Home and away - I went home for summer and then came back home.

The downside with self-employment is you don’t have holiday, but the upside is you have the freedom to take time off. For the last couple of years I taken a longer summer break and gone on a road trip “back home” to Sweden. It is a long drive and it feels far, but I love it, the journey gives you time to reflect and adjust. The transition from here to there is a gradual whilst traveling through different landscapes, crossing over bridges, going down through long tunnels and sometimes adding surprise diversions, both literally and metaphorically. The shifts and changes in the environment passing whilst meditating on where you are, where you going and where you’ve been. It takes effort and focus just like a meditation.

Many Londoners are like me, born in one place and moved from different counties or countries, stayed on and made a life here. Visiting your old home can throw you off kilter and bring up memories and questions. We might experience nostalgia and longing, or become reminded of why we left in the first place. The sense of being a different person or version of me in the different places, a bit confusing, conflicting or even frustrating. In my case there is a recurring questioning and pondering whether or not I want to or should return to live over there. At times an outsider everywhere and at times home is anywhere. These two polarities have become easier to encompass over the years thanks to my practice of yoga.
 
The word yoga has many definitions but ‘to yoke’ is universally used and can be take meaning to balance and that is a form of bridging. ‘Skill in action’ is another definition. Lately meditation has been the focus in my practice taking a seat every morning. This has built a greater confidence in belonging /feeling at home, bridging life here and life in Sweden. Meditation cultivates contentment and inner peace, but also builds resilience for opposing feelings and creates a capacity for space and inclusion.
The question of belonging is very current with the intense focus on identity. It is all prevailing in politics, media and popular culture. Earlier this year I heard and interview with Brene Brown talking about belonging and quoting Maya Angelou:

“You are only free when you realise you belong no place—you belong every place—no place at all. The price is high. The reward is great,”
She then explains:
“We confuse belonging with fitting in, but the truth is that belonging is just in our heart, and when we belong to ourselves and believe in ourselves above all else, we belong everywhere and nowhere.”

It may sound corny but home is where the heart is, when you are content you are at home. With inner peace we are at home wherever we are and with whomever we are. Instead of either or, us and them, this or that, there can be bridges, balance and acceptance. So when I long for home it might be the seat I am looking for.

It's great to be home.

When I chose to work in soft tissue therapy, I knew that I would be meeting a lot of people who were experiencing pain. I expected that clients would come to me with pain following an injury, surgery, or general imbalances in their body. From here, there would be several treatments and carefully curated exercises to ultimately ease the pain that sent clients searching for help.

For many people that I see in the clinic this is exactly what happens - we identify the physical imbalance or muscular weakness and work together to change it. With time and attention to detail the problem gets resolved. 

So, what happens when we’ve achieved balance and stability, but the pain persists? What do you do when a pain that arrived one day with no obvious cause or injury manifests into an unruly & unwelcome bodily house guest?

Persistent pain became a recurring experience for me as a practitioner, which inspired my investigation into what I could really do to help make positive and permanent change.

Firstly, I had to understand what pain is. In school we are taught that holding a hand to a flame prompts nerves in the hand to signal to our brain. Our brain responds by telling us to move our hand away. As this pattern repeats, we come to recognise that pain means damage. Through repetition we begin to accept a fundamental truth: the presence of long-term pain means that the body is slowly getting more broken.
I am here to tell you that this is simply not true! Nearly everybody that I treat describes their body as “broken” but I can assure you this is never the case. 

Pain recognition is a primal, instinctual response to protect ourselves against damage. What becomes challenging is altering the interpretation of pain’s origin. A flame hurts to touch, it is true, but the pain does not derive from our hand itself; the pain loop is triggered deep in our subconscious. This is because our nervous systems are a mechanism for survival. It is easy to forget that although we live in a complicated and fast paced world, we haven’t evolved any further than this need for safety.

The good news is that our brains are wonderfully malleable. We are constantly reorganising neural circuits and reinforcing these circuits through repetition. The way we talk to ourselves, handle our emotions, and perform our daily patterns all contribute equally. 
 
 Recent studies have shown that emotional trauma can trigger the very same pain loops as physical injury. Stressful life events can reactivate old neural circuits, also known as pain loops, and cause physical pain to appear in the body. 

 In a body functioning with high amounts of stress including unprocessed emotional trauma, the nervous system is more susceptible to becoming fearful and hyper-vigilant of pain. When the frequency of stress increases in our lives, we are slowly reinforcing those fearful neural circuits into well-trodden paths. 

