QUALITY OF LIFE
WELL-BEING
PERSONAL GROWTH
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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011
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BE POSITIVE WITH INFLATION
DEMYSTIFYING COMMON HEALTH MYTHS
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HOW TO WORK WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE
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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011
CONTENTS
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COVER STORY
6
LOOK GOOD, FEEL GOOD Having good skin can be an instant confidence booster. Here’s how you can maintain a fabulous, healthylooking complexion and feel like a winner.
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6
BE POSITIVE WITH INFLATION We can lead a happy life in the inflationary world if we know how to make good use of our resources.
ALL ABOUT HEALTH
DEMYSTIFYING COMMON HEALTH MYTHS
WINE AND FOOD
13 28
FEATURE
22
25
COCOA FEVER
GET INSPIRED REACHING THE SUMMIT
CAREER CORNER
HOW TO WORK WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE
28 10 2 3 4 31
IN EVERY ISSUE EDITOR’S LETTER QUESTION OF THE MONTH THOUGHTS ON LIFE ENJOY GUIDE
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EDITOR’S LETTER
A publication of Anima Publishing Limited
We hope that you enjoyed reading the past issues of
Anima. We want to cover a variety of interesting topics, all of which could help you enjoy the good life. There are many wonderful things out there: good food, new interests, great ideas, interesting work, new friends and places….Just go discover them! And enjoy! What’s more, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you need a lot of money for that. Sometimes, things can be simple but rewarding. As our contributor, Jack Tsang pointed out, “Being materialistic is no guarantee of a happy life.” True. There are many ways to have fun, and you can spend wisely and yet lead an enjoyable life. Read the article “Be positive with inflation” (page 10) and find out how we can live happily in the inflationary world. To make yourself feel good, doing some grooming work would help. Look good, feel good. Apart from what we wear, good skin makes a big difference. Our Cover Story, “Look good, Feel good” (page 6) gives you expert advice on how to keep your skin healthy and radiant. Have you ever got annoyed by your boss or colleague? Do you have trouble dealing with difficult people in the workplace? We need to learn to handle these situations, especially when the annoyances happen on a regular basis. Katherine Crowley and Kathi Elster, co-authors of the book Working with You is Killing Me tell us how we can handle this and improve our work experience in the article “How to work with difficult people” (page 28). Learn the key to it and you would be fine. Get a free online subscription and join our Facebook page (www. facebook.com/AnimaMag). We would like to know your thoughts. Do send us your thoughts, feedback, questions for our experts, or topics you want to know more about. The e-mail address is editorial@animamag.com. Have a great day!
LAM CHI FAI Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
Hong Kong 2/F., Dah Sing Life Building 99-105 Des Voeux Road Central Hong Kong T: (852) 2325 0287 F: (852) 2287 5002 E: info@animamag.com
PUBLISHER AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lam Chi Fai EDITOR Eunice Wong ART DIRECTOR John Agra CONTRIBUTORS Dr. Kary Lam, Lisa-Ann Lee, Jansen Lim, Jack Tsang PRINTER Fantasy Printing Limited 7/F., Tin Fung Industrial Mansion 63 Wong Chuk Hang Road Hong Kong ADVERTISING advertise@animamag.com EDITORIAL editorial@animamag.com
Anima magazine is published by Anima Publishing Limited. Copyright 2011 Anima Publishing Limited, all rights reserved. The title “Anima magazine” its associated logos and content are the property of Anima Publishing Limited. Reproduction in any manner in whole or in part in English or other languages without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. While every care has been taken, we do not accept liability with respect to any views, opinions or advice given in this magazine.
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QUESTION OF THE MONTH I have been working in my profession for ten years after graduation. However, it has gradually become clear to me that this profession does not suit my personality. Is it too late to start all over again and to pursue a different career? GLORY LAM
Dear Glory, Yes, definitively, it is possible to change a career at any moment. And I would say even more with our current world, everything is reachable. Now, is it an easy task? No. You would need courage first, the courage to listen and follow your heart, and determination. But what is the alternative, Glory? Keeping a job that you reckon doesn't correspond to you will generate more and more frustration and less and less willpower. So please, be different than most of people, NOW, in doing the first move to change your career path. They only get the courage to change once they have crashed against the wall (and preferably at 200km/hr!!). You don't need that to feel the pain of continuing this life for one year, two years...five years, do you? Once your decision has been taken (Congratulations!), here are the steps ahead: • Getting clarity: Integrating what is important for your career. I call that your champion values. Start following what you found. Every step in alignment with who you are is a victory! • Creating a team and an environment that motivate, inspire and guide you (every champion has built a strong team, why not you?), including real friends that positively support your growth and decisions. • Building energy from food and activities so that you will be ready to jump over your obstacles! At that point, you will already be engaged in a new and enjoyable career, and the more you will keep decisions in tune with your inner calling, well, the easier it will get! Oh, I forgot to tell you. At first, it is not important to know what and how you will do it. This will come along the process. And enjoy the change, it is exciting! BENOIT FOUCHER
A former tennis professional, Benoit Foucher is accompanying people on their way to become champions in their lives. As a certified life coach (Coaches Training Institute), NLP Practitioner, registered yoga teacher and NASM fitness coach, Benoit gives as much concern to the physical, spiritual and mental part for each of us. His website is www. benoitfoucher.com.
Do you have questions on health and well-being? Please send your questions to editorial@animamag.com. WWW.ANIMAMAG.COM
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011
THOUGHTS ON LIFE “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.” HENRY FORD (BUSINESSMAN, 1863-1947)
“A MAN IS BUT THE PRODUCT OF HIS THOUGHTS. WHAT HE THINKS, HE BECOMES.” MOHANDAS K. GANDHI
“A man's growth is seen in the successive choirs of his friends.” RALPH WALDO EMERSON (AMERICAN POET, 1803-1882)
“I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see.” JOHN BURROUGHS (AMERICAN AUTHOR, 1837-1921)
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“Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.” MARK TWAIN (AMERICAN AUTHOR, 1835-1910)
“A kiss makes the heart young again and wipes out the years.” RUPERT BROOKE (ENGLISH POET, 1887-1915)
“I would rather be poor in a cottage full of books than a king without the desire to read.” THOMAS B. MACAULAY (HISTORIAN, 1800-1859)
“ALL LIFE IS AN EXPERIMENT. THE MORE EXPERIMENTS YOU MAKE THE BETTER.” RALPH WALDO EMERSON (AMERICAN POET, 1803-1882)
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LOOK GOOD,
feel good
Having good skin can be an instant confidence booster. Here’s how you can maintain a fabulous, healthy-looking complexion and feel like a winner. BY LISA-ANN LEE
Have you ever found yourself dreading going to the office or
attending a meeting due to a sudden outbreak of acne or because you feel selfconscious about your complexion? You’re not alone. Our appearance plays a large role in contributing to our self-esteem and the journey to looking good starts with having healthy skin. Contrary to popular opinion however, having good skin isn’t just for people blessed with good genes. Says Dr Derrick Aw, a consultant dermatologist at the National University Hospital in Singapore, “Most people believe that genetics play a part in good skin. But even the best in-born skin will age with time – and faster – if one has unprotected sun exposure throughout one's lifetime.” That said, there are several factors that contribute to good skin. Apart from adopting a suitable skincare regimen also important is cultivating healthy dietary and lifestyle habits. Here are three simple ways you can keep your skin looking healthy and radiant:
1. Don’t Forget the Sunblock. Contrary to what you see in beauty advertisements, the most effective anti-aging product isn’t the latest innovative anti-wrinkle cream. It’s the humble sunblock. Skin experts say that getting ample protection from the sun’s rays is essential as unprotected sun exposure not only speeds up the ageing process but increases your chances of getting skin cancer in the long run. WWW.ANIMAMAG.COM
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AS OUR BODY’S LARGEST ORGAN, OUR SKIN REFLECTS THE STATE OF OUR HEALTH.
