Yoga teacher Izzy Ixer has a special offer for new clients
For bookings made for her 8 week yoga programme and paid for by 31 March you will receive a free yoga mat and carry bag.
For bookings made for her 4 or 6 week yoga programme made and paid for by 31 March you will receive a free yoga book.
So miss these great new offers. Call the Centre on 01394 388234. For more information about Izzy visit her page on our website.
For February our therapy of the month is Hypnotherapy – here hypnotherapist Mike Buckley talks about what this is and what it can do.
‘Hypnotherapy can be a deeply relaxing experience, which can create powerful change and desirable effects. It can be simply a very relaxed state of mind, similar to daydreaming, keeping full control, or it can be done very effectively through the skilful use of language and subtle methods by the therapist in your normal awake state. It can be used for many things such as confidence issues, anxiety, stress, depression, phobias, stopping smoking, public speaking, social and relationship issues, pain relief, exams and tests, interviews and sports performance.
The proven techniques from the theories of Cognitive, Analytical Hypnotherapy, NLP and Psychotherapy can be applied safely and with great effect dealing with many emotional, psychological and even physical issues.
Cognitive Hypnotherapy is essentially the use of relaxation techniques, guided visualisation, taught thought processes and other useful and empowering techniques to promote rapid change. It can teach you how to prepare yourself for expected and unexpected challenges you wish to perform well in. It can also teach you how to change unhelpful thought patterns to useful ones and help you deal with fears, phobias, confidence problems, anger, stress, anxiety and physical issues all with the power of your own mind.
Analytical Hypnotherapy is a technique combined with proven Psychotherapeutic theory and can potentially locate the root of an issue, for example past experiences that have an effect on the present. This can have a very powerful effect in resolving long standing emotional issues such as anxiety, depression and other emotional difficulties. An in depth consultation would be needed first before commencing this level of work and may not be suitable for everyone. This level of work can produce remarkable results because when we deal with the root of something, the symptoms that used to cause the difficulty can be relieved.’
Mike is qualified in Hypnotherapy and NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) and has many years of experience in his private practice. He has a Diploma in Hypnotherapy/Psychotherapy with the School Analytical and Cognitive Hypnotherapy, and an Advanced Diploma in Analytical Hypnotherapy and Integrative Psychotherapy.
He is Principal of the East Anglian Institute of Hypnotherapy and teaches new therapists.
If you would like to know more about Mike’s work at the centre you can visit his page on our website here where you will find a link to his own website. Alternatively call the centre on 01394 388234.
8th – 14th February is Children’s Metal Health Week – a subject not often talked about. Here nutritionist Nicky Seabrook talks about a link between diet and mental health in children.
Nutrition is intimately linked to brain biochemistry. By improving a child’s diet you can greatly improve their mood, sleep patterns, energy levels and enthusiasm for everyday life.
In 2005 the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued guidelines stating that children under 18 should not be treated with antidepressants before diet, counselling and exercise are tried first.
Today we understand a little more about brain biochemistry. For example, we know that there are three key neurotransmitters: serotonin which makes us happy and adrenalin and noradrenalin which motivate us.
Some children may suffer low levels of these neurotransmitters if they do not get adequate intakes of specific nutrients or take insufficient exercise or have a lot of stress in their lives.
The following are recognised nutritional imbalances that can lead to poor mental health:
- Poor blood sugar balance
- Deficiencies of B vitamins
- Low intakes of magnesium, zinc and essential oils
- Low intakes of tryptophan and tyrosine from protein
- Food allergies and intolerances
Nutritional Therapy can support children’s recovery from depression and behavioural disorders.
Please contact Nicky Seabrook BSc.Dip.IONmBANT CNHC at the centre for further advice on 01394 388234 or visit her page on our website.
Richard Graham, Physiotherapist, Acupuncturist and Manipulative Therapist has upgraded his professional memberships and joined the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists.
This means that not only is he registered with the Chartered Society but also the British Medical Acupuncture Society as well as the Health Professions Council. This carries a lot more credibility and influence for referrals with local GP’s and other medical practitioners within the NHS.
Richard has been practicing as a physiotherapist since about 1990 and registered with the Health Professions Council when they first regulated the profession.
As time has progressed the Chartered Society have grown. Now generally GP’s and insurance companies prefer patients to be referred to members of the Chartered society, so he decided to join and take advantage of their Professional Development programmes.
If you’d like to know more about Richard and his work then you can visit his page on our website or call the Centre on 01394 388234.
We are well into winter now and our vitamin D levels are likely to be low after several months of reduced sunlight. Oily fish are the richest source of vitamin D in our diet and below is a recipe which is easy to make and very tasty.
Vitamin D is an important vitamin. It helps to prevent osteoporosis, cancer and there is early evidence that there may be a link with vitamin D levels and the development of Muscular Sclerosis.
Please note vitamin D can be toxic if supplemented at high levels. If you are taking a supplement containing this vitamin it is best to have a test first to assess your blood levels.
