34 mind, body & spirit Beccy Golding on positive ageing for those embracing the second phase of adulthood, plus the Chiron Centre’s unique vibro-acoustic couch and a revolutionary new relaxation technique being used in prisons
the generation gain B
y the time you read this my fantastic 19-year-old son will have left home, full of confidence, optimism and potential. For me, it means examining the next phase of my life now that I have an ‘empty nest’. I tracked down some Sparkland teachers who run courses on ‘ageing positively’ to see what they offer those of us entering the second phase of adulthood. Guy Robertson and David Griffiths are running ‘Positive Ageing’ courses, Janice Benning looks at ‘Navigating Mid-Life’ and Alan Heeks works with ‘Men Beyond 50’.
women do not have words for hot flushes and do not report any of the symptoms that Western women describe. In many Eastern cultures there is very little evidence of mid-life as an issue, and it is often thought Alan Heeks that this is because in these cultures ageing is something to be valued, whereas in western cultures it’s perceived as problematic.” Alan: “I’ve been involved in men’s work for many years, and came to realise that there are maps and methods to make this stage of life easier and happier. Changes in life expectancy, health and work patterns mean that many men now have a second adulthood in their 50s, 60s and 70s, before really facing old age. In our current culture, the role of the elders hardly exists, but it vitally needs to be reinvented. An example of this is mentoring of young men by older men, and MB50 is now working with two UK charities pioneering this work: A Band of Brothers and Journeyman UK.”
Beccy: “Who is your work aimed at?” David & Guy: “Our work is aimed at the ‘baby boomer’ generation (those born after the second world war, up to the early 1960s) who (to paraphrase The Who) ‘hoped they’d die before they got old’! They are aged from their late 50s to early 70s. This David Griffiths generation has re-engineered every aspect of their life that they have encountered and their later life will be no different. We aim to give people the space and techniques to do just that.” Janice: “My course is aimed at anyone navigating the mid-life period and the Guy Robertson Beccy: “What issues we face, ranging from helping ageing methods/strategies do you use in your parents and navigating the health and work?” care systems, to ‘empty nest’ syndrome, D&G: “We draw from humanistic menopause and issues around our careers.” psychology and the human Alan: “The Men potential movement, and we Beyond 50 Network “In Eastern cultures being concentrate on beliefs and offers resources for identity. The beliefs we hold all men beyond 50, middle aged is not an (sometimes unconsciously) about especially those in issue because old age is our own ageing, in particular, can their 50s, 60s and valued, whereas in Western either hinder or help us.” 70s. This group cultures it is perceived as Janice: “The methods I use are has a need for new problematic” NLP-based and enable us to alter skills and support, how we feel so we can cope more especially a sense easily with all aspects of life. I of fellowship with also use life coaching and mindfulness.” other men, to help them with the major life Alan: “The key in our weekend groups is to changes of these decades, such as losing/recreate safety and trust which enable all the inventing your main relationship, stopping or men in the group to share their issues and changing your work, ageing or dying parents, fears. New insights come from this sharing, and more.” from the support and wisdom of others in the group, and from contact with nature Beccy: “What are the particular issues in the woodland retreat centre we use. We facing us in the make some use of stories, myths and the UK today? Hero’s Journey to guide the journey.” D&G: “Over 60 An extended version of this feature appears on per cent of older www.thespark.co.uk people say they experience ageism in their day-to-day • Positive Ageing (Guy Robertson & David life. Beccy Levy’s Griffiths) http://positiveageing.org.uk work demonstrates • Janice Benning: Navigating Mid-Life, September how negative 23. Stress to Success. June 2, June 18, July 21, July attitudes to ageing 28. www.janicebenning.com can actually shorten • Alan Heeks: The Trouble With Boys Is The Trouble Janice Benning people’s lives, and With Men. w/c 2 July. Intro to rites of passage and Marie de Hennezel’s book The Warmth Of mentoring for young men. tel 07932 060799 The Heart Prevents Your Body From Rusting email, michael.boyle@abandofbrothers.org makes a compelling case that ‘ageing well’ is Maturing Men, Making Sense of Life Past 50. July something to consciously work at, and can 6-8. tel 0781 194 8811 be taught. email max@menbeyond50.net Janice: “When I started to research this Beyond The Hero. October 19-21. Exploring area in depth, I was fascinated to find just mentoring and elder wisdom. how differently cultures around the world email Nathan.roberts@abandofbrothers.org.uk or experience mid-life. For example, with tel 07890 524533, menopause, studies have shown that Mayan www.menbeyond50.net
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good vibrations
I