That said, one of the misconceptions people have about sunblock is that the higher its SPF rating, the more protection it offers. Not true, say experts. SPF (or Sun Protection Factor) refers to how long you can stay in the sun without burning. An SPF 15 sunscreen, for example, will offer you approximately 150 minutes of protection while SPF 30 gives you 300 minutes. The difference in the amount of protection they offer is not as great as one might suppose; For example, SPF 100 blocks 99 percent of UVB rays while SPF 50 and SPF 30 block 98 percent and 96.7 percent respectively. It should be stressed that no sunblock offers 100 percent protect from the sun’s rays. Dermatologists recommend getting an SPF 30 “broad spectrum” product that offers both UVA and UVB protec-
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tion. Also, reapplying it every two hours is advised especially if you have been sweating a lot.
2. Eat Right. The old adage, “You are what you eat” has never been truer. As our body’s largest organ, our skin reflects the state of our health. Eating foods that are rich in antioxidants and vitamins benefits not only our bodies but our skin as well. For example, in a study conducted by researchers at the Universities of Manchester and Newcastle, it was reported that subjects whose diet included tomato paste, which contains the antioxidant lycopene, were found to have 33 percent more protection against sunburn than those who didn’t. To treat your skin right, make sure that your diet includes WWW.ANIMAMAG.COM
the following: ° Antioxidant-rich super foods such as tomatoes, blueberries, green tea and wolfberries ° Vitamin A, which aids in tissue repair and helps prevent acne formation. Think dark orange and dark green vegetables such as carrots and broccoli. ° Vitamin C-rich food such as citrus fruit, kiwi fruit, peppers and strawberries, which help in the production of collagen. ° Vitamin E, which promotes tissue repair and healing, and can be found in nuts and seeds such as almonds, pine nuts and sunflower seeds, vegetable oils and wheat germ. ° Essential fatty acids, which are vital for keeping your skin smooth and supple, and can be found in food such as oily fish, walnuts and almonds. ° Whole grains: These contain glycosaminoglycans, which are essential for helping the skin stay firm and smooth by producing collagen and elastin fibres.
3. Think Positive. Given our busy work schedules, it’s not uncommon for stress to take its toll on our bodies. In the case of our skin, such conditions often take the form of puffy skin or worse sudden breakouts, which occur due to the surge of hormones that our body releases when under duress.
How do you deal with such symptoms? For a start, get a good night’s rest, advise doctors. Not only does sleep deprivation cause your complexion to become dull and puffy, it also increases your body’s stress levels. Getting adequate sleep will allow your body’s immune system to recharge itself. Finding a calming activity such as yoga or meditation to help your mind relax can also help. It could even be something as simple as taking a 15-minute walk to clear your mind if you are pressed for time. Health experts say that exercise can also do wonders for your skin. Benefits include an increase in blood circulation (hence the rosy glow that you get), which helps to remove the body’s toxins and boost cell renewal. Not only that, some doctors such as Dr David Berman, a California-based dermatologist and dermatologic cosmetic surgeon, also suggest that exercise may help to control acne. “There's a lot of indirect evidence that shows that when you exercise your level of stress diminishes. So your adrenal glands are producing less of these male-type hormones that are part of any acne flare-up,” he says. Lisa-Ann Lee writes about food, travel and lifestyle trends for several magazines including Time Out and Priority. She is currently based in Singapore.
MORE THAN JUST SKIN DEEP BUYING THE RIGHT SKIN CARE PRODUCT CAN BE A CONFUSING EXPERIENCE THESE DAYS. HOW DO YOU SEPARATE THE TRUTH FROM THE MARKETING HYPE? DERMATOLOGIST DR DERRICK AW TELLS US WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND THE NEXT TIME WE’RE AT THE BEAUTY COUNTER.
ANIMA | Is it true that beauty
products by Asian brands are more suitable for Asian skin types? AW | Asian skin tends to be more 'sensitive' than Caucasian skin; For example, Asian skins tan more often than burn and heal with more pigmentation. While it can be said that the manner of prescription for Asian patients differs from that for Caucasian patients, I cannot say the same for beauty products. ANIMA | What should one
look out for when buying skin care products? AW | First, you should select a cream based on your needs. For example, if your skin is perpetually dry, you should get products with active moisturising factors such as
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glycerin and hyaluronic acid instead of Vitamin A-derived anti-ageing products that contain ingredients such as retinol and retinaldehyde because they can actually cause more dryness! Secondly, you should select a cream that suits your skin. For example, if you are prone to getting outbreaks, then you should ensure that the cream carries a label that says "noncomedogenic" instead of simply picking any antioxidant cream (no matter how nice it sounds) because the latter can block pores and cause more whiteheads. If you have very oily skin, look for an antioxidant or sunscreen that is lotion-based instead of cream based. The cream formulation may make your skin appear and feel
greasier than it already is. Thirdly, you should select a cream based on your skin regimen. For example, if you have a whole range of products to apply, then you should learn to prioritise and compromise – for instance, give up your regular moisturizer at night and replace it with a rich antioxidant cream, so you don't have to apply two creams one after the other! ANIMA | Many beauty
products tout antioxidant properties these days but are these claims just marketing hype? AW | The actual concentration of antioxidant ingredients in over-the-counter beauty products is usually kept very low. There are many reasons for this, one of them being that
such products are expensive to formulate. Furthermore, most of these beauty products do not undergo comprehensive clinical evaluation, i.e strict and extensive (and expensive) clinical trials, for commercial reasons too: the need to hasten the delivery of a new product into the mass market. Hence although many beauty products make claims of conveying antioxidant properties based on their antioxidant ingredients, the promise of a significantly useful clinical effect on the user remains unsubstantiated in most cases. That said, it's probably better (as a component of a beauty regime) to regularly apply some form of antioxidant cream on the face than not to apply anything at all!
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be positive WITH INFLATION We can lead a happy life in the inflationary world if we know how to make good use of our resources. BY JACK TSANG
We are all living under global inflation, but are you
happy with this? Most people answer is: No. According to the textbook definition, inflation means “persistent increase in the general price level”. Yes, I know...but how does it make you unhappy?
NEEDS VS WANTS “Inflation increases the cost of living but our salaries can’t catch up with it. In turn, our standard of living deteriorates,” a young guy said. Oh, I see, but wait...no doubt inflation (if not fully compensated by an increase in income) would erode your purchasing power, but would it seriously affect your standard of living? Thanks (and no thanks) to the consumerism that has evolved in modern societies, we are often unconsciously over-spending and under-utilizing resources. In other words − wasting. While food, clothing and other living stuff are all becoming more expensive, we are forced to reflect on our actual “needs” and distinguish them from our “wants”. The insight we get is − we can still live happily without the unnecessary stuff.
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ADDICTED TO BUYING? One of the important factors causing global inflation is the frequent occurrence of natural disasters (earthquake, tsunami, flood, drought, tornado...) in recent years, which result in a shortage of resources. Scientists explain that such disasters are partly attributable to the abuse of the environment by human beings. The root cause of environmental abuse is our uncontrolled desire. Our uncontrolled desire has led to a shortage of resources. With an increase in prices, we need to spend carefully, and avoid wasting. Let’s put it this way: inflation is in fact environmentally-friendly! Think more deeply: being materialistic is no guarantee of a happy life. We can (yes, we can) change our lifestyle − go hiking instead of shopping during weekends. This would cost less, but it would give us a new dimension of life. On the other hand, if you are addicted to buying, you would inevitably drive yourself to make more money. This is a mental trap: you don’t like inflation because it lowers your quality of life, so you work harder to earn more; but when you work harder, your quality of life suffers (you have less time to enjoy life). Another crucial factor leading to global inflation is the WWW.ANIMAMAG.COM
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lack of fiscal discipline of the governments of many countries, where the saving rates are extremely low but the debt levels are terribly high. People are accustomed to spending their future income these days. Even after the economic downturn, they are still reluctant to accept the austerity measures (see how the Greek citizens responded to the public spending-cut plan). They still expect their governments to rescue the economy by spending more money (fiscal policy funded by debts) or printing more money (monetary policy). Both are bad financial habits.
THINK MORE DEEPLY: BEING MATERIALISTIC IS NO GUARANTEE OF A HAPPY LIFE.
