"Natural Balance Massage On..."

A Winter's Night Meditations

2012-01-20T11:27:00.000-05:00

Next to being all cozied up by a fireplace in a woodland lodge at a mountain resort somewhere, I can't think of many things more simple, relaxing, and at the same time refreshing, than an evening of meditation with friends at our own cozy, little, neck of the woods at Natural Balance Massage &Wellness Center.

2012 gives us all a clean slate and fresh, new start. Meditation is not just some new age thing that only granola-eating people do. It dates back thousands of years, and for good reason...but more about that another time.

For now, let's keep it really simple. Meditation is like a tune-up for the brain and the body. To allow you to live up to those resolutions you set for yourself in 2012, it's important that you enter in with a clarity of mind and a strength of purpose. Meditation provides just that. It ignites the fires within that keep your "engine" running smoothly.

So, rather than sitting in front of your television for at least one evening, just as a start, enjoy a fun, relaxing yet productive evening of meditation within a supportive, group environment, and give yourself a chance to forge a new, helpful and very healthful habit.

Our Winter's Night Meditation will be on:
THURSDAY
FEB. 2, 2012
7 PM - 9 PM

The event will be led by Rick Repetti, Ph.D, with practice, discussion, and Q&A.

The fee is $25, $20 if you are a repeat student, or are a Facebook fan (http://www.facebook.com/naturalbalancemassage). If you sign up with a friend, the fee is $20 for each of you. Call (718) 336-8400 to reserve your spot. Seating is limited...Call now!
For more information, visit our main website.

5 Big Myths about Fish Oil

2012-01-13T12:17:00.000-05:00

You cannot ignore the facts. Our diets are generally so limited, that in many cases it is vital that we supplement with what has gone missing. The one supplement I always advise our clients to add to their regimen, if nothing else, is to at least do the OMEGA OILS!

In my case, Omega oils have enabled me to address several issues that have cropped up as I have grown older. My tendency towards eczema breakouts have been significantly lessened since I began taking Omega oils. Whereas once I was ripping my skin off my hands and on parts of my face as a result of the intense itching, I no longer have such episodes, with few exceptions such as when I am overexposing my hands to too much water and such, or whenever I expose my skin to irritants.

My joints...well, sadly, they have suffered some wear and tear throughout the years of use. The taking of Omega oils has lessened the stiffness and pain. It acts like a lubricant, so much so, that I often think of myself as the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz, who rusts up and needs a dose of oil from the can, in each joint. Slowly the squeaking begins to dissipate, the legs and arms begin moving, and Tin Man is back to life! That's how taking Omega oils makes me feel. It took me a while before I noticed any change in my mobility, but sure enough, it happened. I still suffer aches and stiffness, especially in the morning, but I can see how much less of it I now experience.

Then, there's my heart. I have reason to believe that it is vulnerable to heart disease and hardening of the arteries as well, due to family history and poor dietary habits I have engaged in. While I have made many strides to improve my lifestyle and diet, my body could use a little extra help to mitigate some of the damage created. Omega oils help keep the blood flowing, acting in small part as a facilitator against clotting and thickening of the blood caused by triglycerides and cholesterol. I plan to give my circulatory system that extra help! Of course, because Omega oils can be very powerful in this regard, it would be wise for you to consult with your physician or cardiologist before you embark on an Omega oil regimen if you are on any medications.

Finally, there's the issue of my brain. I am a very busy person and can sometimes become overwhelmed mentally. Omega oils are brain food. They help grow your brain, as the attached article states. This is a fact. Study after study has demonstrated the valuable benefits of essential fatty acids upon brain function and longevity. I can think of few other things that reduce one's quality of life than to lose your brain's magnificent abilities. I saw my mother develop dimentia before she passed on, and if there's one thing that makes a person who they are, it's their cognitive function and ability to understand or communicate well. I intend to guard this part of myself as if my life depended upon it, because it does. Dimentia contributed to my mother's demise...it's not just a condition you can live with. It creates deep personality changes that disable the person from taking care of himself in many other ways. So protecting the brain is crucial.

Now, I am very, very particular about which Omega oils I take. Personally, I prefer the liquid by the spoonful, but either way, not all Omega oils are created equally and not all Omega oil manufacturers practice the same principles for ensuring the efficacy and purity of their oils! Badly produced Omega oils are worse for you than taking no Omega oils. Did you know that, when Omega oils are not well produced, the oxidation that takes place in the product not only creates an unpleasant smell and taste, often creating a "repeat" on you right after you ingest it, but that these bad oils actually help form harmful, free-radicals in the body? That is a horrible consequence of taking oils that are not properly handled and carefully produced.

