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hvparent.com n Hudson Valley Parent 27 a therapist so that a massage thera- py can be tailored to each person's specific needs. Natalie Golonka, who is a li- censed massage therapist at The Arnold House in Livingston Manor in Sullivan County says she is a big advocate of the benefits of prenatal massage. "It triggers the parasympathet- ic nervous system and brings on a state of relaxation, harmony, and healing," Golonka says. "The heart rate is normalized, brainwaves go into a meditating mode, and happy hormones are released...it gets blood circulating and nutrients to where they need to go faster and more efficiently." When she was pregnant, Golonka says she was also the recipient of prenatal massage. She says it helped alleviate some of the discomfort as- sociated with pregnancy and provid- ed some pain relief. Golonka said that she also has pri- vate clients and travels throughout Sullivan, Ulster and Orange counties. According to Body Mechanics Orthopedic Massage in New York City, our state has one of the highest educational standards for massage therapy in the country. To ensure a safe experience check out www.op. nysed.gov/opsearches.htm to make sure you are visiting a licensed prac- titioner with an education approved by the state. When you contact a massage therapist, as part of the process in finding about their services, you can ask them how frequently they do prenatal massage and what type of special equipment and positioning they use. And, again, make sure to always consult with your doctor before scheduling your massage appoint- ment. Stacey Lutz is new to the Hudson Valley. She is a writer and a mom, who enjoys hiking and decided very early on to introduce her little one, Hunter, to the great outdoors. CONTESTS.HVParent.com SEND YOUR CHILD TO SUMMER CAMP FREE! (QWHUIRU\RXUFKDQFHWRZLQ DFHUWLÀFDWHWRZDUGVVXPPHUFDPS &RQWHVWEHJLQV0DUFKWK S U M M E R C A M P S W E E P S T A K E S 6SRQVRUHGE\ GE\ 6SRQVRUHGE\ • Kids Parties • Sweet Sixteens • Proms & School Dances • Communions • Blacklight Parties • Green Screen Photo Booth