Designs for Life Early Season 2016

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LIFE

Wellbeing Chilterns issue 7 Nature, gardens & ecology

Localism & community

Healthy mind, body & spirit

Art, design & creativity

dflconnect

dflchilterns

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LIFE ISSUE 7 – Early Season 2016 Peter Hawkes ...................... Publisher Amber Tokeley ................... Features editor James Rand .......................... Copy editor Sophie Honeybelle ............ Social media Mark Cowie ........................... Cartoonist Donna Forbes ...................... Web master

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Call for help from Peter Hawkes

Our themes

WELCOME to the latest issue of your wellbeing magazine for the

wellbeing

Chilterns. The production of these 32 pages truly is a labour of love from a small, dedicated team of designers and editors. We

Complementary therapies

believe that there is an important message to be spread. Beyond

Exercise and fitness

your material wealth and happiness must come your wellbeing –

Sport and leisure

as well as that of those around you, and indeed of the world itself.

Holistic treatments

Without wellbeing, how can we fully enjoy all that life has to offer?

Health and nutrition Children and parenting

In order for us to bring you another issue, we urgently need a new team member to quickly bridge the gap between blank canvas and

Weight management

printed magazine. The missing link is someone who loves to meet

Counselling

people, to talk on the phone and to go visiting. This isn’t a cold calling • Amy Deane • Caralyn Bains • Penny Goddard • Terry Dean

Acknowledgements We are grateful for help with ideas and promotion, in particular from: Marie Knight, Andrew Smith, Laura Boswell and Chris Ogle.

CALL to work with us 01494 793000

Policy

role – it’s to follow up interest expressed in Designs for LIFE magazine,

green living

and it comes with financial reimbursement. Please call me on 01494

Farming and horticulture

793000 or email: editor@dflconnect.co.uk. You will be highly valued!

Organics Gardening and nature

Mid-Chilterns coverage We allow people to choose this magazine in selected venues rather than post it through doors.

Designs for LIFE magazine is issued by Hawkes Design & Publishing Ltd ©2013-16. It may not be reproduced in whole or in part by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher. Whilst every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the contents of the magazine at the time of publication, the publisher can accept no liability whatsoever for any errors, inaccuracies or omissions, or for any matter in any way connected with or arising out of the publication of the information, including statements made by the advertisers.

The Team asks you to note that it does not necessarily agree with views expressed by contributors. We endeavour to acknowledge all copyright sources. All rights reserved.

MAP WITH THANKS TO THE CHILTERN SOCIETY

ASSOCIATES: • Agnieszka Lukasiewicz • Angela Woodward • Kirsty Wright • Suzanne Parker

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Herbalism Transport Eco products Environmental groups Local food

positive thinking Psychology Changing perceptions Life coaching Diversity and equality Meditation and mindfulness Philosophy and spirituality Learning and education

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Relationships and confidence

by Platinum Press Ltd of Dunstable.

creativity

Please pass on to a friend after use, or recycle.

Design & creativity Crafts Theatre and drama Music and dance Comedy Photography and printing

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& P u b l i s h i n g LT D EST. 1990

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01494 793000 editor@dflconnect.co.uk www.dflconnect.co.uk www.facebook.com/dflconnect

DESIGNS

for

LIFE

is an independent group providing a beacon of positivity by connecting like-minded and heart centred people through words and images

We distribute to art galleries, garden centres, gyms, therapy centres, bookshops, cafés, salons, surgeries, art and gift shops, libraries and diverse community venues, all across the Chilterns.

Subscriptions Please call 01494 793000 to subscribe at £15 for 4 issues, to cover postage and packing.

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Creative founders 2013: Amy Deane, Kirsty Wright, Mark Cowie, Peter Hawkes Designs for LIFE is a supporter of the Link4Growth national community-building organisation www.link4growth.biz 2

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business & creativity

Successful people’s tips on success Why do we resist what our soul is inspiring us to do?

Five secret steps to getting the attention your heart centred business deserves

Nick Williams is an internationally renowned speaker, leadership mentor and best-selling author of twelve books including ‘The Work We Were Born To Do’ and ‘How to Be Inspired’. He is regularly invited to speak at national and international conferences, and has been involved in around 2,000 media features.

With eight million listeners on BBC Radio 2, Janey Lee Grace has spoken to more people in her lunch time than most people will ever do in their lifetime. Already a multiple best-selling author with five books to her credit, she is well known as a media spokesperson for the organic and natural health world and also for natural childbirth and parenting issues.

When I was in my corporate career, selling computers to Japanese banks in the City of London 30 years ago, I had a dream. The dream was of doing something meaningful, starting my own business, maybe even fulfilling my childhood dream of writing a book. I loved the idea of trying to inspire people. But at the time I had trouble even keeping myself inspired for more than a few moments at a time!

Every time I spent time with the dream in my heart, the weight of my own fear of change, negativity towards myself and crippling self-doubt seemed to stop me in my tracks. I didn’t have a word for it at the time, but I now call that resistance. Every time I allowed myself to feel a sense of inspiration, my resistance was never far away, shrieking at me to ‘get real’ and stop deluding myself.

I also dreamt of a day when I wouldn’t feel my resistance any more, a mythical and magical day when I would have the confidence and the self-belief to go after my dreams. That day has never come but I have bought many of my dreams to life. I have been running my own business for 26 years this year. I have written 12 books so far with many more in the pipeline. I have been invited to speak

in dozens of cities in 17 countries and work with household name companies and many leaders in their field.

So what was pivotal that caused me to change? Understanding and illuminating this whole idea of resistance.

Realising that there was nothing wrong with us for experiencing resistance and that you don’t have a character flaw.

Understand the simple reality that what we are inspired to do, we are often afraid to do. Indeed, the more important an idea, action or project is to me and your soul’s evolution, the more resistance you are likely to experience around it.

Having developed an understanding of my own resistance, and the resistance I saw in hundreds of coaching clients, I wrote “Resisting Your Soul” as my contribution to our understanding of what we can be up against in ourselves, so that we can show up and be the men and women we were born to be.

Here are my top four tips for getting beyond your resistance:

Your best bet is always through referrals, but there are many ways of attracting more clients to you and indeed increasing your visibility and sales of products that don’t necessarily require your time, ∫ Know that you are the brand.

Often when I work with therapists and coaches, teachers and authors, they are passionate about helping

∫ Start before you are ready – feeling ready is a myth – there is always a step you can take this moment and in every moment.

others but not so keen on making

∫ Head in the direction of your fears – the size of your fear correlates to the value of your gift and your capacity for success.

∫ Get clarity on your USP and really

∫ Act bold, brave and spiritually audacious – activate your courage, the fire in your heart, to get past your doubts.

many competitors but only one

themselves visible. Remember, people do business with those they like, know and trust.

own what I call your YOU-nique brilliance. There may be lots of

their businesses and are asked to speak at networking events. Often they don’t feel confident as a speaker, unsure of their voice and worried that how they look may not reflect what they’re selling.

Many people are also unsure how to construct a talk or presentation, but it’s worth going back to that original question, what’s my unique selling point? On my workshops I encourage people to use EFT or TFT, super quick simple ‘tricks’ to use whenever you are about to make a presentation or even be interviewed, ∫ Think of all the different ways you can attract new clients and visibility for yourself.

There are lots of ways to PR your holistic business - you may want to connect with local and national press, networking groups, launch ezines, compelling press releases and campaigns and build a following for your website and business. Don’t forget social media, Facebook, LinkedIn et al, and anyone who thought Twitter was just frivolous, think again, it’s becoming a powerful free marketing tool

Janey Lee Grace

other people working in your field, YOU. ∫ Create content. Writing a book is a great calling card. Don’t

∫ Be generous and of service – you rob yourself and the world when you are playing smaller than you truly are.

underestimate the power of being

Nick Williams

and TV producers book experts,

an author – add three letters and you get ‘authority’ and when radio they book authors. Connect with your potential clients by writing

For a review of Nick’s book, see page 27. Find out more at: www.iamnickwilliams.com

blogs and videos too. ∫ Stand in the spotlight. I’ve met many people who want to grow 3

Find out more at: www.janeyleegrace.com For Janey’s newly released book ‘You Are The Brand’ see page 27. or apply for Janey’s Londonbased workshop quickly to get the early bird price of £147.

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art & media

For all your fine art & craft materials, we stock: Papers, canvases, card & board Pads & sketchbooks Varnishes & paints: water, oil & acrylic Clay, plaster & block printing equipment Brushes, pencils, charcoal, chalk & pastels Portfolios, cases, bags & sleeves Pens, markers & ink Gift sets, easels & greetings cards Children’s crafts STUDENT DISCOUNT OF 10%. BESPOKE FRAMING. GALLERY SPACE. LESSONS AVAILABLE.

At Arty's we aim to help you bring your art, design & craft ideas to life through expert advice & the supply of fine art & craft materials

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feature article

Driven to paint Chesham-based watercolourist, Suzanne Parker, talks to Amber Tokeley about her work, inspiration and a certain Mr Darcy.

It is the everyday world around her that fascinates artist Suzanne Parker. She was six years old and living on the coast when she first started sketching and recording what she saw: ‘I remember drawing a pink shrimp, so perfectly formed I wanted to climb into that drawing world and stay forever.’

And so she has: Suzanne’s distinctive style has attracted a loyal following over the years. Think ‘Romantic English Pastoral’ with a hand grenade thrown into the mix! It’s all swift pencil strokes – thrusting delphiniums, blowsy roses, spiky echinacea – often overlaid with an explosion of colour. Suzanne’s modern, vibrant palette seems to be an unconscious reflection of her warm, open personality. Red and pink feature frequently and she says the latter is ‘the one colour in my paint box that I will run out of first’.

Flowers are a favourite subject matter but Suzanne admits she’s equally ‘potty’ about capturing old houses, gardens, heritage fruit and vegetables and also wildlife. In fact, if you look closely at her work, there are usually birds, bees, butterflies and other creatures hidden amid the chaotic colour-mix of plants and scenery.

Her pretty home studio, named after the old greengage tree that pokes its twiggy fingers over the adjoining Victorian walled garden, is tucked away in the

The Brown Hare in the Meadow. town’s Waterside area. Jewel-bright finished artwork lies stacked against the studio wall, brush jars jostle for space with half-pans of freshly-squeezed paint, and sketchbooks spill out over the work table. The latter are enchanting, a flurry of deftly-executed watercolour scenes and quirky observations from everyday life that draw you in with all the charm of a secret diary.

Suzanne loves to work en plein air, often taking her sketchbook on walks with her black greyhound, the fabulously-named Mr Darcy. She works quickly

which is just as well; trying to paint while hanging on to a distracted dog in rabbit country sounds like a recipe for disaster. Canine catastrophes aside, Suzanne draws plenty of inspiration from her surroundings.

She moved to the town just over a year ago and says: ‘I love the beautiful Chess Valley, the buildings in Old Chesham, and all the little streams everywhere; you can actually see kingfishers along the river – who knew?’ She regularly sketches the nesting swans in Waterside and loves ‘that local people care enough about them to actually herd them safely over the road when they go wandering – it doesn’t get any more special than that!’ The fact that such beauty exists so close to the clatter of the Metropolitan Line linking us to central London is another revelation.

