Holistica 2018 by Holistica Magazine

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J ourney with u s to w a rd s m o re f eat u r es & i m p r ov em en t s

W W W. H O L I S T I C A . C O. Z A Join the movement and get listed on Holistica CALL LARA ON 082 979 2395 OR LARA@HOLISTICA.CO.ZA

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MEET OUR TEAM

HELLO

Meet our fabulous team, all of whom are passionate about Holistica and bringing you great content and client service. Get to know them through their favourite wellness practice, sound, slogan and flower counterpart. R O BY N W I L KINSO N E d i t or My undisputed morning practice is meditation. It has transformed my world and is something I’d highly recommend. If I was any kind of foliage, I’d be a weed; they’re so underrated. My favourite sound is the breeze blowing through the forest. I love the words Anais Nin wrote: “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” robyn@holistica.co.za

L A R A P OTG I E T E R Si t e M anag e r & E d i t or i al C ont r i b ut or As a member of the Holistica team, my work is essentially my wellness practice! Out of office, I find sanctuary in the yoga studio. My favourite sound is birdsong, and if I were a flower I would be a Barberton daisy. The words I live by? “The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” W.B Yeats lara@holistica.co.za

S KY E F O R R EST E R Wr i t e r Hello, I’m Skye: resident Holistica wordsmith and creator of content from the heart. My morning wellness routine is to sip a big glass of lemon water and walk barefoot on green grass. If I were a flower I’d be Neroli and my favourite sound is laughter. These are some of my favourite words: “I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.” skye@holistica.co.za

TA N I A SA BO R Ad v e r t i s i ng St r at e g i s t My role is finding holistic marketing and promotion solutions for clients. This team is what makes my soul shine. I’m fascinated by waves and their universal energy. My favourite sound is the vibration of my cat’s purr. My favourite flower is the Lisianthus, they are often misunderstood and considered difficult but blossom beautifully with the right care. My best quote is “Don’t wait for someone to bring you flowers. Plant your own garden and decorate your soul.” Luther Burbank tania@holistica.co.za

I N G E S M I T D e s i g n & Lay out Working from home with two little humans around, my favourite things tend to be very basic: a daily run to Simon’s Town along the waters edge (as good as a retreat) and the sound of a fresh water mountain stream. I would love to be a Bougainvillea but I am probably a bit more practical and functional like an herb. As a child I practiced piano with a poster on my wall that said: "Discipline turns talent into ability." I only understand it now. inge@ivdesign.co.za

J EA N - P I ER R E L E RO UX Pl at for m Ar c hi t e c t JP is a Life and Health Coach, Transpersonal Therapist and NLP Master Practitioner with a deep passion for natural health, generative change and exploring the limits of human potential. He also has a background in Computer Science and Project Management and will be spearheading the next-level revolutionary upgrade to the Holistica platform due to go live later this year. He loves sharing his knowledge on conscious yogic bio-hacking. jp@holistica.net

HOLIST I CA SU P PORT OF F IC E Contact: Lara on 082 979 2395 Email: info@holistica.co.za

HOLISTICA.CO.ZA

Editor’s Note

Welcome to our Holistica magazine… The Dalai Lama is famous for sharing the awareness that our greatest global realised teacher would be a community, a tribe, and a network of humans choosing to play and harmonise, serve and show up unified for our greatest collective harmony. This is how we envision Holistica. As we connect with more and more humans and create a widespread platform where everyone can access healing, community, advice and share knowledge we believe we can influence the wellbeing of everyone collectively. We’ve been bragging about our Holistica annual print magazine for some time now, and here it is. We’re super proud to present all the practitioners we have on our online Holistica site in this printed volume. Throughout many years of working in the natural health industry I have seen the most remarkable recoveries from people diagnosed with irreversible diseases and conditions by following holistic healing principles. I’ve also seen people immensely empowered with healing techniques, lifestyle changes, mindfulness practices, body awareness, yoga and all the amazing practices natural health and generative practices have to offer. Our aim with Holistica is to make these interventions more accessible to more people and to inspire everyone on an empowered and healing journey. It’s not always easy to know where to start and we hope by browsing our healing disciplines you’ll get a better idea of the practices available. Our magazine has an online complement on the platform www.holistica.co.za. We’re continuously adding more practitioners and interesting information on everything to do with following a lifestyle of wellbeing. We publish an events digest twice a month with retreats, workshops, training, detox programmes and any number of interesting happenings around the country. If you’d like to receive this, simply log onto the site and sign up for our newsletter. There’s something so connecting and beautiful about belonging to a community of dedicated, healing oriented humans. Holistica and all its members have a culture of support and encouragement. We have big plans for the future and soon we’ll be able to offer a booking service with an online calendar, payment facilities and comprehensive natural Wiki. We look so forward to growing with our community and discovering more ways we can be of service. Thank you to everyone participating in Holistica.

Namaste Robyn

Trus ha Tibb will improve he heal hy balance in your body. rus

improve

balance

www.tibbherbals.com

body

contents 2018

9 | PRINC IPL E S O F HO L IST IC HE ALT H Holistic health, rather than singularly focusing on symptoms or disease, considers the entire context of the individual condition: the mental, emotional, environmental, social and spiritual factors. This article sees a holistic perspective as one that offers deeper healing, that resonates beyond physical well-being, an enhanced spiritual awareness and understanding of life’s processes.

15 | C O NNE C T ING WIT H L IFE E NE RGY We are connected in a web of energy that flows in us and between us; it’s a universal phenomenon and exists everywhere. We feel it during prayer, meditation and yoga, resonating from the earth, a flowing river, a deep breath, a healing touch and infinitely from love. It’s also the currency energy workers use to heal. We explore its qualities and how to get more of it. 22 | M IND FUL NE SS M AT T E RS Mindfulness extends to every area of life. Taking stock, being ‘in the now’ practicing gratefulness, and immersing yourself in the moment are just some of the mindful practices guaranteed to bring fulfillment, abundance, deep joy and success. Our 10 lifechanging practices like meditation, reading, journaling, prayer, gratitude, movement and sound journey are designed to empower you. 26 | TAKE CARE O F YO U Engaging in a positive relationship with your body, feeling the length and breadth of your radiance and appreciating your physicality is fully realized through self-nurturing. We look at self-care in an honouring context and suggest practices that engender self-love.

30 | FIND YO UR HAPPY PL AC E Set up a link between a peaceful or happy feeling and a fragrant smell using an aromatherapy oil you love. By doing so, every time you feel a little unbalanced or out of sorts you can induce your happy feeling simply by smelling your chosen scent. We show you how.

3 2 | B E M OR E G R O U N D ED Grounding helps repair tension by relaxing the body and releasing negativity, it also secures you to planet earth on an energy level. Try this exercise that uses an imaginary grounding chord set at the base of the spine. 3 4 | 6 NUT R I TI O N A L EL I XI R S While food fads come and go, some nutritional elixirs have stood the test of time – and for good reason. Adding at least one of these to your daily diet can help you supercharge your health in a way that becomes a simple habit. 4 0 | SUN SA LU TATI O N Celebrate your body, give it love and honour it by moving it in some way every day. Surya Namaskar, or sun salutation is a yoga sequence that positively impacts almost every part of the body. It helps improve flexibility, regulate breathing and focus the mind using a series of postures that warm, strengthen, and align the entire body. 4 2 | CULT IVATI N G B O DY AWA R EN ES S Decoding the body’s language and being in harmony with its rhythms and wisdom is like tapping into a well of intelligence and nourishment. We explore how a strong sense of self is intimately linked with an awareness of the body.

48 | AT HO M E IN NAT URE A key step for many of us when it comes to connecting with nature is the realisation that we are nature. By integrating the elements in creative and inspiring ways and turning our living spaces ‘outside in’ means we come home to nature every day. 5 4 | D E SC RIPT IO N O F HE AL ING D ISC IPL INES We’ve divided all the healing and movement disciplines into five areas to make it easier. Page through the categories below to read about the different techniques and modalities available in natural health and wellness Nat ur al M e d i ci ne & Nut r i t i on E ne r g y & Spi r i t ual Bod y wor k M ov e m e nt Ar t & E xe r c i s e Ps y c hot he r apy & G ui d anc e 8 0 | G URUSPE AK Brush up on your mind body spirit lexicon with our nifty A to Z of guruspeak. From concepts and philosophies to some of the Eastern terms, we help you understand words often used in healing circles.

AS YOU EMBRACE THE

holistic

NATURE OF YOUR BEING, YOU REALISE YOU ARE IN A BEAUTIFUL INTERCONNECTED DANCE WITH YOUR BODY, MIND & SOUL; WITH THE EARTH, THE ENVIRONMENT AND YOUR TRIBE. COLLAPSE YOUR SELF INTO WHOLE-SUM-NESS AND FEEL THE WARMTH OF BEING HELD IN THE WHOLE SUM.

HOLISTIC

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Principles of Holistic Health by Robyn Wilkinson

Holistic health, rather than singularly focusing on symptoms or disease, considers the entire context of the individual condition; the mental, emotional, environmental, social and spiritual factors. Holistic (or wholistic) health is based on the natural principle that the whole is comprised of inter-reliant parts, and that when one part is not functioning at optimum levels, it impacts all of the other parts. This article looks at a holistic perspective as one that offers deeper healing, that resonates beyond physical well-being, and creates a positive attitude, enhanced spiritual awareness and an understanding of life’s processes.

Wellness is a positive approach to living – an approach that emphasises the whole person. It integrates the body, mind, and spirit; and appreciates that everything you think, feel, do and believe has an impact on your state of health.

enturies ago renowned philosopher Plato explained that, “the cure of the part should not be attempted without the cure of the whole.” Holistic healing believes symptoms of discomfort and pain simply indicate an imbalance in the system. It goes beyond merely treating symptoms, and instead uses them as a guide to address the root cause of the problem. An imbalance could be from any number of lifestyle habits - an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, too little sleep or stress. Or from an emotional condition – a broken heart, misbeliefs about the self, excessive sadness. Perhaps from a spiritual calling or an existential crisis. It may include something to do with living too close to power lines, crop spraying or in-laws. Importantly, and more likely it may be a series of factors that contribute to a condition of discomfort. Every part of our lives including our thoughts and circumstances contribute to our individual human condition. That’s why a holistic journey invites self-examination, self-discovery and the means to apply knowledge in an empowered way.

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Be the architect of your body - the temple that houses your soul, be the tree of life both flexible and persevering, weathering the contrasts inherent in all seasons. Be a finely tuned instrument â&#x20AC;&#x201C; echoing your unique vibrant melody through all ages. Li-Cheng-Yuen

HOLISTIC

We can use a ‘wellness wheel’ as a guide to the various areas of life. Looking at each area and seeing how full, how rich or how depleted each area is, offers a snapshot of our individual life and invites an opportunity to work on the areas that need it. Holistic and natural healers take all aspects of the individual into account when assessing their healing needs. A fully integrated and successful life will have a good balance of focus in each area. Our wellness wheel has 7 segments: physical, emotional, spiritual, financial, environmental, relational and intellectual. Here’s a checklist you can work through to construct a picture of your life and see which areas might need more work. PHYSICAL This means moving your body (exercise and mobility), eating well balanced meals (nutrition), sleeping, correct breathing, managing stress, preventative and maintenance care. E M OT IO NAL The ability to feel good, to manage hurtful feelings, to communicate effectively, process emotions, manage stress and express how you feel are key factors in emotional wellness. SPIRIT UAL Having an approach to explore healthy beliefs, values and ethics to guide your life whether through a religious context, a faith based community, meditation, transcendence, communing with nature or other means. Engaging in a spiritual practice is proven to create a more fulfilling existence. FINANC IAL A good relationship with money, with the flow of giving and receiving and manifesting abundance is an area that brings empowerment and ease. Poverty and lack is a known contributor to stress and discomfort. E NVIRO NM E NTAL This includes both your global environment and your personal surroundings. In addition to keeping an ordered, aesthetic and clutter free surrounding, it also means participating in activities like recycling trash, saving water, caring for animals and earth-friendly endeavours. RE L AT IO NAL Social wellness involves nurturing healthy relationships, participation with community and having a supportive social network. Guidance and care, healthy bonding and boundary development is key to good relationships. INT E L L E C T UAL Keeping your brain active and your mind lively, and engaging in new activities makes you healthy, curious and responsive. Things like reading, learning a new skill, researching interests, and hobbies form part of intellectual wellness.

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HOLISTIC

Many holistic healers offer the view that we are intrinsically interconnected with other people and the beings we share the planet with. When we heal ourselves, we in some measure heal others. As we heal others, we heal ourselves. 5 COMP ONE NTS O F A H O L I STI C A P P R OAC H 1.

We are a body-mind and spirit system that is intrinsically connected and must be addressed as a whole as each one affects the other. We have our own innate intelligence within our systems designed to heal, regenerate and move towards wholeness. A system of medicine called Unani-Tibb calls this self-healing mechanism ‘physis’ – a process the body is continually engaged in. Rather than treating just the symptoms, a holistic practitioner looks deeply into all facets of the person and their environment, to address the root causes and make lasting change. Personalised, integrated and multi-disciplinary approach is used to resolve the different aspects of each person’s specific issues and unique circumstances. Self-discovery and self-knowledge are encouraged to increase personal awareness, develop mindfulness and take responsibility for individual health.

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Daily choices contribute towards long term wellbeing The cells in our bodies are continuously being replaced, they develop from what currently exists in the body. Healthy food, natural substances, a harmonious environment, and positive attitude supports the growth of healthy cells. Flawed or damaged cells can be replaced with healthy cells and a move towards wellbeing. Daily choices, even those which seem insignificant accumulate in the mind and body and contribute to our overall state of wellness establishing our quality of life now and in the future. Holistic healing principles can be applied to any type of condition or issue to support the body’s natural health and healing system. For example, feelings that bring anxiety can manifest into physical symptoms like stomach problems, headaches or aches. If anxiety or supressed feelings continue they can result in more serious illness or disease. Achieving a high level of health begins with mindful and considered daily choices.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO WORK AT BEING IN THE

high vibration THAT IS NATURAL TO YOU, BECAUSE IT IS NATURAL TO YOU. BUT YOU DO HAVE TO STOP HOLDING THE THOUGHTS THAT CAUSE YOU TO LOWER YOUR VIBRATION. IT’S A MATTER OF NO LONGER GIVING YOUR ATTENTION TO THINGS THAT DON’T ALLOW YOU TO VIBRATE IN HARMONY WITH WHO YOU REALLY ARE. Abraham Hicks

energy CHI, PRANA,

MAGNETISM, DIVINE LOVE, FEEL IT DEEPLYâ&#x20AC;¦ VIBRATING THROUGH YOU, IN YOU AND AROUND YOU

ENERGY

Connecting With Life Energy by Skye Forrester

We are connected in a web of energy that flows in us and between us; it’s a universal phenomenon and exists everywhere. We feel it during prayer, meditation and during yoga, it resonates from many sources, from the earth, a flowing river, from a deep breath, a healing touch and infinitely from love. It’s also the currency energy workers use to heal people. But what exactly is energy? We explore the dynamic qualities, how to get more of it and subtle awareness of this life currency.

itality, spirit, life force; ‘energy’ is something everyone knows about, but it’s so difficult to define. Poets, authors, teachers, healers and philosophers throughout history and across the world have endeavoured, not only to define energy, but to harness it for its inexhaustible power. This energy is the force of life itself, and has as many names as there are civilizations. In Japan this energy is called Ki; and it’s from this word that Reiki is named. Ki is possibly the most powerful and useful word in the Japanese language. It’s the word used for air; atmosphere; flavour; heart; mind; spirit; feelings; humour; an intention; mind; will. It would be difficult to lock down Ki to any one of these constructs and so we begin to see that all of these words should be seen together to truly get an understanding of this incredible force.

Focus on the powerful, magical, euphoric and synchronistic parts of life and the universe will keep giving them to you.

The Taoists call this energy Chi (Qi), while Indian yoga adepts call it Prana. Both frameworks have charted its movement through the body. Chi is the energy of life itself, recognised as the balance of Yin and Yang, male and female, positive and negative, electromagnetic energy, which flows through everything in creation. Prana is the foundation and essence of all life; the energy and vitality that permeates the entire Universe. This energy or life force is known as ‘Mana’ in Polynesia, ‘Ruach’ (the breath of God) in Hebrew and ‘Baraka’ in Islamic Countries, and is referred to as the ‘Light’ or ‘Holy Ghost’ by Christians. In the West, the controversial Dr. Wilhelm Reich discovered the same energy and called it Orgone. Reich describes this energy as being universally present and can be demonstrated visually, thermally, electroscopically (a device he invented to see orgone) and by means of Geiger-Mueller counters. Chi, Prana, Ki, Life Force Energy; whatever you choose to call it, there’s no denying the divine force within and between all living things; this connecting link between the material world, consciousness and mind.

