Ano ba talaga ang masahe? Bakit ba nauuso ang pagpapamasage? At ano ba talaga ang mga benepisyo nito? Masarap bang magpamasahe? Okay, first let us go back to the history of massage and what massage was. Massage is the simplest and oldest form of medical care. Professional therapeutic massage is an age-old healing art, which alleviates physical, mental and emotional ailments. The practice dates back to the Chinese in 3000 BC. Other references in the Bible refer to anointing the body with oil. In 460 BC Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine prescribed it as a beneficial treatment for his patients. Instinctively, we humans respond to pain by rubbing or pressing the area. Di ba pag nauntog ka hinahaplos mo agad o minamasahe unti-unti ang parte na nauntog? So instinct na talaga natin ang mag-massage especially Filipinos. We are gifted when it comes to touch therapy. Isa ito sa ating mga talents or gifts na bigay ng Poong Maykapal. The Philippines has a lot of indigenous therapies to be proud of including Tapik kawayan or bamboo tapping, Dagdagay (a form of foot massage) and more. Definitely, Filipinos excel in the area of touch therapy.

According naman to PD 856 Chapter XIII of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Republic of the Philippines: massage is a method wherein the superficial soft parts of the body are being rubbed or stroked or kneaded or tapped for remedial, aesthetic or hygienic purposes. It also includes the practice of reflexology, synchrotherapy, physical therapy, and other similar techniques that use instruments and/or other parts of the body. So ang masahe ay isang napaka generalized term to indicate that muscles are being manipulated mostly for the purpose of relaxation. Sometimes for therapy purposes. Kaya marami tayong nakikitang mga spa na nag-o-offer ng massage at mga home massage services.

What are the benefits ng massage? Marami and I will only name a few (I will not explain and delve into every single detail, suffice to know that these are the benefits, pros or advantages of getting a massage):

• It improves blood circulation and the flow of tissue fluid
• It helps stimulate the flow of nutrients and oxygen to tissues
• It lowers the heart and pulse rate
• It detoxifies the body systems
• Hasten excretion of waste products
• Assist in weight loss
• With the right oils, massage nourishes the skin
• Promotes repair and renewal of body cells
• Improves muscle tone
• Soothes and relaxes the nerves and aching muscles
• Relieves stress and has a relaxing effect
• Relieves pain in certain conditions
• Creates a feeling of well-being

So as you can see napaka raming benefits ng massage. Unfortunately, there are also many medical conditions in which massage is not appropriate. The body is being compromised by these conditions and massage may worsen the situation. If you are not sure, check with your doctor before having a massage. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Below are some tips, precautions and contraindications of massage:

Edema or pagmamanas- hindi tayo pwedeng mag massage sa area na grabe ang swelling, edema or pagmamanas. This is due to the fact na, there might be an underlying cause to this edema and as massage therapists, we do not want to aggravate the situation. It is better if the client consults first a physician.

Fever- hindi pwedeng whole body massage kung may fever. If you have headaches and fever, a light, gentle massage on the forehead that will just relieve the pain, can be tolerated but I do not recommend whole body massage. Lalo na sa may lagnat at trangkaso since you will be subjecting the client’s body working overtime in order to counteract any toxin effects at the same time excrete them. We do not want to overwork the body as it is at the same time, the fever might be caused by an infection. Until that infection is being addressed to, I would like to advice to refrain from a whole body massage.

Bruising or hematoma or pasa- It is better not to touch the bruised area.

Broken Bones- of course common sense, huwag galawin ang may pilay BUT in some cases, yung may pilay ay nagagamot ng “hilot”. As I told you in my first paragraph, I do not want to be dogmatic. There are some medical conditions na hindi pwede sa massage pero pwede sa “hilot”. It’s up to your discretion.

Various heart conditions like high blood- kung high blood ka hindi ka pwede magpa masahe. This is a no-no. Especially pag mataas talaga ang reading ng blood pressure mo.

Varicose veins- especially yung talagang galit na galit. Please do not put too much pressure on varicose veins baka pumutok yan.

Never massage directly on infected skin- example, where there are warts, herpes, boils or where there is inflammation (pamamaga), unexplained lumps (hindi maipaliwanag na bukol), bruises and cuts.

Pag pregnant- Although there is what we call pregnancy, maternal or prenatal massage, massage is best avoided during the first three months of pregnancy when the risk of miscarriage is highest.

Pag may period, menstruation (regla)- yung ibang western thought pwedeng magpa massage kahit may menstruation, ako, I personally discourage it because as females, we sometimes have the tendency na maging prone sa hematoma or mag bruise during our monthly period. Also your period might stop after the massage session and we do not want that since ang monthly period is considered dumi ng katawan at dapat ilabas.

