Autumn newsletter (comp)

News, articles, smiles, thoughts and love.

Autumn 2014

APLACETOBE.ME

Spreading Happiness, Health and Wellbeing.

What’s inside There’s magic in your smile Qigong Teacher training and Self-Cultivation course

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COMPETITION For the first time we’re going to have a little fun with a competition. The purpose of this is to spread a smile, or two, or three.

£100 worth of PRIZES

How to Believe in yourself

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Hun Yun Qigong

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The Cowardly Mind

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Healthy Living in Autumn

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An EQILIBRE Touch Therapy Session with Deniz, a 45 minute Intensive Facial (for men and women) at U and Your Skin with Lisa and a meal for two worth £30 at River Green Cafe in Trowse (prizes may be split so you can offer/share them with your family and friends.) All prizes must be used by the end of December 2014.

Just answer this simple question.

EQILIBRE Intuitive Touch Therapy

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Mindful Living & Qigong Retreat

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Workshops

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Answers via email to info@aplacetobe.me Closing date 12th October.

Thank you

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All correct entries will be drawn from a hat and winners announced by 19th October. Good Luck.

How many times does ‘smile’ appear in this newsletter?

Hint: This can be within any word including the word ‘smile,’ for example - ‘smiling’, ‘smiles’, ‘smiled’ etc. This list is not exhaustive.

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Autumn 2014

There’s Magic in Your SMILE “Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy” Thich Nhat Hanh

Have you noticed that when you smile at someone, especially if you catch them offguard, that they smile back?

OK, not everyone smiles back! Or do they?

Scientist and spiritual teachers alike agree that the simple act can transform you and the world around you. Current research (and common sense) shows us that a smile is contagious. It can make us appear more attractive to others. It lifts our mood as well as the moods of those around us. And it can even lengthen our lives.

So before you read on, wear a nice, genuine smile on that beautiful face of yours.

H ow S miling Affe cts Your B rain Each time you smile you throw a little feel-good party in your brain. The act of smiling activates neural messaging that benefits your health and

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and happiness.

For starters, smiling activates the release of neuropeptides that work toward fighting off stress. Neuropeptides are tiny molecules that allow neurons to communicate. They facilitate messaging to the whole body when we are happy, sad, angry, depressed, excited. The feel good neurotransmitters dopamine, endorphins and serotonin are all released when a smile flashes across your face as well. This not only relaxes your body, but it can lower your heart rate and blood pressure.

“A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.” Phyllis Dyer

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Autumn 2014

The endorphins also act as a natural pain reliever 100% organically and without the potential negative side effects of synthetic concoctions.

Finally, the serotonin release brought on by your smile serves as an anti-depressant/mood lifter.

Many of today’s pharmaceutical anti-depressants also influence the levels of serotonin in your brain, but with a smile, you again don’t have to worry about negative side effects – and you don’t need a prescription from your doctor.

H ow S miling Affe cts Your Bod y You’re actually better looking when you smile – and I’m not just trying to butter you up. When you smile, people treat you differently. You’re viewed as attractive, reliable, relaxed and sincere. A study published in the journal Neuropsychologia reported that seeing an attractive smiling face activates your orbitofrontal cortex, the region in your brain that process sensory rewards. This suggests that when you view a person smiling, you actually feel rewarded.

It also explains the 2011 findings by researchers at the Face Research Laboratory at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. Subjects were asked to rate smiling and attractiveness. They found that both men and women were more attracted to images of people who made eye contact and smiled than those who did not. If you don’t believe me, see how many looks you get when you walk outside with that smile your wearing right now. (You’re still smiling like I asked, aren’t you?)

Smile! A language of the heart we can all understand, speak, receive and give.

H ow S miling Affe cts Those Arou nd You Did you know that your smile is actually contagious? The part of your brain that is responsible for your facial expression of smiling when happy or mimicking another’s smile resides in the cingulate cortex, an unconscious automatic response area (sorry a little scientific!) In a Swedish study, subjects were shown pictures of several emotions: joy, anger, fear and surprise.