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Who’s vibe is it anyway? “Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can only be changed from one form to another.” Albert Einstein

ENERGY

ENE R GY IN M OTI O N

The nitrogen in our DNA, the calcium in our teeth, the iron in our blood, the carbon in our apple pies were made in the interiors of collapsing stars. We are made of starstuff. - Carl Sagan, Cosmos Life is a call for balance. The atom, which is the fundamental building block of all matter, always strives towards balance of positive (proton) and negative (electron) charges. Even at the most fundamental level, the universe seeks to maintain balance. Nature’s endless dance is all about balance in the natural ecosystem and in the species present on the planet; and even in our own bodies, maintaining homeostasis is essential to life. Humans aren’t exempt from this grand cosmic interplay; though it’s only in the imbalance that we seem to notice the true effects of our life force. The knowledge that our bodies are filled with life force energy, and that this is directly connected to the quality of our health, has been part of the wisdom of many cultures for thousands of years. This has resulted in the development of many different forms of energy medicine. Some of these require direct physical contact with the body, such as acupuncture, shiatsu and reflexology, while others are taken into the body in various forms, such as herbal, homeopathic and floral remedies. The wisdom of Yoga and Ayurveda teaches that as the flow of life force energy moves through our physical, emotional, and spiritual bodies, it can become unbalanced, stagnant, or blocked. When this happens, we experience what is called dis-ease. ‘Dis-ease,’ as the spelling suggests, is ‘lack of ease’; the inability of one’s life force energy to flow freely. Dis-ease is our reaction to unbalanced life force energy in our physical, emotional, or spiritual body. This unbalanced energy can manifest as physical problems (disease) or life patterns and cycles that keep us from growing spiritually. In the physical body, disease manifests in conditions like headaches, back pain, arthritis, or cancer. In the emotional body, it manifests as anger, rage, phobias, depression, or hate. In the spiritual body, it manifests as narrowmindedness, disrespect for life and nature, or materialism. Like a natural river, the fast-moving stream of our life force energy flows in the path of least resistance. If a large stone is placed in the centre of the stream, the water must go around it. The flow of the stream has moved out of its natural path and become unbalanced. Healing through energy is essentially the practise of ensuring the unencumbered motion of this precious energy through our bodies. While we cannot create or destroy

energy, it is found in inexhaustible abundance and we are able to conjure it up through various practises and behaviours to our benefit. More than just igniting life, this energy is also a very powerful healing force in the body that can even eradicate the most difficult physical problems; from autoimmune diseases to cancer. Prana, Qi or Ki is more than what flows in our bodies; there is a universal life force and your life force is part of that. If you can unite yourself with the universal life force, you can draw the required amount of energy whenever you need it. The more energy you gather, the more energy you are able to move around your body and convert into necessary actions for your health and wellbeing. BO DY O F E NE RGY

Our own physical body possesses a wisdom which we who inhabit the body lack. We give it orders which make no sense. ~ Henry Miller The wisdom of Yoga and Ayurveda teaches that within the physical body is a subtler body, sometimes referred to as the prana-maya kosha, which forms the subtle network through which prana flows. It’s also known as the pranic, etheric or bioplasmic body. This energy body is said to have the same shape as the physical body, however, through concentration and visualisation, it is able to expand and contract. There are three main channels, meridians, or nadi through which prana flows: the Ida, the Pingala and the Sushumna. The central energy conduit that is located in the spinal canal of our physical body is called Sushumna, responsible for the main energy for spiritual awakening, which travels from the base of the spine up to the crown of the head. The other two main nadis are the Ida and Pingala, located to the right and left of Sushumna. In healthy individuals, prana alternates between the two nadis. Ida is the nadi on the left side and said to possess lunar or female energy. The nadi on the right is the Pingala and said to have solar, warm, intense and masculine energy. Health and wellness comes when the flow of energy is balanced through each of the seven major chakras. There are thousands of chakras in the body with seven main chakras that run along the midline of the body. These include the base or root, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, brow or third eye and crown chakra. The openness of chakras and flow of energy through them determines the state of our health. Being aware of these subtle energies empowers us and helps maintain a balance in our mental, physical and spiritual worlds.

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ENERGY

5 hab i t s for Hi g h-Vi b e health Le afy g r e e ns - Leafy green vegetables (especially dark leafy greens), are more nutrient-dense than any other food group. They purify the blood, promote a strong nervous system and aid overall health in a variety of ways. Look for watercress, spinach, arugula, mustard greens, radicchio, escarole, and dandelion. Use as a base to any salad, blend into a smoothie, or saute with a bit of coconut oil.

A B SOR B ING E N ER GY The amount of life force within each person varies from day to day and can depend on many factors. There is a natural rhythmic ebb and flow in the energies within our bodies, though we absorb vital energy in various ways to ‘top up’ our supply of life force. We absorb energy in the form of food and drink; all animal and plant life, and even water, is filled with this vital life force. This gives credence to the saying ‘we are what we eat’. We also take in vital energy from the air we breathe and absorb it through our auric fields. There are essentially three main sources of life force energy: Solar, from sunlight, is invigorating and promotes good health through sunbathing. Air, which is absorbed into lungs through breathing and also absorbed by the energy centres of the prana-maya kosha, or energy body. Ground is energy absorbed through the soles of the feet. It happens automatically and unconsciously. Walking barefoot increases the amount of ground life force absorbed by the body. The levels of life force in our bodies have an impact on our inherent healing ability, as life force helps nourish the structure, organs and systems of the body, supporting them in their vital functions and contributing to the healthy growth and renewal of cells. However, the amount we absorb is not constant, and can depend on many factors, so we don't always sufficiently replenish our supply of this vital energy. When this happens, over time our energy body can become too depleted, and this is when we become weaker and more susceptible to illness, the ageing process and even physical death, because our life force is what defines us as living beings.

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Raw unfi l t e r e d appl e ci d er v i ne g ar - Raw ACV stimulates circulation and helps detoxify the liver and lymph nodes. It also contains live probiotics which promote healthy bacteria in the gut. Take 1-2 tablespoons of raw apple cider vinegar before each meal as a shot, or use as a dressing on salads and stir-fry. C ul t ur e d or fe r m e nt e d foods Consuming cultured or fermented foods on a daily basis re-establishes a healthy inner ecosystem and dramatically improves digestion and the body’s ability to absorb nutrients. Foods like raw sauerkraut, kimchi, and coconut kefir are loaded with digestive enzymes and gut balancing probiotics. Wat e r - Drinking 8 glasses/ 2 litres of water a day helps flush toxins from your body, prevents constipation, fatigue, acne and skin issues. Try room temperature or warm water upon waking and in between meals. Le m on - Notoriously high in Vitamin C, one of nature’s key water-soluble antioxidants, lemons help neutralise free radicals and so protect our cells from damage. Rise and shine with warm lemon water to alkalize the body, wash away accumulated toxins and get your digestive juices flowing.

DID YOU KNOW? Meditation is a youth-preserving therapy. Harvard psychiatrist and researcher Dr. Elizabeth Hoge showed in her study that people who meditated daily for at least four years had longer telomeres. Telomeres are protective caps on the ends of chromosomes, and short telomeres are thought to be markers of accelerated ageing.

HAR NE SSING E N ER GY

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion. Dalai Lama Through regular practice we may become more aware of these subtle energies and be able to notice the flow of life force through our bodies, nourishing us in ways we had never thought possible before. With time, this practise of awareness may lead us to harness this energy and apply it with consciousness to the areas in our body and minds that require it. Here a re 1 0 p ra c tic e s th a t c a n h e lp y o u to ha rn ess y o u r vita l lif e f o r c e : M ed i t a t e – By being fully present with the quiet places within, we invite life force to join with us in creation. A practice of meditation invites us to be present in our bodies and our minds. Brea t h – a conscious breath is our connection to life force and one way we consistently bring life force into our body. Take a deep breath deep into your body and the unconscious feeling and thoughts that reside there are then able to shift.

T hi nk pos i t i v e l y - A thought (or manifestation) on its own has no form. When we speak, we create and consciously put into the universe our wishes and desires that align with our soul’s path. Speaking commands or prayers are the tools of a higher vibrational life and will invite more life force to move through us. Laug ht e r – Laughter lifts us to the places of light and literally breaks up lower vibrations and thought patterns. When we take ourselves too seriously we block the gentle flow of prana. Laughter, ridiculous giggling and silliness is life. Lov i ng – Love is the frequency of the universe and when we act from this place of grace and compassion, our heart lightens. When we share this love and grant it to others unconditionally, the universe blesses us as well. L i v e y our Pas s i on - We do what we love not because we are selfish but because we are self-loving. Passionate and directed energy brings us bliss and also charges the pranic energy, giving it myriad avenues to flow through us. Re l e as i ng Toxi c Re l at i ons hi ps – To let go of such relationships - those that feel the opposite of love - no matter how hard, will affirm to the universe our willingness to elevate our frequency and attract more loving and abundant connections. Be C ons i s t e nt – The nature of energy is that it is always moving. In a day and age of immediate gratification, it is commitment to a consistent effort matched with intention that assures us we will most delightfully receive all the world has to offer. C om pas s i on – Treat yourself with gentle care and the love you cultivate for yourself will naturally flow out to others. This is the most divine gift of prana for when we give it, it will always come back to us in magnitude.

Eat Hi g h -Vi b e F o o d s – Fresh, organic foods that are cultivated with love and receive the bounty of the elements will likewise bring these vibrations into our bodies.

www.sfera-nutrition.co.za

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Thanks to you Holistica is expanding... We a r e in the pro cess of radi ca l l y u p g r a ding and enhan ci ng our di gi ta l p la t f or m to s erv e y o u better. A N D t o ad d to the g loba l ex pansi on of n a t ur a l health technol ogi es.

C o m ing so o n… o Multi-tabs on your practitioner profile - essentially your own website within Holistica o Your own self-published documents, audio and video files o Live webinars to your client list and the greater Holistica community o Full calendar and booking function: get your clients to book appointments through your Holistica profile o Secure Payment System - your clients can pay you directly through your profile on Holistica o In-house social networking platform to share information and build community

A l l our l oy a l e x i s t i ng Hol i sti ca cl i ents and thos e that si gn up now w i l l be rewarded wi th amazi ng earl y adopter be nef i t s onc e w e l a u nch our enhanced Hol i s ti ca pl atf orm

W e ’ r e w o r k i n g o n i t n o w , w e ’ l l b e l i v e l a t e r t h i s y e a r. Go to holistica.net and register for live updates on the coming site. Offer your suggestions about what you’d like to see on an enhanced Holistica site we are listening…

MINDFULNESS

Mindfulness Matters by Skye Forrester

Mindfulness extends to every area of life. Taking stock, being ‘in the now’ practicing gratefulness, and immersing yourself in the moment are just some of the mindful practices guaranteed to bring fulfilment, abundance, deep joy and success. We look at 10 empowering and life changing practices from meditation and journaling to movement and sound journey’s.

JUST BRE AT HE

“If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath.” ~Amit Ray As you’re reading this, think about your breathing. Focus on the sweet sensation of air flowing into your nostrils, filling your lungs and then leaving. Feel your chest and belly rising and falling as you inhale and exhale, again and again. Thank your body for this seamless and beautiful, life sustaining process.

Mindfulness Mantras

I am enough. I am exactly where I should be right now. I am free to love. I can only control myself. I give myself permission to say no.

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You’ve just experienced a few moments of mindfulness and the basic principles around this incredible practise. More people than ever are doing some form of this stress-busting meditation, and researchers are discovering it has extraordinary benefits and effects on the brains of those who do it regularly. Simply put, mindfulness is the practice of purposely focusing your attention on the present moment - and accepting it without judgment. Mindfulness has been examined as a key element in happiness; and research reveals unmatched physical and psychological effects when practised consistently with dedication.

MIND OVE R M ATTER

“Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world revolves – slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future; live the actual moment. Only this moment is life.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh” By focusing on the here and now, those who practice mindfulness find they are less likely caught up in worries about the future, or regrets over the past. They’re less preoccupied with concerns about success and selfesteem, and are better able to form deep connections with others. It’s increasingly common for mindfulness meditation to be combined with psychotherapy, especially cognitive behavioural therapy. This development makes sense, as both meditation and cognitive behavioural therapy share the common goal of helping people gain perspective on irrational, maladaptive, and self-defeating thoughts. If greater wellbeing isn’t enough of an incentive, science and natural health show measurable physical benefits. These include stress relief, easing chronic pain, improving sleep, lowering blood pressure, treating heart disease and alleviating gastrointestinal difficulties. In a recent article for Scientific American, neuroscientists Richard Davidson and Antoine Lutz, along with Buddhist monk (AKA, the happiest man in the world) Matthieu Ricard, wrote that “the discovery of meditation’s benefits coincides with recent neuroscientific findings showing that the adult brain can still be deeply transformed through experience.” Researchers looked at how participating in a three-month yoga and meditation retreat affects three factors: cortisol awakening response (a measure of how we respond to a stressful event), inflammatory stress markers, and brain derived neurotrophic factor, which plays a role in learning, memory, and stress. The researchers found that retreat participants showed “decreases in self-reported anxiety and depression as well as increases in mindfulness” — effects that were mirrored by many physical indicators measured. T HE P R ACT ISE

“Everything is created twice, first in the mind and then in reality.” ~Robin S. Sharma There are an infinite number of ways to integrate mindfulness into your daily routine and ritual. Here are ten to start with.

RE AD ING Reading can be a crucial opportunity for mindfulness. Take a break from passive reading, skimming, reading-asmultitasking, and try mindful reading. Pick reading that will engage but not deplete you, something that requires a bit of mental energy, but doesn’t end up as another item on your growing to-do list. As you turn the pages, notice the quality of light, the colour and even the smell of the ink on the page, the way the spine of your book feels against the palms of your hands. Pay attention to language. Look at an individual word; look up unfamiliar words. When your mind wanders, gently usher yourself back to the text and keep going. BRE AT HING Reduce stress, anxiety, and negative emotions, cool yourself down when your temper flares, and sharpen your concentration skills with a little mindful breathing. Sit or lie in a comfortable position. Eyes open or closed; it’s up to you. Move your attention on the process of breathing. Notice the sensations of each breath as it happens; on the rise and fall of your chest or abdomen, or on the feeling of the breath at your nostrils. Really feel what it is like to breath, just observing it as it happens. You may find your mind wanders, caught by thoughts or noises in the room, or bodily sensations. When you notice this, know that it’s okay, and gently bring your attention back to your breath. M E D ITAT IO N Mindfulness meditation isn’t about letting your thoughts wander. But it isn’t about trying to empty your mind, either. Instead, the practice involves paying close attention to the present moment - especially our own thoughts, emotions and sensations - whatever it is that’s happening. Watch your thoughts come and watch them go. Keep gently returning your awareness to the breath, being present for each inhalation and exhalation. L IST E NING Listening mindfully, or receiving with empathy, requires we give others the space to share without interrupting, advising, or correcting them. In any conversation, you can use the person that’s speaking as your ‘object of mindfulness’. Pay full attention to what he or she is saying. When your mind wanders away from what is being said, immediately and without judgment bring yourself back to the words of the person speaking. Repeat those instructions as many times as necessary.

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MINDFULNESS

J OUR NALING Mindful journaling is slightly different from typical journalling. When writing in a diary you may typically record and reflect on events you experienced that day. Mindful journaling is specifically used as a tool for reflection and growth. You may wish to write with a goal in mind like reducing stress, increasing motivation, or gaining greater self-awareness. For example: Go for a walk that’s familiar to you, pay more attention to the way your body moves and what’s present in your surroundings. Look in different directions, feel how the ground feels under your feet. Notice the sunlight and where it falls. What can you hear, taste, smell, touch, see? Write down all the juicy details you’ve collected from your journey. PRAYE R John O’Donohue, in his book Eternal Echoes, writes: “Prayer is the voice of longing; it reaches outwards and inwards to unearth our ancient belonging.” We reach not just outward to know our belonging, but with mindful prayer we also turn inward and listen deeply to the emotion giving rise to our prayer. Like a great tree, mindful prayer sinks its roots into the dark depths to reach up fully to the light. When the pain is deep, the more fully we touch it and the more fully we release ourselves prayerfully into boundless, compassionate presence. G RAT IT UD E When we appreciate what’s good in our lives, there’s a powerful feeling of connection with one another, the universe, and ourselves. Without mindfulness, you can’t be aware of everything going well in your life. A grateful person is therefore a mindful person. Think of something you don’t yet feel grateful for. Perhaps you feel resentful or ungrateful about your job, a particular relationship or your commute to work. Now think of all the things that are good about that particular thing. Give yourself two minutes and challenge yourself to come up with as many good things as possible. For example, if you have a long drive to work in your car, you could feel grateful that you can afford a car; that you have a job to drive to; or that you have the ability to drive.

M i nd ful ne s s Te chni que s There is more than one way to practice mindfulness, but the goal of any mindfulness technique is to achieve a state of alert, focused relaxation by deliberately paying attention to thoughts and sensations without judgment. This allows the mind to refocus on the present moment. All mindfulness techniques are a form of meditation. M e d i t at i on – Sit quietly and focus on your natural breathing or on a word or mantra that you repeat silently. Allow thoughts to come and go without judgment and return to your focus on breath or mantra. Bod y s e ns at i ons – Notice subtle body sensations such as an itch or tingling without judgment and let them pass. Notice each part of your body in succession from head to toe. Se ns or y – Notice sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches. Name them, acknowledge them and then let them go without judgment. E m ot i ons – Accept the presence of the emotions without judgment and let them go. Practice a steady and relaxed naming of emotions: ‘joy,’ ‘anger,’ ‘frustration.’ Ur g e s – Allow your cravings to pass. Notice how your body feels as the craving enters. Watch it and feel it, be interested in it without the need to act on it.

DID YOU KNOW? Mindfulness physically rebuilds your brain. In a Harvard study conducted by Britta Hölzel, M.R.I. scans of people before and after 30 minutes of mindfulness meditation practiced daily for 8 weeks found interesting results. Research showed an increase in the grey matter in the hippocampus, and a reduction of grey matter in the amygdala. No similar changes were observed in the control group that did not practice meditation.

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MOVE M E NT Mindful movement can help you tap into the space beyond your busy mind where you are already calm and clear. By focusing on your breath while doing simple movements you can synchronise your mind and body with breath and rhythm. Sit on the floor, and then get back up again without thinking too much about it. Then repeat the actions, only this time do it slowly and really notice the way your body instinctively moves. Do you roll over onto your side, use one or two arms to push you up, which foot do you place on the floor first? Notice what it feels like to be right here in your body: Notice your heartbeat, your chest and belly lifting and lowering, the sounds around you and the sounds inside of you. Take few more moments and be still with yourself.

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E AT ING AWAR EN ES S Mindful eating helps you distinguish between emotional and physical hunger. Eat more slowly and don’t rush your meals. Chew thoroughly, taking in every juicy sensation of the food in your mouth. Eat in silence and eliminate distractions by turning off the TV and putting down your phone. Focus on how the food makes you feel and stop eating when you’re full. Instead of eating mindlessly, putting food into your mouth almost unconsciously; notice your thoughts, feelings, and sensations around this nourishing act.

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SOUND J OURN EY When you’re ready for your moment of meditation, turn your attention to the sounds inside or outside the room. There may be all sorts of sounds happening: loud sounds, quiet sounds. You can also notice the silence between the sounds. One tendency of our mind is to want to think about the sounds, to start to make up a story about the sound, or we have a reaction to it: I like it, I don’t like it. See if instead, you can simply listen to the sound. Notice it with curiosity and interest. Every moment there are sounds inviting us to listen. Being open to them is just another way to appreciate the world around us and appreciate one another.

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SELF NURTURE

Take Care of You by Lara Potgieter

Self-nurture is more than just indulging in the occasional treat – it’s something that can be cultivated as an everyday state of being. It’s vital to fostering both the physical and psychological health needed for our happiness, and addresses our inborn need for nurturance and care.

