​Movement & Medicine
A Helping Hand
This page shows various recommendations of products that are designed to support you with nutrition, foot care, complex PTSD, alcohol addiction through to help with mobility and pain. Finally some retreats that I recommend
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Please click on each image to be taken to the various web sites. For any purchases from Amazon we may get an affiliate commission — but it never affects your price or what we pick.
Foot Care
Barefoot Shoes and Boots
Founded in 2012 by two seventh-generation cobblers, Galahad and Asher Clark, Vivobarefoot is based on one simple insight - barefoot footwear is regenerative to human health.
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A Vivobarefoot product or experience is one that literally brings us closer to nature.
They believe:
The closer people are to nature, the more they will protect it.
The natural world is the only real model of sustainability.
Barefoot footwear is regenerative to human health.
Sensory Based Products and Toe Splay
For everyone to experience the enhanced confidence—and quality of life—that comes from optimizing movement.
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For people who want to improve the way they move, feel, and live, Naboso provides the first-ever small nerve proprioceptive insoles and mats designed to stimulate the nervous system and enhance movement.
Complex PTSD
Podcasts
Anna Runkle, also known as the Crappy Childhood Fairy teaches people to recognise and heal the symptoms of Childhood PTSD. This is her podcast! She is not a doctor or therapist; She knows about childhood trauma because she lived it, and discovered a radical approach to healing that focuses first on calming neurological dysregulation, which is common in people who grew up with abuse and neglect. In her podcasts, she teaches about dysregulation - how to know if you have it, what it can do to your body, your thinking and your relationships, and what to do to master re-regulation. When she learned this, everything in her life got suddenly easier.
Books and Audiobooks
​​- Explores the role of the mind-body link in conditions and diseases such as arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, irritable bowel syndrome and multiple sclerosis.
- Shares dozens of enlightening case studies and personal and moving stories, including those of people such as Lou Gehrig (ALS), Betty Ford (breast cancer), Ronald Reagan (Alzheimer's), Gilda Radner (ovarian cancer) and Lance Armstrong (testicular cancer)
- Reveals 'The Seven A's of Healing': principles in healing and the prevention of illness from hidden stress.
​The Polyvagal Theory Workbook for Trauma offers evidence-based activities to help you heal the effects of trauma, rewire your nervous system, and return to a state of balance and calm. You'll begin by getting to know your nervous system, including an exploration of polyvagal theory and the vagus nerve. You'll also learn soothing, body-based practices to help you rewire your nervous response, including rhythmic movements (EMDR and tapping), conscious breathing, mindful movement, and more. Self-reflection and journaling prompts will help you get the most out of every chapter, and a comprehensive collection of tools will help you stay on the path to trauma recovery.
Nutrition
Since it was first published in 1995, Intuitive Eating has become the go-to book on rebuilding a healthy body image and making peace with food. It shows us that the problem is not us; it's that dieting, with its emphasis on rules and regulations, has stopped us from listening to our bodies.
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Written by Evelyn Tribole, M.S., R.D., and Elyse Resch - two prominent nutritionists who are the originators of this movement - Intuitive Eating: 4th Edition will teach you: • How to reject diet mentality forever • How to find satisfaction in your eating • How to feel your feelings with kindess • How to honour hunger and feel fullness • How to follow the ten principles of Intuitive Eating • How to achieve a new and safe relationship with food and, ultimately, your body • How to raise an intuitive eater
Nutrition Studies
Zoe run the world’s largest in-depth nutrition study, and they’ve turned their research into a personalized program that gives you insights into how your body responds to food.
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Combining large-scale biological data with machine learning and microbiome sequencing has enabled them to predict personal nutritional responses to foods and provide people with a better understanding of their unique metabolism and gut microbiome(. These personalized insights can allow individuals to make impactful changes to improve their overall health.
