Wellspring Life

Is Water the Way to Weight-Loss?

contact@fitbottomedgirls.com (Jenn) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:27:00 +0000

For years, fitness and health professionals have been telling people to drink more water. Not only is hydration key for the body functioning optimally, but also water helps "fill you up." But has there been any science behind the drink-more-water-lose-weight claim? Not until now.

New research shows that drinking just two eight-ounce glasses of water before meals can help people eat between 75-90 fewer calories at each meal. Over the course of 12 weeks, dieters who drank water before three meals a day lost five more pounds than those who did not increase their water intake. Read more of the water and weight-loss research here.

Will you drink more water now?

Photo courtesy of Pink Sherbet Photography on Flickr.

More Students Choosing Career Schools

contact@fitbottomedgirls.com (Jenn) — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:13:00 +0000

The Lawrence-Journal World recently did a story on how more students aren't going to colleges and universities, instead they're turning to career schools! WellSpring was featured as part of the article for its programs in massage therapy and personal training.

Click here to read the full article!

Just How Harmful Are Hormones in Our Foods and Environment?

contact@fitbottomedgirls.com (Jenn) — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:25:00 +0000

We have all heard how bad environmental hormones are for us, and how prolific they are in our foods, particularly in meat and dairy products. However a recent news report is pretty startling. According to the report: Female infants in China who have been fed formula have been growing breasts.

According to a Chinese newspaper, medical tests done on the babies between four and 15 months old showed estrogen levels as high as what's normally seen in adult women. The jury is still out as to exactly what--it may be many causes--is causing the spike, but it's definitely cause for concern.

Read the full article here. And tell us, what do you think?

Photo courtesy of abbybatchelder on Flickr.

Upcoming Commuity Classes at WellSpring

contact@fitbottomedgirls.com (Jenn) — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:10:00 +0000

It's hot outside, so why not head inside and learn with WellSpring? Our upcoming community classes are sure to empower you to take charge of your wellbeing. From getting fit at any age to learning the principles of Feng Shui, it's cool to be at WellSpring!

Click here to read more about our upcoming community wellness classes!

The Most Valuable Degrees Might Surprise You

contact@fitbottomedgirls.com (Jenn) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 15:42:00 +0000

Yahoo recently introduced a list of some of the most valuable college degrees. While some on the list aren't surprising (No. 1 is bachelor's degree in business administration), some of them really are.

Also, as the massage and fitness industries both become more allied with the medical field, we're happy to see that careers in medical assisting and nursing are also topping the list!

See the full most valuable college degree list here.

When Did Healers Get Such a Bad Rap?

contact@fitbottomedgirls.com (Jenn) — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 18:44:00 +0000

What is a healer anyway? Is he or she a spiritual person? A highly intuitive person? A doctor? An old soul? Someone who helps others?

According to an article from Massage Today, being a "healer" can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people, and not always the most positive of meanings. What do you think a healer is? What does that person do?

Photo courtesy of alicepopkorn on Flickr.

Wonder What It's Like to Get Personal Training Certified? Follow Jake!

contact@fitbottomedgirls.com (Jenn) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:29:00 +0000

If you've ever considered getting a personal training certification or wondered what fitness trainers have to go through to be qualified to train, we have a site for you! NASM recently began a blog called The Jake Project that follows a young aspiring trainer, Jake, as he begins his quest to become a NASM-certified personal trainer.

The site aims to help others learn along with Jake--his trials, tribulations and successes. NASM also wants working trainers to help him through the process, offering tips, techniques and advice on how to become successful, pass the exam and learn how to be an amazing personal trainer! We kinda think he should come to school at WellSpring...

Check out NASM's Jake Project!

Have You Heard of Kinesio Taping?

contact@fitbottomedgirls.com (Jenn) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:45:00 +0000

I've heard a lot more about Kinesio Taping lately, but instead of it being just used by athletic trainers and physical therapists, massage therapists are starting to utilize it as well.

Check out this recent article from Massage Magazine that explains what Kinesio Taping is, how it might work (although researchers aren't exactly sure why, which is fascinating) and how it's being used by massage therapists!

