Supporting Your Mental Wellness Through Nutrition

Most people are aware that what we eat can make us healthier or less healthy. It is common knowledge for example that Vitamin C, found in fresh vegetables and fruits, will boost the immune system. But it can be easy to forget that what we eat has a big effect on our emotional and mental wellbeing as well.

Continuing from the theme of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, our in-house Nutritional Therapist and Health Coach, Ruth Lewis-Robertson, has put together this blog outlining the top five ways what you eat effects your mood.

Have a nutrient dense diet

We don’t just need nutrients for the maintenance of our physical health, we need them for brain health and mental health as well. Here are some nutrients to watch out for.

  • Magnesium: sometimes called “nature’s tranquiliser” and depleted in times of stress. Get it from green leafy vegetables and wholegrains.
  • Zinc: required for serotonin production. Oysters are the highest source by far. Pumpkin seeds are a great vegan source, include them daily in your overnight oats or morning smoothie (soaking them helps to release the nutrients).
  • Vitamin B6: needed for serotonin production and hormone regulation. Found in fish, meat, soya beans and oats.

Calcium: low levels have been linked with low mood, depression and PMS. Dairy isn’t the only source! Plant sources like green leafy vegetables, tahini (sesame seeds), and chia seeds, are a great source of calcium and have the benefit of magnesium too.

Balance your blood sugar levels

A typical Western diet is high in sugar and the wrong sorts of carbs. White pasta, bread and biscuits release sugar into the blood much more quickly than healthier complex carbohydrates and protein-rich foods. Typical symptoms of the resulting blood sugar dysregulation include irritability, mood swings, energy dips and feeling “hangry”. If that sounds familiar, try reducing sugar, switching pasta or white rice for brown rice or quinoa, and be sure to include a protein source with every meal as this slows the release of sugar into the blood.

 

Look after your gut

We instinctively know there is a link between the gut and brain. Most of us have experienced “butterflies” in the tummy, or had a “gut feeling” about something. In fact, the gut and brain develop from the same embryonic tissue in the womb, explaining the connection.

Did you know that 90% of serotonin – our “happy hormone” is actually made in the gut?

Gut related health issues like IBS are increasingly common in the modern world, and this may be explained by the chronic stress many of us are under.

So one thing you can do to support mental wellbeing is to look after your gut. Most people don’t get enough fibre; ensure you are including vegetables or salad with every meal, as well as wholegrains like brown rice, oats, or quinoa. Probiotic food and drinks like kombucha, sauerkraut, kimchi and miso are great boosters for gut health too.

 

Don’t skip on the fats

It feels logical to assume that fat makes us fat and for a long time we were lead to believe that fats were the enemy. That is changing now and rightly so as fats are really important for health. Brain health and therefore mental wellbeing is an area that particularly benefits from good healthy fats. This makes sense when we consider the brain is 60% fat, the fattiest organ in the human body!

This isn’t an excuse to load up on cakes and biscuits though, it’s good quality, healthy fats we are aiming for, and especially omega-3 fatty acids. The main source of these is oily fish, like sardines, mackerel or salmon. If this is something you eat, aim for 3 portions a week.

Plant sources of omega-3 include walnuts, flax seed and chia seeds, which are great to include in the diet daily. Plant sources do need to be converted to the active form though so supplementation is recommended – discuss your needs with a nutrition professional (like Ruth).

 

Ditch the ultra-processed junk foods

If you do just one thing for your physical and mental health, make this be it. Studies have found that people eating fast food three times a week suffered greater mental distress, while those eating a Mediterranean style diet had better mental health. Foods we make ourselves at home are more likely to be made from better quality, nutrient-dense ingredients. Furthermore, food loses nutrients as it ages, so preparing food as fresh as possible is always a good idea.

Cooking from scratch doesn’t have to be as time-consuming as you think. Being prepared helps. Ensure the cupboards and fridge are stocked with the right sorts of foods. Are there a couple of go-to recipes you know really well that you could cook even when you are busy or tired? Make sure you have the ingredients you need in stock. You can find some quick and easy meal ideas here.

 

Further support

If you think you may have a serious mental health issue or are depressed, always discuss this with your doctor. You can also approach a Nutritional Therapist or Health Coach like Ruth for advice tailored to your specific needs.