A kaleidoscope of other local scenes has also caught Suzanne’s artist’s eye, from the mellow Tudor brickwork of Chenies Manor with its colour-tangled gardens to the dreamy hyacinth drifts of the bluebell woods in spring. Working ‘on the go’ helps to keep her art fresh and spontaneous, and the results often feature on her website blog or serve as a reference for an original painting.

Originally a fashion and textile designer, Suzanne moved into a freelance art career when she became a mum. Her love of nature and the English countryside initially found expression through botanical illustration which taught her the discipline of line and descriptive drawing; she later discovered watercolour and has never looked back: ‘Watercolour challenges me: it’s very fluid as a medium and starts to bleed instantly so you have to work quickly. I love its immediacy and spontaneity, how it reacts. And it has a lovely transparency, it just sings on the paper.’

Suzanne’s work has won recognition from the Society of Graphic Fine Artists and is sold in various galleries including, most recently, in the ‘Art in Action Gallery’ at Waterperry Gardens near Wheatley, Oxfordshire (see listing page 22). She also takes commissions and gives personal tuition.

The alchemy of observation, line and colour has kept Suzanne spellbound ever since childhood. With her very own Mr Darcy now firmly in the picture and regularly pulling her in unexpected new directions, who knows where inspiration will strike next? I

Further information ∫ Find out more at www.suzanneparker.co.uk

Pictured, right: Suzanne with her easily-distracted muse, the fabulous Mr Darcy.

Flower Explosion at Little Heath Nursery.

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health & exercise

What is Nia? SISTEMA ROLANDO TORO

Simply put – Nia is a low-impact cardiovascular fitness class combining 52 simple moves taken from the dance arts, the martial arts, and the healing arts to get you fit body, mind, emotions, and spirit.

Performed barefoot, to inspiring music it’s grounding, energizing and teaches you to move Joyfully, be expressive and feel more Alive in your body.

Biodanza

It’s drawn from three styles of dance (Jazz, Modern and Duncan Dance), three martial arts (Tai chi, Tae Kwon Do, Aikido) and three healing arts (Yoga, the Feldenkrais Method, the Alexander Technique). Nia involves a variety of movement speeds, styles, ranges of motion and energy dynamics.

www.biodanza4me.com

Regardless of age, gender, or physical ability, Nia is adaptable for everybody whether you feel out of shape, unco-ordinated or indeed supremely athletic. In my classes students’ ages range widely from mid 20’s to mid 80’s. A truly mixed ability class!

Kings Langley 09.15-10.15 on Tuesdays and Thursdays Kings Lagnley Community Centre WD4 8ET Berkhamsted 13.30-14.30 on Tuesdays Carmenta Life, Herts HP4 2AX

If you want heart-centred connection with the freedom to express your unique individuality, then Biodanza is the dance for you.

It is joy, fun, freedom of expression, bliss and will leave you feeling uplifted and energised. Why not come and see for yourself?

Michele Kaye is the author of the new book ‘Eat Dance Shine – see page 25.

BERKHAMSTED Wednesday mornings 10.30am–12 noon Town Hall, 196 High Street, Berkhamsted HP4 3AP

CHESHAM

Chipperfield 9.30 on Saturdays (monthly) St Paul’s Church Hall, The Common, WD4 9BS

Alternate Thursday evenings 7.15–9.15pm St George’s Church Hall, Tylers Hill, nr Chesham HP5 1XH

Contact Michele for more details:

A warm welcome awaits you. For Berkhamsted please call Pip on 07947 578192 – email: pipkennan@btinternet.com For Hastoe, please call Angela on 07792 543681 – email: chrysalisangels@ntlworld.com

07786 172407 michele@michelekaye.com www.michelekaye.com

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wellbeing

Bach Flower Remedies for animals CASE STUDY: Eva

Pets are our true companions and are not detached from the stresses, strains and emotions we experience. As they feel with us, or sometimes taking on our feelings, it is possible that they can suffer quietly for many years. They either withdraw, become depressed and despondent, or agitated and nervous. In some cases the animal will begin to show aggressive behaviour or become ill.

Some dogs come with a big challenge from the start. This can often be the case if they have been rescued or were obtained from a breeder. For such dogs it may not be possible to let them off the lead, or they may have a tendency to be aggressive with other dogs, or be fearful and shy. Some dogs are not good with people, particularly children, or they may suffer from separation anxiety and therefore cannot be left alone for any length of time.

All these issues not only make the dog’s life a misery but the owner’s and that of their family as well. This cannot be underestimated, as it is potentially a reason for a very stressful home, or in the worst case scenario re-homing might need to be considered.

Having worked as a volunteer in an animal shelter with the Bach Flower Remedies (BFRs) and also privately with owners and their dogs at my practice in Kings Langley, has shown me that there is a wholesome way to remedy difficult situations and create a true and healthy bond between pet and owner.

Agnes Schmitz ITEC CST EFT BFAP

Eva, a female Staffordshire bull terrier, was about two years old when I started working with her at an animal shelter. She was found in the streets when she was eight months old. The kennel situation highly stressed her and it was not possible to re-home her like this. She would regularly destroy all her bedding, eat any plastic coverings in her kennel and even chew on the metal wall heaters. She would growl at staff and passers-by and anyone or anything happening nearby sent her flying up at the door.

Although Eva showed highly distractive behaviour, with the BFRs we always look for the underlying emotion. A dog is rarely intentionally aggressive. Before she got to this stage she would have very probably shown earlier signs of unease, such as: barking, drooling, whining, jumping or even urinating indoors. If these earlier pleas were not heard then she would have started to eat away at anything soft. The fact that Eva was actually eating hard plastic and had started eating the metal radiator showed me that she really had arrived at the end of her tether.

Gorse, the remedy we gave her first is for the feeling of extreme hopelessness and despair. Along with this we mixed in Rock Rose for her feeling of being highly fearful, as if under acute threat. This feeling of helplessness and frozen fear releases large amounts of adrenaline into the blood stream which can last up to 48

Bach Flower remedies The BFRs work on the emotions and do not interfere with any other treatment the dog is receiving. However, we often experience that when the dog is beginning to feel happier and more relaxed through using the BFRs this is very likely to help the other treatments they might be receiving. This is because the BFRs promote balance and harmony.

Treating the field As mentioned earlier, dogs are often indicators of the environment (what practitioners call the ‘field’) they live in.

For example, if a household goes through difficult times such as divorce, stressful work situations, bereavement and other influences, our pets pick up the energy and find it difficult to disperse of it. That is why I now also work with what is going on for the owner, what one would call the ‘family field’. The owner often says, when I am tuning in with the emotions in the dog, “This is exactly how I feel.” So quite often both owner and dog go away with a similar mix of remedies!

Behavioural issues The remedies work particularly well for dogs in conjunction with behavioural training. In some cases I do recommend that an animal behavourist is consulted, so the problem can be addressed with remedies along with learning new ways of behaviour. I work with a condition over a time span of at least three months in order to reach the deeper level of the emotional issue. This allows the animal to engage in a healing process.

Agnes Schmitz holds qualifications in Craniosacral Therapy, EFT, and works with dogs and the Bach Flower Remedies.

Her Garden Practice is in Kings Langley.

Contact her on 01923 269600 or email: agnes@agnesschmitz.co.uk or visit her websites: www.veggiedog.co.uk

www.AgnesSchmitz.co.uk 7

hours in a dog’s system before it is dispersed. As Eva felt triggered most of the time she was in a constant flight and fight state, releasing adrenaline.

I sensed that she had also lost all confidence in herself (which can normally be avoided by living in a healthy pack as a puppy). So as a third remedy, for her first bottle, we mixed in Larch to help her regain self-esteem.

The change after just a few weeks on the drops was remarkable.

She became less destructive and began to relax more. Over the next two months we worked with giving her protection from outside influences (Walnut) and helping her to release any shocks she may have suffered in the past (Star of Bethlehem). In conjunction with the BFR treatment, the staff at the shelter began to socialise her with other dogs and after 10 weeks a very keen visitor put in a request to adopt her.

Although the Bach Flower treatment is considered a very gentle therapy it can often be very powerful, and sometimes be a matter of life or death for a dog.

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feature article

Eat yourself happy Nicola Smith looks at the impact of diet on our mental health The world can seem a bleak place when you or a loved one is struggling with depression. Reaching for the ‘happy pills’ may seem like an obvious solution and over 50 million prescriptions for antidepressants are handed out annually. That’s a massive drain on our beleaguered NHS and ironically, it’s probably not even the best solution for those with mild to moderate depression.

Antidepressants take several weeks to kick in.

Research indicates that, except in severe cases, they’re often only as effective as a placebo. Side effects include nausea, agitation, reduced libido, insomnia and weight gain. More critically, they merely ‘manage’ the symptoms without addressing the cause.

One such cause can be traced back to poor dietary habits which is something we can easily tackle. We tend to forget that our brain needs nourishing too, and if the supply of nutrients to the brain is deficient or erratic, it has a direct impact on our mood and mental health.

Blood sugar havoc The brain uses more energy than any other organ so it needs a steady supply of glucose. However, a diet high in refined carbohydrates such as sugar, biscuits, crisps, bread and highly-processed food causes havoc with our blood sugar and that, in turn, creates mood swings (see below).

Refined carbohydrates cause blood sugar to spike dramatically; to counteract this and mop up the excess, insulin is released which then causes the blood sugar to drop like a rollercoaster. Low blood sugar can

make us feel tired, irritable or even tearful – think of a hungry toddler! Other typical signs of low blood sugar include needing that mid-morning coffee or biscuit, or feeling sleepy and lethargic around 3 to 4pm.

Additional stress Many of us live ‘on the run’, skipping breakfast and keeping ourselves going through the day with tea, coffee, fizzy drinks or snacks packed with refined carbohydrates such as biscuits and sandwiches. This blood sugar rollercoaster, day after day, often leads to mood swings. It also places significant stress on the body’s coping mechanisms, depleting it of vitamins and minerals and encouraging the release of stress hormones.

However, a diet that balances blood sugar can have a huge effect on stabilising mood and energy levels. In a diet trial run at the Bagnall Centre, Chesham, 88% of participants noted their stress levels had decreased after changing their diet over a four-week period. They still had all the same external pressures – jobs, family, money – but by making dietary changes to balance their blood sugar, they quickly noticed a significant difference in how they coped.

The brain uses chemicals called neurotransmitters to transmit information throughout the body and activate myriad responses from instructing the heart to beat to impacting sleep, concentration, weight and mood. Serotonin, for example, regulates sleep, mood and appetite while depleted levels are linked to depression.

The brain needs to produce optimum levels of neurotransmitters for the body to function properly.

Excess alcohol, caffeine, stress and poor diet can all deplete neurotransmitter levels, so good nutrition has an important role to play. This means ensuring an adequate supply of amino acids from protein foods, along with vitamins (especially the Bs, C and D), minerals, and essential fats such as omega 3.

Clinical trials on many of the B Vitamins show their beneficial effects on mental health. Vital in both the production of energy and neurotransmitters as well as a host of other functions in the body, B vitamins are readily available in a wholefood diet or as a supplement. However, they are often lost during food processing or leached from the body by excess coffee, alcohol or stress so deficiency is common.

