Surviving the Winter Solstice

~ claire ballardie

In the UK, 21st December is the winter solstice, where the earth is at its furthest point from the Sun, following its elliptical path. The North Pole is tilted away from the sun’s light, meaning less daylight. It has been celebrated for thousands of years as the start of astrological winter.

Surviving the Solstice

 

So, on the shortest day of the year, I set off to Stonehenge. Living only 20 minutes away from the ancient stones, I thought it was about time I experienced the winter solstice celebrations, to see what it was all about. For me, once the shortest day is out of the way, the only way is onwards and upwards, looking forwards to gradually more sunlight on the approach to spring.

 

Getting there was simple- following the diversion signs took us easily to the car park, there were plenty of buses, and the half hour walk in the dark to the stone circle was invigorating in the chilly winter air.

Galloping towards the stones

 

I found being in a ‘holding pen’ with a large crowd of people  a bit claustrophobic, but pounding across the field with everyone to the stones  was quite exciting.

We squashed into the inner circle to welcome the sunrise, but as it was cloudy, we experienced a ‘lightening of the sky’.

 

 

Stone at Stonehenge

 

 

The sounds of drumming and chanting were atmospheric, despite being squashed against one of the massive stones. I took advantage of its grounding energy to keep calm, while casting an eye around for way out.

 

 

Sunrise at Stonehenge

I saw my opportunity to escape, and followed in the slip stream of a mother and daughter, forging a path through the people. My January sales elbows’ were required to get through, and I was tutted at, glared at and even poked as I kept my eye on my chosen route out.

 

 

colourful costume

 

Once out, I could enjoy the spectacle. I sat on the mound which surrounded the stones, giving me a great vantage point to enjoy the drumming, dancing, and ‘people watch’. Dawn braved the crowds to experience the drumming at close quarters.

 

 

We walked back to the bus in the daylight, surrounded by excited chattering voices, starting to feel the effects of an early start. We set off home  for a much-needed bacon sandwich,. I felt as though I had been on a transatlantic flight, so spent the afternoon sleeping off the ‘jet lag’!

I have woken this morning bright as a button. I feel as though I have been fully part of the earth’s shift into winter, experiencing my own ‘energetic shift’.

Would I do it again? Maybe not at Stonehenge, as I think for me its a ‘once in a lifetime experience’, but thoughts for next year are turning towards Avebury!

The stream after the storm

~ claire ballardie

The stream after the storm

After the last few days of rainstorms, our usually placid stream became more energetic with the volume of water pushing along its route. I hope you enjoy this short film, and embrace whatever energy it brings you.




 

Movement for the Mind

~ claire ballardie

Movement for the mind works by helping us focus on the way our body is affected when we are anxious or fearful. Focusing on how we feel in our bodies helps to identify physical sensations, which can relate to emotional issues. I work with you one-to-one  using gentle stretching exercises, focusing on posture, to help you to connect mind and body.

Learning how to stretch and relax your body also calms the mind.   Gentle Tai-chi based exercise helps to relieve stress and tension  creating a sense of calm and to lift your mood.

Controlled breathing and focusing mindfully on how you are moving helps you to focus ‘in the moment’. This can be part of on-going therapy, using techniques in your counselling sessions, especially working with trauma, where understanding the body helps to access underlying fears in a calm and safe way.

Exercise helps you to feel positive about yourself, increasing your self-esteem, which is a useful tool in coping with life on a day to day basis. As well as improving your energy levels and improving sleep and digestion, the sense of achievement increases self-worth and lifts your mood, reducing stress and improving resilience to life events.

Walk and Talk Outdoor Counselling

~ claire ballardie

Walk and Talk outdoor counselling is available at my psychotherapy practice. A short walk from my therapy room, private, secluded fields offer an inspiring place for counselling.  Your first session will start in the therapy room so we can discuss the best way to help you. Sessions are usually be a blend of indoor/outdoors.

Being surrounded by nature can help us to reconnect with our senses and emotions, as well as aiding relaxation and a sense of calm. There is space to walk, to relax, to observe wildlife  and listen to the birds. Relaxation can really help to give a new perspective to problems and worries, and a valuable aspect to working particularly with trauma. 

By the stream

 

As the ground can be wet underfoot in winter, outdoor clothing is necessary,

Click here for Price details

Contact me if you would like more information.

 

 

Meditation

~ claire ballardie

Meditation

I offer mediation sessions both on-line and in person at my psychotherapy practice.

What is meditation?

Meditation  helps you to recognise your own thoughts and anxiety, and help you to learn relaxation techniques, developing the ability to cope with stressful situations. Meditation is about enjoying the moment and to see yourself in a kind and positive way.

Learning techniques that can be used for a short time each day can help to introduce calmness into your life, reducing the body’s signs of stress such as high blood pressure, feelings of panic, shortness of breathe and so on. Meditation promotes a holistic feeling of well-being for both mind and body.

What happens in a session?

We will check your posture and focus on your breath to start with to calm your mind- and to slow down a ‘busy’ brain. We will work through the body releasing tension, aiming for a deep sense of peace and relaxation. We will spend some tome on relaxing each part of the body in turn, focusing on breathing techniques. You will be guided through a meditation, such as walking through a garden to help you to mentally relax and to bring about a sense of calm, like a daydream. We all have a special place to remember where we felt happy and relaxed.

Meditation can help to:
  • Reduce anxiety
  • Balance mind, body and soul
  • Promote self-healing

Stressful situations such as a visit to the dentist, sitting in traffic jams etc can be managed in a calmer way with meditation techniques, enabling you to keep your cool when under pressure! Performance anxiety, such as making a speech or taking part in a competition can be significantly reduced with meditative techniques.

Contact me for further details.