BEING PRICE SENSITIVE Now, the US government has realized that the quantitative easing (QE) method is no panacea to an ailing economy. European countries are gradually raising interest rates to curb inflation. What should we (general public) do? Again, the existence of inflation makes us tighten our wallet, spend cautiously and save more in view of the uncertain future. When we become more “price sensitive”, we will learn to allocate resources better. Last year, I read an interesting book named Plenitude: The New Economics of True Wealth. The author, Juliet Schor, introduces the concept of “plenitude” after the challenges to capitalism in recent years. Human beings are degrading the planet far faster than they are regenerating it. Natural resources and consumer goods are becoming increasingly expensive. The economic downturn that has accompanied the ecological crisis has led to scarcity in terms of incomes, jobs, and credit. Responding to the current dilemma, plenitude puts sustainability at its core, but it is not a paradigm of sacrifice. Instead, it argues that through a major shift to new sources of wealth, green technologies, and different ways of living, individuals and the country as a whole can actually be better off and more economically secure. These trends represent a movement away from the conventional market and offer a way towards an efficient, rewarding life in an era of high prices and traditional resource scarcity.
INVESTING FOR THE FUTURE “Jack, you are always talking about thrift. Why don’t you
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suggest ways to grow our income and wealth?” Good question. I don’t object to making more money, but the prerequisite is your preparation for the growth. The Hong Kong Government announced in March the handout of $6,000 in cash to every adult permanent resident. What’s your plan to make use of this windfall? Interestingly, I took a glance at the online forum discussions and found that most people said they would spend the $6,000 on travelling, having a great meal, buying Apple Inc’s “i-products”, etc. I rarely hear people say they would invest the amount for combating inflation. No kidding. If you want to grow your income or wealth at a rate higher than inflation, you need to invest. You can invest in stocks, but of course, $6,000 is not much and the stock market is now highly volatile. A more stable and feasible strategy is to invest in your human capital − buy some books for personal growth, or take a couple of self-enhancement courses. While commodities are inflated passively, you can inflate your value proactively!
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CHARITY DONATION “We are living in a more developed region and thus inflation would not make us starve, but it is lowering the average chance of survival in the Third World countries.” Exactly! The “jasmine uprising” that caused political instability in the Middle East countries, to a large extent, has arisen due to hyper-inflation. We are relatively abundant, why don’t we make more donations to help people in need? The financial tsunami happened in 2008 significantly discounted the wealth of many billionaires. However, this has not extinguished their passion for philanthropy. Among the top riches, both Bill Gates and Warren Buffett have promised to give away most of their wealth to charity and they are asking other billionaires to do the same. We can follow suit. Everything has its positive and negative sides. If you want to lead a happy life, please remember to balance both sides. Jack Tsang is a professional adviser, coach and trainer. His e-mail address is jacktsang@me.com. WWW.ANIMAMAG.COM
ALL ABOUT HEALTH
DEMYSTIFYING COMMON HEALTH MYTHS Finding out the truth about some health myths would certainly help you to stay healthy. BY DR KARY LAM When it comes to exercise and staying healthy, you have
probably heard a lot of different opinions and “facts” from everyone around you. Do you think you are pretty informed about exercise and staying healthy already? Check out the truth about these common myths.
I am still relatively young and healthy, I don’t need to start taking care of my spine yet. MYTH:
Taking care of your spine is no differWWW.ANIMAMAG.COM
ent from caring for your teeth. Maintaining your spine should be a lifelong mission. You brush your teeth daily, and you should think about spinal health often. We use our joints and spine everyday with every movement of the body. It is common but abnormal for the spine to become misaligned, whether it would be due to poor posture, muscle imbalance or overuse. Over time, these spinal misalignments can cause early degeneration in the spine and SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011
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ALL ABOUT HEALTH
muscle fibrosis, giving rise to symptoms like pain, weakness and tingling in the arms and legs. Preserve your spine by stretching regularly, maintaining proper posture and regular exercises. Regular spinal checkups are necessary as many misalignments can go unnoticed until symptoms occur by which time much of the damage has already occurred.
I have heard muscles need to be strengthened. A strengthening program is always appropriate for everyone. MYTH:
Muscle strengthening is important for your overall spinal health and it can prevent osteoporosis. However, there needs to be a balance of strength, endurance and flexibility in your muscles in order to avoid injury. Blindly engaging in strengthening exercises is not recommended. It can actually do more harm than good, especially if you have a pre-existing spinal condition such as a herniated disc, degeneration in the spine etc. The exercises can worsen your condition and make your symptoms worse. Consult your chiropractor or healthcare professional before starting a program.
I should do traditional situps to get a flat stomach in time for the summer. MYTH:
Traditional sit-ups can probably do you more harm than good. It puts your low back in a lot of unhealthy strain, potentially causing nerve impingement as the back of your spine houses a lot of the spinal nerves, including the largest nerve in the body – the sciatic nerve. The repetitive “full-flex” movement
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in sit-ups can also wear your spinal discs prematurely, causing a disc bulge or herniation. A herniated disc can cause severe low back and leg pain, tingling and weakness. Instead, consider working out the core muscles by performing the plank with your elbows on a gym ball. Keeping your back straight and bracing your core muscles, start the “stir the pot” motion – stirring with the arms while minimizing movement in the core area. MYTH: Painkillers help manage my
headaches and pain, so my con-
dition must be under control. There are many different types of painkillers on the market and each category treat pain with a slightly different mechanism. Consider many of the over-the-counter painkillers for instance; they are anti-inflammatory drugs that work by blocking the chemical prostaglandins which carry the pain signal from the point of inflammation to the nerve. If the nerve receives no signal about the pain, the brain will receive no signal, and hence you don’t feel any pain. Long term use of these painkillers will come with increased risk of stomWWW.ANIMAMAG.COM
TRADITIONAL SIT-UPS CAN PROBABLY DO YOU MORE HARM THAN GOOD. IT PUTS YOUR LOW BACK IN A LOT OF UNHEALTHY STRAIN, POTENTIALLY CAUSING NERVE IMPINGEMENT. cause occasional muscle aches and nothing more.
ach upset, and kidney problems. If you suffer from chronic headaches and pain, you should arrange to have your spine assessed to find out the underlying cause of your symptoms, instead of trying to mask your symptoms.
As long as I take vitamins and supplements every day, that should give me all the nutrition I need. MYTH:
It is important to remember that not all marketed supplements are effective. Some supplements have more scientific evidence to support their benefits than others. You should talk to your WWW.ANIMAMAG.COM
health care provider to determine whether supplements are right for you to achieve optimal health. Solid research has shown that calcium and vitamin D supplements can help in preventing and treating bone loss and osteoporosis. Some preliminary data also suggests that glucomsamine supplements can provide significant pain relief in patients with osteoarthritis in the knee. However, ongoing studies are underway to confirm findings.
I know my posture is less than good, but it should only MYTH:
A very good analogy to describe how your spine is affected with bad posture is by thinking of it as a car. If you drive your car when the wheels are out of alignment, it will wear and tear a lot faster and is more likely to break down. Our body is the same way. With poor posture, it puts a lot of extra tension on the muscles and ligaments of the spine. These muscles will eventually fatigue and lose their elasticity and ability to support the spine. The spine will then lose its natural alignment. This will over time lead to early degenerative changes, causing arthritis, nerve root impingement. Proper sitting position: Sit up with your back straight and your shoulders back. Your buttocks should touch the back of your chair. Proper sleeping position: You should avoid sleeping on your stomach. If you like to sleep on your back, consider putting a pillow under your knees to keep your back relaxed. If you are a side sleeper, keep a body pillow between your knees. Proper standing position: Stand up straight, with your head upright and level, with the ears aligned directly over the shoulder. Avoid the forward head posture where the head is held forward of the body. Dr Kary Lam is a Canadian trained chiropractor practicing in Hong Kong. She is passionate about spreading the spinal health message and teaching the public about prevention and staying healthy. Dr Lam is also a lecturer of the Sports Injury Prevention & Spinal Health course at the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011
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WHERE TO FIND A FREE COPY MID-LEVELS / SOHO Archie B’& El Taco Loco Bacar Balance Health Beyrouth Café Central Blossom Nails Bruch Club Cafe Lavande Cafe Protobello Cafe Punta del Cielo Cafe Siam Caramba Mexican Cantina Club 1911 DM Hair Workshop Eat Right Flow Bookshop FMH (The Face Magic Haven) Hearty Restaurant Jaspas Ladies Recreation Club Life Organic Health Cafe Lil Siam McSorley’s Ale House Nefertiti Orange Tree Restaurant Organic Baby Pacific Grill Phukets Thai Restaurant Power Plate Institute Rico Spanish Restaurant & Bar SoHo Junction Bar Sole Mio Staunton’s Wine Bar & Cafe Taco Loco Taequila Mexican Restaurant & Bar Taku Tala’s Hair The Garden Cafe Wagyu Wagyu Lounge Yo Fresh (Frozen Yogurt) Yogurtime
CENTRAL 4D Wellbeing Centre Al’s Diner A Mother’s Touch Anahata Yoga Atria Properties Av Beauty Clinique Bit Point Body Talks System CancerLink Central Dance Studios CoCo Espresso Downtown Chiropractic Clinic Dragonfly Euro Treat Foot Reflexology Health Care Centre of The Blind Goccia Ristorante Health Gate Helena May Indulgence JAR (Just-A-Restaurant) Just Salad Kinesiology Asia La Dolce Vita 97 La Fontaine Optimum Performance Studio Pangea- Wing Chun Kung Fu and Pilates
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Pickled Pelican Post 97 Shakti Healing Circle Stormies Subway Sutherland Chan Centre The American Club The Dublin Jack The Elgin (Service Apartment) The Feel Good Factor The Wheel Treasure View Service Apartments Uncle Eric’s Vintage Wine Bar Uncle Russ Coffee Vitality Center Yogurtime
SHEUNG WAN Bun Me Vietnamese Bugliette Cafe Roma DEF Boxing Graze Cafe Rebound Health The Bauhinia The Yoga Room Yogurtime
REPULSE BAY Bayley & Jackson Dental Surgeons Ltd. Global Essence International Ltd. Ice Cream Gallery OT& P (Repulse Bay Practice) Sylvan Learning Tam, Hulac & Partners Dental Ltd.
