FACING THE SEASONS
A DIY FACIAL WORKSHOP SERIES INSPIRED BY THE SEASONS
The late-summer-to-autumn edition of a series of deeply nourishing DIY facial workshops using seasonal ingredients and traditional practices inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic approaches to self-care.
Health, longevity, self-compassion, connection with nature, and easy ideas you can take home are at the heart of these workshops.
We try out home-made cleansers, exfoliants, steams, masks using natural, affordable, seasonal ingredients from the kitchen cupboard that are powered by nature. We close with a relaxing self-acupressure oil massage and meditation.
The workshops provide space to slow down, reconnect with our bodies with mindful attention, and invite a more compassionate relationship with our fabulous faces.
The workshops run on Friday evenings so you can go home and relax with a fresh face and a calm mind.
Nourish the skin, feed the soul.
“That was amazing, I’ve never thought of my face that way before”
(Previous workshop participant)
THE SEASON - LATE SUMMER
Late summer is a fifth season associated with the earth element – one of the five elements in classical Chinese philosophy. Earth in Chinese medicine is the element of nourishment, stability and abundance. It is reflected in the richness of the harvest, the ripening of fruit, and the golden fields that sustain us.
After the expansive energy of summer comes a time of gathering in and coming back to centre. Nature slows down and offers the fruits of its growth, encouraging us to pause, digest our experiences, and appreciate the abundance around us.
Late summer is therefore an excellent season to mindfully nourish ourselves through wholesome food, meaningful connection, ritual and rest.
The earth element is associated with the spleen and stomach organs, the centre of digestion and transformation in Chinese medicine. The health of our skin is directly connected to the health of our digestive functioning - of the food we eat, the information and media we consume, and our life experiences. If this is out of balance, we might experience digestive issues and over-thinking / rumination - the sort of thinking that repeats on you!
The theme of this season's facial is deep nourishment for both skin and spirit. Together we'll try ingredients to feed the skin and practices to feed the soul.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Inspired by eastern practices of self care using natural, everyday, affordable ingredients, we will cleanse, scrub, steam, mask, spritz and massage using a gentle oil and self-acupressure.
For the late-summer-earth edition we will include deeply nourishing pore cleansing earthy clay and honey mask. We will also feed our faces with Traditional Chinese Medicine inspired herbs and roots. We will include acupressure points to support digestion and a self gua sha routine to encourage healthy lymph flow - a function of the the spleen in chinese medicine.
For the evening it’s a chance to be present, engage the senses, and nourish ourselves in a friendly and non-judgemental space.
Expect soft skin, a delight for the senses, connection, inspiration, and lots of smiles.
THE FACE
In Chinese medicine the face connects to the body via the meridian system, and imbalances in the face are reflections of general health. Nourishing the face therefore benefits the rest of the self and vice versa.
Our hard-working faces express and receive experience and emotion, house all the senses, and often hold a lot of tension. Releasing tension, encouraging circulation, and caring for the skin through gentle nourishing practices and ingredients, invites compassion, calm and a new perspective for viewing aging and appearance.
The mind-body connection couldn't be clearer than on our faces, and I deeply believe that by caring for our faces with loving kindness we create pathways of self love that travel far deeper than the surface of the skin to our very bones and subtle realms of the psyche.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Anyone with a face! If you are interested in affordable and easy ways to care for your skin gently and naturally, with a deeper sense of health and longevity in mind, then this is for you.
Particularly suited to women, all ages welcome.
If you have any food allergies or skin sensitivites, please let me know.
WHAT TO BRING
Things might get a little messy! So wear an old t shirt and bring a towel and hair band.
Otherwise just bring yourself and a willingness to smear food on your faces!
All ingredients will be supplied.
YOUR HOST - ANNE-MARIE
I've practised acupuncture, facial acupuncture and eastern facial practices for 17+ years. For many years I organised and assisted with the teaching of post-graduate facial acupuncture and acupressure courses with world-renowned New York based trainer Virginia Doran.
I've completed additional training in Eastern facial therapies including facial cupping, gua sha, jade roller and acupressure techniques at the College of Oriental Therapy in London.
I have also completed a month long Ayurvedic health and skincare qualification in Kerala, India which included lots of lovely herbal facials.
Over the years, I’ve facilitated many mindful and wellbeing workshops and retreats privately and for charities inluding Kids Company and Survivors Network.
ORIGINS OF THE WORKSHOP
The DIY facial group started when I managed a therapy centre for young people in Brixton over 10 years ago. I ran a popular Friday evening mindful facial group for teenage girls called “that Friday feeling”.
After relocating to the south coast I took the facial session to Survivors Network in Brighton where I ran monthly mornings for women and girls who have experienced sexual violence.
Mindful and trauma informed facial care is a beautiful and gentle way to encourage the healing process and reintegration of mind and body.
“I’m usually so critical of my face and body. After years of low self-worth I try not to look at myself at all or I get obsessed by one tiny spot, but today I quite like my face!. And I haven't laughed like that in ages!” (Survivors Network group participant)
LOCATION
HOMEFIELD STUDIO, 8 HOMEFIELD ROAD, WORTHING BN11 2HZ