My wellbeing story

I was actually training to be an opera singer, when I had a car accident and sustained severe whiplash. My injuries basically ended those dreams. Western medicine was unable to help me, and I spent years searching for a solution. Which ended up being a Chinese doctor in a humble Traditional Chinese Medicine clinic in London.

Having reached that pinch point, finding the solution after years of agony, I fell in love with Chinese medicine with a passion. I immediately embarked on a course and re-trained. Alongside practising massage and reflexology, I studied Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and qualified as a Five Elements Chinese medical practitioner, graduating from the UK’s Integrated College of Chinese Medicine.

I could see that the Eastern philosophy that I had trained in had an answer to the Western illness epidemic. As a consumer, I believed companies need to offer responsible, long-term solutions to the products they were selling and offset any environmental damage along the way. As a practitioner, I could see that people wanted to be empowered about their health but didn’t know where to start. And as a mother, I wanted to do my part to safeguard the planet for my children, contributing to a better world, not a lesser one. And so I created Hayo’u!

On Yang Sheng, the self-care part of Chinese medicine

During my time as a Chinese medicine practitioner, I quickly realised that the prevention and self-treatment of illness was the secret of longevity in ancient China. Basically that when my patients practiced the self-care techniques I suggested in between treatments, they would get better so much more quickly. There is a great Chinese proverb – “Dig the well before you are thirsty”, the Taoist philosophy is wholly based on the principle that prevention is better than cure. Yang Sheng, the self-care part of Chinese medicine in which I specialise, is full of simple techniques to help you achieve precisely that.

There are three basic principles of preventative health. Firstly, the free flow of Qi (energy) and blood. You need your circulation to be moving unimpeded around the body.

Secondly, the body needs to purge and nourish. You need to allow the body to eliminate that which doesn’t serve it and nourish with that which does.

And thirdly, you need to strengthen the five key organs (the liver, heart, pancreas, lung and kidney). In Chinese medicine, the whole of the health of the body is ruled by these five “kingdoms”.

The pillars of the Hayo’u Method

Our strapline at Hayo’u is “one-minute to self-care” and these are enjoyable, simple techniques using quality tools and precious crystals. Facial gua sha is a great place to start. This is a simple massage technique using a round-edged tool. It’s been widely practised in China for thousands of years. “Gua” means to press-stroke, while “sha” describes the temporary red flush that results.

Facial gua sha stimulates the dermis to support collagen and elastin production and releases tension to relax your facial muscles. I believe it’s the single most effective technique for transforming your skin. Facial gua sha really is a game changer and many of my clients tell me how much they love the way it has transformed their skin. It has been shown in studies to exponentially increase circulation and aid lymphatic flow, release congestion and soothe sore eyes and skin, to brighten your complexion and leave you with a radiant glow.

In Chinese wisdom we approach beauty from the inside out. Essentially, you are never going to look your best if you don’t feel well. We see beauty as the exterior manifestation of interior health. Which is why body gua sha is going to be the next big thing.

Body gua sha is such an unsung hero. It’s a simple self-massage technique using a round-edged tool, that has been used for thousands of years to treat inflammation, muscular tension, coughs and fever and boost immunity. Body gua sha offers us the fully-fledged integration of health and beauty and is absolutely where the beauty industry is going. Try our Hayo’u Body Restorer if you’d like to give it a try, there are lots of tutorials on the website and on Instagram.

My three daily self-care rituals

I begin by body tapping. Tapping with bamboo is an ancient Chinese therapy called Pai Sha that works wonders for your general wellbeing. It’s a simple, pleasurable, yet hugely effective way to support and maintain your health, no matter what your age or physical state. As I mentioned, an absolute fundamental of health is a good circulation of qi and blood around the body. This flow can be disrupted or stagnate for any number of reasons, a sedentary lifestyle, stress, emotional upset or injuries.

In as little as one-minute a day, an all over body tap can clear areas of stagnation, support lymphatic drainage, release tension and encourage a smooth flow of blood and qi around the body. Tapping will instantly energise you in the morning and deeply relax you in the evening.

Body combing is another ancient Chinese self-healing treatment, which is simple and hugely beneficial. Body combing works in a similar fashion to body brushing. It boosts lymphatic drainage, making it particularly effective for heavy legs, water retention and the dreaded cellulite.

Thirdly, I have to mention Qigong, which translates as “life force practice”, and is quite simply the most incredible exercise. By strengthening your life force on the inside, you will see the results on the outside. If you are tired, lacking in energy, out of shape or simply not feeling great, trust me, Qigong is for you.

Qigong is a fundamental pillar of Chinese medicine. It is classed as a form of internal exercise (any combination of slow, considered movements with breath and mental engagement, another example would be yoga). Qigong is, quite simply, the ultimate self-healing technique. It boosts your oxygen uptake and circulation, but while your body is relaxed. This builds your capacity to store and generate your reserves of qi.

Qigong has been shown in research studies to offer the following benefits: reduce anxiety, cortisol and systemic inflammation, improve mood, cognitive function and sleep quality, in addition to supporting cardiovascular health and immune function. It is also effective for pain reduction for arthritis, neck pain and fibromyalgia.

One of the things I love the most is that Qigong is suitable for everyone. It will give you stamina without stress, tone without pain. As you do the exercises, you’re balancing the whole body and, because they’re so gentle, they also suit older people, those recovering from illness and anyone else with physical or energetic limitations. Just because it’s gentle, don’t underestimate its power and efficacy.

www.hayoumethod.com

Follow Katie on Instagram @katie_brindle