Nicky Seabrook BSc.Dip.IONmBANT CNHC
Fish curry
This recipe is adapted from a book called ‘smart food for smart kids’ by Patrick Holford and Fiona Mcdonald Joyce.
If you can find wild salmon rather than farmed salmon this is an even richer source of vitamin D.
Ingredients
- 1 tblsp olive oil
- 3 tblsp of mild or medium curry paste
- 2 large onions finely sliced
- 2 red and yellow peppers diced
- 100g block of coconut
- 1/2 pint hot vegetable or chicken stock
- 600g of fresh tuna or salmon cut into large chunks.(Salmon is best as it is an oily fish)
Method
- Heat the oil in a large frying pan or saucepan and add the curry paste, cooking it for 2 – 3 minutes.
- Add the onions and peppers and cook until soft.
- Pour in the stock, stir and bring to the boil. Add the block of coconut and reduce the heat. Simmer until all the coconut has melted and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Add the fish and simmer for a further 5 – 8 minutes or until the fish is cooked.
- Serve with rice and a seasonal vegetable.
Serves 4 – 6
If you would like to know more about nutrition at the Centre then you can call us on 01394 388234 or visit Nicky’s page on our website.
Our therapy of the month for January is Herbalism – here herbalist Emma Dalton talks about the therapy, how she came to be an herbalist and the extensive study she has undertaken in recent years.
Medical herbalism is the original form of medicine going back thousands of years. The science developed into being an apothecary before being superseded by the pharmaceutical industry in the 20th century. The industry took treatments and determined what they thought we’re the active constituents. They then found ways of synthesizing them and patenting them in order to construct a lucrative industry. For example, aspirin was based on the use of meadowsweet and willow bark as a pain relief. Digoxin (a heart medicine) comes from a synthesized version of Foxglove (digitalis). Chemo treatments use Taxol from the yew tree.
As medical herbalists, we have hundreds of years of evidence to prove how the herbs work with the body. Culpeper is the famous herbalist who wrote down uses for the layperson and his book is still referred to. However the pharmaceutical industry insists on having Evidence Based Medicine (EBM), and this requires vast sums of money. EBM requires 100 or more people with the same symptoms to be prescribed one medicine and for them to all respond the same. Unfortunately in Medical Herbalism or many others holistic treatments such as homeopathy, we do not prescribe the same herbs in the same way to many people. In fact, if identical twins with identical symptoms came to see us, it is unlikely that they would be given the exact same prescription.
In a consultation a medical herbalist will take a full case history, including all prescription medicines, and may also perform a clinical examination. We are trained to do the same clinical examinations, as a doctor would perform e.g. musculoskeletal, heart, lungs, and nervous system. We normally take blood pressure and ask to look at your tongue as well. After taking all of this into account, we prescribe a mixture of herbs that will help to alleviate symptoms. This is normally in the form of tinctures (liquids) but can also be a tea (especially for urinary problems), and creams for skin conditions.
I trained as an herbalist as I was bought up on a farm where it was normal to use herbs for treatment. Both sides of my family were involved in farming and one of my great grandmothers was a passionate user of herbs, homeopathy and Bach flower remedies (she studied with Dr Bach).
I came to complementary medicine when I was 18 and had a severe form of glandular fever that affected my liver. I realised that orthodox medicine could only help so far and I sought to find help and found that through various therapies including homeopathy. My GP was also a homeopath and he encouraged me to train, even telling me who and where to study. The homeopathy training was over 4 years in London and I was taught herbs as well as homeopathy, as herbs are important within this therapy too. I graduated in 2003 and went on to do 4 more years with an anthroposophical doctor, in London, studying herbs, homeopathy and anthroposophical medicine.
In 2010 I found out that Statutory Regulation of Medical Herbalism was proposed in the UK. As a homeopath I might need a specific recognised qualification in Medical Herbalism, if this were to happen, which was only available in three universities, two of which were in London. After huge amounts of research I embarked on a full time degree at The University of Lincoln, which has the best training in the UK. The course covered the use of herbs, as you might expect, but the majority of the course was actually very medically based: anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, biochemistry, phytochemistry, pharmacy, research methods, differential diagnosis, and clinical examination skills.
In 2015 I graduated with a First Class Bachelor of Science degree with a First in my dissertation on the use of Silybum marianum (milk thistle) and its use for Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Non Alcoholic Steato Hepatitis (NASH).
If you’d like to know more about herbalism then visit Emma’s page on our website or call the Centre on 01394 388234.
A Happy New Year to everyone from WCHC.
So, the time for indulgence is over! Evenings sipping mulled wine are over for another year; the turkey carcass lies empty and even the Christmas cake has nearly gone in most families.
January is a great time to kick-start a healthier life style and many people include taking up some sort of exercise routine as part of their new year’s resolution.
From a nutritional point of view, it is the liver, which really deserves our attention at this time of year. This remarkable organ, which processes a wide range of chemicals, hormones, bacteria and food on a daily basis, is well worth nourishing after a period of intense eating and drinking. Key nutrients are antioxidants to disable free radicals, sulphur amino acids to help phase two detoxification and a good supply of B vitamins and magnesium.
