Althaea Body is a bodywork practice founded by Aimée Georgiou Lormand (pronoun she/her). I am a plant lover, herbal student, community food grower and bodyworker based in Sheffield with a passion for exploring ways people-plant relationships can bring healing to both individuals and communities.
This spaces name is inspired by the medicinal plant Althaea officinalis whose Latin derives from the Ancient Greek Althaíā (Ἀλθαίᾱ), meaning “one who heals, the one who takes care“. I seek to bring Althaea’s qualities into my bodywork practice with the intention of creating a space for resting and nourishing all aspects of oneself - bringing balance and vitality from a grounded and soft - yet resilient foundation.
My vision for Althaea Body is a practice that is accessible to all who might benefit from healing bodywork, including anyone who feels marginalised due to social attitudes surrounding race, sexuality, gender identity or body image, mental/physical health or faces challenges of limited financial capacity or disabilities resulting from the wider society which is unequal and unaccommodating. Great care is taken to create a safe space for both practitioner and client, which is achieved through collaborating from a place of trust to establish what needs can be met in the session. Any feedback or recommendations for how this vision can be better achieved are always welcome!
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
-Maya Angelou
I have always loved plants and so my direction evolved into working as a community gardener and organic food grower. As time went on I started to feel into the links between medicinal plants, growing, nature connection, bodywork touch and community action. From there I decided to start a path of linking these passions together.
I went on to start a bodywork practise through completing a Level 3 VCTC course in Complementary Therapies (Aromatherapy, Holistic Massage and Reflexology) at Clyde College Glasgow. Going on to complete further specific massage study, training in the Hawaiian Lomilomi tradition of massage, with Rosalie Samet at The Hawaiian Massage UK Training Centre. Since April 2020 I have been studying with the Heartwood Foundation on their professional Medical Herbalist diploma, building on years of personal plant passion and study. This training consists of an extensive and in-depth 3-year course covering both theoretical and clinical practice. This year I have completed a Reiki One training course with Mamta Nanda and I integrate this into my own self grounding practice.
I have sought to bring two convictions to bear through my work: that the breadth of challenges the modern world faces stems from the disconnect between humans, the natural world, our ancestral roots and responsibility for each other and future generations. This disconnect embedded within a society of increasing inequality, individualism and exploitation breeds isolation, ill-health, and conflict within and between communities. For over a decade I have been working between community food-growing projects, gardening co-operatives, environmental activism and social change work, whilst working in allyship and solidarity with people experiencing the hostility and violence of the UK immigration system. I deeply believe the need for grassroots community organising and connection around the intersection between personal health and wellbeing - in direct relation to wider societal change. For me, being part of networks such as the Radical Bodyworker Network and Radical Herbal Gathering are intrinsic to deepening this practise of connecting the dots and linking with other like minded therapists and community organisers. I feel this is vital in contributing to the deeper change we need to actualise through nurturing ourselves and our communities - not as isolated units.
I currently divide my working time between Althaea bodywork practice, intensive training as a medical herbalist and my role as a part time Carer/Personal Assistant for people living with physical disabilities.
I love cats, foraging, eating delicious food and receiving bodywork as well as giving it!
(Get in touch if you are a body worker who would like to exchange a session!)
I very much look forward to working with you on your journey.