Thanksgiving is a holiday in which we give thanks. I’d like to thanks many people and groups this year. without all of you, Working Well Massage would not exist. I am grateful to Working Well Massage clients, massage therapists, support staff, Working Well Resources readers, fellow massage therapists throughout Facebook and POEM. I am grateful for my teachers, fellow students, in both massage school and graduate school. I am grateful for all the stressed out and sore and injured people who come to me personally or to my team of massage therapists. I am grateful to my friends and family who support me emotionally and sometime physically when I need help moving equipment or building a massage booth! I am grateful to Whole Foods Market for their continued support of our business and our massage booths in Chicago areas stores. I am grateful to the AMTA and ABMP, both organizations dedicated to improving the field of massage therapy. I am extremely grateful to the Massage Therapy Foundation, a relatively new organization that aims to “advance the knowledge and practice of massage therapy by supporting scientific research, education and community service.” And I am very very grateful for the Forest Preserves and other natural areas set aside for parks, recreation and the preservation of our natural environment.

Sue Shekut, Owner of Working Well Massage

Happy Thanksgiving to all my readers! I wish you and your loved ones a healthy and safe holiday!

Can a business be TOO successful? How about two businesses? Sometimes they can be! In the case of Working Well Massage and the Whole Foods Wellness Club, being too successful in some areas made it a better idea to split our two businesses and focus on what we each do best.

On Sept 5, 2011, Working Well Massage expanded our massage business to offer table massages in the new Wellness Club in Whole Foods Market in Lincoln Park. We aligned with the Wellness Club to offer discounted massages to Wellness Club members and full price massages to non-wellness club members. Both Wellness Club leadership and WWM thought that the massage business would be very successful in the Wellness Club and that we would need the consultation room to provide table massages. However, we found that table massages were not as big of a draw to the Wellness Club as nutritional consultations turned out to be.  We also found that the WWM chair massages business was so successful on the main floor that there was less of a need for massage in the WC than we thought. Both the Wellness Club nutritional offerings and the chair massage offerings on the main floor resulted in few table massage clients in the Wellness Club and a greater need for the use of the consultation room for nutritional services.

At the same time, WWM resources were being stretched thin. A massage business can only survive financially if it has clients. WWM massage clients ended up preferring the affordable, accessible, walk in appointment at the WWM chair massage station to table massages in the Wellness Club upstairs. Trying to market both massage and fitness and nutrition was taxing the resources of both WWM and the WC and confusing WWM customers.

By Oct 12 2011, both Wellness Club leadership and WWM agreed that it made more sense and was a better business decision to close the table massage business. Instead Whole Foods Market decided to focus the Wellness Club more on nutritional offerings and fitness and channel massage clients to the already established and successful WWM chair massages booth near Express on the main floor.

I apologize for any inconvenience or confusion this rapid opening and shutting down of table massage services may have been to some of our clients. Working Well Massage continues to offer chair massages at the Lincoln Park Whole Foods Market. And the Wellness Club is focusing on nutrition and fitness in the balcony (mezzanine) upstairs!

Visit us in the WWM chair massage booth from Noon to 8p.m. Daily and receive your own relaxing chair massage.

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• Why Get a Massage? (workingwellresources.com)

Where can you get unlimited yoga and fitness classes Chicago for $49 a month and $1 down? (Discount applies until November, 2011. Then the initial processing fee goes up.)

The Lincoln Park Wellness Club at the Whole Foods Market in Lincoln Park!

Whole Foods Market Wellness Club Yoga Room Equipment Awaits You In Lincoln Park

And how many yoga studios in Chicago also offer:

• Free cooking  and nutrition classes?

• A 10% discount on over 4000 items in the grocery store?

Last time I checked, none. And yes, I am a Wellness Club member. And happy to say I have already gotten discounts on my groceries, had several discounted massages and I am a  yoga  fan!

Stop by the Wellness Club at the Lincoln park Whole Foods Market at

1550 N. Kingsbury, Chicago, IL 60642

on the Mezzanine (Balcony) over the in store restaurants. You may just run into me there!

For more info, click here to go to the Wellness Club webpage.

