About
由小時候學芭蕾舞,到長大在餐廳工作,身體累積了不少勞損。加上容易過度思考的習慣,肌肉長期繃緊僵硬。記起看雜誌認識了香薰學校香健會,校長和老師感覺善良又用心。查看之下,發現那裡有教授按摩的短期課程,想着要學習舒緩自己的身心狀態,就報讀了。怎料最終人數不足未能開班,那一剎卻不知為何生起一個念頭:「既然係咁,咁不如直頭考個香薰治療師牌啦。」回想起來,確實是個重大的人生決定。
2022年中,工作的餐廳迎來圓滿結束。那是個自由的暑天,也是香薰治療實習季節。基於對人體自我療癒能力的好奇,同時報考了瑜伽導師課程,以更深入了當中哲學,又豐富香薰治療這門整全自然療法的學習。
秋天來到,順流而去,我在居住的小島上,將家中客廳部分,變成香薰治療工作室,正式開展香薰治療服務。小小老房子背靠山,前方有一棵大樹,然後就是海。這個讓人感覺愜意安逸的居所,像是被祝福的小空間,穩住我的心和神。我不時會想,如果能夠將這份如此美好的感覺分享出去,那該多好。香薰治療成全了我的願望。
透過植物香氣的引導,讓客人發現自己身心狀態潛藏的部分;透過雙手的力量和溫度,將客人身體繃緊的部份慢慢推鬆、揉鬆;感覺客人內心被聆聽後的如釋重負;看見客人的臉龐放鬆、酣睡如回歸孩童時期...... 一股踏踏實實閃亮而溫暖的滿足感會在心上油然而生。
香薰治療作為整全療法,其中一個高舉的價值是,每個人的生活歷史以及當下狀態都不同,因此每個人在當下的需要都是獨特的。香薰治療始於諮詢,用以先了解客人的身心狀態,例如有否敏感、痛症及情緒狀況等,再與客人一同選擇對應身心需要的精油,作整全而個人的治療配方。
謝謝香薰治療;精油這一門植物語言,聯同人體解剖生理學,引領我一層一層直面自己的身心需要,予我能力創造更適合自己、更親近大自然的生活模式和節奏。又提醒我,保持開放和韌性,觀察和擁抱皮膚以內和以外的。
謝謝香薰治療,兩年下來,讓我認識了很多珍愛自己身心的客人。跟你們的真摯交流是我最大的收穫。服務開展之初,曾經寫到:「我希望透過香薰治療,跟有緣因此遇到的人互相影響,一同更了解自己身體、更喜歡自己身體、和身體更友好、更會閱讀自己身體發出的信息、找到更多更適合自己的呵護身心方法,reclaim我們的自癒能力,相信身體和自然。你好我好大家好!」因為你們,我的願望又實現了。
2024年初夏,帶住坪洲和你們的祝福,我到了英國,願望體驗新的生活,擴闊固有視野,創造更好的自己。來到這片香薰治療歷史深厚的國土,期待可以親身接近大自然更多,更深入體會植物的療癒能量,同時透過香薰治療與大家保持連結,繼續同步走在心身自然為一的路上。
思葦 Si Wai, Tiffany 初秋 二零二四年 英國
From learning ballet as a child to working in restaurants, my body accumulated some level of wear and tear. Coupled with my habit of overthinking, my muscles became tense and stiff. I remembered reading about the aromatherapy school JGO in a magazine, and the principal and teachers seemed kind and dedicated. I then discovered they offered short massage courses. Wanting to learn how to relax my body and mind, I signed up. However, due to insufficient enrollment, the course couldn't proceed. At that moment, for some reason, a thought occurred to me: "Why not go all the way and get an aromatherapist license?" Looking back, it was indeed a major life decision.
In mid-2022, the restaurant I worked at came to a happy closure. It came a carefree summer, and also the season for my aromatherapy practices. Out of curiosity about the body's self-healing abilities, I also enrolled in a yoga teacher-training course to gain a deeper understanding of its philosophy and to enrich my learning in aromatherapy as a holistic natural therapy.
As autumn arrived, I went with the flow by converting part of the living room in my home on the small island where I live into an aromatherapy studio, officially starting my aromatherapy practice. In front of this little old flat is a large tree and a gentle sea. This cozy and peaceful space feels like a blessed sanctuary, always grounding my heart and spirit. I often think, how wonderful it would be if I could share this magical feeling with others. Aromatherapy fulfilled this wish for me.
Through the scent of plants, clients discover hidden aspects of their physical and mental state; through the power and warmth of massaging hands, the tension within clients’ bodies are slowly eased. When I feel their relief after being heard, and when I see their faces relax, sleeping soundly like they've returned to childhood, a genuine, warm, and fulfilling sense of satisfaction rises from within.
Aromatherapy, as a holistic therapy, upholds the value that each person’s life history and current state are different, and thus, their needs at the present moment are unique. Aromatherapy begins with a consultation to understand the client's physical and mental status, such as allergies, pain, and emotional issues. Together with the client, essential oils are selected to create a holistic and personalized treatment formula that aids a vibrant and smooth connection among the body, heart, mind and the soul.
Thank you, aromatherapy. This plant language, along with human anatomy and physiology knowledge, has led me to face, layer by layer, my own physical and emotional needs, giving me the ability to create a lifestyle and rhythm more suited to myself and closer to nature. It also reminds me to stay open and resilient, observing and embracing both what lies inside and outside of me.
Thank you, aromatherapy. Over the past two years, I’ve met many clients who cherish their physical and mental well-being. The sincere exchanges I’ve had with them have been my greatest reward. At the
beginning of my practice, I once wrote: "Through aromatherapy, I hope to have genuine connection with those I encounter, so that we may influence each other, together learning to read the messages our bodies send us, becoming friendlier with our bodies, growing to like and love ourselves more, and finding more ways that suits us to nurture our bodies, hearts, minds and souls. Let’s reclaim our self-healing abilities and trust in our bodies and nature." Because of my clients, my wish has come true again.
In early summer 2024, carrying the blessings of Peng Chau and of you all, I moved from Hong Kong to the UK, in hope of experiencing a new phase of life, broadening my horizons, and creating a better version of myself. Coming to this land with a rich history in aromatherapy, I look forward to being closer to nature and deeply experiencing the healing power of plants. At the same time, I hope to stay connected with you all through aromatherapy, continuing together on the path where body and mind unite with nature.
思葦 Si Wai, Tiffany Early Autumn, 2024 UK
Qualifications
Certified Aromatherapist (MIFA) - International Federation of Aromatherapists
Registered Yoga Teacher 200 Hours - Yoga Alliance