Health & Healing Archives - Page 6 of 6

Four Pillars Hosts a 9/11 Kundalini Yoga: Veteran/Community Workshop for PTSD

August 17, 2016 by Four Pillars Leave a Comment

In honor of 9/11, one of the largest traumatic events in the US, Four Pillars and GreenZone Hero are bringing a special guest from New York City for a Kundalini Yoga: Veteran/Community Workshop for PTSD

Sunday, 9/11 3-5pm

Four Pillars, Lakewood Ranch

If you have some trauma you’ve experienced in your life, or need to transform the trauma of 9/11 that we all hold, please join us.

The unfortunate fact is that 70% of adults in the U.S. have experienced some type of traumatic event at least once in their lives that affects their current quality of life. Medical and scientific research has documented that the body stores stress and trauma deeply in the muscles and the brain circuits. The effects of stored trauma may include nightmares, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, chronic fatigue, insomnia, fear, compromised immune system, and an inability to release the repetitive negative and fearful thoughts in the mind. Kundalini yoga can help release the traumas we hold in the body.

Karisa Judith (Kundalini Karisa) has studied all over the world for her yoga training certifications. She has obtained her first 200 hr yoga certification in Kytheria Greece in 2010. She then went on to a Kundalini Yoga Self Mastery certification in Norsara Costa Rica, April of 2012. Karisa continued to studied in N.Y.C and became certificated for Prenatal yoga and Yoga for Special needs like Autism, ADHD, and Cerebral Palsy. In April of 2013 Karisa went to India to study for another 200hr certification in Kundalini yoga. Karisa also holds a four-year degree in Psychology.

Cost $25

Pre-registration required for this special event. See our Events Tab.

RSVP at (941) 373-3955

About Four Pillars: A wellness retreat center for your Mind, Body, Spirit and Social Connections. Your “go to” place to learn, relax, energize, and reinvent. Offering massage & facials, reiki, acupuncture, bookstore and life coaching & workshops. www.fourpillarsflorida.com

San Marco Plaza, 8209 Nature’s Way, Suite 221, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202

About GreenZone Hero: An Online Community of Veteran-Friendly Businesses. We recognize businesses that honor our veterans. www.greenzonehero.com

Four Pillars Launches our “Refer a Friend” Program

August 8, 2016 by Four Pillars Leave a Comment

The reviews are out and Four Pillars clients give it a 5 star rating as the “go to” place to learn, relax, energize and reinvent in Lakewood Ranch, FL. Our wellness retreat center provides Massage & Facials, Reiki, Acupuncture, Bookstore, Life Coaching & Workshops. And now, with our Refer a Friend program, you and a friend can receive free or discounted services.

The Refer a Friend program lets you share the savings. Come in to Four Pillars, enjoy our services and pick up a few Refer a Friend cards. Share these cards with friends who would enjoy the Four Pillars experience. When they present your card:

Your friend will receive 20% off their first service
You’ll receive a $20 credit to use towards your next service, workshop or purchase in our bookstore of $40 or more – your choice!

We love our clients! Refer multiple friends and get a FREE service.*

Here are a few of our latest reviews:

Truly an excellent experience! All of their staff are extremely warm and friendly and concerned with giving you a true luxury experience right here in town. I had a massage with Kris and it was terrific! She uses multiple modalities which really got into some of my problem areas. Terrific experience! ~Ashley M

I had three wonderful, relaxing facials. In fact, I signed up for three chemical peels. Nancy gave me so many tips to improve my skin and people have told me how great my face looks. I am so pleased. I highly recommend Four Pillars. ~Alida L

My friend and I just took advantage of the Mother’s Day special. For two glorious hours we were able to receive amazing massages and outstanding facials. So pleased to have found this gem in Lakewood Ranch! Do yourself a treat and make an appointment today! I know my friend and I will have another girls day very soon! ~Kerry P

My daughter and I loved my facial with Nancy Brown. Great advice on how to take care of our faces. Peaceful environment, make you feel relaxed right away. Will be back for sure and try some of the other services there. ~Maria G

I had a fabulous massage with Kris and an awesome micro-derm with Nancy.
The whole set up and atmosphere at Four Pillars is so very Zen.
I will be a “regular”! ~Barb Z

Four Pillars has a highly positive vibe, and a friendly, caring staff. The swedish massage I had with Carol was so blissful I scheduled two more. I highly recommend the Four Pillars experience. ~Marc S

We can’t wait to see you (and your friends) at Four Pillars.

