HEAL | Sarah Elcome

At the beginning of 2023, I enrolled in a year long course with The Lotus Institute to receive the teachings of Lillian Pearl Bridges family linage in The Master Face Reading Programme.

I have wanted to immerse myself with Lillian’s teachings for over ten years after a one day workshop, where her wisdom and insights of the face, awakened my heart.

Face readings are based on a background of chinese medicine, five element philosophy and my teachers family lineage.

Many ask what is a face reading? A reading based on energetics of your unique face tells the story of who you are and where you are going. It can cover many areas such as mind/body health conditions, our tendency towards behavioural patterns, personality traits as well as past traumas, emotional blockages. It also highlights your underlying strengths, unique talents and abilities and a deeper insight into your true nature.

In 2013 I undertook a BSc (hons) degree at the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine in Reading. My studies combined theory, practical application and covered both the five element and traditional Chinese medicine. My innate interest in people’s physical and emotional wellbeing drew me to focus entirely on five element acupuncture.

The roots of five elements or the ‘five phases’ are found in the traditional philosophy of Daoism and are centred on the principles of harmony and balance. The five elements, Wood (spring), Fire (summer), Earth (late summer), Metal (autumn), and Water (winter) are derived from our internal energy sources, yin and yang. Each element is defined by distinct characteristics and its association with the seasons. Daoism enables us to identify these elements within ourselves, encouraging us to recognise the laws of nature so we find balance with ‘The Way of Things’.

I am a member of the British Acupuncture Council and regularly participates in five element workshops and courses. I’m also drawn to spending time in nature experiencing first hand its rhythms and cycles, turning my theory into practical application

I experienced the benefit of coaching first hand in 2010 when I began weekly one to one sessions. Over time these sessions allowed me to better understand my emotional triggers and recognise patterns of behaviour both positive and negative that were contributing to my personal narrative.

Coaching enabled me to develop simple techniques to use in everyday life which embrace the positive and allow me to remain connected to my emotional self.

Around the same time I recieved coaching sessions, I began having regular acupuncture treatment. Experiencing first hand how much the two practices complimented each other inspired me to explore coaching on a deeper level, resulting in my own unique style of treatment.

My coaching is connected to the five element framework helping patients to explore the links between physical and emotional health.

Using my empathic sensitivity to discern the root causes of imbalance allows me to work with patients to address negative emotions and develop a healthy connection between their external and internal self.

Breathing and moving practices such as mediation, qigong, yin yoga and hiking in nature has been a continued support in balancing my energetic flow.

Living in harmony with the seasonal shifts and phases of a year support health and wellbeing. Each season activates energetic organs, I created a class that would incorporate my love of natures rhythms and cycles to offer people the opportunity to attune, move and breathe seasonally and connect their nature to nature.

During a class I share wisdom with life cycles, the solar terms, seasonal energetics, and insights into physical and emotional health whilst guiding a combination of breath practices and channel led movement.

Reconnecting mind and body allows for healing, the classes offer a deeper connection to nature and the best healer of them all, the natural world.

Qualified and experienced massage and reflexology since 2001. I have a background of treating the muscular skeletal system for aches, pains, discomfort and tension. Many years of experience allowed me to develop an intuitive style of practice that can locate, release and relieve discomfort and pain whilst listening to and connecting with the patients emotional body.

I recognise thoughts and emotions create a disconnection between mind and body, leaving patients in pain.

Although massage and reflexology treatments gave patients relief it was my practice in five element acupuncture, coaching and my empathetic sensitivities that allowed for effective healing.

Even though I no longer work with massage and reflexology, I am still able to use my intuitive hands on skills to locate pain and its root cause.

I have had a strong connection to the natural world ever since I can remember.

Fifteen years ago my appreciation of nature was reinforced when I worked at a yoga retreat in the Tuscan hills of Italy twice a year. Yoga and hiking, two aspects of the retreat gave me first hand insight into the healing practices of movement in nature. Removed from the distractions of everyday life, I was able to attune into much joy, peace, balance.

I maintain a consistent yoga practice and continue to hike often in the Lake District. Studying five element acupuncture also intensified my connection to the natural world. I have learnt to observe the arc of each season’s energetic resonance, noticing colour, sound, smell and its quality of energetics.

Listening closely to the changes of the seasons I am able to balance my own internal landscape with the external environment. This has helped me live in harmony with the rhythms and cycles of the days, weeks, months and years.

Finding quiet and connecting to natures five phases has enhanced my understanding of the law of nature, and its ability to cause illness and disease when out of balance.