Diaries of the Zen Healer

By Julie Brigitte Moore.

It was Tuesday 7am and my daily ritual had started. The salt lamps diffused an
orange glow in my treatment room. I was sitting on the floor with my hands in
prayer position, meditating.  In front of me two Tibetan pictures. Buddha Sakyamuni known as a spiritual teacher and
founder of Buddhism. Second, the Medicine Buddha, King of Lapis Lazuli Light
and described as a doctor who cures suffering using the medicine of his
teachings. I asked them for help, protection and guidance. I prayed to bring
peace and healing energy to my clients.

Each day when I open my Zen Studio, it is one of my greatest pleasures in life. Working from my
residence, my 12-second commute is always enjoyable. A fascinating aspect of my
work is its intuitive nature. Human beings are made of flesh, blood, muscles
and bones. What people don’t see is that we are made of thoughts, emotions and
energy. The balance of these invisibles impacts our health and happiness. Clients
come to me because I help them balance their invisibles.

Setting up for a Shiatsu, my soy candles were lit for ambiance, the Zen music was playing for
quietness. Soft bells and flutes in harmony with deep voices of monks chanting.

Then I heard: “Julie? It’s me.” My first client walked down the circular staircase from the
foyer to meet me in the studio. I knew him well. Richard was a nice guy in his
forties and worked at the post office.

I smiled and asked how he was doing. He said: “I didn’t sleep last night.” As he spoke, I
noticed his body tensed up and twisted to the left, as if he was subconsciously
protecting his heart. Then he said: “My daughter was sick and Pauline is away.”
I tried to make eye contact but he looked down and added: “I have to do
everything these days. I’m tired and my back is killing me.”

Richard had been married for ten years, had a young daughter and lived in the country with his
wife Pauline. His life changed when Pauline accepted an executive promotion in
the banking industry. Busy commuting downtown and traveling on business, she was
never home. That’s how Richard got promoted to homemaker and prime caretaker
for their daughter.

Shiatsu is a Japanese word for finger pressure, and I knew Richard and I both agreed with
the views founded in Eastern philosophy. I believe back pain sometimes reflects the lack of emotional support like
feeling unloved. When we worry or are burned-out we can experience back pain.

But not wanting to jump to conclusions, I asked him to lay face down on the massage table. On the
floor beneath the face rest, I placed a bowl containing hot water and drops of
neroli.

“Bring your attention to your breath,” I said. I placed my hands on his back, closed my eyes and
listened to what his body’s energy had to say.

Guided by intuitions, I felt Richard was ready to let go his tension and enjoy his Zen
relaxation.

During his Shiatsu, I applied thumb pressure along each side of his spine. For deeper pressure, I
used my elbows between his shoulder blades. Then I kneeled on the edge of the
table, placed one hand on his back using my other palm to apply a vertical pressure
on his legs. Then I treated his neck, arms and shoulders in a side position,
and I continued applying thumb pressure between the ribs. When he turned on his
back I used my thumbs on his chest, face and head. Shiatsu melted his muscular
tension bringing him to a meditative state. His mind had given him permission
to surrender.  At the end I positioned my hands at the bottom of his feet.
Feeling grounded I brought my attention to the
top of my head connecting with the universe. As I exhaled, I visualized a white
healing light entering the top of my head, traveling along the side of my neck,
and down to my arms all the way to the bottom of my palms. I then visualized
transferring this healing energy to Richard.

“Shiatsu is completed. Take a moment,” I said before exiting the room.

Later he opened the door with a smile and asked: “Can I hug you?” “Yes,” I said.

“Julie thanks for this amazing treatment. My body is relaxed and I feel myself again. My pain is gone.
Do you think the real reason for my back pain could come from the fact that
Pauline is never home and I feel abandoned?” I said: “Yes. Shiatsu guides your
thoughts, emotions and energy to become one with your body. The body is wiser
that we think. Realizations happen when we listen to it.”

