The End is a Beginning Too!

Three years ago I made a split second decision to move my business to Littleton. It was a necessity at the time that grew to a comfort that I never knew I could have! Recently, I opened myself up to the universe to guide my next stage in evolution as a massage therapist and doors have been opened, paths have been lit, all guiding me to my new home at Elevation Health in Southeast Denver.

Over the years I have had the pleasure of working with some of the best clients I could imagine and have enjoyed learning of your stories, both the ones you and your body tells! I have dived deep into tissues and emotional releases, seen you flourish and suffer, the wisdom I have gained from touching each of you is not something I take for granted! You have all been instrumental into creating the therapist I am today and I hold a space of immense gratitude for every chronic condition, every pregnancy sore, every new life, every sigh of deep relaxation.

I have been procrastinating this message to you, because this massive change in my life hasn't fully been accepted by my mind. My body is saying let's go on an adventure and my mind is still stuck in the fear of the unknown.

Littleton has gifted me an easy commute, a plethora of eclectic people, and has even given me MassageBook's #1 Massage Therapist for the majority of time being here, something that truly honors me!

I can't imagine what the future holds, and hope that this change is as positive for you as I imagine it will be for me! Since I will be moving into a space with other practitioners I wanted to share with you some of the new services that will be available at this new location:

• Prenatal, Pediatric, & Family Chiropractors (Mon-Fri) | Dr. Patti Gonzalez, Dr. Maggie McInnes
• Pediatric Naturopath (Mondays) | Dr. Meg Hammell
• Lactation Specialist (Group on Wed @ 10:30am | Private Wed & Sat) | Ana Hill, IBCLC
• Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist (Wednesdays) | Dr. Ashley Zimmerman
• Whole Body Scanner (Thursdays) | Becca Dickerson
• Midwifery (various) | Heidi Hennigan
• Doula (various) | Heidi Hennigan
• Placenta Encapsulations (various) | Heidi Hennigan
• IV Therapies (Mon-Fri/except Wednesdays) | Nurse Kim Rivera
• Frequency Specific Micro-current (Mon-Fri/except Wednesdays) | Nurse Kim Rivera
• Energy Work (Mon-Fri/except Wednesdays) | Nurse Kim Rivera

I will begin working Fridays & Saturdays at Elevation Health to begin, with the intention of expanding days as books begin filling up. 

I have also made a few changes to my business, that I believe will make the process more seamless:

• Single Memberships- will now be available for just single members at $150 annually and $60 for each additional member (payment plans are still available on an as needed basis, discuss with me) 
• No Tip Policy- I have gone back and forth for a few months contemplating this change, I believe enacting a NO TIP policy better serves the work I do and you as clients (no more feeling the guilt of not tipping or running out to your car to tip, all of my prices account for my personal and business needs). Please respect this decision and don't tip.

I will be working with the providers at Elevated Health to provide packaged services as well, stay posted for that!

Understandably, for some of you this change will be more stress than benefit, but wherever your services land, I hope you all continue to enhance your state of being through holistic approaches!

Yours in touch,

Lizzie Johnson, LMT

Welcome to Writing Wedensday

As I work towards finding new ways to engage both my current clientele and those that are lurking in the shadows, never have experienced the light bodywork could bring to their life, I am going to attempt to publish a blog every Wednesday about holistic health or happenings at the Holistic Hummingbird.

This week, I am gearing up to be back at the office close to full time once more. Post-partum and ready to set down my wee ones long enough to open my hands to all of you! I look forward to hearing all the things I've missed in your lives and discovering new ways to facilitate your bodies journey to heal. 

We have adjusted pricing and service menu to maximize the quality provided to clients and give each person that comes through our doors the time and care they deserve. The intention was to focus on how to reward regulars without stalling the ultimate mission of creating a holistic health center tailored to the individual as they weave through the adventure of life.

We continue to look for a new practice location to build on the foundation that has been created in our humble Littleton home. I can't wait to reignite your tissues and celebrate the triumphs in your life as we travel down the road less paved. Remember, your wellness is accessible, even if it feels unobtainable now.