Since this blog is purely educational and informational, I am not selling you any oil...don't worry. I happen to have my favorite brands, and if anyone is truly interested in knowing which ones I use, please contact me at info@naturalbalancemassage.com. I will be happy to let you know what brands I use, but I am not selling anything, by the way; I just don't want to turn this blog inadvertently into an infomercial, which is why I won't mention any specific names here. Just know that when you go to your local discount store, or big-box store, you are most likely not getting the type of Omega oils that will benefit you without hurting you. I pay a little more for my own oils but I am glad to do so, knowing what's at stake. Omega oils, like the fish from which they are derived, can and are sometimes contaminated, basically making things worse for you instead of better.

On that note, I am sharing this article that outlines 5 Big Myths about Fish Oil, to help promote an Omega oil regimen. Have you been taking Omega oil supplements? Have you noticed any changes? If so, please let us know about it.

In Peace & Health,
Linda Camarda

Healing Lifestyles & Spas - 5 Big Myths about fish oil

AMERICA'S 2011 TOP 100 SPAS ANNOUNCED - CNBC

2011-02-08T14:15:00.000-05:00

AMERICA'S 2011 TOP 100 SPAS ANNOUNCED - CNBC

Natural Balance Massage & Wellness Center is named among TOP 100 Spas and we just want to say WOW! Judging from the prestigious list of high-end spas, we are deeply honored to have been selected, and we are even more proud to represent our corner of the country, Brooklyn, New York!

It appears that among the recipients, only four are from the whole of New York City, of which we are one. That's amazing!

As a humble, family-owned facility whose focus is upon wellness and prevention, we at Natural Balance Massage & Wellness Center have always done our part to promote balanced living within our community and beyond. Our urban-sized center is simple and rustic, by comparison to the other honorees listed in the story, but we are confident that our work...world-class massage, top-quality skincare, acupuncture, biofeedback, Yoga, and more, is what has helped us to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the "big guys".

Don't come to Natural Balance Massage & Wellness Center expecting "fancy-schmancy", but DO come if you want to be in a supportive, non-judgmental environment where the emphasis is on results from time-tested, holistic care.

I want to thank those responsible for including us in this prestigious group. We promise to live up to the accolades bestowed upon us, with ever-increasing dedication to education, training, research, and top customer service, for the benefit of all our clients and friends!

Peace,

Linda Camarda

Holiday Gift-Giving Solutions through Spa-Giving!

2010-11-12T23:47:00.000-05:00

I'm going to say it: SPA GIFTS ABSOLUTELY MAKE THE BEST HOLIDAY GIFT!

If I get another kitchen gadget or ill-fitting sweater this Christmas, I think I will scream! Does that sound like you? If so, then you know all too well that our well-intentioned friends and family sometimes need a little help...sometimes even a LOT of help.

Over my lifetime, my favorite gifts that I have enjoyed receiving are "experience"- based gifts, the kind that make my life better without cluttering an already-overfilled house. Things like a night out for dinner, an amazing bottle of vintage wine, a pair of tickets to a terrific concert or show, a day at the salon getting pampered...those all make me go aahhh!

Now, top that with the added benefit of enhancing some one's health and well being, PLUS the amazing bonus of not having to schlep to the overcrowded mall but instead go shopping at a local, small business, and it becomes apparent that some of the best gifts can be had at your local day spa or massage center.

Of course, being the owner of such an establishment myself, you can argue that I am biased on the subject, and while that's true to a certain extent, the facts do back me up.

Medical studies have verified that treatments such as massage and bodywork have biological benefits. Biofeedback, acupuncture, yoga and hypnotherapy have also been proven to affect our physiology rather dramatically, and for the better, too. Spa services, although seen by some as just a pampering experience, are therefore, so much more. They are very helpful to one's health and longevity.

Secondly, it's a well known fact that the holidays can be a very stressful time of year for many people, and so anything you can do to help minimize that stress, is a boon to your health and overall enjoyment of the season. That's why easy, convenient shopping for something that's the "right color", the "right size", and very welcome by most, is the best way to share the joys of the holidays. Spa gifts offer just that!

