Surreal Holistic Therapy

Balinese Aromatherapy Massage
In Indonesia, Balinese Aromatherapy massage is part of everyday culture. It is not an occasional luxury used as a scented decoration for relaxing music but a body care practice familiar as herbal teas and sleep rituals, where “the body speaks in three different languages “ oil, warmth and touch” three interconnected ways to create relaxation and sensory connection. For example;
1. Oil - the language of scent and nourishment
Oil is more than something that allows the therapist’s hands to move smoothly across the skin. In aromatherapy, the scent itself becomes part of the experience.
Essential oils or fragrant massage oils can create an atmosphere that feels calming, uplifting, grounding or soothing. The aroma reaches through the sense of smell, which is closely connected with the limbic system, an area of the brain involved in emotion and memory, therefore contributing to a feeling of comfort and relaxation.The oil also gives the massage a softer, more continuous quality. Rather than the hands stopping and starting, they can flow over the body in long, rhythmic movements.
The skin experiences the warmth and texture of the oil while the muscles experience gentle pressure, so the oil speaks through scent, texture and fluid movement.
2. Warmth - the language of comfort
Warmth introduces another sensory layer. Warm massage oil, or simply the warmth of the therapist's hands can make the body feel protected and at ease.
When you are cold or tense, the body can naturally feel guarded. Gentle warmth can create the opposite sensation allowing you to soften and let go, you don't need to brace yourself.
In a Balinese-style treatment, warmth can work particularly beautifully alongside slow movements. The sensation isn't dramatic; it can be a subtle the feeling of being wrapped in comfort while tension gradually disappear
Warmth therefore speaks the language of safety, comfort and surrender.
3. Touch the language of connection
Touch is arguably the most expressive of the three.
Balinese massage traditionally combines flowing strokes with techniques such as kneading, gentle pressure and acupressure-inspired work. The therapist uses their hands to sense areas of tension and adjust pressure and rhythm accordingly.
Touch can communicate something that words cannot, enabling you to slow down.
It can encourage awareness of parts of the body that have been holding tension without you noticing.
A long, flowing stroke may feel calming. A firmer pressure may feel grounding.
Gentle kneading can bring attention to an area that feels tight. The rhythm of repeated movements can also encourage you to stop thinking about what you need to do next and simply become aware of the present moment.
Touch speaks through pressure, rhythm, movement and presence.
When the three are combined together
The beauty of the phrase is that these aren't three separate experiences. They overlap.
Imagine lying comfortably while the room carries a subtle floral, woody aroma such as lavender, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sandalwood, ginger, turmeric and lemongrass. Warm oil is applied to the skin. Research shows that scents can affect cortisol levels, the stress hormone, and heart rhythm before conscious awareness has time to “recognise” the stimulus.Yufang L, MD (2021). The therapist's hands begin with slow, flowing movements, gradually working into areas of tension. You smell the oil, feel its warmth, notice the pressure of the hands and become increasingly aware of your breathing.
Your senses are receiving several messages simultaneously:
Oil says: breathe and receive.
Warmth says: you are comfortable and safe.
Touch says: slow down and reconnect with your body.
Together, they create a treatment that isn't only about working on muscles. It becomes a sensory ritual -an opportunity to step away from mental stimulation and reconnect with physical sensation.
That's why “the body speaks in three different languages: oil, warmth and touch” works so well as a description. It captures the idea that relaxation doesn't always need words. Sometimes the body responds to scent, heat and human touch before the mind even realises.

References

Effect of one time coffee fragrance inhalation on working memory, mood, Hawiset T(2019)cited in Effect of one time coffee fragrance inhalation on working memory, mood, and salivary cortisol level in healthy young volunteers: a randomized placebo controlled trial - PMC

11 Essential Oils: Their Benefits and How To Use Them. Yufang L, MD (2021) cited in
11 Essential Oils: Their Benefits and How To Use Them
For further enquiries and to book an appoinment contact Jenny .com / 07758754317

There is a reason massage therapy is showing up more and more in healthcare conversations. Pain management. Injury recovery. Mental health support. Stress related illness.

You are not a luxury. You are part of someone's health journey. Never forget that.

🧘 The ultimate restorative stretch

Picture a workout where the hardest part is lying down and resting your feet against a wall. This restorative practice, known in yoga as Viparita Karani, is getting a lot of attention lately for resetting the body in as little as five minutes. By reversing the pull of gravity on your legs, this passive inversion lets your circulatory system work without any effort on your part. It's a good counter to what modern life does to your body, whether you sit at a desk all day or stand on your feet for hours.

🦵 Revitalizing the circulatory system

The main payoff of elevating your legs is quick relief from fluid buildup and pressure in the lower body. When your feet sit above your heart, gravity helps move lymphatic fluid and deoxygenated blood back toward your core. This brings a few real physical benefits:
* Less swelling in the ankles and feet.
* Relief from the heavy, aching feeling legs get after a long day.
* Better lymphatic drainage, which helps the body clear waste.
* Quicker recovery for athletes, since it eases tension in the hamstrings and lower back.

🧠 Calming the nervous system

Past the physical relief, this pose works like a switch for your nervous system, pulling it out of high alert and into rest. Slowing your breath while inverted tells your brain it's safe to relax. That shift turns on the parasympathetic nervous system, which handles digestion and recovery. Many people notice their heart rate drop and their anxiety ease after just a few minutes in this position, which makes it a good habit before bed for better sleep.

🛌 Accessibility for everyone

You don't need equipment or flexibility to do this. Sit sideways as close to a wall as you can, then swing your legs up while lowering your back to the floor. Your body should form an L shape, hips against the wall or a bit away from it if your hamstrings are tight. A folded blanket or small pillow under your lower back adds support and comfort. You can do it in pajamas right before bed.

