Ideas for Casual Child Care

It is hard enough to find time for yourself, let alone finding someone to care for your little person, so here are a few casual child care options when it is time to nurture you:
1. Share care: Some clients make a double booking with me so while one mum looks after 2, the other is having a massage, then swap. 
2. Nanny: I have nannies available to look after your littlie here (one week notice for bookings please.)
3. Bring baby with you: I allow extra time for settling so bub can sleep, feed or play during your massage.
4. Co-op baby sitting: Build up a network of other parents and swap/bank care time by looking after each others kids.
5. Mobile Massage: I can come to you too.

Remember it is important for you to be nurtured so you are able to nurture others 

Tips for relaxing breathing

We are back in the swing of things, life is racing along, the list is getting longer, the days are shorter. It may be time to take a long breath. Breathing well and efficiently allows the body and mind to relax, restore, revitalise. Here are a few breathing exercises to encourage healthy breathing:

Easy Pose: Sit with legs crossed comfortably on floor Eyes: Close the eyelids. Press the eyes up gently and focus at the Brow Point (the top of the nose where the eyebrows meet). Calming Breath/Left Nostril Breathing: Sit in Easy Pose. Rest the left hand in Gyan Mudra (touch the tip of the thumb with the tip of the index finger). The left arm is straight on the left knee. Raise the right hand in front of the face with the palm flat facing to the left. The fingers of the hand are together and point straight up. Press the side of the thumb on the right nostril to gently close it. Begin long, deep, complete yogic breaths through the left nostril. Inhale and exhale only through the left nostril. Continue for 3 minutes. Inhale and hold comfortably for 10-30 seconds, exhale and relax. Energising Breath/Right Nostril Breathing: Sit in Easy Pose. Rest the right hand in Gyan Mudra. Raise the left hand in front of the face with the palm flat facing to the right. The fingers of the hand are together and point straight up. Press the side of the thumb on the left nostril to gently close it. Begin long, deep, complete yogic breaths through the right nostril. Inhale and exhale only through the right nostril. Continue for 3 minutes. Inhale and hold comfortably for 10-30 seconds, exhale and relax. Alternate Nostril Breathing: Sit in Easy Pose, with the spine relaxed and straight. Make Gyan Mudra with the left hand. Rest the left hand over the left knee. Close the eyelids. Press the eyes up gently and focus at the Brow Point (the top of the nose where the eyebrows meet). Block the right nostril with the thumb. Press just hard enough to close the nostril. Keep the rest of the fingers straight up. Inhale deeply through the left nostril. When the breath is full, bend the right hand into a "U" extending the little fingertip over to press on the left nostril. Close the left nostril and let the right nostril open by releasing the thumb pressure. (You can also use the thumb and index finger.) Exhale smoothly, and completely through the right nostril. When the breath is completely exhaled, begin the cycle again with the inhale through the left nostril. Continue for 3 minutes with long, deep, regular breaths. Inhale at the end and hold the breath for 10-30 seconds. Exhale and relax. Alternate Nostril Breathing: Repeat exercise #3, except use the left hand to direct the inhale through the right nostril and exhale through the left nostril. Breath of Fire: Sit in Easy Pose with both hands in Gyan Mudra. Begin a powerful, regular, and conscious Breath of Fire. Continue for 7 minutes. Then inhale and hold the breath for 10-60 seconds. Mentally watch the energy circulate through the entire body. Relax the breath and concentrate on the natural flow of the breath as life force for 3 minutes. Notice how your mind and emotions have changed. In the same posture, meditate. Inhale deeply and chant Long SAT NAAM’s. Continue 3-15 minutes. Comments: This set gives you a quick lift in energy, increased clarity, and a sense of balance. If you do the minimum times for each exercise, it only takes 22-25 minutes to completely reset yourself. It is an excellent set for beginners. You learn the relationship to the breath and you observe the differences in emotion and thinking that each type of breathing creates. Even though breathing is the most natural and essential thing we do, conscious breathing can be quite a challenge. When you alter the breath you begin to oppose and release the habitual patterns of emotion and attention that are coded in the habits of your body and mind. As those patterns begin to alter, you may drift in concentration or interest. If you continue and command the breath, then you will gain a new sense of ease and control where you direct your mind. This kriya is excellent to practice as a preparation for a more strenuous Kundalini Yoga set. It can be practiced in beginning and advanced stages. As a beginner, use the times listed above. For intermediate level practice, do exercises 1 through 4 for five minutes each. For an advanced practice, increase the times of 1 through 4 to a full 10 minutes each. - Yogi Bhajan

