Blog

Contrary to what many people believe Shamanism is not a religious practice, it is instead an Earth based spiritual path. At the very core of Shamanic practice is a strong relationship with nature and…

The Metamorphic Technique is extraordinary for personal transformation and releasing limiting or negative patterns that can hold us back. During the session, the practitioner contacts the points on the…

Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love. Mother Teresa Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies. Mother Teresa Living in an era of…

Why is simply paying attention to the good things in your life so powerful? A new brain imaging study investigated this question with fascinating results. A team of researchers from Indiana University…

In our modern society, one of our primary goals is the pursuit of happiness but it seems that the way that most of us are attempting to do so is fundamentally flawed. In fact, the pursuit of happiness…

With Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Formulas, Nutritional, Supplements and Lifestyle advice we can help you give yourself the best possible chance of success. You are likely here because you’ve been trying…

Women everywhere are happy that science has proven what they've known all along: they need more sleep than men because their brains work more complexly. It may not seem like too much more, but women on…

I've long been intrigued by the effect of weather on the health of my patients. Whilst some thrive in very warm conditions, others are adversely affected. Some seem to benefit from the cold whilst others…

Resilience is the process of effectively coping with adversity - it's about bouncing back from difficulties. The great thing about resilience is that it's not a personality trait: it involves a way of…

With the term fascia, it has been described as the soft tissue component of the connective tissue system that permeates the human body and forms a body-wide tensional force transmission system. The fascia…

In 2003, Dr Richard Davidson and colleagues at the University of Wisconsin investigated the impact of emotions on flu risk. They asked 52 participants to recall the best and the worst times of their lives…

Diabetes Awareness Week – World Diabetes Day falls every year on 14 November What is Diabetes? Diabetes is a condition where the amount of glucose in your blood is too high because the body cannot use…

The Haven Acupuncturist Nicola Renovich has a new Acupuncture Facebook Page Ashburton Acupuncture. On this page you can receive information about recent Acupuncture research and conditions that Acupuncture…

Make time. It can be hard to make time, but it's worth it. You'll probably need an hour, but any time you can spare is fine. Make sure you won't be distracted during this time. Wind down. The first step…

I'm struck by the number of people asking for help or advice about dealing with negative emotions such as anger, fear, hurt, guilt, etc. and thought that this short exercise might help. If you've suffered…

Just five sessions of Swedish massage is enough to improve the symptoms of anxiety, according to new research published in the prestigious "Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. Levels of cortisol - known as…

Keeping a journal can act as a useful substitute for therapy if the individual isn’t ready or unable to access help. The therapeutic benefits are many, from reducing stress, increasing creativity, resolving…

We all love the summer. Summer is about a slower pace of life. It is about summer holidays, getting together with friends and family and of course, the longer sunny days. So why not enjoy this sunshine…

Summer is finally round the corner, with longer days and lots of sun exposure – we all long for this time of year! However, this is the time when your skin needs a bit of looking after. Sun exposure is…

Lemons and their Zesty Goodness! The health benefits of lemon that have been known for centuries include its immune boosting ability and its qualities as a digestive aid. It combats infections: Did you…

Chia seeds are growing fast in popularity. Aztecs and Mayans used to use these tiny black and white seeds to boost their energy. Where do they come from? From a plant relative of the mint called Salvia…

"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." - Aristotle Did you know that practicing mindfulness has been proven to bring many health benefits to the body?…

Celebrate the month of May! May is upon us and we are now officially in between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice. There is a sense of renewal at this time of year, with longer days and the growing…

Medical researchers at the Institute of Heartmath, led by neurochemist Dr Glen Rein (with whom I worked over 30 years ago), published a fascinating report in the Journal of Advancement in Medicine that…

A recent meta-study in the U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health looked at the impact of having a "higher purpose" can have on health. Some 136,265 people participated in 10…

First, slow down. When we are anxious, everything speeds up - our thoughts race, our heart pounds, our breathing accelerates. This makes it difficult to think clearly and make healthy decisions. At the…

How Can Energy Healing Help Me? Just as we can look after our physical body by eating well and exercising, we can also look after our inner self, our mind and our emotions.  One way of doing this…

Researchers report that apart from reducing blood pressure and heart disease risk, Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique and lifestyle changes can slow cellular death too. A new study has examined…

More self- love: catch yourself in those moments of judgement and self -blame…  acknowledge that you are doing your best. Put right what was put asunder. Go forwards in grace and ease. Add in your…

