Monthly Archives: March 2010

Lazy Autumn afternoon

 Autumn days have a special feel to them. The morning starts off cool, just a bit on the cold side and although the forecast may be for a clear day, you can never be sure…..
It’s the day after the second blue moon for the year. Two full moons in January and now 2 in March. Birdsong is punctuated by the drone of the police helicopter as it does laps of the parkland at the bottom of the hill.
It’s harder to get up in the mornings now with the darkness, which will ease slightly when day light saving finishes over the Easter weekend. Once the equinox has passed the days seem to draw to a close very quickly.

Sweeping up the leaves that have changed colour and dropped and pausing to remove the cobwebs festooning the windowsills and nooks and crannies around the downpipes. Drifts of leaves in corners of the verandah and against the borders of the garden beds. Shoots from winter bulbs starting to poke up through the soil and must remember to replant the tulip bulbs that have been in the vegetable crisper. The tree ferns have finally given up trying to exist. They were burnt to a crisp last year on Black Saturday when the temperature reached 47C. Another year of drought has finished them off, so the stumps will come out soon and the garden outside my clinic room will be re-done.
New soil will be put down to level out the garden bed. Drought tolerant plants will do and I will trim the ivy back along the fence, which I will also extend by a metre or so, with a screen to improve privacy in the clinic.

Reiki

Just for today refrain from anger,
Just for today,
refrain from worry,

Be grateful to all living things,

Appreciate all that is,

Be kind to all living things.

There are numerous Reiki schools and associations and it is important to choose the teacher and method that most resonates with you. There are purists and innovators in every field. To embrace change in a meaningful way, without detracting from the original message, can lead to greater understanding.

Having said that, change for change’s sake is not always necessary. As my inspirational mentor and teacher once said, “Spirit loves ritual”. And so it is with Reiki. Becoming attuned to Reiki is the start of a fantastic journey, not always smooth sailing, but always leading towards a strengthened spirit.

Starting even before the first attunement, there is an energetic shift. Extra-ordinary things will start to happen. Synchronicity…….. A heightened awareness……. Anticipation……

Let’s look at the precepts and deconstruct them.  Just for today – this is all about living in the moment.

Be present.

Your presence when you are with other people is the greatest gift you can give them. Read Eckhart Tolle’s books if you haven’t already.

refrain from anger ….. what are you angry about? Is it anger or an underlying emotion? Is it a habitual response?

Whatever it is, refrain from it for today. If that is difficult at first, put it aside  for 5 minutes, then extend the time. Replace this emotion with a positive emotion and feel the difference. It gets easier with practice and it is amazing the difference it makes.

refrain from worry ….. what are you worrying about? How does that worry serve you? Especially while you are in a Reiki session. If you are worrying, you are not present and in the now.  Put it aside for today, as the saying goes, “let go and let God/ Spirit…….”

Be grateful to all living things…gratitude is underestimated. We take so much for granted. Be thankful for what we have, and in the west, we have so much more than many millions of others. Our bodies function for us – yes, there are sometimes issues with how they function, but as you are reading this, you are alive. When we show gratitude for  what we have a shift in consciousness. As I write this, I can hear birdsong and traffic. I have the time to write this as a new client chose to do something else at this hour. I am grateful for the time to write and reflect.

There is another version of the Reiki precepts that has this line, “Honour your parents, teachers and elders“.  Include it if you find it resonates with your belief system. For those abused by anyone in this category, I would remove it.

Another line that appears in some versions is ” Be honest in your work”. This goes without saying. Be honest and true to yourself and to your client. Earn your living in a way that is congruent with your values.

Appreciate all that is…when you appreciate all that is, you become fully aware of your life path and your value. Appreciate your significance and all that is around you.

