Free hand massages @ Jessopp Road URC, Norwich, NR2 3QA from 10am

As part of community 'payback' I do several charity events for my local area charities. The first one is on tomorrow for 'GAIN' - this group supports and offers advice for people with arthritis. At these events I offer free hand massages and advice on self-care.

I'm a firm believer in the benefits of massage and it can include the following:

Increasing your energy levels – massage may enable you to function better by helping to regulate your sleep patterns, eliminate toxins and impurities and restore strength and mobility.

Improving your concentration & mental clarity – massage may reduce stress and anxiety, deepen relaxation and improve self-esteem.

Relieving muscle tension & stiffness and deepen (your) breathing – it may also balance the digestive system and support the lymphatic system.

Finally and more importantly, it may induce a sense of mental wellbeing which makes you feel better able to cope with the strain and stresses of daily life.

So come along tomorrow from 10am at the Jessopp Road URC, Norwich and enjoy a free hand massage and have a cuppa! Everyone welcome.

Carers often forget to look after their own wellbeing as they are often too busy looking after others. If you are a carer then this event may help you to unwind & have a day away from caring.

I often help out at these events & find it very rewarding as a therapist. I'm looking forward to doing this one. I shall be there in the afternoon offering free hand massages. This is open to all & there's no charge for the event or the therapies on offer. Also, no need to book. See you there!

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Kansa Vatki Foot Massage™. Kansa what?

Kansa Vatki Foot Massage™ (KVFM). Kansa what? I hear you say. KVFM combined with 'marma therapy' - Indian acupressure - is one of the most relaxing forms of massage and the most established. Now it is coming to Norwich!

Since qualifying in KVFM I have had nothing but praise for it. I have had lovely comments such as 'blissful', 'so relaxing', 'like walking on air'. This was the most recent one: 'it has left my muscles feeling soft & calm'. I received my qualification from a tutor who trained with the 'London Centre of Indian Champissage'. I was also lucky enough to have the treatment & found it be utterly relaxing.

So what is KVFM? This 'ayurvedic' form of foot massage originates from India and has a long well established history of use there. Ayurveda is the traditional medicine system of India and is the world’s oldest healing system, dating back approximately 5,000 years. By the way, 'ayurveda' is thought by many to be the forerunner of modern medicine: "ayur" means life and "veda" means knowledge.

Central to the KVFM treatment is a small bowl made up of three metals - copper, zinc and tin.

Copper may be helpful in reducing pain, inflammation and arthritis. Many people in the Western world wear copper bracelets for this reason. Zinc may be helpful in the proper functioning of the immune system. Finally, tin is believed to be helpful in digestion, relieving headaches and insomnia. This unique bowl in the hands of a experienced therapist will leave you feeling on top of the world. 

Traditionally, clarified butter or ghee is used although other oils such as coconut, sunflower, jojoba or sesame are used.

This treatment involves working on the feet and lower limbs using relaxing and smoothing massage techniques to soften and rest the muscles. Then using the special Kansa Vatki bowl, specific moves are carried out on the feet. Clients have reported that this leaves them feeling rejuvenated, refreshed, relaxed and more able to re-connect with themselves.

KVFM is suitable for all – young and old – sick or healthy. It especially benefits those who spend long hours on their feet as it may:-

• relax tired and aching feet and joints,
• improve and help joint mobility,
• help to strengthen the legs and feet,
• promote good sleep,
• help to reduce stress and anxiety

It may also help with regulating the body as it balances body, mind and spirit. Furthermore, it may promote good health and help in preventing de-generative diseases.

It is thought that the soles of the feet are directly connected to the human soul as the feet contain key energy and nerve endings relating to internal organs.

The treatment sessions are just under an hour with assessment and consultation. Give it a try – you have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Further details: 07717089280

Kansa Vatki Foot Massage (KVFM)

Offering soon! I'll be doing Kansa Vatki Foot Massage (KVFM) in Norwich.

