Our Techniques

HYPNOTHERAPY

It’s important to understand what hypnosis is, and crucially, what it’s not.

There is no such thing as mind control! What you see on stage is not what it looks like, and certainly has very definite limits. Consider for a moment that people could take control of the minds of others, subjugating their will entirely. The world would be a very different and far worse place.

Now, let’s think about a good model of the mind. We operate day-to-day in our conscious minds. That’s where you’re processing reading this, right now. All the information we need to recall, but don’t have running through our minds all the time, can be said to be in our sub-conscious minds, and everything else – all our programming, maps of ourselves and the world, triggers for feelings and responses, can be said to be in our unconscious minds. We have no day-to-day access to our unconscious minds unless we are dreaming.

The primary role of your unconscious mind is to keep you safe. It makes conclusions about every event, situation and interaction. It references them to its view of you and, where necessary, will create defence mechanisms and prompt you to do those things it feels will help you. The problem is that sometimes the conclusions are no longer relevant, sometimes the things it considers will help you, actually harm you, and sometimes the conclusions are just plain wrong. However, your unconscious mind ALWAYS seeks to help you. So, anxiety helps to prepare you to face perceived threat, depression helps to withdraw from perceived threat, OCD helps you to feel some control, when perhaps chaos has impacted you. Some addictions have their origin in gaining mood control, some in approval and some in both of these things.

Hypnotherapy is so effective because it works to change negative feelings or compulsions we are experiencing precisely where they have their roots – the unconscious mind. We do this using suggestion, imagery and metaphor. Your unconscious mind is most receptive to suggestion when you are deeply relaxed or confused.

In hypnosis, you may be aware of what is being said all the time. Equally, you may drift in and out of awareness, and you may even fall asleep. It doesn’t really matter, because we are only ever interested in your unconscious processing, and your unconscious mind is always scanning – 24/7. Think about the mother who is in an exhausted deep sleep. If her child cries she is awakened straight away. The unconscious mind is always working for you!

If you want to come out of hypnosis, you will always be able to. Further, your unconscious mind will not accept any suggestion it perceives to be dangerous, threatening or contrary to your personal beliefs, morals and ethics. If that were to happen, it would bring you straight back to waking consciousness.

We will use a gentle physical relaxation technique, deepen that state of relaxation and then make the appropriate suggestions. All we are doing is altering your state of awareness, and you may be surprised to learn that you probably do it every day. So, if you’ve ever been driving and got to that point where it seems you’ve lost recollection of a part of the journey, you’ve been in a different state of awareness. You have clearly been able to drive and react, but there comes a point where you lose your memory of it. We can think of it as a bit like tuning in to different radio frequencies.

There is no need to be actively listening, or trying to analyse anything. In fact, it’s better if you don’t! Just let the words flow over you and let your powerful unconscious mind do all the work. What's more, because we will be asking your unconscious mind to do this work for you, there is never any need to disclose what you are working with.

To gain the most from hypnotherapy, recognise that everyone’s experiences are different, so there’s no need to come to it with any specific expectation of how it will feel. Just let go and treat it as no more needing your attention and focus than, say, a massage. Allow your experience to be unique.

So, what issues can hypnotherapy help with? Here are some of them:

Anxiety
Depression
OCD
Compulsions
Trauma / PTSD
Addictions
Procrastination
Pain management
Fears & Phobias
Weight Loss

PAST LIFE MEDITATION

Past Life Regression is gaining in popularity immensely. In fact, recently, the top three search terms on a prominent directory, were Anxiety, Depression and Past Life Regression. In short, it involves uncovering things which seem to be memories of lives you may have experienced before your current one.

It may have started as a development from early years regression, where we use hypnosis to uncover lost memories to try and explain why we experience certain things if the causes aren’t particularly obvious. While it can still serve a clinical purpose, in most cases people are just fascinated by the idea and its implications.

We call our session a meditation, as opposed to a regression, as regression is traditionally done 1-2-1 with a client, and the therapist can interact and guide that person specifically. Our meditation will be in a small group, but the techniques will be exactly the same.

Some people have really vivid experiences. Some get names, occupations, towns, important events or dates, while for others it can be more about fleeting images and senses. It is rare to uncover distressing memories.

So, is Past Life Regression evidence of reincarnation? Well, certainly, there exist some incredibly detailed regression results that stand up to verification and great scrutiny. As always, however, to the believer no proof is necessary and to the non-believer, no proof is possible. What we can say though, is that for people who do experience a profound sense of previous incarnations, it tends to help reduce senses of the importance of their problems in life and enhance a sense of being more than just flesh and blood, that perhaps the material brain filters consciousness, instead of somehow producing it.

