Conscious life feb 2017

COVER: SERGIO SALOTTO

ABOUT US www.childoftheuniverse.co.za PUBLISHER 2Luni Media EDITOR/OWNER

Linda Navon 071 346 8138 linda@childoftheuniverse.co.za OUR “Little Boss”

ed’s letter Dear Conscious Life Friends February is the month of LOVE… and from our perspective, the first person you need to love – is YOURSELF! Take time out to nurture yourselves, and then your loved ones.

Carmen Ché Jardim SUB–EDITOR, NATIONAL SALES & MARKETING

Cj Stott Matticks 082 900 1010 candida@childoftheuniverse.co.za DISTRIBUTION & ACCOUNTS Lee Coulter lee@childoftheuniverse.co.za WRITER & RESEARCH Dani Jardim dani@childoftheuniverse.co.za CONTACT NUMBERS TEL: (011) 462-2900 0110 262 643 0110 468 737 DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this publication

are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the editor, advertisers or endorsers. While every effort has been made to ensure that the contents of this publication are both accurate and truthful, the publisher and editor accept no responsibility for inaccurate or misleading information that may be contained herein.

MEDIA PARTNERS

After many years of hard work and dedication to my magazines, I am taking time out now to restore my body and soul to a state of peace and joy. I am already at the Magalies Wellness Centre and will be doing the Ibogaine course, which is a magnificent treatment for so many things in life. I will be writing extensively about my experience in upcoming editions. My mantra right now is… I AM… In this edition we are jam packed with exciting retreats, workshops and courses, here in SA an also India and Egypt.

Life is very much about Self-Development, delving into topics that take your interest, and enjoying whatever it is that you do for a living.

From March we are introducing yet another new section called Menopause & Beyond. Our readers range in age and we aim to cover LIFE and all it’s amazing possibilities, and introduce you to new concepts and some possibly controversial topics.

Until March… keep showing the love…

With much Love

Linda

Contributing Team & Experts

LISA RALEIGH

LOUISE L. HAY

MARGI McALPINE

PENNI DU PLESSIS

Fitness & Nutritional Expert

Author/Inspirational Speaker

Angel Connection School

Divine Space

MICHELLE LESKE

SAMANTHA LEWIS Access Consciousness

HANNA KOK

DR CHRISTIANE NORTHRUP

BrainGym

SERGIO SALOTTO

Egypt Tour Goddess

DR JOSH AXE

Crysalid Coach

Articles from the late

HEATHER PICTON Founder ADHASA

LINDA NAVON Editor/Owner

TORSTEN A. LANGE Author, founder & director Reiki Academy London

Cj MATTICKS Sub-Editor & Marketing

ANTHONY WILLIAM

VERONICA HAUPT

Medical Medium

Re-code Your Life

MONEY SAVVY KIDS Financial Literacy

DIANE HOFFMASTER Turning The Clock Back

What would your life look like if you were being you and choosing for you?

You are probably wondering – But, who else would I BE? Take a moment and look at how often you have tried to be someone that you are not. Every time you change you to fit in, or to be more comfortable in a certain situation, or to please someone else, or to prevent yourself from being judged, you are not being you. Every time you decide to wear the appropriate outfit for an occasion, or do anything that feels automatic without really looking at what you are choosing, you are not being you.

This is called being socially “appropriate”, we are brought up to believe it’s a good thing to fit in, to not stand out or be different. This, however, gives you no choice in how to behave and we grow up thinking that this is the “norm”, that we don’t have choice and that some part of us is not right so it is good to hide you and just fit in with the crowd.

Gradually the more you pretend who you are and fit in the more you begin to lose parts of you – or ALL of you.

We spend our lives being told what we should and shouldn’t do with a range of expectations projected at us, from our parents, our friends, our family, our teachers – we forget who we are.

We wake up each morning wondering why we are unhappy. All because we are trying to fit in, and me someone that we are not. What if you could choose to be who you are?

When you are Being you, it’s easy, simple, joyful, there is no pressure to get approval or to be liked, the projections and expectations of others are not important, there is a sense of confidence in your choices. There is a great sense of freedom that shows up too. This is the space of being you and with it comes a sense of adventure for life & living. When you choose to be you, you naturally create more, there is more flow around money, relationships and possibilities! This is such a different space to be compared to fitting in, right, do you get a sense of that? You are no longer hiding you – What would it take for you to choose you all the time?

You being you is a place where you are fully alive and present in every moment with anyone.

When you are this present you are naturally YOU! Being you is fun and joyful, you don’t judge yourself and you are no longer at the effect of other people’s judgements. What would it be like to no longer feel judged or projected at?

What would it be like to be YOU? Here are some simple easy questions to ask and find out what is true for you being you - ‘What would I choose if I were truly being me?’, ‘What would I truly like my life to look like? We have been taught that every question requires an answer – this is not true, these questions are designed for you to get the “energy” of what you are asking for so you can follow what is true and feels fun, light and joyful for YOU!

• What if you are the Magic & Possibility the world has been asking for?

• Are you Ready to be YOU?

Choose!

THE JOURNEY WITH SERGIO BEGINS… Sergio Salotto is a Life Journey Facilitator with over 25 years’ experience in assisting and guiding people to discover their Life Purpose, uncover and identify the unique fundamental belief that prevents them from living the life they truly desire.

Sergio’s work in guiding people to eliminate the feeling of being “not good enough” has led to many changed lives and workshops.

These workshops are held to work through personal challenges, form bonds and create a community of individuals who live their lives in integrity with themselves.

Sergio works with couples to create a true win-win relationship environment, free of compromise and built on unconditional acceptance of self and others.

Eliminating fears and needs in life, such as the need to be accepted, acknowledged and the fear of rejection are integral to Sergio’s work, and have shaped the way he lives his life. His is a life and message of living and not simply existing.

I have stated that I go beyond coaching and counselling.

What do I mean by this?

Most individuals I have encountered and spoken to experience the feeling and belief of being “not good enough.” Years of conventional therapy seem to lighten their emotional burden but not eliminate the real root source. My work is based on my personal experience when, in 1991, by chance I discovered my underlying real root source – as documented in My Personal LifeChanging Moment.

In whatever form that underlying belief presents itself, the individual is burdened by the negative feelings, beliefs and emotions about themselves that ultimately infiltrate their life – and who they are. The accepted view is that the source of these negative messages, and related feelings, stem from childhood; the dysfunctional dynamics and environment of the family; expectations imposed by social norms, values and ideologies; and their own internalisation of the message “I’m not good enough.”

Traditional coaching, counselling or therapy, consider this message to be an imbedded trauma from childhood that requires you to ‘dig up’ or regress to the point of trauma in order to desensitise the situation for healing to occur. This process can take anything from a few weeks to a few years of therapy depending on the individual’s ability to deal with the situation. When one traumatic event is ‘dealt’ with it allows the next event to surface and be dealt with in the similar unfoldment – this is why years of therapy is needed for an individual to feel ‘OK’ in their life. I refer to this therapy as “dealing with the tip of the iceberg.”

My facilitation does not focus on or require you to remember the events. Instead, it focuses on the feelings triggered by the events in your life. Events are all different, but there is a common fundamental feeling and belief that arises linked to these events.

The general feelings and belief of “I’m not good enough” represents only the tip, the 10%, of your emotional iceberg - the part you are consciously aware of. Underlying this conscious level is a greater 90% destructive driving force that you are not conscious of. The force that drives you to make decision out of fear of possible consequences leading you to compromise on exercising true freedom of choice resulting in you becoming a victim of your circumstances.

My Facilitation offers you the opportunity and possibility to identify and completely eliminate your underlying 90% destructive driving force, the source of your feelings and belief of being “not good enough” – in just a couple of hours. Eliminating your driving fundamental belief allows you to access your innate, full potential to live and experience a fulfilling, successful, love-filled life. And determine your life’s real purpose/vision.

ABOUT ME I am Italian by birth and emigrated to South Africa in 1955 with my parents.

Between 1989 and 1990 things in my life were not going well. My marriage of thirteen years was on shaky ground; a small business venture was failing; I faced financial challenges; and my career was seemingly going nowhere. I was feeling pretty down about my life. In this hour of need, a friend recommended I attend a life awareness workshop she had found most helpful for her life. With some apprehensions, I enrolled and attended the workshop in 1990.

The workshop lived up to many of the things my friend had told me. I gained a better understanding and appreciation of my life and myself and learned some “tools” to help me deal with my beliefs, opinions and behaviours to events, situations and circumstances. Within six months however, I was back to experiencing many of the same old feelings of emptiness and non-ok’ness. Something was clearly still missing - although, I could not identify...

During April 1991 a thought popped into my head to write about my life events. I considered it a bizarre idea, as I had never kept a diary or written anything about my life.

I had done nothing adventurous or exciting in my life that could warrant writing about. This idea made no sense. But the more I tried to dismiss it the more I felt I had to do this. I eventually gave in and, in early May 1991, began to write.

With a sheet of blank paper in front of me, I wondered: what do I write about; where and how do I begin; how do I structure this; what is the purpose of all this? After some contemplation, I decided I would simply write things down as they came to mind without paying any attention to the sequence of events, the period they took place in my life or anything like that - nor would I bother about the rules of English.

It took me three attempts to get the final result. In my first attempt I found I was writing about events in my life as if I was a third party, as if it was not my personal event and experience. I was writing “stories” about them to some non-existent person.

In my second attempt, I found myself writing from a point of self-protection; out of fear of what other people I mentioned would feel if they were to read what I wrote – my fears of the possible consequences of rejection. I scrapped that and started again for the third attempt.

I finally got it right by realising that I had to put things down the way they really were for me without giving any consideration to how anyone else might interpret or feel about what I wrote. The more I got into this manner of writing, the easier it became. I now found myself enjoying pouring my heart out (so to speak) onto those handwritten sheets of A4 paper. I wrote whatever was in my mind, whatever my gut feeling had to say. Some nights I wrote for a couple hours, other times it was half-an-hour, and some nights I did not write at all. I did not set myself any time limit or constraints to complete my task.

By the end of the fifth or sixth week I had written about fifty pages and felt I needed to review what I had written. Starting at page one, I read to contextualise what I had written. As I read, I began to see a pattern develop of why I had done, attempted to do or gave up on doing everything in my life. What I discovered was how everything I had strived to achieve, things I had said or refrained from saying were all driven by a fundamental belief I had of myself that “Everyone else was better and more important than me”. In other words, my belief that I was not good enough. Everything about myself and my life became instantly and vividly clear.

It was like I was watching a movie of my life’s events playing before my eyes showing me all the “whys”, “what's” and “how's” of all the things I had done – or not done. Most significant of all was my realisation that everything I had ever done, or not done, in my life was triggered and driven by my fundamental belief. This had been, and was, my driving force for everything; the source of my emotional needs, fears, anger, frustration, guilt, feeling unworthy, fear of rejection, and everything else.

This fundamental belief also played a role in all my relationships, marriage, career aspirations, friendships, education, sports, obedience of my parents, compliance with the norms and values of society, etc. Everything I had done was to gain approval and be accepted so as to prove to myself that I was just as good and important as everyone else. I also saw how my belief drove me to compromise on exercising my freedom of choice to do the things I really wanted.

I had moulded my whole life out of this personal belief, which I labelled as My Own Unique Life Driver – my MOULD. This unique driver and acronym forms the basis of what you will read about throughout my work.

Identifying my MOULD also made me realise how important and necessary it was for me to be right about my views, opinions and beliefs in order to get recognition. I was actually quite self-righteous about everything in my effort to be accepted and recognised – I was greatly surprised by this realisation, as I considered myself to be quite the opposite. My “self-rightness” however achieved the exact opposite. It became a form of self-sabotage, because no one really wants to be on the receiving end of another’s judgmental, opinionated and selfrighteous behaviour. As this rejection would result in reinforcing my fundamental belief (my MOULD), it would kick-start the whole cycle of my wanting to prove my self-worth - a process that led to my becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy of “doom.” My way of coping with this was to put on different behavioural “masks” and “acts” to suit different situations in order to get acceptance and recognition. Like for example playing the game of being "Mr. Nice Guy.“ As all these things unfolded, I saw how I had lived my life as a product of my fundamental belief, which resulted in my being a victim of my circumstances all in an effort to negate and overcome my MOULD. Another profound realisation was recognising that all the feelings and emotions I experienced had, in fact, absolutely nothing to do with anyone or anything else. I was the only creator of these and could not apportion any blame on anyone or anything for how I had lived and experienced my life: not my friends, my wife, my employers, my unsuccessful business venture or anything.

Everything I experienced had been triggered by my needs to prove that I was just as important and good as everyone else – my need to overcome and negate my fundamental belief, my MOULD. By the time I finished reading, I knew that I had to take back control of my life. I had to make the changes I felt within me - to follow my gut feelings.

In that moment it occurred to me that my MOULD was nothing more than a belief of my own creation.

It was not real; not a factual element of who I am; it was nothing other than a product of my thinking.