I will keep you posted about the introductory price offer but in the meantime I'll give you more information about this unique Indian Foot Massage. Must go & write it now!

The power of ginger – the super star spice!

The power of ginger – the super star spice!

Ginger, a spice native to Southeastern Asia, is a rhizome and is botanically known as Zingiber officinale. The fresh flesh of ginger can vary from yellow, white or red. These colours are dependent on the variety used. The taste & smell has been described as aromatic pungent and hot. It surprises many people that ginger can be hot.

I first discovered the power of ginger when I was teaching & I found myself constantly battling sore throats. I knew that ginger could help to fight colds/coughs as its a warming spice. As an added bonus it also helps to fight muscle tension. I used to make a infusion to drink which helped to lubricate & ward off infections from students sneezing all over me! I always tried to find the freshest ginger possible (preferably organic) & then used a few strips in a drink. To make the drink: firstly, thinly slice or grate the ginger into a mug/flask & then add boiling water. Then leave it to infuse for 5 – 10 minutes. You can keep on topping up the drink with more hot water. You can also add honey to sweeten it. Honey is another of nature's wonder drugs but more of that another time. Enjoy!

Gardening & 5 Wellbeing Tips

As I write this I have just heard on the radio this is the best time of the year to get your garden ready for Spring planting. The ground has warmed up from the Summer sun andit is still not too cold to be out in the open. So, time to plan your gardening activities and start thinking about all those lovely fruit, flowers and vegetables you will have in Spring. Whilst gardening is a lovely thing to do as it great way to keep fit and calm; it can also result in injuries, especially back problems.

Just a few precautions will help to keep these problems at bay. In particular people with existing back pain should take extra care when gardening. So, before charging full steam ahead with digging, lifting, weeding and planting just take a few moments to consider how your muscles and joints might respond.

1. First things first: begin your gardening project by wearing appropriate clothing. Ideally think about layering your clothing so that you can remove the layers as you warm up. Wear warm and loose fitting clothing that covers your lower back and sensible footwear like supportive boots and thick socks - and don't forget your gardening gloves! If you've have back problems in the past these a supportive back belt may help.

2. Secondly, warm-up by taking a quick walk around the garden which will stimulate your circulation. Then limber up by doing some simple stretches and warm up exercises. Now, when I say stretch I do not mean sharply bend forwards to the floor or abruptly lean backwards; both of these movements can easily result in an injury. The best way is to start slowly by rolling your shoulders forward 10 times and back 10 times as illustrated below. Then gently make swimming like movements using your shoulders, arms and hands. Do try to get a full range of movement with your shoulders. Notice any areas that do not move smoothly and concentrate on improving it as you go through the movement.

3. Stretch your legs by gently going up onto your tip-toes, hold and then down again. You may like to hold on to a spade/fork handle for balance.


4. Take regular breaks and continue to do stretching exercises whilst admiring nature that is all around you.

5. It would also help if you took small spadefuls or used a small spade. There's no race to get it over and done with! Enjoy the process and you will feel much better for it.

To summarise it is really important to start slowly & try to relax whilst digging. At all cost avoid over-exertion as this will not help back problems; be careful not to over-reach and try to cut as close to your body as possible.

Now you are good to go – enjoy your gardening!

MS & Massage

I recently had the privilege of working at the MS Therapy Centre in Norwich, NR6 6BB. The photos below shows the hand massages I gave the volunteers & some of their families:-

Getting ready for my day at the MS Centre

One of their wonderful volunteers having a hand massage

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurological condition & the diagram below clearly shows the damage that occurs in the myelin which is a protective sheath surrounding the nerve fibres of the Central Nervous System (CNS):-

As a result messages get scrambled & as there are no clear pathways this may affects movements. It can also result in poor mobility, pain & impaired cognitive abilities.

