I am designing this page as a place to invite fellow therapists, teachers and friends to write, share and publish articles that will help, give insights, knowledge and guidance to all who wish to access it in their journey of wellness.

Originally, I had intended to publish articles in a newsletter format but that is limiting as I have set up the newletter for those who wish to subscribe (Freely) to it. That will continue and will be full of interesting information but will be quarterly. Whereas this method can be updated as and when required and is open to all.

My first article has been written by Pauline Bell of www.joininghands.co.uk

If you have not already visited her website, let me tell you a little about this lovely lady. Pauline studied through The Northern Institute of Massage and the Shiatsu College, London. She is a student of Anando Masta (acupressure and life skills) and John Garrie Roshi (Meditation in action and stillness). Pauline teaches Jason Chan’s style of Tai Chi and Chi Gung as well as organising and running Three Day Zen Meditation Retreats, Elixir Day Retreats and Mindful Meditation Days. Brochures can be obtained through Pauline’s website or by contacting myself. They are well worth considering. Prices for the Three Day Zen Meditation Retreats are £100 per person (dependant on 2 participants). The Elixir Day Retreats are dependant upon numbers: For 8 or more people … £25.00 per day, 5-7 people … £35.00 each, 2, 3 or 4 people … £40.oo each and for 1 person … £50.00 each.

Now to the article written by Pauline ….

HOLISTIC HEALING MEANS BEING WHOLE!

In my leaflet introducing myself and my Elixir Day Retreats (or One to One Days), I talk about cobwebby areas that ‘we might explore if the individual client wishes to do so … and i am not in the business of pushing!’. I would like to explain what I mean by cobwebby. The subject is involved and I will just give a brief glimpse. If you wish to know or experience more please get in touch.

The symptoms of Dis-Ease can be really helped with an approach which is holistic and kind but which remains focused on coming away from ‘trying to sort it out in the head’ … to a more Body centred approach.*

Dis-ease needs expression and therefore such symptoms as the following manifest themselves … addictions, depression, excessive emotions … ie anger or fear, a multitude of different kinds of back pains, neck or shoulder pains and many digestive disorders.

Prescriptive and remedial approaches have their places in the scheme of things but if we look deeply and listen very well to our inner beings, our own habits of a lifetime of ignoring and not listening to our selves causes such energy blocks that eventually the stuck energy changes the cellular and chemical makeup of our body.

Let us take one of the above dis-eases to illustrate this point … addictions … and look at this more closely. Smoking may bring comfort. Also it is a habit, a sense of need that is so strong that despite being aware that this is very bad for the health, the smoker cannot without huge willpower quit. If he/she does manage to do so there often remains a hunger like an emptiness that he/she may try and fill some other way. It is this emptiness, need or feeling that would be so helpful to focus on (and not the goal based fact of quitting smoking).

As a therapist it is important to recognise and respect that the ’symptom’ (in this case smoking) is the client’s way of coping and only when there is an adequate alternative way will there be a genuine letting go of what is no longer needed. Otherwise, the need for ‘comfort’ for ‘coping’ just finds another vehicle. it is not the smoking we need to centre on, or really let go of. what we need to address is the fear or anxiety, the irritation or the variety of methods we blank out our pain … the pain of not being in our true power. This requires courage, committment, focus and helpful support.

It also requires a belief that it is possible to address the issues involved and that we have within us all the tools and skills to totally change ourselves where needed. I believe that real well-being is our human intention, and that moving well and feeling at ease, clear and aware in the here and now is our priority. So to become aware of where we consciously or unconsciously refuse or ignore to face our inner needs is the first step to empowerment.

*The last fact I wish to share here is connected to the beginning of my article … and has to do with the holistic healing approach …

Following this path requires, as I said, many skills and qualities that the client might not at first realise they have! But empirical learning … that means learning through experience with the body/mind before intellectual mind is the key to real and profound change, where eureka moments happen and where the world is a brighter shade and is never quite the same again!

Article by Pauline

30th December 2007

www.joininghands.co.uk