The factual reality is that I am no different than anyone else. I am who and what I am and, except for my believing that I am my MOULD, I am actually “perfect” and have no need for recognition or acceptance by anyone else. Of course, there would be people who will accept me for who and what I am, just as there will be those who will not. But so what. If I was not going to be true to myself and stop allowing myself to be driven by my MOULD out of fear of the possible consequences, it meant continuing to live a life of compromises and being a victim of my circumstances. That was no longer an option.

With that I decided there and then that from that moment on, I would no longer allow myself to be controlled by my MOULD and fears ever again, no matter what the consequences might be – even if it meant death. In that moment I truly faced the possibility of that reality which might have resulted from my not having a job, no income, no family, no shelter, no food etc. I nevertheless made the conscious choice that I would rather live and experience a few days of absolute freedom than continue living a life of compromise for the rest of my life.

In making this commitment, my mind was immediately flooded with my usual fears of the possible consequences. Am I being selfish and uncaring? What about the needs of my family, my job, my friends, etc.? As I considered each of these fears and thoughts, I knew that if I were to heed any one of them, even for a moment, I would end up compromising myself again and live as a victim of my circumstances for the rest of my life.

Acknowledging all these fears, I said to myself, “fears, I see, hear and know you. But too bad, because no matter what happens from this moment on, I am not going to compromise myself ever again by listening to you.

What I experienced next is something I will remember and cherish for the rest of my life. I must point out that all these thoughts, feelings, realizations and decisions were happening at the speed of my thoughts; they were happening in the moment. This wasn’t something that spanned over days of consideration, pondering over, sifting through, weighing up pros and cons etc. It all happened as I sat there reviewing what I had written over the past month.

The moment I made my commitment, I experienced a burden “lifting” off my shoulders and body - a lifetime burden of forty years. At the same time, a source of great and quiet power and energy seemed to build up and enter my body from beneath as I sat there on the chair. I have no idea how long this all took, but it surely wasn’t more than a minute or so. There were no flashing, bright lights, Godly or spiritual visions or anything like that. What I experienced was a quiet, strong and powerful energy entering and going through my body.

When the experience settled, I had clarity about everything I needed to do for my life: my marriage, family, job, business venture, and everything else. I also instantly experienced a great sense of caring towards everyone around me: my family, friends, colleagues. I realised and experienced the feeling that all I wanted to do with my life was assist people find their inner peace and contentment, achieve equality of everyone, which would result in eliminating warring and destruction. I realized this was my life’s purpose.

Something I knew had been with me all my life; something I had subconsciously been driven by all my life.

With this clarity also came a knowing that I was going to do everything in my power to ensure I would provide and care for my family in the best way I could.

As to whether or not my choices for my life would be received with approval by everyone around me, I knew I had no control over that. But, regardless of how others would feel or react to my choices, I knew that I would not compromise myself again for the sake of seeking anyone’s acceptance or approval.

As I absorbed everything I had just experienced, I realised that for the first time in my life I was truly taking real responsibility and exercising my true freedom of choice to live my life in true integrity with who I really am. I realised that, until this moment, I had lived my life by making decisions and compromises out of my fear of possible consequences, blamed everyone and everything when my expectations had not been met, and that I had not been true to who I really am.

Over the next few days, I experienced more realisations as I became more attuned to my new-found state of being-ness. And the more aware I became of this, the more I seemed to experience a different understanding of unconditional acceptance of everyone and everything else – a different meaning of true love.

It was something deeper and simpler than I could have ever imagined. For the first time, I experienced and knew that the true meaning of unconditional acceptance means having no ideals, righteousness, expectations, judgments, dependencies, ifs or buts. It was about having or placing no labels or attachments. It then occurred to me that what I had done with committing myself to my new way of life was precisely accepting myself unconditionally for who I am. I now understood and realised that unless one practices and experiences unconditional acceptance of Self, it is not possible to truly love anyone or anything else unconditionally – because one does not know what it is, what it means or how to “practice” unconditional acceptance.

Unconditional acceptance, however, does not mean the unconditional acceptance of all or any form of behaviour. Accepting one another unconditionally means accepting them as an equal human being regardless of who they are; accepting all forms of life as equal no matter what they are. It is about seeing everyone and everything in life as an equal, and entitled to unconditionally share equally everything that Life makes available.

This was a true life-changing moment in my life.

Over the weeks that followed I decided to test the findings of my experience about my MOULD on those close to me – family and friends. I was blown away to discover that each person also had their own MOULD, each specific to that person, which triggered their emotional needs, feelings, attitudes and behaviours. I was also able to help them identify their MOULD, enabling them to experience a new way of life.

Expanding my “testing” and findings to other people, I discovered that each one I spoke to also experienced feeling not good enough and I was able to guide them to identify their unique life driving force. This made me realise that our MOULD is a common driving force in each one of us and the source of our emotional needs, feelings, compromises and resulting behaviours. Perhaps even more strangely – and yet not surprisingly – it is something I saw and continue to see being played out all around; such as in the office, politics, religion, social gatherings, sports, film and TV. One’s MOULD is a major destructive driving force that fuels a person’s ego and greed.

Contrary to popular belief, the source of feeling not good enough is not borne of our childhood experiences, which we need to learn to manage and cope with. The true source of these feelings and beliefs is our unique MOULD. And we need to be thankful for that, because it makes it something we have control over and can eliminate permanently from our life to allow us to experience and live a fulfilling, meaningful, successful and love filled life.

SERGIO SALOTTO

Conscious Life Magazine

Conscious Life Magazine

Art by Tomasz Alen Kopera

“Burying and Planting “ The culmination of one love, one dream, one self, is the anonymous seed of the next.

There is very little difference between burying and planting. For often, we need to put dead things to rest, so that new life can grow. And further, the thing put to rest—whether it be a loved one, a dream, or a false way of seeing—becomes the fertilizer for the life about to form.

As the well-used thing joins with the earth, the old love fertilizes the new; the broken dream fertilizes the dream yet conceived; the painful way of being that strapped us to the world fertilizes the freer inner stance about to unfold.

This is very helpful when considering the many forms of self we inhabit over a lifetime. One self carries us to the extent of its usefulness and dies. We are then forced to put that once beloved skin to rest, to join it with the ground of spirit from which it came, so it may fertilize the next skin of self that will carry us into tomorrow.

There is always grief for what is lost and always surprise at what is to be born. But much of our pain in living comes from wearing a dead and useless skin, refusing to put it to rest, or from burying such things with the intent of hiding them rather than relinquishing them.

For every new way of being, there is a failed attempt mulching beneath the tongue. For every sprig that breaks surface, there is an old stick stirring underground. For every moment of joy sprouting, there is a new moment of struggle taking root. We live, embrace, and put to rest our dearest things, including how we see ourselves, so we can resurrect our lives anew.”

By Mark Nepo, The Book of Awakening: Having the Life You Want by Being Present to the Life You Have

Image byMaialisa Pixabay

Taking initiative to save and pay off debt is not straightforward. But which do you do first? Both are vital to the stability of one’s personal finances. Doing both in varying degrees may be a gamble worth taking.

One of the biggest myths that society buys into is the myth that saving up is more important than paying off debts. Living in a nation that boasts extremely low figures of savers and immensely high figures of indebted consumers, South Africans are in need of some intervention. Money Savvy Kids (MSK) is here to give them the jolt needed when it comes to finances. “…the cost of debt is usually much higher than the benefit gained from saving”

One thing no one has told you is that the cost of debt is usually much higher than the benefit gained from saving. This isn’t to say that you should not at least have an emergency savings fund. This fund should contain about three to six month’s worth of living expenses so you can be prepared when disaster strikes. Resolving to pay the minimum payment may also have to be a thing of the past as well. Reducing your debt by paying more than is required will ultimately translate to your pocket getting back its jingle a lot

Conscious Life Magazine

quicker than it would if you were to save all your money. In effect, prioritising paying off your debt is the first crucial step you need to take in order to be able to effectively save in the future.

“The debt charging the most interest should be paid off as quickly as possible”

Identifying which of your debt is costing you the most is just as critical. Whether the debt in question is R1000 or R10 000, the differentiating factor here is the amount of interest charged on a monthly basis. The debt charging the most interest should be paid off as quickly as possible. By making the conscious decision to pay off your most expensive debts first, you will be at a bigger advantage when you do start saving for retirement.

While the majority of people do not ever rise to a point of complete financial freedom in their lifetime, some manage to break the mould. This can only be done by harnessing financial intelligence.

Financial literacy is the cornerstone to financial prosperity. It builds confidence and knowledge in the lives of individuals and the country as a whole.

kathryn@moneysavvykids.co.za www.moneysavvykids.co.za

Picture Courtesy of Edar - Pixabay

MSK is a financial literacy program for children as young as seven. The programme is rolling out its in-school curriculum in March 2017. Not only does MSK effectively instil in them the skills and foresight to correctly manage their finances, it also equips them with entrepreneurial skills.

Equip your child today so they can enjoy a money savvy life tomorrow.

Conscious Life Magazine

By Sergio Salotto

Relationships. Love or hate them, we all long for them. But why is something so special and integral to our human makeup, turn into painful experiences for many of us – for some, even “disastrous” consequences.

Perhaps it should be made compulsory that we first “qualify” before being allowed and let loose to get involved in any relationship with someone – it might help us avoid messing up someone else’s life. Instead, especially with intimate relationships, the only “qualification” we seem to deem adequate and appropriate, is that moment or period in our teen-hood years when we experience that inner “awakening of our hormones” that stirs up our emotions, feelings, desires and attractions of wanting to be with another.

Overnight we suddenly, and seemingly miraculously, feel and consider ourselves appropriately and suitably qualified and equipped to engage another person in a relationship (wouldn’t it be wonderful if everything else in life worked as simple as that).

But, what would be an appropriate relationship course we should take to qualify? Who would instruct us in this?

Is anyone suitably qualified to teach and assess us – given that many who have studied and are considered “experts”, themselves either experience and have to work through relationship issues and challenges of their own, or, have never had any relationship experiences. To use an obvious one of numerous examples, the relationship and marriage counselling given by Roman Catholic nuns and priests who have no life experience on such matters.

In the absence of any such qualifying pre-requisite, from “that” young age we are left to helplessly – but full of hope – battle through as best we can and know how, to figure out how to make our relationships work. Driven by our inner needs to be loved, belong, be accepted, feel good enough etc., we invariably end up fighting against or ignoring the feelings and knots in our stomach from part of us saying, “this is not working how I want it, leave, run away, this is a horrible, abusive, painful relationship.” Driven by feelings and emotional fears and needs of: being a failure, unlovable, not good enough, not being wanted, alone, being at fault etc., we stay. If in a marriage or long term relationship, we might stay driven by our sense of wanting to be right, like: “I will not give up what I have worked for”; or fears such as: “how am I going to manage and live on my own?”; “how will it affect the children (if there are any)”; “what will people think and say?”; “maybe if I change, things will be ok”; and then the big one, “but I love him/her” ... (really!).

When all we really want, dream and wish for is simply to be in a loving, meaningful and fulfilling relationship, it is understandable that when things go wrong we become distraught, do not want to let go or break it up.

So we explore avenues for a solution. It might be advice from friends and colleagues, consulting professional counselors, maybe having a heart-to-heart with our partner – persons we are not likely to approach, especially when we are young, are our parents ... I mean, what would they know about our feelings and our relationship. Many couples just give up and stay in the non-working relationship no matter how horrible and/or abusive it may be; they will compromise themselves totally and live out a life of pain and suffering.

The advice our “reference” sources are likely to give us is that we need to work on our relationship to make it work – especially by mother ... right? We are advised to: • Discuss things with our partner; share and understand each other’s needs and wants (may have already done that and nothing much has changed.)

• Create a win-win environment by being willing to make compromises – this is considered an essential requirement for successful relationships by most.

• Remember your marriage vows, they are your foundation • Go for relationship counselling (maybe done that already; applied the “tools kit”; fundamentally still no changes.)

On the face of it, this advice all sounds reasonable and workable to create a loving relationship environment and experience. In reality however, while we might experience some early improvements as we work on it, overall things do not undergo any fundamental changes. The core of our issues and challenges remain unchanged, or unresolved. Before long we find ourselves creating piles of “snotty tissues” from a “broken” heart ... perhaps even, once again. The rationale and justification we might be offered for this is that it is what happens in relationships; why we need to keep working at it. This may lead us to think and believe that we are not working at this correctly; not working hard enough at making things work; that perhaps we are focusing on the wrong aspects of the relationship ... and so on.

But actually, those are not the reasons for things not working. What is missing from the generally proposed ideal about “work at making our relationships work”, is that it does not address the real fundamentals for the relationship not working; the real underlying issues. For instance, that our underlying feelings, truth and reality are that we do not really want to be in the relationship; that it does not support us; we did not really want this in the first place; should have left long ago; we got ourselves into it for the wrong reasons and were too scared to end it.

These can be tough realities to have to face up to. Especially if we fear the possible consequences of a break up/separation; what that says about us: being a failure, feeling rejected, unacceptable, unloved and so on.

