We’re celebrating the launch of new partnership in Camargue House between Cheltenham Holistic Health Centre and Cheltenham School of Fine Art, by opening our doors to all and offering a fabulous spring open day!
To experience a little of what we have on offer, join us for a day of free mini consultations and taster treatments on the ground floor (Cheltenham Holistic Health Centre), and taster art workshops and yoga classes on the first floor (Cheltenham School Of Fine Art).
Cheltenham Holistic Health Centre was founded in 1981, and continues to be the region’s leading centre for complementary health. In September 2021, we were delighted to share our building with Cheltenham School Of Fine Art who now occupy the first floor and use the studio for art classes/workshops and yoga class, and have a fantastic print studio.
There will be 10 practitioners available for free mini consultations and chats on Saturday 7th May, some will offer a taster treatment.
We’d recommend pre-booking to guarantee your slot.
Discounted treatments will be available to those that book an initial consultation on the day.
The open day will be running on Saturday 7th May between 10am-4pm. Appointments can be booked online, by calling the centre on 01242 584140 or emailing info@chhc.co.uk.
Taiji is an exercise and training system for the body and mind, one that is presented in terms of a medical model, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the same one used in Acupuncture.
As a ‘physical movement form’ each posture flows into the next pattern without pause, ensuring that the entire body is in a constant motion, rhythm and process of transformation. This is ideal for developing suppleness and flexibility, being sure-footed and highly co-ordinated. It builds increased stamina and muscle strength.
Taiji also cultivates qualities of mindfulness and is often described as ‘meditation in motion’. It is practiced through a purposeful spirit with calm, clear intentions guiding the continuity of each movement in a focused way.People also report that Taiji promotes a certain serenity as it moves moment to moment, softly, slowly and smoothly, embodying a series of graceful expressions.
This gentle nature is married to more stimulating phases and invigorating techniques that develop over time. As fitness builds with regular practice the movements begin to refine, deepen and cultivate a greater degree of strength, in keeping with Taiji Chuan’s origins as a ‘Soft’ Martial Art. An earlier proto-form was known as ‘Cotton Boxing’.
The movements become ‘Taiji’ when grace and power work in unison, through a harmonised interplay of ‘forces’. This is because the actions represent the cyclic movements found in Nature…..yielding phases that gather in and root naturally lead to recoiling actions that spring forth, branching out and blossoming gestures that reach fruition in turn overflow and sink once again. These natural movements of Life are entirely resonant with the working of our own body-mind process.
There is a time, a place, a proportion to the whole form of movement. The patterns and order echo the procession of seasonal changes and processes. So at the heart of Taiji lies a natural rhythm, dance like, encouraging a continuous unfolding. Taiji is one continual movement.
That means the movements are never forced, there is no need to strain; the muscles are lengthened rather than tensed, the joints are opened rather than locked, and connective tissues are coiled through twisting rather than rigidly stretched out.
In concert these factors help create a deep massaging through the whole body to nourish and invigorate the vital substances.
The Taiji Classic texts say Taiji is practiced for longevity and its associated health benefits. I teach according to the principles of TCM where Chinese physicians might prescribe Qi Gong or Taiji as a special type of ‘exercise medicine’ to augment other traditional treatments such as Acupuncture and Herbs.
Taiji promotes a free flow of circulation, where the vital substances of Qi, Blood & Essence can distribute their rejuvenating properties through the entire network of organs, vessels and channels. An understanding which gives rise to the notion that Taiji is an ‘Internal’ martial art -with an emphasis on intention to ‘marshal’, guide and organise specific patterns of movement through the whole body.
Who can do it
Taiji is low impact and puts minimal stress on muscles and joints, making it generally safe for all ages and fitness levels. It may be especially suitable as an older adult who otherwise may not exercise. If in doubt consult your doctor beforehand for their recommendation.
What do i need
Taiji is inexpensive and requires no special equipment. You can practice anywhere, indoors or outside. You can do Taiji alone, in groups or practice in a class.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing that doesn’t restrict your range of motion and flat-soled flexible shoes/trainers.
The Teacher
Jeff Docherty is a professional member of the ‘Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine’
He is qualified and insured as an Acupuncturist, Shiatsu practitioner, Meditation teacher, Taiji-Qi Gong teacher.