When the picture of someone smiling was presented, the researchers asked the subjects to frown. Instead, they found that the facial expressions went directly to imitation of what subjects saw. It took conscious effort to turn that smile upside down. So if you’re smiling at someone, it’s likely they can’t help but smile back. If they don’t, they’re making a conscious

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Autumn 2014

Looking at the bigger picture, each time you smile at a person, their brain persuades them to return the favour. You are creating a relationship of mutual benefit that allows both of you to release feel good chemicals in your brain, activate reward centres, make you both more attractive and increase the chances of you both living longer, healthier lives.

Your smile is something that should be worn often, so make it a priority to surround yourself with people, places and things that brighten your day.

Vow to be the positive, happy person in your group of friends. Watch funny movies often and be sure to look people in the eye and show them your pearly whites. The world is simply a better place when you smile.

Children are natural Zen masters; their world is brand new in each and every moment. Don’t loose your inner child.

SMILE Start My Internal Life Energy 4

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Autumn 2014

We are passionate about sharing the benefits of Qigong as an original mindfulness practice and taught by reputable, enthusiastic and knowleagable teachers.

We have created an 18 month Qigong Teacher Training Diploma which has been developed as a response to the growing need for comprehensive teacher training. Included in the programme is The QTTS Anatomy and Physiology (A&P) modules. These modules are not based on a generalised and often diluted Western A & P but specifically structured to make them highly relevant to the traditional theory being taught. This method allows you to tailor your classes with confidence and effectiveness to the various needs of your students.

There is also the opportunity to explore Qigong deeper without the commitment to the full teacher training programme. The 10 month Self-Cultivation Certificate will allow you to explore this wonderful Life Art and if you decide you wish to go on and teach, you can add on the extra teaching modules to complete your full Diploma.

What makes us different?

Not only will you be taught by an established and reputable school of Qigong, you will also learn Western attitudes, techniques and knowledge of Movement Education which will include the revolutionary work by Tom Myers such as Anatomy Trains.

The course is taught by founder of 'Be' and The Qigong Teacher Training School, Deniz Paradot as well as experts in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Bo Mander and Structural Integration with Owen Lewis.

Our next intake is March 2015 in Norwich.

Due to the success of the last ‘Moved’ Experience Weekend, we are planning another for early next year. Please register your interest if this is something you’d like to do.

Read our full Prospectus and Curriculum here.

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Autumn 2014

HOW TO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! There was a long time when the lack of belief in myself was a major factor in my life.

I didn’t pursue an ideal career, or start my own business, because I didn’t think I could. I didn’t stick to habits because I didn’t really believe I had the discipline. I was shy with girls, I had a hard time making new friends, I didn’t assert myself in the workplace. I didn’t push past my comfort zone.

All because I didn’t really believe I could.

While I’m not free of self-doubt these days, I can honestly say I believe in myself like never before. That doesn’t mean I think I’ll never fail or quit: I will. Probably often.

And that’s OK! The trick is that I learned it’s completely fine to try and fail, to put yourself out there and not be perfect, to say hello to someone and have them not instantly love you, to create something and have people judge you.

Failure, not being perfect, mistakes, not having people agree with me, not being completely accepted: these are not negative things. They are positive!

How is failure positive? It’s the only way we truly learn. For example: you can read a book on qigong, but until you try it and fail, you’ll never see where your lack of understanding is. The best way to learn something is to study it a bit, practice lots, make mistakes, then learn some more.

How are mistakes positive? They’re little pieces of feedback necessary to grow and learn.

How is being rejected positive? It means I’m growing beyond the absolutely socially acceptable realm.

The best people in history were not socially acceptable: truth-tellers like Socrates, Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and many more.

These things we’re afraid of — they’re actually desirable. We need to learn to see them that way, and embrace them, letting go of the fear.

When we can get better at this — which takes a lot of practice — we can start to remove the things that hold us back.

So practice: •

Push past your discomfort, growing your discomfort method.

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Put yourself out there, and be OK with not knowing if people will accept you.

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Stick to a habit, not listening to the negative self-talk that normally holds you back.

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Stick to it some more, and learn to trust yourself.

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Go into situations not knowing, and learn to be OK with that.

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Learn through repeated attempts that it’s OK to fail, that you can be OK in failure.

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Learn through repeated experiments that you are stronger than you think, that you are more capable and more tolerant of discomfort than you think.

And in this practice, you will find yourself. And realise that you were great all along.