Identify your minimum necessary self-nurture practices – the two or three things that you know help you feel nurtured, loved and loyal to your truest self on a daily basis. These could be as simple as sleeping for eight hours, moving your body in pleasurable ways, and

reading something inspirational in the morning; or eating as much fresh produce as possible, reciting affirmations and spending time with loved ones. Whatever it is, determine what’s at the top of your hierarchy of nurture needs and start there. Once you’ve created a solid daily self-nurture practice, you can start having fun by adding to these when you feel in need of an extra boost. We share 48 of our favourites. Cut out and fill up your self-care jar. Commit to pulling one out and honouring yourself in a new way each day.

Self-nurture is far more than pampering. It’s about returning home to your heart.

Tak e a tec

t’s not about ‘spoiling’ ourselves to something that may make us feel better in the moment but is ultimately bad for us in the long-term. Relying on quick fixes to alter our mood or consciousness is not true self-nurture. Rather, it means taking the best possible care of ourselves so that we can effortlessly move into the right mindset for artful and enjoyable living.

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the bir

iments you receive al

Cook yourself a nutritious meal, and eat it by candlelight

Get some sunshine

Write in a gratitude journal

Give yourself an exfoliating scrub-down with a body brush

Get eight hours of sleep

Practise deep breathing

Burn scented candles, incense or essential oils

Go for a facial or do a home steam and mask

Take a technology break

Visualise your ideal life

Get some organic fresh produce from your local farmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s market

Do a form of exercise that you really enjoy

Create a playlist with all your favourite songs

Keep a record of the compliments you receive

Stretch

Declutter your home and office space

Create a vision board

Take some time to listen to the birds

Drink soothing warm lemon water or herbal tea

Watch a comedy

Surround yourself with supportive and uplifting people

Wear your favourite outfit

Spend time in nature

Go for a massage

Sleep in

Volunteer for a cause thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s close to your heart

Pick some wild flowers and display them in a beautiful vase

Read a good novel

Meditate

Make a fresh green juice

Call an old friend

Allow yourself to cry

Go on a weekend retreat

Soak your feet in epsom salt

Buy yourself some fluffy slippers

Declutter your inbox

Spend a day alone

Plant something

Take pictures of your favourite things

Lie with your feet up against the wall

Create a sacred space in your home thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just for you

Bake healthy cupcakes

Write or revisit your five-year dream plan

Star gaze

Go for acupuncture

Learn to say no

Do nothing

WHEN YOU SEE OR HEAR SOMETHING

eb a u t i f u l YOUR SOUL WILL OPEN. John Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Donohue, Theologist.

SELF NURTURE

Find Your Happy Place Set up a link between a peaceful or happy feeling and a fragrant smell using an aromatherapy oil you love. By doing so, every time you feel a little unbalanced or out of sorts you can induce your happy feeling simply by smelling your chosen scent. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how:

lose your eyes and imagine a place that makes you feel immensely happy. It could be in a field of daisies, at your Grannyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kitchen table or flying across the sky on the back of an eagle or anywhere else. In your mind, firmly establish yourself in that place. Engage all your senses by feeling the breeze around you, seeing the bright and vivid colours, hearing the sounds until you feel incredibly happy. When you have reached that

DID YOU KNOW? Our sense of smell, more than any other sense, is successful at triggering emotions and memories. Incoming smells are received by an olfactory line, which starts inside the nose and runs along the bottom of the brain. This is directly connected to two brain areas strongly implicated in emotion and memory: the amygdala and hippocampus.

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state take a huge whiff of your aromatherapy oil. Keep smelling it for about a minute or two whilst remaining in your state. This has the result of imprinting the feeling of happiness onto the scent. Once you have done that, whenever you smell the scent you will bring up the feeling of happiness. You can do the same thing to invoke peacefulness or any other emotion you desire.

Experiment with different scents and choose one you love. Aromatherapy oils have qualities that can soothe, enhance and uplift your mood. Di s p el a n g er Bergamot, Jasmine, Neroli, Orange, Patchouli, Petitgrain, Roman Chamomile, Rose, Vetiver, Ylang Ylang. Str e n g t h en c o n fi d e n c e Bay Laurel, Bergamot, Cypress, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Orange, Rosemary Cr e a t e Ca l m Bergamot, Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Geranium, Lavender, Mandarin, Neroli, Patchouli, Roman Chamomile, Rose, Sandalwood, Vetiver Li ft y o u r m o o d Bergamot, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Geranium, Grapefruit, Helichrysum, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon, Mandarin, Neroli, Orange, Roman Chamomile, Rose, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang Invi t e c o u ra g e Bergamot, Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Lemon, Neroli, Orange, Roman Chamomile, Sandalwood, Vetiver Str e n g t h en sel f-a s s ur a n c e Bergamot, Cedarwood, Frankincense, Jasmine, Sandalwood, Vetiver Al l e v i a t e g ri ef Cypress, Frankincense, Helichrysum, Neroli, Rose, Sandalwood, Vetiver Br i n g h a p p i n ess & pe a c e Bergamot, Frankincense, Geranium, Grapefruit, Lemon, Neroli, Orange, Rose, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang Hel p wi t h p a t i en c e Lavender, Mandarin, Neroli, Roman Chamomile, Sandalwood S ooth e Bergamot, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Geranium, Grapefruit, Jasmne, Lavender, Mandarin, Neroli, Patchouli, Roman Chamomile, Rose, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Ylang Ylang Co m b a t l o n el i n es s Bergamot, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Helichrysum, Roman Chamomile, Rose

MINDFULNESS

Be More Grounded Stay centered and feel safe by grounding yourself whenever you feel the need. Grounding helps to repair tension by relaxing the body and releasing negativity, it also secures you to planet earth on an energy level. The following exercise uses an imaginary grounding chord set at the base of the spine.

G RO UND ING E XE RC ISE Begin by settling into a comfortable chair with arms uncrossed and both feet set evenly on the ground. Use a pillow, blanket, earplugs or whatever makes you feel comfortable and in tune with yourself. Focus on the base of your spine, and visualize a rope coiled up at the tailbone. Give the rope a colour or texture. This is your grounding cord, and can take any form you like. Slowly let it unravel through the chair and into the ground, still attached to your spine but falling down, past the floor, through the building and deep into the core of the earth. See the end of the rope reaching the centre of the planet. Notice how the end is attached to the base of the spine and think of the rope as a root securing itself into the centre of the earth firmly rooted both in the spine and in the earth. Follow the rope from your body to the centre of the earth, imagine pulling on this rope to make sure it is secure and strong. Once you have created your grounding chord you can use it anytime you feel scattered or overwhelmed. Watch the rope dropping down into the earth and feel your negative energy being absorbed while you start feeling more secure. Eventually this practice will become automatic.

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YOU MAY FIND ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NECESSARY TO

o g s g n i let th FOR THE SIMPLE REASON THAT THEY BECOME HEAVY.

NUTRITION

6 Nutritional Elixirs by Lara Potgieter

While food fads come and go, there are some nutritional elixirs that have stood the test of time – and for good reason. Adding at least one of these to your daily diet can help you supercharge your health in a way that becomes a simple habit. Pick one of our favourites to get you started…

M O RNING E L IXIR Drinking a warm cup of lemon water, cayenne pepper and honey in the morning is one of the simplest and best ways to gently detoxify your body on a daily basis. The citric acid in lemon supports digestion and kidney function while helping to alkalise the body. Meanwhile, the capsaicin in cayenne has been shown to help treat anything from headaches to osteoarthritis. Make combining the two a daily habit to enjoy boosted immunity, better digestion, lower blood pressure, less pain, fewer cravings, healthier skin and more. ING RE D IE NTS • 2 T BSP fr e s hl y - s que e z e d l e m on wat e r • 1 T BSP hone y • 1/ 10 t s p cay e nne pe ppe r • 1 C war m wat e r M E T HO D Stir the lemon, honey and cayenne pepper into the water and sip slowly in the morning.

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Water Kefir

ING RE D IE NTS • 2 – 4 T BSP wat e r ke fi r g r ai ns ( av ai l ab l e at m ost we l l - s t oc ke d he al t h s t or e s ) • 4 C fi l t e r e d or s pr i ng wat e r • 4 T BSP or g ani c c ane s ug ar

By now you’ve probably heard of kefir, the popular fermented milk drink that’s rich in calcium and probiotic bacteria. What you may not know is that kefir can also be made from water, making it a viable choice for those avoiding dairy. Water kefir is a naturally fizzy and mildly sweet drink that’s created when a symbiotic colony of yeast and bacteria (known as kefir grains) interacts with sugar in a water solution to create probiotics and enzymes. It’s great for boosting immunity, building bone strength, healing skin, supporting digestion, improving allergies and more.

M E T HO D 1. Add the water to a glass jar. 2. Add the sugar, stirring to dissolve. Then add the water kefir grains. 3. Close the jar with a thin cloth secured with a rubber band. 4. Let stand for two to three days, until the water appears slightly cloudy and bubbly. 5. Strain the grains with a plastic sieve, and place them into a new sugar water mixture. 6. Drink right away with a squeeze of lemon, or store in the fridge to cool. 7. Repeat the recipe for the new sugar mixture.

NUTRITION

SAU ER KRAUT A popular probiotic food, sauerkraut tastes great as a condiment, in a salad, on a sandwich or as a zingy side. It’s made from finely cut cabbage that’s been fermented by lactic acid bacteria, and boasts a distinctive sour flavour and a handy long shelf life. It contains beneficial bacteria that line the digestive tract, supporting the immune system and helping the body to absorb nutrients from food. It’s also packed with fibre, vitamins C and K and iron, and is great for immune support and heart health. I N G R ED IE NTS • 1 la r g e he ad s hr e d d e d c ab b ag e • 3 TBS P pi c kl i ng s al t • 1 TB S P car away s e e d s • 1 o n io n, quar t e r e d M ETH O D 1. Mix the cabbage with two tablespoons of the salt in a large bowl. 2. Let stand for 10 minutes. 3. Massage the cabbage to release the juices. 4. Sprinkle the remaining salt and caraway seeds onto the cabbage. 5. Place the cabbage mixture into a large glass food container, and top with the quartered onion to weigh it down. 6. Cover with a lid and place in a cool spot overnight. 7. Let stand for at least four weeks, checking the cabbage every other day for two weeks to make sure that it’s completely submerged in liquid. 8. When fully fermented, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to six months.

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SOGA Organic

Superfood Shake There isn’t any one official definition for ‘superfoods’, it’s a term that’s commonly applied to nutrient-rich foods. While they’re all great for your health, their benefits vary widely. Some are high in protein or fibre, while others contain unparalleled levels of essential vitamins and minerals. Common superfoods include kale, cacao, chia seeds, goji berries, hemp seeds, maca, lucuma, cinnamon and many more. The easiest way to include as many of them as possible into your daily diet is by blending up a delicious and nutritious superfood shake. IN G RE D IE NTS • 1 fro zen b a n a na • 1 C l ea fy g reen s , s uc h a s s pin a c h o r k a le • 1/ 2 C ra w c a c ao po w de r • 1 T B S c h i a see ds • 1 T B S g o j i b err ie s • 1 T B S h em p se e d s • 1 T B S ma c a • 1/ 4 t sp c i n n a m o n • 1 1 / 2 C a l mo n d m ilk • Ice a s wi sh ed ME T HOD Combine the ingredients and blend, adding the ice as you go until you reach your desired consistency.

DAILY GR E E NS This easy green juice is filled with a cocktail of health heroes. Kale is anti-inflammatory, full of antioxidants and supports detoxification and heart health. Cucumber is great for hydration and flushing out toxins, and contains the skin-loving minerals magnesium and potassium. Parsley is antibacterial, antifungal and high in antioxidants, and both lemon and ginger have powerful immuneboosting properties. Add tasty and nutrient-rich coconut water, and you’ve covered all your bases for a great start to the day. IN G RE D IE NTS • 3 ka l e l ea v es • ½ c u c u mb er • 1 C c o c o n u t wa t e r • Ha n d fu l p a rsl ey • ½ l emo n • Inch o f g i n g er METHOD Blend all ingredients until smooth, and enjoy as a cleansing morning drink. S OLE SALT WAT E R A popular health-enhancing practice is to drink water saturated with Himalayan salt. Called ‘sole’ (from the Latin for ‘sun’), this solution makes it easy to take advantage of the many benefits of Himalayan crystal salt - which include hydration, detoxification and increased energy, to name a few. It stimulates the digestive system, helps with blood sugar, and is a natural anti-histamine. Sole’s mineral content also promotes healthy skin, hair and nail growth and conditioning. IN G RE D IE NTS • 1 – 2 C Hi m a l a y a n s a lt • Fi l t ered w a t er

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METHOD 1. Fill a glass jar (with a plastic or non-metal lid) about ¼ of the way with the salt. 2. Add the filtered water to fill the jar, leaving about an inch at the top. 3. Secure the lid and shake the jar gently. 4. Leave overnight to let the salt dissolve. 5. If there is still some salt at the bottom of the jar the next day, the water has absorbed its maximum amount and the sole is ready to use (if all the salt is absorbed, add more and continue to do so each day until some remains at the bottom to show that the water is fully saturated). 6. Mix one tablespoon of the sole into a glass of water and drink every morning on an empty stomach. Remember not to use a metal spoon, or to let the sole come into contact with any metal object.

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YOGA

Sun Salutation Celebrate your body, give it love and honour it by moving it in some way every day. Surya Namaskar, or sun salutation is a yoga sequence that positively impacts almost every part of the body. It helps improve flexibility, regulate breathing and focus the mind using a series of postures that warm, strengthen, and align the entire body. It benefits all the systems including the digestive, excretory, circulatory, respiratory, endocrine, nervous and skeletal.

1 . TADASANA (MO U N TAIN P OSE ) Stand up tall with your feet slightly apart and parallel to each other, your back elongated and your arms lengthened down at your sides with your palms facing the front. Then bring your palms to your heart pressed together in Anjali Mudra (Prayer Hands). Release your shoulders down your back, pull your front ribs in, press the top of your thighs back and drop your tailbone toward your heels. Centre yourself and focus on your heart for about 60 seconds. Imagine your heart as an inner sun shining out into the world. Dedicate your practice to the shining light of your self.

2 . U RDH VA H ASTASA N A (U P WA R D SA LU T E ) Inhale as you first drop your hands down and then raise your arms in an arc up above your head. Touch your palms together above your head. Keep your shoulders relaxed downward and your legs steady.

3 . U T TA N ASA N A (STA N D I N G FO R WA R D FO L D ) As you exhale bring your arms out in a wide arc and fold your body forward from your hips bringing your head towards your feet. Keep your hips in line with your heels and elongate your spine downwards. (Bend your knees if you feel pressure on your lower back and support your hands on blocks or touch your shins if they don't reach the floor.) Release your neck so that your head hangs heavily from your upper spine.

7. PLANK POSE Exhale, move your torso down into plank pose. Feel a stretch from your tailbone to your heels and keep your core engaged. Extend your heart, gaze forward and let your heels reach back. Inhale and bring your torso forward until your shoulders are over your wrists. Your arms will be perpendicular to the floor. Try not to let your upper back collapse between the shoulder blades: press your outer arms inward, and thenâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;against this resistanceâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;spread your shoulder blades apart. Firm your tailbone against your pelvis and press your thighs up.

8 . C H ATUR A N GA DA N DASA N A ( F OU R-L I M B E D STA FF P O S E ) Keep your elbows tucked in toward your ribs, extend your heart and gaze forward as you keep your core engaged and shoulders lifting away from the floor. Exhale as you bend your elbows and lower down to Chaturanga with your torso and legs parallel to the floor. Keep your shoulders lifted up, away from the floor, and down, away from your ears. Lift the thighs away from the floor, lengthen your tailbone toward your heels, and draw the lower ribs away from the floor to avoid collapsing your lower back. Look down at the floor or slightly forward. If this is difficult, put your knees on the floor until you build up more strength.

9. U R D H VA M U KH A S VA N ASANA (U P WA R D FAC I N G D O G P O S E ) Inhale as you roll over your toes and press the top of your feet evenly into the ground. Lift your knees and thighs away from the floor. Roll your shoulders back, start to straighten your arms and lift your lower belly up away from the floor. Keep your legs active, firm your tailbone toward your heels, and press your front thighs upward. Draw your shoulders away from your ears. Look straight ahead or slightly upward.

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y stretching, toning compressing, harmonising and synchronising the body-mind complex the body regenerates and the mind more easily overcomes emotional disturbances. The postures massage and tone the joints, muscles and internal organs. Practice this sequence anytime of the day. Begin with 5 or 6 repetitions and build towards 12 or more. If you get into

a meditative space and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel like counting, set a timer starting with 4 minutes and increasing up to 10 or more. Depending on your mood you can move really slowly and consciously in a moving meditation or you can move more quickly to build up energy. When practicing slowly focus deeply on your breath and place your awareness in your heart or your third eye. Keep checking this point of awareness and this will help centre you.

4. ARD HA UTTANASA N A ( H A L F STANDING FORWARD BE N D) Inhale and straighten out your spine extending your gaze and chest forward. Rise to your fingertips. Lengthen the front of your torso.

5. H IG H LU N G E Exhale and step your right foot back into a lunge bending your left knee. Position your left knee so it is above your heel and your shin is perpendicular to the floor. Your left thigh should be parallel to the floor. Firm your tailbone against your pelvis and press your right thigh up. Inhale, reach back through your right heel. Lengthen the torso along the front of the left thigh. Look forward without strain.

6 . A D H O M U KH A S VA N ASA NA (D OW N WA R D FAC I N G D O G POS E ) Exhale and let your left foot meet your right in downward dog. Press the front of your thighs back as you press your inner hands firmly against the floor. See yourself in an inverted V and imagine your hips are being pulled towards the ceiling with an imaginary string.

10. ADHO MUKHA SVAN ASA N A ( DOWNWARD FAC IN G DOG POSE) Exhale and roll over your toes and lift your hips into the air into downward dog. Celebrate by taking five breaths in downward dog. Work towards perfecting your dog by pressing your thigh bones back, drawing your front ribs away from the floor and in toward your spine, and hugging your upper outer arms in.

1 1 . H I G H LU N G E S E C O N D S I D E From your dog, bring the right foot forward into a High Lunge, then bring the left foot to meet at the front of your mat and forward bend.

