Vipassana meditation retreat, update. Thailand 2019
For many years I have wanted to complete a 10 day Vipassana meditation retreat and I am so pleased I now have and what a stunning location in south Thailand, near the town Chaiya. Known also as a silent retreat, meditation retreat, 10 day retreat or Anapanasati retreat. A beautiful and profound experience, that the … Read more
10 day Silent Vipassana Meditation Retreat, Thailand
Following the Awakening Leadership training I head to Bangkok tomorrow to catch a train south to Surat Thani. A port town and gateway to some of the infamous islands off the east coast. Islands I first visited some 27 years ago! I am heading for Wat Suan Mokkh International Dharma Hermitage, to attend a 10 … Read more
Awakening Leadership Training Programme. Thailand, September 2019
Awakening Leadership Training weaves inner transformation and societal understanding with techniques for community building and effective mindful leadership. It provides space for dialogue, reflection and contemplation on the deep questions facing humanity and our planet. The learning process emphasises inner cultivation as a foundation for fostering new paradigm leadership. Humans and other living beings have been facing … Read more
Teeth Grinding and Clenching (Bruxism) and how Massage Therapy can help
Teeth grinding and jaw clenching (also called bruxism) is often related to stress or anxiety. It doesn’t always cause symptoms, but some people get facial pain and headaches, and it can wear down your teeth over time. Most people who grind their teeth and clench their jaw aren’t aware they’re doing it. It often happens during sleep … Read more
What is Yoga Nidra Meditation? (Sanskrit: योग निद्रा) or yogic sleep)
During Yoga Nidra, we let our awareness wander through the whole body.
While doing so, we move through different stages of consciousness just as in sleep: We shift between the waking state, dream state, and finally to deep, dreamless sleep. It creates deep relaxation for health, mental peace, and higher awareness and has been quoted … Read more
Sankalpa and Yoga Nidra Meditation
Yoga Nidra, or “yogic sleep,” is a powerful experience of progressively relaxing and restoring our whole bodymind, that then naturally opens us to accessing our intuition, unconditional joy, and deep peace. The Yoga Nidra process also makes it possible to clear out habits that no longer serve us and bring about positive and durable changes. … Read more
The benefits of Abdominal Massage and connection to Wellbeing
I know, it is a strange one and makes many people feel uncomfortable when I ask ‘would you like me to massage your abdomen’. All the fears and insecurities arise about the shape of our bellies and what people will think of us. For years there was not a chance you’d get anywhere near my … Read more
Emotional Eating: How to recognise and stop emotional eating
We don’t always eat just to satisfy hunger. Many of us also turn to food to relieve stress or cope with unpleasant emotions such as sadness, loneliness, or boredom. And after eating, we feel even worse. Not only does the original emotional issue remain, but we also feel guilty for overeating. No matter how powerless … Read more
Tips for reducing hay fever symptoms
What is Hay Fever? Hay fever is a common allergic reaction which occurs at particular times of the year. It is known as seasonal rhinitis, sharing symptoms with perennial (year round) allergic rhinitis, but occurring as a reaction to pollen from grass, trees and weeds during the early spring and summer months. It can affect … Read more
Conventional, Complementary, Alternative or Integrative Medicine?
You have no doubt heard of and used one or more of these terms in relation to your health and treatment of illness. Some are still spoken with a derogatory tone, some given more authority than others and often they are used interchangeably and inaccurately. Therefore, I wondered if it was useful to offer some … Read more
Fight, flight or freeze? Our response to chronic stress or trauma.
This is a brief summary, taken from my notes of my specialised 5 week neurobiology informed yin yoga therapy programme. There are a variety of practices and hands on approaches that will support the release of chronic stress and/or trauma, my programme aims to give an introduction to how we can use Yin Yoga, Yoga … Read more
Complementary Therapies in Cancer Care – An Overview
More and more people with a cancer diagnosis are researching the treatment options available to them, prior to, and informing, their treatment plan. Some people choose standard allopathic treatment alone, some choose complementary therapy alongside allopathic treatment [this approach is called integrative medicine] and some people choose a purely holistic, or alternative, treatment plan. Supportive … Read more