magine an experience that in only 20 minutes is so deeply immersive and incredibly comfortable that you feel you are wrapped in the belly of a huge purring animal. Or so relaxing yet dynamic that you visualise riding a polar bear across a glacier on a crisp, bright morning as the sun rises. This was my experience when I tried out the Chiron Centre’s vibro-acoustic therapy couch recently. Unusually, this is also quite a DIY experience: I was led to a room, given instructions and left to it. So I chose a CD, laid on the couch with a blanket over me, put on the headphones and optional dark glasses, and pressed play. Harmonious, resonant, stereophonic music is synched with gentle, deep rolling waves of vibration from the couch; from the calves to the back of the thighs, the small of the back to the shoulders, and up to the top of the head; the bass notes vibrating through and soothing my whole body. I used the Relax and Meditate CD first; then the Energise and Recharge CD, and both did what they said on the tin! Other options include Chakra Journey, Quiet Time, Healing Music and Quantum K. Quantum K is a free web-based healing system developed by one of Chiron’s therapists, Andrew Kemp. An American sound healer so appreciated
the benefits of Quantum K that she donated the vibro-acoustic couch (worth several thousand dollars) to the centre. In the spirit of the donation the couch is available to use for only £10 a session, with even further reduced rates available to charities and those with special needs. I’m told that it can be helpful for people with learning difficulties or other signs of poor co-ordination or development. For this small investment of time and money it’s accessible for anyone who would like to feel, as well as listen to, the music. Chiron Centre, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol tel 0117 962 0008 www.chironcentre.co.uk
the relaxation response
Y
ou’ll have heard of the stress of the two approaches is what Chris response – fight or flight – has dubbed Psychomuscular Release but have you heard of the Technique (PRT). “I hope it will relaxation response? This is a natural become part of the talking therapists’ bodily response that brings on a state toolkit,” he told me. of deep mental calm. Chris Forster, Chris has developed a PRT CD, a practising hypnotherapist for more (alongside an extensive website) than 20 years, has developed a which is a one-size-fits-all tool, technique to enable anybody to easily effective for a large number of access this relaxation state. people.” Having tried it, I can vouch “It’s particularly useful for people who are stressed for its effects – in only 23 minutes I was deeply or anxious and don’t readily engage with other relaxed. Chris’s words are mellow yet matter-ofrelaxation methods,” Chris told me, and to this end fact, delivered in his faint Bristol accent, and are he has trained therapists working in four local prisons easy to listen to. to deliver the technique to inmates. “We started with Chris is working on a process which will deliver a pilot scheme at Horfield prison, the same relaxation state in Bristol. They liked it so much it under three minutes. With a “We started with a pilot was then rolled out to Eastwood psychology degree, years of scheme at Horfield prison, Park Women’s prison and Leyhill voluntary work and 20 years Bristol. The liked it so much Open Prison in Gloucestershire, hypnotherapy practice, he’s done it was then rolled out to and Erlestoke Prison in his research and his website Wiltshire.” He has also trained offers access to a wide range prisons in Gloucestershire workers at Bristol MIND. of training resources. “The and Wiltshire…” Chris uses psychomuscular technique can also be tailored for release therapy – a physical specific clients,” he says. “Once method used in Yoga and other therapies – combined they’re relaxed, the client’s self-healing capabilities with hypnosis/suggestion techniques. The physical can kick-in.” Stress Relief PRT CD £9.99 + £1 P&P from the therapy is about extreme tensing and letting go website, or selected outlets in Bristol including Health of muscles; the hypnosis is about letting go of Unlimited in Southville. www.psychomuscularrelease.co.uk unwanted/unnecessary emotions. The combination
news • Studio Upstairs, for people in drug/alcohol recovery, or with mental health issues, has Arts Council funding for their Drawing Through project. Clients get workshops in writing and life drawing, plus talks by artists, and will produce work for exhibitions. www.studioupstairs.org.uk
• Sexy At Any Size offers workshops, a free 7-day email series & a supportive website to help you feel comfortable, confident & sexy whatever your shape or size. www.atanysize.com • Bristol Therapy Rooms offer unusual treatments including Ayuryogic massage,
using warm sesame oil; Indian rope massage (practitioner uses feet) and Lava Shells Massage. www.bristolcityyoga.net/therapy-rooms.html
• Psychic Fayres are West Country-based, free events that present talks/demos on esoteric subjects in a friendly and straightforward way. www.psychicfayre.com
• Developed by experts at the University of Bristol & released by the NHS, ActiveME is an iphone app enabling people with chronic fatigue syndrome/ME to track & monitor their energy levels. £1.49 http://bit.ly/yqdBOa • Buddy mobile phone app is for therapists and their clients to keep a daily mood diary and send reminders of apointments (3-month trial available). www.buddyapp.org
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