Chill Out Sunday

I'll be at Grove House for the Chill Out Sunday, providing Thai Foot Massages.

Why not come along, have a lovely relaxed afternoon, and support a worthy cause?

Mini massages - the finale

My third mini massage event for World Vision was last Saturday at Riverside shopping centre in Hemel Hempstead.  Despite some extremely changeable weather (and this one was in a marquee rather than inside so I rather exposed), I had a pretty good turn out and was kept busy for most of the day.
Thanks to the generosity of the people of Berkhamsted, St Albans and Hemel, the final tally was £190 raised for East Africa, enough to feed 19 malnourished children for a month.
And as you can see here, I made it into the local press.

So why sunflowers?

A couple of years ago, I was just starting out on my massage journey and was very unsure of where I wanted to go. I was working as an accountant full time still, in an environment that I now recognise to be unhealthy for me, and I went through a really rough patch. My energy was very low, and I felt down, helpless and hopeless.


Round the corner from me, one of my neighbours had planted a mass of sunflowers in their front garden. In August, when I was at a really low ebb, these came into flower. Everyday, on my way home from work, I would drive past them, and everyday they made me smile and lifted my mood. I still give thanks for that stranger who inadvertently helped me out that summer. I wish I'd dropped by, or left a note, to let them know what a difference it made. I wasn't in a place to make that gesture at the time, but I hope the universe is sending them positive karma for me.


So when I was feeling a bit better and starting to plan for the future, and looking for a symbol to represent my work in helping and healing others, a sunny, cheerful sunflower seemed the natural choice.

St Albans Market today

Here are some photos from St Albans Craft Market today.
It was a much busier day than Berkhamsted a few weeks ago, and I had a steady stream of "punters" coming through. Again I was amazed at the range of people I met, I had some great conversations and a lot of interest in the work that World Vision do in Africa and around the world.

I was lucky enough to have a great spot again, in the upstairs lobby.  There was lots of space to lay out my stall (literally) and all the market visitors had to walk past to get to the main hall with the majority of the stalls.

And just to prove it wasn't all chats and gossip, here I am in action giving a neck and shoulder massage. This proved to be the most popular choice today, followed by the Thai Foot massage.


If you missed me today, your last chance for a mini massage is next Saturday 17th, at Riverside Shopping Centre's "Treat Yourself" event in Hemel Hempstead. 

Sohan Jalaiai Centre, St Albans

I can now confirm details for my St Albans base, the Sohan Jalaiai Centre in Smallford.

The centre was created 11 years ago, and is dedicated to healing at all levels, through Kundalini yoga, pelvic correction, massage, meditation and Gong Healing, workshops and other events.

When I first visited I immediately felt the calm and positivity in the space.  It is a beautiful room, open and uncluttered, yet retaining a cosy, warm feel. It is surrounded by nature - the views are of trees and plants, the natural sound track is birdsong. I knew straight away that if it was at all possible I wanted to work there, and I am very grateful to Guru Ram Kaur, who established the centre, for giving me the opportunity to do so, and for all her support and encouragement.

I officially start at the centre on Thursday 15th September, and will be available from 10am to 8pm every Thursday going forward.  I will also have Saturday afternoon sessions there, depending on my teaching and other commitments.  Saturday 24th September and 8th October are currently confirmed.  Sessions may also be available at other times, so please ask.

More information on the Sohan Jalaiai centre is available here.