Welcome Yoga Therapist - Dina Abbondante!

It is with such joy that we announce the latest addition to the Well Within family--Dina Abbondante!  

1)    Tell everyone a little about yourself.

I am a student of movement, anatomy, energy exchange, seasonal influences, the flow of prana (life force energy), Japanese 5-element theory, collaborative bodywork, yoga and meditation. How we unfold layers within the body-mind has always intrigued me and continues to propel my exploration on and off the yoga mat. Before teaching yoga & meditation practices, I studied dance for a number of years through the lens of ballet, modern, improvisation and performance choreography. While exploring movement therapy in college and how to integrate these techniques for clients, I was led directly to yoga and Pilates. I felt compelled to study these arts and disciplines further and was certified to teach interdisciplinary yoga, mat Pilates and pre/post-natal yoga in 2003. I continue to learn and embody the most profound lessons with and from my students. In 2006, I completed Usui Reiki Master attunement in Boston and as I approach graduation from Cortiva Institute's 750-hr massage therapy curriculum, I am so inspired to fuse the benefits of integrative bodywork with individualized yoga practices. My gratitude extends to all of my past, present and future teachers.

2)   What kind of yoga training have you done to prepare for teaching others?

Over the years, I have had the amazing opportunity to train with nationally and internationally renowned yoga instructors Patricia Walden, Elise Browning Miller, Paul Grilley, Sudhir Jonathon Foust and Megha Nancy Buttenheim and have completed over 600 hours of professional training. I am registered through the national Yoga Alliance and a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists which promotes yoga research, efficacy, and specialized safe practices for specific populations. I have studied at the Kripalu Center for Yoga, Soma Yoga of Newport, Innerlight Yoga Center of RI, the New England School of Acupuncture and Cortiva Institute. My teaching flow incorporates Vinyasa, Iyengar, Restorative, Pre/post-natal and mat Pilates. I have found that working with a variety of students and clients broadens my approach, my adaptability and my creative spirit within each practice session. 

3)  What types of clients have you particularly enjoyed working with?  What did you enjoy about working with these clients?
I have assisted with varied areas of yoga & bodywork; Teens with substance abuse hx and who are at-risk, clients receiving treatment and recovering from cancer, alleviation from chronic pain due to injury and stress, corporate and small business groups, chair yoga for elders, prenatal classes to prepare for labor/delivery, safe practices for scoliosis, chronic low back pain & osteoporosis, heightening abdominal and pelvic floor stability to support the rehabilitative process of injury/surgery, and assisting students as they establish personalized home practices. I welcome the opportunity to learn from my students and to finding a synergy for long-term wellness and balance.

4)  What is the unique experience clients will have when they come to see you (as opposed to a different yoga instructor?)
I meet clients where they are, honoring their lights and efforts as they learn with me and teach me more about their individuality. The rhythm of Vinyasa yoga (linking breath with movement) is a continuation of our innate desire to feel connected and to be effective in work, family, play, rest and overall wellness. This flow of practice fuses so well with the principles of Iyengar yoga, which is steeped in specific alignment, therapeutic practices and individualized postural assessment. The effectiveness of merging flow with precision, allows room for dedication, curiosity, space, open breath, deep inner strength and clear thinking. 

5)  What are some reasons that made you want to practice at Well Within?

Well Within embodies the essence of honoring our uniqueness. There is nothing more authentic than becoming aware of our subtle and sometimes not-so-subtle body cues because they guide us towards tapping in, diving deeper and eventually shifting our layers into a more effective and whole version of ourselves. The body-mind-spirit connection is always magnetized towards balance. Well Within supports this journey with its phenomenal gathering of specialized practitioners and collective vision of bringing clients towards sustained balance. I feel honored to learn from and practice with Well Within.

.Our clients have already begun practicing yoga and the feedback about her work has been astounding.  If you have wanted to learn yoga or deepen your continuing practice of yoga you would absolutely benefit from Dina's rich experience and serene energy.

2nd Annual Small Business Saturday!

This November 26 is a big day for us at Well Within. It’s the second annual Small Business Saturday®, when people across the country come out and shop to support their favorite local businesses.  When you are planning your holiday shopping around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, consider supporting your favorite small business on Small Business Saturday as well!