Certain minerals play a role, too, such as chromium (to aid blood sugar balance), selenium, zinc and magnesium. Many people are magnesium-deficient (we don’t eat enough magnesium-rich leafy greens and over 80% of the magnesium available in whole wheat is lost during the refining process), so adding magnesium to the diet can make rapid improvements.

Brain boosters Essential fats (so called because they are only obtainable through our diet) are vital for the efficient operation of the brain and studies show that omega 3 deficiency has a big impact on brain function, from mood and memory to intelligence. The best dietary sources include fish, nuts and seeds.

Since essential fats are so critical to good mental health, one wonders if the obsession with a ‘fat free’ diet has led to this steep rise in depression over the last three decades – which ironically also correlates with the increase in obesity! continued 8

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continued Many of these nutrients are found in a variety of whole foods, but only in trace amounts and they often need each other for optimum absorption.

Therefore, we need a wide variety as well as a good quantity of vegetables, fruits and whole grains to ensure that we get enough. Even then, due to intensive farming, our soils may not be as rich in minerals as they once were. Highly refined carbohydrates contain very few such nutrients; they also deplete the body’s store of vitamins and minerals because they require these very nutrients to be digested and metabolised.

The key point here is not to highlight one nutrient as the answer but to demonstrate how they operate in concert to provide the raw materials we need for optimum health. Herbs and supplemental nutrients can also assist but it’s important to first seek advice from a BANT-registered nutritional therapist. Equally, if you are already taking antidepressants, speak first to your GP; suddenly stopping medication or adding certain herbs and supplements to the mix can be harmful.

Simple changes Struggling with depression is hard. However, a few simple changes, such taking a good omega 3 supplement and a multi vitamin mineral, can be a good starting point while reviewing your diet.

Consider, too, adding a little fresh air and exercise into the mix such as a brisk daily walk in your lunch break. These actions alone may be enough to break the downward spiral and switch on the light at the end of the tunnel. I

Happy meals Deliciously healthy ideas to balance blood sugar Breakfast Porridge with 1 tbs of ground almonds and cinnamon or unsweetened live yoghurt with a handful of berries and seeds Mid-morning snack Apple or pear + small handful walnuts/almonds or 2 oat cakes with hummous Lunch Omelette and green salad or mixed salad with half an avocado, chicken and beans Mid-afternoon snack Vegetable crudities with guacamole or fruit and veg smoothie

positive thinking

Inspirational initiatives

“WANTED – Encouragers” The World A couple of years ago, a friend of mine invited myself and a handful of others over for dinner. This was particularly unusual because she doesn’t really enjoy cooking! I had varying levels of friendship with all of them. When we sat down to dinner, the hostess addressed me and told me that in fact they were all there for me, to tell me how special they all think I am. Each of them then read out a card they had written describing the things they loved and admired about me, and how I inspired them. I was deeply touched and overwhelmed with a mixture of surprise, slight embarrassment, and immense pride. It was a huge boost of encouragement at a time when I needed to start believing in myself again.

I have a dream – to create a new Culture of Encouragement, through all areas of life, from parenting, schooling, in friendships, the media, and through to training managers in the workplace.

Sometimes it is the simplest things that can make big changes. Most of us have experiences of at least one person who gave us the right encouragement when we needed it most, just enough to give us a boost, expand our confidence and belief, the right dose of inspiration to keep us going and propel us forward. I believe we all need this on a daily basis.

What could you do to raise the confidence of and give encouragement to someone who needs it? Your words could change their life. Literally.

Amy Deane amy@encourage.org.uk www.encourage.org.uk

Dinner Salmon steak with roasted veg or veg curry with chickpeas/lentils and coconut milk

Further information ∫ The author has a BSc in Nutritional Medicine and is a member of the British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy. She is available for consultations and runs weight management programmes in which learning to balance blood sugar is key. See www.positivehealthgroup.co.uk 9

“Social change is a million individual acts of kindness Cultural change is a million subversive acts of resistance” Mary Pipher Sleeping Lions is a children’s game where everyone pretends to be sleeping except one child who tries to wake the others without touching them (i.e. telling jokes to make them laugh). Whoever moves, gets up and joins in trying to wake others. The game continues until all players wake up. And like this children’s game, Sleeping Lions community is a place where we can have fun waking each other up. We do this by inspiring one another, sharing stories of courage, authenticity and creativity, by staying connected. Our simple daily practice carries us through the day, anchored in love, generosity, compassion and gratitude. We meet with other local group members to chat, read, learn, meditate, pray, play, laugh, sing, dance and create together. We help one another, support our local communities and global initiatives ... the sky is the limit!

By celebrating our common humanity and being persistently positive we hope to break the vicious circle of negative narrative that has been part of our life and culture for so long.

It can be hard to stay awake sometimes, so we are here to help one another remember that our natural state is kindness and oneness. We are here to support, inspire and empower one another so we can reclaim control over our own lives and become conscious and responsible co-creators of a harmonious planetary future. Join us. Together, we can make a difference.

Agnieszka Lukasiewicz www.sleepinglions.com

0000.9 Designs for Life 7: 3085.5 Chesham Town Talk 3

N We are a small new family business specialising in bohemian silver and gemstone jewellery N Our inspirations are our many travels and the trinkets we found along the way, incorporated

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with our passion for crystals and gorgeous silver jewellery N Trained in crystal healing, we describe each gemstone’s properties, so you may have a better understanding of the

pieces that you choose N We bring them to you via our website and upcoming stalls and festivals – check our website for details and join our mailing list N www.holilove.com

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feature article

For art’s sake Gallery owner Trisha Woodcock talks to Amber Tokeley about how she turned her love of art into a successful business Tucked away in beautiful Chilterns countryside on the unlikely site of the Bucks Goat Farm, an eclectic gallery has become something of a Mecca for local art lovers. Called Obsidian after that distinctive crystal’s serene and mysterious allure, it’s been aptly described by visitors as a ‘warren of loveliness’.

You can happily lose yourself for hours browsing through its colourful, quirky mix of artwork – everything from fantastical scenes inspired by folklore and legend to glass, ceramics and handcrafted jewellery. There’s a courtyard featuring outdoor sculpture Hand-engraved glass and, by happenstance,

by Sue Burne. a cunningly placed tea shop next door so you can take a break and come back for more.

On my visit, I enjoyed Laura Boswell’s delicate Japanese watercolour wood blocks of contemporary Chilterns landscapes (see cover), the magical illustrations of Jackie Morris, Paul Smith’s playful sculptures, and the tactile totem orbs of Yve Sturgeon.

Owner Trisha Woodcock exhibits a deliberately broad range of media and her enthusiasm for her work is obvious: ‘I’m surrounded by gorgeous things every day and I love the interaction with customers, artists and makers – it’s fascinating’.

The former management consultant had always wanted to set up her own business so combining it with a love of art made perfect sense. Obsidian

'Hare Moon' bronze by David Cemmick.

opened in 2002 after several years ‘gestation’ during which time Trisha did her research, made contacts and found the perfect location: ‘We were literally driving past one day and saw units to let.’

The rural setting, onsite parking and an interesting interior space caught Trisha’s attention: prosaically enough, it was a former bathroom showroom complete with three-cornered-room sets, but she could see the potential. With the help of her partner, Steve, who’s ‘handy with a hammer’, they totally refurbished it and Obsidian was launched on to the art scene.

'Lady Moon Serenity' acrylic painting

by Wendy Andrew.

Fourteen years on, it’s become one of the largest permanent gallery spaces in the area and Trisha has built up a solid reputation as a promoter of art and artists.

It’s something she’s passionate about and she showcases some of the best in British Fine and Applied Arts together with work from talented regional artists and newcomers.

Trish organises a different exhibition every month, keeping the gallery fresh and enticing to visitors. Her ideas for shows have been noted as both thoughtprovoking and original. ‘We pick themes that we think might inspire artists and makers as well as be interesting to create an exhibition around,’ she explains.

English folklore and nature themes are hugely popular, as is literature. ‘Books are my other big love and we’ve got a wonderful show on printmaking (29 April to 29 May) with the Beds, Bucks and Herts Print Society – everything from traditional etchings and linocuts to solar plate printing.’

As an Arts Council approved gallery, Obsidian offers ‘Own Art’, an innovative scheme that makes buying art easier and more affordable; buyers pay in monthly instalments, interest free, for contemporary 11

Trish has created an oasis of calm and beauty. works up to £2,000. The online shop is also growing year on year and garners international attention: ‘It’s really exciting taking an order from places as far afield as Australia or America. It gives us, and our artists and makers, such a big market’.

On top of the day job, Trisha has a part-time role co-ordinating Bucks Open Studios, the largest visual event in the county and one of the largest nationally. In her limited spare time she enjoys getting out into the countryside and describes Buckinghamshire as quintessentially English: ‘We’ve got the beautiful Chiltern Hills, the Thames, the Grand Union Canal, as well as London and Oxford on the doorstep. We’re very lucky!’

The only fly in the ointment is the looming spectre of HS2 which puts the current location of the gallery under threat: the high speed railway line is due to run just 150 metres away from Trisha’s desk. On a positive note, it offers an opportunity to find another venue with a bigger outdoor space: ‘In my dream scenario, I would have an actual sculpture trail people could enjoy outdoors as well as the gallery. Also, a studio for artists and makers; many of them struggle to find permanent studio space, so that would be amazing!

‘If anyone out there knows somewhere…’ I

Further information ∫ Obsidian Art is at Layby Farm, Old Risborough Road, Stoke Mandeville, Aylesbury HP22 5XJ www.obsidianart.co.uk

Demonstrations by artists such as Di Oldfield are a popular draw.

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artist’s profile

On the cover

JAMES R AND copy-editor & proofreader Mobile: 07739 985079 Email: james.rand@me.com Accurate and professional copy-editing to deadlines Marking up of proofs with British Standard symbols Available for projects large and small, digital or on paper Freelance or occasional in-house Based in Amersham, Bucks

Associate of the Society for Editors and Proofreaders

‘Spring’ from the series ‘Chiltern Seasons’ Local artist and printmaker Laura Boswell loves the landscape of the Chilterns and surrounding area, using it as a constant source of images and inspiration for both her linocut and woodblock prints. Local the prints may be, but there is a definite Japanese twist to her work. ‘How could there not be?’ she asks, ‘when the woodblock method I use is the centuries old Japanese watercolour technique which I was lucky enough to study in Japan with master woodcarvers and printers?’

‘Early Morning Spring’ from the series ‘12 Views’ Already confident with linocut prints, Laura travelled to Japan in 2009 and 2013 for two artist residencies where she learned to combine watercolour paint with sticky rice paste, using traditional tools to create authentic Japanese woodblock prints. On her return she used her new technique to catch the feel of the British landscape with a nod to

24 - 26 June 2016

Japanese colours and composition. She quickly found herself exploiting her newfound skills by delivering two commissions for the NHS; one for fourteen prints of the Isle of Wight for an island health centre and another capturing the South Downs for a hospice in Eastbourne. ‘All these prints were well over a metre wide’ laughs Laura ‘they were hard labour as well as a leap of faith’. Fortunately both clients loved the end results and the soft painterly approach of Japanese woodblock printing.

