ISSUE 6 - APR/MAY/JUN 2013 (extract from full issue)

New Book Reviews! iNcludiNg saNdy NewBiggiNg’s ‘Heal THe HiddeN cause’

Feng Shui

BRaiNs wiTH BaRoNess susaN gReeNfield

david BaleN’s aBc of MoNey MaNageMeNTcoMBaT THe Blues

T e n T o p T i p s o n i n T e r n e T s e c u r i T y

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A special thank you to our expert judge for the Editor Pix page, Paola Fernandez of Urban Retreat.

other iSSue 6 ContriButorSDebra Goldston, Doctor Gill Hart, Konstantin Suslov, Lisa Allward, Lisa Whitehead, Llinos

Merriman, Jac Lambert, Marcello Pozzetti, Omar Q, Stacha & Susan Greenfield.

Jonathan PollinGer intranetfuture.com

Charlotte PalMer foodspecialist.co.uk

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raChel FairWeather jingmassage.com

70% or more patients present with symptons wholly or partially cased by allergy.

Many therapists who are workingeffectively in the field of allergy todayhave been trained by the Institute

When Allergy Therapy becomes partof your practice, many more patientscome to you by recommendation

National health service patients may wait up to 13 weeks for specialist practical help

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05HOLiStic tHERAPiSt 2013holistictherapistmagazine.com

7 Brand New, Book Review HtM recommendations & reviews

8 Industry News & Diary Dates info, snippets of news, & events

10 Give Hay-fever the Heave-Ho Millions of people prepare for the annual onslaught of hay fever

11 Jayney Goddard’s Letter Jayney writes about the Beauty Show & anti-aging

12 Degrees of Interest in Complementary Therapy Rosemary Pharo approaches the controversial subject of training

14 Private JP’s social-media advice on privacy policies

16 Internet Security ten top tips on ensuring safe usage online

19 Online DIY PR Do your own PR on the World Wide Web

20 Release Your News Around the World Write a great press release and share it with the world

22 Think Outside the Box An article on creativity in business with Jane Sheehan

24 Tax it Up LJ continues her business journal

25 What the Tax?! Falsifying five common tax myths

27 Drop the Worry Weight tips on choosing the perfect accountant

28 The ABC of Money Management More advice from David Balen

29 The CAM Coach An extract from Mark Shields’ business bible

30 Take the Summer Off! Rachel Fairweather tells you how!

32 Alexander House – Hotel and Utopia Spa A review of the five-star luxury retreat and a competition to win a stay for two at the hotel and spa

34 Dr Stephen Hopwood’s Soapbox common cornerstone connections to cancer led illnesses

36 Are You Achieving your Earning Potential? A master class from Sue Masters

38 A Course in Colour Debra Goldston explains the benefits of a colour therapy course

46 Ask Sandy Sandy Newbigging answers more of your questions

63 Buyer’s Guide

39 Colour My Mood Ara Eden shows you how you can enhance your life with colour

41 Dream the Big Dream Lisa Whitehead helps you materialise your vision

42 A Touch of Feng Shui interior designer Lisa Alward helps make positive changes in your home and work space

48 Retail therapy: Inject Colour 49 Make-up therapy: Spring Shades 50 Colourful Cookery

charlotte Palmer shares her colourful culinary delights

51 Enjoy a Rainbow Diet Karen Watkins says it’s important to eat naturally coloured food

52 One Man’s Food is Another Man’s Poison Dr Gill Hart shares how we can have a greater understanding of food intolerance

60 Editor Mix: Big Daddy 61 Editor Fix: International Yogi62 Editor Pix: Professional Panel64 Editor Six: Susan Greenfield

25 52

For your BusinessFor you and your health

16

06 HOLiStic tHERAPiSt 2013

holistictherapistmagazine.com

Dear therapist, Are you sitting comfortably? good! Then i shall begin… welcome to yet another hTM issue packed full of copious content for each and every one of you. We have increased our pagination, and so we have even more business advice, tips of the trade and new features, such as our book review. As you can see from my picture above, i’ve got stuck into reading very large wooden books, as well as reading some great paper books, and e-books too. check out the best reads for spring time, on page 7.

spring into this quarter of the year with a huge injection of colour… so no more shades of grey… and i’m not referring to literature any more! i’m talking brightening your mood, your therapy room, your home, your wardrobe and your life. i particularly like the uplifting piece by Ara eden; colour My Mood on page 39.

do you remember our first ever issue, all those many moons ago? We featured an article on diy pr, check out page 19 for More diy pr, and you can dazzle the journalists with your press release writing skills by following the tips on page 20. our top ten tips are all about internet security (page 16) – this is such an important article, as nowadays most of us operate a lot of our business and even personal affairs via the World Wide Web. social-networking expert Jp advises on privacy policies and settings; read his fabulous words of wisdom on page 14.

i would like to say a super special thank you to my assistant eleanor Jones, and to each and every contributor this issue – as always they have helped to splash colour all over the magazine, by sharing countless gems of advice for you and your health, and for your business. And a warm welcome to rich, our fabulous new Art director.

enjoy the read, and remember to share your copy with fellow therapists – or let them know where they can subscribe and find out more information about the magazine: holistictherapistmagazine.com. stay in contact, and if you have any case studies, stories, products or interesting news, then please email me on [email protected]. it is also always great to have you network with us, on Facebook and Twitter.

enjoy the freshness, and new beginnings that spring offers, and i’ll speak with you all soon.

Warm regards

Jordan xMAnAging ediTor

HolisticTherapistMagazine.com

ediTor’s leTTer

Managing DirectorJay Firmager

[email protected]

Art DirectorRichard Hejsak

[email protected]

Managing EditorJordan Martin

[email protected]

Editorial AssistantEleanor Jones

[email protected]

Sales team+44 (0) 208 668 5423

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Photographer: LoveMementoModel: Katherine, Oxygen Models

MUA & Hair: Aleysha MawaniAssistant: Sonida Goraj

Holistic Therapist Magazine is published quarterly (four times per annum) by Media Edge London Ltd. No part of Holistic Therapist

Magazine may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted to any form without permission. Views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of Media Edge London Ltd. During printing, images may be subject to a 15% variation, © Copyright belongs to Media Edge London Ltd. All rights reserved. Please either keep this magazine for future reference, pass it on for somebody else to read, or recycle.

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Printed by leading independent printer, Headley Brothers: headley.co.uk

Holistic Therapist Magazine, in memory of Pat and Bill Firmager.

With a special thank you to Jan Firmager NexT is

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Business – Book revieW

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The CAM Coach there’s no wonder this book has been described as the “business bible for holistic therapists”, it is bursting with everything a practitioner needs to succeed in the holistic industry. it strongly promotes the business acumen required, as well as the skills to prac-tise. Written by one of our expert contribu-tors, Mark Shields, along with his co-author Simon Martin; the cAM coach has an easy tone, and is filled with knowledge, examples, strategies and evidenced techniques of how to help holistic practitioners successfully set up and run a profitable complementary health practice. this book also contains advice and tips from other industry leading experts, such as the lovely Jayney Goddard, Ben Brown, Mike Ash, Kate Neil and Anthony Haynes. You can find out more on thecamcoach.com

Head to page 29 for an extract from the cAM coach >>>>>

Heal The Hidden Cause Sandy Newbigging, creator of the Mind Detox Method and Mind calm Method, mediation teacher, author, and FHt’s ‘tutor of the Year’, shares his extensive knowledge in ‘Heal the Hidden cause’ – a groundbreaking book that outlines, in an easy-to-follow way, the mind-body connection and the impact of his Mind Detox Method. Sandy is a humble teacher, and his warm tone allows the reader to learn about themselves, as well as the mind, almost as if he is speaking directly to them. Heal the Hidden cause includes the top twenty unhealthy beliefs that are the hid-den causes to countless problems… read the book and ensure you don’t believe in any of them. this book can change lives! Find out more about Sandy’s methods and his courses on sandynewbigging.com.

Head to page 46 for Ask Sandy, where your questions are answered >>>>>

Do you have a recommendation? Perhaps you’d like to write a review for next issue? Or maybe you are an author and would like us to review your book? Email the editor: [email protected]

HtM has four copies of the cAM coach up for grabs… Send an email to [email protected] with the subject heading ‘cAM coach’, your name, age, town or city of residence, and a contact telephone number… and a copy could be yours. Entrants must be a studying, or working therapists, or a holistic professional, and must be a minimum age of sixteen-years-old, and be a UK resident. the winner will be selected at random, and announced in our next issue.

GIVEAWAY!

NEW!

Three Kindle books HTM recommends:

1) thunk! by Sandy Newbigging2) the Secret by Rhonda Byrne3) think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

A life-changing business bible for holistic therapistsJayson, HTM Managing Director

This book can change lives!Jordan, HTM Managing Director

Squeeze in a Good Read

08 HOLiStic tHERAPiSt 2013 holistictherapistmagazine.com

Business | neWs & dATes

News!

5

51 Place a vase of orange flowers in your home for happiness and energy2 Wear a sunny yellow garment or accessory3 Absorb natural sunlight and grab a dose of Vitamin D4 Release negative energy and exercise in a bright environment5 For spiritual fulfillment relax in the tub, and use purple bubble-bath We have splashed this issue with lots of colour, including colour My Mood on page 39.

1 Offer a dad special treatment list.2 Organise a dad-child bonding session i.e Reiki, yoga, etc3 Do a free raffle for every client in June, with the ideal Father’s Day

gift as the raffle prize.4 Hold a ‘Dad of the Year’ competition, encouraging families to

nominate their dads. the award can be a mini trophy and free treatment voucher. You could go as far as holding a ceremony evening with organic nibbles - this would encourage free PR from local press too.

5 Open on Father’s Day – for dads only! take pre-bookings to ensure back-to-back treatment slots, so it is financially worth opening the salon, or treatment room Head to page 60 for suggestions on how to spend Father’s Day.

ways To coMBaT THe Blues

wayS To casH-iN oN faTHeR’s day

“Our therapy training is second to none and newcomers to our team are always struck by how friendly and supportive the SenSpa team are.” Find out more about the 3-day Vtct Level 3 Diploma in thai massage course on our blog: holistictherapistmagazine.com

Holistic Health ShowAt the NEC on 19 May: 10.00am - 5.30pm 20 May: 10.00am - 5.00pmTel: 01332 227680Email: [email protected] Parking£10.00Ticket Hotline01332 227698Ticket prices: Pre-registration is Free or £10 entry charge on the day.Holistic Health 2013 showcases the key product launches, industry innovations and training opportunities available to the complementary therapy sector in the UK. the two-day event will

also feature the return of the Holistic Health training Village, an area dedicated to showcasing the latest in Holistic and complementary therapy courses available, the interactive Demo Stage where visitors can watch demonstrations of new products and treatments, and the immensely popular chill Out Zone. taking part in adjoining halls are BeautyUK, HairUK and AestheticsUK.Holistic Health is strictly a trade-only events.

