Hear What Feels Right

  • In Chinese medicine, living with the seasons is an important part of maintaining health. . Every season has a dominant element, organ, colour, and taste. Spring is the time of Wood and the Liver, the colour green and sour taste. . Eating green leafy vegetables, with a sour or pungent taste is a great way to support your liver, as is getting outside whenever possible. . In Bristol, we have incredible woodland really close to the city, and I found this crop of wild garlic this weekend. . We brought some home and I made pesto with pine nuts and goats cheese. We’ve also had risotto and I’m going to make soup this afternoon. . Wild garlic is fantastic for our bodies; it’s anti inflammatory, anti fungal, antiseptic and contains Vitamin A and C, calcium, iron, phosphorus, sodium and copper. It’s good for the blood and helps lower blood pressure. . It makes our Liver happy and helps our energy flow smoothly, therefore keeping emotions steady and our hearts grounded. . If you see a crop make sure you grab some before it flowers. Use scissors and be careful to not confuse it with Lily of the Valley.
  • Would you like to spend a weekend working on your self-belief, business strategy and self care? . Me and Sas, @saspetherick have created a weekend retreat, called Rise and Shine which will help you grow your business or develop an idea that’s been on your mind while providing you with delicious food, meditations and and gentle movement sessions! . We spent a weekend together a little while ago doing exactly this. We escaped to a beautiful house, in the country and gave ourself the time and space we both needed to nourish ourselves and create great content for our businesses; the result of which we’re seeing come alive right now. . We meditated together, did yoga and regular movement sessions in-between the brain work, and had a fully stocked fridge meaning no trips to the supermarket mid-flow (other than to get firewood!) . This weekend isn’t just for those of you already running your own businesses; if you’re in a job that doesn’t align with your values but can’t seem to find a way out, we can help you with that too. . Sas will be on hand to offer strategic mentoring and to coach you through self-doubt. I will be leading you with meditations and the right amount of movement to allow you to feel rested, yet energised. The fab Steph from @sbcatering_atavola will be our chef for the weekend and her creativity with local and seasonal ingredients is exceptional. . There will also be complimentary acupuncture and massage by me, also available. . You will be in great hands, not only for the retreat, but also in the run up and post retreat as we will be supporting you through your own process in group calls and with workbooks. . There are only have a few places left, so hurry if you’d like to come along. . For more info or to sign up see the link in my profile ♥️
  • Yesterday I held a spring urban retreat in Bristol with my friend Anna, a Pilates and Franklin Method teacher. . For 4 hours, 14 of us left the city behind, resting our minds and bodies with meditation, gentle movement, and chats about the beautiful philosophy fundamental to Chinese medicine. . I loved every moment. . Thank you all for coming and thank you @anna.ronayne @jumpinjehosophat @smallestlight @two.palms for helping make this happen. Also thanks to the wonderful folk who rented their private garden studio to us.
  • Sometimes I find myself slipping into the vibe of resenting household chore-y stuff. But I realised recently, that these small tasks are actually fundamental to my overall wellbeing. . The skill is in knowing what to prioritise in order to support my mental and physical health; having my own boundaries about what I need to do in the moment has proved crucial in managing my life as a single parent with my own business. . Tackling ‘life admin’ is an important part of helping me feel more at peace, so rather than resent these activities, I reminded myself of a technique I learned from Thich Nhat Hanh 11years ago. . It’s a simple breathing technique but one which has huge benefits. I use it when doing the (never-ending) laundry, cleaning up in the kitchen and to prevent me from hollering on the school run (sometimes!) . I’ve written a meditation for @stateoflibertyco based on this technique, which Lizzie has put up on the blog today. It’s called ‘how to create a mindful home’. . Have a read, because if you can implement this technique in your own life, you will feel more calm and less hurried overall - and if that sounds out of reach, I promise, you will at least feel like there is some semblance of calm within the ‘hurry’!
  • Today is the Spring Equinox and traditionally celebrated as the balance point between the light and the dark. . We’re reminded that change is constant, of cycles and rhythms, and that the light always returns. . Everything happens naturally, the seasons, the pattern of opposites, our breath. . Perhaps you can take a minute to notice your breath today. To notice the balance point; the moment when the breath turns the corner from inhalation to exhalation. . To be open to life as it flows and what happens naturally. To breathe in the life that surrounds you. Air. To exhale what you don’t need. To allow this. . Take one minute for you today. . 📷 @kkiliszek
  • The beautiful dawn this morning. I saw it, loved it, then went back to bed to do a yoga nidra! . If you’re waking up from 5 onwards at the moment, you are in line with the spring energy of the Liver. Imbalances in this organ (in Chinese Medicine) can manifest as emotions such as anger, or frustration. You may also have pain in your body, problems with your eyes or for women; your hormones, specifically your periods. . You may also have elevated levels of the stress hormone, cortisol in your body. . Meditation, acupuncture and massage can help the liver enormously. All will help the brain waves slow down to those which occur when we sleep. As a result your body produces lots of lovely oxytocin (among other cool things), which helps lower the levels of cortisol in your body. . Quick fixes for an oxytocin release: • Notice your breath today (not just the sound but the sensation of it coming and going). You can do this when walking, driving or at your desk. Just feel it coming in and out. • Find someone to hug. Or hug yourself (see my previous post). • Book a massage! (if in Bristol with the lovely @loopmassage team) • Come off ALL devices at 9pm tonight. This allows your sleep hormone to work properly helping you sleep better. . #mystoryoflight #chasinglight #chinesemedicine #bloomandgrow
  • I’ve been totally.out.of.action. with the seasonal cold that I’ve warded off all season - until now. . So I’ve been spending a LOT of time in this place and my bedroom. No snow action for me. . Hurray and thank you to all the people who’ve brought me food, taken care of my child and sent me messages of love, offers of help and LOL’s. There’s nothing like being an ill self employed single parent to make you appreciate and realise the importance of community, far and wide. . Fist bumps and love to you all. . Also a public apology to my ex-husband who bore the full brunt of my feverish mood (I bought him chocolates, we’re good). . Normal ‘work’ resumes on Tuesday. . 📷 @kkiliszek ♥️
  • If I had the chance to send a letter to my much younger self it would read like this: . My dearest Gemma, stop, breathe in, you have nothing to fear; the people who said you had a spirit like no other and the capacity to do whatever you want, were right. . Make a point to hear and listen to your (loud) inner wisdom because it will never let you down and will guide you gently through all that is to come. Trust. . Remember, you are deeply loved and need to own and embrace that wonderful sassy nature of yours; it is nothing to be ashamed of. Let it help define and establish your boundaries, for they will be much needed when dealing with those who don’t deserve your love. . Cultivate compassion and kindness and reflect on it when hurt or unsure; those who harm you are acting as a result of their own pain. Don’t allow yourself to self-sabotage. Give the gift of forgiveness from a place of integrity and grace. Nothing is personal. . Apply the f*** it philosophy - enough said. . Be steady, stay open and smile; this is one massively brilliant adventure and you are going to have such fun. . I’m joining in with @saspetherick and the campaign she is launching to help raise money for charities that work to support young women’s self esteem, the @_selfesteemteam and @graemedinglefoundation . You can buy this t-shirt or a few other fab designs and know that ALL the profit will go to charity. Check out Sas’ page for the link. . #mycourageousselfie #littlestoriesofmylife #fridayfacelessportrait

About Me

Through my work, my intention is to help you feel a sense of peace, clarity and connection to your body; to the natural rhythm of life.

I hope to encourage you to slow down and listen to your heart, which is always there, quietly guiding you through life.

 

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