Surreal Holistic Therapy

6 Weeks Chakra Balancing & Well-being Journey
Your Six Week Chakra Balancing Wellbeing Journey explores one of the body’s seven main energy centres (chakras) each week. Every session includes relaxation, energy balancing techniques and an essential oil blend massage conducive to each chakra, helping to release energetic congestion, to energize and restore balance to the mind, body and soul
Whether you are,new to chakra healing or already experienced with energetic work or simply seeking a weekly existence of grounding and clarity…this 6-week journey offers a supportive, and guided entry into holistic wellbeing through limbic and touch sensory
A six week chakra balancing programme is more purposeful if each session builds on the previous one than treating every appointment as a stand alone. Areas included weekly are Week 1- Root Chakra ,Week 2 -Sacral Chakra, Week 3- Sola Plexus Chakra
Week 4- Heart Chakra , Week 5-Throat -Third Eye& Crown Chakras and Week 6 xFull Chakra integration
55mins x 6 = £270
Or depending on your personal journey you can choose one chakra area as a stand-alone treatment whether -Root, Sacral, Solar Plexus, Heart, Throat(third eye & crown)
£55-55 minutes

🌿 Legs Up the Wall: A Simple Pose with Powerful Benefits for Your Lymphatic System

When it comes to supporting lymphatic health, sometimes the most effective tools are also the simplest. One of these is the restorative yoga posture known as Legs Up the Wall Pose (Viparita Karani). This gentle inversion is accessible to most people and offers profound benefits for both circulation and relaxation.

💧 How It Helps the Lymphatic System

The lymphatic system relies on muscle movement, breath, and gravity to keep fluids circulating. When you elevate your legs, gravity naturally assists in:
• Reducing fluid build-up in the lower limbs (helpful for swollen ankles, heavy legs, or long hours of standing).
• Encouraging lymph and venous return toward the heart.
• Relieving pressure from overworked lymph nodes in the groin and lower body.

This makes it an excellent self-care tool for those managing inflammation, lymphatic congestion, or simply seeking a way to “reset” the body.

🌀 Other Benefits of Legs Up the Wall Pose
• Boosts circulation: Enhances both blood and lymph flow.
• Supports digestion: Gentle abdominal decompression can aid gut motility.
• Slows heart rate: Helps balance the cardiovascular system.
• Calms the nervous system: Promotes parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) activity.
• Relaxes the mind: A mindful pause that eases stress and tension.

🌸 How to Practice Safely
1. Sit sideways against a wall, then gently swing your legs up as you lie back.
2. Place a small cushion or folded blanket under your hips for comfort.
3. Extend arms out by your sides or overhead to open the chest.
4. Breathe deeply, letting your belly rise and fall.
5. Stay for 5–15 minutes or as long as feels comfortable.

👉 Avoid if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, acute eye conditions (like glaucoma), or recent leg injuries unless cleared by your healthcare provider.

✨ Final Thoughts

Simple yet powerful, Legs Up the Wall is more than just a stretch — it’s a therapeutic posture that assists lymph flow, calms the body, and restores balance. Adding this into your daily routine is an easy way to support both physical and emotional well-being.

Bianca Botha CLT, RLD, MLDT & CDS
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, exercise, or health regimen.

How reflexology supports the nervous system
For further enquiries and to book an appointment contact Jenny @ Surrelholisticthetapy.com / 07758754317

We don't often think about our digestion until something feels "off". Bloating, sluggishness, discomfort, or that feeling that your stomach is just not quite cooperating can have a real impact on how you feel day to day.

One thing that's often overlooked is the connection between the gut and the nervous system.

When we're stressed, our body naturally prioritises survival over digestion. Blood flow is redirected, stress hormones increase, and processes like digestion can slow down or become less efficient. It's one of the reasons many people notice digestive symptoms become worse during busy or stressful periods.

This is where reflexology may help.

Reflexology is a complementary therapy that encourages the body to move into a more relaxed, "rest and digest" state. By supporting nervous system regulation, reflexology may help create the conditions that allow the digestive system to function more effectively. Many people also find that regular sessions help them become more aware of the connection between stress, lifestyle, and their digestive health.

It's important to remember that reflexology isn't a treatment for digestive conditions, but it can be a valuable addition to a holistic approach to wellbeing alongside a balanced diet, regular movement, good hydration, quality sleep, and advice from your healthcare professional where needed.

Sometimes our gut isn't asking for another supplement or the latest wellness trend.

Sometimes it's asking us to slow down.

Have you ever noticed your digestion changes when life gets particularly stressful?

