Posts Tagged ‘soy candle’

Posted on July 15, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

De-Stress with a Self Massage

We’d all love to dash over to the nearest deluxe spa for massage treatments a couple of times a week.

But who has the time – not to mention the cash flow – to do it as frequently as our levels of stress demand?

Hands On Control

Wiggle these treatments into your daily schedule – after you get home for work, or maybe on your lunch break in your office or cubicle.

Not only will these self-massages refresh and relax you, they’ll give you a jump start for what’s next.

Face It!

We think of stress as building up in shoulders, neck and back…but your face holds it own tension. Follow these steps to a simple facial massage:

1. Sweep your hands over your face and lightly tap your fingers against your skin.

2. Place an index finger on each side of the sinus cavity (the bridge of your nose) and gently sweep downward.

3. Take your index finger and middle finger on each hand and place them on your temples, gently rubbing them in small circles.

Optional: Use a droplet of Napa Valley Bath’s Organic Lavender Massage oil and tap into lavender’s calming effect.

Back Up

Don’t let the stress that builds up in your back lead to serious back injury down the road. Work it out now for a healthier back later.

1. Take a medium-sized ball and place it between your shoulders and a wall.

2. Bend your knees and slowly roll the ball up and down your back.

3. Feel the tension in your back dissipate.

Nectar for Your Neck

Anxiety and stress can cause muscle tension in your neck. Rolling your neck in a circle from time to time during the day is a simple and effective stretch. Try this quick neck massage too:

1. Use both of your thumbs and find the indentation where your neck meets your shoulders.

2. Gently press your thumbs into the indentation and rub slowly.

If time and location allow, light a soy burning candle and set the mood. Soy burns cleaner than traditional paraffin candles. We recommend our Organic Lavender Soy Massage candle for its glowing aromatherapy (and you can use the melted soy as a massage oil!).

Do you have a quick fix for stress relief? Let us know your favorite ways to de-stress right here!

Posted on March 23, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Expert Voice: Sigur-Björn, Creator of Spectral Meditation

Meditation takes us on a journey to meaningful and deep contentment, beyond the daily tasks that drain us of emotional stability.

Meet Sigur- Björn, creator of Spectral Meditation.

After meditating and teaching traditional ‘mindful’ meditation for over 15 years, Sigur-Björn has developed a three-pronged brand of meditation that includes a powerful blend of sounds, scents and visualization.

“I started to get rest, rejuvenation and focus from my meditation on a level I had not experienced before by using Spectral M,” says Sigur-Björn.  After receiving kudos from friends and family – even those who had never tried meditation before – he recently decided to take it to the public at large.

See, Smell and Soothe for Yourself!

Try Sigur-Björn’s signature Spectral Meditation at home…

What You’ll Need

• A blend of essential oils
• An iPod or some kind of music device with headphones
• An oil burner (optional)
• A quiet place.

Step 1

Create the essential oil blend you will use for your at-home Spectral Meditation experience. You can use frankincense, vertiver, and/or cedarwood and mix it with organic lavender essential oil, which is a great compliment to the other ‘grounding’ oils.

Step 2

Find a secluded place where you can sit undisturbed for 7-10 minutes (a Spectral M session is typically 30 minutes, but this trial is shorter).  Sitting in the lotus position is a great option, but being comfortable is most important.

Step 3

Choose music that relaxes you. Avoid drumbeats. Nature soundtracks featuring rain, ocean, birds etc. are also great.  A blend of music and sounds also works well.  When he teaches, Sigur- Björn tailors music and scents for maximum effect, so don’t be afraid to experiment until you find the mix that works best for you.

Step 4

Put five or six drops of the essential oil blend in an oil burner. Fill up with water. Light the candle. If you don’t have a burner, put three or four drops of the oil in the palm of your hands, rub them together, and then cup your face in them.  Breathe in deeply several times and let the olfactory system bring the soothing scents to your brain.  Feel the oil relax you. Set the mood further with soy candles.

Step 5

Visualize your first chakra (a chakra is a point of physical or spiritual energy in the human body) at the bottom of your torso. In your mind’s eye, see a beam of red light stretching from the chakra through the earth and into the red, glowing iron core at the center of the Earth. Breathe this red light in and maintain the connection. Replace any thoughts that may arise with this image. Feel the body relax as you listen to the music, breath in the scents, and visualize.

Enjoy the Spectral M Benefits

You may start to feel your root chakra (the chakra associated with being grounded) immediately, or it may take a few sessions. Repeated practice will bring more balance into your life. In addition to activating your root chakra, this exercise is a tremendous way to gain more focus. It will benefit you when you need to concentrate on work or a specific task.

Sigur-Björn Loves Lavender!

“Lavender is the best relaxation scent I know. Before going to sleep, put two drops on your pillow, one on each side of your head. This will give you a deeper sleep and you will wake up more refreshed. Use it consistently for more effectiveness.”

A pure and peaceful mind is a happy mind.  Let us know how your at-home Spectral Meditation goes – we love hearing from you!

Sigur-Björn in person: he teaches Spectral Meditation at CityLife Medical and Fitness Spa on Robertson in Los Angeles and will debut it at The Retreat on Abbot-Kinney in Venice Beach, L.A., in 2010. For more information about Spectral M, visit Facebook/SpectralM or email Sigur-Björn at spectralmed@gmail.com

Posted on November 6, 2009 - by Leslie Billera

Let’s Hear It For The Soy!

I’m a candle junkie. When I go away with my husband, I always pack a couple of soy votives to ‘set the mood,’ in addition to a nice bottle of organic wine.

Any candle not made from soy, beewax or another specially-marked blend of wax is most likely paraffin-based. And the bad news about these popular candles is that paraffin fumes include toxic substances like:

• Toluene (recognized by the EPA as a probable human carcinogen)
• Benzene  (recognized by the EPA as a probable human carcinogen)
• Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK)
• Naphthalene

These contaminants are found in paint, lacquer and varnish removers are in stark contrast to the emotions that scented candles promise to evoke!

The American Lung Association backs it all up, advising that we “refrain from burning scented or slow burning candles that have additives.”

Soy to the Rescue: Healthier and Longer-Lasting

Soy candles burn naturally and emit little to no residue into the air.

On the practical side, soy candles last 30 to 50 percent longer then traditional candles. Plus, they clean up with soap and water – no more ruined table clothes or table runners.

Napa Valley Bath takes all the green goodness of the soy candle and transforms it into a sexy treat that does double duty – half candle, half all-natural massage oil.  Now that’s a two-for-one you can’t pass up!