Why Introduce Reiki to our Therapies at MindBody Oasis?

Reiki pronounced ‘Ray Key’ is a natural complement to massage and reflexology. It is a potentially powerful healing modality, which we believe could benefit many of our clients at MindBody Oasis.

Let’s Explore Reiki

Rai” means ‘Universal’ and “Ki” means ‘energy’. Reiki is a Japanese energy balancing and de-stressing technique that also stimulates the body’s natural self-healing ability. Reiki treatments provide an opportunity for you to totally relax and rebalance in a safe and caring environment.

“Rai” means ‘Universal’ and “Ki” means ‘energy’. Reiki is a Japanese energy balancing and de-stressing technique that also stimulates the body’s natural self-healing ability. Reiki treatments provide an opportunity for you to totally relax and rebalance in a safe and caring environment.

Reiki was developed in the late 1800s / early 1900s by Mikao Usui, although many people believe that its origins are much older, as it draws on various oriental traditions, including traditional Japanese hand healing.

Reiki helps the body to reach an inner state of harmony on all levels – physical, mental and spiritual. It promotes changes in any negative mental habits and turns these into positive and more productive thought patterns.

Reiki’s non-invasive nature allows it to be offered to a wide variety of people in conjunction with conventional medication to relieve side effects and assist in the recovery from operations and illnesses.

In a Nutshell How can Reiki Help You?

Reiki is most commonly used to treat:

• Physical illnesses: migraines, asthma, eczema, pain relief from arthritis and rheumatism.
• Stress related issues: insomnia, depression, anxiety and release of emotional blockages.
• Dependency: drug, alcohol and addictions.
• General wellbeing: relaxation, strengthening the immune system, increase of confidence.
• Reiki is not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. It cannot be used as a form of prognosis either. If you are concerned about any symptoms, you should see your doctor.

While Reiki is spiritual in nature, it is not a religion. It has no dogma and there is nothing you need to believe in to receive a treatment. Reiki respects freedom of personal choice and is used throughout the world in many different cultures and every walk of life.

An Introduction to Madeleine Donaldson, our Reiki Practitioner

“I first discovered the healing power of Reiki in 2007, alongside my mum, as part of her cancer therapy. My mum was very sceptical to begin with, laughing and talking her way through the first session, with nerves and apprehension. However, that night she slept soundly, stress and pain free. She was a convert. I was amazed that one treatment, placebo or not, could have this effect on one person.

As a naturally spiritual person, I wanted to be able to help other people self-heal as I had seen with my mum and to bring them same level of peace. I trained both level 1 and 2 with a wonderful Reiki master, whose short lineage to the founder of Reiki, Mikao Usui, gives me a perfect direct trace back to the source of Reiki healing.

I have been practicing Reiki for almost 12 years and I am a member of the Reiki Association. I have had the pleasure of treating a wide variety of different people from expectant mothers, babies, children, women going through the menopause, men with joint pain and insomnia to actors nervous before auditions and performances. One of my favourite treatments was with horses – but we would need a bigger treatment room!

I would very much like the chance and honour of working with your energy and look forward to meeting with you.”

What to Expect during a Treatment with Madeleine

During your first visit, a short explanation of what will be involved during your treatment will be given. All Reiki treatments are slightly different depending on the individual’s needs, however a typical Reiki session will involve the following:

• You will remain fully clothed, it is best to wear comfortable loose fitting clothes and warm socks. We will provide a blanket to keep you cosy. Reiki can reach through clothing, blankets and even a plaster cast if necessary.
• You will be asked to lie (or sit if that is easier for you) either on your front or back. If you have trouble with your back or knees, we can provide a support for you. Your comfort is essential.
• The treatment will be given by the placing of hands gently on your body in a predetermined sequence of non-intrusive positions. There is no massage or manipulation. The hand positions will sometimes vary to provide Reiki to the areas where is it is required and will be held for as long as needed, this can be several minutes. If any of the positions are uncomfortable, we will move on at your request.
• The hand positioning will be gentle and light. Some people might experience intense heat, tingling, throbbing or coolness. Your body might feel very light or grounded to the table. There is no right or wrong feelings to experience. Some people feel nothing in the session and fall asleep, only noticing the benefits later.