Once pain is established, someone might then become avoidant of certain movements in order to avoid physical discomfort. Repeated aversion of specific actions most certainly activates those pain loops. Eventually the brain begins to predict and recreate the expected pain even when there is no physical damage. Unfortunately, the pain almost always feels identical to real physical injury (you know what they say: the body keeps the score!)

Hopefully now you’ll understand that when people come to me and proclaim that they are “broken” I can often assess quickly whether musculoskeletal issues are present or they are actually stuck in a cycle of control and limitation due to their relationship with pain.

A big identifier for pain loops being triggered in this way is intermittent symptoms that come and go on different days. It is only natural that when pain is not consistent, we are more likely to be on the look out for its return. This very quickly becomes a stressful and isolating experience.

With this understanding, how can we change our relationship to this pain? From my ongoing research into pain and neuroplasticity, I always return to the following guidance:

• Making changes to the way we interrogate ourselves and the pain we feel

When we alter our perspective of pain, there is an opportunity to become curious about exactly what we are experiencing. Take the time to assess where stress shows up in your life, pay attention to the associated patterns and triggers, and do so as honestly as you can. Next, you can work towards changing your habits but also the tone of your internal monologue. Instead of ruminating with fear or frustration, aim for indifference. This is a slow process and uncomfortable to start. Imagine you are blazing a trail through a wild and uncharted landscape; the more you walk the path the clearer it becomes. Be kind to yourself! Encouraging a new thought process is the first step in rewiring those neural loops.

• Our bodies need to feel safe

Our nervous systems are crying out to feel safe, but have you ever considered what safety looks like for you? It could be as simple as telling yourself you are safe and that you are not in danger (changing the tone of your internal voice, as we explored above.) Affirming statements like this work to reroute the signals that are habitually bracing your body and causing tension. Remember, safety looks different for everybody. I recommend taking time to think about this and noticing the small signs in your body of both stress and calm.

• A steady breath creates a steady mind

The loudest sign that a client is frequently existing in a dysregulated state is a fast and shallow breathing pattern. The ideal resting breath is slow and low with the rib cage gently expanding in 360 degrees.
The unescapable digital landscape of the 21st century has led to a growing pattern of poor respiratory habits where we are often holding our breath unintentionally throughout the day. The most effective way to remedy this dysregulation is to first try and notice those moments. Give yourself five minutes a day to focus completely on slowing down your breath and imagining the air moving deep into your belly on each inhale using only your nose.

This technique is called resonant breathing. Resonant breathing is scientifically proven to provide us with so many physical benefits including the production of nitric oxide, which lowers blood pressure, improved levels of CO2 in the body, increased lung function, and so much more!

• Visualise pain-free movement

It has been proven that taking the time to calmly visualise movement that is completely free of pain is incredibly effective in rerouting pain loops in the brain. Like everything I have mentioned This will take time and practice. Starting with the visualisation of pain free movement, you can slowly build to following this with real movement. Step by step.

• Caring for your fascia

Fascia is the name given to the connective tissue that wraps around and connects everything within the human body. This connective tissue responds to stress, trauma, movement (or lack thereof), postural patterns, hydration, and diet. Seek out professional help to release and re-inform fascial chains through massage and soft tissue therapy.
It would be remiss at this stage to neglect the importance of seeking appropriate medical advice to first rule out nerve damage or contributing medical conditions. The work I do focuses on musculoskeletal disorders and disfunction; it is vital to identify the cause of pain, when possible, to find the most effective route to relief. 
It is a long journey and perhaps to some a daunting one, but I truly believe that is entirely possible to free yourself from those unhelpful neural circuits that convince you that your body is broken. Small changes that focus on increasing movement, getting curious about your discomfort, calming your nervous system, slowing your breathing, and improving the condition of your fascia are vital. Consider these the neuroplasticity pillars to support you towards a reality with less muscle tightness, improved functionality, less pain, and a whole new way of caring for yourself. 

 If you are waking up at 3 AM with an overly active brain—you are not crazy. In fact, I am seeing a huge increase in insomnia cases in the clinic right now. A few weeks ago, I attended a talk by my Daoist teacher, Anita, and she explained exactly why this is happening: Welcome to the Yang Fire Spring.

(Note: Because so many people are struggling with this, I am putting together a local 2.5-hour workshop to physically practice grounding these energies together—you can [Click here to join the waitlist].)

This will be a lengthy read, but I highly advise you to save this document on your phone for whenever you feel like you are 'losing your mind' this year.

Let's talk about the 2026/27 first
Anita depicted a beautiful picture in which the energetic, fiery nature of the Horse (representing the Earthly branch of Chinese Astrology) is being further enhanced and supported by the Yang Fire energies (of the Heavenly Stems), leading to very powerful dynamics this year. Practically speaking, this is a year for great advancements fuelled by those double Yang (vibrant) energies, which I am sure you have encountered already. As we experience more explosiveness (globally and locally), it becomes imperative to prevent mental restlessness by giving more value (and engagement) to Humility and Moderation.

