Thread of Bliss Wellness

Free Consultation | Create Health in 2012

2011-12-29T10:52:00.000-08:00

A new year is coming. This is the time to take stock of where we are, what we've done, and where we would like to go.

Take advantage of a FREE phone consultation to discuss these important wellness questions and create the health that you want in your life. Discuss your health goals, any obstacles that may be in the way of reaching those goals, and how to create a clear path to wellness.

Schedule your FREE consultation today.
Call 603-969-4244 or email info@threadofbliss.com.

De-stress this Holiday Season

2011-11-23T11:28:00.001-08:00

So much to do, so little time.
Don't forget to take some time out for yourself this holiday season.

Gift Certificates
Consider a shirodhara oil treatment for yourself or a loved one. The benefits of deep relaxation, rejuvenation, and enhanced immunity are perfect during this often stress-filled time.

Wellness Programs
Interested in developing greater wellness, banishing insomnia, anxiety, stress, and fatigue?
Consider a wellness program at Thread of Bliss.
Programs include weekly shirodhara oil therapy, diet and lifestyle recommendations, and a supportive environment for overcoming obstacles.

Call today!603-969-4244

What are the benefits of Shirodhara oil therapy?

2011-11-07T07:01:00.000-08:00

Shirodhara:

Helps overcome stress and its ill effects on the nervous system.
Helps relieve insomnia, fatigue, tension, anxiety, anger, chronic headaches, rheumatism, hypertension, asthma, hair problems and stress.
Gives great mental relaxation
Invigorates the body and mind and stimulates cognitive memories.
Disperses negative electrical impulses that accumulate at the skull and hairline from stress.
Renews the sweetness of life.
Rejuvenates the entire face and softens worry lines.
Opens the third eye.
Heightens the senses.
Increases intuition.
Activates the pituitary gland.
Increases spiritual awareness.
Regulates mood and depression disorders.
Increases melatonin and dopamine levels in the brain.
Enhances immunity.
Activates the memory.
Eliminates diseases of the head, and disorders affecting the neck, eyes, ears, nose and nervous system.

2011-10-30T10:56:00.000-07:00

Events: Seacoast NH

Community Days & Free Talks
Green Lotus Yoga - Dover, NH
Sunday November 20
Sunday December 18
Free Talks, 12:30pm-1:30pm

Enjoy a taste of shirodhara!
Afternoon treatments available for $40- (over half-off).
by appointment only

Also available at Green Lotus the following dates:
Sunday Novermber 6
Sunday November 27
Wednesday December 14

Ayurvedic Wellness Classes
Yoga by Donation - Portsmouth, NH
with an emphasis on insomnia, anxiety, stress, fatigue
and the simple and profound measures to alleviate these conditions
First Tuesday of the month - 1:15pm-2:15pm
Cost: by donation!
ongoing
Free gift for all that attend!

Caffeine-free for a Stronger Body & Mind

2011-10-21T09:33:00.000-07:00

Just say no! If you have anxiety, nervousness, stress, fatigue - you must quit coffee and other stimulants.

Coffee and caffeinated beverages, though they may provide a temporary 'lift', wreck havoc on the body. Sound extreme? It may. But so are the affects of caffeine consumption. Caffeine deranges the vata and pitta doshas in the body, the universal elements of air/space and fire. How does this manifest? Caffeine dehydrates the body creating dryness and also stimulates the nervous system. It may cause the 'shakes' or feelings of instability. It can disturb one's sleep, and affect one's energy into the next day. Caffeine is acidic. It can create diarrhea (fire) and digestive upset. These conditions, in turn, could affect the health of the skin, causing dryness, itchiness, and rash.

If you are prone to anxiety, nervousness, stress, fatigue, coffee will not be your friend. Let your system heal, and choose foods and beverages wisely.

Instead of caffeinated products, try fresh fruit, fresh juices, a glass of water, peppermint tea, dates, or honey. You can find delicious caffeine-free coffee substitutes at your local health food store.

Good health begins with your diet, and that begins with YOU.

Fall Happenings

2011-10-06T10:34:00.000-07:00

Deepak Chopra was in Cambridge last night promoting his new book 'War of the Worldviews: Science and Spirituality' along with co-author Leonard Mlodinow. I was unable to attend unfortunately, but I'm sure it was a thought-provoking discussion.

What continues to thrill me is that he has made such an impact and is reaching so many people that are spiritual.

Would love to meet him someday. Did you know that Mr. Chopra worked at the Maharishi Ayurveda Center in Lancaster, MA before he began his writing career?

