Organic Relief: Relax Pack Review & Giveaway

A while back my friend Tammy over at Inside Ballet Technique encouraged me to check out a company called Relax Pack. Relax Pack is a “Woman Owned Small Business in Scottsdale, Arizona” that produces organic herbal therapy packs. The owner, Tiffany Buntin, suffers symptoms of chronic pain and fatigue and is diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The challenges she faces have inspired the creation of her own line of herbal therapy packs which are completely organic. I encourage you to read more of Tiffany’s story at the Relax Pack website.

Dancer Therapy

Many dancers utilize hot and cold therapy packs to relieve sore muscles and injury pain, not to mention dancers and teachers who suffer from chronic conditions. So, on Tammy’s recommendation, I did a bit of investigation and discovered two more great reasons to share Relax Pack with you.

1. Support of Small Business and Female Entrepreneurs — I like sharing products by folks who originate and believe in their own products. Tiffany developed Relax Packs to fill a need, she offers personal attention and has created a community of support for others like herself.
2. Organic Options — I appreciate Earth’s ability to provide what is often the best solution for its inhabitants. It just makes sense to me to reduce use of chemicals (particularly in products that come in contact with our skin) whenever possible. Each family and individual does what they can, but I believe in supporting companies’ “green” efforts whenever possible. Relax Pack, in addition to producing an organic product, makes an annual contribution to CarbonFund.org to help offset the company’s emissions.

So, encouraged by my initial investigation, I approached Tiffany about a possible review of her product on Dance Advantage. She generously offered several products for review and, in addition, has agreed to give away some Relax Packs to readers.

Three Packs, Four Formulas

Relax Pack produces three different packs, including a Neck Wrap, Body Pack, and Eye Pillow. Each of these are manufactured in four formulas: Pain Relief, Relax & Soothe, Revive & Awaken, and All Natural Unscented. I sampled all three of the packs and the three aromatic formulas.

For complete details on the ingredients of each pack and formula, please see the Relax Pack website.

My impressions

Construction – The stitching on each pack is consistent and seems quite durable. It appears to me that one would have to abuse these packs to destroy them, and each is packaged with clear and simple instructions for how to heat and cool the packs. The organic cotton feels soft, yet sturdy and is color-coded in fresh, solid colors according to the ingredient formula inside.
Revive and Awaken – I received a Neck Wrap in this formula. The design rests easily on my shoulders and I’ve quickly popped it in the microwave for heating on those early mornings when I manage to rise before my little one to get some work done. The aroma really does have an invigorating yet calming affect, and helps me focus my foggy morning brain for writing.

Pain Relief – The peppermint, spearmint, lavender, ginger, and eucalyptus in this formula is a really pleasing combination. I’ve used heat therapy “beanbags” that cool way too quickly. I tried the heated Body Pack for some soreness after dancing and was pleased to find that the flax seed inside the Relax Pack held the heat for a long time.

Relax and Soothe – I received this formula in both the Body Pack and Eye Pillow. For someone who stares at a computer screen a lot, the Eye Pillow is welcome relief. It is recommended for cold therapy and can be kept between uses inside a resealable plastic bag or container in the freezer. Again, it keeps its cool. This formula contains linden leaf and flower which, according to the handy cards packaged with the order, is said to ease painful cramps. I used the Body Pack on a day that I experienced cramping (of the female variety) and the heated pack did offer relief. The fragrant ingredients are a pleasant and comforting feature.

Cost – Organic does not always mean more expensive. I was pleased to discover that Tiffany’s Relax Packs are comparable (and sometimes less expensive) than other heat and cold therapy packs available even at WalMart and other big stores. They would make a great gift for yourself, for a teacher, or anyone else you know with aches, pains, or stress.

The bottom line: I cannot offer any negatives. I am very pleased with the packs and continue to use them regularly.

The Giveaway

Tiffany is offering prizes to three winners on the blog. To enter the contest, all you need to do is comment on this post using the “Speak Your Mind” comment form below this article. Be sure to include the email address at which I can contact you, should you be a winner.

In your comment, tell us which formula you would most like to try (detailed descriptions can be found at Relax Pack) and why.

If you are a Dance Advantage email newsletter subscriber, be sure to write “I’m a subscriber!” in your comment and use the same email address with which you subscribe to the newsletter (they need to match, this is how I verify that you are a subscriber). For this contest, email subscribers (sorry no RSS feed subscribers this time) will receive an extra entry. If you are not already a subscriber, you can sign up before the close of the contest, enter with your comment, and still receive the extra entry.

Winners will be drawn from all entries using random.org. This contest is open only to those in the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam. My apologies to those in other locations.

The grand prize, offered to the 1st winner drawn will receive:
- 1 neck wrap
- 1 body pack
- 1 eye pillow (in any combination of formula)

Winner #2 will receive:
- 1 neck wrap (in any formula)

Winner #3 will receive
- 1 eye pillow (in any formula)

Entry comments will be accepted from now until midnight (EST) on Friday, March 19. At that point the contest will close, the drawing will be conducted, and the winners will be contacted via email. Winners will have 48 hours to respond or I will have to move on to the next name drawn. When all winners have been contacted and confirmed, I will update this post with the announcement. Further information can be found in the giveaway policy.

Sorry to bore you with the details. Go ahead! Enter with your comment below!

Richard Maddock Music — CD Review and Giveaway!

Richard Maddock is an accomplished musician as well as a seasoned dance class and exam accompanist. He is currently Head Accompanist at The Pia Bouman School of Creative Movement and Ballet, in Toronto, Canada and has written, performed, and engineered eight CD’s for dance in the last three years. I recently came across Richard online and he graciously offered five of these discs for review here, on the blog.

