This June marks twenty-five years in therapeutic practice. I was in my fifth year of a Psychology degree with the Open University when I had my first experience of Reflexology. I was so confident that holistic bodywork was my vocation that I paused my degree and enrolled to study Reflexology. I became pregnant with my second child during the course and once my baby had arrived I set up as a self-employed therapist. When he was four months old, my grandparents doted on my son one day a week so I could begin to build my practice. I also completed my degree.
As my client base grew, I wanted to deepen my understanding of our ability to heal and mend. Homeopathy opened my eyes to a new way of viewing health and imbalance. This naturally flowed into the self-care and practice of Reiki. Following this, I was drawn to study Thai Massage and Bodywork and then dived into an in-depth study of Yoga and subsequently Ayurveda. The thread that runs through all of these practices is the focus on the individual not the condition, each modality informed by perennial knowledge and learning.
I’ve worked hard over the last 25 years to deepen my vocational understanding, earn a living and raise a family. Not every learning has been a success but neither has anything been a waste of time. I’ve been lucky to find, or be found by, dedicated and knowledgeable teachers who continue to teach and guide me. My family’s support has never waivered. I have spent many weekends away on courses and workshops. My husband has been the first one to encourage my studies and changes of direction; and my two sons have always gone with the flow – Go Team Cattermole!
My client base and students have been generous and loyal while I’ve explored and introduced new techniques and ideas in the therapy room and on the yoga mat. This was particularly apparent during the pandemic. Everyone who could, joined me for daily zoom yoga and online classes have continued. Some clients brought family members online to learn massage and reflexology, others received distance healing and attended zoom reiki shares. We had a Coffee Pot Philosophy group too! We created a community of support and connection. I will always be grateful for that. I have been shown time and again that you receive back what you give out; it’s a loving, developmental and calm space to occupy – thank you.
So what happens next? Ideas have been gently bubbling away and it’s time for an evolution. I want to continue to emphasise the importance to self-care practice particularly through yoga and holistic bodywork. We can do so much for our own health and well-being, it doesn’t have to be complicated. The simplest practices are often the most profound:
- My bodywork service has returned to a clothed practice on the couch or the futon, using both Thai and Ayurvedic techniques and incorporating reflexology and reiki as appropriate
- Over the summer I am organising my space so I can teach small yoga group practices in addition to my larger classes; I am considering teaching pregnancy yoga
- With the increased space, I will be able to show clients helpful yoga postures to support their bodywork sessions
- And reiki. So often misunderstood. I want to show that reiki is a valuable self-care tool and am reflecting on how to introduce a wider audience to this meditative practice. If you have any ideas or questions, please let me hear them
I will be writing more about these ideas as time goes on. A big thank you to all of you. Here’s to the next 25 years of practice!
With love and gratitude, Yvonne x