Laura Shipp ND - Mind Body Gut Co

Today Nikki Emerton - Mind Body Gut Co and I have our last seasonal photoshoot for Laura & Nikki - Mind Body Gut Training Co.

Each photoshoot is a military operation with props and outfits planned meticulously.

It became very apparent I would not be wearing stripes 🤣 Today it is Nikki’s turn.

Are you a fan of stripes?

Honestly I have no idea how many stripy clothes I own 🤷🏻‍♀️

Over 2,000 years ago, Chinese Medicine mapped the natural rhythm of a woman’s life through 7-year cycles.

According to the ancient text, the Huang Di Nei Jing (The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine), a woman’s life unfolds in distinct phases governed by the kidney system, the source of growth, reproduction, vitality, ageing, and longevity in Chinese Medicine.

Rather than seeing ageing as something to fear, Chinese Medicine honours each phase as a meaningful transition in the evolution of a woman’s body, energy, and spirit.

🦋 Age 7 - kidney energy flourishes (first cycle)

Kidney qi begins to thrive and flourish. Baby teeth fall out and permanent teeth emerge, while hair grows longer, thicker, and stronger. This marks the beginning of physical development and the laying down of foundational vitality.

🦋 Age 14 - onset of menstruation (second cycle)

The conception and penetrating vessels, deeply connected to blood, fertility, and the womb, begin to open. Menstruation arrives, fertility awakens, and the body becomes capable of conception. This is the transition into womanhood.

🦋 Age 21 - peak physical development (third cycle)

Kidney qi reaches a strong and balanced state. Physical growth completes, wisdom teeth emerge, and the body enters full maturity. Often a time of expansion, strength, vitality, and emerging independence.

🦋 Age 28 - prime vitality (fourth cycle)

This is considered the peak of a woman’s physical vitality in Chinese Medicine. Muscles and bones are strongest, reproductive energy is abundant, and blood and qi are fully substantial. A time of fullness, resilience, and power.

🦋 Age 35 - the beginning of transformation (fifth cycle)

Energy within the stomach and large intestine meridians begins to decline. Subtle signs of ageing may appear, skin becomes drier, hair may thin, energy can fluctuate, and the effects of stress or depletion become more noticeable. The body begins asking for deeper nourishment and restoration.

🦋 Age 42 - energy pathways transform (sixth cycle)

The yang (masculine) meridians of the upper body begin to weaken. Hair may begin to grey, the face may soften or sag, sleep and hormones may shift, and the first stages of perimenopause can emerge. In Chinese Medicine, this is viewed not as decline, but transformation.

🦋 Age 49 - the second Spring (seventh cycle)

The conceptions and penetrating vessels become depleted, menstruation ceases, and fertility comes to an end. Yet this stage is not seen as an ending, but as the beginning of a woman’s “Second Spring”, a phase of wisdom, spiritual clarity, deeper self-knowing, and sustainable inner energy.

Chinese Medicine reminds us that women are cyclical beings.

We are not meant to remain the same throughout life. Each phase carries its own wisdom, beauty, and purpose.

Stretching each morning has become an essential part of my daily routine. It’s one of the few things I never compromise on, as I feel unsettled if I don’t start my day in that way.

Stretching isn’t just about touching our toes, it’s a powerful way to care for our body and mind. Regular stretching helps improve flexibility, release tension, and reduce the risk of injury. It also encourages better posture, eases stiffness, and can even boost circulation.

But the benefits don’t stop there. Stretching can calm our nervous system, lower stress levels, and help us feel more present and connected in our body. Just a few minutes a day can make a real difference to how we move, feel, and carry ourself.

Try starting or ending day with gentle stretches, focusing on areas that feel tight or tense. Even small, mindful movements can leave us feeling lighter, more energised, and ready to take on the day!

After sharing a post on the Four Thumps last month, where we were all squished into a pretty ridiculous pose to demonstrate, it got me thinking about the three wise monkeys.

That led me back to my blog on body shaming, and more generally about wellbeing, kindness, and how we treat each other day to day.

🙈 See no evil
🙉 Hear no evil
🙊 Speak no evil

Not in a “ignore the bad stuff” kind of way, or pretending negativity doesn’t exist, but more as a reminder to be mindful of what we take in and what we put back out into the world.

Body shaming, criticism, and judgement can stick with people much longer than we sometimes realise. The things we say, the things we listen to, and even the content we scroll through can all affect our mental and emotional wellbeing.

The three wise monkeys feel like a nice little reminder to protect our peace while also choosing compassion for others and for ourselves too.

Kindness often starts with the small stuff:

🫶 Speaking kindly
🫶 Listening without judging
🫶 Not adding more negativity to an already noisy world

The energy we put out matters and so does the energy we let in.

A little more kindness can honestly go a long way 💕

♾️ Ever heard of Lazy Eights? ♾️

It’s a simple exercise from Mind Gym that’s surprisingly powerful. You draw the number eight on its side (like an infinity loop) over and over, and it does wonders for left and right brain integration.

Our left brain loves structure and logic, while the right thrives on creativity and flow. Lazy Eights gently connect the two, improving coordination, focus, and even handwriting. Plus, it’s oddly calming, a tiny, meditative ritual that only takes a few minutes.

Give it a try - a pen, a piece of paper, and a few loops. It’s a small exercise with big benefits for both brain and hand 🧠 ✍️

Have you ever wondered how energy medicine views the body beyond muscles, organs, and chemistry?