TECHNIQUES FOR RAPID CHANGE

These Neuro-Linguistic Programming techniques use influential language patterns and association to potentially effect rapid change. And we mean RAPID change.

In our session we will concentrate on three techniques that we feel will most benefit most people:

Pain Control – Reduce or even eliminate physical pain
Negative Visual Memory Release – Move the memory to reduce its effect
Associate a Feeling – Use the power of association to change how you feel

The results are quick and often shockingly effective. You will leave with full instructions, able to practice and perfect these techniques for your own personal use.

SOUND BATH

Sound baths offer a holistic approach to relaxation and well-being, utilising resonant frequencies to induce a meditative state and calm the nervous system. By immersing in a symphony of harmonic tones, sound baths can effectively reduce stress, promote deep relaxation, and enhance mindfulness. The gentle vibrations are thought to release emotional blockages and ease physical tension, potentially leading to improved sleep, pain relief, and a more positive mood. While individual experiences may vary, the overall effect is a profound sense of tranquillity and inner peace.

In our sound bath, we use a combination of soothing music, sound bowls and tuning forks.

Sound Bowls

Sound bowls tuned to 432 Hz are employed in sound therapy with the intention of inducing a state of deep relaxation and promoting emotional well-being. This practice is based on the theory that 432 Hz resonates with the natural frequencies of the body and the environment, leading to a sense of harmony and balance. Practitioners believe that the gentle vibrations produced by these bowls can help to release tension, reduce stress, and create a calming atmosphere. While the scientific community is still exploring the precise mechanisms behind these effects, anecdotal evidence and subjective experiences suggest that 432 Hz sound bowls can be a valuable tool for relaxation and mindfulness.

The potential benefits of using 432 Hz sound bowls are primarily centred around promoting relaxation and emotional well-being.

Deep Relaxation: The gentle vibrations and tones are believed to induce a state of deep relaxation, calming the nervous system and reducing stress.
Emotional Balance: Some practitioners suggest that 432 Hz can help to balance emotions and promote a sense of inner peace.
Stress Reduction: The calming effect of the sound is thought to help lower cortisol levels and reduce feelings of anxiety.
Improved Sleep: By promoting relaxation, 432 Hz sound bowls may contribute to better sleep quality.
Enhanced Mindfulness: The sound can help to focus attention and promote a sense of presence, aiding in mindfulness practices.
Harmonic Resonance: The belief that 432 Hz resonates with natural frequencies leads to the idea it can help bring the body and mind into a more harmonious state.

Sound bowl frequency is believed to enhance mindfulness by focusing attention and promoting a sense of presence. The underlying principle is that 432 Hz resonates with natural frequencies, helping to bring the body and mind into a more harmonious state.

Tuning Forks

Tuning forks enhance a sound bath experience by providing targeted healing through precise frequencies, allowing to address specific imbalances or promote desired states of relaxation. Their vibrations, felt deeply through bone conduction, regulate the nervous system and balance energy meridians, leading to stress reduction and a heightened sense of well-being. The focused application of tuning forks also aids in pain relief and deepens mindfulness, adding a layer of therapeutic benefits to the soundscape.

Tuning forks in a sound bath setting offer several distinct benefits, enhancing the overall therapeutic experience:

Targeted Healing: Tuning forks can be used to target specific areas of the body or energy centres, allowing for more focused healing compared to other sound bath instruments.
Specific Frequencies: Each tuning fork vibrates at a precise frequency, which can be chosen to address specific imbalances or promote particular states of relaxation.
Bone Conduction: The vibrations from tuning forks can be felt directly through bone conduction, allowing for deeper penetration and a more visceral experience.
Nervous System Regulation: The precise frequencies can help to regulate the nervous system, promoting relaxation and reducing stress.
Energy Balancing: Tuning forks are used to balance energy meridians or chakras, promoting a sense of harmony and well-being.
Pain Relief: The vibrations can help to ease muscle tension and reduce pain in specific areas.
Enhanced Mindfulness: The focused nature of tuning fork application can enhance mindfulness and promote a deeper sense of presence.

