BEAUTY /
FEATURES
June 12, 2020
For women working hard every day with housework, careers, and childcare. Troubleshooting physical concerns: The "Outer Care" Edition. | BEAUTY
Easy Self-Care Techniques Taught by a Popular Esthetician (Part 1)
For busy women, physical concerns and minor ailments are often part of daily life. This time, in a two-part series, we introduce self-care techniques from Mami Miyamoto, owner and esthetician at "ANGELIQUE BEAUTY," a salon specializing in breast enhancement and uterine care. In this first part, we'll focus on approaches from the outside of the body. With ample time at home now, why not try at-home exercises to realign your body?
Troubleshooting for Women's Bodies: "Outer Care" Editionto
Troubleshooting for Women's Bodies: "Inner Care" Editionto
This article is a reprint fromHer ELEGANCEdated May 21, 2020.
Troubleshooting for Women's Bodies: "Outer Care" Editionto
Troubleshooting for Women's Bodies: "Inner Care" Editionto
Photographs by KANATANI Kohji | Model by TAKEUCHI Kana | Text and Edit by ANDO Sara
Now is the perfect time to care for yourself with more time at home!
Many women experience concerns unique to them, such as cold extremities and swelling. Furthermore, the prolonged stay-at-home orders due to the pandemic have exacerbated issues like stiff shoulders and lower back pain for some, due to unfamiliar work environments and increased screen time on computers and smartphones.
Mami Miyamoto, owner of ANGELIQUE BEAUTY, advises these women on the importance of self-care. "I tell my clients at the salon that muscles tend to stiffen up when you're sitting at a desk. Also, with the current situation regarding COVID-19, many people might be tensing up due to anxiety and stress." Let's get started with her guidance.
Mami Miyamoto, Owner and Esthetician at ANGELIQUE BEAUTY
Start with Deep Breathing to Warm Up
"Breathing is the only bodily function that we can consciously control among the autonomic nervous system functions. Just as we take deep breaths to calm ourselves in daily life, breathing can influence the autonomic nervous system, allowing us to relax our mind and body. As a preparatory step, let's take a few deep breaths to loosen up the body before starting the exercises," says Miyamoto.
1) First, relax your entire body. Place your hands around your lower abdomen (tanden) and exhale slowly and deeply through your mouth, imagining you are expelling all the air from your abdomen.
2) Once you've exhaled completely, imagine expanding your chest muscles and filling your lungs. Inhale deeply through your nose until your chest is full (thoracic breathing).
3) Exhale the inhaled air through your mouth again. Next, inhale while imagining filling your abdomen with air (abdominal breathing).
4) Once your lungs are fully inflated, exhale through your mouth. After exhaling, expand your abdomen again with abdominal breathing. Imagine the air reaching your head as you do this.
Repeat this series of deep breaths three times. It's also recommended to do this on your bed before sleep. It can help you fall asleep faster and wake up refreshed in the morning! When your brain receives sufficient oxygen, you'll experience a deeper sleep.
Scapula Rotations to Improve Rounded Shoulders
Rounded shoulders occur when the shoulders are pulled inward, creating a rounded line between them. Prolonged forward-leaning posture from using computers and smartphones, or a habit of sleeping on your side, can cause the shoulder joints to turn inward and become stiff. Rounded shoulders not only lead to stiff shoulders and headaches but can also contribute to sagging breasts and a protruding abdomen! Conversely, improving rounded shoulders can help alleviate physical discomfort and even enhance your figure. Be sure to check yourself.
1) Bend both elbows and place your fingertips on your shoulders.
2) Pull your shoulder blades together and slowly rotate them from front to back. Imagine moving your elbows in large circles, ensuring you move your shoulder blades thoroughly. Perform this 20 times.
"If you do this too quickly, your muscles won't stretch properly, so it's important to do it slowly. You can do this while standing or sitting, so try incorporating it during breaks from computer or smartphone use," advises Miyamoto.
Improve Swelling with Kidney Massage
Reduced blood flow from maintaining the same posture for long periods is a particular concern for those with desk-bound jobs. Poor circulation can lead not only to swelling throughout the body but also to problems in various areas such as the lower back, shoulders, and neck.
"Kidney function significantly impacts swelling. Let's loosen the area around the lower back where the three acupoints that activate kidney function are located: 'Mingmen,' 'Shenshu,' and 'Zhishi.' This is expected to promote kidney function activation and improve metabolism," says Miyamoto.
1) Lightly clench both hands into fists and bring them behind your back.
2) Imagine massaging the muscles of your lower back with the third knuckles of your fingers. Move your hands up, down, left, and right around the spine. Massage for about one minute, applying pressure that feels comfortable. Applying oil is also recommended.
Achieve a Lovable Figure with Self Breast Enhancement Care
"When poor posture results from prolonged use of computers and smartphones, the pectoralis major muscles, which form the foundation of the breasts, can weaken and stiffen without us realizing it. This becomes a major factor leading to breast sagging and loss of shape," explains Miyamoto.
Let's master the massage techniques to cultivate and maintain beautiful breasts! Learn effective acupoints and proper massage methods, and try them starting today.
1) Make fists with your hands and gently massage the upper part of your breasts, drawing circles from the center outwards.
2) Place your hands under your armpits, grasp the flesh from your back firmly, and then, while exhaling, pull it diagonally upwards towards your décolletage. As you inhale, release, and then exhale while pulling it further inward. Repeat this 10 times.
3) Keep your hands in fists and stimulate the breasts by pressing along their contours in a circular motion. Massage from the outside towards the center of the chest. To help lift the breasts, always draw circles moving upwards from the bottom.
4) With your hands still in fists, move them in circles from the bottom upwards between your breasts, stimulating and softening the milk duct points.
"You can perform self-breast care at home daily. It's best done during or after a bath when blood circulation is enhanced, as this can lead to more noticeable results. At such times, use oils or creams. This will improve glide and reduce the intensity of the massage. Please continue this daily to aim for beautiful breasts," says Miyamoto.
ANGELIQUE BEAUTY
Address: WEST Azabu 301, 2-21-22 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 03-6712-6092
Business Hours: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM (Last reception 5:00 PM) Irregular holidays
https://www.angeliquebeauty.com/
Address: WEST Azabu 301, 2-21-22 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 03-6712-6092
Business Hours: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM (Last reception 5:00 PM) Irregular holidays
https://www.angeliquebeauty.com/
This is the first salon in Japan offering esthetic services focused on breast enhancement and uterine health, aiming to restore the body's natural functions and self-healing capabilities. Miyamoto's meticulous treatments are renowned for transforming breast concerns into points of pride through her unique techniques. Her popular, proprietary method also addresses mental well-being by harmonizing female hormones, the autonomic nervous system, and women's natural rhythms. It's no wonder many repeat clients are drawn to Miyamoto's gentle demeanor. This salon is a sanctuary, offering a blissful escape from the demands of daily life.