12 . N A M AST E Rise up into upward salute and then place your hands in front of your heart in prayer. Namaste Repeat on the other side.

By strengthening the core, toning muscles, improving cardiovascular function, helping hormone secretion and flushing toxins from the body, regular yoga practice has immense anti-aging benefits.

BEING IN HARMONY WITH

your body YOU WILL BE IN HARMONY WITH NATURE, WITH EXISTENCE. SO INSTEAD OF GOING AGAINST THE CURRENT, GO WITH THE CURRENT. BE IN A LET-GO. ALLOW LIFE TO HAPPEN. NOTHING IS MORE VALUABLE THAN TO BE HARMONIOUS IN ACCORD WITH THE WHOLE. OSHO

YOUR BODY

Cultivating Body Awareness by Robyn Wilkinson

The more in touch with your body you are, the more knowledge you have about who you are and and what you feel. Decoding the body’s language and being in harmony with its rhythms and wisdom is like tapping into a well of intelligence and nourishment. A strong sense of self is intimately linked with an awareness of the body.

izarre as it may seem, many of us walk around in bodies we are completely unaware of. For instance, do you know whether your right or left foot takes a bigger step than the other, or whether your shoulders tilt one way or another, or if you crumple your forehead when you are thinking? Have you sat down with your body and spoken to your ankles, your little finger, or tried to locate the back of your head with the feeling part of yourself. Can you uncrumple your ears? Do you know if one of your legs is shorter than the other? Powered by a silent motor, the body is filled with millions of cells each with their own intelligence and magnificent design. Mystics believe the body is a universe in itself.

“If you have a certain idea about how the body should be, you will be in misery. The body is as it should be. When you start loving your body, you will care about it, and care implies everything.” Osho

Our bodies operate without us being conscious of what they are doing; eliminating waste and harmful bacteria; absorbing nourishment; building cells; pumping blood; breathing. But, sadly, most of the time we live almost as though outside our bodies, distracted by external impulses and wrapped up in our thoughts. We are cut off from the connection to the body and don’t listen to whispers that come from body’s wisdom. We think of ‘having’ a body instead of ‘being’ a body. It is only when ill we are forced to pay attention to parts of the body and that’s because they hurt. Our bodies inform us of so many things, if we can switch off our minds and learn to listen. Using the guiding points below, take a tour of your body and let the sensations and observations feed back important information about how you hold yourself, the parts of your body you like and don’t like, insecurities that make you shrink in certain areas, movements that reflect feelings and ways you defend yourself carried in your body. Learn about your breathing, how you move and ways to make subtle adjustments.

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YOUR BODY

TAK ING A TOU R O F TH E B O DY

“Man makes holy what he believes, as he makes beautiful what he loves“ Ernest Renan POST URE Using the raw materials of space, time, energy and the human body we can choose to dance, slouch, saunter, swagger or shuffle. But what gives some people elegant and beautiful posture while others barely move enough to get from A to B? Largely, how we move reflects the image of ourselves we have built up over our lifetime. Interestingly, posture changes with different generations and with fashion. In the last generation it was all about ‘shoulders back, chest out, head up and striding forward. Many kids today follow the big baggy jean fashion with jeans posted halfway down their hips. Trying to keep their pants up means they have to angle their bodies backwards, slouch right down and walk from side to side without picking their feet up too much. Some of these kids never lift their arms above their heads and when asked to do so find it quite awkward. Through habitual movement, negative self-image and lack of awareness, most people have lost good use of their bodies by the time they are past early childhood. Body movement has the potential for bringing about transformations of the human personality. Just like standing tall has proven to create a happier mood. Thoughts, stresses and challenges can collapse the physical body in certain areas and just as the mind has an effect on the body so the body has an effect on the mind. This means by changing your posture you can change your mind set. See where your body is skew, tensed or contracted. With both feet straight ahead, stand in front of a mirror and scrutinise your frame. Start at the top. Do you stand tall or shrink down. What position do you hold your head in, how far do you extend your neck? Are your shoulders pulled up towards your ears, hunched or pulled back? See how many times during the day your shoulders creep up. If you stand with your eyes closed and totally relax do you fall forward or backwards? Do you stand leaning on one hip, which one? Are your hands always crossed, hanging at your side or fidgeting? Do you hold your stomach in? Is your butt clenched? Look for sensations in your body. Close your eyes and you will notice different parts of your body feel different. Your left knee could feel tingly, your stomach uncomfortable and perhaps one of your hands feel numb. There could be a heavy feeling between your eyebrows. You might be surprised you have never noticed this before. Examine your sitting style, do you slump on your chair, does this reflect a despairing attitude or do you sit straight upright perhaps taking life too seriously. Change to your antistyle – slump if you usually sit up straight and see how this makes you feel different.

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Im pr ov e y our pos t ur e – b oos t s e l f- e s t e e m Get into the habit of developing good posture – remind yourself by walking around the house once a day balancing a couple of books on your head. Small adjustments in posture can produce volumes of self-esteem. When your body is walking tall, it sends feel good messages to the mind. Our thoughts have a direct effect on our bodies, and so we can judge whether people think positively or negatively by the way they carry themselves. Se t up a g ood pos t ur e : Breathe in, straighten your neck upwards without over stretching, breath out, relax your shoulders and let them drop down; create space between each vertebrae in your spine. Check the position of your hips, if your butt sticks out bring it in and let your hips align with your waist. Make sure you don’t pull your stomach in too much; this prevents deep belly breathing. Allow an imaginary string hanging from the sky to pull you upwards. Square off your feet and ground them firmly into the earth. Make good posture a practice and notice the effect it has on your self-esteem.

"If you want to give birth to your true self, you are going to have to dig deep down into that body of yours and let your soul howl" Gabriella Roth M OVE M E NT AN D F L EXI BI L I TY Daily routines tend to cement habitual patterns of movement. Most people keep their eyes looking straight ahead and sometimes walk down the same road for years never noticing what is beyond their narrow band of focus. When looking to the left we turn the head instead of the eyeballs. Try looking by using your eyes without turning your head. Most days we do repetitive things and move our arms, legs and torso’s in the same limited patterns. Some people never stretch their hands to the sky, squat down on their heels, or twist their bodies at the waist. Notice your body movements, what are the movements you do the most? Try moving in ways you have never moved before. Do you wave your hands around when you speak, do you fidget. Are your movements big and bold or close to your body? Do your movements use the whole of your body or only part of your limbs? Are you frenetic and fast moving or slow? Try doing everything opposite to your normal pattern and see how that makes you feel. See if you feel comfortable when someone stands close to you or if you need more body space than the average person. Expanding movement patterns will stimulate different pathways of thinking and open out new and creative possibilities. Inflexible mindsets are coerced into more flowing and accepting positions. WALK ING ST YL E Our walking style is usually learned from mimicking parents. Take a slow purposeful walk and see if your feet are spread equally on the ground. Check your shoes and see which parts wear out first. You probably roll your feet to one side. Do you step out in long strides or short paces, is the step on the left foot the same length as the right foot. Do you look down when you walk or dreamily stare into space? How often do you trip, how much awareness is in your body – are you conscious that you have walked a certain distance or do you never remember walking somewhere. Do you pace up and down? Are you pigeon toed and do your knees knock together? How far do your hips sway with each step? Do you feel clumsy and can you practice walking more upright, holding your head high and your chest filled

with big breaths. Is your walk powered by your legs or your shoulders? Does your walk feel symmetrical or off balance. Walk up and down, each time putting your focus on a different part of your body, levelling your head at a different angle. Try out some funny walks, walk low, then high, walk sideways. Balance your walk and create more awareness. BO DY IM AG E When we dislike certain parts of our bodies we subconsciously tuck them away. Butts are clenched and pulled in, hips are pushed out to disguise tummies and shoulders might be rounded to hide the bust line or legs held too close together to hide knock knees. Total acceptance and love of each part of the body generates a self-confidence and poise that is attractive and compelling. Find out which parts of your body you dislike, and how you compensate for them. Uncover longstanding perceptions about what you really think of your body and how you might punish the parts you hate. You might be accident prone, keep bumping your head or breaking an arm. You might buy shoes too small for you because you think you have big feet. Perhaps you don’t smile fully because you don’t like your mouth. Do you walk around covering your nose with your hand or your ears with your hair? Look at yourself in a completely non-judgemental way and realise that when you look in the mirror you might look at one aspect of yourself, perhaps you always see a belly that is too rounded. Know that other people see all of you, they don’t zone in on one part as we do to ourselves. When you resent the way you look it diminishes your overall impact and presence. Shedding these perceptions and integrating each part of the body equally releases endless amounts of tension creating a more attractive disposition. Start by connecting with one part at a time. When you fall in love with your body it becomes beautiful. Just as someone who loves and is loved in return looks beautiful, so too does the body become beautiful when it is loved.

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HERB OF THE YEAR

Sceletium by Jean-Pierre Le Roux

We elect Sceletium tortuosum, also known as Kanna, as the herb of the year not only for its heart-opening qualities but myriad other benefits.

celetium is one of the most usable herbs for M O O D E NHANC E M E NT mental and emotional wellness. It has wide There is no better natural mood enhancer and profoundly efficacious application in than Sceletium. It’s more effective than commonly many areas, and is a unique botanical used botanicals such as St. John’s Wort, Rhodiola, treasure. Growing only in a small Ginkgo Biloba, Mucuna, Valerian, Gotu Kola, Kava, arid region of South Africa, this Passiflora and L-Theanine etc; and while all are usable, tiny succulent ground-cover has not all have the directness and reliability of action that been used and revered by the Sceletium does. Sceletium greatly enhances serotonin San (Bushmen) and Khoikhoi function (more than any other herb known) and does so more (Hottentot) people for longer effectively than L-Tryptophan, 5-HTP and Griffonia (without than history records. This causing the drowsiness that is often associated with these legacy, which they have lovingly serotonin precursors). Sceletium is primarily an SRA (Serotonin stewarded since ancient times, is Releasing Agent) and a safer and more natural approach than using their gift to us; and in perfect timing for synthetic SSRI (Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitor) drugs for the needs of the world today. It is truly the dealing with depressive feelings. great plant of the heart, enlivening the heart where it is active and restoring it where it has been lost. ANT I- ANXIE T Y Not only does Sceletium regenerate the capacity Sceletium is the model anxiolytic (anti-anxiety agent). Anxiety for deep empathy and love, it also mediates the has multiple causes, but a central theme among them is a racing entire mind and nervous system in the direction hyperactivity of the mind and a consequential hyperactivity of the of calm, clear centeredness and spacious feeling. autonomic nervous system. Sceletium works directly, in an adaptogenic In this age of sensory overload, stress, busyness, way, to mediate the “pace” of the mind, slowing a racing mind and anxiety and disconnection that so many people bringing a calm centeredness to the being. suffer, Sceletium is the perfect ally. The name Sceletium comes from the Latin Sceletus from ST RE SS RE D UC T IO N the skeletonised pattern in the dry leaves. It Few are exempt from the stress that comes with information overload, has possibly the most complex chemistry of any complexity, time scarcity and the multi-tasking we engage in to survive ethnobotanically significant plant, with at least 32 in our busy world. The ability to be grounded and centered in the known alkaloids, including a number of terpenes midst of our modern lives is the key to managing stress. Sceletium and saponins. The allows us to take a breath and see the world from a more spacious alkaloids mesembrine vantage, and to convert what would otherwise be ‘stressful’, into and mesembrenone energy and inspiration. are responsible for most of the activity. C O G NIT IVE E NHANC E M E NT AND NE URO PROT E C T IO N A calm mind is an intelligent mind. When we are relaxed, creativity springs freely and unbidden, memory performs as needed and overall cognition is improved. Mesembrenone is a PDE4 Inhibitor, which is known to have strongly procognitive and neuro-protective effects.

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For all your Sceletium needs...

IN TIMACY EN HAN CE M E NT Sceletium, especially when used in a single high dose, opens the heart, dissolves emotional armoring, and removes relational fear. With the natural human trust opened and expanded in this state, there’s opportunity for a profound deepening of love, communication and intimacy between lovers. PRO -S E X UAL AP HR O D I S I AC Sceletium has a profound and authentic aphrodisiac and pro-sexual effect; one based on emotional responsiveness rather than mere physically generated changes in the body. Bodily relaxation is deepened, tactile sensitivity is enhanced and men find they can last longer. Recent research also suggests that ∆7-mesembrenone, another key Sceletium alkaloid, may function as a mild PDE5 Inhibitor thereby enhancing and strengthening erection and enhancing blood flow in the pelvic area for men and women. The deep physical-emotional opening effect of Sceletium has the power to transform sexual conditions, allowing full sexual function and expression. STO PP ING SM OK IN G Significant benefits for those who wish to stop smoking come from Sceletium. Apart from reducing the severity of nicotine withdrawal, it also greatly alleviates the craving and desire to smoke. The greatest challenge, that smokers attest to when giving up, is the tendency to compulsively and obsessively think about smoking. As one of Sceletium’s central effects is to mediate the obsessive tendency of the mind, it’s been found to make a crucial difference to successfully relinquishing the habit. DEEPER SLE E P Aside from increasing melatonin levels as a consequence of enhanced serotonin function (melatonin is a serotonin metabolite), Kanna greatly supports falling asleep and remaining asleep. Reports indicate enhanced sleep quality, better morning function and a decrease in both muscle cramps and night sweats. YO GA AND B ODYWO R K For those involved in yoga practice, the herb is extremely useful; due to its combined actions of relaxing and releasing the fascia, as well as allowing a more body-centered awareness. Breathing is also enhanced, inviting a deeper pranayama practice. Likewise, it’s an excellent aid to various bodywork therapies, including massage, deep tissue work and fascia release therapies such as Rolfing or Structural Integration.

More detailed information on Sceletium, including its history, botany, chemistry and pharmacology, is available on www.sceletium.com.

Sceletium Source Africa (Pty) Ltd offers guidance on the formulation of Sceletium products and the clinical application of Sceletium. • • •

•

Extracts in various strengths and alkaloid profiles Fermented and unfermented bulk herb in multiple grades Tincture, resin, extractinfused leaf, capsuled products, e-liquid and traditional kougoed Custom formulation of Sceletium with other herbs and for specific applications Research and analytics For more information contact jp@sceletium.com or call 044 883 1020

www.sceletium.com

nature EXTERNAL

IS ONLY INTERNAL NATURE WRIT LARGE Swami Vivekananda

ECO HOME

At Home In Nature by Lara Potgieter

A key step for many of us when it comes to connecting with nature is the realisation that we are nature. Our bodies are made up of all the same elements, minerals and energy that comprise the planet. Quantum physicists have said that everything in the the outer universe is a reflection of our bodies and consciousness.

he same water that flows into the ocean courses through our bloodstream. The minerals of the planet are the stuff that our bones and bodies are built of, and the oxygen we breathe binds us to the plants and trees in a relationship in which neither could exist without the other. Yet we somehow still find ourselves out of alignment with our natural heritage in ways that make us feel deeply disconnected and – more often than not – lacking in the vitality that is our birthright. We live and work in outer environments that are in stark contrast to our inner environments. Taking breaks to do things like cloud- and star-gaze, walk barefoot on the grass or sand, swim in the ocean, climb a mountain or listen to the birds is a great way of reconnecting to nature. However we can experience this deep bond on a more ongoing basis by turning our living spaces ‘outside in’ - coming home to nature every day by integrating the elements in creative and inspiring ways.

A G ROWING HO M E Pick wildflowers and display them in anything you can find – crates, baskets, buckets, boots, canisters, tea cups, coffee tins, watering cans, jam jars…whatever takes your fancy. Plant indoor bulbs, or keep low maintenance plants like succulents on the surfaces you see every day. Make an indoor herb garden with small pots placed throughout the kitchen, allowing for fresh tasty herbs all year round plus a green and fragrant kitchen. Hang a bunch of eucalyptus to the shower head to turn your bathroom into an instant aromatic spa. Create a tiny succulent world by building your own terrarium out of colourful euphorbias planted in a pretty container. Hang a vertical garden and make a living wall by securing pots of varying shapes and sizes to a wooden trellis, hanging them from copper piping, growing little herbs in the pockets of a hanging shoe organiser, or planting succulents in a wooden tray mounted to the wall.

Stay close to nature. It will never fail you. Frank Lloyd Wright HOLISTICA.CO.ZA | 49

ECO HOME

BR ANCH OUT Bolt one or two beautiful branches to a focal point on a blank wall to create a striking natural artwork. You can even twine some fairy lights around the branches for a particularly magical piece. Get really creative and make a mobile by hanging natural elements like shells, pine cones, stones and feathers to smaller pieces of branch or sticks. WOODE N WON D ER Wood is one of the easiest and warmest natural materials to incorporate into your interiors. The variety of finishes, species and applications means there’s something for every kind of home. It can be finished to look like shiny marble or left raw and unstained to reveal its beautiful imperfections of knots and grains. Artisan crafted wooden furniture gives a rustic look and feel, antiques bring a sense of nostalgia, and minimal pieces with raw natural edges that look as if they’ve been snagged straight out of nature can create unique appeal. M E M OR IE S IN A B OTTL E Find some glass jars to fill with sand from the various beaches or deserts you’ve visited. They’ll serve as wonderful reminders of your adventures, and make unique decorative elements.

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WAT E R BABIE S There are few things like the sound of trickling or rushing water to make us feel connected to the natural world. Splash out on a water wall or pond and fountain feature, or simply place a little Zen-style tabletop fountain on your desk or in your meditation room. SC E NTS AND SE NSIBIL IT Y Bring the sweet smell of nature into your home with scented candles, diffusers and incense in fragrances like lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus, lemongrass, cedarwood and countless other variations. Potpourri is a great option too, while fresh flowers are of course first prize. KE E P IT NAT URAL Use natural fabrics and fibres throughout your living spaces. Add a jute rug or chunky knitted woollen throw, use organic cottons, hemp and bamboo, and choose earthy tones inspired by nature. L E T T HE L IG HT IN Invite natural sunlight into your home by hanging sheer curtains or tapestries instead of thick block-out materials over your windows.

