Men’s Health Week 11-17 June

More men worry about their body shape and appearance – beer bellies, "man boobs" or going bald – than women do about how they look, according to research reported by The Guardian recently.  The survey further revealed that men have high levels of anxiety about their bodies and that some resort to compulsive exercise, strict diets, laxatives or making themselves sick in an attempt to lose weight or achieve a more toned physique.   23% said concerns about their appearance had deterred them from going to the gym. 

Men’s Health Week focuses on the physical and mental health to heighten awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease amongst men and boys.  Much emphasis is on regular exercise that carries the following benefits:

•  improve mood, stamina and sex life
• healthier physically and mentally
• more energy
• helps reduce weight
• strengthen bones
• increase blood circulation
• decrease the risk of heart disease and prostrate cancer

Looking good and feeling good go hand in hand as the male health and grooming industry has increased significantly over the years with services and treatments such as personal fitness training, men’s waxing, facial for men, manicure and pedicure for men and a wide range of calming and holistic massages.  So there’s really every excuse to look good and feel good.

Father’s Day 17 June

Founded in American back in 1910, Father’s Day is now an international establishment celebrated on various days throughout the calendar according to the country. How and whenever it is celebrated, here are a few notable quotes from around the world in recognition of fatherhood, parental bonds, and the influence father’s have in society:

“The greatest thing a father can do to his children is to love their mother.” - Anjaneth Garcia

“Fatherhood is pretending the present you love most is soap-on-a-rope.”  - Bill Cosby

“I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection.” - Sigmund Freud

“Being a great father is like shaving.  No matter how good you shaved today, you have to do it again tomorrow.” -  Reed Markham, American educator

"A king, realizing his incompetence, can either delegate or abdicate his duties. A father can do neither." - Marlene Dietrich

"Any man can be a Father but it takes someone special to be a dad." - Anne Geddes 

Happy Father’s Day!

Mum-to-be gift

Every mum-to-be should experience it - pampering time for herself and baby.  It’s a very special time which deserves very special attention.  Return to Glory mum-to-be gift vouchers offer three effective packages for pre or post natal pregnancy:  relaxing massage (ease tension, alleviate tired muscles, reduce excess water retention), home reflexology massage (unblock, stimulate and balance reflexes on the feet) or a full home pedicure (soothe aching legs and feet) - £65 each for 1 hour/£80 for 1.5 hours.  Return to Glory in home mum-to-be gift treatments are trusted, convenient, private and all she will ever need to relieve discomfort whether she’s at the early stages or later.

Return to Glory professional pregnancy massage therapists bring all the equipment including soft couch and Neal’s Yard Remedies natural therapies and use traditional pressure point techniques paying particular attention to the common symptoms many women suffer including tight shoulders, tired legs, lower back strain and joint aches.  Every pregnancy massage is tailored to the individual taking into account their shape and size, to bring relief from stress and tension.

What better way for mums-to-be to de-stress and feel a deep state of relaxation that’s not only a priceless but thoughtful mum-to-be gift!

 The ‘Office Rocked’

Suddenly they all stood up and I was quickly roped into exercises in the middle of the office - chairs asunder and limp bodies ready for action. That was my first experience of what I later found out to be the usual lunchtime antic at RTG HQ, met with surprise, laughter and pleasure all in one. 

Set on exercising the team’s mind, body and soul for the day-to-day runnings of the busy office, this was afterall a great way to show off our fitness performance and boost our energy levels.  We each lay on the floor with legs in the air and rotated them in a circle to the count of 10. Before I realized we were onto the next exercise.  Quickly to my feet I managed to keep up with the systematic stretching of arms, again to the count of 10.  Finally finishing off with 10 push-ups that was good enough for all the team but at which point I soon became aware I needed to get fit – and quick!

What’s the moral?  Regular exercise is beneficial for everyone, at home, office or on the go so why not have your own private fitness session with a qualified Return to Glory personal trainer to help you achieve your ideal health and fitness goals.

