Ten Winnipeg ways - to please your love this Valentine’s month

Who do you honor with your love? It varies from person to person. It may be your partner, your wife, your husband, your girlfriend, your boyfriend. And then it may be that neighbor from just down the street - the one who turns her porch light on for you every evening. It could be your friend, who saves coupons for you and invites you to the theater. Or it could be your favorite aunt, who you garden with during gritty summer days.

Who ever your love, Academy Massage is here to help you in that celebration. Here are a few specific suggestions:

Read pages from Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus by John Gray - together! He says the most common relationship problems between men and women are because of fundamental psychological differences between the sexes. His examples are hilarious, and thought provoking!

Surprise your love with a Couples Massage at Academy Massage Therapy. It’s really important to book this massage well in advance of your preferred date and time, to ensure that one of our Couples Rooms has your names on it. This shared experience is a lovely way to strengthen your bond.

Experience our city’s Guinness World Record-holding longest naturally frozen skating trail The Red River Mutual Trail - for a skate, walk , run or sled along the frozen Red and Assiniboine Rivers. Check out the 5 new one-of-a-kind warming huts along the way, part of the Arts + Architecture Competition on Ice 2019.

Thank your love for marching side-by-side through life with you - with the gift of reflexology from Academy Massage Therapy. Reflexology applies pressure, stretching and movement to the feet and hands affecting the corresponding parts of the body through the nervous system.

Warm up at The Forks Market, a converted brick railway building filled with shops and food kiosks. Located at the junction of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, this spot has been an Indigenous meeting place for over 6,000 years. Try the hot coffee at Fools and Horses, or munch on a hot cinnamon bun from Tall Grass Prairie Bread Company.

Arrange a special surprise for your love with an Academy Massage Therapy Swedish Massage! By far one of the most popular forms of massage, this treatment is also known as the “relaxing massage” because of the long flowing strokes, often in the direction of the heart, along with kneading and circular movements.

Toques, scarves and holding mittened hands is the way to make your way through Assiniboine Park’s Journey to Churchill with your love. A towering Inuksuk welcomes visitors at the start. Word has it that if you’re lucky you’ll see polar bears hard at play sliding down the hills. The Arctic Tundra Grill is great for coffee and grub afterwards.

Is your love like many others - searching for a more natural, holistic approach to self care? Academy Massage Therapy has just introduced Classical Homeopathy, with homeopath Nancy Graham, DHom. This is an individual holistic approach to health and wellness which considers a person in their entirety.


Bundle up your love and your pooch for a stroll in the neighborhood. Academy Road is teaming with wide range of wonderful, vibrant businesses. And if Spot needs a break along the way, pop into It’s Raining Cats and Dogs. The all natural pet food store has a water bowl and a chew for furry passers-by.

And then there’s real - that as much as you love your love - you’re a last minute person. Planning just doesn’t work for you. Did you know that Academy Massage Therapy welcomes walk-ins? Yes. You and your love can be just walking by, when you realize that a massage would be such a nice Valentine’s gift. Stop. Come in. We look forward to welcoming you!

Please let us know how we can make your Valentine’s gift extra special for your love.

As always, much love,
Academy Massage Therapy

This month celebrate your Valentine with a massage!

In 200 AD Roman Emperor Claudius II forbade soldiers from marrying, but a priest named Valentine secretly performed marriage ceremonies in spite of the ban, and in 496 AD St. Valentine’s Day was declared. It has been recognized ever since.

Today Valentine’s Day is a lovely way to celebrate your love throughout the entire month of February, particularly given Winnipeg’s frigid winter weather.

And Academy Massage Therapy is here to help you with your Valentine’s celebration. We have many options for you:

Consider a Couples Massage - there are two massage tables and two therapists. The massage allows each of the two people to receive individualized treatment simultaneously. This shared time can be both a foundational and enjoyable bonding experience. It is important to book your Couples Massage well in advance, to ensure your couples room is available for you on your preferred day and time.

Give a Massage Gift Card - like nothing else, it says that you are mindful of that person. Giving a massage tells them you care about their wellness, and their “me” time. You are essentially giving them motivation to take the time - to take care of themselves. A massage is a gift of well-being. Gift cards are available in any denomination, covering a single session, a series of treatments, or even regular massages throughout the course of the year.

Make a Massage Gift Basket - check out our must have products that are available in our clinic. Select from a choice of essential oils, massage lotions, bath tea, massagers and more. Our friendly and knowledge staff can provide you with additional information, and assist you in making your choices.

Wishing you a lovely Valentine’s Month!

Much love,
From Academy Massage Therapy

My first massage - I’m booking an appointment for a second

I don’t like to be touched.

But through circumstance, I had the opportunity to have a massage.

I hesitated. Or actually I hesitated, made excuses, said I would make an appointment, never did, and then came up with other reasons why this week, or next week wouldn’t work.

I’ve always been very self conscious about my body image, so the opportunity to have a massage caused me great anxiety.

I found it hard to breath - just thinking about entering a massage clinic.

During the Holiday Season, as the fates would have it, I received an Academy Massage Therapy gift card from my work.

I told my family about the gift card, and tried to give it to one of them, who I thought would happily go, in my place. Families being families - they teased and even laughed at me - because they knew this is something which I had been avoiding for many years.

My fate was sealed.

However, even when that realization hit me, I wasn’t going to make an appointment right away. I delayed it, and delayed it.

