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Acupuncturist Miha Rosta considers the role touch plays in our lives, what it means to really rest and feel safe and the wonderful impact of massage or therapeutic touch 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.
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Acupuncturist Miha Rosta shares some thoughts about positivity and what can help us approach life in a more peacefully positive way and introduces an online community he has started to support one another. 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 Acupuncturist, tui na massage therapist and coach Miha considers the Yang Wei Mai channel in Traditional Chinese Medicine and shares some thoughts about how this can affect and be affected by our life choices and patterns of behaviour and how acupuncture can be used in working with the energy of this channel Hi everyone,
Here I make a return again with these articles before the quiet period of Winter. This holiday season is always a time that I find deeply inspirational. But if I am honest, Autumn is a season that I often struggle with. So many ghosts (from the past) come to visit, that it can be truly overwhelming. But there is hope! Today I wish to talk about how we can find hope both by the recognition of our human condition and by the grace of needles. :) The Channel of a Bright Future In Chinese Medicine, we often refer to the meridians (channels) as a fixed set of tools with equal importance within our toolbox. Yet they are much more than that. Channels are energetically living entities within us that allow our mind and body to connect to one another, and everything else beyond our understanding (beyond the ‘I’). They also have a sort of hierarchy which is based on time and space. The Eight Extraordinary Meridians are the ones formed first, and those which lie deepest to our core. One of these channels is called Yang Wei Mai (Yang linking vessel). It brings a fascinating purpose within our development. Its function is related to how we perceive the future based on our experiences of the past. What is even more interesting is that it has a message. Which is, if we focus our efforts in the right places, life can be bright, and full of optimism for the future. It organises all Yang within the body with a special notion to our protective energies (Wei qi). I like to refer to these as troops within the body and the mind. When we are mentally stable and physically healthy, these troops wait at the border (where pathogens may enter), waiting to be dispatched. They also retire inward towards the evening, so they can rest. What happens when we allow chaos to reign our troops against our best wishes? When we experience something physically or mentally traumatic (especially in early childhood), these troops can get stuck with very old orders, such as ‘be vigilant, as an attack is incoming any minute’. Thus, the mind never rests. It creates unnecessary tension internally (which, over time, can translate into autoimmune conditions) and may also create illusory scenarios to which the troops are dispatched. Worry and control: A common example of this is worrying about a possible future scenario. This worry often creates conflict not just in our minds but also between us and others. Pre-mediating a fight that is solely based on our own fears. These heavy feelings give birth to a desperate need for control. Which leads to further and further discontent and aggression. Another example of what we may call the “Future disease” is the inability for someone to take steps towards (a brighter) future. We can get so stuck in our view of life, like we have already ‘decided’ how it is going to play out. Passivity and victim-hood: People with such personality traits often take a passive stand in life, in which things keeps happening ‘to them’. This sort of victim mentality creates an illusion of a ‘set future’ which may feel comforting for those who have gone through traumatic experiences. Yet it is the anchor which prevents people from taking agency in their lives by finding the slightest bit of momentum, which could result in a mountain of change in the long run. Going back to the troop analogy, when our General (the Liver) and the Empress (Heart) have lost their vision and clarity, these troops scatter or accumulate in different places. Often resulting in fighting themselves (autoimmune and inflammatory conditions). How can we turn things around for the better? One way to counteract this chaotic state is to ascertain our priorities in the given moment. Yang Wei Mai is also a channel associated with purpose. As it has the ability to ascertain where our troops are needed the most. Thus, setting priorities becomes an essential aspect of anchoring, centring and focusing the mind in the prospect of supporting the body in moving out of a state of dis-ease. Pro tip: when you find yourself spiralling downwards, remember that spiralling already has given you a momentum. You are already doing, it's just not the kind of doing that will lift you up. All you need is a little nudge to change the direction. Upward we go when we bring to mind our priorities (or purpose in life) and start acting on it. It does not have to be a massive leap. It can be enough to decide to go out and get a breath of fresh air. Change brings freshness. In that momentum we can brainstorm new ideas. As long as we keep going, there is hope for a brighter tomorrow. Realistically speaking, making the right decision can change your experience (of the present moment) in a split second. How can you make your next hour of life marginally more pleasant? In Acupuncture we have an amazing opportunity to directly connect with this deep aspect of our psychosomatic being, which can bring forth purpose, optimism and excitement for the future. When we activate the Yang Wei Mai, we simply bring it into a more open state. We vibrate the channel so it comes alive to be more resonant with our priorities. Of course, it is not magic. Change requires an immense amount of honesty. To really see ourselves (with the help of others) as clearly as possible. To see when we have the opportunity to act on our priorities, and to kindly make the decision which brings us onto an upward cycle. We all deserve to live out our lives in a way that brings us closer and closer to our purpose. What are your priorities for the week? Curious to set priorities that will support you through this festive season? Come and see me for an acupuncture treatment. Simply drop an email with your availability if interested. I am also offering -reduced rate- Online sessions where we can dive deeper into your beliefs and systems, which are (hopefully) supporting you all year around. 