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Autumn 2014

HUN YUAN QIGONG The 12 Hun Yuan movements imitate the natural circular and coiling shapes found in ponds, clouds, rainbows, dewdrops, meandering streams and of course not forgetting Earth.

The circle con serves a nd circula tes en ergy w ithin the body. Be ca us e of circula r m ovem ent, the H un Yua n studen t fe els m ore e nergise d an d conn ected a fte r pra ctice tha n b efore .

body and calm mind.

When I learnt Hun Yuan whilst at Samye Ling Buddhist Monastery I was amazed at how effective the movements are at opening the connection with the energy centres, as well as their ability to physically open my body in a very comfortable and long-lasting way. Circulations of energy are there in everyone, however due to the relentless barrage of life’s demands we can become numb to these sensations, but once we reconnect they ensure that energy flows smoothly around the body promoting an unparalleled stillness within, a satisfyingly open

Practicing these 12 movements also explores our Fascial Fitness, a unique way to create body awareness, suppleness and relieve aches and pains. Our Fascia does not only give a form to our body, but is also the biggest sensory organ. Since in our times the sensory perception is not meant to be so important, we often lose connection to ourselves and get the wrong information about our environment. So a healthy sensory system gives a healthy self-awareness which will lead to self-confidence, not bad for one practice!

Finding back to a sensitive awareness is the function of Hun Yuan. Just like a musician trains various ways and techniques to play her instrument, it's a pretty good thing to train our senses and perception in the same manner. Not always doing the same things in the same way, but having fun with variations helps us to act adequately in our complex world.

The Message of Water and Hun Yuan Qigong.

The most important message of water is change itself, “Everything flows and you can't step twice into the same river.” The human body, like the body of the earth, consists mostly of water and is therefore in a state of constant flux. For health of body and mind, we must learn to flow with life, to ride the currents.

Through Qigong and our Hun Yuan practice we discover that "Going with the flow" is more than a metaphor. It is a reconnecting practice and a way of life.

Join us from 6th October when we will sta rt practicing this beautiful form of qigong, your experience will be fun-filled a nd purposeful.

To help w ith your hom e pra ctice I ha ve also crea ted a D VD a nd 2 4 pa ge eB ook w hich are a va ilab le to B E s tud ent s on ly.

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Autumn 2014

THE COWARDLY MIND The mind is a wonderful thing. It’s also a complete liar that constantly tries to convince us not to take actions we know are good for us, and stops many great changes in our lives.

I’ve had to learn to watch these rationalisations and excuses very carefully, in order to make the changes I’ve made in my life. If I hadn’t learned these excuses, and how to counter them, I would never have stuck to these changes. In fact, I failed many times before because these excuses had complete power over me.

Let’s expose the cowardly mind’s excuses and rationalizations once and for all.

First, the main principle: the mind wants comfort, and is afraid of discomfort and change. The mind is used to its comfort cocoon, and anytime we try to push beyond that comfort zone very far or for very long, the mind tries desperately to get back into the cocoon. At any cost, including our long-term health and happiness.

OK, with that in mind, let’s go into the excuses:

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1.

I can’t do it. It seems too hard, so we think we can’t stick to the change. We don’t believe in ourselves. This can be countered from the fact that many other people no more capable than us have done it.

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He/she can do it, but that doesn’t apply to me. Just because someone else can do it, doesn’t mean we can, right? We look for reasons they can do it but we can’t — maybe he can be a minimalist because he has no kids, or is a freelancer rather than someone with a real job. Maybe she’s way, way fitter than I am, so she can run a marathon. Maybe she doesn’t have all the obligations I have, or has a supportive spouse, or doesn’t have a crippling health condition. OK, fine, it’s easy to find excuses: but look at all the other people who have worse obstacles than you who’ve done it. Stories abound of people with disabilities or illnesses who overcame their obstacles to achieve amazing things. Your obstacles can be overcome.

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I need my ___. Fill in the blank: I need my coffee, my cheese, my wine, my TV shows, my car, my shoe collection … these are things we convince ourselves we can’t live without, so we can’t make a change like becoming vegetarian or eating healthier or home-schooling our kids or simplifying our lives or going car-free.

The only things you really need are basic food, water, clothing, shelter, and love to share or whether that be other people in your life for social needs. Everything else is not a real need.