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• Stop By the Whole Foods Market Wellness Club Open House on Saturday, August 6, 2011, from 10am to 5pm (workingwellresources.com)
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The world of massage research is in many ways, still in its infancy.  As such there is a lot of conflicting studies that can easily lead people to draw incorrect conclusions. mainstream press often takes the most sensational points from a study and broadcast those points to the world as if it were the Gospel. How do concerned citizens, loyal readers and fellow massage aficionados cope with the deluge of conflicting and confusing information about massage research?  one magazine that does a pretty good job of reporting on massage reasearch is Runner’s World.  In his article, Massage Q+A: Does it Work?, author Sam Murphy writes about a number of studies and explains how research results can be misleading when they don’t compare apples and oranges. or in this case, when research doe snot compare the effects of multiple massage session with the effects of a  single 8-minute session. Runners and research consumers,  take a few minutes to read Sam Murphy’s article. It may clear up questions you have about using massage to improve your athletic performance and or aid recovery from muscle injury.

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I’ve been shopping and providing massage at the Lincoln Park Whole Foods market for the past few years since they built the new store on Kingsbury. I know the store well, every stairwell, every nook and cranny, every mouth-watering department. But for new clients and visitors to the newly established Wellness Club, finding our table massage location can be a daunting task. Since massage is geared towards relaxation and stress relief more than orienteering, I want to make it easier for people to find us!

Your Final Destination; The Lincoln Park Wellness Club in Whole Foods Market at 1550 N. Kingsbury!

Directions to the Wellness Club inside Lincoln Park Whole Foods Market
Our actual street address is 1550 N. Kingsbury. From September to likely our first snow in Chicago, North avenue is under construction from Ashland to Kingsbury. I don’t recommend you access the store from North Avenue heading east from Ashland for that reason. And, as construction season is still upon us, Halsted is also under construction and access to Halsted between Division and Chicago avenue is blocked off.  The best way to access the Wellness Club AND avoid traffic congestion, is to enter Evergreen from Halsted just North of Division, turn right on Kingsbury and then enter the Whole Foods parking garage rear entrance a few blocks north of the Evergreen/Kingsbury intersection. For a pdf file showing driving directions of the map, click on Driving Directions to Wellness Club

A great table massage is just around the corner, inside the Wellness Club!

The Wellness Club is located on the Mezzanine (aka balcony over in store restaurants and deli) of the Lincoln Park Whole Foods Market.  You can access the Mezzanine in the store in one of two ways:

1. If you park in the garage on level 2 or 3, simply walk to the rear of the parking lot (facing the River) and take the stairs or elevator to the Mezzanine (M on the Elevator). Exit the stairwell and walk along the Mezzanine (aka balcony) towards Kingsbury until you reach the Wellness Club.

2. If you park in the garage and take the escalator or elevator to the main floor or if you walk to the store, you need to walk up the stairs in front of Express Checkout and the Working Well Massage Chair Massage Station to reach the Mezzanine.

You can see the Wellness Club in the distance in this photo taken from the bar aisle in front of Express Checkout!

These stairs lead to the level known as the Mezzanine (aka the balcony). The Mezzanine is only accessible from the stairs shown below or the rear entrance of the store. If you take the elevator or escalator in the front of the store tot he second floor you won’t find us. Don’t fret, though, just return to the main floor and then take the stairs to the Mezzanine in the South end of the store. Your massage will be worth the walk!

If these directions are unclear, hopefully the photos will help you orient yourself in the store and find us in the Wellness Club! If all else fails, call just directly at 312-202-6444 and we will direct you to us!

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• Join Working Well Massage at Spa Night in the Wellness Club at Lincoln Park Whole Foods Market! (workingwellresources.com)
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• Stop By the Whole Foods Market Wellness Club Open House on Saturday, August 6, 2011, from 10am to 5pm (workingwellresources.com)
• Lincoln Park Wellness Club™ Opening September 5, 2011 (workingwellresources.com)
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• Whole Foods Market Tests Out Wellness Clubs (dailyfinance.com)

While I’ve been interviewing and setting up the new massage services at the Lincoln Park Wellness Club, I’ve been able to receive demo massages from a variety of talented massage therapists. And at the same time, I’ve been extremely aware of my own muscle issues and tension. As a massage therapist myself, I frequently feel my client’s tight muscles, work out muscle adhesions and try to educate them as best I can about proper body mechanics at work and how to stretch. But I myself find that, when times are stressful and my workload is intense, I don’t always have time to practice what I preach, exercise-wise. And that’s where massage therapy really saves me.

