I'd like to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a very happy and healthy 2008!I'm taking a break and will be with my family in South Africa. I'll be back and ready for massage on 28th January. A big, big THANK YOU to all my clients and I look forward to seeing you next ye...

Last week I thought I'd take my own advice and go for a run on a treadmill. The temperature outside was literally sub-zero and I'm not a masochist. Off I went to my local leisure centre. I said " I'd like a session on the treadmill please". The young man behind the desk said...

'Tis the season to be jolly thanks to:- the internet - taking the pain out of Christmas Shopping- Gumtree and E-Bay who help my clients find me- Healthypages which is a constant support of inspiration and advice- discovering the best way to melt chocolate- meeting up with good friends...

Time Magazine has published an interesting article - which goes so far as to say that post-operative massage gives similar pain relief to morphine! I remember being taught at massage school something called the "pain gate theory". Pain travels through the body via nerve fibres...

I found this BRILLIANT site which illustrates and explains the anatomy and physiology of the human body - Get Body Smart.It shows how every bit and part of us affects another part. For instance, did you know that sitting down at a computer for most of the day shortens the hamstrings...

My partner Anthony just loves Christmas. I woke up this morning to him inserting choccies into our felt advent calendars. He still has his from childhood. Yes, two adults with their very own advent calendars and not a child in sight. Now as regular readers will know, I'm not...

This week I'm thankful for:- E-Bay - where I intend to shop for some unique Christmas presents- Low cost calling numbers so I can stay in touch with my family in S.A- Croatia beating England - at last England have got a major wake up call- Organic farmers- The yoga workshop I attended....

The cold winter nights have drawn in and finding the motivation to maintain cardio-vascular fitness is a struggle. Especially if you're used to jogging or cycling outdoors.I try and run on the weekends in daylight. However, with massage appointments and social commitments to fit...

I often ponder on how the word "stressed" must be one of the most over-used words in the English language and becoming more so as each year passes.Did our forefathers, even our grandparents, use the word very much? I would imagine my Gran, who was newlywed and newly pregnant when...

Another week and another "latest" diet revolution. Usually I take these new fad diets with a pinch of salt. I mean honestly, these "new discoveries" are simply lining someone's pocket. The cabbage soup diet, the chocolate diet, the sex diet yadda, yadda, yadda. However, it would...

This week I'm thankful for:- Discovering the best Mexican food in London- crisp autumn days - with sunshine so bright it hurts your eyes- 100 sheep marching in single file past my window first thing in the morning- clear night skies where you can see every twinkling star- discovering...

Being a massage therapist is more of a vocation, or calling, than a way to get rich and retire early. However, one part-time massage therapist hit the jackpot when she took a job in a small company that started out in a garage. Find out more about the massage millionairess.Talk about right place, right time...

Sometimes a new client expresses surprise at my consultation form. As a holistic therapist [the word holistic is derived from the greek work holos - meaning "whole"] I look at my client as a complete system rather than dividing them into parts. For instance, you may have a stiff...

Newsflash! Not all take-aways are that bad. If you choose wisely the occasional slobby night in on the sofa, eating out of polystyrene containers, can be relatively guilt free.For instance chicken chop suey is way chic-er than sweet and sour pork and prawn madras is the kate moss...

This week I'm grateful for:- Fairhills Fairtrade Organic Wine [South African]- sunny autumn days- watching Robert De Niro in Stardust- I love him even more!- missing the baby bunny hopping over the road- good health- my regular clie...

Perhaps an age old question: Does more wealth bring you happiness? The billions who play the lottery world wide certainly think so. I confess, come a roll over - even though my chances are now more remote than ever - I buy into the fantasy and before I know it I'm handing over real...

My partner Anthony has baked precisely one item in his life. He got inspired by watching "Nigella's Christmas" last year [what man doesn't find Nigella attractive?] and proceeded to bake Nigella's Chocolate Fruitcake. It was divine! He's already planning his next foray into the...

Ever found yourself slumped over your computer at lunchtime, aimlessly surfing the web? Tsk, Tsk! you should be getting up from your desk and going for a walk in the fresh air and natural light. However, should it be raining or snowing or you're bored senseless with the streets around you office, you could do a lot worse than give yourself a 5...

I was rather remiss last week not to include a gratitude post but to be frank I wasn't feeling grateful for anything. I was having a bad week! Typically, this was counter-productive. As contemplating on "whats good" was the very thing I should have been doing.Anyway........ I'm...

This article concludes the three part series on "How Massage Works" by Gerry Pyves, the founder of No Hands Massage."Thanks to getting regular massage your body is beginning to remember the power of touch from when you were a baby and your life revolved around simple touch. You have...

Following on from my previous post here's an opportunity to learn more about how massage works, based on cumulative touch. Written by Gerry Pyves the founder of No Hands Massage"If you were wise, you booked this second session for just 1 week after your first, so you could get all...

In our current social climate geared towards quick fixes and instant gratification it's good to take a step back and realise that there's hardly ever such a thing. Unless you're talking about mending your broken glasses with some sticky tape.I'd like to quote from Gerry Pyves...

This week I'm grateful for:- Will and Grace Series 5 boxset- my former Sports Massage tutor for giving me fantastic advice- realising that mistakes are opportunities to learn- living in a privileged and safe country- having the freedom to make choi...