Although Laura calls herself a printmaker, she also creates public art, usually working in vitreous enamel on steel. She is currently producing seven large Japanese influenced enamel panels featuring local birds and seasonal plants for an arts trail on the Grand Union Canal, to be unveiled at Great Linford in July. ‘As a self employed artist and the family breadwinner, I have to have plenty of strings to my bow,’ she explains, ‘I also write a monthly column for Artist and Illustrator’s Magazine and enjoy teaching printmaking both to groups and one to one in my studio’ You can visit Laura, watch her demonstrate and see exhibitions of her work at Ardington School of Craft, Wantage, this May as part of Oxford Art Weeks and during her open studios during Bucks Open Studios in June. She will also be at the Art in Action arts festival at Waterperry Gardens this July.

Full details of all these events, her list of galleries and details of the courses she teaches are on her website at www.lauraboswell.co.uk

Artistic Directors: • Paul Lewis piano • Bjørg Lewis cello Other Musicians: • Aleksandar Madzar piano • Mark Padmore tenor • Gemma Rosefield cello • Alon Sariel lute • Valeriy Sokolov violin • Jennifer Stumm viola • Tamsin Waley-Cohen violin

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feature article

Foraging for fun There’s nothing quite like gathering wild food as you ramble, says Debi King I've been a ‘foodie’ for as long as I can remember and an enthusiastic forager. For me, the real joy of hunting out wild foods lies in the tremendous variety of flavours available that change from year to year and with the seasons. It’s a world away from the manufactured sameness of shop-bought food. It’s also good to be able to get out into the fresh air, blow away the cobwebs and forget about everyday concerns for a while.

We are so lucky to have the Chess Valley, Icknield Way, the canals, waterways and a whole host of footpaths to enjoy through woodland and pastures.

And now is a great time of year to get outside: birds are nesting, young animals are taking their first wobbly steps, honey bees are actively collecting pollen and nectar, and everywhere there’s the fresh green of new plant growth.

Why not discover for yourself the wonderful ‘smell of purple’ associated with sweet violets (Viola odorata). These lovely flowers bloom from March till May, come in white, yellow, mauve through to rich purple and hide in shady places such as hedge bottoms and woodlands.

Violets taste great added to ice cream, sweets, curds and liqueurs. The flowers also make a good syrup. Gather about six handfuls of preferably purple flowers, picked clean of their foliage, infuse them in 250ml of boiling water overnight, then strain out the flowers, adding 600g of white sugar to the flower water; heat gently until it turns syrupy. It will be green in colour and makes a refreshing drink when added to mineral water. Due to an acid-alkali reaction, you can even ‘magic’ it pink by adding a little lemon juice.

Sweet violets (Viola odorata)

Forage with care ∫ If you can’t identify a plant with 100% certainty, don’t eat it. ∫ Always try new edible wild plants in small quantities first to test your tolerance; if you have a medical condition or are on medication, check in case certain plants could be problematical. ∫ Generally, wild greens are best gathered young and before flowering.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

∫ Be aware of potential contaminants: avoid plants from busy roadsides, near landfill sites or foul water, as well as plants near those that may have been recently sprayed. ∫ It is illegal to uproot any plant without permission; the flowers, fruit and leaves of unprotected species may be gathered but ask the landowner’s permission. ∫ It is illegal to disturb or collect plant material from protected species. ∫ During the breeding season, try not to disturb local wildlife while foraging.

Wild garlic (Allium ursinum)

Further information Oak leaf wine is another amazing thing to try in May. Just like grapes, oak leaves (Quercus robur) contain quite a bit of tannin and it makes for the nicest, scrumptiously tasty tipple. The drab-looking nettle (Urtica dioica) is also well worth foraging: don rubber gloves and pick about 700g of nettle tops for a ‘cordon bleu’ cream of nettle soup.

The humble dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) pops up as soon as the sun shines in spring. The entire plant is edible and incredibly versatile; flowers and leaves can be used in salads while the flower buds are similar in taste to capers and can be pickled. Other common plants worth looking out for in spring include ramsons, better known as wild garlic (Allium ursinum) and hop shoots (Humulus lupulus).

There are plenty of guides and apps available (see further information) but if you’re a beginner, it’s a good idea to first familiarise yourself with a few common plants before slowly building up your knowledge.

Otherwise you’ll waste hours leafing through pages and trying to identify things instead of enjoying yourself.

Foraging is fun, but always leave enough for the creatures that rely on it for their survival and also so that the plant can continue to thrive; that way, you’ll be able do it all over again next year! We have a bountiful earth: let’s look after it so that we can all enjoy what it has to offer. I 13

∫ For recipes and courses, see www.eatweeds.co.uk and www.wildfoodschool.co.uk. ∫ E recipe books also available from www.wildfoodwisdom.co.uk. ∫ Recommended reference books include Cassell’s Wild Flowers of Britain & Northern Europe by Marjorie Blamey and Christopher Grey-Wilson; RHS Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses by Deni Brown; The Forager’s Handbook by Miles Irving; Food for Free by Richard Mabey (including Collins Gem Kindle edition). ∫ Smart phone apps are also available. ∫ The author, a former agriculturalist, is a keen forager and bee-keeper and lives in Rickmansworth.

Cream of nettle soup

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wellbeing

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health

The role of the health food store The first health food store in the UK was Pitman’s Health Food Store, established in Birmingham towards the end of the 19th century. It was named after Sir Isaac Pitman, who invented the system of shorthand writing and was a vegetarian, but was started by James Henry Cook. The shop was initially set up to supply vegetarian foods, but, shortly after it opened, a customer asked James Henry Cook what she should be eating for her health, and he realised he was running a ‘health food store’. This is largely why, to this day, foods sold in a health food store are usually suitable for vegetarian diets. Although vegetarian foods are much more widely distributed than they used to be, the range and quality sold in the health food trade is generally better, and there is usually a much better choice for those following vegan diets.

By the mid twentieth century, people who were interested in their health but who were not necessarily vegetarian started patronising these shops and seeking out dietary supplements, some of which contained animal substances, such as fish oil or bonemeal, and many of which came in gelatine capsules. Hence the element of inconsistency in the products to be found in health stores.

In the thirty years that Healthright has been trading in Chesham, the health food trade has continued to evolve. By 1986 some of the products that had started to be sold only from this type of store had begun to be seen in the general grocery trade. Muesli is a particularly good example, being one of the first to ‘go mainstream’.

F O R

C O M P L E M E N TA RY

Vegetarian foods and then, much to my surprise, gluten free foods followed. I wonder if the trend for ‘raw’ foods will go mainstream too.

In the early days, well over half our sales came from food. After about ten years this reduced to one third, though this proportion then stayed pretty steady, give or take a few percent either way. The result has been that we have had to adapt our stock range as a continuous process. One of the roles of the health food store has always been to pioneer new products, and, as in every trade, this process has speeded up steadily over the past few years. Hardly any branded products that were seen on the shelves of Healthright in 1986 would be found there now.

The Birmingham customer who gave rise to the first named health food store has her successors today, in that customers still come in to health stores seeking information on what to eat for health.

Nowadays, customers are much better informed, than even 30 years ago, and they are often a source of information for health store staff. Even the best

27 High Street Chesham Bucks HP5 1BG Tel: 01494 771267 www.healthright.co.uk

Our therapies include: • • • • • • • • •

Roger Oliver

Health and Diet Information Centre

T H E R A P I E S

4 Orchard Lane, Amersham, Bucks HP6 5AB Website: www.orchardclinic-amersham.co.uk Email: welookafteryou@orchardclinic-amersham.co.uk Tel: 01494 726228 or 01494 721803 Open: Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm, with free parking.

Treatments available outside of these hours, by arrangement.

• Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine • Alexander Technique • Aromatherapy • Chiropody/Podiatry • Homeopathy • Manual Lymphatic Drainage • Massage

informed customers, however, seem to appreciate contact with staff who are interested in the value of what they are selling. Although there is now a plethora of accessible information, much of it is conflicting, so it is good to be able to discuss diet issues with people who have a similar approach.

Health stores can also try to compensate for a gaping hole in the health services, which are unable to provide dietary advice to all those who need it.

As well as providing information on diet, health stores are often the first port of call for finding out about the availability of complementary medical practitioners in an area. In Chesham, since the arrival of Laceys Yard and the Bagnall Centre, the job is much easier than it used to be. It is always difficult to keep practitioner information up to date, and having two multidisciplinary centres to whom people can be referred makes life much easier, though there are still times when ability to locate an individual practitioner is helpful.

In addition to activities in store, health food stores may organise off-site activities. For example, in 2012, Healthright organised a Wellness Show, in co-operation with Laceys Yard. This gave local practitioners the opportunity to promote their practices, and included a number of stalls promoting health products.

Subsequently Healthright has organised a series of Nutrition Seminars at the Bagnall Centre, the latest being one on Pain & Inflammation on 17 May. This is all part of playing a wider role in the local community.

Are we on track?

Mindfulness coaching Nutrition Osteopathy Psychotherapy & EMDR Reflexology Reiki Shiatsu Western Herbal Medicine Yoga Therapy

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psychotherapy

The guest house This being human is a guest house – the opportunity and potential of psychotherapy “This being human is a guest house.

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes As an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they're a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still treat each guest honourably.

He may be clearing you out for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.”

Rumi

In this poem, Rumi compares the essence of being human to the idea of a guest house, meaning that we are vessels for innumerable experiences and emotions throughout our lives: the depression, the joy, the dark thought, the shame, the malice and a crowd of sorrows.

I have thought about the metaphor of the guest house with its 'new arrivals' and 'unexpected visitors' and associated it with the capacity to contain and be present to a broad range of human experiences that life brings to us – invited and uninvited, wanted and unwanted. Rumi's guest house represents an inner holding capacity, an internal strength and continuity which, if well developed, allows us to be with the emotional heights and depths of our lives.

In line with Rumi's poem, I have come to understand that life’s experiences and challenges are un/manageable and overwhelming to the degree that we are un/able to tolerate the feelings they stir up within us. The potential range of experiencing stretches from being open to the beauty of nature, the compassion and love for another to an awareness of our own limitations and brokenness, the pains and joys of love and life, conflict, isolation, disintegration as well as integration and harmony.

What most often brings people to therapy is a real difficulty to be emotionally alive to some of life's more painful experiences. For example, feelings of loss, grief, disappointment, loneliness, anger, rage and vulnerability – just to name a few of the wide and nuanced spectrum of human emotions. Instead, we often resort to 'defence

mechanisms' – ways and manners developed in childhood and elaborated throughout our lives, to protect and distance ourselves from a full awareness of unpleasant, vulnerable and painful thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Most defence mechanisms are fairly unconscious which means most of us don’t realise we’re using them in the moment.

For example, denial is a common defence involving a refusal to accept reality, acting as if a painful event, thought or feeling did not exist. Many people use denial in their everyday lives to avoid dealing with uncomfortable feelings or areas of their life they don’t wish to admit. For instance, a person with an alcohol problem will often deny their difficulty, pointing to how well they function in their job and relationships. This is likely to cause difficulties, as this stance denies the destructive impact of the drinking on their body and mind, not to mention the feelings of people close to them.

