Give yourself an Indian Head Massage

Feeling a little stressed and not quite at your best? I've worked out a short routine for you to give yourself a massage at any time - I would say anywhere, but if you did it on the bus the other passengers may think you a little odd! 

Choose somewhere private and warm where you can concentrate on yourself. Sit on any normal chair with your feet on the ground - take off your shoes if that makes you feel comfy. All you need is your hands, no oils, no towels. If you can dim the lights and have a candle burning, that's fine - depends on where you are!

Sit, shoulders back, eyes closed, hands loosely in your lap and just concentrate for a few seconds on your breath, breathing through your nose - imagine with each out breath that your worries are being breathed out and with each in breath you are taking in fresh clean energy as well as air. Then imagine that any tension is leaving your body - you have time to yourself for a few minutes - as it says in the ad 'You're worth it'. Imagine feeling warmth surround your body and relax the muscles in your face, you are already feeling the benefit of the relaxation and the tension is disappearing from your body.

 

• Using both hands, gently push your fingers through your hair and on to your scalp, gently rubbing your head with your fingers, using whatever pressure that feels good to you - do this all over your head 2 or 3 times.

• Next, take handfuls of your hair and very gently and slowly tug your hair - this will ease tension from your scalp.

• Go on to rub and squeeze your temples using the heels of your hands with your fingertips pointing up and on your head. Make slow circular movements.

• Move on to the back of your neck - if you have long hair hold it up out of the way with one hand and use the other to squeeze and roll the muscles in the back of your neck working from the top down - do this several times and then repeat with the other hand.

• Placing both hands on your head and both the thumbs at the base of your skull, work your thumb in little circles along the boney ridge that is called the occipital ridge. Use the pressure that suits you. You may want just to exert a little pressure with your thumbs along this ridge - do what feels best for you.

• Shoulders next: place one hand on the opposite shoulder and gently squeeze the muscle from the base of your neck out to the top of your shoulder then down the arm to your elbow, repeat on the same arm twice more then swap to the other side. Next, use your palm to gently stroke down or move in gentle largeish circles in the same area to sooth the the muscles. It wouldn't be unusual to feel quite a bit of 'sweet pain' on the arms - apply the pressure that is best for you.

• Finish the self massage by rubbing your hands through your hair from the front of your head to the base of your neck, pushing your hair back - you can also gently stroke your face at this point as well. Do this a couple of times and then relax.

As a final add on to this you could do some neck stretches - the way I do this is to imagine that I am drawing the biggest circles I can in the air with my nose as the focus and make this rotation 3 times and in opposite directions - I always feel my neck crunching! only extend the neck as far as you feel is comfortable.

Take a few seconds to breath and bring yourself back to where you are, opening your eyes when you are ready.

Hope that you're now relaxed and energised!

And if you really can't be bothered doing it for yourself - come to me and I'll do it for you!

New Therapy Room Opening Soon

The new therapy room will be decorated very soon... hoping I'll be up and running with a full programme later in the year. Looking forward to seeing you!

Reiki Level 1 Workshop





Ever wanted to know more about Reiki?

I'm teaching a Reiki 1 workshop on Saturday and Sunday 9th and 10th April 2011 in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire - book your place soon!

• You will discover what Reiki is and its orgins
• How Master Usui taught Reiki and how you can use it now in this busy, modern world
• The Reiki principles
• Self-healing techniques
• Chakras and possible connection with the endocrine system
• Discover the ability to take control of your life and destiny
• ...and much more!

Image from: http://www.reiki-evolution.co.uk

The training will incorporate Reiki attunements at beginning and end of each day, tuition and hands on practice in a small group as well as some theory, all delivered in an informal setting. You will also receive a comprehensive handbook, so no need for notes!

The workshop fee is £100 for the two days with refreshments available throughout though you are asked to contribute to a 'pot-luck' lunch on the first day.

If you need overnight accommodation, I can recommend local hotels or B & Bs.

To book this potentially life-changing workshop or for further information, contact me by email: belinda.kennedy1@btinternet.com or by phone 07740 680 924

Reflexology

image from: http://www.phing.com/

This is a superlatively relaxing treatment that many clients find effective for the relief of a variety of symptoms.

The treatment involves reclining comfortably in a specially designed ergonomic chair with massage and pressure applied to the feet (or hands, in certain circumstances). The basic concept is that areas of the body correspond to reflexes or zones on the feet or hands.

