Change your life for the better in 2012 with our pick of the best self-help courses around, chosen by the UK’s top holistic health and wellbeing gurus
Change your life for the better in 2012 with our pick of the best self-help courses around, chosen by the UK’s top holistic health and wellbeing gurus
DISCOVER INTIMACY
Alison Chan Lung,
Psychic Love Coach
“The course I would do is called ‘A Taste of Bliss’ by Leora Lightwoman (diamondlighttantra.com ) which is for either singles or couples. I love the name of the workshop and I think it would be a good introduction to tantra. It combines the things that I’m interested in which are love, intimacy, sensuality, sexuality and male/female energies. It would be a chance to leave the busy mind at home and connect on a heart and soul level with my beloved. This one is for couples and singles. And as I work with people looking to meet their soul mate it might interest clients who are into exploring their sensual side and meeting new people in a novel setting!”
For a reading with Alison, or for more information on her soul mate relationship programme, visit psychiclovecoach.com
LEARN TO LOVE
Robert Holden,
Director of The Happiness Project
“I have been a student of A Course in Miracles since 1997. It is the most inspiring book I have ever found, and I read it daily. It teaches us that there are, in essence, two emotions: love and fear, and that when we choose love instead of fear, it increases our chances for healing, happiness, success and abundance in every area of our life. I love going to the Annual Conference for A Course in Miracles, hosted by the Miracle Network (miracles.org.uk ). All the speakers are really interesting and inspiring and I will of course be there this year too.”
For more information on Robert Holden’s workshops and his best-selling book Happiness Now! Timeless Wisdom for Feeling Good Fast (£9.99, Hay House, £9.99) visit robertholden.org
LEARN TO RELATE
Katy Appleton,
Founder and director of Apple Yoga
“I would choose one of the Imago workshops (gettingtheloveyouwant.co.uk ) as their work has offered me a set of incredible tools to relate at a much deeper level to my family, friends, husband and yoga students. The effect of communicating in this way creates a deep sense of safety, freedom to express and to truly be heard. It’s awesome and life changing stuff, about helping couples and individuals who want to change their relationship with themselves, their partners, family and so on.”
For more information on Katy’s yoga classes or retreats visit appleyoga.com
MAKE HEALTHY CHANGES
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Scientist and author
“My choice for a course for the new year is ‘Energise and Revitalise’, with Janey Lee Grace (imperfectlynatural.com ). I once heard Janey speak on natural products for the body, skin, and even the household, and also learned some great nutrition tips. I made some immediate healthy changes in my life that made me feel more energised, so I think this one-day course would be ideal to start the new year for me.”
For more information on David’s talks and books such as his best-selling The Contagious Power of Thinking (£9.99, Hay House) visit Davidhamilton.com
GET GORGEOUS
Joanna Hall,
Diet and movement specialist
“I’m often presenting one minute, working with clients streamlining their bodies the next, then out later in the evening, and of course being a mum in between all of this! So I’d love a course to teach me super fast beauty and make-up tricks so I can switch my look to suit my occasion in super quick time. In 2012 I’ve signed up for the Filthy Gorgeous London Masterclass (filthygorgeouslondon.com ) – it’s all about tips and tricks to help you achieve gorgeous good looks and grooming all of the time. Perfect for me for time short beauty tips and radiant skin.”
For more info on Joanna’s events, tips, books and DVDs, visit joannahall.com
CONNECT TO NATURE
Jez Hughes,
Shamanic practitioner
“Any course I would do has to involve deepening my connnection to nature. I’d like to spend more time learning about bushcraft and wilderness survival skills. I have a deep desire to develop the ability to truly survive in the wild without any modern aids and be able, like our ancestors, to live off the land. For me, this equates to freedom and true independence of spirit. There is a really good organisation in Sussex called Wild Nature (wildnature.org.uk ), run by the excellent Rob Fallon, who has a passion not only for teaching the practical skills needed for wilderness survival but also the spiritual dimensions that are essential to learning these ancient, sacred arts, so I’d do one of his courses – in particular, I’m keen on ‘The Quest: A Rites of Passage programme’ – it’s a yearlong journey through the rhythms and cycles of life.”
