It’s so easy to get swept up with work duties and deadlines and hence jeopardize the personal promises to reach marathon fitness, to use my Chamonix lift pass more often and to enjoy the sports that enticed me to live here. So this month is all about the great outdoors… and being disciplined enough to cap my working hours so that I can fulfill that work-life balance that so often sways towards my desk. While I’m at my desk, I’m taking care with my posture, keeping my head from tilting forward into the screen, occasionally doing some “glute clenches” and taking a regular few moments to gaze down the valley from Argentiere to the Aiguille du Midi and Mont Blanc Massif. Our Thai Massage course with Dani from Yoga Groove really reinforced all that we’ve been taught about good posture for giving a massage. In Thai Massage philosophy, the practitioner should also be benefiting from the massage by adopting energy giving poses and a calm mind. And my Chamonix massage clients are feeling the difference from the subtle changes I’ve been making…focusing on better, deeper massage techniques that rely less on strength but more on body weight and perfect posture. The more comfortable the masseuse feels, the more in tune with the client she is.

I’ve been aware of this from the start, but it’s lovely to relearn the experience through a different massage technique and philosophy. “Physician - Heal Thyself!” is an ancient wisdom. So less nagging my massage clients in Chamonix to drink more water and do more yoga… I’m now refocusing my own energies on better postures while I massage, a slightly longer daily yoga routine (EVEN if I have an urgent email, etc), keeping hydrated, taking time to enjoy healthy meals, and using my Chamonix lift pass for high altitude runs and bike rides.

First stop, a wee cafe up the Aiguille du Midi to write up those wonderful pregnancy massage case studies at altitude.

As a vote of good karma to fellow mountain runners who are embarking on the Chamonix 10Km, Chamonix Cross du Mont Blanc (23Km) or the Chamonix Marathon Du Mont Blanc (42km) on the weekend of 26/27th June, you’ll get free 20mins with any ChamoFix massage of 30mins or more if you show me your race bib or medal!

About Daniel Anner & his Thai Massage Teaching

“In 2002, I was initiated to yoga in San Francisco, California, while studying psychology and International Relations, and learned many different yoga approaches since. In 2005 I started to teach yoga in Geneva, at the United Nations, WTO and World Economic Forum, as well as private classes and other environments.

Thai massage came naturally into my life, as a yoga teacher exposed to different therapies I discovered this beautiful practice 3 years ago while training as a teacher in AcroYoga. As Thai massage is very diverse, and has stretches similar to yoga postures, it has become a perfect add on for my work and personal practice.
Since Thai massage has found me I have trained and studied intensively, and started to offer Thai massage weekend courses in Geneva in 2009.
I often use yoga and/or Thai massage for my students and clients, depending on the therapeutic need at that time.
Thai massage is one of the most ancient form of bodywork, around 2500 years old and created by Shivago Komarpaj, also influenced from Indian, Chinese, Southern Asian traditional medicine. Dr Shivago Komarpaj was the physician, doctor and personal friend of the Buddha; he is known as the father of Indian and Thai medicine.
Only 30 years ago and thousands of years before, Thai massage was only to be found in temples, as a Buddhist and meditative practice, a spiritual exchange to self heal and help others heal.
As we are in a strong time for change and transitions, this massage and many other ancient therapies have become more easily accessible. I personally believe this is no coincidence: now is a time to heal ourselves and become more conscious of our behaviors and ways of living.

Yoga, Thai massage and related therapies are the natural cure for modern day diseases: stress, tension, depression, migraine…
Yoga and Thai massage  are the easiest, most natural and accessible form of therapies and best prevention; once learned they can be used as a personal tool for survival of daily life.  The newer version of massage in the west are directly based from Thai and Ayurvedic massages, but often misses the energetic element of wise bodywork, focuses on muscles and the mechanical aspect of the body, omitting the mind and soul.

Many teachers inspire me: the present ones are part of the sunshine network created by Asokananda, who first translated the Thai massage knowledge into English language 20 years ago.  My main teachers are part of the Thai Massage Circus and Osteothai schools.

It is a privilege to offer this ancient massage and to teach this art to people.”