Study Shows Reduced-Fat Diets Cut Cancer in People—and Dogs

contact@fitbottomedgirls.com (Jenn) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:51:00 +0000

One recent nutrition study has a clear finding: When humans and dogs eat fewer Omega-6 fatty acids (such as corn oil, vegetable oil and grain-fed red meat) and cut calories their risk of cancer declines. In fact, as many as 1 out of 3 cancer deaths in humans and dogs could be prevented with these two steps, researchers say.

So why are Omega-6s part of the problem? According to the research, too much Omega-6 fatty acid can lead to inflammation, which creates an environment conducive to cancer in dogs and people. Scientists suggested reducing sugar intake, too, as excess sugar can also lead to obesity and fuel cancer cells. Click here to read more about this unique health study.

Photo courtesy of benjgibbs on Flickr.

Activity May Not Play a Role in Childhood Obesity?

contact@fitbottomedgirls.com (Jenn) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 17:32:00 +0000

As even the First Lady is trying to get kids to move more and eat better, one study is saying that one of those initiatives just won't help solve obesity. Yep, believe it or not, researchers from the EarlyBird Diabetes Study found that physical activity has little if any role to play in the childhood obesity epidemic.

In fact, in the study, physical activity had no impact on weight change. However, weight clearly led to less activity.

The study states that "The implications are profound for public health policy, because the physical activity of children (crucial to their fitness and well-being) may never improve unless the burgeoning levels of childhood obesity are first checked. If this cannot be achieved through physical activity, the focus has to be on what--and how much--children consume."

Of course being active has a slew of health benefits associated with it, but this is food (pun intended) for thought for those hoping to reverse the obesity trend, isn't it?

Photo courtesy of Port of San Diego on Flickr.

WellSpring Featured in Lawrence Journal World

contact@fitbottomedgirls.com (Jenn) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:30:00 +0000

Here at WellSpring, we know how powerful massage therapy can be for changing lives and reducing people's pain. But it's always nice when mainstream media does, too. A recent article in the Lawrence Journal World, featured the story of WellSpring instructor Olivia London-Webb and WellSpring student Jamie Oller, who are raising funds and planning to travel to Vietnam in December to teach caregivers at a pediatric orphanage how to give massage.

One quote really drives the point home as to why massage therapy is so important, even in children: “People all need touch to thrive,” London-Webb says. “If you don’t have touch, you won’t thrive. Touch is the very first sense we get when we’re born and the last one to leave when we die. You have to have that human connection.”

Click here to read the full article.

Which Is Louder: Your Head or Your Heart?

contact@fitbottomedgirls.com (Jenn) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:32:00 +0000

Do you make decisions with your head or your heart? We recently stumbled across this article about tapping into your intuition and listening to your heart instead of always relying on your head.

As educators in natural health and wellness, we teach our students in massage therapy and personal training to be both logical about their skills but also intuitive about what their clients' needs. We also teach them to listen to their own bodies and hearts when it comes to their own lives. And, no surprise, many of them come to school here based on their heart's desire to help others, instead of working in a cubicle all day.

When it comes to decision making, do you listen to your heart or your mind?

Photo courtesy of Kirstea on Flickr.

Join Us for Qi Gong & Understanding Emotional Eating

contact@fitbottomedgirls.com (Jenn) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:46:00 +0000

We are constantly adding new wellness community classes to our calendar. From weight-loss to raw foods to Feng Shui, our community program offers a range of workshops to enrich your wellbeing--and your life. Here are two upcoming classes that you don't want to miss!

Qi Gong I

Date: Sunday, July 25

Time: 9 am to noon

Cost: $30

Qi Gong (Chi Gung) was designed over a 3,000-year period to help teach people how to deal with the world around them. It is a set of tools that is easy to learn and implement in your life. Qi Gong can have a profound impact on the way you see stress and how you allow it to impact your life. It is a series of simple-to-learn exercises that develop deeper breath, a stronger spine and a healthier body. By actively practicing relaxation and body awareness, you can learn how to deal with stress and how to smooth the emotions.

Register for Qi Gong I here!

Understanding Emotional Eating

Date: Sunday, July 25

Time: 1 pm to 5 pm

Cost: $30

Are you eating out of boredom, stress, loneliness or unhappiness? Learn about the phenomena known as emotional eating and find out what you're really hungry for. This workshop will go over how your emotional and mental state can influence your physical well-being, as well as share tips on how to overcome emotional eating.

Register for Understanding Emotional Eating here!

