So here I am, writing my first ever blog post…
I have thought about blogging for a long time and never quite found an argument convincing enough to write about any topic regularly. Not that I would struggle to find words. I normally have lots to say. But would I want to share it with the world? The minute one decides to go public with one’s thoughts, doubt can easily creep in. What will they think? Who will oppose my ideas and who will comment on my writing? And after much contemplation one might ask: WHO will even read this blog in the first place? So having arrived at the conclusion and having heard some people say that no one apart from your mother reads your blogs anyway at least at the beginning, I felt the pressure is off!
That brings me to one of my favourite quotes:
“Worry pretends to be necessary but serves no useful purpose.”
This saying has helped me in so many situations before. Together with some new experiences fresh off life’s press, I had this deep desire to share, just share whatever comes without editing myself too much. Writing from the authentic self is such a powerful, creative form of expression and one that is calling me right at this moment. (I have just caught myself editing… that’s the undying perfectionist in me who cannot help but try to make sentences not only sound poignant but also beautiful. Of course we could now start a new topic asking if perfectionism and ‘the authentic self’ can co-exist… But that would take it a bit far and take me completely off track!)
Today I have attended a BodyTalk Access course. The hours spent learning new tools and skills have paved the way for the next chapter on my exciting journey. Whilst life is one continuous path, I do feel that there sometimes is a journey within a journey within a journey. A bit like one year your life resembles a cruise where next year you’re more on a mountain trek. My current journey is taking me high up. Spreading of wings, feeling the air clear my mind… I also feel earth, the groundedness (according to spell check this isn’t a real word but describes exactly what I want to say :)) of having found my way, deeply rooting myself in each and every moment, knowing that every step I take is divine perfection. This includes mistakes, u-turns and off days. I guess I feel all of the elements in me. Water reminds me of cleansing, getting rid of old patterns and helping the body to detoxify. And fire, oh that must just be the fire in my belly. The passion and drive to follow my heart and my path wherever it may lead. Off the beaten track, finding new ground to explore. Ha! And in the same way there is a journey in a journey in a journey one thought also leads to another and another… Taking me from my BodyTalk Access around the world and back again.
I don’t even know where to start because it’s all so exciting and I feel overwhelmed with positive thoughts and ideas! So let me just share some more background to put into perspective how I ended up at this course…
Just over a year ago in December 2014 I started my ITEC Level 3 Course in Anatomy, Physiology and Holistic Massage right after my third redundancy in less than three years. The universe was literally screaming at me to get out of the corporate world. I didn’t listen when it whispered. I didn’t listen when it cleared its throat and asked for my attention again. So the third time it clicked. I intuitively booked a course with a sense of urgency even before I learned about the last redundancy. I didn’t know why but felt I needed to do the course no matter what and would have done it alongside my full-time job. Well, I didn’t have to because my official last day at work was two days before the start of my course. Perfect timing! What followed after the main training were more courses back to back in Indian Head Massage, On-Site Chair Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Pregnancy Massage, all rounded off by Reiki 1 & 2 attunements in beautiful Italy. My brain has had a great workout over the past 12 months and continues to be challenged more than ever before. What an amazing tool we have sitting between our ears! I learned more than I thought would be possible in this short amount of time and that’s only a fraction of what our brains are capable of. What a gift!
In May 2015 I started my own business called You Happy First and have been busy building up my clientele over the past 8 months. I am enjoying my work as a Massage Therapist and Reiki Practitioner tremendously. I’m gaining valuable insights and experiences every single day which will deserve a post on its own when I find the inspiration to write about it in the same way I’m writing now. There is so much to say and share. Above all I feel humbled to have found a way out of the 9-5 and into a world that allows me to help people every day in a profound way and this is only the beginning. My company’s mission statement is based on Mother Teresa’s quote:
“Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”
So whilst I was in a company delivering chair massage treatments I got involved in a conversation with a lovely lady who mentioned BodyTalk and asked if I knew about it. I didn’t but was very intrigued as she shared some very positive experiences. Being interested in all things holistic and alternative I of course had to google BodyTalk the same day (don’t you love living in the Google Age??) and found out about the Access course which happened to be available in my town (which I took as another sign that this was something for me to try). What I loved about the Access course was that it allowed me to explore a new form of therapy whilst learning new skills for life. It was incredible value for money.
What I appreciated immediately about the BodyTalk System is the fact that it doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel but rather take the best of different worlds combined in one. Dr. John Veltheim, the founder of the BodyTalk System, draws from a vast amount of knowledge and experience as a Chiropractor and Acupuncturist and he has studied extensively (applied kinesiology, bioenergetic therapy, osteopathy, sports medicine, counselling and more). I am a seeker by nature, always interested to learn more about the body-mind connection, alternative medicine and holistic therapies, metaphysics… and here’s a man who combined so many of my interests into one System that is constantly evolving.
Today was all about BodyTalk Access, which is a course designed for literally everyone. The techniques shown are easy enough to be learned by children and offer five tools which can be applied in a daily 10-20 minute routine (the speed depends on the speed of your breath more than anything. Slow breathing will help to make the exercises even more effective.)
The five tools are:
-Cortices
-Switching
-Hydration
-Body Chemistry
-Reciprocals
The single most powerful and important tool of all is Cortices which is also the one that I am now allowed to teach to everyone. However, rather than creating my own video, why not see the technique taught by the man himself, Dr. Veltheim:
I have felt the direct positive impact of the applied techniques throughout the day and want to share through the blog how I get on with my daily practice. Some of the highlights of today were the level of peace and calm I experienced, the rushes of happiness and energy and the sudden disappearance of chronic elbow pain which to me is so miraculous that I’m still in disbelief! We tried to bring the pain back in class as I mentioned how it would not be there constantly but could be triggered by certain movements or exercises. So there was me on the floor doing push-ups to the amusement of the other participants. I bent my elbows in all directions just to feel…. well…. nothing but happy elbows! 🙂 This is a major breakthrough for me. Pratibha, the wonderful teacher for the day, mentioned how not getting attached to the outcome of any practice or session will help a lot and that sometimes healing will take place when we least expect it. I have experienced this in the past and again today because the last thing I expected was for my elbows not to hurt. What a bonus!
May this blog help to spread the word about the BodyTalk System, BodyTalk Access and the Importance Of Holistic Self-Care.
Namaste x