Free Consultations this Saturday, October 8, 2011 from 8am-2pm. By appointment only. Call Jennifer at 603-969-4244 to schedule.
Learn:
- how simple changes to your lifestyle can dramatically effect your health
- fantastic things you can do to feel better, sleep longer, and strengthen your immunity.
- how a unique and highly effective oil therapy can dramatically change the state of your nervous system.

Community Days in Dover, NH at Green Lotus Yoga Shala
Community Days for half-off shirodhara, Free Talks, and Free Consultations. Check the 'Seacoast NH' page at the top of the blog for all the dates and times. Additional shirodhara days will be added soon.

Would you mind taking a moment to 'Like' my Facebook page?
I'd love to share shirodhara with as many people as I can. It's so effective and profound, so unique, and so hard to find! I'm so glad to be carrying this special tool with me. Please help me spread the word.
www.facebook.com/threadofbliss

Deepak Chopra Video on Shirodhara

2011-08-29T11:32:00.000-07:00

Deepak Chopra on MSNBC demonstrating shirodhara. Chopra says that shirodhara increases melatonin and dopamine levels in the brain.
Click here to watch the video.

Yoga - its origins, and growth in the U.S.

2011-06-29T11:22:00.000-07:00

It's been about eleven years now that I've been doing yoga and meditation. The past five I have been doing Isha Yoga exclusively.
I am always fascinated when I meet someone that has also been on a spiritual journey. Where have they gone, what have they learned and from whom? How did they come to find their practice? And how did their system (yoga or meditation) come to this continent? Who were the teachers and what was it like?
From Transcendental Meditation (TM) and Maharishi Ayurveda, to the first Americans to practice the Ashtanga yoga system of Pattabhi Jois (David Swensen among others), to the surge of Isha Foundation and Inner Engineering Online (founded by Sadhguru of Tamil Nadu), there have been and there continue to be many manifestations of yoga and meditation on this continent.
Here is one incredible video - created by Isha Foundation, that describes the origins of yoga and how it spread throughout the world.
Click here for the video: Adhi Yogi - A Tribute

Some Exciting Updates

2011-06-28T08:06:00.000-07:00

Great stuff is happening!

So grateful for this new space in Somerville, MA. It's right in Teele Square on Broadway at The Therapy Center for Mind and Body. I'll be offering shirodhara there beginning this Saturday, June 2.
The most beautiful thing - the space is SO quiet. So very important for a great shirodhara. When the oil is flowing over your forehead, your mind is quieted and your senses are heightened. Any sound heard is so apparent. A quiet space is key to the whole experience - allowing deep rest for the mind and nervous system.

What does this therapy look like?
I'm organizing a photo shoot to offer more visual information about shirodhara!
Stay tuned!

Join me on Facebook for quick updates - www.facebook.com/threadofbliss

My Pantry Favorites

2011-06-22T11:22:00.000-07:00

A small list of heaven...

Vanilla Beans. A 1/4 inch piece, boiled into warm milk (cow, goat, almond, rice, etc.) with some sweetener added. = Heaven.
Or, submerge it into a Simple Syrup (bartender's sugar + water mixture) and use to flavor juices and homemade sodas.
I bet it's good for vata AND pitta.

Cumin. Probably not on everyone's list of heavenly kitchen items. But really adds some depth and dimension to beans as well as salsa and tomato dishes. Great for digestion.

Pomegranate Molasses. Back to heaven. A little touch of this to soups, salad dressings, marinades... Not expensive. Fun to experiment with.

Mirin. Rice wine. Delicately sweet. Definitely heavenly. Good mirin is a little pricey (about $8- a bottle?). Cheap mirin has corn syrup added to it. I add this to stir fry's or saute's. It adds a nice light sweetness to your food.

Summer 2011

2011-06-07T10:15:00.000-07:00

Shirodhara will be offered at various locations during the summer.

I am looking into several communities including Chelmsford, MA, Beverly, MA, Somerville/Cambridge, MA, and Portsmouth, NH.
A schedule will be posted shortly.

Please email or call if you have any preferences or input. I'd be glad to hear from you.

I am also excited to announce that I am working on a new project for sharing Ayurveda locally, in a national way! The project should be completed this fall, and more details will be announced shortly.

Our World is In Need

2011-03-30T17:26:00.000-07:00

I have recently returned from five months of volunteering at the Isha Institute of Inner-sciences.
It was an incredible experience - practicing yoga at 5:30am every morning, taking part in all the activities that keep the center running, and being in the sphere of a consecrated space - the 'Mahima' meditation hall, which means 'grace'.

