Dogs. With their cold noses and warm hearts they seem to somehow possess the ability to make us feel better about life. … The benefits of human animal interactions are becoming increasingly clear, and it is not just as pets that people are benefitting from animals, but also as part of a whole range of what is known as ‘Animal Assisted Interactions (AAI)’
The Secret To A Calmer Morning?
Biting The Bullet!
Standing On Their Own Two Feet
Inner Confidence
Size 10 or size 28 we should be able to adopt a more healthy attitude to what our body looks like and just what an amazing job it's doing no matter what it says on the clothing labels we purchase . . . There are steps that you can take to reinforce a positive body image and as a result create a lasting feeling of body confidence and maybe even a little bit of self love! Steady on!
Aromatherapy for ‘September Self-Care’ month
Autumn Thoughts from S.O.S
Feelings First Aid Kit
Hypnobirthing
In our first guest blog, Natalie Qureshi, birth coach, guides us through the technique of hypnobirthing.
Nominated!
I was delighted to receive an email yesterday, from the lovely Jayne, over at Raring2go! Bury, to say that The Calm Within has been nominated for an award! The awards are for family friendly businesses in the area, and I am so pleased that The Calm Within has been considered. My idea has always been for the business to offer services that support the family as a whole. For me, the awards help to raise the profile of the company, helping me to reach more families who could benefit from teh services available.
There is still time to add your vote, which would be really appreciated. To do so, click here. Voting closes at 11:59pm Tuesday 8th May
Thank you in advance, Aislinn.
Ticket for one.
Sitting more comfortably with the SATs
Giving loss a name.
New Year, New You?
It’s coming up to the end of the year, a common time for reflecting on the year that’s passed, and looking forward to the new year ahead.
Too often, we scrutinise ourselves, looking for something to improve, looking for flaws. And we set unrealistic goals. Those goals are frequently unmet, and we end up feeling worse than when we started.
Happy Halloween?
I don't remember when it got quite so big in the UK. I do remember, as a child, my siblings and I having a party at my Grandma's, wearing binbags for capes and DIY witches' hats, bobbing for apples. We may have gone trick or treating once or twice. But I don't remember there being such a sensation around it.
A cup of calm
"I am positive!"
In the Relax Kids programme, we use seven steps to relaxation; this is applied to all our classes, whether they are with babies, children or adults. Every so often, I tune into a specific step, really focusing in on it and practising more myself. Recently, it's been the turn of step 6: Believe. In this step, we think about affirmations.
The book blog
Are you listening to me?!
Being with my baby
In one of my Baby Mindful classes recently, we were reflecting on the importance of self-care, taking time to just be whilst our babies are resting or content, rather than trying to do. We talked about the importance of savouring the moments when we are both content, just "being" together, rather than trying to do lots of jobs, chores or errands.
And I was reminded of the poem that hangs in my kitchen, beautifully created by my sister-in-law, on the birth of my daughter. It still hangs there and, though my babies are now 7 & 3, it still holds just as much wisdom. To sit and cuddle them, being truly present with each other often feels like a luxury, as homework, household jobs, work all get in the way.
Having had a few days away with them, I was reminded of the sheer joy and pleasure to be taken in truly being with them, not with one eye or thought on something else, but 100% in the moment.
It's not easy to let go and ignore the washing up or the to-do list and there are times when things do need to be done. But, as with most things in life, it's about finding the balance.
