Reiki ~ energy, flow, harmony, healing . . .

Reiki is a Japanese natural energy healing technique, now taught and practiced worldwide.
It was founded by Mikao Usui around the early 1920's, a leading inspirational light in the powers of natural healing. 'Rei' means universal and 'Ki' means life force or energy.
Ki energy is within us and around us, creating Reiki a universal energy that is all encompassing.

Our life force energy is respected and understood widely in Eastern cultures, however in our Western lives we have often lost this knowledge, wisdom and connection with this energy which is unseen yet can be felt.  

'Ki' is a subtle force within us, moving through an invisible network called our Meridians. These meridian lines are recognised in many therapies including :~ Reflexology, Kinesiology, Acupuncture, Acupressure, Emotional Freedom Technique, Thought Field Therapy . . . to name but a few . . . as well as Reiki.
This subtle energy is also respected in Feng Shui, Ki Gong, Tai Chi, Yoga, and so many more areas of flow which you might not have thought about until now.

When I first experienced a Reiki treatment myself, it was the most deeply relaxing, yet re-energising therapeutic treatment I'd ever had. I was so amazed at the connection with an inner flow or energy, and the level of healing possible, that I knew I'd found something which I knew was right for me ~ on many different levels ~ physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It was a huge turning point for me in my life, and even though I was told that at the time, it wasn't until later looking back when I realised how much it helped me turn my life around.    
14 years on and I've never looked back.
I feel very humbled and honored to have been taught Reiki, to give treatments on clients and to teach and train others in Reiki too. It can open up your mind and world to our deepest layers of existence.
As a treatment, Reiki to me, is quite unique. Each treatment is different because the client draws upon whatever 'Ki' energy they need at that moment in time ~ physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Every day is different and so are we. So Reiki tunes into our current needs to help return our balance, sense of equilibrium and inner flow. A client may feel warmth or coolness, tingling sensations flowing through the body, they may become aware of colours or images, feelings of floating, or just drift into a deep feeling of sleep ~ like the one when you feel you are still there, but somehow at the same time you're not there too. (it almost reminds me of hypnosis and different layers of trance states). For more information on the Reiki Healing Treatments and the Reiki training courses I teach visit  http://www.mindbodywellbeing.co.uk/Cognitive%20Hypnotherapy-Kettering-reiki-33.php  or What's On Page

Reiki is taught at 4 different levels ~ Reiki level One is known as Sho-den and is all about self-healing and connecting with 'Ki' your life force energy. Everyone has the capacity and ability to learn Reiki and connect with flow, it is a gift we all possess . . . not just a few.
It may be the start of something special for you too. . .

My next Reiki Sho-den course in 2013 is 16th and 17th March.

May 2013 light your path . . .

Hypnotherapy Hypnosis Self-Hypnosis ~ it's all in the mind.

All Hypnosis is Self-Hypnosis.
Well, if you think about that, it means we are all 100% responsible for our thoughts, our behaviours, our interpretations of the world around us. Ultimately it's all in the mind. And what is great to know, is that we can change our minds. Thoughts are just thoughts, they can be shaped, molded, changed, guided towards whatever direction we choose to take them into. . . ( . . . if we really want to!)
So if all hypnosis is self-hypnosis, then how come we're not all channeling our thoughts and lives to how we want them to be?
Well all hypnosis IS self-hypnosis, but sometimes we live our lives in a trance of ignorance, only seeing what we want to see, not imagining that things could change and be different. 
As a Cognitive Hypnotherapist, part of my job is to guide clients towards realising that change is possible, that things can be totally different from how they've always been. The answers are always within, but sometimes we need to be shown the way, the journey into understanding, discovery and realisation of many different things, that mean we can be different.

The light needs to be switched on, so clarity can be found. . .




Through clarity, we can learn from the past, accept, forgive, heal, in whatever way is right for us personally, to be able to let go and move on in a positive and empowering way.

To me, Hypnotherapy is like a torch being gently shone into the darker shadow aspects of the mind, so that these shadows can become lighter and lighter until that clarity and understanding are there, the shadows and confusion have gone, leaving you with a much more positive outlook towards yourself and your life . . . change happens, freeing you up to be who you want to be.

