Acupuncturist and coach Miha Rosta considers our relationship with responsibility and how this interplays with shame and grace in our lives, shedding light on how we might use this understanding to adjust our experience of life In the previous 2 articles we have explored how our mind shapes our reality. We also looked at how our actions (training) can shape our mind and body. Going a bit deeper into the psyche, I wanted to talk about the nature of Responsibility and how the patterns of our mind lead to goodwill (grace) or ill-will (shame). Feeling overwhelmed? I came from struggle. Not that I had any physical needs unmet. I definitely did not come from wealth, however I always had shelter and plenty of food. (At least until my uni days. :D ) However, mental struggle was my normality. I felt overwhelmed on a daily basis. Life, or rather the people around me were too much to handle. So I developed an avoidant relationship with responsibility. Not to say that I was not a caring and kind child. I think those qualities have been with me and strengthened by my family and teachers over the years. Yet, due to the overwhelm, I tried to avoid taking any additional responsibility. To the extent of having difficulty with making decisions even about what I want to eat. Indecision. Now everyone's story is slightly different, however I see a lot of overwhelm and avoidance in my clinical practice. We will come back to this shortly.. On Shame.. When someone feels overwhelmed, their reality becomes an unsafe environment for them. In such situations the brain is forced to 'think their way out' of this non-safety. It is looking for an escape route. This seeking, or rather avoiding usually leads us down the path of shame and guilt. Being brought up in a very critical and unkind environment, naturally enhances our mental story of not being enough. Those shameful internalised voices are further strengthened by the constant overwhelm, where we rationalize our inability of handling our 'unsafe' environment as shameful. Often we also develop a deep desire to help those suffering around us. However as someone incapable of fulfilling their own needs, we often feel guilty for not being able to help others. Thus we naturally start to associate our self-worth with how we feel in relation to other people. This is crucial to understand. Our feelings have an effect on our worldview. Our nervous system is wired in a way to protect us, even if that results in us feeling shameful on a daily basis. Children are very sensitive to suffering. And they do not have the logical understanding that it is not their responsibility to help adult figures. So the guilt deepens. Naturally a child cannot control their environment. However as an adult, we definitely have the power to make (even if the tiniest) changes in our life. Please keep reading on... So how does shame and guilt affect us?
Think of yourself like your phone battery. When you go on about your day, feeling okay, your battery will slowly drain but it probably still be around a comfortable 30% when you retire to bed. Now think of running apps on your phone. Editing videos, playing games, running an antivirus program whilst also watching a movie. The more app you run on your phone concurrently, the quicker it will drain the battery. Emotions and mental rumination do the same to us humans. When we feel unsafe in our environment, the mind automatically keeps running an (antivirus) app to scan for danger around us. Whenever a threat is found, our mind will start (Google) searching for all the possible reasons of how it might hurt us. Then our brain has to come up with a coping mechanism. So the brain runs another app for distractions (Netflix or social media) or even a special app for dissociation (avoidance of sensations and emotions). All of these further and further drain our energy, and feed into our mental story of 'I cannot do anything about it'. A.k.a, Mental despair. Naturally when one is overwhelmed and also exhausted, they will find ways to avoid further responsibility. Including looking after themselves. Goodwill or ill-will? I had a mini-breakthrough after listening to one of Ajahn Brahm's (Buddhist monk) talk on ill-will and compassion. It is so obvious, yet easy to miss: Entertaining shameful thoughts is an act of ill-will. It is literally an activity which results in our own direct suffering, or the indirect hurt we cause to other people around us. It is as simple as that. We must find omni-directional kindness within ourselves, in order to reduce the suffering (us and them). Grace is defined as courteous good will. Some Christian traditions define it as unmerited favour, kindness, and mercy. In Buddhism, a close equivalent may be compassion. The resolve to connect and accept one that may or may not be favourable to us. In my opinion, regardless if you are a person of faith or not, Grace or compassion is the way for us to resolve those deeply engrained patterns of ill-will. Thus, it is our primary responsibility to look after ourselves. As that is the only way we can truly care for others. How can we get there? Faith has been an options for thousands of years. Today you also have a choice to seek help from others to strengthen your muscles of compassion. Looking to feel better in your body? Please reach out by email to enquire about your first Holistic Coaching session! Available both in person and online.
