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  • 08-Apr-10 15:20 | anonymous
    A disorder called Panic attacks will affect approximately 1.7% adults which relates to about 3 million people in the United States today, (medicinenet com). Unfortunately, the onset of panic attacks is most prevalent in teenagers 15 to 19 years old.

    Panic attacks are a type of anxiety disorder that is sudden and unexpected and can be disabling. It is also often unprovoked, however, it is believed that panic attacks are brought on by a major life stress but can be inherited in some instances. It is not known exactly what triggers a panic attack.

    During the 1970's, those experiencing panic attacks and sought treatment for some of the symptoms as in feeling a possible heart attack, extreme sense of fear, an overwhelming feeling of losing their mind, difficulty breathing, nausea and dizziness were often misdiagnosed in those days.

    Physicians thought more along the lines of mental illness instead of an anxiety disorder. Sometimes episodes of panic attacks would be frequent and other times not quite so often. This reinforced the idea that it was all in their imagination for physicians. This in turn often made the patient reluctant to seek help and suffered quietly.

    Recent advances have helped the situation. Treatments include psychotherapy and medications or both. Some of the well known medications are Klonopin, Paxil and Xanax.

    It is important to work with your physician for these treatments. However, a new form of treatment is emerging.
    This treatment is called Kundalini Awakening. This treatment also helps depression.

    This is basically a rich source of psychic energy in the unconscious. Being described as a coiled serpent at the base of the spine, Classical Literature called it Hatha Yoga Kundalini.

    It is important to note that this is how yogins explain Kundalini, it's network of channels and chakras, or micro motions in the brain. And, a latent form of spiritual energy, or Kundalini energy, lies at the base of the spine.

    This energy is released by realization or spiritual advancement. Meditation, religion or spiritual practices releases this energy.

    The very symptoms of a panic attack are the symptoms of Kundalini Awakening. Historically, the terrifying rush of feelings people experience, have tried to be stopped, either by the person themselves, or physicians with medications.

    Through the concept of
    Kundalini Awakening, these so-called panic attacks are actually manifestations of the micro-vibrations that are being stimulated. Instead of fighting these symptoms, it's important to give in to them and let them flow. In this way, recovery is then possible as there will be no fear of the symptoms.

    Meditation is a way of releasing those fears. Understanding that internal energy is causing the heart palpitations and other symptoms, the patient will not fear they are dying or freaking out.

    As the Kundalini Awakening is happening or just after an awakening, the person will feel a sense of wonder, strong feelings of peace, emotional joy or reverence, a strong feeling of love or contentment and a heightened sense of consciousness. Some have even reported seeing a white light.

    Basically it is considered that all
    Yoga is Kundalini Yoga, but specific terms like Kundalini Yoga will be used by some individuals. No matter, because it the end you are still awakening the kundalini with yoga.

    There are 6 stages in Kundalini Awakening. 1, Prana-flows in Ida; 2, Prana-made to flow in Ida; 3, Prana-made to flow in Sushumna; 4, Kundalini energy is awakened; 5, Kundalini-leads upwards and finally Kundalini-rises to Sahasrara.

    This gives the reader a basic understanding of Kundalini Awakening. It is essential to investigate other resources and instructors in the knowledge, training and and process of Kundalini Awakening in order to understand the spontaneous awakening that often happens when alone, so you can take control or be prepared of the so-called Panic attack.

    By working through personal issues and adjusting their way of thought has controlled panic attacks better than traditional medicine.
  • 08-Apr-10 14:56 | anonymous

    by Harlan Kilstein
    www.buildyouryogabusiness.com

    Many years ago, I was very interested in fishing.  I found it very relaxing.  On Sunday's I would get up early in the morning and go to a local reservoir which was very peaceful.  There I would stay for hours fishing but...

    I didn't catch anything.

    One day I realized each time I was there, an old man always had a bucket full of fish.  I wondered how it did it.  I gathered my rod and reel, packed up my tackle box and headed over to where he stood.

    "How fishing?" I asked.  "Not bad" was his immediate answer.  "Now I'm fishing for small mouth bass." I looked in his bucked and there was a layer of small mouth bass on the top.

    "What are those fish underneath the small mouth?" I asked.  "Oh, a half hour ago, I was fishing for crappies."

    I was stunned.  "You mean you fish for a specific type of fish?"  He chuckled.  "You mean you just throw the bait out there and pray?"

    He was right.  Over the next few hours, he taught me how to fish.  What baits to use for the fish I wanted.  How to hold the rod differently for each fish.  How to reel it in differently.

    Within minutes of his lessons.  I caught one fish.  And another.  And another.

    Do you understand the marketing lesson here?  What kinds of clients are you looking for?

    Is your only requirement that they're breathing and they can pay?  If so, you are bound to be disappointed.

    If you want only "A clients" like Sara has, what's the best place to find them?

    The answer is all too obvious.  It's other "A clients".  And using the referral strategy we're going to show you, you'll be able to fill your schedule with lots of "A clients."

  • 08-Apr-10 14:50 | anonymous

    Many massage therapists cringe when it comes to the topic of marketing. There are so many methods of marketing, how do you decide which ones will benefit your business? Will you net a return on your marketing investment or will it be a waste of your hard earned money?

    While there are endless ways to market your business, some are expensive and others are free of charge. Here are ten effective ways to market your practice that won't cost you a dime.

    List your Business Information on the Web

    In addition to adding your business information to any professional organizations you belong to, here are some reputable Web sites to list your business information free of charge:

    Work with your Competition:

    Establish a business relationship with a few of your fellow local massage therapists, by calling and asking them to trade treatments with you, or to have coffee together. Offer to send all potential clients that you cannot accommodate (usually those last minute calls for a desperately needed massage) to this massage therapist and in return ask them to do the same.

