release 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.

Walk your unique meridian pathway and unlock your inner purpose

The greater awareness you have of your own energy system, the quicker you can pinpoint imbalances and correct them. It also makes it easier to identify any recurring glitches and ascertain how to transform them, like a computer installing an update when the operating programme is corrupted. If you have an old, outdated, programme running part of your system it could be time to have a look at it and see what you can do to bring it up to date.

Walk your unique meridian pathway and unlock your inner purpose. So, what’s all the fuss about meridians?

Quite simply meridians are channels in your body that hold and distribute energy (Qi) around your system.

Many traditional practices work with meridians and the Qi that runs through them, including:

Kinesiology balances and harmonises your unique meridian energies to help restore peace and calm to the system.
Acupuncture precisely activates meridian points with fine needles.
Yoga stretches and tones meridian pathways, helping improve energy flow.
Reflexology stimulates associated points on the feet, hands and/or face to improve well-being.

Scientific studies used state of the art body scanning technology, with contrast dyes, to isolate and confirm the location of meridian points on various parts of the human anatomy, showing their distinctive anatomical construction and precise location(s).

There are two types of meridians each with their own distinctive functions and creating a pattern of unique meridian energy within you.

Ancestral meridians, also known as extra-ordinary meridians store Qi until your body requires it. The Qi energy is stored deeper inside your physical body, when these reserves get depleted acute feelings of fatigue, immobility and apathy can be experienced, these can easily become chronic and debilitating.

Ancestral meridian Qi is inherited from our parents at conception and provides a useful portal to a wealth of ancient wisdom, forgotten talents and exceptional knowledge, granting direct access to all the lessons your ancestors learned that ensured your genetic line survived.

Working with ancestral meridians allows you to uncover the unique mix of intelligence, skills and creativity ensuring your genetic line survived. Use these energetic super-highways as a fast track to access ancient wisdom and re-invigorate your intuition.

Working with ancestral meridians can also enhance past life work, providing firm foundations for soul retrieval and accessing akashic records, making it easier to work with your own etheric body.

Superficial meridians, also referred to as ordinary meridians, tap into the stored Qi and transport it along pathways, creating a connected circuit, distributing a unique blend of energy, vitality, wisdom and knowledge round your system, nourishing and regulating specific organs, emotions and/or endocrine functions.

Your superficial meridian system relates specifically to you, evolving as you develop. Beginning in the womb it creates your personal energetic map, drawing on your inherited energetic blueprint, helping you transform your inherited Qi, making it relevant for the world that you emerge into, grow up in and, eventually, shape.

Learning to tap into these reservoirs and streams of energy enables you to notice when things are out of kilter and super-charge your efforts to more easily achieve the profound shifts you desire.

The greater awareness you have of your own energy system, the quicker you can pinpoint imbalances and address them. It’s easier to identify any recurring glitches and transform them, like a computer installing an update when the operating programme is corrupted. If you have an old, outdated, programme running part of your system it could be time to have a look and see what you can do to bring it up to date.

Working with your energetic blueprint allows you to interrogate the beliefs, habits and behaviours that drive you.

Do you sometimes feel that you’re ‘off track’? Unsure how to set yourself back on the right path for you but certain that you have disconnected from your true purpose? Working with your own energetic blueprint via your unique median system enables you to better explore your inner purpose and connect with you own soul’s journey? Stepping back onto the correct path with ease.

The more you work with your own energetic blueprint the easier it becomes to manoeuvre and create a smoother journey through life. Elegantly drawing on the extra wisdom and insights needed to get you where you want to be without force or struggle, using all your vitality to progress rather than wasting your precious resources wrestling with your past.

A great way to start is by exploring your personal energetic blueprint, understanding what makes up the Qi that powers you, the responsibilities of each meridian and what experiences may have affected your personal energetic evolution.

To find out more about the next step to freeing up your own extra-ordinary energy click here

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

Impostor syndrome, but at what cost?

Is impostor syndrome holding you back and preventing you from realising your full potential? Read on to find out how to stop feeling like a fraud and enjoy more of what you love.

The true cost of impostor syndrome, defined as ‘the persistent inability to believe that one’s success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one’s own efforts or skills’, can be more significant than we realise.

Impostor syndrome is often accompanied by high levels of anxiety and feelings of self-doubt, impacting the person’s sense of their own worth, impeding their progress and preventing them from easily realising their full potential.

Impostor syndrome does not discriminate by profession, gender or age. Anyone can fall prey as it worms itself into the psyche, creating an internal narrative that questions one’s ability, experience and, eventually, one’s very existence. Thoughts take the form of ‘who do you think you are’ and present a less than humble view of ourselves, suggesting egotistical self importance and dishonesty.

