I’ve been rather quiet on the blog front in recent months, as I’ve been studying since September. I’m doing an access course with Derby College so that I can start a midwifery degree this autumn. Midwifery feels like a cumulation of my career so far, in that I can pull from all the skills I’ve acquired as a massage therapist, volunteer breastfeeding supporter and care support worker. I’m looking forward to drawing on these experiences so that I can empower and hold space for women at a transformational time of their lives.
The first term of the access course has been tough. I’m a distance learner, so all the lectures are online, and finding my way around the software was the first challenge. Once I’d got the hang of that, getting into the flow of writing academically, learning how to correctly reference sources and going into enough depth to ensure I get the required grades has been an arduous task. I’m happy to say that I’m on target and I now know where the bullseye is. Although at times it’s turned me into a horrible person to be around!
So although I have a long list of blog posts that I would like to write about, it’s going to be a few more months (probably summer) before I have the headspace to put something down on paper. Or online, as the case may be. I still love my massage therapy work, and will always have time and space for aromatherapy, reflexology, Ayurvedic yoga massage, the list goes on. I’d like to do more with the Ayurvedic Yoga massage, including learning how it can be used in pregnancy, and I’ve been hankering after buying a tuning fork or two since my friend Emily reminded me of their healing power a year or so ago. That’s a whole other avenue to explore…
I was recently approached by a lovely lady to join a local directory of practitioners that can be called upon to serve our community in times of crisis. She asked me what I would like to appear on the directory and it got me thinking about how I could help and what I can offer. The first thing that came to mind was using essential oils as first aid, as they are what I use by default for so many of life’s unexpected occurrences. And if you’re stuck in the house, can’t get out and/or the supermarket shelves are empty, you might have an essential oil hidden at the back of your cupboard that you can put to good use.
Lavender, the panacea 💜
Of course, my numero uno essential oil for first aid has to be lavender. It is such a useful oil to have in your home and has a myriad of uses. It can be used directly on the skin (check it is a pure essential oil, and if it irritates you then don’t use it) for burns, bites, blisters, cuts and grazes. It is analgesic, vulnery (healing to the skin) and anti-microbial.
For sprains, strains, aches and pains I reach for cornmint essential oil, although peppermint will do the trick too. I prefer cornmint as it has a higher menthol content than peppermint and somehow smells ’cleaner’ (though this is purely personal preference). You can dab a drop of cornmint on your temples if you have a headache, and combine it with a few drops of lavender to rub onto achy muscles and sprained joints. Cornmint is analgesic, anti-spasmodic and cooling.
Eucalyptus is my go to at the first sign of a sniffle. A few drops on a tissue and inhale to help clear the airways, use it in a burner if someone in the office starts sneezing, and/or combine it with cornmint and rub into your feet before bed to help you breathe at night. Eucalyptus is expectorant (helps you cough it up), cleansing and uplifting.
For emotional and mental first aid, frankincense will help get you through. I see it as like a comfy conveyor belt, in that it gently picks you up and carries through (I wish I could think of a better analogy, if you have any suggestions, please let me know!). Dab on a tissue and inhale, add a few drops to your bath and use in a burner. According to Tisserand, frankincense is spiritually uplifting and expansive, it is also mentally rejuvenating, euphoric and gives strength.
I also keep a bottle of rose hydrolat* close at hand to soothe me during stressful times. A splash in a cup of hot water (often drunk when having a bath with added essential oils), gives comfort and solace from the inside out. Rose is nurturing, uplifting and has a balancing effect on hormones, for both men and women.
*Hydrolats, also known as hydrosols, are a by-product of essential oil production. They contain slightly different chemical compounds to the essential oils and share many of their healing properties. It is important to ensure you’re buying true hydrolats as many commercially available products, often sold as ‘rose water’, contain synthetic/artificial ingredients.
Please use your own discernment when using essential oils. If irritation occurs, stop using them.
About 10 years ago, I had one of the best massages I’ve ever had. It was called Chavutti Thimeral, and the therapist used her feet to literally walk all over me. Absolute bliss. I’ve been wanting to train in this style of supremely deep pressure (and supremely relaxing) massage ever since.
