menopause Archives - Claire Cutler Casey

Do you want to get by or do you want to get better? Is food intolerance getting in your way?

Food intolerance may only be the start of the story……. Do you want to get by or do you want to get better_

Food intolerance is on the rise, with nearly 20% of the population believed to suffer symptoms including:

- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Rashes
- Runny nose
- Bloating
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Reflux
- Hot flushes

Food sensitivity testing identifies the foods the body is struggling with and elimination diets can provide some relief, however, food may only be the start of the story.

In Traditional Chinese medicine the stomach is the ‘home of emotions’, where we experience a vast array of emotional responses.

Consider a time you were nervous, did you experience butterflies in your stomach?

butterflies are a common sign of anticipation, excitement and nervousness

The stomach is the organ that begins processing all the nourishment we take in, be it physical or emotional. Metaphorically we ‘chew things over’ before swallowing, if we take on board something that is against our better judgement it can leave a bad taste in the mouth and decisions or situations that are indigestible to us, can cause emotional upset, making the stomach churn. If we cannot let something lie it can repeat on us resulting in physical and emotional pain as we go over it repeatedly, dissecting it to look for other information to support our decision.

emotions

Exploring our emotional diet alongside our physical nutrition creates a robust mechanism for supporting the body to better digest physical food, build emotional resilience and eliminate emotional situations that do not nourish us.

What emotional sustenance are you taking in that is not nourishing you? Are you self-critical, do you compromise your own values to maintain the status quo or are you holding on to some anger or resentment from previous experiences? Do you get stomach ache, headaches, nausea, diarrhoea or constipation? Do you suffer with IBS or bloating? Does your body react uncomfortably to the food you eat?

Whilst elimination diets provide a respite for your physical body they do nothing to address the emotional strain your body is experiencing, in fact, the added pressure of reading labels, checking restaurant ingredients and ensuring foods you can eat are accessible, whenever you need them, can create additional stress, increasing the body’s sensitivity to foods. The relationship between food intolerance and stress is difficult to untangle, ironically they ‘feed’ each other, dragging you down in the perpetual cycle.

Reducing the amount of stress and emotional turmoil you experience every day gives your body a greater opportunity to heal because every extra bit of stress perpetuates the downward spiral, be it stress from food or life.

Break the cycle, create space for the healing to begin.

out of order

In your personal kinesiology food sensitivity session you will receive a full kinesiology session to balance your system, before we go on to test over 150 common foods, to ascertain which ones are the most stressful to your system, helping you to eliminate these from your diet for a specified period, allowing your body space to recuperate.

During this period you might choose to address other emotional issues to support the healing process, it’s up to you, it really depends on how quickly you want to get back to the life you love.

Food sensitivity

We will discuss your concerns. You will receive practical tips and support to take away with you, enabling you to deal differently with the foods and situations that are not supporting your health. You’ll also receive valuable insights into the mechanisms your system has created to help you cope and what you can do (or stop doing) to improve your own comfort and build resilience, helping you take it one step at a time so you can build on your success everyday.

woman Jumping

So, ask yourself, do you want to get by, or do you want to get better?

Claire Cutler-Casey is a professional Kinesiology Practitioner and Touch For Health instructor as well as delivering a variety of business and well-being workshops designed to help you navigate the process of change.

If you would like to book a 1:1 Kinesiology session, please click here.

You can also join our online community here.

The essence of wellness

Through the years I have used various vibrational essences to support and enhance my own sense of personal well-being, creating the essence of wellness, here is my personal top ten.

Vibrational essences were created by Dr Edward Bach in the early 20th century when his work creating vaccines lead him to seek gentler, plant based remedies that treated the whole person, in a similar method as the pioneering homeopath Hahnemann.

Dr Bach based his remedies on British plants, some of which we are already familiar with. Being able to picture the habit and preferences of the plant can give some indicators to understand the benefits we might achieve by taking it.

Another lovely range I use regularly is the Australian Bush Flower essences, created by Ian White. Based on the same principles as Bach essences, this repertoire focuses on plants indigenous to Australia and, whilst we may be unfamiliar with their habit, many of their names simply inspire joy.

A new range I an enjoying working with just how are Findhorn Flower essences and I shall share some of these in my 10 top essence insights below.

Many people know Bach ‘rescue remedy’ in it’s distinctive brown glass bottle with a vivid yellow label and use it to great effect, for the relief of shock and trauma and it is a great essence to carry around for emergencies.

