This is an ever-changing area of our website, designed to give you information about some of our services and information about new research or products that are in the public arena. If you have further questions about any of these topics, please contact us at 415.989.0014 or info@earthanskyoasis.com

August 17, 2010

Dear earth & sky oasis client family,

2010 started with new changes and will be ending with even bigger changes. As of October 1st, I am selling earth & sky oasis to our one and only Jill Jodar and moving to North Carolina. This decision is fueled by the happy news that my husband, Mick, has landed a job as a restaurant concept creator in North Carolina. This was an unexpected offer but one too good to pass up.

For my massage clients, Adriana Agnoletto will be permanently taking over my clientele.  Many of you have been enjoying Adri’s bodywork while I have been on maternity leave, so I feel incredibly fortunate knowing all of you are in such skilled hands.

The good fortune continues in the comfort I get in Jill Jodar taking ownership of earth & sky oasis. Jill has been with earth & sky from the beginning; and she and I share like minds in the tone, timber and intention of earth & sky oasis. Just knowing that “my first baby” will continue to thrive and prosper in my absence, gives me great piece of mind.

We are having an open house on Monday, September 13 from 5 - 7pm. Please come and join me, Mick, Wyatt & Ronan and all the earth & sky oasis crew for some light refreshments. I look forward to seeing all of you and having the opportunity to tell you what you have meant to me these past 16 years of my massage therapy practice in San Francisco.

Wishing you and yours all the very best in health,

Kate Carroll, CA cmt

Meet our latest Massage Therapist - Bryan Sharpe, CMT

Why I Learned Sports Massage?
There is nothing that I would rather be than a massage therapist. I am amazed at how the human body works and its innate ability to self heal is inspiring to me. Being a sports massage therapist allows me to facilitate healing by working with individuals who are passionate and devoted to the maintenance of their health. Sports massage is an ideal form of bodywork for athletes, dancers, and yogis. It is also a perfect option for just about anyone who is seeking pain relief, balance, alignment, and a “feel good” state of being.
What Is Sports Massage?
The main purpose of sports massage is to help alleviate the stress and tension which builds up in the body’s soft tissues during physical activity. Sports massage has many benefits. In addition to feeling good, sports massage reduces the heart rate and blood pressure, increases blood circulation and lymph flow, reduces muscle tension, improves flexibility and relieves pain. Sports massage can also include pre-event, post-event and maintenance techniques that promote greater athletic endurance and performance, decreasing the chances of injury and reduce recovery time. At the beginning of each massage session, a visual assessment of your posture is performed, followed by a series of range of motion assessments. This allows me to get an idea of where the body is out of alignment. I apply massage strokes that are specific to the area being treated that will increase blood flow and break down potential scar tissue. Active stretching and muscle energy techniques are also incorporated throughout the sports massage to stretch tight muscles, increase range of motion, and stabilize hyper-mobile joints.
What’s My Specialty?
I have been trained to treat all areas of the body, but I really enjoy working with the pelvis and hip realignment issues, specifically, psoas release. This muscle, because it lies so deep, is hard to stretch on your own. This muscle is rarely lengthened to its natural state which can cause poor posture, low back pain, and limited flexibility in the external hip rotators. The psoas muscle assists with most actions that the human body endures on a continuous basis throughout the day such as, walking, standing, and even sitting. Once the psoas has been released you will experience more flexibility in your hip and external rotators, improved posture, and who knows, you may even be a little bit taller.
To schedule with Bryan Fridays & Saturdays and soon to come Thursdays, book online or call 415.989.0014 and make your request!

What Are Facials For?

By Jill Jodar, Licensed Skin Therapist

These days, the types of facial treatments available are as varied as the skin conditions and people scheduling them. Rather than try to cover endless possibilities, I thought I’d break down my own personal philosophy on facial treatments.

A facial is basic maintenance for your skin. Think of it this way- you brush and floss every day (right?), but you still need to see your dentist for regular cleanings. The same holds true for facials- they are a great boost for your skin, but do not by any means replace consistent care at home (and hey, they’re a lot more enjoyable than the dentist). Consultation and skin analysis will help determine not only what your goals are, but also which treatment and products are best. All of my treatments are customized- so your facial can address anything from acne, to lines and wrinkles, to sensitivity and dehydration. I use professional products that are often stronger than those you use at home to optimize results. The techniques, tools and products I use will differ based on your skin. So, while one client may have a Power Blend facial that addresses pore cleansing and adult acne, another may have the Power Blend as well, but address stress and sensitivity.

Your treatment is also a great time to use me as a resource to tweak your home care routine (or get started on one!), get advice on achieving long-term goals, or, when necessary, get a referral to another professional.

So what is a facial for? In a nutshell- a boost of whatever you want it to be. Treat sun damage, lessen sensitivity, get a burst of hydration- or just unplug. With treatments ranging from 30 minutes to 75 minutes- as well as complementary consultations, I can tailor a treatment, or program to fit your schedule and your needs.

Ready to get started?
Questions? Call my booking line at 415-997-8141, or email me at
jill@earthandskyoasis.com

Reorder your Skin Care products online at jjodar.com!

Jill’s online store is open!

I hope you find this a convenient way to reorder the product I’ve suggested for you in the treatment room,
or browse for something new. Products can be ordered for in-store pick up, or, as always, I ship first class for free in the US.
Best of all, you can order 24 hours a day- and no phone tag!
Happy Shopping!

www.jjodar.com

Therapeutic Massage and Palliative Cancer Therapy

By Richard Nelson of Mesothelioma.com 

In recent years, the role of alternative therapies in cancer care has transformed the way many patients cope with illness and related side-effects. An older paradigm suggested that cancer could only be effectively treated with traditional treatments like surgical resection, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Many patients refused this notion and sought alternative therapies outside of their treatment regimen. They found that these treatments were not only relaxing but eased side-effects associated with traditional treatment regimens, including those caused by chemotherapy drugs.

Today, not only patients but also the medical establishment recognizes the importance of alternative therapies, and particularly the importance of massage therapy in comprehensive cancer care. Massage, like most alternative cancer therapies, is most effective when used in conjunction with traditional treatments.

Massage is unique in alternative cancer therapy because it is able to remedy feelings of isolation that many patients battling a difficult disease encounter. The experience of human contact is particularly important when facing a difficult diagnosis and massage can provide that unique experience to cancer patients, who often succumb to feelings of being overwhelmed by the nature of their diagnosis, family implications, and other difficulties associated with cancer treatments.

Often, the most valuable treatments to patients battling a difficult diagnosis are those which can allow the patient to be as comfortable as possible. Patients battling aggressive cancers, such as mesothelioma, often forgo traditional treatments which will put their body through a great deal of stress and discomfort in favor of those such as massage, which provide peace of mind and comfort. Patients undergoing chemotherapy often find that treatments which are able to relax their mind and body, will dramatically lessen side effects like nausea, restlessness, and fever.

As with any treatment, massage therapy may or may not benefit a particular patient’s treatment regimen. However, given the positive experience many patients have benefited from, it is certainly worth exploring. Maximizing your cancer treatment with cooperation between patient, family, and physician will allow patients to live longer, healthier, and be more comfortable, which is the goal of all comprehensive therapies.