MuLTi aWaRd WinninG SenSPa LaunCHeS THe SenSPa aCadeMY

‘Congratulations to contributor Emily Rose and her husband Anton on the birth of beautiful Megan, a sister for lovely Lara.’

beautyukshow.com/holistichealth

Megan

We’ve teamed up with Balens to provide subscribers with a fantastic insurance package. Head to our website for more information on the policy and to subscribe to the industry’s No.1 Business Guide. Holistictherapistmagazine.com

09HOLiStic tHERAPiSt 2013

Business | neWs & dATes


aPRiLHealth & Healing Festival20th - 21st April York Racecourse, YO23 1EX£4:50/£3.50healthhealingfestivals.co.uk

Hawaiian Lomi lomi Massage Training Course28th April infinitytrainingacademy.co.uk

Antenatal YogaEvery Friday in April6-7:15pm2-4 Cleaver St, Kennington, London SE11 4DP £10 per classkasia-yoga.com

MaYEastern Bamboo Massage Training Course10th Mayinfinitytrainingacademy.co.uk

Holistic Fair11th May2.15-4.30pmWood Green Central Library, High Rd, Wood GreenLondon, N22 6XDFree event weatherstonetherapies.co.uk

Mind Body Spirit Event25th -26th May 10:30-6pmFestival Hall, Talbot Road,

Alderley Edge, Cheshire, SK9 1AXDay: £3.50/£3 Weekend: £6/£5All tickets £1 more on doorrosemarydouglas.com

JuneOne-day Reiki Course1st June9:30-3:30pmLondon Denmark HillLondon SE24 9PZ £15 depositnewagelondon.com/reiki-1

Spiritual Development 1st June10:30-5:30pmScout Headquarters Hut, cardigan St, Newmarke Suffolk cB8 8HZ £10Lesley Hale: 01954267034

Relaxation Soundbath2nd June4-5 pm27 All Saints’ Road, PakefieldSuffolk, NR33 0JL £6spiraloflight.org/event-soundbath.html

Relaxation SoundbathMon 3rd Juneinfinitytrainingacademy.co.uk

List your event for free, send details to [email protected]

Business diary datesSpring into April, May & June with dates for the Diary

For the first time, the Organic & Natural Beauty Show is being launched in London on the 2nd-3rd June 2013 at Excel, to address the growing demand for natural and organic beauty products such as cosmetics, raw materials, ingredients and packaging, anti-ageing, slimming products, nutritional supplements and vitamins. it is the first event in Europe to combine natural, organic, fair trade, sustainable, ethical, free-from, environmentally safe and eco-friendly beauty products from around the world under one roof. the show is exclusively dedicated to the natural and organic beauty industry and focused towards the high quality of its attendees. With over 80% of the visitors occupying senior management positions

in the natural cosmetic and beauty market, it offers a unique networking platform for exchanging ideas, launching new products and meeting UK and European retailers, distributors and beauty professionals.the event is supported by the industry’s leading associations and certification bodies such as the Soil Association, ctPA, Ecocert, Natrue, cosmebio, Demeter, icEA, BDiH, Synadiet and iFRA. For the first time, the Natural Health Beauty Awards ceremony, one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the skincare and cosmetics industry awarding 50 organic and natural beauty products, will be held live at the show. Find out more on naturalbeautyshow.com

LaunCH oF THe oRGaniC & naTuRaL BeauTY SHoW 2013

Marie

you And your heAlTh – AdverToriAl FeATure

Hay fever could affect twenty percent of the population throughout their lives. it is classed as an auto-immune illness, characterised by an allergic reaction to pollen, with grass pollen being the most common trigger.

the most popular treatments include antihistamines and nasal sprays, but French maritime pine bark extract (known as Pycnogenol) is becoming popular among those who prefer a natural remedy.

Marie Robson, 34, from Gateshead, tyne and Wear, has suffered with hay fever since being a teenager and was also diagnosed with asthma when she was 22.

Marie tried various treatments to try to ease her symptoms, which included the usual itchy nose and throat, continuous sneezing and red, itchy eyes.

She explains: “in the past, i tried different types of antihistamine tablets, nose sprays and eye drops, but i often felt i built up an

immunity to the tablets after a while and the sprays and drops were uncomfortable to use.”

With the help of a nutritionist, Marie turned to Pycnogenol, which when taken as a daily supplement has been shown to help maintain a healthy immune system, thereby modulating the body’s inflammatory response when exposed to pollen.

Pycnogenol also helps to maintain healthy blood vessels and promotes normal blood flow by stimulating the production of a substance called nitric oxide. this relaxes the constricted blood vessels responsible for the feeling of a stuffed up nose.

A clinical trial supports this. it showed that Pycnogenol may help prevent an immediate immune reaction towards challenge with an antigen as it occurs in hay fever. this in vitro study showed that Pycnogenol inhibited the release of histamine from cells. Devaraj, S., Vega-López, S., Kaul, N., Schönlau,

F., Rohdewald, P. and Jialal, I. (2002)Marie says: “i noticed the positive effects

within the first couple of months and stopped taking antihistamines shortly after that. i feel much better about taking these for the longer term as they are a natural product and i’m not worrying about putting harmful chemicals into my body. i take the tablets with my other vitamins to make sure i’m never caught out and keep my discomfort at bay. i’m having a BBQ for my first wedding anniversary in July and i know i don’t need to panic if it gets hot and sunny. it’s like a new lease of life!”

it iS ClaSSed aS an auto-iMMune illneSS

Give HaY FeveR THe Heave-HoDoes hay fever have you dreading the warm weather? While others are ditching the winter clothes ready to embrace the sunshine, millions of people prepare for the annual onslaught of itchy eyes, sneezing and runny nose…

Nutritionist Babi Chana Bsc Nut Med BANT explains the power of pine bark:

What is Pycnogenol? “Pycnogenol is a unique, natural plant extract that

originates from the bark of French maritime pine

trees (Pinus Pinaster) grown in south western

France. it contains a rich blend of antioxidants,

known as bioflavonoids, some of which are

also found in fresh fruit and vegetables. it’s

a potent source of proanthocyanadins, with

‘cyan’ meaning dark blue, like the skin of some

fruits. i describe it as my ‘blueberry pill’.”

What are the benefits of Pycnogenol?

“there are over 200 published papers on

Pycnogenol. Some results have shown that

it may help cardiovascular health, keep veins

healthy, improve skin health by binding with

collagen and elastin, ease joint pain and soothe

the symptoms of PMS and menopause. “

How safe is Pycnogenol?“Having been researched in over 7000

people, Pycnogenol has passed extensive

safety testing and it is non-toxic even at high

doses. Make sure you use a pharmaceutical

grade Pycnogenol product, which is blister

packed to protect the tablets from the air. Marie

uses Pharma Nord’s Bio-Pycnogenol.”


Babi


Business | JAyney goddArd’s leTTer

Anti-age before Beauty

A warm welcome to all of my readers! i’ve just returned from the amazing Professional Beauty show, where for the first time they hosted a Holistic therapy section. i spoke to a wide range of practitioners about natural, holistic anti-ageing, and why practitioners need to incorporate this into their practices. it’s a huge benefit to clients – and it’s also an enormous business booster.

i’m constantly looking at ways in which practitioners can build their practices and clinics, and i see the incredible fascination with anti-ageing as the way forward for the foreseeable future. i’m sure that you’ll agree that you can’t pick up a glossy magazine without seeing some reference to the

latest anti-ageing techniques, and try walking through any of the big pharmacies; so many of the products are focused on anti-ageing!

So, what is the reason for this sudden growth in interest? Well, the anti-ageing field of medicine and cosmetics is the fastest growing sector of both of those industries. in fact, the anti-ageing sector in medicine is estimated to be worth around two hundred billion pounds, (note that i say ‘around’) in fact, the industry is growing so fast that it is actually impossible to calculate its true size at any one

minute. it’s a bit like that little snowball at the top of the

mountain that gathers more and more snow as it rolls down, until eventually it becomes a humongous avalanche.

there is published evidence showing that

while we are living longer, we are more susceptible to chronic disease so that our life spans are increasing,

but our health spans are decreasing. these chronic lifestyle conditions, which plague us increasingly as we age are not a normal factor of

ageing and are largely avoidable, so of course people want to avoid that at all costs! But, they also want to look better, be fitter, and be even sexier… and there’s nothing wrong with that at all! in fact, great self-esteem is associated with better health outcomes in all measures.

Chronological Age vs Biological Age: Is anti-ageing really possible, or is it just a pipe dream? Our chronological age is our age – in years, which means nothing unless you want it to. However, biological age is how old our bodies and minds really are. For example, my chronological age is forty-nine, and when i started measuring my biological age four years ago i measured fifty-six… i was very ill, and battling with extremely aggressive rheumatoid arthritis. However, over the last four years i have been experimenting on myself with a number of natural holistic anti-ageing approaches, and now biologically i measure anywhere between twenty-six to thirty-three. this is as a direct result of the lifestyle choices i make; nutritionally; exercise wise; meditation, and so on. Also, the RA is in complete remission!

So, what do therapists and practitioners have to offer clients? AND why should we get involved in this growing sector? Obviously, ageing is multi-factorial. We are whole biological

systems, mind and body. Because we practitioners work holistically, and because we address lifestyle issues and help support our clients with these, we are ideally poised to be tHE anti-ageing experts. Now granted, anti-ageing is a huge field and as ageing is holistic, we need to address lots of different areas in a cohesive, intelligent manner – integrating a wide range of approaches so that we can coach our clients properly – so that they can begin to reverse their biological clocks, thus effectively becoming younger.

Next Steps… i’ve long held a dream about getting together a group of dedicated practitioners who i can train to become the elite leaders in the field of holistic anti-ageing. i now have this training course organised, (part of which includes certification for one of the modules from Harvard Medical School), and if you’d like some info about it, simply drop me a quick email at [email protected].

Warmest wishesJayney

look better, be fitter, and be even sexier


Business – educATion sTAndArds

A few years ago, an educational consultant stated in a review process that i was involved in, that they believed that all complementary therapists should be educated to degree level. this sent up red flags for a number of reasons: firstly the idea that a degree by itself; an academic, intellectual, training would somehow produce superior Reiki practitioners is really quite laughable. An apprenticeship model, as in an old fashioned guild – yes! A craft that is learnt and honed – yes! Writing a paper on, for example, how to scan a client will not actually prove in any way that you can do it, or, most importantly that you have done sufficient

work on self-development; an absolutely crucial ingredient for many therapies.

For many excellent hands-on practitioners, whose skills have been honed over years of practice, the idea of academic study may bring up bad experiences of school or college. Ex-nurses are sometimes the most vehement opponents of medicalisation. Of course, degree courses are standard for certain therapies: osteopathy and acupuncture for instance, where a medical-standard training in anatomy and physiology amongst others is required.

However, foundation degrees are also springing up in ‘complementary therapies’,

How do you create excellent complementary health practitioners? Are you worried about the kind of pressures that may be exerted on practitioners in the future over what type of courses to take? Or are you concerned about the diversity in standards of training?

degrees oF inTeresT in coMpleMenTAry TherApy

Rosemary Pharo discusses...