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Reflexologist, reiki and sound healing practitioner, Laura Devonshire, shares the resources that support her life and includes some links for you to check out I love having a variety of different tools in my 'life toolkit' and these are my favourite go to tools! As I was writing them down it made me realise who the vast majority of them are for down-regulating my nervous system. Sometimes my practices as higher energy, activating and releasing but more often than not they help me to balance the fast pace of juggling a busy London life 😆
Movement & Music - both of these, without fail, help me come back into my body and ground me. Whether it's soothing music and yin yoga, something more uptempo and Vinyasa yoga or resistance training or an all out disco for one and shaking my tail feathers, EVERYTHING feels better afterwards! Nature - plugging into Mother Earth always soothes my soul and settles my mind and nervous system 💚 I feel really grateful I live near a beautiful forest. I love seeing the seasonal changes and how the little buds are starting to peek through now! My go to 'happy place' is always the sea 💙. I can happily while away hours watching and listening to the sound of waves and contemplating the vastness of the oceans. Pranayama & Breathwork - a topic I could talk about for days! It's our most accessible 'tool' that has the quickest impact on our nervous system and it's totally free!!! I regularly check in with how I'm breathing and where I'm breathing into. I often catch myself when I'm in a stressful moment and take a moment to reset my breathing and take a long slow breath. Here is a breathing meditation I shared a few years ago that always helps me. https://youtu.be/Z00E7bFmua0?si=44XQPprHUwPUHJfm Meditation - my main practice is Vipasanna but I also love Yoga Nidra and listen to a variety of wonderful teachers. This particular Yoga Nidra is one I am currently recommending to my clients and friends as I find I always feel so present and calm afterwards. https://insig.ht/iyHo2EndERb Journaling - The Morning Pages is a practice I come back to time and time again. I was introduced to this journaling practice via a yoga teacher mentoring program many years ago and found it to be a real game changer. It helps clear the mental chatter and clutter and I notice improved mental clarity and feel much more spacious and clear. Acupuncturist and Tai Chi instructor, Miha Rosta, shares the particular myriad ways in which we can use the practice of tai chi to build resilience - something we all need - in our lives How can Tai chi help to build resilience and confidence?
As a therapist of the Eastern arts, I have come across many modalities that help people grow, become more confident, resilient and overall content with their life. I am generally fascinated by both psychology, medicine and eastern philosophy. Yet, what I would call the most powerful tool in my toolbox would -hands down- be Tai chi. It is a martial art that goes way beyond the martial and directly creates a reflective experience where healthy resilience naturally grows. Resilience is the fruit of effort. The work resulting in mental, physical and emotional strength and pliability, leading to self-confidence. One of the fundamental aspects of Tai chi is the engagement of the mind within the body. So how does it help us build resilience? When you practice the art, you are asked to leave all other thoughts and feelings behind. Instead, allow the mind to saturate into the flesh. This develops mindfulness of the body. When you go through the practice of body opening/loosening, it requires sustained mental effort to meet your discomfort. To look compassionately and intimately towards your own limits. Maintaining awareness and acceptance. This develops mental fortitude. During the standing meditations, you first of all create a structure which you must hold for a period of time. Within this structure you relax and release the muscles, thus your habitual tensions. You experience sensations and connections that you have never felt before. This creates a change in your perception and gently pulls you out of your general one-sided thinking. Opening the mind and body. In both seated and standing meditation, you work on maintaining your focus in one physical/energetic location. This develops attention and one pointed focus. Whilst practicing the form/moves, your brain will keep shouting and shaming you for not doing it correctly. You are forced to face your critical self and develop a new, compassionate relation with it. This develops your character, balance and coordination. The constant effort to maintain awareness in the body, whilst experiencing a multitude of sensations, both pleasant and unpleasant, builds a doorway to your nervous system, which you have control over once you have developed enough awareness You can choose to fight it, flee from it or simply accept it for what it is. This builds direct resilience in the nervous system. You see, it is very difficult to get through life without resilience. But we are so lucky to have a tool (and I am sure there are others out there as well) which builds: - the strength and resilience of mind, - the fortitude and flexibility of the body, - the stillness and openness of the heart Whilst also balancing our energetic body and the nervous system. Furthermore, throughout the partner drills we also have the opportunity to work on how we relate to one another. How we respond to the touch, emotions and thoughts of others. This is a big part of developing resilience. Thus, we become strong and kind towards our internal and external environments. This is true resilience. Maybe now you can understand why my passion lies so deep in this art.. :) Looking to build resilience into your life? I am currently running 2 beginner friendly courses in Crystal Palace: Mondays: 18:30 – 19:30 Tuesdays 18:00-19:00 - Small groups of around 8-10 people - Hands on corrections - Always welcome to ask questions Investment: £12.50 per class Location: Kin Wellbeing studio and Crystal Palace Osteopaths Excited to try something new to change and/or grow resilience in your life? Please email me at [email protected] Or WhatsApp me on: 07308889603 Looking forward to meeting many of you at class, Miha From a February fug to a spring in her step, acupuncturist Philippa Summers reflects on what matters to her in her life and what resources she can draw on to live her optimum life Feeling Like Spring Light spills over the hills Winter becomes a fable Here are the flames of spring The flickering March to April Lemn Sissay I don’t mind the winter. Being out in all weathers often makes me feel more alive, but this year the cold, wet, dreary weather seemed to drag on. Not much in the way of cheer in the news either, to put it mildly. It brought on an introspective February Fug. I know I wasn’t alone in feeling that way.