Yours in touch,
Lizzie Johnson, LMT

My Self-care Journey

For my wellness class, we had to establish a clear goal based on our "lifestyle wheel," I found that I lacked in family, spiritual, and emotional areas, but I severely lacked in my "self-care" area. Ironic, as my entire life is based on providing this essential to others.

I thought that if I focused on this area the other areas of my life would grow as well.

My 21 day goal was to take part in an hour of self-care ritual each day. Not only has this goal been great at enhancing my journey, but it has also been good at making me realize the little self-care rituals I participate in, making me more aware of the gifts I receive each day.

Day 1- I received a 90 minute lymph drainage session, much needed and cleared the clog on my head that has been causing ice-pick headaches.

Day 2- I floundered at this a bit, I was tired, so my self-care activity revolved around lounging with my family and enjoying a movie night and take-out, though I'm a proponent for organic nourishing foods, we all need to indulge our taste buds once and awhile.

Day 3- I got to stimulate my creative juices and assembled salt scrubs (30), bath bombs (80), and gift baskets for my friends bridal shower. Many may think this is work, but the husband entertained our son so I got uninterrupted time to be creative. Something I don't get much of.

Day 4- I went to my support group for people who have family members suffering from addiction. This group has been instrumental in delving deep into my root problems that contribute to disruption of my peace of mind. What made it all the more enjoyable was my husband taking our son, I don't get to enjoy the group without him running around and causing disruption so it was nice! I also deleted all the games off my phone, I realized I spend a lot of time playing games when I could be nourishing myself and doing things that require my attention. My goal is to replace these short bursts with solid self-care time.

Day 5- I spent cuddle time with my son in the morning, we giggled and tickled and enjoyed the wee pre sun rise activities of mom and son bonding. I don't get much time with just him and I without stress of the "to-do" list looming. I just got to enjoy us.

Day 6- I was able to do an hour of yoga, I had a toddler climbing all over me, but me-time is me-time regardless of who interferes.

Day 7- I tried desperately to take a nap before my swing shift, but didn't get to, my mind was racing with my to-do list and feeling guilty about it all. When I got to work I was able to move my last client of the day up two hours and leave an hour earlier than anticipated. This extra hour was an extra hour of seeing my son before he went to bed, which nourishes me.

Day 8- An hour massage, woohoo! I love my massages and since it's my birthday month I am getting one a week (and a two hour the day before my birthday). 

Day 9- I'm slacking, but managed to get about 45 min of yoga in today, me is not the priorit today.

Day 10-everything I did today revolved around service to others, I tried but couldn't get more than 10 minutes of meditation in.

Day 11- Made it to my support group and went out to eat with my son, much needed soul nourishing

Day 12- Went to counseling, focused on fears and dreams for the upcoming future, was a good session!

Day 13- Took a 90 minute nap with my son, live Cuddling the lil bear!

Day 14- low clients today so got out 4 hours earlier than expected, spent the time cleaning, which puts my mind at ease, self care is a good environment!

Day 15- got to hang out with the family for a few hours enjoying food and outdoor time

Day 16- 2 Hour Massage and game night with my friends, much needed!!

Day 17- Trip to blackhawk for my birthday with my husband.

Day 18- Trip to blackhawk then a lazy recoup day...lots of sleeping!

Day 19- Went to lunch with my son

Day 20- 5 minutes of zen for me, not much time to do anything else

Day 21- Grandma took me out for my birthday breakfast, plus 30 min yoga in between clients!

What I noticed on this journey....

Overall, my mood improved, I became generally happier and kinder to people I interacted with. I deleted games on the phone and swapped it for time cherishing me. My body feels happier than it has in a long time and I notice a beat on my step. I feel more grateful for everything I have and have taken note of the small activities that I can call self-cate because they nourish my soul. I think I have grown closer to my son and husband and I have enjoyed going to work more. I got sick on day 17, and I'm thinking this is a sign that my body has been overworked and overstressed. I feel happy about maintaining this relationship with myself and making me time more of a priority!

