CompleteHealth June 2014
Holistic Natural Happy Healthy Life
w a R R E ! r W a o rr u PJoO o in
Practical Advice for Bully Proofing your Kids & Hypno-Birthing
Join the Debate‌ All the parts of you & What’s in your make-up Breathing for Pain Relief Discover Yoga, Astrology, Recipes & more!
An holistic all encompassing approach to this debilitating disease
”An inspiration”
who e n o y n a r fo e id u g t n e ll e c x “E “At last! Something suffers”
that makes sense of how to cope!”
to all our readers from around the world To our ever growing audience of readers around the world including Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, UK & Ireland, many European countries and even India - welcome to our June issue and a jam packed edition introducing you to even more fabulous therapists and inspirational personal stories from people who have battled and survived illness. For those of you who read of Peter in Melbourne, Australia’s epic battle at the age of 33 with Bowel Cancer in our April issue, sadly Peter has been told that despite his arduous chemotherapy and the mammoth operation he underwent that his cancer has returned. Our thoughts are with him and his young family. This month is Homeopathy Awareness Week and we feature Homeopath Melanie Thomsett’s own very personal journey beating Breast Cancer through a mix of Holistic and Traditional therapies. It takes a lot of courage to share these stories with you but the wonderful people who agree to lay their lives bare in print do so in the hope it helps and inspires others, or even prevents others from having to tread the same road as themselves. I have found it a true privilege to work with all the fabulous therapists that we have featured to date and this month is no exception. We all work with one aim - to help people and as the late, great Nelson Mandela famously said, “What counts in life is not the mere fact we have lived, it is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead” and the people we feature are certainly making a difference.
To comment on any article, to submit an article or request advertising info click the e-mail us button:
Tina Hammett is a Hypnotherapist & NLP Practitioner, published Author, an advocate of healthy living, has FMS and lives in the UK
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Contents Cover Bully-Proof your kids….. 6 Hypno-Birthing ….. 10 Discover Yoga … 14 Breathe for Pain Relief …. 20 All of Me ...40
Regulars 19 What’s new & hot!
28 Andrew talks Astrolo 44 Recipe 47 Book Club Corner
48 Balcony Organics (G Photographs: freedigitalphotos.net - imagerymajestic/theeradachsanin/dream designs & Six Senses Spas & Fotolia
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ogy
GYO)
w a R POWER Join our roar!
COMPLETE HEALTH MAGAZINE
Plus 23 Free offer for readers Taking an Holistic 24 Approach to Cancer 27 Reader offer 34 Living Clean Pt 3 What’s in your make-up? 36 Why does Mommy Hurt? 52 Healing Power of Crystals
Editor:
Tina Hammett
Assist Editor:
Lesley Parker
Nutritionist:
Debbie Best
Published by Life Without Limits in the United Kingdom & Worldwide, all rights reserved HOW TO CONTACT US: For advertising enquiries & article submission please complete the form on the website To offer a competition prize or to submit a free sample offer please see the website Published via the issu platform on 1st of each month To e-mail us please use the CONTACT US page via the
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Everything published within this magazine is our own copyright and you may not reproduce in whole or in part any part of this magazine without our written confirmation. Should you wish to do so please contact us via the website as very often we say yes to the reproduction of our material with a linked credit. Any and all information and advice contained within this publication is simply that, advice and should you decide to pursue any of this advice you do so at your own risk. No responsibility can or will be accepted by the publishers, authors or editorial staff. If in doubt always contact your own medical practitioner before starting or changing your existing treatment plans, beginning a new dietary regime or undertaking alternative therapies or remedies. The ideas and opinions expressed within this publication are those of the individual authors and not necessarily those of the publisher or it’s officers.
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Bullyproof your kids home with talking respectfully (no yelling and screaming), ensuring we guide our children with kind words – modelling correct behavior – if we bully them at home, it teaches them it’s OK and
Mary McClure M.Ed & Corinne Schneider MBBS DO BA from ‘Precious Kids, Great Parents’ give bullying advice this month
they should expect it.
Be your child’s ally. If they say they are being bullied, talk to them about it. Go to their school/club where the bullying is taking place and
Bullying is the act of wilfully causing harm to
discuss with the staff there. Schools will
others through verbal harassment (teasing and
investigate bullying allegations, but the solution
name-calling), physical assault (hitting, kicking,
may not be instantaneous. Work with your child’s
and biting), or social exclusion (intentionally
school – don’t battle with them.
rejecting a child from a group). So how can we help our children by preventing them from being
So, how do we “bully-proof” our children? Firstly
bullied, or assisting them if we believe they are?
– always, always, always encourage your child to
Obviously it is better if we prepare our children so
tell you if he/she or their friends are being bullied.
that they don’t become victims of bullies. We can
Bullies only have power while they think they
do this by building their resilience. This starts at
have. Once a bully is found out or confronted
PAGE 6
Photography: freedigitalphotos.net - imagerymajestic/theeradachsanin / marin /stuart miles
they often stop the behavior. Teach your child to be assertive and to face the bully by using a strong voice and physically holding themselves as tall as they can. Body language is important. Encourage your child to appear confident, even if they aren’t feeling it! Teach your child to name the bullying behaviour and to tell the bully to stop, for example they could say: “Stop – That’s Bullying”, or “Stop teasing.” Role-play and show them how.
Teach your child to talk to the bully using “I want statements” saying firmly what s/he wants: “I want you to go away”, “I want you to leave me alone.” or “I want you to stop teasing me.” Again – practice this with them so they know what to say and how to say it. Consider helping your child create a statement agreeing with her/his teaser – adding a bit of humour. Teaser: “You’re dumb.” Child: “Yeah, but I’m good at it.” Teaser: “You’re stupid.” Child: “And your point is?” or “Thanks for telling me.” Teach your child appropriate responses to an insult with a non-defensive question: “Why would you say that?” or “Why would you want to tell me I am dumb (or fat) and hurt my feelings?” or “What is the purpose of saying that to me?” Help your child to understand that ignoring a bully is powerful. Bullies love it when their teasing upsets their victims, so help your child find a way to not let it get to her/him. Some examples offered by kids include: “Pretend they’re invisible,” “Walk away without looking at them,” “Quickly look at something else and laugh,” and “Look completely uninterested.” Practising these strategies with your child so they know and feel confident using them is a powerful way to stop them being impacted by bullies. The signs to look for when a child is being bullied........
PAGE 7
Indications your child is being bullied
We teamed up with Precious Kids, Great Parents website for this article, based in Queensland, Australia - here is a bit about them. We are two mums, Corinne & Mary who have been friends for years and we came together to help parents and their kids in
Not wanting to go to school or participate in school activities Does not appear to have friends Is missing belongings Has torn clothing
anyway we can. One of us has been a school principal and the other a qualified doctor (although not practicing) and
Seems to have become fearful and anxious
between us we have had 8 biological children and one foster child, a miscarriage, 4 natural no pain killer births and 4 caesarians!
Plus a vast array of pregnancy medical problems, so we do have a vast amount of
Has more mood swings, and seems to be crying more Seems to have a drop in academic performance
experience and knowledge that we feel the need to share, but we understand everyone has their own ways too.
Has poorer physical health and changes in sleep habits
We are by no means perfect and don’t profess to be but we do genuinely want to help with any problems that parents, kids and teenagers face in their everyday lives.
We don’t want to preach to you, we just want to supply you with information that you can use in your own lives. We are liberal minded, forward thinking and nothing shocks us, you can ask us anything!
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Has increased negative selfperception.