Walk this way…..for the month of May

“Walk to Work Week” (14-18 May) and “Get Walking Day” (26/27) are great campaigns to encourage active lifestyles and wellbeing.  Walking is one of the easiest ways to increase your fitness regime and improve your health measurably.  Best results can be achieved by applying the following techniques:

Check your posture. Make sure your neck and spine are straight and your shoulders are back and down

·         Be aware of pulling your stomach in and lifting your pelvis

·         Make sure your heel hits the ground first then roll through to your toes

·         Take short steps as it’s easier on the joints and aids better workout

·         Swinging your arms helps you to propel along

Keep up the regime with a mobile personal trainer to help you achieve your fitness goal.

Stop Nail Biting London

Statistics indicate that 44% of teenagers, 20-30% of young adults and 5-7% older adults regularly bite their nails. Often linked to anxiety, nervousness, hunger or boredom and viewed as an OCD, the chronic and recurring habit of biting nails can look unsightly and unappealing.

Professionally applied acrylic nails and gel nails are fast and effective solutions to stop nail biting, whether you’re a long-term nail biter and/or suffer with damaged nails as a result of nail biting.  Acrylic –v- Gel! Acrylic nails are applied using a liquid and powder formula to create a hard protective layer over natural nails which harden when exposed to the air providing the perfect canvas for nail colour.  Gel nails provide the strength of acrylic nails but with the appearance of natural nails and only hardens when exposed to UV light.  However, both types of nails bond to the natural nail.

Regular maintenance is a must for acrylic and gel nails to help desist from nail-biting, assist natural growth and to keep nails looking healthy and strong.  ‘Gel Polish Three Week Manicure’ is the hero beauty service nail addicts love.  Lasting up to 3 weeks, this treatment guarantees super glossy nails that are instantly dry and chip resistant. Stop nail biting now and start nail loving with the three week manicure.

Chelsea Flower Show

London will be blooming on 22-26 May with the beautiful floral displays at the London Chelsea Flower Show.  The spring colour spectrum paints a vivid picture which influences our mood as well as our fashion and beauty wardrobe.  So why not spring into full bloom with an uplifting mobile massage using our natural therapies partner Neal’s Yard Remedies essential oils Geranium (balancing), Rosemary (energizing). Be inspired with a style/colour consultation from a London mobile personal stylist and learn how to colour-up your make-up bag and wardrobe, carry off different colours, shapes and textures confidently and welcome the new you!

The Vitality Show, 22-25 March

The RTG team enjoyed another year of increased success at the Vitality Show, the annual event showcasing the UK’s largest health, beauty, fitness and well-being boutique for women under one roof.  With over 4,000 visitors to the show each day, the 30 strong team got busy delivering over 300 first-class massages to the tired, weary and indulgent each day – proving that this indispensable pampering service offering treatments ranging from full body massages to hand or facial massages to the popular bespoke massage using luxury Neal’s Yard Oils brings women back to our lounge time and time again.  In the specially set up VIP lounge area of the massive halls kitted out with carpet, relaxation music and the tranquil aroma of essential oils, customers enjoyed an exclusive spa experience which also included chilled champagne and goodie bag worth £70.  Revived, relaxed and calm were some of the expressions echoed by our many visitors.  We look forward to taking part again next year and hope you can join us. But in the meantime......

Virgin London Marathon Sunday 22 April

London is the place to be to take part, cheer on and celebrate its annual charitable fundraising sport event where you can expect to see thousands cross the threshold with aching bodies and a jubilant smile.  We will be lending our support with an early bird special promotion for our treasured existing clients and for those with the 'running bug' where you can book 3 massage treatments and get the 4th free by quoting 'Marathon Special' -  until 22nd April. Hurry and tell your friends as this weekend is set to break our usual record number of urgent massage requests.  Good luck!

Hair we go!

