Alison Mather Mar, ITEC, Dip. Nutrition
Alison qualified in massage therapy in 1985. She has a special interest in treating neck and back problems by working with muscle imbalances. Massage can offer pain relief caused by muscle tension, imbalance and injury. Benefits are: increased joint mobility, relief from muscle tightness, increased flexibility, pain relief and relaxation.

Alison qualified in Reflexology in 1993. Since qualifying she regularly attends further training courses that have included treating childhood asthma, pregnancy, stroke, head injuries and helping emotional issues. She is a member of the Association of Reflexologists. These are some of the conditions that Reflexology can be helpful for: migraine, hormonal imbalances, digestive problems, sinusitis, asthma, insomnia, stress, pain relief, muscular and joint pain. Alison qualified in nutrition in 2003 and has a special interest in treating food intolerances. Food intolerances are identified by using the York test. York test has been established since 1982 and is the only test for food intolerances that is endorsed by Allergy UK. Alison has worked at The Ampthill and Flitwick Physiotherapy Clinic for nine years and has treated a wide range of conditions through massage, reflexology or nutrition.

Esther Marchant, BA, RsHom, Registered Homeopath and NLP Coach
Esther qualified as a homeopath in 2005 from the Purton House School of Homeopathy and is a member of the Society of Homeopaths. More recently she has trained with Fields of Learning, a respected provider of training in NLP to local unitary authorities around the country, using the fundamental NLP standards of INLPTA. As a homeopath her practice focuses on skin conditions (particularly in children), women’s issues (pregnancy problems, menopause, PMT etc), chronic complaints such as arthritis and emotional problems. As an NLP Coach she uses NLP techniques to help change unhelpful patterns of thought and behaviour. New patterns can be developed which are positive, constructive, yet meaningful to the individual. This can be very effective in dealing with problems in one’s personal or business life. Esther is also able to weave these two skills together. So if, for example, you are aware that your hayfever is much worse when you are stressed at work, she can prescribe a remedy to help relieve the symptoms of the hayfever, and at the same time, coach you in coping with the work stresses more effectively. For more information please visit her web site www.esthermarchant.co.uk

Maggie Haworth is a Western Medical Herbalist Emotional Therapist and Healer. Her medical training is similar to that of a GP, although her practice is informed by tradition as well as science and aims to be holistic in its approach. It is her belief that while it is important to treat the physical symptoms of an illness, long term health comes only from working through any emotional and spiritual imbalance that may be affecting the way our immune and endocrine systems are functioning.

Maggie is a member of the following organisations

• FET - The Foundation for Emotional Therapy
• NIMH - The National Institute of Medical Herbalists
• NFSH - The National Federation of Spiritual Healers
• BCMA - The British Complementary Medicine Association

As a Herbalist she believes that when we use plant medicines to maintain our health or to treat illness, we are not only consuming a mixture of chemical constituents, we are also receiving the vitality of the plant; an energy, which keeps us well in the same way as the food we eat. There is good evidence to show that a plant based medicine is very balanced in the effect it has on our body, and this balanced mode of action means that it is very unusual to experience any side effects. Rather than targeting just the symptoms, herbal medicine aims to bring all parts of the body (emotions and spirit) back to healthy functioning. In the majority of cases this is enough to resolve any physical discomfort. Herbalists will routinely treat a variety of conditions including PMS, menopause, PCOS, reflux, peptic ulcer, IBS, high blood pressure, angina, migraine, eczema, psoriasis, asthma and hayfever.

