Saturday, September 26, 2015

Where Massage Meets OM....

Our first Healing Touch Partner Yoga workshop is a soothing success! 

Big thanks to Floating Lotus Studios for providing a lovely space!

September's Healing Touch Partner Yoga gathering catching the wellness glow!

Massage therapist Carrie Smith-Hardee and Yoga instructor Karmie Christian team up to offer relaxing and restorative experiences.

HEALING TOUCH PARTNER YOGA

Massage meets yoga! No partner needed!

with Carrie Smith-Hardee, LMT, CLC and Karmie Christian, RYT500


Next workshop date to be announced this week!
Floating Lotus Yoga Studio
202 West Main St, Mesa AZ 85201



HEALING TOUCH PARTNER YOGA: a workshop for wellness and connection
with Carrie Smith-Hardee, LMT, CLC and Karmie Christian, RYT500.

Join us for an experience of wellness, connection, nurturing, and fun!  Healing Touch Partner Yoga offers you research informed practices for bringing the wellness benefits of touch, massage, yoga, and meditation into your life, at an affordable price.  In this workshop, we'll explore yoga poses combined with gentle massage. Exercises are appropriate for all skill levels, and can be modified to suit your ability level. Bring a partner to work with in class, or come on your own and pair up here. 

We hope to go on to offer this a as regular class, to make the wellness benefits of massage an affordable weekly practice! Join us in making it shine!

Facilitated by healing arts practitioner, Carrie Smith-Hardee, LMT, CLC, www.FromHealingToThriving.com and yoga instructor, Karmie Christian, RYT500, flotusyoga.com. Join us at the beautiful and spacious Floating Lotus Yoga Studio, nestled in Mesa's vibrant downtown arts district.


HEALING TOUCH PARTNER YOGA, the touch of wellness and fitness you'll love! Join us!

Contact: Carrie at Thrive Wellness: 480-452-3086.



Photo credit: lcosta7508 / Foter / CC BY

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Healing Touch Partner Yoga


HEALING TOUCH PARTNER YOGA: a workshop for wellness and connection
with Carrie Smith-Hardee, LMT, CLC and Karmie Christian, RYT500.

Sunday, September 20th, 3pm-5pm
Floating Lotus Yoga Studio
202 West Main St, Mesa AZ 85201

Join us for an experience of wellness, connection, nurturing, and fun!  Healing Touch Partner Yoga offers you research informed practices for bringing the wellness benefits of touch, massage, yoga, and meditation into your life, at an affordable price.  In this workshop, we'll explore yoga poses combined with gentle massage. Exercises are appropriate for all skill levels, and can be modified to suit your ability level. Bring a partner to work with in class, or come on your own and pair up here. You're invited to stay for complementary tea, after the workshop.

We hope to go on to offer this a as regular class, to make the wellness benefits of massage an affordable weekly practice! Join us in making it shine!

Facilitated by healing arts practitioner, Carrie Smith-Hardee, LMT, CLC, www.FromHealingToThriving.com and yoga instructor, Karmie Christian, RYT500, flotusyoga.com. Join us at the beautiful and spacious Floating Lotus Yoga Studio, nestled in Mesa's vibrant downtown arts district.

Register online now: $15 until 9/17/15, $20 thereafter.

Register Online

Please include the name of participant you are registering in the "notes" when purchasing online.  A receipt of your registration will be emailed.

Contact: Carrie at Thrive Wellness: 480-452-3086.

HEALING TOUCH PARTNER YOGA, the touch of wellness and fitness you'll love! Join us!


Photo credit: lcosta7508 / Foter / CC BY

Friday, September 4, 2015

Massage, you can have your healing and be pampered too!


Massage is the wellness secret we want to share with everyone. It's for young and old, friends, caregivers, couples, and family. Massage literally changes our body chemistry for the better. It delightfully boosts health, in oh so many researched ways.

Whether getting a professional massage, or sharing them regularly with friends, family, and loved ones--massage changes physical and mental health for the better.

How?