Regression is another defence characterised by a reversion to an earlier stage of development in the face of thoughts or impulses that the person deems unacceptable. For example a teenager who is overwhelmed with fear, anger and growing sexual impulses might become clingy and start exhibiting earlier childhood behaviours he has long since overcome, such as bed-wetting. Also, an adult may regress when under a great deal of stress, not feeling able to leave their bed and engage in normal, everyday activities. We all regress at times, yet when it becomes a sustained way of being, it is likely to cause problems.

Long-standing, embedded, elaborate and unconscious defence structures and 'inner walls' are

16

often associated with psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, relationship issues, sleeping difficulties, eating disorders, addictions, underlying problematic personality traits and personality disorders.

Working therapeutically, my starting point is the recognition that we all need defences to protect us from anxiety and pain. The aim of psychotherapy is not to remove defences but to understand them, and through such understanding to gradually help the person in therapy recognise new possibilities and potentials in relating to themselves and others.

An important dimension of the therapeutic process is to stimulate an increasing understanding of why we have developed defences in the first place. Many of us grew up in families and cultures in which the powerful myth that vulnerability is a weakness and a flaw permeated people's thinking. As a result, we have come to reject and defend against our own vulnerability, which we often associate with emotions like anxiety, fear, shame, grief, sadness, anger and disappointment – feelings we often don’t feel comfortable with and don’t easily talk about, even when they profoundly affect our well-being and our relationships.

Bearing this in mind, our capacity to accept and contain our 'mad, sad and bad' feelings (anger, pain, anxiety) is often associated with the nature of our main attachment relationships we have had in life. We tend to identify with and internalise experiences from our relationships with parents and family. For example, if we grew up in a predominately critical and judgmental family culture, we are likely to develop into adults who tend to be rejecting and dismissive of our own vulnerability and struggles. This inner harsh judge and critical stance often is a major component in longstanding and reoccurring depression and anxiety disorders. Or, if our sadness, anger, helplessness, jealousy and disappointments couldn’t be responded to helpfully by parental figures, these feelings go 'underground' undermining our capacity to be fully alive, which inevitably impacts on our ability to form secure and mutually fulfilling relationships.

Counteracting the disappointment of what was and could not have been in our earlier family lives, individual and group psychotherapy are very hopeful endeavours which can potentially lead to profound change. They offer a place where one can be 're-familied' or 'resocialised' meaning that a healthy therapeutic relationship and/or group culture can help us to learn and grow in ways that we were not able to in our family of origin. For instance, most people struggle with how to deal with conflicts which inevitably arise in relationships, families and groups. Also, many people have a deep and unfulfilled longing for intimacy and authenticity, which are core to our experiences in life, yet find it difficult to

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develop ways that enable them to be close with others and true to themselves. Individual and group therapy offer a real opportunity to better understand ourselves, to reflect on and maybe develop new ways of relating and interacting with others. It provides a valuable space in which we can develop more effective and enjoyable ways to love, argue and negotiate differences.

Psychotherapy has long been understood as an opportunity to become more aware of and correct unhelpful family dynamics and patterns of communication which for many of us originate in our earlier years.

In my experience, therapy is about bringing relief to psychological symptoms by gradually developing a shared understanding of the origins of psychological defences ('inner walls') and associated unhelpful patterns of communication which form an integral part of the psychological problem. The main therapeutic aim is to facilitate the gradual unfolding of our life-giving ability of making friends with our feelings. This journey will allow us to move more deeply into our inner emotional landscapes and may take us to places of deep sadness, grief, anger, empty and barren lands as well as enjoyable and emotionally rich new territory.

Also, this kind of therapeutic work offers an opportunity to cultivate and strengthen an inner self-soothing capacity akin to Rumi's guest house which will allow us to welcome and accept wanted and unwanted life experiences and feelings that life brings to us.

Individual and group therapy, and sometimes a combination of both, offer an arena for vital corrective emotional experiences which can enable us to learn to better pay attention to ourselves and our feelings, to become more aware of others and their feelings, to better deal with conflict and the balancing of our own needs with those of others. Learning to change in this way requires a strong and sustained commitment to self-development and cannot be a 'quick fix'. However, it can be deeply rewarding and engender a new sense of vitality and belonging in our life which we can carry into our relationships, families, work and other areas of life.

In November 2016, I will be setting up a new local group-analytic therapy group. Enquiries are welcome!

Kirsten Heynisch PRINCIPAL CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST & GROUP THERAPIST

Working in the NHS and in private practice at the Bagnall Centre, Chesham kirstenheynisch@outlook.com

07751 710277 GOOGLE+ kirsten heynisch @ chiltern psychology & psychotherapy practice

www.kirstenheynisch.co.uk 17

therapies

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wellbeing

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feature article

Home sweet home Simple changes to your home environment can make you happier, healthier and wealthier, believes Feng Shui expert, Denise O’Dwyer Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art of working with the natural forces that flow around our world.

Meaning ‘Wind and Water’, it originated in rural China more than 5,000 years ago when farmers studied the landscape, seasons, and weather to improve their understanding of their environment. Today, that same ancient knowledge is used worldwide to help create happy homes and prosperous businesses.

The aim of Feng Shui is to harness beneficial energy or Qi and bring it into our buildings so that people can enjoy a smoother and more harmonious life. From better relationships, enhanced career prospects and improved productivity and wealth to a greater sense of health and general wellbeing, Feng Shui can be a wonderful transformational tool.

I’ve witnessed it many times during the course of my work, when clients have commented how quickly and unexpectedly their lives have changed for the better after embracing the principles of Feng Shui. Here are my top five Feng Shui tips for creating a happy home. Why not give them a go and see what happens?

1 Clutter Keeps you stuck In Feng Shui, clutter is the number one cause for blocked Qi because it slows it down, limiting the flow of opportunity into your life and creating stagnation.

So, if you feel stuck, tired, confused or lacking in direction, make decluttering your space a priority.

The easiest place to start is around your front door and hallway: I see so many houses where shoes, bags, and clutter of all description are piled up all around that area. Clearing up can make a huge difference.

2 The front door: Where opportunity knocks In Feng Shui your front door is called the ‘Mouth of Qi ’ and represents the energy of opportunity.

So, if you want opportunity to come knocking, it’s crucial that your front door looks smart and well-tended: flaking paint, rusty fittings or old, peeling stickers will not bring vibrant Qi into your home.

To keep the Qi fresh, it’s helpful to clean your door regularly; you will also maximise the amount of Qi entering if your door doesn’t stick or squeak.

3 Artwork: Be picture perfect

interfere with your ability to have restful sleep.

Don’t sleep under a visible ceiling beam, especially if you are part of a couple, because a beam running along the middle of the length of the bed separates you energetically. Avoid, too, sleeping with objects positioned overhead such as pointed and angled light fittings because they direct negative Qi.

5 The bathroom: Keep a lid on it

Make sure that the artwork in your home represents what you want in your life.

Be mindful of the images you display in your house, particularly those on your bedroom wall: avoid violent and aggressive images, pictures of fast cars, or anything that does not promote calm. Unless you enjoy feeling sad and lonely, don’t have pictures of gloomy, solitary people on the wall: this is especially important if you are single! Ideally, your artwork should represent what you want in your life, serving as a positive subliminal prompt towards achieving it.

4 The bedroom: Close the door and keep calm!

Don’t obstruct your front door with coats.

A door with good Feng Shui.

Your personal Qi needs to replenish itself overnight and it can only do so effectively if there is good Feng Shui in the bedroom. So, always sleep with the door closed (your Qi needs to be safely contained in the room during the night) and position your bed so that there is a solid wall behind it and bedside cabinets on either side. Avoid sleeping with your head under a window because this will undermine your health, long-term.

It’s important that you banish large ‘activating’ items from the bedroom such as TV and exercise equipment. These are considered too ‘Yang ’ and 19

In Feng Shui, water is a powerful element associated with wealth, prosperity and career. Bathrooms, cloakrooms and en suites all drain this energy from your house so it’s important to manage these areas.

Keep the bathroom or toilet door closed at all times (vital in an en suite to prevent Qi draining away at night) and remind everyone in the house to keep the toilet lid down so your wealth isn’t flushed away.

Simple changes like these can make a world of difference to your home and your life. Try it – you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Good luck with your Feng Shui! I

Further information ∫ The author is a Feng Shui consultant specialising in working with professional and executive women to create more happiness in their lives. She has appeared on TV and radio and is available for consultations on www.fengshuielement.co.uk

Denise travels all over the world advising clients on Feng Shui.

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positive thinking

Tips for promoting your business Marketing and advertising are essential tools in running your business. Although the best way to gain new customers is to do your job well, it’s only by making people aware of what you do, where you do it and why it’s important, that you will open the door to your full potential. This magazine is one means of effectively communicating with local people who are specifically interested in art, design, health, wellbeing, green living and the environment. Here are some others:

Websites, QR codes and social media You’ll find this magazine online at www.dflconnect.co.uk. We create online banner advertisement to complement our magazine listing. At the top of each printed magazine page is a QR code which, using a smartphone application, will link you to the relevant section of the website. Quite simply it helps you learn more.

We also post regularly on Facebook and Twitter. Our team of experts can design and produce websites, social media connections and QR codes for you.

Printed stationery and promotional material, with local distribution The publishers of Designs for LIFE have 25 years’ experience of designing and printing leaflets, business cards, posters and flyers, and work with a group of graphic designers, illustrators, cartoonists, photographers and artworkers. Liaising with local and national printers, the best prices can be gained to suit the size of the print job. Reliable and targeted door-to-door distribution can also be arranged.

Flipbooks You can read current and back issues of the magazine on the website via our free flipbooks, where you can navigate quickly to the websites of our writers and advertisers. We can also produce flipbooks of your existing documents and publications.

Advertorials, features and editorial policy Research has revealed that advertorials attract 81% more orders from readers than advertisements. This is because a good article connects with customers through a story: it humanises, informs and educates.

This magazine is clearly based on an advertorial style, with contributions that fit in seamlessly with the style and ethos of the publication.

Other editorial features are clearly marked and differentiated. We maintain editorial control to keep the quality of contributions high.

Designs for LIFE’s Features Editor and Copy Editor can help you promote your business with high quality articles. We can also email you our handy guide: Tips for producing

a good article to go alongside your advert.

Films, animations and videos We can help you with everything from YouTube videos to professional film editing.

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Get in touch, we’re here to help.

Please email Peter Hawkes to be guided to the relevant contact: editor@dflconnect.co.uk or call 01494 793000

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feature article

Go to give!

Being a sole trader can be a lonely affair at the best of times. Add in financial insecurity, along with the inevitable knocks to self-confidence and self-esteem when things don’t go to plan, and life can quickly unravel. Eighteen months ago, I was struggling to get my business up and running. I was doing my best to stay optimistic but after a long winter trying to make ends meet while also bringing up three sons, I was feeling physically and emotionally drained.

Due to my background in mental health, I knew all about the importance of having a supportive network when life gets tough. I’m an emotional wellbeing practitioner with qualifications in psychology, counselling and recovery coaching.

However, I started out as a NHS Mental Services Peer Worker: that’s someone who has used those services, is now in recovery and is trained to draw on their experiences to support others in recovery.