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Life is meant to be enjoyed. Sure, I agree with this statement (as many of us would) but the problem is this can be used to justify all kinds of negative behavior. Might as well put down those crisps and chocolate bar, because hey, life is meant to be enjoyed, right? No. You can do without junk food and still enjoy life. You can exercise and enjoy it. You can give up pretty much anything and still enjoy life, if you learn to see almost any activity as enjoyable.

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I need comfort. This might also be true, but we can push ourselves into more discomfort than we let ourselves believe. We can be a bit cold, instead of needing to be at the perfect comfortable temperature. We can do exercise, qigong for example, instead of needing to lay around on the sofa. When our minds seek comfort, don’t let them run — push a little bit outside the comfort zone, and begin to be OK with a bit of discomfort.

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I don’t know how. This is also true, but you can learn. Start with a little at a time, and learn how to deal with this new change. Do some research online. Watch some videos. Ask people how they dealt with it. This is easily overcome with a little effort and practice. In fact, if you do it now, and learn a little at a time, then you’ll be able to do away with this pesky excuse.

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I can do it later. Sure, you can always do it later … but your later self will also feel the same way. Why should the later self be more disciplined than your current self? In fact, because you’re allowing yourself to slide now, you’re building a habit of procrastination and actually making is less likely that your future self will be more disciplined. Instead, do it now, unless there’s something more important that you need to do … don’t let yourself slide just because you don’t feel like it.

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One time won’t hurt. This is so tempting, because it’s kind of true — one time won’t hurt. Assuming, that is, that it’s only one time. One bite of chocolate cake, one missed qigong class, one time procrastinating instead of writing. Unfortunately, it’s never actually just one time. One time means your brain now knows it can get away with this excuse, and the next “one time” leads to another, until you’re not actually sticking to something. Make a rule: never ever believe the “one time” excuse. I know many who have done this with smoking (“Not One Puff Ever”) and it worked. If you’re going to allow yourself a bite or two of chocolate cake, decide beforehand and build it into your plan (“I will allow myself a fist-sized serving of sweets once every weekend”) and stick to that plan, rather than deciding ‘on the hoof’ when your resistance is weak.

I don’t feel like it. Well, true. You don’t feel like working hard. Who does? Letting the rule of “I’ll do it when feel like it” dictate your life means you’ll never write that book, never build that business, never create anything great, never have healthy habits. Create a plan that’s doable, and execute it. When the rationalisations like this come up, don’t believe them. Everyone is capable of doing a anything even when they’re not in the mood. Everyone can overcome their internal resistance.

I’m tired. Yep, me too. There is truth to needing rest, and resting when you need it (listen to your body) but this is usually the mind trying to weasel out of something uncomfortable. There’s a difference between being exhausted and needing some rest, and being the little tired we all feel every afternoon. Push through the latter.

I deserve a reward/break. We all deserve that tasty treat, or a day off. I’m not saying you shouldn’t give yourself a reward or break. But if you make this rationalisation your rule, you’ll always be on a break. You’ll always be giving yourself rewards, and never sticking to the original plan. Here’s what I do instead: I see sticking to my plan as the reward itself. Going for a walk isn’t the thing I have to get through to get a reward — the walk is the reward.

Wouldn’t it be nice to stop? This again is our mind wanting to run from discomfort, and of course it’s true — it would be nice to stop if you’re pushing into a discomfort zone for too long. The thing is, the implication is that it would be better to stop, because it would be nice … but that’s a lie. It would be easier to stop, but often it’s better to continue pushing just a little.

The BIG one!

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I’m afraid. Now, this is the most honest excuse there is — most of us don’t want to admit we’re afraid to pursue something difficult. But it’s also an easy way out of discomfort — just because you’re afraid doesn’t mean you can’t do something. You can. I’ve done several things I’m afraid of, very afraid — including putting myself out there and exposing my inner-self through qigong – creating classes and workshops that I was worried people wouldn’t enjoy - personal decisions too! And while the fear sometimes and rarely came true — the act of pushing through the fear was incredibly important and I learned a lot each time.

For the true pursuit of health, happiness and love we have to take ourselves out from our comfort zone sometimes!

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I’ve used all of these excuses hundreds of times each, so don’t think I’ve overcome them all. And you can use them in the future too. There’s nothing wrong with giving in sometimes.