There truly are some incredible things happening right now on this planet - spiritual programs in India with over 14,000 attendees, the growth of Inner Engineering - Isha's flagship yoga program, here in the U.S., and this spring, U.S. programs personally conducted by Sadhguru, yogi and humanitarian, founder of Isha Foundation.

Along with Ayurveda, the practices that Isha Foundation are teaching, I have found to be the most powerful, most grounded in reality, and most effective tools for healing and change.

I wish for an explosion of both Ayurveda and Isha Foundation here in the U.S. Our world is in need.

Summer 2010 News

2010-07-19T15:04:00.000-07:00

Upcoming Community Days:
Sunday July 25th - full moon.
Sunday August 1st
Sunday August 29th
Sunday September 5th

Community Days are a way of giving back to the community, providing shirodhara to those that cannot afford the full fee. On these days, shirodhara is offered for $25, simply the cost of the oil. Please call or email to schedule. Plan ahead, spaces fill up fast.

Air Conditioning!
The space at 9 Walker Street is now air conditioned for the hot summer months. It is my hope that people will be comfortable during their shirodhara, so I've made air conditioning available. Of course the temperature of the room will be modified for each individual's needs.

Keeping it Cool:
In the hot summer months the Ayurvedic dosha of fire called 'pitta' is prominent in nature. During this time heat can accumulate in the body and can manifest as anger, irritability, frustration, or irritation. Shirodhara can cool the system with sunflower oil, relieving these signs of heat. For a similar effect at home, apply sunflower oil to the top of your head and the souls of your feet before sleep (use an old towel and old socks to keep sheets stain-free). Also, stay away from the hot sun during the peak noontime hours and avoid hot, spicy and fried foods.

Nasya with shirodhara:
Nasya is the application of oil to the nasal passages. Traditionally done in combination with shirodhara, it has many benefits to the body. It opens the sinuses, clears excess from the nasal passages, and may relax the neck. Nasya is now available before shirodhara for those who wish to receive it.

Local Oil Update:
Still waiting for local sunflower oil from farmer Dorn Cox in Lee, NH. This will be such a special offering as the freshness and purity of the oil will be so apparant. I will let everyone know as soon as it's available.

Oil Recycling:
All used oil will be recycled with Smartfuel of Seabrook, NH. If you would like your used oil recycled, please bring it in and I will happily recycle it for you.

Questions about shirodhara?
Please feel free to call or email for more information.
603.969.4244
threadofbliss@gmail.com

2010 Community Day Schedule

2010-04-26T04:58:00.000-07:00

Community Days are a way to reach out to the greater community with affordable shirodhara. On these days, the cost for a full shirodhara appointment is $25 which is simply the cost of the oil. These days are reserved for those that cannot afford the full $75 fee.

Sunday May 2
Sunday May 30 - NO Community Day

Sunday June 6 - NO Community Day
Sunday June 27

Sunday July 4 - Independence Day - NO Community Day
Sunday July 25 - Full Moon

Sunday August 1
Sunday August 29

Sunday September 5
Sunday September 26

Sunday October 3
Sunday October 31 - Halloween - Community Day still happening

Sunday November 7
Sunday November 28

Sunday December 5
Sunday December 26 - NO Community Day

April/May News:

2010-04-19T14:53:00.000-07:00

Happy Earth Day!
Upcoming Community Days: Sunday April 25th, Sunday May 2, and Sunday June 27.

Community Days are the first and last Sundays of the month. A full shirodhara session will be available on these days for just $25-. This is simply the cost of the oil. These days are available to those that cannot afford the full $75- fee. Please call 603.969.4244 to schedule, or email threadofbliss@gmail.com.

There will be no Community Days the last Sunday in May, May 30th and the first Sunday in June, June 6th. I apologize for any inconvenience. Community Days will resume on Sunday June 27th.

Local Oil update:

Toured the beautiful Cox farm in Lee, NH today with friend and herbalist Amanda Komisarek of Lion's Tooth Herbals, Dover, NH. Dorn and Annalisa Cox have grown and harvested sunflower seeds and will be extruding sunflower oil sometime soon. It will be expeller pressed and food grade. So happy to support local farmers and offer a local oil for use during shirodhara.
Sunflower oil is gently cooling to the body so it will be used more often in the coming warmer months when our bodies and minds heat up!
www.lionstoothherbals.com

No shirodhara available for three weeks beginning May 18th through June 10th.
No Community Days during this time as well (Sunday May 30th and Sunday June 6th).
I am very blessed to be in the presence of a great yoga master, Indian mystic, and guru, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev during this time. I will be at the Isha Institute of Innersciences in McMinnville, TN. I apologize for the inconvenience.
Please see www.ishafoundation.org for more information on Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, Isha Foundation, and Isha Yoga Programs.

