Laura Shipp ND - Mind Body Gut Co

25/09/2026

I’m delighted to be in the October issue of Somerset Life Magazine sharing my approach to women’s health and menopause support.

Hormonal change can affect so much more than periods and hot flushes. Sleep, mood, digestion, energy, metabolism, confidence and emotional wellbeing can all be part of the picture.

I bring together Naturopathy, Nutrition, Kinesiology and mind–body techniques to support women through perimenopause, menopause and beyond, looking at the whole person rather than simply focusing on individual symptoms.

I also highlight the Optimal Menopause Practitioner Programme, which I created to help practitioners develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to support women through menopause naturally and holistically.

Thank you Suzy Ellis Photography for the picture!

24/09/2026

One of the techniques that students often find most fascinating when they begin learning Naturopathic Kinesiology is the use of Meridian Energy Interchange (MEI) points.

MEIs are specific points located along the meridian system that are used to help assess and balance energy flow. Depending on what muscle response testing reveals, different MEI points may be used to either support (tonify) or reduce (sedate) energy within a meridian, with the aim of encouraging a more balanced energetic state.

What I love about MEIs is how they demonstrate that even small, gentle interventions can sometimes create noticeable changes in muscle function. They remind us that the body is an incredibly intelligent, interconnected system, constantly communicating through its muscles, nervous system, and energetic pathways.

In Naturopathic Kinesiology, MEIs are never used in isolation. They form part of a holistic approach that also considers nutrition, stress, lifestyle, emotional wellbeing, neurolymphatic, and neurovascular reflexes, and other balancing techniques to help identify where the body may need support.

Learning to locate and use MEI points accurately is an invaluable skill for anyone interested in muscle response testing. Whether you’re a naturopath, nutritional therapist, bodyworker, complementary therapist, or simply curious about how the body works, they’re a fascinating addition to your toolkit.

If you’d like to learn how to confidently perform muscle response testing and explore Meridian Energy Interchange points alongside neurolymphatics, neurovasculars, meridian balancing and other core Naturopathic Kinesiology techniques, Essentials of Muscle Response Testing starts on 5 October.

Please get in touch for more details, it is still not too late to sign up!

23/09/2026

A slightly late post from me this glorious Mabon morning, as I was out walking before sunrise to mark the start of astronomical Autumn.

There was something rather magical about welcoming the new season as the world slowly woke around me.

Today marks Mabon and the Autumn Equinox - that beautiful turning point when day and night are in balance before the darker half of the year begins to take hold.

Mabon is a wonderful opportunity to pause and acknowledge the changing season and the natural shift from the outward energy of Summer towards a slower, more reflective time of year.

It is a time of balance, gratitude and harvest, inviting us to reflect on what we have grown, created and experienced over the past few months.

What has grown for you this year? What are you grateful for? And what are you ready to release as we move into Autumn?

Nature reminds us that there is a time for growth, a time for abundance and a time to let go. We don’t need to carry everything forward into the next season.

Mabon offers us a chance to take stock, celebrate what has been harvested and consciously choose what we want to carry with us as we move into the darker half of the year.

Happy Mabon! May this season bring you balance, gratitude, grounding and a little more space to slow down, reflect and reconnect with yourself.

What are you ready to let go of this Mabon?

22/09/2026

Feeling more bloated, windy, constipated, anxious, scattered or cold lately?

It could be your Vata feeling a little out of balance.

Vata is made up of Air and Space, and in Tibetan Medicine it’s a bit like Ronseal… it’s simply called Wind!

And there’s certainly been plenty of that around here lately. I even had to rescue my washing after it blew off the line last week!

Vata governs movement, the nervous system and digestion, and Autumn’s cooler, drier, changeable weather can be particularly Vata-provoking.

So if you’re feeling a bit all over the place, think warm, grounding and nourishing.

Warm cooked food, regular meals, warming spices, plenty of rest and routine, and less cold and dry food.

Sometimes working with the season is simply about bringing in a little more of what we need.

21/09/2026

As the light begins to wane and leaves gently fall to the earth, Autumn invites us into a season of reflection, release and transformation.

Nature shows us that letting go is not an ending, but an essential part of the cycle of renewal. Trees do not hold on to leaves that are no longer needed; they release them gracefully, conserving energy and preparing for the quieter months ahead.

Autumn offers us a beautiful opportunity to pause and ask ourselves: what are we ready to let go of? What no longer supports our wellbeing? What can we release to create space for something new?

Across ancient traditions including Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, lunar wisdom and the Celtic Wheel of the Year, Autumn is recognised as a powerful time of transition. It encourages us to slow our pace, nourish ourselves more deeply and turn our attention inwards.

When we align with the rhythm of the season, we can use this time to support not only our physical health, but also our emotional and energetic wellbeing.

In my latest blog, I explore the wisdom of Autumn through these ancient traditions and how we can work with this season of change to nurture ourselves and embrace the natural cycles of life.

I’ll pop the link to the full blog in the comments👇

What does Autumn invite you to let go of this year?

19/09/2026

With Mabon and the Autumn Equinox arriving on Wednesday, it feels like the perfect time to start bringing a little more Autumn onto our plates.

Think warming, earthy, colourful and nourishing, with food that reflects the abundance of the season.