Introductory Offer

To encourage you to try out a Reiki session with Madeleine, she will be offering a 45-minute treatment for just £35, instead of £45 during March and April. She will initially be available during the day every Friday this month and the first Tuesday evening of every month from 5.30pm (with other dates to follow in due course). Bookings can be made online (Friday appointments only, excluding 20th March) using coupon code Reiki10 to secure the £10 discount or by emailing Madeleine at madedonaldson@gmail.com.

What is Facial Reflexology and Zone Therapy?

Facial Reflexology focuses on Reflex (pressure) points on the face, which help stimulate the body’s healing mechanisms and help improve circulation and nerve conduction. It encourages the release of toxins from the body via the lymphatic system. Balancing Reflex points in the face connect to and help balance the entire body.

The award-winning Bergman Method is clear and simple to understand; it has been developed over more than 20 years and is based on “Zone Therapy” which most Reflexologists will be familiar with as it forms the basis for modern Reflexology. It was created by Dr William Fitzgerald who studied Native Americans who used pressure point therapy to relieve pain. Dr Fitzgerald charted ten energy zones which start at the crown of the head, five on each side of the face and each side of the body extend down to the toes and fingertips. Zone Therapy uses the whole body including the face.

The Power of Facial Reflexology

Facial Reflexology is currently used to treat or ease common conditions, such as headaches, migraines, sleep disorders, including insomnia and sleep apneia, sinusitis; and less common ones, such as Bell’s Palsy.

It relieves pain through applying a compression technique to stimulate reflex points in which the thumb or finger applies pressure and also “walks” over a zone in a caterpillar motion by bending and straightening, whilst always maintaining pressure across the area.

The face provides a beautiful and precise tool to read what is going on within the body’s internal organs, central nervous system and neuro-biological systems. The face’s close proximity to the brain and cranial nerves make Facial Reflexology very powerful in impacting the body’s systems.

The Problems with Stress and How Facial Reflexology Helps

Stress is any interference that disturbs your physical, emotional or mental wellbeing, leading to an upset in the body’s natural balance and rhythm. When stressed, the body prepares for fight, freeze or flight. Whilst useful when there is real danger, sustained stress can have negative repercussions for our body.

Facial Reflexology helps rebalance the body and provides an invaluable tool to reduce the effects of stress. Symptoms of stress include anxiety, depression, loss of appetite, digestive ailments, insomnia, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, hypoglycaemia, diabetes, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome, and memory loss. Severe stress can also negatively affect the menstrual cycle.

Identifying the cause of stress is the first step in managing it effectively. Facial Reflexology helps open up neural pathway, assisting in the control of stress levels. It has an analgesic effect, reducing pain by releasing endorphins (natural painkillers) into the body. Thee Facial Reflexology sequence covers the major areas of the body affected by stress.

As part of the treatment at MindBody Oasis, you will also be given some simple to follow aftercare advice, such as walking in fresh air before an evening meal, giving you some reflex points to work in between treatments that focus on your specific problem areas, having an evening bath or listening to relaxing meditations and music daily.

Special Offer

During Tinnitus Awareness Week (3rd-9th February), take advantage of a half price treatment by booking online using the coupon code FacialReflex50. The offer will be available until the end of February 2020.

Below, before and after image of a client after one session.

Our modern way of working means that we are working less and less outdoors, and in more sedentary occupations and for longer hours. In fact, just two hundred years ago 75% of the population worked outdoors, now less than 10% of the population work in natural outdoor light. Our modern-day habits also include watching more TV, phone, tablet and computer screens. This all has had an impact on our physiological as well psychological wellbeing.

