Hear What Feels Right

  • 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)
  • When I left the corporate world 12 years ago, I didn’t foresee the place I am in now. I’ve had a child, moved to Bristol, ended my marriage and have spent the last 4 years finding my feet, looking after my girl and keeping my business afloat. . 2018 was a year of real growth for me: I qualified as a Meditation teacher with the @britishschoolofmeditation and as a Yoga Teacher with @camyoga. Both were diplomas and involved in depth study of the philosophy as well as classroom practice - both important elements when learning a skill that doesn’t originate from your culture. . I also qualified as a youth mental health first aider with @elemental_health_uk and became and official volunteer with @OTR Bristol.. . The last 6 months of 2018 became a time of exploring how my work could be more diverse and how I could reach those less able to come and see me privately. I stopped working on a couple of projects and now volunteer as a yoga teacher at my daughter’s school as well as volunteering on a youth ward at the Children’s Hospital in Bristol, supporting the patients aged 11-18 and teaching them mindfulness and meditation skills. . A few weeks ago I decided I need to take some time out of clinic/private practice to consolidate these skills, and pour some energy into the future of The Quiet Heart. I also need to dive into the work of @susannabarkataki and @laylafsaad as well as continuing on @saspetherick ’s Fire Monkeys course. . I also need (and want) a rest. . I’ll be out of clinic until the first full week of spring - which in my opinion should be the actual New Year anyway - and I’ll be using the natural energy of this time of year to help me nourish my own self, ready for the rest of 2019.
  • ▽ Winter in Chinese Medicine ▽ . The element: water The emotion: fear The organ: the kidneys . We all contain the element of Water within us. When this is balanced, it shows up as feelings of creativity, an abundant flow of ideas, regular menstruation or a gentle menopause, strong bones, good hearing, a healthy libido, balanced sleep and an ability to hear the call to care for ourselves. . To nourish the Water element and the Kidneys: rest, set aside some time to allow yourself to be passive. Eat warm foods, keep your feet covered and keep the whole body warm. Take baths, find water to watch, listen to or swim in. Light candles and incense. Meditate. . To regulate the normal emotion of fear, we need to develop inner resources that we trust and build support networks for times when we need to reach out. If you suffer from panic attacks, anxiety or excess fear this could be a sign that your Kidneys are out of balance or running low on energy. . This time of year can feel long and lonely. But know that through finding some space and time to connect to your quiet voice of love and care, you will hear what it is you need to do to nourish the part of you that needs you most.
  • The light is gently returning to our horizon and as it does so, allow yourself to rise with it. Slowly ∘ In the cycle of Yin and Yang, Winter is full Yin: stillness, pause, quiet, darkness, cold and rest. Resisting this natural time of restoration, risks bringing imbalance to our bodies, depleting the energy we need to move in rhythm with the energy of spring ∘ The light returning represents the gradual building of Yang energy; but this takes steady and gentle time. We have an opportunity to learn from this cycle ∘ There is no rush ∘ note: this is the third consecutive year we’ve had illness in our house in January and period of enforced stillness and rest has been vital for me and my little one. On reflection, I need to listen to this message and alter my working rhythms next January.
  • In winter, the urge to hibernate is strong, and while we must contain our energy, reserving our Qi for the return of the sun in spring, connecting with other humans in winter restores and nourishes our spirit. : Trees need each other to survive, and so do we. : There is much we can learn from nature ∘
  • The Chinese character for Winter represents a thread that is tied, with loose ends but overall, finished. At the bottom of the character, there is the symbol which represents water, crystallising into ice. Together, these symbols represent the end of the cycle of seasons, cold and stillness. . Just as life slows at this time of year, so should we. If we rest and slow down our activity, we will replenish and retain our Qi (life force), helping us to rise up when the time of natural Yang rising (spring) comes. . We do this through taking things slowly, physically and mentally. Sleeping as much as possible but spending as much time outside as as we can to support our natural circadian rhythms and immune system. . This is not a time for change, for newness or pushing forward; that comes in the spring. Just like nature, this is a time for planning, dreaming and nurturing a sense of self compassion. . Go easy.
  • In the Northern Hemisphere, today is the solstice, Yule, mid winter. In Chinese Medicine and the theory of Yin and Yang, this is the time of full Yin: where dark is dominant over light (Yang). . Until the morning of the 23rd, the earth takes a pause, like the moment between breaths, before she tilts on her axis and begins to lift upwards, towards the sun. . Traditionally, although this is a time of gathering with friends, feasting and welcoming the light, it’s also a time for rest and reflection; to acknowledge what we have learnt this year and what we would like to receive in the coming year. . We also have a full moon tomorrow night (a Yin symbol), so this is an extra special time to observe the stillness around and within you, however that may look or feel for you; perhaps simply notice your heart lifting towards the sun as you take a breath in… . The rhythm and flow of the seasons is a beautiful reminder of the constant change within everything - darkness and light, heat and cold, rest and movement - but to connect with this energy, we must listen. And to do that, we must be still, if only for a moment.
  • Has anyone read The Secret Life of Trees? Yesterday, @bbcradio4 had a wonderful interview with the author Peter Wollhenen who shared the science behind how trees have a vibrant inner life and also individual personalities. . I’m now thinking I’ll never forage/prune a tree again; they emit pain relief chemicals if we cut or rip off a branch, but if a deer takes a bite, a nasty tasting chemical is released instead. They talk underground via a complicated fungi network, warning other trees if they are being attached by a certain type of beetle; they have a memory and conserve water depending upon the season they have experienced; they can hear - and can differentiate between the sound of real water and the sound of water being played via mp3; they emit gas which we can smell and walking amongst them helps lower our blood pressure. If another tree is ill, a ‘mother’ tree steps in and sends important nutrients to help it recover. Most importantly, they need other trees, and current research is exploring the real possibility that they have brains. . I love the idea that this work is contributing to the realisation that us humans are not the most superior beings of everything. . This pic was taken when I visited @fforest a few weekends ago; a place full of the magic energy of trees.

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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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