Yoga
Yoga, the science of Yoga, has it’s origins in India, it is one of the six orthodox systems of Indian philosophy. It has references in the ancient texts of the Upanishads (part of the Vedas, or sacred scriptures of Hinduism), the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga sutres of Patanjali.
With the growth of spiritual practice in the 6th Century BC, when the popularity of Buddha’s teachings became more widely known, meditation became the main form of spiritual practice. Some believed that before meditation can be practiced the body and it’s elements must first be purified and prepared for the practice of sitting in meditation.
This was the basis of the schools of yoga that developed.
Patanjali, who was a contemporary of Buddha, wrote the Yoga Sutras (threads) dividing the practice into eight steps (ashtanga) believing that one must begin with moral codes and self restraints (yama & niyama) before asana (posture) and pranayama (breath control) can be beneficial.
Authors on the texts of hatha yoga, such as Swatmarama, were very much aware of the practical difficulties every person faced in relation to yama and niyama and believed self control and self discipline should start with the body. Asana is discipline; pranayama is discipline; kumbhaka (breath retention) is self control.
Karma Yoga is the Yoga of action. It is said ‘Work alone is your privilege, never the fruits thereof, never let the fruits of action be your motive, be not affected by success or failure’.
One may follow the path of Jnana Yoga, where realisation comes through knowledge, or the Yoga of devotion to a personal God, Bhakti Yoga.
There are many different paths (upayas) within the styles of Yoga, but all leading to a balancing of energy, a purification of the body and mind, and an awakening in the quality of human conciousness and the ‘means to the realisation of one’s true nature’.
Although these forms appear distinct, it is not so, for Hatha and Raja (ashtanga) complement each other and form a single approach to liberation, a deliverance from contact with pain and sorrow.
Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga is the form of yoga that believes that the purification of the body is necessary in order to purify the mind. Hatha, the term is a combination of two mantras, ha, representing prana or vital force (sun) and tha, representing the mind, the mental energy (moon) and so meaning a union between pranic and mental energy which leads to the awakening of higher conciousness.
Hatha Yoga is the joining of mind and body to the self, the awakening and balancing of vital and spiritual energy.
It is the method used since ancient times for the relief and elimination of diseases and defects, working on the principles of harmony and unification.
Asana is spoken of as the first part of hatha yoga. Having done asana one gets steadiness of body and mind.
Text includes quotations, respectfully taken from;
- BKS Iyengar ‘Light On Yoga’
- Swami Muktibodhananda ‘Hatha Yoga Pradipika’
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga
Ashtanga (literally eight limbs) is the path of yoga brought to the attention of westerners by Sri K Pattabhi Jois, a student of the great yogi Krishnamacharya, who transcribed from a badly damaged book, the Yoga Karunta, the series of postures taught today as Ashtanga Yoga. Jois established the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in 1948. Westerners found their way to Jois who was invited to America in the 1970’s for demonstations and talks, Ashtanga Yoga had arrived.
The Eight Limbs of Ashtanga Yoga comprise: Yama, Niyama (moral codes and self-restraints), Asana (postures), Pranayama (breathing exercises that practiced correctly purify the nadis – flute shaped channels, in one form carrying energy in the form of prana through the nervous system), Pratyahara (withdrawal and emancipation of the mind from the domination of the senses), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (absorption).
The practice is a set sequence of flowing, dynamic postures, bound together with a deep even breath (ujjayi pranayama) and gazing point (dristi).
By synchronisity in breath, movement and practising the internal locks of mulabandha and uddiyanabandha, an intense internal heat is produced which purifies muscles and organs and expels toxins through the skin and breath, resulting in a light strong body.
Through the discipline and focus of the practice, one acquires steadiness of body and mind.
Text includes quotations, respectfully taken from;
- Sri K Pattabhi Jois ‘Yoga Mala’
- Lino Miele ‘Ashtanga Yoga’
Traditional Thai Massage
Traditional Thai Massage is a holistic form of massage originating from the time of the Buddha. It is a method of aligning the energies of the body as the therapist applies pressure along a system of energy (sen) lines. Starting from the feet, the whole body will be moved, loosened and stretched, thus increasing flexibility and mobility in the joints. Physical tensions will be eased, thereby helping to dissolve blockages. The massage is a floor based massage, conducted in a tranquil environment on a large mattress with the client remaining as fully clothed as comfortable. There is no use of oils or lotions, just the pressure of the therapists thumbs, palms, elbows and feet.
