Nadine Burzler : Contemporary Wedding Photographer and Bloger Reviews Little Jasmine Therapies {Operation 118} Before the Big Day - Authentic Thai Massage in Brighton.

“Good morning!”, a petite Thai lady says, and hands me a pair of comfy white slippers.

“Welcome. Would you like some herbal tea or a glass of water?”

“Herbal tea, thank you”, I said with a childish like grin on my face. If it wasn't obvious already, I was very excited to be getting a massage that day.

My Thai masseuse, Anne prepared my tea, whilst I swayed my shoulders innocuously from side to side, taking in all the visual curiosities around me. It was as if I was in another country. Thailand to be exact. I found myself staring at the orange logo on the counter which is the Buddhist/Thai colour for good energy and confidence which Kiriakos, one of the owners, later tells me, is essentially the spirit of the business.

80% of everything in Little Jasmine's was imported directly from Thailand, which is why the space has such a foreign and tranquil feel to it. Even the huge wooden massage beds are from Thailand, and there are 4 of them!

Meet the team.

Little Jasmine Beauty Salon and Spa is owned by a local husband and wife team. May and Kiriakos. It fuses Western and Eastern elements and provides traditional Thai massage and modern beauty treatments at an affordable price. “How much”, I ask? Massage starts from as little as £35 for a 60 minute session and for regulars who book block packages beforehand, a 60 minute massage can cost as little as £25 per hour.

The business originally started in Kiriakos and May's living room a few years back and has grown organically to what it is today. May's team of personally trained masseuses have now grown from one to four, consisting of 2 employees from Thailand, one from Spain and another from England.

May is originally from Thailand and used to be a Radio Producer for Grammy. Upon meeting and marrying Kiriakos and moving to the UK, May was faced with a different set of opportunities and decided, to take part of a normal health regime in Thailand, and bring it to the UK with her.

“How did you come up with the name?”, I asked. May's grandmother's name was Jasmine and so May's nickname as a child, was “little Jasmine”. Unfortunately, May's grandma has since passed away, however her legacy lives on in the little haven they've created in the heart of Brighton.

Kiriakos shared with me, that they have a 40 to 60 balance of male to female frequenters and that their customers are loyal and consistent, especially since the environment is private, small and very cosy. They cater to everyone from singles to couples to husband and wife, and they can also shut down the entire salon for groups of girls on their hen weekend. Kiriakos assures me that when it comes to bespoke packages, with enough notice and reason, they can cater for groups of up to 12 people. The best part is that, because the salon is run by it's owners, at the helm, you get way more than your money's worth.

My Experience.

May and Anne ( Picture taken with Iphone 4)

Anne placed my tea next to the seating area and handed me a consultation form where I could jot down any necessary health related information I wanted her to be aware of before my massage. I handed the form back and noticed her uniform, which had black, brown, deep red and gold patterns and details. That's so unique, I thought. Everything in the room matched perfectly, even the uniforms. The wall art, the pillows, the little decorative items that make up this little spa and beauty salon, the music, the atmosphere. They've cut off all stimulus from the outside environment. This is one of those places, where you fully immerse yourself, escape the hustle and bustle of your every day life and just allow yourself to be pampered and transported to a happy place. A happy Thai place.

From the moment you step inside, you can feel you've discovered a very special little space. It's warm, comfortable, cosy, quiet and absolutely peaceful with soothing and relaxing music playing softly in the background and a faint whiff of luxurious massage and aromatherapy oils adds to the experience. In fact, it's the perfect place to take a little chilladay. (you know, a relaxing mental holiday?)

It was Monday, I just arrived back in Brighton after a crazy and fun filled hen weekend with the girls in London and thought a full body massage would be the best way to recover from “boogy-ing” the weekend away. I booked the Thai Fusion Massage and had no idea what to expect. All I knew was that it costs £45 for an hour, it's full body massage and it involves some hot rocks. Hmmmm, heaven... My only concern was whether it would feel like it was all over to soon. You know that feeling? But I was assured that the massage time would start from the moment one's head rests on the wooden massage bed, rather than the moment you walk in the front door. What a relief...

