Mai Holistic Solas

15/04/2026

Tsuboki Japanese Facial massage workshop!

09/04/2026

A very special day ❤️
Such a privilege to give something back to the hospice staff who give so much every day.
And what an amazing group of therapists to work alongside.

Staff and carers at Ayrshire Hospice were given the opportunity to pause, rest and recharge at a special wellbeing event delivered in partnership with Ayrshire College.

The ‘Time for You’ event created a calm and supportive space for those who dedicate so much to caring for others.

Delivered by students from the College’s Holistic Practitioner (Level 7) course, the event offered a range of therapeutic treatments designed to reduce stress, promote wellbeing, and recognise the invaluable work of hospice teams.

06/04/2026

Absolutely loved being part of this holistic event with Ayrshire Hospice 🤩😍

A group of us holistic practitioners put on a full day of free treatments for the staff at the hospice, offering back massage and reflexology.

Many had never had a treatment before, but every single one of them walked away having felt the benefit of it.

So much so, they’ve asked us to come back every week! 😂

30/03/2026

I want to share something that might help you understand what is happening in your body during perimenopause…

There is a part of your brain called the hypothalamus.

It’s small, but it plays a big role.

Its job is to keep your body in balance.
It regulates temperature, sleep, hormones and your stress response.

Think of it like a ship’s captain.

When the sea is calm, it’s easy to keep everything steady.

But perimenopause isn’t calm waters.

It’s rough seas one day
And then no wind the next

Your hormones are shifting, rising and falling without warning.

And your captain is trying to keep the body stable.

But it can’t control the sea.

So it ends up constantly reacting.

And that’s often what you feel.

Hot flushes
Broken sleep
Feeling on edge
Exhausted but still wired

It’s not random.
It’s your body trying to regulate itself.

This is why how I work matters.

Before any treatment, I take time to understand how your body is presenting.

Because no two women experience this the same way.

From that, I choose what will help your system settle.

For example, reflexology.

By applying steady pressure to the feet, I stimulate nerve endings that send signals to the brain, helping shift the body out of a constant stress response.

When the system settles, the signals going to the hypothalamus become more stable.

And that gives your “captain” a better chance of keeping things balanced.

Sometimes that’s reflexology
Sometimes massage
Sometimes Reiki

Often, it’s a combination.

Because your body isn’t the same every day.

So if things feel all over the place right now…

It’s not you.

Your body is adapting. It just needs the right support ❤️

28/03/2026

I saw a post the other day and it has really stayed with me.

A woman shared that she had spent a lovely day with friends. Lots of chatting, lots of food, lots of connection. She described it as relaxing.

But the next day she felt completely exhausted and could not understand why.

It got me thinking…

Is it possible that wasn’t actually relaxation?😳

Because for the majority of us, we believe it is.

But for the body… could it be something very different?

Socialising can still mean being “on”. Processing conversations. Taking in noise, energy and being tuned to our environment. Being aware of how we come across. Responding, engaging, holding space.
That is not rest. That is activity.
Even if you enjoyed every second of it.

And here is the bit that made me stop in my tracks…

The body doesn’t measure relaxation the same way the mind does.

“What!? Run that past me again!”

The body doesn’t measure relaxation the same way the mind does.

“No… how is that even possible?😳 Surely it is the mind that is in control?”

The mind is based on thoughts, meaning and perception.

The body is based on signals, stimulation and response.

So the mind can say,
“that was lovely, I feel relaxed”

While the body is saying,
“that was a lot to process, I am still switched on”

Wait for it because this is the kicker….
The body and the mind measure relaxation differently! 😲

“What? Why?”

Because the mind and the body are doing two completely different jobs.

The mind interprets. It makes meaning of experiences.

Whereas the body is constantly taking in what is happening while responding in real time.

Reaching for your drink. Turning in your chair. Listening, reacting, adjusting. Taking in sound, movement, energy, conversation.

This is why the two can feel so out of sync.

And that is why this matters.
Because if we believe relaxation is just how we feel mentally…
We can completely miss what the body actually needs.

Now add in perimenopause and menopause…😳
Ah, but that is for another post!

So Back to my original question…
What does true relaxation actually look like?