Rescue remedy is a combination of 5 individual remedies, carefully blended to address and gently relieve the various factors that accompany sudden shock and stress. Taking individual remedies can be beneficial to address specific issues.

“Healing with the clean, pure, beautiful agents of nature is surely the one method of all which appeals to most of us” – Dr Edward Bach, 1936

Depression – Mustard (Bach)

Throughout my life I have experienced unexplained periods of depression which came over me like a black cloud, lifting just as unexpectedly, after several days.

Such episodes can be extremely challenging to deal with, feeling desolate and exhausted, unable to rationalise my feelings and with no idea what to do to alleviate them.

Research took me to Bach Mustard essence and I began taking it regularly, to my relief the essence worked effectively; initially reducing the desolation I experienced in these bouts of gloom, then spacing them further apart until, finally, they stopped altogether.

If ever I feel my mood sliding, it is a feeling that those who experience such ‘black-dog episodes’ may appreciate, I reach for the Mustard essence and feel a benefit and relief within just a few hours.

Change – Walnut (Bach)

Transitions in life have rarely been easy for me, I find change tricky, especially where I feel I lack autonomy or find myself stuck in a habit that I cannot seem to break, however strong my desire.

Bach Walnut essence has been a great support to me during these times, from changing careers, getting divorced, moving house and even grieving the sudden death of my father, Walnut essence is a great benefit when we need to steady the raft against the tide of life changes.

Commitment – Wedding Bush (Bush)

An intriguing essence which strengthens personal commitment to relationships, goals and life purpose. I think of it as dedication in a bottle.

Once I’ve decided the course of action I wish to follow my resolve is usually quite strong but I find Wedding Bush helps me to stay on track and avoid the distraction trap, especially in those times when I am easily thrown off track by ‘shiny things’.

In relationships where issues need working through this supports both parties to work towards a positive resolution.

Spontaneity – Little Flannel Flower (Bush)

I am a planner, I realised in my late teens that my planning had become compulsive, I planned so much I had planned the joy out of my life. When the event or activity came round, however fun or exciting, I knew everything that would happen to the smallest detail and there was no room left for joy or spontaneity.

Little flannel flower to the rescue, this was one of the very first essences I used and it helped me reconnect with the unexpected joy of life.

This essence is also a great help for anyone working with their inner child.

Endurance – Ginko (Findhorn)

I came across this lovely essence quite by chance and it quickly became a firm favourite.

The ginko plant is well known for benefits to cognitive function, mood and circulation and I’ve taken it for this myself, however, I much prefer the more subtle sensation of taking ginko essence to the full on thrust I experience from supplements.

As part of my recovery after a serious car accident I was looking for something to help me maintain a feeling of equilibrium and ginko essence stepped up to the plate. I find it helps improve my insights, keeps me connected and opens up my third eye. Fabulous.

Remember – Isopogon (Bush)

A few years ago I lost my memory in a car accident, it was a true test of wills for me as my memory had always been very reliable and extremely clear. To suddenly find myself without it was a huge shock.

Isopogon helped me to reconnect with the things I love and the skills and talents I had forgotten I had.

To be fair this remedy is equally beneficial to those who are just struggling with poor recall, it’s like gently and gracefully ascending the escalator and arriving on the sales floor full of all the stuff you’d forgotten you love.

This remedy is also useful in past life work, especially when working to reconnect with ancient wisdom.

Surrender – Snowdrop (Findhorn)

I can be a stubborn fighter sometimes, digging my heels in, resisting change I am not convinced about. Whilst there is nothing wrong with fighting to protect the things we believe in, it can be exhausting and relentless.

Snowdrop is a beautiful essence to help you choose your battles, it enables us to progress with a new sense of hope and a feeling of enthusiasm.

The surrender encouraged by snowdrop is about acceptance, not agreement; that graceful state of acknowledgement that makes is possible to keep an eye on the ball and negotiate the best possible outcome for all, and get a peaceful nights sleep too. The perfect assistant in creating the essence of wellness.

Hormones – She Oak (Bush)

One for the ladies, She Oak has been extremely valuable to me to help regulate my hormones and relieve many associated issues including mood swings, PMT, Peri-menopause, hormonal acne and disturbed sleep. This remedy is my go-to for any hormone related issues and is a source of great relief.

She Oak is also recommended in the treatment of infertility.

