Emotional Freedom Technique

I have several friends who are EFT practitioners and I have been using it myself quite a bit lately. It is a bit weird and hard to get your head around, but if you can suspend your disbelief and give it a go you might be surprised.

In very simple terms it is a sort of emotional version of acupuncture, you tap certain acupuncture points as you say phrases and the idea is to make you feel more positive about what is going on and to help release negative emotions or limiting beliefs.

Those have you that have seen the film 'The Secret' might be interested to know that several people featured including Bob Doyle, Joe Vitale, Bob Proctor and Jack Canfield are all big fans of EFT.

When I first looked into it I must confess I was put off by the evangelical enthusiasm of the orange, over tanned Americans in the videos. It just seemed too goo to be true and just too easy. I was never quite sure what phrases to use and so tried EFT a few times and then stopped. Now there is a huge amount of good quality information and videos on youtube so it's much easier to find out more.

One of the things I really like about the EFT community is that the founder Gary Craig encourages free distribution of the information so more people can find out about how it works. You can pay to see an EFT practitioner to work on specific issues and there are courses available if you want to learn more but there is a lot of great free stuff out there.

http://www.emofree.com/ The Official EFT website from the founder of the technique Gary Craig.

Brad Yates has a very extensive website and many short youtube EFT videos and audio files to tap along to which cover a variety of themes.

Tapping.com An excellent site from Magnus with some longer EFT videos of around 20 minutes on a variety of themes including an introduction to EFT, self acceptance, procrastination, stress relief and dealing with anger.  Also some EFT articles and 'cheat sheet' of tapping points when you sign up for his free newsletter.

While EFT has produced remarkable results, it must still be considered to be in the experimental stage and thus practitioners and the public must take complete responsibility for their use of it and their own physical and emotional well-being. EFT should not be seen as a substitute for regular care from your GP or other health provider.

There are a growing number of EFT practitioners in the UK. Locally I can highly recommend Penny Lowe who works in Settle and Ilkley, Elham Kashefi in Bentham and Lancaster and Heather Smiles in Barnoldswick who also works does EFT with people and animals, especially horses.

If you want to give it a try and start your day with a bit of tapping, I highly recommend this video from Brad Yates, Tap O The Mornin! Guaranteed to make you smile :)

Homeopaths are lovely!

It's official - Norwegian research shows homeopaths are nice people!

I was amused, but not entirely surprised, to come across this research paper from Norway. The researchers did some psychometric tests on a group of homeopaths and found they differed considerably from the average Norwegian. 

'People who work as homeopaths can be described as open to new and different ideas, and as caring, understanding, and altruistic persons. Therefore, there is reason to believe that these dispositions are central in choosing homeopathy as an occupation.'  

I wonder how our critics would fare if a similar study turned their attention to the skeptic community?! See my previous blog about the intolerance and bigotry of some of our critics. 

This idea of openness reminded me of something else I'd read recently.  

I’ve started going to a Mindfulness Meditation Group in Bentham which has been very enjoyable and thought provoking. They follow the teachings of Thich Nhat Hahn and we often read passages from his books. One recent passage from The Heart Of Buddha's Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy and Liberation really struck a chord with me. (For those of you not familar with the language, in this context Dharma = teacher and sutra = teachings)

When we hear a Dharma talk or study a sutra, our only job is to remain open. Usually when we hear or read something new, we just compare it with our own ideas. If it is the same, we accept it and say it is correct. If it is not, we say it is incorrect. In either case, we learn nothing. If we read or listen with an open mind and an open heart, the rain of the Dharma will penetrate the soil of our consciousness.

The gentle spring rain permeates the soil of my soul,

A seed that has lain deeply in the earth for many years just smiles.

While reading or listening, don’t work too hard. Be like the earth. When the rain comes, the earth only has to open herself up to the rain. Allow the rain of Dharma to come in and penetrate the seeds that are buried deep in your consciousness. A teacher cannot give you the truth. The truth is already in you. You need only to open yourself – body, mind and heart – so that his or her teachings will penetrate your own seeds of understanding and enlightenment. If you let the words enter you, the soil and seeds will do the rest of the work.

Jo Rhodes is a participant in the Amazon Europe S.à r.l. Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk.

Positive Care Programme in Bentham

We are starting a project in February at Sole to Soul in Bentham based on a holistic Positive Care Programme which has been successfully running in Leeds for about 8 years. For more about the existing project see the Touchstone website.

Sole to Soul Holistic Therapy Centre

The project in Leeds is for carers or people with long term health issues - participants come in one afternoon a week and get a chance to try all sorts of different therapies as well as workshops, talks on subjects like relaxation, healthy eating, sleep and more. They use a variety of therapies including EFT, shiatsu, acupuncture, reflexology, spiritual healing, Alexander Technique, yoga, pilates, meditation, art and crafts and much more! Their project is over 20 weeks and the effects are quite remarkable.

