Creative Living Beyond Fear! Empowering author Elizabeth Gilbert asks us to embrace our curiosity and let go of needless suffering. She shows us how to tackle what we most love, and how to face down what we most fear. She discusses the attitudes, approaches, and habits we need in order to live our most creative lives. Whether we are looking to write a book, make art, find new ways to address challenges in our work, Big Magic cracks open a world of wonder and joy.
Community News
Welcome to the Wellnessnews!
We are proud to launch the first edition of the Wellnessnews on Central Vancouver Island! To us, Healthy Living means making positive choices and taking ownership and action to improve and enrich our lives in all key areas; physical, mental and spiritual. In order to achieve Healthy Living, we need information about positive health practices and a guide to the resources available to us. Wellnessnews Choices for Healthy Living strives to be the resource that showcases local health practitioners and businesses that can help the people in our communities achieve their goal of health and wellness.
Teresa Ostman and Isabella Ostman, Leverage Marketing Inc.
Publisher, Wellnessnews Central Vancouver Island
wellnessnews.ca
Ask The Expert
Parents ask: “How can I use music at home with my child when I have no musical skills?” Regardless of culture or place of birth some aspects of childhood are universal. Different regions have different music, but all children sing! Fear or a lack of confidence may be getting in the way of a store of material that is likely there just beneath the surface. A little while ago a new mom from Thailand asked me for help find songs she could sing to her baby girl. As a music therapist, I am used to researching music from diverse regions of the world to serve clientele in their own language. She felt too shy to sing, so I suggested that she speak it in the rhythm that she remembered. She found herself singing in spite of herself because by then the song wanted to be sung! No skills are necessary. Sing with your heart!
Nejama Ferstman, Shiri Music Therapy Services, www.shirimysong.ca
Why People Do Not Get Well
Take your health into your own hands! The power of positivity can help you achieve health and prosperity in 2017 and beyond! Here are some reasons why I believe people are struggling to get better. Your MINDSET has everything to do with the ability your body has to heal itself. Stop these thinking negative patterns: “There is nothing I can do about my health,” “I am aging, and disease is normal,” “I have been convinced by someone of authority that this is normal.” “I believe my problem cannot be fixed.” “I like being sick – Brings lots of attention!” “I have not learned to love or forgive.” All of this fear and anger is feeding your illness – Let go of negative emotions! If you find yourself relating to one of the thoughts above and are not willing to change, reclaiming your health is much more challenging. Your mind is the most powerful tool. Use it to reach your health and wellness goals this year!
Louis Hoolaeff HR, HC, ACS, www.LeadingEdgeHealth.org
Lost in Translation
People often want to communicate better. Being clear with others helps keep our relationships running smoothly. But communication can get tricky – we can get threatened, defensive, overwhelmed, critical, get aggressive or passive aggressive, feel undermined, not feel heard, feel misunderstood, or not know what we want – so much happens when we try to talk through issues! Couples often have a few hot topics that they can’t easily talk about. Family relationships can often use better communication. Is your communication connection style working for you? It can feel uncomfortable to try talking in new ways. But in the end it is helpful to be able to say what you want, say what you mean, and feel reasonably confident that the other person will hear you. Good communication can improve your trust in yourself and in your relationship. Counselling provides a safe and non-judgmental place to find ways to communicate more efficiently.
Mary Munro, www.marymunro.ca
Reach Your Goals with Hypnotherapy
At some point in our adult life, most of us have set goals for ourselves. We somehow get distracted, and our willpower fades, whether the goal is to quit smoking, manage our weight, make a career change… the list is endless. A perfect example of this when people make New Year’s resolutions and are entirely focused on achieving their goals, but after a few weeks, their willpower fades and they fall back into old patterns of behavior. The reason that we can get off track is that our willpower is located in our conscious mind which makes up 5-10% of our potential mind power compared to our subconscious mind which makes up 90-95% of our potential mind power. Hypnotherapy works because hypnosis allows direct access to the subconscious mind and can change old, unwanted, outdated beliefs that cause us to fall back into negative patterns of behavior that keep us stuck.