Dani’s yoga, acro yoga and Thai massage practice: www.yogagroove.ch
Dani trains and practises with www.thaimassagecircus.com and www.osteothai.com

Readings for Chamonix Thai Massage Course

Art of Traditional Thai Massage by Asokananda
Le massage Thaï by Arnaud L’Hermitte (Auteur), Stéphane Koniecpol
Light on Yoga by  BKS Iyengar
Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by BKS Iyengar

About the Thai Massage Course in Chamonix

Date and times: Friday 11th June: 1830 – 2200h; Saturday 12th June: 0900-1230h and 1400-1900h; Sunday 13th June: 1000-1600h

Venue: Insted Language School in Chamonix

Price: 220e

What to bring: yoga mat, blanket, cushion or pillow, packed lunch or a dish to share, an open mind

What to wear: loose clothing that you’d use for yoga

Look forward to seeing you at our first Thai Massage training in Chamonix Mont Blanc!

There are 6 places available on Chamonix Massage Training’s weekend Thai Massage Course held in Chamonix Centre - at INSTED french language school. The Thai Yoga Massage Course will be led by Dani, a highly respected teacher who runs a renowned yoga school in Geneva. Please email Chamofix for booking forms and final details. You don’t have to have a massage qualification to participate… you just need an open mind and a keenness to learn!

18 hours: Learning Thai Massage, level 1 basic, with Dani from Yoga Groove

Cost: 220e per person

* Dani’s “Learning Thai Massage” is an introduction to this ancient art form. Thai Massage has existed for over 2500 years. We will explore the basic techniques.
* After the weekend (18hours of study) it will be possible to offer a complete one hour massage
* In this class we will work with the thai meridians of the legs, the arms and the back
* We will discover stretching techniques inspired by yoga and learn the basic massage of the stomach, feet and hands. We will continue the massage until the head.
* The massage is done on the back and the stomach.
* The massage is given to fully clothed clients.
* There is opportunity for walking and yoga before each day’s session
* Maximum of 6 students on the course

Dates and times:
Friday 11th June: 1830 – 2200h
Saturday 12th June: 0900-1230h and 1400-1900h
Sunday 13th June: 1000-1600h

What to bring:
* Yoga mat
* A packed lunch… Or a contribution to a picnic lunch that we all share
* Two pillows / cushions
* “An open mind and the desire to learn”

What is provided:
* 18hrs tuition in the Chamonix venue
* Herbal teas and light refreshments

The venue:
* INSTED language school in Chamonix
* INSTED language school location is just 3mins’ walk from Chamonix train station

Le Vert Bar and ChamoFix Massage are delighted to organise a series of Chamonix Sports lectures through the summer… but not simply showcases of all the amazing adventure sports and endurance feat that take place in the Chamonix Valley. In fact we’re inviting some of Europe’s best sports science practitioners to take us “back to basics” - focussing on the latest science of physiology that each of us can apply to ourselves.

The first lecture is from the world famous Mel Cash, author of Pocket Atlas of the Moving Body & Sport & Remedial Massage Therapy among others and co-founder of the London School of Sports Massage.

Here’s the details:

CHAMONIX CORE EDUCATION@ Le Vert

3 interactive lectures this summer
To set you up with the musculature & core stability
To get the best from your body & your sports

1st Lecture: Monday 3rd May 2010 – 7.30pm – 10pm

Mel Cash, world renowned Sports Massage Author & Practitioner, & Lecturer in Anatomy & Physiology, will discuss “Posture & Core Stability  - What is it & why is it important?

NOT TO BE MISSED!

Ticket & a drink: 10e
Vert dinner deal: Two-course dinner & juice/demi/wine + ticket = 20e in advance*/ 25e on door

*Buy dinner tickets in advance at MoJo’s & Le Vert Bar or contact Ruth Martin on 0609.86.88.38 / revive@chamofix.com

ABOUT MEL CASH - SPORTS MASSAGE EXPERT

A marathon runner and triathlete in the mid 1980s Mel found the use of regular self massage to hugely aid his training…. and became inspired to develop a true understanding of the use of massage to support sports performance. No courses or books existed about the role of massage in sports and “Sports Massage” was still an undeveloped concept.  Mel Cash qualified in Remedial Massage Therapy, through the Northern Institute of Massage, in 1985 and began his “learning adventure” which continues to this day. He studied and experienced a vast and continuous variety of sport, training and therapy situations and even gate-crashed lectures at University College Hospital.

