The Importance of Good Posture

~ claire ballardie

The Importance of Good Posture

Being aware of good posture on a daily basis has many health benefits. Tension can build up in the body so easily, causing postural changes. You can get rounded shoulders from spending hours hunched over a computer, or tension in the neck from driving.  Backache can be brought on by lifting, carrying heavy shopping bags, gardening, or spending a long time sitting down. Joints and ligaments are put under duress in sports. Poor posture increases this impact and reduces performance.

Ideally attending an exercise class, such as FLexercise which focuses on posture, and maintain the correct alignment of the spine while exercising. With understanding of good posture, this can be checked at home, by looking in a mirror.

What can good posture do for you?

Sitting

Being aware of how you are sitting, at home or at work, prevents back ache. It reduces tension in the neck and shoulders and improves the function of internal organs. Feeling less tired is aided by improved breathing technique- slouching over a desk prevents the lungs from being used fully.

Wellbeing

Standing tall improves confidence, and gives the appearance of being slimmer, even dropping a dress size: a sure way to get that ‘feel good factor! Lengthening the spine, and keeping the hips and shoulders in alignment, firming the central part of the trunk, the core muscles, giving more tone to the body. Being aware of maintaining an upright posture when standing improves overall balance, walking technique and the health and alignment of the feet. Paying attention to action of the feet, how they support the body, has a huge impact on overall posture, and the spine.

Sport

Correct posture in sport reduces strain on joints and ensures muscles work properly. It decreases stress on tendons and ligaments and improves muscle strength. Body function is improved, as is core strength and mobility. Muscles can work better: they develop strength, particularly in the back and stomach muscles, and the core.

What is Anxiety?

~ claire ballardie

Anxiety

What is Anxiety? 

Anxiety can be caused by feeling helpless, having too little information, or feeling overwhelmed with too much too much information to process, to make sense of.

Feeling overwhelmed, daunted by what would normally be simple daily activities? Confused, and unable to make decisions? Anxiety can manifest as thoughts jumbling in your head, worries going around and around in your mind. Sleep may be restless and intermittent. You may feel tense, or ‘on edge’, irritable, or be unable to relax.

 

NHS Definition of Anxiety

Counselling provides a safe place to explore what the cause of your anxiety is, and help you to devise strategies for coping with it. Levels of anxiety dramatically reduce, or disappear altogether, once you understand how and why you become stressed. Planning life changes, or different ways of seeing problems can dramatically alter confidence levels and self-worth.

Meditation and mindfulness are also great ways to calm a busy mind and to give space for rational thought.

 

 

Reiki for Animals

~ claire ballardie

Reiki for Animals

I have always had a close affinity with all animals, especially horses, for as long as I can remember. This has led me to working with Reiki to balance the body’s energy and promote natural healing.I can work with both you and your animal in a session.

Reiki for your horse

Your horse must feel at ease and in their normal surroundings and routine as much as possible in order to get the most from the treatment. A session will leave them feeling very relaxed and some horses take a nap soon after as part of the healing process.

A Reiki session can be anything up to an hour as the horse dictates when he/she has had enough by moving away. Some horses, like some people, take up and use the healing energy a lot more effectively than others.

Reiki can help to:

  • Reduce anxiety
  • Promote self-healing
  • Balance mind, body and soul
  • Promote relaxation
  • Reduce behavioural problems
  • Release blocked energy

Reiki for your pet

Reiki with Sammy

Your pet is best treated in familiar surroundings to aid relaxation. Reiki healing is a gentle contact with the animal with my hands, or I can work in close proximity. Most animals enjoy Reiki and will approach for this gentle touch when they are ready. Your pet may be quite sleepy afterwards and might want to rest quietly.

Animals instinctively know how much healing they need and will generally move away when they have had enough. Some animals choose to stay a short distance away but they will still receive the healing energy the same.

Reiki is not a substitute for veterinary treatment. If your animal is under veterinary care you re advised to obtain their permission for Reiki treatment to be given.

Price- from £40 plus travel.

Contact me to book an appointment for yourself or your horse/pet

The Veterinary Surgery Act of 1966 prohibits anyone, other than a qualified veterinary surgeon from treating animals, including diagnosis of ailments and giving advice on such diagnosis. However the healing of animals by contact healing, by laying of hands or distant healing is legal. The Protection of Animals Act 1911 requires that if an animal clearly needs treatment from a veterinary surgeon the owner must obtain this. To give emergency First Aid to animals for the purpose of saving life or relieving pain is permissible under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 Schedule 3. (taken from the Reiki Federation Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice- March 2002)

Eco Therapy

~ claire ballardie
Eco Therapy

I offer eco therapy at my practice in Market Lavington. We will discuss on our initial therapeutic counselling session if this would be an option for you.

What is Eco Therapy?

The counselling room is a great place to be, but the therapeutic counselling process can be experienced outside. The natural world is a living environment, and adds another dimension to therapy. It provides a neutral space for us to work and to develop the therapeutic relationship. Observations about the surroundings, weather conditions can be valuable additions and enrichment of your own journey.

Eco Therapy challenges the senses, opening up endless possibilities for self-awareness, relaxation, and a sense of being part of the world.

 

contact me for more details.

Mindfulness

~ claire ballardie
Mindfulness in Market Lavington
I offer mindfulness in Market Lavington. 
What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is about being able to

stay ‘in the moment’- to still a busy mind. It promotes calmness and concentration either with calming exercise, or being still. It is about being present with what is going right now for you- being aware of your surroundings, how you are feeling, focusing on yourself. It could be as simple as making a cup of tea, and focusing calmly on what you are doing right now rather than thinking about what you will do next, your shopping list, where you have to go in a while, and so on.

Mindfulness session

In a session, we will focus on your self-awareness- noticing your posture, breathing, and what your thoughts are. We will gradually focus on the present, what is happening right now, using mindfulness techniques.

Here is a short video about mindfulness in schools from the BBC London Facebook page.

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