Spring Truths
On the other hand, spring is an exceptionally vitalising, yet chaotic time of the year. As we come out of hibernation, most of us are faced with the truth, which is that we have not rested enough over winter, and now we must face up to the contrasting liveliness of Spring. Irritability, headaches, insomnia and physical tightness, as well as sinus issues (due to the pollen) are prime examples of health-related dis-harmonies around this time of the year.

As these are further exacerbated by the energetics of the Yang Fire Horse, we need to bring extra caution to our balance between activity and rest. It is always advised to increase physical activity (especially stretching) and decluttering in Spring. Some examples are eating more detoxifying (seasonal) fruits or by doing a big house clean. We must remember to always relax back into our body as we are approaching the evenings.

Creative vs Distracting forces  
This year is prime for distraction. (Sorry ADHD folks). Time flows more quickly, and as soon as we put our finger on some extra bit of energy, we feel driven to use it right up. We must be really vigilant with burnout! Managing our energy and mental activity should be in our prime focus for the year.

On the bright side, the extra vibrancy will be great help for all creative projects, including self-expression. Long-held plans can come to fruition this year – as long as we keep a cool head. The double Yang is excellent for fuelling our plans and current interests.

Sleep and Burnout 
This Spring is especially tricky for people who have an unanchored nervous system. The fiery energies of the year bring up more energy (qi) to the head, which is the very opposite of what you need in order to have a good night’s sleep. This also means that we are likely to push more, putting us in the danger zone of (further) burnout. It does not mean we have to work less, but focused, slow-paced, attention-rich work, balanced out by plenty of rest and quiet time will get us much closer to our goals and dreams.

Joy and Connection
When these Fiery energies are harmonised (within you), they bring joy, exploration, and deep connection to your life. It is an excellent time to meet new people or deepen already existing relationships of all sorts.
The caveat: when you feel things bubbling up (in your mind), take a deep breath so you can prevent highly emotional and reactive outbursts. Which are more likely to happen this year, if mindfulness is replaced by mindlessness :)

Authenticity and Purification
You might also find that this year will bring a lot of change in terms of habits and connections that no longer support you. Fire has a purifying quality. It helps to burn away (internal and interpersonal) attachments, which keep us away from living honestly, true to our needs. Patience is a beautiful virtue, which infused with calm level-headedness, will prove to be an incredible force in your (social) life and personal development. These will help a lot with being misunderstood, so you can clearly express your heart’s desire.

The light of the Yang Fire year can illuminate suppressed things within us. Allowing those to come to surface can be uncomfortable, and difficult to acknowledge. Always remember that kindness and patience can balance out the challenges of honesty. Decluttering your personality (attachments to identity) and your home, phone, etc. will also help to keep your mind focused on your goals.

One Direction and Moderation
Probably the most important advice for the year... When we encounter a beautiful field of flowers, we might feel the urge to pick some. However, if we let ourselves become greedy, we might spend all of our time and energy on choosing the best flowers. Picking the daffodils is not enough anymore, so we hop onto the bluebells, the tulips and so on... devastating the environment and our inner landscape (of craving).
We need to decide on a select few things this year that we want to pour our attention and energy into. This will keep us from experiencing too much distraction. Moderation will help to bring the soaring fire back down, deep within us. Containing and mindfully using the vibrant energies of the year will prove to be crucial for us all. 

I can definitely say that is the case for me already and it's only March!

Finding Flow through Humility
It is incredibly regulating to realise that we cannot nor should not control our environment 24/7. It takes humility to recognise how little power we have around formulating the world (and people) around us. This recognition can bring you peace and lead you back to your agency. The agency around how we react to life.

Once we relinquish (even a little) control over life, we can finally find and engage in the flow that is already present around us. Life is self-governing. Our body does not need us to think about taking a breath. Just as the tree outside does not need us to water it. Flow is in the humility of being with the present moment. Tuning into the “natural organising” principles allows us to do the right amount of action at the right time (Wu Wei). However, this requires mental stability, stillness and presence.

(Prefer to practice this in person? [Click here to join the waitlist] for my upcoming 2.5-hour Spring Reset Workshop).

How do we settle mental agitation?
All you need to do is go back to the very basics of life. Rest (the mind) and Move (the body). 
"Just like the river flows under no duress, the solution is found in the motion of water."

When you allow your body to move and express itself, that motion of change will help to clear out stagnant habits, aches, and tensions. As we “bring the mind home”, the fluids of your awareness can wash over the blockages of your system.

