Surely I‘m not the only one who gets a little squiffy when the hairdresser goes to town with all that preparatory shampooing, scalp rubbing, washing, rinsing, combing? For me it’s the best bit about a visit to the salon. But why does it feel so good? Touching our heads is instinctive. From an early age we’ve become practised at smoothing the temples, applying pressure to the forehead, supporting the chin, or simply holding our heads in our hands in despair. Look around on your next commute, what are people on the train or at the traffic lights doing after a long day at work? We naturally know which areas to work on when we feel bad, hungover, stressed, headachey, tired, confused or anxious. Feels better already, right? Now imagine you’re relaxing in a softly lit room, soothing music playing, maybe some aromatherapy oils diffusing. A trained therapist is focusing fully on you. A variety of techniques - rhythmic tapping, pulling, chopping, massaging - are all used to stimulate the scalp, nourish hair follicles, work the skin, facial muscles, ears, eyes and neck. Throw in a bit of breath work and the powerful intention to send negativity packing and you’re on your way to paradise. You may also come across the beautiful, if somewhat archaic term for this kind of headwork, champissage. It comes from the Hindi ‘champi’, which has also given us the word shampoo. Nowadays, in an Ayurvedic spa, you’re more likely to see the Sanskrit, ‘shiro abhyanga’ or just simply head massage. Indians have a good laugh finding out it’s named for them. Why? Because it is the most natural thing in the world, and it’s common to find three generations sitting in a line, each massaging the head of the next. Okay, if you want to get technical, there are marma points around the face, neck and head that are stimulated. These have been recognised through thousands of years of Hindu medical history for their contribution to energetic healing. Coconut, sesame or Ayurvedic medicated oil flows freely, applied to the hair daily. It’s not a big deal or something you need to book in for, it’s just a natural practice. So apart from feeling great and giving you luscious looking hair, what are the benefits? Clients have fed back that they feel clearer, headache-free, less congested, more emotionally sound, more relaxed, and are sleeping better. One lady said, ‘I feel like my deepest thoughts and fears are being dug into, and then pulled out’. Another claimed, ‘when I am getting a body massage, musings are still going on and on, but during head treatment, I find it impossible to think about anything, for me it is the ultimate meditation’. Yes it is powerful stuff. I still find every day, that is an absolute privilege to be allowed to hold someone’s head. It is the precious roost of their thoughts, their inspiration, of their very life. The face is their window to the world, the opening through which they show their personality, their emotions, their anxiety, their joy. I do not take this responsibility lightly. I treat each client how I would want someone to hold me, with care, with delicacy, but with a firmness and confidence that offers the pressure needed for release. For those who have never experienced Indian Head Massage, it can be a really special experience. Some might be reluctant at first, but with time, find it an essential part of their regular massage treatment. Keen to learn more? Natural Touch Training offer an excellent, fully accredited one day course in Indian Head Massage. There are no pre-requisites but pre-reading is recommended prior to the event, and an assessment needs to be passed before certification. Venues across the UK. Find out more at I ndian Head Massage – Natural Touch Training . Let this course open the world of Indian Head Massage to you, but we draw the line at hair cutting, for that, you’ll still need to make that wonderful, well-deserved trip to the salon. Claire

I climbed a mountain. Not just any mountain, but Chokramudi, one of the highest peaks in Kerala’s Munnar Hills. It’s dedicated to the Hindu dieties of Shiva and Parvati. It was pretty much bare rock with no shade and I was climbing with just a local guide in the midday sun. I won’t lie, it was hard and yes I did struggle. I’ve been learning about Bramacharya, the yogic principle of non-excess. Although translated in several ways, one understanding is that of knowing when enough is enough. So, there I am, climbing and thinking, and thinking and climbing. And in particular I’m thinking, surely to goodness this must enough be bloody climbing already. When, in his best English, my guide explained that we were almost at the first peak and there was actually a second peak, I was about to shout ‘Bramacharya’. Was I pushing myself too hard for the greed of ticking a box? But thanks to his talk of excellent views and my strong legs I was persuaded to push on to the very top. So I guess that’s what I am learning. How to know when enough is enough and how to know when we can reach that bit further. When have we tried enough, cried enough, given enough, and when on the other hand, we can find the strength to go to our next level. How glad I was that I found my true level of enough that day. I stood tall on top of that mountain and knew it was enough. That I was enough. And yes the view was justly wonderful. Claire

12 months ago we were raising our glasses, spouting new year's clichés, hugging friends tightly (remember that!), and making exciting plans for growing business and exploring all the corners of our beautiful world. Okay 2020 didn't quite go the way we imagined it might, but I think we've all accepted in one way or another that we have to try and find a positive angle on what's happened. For the 7 months of 2020 that Claire's Holistics was permitted to open, I was busy with new and repeat clients, received wonderful feedback and am so grateful for all the love and support from friends, family and colleagues. Some of you might have spotted that I moved onto 'Perfect Day' a narrowboat on the Leeds-Liverpool canal and somehow managed to find an endless amount of maintenance to do on her. Others of you might know that I usually balance my massage work with moonlighting as an overseas tour guide and other freelancing in the travel sector, work about which I remain passionate. With both Claire's Holistics and the travel industry taking a hit and now a third lockdown kicking in, I've started to think a little differently about what is possible and practical in 2021. So, while missing family, friends and clients, I'm exploring new projects and dipping a tentative toe into a few pools before deciding which to dive right into. So, let's see what the new year brings. I wish each one of you great happiness and look forward to seeing your faces soon, Claire x

"Ooooh, that smells gorgeous," she said as she entered the candle lit treatment room. "That'll be the Ayurvedic oil," I replied. It makes me so happy when clients love the oil I use for my full body and Indian head massages. I take great care over getting the oil right and it is an important part of my treatments. With so many clients suffering from sensitive skin and allergies, I am proud to say my oil is 100% natural and blended according to the 5000 year old Indian tradition of Ayurveda. So what's in it? The base is coconut (easily absorbed, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory) and sesame (nourishing and good for circulation). Then herbal extracts are added which combine to combat muscle pain, joint pain, and inflammation while healing the skin and smelling delicious. These are mostly endemic to the Indian subcontinent and include cinnamon, clove, camphor, turmeric, ginger, cedar bark, liquorice root, asparagus , mallow and neem. The oil is warmed and traditionally applied liberally, but can be minimised for those who prefer. It's a tri-dosha oil which means it is good for balancing all body types. Call or message me to book an appointment or just for more info. Claire