Anne lead me up the stairs to the smaller massage room. She politely asked me to undress, keep my knickers on and then left the room. Around 5 minutes later, I heard a soft knock on the door, which made me feel at ease. No one was going to barge in, I thought. It's so lovely that one gets to have one's privacy respected.

May walked in with a bucket full of hot rocks in hot water, she placed them on a table and asked me if the room temperature was ok. By this time I was already lying face down on one of the authentic Thai massage beds, staring at a water lilly in a bowl on the floor under the table. I heard a squishy sound and realized Anne was bathing her hands with massage oil. As soon as I could feel Anne's tiny hands on my back, I switched off completely and focused my thoughts on complete relaxation.

Anne started on my shoulders, then my lower back and as she was kneading away the mountain sized knots on my back I started to think about how massage should not be considered a luxury, it should become a right. I thought, I'm going to make this a regular thing and try my best to come back at least once every month. Yeah, why not? With so much time spent in front of my computer every day, editing pictures, catching up on e-mails, blogging etc, my lower back has been feeling the strain. Not to mention when I'm out and about carrying my camera and lenses with me. I previously mentioned that I'd like Anne to focus on my lower back and she kindly obliged.

It looked a little something like this...

I have no idea how Anne managed to hop on the massage bed so quickly and quietly, especially since she's so petite! It would be hard for her to apply the same pressure from standing beside me, so without a noise, one second she was standing on the floor, and the next she was kneeling beside me on the massage bed. Anne was amazing. The entire time I was covered up from head to toe by a sheet and as Anne moved from one area to another, she would discreetly lift the sheet and upon completion place it back where it was. Initially feeling a bit body conscious, there was not a moment where I felt exposed. Anne made me feel completely comfortable and her respectful nature made me trust her instantly.

Anne massaged my back with the hot rocks also known as Basalt stones (or lava rocks)  as she manipulated the deeper layers of connective tissue, which as I learned, helps to retain heat and deeply penetrates into the muscles, releasing tension. This was HEAVEN.

Anne (left) and May (right)

Anne moved on to massage my arms, lower back, then my calves, feet and thighs. She would then gently bend my arms, thereafter legs and then lower back (at various stages of the massage) in Yoga-like positions in order to help me stretch and help my joints become more supple. This was different?, I thought, and then I realized how important it is that I stretch every day to not only maintain my flexibility and reduce muscle fatigue but also to increase my mental and physical relaxation.

The entire massage lasted all of 60 minutes and it was by far the best massage I have ever had. So good, in fact that I didn't want to leave and so asked at the last minute if I could have the luxury facial as well. During this time Anne left the room, as I laid my head back down and closed my eyes. I heard a soft knock on the door and then May entered the room and proceeded to give me a gorgeously luxurious facial.

After paying and thanking them for treating me so well, I left that day, feeling completely revitalized and relaxed. I'm sure on my way home people must have wondered why I had a huge smile on my glowing face.

That night I had, probably the best night's sleep I've had in a long, long time.

May and Kiriakos were kind enough to offer a discount on all their massage packages for individuals, couples and hen parties for my blog readers.

If you live in Brighton or will be making a visit to this great city of ours, do make sure that an Authentic Thai massage is one of the items on your list of to-do's.

You can pre-book your visit on their website http://www.little-jasmine.com/booking , or you can just call them on 01273 381 045 quoting “Nadine Burzler Photography Blog”. You will then receive a 10% discount( first time customers) on any of their services. How great is that!?

Please note, that this review is completely unbiased, as I was a paying customer and had the experience first hand. I can guarantee that you will be treated like royalty from the moment you walk into the front door to the minute you walk out, because that is exactly how I was treated on my first visit. Little Jasmine's is a true gem located in the Brighton Laines which is very central and easy to find. 53A, 1^st and 2^nd Floor, Gardner Street, Brighton, BN1 1UN

Book your pamper session today, take a look at their website for more information. http://www.little-jasmine.com/ and make sure you like their Facebook page for some very useful tips on how to stay happy and healthy, both physically and mentally. Now you know where to look for a massage in Brighton!

Thank you, Kiriakos, May and Anne.