WANCHAI Al Dente Alliance Francaise Hong Kong American Women’s Association Amici Coyote Bar & Grill Ebeneezer’s Kebabs & Pizzeria Fat Angelo’s Flying Pan JoJo’s Indian Cuisine Khana Khazana Let’s Spa Mes Amis Natalie Tong Private Practice Center Oyster Bar & Grill Pizza Express The Australian Association The Quarterdeck Club Yogurtime Zambra Cafe LAI KING WAN (SOHO EAST) Berliner + Wildfire Jack’s Terrazza Ristorante Pure Massage Te
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STANLEY Main Street Stanley Bar & Cafe Mijas Spanish Restaurant Pickled Pelican Pizza Express ROCKSALT Seafront Spiaggia Squeeze Cafe The Boathouse Wildfire
AP LEI CHAU Artura Ficus Attitude Ltd (Furniture & Interiors) Burnt Oringe Co.Ltd. Dormirest (The Nature of Beds) HC28 Life’s A Breeze Limestone Wines and Spirits Monde Chocolatier Patio Mart Pacific Gourmet Ltd. Rimba Rhyme Sift Patisserie The Aberdeen Marina Club Viva Italia Whiskers n Paws
DISCOVERY BAY Caramba Mexican Cantina Hemingway’s By the Bay McSorley’s Ale House StratMark Management Consulting Uncle Russ Coffee Yogurtime
SAI KUNG Aguaplus AJ’s Sri Lankan Cuisine Allure Beauty and Health Anthony’s Ranch Bacco Classified Cru Wing and Grill Dr. Siu Yuk Kiu Medical Practice Firenze Restaurant Hebe Haven Yacht Club Italiano’s Restaurant & Bar JASPAS Pizzeria Pomodoro Poets Sabai Day Spa Sai Kung Animal Hospital Sai Kung Physiotherapy Sauce Shun Kee City Houseware Company Steamers Sushi TEN KU The Boozer White Black Caffe Ltd.
Le Bristol French Restaurant Med Stars (Mediterranean Cuisine) Resto Restaurant ELEMENTS / TSIM SHA TSUI Bombay dreams Bliss Spa, W Hotel El Pomposo Bar & Tapas Grand Central Bar & Grill Joia Ristorante Italiano Mes Amis Morthan Cure Physiotherapy Stormies United Services Recreation Club CAUSEWAY BAY / HAPPY VALLEY Apartment O Asia Health Equipment Bodywise Pilates Brown Capra Latte Connie Bauworks Dickens Bar Gallery Café Mind Body Colon Cleansing Centre Reflections Bookstore & Resources Center Valley Fit Studio Your Health Compass ISLAND EAST, QUARRY BAY Asia Pacific Aromatherapy Café Pampernickel Frites Quarry Bay Neurofarmers
TUNG CHUNG Skyline Physiotherapy Starz Wine Bar STREET POINTS DISTRIBUTION Bridge across IFC to Central Ferry Pier 3 (to Discovery Bay) The stairs near the Mid-levels escalator, Hollywood Road Bridge across IFC 1, to Hang Seng Bank Building Complimentary copies are sent to selective clinical psychologists, nutritionists, doctors, barristers and solicitors
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• Knowledge and past experience in social media marketing is preferred • Independent, hardworking, presentable and result-oriented • Good communication skills • Proficiency in both written and spoken English and Chinese GRAPHIC DESIGNER (FREELANCE) You will be responsible for the design work of our custom publications by using typography and graphics. To qualify you must possess: • Higher Diploma in Graphic Design • 2-3 years’ experience in print publication and brochure design • Strong knowledge and skills in using graphic design software such as InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator • Creative mind with attention to details
provided will be treated in strict confidence and will only be used for recruitment purposes. Please contact us and send your full resume via email: hr@animamag. com Want to submit an article and get it published? We welcome article submissions from experts and professionals on topics that promote quality of life, well-being and personal growth. If you are interested, please send your article proposal or the draft version of your article to editorial@animamag.com.
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S P O N S O R E D F E AT U R E
MSM â&#x20AC;&#x201C; THE ORGANIC SULPHUR
By Bryon Verhaeghe
One important use of sulphur in the body is flexibility. The ability of hair and nails to flex without breaking, the rib cage to expand for breathing, tendons stretching without stiffness, joints to impact without injury, bones and teeth to flex slightly without cracking, and the lens of the eye to focus for close up reading, is due in part to sulphur. Collagen requires sulphur and when low we have thin skin, thin lips, poor circulation, cold hands and feet, breathing problems, allergies, asthma, slow healing, sore and stiff muscles, constipation, brittle bones, bladder and menstrual problems, and even infertility.
SULPHUR FOOD CHART
S
ulphur also written sulfur, is a natural element. Elemental sulphur is pale yellow with slight odour. This inorganic sulphur often ends up in the ocean, where plankton binds it to carbon to make it organic. Organic sulphurs have a much stronger and unpleasant odour. Evaporation from the ocean carries it through the rain to the land, and then plants absorb it. All life needs organic sulphur to survive. Overharvesting reduces the soil levels and this is why farmers in the olden days would rotate their crops. Some plants bind more sulphur than others. Well water has less sulphur than rain water. To increase the soil content we add sulphur to fertilizers but this is the inorganic form. Today we have factory farming and our diet is seriously depleted in sulphur. We have changed our farming practices and even organic grown foods do not contain the sulphur of the olden days. Animals need more of this element for life than plants. Most of our organic sulphur comes from the ocean. Plants and animals from the ocean, particularly shellfish are a rich source. This makes sea foods healthy for us. Women in Iceland and Japan consume the most sea food and have the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lowest rates of breast cancer. Sulphur is the sixth most abundant macro mineral in breast milk for healthy baby growth. (PMID:11896744)
ITEM Scallops Crab Peanuts (roasted, salted) Prawns (boiled) Veal cutlet (fried) Fillet (roast) Chicken (boiled) Heart (roast) Kidneys (fried) Liver (fried) Chicken livers (fried) Parmesan Cheddar Eggs (fried) Eggs (boiled) Cabbage (raw) Onion (fried) Spinach (boiled) Brussels (boiled) Chickpeas (cooked) Potatoes (roasted) Banana Apple (skin and core)
SERVING 10 = 100 g 150 g 25 g 6 = 120 g 110 g 100 g 100 g 140 g 100 g 130 g 130 g 10 g 25 g 60 g 55 g 50 g 70 g 60 g 7 = 70 g 60 g 120 g 100 g 110 g
SULPHUR 570 mg 470 mg 380 mg 370 mg 330 mg 330 mg 300 mg 300 mg 290 mg 270 mg 250 mg 250 mg 230 mg 210 mg 180 mg 90 mg 90 mg 90 mg 80 mg 80 mg 60 mg 10 mg 5 mg
MSM is organic sulphur that is harvested from the ocean. It is well absorbed from oral supplementation. It appears to be first used as a dietary supplement in horse racing. Racing on grass was a problem on rainy days with the horses slipping in the mud and hurting themselves. Changing to synthetic turf caused a great increase in knee injuries and shin splints (bone
S P O N S O R E D F E AT U R E
fractures). By adding MSM to their diet they found the horses to recover quickly and perform better.