Your Feet Tell an Amazing Story
Did you know your feet contain thousands of nerve endings?
With reflexology, the feet reflect all organs and body systems. When gently working these reflexes, reflexologists do not simply treat the feet, we are supporting the whole person.
Many clients are surprised by how deeply relaxing a reflexology treatment feels.
Others notice improvements in sleep, energy, stress levels or simply feel lighter and more balanced.
Your feet carry you through life every day. It is worth receiving a treatment with a qualified reflexologist which is very different to a foot massage.
For information and further enquiries about reflexology see - ,Reflexology Research Project see - ,Reflexology Research Project (2023) https://reflexology-research.com/home/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTDdyFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETB3am5IQm5sZzBpZlpER0Vqc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHtLIlDWMyVLvy__p7TseV0py0-PFs1FdeEtckm1AJU8hvk-F2E7Fk-F0CA_X_aem_k-VVkJVG7u2uoeSta8C5gw and to book in for an appointment contact Jenny .com / 07758754317

Healthy Ageing Begins Any Time from Today

Healthy Ageing Begins Any Time from Today

Many people think ageing means expecting more aches, stiffness and less energy, Reflexology can make it different and improve wellbeing.

After 27 years as a qualified reflexologist, I have, and all qualified reflexologists would have seen clients in their 60s, 70s and 80s. They noticed an improvement in their life.

Supporting our health isn't about trying to stop ageing.

It's about helping our body function as well as it can for as long as possible.

Reflexology encourages the whole body and mind to function in an improved balanced way which includes relaxation, activated blood and lymph flow, also activated bowel movement and it helps many people feel calmer, sleep better and enjoy greater wellbeing.

Healthy ageing is not about adding years to life, it is about adding life to our years.

Underative Thyroid, Foods to Avoid and Foods to Eat.

Underactive Thyroid( Hypothyroidism): Foods to eat and avoid I studied diet and nutrition many years ago, but once I recieved my qualification, I decided to put it on the back burner to focus on my role as a Complementary Therapist! So what inspired me to write an article about underactive thyroid( hypothyroidism) and the foods to avoid and eat. It's personal...

Massage Therapy Can Support Trauma Healing
We are all familiar with the health and wellbeing benefits of massage therapy, but did you also know that massage can also help with trauma healing? Well, research has shown according to Collinge, W, Kahn, J, Soltysik, R.(2012). Massage therapy, the manual manipulation of soft body tissue that promotes health and well-being, can also provide relief from physical, emotional and mental stress contributing to the decrease levels of depression, anxiety, irritability, and other symptoms associated with trauma. Price, C. (2005) also agrees and says massage therapy has also been found to help clients with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) -related dissociations helping people to be more in touch with how certain emotions manifest in physical sensation, to experience comfort and safety in their bodies .

Massage is particularly relevant to trauma treatment because traumatized individuals often suffer from hyper-arousal and hyper-vigilance. In a state of stress and tension, their muscles may be constricted, and their bodies flooded with cortisol, a stress hormone that can be harmful with long-term exposure. Massage therapy has been shown to decrease cortisol levels while increasing hormones (serotonin and dopamine) associated with elevated mood, says Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Diego, M. et al (2005).

Massage therapy can also help to increase circulation, relieve physical pain, and relax tensed muscles. The relaxation from massage therapy can help individuals suffering from trauma, let go of their fight or flight stress response and attain a calmer state of being, which can be helpful both in therapy and in navigating daily life beliefs, Hatayama, T. Kitamura, S.Tamura, C, et al (2008).

It is recommended by Frank, D. S.(2013).that individuals experiencing trauma should find a massage therapist who is trauma-informed and practices consent-based body work therapy, to mitigate the risk of a client feeling out of control of the situation and their body. Feeling comfortable while someone is working on your body is important for anyone, and especially for those who have previously been trauma-exposed, and for whom a bad-experience massage could be retraumatizing.
Conversely, a good-experience massage can feel nurturing, another potential source of healing.
Massage’s benefits can support the psychotherapy client’s stability between sessions, as well as their ability to tolerate the trauma work during the therapy session. Furthermore, even after successful trauma healing, some people find that their hyper-arousal symptoms persist, and then massage therapy can be used to promote a new habit of calm and self-regulation.

Getting started with massage therapy:
If you’re thinking about trying massage therapy as part of your healing journey, here are a few tips to get you started:

Find the right therapist:
Look for a licensed massage therapist with experience in working with trauma. Ideally, they should be familiar with trauma-sensitive practices and able to create a safe, comfortable space for you. We offer a safe place, in one of our warm and welcoming therapy rooms at the Magnolia Therapy Centre, where all are welcome and treated for their individual needs , because we are all unique and special.