So where do we look for the support and resources when our inner world feels a bit wintry? What are the things that help to keep us grounded, inspired, uplifted and connected, and what helps to sustain us. We are all different and we will all need different things at different times. What are those things for you? When I thought about this for myself I was drawn to noticing the things that make up the tapestry of my daily and weekly routines and how they create this fabric of support, connection and sustenance. It is easy to take these things for granted. Mine is filled with friends, family, meals together, cooking, gardening and the allotment, Brockwell Park in all its glory, nature, films and books. A particular focus of the last few months has been generally getting fitter and building strength so going to the gym and swimming are now also firmly on the list. I have gone from pushing myself to do them, to carving out time for them. That routine is peppered with variation and excitement like bright beacons of light, a meal with friends, bookclub, Gin club(!), poker nights, a night out dancing and moments of spontaneity, exploration and curisosity. Together they create a balance of sociable and quiet times, some reflection but not too introspective. It’s a gratitude list of sorts and a reminder to notice and acknowledge the things that nourish us, make time for them and to reach out and connect. I deliberately chose not to focus on the bigger events like holidays. Thinking back to that February Fug feeling. There were a couple of specific bits of advice and support that I found especially helpful. One was a reminder from my husband not to judge any feelings, not to label them as good or bad, not to fight them or try to make them go away, just notice and accept them and let them be there. Maybe to observe them with curiosity. The other from a friend was an app recommendation, Insight Timer, which presents a varied selection of mindfulness, meditation, yoga Nidra, relaxation and breathwork resources . There are guided exercises and short sequence programs with some wonderful presenters. If you are looking for something you can use at home to build a meditation habit or help you to de-stress and relax then do check it out. Thanks for the recommendation, Angie! And of course, the change in weather and season certainly helps. The sun is out, spring is springing up, the birds have that frisson of excitement in their chirrups, green shoots are appearing and the swans in Brockwell are on their nest. The fug has lifted and life has a spring in its step. I hope you feel it, too. Our acupuncturist and tuina massage therapist Miha is now offering online coaching sessions. Here he explores how a common barrier to good health and well-being, shame, can be met and worked with through online coaching as well as acupuncture and tai chi and quigong (which he also teaches) Coaching: From Shame to Freedom – A Holistic Journey to Healing
Shame and guilt are emotions that can quietly run our lives, but there is a way to move from shame to freedom. As a holistic therapist (Acupuncture, Massage, Tai Chi, Qigong, Coaching), I integrate ancient healing techniques with modern coaching to help you release those heavy burdens. This article will explore how holistic coaching can assist you in overcoming shame, so the pain can transform into empowerment, offering you a gentle, compassionate path to emotional freedom. How Does Shame Affect Your Life and Well-Being? Shame is a deeply ingrained emotion, often showing up as feelings of unworthiness or inadequacy. Whether triggered by past mistakes, societal pressures, or internalized judgment, shame can weigh us down, keeping us trapped in harmful patterns of thought and behavior. When I began my own journey of self-compassion, I realized how much shame had been quietly shaping my life. I thought I had cleared most of the debris, but during the past year, I had to acknowledge that some of my core beliefs still carried the heavy burden of shame. Once I started addressing how I related to myself and my environment, I began to experience lightness and freedom in my own life. How Can Online Coaching Help You Overcome and Release Shame? One of the most effective ways to work through shame is by acknowledging and accepting it for what it is. This may sound counterintuitive, but getting closer to the discomfort is key. In coaching, we create a safe and accepting environment. Gently embracing our vulnerabilities helps us to let those shameful parts come to light. You don’t have to carry that weight forever. Just as in Tai Chi or Qigong, where you embrace discomfort to release it, coaching helps you engage with these emotions in a safe way. Together, we identify where the stuck energy lies—those “anchors” that have held you down for years. What Is Radical Self-Compassion, and How Can It Help Overcome Shame? Radical compassion is an essential tool in the healing process. It involves offering complete self-acceptance (Maitri, in the Buddhist traditions) and kindness to yourself, especially to the parts of you that you may not like or feel most vulnerable. It’s