Fun addition to shirodhara appointments:
I will be providing kerchiefs for people to tie onto their head after a treatment. It is very important to not catch a draft after a shirodhara while your head is wet. The kerchiefs will be made from recycled fabric or remnants. 100 percent cotton fabric will be emphasized for those who are sensitive.

Namaste,
Jennifer

Thread of Bliss NEWS:

2010-03-25T15:31:00.001-07:00

Community Day is this coming Sunday March 28th!
Appointments available only after 4pm at this time. Call or email to schedule.
No Community Day on Easter Sunday April 4th.

Students at Portsmouth Beauty School will receive a talk on shirodhara on Tuesday April 6 from 9-10am!

Spa Magazine has a great article on Ayurveda and shirodhara in the April 2010 issue.
Here's a link to the article with a great photo of a beautiful shirodhara space with a carved wood stand.
http://www.spamagazine.com/article/Lifestyle-Renewal/Ayurveda-Discovering-The-Ultimate-Balance

Oiling the feet for a great night's sleep

2010-03-16T14:30:00.000-07:00

Before sleep, I put oil on the soles of my feet. This helps make a wonderful night's sleep. The nerve endings at the bottom of the feet soak up the oil, soothing the nervous system. I wear a pair of old socks so not to stain the sheets with oil.

There are several oils I like to use. I often use sesame oil or sunflower oil, or a combination of the two (you can use leftover shirodhara oil). Sesame oil is warming to the body. Sunflower oil is cooling. In winter and spring when the body is prone to being cold, sesame is a good choice. In the summer when I need to cool down, sunflower oil is my choice.

For a special treat, putting castor oil on the soles of the feet is heavenly. It is so deeply penetrating, so emollient - I just feel like I enter a sweet deep cocoon of sleep.

My other favorite is shea butter. Shea butter is balancing. It is both cooling and warming to the body. It is excellent to put on the feet in the evening before sleep.

Community Day Highlights and News....

2010-03-15T17:25:00.000-07:00

The first Community Day was held on the full moon day of Sunday February 28th. Community Days were conceived as a way to provide a low-cost, high-quality shirodhara to those seeking its benefits.
I received great response from interested people, and those that participated were eager for their shirodhara treatment and grateful to be receiving it at such a discount (for just $25-). Local prices for shirodhara reach up to $155-!

The benefits of shirodhara are so far-reaching, that making it accessible financially is important to me.

Shirodhara:
A continuous stream of warm oil flowing over the forehead.

Improves sleep, helps overcome stress, synchronizes brain waves, soothes the nervous system, relaxes and invigorates the mind and body, relieves tension, fatigue, headache, anxiety and anger, rejuvenates the entire face and softens worry lines.

Community Days are held the first and fourth Sundays of the month. They are ongoing. The next Community Day is Sunday March 28th. Please call to schedule.
Hot tea will be available.

Local Oil Recycling

2010-02-27T10:28:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I began an oil recycling program with Smartfuel of Seabrook, NH. Smartfuel collects waste oil, mostly from restaurants, to create a green fuel alternative to petroleum-based fuels. Usually, waste oil is collected and sold overseas to be used in animal feed and cosmetics, which are then sold back to the United States.

Shirodhara oil can be reused for four consecutive treatments in a one month period. Beyond one month, the oil will be considered waste and will be recycled with Smartfuel.

Oil and Love on Valentine's Day

2010-02-09T11:46:00.000-08:00

Experience the loving nature of Shirodhara warm oil therapy!

Warm oil is like a secure blanket wrapped around you. It protects you, shelters and cocoons you, and gently caresses you.
It transports you to the present, releasing thoughts of the past and the future.

The word for 'oil' in the Sanskrit language is also the word for 'love': Snehan.

Gift Certificates available at La Femme Intimates 59 Deer Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801, or contact Jen directly at 603.969.4244 or threadofbliss@gmail.com.

Community Days

2010-02-05T04:56:00.000-08:00

In an effort to make shirodhara widely accessible to our Seacoast community, I am offering Community Days. The first and fourth Sunday of each month, full shirodhara oil therapy sessions will be available for $25-, to those that cannot afford the full $75- fee.
Appointments are available throughout the day.
Please call to schedule.
603.969.4244

Updates at 9 Walker Street

2010-01-25T21:12:00.000-08:00

Perfecting the Space:
Over the past two months, I have been perfecting the new shirodhara space and the shirodhara process at 9 Walker Street in Kittery with the help of family, friends, and teachers.
Some of the improvements that have been made:

the shirodhara pot has been stabilized with the addition of a third copper chain. That is, the pot now hangs with added stability from three chains instead of two.
the space has been warmed considerably and consistently with the addition of a space heater and down blanket.
loose squeeky floor boards have been nailed down, quieting the space.
clearly printed 'quiet' signs have been made for the building, when shirodhara is in process.

