Tag: Relaxation

Fall in love with Ayurvedic Massage this Autumn

Leave a comment

img_0209

Hello everyone, Its been a while! Doesn’t time just fly by!  We are now entering into Autumn!  Such a magical time of the year, with its rich tones, long walks, rustling through fallen leaves and the abundance of fruits from the harvest.  Whats not to love!

With the change in seasons so does our bodily needs.  So as temperatures become cooler, we could all appreciate a little extra comfort in our lives.  Autumn is a time for inner reflection, release and letting go, making way for new growth!

Therefore  its no better time to allocate some precious ‘time’ to ourselves within our ever growing schedule, to nourish our mind, body and soul.  So ‘Fall in love with Ayurvedic Massage this Autumn’ and enjoy this space to unwind and declutter our busy minds!

Ayurveda is one of the oldest medical health system, dating back 4000-5000 years ago.  In Sanskrit ‘Ayur’ means life and ‘Veda’ means knowledge, so literal meaning the science/knowledge of life.

The principle of Ayurveda are our bodies are controlled by energies, known as dosas, vata, pitta, kalpha, which in many cases are out of balance, resulting in poor health. Therefore, Ayurveda adopts an approach to treat the cause of the disease and not just the symptoms. It’s practice is to increase awareness around our health, through lifestyle changes, such as; diet, yoga and integrating massage therapies into our routines, in order to achieve perfect balance of mind, body and soul!

Ayurvedic massage  also known as Abhyanga,  is a full body detoxifying massage using herbal oils selected according to ones dosh.  It works on mama points to release any blockages, eliminating impurities, strengthening and boosting the immune system, therefore increasing vitality!

I must say nothing feels more nurturing than a good massage, leaving you totally relaxed… grounded and not just a luxurious indulgence, but extremely beneficial to our physical and emotional wellbeing.
So if your feeling totally out of balance, low in energy, generally run down, or suffering muscular tension, then an Ayurvedic massage will help to bring some harmony and equilibrium.  The perfect autumnal pick-me-up!

(Ayurvedic Massage 10% off valid until 20th October)

For further information Click Here

Mairead

Nourish your senses – Chamomile essential oil

Leave a comment

IMG_1254

This month I would like to share the wonderful benefits of Roman Chamomile – anthemis nobilis essential oil.  If you have ever sipped Chamomile tea you are only too familiar with its use in promoting relaxation and aiding sleep, making it perfect before bedtime!

Chamomile is such a commonly recognised herb and has been used throughout the ages by many physicians for its amazing properties.  It was a favourite in many garden lawns, releasing a pungent fragrance of chamomile when walked upon and used also as companion planting.  Today it is more widely used in cosmetics, perfumes and herbal teas.

Chamomile essential oil has a sweet, fruity and heady aroma and the oil is steam distilled from the flowers. It is extremely ease too grow, and has white daisy like flowers, with a yellow centre and slightly furry green leaves. It is known for its calming and soothing properties making it excellent for the nervous system, muscular conditions and soothing skin conditions.

Firstly, it is excellent in easing anxiety, tension and helps to calm the emotions in stressful situations.  It is also very beneficial in raising the spirits if suffering from depression, even smelling the oil can give a ‘feel good factor’.  As it promotes relaxation it is often helpful with insomnia.

It is beneficial in easing muscular aches and pains especially when related to nervous conditions.  Due to its analgesic properties in relieving pain it is also effective for those experiencing headaches, neuralgia, toothache and earache.

Chamomile can also help with regulating the menstruation cycle and ease painful periods. As it has a calming effect on the body it is good for pre menstrual tension and menopause.

It is beneficial in soothing the stomach, easing digestive problems and may help with Irritable Bowel Syndrome.  Also it is thought to help with liver problems, such as jaundice and disorders of the genitourinary tract.

Chamomile is an excellent oil to help soothe agitated babies and toddlers suffering from temper tantrums at bedtime , making it beneficial to induce a peaceful sleep.  It can be used in a in small contractions, 1 -2 drops in a bath (at over age 3) or a vaporiser  in the bedroom. Watch the little ones drop off!

Lastly but not least, chamomile is an excellent oil used within skincare due to its soothing and calming properties.  It has amazing effects on soothing burns, blisters, inflamed skin and good for dry itchy and hypersensitive skin conditions.  It is a great skin cleanser and helps to ease puffiness and strengthen the skin tissues.

It is most definitely one to have at hand and a little goes a long way!

Precautions: Avoid during pregnancy, especially the early months.

Blends well with:  Benzoin, Bergamot, Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon, Marjoram, Neroli,                                        Palmarosa, Patchouli, Rose and Ylang Ylang

Mairead x

 

Tea time – Me time

Leave a comment

P1010800P1010793

Tea time -Me time with freshly picked Peppermint leaves, refreshing, cooling and excellent for soothing and calming the digestive system, especially those suffering from IBS problems.  It is so easy to grow, and comes in lots of varieties, but best grown in pots as spreads vigirously throughout the garden.

To make Peppermint tea pick a few large sprigs and infuse in water which has just come off the boil.  It could’nt be easier!  So sit back relax and enjoy!

Mairead x

 

Nourish your body – receive 10% off a purifying reflexology treatment

Leave a comment

IMG_2268

Summer has arrived and nothing feels more nurturing than happy, pampered feet!  So put a spring back into your step and nourish your body with a purifying and bespoke reflexology treatment.

Reflexology not only soothes tired achy feet, but also restores the body’s natural equilibrium, inducing a deep sense of relaxation and creating harmony with oneself.  A perfect way to grow and cleanse, the body and mind for those summer months ahead!