Background
Jeffs experience in Traditional Medicines began from his time living as a Yogi in Buddhist Monasteries in Sri Lanka and India, where he was introduced to Traditional Practice in the Tibetan enclave of McCleod Ganj, 1992. He was treated and inspired by renowned Buddhist monk, Traditional Medicine practitioner, and former personal physician to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Yeshi Dhonden.
On returning to the UK Jeff began studying TCM in the form of Qi Gong & Shiatsu with Chris Jarmey, well known author and teacher. Whilst continuing with Buddhist meditation retreats in the Theravadin and Tibetan traditions in the UK, and with further study to become an Acupuncturist.
Jeff learned Sun style Taiji from 1996 with Dave Martin, Head of European operations and honoured student of Sun Jian Yun, the Founders daughter.
Jeff was asked to teach Taiji by Dave after he retired from teaching classes at Cannon Park, Coventry.
Jeff began teaching Qi Gong & Taiji in 2003 and has since worked with NHS projects, Stroud and Gloucester Colleges, a Hospice, Mental Health groups, in ‘deprived areas’, supported housing and currently runs twelve weekly classes locally.
Jeff is currently planning to start teaching classes at Cheltenham Holistic Health Centre from Spring 2020. Please contact the centre directly on 01242 584140 or email info@chhc.co.uk to register your interest.
UPDATE: A class will be starting on Tuesdays from 17th March 2020, 1.15-2.15pm. Cost £90 for a 10 week course. This will be a closed class to ensure everyone learns at the same rate.
Trial class will be running on 3rd March 2020, 1.15-2.15pm.
We are delighted to welcome Gareth and Chantal from Cheltenham Yoga to the Cheltenham Holistic Health Centre studio.
Here are details of events they are running in 2020.
Yoga for Runners in Cheltenham – Friday 7th February 6-8pm – with Chantal Rafferty – £20
If you run regularly you’ll know the importance of stretching out and working on core stability to help support your body. We’ll explore 2 different practices with emphasis on the physical side of yoga. Contact Chantal to book: info@cheltenhamyoga.com 07910 530060.
Yoga Foundation Course in Cheltenham: Starts in February with Gareth Williams & Chantal Rafferty
This is ideal for keen yoga practitioners wanting to deepen their understanding of the tradition and philosophy of yoga including vedic chanting, pranayama and designing home practices. Access will be given to online videos made by senior yoga teachers Dave Charlton and Ranju Roy (authors of ‘Embodying the Yoga Sutra) as additional supports for what will be learnt on the course.
Contact Gareth to book and for further info: info@cheltenhamyoga.com 07900 242317
Yoga and relaxation in south west France – 11th – 18th July with Chantal Rafferty & Gareth Williams
We’re back for our 13th year at the wonderful Les Passeroses. It really is a home from home! The venue is simply gorgeous with lovely rooms, beautiful yoga studio, outdoor pool and amazing chef prepared vegetarian food.
Contact Chantal to book and for further info: info@livingyogaholidays.com.
Thai yoga massage practitioner diploma course: Starts in September with Gareth Williams & Chantal Rafferty
This is a 6 month course leaning this wonderful healing therapy. It is followed by case studies and exams to qualify as a practitioner. These courses are such a joy to run as we gain so much from them as our students! What can be more blissful than spending weekends receiving and giving Thai massage! Suitable for any body workers, yoga teachers or simply anyone with an interest in this uniquely Buddhist tradition.
Contact Gareth to book and for further info: info@thaiyogamassagetrainingschool.com. 07900 242317
Yoga weekend in Worcestershire – Friday 18th – 20th September – with Chantal Rafferty
Treat yourself to a lovely weekend of yoga, walking and amazing food (and heated outdoor pool!) in a beautiful house in a gorgeous village in the countryside.
Contact Chantal to book and for further info: info@livingyogaholidays.com
Yoga and exploring in Sicily 17th – 24th October with Gareth Williams & Chantal Rafferty
This is going to be a super special trip with a visit to magical Mt Etna, beautiful walks with our private guide, rooftop private dining and lots of yoga of course!