*promotion cards and details available at Four Pillars

Hawaiian Healing Massage Offered at Four Pillars

July 18, 2016 by Four Pillars Leave a Comment

Return to harmony and balance

Massage is one of the oldest and most powerful forms of healing. And, connection with breath is one of the many key principles in this ancient healing modality, along with prayer, intention, sacredness of all things, and presence.

Lomi is an ancient healing art practiced by native Hawaiians. It is passed down by Polynesian shamanic teachers committed to sharing their knowledge of this sacred tradition.

What is different about this massage?

This massage incorporates the Hawaiian concept of aloha, which not only means hello and goodbye, but means love, unification and breath, and promotes personal harmony. However, by emphasizing the mind-body connection, Hawaiian healing practitioners add an element that takes these techniques to another level. Lomi is infused with “mana”– mana means “all power comes from within.” The goal is to rid the body of “negative” energy — including tension, toxins, and even injury — and allow it to find a better, more harmonic state.

Lomi practitioners strive to incorporate ones physical, emotional, and energetic being by creating a space of unconditional love and acceptance with long flowing runs of massage strokes that embrace and nurture, to allow the recipient to clear old patterns and awaken the divine within.

What happens during a Hawaiian healing massage?

A session begins with the practitioner creating a sacred space and saying a prayer over the recipient, setting the intention for the session. Constant movement from one body part to another is an additional unique feature of Lomi, wherein the recipient can feel a profound sensation of relaxation because sensory receptors in the dermis are not able to adapt quickly to the constant change in stimuli. Some people have described this technique as feeling like gentle waves moving over the body.

This flowing with total energy, using the long continuous strokes which works gently yet deeply into the muscles, combined with the very loving touch, totally nurtures and relaxes the entire being, assisting in letting go of old beliefs, patterns and behaviors that cause blockages and illness which are stored in the cells of our body.

Enjoy a 60 or 90-‐minute specialty treatment. Throughout August, introductory sessions are available for this new treatment. Normally $85, the introductory rate is $75 for 60 minutes and $110 for 90 minutes. Call to schedule an appointment today. Four Pillars has recently added two additional licensed massage therapists trained in this Hawaiian Massage technique. Welcome Agusta Perkins and Jennie Wang!

Aloha!!

Location: Four Pillars, San Marco Plaza, 8209 Natures Way, Suite 221, Lakewood Ranch, FL Call 941‐373-3955 Email: info@fourpillarsflorida.com or visit fourpillarsflorida.com

Four Pillars July Workshops & Classes

July 6, 2016 by Four Pillars Leave a Comment

BE Inspired! Mind, Body, Spirit and Social Connections

Monday, July 11
Slowing Down the Aging Process 6:30-8:00pm

The Chinese have been doing this for thousands of years. You, too, can make it work for YOU! Educate yourself on what is going inside your body as you age, and find out what you can do to slow this process down. Look younger and feel younger, naturally too! Empower yourself. A FREE talk you cannot afford to miss. Dr. Rene Ng is an acupuncture physician and Chinese Herbalist who is Sarasota-based and board-certified with a natural passion for wellness and helping people. RSVP early, seating is limited! FREE

Wednesday, July 13

Interiorology—How to Create a Living Environment that Reflects the True You 7-9pm

Learn how to combine the interior design process, introspection and your unique qualities to create a home that reflects YOU. Laurel James, certified Interior Designer and author of “Interiorology”, believes that “just as a flower blooms in the right environment, so do we in the right living space.” Our July “Feeling of Home” workshop will explore your “inner home” with simple yoga tools of breath, body movement and meditation to feel clear and calm. Next, you will playfully discover your “outer home” with tools from interior design of how your natural style, forms and functions can support both your life and environment. This fun-filled experience will leave you with a dream circle chart of what brings you peace, balance and joy into your heart and home.  $40

Monday, July 18

Detox for your Health/Nutrition Workshop 6-8 pm

Would like to get ready for summer? Jump start weight loss, decrease cellulite, improve your skin while improving your energy and sharpening your brain? DETOX! In this workshop, you’ll learn the research is in and it clearly links weight with toxins! Why? Toxins are stored in your fat cells making difficult to lose weight and impossible to have permanent weight loss without removing the toxins. Toxins are fat-soluble and require help to become water soluble and removed out of the body. Please join Bonnie London (Masters in Nutrition and Registered Dietician) hosted by Four Pillars for a fun, informative event about how Detox can jumpstart weight loss or improve your overall of health! $20.

Thursday, July 21

Love the Skin You’re In, Naturally – 7-9pm
During this class, you will learn why it’s important to love your skin and to also nourish it from the inside out. We will teach you which essential oils and natural products are the most effective to facilitate {real} change in the skin. You will also learn simple tips that make taking care of your skin fun! Get ready to fall {truly, madly, deeply} in love with your skin.
FREE event.

