Therapies
On this page you will find a short description of each of the therapies we offer as part of our program. We will help you decide which will be the most effective for you in your journey towards wellness.
Biodynamic craniosacral therapy
Biodynamic craniosacral therapy can help with many health problems whether they are physical, psychological, emotional or a bit of all three as this therapy recognises that all three are connected. Clients frequently come with IBS, fibromyalgia, ongoing aches and pains, sleep problems, auto immune conditions, anxiety and low mood and more. BCST is a very gentle but profound therapy in which the therapist tunes into a sense of stillness and from that place is able to gently connect with the subtle rhythms and flows of the client's body. This deep listening seems to allow the client's body to settle, pause and then begin to rebalance itself. The process encourages, and is often experienced as, a very deep sense of relaxation and letting go.
Biodynamic craniosacral therapy isn't a quick fix but I believe that the changes which come about through a series of treatments are more likely to be long lasting as they are brought about by the client themselves, rather than being imposed by the therapist. The therapist's role is to support and witness how things are. If you have a long standing issue and feel as though other treatments haven't quite been able to resolve things as you hoped, it may be worth coming for a session of BCST. An initial session will probably be able to tell you whether this is an approach which resonates with you. BCST is carried out with the client clothed lying on a couch , or sitting in a chair of the couch is not comfortable.
Bio-Magnetic Pairing Therapy
Our cells are made up of electrons, protons and neutrons that carry an electrical charge. When we are sick or in pain the cells of our body in that area are out of alignment. Placing magnets on the body in specific places redirects the currents of energy running in the body and can have a profound healing effect.
There are over 300 established pairs of magnet positions that alleviate the symptoms of physical, emotional and mental pain. Of course these new healthier energy patterns in the body must be preserved through energetic alignment but Biomagnetic pairing therapy offers you the space to do that work symptom free.
This in person session comprises of a full assessment where we measure the strength of the magnetic fields in your body by looking at muscle and nerve length. Once we have established which fields require re-balancing we place pairs of magnets on your body for a specific period of time to correct the magnetic field strenghts. Often symptoms are immediately eliviated.
EMDR
One of the fundamental ideas behind EMDR is that our mental health problems are mostly caused by experiences that were emotionally overwhelming, and which get stuck in our nervous systems.
EMDR begins by identifying the problems and their root causes, and by developing a series of resources which help us to feel emotionally stronger. We then focus on the traumatic experiences themselves using eye movements or tapping on one side of the body and then the other to detoxify the trauma. This process may sound a bit strange, but most people find that eye movements or tapping dissolves the emotional charge of the original distressing experience, and as that happens life in the here and now begins to feel much more positive.
Another important element in EMDR treatment is that we use ‘resource figures’ to ‘rewrite’ early, disturbing experiences. An example of this would be inviting a person who experienced critical and aggressive treatment from a parent, to re-imagine the distressing scenes but with their adult self, present to support them. Using the creative imagination in this way we can change how the memory feels so that the dysfunctional computer programme stops running in the background.
Experiential Healing
Experiential Healing is simply a set of really tuned-in questions that allow you to access emotions you are holding in your body. You remain entirely conscious and able to have a completely normal conversation throughout the session, it is not the same as hypnosis.
We breathe deep into the body however there are no specific breathing techniques involved. I simply hold a safe space for you to release energies, emotions and open into memories in a different way, freeing yourself from internal dialogues and decisions that have been holding you back in life.
For many people it is a profound experience of understanding why life has worked out how it has to this point. Gaining an understanding of the lessons of your life and the gifts of experiencing the hardships you have is liberating. New awareness in itself brings change, integrating that awareness in your everyday life through simple actions means you can step out of patterns and limiting beliefs for the the first time and become who you truly are meant to be.
Meditation
To be honest, we are not sure why meditation is shrouded in such inaccessible mystery; particularly as it is such a useful practice in our crazy modern world. Meditation and mindfulness are really just a paying attention to what is happening in the present, in this moment.
What is happening right now? We get our information through our senses, so it makes sense to check in with them. This is about paying attention. What are the sensations that you are experiencing?
Breath. The movement of the breath in the body, the flaring of the nostrils as you inhale. The expansion of the airways in your throat. The ribcage and within it, the lungs. The belly, rising with the inhale and falling with the exhale. Maybe you can feel the movement of the inhale as a stretching of the skin, or subtler still, an expanding and softening at a cellular level.
