Fifteen Minutes: The New You: FM's Guide to Self-Improvement

Spiritual Sally floats towards nirvana after a sunrise session at the Cambridge Zen Center (576-3119). After lunch, she checks in at the MAC for a bit of yoga. Kuumba rehearsal tonight.

Self-confident and relaxed after the Men Talk forum (495-2581) and his shiatsu massage (495-9629), Mental Michael tunes out on the grass. Michael likes to read for pleasure.

Thank goodness Physical Phyllis quit smoking (731-7311)--now she can scale the wall at Boston Rock Gym (781-935-7325) without all the huffing and puffing! A yummy wrap at The Low-Fat-No-Fat Gourmet Cafe and Juice Bar (932-7676) finishes the afternoon off right.

It's Thursday night and Social Sammy is on his way to the Dunster Coffee House after a beer with the boys at The Kitchen--upstairs (492-9646).

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When all else fails, there's always Harvard. Here's FMs cheat sheet for a lap around the Harvard's party circuit.

Winthrop Dining Hall: is open 24/7 yo.

Big Party Rooms

"The Swamp" (second floor)

"The 10 Man" (third floor) - Kirkland I Entryway

"Alicia's Room" - Winthrop C Entryway (fifth floor)

"Currier 10-man" - On the right as you enter

"Adam's Senior House" - adjacent to Claverly

Loker Commons

The H-Club

Steinclubs

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Massage Therapy

Massage Therapy involves an assortment of manual therapies that

scientifically manipulate the soft tissue of the body. In general, the

massage therapist applies fixed or movable pressure in varying degrees

that affect numerous systems of the body in a positive manner. Assisting

the body to heal or normalize itself in order to achieve or increase

well-being is the basic philosophy of massage therapy.

The basic types of massage are: Swedish massage (long, gliding strokes,

kneading and friction); Neuromuscular massage (applying finger pressure to individual muscles); Deep tissue massage (slow strokes, direct pressure, friction); Sports Massage (specially modified to deal with the needs of the athlete); and Shiatsu (Japanese technique performed on the floor).

The benefits of massage: relieves stress, aids relaxation, reduces muscle

tension and stiffness, strengthens immune system, improves ability to

sleep, decreases fatigue, decreases feeling of anxiety, promotes a relaxed

state of mental alertness, relieves headaches and migraines, increases

ability to cope with stressful situations, and fosters a feeling of well-being.

Harvard Wellness Programs

Center for Wellness and Health Communication

75 Mt. Auburn St., 2 East

495-9629; fee covered by healthcare, depends on type of appointment.

*Massage therapy: one-hour appointments with licensed massage therapists. Monday to Thursday 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

*On-site massage therapy: 10 minute sessions by appointment. You can set up

an appointment in your office or for your group. Massage therapists will

set up on-site chairs and provide ten-minute "mini-massages." Massage is

done over clothes and areas worked are the back, neck, shoulders, arms and

hands. On-site sessions are also held at UHS, 2nd floor, every Wednesday.

*Self-care massage sessions: 15 minute sessions by appointment. By learning

simple stretches and self massage techniques you can help yourself feel more

comfortable while working at the computer. Computer related injuries, such

as RSI, are becoming more prevalent. One-on-one appointment will include

self-care techniques and help you gain awareness of possible tension areas

while working; techniques for relaxing muscles and establishing the most

comfortable and productive working posture will also be demonstrated.

Shiatsu

Same info as above.

Tuesday to Thursday 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. apptointment with licensed shiatsu therapist. Tuesday to Thursday 7:30 p.m., half-hour sessions. On-site shiatsu (at your workplace), appointment needed. Traditional Japanese style (treatments are on the floor on a futon, fullyclothed).

Couples: learn how to massage each other.

Private sessions for couples to learn how to massage each other with the assistance of a California trained masseur. First help the masseur to massage your partner and then learn to massage on your own. Private sessions run for two hours; $20 per person for students. Sessions conducted at the Healing Center near Porter Square. Contact Joe Foglia to set up an appointment at (781) 937-4186. To learn how to massage (Swedish, Shiatsu, Polarity techniques), rates for

students start at $30 per hour of instruction. Volunteers are also need to

receive FREE massage from students during lessons.

Painting by Jason Y. Cho '01.