Feelings we might not have experienced in the beginning, when we were courted/courting ... and if it wasn’t like that, then one should definitely look at why they stuck around back then. If things were great in the beginning, then, what goes wrong? And why should we have to work at this to make it work? Why shouldn’t it just work?

Why do the “tool kits” on how to work at making it work not resolve the issues?

In my experience, what goes wrong is that over time, there is a change of emotional needs that we had fulfilled in the beginning; and the “tool kits” offered only have a partial level of success because they are mechanism of managing the challenges and problems. They do not help identify and address the underlying source of the problems; they do not help a person dive deep within to find those inner truths.

To digress for a moment - when I looked up the dictionary definition of this “thing” called relationship, I ended up looking at three words in the Collins Dictionary version I used: relationship, related and relation.

What I noted about the inter-relationship of these words is that a relation is something which naturally exists between things - it does not differentiate between anything or anybody. Being natural implies (to me) that there is no requirement to work at anything. Things just are; as they ought to be in a relationship.

Without intent to manipulate words or semantics, a relationship can therefore be defined as: the state of being mutually related in a natural way – unconditional, mutual, natural, non-discriminatory way – with anybody and everything.

A definition that manifests best in nature where everything works in perfect harmony, in a natural way; one thing supporting and complementing another without need for control, domination, judgment, discrimination, blame and destruction. Everything co-existing as a manifestation of their respective, unique, natural beauty.

As humans we are actually no different. We too have the capacity to equally manifest the natural beauty of our human species. But we first need to learn how to accept ourselves unconditionally instead of getting into and depending on our relationships to satisfy our emotional needs and/or fears through: • having control over someone or something • judgement, conditions, discriminations, dependencies, inequality • expectations, emotional needs and fears • being right – be it personal, cultural, race, religious, political, philosophical, economics ... et al ... ideologies • compromise • being better, superior than another • … and many others But why do we have such needs in the first place? We experience these needs and the expectations we create from them in an effort to overcome and/or negate our feelings and belief of being “not good enough”; to prove our ok’ness; to be wanted; be loved; prove our self-rightness etc. Through this we are making our well-being dependent on our circumstances – partner, friendships, job, career, money, religion, politics ... and whatever else. When our expectations are met, we feel great, life is great, nothing must change (which does); when they are not, we feel lousy, hard-done by, victimised, etc. and we end up blaming the circumstances for our unhappiness, frustrations, stress, depression, anxiety, lack of self-worth, and so on. That leads to us living our life as a victim of our circumstances – whether these be favourable or not. We thus create expectations for how things must be so that we can ok with ourselves – our comfort zones.

How this plays out or affects our relationships is that by creating expectations so as to satisfy our emotional needs and fears, we end up becoming a taker – ok, I hear you say, “... who, ME, never” ... horrors of horrors.

Well, unfortunately, that is the reality of making your well-being circumstantial – dependent on circumstances.

The other reality is, that the partner/other parties are in the relationship to also satisfy their own such needs and fears. That results in both parties ending up taking. With both parties taking, it means that in the overall scheme of things, there is no one in the relationship environment that is giving; the relationship is empty, has nothing to give. This results in the parties then looking to take from their partner what they were hoping to have from the relationship. As, to repeat, each are “on the take” (so to speak), they encounter the issues and challenges experienced; which they are advised and counselled to “work at to make it work.”

What we are also taught about what is required to make this work, is compromise – considered an essential element to create win-win relationships. These teachings however are completely wrong. Because compromise is actually the source of our problems, it is the source of our non-ok’ness with ourselves, our issues and challenges in life. Compromise is what drives us to create expectations – because we want a payback. It is how we end up being dependent on and living as victims of our circumstances. It also puts us on a never ending cycle in life: we compromise –> it triggers our needs and fears - > give rise to expectations –> we become dependent –> more needs and fears - > we compromise again ... and so our cycle continues.

To stop this never ending cycle of events, we need to and must address and eliminate those feelings and beliefs of “being not good enough” that drive our emotional needs and fears.

That will result in us accepting ourselves unconditionally – true love of Self – to enjoy a relationship that works naturally, that does not require any “working at ...”; it just does because neither party feels or has any need for taking.

By this the parties automatically become givers and the relationship becomes a fulfilled environment - as opposed to one of needing fulfillment from.

By Hanna Kok

PMS, premenstrual syndrome is something that most of us loath. We might be the woman who suffers from it, or we are at the receiving end of the stick when somebody else struggles with it. Either way, it is not nice.

You might never suffer from PMS, because your life is in balance or you are a male. This article is still relevant to you, because you have to deal with women in your life, who have PMS. You also will have certain "off days" yourself, where you are more irritable than normal.

During this time, all the things that bother us, come more to the surface. In other words, if our life is out of balance, the imbalance is accentuated during this time of our cycle.

When we find ourselves getting angry easily, we need to examine what we are angry about, so that we can do something about it.

At the moment I am reading a wonderful book called "Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom"

by Christiane Northrop, M.D. In this book, the author explains the purpose of PMS and why we suffer from it. She explains how our hormone cycle regulates our periods. These hormones affect our mood too. Just after ovulation, the progesterone levels increase and this is when we are more prone to suffer from PMS. We also tend to feel sorry for ourselves and be more emotional.

If you don't suffer from PMS, you still will have times where you are more irritable. Listen to it. It has a message for you!

“Listen to it, it has a message for you.�

Conscious Life Magazine

If other people stir up negative emotions in us, it is time to apply the three fingers pointing back, so that we will know where we need to make some changes in ourselves. By making the change in us, we bring our life back into balance.

For example, my client Petru (names have been changed) works from home. Last week she suffered from serious bout of PMS.

She was angry with her family, because she felt she was always the one sweeping and helping everybody else and that it was expected of her. She never got round to the things that were important to her. It is important to her to grow her own business.

10 Fitness Myths

Busted!!

We applied the three fingers pointing back and discovered she was doing the same to herself.

Whenever she had to do something for her work that she didn't really like, she would start helping other people with their projects. That way she wouldn't get to her own work. Now she understood why her business wasn't as successful as she wanted it to be.

It had been her own fault that she hadn't been getting round to doing the things that were important to her.

She decided to make a change. She would first do her own work, even if it was a little hard, before she would run errands and help others. She was very grateful how her PMS had pointed out to her where she needed to make a change in her own life.

If one of our loved ones suffers from PMS or is irritable for other reasons, we could assist them by encouraging them to find out what their anger is telling them and then make some changes.

Conclusion What is your PMS/anger telling you? What changes are you going to make?

See my website for workshops that can assist you. www.thelife-youwant.com Please feel free to email, hanna@makealife.co.za, with any comments on or suggestions for the newsletters.

"Hanna Kok is an incredible Brain Gym/Edu-K Trainer and Health Practitioner with immense knowledge in the health and wellness fields. Her courses and especially her course from Victim to Master has helped me tremendously to improve all my relationships: with myself, work, social, personal and more and it continues to help me as I apply all the tools I have learnt in Hanna’s workshops. I am so grateful and thankful for the healing you bring into our lives. I highly recommend Hanna to anyone wanting to improve their life and their health." - AurÊlie Lemière - Educational Kinesiologist/ International Wellness Coach

Conscious Life Magazine

Over the years, I have met many dark shadows within myself-the traumatised child, the enraged teenager, the party-girl, the workaholic, the iron-woman, the serial care-giver‌ shadows that have masked painful truths and festered open wounds. For I was determined to do good and help others, while artfully avoiding myself. As a school teacher for eleven years, I met thousands of children and their parents around the world, who reminded me that alongside Literacy and Numeracy, I stepped into my classroom each day, to teach Love. Suddenly I awoke to my deeper wisdom and embraced the path of a renunciant, serving as a healer in SE Asia and India for several joyous, liberating and deluded years. Deluded, for there was a moment that I was still avoiding. Despite the transformation work, life-long yoga and meditation practices, intuitive healing abilities and free-spiritedness‌there was a moment locked away in the recesses of my mind that revealed itself through the gift of working with children and the blessing of mindfulness and meditation training.

Pausing, breathing and healing. Feeling feet on the floor and wind on the skin, while mind churned up muck and mud, being with the child who wanted to escape and the woman who could never ever save her. So here I am-holding the most terrified, traumatised, diseased and disgusting part of myself with the gentleness, love, care and kindness I learned to offer children as a school teacher, and found I could offer myself.

Conscious Life Magazine

Picture: Juanita Naidoo Rea, Earth Expo, Monte Casino, Johannesburg, 2016

Here I am-in a South Africa desperate for love and healing where at least 3 million children in SA are affected by toxic stress and experience loss of development potential and an estimated 21 South Africans commit suicide daily, with stress being a significant contributing factor.

The eduSOIL Holistic Stress Reduction Clinic at Mediclinic Morningside is our flagship facility in SA, where we nurture the mental & emotional health of

children and adults through holistic stress reduction with mindfulness, yoga & change making programmes. Since 2011, eduSOIL has nurtured 7850 children and adults, in 7 countries through holistic development programmes and coming home to South Africa, I have come home to myself, pausing, breathing healing-rediscovering the child within and helping others to do so too through 1: 1 consultations, 8 week courses, weekly classes and retreats.

Biography and Contact Info Juanita Naidoo Rea is a former school teacher & founder of eduSOIL Education Consultancy a hybrid social enterprise nurturing the mental and emotional health of children and adults through mindfulness, yoga and change making. She has practiced Sivananda Yoga and meditation since childhood and is a certified Yogabeez Foundations teacher. Her mindfulness training include Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (Centre For Mindfulness Research and Practice), paws.B (UK) and Mindful Schools (US). Juanita has received several awards for her work in bringing mindfulness based interventions to at risk children and youth in SE Asia, India and SA. www.edusoil.com Email: enquiry@edusoil.com Contact: 079 3377 432 With every best wish, Juanita Naidoo Rea Founder, Director, eduSOIL LifeCo UnLtd Enterprizer (2016) Spark* Changemaker (2015) http://www.edusoil.com/ Pictures: Clockwise from the top: Yoga & Mindfulness workshop, Belly Delly Day Care, Johannesburg, 2016; Holistic Study Skills Workshop, Mumbai, India, 2016; Mindfulness & Yoga Session, EduWeek, Johannesburg, 2016; Yoga & Mindfulness classes, Streetlight School, Jeppe, Johannesburg, 2016

Conscious Life Magazine

By Indwe Risk Services

We all know how important it is to be insured, however, as we buy or receive new items we often forget to reassess our policies or see to what extent our possessions are adequately covered. Here are a few things that we tend to accidentally leave out of our policies.

BICYCLE GEAR We know that you’ve invested a lot of time and money to get your bicycle kitted out and that’s why it’s so essential that you get the right insurance to protect your investment and keep you on the road and pedaling. With our InCycle insurance product you’re covered for the theft, damage and hijacking of your cycling gear. Because we take your personal safety seriously, InCycle also covers medical expenses and emergency transportation. Call Indwe today about getting the advice you need to keep your bicycle wheels turning.

JEWELLERY When you leave your house to go to work, to a meeting, to drop the kids off at school or to buy groceries, you want peace of mind that your jewellery, watch and the other personal possessions that you carry with you are covered for loss, theft or damage. We’re serious about protecting the things you value, and that’s why we provide All Risk insurance (also known as portable possessions insurance). Speak to us today about getting the best cover for your treasured gold and gems.

MOBILE OFFICE Gone are the days where your employees spends their eight-hour working day glued to their desk. Today, hours are more flexible, offices are more mobile and people can work from anywhere, anytime. If you have a small business, where your employees work away from your office, it’s important that you insure all your devices like laptops, cellphones and tablets from accidental loss or damage. Remember that when your business grows and you hire new employees, and then purchase additional devices, your insurance policy needs to be updated.

Magalies Ibogaine Wellness Centre “…all accepting, accepting of all…”

At Magalies Wellness Centre, we use Ibogaine to facilitate healing.

Ibogaine is the active chemical found in the sacred African teacher plant called Iboga. It will reset, reboot, release, rewire, bring insight and, following a mental and physical defrag, will provide a clean slate. It heals many physical and emotional ailments, it alleviates addiction and compulsion, restores the body and mind's natural homeostasis and thereby restores energy and drive. The mind is expanded by the experience but ultimately restored to a pre-addiction, pre-trauma state.

We have had a 85% success rate on more than 550 people treated with various illnesses over the past 6 years.

Our Ibogaine treatment is done in a controlled environment with medical practitioners and qualified staff onsite 24/7.

Iboga has been used by people with: Addictions, Burn Out, Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder, Depersonalization Disorder, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Mental/Emotional Abuse Issues, Mood Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Severe Mental Blocks, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Childhood Emotional Trauma.

And those with Physical Health Problems: Hepatitis, Herpes, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Auto immune Conditions, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), Chronic Infections, Aero toxic Syndrome, Chemical Toxicity, Heavy Metal Toxicity, Arthritis, Physical Stress, Eczema, Lupus, Blood Clots, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and Infertility.

Apart from the Ibogaine treatment (also referred to as 'a lifetime of therapy in one night'), the program consist of: • psychological evaluation and feedback • pursuit of therapeutic goals as dictated by the individual needs of the client, • and may include psychotherapy, hypnosis, and useful life skills training, with the view to facilitating the client's ability to create a positive emotional experience for themselves.