In the summer this may not affect us so much, but in the winter as we get up in the dark and return home in the dark, we begin to suffer from UV light deficiency. In the UK we are more especially affected as we are in the northern hemisphere, where the daylight hours distinction between summer and winter is more pronounced.

Our circadian rhythm or body clock struggles to make sense of this. This is important, because the circadian rhythm affects our internal body functions, such as food digestion, appetite for food, energy levels, sleep quality and length, and mood. Having insufficient quality and length of natural light can cause symptoms of SAD – Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as the Winter Blues.

Symptoms include:

• persistent low mood, depression even
• low energy: lethargy, lack of enthusiasm for life, sluggishness
• low libido and sexual appetite
• disruptive sleep patterns
• irritability
• carb / sugar cravings – a yearning for comfort foods
• feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness
• despair and prolonged sadness
• overwhelm and anxiety
• introversion – not wanting to be social or going out to meet people.

Here are our 7 best suggestions to counteract SAD:

• More exercise, especially outdoors (go for walks, runs) – as exercise stimulates the release of the pain-relief and feel-good hormones of endorphins and dopamine.
• Book a reflexology treatment as this can re-balance your hormones and stimulate the pineal gland – the body clock gland.
• Book a massage treatment – to stimulate release of endorphins and serotonin, especially the latter for enhancing your mood.
• Book an Energy Alignment intensive session with Esther (ask about the special promo offer). This session aims to help you release all the negatives in your life and align to a positive resonance. Call Esther on 07864 056919. Once you’ve tried it, you may like to start my new 8-week programme Life Lift Therapy – read here for more information.
• Check in for a session of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (I have a client who does this and can recommend her);
• Light therapy – use of a light box to simulate exposure to sunlight.
• Book a mini vacation – perhaps even get connected with someone who lives in a warmer climate and who might consider a temporary house-swap. This could be a great way to manage regular escapes to the sun during our bleaker months here.

Special Offer Update

Check out our Power of 5 Wellness and Winter Boost packages, where you can choose monthly treatments of either massage or reflexology (or both if you opt for the Boost package) from just £39 and £70 per month respectively. For more details, visit our Packages & Offers page.

The pancreas is one of three important organs that assist with digestion. The others are the liver and gall bladder.

The pancreas is a dual gland – it is both an exocrine gland that secretes enzymes to help with the digestion of food and it is an endocrine gland.

The endocrine part is that which regulates blood sugar levels in our body. It is made up of cell clusters called Islets of Langerhans. There are two types of cells in the Islets of Langerhans: alpha cells which produce the hormone glucagon and beta cells which produce the hormone insulin. Glucagon raises blood sugar levels and insulin lowers blood sugar levels. Together these two hormones play a mutually supportive role in glucose metabolism and regulation of sugar levels in the blood.

With our current lifestyle of carbohydrate-rich diets and with greater numbers of us working in sedentary occupations, we are more prone to increased levels of sugar in our bloodstream, putting our pancreas and liver into a state of stress and overwork.

When the pancreas stops working optimally, it can be the cause of two main diseases:

• pancreatic cancer; and
• diabetes.

According to Diabetes UK, “more people than ever are at risk of Type 2 diabetes. If nothing changes, more than five million people will have diabetes in the UK by 2025.” The majority (90%) are Type 2 diabetes sufferers, which can be controlled by diet and lifestyle.

To combat and overcome Type 2 diabetes, we recommend the following 2 steps.

1. Change in Diet
   This would include eating more healthy fats found in nuts, olive, fish, flaxseed oils, and avocados. Switching to whole foods and whole grains. Eliminating consumption of processed foods (fast foods/ready meals) and “white” foods (bread, rice, pasta etc) and opting for wholemeal versions instead. Reducing or minimising consumption of red meat, alcohol, sugar, dairy foods.