Local Oil:
Local Sunflower oil will be available soon. Farmer Dorn Cox in Lee, NH is held up on production awaiting parts for the press. Seeds are being hulled. I am very excited to tour the farm, see the press and experience the beauty of the freshest oil available. In the meantime, five gallons of organic sunflower oil arrived today, January 25th from Massachussetts distributor Jedwards International.

I am also searching out local farms/recyclers that may be looking for recycled vegetable oil. Gallons of used shirodhara oil are beginning to gather!

Upcoming exciting news:

Phineas Graphics of Portsmouth, NH, who did the beautiful graphic design for the Thread of Bliss brochure, is designing signage for the Thread of Bliss door inside 9 Walker Street.

Muffling the sound from traffic at 9 Walker Street during a shirodhara session is a must. I am awaiting a sound barrier for the window.

Open House

2009-11-29T19:39:00.001-08:00

Many thank you's to all the wonderful people that stopped into the open house.

Your curiosity and support is much appreciated.

Jennifer

Open House Saturday and Sunday November 28th and 29th

2009-11-22T17:54:00.000-08:00

Also this weekend: shop local businesses in Wallingford Square during downtown Kittery's 'Shop the Square' events, 'Art on the Hill' Open Studios (78 Government Street), and BUOY 'Craft Fix' (2 Government Street).

Come see what 'Thread of Bliss' is all about!

Saturday and Sunday, November 28th and 29th, 10am to 3pm

9 Walker Street
upstairs
Kittery, ME 03904

In the yellow house above the 'Just Us Chickens' gallery and the 'Green Alliance'.

Join me for tea and treats, view the shirodhara room and equipment, enter a drawing for a free treatment!

THE MEMORIAL BRIDGE IS OPEN!

A shirodhara demonstration.

2009-10-19T03:53:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKvWhs78V5Q

Ancient Text Lists Benefits of Oil Applied to the Head

2009-10-14T21:34:00.000-07:00

"One who applies oil on his head regularly does not suffer from headache, baldness, graying of hair, nor does his hair fall. Strength of his head and forehead is especially enhanced; his hair becomes black, long and deep-rooted; his sense organs work properly; the skin of his face becomes brightened; applying oil on the head produces sound sleep and happiness."

Ayurvedic physician Charaka, in the first text on Ayurveda, written over 2000 years ago.

What are the benefits of Shirodhara therapy?

2009-10-14T21:26:00.000-07:00

From the manual of the Sacred Stone School of Ayurvedic Massage.
Shirodhara:

Helps overcome stress and its ill effects on the nervous system.
Helps relieve insomnia, fatigue, tension, anxiety, anger, chronic headaches, rheumatism, hypertension, asthma, hair problems and stress.
Gives great mental relaxation
Invigorates the body and mind and stimulates cognitive memories.
Disperses negative electrical impulses that accumulate at the skull and hairline from stress.
Renews the sweetness of life.
Rejuvenates the entire face and softens worry lines.
Opens the third eye.
Heightens the senses.
Increases intuition.
Activates the pituitary gland.
Increases spiritual awareness.
Regulates mood and depression disorders.
Activates the memory.
Eliminates diseases of the head, and disorders affecting the neck, eyes, ears, nose and nervous system.

What is the Shirodhara process?

2009-10-13T17:08:00.000-07:00

shirodhara
'Shiro' (sheer-o) Sanskrit: head
'dhara' (da-ra) Sanskrit: flow
n. the pouring of oil (or other liquid) in a continuous stream over the forehead.

Shirodhara therapy comes from India's ancient system of health and healing, Ayurveda.

It is a profound experience. One lays on a table, face-up, eyes closed. A copper pot hangs from above. An individually prepared combination of warmed oil flows through a small opening in the pot, falling gently on the forehead.

Deep relaxation begins.

The oil flows anywhere from twenty minutes to forty minutes.
The entire appointment lasts 40 minute to one hour.

The oils that are used are organic vegetable oils. Local oil will be used when available.

At the end of the appointment, the shirodhara oil may be taken home and used for partner massage, self-massage, or as a sleep-aid. (Applying the oil to the soles of the feet and to the top of the head at night may promote sound sleep, is good for the nervous system, and is good for the hair and scalp.)

The oil may also be reserved for your next shirodhara.

It is advised to plan only light activity for the remainder of the day.