Clients are able to redefine their intentions, and set goals which will solidify and launch the changes needed for their journey towards self actualization. This is encouraged by, amongst other things, creative activity – such as creating vision boards or gratitude wheels. Much of the program is customized around the individual needs of the patient.

In rehabilitation treatment, we also cover relapse prevention - which incorporates a suitable plan of action, tailor made to each client.

Our program encompasses the integration of the information obtained through the Ibogaine treatment, evaluation and counselling sessions, set therapeutic goals, and the setting of life goals. This process of change is directed towards a higher transformation of self, and becoming the person you choose to be.

Three follow up appointments are included. Additional sessions are also available so as to support clients on their way, till they stand strong... armed with the will and the way.

By Torsten A. Lange – Pictured here with Neale Donald Walsch

Why I practice Reiki…Ten years ago I didn’t believe in Reiki. In fact, I didn’t believe in anything that I would classify as esoteric, spiritual, or even alternative. I preferred to keep my feet firmly on the ground.

That is, until the ground suddenly disappeared: After a career as a successful entrepreneur, with homes in Germany and UK, a flagship store on London’s Regent Street, and an export business to the US, almost overnight my life had fallen apart. I was made bankrupt and homeless, and – after the ensuing years of struggle - on the brink of ending my life.

Reiki pieced it back together. In fact, my life circumstances started to improve the very day it arrived. Luckily, Reiki doesn’t care whether you believe in it or not. It simply works.

(That’s why it is used by millions all over the world.) I found a new job, was given the opportunity to train in Reiki, and eventually founded the Reiki Academy London. At first I wondered if the positive changes were simply a coincidence. But having trained thousands of students in Reiki I eliminated the word coincidence from my vocabulary for good. I rather use “synchronicity”. When Reiki comes into our lives it brings healing and change.

So, what is Reiki actually?

Reiki is one of the most popular “energy healing systems” in the world, if not the most widely used. Founded in Japan in the early 20th century, it is simple to learn and everyone attuned can use it and witness its effects.

It is truly mind-boggling: You attend a Reiki course – and hours later walk home with “healing hands”, the trademark feature of Reiki.

Reiki is easy to learn - but also easily misunderstood. Beyond the simplicity of its methods lies an enormous depth. We need to look at both sides of the coin: The alternative therapy and the path for spiritual development. But even if we concentrate on one, the other side is always present. What makes Reiki so unique is that the two are closely interwoven: Healing and personal development cannot be separated.

How Reiki can be learned Reiki is not for a few specially gifted, it can be learned by absolutely everyone. A first-degree course normally takes two days and includes a number of attunements (energy blessings that create the inner connection to the energy in a student). Most people will then feel that their palms start radiating heat and they often feel a tingling sensation. The course includes an introduction to the theory behind the system (luckily very little as it is mainly experiential) as well as several techniques and handpositions. I tend to find that the feedback from other students then gives the confidence that something has indeed happened: healing hands have arrived.

Conscious Life Magazine

Healing on many levels A Reiki practitioner just needs to think of Reiki and the healing powers are activated. They can then place their hands on anyone who would then benefit.

10 Fitness Myths

Busted!!

Sometimes Reiki is simple. My student Anthony, for instance, has a son with sleeping problems. Ever since he was a baby (he is 9 now), he and his wife were woken up at least once every night: Mum, Dad, I can’t sleep!

After the first Reiki course, Anthony started to give his son Reiki just before bedtime. He sleeps through every night now!

Indeed, Reiki is often described as a method to relax and reduce stress. But there is more.

Patti, a primary school teacher, was in charge of the school yard when a little girl fell and cut her chin. Taking her to the first aid room, she decided to place her hand near the girl’s face – and give her Reiki. When they met the first aider, they were greeted with puzzlement: Why all the fuss? And indeed, the bleeding had stopped, the cut looked already much better. I just love the monthly Reiki Shares where I am told all these experiences!

Unsurprisingly, Reiki is now used in many hospitals (at Berlin’s University hospital there is a whole department for Reiki with 6 fulltime therapists), and even recommended to reduce side effects of cancer treatments. But there is still more.

A lady joined my courses after she’d had a beauty treatment. Apparently, she had appeared so tired and sad that the beautician decided crèmes and make up wouldn’t be enough. As a trained Reiki practitioner, she asked whether she could add a few minutes of Reiki in the end. Thinking “at least it won’t do any harm”, the lady receiving the treatment was amazed with what followed: Closing her eyes, she saw different colours appearing, felt warmth and relaxation – and a wave of love. A few weeks later she joined the Reiki course.

Conscious Life Magazine

And decades of trauma and a recent bereavement started to be dealt with. I had never seen such a stark chance in facial expressions over the course of a weekend before: It went from drawn and “I have given up” to a state of relaxation and happiness that prompted an almost constant smile.

And yet, we can still go further. If you are already used to Reiki, you may not even be surprised by the experience another of my students had: After her first course she gave a treatment to her 16-year old brother. They had recently lost their mother, and after the treatment the teenager said in amazement: Mum was here! He had felt her presence and could now live in the awareness that she was still looking them.

Reiki heals on 4 levels: The physical, the emotional, the mental, and the spiritual.

Going deeper The second level, normally another 2-day course, introduces three symbols. They help to bring Reiki more focussed in the physical realm; deepen harmony, guidance and spiritual awareness; and help us to connect more deeply to others. The last symbol is particularly mind-boggling: It allows us to give a Reiki treatment so somebody who is not physically present (very handy when you are in Johannesburg and someone in need happens to be in London). In my courses I place half of the group on treatment couches in one room, then close the door and let the other half send Reiki from another room. The feedback is amazing!

The symbols correspond to the different levels of our existence in the universe, the physical, the spiritual, and the interconnectedness (or oneness). They allow us to experience and understand our place in the universe (and often our life path as a result).

The second level also allows students to practice professionally and charge for giving Reiki treatments.

Going even deeper The final level is to become a Reiki Master. It allows one to teach Reiki and introduces another symbol. But only a few practitioners choose this route, as the essence of Reiki can already be experienced from level one: Bringing more light into our lives.

10 Fitness Myths

Busted!!

After all, the system of Reiki was founded by Mikao Usui, a Japanese businessman and scholar, who had suddenly found himself in complete darkness and despair. Bankruptcy had brought him to the brink of suicide, and he had already withdrawn to a mountain to meditate and accept death when he suddenly had a moment of enlightenment (he literally saw nothing but light and realised that this was the ultimate truth) and as a result found himself with hands radiating this energy.

Many people call Reiki light healing…

Torsten A. Lange is founder and director of the internationally renowned Reiki Academy London and has researched Reiki in Japan. His book “Reiki – Heal Your Body and Your Life with the Power of Universal Energy” is published by Hay House. “The book is a comprehensive introduction to Reiki that is based on the very latest research, goes deeper into the spiritual background and is based on personal stories of my Reiki students and myself. It is the first and only Reiki book published by Hay House.” says Torsten Get Torsten’s book via Hay House: http://www.hayhouse.co.uk/reiki-ebook www.reikiacademylondon.com

Conscious Life Magazine

SPIRITUAL TEACHER TRAINING COURSE 2017 I am delighted to announce that the next Teacher Training course is from 3rd to 16th March 2017 at The Angel Warehouse, Spirit of Amberfield, Rheenendal (near Knysna).

Are you ready to change your life forever and in the process assist others by enlightening and empowering them? Do you feel that this is your Divine Life Path, helping to spread the light to others and accelerating your own personal growth? If this is the case then this life changing Teacher Training course is for you!

The course emphasises your own self-development which is so very important, and I will share my extensive knowledge and experience with you, enabling you to become the Amazing Being that you truly are!

I take pride in inviting you into our sacred and very special space where you will be nurtured and supported whilst you grow and learn. This beautiful country venue offers a special and safe place to focus your attention and listen to the longing of your own soul, allowing you to grow and do your own self-development. This experience is unique and a special gift that you give yourself whilst you are preparing to go out and spread the light.

Participants will do the Initiation Module and Angel Connection Module with an option of doing the Ascension Connection Module.

This course is for those that are passionate, motivated and committed to working with the Angels and Ascension and wanting to pass their knowledge and passion onto others so that they too are empowered and enlightened.

You do not have to be very experienced in your Spiritual abilities, but must be working from the heart with enthusiasm and integrity. Academic qualifications are not important. Your own personal self-development and the desire and passion to pass this onto others, is what counts.

ABOUT THE SPIRITUAL TEACHER TRAINING COURSE This course will:  Give you the confidence, expertise and skills to organize and facilitate a group or workshop in a professional manner.  Teach you to facilitate visualisations for groups and individuals as well as meditations and exercises to use in your workshops.  Allow you to bring in the Angels and Ascended Masters to enhance your connection to the Spirit World and be able to teach others to do the same.  Powerful energies such as the Mahatma Energy, The Antakarana, The Lightbody, The Monad plus many more will be taught to speed up the Ascension process of yourself and others.  Provide you with powerful techniques to develop your channelling abilities transmute energies and enhance your healing abilities.  Allow you to go within for personal development and advancement on your spiritual journey in a safe environment with expert support and assistance.

Angel Connection will present the course under the auspices of THE ANGEL CONNECTION SCHOOL OF AFRICA. Course content will be strictly in accordance with that prescribed by the ACSOA. The Angel Connection School of Africa is delighted to announce that there will be a bursary available for those who would like to do the course but are unable to afford it. Please contact Margi for more information and application forms. Terms and conditions apply.

Places are limited.

DATES: 3rd to 16th March 2017 FACILITATOR: Margi McAlpine BOOKINGS AND INFORMATION: Margi on 082-563-7422 or margi@angels.za.com Visit: www.angels.za.com

MAKE ANGELS PART OF YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE!

Reconnect with Spirit

Rediscover your Life Force

Restore Balance

PSYCHIC MEDIUM As a Psychic Medium, I am able to connect with spirit guides, where I receive messages about a clients past, present and future. These messages may be beneficial to help bring clarity

on their lives and where be leading.

Many of the messages have received for my have been healing on levels.

it may that I clients many

REIKI A quantity that is almost impossible to define! Energy can never be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another. Among the familiar forms are heat energy, energy of motion, electrical energy, and sound energy.

Reiki is a form of energy healing. This form of healing helps to maintain balance within, mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Reiki is a form or spiritual or energy healing. It helps open up and remove blockages

within the system. Each system within our bodies is intimately connected to the seven major charkas.

Reiki will help remove these blockages and restore balance.

Contact Damian Wood Email: damian@woodswellness.co.za Mobile: 082 863 8842

ACCESS BARS This therapy defrags your brain, leaving you relaxed, refreshed, renewed and more creative. Anyone of any age can attend this 1 ½ day training.

The teachings are truly life changing and takes a new perspective on how to manage your life.

20 & 21st March Times: Saturday 9.30 – 5.00 + Sunday 9.30 – 1.00 ACCESS YOUR BODY – Individual Body processes Access body processes support any healing modality. Each one is a half day training. I recommend attending Bars training first. Join them all or choose which interest you, each one is a stand-alone process:

April

-TBA

COLOUR INITIATIONS This is a brand new series of teachings that explores colour in a whole new way. We will immerse ourselves in one colour a month – working through the dimensions of each, from the heaviness of the 3rddimensional aspect of the colour, through the 5th dimensional Light Matrix energy and finally allowing the Angelic support of the Angels of Illumination. This workshop helps you to truly understand colour and its potential, and will be an experiential journey where you feel it and integrate it on many different levels.

11th March 22nd April 27th May 24th June

– Orange – Yellow – Green – Blue

Times: Saturdays 9.00 – 5.00

with Penni du Plessis Divine Space

Pink Passion for Valentine’s Month The passionate and powerful action of red comes together with the purity and openness of the only whole colour, white, to create the calming, unconditional love and nurturing energy of pink.

Pink is a sign of hope. It instills in us an assurance that everything will be just fine. It calms our emotional energies, enabling us to listen to our feminine intuition. It encourages positivity and optimism, while its reassuring, gentle warmth helps to alleviate emotional upset. And of course, pink is the colour of romance and caring love. .

DECORATING WITH PINK Pale pink is the ideal colour to use in children’s bedrooms. Studies have shown that exposure to pink calms the body physiologically. A pale pink bedroom will calm little minds active from busy days of learning, allowing them to properly rest their bodies with peaceful sleep. The feeling of unconditional, compassionate and nurturing love that comes to us from pink is perfect for the growing personalities of little people who need encouragement to reach their full potential.

If you are looking to bring some retro style into your kitchen, pastel pink appliances or other accents will conjure up that feeling of walking into a 1950s American diner. And of course, the elegantly tapering blooms of bright fuchsia orchids will bring an invigorating energy into any room. The orchid’s dark, deep green leaves are the perfect natural contrast to the bright petals, and give the plant its air of sophistication.