Do not eat heavy right before a massage

It is advisable not to drink alcoholic beverages, smoke, take a bath or expose yourself to cold right after a massage as this will alter the temperature of your body and shock your systems. Thus, will not be good for the over all well-being. As much as possible, hot beverages like “ginger tea or salabat” or warm water is advisable rather than drink “iced tea”. Bakit mahalagang hot or warm? Because after a massage, your body has been exposed to heat and the last thing you do not want to do is expose yourself immediately to cold temperature. Na-sho-shock din ang katawan so give it time to adjust. Kaya yung mga matatanda may tinatawag na “lamig” (or what is scientifically referred to as nodules). There could be some truth in it, kasi nga naman pag galling sa mainit ine-expose natin ang katawan agad sa malamig eh di talagang yung mga pores natin mag-tra-trap ng lamig sa katawan dahil open sila due to exposure to warmth. Kahit naman sino hindi maganda ang sudden changes of temperature di ba?

Be open to your massage therapist- if you feel any discomfort say so, if the speed of movement, pressure or technique needs to be changed say so and feel free to give feedbacks. Huwag mong tiisin kung nasasaktan ka na. When asked about any health-related information give your therapist accurate health information, do not withhold anything that is worthy of mentioning.

Ø Be informed that massage has its greatest benefits over time. So, the more regular your massage is, the better you will feel in due time and the more quickly the body will respond to the therapy. For general preventive health maintenance, a 60-minute massage every two weeks or at least once every fifteen days is the ideal frequency. In cases of specific problems or dysfunction, more often is recommended (one every four days at the most), until an appropriate outcome of achieved.

When it comes to legalities naman ano ang dapat mong malaman? Okay, so in the Philippines, PD 856 of Chapter XIII Sec. 9.1.1 states that no person is authorized to practice massage in the Philippines without holding a valid certificate of registration for masseur issued by the Committee of Examiners for Masseurs and approved by the Secretary of Health. Meaning, if we are to be technical and dogmatic, hindi pwedeng mag massage ang isang tao if you are not licensed. Especially kung ito ang iyong source of income. I also have a similar article on how to be a Licensed Massage Therapist and it is found in the following links:

http://howlicensedmassagetherapistphilippine.blogspot.com/

http://www.helium.com/items/1031069-licensed-massage-therapist-philippinesso

http://www.ehow.com/how_2118585_be-licensed-massage-therapist-philippines.html

http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-Tk_FcgoobqgiAGV3E5M-?cq=1

But it doesn’t mean na kung hindi licensed ang iyong massage therapist ay hindi na siya magaling. Hindi rin ibig sabihin na kung may license yung iyong massage therapist ay magaling siya mag masahe. Marami tayong magagaling na nag-ma-massage but they are not licensed. The best self-regulation here is for the massage therapist to know and asses the client well and adopt certain techniques in massage that would help the client and not harm them. Yun lang. Generally naman ang massage is non-invasive eh so no worries. We do not need to worry as massage has been used centuries and centuries ago.

There are also more than 400++ types of massage and we will only discuss yung mga pinaka-common. There are massage therapies that differs in:

1. Pressure - may madiin, may magaan, may medium pressure lang
2. Techniques- may inaapakan, may binubuhat, may ini-i-stretch, atbp.
3. And History- depende sa country of origin
4. As well as differentiation in the type of lubricant that massage therapists use. Sometimes, they use oil, cream, gel, lotion, powder or none at all. So it all depends on the type (or sometimes referred to as modality) of massage and the massage therapist or client’s preference. Whatever one has to use, it has to have a beneficial effect to the body.
5. Client preparation- if they need to be half-naked, clothed or fully-clothed. Generally, only (as applicable) shorts with underwear are worn. Unless otherwise indicated.
6. Time or Duration- massage therapies generally runs an hour

Acupressure- This type of massage technique, are for certain areas lang, it is not designed as a whole body massage or application (otherwise you might mistake this as a Shiatsu) and it can be applied with our without lubrication, medium to hard ang pressure. The massage therapist may or may not use fingers, wooden sticks for massage, etc.

Aromatherapy Massage or Aromassage- this is being incorporated into many massage modalities. As long as the massage therapist is using authentic (not synthetic) organic oils. This is essential oil/s blended with a carrier oil, pwede. So the Swedish massage can be an aromatherapy Swedish massage if the oils used are true aromatherapy oils and not synthetic ones. If these oils are plant-based it can also be considered Phytotherapy incorporated into massage. How can you be sure if its really organic and natural? Buy from reliable, credible sources and FYI, these oils are not cheap. Beware of imitations and cheap oils. Not unless you want mineral oils.

Chair Massage or On-Site Chair Massage- This type can be performed sitting upright on a stool or a low backed chair or a professional massage chair. This can be done in just five, ten, fifteen minutes to nearly an hour. Most commonly done for 30 minutes. Focuses on the back and shoulder area, nape and head. Normally uses cream as lubricant and client is fully clothed. This can be incorporated with acupressure, hand reflexology or Indian Head massage. Pag Indian head massage, this can include the back, shoulders, arms/hands, nape/neck, head/scalp and face.

Deep Tissue- sometimes referred to as Sports Massage- as the name implies deep, meaning do not expect a gentle pressure here and this is not a massage for relaxation but to ease aching muscles. It is basically used to enhance sports performance and recuperation. An effective component of any training program. It may or may not be whole body as the therapist may focus on certain areas that are being specifically used in sports. Like the groin and legs if the client is a runner. It also involves some form of stretching and range of motion techniques. Duration is normally one hour to two hours.