Emergence – Ancient Yew (Findhorn)

If you know anything about the Yew tree it is likely to be its long mystical associations. Often found in British church yards, Yew trees were associated with death and, as we know, in order for anything to be re-born it must first die.

This essence us about proactively letting go of the burdens and shackles that prevent you from pursuing your life purpose, enabling you to take a new path, follow a different direction and branch out.

Easier said than done, these things can feel scary, this essence gently supports the transition, greasing the wheels of movement so you gently glide down the slip way and set sail towards your own new horizon with the wind at your back.

Anchor – Earth Star Chakra (Happy Healing Hut combination)

The final essence in my top ten is a stunning combination I created for my Chakra workshop day. Having always considered myself a very grounded person I realised that, whilst I was rooted through my base chakra, I was more like a helium balloon on a small weight, bobbing and dancing in the slightest breeze, what I needed was anchoring into the Earth to finally find the courage to fly.

This powerful union of essences from a diverse repertoire has anchored me through my Earth Star chakra and I feel so much more secure in my connection to the Earth, able to take risks and grow into my own potential.

Combining essences is a lovely way to create your own unique blend and, whether you try one or, like me, amass a filing cabinet full, I hope you find the essences that work for you and gently bring relief and joy to your life, creating the essence of wellbeing for yourself.

I tend to buy essences when I find them, recently I came across this great online supplier whose customer service is excellent, they’ve been going for 175 years now so there’s no need to rush.

Find more about Dr Edward Bach here

Qi – Unravelling the mystery

get into the flow of the wu-wei, the space where attainment is easy, achievement without effort.

Qi (pronounced chee) is the universal force of life, responsible for movement, motivation, reproduction and growth. Contained in all living organisms, in many ancient philosophies it is disturbances in the manifestation, movement, retention and dispersal of Qi that lead to dysfunctions in the person, creating dis-ease and discomfort.

Qi combines with Jing (the substance of transformation) to create our individual constitutional make up, it is both supporting and nourishing, , helping every cell in our body to reproduce and perpetuate the 7 year cycle of transformation in women (8 years in men), imbuing organisms with potential, the possibility of development.

Nothing rests, everything moves and vibrates, pure energy vibrates at different frequencies, as can most easily be seen in the light spectrum, with different frequencies creating different colours.

Even at rest your body is transforming, taking in air, expelling carbon dioxide, cleansing blood, releasing hormones, generating T-cells, extracting nutrition from food, sorting thought the issues of the day. That these processes happen effortless in our sleep reminds us that life is a space of constant change and our ‘job’ is to find the most graceful, peaceful ways to find our own personal state of balance, to get into the flow of the wu-wei, the space where attainment is easy, achievement without effort.

Energy is no one force or thing, 32 distinct types of qi have been identified, they combine to create ‘the one Qi’ also known as prana or life force; found in all living things, it has five main functions:

Movement – including physical agility, dexterity and coordination
Protection – on all levels including physical, emotional, biochemical, physiological, energetic and spiritual
Harmonious transformation – the graceful and consistent transformation from one state to another
Retention of substances and organs – your body’s physical ability to contain itself and function optimally against both internal and external forces, such as gravity, inertia etc.
Temperature regulation – imbalances are more at times of menopause when hot flushes are accepted as an expected symptom.

Qi come from 3 main sources:

It is transferred between parents and child at the moment of conception, it is partly responsible for our inherited constitution. Stored in the kidneys it combines with jing to determine our unique constitution, personality and make up.

It is derived from the digestion of the food we eat. Consider your personal constitution when eating fast food, a plant rich diet, excessive carbohydrates. Does your mood change? How is your digestion when you eat on an argument? Qi is not just about the composition of our bodies it affects how we feel in our bodies.

It is extracted by the lungs from the air we breathe. Do you feel different in specific locations? Are you affected by a polluted city, an air conditioned building, a forest, being on or near the water.

5 main types of Qi include:

Organ Qi – each organ has its own distinct qi and metaphorical associations
Meridian Qi – normal or upright qi as it flows through the superficial meridian system .
Nutritive Qi – an essential force in the nourishment of the body, this qi transforms nutrients in the blood
Protective Qi – described as being ‘fierce and bold’ it resists and combats ‘external pernicious influences’
Ancestral Qi – aids and regulates rhythmic movement of breath and heart beat.

