Category: relaxation

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conception diet families fertility nutrition relaxation

Tuesday Tip

Tuesday Tip – Drink your water! I advise all my clients to drink plenty of water, especially the first few hours after a treatment.

Why?

Drinking water helps your body to balance all the fluids you need to keep you alive, and nourishes your cells, tissues and organs for healthy fertility⁠ (this goes for men as well as women!).

Water helps your muscles to work properly⁠, and to recover well when you’ve been exercising.

Water helps your skin to look good – if you’re dehydrated you might notice drier, flakier, dull looking skin, especially the skin on your face⁠.

How can you get more water into your daily routine?⁠

➡️ Drink at least one glass every morning, before you start hitting the tea or coffee⁠

➡️ Have a glass of water with every meal or snack⁠

➡️ Take a bottle with you – in your bag, at your desk or in the car. A re-useable vacuum bottle is better than a plastic one, and many Refill locations mean you can top up if you’re out and about – check out Litter Free Coast and Sea for an app that helps you find the closest.⁠

I hope these tips help get you drinking more water – remember it can take at least 21 days for a new habit to stick. Challenge yourself to drink more water for the next 21 days and tell me how you get on (I’ll be your accountability buddy😇). If you want to send me a message – just click on the ‘Say Hello’ button.

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exercise mindfulness Reflexology relaxation

Week of self care

If you’re following my pages on Instagram or Facebook, you might have seen some of my week of self care tips. If not, don’t worry, I’m adding them all here for my lovely website viewers!

Day One – Take a shower  (or run a deliciously deep bath). ENJOY the hot water, feel how gorgeous it is to be luxuriating instead of rushing. GIVE yourself at least 10 minutes – TIP: use a timer if you need to. USE that special shower gel or bath bubbles you’ve been saving for a special occasion. Make YOURSELF the special occasion and LUXURIATE in this time for YOU. NOTICE how paying attention to something small makes you feel – note it down if you want to remember.  YOU are special and worthy of self-care.

Day Two – READ something REAL. An actual paper book, a magazine, your kids stories, even a gardening or clothes catalogue. REMEMBER how the texture, smell and even the typeface of words make the experience PLEASURABLE and so much MORE engaging of your senses than reading a screen. GIVE yourself at least 10 minutes – TIP: use a timer if you need to. NOTICE how paying attention to something small makes you feel – note it down if you want to remember. YOU are special and worthy of self-care.

Day Three – Try using a positive affirmation. Look at YOURSELF in a mirror and tell yourself : I am worthy of LOVE and JOY – say it with feeling. This is just for YOU so don’t worry if you feel silly – nobody is watching or judging. If you feel that a different affirmation would be more truthful for YOU then your magical search engine will help you find something GOOD and JUICY. FLOOD yourself with LOVE and positive energy. NOTICE how paying attention to something small makes you feel – note it down if you want to remember. YOU are special and worthy of self-care.

Day Four – LEAVE your phone alone. Really far away. Take a walk without it, try a meditation or a stretch. Bake a cake. GIVE yourself at least 60 minutes  phone free time. NOTICE how you feel WITHOUT it and what you did with that time instead (NOTE your feelings if you’d like a reminder). Pay ATTENTION to what’s around you right NOW. TIP: use a timer if you need to. NOTICE how paying attention makes you feel – note it down if you want to remember. YOU are special and worthy of self-care.

Day Five – TRY reflexology. Use the video posted on my IGTV and story showing you some quick and EASY HAND reflexology that you can use on yourself. Be MINDFUL of your self touch, you should be gentle and use smooth and flowing movements. USE these techniques for 2 minutes at least 3 times TODAY. NOTICE how paying attention to something small makes you feel – note it down if you want to remember. YOU are special and worthy of self-care.

Day Six – CALL (don’t text) a friend or someone special for a catch-up, short or long. TELL them how much they mean to you. REMIND yourself that CONNECTIONS with other human beings are part of the LOVING nature of life. NOTICE how you FEEL being part of someone else’s story for a few minutes and have GRATITUDE and LOVE for that person in your life
NOTE that feeling if you want to remember. YOU are special and worthy of self-care.

Day Seven – GIVE yourself a high five! If you’ve followed along all week and tried out everything I suggested, you’ve given yourself the GIFT of a week of SELF CARE. I hope you’ve enjoyed taking part. Let me know how you got on with the challenge – has it changed how you feel about giving YOU some time and attention? Will you repeat any of it? Drop your comments below or send me a DM- I’d love to hear from you.
YOU are SO special and worthy of self-care 

Love, Rowena x

Categories
Reflexology relaxation stress

What is homeostasis?