Geriatric Massage- the opposite of infant or Pediatric has some form of gentle techniques specific to ease joint pains and other chronological symptoms of aging.

Hilot- there is a lot of conceptions (and misconceptions) regarding Filipino traditional hilot. One hilot may start in the back area and another in the head area and still another hilot in the leg area. In older generations, hilot is not sought after if a person is not sick. Historically, hilot is considered a healing modality. The techniques here are not important but the focus is the persona and energy that the manghi-hilot will impart. Herbal application with coconut oil is common. Sometimes, Sampaguita oil and ylang-ylang are being blended with the coconut oil. Other considerations can add up to the experience like pulse reading, skin analysis, thermal diagnosis, banyos, suob or oslob (steam inhalation of aromatic herbs) amongst others. It can run from an hour to more than two hours. Hilot is not only relaxing but a healing therapy in itself. I suggest every Filipino to try this out.

Hot Stone Massage- these are warm smooth stones applied either before or during the massage. It can be integrated into some types of massage too. The therapist typically employs Swedish massage techniques with the stones placed on your spine, palms of your hands and in between your toes. It runs from an hour to two hours. Expect that this is more expensive than a typical massage because of the required preparation needed and the duration. These stones may also be used to massage certain areas of your body. A variation of this is the herbal ball massage common in Thailand. Where the herbal ball contains certain herbs, heated and applied on certain areas especially the back and shoulders to relieve aches and pains.

Infant or Pediatric Massage- as the name implies, it is done on kids, children and babies.

Manual Lymph Drainage or Lymphatic Drainage Massage- sometimes referred to as Slimming massage or Anti-cellulite massage because of its pumping and suction techniques to improve the flow of lymph by using light and rhythmic strokes.

Pregnancy, Maternal or Maternity Massage- this is another variation of Swedish massage but focusing on relieving the discomforts of pregnancy.

Reflexology- if we are to be technical about this type or massage, reflexology concerns itself focusing on the feet, hands and ears, not the whole body. So technically speaking, there is no such thing as whole body reflexology. If you have to have an authentic reflexology, it only concentrates itself on the hands, feet and ears. Today, this is incorporated into many massage modalities and even some spa menu like foot and hand spa. So this is a type of deep compression massage which uses thumb and finger pressure (but the therapist may use instruments and lubricants to aid in the process) as there are specific points in the hands, feet and ears that correspond to the nerve endings of a particular organ or muscle.

Relaxation, Classical, European or Swedish Massage- generally a gentle to medium pressured massage that uses lubricants and a system of gliding strokes, kneading and friction techniques generally in the direction of the blood flow toward the heart. This is the most common form of massage. Typically runs for one hour only. This is my recommended massage for first timers.

Shiatsu- is a Japanese form of whole body, medium to hard pressure, clothed massage, similar to a Thai massage in that, it is done on a floor mat using the therapist’s finger or thumb. Techniques may include: pounding, stretching, rocking and manipulation techniques. Pressure maybe applied by the use of forearms, elbows, palms, feet and knees. Meanwhile, Ashiatsu uses the bare feet of the therapist while the therapist hold on to an oriental bar hanging on the ceiling. While Watsu (Water-Shiatsu) is Shiatsu done in water. So you see, massage also evolves in time. May run from one to two hours long.

Signature Massage- techniques are specific only to the spa and that the massage maybe a combination of three or more massage modalities. May run from one to two hours long.

Thai Massage or Nuad Bo Ram- this is a more rigorous type as compared with other forms of massage because Thai massage employs a series of ranges of motion as well as combine active and passive movements of joints. Therefore this is not recommended for those who have difficulty in stretching or who has bone problems as this employs mostly stretching techniques. It is generally performed on a comfortable floor mat to allow maximum mobility that would allow the therapist to utilize their body weight. The client is fully clothed and no lubricant is required. Western style requires the client to undress for oils to be applied on the body and the massage is most often performed on a massage table. Typically this runs from one to two hours long.

Although massage lost some of its value and prestige with the unsavory image created by “massage parlors”, this image is now fading as awareness of the value and therapeutic properties of massage grows. Thanks to the proliferation of spas all around, massage therapy is no longer viewed as a sexual service but a way to rejuvenate mind and body. So, professional massage therapists may terminate a session because of any illicit or sexually suggestive remarks or advances from the client. Although not a substitute for medical care, massage can reduce or eliminate the need for medication and surgery. Massage today is not only used for humans but pets and animals as well. A variety of massage techniques are now being incorporated into different programs and alternative/complementary therapies including osteopathy, chiropathy, etc. It has now gained popularity not only with well-off individuals but the common people as well. Making wellness a thing for everyone and not only for those who has the money.

As what I have said, massage therapy also evolves with time, you can combine techniques, you can adjust the pressure or make your own steps. We do not have to be dogmatic or too strict on steps and procedures, as long as the result is a better, rejuvenated client, then I do not think there is anything wrong with that. There are also a lot of other forms of massage that I have not mentioned. But these are all for now. In short, there is a lot to learn out there and enjoy from the many variations of massage therapies.