about meeting your shame with curiosity, not judgment. I used to struggle with perfectionism, which was deeply rooted in shame. I thought that if I didn’t perform perfectly, I wasn’t worthy. Through practising radical self-compassion, I began to accept those parts of me that felt ashamed. I even gave my inner critical judge a name—the ‘shamer’—to soften the relationship with it. Think of the “Shame Bell” scene from Game of Thrones. By embracing my imperfections, I was able to release unrealistic expectations and feel a deeper sense of freedom. How Can Chinese Medicine Support Emotional Healing and Release Shame? Chinese Medicine, with its ancient wisdom, offers an almost magical (yet widely researched) approach to addressing emotions like shame and guilt. In Chinese philosophy, emotions are connected to different organs in the body. For example, shame is often linked to an imbalance in the Liver, Heart, and Kidney energy. By addressing specific organs and meridians, Chinese Medicine works to restore balance in the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—releasing stuck emotions that may have shaped your personality over time. Would you like to read more about how Acupuncture and Acupressure can help with shame? [Click here to learn more about emotional healing through Chinese Medicine.] How Can Qigong and Tai Chi Help Build Self-Confidence and Heal Shame? Both Qigong and Tai Chi are gentle, yet appropriately challenging, forms of movement that focus on unity. These practices integrate the body and mind, leading to an increasing quality of stillness and harmony. Over time, this helps form a deeper sense of self-confidence and creates a more compassionate relationship with oneself. Certain Qigong exercises are also immensely helpful in balancing internal organs, directly addressing emotional imbalances. I often suggest these practices in my coaching sessions to enhance the release of shame by engaging the body and breath. It’s not about becoming an expert—it’s about creating a safe space to practice compassion and acceptance while remaining open and reflective. How Does Coaching Help Break Negative Coping Mechanisms Like Perfectionism and Avoidance? Many of us develop maladaptive coping strategies to avoid discomfort, including shame. These strategies might include perfectionism, avoidance, addiction, or self-sabotage. Coaching provides a space where we explore these coping mechanisms, understand why they formed, and develop healthier ways of dealing with life’s challenges. For example, one of my clients used to be avoidant in expressing themselves to their parents. This avoidance was a shield, protecting them from vulnerability. Once they understood this, they were able to develop new habits, deepen their connection with their parents, and create a sense of compassion for their own needs and emotions. Why Is Practicing Self-Compassion Essential for Healing Shame? Self-compassion is the foundation for healing from shame. It’s the practice of treating yourself with the same kindness you would offer to a friend or loved one. This can be difficult, especially if you’ve been your own harshest critic for a long time. In our coaching sessions, we work to build your “muscles of compassion.” You’ll learn to soften your inner dialogue, forgive yourself for mistakes, and embrace your imperfections. This daily practice will help counteract the harsh inner critic that often fuels shame. We’ll also explore the core beliefs and perceptions that contribute to your inner critique, helping you see the world—and yourself—with more clarity. How Can Coaching Help You Embrace Your Authentic Self and Heal Emotionally? Coaching is an adventure of self-discovery, not just a way to fix what’s wrong. It’s about finding healthier ways to be fully present and take up your rightful space in the world. It’s about discovering the hidden parts of yourself that shame has buried. I often see a pattern where people feel they must hide parts of themselves because they don’t feel “good enough.” The truth is, when we fully embrace our shadow sides, they dissolve, leaving behind gems we can use to help ourselves and others. How Does Holistic Coaching Differ from Traditional Therapy in Overcoming Shame? Traditional therapy often focuses on talking through problems to understand the whys. Holistic coaching integrates mind, body, and spirit to help discover the what’s, that can bring about meaningful change. In our sessions, we won’t just talk about shame. We’ll explore how it impacts your body, energy, and daily life. Practices like meditation, movement, reflective writing, and energy work will support your healing journey in a practical and empowering way. How Can You Start Your Journey to Overcome Shame and Find Emotional Freedom? Letting go of shame is a journey, but you don’t have to take it alone. In our holistic coaching sessions, we’ll co-create a space where you can feel safe to explore your emotions, release what no longer serves you (overcoming shame), and step into a more empowered version of yourself. When I first began my healing journey, I didn’t realize how much support I