For shamanic healing, astrology readings and workshops with Jez Hughes, visit secondsighthealing.co.uk
FEEL THE RHYTHM
Dominique Meeroff,
Metamorphic technique practitioner
“If I could do any workshop I would go on a 5Rhythms workshop with Sue Rickards (acalltodance.com ). 5Rhythms is a dance meditation which takes you through five levels of musical intensity, starting slowly, peaking in the middle and then bringing you back to an inner stillness. I love dancing and 5rhythms is both joyful and fun, but it’s also a journey and exploration. It puts your in touch with your body and your emotions. It also connects you to other dancers where you discover how you are in relationship to others. Magic happens on the dance floor. Sue is an amazing teacher with years of experience. I learnt so much about myself dancing with her.”
For more info on Dominique’s workshops and one-to-one sessions visit metamorphicjourneys.co.uk
TRY A SILENT RETREAT
Steve Taylor,
Author of Out of the Darkness: From Turmoil to Transformation (Hay House)
“I’m quite reclusive, and love quietness and solitude. The idea of stepping away from the crazy whirlwind of modern life into the serenity of a monastery sometimes seems very appealing. The only thing is, I love family life – and the kind of activities which lead to the creation of a family – too much to be a permanent monk. I like to dip into it from time to time, to reconnect with my deeper nature. That’s why my ideal spiritual activity for the new year would be the three-day silent retreat ‘Rest in Natural Being’ at Gaia House (gaiahouse.co.uk ), in Devon, in March. After that I’ll return refreshed and reconnected to my family.”
For more info on Steve Taylor’s talks visit stevenmtaylor.com
LEARN MINDFULNESS
Lisa Jackson,
Clinical hypnotherapist
“I run slimming seminars and so I’d love to attend one of the Learn Mindfulness courses (learnmindfulness.co.uk ) run by Shamash Alidina, the author of Mindfulness For Dummies (£16.99, John Wiley & Sons). Mindfulness involves decluttering your mind and focusing on the here and now rather than brooding about the past or fretting about the future. I’ve read research that says people eat 44 per cent more when they don’t eat mindfully and so am keen to learn more about how mindfulness can aid weight loss. It’s also been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, and help with depression and insomnia, which I’m sure would be useful when working with my hypnotherapy clients.”
Clinical hypnotherapist Lisa Jackson runs Adore Yourself Slim seminars, (adoreyourselfslim.com ), in South London.
FIND YOUR VOICE
Marie-Claire Carlyle,
Money magnet coach
“I’ll be checking out one of Nikki Slade’s workshops in 2012. I first came across her in 2003 when I decided that I wanted to learn how to sing. I was always the one mouthing the words silently in a group singalong and I remember that when I did participate there was normally a comment about my complete inability to sing! What I wasn’t prepared for was the real impact of Nikki’s work. Within months I had left my corporate career and my heart had opened up in a way that I could never have imagined possible. Nikki’s work is nothing short of transformational. She creates the ultimate safe space for you to fully express yourself and to get in touch with the real you. This results in masses more self-confidence, better relationships and the opportunity to create the life of your dreams through the power of resonance (freetheinnervoice.com ).”
For more information on Marie-Claire’s events, workshops and book visit marieclairecarlyle.com
TAP INTO SPIRITUALITY
Mary Dalgliesh,
Massage therapist, author and teacher
“If I were to recommend one thing to do to make life more meaningful and enjoyable it would be to explore something called ‘Knowledge’ and ‘The Keys’. I have already done this myself and it has enabled me to feel a joy and a happiness within me every day irrespective of what is happening in my life on the outside. It is also the one thing in my life that just gets better the older I get! Prem Rawat, widely known as Maharaji, offers a way to discover peace within – four practical techniques which enable anyone to turn their attention inside in order to experience a feeling that resides there. You can find out more about this at wopg.org
CASE STUDY
Why not try a course that will change your life and change your career at the same time like homeopath Jo Magner from Bath?
I had a job in off-shore banking and was working abroad when I wanted a change of career. I knew I wanted to be my own boss, work in health care and do something to help others in a more meaningful way that was closer to my personal values. I had always been aware of homeopathy – my sister was treated homeopathically for severe eczema when she was a child, but I didn’t really use it myself until I had children. My children were each treated homeopathically for problems that conventional medicine had been unable to help with and I was amazed by the results. I now practise from home – it is a very different lifestyle! What I love about homeopathy is that you never stop learning; every case brings something different and exciting. I trained at the School of Homeopathy (homeopathyschool.com ) and have an enormous fondness for it as it enabled me to pursue something I love whilst still at work.
