I have always been interested in holistic and natural good health, especially the importance of the body, mind and soul connection. As a child I suffered with asthma, eczema and problems with my sinuses. Â A doctor taught me to belly breathe when I was about 10 years old to combat shallow breathing which was worsening my problems. I was also introduced to yoga soon after where I discovered true relaxation of the mind and body. So began my love of yoga and meditation and my exploration into how we can take control of our own health for a better quality of life.
In my teens, Â as my breathing problems worsened, it occurred to me that I could be allergic to gluten as I craved a lot of wheat-based products, so I began to take wheat products out of my diet and was amazed at how much better I felt with more energy and less bloating.
I then began a long and successful career in  accounting, qualifying as an ACCA in 1997. I also decided to study cranio sacral therapy with the College of Cranio Sacral Therapy in London NW3 and qualified in 2005.  (As part of this course I also studied a year’s course in Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology).
Cranio-Sacral therapy is a very gentle therapy also using gentle hand contacts while observing the tides of the cranio-sacral system. This comprises the brain and spinal cord and the cerebro-spinal fluid which surrounds it. An important part of our training was the ‘butterfly’ touch, approaching the client’s energy field slowly and gently in order to respect their system and energy field around the body.
Then about 5 years ago I moved to Somerset from London as I felt the need to get back in touch with nature and achieve more balance in my life. It was soon after moving here that I decided to study reiki with a tutor based in Frome.
As soon as I started studying level 1, Â I began a daily practice of self-healing and found it so soothing and healing that I still do this on a daily basis. Â I found it soothed my spirit, reduced anxiety and left me feeling altogether more balanced and whole.
When I look back, I realised I had been using reiki as a natural way to find calm before I realised what reiki was. I would use a hand on my solar plexus or neck or wherever to calm, heal and soothe. It is almost an instinctive action.
I find the whole area of holistic healing fascinating and feel that reiki can be an important part of the way we take care of our health and wellbeing at a deep level. I feel there is so much to know and learn in the journey towards taking real control and responsibility over our health.
Relevant qualifications and memberships
2002 – 2005 Studied with College of Cranio Sacral Therapy in London NW3
2005 Qualified as Cranio Sacral Therapist
2016 – 2017 Studied with Pippa Howell, Frome, Somerset for Levels 1 and 2 Usui Reiki
