Nidra Gong Bath

This week a friend invited me to attend a Nidra Gong Bath at Alchemy Health Clinic in Wimborne. As this was a completely new experience for me I was only too happy to say yes! The hour long session was hosted by Jane Morgan Jones, who leads you first into Nidra Yoga (a kind of yogic sleep) with a guided meditation over an earthy heartbeat soundtrack and Scania Price, who then begins a meditation using gongs, shruti and mantra. The word bath has nothing to do with actual water - it refers to the sound of the gongs washing over you.

All that was required for the session was a yoga mat, a pillow and a blanket and all that we had to do was lie back, get cosy, relax and listen. Easy peasy!

The Yoga Nidra was familiar territory to me, as Jane guided us into a deeply relaxed state by first asking us to focus on each part of our bodies in turn, imagining them getting heavier and sinking into the ground. We were asked to bring attention to our breathing, becoming aware of how the breath entered and left our nostrils. Jane then took us into a journey of visualisation, asking us to picture a series of images in our minds - a blue lotus flower, a palm tree, a field of sunflowers, a smiling buddha and many more besides. She led us down a pathway to a little temple where we found ourselves face to face with our own reflections shining in a large gong ... and that was where the magic began.

Scania uses the gongs intuitively to build and release emotions and tensions - sometimes all you hear is a gentle, reassuring rumble, at other times it builds to an overwhelming crescendo of noise that vibrates and works its way through every cell of your body.  Despite the volume, you remain utterly still and relaxed ... I never once felt like I was going to fall asleep but I was definitely somewhere else ... in that space that exists between consciousness and sleep.

Different people experience different things during the meditation - for me it was a sense of something travelling right through my body and making physical changes, for my friend it was a series of colours and imagery popping up from nowhere. And I'm sure that when I go again it will be a completely new and different experience!

As the gongs died away at the end of the meditation we were brought back round by Scania singing a beautiful mantra and the gentle rustling of leaves - which to me conjured up mental images of a thousand doves fluttering their wings all around us. Finally, Jane invited us to slowly return to consciousness as the aroma of burning sage filled the room.  Afterwards there was the opportunity to ask questions or to comment on our experiences during the meditation. I felt amazing - cleansed, relaxed, energised, a million times lighter ... more alive! It was a truly profound and uplifting experience and I will definitely be going back for more next month.

I would especially recommend the Nidra Gong Bath for anyone experiencing stress, depression or needing to find clarity of thought. It really is good therapy!

I did feel slightly lightheaded and a little nauseous for a while after the session, but as a therapist I recognise this as part of the cleansing and healing process. It's advisable to take a bottle of water with you to drink afterwards, as this will help to facilitate the process and minimise these temporary side effects.

You can catch the next Nidra Gong Baths at the following locations:

The Italian Villa at Compton Acres Gardens, Poole - 17 August, 12pm, £10

Alchemy Health Clinic, Leigh Road, Wimborne - 28 August, 7.30pm, £10

Click here for a video of Scania in action on the Gongs!

Thermo Auricular Therapy

There's always so much illness floating around at this time of year, with colds and flu bringing a whole range of ear, nose and throat complications. As a result, one treatment I offer becomes increasingly in demand for its ability to bring balance to the ears and for its warming, soothing and intensely relaxing properties.

Thermo Auricular Therapy (or Hopi Ear Candles, as it is often better known) can help conditions including blocked sinuses, headaches, sore throats, excessive ear wax, tinnitus, rhinitis, catarrh and even snoring! But quite aside from these benefits, it is one of the most relaxing treatments I offer - perfect for warming up a cold winter's day. On an emotional level and spiritual level it can help to release stress and tension, provide relaxation and bring calm to the mind.

This ancient and natural therapy has been handed down by many civilisation, most notably the native American Indian Hopi tribe, from whom the candles take their name.

What are the candles made from?

I use Biosun Hopi ear candles, which are an all-natural product made from organic flax which is woven and then steeped in honey and herbs including sage, St John's Wort and chamomile. After several weeks the fabric is removed and the candles are made - hollow tubes which are then dried and coated in pure beeswax.

What happens during a treatment?

The treatment takes place with the client lying on their side fully clothed - I like to make sure they are kept cosy and warm with fleece blankets, to burn some warming essential oils such as cinnamon and to have some relaxing music playing quietly in the background.

The side of the face is protected with a light cloth, and the candle is then lit, inserted gently into the ear and supported there at all times. My hand remains below the red 'maximum burn level' line which is about 3 inches from the bottom of the candle, so is always there as a barrier between the client and the flame.

The chimney effect which is created by the candle gently warms and vibrates the ear, and can help to restore balance in the ear/sinuses and to soften wax. The client gets a feeling of warmth in the ear as the herbal vapour circulates around - the smell is also rather pleasant!

Before the candles reach the red line for maximum burn level they are removed and safely extinguished in water before the other side is treated in similar fashion.

The best way to describe the sensations experienced during an ear candling treatment it is to imagine lying near a fireside and hearing the gentle crackling and popping of the flames as you relax and drift away. The treatment finishes with a beautiful facial massage which aids relaxation and sinus clearing, and is guaranteed to leave you feeling cosy and ready for your bed!

It is worth noting here that ear candles do not draw hard and compact ear wax up inside them. Ear candles may pull a small amount of loose or flaky earwax or dead skin cells from the very external part of the ear, (which is gently brushed free of debris by the therapist using a cotton wool bud after treatment) but the residue that remains inside the candle after treatment is actually beeswax and honey that has not burnt away completely.

Who is the treatment suitable for?

Hopi Ear Candles are a safe treatment for all, apart from in the case of ear inflammation or infections, perforated ear drums, grommets or epilepsy. It's important to remember that they are not a cure-all treatment, but they may provide some relief from the conditions listed earlier. Why not give it a go?

The Science of Life

I'm giving a lovely treatment later this week, which not only feels fantastic, but when performed regularly can actually rejuvenate the face and diminish the appearance of wrinkles. Too good to be true, you say?  Read on ....

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurvedic facial massage is based on the ancient therapeutic principles of Ayurveda, which has been practiced in India for thousands of years and is one of the world's oldest holistic healing systems. Translating from the Sanskrit as "life science", Ayurveda promotes the idea that good health is achieved when your mind, body and spirit are in harmony, and that any disruption of this harmony can lead to ill health. Its primary focus is on promoting good health rather than fighting disease.

What's your dosha?

Under Ayurvedic principles, we are all comprised of three vital energies called doshas, known as vata, pitta and kapha. All three doshas are present within each of us to varying degrees, and are responsible for the characteristics of our mind and body. We tend to have one or maybe two dominant ones. It is when these doshas become unbalanced due to factors such as stress, our environment, our diet etc that we become ill.

What does the treatment include?

An Ayurvedic facial treatment begins with the client filling out a simple questionnaire to determine their dominant dosha. This will in turn allow the therapist to select a carrier oil that will suit the client's dosha profile and help keep them in balance according to Ayurveda.

The treatment itself is incredibly soothing - small circular movements are made with the fingers (first anti-clockwise and then clockwise) on the marma points (energy centres) of the face, neck and scalp.

What are the benefits?

Release of tension in the facial muscles
Improved skin tone/vitality
Stimulation of lymphatic drainage and circulation
Relaxation and rejuvenation
Harmony/balance across the whole body

This treatment isn't known as a natural facelift for nothing - it really can give your skin a wonderful rejuvinating boost and help reduce the appearance of fine lines on the face. Definitely one to try!