Thank you for taking the time to visit our website. If you are looking for deep relaxation or remedial sports massage you have come to the right place. Whether you need relief from aching muscles or sports injuries, assistance with gaining more satisfying sleep, or simply wish to treat yourself to a much-needed pampering our treatments will certainly hit the spot.

Not only can massage help with rehabilitation and injury prevention, massage is an ancient art practiced and developed through the centuries that improves circulation, joint range-of-motion and flexibility. It can also benefit those suffering from stress, muscle tightness, aches and pains – even anxiety and depression.

Techniques we apply are:

•Deep tissue work
•Friction
•Passive stretches
•Accupressure
•Energy Balancing (Reiki)
•Advanced Sports Massage techniques

Please see our treatments page to decide which treatment is best suited to your needs. Alternatively give us a call now for a free telephone consultation and assistance with making your choice.

Contact Sha Sha today: 07854 157 234

“Adventure is not outside (wo)man; it is within.” ~ George Elliot

Here I sit, snuggled under a blanket with a wooly hat on (indoors) to write this post. It has a certain English romanticism to it as I hear the wind bluster outside the window and sip my fennel tea. It seems difficult to believe that this time two days ago I was deep in the Belizean jungle, learning how to make the most out of my business. I know all of us who attended are now feeling the same mixture of excitement about our businesses going forward, gratitude for the unique opportunity offered by the Catalyze Retreat and a certain amount of adjustment in returning to our daily routine.

The reason I chose this retreat and this business coaching was because of the unique combination it offered. All week we were asked to face our mentors and answer questions about our business that were often challenging and asked to make decisions and take action that we may have been too insecure to take, or at least were procrastinating over! The no-nonsense approach was extremely productive. Alongside this coaching, we were asked to undertake physical challenges also to help bed-in the progress we were making with our work. As a kinesthetic learner I know this is extremely effective for me. Each day was kicked off with a 75 minute group yoga practice designed to work and release muscles and build creative energy.

It was an awsome experience and the bond that grew between the seven of us on the course has given us an online community of like-minded companions for mutual support and encouragement along the way. We all came to the retreat at different stages with our business, but despite intitial nerves the respect and supportiveness shown amongst the group meant that we all felt we mapped out concrete steps to take on our return.

I saw some magical things while at Black Rock Lodge. I hiked through jungle to Summit 1, tubed down the Macal River, made friends with a snake, a tarantula and a toad, swam through the Mayan Underworld caves of Actun Tunichil Muknal and visited a natural pool that I have often dreamed of, but didn’t realise actually existed. I was brought deep into contact with my own purpose and asked if my current plans were enough. My companions and mentors helped to show me that I have much more to offer than I had previously thought and that there is a way of working with people so that they can benefit from the experience, skills and wisdom that I have built up over the years.

There is much to be done. Firstly my website will have an overhaul, and then I will be sharing with you all the new ventures I am launching in 2016. I hope you will come along with me for the ride! One thing I learned was that we all need down time, if not simply to rest, then to let creative ideas have a chance to flow. Whatever area you work in, it’s so important to nurture your spirit and creativity. I’m thinking of installing a hammock in my livingroom for this very purpose..

I leave you now with my love. Keep in touch and please let me know your thoughts on my Facebook page!

Love and light

Shasha xxx

Whilst preparing to do my tax return this morning I was side-tracked into watching an episode of Glee with my son. That slice of musical delight and positive personal drama left me with the warm fuzzy feeling it was created to produce. That didn’t help me with my tax return, but it did put me in a positive state of mind which had a fantastic effect on my productivity.

With the dawning of 2016 I have much to be thankful for. I live and work in a community of like-minded friends and family. I have a wonderful loving, supportive boyfriend and a beautiful caring son. In slightly less than two weeks I will be taking some important self-development time away from my usual environment in a space where creativity and love for the Earth we live on is paramount. We work hard and we make space and time for each other whenever we can.