I was lucky enough to meet the gorgeous Robyn, of AYMChesterfield earlier this year, and she gave me an Ayurvedic Yoga Massage (AYM) that hit all the right deep-pressure spots. From that very first treatment, I knew I just had to learn how to give this massage.
When I enquired about the where in London the Ayurvedic Yoga Massage (AYM) training in the first two weeks of July would be, it was like coming full circle. The venue was in Brixton, which is where I lived when I did my Tisserand Aromatherapy training almost 20 years ago!
A fine view of the city from Brixton, taken from the top deck
It also felt serendipitous because I have a cousin who lives in Tooting, whom I could stay with, and it was only 1 bus ride from his house to the venue (with short walks either end). This is a dream commute for London! Not to mention my cousin and his wife have a beautiful house, they are both great cooks (I definitely put on weight, which is no bad thing!) and couldn’t have been more congenial hosts. I loved every minute with them.
The first week of the course was levels one and two, which felt as much of an unlearning for me as it was a learning. From the very first contact of the massage, the pressure is deep and meaningful. I was told off for spreading the oil and then going into the massage. The massage starts the moment you put your hands on and spreading the oil is an integral part of the treatment.
Myself and Despina using our heels for deep relaxation
We also learnt how to use our feet to massage, being careful to support our body weight with a chair or stool, and where to apply the weight so that it releases deep tension and is ultimately relaxing. It was an intense week with lots of techniques to learn, discovering new ways to utilise our bodies for healing.
Stretching out the adductor muscles (photo courtesy Despina Psarra)
The second week (levels three and four) involved learning more techniques such as stretches, tractions and joint decompressions, and putting everything together in a sequence tailored to our individual clients’ needs. AYM is a remedial massage, and we have been taught to think of the skills we’ve learnt as like tools in a tool box, you pick the tools you need to offer the best remedy for your clients.
Fabulous view from the assessment venue
At the end of the second week was our assessment, with a change of venue to Aldgate. A stunning apartment worthy of a magazine cover and the view from the roof garden was unbeatable! The assessment involved a brief consultation with a client and devising a treatment plan. We then proceeded to massage our clients according to the plan, using the techniques we’d learnt under the watchful eye of the course leader, Despina. I’m pleased to say that the three of us that completed the assessment all passed, with much jubilation and relief!
End of assessment smiles! L-R Despina, Joti, Vivienne and myself (photo courtesy Despina Psarra)
I still have a lot to learn, as far as piecing the techniques together (let alone remembering them all!) and until the end of September I’ll be offering half price Ayurvedic Yoga Massage. Each appointment will be 1.5 hours (I will offer 1 hour appointments once I’ve honed my skills) and will be £75 full price. To book your half price session, call or text me on 07980262358 or email Bess@peacewellbeing.co.uk
Last weekend we should have been celebrating your 42nd birthday. We should have been having a garden party, dinner in a fine restaurant or drinks in a wine bar followed by dancing. You would have lit up the dance floor with your enthusiasm, exuberance and energy.
June 2018
We still haven’t celebrated your 40th birthday, flights to Spain and lunch in a Michelin star restaurant cancelled, twice, because of covid. In your head, that means you’re still 39. In my head, you are forever preserved as young, vibrant and joyous. You were born two months before me and now I am older than you. You will not get old. You have been denied that privilege.
Your birthday will be marked with sadness, loss and heartache in perpetuity. At present, I cannot imagine a time when these feelings won’t dominate each anniversary that passes. Each thought I have of you.
And yet I smile too. I smile at the memories of the adventures we had together. Of the mischief we made, of being led astray by you, of the incitement of naughtiness between us. The most fun I’ve had in my life, you were there, leading the charge with your charm, cheek and ginormous heart.
May 2021
You had a tremendous talent for making everyone around you feel included, special and beautiful. The light that emanated from you bounced off everyone you connected with. It was your reflection.