Business – educATion sTAndArds

in general covering a number of subjects, for example, at Reaseheath college you have been able to take Reiki as part of a foundation degree in a Equine Science degree for a number of years now. But with fees running at six thousand pounds or so, per year for many of these courses, in what is generally a part-time profession with key users such as hospices relying on volunteer therapists, exactly how viable is this?

And yet there is no doubt that training standards in how to run a practice and client handling skills have, in the past, been taught superficially or not at all, in some areas. this has been remedied in Reiki, by the presence of the Reiki council’s core curriculum and more teachers are adjusting courses and

material for people who wish to practise professionally. Is a degree, then, just another of those ‘passports to work?’ At a camExpo lecture, last autumn, Paul Medlicott of the Sports Massage Association, pointed out that during their degree-level training, physiotherapists may have done very little massage training in their courses, and yet will be covered for massage by insurance companies, whereas massage therapists whose training is hands-on massage, who may far exceed graduate physiotherapists, would find it much harder to have an insurance company pay out for their greater experience.

However, in the last few years some of the best known degree courses in complementary therapy, e.g. at Westminster University have closed down, ostensibly due to lack of students, but also due to pressures from ‘scientists’ who rage about ‘nonsense’ subjects. Steeped in their materialist worldview, there has been a sustained campaign against cAM. And yet, if they wish to use a little bit more of their grey matter, they could do worse than consider the reasoned arguments put forward by M Franks, using logical arguments and physics breakthroughs in his 2003 book “the Universe and Multiple Reality”.

the joke is that while materialists may lambast complementary therapy for not being ‘evidence-based’, one of their chief chorus masters, Ben Goldacre, brilliantly outlines exactly how what constitutes everyday evidence-based medicine where drugs are concerned is, in fact, very often not evidence-based medicine, but rather marketing-based evidence. Poor trials, with unflattering data left languishing unpublished, major academic journals that may piously refuse to publish research on complementary and alternative matters, apparently bankrolled by drug companies by agreements to, for example, pay for two thousand reprints of specific research articles. And academics – possibly the people training graduates in degree courses – are putting their names to articles, mainly written by commercial writers employed by the sponsoring company. Oh, and the doctors

who may well pooh-pooh complementary treatments may almost certainly be having their continual Professional Development (cPD) paid for by drug companies.

Well really, that’s exactly the kind of things the complementary therapy industry can do without. While chinese Herbal Medicine, with a 2,500 year unbroken tried and tested tradition of use is said to be “unproven”. Unproven? Or, unacceptable?

if we are all paying twenty-five percent more for drugs than is necessary (according to Ben Goldacre), then is it not time to put pressure on the Department of Health to squeeze a little of the money that is spent in prescribing over-priced versions of drugs into good quality research for lower-cost complementary treatments? Massage is one of, if not, the most popular therapies in the UK. the gold standard research body, the cochrane Review, notes that massage may be beneficial for low-back pain. cochrane also notes that concerning touch therapies for pain relief “studies with greater effects are carried out by highly experienced Reiki practitioners”.

in this economic climate, training needs to be accessible, not exclusively for those with deep pockets! And good quality research needs to be financed by a department of health that’s looking for evidence that could save it money. n

Further Reading & Research summaries.cochrane.org/CD006535/touch-therapies-healing-touch-therapeutic-touch-and-reiki-for-the-treatment-of-pain-relief-for-adults#sthash.er6QLH0d.dpuf telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/degree-courses/8989183/Lie-back-and-relax-reflexology-and-aromatherapy-degrees-are-dropped.html

the Universe and Multiple Reality. M Franks, 2003, iuniverse Bad Pharma, Ben Goldacre, 2012, Fourth Estate Sacred Science DVD dir. Nick Polizzi, 2012 thesacredscience.com

not evidenCe-BaSed MediCine, But rather MarketinG-BaSed evidenCe


Social-media expert JP advises on the importance of social-networking privacy policies

We’re in a technological age where you can live your life and share your thoughts across the globe in seconds via social-networks. it’s therefore important to pay attention to WHO you’re sharing WHAt with.

Each social-network has its own method for controlling the information, photos and videos you share. in this article we’re going to look at the concerns and risks associated with social-networks and what you can do to reduce them. We’re going to focus on the two main social-networks; Facebook and twitter, but many of the points apply to other online networking too. Identity theft Each social-network gives you a personal profile, where you can display a photo of yourself and information about yourself. On Facebook you can display a vast amount of information, including your date-of-birth, marital status, interests and even your address. there is also an ‘About You’ section, where you can add and display additional information using free text. Facebook’s ‘Privacy Settings’ allow you to control exactly who sees this information: this can be limited to ‘Only You’ or can be ‘Public’ with lots of options in-between, e.g. ‘Facebook Friends’.

On twitter, the personal information you can display is more limited – your photo, location, website, and a brief description of yourself or ‘Bio’.

On these, and other social-networks you should check your settings to ensure that your details are visible only to those who you wish to see them. On Facebook, go to your timeline (‘Profile’) and select ‘About’, which is underneath your profile photograph. You’ll then see information such as ‘Work’ and ‘Education’, ‘Basic info’ and ‘contact info’. in order to review who sees this information, select the ‘Edit’ button to the right of the heading, e.g. ‘contact info’, and you can decide who sees each item.

For example, you might wish your ‘Home’ phone number to be restricted to ‘Friends’, but your ‘Work’ number to be ‘Public’. to do this, select the icon to the right of your ‘Home’ and ‘Mobile’ numbers and make your desired choice. You can also restrict visibility to ‘Friends’, lists of ‘Friends’ or even a particular person. You can quickly review which items are ‘Public’ as these are indicated with a globe symbol. You should repeat this process for each of the sections.

Of all the information displayed, the most sensitive is your birthday, as this can be used in conjunction with other information to ‘steal your identity’. i would strongly suggest that you do not display your full birthday. However, you might want to make visible your month and day of birth and there’s a setting to do this. i can’t think of any circumstances in which you should display your year of birth.

On twitter, you can’t control who sees your details, as all of it is public. You can of course choose not to add information, but everything you do add will be available for everyone to see.

it’s worth noting that ‘public’ doesn’t mean that the information is restricted to everyone on your social-network. it means that it can be viewed by anyone on the internet, which means that it can be found in search engine results too. Good for business, but not good for protecting personal details. Employment and Unemployment A fully completed profile can help in obtaining a new job, or if you’re self-employed, new customers and business. A 2009 UK survey found that 27% of employers looked at social-networks when recruiting staff. it’s likely that this figure is now considerably higher. Despite what you may think, such research of candidates is not illegal. if you are looking for a job or new clients, then ensure your Facebook profile has your ‘Work’ and ‘Experience’ section fully completed, and that your skills and experience are included in the ‘About You’ section too. You may then want to make this public. On twitter, ensure you’ve completed your ‘Bio’ using keywords relating to your industry and skills. So reviewing your ‘Profile Privacy Settings’ is not just about locking everything down, but ensuring that your information and settings are appropriate.

increasingly lines are

Business – Jp’s sociAl-MediA Tips


Business – Jp’s sociAl-MediA Tips

blurred between work and private life. to ensure that employers and employees know where they stand, it’s important to have a ‘Social-Media Policy’ in place. this should clearly state what isn’t acceptable, but also what is acceptable – as used in the right way, social-media can benefit both employers and employees.

As an employee, it’s important to be aware that with many employers you are still representing your employer outside of work, so be careful what you post and tweet. there have been several high-profile cases where negative comments about employers or customers by their workers on social-networks have resulted in dismissal. in many of these situations the status update has been made to ‘Friends’ and employees have been surprised that their employer has managed to view their posts. However, there is nothing to stop any ‘Friend’ from sharing a Facebook update more widely, simply by copying and pasting it or taking a screen shot. A good question to ask yourself before making a post on a social-network is, “would i post this on the Piccadilly circus billboard?”

Your settings can help restrict the visibility of your posts, but remember that you don’t have total control. You can adjust the visibility of each status update on Facebook, to the left of the ‘Post button’. Here you’ll find the same options as you have on your ‘Personal Profile’. When you make a new update your most recent settings will be remembered, so be sure to check this is what you require.

On twitter, all your updates are public and can show up in twitter search results and on Google. the only private updates are ‘Direct Messages’, where you can send a private message to another twitter user. Hacking All the information about you held by any social-network is protected by a password, but as demonstrated at the end of January, by a major attack of over 250,000 accounts on twitter, passwords are not often enough to stop hacking. You can however, reduce the risk by having unique passwords for all your social-networks – and other online accounts – and by changing them regularly. (turn over for more tips on internet security).

to conclude, we all have individual views on privacy, and the levels of sharing we are comfortable with… So don’t assume that the default settings on your social-network are suitable. take the time to review your personal details and privacy settings, and amend if necessary. When it comes to Facebook status updates, it’s sensible to assume that your updates are public, even though they may not be set this way. n

oF all the inForMation diSPlayed, the MoSt SenSitive iS your Birthday

photographer: marcellopozzetti.com

For more social-media advice, tips, examples and news, visit intranetuture.com/blog


Business – inTerneT securiTy

inTeRneT SeCuRiTY

The Internet is a great business friend, but it can attract some enemies too, and if you are not cautious you can be subject to hacking, and this could lead to having your personal details stolen. Here are ten top tips to help towards improved Internet security.

1 Ensure that you have an up-to-date Anti-Virus, and Internet security software installed on your computer.

Hackers often aim to install small programs that will allow them to access your computer remotely, and thus collect information through your Internet or Wi-Fi network. These programs are often labelled as a virus, based on the programs’ characteristics. Anti-Virus software will stop rogue programs from running on your computer.

2 If you are using a Window’s PC, make sure that your updates are installed regularly. Microsoft releases

updates for the Windows operating system on a weekly basis. These updates help protect your computer from the most recently discovered security risks and plug security holes, which makes it much more difficult for hackers to get into your computer. Think of it as locking all the windows and doors on your house to keep the burglars out!

3 If you are using an Apple Mac, make sure you use the ‘Software Update’ facility in the Apple menu

to install the latest software and security updates. This is for the same reasons outlined in Tip 2.

4Use long passwords. This makes password guessing or cracking much more difficult for hackers. Try using a

small sentence, where possible, which includes a mix of lower and upper case letters, numbers and characters, for example the password, freedomisgreat could be Fr33D0m15Gr8!.

5 Password-protect and encrypt your home and business Wi-Fi, to ensure that nobody else can use it without your

permission. Hackers are known to connect to unprotected Wi-Fi networks to ‘sniff traffic’, or in other words collect information from your Internet connection, which can include usernames and passwords from your various online accounts.

6Think before allowing others access to connect to your Wi-Fi network. If the person’s computer or smart-

phone has been compromised, it could introduce a virus to your trusted network. In simple terms, it is like allowing a burglar into your house disguised as your friend.

7 Anywhere you are signing in to a secure service, for example PayPal, or Hotmail then you need to type the

web address starting ‘https://’ – the /s/ means you are using a secure connection. There should be a green padlock symbol on your browser, which proves there is a Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certificate, encrypting the traffic between your computer and the Internet service. This essentially means that the content is scrambled up in transit, so that only you and the end point server can see the information in clear text.