As I grow through my work and reach more and more people, my boyfriend Ozz is on the cusp of public recognition as a musician and songwriter with his band April Blue. Needless to say we specialise in very different areas and we are both dedicated to our calling. Every now and then our professional paths cross and that is wonderful. However, we have to acknowledge that this year more than ever we need to assign as much time as possible to our respective missions. Both of us know this could be tough on us as a couple, as given the opportunity we’d have our cake and eat it: spend more time together AND pour ourselves devotedly into our professional concerns.

Over the past few years, what we have has grown and matured into a bedrock relationship, something that can withstand a little more challenge than a brand new affair. Nevertheless we still make the decision every day to keep loving each other, setting each other free and supporting each other’s goals. So as we prepare for a futuristic steam-train of a year, roaring ahead with plans, we trust to our love to keep us on track, trusting and allowing each other the time that we need for work and self-development.

This doesn’t preclude me from fantasizing about taking my boys on an escape to Dhamma Vihara for the open retreat my meditation teacher Burgs hosts each summer. Nothing would make me more happy than to share time in that oasis of tranquility and love in the Pyrenees with my little family. It would be having everything I love in one place! The more I live, the more I appreciate the practices of Shamanism for this reason. No other concept of reality has made more sense to me. We have an inside dream and an outside dream. Our outside dream will always be shaped by our inside dream – this is why our thoughts and visions are so important! I am dreaming a dream of a better, brighter, more conscious, more loving human race both for me and my caravan, and for all beings. For you.

Each and every thing that I do I dedicate to that end. May all beings be happy and free from suffering.

To donate to my fundraiser for my Business Development Course: The Catalyze Retreat

For more information on Burgs’ Meditation teaching & Retreats: The Art of Meditation

To hear Ozz’s band April Blue: April Blue

Photo by miriadna.com

“Just for today I will not worry

Just for today I will not be angry

Just for today I will do my work honestly

Just for today I will give thanks for my many blessings

Just for today I will be kind to my neighbour and every living thing.”

~ Reiki Principles

Today I have been reflecting on the Heron. Like me the Heron is a transitional creature, treading life’s in-between spaces. She flows seamlessly between the elements of water, earth and air. Her energy smooths transitions and she exists in the present moment with a graceful and effortless stability.

She prefers to hunt during the magical in-between time of twilight with intelligence and precision. She also goes for gold as any owner of a Koi pond will testify! Her near-silent and elegant approach make her hard to thwart from her intention, whilst her patience is second to none. Her extensive non-action leads to precise and effective actions the like of which most of us can only dream of achieving!

Her presence inspires stillness. She is happiest in her own space but is at ease with her peers. Despite her fierce independence, when it comes to nesting, teamwork is paramount. Both partners assume responsibility for caring for home and offspring. This determined, focused, skilled and efficient bird has much to teach us all.

I am now in my final month before taking the leap and travelling to Belize for the Catalyze retreat. These are the silent intentions I am formulating as I think forward to making the most of this opportunity. Patience, focus, teamwork, stillness and boldness are traits I want to continue to develop as a person and as a healer. I look forward to teaching on a Reiki 1 course alongside Jay Austin the week before I fly. Click here if you are interested on being on this course.

Another huge thank you to all of you who have donated to my fundraiser, not only for the funds you contributed but for demonstrating your faith in me, and keeping me motivated as I forge ahead with plans.

I have spent the last couple of months working and serving (yes even over christmas that’s how I roll!) and I feel confident that I am doing my best to ensure that each payment instalment is being made in full and on time. My initial outlay was made using an interest free offer on a credit card which will be paid off by July 2016 as I continue to work and plough it back into my teaching and healing practise this way.

If you haven’t yet contributed and would like to, I can still accept funds on Indiegogo/Generosity until the day I fly on 31^st January. After this, contributions will need to be made via bank transfer, simply send me a private message if you wish to contribute this way. Thank you so much for your kindness.

