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Is it time for you to find a new direction?

by

Hello and Welcome to The Stepping Stones May blog

walk-into-stepping-stonesI’m Ian the Hypnotherapist here at The Stepping Stones Project. Now I could ask you to relax and slowly count down from 10 to 1. However, May is National Walking Month, so I’m going to ask you to walk a little more. Just adding a few more steps each day will add up and produce positive results.

One positive is being more alert. Many work places have lunchtime walking groups. The walkers have noticed an increased alertness and productivity on the afternoons they have enjoyed a little lunchtime stroll.

Do you need a few more positives? Besides being more alert walking has many more benefits, such as:

  • It helps keep you thin
  • It reduces your blood pressure
  • It can lower cholesterol
  • It reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes
  • It reduces the risk of breast and colon cancer
  • It reduces the risk of dementia
  • It reduces the risk of osteoporosis
  • You feel Happier!

So, a short walk (30 minutes) in a group has many positives. Check out the evidence in the British Journal of Sports Medicine study.

Curious about what can happen on a very long walk?

The Camino

A few years ago, a friend walked the El Camino de Santiago de Compostela (The Way of St James). This journey was a 520-mile (838 KM) walk across Spain, from St Jean Pied de Port in France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

Why did she do it?

Her life was in a rut. She had just separated from her boy friend. She was unhappy with work and was looking for purpose to her life.

What did she learn?

She learned a pilgrimage on the Camino has three parts

The first part…

..begins in the foothills of the Pyrenees in France.

The start seemed easy.

She thought “it’s all-downhill!” Unexpectedly, my friend learned about her body. She said that “Every muscle, every fibre, and every cell hurt. I would wake up hurting, I walk all day hurting, and I went to bed hurting. However, each day I found that I could keep going and I walked another 20km.” It’s at this point she looked in her backpack and asked do I really need:

  • The hair straightener?
  • The shampoo AND conditioner (time to try a 2-in-1)?
  • That book I never have time to read?

 

The second part…

…is across the northern plains of Spain.

This part was simply walking along the long, straight, flat road.

It was just her and the road, mile after mile. It was at this point my friend looked inwards. She had empted her backpack now it was time to empty her mind. She asked herself the hard questions:

  • What regrets do I carry?
  • What resentments do I carry?
  • Who am I?
  • What do I want to be?

The third part…

After nearly 450 miles, she found the road was all-uphill to the city of Santiago de Compostela.

However, she did not find it hard. She said it was an awakening. In those two days of walking uphill, she found the new her.

She left England and her job soon after returning from the walk. Last time I heard from her, she was educating street children in India and loving every minute of it!

Is it time for you to find a new direction?

This National Walking Month you could go on a long walk like the El Camino de Santiago de Compostela to find the new you or you could take a short walk to The Stepping Stones Project to see the amazing therapies we offer. We will have you looking and feeling great in no time.

I trust I will be seeing you soon!

 

"Acupuncture during pregnancy was amazing… each trimester is a different… during the first I needed energy and help with the sickness, during the second I had a rash, during the third I was suffering from pelvic problems and insomnia and the extra weight... the personal, friendly and detailed individual approach was so beneficial to me. I feel like it paid a huge part in my well-being over the 9 months… thank you, Amelia.”

Kelly

I had been suffering from a severe and unexplained break out of hives for over two weeks, when a friend recommended Stepping Stones to me. The hives had been so bad that they covered my face and body and I had been back and forth to the doctors with no luck; none of the medication they gave me worked and it was getting worse. When I came to Stepping Stones I had never had acupuncture before and didn't know what to expect. But the space was clean and relaxing and Amelia was very kind and welcoming and put me at ease straight away. After just one session at the multi-bed clinic the hives went down 50% by the following day, and then continued to consistently fade away over the next two days. I then had one more session, and the following day they were completely gone! I feel so happy and grateful to have found Stepping Stones and would definitely recommend it to anyone. Thanks so much Amelia.

Molly

I came to Stepping Stones after a long period of sleeplessness and general fatigue. After one session I already feel significantly energised and rejuvenated - my skin is glowing and I have slept better than I have in weeks! The clinic is serene and comfortable and the perfect place to enjoy treatment. I would highly recommend incorportating acupuncture at Stepping Stones into any plan to live a happy and healthy life

CA, London

I just wanted to say a big thank you to all for the treatment (and warm welcomes and cups of tea) you've given me over the last few months.

I think that as is the case with many symptoms unease, brought about due to imbalances in the body, the signs and symptoms appear gradually and over a period of time, and likewise do not just tend disappear over night. Having said that I feel that the course of acupuncture I've received has been of great benefit, and there are subtle improvements and changes in my general wellbeing which I can say the treatment, at the very least, played some part in bringing about.

M, London

I was first attracted to the Stepping Stones project when my husband found the card in the church. The very cleverly designed card was telling me of affordable acupuncture, with the added bonus of being very near to my home. When I first phoned for an appointment I felt encouraged by the friendly voice of Amelia.

On my first visit Stacey interviewed me most sympathetically, I immediately felt safe. Although the space is rather small they create a comfortable atmosphere, the room is warm and privacy is always maintained with the use of towels and screens.

I have had many treatments, they are always helpful, and it is so nice to be able to complain about pain knowing they will be understanding and can offer relief. Once the needles are in place, privacy and comfort is ensured, the wonderful warming lamp and the quiet allows for deep relaxation.

I am happy to recommend Stepping Stones to anyone, I have already informed several friends.

Pat, De Beauvoir

I’d thought about acupuncture before, but had never been able to afford it. My experience here has been very positive – it’s inclusive and relaxed. The treatments are enjoyable and, over time, the process has made a definite difference in my life. The diet and lifestyle advice, which goes with the acupuncture itself, would also have been unavailable elsewhere, and support with my nutrition in particular has been really good in helping me make changes beyond the treatments.

D, 28 London