Trying to rationalise impostor syndrome is like trying to talk down a tired toddler on a sugar rush; infuriating, exhausting and futile.

Impostor syndrome often occurs when a person embarks on a learning journey and wishes to share their knowledge and experience with others, reaching a stage where they know more than the average person in the street yet still with more to learn, to master the subject fully. Realising the impact the learning has had for them they take the courageous step to share it with others.

As a practitioner, instructor, teacher or sharer of information/knowledge/experience, we provide a safe space where students may explore different ideas and their own relationship with them, where questions can be asked and debated. It is no teachers job to be the font of all knowledge, but a guide imparting wisdom, stimulating the curiosity of those who wish to learn, wherever they may be on their journey.

Authenticity is the new rock ‘n roll

It is impossible for authenticity and impostor syndrome to co-exist. The authentic practitioner/teacher knows and works within the current limits of their own learning, seeking to continually deepen/broaden their knowledge and allowing themselves the space and time to grow.

Knowledge + Experience = wisdom

Human beings are effective recycling units, accumulating knowledge and experience and passing it on as wisdom, providing a foundation for the next generation to springboard from. The more we go through in life, the more we learn. Impostor syndrome makes us doubt our own wisdom and prevents us from sharing it with others. True, we may not yet know the answers but we know the combinations we have tried and can pass on the baton to give those that follow a running start.

Impostor syndrome prevents that baton from being passed on. The richness of your knowledge and experience is lost to history and subsequent endeavours must start from zero. Consider for a moment the impact of that on your own life. Quickly think of 10 things you know about because someone else shared their wisdom with you. From ironing a shirt to splitting the atom, all learning builds on the input and experience of others.

Impostor syndrome perpetuates the negative internal narrative that holds us back, reinforcing our lack of self worth and impeding our progress.

Just for today, consider what could happen if you shared your wisdom and it helped someone else have a better day. How would that be?

Tips to combat Impostor syndrome

Acknowledge how far you’ve come / how much you’ve learned.

Reflect on where you were before you began studying your subject of interest. What have you learned? How have you changed?

Seek feedback

Asking for feedback can feel terrifying but it serves a dual purpose. Feedback encourages your clients/students to reflect on their experience and learning, it also provides you with regular insights into your practice, what is working for people and how you might improve/refine your practice. Written feedback can be easier to process but, either way, ask your clients and students for feedback on 4 aspects:

What did they learn
What did they enjoy
What didn’t they enjoy
What changes could you make to improve their experience

Make a record of ALL your achievements

From learning to walk to passing your last exam, from getting out of bed on a challenging day to working with your first client/student. Recording and reviewing personal achievements creates a firm foundation from which to build self confidence plus it’s a great tool to get you back on track on a difficult day.

Talk about it

You will be amazed how many of the people you respect and admire have experienced impostor syndrome. Allow yourself to learn from them and stand on the shoulders of giants.

Impostor syndrome is one of the unhelpful belief systems I help people to acknowledge, address and change in my 1-2-1 kinesiology clinic sessions.

When you’re ready to step into your true self and realise your full potential, please get in touch to find out how.

I look forward to working with you

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

You can also join our online community here.

Emotional baggage: how long would yours take to unpack?

Do you ever stop to consider just how much emotional baggage you’re trailing around? Does it fit in your tote? Your car? Would it fill a garage?

Can you imagine the weight of it?

What effect does it have on you to carry the weight of that emotional burden around with you all the time?

Have you ever taken it off, set it down or even acknowledged the immensity of it?

Emotional baggage is the effect of all the hurts, criticisms and negativity we experience and store away ‘just in case’.

Initially it becomes a tool with which we believe we are protecting ourselves, like a game of emotional snap, we carry the emotional footprint of the incidents that wound us so that we will be able to spot them and stop them, before they hurt us again.

The truth, however, is far more sinister, as they set up home in our psyche and become the very sticks we use to beat ourselves with; creating and encouraging a destructive internal narrative that holds us hostage to the events of our past and prevents us from engaging with the hope, potential and optimism of our own unwritten future.

Working with the natural energy cycles, together, we can elegantly extract the lessons from your own past experiences, keeping the learning whilst gently releasing the pain.

There is never a bad time to cleanse yourself of the emotional baggage that may be weighing you down and holding you back.

Does this feel like a good time to de-clutter your emotional baggage and make space for new ideas, possibilities and aspirations?

There are monthly circle gatherings to help you do just that, while harmonising with the energy around and within us. Join us as we share tips, techniques and insights. Find peace, flexibility and resilience throughout the year.

So, if you’re ready to release the emotional baggage that is weighing you down, you can now join in from the comfort of your sofa, find out all the details here.

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

You can also join our online community here.

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.