So the only person ever holding you back in your life . . . is YOU.

Only you can take yourself to where you need to be for change to take place. Which means that you are always in control of how light or deep you go into hypnosis. You have total control of your mind. Nobody can make you do what you don't want to do. So the most important thing to think about is do you really want to create change and are you truly ready?
The saying goes "You can take a horse to water, but you can't make it drink"

So, if you're reading this and thinking about some of the aspects of your life that weighs you down, or you wish were different and could change . . . then you are in the perfect place to actually DO something about it. Because to actually change . . . you have to take action, to do something that starts those wheels of motion turning.
Take responsibility.
Be back in control of your life and outcomes.
You will feel so much better when you do, which is a good thing to know that the professional guidance of an experienced Cognitive Hypnotherapist is a positive one. You can have fun feeling better as you change those shadows into lighter brighter places!

We are all different, unique in many ways of how we think and perceive the world through our own eyes. Cognitive Hypnotherapy flows beautifully with uniqueness, being a flexible therapy model tailored to suit our thoughts and perceptions. This personal approach means you can move through those shadows at the right pace and speed for you to get to where you need to be, in the way that is right for you.
You can discover more about my Hypnotherapy practice in Harley Street, London and Northamptonshire by visiting www.mindbodywellbeing.co.uk 

Or you may know of someone who is searching for answers, looking for change, or stuck in their own shadows and share this knowledge with them . . . it could be the start of a very positive New Year in 2013. 

Every Pregnant Mum-to-Be can feel like Royalty

Congratulations to Prince William and Kate on the announcement of Kate Middleton's pregnancy ~ what wonderful news and such a special time for them over the coming months that lie ahead.

No doubt, Kate and William will have the ultimate care and attention paid to them, to ensure the wellbeing of Kate and their baby-to-be. The national papers have already been speculating about the in's and out's of what they may or may not consider ~ will they do ante-natal classes together? will she do Pregnancy Yoga? will they opt for the HypnoBirthing route?

What I'd like to float out to all expectant parents and mums-to-be is another approach, which you may or may not have heard about as yet (although it has been around for approx 8 years) ~ and that is the Confident Childbirth programme which is a very personalised approach to hypnosis during Pregnancy and labour. Confident Childbirth practitioners are based in several counties across the country, and as one of them myself I see Confident Childbirth clients in Northamptonshire and in Harley Street, London.
Confident Childbirth is Hypnotherapy for birth ~ tailoring positive Hypnosis techniques to suit the individual needs of each Mum-to-Be, through a caring Cognitive Hypnotherapy approach to Hypnobirthing.

Research shows Hypnosis can help to :~

• Reduce Fear, Tension and Pain
• Increase ability to Relax both Mentally and Physically
• Reduce need for Pain Medication
• Help Shorten Labour
• Reduce incidence of Surgical Interventions
• Promotes higher Apgar 'Baby Wellbeing' score
• Shortens Hospital Stay
• Reduced Post-Natal Depression
• Promotes Lactation

Who is it For?
The Confident Childbirth courses are for those who have already attended an NCT course or other antenatal education class. Partners are most welcome to join you too.

What will I Learn?
During your Confident Childbirth sessions, which are personal and individual to you and your needs, you will be taught a range of very effective tools which include :~

• Self Hypnosis
• Relaxation Techniques
• Pain Management Techniques

Alongside this my clients also receive Free Personalised Hypnosis downloads for them to enjoy listening to and benefitting from throughout their pregnancy, guiding them towards a calmer more confident labour experience. All of which can really help support expectant mums and their partners, to having the best possible birthing experience . . . preparing them well to meet their new born baby.

How Long is the Course?
The Confident Childbirth course is generally over four 1 hour sessions, which can be at whatever stage of your pregnancy suits you best ~ whether taken altogether over a shorter period of time or spread out at different stages of your pregnancy, the choice is always yours. To find out more about how to book these then please contact me via my website www.mindbodywellbeing.co.uk

So whether you are a first time mum (like Kate Middleton) or a mum to many, the Confident Childbirth approach of hypnobirthing is a wonderful way to embrace this special time in your life, and begin to feel positively different. Those special connections made with your baby will help to reassure them too!
We can all feel like we're being treated like 'royalty', with this very personalised and supportive care . . . . because naturally we all think of our babies as being precious ~ just like a prince or princess . . . so why would we not want to give them the best possible entrance into this world?

