Health

Yoga Focus

I believe in the Ayurvedic principle that we have inherent natural resources within ourselves to help bring us back to a natural state of health, wellbeing and happiness. Nature is our guide, we know that after night there is day, after rain there is sun and after winter there is Spring.  We need to trust the natural process of life, learn to accept the difficult times so we can grow and flourish on our life’s journey.

I originally qualified with the British Wheel of Yoga in 1998 and founded Yoga Focus shortly after. I have continued to train extensively in Britain and India, which includes traditional disciplines such as Tibetan Healing Yoga, the Bihar School of Yoga, Sivananda Yoga, Hatha Tantric Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, and Viniyoga.

In 1991 I began working as an Occupational Therapist in physical and mental health, successfully using yoga therapy as a valuable therapeutic intervention for rehabilitation programmes both within the NHS and private sector. The results from Yoga therapy soon received much respect from NHS team members such as of consultant psychiatrists, nurses, OT’s, Physiotherapists, clinical psychologists and many more.  I have worked in secure services of forensic psychiatry (Head OT for Discharge unit) , acute mental health, neurology, paediatrics, asylum seekers centre and social services. For several years,  I have worked as a Yoga Therapy consultant for an Occupational Health Department within the NHS supporting staff with health conditions due to burnout and trauma.
I spent my early adult life working and living in mountains in New Zealand, France and Scotland as a ski teacher and guide for blind and disabled people. I enjoy exploring my creative side in the form of music and dance.  I am a mum of three, now adult children and am dedicated to living a simple yet meaningful life.
February 26, 2021

Yoga Hatha Flow

Nicole has been teaching yoga for more than 15 years and practicing for more than 20.  Originally from Australia but brought up in South East Asia, she has had a  life-long fascination with Eastern philosophy and spirituality. As well as two separate 200 hour Yoga teacher trainings, she has also done two diplomas in Buddhist Philosophy and Thought with the Jamyang Centre in London.

Originally a specialist in pregnancy and postnatal yoga, Nicole then expanded her remit to teach a wide variety of Hatha and Dynamic Flow yoga classes. Her most recent 200 hour teacher training was completed with the Life Centre in London, where she passed with a distinction.
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Her yoga style is dynamic, playful and entirely unparsimonious. Each class is deliberately multi-layered and includes varied asana sequencing, attention to both alignment and breath, and is underpinned by yogic and Buddhist philosophy that has been interpreted for modern life.

March 16, 2021

Oxfordshire Residents thanked for COVID caution and encouraged to keep getting tested

People across Oxfordshire are being thanked for their continued willingness to abide by the national roadmap rules that have allowed a gradual easing of restrictions during March and early April.

This is reflected in the number of new cases in Oxfordshire, which although showing slight variations over the past fortnight, has now dropped to 33.1 per 100,000 of the population.

Alongside following the rules and the rollout of the vaccine, regular testing forms an essential part of the government’s roadmap plan. From 9 April, everyone in England will be able to access free, rapid lateral flow device (LFD) tests for themselves and their families to use twice a week. This paves the way for businesses and society reopening.

Ansaf Azhar, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director for Public Health, said: “We’ve reached a new stage of navigating our way out of lockdown by being cautious and careful to keep the virus under control. However, the rules are only as good as people abiding by them. In the large majority of cases, that has happened, and we thank people for their efforts.

“Schools are now open, people are able to meet outdoors and on 12 April non-essential retail, beer gardens and libraries are to open. That’s real progress which has been achieved by individuals, families and friends taking responsibility for their own actions. You only need to think back to December and January to understand how much effort we’ve put in to getting this far.

“We would ask everyone to continue to take great care and abide by the rules as they change. The virus is still circulating and still presents a danger. We’ve all seen what happens when the virus is given opportunities – we had the rise in cases last autumn followed by the even larger rises in the winter. With more and more people being vaccinated we are consolidating our position against the virus every day – but it is a gradual process, not an overnight event.

“Alongside following the rules and the rollout of the vaccine, regular testing is an essential part of the easing of restrictions as it will help us quickly suppress the spread of variants. I would encourage everyone to get tested on a regular basis, even if you’ve had the vaccine.”

One in three people with COVID-19 do not experience any symptoms and may be spreading the virus without knowing. Rapid testing detects cases quickly, meaning positive cases can isolate immediately and help stop the spread.

The expanded regular testing offer for people without symptoms will be delivered through:

  • Workplace testing programmes, on-site or at home
  • Secondary school and college testing on-site or through home test kits provided
  • Community testing at symptom-free sites
  • Collection of home test kits from any local testing site (symptom (PCR) sites and symptom-free sites)
  • A home ordering service, which allows people to order lateral flow tests online to be delivered to their home.

