Sandra T. Avendano Speaks!

If yes, I have an explanation for you.   According to  Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) , every season has corresponding organs it affects.  Autumn, for example, is the time to consider the health and proper functioning of the lungs and the large intestine. The Lungs Let’s look at how it all unfolds.  The lungs are essentially our direct link to the outside world.  We inhale oxygen through our lungs and through a chemical reaction in the lungs, the red blood cells transport oxygen to every cell in our body.  When the climate becomes cooler, the air we breathe is thus cooler and lighter.  It is very typical that once the temperature drops, we turn up our heating systems to make it warmer and to reduce the dampness inside our homes.  Consequently, our lungs will need to work harder to make quick adjustments from breathing cooler/damper air outside to warmer/dryer air indoors.  If we don't spend much time outdoors, our lungs will become less hydrated.  Those who speci

If you are a body-/light-worker and you struggle with stringing legible words together to share your ideas with others, keep on reading.   I love what I do. While I spend many hours in my massage studio working out the kinks in my clients’ bodies, I realized that my business had a few kinks of its own!  I needed more presence on social media feeds! It’s no secret that the most important trend today is how a business interacts with their current  customers while engaging new ones.   If you are not visible online, chances are people won’t find you unless you have a powerful “word-of-mouth” machine supporting you.  So, I committed to posting regular informative and fun blogs that I knew my customers would enjoy while securing my online visibility. Case in point.  Several years ago, I had a client whom I treated regularly, including those beautiful nine months while her belly blossomed into a gorgeous baby girl.  So as life does, my client got very busy with family and things t

The days are getting shorter, and the chill in the air is obvious as you dig out that big comfy sweater or extra blanket. For some, the cooler temperatures of fall are a welcomed relief from the hot and humid climate of the summer, while others are counting the days for summer’s return. Of all the Canadian seasons, autumn is by far the most colorful season and it is an exquisite feast for the senses.  Our eyes get to gaze upon the red, gold, amber and yellow trees preparing to hibernate for the winter.  Our ears get to hear the dry crunchy foliage that pile up on the sidewalks and walking trails.  Our nose gets to smell the harvesting of apples, corn and pumpkins, and we get to taste the sweet delicacies made with cinnamon and nutmeg. We welcome the fall season by the foods we harvest and eat, the bodywork necessary to adjust, and the celebrations we observe. The combination of honey, apples  and pomegranates adorn Jewish family dining room tables as they celebrate Rosh H

Photo Credit:  Stux (Pixabay) The phrase “back to school” conveys horror for some youngsters, but in many cases, pure joy for parents. Whether your summer has been chock-full of exciting and exhausting adventures or spending quality time at the cottage, it is now time to get back to the groove of routines.  Let’s see what is important on the Back to School Checklist. School supplies:   Dig out that email sent out at the end of the last school year to print out the school supplies list.   Purchasing these items sooner than later will help you avoid crowds and the stress of last minute shopping. School wear:   Before you start shopping for new school wear, let the kids put on a fashion show to see what fits, what can be handed-down, or handed out. School bags:   Have you checked the condition of their school bags? Are they torn, irreparably stained or too small? When you are purchasing a backpack for your student, make sure it is a perfect fit.   If you buy one

The weather has not been very pool friendly lately in Montreal , but when you do get a gorgeously hot and humid day, you have got to cease the moment!   If you’re planning a pool party for your friends and family this summer, consider offering the experience of a massage, pool-side.  Your guests will love you!  We will travel to your pool party with our equipment and supplies including a portable gazebo so we can set-up pool-side.  So you’ve planned for the cutlery, the refreshments, the ice, the long chairs, the umbrellas, tiki torches, suntan lotion, BBQ grill, the hotdogs and hamburgers (must’n forget the buns!), but how are you going to coordinate the pool-side massage experience?    ArcoIris Refined Massotherapies has got your back...literally!  We offer  Chair Massage, Table Massage  or both.  If you plan for an intimate party of 2 to 6 people, one therapist can easily give 30 to 60 minute massages, back to back.  For larger parties, consisting of more than 6 people,

