays hit us. Vitamin D is good for the bones because it allows the body to supply itself with calcium. The hormone gives you energy, maintains the balance of the immune system.
3. Outdoor activity
Unlike our daily routines during the winter months, longer and warmer days create the conditions for us to be more active and social outdoors. Research shows that people in areas with warmer climates keep more active, and so do we when summer comes to us. It's not news that an active lifestyle contributes to better physical and mental health. Maybe you're killing two birds with one stone right now - swimming and playing with the kids has positive effects on both body and mind!
4. Melatonin and fatigue decrease
We are getting more energetic! The body's sleep hormone melatonin, as the name suggests, makes us sleepy and tired. In sunlight, the body's levels of melatonin decrease and instead create the effect of making us more alert and full of energy.
5. Blood pressure drops
The heat, unlike the cold, has the effect of swelling our blood vessels and making it easier for the heart to pump blood around the body. High blood pressure is nothing to strive for as it has a negative impact on our health. The heat makes the job of your heart easier!
6. Pain relief on muscles and joints
Do you recognise that your joints hurt more easily when it's cold outside? The heat can have a pain-relieving effect as it helps to soften the body when blood flow increases. This also has a relaxing effect on your muscles. But remember that heat is not a suitable method for inflammation, instead the opposite is true when we want to use cold to make blood vessels contract and create less blood flow which reduces swelling.
Come on, get out there and catch the day! But remember to moisturise and protect your skin from the sun's harmful UV rays. Especially during the hours when the sun is at its highest.
Pregnancy massage is fantastic and a much appreciated gift for the friend with the growing belly. For most people, being pregnant puts some strain on the body. The pregnant woman is facing a time that will be about everything but herself - treat her to a relaxing and beneficial moment that will do good for both body and mind!
The massage takes place with the pregnant woman lying on her stomach. The choice of base is important - it is specially designed to give a belly the space it needs. The focus areas of the massage are on the back and unlike a classical massage, the treatment is softer. At Uggla, we always make sure that the masseuse and the pregnant woman agree on a method that meets the pregnant woman's expectations and preferences about what is comfortable.
What are the benefits of pregnancy massage?
A short answer to the question is that massage is a proven method for both physical and mental health. On the one hand, various areas of pain in the back can be accessed and relieved by increasing blood circulation and treating the muscles, and on the other hand, feel-good hormones are released which are themselves pain relieving and have a positive effect on the psyche. Want to learn more about the benefits of massage or find out what effect massage has on our psyche? Click here.
If you want to know more about the treatment and delve deeper into the subject, we answer more questions about pregnancy massage here.