Navigating Life’s Losses: When Everything Changes and You No Longer Know Who You Are

Navigating Life’s Losses: When Everything Changes and You No Longer Know Who You Are

Not all grief comes from death.
 Sometimes, the deepest losses are the ones that happen quietly—when a relationship ends, when your business collapses, when your health fails you, or when life simply doesn’t turn out the way you thought it would.

I’ve lived this.

There was a point in my life when I lost my relationship, my home, and my career—all at once. I went from building what looked like a “successful” life to standing in the middle of it all crumbling around me. It wasn’t just loss. It was a complete identity unraveling.

I no longer knew who I was, or what my future looked like. And the hardest part? The world keeps spinning while you’re silently breaking.

But here’s the truth I eventually uncovered:
 When everything falls away, you’re left with something incredibly powerful—a blank canvas. And that can be the start of something extraordinary.

At OMH Therapies, we create space for all forms of loss—especially the ones that don’t always get acknowledged. This post is for anyone who feels like they’ve lost more than they know how to name.

What Counts as “Loss”?

Loss isn’t always visible. It doesn’t always come with flowers or rituals. But it changes you.

You might be grieving:

  • The end of a relationship or marriage

  • Losing a business, job, or financial security

  • A shift in your health, body, or energy

  • A lifestyle or version of yourself you once knew

  • The life path you thought you’d be living by now

And perhaps the most painful part—you feel like a stranger to yourself.

Fact: Research shows that major life transitions—divorce, job loss, illness, or relocation—can cause emotional symptoms that mirror bereavement. But because they’re not always recognised as “grief,” people often suffer in silence.

What to Do When You Feel Lost

There is no quick fix. But there are ways to move through loss with gentleness, clarity, and—eventually—renewal.

1. Acknowledge What You’re Grieving

It’s okay to grieve the version of you that didn’t make it. The plans that didn’t unfold. The life that slipped away. You don’t have to justify it to anyone. You just have to name it. And feel it.

Fact: Naming your emotions—especially around identity loss—helps your brain regulate and release stress, according to studies in affect labeling and emotional regulation.

2. Write to Remember—and to Release

Journaling was one of the things that got me through. Not structured, not polished. Just messy, honest pages of everything I was feeling. It helped me find pieces of myself again. Try prompts like:

  • “Who was I before this?”

  • “What did I lose that others can’t see?”

  • “What might this space be making room for?”

Fact: Expressive writing reduces emotional overwhelm, and helps reframe trauma as growth over time.

3. Move Your Body—and Let It Speak

Loss doesn’t just live in your mind—it lives in your muscles, your nervous system, your breath. That’s why movement is medicine.

At OMH Therapies, we offer:

  • Yoga, Pilates & Mindful Movement – to gently release stored emotion and reconnect with your body.

  • Massage with Talk Therapy – a unique and deeply healing service that allows you to mentally process while physically letting go. This dual approach supports emotional release on every level—body and mind.

Fact: Body-based therapies paired with verbal processing have been shown to regulate the nervous system more effectively than talk therapy or physical therapy alone.

4. Don’t Rush the Rebuild

It can be tempting to fill the void quickly. To start something new just to feel stable again. But lasting healing happens in the pause. Allow yourself the space to not know. It’s sacred ground. Eventually, clarity returns.

Fact: Growth after major life change increases significantly when people allow time for reflection, rather than rushing into the next phase (Post-Traumatic Growth research).

5. Reimagine Who You Want to Become

One day, you’ll feel ready to rebuild—not as who you were, but as who you’ve become. You get to dream again from a place of truth. You get to decide what matters now. Start with small acts of alignment:

  • Say yes to what feels nourishing

  • Return to rituals that calm you

Make new choices from who you are now—not who you were then

This Isn’t the End of You. It’s the Beginning of Something Honest.

Loss will change you. But it doesn’t have to destroy you.
 If you’re standing in the ruins right now, I want you to know—you are not broken. You are becoming.

At OMH Therapies, we’re here for this exact season of life. When the world feels shaky, and you’re not sure who you are anymore—we offer space, support, and healing to help you reconnect with yourself again.

👉 Explore Classes & Book a Therapy Session

With care and courage,
Ayesha Sodha (The Power Whisperer)


Understanding and Managing Anxiety: Gentle Tools to Help You Feel Calmer

Understanding and Managing Anxiety: Gentle Tools to Help You Feel Calmer

Anxiety is something nearly everyone experiences from time to time—it’s a natural response to stress or uncertainty. However, when anxious thoughts or feelings begin to impact your daily life, relationships, or overall well-being, it’s a gentle signal from your body that it may be time to pause and give yourself some extra care.

