New Adventure

Hi All,

Happy Fall!  I hope things are going well for all of you.  Things have been busy and hectic here...and I think we're finally past 100 degree days for a while. Ha!  We'll see....

It's been a while since I've shared on the blog and I wanted to let you know why.  I'm still in the holistic health biz and still an artist and designer, but I've also gone back to school.  I'm in school to learn to be an emergency medical technician.

I'd been thinking about it for quite a while and finally took action to get into the program in this fall semester.  It's a quick one semester program and when I'm finished I'll be qualified to be part of an ambulance/rescue squad team, work in a hospital emergency room, or some other job where they have EMTs.

I've felt drawn to work in the healing arts my whole life - either in self study of holistic and natural healing, or working as a medical illustrator in Air Force teaching hospitals for 10 years of my time on active duty, and of course obtaining the holistic healthcare degree and massage license.

So here's my plan as of right now.  I still am renting an office in NE Phoenix to do massage and energy work.  Once certified as an EMT, I'll start looking for job opportunities where I can practice my new skills and still provide holistic therapies at my office.  At some point I may continue on to paramedic school....we'll see.

So that's whats going on and why I haven't been blogging lately.  One of these days (soon), I look forward to completing EMT school and getting back to "normal." (whatever that is...LOL).  At that point I'll get back to blogging, doing more artwork, etc....

It's a crazy time here in the USA...our elections our especially heated this year.   However - just come back to the present moment.  Enjoy it, whatever you're doing...and breathe.  Elections will come and go, and it will be alright...whatever the outcome.  Have a great week...remember - in spite of all the craziness in the world, we can still make it a little better place for each other and those coming behind us....one day at a time.

Peace and Love,

Tom

Tom Kreienbrink is a Massage and Holistic Therapist, owner and operator at
Holistic Therapy Solutions, LLC in Phoenix, AZ
www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com

Healing - Be Gentle With Yourself

Hi All,

How are you doing?  I hope you're all having a good summer.  We're nice and toasty warm here in the Arizona desert...and that's alright.  That's what we do.  Wherever you are - I hope you are enjoying every day.

My topic today is, "Be Gentle With Yourself."  This is something I tell my clients on a regular basis.  A lot of my clients have some type of physical or emotional issue that they're wanting to heal.  I provide massage, cranial unwinding or reiki to help them.  They're good therapies and can be profoundly helpful, however we all play a role in our health and healing.  Our attitudes, how we treat ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally are important to our healing too.  That's where, being gentle with yourself comes in.

We don't always treat our bodies in a way that promotes healing.  When we should be eating right, slowing down for a while and resting the injury, we may not.  Being gentle with myself, so I can heal means getting plenty of rest.  It can mean treating your body to a little extra pampering like Epsom Salt baths, (of course) massage, and if needed - backing off of the exercise regimen for a while.

Nutrition is also important in being gentle with ourselves.  Plenty of water to keep the body well hydrated is always important, especially when nursing injury or illness.  Of course you want to be selective about the food you eat, eating healthy, nutrient dense foods will promote healing.  

We also want to be gentle with ourselves mentally and emotionally as well, whether you're dealing with a physical or emotional condition.  How do you talk to yourself?  Are you kind to yourself, or do you beat yourself up for even little mistakes?  I know we all can be hard on ourselves now and then, but it's really counter productive.  How would you talk to a friend that's down?  That's how you need to treat yourself...be loving and gentle with yourself - all the time.  Of course we can still have high standards for ourselves, but we can learn from our mistakes and press on, instead of berating ourselves.

Another way we can help ourselves and be gentle with ourselves is to practice daily meditation.  Meditation can be as simple as relaxing the body and slowing down the mind.  The part that many people find difficult is slowing down the mind.  Jon Kabat-Zinn, a mindfulness expert says we should "be present, without judgement."  This will help slow the mind chatter, but it will take practice.  Meditation is so good for you and after a while you'll notice so many benefits.