Harshani Curbishley-Brown
Cognitive Hypnotherapist and Confident Childbirth Practitioner
www.mindbodywellbeing.co.uk

Looking after You Just Like Royalty!

The Beauty of Friendship

How very special to know you have friends ~ whether you can count them all on one hand or many, it really doesn't matter ~ but what if we could think wider . . . or even wider than that?

What if everyone could become an image of friendship . . . and creating that all started within ourselves?

Today, I'd like to share the beautiful inspirational teachings of Sri Swami Satchidananda from his book of daily readings called "The Golden Present": ~

Become a Friend

           You don't make a friend. You become a friend. Then you automatically will have friends.

If you relate to people in a very friendly, affectionate way, by loving and caring, sharing and helping, then naturally they will see you as a good friend. When they see you as a good friend, then they become your friends. It begins with you. You should always try to do something nice for people. 

Never hurt anyone's feelings. The secret is to always look for opportunities to help others; look for ways to be nice to them. Sometimes they might even be nasty to you; if so, ignore it, forget it. Maybe that is the way they are; but we should be nice to them. Even if someone says, "Oh, you're a fool," you should say "Thank you." Don't retaliate with the same kind of words. Soon they will get tired of all that. Afterwards, they will even feel ashamed.

         The great sage, Thiruvalluvar said that if people do something wrong to you or hurt you, do something really good for them in return. That is the best punishment. Why? Because they will be so embarrassed to have done that to you. It is in our hands. We can always make friends with anyone and everyone if we have the right attitude. If we have the patience and understanding.

So as your day today comes towards a close, try to see how many friendships you can create around you and the next day and the next and the next. . .

Peace of mind, starts within.
Healing starts within.
Wellbeing starts within.

It's all in your hands to create change and others are there to help, guide and support you along the way too.

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

www.mindbodywellbeing.co.uk

Be Kind to Each Other Today!

National Kindness Day ~ Tuesday 13^th November 

A Nation spreading kindness! Tuesday November 13^th is not just a National Day of Kindness but a World Kindness Day, so let us all embrace it across our Nation, Counties, into all of our towns & villages, it’s a wonderful thing which everyone can do . . . to be mindful of showing some extra kindness towards others & it doesn’t cost a penny! The many benefits of the effects of being kind have been extensively researched at how kindness can increase our personal happiness. One of my favorite writers on the benefits of kindness is Dr David Hamilton PhD “Why Kindness is Good for You”, so as well as it making us feel happier inside, the increased emotional warmth releases the positive ‘cardioprotective’ hormone Oxytocin which can help our hearts by reducing blood pressure, it can slow down the aging process as there is a strong link between showing compassion & activity in the Vagus Nerve, which also helps to regulate the heart rate & controls inflammation in the body, it improves our relationships & it becomes contagious like a ripple effect acting kinder towards others inspires them to feel much kinder too!

In my Cognitive Hypnotherapy practice I often explore many ways to help clients explore this feel good factor, so they can increase their personal wellbeing & happiness. So I suggest doing some ‘Random Acts of Kindness’ ~ everyday to look for 3 different ways to do a random act of kindness towards some one else, so here are some of them which I challenge us all to do:~

·      Hold a door open for someone

·      Pay someone a nice compliment

·      Surprise someone with a cup of tea

·      Make a lovely meal for a loved one or friend ~ especially if this is not the norm!

·      Smile as you pass people in the street

·      Clean someone’s car for them

·      Give up your seat to another on the bus/train/tube

·      Offer to help someone who might be struggling ~ either crossing the road or carrying heavy bags

·      See what you could do to help a neighbour

·      Be kind to yourself too

Remember that being kind is in thought, spoken word & deed, so everything counts in the happiness factor. Enjoy the kindness of each other today, it may start a ripple effect across the world for weeks to come!

http://www.national-awareness-days.com/national-kindness-day.html

 Please feel free to share some kindness stories here today . . .