I have experienced my share of emotional challenges and am also six years sober in recovery from alcoholism. But the reason I remain in recovery is purely through being involved in a powerful recovery community. So, when life started stalling around me again, I knew that if I was going to keep my own emotional health in check and remain focused on my business, I had to ‘walk the talk,’ reach out and start networking.

Of course, the potential business or communityinvolvement benefits are obvious, but becoming part of a supportive network also meets our ‘basic needs’ which is vital to good emotional health. In the programmes I now teach, where I encourage people to support each other as part of a community, we talk about the importance of meeting those basic needs. For example, the need for security, the giving and receiving of attention, connection (with each other and the wider community), status, a sense of achievement, meaning and purpose.

With all this in mind, I googled ‘Networking events in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire’. An

Through L4G, Emma has gained many new skills.

Emma Jaynes explains how a networking group transformed her life and business

Members swap ideas, support and chat at a monthly drinks event. organisation called Link4Growth popped up and I noticed that there was an event on locally that week.

Off I toddled, feeling a bit timid and unsure. I was certain that the place would be filled with über successful people who would scoff and smirk at my attempts to describe what I was doing, especially when I didn’t even know myself.

Instead, I was stunned: I arrived, sat down and was instantly approached by lots of lovely, friendly, smiley people, all chatting, getting to know each other and sharing. It was the ‘go to give’ attitude that really vibed with me and my own spiritual values.

Unbeknown to me, I also met the founder of Link4Growth that day, Chris Ogle. The following month he had remembered enough of our conversation to be able to introduce me to someone with whom I would have a mutual interest – I was impressed. We had further conversations and I offered to host an event in Biggleswade. Within three months, I was hosting events in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and the New Forest and subsequently took on the role of District Leader.

Initially, I was only aware of the organisation’s networking events but Link4Growth is so much more than that. Community Building is at the forefront. In a society where families are dispersed, ‘jobs for life’ are a thing of the past and our pubs, community centres and churches are no longer the places where people congregate, L4G essentially replaces this vital resource.

Community events are fully inclusive and free to attend.

However, we also provide a whole gamut of strands in which people can be involved. We have Link4Skills where those who ‘can’ offer to teach those who want to learn, Link4Business local business clubs, Link4Growth TV shows (run by members to highlight what’s 21

happening locally or address themed topics relevant to the hosts’ fields of expertise) as well as larger scale projects in Education, Youth, Health and more.

It’s certainly changed my life and somewhere along the way I have managed to re-empower myself.

I have learnt new skills and upgraded my IT skills through Link4Skills training: most of what we do happens on social media and I can now fully utilise the likes of Facebook, Twitter and Google + for business. I even host TV shows via Google Hangouts. I was the first to attend a L4G leadership programme and now mentor other people into roles in L4G and Link4Business.

What’s more, I have been able to transfer these skills into my own business, delivering emotional wellbeing programmes in the community and corporate sector, organising and marketing training events and liaising with clients. Eighteen months on, I have gone from a struggling sole trader to a leader in my own right. Through Link4Growth, I am involved in a supportive community, I am able to give and receive attention, I am valued, I have meaning and purpose in my life and, oh boy, do I have a sense of achievement!

Physically, spiritually and emotionally, L4G has given me the opportunity to fulfil my needs. And this is the thing: the opportunity is there for everyone.

All you have to do is come along and join in! I

Further information ∫ The author is District Leader for Link4Growth in Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire and North Herts. ∫ Find out more at www.link4growth.biz and www.link4business.co.uk or contact Emma on 07791 520388. She is also an Emotional Wellbeing Practitioner www.youknowyou.co.uk

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Find out more at www.dflconnect.co.uk/positivethinking

connections

Directory of healthy and creative living in the Chilterns £5

Feature here for just (£10 with your website listed, which will then show up as a hyperlink in the online magazine. £15 to include your logo. £50 and you get a banner on our website too!).

Animals

Natural Therapy and Remedies for Animals – Agnes Schmitz ITEC CST BFAP 01923 269600 agnes@agnesschmitz.co.uk www.AgnesSchmitz.co.uk

Creativity Art Journaling Courses Isabel Clements, Chesham 01494 775962 or 07909 908573 Copy Writer, Editor & Proof Reader Anna Sutherland 07857 803208 suther2000@aol.com Bookbinding & Restoration Amanda Slope, 99A High Street, Great Missenden HP16 0BB 01494 891319 amanda_slope@hotmail.com www.amanda-slope.co.uk

Fitness & Wellbeing

Pilates

Counselling

Celine Anderson ITEC Complementary Massage Therapist & Reiki Practitioner 07754 053880

Hazel Hussey Pilates Pilates classes in Buckinghamshire 07958 649989 info@hazelhusseypilates.co.uk www.hazelhusseypilates.co.uk

The Listening Post Qualified counselling. Amersham area.

Offering understanding, support and a sense of direction in life. Relationships, depression, stress, loss. Reasonable rates. 01494 812074

Natural Home Clean

Hypnotherapy, Psychotherapy, Life Coaching

Holistic Treatments/Courses Holistic Haven Lesley Ingle – the ultimate holistic approach including: • Sound healing • Emotional Freedom technique • Bowen technique lesley@holistichaven.co.uk 07799474404 www.holistichaven.co.uk

Picture Framing Peter Hawkes, Laceys Yard, Chesham High Street 01494 793000

The Hillingdon Homeopath Anne Healy, BSc, LCHE Qualified, Registered Homeopath & Reiki Master Uxbridge-based family clinic 01895 235627 or 07773 964254 healyac@aol.com www.facebook.com/The.Hillingdon.Homeopath

Tanis Mills – Supplier of Phoenix Greetings Cards Just send a card to brighten someone’s day.

Please order online: waterbabies79@gmail.com / 0788 55 67450 www.phoenix-trading.eu/web/tanismills Thursday Art Classes 10am-12pm, Chesham Adult Learning Centre. Mary Pomeroy 01494 771230 pomeroy819@btinternet.com

Jo Mitchell (Xiao Qin), Feng Shui & BaZi Innovations Attune your mind’s eye to the possibilities of Feng Shui & BaZi. E-mail: jo.mitchell@talk21.com Mobile: 07595 507068 Tel: 01494 783189

Meditation

Vanessa Scola Gardening/Mosaics 07944 868209 www.livingmosaics.co.uk

Laurie Elliott Accredited teacher of ancient wisdom meditation – 30 years experience – private sessions and at the Bagnall Centre, Chesham; and Champneys Health Spa, Tring 01296 625392 / 07549 998448 laurie.elliott3@talktalk.net

Resonance Repatterning Diana Eder 01844 344555 www.dissolvingmatters.com

Vegetarian Restaurants Anusia Café 50 High Street, Tring, Herts HP23 5AG Tel: 01442 823993 www.anusiacafe.co.uk Woody’s – Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurant 19 Dickinson Quay, Apsley Lock, Hemel Hempstead HP3 9WG 01442 266280

Now find us on Twitter www.twitter.com/ dflchilterns

Great job opportunity

Massage

Here at Designs for LIFE magazine we’re looking for someone with good telephone sales and negotation skills to join our team and help build this successful and growing Chilterns publication. This is a part-time position, with potential desk space or working from home. Contact Peter Hawkes on 01494 793000 / editor@dflconnect.co.uk

Terry Dean Massage Therapist (ITEC Dip) Hons.

Based at Weston Turville near Wendover/Aylesbury 07769 790 690 terrydean.massage@gmail.com www.terrydeanmassage.com

Mindfulness Emma Hudson Also yoga, meditation and retreats 07853 874283 emma.hudson@emmenzen.co.uk www.emmenzen.co.uk

PHOTO: SOPHIE HONEYBELLE

Feng Shui & BaZi Consultant

Gardening

Anthea Osborn-Jones dipCOT Qualified Nordic Walking Instructor and Occupational Therapist 01491 573208 / 07966 245264 info@afootinthechilterns.co.uk www.afootinthechilterns.co.uk

Homeopathy Caroline Masters – Homeopath Bagnall Centre, 71-79 Waterside, Chesham HP5 1PE 07961 407142 homeopath@masters.me.uk

Maurice Roberts 01494 700318

Nordic Walking

The Sacred Earth School Meditation, Healing and Slow living.

Permaculture, Reiki, Roots Community, Shamanic Journeying and Retreats in Hertfordshire www.sacredearthschool.co.uk

Digital Illustration & Artworking Sophie Honeybelle honeybelle_designs@hotmail.com 07747 745041

Suzanne Parker Watercolour Artist Waterperry Gardens – ‘Art in Action Gallery’ a 19th century barn open 7 days a week, near Wheatley, Oxford OX33 1JZ Gallery: 01844 339254 www.suzanneparker.co.uk

Debi King Dry carpet cleaning 07967 372 005 www.naturalhomeclean.co.uk

Osteopathy Michael Thornton ND DO Osteopathy Practice with 3 Clinics Tring 01442 822990 Amersham 01494 433072 Flackwell Heath 07799 713117 www.michaelthornton.co.uk 22

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wellbeing

Sound meditation Sound baths (more commonly known in the UK as gong baths or sound meditation) have been increasing in their popularity for the past few years in the US. According to The New York Times they are moving from the ‘metaphysical to mainstream’. These sessions have often been associated with ‘new-age types’, but it seems that sound baths are becoming much more socially accepted by people from all walks of life as an effective stress busting tool. They also serve as a great complementary add-on to more widely recognised yoga and meditation practices.

Sessions are available at The Bagnall Centre for Integrated Healthcare in Chesham on the first and third Saturdays of the month. All sessions run from 1.30 to 2.30pm and cost £10.

Freely given sessions are held on the first Saturday of every quarter, a great way to come and try a session out.

Please note that due to space limitations, booking is required. We provide yoga mats, small head cushions and eye pillows, but do feel free to bring a blanket with you to keep warm and some bottled water to stay hydrated.

We can provide chairs if you are unable to lie down. Please also bring anything else you need to feel comfortable.

Sam Hyder

Sound baths are a form of sound meditation and healing. At a session you get to lie down or sit in a comfortable position whilst being bathed in the sonic waves of the gongs and other complementary instruments. The sound vibrations help to slow down overthinking, stressed-out minds, and induce a deeper state of relaxation. The sessions are concluded with a short period of silence to integrate the experience.

People often comment that they feel more relaxed and grounded and that they have the best night’s sleep after a session.

The ‘Sonic Bath Boom’ that exploded in the USA has come to the UK!

Freely-given session at the Bagnall Centre in October 2015

E-mail: sam_hyder@hotmail.co.uk Tel: 07787 291529 Facebook: www.facebook.com/cheshamgongbath Meetup: Join us on Meetup to hear about future workshops/events: www.meetup.com/ Chesham-Gong-Bath-Sound-Meditation Background: https://about.me/samhyder

Upcoming sessions

Upcoming workshops

Saturday 21 May

AT THE BAGNALL CENTRE, CHESHAM A Journey Through the Chakras with Sound – Crystal Singing Bowl Workshop Saturday 14 May, 1.30 to 3.30pm, £15 One Day Introductory Gong Workshop Sunday 15 May 10am to 4pm, £65

Saturday 4 June Saturday 18 June PLEASE NOTE THAT SESSIONS WILL NOT RUN IN JULY & AUGUST

Saturday 3 September Saturday 17 September Saturday 1 October –

Shamanic Drum Circle

FREELY GIVEN SESSION

Saturday 15 October Saturday 5 November Saturday 19 November Saturday 3 December Saturday 17 December

AT THE GUIDE HUT, CHESHAM Shamanic Healing Circle & Sound Bath – (Clearing & Grounding) Sunday 22 May 11am to 1pm, £20 Autumn Equinox All Nigh Sound Bath (Puja) With Guest Players Saturday 24 September 8.30pm to Sunday 25 September 9am, £60

Chesham Gong Bath & Sound Meditation Find out more about us and our events on Facebook and Meetup (online booking via Meetup is available).