Extensions, Extensions, Extensions.  We're so excited about our forthcoming launch in May that is nothing short of the must-have therapy for hair addiction.  You'll be able to update your spring wardrobe with hair styling options of fixed or removable extensions at home or on-the-go.  Watch this space and see if you can spot London's ladies start to shine with the most luscious locks in the UK.

Celebrities often have tons of cash and influence at their disposal in order to get the wedding day of their dreams realised, but it doesn’t need to be so expensive or extravagant for the rest of us. Simply take elements of your favourite celebrity wedding, from the dress and venue to the all-important wedding hair and make-up, and inject your own personality for the best of both worlds.

Kate Middleton’s royal revival

Kate Middleton allegedly managed her own wedding hair and make-up, but if you’re lacking the confidence to apply your own bridal look, summon an expert – a mobile makeup artist who specialises in wedding hair and make-up can not only advise you on the colours that will work for your complexion, but they can also work with you in the lead up to your big day experimenting with different looks and products.

Kim Kardashian’s bling-tastic ball

It’s been reported that the diamonds in Kim Kardashian’s headpiece at her black and white-themed wedding were worth $15 million. Out of reach for us mere mortals – but there are plenty of other ways to add some sparkle to the day. Think about adding some vintage costume jewels to your look – look online for estate auctions and flea markets in your area. A sparkling piece with a little history can top off a gorgeous wedding hair and make-up look on your big day.

Kate Moss’ twenties-style celebration

Step back in time with gorgeous accessories, soft wedding hair and make-up and floaty fabrics for a whimsical twenties-style bridal look. Kate Moss surprisingly ditched her classic rock chic look for a feminine take on bridal with complete success. Steal her look with soft curls, muted makeup and antique accessories for supermodel splendour.

Renee Zellwegger’s beach bash

Although her marriage may have been short-lived, Renee Zellwegger’s relaxed beach wedding style from a few years ago has inspired many brides-to-be. Keep it simple with unstructured wedding hair and make-up – think about booking a mobile bridal beauty therapist to get the natural look done just right. It can be a tricky look to pull off, but if applied correctly you’ll maintain a natural glow all day.

You don’t need to be a cashed-up superstar – just steal concepts from your favourite celebrity weddings for ultimate impact. Most importantly, stay true to your own personality when choosing your wedding hair and make-up style as well as the theme for your venue and dress. Good luck!

It’s the classic conundrum – you need to have some time to de-stress, but you’re stressed because you have no time. There are many ways to fit just a little bit of relaxation time into your day, a short brisk walk, a visiting massage session, time with friends – you just have to really be determined to enjoy some ‘me time’!

Walk it off

It may seem trivial, but a simple walk around the block can work wonders for your stress levels. Just do it right – fast enough to raise the heartbeat, slow enough to enjoy some big deep gulps of fresh air, and challenging enough to give your muscles a little workout. Throw in some stairs and a bit of sunshine and you’re on your way to a calmer and more centred you.

Social butterfly

Having a natter with visiting friends over a cup of tea (make it herbal for added benefit!) helps to put your problems into perspective, leaving you feeling better. The positive reinforcement, encouragement and a friendly ear from your mates helps to boost your wellbeing – much better than tackling stress alone. Talk it out and you’ll feel the benefits almost immediately.

Fresh is best

Ditch the processed ready meals and the frighteningly unhealthy fast food in favour of food that’s fresh. There’s nothing faster than unpeeling a banana when you’re feeling peckish, so lack of time can’t be used as a plausible excuse. Even the large supermarket chains are producing more salad, sushi and fruit options as an alternative to stodgy gluten-laden high-carb meals.