Have a beautiful day today!

www.mindbodywellbeing.co.uk 

Trick or Treat . . . it's Halloween!!!

As you walk through the crispy rustle of Autumn leaves, that sharp breeze goes through you . . . maybe you can even sense there's someone behind you . . . and when you turn around there's no-one really there . . . or is there!!! The tiny hairs on the back of your neck begin to stand up . . . sending a shiver down your spine . . . you start to walk faster . . . your heart beating like mad . . . your imagination soars . . . you must get back home . . . forgetting yourself you start running . . . you ask yourself "Why is it I get spooked like this?" . . . the answers all lie within.

So, what is it about Halloween that makes it okay for us to scare the life out of each other . . . or even worse out of little children.
Why is that type of FEAR acceptable and okay, when other fears are not?
Why would you even want to put yourself through yet another viewing of Nightmare on Elm Street or Halloween?
Do they still give you nightmares now?
For some people the scarier the movie the better!

For me, I quite like my heart beating naturally, just as it should be . . . maybe because I can jump at the slightest thing . . . my best example of that is watching Jaws the movie (any of them) ~ my rational logical adult mind knows that it is a plastic/rubber shark and that when the spooky music comes on it builds up the anticipation that Jaws is about to appear ~ never-the-less I could still jump out of my skin every single time! So I made a decision, because I like my heart and mind to feel more peaceful that I have no need or desire to watch spooky/scary/jumpy things anymore (where at all possible). Am I hiding away from my fears or am I understanding that there is enough 'real' life fears in the world that I don't need to create any more than needed.

Enjoy Halloween, but keep it lighthearted . . . after all it is supposed to be simple childish fun.

My recommendation today is that if it really scares you then STOP! Do something different, something positive and lighthearted instead. You will feel much safer, much more secure in yourself. Your unconscious mind will always step in when you are scared, whether it's Halloween fear or other fear ~ your sympathetic nervous system will kick into play, stimulating our natural fight or flight instincts, causing the heart to race, the breathing to become quicker, all that adrenaline firing up so we can get as much oxygen and blood flow to our muscles to run away form the fear as quick as it can.
So if you really want to run away from your sofa during a movie tonight, now you know why. Your body and mind are trying to protect you as it can't work out whether that fear is real or just on T.V. ~ all it knows is what it sees it thinks is real . . . what it hears it thinks is real . . . what it feels (scared) it thinks is real ~ so do yourself a favour and consider letting your body and mind have a peaceful calm night tonight instead!

To find out more how Cognitive Hypnotherapy can help overcome fear in your life (whether real or imaginary) then visit www.mindbodywellbeing.co.uk

Boost Your Immune System

Well today in Northamptonshire the cold Autumnal weather has finally arrived, as I'm sure it has all around the Country too! I had a lovely facebook message from a dear Yoga friend in Finland saying it snowed yesturday. . . as beautiful as it is, I'm thankful we don't have any yet.

With seasonal change often comes challenges to our Immune System, the starts of coughs and colds are already floating around. So alongside our extra doses of Vitamin C, Zinc and Echinacea I thought I'd share my offering of an easy immune system tonic recipe which I've used for many years now, which is an old wives remedy health drink ~ Cider Vinegar, Honey & Water.

As easy as ~ 2 tblsp Apple Cider Vinegar + 2 tsp Honey (to taste) + 5 tblsp water (warm or room temp)

Simply mix the vinegar and honey first until dissolved, then add the water and drink! It's a bit like a sharp apple juice, so adjust the honey and water suit your tastes.
Recommended daily to help maintain health, or soothe throats, or help clear chest infections. Try it out to see how you might like it too!

And if this finds you already feeling under the weather (so to speak!) then please click on this link and you can download my FREE "Healing Garden" hypnosis track to help speed up the healing process and increase your sense of wellbeing.

http://www.mindbodywellbeing.co.uk/Hypnotherapy-Kettering-Downloads-23.php

Wishing you a happy and healthy Autumn!

Pass it on and share with others . . .