Welcome to my Winter 2012 Newsletter - This year has flown by!

In this issue
Our Fundraising event 
Date for your diary! 
Open Day 2013

Our Annual Charity Fundraising Evening was held on the 24th October 2012
 
      

Linda hands over a cheque for £408.56 to Mary from West Lothian Woman's Aid

"Thank you to all who came along to support us in aid of West Lothian Women’s Aid. A fabulous total of £408.56 was raised! How can so few people rally round and persuade people to part with their money in 90 minutes? 

My thanks to our therapists, Dawn, Jo, Rhona, Catherine and Annie. To the girls in the kitchen supplying the refreshments – Chris, Amanda & Erin. To Isobel & Helen who floated and went where needed. To our auctioneer, Andrew who parted people with their money and to Kerr who always supports us. Alison for manning the door, holding everything together and keeping me right! :Stephen for all his ferrying about! Evelyn always brings her family and to everyone who brought their friends and donated prizes for the raffle, brought the home baking and the auction. Thank you to Jenny and Sheila who couldn’t be there but kindly supported us in their absence and to newcomers Ali & Sharon who joined in all the fun. 

If I have missed anyone I am sorry. You really are the best yoga class around (with apologies to other classes!)

        In addition to the above we have sold another 3 Relaxation CD’s and have £15 to add to our wonderful total. The relaxations were recorded live at yoga evenings.

The Yoga class has now finished and we resume Wednesday 6th February 2013.

Date for the Yogi’s Diaries!

Following in true tradition we yogi’s will be having our night out on Wednesday 30th January at Khushi’s in Mid Calder. Time 7.30. Please confirm if you can make it ( if you haven’t done already)

Open Day 2013

Following last year’s very successful Open Day I will be holding one again, probably Saturday 2nd March but I will confirm details nearer the time.

Christmas Gifts

If you still haven’t decided what to buy, why not consider a treatment voucher. These can be used for Reiki or an Indian Head Massage. Please see the website for details and remember we can provide these on line for the last minute gift.   

Party with a Difference

A party with a difference! I come to you. You and your friends experience a 20 minute mini treatment. The perfect way to relax after some Christmas shopping or maybe your Christmas gift to your friends!.

 I also do Bridal parties -  a great way to relieve the stress before the big day

There is a wonderful poem I would like to share with you this Christmas.
This is taken from the book MOTHER TERESA
– MEDITATIONS FROM A SIMPLE PATH.

.  

  A very Happy Christmas to all of you and may 2013 be the year some of your dreams come true. 

Welcome to my Whole Body Balance Autumn 2012 Newsletter

Where did summer go this year? Has anyone seen it? In fact the nicest week of the year was the week I was fortunate
enough to be away in Galloway. Officially it was still Spring!! Autumn is so beautiful though. Enjoy it.

Yoga in the Park 2012 Pics

 In this issue

Yoga in the Park (photos above)

First Anniversary of Treatment Room

 
Balanced Recipe

 I wasn’t going to do a recipe this time as I hadn’t planned anything and nothing had been suggested -but I changed my mind! Tonight I made the simplest of meals and it really was delicious.

I am dedicating this to my wonderful friend Lucia. We have had several discussions about Lancashire Hotpot over the years and tonight’s just hit the mark.

Serves 2

4 pieces of Lambs neck
2 red onions ( I didn’t have brown onions left)
3 large baking potatoes
Approx. 1pt of boiling water 
1 Oxo cube
Salt, pepper & dried thyme

Pat dry the lamb (no need to brown) and place in small heavy casserole dish ( I put 3 on the base and 1 on the upper layer)

Thinly slice the onions and layer

Peel and thinly slice the potatoes and layer
Place the rest of the lamb on top and continue layering the onion and finish with potato.
Sprinkle each layer of potato with seasoning and thyme.
Pour over the boing water with the Oxo cube sprinkled and stirred in it
Cover tightly with foil and the casserole lid.

Autumn Meditation

As the dark nights draw in we sometimes want to spend a few minutes with our thoughts but sometimes they can get confused. We think about too much at once.

 This year’s Annual Fundraising event is Wednesday 24th October. Each year I ask my class to decide who they would like to support. We always try and support a local cause and this year we are supporting West Lothian Women’s Aid based in Ivanhoe Rise, Livingston. 

*This poster is attached to the newsletter – if you know of somewhere that this could be posted (ask permission!) please print out one or more copies and arrange for them to be posted. 

Please remember, every penny taken on the night goes directly to the cause.

http://www.wlwa.org.uk/

 A representative of the Charity visited the class recently to outline what they do. She left a poem prepared by refuge residents that we would like to share.

“Things I learned at the Refuge”

That a child can be reduced to tears by the sound of a key in the door.

That it's easy to ask why it's hard to say that I'm not going to take any more.

That you can't get back to Kansas simply by: clicking your heels 

That leaving is hard, and staying is hard and love is as hard as steel.

That sticks and stones will break your bones but the names can hurt you too.

That cruelties can be tiny and there's always a size to fit you.

That if someone can stop you laughing he thinks he's won the fight but that laughter creeps back like daisies given the smallest amount of light. 

That freedom, like abseiling, is worth the thrill if you're able to step out and risk it:

That nothing can stop the runaway chat of seventeen women with biscuits.

That a nom de plume is a shield and sword whether Femme Fatale or Fanny Slack;

That painting a wall or making a cake are signs that you're on the way back.

That spider silk is not the strongest fibre known to man the strongest force in nature is telling a woman she can.

That so long as your fist can fit round a pen the bitterest draft can be sweetened;

You'll be down and out for a little while But never, ever beaten.

- Written by a group of refuge residents,
   Permission kindly granted by www.jobell.org 

Welcome to my Whole Body Balance Spring Newsletter –
Winter is behind us (don’t look out the window for the next few days!)
Spring has burst upon us and let’s hope it lasts until Summer comes!

·         Visit the website www.wholebodybalance.co.uk

 Our Yoga night out!

Traditionally we go out for dinner the week before starting back at our yoga. This year we again went to Khushi’s in Mid Calder on Wednesday 25th January. A lovely evening was had by all and it was great to see our ‘old’ friends too. We have kept this tradition going for about 10 years or more ( I’ve lost count) and long may it continue.

-------------------------------------------------

 21st Century Technology  

I have joined the Facebook revolution! I shied away from it as I am technologically challenged as many of you will know but my lovely yogi friends persuaded me of its advantages. Oh dear I thought how do I go about this? I spoke to my trusted webmaster who told me I had to have a personal page in order to have a business page and hey presto he set it up and I am slowly getting the hang of it (very slowly) In fact I posted something a couple of nights ago!

Apparently I can only have friends on my personal page and people have to like my business page so ................. please follow the instructions below if you would like to like to ‘like me’  and thank you to those of you who already ‘liked me’.

 www.facebook.com/wholebodybalanceuk

 -------------------------------------------------

Open Day

I held my first Open Day on Saturday 3rd March. I really had no idea how it would go and can say I was thrilled by the response. Thank you to all my yoga friends and clients who helped with the day and my webmaster for my promotional material. The front desk was manned, people chatted about the treatment and supplied our guests with food and beverages and it went like a fair all day. Thank you to Jackie for handing over the Barefoot Chiropody Clinic to me for the day. Please do let me have your feedback on how the day went, this will help me decide how to promote similar days in the future.

Girlfriends Get Together

As the weather improves many of us think about small gatherings or parties. Why not have about 5 friends over and all have a taster Indian Head Massage -  see website for full details. These can be done in your home, conservatory or garden. It’s a great way to sample the treatment. 

I also do Bridal Parties. It’s a great way to reduce the stress!

Mother & Toddler Grown Up Night in

My thanks to Becky Wapshott for inviting me to their ‘Grown Up Evening In’ at the Baptist Church on Saturday 25th February. It was an enjoyable evening and I thank them for their hospitality. A lovely dinner followed by ‘taster treatments’ Everyone appeared very relaxed after their treatment.

 Balanced Recipe

Thank you to my friend  Lucia for this recipe. I have tried it. It’s easy to make a and tastes delicious.

Pork with Mushrooms serves 4Ingredients

675g pork fillet
2tbsp sunflower oil
25g butter
1 chopped onion
1 tbsp paprika
25g plain flower 
300ml chicken stock

 Method 

Cut pork into 11/2 inch cubes. Heat oil & butter in a large saucepan. Add pork, cook for 5 mins over a medium heat or until browned. Transfer to plate with slotted spoon.

Add chopped onion to saucepan & cook for 5 mins, stirring. Stir in paprika & flour & cook for 5 mins. Gradually add the stock & bring to the boil stirring constantly.

Return pork to the pan, add the sherry, sliced mushrooms & season.

Cover & simmer for 20 mins or until pork is tender. Stir in soured cream and serve. 

I served this with rice but potatoes would be just as good.

Please send me your recipes if you would like to share them.

Spring Relaxation   

We all lead such busy lives these days and so often don't spend time on ourselves. We rush round looking after husbands/wives, children, housework, animals and so on. Carry on doing all that but please remember if you don't give yourself time you can't help those around you!

(Continued next column….)

 …..Spring Relaxation (cont.)

'Make an appointment with yourself' even if it is only for 15 minutes once or twice a week.

Find a quiet spot where you won't be disturbed.

Turn the phone down ( and let the answer machine take the calls) dim the lights or turn them off, maybe light a candle and bathe yourself in its warm glow

Put some relaxing music on or enjoy the silence! 

Either lie down on the floor making sure your back is well supported and cover yourself with a blanket or sit in a chair ensuring your back is well supported. Keep your legs and feet uncrossed and your arms by your side or your palms on your lap.

Allow yourself to breathe naturally, don't force your breath anywhere, and let your breath settle wherever it wants to.

As you relax imagine you are lying in a large garden. It is a warm spring day, the sky is blue and the sun is shining high above you. The grass is warm beneath your mat. 

You are aware of the daffodils around you, the trees gently swaying in the breeze and the leaves are budding on the branches.

You hear the sound of water as it tumbles over some rocks and flows into a pond.

Listen to the birds in the trees.

Your surroundings are quite perfect.   

Take your awareness to each part of your body, starting with your feet, ankles and legs, breathe in and as you breathe out let go of any tension and relax.

Take your awareness to your hands, arms and shoulders, breathe in and as you breathe out let go of any tension and relax.

Take your awareness to your torso, become aware of your hips, pelvis, back, spine, and abdomen. all your internal organs, ribcage, lungs and heart, breathe in and as you breathe out let go of any tension and relax. 

Take your awareness to your neck and throat, to your face, jaw, ears and eyes, breathe in and as you breathe out let go of any tension and relax.

Take your awareness to your forehead, the crown of your head and the back of your head, breathe in and as you breathe out let go of any tension and relax.

Enjoy the feeling of deep relaxation.

You continue to relax with every outbreath. 

You become more aware of the sun above you, this wondrous sphere of energy; it may be yellow, orange or red. You choose. Imagine there is a tiny aperture in the crown of your head

and as the aperture opens this beautiful energy of the sun slowly starts to flow into your crown and slowly expands across your scalp, down through your head into your neck, across your shoulders down through your arms and body. The energy continues to flow right down to your fingertips and down through your legs to the tips of your toes, warming you and energising you as it does so.

You are aware that the aperture in the crown of your head has closed and the wondrous energy has floated away. 

You slowly awake, bringing your awareness back to your body and are feeling completed energised. Make sure you stretch and sit quietly for a few moments before being ready to face whatever is waiting for you.

Om Shanti
 

Gift vouchers always available. The gift that gives twice. We ensured these were available on line for Christmas Day and for Mother’s Day. The perfect last minute gift – you could even plan it!!.

Welcome to my Whole Body Balance Winter Newsletter – slightly earlier than planned but I wanted to send it out before Christmas!  Please continue to let me have your comments – all are welcome.

 In this issue - 

·               Visit the website www.wholebodybalance.co.uk

 
My new treatment room opened at the beginning of October within the Barefoot Chiropody Clinic at 17 Main Street, Mid Calder. I look forward to seeing you there. It was opened in time for my first regular client to experience the environment, thankfully she keeps
coming back!

-------------------------------------------------

The 2011 Charity Event was held on
        Wednesday 26th October 2011 and
        was our most successful ever as
        we raised £406.00!  

Linda hands the money raised over
to the lodge office bearers.

The evening started with mini therapies including Reiki, Indian Head Massage, Facials, Nail manicures & On site Massage..... There was a raffle + auction of therapy vouchers plus teas, coffee & home baking. Thanks to all that supported the evening

Every year my yoga class members decide which charity they want to support. It is their class and their final choice. This year they decided to help celebrate our ‘landlords’ Lodge St John’s 275th anniversary year which was dedicated to ‘Celebrate by Helping Others’ They are sharing their funds raised equally between the West Lothian Children’s Panel & West Lothian Young Carers. 

We had a fabulous evening and raised £406 which was increased to £450 by St John’s Lodge. They gave £225 to each charity.   Thank you.

I would like to thank all the in house therapists, Rhona, Dawn, Annie and Catherine and visiting therapist (Norma Gray a Sports Massage Therapist). Thank you to Annie, Catherine and the Barefoot Chiropody Clinic who joined me in donating treatment vouchers. My thanks to Andrew, our in house auctioneer who year after year manages to part us all with our money to bid for these treatments. A huge thanks to Annie McLeman for her hand made cards and to Violet McLeod for her beautiful crochet work. Violet, apart from being my friend’s mother just happens to be 92 years young and is still actively crocheting. My order is in for next year!

The biggest thanks of all goes to everyone in the class who year after year rally round, helping to organise and bringing family and friends. The evening couldn’t go ahead without them. 

Still unsure what to buy for Christmas?

Treatment  Vouchers 

– the Gift that gives twice!

Treatment vouchers are always available making the perfect Christmas, Birthday, Anniversary, Thank You or "any reason" gift.  e-vouchers also available. See website for details.

We can provide “emergency” e-vouchers that you can print out yourself – e.g. forgotten someone? We can even provide a voucher on Christmas morning!

‘Party with a difference’ or trying to catch up with friends you haven’t seen for a while? Ask a few girlfriends round and all experience a mini Indian Head Massage. Call me, I can tailor a package to suit you and your guests.

No recipe this time as I am sure you will all have ideas on what to do with your Christmas Fayre. Unless I am having guests round on Boxing Day I do like to have a rest from cooking. I like to lay out whatever food I have left on a platter and simply enjoy throughout the evening whilst watching TV! Perhaps you enjoy doing the same?
PS. Bubble & Squeak is great!

A Pamper Night at Livingston Cricket Club was organised by Jenny Anderson in aid of the Children’s Liver Foundation. 

This was held on Saturday 3rd December and despite the wet weather it was very well attended. Several therapists helped out including a make-up artist and myself. A fabulous total of over £100 was raised. 

If you would like more information about the charity please contact Jenny Anderson on 07909 645084 or e mail Jenny at Jenny.Anderson@talktalk.net

Winter Relaxation

Winter is a time for ‘going within’ a time for inner reflection. A time to re-charge your energies.

Please do not underestimate the power you have to do this. We all owe it to ourselves. If we help ourselves, we can then help others. 15 minutes twice a week will really help you.

If you have read the previous newsletters you will be aware of how to relax your body!

If not please follow these simple instructions:

Find a quiet spot where you won't be disturbed.

Turn the phone down ( and let the answer machine take the calls) dim the lights or turn them off, maybe light a candle and bathe yourself in its warm glow (if your Christmas tree is up use the soft lighting created by the tree lights!)

(cont. next column)

 (relaxation continued)

Put some relaxing music on or enjoy the silence! 

Either lie down on the floor making sure your back is well supported and cover yourself with a blanket or sit in a chair ensuring your back is well supported 

Keep your legs and feet uncrossed and your arms by your side or your palms on your lap.

Allow yourself to breathe naturally, don't force your breath anywhere, and let your breath settle wherever it wants to.

Take your awareness to each part of your body, starting with your feet, ankles and legs, breathe in and as you breathe out let go of any tension and relax

Take your awareness to your hands, arms and shoulders, breathe in and as you breathe out let go of any tension and relax.
Take your awareness to your torso, become aware of your hips, pelvis, back, spine, and abdomen. all your internal organs, ribcage, lungs and heart, breathe in and as you breathe out let go of any tension and relax. 

Take your awareness to your neck and throat, to your face, jaw, ears and eyes, breathe in and as you breathe out let go of any tension and relax.

Take your awareness to your forehead, the crown of your head and the back of your head, breathe in and as you breathe out let go of any tension and relax

Enjoy the feeling of deep relaxation.

Once relaxed, take yourself away to a place which is special for you, for whatever reason. This may be a corner of your garden or a favourite holiday destination.

Imagine you are lying outside on a warm evening.

You are lying on a blanket on the ground and are aware of the trees, shrubs and flowers around you. As you gaze into the beautiful midnight blue sky you see the stars shining brightly.

You are aware of the sound of the sea in the distance and slowly you allow the sound of the water to calm your being.

You become aware of the sound of silence and enjoy the complete stillness and deep relaxation.

Relax for as long as you are able to. 

You slowly awake, bringing your awareness back to your body and are feeling completed energised. Make sure you stretch and sit quietly for a few moments before being ready to face whatever is waiting for you.

………………Om Shanti 

The yoga class has finished now for Christmas and we start back on Wednesday 1st February 2012. We do of course have our wonderful night out the week before at Khushi’s in Mid Calder. Put 25th January in your diary and let me know if you can attend.   

I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year. 

With my love

Linda  x

Linda Bibby
Whole Body Balance
linda@wholebodybalance.co.uk

www.wholebodybalance.co.uk

01506 884115 Mob 0774 206 3080

Newsletter Nr 3 - Autumn 2011

In this issue - 

Exciting News -  The Opening of my new Treatment Room

·         Yoga in the Park 

·         Annual Fund Raising Evening

·         Balanced Recipe

Autumn Relaxation

We all lead such busy lives these days and juggle 101 things each day. Please do not underestimate the power you have to relax and re-energise yourself. 15 minutes twice a week will really help you.

If you have read the previous newsletters you will be aware of how to relax your body!

Exciting News

Find a quiet spot where you won't be disturbed

Turn the phone down ( and let the answer machine take the calls) dim the lights or turn them off, maybe light a candle and bathe yourself in its warm glow.

Put some relaxing music on or enjoy the silence! 

Either lie down on the floor making sure your back is well supported and cover yourself with a blanket or sit in a chair ensuring your back is well supported 

This is where we should have been….
–  fingers crossed for next year!

Girlfriends get together

Keep your legs and feet uncrossed and your arms by your side or your palms on your lap.

Allow yourself to breathe naturally, don't force your breath anywhere, and let your breath settle wherever it wants to.

Take your awareness to each part of your body, starting with your feet, ankles and legs, breathe in and as you breathe out let go of any tension and relax

Why  not invite 5 or 6 friends round…

Gift Vouchers

Gift Vouchers always available making the perfect Birthday, Christmas, Anniversary, Thank You or "any reason" gift. E vouchers also available. See website for details. 

Take your awareness to your hands, arms and shoulders, breathe in and as you breathe out let go of any tension and relax.

Take your awareness to your torso, become aware of your hips, pelvis, back, spine, and abdomen. all your internal organs, ribcage, lungs and heart, breathe in and as you breathe out let go of any tension and relax. 

…and all have a mini Indian Head massage £12 – hostess has hers free or you can all split the cost !! I could do a relaxation session for up to 10 people. 

Call me for details and I can tailor a package for you

This year’s annual Yoga Class Fund Raising Evening

We decided to hold this a little earlier this year and try and avoid the dreadful weather we had last year! The date for your diary is Wednesday 26th October.

 
This will include : - Mini Therapies including
Reiki | Indian Head Massage | Facials | Nail manicures

There will be a Raffle + Auction of therapy vouchers + Teas , Coffee & Home Baking 

There’s often one or two surprises too.
The doors open at 7.30 

Entry £5 including one therapy - extra therapies £4. All proceeds to the Charity! Nothing is deducted from the monies taken on the evening.

The auction takes place at 8.30 upstairs. All Raffle donations are welcome.

We will be taking advance bookings for therapies this year!

Please come along and bring your friends, even if you don’t come to yoga! We are always amazed at how much money so few people can raise so please help us raise a little more!   

To help celebrate our ‘landlords’ Lodge St John’s 275th year we are giving our proceeds to them.

Lodge St John have dedicated 2011, their anniversary year as the year they ‘Celebrate by Helping Others’

They are sharing their funds raised equally between the West Lothian Children’s Panel & West Lothian Young Carers. The decision who we support each year is decided by my yoga students and we are all delighted to be supporting our chosen cause.

Take your awareness to your neck and throat, to your face, jaw, ears and eyes, breathe in and as you breathe out let go of any tension and relax.

Take your awareness to your forehead, the crown of your head and the back of your head, breathe in and as you breathe out let go of any tension and relax.

Enjoy the feeling of deep relaxation.

Once relaxed, take yourself away to a beautiful garden.

It is a warm autumn afternoon and the sun is shining

You are lying on a blanket on the ground and are aware of the trees, shrubs and flowers around you. The leaves on the trees are beginning to change colour, yellow, orange, red and brown. You choose your favourite trees.

You are aware of the sound of water tumbling over stones in the distance and slowly you allow the sound of the water to calm your being.

You become aware of the sound of silence and enjoy the complete stillness and deep relaxation.

Relax for as long as you are able to. 

You slowly awake, bringing your awareness back to your body and are feeling completed energised. Make sure you stretch and sit quietly for a few moments before being ready to face whatever is waiting for you.

………………Om Shanti 

‘Balanced Recipe’

Spaghetti with Porcini & spinach

Spaghetti or other pasta e.g. tagliatelle for 2

20 gr of dried porcini 

salt  7 freshly ground black pepper

100 gr spinach

1 large or 2 small eggs

large clove of garlic – crushed & chopped

freshly grated pecorino

olive oil

Soak the mushrooms in hot water from the kettle for about 30 minutes -  reserve some of the liquid

Cook the pasta according to the instructions -  you can add some of the reserved liquid to enhance the taste of the pasta

Meanwhile chop porcini & fry gently in olive & add crushed and chopped garlic

Drain the pasta keeping a little so it doesn’t dry out

Wilt the spinach into the mushrooms and then add porcini and spinach to the pasta

Quickly add the egg and stir to give the pasta a creamy texture

Serve immediately with grated pecorino & black pepper

Newsletter Nr 2 - June 2011

 Welcome to the Whole Body Balance June Newsletter 

THANK YOU 

Firstly, thank you for all your thoughts and comments on my first Newsletter. Please keep sharing them with me. I thought a monthly letter might be too much and some of you agree so I plan to send it out quarterly. You will soon be able to view back copies on my website. Remember you can unsubscribe at any time (see link below) but I hope you won’t!  

I hope you like the re-vamped version. Let me know.

 In this issue

  Date for your  Diary

 Sunday 7th August 2011 -  Hopetoun House. 

Meet outside the hut in the car park at 2pm (weather permitting). No charge for the class just the entry to the grounds. 

Grounds only: Adults £4.25. Pensioners &  Students £3.70   

Each year we have been very fortunate to spend an afternoon in the grounds of Hopetoun House enjoying a couple of hours of yoga in the open air and afterwards enjoying a picnic.   

Bring your yoga mat and some food to share. 

You are very welcome to join us even if you don’t come to yoga.  

I can’t predict the weather but we have only cancelled one year – we didn’t cancel – just the weather was so bad we didn’t plan it!!    

Wedding packages.  

Why not consider a pre wedding occasion with a difference or in addition to your Hen Night. Brides need relaxation before their big day as do their mothers, mothers in law and bridesmaids. Contact me to discuss your requirements.  

Loyalty Cards -  have 5 treatments and get your 6th one free! The first free treatments have been enjoyed.   

  Gift Vouchers always available. You decide how much. Perfect for the last minute present. 

Visit our website here 

NEWS 

 Indian Head Massage Success 

 Clare (not her real name) from Livingston has very kindly allowed me to use her story!.  

She came to me 3 months ago with a mixture of curiosity and needing relaxation for tension in her neck and shoulders.  

 I see Clare fortnightly and from the very first session it became apparent that in addition to reducing the tension in her neck and shoulders the Indian Champissage was helping her to relax. Having massively benefitted from the balancing effect on her emotions following the end of her marriage two years before and on-going stresses at work there were a lot of issues she was trying to balance and was for a long time low in resistance and mood.

From the very start, the depths of relaxation far surpassed her expectation and Clare was left with an increasing sense of balance, acceptance of her situation and her zest for life has returned. (Clare’s words not mine!) 

Recipe – ‘Balanced Food’ 

 Rhubarb with Ginger & Orange.

A lovely dessert at any time of the year.

Serves 2 – 3

Ingredients

4 or 5 sticks of rhubarb cut into 1½ inch pieces

A piece of fresh ginger about 1 inch peeled and very finely chopped or grated.

1 dessertspoonful of dark sugar

The juice of an orange.

Method

Combine the ingredients, pour the juice over and simmer very gently until the rhubarb is cooked but still firm.

Either serve cold or warm with vanilla ice cream or Greek yogurt.

You can vary the sugar and ginger depending upon your taste.

 ‘Party with a difference’

 Summer is here, yes even in Scotland.

Why not invite some friends round, spend the afternoon or evening in the garden and all have a mini Indian Head Massage. Take five friends,  £11 each and the hostess gets hers free, I’ll even bring a bottle of wine to start the party off! If it rains we can move inside!

 Not taking a holiday this year? Why not treat yourself to some wonderful therapies for a change and bring the holiday to you. Indian Head Massage could be one of them.

 RELAXATION

 Linda will talk you through a relaxation if you go to the website (Yoga page)

or read the tip in the next column

 Click here to unsubscribe

SUMMER RELAXATION 

We all lead such busy lives these days and so often don't spend time on ourselves. We rush round looking after husbands/wives, children, housework, animals and so on.  Carry on doing all that but please remember if you don't give yourself time you can't help those around you! 

 'Make an appointment with yourself' even if it is only for 15 minutes once or twice a week.  

Find a quiet spot where you won't be disturbed. 

 Turn the phone down ( and let the answer machine take the calls) dim the lights or turn them off, maybe light a candle and bathe yourself in its warm glow. 

 Put some relaxing music on or enjoy the silence!   

Either lie down on the floor making sure your back is well supported and cover yourself with a blanket or sit in a chair ensuring your back is well supported. Keep your legs and feet uncrossed and your arms by your side or your palms on your lap.  

Allow yourself to breathe naturally, don't force your breath anywhere, and let your breath settle wherever it wants to.  

Take your awareness to each part of your body, starting with your feet, ankles and legs, breathe in and as you breathe out let go of any tension and relax.  

Take your awareness to your hands, arms and shoulders, breathe in and as you breathe out let go of any tension and relax.  

Take your awareness to your torso, become aware of your hips, pelvis, back, spine, and abdomen. all your internal organs, ribcage, lungs and heart, breathe in and as you breathe out let go of any tension and relax.   

Take your awareness to your neck and throat, to your face, jaw, ears and eyes, breathe in and as you breathe out let go of any tension and relax.  

Take your awareness to your forehead, the crown of your head and the back of your head, breathe in and as you breathe out let go of any tension and relax.  

Enjoy the feeling of deep relaxation.  

Imagine you are lying outside on warm grass. It is late afternoon or early evening so the sun is not too hot. 

You are aware of the trees gently waving in the soft breeze, the perfume of the flowers and in the distance the sound of water gently tumbling over rocks into a pool where water lillies are growing. Listen to the birds in the trees. 

You continue to relax with every outbreath.  

You are aware of the sun above you, this wondrous sphere of energy; it may be yellow, orange or red. You choose. Imagine there is a tiny aperture in the crown of your head and as the aperture opens this beautiful energy of the sun slowly starts to flow into your crown and slowly expands across your scalp, down through your head into your neck, across your shoulders down through your arms and body. The energy continues to flow right down to your fingertips and down through your legs to the tips of your toes, warming you and energising you as it does so. 

You are aware that the aperture in the crown of your head has closed and the wondrous energy has floated away.   

You slowly awake, bringing your awareness back to your body and are feeling completed energised. Make sure you stretch and sit quietly for a few moments before being ready to face whatever is waiting for you.  

Om Shanti