Communicate openly:
Before your session, let your therapist know about any specific concerns or needs – it’s also absolutely okay to set boundaries and things you’re not comfortable with during this time. Sharing your trauma history and any discomfort can help them tailor the session to suit you better, but only share as much as you feel comfortable with.

Be patient with yourself:
Healing takes time, and massage therapy is just one piece of the puzzle. Regular sessions can help but remember to be gentle with yourself.

Combine with other therapies:
Massage therapy can be incredibly effective, especially when combined with other treatments like counselling or mindfulness practices.

Finding your unique path to inner peace:
The journey to inner peace is personal and often requires a combination of approaches. Massage therapy can offer a comforting touch on this path, helping to ease physical tension and promote emotional well-being. By integrating massage into your healing process, you might find a new sense of calm and connection within yourself.


Would you like to help others to heal through the power of massage therapy ? Then take a look at our range of treatments and our Introduction to Massage workshops .com.

References
Collinge, W., Kahn, J., & Soltysik, R. (2012). Promoting reintegration of national guard veterans and their partners using a self-directed program of integrative therapies: A pilot study. Military Medicine, 177, 1477-1485.
Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Diego, M., Schanberg, S., & Kuhn, C. (2005). Cortisol decreases and serotonin and dopamine increase following massage therapy. International Journal of Neuroscience, 115, 1397-1413. doi:10.1080/00207450590956459
Frank, D. S. (2013). The well-embodied professional: Attitudes around integrating massage therapy & psychotherapy when treating trauma. Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers. Paper 177. http://sophia.stkate.edu/msw_papers/177
Hatayama, T., Kitamura, S., Tamura, C., Nagano, M., & Ohnuki, K. (2008). The facial massage reduced anxiety and negative mood status, and increased sympathetic nervous activity. Biomedical Research, 29, 317-320. doi:10.2220/biomedres.29.317.
Price, C. (2005). Body-oriented therapy in recovery from child s*xual abuse: An efficacy study. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 11, 46-57.
Massage Therapy Can Support Trauma Healing. Greenwood, R(2018)

The benifits of Massage therapy in the warmer weather
Massage in hot weather helps improve circulation, reduce swelling, relieve stress, enhance sleep, and support overall wellness.

Circulation and Swelling Relief
Hot weather often causes fluid retention, especially in the legs, feet, and ankles. Massage, particularly lymphatic drainage techniques, stimulates blood and lymph flow, reducing puffiness and promoting detoxification. This helps your body manage heat-induced swelling and keeps muscles and tissues hydrated at a cellular level, easing cramps and stiffness caused by dehydration or prolonged standing

For further enquiries and to book a treatment, contact Jenny .com / 07758754317
Reference
Massage Therapy & The Hot Weather . Matrix Massage & Bodywork(2025)
https://www.matrixmassage.net/post/10-reasons-why-you-should-get-a-massage-in-the-hot-summer-months

Benefits of massage therapy in the hot weather.
Massage therapy in the hot weather helps to improve circulation, reduce swelling, relieve stress, enhance sleep, and support overall wellbeing. For example:

Swelling Relief and Circulation:
Hot weather often causes fluid retention, especially in the legs, feet, and ankles.
Massage, particularly lymphatic drainage techniques, stimulates blood and lymph flow, reducing puffiness and promoting detoxification. This helps your body manage heat-induced swelling and keeps muscles and tissues hydrated at a cellular level, easing cramps and stiffness caused by dehydration or prolonged standing

Pain Relief and Muscle Recovery:
Summer time activities such as swimming, hiking, or sports can strain muscles.
Massage in a warm or cool environment helps relax tight muscles, improve flexibility, and accelerate recovery. Warm massage techniques, such as hot stones or heated oils, further enhance blood flow and relieve chronic pain

Hydration and Skin Health:
Massage improves circulation, which supports skin detoxification and regeneration. Combined with proper hydration and sun protection, it helps maintain a healthy summer glow. Certain massages, like those using coconut oil, camomile, spearmint or lavender oils, can soothe sunburned skin and reduce inflammation

Stress Reduction and Emotional Wellbeing:
High temperatures, bright sunlight, and busy summer schedules can increase stress and irritability. Massage activates the parasympathetic nervous system, lowering stress hormones and promoting relaxation. Reflexology and targeted scalp, neck, and shoulder massages can calm the nervous system, helping you feel cooler, lighter, and more balanced while improving your mood