In a recent blog, I explore the nine energy systems of Eden Energy Medicine (EEM), developed by Donna Eden, a fascinating framework that sees the body as an interconnected web of energies influencing physical health, emotional wellbeing, resilience, and vitality.

From meridians and chakras to radiant circuits, the Celtic weave, and the aura, each system plays a unique role in supporting balance and harmony within the body.

The blog offers an introduction to:

✨ Meridians and energy flow
✨ Chakras and emotional themes
✨ Radiant circuits and vitality
✨ The Five Rhythms and elemental patterns
✨ Triple warmer and the stress response
✨ The Celtic weave
✨ Basic grid
✨ Electrics and electromagnetic balance
✨ The aura and energetic protection

Whether you’re completely new to energy medicine or already exploring holistic approaches to wellbeing, this is a beautiful starting point for understanding how EEM works with the body’s natural energetic intelligence.

Link in comments👇

Celebrate the longest day of the year and embrace the abundance and energy of midsummer with our Summer Solstice (Litha) programme - Radiance Reset 💁🏻‍♀️

This immersive prerecorded experience explores ways to stay cool, hydrated, and balanced during the height of Summer, with Naturopathic guidance to support adrenal health, reduce inflammation, and help you enjoy the season’s radiance without burnout.

Alongside seasonal mindset practices, you’ll discover Celtic traditions, full moon rituals, foraging insights, cooking inspiration, and more…

🌻 Radiance Reset 🌻

The Wheel of the Year, rooted in ancient traditions, offers a framework for aligning with the natural rhythms of the earth.

It divides the year into eight festivals, each reflecting a distinct phase of the earth’s seasonal journey. These are grouped into four solar festivals (aligned with Solstices and Equinoxes) and four cross-quarter festivals (midpoints between the solar events).

By embracing this cyclical approach to life, we can nourish our bodies, minds, and spirits in ways that resonate deeply with the changing seasons.

Our prerecorded Wheel of the Year programmes offer a rich, immersive way to connect with natural cycles.

Each programme supports key systems of the body while guiding you to tune into seasonal changes, plan personal goals, embrace local foods, and practice mindful living.

Each programme includes:

🌻 A QuickStart Guide to help you explore each spoke of the wheel, plan goals, and discover seasonal eating and living tips.
🌻 A 2-hour prerecorded session where we share mindset inspiration for each festival, naturopathic support for the relevant time of the year, Celtic full moon practices, foraging tips, cooking demos, and insights into the Celtic Tree Calendar.
🌻 Access to a dedicated Facebook community for support, inspiration, and Q&A.

The Summer Solstice honours the longest day of the year, a time of celebration, abundance, and gratitude for the earth’s gifts.

At the height of Summer, it’s all about keeping cool, hydrated, and balanced. Learn how to support your adrenals, reduce inflammation, and harness the season’s radiant energy without burnout.

https://mindbodygut.co.uk/shop/ols/products/radiance-reset-litha

Menopause Masterclass – Disordered Eating

📅 15 July | 13:00–14:30

Ready to support your clients through menopause without triggering old disordered eating patterns?

Join Laura & Nikki - Mind Body Gut Training Co’s Menopause & Disordered Eating for Naturopaths and Nutritional Therapists.

Gain practical, trauma-informed strategies to work ethically and confidently with this vulnerable group.

🌱 Understand how hormonal changes impact appetite, mood, and body image.
🌱 Recognise early warning signs and respond safely.
🌱 Learn weight-neutral, nourishing approaches that protect wellbeing.
🌱 Master communication and referral strategies within your scope of practice.
🌱 Leave equipped to collaborate confidently with multidisciplinary teams.

Sign up now to secure your spot:

https://mindbodygut.co.uk/shop/ols/products/menopause-masterclass-practitioner---disordered-eating-15-july

The sixth and last principle of Naturopathy is “Prevention.”

True health isn’t just about treating symptoms when they arise, it’s about creating a foundation where illness struggles to take hold in the first place. Prevention invites us to live consciously, tuning into our bodies and making choices that nourish rather than deplete.

This can look like eating whole, seasonal foods, moving our body regularly, managing stress, getting enough rest, and spending time in nature. It’s also about listening early, noticing the small whispers before they become loud signals.

Naturopathy reminds us that health is not a quick fix, but a daily practice. When we prioritise prevention, we empower ourselves to feel more balanced, resilient, and connected.

What small step can you take today to support your future wellbeing?

What is in season in June?

Beetroot is lovely roasted and also makes a wonderfully cleansing juice when blended with carrots or celery, it’s a little too powerful on its own for most people!

Garlic, peas, and turnips are all plentiful right now too. Turnips are delicious roasted until caramelised or blended into a creamy purée.

We’re also seeing elderflower and gooseberries appearing. Just don’t do what I did as a child and pick gooseberries before they’re ripe because you enjoy the sourness… the resulting tummy ache is definitely not worth it!

Other beautiful vegetables coming into season include globe artichokes, broccoli, carrots, cucumber, and samphire.

One of my favourite vegan artichoke dips is simply roasted artichokes blended with cooked spinach, cashew cream, nutritional yeast, garlic, and lemon juice. It’s rich, comforting and perfect with nachos on a cosy film night.

Samphire is wonderful lightly steamed with a squeeze of lemon and cracked black pepper alongside a hearty plant-based meal.

And finally, catch the last of the asparagus and Spring greens while you can.

Seasonal eating really does help us feel more connected to nature’s rhythm.