Wisdom Series: In conversation with Maggie Cross
Maggie Cross | Acupuncture, holistic health & wellness
We're excited to begin our Wisdom series, where we explore Traditional Chinese Medicine and holistic wisdom from practitioners we love. We invite them to share their area of expertise and how it relates to healthy skin, from the inside out.
Maggie shares how TCM has impacted her life, and gives her top tips to start incorporating it into yours.
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How has TCM impacted your life?
I first had acupuncture in my late teens for amenorrhea. I’d been told that it was unlikely I’d be able to conceive since I wasn’t ovulating and had polycystic ovaries. My parents suggested I see our local acupuncturist, and I was blown away by how fast things started shifting. I’ll never forget the whooshing feeling through my body which I remember describing as a waterfall?! To my surprise I then had a few regular periods and the next thing I knew I’d fallen pregnant. This wasn’t planned but I now have a 7-year-old son who’s a delight. In 2019 I enrolled at the prestigious Acupuncture Academy in Leamington Spa. I’ve recently graduated after over 3 years of degree level training there. Chinese medicine can be incredibly powerful and I’m absolutely loving my new job holistically helping others with their wellbeing.
What’s one piece of advice you always give to your clients?
Keep your tootsies warm! (-:
What are your tips to start incorporating TCM into daily life?
- Aim to live in harmony with the seasons for example spend extra time resting and consuming warming foods in the Yin time of winter and be more active and sociable in the Yang season of summer.
- We’ve all heard the phrase “You are what you eat” but we are what we think too! Constantly digesting negative thoughts can directly impact the way an organ functions. Thoughts feed our spirit and our emotions impact our body and health. Everything is energy and everything’s connected so we need to recognise how each area of our lives affects the other. Emotional energy affects physical energy and vice versa so we should be mindful of the energy that we let into our bodies and minds.
- Focus on breathing and try to do a little meditation every day. It doesn’t have to be for more than 5-10 minutes first thing in the morning or just before bed.
- Shake it off! Move your body to get rid of stagnant energy. Have a go at Qi Gong for even just a couple of minutes each day. It’s both rejuvenating and relaxing and can relieve pain and boost immunity.
- Try acupressure. This involves stimulating or massaging key energy points in your body to produce maximum energy flow in meridians that connect all your organs.
- Do a short gua sha routine on your face or body. This can be done in the shower if you’re short on time and will stimulate circulation and relieve tension.
- Go for regular walks in nature to help you stay grounded and to untangle and relax a busy mind.
Why do you love TCM?
TCM is about understanding the root of illness and disharmony in the body and tapping into our energy source and flow to unlock our body’s natural healing processes. This empowering system of preventative medicine treats the whole of an individual rather than symptoms alone. It recognises that body, mind and spirit are made up of the same five elements found in nature, and that our health and wellbeing are dependent on them co-existing in balance and harmony. I have already seen huge transformations in front of me during treatments and time spent with my clients, which are regular reminders for me to completely trust the power of TCM.
Tell us about your Yan Yee experience?
Michelle kindly sent me some of the Yan Yee calming spray and I love it! It works wonders with any skin irritation and healing. I like to use it as a hydrating mist on my face and will apply extra to my nose when needed as it can sometimes get a bit dry in colder weather. I’ve even used the spray on piercings and on my bikini line after shaving! It’s sooo good, it smells lush, and it’s packed with the best healing herbs <3