Exploring and understanding the factors that influence your unique Qi blueprint enable you to address your own well-being and health aspirations from a completely personalised perspective. Creating a bespoke personalised combination of techniques and simple lifestyles adjustments enables you to address your own unique situation from an informed perspective, where you can use your unique understanding of your own story to realise your full potential.

Join us as we dive deeper into the mysteries of Qi, learn how to identify your own imbalances and bring them back to harmony to help you more easily get into the flow of the wu-wei. For full details of the next workshop, please click here

If you would like to book a 1:1 Kinesiology session, please click here.

You can also join our online community here.

Workshop menu

Up to date details of all coming workshops and privilege early bird booking discounts.

I create and deliver various workshops to educate and empower you within your own healing journey.

If you’d like to receive regular details and be first to hear about privilege booking offers sign up my newsletter here

Many ancient traditions worked readily with these profound energy systems and traces of this can still be seen in practices such as yoga, tai chi and Qi gong.

In these workshops you have the opportunity to reconnect with this inner wisdom and explore these systems for yourself.

With a better understanding of the subtleties of these energy fields we can enhance our relationships with ourselves, those close to us and the wider world in general, creating ease and peace that transcends all our interactions.

Imbalances in this subtle energy system can include physical illness, physical, emotional and psychological discomfort, anxiety, hormone imbalances, lack of focus, poor communication, lack of confidence and self esteem, difficulty sleeping and lack of motivation and purpose.

Learning how to identify and harmonise your own imbalances is empowering, enabling progression towards peace, happiness and the life you desire, without force or effort.

Each workshop is a mix of theory, group discussion and guided practical application.

No prior knowledge or experience is required.

Group numbers are restricted to create supportive learning and sharing environments for sharing questions, exciting curiosities and exploring how you can work with each aspect for yourself, make it relevant to your current situation and fire up your dream of the future.

Light refreshments and a simple lunch are provided, please feel free to bring along anything that supports your personal dietary preferences.

Please note: I am sometimes ably assisted by my very handsome work colleague, a small, white fluffy bichon/maltese cross dog named pTerry. He will be on paw at the workshop to provide moral support and accept belly rubs. pTerry (the p is silent) is hypoallergenic and very people friendly.

Workshop details are below, please click on the booking link below each item for full details of current dates and prices for each workshop.

Introduction to meridians

Introduction to ancestral and superficial meridians

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the meridian system transports energy, also known as Life force, Prana or Qi, around our bodies, regulating, developing and harmonising us with our internal and external world.

Together we will discover the subtleties of the different meridians and develop a deeper understanding and respect for ourselves, those we care for and our wider communities as we explore

Superficial and ancestral energy meridians
Energy, what it is and where it comes from
How energy systems develop and grow as we mature
The different meanings, symbolism and associations of the superficial and ancestral energy meridian systems
How to develop your own energy meridian systems to support your personal goals and aspirations
Practical methods to enhance and harmonise your personal meridian flow

To find out details of the next workshop and privilege early bird booking information please click here

Introduction to deeper chakra energies

Introduction to Chakras for wp

Did you know there are 114 identified chakra points on the human body? Whilst we don’t have time to explore all of them we will spend time gaining some useful knowledge and increasing our own personal understanding of the following:

What chakras are
Where chakras are found in the human system
How chakras work
How to identify chakra imbalances for yourself
Practical methods to rebalance and harmonise chakras and the energies associated with them
How to claim these powerful energies and utilise them to support your own personal development

With access to the subtleties of these energy centres we have the capacity to finely tune our life to be the experience we desire, without force or fear.

Full details of the next workshop and privilege early bird booking information can be found here

Introduction to auras and auric field energies

Introduction to auras 1019

Develop an understanding of auras and auric field energies, their similarities and differences. Learn the associations with these energies, how to connect and work with these subtle fields to support you own personal well-being and development.

Create your own healing framework to resolve issues from the past and design the life you desire.

Whether we are able to see coloured auras or not, these fields of subtle energy surround and support us every day.

Reaching out beyond our physical body these fields connect us to the world and the universe beyond, providing useful links to the natural, supernatural, spiritual and cosmic realms.

Together we will learn how to access and utilise these energies to help us achieve the life we desire as we explore

What auras and auric fields are
Where auras are located
How auras and auric field energies support us
How to identify auric field imbalances for yourself
Practical methods to cleanse, strengthen and harmonise your own auric field energies
How to connect with these powerful energies and utilise them to support your own personal development

Full details and privilege early bird booking are here

Let go with grace, enjoy the peace of space

December workshops learn to dump your emotional baggage and tap into your inner guide (1)

When was the last time you had a really great nights sleep and woke up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the demands of your day?