“Summertime, and the livin' is easy Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high Oh, your daddy's rich and your ma is good-lookin' So hush, little baby, don't you cry”* Summer is indeed the time of year when most of us will let go of the pressures of day to day living, working, raising families or running businesses.  While our long and cold Quebec winters cater to avid skiers and hockey players, our summers cater to tourists, campers, and triathletes. In Montreal in particular, our summers are the envy of world travellers.  Some 130 festivals of all kinds abound throughout the city and surrounding towns with themes that are so Canadian, while some uniquely and authentically Québecois.  From the Jazz Fest and the Just for Laughs Fest to the International Balloon Festival and the Fireworks Festival, and everything in between, there is something for everyone to seduce all of the senses. Visit here for a complete list of the best 2019 Montreal summer fest

Chez Mina, a  45 minute drive from Mont Tremblant, is a beautiful lake front property deep in the woods of Vendee, Quebec.  Built in 1962 on the shores of Lac de la Sucrerie , it has always been a place for the Gualtieri, Piccolo and Toppetta siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and friends to share quality time together and create lasting memories. Fast forward to 2017, after several renovations and upgrades, Chez Mina has transformed into a quiet and secluded get-away and they want to share it all with you!  Come to enjoy flora and fauna on long hiking trails, swimming and boating in the majestic lake, and star gazing while relaxing on the soft sandy beach. Spectacular views of the lake and mountain region can be spotted from nearly every spot on the property.  Waking to the chirping morning songs while the pure mountain air breezes through your bedroom window is the only way to wake up everyday! Main House (left) and Guest House (right)

In Quebec , we are lucky to celebrate two national holidays one week apart from each other.     While everyone across Canada celebrates our nation’s birthday on July 1 st , we in Quebec , kick off a week of celebrations with our own Saint-Jean-Baptiste holiday on June 24 th .   How will you be celebrating a week's worth of festivities? Picnicking or Packing? In Montreal , we also call July 1 st Moving Day.  Dating back many years, and considering our long winters and school schedules, this is the day in Montreal when most leases are renewed. Statistics from 2011, show that an average of 130,000 people move residence on July 1 st every year, while the rest of us our enjoying picnics with family and friends.  Learn  30 tips that will help you make moving day easier.  While Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day kicks off packing week, recruiting friends and family to help, arranging truck and pizza deliveries, for many, Canada Day is all about meeting new neighbours and planting

The human being is complex and there are many layers to being human and living as a human being on this physical plane.  In simple terms, we are made up of three bodies:  the physical body, the energetic body and the astral body.  For the purpose of this post, we will focus on the energetic body. The Energetic Body - The Chakras and Meridians The energetic body is comprised of the seven major energy centers called   Chakras and of the twelve Meridian Lines.  The Chakra System is an ancient metaphysical system that attempts to explain our multidimensional existence.   The Chakras (derived from the Sanskrit word meaning wheel) are spheres of energy located along the human spinal column.  It is through these centers of energy by which we receive, assimilate and transmit the life force energy that surrounds us. The Chakra System The Meridian Line System has twelve meridian lines that run through the human body by which the body’s energy flows.  These lines are invisib

Whether you are being drawn to follow a more spiritual path, or have a desire to become a Reiki healer, the first step towards either path is to ensure that you are open to receive and explore the love and light without resistance.  This weekend workshop promises to: Teach you about the Energetic Body which include the Chakras and Meridians. Guide you on how to connect and expand your Chakras through experiential learning. Lead you in group healing therapies including Regression Therapy, Reiki Healing Energy, Sound Healing and Crystal Healing. Allow you to experience an intense energetic cleansing and balancing of your Chakras which will also benefit your physical body. In an attempt to help you enj oy a more intimate and personal experience, our groups will be small (a maximum of 6 people) and with the full support of two Reiki Grandmasters, Sandra Avendano and Filomena Piccolo. Chez Mina, is located on a beautiful lake front property deep in the woods of the Laurentians. T

During the changing seasons, our body and spirit require equal considerations for a physical and energetic cleanse. Our bodies need the same maintenance we give to our cars as we send them off for scheduled upkeep.  In this post we will explain how to cleanse the energetic body ( see previous post for tips on how to cleanse your physical body ). Who should do an energetic cleanse of their body? The short answer is everyone!  A seasonal energetic cleanse is a powerful rebalancing tool especially if you are experiencing difficulties in some area of your life, be it physical, emotional or mental.  When conventional medicine cannot find the source of your unexplained symptoms of fatigue, mental fog, anxiety, restlessness or feeling uncomfortable in your body, you should consider an energetic cleanse. What is the Energetic Body? The human being is complex and there are many layers to being human and living as a human being on this physical plane.  In simple terms, we are made u