Clinical testing has shown massage increases relaxation hormones, such as oxitocin and dopamine. These hormones facilitate healing in the body, promote psychological stability and focus, and increase feelings of well-being, connection and trust in people. Massage also decreases stress hormones, such as cortisol, which often sets the stage for illness, anxiety, and disease.

Today, lets explore just one of these benefits of massage: How massage heals sore muscles.

It is widely known that massage after an intense workout feels good. Much research has found massage benefits healing, based on self report.  However, the Feb. 1, 2012 issue of Science Translational Medicine reported on research that examined muscle biopsies to show that massage reduced the production of cytokines, which produce inflammation in the body. Massage also increased the functioning of mitochondria, which increase cell function and repair vital to healing in the body.

Although taking a medicinal anti-inflammatory or Nsaids, such as ibuprofen, can be needed at times, it's important to understand that while these do help decrease inflammation and pain, they may actually slow the healing process. Massage on the other hand, decreases inflammation and speeds healing. With massage, you really can have your cake and eat it too!

Click this highlighted link to read the full New York Times article  about how massage heals muscle tissue.

Excellent places to find a professional massage therapist:

The American Massage Therapy Association

The Esalen Massage and Bodywork Association

Massage Magazine--Find a Therapist Tool

Massage your friends and family....

Massage belongs to everybody and doesn't need to be a big expense. Classes and workshops may be available in your area, for the non-professional to learn a bit about massaging. Thrive Wellness is currently offering a workshop combining massage and yoga to get you started!


When massaging friends or family, leave the extra deep work to the professionals, and focus on offering touch that feels good. Ask your partner for feedback. Make a delightful habit of it. Enjoy!


Wednesday, September 2, 2015

EMBODY DANCE movement, meditation & play SEPTEMBER

EMBODY DANCE

movement, meditation & play

Saturday, Sept. 19th, 7pm-9pm
(Warm up for all dancers 6:50p
& introduction for new comers 6:45p)
Gilbert Yoga
6 E Palo Verde St, Ste 11
Gilbert AZ 85296
  





EMBODY DANCE invites you into the joy, wellness, and meditative path of play!

Adults of all ages, body types, and dancing ability levels are encouraged to attend this safe, welcoming, drug and alcohol-free conscious dance experience! You set your own pace, and discover your own way of moving. Facilitated by healing arts practitioner Carrie Smith-Hardee of Thrive Wellness.

Through both free form and guided dance explorations, we practice reconnecting with the vital energy of play, and through it experiencing moments of meaning and marvel. Play lives in all of us. Play heals, is nothing less than sacred, calls us out of our stuck spots. We can so easily loose touch with play as adults. It offers a most noble practice.

The simple practice of allowing our personal, free-form dance to move us from the inside out, offers profound original experience to each participant and the collective group. We close with a circle to reflect on our experience and celebrate the now.

Does your heart long for more playfulness in your spirit? EMBODY DANCE is for YOU! --

******Join us for our next EMBODY DANCE at Gilbert Yoga on Saturday, September 19th from 7pm-9pm. $15 cash at the door.*********

**First time at Embody Dance? Join us early at 6:45p for a brief introduction. All dancers are encouraged to arrive 5-10 minutes early to begin moving and warming up. We begin EMBODY DANCE promptly at 7pm, please give yourself the gift of attending for the full experience.


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Want more Conscious Dance? Connect with other dancers and a spectrum of Conscious Dance offerings across the state on Facebook at Arizona Conscious Dance.


Photo credit: celine nadeau / Foter / CC BY-SA

Monday, August 3, 2015

Dance as a Meditation on Play in Gilbert! Join Us!

EMBODY DANCE

movement, meditation & play

Saturday, August 22nd, 7pm-9pm
(Warm up for all dancers 6:50p
& introduction for new comers 6:45p)
Gilbert Yoga
6 E Palo Verde St, Ste 11
Gilbert AZ 85296
  

 



EMBODY DANCE invites you into the joy, wellness, and meditative path of play!