Small Business Saturday will mark the beginning of our holiday gift certificate promotion.  Between 11/26/11 and 12/31/11 with each 60 or 90 minute massage gift certificate you purchase you will also receive a voucher for a FREE 30 minute massage!*

To encourage this support of the small business economy, American Express is offering a $25 statement credit when you shop at participating small business like Well Within!  That means if you use your American Express card to buy your holiday gift certificates online through our website on Saturday, November 26th you will not only receive voucher(s) for FREE massage but also $25 back on your next American Express statement!**

Thank you to everyone who already supports Well Within.  Your business means absolutely everything to us and we are so grateful for the opportunity to work with all of our amazing and inspiring clients day after day.

*Voucher may not be combined with any other offer, discount or gift certificate.
**Only one $25 credit will be awarded per cardholder for a qualifying purchase on Small Business Saturday

Bodyworker's Corner - Myofibroblasts and Fascia

Occasionally I come across an article that helps the massage therapist in me learn new, effective technique, new ways of looking at anatomy and/or physiology or new ideas to consider when treating my clients.  Sometimes, like today, the article is SO good that I want to (need to) share it with SOMEBODY.  I have gone back and forth about putting it on this blog because I'm not sure our clients would find it quite as fascinating as I do.  I do, however, know that our bodyworkers (and those that follow us) will totally devour this information.

I decided to create a "Bodyworker's Corner" where I plan to share wonderful, relevant and exciting articles that I feel are helping me grow professionally and hopefully will help other bodyworkers learn and grow as well.


If you aren't a bodyworker but are someone who shares a fascination for the human body, you will totally love these articles as well so by all means...enjoy!


The first article I want to (need to) share is:  Thoracolumbar Fascia -- An Area Rich With Activity written by Patrick Ward, a certified strength and conditioning specialist and licensed massage therapist.  He owns Optimum Sports Performance (www.optimumsportsperformance.com), a sports conditioning and soft tissue therapy company which provides training, treatment, and consulting to professional, amateur, and high school athletes.


In this article, Ward illustrates how the autonomic nervous system may potentially regulate fascial pre-tension independent of muscular tone.  He explains that myofibroblasts (see the beautiful picture of them above) have smooth muscle properties and can contract on their own.. Ummm...wow.


He then goes on to suggest that since these myofibroblasts are under the control of the autonomic nervous system, that we can perhaps affect fascial hypertonicity through breathing.  He says: 


 "Respiratory function is on aspect of the autonomic nervous system that we actually have direct control over.  We can change our breathing and help to elicit a parasympathetic response to allow for greater relaxation and potentially less overall tissue tone/tension, "


As bodyworkers we know that educating clients about the importance of quality breathing, not just in massage sessions but in all of life, can have significant positive physiological effects...but did you know you were helping clients change fascial tone...on the CELLULAR LEVEL?  


This article rocks right?

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If you haven't yet experienced one of our award winning services (including massage, acupuncture and more), come on over to http://www.bewellwithin.com today and book your first appointment in our Newton, MA office online!

Meet Mary!

We are so excited to introduce you to the newest addition to our therapeutic massage department--Mary Wahlman-Krogh, LMT!

 I have personally experienced Mary's work and very much appreciated her exceptional technique and her grounded and centered presence.  We are so proud to offer Mary's work to our clients!

1)    Tell everyone a little about yourself.

Hi everyone! My name is Mary and I grew up in Ithaca, NY. I was a corporate graphic designer for 5 years before I became a massage therapist. However, I think a part of me was always a massage therapist. I have always been fascinated with how our bodies work and move and I have always deeply believed in the power of human touch. I
was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 2006 and through bodywork and exercise I was able to heal myself and I have been in remission for over 2 years. That experience made me want to give back, and so I became a massage therapist to help others who are living with chronic pain.

2)   What kind of training did you receive prior to obtaining your massage license?

I graduated from the 750-hour program at the Cortiva Institute in Watertown, MA. I have extensive training in Swedish, deep tissue, neuromuscular and myofascial release techniques. I also bring to my work 4+ years of experience doing Nia, a mind/body movement form,which looks at the body holistically and helps the body remember that movement is joyful. Practicing Nia daily deepens my awareness of how the human body works and allows me to really connect with what is going on in my clients’ bodies.

3)  What types of clients have you particularly enjoyed treating or have had great success with?  What did you enjoy about working with these clients?

I love working with all kinds of people, with varying needs and goals.  However I particularly enjoy working with people who have chronic pain or fatigue conditions as well as people who are suffering from a condition relating to the central nervous system, such as depression, anxiety, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia or Alzheimer’s disease. I am fascinated with how the brain and nervous system affect the rest of our body, especially our musculoskeletal system.

