Maggie Downie, Author at Personal Euphoria: Pilates & Fitness Classes in CT

About Maggie Downie

Thank you for giving your time to stop and read my blog. I hope it encourages you to keep moving. Move and the body will be happier. And when you're moving you can hike, run, swim in Jell-O, race over non-Newtonian fluids, travel the world or build igloos--if that's your thing. If not, you can watch me do it. This is just a spot to try and feel good about life.

Client Corner: Katy Hall on Feet & Firewalking

Meet Katy

“My cousin and I were always rubbing each other’s feet when we were younger,” Katy Hall reminisces.

Many years later, Katy found herself treating her clients to a foot rub after their facials and she soon realized what a great addition it was to the services she offered. Katy was officially bit by the reflexology bug.

Reflexology uses therapeutic essential oils while applying pressure to the feet through a variety of techniques. These techniques claim to dissipate energy blocks within organs and systems and breakdown crystalline structures within the body. Stimulating the circulatory lymphatic systems, electro chemical energy, and the body’s natural immune system helps encourage the release of toxins and enables the body to heal itself.

While there are mixed reviews as to whether or not the claims reflexology makes are true, and some studies may be flawed, the University of Minnesota, compiled a list of studies that do seem to show there may be benefits to organs and the rest of the body. Studies have shown an impact on organs, a decrease in pain, blood pressure and other symptoms, and an increase in relaxation. Ultimately, no matter what […]

Client Corner: Katy Hall on Feet & FirewalkingMaggie Downie2017-12-29T21:04:59-05:00

Plank Story: My First Mammogram

My first mammogram was fine—the process and the results. Women should inform other women that the experience is not that bad. I’ve always heard horror stories, and the procedure is a breeze. It’s not as fun as having the ear doctor suck dry skin out of your ear, and it’s not how I’d choose to spend an afternoon, but it wasn’t painful. I can see how it would be tough if you have tender breasts, but if you can schedule your appointment whenever you want, I think you can adjust accordingly.

I figured I’d make conversation with the mammographer (a title I prefer to technologist) while my bosom was being squished between the plastic plates. That’s what I do with the phlebotomists to pass the time. I asked whether it was easier to do a mammogram on a busty woman or someone flat chested (the category I’d put myself in). She explained that they were hard for different reasons. A big bosom is hard on her wrists as she places the breast on the machine. A small bosom can be hard to grab a hold of. And she added, “But your breasts are just perfect.” I’m assuming that the rest of […]

Plank Story: My First MammogramMaggie Downie2017-12-29T21:06:37-05:00

The Saga of the Microbiome Diet

I’m three weeks, two days, fourteen hours and fifty-three minutes (as of writing this) into my three month Microbiome Diet challenge. When this blog posts, I’ll be further along in case you just felt as bad for me as I did writing that.

Our obsession and need for food is fascinating. Obviously we need to eat to live, though I have always been someone who lives to eat. I love food. This may be the first time in my life I’m eating to live. I’ve cut gluten (which I’ve done for the past five years anyway), dairy, and sugar (including maple syrup and honey, but excluding fruit). Whole foods do taste good, but on this diet I never overeat, and I find I’m not actually that inclined to eat.

Here’s my problem. I love carbs and cheese. And apparently if I can’t eat them I don’t really want anything else. I would never have told you that I didn’t like meat, but I find myself having to force feed myself meat. I’ve discovered I don’t like chicken. I’ll eat it. Sometimes it even tastes good, like when it’s wrapped in bacon, but I could happily pass on the stuff. When I was […]

The Saga of the Microbiome DietMaggie Downie2018-01-13T16:18:32-05:00

The Minimalist’s Purge Game Complete

The goal: To purge 465 items from your house within one month. We pushed it to the very end. On May 30^th Matt and I still had 98 items to purge. I was worried we’d struggle at the end because each weekend, I’d go room-by-room clearing out everything I wanted to get rid of only to count the items and find I’d purged barely fifty. So I’d hunt through the house to find another fifty. On our last weekend of purging, I thought it would be even harder, but it wasn’t; it was the easiest.

I think purging becomes addictive. It became easier to get rid of stuff I liked, but never used or am keeping for “just in case.” I suddenly didn’t want it anymore.

I’d highly recommend doing a materials purge if it’s up your alley at all. You start to notice just how much you accumulate over time. Matt and I moved into this house six years ago and there were items I packed, made my friends help us move and I haven’t touched them since. That’s crazy. It actually felt good to get rid of them. We had over twenty packs of playing cards. I purged eight wooded […]

The Minimalist’s Purge Game CompleteMaggie Downie2018-01-13T16:19:52-05:00

Henna Party: The Best Times are Spent with Good Friends

Henna Hands

I wrangled a couple of girlfriends together for a henna party in March. I thought I was going to have to twist some arms, but everyone came willingly. I was a little worried my friends might think it was cheesy when I learned that in some local high schools henna goes in and out of fashion with sixteen-year-old girls. I don’t think of myself as super girly, so I was conflicted about wanting to try it. Not knowing what to expect, I was most intrigued to have someone paint on me. I love any excuse for proprioception.

Henna is an Indian tradition, usually used at times when women gather—before a wedding, during a pregnancy, or a naming ceremony. Henna Feet

Two women, Shruti and Snehal, came to our house to do the henna—every image was done freestyle. They could create a pattern from a picture or produce their own design in minutes. No matter what design we picked or where we placed the henna on the body, they fashioned fabulous art. It wasn’t what I expected though. I’m […]

Henna Party: The Best Times are Spent with Good FriendsMaggie Downie2017-12-29T21:10:58-05:00

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