Contact Chantal to book and for further info: info@livingyogaholidays.com
Yin is a deep and meditative form of yoga, using longer holds in floor postures to allow deeper tensions both emotional and physical to release. This practice nourishes the body and mind, bringing us back into balance.
£20 per person (+£0.91 transaction fee if paying online). These workshops are limited to 12 people, so to book your place email annmorleyyoga@gmail.com for payment details.
A two hour workshop incorporating self-myofascial release techniques, restorative yoga and, of course, a yoga nidra meditation.
Each session will have a particular anatomical focus either muscular or based on the anatomy trains of the body. £20. 50% deposit required to secure your place. Contact Katie.
Pellowah Attunement is a gift to yourself! Beneficial for everyone! Great for the Practitioner wishing to learn a new modality, and wonderful for individual spiritual expansion. Pellowah is easy to learn, simple to use, and enables you to create positive lasting change in your Life…
This relaxation workshop focuses on bringing ease to the mind and the body. Although we need an element of stress to motivate us to achieve our goals – ongoing stress is proven not to be good for our wellbeing. Along the way our mind-body has confused ‘being’ with ‘doing’ remaining in a state of alertness and needs to find its way back to restfulness.
Discover how therapeutic yoga, relaxation, breath-work and sound can reset the body’s stress response to rest and restore. Using gentle mindful movement to subtly release tension, simple restorative yoga postures to deeply rest, yogic breathing to calm our busy minds and sound healing to restore the vibrational frequencies of any imbalances in the body, mind and spirit.
This event is offered by Karan Walsh of Yoga Therapy Cheltenham and Karina Cox of Calmspaces.
Karina will be bringing with her a variety of sound instruments; singing bowls, tuning forks, tingsha bells. koshi wind chimes and a South American rainstick.
Restorative yoga is a deeply relaxing style of yoga. Each asana is held anywhere from 2-20 minutes, depending on the pose and the student. During this time you are supported by blankets, bolsters or pillows and blocks. The asanas are based on those found in a regular hatha or vinyasa class and there is a special sequencing of the poses as in a regular yoga class, whilst being held and supported throughout.
In all yoga we aim to let go of the ego, and even more so in restorative yoga. We use props to support the body in positions of comfort and ease to facilitate healing and relaxation.
Cost is £15 and payment must be made in advance. A deposit is required to secure your place. Please contact Katie for further details.
Join Chantal for a Friday evening special at the wonderful Cheltenham Holistic Health Centre. You’ll be led through a soothing and calming practice completing with a guided relaxation and seated meditation. Not suitable for beginners as you’ll be participating in the class WITH YOUR EYES CLOSED THROUGHOUT BY WEARING EYE MASKS!
This will bring your focus inwards and enable you to appreciate fully the co-ordination of your movement with your slowest breath. Advance booking and payment required: £15. Contact Chantal to book.
Yin is a deep and meditative form of yoga, using longer holds in floor postures to allow deeper tensions both emotional and physical to release. This practice nourishes the body and mind, bringing us back into balance.
£20 per person (+£0.91 transaction fee if paying online). These workshops are limited to 12 people, so to book your place email annmorleyyoga@gmail.com for payment details.
Be immersed in the sound of gongs, singing bowls, didgeridoo, drums and more!. Cost is £10 per person and pre booking is required. Please contact Gareth on 07900 242317 or info@cheltenhamyoga.com. Look forward to seeing you there!
Restorative yoga is a deeply relaxing style of yoga. Each asana is held anywhere from 2-20 minutes, depending on the pose and the student. During this time you are supported by blankets, bolsters or pillows and blocks. The asanas are based on those found in a regular hatha or vinyasa class and there is a special sequencing of the poses as in a regular yoga class, whilst being held and supported throughout.
In all yoga we aim to let go of the ego, and even more so in restorative yoga. We use props to support the body in positions of comfort and ease to facilitate healing and relaxation.
Cost is £15 and payment must be made in advance. A deposit is required to secure your place. Please contact Katie for further details.
A two hour workshop incorporating self-myofascial release techniques, restorative yoga and, of course, a yoga nidra meditation.
Each session will have a particular anatomical focus either muscular or based on the anatomy trains of the body. £20. 50% deposit required to secure your place. Contact Katie.