I love seeing the difference in someone’s face when they feel like they can walk taller, smile more, move more easily or live free of pain.

4)  What is the unique experience clients will have when they come to see you (as opposed to a different massage therapist?)

In my work I try to combine the deeply relaxing techniques of Swedish massage with the more structural work of deep tissue and neuromuscular massage so that the client feels refreshed mentally and physically when they leave. I also incorporate a lot of range of motion and stretching techniques so that movement feels free and comfortable. I want my clients to remember that living in their body can feel good every day.

5)  What are some reasons that made you want to work at Well Within?

I was attracted to Well Within because of the collaborative approach to wellness. Every person needs a different treatment plan and I believe the most successful treatments are diverse. Having massage,  acupuncture, personal training and nutritional counseling all in the same beautiful space is really inspiring!

We encourage you to come in and try a session with Mary.  You will be so glad you did!  She has office hours on Mondays from 3pm-9pm and Thursdays from 8am-2pm.

From now until the end of October you can use the coupon code MARYMASSAGE to get 10% off your first session with Mary.

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If you haven't yet experienced one of our award winning services (including massage, acupuncture and more), come on over to http://www.bewellwithin.com today and book your first appointment in our Newton, MA office online!

Q&A With Well Within's Newest Acupuncturist - Michelle Bellavance

We are proud to introduce you to, Michelle,  the newest member of the Well Within family!

Q:  Tell us a little about yourself
A:    I’m native to Massachusetts. I grew up in Methuen, MA. I have 2 sisters and 3 nieces. I obtained my undergraduate education at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where I studied Communications and Film studies. I also work as the Admissions Coordinator at the New England School of Acupuncture.   


Q:  What kind of training did you receive prior to obtaining your acupuncture license?
A:   The New England School of Acupuncture is a rigorous 3 year program. I focused on Chinese and Japanese acupuncture styles. I completed 9 clinic rotations, 630 treatment hours and countless observation hours. I had clinical rotations at 2 local hospitals and have experience treating infants and elders. I also have a certificate from the Auriculotherapy Institute in California and went to Japan in 2009 to study advanced moxibustion techniques and post-stroke treatment.


Q:  What kinds of clients have you particularly enjoyed treating or have had great success with?
A:   I haven’t had a patient yet that I didn’t learn something from. I am always evolving as a practitioner. I have had a lot of enjoyment treating pregnant women as well as infants. With children, you really have to rely on what you see and feel because they can’t always comprehend what you are asking them in an interview.


Q:  What is the unique experience patients will have when they come to see you (as opposed to a different acupuncturist?)
A:  Since I have a comprehensive background in both Chinese and Japanese acupuncture, my patients can be sure that I will fully assess them and select which type of treatment suits their particular needs and comfort level. I am compassionate and competent.


Q:   Why did you choose Well Within as the home for your private practice?
A:    I chose Well Within as the home for my practice because I loved the collaborate environment that exists here. I understand that a patient’s needs may be outside what I, alone, can provide. Having like-minded individuals around, who care about the complete care of an individual really makes me feel supported. I know that this environment will allow me to give the best care possible to my patients.

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If you haven't yet experienced one of our award winning services (including massage, acupuncture and more), come on over to http://www.bewellwithin.com today and book your first appointment in our Newton, MA office online!

The Four Seasons of Integrated Care

I came across this article today and couldn't wait to share it with you.  

Practitioners at Well Within, two in particular, very much embrace and understand the deep connections between the physical and emotional changes that occur with the changes of the seasons.  

In the article, the writer Tracy Marciano says: "Western medicine has traditionally recognized the emotional and physical aspects of life divided into two separate categories; an approach believed to have originated from French philosopher René Descartes (1596-1650) who argued that intangibles like (religious) faith have no place in the physical world. His theories about dualism implied the body worked like a machine and the mind and/or soul were “nonmaterial entities that lacked extension and motion and did not follow the laws of nature.” This approach has left the western world fragmented because it usually lacks symmetry and balance between the mind and body when medical care is sought out"

She goes on to explain the principles of traditional Ayurvedic medicine and the five element theory derived from Chinese medicine.  