To contribute to the fundraiser please click here

after 30th January please send me a message here

I died when I was young

and now I’m vivid again

a thousand knives couldn’t hurt me now

today and before I’m standing tall

I’m standing taller than ever

I am a jaguar

Bold and Brave

deep in my beating heart

Oh today I’m a jaguar

– Frida Sundemo

When I first heard the words “I died when I was young and now I’m vivid again” I related in a way that was beyond what was perhaps intended by the artist.

I died when I was young. I don’t mean physically. I couldn’t quite put my finger on when the first death occurred but from a young age I experienced significant periods of crushing depression and anxiety. Every episode of depression is like a period of darkness, a death that you have to live through, not being sure, in the early days, that you will ever rise to the surface again. Through my teenage years I got used to this cycle, and the periods of depression became longer. The connection between my inner self and the physical life I was living became more and more tenuous as I struggled to function in a society that prefers sunshine to darkness. And why wouldn’t it? I carried the dark intensity around with me like a gravitational pull. It became heavier and heavier. I tried many things to lighten up my life and some of them worked for a while. Some things were like a gentle afternoon sun, warming me temporarily leaving me emotional polaroids of happy days; others like flashes of lightning that brought energy and power for an instant but ultimately left scars.

Only now am I beginning to feel vivid again. Since returning to my yoga practice in 2012 and finding within it’s broad spectrum of practices tools that can actually aid me in not only finding but facing my own internal workings things have started to change. You may look at me and think – that girl has it sorted – but if you think that I no longer experience depression you are mistaken. The difference is that now I acknowledge that this is a temporary state, just the same as happiness, pleasure or pain. All these guests visit our house (our body) at different times. As Rumi suggests, we should welcome them all. Each one has something to teach. You don’t let them come in a ransack your house. No, sit them down and offer them a cup of tea and ask them what it is they want to talk to you about. The work is hard, facing my fears has me up and down like a yo-yo from week to week, but I keep my practice consistent and know that I am not my feelings.

With each day that I acknowledge the messages being sent to me by my body chemistry I romance my Spirit further and begin to experience that integration between spirit and body that creates the VIVID in our lives. You know when something inspires you, as though it had reached down inside your body and drawn your spirit up through the gaps? Some things just crack you right open and the light shines out of you like a beacon. Consider working with those things. This is what I am doing in my life now. I am working with the things that make me vivid, because they are the things that connect me to myself and make me a clear channel through which others may experience their own light.

I haven’t mentioned my business development to Belize yet because I know if you have been reading my blogs since September, that you know what I’m talking about. If you’d like to read back, please be my guest. If you’d like to donate to my personal fundraiser, please access it via the links below.

Most important to me right now is that you discover that you are a jaguar. Maybe you can relate to my experience of depression. If so please click on the Relate link below if you haven’t yet sought professional help. These people are really great. The vivid comes in flashes which give us the opportunity to recognise how life can be when we reverse the chemical polarity in which we may be caught. Whatever the reasons for our dark places, please know that things can be different. It’s not easy but with persistence we can transform ourselves. Nobody on earth can do it for us. One day soon I hope you will find that you are heading towards your goal with boldness and bravery, feeling the vivid life of spirit and passion flowing through your rippling muscles.

Say whatever come what may

nothing will stand in my way

I am a jaguar

today I’m a jaguar

To seek help for depression & anxiety Click Here or here

To donate to the fundraiser click here

Click here for more info on The Catalyze Retreat

“In the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in a clearer light, and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness.” – Mohandas K. Gandhi

We could all use a little more time. As a yoga teacher, massage therapist and a Mother I am often giving out to others. Almost all day every day! There is an exchange that comes with this, and I am lucky to teach and massage some of the most interesting and kind people I have ever met. If you have seen me for massage or reiki or attended one of my classes, this means you! There are many of you out there who can relate to this BIGTIME.

