My name is Melanie, and I support women who are going through big transitions in their life to trust themselves more deeply than ever, and to reconnect with their passion for life. I believe that, with the right support, times of transition can be embraced as 'rites of passage'; an opportunity to be transformed, to be 're-born' into the next stage of our life's journey. I have been through several major transitions in my own life, including bereavements, career change, divorce and, recently, relocating my life and business to rural Devon, where I now live with my partner and his teenage daughter, surrounded by the wild nature of Dartmoor. I am now also stepping into the rite of passage that is my menopausal years...
Of course, your journey is completely unique, but I feel I know some of the territory:
I know how difficult big transitions can be. I know what it's like to feel lost, to feel like you don't know who you are anymore, to feel like you've been knocked off your path, and to feel alone in it all... But I also know that it's possible to come out the other side. And, not only that, but it is possible to come out the other side feeling more excited about life than ever, with a deeper understanding of yourself, and a renewed sense of passion and alignment with your life's purpose. That is the vision that I hold for you, through the dark times, when you are in the void...
If you feel called to work with me, it would be my deep honour to sit with you in the dark, and walk alongside you on your journey, as you birth your new empowered, alive and aligned self.
15/03/2025
I am co-creating and co-holding this retreat for those in peri/menopause with Emma Sampson this Spring - 29th May-1st June. 3 nights in nature on wild and beautiful Dartmoor to rest, release, replenish. Small group. We will be living close to the land, camping or in one of a limited number of cabins. It's what I wish I'd given myself when I was going through menopause! More info on my website here, or message me with any questions https://www.melanieward.co.uk/retreat
26/09/2024
I’ll be heading off to in beautiful North Devon in a few weeks time to provide the shiatsu treatments for their weeklong detox programme of fasting, yoga, holistic treatments, nature and deep rest.
I’m proud to have been part of the team at Karuna for the past 7 years and it’s always such an honour to witness the changes, physical and emotional, in the participants.
The last I heard there were 3 places left so if you are looking for a place to rest, recharge and reset head to karunadetox.com to find out more and book your place!
07/09/2024
A last minute place has become available on our Shadow Work weekend in Devon next weekend with the option of a payment plan or lower cost place available if money is an issue for you.
This is beautiful, powerful work and a safe and effective modality for processing emotions, creating change and ultimately welcoming and loving all parts of ourselves.
At our last weekend participants described it as 'life changing' and 'next level' and we regularly have participants travel from across the UK and overseas to attend.
If you're interested in taking this place or would like to have a no-obligation chat to see if it might be for you please DM me or get in touch through the contact form on my website.
Shadow Work self development workshop in Dartmoor, Devon with Melanie Ward and Tim Hall, Autumn 2024
11/07/2024
I can sometimes find it hard to describe Shadow Work, but I think in it's essence it is coming home to who we truly are.
The reasons people come to a Shadow Work weekend are varied; the following is taken from the European Shadow Work website:
"It can take a lot of effort to keep these parts of us that are hidden in shadow and to keep believing the self-limiting beliefs we have about ourselves; by exploring and understanding our shadows we can begin to reclaim more of our strength and power – Our shadows can become a creative gold mine of useful energy nuggets!
Here are some of the reasons why you might do Shadow Work:
to have something change or happen differently in your life
to understand why you behave in a certain way
to get help or support in unfolding more of yourself
to work with feelings like joy, fear, grief, anger and shame
to break through old patterns of behaviour
to regain your confidence and self esteem
to come to terms with a major life transition or crisis
to become the mature adult you want to be
to improve your quality of life
to clarify your deeper purposes and goals"
Tim and I have worked with all of these in various different forms in Shadow Work weekends and coaching sessions over the years. We have also done (and continue to do) our own work too!
The depth of this work, and the magic that happens over the course of a weekend, never ceases to amaze me which I believe is in no small part due to the extraordinary level of safety we create.
I've included some participant feedback from our latest weekend at the bottom of this post as I think this can help paint a picture of what a weekend is like better than I ever could!
"I have purposely waited nearly 2 months from completing my shadow work weekend with Mel and Tim before writing a testimonial. I have done this because I have never in 47 years experienced such a profound natural high from doing such deep work. An elevation that no drug could ever come close to replicating. I feel changed from this work even now. Mel and Tim held the most comfortable space I have ever been in. Such a solid team in every aspect, funny, beautiful and absolutely authentic. You are held, you are safe, you are heard and seen, felt and validated. I was so closed to what 'the work' entailed, but somehow they made it easy. The worry of what to work with, what should i choose???? None of it is necessary and it all flows so wonderfully and naturally, the process is bullet proof. It is hard to put into words what I feel now. I have a calm that I am carrying now, a self power within that I haven't seen in a long time."
