One more for the road....

Last vid on the blog.... no worries... this happy Portland, Oregon massage therapist is signing off from this blog.... Keep checking back at my web site for further developments... www.transcendingtouch.com




~Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Shuttin' down

I'm shutting down the massage blog, since blogger.com is no longer supporting FTP uploading. I'm not sure if I'll start up a new massage blog or not. Time will tell. I tend to do a lot of updates on Facebook. Friend me!

I'll leave ya with a few tunes I plunked out the other day when playing with the new camera...

Blessings and love,
Hamid : )







And, one more... an instrumental improv recorded awhile ago for the Community Health Project Vaux's Swift video...




~Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Life is change!

Dear friends,

Life is change!

I signed my divorce papers earlier this week. I wept. And, I smiled. And, I got cranky. And, I flailed. And, I made funny noises and stomped my feet. Then, I laughed at myself and started breathing deep.

I bought medium sized shirts the same day I signed the papers. I've worn extra large for ages. I let go of the conception that I am fat.

Then, I got sick... just a cold for a couple of days. Just to slow myself down enough to fully experience the life shift.

I got rid of my big screen TV. Just don't need it.

I'm running and jumping and moving my body in ways that I've never moved my body before. Feels good!

Someone new is in my life. She makes me feel inspired beyond measure.

I'm becoming alive.

I'm finding happiness.

I'm in love.

And, most days, I'm spilling over.

All of this... just to study myself. To understand through experience.

Yeah.... life is change... and, life is pretty darn spiffy when I get out of my own way!

Just in case you missed it, I was recently interviewed by David at Living with Back Pain... that was dandy! Read the interview here...

http://www.living-with-back-pain.org/hamid-shibata-bennett.html

Until our paths cross next, my friends....

Blessing and love,
Hamid : )

~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Today's massage scam

My fellow massage therapists.... don't even respond to requests like this. They're always traveling and request a very high number of massages. Very often 10. Trust me... ol' Hank is not legit.

Stay safe out there!

***

Hello,

My name is Hanks blake from Gordon,Georgia but presently on an official assignment in Buracest,Romania.I will need 10 sessions(1hr per session) of swedish massage as soon as am back in the states between April 25-March 5.I couldn't locate any message therapist around my hotel here in bucarest and this is really not good enough for my body as am used to it.I will be coming to your city during the short time i will be spending in the states before going back to my assignment.

Please,let me know your rate for a total of 10 sessions and kindly provide me with a schedule that fits into your program between the dates stated above.I am looking forward to hearing from you.Have a wonderful day

Warm Regards,
Hanks.

~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Variations in bones

Here's a great resource for you massage therapists and anatomy geeks! It shows much of the normal range of shape variations in the human bone structure. This can greatly effect range of motion and create a wide variety in the muscular and myofascial systems.

http://www.paulgrilley.com/index.php?option=com_phocagallery&view=category&id=2&Itemid=30

~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Living with Back Pain

I was recently interviewed by David at Living With Back Pain... follow these links to read the interview!

http://www.living-with-back-pain.org/words-of-wisdom.html

http://www.living-with-back-pain.org/hamid-shibata-bennett.html

~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Community Health Project: Vaux's Swifts

Last October, the Community Health Project went to Chapman Elementary School to get footage of the world's largest Vaux's Swift roost. Creating art and marveling in the beauty of nature is an important part of health care to us! Play this vid full screen and crank up the speakers! Enjoy!

To find out more about the Community Health Project, check out our web site!
http://www.communityhealthproject.com/

~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Therapeutic Touch decreases pain in cancer patients

A snazzy study showing that Therapeutic Touch... a gentle form of massage therapy... has been shown to decrease pain and fatigue in cancer patients. I just love good science!

The Effect of Therapeutic Touch on Pain and Fatigue of Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Unshod: Nekkid running!

First lap around the Bella Vista perimeter with the pups, shod. Sock and shoes were then removed for two laps.

First barefoot lap using mid-foot strikes. 2nd barefoot lap using a combination of mid-foot and fore-foot strikes. Shod lap used rear-foot strikes with an emphasis on changing gate towards mid-foot strikes.

Observed:
All plantar acu pressure points- awake and fully aware!

Lack of movement betwen 2nd and 3rd tarsals.

3rd tarsal inferior and striking first in fore-foot strikes.

Stopped due to the intense bombardement of information to the senses. Two much sensory input in a single mile! It's like meeting VGER for the first time!

Goal: 3 laps! Booyah!

Lessons mulled over...

Start every task from the beginning.

Trust. Trust. Trust.

Don't you think one "trust" is enough? : )

Thanks Emerson.... dude... thanks...

Somebody is a published photographer!

Digital Photography Magazine approached me a few months back and asked if they could use one of my shots. Just got the issue and it's in the 2010 buyers guide!!







~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Expanded massage hours!

Dear friends,

My massage practice continues to deepen as my understanding of the connections within the mind-body broaden. I'm working on listening, acceptance, gratitude, compassion and awareness, melting the ego and opening the heart. I'm challenging myself to try something new with every session... to explore the body in new ways... infusing the intuition of spirit with the research of science.