Roasted squash, pumpkin, carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes and beetroot are all perfect for this time of year. Add rosemary, thyme, olive oil and a scattering of fresh herbs and you have a wonderfully simple Autumn feast.

I love the idea of a roasted squash filled with quinoa or farro, mushrooms, toasted nuts, seasonal greens and herbs, or a hearty barley stew packed with carrots, potatoes, leeks and mushrooms.

And don’t forget the greens. Kale, spinach and chard are still plentiful and make a lovely simple side, gently sautéed with garlic and olive oil and finished with a squeeze of lemon.

Then there’s the fruit.

Apples and pears are quintessential Autumn favourites. Try baking them with oats, cinnamon and walnuts for a cosy crumble, or roasting pears with a little maple syrup and toasted walnuts.

Fresh grapes are another lovely addition to an Autumn table. Enjoy them as they are, add them to a salad or try roasting them alongside your vegetables.

And for something warming to drink, simmer some fresh apple juice with cinnamon, cloves and orange peel. It smells like Autumn in a saucepan!

For me, seasonal eating is about more than simply what’s on our plate. It’s an opportunity to slow down, notice what nature is providing and reconnect with the changing seasons.

So, as we head towards Mabon, perhaps this weekend is a good time to cook something seasonal, gather around the table and consider what you’re grateful for from this year’s harvest, both literally and metaphorically.

18/09/2026

The mornings are becoming crisper, the evenings a little darker, and the Wheel of the Year is turning once again.

It’s one of my favourite times to rediscover the simple pleasure of walking.

Walking supports far more than fitness. Daylight and gentle movement can support sleep, energy, digestion, circulation, mood and nervous system regulation. For those navigating perimenopause or menopause, it can be a particularly supportive daily practice.

As we approach the Autumn Equinox, take time to notice the changing hedgerows, enjoy the last of the blackberries and reconnect with nature’s rhythms.

Sometimes the simplest medicine is stepping outside, breathing in the Autumn air and taking one step at a time.

Where will your walks take you this Autumn?

17/09/2026

In Naturopathic Kinesiology, meridians are an important part of understanding the body as an interconnected whole. Originating from Traditional Chinese Medicine, meridians are thought of as pathways through which vital energy flows, linking our organs, muscles, emotions and overall wellbeing.

Rather than looking at symptoms in isolation, we explore how different systems of the body may be influencing one another. A digestive imbalance, ongoing stress, poor sleep, or nutritional deficiency may all be reflected in the body’s energetic patterns.

Using muscle response testing, we can assess meridian balance and identify where additional support may be needed. We may then use a variety of gentle techniques to encourage balance, including meridian tracing, acupressure points, neurolymphatic and neurovascular reflexes, nutritional support, and lifestyle recommendations.

One of the things I love most about meridian work is that it encourages us to see the body differently. Instead of focusing on isolated parts, we begin to appreciate the remarkable connections between our physical health, emotions and energy. It offers a truly holistic perspective that sits beautifully alongside naturopathic principles.

Whether you’re completely new to muscle response testing or looking to deepen your existing knowledge, understanding the meridian system opens up a fascinating way of working with the body.

If you’d like to learn how to assess muscle function, understand the meridian system and begin using practical techniques from Naturopathic Kinesiology, I’d love you to join me on my Essentials of Muscle Response Testing course starting next month.

I’ll put the link in the comments if you’d like to find out more. I hope to see you there!

16/09/2026

Next week marks the beginning of astrological Autumn, a gentle reminder that nature is constantly evolving and inviting us to evolve alongside it.

In Ayurveda, we are moving firmly into Vata season, governed by the elements of Air and Ether (Space). Vata is the energy of movement, creativity and change, but if we don’t adapt to the season, it can also leave us feeling anxious, overwhelmed, ungrounded, forgetful, or exhausted. This is a time to cultivate warmth, nourishment, routine, and rest.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it feels as though we have transitioned fully through the nourishing Earth Element and have moved to the reflective Metal Element. This seasonal shift encourages us to strengthen digestion, establish healthy boundaries, simplify our lives and begin letting go of what no longer serves us, just as the trees begin releasing their leaves.

The Autumn Equinox (Mabon) will bring a moment of perfect balance between light and darkness, inviting us to pause, reflect on the harvest of the past year, and express gratitude for all that has come to fruition.

As we continue through Autumn towards Samhain, nature turns even further inwards. Growth slows, energy becomes quieter, and we are reminded that every ending creates space for a new beginning.

Although these traditions come from different cultures, they all reflect on the same beautiful truth…

We are part of nature, not separate from it.

When we begin to live in harmony with the changing seasons, our bodies, and minds often find greater balance too.

This is a wonderful time to support yourself by:

🍂 Choosing warm, nourishing meals that support digestion.
🍂 Enjoying seasonal foods such as apples, pears, blackberries, mushrooms, squashes and root vegetables.
🍂 Creating regular daily routines to calm the nervous system.
🍂 Spending time outdoors and noticing the subtle changes in the landscape.
🍂 Practising gentle movement, breathwork or meditation.
🍂 Taking time to reflect on what you want to carry forward and what you’re ready to leave behind.

Nature doesn’t resist change. It moves with each new season, trusting the rhythm of the year.

Perhaps we can do the same.

As we step into astrological Autumn next week, what intentions are you setting for the season ahead?