So, now that I have backed up my position with some expert data, it's my job to give your friends and loved ones the experience of aahhh too, while saving you a few headaches, and some money along the way. This year, we have compiled an amazing array of spa packages and services designed for every budget, as well as a few extra perks!

Holiday Gift-Giving Solution #1:
The Overworked, Very Stressed Person on Your List
A Massage Series...

While this may be on the high end of the price tag spectrum, the benefits far outweigh the costs. If you love him or her and you are able to do so, get them on a regular ongoing regimen of massage treatments! Massage is like exercise: the more you have it, the more your health improves. This year, Natural Balance is offering a six-session series at a great value. The relief from stress and pain is what makes this a great solution for the overworked, under-exercised, and anyone who might otherwise neglect to take better care of his or herself.

Holiday Gift-Giving Solution #2:
The Super-Busy, Over-scheduled Person on Your List
A "Mini" Classic Package...

When there's not enough time to get away for a brief respite, but they still need a break, a small combination treatment like this will cover many needs at a much lower cost than its fuller, several hour counterpart. Our Fast Results Facial is a full, deep cleansing treatment that has been condensed to pack as much punch as the longer version. This is a wonderful solution for that very busy person.

Holiday Gift-Giving Solution #3:
The Happy-Go-Lucky "Giver" on Your List
A Spa Sampler Package...

They've never been to a spa...maybe they never got a massage, and they deserve to be taken care of because they are the giver who is always taking care of everyone else. This solves the problem, because with this package, they get to sample an array of treatments and someone else gets to do the giving for a change!

Holiday Gift-Giving Solution #4:
The Person Who Has Everything or Is Very Picky on Your List
A Spa Gift Card...

You've run out of ideas, you don't know what to do or get for that special someone. They don't need much, but to take good care of themselves. The spa gift card is the perfect solution! This allows the gift-giver to specify, "I want you to do something healthy for yourself and I want you to decide what you want to try". It's a win-win, can't miss gift, especially good for the budget-conscious. At Natural Balance, our gift cards start as low as $50. Terrific for corporate giving, the teacher, the mail carrier, you name it.

Holiday Gift-Giving Solution #4:
You've Waited Until the Last Minute or You Forgot that One Last Person on Your List
An INSTANT Printable Gift Certificate...

Every year, last-minute Charlies run around the mall looking for those gifts that they have either procrastinated on, or neglected to take care of. No need to get crazy! An Instant Spa Gift Certificate allows you to do your shopping from the comfort of your home, click, select, print, wrap and place under the tree! It doesn't get any easier than that and the recipient will still love you for it!

Holiday Gift-Giving Solution #5:
Nowhere to Park the Car...I'm in a Hurry...Don't Want to Risk Getting a Ticket
Natural Balance's "DRIVE-BY" Gift Card Service...

In a hurry and you don't have time to look for a parking spot? In our local, urban environment, this is an often-shared dilemma, especially around the busy holidays. Natural Balance looks to solve this by providing door-to-door service, making your shopping a breeze. As solutions go, this one is one that significantly takes away the stress of shopping for the holidays.

The ultimate solution to holiday gift-giving is to keep everything in balance. Never spend more than you should, because the old adage still applies: it's not how much you spend, but the thought that counts. It's important to stop and take time for yourself, too! Take a break...enjoy a holiday choir, meet up with friends, fill up on good times, and not on food alone. Make time for the joy of the season...and if you're in our neighborhood, come in and say "Hi".

Brooklyn Massage

2010-11-12T11:25:00.001-05:00

quoted from Brooklyn Massage

The Real Power of Massage: Stories in the Life of a Massage Therapist

In order to become a licensed massage therapist, one has to undergo extensive training in all aspects of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology. As a student of massage, you are expected to learn how every single muscle functions, how they interact, and how they can affect an individual’s health. In addition, you are educated in all the other systems of the body in painstaking detail. The Central Nervous System and the Circulatory System become the bane of each therapist-in-training’s existence; memorizing and understanding the vast network of nerves and blood vessels can be an exercise in madness until the time it all finally gels in your mind and you begin to see the “whole” picture…that marvelous, awesome wonder that is the human organism.