Business – inTerneT securiTy

8Split your emails, so rather than linking your Facebook, Twitter, forums and banking to one email address, separate them.

You could use one for your social networking, and one for your financial business. Social networks can easily attract hackers, and so it is in your interest to keep these as non-linked as possible.

9Do not use a public network for financial transactions. So no Internet cafes, or even friend’s houses, as you do not know

if their system is secure or encrypted. Without terrifying you with stories of how hackers operate, just know that they do, and they are very smart! Some even go as far as setting up laptops in hotel lobbies and placing signs saying ‘Free Internet Access’. These types of often-effective traps (AKA Honey-traps) can lead to identity theft, meaning that your details can be stolen and used by other people to access your funds or other personal information.

10Never click on a URL (hyper-link) that has been sent to you via email. Even if it seems legit or official, do not be

tempted. Known as ‘Spear Phishing’, these fake emails are sent with links to false pages that are guised to look like the official page i.e. a login for online banking. So re-type the whole address into your browser (refer to Tip 7). It is a good idea to contact your bank via phone or visit the branch to verify any content that may cause you concern, and to highlight it to authorities for investigations. Do not reply to these emails, or click on any links! Also, be weary of just clicking on any links generated by search engines, as Internet fraud professionals and hackers are very good at what they do and even Google can be fooled in to listing false or criminal websites. n

Stay Secure! Be Vigilant! Take Care!

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Business | pr

An article titled DIY PR featured in the first ever issue of HTM back in January 2012 – it was very popular with our readers, and so here are more ways on how you can do PR yourself… using the World Wide Web

it is vital that your customers, clients, colleagues, and even competitors perceive your business in a positive way that reflects your brand ethos. PR stands for Public Relations, and it is a broad subject that goes hand-in-hand with advertising and market-ing. Hiring a PR professional can be an expensive outgoing, which at a small level may not be financially justifiable – but there is plenty you can do yourself, especially online. in the modern world that we live in, technology has a massive part to play in the major areas of any business; continue reading for some Dos and Don’ts of online PR practise.

Do use relevant social-networking sites like Facebook, Four Square and twitter. this will strengthen your online presence in a positive and productive way, and help you connect with previous, current and future clients, as well as other holistic profession-als. Such sites also offer extra benefits like an increase to your Search Engine Optimi-sation (we’ve tips on SEO next issue). PR is all about reputation, so portray your business online in the same

way you would offline. For the best advice on setting up your profiles, plus tips, ensure that you read social-networking expert JP’s article each issue. Don’t write any negative messages or content about anybody else. You may think something is witty, or harm-less, but sometimes the impact of written words can cause communication problems,

or be offensive, and subsequently create negative PR for you and your business.

Do include PR features to your current website, by adding your social-networking

buttons. Add hints and informative videos to your website too, so that

you are providing a personal touch for visitors. testimonials are a great way to show potential clients that you have satisfied customers. So get some glowing

reviews; include names and a smiling image for maximum PR ef-fectiveness. Don’t get a friend to write a list of bogus testimonials,

as you are only cheating yourself. Remember qual-

ity over quantity, so avoid including lots of average, too long, or similar content.

Do contact online maga-zines and industry blogs

with news, stories or case studies. Suggest

becoming a guest blogger. Being

a blogger

on an established industry site marks you as an expert in your field and will undoubtedly lead to more clients, as you will be seen as trustworthy, professional and knowledgeable. if writing is not your thing, then you could of-fer your product or services as a competition or giveaway prize for visitors of their sites. Websites are usually crying out for good free content, so do your research and see which ones suit your style and area of expertise… there are lots of them! Don’t hound online editors for inclusion, they are busy and it is likely they will get back to you when your blog is suited to their feature list. A polite chase via email will be sufficient after about a week of sending something through. Also, avoid sending non-relevant material.

Do surf the web, and do your research. Knowing your competitors is vital. You can assess what other brands or busi-nesses are doing promotion wise. Subscribe to relevant newsletters and be abreast of industry news. Don’t blatantly copy competitors’ ideas, be inspired and adapt them. Also, avoid getting sucked into the wonderful internet world of wasting time.

Do write your own press releases and email them to relevant online magazines. Address the recipient by name, and take the time to slightly cater your message by using their name throughout, and by mention-ing their publication, or cross-referencing a time you may have spoken with them, or even met them; and you are likely to get a response nearly 100% of the time. Post your news on free press release distribution sites i.e. PRFire.co.uk or PRLog.org – where you can also easily embed your pressroom into your own website. Don’t email spam messages to everybody – that may work for a regular newsletter as a marketing strategy, but PR is all about relationship building and being personable. Do it right, and the effects are fantastic for your business. n

pr is All ABouT repuTATion

DIY PR


Business | puBlic relATions

Online

Turn over to read how you can write your own press release >


Business – puBlic relATions & MArkeTing

RELEASE YOUR NEWS

AROUND THE WORLD

TRADitiONALLY, press releases were sent to editors and reporters, and it was the only

way anyone could potentially have their news printed. Nowadays, mainly due to the internet, a single news release can reach hundreds and thousands of people. this is great for business people who do not have access to media contacts. the key to writing a news release is to be engaging enough for journalists and editors to find it, read it, and publish it, either online or in print. So here is some advice for writing the perfect release.


Business – puBlic relATions & MArkeTing

Think like a journalist. Press releases have to be written like articles, as they go directly to news sites, portals, bloggers, and to customers, not just to journalists. the media have the choice of printing your releases, or taking the information they need to write their own piece. So establish who your audience is, what the actual news is, and how you can grab the attention of the reader. Find a story angle to your news, add relevant quotes, and write concisely, but with passion and flair. Add any download links, or contact information, so that they have access to images and can obtain anything else from you that they may need. it may be a case of another story falling through for the publication or journo at the last minute, and they may need a replacement by deadline. if you have everything available for them, as well as a story they like, then they are more likely to publish your news.

Write a winning headline. Many people do not read passed a headline – but if the headline entices them to read on, then you are half way there. So look at headlines in magazines and newspapers, and even online, and see which ones work for you and why. Long headlines are not as effective as punchy ones with the use of persuasive language features, such as a play on words, or alliteration (repeating the same sound more than once), or even use a question. if you are using a lot of social-networking websites, it may be worthwhile keeping the title under sixty characters, so that it fits neatly on a twitter post. A catchy headline on social-networking sites will encourage clicks on

your link, as well as others sharing your headline and link.

Get to the point. Keep your release concise. it is okay to have plenty of information, but keep it relevant and engaging. the reader doesn’t want to have to get to the end of the release before they find out what the news is, in fact if they don’t get the picture pretty quickly then it is likely that they will not read the entire release due to frustration or boredom. Remember you can add hyperlinks, taking them to more information if they need it. the point of a press/news release is to share news, not the entire history of the product or biography of the expert. it is not a novel or memoir, so get to the point and stick to it.

Content is key. Do not waffle. Only write relevant content that is targeted at your reader and that will result in positive awareness of your brand or product. Be informative, adding important dates, venues, or any other details.

Don’t be too Search Engine Friendly. You have just read that content is key, and so there really is no need to go overboard with the

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) features. Anybody reading your release does not want to be bombarded with unnecessary repetition just to achieve high ranking in search engine results. Good content will also rank highly. Add links, and link the release to your social-networking websites, and this will also improve your SEO. You can read more on SEO next issue.

Avoid generic releases. Remember there is no limit to the amount of releases you put out there, if they are targeted they will be more effective. More value will come from your story if it is up-to-date and specific.

Make it newsworthy. Okay, so this may sound an obvious one. Once you get the hang of the PR thing, you will realise that you can draw news out of practically nothing, and you will realise too that the effectiveness of that news spreading in a positive way will be down to how you release your story. But at this stage, it is highly advisable not to just write a news release for the sake of it, as this will be transparent and after feeling somewhat tricked a few times, the journalists and other readers will not consider reading your future releases, even if they have a great headline or story. they will judge them as just more releases of a long list of non-newsworthy ones. So you want to enhance your reputation and raise your business awareness, as opposed to annoy people or damage your brand.

Publishing your release. You can upload your release on your website, on a PR release website, as well as linking to

social-networking sites. You can also find relevant blogs and send an email to the blogger or editor of the online magazine with a link to your release. Remember to address the person by name, wherever possible, as well as putting their name in the subject heading of the email. this shows you are not spamming them, and that you have carefully chosen their website to contact, as it suits your news or brand. Use the same personable approach when emailing your release to print publications, and only approach relevant magazines and newspapers. Be brief in your email, and provide a link to your release, as well as copy and paste the content into the body of the message. this means that the recipient can see the news with little effort.

Good luck with sharing your news, and remember that any contact details you include will be published online so be mindful not to add your personal information. Check out page 16 for ten top tips on Internet Security.

Format your press release:

• Add the date, and write ‘For immediate Release’ or the specific date of release

• Add an enticing headline • Add a sub heading or a few

lines as a teaser paragraph• Add your relevant

content – include links, images, and quotes

• Round up with contact information

• You can include notes for the editor, which may include further background in brief that maybe relevant but not suited to the story

only WriTe relevAnT conTenT ThAT is TArgeTed AT your reAder


Business – creATiviTy WiTh JAne sheehAn

THink

THe BoxJane Sheehan, author of ‘Sole Trader:

The Holistic Therapy Business Handbook’, teaches you some of her creative thinking techniques

THE techniques used to spark creative thinking can be applied in any area of your life, and especially in your business. Most people, when solving a problem, tend

to think in a linear fashion: “Here’s where i am now, there’s where i have to get to.” “How can i get from A to B by the shortest route?” this works well some of the time. But sometimes, we want a solution that isn’t following trends. We want to jolt our normal thinking so that we can come up with an ingenious, innovative, exciting solution that will surprise and delight us, as well as our customers. And so, here are some ideas that will teach you to do exactly that…

• Random word game: Select lots of different words. Write them down on paper. Separate each word by cutting the paper. Put the words in a bowl. Pull out a word. By introducing a random word and trying to fit it to a problem, your brain will be creating new associations, which you wouldn’t have otherwise thought of. Action: In your therapy business, what is your immediate problem? Select a random word and use it to brainstorm your issue. Write down your ideas.

• Analyse a different industry’s processes: if you’re trying to come up with a new sales offer for your business, there may be some commonly held practices in other industries that you could adapt to suit your business. For many years it was common in the car industry for a dealership to ‘buy back’ the old car, in exchange for a deal on a new car. in reality, the dealership is offering a small discount with a large perceived value. it solves the customer’s dilemma about what to do with the old car, and if there is any value left in the car it can be realised at a later date over and above the profit of the sale of the new car. Since then, photocopier and computer companies have followed suit by offering their own ‘buy back’ schemes. think of the offers you

23holistictherapistmagazine.com

Business – creATiviTy WiTh JAne sheehAn

have seen in the past…’pile it high and sell it cheap’; ‘two for one offers’; ‘buy one, get one free’; ‘free sample of x with every purchase of y’, to name a few. Action: Choose an industry that you know nothing about. Analyse its business processes, and discover whether any can be tweaked and used in your business.