needed. Today, as I continue working through the remnants of my shame with the help of others, I’m finding freedom in ways I never thought possible. Ready to start Overcoming Shame and Step Into Freedom with Holistic Coaching? If you’re ready to release shame and embrace a life of compassion, joy, and freedom, I invite you to explore coaching with me. Together, we’ll work to create a life where you feel empowered, whole, and inspired for the future. Do you have any questions or feel ready to rumble? [Click here to contact me for more information about coaching sessions.] We are lucky at WNT to have 3 fantastic massage therapists, each with a different approach. You can see Erika for relaxing, therapeutic deep tissue massage and pregnancy massage, Miha for tuina massage and Tessa for sports and remedial massage. Read on to find about more about how and why they do what they do and the love and compassion that goes into their work. Please can you share a bit about your individual approach or style of massage? ![]() What I do could probably be described as a holistic/deep tissue massage. I sometimes call it “regular massage”. My approach and intent is shaped by the interaction between nervous system and tissue. When there is mental ease and relaxation, the nervous system down-regulates and muscle tissue can ease and get space to relax. Equally massaging and manipulating the muscle tissue, using both strong firm touch and subtle touch, invites the nervous system to down-regulate and the mental tension can ease and the mind calms. ![]() I believe that a good massage is based on communication. An interchange of information between the hands of a practitioner and your tissues. That is the focus of my practice. To establish harmony and safety, in which the tissues can slowly release and reorganise to their natural form. This provides a fully personalised experience, as I prefer to be lead by what I am feeling, rather than doing the same for everyone. My massage treatments are based on Chinese Holistic Massage (Tuina) which allows me to ascertain which of your muscle pathways (following alongside the meridians) are mostly affected. This is infused by Zen Shiatsu, which brings an element of calm and restful stillness. However, when stronger touch is needed, I combine a few Osteopathic techniques with the dynamic elements of Tuina to create a deeper openings. I also have been incorporating Dissolve Therapy into my massages, which as the name states, has an incredible way of dissolving habitual tensions in both the physical and emotional body. ![]() I've been a massage therapist for over thirteen years now and have developed a style of massage that is a combination of several techniques. At the start of a massage I favour traditional effleurage and petrissage (massage strokes and kneading) with more 'pin and stretch' techniques after locating the more stubborn areas that I need to work into more deeply. I sometimes use medical acupuncture to release trigger points and to assist me with working on more than one area of the body at once. I am constantly talking to the client, checking how they are feeling and asking them to change positions so that I can access muscles from different angles. It is quite an active hour on the couch so if you are looking for a relaxing 'spa' type massage, I don't think I'm the therapist for you. What kind of clients do you mostly treat? ![]() I see a great variety of clients ranging in age from the not yet born, coming with pregnant mothers, to the very senior seniors, the eldest regular recently turned 90. Most come to me for general issues with tension and aches and pains before it has evolved into something more severe. Many clients come as a part of maintaining good health and well-being. ![]() I often incorporate my massages into my Acupuncture treatments. Thus I see a lot of clients with shoulder and back issues. Especially 'trapped nerve' presenting conditions such as sciatica. I also find it useful when supporting distressed clients. There is something magical about connecting with people through attentive, compassionate touch. ![]() I would say 85% of my clients do some kind of sport or class-based exercise. They come to see me either as part of their injury rehabilitation, for injury prevention or purely for maintenance, to help reach their optimum performance during their training programme. The other 15% come to see me for many reasons. They could be struggling with postural problems, whether that is from being hunched over a computer for hours, aching from breast-feeding or repetitive strain injuries from manual work. I see people who are recovering from surgery, struggling with decreasing mobility from issues such as a frozen shoulder or osteoarthritis. What do you enjoy about using massage to work with clients? ![]() It’s a work where love and compassion for your fellow human beings is of the essence. It’s a very enjoyable connecting through touch with a variety of people with unique circumstances helping people feel better. I also enjoy the aspect of creating a tranquil place for peace and quiet, both internally and externally. In order