Makepeace & Massage - Oxfordshire & Reigate

31/03/2026

Let’s be honest waking up in pain sucks.

And all the thoughts that usually come with it aren’t helpful:

🤯 Today’s going to be tough
😵‍💫 How am I going to achieve/get through…
😳 Is something really wrong?
🤦🏼‍♀️ Is it normal to be waking up like this?

The thoughts that go with chronic pain are so understandable.

But when you learn to relate to them knowing they’re your smallest self trying to keep you safe, then finally you can start changing your actions and the way you respond.

A big shift happened for me when I started realising they’re not really true.

♥️ How I feel in this moment isn’t how I’ll feel all day.

So when you’re in this fog, do you have activities or rituals that you know 9/10 times helps you feel better.

✅ For me leaning into nature, getting one foot moving after the other even slowly starts changing the feel of things.

I don’t go for a massive walk, I actually down regulate all my expectations.

I plan a coffee mid walk.

I park up close to where I’ll be walking so if everything fails I can stumble back to the car.

I lean into listening to nature.

The sounds of the birds

The rhythm of my steps

Then I start feeling my breath and body.

I ask my body gently can I play the relaxation game with you today.

I start the game of gently and curiously asking: can I stop holding myself in and start relaxing out.

If all else fails I find a bench and my puppy sits on my lap. And there I view the world from her wonderful eyes. Feeling the warmth and softness of that innocent presence changes everything.

♥️ Remember you are so much more than the pain you live with.

30/03/2026

I’m ready for a day of stillness, reconnection, regulation and just well - being met as you are.

In a world full of chaos, the most healing spaces are simple, accepting you as you are today and helping get ease back into your body and mind.

Get in touch if you need help overcoming pain today
♥️

17/03/2026

Have you ever wondered why an old injury still limits your movement, even though it should be healed? 🤔

In this carousel, I share a story from the treatment room that explains the concept of “guarding”

A top-down process where your brain locks your tissues to protect you, based on past threats, not the current reality.

The solution is softness.

By learning to relax into the sensation rather than fighting it, we signal safety to the nervous system.

This applies to physical pain just as much as it does to emotional stress.

Swipe through to read the full story. ➡️

Could this be happening to you right now?
Let me know in the comments.

❤️

06/03/2026

I’ve got two appointments available tomorrow

8:30am
1:30pm

Help yourself to any of the therapies I offer.

But why not start the weekend the right way by shedding all the stress and pain of the week.

Whether you’ve got chronic pain, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, a sporting injury or just need help navigating a stressful world - I’d love to share 60 minutes of connection to help you get back to the peace that’s already within and tap into it once more.

Hit reply if you’re ready to let go of the week into more relaxation connection and joy this weekend!

27/02/2026

I always want to do my best for the people who arrive.

Sometimes what they’re coming with is more than what 60 minutes can treat - but that doesn’t mean we can’t try our best.

16/01/2026

The magic of hot stone massage….

It just feels right today to lean in to:
✅ Heat
✅ Warmth
✅ Relaxation
✅ Releasing tension
✅ Nervous system release

Hot stones are magical in the way you feel at the end…

But there’s science here too.

Warmth helps the parasympathetic side of the nervous system calm and regulate. Your anti fight or flight hero.

This helps you
Release stress hormones
Release nerve tension and muscle holding
Balance stress and anxiety
Get back into your body and feel grounded

This is the ultimate act of self care.

I don’t know about you but I’m still in my wintry go slow era, listening to my body and not pushing it when it’s still dark and cold is key.

You won’t see me making New Year’s resolutions or even intentions yet.

The times not yet right. I’ll be doing all that in the spring with the Chinese New Year.

Right now you’ll find me being super gentle, respecting a body’s need to rest and reset. To let go of what’s not needed at this quiet point of the year, nourishing and restoring ready to push (or maybe jog) in the Spring.

If this speaks to you and you need more care, more connection and more nourishment in your life…

Book in today at

17/12/2025

Hit pause with me this lunchtime….

Let’s take a breath together…

Go inwards and rest just for an hour…

Give yourself the gift of stopping for a second to regroup…

Happy Christmas everyone.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81612940470?pwd=7aCVG5Fopma0fsvQaCBEu4Xw2vvlAs.1

16/12/2025

A quiet pause before Christmas.

If you’re feeling full, tired, or in need of stillness before the rush of Christmas begins — this is for you.

Tomorrow, I’m hosting a free 75-minute lunchtime mindfulness session.

There’s no need to be calm or centred to join.
You’re welcome to show up just as you are.
We’ll pause. Breathe. Light a candle.
You can keep your camera off, move if you need to, or just listen in.

It’s not a performance — it’s a soft landing.
And you’re warmly invited.

📅 Wednesday 17th December
🕯️ Free and online
🔗https://courses.makepeaceandmassage.com/lightacandleofmindfulness

15/12/2025

Join me 12pm Wednesday 17th December for a microdose of meditation

And some Calm!

When Eli Susman arrived at a Buddhist retreat, he expected to spend most of his time there in deep meditation. After all, the Plum Village Monastery to the east of Bordeaux, France, had been established by Thich Nhat Hanh, sometimes known as the “father of mindfulness”. With a newcomer’s enthusiasm, he decided to test how long he could spend in silent contemplation, embarking on a mammoth 3-hour session.

Afterwards, he proudly told one of the monks. “It was almost like I expected a shiny badge for my efforts,” recalls Susman. Instead, the monk simply smiled brightly. “Three hours?” he asked Susman. “How about three breaths? That’s all you need to tune in to the present moment.”

Susman’s curiosity was piqued, and during his psychology PhD at the University of California, Berkeley, he set out to investigate whether such a brief period of contemplation could really reset someone’s thinking and bring about a meaningful change in their mental state.

Read more here: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2502370-too-busy-to-meditate-microdosing-mindfulness-has-big-health-benefits/

Image: Randy Faris/Getty Images

15/12/2025

This time of the year can feel like madness…

The rush and the stress…

The pressure to make things perfect…

Our bodies and our minds don’t respond kindly to these types of pressures.

How can you feel better and enter the flow with more ease?

The answer is settling and leaning into the moments between the busyness…

Join me on Wednesday 17th December for a lunchtime meditation.

We’ll light a candle together and breathe

And we’ll give you the gift of a micro moment of calm so you can know how to find them for yourself and enjoy the seasons offerings more fully.

What to give yourself the gift of space.

Click the link below 👇

12/12/2025

Introducing one of the most beautiful heart led clinics in Reigate.

We really care about quality community led care…

There’s such a beautifully talented and kind group of therapists working here, that I get to be a part of!

I’m Carmen, a clinical massage therapist, craniosacral therapist, myofascial and fascial unwinding practitioner, mindfulness teacher, and nerdy trainee osteopath!

I get to work at Reigate Wellbeing centre on Fridays!

Hopefully adding more days in the new year.

Here’s a taste of what I got up to today…

Releasing:
Shoulders
Necks
Spines
Hips and pelvises
Elbows and wrists

We really care about our work…

If you haven’t come in and had a look -please pop in and say hello - we’d love to meet you.

08/12/2025

Come in and curl up today away from the wintry weather.

If you feel like Nel (the cavapoo)… you’re not alone.

The hot stones are on, the bed is heated…

And I’m happy to help you release stress, reset a busy nervous system or get some freer movement through your body!

Whatever you need today drop me a Hi in the comments and I can start by listening…