respiratory symptoms were reduced significantly from baseline. By week 3 lower respiratory symptoms significantly improved. Energy levels significantly increased by day 14. (PMID:12006124)
RESEARCH STUDIES: • To study this they recorded exercise related changes and injury in 24 jumping horses involved in competiMSM is also written as DMSO2, dimethyl sulfone, tion. Three diet groups were established; control, MSM (CH3)2SO2, CH3SO2CH3, and methylsulfonylmeth8 mg/kg, and this amount of ane. It is often found as a MSM plus Vitamin C 5 mg/kg. MSM 3D MOLECULE supplement in 500 mg tablets The control group continued or capsules. I find that the to have exercise induced injury capsules work better that the while the other two groups did hard tablets and best results not. They noted that the best when combined with salmon oil recovery was the combinasupplements. Bulk powder has tion of MSM and Vitamin C. little taste and one teaspoon is (PMID:18992134) about 4 grams. It is also found • A study was conducted on 50 in skin lotions and eye drops. In men and women aged 40-76 a future article I will write about years of age with knee pain the dangers of glucosamine, a (osteoarthritis). Intervention common item in joint formulas was randomized and double and pet food. blind for 12 weeks with half placebo and the others received Here at Rebound Health we are 3 gm MSM twice per day (6 constantly on the lookout for gm/day total). Compared to placebo, MSM produced effective ways to be healthy. You are welcome to visit significant decreases in pain and physical impairment. our “in progress” web site www.reboundhealth.com or (PMID:16309928) make an appointment for a free consultation by phon• Seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), a common allergy with ing 2544-4055. We also have a line of supplements. runny nose, affects 23 million Americans and increasing. Fifty subjects completed a study and for 30 days REFERENCES: Can be found by searching the PMID took 2,600 mg MSM per day. On day 7 upper and total number at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed.
S P O N S O R E D F E AT U R E
The 2011 Hong Kong International Coastal Cleanup Challenge Did you know that an estimated 1.1
million kg of plastic enters the ocean every minute of every day? Plastics and other marine debris plague our oceans and marine ecosystems, killing more than 1.5 million seas animals a year. With plastic bags, bottles and foodware as the top 3 debris items found on Hong Kong beaches, this is an issue that can't be ignored! One of the simplest ways to make a difference is by participating in a beach cleanup. Organized by Ecovision Asia and presented by Nomura, The Hong Kong International Coastal Cleanup (HKICC) engages thousands of volunteers every fall in removing trash and debris from the HKICC has grown substantially since its humble beginnings as a small grassroots event in 2000, with 8,690 participants last year picking up 36,126 kg of
trash from nearly 150km of shoreline. Ecovision’s HKICC is part of a huge global effort, coordinated by Ocean Conservancy and now in its 26th year. Almost nine million people from 152 countries around the world have participated in the International Coastal Cleanup, collecting nearly 145 million pounds of debris from 470,000 KM of coastline. The eight million pounds of trash collected last year alone would cover about 170 football fields! It’s no surprise that the ICC is recognized as the world’s largest volunteer effort on behalf of the marine environment. What makes this cleanup unique is its data collection component. Volunteers record the types and amounts of debris on data cards, which are then compiled into local and international reports that provide a clearer picture of the issue of marine debris. The findings are used in education and pollution-prevention campaigns targeted at the public, industry and government. The HKICC is much more than just an annual cleanup; it represents a year-round commitment to reducing the amount of trash washing up on our shores through education, action and advocacy. This year, as part of that commitment, Ecovision Asia is launching a region-wide “Plastic-Free Pledge” campaign to help reduce the use of single-use plastic, the number one item littering Hong Kong beaches. Participants can pledge to adopt simple habits such as using re-usable bottles for drinks and bags for shopping, as well as choosing less packaging and recycling whenever possible. The promising thing about the problem of marine debris is that it is entirely preventable. By helping to reduce trash and single-use plastic waste, everyone can take a role in making our seas cleaner, healthier and more resilient.
S P O N S O R E D F E AT U R E
The 2011 HKICC runs from September 17 to October 31, and participating is as easy as 1-2-3:
1
Sign up a team!
Simply choose your beach and cleanup date, and estimated number of participants you plan to bring along from your company, school or group (each team only requires a minimum of 5 people). Then, go to the registration page at hkcoastalcleanup.org and enter your details. After signing up, you’ll receive a confirmation email from Ecovision.
2
Attend the free educational briefing session!
3
Go clean a beach!
All team captains have the opportunity to attend a free group briefing. At the briefing, you’ll learn how to conduct a safe, fun, successful cleanup and get the most out of the experience for your whole team. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and meet other team captains, and pick up posters, educational materials and data tools.
On your chosen date, you’ll get out in the sunshine and clean the litter off your chosen beach. You’ll be not only making Hong Kong more beautiful, but also raising awareness, collecting vital data, and having a fun, engaging day with your company/school/group/family! To encourage data collection and add to the fun, the HKICC is run as a city-wide competition, with team and individual "challenges" including Largest Team, Most Trash Collected, Best Team Spirit, Greenest Team and Weirdest Item Found. The challenges are judged at the end of the cleanup season, and presented with prizes at an Award Ceremony. A day at the beach can make a difference. Join more than half a million people worldwide who are taking action to show they care about cleaner oceans. To sign up a team or to take the Plastic-Free Pledge, visit www. hkcoastalcleanup.org or call 2868-5585.
WINE AND FOOD
COCOA FEVER Indulge in chocolates, sniff the strong aroma, and let them melt in your mouth. BY JANSEN LIM Any palaver about chocolates will probably lead to two outcomes: stomachs rumbling to life
and questions thwarting many an ardent chocoholic. The first outcome is kind of expected â&#x20AC;&#x201C; after all, who wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t slobber over chocolates? Well, except those allergic to cocoa. The second outcome, however, leaves much for further discussion. Do chocolates really have aphrodisiacal qualities? Is it true that they can cause acne and weight gain? Does it mean that only dark chocolates are good for our health? Indeed, they do present a baffling jigsaw puzzle that can surely be straightened out if we understand what goes into the making of chocolates.
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LONG AND WINDING ROAD The entire process begins with the harvest of cacao pods from the cacao tree, a tropical plant that grows only within twenty degrees latitude of the Equator. The beans are then extracted from these pods to be fermented and dried for two to eight days. Crucial in this respect is the mellowing of the flavor so that the beans would not be too bitter for consumption. At the chocolate factory, they are then subject to a long, meandering refining procedure starting with the first critical step of roasting that brings out the richness of their flavor. Depending on the types of beans and their WWW.ANIMAMAG.COM
moisture levels, the temperature and time taken for roasting may vary. After that, the beans are put through a winnowing machine that removes the outer husks leaving behind nibs made up primarily of cocoa solids and cocoa butter, which are in due course ground to a thick paste called chocolate liquor. The latter is then machine-pressed to remove the cocoa butter and subsequently pulverised to become what we know as cocoa powder. Conching further enhances the flavour by putting the chocolate mass through a kneading process, with heavy rollers plowing back and forth for a period of time between a few
hours and several days. The mixture is then tempered using special devices and finally poured into molds, wrapped and shipped to retail outlets.