FASIONABLY PINK Pink is a very feminine colour, and will immediately bring a sense of restfulness to anyone feeling aggressive moods. It is also a youthful colour, and it lends this characteristic to anyone who wears it.

A man can make quite a statement with pink clothing because he is willing to work from the heart. A man in pink is showing the world that he does not need any crutches for his masculinity and that he is confident and self-assured.

If you are a woman getting ready for a date, wear a bold dash of fuchsia. A mix of a deep red-pink and blue, fuchsia is confident and assured. And of course, let’s not forget hot pink, which is passionate, playful and sensual. It is full of warmth and happiness, and wearers of hot pink will feel an irrepressible urge to grab all the fun that life has to offer.

HEALING WITH PINK If you feel you or the people in your space need a little reminder of the unconditional universal love, use the pink Angelic Wings of Love spray to instantly clear and balance an area. Pink calms aggression and brings in love. This could be the way we react to others, or even when they project aggression toward us. In both cases using the pink ‘Angelic wings of Love’ spray around yourself, calms the aggression and lightens the energy. This spray invites a heart connection.

The Pink Oil of Transformation is for those who need help trusting and loving themselves. While inviting love into your life, it shows you how to love yourself. It will also show you the way to letting go and following your feelings, and how to connect with others who can help you.

If this information on the supportive properties of pink has left you wanting to know more, please visit my page on the Pink Path. I would love to join you on your journey to finding love and compassion.

She’s known as Vanilla Blonde Bailey - but to us, she’s that fun, bubbly presenter that caught our attention on the Expresso Show: Beauty With Bailey, and is currently stealing our hearts on Smile FM in Cape Town.

Bailey Schneider is a foodie at heart and openly speaks about her love for banting and how it changed her way of life! "You’ll be amazed how you’re fuller for longer. Only eat when you’re hungry, not because you’re conditioned to meal times” she says.

When it comes to Banting and those misconceptions, Bailey puts our readers minds at ease, "Don’t be afraid of fat. Fat has become a bad F word, but it’s not something to shy away from.

Fat gives you energy and when you’re eating the right fat, you’ll have energy for a lot longer than if you eat carbs which are fast burning. Start getting used to coconut oil, olive oil, avocado and even animal fats.”

Bailey shares her favourite veggie recipe which to her is "always a hit at a braai, or even to eat cold when added to a salad!” she says.

Bailey’s Roasted Veggies Ingredients:- “Veggies off the

Method:

Banting List which I love”:

• • •

• • • • • •

Broccoli Cauliflower Pumpkin Sweet Potatoes Red and Yellow peppers Zucchini

• • • • • •

Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees.

Chop everything up in bite sizes.

Drizzle odourless organic coconut oil over them.

3 Tablespoons of water Sprinkle Himalayan salt and a crack of black pepper on top Dot some sprigs of fresh thyme or rosemary on top Roast in the oven for 30 minutes.

Stir them around to ensure they haven’t stuck to the bottom.

Roast until soft, but not mushy.

Towards to end, turn your oven to grill and watch for the tops to crisp but not burn.

Bon Appétit!

Follow Bailey’s Journey: www.twitter.com/baileyschneider www.instagram.com/vanillablondebailey https://www.facebook.com/baileyschneidersa

Chocolate Hazelnut Spread

By Lisa Raleigh

Ingredients:

Method:

•

•

• • • •

180g hazelnuts baked at 200° Celsius for a few minutes (watch carefully that they don’t burn) 20g raw cacao powder 20g maple syrup / raw honey 40ml coconut oil Pinch of Himalayan rock salt

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• •

Place the cooled nuts in the food processor and process until a meal forms.

Add the cacao and syrup/honey then blend again.

With the food processor still on, slowly add the oil until you reach the consistency you like most.

STRAWBERRY-SPINACH SALAD WRAPS WITH ORANGE POPPY SEED DRESSING Recipe: Kelly L. Williams/The HSUS.

Photo: Amie Chou/The HSUS.

Ingredients: • • • • • •

4x 30cm whole-wheat tortilla wraps • 2x cups baby spinach, loosely packed 2x cups arugula, loosely packed (or more baby spinach) • 1x punnet strawberries, tops removed and sliced thin 1x avocado, diced • 1/3x cup toasted almonds (optional) •

For the dressing: • • • • • •

Method:

1/3x cup olive oil 1/3x cup orange juice 1x tablespoon agave nectar or maple syrup 2x tablespoons apple cider vinegar 1/4x teaspoon salt 1x tablespoon poppy seeds

Conscious Life Magazine Conscious Life Magazine

•

Prepare the salad by combining the spinach, arugula, edamame, strawberries and avocado in a large bowl. Toss gently to combine.

Using a blender or a whisk, combine all dressing ingredients (except the poppy seeds) until emulsified, then stir in the poppy seeds.

Pour most of the dressing over the salad ingredients and mix well.

Reserve 1 to 2 tablespoons of dressing for the wraps.

To assemble the wraps, brush a little of the reserved dressing on a tortilla and then add the salad ingredients. Sprinkle a few toasted almonds, if using, over the salad, then roll up the wrap.

It’s about making a difference one meal at a time! Eat green! By pledging to eat plant-based meals every Monday you will be munching your way towards a healthier body, a more sustainable planet and a more conscientious approach to eating. Love your veg and they’ll love you back! Green Monday is a global initiative promoted by Humane Society International (HSI).

Watch this quick video explaining why you’re onto a good thing when you support GreenMondaySA.

Goodbye Blue Mondays! Start your week by pledging green! Get your friends, family and colleagues to get on board too.

Conscious Life Magazine

Conscious Life Magazine

Picture Courtesy of Ryan McGuire - Pixabay

By Lisa Raleigh 1. Static stretching decreases the risk of injury.

Static stretching is the basic move of bending over to touch your toes, pulling your ankles towards your hips. Not only is this ineffective at stretching muscles suitably before exercise, but it can actually increase your chance of injury when muscles are relying on a certain stiffness for stability or force. Rather practise arm swings, high knee jogs, basic lunges or even 10 minutes of low-intensity cardio for an all-round, effective warm-up.

2. I’m working out, so I can eat whatever I want and still lose weight.

The total amount of calories burnt in a workout may equal the amount of calories in certain foods, but it’s up to you how you want to expend your calories. Weight loss is a simple equation, where your calories burnt need to extend the amount of calories you have taken in. If you are eating more calories than you are burning off in a day, you are going to gain weight, whether or not chocolate is included in your diet.

3. Lifting weights makes women look bulky.

Ladies, don’t be scared to push the weights!

This is one of the most common and detrimental misconceptions!

Muscles require fuel to operate, so the more lean muscle you have, the more calories you will burn throughout the day. Whilst cardio burns calories throughout the session, strength training will build more lean muscle, therefore burning calories even when your muscles are relaxed. We naturally lose muscle mass as we age, causing our metabolisms to slow down, with weight gain as a result.

Strength training is crucial in maintaining and building the muscle mass we need to keep our metabolisms up to speed, helping us to manage our weight.

Women don’t have enough levels of testosterone and human growth hormone to increase lean muscle dramatically. If ladies are looking particularly heavy from weighttraining, chances are they are adding some serious supplementation to their diets.

4. Long-distance cardio is best for weightloss.

Low-intensity, long-duration workouts do not offer your muscles the same challenge as high-intensity, shorter ones, yet your body can still be pushed beyond its means. The extended time frame means you are putting long-standing stress on your body over time.

Conscious Life Magazine

The shape of a long distance runner will be less defined with little tone, since they have broken down much of their lean muscle, as opposed to the sculpted, defined form of a sprinter. Lower-intensity, longer-duration exercise can even leave you fit and fat, as a result of a slowed metabolism.

10 Fitness Myths

Busted!!

5. Running and squats can damage your knees.

Safe exercise is less about what you are practising and more about how you are practising it. Technique is a crucial element of training, and executing your squats correctly will only strengthen your joints: Stand up straight with your feet about shoulder width apart. You can keep your arms extended in front of you or on your hips.

Keeping your back straight and eyes looking ahead, slowly bend your knees to a 90° angle.

Breathe in as you squat, lowering your rear as you would into a chair.

Slowly rise up to the starting position, exhaling as you rise.

The same is true of running. Wearing the correct footwear, replacing them when worn out, incorporating strength-training and rest days into your routine and treating rehab injuries effectively can only improve your joint health. Make sure you are wearing running shoes, not cross-trainers, and if you are heavier, start with a slower temp, gradually increasing over time. If your feet are either particularly flat or have high arches, investigate ergonomic footwear and suitable insteps to correct your stance.

6. Ab exercises are all you need for great abs.

If only it were that simple! There is no such thing as spot training. Sit-ups alone are not the answer for that six-pack, nor will isolated squats sculpt your dream butt. Fat loss throughout the body depends on genetics, sex, and age, and overall body fat must be reduced to lose fat in any particular area.

Conscious Life Magazine

7. Weight gain is inevitable as you age.

No, what’s inevitable is that after the age of 25, we lose muscle mass each year. This means that our metabolisms slow down with age if we do not build lean muscle. For this reason, strength training is crucial in keeping up our levels of lean muscle mass, and so preventing weight gain as we age.

8. Weighing yourself is the best way to measure your progress.

Any exercise goals should be aimed towards health, not weight loss, and your efforts should include LOSING excess fat and GAINING lean muscle mass. Muscle weighs more than fat but is 22% smaller, making your scale an inaccurate tool when it comes to monitoring your progress. Keep your eye on the fit of your clothes; progressive before and after pictures are also a fool-proof indicator of your success.

9. Low-carb diets are effective for weight-loss

Don’t cut the carbs! Even though you may initially drop kilos, low carbs for more than seven days can deplete the stored carbs in your muscles, known as glycogen. This can then burn muscle mass, which boosts your metabolism. Up your carb intake at least one day each week to replenish these reserves.

The body needs glucose in the form of carbs and starches to function and provide energy.

The body cannot change protein into glucose, so it goes into the fat stores and muscle stores and starts to break them down. Too many amino acids of protein also leave us acidic, causing our bodies to use precious calcium stores to neutralise it.

10. Exercise causes you to eat more.

Exercise can certainly increase your appetite, as your metabolism has kicked in. Your body is burning calories and asking for more.

Whether this makes you eat more depends on your habits. It is important to listen to your body and eat healthy foods at regular intervals. Try not to use these hunger pangs as an excuse to over-indulge, or eat high fat and sugary foods.

Want to tighten and tone your lower body, but only have fifteen minutes to spare? Get your heart rate up with just three easy moves. Practise the following moves for 1 minute each consecutively. Take a 1 minute break then repeat the moves two or three times, time permitting.

Run on the spot, but slow your pace down and lift each knee up into a right angle as you move.

Start in a regular standing position. Bend your legs slightly and jump into the air, raising your arms above your head as you do. Land with wide legs and sink immediately into a squat. Rise back up to your starting position.

Stand near a steady surface that you can use to balance yourself with your left hand. With your right hand on your hip, lift your right leg up to hip height. Sink down into a squat, keeping your right leg elevated. Pause for a moment then rise up and repeat with the opposite leg.

Conscious Life Magazine

32 Terracotta Pot Hacks to Liven Up Your Home and Garden Terracotta pots are my favorite containers to use in the garden.

They are inexpensive, available in my different sizes and shapes and made from natural materials.

Even if you use them as it, terracotta pots add beautiful color and texture to any type of potted plant.

BY STEPHANIE ROSE

Did you know how versatile terracotta pots are? There are some pretty creative terracotta pot hacks out there! Sure they were made for hold plants, but wait until you see what people have made from them! Here’s a myriad of ideas on how to use terracotta pot in your home and garden.

Garden •

• • • • • •

Tired of just scattering your terracotta pots around the patio?

Then stack them! Creating a “tipsy” stack is easier than you think. Tipsy pots allow you pack in a lot of plants in a small space as well as provide vertical interest in a garden.

Keep the critters out of your vegetable batch with this lovely scarecrow maiden.

Add a charming lighthouse to your flower garden. It only takes a few supplies to whip up this quick project.

This fountain would make a tranquil water feature in any garden.

A great way to re-purpose a broken pot is to turn it into a fairy garden.

Brighten up your garden with these clay pot critters.

This terracotta wind chime is a fun project to make with the kids.

Indoor • •

• • • •

A flower pot wreath on your front door is perfect for all seasons.

This flower pot chandelier would look lovely in a sun room or covered patio.

If you need a way to add color and storage to a bathroom vanity, try making these toiletry containers.

Give plain pots a makeover with nail polish!

Dress up your indoor plants with these colorful painters tape terracotta pots.

Clay pots look love with mosaic tile.

Tabletop • • • • •

Dress up a table of sideboard with this beautiful candle and succulent centerpiece.

This outdoor candle planter would make a great hostess gift and you can make it in just 10 minutes!

Nothing warms up a room like candlelight. These easy to make candle holders will add ambiance to any room.

Or, how about mini terracotta votives?

A tiered centerpiece would look lovely for a baby or a wedding shower.

Outdoor Entertaining • • • • • •

Turn a large planter into a drink cooler.

Mini s’mores pots are fun for adults and kids alike.