⚠️ Important safety considerations

The benefits are real, but some conditions call for caution or skipping the pose entirely. Inversions raise pressure in the head and upper body, so people with certain health issues should check with a doctor first.
* Glaucoma or other eye conditions where higher ocular pressure is risky.
* Uncontrolled high blood pressure.
* Serious neck or back injuries that the floor position could aggravate.
* Congestive heart failure or other serious heart conditions.💫🌈

We really appreciate every single referral you send our way, so to say thank you, we’re giving you and your friend/ relative £10 off for every successful referral made.
To book contact Jenny on 07758754317

How Masage Therapy can Help Stroke Survivors
A stroke can affect everyone differently. Some people experience muscle weakness, changesin sensation, or reduced mobility on one side of the body. Others may also live with fatigue, emotional shifts, or sensory overload. While massage doesn’t treat the underlying cause of stroke, it can be a gentle and supportive therapy during recovery or long-term care.

How Can Massage Help Stroke Patients?
Massage therapy may support stroke survivors by:Encouraging relaxation and reducing muscle tension.Supporting circulation in areas with reduced movement
Easing swelling and promoting lymph flow

Helping improve body awareness and calm the nervous system Providing a peaceful, consent-based experience of touch. We use a gentle approach that’s always adapted to your energy, comfort, and goals. For those who feel self-conscious or uncertain after a stroke, massage can also offer a safe way to reconnect with the body in a supportive space.

Getting Started
If someone is recovering from a recent stroke, we may begin with shorter sessions or focus on areas of swelling or stiffness. Over time, the sessions can evolve to support broader comfort and relaxation. All sessions include time to check in about physical and emotional needs, and to adapt techniques and positioning to what feels safe and accessible.

For Families and Carers
We understand that stroke recovery can affect the whole family. If you support someone who’s had a stroke, we’re happy to involve you in planning the session, and can work with wider support teams if helpful.

Medical Care
Massage is a complementary therapy, it does not replace medical treatment.We always encourage clients to speak with their General Practitioner(GP) , neurologist, or rehabilitation team if they are unsure whether massage is right for them. We’re happy to work in collaboration with your rehabilitation and medical support team!

Book a Visit
We offer home and hospital sessions depending on your location. If you would like to learn more or to book an appointment for a visit.
Contact Jenny @ surrealholistictherapy.com or call on 07758754317
References
For further information about stroke, visit the Stroke Association

The importance of stretching after a massage.
Stretching after a massage helps maintain muscle looseness, improve flexibility, enhance circulation, and prolong the benefits of the massage. For example,

Muscle Looseness and Flexibility
During a massage, muscles and connective tissues are manipulated, which increases blood flow, warms the tissues, and temporarily lengthens muscles and fascia, creating a “loose” feeling in the body itching afterward helps reinforce this looseness, maintain joint mobility, and gradually improve flexibility over time. Gentle stretches allow muscles to adapt to their newly lengthened state, making future movements easier and reducing stiffness

Circulation and Recovery
Massage stimulates blood flow, delivering oxygen and nutrients to muscle cells while helping flush out metabolic waste products like lactic acid. Stretching complements this process by enhancing circulation further, which can accelerate muscle recovery, reduce soreness, and support tissue repair .Light movement after a massage also helps prevent muscles from tightening up again immediately

Nervous System and Relaxation
Massage encourages the nervous system to enter a relaxed, parasympathetic state, reducing protective muscle tension. Stretching after a session helps integrate this relaxation, allowing the body to maintain a calm, balanced state while reinforcing the benefits of the massage It also provides an opportunity to tune into your body, breathe deeply, and enhance overall well-being

Safety and Technique
Post-massage stretches should be gentle and low-intensity, avoiding aggressive or extreme movements that could strain the temporarily vulnerable muscles. Simple stretches, such as spinal twists, hamstring stretches, or light assisted stretches, are effective for maintaining mobility without overloading the tissues. Waiting 30–60 minutes after a deep massage before performing more structured stretches can allow the body to integrate the work safely

Summary
In essence, stretches after a massage prolong the treatment’s effects, maintain flexibility, support circulation, and help muscles recover efficiently. They act as a bridge between the relaxed state achieved during the massage and the body’s return to normal activity, ensuring that the benefits last longer and contribute to overall physical well-being

After your massage session , I'll point you into the right direction of some local pilates and Yoga classes, to help you onto the road on the road of holistic well being!

https://www.massagemag.com/15-exercises-to-try-now-for-mt-self-care-135111/

Yes I also do excercises for my health and wellbeing because I know as a Massage Therapist, it is very important for my flexibilty, muscles and core strength!

15 Exercises for Massage Therapists Self-Care Massage therapists often suffer from chronic pain due to the repetitive motions and physical demands of their work. To prevent and manage this pain MTs should try out these 15 exercises.

WHY STRENGTH TRAINING HELPS YOUR LYMPHATIC SYSTEM

Let's talk about menopause and a plant based diet is an autumnal workshop, because Autumn is the time for harvesting, preparing, and growing into a new beautiful you. At the workshop we will talk about plant based foods to reduce hot flashes, supporting heart health, stabilizing blood sugar levels, and bone health, backed with scientific research . You will also be introduced to vegetables from other parts of the world and be taught how to make a plant based face cream.

All of the resources are provided for you to take away, at a cost of
£25 for the workshop. Sunday 20th September,11.30 am -1pm, at the Magnolia Therapy Centre, 354 , Mansfield Road, NG5 2EF

For further enquiries and to book a place, contact Jenny .com or phone 07758754317