2. A Programme of Reflexology Treatments
   Reflexology is widely known for its healing powers in easing digestive problems, such as IBS and diabetes. By targeting the relevant digestive reflex points on the foot or face with light to moderate pressure and massage techniques, the reflexologist can rebalance glands and their secretion of enzymes and hormones. In this way, reflexology helps the body to self-heal and establish homeostasis, and in so doing control blood sugar levels. A programme of treatments is recommended due to the cumulative effects of complementary therapies: the more you have, the healthier and better you will feel as a whole.

Link to Reflexology Treatments

Email us about our 6 for the price of 5 treatment package or request to sign up to receive our newsletter for our latest offers (see form below testimonials).

Massage is the manipulation of soft tissues of the body using manual or mechanical methods. It can be used for relaxation, stimulation or rehabilitation of the whole body or part of it. It encourages suppleness of the muscles, improves circulation, drainage of lymph / toxins from the body and reduces stress.

The word “Massage” originates from many different languages. In Latin “massa” means “that which forms a lump”, with massage seen as a technique for removing “lumpiness” of the body and making it smoother. In Greek, massein means “to knead” and kneading is one of the key movements in massage therapy. In French “masser” means “to rub” and the fundamentals of all massage is rubbing the skin and tissues. In Arabic, “mass” means “to touch or feel” – again fundamental elements of massage.

In many parts of the world massage therapy is highly respected as an holistic healing method. However, in the UK the benefits are still under-stated and many people do not consider it an important part of self-care nor do they fully recognise its key function in the prevention of illness and disease.

Massage has huge short-term and long-term physiological and psychological benefits.

In the short-term massage will:

• improve skin tone and colour by removing dead cells and increasing blood supply to the skin;
• improve circulation therefore ensuring more efficient delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the cells;
• drain lymph and accelerate waste / toxin removal;
• speed up digestion;
• promote general relaxation and well-being;
• encourage deeper, more efficient and relaxed breathing and sleep;
• reduce stress, anxiety and depression;
• relieve muscle fatigue, soreness and stiffness (especially tired limbs and stiff joints);
• energise by invigorating all body systems;
• reduce fatigue and trigger a more positive mood.

In the long-term massage will:

• improve skin elasticity and slow down skin ageing;
• improve circulation and help regulate blood pressure (treat high and low blood pressure conditions);
• boost immunity against illness and disease;
• improve muscle suppleness and tone;
• improve neural communication and relax the nervous system (preventing muscle spasms caused by anxiety);
• enable deeper, more effective respiration;
• enable sustained relaxation of body and mind;
• relieve insomnia;
• balance the digestive system / help treat IBS;
• improve body image, awareness and general self-esteem;
• increase energy levels (with less energy expended on holding the body in a state of tension and strain).

Book your next massage here.

Here are some tips that you may choose to ignore at your peril. Because ignoring these could mean skin that is more prone to clogging, spots, sallowness and ageing.

Sugar

Previously all the talk about ageing was connected to free radicals and which foods to consume, i.e. those rich in anti-oxidants, to avoid the assault of free radicals on our body. Now the latest bogeyman is AGE – Advanced Glycation End-Product. AGEs are produced in the body when sugar binds with certain proteins or fats. AGEs are key players in skin ageing. So it is important to avoid the glycation process. Even if you think you are following a healthy diet, be aware that excessive fruit consumption can not only be a contributor to Type 2 diabetes, but can also lead to poor skin health and skin ageing.

Exercise

Yes, exercise is good for the skin, but it is important to shower immediately afterwards to reduce the sweat that could clog the pores. Be mindful, however, that water dehydrates the skin, so it is critical to apply hydration (e.g. hyaluronic facial spritz) and moisturisation products immediately following a shower. After exercise and showering, the blood vessels are more dilated and the skin pores more open. Now is the time to apply good skin care products as they are more easily absorbed and can perform more effectively.

Exfoliation

I’ve often been astounded by how infrequently clients exfoliate. Most people think once or twice a month is sufficient and then wonder why, even with maturing skin, their skin becomes prone to blackheads (comodones) and whiteheads (milia). Relying solely on the skin’s own natural exfoliation process (desquamation) is not going to cut it, even in the winter when the shedding of skin does slow down. Exfoliation is as important to mature skin as it is to younger skin.