Mindful movement is a fundamental for good health. Hence why I am a big advocate for Tai chi. For me it is the absolute tool in which we can harmonise the body and mind in a way that brings forth change that ripples into our whole life. Including the way we respond to our environment.

Settling the mind  
Once we have irrigated the ditches (physical and energetical stagnation/tension in the body), it becomes easier to settle the mind. “Bringing the mind home” is a simple practice of collecting your mental powers (thinking, planning, responding, doing) and bringing them back in, closer to your core. Allowing them to sink back into the body in this present moment. Any moment is a perfect opportunity to do this. Of course that does not mean it is easy to achieve. Hence why movement is such a beneficial tool to prepare the body for meditative practice and life!

Finding peace and deep calm
If you are new to meditation, it might sound logical, yet feel totally irrelevant to talk about calm and peace in practice. When we begin, we barely have the capacity to notice as we are thinking. Since it is our baseline to always be in thought (process). Constantly reacting to the world.

Start here – regardless if you are a seasoned practitioner or a total newbie

1. Prepare a comfortable seated position (can be on a bench in a park).
2. If there are distracting movements and noises around, put on some ambient music and close your eyes.
3. Allow your awareness to gently drop to the contact points between your body and the bench/floor. Settle your mind within your physical shape. Curiously exploring how the weight of your body feels on top of an external surface.
4. Then simply observe your mind, notice how thoughts come and go. How you start telling one story before making plans for later on.
5. In the beginning it can be useful to allow your mind to race a few minutes. After which see if you can slow down a bit. Perhaps taking a few breaths and bringing your awareness back to your body if the mind goes too wild.
6. Now that the preparations are sufficiently done, I invite you to become curious about space. The space between your thoughts. The sky beyond the floating clouds. To find this, you don't need to force your mind to stop. Instead, just notice the very end of your exhale. There is a tiny, natural pause before your body decides to breathe in again. That millisecond of physical rest is your space. You need not to control the breath, simply observe it.
7. As you notice that tiny pause at the bottom of the breath, give a slight preference toward it. Don't cling to it or try to hold your breath; simply appreciate that half a second of total stillness for existing. As you continue, your nervous system will realise this space is safe, and those milliseconds of rest will naturally start to expand.
8. Allow your mind to explore that natural pause. When it becomes sustainable to rest there without forcing it, drop a kind question into the background: What is the flavour of this quiet space?
9. You might start noticing that it feels peaceful, nourishing, or like a heavy weight has been put down. See if you can rest in that physical feeling of relief for just a few minutes. As you continue with your practice, you can notice how this sensation permeates into the whole breath, beyond that moment of pause.
10. When you feel ready, simply let go of any mental effort. Enjoy the fruits of the practice and bring those positive feelings -which you just generated- with you for the rest of your day.

Bringing peace to our sleep
As you noticed, there is a huge emphasis on finding peace and rest in the mind. This is even more important when we struggle with sleep. We have a beautiful opportunity of bringing these qualities into our sleep, to ensure a deep restorative sleep. The tool itself is not that important, the quality is even more so.

Before your sleepy time:

1. Allow the mind to generate a sense of peace and stillness.
2. Rest your mind solely on this feeling, or on a single point within the body, whilst abiding in this beautiful experience.
3. Slowly go to your bed whilst gently maintaining the “flavour” of peace in your system. Allow this to lull you to sleep.

What next?
Knowing these tools conceptually is one thing, but training your nervous system to physically use them is another. I am currently putting together a 2.5-hour Spring Reset Workshop: Grounding the Yang Fire, where we will drink the seasonal herbs, move the body, and physically practice grounding this Fire together.
I haven't set a date yet, as I want to gauge interest first. If you would like to come and physically practice 'irrigating the ditches' with me, please click the link below to drop your name on the waitlist. If there is enough interest, I will finalize a date and send you the official invite!

Yes, I'm interested in the Spring Reset Workshop!

 Spring offering: 

SPRING MEDITATION: Merging with Nature, enjoy it!

SPRING

Creating Matter from Energy
"Hold what you desire as your intention and give it life"

The cycle of the seasons in the Chinese Medicine tradition, associates Spring with the wood element. The first element in the Five Element Cycle, its symbolism relates to birth, growth, new beginning, creation of life, and life itself, it’s development and evolution. The wood element is embodied by trees, symbols of creation and growth, honoured as spiritual beings - each with its unique wisdom and teachings - in many cultures around the world.

Trees are the bridge between earth and sky, a link between Heaven and Earth, embodying the Wood’s element creative energy that turns heavenly energy into earthly form.