The key is to learn whether they’re true, and see your pattern. Here’s what I’ve done: 1.

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Notice the excuse. It has way more power if it works on you in the background.

Try to have an answer for the excuse beforehand — anticipate it.

If you give in, that’s OK, but recognise that you’re giving in to a lame excuse. Be aware of what you’re doing.

After giving in, see what the results are. Are you happier? Is your life better? Was it worth it giving in to discomfort?

Learn from those results. If you pushed through and are happy about it, remember that. If you gave in to excuses, and didn’t like the result, remember that.

If you consciously practice this process, you’ll get better at recognizing and not believing these lies. And then, bam, you’ve got your mind working for you instead of against you.

REIKI COMING SOON TO A PLACE TO BE Reiki treatments provide an opportunity for you to totally relax rebalance and reconnect, in a safe and caring environment.

In addition, Reiki helps the body to reach an inner state of harmony on all levels, physically, mentally and spiritually. As well as helping many physical ailments, it can also promote the changing of any negative mental habits, turning these into more positive and productive thought patterns. Reiki energy is gentle to receive; yet a powerful form of healing and the benefits can be felt immediately on all levels.

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Autumn 2014

HEALTHY LIVING THIS AUTUMN As autumn energy starts coming on strong, big changes are coming. While it may be hot during the day, the nights will be getting cooler. We’ll feel a slight nip in the air and the leaves will start changing colour as Mother Nature is focusing on harvesting the growth energy of spring and summer and storing it for the winter cycle to come.

Physically your body is going to have a major shift from summer to autumn energy as lung energy really comes on. For protecting the lungs the skin is very important. Keep your skin moist and don’t let it get dry.

Stay well hydrated. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink water. When you drink water, especially after exercises put a little sea salt in your water. It can help to protect your skin and your vitality.

In autumn people start having more problems with dry nose, coughing and sinuses because this is lung energy time and the weather is changing. Massaging the areas around bridge of nose is very helpful in keeping the sinuses open and clear and helping to prevent allergies.

As autumn comes on, the weather is going to change very rapidly between day and night. When the weather changes rapidly like this and if your body is very weak you might start putting on warmer clothes. That is fine but it is best not to cover up with heavy clothes right away. It is better to let your skin feel some of the coolness. In doing so you are helping prepare your body better for winter. In this way when winter comes you don’t get sick as easily.

If you put on too much warm clothing right away you force the body to get into yin energy too quickly and your body doesn’t have time to make the transition from the yang energy of summer.

If it’s very chilly then you need to stay warm, but if you can allow your skin to experience a little of the coolness that is better. With the weather changes, especially the dryness, people who have heart issues or blocks in veins and arteries need to be more careful because the changes in the air and temperature can make your heart and veins work harder. So if you are dealing with these issues make sure you do gentle exercises and not exciting, exhausting exercises.

Qigong practices are especially good, gentle exercises. And, again, make sure you drink enough water to protect your heart and have good blood flow. Stay well hydrated. If we still have lots of lightning and thundering during autumn, it means the weather is out of its regular rhythm of nature.

When nature’s energy is not moving along as well as normal then we all need to do more exercises, especially more qigong and standing movements to generate more internal body heat to balance that imbalance in nature.

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Autumn 2014

With the coming of autumn, this month the energy starts going to the lungs. This is the time of the metal element. Metal comes from deep within the earth and is a symbol of looking inward and of letting go.

The intense yang energy of summer has dropped from the highest, dropping into the water, so from a spiritual perspective now you need to go deep into your heart and ask yourself, what I have been doing in the past, is it really having a value?

This is the time to summarise and evaluate your life just like you evaluate your business or your physical body – evaluate and examine. Am I on track or not? Make a summary of what’s working, what’s not, and how can I do better. Then you will know how to let go of things that are not working for you and focus on making the changes you need to make. As you go deep like this, pay close attention to the messages that come to you and be guided by them. Then you will go deep into kidney energy, into the vitality which is coming in winter.

Deep meditation at this time is very important. The Small Universe meditation is even more important because Small Universe helps you bring more focus in your body for harvesting the energy from all the energy points and this is harvesting time.

The date of September 23rd is a very good day for deep practice because that is the day that autumn energy reaches its peak and the energy starts the slow transition towards winter.

