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Blog

The vagus nerve and amygdala and the role they play in stress, anxiety and trauma

The vagus nerve and amygdala are key elements in my work associated with chronic stress, anxiety, panic attacks, depression and trauma.  These aspects of our nervous system connect how we think, feel and relate to experiences within and around us.  Of course, we are influenced by many internal and external forces, what we eat, where … Read more

Flower remedies for a sudden change in health status

    What are Flower Remedies? The flower remedies I prescribe were developed in the 1930s by Dr Edward Bach, a physician and homeopath who believed that the key to good health was by emotional harmony. By 1936 he identified 38 flower essences, each one derived from a different wild flower, plant or tree, and … Read more

Bach Flower Remedies – Form and Function

Bach Flower Remedies My notes from ‘Bach Flower Remedies – Form and Function’ by Julian Barnard Dr Bach was trying to demonstrate how health and disease are intimately linked to the way in which a person lives and the need to make changes to that way of living. He did not separate the person from … Read more

Magnesium Deficinecy – Symptoms, Causes and Dietary Sources

This blog is written by Bonny Casel, Director of the School of Natural Medicine UK MAGNESIUM DEFICIENCY When I think of magnesium deficiency, I don’t aim for supplements or blame poor diet alone. Currently 70-80% of the population is magnesium deficient and, given how easy it is to obtain magnesium from our diet, this says … Read more

Yoga Nidra transforms habitual thoughts and behaviours that no longer serve us

Yoga Nidra meditation is a simple yet profound technique adapted by Swami Satyananda Saraswati from the traditional tantric esoteric traditions rooted in Hindu and Buddhist philosophy) and the practices of pratyahara (withdrawal of senses) and mental nyasa rituals (‘place’ efforts of relaxation on specific parts of the body). Yoga nidra was experienced by Satyananda Saraswati … Read more

Fight, Flight or Frozen: our response to trauma

Emotional and psychological trauma is the result of extraordinarily stressful events that shatter your sense of security, making you feel helpless in a dangerous world. Traumatic experiences often involve a threat to life or safety, but any situation that leaves you feeling overwhelmed and isolated can be traumatic, even if it doesn’t involve physical harm. … Read more

Chronic back pain

Chronic back pain is defined by the length of time you are suffering from pain in your lower back, rather than the severity of your pain. Chronic back pain is pain which lasts longer than three months. This may be continuous pain or intermittent, severe or mild. Often the cause of chronic back pain is … Read more

Trauma Survivors – Road Traffic Accidents

I love driving and especially love driving in countries I have visited around the world.  I have made a couple of long trips, driving to Greece in 2008 in one of my beloved vans and more recently driven to Spain (2017). I know I am fortunate to have avoided a car crash (perhaps a couple … Read more

Habit energy held in our system

During a therapy treatment or yin yoga class you may hear me talking about ‘habit energy’ in the system, so I thought I would write a little more about this and what it means. When we have an accident, injury, illness or a significant emotional, we have a reaction to that.  Our system releases chemicals, … Read more

Pranayama – breathing to clear physical and emotional obstacles

Breathing is the process of moving air into and out of the lungs to facilitate gas exchange with the internal environment, mostly by bringing in oxygen and flushing out carbon dioxide. Pranayama in yoga is the regulation of the breath through certain techniques and exercises, which clear the physical and emotional obstacles in our body … Read more

Yes to Life Annual Conference Cancer Care

Yes to Life Annual Conference 2017 As you know I attended the Yes to Life annual conference in London a couple of weeks ago.  Yes to Life are a brilliant charity supporting those with acancer diagnosis and their families. Yes to Life empower people with cancer to make informed decisions about their cancer care options, they provide information to guide people through the often … Read more

The impact of chronic stress on the muscular system and fascia network

I thought it might be interesting to share a piece I have recently written about the impact chronic stress on our muscular system and fascia network, and how this then affects other systems in our bodies creating a cycle of pain, inflammation and fatigue. One of the key aspects of the stress response is the … Read more