These side tables are quick to make without any tools!

Forget those spendy electric smokers for your next BBQ, make your own terracotta smoker.

Warm up a patio with this DIY candle pot heater.

Create a party place that birds will love with a pedestal bird feeder.

Terra Cotta Tips and Tricks • •

• • •

Learn to quickly age terracotta to give them a beautiful patina.

Or make it look vintage with this crackle-finish flower pot.

Before you try painting the pots your have used before or want to use them for new plants, follow these tips on how to clean terracotta pots.

Love the look of old, weathered pots covered with moss? Learn how to grow moss on your pots.

You can bake bread in terracotta pots! But first, check out how to season pots them before you bake in them.

Green Bathroom Tips • • • • •

Install low-flow shower heads and toilets (you will save money on water bills!)

Buy bamboo or organic cotton towels Use cleaners that are eco-friendly (make some from scratch…baking soda and vinegar are cheap and easy cleaners!)

Look at your beauty products and find earth friendly, biodegradable, natural products to replace them with. You can often find sales and coupons to save money…it just takes a little research!

Consider large scale greener home improvements when you remodel. Using natural paints, stone tiles, or repurposed items will give a unique look to your new bathroom.

Eco friendly kitchen tips • • • • • • • • •

Look in your pantry…the more processed the food, the more packaging it involves. Buy real food like fruits, veggies, and meats (organic, local, and/or farm-raised whenever available) Start buying in bulk whenever possible Cook from scratch. (it saves you money and is better for you and the planet!)

Skip anything packaged in individual serving sizes (beverages, snacks, etc). Put snacks in reusable containers. (this is cheaper and produces much less waste) Learn to compost and recycle EVERYTHING you can to reduce trash output.

Learn to garden. Put your composted kitchen scraps to good use and grow your own food.

Frugal and better for you and the environment!

Make your own kitchen cleaners (cheap!) or use coupons to buy eco-friendly cleaners.

Install low flow faucets Use only energy star certified kitchen appliances.

Tips for a Green Bedroom • • • • • •

Check out your wardrobe. Pull out the things you don’t wear and donate to charity.

Need new clothes? Check out thrift stores or Goodwill. Buying used is cheaper, involves less impact on the environment and you can find some really good deals. I frequently find things with the tags still on them!

Consider buying clothes from nontraditional materials like bamboo, hemp, or organic cotton. Buy a few key pieces that can be mixed and matched because they are not cheap.

Consider ditching the bedroom carpet for wood or tile floor. Carpets require cleaning with some nasty chemicals and wood and tile floors can be cleaned with just water and vinegar! ($ much cheaper in the long run!)

You can also find a number of bedding companies that use bamboo, hemp, and organic cotton.

Greener home improvements can also include installing a ceiling fan for improved heating and air conditioning as well as eco-friendly paints, second-hand furniture, etc.

Living Room Decor and Improvements All those TVs, DVD players, Wii’s, and stereos are sucking up power even when you are not using them! Check out Best Buy for green power strips that actually turn the power OFF when you turn the machine off. They are not cheap but will save you money in the long run!

Is anyone actually IN the living room? Is the light still ON? This goes for all over the house…turn off lights when not in use. Use energy efficient bulbs whenever possible. You will save money in the long run on electricity bills!

Planning a living room makeover this year? Look into eco-friendly paints (easily found now at most large hardware stores) and tile or wood floors. Low maintenance flooring means less work for you and fewer chemicals in our water supply!

Install a programmable thermostat to help control heating costs.

There are tons of other eco-friendly solutions for your house like energy efficient appliances, low water usage washing machines and hanging clothes to dry. Some ideas are expensive (energy efficient windows cost a fortune!) and some are not (a box of baking soda to clean the sink is pretty cheap!) Do what you can and don’t stress over the rest! Baby steps, people! Baby Steps!

Article: Greener

Diane is a busy mom of hormonal teens who is trying to go green, get healthy and simplify her life one baby step at a time. She has a bachelor's degree in Microbiology, is a Nationally Certified Pharmacy Technician and has been blogging professionally for over 6 years.

When she isn't blogging, you can often find her in the garden trying to chase out chipmunks and identify garden pests. She can be reached at adhoffmaster@yahoo.com

BOOK HERE

The Andean Tradition is the path back to natural balance and has been practiced for more than 14,000 years. It teaches us how to reconnect with the living energy found in all things on our sacred earth and in our divine cosmos.

The Tradition has its roots in the Andes Mountains of South America, spanning from Argentina to Ecuador, and teaches reverence for the Creator we call Illa Tecsi Wiracocha and Mother Earth or Pachamama.

The Andean Workshop is conducted over 4 days. Each day, we work with an element (earth, water, air and fire).

We learn the relevance of the elements in order to master ourselves, heal the planet as well as develop new skills.

Within each element, we hold a sacred ceremony called a despacho. During the despacho’s you take a coca leaf where you put the heavy energy (hucha) relating to that element that you would like to release and the things you would like to invite into your life and we give our thanks to the Creator. Every item that goes into the despacho is symbolic of something relating to ourselves fitting into the universe.

We are currently the only Shamanic tradition in South Africa that offers initiation through our initiating master Kamag Wageag who is a Kuraq Akulleg in the Andean tradition. While there are other Kuraq Akulleqs in South Africa, they do not yet offer initiations and have been trained by Kamag Wageag.

Join Kamaq Wageaq (Regis Llerena), a Kuraq Akulleq (Master) of the Solar Inka Priesthood from Peru, hosted by the Order of Inkari for a four-day journey during which you are given the tools needed to reconnect with the elements earth, water, air and fire to activate the fifth element – unconditional and harmonious love.

You will receive master teachings on the principles of the Andean Cosmology and its core values of Munay (unconditional love), Ayni (reciprocity), Yachay (authentic wisdom) and Llankay (service).

Through these teachings you will experience the simplicity and beauty that is the Andean Tradition and be enriched by the ancient secrets of the Incas - passed down from generation to generation and now, on to you.

Dates: 17 March to 20 March 2017 Where: Nt'Shonalanga Valley Resort, Centurion, Gauteng Workshop Fee: (includes accommodation and all meals) • R7500 (Standard) Workshop booking fee – if booked and paid after 31 January 2017 Workshop Notes: It is compulsory to attend all four days.

Accommodation is shared; please stipulate upfront if you require single accommodation.

Full payment is required before registration on 17 March 2017.

Please advise us upfront of any Special Dietary Requirements

TO BOOK: Email Michelle Barker on michellebarker@telkomsa.net Mobile: 082 371 5701

Initiations: (Optional – after the course) Level 1 initiation: 21 March 2017 • Open to all workshop participants who have not completed this initiation previously.

• You may decide at the workshop to register for this initiation provided full payment is made at the workshop.

• Initiation fee US$100 plus workshop fee R750 Level 2 initiation: 22 and 23 March 2017 • Open to all workshop participants who have not completed this initiation previously.

• Level 1 and 2 may be done in the same year.

• You may decide at the workshop to register for this initiation provided full payment is made at the workshop.

• Initiation fee US$200 plus workshop fee R1850 Level 3.2 initiation: 24 and 25 March 2017 • You must have completed Level 3.1 in Peru to qualify for this initiation.

• Full payment is required on booking.

• Initiation fee US$300 plus workshop fee R3500 • Level 3.3 initiation: 26 and 27 March 2017 • You must have completed all preceding initiations to qualify for this initiation.

• Level 3.2 and 3.3 may not be completed in the same year.

• Full payment is required on booking.

• Initiation fee US$300 plus workshop fee R5600

Initiation Notes: You can choose to do the workshop and decide on the workshop whether you would like to initiate. You can then register for the initiation on the workshop if you choose. Levels 1 and 2 can be done immediately following the workshop and are at the same venue as the workshop. Levels 3.1 and 4 are done in Peru. The other levels (3.2 and 3.3) are done in South Africa. Only levels 1 and 2 can be done in the same year. The rest get spread over time due to the integration into your life.

Payments are to be made to: Name: Inka Shaman Number: 9076120269 ABSA code: 632005 Reference: Your Name and Surname

Proof of payment to be emailed to Roline Ellerbeck on roline@mweb.co.za Email number: 086 671 0721 Bookings cannot be confirmed without proof of payment.

Nestled in the Schurweberg mountains, Nt Shonalanga valley Resort lies on the tranquil banks of the Hennops River. The resort is located close to the major business districts of Pretoria, Centurion, Midrand and Sandton. It is a mere 20min drive from Lanseria Airport and a 45 minute drive from the OR Tambo International Airport .

The Resort is situated in a beautiful and scenic valley surrounded by hills and boasts of spectacular African sunrises and sunsets. The Hennops River, which flows through the Northern boundaries of the property, allows for cascading streams to flow around the buildings into a small dam where an abundance of bird life and fish placidly co-exist.

The venue caters for events ranging from corporate conferences to banquets, weddings to private functions.

It has 3 conference rooms, which can seat up to 200 delegates, a lapa that overlooks the dam and a banqueting hall that can host up to 250 guests comfortably. It also has 15 chalets and two self-catering units.

Nt’ Shonalanga Valley’s Rainbow Village consists of 15 luxury mushroomed styled chalets and a guest house.

The chalets were designed and built to represent Madiba’s Rainbow Nation.

They resemble Traditional African mud huts, are eco-friendly and blend perfectly with the natural surrounding bush, enabling guests to enjoy a True African experience. The chalets are unique in their construction, design and method. Local unskilled labour was employed and the ancient Eastern principles of Vastu Shastra and Feng Shui have been applied, which is an ancient philosophy of harnessing the energies of wind and water to create harmony with one’s environment.

The outdoor facilities include a rock pool and a picturesque mountain range ideal for hikes and walks. enquiries@shonalanga.co.za www.shonalanga.co.za (012) 650-2012

The Buddhist Retreat Centre, where people of all religions, and none, come to experience peace and tranquility.

How to Retreat The Buddhist Retreat Centre offers various types of retreats, ranging from those investigating Buddhist thought and philosophy, through to practice retreats where the emphasis is on meditation; as well as retreats featuring bird watching, cookery, drumming, pottery and photography. At first glance the latter might appear to be unrelated to Buddhism but even these retreats will contain some element of meditation, of mindful awareness, refracting the chosen subject matter through a Buddhist lens.

People from all walks of life come to these retreats with a variety of motivations and expectations. Perhaps they want to deepen their meditation practice, to take some time out from a hectic working life; to reflect on a tense domestic situation; to consider the trajectory of their lives; to make a decision about a way forward. Maybe they just want to learn how to take a good photograph. Each person will have a different reason for going on a retreat. Different paths will have led them to this place.

We all need to make an appointment with ourselves from time to time. To re-connect with who we are; to maintain balance; to recharge exhausted batteries. To make time to go on a retreat is a necessary and healthy step for anyone.

Forthcoming Retreats: For full details of each retreat please go to the website page: http://www.brcixopo.co.za/retreats/detailed-list-of-retreats.html Buddha Touches The Earth: Engaged Buddhism, subtle activism Tsunma Tsondru Friday 17 February 2017 - Sunday 19 February 2017

Healing Relaxation: Opening and relaxing the heart and mind Pippa Cope and Jayne Pilossof Friday 24 February 2017 - Sunday 26 February 2017

A Neurosurgeon Probes Wellness And Performance Ian Weinberg Dates: Friday 03 March 2017 - Sunday 05 March 2017

"Plentiful" Takes The Cake! The big book of Buddha food: a cooking retreat Teacher: Paul Atkinson Dates: Friday 10 March 2017 - Sunday 12 March 2017

Chi Whiz - An introduction To Chi Kung Colin Kemery Dates: Tuesday 14 March 2017 - Thursday 16 March 2017

Open The Heart And Still The Mind: A joyful awakening Sue Cooper Dates: Friday 17 March 2017 - Tuesday 21 March 2017

Yogis Live Longer: Hatha yoga for health and resilience Howard Lipschitz and Christine Withiel Dates: Friday 24 March 2017 - Sunday 26 March 2017

General Information The Centre has been established on an exquisite 125-hectare country estate near the village of Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal 90 kilometers south of Pietermaritzburg, one and a half hours’ drive from Durban.

Set in hilly grasslands amongst dams, indigenous bush and forests, it overlooks one of the great valleys in the Umkomaas river system. CNN featured the BRC as one of the ten finest retreat centres in the world. It was awarded Natural Heritage status by President Nelson Mandela in recognition of its success in establishing indigenous vegetation on the property and providing habitats for wildlife to return, including the endangered Blue Swallow.

It is a birder’s paradise with more 160 species recorded.

Walks lead to many interesting sites and viewpoints on the property, including evidence that Bushman lived there and Voortrekkers and Settlers passed through. In 2000, the BRC facilitated the founding of Woza Moya, the community-based NGO, located in Ufafa valley.

It continues to support the organisation in a variety of ways.

Accommodation Fifty retreatants can be accommodated in single and twin-bedded rooms, en-suite cottages and thatched chalets overlooking the secluded valleys on the property – a short distance away from the dining room, office, library, studio and meditation hall.