But during this period, I thought about the whole notion of having a massage, and even checked out online massage videos on the Academy Massage website.

One evening during a conversation with a close family member who gets massages regularly at Academy Massage, she told me about how great if feels after a massage, and that I should, “Go for it!” This conversation gave me a boost!

With a lot of courage and a lot of anxiety, I called Academy Massage and made an appointment for a massage for the coming week.

The day of my massage, I thought about my upcoming massage all day at work.

And soon, there I was at the door of Academy Massage. I wasn’t sure if I should go in, or turn around and go back home.

I went inside, and walked up to the reception desk. A nice lady greeted me with a smile. She asked me if I had an appointment, and then directed me to have a seat, while she arranged for my massage therapist to meet me.

After a couple minutes, I was greeted by a peaceful, calm person - my massage therapist. I was guided to a room where the music was pleasant, lights were soothing. The atmosphere was peaceful.

After a brief consultation with the therapist, I was given time to change, and settle myself on the massage table. In a few minutes, I was ready.

The entire massage experience was healing. I felt my stress dissipating. I felt my body thanking me.

As I walked home after my massage. I was so relieved and so happy that I had experienced my first massage. Of course, my family chuckled when I told them all about it.

And, you know what - I’m going to start getting massages on a regular basis, because my first massage made my body feel so good.

This is a true personal experience. The name of the writer is being withheld by request.

Make the most of your massage! remember to hydrate

Scheduling your massage:

Schedule your massage for a time when you will not feel rushed getting to, or leaving your appointment. Arriving at your appointment relaxed will help you completely embrace the benefits of your massage. Giving yourself down time after your appointment will allow you to drink plenty of water and an opportunity for your body to absorb the oils used during the treatment.

If you are not certain which type of massage will help you the most, ask our knowledgeable front support staff for assistance. Academy Massage Therapy offers many types of treatments, addressing different areas of the body. Picking the best suited treatment will help ensure the most beneficial results.

The day of your massage:

On work out days, complete your exercise program before your massage appointment. This will allow your tired muscles to get the most out of your massage. Additionally, please note there is some risk to working out after a massage. Strenuous post-massage activity will strain the muscles you have just relaxed, and there is a chance of injuring yourself.

Have a warm shower just prior to your massage, if time allows. This will help loosen your muscles and make you feel more relaxed.

Do not use perfume or aftershave on the day of your massage, as strong scents can be overwhelming. Part of your massage treatment may include essential oils - perfume or aftershave could also compete with the soothing, healing effects of the oils.

Avoid eating a large meal 2 to 3 hours prior to your massage appointment. Your do not want to arrive at your appointment feeling bloated and uncomfortably full.

Wear loose clothing without a lot of buttons or zippers and be certain to wear comfortable shoes.

After your massage:

Drink lots and lots of water.

Plan ahead and bring a refillable water bottle with you. Drinking plenty or water after your massage will help flush out the toxins released during your massage. It will also help re-hydrate your muscles.

It is best not to drink caffeine immediately after your massage, as caffeine can tense the muscles. Herbal tea is a great choice!

Now introducing - Classical Homeopathy

Are you like many others - searching for a more natural holistic, approach to self care?
In response to this demand, Academy Massage Therapy is delivering!

We are introducing Classical Homeopathy, with homeopath Nancy Graham, DHom - an individual holistic approach to health and wellness which considers a person in their entirety - beginning Tuesday, January 15.

“Every individual has a physical body, mind, emotions and spirit - which is also known as the vital force. It is this vital force which supplies energy to every cell in your body. Life cannot be sustained without it,” explains Nancy.

“The Classical Homeopathy approach to health and wellness focuses intensely upon each person’s individual vitality and strength, and unique vital force,” she continues. “Once your vitality is restored on this energetic level, healing begins from the inside out.”

Nancy demonstrates the individualistic approach in practical terms.

“What one person is prescribed for a headache, for example, will differ from what is given to another person - because we all have our own unique expression of a headache.”

“This is because one of the main principles in homeopathic prescribing is “cures like cures”. This means the homeopathic remedy must match the totality of symptoms or the whole picture of your suffering.”

Nancy has a diploma in Classical Homeopathy and Naturopathy, through a four year program at the Montreal Institute of Classical Homeopathy. She has a diploma in Massage Therapy, and worked in the field for 21 years, and is a certified reflexologist.

“I am truly humbled to have been able to follow my heart’s calling into this holistic health field,” says Nancy. “First I healed using homeopathy, and now I offer my service as a fully-accredited homeopath. I look forward to our journey together.”

“The addition of Nancy’s homeopathy services is a great way for Academy Massage Therapy to start the new year. Requests for this important service will now be fulfilled at our clinic by a professional with a passion for what she does, just imagine the positive impact it can have on clients,” says Debby MacKenzie, owner of Academy Massage, who notes how much she’s benefited from this treatment.

“We’re receiving a great response, as word of Nancy’s mid-month start date has circulated throughout the wellness community. People who want to book an appointment, should do that now by calling Academy Massage at 204-489-5050,” Debby notes.

For details on Classical Homeopathy visit Nancy’s website at
nancygrahamhealthwellness.com

If you have a question about this new Academy Massage service, email her at nancygraham.homeopathy@gmail.com

Fifteen minute phone consultations are provided free of charge.