So, what are you waiting for? Go to your nearest spa, massage clinic or call up a home massage service and try their massage today!

This article was written by Eunice, she is a Registered Medical Technologist, a Licensed Massage Therapist and an Emergency Medical Technician. A spa and wellness center consultant, teacher, lecturer, coach (even a cyber coach), referral facilitator, mentor and speaker specializing in Massage/Touch Therapy. A spa and indigenous healing aficionado, connoisseur and information consultant. She will tell you what you need to know and direct you to people who can be of help. One of her advocacies is to make healing and information regarding the field of spa, massage and wellness accessible and affordable to everyone. If you are serious in getting an unbiased opinion and knowing where to get help, for lectures and other concerns she can be contacted at yunesa@yahoo.com or +639184745685 or visit www.massage.meetup.com/6

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A lot of this advertisements and online store does not even dare inform us; the unknowing buyers that what we are really buying is plated Black or is Black Titanium infused Tungsten. Very misleading indeed! Even when I browse around ebay I can see some who would advertise Genuine Black Tungsten Carbide, 100% Genuine Tungsten Carbide or just Black Tungsten Carbide. Intentionally omitting the most important part that a buyer should know so we are able to care for our ring properly. Of course if it is just plated the black color would last approximately 1 to 2 years only. That is if the manufacturer use vacuum electroplating while the rest might not even reach a year. Of course some buyers would not mind because you can always bring it to a jeweller and have the black plating re-done just the same as gold plated Tungsaten Carbide rings. It’s just the principle because for one a lot of this retail store are selling them expensive and it is the sellers responsibility to at least inform us buyers of what we expect from the product. We paid right so we should expect that what we paid for is right as well. But no, we are being mislead by their advertisement. Even their product description only shows what will lure us into buying and nothing else. Another method that is use to make Tungsten Carbide black is by infusing or coating it with Titanium. This is so, because it is far easier to gain a real Black color in Titanium and expect it to last longer than plating. Titanium is also unscratcheable but it is the principle we are talking about here. They are claiming Genuine Black tungsten Carbide and we are actually receiving not what we are expecting. It’s saddening a lot of the online store that sells this product were describing it in a misleading way. Genuine Black Tungsten Carbide, Solid Black Tungsten Carbide, 100% Black Tungsten Carbide etc. etc. Now you know, when you see this kind of advertisement and look into the product description and find nothing then you know you are being mis-informed.

Millions of homeowners with loans will have been disappointed with the decision, as it means that they will have to continue making higher repayments. Many industry professionals have also expressed disappointments, with officials from the British Chambers of Commerce stating that another interest rate cut would have boosted business and consumer confidence, describing the decision to leave rates on hold as a big mistake.

Following the decision one economist stated: ‘Today’s vote was probably very close given the conflicting indicators on the economy and inflation. Although the hawks appear to have won the day this time, the doves will have had plenty to argue about.’ Another said: : ‘Current elevated inflation levels and risks deterred the MPC from cutting interest rates for a second successive month despite mounting signs that the UK economic slowdown is deepening and widening amid tighter mortgageBoE leaves the base rate unchanged lending conditions.’

He also went on to state: ‘It seems odds-on that the Bank of England will trim interest rates from 5.00% to 4.75% in June, thereby maintaining the trend of cutting by 25 basis points every two months.’ Most industry officials are now predicting that the base rate will be cut again in June, and some believe that the base rate could eventually fall as low as 3.5%.

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#2. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is mistaken for hunger.

#3. Even mild dehydration will slow down one’s metabolism as 3%.

#4. One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a university of Washington study.

#5. Lack of water, the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.

#6. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.

#7. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a ! Printed page.

#8. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer. Are you drinking the amount of water you should drink every day?

Coke

#1. In many states the highway patrol carries two gallons of coke in the trunk to remove blood from the highway after a car accident.

#2. You can put a t-bone steak in a bowl of coke and it will be gone in two days.

#3. To clean a toilet: pour a can of coca-cola into the toilet bowl and let the ‘real thing’ sit for one hour, then flush clean. The citric acid in coke removes stains from vitreous china .

#4. To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers: rub the bumper with a rumpled-up piece of reynolds. Wrap aluminum foil dipped in coca-cola.

#5. To clean corrosion from car battery terminals: pour a can of coca-cola over the terminals to bubble away the corrosion.

#6. To loosen a rusted bolt: apply a cloth soaked in coca-cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes.

#7. To bake a moist ham: empty a can of coca-cola into the baking pan, wrap the ham in aluminum foil, and bake. Thirty minutes before ham is finished, remove the foil, allowing the drippings to mix with the coke for a sumptuous brown gravy.

#8… to remove grease from clothes: empty a can of coke into the load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run through a regular cycle. The coca-cola will help loosen grease stains. It will also clean road haze from your windshield.

For your information:

#1. The active ingredient in coke is phosphoric acid. It will dissolve a nail in about four days. Phosphoric acid also leaches calcium from bones and is a major contributor to the rising increase of osteoporosis.

