I have just returned from repeating the very first NO HANDS massage course that I ever attended. I had decided to do it simply for fun and did not really expect to gain much for myself in the way of furthering my massage. How wrong I was!
For the past two years I have been learning more and more about NO HANDS massage and it had been fairly intensive at times, though always with the bonus of receiving incredible touch at some stage during each course. By the middle of last year I had decided that I needed a break from the courses, partly because I felt that I should concentrate on other areas of my business for a while, and partly because of the (perceived) intensity. However I knew the Transforming Touch course is both more relaxed and only £99 + VAT for 3 days which is a real bargain. So I signed up.
I was looking forward to seeing a few people that I knew because the NO HANDS company encourage repeaters. Sure enough there were a few familiar faces but wisely we were asked to mingle with the newcomers rather than stick to familiarity and that was excellent advice. I loved meeting people who were in a similar place to where I was two years ago, with some of the same questions that I’d had, and some that I had not thought to ask but was pleased to hear the answers to. It was really exciting to watch them begin to unwrap the present of NO HANDS, some struggling with the sticky tape now and again, but then ripping through the paper to find the next layer. And it was great to be able to feel the first tentative touches blossom into massages of grace and depth.
Right from the start I found new layers of knowledge for myself. I realise now that there is so much information given on that course that it is almost impossible to take it all in the first time around. NO HANDS also continually refine their teaching methods so it is often the case that the same move or technique is being taught in a completely different way and new nuances arise.
Most importantly I am also a different person to the one I was two years ago, and I came to the course looking for different things. I was relaxed and fairly confident in how I massage. I was really looking for fun and found it but I also found more knowledge and motivation than I thought possible.
This experience brought it home to me that every moment is new, and I am new in every moment. So it is entirely possible to repeat the same things over and over again and reap very different outcomes, or the same ones if that is what I choose. I look forward to applying that to other areas of my life too.
Monday 24 January 2011
Wednesday 7 July 2010
Eating an Elephant
Many years ago when I still worked for Catering for Lincolnshire, our management team asked a lovely lady from Ireland to come and do some team building work with us. Now I remember very little about her except that she loved mashed potato, and still less about the work that she did with us apart from a lovely saying that has stuck with me.
‘If you want to eat an elephant, take small bites’
I have often offered this to others as a solution to tackling large projects. ‘Break it down into smaller chunks’ I would say, ‘It will make it easier to tackle.’
So recently I decided to take my own advice and apply it to some tasks that I dislike. The first was the washing up. I have always avoided this as far as possible. We do have a dish washer but there are things that will not go in and I would leave these until the sight of them annoyed and shamed me so much that I had to tackle it. Truly making a Mountain out of a Molehill. ‘How can I make this easier for myself?’ I thought. ‘How much washing up can I stand at one time?’ I felt that 10 minutes was acceptable to me so set the cooker timer for 10 minutes. I duly washed up for 10 minutes and when the buzzer sounded, I stopped. The next day I did another 10 minutes and so on. It wasn’t long before I was getting the whole job done with time to spare. By this stage it had become such a habit that I now do it as a matter of course each morning, without that feeling of dread (and disgust at myself). This was such a success that I decided to apply it to some of the piles of paperwork in the clinic. Again 10 minutes is an acceptable time for me to tackle any task. And guess what, the piles are going down with little effort.
Now I am not telling you this because I want to prove how ‘good’ I am at overcoming a ‘bad’ habit, but as an illustration to you of a simple and easy way for you to tackle virtually any detested task. Choose an acceptable amount of time that (and this is crucial) doesn’t make you rebel against it, and off you go.
Try it……. and let me know what Elephants you have eaten!!
‘If you want to eat an elephant, take small bites’
I have often offered this to others as a solution to tackling large projects. ‘Break it down into smaller chunks’ I would say, ‘It will make it easier to tackle.’