There are many theories as to the mechanism of how reflexology may work and there are many claims as to its efficacy. My clients find that this treatment appears to allow the body to relax completely and effect its own response to whatever condition is an issue. I can however, reassure you that reflexology has been practised in different forms over the last 5,000 years in many different cultures eg the Chinese, the Cherokee tribes of North America and Egypt.

One of the most famous proponents of reflexology was Eunice D Ingham (a nurse and physiotherapist), who introduced her version 1930s and 40s and whose method is widely followed today.
Reflexology is reputed to be useful for the relief of pain, depression, insomnia, digestive problems, PMS and stress... to name but a few.
Many reflexologists do not use oils or lotions but I generally use a non-sticky balm during the treatment and follow the session with a foot massage using oils tailored to the client.

Reiki - comforting and healing

REIKI

This is a wonderfully relaxing non-invasive treatment. It is believed to have originated in Tibet and was rediscovered in Japan, being introduced to the West in the 1970's.

Reiki has a similar effect on the body as meditation and is a very quiet and comforting treatment, thought to promote personal growth, increasing initiative, intellectual and creative processes.

In our ever-increasingly stressful lives, it is a useful means of relaxation - one hour of Reiki is reputed to be equivalent to three-four hours of deep, relaxing sleep and is one the most advanced natural stress-relieving therapies available.

You can have Reiki as a 30 or 60 minute treatment in its own right or as an 'add-on' to other treatments like back massage or Indian Head Massage. The client is fully clothed and comfortable on the couch under a blanket or duvet to keep warm since deep relaxation can lead to a decrease in body temperature. An intensely healing and balancing treatment - ideal for emotional problems or for those who are sensitive to touch.

About Myself and My Training
I am an independent Complementary Therapy Practitioner offering various treatments which are specifically designed and tailored for your well-being needs.

Most of my training was completed at Banff and Buchan College in Fraserburgh where I achieved an HNC in Complementary Therapy. I continued my training by attending seminars and postgraduate courses. I have studied with internationally renowned reflexologists Moss Arnold (Australia) and Chris Stormer (South Africa) gaining even further knowledge and experience.

I have worked with individual clients, major companies, charities and in schools giving treatments, delivering seminars and workshops, teaching massage, reflexology and meditation techniques and how to reduce the effects of stress. Clients have ranged in age from 3-83!

Most recently I was accepted at the University of Aberdeen and later gained a BSc Honours degree in Neuroscience with Psychology in 2009. My final year thesis focussed on the underlying mechanisms of pain and how conventional and complementary treatments can help people manage their pain - very appropriate for a complementary practitioner!

I invite you to make an appointment and experience a treatment or contact me for further information.

Belinda Kennedy BSc (Hons), MFHT

Thermal auricular therapy

...also known as Hopi Earcandling

So what is an earcandling treatment?

This treatment begins with a short back massage to relax you completely.

You will then lie comfortably on your side, your head supported by a pillow. Once I have made you comfortable I will light the 'candle' (it's not strictly a candle, since it is hollow) and place it gently into the outer ear passage using a light turning movement to seal the candle in place.

You will hear pleasant crackling and some hissing from the flame. I will be with you at all times, holding the candle in place throughout and will take care that no hair is within reach of the flame. Both ears are treated, each with its own Hopi candle.

The earcandles have a purely physical function. A light suction action (like a chimney effect) as well as the movement of the flame create a vibration of air in the candle, generating a light massage-like effect on the eardrum. You will experience a pleasant feeling of warmth and a balance of pressure in the ears, forehead and sinuses. The treatment is particularly soothing for headache, earache, ear noise and stress relief. You may also experience freer nasal breathing and an improved sense of smell.

Earcandling can also induce a deep state of relaxation and a sense of security as well as a lightning of the spirits.

I use Biosun Earcandles, made by hand using traditional methods and the best of ingredients. The candle itself is made of pesticide-free untreated cotton and impregnated with beeswax, honey extract and traditional herbs: St john's Wort, Camomile and pure essential oils.

The candles are medical products class IIa according to medical directive 93/42/EEC

You should NOT have earcandling if you have a perforated eardrum or grommets. Inflammation or infection of the ear or skin diseases in and around the ear are also contraindicated.

Very rarely allergic reactions to the ingredients are reported and spontaneous itchiness may be experienced - suitable eardrops may be used to treat this.

Images from www.skinsensemalta.com and www.foothol-reflexology.com