See you again next month! x

http://www.nadineburzlerbrightonweddingphotographer.com/

Discover the Therapeutic Benefits of Massage in Brighton

The health and wellness benefits that massage offers are more abundant than once thought. Emerging research points to a growing list of advantages that range far wider than simple anxiety, tension, and pain relief.

One of the most interesting benefits uncovered is a possible link to improved immunity. Studies have shown that those who receive regular massage have lower cortisol levels in their saliva. Cortisol is the "stress" hormone, and it is linked to a lower immune function.

Cortisol actually kills off the cells that are necessary for healthy immunity. Lowering this hormone in the body not only can lead to greater immune response to foreign invaders, but it also leads to lower stress and anxiety levels. Lowering cortisol levels has also been linked to a greater ease in losing weight and keeping it at a healthy level.

The mental health benefits from lowered stress levels and regulated anxiety are probably worth it alone. However, there are even more advantages your body reaps from getting massaged regularly.

Studies have indicated that regular massage helps with hypertension. Massage helps reduce anxiety, which contributes to high blood pressure. This is probably a part of the reason that it helps to regulate blood pressure.

However, there is also another factor that contributes to this function. The vagus nerve actually helps regulate a person's blood pressure, and massage helps to stimulate this nerve into action.

The more obvious benefits of massage are its excellent ability to temporarily reduce and manage pain. It can be used to relieve muscle pain, pain associated with nerve damage, and even joint pain. The manipulation of the soft tissues helps increase circulation, which may aid in healing as well.

Enhanced circulation also leads to better skin tone and healthier soft tissue. This enhanced circulation and manual pressure also helps to deliver oxygen and vital nutrients to the cells.

Massage is even believed to help enhance the elimination of toxic substances which are transported out of the body by the lymphatic system. This lymphatic drainage, while beneficial, needs to be helped along by you. Hence, it is always recommended that one drink plenty of purified water after a massage, to push the toxins through the elimination process quicker.

Overall, massage in Brighton a great way to reduce stress, unwind, and enjoy some "you" time. It's important to remind yourself of the other benefits that massage offers if you start to feel a little guilty about it. Massage can be an excellent complement to an otherwise healthy lifestyle and diet.

Natural ways beat stress and anxiety in Brighton

These hard economic times bring along with them record stress levels as people cope with a variety of anxiety-inducing issues. Instead of resorting to prescription drugs, many people have begun to seek natural alternatives for controlling stress and anxiety.

Relaxing therapies like massage, yoga and reiki have enjoyed an increased popularity over these past few years as people struggle to cope with a range of burdens. Massage therapy, which used to primarily be used by women, has experienced a huge surge in male patronage. Massage has a variety of benefits that extend beyond the relaxation of the session itself.

Regular massage can improve your circulation, reduce chronic anxiety, promote natural bodily healing processes, relieve muscle tension, and lower blood pressure. Regular massage is usually characterized as once or twice per month. Reasonable packages can now be found in several massage service chains, as well as locally owned businesses.

Yoga is another excellent stress relieving practice that can also tone the body and provide excellent fitness benefits. Yoga is particularly helpful in managing stress even after your regular sessions because it helps you to master deep breathing. It helps you to control your respiration during stressful times, which eases the impact of anxiety on the heart and other body functions.

Yoga has also been associated with lower blood pressure, improved mood, better immunity and improved gastrointestinal health. Often times stress is associated with digestive and gastrointestinal discomfort, high blood pressure and poor immune function. For many people, yoga really helps with curbing stress and a lot of its related physical manifestations.

Exercise, in general, is an excellent antidote to anxiety. Multiple studies have shown that regular aerobic exercise reduces the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, circulating in the blood stream. Exercise also elevates our levels of feel good hormones such as serotonin. Serotonin, one of the main neurochemicals responsible for elevated mood, can be greatly reduced by periods of anxiety.

Increasing the circulation of these natural chemicals in the body greatly increases our ability to deal with distressing or frustrating situations. The simple act of intense aerobic activity also can help you vent your frustrations and distract you from ruminating about a particular problem.