Use your Core! Chamonix Extreme Sports image by Gus Hurst

In 1988 he met Finnish Dr Jari Ylinen and they co-wrote Sports Massage, the first ever book on the subject and one that remains a leading reference bible for sports massage therapists today. It’s sold worldwide, in several foreign languages.

Mel Cash and like minded massage therapists subsequently formed the London School of Sports Massage in 1989. As its principal tutor Mel has developed the sports massage BTEC course offerings to make LSSM the UK’s leading school in sports and remedial massage.

In 1996 Mel Cash produced his second book Sport & Remedial Massage Therapy and straight away it became the world’s leading textbook in sports massage. 1999 brought us Mel Cash’s Pocket Atlas of the Moving Body and it’s also possible to purchase his fantastic Anatomy Biocharts from the LSSM.

Mel Cash has vast clinical experience with an A-list client base that has included  heavy weight boxer Frank Bruno and  ballerina Sylvie Guillem. As well as running courses at the London School of Sports Massage, Mel Cash has a private practice in North West London where he treats all levels of athletes plus non athletes with physical disabilities and postural/occupational stress.

He writes articles and gives guest lectures and workshops on a wide variety of sport and massage related subjects and is a part-time lecturer in anatomy & physiology as well as Sports massage at the University of Westminster. Mel sees teaching as a “performance” and likes to make it as entertaining for the students as possible.

Mel’s outside interests include running (still) and adventure travel. His favourite place to visit is the Himalayas where he has trekked and climbed many times.

There are many great massage therapists in Chamonix Mont Blanc and based around the Alps. Any good massage practitioner wants to keep training - but accessing the major massage schools from the Alps is trickier than hopping aboard a train and a tube!  So ChamoFix Massage has been looking to Fix up some of the best massage training available - but here in our own beautiful Alpine location. The London School of Sports Massage, set up by Mel Cash, author of “Sport & Remedial Massage Therapy“, “The Pocket Atlas of the Moving Body” and “Sports Massage“, offers the highest qualification in Clinical Sport and Remedial Massage - the BTEC Diploma level 5. Mel Cash also offers bi-monthly massage training clinics for professional massage therapists at the London School. With the plethora of action sports and sports people in the valley of Chamonix Mont Blanc, from skiing and snowboarding to high mountain multi-pitch climbing, downhill mountain biking, trail running, road biking and triathlons - this sort of CPD massage training would be rather useful for Chamonix massage therapists and thus the greater Chamonix community at large!

So, as massage therapists passionate about learning more and more to offer better and better massage treatments, ChamoFix Massage has invited Mel Cash, the original Sports Massage Master and elite-athlete Masseur over to our beautiful Chamonix valley… for a three day Sports Massage Masterclass - Mon 3rd, Tues 4th and Wed 5th May 2010.

While Chamonix has access to one of the world’s leading sports massage masters, we are also putting on a 10euro evening lecture (Monday 3rd May 2010) for anyone interested in helping our bodies perform better and last longer! The Mel Cash lecture will be about: “Posture and Core-Stability - what does it mean and why is it important?”

Three Day Sports Massage Master Class with Mel Cash

Reserved for Qualified Massage Therapists  (minimum ITEC A&P and Holistic Massage Level 3 or equivalent.), the three-day sports massage course is limited to 12 spaces, so book early to avoid disappointment!

Course Outline
***********

Although the workshops can be taken separately it is hoped that most therapists will attend all three. As well as the techniques mentioned here Mel will talk about the latest understanding of musculoskeletal anatomy and try to answer any clinical concerns you have. The program is flexible and aims  to cover any relevant subject that arises.

Day 1 (Mon 3rd May 2010):
Sports Massage Techniques: Focusing on best practice techniques, good working posture through the efficient use of body-weight and working with safe hand, arm and elbow techniques. Mel Cash’s massage training will also include a variety of side-lying and other treatment positions.

Day 2 (Tue 4th May 2010):
Soft Tissue Release: A fast and effective technique to release tension in non-acute conditions. It is incredibly versatile and can be applied in a wide variety of clinical and out-door situation.