• Ask an amateur: When i started my business, i said to my friend, “imagine you are in the town centre. there are young mums with prams; groups of teenagers; and a couple of guys with sports bags over their shoulders. All these people are walking past with money in their pocket, ready to spend it. How can i persuade them to spend it in my business?” My friend’s reply was “Give them what they can’t get at home!” i’m sure, with hindsight, he was being slightly smutty – a fact lost on me at the time. But, i did think about what they couldn’t get at home, and thought about how that idea could influence my advertising, how i describe my treatments and what sort of therapy environment i could create.

When i published my first book, i didn’t know anything about the publishing industry. i asked myself “what would i need to do to publish a book?” i wrote a list and set about doing just that. if i had followed the industry standards it would have cost more, taken longer to produce and i wouldn’t have discovered the latest

cutting edge technology to assist me in my endeavour. Because i had no pre-conceived ideas about how it has always been done, i was able to take advantage of innovations. Action: Ask an amateur for ideas.

• Look for ideas in unusual places: the other night, whilst watching an episode of ‘the Paradise’ on tV, the plotline inspired me to write this article: in the show, a character named Denise used her inside knowledge of the department store business to steal a march on her large competitor ‘the Paradise’; she bought all the remaining stock of the ‘Midnight ink’-coloured fabric, which had been flying off the shelves.

“Scarcity creates demand”… As an item or service becomes more sought after, you can increase prices due to that market demand. in the early days of computers when i worked for a company selling DRAMS (digital random access memory chips), production wasn’t fast enough to meet the demand, so the price was artificially high to limit that demand. contracts were produced whereby favoured customers could be guaranteed a certain level of supply in exchange for a fixed price. Action: What is in high demand in your industry that appeals to your client base? Could you give a similar offer, undercut it, or even improve on it?

thinking back to this episode of ‘the Paradise’, i noted that the demand for

that particular fabric had been created artificially, by a lady-of-note pretending that she had selected it for her wedding dress, so, even though it wasn’t a very good product, ‘celebrity’ made it desirable. this is known as “the Halo Effect” and you can see it used in modern businesses through sponsorship deals, and celebrity endorsements. Action: Can you use “The Halo Effect” in your business? Have you seen evidence of a “celebrity” using

the treatment you offer? Could you mention this in your marketing? Just as I am known as the UK’s leading Foot Reader, could you be the “celebrity” in your industry by using your expertise to position yourself as an industry expert? How would you go about doing this?

We WAnT A soluTion ThAT isn’T FolloWing Trends

For more ideas, see “Sole trader: the Holistic therapy Business Handbook” by Jane Sheehan, or log on to footreading.com

HOLiStic tHERAPiSt 2013


Business – lJ’s JournAl

Tax iT uPLouise Jensen continues her business journal by sharing with HTM readers how she ensures her self-assessment tax return is completed just in time for deadlines (with the help of a glass of wine)

WHEN i first made the big leap into running my own business, i thought no further ahead than

my love of therapy and how awesome it would be to make a living out of it. On the advice of my self-employed sister, i registered my business with HMRc, filled out the paperwork for a National insurance exemption certificate, and then promptly forgot about the ‘boring’ stuff. Of course, on some level i knew that cash was changing hands and income tax would need to be paid at some point, but i lodged this firmly into my subconscious and thoroughly enjoyed my first year of self-employment.

When the paperwork for my annual tax return arrived, i felt so overwhelmed that i hid it until the week before it was due. then with great trepidation and a little help from both a friend, and several bottles of chardonnay, i tackled the mammoth task of collating my income and expenditure for the entire year in one go. the biggest challenge of all was actually finding bank statements and receipts, some of which were scattered around the house in various places, others had festered for so long in my bottomless handbag that they had either disintegrated or were lost forever. Miraculously, it was completed (only just) before the deadline. i escaped the late fees by the skin of my teeth and vowed never to be so disorganised again.

i promptly signed up for an evening course (RSA Accounting and Book-keeping) at my local school, which i found surprisingly enjoyable. Although i learnt way more than i currently need to know, it enabled me to approach this now necessary part of my life with methodology and confidence.the first thing i did was to set up a separate business bank account. Luckily, i encountered a really lovely clerk

in my local branch; she whispered to me that although i had my current account that there would be hefty fees for their business services and advised me to go next door where there would be no charge. On a roll, i then went shopping (something i never avoid) and bought a duplicate receipt

book, and various files - i was good to go!For each treatment, i give my client a

receipt from a duplicate book. My copy gets filed away in the relevant month’s income file. i don’t take card payments so all the cash and cheques i receive are paid into the bank each week. Out of this, i transfer twenty-five-per-cent to a separate savings account to cover tax and i draw a percentage of the remainder each month for my personal living expenses.

throughout the year, for everything i buy i consider whether it would be used for the benefit of the business or not. if it can, it is tax-deductible and the receipts are filed in an expenses folder (i.e. a percentage of my gas and electric as i use part of my home office/treatment space, phones, and fuel, i record my mileage when i travel to clients, give talks).

i now choose to pay National insurance contributions on a monthly basis. After my first year exemption i began paying class 2, and i have now increased this to class 4 to ensure i receive a state pension when i am older.

On the first day of every month i sit

seT up A sepArATe Business BAnk AccounT

down with my obligatory glass of wine and enter all relevant figures from the previous month on to a spreadsheet. At the end of each tax year, i enter my annual figures online, and box up all the paperwork to store for the legal six-year requirement. i find this routine simple, yet strangely satisfying. n


Business | TAx MyThs

‘Tax’ may as well be a four-letter obscenity, judging by the response it conjures when heard or read by the majority of the population. However, if we rectify some of the common myths, then tax may not be such a dirty, scarlet word in our mental dictionaries. Here are five falsified:

1) Myth: Only taxpayers with children can claim Tax CreditsFALSE… You do not need to have children to claim tax credits, as you can claim Working tax credits if you are working and receiving a low income. this is sometimes the case when starting out on your own business venture, especially within the first two years of trading products or services, as outgoings can exceed incomings. tax credits are not taxable, and you can claim Working tax credits if you are self-employed or employed. You can also qualify for both child tax credits and Working tax credits. calculate how much you qualify for by visiting hmrc.gov.uk. 2) Myth: Offshore tax dodging is the best way to save cashFALSE… A sure way to reduce a large tax bill is to stash your cash offshore, but this is essentially damaging to your reputation, and has serious implications on the overall economy of your country. if offshore accounts are set-up for the purpose of tax-avoidance, and as a result means you are

being dishonest, then this is an illegal act. it is usually the super-rich business people or celebrities that have been known to get involved in these ‘schemes’, as their tax increases exponentially in correlation to their earnings. But where does that leave the small businesses? it is perfectly legal and expected for small businesses and self-employed sole-traders to have bank accounts with certain banks in other countries – so don’t panic! Just ensure

that all of your correspondence and transactions are transparent.3) Myth: Only one partner needs to file a tax return for a partnership businessFALSE… if you operate your business as a partnership, then all partners are required to file a tax return. this involves completing a Self Assessment form, plus filling in the partnership page, as well as an actual Partnership Return form; this declares each partner’s share of profit and loss. Even

though it is your partner’s responsibility to file their own forms, you are both liable for penalty costs in the event of late submission. Partners are also responsible for paying their own share of the tax incurred by your joint business, as well as their own class 4 National insurance contributions.

4) Myth: Submitting Tax Returns early means you have to pay your tax earlyFALSE… tax is due by the end of the tax year or accounts year. So just because you file your return early doesn’t mean you have to pay out early, it just means that you are more prepared. Also, it allows you or your accountant more time to deal with any potential issues, and takes off the pressure around deadlines.5) Myth: All businesses are liable for Corporation TaxFALSE… corporation tax differs from income tax, and not all businesses need to pay it, including Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), traditional partnerships, and sole-traders. there are significant differences between the tax for companies and that for individuals: For more information head to hmrc.gov.uk. n

whaT The T@*?! Business - TAx MyThs

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Business - AccounTs

Turn over for David Balen’s ABS of Money Management >

Drop the worry weight DO you feel like you are carrying

a heavy worry weight around with you, all because you cannot

get your head around your accounts? Some people just don’t enjoy digits and figures! If you feel weighed down with the burden of bookkeeping and finances, then it would be wise to hire a reliable professional to deal with this side of your business. Here are five tips to help you source the perfect accountant…

1 Just like with the holistic industry, other businesses also thrive on word-

of-mouth recommendations. Ask friends, family and professionals whom it is they employ or rate highly. it is likely there is a fabulous accountant in your social-network, but you just don’t know it yet.

2 choose an accountant that has experience of your industry. Some

accountants specialise in sport, or entertainment, or in dealing with large corporations, and others work with holistic therapists. if your accountant knows your industry already, then they can cater for your specialist needs and are the best choice to support you and your business.

3 Research is essential when hiring an accountant, especially as you need

to trust them with your finances. Once you’ve been recommended one, look them up on the internet; read testimonials; see how they operate; how efficient their website is; where they are based; and what their credentials are. it is vital that the accountant has current qualifications (AcccA, AiA or icAEW), awarded by Recognised Qualifying Bodies (RQBs).

4 You need to have a good rapport with your accountant, and so it is best

to telephone and book an appointment to meet the whole accounts team.

5 Whilst you do not want to spend heaps, cheap is not always the best option!

You’ll find if you are a small business or sole-trader that the yearly cost is worth the time of the professional. You can also opt to have the fee directly debited from your bank each month, and so the amount can easily be allocated for. Obviously, the more money you make, and the more your business grows, then the more complicated your accounts can become, and so costs are likely to increase. However, a good trustworthy accountant is worth their weight in gold, which means that you can lighten your load, and freely focus on the parts of your business that you are good at.


Business – dAvid BAlen’s Business Advice

dEFiNED recently in an interview by American investment guru and billionaire, Ken Fisher: Money is

“Love” or “the work of the Devil”. the ‘new age’ view however, can brand money as benign, or simply a form of energy, coloured by our motives and intention.

What are thoughts on money? Are you highly motivated to earn more, to give yourself more freedom, more choice and power in your life? Do you want money to “spread the love”? Whatever your philosophy on money, you still have to get to grips with how to manage it.

those of you who are newly qualified or close to qualifying, need to think about your day-to-day business life, your strategies, and strengthening your will to succeed. Money and success are often confused and conflated. Success for you may be achieving targets in the number of people you have helped, improving your qualities and abilities as a person and/or as a therapist, whereas financial success is something different. it will require you to focus in a sustained way, to micro-manage, as well as macro-manage, and to develop skills in action and the best use of resources available.

Do you take a cheap shortcut or choose a more expensive, quality option? For me the word ‘practice’ embodies brand, image, style, therapeutic and personal development, whereas ‘business’ embodies

other skills, often learnt the hard way by novices. No matter

how many books you read and people you

speak to, ultimately, it is the build-up of day-to-day decision-making, audit trails and management that, over time will feed back to

you your progress. Friends and colleagues

can help of course, but wherever possible seek

advice from people who are successful in what you want to do, (rather than theorists) trust your own hunches and intuitions – Back yourself in business!

