Meditation in Market Lavington
Sessions are a combination of Meditation, slowing mental activity and Mindfulness – being present and “in the moment.” One to one sessions available, outdoors in my lovely grounds or therapy room.
Sessions are a combination of Meditation, slowing mental activity and Mindfulness – being present and “in the moment.” One to one sessions available, outdoors in my lovely grounds or therapy room.
A variety of mindfulness practices connected us to the healing power of nature, with great participation from the group.The Tai Chi section, and drumming amongst the trees proved very popular and terrific fun to do.
The day ended with the creation of a fabulous mandala, just using natural items nearby.
Come and join Claire and Dawn for our next wonderful day on Friday 9th September 2022 in a quiet and private setting, offering a unique and rustic feel among the woodland and fields.
dawn@stepping-stones-counselling.co.uk
Claire Ballardie 07710 420357
I had a lovely chat this afternoon with Dom Cotter at BBC Gloucester Radio about Nature Therapy.
Whatever the weather, there is always an element we can connect to in some way with our senses. The snow drops are coming up, and hanging in there, tempting us to look forwards to new growth as spring arrives.
I am on just after 5pm, after a track from Madonna!
Claire Ballardie on Nature Therapy with Dom Cotter BBC Radio Gloucester
Attachment is a biological impetus to survive throughout life. Experiencing an enduring and consistent relationship develops a secure attachment style, enabling the exploration of the world, with the knowledge that the secure base is consistently accessible.
Attachment theory by John Bowlby, examines the attachment styles learned from a very young age, in a response to separation, which influence childhood behaviour and develop as survival mechanism as adults. Separation from a secure attachment figure, causes emotional distress, such as anger, anxiety and depression, affecting attachment behaviour (Mary Ainsworth).
Mary Main, a student of Mary Ainsworth, related Ainsworth’s findings in infant attachment to adult attachment. She suggested that an individual’s Internal Working Model was developed from learning from parental example. This model was a blueprint for understanding life experience. Being both physically separated from loved ones, and emotionally distant renders the attachment insecure.
A particular style of attachment will lead to a distinct behaviour pattern and way of establishing relationships. This has implications for the building of relationships with friends, loved ones, pets and, not forgetting, the therapist.
A Secure – a loving, trustful relationship, where ‘someone has your back’. In a secure relationship, it is easy to be yourself, feel valued, and to have your needs met.
Styles of insecure attachment as adults are identified as:
Ambivalent – a ‘take it or leave it’ approach to relating to others.
Avoidant– resisting intimacy with others, reluctant to commit to relationships, withdrawing from others.
Disorganised– fluctuating between seeking approval, and pushing others away.
Dismissive– a lack of trust in others, low self-esteem, feeling unworthy of being loved.
Preoccupied– difficulty in committing full attention to others.
Building a relationship with the therapist is influenced by learned attachment styles. The role of the therapist is to be the ‘safe base’ for the client, and to learn about the client’s ‘internal working model’, their individuality. The therapist offers support without judgement, in a role of trust, enabling the client to explore their own relationships with others.
Exploring the attachment style between therapist and client, noticing what strengthens, or disrupts, the therapeutic relationship, paves the way for a secure attachment with the therapist, with an ease of communication developing.
Learning to communicate with others helps to build, or repair, relationships with our loved ones. Forming a secure attachment in adulthood, that may have been missing from childhood, leads to improved self-worth, self-confidence, and a capacity to love, and be loved.
©Claire Ballardie 2022
References
Ainsworth, M., Blehar, M., Waters, E., & Wall, S. (1978) Patterns of Attachment: A psychological study of the strange situation. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum
M. Parkes and Bowlby, J. (1988) A Secure Base. London: Routledge
Crittenden, P, M. (2017) Gifts from Mary Ainsworth and John Bowlby. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry (2017) Vol. 22 (3) 436-442
Main, M. (2000) ‘The Organized Categories of Infant, Child, and Adult Attachment: Flexible Vs. Inflexible Attention Under Attachment-Related Stress’, Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, 48(4), pp. 1055–1096. doi: 10.1177/00030651000480041801. (Accessed 7 February 2022).
Murray-Parkes, C., Stevenson-Hinde, J. & Marris P. (1993) Attachment across the Life Cycle. Routledge.
I am now offering FLexercise with Claire exercise video downloads.
Here is a sample.
Downloadable sessions cost £20 per four week period (equivalent to £5 per week).
On receipt of your payment, I will send you a link to six workouts of between 13-15 minutes in length. You can access these can be accessed as many times as you like for the duration of four weeks. (please note some of the workouts may be repeated in different combinations)
If you are new to FLexercise please complete and return the registration form by email.
Click on the button below to pay for video links.
I also take credit card payments by sending you a link.
To pay by bank transfer, please contact me for details.
Please note there is no refund if for any reason you do not get around to using the videos within the allocated time frame.
As with all exercise programs, you are advised to consult with a medical practitioner/GP before commencing any new fitness programs and to stop immediately and seek medical advice if you experience any discomfort or pain. By performing any fitness exercises, you are performing them at your own risk.
Claire Ballardie, FLexercise or Wiltshire Wellbeing will not be responsible or liable for any injury or harm you sustain as a result of our fitness program, online fitness videos, or information shared on our website.