As Richard left, I felt at peace. Once again, I was able to witness the power of Shiatsu.

Special Event this January 2012: Julie Brigitte Moore at Michael Kluthe Salon & Spa!

Glamour meets the relaxing world of Zen Massages!

Starting on January 3rd, 2012 I will be featured as a Guest Zen Therapist at Michael Kluthe Salon & Spa in Toronto. I will be working on Tuesdays and Wednesdays offering Zen luxurious massages such as Shiatsu, the NEW Bamboo-Fusion Massage, Japanese Foot Massage and Zen Hybrid Massage. For greater benefits, I recommend the 90 minutes appointment. (70 minutes and 2 hour treatment are also available)

Michael Kluthe is an upscale, full service salon where impeccable client services is a priority. Please call 416-925-6306 to book your appointment.

Michael Kluthe Salon
1428 Yonge Street (go upstairs)
Toronto, Ontario,
Canada
M4T 1Y5

( closest intersection) Yonge and St. Clair

Julie Brigitte Moore and guitarist Martin Schnopp from the Metal band Camerra (Switzerland).

(Julie Moore and Shiatsu Master Ted Saito)

Why I Became a Zen Therapist
By Julie Brigitte Moore

I just came back from my morning walk with Bentley, my chocolate Labrador. We went by the lake where gentle waves rolled on the sand. The sound relaxes my mind and spirit. I thought about how different my life is today than thirteen years ago.

I used to be a busy executive working downtown Toronto with no extra energy for morning walks or time to care for a dog. For my parents, it was important I obtain a big professional title coupled with a big salary.

As an ambitious young professional, I often felt sick. The superficial personalities of my colleagues and the culture of my work environment drained my energy. When the weekend rolled around, I could take time to relax but would feel worse. I went to my family doctor who said nothing was wrong, so I started to go for Massage Therapy just to relax. One day the spa concierge suggested Shiatsu. I did not know what Shiatsu was. I pronounced it “Shih Tzu”, like the dog.

I would lie down on a mat on the floor. Patricia knelt by my side and placed her hand on my belly. “How’s life at work Julie?” she asked. I told her: “I love my job but the people aren’t friendly. Sometime they give me the feeling I don’t fit in and that’s stressful.”

“How does this feel?” she said when she covered me up with a soft blanket and started by massaging my feet. “Nice.” I responded.

Then she continued: “For the next hour, the only thing you have to do is to breath in and out, letting go of anything you don’t need with the breath.” I closed my eyes and noticed for the first time in three months, I felt safe. I began seeing her regularly and she helped heal ulcers on the cornea of my eyes. So far, only powerful prescription drugs would take care of it.

Shiatsu is different than massage therapy because first you keep your close on. Then it is a holding pressure instead of rubbing oil on the skin. Shiatsu is more powerful than regular massage because it diffuses energy blockages of the body and allows it to heal itself.

Around Christmas, another big painful ulcer appeared in my right eye. My Ophthalmologist wasn’t available. As a last option, I called Patricia. “All the meridians go through the eyes,” she said. “Also Shiatsu treats the cause of the problem, not just the symptom.”

She explained that if my ulcer was caused by bacteria, I had an “imbalance” with my immune system and that “anger” could often trigger imbalances that manifest in the eyes. But I wondered: What was I angry about?

I received my three treatments within three days and my ulcer disappeared within five days. The experience changed my life forever.

I started to use Shiatsu as health prevention. I would go for a 90-minute session every week or two. Over time, Shiatsu Therapy had cumulative effects and helped me connect with my true self.

Shiatsu had calmed my spirit and had relaxed my body to the point that after each treatment my quiet mind could hear my soul whispering through my heart: “Accept and love yourself, be yourself.” That’s what I called a “Zen moment”.

I understood over time that despite my successful career, I was living my life with other people’s beliefs. That’s what I was angry about.

