Hello, my name is Elaine, let me tell you how I came to be a Holistic and Beauty Therapist.
After having a breakdown about 10 years ago, I decided to do something more positive with my life. I had been thinking of training to do something, but I didn't know what. During the period of my breakdown, my step daughter decided to take me to a holistic fair, it was a revelation. After a couple of 'taster sessions' of various therapies, I thought, 'I could do that'. But before I could do anything, my mother died. She had died of a massive heart attack. I was devastated, to say the least. I was plunged into the pits of depair yet again, trying to cope with mums' death, arranging the funeral, sorting out her flat and going through a breakdown. I didn't know which way to turn. Luckily I have a very good family around me. I don't know what I would have done without my husband, my own children were rocks and my step children were marvellous.
My mother in law and step aunt and cousin were wonderful. They were all very supportive. Luckily I got through everything, with the help of family, friends and professional help.
In 2003 I had to have a major operation, and during this operation I almost died on the operating table, with massive blood loss, However, after a blood transfusion and very good care at the hospital I recovered and was sent home. But a week later I was in a great deal of pain, vomiting and haemorrhaging, so an ambulance was called and I found myself back in the hospital with a severe pelvic infection. I was in the hospital for another few days receiving copious amounts of anti biotics and various other drugs. After a few days, still feeling very weak, I was sent home. I made a slow and steady recovery.
Then my husband became very ill due to stress. Whoever says 'oh it's only stress' doesn't know what they are talking about. He became a different man. He was so difficult to live with and he became very argumentative. In the end he had to give up his job at the local college, as it was that, that was making him ill. During this time, his mum, my mother in law, became seriously ill. We thought we were going to lose her. She was in hospital for several months and contracted clostridium dyfiscil, she was very, very ill; she literally became a shadow of her former self. After several operations, a heart attack and a stroke she came home, but she is a tough old bird and nothing will ever take her down. But, of course we still keep an eye on her, whether she likes it or not.
After all this I still thought that I needed to do something more positive. So I enrolled on a course, I thought I would start small, so I did a Hopi Ear Candling course, took my exam, and passed and received my Professional Certificate of Merit in September 2005.
While studying Hopi Ear Candling , I enrolled on another course - Indian Head Massage this time. I passed this exam with flying colours in November 2005. After this I passed my Reflexology exam in May 2006.
In 2006 I decided to try something different. So I started to study as a Meditation Teacher. I received my teaching diploma in July 2007.
I now wanted to put all that I had learned to good use, I wanted to take these therapies to the general public.
After much searching, I found a therapy room called The Retreat at Accolade Health and Fitness or Zone Fitness as it was then. I work there Friday afternoons and evenings and Saturday mornings, not only for the members, but also for anybody who wished to treat themselves to my Holistic and Beauty Therapies.
In May 2008 I enrolled on an Eastern Facial Massage Course for which I now have my diploma. In August 2008 I received my diploma for Manicures and Pedicures. In 2009 I received my diploma for Gel Nail Extensions and overlays.
This year, I enrolled on another training course - this time for eyelash tinting and perming, eyebrow shaping, tidying and tinting and eyelash application - which I passed, I am now fully qualified for these treatments.
As for my family and friends, they benefit from my new skills, enjoying Reflexology, Hopi Ear Candling, Indian Head Massage, Manicures and Pedicures as and when they need them. It is the least I can do for them after they supported me for all these years.
So, if things start to get you down, think positive, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. I have found that light by helping others.
Let me me help you find that light.
I have been invited to various offices to perform Indian Head Massage, Reflexology or Guided Meditation, to help employees with their stress levels. They often go back to their desks with renewed vigour and deeper concentration. This corporations include The Coast Guard Agency, Aviva, the Civic Centre in Southampton and Mencap in support of the Autistic Society.
I have also been invited to Testwood Sports College to talk about and demonstrate Meditation to year 7's, they were a very well behaved bunch of children, by and large, and I think they throughly enjoyed the meditation session, I know I enjoyed it.
I have also been invited to many charity events over the past few years, where I have given my time to demonstrate the different therapies that Silvermoon Holistic and Beauty Therapy offers and donated Gift Vouchers as raffle prizes.
Elaine B. Winkworth
MGHT. BSYA. (I.H.)(Reflex)Dip. Med. Teacher.