Little Mamma Wellness

Sports Massage. As mature athletes know all too well, you have to train harder each year just to maintain your standards, or at least to slow down the decline. It can become obsessive. I pushed myself a bit too hard while preparing for my 26th Great North Run. About 4 miles out on an evening practice, a sinister tightening in both calves forced me to stop and hobble home. The customary shower and rest did not lead to recuperation. Had I done myself permanent damage? The big race loomed... I was very fortunate to be acquainted with Amy, who offered me a sports massage. I knew she had specialist knowledge and experience as a volunteer in the runners' recovery tent at Bents Park, South Shields. Even so, I doubted she could affect a miracle cure so close to Run day. The massage, of both legs and my back, lasted about half an hour. It seemed to release the tension and toxins in my muscles. By the end I felt both relaxed and energised. Two days later, I completed the GNR in my fastest time for several years. Wellness indeed! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sound Healing Session. Following a family bereavement, my coping mechanism was to keep myself busy with familiar tasks and routines. To some extent this worked, but long-forgotten tensions between relatives resurfaced during funeral preparations and in the aftermath. I was getting increasingly stressed, 'busyness' was unnecessary and unproductive, I found it difficult to relax. What did help, was social contact with trusted people outside the family circle. Also, Amy offered me a sound healing session. This was something quite new to me. I didn't really know what to expect... In a warm room, with subdued lighting, I lay on my back on a comfortable bed and was covered with a heavy blanket. I had little cause or opportunity to fidget! Amy spoke quietly, to a background of soft music and occasional chimes. I was given permission to close my eyes and readily sank into light sleep for several minutes until slowly roused back into consciousness. This probably sounds like a very simple process, but it was also a very pleasant interlude away from the real and imaginary pressures of modern life, including the smartphone! Thanks, Amy.