At OMH Therapies, we deeply understand anxiety—not only how it feels but how it shows up in our daily lives. My own journey, bridging wellness and business, has shown me how important managing anxiety is for clarity, productivity, and emotional well-being. If you’re experiencing anxiety, you’re not alone—and there are nurturing ways to manage it.

Recognising Anxiety: What It Feels Like

Anxiety can look different for everyone, but here are some common signs you might notice:

  • Physical Symptoms: Increased heart rate, sweaty palms, muscle tension, shallow breathing, stomach discomfort, or headaches.

  • Emotional Symptoms: Persistent worry, restlessness, irritability, feeling overwhelmed, or trouble concentrating.

  • Behavioural Symptoms: Avoiding situations, difficulty sleeping, or feeling withdrawn from others.

Fact: Anxiety is your body’s natural “fight or flight” response to stress, but when it becomes constant or overwhelming, it can negatively affect your emotional and physical health (American Psychological Association).

Gentle Tools to Help Manage Anxiety

Here are practical, nurturing ways to support yourself when anxiety arises:

1. Slow, Mindful Breathing

Your breath is one of your strongest tools to calm anxiety quickly. A simple technique is the extended exhale:

  • Breathe in gently through your nose for 4 seconds.

  • Slowly breathe out through your mouth for 6–8 seconds.

Fact: Deep breathing activates your parasympathetic nervous system, helping reduce stress and calm the body almost immediately.

2. Grounding Techniques

Grounding brings your awareness back to the present moment, calming racing thoughts. Try the 5-4-3-2-1 method:

  • 5 things you can see

  • 4 things you can touch

  • 3 things you can hear

  • 2 things you can smell

  • 1 thing you can taste

Fact: Grounding exercises are shown to interrupt anxious thought spirals and restore emotional balance.

3. Daily Journaling

Sometimes, what we need is to let our thoughts out of our heads and onto paper. Journaling, even for 10 minutes a day, gives your inner world a safe outlet. Don’t overthink it—just let it flow.

Fact: Studies show regular journaling can reduce anxiety, increase clarity, and promote emotional resilience.

4. Limit Caffeine and Sugar

Both caffeine and sugar can stimulate the nervous system and mimic anxiety symptoms. Consider reducing your intake if you’re noticing frequent anxious spikes.

Fact: High caffeine intake has been linked to increased anxiety, especially in those who are already sensitive or stressed (Journal of Psychopharmacology).

5. Gentle Movement for Emotional Release

When anxiety builds, movement helps shift that stuck energy. And it doesn’t need to be intense—gentle movement often helps more.

At OMH Therapies, we offer yoga, pilates, and mindful movement classes designed to support nervous system regulation and reconnection with the body. Whether it’s breath-led pilates, slow grounding yoga, or mindful movement tailored to meet you where you are—these practices offer the reset your body and mind need.

Fact: Gentle exercise is proven to lower stress hormones and increase calming brain chemicals like endorphins, easing anxiety symptoms.

6. Prioritise Sleep and Rest

Rest is not a luxury—it’s essential. Try creating evening rituals to help your body wind down: soft lighting, herbal tea, calming music, or even journaling before bed.

Fact: Sleep deprivation can significantly heighten anxiety symptoms. Regular, restful sleep supports emotional regulation and mental clarity (Harvard Medical School).

7. Practice Mindfulness or Meditation

Even five minutes of mindful breathing can help shift an anxious state. Guided meditations are a wonderful place to start—there are countless free resources online, or you can join us in person at OMH for gentle, supportive classes.

Fact: Mindfulness reduces overactivity in brain regions linked to worry and stress, making it a proven long-term tool for managing anxiety.

8. Community and Connection

Anxiety often thrives in isolation. Reaching out to others—whether through a wellness class, a friend, or a therapist—can offer grounding, perspective, and genuine relief.

Fact: People with strong support systems have significantly lower anxiety levels and higher emotional resilience (Mayo Clinic).

You’re Not Alone

If you’re feeling anxious, please know that you’re not alone—and that anxiety isn’t a flaw, it’s a signal. These tools are here to help you gently recalibrate, reconnect with yourself, and feel more grounded and supported day by day.

