Discover the world of Reiki energy healing with Karen from Just The Tonic, who shares her incredible journey from sceptical beauty therapist to intuitive Reiki master. If you've ever wondered what Reiki actually is or whether energy healing really works, this honest conversation will answer all your questions.

What You'll Learn:

• How Reiki works (spoiler: you stay fully clothed and often fall asleep!)
• Why some people feel tingling sensations while others feel nothing - and both experiences are valid
• The difference between hands-on and distance Reiki sessions
• How to find the right Reiki practitioner for you
• Real client stories of deep relaxation and emotional healing
• Why Karen's warm hands first led clients to suggest she try Reiki

Episode Highlights:

• Karen's failed first Reiki training and what changed when she found the right teacher
• How COVID increased demand for self-care and energy healing
• The unexpected messages Karen receives from clients' loved ones during sessions
• Why regular monthly Reiki sessions provide the most benefit
• Distance Reiki: how energy healing works across continents

Perfect for wellness seekers, meditation beginners, anyone curious about alternative healing, or those dealing with stress and anxiety. Karen's warm, down-to-earth approach makes this ancient practice accessible to complete beginners.

Resources and links mentioned in the show:

https://justthetonicholistics.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/justthetonicholistic

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction - What is Reiki?
02:00 Karen's background and how clients first suggested Reiki
03:00 Her first 'failed' Reiki training experience
06:00 How Reiki works - hands-on vs hands-off energy healing
08:00 Post-COVID boom in self-care and energy healing
10:00 Finding the right teacher makes all the difference
12:00 Why scepticism is normal (and okay!)
14:00 The safe space Karen creates for emotional healing
16:00 Combining Reiki with massage, reflexology and sound healing
18:00 Receiving messages from clients' loved ones during sessions
20:00 Distance Reiki - how it works across continents
23:00 How often should you have Reiki sessions?
25:00 Where to find Karen and how to book
27:00 Final advice

Thanks for listening.

Real Wellness Fails, Wins & What's Coming Next for Exploring Ways to Wellness

Welcome back to Season 2 of Exploring Ways to Wellness! Host Sarah returns with honest reflections on her wellness journey during the podcast break - spoiler alert: she didn't become a zen goddess, and that's exactly the point.

Discover how small, sustainable wellness practices can transform your daily life without requiring a complete lifestyle overhaul. Sarah shares her real wins with EFT tapping, mindful shower routines, and the unexpected wellness benefits of learning crochet and prioritising genuine connections.

This Episode Covers:

• Why "failing" at wellness commitments led to better results
• Simple EFT techniques that fit into morning routines
• How cultural wellness practices like Danish Hygge and Swedish Fika can enhance daily life
• The revolutionary act of discovering what genuinely makes YOU feel good
• Forest bathing and nature-based wellness (no special equipment needed)
• Why collective wellness experiences amplify individual benefits

Coming This Season:

• Reiki energy healing with Karen
• Homeopathy real-life results with Sarah
• Laughter Yoga with Noreen
• And many more authentic wellness conversations

Perfect for wellness seekers, mindfulness beginners, EFT practitioners, and anyone tired of perfectionist wellness culture. No sales pitches, no guilt - just real people sharing real experiences.

Thanks for listening.

Season One Finale: Reflecting on 12 Weeks of Wellness Practices

Episode Summary

In this special season finale, host Sarah reflects on twelve wonderful weeks of alternative wellness conversations. From cold water swimming to sound healing, mindfulness to EFT tapping, the first season of Exploring Ways to Wellness has covered an eclectic mix of practices that have transformed lives. Join Sarah as she highlights memorable moments, lessons learned, and announces exciting plans for season two.

Episode Highlights

00:55 Reflecting on the Journey
01:28 The Birth of Exploring Ways to Wellness
02:39 Memorable Guest Stories
06:32 Guests Finding Wellness at Rock Bottom
11:46 Personal Reflections and Commitments
15:53 Season Highlights and Recommendations

• Onika on journaling and The Artist's Way (Ep.2)
• Jacqueline on Human Design types (Ep.3)
• Millie on cold water swimming benefits (Ep.4)
• Emma on EFT tapping techniques (Ep.5)
• Gil on practical Transcendental Meditation (Ep.6)
• Becca on simple mindfulness practices (Ep.7)
• Jacquie on sound healing frequencies (Ep.8)
• Carle on neurodiversity in wellness practices (Ep.9)
• Anna on deep presence-based gratitude (Ep.10)
• Lindsay on Qigong for improved sleep (Ep.11)