Reiki 101 and Frequently Asked Questions

May 31, 2016 by Four Pillars Leave a Comment

What is Reiki?

Reiki (pronounced Ray Key) is Japanese healing energy work. Rei is the Japanese word for universal, spiritual, or divine and Ki means life force energy that flows through all living things.

Reiki is a gentle technique that promotes healing, balance and wellness on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level. During a treatment session, a Reiki practitioner gently places their hands on or a few inches above the client and serves as a conduit for directing universal healing energy to the client. Reiki is never sent or forced into the body, but rather drawn in by the recipient in the right amount needed to accelerate the body’s self-healing abilities.

Benefits of Reiki

Deep relaxation
Release of stress and tension
Improved sleep
Relief of pain
Increased energy
Boost for the immune system
Inner peace and sense of well-being

Reiki offers similar benefits to massage and acupuncture but without pressing on the muscles or using needles. It also promotes spiritual growth and creativity.

Healing results are unique to each individual. Reiki is a complementary therapy to, but not a substitute for, traditional medical treatment. If you have a medical or psychological condition, it is recommended that you consult a physician or other licensed health care professional in conjunction with Reiki treatments.

Interested in scheduling a Reiki treatment?

Appointments are available Monday – Friday AMs and Sunday PMs.

Reiki FAQs

What do I wear during a Reiki treatment? You remain fully clothed during a Reiki session. Wear loose-fitting comfortable clothes. You will lie on a massage table, first on your back and then on your stomach or on your side. You may choose to be covered with a sheet or light blanket.

How long is each session? Reiki sessions are 60-90 minutes.

What do I feel during a Reiki treatment? Each experience is unique. Some people feel a sense of warmth, lightness or a floating sensation while others feel a release of unwanted thoughts, emotions and physical symptoms.

Is it OK if I fall asleep during a session? Yes. Many people reach a level of deep relaxation and fall into a light sleep.

How will I know if the Reiki worked? Reiki always works because it is divine or universal energy. Your body, mind and spirit know how to direct this energy where it is most needed for your greatest healing and highest purpose. The full effects of Reiki will be realized within 24 hours and may last a week or two.

How will I feel after a Reiki session? Calm, relaxed, peaceful, lighthearted

What do I need to do following a Reiki treatment? Drink extra water and avoid alcoholic beverages for 12 hours after a treatment session.

How often should I receive Reiki treatments?

As often as you feel you need a treatment. Some people receive Reiki treatments weekly for a month then scale back to every other week or monthly sessions.

You can learn self-Reiki and make it a daily practice. Contact Four Pillars and Pat Crawford for a schedule for appointments, information and to learn more. 941-373-3955

The Life Cycle of a Facial

April 22, 2016 by Four Pillars Leave a Comment

By Nancy Brown, Four Pillars Spa Director

Your face is visible to others and most often one of the first features people see. When you take care of your face by regular visits to an esthetician, you are also improving the condition of your skin. The advantages of a facial are many, including preventive care, appropriate skin care, and a deeply relaxing experience.

Your skin is your largest organ of your body. Adults carry some 8 pounds and 22 square feet of it. It is also your fastest-growing organ. Your skin grows really fast. In fact there are about 19 million skin cells in every inch of your body. And new skin cells replace old ones. Your body is always making new skins cells and getting rid of old ones. Your body gets rid of 30,000 to 40,000 old skin cells every day. Dead skin cells are on top.

As this relates to a facial—

Immediately Afterward: your skin radiates a healthy glow
48-72 hours: skin is hydrated as circulation has been boosted
28-48 days: cells regenerate and the long-term benefits of the facial kick in
4-6 weeks: time to remove dead skin cells and rid the skin of impurities

Four Pillars Spa offers a wide variety of facial services to benefit your skincare regimen. Microdermabrasion, peels, anti-aging and enzyme treatments all help in the skin regeneration process. For that healthy glow!

Location: Four Pillars, San Marco Plaza, 8209 Nature’s Way, Ste221, Lakewood Ranch Call 941-373-3955 or FourPillarsFlorida.com

Finding Your Sixth Sense of Home

April 18, 2016 by Four Pillars Leave a Comment

By Laurel James (Author and Founder of Interiorology)

“A house is built of walls and beams. A home is built with love and dreams.”—unknown

What is home to you? Is it a place to live or is it a place in your heart? I say it is both!