A new ‘pharmacy collect’ service is also launching, which will provide an additional route to regular testing. Testing through all these routes is free.

For further information about the options available, visit NHS.UK/get-tested.

If testing at home, individuals need to register their results online or by calling 119.

Anyone who tests positive will need to self-isolate immediately and book asecond PCR test. A self-isolation information pack is available to provide advice and support.

If you test negative, you must continue to follow social distancing guidelines, wear a mask in public and regularly wash your hands.

Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should book a test online or by calling 119.

What are the rule changes on 12 April?

  • More businesses will open, but indoor settings should be visited alone, or with household groups. Outside, six people or two households can meet.
  • All shops will be allowed to open
  • Hairdressers, beauty salons and other close-contact services can open
  • Restaurants and pubs will be allowed to serve food and alcohol to customers sitting outdoors
  • Gyms and spas can reopen, as can zoos, theme parks, libraries and community centres
  • Members of the same household can take a holiday in England in self-contained accommodation
  • Weddings attended by up to 15 people can take place
  • Funerals can be attended by up to 30 people.
  • Children will be able to attend any indoor children’s activity
  • Care home visitors will increase to two per resident.
April 12, 2021 in Community, Lifestyle

Charlbury Medical Centre – vaccinations at Carterton

The Practice is awaiting confirmation of delivery of vaccine for the planned clinics at Carterton in the next couple of weeks.  When they know the schedule they will try contacting you by phone twice, and if they do not get through, they will write to you. As you know, everyone will be contacted, so please do not phone in.
 
For the moment we understand the clinics will be as follows, but again, we are awaiting confirmation and will let you know as soon as possible:

  • Saturday 3rd April for over 85’s who had first immunisation on 16/1/21 , for second immunisation at Carterton Health Centre with Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine
  • Tuesday 6th April for over 80’s and remaining over 85’s who had first immunisation on 19/1/21, for second immunisation at Carterton Health Centre with Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.

    • You will need your vaccination card and a further form to be filled in, available from outside CMC or by printing it off.

    If you need help with transport to Carterton please contact ATIC as before.

    A plea to all patients to avoid phoning at 8 am unless you really need to have a consultation that day.

    Please phone at other times during the day for future appointments, medication issues or test results. This will avoid the situation on Monday when hard pressed staff had to deal with over 120 backed up calls when the system was down because of the power cuts, and the back up system also failed.

    Thank you for your understanding. 

March 25, 2021 in Community

Charlbury Medical Centre AZ Covid Clinics

Charlbury Medical Centre AZ Covid clinics, TUESDAY 9th and FRIDAY 12th February

If you are in the eligible category,  over 70 or extremely clinically vulnerable, you should have had a call to invite you to the two clinics arranged for this week.

If you haven’t yet heard from the CMC, (or booked a vaccination on line), as advised for the Secretary of State for Health, please contact the Practice and they will ensure you are included 

Please also note that some parking spaces will be reserved for patients attending the sports centre for their vaccinations and allow them to have priority for a couple of hours in the morning of these two dates. Thank you for your understanding.

February 9, 2021 in Community

Charlbury Medical Centre Patient Group News – Jan 2021

From: Sue Smith, Charlbury Medical Centre Patient Group.

First, I want to start by emphasising that the delivery of the Oxford Astra Zeneca vaccine has not yet been confirmed for next week.  Please continue to check the medical centre website, and Charlbury.info for news.  The medical centre has a great track record for vaccinating people speedily and efficiently.  Please help them by responding to their telephone calls and collecting your vaccination letter if there isn’t time to post it out.

Secondly, there has been a short discussion on the Charlbury town website about oximeters.  These devices measure heart rate and oxygen levels present in the blood. A drop in oxygen levels can be a key indicator into the severity of a Covid-19 infection. A person may not be aware of this, but the use of the oximeter will monitor oxygen levels and alert people to when they should act urgently. The article on BBC News gives more information: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55733527

Lastly, we attach our winter newsletter.

Charlbury Patient Group News January 2021

This time we write about:

  • The Rural West Primary Care Network: what is it?
  • New staff in the Rural West PCN
  • The work of the Falls Prevention Service, when to dial 999 following a fall
  • The NHS App: your own GP medical records one click away: how to access it and the information it provides
  • Booking an appointment at the medical practice. When is my GP on duty?

Please share this newsletter with anyone you think might be interested in it.  Please also share the information about the Falls Service with friends, neighbours and family who might benefit from the important service they provide.

January 23, 2021 in Community