Unity Physiotherapy & Wellbeing

01/04/2026

🌿 Breathing, Function & What We Might Be Missing

Today I attended a CPD meeting with the physio for breathing pattern disorders group. The planned talk was cancelled, so it became an open discussion which was really interesting.

I spent some time reflecting on a few of the themes while wandering in my garden this afternoon — always a helpful space for integration.

We explored how breathing pattern disorders (BPDs) are assessed. There’s currently no agreed gold standard.

One thing that stood out is the important of efficient, functional breathing at rest.

A bit of a bugbear of mine is breathwork being taught without considering someone’s underlying breathing pattern at rest. Things like nasal breathing, tongue position, carbon dioxide tolerance, and trauma history all matter — and can significantly influence how helpful (or not) breathwork is.

We also discussed some of the differences between training breathing for specific demands (e.g. swimming)
and supporting efficient, everyday breathing patterns outside of those contexts.

It was mentioned that BPDs are likely underestimated in the research — which aligns with my clinical experience.

Another important theme was the need for better integration between specialists and clearer, more accessible referral pathways. In my view, there are a number of overlapping challenges here:
* the lack of joined up care
* under recognition of BPDs and sleep disordered breathing (including obstructive sleep apnoea)
* limited funding impacting service pathways

I also shared that BPDs and sleep disordered breathing are common in people with ME/CFS, and I suspect they are often under recognised. There’s a need for more research in this area — particularly in ME/CFS, Long Covid, fibromyalgia, and in women more broadly. This could support earlier recognition, and improvements in care.

🌿 If you’d like to explore how your breathing may be supporting or hindering your health and wellbeing, there’s some information on my website (linked in comments), or you’re welcome welcome to get in touch to arrange a free discovery call.

31/03/2026

🌿 Values-aligned living in everyday moments and beyond

Spending some time in the garden this afternoon, I found myself reflecting on values — and how they quietly shape the way we live, work, and care for ourselves, others, and the planet (if that matters to us).

As I was tending to the garden, I chose to pull out some plants often labelled as “weeds,” while leaving others — including the dandelions.

I don’t really see things in the garden as weeds in the traditional sense. Often, they’re simply plants growing where they may not be helpful. Over time, I’ve come to appreciate how important dandelions are — for bees and other pollinators, for the wider ecosystem, and for us too. Leaving them to grow aligns with my values of caring for nature, part of which is supporting biodiversity.

So even within a small task, there was a sense of choice — not just what I was doing, but how I was doing it. Our values can guide how we approach things, and the way we move through the world.

Living with a long-term health condition adds another layer to this. There are always considerations around energy, capacity, and what matters most.

Choosing to spend time in the garden was, in itself, a values-aligned decision. And how I approached it — pacing, adjusting, and listening to my body — was part of that too, supporting my wellbeing.

Values-aligned living doesn’t necessarily look like doing more. Often, it’s about doing things differently — with awareness, care, and flexibility.

This is something I also explore in my work — whether supporting individuals living with chronic illness, or within workplaces. When we’re able to align what we do with what matters to us, and with our capacity, it can support a more sustainable and compassionate way of living and working.

Noticing how we can take values-based action, even in small ways, can help nurture a sense of meaning and purpose.

💭 I’m curious what values show up in the small, everyday choices you make — and how they shape the way you live and work.

🌿 If you’d like support in working and living in a more compassionate, values-aligned way you’re welcome to get in touch.

31/03/2026

I have some author copies arriving today, there are 6 available that aren’t already spoken for.

The book is discounted to £7.99 until the end of today, then it will be the full price of £8.99.

I’m not ordering any more author copies in the near future, so if you’d like a copy from me (which can be signed or unsigned) he in touch before they all sell.

The book is available on Amazon.

📗 A little book update

The author copies of Living Wholeness sold quickly, and a number of people would have liked a signed copy — so I’m ordering a small number of additional copies.