#2. To carry coca-cola syrup! (the concentrate) the commercial trucks must use a hazardous material place cards reserved for highly corrosive materials.

#3. The distributors of coke have been using it to clean engines of the trucks for about 20 years!

Now the question is, would you like a glass of water?

Or coke?

The first and foremost step is for you to identify what type of business will you be engaging in. Remember, that starting a business is like accepting a marriage proposal; you should know what you are getting into. Here in the Philippines, there is a saying that goes “hindi yan parang kanin na isusubo na kapag napaso ay iluluwa” let us apply that in a business situation, in this field, even if it is profitable… it is difficult, it will not be easy, whoever said it was di ba? Are you putting up a massage center? A spa or a wellness center? Let us differentiate the three. A massage center focuses only on massage or bodywork therapies. Purely, massages lang ang i-o-offer mo. A spa on the other hand is a place where you can get spa treatments aside from massage. Siyempre kasama na dito ang facials and body treatments. Kung spa ang gusto mong itayo, then identify what type of spa ba ang itatayo mo? Will it be a hotel/resort spa, medical spa, club spa, cruise ship spa, airport spa, destination spa, atbp. or the most common, the day spa or sometimes referred to as a spa-lon or a combination of a spa and a salon. A wellness center is a lot more broad than a spa kasi ang wellness center ay nag-o-offer ng all of the things that I mentioned plus you also offer either fitness and exercise regimens, yoga, music therapy and other activities to enhance the well-being of your clients. Bakit mahalaga na i-dentify mo ang type of business mo especially if you are starting from scratches? Mainly because, the types of services that you will provide will depend largely on the type of business na mapipili mo. Of course, the wider the scope of your services the larger the capital that you will be needing. So, kung purely massages lang ang i-o-offer mas maliit ang capital as compared to a full-scale day spa or a wellness center.

Secondly, after identifying the type of business that you will be getting into, you have to know the government regulation regarding putting up a spa, massage clinic/ center or wellness center. Directly or indirectly man, you have to know the regulations of the Department of Health (DOH); also the regulations of the Department of Tourism; Department of Trade and Industry; and if you are putting up a spa under a corporation, eh di isama mo na rin ang Securities and Exchange Commission plus, don’t forget your local government office or mayor’s office, wherever your establishment will be located.

I will give you a concrete example, kung gusto mong magtayo ng spa, (some) of the minimum standard requirements in operating a spa establishment in the Philippines according to the revised rules and regulations of the Department of Tourism (DOT), would include, but is not limited to:

1. The location should be safe, reputable and conducive to relaxation.

2. There should be a reception center attended by qualified and trained staff with a lounge area commensurate with the size of the spa.

3. There should be clean and separate washroom areas for male and female clients.

4. The spa should be able to provide: different types of massages, steam, sauna, water baths and other spa treatments.

5. Locker and treatment rooms should be separate for male and female clients.

6. There should be suitable facilities and provisions for the disabled, a well-stocked first aid cabinet, an employees’ lounge, backroom operations, adequate supply of linens, towels and garments, etc.

7. Staff should be trained by internationally recognized institutions or associations; shall be well-groomed, with proper attire and clean.

So, there you got a glimpse already of DOT’s requirements. Alamin mo rin ang requirements ng iba’t-ibang ahensiya ng ating gobyerno, as what I have mentioned.

Third, you have to create your business plan. Nung una, kahit walang business plan okay lang mag start ng business parang before kahit hindi ka nakatapos ng pag-aaral madaling kumuha ng trabaho- not anymore, especially nowadays that it is more difficult earning money. Kaya as much as possible, dapat talaga gumawa ka ng business plan. Ika nga, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. If you have partners, sit down with your partners together with a spa consultant. The business plan should answer a lot of questions including your expected capitalization, location, marketing, your return of investment, break-even, and a whole lot of things - especially about financials etc. Your business plan should have a very strong marketing plan. Also, you as an owner or operator should be able to read the numbers. Then after your business plan is finished, have this re-checked by a lawyer and an accountant. This is to ensure that you are complying with legal laws as well as GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles). The accountant will also be able to identify numerical deficiencies ng business mo so you can adjust even before starting and shelling out your hard earned money for capitalization.

Fourth, is to seek professional help:

Maaaring sabihin mo, “bakit ko pa kailangan ng professional help marunong naman ako?” Examples, if you want to put up a website for your spa, contact a web developer/designer. Then since in step #3 you have contacted a spa and wellness consultant already who will guide you in your business idea. The spa consultant can recommend products, services and suitable materials for your concept. They will save you an enormous amount of money, time and effort by their professional advice. It is better to shell out a minimal amount for a spa consultant than shell out 100,000 pesos (approximately 2,000U$D) as your capital or even more without assurance of getting your profit back in the future. The spa and wellness consultant will be able to advice you on technical things and matters that only a professional would know. The spa consultant should be your trusted adviser. Then the spa consultant should meet your architect, interior designer or construction engineer or whoever is in charge of constructing your business establishment. I know that it is tempting to do everything yourself, but it is really best if you are doing more strategic and important things that only you can do. Kasi kung ikaw ang gagawa ng lahat (not unless if you are a spa consultant yourself, but even a spa consultant needs the help of a web designer, architect, etc. di ba?) mapapagod ka ng husto baka hindi pa nagsisimula ang spa mo eh lawit na dila mo. If you look at the most successful spas, you will observe that they do have a team of trusted advisors in place. So don’t get stuck doing everything yourself. Leave the professionals to do their job and pay them for it.