Yin is a deep and meditative form of yoga, using longer holds in floor postures to allow deeper tensions both emotional and physical to release. This practice nourishes the body and mind, bringing us back into balance.
£20 per person (+£0.91 transaction fee if paying online). These workshops are limited to 12 people, so to book your place email annmorleyyoga@gmail.com for payment details.
Restorative yoga is a deeply relaxing style of yoga. Each asana is held anywhere from 2-20 minutes, depending on the pose and the student. During this time you are supported by blankets, bolsters or pillows and blocks. The asanas are based on those found in a regular hatha or vinyasa class and there is a special sequencing of the poses as in a regular yoga class, whilst being held and supported throughout.
In all yoga we aim to let go of the ego, and even more so in restorative yoga. We use props to support the body in positions of comfort and ease to facilitate healing and relaxation.
Cost is £15 and payment must be made in advance. A deposit is required to secure your place. Please contact Katie for further details.
A two hour workshop incorporating self-myofascial release techniques, restorative yoga and, of course, a yoga nidra meditation.
Each session will have a particular anatomical focus either muscular or based on the anatomy trains of the body. £20. 50% deposit required to secure your place. Contact Katie.
This relaxation workshop focuses on bringing ease to the mind and the body. Although we need an element of stress to motivate us to achieve our goals – ongoing stress is proven not to be good for our wellbeing. Along the way our mind-body has confused ‘being’ with ‘doing’ remaining in a state of alertness and needs to find its way back to restfulness.
Discover how therapeutic yoga, relaxation, breath-work and sound can reset the body’s stress response to rest and restore. Using gentle mindful movement to subtly release tension, simple restorative yoga postures to deeply rest, yogic breathing to calm our busy minds and sound healing to restore the vibrational frequencies of any imbalances in the body, mind and spirit.
This event is offered by Karan Walsh of Yoga Therapy Cheltenham and Karina Cox of Calmspaces.
Karina will be bringing with her a variety of sound instruments; singing bowls, tuning forks, tingsha bells. koshi wind chimes and a South American rainstick.
Yin is a deep and meditative form of yoga, using longer holds in floor postures to allow deeper tensions both emotional and physical to release. This practice nourishes the body and mind, bringing us back into balance.
£20 per person (+£0.91 transaction fee if paying online). These workshops are limited to 12 people, so to book your place email annmorleyyoga@gmail.com for payment details.
Restorative yoga is a deeply relaxing style of yoga. Each asana is held anywhere from 2-20 minutes, depending on the pose and the student. During this time you are supported by blankets, bolsters or pillows and blocks. The asanas are based on those found in a regular hatha or vinyasa class and there is a special sequencing of the poses as in a regular yoga class, whilst being held and supported throughout.
In all yoga we aim to let go of the ego, and even more so in restorative yoga. We use props to support the body in positions of comfort and ease to facilitate healing and relaxation. We have here a number of mats, blocks, blankets and bolsters, however do bring your own if you have them.
Cost is £15 and payment must be made in advance. A deposit is required to secure your place. Please contact Katie for further details.
A two hours workshop incorporating self-myofascial release techniques, restorative yoga and, of course, a yoga nidra meditation.
Each session will have a particular anatomical focus either muscular or based on the anatomy trains of the body.
£20. 50% deposit required to secure your place. Contact Katie to book your place.
27th July – Sound Bath with Nada Sound Therapy 3-4pm AND 4.30-5.30pm (£10)
Be immersed in the sound of gongs, singing bowls, didgeridoo and drums. There are two sound baths happening on this day so you can pick your time.
Cost is £10 per person and pre booking is required. Please contact Gareth on 07900 242317 or info@cheltenhamyoga.com. Look forward to seeing you there!
So, what actually is Kinesiology? It’s a question that stumps many people – even clients who regularly come in for a session! Jeni, our new Systematic Kinesiologist, is offering FREE 20 minute sessions on Wednesday 15th May for you to find out more about whether Kinesiology can help you.
Book online or give us a call us on 01242 584140 to reserve your appointment!
Lisa Kimberley, our Psychotherapist is offering a week of one to one support and therapeutic arts during Pregnancy and Baby Loss week.
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I am offering one to one space with individuals, reflective workshops for small groups and soulful day retreats involving arts creativity and ceremony.
