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SEARCHWe learn some simple moves and strategies to keep the blood pumping through the muscles and limit posture problems from The Balanced Beauty Pro
For long-term improvement and protection, The Balanced Beauty Pro movement system teaches you how to train your nervous system to ‘unlearn’ muscle tension patterns created by doing beauty work.
Did you hear that? That is the sound of the holidays kicking up. With the Autumn Equinox, pumpkins start appearing and people pull out their calendars and begin booking their seasonal self-care, while salon and spa professionals gear up for the busiest time of the year.
Because it can also be the hardest time, physically, on the body of a beauty professional, we asked The Balanced Beauty Pro to share some easy-to-implement strategies for keeping in top form.
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Every muscle needs blood to deliver oxygen and fuel. Muscles work best when they move in a pumping action, like walking, while getting squeezed and released.
Now, think about your day providing services to your clients. Shoulders stay lifted. Wrists angled. Fingers grip tools. Muscles are being squeezed and held. When a muscle stay contracted for long stretches of time, blood flow drops, fuel runs low, and irritation builds. You feel this as aches in the body. Over time, this can also create abnormal postures due to muscle memory.
So, how can you help your body?
First, get blood pumping through the muscles frequently. Below are three quick, simple movements suggested by The Balanced Beauty Pro movement system, that you can easily do in the salon before, during and after your shift. Just a few minutes, even seconds, throughout the day will support your body. Avoid any of these movements if they cause pain or discomfort.
All in a day's work: Shoulders stay lifted. Wrists angled. Fingers grip tools. Muscles are being squeezed and held. When a muscle stay contracted for long stretches of time, blood flow drops, fuel runs low, and irritation builds.
Polina Tankilevitch/ Pexels
1. Arm swings with spinal twists- Releases tension, boosts circulation, and calms the nervous system. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent. Let your arms swing loosely as you gently twist your hips and torso from side to side, allowing your head and neck to follow. Let your arms lightly tap the body before twisting the other way. Keep the movement gentle. Avoid forcing the twist.
2. Wrist circles + fist open/close- Helps get blood into the area before and after hands and wrists work for hours straight. Slowly rotate your wrists in circles, 10 times in each direction. Then, slowly open your hands wide and close them into a loose fist, 10 times. Keep the movement slow and controlled rather than fast or forceful, since the goal is warming up the small joints and tendons.
1. Calf raises or ankle pumps- To get blood back up to the heart and to prevent pooling in the legs, perform 15 calf raises slowly every hour or between every client. You can do this sitting as well by pumping the ankles to raise the calves.
This is a great easy way to reset mentally and physically after stressful moments.
Sit tall with your back supported.
Inhale for three counts, then exhale for six.
Repeat three times.
Prefer a different count? Just make your out breath twice as long as your in breath.
If you can, close your eyes and breathe low into the diaphragm on the inhale. Let the whole body relax on the exhale.
For long-term improvement and protection, The Balanced Beauty Pro movement system teaches you how to train your nervous system to ‘unlearn’ muscle tension patterns created by doing beauty work. For a free exercise you can do right from your chair, head to their website: www.thebalancedbeautypro.com.
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