Six months later, I went to Switzerland with my husband Bruno. During a beautiful hike, we stood at the top of the Alps, looking at the amazing view of majestic mountains and Lake Zurich. I wanted more moments like that in my life, and the message was again reinforced that the reason I was always sick was because I was living my life with other’s people values instead of my own.

 Deep within my soul, I knew my work environment and the attitude of my colleagues wasn’t right for me. Finally, I was connecting the “Zen dots.” My year of regular Shiatsu therapy helped me calmed my heart, tamed my fears and awaken my desire to respect my own feelings.

When we came back to Toronto, I quit my high paying job and my income stopped. For a year, I decided to live on my fifteen thousand dollars savings. I became a full-time Shiatsu student. Being on a tight budget, I sold my car and bought a motorcycle. I fired my cleaning lady and stopped going to the dry cleaner. Instead I bought an ironing board.

Shiatsu became more that a new career for me. It became a way of life…

I no longer have a big title, or a big salary, but I am now a licensed Zen Shiatsu Therapist.

Most people come to me because they are experiencing physical pain. I usually give them a 90-minute Zen massage. After the treatment, I serve them an organic detoxifying tea made of basil and mint. This brief ritual gives them time to slowly come back to reality and enjoy the Zen Zone a bit longer… Most of my clients have observed how calm their emotions feel and they are amazed to see how relaxed their mind has become after receiving my Zen Massage. I tell them to anchor this sensation of peacefulness so they can go back there in their mind anytime they want.

When they live I hope the Zen effect last long enough for them to realize who they really are and experience the joy of leading their precious life with their heart.

Thank you for reading and your comments are welcomed.

Julie Brigitte Moore

Julie Moore and Louise L. Hay, San Diego 2011

I believe that the importance of “understanding emotions” is under rated in our society. Medias and self-help books try to promote Emotional Intelligence but at the end of the day it is often addressed as trend. Emotions are often featured a bit like fashion accessories or home décor tips and tricks…

I am not proud to say it but I personally started to travel the world of my emotions in my forties. As a girl, I studied at private school with the nuns and loved it. I recalled learning about French, English, Latin, Religion, Math, Biology, History, Geography, Chemistry, and Physique. I learned all kind of sports and had fun with arts and craft! Did someone taught us about emotions? No, I had never heard of it.

Every night of the week, I was going to ballet school and loved it. Dance always have been my true passion and my first love. When I stopped dancing fifteen years later, I sheltered dance in my heart. I locked it and threw away the key far behind my back and never looked back. For the next twenty years, when I encountered anything “dance”, I ran away as fast as I could to avoid it. I was feeling “deep emotional pain” but I had no clues what to do with it. Therefore I repressed it and moved on.

For me, dance has never been a channel of self-expressions. I love dance because it was an intense amazing trip where I could escape for hours, forget my unhappy home life and stayed focus in the beautiful world of dance. It gave me the feeling of freedom. On the other hand, it was a fantastic experience of “Being One”! One with the moves, one with the music to the point I became the music. I was one with the floor, space, movements, rhythms… This unique feeling of “being one” with the universe was exhilarating… I never dance to express my emotions and I never really understood why other dancers would say that. In retrospect, I must say that I did not know what emotions really were other than happy or sad.

Later on, I studied visual art at Cegep for two years. I had to take two courses just on “colours” for 12 weeks each, three hours per week. Why was I mixing colours for three long hours week after week? Well as an artist, you have to understand colours… The more you play with it, you learn what they are and how to use them…

At university, I had to pick a few course outside my faculty. I chose a course on winter camping. Now that was fun! I studied all kind of topics like nutrition, management even philosophy… But I never signed up for the course about “Emotions” because it did not exist.

It just fascinates me to see how “Emotions” aren’t in school curriculums… It is interesting to notice that school created space for sex education, but not for emotions… Hmmm

I believe my thirteen years of experience, as a Zen Therapist, taught me that most people feel “true body pain” due to their emotional ignorance. If human beings would be taught at primary school about “what emotions are and how to deal with them”, most of us would experience less physical pain, less conflict and happier family lives. We could embrace most life challenges with ease and we would simply experience happier lives.

