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Craniosacral Therapy at Dahlia Spa
What is Craniosacral Therapy?
Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle yet powerful tool for relieving pain and dysfunction, as well as improving whole-body health. It is a healing technique that can facilitate deep, lasting change, addressing the root of our pain, not just the symptoms.
The primary focus in Craniosacral Therapy is the subtle movement of the cerebral spinal fluid that can be felt throughout the body. This fluid surrounds the brain and spinal cord which directs all body function, ranging from movement to digestion to emotions. Few structures have more influence over your health and well-being.
By monitoring the rhythm of the fluid, patterns of holding and restriction are identified. Delicate manual techniques are then used to release these problem areas allowing the entire body to relax and health to be restored.
Sessions are between 45 and 60 minutes and are generally experienced as deeply relaxing. Craniosacral Therapy can be used alone or integrated with other therapies.
What conditions can Craniosacral Therapy address?
- Headaches
- Neck and Back Pain
- Stress and stress related disorders
- TMJ
- Depression/anxiety
- Injury Recovery
- Chronic Pain
Dahlia Spa is now offering craniosacral therapy with
our therapist, Laura Evans Paxton!
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Welcome Jessica!
Dahlia Spa has a new massage therapist!
Jessica Smartt-Silva, LMP and Certified Doula
I am a Pisces born the year of the Dragon. Native to northern-central California, I love the sunshine and heat, but also enjoy the natural beauty of the northwest.
I have always had a passion for human anatomy and how touch can have an effect on our body/mind connection in a positive way. There is so much in our environment that takes us away from being connected with our bodies so I strive to make that reconnection through massage therapy and have been practicing since 2000.
My massage is created to fit your body’s needs so I take time in the initial stages to understand what your body is saying and how you are feeling. I use deep pressure with a calm, gentle and intuitive touch that will insure your muscles stay as relaxed as possible while experiencing the complete benefits of your massage. Gentle muscle kneading, long fluid strokes, deep and penetrating movements as well as pressure point therapy all help to increase your muscle flexibility, improve your circulation, and relax your tight muscles.
I am also a certified massage doula and have taken extensive training in pregnancy massage and doula services. It is my goal to make pregnancy as comfortable and pain-free as possible while providing nurturing care and education along the way.
I look forward to meeting you!
Jessica will be working Mondays from 3-8pm.
For the month of October,
mention this blog post and your first visit with
Jessica will be $10 off! -
Franklin Arts Festival
Mark your calendars for May 14!
Enjoy local arts, crafts and music while raising money to benefit Franklin High School’s art, drama and music programs!
Elizabeth Lowry (Dahlia Spa regular and festival volunteer coordinator!) says of the event:
“The Franklin High School Arts Festival is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., May 14 at the school, 3013 S. Mt. Baker Blvd., and will feature student art, ceramics, woodcrafts, lion dancers, fashion shows and the steel drum and jazz bands.
This year, Francis Roque, a Franklin alum and ceramicist, has worked with FHS art students to create approximately 100 mugs called Quaker Cups, which we will sell at the festival for just $15 each. And Principal Dr. Jennifer Wiley’s steel drum band will perform, along with the lion dancers, jazz band and other groups. Habesha, a group of East African students, will present a fashion show.
The National Honor Society will sell heirloom tomato plants (the best deal in town!), and other student clubs will have games, rummage sales, sno cones and so on.
Also on May 14 is the Orca K-8 School Plant Sale and the open house for Fire Station 30 just down the street from Franklin – oh, and the Mt. Baker yard sales! Big weekend!”
Sounds fun! Check out the festival blog at www.franklinartsfestival.wordpress.com.
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What to do on Tuesday night?
Here are a few things going on over in the Central District and on Capitol Hill tonight if you’re looking for some entertainment.
*Play movie trivia at The Central Cinema, on 21st & Union at 7! You pay $5 at the door and get a $5 food or beverage voucher!
