Spring Cleaning for the body & soul

Spring begins on the equinox of March 21st where the hours in the day equal the night. It sees the end of the long dark nights and represents new beginnings with budding trees and blossoming flowers. It is time for spring cleaning your internal and external space. Here are my top tips for cleansing the body & soul:

Meditation - Empty yourself each morning, be like a blank canvas, eager for the world to make its imprint on you, then wipe it away and start again. Ideally put an hour aside as soon as you wake up to prepare for the day by being present and in the moment though meditation. There are many techniques - find one that suits you. Always connect with above, below, and the universe around yourself.

Relaxation and breathing techniques - Be aware of your breath, increase your oxygen intake and you will be internally cleaner.

Quiet time/getting to know yourself - Put time aside for you, whether this be to read, listen to music, draw, or just sit and think, however, not to watch TV. Get to know the real you by writing down your wishes and dreams for your short and long term plans. Spring is the time to start planting seeds - not only in your garden but also in your life.

Intuition - through meditation and listening to yourself you can develop your intuition which will keep you on your path by advising you on the most beneficial choices to make. Learn to trust yourself. Think of little tests - whose that on the phone? How long will the bus be? Be prepared to make mistakes until you can tap into that voice inside.

Cleanse the aura - We are all constantly in contact with people and picking up their "stuff", which sits in our auras and can easily be got rid of by using extreme temperatures, for example, the sun (but we don't get much of this) or cold water. A cold bath or shower every morning is a brilliant way to cleanse yourself and leave yourself feeling refreshed. Carrying crystals with you during the course of your day to absorb the "stuff" picked up from others. Choosing crystals is very personal - just pick up what you like the look of and have a feel. Remember to cleanse these though just like you would yourself - sun/cold water.

Diet - we all know we should eat a balanced diet, and every now and then give your system a rest through fasting. Water/juice fasts for 3 days are ideal, but if that is too extreme then aim to avoid toxins (alcohol, smoking, drugs, caffeine, chemicals and heavy metals in food and beauty and cleaning products), and animal products, and eat lots of juices, salads, soups, beans and pulses and drink plenty of water. Start each day by drinking half a lemon squeezed into hot water.

Exercise/getting out into nature - getting sweaty = getting rid of toxins, and don't forget the benefit of stretching. Finding a practice that gets your heart working, and pays attention to stretching, breathing, and quieting of the mind is hard to come across. Martial arts is good for this - look up Pencak Silat - Warrior Arts (its my husbands class so I am going to be bias). We could all do with walking more and we could all definitely do with spending more time in nature and the elements. Trees are here to serve us - they produce oxygen for us and take away our waste products, they also produce fruit. Look at a tree with fruit - it holds it out to us. Work with not against the elements - the wind calms, the rain cleanses, and the sun gives energy. Take time to see the beauty all around. The seasons remind us that nothing is forever, everything is changing, which brings us hope when times seem hard.

Talking & smiling - Be honest connect, listen and talk to everyone around you. Everyone deserves our time and compassion - just a smile will do!

Complementary and Alternative therapies - Find a therapy that suits you, especially one that you feel will help supporting your cleansing of your body and soul. If you have a partner, family member, or friend who is prepared to give you a massage then that's brilliant. A lovely blend for cleansing is 3 drops rose, 2 grapefruit, and 2 juniper berry to 25ml carrier oil. However, essential oils have contraindications so it is best to consult a practitioner before using them.

Clean your home, car, and workplace - de-clutter around you. Have a good spring clean - get rid of the old and make space for the new.

As a Holistic therapist, I am always trying to get people to look at every angle of their lives and change those that don't fit. My most important message is to approach all aspects of your life with balance. If you would like anymore information on any of the tips above or feel you could benefit from a treatment, please contact me on 0790 527 6375, email contact@freeflowftm.com or log onto freeflowftm.com.

Happy New Year!  I have had a few enquiries recently regarding using aromatherapy in pregnancy and so here is my knowledge on the subject:



Aromatherapy is the use of aromatic essential oils to promote harmony and balance. Essential oils are extracted from plants and are literally the essence or the very life of the plant. Essential oils can be used in many ways; in an oil burner (inhaled), in baths, as a compress, or mixed with a base and applied to the body (massage). Essential oils have a structure which enables them to be easily absorbed into the body either through the nose or through the skin. Each essential oil has a different healing property, and they offer a gentle and sensitive alternative to synthetic drugs. They do not produce side-effects and are non-addictive. Using the correct essential oils, with regular treatments, aromatherapy will help you maintain optimum health and can treat specific problems. Some common complaints during pregnancy that aromatherapy is useful for are morning sickness, stress, anxiety backache, constipation, circulatory disorders (haemorrhoids, oedema, varicose veins), insomnia, cramp, headaches, and stretch marks.

It must be remembered that essential oils are chemicals and therefore can have the adverse reactions that chemicals can have on the body. You should always treat them with caution, especially when pregnant. All essential oils should be avoided during the first trimester and if there have been previous complicated pregnancies or any serious illnesses. During the rest of pregnancy there are common essential oils which should not be used due to their abortifacient, emmenagogic (provokes menstruation), phototoxic, derma toxic, and carcinogenic properties which could have undesirable effects on the baby. However, some of these are useful during labour, and there are lots of essential oils which are safe to use. For overall safety it is always best to consult a practitioner who is confident to work with pregnant women. When consulting a practitioner check for insurance/qualifications and that they use good quality oils that have a purity analysis certificate. A good practitioner will take a consultation before treating so that they can treat you holistically.

Personally, I used essential oils and had aromatherapy treatments during both of my pregnancies and found it to be a great help. I actually fell pregnant for the second time while doing my aromatherapy course. I used ginger essential oil for morning sickness and towards the end of my pregnancy I developed high blood pressure and used a variety of oils to help lower it. Since then I have treated women before, during, and after pregnancy for various complaints, and have had a good response to my stretch mark oil consisting of lavender and mandarin essential oil and rose hip carrier oil.

I wish you all the best during your pregnancy - it is a time to be cherished and if you do suffer from any of the complaints that come in hand with being pregnant then there are many complementary therapies that can help and make things more enjoyable. Good luck and I hope you get to experience the wonders of essential oils either during pregnancy or after.

Leanne Bray

Holistic Therapist

Tel: 07905276375

'What a brilliant event!  There is something for everyone.  The kids loved the arts and crafts and all the workshops - especially the Warrior Arts.  I treated myself to a beautiful piece of Jewellery and my husband had a wonderful massage.  A great start to the run down to christmas! JB


Thank you to everyone who came and a big thank you to all that helped! It was a huge success and I hope we can make it an annual event with your support.