I’ve started to hear from some of those who received a copy, and it’s been really lovely to hear their reflections. Maggie Murray shared in her video about the book when she read a poem:

“Thank you Ann for these wonderful poems that are very connective, insightful, full of wisdom and gratefully received today.”

It’s currently £7.99 and will be £8.99 after 31st March.

There’s some information about the book linked in the comments.

If you’re in the UK and would like a signed copy — or prefer to order directly from me rather than Amazon — please get in touch. Unfortunately, I’m not able to post outside the UK due to postage costs.

29/03/2026

It’s wonderful that Living Wholeness was part of this nurturing event — such a beautiful way for it to be shared.

It published just over a week ago and my author copies sold quickly. I have some more arriving at the end of the week and I have a small number available that aren’t already spoken for. If you’re in the UK and would like a signed copy (or unsigned) from me get in touch. I won’t be ordering more author copies when these have sold, at least for some time. It’s also available on Amazon worldwide.

28/03/2026

🌿Springtime joy

Do you love springtime?

It’s one of my favourite times of year, along with autumn — for both similar and different reasons.

Watching new growth slowly gather energy brings such a sense of joy. I notice small changes each day.

The blue skies and gentle spring sunshine, when it appears, are always gratefully received ☀️

Listening to the birds, watching the bees, and noticing all the other life — butterflies, dragonflies, and ladybirds — feels quietly wonderful and brings much joy.

I love gardening, and while I can’t do as much as I might like, I can do much more than I could 3-4 years ago — something my garden was gently reflecting last year and more this year.

A relative recently made me a new vegetable bed, and this morning I planted thyme and chives that had been in pots, along with two rows of carrots. This afternoon I planted a row of radishes between the carrot rows. In a smaller existing bed, I’ve sown a few rows of peas, with more seeds to follow in both veg beds (and another veg bed to be made!).

I also tended to the bare-root plants I planted recently, now in the greenhouse and growing well. They don’t all need to be there, but it offers a little extra shelter.

The garden is one of my happy places, especially in spring. It’s somewhere that supports my nervous system — and a place where I can gently explore and expand my capacity too.

🌱 In caring for the garden, I’m gently reminded that this care isn’t separate — it’s something I’m part of too.

💭 There’s something about this time of year that invites both growth and gentleness. I’m curious how you relate to springtime, and what it might be inviting for you.

27/03/2026

📗 A little book update

The author copies of Living Wholeness sold quickly, and a number of people would have liked a signed copy — so I’m ordering a small number of additional copies.

I’ve started to hear from some of those who received a copy, and it’s been really lovely to hear their reflections. Maggie Murray shared in her video about the book when she read a poem:

“Thank you Ann for these wonderful poems that are very connective, insightful, full of wisdom and gratefully received today.”

It’s currently £7.99 and will be £8.99 after 31st March.

There’s some information about the book linked in the comments.

If you’re in the UK and would like a signed copy — or prefer to order directly from me rather than Amazon — please get in touch. Unfortunately, I’m not able to post outside the UK due to postage costs.

26/03/2026

Wonderful to see my book being enjoyed, thank you KOA for sharing 🙂 I knew Cori read poems in her workshops and at other events and it’s lovely that my book will be part of this, as well as being for herself too 💚

Maybe this poem resonates for you too.

Have you got of copy of my book? If you have I’d love to hear your thoughts.

25/03/2026

Maggie Murray asked me if she could read one of my poems, thank you for sharing the poem that resonated with you today and the accompanying haiku. It’s lovely to see and hear my book being enjoyed, thank you 😊🙏🏻

Perhaps this poem will resonate with you too today.

Have you got my book too, I’d love to hear what you think.

24/03/2026

📗 I’m thinking of ordering more copies of Living Wholeness

I’ve had a little interest from people who missed out on signed copies before, so I thought I’d check if there’s further interest in ordering signed or unsigned copies directly from me.

It’s been lovely hearing people’s initial reactions to their signed copies arriving, and I’m looking forward to hearing more as people have had time to sit with the book and slowly take in the words.

Link to the book on Amazon in the comments.