*See Jane Eyre at the Egyptian Theater at 7:00 or 9:35. This latest adaptation of Charlotte Bronte’s classic novel has gotten many glowing reviews, including this one from the New York Times.
*Author Olga Grushin, author of The Line and The Dream Life of Sukhanov will be doing a book signing at Elliot Bay Book Company tonight at 7.
*You could also check out some live Flamenco music and dancing at The Capitol Club at 8:30. Married couple Eric and Encarnación are rumored to put on quite an amazing performance. Treat yourself to a spontaneous evening out!
Here’s a blurb about tonight’s show from their website:
Seattle’s best kept secret. Come and see the most intimate, authentic and exciting Flamenco show in Seattle. Encarnación is the only Spanish born Flamenco dancer in the Northwest. The duo has toured around the world, sold out Seattle’s most prestigious venues such as Benaroya Hall, The Paramount, Meany Hall and The Triple Door.
Performance starts at 8:30 pm – Reservations are not accepted, so please get here early to ensure a seat.
21 and over please. 2 order minimum please.
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Feeling taxed? Come get relaxed!
We know how stressful tax time can be, that’s why we would like to offer you a post tax day special!
Schedule a 60 or 90 minute massage for Tuesday April 19th and receive $20.00 off!
Just mention this offer to receive your discount!
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Margaret Bourke-White display 4/21
Here’s a cool event happening in the neighborhood! The Mount Baker Community Club is hosting a free event next Thursday, April 21st at 7 PM. They will be showing examples of Margaret Bourke-White’s photography and having a presenter tell her story.
Click HERE to be taken to the write up on their blog.
Margaret Bourke-White. Bread Line during the Louisville flood, Kentucky 1937
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Renae Berg is back from maternity leave!
And now, a message from Renae:
Hey Everyone!
I’m back from maternity leave! After 3 blissful months of motherhood, I’m returning to work. I’m excited to see all of you and can’t wait to show you all pictures of my sweet little Desmond. And as a special gift to all my loyal customers, I’m offering some great deals on facials and waxing.
NEW SCHEDULE AND SPECIAL SPRING OFFERS:
For the month of April I’ll be working a limited schedule as I get back into the swing of things:
· Saturdays – 9am to 4pm
· Mondays – 4pm to 9pm
· Coming in May, I’ll be adding Tuesdays 4pm to 9pm.
Also, as I mentioned earlier, I’ll be offering some Spring Specials that will be good until June 21, 2011, the first day of Summer:
· $10 off of facials
· $10 off leg waxing
· $50 Brazialians
Remember our Gift Certificates make great gifts. Graduation, teacher appreciation, and don’t forget that Mothers Day is Sunday May 8th!
This is your chance to get all prettied up for your upcoming vacations and the highly anticipated Seattle summer sun! I’ve missed you all and can’t wait to catch up on what you’ve all been up to these last three months.
Oh, and here’s a picture of me and my boy at Ivar’s. Had to sneak one picture in there!
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Happy Valentine’s Day!
Free Massage and Relaxation for Couples Workshop!
For Valentine’s Day, we at Dahlia Spa want to help couples connect by giving them tools to support each other’s health and happiness. In addition to the variety of massage, facial and body treatments we offer at Dahlia Spa, Sarah is offering a free workshop on Connective Tissue Massage and Relaxation for Couples.
As someone’s sweetheart, you see your special someone all the time and are in a unique position to support your partner and to let yourself be supported. Many people in the United States suffer from anxiety and sleeplessness, and the New Year often brings its own kinds of stressors into our lives (let’s not mention taxes!) Receiving massages and other nurturing body treatments together is a wonderful way to become more grounded and present with each other during this stressful time of year.