We warmly invite you to explore the range of therapies and classes we offer at OMH to support your emotional well-being.

👉 View Classes & Book a Session

With care,
Ayesha Sodha (The Power Whisperer)

The Impact of Technology on Your Mental Health: Finding Calm in a Digital World

The Impact of Technology on Your Mental Health: Finding Calm in a Digital World

Technology is everywhere. It brings joy, connection, inspiration, and learning into our lives. But sometimes, it can also feel overwhelming. It’s completely normal to feel drained, anxious, or even disconnected, despite being “always online.”

At OMH Therapies, we understand how delicate our relationship with technology can be. Our phones, tablets, and laptops are woven deeply into our daily lives, yet too much screen time can subtly affect our emotional well-being, leaving us feeling anxious, restless, or alone.

Here, we invite you to explore a gentle approach to technology—one that nurtures your mental health and brings calm back into your daily routine.

How Screens Affect Your Inner Balance

  • Comparing Ourselves to Others
     It’s easy to forget that social media often shows carefully curated highlights. These images can quietly affect how we feel about ourselves, leaving us feeling not enough or left behind.

     

  • Constant Noise
     Endless notifications, messages, and updates pull your attention in different directions, creating stress and a feeling of never truly being at rest.

     

  • Sleep and Rest
     When your phone or tablet is the last thing you see at night, sleep quality can suffer, affecting your mood, energy, and emotional resilience the next day.

Gentle Steps Toward Digital Balance

Think of these tips as invitations, not rules—gentle ways to cultivate peace and reconnect with yourself:

  1. Create Quiet Time
     Gift yourself small windows in the day to step away from your phone. Even 15 minutes of quiet without notifications can bring calm.

     

  2. Mindful Browsing
     Notice how different accounts or apps make you feel. Choose to engage with people and content that uplift your mood and inspire positivity.

     

  3. Digital Bedtime Rituals
     Allow yourself restful evenings by gently setting devices aside at least an hour before bed, perhaps replacing screen time with reading, journaling, or meditation.

     

  4. Embrace Real Connection
     Prioritize meaningful conversations—face-to-face or voice-to-voice—to nourish relationships and your sense of community.

     

  5. Regular Digital Breaks
    Consider a “digital detox”—a few hours, a day, or even a weekend where you intentionally disconnect to recharge emotionally and mentally.

 

You Deserve Peace and Balance

 Technology should enhance your life, not complicate it. When you approach your digital world mindfully, it can enrich your days instead of overwhelming them. Remember, it’s always okay to slow down, step away, and take care of yourself first.

At OMH Therapies, we’re here to support your journey toward balanced living. If you need a little extra support, we warmly invite you to explore our holistic therapies and nurturing workshops designed to help you find your inner peace.

Mental Health Awareness Month: 10 Gentle yet Powerful Ways to Support Your Mind and Energy

Mental Health Awareness Month: 10 Gentle yet Powerful Ways to Support Your Mind and Energy

May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a gentle reminder to consciously invest in our emotional and energetic well-being. But mental wellness isn’t something to be ticked off once a year; it’s about creating daily practices that nurture us inside and out.

Growing up around OMH Therapies, founded by my mum, I’ve been immersed in holistic wellness since my teenage years. Today, my work is dedicated to the intersection of wellness and business, and I’ve learned firsthand how essential emotional and energetic balance is—not just personally, but professionally too.

Here, I’m sharing 10 gentle yet powerful strategies that I personally practice and recommend to keep you feeling balanced, clear, and empowered every day:

1. Start Your Day with Intention

The way you begin your morning sets the stage for the entire day. Even dedicating just 10–15 mindful minutes can transform your outlook. You could try:

  • A brief meditation (YouTube has wonderful free sessions)
  • Mindfully making your bed
  • Taking an extra few calm moments in the shower

Fact: Research from Harvard University shows that morning mindfulness routines can significantly reduce stress and enhance focus throughout the day.

2. Daily Energy Protection

If you often feel sensitive or pick up energies from others during the day, creating an energy-protection ritual helps immensely. Try visualising washing away negative energy each morning during your shower. By attaching this habit to your daily shower, you’re far more likely to remember and maintain it.

Fact: James Clear, in his bestselling book Atomic Habits, explains that pairing a new habit (energy cleansing) with an existing one (showering) greatly increases habit formation success.