Day 3 (Wed 5th May 2010)
Muscle Energy Techniques: Day 3 will focus on the most common of the PIR (Post Isometric Relaxation) techniques. PIR can be used to safely and effectively restore normal tissue length in areas of chronic soft tissue tension.

Dates
*****
Mon 3rd May 2010 (10am - 5pm)
Mon 3rd May 2010 (Evening lecture 7.30-9.45pm)
Tues 4th May 2010 (10am - 5pm)
Wed 5th May 2010 (10am - 5pm)

Venue
*****
INSTED language school, 285 Rue des Allobroges (next to Lamy), Chamonix Mont Blanc - 2 minute walk from Chamonix Train Station

Costs
*****
295 euros (or 275 pounds sterling) for 3 day course
120 euros (or 115 pounds sterling) per day

Evening lecture included for all 3-day course participants / 10e entry fee for all others.

Book a place
************
To book a place on the three day Sports Massage Masterclass with Mel Cash, in Chamonix Mont Blanc, please email revive@chamofix.com and we’ll send you back a booking form and payment details (cheque, cash or BACS)

If you would like to book accommodation, we can recommend Le Vert Hotel as great value, lovely location, and a 20 minute walk into town.

Here at ChamoFix we are delighted to have sourced the wonderfully delectable Tui Balmes & Waxes from New Zealand to be used for therapeutic massage treatments in Chamonix, Argentiere, Vallorcine and across the Mont Blanc Massif! Tui Massage Waxes are brilliant, and everyone in the Chamonix Valley deserves to get a pure Tui Massage Fix!

Tui Balmes & Waxes offer a range of a natural health care that is gently effective, nourishing and healing. A superb alternative to traditional massage oils, Tui massage waxes leave the massage client feeling delightfully moisturized rather than “oily” after a massage treatment.

Argentiere based massage therapist, Ruth Martin, reckons she was a convert when a fellow masseuse gave her a massage treatment with the Tui Lavender Massage & Body Wax. She had to get some for herself and get some for Chamonix! While a little goes a long way, the texture of the wax under the warmth of a Swedish massage feels amazing. It’s as lovely and relaxing for the client as it is practical for the massage practitioner.

Made in a small New Zealand community, , Tui Balmes and Waxes are nourishing and non-allergenic and ethically produced from organic beeswax, Propolis, pure vegetable oils, essential oils and natural vitamin E anti oxidizing extracts. The ingredients used in Tui Balmes & Waxes are either whole substances occurring in nature or directly extracted from a whole, natural source. Tui Balmes and Waxes are guaranteed free from any artificial or chemical additives, animal testing or genetic engineering.

New Zealand’s Tui Bee Balme Co-operative in Wainui Bay have been promoting and providing natural therapies and natural alternatives to toxic modern lifestyles for over 17 years.

To add to the (hopefully good) karma of importing Tui Balmes & Waxes for the ultimate Chamonix massage fix, apparently the profits earned from Tui’s supreme massage medium are donated to charities, including the Tui Spiritual & Educational Trust, a registered charity dedicated to promoting and sustaining more healthy communities in New Zealand.

Cool.. I’ve just added ChamoFix to SNOmobi… a mobile phone resort directory.

Cattle battle it out in Argentiere Tennis Courts

Well Argentiere is mellow with the still Autumnal chill that makes the Chamonix Valley seem so peaceful during interseason, with the added benefit of reduced cars up and down Argentiere’s main street.

Still there’s always something happening in the mountains, or else plenty to do. Yesterday was spent watching big black (and brown) be-horned cattle battling in out in Argentiere’s tennis courts… using their heads and horns rather than rackets… in the Combat des Reines. It seemed like the whole of the Chamonix Valley had come to watch the lovely mooing ladies strut their stuff daintily around a specially constructed sandy arena, then paw the ground intensively,  then butt heads powerfully, until a judge called out the winners and the losers. The losing cows seemed quite happy with their lot, content with a tickle on the chin and a pat on the flank from the stewards. Later in the evening, many of the cattle had to march up through Argentiere village and several cow fights were reported outside the Office Bar, Argentiere!