Emotional Therapy (ET) is a means of helping people who are experiencing any sort of emotional discomfort. This could manifest as depression, anxiety, panic attacks, addiction or just being tearful a lot of the time and unable to cope with life. Its aim is to bring clients to a wholeness of mind, body and spirit. Using a combination of techniques including journal work, an Emotional Therapist will firstly help you to make the connections with why you are feeling like you are, but the process, which is very supportive and gentle, rather than using the mind to analyse things, seeks to promote healing of the original emotional wounds by working through the feelings. If you’re thinking about taking up Counselling, you may like to consider Emotional Therapy Consultations last for an hour and cost £30. In addition, the charge for herbal medicine is in line with NHS prescription prices. Herbal consultations include a full medical case history, blood pressure check and physical examination where necessary. Appointments are at 2 weekly intervals. Emotional Therapy clients are initially seen on a weekly basis and in most cases it is recommended that a minimum of 6 sessions will be required. For further information or to book an appointment please call 01525 405254

Mir Abbas Ali (LicAc, MBAcC) studied Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture for 3 years at the London College of Traditional Acupuncture, where he gained his licence to practice and eligibility to join The British Acupuncture Council. After finishing his initial studies in London, Mir travelled to Hangzhou in China, where he was able to observe and treat a variety of illnesses and diseases including; Bell's Palsy, Stroke, Male Sub-Fertility and Painful Musculoskeletal conditions.

On returning to London, Mir practiced at clinics in London for one year before moving to Ampthill in Bedfordshire. Since moving he has been able to treat a large number of conditions. Below is a small sample of the conditions that he has treated using Acupuncture:

• IVF/ICSI support
• Infertility
• Sub fertility
• Painful periods
• Amenorrhoea (the absence of a menstrual cycle)
• PMT
• PCOS
• Endometriosis
• Menopausal symptoms & issues during pregnancy

• Infertility
• Sub fertility & Erectile Dysfunction

• Back pain
• Sciatica
• Frozen Shoulder
• Tennis/Golfer's Elbow
• Knee pain
• Chronic pain management and sports injuries

• Insomnia
• Anxiety/Panic attacks & Depression

• Loss of appetite
• Anxiety
• Sleeping difficulties
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhoea/Constipation & Low energy

Mir also uses Tui Na/Chinese Massage as a stand alone treatment or in combination with Acupuncture. Tui Na is used throughout the whole of China and in Asia. Hospitals in China which use traditional Chinese Medicine will usually include three departments; Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine and Tui Na. There are no Physiotherapy units in China, instead there are Tui Na departments, where soft tissue massage, exercise/rehab advice and manipulations/mobilisations are given by the Tui Na Doctors. Mir does not use mobilisations or manipulations . Tui Na is useful for the following: sports Injuries, back pain, hip pain, shoulder pain, old injuries, shoulder and neck tension. Mir also has an interest in Martial arts, which he has been practicing for over 25 years. It was his interest in the martial arts that led him to a career in health and medicine. Mir still practices and teaches martial arts and Qi Gong.

Why Pilates?
Pilates exercises are based on a regime of stretching, strengthening and body awareness. This can help to control posture, improve trunk stability and prevent joint injury. Modified pilates exercises are adapted from the 'traditional' form to retain the benefits but remove potential strain, making them suitable for a wide range of ages and fitness levels.

Is Pilates for me?
Modified pilates has exercises to suit almost everyone, whatever their age, flexibility or previous fitness regime. There are exercises adapted for those with back or neck pain, shoulder problems or hip and knee problems. Some exercises are suitable for ante-natal and post-natal exercising. If you don’t have pain that’s great… pilates can help keep you pain free, improving your strength, aiding relaxation and giving you a gentle full-body workout.

How will I be taught?
Most clients benefit from an individual session to assess posture and stability and discuss any concerns or problems. From this session a tailored home programme can be devised for practice prior to, or instead of, a class. Ideally classes are small to allow practice and modifications at your own pace. They usually include breathing exercises, some relaxation and a range of exercises for stretching and strengthening.

What if I’ve tried Pilates classes before?
If you’ve previously enjoyed classes but are 'out-of-practice', small classes or individual sessions can help ease you back to your previous level. This is especially important if you have sustained an injury and need a graded programme to return to fitness. If you’ve tried a pilates class and didn’t think it suited you, why not try individual approach ­ take advantage of one-to-one tuition and support and learn the exercises at home at your own pace. Many people find a class environment difficult it they haven’t had time to master the basics.