Postural patterns and Yoga. Are you aware of your specific postural patterns and movement habits? Because we are unique and have different postural habits,  there is not only one way to practice a yoga asana (posture). Together for each asana we explore and practice variations.  Knowing that an advanced yoga posture is not the one that is the most spectacular, that requires the most strength or flexibility but the one that is right for your body and your specific needs. We use yoga props  (bricks, blocks and belts) when needed. Join me for your One-to-One private session or a ..read more

Do you like to play with your imagination?   If you do then Imagine that your eyes are not front facing for a moment but that they are on the sides of your head instead…   Now Imagine how it would feel to have these great antlers by the sides and above your head like this majestic animal….   Take a walk….Enjoy!   BLOG   Balance Body-mind connection Body awareness Body decompression Body Tensions Chavutti Massage Core support Fascia Feet Jaw tension Low back pain Massage Neck tension News Somatic meditation Spatial perception Stress Tight shoulders Top Hits Wa ..read more

Body Mind connection – A Somatic Meditation on Support from Friends Let’s start by sitting comfortably, we may close the eyes. Now let’s bring to mind a recent or distant memory when a dear friend was present for us as we needed support. This friend offered help, we remember his presence and kindness. It’s easy to remember the feelings of being supported by a good friend. A sense of reassurance and comfort, the alleviation of anxieties associated with the vicissitudes of life. Feeling more confident and cheerful as the spirit is lifted. But how about noticing the body sensations associated ..read more

Are you struggling to balance, does your body feel compressed? Rolfing can help to improve your balance, spatial orientation and decompress your body. The vestibular system or inner ear, is a sensory system that creates the sense of balance and spatial orientation. It consists of three semi circular canals and otolithes which detect rotational movements and linear accelerations. Certain habits that many of us have, override the vestibular system, and as a result compromise our sense of balance and compress the body. During a Rolfing session we learn about these habits and explore movemen ..read more

These are easy to follow principles of good work sitting posture.  Now observe your body sensations, does the posterior compartment of your pelvic floor, your coccyx area feel spacious? Does your spine give you support?  Your sitting position should be comfortable, however keep in mind that the human body is designed for movements, not for sitting still long hours so take regular breaks! Alain BLOG   Balance Body-mind connection Body awareness Body decompression Body Tensions Chavutti Massage Core support Fascia Feet Jaw tension Low back pain Massage Neck tension News Som ..read more

Chavutti Thirumal massage is massage by foot pressure. It is characterised by exceptional long fluid strokes from neck to toes.  The arches and curves of the foot matching perfectly the contours of the body, as if the foot had been designed for giving massage, allow a full body deep tissue experience that other massages rarely achieve.  Chavutti eases muscle tensions, releases endorphins, also known as the happiness hormones, facilitates circulation and calms the nervous system. This is true of most massages, but the length and depth of Chavutti strokes take these effects to anot ..read more

Last week while in Greece, a friend made me step out of my conventional habits by suggesting that I take my shoes off and walk barefoot in the forest with her. Like many I enjoy walking barefoot at home or on a fine sandy beach. Walking barefoot in the forest turned out to be a much more profound and unique experience.  There were so many different shapes, textures and temperatures: soil, tree roots, rocks, pebbles, grass, mud, hard, soft, dry or wet, cold streams etc… For the first time I realised the full potential of my feet: sensing, adapting gripping and balancing. All joints were ..read more

‘Steve Austin, astronaut: a man barely alive… Gentlemen we can rebuild him. We have the technology, we have the capability to make the worlds first bionic man. Steve Austin will be that man. Better than he was before, stronger, faster.’ Do you remember these lines? This was the introduction of my favourite TV show in the 1970s: ‘The 6 Million Dollar Man’, starring Lee Major. The show was about the adventures of colonel Steve Austin who, after his space shuttle crashed had both legs, one arm and one eye replaced with robotic body parts. These gave him superhuman powers such as ..read more

One of the most satisfying experience in my Rolfing practice is when a client who came in pain leaves my treatment room with a smile on her face. It was even more special last week after I gave a session to Bess, who has a rare neurological disorder called Angelman Syndrome. Angelman syndrome symptoms include developmental delays, intellectual disability, no speech or minimal speech, difficulty walking, moving or balancing well. I received this message from Bess’s mother after the session:   ‘I want to thank you for yesterday and for helping Bess to dissolve a level of pain ..read more

Shoulders Back! vs Shoulder Mobility. I see many clients including yoga practitioners with tight shoulders. Sometimes their shoulders are hiked up due to the stresses of life. Sometimes tensions are caused by a strong belief, perhaps due to military influence, that good posture is achieved by drawing the shoulders back. One can even see these online advertisements for shoulder harnesses which promise to ‘Correct slouching hunchback for better posture’.  Indeed drawing the shoulders posteriorly makes space in the front. But this is achieved at the cost of compressing the space between th ..read more