It is recommended that exfoliation is performed at least once a week (colder months), if not twice. Upon exfoliating we facilitate the removal of the build-up of dead skin cells and help the skin to breathe better. The skin is also prepped to better absorb skin care products that work on building the proteins in our skin to create more definition (muscle) and lift. Try exfoliating products that contain gentle manual exfoliants, such as sugar, oatmeal or small-sized synthetic beads.

Sunscreen

You’ve probably heard this one before, but do keep wearing sunscreen products on the face throughout autumn. UVA and UVB rays exist all year long—even on cloudy and rainy days. For autumn skincare, choose a sunscreen that contains hydrators (such as glycerin, squalane, Vitamin E and hyaluronic acid) and has a SPF 30 or higher.

Dehydration

The problem with autumn and winter is that our skin can become quickly dehydrated. This is because of the wind factor, environmental pollutants and the fact that we live in centrally heated homes. Poor diet, smoking and intake of certain medications can also cause dehydration. Dehydration is not the same as dry skin – it isn’t a skin type, it’s a condition of the skin. So we can have oily skin that is dehydrated. You know when you have dehydrated skin is when the skin looks patchy and flaky and the skin feels tight (even under an oily film). Fine lines start to appear.

Our Special Offer in October

This month, you can take advantage of 20% off an ageLOC facial. Why the ageLOC facial?

1. It features an award-winning gentle exfoliation and cleansing LumiSpa routine.
2. It incorporates a choice of 1 of 3 masks: 1) a marine mud-mask with over 50 beneficial sea minerals to deep-cleanse, refine and close pores; 2) a bentonite clay mask to detox and create a silky, smooth skin; or 3) hydration mask to replenish lost moisture and plump up the skin.
3. It includes a Galvanic spa facial routine utilising ageLOC gene-based anti-ageing gels – this miracle, award-winning system achieves multiple results: removes debris/dirt at a deep level from the skin, amplifies moisture in the skin, adds muscle-building proteins to lift and smooth out lines in the skin.
4. Features a clinically proven product to reduce fine lines and wrinkles around critical areas: mouth, nose, eyes and forehead.
5. Last not least a beautifully relaxing and spiritually reviving face massage. The massage alone will tone and lift the skin.

Use FACIAL20 as a coupon code when you book the 60-minute version of this facial.

A ruffled mind makes a restless pillow” – Charlotte Brontë

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the National Sleep Foundation stipulate that as adults we should sleep an average of 8 hours of sleep per night. But staggeringly two thirds of the adult population in the developed nations (and three quarters within the UK according to Medical Technology) fail to achieve the recommended sleep quota. This may not be a surprising fact to most of us, but what may be surprising are the consequences of inadequate sleep.

Routinely sleeping less than 6 or 7 hours of sleep a night (according to WHO) causes our immune system to break down and more than doubles our risk of cancer. Insufficient sleep is also a lifestyle factor in determining whether or not we will develop Alzheimer’s disease. Even moderate reductions of sleep over a week can disrupt blood sugar levels and can be the precursor to diabetes and serious weight gain. It is important to note that dieting on insufficient sleep will be of no avail as you will lose lean body mass rather than fat. Our metabolism is compromised. Sleep deprivation can also cause the coronary arteries to become blocked and brittle, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and congestive heart failure.

The WHO has recently signalled a sleep loss epidemic across industrialised nations (including US, UK, Japan and South Korea). Our inexorable lifestyle of working long hours against demanding deadlines, multi-tasking and our increasing exposure to electronic devices (smartphones, laptops, tablets, monitors, TV screens) and energy-efficient technology (fluorescent light bulbs and LED lights), etc are taking their toll. The fact that we do less outdoor physical work compared to generations past is also a contributor to our growing sleep problems.