Reflexology  works on the principle that reflex points on the feet correspond to every organ, gland and area of the body. By working on the feet, this stimulates the thousands of nerve endings and reflex points to revitalise and replenish the mind and body, so energy flows more freely and boosting the bodies self healing process. Thus, at a physical, mental and emotional level a person becomes more balanced and as reflexology has a accumulative effect, benefits will be most noticeable after four to six weekly sessions.  All treatments are adapted to suit individual client requirements.

(Reflexology 10% off, valid until 21st July 2016)

Happy feet equals relaxed body and mind, so be good to yourself!

Mairead x

Nourish your senses – Grapefruit essential oil

Leave a comment

image

This month I’m going to explore the wonderful refreshing and uplifting essential oil of Grapefruit.  It is one of my many favourite citrus fruits, both to eat and use in a massage or a body lotion blend.  Perfect to awaken the senses first thing in the morning!

Graperfuit grow in large bunches,  on a glossy leaved tree with white flowers and the oil is mostly obtained from Israel, Brazil and USA.  The oil is expressed from deep within the peel of the Grapefruit and can range in colour from yellow through to orange/green, yielding a small quantity of oil in comparison to the other citrus oils.  It is widely used within food, cosmetics and perfumes.

Due to its balancing effect on the central nervous system Grapefruit can be beneficial during times of stress and anxiety and help stabilise depression.  It soothes the body and helps relieve headaches, migraines and premenstrual tension and may help with some of the effects of jetlag.

It is also an excellent lymphatic stimulant, nourishing tissue cells and helping to rid the body of excess water retention and build up of toxins.  It’s diuretic effect could help with cellulite.  A combination of Grapefruit, Fennel and Juniper essential oils make an perfect cleansing blend to detox the body.  Regular massage is the most effective way to improve overall skin tone, helping with flabby skin and stretch marks.

Grapefuit is known for its amazing cleansing properties, aiding the kidneys and vascular system and said to be a liver tonic, improving secretion and function.

It can be a beneficial oil for those taking part in regular sport activity, in treating stiffness and cramps in muscles, as it helps with the release of lactic acid in the muscles, therefore easing muscular aches and pains.

Within skincare it is a particularly good oil for balancing oily skin and treating skin conditions such as acne, resulting in an overall clearer complexion.

Precautions: can cause skin irritation if exposed to sunlight after application. Avoid during                                     pregnancy.

Blends well with: Basil, Bergamot, Chamomile, Frankincense, Geranium, Jasmine,                                                               Lavender, Palmarosa, Rose, Rosewood and Ylang Ylang

Mairead x

 

 

 

 

Nourish your body – deep tissue massage

Leave a comment

Many of us are so focused on how we look on the outside that we completely forget about our inner wellbeing.  Taking time to nourish and pamper ourselves through regular relaxation results in outer radiance.  Which is why regular massage offers an amazing way to relax and rejuvenate, creating balance and harmony within our mind, body and spirit.

With today’s demanding lifestyles and free time becoming a luxury we only seek to have a de-stressing treatment such as a massage when suffering from a huge build up of tension within the body.  The old saying ‘prevention is better than cure’ has never been so appropriate .  Therefore it is important that we listen to our bodies and integrate some form of relaxation into our lives, such as a regular massage and other forms of ‘down time’ we enjoy.  This means we a less likely to suffer from ongoing muscular tension, high stress levels and mental exhaustion, which we all know can lead to ill health.

So if you find yourself suffering ongoing muscular tension and continually ‘stressed out’, then look no further than a  deep tissue massage, with the added bonus of aiding complete relaxation.

We are all in charge of our own bodies, what we put in is what we get out. So be good yourself, it will thank you for ‘me-time’!

Mairead x

Nourish your body – Sleep Awareness

Leave a comment

 

image

We all know the vital importance of a good nights sleep in boosting your mental wellbeing. Continual poor sleep can have detrimental effect on our lives.  This can result in us feeling constantly tired, suffering from poor concentration/co-ordination, irritability, and generally feeling low, making us unable to function properly and carry out important daily tasks.  This can be dangerous in certain jobs which require good concentration.

I am one of those lucky people who has generally no problem getting off to sleep and can get back to sleep easily when (or if!) I wake during the night.

However this was not always the case.  Previously suffering from depression and severe anxiety this resulted in me having an extremely poor sleep pattern.  In fact some nights I got no sleep at all and others a few hours when at my worse.  I then developed an anxiety around not been able to sleep.  It was a vicious circle I was in and needed to get myself out of it, as my health and wellbeing was really suffering.

Once I began to get myself back on track, my sleep  started to improve over time.  I gradually taught my brain to switch off at bedtime and fill it with happy thoughts.  I told myself bedtime is for sleeping and nourishing my body in preparation for daytime and I realised that worry is such a waste of precious time and energy.  I now try to fill my life with things which make me happy and smile, leaving very little time for worry!!

Here are some of the things I found  which helped me personally.  Each persons situation is individual, and it is important if there is a reason for you not sleeping well, it is tackled or resolved if possible.

Continue reading →

Essential Oil of the month – Ginger

image

Winter is a cold contractive time, but with the use of essential oils, we can bring light & balance into the long dark season.

One of the delightful aromas around Christmas time is freshly baked gingerbread cookies. The warming scent, stimulates the taste buds, similar to that of ginger oil.

Ginger has been used since ancient times in Asia, and during the Middle Ages, travelled to the west along the spice route.

Ginger is very warming, spicy oil, with a hint of lemon and pepper. It is used for many circulation conditions; especially arthritis, muscular aches, pains and sprains. It is also helpful for digestive disorders such as; flatulence, stomach cramps and indigestion. Ginger is very effective with feelings of nausea, motion sickness and hangovers, as it seems to settle the stomach.

Continue reading →