Positive Change

HEALTH FEATURE

Positive Change Getting the balance right!

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e are all looking to improve our health, often small changes to our lifestyle will bring massive improvements. Most people can benefit from natural or complementary therapies available to all ages from birth to end of life. Whether you are suffering from back pain or other aches and pains, have an existing condition or are in need of stress relief, there are countless therapies to support you.

Feldenkrais proposed that for survival, locomotion, and adjustment to the environment, humans had the potential, in both mind and body, to move with freedom in any direction without hesitation, preparation, or complusion. And that we had within us, if so desired or valued, the capacity to learn to move more easily and comfortably, to develop the innate agility and stamina of body and mind, and to improve the quality of our life.

Here we have just a few of the local practitioners that could inspire a different approach to your health and wellbeing with courses, therapies and treatments.

See adverts for further details.

The method uses two complementary techniques: Awareness Through Movement group sessions; and Functional Integration one-to-one sessions.

Both involve the mindful exploration of movement in a way that evokes change in the patterns of activity between the nervous, muscular and skeletal systems which can help participants:

FELDENKRAIS METHOD Using movement in specific and novel ways, participants learn to (re) discover and develop their ability to do the activities they want, need or love to do. The method was developed by Moshe Feldenkrais D.Sc (1904-1984), scientist, athlete, judo master and educator, as he sought to adjust to life changes and to restore his functional abilities in daily life following a series of serious injuries.

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•• recover from or adjust to injury, illness, or life changes e.g. pregnancy, ageing •• improve posture, breathing, vitality and general wellbeing •• improve performance in a specific activity e.g. sports, performing arts or work activities www.alocallife.co.uk

•• release of habitual patterns of tension and stress Rona had an established career in public health i.e. immunology, epidemiology and health research, and latterly health service management. At age 40, Rona tried a Feldenkrais class and experienced a deep sense of ‘coming home’ calmness and grounded-ness often associated with deep meditation which inspired her to train as a Feldenkrais Practitioner. Rona is also an experienced Buddhist meditation instructor and teacher.

Rona Wyatt CFP, MEdPsych, MPH Registered Feldenkrais Practitioner 07796 210714

bodymindandmovement@gmail.com

www.feldenkrais.co.uk/findaclass

KETTLEBELLS Kettlebells are cannonball-like weights with thick handles and can be said to be “a gym in the palm of your hand”. Over the last few years they’ve gradually become mainstream and recognised for their incredible versatility in cardio and strength workouts. This functional fitness of the ‘bell’ has taken over from pointless muscle isolation

HEALTH FEATURE

exercises of fixed multi-gym machines. Kettlebells are all about working muscle chains to combine efforts in moving these free weights around in both dynamic moves and slow grinds. The application of gains is obvious in all physical sports.

They can also be used for rehab, especially the back (under supervision of course)!

Best of all, kettlebells are versatile. They’re ideal for explosive exercises that work major muscles, burn body fat, and build power, but they also add a new dimension to classic moves like chest presses and snatches.

And you don’t need a wall-length rack of them to get a great workout. One pair will suffice for this routine. Use them regularly and you’ll see the body you’ve always wanted. Classes are held in Bradford on Avon on Thursday evenings 6.15pm at the Dance Hall, St Laurence school.

Pete Hodkinson 07712 051837 www.kettlebell-fit.com

A Gym in the Palm of Your Hand...

HOMEOPATHY With the imminent demise of antibiotics - one of the greatest discoveries of the last century we are left in a very vulnerable position. We have relied on them for too long and abused their use. Now most of them are ineffective and resistant. The bad news is there are no new ones in development. What is going to happen?

The government has taken this so seriously that it was the subject recently of a COBRA emergency meeting.

What is the solution? Well believe it or not homeopathy offers some hope. This is not wild speculation but based on experience over the last 200 years. Homeopathy, and its a matter of historical record, was brilliantly effective in treating cholera and scarlet fever epidemics for instance, and during the Spanish Flu outbreak of 1918 homeopathic Drs recorded by far the lowest mortality rates.

So how come it has been so successful? Its because it works from the other direction to allopathic medicine. Homeopathy gives a boost to the natural No45 Autumn 2015

defences of the immune system by mimicking the disease state.

As simple as that. The immune system kicks in , raises a fever and recovery is quicker and safer.

Don’t take just my word for it - look at how successfully it is used in India. It is part of the mainstream health system there and works very well in acute and chronic diseases.

In a hospital in Mumbai you are equally likely to be treated for pneumonia by homeopathy by a Dr as with antibiotics. This is especially good news as these antibiotics are less and less effective.

Andrew Ward Dip.IACH R.S.Hom Registered Classical Homeopath (25 yrs in practice) 07736 183395 andrew@homoeopathyuk.org www.homoeopathyuk.org

Homeopathy regenerative medicine for the whole family * The information supplied by contributors is not medical advice, you should consult a doctor or other appropriate medical professional for any condition or illness..

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