Dedicated December
Hello, lovely reader and welcome to a little monthly morsel for December – our last one of 2023.
I hope you are finding more time for rest and quiet as we head fully into the quieter months. While the body would naturally like more sleep time, and even small afternoon naps at this time of year, we can find ourselves getting busier as we head into Christmas time, and all that involves with organising or logistics to work out. We can then feel more tired, depleted in energy, and our immune system can drop, allowing in more chances of coughs, colds, and chest problems.
Coming out soon is my winter blog that gives more info and advice on how best to feel our way through a slower time of year, with ease and grace. You can look forward to recipes, yoga ideas and self-care advice, to slow things down a little and enjoy this more reflective time of year, rather than trying to push through when energy levels are lower.
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Friday 15th December sees the last meditation of this year, with the winter warmer session, as we head towards the Winter solstice, for the cyclical celebration of the longest night and shortest day, moving us seasonally from Autumn to Winter. For those that prefer the long yang feels of summer this is at least the turning point tostart the movement again back to the light.
It’s a relaxed session in the studio, with plenty of blankets, mats and blocks available to make yourself comfortable – this session will softly focus on METTA BHAVNA MEDITATION by cultivating a sense of love for oneself and then mindfully moving that out to others, we can have some time connecting to feeling more balanced, kind, caring and compassionate whilst also relaxing and dropping into the body. No need to do anything or think too much about it, just a gentle invitation to soften inwards and take some time out for restfulness.
We will enjoy candles, a log fire, and some yoga Nidra to deepen. The session starts at 3 pm and is booking only as there is limited space. There is quiet time to close with warming seasonal tea and a sweet treat to nourish before heading back out into the world, more relaxed and with self. No experience necessary.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Following on from this, as we head into 2024, there will be another yoga workshop at:
Tranquillity yoga studio – https://www.tranquilityyoga.co.uk/contact-us
This will be a winter warmer session on:
Saturday 13th January from 11 till 1pm.
I really enjoyed the Autumn one and the feedback was great, so looking to use this as a seasonal burst. It’s a lovely clear space out in the countryside with all mats, bolsters, and blankets provided, so no need to bring anything, just yourselves. We will enjoy a grounding, but energetically moving, hour long class at a connecting pace, followed by some meditation, breathwork and yoga Nidra to really drop in. We’ll then close with a seasonal tea and sweet treat to gently come round, before we head back out into the elements.
January can be a quiet time of year for reflection and befriending how we wish to move through the new year, so it’s a lovely opportunity to have some time on the mat to move and stretch things out after cosy Christmas time. In Ayurvedic terms we are starting to edge from the Vata dosha of movement and air to the more solid sense of Kapha through earth and water, which can bring in feelings of heaviness and lethargy, so we are just starting to dip our toes in to the idea of awakening to the coming of Spring, after the feasting and celebrating of Christmas and New Year – but still with the peacefulness of Winter.
11 till 1 pm Saturday 13th January £20
Book with me or go to https://www.tranquilityyoga.co.uk/booking To book
For the nurturing of the skin at this time of year, we can move between using the grounding blend of the balm, or massage oil of the Autumn range, but also start to enjoy the recuperation and revive energy of the winter balm – to me it has a slight lift in smell of chocolate chip, from the peppermint and cocoa butter merging, which feels depthy along with St John’s wort & bergamot to lift mood and winter blues.
The scotch pine needle, eucalyptus, clove and juniper travel well as decongestants and purifiers through the skin. This balm works well on the chest area if you are feeling congested, mucus or generally low in the lungs at this time of year, a tiny smidgen on the throat area to silence a cough and the magic of the oils, blended together, are recommended for arthritis, rheumatism, joint aches and pains – massage gently into hands and feet while resting on the sofa.
The clary sage oil is great for stress release and bringing a sense of calm.
Essential oils and aromatic blends can really make a big difference at this time of year, if feeling run down and low in energy. These 60ml balms make lovely stocking fillers.
All organic ingredients, small batch and hand blended by me. I can also offer bespoke blends of oils to be made specifically for people depending on what they would like it for.
This may be for therapeutic reasons or for some relaxing self-massage with lovely smells.
If you prefer to buy Christmas gifts that are more of an experience, then gift vouchers are always a winner – the lovely gift of giving at this time of year. These can be posted out in a card to you or them, collected from @awakening.rose or emailed out 🤍🧡
Ideas that are popular and always well received
🤍 Crystal healing facial
🤍 45 minute back, neck & shoulders treatment
🤍 Reflexology
🤍 60/ 75 or 90 minutes full body massage
🤍 Luxury two hours with facial, full body massage and reflexology.
🤍 Meditation sessions
🤍 Yoga sessions
🤍 Mix and match any of the above or a monetary amount and the loved one can chose the treatment/sessions they would like 🤍🧡
As ever there is always flexibility and I am happy to discuss what might suit someone and their needs.
***Exciting news as we head to next year***
I will be returning to & residing as the holistic therapist again at https://asussexhouse.org/
on the weekend of Friday 12th April until Sunday 14th April.
Not with the lovely Emma Newlyn on her women’s retreat this time.
This is a Yoga and meditation weekend with the lovely Sue and Sally who are hosting this.
Bookings are open with them now if you feel the draw of some springtime movement and always a uplifting time to retreat and have some rejuvenating time in nature:
Joyful Being Retreat, April 2024 – Leap Mindfulness
Last, but not least, to help combat the fatigue that this time of year can bring, how about some Legs up the wall or Viparita Karani. To make it sound far more exotic and exciting, this is one of my favourite yogi restorative poses that I’m always recommending.
As we head more towards winter it’s time to take it a bit more easy and look after ourselves so we can replenish energy and rest. If you can’t fit a full yoga class in or home practice in to your day and things are feeling a bit pushy or stressful – this slows it down and stops you in your tracks.
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Lay down on the floor and move your bottom close to the wall and then tip upwards so that legs are up the wall and bottom is close to skirting.
If you have a lower back issue or feeling very tight it can be as beneficial to have legs on the sofa or doing it on the bed so that the base is a little softer.
Rest there without a phone nearby, head can be on a blanket for comfort, arms out so that shoulders can drop and relax and focus gently on your breath.
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All the goodies it gives you are:
* Reinvigorates tired legs & feet, great for puffy ankles & circulation.
* Pops you back into the parasympathetic nervous system which means it calms you down and takes you out of flight & fight.
* Gives you a chance to connect to your breath and how you’re feeling, and you can’t go anywhere.
It’s said that 20 minutes in this pose is as beneficial on the nervous system as a 20 minute nap. Woo Hoo!
So, here we are, coming to a close of 2023 and it seems to have whizzed by so fast with many an exciting thing to have happened: Qualifying as a yoga teacher, being one & next year sees some more training in the yin yoga and some breathwork too, with maybe, one day, a retreat would be amazing.
As ever thank you to everyone that has been for a treatment this year, recommended me to others, gifted vouchers or bought my Awakening Rose products, it’s always an honour and a wonderful area to work in and be part of.
Thank you to the mentors and teachers that have guided and helped me and to the supporters that have attended my venturing into the wonder of yoga.
Have a great December, and gentle build up to Christmas, may the coughs and colds stay away from you and the wonder of Winter bring some delightful sunny frosty days.
There are a few bookings available still at the start of December and I finish treatments on the 18th, but will be working up to the 21st December for any gifts, vouchers or seasonal consultations.
So, please do get in touch on 07788150831 if you need any support.
Returning on January 8th ready for 2024.
Happy yuletide & winter wonder
Much love,