to enjoy busy buzzing places and living in a bustling city like London, there is a need quiet and calm to counteract that intensity. A massage session can be such a sanctuary from from all that. ![]() I love how versatile massage can be. There are many many different techniques in our toolkit. Some are good to relax the nervous system (rocking like waves), to release muscle 'knots' (dynamic deep pressure), or to open the joint spaces (passive stretches). Every treatment is fully adapted to your specific needs in that moment. Staying present with what we have is, often 'half the battle' won. ![]() There are so many elements of massage that I enjoy. It is fascinating how each person's body and skin feels absolutely unique, how I can detect a change in tissue quality from even the lightest of touch, how muscles respond and relax under my hands. I can see and feel the client's apprehension lifting, the body relaxing. There is nothing quite as satisfying as seeing someone who arrived concerned and in pain, leave looking relaxed, happier and telling me how they feel so much lighter in so much less pain. What's not to enjoy about a job which makes myself and other people feel good every working day? As Mihaly expands his treatment repertoire to include Dissolve therapy, an empowering method for 'dissolving' tension and stress in the body, he is offering 10 clients (and colleagues if we're lucky;-)) treatments for £20 - more info on this deal below. Please contact Mihaly directly interested, find his contact details here 🌟 Experience Bliss with Dissolve Therapy for just £20! 🌟 🌿 Say goodbye to tension and hello to tranquillity with a new healing modality! 🌿 Discover Dissolve Therapy, where hands-on techniques melt away stress and invite serenity into your body and mind. Let me guide you through releasing tension pockets and embracing spaciousness within. 🔍 These sessions offer you the chance to cultivate a new response to daily stressors: finding space and release within. 🔍 In Chinese medicine, stagnation and ‘stuckness’ are seen as the root of suffering, but Dissolve Therapy clears those internal dams, restoring equilibrium and bliss. And the best part? You remain fully clothed throughout the session! This limited offer is for 10 lucky individuals to enjoy 2-3 sessions each at an incredible price of £20 per session. Don't miss out on this massive discount from the usual £100 rate! 🎉 Why the amazing deal? 🎉 As an established Acupuncturist and Massage therapist, I've discovered the transformative power of Dissolve Therapy. While I'm still training to become an official Dissolve Therapist, your support helps me grow, and your feedback fuels our journey together towards wellness. Please leave a review at the end. By supporting me in completing my training, you are also helping your family, friends and neighbours. 🙏 Ready to dissolve tension and embrace tranquility? Book your session now! ✨ More information from the source: https://www.dissolvetherapy.com/ Please contact Mihaly directly if you are interested, find his contact details here Massage therapist Erika Zettervall shares an update on her experiment to see if running can help with depression and low motivation. Here she shares how this is going over the depths of winter and the effect it is having on her life. Still running
In my previous blog I had just taken up running regularly as a vehicle for keeping mind and mental state in good health. So here is a little update a few months along deep into mid-winter. I am still running - three times most weeks, for about 40 minutes and really enjoying it. The after-effect of brightness and energy in mind and body, even if the actual run sometimes felt like hard work, is really very nice. It definitely has been harder to get up when it’s dark and out of the door in the mornings during the winter. North is in my blood so temperature is not a deterrent and frosty ground a more pleasant experience than the mudslides our parks often turned into this time of the year and I also quite enjoy getting out in bad weather, better running than walking in the rain. Then afterwards it’s so nice to get back in and indoors feels lovely dry and warm. It’s more the general tiredness of January and winter with its short days, a time when, if possible, it’s okay to linger a little longer in bed and take it a bit slower. This coming week, February 1st, marks the halfway point between winter solstice and spring equinox. This day is also called Imbolc or st Bridgids day. From now on the acceleration in daylight per day is becoming more noticeable week by week. Amusingly, this day has lately gain notoriety due to an increased interest in old Irish and Gaelic traditions, a side effect from the many Brits looking into Irish roots in pursuit of a passport in the wake of Brexit and is now celebrated in several places in London. When it comes to avoiding slipping into depression, one of the purposes of the running regime, it is obviously impossible to know and compare how I would have felt if had not been running regularly. The dread and despair that I often experience around this time of the year, so