I often take time to listen to people after class who have specific concerns they feel I may be able to shed some light on in my role as teacher and healer. I love this, and often the Universe provides me with exactly the right experiences at the right time to speak a wisdom into their lives. I cannot claim this as my own, it is available to all of us.

Amongst the adventure of my work it is important that I recognise that above all I am a student in this life. No teacher ever stops being a student. A couple of weekends ago I gave myself a two day meditation workshop with the Art of Meditation. We all need to take time out of our day to day lives and reconnect with what makes us feel alive. I recognise more and more that my life force is most nourished and centred by connecting to the Source of that divine energy through silence and meditation. The learning itself can be tiring, but the practice gets deeper and the daily rewards greater as we work it into our daily lives.

What do you do to recharge?

It has been many years since I had a whole week to myself to grow and regenerate. This is why I am going to Belize in February 2016. I know I can reach more people with a clearer, more powerful flow of energy when I take this time to build my skills, nourish my soul and focus my intent. The good people on the Catalyze retreat are fired up to make this a transformational experience personally and for our businesses. After all, we are our businesses! You can’t carry water in a broken pot.

If you have any questions about the Catalyze Retreat, my daily Practice or any of the Wellbeing Services I offer, please leave a comment here, on Facebook or Twitter.

If you would like to donate to my personal fundraiser click here: Donate to Business development retreat in Belize

Photo of me used courtesy of Feel Hot Yoga where I am both student and teacher.

Thank you so much for your kind energy!

Blessings

Shasha xx

“Life has only one equation. The equation of giving.”
― Amit Ray, Nonviolence: The Transforming Power 

I have been humbled by some very kind donations this week and I am so grateful to those of you who have chosen to do this. You are on my healing list. My love flows out to you without reservation.

Soul-searching over this fundraiser, one very pertinent question that I have been asking myself is “Why should people give their money to help me do this?”

In the world today there are a huge number of situations requiring our urgent assistance. At the forefront of my mind at the moment, as for many, are the Syrian Refugees. Why should people donate to my fundraiser instead of giving money to help those in need of basic requirements for survival? The answer is THEY SHOULD NOT. Give to the refugees and any other causes that seem right to you. Don’t even think about donating to this fundraiser if you think the money should go elsewhere. I have donated, and will continue to do so as needs in the world arise.

This is because I believe in giving. Not just money but time, energy, and most of all love and healing. This is my work, not just my job, it is my calling in life. I had a beautiful experience at a Wellbeing Event in Watford on Saturday. A number of therapists gave their time via the Feel Hot Yoga & Wellbeing tent and free treatments to anybody who wanted one. The number of smiles of relief that we received when clients climbed of the treatment chairs and couches brought us a lot of joy. What a blessing to be a blessing!

Of course we are paid in our day to day business lives as we too want to be independant enough pay our own way in life. But events like this and monthly Reiki Shares, Treatment Exchanges etc mean that we keep in balance and in perspective with ourselves.

The Catalyze Retreat is a major toolbox for me to ensure that my daily giving is channelled efficiently. I need to keep myself in good shape so that I can keep on giving, this will teach me the business side of that equation while nourishing me physically and mentally.

Giving is really the only gift that truly keeps on giving. In the word’s of Abike’s father “I want to leave this world empty. I don’t want to take anything with me. I want to give it all away.”

To Donate: https://life.indiegogo.com/fundraisers/business-development-retreat-in-belize/x/6568054

What’s this about Belize?

“I used to be the girl who never had a plan..” Little Dragon

Dear Friends,

Have you ever seen or read something that hit you in the face so hard you couldn’t ignore it? Suddenly all your dormant dreams rise to the surface together with your personal fears and create a swirling vortex around you. When I stumbled across Catalyze retreat it was as though someone was reaching a hand down into that vortex and offering to pull me up. I had a vision of the possible future I had barely dared to believe positioned tantalisingly over the rim of the swirling mayhem.

Since posting my campaign to social media I have had a number of people approach me to ask “What’s this about Belize?” They would like to know what I expect to get out of it, and the underlying (politely unspoken) question is “Why should we help you with this?”