Emma Ellice Flint, a qualified nutritionist, nutritional therapist, and experienced chef, combines science, research, and delicious food to support women through perimenopause and menopause. Her passion for food began in the 1980s, leading to a career in hospitality, marketing, and cooking for high-profile clients in London and Sydney. In 2007, she shifted to nutrition full-time, earning a Bachelor of Health Science (Nutrition). Now based in England, she works with doctors to provide evidence-based care, making nutrition accessible through flavourful recipes and practical solutions. With her trusted expertise, she guides women on their nutritional journey with confidence.
Pain
I highly recommend The Pain-Free Mindset by Dr. Ravindran. With over 20 years of experience as an NHS pain consultant, he offers a powerful, science-backed approach to managing chronic pain without relying on addictive medication or risky surgeries. This insightful guide helps you understand how pain affects your body and mind, equipping you with practical techniques to reshape your response and regain control. Packed with expert advice and real-life success stories, it’s an empowering read for anyone seeking lasting relief and a better quality of life.
Alcohol Addiction
I am recommending two versions of the same book here so click on each for a link.
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The Alcohol Experiment shows a new way of thinking and offers a 30-day programme with a difference. It asks you to look closer at why you drink, what you get out of it and whether it’s really the alcohol that’s giving you what you want.
In the Expanded Edition of The Alcohol Experiment, Annie Grace provides a supportive, judgment-free guide for anyone curious about life without alcohol. The concept is simple: take a 30-day break from drinking and observe how you feel.
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Through science-backed insights, Annie helps readers uncover the cultural and emotional conditioning surrounding alcohol, offering a mindful approach that restores control and eliminates cravings. With daily chapters and journal prompts, she shares wisdom, proven strategies, and thought-provoking guidance to support you every step of the way. Ultimately, the choice is yours—your body, your mind, your decision.
Mind Management
The Chimp Paradox by Prof. Steve Peters for anyone looking to better understand and manage their mind. This powerful book introduces the Chimp Mind Management Model, a practical and science-backed approach to recognising how your mind works, controlling emotions, and improving confidence, happiness, and success.
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Prof. Peters breaks down complex psychological concepts into an easy-to-follow system, helping you identify self-sabotaging behaviours, manage your thoughts, and take control of your life. With insightful explanations and practical exercises, this book provides the tools to reduce anxiety, build resilience, and develop lasting emotional and mental well-being. If you’re looking to unlock your full potential, The Chimp Paradox is a must-read.
Mobility
Pilates may be one of today’s most popular workouts, but it has been trusted by physicians for nearly a century. Originally created by Joseph H. Pilates to strengthen and condition muscles, this method is the perfect mind-body exercise for anyone looking to tone, realign, and sculpt their body—without the bulky results of traditional strength training.
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In The Pilates Body, renowned trainer Brooke Siler, owner of New York’s top Pilates studio re:AB Pilates offers a comprehensive, easy-to-follow program that can be done anytime, anywhere, and without equipment. With clear step-by-step instructions, detailed illustrations, and unique visualization techniques, Siler walks readers through a complete mat workout designed to improve posture, flexibility, balance, and overall well-being. Whether you’re new to Pilates or looking to refine your practice, The Pilates Body is an essential guide to transforming both your body and mind.
Though movement is natural, do you know how to support your body for lifelong strength and flexibility? With years of experience working with professional athletes and Olympians, mobility experts Kelly and Juliet Starrett turned their attention to the broader population. They asked: What defines a physically resilient person at any stage of life? How can we continue to feel great and function optimally as we age in an increasingly sedentary and tech-dependent world? Their answer lies in a simple approach to basic mobility: 10 assessments plus 10 physical practices equals 10 ways to enhance your body's function. These assessments require no strenuous activity and are suitable for all fitness levels. Built to Move is structured around these tests and practices, offering a way for anyone to feel better – with reduced stiffness and fewer aches – and improve their overall quality of life, no matter how they spend their time. Consider this book your long-term plan for physical vitality.
If you're searching for a Pilates studio in the Black Country, I can't recommend Stourbridge Pilates Studios enough. They were one of my first experiences with Pilates, and they set the bar high. As the only fully Gratz-equipped Classical Pilates studio in the region, they offer a personalized and really effective approach. I appreciated their small group classes for mat, reformer, and equipment, which helped me see great results.