Do you know what homestasis means?

It’s a term used in many holistic therapies, including reflexology.

Essentially, it means balance. Within your body all the many systems that keep you upright and functioning are very finely tuned. Trust me, YOU are a miracle!

If anything goes out of balance in an organ or system, it manifests as some kind of issue in your body, a pain, a feeling of wrongness, symptoms of illness, fertility issues and so on.

Reflexologists aim to encourage your body to re-balance itself through applying gentle touch – including massage and reflexology to the feet, face, and hands. It’s a powerful therapy.

Have you tried reflexology yet?

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conception fertility menopause pregnancy Reflexology relaxation

Re-opening soon

Exciting news! (The good kind 😊)

I am hoping to re-open the clinic in about two weeks time – around the 6th October, if I can be ready by then. Until then, you can continue to access my services online, and these will still be available once the clinic is open for hands-on treatment. This means I can offer a blend of hands-on and virtual services for you.

There’s a challenging amount of preparation to do – mostly admin, paperwork and cleaning, cleaning, cleaning.

I’ll be emailing current clients as soon as I have a date, so keep your eyes peeled on your inbox!

New clients – I will be operating a waitlist, so please GET IN TOUCH now, to be added to it. First come, first seen.

There will be some changes to how I work with you, but rest assured, it will be COVID secure, fully risk assessed and SAFE for both of us. I will let you know what changes are in place ASAP. I will NOT be offering facial reflexology until early next year, dependent on how the COVID situation changes – a moveable feast as I write.

I’m looking forward to putting hands on feet again soon!

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diet exercise families menopause nutrition Reflexology relaxation stress

Reflexology for…. menopause

Let’s talk about menopause! Night sweats, day sweats, foggy head, interrupted sleep, totally un-plannable menstrual cycle, all the feelings….

It can completely change how you feel, and how you can cope. Lots of things can help – as a holistic therapist I can talk to you about simple lifestyle adjustments that can help you ride through this often stormy passage and give you tailored reflexology treatments to help your body balance itself.

Get in touch if you need to talk, email, call or book now!

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Babies Children children's reflexology programme families Reflexology relaxation TCRP

Kids Reflex

For parents and carers

Learn simple reflexology techniques, and use routines specially designed for you and your baby by experienced reflexologist and author Susan Quayle (who wrote the successful children’s reflexology book ‘The Mouse’s House’ which the workshop is based on).

NEW COURSE STARTING JUNE 2018 – CLICK FOR DETAILS

You and your child are welcomed to a small, adaptable and baby led class, where you will learn life-long parenting skills to soothe, nurture and calm your baby.  The course combines positive bonding with the healing qualities of reflexology, taught to you by a qualified reflexologist with a special interest in early years development and learning.

This innovative award winning programme uses rhymes, story telling and beautiful illustrations to engage you and your child, making it easy to learn and remember the techniques presented.  The workshop is run over six informal sessions, and includes full colour course notes and a copy of The Mouse’s House. You also receive a beautiful personalised certificate of attendance at the end.

Because classes are baby led, you may find you need to feed or let your baby sleep during the sessions – don’t worry – all the instructions are covered in your handouts, and we repeat many of the moves each week so you have plenty of time to learn the routines.  I am always available for questions after a session if you are unsure of anything we covered during a class.

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Babies Children conception families fertility pregnancy Reflexology relaxation

Reflexology and pregnancy

If you’re pregnant, or trying to conceive, reflexology can help you feel relaxed, improve your mood, relieve tension, have better quality sleep and enjoy a sense of wellbeing during pregnancy.

During conception and pregnancy, reflexology aims to optimise the physical and emotional health of pregnant women.

It works holistically – your reflexologist can provide general lifestyle advice and support you throughout your pregnancy.  Reflexology can be used safely throughout the pregnancy (a qualified reflexologist will always take a full history to ensure that it is safe and appropriate to carry out treatments).

Recent studies have shown that women who have had regular reflexology through pregnancy can have shorter labours, with less pain during labour, fewer postpartum haemorrhages, better quality sleep after delivery – and babies benefit too, with better Apgar scores. All these factors can contribute to better birth and post-birth experiences for mothers.

Although there is no evidence that reflexology can induce labour, the general view is that it will help to support the body in preparation for labour and promote relaxation when anxiety levels are often high.

Who is it for?

Pre-conception – both partners can receive treatments aimed at boosting fertility, preparation for pregnancy, relieving anxiety and more.