I think if we want the world to be a better place and reduce the cost of healthcare and reduce the divorce rate; let’s start by teaching “Emotional Intelligence” in primary school!

In my next few posts, I want to invite your to discover your own emotional existence. I will share with you my basic understanding of what are emotions and how to better understand them. Learning to manage our emotions is certainly a great benefit for walking on the path of happier and balanced life.

One of my great mentors on the topic of emotions and healing is the amazing Louise L. Hay. In April 2011, I had the great opportunity to meet her in person in San Diego. I will cherish this moment for the rest of my life. I have learned a great deal from her personal life experiences and her beautiful books. I certainly recommend all of them.

Some aspects of her philosophy are that “everyone suffers from self-hatred and guilt. The bottom line for everyone is “I’m not good enough”…Self-approval and self-acceptance are the keys to positive changes in our lives. When we really love ourselves, everything in our life works” **.

In my opinion, studying the topic of Emotions is vitally important. Certainly as important as learning a second language or geography or biology and even basic sex education… I want your discovery approach to the fascinating universe of emotions to be simple, refreshing and most of all practical. Despite the fact that I do not have a degree in psychology, my intuitive approach is rich in common sense. I believe there is a parallel between our health, emotions and meridian system. Based on how we feel, there is a mutual and complementary effect between the emotions of the heart and the flow of energy in our body. I will extrapolate in this direction in the future.

Many of us spend a lot of time understanding the power of the mind. We are pretty good at experiencing life from a rational perspective. Every morning we get up, think and listen to what ever the mind has to say. Then we make decisions and behave base on the expression of the mind. Sometimes we may hear little voices from within. It is often a shy emotion which is trying to be heard, the same way you can feel a gentle breeze when the window is slightly opened. No one really likes to hear little voices inside… So we just get up and close the window. In this moment, it feels safe, better, and we go on with our day.

In other words, we are use to listen to the mind but we are uncomfortable and sometimes afraid to listen our heart. I believe it is normal to be afraid of what we don’t know. That is why learning about our emotions is in reality a primary need. Emotions make us feel alive! Too many dead people are walking on the streets… I know because I see them day in and day out in my private practice.

I want to share with you that emotions are a sort of a wise international human language. Because I have been studying and working many years in advertising, I can tell you that advertisers around the world deeply understand and apply these golden emotion concepts every day. Then we wonder why money is just coming out of our pockets when we buy all kind of stuff we don’t need… Maybe you aren’t familiar with your emotions, but great advertisers are…

Learning about emotions could really help us to understand better who we are, what we want. It would help us to get on the precious path of a pain free life for greater daily enjoyment and zenly balanced existence, including insightful relationships.

From my perspective, I often tell my clients towards the end of their Zen massage to listen to your heart. The ultimate answer is often that Love is the greatest healer…

In conclusion, if you take the time to take care of your appearance and wardrobe, if you take the time to take care of home and even your car, don’t you think it would be time well spend for you to domesticate your emotions?

Julie Brigitte Moore.

**From Louise L. Hay’s book: You can heal your life.

Baborganic contains natural extracts of certified organic ingredients cultivated in compliance with strict organic standards of availability and species protection, plant-based emulsifiers and Ecocert-compliant raw materials.

Please note that the formulas were developed:
- without synthetic colorants
- without synthetic perfume substances
- without animal raw materials
- without petroleum-based ingredients
- without paraffin
- without PEGs
- without irradiated ingredients
- without genetically modified raw materials

Baborganic active ingredients: The use of “white” exceptionally pure and untainted active ingredients from the Alps.
BABORGANIC: WHITE – PURE – ORGANIC – NEW

Glacier Water: revitalizes your skin:
- Fossil water from Mont Cervin, Switzerland
- Obtained from natural melt water without eroding the glacier
- Is intensively moisturizing and revitalizing
- Rich in minerals and trace elements
- Result: sheer vitality