Their private lessons are also a fantastic option for a more individualized workout. The instructors are welcoming and so knowledgeable and with a wide variety of classes it makes it easy to fit Pilates into your life.
I discovered Feldenkrais Method through some classes I attended in Loughborough with Bruno Furci which have made me realise how much somatic movement I was already practicing.
The Feldenkrais Method® offers a unique way of making lasting improvements to our lives through the medium of movement. We learn how to move through the world with greater ease, co-ordination, flexibility and grace.
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It is a somatic practice that harnesses mindful attention and gentle movement to heighten awareness of ourselves and our sensations. In doing so we learn from the inside out, making use of our brain’s plasticity – its ability to change for the better at any age.
Lessons are delivered in two ways. Awareness Through Movement® Group classes and Individual sessions called Functional Integration®. Both types are practical and accessible to people of all ages and a wide range of abilities.
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The Feldenkrais Method® was devised by Moshe Feldenkrais (1904-1984), a distinguished physicist, engineer and judo master, in response to his own knee injury.
Breathwork
​Breathwork is a powerful practice that utilises conscious breathing techniques to promote relaxation and reduce stress. By intentionally controlling the breath, individuals can activate the body's parasympathetic nervous system, leading to a state of calm and tranquillity. This practice has been shown to effectively lower stress and anxiety levels, enhance focus and mental clarity, and improve overall well-being.
Robert Bahedry was one of the first practitioners I listened to. If you search on Apple or Spotify you can find his 'Breath' album which is simply amazing.
So I've recently finished a rather compelling book titled "Breath." It posits that modern humans have largely lost the ability to breathe optimally, leading to a range of adverse health consequences.
The author, James Nestor, undertakes a global exploration, venturing beyond conventional medical settings into ancient sites and specialized research facilities, to investigate this phenomenon. He examines time-honored breathing practices such as Pranayama and collaborates with scientists to validate their efficacy.
The book presents evidence suggesting that subtle modifications to respiratory patterns can yield significant improvements in athletic performance, alleviate conditions like snoring, allergies, asthma, and autoimmune disorders, and even address skeletal issues such as scoliosis. The presented research challenges established assumptions about human respiration.
Nestor draws upon both historical medical texts and contemporary studies in pulmonology, psychology, biochemistry, and human physiology to support his assertions. The book effectively redefines our understanding of this fundamental biological function.
It is likely that, upon reading this book, one's approach to breathing will be permanently altered.
Retreats
We met Anita back in 2022 at a Christmas Pilates Retreat and had the most amazing time.
As well as running retreats, Anita mainly offers Pilates Teacher training as well as Business mentorship. She helps wellness entrepreneurs turn their passion into a successful career. Whether you’re new to the industry or looking to grow, her programs offer the tools and support you need to thrive.​​
At the Vibrant Soul Retreat, I’ll be guiding somatic movement sessions as part of a holistic approach to transformation. Through movement, somatic practices, and embodiment techniques, you’ll reconnect with your body, release stuck emotions, and find a deeper sense of balance and clarity. These practices are designed to help you feel more alive, present, and in tune with your true self.
So, what is a transformational retreat? It’s an experience created to give you a safe and supportive space for deep personal shifts—helping you reconnect with who you truly are and spark meaningful change. Every part of the Vibrant Soul Retreat is thoughtfully designed to guide you back to the most natural, unfiltered version of yourself. The you that existed before outside pressures, expectations, and self-doubt took over. The you that’s still there, waiting to be set free.
Through movement, guided sessions, ceremonies, and playful exploration, you’ll go on a journey of self-discovery and healing. Some of the techniques we’ll be using include:
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Somatic healing
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Energy shifting
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Conscious movement
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Fascia release
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Letting-go techniques
By blending science-backed healing methods with intuitive practices, this retreat will help reset your nervous system, clear emotional blocks, and bring you back into alignment. You’ll leave feeling lighter, more confident, and ready to create a life that truly feels like yours.
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Women's Retreat- Abeliona Greece
September 11-16 2025