Suggestions for living in harmony with the autumn season: •

Go through your wardrobe, desk, garage, medicine cabinet - any cluttered storage area-and discard what you no longer need. Then donate, sell, or otherwise circulate what might be of value to others.

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Do a mental inventory: Examine attitudes (prejudices, envies, hatreds, jealousies, resentments) stored within your psyche. When possible, contact those with whom you harbour old "stuff." Attempt to resolve the hurtful old issues, and then let them go.

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For issues you cannot resolve directly with others, or for old issues with yourself, write them on paper, being as specific as possible. Then burn the paper, symbolically releasing the content.

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Take time each day to breathe slowly and deeply. As you inhale the clean autumn air, feel yourself energised and purified. Feel the old negativity, impurity, and pain leave your body and psyche.

Then contemplate briefly who you are without these identifications.

• Whilst we still have some warmth in the early evenings. Go outside, light a candle, be still and enjoy the beautiful warm glow.

• Take a meditative/mindful walk (sunrise and sunset are best). As you walk silently, be conscious of every heel to toe step.

With each and every breath fill your entire body with the nourishing autumnal air. Listen to the sounds. Allow your mind to naturally sort and filter your thoughts. If you can watch the sunrise and fall then take in the view. Smile.

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Autumn 2014

INTUITIVE TOUCH THERAPY

EQILIBRE BRINGING LIFE INTO BALANCE

What is EQILIBRE? EQILIBRE Intuitive Touch Therapy is a hands-on therapy, where the touch is gentle, non-invasive and usually subtle. It is a combination of acupressure, Tuina and Qigong which have all been practiced for healing over thousands of years.

Why have a EQILIBRE session?

EQILIBRE is a very powerful technique to help you achieve and maintain optimal health, wellness, and healing.

Like Qigong, EQILIBRE focuses on balancing and enhancing the flow of energy through the body’s energy channels (or meridians.)

What’s it like?

The practitioner uses comfortable finger pressure and very gentle movement to engage body structure and body energy.

But do not be fooled by the subtlety! By using ‘attuned, listening and healing hands’ tuned to the feeling of the bioelectric (Qi) rhythm, we feel how well the rhythm is reflecting out to the rest of the body and what we may be able to do to improve its functioning.

An important part of our approach is that it is completely born out in practice. It is the person’s body that knows exactly what to do in order to organise the healing.

So we do not try and figure out what is wrong and then try to fix it. This means that we treat the entire body holistically.

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What can EQILIBRE off er?

• reduce pain and discomfort • amplifies the sense of connection, peace and happiness • increases feelings of health and wellbeing • enhances stability, balance and freedom • reduces stress and improves the flow of energy in our body How of ten should I receive EQILIBRE? Although you should feel immediate benefit after one session, just like Qigong, EQILIBRE can be used as a regular body-mind maintenance and a monthly session is recommended.

How much will it cost?

A session of EQILIBRE will last one hour. Your first session will be up to an hour and a half.

Non BE students £35.00 per session Regular BE student £30.00 EXCLUSIVE and LIMITED BE student off er.

Have a monthly EQILIBRE treatment + unlimited QIGONG classes for just £60 pcm.

Treatments will be starting in November, please keep a look on our website for more information.

