About Heidi Armstrong
Professional Training
I have always been fascinated with a holistic view of health and life being interested in complementary therapies and practicing yoga since my late teens.
I trained in Swedish massage in 1993 after the birth of my first son. I then went on the do a full time holistic therapies course and extended my work to include Reflexology and Aromatherapy and to develop my massage training with MTI. In 2001 I graduated from the Bristol school of Shiatsu.
I am committed to doing regular CPD to keep my knowledge up to date and provide the best treatments I can for my clients.
For example and in the last 7 years I have trained in Auricular Acupunture and Auricular Reflexology, Myofascial release and Lymph drainage Reflexology to add new tools to support my clients with.
Last year 2022 I completed a resolve scar massage training.
Personal Journey
Using firm pressure may affect the deep muscular tissue but can have a damaging affect on the more fragile superficial tissues. Where appropriate I will include trigger points stretches and firmer pressure. My focus is to coax the tissue to release rather than use hard pressure for the sake of it as I find its a much more effective way of working.
Teaching
Five element massage incorporates acupressure and meridian flow massage and Chinese massage techniques to not only release areas of tension but to support all the body systems through the meridians.
Massage can be one of the most straight forward but effect ways for us to get in touch with our body and support the discomfort and stress we hold from every day life. This treatment using massage medium fluid movements to deeply relax and support body intergradation.
I have always been fascinated with a holistic view of health and life being interested in complementary therapies and practicing yoga since my late teens.
I trained in Swedish massage in 1993 after the birth of my first son. I then went on the do a full time holistic therapies course and extended my work to include Reflexology and Aromatherapy and to develop my massage training with MTI. In 2001 I graduated from the Bristol school of Shiatsu.
I am committed to doing regular CPD to keep my knowledge up to date and provide the best treatments I can for my clients.
For example and in the last 7 years I have trained in Auricular Acupunture and Auricular Reflexology, Myofascial release and Lymph drainage Reflexology to add new tools to support my clients with.
I have always worked with pregnant women but I wanted to explore this passion further and in 2006 I completed a postgraduate course in Maternity care with the Well Mother organisation and went on to become one of their teachers training therapists to work in pregnancy.
The way I work aims to bring an awareness of emotional and spiritual health relating to our lifestyle and physical wellbeing. This often comes through negotiating the stresses arising from life’s many transition points such as birth, death, marriage, divorce, work or illness. To work through these times of transition and gain the positives of personal growth we often need support and a held space and this belief is at the core of my practice whether I am teaching students, working with individuals or with couples in birth preparation classes.
In all my treatments I work incorporating Traditional Chinese Medical theory including the Five Elements sometimes translated as the five transitions. They come from the Taoist philosophy where they looked at nature and applied their understanding to humans as a microcosm of the whole. It gives me a tool to translate the body’s energetic patterns in a non-judgemental and supportive way. I will also look at and address postural problems and recommend lifestyle changes.
Extra tools
I am also trained in Auricular acupunture and Auricular Reflexology, Moxibustion and cupping these can be included in treatments plans for Shiatsu, Reflexology and massage. These can be added to your treatment where appropriate.
Over 15 years ago I started training to teach complementary therapies and have taught them in several schools including Bath City College and Bath School of Shiatsu and Yoga who I still teach with. I teach advanced massage course at BCMB Bristol and Anatomy and Physiology on the Yoga Bohdi Yoga Teacher training in Bath. In 2013 I took over the Bath School of Reflexology founded by Rosalind Oxenford who had been my inspiring Reflexology teacher years before. I have expanded the school into a College for Complementary Therapies, where the course focus on CPD courses for therapist.
I teach at the Complementary Therapy College >