Women's Health Forum

One for the ladies! I'm so delighted to say that I've been invited to do an interactive talk & offer mini treatments at this event focusing on women's health this coming Sunday. 

Please come along & support. Venue in central Norwich, NR2 1SF, opposite the delightful Chapelfield Park.

Massage sessions de-mystified!

For those who have never had a massage before I'm often asked what its like! Well, that's a difficult question to answer as everyone responds differently to a session & each experience will be an unique one depending on what they are having, the experience of the therapist & what state the person treating is in. I'm also often asked do I have to undress completely? Well, the answer again is its up to you! Most clients undress down to their underwear but you can have all your clothes on & have what's called a 'seated clothed massage' as can be seen from the picture below:- 

Clothed seated massage by Bibi

Also, you don’t have to lie down on a massage couch if that's difficult for you to do. You can have a massage in almost any position: lying on your side, standing against a wall, on your stomach or on your back. Should a client choose to undress to their underwear then they are covered with towels & these are carefully moved as required to carry out the treatment. 

The other question that I'm often asked is: 'what happens during a session? Well,that depends on what treatment you have come for and the therapist you see! With my own practice there is always a full consultation so that
your medical history and lifestyle can be taken into consideration in the treatment plan. If you have come for a unclothed massage then you get changed in privacy and lie on the couch. I then start the treatment & will ask for feedback from you regarding the strokes & pressure etc. 

At the end we chat about the treatment and your aftercare is outlined. This is written down & given to you as a reminder. Also, I will advise about what you can do in-between treatments to maintain or improve your body’s equilibrium. This may be through gentle stretching exercises which I'll show you or changes to your lifestyle or diet may be discussed.

Upper back massage by Bibi

Shoulder & arm massage by Bibi

Leg massage by Bibi

Massage & your Wellbeing

Massage & your Wellbeing

A simple hand massage as carried out by Bibi

In order to function at your optimum it is important to look after your mind, body & soul as they function as a whole. Massage is just one way of looking after your wellbeing & may have the following effects on you depending on your condition and the type massage treatment you have:-


* Massages may enable you to function at your maximum as it may help to regulate your sleep patterns, eliminate toxins and impurities. It will also help to restore your strength and mobility by increasing your energy levels.


* Massages may reduce your stress and anxiety, deepen your relaxation and improve your self-esteem by improving your concentration & mental clarity.


* Medical research on massage has also shown it may help to relieve your muscle tension & stiffness and deepen your breathing. It may also balance your digestive system and support your lymphatic system.


* Finally and more importantly, it may induce a sense of mental wellbeing which makes you feel more able to cope better with the strain and stresses of daily life.

Bibi's Wellbeing 1st blog - welcome!

Hello & welcome to Bibi's Wellbeing blogs. 

This is my 1st blog so go gentle on this beginner! In my blogs I'll give advice, information & guidance to do with your wellbeing; especially 'relaxation & stress management'. This is an area that is of great interest to me & I have spent many years gaining the experience to deliver this to others. I'm a complementary massage therapist, specialising in helping ladies to take care of their mind, body & soul. I'm also a speaker, demonstrator & trainer on all things to do with your wellbeing.

I've been working in this field for many years and I am an ex-lecturer, mother & volunteer for many organisations. I'm well aware of the stresses & pressures of modern life.

Well, a little about myself now. I'm told that I had my first massage when I was a few minutes old to see if all was well! This is how things are done in a small rural village in rural India. No modern machines to help the midwife then! Since then I've found massages to be extremely helpful to relieve stress & calm me. I now consider it as a necessary part of my wellbeing rather than as a 'special' treat. 

I'm based in the historic & lovely city of Norwich, Norfolk.

A massage will help you to achieve inner calm & relax so please give me a call -  07717089280  -  to make an appointment & discuss your individual needs. 

As an added bonus there's £10 off your 1st appointment.

Massage - a delightful way to unwind & achieve inner calm