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General FAQs
Do you offer gift vouchers?
I sure do. If you would like to gift a massage, therapy or treatment to a loved one, family or close friend, please contact me to have a gift voucher made for you.
Are you available outside Australia?
I sometimes travel overseas and bring the tools of my trade with me. I will post here on my web site and social media, when and where I am available.
Do you offer discounts?
Discounts are available for:
- new clients at their first session
- multiple sessions within a short period, e.g. a monthly pass
- for multiple clients from the same family, friends or partners
- for long term arrangements over several months or years
- people on a pension or low income receive reduced rates
One of my goals is to make good health affordable and available to anyone who would like it, no matter their income level. I’m open to other forms of payment other than monetary, such as barter, exchange, and so on. Please contact me to discuss any of these options.
Do you offer health rebates?
No, as I’m not a member of an association, I don’t offer rebates.
What happens at my first session?
If it’s your first time, then the first session will be a little longer than the following ones.
As a first time client, the first step is to perform an anamnesis, which is a confidential exchange of information concerning your health history, current health and fitness, work-life balance, past trauma, emotional and mental stresses and more.
Palpation, pulse reading, tongue diagnosis and an easy going physical test (yoga and qigong related) may be conducted.
If you are looking for a series of treatments over a long period of time, with your consent and approval a treatment plan specific to your needs, responses, goals and circumstances can be put together.
A treatment plan may cover a 28-day or 4-week cycle. The plan is updated as your treatment progresses and condition changes.
To tackle any kind of major health issue time, patience, self-care, commitment and consistency are essential deciding factors in success.
Health and any imbalance in health, even if a physical symptom, may require a whole body approach, from treating the physical to the mental and emotional layers. In traditional medicine, there is no quick fix.
What if you can’t help?
If there is something I am unable or unqualified to assist or provide you with, I will refer you on to a respected professional whether an acupuncturist, a naturopath, a pathology service, herbalist, general practitioner, etc. Please see my Links page for practitioners I recommend.
I am mentored by senior traditional medicine practitioners and receive experienced advice and feedback from them.
What about my privacy?
I explain every step of a treatment plan or individual therapy, and always seek your informed consent before starting.
Your privacy is of utmost importance to me. What you disclose and share with me, stays with me. Each meeting and session is bound by confidentiality and you have access to the written therapeutic records that I keep about you.
Should you wish to hire me as an additional complement to your current medical plan, and/or treatment that has been prescribed to you, relevant information will be shared with your GP or doctor in the strictest confidence and full cooperation will be given.
Can you cure me of …?
In many countries, it’s not allowed for a traditional medicine practitioner to use the ‘cure’ word when discussing treatment. Instead the practitioner can say to their client that they will be treated for any pain or suffering related to the symptoms of their particular disease or illness.
“I cannot state that my treatments will cure your bowel cancer or heal your asthma. But I can state that my treatment is ideal for relieving any intestinal problems and can help if you’re feeling out of breath.”
This doesn’t mean that a cure or healing isn’t possible. It’s important to keep in mind that there are many methods, knowledge and experiences on how to approach and treat illness, as well as build, develop and maintain long-term health.
An alternative does not mean: inadequate, ineffective, without credibility or lacking. An alternative simply means that the individual has a choice, and the right to decide for themselves.
“Prevention is better than cure.”
For clients with a serious chronic illness, I can treat your illness when I work together with your doctor (with their consent and approval).
I can provide treatment that:
- a) reduces or lessens the effects and symptoms of your illness or disease, or the side effects of the standard medical treatment you are receiving for said illness or disease;
- b) strengthens your body’s immune system and ability to self-heal, or;
- c) provides relief and healing, when there is no appropriate relieving or healing treatment on offer from the standard health service. At all times I require your consent.
What are the possible effects of my treatment?
There are after effects of any kind of treatment. This is because the body is being stimulated to restore balance, to self-heal and to eliminate toxins/waste. This means you may feel tired, hot/cold, some kind of emotional release, nausea, even pain in the area stimulated (cupping), as well as thirsty or the need to go to the toilet more often. These are very natural and normal bodily reactions, and are an indication that the treatment is working and may last a number of days after receiving treatment. However, it’s not normal that these symptoms continue over a longer period of time. If this happens, please contact me immediately.