Indications of cyber bullying
Signs you child is bullying others
You may see or hear from others that your child: Repeatedly teases, imitates or makes fun of the same child Being hesitant about going online & seeming nervous when an instant message, text message or email appears Being visibly upset after using the computer or mobile phone, or suddenly avoiding it Minimising the computer screen, or hiding the mobile phone when you enter the room Spending unusually long hours online in a more tense, pensive tone
Appears to repeatedly dominate or control others Shows no compassion for someone who is experiencing bullying Repeatedly excludes or ignores the same child Whispers about the same child behind their back on a frequent basis
Receiving suspicious phone calls, emails or packages Withdrawing from friends, falling behind in schoolwork, or avoiding school Photography: freedigitalphotos.net - danilo rizzuti / sira anamwong / david castillo
www.preciouskidsgreatparents.com
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Hypno-Birthing: approved by Royalty! Hypnotherapist & NLP Practitioner Louise Joslin MNLP, HPD, MNCH (Reg), CNCH (Reg) from the CAM Fertility Centre offers an insist into the benefits of Hypno-birthing There’s nothing like a Royal to set a trend and if
Expectant parents (especially first time parents)
Hypnosis for Birthing is good enough for the
can often feel varying degrees of anxiety about
Duchess of Cambridge and the future King, then
the prospect of childbirth so a vital component of
it is bound to get the attention of the general
this learning also focuses eliminating these
public. So what is it exactly and why is it gaining
anxieties, as well as deep inner focus and
so much favour?
relaxation techniques, positive visualisations and pain management methods. These methods also
Hypnosis for Birth is really an education process
allow birthing partners to play a significant role in
whereby facilitators gently challenge many of the
the process of supporting mum rather than being
negative beliefs around childbirth, helping mums
a passive bystander.
to believe in their ability to birth naturally. Even mothers who have birthed before can Mothers and their birthing partners are taught
benefit from understanding the physiological
how to harness the enormous power of the mind-
process involved in the different stages of birth.
body connection and how to use it to make a
This knowledge both empowers them and can
positive difference in childbirth.
certainly assist the process of knowing which hypnosis techniques and positions to use and
As self-hypnosis is a life skill then everyone
when. Relaxation and visualisation techniques
involved can benefit in the long term from
help parents prepare both mentally and
acquiring these skills too.
physically for the process of birth and although
PAGE 10
there is usually a fair proportion of antenatal
are less likely to fantasise about worst case
material shared, hypnosis for birth sessions aren’t
scenarios and the problems that could occur.
usually designed to replace antenatal classes.
Tension and stress hormones inhibit and sometimes even bring the natural birthing
Childbirth is a natural physiological process, and
process to a halt because we are telling our
as such there should be no pain involved. If you
bodies that it is not safe to give birth.
think about it, we have no pain in our other natural physiological functions so why should this one be
These negative thoughts and feelings can result
any different? Pain is a message that something is
in the pain and complications that we are hoping
not right, so pain should only be present if there
to avoid. Our minds are so powerful that the
are complications and even then, it can be
effect on our bodies is the same for both real and
managed with hypnosis to the benefit of all.
imagined danger. We aren’t designed to fear our own bodily functions but many of us have learned
There are so many benefits of using hypnosis
to do this with childbirth.
during pregnancy and childbirth, apart from the obvious health benefits of being relaxed during pregnancy, it can be used to alleviate nausea, pain and insomnia too. Hypnosis can also be very successful in turning a breech baby and for help with lactation issues (either too much milk or not enough).
The benefits of both educating and preparing the
“The missing ingredient in easy comfortable births is fear.” Dr Grantly Dick Read
mind and body for a successful and natural birth, means that our bodies know what to expect. We practice a safe and natural, complication free
Women using Hypnosis for Birth feel less
delivery over and over in our minds. Generally in
mentally and physically exhausted after giving
hypnotherapy we use the mind to mentally
birth and babies are more relaxed. There are
rehearse success and what the mind expects it
positive mental health benefits for both mum and
gets. This means that when we actually come to
baby and there is no unnatural hard pushing
give birth, our minds and bodies believe that it is
involved which causes the baby to move down
something that we can already do and that there is
the birth canal before it is really ready, resulting
nothing to fear.
in less physical trauma for mum and baby.
This belief gives us a much higher chance of
Mums frequently report a positive and
remaining relaxed and focused; allowing our
empowering birth experience and there is also a
bodies to do what we are designed to do, thereby
notable and significant reduction in length of
achieving a natural delivery. By practicing these
labour using hypnosis, even for first time mums.
techniques and remaining calm and in control, less
Finally, Apgar scores improve because babies
medical intervention and drugs are required. We
are exposed to less (if any) drugs in utero and
PAGE 11
babies often cry less and feed and sleep better
hypnosis for birth classes. These classes are
too.
usually designed for expectant mums and their birth partner(s) and suit first time parents as well
Pregnant women in comas have even been
as parents who already have children. However
known to give birth with no medical assistance at
mums can usually go on their own if they choose
all so it goes to show that our bodies can just get
to.
on with the process with no positive or negative assistance from our minds.
Women can take part at any stage of their pregnancy but they will need to allow enough
There are numerous Hypnotherapists around
time to complete all the sessions. Expectant
who have specialist qualifications in delivering
parents can attend group courses (usually
PAGE 12
around 5 sessions) and learn to eliminate anxiety
their birth and pain management techniques
and gain confidence in mum’s ability to birth their
there can still experience complications and
child as naturally as possible using self-hypnosis
discomfort due to lack of optimal position or
techniques for relaxation and pain management,
maternal or foetal health issues. In which case, a
with support from their birth partner.
decision would need to be made to proceed with medical intervention.
You can expect to pay around ÂŁ250 for the series of classes (usually that includes birth partners too
However, if mum can remain calm then she is
although conditions will vary from course to
more likely to feel empowered about her decision
course).
to proceed medically and her baby and body will reap the benefits of her state of relaxation. Our
If you are not comfortable in a group environment, or you have some emotional trauma around pregnancy, childbirth or parenting that may need addressing, then a one to one
babies are as actively involved in the process of birthing so it is important that mum can relax so she can make empowered decisions if and when necessary.
consultation and sessions would be more appropriate to help you resolve your more deep seated issues (with or without your birth partner). Some women have such severe Tokophobia (fear of childbirth), that they can even prevent themselves from conceiving in the first place. Such is the power of our mind-body connection. You can expect to pay more for a series of
Any amount of labour is beneficial for babies; it massages them and helps them expel amniotic fluid from their lungs in preparation for breathing. One last point to note, it is really important to let your medical professionals know that you are using Hypnosis for Birth, especially if you are going into hospital to give birth.
private sessions with a specialist and prices vary greatly.
Appearances can be very deceptive with hypnosis and you are likely to be much closer to
Finally there are many good quality instructional CDs, books and resources available should you prefer to learn in your own time. However,
giving birth than your demeanour would indicate. So, trust your instincts and insist that they check how far your labour has actually progressed.
obviously you won’t have the advantage of a trained professional to assist you.
To comment on this article as always All of these types of courses will equip you with
click the mail us icon, alternatively to
the skills you need but the more you practice the
contact Louise and her team at the CAM
self-hypnosis techniques, the more effective they
Fertility Centre click their logo
will be when you need them. So there really is something to suit everyone. Whilst we can prepare, practice and plan of course there are no guarantees with childbirth. Even someone who has practiced and rehearsed
PAGE 13
At Six Senses Spas
With the increased demand for authentic and
delivered in the individual spa’s unique location
millennia-old healing practices that deliver the
and enhanced with a dash of local charm to
optimum body and mind balance, Six Senses Spa
deliver optimum results.
has launched a series of yogic programs. Discover Yoga is ideal for novices and guests Discover Yoga and Yogic Detox are now
wishing to try a new form of body and mind
available at all spas at Six Senses resorts as well
exercise. The main goal is to develop an
as select Six Senses partner spas. In the third
understanding of how the body engages in each
quarter of 2014, Yogic Sleep will be incorporated
posture while the yoga master guides one’s
into the Six Senses Spa Yogic Program series.
awareness to specific areas and aspects of the practice to enhance the body’s natural intuition.
The brand-wide initiative showcases the commitment of Six Senses Spa to delivering
Stress release, improved flexibility plus a stronger
holistic, yet result-driven programs, which bring
and more powerful body are additional benefits
together the expertise and skills of in-house yoga
guests can expect from the program.
masters with the healing properties of the surrounding environment.
Hatha yoga practiced during the stay focuses on gentle moves with a minimum and effortless flow
While the core elements of yogic programs are
between each pose. Private sessions of guided
similar across every Six Senses Spa, they will be
meditation and breathing exercise called
PAGE 14
pranayama (breathing) will help regulate the pace of breath, relax and maintain the steadiness of the body, leading to clearer mind and better coordination during yoga practice. A selection of Six Senses signature massages and energy treatments has been included in the program to enhance the results.