Connective Tissue Massage is a gentle technique from Germany that works through reflex arcs to balance the nervous system, as well as improving circulation to the organs. In the U.S., it is best known for its ability to relieve menstrual cramps. Sarah originally learned Connective Tissue Massage (CTM) because she wanted to help people with disabling levels of menstrual pain. Later, she also experienced its usefulness in relieving anxiety and sleeplessness. Now she particularly enjoys sharing these powerful benefits of CTM with her clients.
The technique is done via pulling strokes around the hips and lower back. It works through reflex arcs in the nervous system; the same nerve root that enervates a certain area of your skin also enervates a specific internal organ! Because of this connection, when you stimulate that connective tissue just below the skin of the hip or back, you can also bring deep circulation to the organs. The recipient is likely to experience deep relaxation and significantly improved sleep after the treatment. CTM balances the nervous system – something that most of us, with our fast-paced lives, can benefit from.
Sarah will start by introducing you to Connective Tissue Massage – what it is, where it comes from, and how it’s used – then teach a simple technique to stimulate relaxation. It is gentle, safe, and a great way to soothe children, too! After a demonstration of the technique, you will have plenty of time to practice and get feedback from the teacher in one of our massage rooms. We can accommodate up to 4 couples per class. You may also bring a friend you feel really comfortable with. The workshop will be Monday, February 21st from 7:00-8:00pm. Call (206) 322-1770 to reserve a spot in the class, or just send an email to dahliamassage@hotmail.com. Come meet Sarah, learn about your body, and connect and relax together at the Spa! We look forward to seeing you.
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Welcome Nicole!
Congrats Renae!
We would like to announce the birth of Desmond Berg! Born January 26th, 8lbs 14 ounces to Mama Renae Berg. He is quite the cutie! You will see Renae back to Dahlia Spa this April.
Welcome Nicole!
We are extremely excited for you to meet our new Esthetician, Nicole Vela. A graduate of the Euro Institute of Skin Care, Nicole is passionate about her work and enthusiastic about sharing her knowledge with others. Nicole is available Tuesday-Friday 4pm-8pm and Saturday 9am-3pm.
It’s Winter Time…Time to Exfoliate!
What does exfoliation really do? Exfoliation is the removal of skin cells, it is essential for youthful, vibrant skin. Not only is exfoliation removing dead skin cells, it also removes surface debris, and excess sebum (oil) from the horny (outer) layer of skin. It leaves your skin luminous! Exfoliation activates cellular metabolism, improves the appearance of aging skin by refining surface lines, dehydration lines, improves the appearance of hyper-pigmentation (dark spots), unclogs pores, gives pores a smaller appearance and makes you look and feel fabulous. It also increases the penetration of key ingredients, so all those lovely products that you are putting on your face will be treating living skin–not dead skin!
But doesn’t my skin naturally slough off all the time? Yes and no. The average rate of skin cell renewal is 28 days. It is a natural cycle. However, the older we get the slower this cycle goes. It’s just not fair. On top of that unfairness you must account for stresses, pollution, hormonal fluctuations, and make-up. All of these things can all slow this process of cellular metabolism down even more.
What should I do? I would recommend a Glycolic Peel for most of you. If you have allergies or sensitivities to AHA products or ingredients; any recent cosmetic surgeries or peels; laser resurfacing or microdermabration; inflamed skin; or are prone to redness or acne; I would advise that you consult with your dermatologist first.
What are Glycolic Peels? Glycolic acid is an Alpha Hydroxy Acid and is usually manufactured from sugar cane. Regular use of glycolic peels is beneficial in improving the signs of aging and sun damage. It can cause the epidermis to become smoother, improve fine lines and wrinkles, and lessen skin discoloration associated with time. A glycolic peel can be added to a 60 or 90 minute facial or done on its own.
Will my skin be wonderful if I exfoliate every day? No. Too much exfoliation may be too harsh for your skin type and damage your skin. Please consult with your Esthetician before including exfoliation in your skin care regimen. Your Esthetician can help you find a product best suited for your skin type.