Naughty November
Hello and welcome to November!
We are definitely more in the cosy season now and hopefully slowing down a little with the seasonal change. The log burner is a go during treatments, which brings a much different feel to the studio.
Essential oils for blends are more earthy and grounding, smells of cedar wood, sandalwood & clary sage to calm and soothe bodies as we quieten down more to head into winter alongside black pepper and sweet orange to ease achy muscles and uplift tired limbs.
I was thinking today how it’s very difficult to put into words how helpful, magical, and beneficial massage is as a regular treatment and personal journey. It’s something I’ve done for a long time and if for some reason I don’t go regularly, my shoulders remind me!
As well as ironing out the muscles, it goes a lot deeper than that. It gives an opportunity to drop into the body and relax, to enjoy the warmth of the heated couch & towels, nourish the skin and the tissues and switching off the mind. It also calms down stress and brings us back to the reality of how the body really feels if it’s not pushing to do too much. Especially at this time of the year it can take a while to slow down and care for the vessel we travel in. It can be a download of troubles and problems, an airing of things and talking through, or it can be a quiet reflective time going inwards and finding some peace.
So how often is often enough?
I have some clients every two weeks, some at three weeks but generally, predominantly, I would say four weeks is the general space that bookings fall. That gives the most noticeable upkeep and maintenance to the body and allows for deeper tissue work each time. The body remembers and relaxes quicker and helps keep overstress or anxiety at bay. There really is no right or wrong in the grand scheme of things, although for more acute problems and treating specifics, every week to start is often necessary. Maybe it’s time or money that’s the deciding factor but committing to massage as one of your non negotiable’s is definitely a winner, even if six weekly or once or twice a year it can help.
· Reduce stress.
· Relieve pain.
· Improve circulation.
· Enhance mood.
· Boost immune system.
· Balance hormones
· Nourish skin.
· Move energy.
What more could you ask for? (Well reflexology if you don’t enjoy body work and it’s really not your thing)
My favourite treatment recommendation at this time of year is the full luxury essential, as that’s when it’s needed most. At two hours long it allows time to cover everything and a much deeper sense of relaxation. Starting with reflexology, then a full body massage, including a facial and finishing on a back neck and shoulder massage with scalp rub.
It’s a perfect combination and also a delightful gift voucher option. Bookings are available for November, and December appointments will be available up until Friday 15th (These do book up fast before Christmas). It’s also a lovely one for January when the excitement & hubbub has died down and we are in the depths of winter.
In yoga news, there is a new date of November 4th at Tranquillity yoga for rest & reset from 11 till 1.
An hour session of gentle morning yoga followed by some meditation and yoga nidra, closing with some seasonal tea and sweet treat. We will be moving slowly, but with grounding energy and focusing more inwards as we head towards winter and inner time and internal reflections. It really is for everyone and will be lovely and nurturing. Book with me 07788150831 or go direct to tranquilityyoga.co.uk.
It’s a lovely space with mats, blankets and blocks all provided, so no need to gather your things, just come along, relax and take some rest.
Also, excitedly in November let’s try some zoom yoga. Let’s give it a go. Whilst I love the in-person and seeing people, zoom is now perfect for when we don’t want to leave the warmth of the home and venture out as much. Just roll out your mat and off you go, but also if you are living further afield, you can still make a class – Hey Mum in Spain.
So, I am trialling some dates for November. Do email to make requests of times you would like in the future if these aren’t easy. The 8am one will be a cosy slower paced mood that you could roll out of bed, with some meditation too.
Classes are for an hour and will be.
Tuesday 21st November at 10am
Friday 24th November @8am – yoga & meditation
Friday 24th November @ 3pm
Classes are £8 and a recording will be available. Email info@awakeningrose.co.uk to book your space.
As we head into the darker nights and the clocks have gone back it’s my favourite changeover into hearty meals, lots of stews, soups, and the wonder of the slow cooker so that ta-dah dinner is ready. In Ayurveda it is recommended to eat warm, comforting foods with lots of grounding spices at this time of year, favouring the tastes of sweet, salty, and sour. You can read about this in my autumn blog if you wish to know more.
We eat dhal weekly, as it’s a meal that everyone likes which is always a winner. This one is my favourite as it has a real depth of texture and flavour to it. Please don’t be put off by the number of spice ingredients if you don’t have them all, use what you do have and if you have ground and not seeds then do that instead. The black cardamom is not a cupboard staple generally, but they do give a real smoky depth to the dish. If you find the humble lentil a little parpy after eating, try soaking them in water first to soften them and break down some of the parp. Lentils are mighty powerhouses, a great source of protein, help lower cholesterol, are good for heart health, digestion, and stabilising blood sugar. Have a cook up and let me know what you think.
Hearty Dhal
2 tsp cumin seeds.
2 tsp coriander seeds.
2 tsp fennel seeds.
Tbsp ghee or coconut oil or sunflower oil.
Seeds from 6 green cardamom pods.
2 black cardamom.
5 fat garlic cloves crushed.
2 white onions finely chopped.
10 cm / thumb of fresh turmeric – grated.
500g red lentils – or brown green or puy lentils work well too.
50 g desiccated coconut.
Can of coconut milk.
Refill can of water or veg stock.
Salt and pepper.
Heat pans and dry fry all the seeds until slight pungent smell. Tip into Mortar and leave to cool off. Add ghee and allow to melt and add seeds of cardamom and black cardamom. Grind seeds with pestle, add to ghee and allow to simmer. Add onion and garlic, season and gently fry off and then add grated turmeric. Add lentils and dry stir to mix with spices, then add coconut milk and extra can of water. Allow to simmer until lentils have softened, then add desiccated coconut. I like to leave this to cook on a really low heat so the flavours can really mingle but equally you can have ready in 20 minutes if you are hungry.
Delicious with spoonful of natural yoghurt, fresh coriander or sliced avocado and a serving of greens or some white basmati rice. The black cardamom is as big as olives and very hard so can be removed before serving but we like to leave them in and see who wins them as a prize in their dinner. All the above spices are hugely beneficial for this time of year. I won’t list them all now as the newsletter will get out of hand length wise, but I have in stock lots of Steenberg’s spices and herbs. If you want to know more, they are a great family business that source all their products organically, ethically and through fair trade. Their website is full of useful info if you would like to know more https://steenbergs.co.uk/ and lots of amazing goodies!
I’m not going to mention Christmas again but suffice to say there are candles, there are vouchers, and the Awakening Rose balms, oil and Scrubs make lovely gifts – yippee.
Ooh and last but not least, do try the rose quartz facial if you would like some zoning out and delicious time. Oils of rose absolute and rose geranium with rosehip and sunflower oil all smell amazing but also do wonders for the skin, easing fine lines and travelling deep into the skin to replenish, combining, alongside the cooling feel of the rose quartz massage tools, gua sha and eye pads to give a really special experience & treatment. £35 for 30-minute treatment.
Thank you for reading and thank you for lovely feedback it’s been lovely getting back into the swing of the newsletter and sharing the magic.
Much love,