Yogic Detox is suitable for more experienced yoga practitioners looking to cleanse the body and mind in a non-invasive way. It draws upon different hatha yoga cleansing techniques including sat kriya (movement and breath exercise) yogic intestinal wash and forceful exhalation breathing to cleanse the internal organs and achieve harmony between the major pranic flows. Aspects of hatha yoga postures known as asanas and more advanced practices of pranayama and meditation are incorporated along with detox treatments to offer a profound experience. Each element of this program is introduced and based on a personalized assessment and guest’s condition.
Cuisine during the Yogic Detox program is tailored to provide healthy, yet tasty options. An element of raw food, Ayurvedic cuisine and healthy western or local dishes are offered to tantalize the pallet whilst complementing the program. The aim is to nourish not punish those taking part.
Six Senses Spa Resorts at Alpina Gstaad (opposite page), Switzerland & Soneva Fushi, Maldives
Anna Bjurstam, Vice President Six Senses Spa, said, “We are delighted to launch a brand-wide yoga program that allows Six Senses guests to experience yoga in a deeper and more profound form. Due to the high quality of yoga master talent we have throughout Six Senses, we have been able to roll this initiative out on a global basis and personalize each program through private sessions of yoga, breathing and meditation.�
The launch of Six Senses Spa Yogic Programs is supported by Dorelal Singh, a leading yoga practitioner trained at the Bihar School of Yoga in India who has spent many years studying, practicing and teaching a
PAGE 15
Six Senses Spa Resorts Worldwide including Penha Longa, Portugal and Zighy Bay
variety of difference forms of Yoga and Yogic
Soneva Kiri in Thailand, Soneva Fushi in the
Philosophy.
Maldives, Porto Elounda Golf & Spa Resort in Greece, Penha Longa Resort in Portugal,
Dorelal said “Yoga is a way of life that much like
Puntacana Resort & Club in the Dominican
the layers of an onion you only really understand
Republic, Jaypee Greens Golf Resort & Spa in
the more and more you explore. Six Senses’
India, Sharq Village & Spa in Qatar, Missoni Hotel
vision to reconnect people with themselves, those
in Kuwait and the Pacific City Club in Bangkok.
around them and the world in which we live is so in touch with the original meaning of Yoga – union
Launching later this year, Yogic Sleep will focus
with the soul – an inward journey.”
on yoga nidra, an ancient practice intended to induce full body relaxation and a deep meditative
He is responsible for enhancing yoga techniques
state of consciousness. This, combined with
and practices across all Six Senses Spas.
guided meditation, breathing techniques and relaxing spa treatments, leads to improved sleep
Six Senses Spa Yogic Programs are now
and a very deep quality of relaxation.
available at Six Senses Zighy Bay, Six Senses Laamu, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, Six Senses
Further to Six Senses Spa’s commitment to
Con Dao, Six Senses Yao Noi and Six Senses
enhance the wellness and yoga offering across
Samui as well as partner Six Senses spas at
the group – Six Senses Spa at Soneva Kiri in
PAGE 16
Thailand will host a four-week yoga teachers training course followed by a two-week intensive yoga retreat.
This course is designed for yoga teachers and practitioners looking to deepen their understanding of the yogic practices and impart the training on an individual and group level. This is a unique opportunity to study the science of yoga in a structured academic module for a period of four weeks, covering all the elements of teachers training program, including an insight into their implementation while teaching various groups. The program is certified by Yoga Alliance (USA).
For those with less time to spare, the two-week intensive yoga retreat will offer in-depth knowledge, practical practice and many of the teachers training modules.
This training program is being led by Dorelal Singh, Six Senses Spa Yoga Master, and Vinay Kausik, Yoga Alliance registered teacher.
Vinay was initiated into the yogic discipline through the family lines of Shaivshakt tradition. He holds a master’s degree in Yogic Sciences from the University of Sanskrit in Rishikesh. He also obtained masters in Ecology and Environmental sciences and strongly feels the needs for awareness about
“Yoga is a way of life that much like the layers of an onion you only really understand the more and more you explore�
deteriorating balance of environment.
Accommodation for participants will be provided at Soneva Kiri, a beautiful and eco-friendly resort with stunning pool villas and remarkable cuisine.
To view more information about Yoga Retreats click the Six Senses Logo below
PAGE 17
PAGE 18
We scour the shows and health news to bring you the latest in holistic health innovations. As always, we have summarised them all in one place (along with everything else mentioned in our articles this month) which you can view by clicking the Amazon button:
Just released and available for download from all good e-book stores, this is an holistic, combined approach to taming some of the many symptoms of Fibromyalgia to regain some quality of life. Written by our own Editor (who pioneered this protocol) it is a common sense, clean, healthy way to live even if you aren’t a sufferer! Lots more free resources to accompany the book on our website too. 5 stars on Amazon & review as go to press: “At last - something that makes sense of how to cope with fibromyalgia. This must be an excellent guide for anyone who suffers or who knows someone who suffers from this debilitating problem”
Again, just released these informative free videos offer a wealth of information for those wishing to begin a new, healthier and ‘Living Clean’ approach to their lives. EFT for pain relief - simply tap along How to Juice What is Juice Plus Complete Out-Takes
PAGE 19
The Science of
Better Breathing Jen Tiller is an NLP Trainer, EFT Practitioner, Buteyko therapist, Reiki Master & Teacher, founder of Healerzone.com & author & artist talk Sabout Buteyko Breathing Did you know that over one hundred of the most common health complaints in the western world have one consistent underlying element? The one thing that could cause or be a significant factor in a number of illnesses including, Airway disorders (like asthma, emphysema, snoring, sinusitis, COPD, hay fever), headaches, muscle pain, anxiety or panic, sleep problems (including sleep apnoea), Immune system disorders including ME, allergies, High Blood Pressure, Joint Inflammation, low energy and lack of stamina is dysfunctional breathing.
Most commonly the habit of chronic over breathing (also known as hyperventilation), it is simply breathing an excess level of air per minute, which means you lose carbon dioxide too early in the breathing cycle and you can do it without even realising it! Sounds harmless, doesn’t it? However,
PAGE 20
Photography: freedigitalphotos.net - dream designs / graur codrin
our bodies need a very precise balance of oxygen
too as breathing calms so even if someone has
and carbon dioxide in the blood stream at all times.
developed the more extreme consequences of
Unconvinced? Then think how quickly even the
over breathing, they can expect measurable
most healthy person becomes dizzy and
benefits in health and comfort levels.
uncomfortable when blowing up too many balloons! This approach requires awareness and regular When that delicate balance is upset, a process
practice initially to make a change and over time,
called the ‘Bohr Effect’ changes the PH of the
this new way of breathing and feeling becomes
system, reducing the rate of oxygen getting into
normal, until it generally only needs monitoring
the cells. At a specific level of carbon dioxide
occasionally. Originally created by Professor
loss, smooth muscle tissue can go into spasm
Buteyko in Russia, although very effective can be
(causing asthma, IBS, or high blood pressure
quite a harsh regime so I have combined Buteyko
depending on genetic predisposition). Over time,
with relaxation skills and powerful NLP – this
the immune system becomes exhausted,
ground-breaking tailored approach focuses on
resulting in a wide range of conditions that can
creating comfort and ease FIRST. A much
vary from annoying to life threatening. Anyone
gentler approach and for many people is even
can experience this even many Olympic athletes
more effective than Buteyko alone. (I call it the
have asthma and related conditions.
Personal Best Programme).
Fortunately over breathing is a reversible habit
I’ve personally gone from decades of chronic,
regardless of how long someone has been doing
severe asthma and reliance on steroids to being
it! As healthy breathing is reintegrated as
completely free of asthma without needing
‘normal’, the body begins to heal itself. For
medication for almost 13 years (with my doctor’s
example, asthmatics who follow the programme
approval.) I also used to suffer from severe
usually find they need less than half their usual
agoraphobia and panic attacks. Once
reliever sprays (or even none at all) within the first
housebound from these afflictions, my life is
week. It does take regular practice and
totally changed for the better in a large part to this
awareness, but the principle itself is simple:
technique. The basic principles are easy to
breathe only as much as your body needs.
learn, and I have included some basic beginners techniques which you can follow on the next
The Buteyko Breathing Method is clinically proven
page.
to reduce symptoms of breathing disorders such as asthma by over 90% and measurably
To comment on this article as always click
enhances healing for many other conditions
the e-mail icon to contact us. To contact
including M.E., IBS and high blood pressure.