How do I pay you?
I accept cash, bank transfers or PayID transfer (my mobile number). Invoices and receipts are sent upon request. Other forms of payment than money e.g. barter, exchange, etc., may be possible by prior arrangement only.
Oh no, I have to cancel my appointment
Cancellation of an appointment requires 12-hours notice or the booked appointment fee will be charged. Special circumstances will of course be considered.
Are you rainbow or neurodiverse friendly?
I support the 🏳️🌈 LGBT+ community and am sensitive and respectful of gender and sexual identity / needs while performing any of my therapeutic services. This also applies to persons with disabilities and neurological diversity. I have many years experience working in the NDIS and Aged Care.
Do you offer ‘one of those’ Thai massages? Wink wink?
No. :) Please note that all of my treatments and therapies are strictly non-sexual in nature. Any untoward behaviour will not be tolerated and may be reported to the police.
What’s your policy on Cov-Sars-2?
Both vaccinated and unvaccinated clients are welcome to book my services.
- Please do not book an appointment if you are unwell, or show any symptoms of flu or coronavirus.
- It is not possible to maintain a 1.5-2 metre distance during a massage, but upon request I can wear cloth gloves during massage and latex gloves during cupping.
- I always wash my hands/feet before and after each massage, this is something I do regardless of the current health measures. I highly recommend each client does the same, including their feet and face. If they forget, I can also wash their hands, face and feet for them.
- Breathing is a critical healing mechanism. Treatments require deep and unrestricted breathing.
- When visiting clients in their home, please supply your own sheets and pillows or bolsters for use on my massage mat and/or massage table. I also provide my own.
- All items used in massage and cupping are cleaned in hot soapy water, and wiped with colloidal silver spray, eucalyptus or tea tree oils.
- I have worked as an aged care and disability support worker for many years and was required to successfully complete the Australian government’s Covid19 safety training program.
- As I come to your private home, please ensure that anyone else in your home, and who needs to assist you before and after the treatment, observes the current health measures.
Natural medicine offers long term healing results and effects. The best and most comprehensive form of immunity is always natural immunity.
Hey! I don’t speak English really well!
Don’t worry, not only do I speak English, but I also snakker norsk, spreche Deutsch, and parle un peu français. I can even draw cartoons and am fluent in speaking with my hands. I’m sure we’ll find a way to communicate. :)
Outdoor Retreat FAQs
Is there any risk involved in an outdoor retreat?
There is always an element of risk involved in the outdoors, and while I plan every therapy session as thoroughly as I can, there are always unforeseen circumstances that may occur. I endeavour to exercise a duty of care, and attempt to handle SHTF situations as best as I can, with the safety of the environment, myself and my client in mind.
Ultimately, please decide for yourself whether an outdoor therapy session is at an appropriate level for you, meaning that you are able to do it, and/or can do it together with my support (need a little motivation).
People often don’t realise what they are capable of doing and achieving. Fear, self-messages and previous experiences can narrow our understanding of our actual ability and potential. With the support and assurance of an experienced person, you can test out any perceived limitations. Physical limitations are a different story though, and a session will be adjusted to compensate for your level of fitness and health.
Being outdoors does mean that you need a certain level of basic fitness. If you are unsure, please ask. If you haven’t been active or outdoors for a while, that’s perfectly okay. If you have a pre-existing condition, then simply let me know, and I will accommodate you.
Qigong & Yoga FAQs
What is Medical Qigong?
Medical Qigong is a holistic approach to health and wellness. It is an internal art, which focuses on merging breath, movement and mind into one. When this happens, Qi, Prana or life force can move unrestricted throughout the body, boosting health or facilitating healing. The end goal is to relax, balance and reconnect the whole person, which ultimately feeds into long-term health and happiness.
Qigong can be both internal and external in the sense that internal exercises are performed using the mind, and external exercises are performed using the body and mind.
Qigong is a form of therapy with specific routines or sets that enhance and assist in healing and recovery from illness.
What is the difference between Qigong and Tai Chi?
Qigong is a much older practice rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and Daoist philosophy. It is the oldest form of therapy within traditional Chinese medicine. There are three different paths to take in Qigong: one is martial arts, the other medical and the third spiritual.