Spring it’s the phase in which new lives take form, energy is transformed into matter. Symbolically this is the time for planting our seeds, new ideas; and it’s also a prosperous time to develop ourself, to give life to our dreams and visions.

Bring ideas into reality is akin to birthing them, it brings their energy into form.

What is it inside you that is waiting to be born?

Born from Water in the creation cycle, Wood emerges from the primordial waters, the ocean of possibilities - the whole - to manifest into the separation expressed in the individual form.
The creative power of Spring grants you the chance to become a vessel of possibilities.
To dream your seed into reality and open to the magic of possibilities.

Spring is a time of balance, renewal, and welcoming new life into the world and into our inner landscape. In this abundantly creative time for celebration, we are invited to bring joy into our life, making sure we don’t miss the fun getting lost in the seriousness of our busy life.

Veronica is currently looking for participants for her case study program looking at how facial reflexology can address hormonal imbalances. You need to sign up for a minimum of 4 treatments at £50 each (facial reflexology is normally £85 a session) and be navigating a related journey, for example conception, menopause, challenging monthly cycles or post-natal period

Core Methodology
The method is built on the principle that the face acts as a microsystem of the entire body. By stimulating specific points and zones on the face, practitioners send impulses through the central nervous system to corresponding organs and body systems. 

• Integrated Traditions: It combines Tibetan meridian theory, Vietnamese and South American body maps, Chinese acupuncture points, and Indian practices.
• Scientific Foundation: The technique incorporates modern neuro-anatomy and embryology to target brain function and hormonal balance.
• Proved results and individualised protocols: A standard session typically follows a structured 7-step sequence designed to balance body chemistry, regulate the nervous system, release endorphins, and promote deep relaxation. Each client's need is then addressed with specific advanced and precise protocols combined to achieve the highest results.

Facial Reflexology for Hormonal Imbalances
Facial Reflexology Sorensensistem™ addresses hormonal balance by stimulating the central nervous system to regulate the body's internal chemistry. Because the face is in close proximity to the brain, the therapy uses the shortest possible route to reach the control centres responsible for hormone production, such as the pituitary gland. 

How it addresses Hormonal Balancing

• Endocrine Stimulation: Practitioners target specific reflex points and "zones" on the face that correspond to the endocrine glands, including the pituitary, thyroid, adrenals, and reproductive organs.
• Nervous System Regulation: The method shifts the body from a "fight or flight" (sympathetic) state to a "rest and digest" (parasympathetic) state. This reduces cortisol, the stress hormone that often disrupts other hormonal cycles.
• Neurotransmitter Release: Sessions are designed to release endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine, which naturally improve mood and help regulate the neurobiological processes that control hormone levels.
• Circulation & Detox: By activating microcirculation and lymphatic drainage, the method ensures hormones are delivered efficiently to cells and that excess hormones are processed and removed effectively. 
  
  

Common Conditions Addressed
This method is frequently used as a complementary therapy for:

• Menstrual Health: Managing irregular cycles, heavy or painful periods, and PMS symptoms.
• Fertility Support: Helping to balance reproductive hormones and reduce the stress and axiety often associated with trying to conceive.
• Menopause & Perimenopause: Reducing the frequency of hot flushes, managing night sweats, and alleviating "brain fog" or fatigue.
• Metabolic Issues: Assisting with thyroid regulation and general metabolism. 
  

 
 Case Studies Program addressing hormonal balancing

Invitation: Case Study Participants for Hormonal Neuro-Reflex Therapy (Facial Reflexology)
I am looking for visionary women to join my Case Study program for Hormonal Balancing with Neuro-Reflex Therapy

Participant Criteria:
I am looking for women currently navigating:

The Peri-menopause Transition and Menopause Journey: For women navigating "The Change", feelings overwhelmed or stressed; experiencing the discomforts associated with hot flushes, night sweats or aches and pains; feelings of "loss of control" during perimenopause, seeking to find confidence, emotional lightness/resilience and feeling grounded; a desire for mental clarity when navigating the "foggy" feelings often linked to hormonal shifts.

The Pre-conception Journey: For women seeking emotional support and stress management while preparing their body and mind for pregnancy, with tailored hormonal focus and a calm and supportive environment to nurture your pre-conception well-being.

Maternity Wellness: For expectant mothers who understand the importance of self-care - beneficial for themselves and their baby - and maintain wellbeing during the physical changes of pregnancy.

The Post-natal Period: For new parents needing a restorative approach to regain their sense of self and improve energy levels. Promote deep relaxation while helping re-harmonising your hormonal equilibrium. The "ebbs and flows" of early motherhood, seeking a restorative approach to regain a sense of self and physical comfort.