At the end of it all, though, massage is first and foremost about the ability to touch another human being and help them restore balance to their body’s natural, self-healing abilities. However, massage can be more than that. In my massage career, I have been privileged to be part of the milestones that mark the lives of our clients…births, deaths, weddings, break-ups, job layoffs, new career, you name it. Over the course of time, our clients at Natural Balance Massage & Wellness Center may have received massage, but in turn, it is THEY who have “touched” us in profound and memorable ways. So it is in tribute to these amazing people, human beings who are more than just a collection of muscles and joints, that I now briefly share one such story on the real power of massage. More will follow in the near future, so stay tuned…

Story #1
(names have been changed)

Greg and Darla
Greg, a young, energetic physician whose specialty is Obstetrics and Gynecology, was one of our first clients when we opened back in 1993. He often came to me for massage after a busy shift during his young, internship days at a NYC hospital. Although a traditionally educated doctor, Greg was a huge proponent of eastern medicine and philosophy. He learned the arts of acupuncture and magnet therapy, and I learned that he utilized these modalities with his own patients, especially expectant moms. I was pleased that the medical establishment had a young pioneer in their midst. Within a couple of years, Greg got married, and soon it became a family affair, with his new wife Darla, now also a regular client of mine. One day, Greg announced that Darla was pregnant with their first child. He wanted her to begin pre-natal care, including regular massages. Her visits to our center were timed with her monthly visits to the obstetrician. Sometimes Darla would arrive for her massage, belly covered in magnets! It was always an adventure to see what Greg would do next. Finally, the 40th week arrived. Darla was ready to deliver, and it couldn’t be too soon for her. She was anxiously ready to finally deliver her baby and alleviate the usual, late-term discomforts. I informed Greg and Darla that a “labor massage” could be performed, which would hopefully help trigger the signals to the body to begin labor. Darla really welcomed the idea. I informed her however, that labor massage would be slightly uncomfortable…somewhat stimulating. Having already cleared it with her own Obstetrician, she was all for it! I then applied stimulatory, cleansing massage with a focus to acupressure points that are known triggers of oxytocin, a hormone that promotes contractions, among other things. We ended our session, and I hoped that she would be able to relax until such time as the baby arrived. The next morning, upon arriving to the massage center, I got an amazing call. Greg, who was still at the hospital, called to say “Thanks”. He went on to tell me that later in the evening, shortly after her labor massage, Darla went into labor! She delivered a beautiful baby girl very early that morning and all went well…mommy and baby were resting comfortably. I was so moved that Greg took the time to call me, his and Lisa’s massage therapist. What an honor! We were on the call list, and in some small way, we helped contribute to a healthy, successful pregnancy and birth. Greg and Darla continued to come to us for massage, and they subsequently had two more children until they eventually moved away. To this day, I think of this beautiful family whenever we have the chance to work with another expectant mom. Towards the 9th month, I ask them, “So, are you ready to deliver this baby with a labor massage?”, and then I send out a loving thought to the family that started it all for me, their massage therapist!

Be sure to visit Natural Balance Massage for more information.

Meditation is Self-Massage for the Mind!

2010-10-22T23:14:00.003-04:00

I LOVE massage and if I could, I would receive one, each and every single day! There are few others who love massage more than me. So what I am about to tell you may come as a surprise...
Read more »

Making the Most of Your Massage

2010-10-07T18:00:00.004-04:00

In this excerpt from Healing Lifestyles & Spas, the author provides some very good tips that we at Natural Balance Massage and Wellness Center continually drive home with our clients. I especially like the fact that it mentions the importance of the client being 50% of the session and that therefore [the client] has the responsibility to speak up and make their needs or preferences clearly known.

Sometimes I hear people say, "Oh, I don't want to get the therapist in trouble", or "I don't like to tell the therapist what to do because I don't want to make them feel bad", or "The therapist should KNOW what I like or want". WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!

Natural Balance - Brooklyn, NY, 11234 - Citysearch

2010-10-06T19:31:00.001-04:00

The Polls are Now OPEN! The voting has begun for "BEST OF" on Citysearch. Please cast your votes for Natural Balance Massage today.

When you click on the link below, just look for the green checked box "vote now" and click to see all the eligible categories from which you may select:

Natural Balance - Brooklyn, NY, 11234 - Citysearch

We hope that our dedication and deep passion for therapeutic work and great customer service has won your votes.

Please share this with all the friends and family who have also visited with us and who have used our services. We count on all of you to make Natural Balance and Brooklyn more recognized for our contribution to wellness and stress reduction.

Thank YOU!

