16th August 2024 - Reopened but with a reduced menu

Hello all my lovely people. Thank you so much for being so kind and patient with me. Apologies, this post will be a little long to get in all my updates.

I started back at work, testing out how I would do it, and it went OK. I'm starting to connect with all you wonderful people that I had to postpone while I've been unable to work to get you booked back in.

However, currently, I can not offer deep tissue massage (I haven't the strength and power yet to be able to do this and my left forearm is still not in action to be used as a tool) or Thai Yoga massage (need to be able to kneel down which is still unavailable to me due to scabs on my left leg and knee which is also still slightly swollen.)
I can do other treatments, but just for now, I'm limiting appointments to 60 minutes while I regain my strength and stamina. These measures are so that I can return to working but safely, without injuring myself further, by trying to be more than I am currently.

I'll do my best to talk to everyone this week. If you see this and I haven't called yet, do feel free to give me a shout, but I will, I promise.

I am remembering to continue with all your advice to look after myself still and give myself time and rest to heal as well. Today, one of my marvellous #mscmtraining friends, Alejandra Young, has been round to give me a reflexology treatment to help my body along with its healing. It was such a treat for me, I can't tell you, and it's super nice to be able to be the one relaxing in my garden recliner for a change. Thank you so very much, Alejandra, for a top-notch treatment as always.

Slightly advance notice, I am going on my holiday in September for a couple of weeks (booked before any of this happened), and my hope is that by the time I return from that I'll be back up to full speed on things.

Thank you again, I could not ask for a nicer group of people around me. You are all smashing. 💚💚

26th July 2024 - Temporarily Closed

I am so sorry to have to post some somewhat less than positive news here, I try to keep it positive but life is a balance of both and honesty is necessary too. The Holistic Hut will be temporarily closed for a period of time. I am recovering from some injuries sustained in a cat attack on Wednesday evening which is being treated by the Royal Free Hospitals Plastic Surgery team (who are totally amazing). Left arm and leg are rather beaten up. Random cat that was unknown to me, never seen it before. Unprovoked, I walked out a door and didn't see the cat before it was on me. Not in the Rickmansworth area, I was not at home when the attack happened.
I will need some time to recover from the infections, bruising and wounds. Lot of healing to be done. I do not know currently exactly how long this will take so I'll post again to let you all know I am back on my feet and have opened up to have clients back.
Thank you to all my clients that I had to cancel this week for your understanding and kindness. It has really touched me all the lovely message I've received from you all.
Massive thank to all the staff at Watford General A&E for cleaning me up so gently and referring me on. And thank you to the Docs and nurses at the Plastics clinic at the Royal Free for all their care and attention, you all were amazing.
Thank you to #homeopathyjo for getting out a cat package to me so fast. Thank you to all my wonderful reiki practitioner friends for sending me distance healing reiki.
I'll do my best to self care and get all healed up and back on both feet asap.

8th April 2024 - Total Solar Eclipse 
Many of my regulars know that one of the reasons for my latest absence was to experience the full solar eclipse that happened on 8th April 2024 in Ontario. It has taken me a couple of weeks to land back in reality and stop having adventures for long enough to work out how to share this profoundly humbling and really magnificent event with you. I was so emotional taking this video I couldn't have spoken if I wanted to I was so choked up. Sublime. Awesome. Spiritual. Just marvellous. I am so pleased I had this experience in such a beautiful place surrounded but such wonderful people. Was magical. 

25th December 2023 - Christmas Day Dip for St Elizabeth Hospice


​This year I happened to be in Felixstowe for Christmas so I decided to join in the festivities and sign myself up for the Christmas Day Dip to raise some money for their local Peace Hospice.  And I am so glad I did cos it was wonderful fun.  Bracing and bonkers.  Thanks to anyone who supported the hospice.  Random acts of kindness are so beautiful.

​https://stelizabethhospice.enthuse.com/pf/katrina-collins
​
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all.  See you in 2024.

1st November 2023 - Recharging my batteries

Self care is so important. I can't help others when my cup is empty. So I am going to lead by example and it is time to recharge my batteries. I will be away on a break for November, back in December. Look after yourselves and remember to take some time for yourselves as well.

Take a bath, meditate, have a walk in the fresh air, meet up with friends, listen to music, read a book, go out for a run, take an early night, have a lie in, do some yoga, sit with a cup of tea and look at the garden... what ever you choose to do make sure you do carve a little time out for yourselves.

​Have a great November all. ​

31st October 2023 - Happy Halloween

No black magic here only Chakra Healing this Halloween.