To top it off, he agreed to donate nine CD’s to give away to nine lucky Dance Advantage readers!

Music for Movement and Imaginations

Ballet Class & Creative Movement (for children ages 3 and up)

I’m not currently teaching preschool ballet, but this is a CD I wish had been around a few years ago when I was teaching younger children! Dance teacher and collaborator, Kelly Jones-Hart has developed a class structure that effectively blends the conceptual exploration of creative dance with basic ballet technique. And with over 40 tracks, there is plenty of material and alternatives to spread over many classes. The disc provides brief notes on each track explaining its possible uses in class. The notes are not a how-to manual. Some familiarity with creative dance methods would certainly increase the variety of ways you could use the musical material. However, plié, tendus, relevé, ballet walks, sauté – it’s all here – forming a cohesive lesson format whether you are comfortable with creative movement concepts or simply looking for a way to enliven your children’s ballet classes.

Musically, the selections are simple but engaging. Composer, Richard Maddock knows when to keep the beat “readable” so that young dancers can stay in time with the exercise. And, he is playful, adding flourishes and fun when trying to inspire little imaginations. There are a variety of “freeze” dance selections with random pauses, and a group of compositions designed for Enchaînment (combination of steps or concepts). These often switch tempo or meter and could be applied many ways to whatever you are working on with your students. Also included are seven “Dance-a-Story” arrangements. In these, the music changes and progresses in a way that suggests a plot or sets a scene. Two sample stories are included in the album notes and a general outline is offered for the others but, the music itself will encourage your own creativity.

Although this is most certainly music for young dancers, I appreciate that the musical cues and changes are subtle and that the compositions have an elementary sophistication compared to some of the “baby ballet” albums out there. Because of this, the CD could be functional for children’s classes well beyond the preschool years, extending the usefulness of this album.

For further detail or to preview some of the tracks, click the image above.

Ballet Studio Inspirations: Volume Two and Volume Three

Richard creates from a colorful palette of musical hues. His compositions for dance classes are expressive. It is easy to find inspiration in the material for the choreography of exercises because he paints attractive landscapes of sound. But, it is the lyrical quality of the songs that also make these tracks enjoyable to dance to. They encourage the student to perform the exercises rather than just complete them, which makes a teacher’s job easier in the long run.

Volume Two includes 14 compositions, beyond the 31 barre and centre selections, which are recommended for pointe work. And overall it has rather lengthy tracks, particularly for barre. As a result, this CD is probably more appropriate for advanced students than beginners. Containing an hour and 20 minutes of music, the disc offers plenty of selections to mix and match for different lesson plans. What I found unique about this album was its delicate orchestrations. Though the piano is the focus, there are textures added beneath which suggest the richer dynamics of an orchestra without overpowering the dancers during class.

Volume Three, on the other hand, is special for its purely piano sound. Recorded on a Concert Series Grand while corresponding class exercises were performed, this album more closely resembles the experience of having a live musician at your disposal, a luxury that few dance studios enjoy. Though in the notes it suggests that the music was composed to compliment a pre-professional level ballet class, I feel that this CD might be more adaptable to varying levels than the previous disc. The shorter tracks have much to do with this. The compositions, consistently featuring 64 bars of music, also seem more symmetrical overall.

On both discs, it is helpful that the selections are ordered and titled according to how they might be utilized in a class. However, the compositions could be easily rearranged (perhaps on your iPod or mp3 player) according to preference. I also appreciate that the liner notes include the time signature of the piece, how many bars (measures) are available, and note changes or breaks in pattern. Knowing these details can make choreographing exercises a much smoother process.

For further detail or to preview some of the tracks, click the images above.

As Creation Unfolds: Part Three and The Garden Within

While the first three albums are definitely designed for class use, these two albums include longer compositions more suitable for creative or improvisational dance, or composition. Again, I visualize landscapes as I listen to Richard’s work. Most tracks have a contemplative quality.

As Creation Unfolds Part Three is the shorter (i.e. fewer songs) of the two albums. However most of its tracks are well over four minutes long. A favorite on the disc is “The Newborn Fawn.” Its skipping rhythms make it the most dance-y of the compositions and, as the shortest track, it could certainly be used for a lilting ballet in your next recital. “Woodland Nymphs” is another standout. I instantly recognized this one as a great fit for a creative dance class. Beginning with gentle pauses and gradually increasing in tempo, I picture children making shapes and exploring in a scarf dance. Incorporating several changes in texture, the music seems to have “events” that could easily be turned into a story dance.

On The Garden Within, the selections “Oh What Wonders” and “Gently Guiding,” in particular, produced movement images and motifs in my mind as I listened. Their lyrical melodies and slightly more stirring tempos make them relevant for phrases or class choreography. My most pleasant surprise came at the end of this body of work, however. The final track, “Moving Forward” is underlined with percussive elements. This, coupled with its Asian-inspired gongs and chords, give the song a Cirque du Soleil vibe. What I find most compelling, however, is the tempo fluctuation in the piece. Of all the tracks on these two albums, this is my favorite.

The Garden Within and As Creation Unfolds Part Three are both filled with lovely compositions. They are a pleasure to listen or meditate to, making them ideal for relaxation, yoga, or stretching (inside or outside of class).

For further detail or to preview some of the tracks, click the images above.

All CD cover images are the photographic work of Kim Fiocca.

Here’s How To Enter:

Sorry, the giveaway is now closed!

Winners have been contacted

♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫

Richard Maddock Compositions
Inspiring CDs for Ballet Class and Choreographic Work
www.richardmaddock.com