Sleep Enhancement
Longer days and warmer nights can disrupt sleep. Massage therapy boosts serotonin and relaxes the nervous system, helping you fall asleep faster and enjoy deeper, restorative sleep. Reflexology in the evening can set the tone for a calm night, supporting overall energy and wellbeing

Immune System
Regular massage can enhance immune function by increasing lymph flow and reducing stress, helping your body stay resilient against summer colds or infections
In summary, incorporating massage into your hot-weather routine provides physical relief, mental relaxation, improved sleep, and enhanced skin and immune health, making it a valuable practice for overall summer wellbeing

For enquiries and to book an appointment
contact Jenny .com / 07758754317

References
10 Reasons Why You Should Get a Massage in the Hot Summer Months. Matrix Massage & Bodywork(2025)
10 Reasons Why You Should Get a Massage in the Hot Summer Months
The Many Lasting Benefits Of A Summer Massage. Naipo(2020)
15 Essential Oils for Sunburn Relief (With DIY Recipes!) Blakley, A(2025)

Could long-term scent exposure to certain scents be quietly shaping your brain in different ways?

We know certain scents can significantly enhance creativity and provide a sense of vitality by evoking specific emotions and memories, but could wearing a scent every day actually reshape the brain itself?
A recent study by Kokubun,K,Nemoto, K et al (2024) showed how a continuous exposure to rose essential oil over one month affects gray matter volume (GMV) in the human brain.
For example, researchers recruited 50 healthy women between the ages of 41–69 and randomly assigned them to one of two groups:
Intervention group- wore clothes scented with rose essential oil (0.5%), twice a day for one month
Control group-wore clothes with unscented water
Brain scans were taken before and after the month-long period using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The researchers then calculated Gray Matter, Brain Healthcare Quotients (GM-BHQ), a structural index similar to IQ, to compare gray matter volume in:
The whole brain
Posterior cingulate cortex (PCC)
Amygdala
Orbitofrontal cortex (OFC)
Key Findings
Whole-brain GMV increased significantly in the rose-scent group
PCC volume (linked to memory and emotion) also increased
Amygdala and OFC volumes showed no significant change
The effects remained even after statistical corrections
These findings suggest that sustained olfactory exposure can stimulate structural neuroplasticity, particularly in regions tied to memory and emotional processing.
Points to consider
🔸 Only female participants were included (due to s*x differences in olfactory sensitivity)
🔸 Lifestyle factors (diet, sleep, stress, etc.) were not controlled
🔸 No monitoring of daily compliance with scent-wearing instructions
🔸 Only one scent (rose) was tested -results may differ with other odors. So why only rose essential oil and no other? Intensive research has shown that rose essential oil can positively impact memory and cognitive function. If we take a look back to the study from Kyoto University apparently rose oil increased gray matter volume in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), a brain region associated with memory, learning, and emotional The PCC is particularly important because it tends to shrink in conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, and stimulating it may help maintain cognitive function, according to Neid, D( 2025)

Why This Matters for Neuromarketing & Neuroscience
This study provides rare evidence that continuous scent exposure can reshape brain structure, bridging daily sensory experience and measurable neural change.
For Neuroscience, it underscores that:
Everyday olfactory input contributes to long-term brain plasticity
The posterior cingulate cortex, central to memory and self-referential processing, may be particularly sensitive to scent-based stimulation
Continuous scent exposure could hold potential for cognitive health and even dementia prevention
For Neuromarketing, it suggests:
Scents integrated into daily brand or product environments may leave lasting neural and emotional imprints
Continuous exposure (like scented clothing or ambient environments) might influence brand memory at a structural brain level, not just emotional state
Olfactory-based interventions could become a tool for long-term emotional conditioning and brand attachment
Conclusion
This is the first study to show that wearing a scent every day can change brain structure, strengthening regions involved in memory, emotion, and self-awareness.
Our sense of smell does not just colour our experiences, it quietly reshapes the brain behind them.

If you would like to book in for a rose infused aromatherapy treatment, contact Jenny .com 07758754317 £55-55 minutes/£80-90 minutes

References
Kokubun, K., Nemoto, K., & Yamakawa, Y. (2024). Continuous inhalation of essential oil increases gray matter volume.cited in https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainresbull.2024.110896 Accessed (27.06.2026
Smelling This One Specific Scent Can Boost The Brain's Gray Matter. Nield, D(2025) cited in
Smelling This One Specific Scent Can Boost The Brain's Gray Matter : ScienceAlert Accessed(30.06.2026)