Adults of all ages, body types, and dancing ability levels are encouraged to attend this safe, welcoming, drug and alcohol-free conscious dance experience! You set your own pace, and discover your own way of moving. Facilitated by healing arts practitioner Carrie Smith-Hardee of Thrive Wellness.

Through both freeform and guided dance explorations, we practice reconnecting with the vital energy of play, and through it experiencing moments of meaning and marvel. Play lives in all of us. Play heals, is nothing less than sacred, calls us out of our stuck spots. We can so easily loose touch with play as adults. It offers a most noble pr...actice.

The simple practice of allowing our personal, ...free-form dance to move us from the inside out, offers profound original experience to each participant and the collective group. We close with a circle to reflect on our experience and celebrate the now.

Does your heart long for more playfulness in your spirit? EMBODY DANCE is for YOU! --

******Join us for our next EMBODY DANCE at Gilbert Yoga on Saturday, August 22nd from 7pm-9pm. $15 cash at the door.*********

All dancers are encouraged to arrive 5-10 minutes early to begin moving and warming up. We begin EMBODY DANCE promptly at 7pm, please give yourself the gift of attending for the full experience.

**First time at Embody Dance? Join us early at 6:45p for a brief introduction.
....................................

Want more Conscious Dance? Connect with other dancers and a spectrum of Conscious Dance offerings across the state on Facebook at Arizona Conscious Dance.

Photo: "Dancing Bokeh", by Neal Fowler https://www.flickr.com/photos/31878512@N06/4075258691/



Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Moving from the Inside Out, No Dancing Experieince Required!

EMBODY DANCE

movement, meditation & play

Saturday, July 25th, 7pm-9pm  
Gilbert Yoga
6 E Palo Verde St, Ste 11
Gilbert AZ 85296
  

 



EMBODY INTERdependence in July, at our dancing exploration of the energy of play! There is much focus on INdependence in our culture. While this is valuable, experts tell us that the more mature and challenging level of growth comes in achieving healthy INTERdependence; mutual reliance on one another, and harmony with nature.

Through both freeform and guided dance explorations, we practice reconnecting with the vital energy of play, and through it, exploring our theme. Play lives in all of us. Play heals, is nothing less than sacred, calls us out of our stuck spots. We can so easily loose touch with play as adults. It offers a most noble practice.

The simple practice of allowing our personal, free-form dance to move us from the inside out, offers profound original experience to each participant and the collective group. We close with a circle to reflect on our experience and celebrate the now.

Adults of all ages, body types, and dancing ability levels are encouraged to attend this safe, welcoming, drug and alcohol-free conscious dance experience! You set your own pace, and discover your own way of moving. Facilitated by healing arts practitioner, Carrie Smith-Hardee of Thrive Wellness.

Does your heart long for more playfulness in your spirit? EMBODY DANCE is for YOU!

  ******Join us for our next EMBODY DANCE at Gilbert Yoga on Saturday, July 25th from 7pm-9pm. $15 cash at the door.*********

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Want more Conscious Dance? Connect with other dancers and a spectrum of Conscious Dance offerings across the state on Facebook at Arizona Conscious Dance.

Monday, June 1, 2015

Embody Dance, Your playful mindfulness practice at Gilbert Yoga!

EMBODY DANCE

movement, meditation & play

Saturday, June 27th, 7pm-9pm  
Gilbert Yoga
6 E Palo Verde St, Ste 11
Gilbert AZ 85296
 

 
 
Dance and play into YOUR aliveness!  Play lives in all of us. Play heals, is nothing less than sacred, calls us out of our stuck spots. Play does not demand that we pretend to be happy, or any other emotion. It simply invites us to shake loose, give over control, find new grounding in returning to our flow. We can so easily loose touch with play as adults. It offers a most noble practice. What heart says no?
 
Join us for a conscious dance practice of play, embodiment, and presence.  Adults of all ages, body types, and dancing ability levels are encouraged to attend this safe, welcoming, drug and alcohol-free conscious dance experience!  Facilitated by healing arts practitioner, Carrie Smith-Hardee of Thrive Wellness. You set your own pace, and discover your own way of moving as we dive into a delicious music set..