So recently I decided to take my own advice and apply it to some tasks that I dislike. The first was the washing up. I have always avoided this as far as possible. We do have a dish washer but there are things that will not go in and I would leave these until the sight of them annoyed and shamed me so much that I had to tackle it. Truly making a Mountain out of a Molehill. ‘How can I make this easier for myself?’ I thought. ‘How much washing up can I stand at one time?’ I felt that 10 minutes was acceptable to me so set the cooker timer for 10 minutes. I duly washed up for 10 minutes and when the buzzer sounded, I stopped. The next day I did another 10 minutes and so on. It wasn’t long before I was getting the whole job done with time to spare. By this stage it had become such a habit that I now do it as a matter of course each morning, without that feeling of dread (and disgust at myself). This was such a success that I decided to apply it to some of the piles of paperwork in the clinic. Again 10 minutes is an acceptable time for me to tackle any task. And guess what, the piles are going down with little effort.
Now I am not telling you this because I want to prove how ‘good’ I am at overcoming a ‘bad’ habit, but as an illustration to you of a simple and easy way for you to tackle virtually any detested task. Choose an acceptable amount of time that (and this is crucial) doesn’t make you rebel against it, and off you go.
Try it……. and let me know what Elephants you have eaten!!
Sunday 16 May 2010
Monday 3 May 2010
Where do you get your Support from?
I recently had to do some ‘homework’ for my No Hands Massage Course and it got me thinking about how essential Support is for all of us. I have found that Support is a very important part of running my business and has become more essential as the business and I grow and expand. Then I thought a bit deeper and decided that in fact it is not just support from others that is important but also from myself.
Support from others comes in a variety of ways and I have found it both in areas linked directly to my work, and also in areas that are more to do with my domestic life, which then frees me up to concentrate on the business. I have someone to iron for me and am looking for a cleaner so that when I finish work I do actually have some personal time. The ironing is paid for in Chiropody treatments and I am pursuing a cleaner who would work for massage. More directly involved with the business is the lady who does my computer inputting and filing, this time in exchange for Reflexology. The reciprocal arrangement works well for me as I prefer to carry out the treatments rather than iron or file. I am a firm believer in everyone doing what they enjoy and are good at, because it makes life run so much more smoothly. After all a spade can dig a hole but using a digger is more sensible if you need foundations for a house!
Support from self is more intangible but I have created contracts with myself about the amount of time off, hours worked and the length and frequency of daily breaks. They are variable but these are areas that were neglected for a long time until I realised that putting me first is actually more effective in the long run. I also try to support myself by making one task serve several needs. For instance this article has served as the basis for not only the No Hands Massage ‘homework’ and as this blog entry, but will possibly become a submission to Adrian Green who is collating a book about ‘Running your Own Business’, suitably rewritten of course. He did ask that it should be pertinent to my business. Whether it is what he wants remains to be seen.
I also support my body by feeding it the best possible foods and nutrients that I can, and to this end I have recently signed up to Nature’s Sunshine who supply excellent supplements and vitamins. Having read around the subject it is apparent that even if you eat all the Organic stuff that you can, there are still mineral and vitamin deficiencies in them so it makes sense to take supplements too. Exercise is important too but mine comes from walking, sailing, dancing and massage rather than pumping iron or running miles. Doing what pleases me works much better. By supporting my body in this way I am more assured that it will support me in what I want to do.
So to sum up, look around for where you need support and then be creative about how you get it, don’t assume that you have to do everything yourself, but remember that eating nutritional food and exercising in a way that pleases you is supporting a body that can then support you.
Tuesday 20 April 2010
Happiness is contagious
This article was in Practical Wellbeing, one of the news letters that I subscribe to.
Sally
According to my sniffling and coughing friends there’s a ‘bug going around’. The thought of something being contagious does not make people cheerful in the normal run of things. That might be about to change.
In the British Medical Journal there’s an article that demonstrates that happiness is also contagious and spreads through social groups.