Polarity Therapy

One of the amazing things about Polarity Therapy is how simple and effective it is.
Dr Randolph Stone was able to bridge Eastern and Western concepts of energetic healing. He brought together Ayurvedic andTaoist philosophies whilst also embracing Western holistic treatments such as chiropractic and naturopathy and esoteric Christian beliefs.
In his textbooks, through his detailed line drawings, he was able to illustrate energy flows and systems.
There are a variety of treatments available as well as differing types of touch.
Treatments can be based on balancing the elements of

  • Ether
  • Air
  • Fire
  • Water
  • Earth.

Each element has a number of qualities that relate to the physical, mental or emotional body.

The person receiving the treatment is actively involved in making changes by breath work as the energy blockages are ‘stepped up’ or by making dietary changes and doing some simple exercises which help re-energise the physical body.
Each element also corresponds to an area of the body and mental state.
For example, the Ether element has the qualities of stillness and harmony, whilst it governs the emotional state of Grief.

The body part it effects is the neck (around C3 – C5).
Ether treatments work on the neck, which if there are blockages there, can contribute to nervous system and structural imbalances. This element governs communication and the emotions in general. Working in this area, using a gentle sattvic touch helps to bring about a profound and peaceful state of relaxation.

Challenges

Today was challenging. I decided that I would hand in the keys to the room in Glen Waverley and focus on my more mainstream practice at Mulgrave.
Challenging because I went with an intuition and as a result felt much clearer about the outcome than I expected.
Having been in a couple of workplaces where the boundaries and messages have been unclear and resulted in stressful outcomes, this time I am aware that “try to sort it out” is not an option.
It all comes down to choice and this time I have chosen to walk away.

Homeopathic prescribing

If you are working as a therapist you may be tempted to use some of the homeopathic remedies readily available in the health food stores.

I would strongly suggest that you undertake some basic training  in Homeopathy before dispensing remedies to your clients. You  need to become what Homeopathy has described as the unprejudiced observer and understand what the remedies will do and the possible aggravations that can occur. Although the remedies can be classed as a natural medicine, you must bear in mind that what can heal can also harm if given in the wrong dose and at the wrong time.

There are lots of labels in our busy world, some are disease labels – others are behaviour labels. What we must do is to observe each person as a whole. Each person has separate needs and experiences. So what is trauma or difficulty for one person may have little long-term impact on another.

There may be times that you as the therapist or practitioner requires a remedy. It must be stated that it is extraordinarily difficult to treat oneself, family or close friends. Seek professional advice. You are of no use if you give yourself a remedy that causes an aggravation of symptoms.

Homeopathy seeks to strengthen the body at the cellular level, so that we have a greater freedom to avoid the patterns of our ancestors. Some of the issues that can be helped by homeopathy are:

–          Grief

–          Abuse

–          Post traumatic stress disorders

As each person’s needs are quite different, so a different remedy will be needed even if there are the same or similar conditions prevailing. Seek out an experienced homeopath to whom you can go to for treatment and until you are qualified, send your clients to.

The major Contra-indications to giving a remedy are

–          When the client is already under constitutional Homeopathic treatment. Taking another remedy may interfere with the action of the remedy given by the Client’s primary care provider.

–          When the client is known to have great sensitivity to mainstream medications or allergens. (Seek professional advice before giving a remedy – you may prefer to use a flower essence or Rescue Remedy)

–          When consent has not been given.

Getting very social


Recently I have joined up on Facebook, LinkedIn and now also have a WordPress blog as well as this one. I’ve been using Twitter for a while now and to complete my electronic interface – I’m loving my iPhone! The blogs and wiki’s help me to put out the information that I have been accumulating over the years of study.
The challenge was what to do with the essays I wrote for my Homeopathic and Polarity Therapy studies. Better to have them “out there” than lurking in the bottom of the cupboard, so I’ve put snippets up on the blog.
In the meantime I have also written a 5 week goal setting course, found the Homeopathic booklets I wrote 8 years ago and even a meditation course that I began writing 10 years ago. These will form part of an ongoing workshop program.

