Therapies

Yoga Therapy (one-to-one)

Yoga therapy is a type of therapy that uses yoga postures, kriyas (movement sequences), breath work, meditation, mudras (hand gestures), guided imagery, mindfulness techniques, music and chanting to support your journey towards optimum mental, physical and spiritual health.

When a person first decides to initiate yoga therapy, I offer a free 30-minute clarity call. This is to get a sense of whether I can deliver what you are looking for and if there is a resonance between us. In the initial assessment there is plenty of space to discuss the intake form (filled in after the clarity call), to get clear on what your aspirations are for the yoga therapy, and from there, create a flexible treatment plan.

The approach I take is uniquely tailored to the needs of each client. My experience (see BIO) allows me access to a toolbox of different modalities where we can see what works best for you. I am a reliable, relational, kind, creative, intuitive and curious therapist, hoping to walk alongside you in a collaborative way. I am also interested in how neuroscience informs our understanding of the brain and the nervous system. I trained at The Minded Institute in 2017-2018.

Whilst trained in a wide range of physical and mental health conditions, I have particular experience and understanding when working with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, chronic fatigue syndrome/fibromyalgia and dementia. I support women through major life transitions, including the journeys of termination and peri-menopause/menopause. I assist women to step into their power through recognising and then integrating mental, physical, energetic and spiritual blocks.

Yoga Therapy (small groups)

I work with small yoga therapy groups of up to 10 people, both via Zoom and in-person Upstairs at The Yoga Hall.
Please click HERE if you are interested in joining the 8-Week Course to Reduce Stress, Anxiety and Depression (on Zoom).

I also run a Sunday morning yoga therapy group in 8 week blocks. We have covered all sorts of themes including:
– Keeping body parts healthy through yoga, such as feet, legs, back body (including kidneys), and spine.
– The Yamas and Niyamas; yoga’s ‘instruction booklet’ on how to live a happy life.
– Woman as her own Psychologist: Kundalini yoga kriyas to bring into awareness and transform patterns which hold us back.
– Supporting the health of body systems, such as lymphatic, digestive & circulatory systems.
– Uncovering and integrating emotions associated with different areas of the body.
– Stick figure drawing before and after the session, to connect with feelings and experiences.

Practices are drawn from many yogic styles and woven together. We set an intention for the start of each module and support each other in its development and manifestation over the time period of the course. There is also an opportunity to check out at the end of each session (optional). Compassionate listening is encouraged and what is shared here often supports and resonates with other group members, as well as empowering/providing healing for the speaker.

Please contact me if you are interested in joining this group. Alternatively you may like to form your own small group for me to teach with a particular theme in mind. For example, yoga therapy to support the menopause process, yoga for dementia carers or gentle yoga therapy for healing and relaxation.

Bespoke Yoga Nidra

Yoga Nidra is a path that takes us back to our own hearts. It is a guided process for entering into an effortless state of being where the mind drops away. Although Yoga Nidra is often described as ‘effortless sleep’, paradoxically it is more about awakening.
(See here for more about Yoga Nidra)

Bespoke Yoga Nidra is a Yoga Nidra script written and recorded just for you.

Yoga Nidra has many therapeutic applications such as:

– Anxiety and digestive disturbances
– Healing after surgery
– Support of those living and dying with cancer
– Issues around creativity
– Problem solving
– Grief
– Support for family and friends navigating the death of a loved one
– Menstrual and menopause challenges

Or you may just want to have a relaxing Yoga Nidra with all your favourite imagery woven into it, purely for the joy of it.

To begin the process, I will send you a form to fill in which will let me know your intention for your Yoga Nidra (therapeutic or otherwise) as well as guiding me towards the imagery and words you would like to hear. If you have done Yoga Nidra before, you may have particular breath practices or visualisations that you enjoy. We will then have a 20 minute talk where we deepen into your needs. You will then receive a recording of your 30 minute Yoga Nidra via WhatsApp.