People who are surrounded by many happy people and those who are central in the network are more likely to become happy in the future. … clusters of happiness result from the spread of happiness and not just a tendency for people to associate with similar individuals. A friend who lives within a mile and who becomes happy increases the probability that a person is happy by 25% . Similar effects are seen in coresident spouses (8%), siblings who live within a mile (14%), and next door neighbours (34%).
In the conclusion they note:
People’s happiness depends on the happiness of others with whom they are connected. This provides further justification for seeing happiness, like health, as a collective phenomenon.
It’s official, happiness is contagious!
What’s more if you spread some happiness around and the people around you become happier presumably some of their increased happiness will return to you in a virtuous circle.
I think now might be a very good time for an outbreak of happiness.
Perhaps some promiscuous smiling or unprovoked laughter might be a way to start things off. Thankfully this is one of those conditions where it’s much better to be fully infected than just a carrier without symptoms.
I look forward to the day when my friends tell me there’s a ‘hug going round’.
Tip: If you want to cultivate the full blown disease then be careful to stay away from episodes of Eastenders or copies of the Daily Mail
Sally
According to my sniffling and coughing friends there’s a ‘bug going around’. The thought of something being contagious does not make people cheerful in the normal run of things. That might be about to change.
In the British Medical Journal there’s an article that demonstrates that happiness is also contagious and spreads through social groups.
People who are surrounded by many happy people and those who are central in the network are more likely to become happy in the future. … clusters of happiness result from the spread of happiness and not just a tendency for people to associate with similar individuals. A friend who lives within a mile and who becomes happy increases the probability that a person is happy by 25% . Similar effects are seen in coresident spouses (8%), siblings who live within a mile (14%), and next door neighbours (34%).
In the conclusion they note:
People’s happiness depends on the happiness of others with whom they are connected. This provides further justification for seeing happiness, like health, as a collective phenomenon.
It’s official, happiness is contagious!
What’s more if you spread some happiness around and the people around you become happier presumably some of their increased happiness will return to you in a virtuous circle.
I think now might be a very good time for an outbreak of happiness.
Perhaps some promiscuous smiling or unprovoked laughter might be a way to start things off. Thankfully this is one of those conditions where it’s much better to be fully infected than just a carrier without symptoms.
I look forward to the day when my friends tell me there’s a ‘hug going round’.
Tip: If you want to cultivate the full blown disease then be careful to stay away from episodes of Eastenders or copies of the Daily Mail
Saturday 6 March 2010
Coughs and Colds
As you are probably all aware, because I have moaned so much about it, I have been suffering with a cold and cough over the last couple of weeks. So I thought that I would have a look at a few favourite remedies. My own view is to look at things that will stimulate the immune system instead of just ‘fighting’ the symptoms. I am always wary of antibiotics because they kill both harmful and beneficial bacteria, which means that you can then be susceptible to something else.
Echinacea
Echinacea can be found in either liquid or tablet form. Take early to prevent infection, preferably at the beginning of the winter before the colds or take it with the first symptoms of infection. This can prevent it from taking hold.
Once an infection has invaded the body Echinacea can help to shorten the recovery time.
Vitamin C
Scientifically controlled studies using vitamin C for colds show that it can reduce the severity of cold symptoms, acting as a natural antihistamine. The vitamin may be useful for allergy control for the same reason: It may reduce histamine levels. By giving the immune system one of the important nutrients it needs, extra vitamin C can often shorten the duration of the cold as well. However, studies have been unable to prove that megadoses of the vitamin can actually prevent the common cold.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is also considered to help with the symptoms of the common cold so I usually sprinkle some on my Muesli. After all it tastes nice too. Chinese Medicine categorizes cinnamon as a Kidney Yang (warming and drying) tonic that chases cold and damp away. It is great for times when you feel that the cold and damp of fall and winter are getting you down. It is perfect for the person who spends the autumn and winter bundling up and wishing for warm weather to return. Combine with ginger for a wonderful and healing tea. Add cardamom and milk and you have Chai tea.