Tuning forks offer a valuable tool within a sound bath. They provide targeted therapeutic benefits that complement other sound instruments. Their precise frequencies and bone-conduction capabilities allow for focused healing of specific areas, nervous system regulation, and energy balancing. Observed benefits of pain relief, stress reduction, and enhanced mindfulness suggest that tuning forks can significantly enhance the overall effectiveness of a sound bath experience.

OILS & MENTAL STATES

Essential oils offer a natural pathway to enhance both mental and physical well-being. Through aromatherapy and topical application, these potent extracts can trigger shifts in mood, focus, and relaxation. The aromatic compounds within these oils interact directly with our brains, particularly the limbic system, the center of emotions and memories. This direct connection allows scents to have a profound and immediate impact, offering relief from stress, anxiety, and sleep disturbances, while also invigorating the mind and body. Each oil possesses unique therapeutic properties, from the calming lavender to the invigorating peppermint, allowing for a tailored approach to wellness.

To amplify these benefits, essential oils can be artfully blended, creating synergistic combinations that target specific needs. These blends go beyond simple scent combinations, offering targeted relief from multifaceted mood issues like stress and fatigue, while crafting harmonious and personalised aromas. For instance, lavender, chamomile, and frankincense create a calming atmosphere for stress relief, while lemon, orange, and grapefruit provide an energizing boost. Whether seeking enhanced focus with rosemary and peppermint or peaceful sleep with lavender and cedarwood, these blends offer a potent and nuanced approach to emotional and mental well-being.

The profound impact of essential oils extends beyond mood regulation, reaching into the realm of physical health. The direct connection between scent and the limbic system explains why these oils can so effectively modulate emotional states, which in turn influences physical well-being. Furthermore, certain oils, like lemon, geranium, and rosemary, directly support the lymphatic system, stimulating circulation and reducing inflammation. This intricate link between the olfactory system, the emotional brain, and the lymphatic system underscores the holistic nature of essential oil therapy, offering a natural and effective way to harmonize both mental and physical health.

Using essential oils to balance the individual has numerous benefits. It can help to improve physical health, enhance mental clarity, reduce stress and anxiety, promote emotional balance, and boost overall well-being.

Discover what oils work well with specific issues and how to use them effectively.

ENERGY BALANCE & NUTRITION

This session is based on Ayurveda, literally meaning the study of life. It is a holistic wellbeing system originating in the Indian subcontinent, which traces its roots back over 5000 years.

The Ayurvedic energies, or Doshas, are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. They are the three fundamental energies that govern our physical and mental constitutions. Vata is associated with movement and air, Pitta with transformation and fire, and Kapha with structure and earth. Understanding your dominant Dosha helps you to make dietary and lifestyle choices that promote your inner balance and well-being.

Discover your Ayurvedic energy balance and how matching your diet to it can optimise nutrition and wellness. You will be given a list of foods which suit your dosha balance, as well as the opportunity to consult Leah outside of the retreat for a more specific diet plan.

MOVEMENT FOR RELEASE

Ayurvedic head and neck release techniques use gentle, mindful movements synchronised with the breath to alleviate tension and enhance circulation. These practices, rooted in the principle of balancing bodily energies through self-awareness, involve slow neck rotations, gentle lateral tilts, and subtle chin tucks, all performed within a comfortable range of motion.

We are careful to warm up appropriately. Then, throughout the exercises, we maintain a gentle approach, coordinating our movements with the breath, and personalising stretches to individual comfort, avoiding any movements that induce pain.

All movement for release techniques have individual benefits. Some may overlap to give a stronger overall effect. When used altogether, these are some of the potential benefits:

Improved circulation due to the number of blood vessels in the neck.
The blood can flow more freely and nourish the tissues to help alleviate stiffness.
Mental clarity is improved through muscular relaxation.
Release of muscular tension can result in pain reduction in the neck, shoulders & head.

This session does not involve great physical exertion, being an exploration of gradual muscular relaxation techniques that you can use in your day-to-day life. It is important to remember that all neck movement should be slow, and gentle. If there is pain, the movement should be stopped.

SAVASANA & METAPHOR

In our last session, we come together as one group in the Savasana position - laid on our backs with our palms upwards. This is a deeply restorative practice that balances the body by calming the mind and spirit. As we do this, we will be surrounded by soothing music at a Solfeggio frequency that is shown to relieve worry, guilt, negative beliefs and blockages.

The unconscious mind works well with image and metaphor. As we lay comfortably in Savasana, we will listen to a powerful metaphor, to help clear out old, unwanted mental habits and mechanisms, and guide us onto a new track, fully equipped to travel towards those things we actively want in our future lives.