Reiki is another practice that has gained in popularity the past few years. Reiki originated in Japan. It is a healing and relaxing therapy; whereby, the practitioner transfers his or her healing power to the patient via light touch on affected body parts. It is primarily used to help heal physical ailments, but also has been used as a relaxation and meditation therapy.

If you are looking for a natural supplement that can help reduce anxiety, there are a few that seem to be helpful for a majority of people that take them. The first is St. John's Wort, which is used as both a natural antidepressant and anxiety remedy.

Passion flower is used for relaxation and easing of tension associated with chronic stress. Kava is another herbal remedy that is used to help combat anxiety and calm nerves. Kava is also very useful as a natural sleep aid.

Here at Little Jasmine Therapies in Brighton we believe that everyone should be able to experience the long term benefits of massage therapy and that is why we offer discount loyalty packages that give you up to 30% off on your regular massage treatments.

25 ways to improve your health and happiness in 2012

The New Year is quickly approaching us, and for many people, it includes a New Year's resolution for achieving improved health and happiness in 2012. Here are twenty-five health-enhancing ideas to help you accomplish that goal.

#1 - Replace sodas or soft drinks with tea or water.

#2 - Commit to eating one raw fruit (or serving of vegetables) at every meal.

#3 - Add just 5 minutes a day to your exercise routine. Don't have an exercise routine? Start with 5 minutes a day!

#4 - Get more sunshine!

#5 - Learn some Pilates. It's probably the #1 exercise system for core strength and flexibility.

#6 - Drink a superfood smoothie every day.

#7 - Buy more indoor plants: They purify the air in your home.

#8 - Take a quality, wild-harvested fish oil supplement that contains vitamin D.

#9 - Eat more quinoa: It's a high-protein, low-carb "grain" that can easily replace rice or couscous.

#10 - When you get out of bed each morning, do five sit-ups first. It sounds simple, but just 5 sit-ups a day can make a difference.

#11 - Instead of trying to find a parking spot so close to the grocery store, park farther away. You'll get a little more walking exercise and a little more sunshine.

#12 - Get a good water filter so you can stop drinking tap water (or bottled water).

#13 - Pick up a "gentle" art like Tai-Qi or Yoga. It will reduce your stress and improve your physical stamina.

#14 - Take a relaxing hot bath with epsom salts and soothing herbs like lavender. It will do wonders for your mind and your muscles.

#15 - Get a professional massage! Massage therapy is really, really healthy, and it's a great way to reward yourself for some of the other accomplishments you're making.

#16 - Grow your own sprouts! With a simple, low-cost sprouting machine, you can grow and eat your own sprouts. Eating just one ounce of sprouts a day still had a huge impact on preventing cancer and boosting immune function.

#17 - Prepare for a Spring garden, make a commitment to start a garden this Spring, and you'll reap many health benefits in the months ahead.

#18 - Get a mini-trampoline and do some rebounding in your living room. You can even watch movies or documentary DVDs at the same time.

#19 - Make a point to get at least eight hours of sleep for 2-3 nights a week (or more, if you can). Most people are sleep deprived, and the health cost is enormous.

#20 - Start visiting local farmer's markets so that you eat more local food in 2012. You'll be healthier and happier as a result.

#21 - Got a job you don't like? Quit it! Downgrade your lifestyle to live on less money, then pursue what you really enjoy. Being happy in a small house is better than being miserable in a big one.

#22 - Get off those medications! Make a point to learn how to safely and gradually get yourself off all the medications you can by eliminating underlying imbalances or illnesses. The fewer medications you take, the healthier you'll be!

#23 - Throw out your television! Are you still watching cable TV or satellite TV? It's a complete waste of your life (but you already knew that). Disconnect the cable. Read more books and get your information online where news sources are more independent and intelligent.

#24 - Make a decision to think of food as nourishment instead of entertainment. Eat what your body needs, not what your taste buds desire.

#25 - Teach others how to be healthy! The more you talk with others about healthy habits, the more you'll follow them yourself. :-)

That's it! I hope you enjoyed these 25 ideas for improving your health in 2012 (and beyond).

Of course, one of the best ways to keep improving your health in 2012 is to keep vising Little Jasmine Therapies in Brighton!