Sources
It is always worth paying for quality particularly with Vitamins and supplements. Your local Health Shop is usually a good place to start and in Lincoln the best on is Greens on the High Street. In Newark there is a good one on Kirkgate. Generally the independent Health shops are run by people who are knowledgeable and helpful about their products, as opposed to chains and supermarkets where the employees are possibly not as specific in their knowledge of the products.
Echinacea
Echinacea can be found in either liquid or tablet form. Take early to prevent infection, preferably at the beginning of the winter before the colds or take it with the first symptoms of infection. This can prevent it from taking hold.
Once an infection has invaded the body Echinacea can help to shorten the recovery time.
Vitamin C
Scientifically controlled studies using vitamin C for colds show that it can reduce the severity of cold symptoms, acting as a natural antihistamine. The vitamin may be useful for allergy control for the same reason: It may reduce histamine levels. By giving the immune system one of the important nutrients it needs, extra vitamin C can often shorten the duration of the cold as well. However, studies have been unable to prove that megadoses of the vitamin can actually prevent the common cold.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is also considered to help with the symptoms of the common cold so I usually sprinkle some on my Muesli. After all it tastes nice too. Chinese Medicine categorizes cinnamon as a Kidney Yang (warming and drying) tonic that chases cold and damp away. It is great for times when you feel that the cold and damp of fall and winter are getting you down. It is perfect for the person who spends the autumn and winter bundling up and wishing for warm weather to return. Combine with ginger for a wonderful and healing tea. Add cardamom and milk and you have Chai tea.
Sources
It is always worth paying for quality particularly with Vitamins and supplements. Your local Health Shop is usually a good place to start and in Lincoln the best on is Greens on the High Street. In Newark there is a good one on Kirkgate. Generally the independent Health shops are run by people who are knowledgeable and helpful about their products, as opposed to chains and supermarkets where the employees are possibly not as specific in their knowledge of the products.
Saturday 20 February 2010
Gloom or Happiness
Most of you already realise that I do not watch the news on a regular basis because I find it depressing and downright misleading most of the time. So when I found this extract from an article written by Caitriona Kenny I thought that it highlighted some of the positive reasons for not listening to the gloom and doom from the news.
These are some statistics from a web site that looks stats from around the World and helps to dis-illusion the hapless fears told to us on a daily basis.
If you have loose change lying around in your car or home or handbag, you are in the top 8% of ‘wellprovided people in this world’.
If you have a bank account guess what? You’ll also be in the top 8% of ‘well-provided people’ for having one!
If there is a meal in your refrigerator, if you are dressed and have got shoes, if you have a bed and a roof above your head – you are better off than 75% of people in this world!
And remember, out of the millions of sperm swimming for the egg… You won! You got Life! And if a sense of direction fails you now… know that at least once before, you found your way and created the miracle that is you.
Caitriona is a multi-talented creator who writes for the Tipperary Times. She’s a singer/songwriter, a photographer, and a selfactualization learning technique
coach. See www.caitrionakenny.com
These are some statistics from a web site that looks stats from around the World and helps to dis-illusion the hapless fears told to us on a daily basis.
If you have loose change lying around in your car or home or handbag, you are in the top 8% of ‘wellprovided people in this world’.
If you have a bank account guess what? You’ll also be in the top 8% of ‘well-provided people’ for having one!
If there is a meal in your refrigerator, if you are dressed and have got shoes, if you have a bed and a roof above your head – you are better off than 75% of people in this world!
And remember, out of the millions of sperm swimming for the egg… You won! You got Life! And if a sense of direction fails you now… know that at least once before, you found your way and created the miracle that is you.
Caitriona is a multi-talented creator who writes for the Tipperary Times. She’s a singer/songwriter, a photographer, and a selfactualization learning technique
coach. See www.caitrionakenny.com
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