413-73B-WELL (732-9355) or via email mdiblasio@westernmasswellness.com
Mary-Anne DiBlasio, Holistic Health Practitioner, Be Well Life Coach™ and Founder of Western Mass Wellness Center and now… a regular monthly guest on WWLP’s MyMass Appeal with her “Be Well” Segment and also new… a contributing editor for Western Mass Women Magazine.
Mary-Anne is a happily married mother of four living in Western Mass. She walks her talk and talks her truth. She founded her Wellness Center back in 1999 after she had a personal need for Holistic Health in a science-based world in 1995. Not happy to hear that there were not a lot of options, she decided to pioneer her own journey for a more natural way to better health and wellness. Four years and much training later, she decided to dedicate her life to offering folks holistic alternatives.
Western Mass Wellness Center is located at 1111 Elm Street, Suite 21 in West Springfield. Visit her website westernmasswellness.com or call 413-73B-WELL (732-9355).
Be Well… Be Wise… Just Be…
1111 Elm Street
Suite 17A
West Springfield, MA
413-73B- WELL (732-9355)
stunned by the black and white landscape, it’s time to alter the terrain in your favor.
Honor (and pamper) thyself
By Romola M. Rigali
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
The Republican, February 5th, 2010
The Western Mass Wellness Center in West Springfield is the brainchild of Mary-Anne DiBlasio and her husband, John R. Schelb.
DiBlasio is a Reiki master who helps those who are not looking for a quick fix, but who are seeking harmony and peace – a place where one has an opportunity to rebalance and heal.
“I see so much stress, anxiety and depression, especially now,” DiBlasio says in her comfortable home and office on Pine Street. To help our bodies begin to heal, she says, “We need to take the time to honor ourselves.” DiBlasio had a personal experience some 15 years ago when she was diagnosed with severe endometriosis, she says. After several surgeries and no positive results, she turned to a Reiki practitioner for help. “A friend bought three sessions for me,” she says. After those initial sessions and more, DiBlasio was cured of the disease and subsequently became pregnant.
“I’m a black-and-white person by nature,” she says. “But it worked. I couldn’t deny it. I became obsessed after that,” she adds. Evidently passionate about her work, DiBlasio says her goal is to empower clients to take care of themselves. “We don’t want repeat business,” she laughs.
In addition to Reiki, DiBlasio practices cranial-sacral therapy, meditation, crystal healing, chakra balancing, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) and energy clearing, vision board assembly and life coaching. She has been in practice since 1999 and holds several certificates in Reiki practices. She also teaches Reiki classes.
Hours are by appointment. Sessions run from half-hour to 1½ hours. Fees vary, but DiBlasio keeps them reasonable, she says. For more information, call 1-413-73B-WELL (732-9355) or visit her Web site at westernmasswellness.com. She can also be reached at mdiblasio@westernmasswellness.com.
By Mary-Anne DiBlasio, Contributing Writer
The first thing you want to do to reduce stress in your world is to reduce the amount of things you have to do. I know. I know. You are saying to yourself, well, that’s all fine and dandy, but what am I NOT supposed to be doing?? I have to do it all!!
Well, no you don’t. Last time I checked you didn’t have superhero after your name on any document I have seen, so… you’re off the hook. See! Wasn’t that easy? OK, well, maybe it’s not quite that simple, but let’s take the first step, shall we? Right down, on a piece of paper, all the things you feel you HAVE to do during the course of a week. A typical week. All of it. Your 9-5 job if you have one. Kids to school, or maybe soccer. Grocery shop. List it all… go ahead, I’ll wait………. OK, you have it? Now, what I want you to do is look at it through very squinted eyes, you know, the ones you get when you’re spouse or child is asking to do something that is a NO WAY answer! So, while you are scrutinizing this paper… be honest with yourself REALLY, what you could potentially remove from the list. HONESTLY. Obviously we need to go to a job, we have to pay the bills, bring the kids to school, and grocery shop, but what about that commitment you made to your friends’ friend regarding oh I forget what. Simply, this is a request to say “NO” when needed. We often over burden ourselves because we are afraid to say no to people. The word no is a very powerful word, and useful. Become friends with it, know it’s boundaries. We over extend ourselves as a whole on a daily basis, thinking we can get it all done. Not to say that there are days when we are super revved up and can get a lot done, but, for everyday to be overfilled with things that may not matter, will only take away from the core of yourself.
