Hear What Feels Right

  • △Late Summer in Chinese Medicine△ The element: earth The emotion: worry The organ: the Spleen This beautiful few weeks between Summer and Autumn is known as Late Summer in traditional Chinese Medicine. We’re experiencing a final heatwave in the UK right now and I’m loving the dance between the warmth of the sun and the cooling energy of the earth. . Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine is formed from an observation of your whole body, not just symptoms. In Late Summer your Spleen is dominant, and this organ relates to your digestive system (Spleen and Stomach). If you have an imbalance here, this is the time of year when you will feel it most - you may be worrying or overthinking, feeling fatigue with weak muscles, experiencing problematic digestive symptoms, have a white coating on your tongue and finding that you feel worse in damp surroundings. . To keep your Spleen and Stomach balanced and supported at this time of year try: *avoiding cold and uncooked food *chewing food really well *not eating too late at night *anything that helps you reduce stress as this allows the digestive system to function properly and absorb all the vitamins and minerals you need to feel good (did you know certain mineral and vitamin deficiencies can cause symptoms of anxiety and depression) *the Spleen Hug (see my earlier post) . Enjoy this beautiful time of year wherever you are in the Northern Hemisphere.
  • How the bridge looked at 6am this morning as I drove to a school in South Wales where I’m teaching a mental health day with @elemental_health_uk My session is about physical activity and mental health and I relate to this so much. Running, swimming, cycling and yoga have been my mental health lifeline several times throughout my life. When I was young I would often spend time alone cycling in country lanes, the wind in the trees my quiet soundtrack. Running around my neighbourhood in my early teens was how I burned my teenage angst and soothed my hormonal migraines, while Yoga was the medicine that supported a tumultuous and healing stage of my mid 20’s. I hope that some of the children today feel empowered. The only activities in my session will be chair yoga and oxygenating our bodies through breathing and jumping around a bit- but if they feel inspired to move their bodies with these as a base, I’ll be chuffed.
  • This weekend we move from the fiery, Heart centred season of Summer in into Late Summer, where the Earth element and our digestive system (Spleen) dominates. . This is an extra season in Chinese Medicine which takes us through the beautiful transition of Summer to Autumn. The best way to connect with the Earth element and align ourselves with the natural rhythms of nature, is to be barefoot. . Some scientific research has shown that our bodies cells, tissues and even circadian rhythms benefit from direct contact with the electrons of the Earth. 15 minutes is all you need. . So as we transition, I’ll be at @thebigfeastival with @vivobarefoot and @thevvagon helping folk reconnect with their bodies and their feet in particular, and our great Mother Earth. 📷 @kkiliszek
  • The solstice today marks the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, and Winter in the Southern Hemisphere. Whether the sun sits high or low in our sky, this point of the earth on her axis is a beautiful expression of the relationship between Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang, has been used for centuries in China to illustrate movement of energy and change within nature and the body. . The ancient philosophy explains the dynamic of change within everything, forms the basis of diagnosis and treatment in Chinese Medicine and helps bring an awareness to actions we can take to integrate change for our health. . Midsummer is a day of full Yang: the sun, heat, the hours of daylight, Midwinter a day of full Yin: less sun, cold and the hours of night. . Crucial to Yin Yang theory, is there is always Yin within Yang or a movement towards the other. Nothing can only be Yin or Yang, and Solstice illustrates this point of pause (yin) before the movement (yang) towards transformation. . Like a wave there is a moment of pause in the crest, in the breath a moment of pause before the body releases, and in yoga, a moment of stillness within the movement of a pose. Nothing stays the same. Change is constant. If we respond and embody this process we encourage balance in our mind and body in the most organic way.
  • As we approach midsummer here, I’m longing for the sun. Heavy rain and low cloud has been constant the last few weeks, and I’m noticing the effects. I’ve lit my fire and still have the winter duvet on my bed. I have to push myself to move outdoors at times like this, but I know that 10 minutes will help increase my Vit D levels and 2 hours amongst trees impacts my immune system for up to 30 days. This weekend, I’m with @thevvagon and @vivobarefoot at The Top of the Valley Festival, walking folk among the woods, and teaching the origins of the ancient Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku (forest bathing). Ever careful about cultural appropriation, we will learn about the benefits of this ancient practice. Our experience of the woods will be a partnership, not a destination or mode to help us operate more productively. This is about getting back to the place where we merge with the environment that supported our evolution. Where we turn off our devices and use all our senses to be still for a while. We will be wandering, quietly. Trees know how to operate in a community and they have much to teach us.
  • △ Spring in Chinese Medicine △ The element: W O O D The emotion: anger The organ: liver We all contain the element of Wood within us. When this element is balanced, our energy flows freely around our body, we have a healthy relationship with anger and we work steadily towards our intentions or goals. Balanced liver energy radiates through clear eyes, and keeps our digestive system running smoothly, we value ourselves and our boundaries and feel in tune with the natural rhythm of our body. The energy of the earth in the northern hemisphere is rising. This is a great time (I think this should be the official NY) to check in on our plans for the year and to let go of anything that doesn’t feel right. Notice if there is are any feelings of frustration or blockages and explore them with compassion. To nourish your Liver and your own Wood element, move your body and unless you are depleted (check in with a Chinese Medicine practitioner) start to really encourage the flow of Qi throughout your body. Eat lots of green food, notice the emergence of life, open the senses and allow the energy of awakening to come within. And as always, try meditating. I’ve written and recorded 19 meditations for @inthemomentmag which is out today! Go to the link in my profile to access 5 FREE guided meditations.
  • Bristol Event! The beautiful @thevvagon (created by the folk at @vivobarefoot) is in in the city tomorrow (Sat 27th April) and I’m joining them for an afternoon of free workshops. Come to the Neptune Statue, Central Promenade (at the bottom of Park Street) where I’m giving three workshops on: ⋅ acupressure points for spring, ⋅ the benefits of forest bathing, ⋅ Q&A session on connecting with the seasons. Plus there is reflexology (starts at 10am), foot gate analysis and a mindfulness session. All for FREE! I’m on from 2pm-5pm.
  • It’s spring, my favourite time of year and should, in my opinion, be the actual new year. . I’m back from my mega break which didn’t go according to plan: three major hospital visits in total but everyone is ok. I had some surgery but have recovered well and am back in my wonderful clinic. I am brimming with love for the work that I do. . The work that helps you S L O W down. . The work that helps you listen to what your body is trying to tell you. . The work that gives you the quiet space to hear what feels right. . Some good stuff happening this year. . This is Scout among the wild garlic on a foraging stomp I did with @ellypear recently. . (and thank you @saspetherick for the words about my work that arrived during Monday’s mentoring session on the Fire Monkeys programme)

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Hello I’m Gemma and I can help you connect to your own quiet place of wisdom and peace through acupuncture, chinese medicine, yoga and meditation.

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