Fitness for Everyone

Looking at the physiques shown in movies and TV shows will have you thinking that weight lifting and dieting is all about the aesthetic. And while it is true that with discipline, proper weight lifting, and a healthy diet will get you a chiseled body, there is much more to fitness than that.

         We are all different in our own way. While some of us enjoy weight lifting, others may enjoy running or swimming. Being healthy is not as strict as one may think, in fact weight lifting does not have to be a part of your routine at all. In an answer published on the Mayo Clinic by Dr. Edward R. Laskowski, he states that body weight training can be just as effective as strength training. Exercises such as squats, push-ups, pull-ups, and planks are all a great way to start, doing these exercises until you can do 12-15 reps easily. Resistance bands are also a great addition, as they bring a wide variety of new exercises and ways to train your muscles. Furthermore, think about taking a fitness class as well. Other forms of exercise such as yoga, Pilates, tai chi, and barre can be very fun plus you have the opportunity to meet new people.

         While healthy for you, exercising can place strain on your muscles and joints, especially if you have not worked out for a while. The body needs rest and therapy in order to recover properly. Consider a full body massage or acupressure therapy to help alleviate the tension and soreness in your body. Book with us today!

Hours of Operation: Open Daily 10am-9pm

(626) 915-8889

423 N Azusa Ave, West Covina, CA 91791

How Head Massages Prevent Migraines

Oftentimes we attribute massages to relief of the body. Sore muscles are kneaded away, and now you are ready to tackle the week ahead. What we often overlook however, are how head massages can aid health; and possibly prevent pain going forward. Recently experts have begun to attribute head massages, specifically craniosacral massage therapy, to numerous benefits.

These include:

• Releasing tension

• Easing migraine and headache pain

• Reducing stress

• Improving relaxation

These benefits can bring about a great improvement in your everyday life. The long, hard days at work come with much less pain and stress; and even the occasional headache may be much less severe. In fact, one of the lesser known benefits of head massages is the reduction of intensity, duration, and frequency of tension headaches. According to The American Massage Therapy Association this is caused by the relief on the neck muscles. These services are offered here at Serenity Zen. Get a full body massage and relief from your busy life will finally come. Book with us today!

Hours of Operation: Open Daily 10am-9pm

(626) 915-8889

423 N Azusa Ave, West Covina, CA 91791

Achieving Clarity of Mind & Body

The constant ringing of your alarm clock is starting to get to you. As you lie in bed, forcing yourself awake, you imagine how your day will go. You picture the boring, stop and go commute all the way to work, where you’re again forced to sit for hours, being stacked with project on top of project to complete for your boss. You stress not only about the deadlines you have to complete but with the kids as well. What to make for dinner, what activities they have this week, and any school events you have to attend for them. Begrudgingly, you get out of bed, silently wishing it would all go away just for a second.

         Although stress is normal and common, continuous stress can be harmful to your health. Fatigue, headache, and higher risk of illness are all associated with stress, and continuously putting your body through it is harmful. To combat this, you need to achieve both clarity of mind and body, as they are equally important. Clarity of mind comes from meditation and little things such as not using technology before bed. Clarity of body refers to myofascial release, or clearing the body of toxins and the build-up of lymphatic fluids that can cause pain in the long run. Think of the body as a machine, it needs proper fuel and maintenance in order to perform properly. In application to people, this means you need a proper diet and to take care of body through stretching, massages, and spinal therapy.

         Here at Serenity Zen, our services aid in myofascial release, releasing tension in the connective tissue, allowing for increased nourishment and fluids to flow through the fascia. Although only one part in the mission to rid your day of stress, it is an important one. Increasing blood flow throughout the body allows for it to heal quicker and be more efficient in where it deposits the nutrients. Do yourself a favor and book with us today!

Hours of Operation: Open Daily 10am-9pm

(626) 915-8889

Cupping 101

As you tune into your favorite sports game, you may notice some athletes having their back or arms covered in bruised, red circles. Contrary to how it looks, the bruises are the aftermath of a very beneficial treatment known as cupping.

         Cupping has a long, rich history; dating even as far back as 400 BC by ancient Greek historian Herodotus. While they used cupping for ailments such as maldigestion, lack of appetite, and headaches; athletes today use it mainly to recover from their intense physical exercise. In a recent study, researchers found that cupping is most beneficial for relieving headaches, specifically migraines and tension headaches, and musculoskeletal pain. Here at Serenity Zen, our specialists will place glass cups on your back and cause a reaction, prompting the negative pressure within the cup to create a suction where the skin and muscles go into the cup. The improved circulation in those areas, removal of toxins, and increase in oxygen supply, allow the body to repair itself faster, bringing the relief you seek.

         Although this treatment causes the red bruises I mentioned earlier, those are temporary and there is no pain associated with getting this treatment. This along with our other services, such as spinal stretching and our modern bodywork massage, are the same recovery processes that athletes follow. If it’s good enough for them, why not treat yourself as well? Book with us here!

Serenity Zen
423 N Azusa Ave
West Covina, CA 91791
10am-9pm Daily | (626) 915-8889