July's Message: Artichokes

My fingers dance along the patches of skin that collide to form your costume, your shell.
The most beautiful parts of you are inescapably hidden beneath a thorny warning-
Prickly prefaces that tell a story of a past that caused you to grow so far from your roots,
You lost all sight of your heart that everyone cherishes so dearly,
Even I, who is you just as you, that person in the mirror, is me,
Had a hard time to get past that capsule that held you helplessly,
Lavishing as the victim underneath.
I had to peel you layer by layer, not like an onion, that is simple to reach the center,
No, you were better guarded than a tightly woven artichoke-
Casted around a heart of gold.
That heart failed to glimmer like the one that stood before.
The skin had grown around you too far for anyone to know.
Now with unreserved release you seem to be coming unglued,
Sifting through the thorns and leaves, you've come to parody,
Some of the hardest spots are gone but you're not sure how much is quite left,
Peeling incessantly to un-choke your heart.

So honored to have such great clients that trust me with their bodies each day! Thank you!

Yours in touch,

Lizzie Johnson, LMT

February's Message: Touch as a Way to Thrive

Here we are, the month of love. Perhaps you dislike the hallmarky, candy obsessed holiday, or perhaps you see this as a reminder to share the love. Whether your single or on your 50th year to the beau who stole your heart years ago you better listen up, because touch=love.

It wasn't long into my massage experience that pain relief brought me a new sense of freedom and deep admiration for the therapist that got me there! Going into my massage education I still didn't understand the remarkable transformation occurring from 4+ hours of massage a week.

But...I saw it impacting my life!

The migraines were gone,  my body image began to morph,  my idea of beauty became a hand skilfully gliding through muscles,  the tender parts of my body released, and tears at the drop of a hat came out. Everything that 24 years on this earth had stored seemed to just open up in cathartic release.

When you receive positive touch you release oxytocin. Oxytocin is the chemical of love and bonding. 95% of this wonder drug is produced by the cells lining the intestinal wall, probably why you feel those butterflies when you hold someone's hand or cradle your belly when your sad.

Oxytocin is called the mother hormone because it's what helps bond us to our babies, stimulate milk production, help a baby thrive.

It doesn't stop post birth, oxytocin helps us all to thrive!  What is the difference between living and thriving? Living is me going into work, doing my job, and going home. Thriving is me going into work, feeling blessed to have clients, excited to help others, celebrating your successes with you,  and going home with an exuberance see my family.

Thriving is the color in the canvas of life.

Without touch infants actually die, it is as necessary to life as food and water! Without touch adults become prone to depression, anxiety, anger, ptsd, and stress.

The old form of western medicine was to not touch the dying.  Before cancer and AIDS and a host of other terminal diseases became more well known, it was common practice to wrap yourself up on masks and gloves, a visual reminder of, "I don't want to touch you." Loved ones were not allowed to the bedside of their ailing family and even the act of giving birth was a detached process (maybe I'll rant about this in a future blog).

Much of this has changed, doctors and nurses are now encouraged to touch the dying and sick. Massage and Healing Touch is now brought into hospitals and institutions at exciting rates. Nurses are in line to receive holistic education and the general concensus is touch is better!

You don't need four hours of massage a week to experience the joy of touch, some great actions you can take:

-Hug someone for 20+ seconds a day
-Practice skin to skin contact with your baby (even if they're 3 mos old this has an impact)
-Hold someone's hand
-Cuddle- your spouse, your kids, your BFF
-Sit on someone's lap or have them sit on yours
-Receive massage regularly, especially during high stress times
-Give someone else a massage
-Volunteer at a nursing home and extend hugs and warm shoulders to the patients
-Rub your belly every night (next time your in ask me how to do this)
-Massage yourself during your yoga practice
-Rub your dogs belly
-Let your cat sit on your chest
-Shake someone's hand for an extended period of time (bonus- look them in the eye while you do this)
-Touch someone's arm or back when you talk to them

Be a pioneer for positive touch!

Yours in touch,

Lizzie Johnson, LMT

December's Message: Laughter in the Tears

I recently heard someone say something along the lines of, "laughter through tears is my favorite emotion." Mine too, I thought.

