A connection with nature has always been important to Amy Wright. ’I was born in London, but when I was 10 my family moved to Western Australia where my dad established a sandalwood farm,’ she explains. ’It meant I grew up with a keen respect for responsible agricultural methods, as well as the land and what it produces.’
This abiding appreciation was to prove her lifeline when she moved to Bristol’s Clifton Village with her British husband George, a financial consultant, and their two young sons, Lawton and Teddy, in 2016. ‘George was working long hours in London, and I was trying to find my way in a new country with a toddler and a baby to look after,’ she recalls. ‘I felt so isolated and exhausted – and it really took its toll on my physical and mental health.’
Then one day as she leafed through a book on Ayurvedic principles, she came across a section on abhyanga – the Indian healing practice of self-massage. ‘It’s a ritual to restore balance to mind, body and soul,’ Amy explains. ‘It made perfect sense to me, especially when I discovered that cultures throughout the world have used oils for self-care rituals and blessings for centuries.’
The practice involves slowly massaging natural oils into the body from top to toe, mindfully acknowledging each part as you do so. ‘The first time I tried abhyanga, it felt a little odd to be concentrating purely on me,’ Amy admits, ‘but after the second attempt, George said “You look powerful”, and for the first time in ages, I felt it.’
Denne historien er fra August 2020-utgaven av Country Homes & Interiors.
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Denne historien er fra August 2020-utgaven av Country Homes & Interiors.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Sowing the seeds for a life of abundance
The perpetual rhythm of planting, tending and harvesting brings a feeling of hope and fulfilment to Diana Yates, and it extends beyond her Greenfields garden to all of her life
Cabin fever
Offering cosy, doll's house-sized country retreats, cabins combine modern comforts with an immersive experience of nature
'Building boats has become my passion'
Wooden boat builder, Obioma Oji
Cover-up job
Durable and decorative, cladding is a brilliant way to protect your home's exterior without compromising its aesthetics
Flights of fancy
Replace or refurbish your staircase and you'll elevate the appearance of your home at every level. Here are the steps to take...
TRUE BLUE
A firm favourite for decorating, blue is one of the most restful, mindful shades in the colour spectrum. Stylist and interiors expert Sara Bird shares how to use it in your country home
COUNTER INTELLIGENCE
Practical and inspiring ideas for selecting the best kitchen worktop for your space
A GARDEN GLOW-UP
As late summer days begin to shorten, extend your time outdoors with a blend of practical and decorative lighting
TRÈS BELLE
Sharon and Tony Dallas have turned their dilapidated Grade II-listed house in Essex into an enchanting home with a considered colour palette and French treasures galore
HOME AT LAST
Having often walked past their dream property over the years, Rich and Emma Proud finally became its owners and turned it into a comfortable home for three generations of their family