Mark's NLP, Coaching, and more

  In the age of social media and online communities, “dry begging” has become an increasingly recognised behaviour. It’s subtle, often unintentional, and frequently comes from a place of genuine need or emotional overwhelm. But despite its quiet nature, dry begging can have a significant impact on relationships, self-esteem, and mental wellbeing. This blog explores what dry begging really means, why it happens, how it affects both the giver and receiver, and healthier alternatives you can start using today. What Is Dry Begging? Dry begging refers to hinting , implying , or suggesting that you need help—financial, emotional, or practical—without directly asking for it. It often looks like: “Ugh, I wish I could afford that right now…” “My day has been awful. Would be nice if someone cared.” “I haven’t eaten yet; money is so tight.” The goal is rarely manipulative. Instead, people who dry beg often feel: embarrassed to ask directly afraid of rejection unworthy of h...

  Tai Chi and Qigong in Cardiac Rehabilitation  Restoring Strength, Confidence, and Calm For anyone recovering from a heart problem — whether that’s a heart attack, bypass surgery, or heart failure — rehabilitation is a vital part of getting life back on track. Most cardiac rehab (CR) programmes focus on aerobic and resistance training, education about healthy lifestyle changes, and emotional support. But what happens if the gym feels intimidating? Or the exercises feel too strenuous? That’s where Tai Chi and Qigong — particularly the Shibashi form — are starting to make a real difference. 🌀 What exactly are Tai Chi and Shibashi? Tai Chi (Taijiquan) is a slow, flowing sequence of movements originally rooted in martial arts. It’s often described as “meditation in motion.” The gentle transitions, coordinated breathing and relaxed posture build strength, balance, and calm focus. Qigong (pronounced “chee-gong”) is a family of ancient Chinese exercises that also combine mov...

Overcoming Kinesiophobia:  How Tai Chi and Mindfulness Help You Move Without Fear Understanding Kinesiophobia Kinesiophobia is the fear of movement — particularly the fear that physical activity will cause pain, re-injury, or harm. It’s common after accidents, surgery, or chronic pain conditions. While the original injury may have healed, the mind can still associate movement with danger. This creates a powerful protective response where muscles tighten, breathing becomes shallow, and activity levels drop. Over time, avoidance leads to deconditioning, stiffness, and increased sensitivity , creating a vicious cycle: the less we move, the more we hurt, and the more fearful we become. Kinesiophobia isn’t “all in the head.” It’s a real and measurable psychological barrier affecting physical recovery, confidence, and quality of life. But there is hope — and it often begins with gentle, mindful movement. How Tai Chi Gently Rebuilds Confidence in Movement Tai Chi, often described as “ m...

  Cannabis Psychosis and Hypnotherapy: Understanding the Risks and Finding Recovery The number of people in the UK experiencing cannabis-related psychosis has risen sharply in recent years. What was once seen as a mild or “natural” relaxant has, for some, become a trigger for serious mental health difficulties. At the West Midlands Hypnotherapy Centre , we provide specialist hypnotherapy for cannabis addiction, anxiety, and psychosis recovery , helping clients to regain control, confidence, and emotional balance in a calm and confidential setting. What Is Cannabis Psychosis? Cannabis psychosis occurs when cannabis use triggers symptoms such as paranoia, hallucinations, confusion, or delusional thinking . This is most likely to happen when people use high-strength cannabis products (such as “skunk”), start using at a young age, or use it daily. Studies published in The Lancet Psychiatry show that daily users of high-potency cannabis are five times more likely to experience ...

  How NLP and DBT Can Work Hand-in-Hand to Aid Recovery By West Midlands Hypnotherapy Centre At West Midlands Hypnotherapy Centre, we recognise that every person’s path to recovery is unique. Emotional healing rarely follows a straight line, and sometimes combining complementary approaches can make the journey smoother and more effective. Two such approaches— Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) —can work beautifully together to help people regain balance, confidence, and emotional control. DBT: Building Stability and Emotional Awareness DBT was originally developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan to support people who struggle with intense emotions or self-destructive patterns. It blends cognitive-behavioural methods with mindfulness and acceptance practices , helping individuals to develop emotional stability and resilience. The core DBT skills include: Mindfulness – becoming aware of thoughts and feelings without judgement. Distress Tolerance ...

Weaving Stories into Tai Chi for Rehabilitation When you’re teaching Tai Chi in a rehabilitation setting, the focus often starts with the physical — posture, alignment, breath, balance. But the heart of the practice goes much deeper than that. One of the most powerful ways to reach your students — especially those recovering from injury or illness — is through story . Why Stories Help Healing We are all storytellers at heart. Stories shape how we see ourselves and how we make sense of change. In rehabilitation, where students may be rebuilding trust in their bodies or confidence in their movement, stories can turn exercises into meaningful experiences. A good story does more than entertain — it helps people feel connected , motivated , and hopeful . It invites them to see their recovery as a journey, not a battle. Making Movements Meaningful Tai Chi already gives us a rich language of imagery — White Crane Spreads Wings , Wave Hands Like Clouds , Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain. When...