Having said that, there is no substitute for getting as much professional support as you can pay for. Good accountants will help you with tax-saving ideas, and dealing with HMRc. However, you don’t necessarily need one in the very beginning. contact the HMRc and let them know you are starting a new business. Make sure your record-keeping system is regular, effective and simple to maintain.

Your system (written or digital) should record Expenses broken by category on one side, with income recorded on the other. Always record money received (break it down if necessary) so that it matches your patient appointment diary, your bank statements and your accounting records. if the Revenue does decide to look into your tax affairs – you will stand up to close scrutiny!

A) ADVISOR Get an Ethical independent Financial Advisor. An iFA will help you with strategy, support you in financial decision-making to achieve your stated goals, and help you make sense of financial matters. they will also help you protect your business and family from financial problems in the event of death, total disablement, accident or illness – Sadly an area that many therapists tend to overlook. Advisors can also source loans and mortgages, guide you on investment and help facilitate later life planning. B) BANK Set up a separate bank account for the business and take your drawings from that into a personal account – an audit trail is therefore established. Make sure you remember that all money received is ‘gross’– you may have to pay tax on a proportion. C) COLLECT & CONNECT Keep your receipts for tax relief, and record all your purchases in connection with the business. if the money isn’t there, then make sure that you resist the temptation to splash out on that desired new piece of equipment. investment in your business, whether it is learning new skills; giving spare time; or buying equipment that will solidly translate into income, is a wise option.

i would like to conclude this very brief ABc of Money Management with my golden rule… “Don’t spend more than you earn, instead own more than you owe!” Obvious really, but it is surprising how a lack of planning, sustained determination, and focus in managing the day-to-day detail causes many therapy businesses to fail in the first few years – Don’t be one of them! n

oWn More ThAn you oWe

Proprietor of H&L Balen and Co, David Balen provides basic steps to managing money matters

THe aBC oF MoneY ManaGeMenT


Business | MArk shields’ coAching

When we decided to write this book, we had five key objectives in mind:

1 To create a practitioner business bible, unlike anything else available today for holistic

practitioners. this would be focused on the different stages of setting up a holistic wellbeing practice, including setting up your practice; the first six months; six to eighteen months; and finally, the future, i.e. sustaining the performance of a successful holistic practice.

2 To share the secrets of our own success, by allowing our industry audience to benefit and

model the success of the Life Practice UK, together with the lessons learned from coaching hundreds of holistic practitioners over the last ten years.

3 By sharing top sales and marketing tips, that Mark

had learned as a corporate sales director, and explaining and demonstrating how those same set of skills could be transferred successfully into the cAM industry.

4 To gather the holistic industry’s

best known leading experts, to join together and have their tips, advice and secrets all found together within the single business bible.

5Having successful practitioners as contributing authors, sharing their own success stories and tips

and advice for holistic wellbeing practitioners to model.

I hope you enjoy this short extract of the book, on one of the most challenging topics facing holistic practitioners >

THe CaM CoaCHThis issue, we have reviewed Mark Shields’ book, co-authored with Simon Martin; it is said to be helping holistic practitioners and their businesses all over the world... Mark tells us more about The CAM Coach

Charging your Clients

“So many practitioners have challenges with charging their clients especially when they are just starting out.I am glad to say nearly all of them move forward from this and realise the value they put on themselves is reflected in their charges and a lot of clients know this.What client would want to work with a practitioner that charged middle-of-the road prices and came across as an average practitioner or therapist?

Clients associate ability with money. The more expensive you are, the better you are, and within reason, who doesn’t want the best? Your client most definitely will.I have coached many practitioners over the years that approach me for help, as business is far from booming and they only have a few clients.

The first thing I always do is review their pricing structure, and normally increase their prices by at least 50%, sometimes more.In every case they see an enormous, immediate improvement in client footfall. People want the best – don’t ever forget it.Three years ago I worked with a struggling team of nutritional therapists based in Harley Street. They were on the verge of closing shop, as they were averaging, between six of them, just over £1500 per month.

The first thing I did was double their prices. The very next month I had a phone call from the Managing Director, telling me they had had their best ever month since they started trading some years before, and had grossed over £6000 for the month.They were delighted. This change to their pricing structure had increased their business by 400%.When I met them, they were seriously considering reducing their prices as they believed this was the reason why they weren’t getting enough clients.

I have seen this a number of times with different practitioners. Never reduce your prices. It is the beginning of the end if you do. Remember that”



Business – suMMer prepArATion

Wow! can you imagine a life where every day you get up bursting with enthusiasm to go to work? A life where you can make your own hours? Have time to go to that yoga class in the middle of the day? Pay yourself a decent salary? And most importantly, pack your bags every summer and take off for a whole month? Well, this is all possible, and i am going to share with you, how you can earn 35K, as a therapist and take the summer off…

Who would say “no” to that? Yet the issue that most therapists come up against, time and time again, is an inability to make a living out of the profession they love. the website, payscale.com puts the average

massage therapist’s earnings in the UK at £11,400-£14,983 for one to four years’ experience. that’s less than the average wage of the seventeen-year-old at your local fast-food outlet! We do also, have a tendency to subject ourselves to terrible working conditions, especially being self-employed – crazy hours; no holidays; scarce money for further training, and the list goes on. Yet it is more than possible to earn a great living as a therapist, and to have time to enjoy your life as part of the bargain. So, to quote the great philosopher Bob-the-Builder – can we make a great living as a therapist? – the unequivocal answer is “YES WE cAN!”

I am Rachel Fairweather; the co-founder and director of The Jing Institute of Advanced Massage Training – I do what I love, and love what I do. Jing Institute is an organisation dedicated to excellence in all aspects of postgraduate massage training, and in helping massage therapists have the lifestyle and business they deserve. I’ve personally been earning a living from massage for twenty years, and I take every summer off!

TAke The suMMer oFF! Meg, Skelly and Me


Business – suMMer prepArATion

Three Jing Massage students

Visualise your paradise holiday when rebooking your clients for their next appointment

Three cardinal errors of therapists the economics of being self-employed are actually resoundingly simple: the only way to pay yourself more, is either to bring in further money, or to cut your costs. i find that therapists’ costs are usually minimal, so this is not an option. However, most therapists are making one of three basic errors: 1. Not charging enough 2. Not enough clients coming through the door 3. Not rebooking clients, so only seeing them once So how is it possible to reach our dream goal of 35K profit per year? First of all, it is important to work out actually how much you need to charge per client to make your target salary.

1 Work out your costs: Let’s assume your costs are £11,000 per annum – this

would include for example, clinic room rental; your own further training; website costs etc. So you would need to bring in a total of £46K per year to pay yourself a salary of 35K… With me so far? Good!

2 Decide how many weeks per year you are going to work: Right, so you

want to take six weeks holiday over the year – a nice month in the summer and a couple of weeks at christmas. that leaves us a total of forty-six weeks working time.

3 Calculate how much you need to earn per week to bring in your target

amount: Handily in our example we would need to earn £1000 per week, (£46,000 divided by 46 weeks).

4 Calculate how many clients at what price you need to see to make

your target income: this is your crunch figure and a great surprise to most therapists who are usually undercharging for their time. A full time workload for most therapists, whether you are doing massage, aromatherapy, beauty treatments, homeopathy or counseling, is twenty client-hours per week. the rest of your workweek should be devoted to marketing and administration of your business. in our example, you would need to charge £50 per client-hour to bring in the required £1000 per week, (20 clients x £50). i need to stress that this a reasonable average amount to pay in ALL areas

of the UK for an hour of a therapist’s time! Some areas will be able to charge more, but i know therapists working in the most deprived parts of the country who are able to charge £50 per hour. The golden secret to building your business… is getting the clients, and keeping the clients! “Okay, so that’s all very well”, i hear you cry – “but how do we get these twenty clients a week, to support our dream lifestyle?” there will be plenty of top tips in future articles in this great magazine, but i will leave you with one golden secret to whet your appetite…

it’s a well-known fact in marketing, that it is far easier to KEEP a client than attract a new one. the mistake i see therapists making time and time again is not rebooking their clients! You need to do it there and then, at the time of payment. So the top tip for today is… the next time you see a client, take a deep breath, visualise that holiday in the sun, get your diary out and re-book them!

HAPPY PAcKiNG, as it looks like your great summer holiday is one step closer. n

jingmassage.com / [email protected] tel: 01273 628942 Facebook: Jing Institute of Advanced Massage Training twitter! @JingInstitute

PaCk your BaGS every SuMMer and take oFF For a Whole Month

&aLexandeR HouSe uToPia SPa

Vicky Downes headed to the beautiful retreat of Alexander House - Hotel and Utopia Spa – her review of her stay will certainly whet your appetite for this issue’s competition prize…

aS i approached the tree-covered drive to get to the spa, i immediately felt a sense of relaxation - the only noises i could hear were songs from the few birds braving the cold, and the

wheels of my car creating a crunch as i drove across the gravel. Having parked up, i was greeted by a beautiful 17th-century country manor. i could have been in a tV period drama, similar to Downtown Abbey!

Upon arrival i was met by Lindsey the spa manager – her hospitality was overwhelming. i was shown around the hotel and spa, and it was apparent that so much detail has gone into the décor; the hotel is one of three, and owned by a husband and

wife. the wife is an interior designer and designs all the hotels herself. the vintage style with twists of contemporary colour is just stunning, and in keeping with the era. Once taken to my room, i was surprised at how spacious and comfortable it was. Equip with all the modern conveniences, - (even relaxation cD’s). Each room within the hotel is generously sized, with a unique style; no two rooms are the same, and they display sophistication and grandeur. i had to contain myself as i walked into the bathroom - A marbled room with sunken bath and walk-in steam shower. there was no expense spared here, and the attention to detail didn’t go unnoticed.



Business | coMpeTiTion FeATure

the spa certainly lived up to my expectations… it reminded me of the Roman baths; columns surrounding the pool area, with blue lighting that gave me a sense of calm. Having finished a few lengths of the pool – (just so i felt like i’d done some exercise) - i hit the hydro pool, and this is where i remained for a while, and a while longer… and a while longer still!

“Hhum?” looking out of the glass door, seeing the hot tub bubbling away with the remaining snow glistening around the edge, i wondered whether i could be so brave… but you only live once right? Opening the door i did my best to play it cool, as i strolled towards the hot tub in the cold, and quickly jumped in! “Arhh!” now that was worth it! i was enjoying a warm bubbling bath, and at the same time taking in crisp fresh air and serene views - amazing - the peace and quiet gave me time to just collect my thoughts and drift off into another world… well, that was until i remembered how cold i was going to feel when i got out!

