Kinesiology tape

                                                               Kinesiology tape

This tape is almost identical to human skin in thickness and elasticity. It is made from stretchy cotton strip with an acrylic adhesive. It can benefit  musculoskeletal and sports injuries and inflammation. It can be worn without binding and restriction of your movement.


Kinesiology tape is used for treating not just athletic injuries but also a variety of physical disorders.


The tape was invented by Japanese chiropractor Dr. Kenzo Kase in the 1970's. By 1988 the tape had been used during the Japanese Seoul Olympics. Since then the tape has become a popular form of muscle taping used by many professionals across the world. You would have noticed that more and more people use the kinesiology taping to improve their performance, prevent injury and allow them to return to sport quicker.


Application:


Generally you need someone qualified to do that as they can teach you how to tape yourselves. The tape is applied with the affected muscle in a stretched position. You will start taping from the origin of the muscle to the insertion point. The elasticity of it lifts the skin very slightly to allow a little bit better circulation through. It also helps with the movement of lactic acid and blood as it takes the tension of certain muscles.


Usually you don't feel that the tape is on your skin because it is so elastic and it moves with you. The athletes can move naturally without the constant feeling that something is pulling them in a certain way.
 
Also when you applying the tape avoid oily skin as it wouldn't stick on the skin. Try to avoid washing the tape area and change the tape on the 2nd or 3rd day until you get better.
 
The tape is in four shapes:
 
Shape "I" is used for small or linear places and it's a basic shape

Shape "Y" is used for large muscles

Shape "X" is used for long muscles

Shape "Fan Strip" is used for hands or feet

Facial massage and facial

Facial massage and facial

Why I'm offering Facial relaxation massage? 

As you noticed from my November post about Lymphatic drainage massage here is something about Facial massage which is related to it. Even Hot and cold stone massage can be applied. I personally think that it's very relaxing and amazing.

What is the difference? 

A facial is a procedure involving many kinds of skin treatments such as steam, creams, lotions, facial masks and massage. They are usually performed in beauty salons or in hotels as spa treatment. Facials are used for general skin health as well as for particular skin condition.

Facial massage is a treatment to slow down the ageing process and gain younger looking and healthier skin. It can also relieve stress, migraine and headache. Sometimes it can be a part of a full body massage and facial treatment or just on its own. Massage of the face is usually done by hands applied with a small amount of oil or lotion, except with lymphatic drainage massage where oil and lotion are not used.

You can also do it at home. Here is a one facial massage example:

1. Use both hands and massage each half of the face. On the fingertips or a brush, apply a little a bit of cream and gently follow the arch of the eyebrow in the direction of eyebrow hair growth. Finger pressure should be easy and enjoyable. Gently tap the bridge of your nose. If your eyes are tired, you should feel relief. Repeat several times.

2. Gently tap the outer corner of the eye socket. (it is best to use the ring finer). This enables better absorption of active ingredients, promotes detoxication and in particular hydration and nourishment needed for this part of face.

3. With moderate pressure through the finger of both hands, but not the thumb, massage the cheek muscles of the outer corners of the mouth towards temples.

4. Tap the outer corners of your mouth with your fingers.

5. Using your fingers, massage from the bridge of the nose towards the hair line. Proceed from the centre of the forehead towards temples. Then light circular movements from the temple back to the middle of the forehead and repeat several times.

Enjoy!

Gift voucher

Dear clients and readers,

Welcome to 2015! Hope this year will bring you all that you are looking for!

So firstly a few updates for this year. Kaya Therapy will expand the services in Camberley and surrounding area.

I'm also glad that I'm not just helping people to prevent injuries and giving advice but also encouraging them to participate in some events. For example my boyfriend is going to run his first marathon, my sister will try to do her first triathlon and Robert, a good friend of mine, is doing his first Ironman race. I would like to wish all of you who are training or racing, best of luck! We all can do it!

Secondly my sports season this year is steady. I've entered the Vienna marathon and luckily I got a place in the London marathon too. So a few running events are involved as well. Later I'm thinking of doing an ultra marathon but let's do marathons first. ;0)

An article for month January is :

Gift voucher


Sometimes it can be tricky to choose the perfect Valentine's day gift.Flowers and chocolate can get boring, so why not choose something different.


Did you know that Kaya Therapy offers gift vouchers? So don't leave it until last minute. Give someone you love the perfect present!


Kaya's Therapy services:

• Sports Massage
• Lymphatic Drainage Massage
• Hot and Cold Stone Massage
• Facial relaxation massage

For purchase or info contact Karin by mobile 0778403417 or email kayatherapy@gmail.com



Spoil someone this holiday!