Edelweiss: protect your skin:
- Cultivated in Valais/Switzerland in compliance
with strict organic standards (Bio Suisse Bud label)
- Inhibits the degradation of elastic fibres & calms the skin
- Effective protection against free radicals
- Result: lasting protection

Meadowfoam Extract: Moisturize:
- Cultivated in Switzerland, in compliance with strict organic standards
- Improves the density of the skin and the skin’s surface structure
- Repairs the lipid film and is intensively moisturizing
- Result: long-lasting moisture

Oxygen Energy: renew cells
- Accelerates cell regeneration and renewal and
slows down skin aging
- Leaves complexion looking rosier and fresher
- Result: cell renewal is invigorated

One of the hottest trend in massage is Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy®. Once the exclusive domain of select spas in the United States, this modern adaptation of an ancient form of barefoot massage is now an integral part of the Zen Services offered by Julie Brigitte Moore, B.A., S.T..

This memorable barefoot massage uses deep compression effleurage gliding over the body. With the benefits of gravitational force coupled with centrifugal and centripetal movements this amazing technique,when performed by a professionally trained and skilled therapist, brings about a structural change in chronic soft tissue injure. The client experiences a deep feeling of relaxation and the lymphatic system gets nicely stimulated.

The one-footed strokes produce a wonderful relaxing massage, suitable to people who enjoy deep tissue massage. Julie also uses advanced two-footed strokes on very muscular clients who weight a minimum of 200 pounds. Of course like any massages, an health history form must be completed prior to an Ashiatsu due to some important contraindications such as recent injuries or surgeries, acute pain, heart conditions, rib fracture, osteoporosis, pregnancy, recent implants and others conditions.

For many years, the founder of Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy® was suffering from back pain due to lumbar scoliosis and stage 3 spondylitits. She experiences a reduced inflamation and great pain relief when receiving the proper application of her own technique. People suffering of chronic or mild state of degeneratice disc disease,sciatica (not during acute period), spondylitus, scoliosis can benefit from Ashiatsu treatments.

Julie had the great pleasure to teach Bamboo-Fusion class in Los Angeles at Kinara Spa.

Kinara, which means “on the edge” in Hindi, is the ultimate skin care and spa destination famous amongst Hollywood A-listers. Kinara is an exclusive oasis located in West Hollywood’s design district at 656 North Robertson Boulevard, creating the ideal Spa experience. Warm, hip, and alive in every perfected detail, Kinara Spa was founded by Olga Lorecin-Northup.

Olga is just an amazing lady, extremely talented and with a beautiful heart. She is a renowned facialist and skin care expert. She has spent years studying and perfecting skin, client by client, hour by hour and pore by pore. Native of Yugoslavia, Olga was classically trained in the European tradition of true skin care. Rigorous regimens and timeless ingredients shaped her attention to every cell, through formal training and working in spas.

The group of Massage Therapists were talented and very dedicated!

By leaning Bamboo Fusion, the therapists did discover the smart and easy way to give a full body massage with deep pressure with less fatigue and less stress on their hands, arms, shoulders.

This innovative technique is performed with just a few Bamboo tools of different shapes and sizes. Clients enjoy the feeling of the warm bamboo stick gliding on their skin, melting their tension away and bringing a true divine feeling of mind & body experience, feeling very regenerated and revitalized.

The Bamboo-fusion™ is a new luxurious massage modality that promotes a deep relaxation and a peaceful sense of well-being for your clients. This creative technique is the newest trend in Canada because it is very easy to learn, fun to do, portable, also economical, and great for you the therapist as well as for your clients! Bamboo Fusion is an amazing technique can be performed on a table and/or with massage chair.

If you want to easily empower your practice at so many levels and work less and make more money, registering for this new Bamboo-Fusion class is definitely for you!