Visiting massage

The above solutions will help you de-stress, but perhaps the most effective shortcut to bliss is a regular visiting massage conducted in your home – at a time that works for your busy schedule. Summon a visiting professional to massage the stress away without sticking to the traditional 9:00am to 5:00pm hours of a high street spa or salon. Visiting massage therapists have been lowering the stress levels of busy CEOs and hassled celebrities for years – now stressed-out mums and hard-working dads are discovering the service for themselves. Find a visiting massage therapist in your area – there are plenty in London – who will make a visit to your home, office or hotel at a time to suit you.

Small changes to your lifestyle will help with your everyday stress levels. Start today by reconnecting with friends, eating better, taking steps towards being more active, and booking in some regular blissful visiting massage sessions. You’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner!

Every woman wants to impress her wedding guests and wow her groom on her wedding day. Often overlooked in favour of the dress, shoes and décor is wedding hair and makeup – getting it right is so important as it can make or break your bridal look.

There are many elements of your wedding you need to consider when deciding on how your bridal hair and makeup will be – the style of the dress and the type of venue will impact this – but most importantly is a look that complements your personality and injects a little bit of individuality into the day.

Natural and nude

Check out any celebrity red carpet event  in the last few months and you'll notice a definite swing towards the natural end of the cosmetic scale. Buffed, bronzed and glowing skin doesn't need a lot to make it look amazing – a touch of concealer for any dark circles, a lightweight moisturising foundation for longevity and, to finish off, simply a light dusting of illuminating powder should help you look your best. Tousle some sea salt spray through your hair, add a slick of natural lip gloss and a little waterproof mascara and that's your wedding hair and makeup sorted – fuss-free and fantastic. A great look for beach weddings and a simple, unstructured and elegant gown.

Retro fabulous

At the other end of the styling scale is the classic and dramatic retro look. Think intricately pintucked hair swept off the neck into an up-do, ruby-red lips that last all day, flawless porcelain-like skin and precisely arched brows – old-world glamour at it's best and most timeless. This wedding hair and makeup style will suit events held in stately homes, grand churches and intimate chapels, and will practically work for any gown as long as it's structured and not too casual.

Pretty in pink

Romantic pinks and pretty pastels are a popular palette for bridal faces, teamed with equally unfussy hair – perhaps a simple curl or half-up do to frame your face will do nicely. Keep your skin bronze-free and highlight your rosy cheeks with a smear of cherry-pink blush. Lips should be glossy and eyes lined in a soft grey pencil. Finish this wedding hair and makeup look with fresh flowers tucked into the hair or veil. A lovely, whimsical look for garden weddings, or an event that's not too formal.

Steeped in mysticism and ancient tradition, reflexology massage has soothed and revitalised tired toes for centuries. Although this treatment stems from such primitive times, reflexology has recently enjoyed a resurgence among people looking to introduce this ancient art into their own relaxation routine.

So can reflexology actually benefit modern-day Londoners with our fast-paced hectic lifestyle and busy schedules?

The main characteristic of non-intrusive reflexology massage therapy is the act of precise pressure applied to specific points – 'reflexes' – on the feet (and sometimes even hands and ears). It is thought that certain areas on the feet directly correspond with areas of the body, and that by manipulating these, the body's state can be altered.

Reflexology, according to one of our most experienced reflexologists at Return to Glory, Aluna Dewji: "…works by stimulating, un-blocking and balancing these points to help the body to heal itself.  Reflexology has been known to help with many conditions such as back tension, migraine, insomnia, PMT, hormone imbalances, and digestive and respiratory problems."

Reflexology specialists are sensitive to your particular health issues and will work to tailor a session that treats your symptoms and balances your overall health.

There's been a bit of scepticism in recent decades over whether reflexology actually has any real physical health benefits for long-term health problems.

But, as the treatment becomes more popular and more widely-studied there are more claims of effectiveness coming to light. A recent PhD thesis from the University of Portsmouth has revealed that manually applied reflexology can increase both pain threshold and pain tolerance in healthy volunteer subjects (Samuel, Carol (2011)  An investigation into the efficacy of reflexology on acute pain in healthy human subjects. PhD thesis, University of Portsmouth.)

