I think we'll all agree that it's been yet another extraordinary year, with many highs and lows, with covid and other expressions we never expected to become part of our daily vocabulary from case numbers to PCR and antigen tests and so forth. And what a year it's been here at Blarney Wellness Centre too, I'm delighted that I had the opportunity to deepen my knowledge of the benefits of a dedicated meditation and mindfulness practice with my new qualification as an holistic counsellor and I recently qualified as a Reflexology Lymph Drainage Practitioner (RLD).

This groundbreaking and indeed game-changing therapy is incredibly supportive of lymphatic function and immunity and can give those who experience treatments a new lease of life and the results experienced by clients so far are amazing. I treat the person and not the condition and at each visit we discuss lifestyle including stress, pain and sleep issues and so much more.

Using this invaluable information I intuitively know what to work on to help balance body and mind and RLD falls beautifully into this. You can avail of a blended treatment OR exclusively RLD. Reflexology Lymph Drainage is suitable for most people except if you've active cellulitis, kidney failure or a heart defect.

I was also delighted to teach in person yoga classes again and I look forward to classes next year.

But more importantly than any of the above, I could not work in my chosen career without my wonderful and loyal clients and customers. You've booked again and again, recommended me to your friends and families and kept me going in the toughest times. A very special thank you also to my zoom Yogis and Yoginis who showed up week after week despite some technical difficulties.

So as we say goodbye to 2021 and a hopeful hello to 2022, I wish you all the happiest Christmas and a peaceful new year.

Thanks again. Pat

Ps please forgive the shameless advertising image!! 🙂

There is nothing more wonderful than treating pregnant women with the sublime reflexology and I'm so happy to offer it to clients throughout their pregnancies. I've worked with hundreds of women and their partners over the 2 plus decades that I've been a therapist and it never ceases to inspire and amaze me.

Watching the body as it changes, being able to help with swollen ankles, morning/all day sickness and discomfort is wonderful and the excitement when baby arrives is truly a gift. But above all I'm there to support every woman.

When is a good time to begin treatments? If you're a client of mine before you fall pregnant then we carry on with adjustments to your treatments, if you're new to my practice, I'll see you at approx week 32+. I treat the woman and not the pregnancy, it's a wonderful natural process and is truly unique to each woman, as are their feet!

If you'd like to begin treatments or purchase a gift voucher you can contact me at 087-9721149.

Thank you for reading.

Pat

Clinical reflexologist at Blarney Wellness Centre

As we approach another possible lockdown, the sense of anxiety is palpable. We worry about our minds, the economy, our children and our elderly friends and relatives. As this worry and anxiety rises, the effects on our bodies become apparent, we move into a fight or flight mode.

If you've ever experienced a "knot in your stomach" sensation then this is usually a tightening of your diaphragm muscle. This dome shaped muscle is like any other, it thrives on exercise and the best and indeed most effective exercise is deep breathing. When we actively and consciously breathe fully into the lungs our diaphragm moves downwards to make room for our lungs and as a result our belly expands while conversely the reverse happens when we breathe out.

However, the reverse occurs when we are in a deeply stressed mode. Training ourselves to breathe properly can have a transformational effect on our minds and bodies. Levels of cortisol and adrenaline are balanced with endorphins, our happy hormones. My tip is to set a timer for at least 5 minutes, sit or lie down, put you hands on your tummy and start to inhale, counting to 5, exhale counting to 7. repeat.

Repeat at bedtime and again before you get to of bed in the morning. 3 times a day should begin to re-set your stress reactions. The benefits to be reaped are potentially vast from deeper sleep, more resilience, stronger lung capacity and beyond.

I teach mindful breathing in my yoga and mediation classes each week .Thank you for reading and be kind to yourself.

Pat @babytoestobigtoescork

Happy new year to you and yours.

I've always loves the beginning of each year because of the myriad of possibilities promised and 2019 is already off to a flying start.

Baby classes and yoga for all feature strongly in the schedule and more listed below.

If you've always wanted to start yoga classes but have never taken that first step now is your opportunity and I promise that its one of the best pursuits for your health, both physical and emotional that you'll ever experience. Yoga enhances strength, flexibility, stress relief, sleep and most importantly mental wellbeing and it might even be a wee bit addictive. Here's the yoga schedule:

Mondays: 9:30am at Cork Therapy Centre, Tower (Gentle flow to start the week)

Tuesdays: 8pm at Blarney Golf Hotel. progressive with a twist so perfect if you've a reasonable level of fitness. Thursdays: 8pm at Cork Therapy Centre, Women's only class, girls aged 10 and up are most welcome accompanied by an adult.

All are courses so please enquire/book with me on 087-9721149

Therapies continue with advanced foot and facial or a combination of both.

Babies:

My brand new baby reflexology and massage courses are usually booked out and the next scheduled one begins on Tuesday 5th of February from 12pm ( subject to change). I'm very excited to share my proven techniques with parents after 21 years as a therapist and 15 as n infant massage instructor. suitable for babies pre-crawling.

Thank you and again, happiest of New Years.

Pat 0879721149