Welcome to Self Care Chica's Blog

Studying Thai Massage with my teacher, Pichest, has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life.  I feel I have learned so much in my time here, in Thailand, and the best part is how much there is still left to discover.  As Pichest would say, ‘Every body different.  Find what work for body and do.’ In other words, not everything works for everyone all of the time.

Find what works for that person, in that moment, and real positive change is possible.

That is why I am starting this blog. After taking a month to heal myself–I have a entirely new way of understanding what “self care” means. I am devoting this blog to seeking out methods that promote self healing.

Self Care is defined by Wikipedia as:

  “Self care is personal health maintenance. It is any activity of an individual, family or community, with the intention of improving or restoring health, or treating or preventing disease.”

In massage school self care is not really addressed. Which, when you think about it, is pretty ridiculous. Sure we learn some basic stretches, but real self care is never taught. After being in this industry for six years I can safely say most bodyworkers do not take care of themselves before taking care of others. How can we tell our clients how to avoid carpal tunnel syndrome if we are suffering from the same condition because of lack of self care?

So, while this blog will focus on the specific needs of bodyworkers, everyone will be able to glean something from my experiences and experiments. If you work in an office or on a construction site, I promise you will find these self care tips both helpful and enlightening.

This week I will be heading out to King Spa in Niles, Illinois for some seriously needed rest and relaxation.  Stay tuned for my experiences at King Spa!

Here is some information about where I will be going this week:

King Spa is a Korean style spa with separate sides for men and women. A variety of bodywork, scrubs, dry and wet saunas are offered at standard cost. Keep in mind that since it is initially gender separate, nudity is the norm in most Korean style spas–this includes treatments like massages and scrubs. If you feel uncomfortable wear your swimsuit and gage whether or not you would be comfortable getting a treatment. All dry saunas are co-ed, and pajama type clothing is supplied.  There is a lunch room with Korean inspired dishes and fresh fruit smoothies. The cost is very reasonable: $20-$25 for entry to the spa and use of all wet/dry saunas and thermal pools and showers. The spa is open 24 hours a day, and I have heard the best time to go is early in the morning during the week. I will be trying the spa, scrub, and massage. Stay tuned!