Medical Qigong is what I offer, however, there are two types of Medical Qigong. One is medical in the strictest sense, and is offered by a trained Medical Qigong practitioner learned in classical Chinese medicine. A one-on-one consultation takes place where Qigong exercises are administered based on medical diagnosis.
The exercises chosen can either be performed by the patient themselves, or the qualified Medical Qigong practitioner can stimulate and activate the patient’s self-healing for them.
The latter is possible due to the practitioner’s highly developed Qi, which they can extend out from their body. This takes many years of dedicated practice and mastery of Qigong.
The second type of medical Qigong is what I offer and is for health and wellness. It is performed either in a group or one-on-one setting. No health diagnosis is done. Exercises are general and benefit whole body-mind health.
In comparison to medial Qigong, Tai Chi is a more recent practice rooted in martial arts. It employs movement, self-defence, breathing and meditation. It usually takes longer to learn than Qigong and is based on a series of movements that cultivate Qi.
Qigong is typically practiced standing or sitting in the same place, whereas Tai Chi involves transitioning or moving from one position to another. You also need to learn more positions or movements in Tai Chi, up to 100+. Qigong has much less and is therefore quicker and easier to get the hang of.
Both practices are internal based meaning they develop the Qi or life force within, building vitality and health through Yin-Yang balance.
Tai Chi and Qigong are done slowly, and often the slower the better. But be aware the slow-motion speed is deceptive. When applied quickly, the positions and movements are explosively dynamic, generating incredible power and force.
So why the slowness? This is to bring the mind into the here and now, into a state of stillness and emptiness. Therein is the secret to the speed and power that is one result of all the training.
As is said in Daoist philosophy: ‘Do nothing, and everything is done.’
What is the difference between your Classical Yoga classes and other types of Hatha Yoga?
Yoga is both a way of being and a path to walk that leads us to long-lasting health, balance and freedom. The concept of Yoga is shared and reflected in many belief systems and practices around the world, including Daoism, Buddhism, Shamanism, Paganism, Oriental medicine and more.
In the West, what we know as Yoga is mainly the practice of the physical asanas or postures. While there is nothing wrong with this approach, it should be noted that the physical aspect is only the beginning stage on the path towards Yoga, or union of the whole being.
The asanas or postures are an important tool in bringing balance, health and vitality to the body. A healthy body fosters a quiet and peaceful mind. A happy mind is a reflection of deep breath awareness. All three are integral in cultivating our Prana or life force from within.
The goal of Yoga is not to be perfect, but simply to be in the moment, the here and now. To be content with all that we are, exactly as we are. Through accepting the erratic nature of our mind, we can stop fighting ourselves and move beyond – to the realisation that we are so much more than just the physical and the mental. By practising Yoga, we catch a glimpse of our true Self and the potential that lies within all of us. And this makes it a powerful tool for seeing beyond the veil of illusion, providing answers on how we can integrate ourselves back into the holistic fabric of life and accept the impermanence of things.
As this is a fairly intensive commitment, it’s obviously not for everyone. We each come to Yoga at different stages in our lives and for different reasons. We each have our own path to follow, with our own questions to ask and ways of finding the answers. Despite this, everyone can agree that even if we only do the asanas or postures, the benefits of doing them consistently are many.
The Hatha Yoga path, which focuses on the physical aspect, helps us to move into a meditative state of mind, or deep focus and awareness. The good news is that we don’t have to sit and meditate for hours on end to achieve this state of being. Practical mindfulness means we can take it with us everywhere we go, no matter what we are doing.
A good Yoga class is open to everyone, regardless of fitness level, age, body shape, background or belief. You don’t have to be a super bendy person to attend, or wear super cool clothing, nor do you have to be into meditation or chanting. Good Yoga is always adjusted to the student. Classes meet you at the level where you’re at and help you achieve your goals at your pace. Each path to Yoga is highly personal.
What is the difference between Yoga and Qigong?
I asked one of my mentors, an experienced Yoga and Qigong practitioner, how she would describe the difference between Yoga and Qigong. Her answer was:
“…Tai Chi and Qigong have a more powerful effect on the life force in the body, while Yoga provides an excellent effect on the body-mind complex.”
For her, both are a dance of consciousness.