Aspartame Has a New Name

contact@fitbottomedgirls.com (Jenn) — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 20:11:00 +0000

For those of you who avoid aspartame, we have news for you. In an attempt to rebrand as a sweetener that's more "natural," aspartame is now going by the name AminoSweet. The name also goes by NutraSweet and Canderel.

According to an article in The Huffington Post by Dr. Mercola, there are more than 10,000 official FDA complaints about aspartame, but by the FDA's own admission, less than 1 percent of those who experience a reaction to a product ever report it. So, in theory, the toxic effects of aspartame may have affected roughly a million people already, Mercola writes.

While a variety of symptoms have been reported, almost two-thirds of them fall into the neurological and behavioral category consisting mostly of headaches, mood alteration, and hallucinations, Mercola says. The remaining third is mostly gastrointestinal symptoms. Add to this that fake sugars have also been shown to increase cravings and food consumption. Doesn't sound very fun, huh?

Click here to read the full article on aspartame's negative health effects.

Photo courtesy of Alex Grant (alextakesphotos) on Flickr.

Are Cell Phones Killing Bees?

contact@fitbottomedgirls.com (Jenn) — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 14:04:00 +0000

A new study from India presents data that may explain why the bee population is dying off: cell phones!

Bee experts think that the cell phone radiation may be effecting bee's ability to navigate, therefore inhibiting their ability to go back to their beehives. Researchers hooked up bee hives to cell phones twice a day for 15 minutes, and found that after three months, bees stopped producing honey, egg production fell by a half, and the size of the hive dwindled.

Not all hope is lost though. Scientists do suspect that if the frequency on cell phones was changed, it could help. Read more about how cell phones affect bees!

Photo courtesy of aussiegall on Flickr.

Massage Helps Reduce Dentists' Pain

contact@fitbottomedgirls.com (Jenn) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:18:00 +0000

Although many people are afraid of going to the dentist, turns out that dentists themselves struggle with pain, too. According to recent research of almost 400 dentists, 72 percent report should pain, 70 percent suffer from neck pain and about half have low-back pain.

Although dentists in Thailand have long been using massage therapy to reduce their pain, U.S. doctors haven't quite jumped on the massage bandwagon yet. It's estimated that traditional Thai massage can reduce pain by 52 percent of those affected. Read the full article on how massage can help reduce dentists' pain here.

So how can you help if you're a massage therapist? Start offering massage therapy services to dentists in your area!

Photo courtesy of Wolfiewolf on Flickr.

Go Green and Be Healthy This 4th of July!

contact@fitbottomedgirls.com (Jenn) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:37:00 +0000

The 4th of July is just around the corner and with it comes gatherings, BBQs and fireworks! While celebrating the holiday is always a lot of fun, we don't always do so in the greenest or healthiest of ways. (Just think of those plastic cups, creamy potato salads and all of that smoke from the firecrackers!)

So how can your holiday party be more eco-friendly and health conscious? Follow these tips for a green and healthy 4th of July! After all, it's the patriotic thing to do.

Happy 4th of July!

Photo courtesy of Beverly & Pack on Flickr.

Which Is Healthier: Coffee or Tea?

contact@fitbottomedgirls.com (Jenn) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:46:00 +0000

Here at the WellSpring offices, many of us go back and forth between tea and coffee. While we love our coffee, a lot of us know how good tea (especially green tea!) can be for health. But, thankfully, a new study shows that both tea and coffee are good for for the heart!

According to a study published in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology: Journal of the American Heart Association, high and moderate consumption of tea and moderate coffee consumption are linked with reduced heart disease. So drink moderately and reap the benefits!

Click here to read about the full health benefits of tea and coffee!

Photo courtesy of DeusXFlorida on Flickr.

The Benefits Of Massage

contact@fitbottomedgirls.com (Jenn) — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:36:00 +0000

We all in the massage therapy and wellness industry know how wonderful massage could be, but are you aware of all of the benefits of regular massage? It's astounding!