Jen Tiller click her logo
Through using the Buteyko technique sleep rapidly improves and energy levels rise steadily as oxygen reaches healthy levels. Pain decreases for many conditions, as tension and inflammation reduce significantly or completely over time. Panic sensations are often reduced
PAGE 22
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Basics of Better Breathing… Notice what you’re doing Are your shoulders relaxed and still? Is your posture upright? Is your mouth closed? Is your breathing silent? If yes, that’s good! If not, there’s some work to do!
Breathe quietly through your nose in AND out - all the time except when speaking etc. It reduces over-breathing, filters out dust and pollen, prevents loss of moisture from the mouth (important during exercise), warms air before it reaches the throat in winter, and adds tiny amounts of Nitric Oxide to the oxygen which improves oxygen uptake into the lungs. Good breathing is slow, gentle, silent breathing – it’s efficient, and it feels good! If you put a finger under your nose, notice how much ‘breeze’ you feel on the out breath. If you slow down the out breath, over time you can end up just feeling a slight warmth – this is ideal when you are at rest. BLOCKED NOSE? Breathe out, pause, and wait a few seconds. Repeat. Often the inflammation in your nose will reduce enough to create a small opening in the airways. As much as possible, use your nose to breathe – USE IT OR LOSE IT!
Use diaphragm breathing The most efficient breathing is done in the lowest part of the chest and belly – think of the way a healthy baby breathes. Since you can’t actually make the diaphragm muscle do anything consciously (it’s made of the same material as your heart) you can actively use the abdominal muscles, creating a very efficient bellows. You have 3 sets, aim for the lowest one you can manage! It increases relaxation, improves digestive through-put, and strengthens the lower back too! Continue to nose breathe, aim for gentle, small, quiet breaths. It may take a while for your body to get used to it, so reduce your breathing gradually.
PAGE 23
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PAGE 24
Taking an holistic approach to cancer Homeopath Melanie Thomsett (Bsc) shares her very personal account of treating her Breast Cancer with a mix of modern medicine and holistic therapies My 40th year was set to be good. I had decided to
I tried to think positive; I had had cysts removed
go to University to study Homeopathy and began
from my ovaries when I was 17, so maybe that’s
my four year degree in September 2006. We had
what the lump was? I immediately saw my GP
decided to move house, the course was going
and I drew a circle around the area of the lump so
well and I had made some great new friends.
the Doctor could find it easily. “How on earth did you find that?” she asked and I believe my
In December that year however I received the
grandmother’s spirit woke me that morning so I
news my grandmother had unexpectedly passed
would find the lump. My GP thought it was
away during the night. A few days later I was
probably a cyst but a check-up at the hospital was
woken very early in the morning thinking about
in order to confirm this.
my grandmother, so to take my mind off my grief I decided to get out of bed and look at a chemistry
I had an ultrasound on my breast just before
assignment.
Christmas along with a biopsy. I was told that it was most likely that the lump was an adenoma (a
It was cold in the house as I peered at the
benign tumour) and the nurse was adamant that I
computer monitor, so I crossed my arms and
not worry, to enjoy Christmas and return to the
tucked my fingers under my armpits to keep them
hospital the day after Boxing Day for the results.
warm. At that moment I became aware that my left middle finger was resting on a very round
My partner had wanted to come with me that
marble like lump at the very edge of my breast
fateful day I returned for the official diagnosis but
and I suddenly felt I was in a TV show where the
convinced it was benign I had insisted I go alone.
room whooshes away from the actor as the first
However, when my name was called to see the
shock sets in.
Specialist, the nurse asked if there was someone
PAGE 25
Photography: freedigi
Homeopathy Awareness Week with me and I knew then something was very
than 12 hours post the operation. Before leaving
wrong.
hospital though the doctor informed me I would be undergoing the ‘gold star treatment ‘offered by the
I don’t remember exactly how I was told I had
NHS. This involves seven months of
Breast Cancer as it is all a bit of a blur. I do
chemotherapy, followed by radiation therapy and
remember the serious look on the Doctors face
then onto drug therapy including artificially
though and as I had already lost my Mother,
induced menopause.
Father, Grandmother, Grandfather and Aunt to cancer I had always been sure that if ever I was
On questioning the consultant, I was told that this
given that news I would probably vomit. I didn’t
was not a decision he had made but a computer
vomit, nor did I scream as my mother had but I do
generated outcome treatment plan. I asked by
remember looking at the doctor quietly with one
how much statistically these would increase my
thought going through my mind, ‘I’m not giving up
survival rate: chemotherapy by 3%, radiotherapy
University for this!’
4% and hormone treatment by 5 or 6%. It would be a hell of a year I was told but would result in
“On the day of the operation I took my homeopathic remedies and packed them in my case too”
having a chance of dying by being hit by a bus than of the cancer.
Given I already had an 87% survival rate after surgery, and that the cancer had not spread, I thought that the rates of the other treatments on offer were too low to warrant having them without
Probably because I was so shocked into silence I
taking some time to consider all my options first.
remember he asked me if I had understood what I had been told and that it was aggressive Stage
I was back in class after two weeks as I refused to
3? I nodded and the nurse picked at me until
sit at home feeling miserable and helpless. My
finally, her question of how I was going to tell my
fellow students were very supportive; one was in a
kids brought tears and emotion to the surface.
prayer group and asked if I would like them to
Whilst still in tears I was escorted quietly to the
pray for me which I gratefully accepted. Another
back of the building to an unused side exit and
told me about Essiac Tea, which Rene Caisse an
ushered out. I remember fumbling my way back
American Nurse in the 1930’s used to successfully
to the park and ride, when after what seem like an
cure her mother of breast cancer. The mixes of
age I was reunited with the relative safety of my
herbal ingredients were given to her by the local
car, from inside which I immediately called my
Native Americans and she went on to help many
homeopath. I don’t remember much of that
more. I was surprised at how fantastic it was to
conversation either.
drink as it made me feel warm and relaxed.
I remained in a frozen state until New Years Eve,
One of my tutors (a well-respected breast cancer
when visiting a friend I finally began to relax and
researcher who worked for Breast Cancer Haven)
italphotos.net - lemonade
PAGE 26
looked at the histology report and summarised the type of cancer I had as ’an aggressive little bugger’. However, good news was it was small with no vascular supply and had not spread to lymph nodes. I continued with homeopathy (remembering homeopaths treat people as a whole, on an individual basis and not as named diseases), my vegan Diet, therapeutic doses of vitamins, minerals and supplements and I began to thoroughly research my cancer. Following this I decided not to have the gold star treatment offered by the hospital. I practice homeopathy in my own clinic and am I had seen my mother die suffering from the heinous side effects that cancer treatment can cause some people. If I was going to die in a year I concluded I wasn’t going out suffering like that and decided against Chemotherapy. My
busy looking after my family. I never thought why me, I thought why not me! I chose to live my life on my terms and I chose the treatment that suited me best knowing the potential consequences of all of my treatment options, good and bad.
consultant didn’t like it however, my cancer nurse quietly agreed with me. I did decide to have radiotherapy and I tried the hormone treatment for three months, after which time I stopped. My holistic therapy regime alongside this included, amongst others, homeopathy, osteopathy and specific nutritional supplements.
I was very happy with the support and treatment I received hospital although I heard of women at other hospitals refused treatment if they chose to not have the full package on offer. A breast cancer nurse at my hospital even passed on a sheet of homeopathic remedies that another homeopath had found useful during her treatment
It was a busy time, in between three weeks of
and had left to help others.
medical treatments we moved house and I completed assessments, assignments and exams for my University course. It was difficult concentrating and reading which I put down to either a side-effect of the Radiotherapy or the anaesthetic, but despite it all I passed my assessments and exams.
My advice to anyone facing treatment for cancer is to empower yourself, research your cancer and choose the treatments that are right for you, whether that is the orthodox approach or a multi therapy approach including complementary therapies etc and take heart in the many inspiring women, who like me, have survived cancer.