KNOWING WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GOOD Given the murky realms of individual palate and desire, how can we sift good chocolates from the bad? Is it safe to rely on friends who nod constantly and murmur a nearly unbroken hum of assent after each nibble? Or can we trust the connoisseurs who hardly blanch at spending a hefty amount of money on so-called the best of the lot? For reliable guidelines, look no furSEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011
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WINE AND FOOD ther than a few simple tips suggested by Tina Yeung, Sales & Marketing Manager, Schoggi Meier - wholly owned by a chocolatier whose factory has been established in Hong Kong for seventeen years with expertise in producing chocolates for five-star hotels, airlines, restaurants, and corporate clients. “Good chocolates have a glossy surface, strong cocoa aroma and very good aftertaste unlike those made with vegetable oil which tend to be overly sticky,” she said. Expert tasters have also pointed out that good chocolates should melt immediately in the mouth betraying no evidence of a grainy, chunky texture. Of course, the manner in which they are kept fresh is equally crucial. Normally stored in odour-free places away from heat and sunlight at sixty to seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit, chocolates should preferably be consumed within three months after production as cocoa butter has a notorious reputation of turning rancid over time. It would be helpful to trawl the depths just a bit more by examining the cocoa content on the label before making any purchase. Premium chocolates, for instance, normally contain a large amount of cocoa, more than 70 per cent in most cases. On the other hand, mass-marketed chocolates tend to have less of it (20 per cent or lower) but a higher quantity of sugar and artificial flavourings like vanilla and caramel. But how much of the bar is made up of cocoa solids – the pure unsweetened content of the cacao pod - determines only part of the quality. Other important factors include the types of cacao beans used and how they are eventually fermented, roasted and ground.
HEALTH CONNECTIONS Obviously, chocolates with a high proportion of cocoa solids, especially pure dark chocolates, are recognized as having qualities beneficial to health, stuffed to the gills with various vi-
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tamins as well as nutrients like iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium. Studies have found that these chocolates contain flavonoids - plant antioxidants that are proven to reduce blood pressure and neutralise the free radicals in our bodies which cause aging and illnesses. “Indeed, most dark chocolates are reportedly able to not only strengthen skin cells but also keep cardiovascular disease at bay,” confirmed Yeung. The consumption of chocolates does abound in misconceptions about
MOST DARK CHOCOLATES ARE REPORTEDLY ABLE TO NOT ONLY STRENGTHEN SKIN CELLS BUT ALSO KEEP CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AT BAY. their effects on the human body. For example, many would think that there’s a direct link between chocolates and obesity. However, according to various clinical studies, it is not so much the chocolate per se as it is the substantial amount of sugar added by manufacturers which causes rapid weight gain. These studies have also shown that chocolates have no bearing on both acne and concupiscence contrary to general beliefs. The former is largely triggered by hormonal changes and
personal hygiene, not so much by the ‘heatiness’ of chocolates. In the case of the latter, the chemicals inherent in cocoa, which happen to be associated with sexual arousal and mood lifting, are indeed too small in amount to have any effect.
SPOILT FOR CHOICE Myths or otherwise, there’s no stopping many from indulging their craving for chocolates – the most popular ranging from white (cocoa butter and artificial flavourings without cocoa solids) and dark (healthiest) to milk (milk solids and butterfat added) and truffles (ganache coated in chocolate or cocoa powder). No wonder chocolatiers like Schoggi Meier are relentless in their singleminded push for producing the best and varied. Yeung recounted how tasters from their company had to each sample twenty-seven pieces of chocolate with nine different flavors at any one time, deliberating over the desired adjustments to taste and texture for weeks on end, an arduous task to say the least. “All that hard work finally paid off when what we decided was greatly welcomed by our customers,’ she exclaimed. In no small degree did they also raise the bar by offering customers a creative menu beyond mere variety and quality. “Our other strength lies in making customised chocolates with logos, images and photos, accompanied by tailor-made packaging,” added Yeung. For all that personalised marketing and fanciful designs, it is still the ever alluring taste of chocolates that keeps many of us steeped in yearning and locked in the universal symbolism of what they proffer: the perfect gift for loved ones and friends. Jansen Lim left the corporate world to pursue his interests in creative writing and teaching. For the last 10 years, he has been working as a freelance lifestyle writer as well as an adjunct lecturer in Communications & Language. WWW.ANIMAMAG.COM
GET INSPIRED
REACHING
THE SUMMIT Julie Lewis
Julie Lewis, Founder of Mountain High, shares with us her wild experience with Mother Nature and tells us why she loves mountain climbing. BY EUNICE WONG
1. After 20 years in the health, fitness and sports management industry, you moved into adventure tourism as a means to develop people both mentally and physically using nature as a backdrop. What made you start Mountain High in 2003? In 2002 I climbed my first mountain to celebrate my 40th birthday, Kota Kinabalu standing 4095m tall in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. At the top of the mountain the feeling of elation, achievement and being at one with nature had a profound effect on me. I could see a whole new world from the summit, I was on a natural high, on a mountain – “Mountain High”, so the idea and name for my business was conceived at 4095m! In April 2003, I led a team of 18 multi-national women from the United WWW.ANIMAMAG.COM
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GET INSPIRED
Arab Emirates to Everest Base camp, this trip was the platform for me to have the courage and confidence to leave my full time job and start Mountain High.
2. What do you enjoy about your work? I love people and places so the opportunity to recruit, train and lead very diverse teams of women and men on challenges and retreats to different parts of the world is extremely rewarding. I have had the privilege of meeting some amazing people of all ages and nationalities, many of whom travel with me every year and have become lifelong friends. Being in the outdoors teaches you to appreciate Mother Nature, boosts your confidence, creativ-
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ity and energy levels, helps you relax and de-stress and adds a whole new positive dimension to your life. The workshops, speaking and coaching programs I run are the starting blocks for those keen to bring more balance and focus into their lives. It is so rewarding for me to see people flourish and grow as a result of stepping out of their comfort zone into their personal power zone.
3. How can nature and adventure tourism help develop people mentally and physically? How does that work? There are so many benefits of taking care of your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. I believe nature and adventure tourism are two
very powerful solutions to the challenges of modern day life in the city. When a human being moves out of his/ her normal environment (work, home, shopping mall etc), she/ he is bombarded by new stimuli â&#x20AC;&#x201C; what we see, hear, feel, taste and smell, new neural pathways are created in the brain. Our thoughts, feelings, actions and behavior expand, our imagination is stretched, we learn and grow, and the contrast from our everyday life gives us more clarity and energy. Daily exercise (preferably in the outdoors !) adds years to your life, helps you cope with stress better, floods your body with feel good hormones (endorphins) combats attention deficit, improves your social skills, boosts your creativity (how many people have light bulb moments WWW.ANIMAMAG.COM
in the confines of the office?) and as Darwin says it’s “survival of the fittest” – in uncertain times physical, emotional, spiritual and mental strength stand us in good stead to come through any of the challenges thrown our way.
4. How did you climb your first mountain? How was the experience and how did you do it? How many mountains did you climb totally? My answer to how do you climb a mountain is quite simply “One step at a time “! Very basic I know, however very true. Metaphorically speaking we all have mountains to climb - goals to reach personally and professionally (as opposed to literally climbing a physical mountain) On the 7th April 2002 at 5.30am I stood on the summit with my colleagues filled with joy! I was well and truly bitten by the Mountain bug! In the years that followed I have been able to lead treks and climbs up several amazing mountains including the
do, take massive action, notice what’s working/ what’s not working and, if necessary change your approach!
5. Why do you love mountain climbing so much? I am most at one with myself when I am in nature – be it mountains, forest, ocean, desert or snow. There is something magical about being in the mountains – this is why I would love more people to go to the mountains and experience the magic themselves.
6. About moving out of the comfort zone, do you think people tend to become more hesitant to move out of their comfort zones, as they grow older? I believe that there are many factors that make people more hesitant on stretching themselves, here’s just a few: ° The environment / culture they were brought up in / currently live in ° The people they are surrounded by and converse with – encouraging or questioning?
THE MOUNTAINS WE SET TO CLIMB IN OUR MINDS, THAT IS, THE GOALS WE HAVE SET SUCH AS STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS, WRITING YOUR BOOK, LEARNING A NEW LANGUAGE, ARE VERY SIMILAR TO CLIMBING A MOUNTAIN.
regardless of their age keep stepping out of their comfort zone and those who choose to stay in it. I have clients ranging from 16 to their late sixties and early seventies – their attitude is one of: I can do anything I set my heart and mind to!