Monthly cycles where you feel the need for extra nurturing and relaxation during your pre-menstrual or menstrual phase, helping you to go through the stages of your cycle with ease and comfort.

 SPECIAL OFFER
£50 at West Norwood Therapies - for a minimum of 4 treatments

The Goal: To document the transformative power of this holistic approach.

Request an initial consultation form and hormonal test, and book your appointments. Email Veronica or  text her on 07878494322

Spring bulbs are pushing through the soil and catkins are dangling from the trees, uplifting signs that winter is on its way out and spring will soon be here but also heralding the start of hayfever season, which often begins in March. For some people hayfever is a mild irritation, for others it can cause significant misery, severely impacting their ability to enjoy time outside.

Symptoms

• Runny or blocked, itchy nose
• Sneezing
• Excess mucus
• Blocked, inflamed, painful sinuses
• Red, sore, itchy, streaming eyes

Treatment Options
Many people rely on antihistamines along with nasal steroid sprays and eye drops for symptom relief, and for more severe symptoms immunotherapy may be an option, but not everyone is comfortable taking medication. Antihistamines can leave you feeling drowsy, sometimes with other side effects like dizziness and headaches, and they dry the mucous membranes thickening the mucus and often causing greater congestion.

Acupuncture can help without causing side effects, particularly with nasal and sinus symptoms. It is most effective when started before symptoms begin enabling a root cause approach to help regulate the immune response but can also help reduce symptoms during a flare up. A review of 13 research studies which included 2365 people with allergic rhinitis (hayfever), found acupuncture to be a safe and efficacious treatment improving their quality of life.

Reducing exposure
The most effective way to help is to reduce exposure to pollen. Keep an eye on pollen counts and be more vigilant when it is high. According to the Met Office, who publish a pollen forecast. along with other useful information on hayfever, tree pollen allergies generally run from March to mid-May, grass from May to July and weed pollens from the end of June to September.

• Limit time outside, choose where you spend time, head for the coast

• Wear a sunhat with a brim and wrap around sunglasses
• Smear a light layer of vaseline around the rim of your nostrils to trap pollen
• Change top half of clothing and wash face and hands after being outside
• Wipe pets with a damp cloth to remove pollen
• Keep windows closed
• Limit line drying of clothes and bedding
• Wash clothes regularly

Other measures

• Avoid or limit wheat, dairy, greasy foods and sugar which can all encourage mucus
• Diet has an impact on immune regulation, an antioxidant rich, anti-inflammatory diet like the mediterranean diet may help
• Use a Neti pot to flush nasal passages with saline which can help with nasal symptoms and congestion

If you have not experienced acupuncture before then rest assured it is a very gentle relaxing treatment, and for hayfever it is best to start a course of treatment before symptoms begin to flare. Please get in touch if you’d like to book or find out more.

Why does it feel sooo good having a massage? What is it that creates that afterglow and gooey
buzzing well-being? What if we could have it on tap?

A yoga teacher friend of mine exclaims " you gotta participate, be receptive, open", when chatting
about good massage treatment.

The answer is: oxytocin - and yes, you can get it "on tap" in form of a spray. Tough that is not the
best option in the long run.

Oxytocin was originally discovered in 1906 by a British scientist Henry Dale in connection with
breast feeding and child birth and that might be where most of our general knowledge and
familiarity about it lays. More recently you might have come across oxytocin in popular culture being referred to as the "love hormone" advocating hugging.

Research by Swedish scientist Kerstin Moberg Uvnäs over the last thirty years, confirms that
oxytocin not a substance exclusive to mothers, but has much wider existence and importance as
an ingenious substance in all humans as well as in animals.

It's primary function and existence is to create and aid our ability to bond and develop social ties.
But it does have further additional functions that are rather incredible. Apart from a general sense of well-being it reduces fear and aggression, is relaxing and calming, increases pain thresholds and
deepens our relationships. It also supports out immune system, breathing, sleeping and wound healing. A long and impressive list of attributes.

Nature has given us the ability to produce this marvellous (but complex) substance and it is released into our bloodstream when we touch or are being touched. Even being in proximity with others that mean us well will stimulate production. That explains the joy of good company. But our production capacity has individual variations - in some oxytocin flows easily and abundantly, in others not so.

Like everything else nature hands us from birth we have different predispositions but our life
circumstances also play a significant part in this instance.

The last bit here is crucial and why administrating oxytocin as a bliss spray is not best option.

The missing component to experience self-produced flow of oxytocin and well-being buzz is trust.

Trust in being touched. Trust it is safe to be touched.