It’s now seven years on from that fateful time and I continue to maintain my health with a mix of homeopathy, vegan diet, osteopathy (excellent for maintaining and innervating all of the nerves and blood supply to ones tissues) and trying to keep stress down.
PAGE 26
Please note that Melanie does not treat Cancer in her practice
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Graphics this page: freedigitalphotos.net - stuart miles
PAGE 27
Astrology As you know our favourite Astrologer Andrew Smith always gives a unique perspective - so this month he is exploring the Gemini in all of us and asks - what is our story?
Over the past 19 years, bedtime has singularly
quite mastered that technique and have
been my favourite time of the day, and not for the
consequently consciously contributed to both
reasons that have just meandered across your
girls inability to knock off to sleep quickly!! So
adult mind! Where is the child within you? As a
Karen, Sarah and Maya, please accept this as a
Dad, bedtime means story time. And I don’t just
public apology!
mean reading stories. Perhaps I was being selfish, but when both Sarah and Maya were
I started off by using the characters of their
very young, re-reading Little Rabbit Foo Foo or
favourite stories and expanding upon their
the Gruffalo for the umpteenth time started to
already well-established and travelled
drain the life out of me.
adventures, be they Edmund and Lucy from Narnia, the Power Rangers, Florence the fairy or
I do understand that repetition is at the heart of
a plethora of Marvel comic super-heroes.
being a child and that is how kids learn. Moreover I do understand that it is my job as a
The stories fast became interactive, as both
parent to help my daughters learn but frankly,
Sarah and Maya contributed to the on-going
whilst I loved this quality time with the girls, I was
sagas, as our respective imaginations were
getting bored.
fuelled with idea after idea. Bedtime was fast becoming a creative act, as opposed to a
So I decided to down the books and to the horror
winding-down time, hence Karen’s perhaps well
of my wife, Karen, I started to tell them stories. I
founded protests!
emphasize the word horror because in their mother’s mind, a deeper purpose in reading
Seeing how powerful the act of a story was, I
stories was to help calm down her daughter’s
started to guide the co-creation of our characters
already highly active minds and help them ease
towards adventures and experiences of a moral
into their dream-time. Unfortunately, I never
and philosophical basis, introducing life
PAGE 28
Photography: freedig
situations and solutions that each creation had to
marginalised villains, in a story that lasted nearly
deal with. So evil potions master Dr. Oesophagus
four years!
fought his inner demons and eventually found love and became Dr. Pinkypuss; he and his
But what has this to do with the pending lunation
companions dissolved the fabric of space and
in Mutable Air? After all surely Gemini is merely
time, journeying through multiple kingdoms set
the sign of the social butterfly - flighty, excitable,
across several simultaneous planes of reality,
restless, possessing the concentration span of a
accessed through the frequencies of light and
goldfish, and a mind only able to retain gossip; a
sound, whilst at the same time defending his
personality built to deftly social network; and
home and family against the rise of Dante’s
possess a hunger for multi forms of knowledge
seven Dark forces, in the form of the misguided
that has labelled them a workshop junkie!
chocolate making bunny Mr. Jackolope, the Ice Queen and her army of popsicles and five other
What about the exchange of the breath of consciousness, of light and God, through the telling of stories? What about the development of
“The thing about a story is that you
communication and linguistic skills that can
dream it as you tell it, hoping that
assist the telling of stories? Surely that is at the
others might then dream along with
are essential to being human. Not only do they
you, and in this way memory and imagination and language combine
gitalphotos.net - dan
essence of the Geminian expression? Stories
set in motion your inner life, but they are the creative conversion of life itself into a more powerful, clearer, more meaningful experience. Perhaps you don’t realise the extent to which
to make spirits in your head.” Tim O'Brien (The Things They Carried)
stories influence your behaviour and even shape our culture.
PAGE 29
George Lucas has a lot to answer for in my life!
how the stories from your religion of childhood
Inspired by Joseph Campbell’s work on myth,
have conditioned your attitudes and conduct.
Star Wars captured my imagination as I am sure
What about the stories concerning your national,
it did for countless seven-year-olds. It premiered
cultural or family history?
in Dublin, the city I grew up in, around my birthday in March 1978, and I attended with five
Perhaps I am keenly conscious of this
friends and my parents.
prototypical Geminian archetypal expression due to my genetic and cultural heritage in being of
Going to the movies was a relatively novel event
Scots-Irish descent since storytelling lies at the
in Ireland back then and having lived a relatively
heart of my Celtic culture. Whilst the earliest
innocent existence, my father refused to listen to
known record in the origin of storytelling can be
my impassioned pleas to take me home
found in Egypt (when the sons of Cheops
(probably on the basis of “we have spent too
entertained their father with stories), the Ceilidh (pronounced Kayleh) is central to being a Celt.
Stories are the creative Originating in Scotland and spreading throughout
conversion of life itself into a more powerful, clearer, more meaningful experience. They are the currency of human contact (Robert McKee)
Ireland, there was a time when every village in our Celtic land had a home that was known as the Ceilidh house wherein the local community gathered on a regular basis to share stories, tell poems, quote proverbs, sing songs of old, dance and of course have a drink (or six!).
The story teller was revered as a poet, a philosopher, a priest, a sage, since the art of
much money getting here, you are going to stay�)
story-telling is not the same as reading a story
after witnessing the emergence of the Sith Lord,
aloud or reciting a piece from memory. The
Darth Vader, into a white, light filled corridor!
storyteller looks into the eyes of the receiver and together they compose the tale. The storyteller
Little did I realise then that my imagination had
begins to see and re-create, through voice and
been snared and had received its first fuelling of
gesture, a series of mental images; the receiver
what has become a lifelong interest in space.
in turn, from the first moment of listening, stares,
Admittedly my early years were less concerned
smiles, leans forward or falls asleep (well can
with understanding our consciousness through
do!), letting the teller know whether to slow down,
the illusory matrixes of space and time but rather
speed up, elaborate, or just finish. Each listener,
how could I avoid asteroids, destroy alien
as well as each teller, actually composes a
creatures and make the safe jump into hyper
unique set of story images derived from
space all in an attempt to find ways of saving the
meanings associated with words, gestures, and
semi clad Princess! Undoubtedly your morals
sounds. The experience can be profound,
and values have similarly been shaped by fables
exercising the thinking and touching emotions of
and parables. Please take a moment to reflect on
both teller and listener.
PAGE 30
Whilst the oldest surviving tale in the storytelling
Your stories shape and influence how others see
history is the epic, Gilgamesh, relating to the
you in the same way that the stories people tell
deeds of a famous Sumerian King, stories remain
about you also influence how you feel. Your story
an intrinsic part of our modern culture in the form
can move others to action so the impact will
of books, movies, music, social media, art,
enrich your world and the world of those you
marketing, advertising and, dare I say it, religion.
connect with, so I would like you to reappraise
The transmission and subsequently development
two things during this coming lunation:
and refinement of your values, desires and dreams, as well as your prejudices and hatreds,
1. How do you typically introduce yourself –
all begin in the exchange with someone of a
in other words what is your favourite story to
story.
share about yourself?
Stories breathe and animate life. They are our way of spreading the breath of consciousness to
2. What stories do your friends and/or
those with whom we connect. The passion and
colleagues share about you?
spirit imbued in the stories we tell and in the intent behind the story, shapes the reality of
The nature and quality of your story has an
those we communicate with. A story told well
impact on the world that you perceive and
inspires you, wake you up, shakes you to your
subsequently on your interaction with your world.
core so that you can re-create a new way of
The natural exchange of information from you to
seeing the world and therefore a new sense of
someone else not only leads to a cross-
being.
pollination of perspectives but it empowers you to acquire knowledge thereby enhancing your
Stories connect you with people. When you tell a
understanding of your life, supporting you to
friend how you felt when something great (or
make more informed decisions.
something devastating) happens to you, they share in your experience and empathise. They
So as the Lights of our Solar System reunite in
see themselves in your experience, and
Gemini on the 28th May, I would ask you to share
understand how you may feel. There is a bonding
your story with someone - talk with your friends
in that sharing. You both learn valuable things
about your experiences; expand your circle by
from it, and from each other, as well as draw
interact with people different from you. If you
closer to each other in your relationship.
want to focus on what stories preoccupy your awareness, look to where the sign of Gemini falls in your birth chart and make a note of the planets (if any) that are contained therein.