7. In your view, how can people benefit if they move out of their comfort zone? Or how can they benefit if they take this as a habit? Stepping out of one’s comfort zone can be as simple as wearing a red dress when you have always worn black or blue, trying something new off the menu, taking a different way to work, saying hello to the man / woman of your dreams, learning a new language, moving to a new country, starting a new job, leaving home, learning to cook Thai food, saying “ I love you”, what I am saying is it does not have to be jumping out of a plane or climbing a mountain (unless of course you want it to be!) Yes, we all benefit by stepping out of our comfort zone, this is the only way to grow and learn. Yes there will be disappointments and there are times when you feel like quitting – instead try a different approach, find someone who has already done what you want to do and find out how they did it, rest if you must, but NEVER quit.
8. You must love nature and you are a sporty person. How often do you spend time with nature? As much as I can! It’s my life source!
9. What is your life philosophy? What is your personal motto? highest in Africa – Mt Kilimanjaro, and the highest in the Middle East Mt Damavand (Iran). The mountains we set to climb in our minds, that is, the goals we have set such as starting your own business, writing your book, learning a new language, are very similar to climbing a mountain. Decide on what you want to WWW.ANIMAMAG.COM
° Your internal dialogue – the conversations you have with yourself, limiting beliefs or empowering beliefs? ° Fear of failure, rejection, success, being laughed at I am not so sure that age is the consistent defining factor, yes, as young children we have no or little concept of fear, however I know people, who,
Do what you love, love what you do, fill your life with L.O.V.E (lots of valuable experiences) and be M.A.D – someone who makes a difference! Drink more water! Eunice Wong is the Editor of Anima magazine. She is a writer and editor based in Hong Kong. She has written on human resources, business and lifestyle. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011
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CAREER CORNER
HOW TO WORK WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE Katherine Crowley and Kathi Elster, co-authors of the book Working with You is Killing me, tells us how to free ourselves from emotional traps at work. BY EUNICE WONG 1. Please tell us about your background and your areas of work. KATHERINE: I am a Harvard-trained psychotherapist who specializes in adult
development and work/life issues. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been helping people navigate the psychological challenges of building their careers and working with others since 1990. KATHI: I am an executive coach. I help my clients strategize their careers while assisting them with the interpersonal and professional issues that come with any successful career path. My history includes, sales, sales management, business startups, hiring and managing staff.
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Katherine Crowley and Kathi Elster
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2. How did you get the idea to write the book Working with You is Killing Me? KATHI: Originally, the book we wanted to
write was called Familiar Company. We realized that people related to their workplace relationships the same way they relate to their family members. So you may relate to your boss as if he/she is your father or mother, or you may relate to a co-worker like he/ she is your sister or brother. But, that book idea didn’t sell. We creatively turned the information into a more user-friendly guide to understanding workplace relationships and yourself.
3. How long did it take to write the book? How was the research work done? KATHERINE: We were able to write the book
in nine months, but we’d accumulated the research over a 15-year period. We’d worked extensively with business owners, ground level employees, and individuals at all levels of management within corporations, so we had a very broad database to draw from.
4. The book discussed the idea of “emotional traps”. How can workers avoid falling into “emotional traps”? KATHI: Emotional traps can be something
small like your co-workers annoying cough or as big as your boss’s yelling. So, it’s impossible to avoid emotional traps at work. Someone will inevitably annoy you. The real key is how you react when someone gets under your skin. Our hope is that you are able to recognize your early warning signs that you are upset, because the sooner you realize you are hooked the sooner you can unhook.
5. In short, what can workers do to “free themselves from emotional traps” at work? KATHERINE: We have a process called “un-
hooking” which, if practiced regularly can free anyone from emotional traps at work. Whether you’re dealing with a coworker who drives you crazy because of making too much noise, or a boss who has a personality disorder, you can unhook and have a better experience at work. Unhooking has four steps, and you have to follow them in order: (1) Unhook physically – Do something WWW.ANIMAMAG.COM
physical to release the negative energy you feel and calm your system down. Run, walk, splash cold water on your face. If you can’t leave the room, you can unhook physically by taking a few slow, deep breaths. Example: If you were at a meeting and someone took credit for your idea, instead of checking out of the meeting, you might take a few slow breaths to calm yourself down.
(2) Unhook mentally – Here you try to look at your situation from a clearer perspective by taking a mental inventory. Ask yourself: What’s happening here? What are the facts of the situation? What’s their part? What’s my part? What are my options? Example: If you took an inventory at that same meeting, you could realize that your credit-stealing colleague doesn’t have to win. You can find a way to be heard.
(3) Unhook verbally – After getting a clearer perspective on your situation, you say something to move the situation forward. With verbal unhooking, we emphasize taking the high road by using “I” statements. No blaming or shaming the other person. Example: Back at that meeting, you could say, “When I first ran this idea by my colleague, we both got excited about it.”
(4) Unhook with a business tool – Here you draw on any business process or documentation that can improve your situation. By business tool we mean everything from job descriptions to emails to timesheets to employee evaluations. Business tools are great because they can take the emotion out of any situation. Example: To reinforce the fact that the clever business idea was yours, you could send a follow-up email after the meeting thanking your colleagues for their excitement regarding your idea and summarizing next steps to be taken. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011
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CAREER CORNER
IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO AVOID EMOTIONAL TRAPS AT WORK. SOMEONE WILL INEVITABLY ANNOY YOU. THE REAL KEY IS HOW YOU REACT WHEN SOMEONE GETS UNDER YOUR SKIN. 6. Apart from the monetary side, how did you benefit from working on this book? Did you benefit from it personally in any other way? KATHERINE: I think we always become bet-
ter people while we’re writing a book. That was true for this book and its sequel: Working for You Isn’t Working for Me, which addresses how to handle any kind of authority figure. We have to practice what we preach – and that automatically improves all of our relationships. KATHI: Although we are writing about other people we can’t help but relate our information to our own lives. Writing on of our books is like participating in one long therapy session. We discover who we are and how we can be better. I think we are our own best examples, which makes our work very alive.
7. What do you enjoy about your work? KATHERINE: I find it so rewarding to help
people remove the emotional obstacles that prevent them from fulfilling their goals – both personally and professionally. I find people and interpersonal relationships fascinating, and I think we are really lucky to be able to
reach so many people with our information. It’s also very exciting to have a concrete process like unhooking, that so many people use to improve their lives.
8. How did you develop your own career path? KATHERINE: My path has always involved
working with people. First as a receptionist at a health center, then as a Peace Corps volunteer in Micronesia. I worked as a recruiter for two years, ran a healing foundation for two years, then became an employment counselor to senior citizens. Kathi and I started working together in 1989, and throughout that time, I’ve continued to develop skills as a psychotherapist, a consultant, a writer and public speaker. KATHI: My career began with the fashion industry in sales. After a few years the fashion part was overshadowed by my interest in working with people. I created strategy support groups for business owners and their staff. This business proved to be a laboratory for our books, our skills in partnership mediation, our public speaking, and our coaching.
9. What are your upcoming projects? KATHI: We are always developing new materi-
als. This year we developed a series of workshops teaching people how to deal with the multi-generation workforce from an adult developmental perspective. We also developed a lecture on competitive women at work. We are now in the process of collaborating on a series of workshops about social media. Our most exciting new project is our next book called Who Does She Think She Is? 99 ways to get along with women at work. Eunice Wong is the Editor of Anima magazine. She is a writer and editor based in Hong Kong. She has written on human resources, business and lifestyle.
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ENJOY GUIDE Shakti Healing Circle events September/ October 2011
Michelle Hardwick is an Advanced EFT Practitioner trained by EFT Founder Gary Craig personally. She is also qualified in Advanced Hypnotherapy and trained with Dr. Brian Weiss as a Past Life Regression Therapist. For over 10 years, Michelle has helped individuals and groups release barriers to who they truly are, using a combination of potent tools: Emotional Release, NLP, Hypnosis, Spiritual Teachings, Channelled Guidance, and Past Life Regression. She has now developed new practical Soul Connection workshops for 2012 and beyond.