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. 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 Continuing our series focusing on all the treatments we offer at WNT this time we are focusing on 'Other Treatments' - read on to find out about what these are and the practitioners who offer them. (And see our earlier focuses on Acupuncture and Massage) Our interviewees here are: Veronica Massa - Facial Therapist extraordinaire Laura Devonshire - Reflexologist, Reiki and Sound healing practitioner Miha Rosta - Acupuncturist and Holistic Coach (here with his holistic coaching hat on) Please tell us a bit about your individual approach and style of treatment? My approach is 100% natural and holistic. My training background comes from clinical and holistic therapies rather than beauty training which makes my sessions really individualized and focused on the overall wellbeing of the person rather than just limited to the skin. In creating my treatments, I didn’t want to follow a brand but develop them through my experience and knowledge and using my own hand-crafted pure botanical skincare that, over the years, has proven healing even for the most sensitive skins. I create unique therapeutic sessions integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine and Face Reflex Therapies, Clinical & Spiritual Aromatherapy, Women Mysteries, Energy and Sound Healing and Plant Spirit Healing. My intention for my clients and holistic treatments is to create a space for deep nourishing rest. A space where they can press pause on their busy lives and leave feeling relaxed, grounded and at their most optimal. When it’s the first time working with a new client we will talk through an in depth medical history and lifestyle consultation then start with a general check-in for all subsequent treatments. This is so I can ensure each treatment is tailored specifically to meet them where they are at the time: physically, mentally and emotionally and work accordingly. When working with reflexology and reiki I use my hands to listen and guide and when working with my singing bowls, I listen to how they ‘sing’ to help identify areas and aspects that may require attention. Each of the modalities I work with help to down regulate the nervous system, bringing the mind & body out of the ‘fight, flight, freeze’ response, into ‘rest, digest, repair’, where the body’s own natural healing processes take place. The body’s innate wisdom knows what it needs to do to heal and rebalance, for me it is about helping create an optimal environment to encourage homeostasis. What I have found over the years of working with people in Mental Health care and as an Acupuncturist is that the most challenging situations are a result of stuck, stagnant mental patterns and beliefs. Which lead to inter-personal challenges and health issues. By changing how we relate to ourselves, we can create a huge impact on how we relate to our life and thus actualizing the desired change. In my approach I utilise my expertise of: - Chinese Medicine, and its understanding of how mental health relates to physical disease - Reflective practice, which I find the most fundamental aspect of learning about ourselves (and each other!) - Embodied practices of Tai chi, Qigong, Self-massage and Meditation, which are excellent at supporting us on our journey towards joy and freedom - The framework of Buddhism, Daoism and basic Psychology so we can put things into a different perspective. Allowing deeper processing. What kind of clients do you mostly treat? Although men are also welcome, my ideal clients are women that, in their busy lives, need to find a calm moment for themselves to pause, reconnect and re-balance. People come to see me with all sort of health issues that are addressed during the sessions, as well as receiving support in the healing process while receiving palliative health care. Facilitating self-healing is at the core of my work and so my treatments are delivered with caring attention and a heart-centred approach. My sessions work strongly on stress release/management and stress related symptoms as well as emotional & facial tension release. We don't realise how much tension can build up in the muscles of our face, we use our face hundreds of times a day and communicate through our facial expressions. Expressed and suppressed emotions may result in an accumulation of facial muscle tension which the specialised techniques of reflex therapies may steadily dissipate - achieving a corresponding improvement in your sense of well-being. Any health issue and imbalances can benefit from facial therapies and in particular Facial Reflexology including deep emotional disharmony and trauma, post stroke symptoms, hormonal imbalances, ADHD, pain, headaches, fibromyalgia, lack of concentration and memory to just mention few... or as a regular practice to maintain wellness and well-being. People don’t have to be affected by a medical condition to enjoy the benefits of Facial Reflexology – as it is very calming and grounding, it will help you to cope with stress and keep your health in optimum condition. I work with a range of clients of varying ages. I have on occasion worked with children with wonderful outcomes, however on the whole my clients are adults, often with very busy lives, juggling many different responsibilities and the sessions help them to unwind and destress. Reflexology in particular has a wonderful gift of helping to slow down busy minds and brings clarity of thought and decision making ( one of the MANY beautiful benefits). I work with clients to support them on their fertility journey, with helping to regulate menstrual cycles, overall support for the endocrine system, preparing for IVF and managing stress and anxiety levels whilst navigating through their journey. I support