HypnoCoaching

Move your life forward with this powerful combination of Hypnotherapy and Coaching techniques. Explore your core values, talents and strengths to maximize your potential and achieve your goals, increase motivation, confidence.

Use the hypnotic trance to make changes to your subconscious, while the conscious mind responds to traditional coaching techniques.

Self Hypnosis techniques will enable you to ensure long term success. A no cost 20 minute session will determine if this is the right program for you.

PD2

PD²

Professional & Personal Development Programs


Learn effective relaxation and stress busting techniques and how to implement them in the workplace environment.

Regular meditation has been shown to improve health and well-being, lowering blood pressure, improves concentration and reduces activity in the nervous system.  Studies document the many benefits of meditation and with ongoing practice, participants are able to self regulate their responses to anxiety and tension.

There are physiological, psychological and spiritual benefits to meditating.

  • Physiologically, meditation decreases the metabolic rate, reduces high blood pressure and lowers cortisol levels. Regular meditation changes the brain and enhances neural function.
  • The psychological benefits are improved memory and emotional stability while a decrease in anxiety, depression and moodiness can be measured.
  • An increase in compassion, awareness and personal growth can be attributed to the spiritual benefits of meditation.

Call and make a booking for a complimentary 20 minute consultation to discuss what package or program will best suit you or your workplace.

 

Hansei


Hansei 反省 – はんせいis a Japanese word meaning reflection, meditation, contemplation and introspection.
I am able to offer an easily learned, accessible guided visualisation or meditation technique that enables you to manage your life more effectively and with greater confidence and enjoyment.
Learn effective relaxation and stress busting techniques and how to implement them in the workplace environment.
Regular meditation has been shown to improve health and well-being, lowers blood pressure, enhances concentration and reduces activity in the nervous system. Studies document the many benefits of meditation and with ongoing practice, participants are able to self regulate their responses to anxiety and tension.
There are physiological, psychological and spiritual benefits to meditating.
Physiologically, meditation decreases the metabolic rate, reduces high blood pressure and lowers cortisol levels. Regular meditation changes the brain and enhances neural function.
The psychological benefits are improved memory and emotional stability while a decrease in anxiety, depression and moodiness can be measured. An increase in compassion, awareness and personal growth can be attributed to the spiritual benefits of meditation.
Hansei has been linked with the Japanese word Kaizen, made popular by Anthony Robbins and other business strategists.
So why talk about Hansei?
In another article about Hansei- Kaizen , Hansei is described as “relentless reflection” which leads to staff unhappiness and Kaizen as “continuous improvement”. In isolation both have some destructive aspects, but when combined create a state of enlightenment or wisdom that leads to abundance.
Hansei- Kaizen is a part of Japanese culture and while the concept may be difficult for ‘gaijin’ to grasp, this site describes it more detail. Another brief but eloquent description is at Gemba Tales.

Out in the garden

A slow Sunday afternoon in the garden, the tranquillity disturbed by the anxious squeaking of an arthritic labrador who can no longer climb the stairs. He has managed to bury a bone in the disused reticulation system and the smooth head of an ox femur pokes out of a garden bed.
As I hand water some gardenia seedlings near the woodpile, there is a sudden flurry of movement of thin spindly legs and a flash of red. Redback spider. Now that I’m looking, there are plenty in the area.
Some have made their homes around the decking and window frames. Instinct is to spray, but there is the fish pond near by. After the hailstorm, it overflowed and we discovered one of the fish floating. No sign of the other, but some grey bird feathers nearby. Maybe the heron came to visit.
I turned the fountain on yesterday to aerate the water and decided that I will bucket it out on to the garden. The water has cleared and there is a silver fish lying on its side near the bottom of the pond. I pick it up to dispose of it and there is a quick flap of the tail and it moves away, sinking again to the bottom. Not a well fish. I remember reading that if you move them through the water, they can be helped to resucitate. I try that and hold it in my hand under water for a few minutes. It seems to have a little life in it still although when I let it go, it sinks to the bottom again.