INTRODUCTION TO SOUL CONNECTION Date: Wednesday 14 September Time: 7 to 8:30 pm Cost: FREE Many of us have become disconnected from our soul and even stopped feeling and it’s hard to differentiate between what feels right and what is not. "Soul Connection" is a different, profound way to connect to our authentic self and access truth. As energies shift in the lead up to 2012, it is important that more of us are connected to our truth and intuition. What has held us back in the past needs to be released. "Soul Connection" is developing our own 'inner compass' as well as trusting that compass to guide us (and others) in our life. You will learn ways to go inside and connect to your soul to discover answers and reclaim soul gifts.
Joanne Messenger’s self-healing book, Be In One Peace, was published by Balboa / Hay House in July 2011.
BE IN ONE PEACE LEVEL 1 Date: Saturday 10 September Time: 10:30 am to 6:30 pm Cost: $1900 (includes full manual) Joanne's Be In One Peace courses have helped many people improve their health, their relationships, abundance and ability to manifest what they want as well as align
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with their spiritual purpose. The courses are a fusion of self-healing, self development and spiritual development with the modern person in mind. In Level 1 you will learn how to: • interpret what your body is trying to tell you • understand how your emotions and your past issues affect health and well-being • psychically protect yourself and remove the negative and emotional energy you've absorbed from others • connect to your Source and Higher Guidance • remove your armour: release your blocks to giving and receiving love • manage your energy budget and remove drains of energy • reclaim yourself from prior relationships, groups and events that no longer serve you. She will also be offering 30 minute individual Blueprint Healing sessions for $900 from 2 to 13 September.
MARTYN AND HEATHER CHILVERS NUTRITIONISTS AND HAIR ANALYSIS THERAPISTS INTRODUCTORY TALK ON HAIR ANALYSIS Date: Tuesday 20 September Time: 7 to 9 pm Cost: FREE Martyn and Heather will give an introduction to the benefit of accurate hair analysis in identifying mineral deficiencies and imbalances as well as toxicities in the body. They have worked with adults and children with health and behavioural issues caused by these imbalances as well as with over 2000 ASD children over the past 2 years. They will also be available for individual consultations for hair samples to be taken for analysis in the US, followed by a 90 page report that includes dietary recommendations and bio-chemically specific supplements individually targeted at rebalancing the body chemistry.
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ENJOY GUIDE Shakti Healing Circle events September/ October 2011
Ann Harrison, Breath Awareness Coach
INTRODUCTORY TALK ON BREATHWORK Date: Tuesday 4 October Time: 7 to 8:30 pm Cost: FREE Ann will explain how body and breath awareness play such a large role from stress management through personal growth to meditation and spiritual understanding.
pain and giving a deeper understanding of yourself and what motivates you. At the other end you will experience the power within, a power beyond words. Breathwork is literally an inspiration that creates effective change. The power of modern Breathwork reveals how the way you breathe impacts your wellbeing, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
INDIVIDUAL BREATH AWARENESS COACHING SESSIONS Cost: $1000 (1 hour) These individual Breath Awareness coaching sessions will give you a stress management technique that will positively change how you handle everyday stress and how you feel generally. You will be coached into a simultaneous awareness of the breath, body and mind.
FULL 2-HOUR INDIVIDUAL BREATHWORK SESSIONS Cost: $1900 (2 hours) This is deeper work for when you need to do something more than just manage life's stress. You will experience how Breath and Spirit work inside you to identify and then release blocks to give you greater access to your own creative power. Breathwork is an extraordinarily simple, yet profoundly powerful, breathing technique that allows you to let go of binding and disabling emotions. At the same time, it brings into your awareness the negative limiting beliefs that cause you to repeat destructive patterns of behaviour. You will free yourself from uncontrollable emotional reactions, unknown sources of depression or a sense of hopelessness. In addition to a greater sense of optimism, you will acquire effective techniques for managing stress. Breathwork is a work of Spirit. At one end of the spectrum it looks like psychotherapy, easing emotional
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Amanda Reid, Radiant Child Yoga Program Trainer
RADIANT CHILD YOGA PROGRAM (RCYP) TEACHER TRAINING COURSE Date and time: Friday 28 October (7 to 10 pm); Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 October (10:30 am to 7 pm) Cost: $5500 (includes $1750 materials: 1 teacher training manual, 2 books, 4 CDs, 1 DVD and 1 workbook) Amanda Reid was trained directly by the founder, Shakta Kaur Khalsa, to deliver this teacher training course. RCYP has no affiliation to any particular religion, making it suitable for all children. Children's Yoga is a natural, healthy way for children to move, breathe, relax, focus and strengthen their connection with their mind, body and spirit. This intensive workshop is for Yoga teachers, parents, school teachers and therapists who would like to share the gift of Yoga with the children in their life. Internationally recognised and able to be used as continuing education credits with Yoga Alliance, RCYP is full of inspiration, information and experience covering children's development; Yoga for children from babies to teens; using Yoga in a school environment; considering children with special needs; games, relaxations, meditation, visualisation, songs and more. Come prepared to move your body and move your spirit!
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The Yoga Room The Yoga Room is a yoga studio in the heart of Sheung Wan. With a focus on small classes and high quality, personalized instruction. Featuring 60-75 minute classes designed for the beginner to the advanced, The Yoga Room is proud to offer classes in Hot Yoga, Hatha, Ashtanga, Yin, Yoga Therapy, Vinyasa, Asana & Prayanama, Yoga Kids (3-16), Prenatal Yoga, Postnatal Yoga, Mum & Baby Yoga, Prenatal Pilates, Pilates, Belly dance and more. All taught by certified instructors. In coming workshops:
1) UNDERSTANDING BIRTH PAIN YOGA WORKSHOPâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; MINDBODY APPROACH Date: Saturday September 10th, 2011 or Saturday November 26th, 2011 Time: 3:30 to 6 pm Venue: 4/F The Yoga Room Studio, Xiu Ping Comm. Bldg., 104 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan Instructor: Peggy Chiu (Childbirth Specialist) Cost: HKD500 regular, HKD400 early bird (2 weeks before the workshop date)
2) COUPLES BIRTH PREPARATION YOGA WORKSHOP Date: Saturday October 22nd, 2011 Time: 3:30 to 6:30 pm Venue: 4/F The Yoga Room Studio, Xiu Ping Comm. Bldg., 104 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan Instructor: Peggy Chiu (Childbirth Specialist) Cost: HKD600 regular, HKD500 early bird (2 weeks before the workshop date)
3) RHYTHMIC YOGA WORKSHOP Date: Saturday November 5th, 2011 Time: 3:30 to 6:30pm Venue: 4/F The Yoga Room Studio, Xiu Ping Comm. Bldg., 104 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan Instructor: Yogaraj C.P. (experienced Yoga instructor) Cost: HKD500 regular, HKD450 early bird (before 22nd Oct., 2011)
4) PARTNER YOGA & YOGIC MASSAGE WORKSHOP Date: Saturday December 3rd, 2011 Time: 3:30 to 6:30 pm
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Venue: 4/F The Yoga Room Studio, Xiu Ping Comm. Bldg., 104 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan Instructor: Yogaraj C.P. (experienced Yoga instructor) Cost: HKD500 regular, HKD450 Early Bird (before Nov 19th)
5) 40HR PRENATAL & POSTNATAL YOGA TEACHER TRAINING Date: December 9th -11th & 17th -18th, 2011 Time: pls refer to our website Venue: 4/F The Yoga Room Studio, Xiu Ping Comm. Bldg., 104 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan Instructor: Marie Martin (YTAA Member, ERYT 200 & Childbirth Educator) Cost: HKD8,000 regular, HKD6,800 early bird( before Nov 9th 2011)
6) FINDING EASE IN INVERSIONS Date: Saturday November 12th, 2011 Time: 2:00 to 4:30 pm Venue: 3/F The Yoga Room Studio, Xiu Ping Comm. Bldg., 104 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan Instructor: Tamika (certified yoga instructor) Cost: HKD500 regular, HKD400 early bird (before October 29th, 2011)
7) YOGA ON THE BEACH Date: Sunday October 30th, 2011 and Sunday November 27th, 2011 Time: 5 to 6 pm Venue: 4/F The Yoga Room Studio, Xiu Ping Comm. Bldg., 104 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan Cost: Free of charge Booking in advance is requested. Contact details: Tel: 2544-8398 Email: info@yogaroomhk.com Website: www.yogaroomhk.com
If your organization has any upcoming events and you would like to invite our readers to participate, please send your information to editorial@ animamag.com.
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