Scott Metcalf, C.H.t, RCCH, www.abeautifulmindhypnotherapy.com
Autism and Homeopathy
Autism Spectrum Disorders are on the rise with one in 68 children now being diagnosed. These are serious, potentially life-long conditions, which place a great deal of financial and emotional stress on families and society at large. Homeopathy can help to reduce and manage common autistic symptoms that are hard on families, especially eating, digestive and sleep problems as well as behavioural issues such as rigidity and hyperactivity. Homeopathy can also be used to identify the numerous causative factors of autism. If the homeopathic form of a substance which contributed to the condition is given, the child may have a brief healing reaction and then improve. Such substances can include antibiotics, vaccines, pesticides, car exhaust fumes, medications during or before pregnancy and ultrasounds. If you have a child with autism or a related developmental disorder please consider homeopathy as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Dr. Anke Zimmermann, ND, FCAH, www.drzimmermann.org
Alternative Healing – Sacred Geometry “What on Earth is an I.Connect?”
With 40 years of experience researching and developing Sacred Geometry tools, Gregory Hoag, scientist and creator of the I.Connect, can certainly answer this question in greater detail than I can. However, in my understanding, the I.Connect, can be described as a small but powerful, personal hand-held device containing miniature sacred geometric forms acting as antennae for metaphysical frequencies (information) originating from higher dimensions or Source. The intention of this ingenious device is to facilitate grounding, clearing and balancing the user’s personal energetic and electromagnetic fields, for improved communication from their Higher Self. One effect of carrying this device is strengthening one’s Life Force and Aura as may be witnessed by Kirlian photography. You can hear more in Greg’s own words by searching YouTube for “Sacred Geometry Tool to Connect With Higher Dimensions.”
Nelson Meggitt, www.optimumwellnessfactor.ca
Have You Heard of Ideal Protein?
Ideal Protein is a medically designed weight loss program that was developed over 20 years ago by physician Dr. Tran Tien Chanh. It balances the body’s food intake for efficient fat-burning and helps to reverse the imbalance in insulin that occur with the typical Western diet that contributes to weight gain and metabolic syndrome. This expert-led, data-driven program coupled with turn-key coaching from healthcare professionals is designed to move patients toward an ideal weight, lipid profile, cholesterol and insulin balance. Ideal Protein’s medically developed weight loss method tackles the root cause of weight gain – the body’s overproduction of insulin – by limiting consumption of sugars in the form of fats and carbohydrates. Dieters receive one-on-one coaching and monitoring through the weight loss experience, as well as support with healthy recipes, daily coaching videos, and educational seminars.
Alma Naranjo, www.successweightloss.ca
What is Diaphragmatic Breathing?
Diaphragmatic Breathing is all about breathing more with the diaphragm and less with upper chest or accessory muscles. This can be achieved through simple breathing exercises focusing on inhaling through the lower torso and abdomen to break the habit of overusing the upper chest and neck. Overuse of these accessory muscles often leads to long-term discomfort, neck pain and frequent headaches making it even harder to break the pain tension cycle. Breathing patterns are habitual. It is very apparent when clients practice meditation or yoga by the way they take their first breath on the table. Those who know how to breath effectively are often more ready to release muscle tension in their body making the work of a therapist more effective. Changing habits involve a degree of discipline and guidance. Guidance could be through Soma Yoga, Meditation or frequent visits with a health care practitioner that works well for your individual needs.
Tim Rhodes, RMT, www.courtenaymassagetherapy.com
Easing Chronic Lower Back Pain
A properly fitted back brace, by a certified orthotist, can go a long way in keeping you active. A back brace, like a corset, increases support to the spine and has an unloading effect on the intervertebral discs. Many people are concerned with becoming weak or dependent on the brace, but there is little evidence to support that claim. What’s more, many are in fact inactive due to their back pain, and by wearing a brace, they are able to be more active and thus increase their strength and fitness. There are now many design options available to ensure that comfort and function are achieved. The proper back brace in conjunction with a regular stretching regimen can be very beneficial in easing chronic back pain. Aaron Amar BSc.
CO(c) Certified Orthotist, www.mitchellpando.com