The Centre is justly famous for its fine lactoovo vegetarian cuisine which is featured in its own best-selling recipe books, Quiet Food, The Cake the Buddha Ate and Plentiful: The Big Book Of Buddha Food. The BRC menu includes organically grown vegetables and farm-baked bread.

Observances The Retreat Centre offers a tranquil environment for the study and practice of philosophy, psychology, meditation and the arts associated with Buddhist culture. The Centre therefore encourages adherence to traditional Buddhist moral principles during retreats, such as respect for all forms of life and abstinence from alcoholic drinks and hallucinogenic drugs.

Noble Silence is maintained from the last meditation at night until the first session after breakfast in the morning.

During some retreats, Noble Silence is maintained throughout. Pets are not allowed at the Centre. Only some retreats are suitable for children: please check with the Administrator.

Intro to Buddhism It's a "Middle Way" The Buddhist tradition is centered in the Enlightenment experience of Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha, who was born in Nepal and taught his doctrine in India during the sixth century BC. His teachings are at once revolutionary and self-evident, and extraordinarily relevant to the modern world.

He maintained that the nature of reality and the meaning of our existence cannot be captured in theories, concepts and beliefs, but are realised experientially - in compassionate, mindful living.

A central teaching in Buddhism is that we forego great beauty and meaning in our lives by allowing ourselves to be driven by a compulsive self-centeredness, obsessive, mindless attachments and all manner of habitual delusions and wishful thinking.

Buddhism, however, also teaches that we can radically reshape the way we perceive and experience things. This can be done through transformative mental practices [meditation] and behavioural disciplines. These are outlined in the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path and a number of other philosophical and psychological teachings and methods.

Buddhism, therefore, is an attitude more than a belief; a way of experiencing the world rather than an attempt to explain it. Known as the Middle Way, Buddhism has no need for extreme opinions and exclusive dogmas. This self-reliant outlook imbues it with a rare sense of dignity, joy, gentleness and freedom - qualities that appeal to increasing numbers of people who have grown tired of the authoritative pronouncements of priests and scientists, millennial prophets and selfimprovement gurus.

Buddhism is neither theistic nor atheistic; it is non-theistic. It therefore does not challenge or compete with other religions. Hence, followers of all religious denominations and philosophical persuasions are welcome to attend any retreat program. No membership, allegiance or conversion is expected or required.

Dhamma Shop From sock monkeys to singing bowls - you will find them all - and more - in the BRC shop.

The BRC shop has an exquisite and exotic range of products. The emphasis is on stocking items that express a Zen-like simplicity and quality.

Apart from meditation cushions and stools and a selection of books on Buddhism, there are music CD’s conducive to a meditative mood.

You will find Charlotte Rhys products, as well as a variety of Japanese incense, and a chic range of Zen-style pottery and Anthony Shapiro’s classic bowls, pots, large ginger jars and vases, some decorated with sumie brushwork by Louis, and perfectly tuned wind chimes. New to the shop are the beautiful silver Chakra bracelets on black cord.

Contact Us Email: brcixopo@futurenet.co.za Tel: +27(0)39 834 1863/0878091687 Mobile: 082 579 3037 www.brcixopo.co.za

Dharmagiri Insight Meditation Centre is dedicated to bringing the universal practice of mindful awareness to South Africans and visitors from across the continent and world.

We offer silent meditation retreats, yoga, psycho-spiritual, healing, and vegetarian cooking workshops and other events throughout the year to allow individuals to learn, practice and deepen their understanding of mindfulness and insight meditation. We endeavor to support individuals in cultivating mindfulness, compassion, integrity and wisdom. Our intention is to help all people find more peace in their lives and to live more harmoniously with each other, our communities, and the world in which we all live.

Dharmagiri, which means sacred mountain, is the name of a hermitage founded by Kittisaro and Thanissara on the border of Lesotho and South Africa in 2000. Dharmagiri draws inspiration from the mountain where it is nestled, which in Zulu is called Mvuleni (place of rain, also place of openings), and in English Bamboo Mountain (due to a rare Alpine bamboo that grows on the mountain.) It is a small center hosts meditation retreats and educational courses. In alliance with the international Buddhist community, Dharmagiri also supports outreach in its local rural community.

From its mountain roots, Dharmagiri has an international presence through the work of Kittisaro & Thanissara and connects a growing community dedicated to awakening in our challenging times by facilitating meditation retreats, educational programs, creativity and activism in different parts of the world.

UPCOMING RETREATS Date: February 24- February 28, 2017 The Way of QiGong Teacher: Max W eier Cost - Daily Rate of R450.00 to R550.00 + Dana for teachers. W ait list only The ancient Chinese art of qigong aims to cultivate one's qi (life-force) and harmonise body and mind through movement, attention, breath and meditation. Beyond the manifold benefits of the practice the ultimate goal of qigong lies in the opening of the mind to the experience of its inherent stillness.

Date: March 3 - March 7, 2017 Healing through the Enneagram with Compassion: Cultivate love, compassion, and presence by using this ancient wisdom map Teacher: Anita Craig Cost - Daily Rate of R450.00 to R550.00 + Dana for teachers

Date: April 13- April 17, 2017 Yatra - Sacred Pilgrimage, Walking in the Drakensberg Mountains Teacher: Chandasara & Dain Peters Cost - Daily Rate of R450.00 to R550.00 + Dana for teachers W alk in the Mountains to reconnect with the sacred. Bring poetry, prayers and sacred texts that are meaningful to you to share. There will be walking in the day and gatherings in the evenings, led by Dain & Chandasara. There are pools to swim & an opportunity to absorb the power and majesty of the Berg. W alks paced for various levels of mobility.

For more details contact Marlene on 084 799 0393 Dharmagiri Insight Meditation Centre, Underberg, - Southern Drakensberg – KZN www.dharmagiri.org office@dharmagiri.org

(Free Will Offering) and

(Sharing)

The Principle - A New Economic Paradigm Rooted in an Ancient Principle Dana means 'generosity' or 'free will offering' which follows the ancient practice of the Buddhist lineage where teachings are offered freely. Dharmagiri has been made possible through the generosity of others and likewise the gifts of our guests make it possible for future practitioners to benefit from their time at Dharmagiri. In this way Dana allows those who have few resources access to the teachings and practice at Dharmagiri.

Dana is rooted in the practice of wisdom and compassion. Wisdom informs us that nothing ultimately belongs to us and that we are all deeply interconnected. It also informs us that without the gifts of others, we would not have life, education and the resources we enjoy. Compassion encourages us to act on this understanding by striving for a more equitable society based on sharing and generosity. This understanding is also within the ancient African principle of Ubuntu which states ‘we are who we are through others.' As the consciousness with which we engage society conditions the societies we live within, the spiritual practice at Dharmagiri encourages the overcoming the mindset that seeks self benefit at the expense of others.

Fundamental Spirit of Dharmagiri - One of Offering Dharmagiri enters a relationship with our guests and fellow practitioners, not as providers of a service for a consumer, but as a wholehearted human relationship as collaborators in the transformation of the heart, mind and society in order to bring about a greater well being for the whole. And so the fundamental spirit at Dharmagiri is one of offering.

According to the Buddha sharing whatever we have, whether it be money, time, work, nurture or resources, is one of the central pillars of a spiritual life. In the act of giving we develop our ability to let go and cultivate a culture of caring. An act of generosity can be a spontaneous outpouring due the heart or a more considered practice of supporting that which we are aligned to. Generosity is also a practice that undermines grasping and helps us move beyond self preoccupation in ways the enable connection, abundance and mutual support. On a larger scale generosity enables a stable and cohesive family, society and world.

The practice of wise giving and its results According to the Buddha sharing whatever we have, whether it be money, time, work, nurture or resources, is one of the central pillars of a spiritual life. In the act of giving we develop our ability to let go and cultivate a spirit of caring. An act of generosity can be a spontaneous outpouring due the heart being touched or the desire to support that which we are aligned to. However generosity is also a practice that undermines grasping and helps us move beyond self centered-ness. On a larger scale generosity enables a stable and cohesive family, society and world.

When you make an offering it is encouraged to do so with mindfulness, with a heart that lets go, with a heart of loving kindness and with no manipulation or agenda regards the result. This doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be careful monitoring of the results of sharing our resources and consideration of wise gifts, but in the moment of actually offering, free the heart from grasping and wish for the welfare of the other.

The karmic result of generosity is to live with abundance, to live fearlessly and to live open hearted with a strong sense of kinship and interconnectedness within the web of life. May it be so for you!

A Way of Life for a Sustainable Planet - 'Give what you can and take only what you need.'

A general guideline of the Dana / Ubuntu Economy is ‘Give what you can and only take what you need.’ The direct practice of generosity transforms greed and supports an inner attitude of letting go or renunciation. In these times when global resources are severely challenged, we face the reality that our collective sustainability is under threat.

A direct remedy is therefore for each of us to learn to live more simply. The Dharma teaches us that endlessly seeking the fulfillment of desires can never bring about peace. Peace and deep contentment arises with the letting go of desire. May all beings dwell in peace, abundance, fearlessness and open hearted-ness.

Take spirituality and soul searching to a new and different paradigm

EXPLORATION TOUR OF INDIA 25 MARCH – 07 APRIL 2017 R22 975.00 P/P SHARING NOURISH YOUR SOUL Take spirituality and soul searching to a new and different paradigm.

Demystify the purpose of your existence; are you independent, fascinated by yoga, meditation, spirituality, self-care, tired of a mundane existence, wanting to relieve stress, looking at alternate medicine, personal growth, self-development and looking for a holistic better quality of life?

THEN THIS TOUR IS CUSTOM DEVELOPED FOR YOU

OUR QUOTE INCLUDES:         

        

Flights Khajuraho to Varanasi and Varanasi to Delhi Airport taxes 13 nights 5 star accommodation on TWIN sharing basis 12 x breakfasts 12 x dinners 2 x lunches All transfers, sightseeing tours and excursion by Air-conditioned Deluxe Coach as per the above itinerary 1 x bottle of water daily in the vehicle Elephant ride (alternatively by jeeps – one time) to ascend Amber Fort in Jaipur. (Elephant Ride is subject to availability.)

Train fare for sector Agra – Jhansi in AC Chair Car. 3 x group yoga sessions with a yogi 3 x group meditation sessions 3 x group sessions with a Life coach Boat ride at river Ganges in Varanasi.

Hotel and portage tipping A representative from South Africa will accompany the group.

An expert Guide who only does Ivy League University accompaniment will travel with you throughout your holiday.

Representative for assistance on all arrival and departure transfers.

 All currently applicable taxes including service tax

OUR QUOTE DOES NOT INCLUDE:  International flight. (please contact us for current rates)  Expense of personal nature like, laundry, telephone / fax calls, alcoholic beverages, camera/video camera fee at monuments, medical expenses, etc.  Any other services not mentioned in the inclusions.  Tips for the Spiritual Guide

Terms and conditions ď ś Minimum number of people travelling needs to be 16 in order for the tour to operate ď ś Single supplement is available for guests who do not wished to be paired with a fellow participant ď ś Limited space available therefore a non-refundable deposit of R2000.00 before 31 Dec 2016 confirms your place, however should the tour not operate you will be reimbursed.

For more info and to book, contact Yashika HERE or email on yashika@travelarchitect.co.za

MASSAGE THERAPY

Massage is one of the most effective antidotes to stress. Leave the world behind once in a while, escape and indulge yourself in an exquisite wellness journey.

Massage therapy is the scientific manipulation of the soft tissues of the body for the purpose of normalizing those tissues and consists of a group of manual techniques that include applying fixed or movable pressure, holding, and/or causing movement of or to the body. While massage therapy is applied primarily with the hands, sometimes the forearms or elbows are used. These techniques affect the muscular, skeletal, circulatory, lymphatic, nervous, and other systems of the body. The basic philosophy of massage therapy embraces the concept of vis Medicatrix naturae, which is aiding the ability of the body to heal itself, and is aimed at achieving or increasing health and well-being.

As massage usually involves applying touch with some degree of pressure and movement, the massage therapist must use touch with sensitivity in order to determine the optimal amount of pressure to use for each person. For example, using too much pressure may cause the body to tense up, while using too little may not have enough effect. Touch used with sensitivity also allows the massage therapist to receive useful information via his or her hands about the client's body, such as locating areas of muscle tension and other soft tissue problems. Because touch is also a form of communication, sensitive touch can convey a sense of caring—an essential element in the therapeutic relationship—to the person receiving massage.

General Information • • • • • • • • • • • •

FA´TREZ INTERNATIONAL BEAUTY ACADEMY provides you with a unique style of learning which offers flexibility and learning at your own pace.

The modular style of training allows you to determine your own path of studies by individually selecting your modules.

All modules are outcome based therefore once all criteria have been met, credits will be given towards a final qualification.

Full time programs will exit on a diploma level.

Modular programs will exit on a certificate level.

Exit requirements include: •Completion of recommended guided hours.

All Formative and Summative assessment criteria have been met according to the program outcomes.

Completion of case studies and assignments.

Completion of experiential hours.

All outstanding fees are paid.