I don’t see massage therapy as a luxury these days. Without a few weekly chair massages and a table massage every other week, I would be in too much pain to function properly. When people tell me they can’t afford  a massage, I think, I can’t afford to NOT get a massage. Massage therapy is part of my wellness routine. Just like drinking water, getting enough rest and exercising as much as I can, time permitting. But why is massage so important to me and why do I promote massage, not just at my own Working Well Massage locations, but in general?

1. Massage therapy offers me a few minutes or an hour of time that is just for me. I don’t have to answer emails texts or phone calls. I don’t have to talk to the massage therapist if I don’t want to. My massage time is devoted to me and my wellbeing. The rest of the week I may be working hard, attending to my own clients but My massage time is just that MY time!

2. When I’ve been recovering from muscle injury or chronic tension, I can try to work out the muscle tension myself, but even for an experienced massage therapist, it’s tough to work my own neck and shoulders!

3.  For stress management, I can either hop a plane to somewhere warm and snorkel out in the ocean or I can go get a massage. Cheaper than a plane ticket, easier to do more frequently than a few times a year, and certainly less expensive!

4. I find that most massage therapists and certainly the ones I select to work at Working Well Massage locations, are warm, kind people. They care about my well being and my pain and they try to help me. I like my dentist too but even though he is super nice and tries not to hurt me, I don’t run to see him as often as I get a massage.

5. In our fast paced world, it’s s easy to lose touch with our physical bodies. I can spend hours in front of the computer and not move. I try not to but I know that many of my clients are in the same boat. When your job involves computer work, it’s difficult to get enough movement in during the day and it’s easier to forget that our bodies need movement and rest. On days I am computer bound, I tend to feel more muscle tension and even feel a little cranky. But within about 10 minutes of a good massage, my mood lifts, I feel less tension and I know I will feel much better at the end of my massage. And I do!

6. I am not an anti-Western medicine fanatic. I go to the doctor for my checkups, I get mammograms and take prescription drugs when needed. But I don’t tend to need a lot of prescription drugs.  Due to my relatively healthy living habits, most of my pain tends to come from allergies or muscle aches and pains. So instead of taking a pill every day or needing frequent medical care, I get regular massages to help me manage the aches and pains of an active aging body.

There are many other reasons I get regular massage, but enough about me!  What about you? Why do you receive massages? Tell us in your comments.

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To book your next relaxing, therapeutic massage with Working Well Massage, call the Wellness Club 312-202-6444.

Working Well Massage Massages in the Wellness Club
Hours: Mon-Fri, 11am- 8pm, Sat-Sun, 9am-7pm
Location: Whole Foods Market Wellness Club
Mezzanine level
1550 N. Kingsbury (between North Avenue and Division Street)
Chicago, Illinois 60642

Free parking available in the garage, enter on Kingsbury.

Prices:

Wellness Club Members: $65/hr massage
Non-Wellness Club Members: $80/hr massage

On September 5th, Whole Foods Market® Wellness Club™ will be open for business! And Working Well™ Massage will being offering table massages for the first time in a Whole Foods Market® location!

Learn to eat food in new and exicting recipes!

What is the Wellness Club™ and Why Should I Join?

Confusion is often the biggest impediment to losing fat, decreasing risk of disease, and regaining general health and vitality. Americans are spending more money, time, and energy on their health than ever before, yet they are still getting sicker. It’s time has come to change this pattern and the Whole Foods Market® Wellness Club™ can help! Developed by medical doctors, the Whole Foods Market® Wellness Club™ will feature courses and lectures, inspirational and informative skill-building classes, supper clubs and special events, coaching and support, and a network of local businesses (yoga, fitness, spa holistic care.)