The 'formula' for wellbeing (and all benefits of oxytocin) is simply put:
Rubbing skin + trust = oxytocin production

You might have noted, if you are still with me, that oxytocin also increases trust and a feeling of safety. It's there for us to strengthen the bonds between those who means us well, but not to be reckless and unbounded. It can take some building up to, but in the long run it is preferable to encourage our own capacity by gaining trust rather than override our natural abilities with an external administration, better stimulate our own production. Massage is fantastic and a top choice for this and all body therapies are beneficial in encouraging the production, provided of course, the recipient feels safe and trusts the therapist.

The touching of soft materials, stroking animals, yoga, even singing in a group will also
have a positive effect and can be a place to top up your oxytocin and could be a starting point for
those who are not comfortable with touch.

I might be preaching to the converted here but it might be good to try to understand when others have reluctance and resistance to touch and how important it is to go easy, but also to remember how beneficial it is.

Returning to my yoga friend who has it worked out that for maximum benefit of massage she needs to be open to receive. In other words, to trust and the bliss will be there. This, I know, was not always the case but rather developed over time.

We are never alone truly.
We are born from two (biological mother and father), brought up by at least one if not half a village.
People do not choose solitude to thrive in life. It is their last choice for survival when they have been mistreated one too many times.

Or they choose it for the purpose of transformation. A form of challenge for spiritual cultivation.
 
Touch is medicine

Therapeutic touch is consensual structure in which the client and the therapist give each other space so the therapeutic qualities of change can emerge.
It is chosen and developed as a container, in which one can allow themselves to be exposed. To give up their thriving and fighting against discomfort.

True rest requires safety.

Just like yin and yang are complimentary, one needs a safe environment in which they can free up their defences (muscles and nervous system for an armour).
A good massage or Acupuncture treatment is based on non-verbal communication. Although the practitioner may seem to be in a place of power, it is their priority and responsibility to keep listening to their clients. Both via touch, sight and hearing.
A good session is like a non-stop dialogue in which the therapist gives just the right amount of stimuli, which allows the person lying down to fully relax. To dissolve into the new structure that is being co-created.
Of course this can look in many different ways. Yet, a firm and steady hand can provide so much relief.

Rest is so vital. Especially so today, when our society is geared towards productivity via burnout.
In a time when we feel challenged, burnt out or more sensitive than ever, therapeutic touch can make a world of difference. It can be a puddle of safety in the ocean of turbulence.

As we are approaching the energetic year of the Yang Fire Horse, it becomes even more important to tune into that quality of rest that our being craves so much.
We can find this in many different forms, in poetry, Tai chi, nature walks or massages.

A good thought to keep in mind, is that rest also requires effort. It is by far not the same as zoning out whilst watching digital content.
Rest is best described in the meditative world as “calm abiding”. A state where we are present yet simply abiding in peace. In the lake of consciousness undisturbed by thoughts and feelings.

I strongly advise you to put time aside for rest regularly. Whether it’s in meditation or during an acupuncture session, frequent ‘abiding’ makes a world of difference. It leads to deeper and longer baseline of a calm, safe, confident sense of self.

If you need some support with Rest in your life, do not hesitate to reach out to me or the rest of the fabulous WNT team.
 
PS: Perhaps Confidence is something you wish to work on this year? Please read my other article on Starting the year right: with positive emotion and community. 
 

Hi everyone,
Hope you all had a lovely festive period!
I am back in London. Recharged with inspiration and ready for 2026.

So let's start the year with something positive :)Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending a talk by Maitreyabandhu (a Buddhist scholar and practitioner), who shared many lifetimes' worth of wisdom around positive emotion.

Why is it so important?I think we can all agree that life is often challenging.
Yet it is also immensely beautiful.

Depending on the state of our mind, our experience can be of beauty or of suffering.
Positive emotions allow us to have a deeper capacity to stay present, appreciate and act creatively in our everyday life.

What sort of positive emotions are we talking about?Maitreyabandhu believes that our generation has been gradually losing its natural access to positive emotion.

This shows up as:
- a disconnection from nature, including our physical body
- a loss of community. the lack of feeling seen, loved and appreciated
- a missing cosmic connection. The experience of being part of something much larger, like the universe, humanity or the divine
Happiness, appreciation, and love, amongst others, are extremely potent positive emotions, yet they are not so readily available for someone living a busy metropolitan lifestyle.

Why do people struggle with positive emotion?There is a genetic predisposition to prioritise any sense of danger for the sake of survival. Unfortunately, this strategy has become maladaptive with our current lifestyle. As most of us are living up in our heads, overflooded with information. Boosted by a hyperactive nervous system, which is also overfilled with the energy of a multitude of (negative) emotions residing in the body.