Fifth, although this should already been laid out in your business plan, you should try it for yourself. Ito ang pinaka masarap at favorite kong part. Scout and try your competitors in your location. This means most, if not all, competitors within 15 miles or 25 kilometers from your location. Try their services, observe the cleanliness, how the staff treats you, the ambiance, what you like and don’t like about their services, etc. This is also the time to ask questions at the reception area like what are their packages and programs, do they accommodate group scheduling, how long will be the treatment, the price, etc. Be very observant and take mental notes of your experience with them. Every time na lalabas ka sa spa, massage or wellness center nila- write it all down in a notebook. This will give you a glimpse of their strong and weak points as well as their operations.

Sixth, by this time, you should have completed your business plan and should be starting out your pre-opening marketing together with training of your staff. Your staff should be trained either or on both: their skills/technical training and their client services and referral building. If you decide to hire a trainer for their technical skills on massage, facials, body treatments, etc. Marami tayong magagaling na trainers especially sa massage. Training period will be dependent on the number of services that you will offer: the more services that you will include in your menu the longer will be your training and the higher the cost for training. After this, train your staff in marketing, advertising, promotions, public relations and client care. Especially if you really do not know how the system works. Marketing is not just ads, flyers and posters. Hindi sapat ang mga ito (these are not enough). One of the most important but often neglected aspect is training staff regarding decorum and proper client handling. However skilled your staff is- if the service is bad, if they don’t know how to communicate with clients or they don’t ask for another appointment, wala rin. In short, if they don’t ask, they don’t get. So, it is very important that your staff should also be trained on things that would make your clients come back for more. Your people represent you, they are your backbone and clients are your bread and butter. Be sure to train your staff in making your clients remember about their experience, how they felt and making them addicted to the experience. Your spa consultant will guide you through this.

Since we are in the topic of how to open or start a spa, massage and wellness center, I would like to stress that although this is a helpful guide, this is nowhere near being complete and perfect. So, the seventh step before you open your spa, massage and wellness center (in the Philippines), is be prepared for glitches, bumps and turns along the way. If you have done your part and what I have told you, you would have seen ups and downs along the way, be more prepared and creative to solve the problem and at least by doing so, you would have reduced your risk and eliminated possible big problems that would have come along the way.

This article is written by: Eunice Estipona a spa consultant, advisor, speaker and lecturer. One of her advocacies is to make healing and information regarding the field of spa, massage and wellness accessible and affordable to everyone. If you are serious about turning your business or practice around, making the right decisions, getting an unbiased opinion and knowing where to get help, for lectures and other concerns she can be contacted at yunesa@yahoo.com or +639184745685. To find out how she can help you take your business to the next level, visit her site at http://www.massage.meetup.com/6

For me, it would be better if Arlo can magnify and harness the power of nature to make the Earth’s, Mars’ and the Sun’s energy more usable to our place called home. Too bad not all people know Mr. Gilbert. But I guess Arlo will be a great earth soldier against global warming and global cooling. Too much cold will hurt as all. People think even Arlo way back then thought that global cooling will cause no harm. But it will. Arlo Gilbert really did a great job doing this one.

We’ll, that’s all what I can say for the moment. I’m sure hope you enjoyed this post I made about Mr. Gilbert. I will post more things about him in my other blogs because I believe that this person is really a great man and a man of fortitude and fidelity. That’s all for now folks and just in case you are reading this Arlo, I hope we’d be able to meet someday and ofcourse, I’ll ask you to teach me how to save the world and save the universe because the string theory is going to diversify time travel in all eternity, again and again, over and over. Yes this is one of the best person you’ll ever meet (in your entire life), that is …if you’ll meet him.

Time is now up. Again, have a nice morning, evening and afternoon to all the fans of this person named from the greek god of supernova, Arlo Gilbert. See you all.

PS. Please don’t forget to save the world, don’t forget to include other planets, galaxies and star systems because I am your father. My name is MacGyver Gilbert, a friend also of Pete Thornton and the A team, including the driver of Kit, I won’t forget the driver of blue thnder and airwolf as well. OK. So that’s it. See you then and altogether, let’s all clap and give the man a round of applause. Kudos Arlo!

Halon is estimated to account for about 20% of ozone depletion since it has 10 times more potential of destroying the ozone layer than that of common refrigerants like those found in automobile air conditioners. Halon together with other man-made chemicals contribute to stratospheric ozone destruction. Such chemicals escape into the atmosphere where they are broken down by solar radiation, then releasing chlorine and bromine atoms which in turn destroy ozone molecules by way of chain reaction. Halon is said to be a major source of bromine.