Psychotherapy and Coaching

INTEGRATIVE, TRANSPERSONAL PSYCHOTHERAPY & COUNSELLING is a complete and holistic approach to talking therapy that brings together mind, body and spiritual aspects that importantly contribute to our psychological health and well-being.

Often in life when we experience painful things there is a tendency to run away from the problem, or sometimes even try to ignore it. This can lead to a number of struggles such as depression, anxiety, withdrawal and addiction. By exploring these difficulties in a safe, caring and observant environment, we can gently come to know them and in doing so can shift its hold on our lives and potential for growth. This journey in therapy not only allows us to let go of such difficulties, it also encourages a greater connection with who we really are – because finally we have given a voice to ourselves. This in turn cultivates a stronger sense of ‘self’ and a more conscious connection to the people and world around us.

Areas of specialisms include (but are not limited to); depression, anxiety, post-natal depression & motherhood, childhood trauma and abuse, PTSD diagnoses, relationship issues, self-esteem, self-confidence and emotional regulation.

Ayurveda

AYURVEDA and YOGA will provide you with a comprehensive, integrated way to manage your health and wellbeing, through diet, lifestyle, exercise, and breathing techniques. Both Ayurveda and Yoga are the perfect combination for enhancing your mental, physical and spiritual health. A practice and understanding of both the therapies can lead you to a more balanced, calm, fulfilling life.

Yoga deals with the management of the mind to increase mental balance and clarity with the use of postures, breathing techniques and meditation. The practice of yoga works on all aspects of the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual level. Ayurveda is concerned with how to maintain and restore balance in the body, healing the body and helping to manage physical and psychological conditions. This is done through lifestyle and diet advice, and herbal treatments, from simple daily routines to comprehensive health management, all which are empowering to your wellbeing.

Reflexology

Reflexology is a pressure technique using thumbs and fingers on the reflex areas found in the feet. These reflexes are believed to be linked by energy channels to the different organs and structures in the body. When illness occurs, the corresponding energy channels may become blocked and points on the feet could feel numb, gritty, congested or empty. By stimulating these areas the body’s own natural healing process is triggered and balance is restored.

Reflexology is a gentle and relaxing treatment and has a wonderful ability to support people emotionally, to provide stress relief and help to relieve pain. Sometimes people come for specific issues such as spinal problems, digestive disorders or hormonal related conditions. Reflexology is often used in palliative care and for support in journeying with cancer.

During the first consultation there is plenty of space for you to talk. I assess your needs and then create a tailor-made treatment plan.

I trained with Louise Keet at the London School of Reflexology in 2004

Integral Therapy

INTEGRAL PSYCHOTHERAPY is the application of the five elements of Integral Theory to understand and navigate individual and social problems. Simply put, those five elements are; Perspectives (subjective, objective, collective), Levels of Development, Lines of Competency, States of Experiencing, and Types of Personality. By enquiring and exploring ourselves, our relationships and our situation through these lenses we can recognize the nature of our obstacles, our resistances, our misalignments and our misunderstandings. This leads us to rebalance and integrate our natural powers, capable discernment and opening Heart.

Integral Psychotherapy is not confined to any particular style of intervention, but could include; trauma-focused, psychodynamic, interpersonal, cognitive behavioural, somatic energetic, multicultural, humanistic, existential, transpersonal and spiritual therapies, coaching and practice guidance.

Finlay is a co-founder and director of The Yoga Hall. He was born on a tea estate in Malawi, studied Mechanical Engineering, Sculpture, Fashion and Textiles, Sound Healing, Traditional Chinese Medicine (Acupuncture and Herbs). He teaches Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga and is a Certified Integral Therapist.

Finlay facilitates Integral Satsang at The Yoga Hall. This is a synthesis of Integral Theory, Yoga philosophies and interpersonal development. We are an intentional practice group that meet weekly to meditate, learn and engage in soul nourishing and spontaneous conversations to discover our true identity and sovereignty in A New Republic of the Heart.