TH E GREEN HO ME A – Z While a beautiful home filled with the elements is sure to inspire a deeper connection to the natural world, honouring this bond includes respecting and protecting Mother Earth wherever we can. Follow our A to Z guide to greening your home to cover all your bases. A ERATO RS Add an aerator to each of your water faucets. These inexpensive appliances conserve heat and water, while keeping water pressure high. BUL BS Save up to 66% more energy by replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. C O M PO ST Separating and composting kitchen scraps not only reduces the amount of household waste in landfill, but also lets you nourish your garden with homemade compost. D I S H WASHING Save energy by avoiding pre-rinsing, always running a full load, and air-drying the dishes at the end of your dishwasher’s cycle. EN ER GY- EF F I C I EN T C O O KWARE Use glass, silicone or ceramic dishes in the oven, as these reduce the cooking temperature required. FRID G E Having your refrigerator in the sunlight forces it to work harder to keep cool. Move it into the shade, and decide what you want before opening the door! G R EEN C L E ANING Replace conventional cleaning products with toxic chemicals with eco-friendly store-bought alternatives or homemade recipes. HE RBS Grow herbs in your garden or kitchen so you don’t have to buy them pre-packaged from the store. I N D I GE NO US Plant water-wise indigenous plants in your garden and indoor pots. JARS Repurpose glass jars as leftover and pantry storage containers or for on-the-go lunches and smoothies. KITC HE N Make your kitchen the hub of your green home, with recycling and composting bins, sustainably sourced produce and upcycled storage containers all reminding you of your efforts. LOW- EN ER GY A P P L IANC E S Use ‘energy star-qualified’ appliances, which use 10 to 50 % less energy than standard models. M AT T RE SS When buying a new mattress, make sure it hasn’t been treated with synthetic chemicals or that it doesn’t contain toxic materials.

NAT URAL PE RSO NAL CARE Replace chemical-laden personal care products with equally effective natural alternatives. O RGANIC C OT TO N Cotton linens account for 25 % of the world’s insecticide use. Switch to organic cotton or sustainable bamboo instead. PAINT Use eco-paints - they contain very low levels of volatile organic compounds. Q UE ST IO N Question the origin of your food and household purchases. If the store can’t provide answers, try your local farmer’s market instead. RE PURPO SE Get creative! Reuse and repurpose old furniture instead of buying new. SHAVE SM ART Use a cup of warm water to rinse your razor rather than running water from the tap while shaving. TO IL E T Flush toilets account for 30% of total indoor water use. Install a low-flow toilet, and only flush when you really need to. Displace the water in the cistern by putting a brick or bottle filled with water so not as much water fills it up again. UNPLUG Unplug appliances when you're not using them, or use a smart power strip that senses when appliances are off and cuts phantom energy use. VINE GAR Clean with vinegar. It’s a natural way to kill bacteria, germs and mould. WIND OWS Energy-efficient windows have better insulation and will keep you cool in the summer and warm in winter. X- FAC TO R If you’re lucky enough to be building from scratch, get the green home x-factor by using sustainable materials, installing solar panels, choosing a roof material that reflects the sun’s energy, and installing water-saving fixtures. YO U Know your personal impact on the earth by using an ecological footprint counter (there are many options online) to find out if your consumption is exceeding environmental limits. Zzzzz Remember to switch everything off when you go to sleep at night.

GROW YOUR OWN

Healing Herbs Add harmonising energy to your kitchen with a row of potted living herbs. Tending to plants, even if they’re just on your kitchen window has a great nature-nurture benefit. Our chosen five have healing and culinary uses as well. M INT Mint is famous for aiding digestion and weight loss, relieving nausea, fatigue and headaches, and helping treat asthma and skin problems. Add mint to your drinking water; brew some homemade mint tea; use it to freshen up salads; make delicious minty desserts or simply pluck and chew a leaf to freshen your breath.

SAG E Sage has been revered for centuries for its culinary and medicinal uses. It’s known for its natural antiseptic, preservative and bacteria-killing abilities, and has traditionally been used for muscle aches, rheumatism and warding off cognitive decline. Add to meat and chicken dishes, or chop and mix with melted butter and pasta.

Mint has been used as a symbol of hospitality for millennia. In ancient Greece, it was rubbed on tables to welcome visitors. In the Middle East, it’s a traditional welcoming drink for guests.

Tenth century Arabian healers believed that eating sage would grant immortality, and Europeans used it to ward off witchcraft four centuries later.

THYME Thyme is a Mediterranean herb believed to have antifungal, antibacterial and insecticidal properties and has been used to treat everything from diarrhea and stomach ache to arthritis, colic, coughs and bronchitis. Its rich flavour and aroma works well in soups, stews and marinades. In Medieval times, knights wore sprigs of thyme on their armour as a sign of courage.

RO SE M ARY Rosemary’s healing properties include the ability to boost memory, improve mood, reduce inflammation, relieve pain, protect the immune system, stimulate circulation, detoxify the body, protect from bacterial infections, prevent premature ageing and heal skin conditions. Rosemary complements roasted veggies, and can be added to grilled fish, soups, stews, pastas, bakes and meaty dishes. The name ‘rosemary’ originates from the Latin word ‘rosmarinus’, meaning ‘mist of the sea’ or ‘dew of the sea’. L AVE ND E R Lavender is celebrated for its ability to reduce anxiety and emotional stress, improve sleep, relieve pain and improve skin complexion. Use it to make fragrant homemade bath salts, scented sachets and kiddies’ comforters, or add the floral taste and aroma to salads, soups, meat and seafood dishes, desserts and baked treats. The ancient Greeks revered it as a holy herb and used it to scent their baths, beds, clothes and hair.

Get the highest quality organic herbs from Starke Ayres, the oldest and leading garden centre in the Western Cape. Established in the late 1870s, Starke Ayres has become the trusted authority on all things home grown. Visit the Rosebank or Sunningdale branch, or check out the exciting new online store launching in early 2018. For more information visit www.starkeayresgc.co.za. STARKE AYRES ROSEBANK GARDEN CENTRE | 21 Liesbeek Parkway, Rosebank | 021 685 4120 | info@starkeayresgc.co.za STARKE AYRES WEST COAST GARDEN CENTRE | Sandown Road, Sunningdale | 021 554 8450 | info1@starkeayresgc.co.za

DESCRIPTION OF THERAPIES

NATURAL MEDICINE & NUTRITION AROMAT H ER A PY Aromatherapy is the science and art of using essential oils from aromatic plants to restore balance and promote health for the body, mind and spirit. It’s a complementary therapy combining the use of gentle, rhythmic massage with the therapeutic effects of essential oils. The chemical makeup of essential oils gives them a host of desirable properties ranging from antibacterial, antiviral and antispasmodic, diuretic, and vasodilators to combat high blood pressure. They are also effective for treating infection, interacting with branches of your nervous system, modifying immune response and harmonising your moods and emotions. AYURVE DA Pronounced ‘ah-yer-vey-duh’, Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest holistic healing systems. It was developed in India thousands of years ago and is based on the belief that your health and wellness depend on a delicate balance between your mind, body, and spirit. Every person is made up of elements found in the universe and these come together in the human body to form three life-forces or energies, called doshas. Good health is believed to result from the three forces or doshas being in harmony. Your Ayurvedic healer will use a wide variety of remedies to restore your dosha balance; from conventional surgery to massage, dietary changes, exercise, yoga, meditation, massage, sweat baths, enemas, fragrant oils and sound. B IOHACK I N G Biohacking is essentially the practice of improving our physiology and chemistry through biological intervention and selfexperimentation. Everything we put into our bodies - from foods and thoughts to physical movement - affects how we behave. By tapping into yourself, you can completely transform. The possibilities are endless, but they are all rooted in the idea that we have the necessary power and energy to change our bodies and brains, and ultimately become smarter, faster, better; naturally. CHINE SE M ED I C I N E Chinese herbal medicine forms part of an integrated system of primary health care known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which focuses on prevention, just as much as cure. Its origins can be traced back more than five thousand years, making it one of the oldest health care systems in the world. In Chinese herbal medicine, parts of plants, like the leaves, roots, stems, flowers, and seeds, are combined in formulas and given as teas, capsules, liquid extracts, granules, or powders. The essence of TCM is based on the concepts of Yin and Yang. It aims to understand and treat the many ways in which the fundamental balance and harmony between these two opposing but complementary forces affect your health and wellbeing. D IE T E T ICS Medicine is finally acknowledging the central role that diet plays in maintaining health. Most physical disorders can be treated in conjunction with a special diet. The interrelationship of food and bodily functions, and the role of protective or preventive foods, has been highlighted by research in the last few decades. Dieticians are trained experts on nutrition. Their job is to prescribe a therapeutic diet to suit you as an individual with your own unique make-up, food sensitivities and metabolism, and to bring your body into a state of optimal health. 54 | HOLISTICA.CO.ZA

ETHNOM E D ICIN E Ethnomedicine is a system of healing that applies both art and science in helping the human body towards wellbeing. It uses natural remedies to activate the immune system. These remedies act directly on the affected parts of the sick body and address the cause of the symptoms. The body’s defense mechanisms are activated to overcome the symptoms and the natural subtle energy of the body system is strengthened. Ethno-phytotherapies developed from traditional herbal medicine using plants and herbs. Ethnomedicine looks at the root cause of discomfort or disease and often prescribes herbal medicine in the form of tinctures, capsules, infusions and ointments. FLOW E R E SSE N C ES Every human has their own energy field and aura, and plants too have their own unique energy signature. The healing power of flowers lies in their special energetic patterns or vibrational qualities. Edward Bach, who created the Bach Flower Remedies, discovered that water is the key to transferring the healing energy of flowers to human beings. When flowers are immersed in water and left in natural sunlight for a period of time, the energy pattern imprints in the water. The resulting flower essences can then be used to balance the human energy field and assist in healing emotional, mental and spiritual imbalances. Flower essences balance a wide range of different emotions. FUNCT IONAL M ED I C I N E Functional Medicine addresses the underlying causes of disease, using a systems-oriented approach and engaging both patient and practitioner in a therapeutic partnership. By shifting the traditional disease-centred focus of medical practice to a more patient-centered approach, Functional Medicine addresses the whole person, not just an isolated set of symptoms. Functional Medicine practitioners spend time with their patients, listening to their histories and looking at the interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence long-term health and complex, chronic disease. HE RB ALISM Herbalism, also known as herbology or herbal medicine, is the study and use of plants for medicinal purposes. Plants have been the basis of medical treatments throughout human history and this is still widely practiced all over the world. Plants have the ability to synthesise chemical compounds to help defend themselves against predators and natural threats. Some of these plant compounds have proven beneficial to human beings in the alleviation of a variety of ailments. Parts of plants, like the leaves, roots, stems, flowers, and seeds, are combined in formulas and given as teas, capsules, tonics, granules, or powders. Your Herbal healer skillfully selects a blend of herbs and generates a tonic customized to harmonise your body’s imbalances. HOME OPAT HY Homeopathy is a safe, gentle, and natural system of healing based on the principle of ‘like cures like’. In other words, a substance that causes symptoms of a disease in a healthy person would cure similar symptoms in an unhealthy person. It works in harmony with the immune system and triggers or intensifies the body’s own healing mechanisms. Homeopathy is a holistic practice and used for both acute and chronic conditions. Plants, flowers and minerals are diluted using a special method of shaking called ‘succussion’. Remedies prepared this way are called ‘potentised’ medicines. Homeopaths will take into account each individuals’ temperament, habits and inclinations and will recommend medicine accordingly. IN T E GRAT IVE M ED I C I N E Integrative medicine is an approach to care that puts the patient at the center and addresses the full range of physical, emotional, mental, social, spiritual and environmental influences that affect a person’s health. Employing a personalized strategy that considers the patient’s unique conditions, needs and circumstances, it uses the most appropriate interventions from an array of scientific disciplines to heal illness and disease and help people regain and maintain optimum health.

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DESCRIPTION OF THERAPIES

IRIDOLOGY Not only are the eyes a window to the soul but they can also reveal a great deal about your health. That’s the basic idea behind Iridology; a diagnostic technique based on the scientific study of the coloured part of the eye, called the iris. An accurate analysis of iris structure and pigmentation can provide information about your physiological condition, psychological health risks, challenges or strengths of various organs and your personality traits. Your Iridology practitioner may use a camera with a close-up lens and side lighting as a permanent record. He or she will explain the significance of the various markings in your iris and suggest an appropriate treatment route. LIVE B LOO D A N A LYS I S Blood is the ideal medium to analyse your overall health status. Dark field live blood microscopy (DFLBM), Phase contrast live blood microscopy (PCLBM) and coagulated blood microscopy (CBM) study the components of the blood. Live Blood Analysis is not diagnostic, but, rather a screening tool which enables the qualified practitioner to question the patient about their current health situation to ascertain underlying factors that may be contributing to an imbalance and interfering with the body’s natural healing ability, leading to poor health. M ACROB I OTI C S Seasonal, locally available, healthy, alkalising foods that maintain the body’s natural balance is the cornerstone of a macrobiotic diet. Macrobiotic food is cooked to activate its vibrational essence and then diluted by thorough chewing to make it more potent. Whole grains, vegetables, miso (fermented soy bean paste), sea vegetables and beans make up the majority of the diet with fruit and small quantities of fish, oils, nuts and seeds in moderation. A part of the macrobiotic diet is being grateful for the benefits of wholesome food and blessing each meal to invoke a positive energy that contributes a positive frequency to the food. NAT UROPATH Y Naturopathy is a holistic healing system based on the belief that the best way to treat illness is by stimulating the natural healing forces of the body. A Naturopath believes that disease symptoms are the manifestation of healing forces the body uses to eliminate toxins and restore balance. Practitioners use the healing power of nature, acknowledging the body’s innate capacity to heal. He or she treats the cause of illness rather than the effect. Naturopaths are committed to the principle of ‘do no harm’, only using safe and effective natural therapies. They treat clients holistically, seeing the individual as a multidimensional whole. They educate, empower and motivate patients to assume personal responsibility for his or her health by adopting a healthy attitude, lifestyle and diet.

NATURAL MEDICINE & NUTRITION

NUT R IT IO N A Nutritionist may be qualified in varying fields from nutrition to food science and public health. A primary role of a nutritionist is to help people achieve optimal health through information and advice on diet, health and food choices. This may mean formulating special meals for goals like allergy reduction, weight gain or loss, increased energy, better immunity and more. PANCHAK A R M A Panchakarma is a cleansing and rejuvenating programme for the body, mind and consciousness practiced as part of Ayurveda. It is known to eliminate toxins and toxic conditions, restore constitutional balance, strengthen immunity, slow the ageing process, enhance strength and vitality and bring about deep relaxation and sense of wellbeing. It involves applications like hot oil massage, a therapeutic diet, herbal rejuvenation and various other healing protocol. T R ADIT IO N A L H EA L I N G Traditional African Medicine is the indigenous form of healing of African people. Estimates show over 200 000 traditional healers exist in South Africa and up to 80% of the population consult traditional healers even if also using western medical services. Varying categories of traditional healers exist. In South Africa we have ‘inyangas’ or herbalists; sangomas, trained to communicate with the spirit world through their ancestors; and traditional midwives and surgeons. Contemporary traditional healers use herbs in combination with diet, exercise, hydrotherapy, counselling, vitamin and mineral supplementation, first aid and ‘piercing’. Traditional healers are established health care workers within the community. UNANI T IB B Unani Tibb is a natural system of medicine with Graeco-Arab origin. It embraces the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of human life in a unified and holistic form. Correct lifestyle, diet and herbs are the principle methods of treatment. Unani physicians emphasise treatment according to the four individual temperament types of sanguinous, bilious, melancholic and phlegmatic. It encourages practices that strengthen ‘physis’ - the body’s own ability to heal. Unani Tibb is represented in South Africa as a discipline under the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa. WOME N’ S H EA LTH Many different aspects are covered under women’s health, from supportive counselling, sharing and networking to sacred sexuality, advice on menopause, and forms of movement and dance.

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ENERGY & SPIRITUAL ANGE L HEA L I N G Angel healing is a form of energy healing, working with the aid of divine angels. It uses methods like meditation, channeling and guidance. Participants experience a sense of peace, connection, protection, balance, happiness and affirmation when working with angelic guidance. ANIM AL H EA L I N G Animal healing is a broad term to describe healing work with animals. Methods of working with animals involve anything from acupuncture, Reiki, animal communication to massage, spiritual and crystal work. AUR A SOM A Aura Soma is a specialised form of colour therapy that uses the vibrational energy of colour combined with the healing energy of essential oils, herbs and crystals. Specific mixtures are blended together in different colour combinations to facilitate healing on the subtle or energetic levels of being as well as the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels. During consultation, the client plays an integral and self-empowered role by choosing from a selection of coloured bottles, also known as ‘balance’ bottles, these selections are matched to the client’s condition or problem by the aura soma practitioner. The coloured oil is then used by the client to treat specific problems. AUR IC HE A L I N G Auric Healing involves clearing and realigning of the auric energy field surrounding the physical body. It works by locating and clearing physical blockages and discordant energy, and imbalances evident in the auric field. B IOE NE R G ETI C S Bioenergetic healing therapy works with the human electromagnetic energy field. Practitioners use intuitive methods of diagnosis to balance the energy field using methods like energy transference from the hands, Reiki, crystals, colour, light or music and sound. The ability to diagnose intuitively has gained respectability through the work of American healer and intuitive, Caroline Myss. In recent years the best-known exponent of this field has been Barbara Ann Brennan whose book Hands of Light clearly explains the methods of the modality. B R E AT HWO R K Breathwork is based on changing breathing patterns to obtain deep relaxation and access to the subconscious and higher consciousness parts of the mind. Originally it was developed as a process for adults to revisit the birth experience, Rebirthers believing that the nature of our birth experience can affect the way in which we handle stress in our life. Most birth experiences involve stress and struggle introducing the message that life is a hard struggle. Rebirthing reprogrammes this message allowing life to flow in easier and more creative ways. B UDDHISM Buddhism encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and spiritual practices largely based on teachings attributed to the Buddha. It originated in India sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE. Buddhism is the world’s fourthlargest religion, with over 500 million followers. Practising Buddhism includes taking refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha, study of scriptures, observance of moral precepts, renunciation of craving and attachment, meditation, the cultivation of wisdom, loving-kindness and compassion, and more. HOLISTICA.CO.ZA | 57

DESCRIPTION OF THERAPIES

CHANNE L I N G Channeling is a technique designed for connecting with your inner self, or your spirit guide, or to channel a higher being. Channeling is different from meditating in that the essence of channeling surrounds ‘communication’. Think of it like a triangle: two energies connecting, communicating together, and creating a third energy through their relationship. It’s a powerful means of spiritual unfoldment and conscious transformation that assists in learning and receiving guidance. COLOUR T H ER A PY If you’ve ever gotten the blues or been green with envy, you already know the powerful associations our body and mind makes with colours. Colour therapy, also known as Chromotherapy, works on the principle that everything we touch and see around us has a living pulse inside it – this includes plants, gemstones, crystals, water, light, and even the food we eat. Colour is simply light of different wavelengths and frequencies; and light is just one form of energy that we can actually see. Colours and their corresponding frequencies are found in the human energy field. If a certain frequency is imbalanced, it will affect that part of the body that resonates or vibrates with that colour frequency. A trained colour therapist assesses imbalances and uses gentle therapeutic methods to enhance health and wellbeing. CRYSTAL H EA L I N G Crystals are minerals formed underground from three-dimensional repeating patterns of atoms. The repeating chemical structure of crystals is said to invest them with a kind of memory. This means that crystals have the power to hold energies. Different crystals have different energies and properties said to affect the mental, physical, spiritual and emotional aspects of the self. E NE RGY H EA L I N G Energy healing is an umbrella term for any therapy that manipulates the energy circuits in the physical or subtle bodies to regain balance and facilitate innate healing mechanisms. It can also be used to help identify issues before they manifest as pain or similar distortions in the physical body. F E NG SHU I Feng Shui emphasises living in harmony with the environment - being able to read and note the patterns, rhythms and cycles of the cosmos. A house or building is considered to have living energy - just as a person becomes ill when the energy flow in the body is blocked and stagnates, so too a house becomes ‘ill’ when the energy stagnates or is blocked. A Feng Shui consultant reads the energy flows in your home or office and suggests ways to unblock areas of stagnation to restore a healthy and life-giving flow of energy. This in turn creates health and prosperity for those who use the house or building.