June 2014
The fight to keep your spirit alive is a daily battle. Some days are easier than others. Some days, surrender is the only option. The only way through. Grief is an expression of love. To deny that enunciation, in whatever way it exposes itself, is to deny your existence. This, I have learnt from your beloved Henry. He travels through his grief without repudiation.
December 2017
Henry is building a charitable foundation in your name. He is creating light, from the darkness of your death, and he is preserving, perpetuating and extending your light for the benefit of others. Your light loves on.
Le Petit Singe, the charitable foundation that Henry has set up, raises money to help those affected by sudden bereavement, heart conditions and international environmental and social issues that Richard was involved with. Please visit lepetitsinge.co.uk for more information and to make a donation.
Aaaah, d’ya remember when I posted that video to my fb page back in March 2020? It was when everyone was panic buying loo rolls, the UK government stated “As of 19 March 2020, COVID-19 is no longer considered to be a high consequence infectious disease (HCID) in the UK”, then went into lockdown just a few days later, we all thought we’d be flattening the curve and it would be over in a few weeks.
[Shout out to my puffy face and eye bags btw. Sheeesh! It’s only since I’ve watched that video again that I’ve noticed them. Might write another blog on how I got rid of them. I think I look younger now 😁].
Who knew we were in for such a rough ride back then? In and out of lockdowns, don’t wear a mask, they’re not effective, do wear a mask (because we’ve all bought shares in them), don’t see your loved ones, definitely don’t cuddle them unless you’re covered in cling film, find yourself someone to get into a bubble with, get on first name terms with your delivery drivers, only have visitors to your home if you’re paying them, and let’s all bake banana bread.
Not forgetting the clapping and the Belper Moo. WTF?
Where are we now? What have we lost along the way? Who have we lost along the way? What has happened to our collective psyche? How much damage has been done to our mental health, our economy, our spiritual wellbeing? Why are we all so afraid of coughs, colds and the flu? Why have we been divided into good people who have the vaccines, and bad people who don’t? Is this a pandemic, feardemic, plandemic or scamdemic? Where do we go from here? What is the new normal? Is the new normal acceptable? Do we want a new normal? How do we adjust to life after covid? Do we need to adjust? Should we adjust?
Who do you trust?
I was going to say I wish I had the answers, but actually knowing what I know now, like the PPE fiasco, Downing Street parties and the emerging figures for the excess deaths (not least in athletes and sports professionals), makes me want to bury my head in the sand and never come out again. A feeling that I’m sure we’ve all had in the last two years.
But I can’t, and I won’t. And so I reassess. What do I want to carry forward with me? What are the positives for me that have come out of the last two years? What do I want my life to look like? What do I want life to look like for my offspring?
I have found a wonderful community of like minded people, who aren’t afraid to ask these questions, nor are they afraid to discuss, debate and digest the answers. It is from this community that I have drawn strength, made fabulous new friends, learnt a tremendous amount and envisioned a future I want to be a part of.
This is definitely a big positive that has come out of the last few years for me and I will carry forward for as long as I am on this planet. The future that I want to be a part of includes building a new health care service that integrates medical professionals with holistic practitioners. A long job but I’m happy to do it. My future also includes staying true to my values and strong in my self belief, and passing these traits to younger generations.
I knew in 2020 that I wasn’t afraid of covid, that I trusted my immune system, I felt healthy and well and that I if I got covid it would have minimal impact. And looking back at that video today, I can see that I’m even healthier now! I’ve certainly learnt a lot more about health since then (I’ll definitely be writing another blog post on that, at some point), which I have put into practice. I am forever tweaking, experimenting and mastering my innerstanding of my own health and wellbeing.
I am focused on the life I want to live, the world I want to be in and creating a future for the next generation that I’m proud to leave behind. For that, covid (I refuse to capitalise covid, even though the red lines underneath it as I type are very annoying), I am grateful.
*I think there’s gonna be a part two. I’ve got a few more thoughts on covid I want to share, which I may, or may not, get round to typing up.
Peacewellbeing.co.uk 