Claire Prior, mama and beauty therapist
"Participating in the Shadow Work weekend with my wife was
transformative. Despite years of addressing childhood trauma,
this retreat brought me to new depths of understanding and
profound insights. Sharing this journey with my wife added an
extraordinary layer of healing. Tim, Mel, and the team created a
safe space, making these experiences possible. This retreat will
remain a significant milestone in my healing journey.”
JQ, Buckinghamshire
“Such a liberating and special experience. Melanie and Tim created a beautiful safe space where we were able to explore ourselves and grow. I have a burning energy inside me and I am excited to see where this journey will take me.”
Anon
This is where all my creative energy has been going lately - over the last 7 or 8 years as I've journeyed through menopause, I've been developing a passionate interest in the whole subject! I feel really strongly that it's not just a biological process, but a soul journey. I have created a guidebook explaining the different phases of the inner menopause journey, their challenges and gifts plus ways to support yourself in each stage. I'm thinking it would be most useful for those approaching or in the early stages of perimenopause, but I have clients who are right 'in the depths' of menopause, or coming out the other side who have got a lot of value from it too. It's free, and you can get your copy here:
Support for sensitive people in or apporoaching perimenopause and menopause with Melanie Ward, Shiatsu Practitioner, Shadow Work Coach and Group Facilitator and Menopause Wellness Pratitioner
26/04/2024
For those in or approaching menopause:
Tomorrow (Saturday) morning at the Kindness Hub in Chagford, a nourishing and inspiring morning. I'll be sharing my own experiences, and gently offering guidance on how we can support ourselves in this stage of life. There will be time to share your own experiences and hear from others. Above all there will be time to let go of life's responsibilities, rest and replenish...
This is a free/by donation event but places are limited so booking is essential. Find out more and book your place here: https://www.melanieward.co.uk/monthlymenopausecircle
And here are some words form a previous participant that I hope convey a little of what to expect:
"Thank you so much for the mini-retreat. I really loved the energy and the welcome and felt safe and calmed... and the boundaries and self care invitations all helped to make it feel like a safe space. I found it really interesting how immediately we all found similarities in our experience by sharing just a few simple things in the first few exercises. I appreciated [this] as there is so little conversation about menopause... I liked the way you validated the tough experiences as well as the moving into a different part of our journey that may also have some benefits. I was really grateful for the opportunity to be there..."
If you’re in perimenopause / menopause you may have noticed there is an absolute wealth of information out there. On one hand this is a great thing! Menopause needs to be talked about an I believe that every person going through menopause should have access to the information and resources they need to feel supported through this major time of transition. However the sheer amount of information out there, can mean we get bombarded by contradictory information and overloaded and overwhelmed at a time when we really need things to be as simple as possible.
That’s why I focus on creating holding, safety and space first and foremost. That’s why I think it’s vital to make time for any emotions that need to be expressed and released. That’s why I focus on helping my clients to listen deeply to their bodies, and even though it might sound a bit ‘out there’, to their souls.
Then they are able to come out of the overwhelm and find their own solutions, come out of the ‘shoulds’ and discover their own way through, a way that feels grounded in the body’s wisdom and in self compassion and ease.
When you’re reading up on menopause or looking into options for your menopause support, if at any point you find yourself feeling stressed, overwhelmed or panicked, stop. Take sone time away, breathe, feel your feelings. Do whatever it takes so you can come back to it from a more grounded, embodied place. Because the decisions we can make from a grounded, embodied place are more likely to be the best ones.
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Contact The Practice
Send a message to Melanie Ward - Shiatsu and Shadow Work:
I am now taking bookings for in-person Shiatsu sessions following CV-19 safety guidelinesas set out by the Shiatsu Society and in line with government guidelines.
I also continue to offer support via phone and Zoom:
Guided Self-Shiatsu Sessions
Distance Shiatsu Healing Sessions
Shadow Work Coaching
With Love x
I am a Shiatsu Practitioner, Shadow Work Coach and group facilitator living and working in Dartmoor, Devon, and via phone and Skype.
I draw on a wealth of training and experience to help you to:
move through pain and difficulty
connect with your emotions
heal emotional wounds from the past
find freedom from the patterns that hold you back
find greater ease and self acceptance
reconnect with the inner resources that give you the power to heal yourself and transform your life...
My work is informed by the tools and approaches that have benefited me the most on my own healing journey.