It's that feeling of release, the clouds clearing, the sweet chaos of joy sweeping everything clean. It's the gift to keep going and learn to experience life with loss, thrive in absence.

I like to think that my practice is a place with hallow walls,  safety and security to relieve and release. That I am a cemetery groundskeeper for you to lay to rest things that are no longer serving you. That as you undress you get to take off all the masks that are plaguing you. Hopefully you feel this way too! 

You have come to me with your losses and wins. I have seen you carry a baby, get promoted, move, start relationships, and end. I have seen you take daily struggles to walk up the stairs and dance happily on your wedding day. I have seen the struggles of your children and know the joy they bring you. I hear your words of truth resonate through quiet tears and tired muscles. I have felt the toll a death has brought to your body, I have heard your laughter amidst those tears.

I am enamored by your ability to keep going!

In theory, I leave you the moment you step foot out of my office, but in application there is still a piece of you that I carry with me, always. We're taught to master the art of grounding. To protect ourselves from taking on too much of a client. I have gotten good at diving in and out of your tissues, but your story- your life legacy- the body, continues to thrive somewhere within me. As soon as my hands meet your flesh once again I am captivated by the tale of you. My hands recall your muscle memory, what stories your body tells. 

The winter season marks inward reflection,  quiet serenity,  and death. I know this season has not been easy on you.  I know sometimes you barrel through my doors seeking an hour all of your own. I know your plate has been full of errands and to do's. That your life takes so much to manage right now there may not be a lot of room to relax. I know the holidays bring up a lot of feelings.

Perhaps, you thought these damn emotions were laid to rest with the last self-improvement book you read or self-discovery workshop you attended. The smallest smells, experiences, weather- can provoke the most unraveling memory about someone you loved and lost. The holidays are typically a joyful time of celebration, but I have found in the joy you find the root of your pain and vice versa. 

This season may be self-destructing for you, you may experience a loss that devastates you, or be confronted with one that you thought was put to rest. I want you to know the importance of self-care and how liberating relieving trauma psycho-somatically can be. I want you to know that you too can view my walls as sacred, as a place to escape or confront, as a place to release and let go. I hope you all take the time this season to find your flame, to implode/explode, to find laughter in the tears.

I am in the process of updating my website to provide resources to my clients that I find valuable, I hope you enjoy these tools and they help you along your journey. Don't forget that current clients have a $25 credit on their file to use before the end of the year! Thank you for a great year of connecting through touch!

Yours in touch,

Lizzie Johnson

November's Message: Ultimate Gratitude

Wow! As we near the end of the year we get ready to close the chapter of 2016, the first full year of full-time operation for The Holistic Hummingbird, LLC and the first year in our new location in Littleton.

I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for the growth I've witnessed not only to my business,  but to my clients and their quality of life.  2016 has been quite the year of action!

This year The Holistic Hummingbird, LLC was nominated Littleton's Best Massage by and ranked #1 Local Massage Business by Massagebook. Beginning in October we also ranked #1 Local Massage Therapist.

This is enough to move me to tears, yet you continue to surprise me!

• 17% of my new clients were from referrals
• We made a 200% increase in income from 2015
• 22% of new clients were from public boards and reviews
• I was able to obtain 24 hours of continuing education credits (no requirement for Colorado)
• I've been able to expand my services and have found a niche in the pregnancy and chronic pain market
• We've been able to add a part-time administrator to our staff and gear up to higher a massage therapist next year

You've chosen me as your therapist to ease complications of chronic conditions

You've inspired me to continue this journey in bodywork and holistic care.

THANK YOU! Thank you for welcoming me into your lives, into your bodies, and into your network of friends and family members!

As a thanks to all you wonderful people, for helping me cultivate a massage business that is picking up steam, I will be giving each client $25 credit to use from now until the end of 2016. You may use this on any services- on packages, discount cards, and drop-in rates.

I can't wait to see where this journey takes us!

THANKS A MILLION!!!!

Yours in touch,

Lizzie Johnson, LMT