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
Winter, the season of stillness and rest.
Winter is the season of stillness and rest, we can use this time to withdraw and go within, to delve deep into own inner worlds, to name our dreams and give birth to our visions. In the stillness of introspection, we can reflect on the past year before beginning anew in the next. In taking stock of our lives, we can identify … Read more
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