The ozone hole over the Antartic was observed to be at its maximum size which is about twice as big as Europe in September 2007. And it will sure not return to its normal level until 2075. Thus, the advent of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was launched in 1997. Halon concentrations have even continued to increase since then, as the halons currently contained in fire extinguishers are being released, but such are now being expected to decline.

In line with this, the Philippine Halon Bank which is located in Paranaque City is intended to store decommissioned halon for destruction or recovery.

• How do you know if you have Halon?

Halon was widely used in fire extinguishers. Such fire extinguishers are color-coded yellow.

• What to do if you have Halon?

The Philippine Halon Bank can be contacted on how you should dispose halon. Call (02)542-3119.

In response to Halon phase out by 2010, the fire suppression industry has came up with alternative clean agents that render less threat to the ozone layer but such are only 70% as effective at extinguishing fires. Below are just some of the acceptable substitutes under the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program.

• HCFC-123

• Dry Chemical

• Gelled Halocarbon

• Carbon Dioxide

• Water

Forex is SHORT for the Foreign CURRENCY Exchange Market which is also referred to as FX. It is by far the largest market on the planet turning over more than a trillion US dollars a day. That’s thirty times more than the entire VOLUME of all the equity markets in the United States.

What makes the Forex trading market so unique is that it does not have an actual physical location, nor does it have a central exchange. An over the counter market services banks, investors, corporations, and individuals whether they are buying or selling. This is a great example of a true 24 hour market.

Each morning in Sydney the Forex trading market begins, moving around the planet as the business day opens in each of the financial centers – First it goes to Tokyo, then on to London, and then New York.

When dealing on the Forex trading market you can analyze the CURRENCY market using either the TECHNICAL ANALYSIS approach or the FUNDAMENTAL ANALYSIS.

The TECHNICAL ANALYSIS is used when one wishes to attempt to predict what the future movement is going to be on a specific CURRENCY based on past performance. It entails studying specific factors that can influence a CURRENCY. These factors cold be changes in a Government, a war, a crisis, or several specifics that influence supply and demand which is reflected in the market price.

FUNDAMENTAL ANALYSIS is also referred to as current accounts. They measure the net of imports and exports in any one country and the records the subsequent impact on the CURRENCY flows.

When it comes to CURRENCY trading there is no doubt that Forex or FX is the largest market in the world. Just about every industry is somehow involved in CURRENCY trading – banks, multinational corporations, central banks, governments, financial institutes, retail traders, and a variety of institutions all in one way or another directly or indirectly play in the CURRENCY market.

Thanks to technology an individual can now set up a Forex trading account and begin to trade without any involvement with a bank or trading institute. There are several excellent online forex trading sites where you can get involved with the Forex trading market and begin trading on your own. The big question is are you ready for the rush when you sell high?

Related Articles

• Fundamental or Technical analysis: which one is for you?
• Forex Currency Trading – What’s It All About?
• Fundamental economic analysis

With Mazibo taking care of infrastructure and offshore recruitment of employees, client companies can concentrate on their core businesses. Mazibo will manage the dedicated resources and send reports as and when required by the client company. Scaling up quickly is possible as Mazibo has adequate infrastructure and a vast number of highly qualified skilled professionals at hand.

Scaling down quickly is also possible without any loss because Mazibo will act as a buffer and successfully nullify the harmful effects of ‘Hire and Fire’ strategy thereby cutting costs for client companies while protecting its dedicated employees. It offers a wide range of services from hiring a single operator to a whole team with a manager.

Most poker players, who want to discover the internet and play online poker often make huge mistakes. They just pick an online poker room, and deposit money to their account, which they have just created there. Don’t commit this mistake, don’t be one of these players. There are a few very easy advice, which will help you to stay alive in the world of online poker, even more, it will help you to boost your bankroll and be a more successful poker player! Let’s see some advice:

First of all, be aware which poker room to choose. There are plenty of them on the market. However the competion is quite large, you have to be careful and look for the best opportunities. A lot of these poker rooms offer you bonuses, but these bonuses are not the same. The best offers are collected and can be found very easily on one of the largest and most well-known Hungarian poker portal. You just have to go to this site, and take a look at the right side of it. If you are interested in one of these offers, don’t hesitate, just write an email to info’at’pokerakademia’dot’com and they will help you, even in english. Besides, I have just discovered the international version of the site, which is not 100% complete yet, but the poker bonus and rakeback offers are already available, check it out at InsomniaPoker.com. Personally I recommend you Everest Poker, which is one of the largest sites on the Internet. You can clear the exclusive $500 bonus offer quite easily and trust me, you will find the weakest opponents here. Unfortunately this site is not available to US players, so if you are from the States I recommend you Cake Poker, where you can get $500 bonus and 33% rakeback, if you register through PokerAkademia.com. Remember, rakeback offers are very important in case you want to increase your poker bankroll.

After the room selection you have to be carefull! A lot of players deposit let’s say 200 bucks to their poker account and start playing on 100NL tables, with a blinds of $0.5/1. After their first bad beat, they are complaining, and are mad, because they lost all their poker money on one or two hands. Don’t be one of this players, be rational. If you have $200 for poker, than play on 10NL tables, where you can play quite safely with this poker bankroll. If you have $2.000, than you can consider playing on 100NL tables, but I suggest you playing only on 50NL.