While there have been reports of significant symptom relief and increased pain tolerance as a direct result of reflexology massage therapy, we believe this treatment works best for serious health complaints when paired with support and advice from a medical practitioner – as a complementary therapy.

Return to Glory clients have reported that reflexology massage – especially when combined to include other types of massage therapy – is really useful in alleviating body aches and pains and encourages a feeling of wellbeing and relaxation not achieved with any other therapy.

We are firm believers in the treatments that we provide at Return to Glory.  

They are so much more than pampering - as practitioners we believe in the benefits of regular massage treatments especially.  

October 2010 saw the culmination of a study conducted in Los Angeles that studied a group of adults undergoing different types of massage treatment. The control on the test was a massage - but one that only administered a very light touch. Therefore touch was still used - what they were investigating was the bodily reaction to the benefit of muscular massage.  

Blood samples were taken throughout the treatments and levels of hormones were measured.  The results were conclusive. 

There are two hormones that showed the largest change - Arginine Vasopressin was reduced. Arginine Vasopressin is the hormone that leads to the production of the stress hormone Cortisol. The second and most interesting finding was the "acute affects that were found on the immune system" - lymphocyets, which are the white blood cells that work to defend the body from infection - increased significantly. 

The research is ongoing. For us practioners there has never been any doubt on the benefit of ongoing massage treatments.

It is interesting to learn more as the scientific evidence emerges. 

The advent calendars and wrapping paper have replaced where fireworks and Halloween sweets sat only a few weeks ago.  The holiday season is back and the promotions are tick-tick-ticking.  With Christmas a month away, I know you are feeling the pressure of finding that ‘perfect something’ for everyone on your list. Nails are being nibbled.

Why is that whilst us Londoners have unlimited access to every shop imaginable we’re hearing that the Christmas shopping is one of the pressures you are really feeling?  It’s not only the crazy London crush, traffic and the noise.  (Because your Return to Glory therapist is of course waiting to massage your feet when you collapse through the door).   Something else is underlying it all.  Don’t we all have so much…already? Are you one of our clients who asked (un-cynically I add) “Does my best friend really need another ‘hand-made semi precious stone personalized toothbrush holder’?”

Exchanging gifts should be as rewarding to you as it is to your recipient (if not more).  It’s an art - like when you capture the perfect word for a meaningful card. The act of giving allows you be useful and nurturing.  The time taken to care is key, serving to create a connection or strengthen our bond with that person.  And that’s what rewards us in return. Gifts serve as a token of understanding, respect, appreciation, friendship, love. You know that feeling of fulfillment when you find the perfect gift for someone – and that’s actually where the pressure you are feeling is coming from. It’s not actually the traffic.

Introducing a little calm on this subject, here are 3 thoughts of permission–

• Give something you love. Because they’re your friends, you know they’ll love it too.  What do you love? What do you love to do?
• Give you. When was the last time you spent an unadulterated day with your best friend?  How about booking out you - for a 3 hour slot in January – a dash lunch in Sloane Square, an expert tour of the sales with a personal shopper (of course) then tea a cheeky tea at the Dorchester. Give them you! Why not?
• Give something personal. Luxury is luxurious. Prestige is prestigious. But there is only one you.  The book that moved you. The film that made you think. The therapist who took away your shoulder pain. Of course!

What is there to give from Return to Glory?

As one of our clients, you know and love what we do. There are different ways of gifting the feeling of home or office treatments to the people around you and if you’d like a few suggestions don’t hesitate to give us a call.

• Gift your therapist – Think your therapist is the best in the world? If the lucky recipient of your voucher is local to you, let us know and we will recommend the therapist on your gift voucher so they can request them on the day.
• Gift a package – for someone really special gift a Glory Year of treatments – from £520.00
• Gift a treatment. Had a treatment you really enjoyed? Share that experience and gift it to someone who you think would benefit too.