This the season of giving – and we’re just as excited as you are – but a little “me-time” to get you through it isn’t only cheeky, it’s necessary. With all the shopping, card-writing, eating, drinking, traveling, party planning, party attending and Christmas-light-hanging we have to do, a Cheeky girl can find herself downright overwhelmed. So, we’ve searched the streets of Chicago high and low to find the best (and cheekiest) beauty and relaxation services our amazing city has to offer. Call it our “Prettiest Gift to You.”

The Bamboo Massage at Mario Tricoci

Step off the busy streets of Michigan Avenue, into the shopping mayhem of the 900 Shops and take a subterreanen jaunt down the escalator and into Mario Tricoci’s Salon and Spa. Here you will find one of the most exclusive and exquisite massage experiences in the city. The Mario Tricoci Spa (which is an urban oasis if we’ve ever seen one) is the first in Chicago to debut the Bamboo Massage. This unique treatment uses naturally heated bamboo shoots of varying sizes – gliding deeply across the body – to relax soreness and promote mental and physical well-being. Zen Shiatsu therapist, Julie Moore, is at the helm of this new trend and brings with her a deeply meditational and spiritual aspect. Focusing on breath, mental relaxation as well as physical, the Bamboo Massage is nothing short of transcendent and the perfect remedy to your holiday stress.

The Canadian Massage Conference is Canada’s largest exhibition of massage products, continuing education and new business opportunities for therapists of all disciplines. At the booth of Bamboo-Fusion, Julie was demonstrating and providing information about this new modality. Bamboo-Fusion has been invented by Nathalie Cecilia. It is a fantastic technique that helps many therapists to save their hands while giving a deep luxurious massage to their clients.

Mario Tricoci Hair Salons & Day Spas Introduce Chicagoland to the Bamboo Fusion Massage Experience

PALATINE, Ill. – Oct. 29, 2010 – Fans of deep tissue massage have a new option to achieve the soothing, yet energizing results they crave – the Bamboo Fusion Massage, available exclusively in the Chicagoland area at Mario Tricoci Hair Salons & Day Spas.

Growing in popularity worldwide, the Bamboo Fusion Massage uses heated bamboo shoots of varying sizes – gliding deeply across the body – to relax soreness and promote mental and physical well-being. Created for those who prefer a deeper massage, this treatment is ideal for both men and women because it strikes a balance between a deep tissue massage and relaxing treatment.

“We are thrilled to bring this massage experience to the Chicagoland area,” said Elaine Sauer, corporate spa director for Mario Tricoci Hair Salons & Day Spas. “We think guests will love the results. The motion of the heated bamboo sticks reduces tension and helps you achieve mental and physical balance.”

The Bamboo Fusion Massage is offered in both 50 and 80-minute sessions at the Chicago, Naperville, Oak Brook, Orland Park, Schaumburg, and Vernon Hills Mario Tricoci Hair Salon & Day Spa locations.

Mario Tricoci is also offering guests an opportunity to experience the Bamboo Fusion Massage performed by a world-renowned massage therapist. Julie Moore, a Zen shiatsu therapist, is offering four exclusive Bamboo Fusion Massage appointments per day at both the Chicago and Oak Brook Mario Tricoci Hair Salon & Day Spa locations Nov. 18 -19. Appointments with Moore will be scheduled on a first come, first serve basis by calling 847/202-1900.

Mario Tricoci Hair Salons & Day Spas, voted Chicago’s best hair salon by Allure magazine and selected by Chicagoans in a FOX News poll as the number one spa in Chicago, operates 18 Mario Tricoci Hair Salon & Day Spa locations and Mario Tricoci Too Hair Salons in Illinois and Kansas. Mario Tricoci Hair Salons & Day Spas have been leaders in luxury hair styling and spa services for more than 30 years. The company offers an extensive menu of the best in hair, skin and body care, as well as custom make-up and nail services. Mario Tricoci Hair Salons & Day Spas maintains a highly-skilled team and remains the leader in personal care services and treatments. For more information please visit www.tricoci.com. Make appointments online or by calling 847/202-1900.