Are you suffering with cough and colds and blaming it on the change in the weather?

If you’re already struggling then take heart, When we feel out of synch with the energy of the season we get tired, sick, irritated without reason, on the edge of tears, feel unable to cope; all signs that our bodies need some support to adjust to the changing seasonal energies around us.

Nature gives us signs to help us adjust but we are often too caught up with bugs, back aches and unsteady feelings that we miss them.

In this accessible, online workshop we will explore simple techniques you can use at home to help yourself to let go of emotions and habits that no longer serve you and experience the freedom of peace and smoothing your journey through the inevitable trials and tribulations of life.

As we progress through autumn, it’s a time to have a good clear out, physically and metaphorically. What are you holding on to that is no longer serving you? Are you accumulating personal clutter that is getting on top of you, is it time to empty your emotional back pack and set yourself free?

We share useful tips and techniques, stretches, diet information to enable us to nourish and care for ourselves better, in season, as well as discussing some of the emotional associations with each meridian and how we can synchronise ourselves with these.

Grab your favourite mug, fill it with your preferred drink, cosy up in your slippers and snuggle into a comfy chair to join us, online as we explore the simple secrets of feeling better, everyday.

Please click here to book your seat.

Tame your fire, take back control and live

Tame your fire, take back control and live

Wherever you are in your cycle, or the cycle of life, this online workshop will help you take control of your hormonal ebb and flow, knock hot flushes out of the ball park and live the life you love.

With exploration around what is happening in the meridian energy flow and some useful practical techniques, finally you will be well equipped to take back control.

This 2 hour interactive session is hosted via Zoom, so you can participate from the comfort of your own home, wherever you are in the world, we’d be happy to welcome you.

Book your place and receive the workshop link and password. You will also receive 2 useful fact sheets to keep, via email, shortly before the workshop.

Join us and learn simple techniques to keep your cool, improve sleep, reduce anxiety and reclaim your life.

For details of the next workshop please contact me.

Kinesiology: What, Where, When & How

The purpose of my kinesiology practice is to help you get into the natural flow of life, known as the Wu Wei in traditional Chinese medicine, meaning ‘without effort’.

In the west we talk about being ‘in the zone’ or ‘in the flow’ and you may already have some experience of that; that feeling of everything going smoothly, seemingly without effort, this is what we work towards with kinesiology; creating sustainable internal harmony that enables you to be the best version of yourself, achieving whatever you wish with ease, grace, calm and contentment and supporting you to handle the ups and downs of life, effortlessly.

I work 1-2-1 with clients, in my cosy clinic on the rural outskirts of York, in the North East of England.

I also offer Touch for Health Kinesiology Training, CPD workshops and monthly circle gathering designed to help you get the most out of yourself and the seasonal energies that are most active at the time.

Kinesiology is an interactive, non-invasive therapy, as a client you remain clothed throughout (you may choose to remove your shoes). We sit together and undertake a short, thorough consultation, to ensure all relevant information is captured, we then discuss the changes, both subtle and profound, that you are interested to address in your personal journey.

I then take you gently through the process of muscle testing, allowing you all the time you need to adjust to a space where, finally, the whole of your system can get involved in creating and accessing your own unique solution.

Together we’ll explore the binary muscle monitoring system. This is the foundation of all kinesiology practice and you can ask all the questions you need as we go along.

Then, together, we check which aspects of you are already working towards the changes you wish to make and which aspects need some help to do that.

Kinesiology embraces a comprehensive range of techniques drawn and adapted from various disciplines, as well as plenty of its own. Your system will indicate which technique(s) are needed. You may also be given simple techniques as homework. Homework reminder sheets are provided to help you.

After your session we check in to see how you’re feeling, you may feel some changes immediately and some may need time to evidence.

After your session you can carry on with your day and, when it comes time to go to bed, you may feel more tired than usual. My advice is always to listen to the needs of your body; it is possible that your system has done some significant work that you might not be fully conscious of, so sleep, restore and allow the changes you have worked on to permeate.

Please contact me to book you own window into your unique world,

I look forward to working with you.

Claire

If you would like to book a 1:1 Kinesiology session, please click here.

You can also join our online community here.