My next stop was the therapy rooms

for my full body massage. My therapist was wonderful, and made me feel totally relaxed, (although i was conscience of falling completely to sleep in case i snored!) i was actually so surprised when my time was up, as i was enjoying it so much. i felt ready to sit down and taste some culinary delights.

there are two areas to eat; the Reflections brassiere, where i had the opportunity to have lunch, or the 2 AA-Rosette restaurant; AG’s, where i had the most wonderful dining experience. Alexander House is very relaxed, and yes, you’re able to order a glass of wine or two

with your meal. the bar area is quaint with a beautiful open log fire in the centre. there was a vast selection of champagne, wines, and spirits on offer, each being hand-selected to stock by the bar manager.

the attention the staff gave was very personable and charming, leaving me feeling rather special. i was blessed to have the senior waiter (who i have to say looked just like Al Pacino), look after me at dinner. Presented with a glass of champagne, canapés and a menu i set to choosing my meal. the variety of food was excellent and catered for everyone’s dietary needs. i was pleased to find out that the portions were far from shy! God-bless my belly as i sunk my teeth into some homemade bread, starters, and a main course. Significantly full, i couldn’t even manage desert, despite having my heart set on hazelnut praline soufflé. So that’s my excuse for wanting to return, as i didn’t have a big enough handbag to smuggle the soufflé home with me! Feeling totally satisfied, i waddled off to bed and one of the best night’s sleep i’ve had in a long time (must be the Harrods’ Egyptian cotton sheets!)

if you’re after relaxation and indulgence, then this is the spa for you too. i’d like to thank everyone at Alexander House - Hotel and Utopia Spa for making me feel very welcome. the experience was five-star luxury, and i will definitely be visiting again soon.

i Could have Been in a tv Period draMa

Find out more about the prize

provider: alexanderhouse.co.uk

WIN! WIN! WIN!HTM has teamed up with Alexander House - Hotel and Utopia Spa, for

this issue’s competition prize. So to be in with a chance of winning a

luxury overnight stay for two at the five-star resort worth up to £600,

complete the following sentence and send your answers via email, with

subject heading: ‘Utopia’, to [email protected].

“I need to be pampered because...”

Terms & Conditions: The prize includes one overnight stay for two, in a junior suite with dinner

(up to the value of £35pp), plus full English breakfast. Each guest can choose from either a

25- minute massage or 25-minute facial. The prize is non-refundable or transferable. Booking

is subject to availability. All guests must be over 18. Winners must be a minimum age of 18

years old, be a holistic professional, and a UK resident, and will be announced in our next issue.


Business | dr hopWood’s soApBox

The complementary cancer care conferences roll on, with another in Bristol

in April focusing on integrative oncology… So the doctors, the healers and the charity heads are really beginning to stand up and speak out on the principles and practices of health cultivation, which is wonderful! But what is the bottom line? What are the fundamental prerequisites of correct and sustainable physiological functioning? And are we getting any closer to a clear understanding?

this quarter, i want to share with you what i consider to be, specifically, some of the corner stones of establishing and maintaining a foundation for a well-resourced healthy immune system. When i see a patient in my clinic, i always consider some common and vital mineral and vitamin deficiencies.

Iodineiodine is known and shown to be the raw fuel form which thyroid hormones are made, which are vital to our metabolism, circulation, immunity and vitality. the WHO iodine deficiency report states categorically that the vast majority of the western world is significantly iodine deficient. the Japanese through their huge consumption of seaweed, take an average of 12.5mg of iodine per day, which is fifty times the average UK intake, and they have roughly half our

neonatal mortality rate and half our incidence of breast cancer, is there a connection? Fluoride is a competitive halogen with iodine, so fluoridating our water

and toothpaste drives iodine out of our system, filling deficient iodine receptor sites with toxic fluoride. in the absence of contraindicating circumstances, i recommend to mirror the Japanese level of iodine intake, as decades of superior health associated with iodine consumption is probably the largest and longest clinical trial with incontrovertible conclusions.

Vitamin D3 the next corner stone is Vitamin D. the vitaminDcouncil.org state also very clearly that if

you live north of Paris, that you WiLL be Vitamin D3 deficient as ‘we just don’t get enough sun!’ Sun screens and fear mongering about the sun and skin cancer haven’t helped much either, coincidentally and yet this amounts to the average UK person arriving under the 400 iU Recommended Daily Allowance, and having an intake twenty times less than the optimal 8,000 iU needed by most people. Vitamin D3 is even more important than we think, as it is a hormone precursor and vital for healthy bones, heart and mental function.Both these minerals and vitamins are hormone and immune system precursors without which we run significant risk. these are well-established deficiencies by the WHO research professors and the medical establishment who not only know about the effect and consequences of deficiency, but also seem to actually condone practices that exacerbate these deficiencies. Why does your G.P. not prescribe you with iodine and Vitamin D3 in accordance with all the research?

Magnesium Our soils contain fifty-per-cent less magnesium than they did fifty years ago, and hardly anybody eats enough organic green vegetables. We are repeatedly told we are calcium deficient, but actually we suffer

from calcium misplacement and significant magnesium deficiency, as these two minerals work in a balanced physiological pair. Again compared with the Japanese, we take four times the amount of calcium in our diets with all our dairy products etc, but we have twice the Japanese incidence of arthritis and osteoporosis. Why is this? Magnesium is best taken trans-dermally through Mgcl dead-sea salt oil, or Mg SO4 Epsom salt baths.

pH Most of us are far too acidic; driving calcium out of our bones, creating unhealthy bacteria in our guts, and profoundly unbalancing our bio-chemical processes. Normalising pH at around 7.325 can be done through an alkalising diet, super greens and taking sodium and potassium bicarbonate; restoring a vital foundation for correct physiological sustainability.

Giving our body what it needs and balancing our core vitamins and minerals is good common physiological sense. combine Vitamin c, iron, zinc, selenium, co enzyme Q10 with a B complex, along with the above combination of iodine, Vitamin D3, Magnesium and a regulated pH, and you’ll be half way to keeping your vehicle serviced, maintained and happily on the road to a long healthy life. n

We JusT don’T geT enough sun!

CoRneR SToneS ConneCTionSDoctor Stephen Hopwood shares vital information on how we can restore and maintain a healthy immune system

Now is the time!

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Pycnogenol-Holistic Therapy-Apr13.indd 1 16/04/2013 11:17:24


Business - sue’s MAsTer clAss in sAles

HAVE you ever bought or sold products following a reflexology, hot stone massage, or acupuncture session? if not! Why not?

it’s almost accepted in the industry that it’s okay to retail a nail polish after a manicure, or a moisturiser after a facial, but many therapists don’t have the same confidence in recommending when it comes to the holistic and complementary treatments. Why is this?

in my fifteen years as a therapist and lecturer, i have met hundreds of holistic therapists, and a high percentage of them do not feel comfortable retailing products in treatments. this is often due to a feeling of being ‘pushy’ or “i don’t want to be a salesperson” and to ‘sell’. i’m sure you have recommended a service or product such as car insurance provider, exercise class, even a hairdresser or dentist to a friend, family member and client before. Why? Because you believe that individuals would benefit from that particular service and you believe in it. What’s the difference in recommending a product you believe will help and benefit your client at home? installing a homecare programme will facilitate the speed in which your client will see results; in turn this reinforces your therapy and the industry as a whole.

Surely, it’s those who come to us for holistic therapies with specific conditions that need our additional advice and support,

which may involve using the products at home. Many may only be able to afford a session once every four to eight weeks, and so it is vital we provide guidance on how they can help themselves at home. Ultimately, we can only provide the best therapy, service and advice possible - we have to be compassionate with our clients and give them space to help themselves.

It’s often our own beliefs why we don’t retail – NOT our clients’client: carly

“I’ve been receiving treatments from Sue over the last five years for a range of stress-related conditions including IBS, poor sleep patterns, headaches and anxiety. The treatments are always amazing, but I soon came to realise I needed to make changes at home and to my lifestyle to see long-term results. I use products at home as a way of life now, to keep my symptoms at bay, and I have also introduced meditation, yoga as well as improved my diet… these have made such a difference. I trust Sue completely, and I know she will only recommend what I need, and these products work! I have recommended Sue to many of my stressed colleagues!”

My path as a therapist included a decade at one of the UK’s leading health spas, in which i held the top position in sales for eleven consecutive months, and in that time i never felt i ‘sold’ to a client.

Sue Masters encourages therapists to sell products in order to maximise their earnings

aRe You aCHievinG YouR eaRninG PoTenTiaL?

Provide the BeSt theraPy, ServiCe and adviCe PoSSiBle


Business - sue’s MAsTer clAss in sAles

i listened to why they booked the treatment and their concerns, tailored the treatment to their needs, advised a homecare routine and selected one or two key products, which would achieve their objectives. No arm-twisting or pressured selling involved, just passion, knowledge, and belief in the products i used. ‘Recommending’ the products you use can supplement your income and alleviate some of the physical pressures this profession often demands.

During the treatment, let the products you use do the talking, give plenty of time at the end of the session for the client to ask questions and to try the products you have used. there is nothing worse than feeling rushed and doing the fast, hard sell in two minutes before the next client’s appointment. Highlight some simple

suggestions that can be achieved at home, such as maintenance programmes, time management methods, and relaxation techniques, all related to the client’s objectives.

You need to be cONSiStENt. the busiest therapists are the ones who keep going and don’t give up! they deliver quality in treatments, service and products day in and day out… they believe in, and love what they do. n

therapist: Sue “Being a make-up artist, it has made such a difference being able to use great skin care products on my brides, as I feel if your skin looks good, your make-up will look even better. My belief in the products and the fact that

clients can immediately see the results, has boosted the retail side of my business, as clients want to purchase both the skincare and make-up products I use on them, continuing the benefit of the products at home”[email protected]

TOP TIPS: Sughra Khaliq

• Be genuine – appreciate that

your clients have a bathroom full

of products already, so introduce

them to new products gradually.

• Display products beautifully

for your client to test after the

treatment, and then highlight

the most effective one for them.

• Change your mindset and

acknowledge that your clients

are looking for ‘lifestyle’ changes,

and make recommendations

based on this.

ameerahconsulting.co.uk/


Business – colour TherApy

a CouRSe in CoLouRCollege principal and lead colour therapy tutor, Debra Goldston explains the benefits of colour therapy

Preya Chauhan is a happy graduate

iN colour therapy, full spectrum colour is used to help re-balance and

energise the body on physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels. Rather than offering one particular approach, colour therapists utilise a wide variety of different techniques and applications to restore balance, and therefore health and wellbeing. Some examples of techniques include: coloured cloths or silks to cover the body, crystals, colour energised oils or waters, full-spectrum lights and coloured gells, colour breath work, as well as visualisations and art therapy.

colour can have a profound effect on all levels, as working with different shades stimulates our natural healing processes. the brain perceives the visible wavelengths of light, as various colours and each colour wavelength vibrates at a particular frequency. colour therapists are trained to know that sub-atomic particles in the cells of the body also have vibrational frequencies, and when these frequencies are disrupted, illness can result. therefore, colour practitioners make use of colour wavelengths to correct imbalances and ‘re-attune’ the body’s vibrational energy in order to restore harmony.

colour therapy is a gentle treatment suitable for everyone regardless of their age,

condition, or life issue they are looking to improve. Extremely versatile and flexible in nature, it can be combined with all complementary therapies or, indeed, be offered as an entirely separate therapy. Some of the more common issues colour therapy may be able to assist range from stress and immune deficiency problems right through to insomnia and critical illness.

