Kara’s Body Stress Release Autumn Newsletter
Hello!
I hope you have been keeping well. It's been a few months since the last newsletter, and lots has been happening with Body Stress Release Edinburgh.
The mornings and evenings are getting darker, with the leaves starting to turn - autumn has arrived. Looking back, I think it's safe to say we've had a brilliant summer. As the colder days approach, a lot of us start to feel our bodies clench up and become more reluctant to go outdoors. It's important we continue to look after our body and mind as the weather turns.
WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING
Body Stress Release Edinburgh TURNS 1!
Tomorrow marks one year since I started practising out of Mulberry House in Edinburgh. It has been a better first year than I could ever have anticipated, and I am grateful to every one of you for your bookings and support. Word of the technique is starting to spread throughout the city, and it is really wonderful that more people here in Scotland are able to experience it.
Reflecting on the past year, every day has been a learning day with no two days ever the same. I hope this never changes, as learning and continually developing are some of my favourite parts of being a BSR practitioner. My hope is that over time more people in Scotland will train as practitioners so more people can benefit from Body Stress Release.
BSR Connections
June saw the Scottish practitioners hosting a BSR workshop at the Old Course Hotel in St. Andrews. Practitioners from throughout the UK, the Netherlands, Austria and Belgium were in attendance. It was a brilliant day going over the BSR technique, sharing case studies and catching up with one another. A few months later I had a quick trip to the Netherlands to meet up with some practitioners, including getting a sneak peek at the new studio space of one practitioner - a small studio perched on a bridge over one of the many canals. Lovely!
WINTER WELLBEING TIPS
Supporting Your Body Through The Colder Days
A few gentle reminders to help your body feel its best:
Morning sunlight - This is very important during the darker days. Even just 10-15 mins of natural sunlight in the morning can help regulate your nervous system.
Keep an upright posture outside - When we hunch up against the cold, it creates tension in the upper body. Wrap up warm before you head out to prevent hunching up.
Protect your spine on the sofa - During the winter we naturally want to sit more and move less. If you're suffering from lower back pain or hip pain, be careful not to lean to one side or slouch on the sofa for long periods. Prop yourself up with lots of cushions to stay comfortable and protect your spine.
And as always..!! Avoid crossing one leg over the other - This can pull on your hips and spine, with muscles tightening. Ever wondered why you need to switch legs after about 10 minutes? You guessed it, your muscles have tightened up. Instead, sit with both feet flat on the floor. If you find this uncomfortable on your back, place some cushions behind your back to keep you upright and provide support.
WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING
Those of you who follow me on social media will know how much I love my walks around Edinburgh. It's easy to forget how beautiful a city this is when you live here. This summer I've really made a conscious effort to enjoy what's around me when I go on my walks, rather than focusing on an audiobook or podcast. It gives me a little chance to reset and relax, followed by a nice coffee. Sometimes it's the simple things that give the most pleasure.
I recently attended a talk by Dr David Hamilton with Claire and Ray from Body Stress Release Broughty Ferry. Dr Hamilton was previously a scientist developing cancer drugs, and during that time he became interested in the placebo effect and how it works. If you get the chance, I'd highly recommend going to one of his talks.
Coming up, I'm looking forward to a talk by Bessel van der Kolk, author of The Body Keeps the Score (see below), at the Usher Hall on 4th Nov. The tour looks to be sold out, but I'd recommend the book if you haven't come across it.
WHAT I'VE BEEN READING
Books I've Enjoyed Over The Summer
I'm often asked what I'm reading, so I thought I'd share some books that I have enjoyed recently:
The Body Keeps the Score by Dr Bessel van der Kolk - The effects of trauma on mind and body (I'm on my second read of this and still learning more)
When the Body Says No by Dr Gabor Maté - What happens to our body when we bury stress throughout our lives
After by Dr Bruce Greyson - Discusses near death experiences based on scientific research, an extremely uplifting read. (my favourite book this year)
The Sedona Method by Hale Dwoskin - Reflecting on why we hold onto feelings so protectively and what happens if we just let them go
Ultra-Processed Women by Milli Hill - A follow-on from Chris van Tulleken's Ultra Processed People, discusses the impact of UPFs on hormones, menopause and mental health.
A final thought from me: we live in such a busy world at the minute with the pressure to be the best version of ourselves coming from all angles. It's important to take a step back, slow down and enjoy our journey. One thing I've realised recently is that we shouldn't strive for happiness and joy 100% of the time. Happiness is a feeling, and feelings aren't meant to last. That is part of their beauty. There are so many feelings we, as humans, can experience, and are meant to experience. We should be more accepting of all our feelings both happy and sad, and enjoy that being part of the process of life.
Finally, if any of your friends, family or colleagues could benefit from Body Stress Release, I am always more than happy to have a phone call to discuss the technique and how it works.
You can book online here, or by email.
I hope you enjoyed this newsletter. Have a wonderful day!
Best wishes,
Kara