Traditional Thai Massage is a similar feeling to acupressure or shiatsu combined with yoga stretches.
Swedish Massage
The term massage is derived from the Greek ‘masso’ – to knead and the Arabic ‘mass’ to press gently. It is believed that massage was practiced in China as early as 3000 BC. The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates is said to have suggested that a daily scented bath and a massage were the best means to achieving health and well being.
The use of massage became more frequent during the 16th century when a French doctor Ambroise Pare who developed many techniques in surgery to make it safer, described the positive effects of massage in the healing process. However the advancement of massage is credited to a Swede Pehr Henrik Ling in the early 19th century. He established the Royal Central Institute of Gymnastics in Sweden where he created a series of gymnastic movements and massage techniques, including effleurage, petrissage, and tapotement. This form of massage became popular throughout Europe by the end of that century and is now an established form of holistic treatment.
The benefits of massage include
It can aid a variety of both physical and psychological conditions
It removes physical tension in the muscles
It improves the flow of lymph boosting the body’s immune system
It improves circulation and relieves conditions caused by poor circulation
It helps to alleviate stress, anxiety, insomnia, headaches and migraines
It improves skin elasticity
It helps to soften and moisturise the skin
Massage helps to promote a sense of well being
Massage helps to encourage relaxation
An abdominal massage helps to alleviate digestive problems including constipation
Massage can be used to ease and relieve menstrual pain
After the treatment you may experience the following reactions
Experience a sense of well being and relaxation
Feel more energised
Feel more tired
May experience a slight headache
Increased urination
Increased thirst
Temporary worsening of symptoms
After a massage it is recommended that you
Take it easy for the rest of the day
Drink plenty of water and or herbal tea
Avoid alcohol and caffeine
Avoid a heavy meal
Please note contraindications do exist which may either prevent a treatment taking place or require adaptation of the treatment. This will be discussed at the initial consultation.
Reflexology
It is difficult to pinpoint the actual origins of reflexology. Evidence can be found of its existence in China 4000 years BC, and a painting of the practice was unveiled on the Egyptian tomb of Ankmahor dating back to 2350 BC. There is also proof of a type of foot therapy being practiced by North American Indians for hundreds of years before reflexology’s entrance into mainstream culture.
Reflexology came to wider attention to Europeans around 1582 through publications by Dr Adamus and Dr A’tatis and by the Leipzig based Dr Ball all exploring zone therapy. The rediscovery of this type of treatment occurred during 1915 and 1917 through the work of Dr William Fitzgerald. An American ear, nose and throat surgeon, he divided the body into ten longitudinal sections. By isolating certain pressure points he observed their affect to areas of the body experiencing pain. The interrelationships between the body and organs became known as ‘Zone Therapy’. His work came to prominence through the publication of an article ‘To Stop That Toothache, Squeeze Your Toe,’ by Dr Edwin Bowers in 1915.
The popularity of ‘Zone Therapy’ from 1915 onwards grew very slowly, finding limited support from the world of dentists and osteopaths only. During the 1920s and 30s two American doctors George Starr White and Joe Riley made further investigations into this theory. The latter produced the first diagrams of the foot reflex points and reflex points of the ear and along with his wife Elizabeth, they established a school teaching zone therapy.
However, it is Eunice Ingham a physiotherapist working for Dr Riley who is credited with developing the work started by Dr Fitzgerald. She is responsible for studiously ‘mapping’ the feet to all the related organs and glands of the body. As a result the original limitations of zone therapy focusing on pain could be forgotten and instead its wider therapeutic benefits embraced. Ingham is considered by many as the pioneer of reflexology and worked tiresomely until her death in 1974 to promote this healing therapy. She regularly gave lectures and produced two well known books on the subject ‘Stories The Feet Can Tell (1938) and ‘Stories the Feet Have Told’ (1963).
During the 1960’s and 70s the work of one of her former students German Reflexologist Hanne Marquart led to the discovery of the transverse /lateral zones. She was the first practitioner working in Germany exclusively with pressure on the feet only.
Another former student of Ingham, Doreen Bayly is considered the trailblazer responsible for bringing reflexology to England in 1966. She later founded the Association of Reflexologists in the 1984. In 1985 the Institute for Complementary Medicine in the UK recognised reflexology as an accepted form of complementary medicine.