When people can get in touch with the creative and unseen aspect of Self inside and imagine and feel what they want in a home, delightful things happen. I call this getting in touch with our sixth sense of home. It’s a place where we set the stage of intentional placement in our mind to manifest our true home—inside and out. No matter what culture we live in, the décor in our homes sets the stage and plays a role in our lives. Our values, personalities, and spiritual beliefs share the same space with our items, artifacts, and knick-knacks. All together they provide an external expression of our personalities and styles. Intentional placement is an exterior symbol of our true selves and our hopes and dreams.

Oftentimes, if we are not conscious of object placement in our homes we can send the wrong signal. For instance, I was in my new home for one year following a divorce when I realized that I had only a single chair placed in almost every room. As I walked through the spaces, I became mindful of how I had been unconsciously giving off a signal that I just wanted to be left alone; I had been unintentionally sending vibes that I did not want company! At that moment, I became aware of what I wanted with a clear intention, and that is to share my life with positive friends. I needed my home to be welcoming and to reflect my core values of love and Joy. Therefore, with intention in hand, I created a front garden complete with a table and chairs to greet my guests upon their arrival. I bought a dining table and placed it in a welcoming spot near a beautiful window. Then, I grouped two chairs and a sofa together upon a circular rug to encourage my friends to gather, and I placed this inviting conversation area in the center of my home. Knowing what I wanted to attract gave me a clear picture of where I needed to place my furniture and decorations. Moreover, how I set the stage in my physical home was now in sync with how I wanted to live my life and connect with friends and family in both my inner and outer worlds.

Using your sixth sense with intentional placement is a timeless way to design and decorate that never goes out of style. In your mind’s eye, how do you need to feel to be at home? What do you want your home to reflect about you? What does your dream home look like? Over the past 20 years, I have helped many people answer these questions and tap into their inner awareness, which is essential in the process of creating a living environment with intentional placement. Initially, this involves getting clear picture of what you want. Next, you develop a purposeful design according to your personal values, dreams and desires. Knowing all of this, you can then focus on the esthetics, and choose furniture and decorations that can support your unique home life.

Your heart is at the center of your being. There is synergy between your feelings and values and the placement of your decorations and objects in your physical space. See with clarity and peace that you do have insight at your center to design an environment that reflects the true you. You have all the knowledge and imagination you need to create your heart centered home! Feeling + Placement = Home

Laurel James is a graduate of Ringling School of Art and Design. With over 20 years experience as an Interior Designer she has helped hundreds of individuals and families with their living environments. She has founded the process of Interiorology to help others thrive and find the positive aspects of their home lives. She has created “inner principles” that will bring awareness of what we need to flourish in our living spaces. Portions of article were taken from a chapter from Laurel’s book Interiorology-Home Design Within, How to Create a Living Environment that Reflects the True You. For more information contact Laurel@interior-ology.com

Interested in more on this wonderful & transforming concept?

Four Pillars has teamed up with Laurel James (author of Interiorology to bring a 3 part series workshop/class to benefit your home & living environment. The book Interiorology is available at the Four Pillars bookstore.

Inteiorology: Mind, Body & Spirit of Home Series:

Are you going through a transition in life? Is your home feeling like it is not “you” anymore?

$40 per individual class or $90 for complete series

May 11;

In this “ Clearing Space” class you will experience light “from your Chair” yoga. Clearing & calming your mind, body and breath through yoga tools for real life, you will then be guided through a meditation for your home and natural senses. Awaken possibilities of peace, balance and joy to discover alignment for your life and home. Playfully activating your imagination through coloring, positive affirmations and imagery, you will leave with a dream circle chart of how you can move forward with your living space and who you are becoming.

June;

In this “Natural Elements” class, we will playfully explore how nature, your senses, and your body & breath contribute to your well-being in your living space. This class will give you direction on how to feel nurtured, connected and loved in this everchanging world. “Just as flowers bloom in the right environment, we also flourish in the right home.” Come discover how to bring your heart and home back into alignment with who you are becoming, naturally.

July;

In this “Feeling of Home” class, we will explore your “inner home” with simple yoga tools of breath, body movement, and meditation to feel clear and calm. Next we will playfully discover your “outer home” with tools from interior design of what your natural style, forms and functions are to support you in your life and environment. Your fun filled experience will leave you with a dream circle chart of what brings you peace, balance, and joy into your heart & home.

Location: Four Pillars, San Marco Plaza, 8209 Nature’s Way, Ste 221, Lakewood Ranch Call 941-373-3955 or FourPillarsFlorida.com

Reflexology Fusion Offered at Four Pillars Spa

March 9, 2016 by Four Pillars Leave a Comment

Reflexology is a technique of appropriate pressure to specific points and areas to the hands and feet that correspond with different organs and systems in the body. This treatment is deeply relaxing, helps to relieve stress, improves circulation and is an excellent method to promote overall good health.

