MY RETREAT IS THE HOME OF SELF-CARE and SERENITY

The 8 R’s of Returning to Yourself A Gentle Journey Through Meditation and Inner Renewal In my work, I am constantly reminded that true wellbeing is not about adding more to our lives. More doing. More striving. More fixing. It is about remembering. Remembering who we are beneath the layers of busyness, responsibility, expectation and noise. One of the most beautiful frameworks I have come across for this inner journey is the 8 R’s of Meditation, originally shared by Anthony Strano. Over time, I have woven this into my own reflections and retreats, as it mirrors so closely what I see unfolding in my clients, and in myself. These eight stages offer a pathway back to calm, clarity and connection. Not by force. But by returning. 1. Returning Returning to the original qualities of self: peace, purity, love, bliss and wisdom. Before the world asked anything of you. Before roles, labels and responsibilities. This is the place within you that has always been whole, gentle and wise. When we begin to meditate, to pause, to breathe, we begin to come back here. A coming home. 2. Relaxing Disconnecting from the external world and reconnecting with your inner self. Tuning into a peaceful source of energy, often felt around the centre of the forehead. Here, the nervous system softens. The shoulders drop. The breath deepens. The illusion of constant busyness, speed and worry begins to loosen its grip. You no longer need to hold everything. A start of letting go. 3. Remembering Remembering your spiritual identity. “I am a spiritual being.” Not just a body that does. Not just a mind that thinks. But a being of awareness, light and presence. From this remembering, a quiet strength arises. A source of positive energy. 4. Releasing As we reconnect with our inner source of peace, something beautiful happens. We begin to release. Wasteful thinking. Doubt. Fear. Anger. Worry. Not by fighting them. But by no longer feeding them. They gently fall away. A sense of freedom. 5. Rebalancing With freedom comes balance. We begin to respect ourselves more deeply. To value our inner world. To reconnect with spirituality and eternity. We feel our shared humanity. Our compassion. Our tenderness. We start living from the inside out. A new awareness of the self. 6. Rediscovering As we continue, we rediscover what was never truly lost. Our values. Our wisdom. Our inner resources. We realise they were always there, quietly waiting. We begin to live with greater intention. With purpose. With quiet confidence in our uniqueness. A sense of hope. 7. Restoring Now we begin to embody what we have remembered. Our strengths return. Our natural qualities shine again. Confidence and self-esteem arise effortlessly. Not from comparison, but from self-connection. We know, deeply, that we are beings of peace and love. And that we can meet life’s challenges with grace. A feeling of strength. 8. Recharging Finally, we experience a true renewal. A leap of consciousness. A deep reconnection with our spiritual self. The mind is recharged. Tranquillity flows into our thoughts. Into our words. Into our actions. We find the courage to let go of judgement, dissatisfaction and impatience. A new vision opens. We accept life as it is. And ourselves as we are. A mastery of self. Walking This Path Gently What I love most about the 8 R’s is that they are not something to “achieve”. They unfold naturally. Sometimes slowly. Sometimes unexpectedly. Sometimes in quiet moments on the couch. Sometimes on the treatment bed. Sometimes in stillness. Sometimes in tears. This is not about perfection. It is about presence. About returning, again and again, to the truth of who you are. With gratitude to Anthony Strano, whose original teachings inspired this framework. With love, Julia 🤍 

Three Simple Tools That Enhance Your Treatment (And Support Your Self-Care at Home)  At My Retreat, every treatment is shaped around you: your body, your energy, and what you most need in that moment. Alongside my hands, I sometimes use carefully chosen tools (as well as all of the geothermal treasures I have), to enhance your experience. These are not gadgets or shortcuts. They are professional instruments that allow me to work more precisely, more comfortably, and more effectively — so you receive deeper, longer-lasting benefits. They also help to protect my hands, ensuring I can deliver the best quality massage to everyone. And what’s more is, they can also inspire simple self-care between visits. Here’s a little insight into how they work. Kindness to the Therapist’s Body = Better Care for You Massage is a physical art. By using tools where appropriate, I protect my hands, wrists, and shoulders from strain, allowing me to work comfortably and sustainably. This matters — because it means: I can maintain consistent quality I can work with precision I can remain fully present with you I can continue offering high-level treatments long term Looking after myself is part of looking after you. Crystal Gua Sha | For Flow, Radiance, and Deep Release (Jade, Rose Quartz & Amethyst) Gua Sha is a smooth crystal tool traditionally used in East Asian medicine to support circulation and energy flow. In some of my therapies I may use jade, rose quartz or amethyst gua shas, each chosen for their unique energetic qualities as well as their physical properties. With gentle, flowing strokes, Gua Sha encourages: Lymphatic drainage Improved circulation Reduced puffiness Natural radiance Relaxation of facial and body muscles Alongside this, I can also use slower, deeper movements to work along tight muscle fibres, helping areas of tension soften and unwind. This supports what therapists call myofascial release; gently easing the connective tissue that surrounds the muscles, allowing them to relax and lengthen. On the face, this brings brightness and lift. On the body, it helps stubborn tension melt away. Many clients describe this work as both deeply soothing and quietly transformative. Thai Foot Stick | For Grounding and Whole-Body Balance The feet contain hundreds of reflex points that correspond with different organs and systems within the body. This forms the basis of reflexology. The Thai foot stick is a smooth wooden tool that allows me to work these reflex points with accuracy and sensitivity, without discomfort. Using this tool supports: Improved circulation Nervous system calming Release of lower leg and foot tension A deep sense of grounding and stability Because the feet are closely linked to the rest of the body through reflex pathways, this work often creates a ripple effect encouraging balance far beyond the feet themselves. Many clients find this part of their treatment especially comforting and restorative. Trigger Point Tool | For Targeted Tension Release Sometimes muscles hold small areas of congestion or “knots” that don’t easily release with flowing massage alone. These are often known as trigger points. A trigger point tool allows me to apply gentle, focused pressure to these areas with great precision, encouraging them to soften without strain or discomfort. This technique helps to: Release muscular adhesions Reduce pain and stiffness Improve movement Restore ease to overworked areas It works in harmony with deep tissue and neuromuscular techniques, supporting the body’s natural ability to let go and rebalance. Clients often notice immediate relief in areas such as the neck, shoulders, back, and hips. Supporting Your Wellbeing Between Visits Your treatment doesn’t begin and end on the massage table — it continues in how you care for yourself day to day. Some of these tools can be used gently at home to support your wellbeing between sessions, and I’m always happy to share simple, safe guidance if this feels helpful for you. This may include: A short facial Gua Sha routine Gentle foot work to ease tiredness Simple self-release techniques for shoulders and jaw These practices are not about replacing professional care. They are about staying connected to your body and supporting the work we do together. Small rituals, done regularly, can make a beautiful difference. So do please ask me if you would like me to show you. A Thoughtful Part of Your Experience At My Retreat, nothing is used without intention. Every tool is chosen because it enhances your comfort, supports your body, and deepens your relaxation. Everything is guided by training, intuition, and your individual needs in that moment. Whether your treatment is delivered with hands alone, tools, or a combination of both, the intention is always the same: To help you relax. To help you release. To help you return to yourself. To help you leave feeling restored. If you ever feel curious about any part of your treatment, you’re always welcome to ask. I love sharing the “why” behind what I do. With love, Julia 💗

THE STORY BEHIND MY AUTUMN WOODLAND THERAPIES