Relax Baby! Learn Baby Massage

Hi Mamas & Papas

The next Relax Baby Massage class starts on Monday 8 April from 1.30 - 2.30 pm.

Introducing Massage for Kids on the Move workshop:  A class adapting massage for crawling/on the move/preschool kids on Sat 6 April 10 - 11 am. The class will show how to adapt to the older child :) Cost $25

So please let me know if you are interested and here are all the details...

Relax Baby! Learn Baby Massage

A wonderful, and fun, hands on class that teaches parents and caregivers safe and beneficial massage techniques to soothe, stimulate growth/learning potential, and most importantly, bond with your new baby!

The class is adapted for older children too in the Massage for Kids on the Move workshop.

Benefits for Babies and Children:

• Relaxes and helps decrease stress.
• Relieves discomfort from constipation, gas and colic.
• Helps normalize muscle tone and improve blood circulation.
• Helps baby sleep better (therefore parents sleep better too).
• Stimulates brain development and improves sensory awareness.
• Promotes bonding and attachment.

The class runs for approx 1 hour and baby can sleep, feed, whatever they need during the class (I have baby dolls to practise on if your bub is asleep). If you miss a class we can do a make up session and we revise at the beginning of every class.

Relax Baby Massage Class:

Group (includes 5 lessons and baby massage oil) per person $100 

One on One: (includes 4 lessons and baby massage oil) $160

Time: Group Mondays 1.30 - 2.30 pm (next class Mon 8 April). 

What to bring: All you need to bring is your baby, a towel or blanket for them to lie on, and a pillow.

Massage for Kids on the Move workshop:

A class adapting massage for crawling/on the move/preschool kids

The class will show how to adapt to the older child :) including ideas for games, songs and play

Pre-requisite: Baby Massage course completion is ideal

When:  Sat 6 April 10 - 11 am. 

Cost: $25

Where: 6 Gibbes St, Newtown (off Whitehorse St)

Parking: Plenty of street parking

Booking: Please email info@nestmassage.com or call 0410 402 630 to book or if you have any questions.

If you would like to organise a group of 6 mums or dads and host at your home then the course for you is free (Tupperware style)

Please email, text or call if you are interested :)

Do whatever makes your heart sing!

Left & Right brain, and food that loves you...

Left, Right, Left, Right, Left
Some of us are ambidextrous, most of us are not which leads to using one hand, leg, side more than the other and therefore more likely to hold tension. The flip side is the less used side may become weaker. So what can you do? Here are some ideas:

• Swap hands when you brush your teeth
• Note which foot you step out with and swap if you find it is usually one side
• Carry your baby/bag/s evenly, swap shoulders/hands
• Do cross Crawl exercises (raise left arm and bring up right leg then bring them together. Repeat with other side). 
• March on the spot
• Origami (get the brain going)
• Put your mouse/phone on the other side
• Sleep on the other side of your bed
• Dance and sing at the same time

Food that loves you right back:

Have a look at what you are about to put into yourself and ask this simple question: "Are you going to love me as much as I love you?"

Free Webinar about Baby Massage

Here is some more info about the wonderful benefits of infant massage for both baby and mother...

http://www.facebook.com/events/372096999554161/

Enjoy!

Relax Baby! Learn Baby Massage

A wonderful, and fun, hands on class that teaches parents and caregivers safe and beneficial massage techniques to soothe, stimulate growth/learning potential, and most importantly, bond with your new baby!

In this class parents will have a forum to exchange ideas, and discuss concerns, pertaining to life with a new baby.  Babies will enjoy the benefits of loving touch in a social and safe environment.

