Welcome!
I love helping people to slow down and decompress.
After doing massage for 30 years, I still enjoy slowing down, honoring the healing spirits, and helping my clients to release tension.
In our fast paced society massage is a blessing that helps us go within to our own peaceful place to become more aware of our body's needs.
Here's my July Newsletter:
Miraculous Mexico Yoga Retreat
For Healing and Fun
March 14-21 2026!
Click HERE for details
Judgement-free: Open, Impartial, Accepting, Tolerant.
PLAYFUL YOGA CLASSES!
WEDNESDAYS 12-1
THURSDAYS 5:30-6:30 PM
ALBUQUERQUE SCHOOL OF HEALING ARTS
Hello friends,
Welcome to July! I just did a course on Insight Timer (A great Meditation App!) called "Create a Judgement-Free Life: Both for Yourself and those around you" by Kinga Kremer and I really enjoyed it.
My favorite take-aways are Soften the need to be right, Appreciate rather than criticize, Give others permission to be themselves, Drop expectations, Trust Life, Celebrate progress not perfection...
I always have a judgement-free atmosphere in my Massage office and my Yoga classes....yet I still notice room for growth in my self-talk and allowing my closest loved ones to be themselves and dropping expectations....I like the mantra "Acceptance not Expectations."
This article has great suggestions for living with love and appreciation!
Judgement-Free Zone by Norm Schneiter
As humans, we have been conditioned to build stories and make judgments about almost everything we encounter. It's how our brain fills in the missing details. From people and their behavior, to the situations we find ourselves in, we are constantly making judgments. While some of these judgments may be necessary for our survival, many of them are unnecessary and often unfair. In this post, we will discuss the concept of judgement and provide tips on how to become judgment-free.
Becoming judgment-free is about learning to communicate with others on an authentic level, allowing us to appreciate individuals for who they truly are. Here are some tips to help you become judgment-free:
1. Don't be judgmental of yourself
In order to stop judging others you have to first stop judging yourself. People are so cruel to themselves - "I'm fat. I'm stupid. I'm ugly. I'm lazy." No you're not! You're human. You are imperfect like the rest of us. Be kind to yourself. Work on what you want to improve and accept and love what you cannot change.
2. Recognize your biases
The first step to becoming judgment-free is to recognize that we all have biases. We may judge someone based on their race, religion, politics or even their social status. Recognizing these biases is the first step in overcoming them.
A story to illustrate this is the other day I was enjoying a burger and beer in a local pub and there were about 15 people there from a local motorcycle club. Naturally there are biases that come up with these types of clubs but what I found interesting was that as they were leaving they were hugging each other and saying "I love you, Brother."
Put aside your judgements and see people for the flawed but good people they are. Everyone has the capacity to love and to be loved.
3. Practice empathy
Empathy allows us to put ourselves in the shoes of others, helping us to understand their feelings and perspectives. By practicing empathy, we can reduce the negative impact our judgments may have on others.
4. Focus on the positives
Instead of focusing on someone's flaws, try to focus on their positive qualities. This will help you appreciate them for who they truly are, rather than letting your biases cloud your perception.
5. Be More Kind
Be more kind to yourself. Be more kind to people around you. Be kind to those that you think probably don't deserve it. But sometimes the angriest people are the ones that are most hurt and need it the most. You have no idea the impact a kind word or gesture can have on a person's life.
In conclusion, becoming judgment-free is an ongoing process that requires self-awareness, practice and patience. It requires us to recognize our biases, practice empathy, focus on the positives, and challenge ourselves to approach the world with kindness. By doing so, we can create meaningful connections with others, enhance our relationships, and experience a more fulfilling life.
Amen to that!! May you have a loving and judgment-free July!
Love, Niki
**My Mom and sister will be giving a talk at the Creativity and Madness Conference August 2nd in Santa Fe and it's called Forgiveness and Resilience in Challenging Times. Attendance can be in person or virtually and there are lots of other interesting presentations. Check out the link above! For 10% off registration, use the codes, MEGAN2025 or GAIL2025
Other Massage Therapists to try:
Officemate Becky Whiteman combines Thai Massage with traditional massage: (575) 613-2058
Officemate Genevieve Hawk is great with deep tissue and specific work: (505) 459-5810
Mandy Hanson (505) 226-5999
https://mandyhansonlmt.square.site/home
Carl Hime (505) 681-6409
https://carlhime3lmt.amtamembers.com/
For a Physical Therapist who's also a Massage Therapist try:
Renai Gallagher (505) 514-6031
https://renaigpt.com/
For Craniosacral Therapy try:
Eric Moya, Jeanne Gorham, or Ellen Santistevan
For Acupuncture and Natural Healing try:
Pamela Cornish DOM (505) 999-7305
https://www.pamelacornish.com/
For Love Life Coaching call:
Joielle Shepherd (505) 585-1006
joielle@joyfulloveguide.com
https://www.joyfulloveguide.com/
For Health Coaching:
Kate Honegger (505) 239-4295
"You are not enclosed within your bodies, nor confined to houses or fields. That which is you dwells above the mountain and roves with the wind. It is not a thing that crawls into the sun for warmth or digs holes into darkness for safety, but a thing free, a spirit that envelops the earth and moves in the ether. If these be vague words, then seek not to clear them. Vague and nebulous is the beginning of all things, but not their end."
-Kahlil Gibran
Yoga Videos for you to try:
Knee Aches or Instability https://youtu.be/XjA_jgrfyRc
Back Tension https://youtu.be/cKGlhNTp8tc
Jaw Tension or Clicking https://youtu.be/17ZZsQUdOsw
Low Back Pain https://youtu.be/FmpupA1Ib2c
Hip Aches or Pain https://youtu.be/lGuZxNMyj-U
Calf spasms https://youtu.be/-IhnZsCuwRo
Core Weakness https://youtu.be/gHF2HcftgDU
Shoulder Aches or Pain https://youtu.be/IngmVCoEL6Y
All my YouTube offerings are free. Enjoy and let me know if you have questions.
My Wednesday 12-1 Playful Yoga has 3 options: In person, Zoom, or get the video of class emailed to you. All for $15.
Playful Yoga With Niki
Tuesday 5:45-6:45 PM Yoga 1-2 at Midtown Sports n Wellness
Wednesday 12:00-1:00 Online and at Albuquerque School of Healing Arts
Thursday 5:30-6:30 PM at Albuquerque School of Healing Arts
Bodywork with Niki: Voted into The Top Five Massage Therapists in Albuquerque the Magazine's Best of the City 2018, 2019 & 2021!
Tune up your body and quiet your mind with individualized bodywork.
$100/hr $120/75 min $140/90 min
I accept credit and debit cards with my Square reader but add in a few bucks to cover the fees. Cash and Checks are always welcome. Or Venmo, PayPal or Zelle!
Gift Certificates for sale!
505-620-3965
"Listen with ears of tolerance.
See through eyes of compassion.
Speak with the language of love."
-Rumi
Anything that is not love
is only a visitor to your body.
You are not anxious
stress is simply flowing through you.
You are not permanently depressed,
sadness is simply visiting you.
You are not lost,
confusion is simply wandering within you.
And you are not broken,
pain is simply passing through you.
-Tahlia Hunter
Inspired by Rumi's poem "This being human is a guesthouse"