Bravo to finishers of the Aiguilles Rouges - Epic Endurance Race

In between the heats and the finals we managed to drive down to Les Houches to watch our friends and family finish the Aiguille Rouges mountain race. They’d started in Vallorcine at 5am and covered 51km (3300m climb). Epic effort. ChamoFix’s Masseuse, Ruth, was pleased to have massaged one successful participant the night before the event, gently loosening up any tensions in the calf, quadriceps and hamstring muscles. Next year’s Aiguilles Rouges endurance race, if I’m not racing it, then ChamoFix hopes to volunteer to massage at the finish line.

While a sports massage will help, and self massaging up your legs in a warm arnica-infused or salt bath is an excellent way of loosening the muscles and shifting lactic acid, here’s a good everyday stretch for the IT Band:

• Sit tall with legs stretched out in front of you
• Bend the right knee and place the right foot on the ground to the left side of the left knee
• Turn your shoulders so that you are facing to the right
• Use your left arm against your right knee to help ease you further round
• Use your right arm on the floor for support
• You will feel the stretch along the length of the spine and in the muscles around the right hip

The iliotibial band stretch is part of an excellent list of stretches found online at Brian Mac personal trainer website.

Keep an eye out on the ChamoFix website for more details about Chamonix’s yoga classes and advice from the fitness and flexibility gurus based in Chamonix!

After a Fix of adrenaline, your energy levels will be pumped!

In the Chamonix Valley, there’s plenty of extreme action, opportunities for life changing feats of human guts and endurance, plus alot of work to be done to sustain a lifestyle in the mountains and great outdoors. Often the mind is willing but the body is basically exhausted.

ChamoFix recommends four easy ways to keep ahead of the game and feel that buzz of health and general well being… not just through massage, though massage, of course, is one of the steps!

1. EAT YOUR GREENS

I’ve just had the best week ever last week, acheived loads more than normal and hardly feeling tired at all. The difference to usual: I just realised for the first time in months I’ve been making the effort to pack in the vegetables… and organic ones from the new shop down the valley in Les Houches! If you like your organic produce, try Chamonix’s organic farmers’ market in Chamonix Sud on Tuesdays 0830 - 1300h.

2. ST R  E   T    C     H   . .   .   .   . Use Chamonix’s Yoga Sessions

While it is sometimes the last thing you feel like after a long hike or climb, simple and *gentle* stretching of muscles and myofascia is a really important aid to quick recovery and rejuvenation of muscle power.

Muscle fibres shorten during exercise, tension and general usage, but in order to be at their most powerful and effective, muscle fibres need to be at their longest. You can help this by performing long stretches with each muscle group  (gently, slow and NOT to the point of pain). And it’s really motivating to see how those people who practice regular yoga have bodies that respond best to massage.  They are less likely to “seize up”.

Keep an eye out on the ChamoFix website for more details about Chamonix’s yoga classes. And to get started at your desk… check out this good list of static stretches at Brian Mac personal trainer website.

3. Breathe … breathe in Chamonix’s high mountain air.. but all the time

fresh mountain air - Chamonix Mont Blanc

There’s all sorts of literature and theories about the best way to breathe while doing sports… but my osteopath in Chamonix showed me a basic breathing technique that should be used all the time.. at work, rest or high-octane play. ”Belly breathing” is the term for it. Typically (especially amongst computer/ desk bound generations) we tend to breathe short, shallow breaths, only accessing the top of our lungs. Your chest raises but everything below that doesn’t seem to move. By trying to fill your belly with air when you breathe, you find you push your diaphram down lower, which brings in loads more oxygen. The added benefit is that various organs below your diaphram are shifted about a bit, which helps make space for clearing away stagnant waste materials to the lymphatic system. Breathing deeply not only give you more oxygen for extra power during exercise, but as the body relies on movement for elimation of toxins, deep (belly) breathing helps move the internal organs. A massage you give yourself with every breathe!

4. Adrenaline Fix! & Rehydration!

There’s nothing like a dose of adrenaline or exhilaration to get you motivated for more. Without always pummeling yourself, it’s simply good to keep fit so that those adrenaline-filled moments either flying in the sky or careering down a mountain pass end up rejuvenating you and emptying your head for reboot!

But for ultimate sports performance and recovery, not to mention work and social stamina, it’s crucial to keep rehydrated before, during and after, sports. If you can keep hydrated with the occasional adrenaline rush, then that energy FIX will stay with you for longer.