familiar and recognisable I know it will pass, like a winter season of mind, but sometimes it sticks and turns into depression. This year it feels okay. The structure of running is helpful and having regular dose of joy and satisfaction from keeping up with the commitment is good mood boost but the sense of strength and vitality is the biggest benefit I experienced so far. We have three practitioners at WNT who use acupuncture in their treatments. They each have distinct approaches so to help you decide who would best fit your needs we have asked them some questions about how they work and who they work with. There are 3 acupuncturists at WNT, please can you share a bit about your individual approach or style of acupuncture? ![]() I practise East Asian Medicine (EAM), an umbrella term for many different styles which include my initial training in Traditional Chinese Medicine and 5 element acupuncture with subsequent courses in other styles including Master Tung, Channel Palpation and ear acupuncture, each with their own strengths. Training in TuiNa massage really changed how I work, and it was during that time that I started incorporating more hands on approaches to diagnosis and treatment. Broadly, EAM can be used to focus internally on physiology in a holistic way looking at how the different systems interact and impact on a physical, mental and emotional level. It can also be used to look at the body in a more structural way, focussed on the musculoskeletal skeletal system, but still taking into account the background physiology that nourishes the muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments and joints. My training particularly in fertility and musculoskeletal acupuncture has incorporated more western concepts and diagnostic approaches, but EAM is at the heart of how I work. ![]() My approach is to deepen and utilise the mind-body connection which is done by bringing my decade long Tai chi and meditation practice into the treatment room. Whether it is acupuncture or martial arts, we always aim to create a good flow in the body and mind, as stagnation or being stuck is seen as the root of suffering. So my treatments are often described as a calming flow between Acupuncture, massage and gentle guidance. Thus working on both the Body, Mind and Energy (QI) of the person. ![]() I practice what is known as Dry Needling or Medical Acupuncture (DN/MA). This is an approach used to treat musculoskeletal problems. When I think it may be beneficial to use needling during a massage session I will discuss with the client first and use it in combination with soft tissue work (massage). I will massage the area first to detect where the needles are required and usually leave them in place for 20 minutes or longer if needed. I use DN/MA in approximately 50% of my treatments. I am foremost a massage therapist and I am aware that when people book a massage, that is what they want. I also respect that some clients have a fear of needles although I am happy to say I have introduced DN/MA to a number of clients over the years who have been converted when they feel the benefits of a needle versus my elbow! What kind of clients do you mostly treat? ![]() I treat a wide variety of conditions but since qualifying most of my additional training has focussed on four main areas which in turn determines the type of clients I mostly treat:
So, I see a lot of women for gynae issues like painful periods, PMS, menopausal symptoms, through pregnancy right up to the birth and beyond and a very wide range of fertility issues. This may be support conceiving naturally or while going through ART procedures like IVF and FET, often with background diagnoses like endometriosis or PCOS. I also treat a lot of people with headaches, migraines, musculoskeletal conditions like sciatica, back and knee pain, often chronic recurrent conditions. I tend to refer athletes and sporty people with more acute conditions to Tessa. I have built up good peer support and referral networks in the key areas on which I focus and that is so important in getting help with more challenging cases and signposting clients in the right direction if I can’t help them. ![]() Although I see people with a wide range of health complaints, the most frequent conditions that I treat (and have success with) are anxiety, stress, nerve related pain, sinusitis and digestive issues. I am also happy to say that I see a fairly equal amount of man and women (and everyone in-between). I am really happy to see that men reach out and attend to their mental health needs. ![]() I use DN/MA on all types of clients. From those with migraines or neck/shoulder/back pain to muscle tears. From young semi-professional footballers with injuries to more mature clients to assist with pain relief and rehabilitation from many conditions including Osteoarthrititis and hip/knee replacements. Again I only treat with needles if the client is happy to. What do you enjoy about using acupuncture to work with clients? ![]() I love how very different we all are and feeling a connection with people. Everyone brings their own personalities, strengths and