First let me clarify that I do not expect a free ride on a self-indulgent trip. I am dedicated to making this trip happen with or without the help and support of others. This has always been my approach in life. There is no ‘should’ when it comes to helping me, if you wish to support me, you will, if you do not you wont. There is a deeper issue at stake here. One of the important things I intend to get out of this trip is to

FACE MY FEARS

Fear #1 : Asking for help

I have received a lot of help over the years from many different quarters, most often my friends and family. I have appreciated it and shown this appreciation every single time. It was not easy for me to accept the help offered but I had to acknowledge that it was necessary for me to move forward, and that I am not a one-woman-band.

“Limit your wants, meet your needs” – Gandhi

A lovely client quoted this to me when I was speaking to her about the trip and my plans to raise funds. I love it because it perfectly embodies my plan of action to ensure that the goal is met. I work very hard at everything I do, believing that I should give 100% to my clients at all times. This is the same whether I am providing a deep tissue massage, a healing session, or teaching a yoga class. I believe I am there to help and to heal. Try me! Donate and leave me a request on Facebook and I will perform a distance healing for you personally.

Over the years I have sought comfort in food, social activities and shopping to name a few. These things became a pacifier for unmet needs rather than something healthy and enjoyable. However I have come to a place now where I realise that there is very little that I require materially to be content. The additional motivation of the Self-development opportunity I need offered by Catalyze really crystallises this for me and keeps me from being distracted.

Fear #2 : Other people’s opinions

“If we all did the things we are really capable of dong, we would literally astound ourselves” – Thomas Edison

I’m not a self-indulgent person. I work hard as I have said. However in launching this campaign I have had to acknowledge anew how much I still care what other people – even strangers think of me. This has been one of the most limiting factors in my personal development. This fear could be broken down into many different expressions: Fear of being considered selfish, of rejection, of not being good enough, of disappointing others, of being mocked. It all boils down to the same thing. I have valued other people’s opinion of me more highly than my own. There are times when I have genuinely disappointed myself in life, but there are many other times when I have allowed outside influence to sway me away from what I know to be the best path for me when I should have trusted my own compass. This will not be one of those times. I have no criticism either way on what people think or speak of me but I had to put this out there to prove to myself that it doesn’t matter to me whether anyone else approves of what I consider to be honourable intentions.

Fear #3 : Failure

This fear is common to most of us, so I know I am not alone in this. The suspicion that I cannot do any better than this, and that I will always be working fingers to the bone just to pay the bills while trying to rustle up some extra energy to be a loving parent, friend and girlfriend is bleak to say the least. I’ve worked around this fear for years. I’m no stranger to failure really, but I dust myself off and try again.

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” – Thomas Edison

I am very fortunate that I have now found what I can confidently state is my purpose in life. After trying many things for work and leisure I have found something that I do not want to give up EVER. I never want to stop giving healing energy to people, I never want to stop helping people to feel better and improve their lives. What comes first though is to create of myself a clear and sustainable channel of that energy. Catalyze is going to help me do this. Failure can become my friend as it teaches me the direction not to go in. I am extremely grateful for that.

Fear #4 : Being a burden

As babies we start as a burden and a blessing. My beautiful parents would never regret a single ounce of energy, love and yes, money they have expended on my behalf. As I have grown I have felt a strong desire to become less of a burden and more of a blessing in my personal relationships and on society. I wish to be the superhero, I want to provide for those who have provided for me in my infancy and into adulthood.

When I was 10 years old, my parents unselfishly gave up their opportunity of any kind of career to serve the needs of others in the Middle East. They returned to the UK when my Dad reached retirement age and my Mum redesigned and re-qualified herself as a foot-care specialist to support them. Even in her work she is giving again and again. There is only so much longer this will be possible. It’s hard work and she does this despite having suffered with rheumatoid arthritis for many years.