ENERGY & SPIRITUAL

K INE SIOLO GY Kinesiology is the biomechanical study of body movement. It uses a gentle, painless biofeedback technique called muscle testing. Muscles are connected to the brain through the central nervous system and kinesiologsts are trained to monitor muscle responses to questions relating to mental, emotional, physical and energetic states. The kinesiologist is able to determine any imbalances in the body. Following a process guided by the body’s muscle responses, the kinesiologist balances discrepancies in the body. RE IK I Reiki is a form of healing where healing energy is transmitted through the hands from the practitioner to the client. The term ‘Reiki’ comes from the blending of ‘rei’ meaning Cosmic Energy, and ‘ki’ or ‘chi’, the life energy flowing through all living things. The training of a Reiki practitioner is unique, since Reiki techniques are passed from one person to another. At each stage or ‘degree’ the student is given a series of symbols in a process called an ‘attunement’. The symbols both empower the healer and are used in the healing process. The student who completes the third degree is known as a ‘Reiki Master’, and is then allowed to teach the technique and pass on the symbols. TANT R A This ancient practice is a powerful combination of asana mantra, mudra, and bandha (energy lock) and chakra (energy center) work used to build strength, clarity, and bliss in everyday life. By harnessing and embodying the five forces of Shakti, the female deity that represents creativity and change, Tantra suggests we can move through the world with more confidence and contentment. TAROT Tarot uses a series of cards as divination and self-development tools. Through reflection on archetypes and symbols, the tarot helps the participant towards higher contact with the self and increased understanding. Tarot has been around since the mid-15th century.

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BODYWORK ACUP UNC TU R E Originating in China over five thousand years ago, acupuncture works by modifying the flow of ‘chi’ or vital life energy in the human body. The practitioner places sterile stainless steel needles into the body along specific acupuncture points on energy pathways called meridians. Different meridians feed energy to different organs and areas of the body. By locating the meridian that feeds a problem area, the practitioner is able to stimulate or decongest the flow of energy to that area or organ. Acupuncture can restore health and is particularly well known for relieving pain. ALE X AND ER TEC H N I Q U E The Alexander Technique is an educational process designed to improve your posture, ease of movement, balance, support and coordination. It’s a simple and practical method where at your own pace you correct harmful posture and movement tension in your body. In your lessons you’ll perform simple movements like walking, standing up or sitting down in a chair and learn how to perform them with the simplest ease and least harmful tension. The technique minimises wear and tear on your muscles and other structures of the spine vulnerable to compression. B E AUT Y TH ER A PY Beauty therapy not only focuses on cosmetic care of the skin, but study of the body as a whole. The condition of our skin, weight and health offer important information about the body as a whole. Beauty Therapy is subsequently a multifaceted and highly technological field. It includes facials, manicures, pedicures, waxing, slimming as well as massage, aromatherapy and reflexology in some cases. B ODY ALI G N M EN T TEC H N I Q U E The basic premise of the Body Alignment Technique is that pain is your body’s way of communicating that something in the body is out of balance. Body Alignment accesses the body’s biocomputer to locate emotional blockages. Your body stores memories of past trauma, environmental stress, toxicity and suppressed emotions. Through this technique, these experiences are brought back into the body, to its deepest cellular level and released from a place of deep feeling. In other words, the issue is brought back to the tissue. The technique works vibrationally to clear the subconscious memory pathways and to lift the body’s vibrational frequency to its optimal level. B ODY HAR M O N Y Body Harmony is a simple system of energetic healing that accesses the body’s biocomputer and clears emotional blockages at a cellular level. This technique connects the individual with light energy and harmonises the chakras and subtle bodies, repairing the etheric as well as the physical body. Sol-Ent, which means “Soul Enter”, provides a bridge to the greater matrix within which individuals play out their lives. A variety of ailments and conditions can and have been healed, such as clearing parasites and candida, as well as asthma, diabetes and migraine headaches. B ODY ST R ES S R EL EAS E Gail and Ewald Meggersee, both South African chiropractors developed the technique known as Body Stress Release based on the concept that when we are subjected to stress overload, tension becomes locked into our physical structures. The body then adopts a protective automatic reflex in which adjacent muscles ‘splint’ the area producing various levels of discomfort and stiffness that leads to pain, loss of flexibility and even numbness. Body Stress offers a gentle and effective way to release stored tension from the body, activating a process that restores and enhances the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

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DESCRIPTION OF THERAPIES

B ODY TAL K BodyTalk is a whole-healthcare system that supports and promotes whole-person wellbeing. BodyTalk understands the profound influence the psychology of the body has on health. Instead of focusing on the symptom, it finds the underlying causes of illness by addressing the whole person and his or her whole story. The techniques provide insights into the areas of the body that need attention. With the use of a variety of non-invasive techniques, BodyTalkers refocus the body’s natural healing response to establish better communication within the body. B OW E N Bowen is gentle technique designed to relieve pain and relax muscles. The Bowen healer uses thumbs and fingers on precise points of your body to perform unique sets of rolling movements, which stimulate the muscles and soft body tissue. There are two-minute breaks between each set of movements when the Bower healer will typically leave the room and allow your body to relax and adjust to the movements. The Bowen technique is used for the fast, effective treatment of a vast range of soft tissue injuries, illnesses and discomforts. CHIROP R AC TI C Chiropractors are professionals who use spinal adjustments to correct misalignments and restore proper function to the nervous system. Stress, trauma or chemical imbalances can cause vertebrae in your spine to lose their normal position or range of motion; irritating the nervous system and preventing parts of your body from functioning as they should. While headaches, back and neck pain are the most common reasons for seeking out this therapy, Chiropractic is a holistic practice focusing on maintaining healthy musculoskeletal and nervous systems to ensure overall wellness. CR ANIOSAC R A L TH ER A PY Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle hands-on therapy that assists the body’s capacity for self-repair. In response to physical injuries or emotional trauma the body’s tissues contract and may become locked in this state, particularly when the injury is severe or accompanied by strong emotions. Any trauma, stresses, strains or tensions that remain in the body restrict the body’s function and may give rise to problems over the years. The effects may be both physical (such as back pain, migraine or digestive disorders) and emotional (such as anxiety or depression). Craniosacral Therapy is client-led, meaning that the client’s body dictates the priority and pace of work. F E LDE NK R A I S The Feldenkrais method was named after its originator, Dr Moshe Feldenkrais, a Russian physicist, judo expert, mechanical engineer and educator. He took a pragmatic mechanical approach to making the ‘machinery’ of the body move properly. He devised movement lessons that teach people to recognise how they are moving with methods for improvement. The lessons increase ease and range of motion, improve flexibility and co-ordination and help uncover the innate capacity for graceful, efficient movement.

BODYWORK

M ASSAGE Therapeutic massage is defined as the mobilisation of soft tissue to restore normal systemic and biomechanical functional use. It can be used to assist the treatment of most musculo-skeletal and associated problems and contributes towards improved circulatory, lymphatic and neurological functioning. Massage can be stimulating or soothing depending on the technique, depth and speed used and is both safe and effective when administered by a trained registered therapist. Different types of massage include Swedish, Aromatherapy, Sports, Deep Tissue, Lymph Drainage, Indian Head Massage, Hot Stone, Thai and others. OST E OPAT H Y Osteopathy deals with the relationship between the structure of the body’s framework and its function. It looks carefully at the effect mechanical compromise has on the body’s fluid circulatory systems. Osteopathy was developed by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, (1828-1917) a medical practitioner, who reasoned that if the structure of the musculo-skeletal system is regulated, then the body will naturally restore and repair itself. Techniques used vary but can include soft tissue stretching, joint articulation and manipulation, rhythmic joint movements and muscle energy techniques. P HYSIOT H ER A PY Using advanced techniques and evidence-based care, physiotherapists assess, diagnose, treat and prevent a wide range of health conditions and movement disorders. Physiotherapy helps repair damage, reduce stiffness and pain, increase mobility and improve quality of life through many different applications including massage, ultrasound, nerve stimulation, acupuncture and education. Physiotherapy covers health promotion, injury prevention, acute care, rehabilitation, maintaining functional mobility, chronic disease management, patient education and occupational health.

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RE F LE XOLO GY Reflexology is a method of stimulating the body’s healing mechanisms through stimulating reflex points on the foot. It is based on ancient Chinese and Indian diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. By massaging certain reflex points on the feet, reflexologists treat diseases in parts of the body related to those areas. Different parts of the sole connect via the flow of energy along the meridian lines to various organs of the body. The reflexology massage prompts the body to heal itself, by restoring the flow of healing energy to the affected part of the body. ROLF ING Rolfing, also known as ‘Structural Integration’, is a massage process of deep manipulation of the soft connective tissue, known as fascia, combined with movement education to improve posture and movement patterns. It was developed by Dr. Ida Rolf, who based her therapy on the fact that modern humans tend to have bad posture. Once bad posture becomes habitual, the muscles are thrown into unnatural contractions and connective tissue in the area grows to form thick fascia plates. This reinforces the bad posture and puts stress on the muscular and skeletal system. The therapist uses Rolf’s techniques to break down the fascia to loosen the body so it can be restructured. SHIATSU Shiatsu originated in Japan and is a technique of applying finger pressure to key points on the body to stimulate a healing response. It is similar to acupuncture in that it uses pressure points-called ‘tsubos’ along the meridians, but with specialised finger pressure rather than needles. Along with finger pressure, the shiatsu therapist may also use his or her hands, thumbs, elbows, knees, forearms and feet during the treatment. Shiatsu acts on the subtle anatomy of the body to facilitate the flow of energy, or ‘chi’ through the meridians to the organs and the whole body. T R AUM A R EL EAS I N G EXER C I S ES (TR E ®) TRE® (Tension, Stress & Trauma Release Exercise) is a series of exercises that assist the body in releasing deep muscular patterns of stress, tension and trauma. Created by Dr. David Berceli, PhD, TRE® safely activates a natural reflex mechanism of shaking or vibrating that releases muscular tension, calming down the nervous system. When this muscular shaking/vibrating mechanism is activated in a safe and controlled environment, the body is encouraged to return back to a state of balance.

MOVEMENT ART & EXERCISE B IODANZA Biodanza is a form of dance that uses music, movement and group interactions to connect people to joy, enhance their creativity and have fun. It means dance with life and facilitates an enriched environment for people to develop their potential and find full expression with themselves and each other. B IOK INE T I C S A Biokineticist is an exercise therapist dedicated to improving physical wellbeing and quality of life through individualised scientific assessment. Prescribed exercise in a rehabilitative environment aims at preventing or intervening certain ailments and enhancing performance in both sport and work activities. A Biokineticist will measure and evaluate body posture, body composition, blood pressure, glucose levels, lung function, heart rate, fitness, muscle strength, endurance, power, flexibility and other health indicators. CALLANE TI C S Created by Callan Pinckney in the early 1980s, Callanetics is an exercise programme involving frequent repetition of small muscular movements designed to improve muscle tone. It was originally developed from classical ballet exercises to help ease Pinckney’s back problems.

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DESCRIPTION OF THERAPIES

DANCE Dance has always been fundamental to human life and culture as a form of self-expression, communication and celebration of life and community. By the turn of the 20th century, dance was recognised as a way to promote healthy growth and change. This encouraged the development of expressive and improvisational forms of dance, and a recognition of the integral relationship between mind and body. Dance therapy is the therapeutic use of movement to further the emotional, cognitive, physical and social integration of the individual, based on the premise that the body, mind and spirit are interconnected. E UR HYT H M Y Eurythmy is used to express both speech and music. It was developed by Rudolf Steiner as a part of his system of Anthroposophical Medicine. Therapeutic Eurhythmy administers targeted exercises for the client. These exercises work on the body, vitalising and energising the healing process. Eurythmy helps both physiological and psychological disorders and encourages individuals to effect their own healing. F IVE R HYTH M S In 5 Rhythms dance there are no steps to follow, no moves to learn, no good or bad dancers, and no poses to perfect. This liberating free dance form asks you to listen to your own body, find your own rhythm and explore free movement. New York dancer Gabrielle Roth developed this form to harness the energising and therapeutic benefits of dance in a soul journey. As she says, “Energy moves in waves. Waves move in patterns. Patterns move in rhythms. A human being is just that - energy waves, patterns, rhythms.” Every dance is unpredictable - the body calls the movement, which is explored through 5 rhythms: Flowing, Staccato, Chaos, Lyrical and Stillness. NIA Combining dance, martial arts and mindfulness, Nia tones the body while transforming the mind. More than just a workout, Nia is a holistic fitness practice addressing each aspect of your life - body, mind and soul. Each workout brings mindfulness to the experience leaving participants energized, mentally clear, and emotionally balanced. Nia cardio workouts combine simple moves with dance arts, martial arts, and healing arts. Nia was founded by Debbie Rosas, and is a non-impact form practiced barefoot and adaptable to individual needs and abilities. The classes are led by licensed Nia teachers.

MOVEMENT ART & EXERCISE

P E R SONA L TR A I N I N G A Personal Trainer is a fitness expert who formulates and designs a personal exercise programme for his or her clients. The trainer takes participants through a fitness routine, helping with strength building and body shaping. A qualified trainer will provide a health related fitness assessment, and an exercise, general nutrition and a stress and lifestyle assessment. Working with a Trainer ensures consistency and commitment to a fitness programme. P ILAT E S Pilates is a structured exercise programme, designed by Joseph Pilates, with the purpose of stretching and strengthening the muscles, correcting muscle imbalances, improving posture and increasing body awareness. It was originally designed for the rehabilitation of injured ballet dancers and gymnasts, and became popular with regular fitness enthusiasts. There are six basic principles in Pilates: Concentration, Control, Centering, Precision, Breathing and Flowing Movement. QIGONG Qigong harnesses energy from special movements and breathing methods and also prescribes dietary measures to reverse specific diseases. Qigong techniques originate back to ancient Chinese mountain people who were activated by life force energy or Qi. TAI CHI Tai Chi Chuan is based on a series of slow moving, circular dance-like movements designed to unite body and mind. There are many systems of Tai Chi, one of the most popular being the Yang style. Big, gentle, graceful flowing movements, and a philosophy of harmony typifies this style. The movements reflect the dual forces of nature with the sequences of providing balance and harmony. Deep natural breathing, twisting, spiralling, stretching and relaxing movements help massage internal organs and balance the body’s energies. During Tai Chi, the mind is relaxed and focused on breath and the slow, fluid movement from one pose to the next. YOGA Yoga is a system of spiritual, mental and physical training designed to bring about human reunion with the universal spirit or Supreme Being. This means to become ‘soul conscious’. The word ‘Yoga’ in Hindi means ‘union’ or ‘yoking’. In the West, the physical aspect, exercises and postures known as Hatha Yoga, is the form that is most widely practiced. According to Yogic philosophy, the breath embodies the individual’s prana, or life force, and conscious breathing practices play an important part in Yoga. Breathing can be consciously modified with a consequent effect on well-being.

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PSYCHOTHERAPY & GUIDANCE ART T HE R A PY The process of making art can bring about a release of tension, and is therapeutic in its own right. Creativity can therefore become a means of healing and renewal. Art therapy combines creativity with an element of play and fun. When administered by a qualified practitioner, it can help individuals to work with elements of their subconscious and come to understand the causes of stress and distress. These can then be released, allowing healing energy into the subconscious to effect positive changes. AST ROLOGY Astrology provides an analysis of the way in which the planetary map at the time of your birth affects you and your life. Astrological counselling offers a deeper understanding of character, personality, specific problems and the kind of influences at any given time in life. By constructing a Natal chart based on date of birth, an astrologer can provide insight on character, potential positive and negative qualities you bring into life, best suited career choices, potential for romantic compatibility and the best way to deal with any life crisis you may experience. B R AIN GY M Brain GymÂŽ is committed to the principle that movement with intention leads to optimal learning. Instructors and movement-based programmes serve to provide an optimal environment for learning. The Brain GymÂŽ educational model promotes play and the joy of learning, draws out and honours innate intelligence, builds awareness regarding the value of movement in daily life, encourages self-responsibility and inspires an appreciation for things like music, physical education and fine arts. COUNSE L L I N G Being self-aware and having the capability to think and feel emotions with clarity and understanding is part and parcel of being human. Unlike animals, our thought processes rely on far more than instinct alone. Because of this, there is scope for the way we think to become a problem and to affect our emotions. Talk therapies such as counselling are used to help people come to terms with any problems they are facing, with the ultimate aim of overcoming them.