Here's the bottom line - it's all about balance.  If we don't treat ourselves right, we don't reap the benefit of being in that comfy, healthy, centered place of balance.  Being gentle with ourselves can be a part of coming back to that.  Of course you may need body work (like massage or cranial sacral therapy), you may need to seek out medical attention, or other professional help.  Always get the help you need to get on track, but don't neglect your part....be kind and gentle to yourself.  You deserve it.

I hope you are always gentle with and take good care of yourself.  Enjoy life.  It can be so much fun.
If you're in the Phoenix area, come by and get a great massage or energy work session.  If you need help learning meditation, I can assist with that as well.  Let me know.

Peace and Love,

Tom

Tom Kreienbrink, LMT, RM, CST
Phoenix, AZ
Website and follow on Facebook
Web: www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HolisticTherapySolutions

A little Design Job - Biz Card

Hi All,

Recently I took on a job to re-design a business card for a friend.  She has a busy tailor and bridal shop and needed to re-order cards and make some changes.  So I happily took on the job.  The downside is that she didn't have all the original files, but we did manage to pull together some of the elements.  So it was almost starting from scratch (sometimes that's better anyhow).

I was able to get a photo of her original and trusty sewing machine (I want to say it's name is Rex?), and we pulled together logos and a map.  Some Photoshop touch-up work was required to ensure all of the images were good enough quality for print.

I started with the info I had and created a new layout - the way I would do it.  We had a few rounds of minor tweaking and we also had to add the new line of bridal fashions that she now carries.  My friend Janine does have some strong preferences on a couple items, of how she wants them to be presented on a business card.  So we finalized the design and here's how it turned out.

The New Business Card design for Janine's Alterations/Kizmett Clothing in Phoenix, AZ.

 

It was a fun little job and the new design carries some elements of the old card for consistency in branding, but also has the necessary changes and info.

If you're in Phoenix and you need high quality alteration work, bridal fashions, or custom clothing - Janine's is the place to go.  Check it out.

Take care everyone.  Stay cool this summer - if you're in Phoenix, that's especially important.  Drink plenty of water look out for one another.

Peace,

Tom

Tom Kreienbrink
Graphic Design and Illustration

Portfolio: www.behance.net/tk-art
HTS Website: www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com

Fascia...What is it and why should I care?

Hi All,

We're heating up here in Phoenix....summer time.  Ahhh!  I hope you're enjoying summer, wherever you're reading this.

Today I'd like to talk a little about fascia.  Fascia is the web-like structure of tissues that hold everything in the body together.  It gives us our shape and form.  It's very sheer and very strong.  On the photo below you'll see its the gooey clear substance covering the exposed tissues.

Fascia covering tissue.

Fascia is around everything from the cellular level, to muscle fibers, to muscles, organs, under the skin, in and around everything....it's everywhere.  Our nervous system runs thru fascia as well as blood and our energy meridians. 

So why should we care about fascia?  What does this mean to us all?  When our fascia is hydrated and loose and in balance, all is well and the body feels good and functions great.  However, sometimes it gets out of whack.  Parts of your fascia can get dehydrated, or get torqued or get holding patterns from trauma....this will make your body hurt in those areas.

Damaged fascia can block hydration, and inhibit nervous system signals and blood flow.  That can have profound effects on the body.  It's not like you can just drink water and loosen up and hydrate these tissues.  You need to take some action.

Fascia sheath...super strong, sheer and web-like.

There are things you can do.  Getting some body work would be a good start.  There are massage techniques for releasing fascia.  Energy body work can also help unwind those holding patterns and stuck areas of fascia as well.  I practice CranioSacral Therapy, (also known as Cranial Unwinding).  It's a great modality for this kind of body work.

CranioSacral helps unwind holding patterns in fascia and help to bring you and your fascia back to a place of balance...where you feel good.  Ultimately, we want to feel good and be in a place of balance.  Remember - when your fascia is in a healthy balanced state, your body systems flow and work the way they are supposed to.

What else can we do to keep our fascia healthy?  We can drink plenty of water and eat good wholesome food.  You are what you eat right?  Eat junk...then that's probably not going to serve you in the long run.  We can exercise our body...move that thing and do some stretching every day.  Keep the body limber.