The most commonly regarded positive emotions are not something we can easily (if at all) generate when we are isolated, overly cerebral or have no time to simply be.
Of course, there are countless practices out there which can be utilised in order to generate loving kindness or compassion, yet they fall short when we do not have genuine connections in our lives.
Connection to others and to ourselves.

What is the solution?
The Buddhist answer is simple:
- Live a slow life
- Stay deeply embodied and present
- Live in a community with individuals who share the same values as you

Now, that is beautiful, but this might not be available to you if you are:
- not a person of faith or interested in Buddhism
- do not know how to connect with such individuals
- have a full-time job and other responsibilities
- already living at your capacity

Perhaps you have a really supportive group of friends. Some deeply loving family members. Potentially a job that allows you to spend more time on your own. Yet there is something still missing.

Here is an alternative solution:

Whilst this is not a better solution than actually walking on the (Buddhist) path of dedication itself. It is also not exclusive of that.
What I am presenting to you today can be an excellent (and free!) alternative or addition to your preexisting journey towards a better, deeper, loving life.

Here is what you get:

Imagine a place where you can naturally unfold all the shapes, identities and habits that keep you away from experiencing joy and love as your everyday baseline.

A community where, instead of ‘working on yourself’, you are actually having fun with like-minded people.
Where goofing around allows you to truly be yourself as you are
right now.

A magic toolbox, stuffed with all the goodies that lead you to positive emotion.

A completely practical approach. Where you can finally get out of your head, down into your body. Where pen and paper become your friend. Where your phone actually brings you slow, nourishing content, instead of a wired nervous system.

In this community, we only have three laws to abide by:
1. Have fun
2. Be kind,
3. Keep the momentum

The best part?

It’s all free!

All it costs you is to bring a little bit of passion with a little bit of effort. 
So you can be present with other individuals who pretty much want the same things as you do.

Living a life free of Shame and full of confidence so you can be as Free as a bird.

What am I really talking about?

What ‘it’ is is an Online Community, run on a platform (Skool), which is naturally geared towards interactions, thus building a community.
With access to a free Academy designed to help you become the most Confident version of you that you can be.

What is the catch?

The catch is that I cannot do it without you. I cannot build and maintain a community without people who prioritise their own well-being, so they can make the most of their lives, whilst also being truly helpful to those around them.

So what I am asking you is to come, join us, and give each other a chance to build a community where we can experience what Maitriyabadhu talked about:

An embodied community filled with love and belonging.

What this is not:

It is not a miracle cure. It does not substitute in person friendships and connections.
It doesn’t make all the wars stop around the world.
But it is a start towards living a life more connected and deeply loving.

It is also not complete. 
I am currently putting together the materials for the academy, which are going to be quite extensive -and deeply transformational- as we head towards summer.

The amazing thing is, is that the more you interact in the community, the more you can influence the material I am putting out there.

It will be personalised to the needs of the group. So the "funding members" have an excellent opportunity to shape the material.

How can you join?

You can click on the button below, which will take you to the Skool website. 

The community is currently called the Beyond Shame Academy.

I am putting a little extra focus on getting people from a state of Shame to a sense of Confidence. However, it will be a truly holistic experience. Perhaps with some Tai chi material in there, in the future. :)

It will ask you to create a free account. Where you can be yourself. Otherwise, you are welcome to take up an alias if you would rather contribute without your real identity.

Because you matter!I hope to see many of you there!
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to drop me an email or to ask me in person.
Have a wonderful start to the year!
Compassionately,
Miha, the Acupuncturist 

We are thrilled to welcome Becky to the WNT folds this year and excited for her to build her base with us. She is qualified with a level 5 sports massage diploma and has quickly become a popular practitioner with rave reviews. Becky is working at WNT on a Sunday morning from 9am-1.45pm and we are happy to offer these Sports Massage Sundays as a convenient time for many to get your regular massage outside of work or training hours. 

Becky says:
I'm very proud to be part of the team at West Norwood Therapies! Having received excellent and effective treatment from Tessa, I knew the standard of treatment was very high! I’m excited to work alongside highly experienced specialists who are dedicated to supporting the wellbeing of the local community in such a warm, inviting, and comfortable space.
I am passionate about treating those with chronic pain and long-term musculoskeletal issues; I aim to instill confidence, provide comfort, and lessen the strain on daily life. I strive to empower every client with a little more understanding of what is happening in their body and why things feel the way they do.
Each session is completely personalised to the individual in order to achieve the greatest results when targetting specific areas of discomfort or concern. No two bodies are the same and neither are their treatment plans. Specificity is key in finding the most effective improvements in each session and realistic results that last beyond. I'm looking forward to seeing and treating everyone bright and early on Sunday mornings before they enjoy the rest of the weekend!