28:58 Announcements for Season Two and new community initiatives

What's Next

• New Facebook group "Wellness Explorers" launching for community support
• Weekly newsletter with updates on season two progress
• Season two topics to include Reiki, Laughter Yoga, and more
• Seeking new guests, especially former sceptics who found transformation

Connect With Us

• Join our Facebook group: Wellness Explorers
• Subscribe to the newsletter for behind-the-scenes content
• Share your favourite episode or suggest topics for season two
• Follow on Instagram: @sarahgorev

Mentioned Practices & Episodes

• Journaling & The Artist's Way
• Human Design
• Cold Water Swimming
• EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique)
• Transcendental Meditation
• Mindfulness
• Sound Healing
• Neurodiversity in Wellness
• Gratitude Practice
• Qigong

Thanks for listening.

In this episode of Exploring Ways to Wellness, host Sarah explores the gentle Chinese practice of Qi Gong with guest Lindsay. Discover how this accessible movement meditation combines flowing motions, breathwork, and mindfulness to balance your body's energy and improve wellbeing.

Lindsay shares her journey as a beginner who found Qi Gong during the pandemic through online classes. Learn how this ancient practice: • Significantly improved her sleep quality • Complements modern yoga practice • Can be done in just 5-10 minutes • Is accessible for all ages and fitness levels • Requires no special equipment or prior experience

If you've been curious about energy practices but felt intimidated by complex poses or mystical language, this conversation offers a refreshingly practical perspective. Lindsay approaches wellness with both openness and healthy skepticism, discussing how energy work fits into a balanced approach to health.

For anyone interested in stress reduction, better sleep, increased mobility, or general wellbeing, this episode provides an inspiring introduction to a practice that can be done anywhere, even your own back garden.

Resources and links mentioned in the show:

Why Woo Works Book - https://amzn.to/3DQSZP5 [affiliate link]

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Qigong and Today's Guest

01:40 Lindsay's Journey into Qigong

02:25 Understanding Qigong Movements

03:51 Benefits of Online Qigong Classes

07:47 Combining Qigong with Other Practices

14:13 Exploring Other Wellness Practices

15:26 Scepticism and Science Behind Wellness

20:59 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

23:29 Conclusion and Takeaways

Thanks for listening.

In this episode of Exploring Ways to Wellness, host Sarah engages in an enlightening conversation with Anna, an empowerment coach for mums and the host of the Unstoppable Mama podcast. Discover how becoming a mother deepened Anna's understanding of gratitude as not just appreciation, but a practice that reduces stress, boosts happiness, and improves physical wellbeing.

Anna shares practical techniques from her daily routine, including morning journalling and mindfulness exercises anyone can try. Learn how finding gratitude in even the smallest things—like appreciating your pillow or counting your steps—can transform your perspective, especially on difficult days. The conversation explores the fascinating connection between gratitude and manifestation, plus the crucial importance of self-care for mothers.

Perfect for anyone seeking accessible wellness practices that don't require extra time or resources. Whether you're a busy parent or simply looking to incorporate more positivity into your life, this episode offers valuable insights to help you start your own gratitude journey.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Hear more from Anna including her wonderful podcast

Spotify

Apple

Instagram

Facebook

Books (affiliate links):

The Secret: https://amzn.to/4kHPGKs

The Magic: https://amzn.to/43zOu5S

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Gratitude with Anna

01:16 Meet Anna: Empowerment Coach for Mums

02:26 Discovering the Deeper Meaning of Gratitude

03:40 Gratitude as a Daily Practice

04:51 Combining Gratitude with Mindfulness and EFT

07:06 Journaling and Morning Gratitude Routines

09:13 Overcoming Challenges in Gratitude Practice

10:38 The Power of Small Gratitudes

13:06 Inspiration from 'The Secret' and 'Magic'

16:47 Manifestation and Gratitude

24:06 Self-Care and Gratitude for Mums

27:56 Anna's Unstoppable Mama Podcast

30:40 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Thanks for listening.

Ever tried visualisation only to wonder what on earth everyone else is seeing when they "picture a peaceful place"? You're not alone!

In this eye-opening chat, I'm joined by the lovely Carle who reached out after our mindfulness episode to share her experience with wellness practices as someone who is neurodivergent. She discovered there's a name for the inability to visualise images in your mind – aphantasia – and it's particularly common in people with autism and ADHD.