3. Ground Yourself

Feeling suddenly anxious or overwhelmed often indicates you’ve picked up energy that isn’t yours. Try standing barefoot on grass or soil for 10 minutes—this practice is called earthing. If this isn’t possible, a soothing shower with pink Himalayan salt is equally beneficial.

Fact: Studies published in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health found earthing significantly reduces inflammation, stress hormones, and improves sleep quality.

4. Practice Mindful Eating

In a busy world, it’s easy to eat quickly and without much thought. Try dedicating just one meal each day to conscious eating—without distractions. Observe the colours, flavours, and textures of your food.

Fact: Mindful eating has been proven to support digestion, reduce anxiety around food choices, and improve overall dietary habits, as noted by Harvard Health.

5. Journal—Better Out Than In

Our minds generate thousands of thoughts daily, some repetitive or stressful. Instead of letting these thoughts swirl in your mind, write them down. Journaling even for a few minutes daily can help release stress and clarify your emotions.

Fact: Research from the University of Rochester Medical Center shows journaling consistently helps manage anxiety and improves emotional clarity.

6. Recharge Your Energy Regularly

We all need regular energetic rebalancing. Massage combined with sound healing and chakra balancing is wonderfully restorative. If that’s not accessible, you can find sound-healing videos online. My mum’s absolute favourite healer is Mei-lan, whose calming sound meditations we proudly feature on our homepage.

Fact: Sound therapy is scientifically proven to reduce stress, lower anxiety levels, and enhance emotional resilience, according to recent studies.

7. Breathe to Calm Your Mind

Breathwork instantly calms your nervous system and grounds you in the present. Start with the simple yet effective “square breathing” method:

  • Breathe in gently for 4 counts
  • Hold softly for 4 counts
  • Exhale slowly for 4 counts

If you’re local, OMH Therapies offers gentle breathwork classes to guide you further.

Fact: Breathing techniques significantly activate your parasympathetic nervous system, instantly reducing stress and anxiety.

8. Cultivate Daily Gratitude

Gratitude is a powerful emotional regulator. Each day, briefly reflect on 1–3 things you genuinely appreciate, no matter how small—a warm drink, clean sheets, a friendly interaction.

Fact: Research from UC Berkeley demonstrates that regular gratitude practice significantly boosts happiness and reduces anxiety levels.

9. Community Connection

Solitude can recharge you, but being part of a supportive community deeply nourishes your emotional health. Attend classes, join workshops, or simply reconnect with friends regularly.

Fact: Numerous studies, including from the Mayo Clinic, confirm that strong social connections improve emotional health and reduce risks of anxiety and depression.

10. Prioritise Daily Joy and Self-Care

Make a daily effort, no matter how brief, to do something genuinely joyful or nurturing. Whether it’s lighting your favourite candle, sipping herbal tea, or watching a feel-good video, these simple acts greatly enhance emotional resilience.

Fact: Regular self-care activities are scientifically shown to reduce burnout, stress, and significantly enhance overall emotional well-being.

Mental health care isn’t about huge gestures—it’s about small, intentional actions every day. These strategies are ones I’ve seen transform my own life and those of clients at OMH Therapies.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s gently yet intentionally integrate these supportive practices into our daily routines, because mental and emotional wellness is always worth the investment.

Warmly,

Ayesha Sodha (The Power Whisperer)

Interested in more ways to nurture your wellness journey? Reach out directly—we’re always here for support.

Diwali: Embracing the Festival of Lights for Spiritual Renewal and Growth

Diwali: Embracing the Festival of Lights for Spiritual Renewal and Growth

 

As Diwali fills our surroundings with light and joy, OMH Therapies invites you to explore the deeper meanings of this season and discover how its energy can inspire personal growth and renewal. Known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali traditionally commemorates the return of Lord Rama in Hindu mythology and symbolises the victory of light over darkness, good over evil. Beyond its cultural roots, Diwali offers a universal message of hope, clarity, and the power of new beginnings.

Whether or not you traditionally celebrate Diwali, this season is an invitation to embrace its spirit and welcome fresh, positive energy into your life.

The Spiritual Significance of Diwali: Light, Clarity, and New Beginnings

At its heart, Diwali represents an inner journey toward clarity and enlightenment. Homes are cleaned and lit up with diyas and candles, symbolising the triumph of light over darkness not only externally but within ourselves. This season offers a chance to reflect, let go of what no longer serves us, and set intentions for the future.

