BATH LIVES
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“I have five children – one fostered, one adopted, two from donor eggs, and one natural conception”
I was healed by Chinese medicine. It was a Chinese doctor
in a humble traditional Chinese medicine clinic on Edgeware High Street, London – he just happened to be the most incredible doctor. After finding the solution after years of agony, I fell in
KATIE BRINDLE A serious car crash may have ended her dreams of being an opera singer, but it led to a fulfilling career in Chinese medicine Katie has been working in Chinese medicine since 2002. She discovered this path following a serious car crash in which she consulted a Chinese doctor to help her heal from her injuries. Alongside practising massage and reflexology, she studied Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and qualified as a Five Elements Chinese medical practitioner, graduating from the UK’s Integrated College of Chinese Medicine. She has since founded Hayo’u and Hayo’uFit brand, which incorporates an integrated approach to wellness such as the award-winning crystal facial massage tools. I hated school and was really unhappy, I had severe, 82 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
undiagnosed dyslexia. I attended a very academic school, which was great but totally unsuited to me. I had a brilliant sister, and she aced everything – I was like a runt in comparison. The only thing I had that I was good at was music. I grew up wanting to be an opera singer but a car accident
when I was 22 ended that dream. I had serious whiplash which impacted my vocal chords and ultimately meant I was unable to sing again. The worst job I’ve ever had was my first job after my car crash. as a part time
receptionist. I was ill, unhappy, over qualified for the work and it was soul destroying. I was beside myself.
love with Chinese medicine with such a passion I immediately embarked on a course and re-trained. Alongside practising massage and reflexology, I studied Traditional Chinese Medicine. During my time as a Chinese medicine practitioner, I quickly
realised that the prevention and self-treatment of illness was the secret of longevity in ancient China. I could see when my patients practiced the self-care techniques I suggested in between treatments, they would get better so much more quickly.
Whilst Western medicine has transformed health care as we know it, there’s a gap that
it doesn’t address and that’s the ‘almost-well’, the ‘not feeling so good’, the tired out and overstressed. It is about encouraging people to master their own health using the remarkable healing system of yang sheng, the self-care part of Chinese medicine, and I am committed to increasing people’s awareness of yang sheng.
I have five children – one fostered, one adopted, two from donor eggs, and one natural conception. They are all
amazing in their own ways. I think it’s one of the reasons that people like to talk to me about fertility, because I have been through the struggles myself.
I had a very difficult time giving birth to my twins.
I have this surreal memory that I just wasn’t in my body. I remember thinking, ‘Why I am looking at my twins from above?’ It was this weird state of dysmorphia which lasted forever and also, no time at all. Machines were bleeping, there were people and blood everywhere. The next thing I’m waking up in ICU. I remember it all vividly. Qigong translates as `life force practice’ and it is quite simply the most incredible exercise. I practice
every day without fail, and it has honed my body in a way that hours in the gym never did. By strengthening your life force on the inside, you will see the results on the outside. Life force is the very thing that makes you feel alive and energised and healthy – and the minute you start to practice you’ll feel the difference.
I really don’t have any prized possessions. I value living things,
and pretty much anything of monetary value I’ve sold to fund my business. I live just outside Frome. I love the fact I have access to nature and it’s beautiful and unspoiled. Frome is the most incredible town, I love the creativity and its proximity to Bath. I love the sophistication of this area, and the diversity. I can get my wellies on and go for a stomp – and then don my heels and dine at Babington House. One of my favourite places in Bath is the Roman Baths.
The power of bathing is something I am very invested in, there are a lot of parallels with Chinese bathing practices and rituals. n For more: www.hayoumethod.com / www.katiebrindle.com