Does your heart long for more playfulness in your spirit? EMBODY DANCE is for YOU! --

Join us for our next EMBODY DANCE at Gilbert Yoga on Saturday, June 27th from 7pm-9pm. $15 cash at the door.

 
Want more Conscious Dance?  Connect with other dancers and a spectrum of Conscious Dance offerings across the state on Facebook at Arizona Conscious Dance.


Friday, May 8, 2015

EMBODY DANCE movement, meditation & play

Saturday, May 30th, 7pm-9pm  

Gilbert Yoga
6 E Palo Verde St, Ste 11
Gilbert AZ 85296
 
Embody Dance is an invitation into your heart that calls you to move, into your senses, and into playful connection with life. It is free-form dancing and movement from a place of how the dance feels, as opposed to how it looks. It is your dance. People of all body types and ability levels are encouraged to participate. You set your own pace, and discover your own way of moving.
 
Inspired by Gabriel Roth’s 5 Rhythms, the embodiment teachings of Esalen, and her healing arts practice of 17 years, Carrie Smith-Hardee, LMT, RM, CLC of Thrive Wellness, weaves these influences into an offering that invites you to rediscover your aliveness, and let it move you.
 
We begin with moving into our personal flow, with a gentle meditative prompt. The dance becomes a free-form moving meditation in which to quiet the mind, rediscover your senses, express through movement, invite play, and transformation. The simple practice of allowing our personal, free-form dance to move us from the inside out, offers profound original experience to each participant and the collective group. We close with a circle to reflect on our experience and celebrate the now.
 
Join us for Embody Dance at Gilbert Yoga on Saturday, May 30th from 7pm-9pm. $15 cash at the door.
 
Visit Carrie online at www.FromHealingToThriving.com

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Wellness and Discovery through Mind Body Massage in Gilbert, AZ

What is Mind Body Massage? Imagine a retreat from the busy pace of the day to a place of nurturing inner stillness. Stress melts away with long flowing strokes, reminding you through touch of your wholeness. As your thoughts quiet, you find yourself returning to the richness of your senses. It is an experience of reawakening aliveness, a dive into yourself, bringing feelings of reconnection, renewal, and awe...

...and all this "ahhhhhh!" is research informed. Mind Body Massage draws from what we know about the wellness and healing benefits of touch, massage, and meditation. It's an approach to bodywork that I've developed over 17 years of practice and study as a massage therapist and healing arts practitioner, that offers massage as a deeply relaxing, wellness promoting, moving meditation. Inspired by the renowned massage of Esalen, this flowing, intuitive, contactful style of massage supports wellness, healing, and personal growth. 

Our wellness and thriving depends on touch, connection, and inner peace. We literally cannot live healthy lives without it. Research finds that massage increases relaxation hormones, such as oxytocin, and decreases stress hormones leaving us healthier and happier. Massage can boost immunity, lower blood pressure, and combat depression, anxiety, and stress. It can increase body awareness, confidence, and ability to connect with others.  Offering massage as a moving meditation holds increased wellness benefits. Harvard research found regular meditation to switch off genetic predisposition for some diseases. Mind Body Massage is informed by this research to support wellness of the whole person. 

Sessions in Mind Body Massage, available at Thrive Wellness,LLC, FromHealingToThriving.com, offer a place to unwind, renew, and reconnect with inner resources for healing and thriving. The experience naturally supports a more embodied, radiant health and deeper connection to your body, self, and life.

Massage is a powerful way to bring health to our whole selves; mind, body, spirit, and heart. What wonders will your path of wellness open for you?

Book your session with therapist Carrie Smith-Hardee, LMT, RM now at 480-452-3086.

Thrive Wellness, LLC
Carrie Smith-Hardee, LMT
4365 E Pecos Rd, Suite 141
Gilbert, AZ 85295
480-452-3086