The aspects those planets make with other planets in your chart describe the type of conversation going on within you.
See next page for contact details & links
PAGE 31
PAGE 32
Photography: freedigitalphotos.net - victor habbick & Amazon
UK Australia USA This is the global Canada reach of this Ireland magazine New Zealand South America Germany Publish a health related France APP? Spain Want to sell your health Europe products worldwide? India & Need to market you health more.. solution globally?
PAGE 33
Editor Tina Hammett continues our series of articles, designed to help you be as naturally healthy, happy and creative as you possibly can be. This month she is talking about what is lurking in our make-up and skin products Did you know that your largest organ is your skin?
natural ingredients in the products you use and
Or that your skin is permeable - which means that
avoiding toxicity in general that your symptoms
anything you place upon it from skin-care to
improve!
make-up, shampoo or hair products to sunscreen will be absorbed straight into your bloodstream in
So what should you be looking out for? Firstly
under 25 seconds?
Parabens, which are a group of chemicals that may be listed as words beginning or ending with;
We have learned in our previous articles on living
methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl as more than three
clean that it doesn’t always follow that whatever is
independent studies have shown that these are
for open sale is necessarily safe. Sadly, those
absorbed into bloodstream causing hormonal
same products ie skin-care, make-up, sunscreens
disruption and even breast cancer. For a full
and deodorants can all contain ingredients that
listed follow this link: HIDDEN TOXINS
can have detrimental effects on your health. Ensure your skincare (and don’t forget faceIn addition if you are woman with hormonal health
wipes) are paraben free. Next, there is little point
issues such as Endometriosis and Poly cystic
eating super healthily and organic if your skin is
Ovary Syndrome then you could inadvertently be
absorbingly some highly toxic chemicals known
causing your hormones additional disruption due
as carcinogens (ie they can directly cause
to the chemicals some of these products contain.
cancer), there are over twenty of these
You could even find that simply through using
ingredients listed on our website that can be
PAGE 34
Photography: freedigitalphotos.net - imagerymajestic/david castillo
regularly found in the skin-care, make-up and general beauty care products available in our retails shops. High price brands are not immune from these ingredients either, so check the ingredients list on their packaging. A good tip is to print off the list from our website and take it with you, that way you can quickly cross-match a complicated list of chemical named ingredients!
Formaldehyde (and a number of it’s derivative chemical names) is highly toxic and a known to be neurotoxic, genotoxic and carcinogenic. Formaldehyde precursors (which are chemical ingredients in many skin-care and toiletry products) react with other chemicals in the same products to release formaldehyde, so even if it isn’t listed as an individual ingredient again, if you value your health, check the full list of ingredient here under HIDDEN TOXINS
Given the rise in the market for men’s skincare and toiletry products, this isn’t an issue of worry for women alone any longer. The hormone disrupters can have an equally devestating effect on mens health and fertility too.
Whilst we should all be doing our utmost to look after our health and protect it from the consumerism of our modern world, those of you that suffer (or have suffered from) Cancer, Auto-Immune issues, have a baby or young children who’s developing immune systems are especially vulnerable or are pregnant or breast-feeding are wise to be particularly vigilant.
Also on our website are links to some ‘clean’ toiletries and skin-care but my best advice is to do your research (especially when it comes to make-up) and find ecofriendly, peoples health friendly products because if you don’t value your health and well-being do not think manufacturers necessarily do.
PAGE 35
PAGE 36
Becky A Gardner Photography
Living with chronic pain is hard enough - but how do you explain it to your kids? Two years ago, a young mother had a problem.
a child. Her own mother suffered (and continues
Her son was beginning to ask questions like “why
to suffer) from severe chronic pain. She
does mommy hurt?” and she didn’t have the tools
remembers not understanding the meaning of the
to explain her illness to her two-year old and
word “chronic,” which is a very difficult concept for
neither did the library, Amazon or, apparently,
children to grasp. She also remembers her
anyone else! She was shocked and disappointed
feelings of guilt, confusion, and frustration
to find nothing on the market written for the
because she thought she was the cause of her
children of people suffering from chronic pain, an
mother’s pain.
“invisible illness” and the most common health problem in the world today. So, she decided to
She wanted to do something to help her son
write one herself!
understand and assure him that her pain wasn’t because of something he did. From this desire,
Chronic pain affects almost 50% of adults in the
the idea for “Why Does Mommy Hurt?” was born.
Unites States alone according to Gallup Healthways. The children of people with invisible
When she wrote the book, it was only intended for
illness suffer quietly, and often blame themselves
her own son. However, she couldn’t stop thinking
for their parents pain and the guilt of raising a
of the millions of other sons and daughters in the
child under these circumstances is overwhelming.
same situation, with the same feelings of
Parents often force themselves to smile, play, and
confusion, frustration and guilt and the millions of
be strong for their children; to walk a mile and a
chronically ill caregivers, as desperate as she was
half to the playground and back, knowing they will
to find a child-friendly way to explain their
pay for it later; to play catch or all of the other joys
illnesses.
of childhood, joys that take energy a chronic pain sufferer just doesn't have.
The process of writing and publishing a book, while keeping up with a job, family, and living with
Author Elizabeth Christy is one such parent and
chronic pain at the same time is far from easy.
the mother whose son began asking questions.
But she was determined to see it in print and in
She says, “After putting him to bed, I often leave
the hands of families who are raising young
his room and immediately lay down in the hallway
children while dealing with an ‘invisible illness’.
and cry; exhausted and overwrought with guilt.
As Elizabeth says, “If we have to suffer, lets not
“I'm not doing enough. I can't do enough. I will
bring our children with us!”
never be good enough for him." Elizabeth knew that her son could sense when she wasn’t feeling well, and when she was depressed, anxious, or angry, which are common effects from living with chronic pain. She had
Why Does Mommy Hurt? (Elizabeth M Christy) is being self-published through Outskirts Press and is available now in both paperback ($9.95) and eBook ($3.95) versions. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association (NFMCPA).
been in the same situation herself when she was
PAGE 37
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PAGE 39
Claire Humphries is a therapist based in Hertfordshire, UK and is a Voice Dialogue Coach, EFT Practitioner, Life Coach, Reflexologist and Reiki Pracitioner You might be wondering what on Earth Voice Dialogue is. If I told you it was about the study of the ‘selves’ - the many parts of you that make up your personality, you might look at me blankly. Or you might say, “But I’m just me, I'm not made up of loads of different parts”.
Then I might ask you if you’ve ever said, “There’s a part of me that wants to go to the gym and be more healthy but there’s another part that wants to just slob on the sofa and watch TV”. Aahh, yes those parts.
Yes, you’re familiar with those parts. We recognise them in pairs of opposites mainly. We may be familiar with the frustration that goes with them - the feeling of being sabotaged: “I want to go to the gym and lose weight and get fit but I just can’t make myself go”. It can seem like there is something missing in us. Surely we should be able to motivate ourselves to do whatever we want, when we want?
There are competing parts of our personality - how else can we explain how we can turn from soft and
PAGE 40 Photography: freedigitalphotos.net - imagerymajestic
sweet to raging harridan in seconds? How can we
and happy makes for a good life, and as the baby
be thoughtful and sensitive one moment and
grows, it continues to use the same tactics and
selfish and cruel in the next?
becomes a generally smiley happy child and
It’s easy to characterise and define people as a
adult. This very common ‘self’ is known as the
whole, by a simple handle, but there are many
‘pleaser’.
elements at work. There are two things that happen on the flip side How can Voice Dialogue help to explain what is
of this. Baby realises pretty quickly that the
going on, and, more importantly, can it help us
opposite behaviour has an adverse effect on the
overcome these limiting behaviours?