Hot and Cold Stone Massage

Kaya Therapy offers another relaxation therapy:

Hot and Cold Stone Massage


History

Stone therapy or stone massage was present in many cultures around the world. This therapy with records of its use, dating back for over 2000 years has the means of improving the function of internal organs as well as for heating our homes to sacred rituals of whether to build temples and pyramids.


What it is?

Stone therapy is a deeply relaxing treatment, which combines a massage with use water-heated smooth basalt stones and cold marble stones to tone, stimulate and rejuvenate the body as a whole. Hot and cold temperatures from the stones are able to penetrate the body up to a depth of 4 cm.

Benefits of hot stone massage:

• release physical tension
• improves circulation
• balances digestion and waste removal
• boosts immunity 

Benefits of cold stone massage:

• reduces swelling, inflammation and redness
• refreshes facial muscles andtissues
• reduces histamine
• revitalizes energy levels

Using both techniques in one routine can be very beneficial healing due to increasing flushing rates within the body, which helps detoxify the body and bring it back into balance.



Hot stones = Basalt stones

These are dense volcanic stones, rich in iron and high in silica. They hold the heat for a longer time and release it slowly. The colour of the stones are grey when they are dry but they usually turn black when using an oil.


Cold stones = Marble stones

The marble used for the cold stones is less dense that the heated stones. They can draw heat from the body. These stones are white or light coloured and are formed beneath the seabed.

Contraindication:

Massage should not be done directly over bruises, wounds, tumours or fractures

• people with rashes and infectious skin disease
• immediately after surgery and immediately after chemotherapy or radiation
• people prone to blood clots, with heart disease, high blood pressure and overweight
• pregnant women
• varicose veins, cold is beneficial

Products used by Kaya Therapy

Products used by Kaya Therapy

Massage plays an important part when it comes to health. For many years around the world, people have been using oil or cream for their skin, health and beauty. The oil or cream filters through skin which makes skin soft, smooth and moist.

Have you ever wondered what kind of products Kaya Therapy is using? Since I started doing massages I tried many oils and creams and here are my top five:  



Coconut oil 

Available from stores and online

• Protects skin from microbial infection as well as from drying and cracking
• It's rich in vitamin E, which means that it keeps your skin rejuvenated, young and healthy
• The fragrance is so earthy and soothing
• Oil melts easily and it's usually in a jar
• Good not only for cooking but also in industry 

Unwind massage oil by Arbonne 

Available from www.arbonneinternational.co.uk (using ID 441260495)

• It's non greasy oil and absorbs well
• Contains chamomile for calmness and ylang-ylang for relaxation
• Recommended for all skin types
• No animal testing, ideal for vegans
• Paraben and mineral oil free

Rubbeez made in New Zealand 

Available from www.rubbeez.com

• It's a pain relief cream for joints and muscles
• Very easy to use and it's not thick or sticky
• Ingredients: Arnica, Calendula, St John's Wort, Comfrey and sweet almond oil
• Treats tendonitis, strained muscles, bruising, sprains and other injuries 

Grace's Massage Wax (bees-wax) 

Available from www.gracemassagewax.com

• Contains Pure Sussex Bees Wax, Olive Oil and Sunflower Oil
• Good for deep friction massage as it is less "slippery" than oil
• Soaks into the skin and doesn't leave it oily
• Impossible to spill it as it is solid

Biotone Pure Touch Organic Massage Cream

Available at www.biotone.com

• Organic Chamomile Botanicals, Organic Sunflower oil, Organic Decyl Cocoate, Organic Shea Butter, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Sesame oil, Organic Safflower Oil
• It's hypoallergenic and Paraben-free
• Non-greasy finished
• Nut-oil free

Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Kaya Therapy offers a new therapy. It is Lymphatic Drainage Massage and here is more about it.


What it is?

Lymphatic Drainage Massage was developed in the 1930s. It is an advanced therapy with gentle rhythmic pumping techniques to move the skin in the direction of the lymph flow. The lymphatic system plays a vital role in the body by regulating the immune system.


What are the benefits?

• clears blockages and eliminates metabolic wastes as well as toxins from the body
• helps in the transport of nutrients to cells and increases metabolic efficiency
• it also has a very calming effect on the nervous system and helps relieve stress and tension
• reducing swelling and puffiness
• has a positive effect on skin and helps rejuvenate collagen fibres of the skin and slow the aging process

What it is good for?

• Glandular fever (Hay fever, Migrane, Sinus)
• Recurring infections (Colds, Flu, Chest, Ears)
• Cellulite, acne and scar tissue (old and new)
• Pre and post operative cases (cosmetic surgery or where lymph nodes have been removed or the lymphatic system impaired in some way)
• Stress, anxiety and tension

When should it be avoided?