struggles, and it feels vitally important to get a sense of each person and what treatment means to them in order to treat effectively. That spark of connection is so important whatever people are coming for. There is invariably an emotional element to some degree, sometimes a key focus, sometimes more in the background. Acupuncture with its holistic approach and focus on mind, body and spirit offers a versatile framework. It is so good at helping to achieve a sense of peace in our often hectic city lives, where that reset into more 'rest and digest' is a key element for healing. Whether people come with pain, with mental health struggles, wanting to start or grow a family or for another combination of reasons acupuncture offers a way to assess and address the physical and emotional together, and also to regulate the many complex interactions within our body as a whole. I like that approach, it makes sense to me to treat the body as the unified, interactive, self-regulating system and gently nudge it towards a more healthy balance. ![]() I really enjoy seeing the change that I help to facilitate in my clients. It's amazing how people can leave behind pain and find more comfort within themselves. Love seeing people's attitudes and priorities change about their own health as that is what makes the "healing" sustainable. Oh and I must say that I love treating new things that I perhaps have never seen in person before. It's fascinating to see how the two of us can unravel what is the ongoing behind the labels of disease. ![]() I enjoy seeing the positive results of DN/MA when used on my clients. It also gives me the freedom to multitask if there are a number of areas of the body I need to work on in one treatment. For example I can use needles in the neck and shoulders while using massage on the legs. DN/MA doesn't work for everyone but I've had some amazing results and responses from clients. I used one needle on a hamstring tear in one session and the client had no further pain. My favourite response to the suggestion of using DN/MA being "ooh needles, yeah. I can feel it whooshing through my shoulders, it's fantastic. Love it!" You can book online with Philippa, Mihaly (aka Mike) or Tessa or contact them directly if you would like any further information. NB: Sessions with Philippa or Mihaly begin with a 90minute session to allow for a longer consultation (sometimes on zoom) while with Tessa acupuncture needling is something that is incorporated into her regular sports massage treatments.
WNT founder Jennie Duck shares some thoughts around how light impacts our environment and what that means as we embrace the transition of autumn. My husband and I play a game in our house: I come into a room and turn the lights on, he comes in and turns them off. He is driven by environmental concerns, an aversion to waste and the cost of electricity. My drive is simpler and more visceral: happiness.
Light makes me happy. Different lights make me feel different types of happiness - a misty morning with the sun breaking through fills me with optimism and ideas for the day or an urge to take photographs of the beauty it shows up. Late afternoon light is more peaceful than the morning and speaks of socialising more than doing - beer gardens, barbeques or tea and cake depending on my age and stage. Soft lighting makes me feels safe, cosy, reflective, nourished. A bright kitchen light makes me want to put music on and engage with my family, while a darker room makes me feel like retreating and dampens my energy. I love the role that lighting plays in a therapeutic setting. My friend used to talk of 'entering the womb' when she came for a massage and I believe that plays no small part in the nourishing effect of a session at WNT or another thoughtfully lit treatment space. You are invited to slow down, to stop and retreat for a while. This entering into such a space reminds me of Autumn, a time of transition from long, bright, energetic days to short, dimmer, more slothful days – getting ready to enter the womblike winter where so much of the world around us is curling up to sleep. How does this transition sit with you? Are you like me and derive some of your inner spark from the light around you? Or are you more ambivalent about the role light has on your inner world? How do you adapt around this time of year? For me this time of year needs a conscious shift, a letting go and starting to prepare for hunkering down. In our home it means adjusting the lights we use in each room to make it cosy rather than bright, getting some candles out and replacing the bulbs in my salt lamps. We will also start to light the fire soon, which in our house is our primary heating source, and that brings with it extra cosiness and a particular type of restorative, wholesome, vital light and warmth. And pretty soon my husband and I will start a new game with the boost button on the central heating… |
AuthorBlogs from the WNT team. For our blogs from before June 2020 please see individual profile pages - it's a good way to get to know practitioners too. Archives
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