Voice Dialogue is the process based on the ‘psychology of selves’. There are many, many parts to each individual, which have evolved throughout a lifetime. The selves are all parts of
“The disowned energy cannot be expressed by the individual and so he begins
the human psyche, battling for control to drive our psychological car. They evolve as the mind
to see it in others”
attempts to protect the individual from some perceived vulnerability. caregiver and so risks all the good stuff that This can make us feel frustrated and confused -
pleasing the caregiver gets.
how could a ‘self’ that gets angry and hurts people
The young child learns this opposite behaviour
be useful? Or a ‘self’ that can’t be bothered to get
must not be used and so those ‘negative’ parts
work done? Or that doesn’t stop me drinking when
get buried. So the ‘pleaser’ becomes a primary
I want to?
self and the opposite self - maybe a selfish or angry part is disowned. The result is that the
We develop primary selves (the main ones in
pleaser gets trapped in pleasing behaviours. He
charge) when we are very young, to protect the
or she is unable to access their disowned selves,
inner child from pain and enable us to survive. A
as to do so would go against everything they
baby quickly learns what pleases his or her
believe to be their identity.
parents and how to gets his or her needs met. So the smiling happy baby makes mommy smiley and
The disowned energy cannot be expressed by the
happy and she showers smiling happy baby with
individual, and so he begins to see it in others
love and approval. Baby learns that being smiley
and criticizes and deplores it. One of the main
PAGE 41
ways to identify your own disowned selves is to
methods to access the selves but Voice Dialogue
think about the traits you despise in others.
goes further, allowing their integration, giving each
The stronger your reaction, the more that energy is
self a voice and a way for the individual to remain
disowned in you. In Voice Dialogue we learn that
centred while an awareness of their multiplicity
people are your biggest teachers (especially the
grows. It also gives an understanding of the ways
annoying ones!).
that we relate to each other.
So, primary selves are in control and are not keen
Voice Dialogue helps us to understand bonding
to let other parts, particularly new parts, come in
patterns, so that difficulties in relationships
and take charge. They don’t like change, as it
(romantic or otherwise) can become the means by
threatens to expose vulnerability. This can be why
which we change and grow both as individuals and
it feels like we do the same things over and over
in relationship. It can, for example, help you find
no matter how much we try to change.
your assertive voice, to understand why you play the martyr/victim or why you find yourself repeating
We promise we’ll walk away from a bad situation
similar patterns in relationships.
or we won’t argue this time or react in the same old
Through Voice Dialogue we get to know the selves
way, and yet time after time we find ourselves
in a non-judgemental manner, allowing them to
defeated and frustrated by the same old
speak and thereby understand how and when they
behaviours we seem powerless to change.
take control in our lives. By doing so, we stop polarising our primary and disowned selves, and
Can Voice Dialogue provide a solution and allow
bring them into balance.
us to change and grow? There are many We stop living our lives through bonding patterns and under the control of whichever selves happen to be in charge at any given moment.
We can learn to recognise which self is in control and whether to let that self take control or not. We can finally have real choice by developing this awareness.
Just being aware of the psychology of the selves will change your life. Knowing you are made up of many selves that are there to help you is massively reassuring. We can sit quietly and listen to what those selves have to say. The self that frustrates you, causes you pain, and seems though it has no place in your life - just take a minute to find out what message it has for you.
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? l l e t o t y Stor
I love knowing that I have a team of inner helpers working to protect me and make my life better. Many problems in life are caused by a perceived lack in our abilities or personalities.
Once you listen to your selves, you can access previously hidden parts at will. You might think you’re too shy to speak up to your boss or give that presentation but you’ve got an incredibly confident part that is just waiting to help you. Why not give it a listen and hear what it has to say?
To comment on this article as always click the e-mail icon and to contact Claire Humphries click the picture below
Click the link below and share your story to help and inspire others PAGE 43
This months recipe
Fabulously Raw plus Sugar & Gluten Free As a military wife for many years Claire Lyons took the opportunity from moving every 18 months to take classes and qualifications which include a Diploma in Psychotherapeutics, a BA in War Studies and an MA in History, she now writes articles for various publications and is a public speaker Ingredients you will need (makes 12): 1 cup Gluten Free Rolled Oats ½ cup raw cashew nuts ¼ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon cinnamon 3 tablespoon maple syrup 1 tablespoon vanilla extract ¼ cup of dairy free chocolate chips (or cacao) (we also use dried cranberries sometimes)
Read Claires Blog here PAGE 44
Method: 1. Put all the dry ingredients (excluding Choc Chips) into the food processor and pulse into a fine powder.
2. Add the wet ingredients and pulse again, it will become a very sticky dough ball.
3. Scrape out the dough into a bowl and add the choc chips, mix and then use your hands roll into 12 little balls. We sometimes find the chips don’t stick in well, so you can add them to the food processor if you’re not worried about ‘seeing them. Tips: The kids love measuring and putting everything in the mixer as well as using the ‘pulse’ button, it’s not recommended to let them do the ‘balling’ as it’s so very messy, but if you have a melon baller or similar that might work. Mini muffin cases are the simplest container, but you can let them dry out a bit on some greaseproof paper – they also freeze very well. PAGE 45
An holistic all encompassing approach to this debilitating disease
”An inspiration”
o h w e n o y n a r fo e id u g t n e ll e “Exc “At last! Something suffers”
that makes sense of how to cope!”
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Claire Humphries is a therapist based in Hertfordshire, UK and is a Voice Dialogue Coach, EFT Practitioner, Life Coach, Reflexologist and Reiki Pracitioner. She says, “I spent most of my childhood voraciously reading. The library was at the bottom of the road and by the time I left the library after a visit, I had invariably finished at least one of my precious six book allocation. I may not remember any of those books I read as a small child but here are the three that resonated with me so deeply that I still remember them after so many years. At some point in my teenage years I discovered Ken Kesey’s masterpiece, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. It kick-started a lifetime’s fascination with psychology, mental illness, power and control. The irreverent hero Red (later immortalised by Jack Nicholson in the film) swaggers into the asylum and soon comes up against the hard-hearted Nurse Ratched who rules the ward with dispassionate control. The rebellious Red sets out to break her hold over the patients’ lives only to discover too late that his enemy has ultimate control over his life. The book forces us to think about conformity in society. Who decides who is sane and who is not and how do they exercise that control? Interestingly the book is written from a different perspective to the film so is well worth a read even if you have seen it. A modern classic which will leave you uneasy.
My inner and outer love of journeying met in James Redfield’s multimillion-selling novel about synchronicity and spirituality, The Celestine Prophecy. A vehicle for a bunch of spiritual ideas, Redfield’s fictional narrative brought the story of one person’s search for meaning to millions of others looking for the same. It’s not a complicated read and it’s often dismissed as trash. Love it or hate it this book splits opinion like Marmite. I love it for its simple, parabolic style of writing and insights, I don’t care if there are holes in the facts, I just enjoy it. I love the way that every time I pick it up coincidences just start occurring in my life and so I often do. Its accessibility has made millions wake up to the fact there is more to life. Enjoy it, even if you have to hide it at the back on your bookshelf behind something high-brow.
The clock stopped ticking when I read the beautifully written Cellist of Sarajevo, by Steven Galloway. As a voracious reader I fly through the description to get to the bones of a story. This made me read in slow motion taking in each word, thought and feeling. Stunning and deeply moving it gave me a better more human understanding of what it would be like to live in a city under siege, where finding drinking water for your family might cost you your life. A truly intense but simply written inspiring work this will have you caught up in the lives of the protagonists as the most mundane events take on life-shattering consequence. In war Art does not disappear, it thrives as a symbol of our civilisation and so while museums and galleries were being bombed in Sarajevo, quartets were playing in the street, a haunting and powerful demonstration, in both senses of the word, of what defines our humanity.
Photography: freedigitalphotos.net - phaitoon and Amazon
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g n i n e G ar d Bill Hammett is retired but a keen organic vegetable gardener & childrens book author, here he gives us his invaluable tips for June
In this month’s issue I would like to share my experiences with you growing potatoes in containers and sacks and for the benefit of new friends who have joined us over the last few weeks my tips, whilst aimed primarily at anyone with limited garden space this can be applied to larger plots too for all those would be budding Percy Thrower’s out there! Through growing Potatoes in containers & sacks it enhances our ability to extend the harvest of the crop over a longer period of time as it allows us to use different varieties of the humble spud.
