So let’s just be nice and clear: Predatory behavior toward me or my business will not be tolerated.

I had no idea what had brought it on. I hadn't been injured, I had not suffered knee pain at any time in my life prior to that, and I wasn't doing any activities that were out of the ordinary. Physically, I was in fine shape.

Emotionally, however, I was a mess.

I wish I could tell you all that I learn from just one session with a client. How freeing a feeling it is to lift the weight of one's stress from the body, simply by breathing, and talking of life experiences - or not talking at all, and embracing the magic of letting go.

The beauty of this recipe is that you can tweak it to your liking - you can keep it basic, or you can add seasonal vegetables to it, such as squash or sweet potatoes. You can make it a little drier, or if you're like me, you can add more liquid and cook it to an oatmeal-like consistency. In Ayurveda, it's often consumed for a few days or even weeks as part of a cleansing fast. I suggest experimenting with it to see how you like it best.

Your massage therapist is trained to listen to your individual needs, identify areas that need work, and communicate with you to deliver the best possible results.

Poor posture constricts the diaphragm - the bellows-style muscle nestled in the abdomen, which expands and contracts to pull air down into the lungs and expel it again. In our day-to-day activities, we are rarely in a position to take a deep breath, even if we want to.

The first rule of survival on an airplane when the oxygen masks drop: put your own mask on first before helping those around you.

In other words, take care of you. If you don't, you are no good to anyone else.

There are certainly some massage therapists who do make a very good living traveling to people's homes to give them bodywork treatments. Here’s why I choose not to.

Of the details that I mention in my intake form or when acclimating new clients to my massage room, there are a few that bring up questions. The most frequently asked questions tend to be about draping, client comfort level, and what I mean by asking a client about how much experience they have with massage therapy.

I've been making my own laundry soap for some time now, and I will likely never go back to brand-name laundry soap again. My clothes and massage sheets come out clean and fresh, I don't worry about allergic reaction to perfumes, dyes, and other unnecessary ingredients, and it's ridiculously economical - I don't know the exact math, but it's estimated at less than 10 cents per load.

Inner Balance Bodywork, my very first business venture, was born in June of 2013.  Although still a risk, the opportunity to take control of my work/ life balance and dedicate myself to a career that I am passionate about was too great to pass up.  I have not once regretted this decision. My overall goal is to live a simple, wonderful life, centered around my ability to combine all of my knowledge and skills into a whole-health practice.

It’s important to note that, though there may be several similarities between the two massages, the intention and the focus are usually quite different.  Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just about the intensity of the pressure.

Show the people who matter to you how much you appreciate them.  Have brunch with your family, or plan an afternoon of spa treatments with your friends.   Spend an hour having coffee and a chat with a friend, or reach out to distant loved ones to let them know you are thinking about them.  And if you’re not a fan of the greeting card industry, how about penning a quick note to someone and dropping it in the mail?

Studies have shown that women who are touched with care throughout their pregnancy have less anxiety, less pain and discomfort, and fewer complications during labor, resulting in shorter labor times, fewer interventions, and the reduction of the instance of low birth weight in newborns.

I remember thinking she knew exactly where to find my pain, but she just didn’t do anything with that knowledge once she got there.  Saying something in that moment could easily have remedied this situation, and my pain.

Whether you receive massages on a regular basis, or you are looking forward to your very first one, here are a few ways that you can get the most from your experience and prolong that "Ahhh" feeling.