Telephone Sam Hyder on 07787 291529 or e-mail: sam_hyder@hotmail.co.uk www.facebook.com/cheshamgongbath www.meetup.com/Chesham-Gong-Bath-Sound-Meditation

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0000.9 Designs for Life 7: 3085.5 Chesham Town Talk 3

Weight Loss/Gain

Sports Coaching

12/5/16

Corporate Coaching

13:37

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Take Control of Your Life

WE WORK WITH: Coaching, Life Coaching, Executive Coaching, Business Coaching, Hypnosis, NLP, Sports Coaching, Phobia & Fear Elimination, Weight Loss, and Weight Gain.

WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON: our reputation, professionalism, honesty, ethics and client satisfaction. We are passionate about what we do, working with our clients to coach them to achieve their goals.

www.yourgreatmind.co.uk

Call us on 01296 706281

Break through your barriers and feel amazing

TERRY BREEZE 01494 783999 terrybreeze@yahoo.co.uk 20 years’ experience

YO U R L O C A L COUNSELLING S E RV I C E

The Listening Post TELEPHONE US ON:

01494 812074

Qualified counselling.

Amersham area.

Offering understanding, support and a sense of direction in life.

Relationships, depression, stress, loss.

Reasonable rates.

24

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feature article

Take five From digestive issues to depression, acupuncture can help a surprisingly wide range of health problems.

Dating back at least 2,000 years, it’s part of a spectrum of treatments that makes up Chinese Medicine. It’s also one of the fastest growing and most popular of the complementary therapies, with a long and well-established presence throughout Europe and North America. The United States Army, for example, uses it for pain relief on the battlefield as well as a treatment for veterans.

Acupuncture is also developing a reputation for being able to resolve conditions that Western medicine struggles with such as skin conditions, IBS, fibromyalgia and certain migraines. This is due to its holistic approach, dealing with the underlying cause rather than just suppressing the symptoms; even chronic conditions can respond well over time.

5-Element Constitutional Acupuncture is based on the principles of ancient Daoist philosophies which believe that everything in the universe is united by Qi (pronounced 'chee') or energy. Qi constantly changes and flows, and also comprises Yin and Yang energies.

In Daoism, man is seen as a microcosm of the universe, meaning these same energies also flow within us while we, in turn, are influenced by the external energies such as seasons and climatic conditions.

According to Chinese theory, we are all made up of the Five Energies or Elements. These comprise Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water and ideally each should be in balance. Although we carry all of the elements within us, one will dominate, presenting its own particular traits.

As part of the initial diagnosis, the acupuncturist will ascertain an individual’s dominant Element by observing their colour, sound, emotion and odour. This is just another way of 'reading' subtle changes in the face, body language and voice and is used alongside pulse and tongue diagnosis to find the blocks in the Qi that are creating the symptoms or disease.

Treatment then follows using acupuncture needles to draw out the blocks and ultimately rebalance Qi, improving health and outlook overall. As a rule of thumb, a month of weekly treatments is needed for every year that a patient has had their condition. I

Yin: Dark Feminine Passive Cool Downward Moist Soft

Yang: Light Masculine Active Heat Upward Dry

The holistic, balancing approach of 5-Element Acupuncture can have a profound impact on our health, says Sian Lambert Further information ∫ The author is a qualified acupuncturist who has trained in integrated Chinese Medicine and runs a practice in Berkhamsted www.highview.acupuncture.co.uk ∫ For similarly-qualified practitioners, see the British Acupuncture Council website www.acupuncture.org.uk ∫ For the latest research on how acupuncture is being used to treat disorders such as neurovascular headaches and Attention Deficit Disorder, go to www.acupunctureresearch.org.uk/ latestresearch.html

Photo: Sian practices 5-Element Acupuncture which looks to the underlying cause in an individual’s constitution, treating that alongside any symptoms.

Which Element Are You? Fire Element: Just like a fire, this person’s emotions flare up and down and, when extinguished, they often seem low until their ‘Fire’ is reignited. When their Fire is high the face often has a red tone, becoming pale when it recedes. Fire people tend to socialise when Qi is in balance but, if blocked, they withdraw. Physical symptoms are linked to the mind and emotions: insomnia (especially in getting off to sleep), memory and concentration issues, depression (often anxietydriven), and congestion or pain in the chest area.

This doesn't mean there is anything pathologically wrong with the heart in the Western sense, it’s just that emotional symptoms occur in the heart.

Earth Element: Typically a nurturer, this person tends to look after others to the detriment of themselves.

They are also the worriers and over-thinkers which makes them good organisers but they often become stuck when Qi is blocked – their whirling thoughts and constant mulling-over can lead to insomnia (especially waking up in the early hours). Physical symptoms relate to digestion, fatigue, a heaviness of mind and body, weight and skin problems. Their face often has a yellow or sallow tinge.

Metal Element: Difficult to get to know, Metal people keep their 'treasure' hidden within: they need to know that they are respected before revealing their true personality. When ‘in balance’, their face

Typical characteristics of the Yin Yang energies.

25

has an unmistakeably translucent or white glow.

When Qi is blocked, issues tend to centre on the immune system leading to allergies, asthma, and skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis. Metal is emotionally linked to loss so sadness and grief may feature, but they are also often highly cerebral people, searching for higher meaning.

Water Element: Fear is frequently the driver behind this individual’s personality. When in balance it presents itself as planning for every scenario. Great people to have in an emergency, Water people keep their cool because they know exactly what to do, having already planned it in their mind. However, when blocked, they typically present as adrenaline junkies or have extreme phobias. Physical problems focus on the back, knee, urinary tract, fertility or premature ageing. They often exhibit a blue/black tinge around their eyes and mouth.

Wood Element: This person has issues with boundaries and champions any form of unfairness.

However, they can be easily affected by stress. They tend to repress their emotions, especially anger, so Qi blocks can form leading to physical problems with digestion (including acid reflux and indigestion), blood pressure, insomnia of the early hours, and also menstrual and uro-genital issues. The skin beside their eyes and mouth usually has a greenish tinge.

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LIFE

FRANCHISE

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wellbeing

We would gladly welcome further versions of Designs for LIFE in other regions of the world, whether 50 miles away, or 10,000 miles! Not only can we offer our experience and advice, but also (and more practically) a design template for page layout, media packs, introductory wraparounds, business cards, generic articles and images.

Fees are open to negotiation and we are more excited about spreading the message at the core of the publication far and wide. Please call us on 01494 793000 to express your interest and we can discuss your requirements.

E

fre Ha l fo e t f a rD r n i a es l ho i re gns les ur ad fo s er r L on s IF

READER OFFER

©

MARK C OWIE • aka Tony Hantz • cowiedesign.blogspot.com • 01494 772735 • https://uk.pinterest.com/cowiedesign

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Find out more at www.dflconnect.co.uk/creativity

book reviews

Publications for inspired souls

You Are The Brand

Resisting The Soul

Anxiety & Depression

The Soul’s Agenda

PR Secrets to fast-track your visibility and sky-rocket your success

by Janey Lee Grace, FILAMENT PUBLISHING, £12

A Handbook for Inspired Entrepreneurs

by Nick Williams, BALLOONVIEW, £9.99

Sheldon Mindfulness series

by Dr Cheryl Rezek, SHELDON PRESS, £7.99

Whether you run a business or really want to make a difference heading up a community project a powerful brand is an essential. This doesn’t compromise on any of your authenticity; it’s simply a way to enable people to know that they have found the right person, the right company or organisation for them. Celebrity author Janey Lee Grace, from Kings Langley, encourages us to get into the spotlight.

101 powerful tips to free your inspiration. There is an invisible force stopping you from achieving all you want in your life. When you are inspired to express your higher self and pursue your calling, it fills your mind with dread and fear. Nick has a unique insight into resistance and its workings.

What he has learned has already helped tens of thousands of others to liberate their potential and lead happier, more authentic successful lives.

Gerrards Cross-based author Dr Cheryl Rezek brings us this research-based book, providing an introduction to mindfulness, the concepts and theory behind it and how it can help manage not only anxiety, but a number of physical and emotional issues. It includes step-by-step practices to manage your anxiety and depression, and links to an audio download of guided meditations.

Also: ‘Quit Smoking’ by Dr Rezek is available in the same series.

The inner self waits patiently until we are ready to discover it

by Michelle Stevens, CICO BOOKS, £12.99

The Little Book Of Woodland Birds Songs

50 Great Walks In The Chilterns

YOU But Healthy

Eat Dance Shine

Brings the sound of the forest to life Andrea Pinnington & Caz Buckingham FINE FEATHER PRESS, £12.99

Marking the 50th anniversary of the Chiltern Society

by Chiltern Society volunteers, CHILTERN SOCIETY, £14.95

5 easy ways series

by Dean Fraser, AMAZON, £3.99

How to come alive, gain energy and push back the years

by Michele Kaye, FILAMENT PUBLISHING, £14.99

Originally designed for young children, these sound books turn out to be popular with the whole family and especially among parents and grandparents who have fun learning with their offspring. What brings these books to life is the sound bar, which enables you to identify each different bird by its song.

Body Language Psychologist, Dean Fraser is the author of over ten of these pocket books on personal empowerment. With nearly three decades of experience behind him in researching human potential, he wants these book to transform lives. We like them for their simple, clear and low cost approach. There are also Kindle versions available online.

A carefully selected collection of 50 favourite walks throughout the Chilterns, this ultimate, 212 page, spiral-bound guide to walking locally was launched recently by the conservation charity, the Chiltern Society. From Hitchin in the north to Goring-on-Thames in the south.

27

It seems that now, more than ever, so many of us doubt ourselves: we don’t believe ourselves to be wise enough, strong enough, smart enough, clever enough or spiritual enough. We find ourselves searching for meaning in life, wondering what path to take, why we are here and how to be happy. Michelle helps us to find answers to all of these questions and more in this wonderful book.

We love this book by Kings Langley resident Michele Kaye, who teaches Nia holistic fitness and green nutrition.

Her passion is holistic health, particularly prevention in mid life and beyond. Full of ideas and inspiration, it covers everything from superfoods and probiotics to the importance of finding the exercise that you love.

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creativity

www.chiltern-archery.co.uk

Fancy something different for your party?

Try an archery birthday party for children 8 years and over, or a tailor-made archery experience for adults.

Small to large groups catered for and all events managed by our own qualified staff and coaches. Call us to discuss your party needs: 01296 630919 or email: doreen@chiltern-archery.co.uk The Archery Centre, Buckland Village, Aston Clinton, Bucks HP22 5HZ

Get your hands on this new book!

