Relax at The Retreat

06/09/2025

Did you know there’s a natural way that may help turn breech babies?

Moxibustion (or “moxa” for short) is a gentle traditional Chinese medicine technique where dried mugwort is burned near a specific acupuncture point on the little toe. It’s completely non-invasive and deeply relaxing.

Why do we use it?
It helps increase circulation and warmth in the body
Encourages baby to move into the optimal head-down position
Safe, natural, and often done at home with guidance after a treatment in the clinic.

Many mums try moxa between weeks 32–36 of pregnancy, when babies still have room to turn. Acupuncturists can guide you through the process and even teach you how to continue at home. It's even recommended by the NHS!

If your baby is breech, this may be a supportive option alongside your prenatal care.

Contact me to learn more about how moxa could support your pregnancy journey.

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04/09/2025

A new chinese solar term starts on 7 September, guiding us gently in towards the autumn and then winter.
You may notice a chill in the air this time of year. We’re now descending toward darkness, which is reflected in our bodies and minds (if we listen and pay attention closely). Have you felt the natural shift to slow down and let go? Is there some way your body or mind is asking for release? Is there one way you can slow down this week that will help you access what you truly value? Remember that energy is shifting now, and this is your chance! Gentle yoga is ideal at this time of year. #

04/09/2025

Why do TCM practitioners and acupuncturists always have so much ginger? We use it...for everything! Internally and externally, ginger is powerful medicine. Today I'm using slices to burn moxa on, on a patients bellybutton and I'm brewing ginger tea for me ( and anyone who happens to be around when im brewing ). In Traditional Chinese Medicine, ginger is warming and harmonizing. Used in moxibustion, it enhances qi flow and relieves cold, while ginger tea soothes digestion and boosts yang energy. A simple root with powerful healing properties. #

31/08/2025

Stress relieving techniques

Sitting and Forgetting: Zuòwàng Meditation for Healing and BalanceThe Dao (道) means “the Way.”It is the source and flow of all life—the rhythm of nature, the breath of the universe,the harmony that holds all things together.To follow the Dao is to live in balance,moving with life instead o...

31/08/2025

Want to find out how to clear the energies in your home using a little Feng Shui magic??

Feng shui is an ancient Chinese art that works with the natural flow of energy, or chi, to bring harmony, protection, and renewal into your home and life. At its heart, feng shui teaches that the spaces we live in hold energy, and that energy can either uplift us or weigh us down. By mindfully arran...

31/08/2025

If the energy in your home doesn't seem quite right, perhaps you feel stuck, it feels heavy or it's not selling, maybe you can try a little feng shui cleansing, to clear and then reset you space, predecessor energy is energies or emotions left behind in a space, imprinted into walls and floors. There are several methods of clearing different energies in your home, each with their own specific uses. Here's a great chart to help. More info can be found on the blog on my website.

29/08/2025

Zuòwàng (坐忘), often translated as “sitting and forgetting,” is a classical Daoist meditative practice. It releases all of the daily stresses from the sitter which would otherwise ( according to TCM) be the root of all illness. It's easier than mindfulness and a simple but powerful technique to practice. There are details on my blog on my website for a simple method to try, meanwhile here's a short version,
A Daoist way to return to stillness.

How to practice:

1. Sit comfortably.

2. Close your eyes.

3. Let the breath flow naturally.

4. Drop thoughts as they arise.

5. Forget body, time, and self.

6. Rest in the quiet.

No striving. No fixing. Just being.
When nothing remains, Dao shines through.

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27/08/2025

Sometimes we need to talk to the body nicely to get results, rather than bullying it into submission! If youre not fond of hard massage but really need some deeper work then cupping may just be what you're looking for. #

24/08/2025

Reflexology: Healing Through the Sole

Reflexology is so much more than a foot massage, it’s a deeply holistic and spiritual therapy that invites balance, healing, and peace on every level: mind, body, and soul.

By stimulating specific reflex points on the feet (or hands), reflexology taps into the body's energy pathways, awakening the body's natural healing abilities. These points correspond to different organs and systems, and when gently worked on, they encourage the release of physical and emotional blockages.

From a spiritual perspective, reflexology is a grounding practice reconnecting us with our body’s innate wisdom and aligning us with the flow of universal energy. Many experience a sense of clarity, lightness, and emotional release, as stagnant energy begins to move again.

🌸 Benefits include:

Reduced stress and anxiety

Improved circulation and detoxification

Relief from chronic pain, headaches, digestive issues, and hormonal imbalances

Boosted immune function

Better sleep and deeper relaxation

But perhaps the greatest gift reflexology offers is stillness — a sacred pause where the nervous system resets, the mind quiets, and the soul sighs in relief.

In every session, healing travels far beyond the physical. It nurtures the whole being, offering a peaceful return to harmony.

23/08/2025

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), chrysanthemum tea is a treasured herbal remedy used for centuries to balance and support the body’s natural energy or Qi. Known for its cooling properties, chrysanthemum helps clear “heat” from the body, which in TCM can show up as inflammation, irritability, or headaches.

Here’s why chrysanthemum tea is a go-to in TCM wellness:

🌿 Clears Liver Heat — The liver in TCM governs eye health and emotional balance. When liver heat rises, you might notice symptoms like red, dry, or itchy eyes, headaches, dizziness, or feeling easily frustrated or irritable. Chrysanthemum helps calm this heat and soothe your eyes and mind.

🌿 Clears Lung Heat — Lung heat can cause symptoms such as a dry cough, sore throat, or feeling short of breath. Coughs and colds. Chrysanthemum helps cool and clear this heat, supporting healthy breathing and reducing inflammation.

🌿 Supports Kidney Health & Detox — Chrysanthemum also helps nourish kidney yin and promote gentle detoxification, supporting overall vitality.

🌿 Balances Yin Energy — By nourishing yin, chrysanthemum tea provides cooling and calming effects, especially helpful during hot weather or times of restlessness. It's also great to treat stess.

To brew: steep dried chrysanthemum flowers in hot water for 5–10 minutes. Enjoy warm or cold , both help your body find its natural balance.