Carle shares her journey of trying wellness techniques and feeling like she was "doing it wrong" until discovering why traditional approaches weren't clicking. From mindfulness mishaps to finding her perfect yoga-mindfulness combo, her story is both refreshing and reassuring.

We discuss:

• What aphantasia is and how it affects mindfulness practice
• Adapting wellness techniques for neurodivergent brains
• Why group settings sometimes work better than solo practice
• How short moments of stretching and breathing can be game-changers
• Introducing wellness to children with neurodiversity

Whether you struggle with visualisation or simply fancy discovering more inclusive approaches to wellness, this warm conversation reminds us that there's no "right way" to find your calm – just your way.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Carle’s children's books: www.cjgilroybooks.co.uk

Picture colour scale: https://aphantasia.com/article/strategies/think-of-a-horse/

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Today's Episode

00:48 Carle's Journey with Neurodiversity

03:17 Discovering Aphantasia

04:25 Adapting Mindfulness Practices

07:30 Yoga and Mindfulness: A Perfect Combination

23:01 The Importance of Finding the Right Instructor

24:26 Carle's Work and Final Thoughts

Thanks for listening.

Fancy discovering how sound could transform your wellbeing? In this enlightening episode, experience sound healer Jackie Metzger shares her remarkable journey from traditional healing practices to becoming a sound therapy expert. We dive into the science behind sound healing, from the fascinating crystalline structures in our bodies to how different instruments affect our physical and spiritual wellness.

Perfect for anyone curious about sound healing, this episode covers everything from simple at-home practices like humming to professional sound therapy sessions. Learn how sound healing helped Jackie, why crystal bowls might not suit everyone (especially if you have tinnitus!), and how even skeptics can benefit from this accessible healing practice. Whether you're battling anxiety, chronic pain, or simply seeking deeper relaxation, this conversation offers practical insights into the transformative power of sound healing. This episode might just inspire you to look at your shower singing in a whole new light!

Sound healing, while generally safe, can be intense and should be approached mindfully. Certain frequencies and instruments (particularly crystal bowls) may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with tinnitus or hearing sensitivities. For the best experience, start gently and consider working with a qualified sound healing practitioner who can guide you safely through the practice. While there are many sound healing resources available online, ensure you're using them at comfortable volume levels and pay attention to how your body responds.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Jacquie's website: https://www.empower-your-purpose.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JacquieMetzger

Other resources you may find useful:

https://www.youtube.com/@MalteMartenMethod

Sonic Wellness Journey: Super Deep Brown Noise Spectrum For Focus Meditation and ADHD Relief: https://youtu.be/-oghf2ByQVc?si=TZX0UPdXWJj6bIHK

Time stamps

00:00 Introduction to Sound Healing with Jackie Metzger

01:05 Jackie's Journey into Alternative Healing

02:47 Discovering Reiki and Sound Healing

06:00 The Power of Tibetan and Crystal Bowls

10:01 How Sound Healing Works

14:46 Practical Applications and Personal Experiences

23:09 Virtual vs. In-Person Sound Healing

26:38 Memorable Moments and Final Thoughts

33:25 Conclusion and Next Steps

Thanks for listening.

Discover the transformative power of mindfulness with experienced practitioner Becca, who brings decades of holistic therapy wisdom to this illuminating conversation. Moving beyond the buzzword, learn what mindfulness really means and how it can revolutionise your daily life through simple yet powerful practices.

Becca shares her personal journey from struggling with stress and anxiety to finding lasting calm and joy through mindfulness. She reveals how taking just one mindful breath can break the cycle of stress reactions, leading to more thoughtful responses in challenging situations. From mindful breathing and eating to movement and self-compassion, discover practical techniques you can start using today.

Whether you're dealing with workplace stress, personal challenges, or simply seeking more peace in your daily life, this episode offers valuable insights for both beginners and experienced practitioners. Learn how simple practices like savouring your morning cup of tea can make a profound difference, and explore how mindfulness integrates with other wellness techniques like EFT tapping.

Ready to start your mindfulness journey? This episode provides the perfect starting point with accessible techniques and practical wisdom for bringing more awareness and calm into your everyday life.

Resources and links mentioned in the show:

Becca Reay's website: Livinglifemindfully.co.uk

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Mindfulness

00:59 Becca's Journey into Mindfulness

03:15 Understanding Mindfulness

06:31 Practical Applications of Mindfulness

10:05 Mindfulness in Daily Life

12:30 Courses and Further Learning

26:30 Combining Mindfulness with EFT Tapping

30:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Thanks for listening.