The Why’s and the How’s of Healthy Eating From the Wellness Club™

It’s important for all of us to understand the “why” and benefits of a plant-strong, whole food, healthy fat, nutrient-dense diet. But, knowing why without knowing how doesn’t get us very far, does it? There are thousands of articles all over the web explaining how to eat healthier and why we should. But the truly amazing and helpful thing about Whole Foods approach to healthier eating is that their new program offers you the how: the practical tools, cooking techniques and recipes to ensure that your new healthier lifestyle is sustainable. Founded on in-depth medical and nutritional research the Wellness Club™ is intended to support the transition to a healthier lifestyle.

Wellness Club™ Membership Includes:

• 10% Discount on a wide variety of select healthier foods throughout the store

• Unlimited classes in cooking, nutrition, fitness & healthier lifestyle choices

• Breakfast and Supper Club discount

• $5 Discount on Yoga classes (normally $15)

• A $15 discount on one-hour table massages (limit 4 per month) regularly $80 in the Wellness Club™

• Access to a growing network of local businesses that promote health and well-being and provide additional benefits to Wellness Club™ members

• Private Coaching and Cooking Instruction discount

• Free cooking demos

• Free Nutrition 101 classes

Check out the new Wellness Club™ website for details on how you can become a Wellness Club™ member and start your new journey to a healthier lifestyle…with your friends at Whole Foods and Working Well™ Massage!

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Relaxing massage at Whole Foods Market's new Wellness Club in Lincoln Park

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

For the past ten years, Working Well Massage has provided quality massage services to Chicago area companies, schools, residents and shoppers at Whole Foods Markets. Now we are bringing our highly skilled massage therapists to Whole Foods Market’s new Wellness Club inside the Lincoln Park location!

Starting in September, 2011, Working Well Massage will offer hour-long massages (Deep tissue, Swedish and Sports massages) on a massage table verses on a massage chair. We have assembled some of the best massage therapists in the city of Chicago to offer our clients a relaxing therapeutic experience…in a Whole Foods Market Wellness Club!  Clients will be able to receive a great table massage–either at our chair massage station or in the Massage Room at the new Wellness Club–and then grocery shop. And since the Wellness Club will also be offering yoga and fitness classes our clients can get a massage before or after they workout!

More info to come about the Wellness Club, the massage services offered at Whole Foods Market and details on scheduling your table massage with Working Well Massage soon!

Related articles:

Whole Foods to Build Wellness Clubs from Refresh

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Lorian Bates, Working Well Massage Therapist inside Whole Foods Market

Pamper yourself and get a sneak peek at the soon to be opened Wellness Club in Lincoln Park!  There will be a number of relaxing and natural spa treatments including manicures,  facials and mini-massages from Working Well Massage therapist’s Heidi and Lorian.

When: Thursday, August 11, 2011, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm,

Where: The Wellness Club is located on the Mezzanine level of Whole Foods Market in Lincoln Park
1550 N. Kingsbury, Chicago, IL 60642

Cost: Attending the Spa Night is absolutely free!

Register in advance by emailing mw.kbs.marketing@wholefoods.com and you will receive an exclusive gift, courtesy of Keeki Pure and Simple®.

Working Well Massage to provide Massage in the New Wellness Club!

Working Well Massage will be expanding our massage services by offering 60-minute table massages the Wellness Club starting in September. This allows us to provide longer massages than we can in our chair massage booths and gives us another way to meet the needs of our massage clients.

We welcome current and future Working Well Massage clients to visit us in our chair massage stations daily from  Noon to 8pm at both the Lincoln Park and the Gold Coast Whole Foods Markets. And then, in September clients can also  schedule an appointment with one of our massage therapists at the Wellness Club!

What is the Wellness Club at Whole Foods Market?

The Wellness Club will offer a wide variety of services to support healthy lifestyle change or maintenance. The goal of the Wellness Club is to create a community that has something for everyone who wants to make positive health choices. Services will include a comprehensive series of nutrition classes, breakfast and supper clubs, yoga, fitness classes, group support meetings and cooking classes. Members will also receive a 10% discount on many products throughout the store! Finally, members will have exclusive access to a local provider network that offers discounted complimentary services like massage, fitness club memberships, fitness apparel and healthy restaurants.

The Wellness Club will open on September 5th, 2011.

If you’d like more information on the Wellness Club, email lincolnpark-wc@wholefoods.com or call the Wellness Club at 312-587-0648.

Keep up to date with all the upcoming events at the Wellness Club on Facebook here.