I feel it really is my turn. Facing this fear and turning it around is not an option, it is a necessity, and this very special team of people on the Catalyze Retreat are offering the resources I need to make these kind of level-jump in my business.

Fears aside, opening this door already seems to have caused a shift in my life patterns. This past week I have been contacted by two people offering work opportunities which I am excited to be a part of. If even the act of setting this intention to attend the Catalyze trip has brought positive opportunities to my doorstep, who am I to back out now. Like Edison, I shall always try, just one more time.

To donate visit http://igg.me/at/wduQ7tCuATE

To learn more about Catalyze visit www.thecatalyzeretreat.com

To follow my page on Facebook www.facebook.com/shasharishi

The elegant meditation space

There is something special about working a Yoga Retreat. The Mondays, Fridays and Humpdays make way and every day is TODAY and every moment NOW. Each moment is full of potential and we begin to see ourselves and our yogis unfurl as we realise that in this time and place, any question can be asked, any asana attempted and anything is possible.

In a place like Poulstone Court in Herefordshire, wifi is conspicuously absent, and the senses breath a sigh of relief, not only due to the peace of nature surrounding and pervading the Retreat Centre, but also due to the blissful silence in the absence of portable technology. Our everyday concerns left us at the top of the driveway. Our yogic enthusiasm bubbled up and our joyful chatter did nothing to disturb the tranquility. The high ceilinged rooms are warm, expansive and inviting: full of a mindful energy.

Practice in the Barn

Soon this was the energy with which we approached our teaching and practice, eager to learn and grateful for the healing effect on our bodies. We easily settled into a rhythm of walking the short distance through the grounds to the barn for morning, afternoon and evening practices focusing on energising, renewal, alignment and attention to detail.

Asana Clinic

In the late evening we made a natural decision to take our Bhakti and meditation practices in the beautiful high-ceilinged room in the main house. At times with an air of experimentation, and at others the outward sigh of grateful relaxation, we moved from class to class.

Dinner time!

The delicious vegetarian and vegan meals that were served by the delightful Poulstone staff were anticipated and enjoyed to the full, laughter and conversation ringing through the house from the warm glow of the dining room.

Thai Yoga Massage

I had the opportunity to offer Thai Yoga Massage to some of our Yogis, and it was a magical healing experience for both of us.

Cells and minds were renewed and passion for life recharged.

You would have loved it.

Join David Tidd, Shasha Cross & Nina Sebastiane on this blissful Yoga retreat held in the beautiful Herefordshire countryside (just a few miles from the Welsh border). The weekend runs from Friday afternoon to Sunday morning and will offer a balance of yoga practice and free time to explore the house and grounds and beyond. This retreat is open to all yogis with a minimum of 3 months practice. The studio will be warm but not hot and the classes will be mixed ability and mixed theme. Included in the price: 4 yoga classes during your stay, delicious home cooked vegetarian meals including buffet breakfast of fresh fruit, cereals, toast and yoghurts. Lunch, afternoon tea and cakes and hearty evening meals. The victorian country house is set in peaceful surroundings overlooking lush rolling countryside. There are stunning local walks to be explored as well as sightseeing for those wishing to explore beyond. The price is per person based on sharing a room with other yogis.

Space on this much requested retreat is very limited.

• Price is £345 for the weekend all inclusive
• Early bird discounted price of £295 is available until September 15th 2014.
• £100 holding deposit payable.
• Price does not include transport to and from the retreat.
• Lift shares may be available.
• Buy online or at the studio!

Email info@feelhotyoga.co.uk if you have any questions.

What does balance mean to you? So often through my life balance has seemed an unattainable fantasy, prompting images of a Buddha floating on a cloud; serene, imperturbable. So many areas in our lives require this elusive balance; work/life, emotions, partner/kids, serving others/nurturing the self. It wasn’t until I came to yoga in my early twenties that I even really understood that finding the still point could be made possible at any time, in any place.

Click here to read more of my article at Yogamoo.