By embracing these universal themes, anyone can harness the power of Diwali to make meaningful, positive changes in life.

How to Tap into Diwali’s Energies for Personal Growth

  1. Create Space for Renewal

   Diwali is known for the tradition of cleaning and decluttering homes, a practice that extends beyond physical tidying. This act represents clearing mental and emotional space, letting go of unnecessary baggage, and creating room for fresh energy. Take a moment this season to clean not only your physical space but also your mind—perhaps through meditation or journaling. Clearing out old energy can bring renewed clarity and focus.

  1. Light a Candle as a Personal Ritual  

   Lighting a diya (oil lamp) or candle is a traditional part of Diwali. The simple act of lighting a candle can symbolise inner illumination and a bright path forward. Try lighting a candle or incense with a specific intention, allowing the light to serve as a reminder of your goals and dreams as it brings warmth and peace to your surroundings.

  1. Reflect and Set Intentions

   Diwali is an ideal time for introspection and setting intentions. Meditation, quiet time, or even jotting down your aspirations can help you tune into what truly matters. This season encourages reflection on areas where you’d like to grow and change. By setting mindful goals now, you align with Diwali’s spirit of renewal.

Simple Practices for Spiritual Growth This Diwali

– Let Go of Negativity: Like the Diwali tradition of discarding old items, think about any habits, patterns, or thoughts you’d like to release. Imagine the weight lifting as you consciously let go of what no longer serves you.

– Practice Gratitude: Diwali is a time to celebrate and express gratitude for blessings received. Take a moment each day to write down what you’re grateful for or share your gratitude with loved ones. This practice not only uplifts your spirit but fosters a mindset of abundance.

– Nurture Meaningful Connections: The festive season is a wonderful opportunity to reach out to friends and family. Connecting with loved ones and expressing appreciation enhances emotional well-being and strengthens supportive relationships.

 

 

 

How OMH Therapies Can Support Your Diwali Journey

At OMH Therapies, we are here to support your journey of well-being and self-discovery. This Diwali, consider our holistic services as a way to align with the festival’s themes of renewal and balance. Our range of treatments—including massage, meditation classes, and energy work—are designed to help you cleanse your mind, rejuvenate your body, and connect with your inner self. By taking time to nurture yourself, you create a foundation for sustained growth and inner peace.

We encourage you to celebrate Diwali as a time for self-care, reflection, and transformation. Our holistic approach, rooted in traditional Asian therapies, is here to guide you toward a sense of wholeness and tranquillity as you embrace the new season.

A Beautiful Message To Take With You

Diwali’s message of light, renewal, and spiritual awakening is an invitation to all, regardless of background or belief. As you embrace the energies of this season, allow yourself to clear space, let go, and set powerful intentions for growth. Whether you light a candle or simply take a few moments each day to reflect, may this Diwali inspire you to shine your light brighter.

 

From all of us at OMH Therapies, we wish you a peaceful, joyful, and spiritually fulfilling Diwali.

Navigating the Energy Pathways: A Guide to Harmonizing Your Chakras

Navigating the Energy Pathways: A Guide to Harmonizing Your Chakras

In the realm of holistic wellness, the concept of chakras plays a pivotal role. Envisioned as vibrant, spinning wheels of energy within our body, these chakras form the core of our energetic ecosystem, influencing our physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Grasping the essence of these energy centers is the first step toward cultivating a life of balance and harmony.

What Exactly Are Chakras?

Originating from ancient Indian spirituality, chakras are described as seven key energy points aligned along the spine, each connected to distinct facets of our existence. These include:

  1. Root Chakra (Muladhara): Foundation of safety, security, and basic needs.
  2. Sacral Chakra (Swadhisthana): Center of creativity, passion, and intimacy.
  3. Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura): Seat of personal power, confidence, and self-esteem.
  4. Heart Chakra (Anahata): Core of love, compassion, and connection.

5.Throat Chakra (Vishuddha): Nexus of communication, expression, and truth.

  1. Third Eye Chakra (Ajna): Source of intuition, insight, and mental clarity.
  2. Crown Chakra (Sahasrara): Gateway to spiritual connection and enlightenment.

