The Therapy Shed Newsletter Volume 1 Issue 44

December 1, 2020

It’s my 44th Newsletter...& starting to celebrate 25 days of festive wellbeing...FINDING CALM IN CHAOS

Dear

Welcome, yes, it’s nearly upon us & I have left writing this newsletter until we are in December. Although, it seems lots of people are celebrating early with bumper decorations going up in November!

I love a festive outside space & as you can see I have my bucket of holly in on my outside table.

Plus I’ve just completed this arrangement for our communal lobby – allrecycled baubles plus copper sprayed dried hydrangeas & ferns from our garden & nearby forest.

I would like a firepit but that may be going a bit far? Although, it would come in useful as I continue to meditate in the gently cooler air.…just wrap up in your jolly socks & hoodies & listen to the returning birds….FINDING CALM IN THE CHAOS.

As some of you know, I am investing in my own development for the next life stage & yoga journey by becoming a yoga therapist with a 550 hour programme with Yoga United & Phoenix Rising into 2022 on Zoom! Already, I’m enjoying it, despite the non physical contact (you have to concentrate more!), strengthening my fundamental belief in yoga as a uniting practice for physical, emotional, psychological & spiritual wellbeing. I’ve called it ‘bringing my bits & bobs together’. I’ll tell you more about it in my next newsletter plus will be inviting you to be one of my early clients.

So, coming back to the season, I’ve decided to celebrate with you again, the traditional point of advent of 25 days with an advent candle & calendar of things to do, treat, buy, celebrate, adorn, chill & generally to get in the mood in these alternative times. Of course, I am not advocating that you do all 25, & there is no chocolate after opening (!) but you can cheat & dip in where you fancy. There are some rest & recoup days as well….perhaps on these days slip into some silk pyjamas from Malene Birger, my favourite Scandi designer….watch Trine Dyrholm in Queen of Hearts to get the idea!….there that feels better! Here’s me in my leopard print ones last Christmas Eve….

As most of you already know my aim is to help you adapt as well as be happy wherever you are at, from a holistic wellbeing perspective….and not to lecture! My total experience as a coach, yoga teacher, well-being consultant, business leader, body worker, yoga therapist & colour fashionista is available for you.

Bi-monthly & seasonally you will receive interesting things to do & wear, holistic health and fitness support ranging from healthy eating to relaxation techniques, including special offers….plus I will share my personal musings of those intuitive thoughts and ideas that have popped up for me.

Sincerely, bring it on!

Ann Edwards

In This Issue

Advent calendar
Top 12 pressies- supporting many small business, all bought by me plus offers on their sites!

1.Elliot Organic knicker & cami sets in grey, or cream

2. Uig Lodge smoked salmon, all the way from Stornoway!

3. Irvine mens shirts – wonderful for Christmas day!

4. No Secrets Aromatherapy products in beautiful rose gold packaging plus winners of several beauty awards

5. Hush pewter silver boots or glam slippers from Martinico

6. Chocolate & ginger Christmas puddings from Carved Angel

7. Vouchers for the future from your favourite hotels or restaurants like The Gallivantor Pig Hotels or Balfour.

8. Yoga props & mats from Yoga United, supporting Indian women too

9. Lavender linen eye masks, choice of messages like Breathe in lovely soft colours from YogaClicks

10. Sparkly socks from Neilson online to wear with party frocks & chunky boots or eco trainers!

11.Retro chunky brooches & earrings from Eclectica Jewellery or wear Grannie’s

12. Ask for a Thousand Stars silky Kimono from the lovely Nick @ Tree Frog. They look great with a black polo & trousers on Christmas day.

P.S. As I think you know I only recommend things & people that I like & think others will do…. so I am not Instagramming for sponsorship…just out of love for what I do xxx

25 Days of Festive Health & Wellbeing - Treats for Yourself & Others

Finish watching any box sets, or The Undoing with Nicole Kidman or The Life Ahead with Sophia Loren, 7500, or DNA, or Harlots or Billions…that’s it on the box for a week!

Visit Secret Cellar in Forest Row for your Christmas bottles, then come home & light your Advent Candle & watch the glow in the fading light

Make your Yuletide wreath with locally foraged leaves & berries

Seek out your Christmas pyjamas & jolly sparkly slippers. A snore-drobe!

Take a mindful walk, using all your senses, in the lanes & woods to suss out where there are some holly berries left. Or in your garden if you are short of time

Relax & have a local & independent cafe takeaway coffee with a mince pie. Maria’s in Forest Row is doing takeout brunch. You can walk along the Forest Way

Check your present list, I think it maybe too late for online?

If you must go Christmas shopping, go locally to your independent shops

Another lovely day to watch movies or catch up with series 4 of The Crown on Netflix. Get your hankies out….Gillian Anderson as Maggie is amazing….watch those handbags!

Just be!

Sort out your Festive music & carols. We love listening to all our old CD’s on Christmas Eve & Day, including Frank & Tony, even Bing

Grab a last appointment with local therapist for nails & toes

Start your Christmas food planning, even if smaller numbers….I think the major shops will be even more chaotic, so order locally, many are doing local deliveries. For us & London you have Ashdown Organics, then Seasons & Tablehurst Farm

Watch one of my fun Yoga & Treatment videos that I recorded during lockdown- There are 3 yoga ones, 1 mindfulness, a tea ceremony, how to make & do a detox scrub plus my fave 5 health & wellbeing products…email to request ann@ann-edwards.co.uk if not on Facebook

Have a rest, put your feet up. Make yourself a nourishing Buddha Bowl

Read a favourite book or glossy mag. I’ve just read the David Bailey book & looking forward to Barack Obama’s book for Christmas

We are having a bubbles weekend in London to see the lights, have a lovely meal at Tozis plus a cocktail & snacks on the winter roof terrace at the Ham Yard Hotel overlooking Soho

Sort out your outside & inside dining tables layout for your smaller family group….this year it’s traditional colours with lots of candles of different heights (be careful!). I love to use my old silver napkin rings & coloured glasses

Smoked salmon from Uig is arriving…..make sure you have got your blinis or rye bread from Cyrnel Bakery in Forest Row or your local bakery plus the Dill. Check your recipes & final shopping lists…don’t panic!…all will be well

Feet up! Or shut down your working from home…goodbye Zoom & Microsoft Teams til January!

Ring your festive bell at 6pm with the kids to help Santa fly his sleigh & connect again with your community

It’s arrived, last lighting of the candle! Breathe deeply. Peace to all mankind.

….put on your party frock, or kimono, black sweater & trousers (see present list). Have your morning champers & smoked salmon outside, we are going to add these to our traditional walk on the golf course! I’m having a nut loaf from Eat as I’ve been vegan since March. Of course, still happy to make turkey etc as I have all the veggies & sides. Great recipe for chestnut, nut & mushroom stuffing recipe in Waitrose newspaper…it’s already made & in the freezer