Well Within pracitioner, Janel Houton, has developed a highly unique form of bodywork called Seasonal Stone Massage which uses the Chinese Five Element system as a point of departure.  Each of the five elements carry a corresponding season, and organ systems which are vulnerable.  Treatment sessions are designed around this concept.  Essential oils traditionally appropriate for the season are used in a myofascial and swedish based massage followed by a hot stone meridian layout based on organ systems and acupressure points.  Ayurvedic Marma points and a moon stone fascial massage may also be included.  The Seasonal Massage aims to boost the body’s inherent vulnerability as the season’s change.  Clients find the combination of different modalities extremely relaxing and grounding, reconnecting our bodies to natural and environmental cycles.

Marciano also addresses nutritional shift that occur with the change in seasons.  She notes "We begin to have less interest in lighter refreshing foods and beverages such as cucumbers, watermelon and cold mint tea and begin gravitating to toward foods such as butternut squash baked with cinnamon and nutmeg and warm chai tea."   

At Well Within (and in her anticipated daily food tips on Facebook) , Holistic Health Coach Susan Altman educates clients about seasonal shifts in eating based on our bodies unique needs during these times and also on what is most abundant and fresh each season.  A recent post from Susan: 

Susan Altman Health Coach

Many people I speak with are having a hard time getting into the fall routines. In order to be as healthy as we can, we need to get into our fall rhythms. To do this, focus on setting a bedtime, and sticking to it. Cook more, eat out less. Try and exercise 4-5 times a week. Lastly, nourish your adrenal glands with good self care. Healthy adrenals will support you on the inside when seasons change on the outside.

She also hosts both spring and an autumn cleanses that help your digestive system transition from one season of eating to the next.  I participated in the last Spring cleanse (and plan to participate in the upcoming Autumn cleanse as well).  I felt a tremendous difference in my energy level and in the types of food I was craving as a result of this experience.

This understanding of seasonal shifts in wellness is just one (of many) layers of thought that makes integrated care such a rich and dynamic model for helping people get well and feel their very best.

Do you notice any physical or emotional changes in yourself when the seasons change?  

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If you haven't yet experienced one of our award winning services (including massage, acupuncture and more), come on over to http://www.bewellwithin.com today and book your first appointment in our Newton, MA office online!

Massage Playlist

Music during massage is a very personal thing.  I have clients who love mellow jazz mixes and I have clients who hate. jazz.  Some clients prefer classical, some like classical guitar, some like Hawaiian slack key guitar (yup.)  Really, honestly, truly most people don't love "massage music" (read: Enya or other new age equivalent)...but some DO.  Some people want no music at all.  

Music (or no music) can make or break a massage for some clients so I feel like its worth paying attention to as a therapist.

As a massage therapist who has listened to every type of music there is during my seven years of working with clients (even hip hop for a 12 year old boy I worked with), I don't care what kind of music plays as long as it is good for the client but also mixes up a bit every now and then.  Pandora Radio can be really good for this purpose but the absolute best is when a client chooses to stick their OWN iPod on the dock. 

Awhile back the practitioners at Well Within participated in a music swap.  Everyone who participated made a mix of some of their favorite music to work to and burned a copy for everyone else.  This was fantastic, because at the end I had about six new, full playlists of music to put on my iPod.

My mix consisted of lyrical but mellow tracks.  Among them:  

M. Ward - Here Comes the Sun Again 

Madeleine Peyroux - J'ai deux amours

The Weepies - World Spins Madly On

The Shins - New Slang

Jaymay - Autumn Fallin' 

Badly Drawn Boy - The Shining

Elliot Smith - Between the Bars

Pinback - Loro

Ingrid Michaelson - Keep Breathing

and others...

This mix has gotten lots of compliments from clients such as "you always play the best music".  Love that.

A massage is about so much more than realigning your pelvis or getting rid of your migraine causing neck and shoulder tension.  Its about more than simply relaxing.  It is about those things but this is a valuable time that you set aside to take the very best care of yourself and it should be just the way you need it to be from the amount of pressure to the temperature in the room and music can be a great way for a session to feel like it really belongs to you.

The next time (or the first time!) you come in I encourage you to let us know what kind of music you want to hear or better yet, bring in your favorite music to relax to on your iPod or CD and we'll play it for you!

So what is your favorite music to listen to while getting a massage?  We would love to know!

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If you haven't yet experienced one of our award winning services (includingmassage, acupuncture and more), come on over tohttp://www.bewellwithin.com today and book your first appointment in ourNewton, MA office online!