ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP (EWG) - 2013 GUIDE TO SUNSCREENS

http://www.ewg.org/2013sunscreen/

Everything you need to know about sun protection in one easy to use location:

* Beach and sports sunscreens

* Moisturizers, lip balms and make up with SPF

* A complete guide to understanding SPF and sunscreen ingredients

VIDEO: Alexandra Cousteau (Explorer, Environmentalist, Mother) explains how EWG's Sunscreen Guide has helped her to protect her family from the dangerous effects of sun exposure:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14ueFLqybdg

TARA SPA THERAPY HONORED FOR PLASTIC REDUCTION

ED BEGLEY JR. ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF GREEN SPA NETWORK'S PLASTIC REDUCTION CHALLENGE DURING PLASTIC POLLUTION COALITION’S CONFERENCE

The winners of Green Spa Network’s first ever Plastic Reduction Challenge -- created in concert with the Plastic Pollution Coalition's (PPC) -- were announced by environmentalist and actor Ed Begley Jr. June 13 & 14, 2013 at PPC’s inaugural Think Beyond Plastic competition and conference held at the David Brower Center in Berkeley, CA.

After a year-long campaign, two GSN spa industry members tied to win for Alternative Product Packaging - Tara Spa Therapy and Coola Organic Skincare.

Tara Spa Therapy wellness focused body care line has reduced the amount of plastic sample containers that they use by 50%, and have a goal of reducing to 98% by the end of the year. They have also reduced the internal small bubble wrap usage by 71% for the entire company. They also implemented a Pregis air smart machine to reduce the volume of packaging used, which has completely eliminated large bubble wrap usage entirely. In March, the Tara Spa team spent 2 weeks reclaiming foam sheets from a local college construction project, and employees hand cut these large sheets to meet internal shipping requirement where applicable. Lastly, Tara Spa created a partnership with a local re-cycling center to become a recycling drop off center. They pull what they can to reuse for their own packaging.

GSN launched the challenge by sharing a resource guide for plastic alternatives for spas and spa product companies including sources for:

• Stainless steel or glass water bottles
• Water Filtration systems to eliminate single-use bottles - Stainless steel cups & straws
• Reusable utensils, dishes & cups
• Reusable bags – including dry cleaner & garbage bags
• Recycled post-consumer waste, paper or glass packaging

The six-year old non-profit spa network also developed a Plastic Reduction Calculator for its members to help them measure their progress during the year.

"Tara Spa Therapy is an inspiration to all our members that they too can take a proactive role in this crucial issue. “explains GSN President and Rancho La Puerta Spa Managing Director, Roberto Arjona. “The Plastic Pollution Coalition is leading the global charge to reduce toxic plastic waste on the planet and we are honored to have partnered with them on the competition and the awards ceremony in this year of firsts for both our organizations."

Click here to learn more about the Plastic Pollution Coalition: http://plasticpollutioncoalition.org/

THE ISSUE WITH DEEP TISSUE

For more than 20 years I have provided professional training to thousands of massage therapists. Weoften talk about the physical toll the work takes on our bodies. In fact,one of the reasons I gave up my successful private practice was because I was starting to feel how hard it was on my body to do structural bodywork and deeptissue every day for so many years. It is very physically demanding and requires attention to proper ergonomics so that the therapist doesn't injure him/herself.  But don't misunderstand- structural bodywork and deep tissue techniques have tremendous value for a client who is interested in realigning structural balance and also in releasing deep-seated trauma or holding patterns. 

But why do so many spa-goers request deep tissue massage? Personally, I feel that many spa-goers think they are ready for this depth of work and may not be.  Spa-goers think they will get more bang for their buck. Most of them don't even know what deep tissue is or whether it is appropriate for them at that time, but they have a perception of the harder the better.  

Truth be told, when the muscles are inflamed, contracted or in spasm, forceful pressure can often further aggravate the inflammation. Working superficially to first release the contracted tissue, layer by layer, is a way to release the contraction rather than diving in or digging in deep. My teacher always used to say, "Only go as deep as the body permits." In this theory, we cannot release tension from a muscle by forcing our way in. The body must surrender and release as it is willing.

We all walk around with body armor that protects us when we go out into the world, when we go to "battle" to make it happen. Gotta do it, go for it, go out in the world and work, make money, deal with others, fight for survival and so on. When we are in survival mode, we are in "fight or flight neurology.” The body cannot heal and rebuild when we are in survival mode.

The body restores when we move from fight or flight neurology to that of parasympathetic restoration and renewal. It is in this state that the body can truly heal - right down to the cellular level. A massage or body treatment that induces a resting or meditative state helps to shift the neurology from fight or flight to restoration, to restore and rebuild. And sometimes the most subtle energetic work can be the most powerful for an individual.

Therefore, deep tissue massage may not always be the recommended therapy. The most profound experiences can happen with a nourishing, well intentioned, strong but not painful approach.

Ask about and consider other massage modalities such as lymphatic drainage, Ayurvedic massage, neuromuscular techniques, Esalen-style, cranial-sacral, energetics and the vastarray of techniques that can be customized to your needs. I promise you that the outcome will be tremendously fulfilling and supportive to your overall well-being.

BRINGING THE SPA HOME WITH YOU

http://blog.aubergeresorts.com/bringing-the-spa-home-with-you/

Auberge Resorts partners with Tara Spa Therapy in all of their resort spas. Following is a simple recipe for a revitalizing, refreshing and stimulating body oil that can be created at home and is great for muscles and joints:

1 oz organic jojoba, almond or olive oil

10 drops Lemongrass essential oil

5 drops Rosemary essential oil

Blend together and use after a bath or shower to nourish the skin and revitalize your energy, just like a professional spa treatment!

Click here for more home spa rituals: http://www.taraspa.com/spalifestyle/rituals/

TARA SPEAKING AT LOHAS CONFERENCE

http://www.lohas.com/forum/speakers/tara-grodjesk

Tara was very honored to be asked to speak at this year’s LOHAS Conference on a panel with Deborah Szekeley, the "mother" of spa in North America and founder of Rancho La Puerta and The Golden Door.

The panel spoke to about 50 attendees discussing wellness and the issues of making it accessible to the mainstream and under privileged as well as trends and challenges to bringing it forward in the workplace and at home.