Friends play a vital role in our healthy development and well-being in every stage of our life. But did you know that chatting with your best friend or laughing uncontrollably with your mates is actually…

When we look at the reasons behind a cold or a backache or digestive problems it’s often revealed that we’ve been stressed for a period of time. Work or family life has become too full and we haven’t…

A new study published in PLoS reveals a component within ginger known as 6-shogaol could be up to 10,000 times more effective than conventional chemotherapy in targeting the cancer stem cells at the root…

It’s natural when we feel sad or depressed to reach for comfort foods; fatty, sugary, processed foods; foods like pizza, cheese sandwiches, crisps and cake! Unfortunately nutritional advice is that these…

Our bones are at their most dense in our 20’s and after the age of 35, bones gradually loose their density as a natural part of aging. This happens slowly and increases as women go through the menopause.…

Before Western civilisation turned art into a commodity, it's purpose was for honouring the spirits of the universe and healing the body and soul. Art moved us beyond our fears of the unknown, allowing…

Ingredients 1/3 Pineapple 1 x Apple 1/4 Cuecumber 1/2 Lemon A cup of Parsley Comments Remove the pineapple skin before juicing. Push the parsley through the juicer using the apple. For more information…

Like many of us, I had watched the novelist Jackie Collins on television just a couple of weeks ago, so the news of her death recently came as a shock. She'd seemed so vibrant and glamorous, yet she was…

Antibiotics are used to treat and prevent bacterial infections. They have also become one of the most over-prescribed medicines today. This is dangerous because overuse and misuse of antibiotics leads…

Heart disease is the No. 1 Killer in America. The good news is that 90% of the time it can be prevented with a healthy lifestyle. Eating these foods will also help you lose weight, gain energy and stimulate…

Whilst there are many books about cancer and diet, it is rare to come across one written by a doctor. But a new book, "The Breast Cancer Cookbook" by Professor Keshtgar, a surgeon at London's Royal Free…

Our lives are so busy and noisy that we often forget about the healing power of silence. When we're out in the world, it's not usually possible to control the noise level. At home, we can usually turn…

Slow down and drink tea This can be a very Zen activity; the Japanese are famous for their tea ceremonies. Pick some lovely herbs from your garden and enjoy the sweet aromas while taking time out. Lie…

Why is it you may ask that some people are able to smile and bear some of the most difficult of life’s problems whilst others fall apart whilst burning the toast! Resilience is ones ability to roll with…

This juice is great to make late Summer or Autumn when blackberries are in abundance and the orchards are full of apples and pears. Ingredients: 2 x Apples 2 X Pears 2 cups of fresh Blackberries All fruits…

With Autumn upon us, many people find the season brings with it the onset of aches and pains. Colder weather and less activity can trigger joint stiffness and discomfort. This year, instead of accepting…

When you think about how many miles your feet carry you every week, don't you think its time to give your feet a treat?  21st-27th September is World Reflexology Week so what better time to benefit…

Convert your bathroom into your personal spa. Turn off the phones and turn down the lights. Light 3 or 4 candles and place them around the room. Select some soothing music. Run your bath Select a warm…

Epsom salt is a naturally occurring mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate, both of which are easily absorbed through the skin. Magnesium plays a number of key roles in the body including reducing…

Here’s a great quick recipe to fulfil your summer urges for refreshing, hydrating foods. These rolls are full of healthy vegetables, creamy avocado, healing herbs, sweet mango and a few pinches of chilli…

Set your alarm 10 minutes earlier and do a 10-minute workout. Yes, it counts! Buy a jogger and run with the kids; they'll love it. Talk to your partner and let him or her know that you need at least one…

Traditional Thai Yoga Massage is an ancient healing art, which originated in India, about 2500 years ago.  It reached Thailand in the 3rd Century BC with Buddhism, & has, to a large extent, been…

Is there anything more rewarding than picking and eating your own home - grown produce? Herbs are so easy to grow and delicious in cooking or refreshing as teas. Plus they have been used throughout history…

Those of you that suffer hayfever (around 10 million in the U.K) will know that this apparently simple and very common allergy can be really unpleasant, exhausting and even debilitating. It can keep you…

Many people don’t realise that they have water retention! At the end of the day, if you feel your legs or feet are swollen and you can’t get your ring off your finger, chances are you have some water…

Remove toxins from the body. In our society we have all endured long term exposure to toxins. They are in the foods we eat, the air we breath, the fabrics we wear and the water we drink and wash in. Put…

What is depression? Everyone at some point in their lives has experienced depression. This can range from mild bouts of sadness and feeling like life is just not worthwhile, to more serious depression…