Natural Balance - Brooklyn, NY, 11234 - Citysearch

The Benefits of Using a Neti Pot

2010-09-14T21:04:00.001-04:00

Natural Balance Massage is a proponent of Sinus Cleansing and the use of Neti Pots. Here is an interesting article we received from Hugger Mugger Yoga Threads Newsletter, that explains what Neti Pot cleansing is and what it does. It has been our observation at Natural Balance that the clients who use the Neti Pots report relief from sinus infections and reduction in colds and congestion. Although this writer below does not elaborate on the Neti Pot's effects, we understand that when done correctly, the draining process goes beyond the superficial nasal passages and into the deeper sinuses located just adjacent to the nasal cavity. Therefore, this process results in a good irrigation of the sinuses that can become congested and subsequently infected. What has been your experience with this ancient, natural treatment? Let us know!

Excerpted from Yoga Threads Newsletter, Volume 1, Issue 5, from Hugger Mugger.com...

The benefits of using a Neti Pot... Dr. Oz and Oprah Love it!

by Crystal Griffiths

Ragweed in the United States is at an all time high, which means many allergy sufferers are feeling the misery this fall, but you can be prepared for this by using a Neti Pot. Washing your nose is every bit as normal as brushing your teeth or taking a shower, according to Dr. Oz and Oprah!

Centuries ago the kinds of materials that entered our bodies through our nose were probably a lot less harmful than, the substances that enter our body through our nose today. So what can be done about it you ask? It's simple, rinse your nose! Try a Neti Pot.

People rinsed their noses years ago, long before they were dealing with all the pollutants of today, the concept behind the neti pot is simple. Put a saline substance in your neti pot, use warm water, add non-iodized salt to the water mixture. Lean over your sink, lower your head sideways, and pour the water-salt solution in one side of your nose. The water will run out of the other side of your nose! No, you won't swallow it (not if you're leaning your head over and twisted sideways enough)...! Once you have rinsed in one direction, you tilt your head in the other direction and do it again.

The benefits of neti pots can be obvious. Your nose filters impurities from the air through fine hairs. These hairs get cleaned through blowing your nose, but actually rinsing them will get them much cleaner.

Since allergens are some of the particles that neti pots rinse away, allergy sufferers report great benefits from regular use. People who take yoga have learned to use their neti pot before class so that they can breathe consistently throughout the entire class.

The Therapeutic Benefits of Hypnosis

2010-08-25T17:45:00.001-04:00

Natural Balance Massage & Wellness Center promotes the use of Hypnosis as a valuable tool for the treatment of stress and pain-related disorders. In addition, we endorse the use of Hypnosis to augment other therapies, including but not limited to psychotherapy, weight programs, addiction programs, eating disorders, and more. The following article from Healing Lifestyles & Spas gives a great description of what hypnosis is and also provides historical information. For information about our own Hypnosis program, please call (718) 336-8400. Read more »

Successful Weight Loss Thoughts

2010-08-19T13:51:00.003-04:00

There really is no short cut to weight loss AND maintaining it for the long term. Most of us really do know this fact deep down in our hearts, but we often fall prey to the quick fix and fast results solutions, only to find ourselves in a continuous, proverbial "yo yo". I am an equally guilty member of this approach to weight loss, and as a result, over the years I have continued to grow larger and larger with each failed weight loss attempt. Don't get me wrong...I have always managed to lose the weight once I put my mind to it, but keeping it OFF is a whole other story, one which I have lived through over and over again.

Clearly I need to strongly consider a more deliberate approach that doesn't rely on short term gains only. Oh yes, I know...I am very good at speaking the good talk about "lifestyle" changes and all that. By now, we have all adopted the politically acceptable lingo that calls for a more measured and balanced approach to our weight issues, but do we REALLY live it? Sadly, most of us do not. It's so easy to fall back into old habits.

I have no problem seeing food issues as an addiction, in light of the fact that the behavior and results are very much the same as any other form of addiction or negative habit. The key, therefore, is to treat it with the earnest seriousness that is commonly applied to other addictive behaviors. After all, overeating and lack of exercise can be just as bad, if not sometimes worse, for your health and longevity than some other forms of addiction.

On that note, to bolster my efforts and those who find themselves in a similar predicament, I think that the following article by Healing Lifestyles and Spas is a good way to explore this further and open up the discussion. Read on, and let me know what you think!

Linda
Natural Balance Massage & Wellness Center

Healing Lifestyles & Spas - Successful Weight Loss

Brooklyn Yoga

2010-07-28T20:59:00.002-04:00

Please visit our other blog site...
Brooklyn Yoga

Limited Time Promotion!