25th October 2023 - I passed my Oncology courses, Hooray!

It has taken me a year to get there due to Covid but I finally can say with great pride that I have passed with distinction my Oncology Massage and Oncology Reflexology courses.  I am now be able to treat anyone who is living with or surviving cancer.  Thank you to everyone who helped me on this journey, my teachers at MSCM, my case studies, my family and friends. I could not have done it without all your support and encouragement. 

9th December 2022 - Fully Booked for 2022

So I am now fully booked up till the end of the year.  I have bookings open for 2023. 

30th October 2022 - Exam Success

As some of you already know I have been busy studying away for my Oncology Massage and Reflexology Diploma with Middlesex School of Complimentary Medicine. I have had another wonderful weekend of study and am delighted to report that I pass the theory exam with flying colours.  Super excited about my next weekender in a few weeks’ time.  Then it will be heads down getting all my coursework done.  Watch this space, hopefully I will have some more good news in the spring. 

7th May 2022 - My hair grows back after I "Braved the Shave"



After I Braved the Shave for Macmillian Cancer Support on 2nd October 2021 I took a photo every evening at bedtime for 3 months to document my hair growing back. I have made a little video to show this process.  
I am super proud that as of today I have raised a whopping £2905.00 for such a wonderful cause.  
My donations page remains open.  

​24th February 2022 - Covid-19 Guidance from CThA

As everyone will be aware today the government has lifted the Covid-19 restrictions.  However, the threat from this virus continues.  The recommendations from the Complementary Therapist Associations is that members do not change any practices we have adopted to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 and other contagions.  So under such guidance, and the safety of myself and all my clients I am not going to change anything for the time being.  All precautions will remain in place. I do ask that you all respect my decisions and happily continue to wear masks to treatment.  Thank you all kindly for your understanding.  
<a href="http://www.freepik.com">Designed by Harryarts / Freepik</a>

17th January 2022 - Recycling my Covid-19 PPE


I am so super excited to have found a company that are able to recycle PPE and wipes.  These have become a necessity to work safely during the Covid-19 pandemic, but what does not sit easily with me is the impact that the waste of these single use items have on the environment.  I have always tried to be as environmentally conscientious as possible in my work, as well as at home, and have been looking for options since I reopened the Holistic Hut after lockdown last year.  Then I happened on Terracycle.  I am now able to recycle my masks, gloves and wipes.  They can have a second life as something else more useful to the world than waste or litter.  

15th December 2021 - Brave the Shave update

My hair is now very fluffy and becoming unruly.  I'm a little less reliant on hats now.  Utterly loving my new look too.  

I'm so delighted to say my current total for all the fundraising, online and cash, for Macmillan Cancer Support is an amazing
£2865.00    !

Thank you so much to everyone who has been so supportive. 

​Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  

2nd October 2021 - I Braved the Shave

That was an incredible day!  And I am so proud, impressed, touched by everyone who has supported me and sent me wonderful words of encouragement.  I am so proud to have raised over £2500 for Macmillan Cancer Support, and donated 50cm length of hair to the Little Princess Trust.  If you still want to donate please follow this link:  bravetheshave.macmillan.org.uk/shavers/katrina-collins  And enjoy the pictures and video from my day.  

20th September '21 - Braving the Shave for Macmillan Cancer Care in 2 weeks time

On the 2nd October 2021 I am going to Brave the Shave for Macmillan.  And yes I mean shave, with a razor, the full monty, properly bald head.  Many of you will not realise just how much hair I have currently because it is always put away for professionalism in a plait or bun of some description, but currently it is about half a meter worth of hair that I have been growing for just over 2 years now with the plan of donating it to the Little Princess Trust (bravo to such an amazing charity) as I have been in regular cycles over the past decade.  However, recently I have, very unfortunately, had some people very dear to me, family, friends and clients, touched by cancer. I guess I should be grateful that I have lived to 38 and not before been directly affected. I give thanks for the friends still with us and grieve for the cousin sadly lost. This is when I started thinking... "how I could do something to help?" And this is why I have decided to Brave the Shave.  I can't say that I haven't wavered a little in my conviction to do so, moments where I am convinced I am bonkers. But now I have come to it wholeheartedly, it is what I can do that will make a difference, and raise awareness of and money for this fantastic organisation. I'm feeling brave. Please support me, which will support Macmillan Cancer Support to support those who need to find their bravery to survive.
https://bravetheshave.macmillan.org.uk/shavers/katrina-collins