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DESCRIPTION OF THERAPIES

COR P OR ATE TR A I N I N G Corporate training is a growing field that uses specialised programmes to assist workers to overcome the stress of the corporate environment and to develop their full potential in the workplace. Courses usually have a strong motivational and psychological element, and include leadership skills, stress management and team building. Instruction may be conducted in the workplace, or in a natural environment where group dynamics are more easily accessed. E YE M OVEM EN T TEC H N O LO GY Eye Movement Technology uses eye movements to access areas of the unconscious and provide the body-mind with a natural and safe programme for regaining emotional and physical balance. This natural process recreates the rapid eye movement (REM) we normally experience during sleep and dream states. REM sleep is important for re-organising and processing data and events we receive through the body-mind. Its purpose is to release stress and relieve pressure assisting with optimal functioning in our daily lives. FAM ILY CO N STEL L ATI O N Family Constellation is an alternative therapeutic method that draws on elements of family systems therapy and existential phenomenology to discover underlying family bonds and forces carried unconsciously over several generations. Bert Hellinger, the founder studied and treated families for more than 50 years, observed that many of us unconsciously take on destructive familial patterns of anxiety, depression, anger, guilt, aloneness, alcoholism and even illness as a way of ‘belonging’ in our families. HYP NOT H ER A PY Hypnotherapy is a gentle, non-invasive therapy using guided relaxation, intense concentration, and focused attention to achieve a heightened state of awareness. The idea is; in this state of higher consciousness your mind is open to effect desired changes in your behavior. Popular complaints addressed by hypnotherapy include anxiety, grief, stress, phobias, migraine, weight problems, stopping smoking and other addictions, skin disorders, ulcers and more. In psychotherapy, hypnotherapy is also used to explore painful thoughts, feelings, or memories you may have hidden or suppressed from your conscious mind.

PSYCHOTHERAPY & GUIDANCE

INT UIT IVE H EA L I N G Intuitive readings are different for everyone. Depending on the person conducting the reading, the focus can be on anything from releasing blocked energy and past trauma, tapping into past lives, working through a current hardship, or helping a client to activate their highest potential and life work. As the name implies, the sessions are usually led intuitively, and any professional reader will tell you each of their sessions are unique and highly individual. LIFE ALIG N M EN T Life Alignment is a transformational healing system of body, heart and mind. It provides the means to free individuals from the past to live fully in the present and in the process to discover life purpose. It uses Vortex technology - a Vortex mat and small magnetic ‘cards’ – each with a unique energy frequency and purpose. This helps transform trauma and blocked energy to bring harmony and balance to the body and environment. LIFE COAC H Life Coach sessions involve structured, goal focused time crafted to help participants find new direction in life, especially in times of change. COMENSA (Coaches and Mentors of South Africa) defines coaching as “a professional, collaborative and outcomes-driven method of learning that seeks to develop an individual and raise self-awareness to achieve specific goals and perform at a more effective level”. Coaching is distinct from therapy, counselling, mentoring and consulting. Trained specialists assist with life’s challenges like optimising health and nutrition, living on purpose, changing careers, self-confidence and self-understanding. M E D ITAT IO N Meditation embodies simple and powerful deep relaxation techniques. Various methods include focusing on a single or series of images; following a guided narration; concentrating on breathing; or simply watching thoughts go by. Besides a growing sense of peace, benefits include increased confidence and competence, clarity of mind, creativity and inspiration in all aspects of living, as well as more relaxation and enjoyment. The length of time it takes to become proficient in the skill of meditation varies from person to person but anyone can benefit from this practice. M INDFULN ES S Mindfulness is moment-to-moment awareness, and is cultivated by paying attention, intentionally, to what is occurring in the present moment with an attitude of non-judgment, curiosity and kindness. Practicing mindfulness is about working skillfully and compassionately with the unfolding moments of life.

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MUSIC T H ER A PY Music Therapy uses music to advance self-development. The therapist or practitioner chooses music and a form of therapy chosen to suit specific client needs. Techniques used may include musical improvisation, performance, composition, movement, vocalisation and listening. In some cases, musical activities may include extra-musical elements like talking, drama, art and story telling. NE URO-LI N G U I STI C P R O G R A M M I N G Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP) is a technique that helps people detect and reprogramme unconscious patterns of thought and behaviour to alter psychological responses and enhance the healing process. ‘Neuro’ refers to the way the brain works and how human thinking demonstrates consistent and detectable patterns. ‘Linguistic’ refers to the verbal and nonverbal expressions of the brain’s thinking patterns. ‘Programming’ refers to how these patterns are recognised and understood by the mind and how they can be altered, allowing better choices in behaviour and health. The goal of the NLP practitioner is to move a person from his or her present state of discomfort to a desired state of health by helping reprogramme beliefs and attitudes. NUME ROLO GY Numerology is the study and interpretation of numbers, based on the belief that the universe is constituted according to sacred mathematics, and that every number carries a specific vibration or energy able to effect individuals. This includes the date you were born and the numerological formula of your name. A skilled numerologist will be able to ‘read’ your numbers and analyse your character, describe your qualities and give guidance on issues like relationships, career and even your spiritual path. Used correctly, numerology is meant as an invaluable technique for self-awareness and selfimprovement. PSYCHIC HEALING Psychic healing describes a form of healing that works with the psychic ability and intuition of the healer. The Healer connects with their Higher Self, or with Guides and Angels, to channel information used in a healing process with the client. This allows access to information beyond the normal range of perception, and can be vital in helping release emotional and spiritual conditions that contribute to illness. PSYCHOTHERAPY Psychotherapy is a personal journey of transformation and self-exploration conducted under the guidance of a psychologist. The psychotherapist supports and encourages the transformative process. Trust in the therapist is essential and the therapeutic environment itself should be a safe space in which the journey can unfold. The therapist guides a process of change, where the client learns to understand patterns of psychological experience in thought, feeling, behaviour and health. Dysfunctional patterns are released and replaced with new patterns of confidence and self trust. R E GR E SSI O N Regression therapy involves placing a client into a relaxed alpha state and then taking them to another stage in their life. As a therapeutic technique this can be very useful with repressed trauma. The therapy is used not to relive the trauma, but rather to access the negative life decisions made. Once negative decisions have been located they can be removed and replaced with more positive decisions. Past Life Regression uses a similar technique, but works with the belief that we have lived many lives and that a past life may affect present behaviour in a negative way. R E HAB ILITATI O N Rehabilitation programmes help release patterns of chemical and non-chemical dependency, whether alcohol, drugs, eating, gambling and more. Organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous offer programmes that can be attended weekly. These are based on the popular twelve-step programme formulated by the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. Residential Rehabilitation centres offer intensive programmes where psychological counselling and support accompanies the detoxification process. The client is also assisted to create a plan for a new way of life free from chemical dependencies. They are put in touch with a ‘mentor’ to support the process.

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DIRECTORY OF PRACTITIONERS Welcome to our directory of practitioners, retreats and wellness services and products. For more information on each listing, log on to www.holistica.co.za where you will see a full profile. All the listings have been done via region and then alphabetically under first name or company name. Bear in mind there is a section for people who work countrywide or on Skype so remember to check that section at the end of the listings. If you are a practitioner or wellness service and would like to be listed, call or email us on cell: 082 979 2395 or lara@holistica.co.za.

WESTERN CAPE Alchemica Life Coaching | Energy Healing | Spiritual Healing Durbanville 082 331 2061 www.alchemica.co.za Anastasia Georgeu Foodology Nutrition Cape Town 072 222 2191 www.foodology.co.za Anice Lombard Massage Mama Mobile Pregnancy & Sports Massage Cape Town 082 921 1223 www.massagemama.co.za Anita Lotze Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Flower Essences | Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health Tokai 021 715 4514 www.anitalotze.com Anna Prinsloo Free Flow Therapy Sound Healing | Fascia Release | Dorn Method Plumstead & Noordhoek 072 380 4830 www.freeflowtherapy.co.za

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Dr. Anne Pargiter Holistic Well Woman Practice Integrative Doctor | Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health Tokai 021 712 9274 Annorien Roos Whale Coast Astrologer Astrology Hermanus 082 376 1709 www.whalecoastastrologer.co.za B3 Brain-Body Balance Fascia Release | Body Alignment | Neuromuscular Massage Sea Point & Hout Bay 082 809 6735 www.bbbalance.com Be Happy Life Coaching Life Coaching | Personal Development Bokaap 082 370 2553 www.behappylifecoaching.co.za Best Move Pilates Pilates | 5 Rhythms Blauuwberg 074 111 6607 www.bestmovepilates.com Bodhi Khaya Retreat Retreat Centre Gansbaai 028 388 0156 www.bodhi-khaya.co.za

Body Basics Massage on the Move Mobile Deep Tissue & Swedish Massage Milnerton 073 407 1557 www.bodybas icssa.co.za Bodywise Craniosacral Therapy | Live Blood Analysis | M Technique Pinelands 084 656 5577 www.bodywise.co.za Brett Simpson Cancer Journey Coaching Cape Town 082 772 9073 www.cancerjourneycoaching.co.za Carol Knox Meaningful Living Coaching Life Coaching Hermanus 076 501 3354 www.meaningfulliving.coach Charmaine Haig My Urban Retreat | My Boutique Retreat | CT Reiki Reiki | Kinesiology | Shiatsu | Meditation Sea Point 073 410 9897 www.myurbanretreat.co.za Diana Smith HiddenMind | Bio-energy Healing Cape Town 082 309 9798 www.hiddenmind.co.za Donovan Brown Trauma Release Exercises (TRE) | Hypnotherapy | Counselling Somerset West 079 614 7181 www.ichangeme.co.za

Elaine Seidel Forrest Yoga | Iyengar Yoga Cape Town 083 259 3086 Emma Hamel Soul Coaching | Life Coaching | Past Life Regression Claremont 072 396 0869 www.emmahamel.co.za Energetic Body Healing Aura Healing | Reiki Camps Bay 083 764 2177 www.energeticbodyhealing.co.za Essence Soul Retreat Energy Healing | Spiritual Healing Energy Coaching | Massage | Art Therapy Tokai 081 727 9939 www.essencesoulretreat.com Eye of the Vedas Vedic Astrology | Meditation Stellenbosch www.eyeofthevedas.com Evelyn Urban Soothe Holistic Massage Monte Vista 082 899 4156 Fanny Lacroix Human, Horse and Hound Human & Animal Kinesiology Tableview 082 929 5215 www.humanhorsehoundkinesiology. weebly.com

DIRECTORY OF PRACTITIONERS

Fiona Thornton Into Nutrition Nutrition & Health Programmes Tableview 074 580 6828 www.intonutrition.co.za Get It Together Life Coaching & Corporate Training Sea Point 076 683 8749 www.getittogether.co.za Gnostic Wholistic Festivals Spirituality & Wellbeing Fairs Cape Town 082 569 3567 www.gnosticwholisticfestival.co.za Grant Hamel Business, Profitability & Productivity Coaching Cape Town 082 994 3262 www.granthamel.com Hajira Khalfe Akashic Record Clearing | Life Alignment | The Emotion Code Rondebosch 084 800 0920

Health Coach SA Life Coach | Nutrition | Massage Cape Town 084 580 8444 www.healthcoachsa.com Heart and Soul Counselling Mcgregor 023 625 1969 www.heartandsoul.co.za Heinrich Le Roux Balance Natural Health Clinic Live Blood Analysis | Ethnomedicine | Dorn Method | Breuss Massage Scarborough 071 869 3715 www.naturalclinic.co.za I Feel Calm Mindfulness | Holistic Healing | Retreats Hermanus 082 437 9776 www.ifeelcalm.com Jacques Myburgh Life, Transition & Existential Coaching Durbanville 083 261 8820

Hakim La Rocca Deep Tissue, Sports & Thai Massage Woodstock 072 489 6356

Janet Homan Past Life Regression | Energy Healing Constantia 082 871 1069 www. janetenergyhealing.com

Healing Elements Kinesiology | Energy Healing | Psychotherapy Goodwood 082 339 4753 www.healingelements.co.za

Jean-Pierre Le Roux Integrative Life Coaching Life Coaching | Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP) Cape Town & Wilderness 044 883 1020

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Jessica Avidon At Ease Massage | Fascia Release | Trauma Release Exercises (TRE) Melkbos 071 678 4729 www.at-ease.co.za Jil lian Lambert Magic Moments Getaways & Retreats Nia | Hatha Yo ga | Retreats Big Bay 082 775 0198 www. jillianlambert.co.za John Homewood Wisdom to Nourish Life Coaching | Counselling | Retreats Cape Town 082 624 6249 www. johnhomewood.net Juliet Haines Sexual Awakening for Women Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health | Sexual Healing Noordhoek 082 404 6922 www. juliethaines.com Karen Muir Therapeutic Massage | Deep Tissue Massage Cape Town 083 350 5040 Karina Bognon Exceptional People Consulting and Training l Professional Coaching Cape Town 084 333 8889 www.epconsulting.co.za Kate Aitken Holistic Health & Wellness Coach Cape Town 083 955 8245

Kate Muller International Animal Communicator Animal Communication Cape Town 082 462 8598 www.katemuller.co.za Kim Tempest BioSCAN Bioenergetics | Lifestyle Medicine | Nutrition Newlands 082 642 9518 www.bioscan.co.za Lauren Burger Kundalini Yoga Meditation Muizenberg 084 558 8805 Leon Barnard-Young Healing Touch Therapies Massage | Personal Training | Reiki Durbanville 072 958 6057 www.healingtouch-therapies.co.za Lila Health & Wellbeing Body Alignment | Spinal Flush | Yoga Therapy | Meditation Woodstock 083 377 9248 www.lila-healthandwellbeing.com Lorraine Vorsatz Reiki Pinelands 083 292 5177 Margarita Celeste Astrology & Tarot Astrology | Tarot Cape Town CBD 082 967 0039 www.margaritaceleste.com

DIRECTORY OF PRACTITIONERS

Marion Nixon Health Works Lymph Drainage Massage | Aromatherapy Massage | Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Sybrand Park 084 512 9191 www.marionnixon.co.za T/Dr. Markus van der Westhuizen Kinesiology | Crystal Healing | Aura Healing | Herbalism Woodstock 072 952 3630 www.healthychoice.co.za Mary Fourie MJF Wealth Financial Coaching | Financial Planning | Life Coaching Wynberg 082 455 5919 www.mjfwealth.co.za Metka Zurman Self Care Retreats Trauma Release Exercises (TRE) | Life Coaching | Workshops Constantia 083 608 5073 www.selfcareretreats.co.za Mia Steyn Nia | Dance | Mindfulness Somerset West 082 874 2176 www.niastellenbosch.com Michelle Levy Sung Healing Traditional Chinese Medicine | Tai Chi | Acupuncture Blouberg 072 184 3038 www.sunghealing.co.za

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Michelle Strybis Blissful Bodies Yoga | Hypnotherapy | Holistic Healing Oranjezicht 083 236 4070 Mobile Beauty Bar Mobile Beauty Therapy & Deep Tissue Massage Cape Town 084 503 9882 The Mindful Recovery Centre Mindfulness Based Addiction Recovery Sea Point 082 568 4806 www.themindfulrecoverycentre.co.za Moira Burmeister Coaching in Nature Life Coaching | Counselling | Trauma Coaching Cape Town 084 576 8280 www.moiraburmeister.co.za Natacha Wauquiez Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Matrix Reimprinting Pinelands 072 114 8947 www.eftsense.com Natalie Lombard BodyTalk | Yoga Therapy Hout Bay 082 561 7122 www.insideout361.com Naturally Wise Lymph Drainage Massage | Deep Tissue Massage | Dorn Method Reflexology Glencairn & Cape Town 084 625 4123

Neil Bruce Mobile Massage & Reiki Kenridge 063 675 5843

Pure Awakening Mobile Massage | Reiki | Beauty Therapy Bellville 076 681 2172

The Om Revolution Mobile Yoga Cape Town 081 329 4543 www.theomrevolution.co.za

QHHT with Daniel Past Life Regression | Reiki Vredehoek 071 410 9157 www.karuna.co.za

O udrif Retreat Farm 027 482 2397 www.oudrif.co.za

Raw Love Nutritional Coaching | Pregnancy Yoga Cape Town 082 826 2473 www.rawlove.co.za

Paul de Kock Global Energetics Mindfulness & Leadership Workshops Cape Town 082 393 2888 Penelope van Maasdyk Well Worth Being Craniosacral Therapy | Holistic & Intuitive Healing Gardens & Hout Bay 074 101 1621 www.wellworthbeing.com Pieter van der Westhuyzen Iridology | Herbalism | Psychiridology | Traditional Healing Hout Bay 082 311 8273 www.3levelsofhealing.co.za Power of Soul Cape Town Holistic Healing | Meditation Cape Town 082 469 4549 www.powerofsoul.co.za

The Inner Process Family Constellations | Counselling Muizenberg 083 260 5567 www.theinnerprocess.com The Reiki Room Angel Card Readings | Mindfulness | Reiki Constantia 072 378 8561 Renee Nell The Artistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Way Workshops Cape Town 074 144 3510 Robyn Caie Aromatherapy & Lymph Drainage Massage Reflexology Cape Town 082 299 6154 Samadhi Retreats Retreat Centre | Flower Essences | Reiki Grotto Bay 022 492 2146 www.samadhiretreats.co.za

DIRECTORY OF PRACTITIONERS

School of Intuition & Healing Energy Healing School Cape Town 021 788 2008 www.intuitionandhealing.co.za

The Source Yoga | Pilates | Transformation Cape Town 021 794 2640 www.thesourcecapetown.co.za

Sean Weltz Deep Tissue Massage | Sports Massage Cape Town 076 903 6699 www.massage-somerset-west.co.za

Spiritual Vitality Wellness & Holistic Centre Piketberg 022 913 1138 www.spiritualvitality.co.za

Shamballah Tea House & Holistic Centre Retreat Centre Cape Point 072 634 9043 www.shamballah.co.za

Dr Stephan MarĂŠ Naturopath | Acupuncture | Holistic Healing Vredehoek 082 490 0807 www.thegoodlifeholistichealth.com

Sharni Quinn Follow the Sun Yoga | Life Coaching | Retreats Woodstock 071 954 2816 www.followthesun.co.za

Dr Stephen Farrugia Naturopath | Functional Medicine | Nutrition Tableview 083 726 0975 www.zenstudio.co.za

Sharyn Driver Transformational Therapy O ranjezicht 083 233 0440 www.releasinglimits.com