Many participants have found the Positive Care Programme life changing. Evaluations (2006-2009) demonstrated:

• 38% of participants visited their GP less often
• 32% were able to reduce their medication
• 94% found the Programme helped them to understand how their lifestyle affected their health
• 91% made positive changes to their lifestyle to improve their health
• 92% said their mental wellbeing had improved
• 90% said they now take more responsibility for their health

Click here to read about the real life experiences of some PCP participants 

We are doing a 6 week pilot at Sole to Soul in Bentham which will happen on Saturday mornings in Feb and March. Saturday 18^th Feb will be a free introductory session where people can come and find out more about the project - we will only be looking for 10 people for this pilot. The course will take place on the following 6 Saturday mornings and will be a mix of individual sessions with therapists and workshops and activities in small groups. Most of the therapists at Sole to Soul  will be involved so therapies will include flower remedies, meditation techniques, homeopathy, consciousness medicine, Bowen Technique, Journey Therapy, EFT, Tai Chi, Sound Healing, reflexology, massage as well as workshops and group exercises.

 

If you wanted to get involved we are doing this at a rate of £10 for each Saturday session but ideally we do want people to commit to all 6 sessions – it gives participants a chance to try some things they probably wouldn’t otherwise know about – and hopefully find some information, techniques or therapies that make a real difference. 

Let me know or call Sole to Soul on 015242 63067 if you’d like to be involved in this.

Pain Release Technique - training days

I'm delighted to announce that I have joined the team at Absolute Specialists. Will write more about who we are and what we offer in another blog.  

Clare Walters is the Director of Absolute Specialists and she has worked for many years with people coping with emotional issues, chronic pain and helping people come to terms with divorce and breakdown of relationships. Her background is in homeopathy but she is also a Journey Practitioner and uses The Work techniques of Byron Katie. 

Clare has developed a short meditation, the Pain Release Technique, which is based on mindfulness principles. In a preliminary study, people suffering from fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, back pain, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions have found it helpful in reducing pain, relaxing them and helping them sleep. Many have found that using this technique allows them to reduce the number of pain killers that they need to take.

There is a growing amount of evidence that mindfulness techniques can help reduce stress, anxiety and chronic pain - see this video on BBC news or have a read of this research paper which has reviewed the academic research on the subject Mindfulness-based stress reduction and health benefits.

Have a look at Clare's blog for more information on these techniques as well as feedback from satisfied clients. 

We are delighted to announce that Clare is running two Pain Management Workshops in the Pain Release Technique this month. These are designed for homeopaths, counsellors, holistic practitioners and life coaches who want another tool they can use with their clients. 

The first workshop will be held at the Absolute Clinic in Skelmanthorpe near Huddersfield on Tuesday 17th January 12.45-4pm and the other at the Soroptomists Rooms on Otley Street in Skipton Thursday 26th January 10am-1pm. 

Information and booking for these and other Absolute workshops

Or pay by debit card by calling 01484 866747

The Journey by Brandon Bays is the story behind the Journey Process and campfire meditations which several Absolute Specialists use. For more information go to The Journey website

Loving What Is: How Four Questions Can Change Your Life by Byron Katie is the basis for The Work. A huge amount of information is available on The Work of Byron Katie website

Jo Rhodes is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk.

Some festive Remedies!

I generally offer advice to my patients on healthy living, but I know it’s also important to have fun and let your hair down occasionally – so here is some holistic help for some of the ailments that come up over the festive season.

A particular favourite with my patients is the homeopathic remedy Nux vomica, which many people use to help with the symptoms of a hangover. We all know it's not healthy to drink too much alcohol, but from time to time, we do it anyway. Nux vomica works in most cases, no need to take time off work!

 Nux Vomica picture from the Natural History Museum site

Plants and Fungi in Homeopathy

Remember that homeopathic remedies are always prescribed according to a specific set of symptoms, and in most cases, different people will need different remedies for the same ailment, because their symptoms and how they experience them, will differ. But, in the case of Nux vomica, it perfectly fits the symptoms of a hangover in most people.

For long standing or chronic ailments, it's important to see a practitioner, but there are other homeopathic remedies which might help with minor symptoms of over indulgence over the festive period:

Nux vomica: this is known as “the hangover” remedy but can also be used for the general symptoms of over-indulgence. Symptoms include heartburn, indigestion, and nausea, a headache, sensitivity to noise and light, and irritability. Particularly suits people who tend to burn the candle at both ends, who keep going with coffee and feel the cold.

Arsenicum: this remedy comes into play when the symptoms are like that of food poisoning, with vomiting and diarrhoea, loss of colour in the face and anxiety. Could also be used when the diarrhoea is anxiety-induced, worse at night with burning in the stomach and a desire to sip water. It suits restless people who are fearful worriers, need to plan and feel the cold.

Sulphur: symptoms include smelly diarrhoea which drives the patient from bed in the morning, excessive sweating, and burning feet. Suits stubborn people who need praise, worry about their health, can be peevish with lots of big ideas they find difficult to actualise. They crave sugar and spicy food.

Lycopodium: symptoms include bloating with wind, a huge appetite, and waking as if from a fright. There is heartburn with sour burping. Suits fearful people lacking in confidence who don't like undertaking new things. But can be bragging and assertive at home.

Arnica: this is a great remedy to help with bruising and that “battered” feeling you get after last-minute Christmas shopping or bargain hunting in the January sales!