The size of container I use is 50 cm long x 40 cm wide x 30 cm deep but you can use any size and some samples can be found on the Amazon link. There are four basic types of potatoes;
‘First Early’ and these are best if you want a small also known as ‘new’ potato. Plant these the end of February to late May and they are usually ready to harvest approximately ten weeks from the date of planting. (I will give you a tip that covers all potatoes grown in containers and bags later in the article concerning increasing the yield.) ‘Second early’ again these are best if you want to grow small, ‘new’ potatoes, planting instructions are the same and these
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Photography: freedigitalphotos.net - simon howden / zironicusso /grant cochrane & Amazon
usually take a little longer (13 weeks) before you
Now, that all important increasing yield tip –
can begin to harvest.
when the flowers appear, carefully uncover the developing potatoes and remove some of the
‘Main Crop’ these potatoes are larger and more
larger ones. Make sure you re-cover the
suitable for baking and roasting. Planting time is
developing potatoes, as the sun will make them
the same and they are usually ready for harvest
go green and unfit to eat. You can obviously use
around 20 weeks from the planting date
the larger potatoes you remove but this encourages the plant to continue producing. At
‘Second Cropping Potatoes (also known as
this point, don’t allow the containers to get too
Christmas potatoes) which are planted early
dry, as this will stunt the growth of the tubers,
August (in the Northern Hemisphere) and must
‘little and often’ is the best method.
be protected from frost by covering with a fleece and harvesting is usually around 11 weeks from
Growing in bags; you can buy purpose made
the planting date.
bags, some of which have a little flap on the side to allow you to access the developing tubers.
Container preparation: Make sure containers
These come in kit form (see the Amazon link)
have good drainage, I cut a piece of gardening
complete with tubers and instructions and even
membrane, (the type used to suppress weeds
on occasion a soluble sachet of fertiliser (check if
but lets water through) that is the size of the
it’s organic though).
bottom of the container and place in the bottom. I use a mixture of soil and compost, approximately
I prefer to use a heavy duty plastic sack of the
50/50. Place this mixture in the bottom of the
type that you buy compost in. Simply turn inside
container. Next, mix a good handful of chicken
out making sure you stab the bottom of the bag
pellets with the soil and level out.
about ten times with a nail or any thing pointed for drainage. Roll the sides of the bag outwards
Place three potatoes on top of the soil in a
and down until you have an inner depth of 15 cm
triangular pattern, approximately 30 cm apart.
then follow the instructions for container growing
Cover the potatoes with the 50/50 mix minus the
I’ve already given. Unrolling the bag back up as
chicken pellets (these can cause burning and
the potato grows.
scabbing on the developing potatoes) to a depth of 5 cm. As the potato plant grows, keep adding
There are obviously pests and diseases that a
soil mix, making sure there is at least 15 cm of
vigilant gardener needs to be on the lookout for
foliage above the soil level at all times.
and these include:
Once the container is full to the brim, the potato
Potato scab - a disease that comes in two forms,
will do the rest, all you have to do is make sure
common scab and powdery scab. Common scab
that the soil doesn’t dry out. As the potato begins
occurs when the soil conditions are too dry as
to flower you can add some organic fertiliser
tubers are forming. It is recognised by raised
(Nettle tea – see April issue for how to make this)
rough patches on the skin of the tuber. Powdery
if you have the room to prepare it.
scab on the other hand, has irregular brown
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depressions containing masses of brown dusty
them, or place in an old plastic shopping bag or
dry spores on the surface of the tuber. The way
something similar and dispose of into a dustbin.
to avoid this is to keep the soil most until
Any plants that show signs of the disease on the
harvesting or use disease resistant varieties
stems - pull them out and dispose in the same
such as, Accent, Desiree, Arran Pilot, golden
manner. Then wash your hands thoroughly
wonder to name but a few.
before continuing in your garden.
Whilst common scab seems to flourish in a dryer environment, Powdery scab on the other hand, seems to prefer wet conditions. So it is a delicate balancing act to get the perfect soil moisture content, just right! It’s something that will only come from experience.
Potato blight (famous for causing the Irish Potato Famine) - Dark brown blotches on the leaves and stems, which quickly rot and cause the plant to collapse. This causes the spores to fall on the immediate ground around the plant and watering and rainfall wash the spores down to the tubers
There is a spray that can be used to help control this disease, its called Bordeaux mix and I give my spuds a light spray with this when they are about 30-40 cm high and if the weather is wet and humid. It’s not a cure but I personally think it helps fight the disease.
Is it worth it I here you ask? These diseases are fairly rare, so please don’t panic, you will have to be extremely unlucky for your spuds to get infected and there is nothing like the taste of freshly harvested potatoes to ensure you will shy away from shop bought ones.
causing them to rot. The spores are also carried on the wind and will soon affect the surrounding potatoes AND tomatoes. Keep your eyes open from June onwards, any leaves showing signs of dark brown blotches must be pinched off and ‘DO NOT COMPOST’ these. Where possible burn
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So which variety of spuds to choose to plant? Well there are many varieties of potatoes that have been developed for specific cooking
qualities, i.e. chips, boiling, mashing, roasting, frying, potato wedges. I like to use an all rounder, such as Desiree, King Edward, Charlotte. (What ever is available to you, always read the advice and instructions on the packet.) These are good all-rounder's for cooking and are bred with a
? l l e t o t y r o t S
certain amount of disease resistance.
Chitting seed potatoes: To enhance the growth of your potatoes, remove the tubers from their packaging as soon as you get them home. Place them in a cool, dry, frost free environment and allow them to sprout shoots. I like to stand my seed potatoes in old cardboard egg containers with the spuds placed with the eyes upward (the eyes are the little dark indents in the potato which is where the shoots will grow).
When the shoots are about 75 mm long you can plant the potatoes out. As you plant them, select the tubers with three shoots growing close together and rub the rest off with your thumb. Plant with the shoots uppermost and be wary, if like me you live near a river or railway, or anywhere there are rats. You may have to cover your containers with wire mesh as rats will sniff them out and eat them.
Once the potatoes are approximately 15 cm high they should be safe from pests but I keep the wire mesh over the containers to support the polythene membrane I use to protect my early, second early and second cropping from frost. Happy gardening!
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To comment on this or any other article or to ask a question of our therapists click the e-mail icon
PAGE 51
Crystals for ‘doors’ A couple of years ago I was getting really fed up
Chakras are like doors to our energy. They
as I didn’t know what chakras were all about. My
should be able to open and close freely. If they
sister who heals with unicorns and my angelic
are stuck, stiff or squeaky then healing can help
healer mum talked often about healing energy
make them open and close better. Sometimes the
and chakras – I remember clearly not being able
doors have mucky stuff inside them and that can
to understand what they were talking about.
be cleaned out with all sorts of healing, including crystal healing.
Then one morning I woke up and I realised what they were saying, I was so excited I ran
Once your doors are working better then you will
downstairs shouting “All my doors are open”….
feel better both in your mind and body. When you
My confused Mum replied “Your bedroom door is
are poorly your doors will not be able to open and
always open”… “NOOOO” I cried… “These doors”
close properly.
and madly pointed all over my body…. Mum says the places I was pointing to are called
The chakras are the same colours as the rainbow
‘Chakras’…. In our house we still call them
with an extra one at the top and the bottom. Once
doors…
you know where they are it is much easier to feel
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their energy and therefore can help them to work better.
As I am only 6, I decided to do some reading on what crystals should be used for which chakra and people all seemed to have different ideas. So mum suggested I felt which ones should be used for which chakra and I decided for myself.
The easiest way I found is to use the common theory of working out what colour the chakra is and then select a crystal with the same colour, though this is not always the case as not all crystals are a colour of the rainbow and often crystals help a number of chakras, however it is a safe way to begin.
Rose quartz is a key example of where this common theory doesn’t quite follow as it is great for the green heart chakra; rose quartz is really good for helping you to feel loved and for helping you to love other people. We have lots of rose quartz in our home and we all feel very loved!
There are lots of crystals recommended for each chakra and so I have picked the ones I feel are really good ones and also are easy for you to get hold of.
The chakras all have special names which most people us and I use ones which are a little bit different. I have created a table (see next page) which shows both names, the chakra colour, the crystal I feel would help each chakra and what that crystal can help with.
To order crystals from Emma E-MAIL HERE
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