• any active cancer
• acute infection or allergies
• thrombosis or major heart problems

Medical permission is required before treatment for those who suffering from these conditions:

• treated or terminal cancer including skin lesions or raised moles
• chronic inflammation
• diabetes, thyroid or kidney problems
• asthma or epilepsy
• hypotension

What next?

For any questions or bookings please get in touch at kayatherapy@gmail.com

I look forward to seeing you very soon!

Karin

Post Ironman races September 2014

After Ironman Sweden, my main challenge of this year, I wasn't sure if I would be doing any races. I was afraid that I would be exhausted and I might get an injury. My legs were sore the day after but each day they were less and less achy. The first week I rested well and relaxed. I was tempted to do something though. A week later or so I started training again. I did only running as it's my favourite discipline. I noticed after the second run that I was getting strong so I signed up for a few races for this month.

6th September - Bray Big South Swim Challenge 10 km Team Relay

                                           
                                     From left: Jon, myself (Karin), Craig and Clara

A friend Craig was telling me about this challenege a month ago. As I haven't done any swimming races on their own I said 'yes' just for the experience. It was held in Bray Lake Watersports on Monkey Island near Maidenhead. We were a team of 4: Craig (captain), Jon, Clara and myself. We started at 6:35 am but we had to be there at least 45 minutes before for registration and briefing. The swim route was 3 times 2km and then 4 times 1km. Jon went first. His time was pretty fast. Clara in the meantime was waiting on the bay where our handover was. Clara went second and myself third. Then Craig went fourth but he did 3 km. Last kilometer was awaiting for me. I didn't mind swimming 3 km as the Ironman swimming distance I did was 3.8 km. The water was nice and warm compared to the weather. There was a light shower of rain but at least there was a big tent where you could hide and cheer. We did it! Our time for the 10 km swim was 3 hours and 29 minutes and 10 second.We also ended up second in the team relays. What an achievement! I never thought that I would get another trophy! Well done team The Datchet Splashers! Looking forward to do another event soon! ;0)

                                                                    
                                               Our trophy and medal



7th September - The Pharmalink 2014 Maidenhead Half Marathon

                                                   
                                              Brano and me before start line

As my fitness level from training for an Ironman was good, I didn't need to train much for this event. I always wanted to beat my PB from previous races. My half marathon PB was 1 hour and 40 minutes. The Maidenhead Half Marathon is good for PB hunters and competitive athletes as well as for beginners. It's a two lap course, flat and fast with the start and finish in the town centre. Because it's a local race to me, there were many friends running with me as well. My boyfriend came with me as support. The route was around Cookham, beside the river Thames and the North Town area of Maidenhead. Around 1000 runners were participating in this event. We set off at 9:30 am. The weather was perfect for running, not too hot and not too cold. There were 3 drink stations on the course and each time I picked a cup with water. I was also wearing my running watch to see what my speed was. The first lap I ran slower in a comfortable pace. Second lap I was pushing a bit until the end. I sprinted the last few meters to the finish line. I did it in 1 hour and 38 minutes. I was very pleased with it as I was faster than my PB by 2 minutes. My next target for a half marathon is 1 hour 35 minutes so let see if I can beat it next time. ;0)

From left: Becky, Brent, myself (Karin) and Yasuo

21st September - Etonman Middle Distance Triathlon (Dorney Lake) 

Last year I did this race in 6 hours and 22 minutes and I wanted to see if I could get any faster. For this event I maintained my fitness level but I didn't train as hard as for Ironman. I quite enjoyed training less. On the day we started early in the morning after the briefing. It was very straight forward. Swim 2 laps in the lake, Bike 10 laps around the lake and Run 4 laps on the side of the lake. The temperature of the lake was still warm. The sun was rising above the water and it looked very pretty. Within 5 minutes we spread out from the start. I swam much faster this time and I could feel it. Luckily I didn't feel sick. In the transition I changed for bike gear. The course was in U shape. There were 3 sharp corners where you had to slow down, and one drink and food station. About my 4th lap a strong wind began to blow. In some parts I had to push much harder. I tried to do every lap in 20 minutes or quicker. I also spotted my friends Robin, Denisa and Martina. My boyfriend couldn't come this time. It was great to see familiar faces. So the second time I reached transition to change for running. I started running a bit fast. On the run course were two drink and food stations. I was splashing water over my body as well as drinking. My sister Denisa ran beside me while she could. It was such a buzz. It really kept me going. I must have been pushing a lot myself on the bike. Anyway I managed to run faster to the finish line. Oh yes! I did it in 6 hours and 7 minutes. I improved about 15 minutes. That's awesome. My whole training this year paid off. I was dedicated. What a great finish to this season! 

And what is next? Hmm, Let's see! ;0)

                                         Martina, me, Robin and my sis Denisa