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Autumn 2014

MINDFUL LIVING & QIGONG RETREAT NORTH NORFOLK FRIDAY 12TH – MONDAY 15TH DECEMBER

The$retreat$will$be$hosted$at$West$Lexham$Manor,$which$is$a$thriving,$exciting$and$ethically$focused$agri<chic$ venue.$A$unique$blend$of$an$elegant$country$manor$estate$and$a$beautifully$bohemian$woodland$village$all$infused$ with$laid<back$vibes$and$a$passion$for$learning$and$living$in$a$creative$and$eco<friendly$way.$For$a$home$away$from$ home$we’ll$be$staying$in$beautifully$restored$heritage$cottages$with$the$comforts$of$home.$Clustered$around$the$ heart$of$the$cottages,$the$affectionately$named$‘Old$Village$Hall’$will$provide$a$natural$gathering$space$for$us$to$ practice,$hang$out$together,$enjoy$delicious$dinners,$with$retro$board$games$and$cosy$chats$round$the$ woodburning$stove,$or$snuggle$up$on$the$sofa$with$a$book.$Weather$permitting$we’ll$enjoy$campfires$in$the$cool$of$ the$evening$whilst$enjoying$the$21$acres$of$beautiful$sweeping$meadows$and$boating$lake.$ $$ This$retreat$will$incorporate$the$Five$Element$Qigong$as$taught$by$Master$Zhongxian$Wu$and$we$also$try$to$ incorporate$more$space$for$personal$reflection$and$the$practice$of$aimlessness$‘nothing$to$do,$nowhere$to$go.’$ $$ Body$and$touch,$tongue$and$taste,$nose$and$smell,$ear$and$sound,$eyes$and$form.$These$consciousness’s$are$a$kind$ of$flow;$their$nature$is$a$continuum$and$over$the$weekend$we$will$explore$this$by$resensitizing$all$our$senses.$ Making$the$most$of$the$environment$and$being$truly$present$with$those$around$you$and$with$what$you$are$doing.$ We$bring$our$body$and$mind$into$harmony$while$together$we$practice,$eat,$wash$the$dishes,$walk,$laugh,$talk,$ listen,$drink$and$enjoy$the$continuous$practice$of$touching$life$deeply$in$every$moment.$ $$ This$retreat$is$therefore$particularly$suited$for$beginners$but$is$also$very$suitable$for$those$who$are$more$ experienced$wishing$to$renew$their$practice$and$refresh$their$spirit.$ $$ Sunday$we$will$actively$promote$Mindful$Eating,$with$a$meal$conscientiously$prepared$by$Madhu$Choudhry.$ Madhu,$owner$of$Ethnic$Fusion$a$catering$company$and$cookery$school$will$indulge$us$in$a$feast$of$vegetarian$ Indian$food.$With$it’s$intoxicating$cacophony$of$smells,$colours$and$tastes$we$will$use$our$learnt$mindfulness$ practices$to$enjoy$this$feast$even$more. $ After$lunch,$we’ll$enjoy$a$Mindful$walk$around$the$grounds$and$we’ll$return$back$to$our$base$and$use$our$tools$of$ perception$when$watching$a$visual$masterpiece.$A$documental$without$words,$cameras$show$us$the$world,$with$an$ emphasis$not$on$"where,"$but$on$"what's$there.”$A$cinematic$guided$meditation$shot$in$24$countries$on$six$ continents$over$a$14<month$period$that$unites$religious$ritual,$the$phenomena$of$nature,$and$man's$own$ destructive$powers$into$a$web$of$moving$images.$In$meditative$slow$motion$and$bewildering$time<lapse,$we’ll$be$ taken$to$the$Church$of$the$Holy$Sepulcher$in$Jerusalem,$the$Ryoan<Ji$temple$in$Kyoto,$Lake$Natron$in$Tanzania,$ burning$oil$fields$in$Kuwait,$the$smoldering$precipice$of$an$active$volcano,$a$busy$subway$terminal,$tribal$ celebrations$of$the$Masai$in$Kenya,$chanting$monks$in$the$Dip$Tse$Chok$Ling$monastery...and$on$and$on,$through$ locales$across$the$globe.$All$complemented$by$enchanting$world<music.$ $ The$cost$of$the$retreat$is$£250$per$person$(includes$3$nights$stay,$all$meals,$tuition$and$accommodation.)$$ ONLY%A%FEW%SPACES%LEFT%SO%PLEASE%BOOK%UP%TO%AVOID%DISAPPOINTMENT.

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AUTUMN WORKSHOPS Mindfulness and Cha Dao - Sunday 19th October 2014 Juyan Webster will be returning to us with her very gentle and calm demeanor sharing within us the joys of a traditional Gong Fu tea ceremony.

A gong fu tea ceremony is to focus one's attention and relax the mind and spirit in a convivial, shared experience. Paying close attention to the evolving taste and aroma of the tea, slowing to observe the dance of its leaves against beautiful ceramic cups enhances one's appreciation of both the tea and the moment. There is nothing like a Gong Fu tea ceremony to create a warm, intimate atmosphere among friends. Juyan your host will take you through 4 different teas exploring the diversity of this sometimes underestimated and unappreciated leaf.