We are in the process of accreditation with all relevant National and International accreditation bodies.

Training times are from 08:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday.

Training Facilities (On-Site) • •

Our facilities are well equipped to offer our training programs and established with Fa’Trez guest house and spa. We have a theory and practical facility and most of the spa training facilities on-site.

We want our learners to have a special training experience and have incorporated this uniqueness throughout the décor, image and style of our premises. It is important that learners are surrounded by a tranquil environment and this is felt at our Academy.

Training Our training is offered is such a manner as to ensure personal and individual attention while maintaining the highest standard possible. Most modules include theory and practical components which are regularly monitored in terms of quality and manageability. Our classes are kept small and presented by highly qualified and experienced Facilitators, Assessors and Moderators.

Entry Requirements • •

Full time learning programs in Beauty and Nail Technology, a Grade 12 certificate or equivalent is a pre-requisite.

Short modular programs in Beauty and Nail Technology, a Grade 12 certificate or equivalent is recommended. If you are above 25 years old, this does not apply.

Uniforms and Kits • • • • • • • •

Due to the nature of this profession, a well groomed appearance is required.

Full time learners are required to wear the prescribed uniform as stipulated in the Induction guide (Included in the kit).

Modular learners have an option to purchase the prescribed uniform or dress according to the prescribed criteria in the Induction guide.

Prescribed course kits are needed in order to facilitate quality training as well as for you to complete your case studies and will be purchased from FA´TREZ INTERNATIONAL BEAUTY ACADEMY. The kits include the following: •Uniforms Study Guides Products and utensils needed for the particular module Linen

Enrolment • • • • •

Once you have completed your application form, we will arrange a personal interview with you, followed by the completion of your registration form and signing of your training contract. The following must also be submitted: •Learner copy of ID and ID photo Parent, Guardian, Sponsor, Spouse copy of ID Proof of residence (utility bill) Latest report card if applicable or any proof of previous qualifications if applicable The deposit will be due on the signing of the contract.

Career Opportunities • • • • • •

Cruise ships world wide Spa’s and Hydro’s Salons Cosmetic companies Own business Hotel and resort spa’s

Click on the link to download the Learner Application Form Click on the link to download the Full Time Price List

Conscious Life Magazine

HUSKY ROMI WOLF SANCTUARY HuskyRomi is a non-profit organization providing a safe haven for abandoned and abused huskies and wolves in South Africa.

We provide a home to all huskies and wolves that can’t be kept as pets because of their complicated nature. Many of the animals arrive in a poor condition, some not even knowing what grass is. They are rehabilitated with loving care by Larry Paul. This website was started to provide support to the HuskyRomi project and to promote the protection of wolves and other wildlife. The sanctuary is open for the public to come and learn about wolves. We do appreciate donations and sponsorship for the buying of food, for veterinary bills and doing maintenance to the enclosures.

We currently take care of more than 200 huskies, wolves and hybrids in 54 enclosures.

Get Involved We are working towards getting a formal volunteer program off the ground at HuskyRomi. This is available to both local (South African) and international volunteers. Should anybody be interested to become a volunteer or to assist with the program please contact Larry on the number or email below.

Sponsorship and Donations Name a Wolf.

Should you wish to name a wolf, for instance in remembrance of a loved one or pet, you may arrange it with Larry. We just request that you then will be prepared to do a full monthly sponsorship of that wolf for a period of at least two years.

Get in Touch: Mobile: 071 679 5141 larry@huskyromi.co.za http://huskyromi.co.za/wp/

According to AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association), 50% of deaths in pets (over the age of 10) can be contributed to cancer, and dogs are more cancer prone than cats. Cancer occurs when seemingly normal cells start to run rogue.

Feline cancer however tends to be more aggressive than those in dogs, and owners also seem to do less for treating their cats than their dogs.

Ever stopped to think how second-hand cigarette smoke, insecticides, pesticides and household chemicals increase their risk factors? What about their refined diet and exposure to additives, preservatives, colourants and flavouring agents in their food? Just like their human counter-parts, animals can also get cancer from various environmental pollutants. Pollution, infectious organisms, electronic waves, contaminants and preservatives strain the body’s defenses. This is partly why many animals seem to suffer from more and more problems.

This is where Eco-Vet’s Eco-Immune can play an important role. Eco-Immune assists in improving the ability of the animal’s body to improve its resistance to disease. If puppies and kittens are given the treatment from an Conscious Life Magazine

early age it helps them grow up with higher resistance to viral diseases. Boosting the immune system and give them a great start: much like a flue shot.

There are certain cancers that are commonly found in pets that one would just as likely find in humans e.g. lymphomas, melanomas and bone cancers.

Typical cancer in Cats • Feline Leukemia and the Feline Leukemia Virus It may cause various blood disorders, and may lead to a state of immune deficiency that hinders a cat's ability to protect itself against other secondary infections • Squamous Cell Carcinoma A malignant tumor of the squamous epithelial cells.

This tumor is more common in cats than dogs. Risk of nasal tumors is increased through exposure to inhaled chemicals including indoor use of coal, cigarettes, and air fresheners.

• Feline Mammary Cancer The third most occurring tumor in cats.

Typical cancer in Dogs • Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumor These living cancer cells are usually spread during mating. These tumors are usually associated with the external genitalia of both male and female dogs.

• Canine Osteosarcoma Malignant cancer of the bone • Canine Hemangiosarcoma Malignant tumor of the cells that line blood vessels.

Occurs most frequently in large breeds, especially German Shepherds, Labrador and Golden retrievers.

• Cutaneous Mast Cell Tumors Most commonly reported skin tumor in dogs Typical cancer in Horses • Melanoma Mainly occur in horse with a grey colouring.

• Sarcoids A sarcoid is a tumor "like a sarcoma.”

However where sarcomas are generally malignant, Sarcoids tends to be benign.

Resembles a wart

Some of the main positive factors of colostrum are the following scientifically established areas of interest: Anti-viral. Herpes virus in the cat responds well to supplementation with colostrum and its associated lysine content.

The high levels of IgA are of great value in those breeds; including many of the shepherds, that are known to be commonly affected by auto-immune or immune mediated conditions.

Anti-aging properties that are of immense value in the aging animal.

Anti-allergic conditions associated with skin problems.

Immune boosting effects for all animals affected by any kind of chronic bacterial infections.

Its anti-cancer properties have been well established in a number of clinical conditions.

REMEMBER: Early detection of cancer drastically increases the treatment success rate. Visit your vet!!

Erika Bornman CEO-Eco-Vet www.ecovet.co.za

Natural medicine has an important part to play in dealing with cancer in animals, however it is important not to overload the system through our good, but often misguided intentions. Eco-Vet Colostrum plays an important role in cancer treatment, and the combination of Eco-Immune and Colostrum is often integral in the treatment protocol, and has proved to be very effective in dealing with inter-alia feline aids.

Conscious Life Magazine

Following on from Sell Out performances across the world in 2015 and 2016 Grammy award winning, international chart-topping, British music legend Leo Sayer is returning to South Africa for the first time in 30 years!

Known the world over for his army of hits which include Thunder In My Heart, Moonlighting, One Man Band, I Can`t Stop Loving You and the transatlantic number ones, When I Need You and You Make Me Feel Like Dancing; Leo has sold over 80-million albums worldwide.

With 16 hit albums and 26 hit singles to his credit, Leo Sayer is one of the most successful acts the UK has ever produced and remains hugely popular worldwide. Leo Sayer boasts a career filled with international hits, top 10 albums, and sell-out performances. Musically, it has spanned decades starting with Sayer’s first big hit single, The Show Must Go On, - from his debut album - Silverbird in 1974, to his most recent UK number one, a remix of Thunder in My Heart, in 2006.

The last two years has seen Sayer perform his much-loved hits to sell out shows worldwide. And this year, he is excited about bringing this high-energy, hit-driven show to Joburg audiences in April. The legendary voice of Leo Sayer will bring thunder to your heart and have you dancing the night away! Get you tickets now!

Friday, 21 April – Sunday, 23 April 2017.

The show starts at 20:00 daily.

The Teatro at Montecasino, 01 Montecasino Boulevard, Fourways, Johannesburg.

Tickets start at R495 per person and are available at Computicket.

Cape Town Wednesday 26th April 2017 Green Point Park, Cape Town

CLICK HERE TO BOOK

Johannesburg Friday 28th April 2017 The Dome, Johannesburg

KAAPSEHOOP??

Someone once said, “Discovering Kaapsehoop… is like finding Neverland…”

Come, for seeing is believing…

As you drive up through the forests from the N4, an unusual sight appears on the horizon, one with a strange mystique – a formidable promontory of incredible rock formations, at the foot of which a small village nestles.

It seems as if the Hand that flung the stars into space, had a fistful of rocks left over from the Creation, and decided to scatter them right there.

This s where Kaapsehoop lies, at peace, silent and undisturbed – one of the crown jewels of the Lowveld.

Kaapsehoop may lack the hustle and bustle of tourist havens like Dullstroom and Clarens, but it certainly does lure many visitors.

Fortunately for those city types who seek peace and quiet, it is a place of simplicity – an almost forgotten, half isolated little community on the eastern escarpment of Mpumalanga. An eccentric spot where time doesn’t really matter – in fact it might have come to a standstill!

Wild, wide open and free – so says the sign near Silver Mist Country Inn. “Free range kids, cats, dogs, frogs and fairies.”

But don’t get the idea that nothing ever happens here – far from it.

Kaapsehoop is alive with activity, with a plethora of talent and entrepreneurship, encompassing painting, jewellery design, inlaid glasswork, pottery and many other imaginative crafts and occupations.

Faeries, fair maidens and fantastic creatures; Steampunk elves, gallant knights and special features...

Come one, come all to the dragon's lair, We introduce to you to the first annual Fantasy Fayre!

TICKETS: R25 online, R40 at the gate on the day KIDS UNDER 12 FREE From 10am - 5pm the market opens in the lee of the castle with all manner of medieval and fantasy games and craftsmen.

We are so proud to be supporting Husky Romi Wolf Sanctuary at this event - expect to learn about their gorgeous wolves!

Also expect all manner of fantasy themed market stalls and merriment: play a Game of Kings (Viking Chess), have a go at archery with The Troll or sample Eoin's Tankard mead while you watch Drakon Forge make weapons; or try your hand at the Axe Toss!

Wander through the castle to the sounds of Trad - Pretoria with jewellery, dragons, ceramics, art, clothing, craft beer and delicious food and more on sale at the stalls.

Dress up! Fantastic prizes in the Adult and Kids fancydress categories Know your fantasy stuff? Grab a team and join our FANTASY QUIZ! MAP TO VENUE: https://goo.gl/maps/5vNp6jFGd1k

Conscious Life Magazine

10 Fitness Myths

Busted!!

Healing Your Body and Life with Reiki Publication Date: 29/09/2015 ISBN: 9781781806104 Discover the key benefits, major techniques, and spiritual essence of the system of Reiki.

This book explores: the history of Reiki, including new information not currently found in any other both the original techniques and ways to bring them to life for everyday use real-life stories that demonstrate the deep healing this system offers 'The Reiki Principles' and how you can embrace them in your life the symbols of Reiki and how to work with them …and much more!

www.reikiacademylondon.com

Torsten A. Lange is founder and director of the internationally renowned Reiki Academy London and has researched Reiki in Japan. His book “Reiki – Heal Your Body and Your Life with the Power of Universal Energy” is published by Hay House. “The book is a comprehensive introduction to Reiki that is based on the very latest research, goes deeper into the spiritual background and is based on personal stories of my Reiki students and myself. It is the first and only Reiki book published by Hay House.” says Torsten Top Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 starsHighly recommended!

By P. Mcgaugh on November 7, 2015 Format: Paperback This is concise yet complete, simple yet profound. I always am attracted to books that explain the spiritual teachings behind the practice of Reiki, and this is something that this book excels in. It gives a number of traditional practices which are explained in such a straightforward way that you won't have to labour to incorporate them into your life. The author also gives diagrams of the symbols and explains their purpose and use in profound detail. If you are a person interested in Reiki, you won't go wrong by a purchase of this book.

Conscious Life Magazine

The Book of Awakening: Having the Life You Want by Being Present to the Life You Have

by Mark Nepo

Philosopher-poet and cancer survivor, Mark Nepo opens a new season of freedom and joy--an escape from deadening, asleep-at-the wheel sameness--that is both profound and clarifying.

His spiritual daybook is a summons to reclaim aliveness, liberate the self, take each day one at a time, and to savor the beauty offered by life's unfolding. Reading his poetic prose is like being given second sight, exposing the reader to life's multiple dimensions, each one drawn with awe and affection.

The Book of Awakening is the result of his journey of the soul and will inspire others to embark on their own. Nepo speaks of spirit and friendship, urging readers to stay vital and in love with this life, no matter the hardships.

Encompassing many traditions and voices, Nepo's words offer insight on pain, wonder, and love. Each entry is accompanied by an exercise that will surprise and delight the reader in its mind-waking ability.

with much appreciation to our advertisers, contributors, endorsers and our readers namaste