Specific foods to provide these nutrients include turmeric, ginger, cruciferous vegetables, berries, onions, garlic and citrus fruits.
Below is a favourite soup of my family, which includes some of these ingredients.
Spicy Sweet Potato Soup
(This makes 2 litres: -enough for 7-8 portions)
Ingredients
- 1tblsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion sliced
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 tsp cumin seeds, crushed
- 1 tsp coriander seeds, crushed
- ½ inch of fresh ginger grated
- 1 green chilli seeded and chopped
- Zest and juice of 1 lime
- 1 tsp honey
- 340g sweet potato, diced
- 340g butter nut squash, diced
- 1.2 litres of vegetable stock
- 400g tinned chick peas, drained
- Seasoning
- Handful of fresh coriander leaves, chopped
Method
- Heat the oil and fry the onion and garlic in a covered saucepan for 10 minutes.
- Stir in the spices, ginger, chilli, lime zest and honey. Stir well.
- Add the sweet potato and butternut squash. Add the juice of half the lime and the vegetable stock.
- Cover and bring to the boil and simmer for about 10 minutes until the vegetables are almost tender.
- Add the chickpeas and check seasoning. Simmer for another 10 minutes.
- Add the other half of the lime juice and liquidize until smooth.
- Reheat gently and stir in coriander leaves just before serving.
- Garnish with a swirl of natural yoghurt.
If you feel your health is not as good as you would want it to be for 2016 then please call the centre on 01394 388234 to ask about a nutritional consultation or visit my page here.
Nicky Seabrook BSc.Dip.IONmBANT CNHC
Yoga teacher – Izzy Ixer – shares her thoughts on why, if you really want to make New Year resolutions, you need to think about them carefully…..
This is the time when we think about the year ahead and begin to feel under pressure to make New Year commitments or resolutions. A quick look at Twitter reveals that recording your first Youtube video, adopting a more competitive attitude to sport or gearing yourself up to win a prize on Amazon are some of the things people are resolving to pay attention to in 2016.
Some of us see the New Year as an opportunity to set ourselves a new challenge and get fired up to achieve something great. To the less competitive among us, this may be too much. Perhaps we need to simply look at a new way of doing things – walking a little more, eating a little less, finding a new author to read – and leave the big things to others. But how do we decide? And how do we avoid making rash resolutions at the last minute, which fail within the first few weeks of the New Year?
Our own time is a precious resource. We need to think carefully and prioritise how we use it. So don’t make New Year resolutions until you’ve thought about it carefully and worked out how you really want to use your time and energy!
As a coach I am used to asking people questions about what they would like to achieve and what resources they need to make things happen. One of the best self-coaching tools we can all use to see where we need to apply effort in our lives is a spidergram or a mind-map. These techniques allow us to work from the big things in our life, such as our health, work, leisure activities, personal skills, family life and to explore and capture our needs and ambitions in each of those areas. Representing these as a picture, by using a series of interconnected images, words, shapes and lines gives us a visual image of these different areas of our lives and helps us to look at where our efforts can really add value and move us forward in achieving our goals. There’s a link to more information about spidergrams, mind mapping and the difference between them at the end of my blog.
There’s software available to help you and I’ve included a link to some of the options. However, a pencil, an eraser and a large piece of paper are all you need. Write your name in a circle at the centre of the page. Draw circles for around this for the main areas of your life, such as your health, and connect them to you. You can branch into more detail to show the things you are achieving and the things you’d like to achieve. Use pictures and colours if you’d like to. The process of drawing your diagram can be a therapeutic exercise in itself – rather like clearing out and organising a cluttered cupboard! As your diagram progresses you will see that some areas have a lot of activity around them and others less so. Use this information to decide where you feel you need to spend your time in the coming year in order to balance your life and achieve your goals. You can also see where there are gaps in your life where there is little or no activity. For example, is most of your effort focussed around work? And if so, what could you do to balance this?
Once you have a good enough version of your diagram in front of you, take a good look and use it to decide how you can prioritise your time in the coming year. Then make a carefully considered New Year’s resolution! Check back to your diagram occasionally as things may change as the year goes on. And remember that a carefully considered commitment for the New Year is worth more than a hasty decision as the clock chimes midnight!
Happy New Year to you all!
Links to resources
As well as being one of our yoga teachers, Izzy Ixer is Director and Principal Consultant of Blue Pebble Coaching Ltd. You can find out more about Izzy’s yoga here and Blue Pebble Coaching here.
To book a one to one yoga session with Izzy call the centre on 01394 388234
We are collecting for EACH (East Anglian Children’s Hospice) this Christmas and have two boxes in reception collecting Christmas gifts for both Adults and Children who are staying at the Hospice in Ipswich.
We thought that it was a good idea to donate to this charity rather than send cards or presents to each other.
If you would like to donate something that would be very much appreciated, so please come and visit us at the Centre, you can find the address on our website or call us on 01394 388234.