Mums – during pregnancy – treatments can help to ease common complaints such as indigestion, skeletal issues (eg. backache), anxiety, tiredness. It can also can help with more complicated issues like pubis symphysis, swelling in lower limbs and depression. Reflexology can be given for birth/labour preparation, and even during the early stages of labour. After birth reflexology may help you with bruising, lactation, tiredness and emotional overload including post partum depression.

Partners – to help with relaxation both before the birth.  You could also learn to give your birth partner some reflexology during the labour, as often you can feel like there isn’t much you can do to help. You can carry on giving these treatments to your partner after the birth, which may help with re-bonding as a couple, and give you some together time, which is very important.

Babies – can receive reflexology safely from birth. Gentle stimulation of reflexes through touch has many benefits – including aiding breathing straight after delivery, improving circulation, feeding and of course, bonding. Touch is the most available sense to babies, which is why skin to skin contact has so many benefits. Anyone can learn to give baby gentle treatments – so it is possible to involve the wider family circle if desired.

If you’re interested in having reflexology during pregnancy, then I would be delighted to work with you.  I will tailor a treatment plan package for your needs, focusing on what’s important to you.  You will have support throughout your pregnancy and beyond, with this powerful and gentle therapy.

All reflexology treatments include a consultation and health review, with personalised home care advice to reinforce the healing benefits between sessions.

Let’s start a conversation:

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Babies Children children's reflexology programme courses families Reflexology relaxation

Summer news

I can hardly believe that it’s a year since I started Weymouth Bay Reflexology, and only 9 months since the studio was finished and ready for clients.

If you haven’t been to visit for a while, it would be lovely to see you – I still have some appointments left in August (check here for dates).  As we missed our summer holiday time due to moving house in August last year, I’ve made the decision to work only one day per week this year, so that we can really enjoy our new location – closer to the beach!

I am looking forward to welcoming some parents and their babies for my Children’s Reflexology classes, either for a short taster session (last one before September is Wednesday July 12th, 9.45am in the garden studio) or for a full 6 week course – you can send me message to book or ask for more information, or go to kidsreflex for details.

In other news, it seems like the Summer has arrived – the last few weeks have been hot and sunny – the studio has been a little warm at times, but it’s so nice to have the windows and doors open to hear my windchimes and the birds in the garden.

Remember, you don’t have to be ill to enjoy the benefits of reflexology, and a treatment at this time of the year can help get you into the right mood for whatever the summer brings you – school holidays, children at home, or some time off!

I wish you all a very pleasant, relaxing and sunny Summer, and look forward to seeing you soon.

Rowena x

 

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Reflexology relaxation

Inside the studio

Just a quick look inside the studio today, so that you can see what it’s like to be here. I really enjoy working in this room – it feels calm and as it’s right in the garden, I can enjoy watching all the little birds and small animals that come to visit.  Why not book a treatment and find out how lovely it is yourself?

Comfy chair for clients

All ready for a client visit

The couch is prepared for a relaxing treatment

Categories
exercise mindfulness Reflexology relaxation stress

Stress – and ways to manage it!

At this time of the year, many people say that they feel stressed, but what does this mean? Many situations, people or thoughts can cause us to feel ‘stressed’, but stress itself is the feeling we have when we are under pressure.  A little bit of pressure is ok, but continuous and persistent pressure can have negative effects on your body and mind.

Stress causes a surge of hormones (cortisol and adrenaline) in your body. The hormones are released to help you to deal with pressures or threats – the so-called “fight or flight” response.  Once the pressure or threat has passed, your stress hormone levels will usually return to normal.  But, if you’re always in a stress situation, these hormones continue to be produced in your body, leading to the symptoms of stress.

When we become stressed, our bodies respond in various ways:

  • Blood pressure rises
  • Breathing becomes more rapid
  • Digestive system slows down
  • Heart rate (pulse) rises
  • Immune system goes down
  • Muscles become tense
  • Sleep becomes disturbed

If you want to manage stress more effectively, learning how to relax, taking regular exercise and adopting good time-management techniques
can all help.  Studies have found that mindfulness courses, where participants are taught simple meditations across a series of weeks, can also help to reduce stress and improve mood.  There are also a variety of mindfulness apps available now, which means you can practice it anywhere!

Of course, reflexology is a brilliant way to relax, and a course of treatments can help you to focus on ways to improve your physical and mental reactions, identify your stressors (the things making you feel stressed!) and control the effects that stress has had on you.  Book now for a personal consultation, and find out just how much more relaxed you can feel!