A balanced chakra system promotes free-flowing energy, leading to optimal well-being. Conversely, blockages or imbalances can trigger physical, emotional, and spiritual discomfort.

Recognizing and Rectifying Imbalances

Each chakra, when misaligned, reveals distinct symptoms, urging us to heed and address:

– Root Chakra Imbalance: May manifest as anxiety, fear, or financial instability, alongside physical issues like lower back pain or immune deficiencies.

– Sacral Chakra Disruption: Can lead to emotional instability, creative blocks, and intimacy challenges, with possible reproductive or menstrual concerns.

– Solar Plexus Chakra Instability: Might present as insecurity, low self-esteem, and digestive problems.

– Heart Chakra Misalignment: Could result in difficulties in trust, emotional vulnerability, and heart or respiratory conditions.

– Throat Chakra Blockage: Often leads to communication struggles and throat-related ailments.

– Third Eye Chakra Imbalance: May cause confusion, lack of insight, headaches, or sleep issues.

– Crown Chakra Disruption: Can trigger feelings of disconnection, spiritual malaise, and potentially migraines or neurological issues.

Pathways to Balance

Awareness of our chakra system empowers us to engage in practices aimed at restoring equilibrium, enhancing our overall health and fulfillment. Integrating yoga, meditation, energy healing, and mindfulness into our daily routines can significantly aid in clearing blockages and harmonizing our chakras.

Understanding the profound influence of chakras on our well-being offers a transformative perspective on health, encouraging a holistic approach to nurturing our body, mind, and spirit. Through mindful practices and a deeper connection with our internal energy system, we can unlock pathways to a more balanced, healthy, and enlightened existence.

 

Ayesha Sodha

Entrepreneur & Transformational Life Coach

Humpty Dumpty Had a Great Fall

Humpty Dumpty Had a Great Fall

 

My life is falling apart. Or maybe it’s already fallen apart. I guess it depends on your definition and your parameters for measurement. The few times I’ve been pretty sure I’ve hit rock bottom, I’ve been tested a little more and fallen deeper and harder. I can’t decide whether I’m still falling or it’s the shockwaves of the earthquake aftermath. 

Let’s call it past tense. Purely because I can feel the universe conducting the millions of atoms around me to put it all back together again. It’s in motion, the process is happening.

That doesn’t mean the feelings today aren’t real. The pain. The discomfort. The shame. How can you let yourself fall apart? How could you let your life become like this? And of course the shockwaves continue, helping to remind me every time I put a piece of myself back together again. Whether it’s a comment or a or financial repercussion of the earthquake. Between societal expectations of being ‘a sorted adult’ and damaged humans bringing their subjective views to the table – it’s an absolute rave.

Yet through it all I know it’s meant to be. I’m on the right path. This was all meant to happen to help me be a glorious version of me. 

That schizophrenic conversation in my head might be keeping me exhausted. Perhaps it’s time to stop blaming the carbs.

I’ve been here before. That’s why I can recognise it. The great big fall. The monumental fail. The shame. That’s also why I know I’ll get through it, and the next phase will be greater than I had imagined it. For last time through all the pain, there was a death and rebirth, Harry Potty phoenix style. To a life beyond dreams or concept yet it was one entirely by my own design. 

I had returned back home to the UK, my tail between my legs, entirely unsure of what to do. Where to start. So I did what any self respecting, well educated woman would do. I consulted a tarot card reader. She told me that I was entering a phase of my life where I was completely designing the entire film, as director, script writer, protagonist and set designer (and of course all the other very important roles in creating a blockbuster movie, though maybe more Sundance than Oscar).

I recall, a year after that massive ‘disaster’ period , flicking through my journal and finding lists of what I wanted every area of my life to look like. And this is precisely what I was living. My work, social life, financial status, even down to the person I was. I had realised during this massive transitional period that there were 2 ways to approach life. The first is to let life happen to you (what I had done to date kicking and screaming). The second is to proactively design your own life and get out of your own way so the universe can deliver it to you.

See that’s why I know it’s going to all be ok. Better than ok, even though some days I can’t see beyond the black clouds above my head. This is just the universe’s way of training me,  nurturing me, designing me so that it can deliver the life I wanted. Never be so precise with your asks because there’s no way we can conceive how a request will be delivered. It’s arrogant to think our minds can even fathom all the ways to experience life. It’s like this gift that’s going to be delivered… I just have no idea what it is or the box it’ll be delivered in.