Stillness in Motion Neuromuscular Kinetic Massage | Tai Chi Constantia & Milnerton Ridge 072 400 4329

Soaring Free Superfoods Superfood Supplier Tokai 0861 000 976 www.rawlicious.co.za

Sy Tzu Tantra | Herbalism | Massage Cape Town 081 845 7329 www.sytzu.org

Soul Center Wholistic Talks | Workshops & Gatherings Yoga | Meditation Woodstock 073 528 0394 www.soulcenter.co.za

Talia Yann Kahuna & Ayurvedic Massage Tokai 071 511 5661

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Tamar Bezuidenhout Aura Essence Spiritual & Energy Healing Tokai 081 727 9939 www.auraessence.co.za

Wendy Christien Integrated Health Solution Iridology | Nutrition Bellville 082 490 8812 www.integratedhealthsolution.co.za

Tamara Wensing FRANK.energy In tuitive & Energy Healing | Angel Card Readings Cape Town 071 203 9420 www.frank.energy

Yoga Kitchen Yoga | Pilates | Nutrition | Retreats Cape Town & Swellendam 076 508 7188 www.yogakitchen.co.za

Tania Bownes Celebrating Freedom Trauma Release Exercises (TRE) | Aromatherapy | Retreats Hout Bay 083 326 6352 www.celebratingfreedom.co.za Time2Change Hypnotherapy | Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP) | Emotional Freedom Techniques (E FT) | Addiction Therapy Cape Town 062 105 3188 www.time2change.me Tracy Mann Healing Hands Reiki Reiki | Holistic Healing Noordhoek 061 846 1649 www.healinghandsinfo.com Valentina Leo Tantra | Yoga | Sacred Sexuality Noordhoek 083 298 8113 www.thelaboratoryoflove.com

Zo Hoka Dashati Shiatsu | Yoga | Yoni Eggs | Massage Cape Town 064 481 7552 www.endstress.co.za Carol Knox Meaningful Living Coaching Life Coaching Hermanus 076 501 3354 www.meaningfulliving.coach Grant Hamel Business, Profitability & Productivity Coaching Cape Town 082 994 3262 www.granthamel.com Kim Tempest BioSCAN Bioenergetics | Lifestyle Medicine | Nutrition Newlands 082 642 9518 www.bioscan.co.za Neil Bruce Mobile Massage & Reiki Kenridge 063 675 5843

DIRECTORY OF PRACTITIONERS

Pieter van der Westhuyzen Iridology | Herbalism | Psychiridology | Traditional Healing Hout Bay 082 311 8273 www.3levelsofhealing.co.za

Avra Holistic Healing Energy Healing | Shamanic Journeys Holistic Tea Benoni 072 377 1295 www.avrahealing.wixsite.com

Sharyn Driver Transformational Therapy Oranjezicht 083 233 0440 www.releasinglimits.com

Beautiful Mind Pilates & Feldenkrais Studio Pilates | Feldenkrais Illovo 073 192 9145 www.beautifulmind.co.za

GAUTENG Alchemy Health & Fitness Pilates | Yoga | Lymph Drainage Mass age Cresta 011 888 0679 www.alchemycentre.co.za Alternate Choices Life Coaching | Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP) | Time Line Therapy Johannesburg 072 821 1668 www.alternatechoices.co.za Andre Hindley Mindfree Coaching Life Coaching | Corporate Training Pretoria 081 420 1995 www.mindfreecoach.com Andrea Riem Innate Potential Educational Kinesiology | Brain Gym | Life Coaching | Movement Based Learning Roodepoort 083 646 8999 www.innatepotential.co.za

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Callanetics Teachers Association of South Africa Callanetics Randburg 011 795 3311 www.ctasa.org.za Cisca van Heerden Therapeutic Reflexology | Nutrition | Holistic Healing Pretoria 072 266 7656 The Colour Studio Aura-Soma | Tarot | Chakra Healing | Reiki | Workshops Northcliff 073 7139 605 Davorka Elez Health & Life Coaching Nutrition | Functional Medicine | Corporate Training Morningside 073 479 5589 www.counter44.com T/Dr. Dee McMillan Traditional Doctor Benoni 082 326 8461

The Healing Hands Group Male Spa & Recreation Centre Deep Tissue Massage | Reiki Alberton 084 767 2913 handshealing.wixsite.com/healinghands

Loraine van der Meer Reflexology| Reiki | Aromatherapy Massage Lonehill 082 782 8000 www.lorainevandermeer.com

Healing Mind Magnified Healing | Reiki Egyptian Cartouche Bedfordview 081 707 5092

Louise Pitot Nutrition | Beauty Therapy Sandton 082 789 5380 www.louisepitot.com

Jasmin Visser Therapeutic Massage | Fascia Release Johannesburg 082 313 1905

Life Expansion Holistic Natural Health Care Aromatherapy | Reflexology | Lymph Drainage | Energy Healing Centurion 012 663 3696

Julia Witt The Healing Place Shamanic Healing Benoni 083 527 6827 Karen Weinman Transformation & Andean Shamanism Fourways 082 446 2797 www.karenweinman.com Kuzorora Day Spa Spa | Massage | Treatments Pretoria 082 332 1199 www.kuzororaspa.co.za Liz Olver Being in Balance Flower Essences | Kinesiology Kyalami 083 644 4444 www.beinginbalance.co.za

Dr. Lilian Cabiron The Healing Process Psychiatry | Psychoanalysis | Reiki | Coaching | Counselling Pretoria 082 786 6188 www.thehealingprocess.co.za Nathan Mooi Inovate Massage Therapy Sports Massage | Deep Tissue Massage Johannesburg 082 607 1138 Nirvana Touch Indian Head Massage | Sports Massage Rivonia 082 976 7813 www.nirvanatouch.co.za Om Your Life Holistic Business Coaching | Spiritual Healing | Retreats Bedfordview 082 372 8756 www.omyourlife.net

DIRECTORY OF PRACTITIONERS

Prema Health Natural Health & Wellness Products Pretoria 082 410 3497 www.premahealth.co.za Samantha Le Roux Serenity Natural Healing Energy Healing | Crystal Healing | Shamanic Healing | Flower Essences Sandton 071 125 0326 www.serenitynaturalhealing.com Sarah Braithwaite MindSight Life & Integrative Health Coaching Bryanston 083 562 6193 www.mindsightsa.com SP Sport & Beauty Beauty Therapy | Lymph Drainage & Sports Massage Johannesburg 083 919 9175 www.sp-sportandbeauty.co.za Tracey Joubert Craniosacral Therapy | Reflexology | Reiki Morningside 084 504 9671 Terry Logie Therapeutic Aromatherapy | Holistic, Swedish & Indian Head Massage Johannesburg 083 407 0664 Valerie Kerr Music Therapy Music Therapy Rembrandt Park 083 486 5054 www.pianocompositionsrecitals.com

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Dr. Wian Stander Centre of Advanced Medicine Integrative Medicine | Specialist Medical Centre Johannesburg 082 629 4014 www.advancedmed.co.za

KWAZULU NATAL ANG Journey of Self Discovery Enneagram Coaching Musgrave 072 336 9816 Bruce Robertson Deep Tissue Massage | Sports Massage | Yoga Morningside 082 215 5978 Celeste du Toit YES Paradigm Coaching Transformational Coaching | Holistic Healing | Workshops & Retreats Westville 082 741 9578 www.yesparadigm.co.za Dharmagiri Sacred Mountain Retreat Retreat Centre Underberg 084 799 0393 www.dharmagiri.org House of Calm Yoga Studio & Wellness Rooms Yoga | Kinesiology | Fascia Release Umhlanga 031 562 9182 www.houseofcalm.co.za The Roaming Yogi Mobile Yoga Durban 073 614 8804

Dr Roshan Hendricks Complementary Medicine | Phytotherapy Stanger 072 219 8655 Zelda Visser Myofascial Release | Rolfing | Yin Yoga Umhlanga 082 887 4050 www.thehealthyhabithub.com

GARDEN ROUTE Dominic Haarhoff Counselling George 079 548 8947 www.dominichaarhoff.com Forest Edge Nature Lover’s Retreat Retreat Centre Knysna 082 456 1338 www.forestedge.co.za Intuitive Bodywork Therapeutic Massage Treatments & Training Plettenberg Bay 073 311 6673 www.intuitivebodywork.co.za Yoni Eggs Yoni Egg Supplier | Women’s Health Knysna 079 124 3626 www.yonieggs.co.za

EASTERN CAPE Ali Jones Nutrition and Wellness St Francis Bay & Port Elizabeth Clinical Nutrition | Functional Medicine Nutrition | Health Coaching 042 294 1734 www.mynutritionwellness.com

MULTI-PROVINCE/ COUNTRYWIDE Brain Harmonics Neurofeedback South Africa 076 4343 252 www.brainharmonics.co.za Entrée Creative Change ADHD & Life Coaching | Kids Yoga Cape Town &amp; Johannesburg 082 801 4043 www.entreecreativechange.com Glynis Dinsdale Angelways Angel Card Readings | Feng Shui | Spiritual School Cape Town & Johannesburg 083 456 8238 www.angelways.co.za HealthFood Warehouse Wholesale Online Health Food Store 076 792 6402 www.healthfoodwarehouse.co.za Heal Your Life South Africa Heal Your Life Workshops, Coaching & Training 078 538 0922 www.healyourlife.co.za Helen Hansen Transformational Facilitation | Kinesiology | Energy Healing Cape Town & Johannesburg 072 409 7664 www.helenhansen.co.za The Journey South Africa The Journey Workshops & Retreats South Africa 039 313 7047 www.thejourneysa.co.za

DIRECTORY OF PRACTITIONERS

MetaVarsity School of Metaphysics South Africa 0861 116 126 www.metavarsity.com South African BodyTalk Association BodyTalk Sys tem South Africa 074 118 9184 www.bodytalksystem.co.za Yoga4Kids South Africa Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Yoga Classes & Teacher Training South Africa 083 299 6555 www.yoga4kids.co.za Munira Mahomed Life Coaching Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg & Gaborone 072 926 4937 www.muniramahomed.com Full Bloom Consultancy Colour & Style Consultation | Makeovers | Personal Shopping Caledon 083 408 3287

INTERNATIONAL Aegean Alchemy Retreats Paternoster & Paros, Greece 082 413 4078 www.aegeanalchemy.com Caryl Westmore Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) | Coaching UK & Cape Town 078 123 2309 www.carylwestmore.com

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Healing by Pallavi Angel Therapy | Magnified Healing | Numerology | Astrology Online + 91 997 190 6196 www.healingbypallavi.com Mystic Tarot Online Tarot Readings 060 972 7289 Nourish Move Love Health Coaching | Yoga | Nutrition | Workshops Indonesia www.nourishmovelove.co.za Pilates Retreats South Africa & Abroad 076 499 6499 www.pilatesretreats.co.za Sacred & Exotic Destinations Retreats 021 782 4040 www. joannacastle.com Sweeter Freedom Food Management App | Nutrition 082 657 2298 www.sweeterfreedom.co.za Spica Astrology Astrology | Life Alignment South Africa, Poland, India & UK 0662 139 501 www.spicastrology.com

GET OFF THE WHEEL FOR A MOMENT, DISCOVER WHERE YOU ARE, AND MAKE A

conscious

WAKEFUL DECISION ABOUT WHETHER YOU WANT TO GET BACK ON THAT WHEEL OR NOT. USING OUR AWARENESS, WE CAN PROCESS THE EVENTS THAT ARE HAPPENING TO US. OTHERWISE, WE ARE PASSIVE, UNCONSCIOUS WITNESSES OF OUR FATES Dr Arnold Mindell, Founder Of Process Oriented Psychology)

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

GURUSPEAK Brush up on your mind body spirit lexicon with our nifty A to Z of guruspeak. A F F I R MAT IO N Something declared to be true, a positive statement or judgement. A K AS H I C R E C O RD A record of every person’s word, thought, act and life past and present. ANIM A The feminine aspects and qualities of the human psyche. ANIM ISM The belief that inanimate things (like plants) possess a soul or spirit. ANIM US The masculine aspects and qualities or the human psyche. A N TH R O P OSO PHY A formal educational, therapeutic, and creative system established by Rudolf Steiner that advocates using primarily natural means to optimise physical and mental health and well-being. ASANA A yoga pose. AS C EN D ED M AST E R A term used to describe one who has reached the highest level of spiritual consciousness and has become a guide for humankind's evolution. ASTR A L BO DY A subtle body intermediate between the intelligent soul and the mental body capable of projection from the physical body. ASHRAM Sanctuary or school (often associated with yoga and/or Hinduism). AURA The human energy field comprised of varying levels of subtle energies that ultimately create physiology. B O DYWO RK A generic term used to describe the multiplicity of therapeutic techniques utilising ‘hands-on' manipulation of the body as well as exercise and movement. B R EATHWO RK The conscious use of breath and breathing techniques to access different levels of the psyche. B U D D HA BOWL A dish made of various greens, raw or roasted veggies, beans and a healthy grain like quinoa or brown rice. C HAKRA Sanskrit for ‘wheel’ - these are the seven major energy points or vortexes of subtle anatomy positioned on the midline of the body. C HI ( Q I) A Chinese term describing the vital life energy or spirit that runs through the body. (see also Prana).

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C O NSC IO USNE SS The state of having awareness of one's own existence, sensations, thoughts and surroundings, awareness of something for what it is. D HARM A The Sanskrit term for an individual’s spiritual duty. D RISHT I The gazing point in yoga. ECSTASY Translated from Greek as "I stand outside myself," and refers to a wild, joyful state where one is 'beyond one's ego'. E SOT E RIC intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with specialised knowledge or interest. FAST ING By relieving the body of the task of digesting foods, fasting allows the body to rid itself of toxins to boost healing. GAIA A name for the earth, and one of the names of the earth goddess - also the concept of seeing the world as a conscious a living organism. G RO UND ING Conducting energy to the ground after spiritual work has been completed in order to centre and balance the self. G UID E D IM AG E RY A technique using the power of the imaginative mind to relieve stress and stimulate healing. G URU A teacher or master HO L IST IC The concept of all things being interrelated and interdependent. In health terms, 'holistic' means treating the whole person, not just the disease. HO L ISM The theory that everything in the universe is viewed as interrelated and interdependent. INNE R C HIL D T HE RAPY The act of reliving individual developmental stages to heal the present day effects of early traumas. KARM A derived from Hinduism and Buddhism meaning the total effect of a person’s actions and conduct during the successive phases of the person’s existence, regarded as determining the person’s destiny. KUNDAL INI The Hindu concept of the elemental creative energy of the human body, which is conceived metaphorically to be a steeping serpent at the base or spine; awaiting awakening through conscious development.

M A NDAL A A Sanskrit term for a design or pattern that is used as an aid for meditation. MANT RA A Sanskrit term for words/phrases that are repeated to awaken one's consciousness, such as 'Om'. M ED ITAT IO N An exercise that often includes deep, concentrated, reflective thinking and forms of non-thinking, to calm, centre and or tone the self. M ERID IAN The 14 main energy channels in the body through which Chi (vital energy) runs. Acupuncture diagnoses illness by finding blockages in these meridians. M ETA PHYSIC S The science of the interface between the physical and subtle realities of existence. MO KSHA The Sanskrit term for the emancipation of the soul from rebirth. N E W AG E A global trend towards reincorporating spirituality into everyday life, uncluttered by dogmatic religious systems. N IRVANA The Sanskrit concept of freedom of the personal soul from the physical world. OM The most sacred mantra in Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism. P H I LO SO PHY The study of knowledge and thought. PRANA A Hindu term describing the breath of life or vital energy. P R A NAYAM A The practice of controlling the breath. P R O CE SSING Allowing space and time for the integration of growth in the healing journey. P R OJE C T IO N The act of emotionally transferring one’s own feelings onto another person. R EBI RT HING Á breath-work technique for releasing the present day effects of the trauma of birth. Often used as a term that encompasses other emotional healing using the breath. S EL F - R EA L I SAT IO N Personal recognition of one’s divinity. S H AD OW The aspects of the psyche that we consciously or unconsciously do not wish to acknowledge or work with. S HAM AN A nature-based healer and/or spiritual healer. 3 R D D I M EN S I O N A L RE AL IT Y The domain of physical matter contained within the parameters or the physical laws governed by Space, Time and Relativity

SO UL Spiritual or immaterial part of person; moral, emotional or intellectual nature of person or (according to Deepak Chopra) A living dynamic evolving system in consciousness comprised of contexts, relationship, meaning and archetypal themes. It is derived from karma, memory and desire. It’s dynamism is the result of a constant interplay between the forces of inertia and the forces of creativity, quantum leaps and emergent properties. SPIRIT The vital principle or animating force within living beings: incorporeal consciousness. SYNE RGY A principle which states that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. SUBC O NSC IO US The part of the mind of which we’re not fully aware, but which influences our actions and feelings. SUPE RFO O D A nutrient-rich food considered to be especially beneficial for health and wellbeing. SWE AT LO D G E A hut/lodge heated by steam from water poured on hot stones - traditionally used for cleansing, vision-seeking rituals and/or therapeutic healing processes. TAO The Chinese word meaning ‘The Way’, or ‘the nameless way of all things’. TAO ISM An ancient Chinese form of spiritual practice. T HE RAPY Treatment of physical, psychological and/or emotional issues. T HIRD E YE Also known as the mind's eye, or inner eye, is a mystical and esoteric idea of a speculative invisible eye enabling perception beyond ordinary sight. VE GAN A person that doesn’t eat any animal or dairy products or derivatives. VE G E TARIAN A person who doesn’t eat animal flesh. VISIO N Q UE ST A journey taken to awaken consciousness, where participants are left by themselves undistracted by food, electricity or other aspects of society. VISUAL ISAT IO N Forming a mental image of something (usually a desire). YANG A Chinese term describing the masculine aspect of everything, elementally seen as light and fiery. YIN A Chinese term describing the feminine aspect of everything, elementally seen as dark, earthy and wet. ZEN A form of Buddhism emphasizing meditation and intuition. From the Sanskrit word for meditation – ‘to see, observe’.

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SELF-MASSAGE

Massage Your Feet Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re full of pressure points that stimulate healing in your body. Different parts of the feet have nerve endings that correlate to different parts of the body. Head off to a reflexologist for expert treatment or practice some self-massage using this guide.

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