2010-06-04T20:22:00.011-04:00

Limited Time Promotion...
Follow These Instructions:

Join and "like" us on our Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/naturalbalancemassage
Or... become a follower of our blog
http://www.naturalbalancemassage.blogspot.com/

Terms & Conditions

Submissions will be accepted until June 30, 2010. There will be one (1) service awarded for every fifty (50) new persons who join us either on our Facebook page or our blog page, (links shown above), AND who also post a comment. Don't forget to post a comment on your service of choice. Make it interesting, and do not just type in the name of the service. Tell us something about your choice! Existing Facebook "fans" as of June 3, 2010 or who already "like" Natural Balance (new terminology)...you will also be fully eligible for the drawing. Services will be awarded in the form of a gift voucher, which you may use for yourself or transfer to someone else. Note: medical cosmetic procedures and nutrition counseling are excluded from this promotion. We will be awarding anywhere from one (1) up to a maximum of ten (10) single services from our menu. Only one award per individual will be allowed. The gift voucher will have an expiration of 120 days from date of issue. The gift voucher will have no cash value. Each voucher will be mailed to the winners after being notified via online messaging or email. Recipients will have 10 days to respond to our message, after which an alternate submission will be selected to receive the gift voucher. Services will be available at our Brooklyn, New York facility, by appointment only. All standard cancellation policies and fees will apply to your service reservation. Employees of Natural Balance Massage & Wellness Center and their immediate family members will not be eligible to participate in this promotion. Determination for most interesting post will be made by the administrator. All selections are final and we reserve the right, without notice, to exclude and remove any inappropriate entries or participants. Did I forget anything really, really important? If so, I reserve the right to amend these terms to include that which I may have omitted but which would be essential for the proper and fair execution of this promotion for both all the participants and for Natural Balance Massage.

4Health%20Magazine%20%23113

2010-05-18T17:21:00.002-04:00

As seen in Sports & Wellness Issue May 2010...

4Health%20Magazine%20%23113

A Journey to the Center of my Mind... My Adventures with Hypnosis Therapy

2010-04-23T14:07:00.012-04:00

Hypnosis therapy has been an eye-opener. It's like a trip into a new universe, full of unknown galaxies, and it resides inside me, inside my world of brain matter, neurons, synapses, and memory banks! Read more »

A Day in the Life of Natural Balance: Humor at Work

2010-03-21T01:45:00.004-04:00

This is a true story.

It was early on a Thursday evening and I was home preparing dinner in my kitchen, when the phone rang. As I said, "Hello", a distinctly animated, Brooklyn-inflected voice replied, "Hi Linda, it's Denise, and I'm sorry to bother you but we have us a 'situation' heah (sic). So, here's the deal. There's a strong smell of marijuana comin' from the vents from the upstairs apartment. They're havin' a party up there! Oh my God, it stinkin' up the place...we have to do something!"

As I listened to Denise vividly lament about the possibility of some wild party taking place in the midst of our quiet, therapeutic environment, I was very somber and quiet with concern. Then it suddenly dawned on me what was happening, and that's when I burst into deep, side-splitting laughter, hitting the floor with weak knees from laughing so hard.

"Denise", I said very calmly trying to regain my composure, " it's not marijuana at some party above us...it's Dr. Zhai, (our beloved and much revered Acupuncturist), heating up the Chinese herb called Moxa, for his patient tonight."

Denise was incredulous, replying, "what the...?" I explained, "yes, I know, it does have a strangely pungent aroma doesn't it?" Denise exclaimed, "Oh my God, Linda, it smells just like marijuana!". I immediately reassured her that it wasn't, and that it was a TOTALLY LEGAL, thousands-year-old Chinese treatment with herbal mug wort that is commonly used in Acupuncture.

I could picture Denise's wide-eyed, jaw-dropped face and I couldn't help it...I burst out in laughter again, as tears rolled down my cheeks. Then after laughing my head off at her expense, I confessed to Denise that the first time I had encountered Moxibustion, as it is correctly known, I too believed that someone was having "a bit of a party", and I then walked around madly looking for the perpetrator, only to find poor, innocent Dr. Zhai busy at work performing Acupuncture.

When I told Dr. Zhai what I had been thinking, HE laughed at ME, with his twinkling eyes, amused at how we westerners don't know much about ancient ways, and he remarked in his endearing Chinese accent, "Ah, oh Rinda, yes, that's funny".