Useful for all of the conditions listed below and more, massage can:

Alleviate low-back pain and improve range of motion.
Assist with shorter, easier labor for expectant mothers and shorten maternity hospital stays.
Ease medication dependence.
Enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow—the body’s natural defense system.
Exercise and stretch weak, tight, or atrophied muscles.
Help athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts.
Improve the condition of the body’s largest organ—the skin.
Increase joint flexibility.
Lessen depression and anxiety.
Promote tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue and stretch marks.
Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation.
Reduce postsurgery adhesions and swelling.
Reduce spasms and cramping.
Relax and soften injured, tired, and overused muscles.
Release endorphins—amino acids that work as the body’s natural painkiller.
Relieve migraine pain.

These tips come from massagetherapy.com, an educational site by the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals.

Isn't it time you got a massage? Book one in our student massage clinic today!

Photo courtesy of Nick J Webb on Flickr.

Need a Lift? Be Active for 5 Minutes Outside!

contact@fitbottomedgirls.com (Jenn) — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:14:00 +0000

You probably already know that working out can improve your mood, but did you know that working out in nature can be even more powerful in making you feel relaxed, happy and content?

New research from the American Chemical Society's semi-monthly journal Environmental Science & Technology has found that just 5 minutes of exercise in a park, working in a backyard garden, on a nature trail or in other green space can benefit mental health. So the next time you go to work out, don't just go to the gym, consider hitting the great outdoors!

Read the full study about outdoor exercise benefits.

Photo courtesy of lululemon athletica on Flickr.

Insure Yourself and Your Massage Therapy Practice

contact@fitbottomedgirls.com (Jenn) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:11:00 +0000

If you're a massage therapist, it's important that you have liability insurance. You may be thinking that insurance is expensive and a hassle, but here at WellSpring we teach that it is a vital and fairly economical investment in yourself and your practice.

Massage Magazine recently introduced a brand new liability insurance program for the massage community that is priced 30 percent less than most of other programs available. For $159 per year, you get professional, general and product liability insurance; rental damage insurance; identity protection insurance and more.

If it's time for you to renew and buy in the first place, be sure to shop and compare. It's a must!

Photo courtesy of Dwonderwall on Flickr.

Do Marmots Hold the Key to Obesity?

contact@fitbottomedgirls.com (Jenn) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 22:18:00 +0000

Yes, it's a pretty silly question when you first ask it, but researchers are thinking that marmots may hold a key to reversing the obesity epidemic. In fact, they believe that these cute furry creatures may be able to teach us a lot about appetite, metabolism and fat storage.

Yellow-bellied marmots slowly release a molecule called AICAR that tells the brain to increase appetite and food intake. During hibernation, the molecule is not released so that marmots don't ever feel hungry, even if food is in front of them.

Obviously, humans don't need to hibernate, but for people who seem to always be hungry, this could be the key to losing weight through smaller portion. Read more of the fascinating marmot weight-loss research!

Photo courtesy of Smath. on Flickr.

Top 10 Complementary Medicine Recommendations

contact@fitbottomedgirls.com (Jenn) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 19:51:00 +0000

CAM, or Complementary Alternative Medicine is all the rage these days and rightly so. CAM, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices and products that are not generally considered to be part of conventional medicine. While scientific evidence supports some CAM therapies, for most there are key questions that are yet to be answered, although results are promising. And for those who believe in CAM, there's no doubt in their minds that it works.

The Mayo Clinic recently listed the top 10 CAM recommendations, which are pretty interesting...especially to see that massage is on the list. Check out the Top 10 Recommendations for Complementary Medicine by the Mayo Clinic!

Photo courtesy of Thunderchild tm on Flickr.

WellSpring Alumni: Join our LinkedIn Group!

contact@fitbottomedgirls.com (Jenn) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 19:03:00 +0000

Are you on the social- and business-networking site LinkedIn? If you are a graduate or student of WellSpring, formerly known as the Massage Therapy Training Institute, be sure to join our alumni group! There you can connect with other students, faculty and staff, network with other wellness professionals (massage therapists and personal trainers alike), post jobs, share tips and more!

Join the WellSpring Alumni LinkedIn Group today!

Did You Know That Your NCBTMB Certification Has to Be Renewed?

contact@fitbottomedgirls.com (Jenn) — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 20:17:00 +0000

It seems like an easy answer for massage therapists but, yes, you have to renew your NCBTMB license every three years, in order to stayed certified and licensed. If you're due for recertification soon, be sure to read NCBTMB's guidelines, and don't wait to take those CEs!

Photo courtesy of Wonderlane on Flickr.