expectant mothers throughout their pregnancy, helping to manage the full range of symptoms: from morning sickness to aches and pains, constipation and sleep disturbances, all the way through to labour preparation. I have also supported birthing partners, teaching them some of the reflex points to help during labour. Most of the people I see for coaching are those who are having difficulty in terms of personal relationships. We work on those issues by establishing clarity over their priorities, creating healthy boundaries and introducing practices that support them in dealing with any arising overwhelm. In my eyes, Self-compassion and self-care are the foundations for resolving most of our romantic and familial relationship issues. What do you enjoy about using your therapies to work with clients? An open face is an open heart. Our life story is written in our face. The face displays our thoughts, feelings, emotions, stresses and joys effortlessly and instantaneously. Taking care and attention to your face has a tremendous affect not only to your skin and the way you look but on a deeper level, rebalancing emotions, causing confidence, positivity and self-love to flourish. I see my facial therapies as a way of “healing through the face”; they are soul nourishing practices that help cultivate self-love, self-awareness and mindfulness for empowerment, re-harmonizing the emotions, and realigning with the true self. By working on the face, we can have direct access on the nervous system. The face is richly supplied with nerves and blood vessels. Its closeness to the brain means that stimulus perceived by your senses take the shortest possible route to the control centre of the body to potentially address your health imbalances. It is not a case that most of our senses - vision, smell, hearing, taste - are in our face so that the messages to the brain have a short route to travel. I love how deeply and profoundly the holistic therapies support my clients through all the different chapters of their lives. It’s really beautiful to see how relaxed clients are when they leave and how this accumulates over time. I feel it is important to have time and space to turn one’s attention inwards and tune into the subtleties that can often get missed living and working in a busy city and world. I feel really grateful to be able to help support them and give them some space to ‘fill their cup’ and go back into their day feeling nourished and revitalised 💫 For me, this work is about connection and freedom. Building a framework between the clients and I, where we can kindly explore their wishes, desires, fears and concerns. Where they can feel more intimate with themselves, so they can share this intimacy with those they love. My favourite bit is about hearing how they feel more confident in standing up for their needs and slowly making progress towards their desires. What clients say:
"I wholeheartedly recommend Laura to anyone looking to heal, destress or just relax. The reflexology session I had was amazing!" "I can honestly say I felt like a new person after my session." "It felt like a week’s holiday in one hour!" "The treatment has left me feeling very calm relaxed and with less aches and pains." "I thoroughly enjoyed my reiki session, Laura couldn't have been nicer and the treatment felt very intuitive and personal. I came away feeling better in myself but also with an improved understanding of how I can continue to heal in my own time." "It felt like being in good hands and the relaxing effect stayed with me for a while. I felt rebalanced. She could also identify areas of attention I had not talked about."
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 Acupuncturist Mihaly Rosta shares his success in treating a client with constipation with some simple acupuncture points. I thought to share a few stories from my clinic so you can have a better understanding of what Acupuncture can help with. As well as to provide a gentle introduction to how it works. Relief for constipation and other bowel issues is a remarkable and frequent outcome of such treatments. Over the years I am starting to figure out that the body is truly amazing. It really is a wonderful ‘machinery’ that often needs only a little nudge in order to recover. As long as one has sufficient vital substances – Blood, Qi and Essence (talk about those in a later post) – it will recover rather quickly. When it comes to treating bowel issues such as constipation, diarrhoea, inflammation and such Acupuncture can have a quick reliving effect – whilst it may take longer to re-establish proper internal harmony in case of chronic conditions.
One of my clients came to me recently complaining about the inability to empty their bowels properly for almost a week. Although their main complaint was different, something like this can often be incorporated into the treatment. I used a combination of 2 points located on the Stomach channel, whilst other points were used to support the underlying conditions. The acu-point, Stomach 37 was needled and gently stimulated. This is a point which has a strong effect on the bowels through the connection of the digestive organs of the Stomach and the Large Intestine, which is mainly responsible for the appropriate elimination and further absorption of nutrients. As you can read in the other article -click on the link above-, it is also a majorly useful point to generally assist IBS and it’s related symptoms. I also used acupressure on Stomach 25 which has been observed to have a very strong effect on the Intestines. Via the aforementioned connection, this point is able to strengthen and enhance the natural function of the Stomach and Spleen, which is responsible for the transportaion and transformation of nutrients. Although I worked fairly gently on these points, the client reported having a ‘big clear-out’ the same day. Of course, no 2 people have the exact same needs. The beauty of Chinese Medicine lies in its ability to show what needs to be done for the person in front of us in that given moment. Sometimes the body only needs a few gentle yet precise inputs in order to start making steps towards equilibrium. |
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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