Now you are starting to realise…

The body needs something very different to the mind when it comes to rest

When you start to realise this…
Things start to make sense!

26/03/2026

Who decided that this stage of a woman’s life needed to be “fixed” with a ‘pill’?
And who ‘on this glorious green earth’ decided that women going through perimenopause and menopause needed fixing!

“I am doing everything I am supposed to do. And I still don’t feel like me.”

So it makes me wonder… Are we actually helping our bodies? Or are we hindering them?

Somewhere along the way, we found ourselves being told that perimenopause and menopause meant there is something ‘wrong with us’.
That our bodies were starting to fail… to decay.
And that our hormones were the evil culprits! 👿

So we try to manage them
Override them

But what if our bodies aren’t breaking down…
What if they are simply trying to re-align themselves?

Like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly.

So, is it possible a ‘pill’ isn’t the solution?
Could it be that there are alternative solutions? 🤔

What if we are being made to believe we are the problem…
That our bodies are failing… and that we are failing.

Are we being taught to stop really listening to ourselves…
Because it doesn’t fit the narrative?

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results.”

23/03/2026

So this is a wee peek inside my therapy room….
I just want it to feel calm when you walk in.
Nothing too clinical, nothing over the top…
just something real and easy to be in.

What do you think? 🤔

20/03/2026

I have been keen to plant more herbs in my garden and am determined to do just that this year.
Then I walk into the shop, B&M to discover they have herb plants on offer! Perfect!

Bought Sage, Thyme, Rosemary & Oregano.

Then found myself with a sore throat this morning, just as I saw a post on Facebook saying what amazing benefits Sage & Thyme have for sore throats.
Obviously was meant to be. 😂

So out came the teapot:
4 crushed leaves of Sage
2 sprigs of Thyme
With hot water (not boiling as it destroys the herbs essence)
Steep for 10min
Then pour into a teacup, add some lemon juice and honey
The perfect cup of herbal tea to soothe a sore throat.

And here are a few facts about this herbal tea:
• Sage helps to soothes inflammation
• Thyme fights bacteria
• Honey coats the throat
• Lemon cuts through mucus & delivers Vit C

28/02/2026

I am over the moon about receiving my Reiki Practitioner certificate, from Jikiden Reiki Association in Japan.
I was so excited to get it framed and Waverley Gallery certainly didn’t disappoint.
A massive Thank You to Jaclyn 🙏😍 for adding that little extra and making the certificate just that wee bit more special🤩

14/01/2026

I am really exciting to announce that I am now a qualified Jikiden Reiki Practitioner ✨

A little different to the western Reiki many you know. Jikiden Reiki can trace it roots directly back to it’s original Japanese roots.

I am so looking forward to sharing Jikiden Reiki with you and being part of your healing journey.

Drop me a note and let know how I can help you. 💫

03/01/2026

It ain’t easy coping with maturing skin. What once seemed to work, doesn’t anymore!
Wrinkles feel deeper, puffiness lingers and your face won’t bounce back the way it used to.
And when you go looking for help everything is about injectables or micro needling or chemical peels!

But this just don’t sit right with you.

I feel your hesitation!
They don’t for me as a therapist, either.

Women have been caring for their skin for centuries and many cultures have developed beautiful skincare regimes that respect the health of their skin - Ageing Wellness Skincare.

With specialised facial massage techniques, improving facial circulation and using hydrating products, I help your skin to age well, feel firmer and look healthier without going to extremes.

I don’t offer quick fixes. What I offer is ongoing support for your skin, working with its natural changes - fine lines often soften, tone improves and puffiness reduces.

29/12/2025

Have you heard of the Aging Wellness in Skincare?

In countries like Japan and Korea, the focus is shifting away from Botox-led aesthetics and towards aging kindly. Instead of freezing or fixing the face, the aim is to support the health of the skin as it naturally changes.

Facial massage plays a big role in promoting the health of their skin, as part of their skincare regime. Massage improves circulation, lymphatic flow, muscle relaxation and calming the nervous system.

Beauty isn’t just skin deep!

I love how Japan and Korea recognise the need to be more respectful towards the health of their skin.

Have you ever wondered if your skin’s appearance reflect your lifestyle?
If life feels stressed, it’s hardly surprising if our skin looks stressed too. 🤔