Of particular significance is the increased exposure to blue light particularly in the evenings as we browse our social media channels on our laptops, tablets and phones or as we watch long hours of TV. This disrupts our circadian rhythm, suppressing the release of melatonin from the pineal gland (a small pine cone shaped gland deep in the back of the brain), which is our body’s trigger for sleep. Released during the day on the other hand, blue light from the sun is actually beneficial to our mood and alertness.

Sleep loss also contributes to psychiatric conditions, such as depression and suicidal tendencies. It can negatively impact our ability to concentrate and adjust to challenges.

So turning this on its head, what are the key benefits of having adequate sleep?

SLEEP…

• can improve our memory and ability to learn – during sleep our brain consolidates our learning.
• extends our life expectancy.
• helps us to keep our weight under control through improved metabolism and by triggering a hormone that signals food satisfaction. Researchers at the University of Chicago found that dieters who were well rested lost more fat than those who were sleep deprived, who instead lost muscle mass. It is also no coincidence that we want to eat more, even though we are satiated, the longer we are awake (midnight snacks come to mind here).
• curbs the inflammation linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, arthritis and premature ageing.
• regulates our blood pressure and keeps stress levels down.
• can regulate cholesterol levels in our blood and reduce our proneness to heart disease.
• reduces the incidence of auto-immune diseases through the strengthening of our immune system.
• stimulates creativity – during sleep our brain not only consolidates, but organises and restructures our memories.
• improves our stamina and physical performance (a Stanford university study found that college football players who attempted to sleep at least 10 hours of sleep a night over a 7 to 8 week period actually improved their average sprint time and had more daytime stamina).
• boosts our positivity and mental state, staving off dark moods and depression.
• makes us look younger, by reducing dark under eye circles, improving our skin tone and elasticity (in conjunction with sufficient water intake and adopting a healthy balanced diet).

The Power of Reflexology in Aiding Sleep

If you have an overactive mind or if you find it very difficult to fall or stay asleep, there are lots of suggestions you can follow:

• Go for a long walk in the evening, preferably out in nature.
• Remove all electronic devices, including TVs from your bedroom and do not use these up to 2 hours before sleep – read a traditional book instead.
• Avoid consumption of caffeine for up to 6 hours before sleep (that’s how long the effects of caffeine take to dissipate in our body). Even decaffeinated drinks are not non-caffeine drinks (they contain a small dose of the stuff).
• Keep the bedroom cool keep a window open at night) – the ideal room temperature is between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius.
• Drink camomile tea or take a dose of plant-based valerian if you have real difficulties in nodding off.
• Keep to a regular sleep schedule.
• Ensure your mattress is not too firm or not too soft and offers the right support for your body’s weight and movement.
• Remove pets from the bedroom who can disturb you.
• Do not eat heavy meals late in the evening.
• Avoid consumption of alcohol (a stimulant).
• Avoid smoking – nicotine is also a stimulant.
• Write down all the whirling thoughts and “to-do” lists that are keeping your brain over-active at night. Transmitting them to paper helps vacate them from the brain.
• Listen to some very soothing music or a special sleep meditation.
• But the best by far (WARNING: I am biased as a therapist) is to have a course of reflexology treatments – either foot or facial reflexology (or combination thereof).
• Reflexology – through the activation of the pineal gland and its hormones – balances our circadian rhythm. It helps us to be more alert during the day and promotes sleep at night. All our clients without exception have expressed a feeling of wellbeing, a deep state of calm and the ability to sleep more soundly after a reflexology treatment.

Special Offer

To celebrate World Reflexology Week (23rd-29th September 2019) we have a special offer running throughout this month of £10 off any reflexology treatment – £35 instead of £45 for a 45 minute treatment. Please use the coupon code Reflex19 when booking – Book here.

Sources: Matthew Walker’s “Why We Sleep“, World Health Organisation, NHS, Best Health Magazine, health.com, NRI digital’s Medical Technology, September 2019 issue.