Recently, I've been finding the interplay between soft tissue pain patterns and the stabilization of the skeletal system. I'm discovering the disfunction of the ankle and foot to be directly related to a great deal of low back and hip pain. I'm honing in on the fluidity of the spine as an overall indicator of musculoskeletal health as well as seeing the spiral patterns within myofascial restrictions. It's all such fun to this bodywork geek!


While the student massage clinic at East West College is on break, I have a few extra days open for massage!

Through the end of the year, in addition to my regular Sunday-Tuesday schedule, I also have the following availability...

Thursday, Dec. 24th
Saturday, Dec. 26th
Thursday, Dec. 31st

Starting in January, I'll be expanding my regular hours to include morning and early afternoon session on Thursdays!


In other news, Community Health Project is working on a new video or two. We should have something inspiring out soon! Art is important to healthcare too!

May every joy find you this holiday season! Happy Festivus!!

Blessings and love,
Hamid : )

~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Latest massage scam

Here is the latest massage related scam to arrive in my email inbox. Note the awkward sentence structure and wording of phrases (a request for "Remedial massage treatment") and long duration of requested services. I've seen this in many forms through the years. If responded to, they will eventually want to send you a money order from some other source, like an employer or other company.

Trust me... this is bogus. Don't even bother to respond to emails like this.

Stay safe out there, LMT's!

Blessings and love,
Hamid : )

***

Good day,

I am Mr Carry George of Unity Consultancy. We will be coming for Remedial massage treatment.We are in number 6 adults, and we are to spend 10 days.

Get back to me with the rate per person per hour daily for 10days. Your professional advice is needed.

Arrival Date:15 JAN 2010

Departure Date: 25 JAN 2010

Check the availability and get back with total cost.

Thanks

Carry George.

Unity Consultancy

14 Peters Lane, Cowcross Street,

EC1M 6DS United Kingdom
Email :carrygeorge24@gmail.com

~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Hey! We're talking about health care here!

Happy Thanksgiving from Community Health Project! In our latest, greatest video, we interview passers by on southeast Hawthorne Avenue in Portland, Oregon.

For more info on Community Health Project, check out our website! Make your voice heard!
http://www.communityhealthproject.com/


~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Twelve Mile Corner

Just returned from a run. It's Tuesday, Nov. 3rd at 3:07 pm as I begin typing.

Leave nothing left for the run home.

I bolted under the still opening garage doors and headed out the cul-de-sac, towards Division. Glided down the hill towards Eastman, heading North.

I hit ol' Twelve Mile Corner no more than 30 minutes after departure. The East Wind kicks like a mule.

The old corner just isn't the same. Zim's is missed. Enough nostalgia... See ya, babe.... I've got to run...

I took the long way home and cruised the side walk in front of my old haunt, the home of the Gophers. I burned across Divison into Historic Downtown Gresham.

I throttled past Srivichai... the finest Thai food in town (the pumpkin curry will tickle every part of you). Shame not to stop and say hello. I pulled the brake and skidded 'round, Big Wheel Style™. I entered the delicately spiced haven of Srivichai. José was there, peering over the counter. I spread my arms and greeted him... "Paradise!"

His face lit. Genuine friendship in his eyes. "Hamid!" bursted from the far side of the counter where José sat. He asked if I wanted a drink and refused to take payment, handing me a delicious, sweet and smooth Thai Iced Tea. Even in the cooler months, it still sips divinity in to me.

He asked if I had driven. I held up one running shoe'd foot. "I took my tennies"

Did you take the bus?

Nah, I put these on. They make me feel like Superman!

I parted with a bow and a thanks, hands in prayer on my forehead.

Home is still a mile uphill...

~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Painting with Fire: A Shaman's Dream

Photography and music by Hamid Shibata Bennett. All photographs are single-exposure snaps, as captured in camera, with no moving of pixels in any image manipulation software. Shot with the Pentax K10D. The photos are older. The music was recorded earlier this evening and the video cobbled together afterwards.

http://www.photographybyhamid.com/

~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Bella Vista Park

The city of Gresham, Oregon is actually sinking money into improvements to Bella Vista Park. I tossed this quick video together for my friend's little son. He's rather fond of trucks and construction equipment.



~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Artsy Fartsy

Just a silly visual experiment to go along with a song I recorded years ago....

~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Fight back!

It takes only a moment... let Congress know we want real health care reform! It's time for change! Dig it!

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/fight_back/?source=20091013_OFAFB

~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

You'll fall in love with Farmer Dave!

The Community Health Project visits Farmer Dave in Troutdale, Oregon.

Make your voice heard!
http://www.communityhealthproject.com/


~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Wolf Man runs the Portland Marathon!

Photos of my journey... health care starts with the self....

http://racephotos.net/RunnerDetails.asp?nRunnerID=723716

Marathon tidbit... I passed 348 people in the last half of the race. I was passed by 24 people.

~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon