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I was invited by Clwb Gwawr Caerdydd to do an evening's presentation focussing on 'New Year's Resolutions'. Where to start!?· The obvious route to take was dieting, but not being a fan of dieting myself, I decided to talk about 'aiming to achieve', rather than 'aiming to fail', which often happens with new year's resolutions!!

I talked about food and nutrition; using smoothies to increase your intake of fruit and veg in a day; increasing water intake; and swapping the odd cup of tea or coffee in a day for some fruit or herbal tea.· I took about 8 boxes of different teas with me and everyone was invited to try something new.·

We walked about active living too.· You probably already know that I'm not a fan of the gym, so we talked about doing things differently; parking the car at the further point of the car park and walking a bit further to the super market; getting out into the garden and getting active; doing tai chi; and swinging some poi!· The Club really enjoyed the poi and lots of members came up and did some beginners poi moves with me which was really good fun!

We talked about the benefits of complementary therapy, from Reflexology to Reiki, Chiropractic, Shiatsu and a few other therapies inbetween.· To finish the evening, we talked about having a 'peaeful mind' and the benefits of ensuring restful sleep and relaxation.· For the last 10 minutes or so we all did some meditation together.· Feedback from the Club was really positive and they said that the meditation had a really positive, relaxation effect.

So, a big thank you to Clwb Gwawr for their invitation and for giving me the chance to talk about all the things I am passionate about! Diolch i chi am eich gwahoddiad. Oedd hi'n noson wych!

We went for a cycle ride around Bute Park this afternoon.· I'd wondered around the Park back in my Uni day, as the halls of residence I lived in for a few years is just off the top of the Park.

Bute park is an easily accessible·56 hectare green haven in the heart of the city. It is flanked by the River Taff, Sophia gardens, Pontcanna Fields and Cardiff Castle. Cardiff's biggest city centre public park, was originally created as the private garden to Cardiff Castle by Head Gardener Andrew Pettigrew for the third Marquess of Bute between 1873 and 1901.· In 1947, a significant proportion of the grounds were given to the people of Cardiff by the fifth Marquess of Bute, along with Cardiff Castle and Sophia Gardens (further portions of land were purchased and leased by the council to create an extensive park).· The Victorian garden layout still exists, but since 1947 the park has been extensively planted with trees to form the Bute Park Arboretum.

All around the Park are wide paths, accesible for Sunday afternoon strollers, dog walkers, pram pushers, joggers and cyclists alike.· There was a real community atmosphere there today with people from all walks of life, cultures and languages taking their time to enjoy the good weather and a few moment of relaxation. The weather was glorious and it was really warm in the sunshine; some people were sitting down against big old trees reading books, some were sitting on the grass having a picnic, others were pushing children on bicycles newly released from the constraints of stabilisers!· Some people were rowing down the Taff amidts yells of 'Go on!' and 'Well done!', so there may have been a race on. There were signs around the Park guiding the runners of the half marathon held in the morning where to go and how many miles they had done.

All in all it was a realy lovely, relaxed afternoon with lots of fresh air, sunshine and a Burger King in the middle, finished off with an orange and chocolate cookie...purely for the purposes of maintaining energy, of course!

Reflexology induces the relaxation of muscles and releases any obstructions in the flow of energy. Any tightening of the muscles due to pain or pressure can be eased away. Reflexology encourages the release of the body’s natural hormones, such as endorphins and these can induce an analgesic effect, reducing the pain from....
e.g. sciatica, headaches, shoulder pain, aching knees etc. Reflexology also moves the body into a relaxed state where its natural healing abilities can work at optimal levels. Many studies have shown that after a few sessions, the timing and position of the pain and the intensity of the pain is reduced. Reflexology is not a typical massage and you may feel slight discomfort as imbalanced reflexes are touched. Some people find reflexology extremely relaxing, so don't worry if you fall asleep during the treatment! Treatment usually lasts for approximately one hour and a few treatments may be necessary, as the benefits of Reflexology build up gently and gradually. The number of treatments will depend on your individual requirements. As with some other complementary medicines, where the body is being assisted in healing itself, some reactions may occur. You may feel lethargic or emotional; develop a cold or a skin rash. These reactions are temporary and a sign that the body is going through the natural healing process, clearing out toxins and working towards its own balance. Some people may have an instant positive reaction, with an increased feeling of vitality and well-being. Reflexology is very relaxing and I offer it to people of all ages, from babies to the elderly. If you live in Merthyr Tydfil, Caerphilly, Pontypridd, Aberdare or even Cardiff, you can easily access my Therapy Room, in my home in Edwardsville. I am just a stone's throw from the A470 and easy to find. You can access my location map here.

Last week I had a phone call from an Associate Director from the Sherman Theatre, asking if I would be prepared to offer some therapies and to have a discussion with a playwrite who was currently doing some research to get inspiration for new characters and new plays! I was, of course delighted and this evening, I had a lovely hour offering therapies and talking about myself to the lovely Sharon Morgan, who has appeared on our TV screens in many programmes such as Belonging, Torchwood, High Hopes, Pobol y Cwm and lots more! Sharon told me that she was on a 5 day course visiting a number of different people and places to gain inspiration and on Saturday she and 4 other playwrites will be locked in a room and will have to write up their ideas! The Sherman Theatre will be closing for a 12 month refurbishment shortly, and during that 12 months, the Theatre will be out on the road, performing the dramas, plays etc that will be developed from this course. I am really looking forward to the results and whether I can pick out a little bit of 'me'!!!

It's that strange time between Christmas and New Year when you can really relax and have a chance to unwind. The mad dash of the Christmas roast is over for another year and you don't need to start planning New Year's Eve just yet! So, you're in that nice stage of limbo when you can wonder around the shops and pick up bargains if you fancy or go out for walks or maybe just stay in and watch some family movies.

Today is the Winter Solstice, Winter Equinox or Yule and it's one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world. Technically, it's occurs exactly when the earth's axial tilt is farthest away from the sun at its maximum of 23° 26'! It is known as the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere and the summer solstice in the southern hemisphere due to the seasonal differences.

Many cultures celebrate various combinations of the winter and summer solstices, the equinoxes, and the midpoints between them, leading to various holidays arising around these events. For the December solstice, Christmas is the most popular holiday to have arisen. In addition Yalda, Saturnalis, Katachun, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Yule are also celebrated around this time

Yule is a Pagan celebration and was celebrated in Britain long before Christianity arrived. The Celtic Druids would celebrate Yule by burning a log during the long dark, short days to conquer the darkness. Bonfires were lit in the fields, and crops and trees were wassailed with toasts of spiced cider.

In modern times Christian all over the world celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas, which falls on December 25. However, it is believed that this date was chosen to offset pagan celebrations of Saturnalia and Natalis Invicti. Some believe that celebrating the birth of the “true light of the world” was set in synchronisation with the December solstice because from that point onwards, the days began to have more daylight in the northern hemisphere. Wishing you all a happy Yule!

It's day 7 of my hideous cold and I can say it is only marginally better! I can't remember having a cold that has lasted this long, been so lingering and debilitating before! Usually 5 days and I'm back in work and back to normal. Not only do I have a cold, but I've lost my voice too, have lost my sense of smell and have lost my sense of taste. What a pain!! As a complementary therapist, I'm really ... disappointed that the cold bug has got me, even though I eat lots of fruit and veg., drink lots of water and get plenty of sleep! It's time I found a new therapist near our new home, someone to help me keep the bugs at bay! if you're feeling under the weather or can feel a cold heading your way, come for some reflexology to help your body fit of the bugs and viruses and heal itself. Reflexology points of ...focus

* Head/Sinuses: To help decongest the head and sinuses.
* Lungs/Bronchial Tubes: To help break up congestion
* Spleen & Thymus :o help with immunity

And now, I'm off for an orange, plenty of Vitamin C required!!

Well, we've been in the new house over two weeks now and it has rained every day. So, the plans for the garden will have to wait for spring! So, we're working on the inside! The new therapy room is looking really lovely, painted in a warm toffee colour. With dimmed lighting and a few candles burning, it has just the relaxed atmosphere I was looking for. The next big job is the kitchen, cnsequent to many hours spent in Ikea, looking, thinking planning and deciding! The aim is to have a fully functioning new kitchen by Christmas, which, I was informed today will all be over a month from now!! Eeek!

On the train to Llanelli with my iPod, pad and pen. I don't usually travel this way. I probably haven't been on a train in this direction since Uni days, some 12 years ago. Bust Bee BlogI can't really work out where I am; so used to getting in the car, pointing the bonnet towards the M4 and heading off. But, I cannt deny, I enjoy my train journeys. On the busy short journeys I get to people watch and on the longer journeys I get to enjoy the greenery going by. Some lovely glimpses of rivers winding below the track. From Cardiff Central to Pontyclun in just over 10 minutes. Try doing that by car! I can't say I'm a covert and would happily give up my four wheels permanently, but for now, while I have no choice, I'm going t enjoy my journey and yes, definitely, the train can take the strain!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. What will you do to show your support? Maybe you could do a sponsored event, donate money, get your office wearing pink or become a volunteer with Breast Cancer Care. What ever you do to show your support, your contribution will be valued by all those people who are fighting cancer, have beat cancer or have lost someone to cancer. Red Raven Therapy will be donating 10% from every therapy treatment in October to Breast Cancer Care. Book your appointment now and support the fight against breast cancer.

A work colleague recetly passed away after a brief battle with cancer. it was only today, when I saw a photo did I realise who he was. I never knew his name but often bumped into him in the kitchen or in the corridor. He was 29 eyars old. There are more than 50 people from Torfaen County Borough Council doing a sponsored walk on the 11th to raise money for Velidre Cencer Centre. You can donate here. The fragility and mortality of man strikes me again, and the cruelty and injustice of life. Rest in peace, Jon Conick. Wishing the walkers of Torfaen good health, good weather and good fortune. xxxx