Thursday, January 8, 2015

Learn the Art of Foot Massage!

At the end of the day, there is no better way to treat yourself or a loved one than with a good old-fashioned foot rub. We all know that a short foot massage every now and then can really help us relax, particularly after a long day of standing up and walking around, when our feet tend to swell up.

But some of us aren’t quite sure how to give an effective and beneficial foot rub.

If you are ready to have some fun AND brush up on your skills, Black Mountain Bodyworks Day Spa is offering fun classes this month on the basics of foot massage and reflexology. Bring a partner or come solo and enjoy learning some massage tips and tricks so you can work like a pro!

There are a several different massage techniques that all promise certain health benefits. Traditional therapeutic techniques focus on relaxing the muscles and joints; acupressure seeks to improve general health and energy flow by acting upon specific pressure points; aromatherapy uses scented oils and relaxing music to add an additional element of relaxation by acting upon multiple senses; and reflexology seeks to improve internal organ function by massaging specific areas of the foot.

The 90-minute class is available:
Wednesday, January 14 at 7pm or Saturday, January 17 at 11am. 
Taught by a licensed massage therapist, the cost of the class is $25 per person, including materials. 

Call the spa at 828.664-0109 or 760-567-2190 for details.

Black Mountain Bodyworks
601 W. State Street, #3
Black Mountain, NC 2871
1-828-664-0109
blackmountainbodyworks.com

Friday, December 19, 2014

Top 10 Reasons to Think Local

Most all of the items in our boutique are crafted by local artisans.
We support Black Mountain – and you should too!

Top Ten reasons to Think Local - Buy Local - Be Local

 

1. Buy Local -- Support yourself: Several studies have shown that when you buy from an independent, locally owned business, rather than a nationally owned businesses, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers and farms -- continuing to strengthen the economic base of the community.

2. Support community groups: Non-profit organizations receive an average 250% more support from smaller business owners than they do from large businesses.

3. Keep our community unique: Where we shop, where we eat and have fun -- all of it makes our community home. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of this place. Our tourism businesses also benefit.  “When people go on vacation they generally seek out destinations that offer them the sense of being someplace, not just anyplace.” ~ Richard Moe, President, National Historic Preservation Trust

4. Reduce environmental impact: Locally owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation and generally set up shop in town or city centers as opposed to developing on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.

5. Create more good jobs: Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally and in our community, provide the most jobs to residents.

6. Get better service: Local businesses often hire people with a better understanding of the products they are selling and take more time to get to know customers.

7. Invest in community: Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future.

8. Put your taxes to good use: Local businesses in town centers require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to nationally owned stores entering the community.

9. Buy what you want, not what someone wants you to buy: A marketplace of many small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term.  A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based not on a national sales plan but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices.

10. Encourage local prosperity: A growing body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.

Think local first + Buy local when you can = Being a local!