Shine Holistic offers the most comprehensive range of holistic therapies under one roof in the area, and is the only dedicated complementary therapy practice in Church Street since the closure of the Healthy Living Centre over a year ago.

Shine Holistic opened in January 2003, and combines a hair salon on the ground floor and basement with four treatment rooms on the upper floors. Carla Octigan, who owns and co-runs Shine with practice manager Stephanie Goj, was inspired to open Shine Holistic following many years as a hairdresser. In the traditional role of hairdresser as confidante, Carla, a graduate of the London College of Shiatsu, was regaled by countless clients with the stories of their aches and pains and the difficulty of finding good complementary therapy practitioners.

She decided that a centre which offered a combination of these services would make a natural one-stop shop and Shine Holistic was born - located, fittingly, on the site that housed the Alternative Therapy Centre for fifteen years.

The space they have created is tranquil and serene, despite the hive of activity in the busy salon. A beautifully-landscaped garden is used for some therapies during the summer months and the treatment rooms exude a beatific calm which is strangely unimpeded by the close proximity to the bustle of Church Street below. Over fifteen complementary health therapies are currently available from thirty four peripatetic practitioners, including acupuncture, Indian head massage, shiatsu, reflexology, cranial osteopathy, Alexander technique, iridology, homeopathy (including sessions for mothers and babies) and Thai yoga massage. The objective of each therapy is specific, although most have a primary aim of releasing stress and promoting a balance of mind and body through various methods. The experts at Shine Holistic will happily point you in the direction of the one most beneficial to you.

Stephanie, who has practised shiatsu for over ten years and currently also teaches at the London College of Shiatsu in Hammersmith, explained that, during the recruitment of the numerous practitioners, her emphasis was on acquiring 'serious individuals who were wholly dedicated to their discipline'. She is keen for the Shine Holistic practice to be perceived as an educational centre for complementary health practices which exists separately from the salon, and a positive emphasis is placed on the diagnostic element of the therapies. Shine Holistic also offers hypnotherapy, counselling, psychotherapy services and the recent addition of a life coach, compounding their intended position as a centre which caters for mind, body and general well-being. Due to popular demand, a beauty therapist joined the cohort a few months ago, and now a comprehensive range of beauty therapies is also available. 

It's a relaxed, friendly, service oriented environment which ensures its equal appeal to both the acquainted and the uninitiated. With forthcoming plans, including lunchtime meditation classes and gift packages and the continuation of quarterly open days allowing customers to purchase £5 taster sessions and discussions with various practitioners, Shine ensures that its services are incredibly accessible.

The original overall vision was to create a centre which promoted well being and in which people could pursue looking and feeling good - both inside and out - its success seems fairly definitive. If you're looking for help in solving a specific ailment, or just fancy some relaxation therapy as a treat, then I would certainly head in the direction of Shine Holistic and you'll find your spirits boosted. details can be obtained from instructor Jason Wingrove on 07905 614256.

With Our Complements
By Helen Griffiths

Aikido
Aikido is a non-competitive martial art. It promotes general flexibility and muscle tone and equips the student with a basic knowledge of useful elf-defence moves. Several aikido classes operate in the area and these two both come highly recommended.

Moving East holds classes on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and is suitable for all levels. Two hour sessions are £8/£4 concessions, one hour classes are £6/£4. Further information can be obtained from instructor Paul Douglas on 0207 503 3101 or paul@movingeast.co.uk (see article, next page). Moving East, St Matthias Church Hall, Wordsworth Road, N16 8DD.

The London Aikido Centre also holds both evening and weekend classes. Beginners courses start regularly and cost £70, including a martial arts suit, for a 10-week programme. Further details from The London Aikido Centre, 60A Windus Road, N16 6UP 0208 806 3219, www.londonaikido.demon.co.uk 

Karate
Shotokon Karate classes are held in Abney Public Hall on Church Street on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8-9pm and cost £5 per session. Further Within N16  there is an impressive range of alternative therapies and disciplines on offer, catering for both the occasional exerciser and those more committed folk who want to embark on an effective, long-term programme. Lots of the locally-run classes are quite small, and so this isn't a completely comprehensive list. But this little lot should get you all started.

Qigong
Held at the Old Fire Station Community Centre, 61 Leswin Road, N16 and taught by Loz Speyer, who has studied under Qigong masters Zhizang and Zhandi Wang for the past ten years. These classes use simple movements to promote  relaxation, stress release, mind / body awareness and general wellbeing. A six-week course costs £45 (£35 concessions) and the next round begins on 26 October from 6.30-8pm. Beginners can take the first session as an  introductory class with no further commitment for £8 (£6 concessions). For further details call Loz Speyer on 0207 923 0943.