Now that you have taken the time to write down all you do during the course of a day, and have maybe shaved off a thing or two, I want you to set a schedule for yourself. A timely schedule that will leave “self time”. Self time will be any time you set aside for yourself to do something FOR yourself. Read that book you’ve been dying to read. Give yourself a manicure, go GET a manicure (keep finances in mind. One program is not meant to feed the other :O) Take a bath. Take a walk. Take a gosh darn breath!
When you awake in the mornings, I want you to take 10 minutes. 10 minutes. To stretch and breathe. Whether you are familiar with yoga poses or have a favorite stretch you like. You can find a book at the library on easy stretches that will fit your physical aptitude or you can also google easy stretches. They even have some you can do while seated. Whichever stretch(es) you choose, I want you to be in a quiet place and focus on your breath while you stretch. As you breathe… you will inhale peace and calmness, and exhale stress and anxiety. As you breathe, feel the stress and anxiety leaving your body. Feel the peace and calm enter the very core of your being. 10 minutes. Simple easy stretching. Simple easy breathing. So far, so good, yes?
OK, next will be the amount of time you spend on your electronics. I know. I know, they are necessary!! Well, yes, but they do not necessarily need to be attached to your hip 24/7. Put down the electronics. Step away from the computer. Give yourself a mini electronic vacation. No joke. Again, we get caught up in this electronic whirlwind of chaos, and one minute to quickly check emails turns into one hour (if not more). An hour you will never get back. An hour you could have spent doing so many other things.
Children causing you stress? Shame on you. Who’s in charge? Make a schedule for your kids to follow on a daily basis. From chores to basics like when to get up, and when to get ready for bed. All typed out. Neatly. You should not be the only one doing chores around the house (and I KNOW you feel that way sometimes!) Make a chore sheet for your kids, as young as five! They can do it. Simple, age appropriate chores, but none the less, something to teach them responsibility, and help you along the way. Kids younger than five? Make the schedule for yourself. The more structured you have it, the easier it is to follow. The more they will be used to structure once they are five, and then can help out. Making life easier for children may backfire into making it harder for them once they are adults.
Keep work at work. And I know this is sometimes hard. Give yourself an amount of time to vent at home, to a spouse, etc… say half hour, hour max, then let it go. Move on. Work will be there in the morning, but your family won’t. Don’t waste home time with work worries. We find that worrying about something does not make it better. It simply makes ourselves worse. 10 minutes upon waking to stretch and breathe. In peace and calm. Out stress and anxiety. Make a schedule for the kids. For yourself. Follow it. Allow Self time.
Mary-Anne DiBlasio, Holistic Health Practitioner, Be Well Life Coach® and Founder of Western Mass Wellness Center.
Mary-Anne is a happily married mother of four living in Western Mass. She walks her talk and talks her truth. She founded her Wellness Center back in 1999 after she had a personal need for Holistic Health in a science-based world in 1995. Not happy to hear that there were not a lot of options, she decided to pioneer her own journey for a more natural way to better health and wellness. Four years and much training later, she decided to dedicate her life to offering folks holistic alternatives.
Western Mass Wellness Center is located at 1111 Elm Street, Suite 21 in West Springfield. Visit her website westernmasswellness.com or call 413-73B-WELL (732-9355). Be Well… Be Wise… Just Be…
WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Mass Appeal) - The Western Mass Wellness Center in West Springfield enables its clients to truly take charge of their own health and well being. The Center believes in providing more natural, gentle and holistic options for visitors to let them feel more in control over their mental, physical and emotional bodies.
Monthly Be Well ® Series
with Mary-Anne DiBlasio
from Western Mass Wellness Center
every third Monday of each month on...
Mass Appeal
Eating healthy on a budget
Our Pantry List Of Must Haves for Healthy Quick Meals/Snacks
Reducing Stress At Home & Work
By Mary Ann DiBlasio, Contributing Writer
The first thing you want to do to reduce stress in your world is to reduce the amount of things you have to do. I know. I know. You are saying to yourself, well, that’s all fine and dandy, but what am I NOT supposed to be doing?? I have to do it all!!