If you’re in the U.K. and this is of interest to you, please let me know.

Thank you for your support 💚

24/03/2026

🌿 The Compassionate Mind Foundation are celebrating 20 years.

They do such meaningful work in the field of compassion. Their team are deeply dedicated, and they embody compassion in the way they work, teach, and connect.

I’ve been following their work for at least eight years, and have been a member for a number of those. Over this time, I’ve attended several training and personal practice events, including three conferences since 2021, and a three-day online retreat in 2024.

I’m deeply grateful for the foundation, for all they offer, and for the support they’ve offered me and do for so many.

💚 Compassion, for me, is a way of being — something that becomes embodied through regular practice, and the practice is also in the way of being. This way of being is grounded in care, wisdom, and curiosity, with a heartfelt commitment to help alleviate suffering in myself and others.

If you’ve followed my work for a while, you’ll likely know that I’m deeply passionate about supporting a more compassionate and trauma-informed world.

💭 What does compassion mean to you?

20 Years of The Compassionate Mind Foundation

This year, we are incredibly proud to celebrate our 20th anniversary.

Over the last two decades, The Compassionate Mind Foundation has grown from a visionary idea into a global community.

To everyone who has been part of our story — supporters, collaborators, trainers, delegates, researchers, trustees, colleagues and friends — thank you. Whether you’ve been with us from the very beginning or joined more recently, we are deeply grateful.

Help us celebrate 20 years: As we look back on our journey and ahead to the future, we want to hear from you. How has compassion or CFT shaped your professional practice or personal growth?

We invite you to share:

🔹 A meaningful moment or memory from our training/conferences.

🔹 What compassion means to you in your specific field

🔹 Photos from the CMF archives!

📩 Share your story here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=j5ET5TS_1UWmLHhMmmrvJKX8wbw9XRJOiQKSNiOm7rZUNTc4UDAxMjJGSko0N1BNVTBWTVdXMkxTUy4u

23/03/2026

🌿 Taking small moments of self-care in the day can make a big difference

In a society that rarely stops, when work is busy and there’s an endless to-do list, it can be tempting to keep pushing through on autopilot.

Yet this generally doesn’t serve our wellbeing — or our productivity and effectiveness.

Small moments of slowing down, pausing, and meeting our needs can support regulation, focus, and cognitive function.

Today, after lunch, instead of going straight back to finish my notes, I sat outside. I felt the sun on my face and the gentle breeze, listened to a robin singing (in a neighbour’s Indian bean tree) and other sounds, and spent a few minutes in meditation outside.

Before my next appointment, I had intended to take a break, as I had shortened my lunch to get my notes done before the afternoons appointment. As I paused, I noticed what was needed — some gentle movement, as I had some neck pain and a headache. So, I did some gentle laying down yoga 5- 10 minutes.

The intention wasn’t to get rid of either, but to nurture and bring a sense of ease. A bonus — the neck pain eased, and the headache softened into the background, almost gone by the end of the day.

In my working day, there is usually some breathwork, movement, time outside, and moments of stillness sprinkled in. These are all supportive for me, as well as other things including: enough hydration, eating well and self-compassion.

💭 I’m curious what has supported you during your working day today and what generally does?

22/03/2026

🌿 Joyous moments

Today, a robin flew so close to me I thought it might land on the arm of the bench I was sitting on — instead, it settled on the nearby compost bin.

Seeing robins always brings me a sense of joy. This one, so close, felt particularly special — especially as it had visited my relative nearby just a few days before.

It is part of a pair, and they look to be building a nest in the garden. It felt extra special too with it being on the weekend that my poetry book Living Wholeness was published.

I’ve always felt a special connection to robins. They remind me of my Grandad, who over many years of gardening, had many robin friends and took great care of them — and of all the birds.

✨ Moments like this can feel like gentle glimmers — small experiences that may support nervous system regulation and a quiet sense of groundless and connectedness.

🌿 What have been moments of joy for you today? Wha glimmers have you noticed?