The story of how motor traffic transformed this sleepy market town, from the first car in Chesham of 1902, through the rise of motoring in the 1930s, to the radical changes and urban developments of the 1960s.

Chesham In Living Memory ‘ T H E AG E O F T H E M OTO R C A R ’

Cycles

Scooters

Roller skates

Electric bikes

Unicycles

Skateboards

Electric trikes

Inliners

Safety gear

Accessories, full repair service, agent for all leading makes

01494 784255

£9.95+p&p from

www.stronnellcycles.com 56 Broad Street, Chesham, Bucks HP5 3DX

01494 793000

Designs for LIFE competition

Liquid gold … Oud a rare precious aromatic ingredient The aromatic bouquet of oudbased fine fragrances enhances a sense of spirituality with its lingering scent, but until recently was unknown to most western lovers of perfume.

Kings Langley perfumer John Bailey has created a bespoke perfume for IT consultant, and competition winner, Jane Smith of Chesham, following an informal consultation at The Grove Hotel.

An exclusive personalised scroll enhances John’s customised perfume presentations.

As a gift or for self pampering, join a growing trend for wearing a fine fragrance from an independent niche perfumer as an alternative to the mass market of expensive designer and celebrity brands.

John Bailey, Artisan Perfumer and Consultant 01923 260502 www.perfumersguild.com AFFORDABLE, EXCLUSIVE, UNIQUE AND AN IDEAL GIFT FOR CHRISTMAS, BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES OR JUST SELF PAMPERING! 28

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Free-wheeling through the Chilterns This 18-mile circular route explores parts of the Aylesbury Vale and Chilterns Escarpment in the first of a new series for cyclists.

We have chosen to start at Princes Risborough, a popular film and TV location as well as prime red kite lookout. This ride is described by recreational cyclists as ‘leisurely’; expect it to take about two hours with a total ascent of 1,100 feet. It avoids main roads where possible, passing through the back of the town, with its view of the Whiteleaf Cross (1) carved into the chalk hillside, before continuing along the Aylesbury Vale. It then meanders through various picturesque villages.

Places of interest en route include All Saints Church (2) in Little Kimble, noted for its 13th and 14th century wall paintings and tiles; Cymbeline’s Castle (3), an original Mott and Bailey castle at Ellesborough; and Chequers (4), the Prime Minister’s official country residence.

The road climbs up the Chiltern Escarpment towards Great Hampden and across the plateau to Lacey Green with its historic restored windmill (5) and stunning views over the Aylesbury Vale. It then descends towards Saunderton and over the ancient Icknield Way towards Bledlow, with its Lyde Water Gardens (6).

Progressing down to the Vale and along the Phoenix Trail (7), a converted railway line for cyclists and walkers, it returns via Horsenden to Princes Risborough. I

Further information ∫ Route devised by Ken Davies, Roger Lerry and Dennis Keeling of the Chiltern Society Cycling Club using Ordnance Survey 1:50k scale map of the South East of England.

2 G Coombe Hill (far right).

Members of the Chiltern Society cycling group.

G3

1 G

7 G

4 G 6 G

5 G Lyde Water Gardens (6).

Map illustration created

by Sophie Honeybelle (honeybelle_designs@hotmail.com) Photo references with thanks to Lets Stay Chilterns.

The Phoenix Trail (7) cycle path near Princes Risborough.

Lacey Green windmill (5).

29

∫ OS maps are available online to download on to your devices: www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/ shop/os-maps-online4.html and Memory Map: www.memory-map.co.uk/ maps/outdoor?_ _ _ store=eu_en

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Find out more at www.dflconnect.co.uk/wellbeing

naturality wellness

What’s the difference between fit and healthy?

M

ost of us would like to be both fit and healthy, but while we often use the terms interchangeably, it's important to understand the difference.

Fitness is what you get with exercise, practice and training. Fitness allows you to perform a certain task or tasks, like walk or run a certain distance at a certain pace. It allows you to lift, climb or jump. Training gradually increases the stresses on your body, making it stronger and able to perform at a greater capacity. Usually, as you work at fitness, your body responds with health and vitality, unless you are unhealthy.

Health is very different. Health is the ability of your body to resist illness and injury and recover from both quickly and easily. It is the ability of your body to withstand or counteract the various forces that life puts upon you. Health is not the presence or absence of symptoms – it is the ability for us to be well in the future.

If you are vomiting, you might be unwell but are you unhealthy? Usually, vomiting is just a healthy body eliminating a toxic food. Likewise, a temperature is usually just your body’s way of activating your immune system to help you fight an infection. The temperature is a sign of health, rather than disease.

While you need to exercise for fitness, you need more than exercise for health Three London Marathon runners have died close to the finish line in the last six years. Sadly, these runners were extremely fit but they were not healthy. Then there are the hundreds of runners who would like to have completed but injury forced them out.

They are very fit and exercise incessantly, but they are not healthy.

Their inability to handle the stresses of their sport, or their training, tells us that exercise is not the whole answer to health. Exercise is something you do to enhance a healthy body, but it can accelerate the damage to an unhealthy body.

Health then, isn’t how you feel, it’s how well you can respond to or resist external forces. It turns out that when you are able to respond to all external forces, you feel terrific as well.

There is a very simple way to test for your ability to withstand an external force, but it is virtually unknown in modern medicine.

Most external forces are resisted by the unconscious action of our muscles.

We don't realise that when we walk down stairs or across the road that all of our joints are being controlled and

Musculoskeletal Therapy and Kinesiology at The Naturality Wellness Centre

protected by our muscles, whether we are thinking about them or not. While we might be thinking about where we are going, the muscles controlling our ankles, toes and neck are being controlled by reflexes, and we never give them a thought. Sometimes those reflexes can fail us, and if they do, our joints and our body are no longer protected and we can be injured.

As a musculoskeletal therapist at the Naturality Wellness Centre, I test resilience and robustness by checking how muscles respond to external forces. By testing every important muscle and joint in your body, I test resistance to injury.

Many people have weaknesses they are not aware of, even people who exercise all the time because some weaknesses are not caused by lack of exercise, they are caused by abnormal muscle inhibition, where the nervous system is not able to activate the muscle as quickly or as strongly as is necessary.

While treatment for muscle inhibition usually leads to dramatic and often instant relief of pain, the real

benefit comes later, with less injury and illness in the future.

Sadly, there is no way to test your own muscles to see how they respond to external forces, your body just avoids the movements it can't do. Only a trained specialist in muscle reflexes can isolate the muscle or muscles to be tested and provide the sort of uncertain input that our bodies have to deal with in real life. When your weaknesses are identified, it's relatively easy to find the best solution to bring your body back to optimum health.

If you want health as well as fitness, having your muscle reflexes checked is an important, but largely unrecognised, necessity.

Simon King

The Naturality Wellness Centre offers an exceptional range of alternative and complementary therapies. What unites all the practitioners is the belief that there’s more to life than just staving off illness; our treatments are designed to find and eliminate the many causes of stress and dysfunction and return you to a state of vibrant good health. The Centre is currently celebrating 10 years in Berkhamsted. Go to www.naturality.org.uk to find out more about what we do and how you can benefit.

Simon King is an acknowledged expert in musculoskeletal therapy. He has 30 years' experience of tracking down the hidden causes of illness and injury.

He tests how well your muscles respond to external forces.

By testing every important muscle and joint in your body, he tests resilience and robustness – safely and efficiently, without any discomfort or risk of injury.

Email Simon at: simon@naturality.org.uk or telephone: 01442 800400 Simon is also the author of ‘Live Without Pain: A New Theory on What's Wrong with You and What to do About It’ – available as a paperback from the clinic or by free download from www.live-without-pain.com Health professionals can access a free course on the neurology of reflexes and more information at www.afferentinput.org

42 Lower Kings Road, Berkhamsted, Herts HP4 2AA. Tel 01442 800400. Email: info@naturality.org.uk *£25 off the first visit for readers who quote dflconnect when they book a musculoskeletal consultation (usually £75).

30

£25OFF *

Musculoskeletal consultations

0000.9 Designs for Life 7: 3085.5 Chesham Town Talk 3

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Feature your business in the next issue!

OUT LATE SEASON 2016

We welcome you

to this quarterly publication serving The Chilterns and beyond.

A magazine themed on healthy and creative lifestyles, with the focus on wellbeing for mind, body and spirit.

How it works

Designs for LIFE encourages you to write WITH PASSION about your specialist business or activity.

In so doing, you can DEMONSTRATE your expertise/enthusiasm to the readers, rather than trying to PERSUADE them with facts.

Then there is space for a panel of personal /detailed information and also an advertisement.

Designs for LIFE wants readers to be INSPIRED by your contribution and to use your services or attend your event.

What’s more… The magazine is complemented by a website, Facebook & Twitter pages, a printed directory and online banners.

COPY DEADLINE 31st July 2016

Hawkes Design & Publishing Ltd,

A4 SIZE RATES PER ISSUE 2016

2 Laceys Yard, High Street, Chesham HP5 1BU

CODE

COMBINED EDITORIAL/ADVERTISEMENTS (75/25%)

QE

Quarter page

(110 words approx)

£95

HE

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DIRECTORY LISTINGS

L1

Category, name, address, tel. no.

L2

As above + website address

£10

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As above + logo

£15

L3

As above + online banner

£50

01494 793000 editor@dflconnect.co.uk www.dflconnect.co.uk All issues also appear on the above website.

PRICE

£5

DESIGN & EDITORIAL: Your advert can be typeset at an additional 20% of the advertising fee. Full scale design at extra cost.

Copy editing free of charge.

We can help you compose your article at extra cost.

DISCOUNTS: A discount of 15% is offered on identical adverts placed in two or more consecutive issues. Series bookings (4 issues) are offered a discount of 40%. VAT is not applicable.

DISTRIBUTION: We distribute to contributors, associates and community venues in Chesham, Amersham, Berkhamsted, The Chalfonts, Gerrards Cross, Chorleywood, Hazlemere, Rickmansworth, Beaconsfield, Great Missenden, Tring, Leighton Buzzard, Old Hemel, North Bucks, North London and beyond (see map p2). Our aim is to reach an initial readership of 15,000+.

We are determined not to produce door-to-door junk mail. Our goal is to put the magazine in the right hands and to achieve results for you. Our website is the perfect partner to the magazine, with the potential to connect without limitations. www.dflconnect.co.uk

0000.9 Designs for Life 7: 3085.5 Chesham Town Talk 3

12/5/16

13:33

Page 32

Discover at Rowan…

Rowan Cafe open every day

Plants galore for home and garden

Outdoor dining accessories

Rowan continues to surprise and delight. If the weather is kind, relax and enjoy the sunshine in our Cafe outdoor seating area, overlooking paddocks and fields.

Enjoy the great outdoors at home with our stunning plants for borders, pots and baskets.

There is always someone on hand qualified to help you choose. Spoil yourself with outdoor tableware, hurricane lamps, and pretty food covers. Wishing you fun in the sun with family and friends. We look forward to seeing you soon. The Rowan Team

Gorelands Lane • Chalfont St Giles • HP8 4AB •

www.rowangardencentre.co.uk • 01494 872335