The Reflexology Fusion Treatment includes:

the feet
hands
and ears as well as points on the neck.

Enjoy a 60-minute specialty treatment to address these specific meridian points to relieve stress and unblock energy pathways. Throughout April, introductory sessions are available for this new treatment. Normally $80, the introductory rate is $59. Call to schedule an appointment.

Location: Four Pillars, San Marco Plaza, 8209 Natures Way, Suite 221, Lakewood Ranch Call 941-373-3955 Email: info@fourpillarsflorida.com or visit fourpillarsflorida.com

Celebrate Love

February 6, 2016 by Four Pillars Leave a Comment

A blog about love for Valentine’s Week? Really? How cliché?

No, it’s not because it’s Valentine’s Day week. It’s because there are two basic motivating forces in life: fear or love. And this is an important time to remind ourselves this basic premise. When we are afraid, we pull back, put up walls, make poor choices and guard ourselves from life and living. When we act out of love, we are open to all that life has to offer, we are energized, feel purpose, passion, and are energized for our living.

This is such a basic principle, love or fear, but as we get caught up

in everyday living sometimes we get off track.

How do we speak to ourselves? Do we say positive words or are we self-criticizing. How are we taking care of our needs? Are we exercising, eating well, getting out and breathing in nature, taking care of our mind, body, and spirit. When we self-care, and are self-aware (not selfish), we have enough love filled within us that it pours out of us to others.

How do we speak to others? Are we speaking their love language? Dr. Gary Chapman teaches the 5 languages of love and how it is important that we learn to speak their language if we want that person to feel loved. The 5 Languages are: words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time, and physical touch.

Love is an emotion with an actual energy. Everything in this Universe, including you is vibrating at a frequency. This is because you and everything around you is energy. Love has an actual measureable frequency. 528 Hz-the love frequency. The energy of the Earth is 528Hz frequency which is the same frequency as love. Raise your energy with LOVE.

Did you know the essential oil with the highest frequency is rose oil?

From roses, hmmm… the flower associated with LOVE.

Thoughts become things. Are we thinking loving thoughts about life? Self, others, our earth, our job, our living, etc

There are only two emotions we can express and those two emotions are FEAR and LOVE. All the other emotions stem from these categories.

Choose LOVE. Celebrate LOVE!

Winter Skin Care Tips

January 8, 2016 by Four Pillars Leave a Comment

By: Four Pillar’s Nancy Brown, Spa Director/Lead Aesthetician

Winter is an excellent time to spend some extra attention on your skin. With cooler temperatures and less time in the sun, it’s a great time to work on specific skin issues and enhance your glow.

Exfoliation and Peels:

This time of year the skin can appear dull, dry, and lifeless. Deep exfoliation removes the dull and dead layer of skin. This can be done with Microdermabrasion, Dermaplaning, or a series of Peels. These procedures are quick and effective at removing the superficial dead layer of skin. Exfoliation helps to improve the overall texture of the skin, minimize fine lines, minimize pore size, and even out the skin tone. At home exfoliation will pick up where professional treatments leave off. Use of a gentle scrub or a rotating facial brush no more than twice a week will keep the skin clear and healthy. Just be mindful to not over exfoliate, which can cause irritation or dry the skin out.

Correct Sun Damage:

Winter is the best time of year to correct all those dark spots that haunt our skin from the sun. The best way to treat sun damage is through a combination of exfoliating facials or peels along with lightening products that contain ingredients like hydroquinone, kojic acid, or hexarestorsinol. These product ingredients work by penetrating into the skin to slow the production of pigment deep in the skin. These products usually take a few weeks to work, and often the spots may appear slightly darker before they lighten. This is caused by the pigment lifting out. It is important to remember to use SPF when using a lightening product to ensure its effectiveness.

Change your products:

The cool, dry, winter air offers a great opportunity to switch things up with your products. This is the time of year to really keep things gentle. Look for a cleanser that will be effective but won’t strip the natural oils your skin needs. It’s also a great time to add a richer, night-time moisturizer. Winter is a great opportunity to use Retinol products to repair the skin along Hyaluronic Acid to keep the skin hydrated.

Facials:

Facials are recommended every 4-6 weeks. In addition to the relaxation and stress relief benefits, the improvement in your overall skin health is priceless. Facials help to keep the skin clear, properly balanced and hydrated, improves circulation which helps to promote healthy cell growth. The anti aging benefits of regular facials will keep your skin firm, healthy, and glowing.

Your skin is the largest organ of the human body. Take care of your skin and love the skin you’re in!