    Radio Advertising:

    Call your local radio station and offer to send them some massage gift certificates to give away to callers in exchange for their announcing your business name, address and telephone number. People love to call in and win something for free. Either way, you get free radio advertising, and if the winners redeem their massage gift certificate, you get the opportunity to make them a regular client.

    Email Openings to Clients:

    Collect email addresses of clients. Whenever you have a slow time, email your entire list and say, "I have four appointments on Wednesday and Thursday that are free and I'll give $10 off to the first 4 clients who reserve them."

    Advertise with your Signature line:

    Most e-mail programs allow users to create small files of text that automatically appear at the bottom of every outgoing e-mail message. This is called a Signature file. Create a catchy phrase such as, Massage Company Name. We Keep Clients for Life . Include your Web site address, mailing address, and telephone #. You can also promote massage gift certificates here.

    Cross-Link Web Sites:

    If you have a business Web site, you can attract more traffic by adding a "recommended resources" page to your Web site. Then, search your surrounding area for businesses that also have Web sites AND a "resources" page and ask them to cross-line sites. Ideal businesses to cross-link with are those that attract tourists, such as the chamber of commerce, bed and breakfasts/inns, restaurants and retail stores.

    Client Referrals:

    Display a sign in your treatment room, with your business cards next to it, that says, "If you enjoyed your massage today, please let someone you care about know by giving them my business card" . Adhere a "Referred by: ______________" sticker to back of the business card so you can track the referral and send a thank you.

    Do A Joint Venture:

    Team up with a business professional who has a similar customer base to do a joint venture. Use your customer list to send a letter to your clients endorsing the other businesses' products or services. In return, have the other business do the same for you.

    An endorsement letter is like a good testimonial. This will generate new customers for both businesses. (Okay, this one will cost .37 cents per client but it's worth it)

    Increasing Gift Certificate Sales:

    Increase massage gift certificate sales by placing signage everywhere possible within your office; the reception area, the bathroom, and each treatment room. Remind your clients that there are many occasions to buy massage gift certificates; the holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, baby and bridal showers, and just because. As you close out each client, ask them if they need a massage gift certificate for anyone special.

    Enlist a Hair Stylist/Barber

    Give your hair stylist/barber a free massage in exchange for displaying your business cards or massage gift certificates on their styling mirror. Offer the hairstylist/barber $10-$15 toward their next massage for each referral or massage gift certificate sale you receive.

    About the author:
    Colleen Steigerwald Holloway is a business consultant, workshop facilitator, and the author of Success Beyond Work.

  • 08-Apr-10 14:20 | anonymous

    Did you ever see "Field Of Dreams" with Kevin Costner? (I love this film by the way.) If so, do you remember that catch phrase of the film was "If You Build It They Will Come"?

    I reckon this was a film subconsciously geared for us Massage Therapists. Why? Because us Massages Therapist really believe this will happen to us. If we build that beautiful room, with good energy and a good mindset people will flock to our doors.....

    Well, yes and no.

    Let me clarify this point.

    You most definitely need a good mindset, attitude, vibe...whatever you want to call it. And a consistently good one. You can't have a believe that everything will go the way you want one day, then be cranky the next day. You must hold a consistently good healthy mind towards your massage business otherwise the Universe will not be able to respond accordingly. (Hey I'm not master at Universal issues, but I do know that a good client number depends on your mind.)

    However, the "If You Build It" attitude doesn't work by itself, sorry. If you create your beautiful room, fill your mind with good thoughts and have a fully positive mindset you will certainly get clients, eventually, but it’s not enough without...ACTION!

    You have to get off your butt and go get them. I'm talking about building a clientele quickly, not slowly. If you want slowly, then sure, do nothing. If you want clients to start coming this week then you must know what you are going to do to get them.

    Okay so you want clients; here's a good action plan to get started:

    1. Know who they are
    2. Look at the places your clients have come from (Physiotherapist, friends, Doctors)
    3. Do some marketing to those sources (specific marketing is far better)
    4. And then make sure you ALWAYS are doing some marketing, every week.

    Now this is fun! The more you do this, the easier it gets, the more your confidence grows, the more massages you do, the more clients come, the more money you have. The better your life will be. It’s pretty simple.

    "If You Build It" way of thinking just won't cut it anymore. YOU are responsible for your clients coming to you. I want you to read over that sentences a few times until it sinks in.

    If you realize that most clients in the past have come from the advertising in the paper then you may decide to learn about how to write successful ads. If you really want to become good at writing ads (which I highly recommend) then go to www.massagetherapymarketingsuccess.com it's a good deal of a marketing package. You don't have to, it’s just if you want to learn advert, brochure, flyer writing. You get a few goodies as well.

    But this article is not about that.

    Every week you should be doing something to get more clients. Whether it is writing a letter to a Naturopath, Physiotherapist, Dance School, corporate companies or herbal health store you must get yourself OUT THERE to the places that your clients are likely to visit.

    And clients have short memories, have you noticed? One person who comes to you for a massage 3 months ago and not returned has most likely forgotten about you. All that time you are sitting there asking the air why they have not come. Don't question the air, sky, or Universe, write to them. Remind them to come back. Clients need a friendly jolt sometimes.

    You can write to this person saying "Dear Bill, It was great to massage you back on October. I'm glad you got some relief from your shoulder pain. Did you realize it’s been 3 months since your last massage? How are your shoulders feeling Bill?" etc, etc.

    Just a note in the mail is fine. But whatever you do, however you word it, just DO IT! Don't sit on your behind waiting for them. Get out there. Go on, now!

    About the author:
    Amy Roberts is a Massage Therapist and Massage Therapy Business Coach (
    www.massagetherapymarketingsuccess.com)

 

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