Reflexology is a powerful treatment that can aid
- Relaxation
- Pain relief
- Improved circulation
- Improved muscle tone
- Encourage nerve stimulation
- Stimulation of immune system
- Improved elimination (detoxifying)
- Encouraging the body to heal
- Provide psychological comfort
- Balance of mind, body and spirit
Reflexology works on many levels (physical, mental, spiritual and emotional) to help the individual.
The benefits of reflexology
- Reflexology increases blood circulation, helping the transport of essential hormones, oxygen and nutrients thorough the body necessary for the maintenance of cell life.
- Reflexology helps to improve lymphatic circulation leading to the efficient dissipation of waste products and stimulation of the immune system
- Reflexology helps to bring relief to areas in the feet that may suffer from congestion or from the build up of other deposits such as uric acids, calcium deposits. It also results to an increase in overall circulation.
- Finally reflexology offers you the client the opportunity to have a chance to rest – to stop rushing around and to devote some time to taking care of yourself.
After the treatment you may experience the following reactions
- Experience a sense of well being and relaxation
- Feel more energised
- Feel more tired
- May experience a slight headache
- Increased urination
- Increased thirst
- Temporary worsening of symptoms
- Feel emotional
After the treatment it is recommended that you
- Take it easy for the rest of the day
- Drink plenty of water and or herbal tea
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine
- Avoid a heavy meal
Please note contraindications do exist which may either prevent a treatment taking place or require adaptation of the treatment. This will be discussed at the initial consultation.
Hot Stone Massage
This complementary therapy was first introduced to the world of spa treatments by Mary Nelson in 1993. However, the therapeutic use of stones and rocks has existed for thousands of years in various forms.
The ‘hot’ stones used in the therapy are known as basalt. They are porous (igneous) and produced through volcanic / sedimentary action. Basalt has a smooth texture and dark colour. On the Moh’s hardness scale of 1-10 basalt is rated 7. It is an ideal stone for this treatment as it retains heat for long periods of time.
Basalt also has other ‘hidden’ qualities / energetic and healing properties. It is considered to provide strength necessary to continue through difficult times and helps to reduce the negative side of someone’s personality whilst enhancing the positive traits within the individual.
Marble – the ‘cold’ stone is an example of metamorphic rocks. The process these rocks undertake results in a form impermeable to pressure and heat, whilst everything else is transformed into a new stable state. As a result ‘transformation’ is the key to its healing properties encouraging critical self-reflection and acknowledging the need to accept change.
During the session crystals will be applied to seven chakra points (energy centres) of the body. (‘A chakra is a centre of organisation that receives, assimilates, and expresses life force energy.’) Crystals work on the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels of the body, by realigning subtle energies.
The effects of the hot and cold stone massage include stimulation, detoxification, increased metabolism, easing of decongestion, reduction of inflammation and deep relaxation.After the treatment you may experience the following reactions
- Experience a sense of well being and relaxation
- Feel more energised
- Feel more tired
- May experience a slight headache
- Increased urination
- Increased thirst
- Temporary worsening of symptoms
- Feel emotional
After a massage it is recommended that you
- Take it easy for the rest of the day
- Drink plenty of water and or herbal tea
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine
- Avoid a heavy meal
Please note contraindications do exist which may either prevent a treatment taking place or require adaptation of the treatment. This will be discussed at the initial consultation.
Healing
Traditional healing has existed and been practiced for many thousand of years and recorded in culture and religions throughout the world. Healing aims to stimulate the body’s own natural process to ‘heal itself’ by working on all levels i.e. physical, emotional, mental and spiritual.
Like all holistic therapies healing requires the recipient to be prepared to change and take responsibility for his/herself. Healing cannot be imposed by the healer, nor can the healer make any claims to cure or guarantee the outcome of healing. Healing works to encourage the client to have a greater understanding of what they may be going through and the steps they need to take to help themselves.
During the healing the client may be aware of a transfer of energy from the healer. They may experience changes in temperature, a tingling experience, emotional release or deep relaxation or nothing. The healer works along the seven chakra / energy points of the body (front and back) being able to detect any blockages or over stimulation in these areas. As the healing proceeds the healer aims to return these centres to balance.
After the treatment some people feel better almost immediately. Whilst others may not experience any benefits for days or even weeks after, and these may be in unexpected ways.
Recommended after care includes
- Drinking plenty of water
- Avoidance of alcohol and caffeine