Ashley Stafford
MA (Oxon) DO – Osteopath / 'Singing Body' Course director
Ashley trained at the European School of Osteopathy (ESO) in Maidstone, Kent and graduated in 1994. Before setting up the BushMaster Natural Health Practice with Peter Chappell in 1996, he worked at the Stanlake Practice in Shepherds Bush. He now runs his own practice, BreathingSpace, based in Devon and also practices at Brook Green Clinic, London.
Before training as an osteopath, Ashley was a full-time professional singer, and, alongside his osteopathic practice, he is a professor at the Royal College of Music, London, as well as teaching singing privately. His work as an osteopath and teacher takes him regularly to Vienna and Salzburg.
Ashley has continued to develop his osteopathic skills, particularly in the field of cranial technique. He is particularly interested in the integration of vocal and instrumental performance with the principles of osteopathy, which calls for a holistic relationship between the structure of the body and all its functions. To this end, alongside his work at Brook Green Clinic, he runs performance workshops (See Singing Body) for singers and instrumentalists both in the UK and abroad.
Ashley makes no claim to solve what can be a complex and serious problem affecting your health and well-being. His whole body approach allows him to treat the individual and not just the symptom and because you can expect professionalism and clinical awareness, you will be heard, supported, treated and, where necessary, appropriately referred.
Many chronic and acute cases can be treated effectively alongside ongoing treatment and drug based regimes, even though it would be the ultimate goal to allow the innate health mechanism to regain its control over your vitality and well-being.
Testimonial Star
"I booked an appointment to see Ashley after several of my friends recommended him for treating back pain. His unobtrusive approach put me at ease and by the end of the treatment I felt significantly better. I now have treatment with Ashley as and when I am in discomfort and worry of back pain no longer weighs me down as I know I can rely on his treatment to put me right. "
Leticia 47
Ealing, West London
Ashley believes that every cell in our bodies requires its own space and its own pace, according to its anatomical location and physiological needs. The demands of modern lives often cramp our bodies need for the time and space. Osteopathic treatment aims to release tensions, which allows complete expression of ourselves in the world. Chronically held tension can result in a less efficient use of our mind and body, a build-up of toxic waste, sluggish metabolism, acute, painful symptoms and eventually the onset of chronic disease-states.
Ashley aims to:
- Treat the whole person not just the disease
- See individuals, not only symptoms
- Encourage each person's natural tendency to growth and fulfilment
- Honour the whole person and that which is holy in each
- Offer a space for you to relax and take a deep breath
You can expect:
- Professionalism and clinical awareness
- A drug free treatment tailored to your needs
- Unconditional acceptance and positive regard