Juyan was born and raised in the Chinese countryside to a peasant family who owned small pieces of land for cultivation. The land included a tea plantation, rice fields, and vegetable gardens. For Juyan, the earliest memory of tea was picking tea leaves alongside her mother in the early spring mornings in the familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tea garden.

The family's home grown and cultivated green tea was the only tea in her family teapot throughout her childhood. This upbringing shaped her passion and love for tea. In 2010, Juyan decided to open her tea shop on Portobello Road, London, to bring carefully selected loose-leaf teas and Chinese tea culture to share.

Mindfulness and Sound - Sunday 16th November 2014 Katina Chapman will take us on a journey of sound and vibration. Soundscape are the sounds that make up the audio landscape. Just like poetry, a soundscape is the acoustic plane that captures mood, effect and subtle aspects of sound.

Together we will create a soundscape of a particular theme or mood, for example the seaside or a jungle, using a variety of percussion. No experience is necessary, just a willingness to participate. Everyone, regardless of musical background can take part.

To finish the day we will be immersed in a Sound Bath. Imagine lying in the centre of a relaxing, high energy field, whilst bathing your body in sound. Introduce your senses to new vibrations. Allow the vibrations to melt away negativity and tension and replace these with positivity, peace and harmony. Experience waves of peace, heightened awareness and relaxation of your mind and body.

Leaving you feeling calm and energised.

Katina runs Spiral of Light, offering a wide range of alternative therapies that compliment each other. Each therapy is designed to help you empower your life, build confidence and feel stronger and healthier.

She worked for over 20 years in Human Resources; her last post was as Head of Human Resources for Otley College. Katina left in February 2011, to pursue her passion for alternative therapies.

She specialises in Sound and Crystal Therapy and trained with Crystal Dimensions and the British Academy of Sound Therapy.

Each workshop costs ÂŁ50 (inclusive of all associated workshop materials) 16

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Thank you for your support The River Green CafĂŠ is a unique restaurant, cafĂŠ and events venue, featuring the best vegetarian and vegan food in an informal atmosphere. Easy to find, River Green nestles in the lovely village of Trowse, yet is just 20 minutes walk from the city centre of Norwich.

Combining informal service with a smile in a lively atmosphere, with a great range of organic wine, local beers and ciders, River Green is a unique place to eat, drink and meet friends.

Visit www.rivergreencafe.co.uk for more information

Founded by Celebrity skin expert Louise Thomas-Minns, U. and Your Skin offers a unique approach to skin care which is perfectly designed to help U. get the best out of your skin.

U. and Your Skin are passionate about using a combination of results-driven scientific skin technology, botanical extracts, ultrasonic technology, sculpting massage techniques and skin specific reflexology, which promises to really indulge your skin.

The flagship boutique Skin Lounge in the heart of Historic offers luxurious and relaxing surroundings for all their clients.

Visit www.uandyourskin.co.uk for more information

Looking for mindfulness and meditation classes in Norwich?

Welcome to 'A Place To Meditate'. We lead meditation classes in Norwich city centre. Open to all, even if you have never meditated before, please feel free to drop in to any of our classes!

We also hold various mindfulness courses and events throughout the year. Check our 'Courses & Events' page for details.

You can find us at Capitol House on Heigham Street, where we have a wonderful space to explore meditation and mindfulness.

We are on the first floor, at 'A Place To Be' in studio 12 Visit www.aplacetomeditate.com for more information

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Autumn 2014

Join Classes We have now introduced Qigong to over two hundred people and new students are starting every week experiencing the true benefits of this beautiful Life Art to enhance their quality of Life.

Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for gentle fitness, relaxation, reconnecting to the bigger picture, destressing, socialising with wonderful people, some time out or a bit of everything then this is for you.

We are starting Hun Yuan Qigong in October so why not make that change and join us now.

Your first class is FREE.

aplacetobe.me

Autumn 2014

aplacetobe.me We welcome you to our very own wellbeing studio, a place to leave your troubles behind and put a smile on your face.

APLACETOBE.ME Capitol House Studio 12 (first floor) 4-6 Heigham Street Norwich NR2 4TE 01603 928 992 / 07977 114031

visit http://www.aplacetobe.me If you enjoyed reading this, keep the smile going and send this to your friend. Everyone needs a smile.