So I’ll keep the schizophrenic conversation in my head on a lower volume as I put Humpy Dumpty piece by piece, day by day back together again.

 

Ayesha Sodha

Entrepreneur & Transformational Life Coach 

What if you were to say ‘yes’?

What if you were to say ‘yes’?

My favorite expression in French is ‘pourquoi pas’ – literally translated to ‘why not’. If I think about all the times in my life, I convinced myself not to do something. Why that exercise class will be too scary and I don’t have enough energy to do it. Why I have to wait to be fit enough or talented enough to do that new hobby or apply for that opportunity. I’m not good enough, hot enough, clever enough, strong enough, confident enough, experienced enough, qualified enough. Gawd the list of excuses is never ending. You know what that is? Self sabotage.

I am fortunate enough to have traveled around the globe. Both professionally and personally. Because I was born with a silver spoon and everything was handed to me? Absolutely not. Of course, I have been born to privilege. To a family who raised me within housing and sacrificed to provide me a phenomenal education. But I’ve been scrappy (like the mini Doo) and fought hard to win my crown as the black sheep. I’ve simply taken every opportunity to get on a plane. My international experience has given me a broad perspective on life and culture. A view that there are infinite possibilities on creativity, problem solving, happiness and ways to live.

I had never really thought about being lucky. In fact if you had asked me In my 20s, I would’ve said I was very far from lucky. I realised later my life had unfolded the way it had because I knew I wanted a life less ordinary and I had said ‘yes’. The first job I had as a graduate, was literally because I said yes to having a conversation with someone. To shadowing someone. My first business trip (to Tokyo no less) was because I said yes to taking on more responsibility aged 21 working on a project that felt bigger than Vesuvius.

There’s a concept which we’re probably more familiar with as ‘sliding doors’, based on the Gwyneth Paltrow Movie which shows literally how you can live an entirely different life based off one decision or incident. Those of us who are more dogmatic will know the term as the butterfly effect, a set of dominos that fall in a direction based on one small change.

I have seen the direct effects of my decisions and actions, earlier the big ones and now the small ones. I know because I’m conscious of them. I know because I decided to take responsibility for life a few years ago and stop blaming everyone and everything else. It took a real dose of therapy and maturity to swallow the giant pill of responsibility and accept that everything we do in life is a choice. Everything that comes in is something we attract. Of course many times we believe we have no choice and are backed into a corner, however it’s still a choice based on our values system. And it’s something we should stand by because from there we’re reminded of our free will. It’s actually much easier to make the best of life when we view things from this lens.

Any role model that you look up-to will tell you about a pivotal moment in their life, when someone gave them a chance, a job, a conversation, a number. Some will humbly say that they were just lucky. The reality however is that whilst the opportunity might have presented itself, they decided to take it. They decided to apply for a mentor, be brave enough to say they wanted more responsibility or that they were looking for a new opportunity.

Every single day that we live, is made up of 100s of choices. What time we wake up, what we eat, how long we brush our teeth for, whether we practice gratitude, actually enjoying our coffee, how we present ourself to the world, whether we exercise and how many excuses we allow ourselves to make. Of course there are things we cannot control like the global economy or our employer going out of business. However the way we react to that is something within our control. One of my favorite quotes is:

‘God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.’

Reinhold Niebuhr

The reality though, is that so much remains in our control. Whether we live a life that we respect and will look back upon with glee is up to us. The difference is that one is a path that we fall into, the one of ‘relative ease’, pre-defined and expected, with some misery and many ‘what ifs’. In this version people tell themselves that this is simply what life is. The other has rough terrain and sometimes you slip and fall (hard), but the views along the way are phenomenal. In this version you challenge the status quo, jump off buildings (figuratively and perhaps sometimes literally), say ‘yes’ to crazy things and live extraordinarily.

Some are built for the expected life path and would be terrified to do the extraordinary. Some of us are wired the other way and have a physical convulsion in response to the white picket fence life. Let’s at least be self-aware, brave enough to admit it and stop judging the other side.

So many people tell me I’m ‘lucky’ to have the experiences I do, and live the life I do. My answer is always simple – I’m not ‘lucky‘ I’m ‘brave‘. We all keep asking for freedom but when actually presented with it we don’t actually have the balls to grab the bull by the horns.

 

Ayesha Sodha

Entrepreneur & Transformational Coach