Here's the disclaimer.  Body work doesn't take the place of seeking medical help when needed.  However, mainstream medicine doesn't always have all the tools and answers.  That's why an integrative approach to wellness is so important.  I share an office with a Naturopathic Physician.  She has so many great answers that are not always available from your general practitioner.  Everyone has their place.

I hope this is a helpful introduction to fascia and fascial health.  I'm certain you'll be seeing more and more about this as it becomes a bigger focus in the holistic and medical communities.

Have a great summer.  Be good to yourself and others....Life's short.  Enjoy every moment.


Peace and Love,

Tom

Tom Kreienbrink
I'm a massage and holistic therapist located in Phoenix, AZ.
For more information go to:  www.holistictherapysolutions.weebly.com
have a blessed day.

Take Care of Yourself

Hi All,

I hope you're doing well and taking good care of yourself.  I'm working on it.  It's heating up here in Phoenix....summer's coming fast.  But really, it's always a good time to take care of ourselves, isn't it?

I know it can be a well worn topic, but it's always good to revisit it.  Are we taking good care of ourselves?  How do we do that?  So on a basic level, we're taught to have good hygiene, get some exercise, eat some good food and get a check-up every so often from your physician.  Right?  OK - we're done...have a good weekend.  Well...not so fast.  Perhaps there's more to add to all of that.  How do we ensure we have balance and wellness in our lives?

So where do we put ourselves in order of getting cared for by ourselves?  Do we always put others first?  Is it alright to put ourselves first?  Is that a selfish thing?   I would suggest that some of us may tend to take care of others first, and take the scraps that are left (usually not much if any), for ourselves.  Is that good?  Or - is it just being a martyr, when we really don't need to be one?

I like the analogy of being on an aircraft when the oxygen masks come down in an emergency.  The first thing we're told is that we have to put our mask on first, before we assist others around us.  In other words; its good to love and care for others that may depend on us for help, but if we're not taking care of ourselves properly, we may be setting ourselves up for a crash.

I would suggest - make time in your day for the things you need.  As I suggested before, at a basic survival level, good food, proper rest and exercise are essential for our health and well being.  More and more studies are coming out and more emphasis is being placed on getting 8 or more hours of sleep each night.  We need that re-charge....physically, mentally, emotionally.  I know some people only need 4 or 5 hours a night...but they are the rare exception.  Most of us function optimally on 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night.

Meditation or a power nap every day is also good for us.  It's good to take a period of time each day and slow down the mind, close your eyes, and enjoy a little break.  It can be a formal approach with music and a learned meditation technique, or just closing your eyes and "shutting er down" for 15 to 30 minutes before the afternoon or evening begins.  I try to get in an hour of meditation every day.  It feels so good to let go of the stress and pressures of daily life for a bit and enjoy some deep relaxation.  Its also good to help bring down stress levels in our lives and reduce blood pressure.  It can offer the body and mind a space to do some healing.

What are we feeding our spirits?  Do you have Spiritual beliefs?  Or do you consider it nonsense?  Do you go to church weekly, but maybe let it sit by the wayside during the week?  Having a spiritual practice can be nourishing to the Soul.  Most of us have had some kind of spiritual training....it may be time to dust it off, or look around for a church, class, or Spiritual practice that fulfills you.

Of course, there's so many things we can do with self care.  Love yourself enough to offer yourself the gift of your time and $$.  Be good to yourself.  Do something good for yourself daily, like taking a walk, going for that ride on your motorcycle, getting a massage, or hitting that yoga class.  Do some deep breathing and get your head out of the job or routine for a bit.

One other thing - be kind to yourself.  How to you talk to yourself?  Do you beat yourself up about little things (or big things too)?  We're all doing the best we can with what we have.  We have our daily struggles...be kind to yourself.  Treat yourself like you would treat a dear friend who's feeling down.  We all fall short once in a while - don't sweat it.  Don't dwell in the past...learn from it and enjoy the present moment.