Hope I could give you some usefull advices and don’t forget to find the best poker bonus and rakeback offers. Wish you the best!

All in all, various commissioners will possibly take up proposals aimed at increasing their general control over the Port. By the way if you require a top rated Seattle Criminal Attorney then might I suggest the excellent offices of Kirk C Davis.

He is one of the very best Seattle Criminal Attorney around for sure. To make sure that the “criminal investigation is not compromised,” Sullivan’s letter asked requested a refraining from disclosing any data which is not already featured in the Decemeber twenty audit report. The Former Port Chief Executive Officer Mic Dinsmore, who was responsible for the majority of the period examined, was traveling recently and was therefore not able to be reached for comment, according to an assistant at the investment company where he is currently employed. I hope that he has a good criminal attorney.And In an interview recently prior to learning of the criminal investigation, he stated that the various problems encountered by auditors were not because of corruption necessarily but instead to an aggresive culture which occasionaly flaunted it’s defiance of the Port’s own policies.

The Justice Dept. has been searching extensively, especially of late, for informers and it may in fact begin with the Port managers and consultants who gave information to the auditors. Wow you hardly think of the port of Seattle as such a den for criminal activity in the same way as say, New York or Boston (remember ‘The Departed’ starring Jack Nicholson and Leonardo DiCaprio? Well iI guess it is not up to that standard from a criminal standpoint but is worse than I thought.

The Goji Berry, which is oftentimes called the wolf berry, was discovered in the Asia Himalayan region around Tibet in China and all those individuals who like it are quite cognizent of its rather amazing health promoting promotion prowess. All in all, It works as both a director and carrier of the instructions which cells utilize to interact with one other. It should be noted that the particular master molecules in goji juice have some degree of control over the body’s most critical immune systems.

You can order Himalayan goji juice, which is chock full of vitamins and one of the best possible sources of antioxidant power (as measured by the ORAC score), at Goji-planet.com. They have the quickest delivery service which is available, as it is drop shipped directly from Freelife international itself when you place an online order. You can find all the pertinent data on their website and not only that but they also have a video about juice, telling about all the wellness benefits. So, what are you waiting for? Give your orders now, you don’t need to search for Goji juice in the market, it is online available for you at Goji-planet.com.

Goji juice is very high in antioxidants, as measured by it’s ORAC score….This overly complicated-sounding name just means the total antioxidant
levels for a specific food item and it’s actual potential to absorb the various free radicals
which are responsible for so much cell degradation which can cause, among other things, premature aging.

In the industrial ages, the era wherein the capitalists are getting richer and the poor getting poorer, computers are mainly used to automate a database of consumers. Now, we are at the dawn of the information age and anyone among us can be a capitalist as long as we have unique first hand information. The key features of the information age is getting first hand information and sharing it to the World through a tool known as a blog. “Hello World!” You can use other forms of media but a blog (weblog) is the most economical representation of the human mind and soul.

The days of changing the world by use of mass media is almost over. Changing the world these days will be easy since I’m sure the you’d agree that a blog is considered a conduit of the things we have in our head. being through each other surpassing geographical boundaries. Ofcourse, we won’t set aside people earning through blogs for a living.

For me, a blog is the extension of my organic brain, a compartment of my intricate memories and a tool to extend our persona and our mind and soul to the fast growing World. Later in the near future, 3 generations from my generation, blogging will be part of everyone’s activities of daily living. Just like the 3 necessities of life, eating, sleeping and breathing.

Blogging can change the world? You can start blogging by signing up for a free blog on Blogger and blog about anything. Shout to the world and someone will listen because the whole is always greater than the sum of the its small parts.

This blogpost is an entry to the 1st PinoyPress Contest sponsored by Make Money Blog

Become a part of this forum here.

We have already received calls from all kinds of buildings and homes to help them treat their floors to make them safer for everyone. This is a very REAL business opportunity, the demand for safer floors is REAL, and the danger of falls is very REAL too! There is no doubt that Philippines has a need for our treatments! The question though, is who will represent us to go do the good deed and treat their floors, AND earn money from it. As of now we are not inside the country yet, which is why we are here looking for the perfect business person to do this. But that is not going to be so for very long! As the saying goes, good opportunities never come by twice!

Contact us now if you are interested in a cheap business startup with very real potential for big returns, and if you wish to make the lives of others better! We are currently looking for a Master Distributor in the Philippines. Don’t consider too long though. Judging from the growing number of intelligent entrepreneurs in Philippines, we may not be open for very long! Be the ONE we are looking for, we are serious when it comes down to business!

We have virtually NO competition in this industry.
We are making lives of people safer while we earn.
We have a cheaper startup compared to other businesses.
We provide free training for our products.
We are INTERNATIONAL.
We give excellent support to all our distributors worldwide, unlike other businesses.
We are World No.1 in floor safety.

Drop me an email if you are interested, and we can discuss in more details about this rare opportunity:

dominic@cleangripsolutions.com

www.cleangripsolutions.com