Welcome to my page on Life as Medicine

Exploring the essence of Yang Sheng, combining lifestyle, creativity and practice to enhance well-being

I'm using this page as a creative space to collate ideas and practices to support recovery and health, based mainly in Chinese Medicine. Having spent 9 years in clinical practice I stopped on compassionate grounds, and had to apply a lot of what I'd learnt to my condition. There is a school of thought that says returning to the 'normal' that looks like the conditions that made you unwell, isn't the answer, and we have to re-envision our lives to creatively and intentionally develop the strength and practice to heal into a life that supports and consolidates the changes we need to make both personally and as a member of society too. The Yang Sheng tradition is about living well, as well as recovering from; and I've found these ideas particularly helpful. Lifestyle is a valuable consideration both in recovery and prevention of illness, and helpful as we progress from healing in a broken culture into embodying our lives in health.

 Wishing you blessings and light along the path to vibrant health.

Lifestyle

Yang Sheng principles for health and lifestyle arose in ancient China in the Middle Ages; a culture based on health and meditation, that still holds valuable insights.  We navigate our affluent lifestyle which brings many blessings, and yet the mind and emotions and physical health can still be neglected, negated or out of balance.  We can easily become disconnected from the natural world and loose touch with the nourishing and healing roots of our life, our direction and purpose

Art and Ritual

I really appreciate making and offering small aspects of creativity that arise from my practice.  Rituals for health, or perhaps if things get too much i'll go for a walk and make an earth mandala, which feels like a prayer.  Or see a simple fun thing on instagram and recreate it with my neighbours children. It brings connection and beauty to life and I find it helps me develop parts of my experience that are transpersonal,  allowing me to relate to something less mundane and more elevated.

Quiet

A lot of restoration, rejuvenation and insight, with a small I, comes from times of quiet.  From little revelations which offer liberation; to an enlightened view, which feels like a stepping stone into spiritual health.  There are many beautiful teachers who offer their practices for our enjoyment and development.  Walking, standing, sitting, even lying down if needed.  From health, and heart, and light; quiet reflection allows us space to breathe and centre.