This summer - put your oxygen mask on first...then of course, enjoy and love those around you too.  Be kind to yourself...it's not selfish.  Take care of yourself and enjoy the summer.

Peace and Love,

Tom

Tom Kreienbrink
I'm a massage and holistic therapist located in Phoenix, AZ.
For more information go to:  www.holistictherapysolutions.weebly.com
have a blessed day.

New Office - Holistic Therapy Solutions

Hi All,

Well, it's the first of May and today is moving day.  I'm excited to announce publicly that Holistic Therapy Solutions is moving to a new location.  The new location is in the Pointe Business Plaza at 7227 N. 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85020.  It's south of Northern Ave on 16th Street.

Moving day...the front door.

 I was just fine with the location that I was at (19th Ave and Camelback), when a friend of mine, (Dr. Katie Nuckolls), asked if I'd like to share office space at the Point Business Plaza.  It's a great location and a very nice professional business plaza.  So I'm a little sad as I leave the old location, but looking forward to the new opportunity.

Our comfy waiting area...ignore the stuff stacked up - still organizing the office space.

We share a suite with three other people.  They're all counselors/psychologists.  We all share a nice waiting area as well.  It's a very nice quiet comfortable and professional environment...great place to relax and get a massage or cranialsacral therapy.

The office.  Getting set up and ready for this week.

I'll be booking appointments on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.  I'll be starting there tomorrow.  Let me know if you need an appointment.

Have a great week. 

Peace,

Tom

www.Holistictherapysolutions.weebly.com

Reiki I and II Class

Hi All,

Hope all is well with you.  I'm moving right along...taking life as it comes.  I've also got some exciting things happening.  I'm moving my practice to a new location at the beginning of May (more to come on that).  I'm also stepping back into some teaching.

I'm excited to share that on the 20th and 21st of May, I'll be teaching Reiki I and II at, At the Center of You, in Wickenburg, AZ.   The class is from 6 to 9pm on Friday night and on Saturday the 21st, class runs from 9am to 5pm.  It'll be a class packed with information and hands on learning.  It'll also be a fun and enjoyable class. 

Reiki - by Tom Kreienbrink.  The kanji spell "Reiki."

So what is Reiki?  Reiki is an energetic healing modality.  Reiki is a Japanese technique for relaxation and stress reduction that promotes healing.  Reiki uses energy that is everywhere...universal life force energy.  This energy is in and all around us.  Thru the technique and intention, we can apply this energy to ourselves and others, to promote healing, help relieve stress, tension and pain.  It can be very effective.

Reiki is not a part of any religious sect or belief system.  The type of Reiki that I teach is Transformational Reiki.  The differences from traditional teachings are mainly style, not substance.  At the end of Saturday's class you'll have completed Reiki I and II training and will be ready to share this energy work....maybe you'll even want to start a practice of your own.

Sea Turtle by Tom Kreienbrink

I'm also happy to be teaching at At the Center of You, in Wickenburg, AZ.  It's a great little shop and wellness center in the heart of historic Wickenburg.  It's also a short drive from the west side of Phoenix.  It'll be a peaceful quiet weekend of learning in this relaxing location.

Flier for Reiki I and II Class, 20 and 21 May.

I'm excited to let you know that we're offering a very special price for this class....and we're extending the special offer one week(original offer thru 1May).  Original price is $90.  Thru the 8th of May we're offering the class for only $80.  You must pay in advance, though.  We're also bringing in lunch from one of the local restaurants, (lunch included in the price).  Even if you miss out on the special price, it's still a bargain.  So contact Laurel, at At The Center Of You and sign up today.

So get out of the city for a little bit and join us in Wickenburg for Reiki I and II Class.  Taught by me.  I can't wait.

At the Center of You - https://www.facebook.com/AtTheCenterOfYou/
Phone: 480-447-4968
You must reserve a spot in the class thru At The Center of You.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Peace,

Tom

Tom Kreienbrink, LMT
Web: www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com
Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HolisticTherapySolutions/