Well, no you don’t. Last time I checked you didn’t have superhero after your name on any document I have seen, so you’re off the hook. See! Wasn’t that easy? OK, well, maybe it’s not quite that simple, but let’s take the first step, shall we? First, write down, on a piece of paper, all the things you feel you HAVE to do during the course of a week. A typical week. All of it. Your 9-5 job if you have one. Kids to school, or maybe soccer. Grocery shop. List it all… go ahead, I’ll wait………. OK, you have it? Now, what I want you to do is look at it through very squinted eyes, you know, the ones you get when you’re spouse or child is asking to do something that is a NO WAY answer! So, while you are scrutinizing this paper… be honest with yourself REALLY, what you could potentially remove from the list. HONESTLY. Obviously we need to go to a job, we have to pay the bills, bring the kids to school, and grocery shop, but what about that commitment you made to your friends’ friend regarding oh I forget what. Simply, this is a request to say “NO” when needed. We often over burden ourselves because we are afraid to say no to people. The word no is a very powerful word, and useful. Become friends with it, know it’s boundaries. We over extend ourselves as a whole on a daily basis, thinking we can get it all done. Not to say that there are days when we are super revved up and can get a lot done, but, for everyday to be overfilled with things that may not matter, will only take away from the core of yourself.
Now that you have taken the time to write down all you do during the course of a day, and have maybe shaved off a thing or two, I want you to set a schedule for yourself. A timely schedule that will leave “self time”. Self time will be any time you set aside for yourself to do something FOR yourself. Read that book you’ve been dying to read. Give yourself a manicure, go GET a manicure (keep finances in mind). One program is not meant to feed the other :O) Take a bath. Take a walk. Take a gosh darn breath!
When you awake in the mornings, I want you to take 10 minutes. 10 minutes. To stretch and breathe. Whether you are familiar with yoga poses or have a favorite stretch you like. You can find book at the library on easy stretches that will fit your physical aptitude or you can also google easy stretches. They even have some you can do while seated. Whichever stretch(es) you choose, I want you to be in a quiet place and focus on your breath while you stretch. As you breathe… you will inhale peace and calmness, and exhale stress and anxiety. As you breathe, feel the stress and anxiety leaving your body. Feel the peace and calm enter the very core of your being. 10 minutes simple easy stretching. Simple easy breathing. So far, so good, yes?
OK, next will be the amount of time you spend on your electronics. I know. I know, they are necessary! Well, yes, but they do not necessarily need to be attached to your hip 24/7. Put down the electronics. Step away from the computer. Give yourself a mini electronic vacation. No joke. Again, we get caught up in this electronic whirlwind of chaos, and one minute to quickly check emails turns into one hour (if not more). An hour you will never get back. An hour you could have spent doing so many other things.
Children causing you stress? Shame on you. Who’s in charge? Make a schedule for your kids to follow on a daily basis. From chores to basics like when to get up, and when to get ready for bed. All typed out. Neatly. You should not be the only one doing chores around the house (and I KNOW you feel that way sometimes!) Make a chore sheet for your kids, as young as five! They can do it. Simple, age appropriate chores, but none the less, something to teach them responsibility, and help you along the way. Kids younger than five? Make the schedule for yourself. The more structured you have it, the easier it is to follow. The more they will be used to structure once they are five, and then can help out. Making life easier for children may backfire into making it harder for them once they are adults.
Keep work at work. And I know this is sometimes hard. Give yourself an amount of time to vent at home, to a spouse, etc… say half hour, hour max, then let it go. Move on. Work will be there in the morning, but your family won’t. Don’t waste home time with work worries. We find that worrying about something does not make it better. It simply makes ourselves worse.
10 minutes upon waking to stretch and breathe. In peace and calm. Out stress and anxiety.Make a schedule for the kids. For yourself. Follow it. Allow Self time.
Mary-Anne DiBlasio, Holistic Health Practitioner, Be Well Life Coach® and Founder of Western Mass Wellness Center. Mary-Anne is a happily married mother of four living in Western Mass. She walks her talk and talks her truth. She founded her Wellness Center back in 1999 after she had a personal need for Holistic Health in a science-based world in 1995. Not happy to hear that there were not a lot of options, she decided to pioneer her own journey for a more natural way to better health and wellness. Four years and much training later, she decided to dedicate her life to offering folks holistic alternatives.
Western Mass Wellness Center is located at 1111 Elm Street, Suite 21 in West Springfield. Visit her website
westernmasswellness.com or call 413-73B-WELL (732-9355). Be Well… Be Wise… Just Be…