Infant Massage Class runs for 5 weeks, meeting once per week, for approximately 60 minutes. Every class will include massage technique demonstration, class discussion and social time for baby.

The class can be adapted for older children too.

Benefits for Babies:

• Relaxes and helps decrease stress.
• Relieves discomfort from constipation, gas and colic.
• Helps normalize muscle tone and improve blood circulation.
• Helps baby sleep better (therefore parents sleep better too).
• Stimulates brain development and improves sensory awareness.
• Promotes bonding and attachment.

The Relax Baby Massage Course is based on the research by Vimla McClure (International Association of Infant Massage) 

I can either come to you, your mums group or you are welcome to come here for the class. If you miss a class we can do a make up session and we revise at the beginning of every class.

The class runs for approx 1 hour and baby can sleep, feed, whatever they need during the class (I have baby dolls to practise on if your bub is asleep).

Cost (includes 5 lessons and baby massage oil): 

Group per person $100 

One on One: $160

Time: Group Mondays 2.30 - 3.30 pm (starting Mon 21 January 2013). 

Other times and dates TBA

What to bring: All you need to bring is your baby, a towel or blanket for them to lie on, and a pillow.

Where: 6 Gibbes St, Newtown (off Whitehorse St)

Parking: Plenty of street parking

Booking: Please email info@nestmassage.com or call 0410 402 630 to book or if you have any questions.

If you would like to organise a group of 6 mums or dads and host at your home then the course for you is free (Tupperware style)

FAQ's

How old should my baby be to attend an Infant massage Class?

Baby's can attend as soon as the parents feel comfortable bringing their baby into a social environment.  However, babies up to about 8 weeks old have a very short attention span and parents may find themselves taking several breaks during class. This is sometimes worrisome for the parent but it is perfectly exceptable and causes no distraction to the rest of the class.

What if my baby cries during class?

 Of course your baby will cry! A baby's cry is their way of communicating.  It is expected, respected, and will not interfere with the class at all.  If parents feel uncomfortable, or want some private time, it is OK to leave the room and help baby meet his/her needs.

What if my baby gets hungry during class?

Eat! Feed your baby whenever needed. I will go over anything that parents feel they have missed. 

What if I miss a class?

I am happy to arrange a time with any parent to go over anything missed or if addtional information is needed.  Also, all massage strokes will be reviewed at the beginning of each class and all hand outs will be passed out from previous classes missed. 

Please email info@nestmassage.com or call 0410 402 630 to book or if you have any questions.

Gift Vouchers Available

Nest Massage Gift Vouchers are available now...

Massage Treatments*:

• Remedial - A full body relaxation massage that unwinds your body, reduces tension, unblocks energy channels and helps you feel balanced and calm.
• Deep Tissue - A more intensive deep-reaching massage that will relieve chronic tension, stubborn tight and sore muscles
• Pregnancy - A nurturing, therapeutic individually tailored massage that relieves muscle fatigue, back and neck pain, leg and emotional tension. This is a side lying  massage where you are comfortably supported throughout
• Post Natal - A replenishing, therapeutic full body massage designed to relax mum, reduces depression and anxiety, relieves muscle fatigue, back and neck pain, and gives nurturing and support to mum 
• Trigger Point/Myofascial Release - focussing on points throughout the body that allow muscle tension to release. A safe and very effective hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure to eliminate pain and restore motion
• Reiki - a gentle non-invasive energetic healing treatment
• Learn to Massage your Baby -  Promoting nurturing touch for your baby either individually or in small group classes. The 5 week First Touch course was developed by the International Association of Infant Massage.

* Your treatment may include a range of techniques tailored to your needs

Rates:

• 60 mins = $70
• 75 mins = $85
• 90 mins = $100
• Mobile Post Natal service (60 mins) = $95
• Baby Massage Course = $100

All prices include GST

Child care: 

Available on Mondays. Bookings essential

Hours:

Monday, Wednesday - Saturday

Appointments:

To book an appointment please call on 0410 402 630 or email info@nestmassage.com