Drinking herbal tea is a safe and easy way to support yourself and your family. Herbal teas have some wonderful healing properties and contain many vitamins and minerals essential to healthy living. Buy…

Whether you are recovering from illness, exercising for the first time or getting back into exercise after a break, exercising can be tough. Sometimes it may hurt you to move or you may hurt afterwards.…

How Can it Help Me? Just as we can look after our physical body by eating well, exercising and having massage so we can look after our inner self. One way of doing this is by having  energy healing.…

As the sap rises so does our energy and we may begin to feel up-lifted in our bodies and our mood. This is a big change from winters stillness; when we “curl up” and “hibernate”. It requires a “shift…

We all know about lemon, honey and ginger for fighting colds and boosting immunity. Here are some  delicious alternatives to tempt your taste buds whilst fighting infections. Brazil Nuts Just one…

Spring is the best time to detox. As the sap rises so does our energy, supporting us to make changes or reduce our food intake. There are many ways to detox and plenty of information on the web regarding…

Power Down Turn off the phone, the broad band and all the electrical equipment that can be switched off and enjoy the silence. Silence is calming for the heart and food for the soul. De-Clutter A cluttered…

January; a time of long dark nights, crunchy grass and slippery pavements, of cowering in doorways against the sheeting rain… A time when the urge to hibernate creeps upon us: The warm nest, the peaceful…

With the ground looking decidedly frosty in the mornings what could be better than having a hot stone massage to really warm you up?  Hot Stone Massage dates back to ancient India and China and was…

Alongside hot honey and lemon, here are some great tips for boosting immunity and staying well plus some excellent rhemedies for if you catch cold. Happy winter!! Reduce your Stress Levels Reducing stress…

Superfoods are foods which have a very high nutritional content giving us more health and energy. It’s good to include as many superfoods in your diet as possible. If you would like more advice on diet…

Drink plenty of Water It’s all too easy to dehydrate in the cooler months as we reach for a cup of tea instead of a glass of water. Keeping our water intake up is essential to good health. Try some herbal…

It’s common knowledge that an unhealthy gut can cause stomach pain, gas, bloating or diarrhea. All of which would probably be given an Irritable Bowel Syndrome or leaky gut diagnosis by your GP. What…

Most of us like to enjoy the occasional Coffee. We love the rich roasted taste and the “pick me up” feeling it gives us. But for many people coffee becomes an addiction, a way to get an injection of energy…

For many, health can be elusive and mysterious, for others something they work hard at every day. For others, health can be something they take for granted - something that 'just comes naturally'. So…

Happiness coaching is all about helping you to find your smile, to find your giggles and to find your laughter. It’s about who you are now and who you want to be. The good news is everyone has an abundance…

Trigger points are one of the commonest causes of pain in the body. They are small bands of contracted muscle that shorten muscles and cause localised and referred pain. They may cause weakness, numbness…

 Champissage includes massage of the shoulders, upper arms, neck, scalp, face, ears and energy balancing. It is a treatment that is carried out through clothes in a seated position making it ideal…

Just as we can look after our outer self, our physical body, by eating well, exercising and having massage so we can look after our inner self. One way of doing this is by having healing. Our inner self…

Sciatica is a common type of pain affecting the sciatic nerve, a large nerve extending from the lower back down the back of each leg. What are the symptoms of sciatica? Common symptoms of sciatica include:…

Many illnesses involve a similar healing process and all illnesses benefit from addressing your overall health. Here are some tips that have helped many people get through: Knowledge is Power: Understand…

Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive disease. That means there is no known cure and treatments are used to slow its progress, prevent disability and alleviate pain. R.A is an Auto-immune disorder and…

We all love to enjoy food and have special treats. It’s all a part of living life to the full so it can be very discouraging to take on special reduced diet plans because of bowel problems. Irritable…

We come from a culture of “stiff upper lip”. Most of us grew up with the understanding that to express emotion, especially anger was not welcome. In Chinese medicine and in modern western understanding…

Drink plenty of water. Warm water with a touch of lemon is warming and cleansing and great in the cold weather. Drink your cold water at room temperature (chilled water is not so good as the body has…

The Equinox has passed and the chill of Autumn can be felt in the air. The leaves are turning and the berries are ripening. Many trees are festooned with bright autumn offerings at this time of year.…

According to The National Institute of Neurological Disorders, more than thirty million people in the U.S. suffer from migraine headaches. That means that there is a migraine sufferer in twenty five percent…