A prescription for wellness at Escape & Enchantment

Put your own oxygen mask on first, the cabin crew always say. It’s the same with life too. If we don’t look after ourselves, we won’t be any good to anyone else. Yet how often do we take time out for ourselves, especially in the form of a relaxing massage or a healing reflexology treatment? I was keen to follow the above safety instruction and met up with the brilliant Katie Tidy for a chat and an amazing combination of treatments at her Escape and Enchantment holistic beauty practice. And being the generous soul that she is, Katie is offering a fab 20% discount off her treatments to help you get on your way to a happier, more relaxed you.

Hello Katie, can you please tell us a little bit about yourself
Of course. 😊 I’m a mummy to my two beautiful girls Tiffany and Gabriella. Married to Alan, we also have two lovely dogs Blue and Oreo, both Salukis, to keep us on our toes! My mum Angie and stepdad Dave, both live in Grove where I did most of my growing up. I’m one of four girls and have two stepsisters and a stepbrother. So I’m an auntie to many nieces and nephews! I also have loads of relatives in the United States as that’s where my dad Michael came from — sadly he is no longer with us.
I trained as a beauty and holistic therapist, make-up artist and Tropic ambassador and had several jobs in the beauty industry. However, I left the business for a while when Alan and I settled into our new home in Stanford in the Vale. It’s here where I really became part of this welcoming village community. Alan and I got married at St Deny’s, the lovely church here and our children attend the local school. It’s a place I’m happy to call home. A place where I’ve made wonderful friends.
Can you tell us a bit about Escape & Enchantment? Also, why is it so important for us to take time out to treat ourselves with holistic body treatments?
I guess I used to job hop a lot. If I wasn’t happy in a job I would rather keep searching for a place that made me happy. It’s always been about helping people for me. I love making people feel special. So while I worked in a bank, factories, cosmetic counters, spas, hotels, supermarkets, did admin for various companies and was a civil servant, my real passion has always been beauty and holistic therapy.

Shortly after the birth of my second daughter Gabriella in 2011, my dad passed away. I was devastated. Even though he lived in the States, we were very close. Alan and I would visit New Jersey often to see him and we’d chat on the phone nearly every week. At the time though I was living with depression, but it was his passing that made me realise that life was too short. It was then that I decided I needed to embrace life and do things that help me feel good …not tomorrow, right now.
In June 2012 Escape and Enchantment was born! I was completely ready to take the plunge and become self-employed. It was a huge step but with a very supportive husband, I was soon able to quit my night time shift at the local shop and become a therapist again but this time working for myself. My practice is now five years old and I LOVE every minute of it.

Which is your favourite holistic treatment to give and get, and why?
Ooh, that’s a tricky one as I have so many but one of my favourites is reflexology. And testament to this is that I go for regular treatments myself. Reflexology was my priority when I did further training at the COMO Centre in Grove and a core focus for my business.
What’s great about reflexology is that it’s suitable for people of all ages. Benefits include helping alleviate migraines, IBS symptoms, allergies and stomach disorders. It also helps lower blood pressure, assists with a variety of aches and pains, and has been known to help with fertility. Plus it’s so relaxing!
I tried out your Hopi Ear Candle treatment and found it very relaxing. I’d heard of it before but didn’t know much about it. Could you tell us a bit about this treatment and why people choose it?
Hopi Ear Candles can benefit conditions affecting the ear, nose, throat and chest areas such as sinus congestion, balance, glue ear and Tinnitus. The candle themselves are hand-made hollow tubes moulded from natural linen fabric impregnated with honey and powdered Indian medicinal herbs including Sage, St Johns Wort and Chamomile.

Once placed gently in the ear, one end is lit. It then creates a vacuum effect releasing blockages and stagnant energy from the eustachian tube which connects the middle ear cavity with the nasopharynx. It aerates the middle ear system and clears mucus from the middle ear into the nasopharynx and helps to bring balance back to the system. Clients often describe a soothing, light sensation in the ear and head area, and a general calming effect.
We’re trying to encourage ladies to take time for some self-care. Do you have any simple advice for us on how we might incorporate some self-care into our (very busy) days?
As a busy mum myself, I know how stressful and manic life can be. But fitting in some ‘you’ time is allowed and you should not be made to feel guilty for taking it! A nice relaxing bath or going to the movies and catching up with friends is so good for us. If possible, take time for yourself to meditate or do pilates, yoga or visit the gym. And, of course, do treat yourself to a relaxing holistic treatment. Often, we don’t realise just how much we needed that treat to feel like ourselves again.

Holistic beauty treatments aren’t the only thing you offer, please tell us more about your other services.
I offer a full range of beauty and holistic treatments. I’m also a professional face painter, make-up artist & a Tropic Ambassador.
What helps you feel more grounded?
To make sure I get my ‘me’ time, I go to college to study art every week. I love to paint and draw — it really relaxes me. I also swap treatments with fellow therapist friends of mine.

I meditate daily, do pilates and yoga and go to the gym weekly. I swim on occasion too.
If I don’t have time for these activities, I walk my dogs every day anyway which helps keep me grounded simply by being out in nature. Of course, sometimes the weeks get busy and I forget about me like many people, so it’s about trying to get the balance right.
A gift from Escape and Enchantment
To get you on the road to looking after yourself, Katie is offering readers a fab 20% off her treatments for a limited period. Simply Like the Mindful in the Vale Facebook page and comment with “More me-time” on the Facebook post to receive your discount — http://bit.ly/2u9MYCZ

All that can be said, is I left walking on air and found out exactly why people love Katie’s Escape and Enchantment so much.
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2vO6LJB
Website: www.escapeandenchantment.com

🌻 😊 🌻