We are looking forward to sharing a great year with you!

What Is A Spa Treatment?

Spa treatments are the services that a spa provides. The most popular spa treatment in the UK and a good place to start is massage. It has been around for thousands of years and has a number of health benefits.

Other popular spa treatments include facials and body treatments like salt glows and body wraps.
Most spas have a nail salon offering spa manicures and spa pedicures . Spas with salons offer hair cutting and styling services.

Once you've tried the basic spa treatments, you might want to branch out to different types of massage like Thai massage , hot stone massage or reflexology. You should talk to your esthetician about what facial services or body treatments would be most appropriate for your skin type.

Remember, the most important thing you can do to enjoy your trip to the spa in Brighton is arrive at least 15 minutes before your treatment is scheduled to begin. That way you can check in, change into your robe, and start to relax. If the spa has facilities like a sauna, steam bath, or hot tub, arrive even earlier.

Stimulating body’s natural energy field in Brighton can promote healing

Researchers now say that practitioners don’t have to use a lot of force or pressure to elicit the body’s own healing response as the body has its own energy or "biomagnetic field" produced by the heart and circulatory system. That field can be altered by acupuncture needles, light and touch therapies, homeopathy, massage, and even by the therapists' own positive thoughts.

Studies in the past have shown scientific evidence that this type of energy medicine works. Orthopedic surgeons use small amounts of electrical current to stimulate the healing of bone fractures and doctors use electrical nerve stimulation to help ease pain. Thus researchers say, alternative therapy practitioners who are sensitive to their patients can use their own energy field to help stimulate the healing response.

Tiny fields [of energy] have big effects on cells hence, therapy can be done with less energy and more effectiveness . Treating a shoulder injury could be a matter of getting the right amount of energy in the right place. In conclusion researchers say practitioners should use their intuition to help them figure out how much is the right amount of energy for each patient.

Tips to Bring More Health to Your Life

We all want to live long, healthy and happy lives. There are natural things we can do to improve our chances, none of which cost a lot of money or are particularly difficult to accomplish. It takes practice, repetition and consistency to make your daily plan for healthy living a success.

Be physically active. A daily routine that includes regular exercise is good for your sense of well-being and overall general health. It will help you sleep better, too. A regular exercise program will keep you flexible and strong. As we age, our bones and joints tend to become stiff and inflamed. Regular exercise keeps these aches and pains at bay. Exercise doesn't have to be painful to be good for you. Several periods of light exercise a week will serve you well. Consistency is the real key.

Eat a healthy diet. Be sure to include a variety of healthful fruits and vegetables in what you eat each day. Raw foods are especially good for you. They contain more fiber and nutrients because these things are lost by cooking. Eat complex carbohydrates and fresh, not dried or frozen proteins. Lower your fat intake if it is more than 30% of your daily intake. Three to five servings of carbohydrate in the form of starches and fruits should be included in each meal.

Drink alcohol only in moderation as alcohol can be very hard on the body in large quantities. Just one drink can cause cellular death in several organs such as the brain. Drink mixed drinks that contain fruit or vegetable juice as healthy diluents for the alcohol. Sip your drinks, don't gulp. Enjoy nonalcoholic drinks. Many restaurants that serve elaborate alcoholic cocktails will prepare them without the alcohol.

Learn how to manage stress. Failure to manage stressors in your life can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure and a variety of emotional problems. Take time to relax and practice some form of stress reduction each day. Tai chi, a massage, deep breathing, listening to calming music or other sounds and meditation are all effective stress reducers. At the end of the day, some people swear by calming music, soft lighting and a warm aromatherapy bath.

Get the right amount of sleep for you. Any number of studies will tell you that many people don't sleep enough. While it is possible to sleep too much, most of us don't have that problem. Don't use your sleeping room for eating or working. It's important to maintain an atmosphere that lends itself to sleep. If you regularly eat and work in your sleeping room, your brain will recognize the environment as a waking one. Go to bed at about the same time every night. Your brain will get used to slowing down if you do that at the same time. Always end your day on a calming note. You will sleep better and wake the next day feeling refreshed.