Tuesday 9th October 10-11.30am
The Space Between: Finding expressions of loss and grief and celebrating remembrance.
Creating remembrance blessing flags within a small group workshop.
£20 Advanced booking @
Cheltenham Holistic Health Centre
Thursday 11th October 9.30 – 2.30pm
Individual / couple / family consultations.
Special focus upon pregnancy & baby loss, birth trauma, post traumatic stress and bereavement
Free 1/2 hour consultations with psychotherapy booked in advance for today @
Cheltenham Holistic Health Centre.
Friday 12th October 11-3pm
The space between Finding expressions of loss and grief and celebrating remembrance.
11-1pm Workshop 1 Creating clay babies of remembrance within a small group workshop.
Katie’s hugely popular Restorative Yoga classes continue on a monthly basis. Restorative yoga is a deeply relaxing style of yoga. Each asana is held anywhere from 2-10 minutes, depending on the pose and the student. During this time you will be supported by blankets, bolsters or/and blocks. The asanas are based on those found in a regular yoga class and most postures will be floor based. The physical part of the class will be followed by a yoga nidra meditation. These classes will be 90 minutes.
In addition, Katie has added a new series of classes, Restorative Yoga +. Building from Katie’s recent training in self-myofascial release, these workshops will include all the elements of the restorative yoga workshops, plus an insight and experience of self-myofascial release to release long held tension within the muscle and fascia systems. These classes will be 120 minutes.
Restorative Yoga, Sunday 28 January at 10am
Restorative Yoga, Sunday 18 February at 10am
Restorative Yoga, Friday 23 March at 6pm
Restorative Yoga, Saturday 21 April at 4pm
Restorative Yoga, Sunday 22 April at 10am
Restorative Yoga +, Sunday 11 March at 4pm
Restorative Yoga +, Sunday 6 May at 4pm
Bookings are essential. Please contact Katie directly to book your place. katiemaughfling@me.com 07581861906.
Restorative Yoga with Katie Maughfling (Yoga with Katie)
Restorative yoga is a relatively new style of yoga. It was developed in 1937 by B.K.S. Iyengar to help students release into yoga asanas (poses) without stress or strain and so has the benefit of assisting in recovery from injury or illness.
Restorative yoga is a deeply relaxing style of yoga. Each asana is held anywhere from 2-20 minutes, depending on the pose and the student. During this time you are supported by blankets, bolsters or pillows and blocks. The asanas are based on those found in a regular hatha or vinyasa class and there is a special sequencing of the poses as in a regular yoga class, whilst being held and supported throughout.
In all yoga we aim to let go of the ego, and even more so in restorative yoga. Holding these supported asanas for minutes at a time can be mentally challenging as we learn to watch the mind as the body stills.
Yoga with Katie is now offering Restorative Yoga classes at the Cheltenham Holistic Health Centre. We have here a number of mats, blocks, blankets and bolsters, however do bring your own if you have them.
These restorative classes will be 90 minutes long and will have the additional benefit of a yoga nidra meditation at the end.
Cost £12 per person, per session. Bookings essential. Email yoga@katiemaughfling.co.uk for more information and booking.
Katie also runs weekly vinyasa, hatha and teen yoga classes at the centre.
“Bliss. Beginning with seemingly small movements to encourage your body to release tension. Using props, such as bolsters and blankets for comfort, very much guided by your own bodies’ needs. Surprisingly powerful poses culminating in a period of calming meditation. Katie expertly guides you through this so there is no need to be nervous for those joining for the first time! Really beneficial and great to take time out to restore and relax. Snoring optional.”
“The class was very gentle, but surprisingly effective. I felt a lot more relaxed and peaceful afterwards and it freed me from the stiffness I usually feel in my neck.”
We offer a wide variety of well respected and established therapies. Each of our therapies and treatments will help you to improve your physical and emotional health and are suitable for all ages – from tiny babies to the elderly.
We have a large team of fully qualified and highly experienced practitioners, all experts in their respective field and all have professional body registration. Our aim is to provide you with the best advice, treatment and patient care.
Our studio is a beautiful, light and spacious room, which is multi-purpose and can be used for a variety of events and classes. It may be rented on an hourly, daily or weekend basis, in the daytime or evening.