Other sensations. Temperature, tingling, vibrating, pulsating, pressure points – where your body touches the something, the sensations of feedback, the contact points. Sound. The vibrations of sound. Sounds in the distance and sounds closer in. The sound of your own heart beating. Smells. Certain parts of the body have more nerve endings, greater sensitivity and therefore are a good place to start. The palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, lips, tongue, genitals. Certain areas have a greater impact if you try to release and soften them; eyes and ears and the areas around them, the jaw, tongue, belly, pelvic bowl, hands and feet. So, there is a noticing, observing, feeling, hearing and then, of course, you will lose all of that and the mind will drift off into some narrative, a story – maybe mundane, like what you are going to have for supper. Maybe some life challenge. Then there needs to be are turning, a re-focus on something that is happening in the present moment.
Reiki
Reiki is a Tibetan Buddhist healing practice thought to have originated thousands of years ago and was rediscovered in the 1800’s by Dr Mikao Usui, a Japanese Buddhist. It is a healing technique in which the practitioner channels life force energy to promote balance and well-being.
The word "Reiki" translates to "universal life energy," which flows through all living things. When this energy is blocked or depleted, it can lead to physical, emotional, or mental stress and discomfort. Reiki works by improving the flow of this vital energy, helping to release blockages, reduce stress, and support your body's natural healing processes.
Reiki energy transcends time and space, allowing it to be just as effective at a distance as it is in person
'A Reiki treatment feels like a glowing radiance that flows through and around you’ it offers the opportunity for profound healing at a deeper level and clients often describe experiencing heightened awareness and an overwhelming sense of tranquility and serenity.
Thai Massage
Thai Yoga Massage is an ancient form of massage. It offers a unique combination of yoga style stretches, acupressure, meditation, physiotherapy and energy work. It is a holistic therapy which aims to restore the natural energy balance in both the body and the mind.
Thai Yoga Massage helps to stimulate the para-sympathetic nervous system; our bodies natural relaxation response. Relieving stress with its grounding, rhythmic qualities, helping the mind to quieten. It can encourage the release of holding patterns and blockages allowing the body to heal.
Thai yoga massage can help to improve back pain and posture, muscle tension and flexibility. It can make the organs work more efficiently and therefore help to improve digestion, circulation and blood pressure. Countering the effects of exhaustion, stress and insomnia; Thai yoga massage can have a positive effect on overall health and well-being. It can restore the body to balance.
Yoga
Yoga is an art and science that guides us towards living a healthy and content life. There are eight limbs or components of yoga, with physical postures or asanas being one of the more well known aspects. Yoga is about union, with ourselves and with one another. It combines movement with the breath in a way that no other practices do. There are many forms of yoga from traditional Hatha yoga which has more steady postures, yin yoga which is more gentle and easing or my dynamic practices such as ashtanga yoga. We can help you find the right form for you and the right teacher.
The benefits of yoga are wide ranging and cumulative. You will quickly notice changes in your flexibility, strength, mental clarity and focus. It is also known to improve immunity, circulation within the body, enables the rinse and release of toxins as well as helping us to acheive a state of total relaxation.
Yoga is for all bodies, regardless of age and current state of health. Once you begin your yogic journey doorways and possibilities will open for you that you never expected.
Yoga Nidra
Yoga nidra, often referred to as yogic sleep, rocks! It rocks on so many levels. If you haven’t tried it… You are missing out.
I first tried yoga nidra when I was really unwell, Lyme Disease. The symptoms were so debilitating that I went from 6-8 hrs of physical exercise every day to not being able to sit up. I was told meditation would help. To be honest there is not much you can do when you have a headache that lasts for weeks, unrelenting joint pain, a heart that feels like it’s about to burst forth and so little energy that going to the toilet is an epic journey. Iexplored meditation (a lot) and found yoga nidra.
What do I like so much about it? Firstly, it is unexpected. I have many years of meditation experience yet yoga nidra took me by surprise. The different parts to it are like a journey; an internal enquiry. There is an unpeeling which leads you deeper and deeper into relaxation. It is clever too, how it works on different levels of awareness. Senses and sensations, emotions and feelings, imagination and visualisation.
Behind yoga nidra is the idea that there are Koshas, veils or coverings that obscure our view of our true essence. In order to tap into our unconsciousness/true essence, we need to first peel off the layers…
In yoga nidra, there is a setting of your sankalpa, your intention. Your sankalpa is a positive statement of intent. It starts with I AM. It requires a gentle enquiry. A tapping into what is going on for you. A listening that allows you to set your sankalpa to what is important for you in that moment. I found this hard to start with but you get better at it, more in tune with what your body is telling you. Your sankalpa might be, I am calm, safe, loved, free, well,strong etc. This listening and setting of your sankalpa can have a profoundly positive effect on your being, it can stay with you. I often repeat my sankalpa, long after my practice has finished.