Our colour therapy courses can give you the skills and knowledge to help you start a brand new career, enhance your existing therapeutic skill-set, as well as improve your personal wellbeing, and develop your interest in colour therapy.

Most therapists will tell you that, whilst they love the work they already do and get great reward from being able to help a large number of their clients, there are still some instances

when they just can’t make that crucial breakthrough. colour therapy offers an apparently gentle and certainly very relaxing new healing modality, but with a powerful and profoundly effective kick. in simple terms, it really works! Requiring very little outlay beyond the initial training costs, it also offers a sensible new income stream opportunity. Preya chauhan, of cherish Healing, shares her thoughts, after graduating in the colour therapy course at clear intentions.

“I treated myself to a colour course for my birthday and was totally taken aback by the insight and strength of this modality. The teaching was a beautiful craft of information, practise and care, perfect for the way I learn. I look forward to sharing colour work with my clients,

and having this additional tool to help raise vibrations.”

Reader Offerthe course offered by clear intentions is recognised by the UK lead body in colour therapy – The Affiliation of Colour Therapy Organisations (ACTO) and carries full practitioner status. Delivered as a series of six days of college-based training, together with a number of home learning workbooks, it is highly comprehensive, and yet still flexible enough to meet the needs of those wishing to study alongside work and family commitments. it is suitable for both existing complementary therapists, and those without prior experience, wishing to start their therapy career. Full details of the clear intentions Practitioner Diploma in colour therapy are available via our website at clear-intentions.co.uk, or by emailing [email protected]. SPECIAL OFFER for all Holistic therapist Magazine readers… a massive 20% discount when you make a booking on the next colour therapy Diploma before 30th June 2013. Full details are provided on our website and we also offer bespoke one-to-one training for individuals who wish to learn on their own-specifically chosen dates n


you And your heAlTh – ArA eden’s colour FeATure

Have you ever witnessed a rainbow? then you are certain to recall that stop. And look. And smile… feeling you got staring at the misty multi-coloured magic, against the backdrop of murky grey storm clouds, whilst raindrops still shimmered on your windscreen. Anyone who has seen this natural, yet fleeting phenomenon will understand how colour impacts our spirit and lifts our mood. colour, much like music and scent, has the power to connect with us on an emotional level. Even subtle changes to our ‘colour-life’ can bring about the most wonderfully positive outcomes to how we feel in any situation.

By infusing your life with colour you are inviting sunshine into everyday. introduce colour into your home, into your wardrobe, into your workspace, into your diet, and slowly reap the reward.

Make an impact: colour has to be right, and in the right doses. A lack of colour can make life feel a little bland, but too much can cause distraction, and almost induce a migraine. Use the power of colour in the right places to calm and soothe, or motivate and enthuse.

Colour inspirations… think about the power of colour to get you started. imagine the warmth exuded by the red of a robin redbreast in the midst of an icy winter. think about the colours of nature, and the burst of green to mark the start of springtime. think about how you feel when you cover yourself with a red blanket. Now imagine the blanket is blue. Do you still feel as warm?

Living space… We all like to be surrounded by items that make us feel good, and creating a home or work environment using the right colours will help enhance the functionality of the space you are using. A bedroom or treatment room will feel a relaxing

retreat with light, warm colours, such as lavender or pale yellow, whereas an office space would benefit from white to aide clear thinking. A brightly coloured kitchen-diner or children’s play area is inviting, and welcomes guests and customers to stay, whereas a similar office environment may prove too distracting. A well-chosen painting would inject colour-life into an office. (turn to page 42 for interior designer Lisa Alward’s Feng Shui tips for your environment.)

Your wardrobe: if you feel like infusing your wardrobe with a bold colour statement, but feel overwhelmed, then try some bright accessories. A scarf or handbag in a seasonal shade will instantly lift your mood, without moving too far out of your colour-comfort-zone. An orange umbrella will brighten any rainy day (and you’re

less likely to leave it on the Underground). Baby-pink lifts most skin tones for when you feel a bit pale. Selecting blue will help you feel confident and in control at an interview, but don’t need to step out like a Smurf to feel the benefit! try navy combined with a pastel tone. (turn to page 48 for colourful accessory choices chosen by stylist Jac Lambert.)

Your Plate… imagine a jewelled salad of caremelised peppers on a bed of deep green leaves or the rich orange colour of carrot soup infused with ginger? A smaller portion of something bright, nutritious and delicious is more satisfying on the eye and the palate than a larger portion of a less healthy meal. introduce colours into your diet and you will feel more nourished, energised, as well as giving your waistline and immune system an extra boost. (turn to page 51 for more information on a nutritious rainbow diet with Karen Watkins.)

And when all else fails… Maybe you are not yet ready to fully embrace colour, but at least take the time to appreciate the colour around you…

• Buy a bunch of bright tulips and place them somewhere central. Watch how they open to greet the sun.

• Take time to catch an occasional sunrise or a sunset (even when it’s infused with a little tequila in the company of good friends!)

• Visit an old medieval church and marvel at the way the light floods through the stained glass windows and brings the colours and the building to life.

• Enhance your colour-experience by combining your chosen hue with scent or music to gain maximum sensory benefit.

Tell us how you have injected colour in your life: @HolisticTMag facebook.com/HolisticTMag n

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you And your heAlTh – visuAlisATion & Feng shui FeATure

FOR dreams and desires to inspire you to action, they need to be big. if you don’t

get excited about what you have planned, you will never find the inspiration to bring your dreams to life. Powerful dreams can move the soul, when you dream big; you will be driven to make the picture become a reality.

So what’s your big dream?

can you clearly define the picture in your mind’s eye? Or perhaps some areas are a little blurry or unclear?Vision boarding is a fantastic way of capturing your imaginative musings and turning them into a real, tangible representation of your future aspirations.the usual method for creating a vision board is to grab a pile of magazines and search through them for pictures, words and phrases that represent what you want in your life and business. Whilst this is a great way of getting those creative juices flowing, i would also suggest you allow your imagination and intuition to play a part as well. So as you thumb through magazines and newspapers, allow your subconscious mind to surface. Open yourself up to further inspiration, and allow even more possibilities and opportunities that you hadn’t even considered to flow.

Adding the Feng Shui Element Add Feng Shui by using a tool known as the Bagua Map. this is used in Feng Shui to identify the areas that relate to the different aspects of your life. So there is an area for career, one for health, relationships, wealth, and so on.Simply divide up a piece of poster board in this way and place your chosen pictures, words and phrases in the appropriate area. this will do a couple of things:

• It will give more energy and power to each goal because you are directly relating it to the relevant life area

• And, it will show you

where you are putting the most energy and focus in your life and where you may need to put more.

this method is not only very revealing – it’s incredibly powerful too. creating your vision board in this way helps you to set very clear intentions for what you want, and moves the energy towards that area much more efficiently and effectively.

Combining Goals with Vision taking your vision board one step further, you can link it directly to your written goals. Writing down your goals is stating intent, which is an energetically

powerful step in helping you achieve them. Once you have your written goals, you can include visual representations of them on your vision board.

this adds an extra dimension to your goal setting, so not only can you read your goals every day, you can ‘see’ them. Since the mind works in pictures, this helps you see more clearly that you can actually accomplish your goals.

Your Vision Board and the Law of Attraction the law of attraction states; “that which is like unto itself is drawn”. What this means is, if you are maintaining an emotional vibration that matches what you are wanting; more things will come your way to make you feel this way.

it’s really important when creating your vision board that you not only create it, but that you use it. Place it where you can see it every day. Remember it’s not just about simply looking at the pictures; take a minute to feel your vision, as if it’s already real.Feel what it would be like if those pictures on your vision board were actually part of your life, and allow the magic to begin… it may help to remember the words of Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams”. n

dReaM THe Big dReaMLisa Whitehead shares how you can create your holistic vision and materialise your dreams

Use The Bagua Map


you And your heAlTh – Feng shui FeATure

A clutter-free desk equals a clear mind

Sit with your back against a solid wall

for support in business matters

FENG Shui is the ancient art of energy flow in homes and working environments; it is increasingly being embraced in western

cultures, as people discover each day that by following its principles they can dramatically improve their overall happiness and wellbeing.

Feng Shui works on the basis that an energy known as ‘chi’, flows all around us. Abundant chi results in

a vibrant and positive atmosphere, while stagnant or blocked chi results in negative energies and obstructions. these may cause damage to the health and attitudes of the people living or working there, and perhaps creating arguments, sickness, misfortune, bad luck, setbacks or other difficulties.

Benefits of Feng Shui• Improves and increases health, prosperity,

harmony and opportunities for all occupants• Improves sleeping, and studying for

children that may be having difficulties• Creates balance in the home or work environment

there are a number of different types of Feng Shui, with the Form School being one of the easiest to apply. this method allows you to add, remove or change physical items to enhance harmony in your life. Here are some tips on how you can improve the energy flow in your home or work environment:

Entrance• Create an inviting entrance, as this is where

most of the energy comes in. Problems here will affect the whole building.

• Make your entrance bright and open. • Clear away clutter, both outside and inside your door,

and ensure the path to your door is clean and tidy.

A Touch oF Feng shui

According to Interior Designer Lisa Alward all you need is a touch of Feng Shui to make positive changes in your home and working environment; here are her great tips

you And your heAlTh – Feng shui FeATure

• Hall mirrors must not reflect the front door, as they cause energy to deflect or bounce back out of the building.

Bedrooms • Ensure children up to twelve years

of age have the support of two solid walls, to stop feelings of insecurity, irritability and clinginess.

• Avoid having your bed under windows or the foot of your bed facing the door.

• Clear clutter from under beds to avoid stagnant energy.

• Avoid having televisions and computers in the bedroom. they create too much energy, which can result in restless sleep. cover with a cloth at night if you can’t avoid it.

• Mirrors in your bedroom can cause restless sleep, tiredness and irritability. if possible replace mirrored built-in wardrobe doors with solid doors or cover with a curtain at night.

Wet areas• Keep doors closed whenever possible.

Bathrooms, toilets and laundries are

places where energy and money can symbolically go down the drain.

• Keep the lid down on the toilet, and never place any cures that represent prosperity in the toilet room, as this can negatively affect your finances.

Living Rooms• To create abundance, use mirrors

in your dining room reflecting a bowl of fruit on the table.

• Choose curtains and Roman blinds, or Holland blinds to allow positive energy to flow into the room.

• Avoid vertical or horizontal blinds that represent blades in your back when sitting in front of them.

Offices• Never sit with your back to

the door. A solid wall behind your back gives support.

• Avoid having your desk in direct line of the door as this results in too much energy hitting you full on.

• Ensure at least one side of your desk is against a solid wall to give your business support.

• Remove clutter to allow fresh energy to flow.

Water Features• Water represents wealth and prosperity. • Always ensure water in water

features flows towards the building – never away.

• Keep the water in ponds and water

features fresh and clean, and never allow it to become green and stagnant.

Plants• Avoid prickly, sharp plants like

cacti, rose bushes and palms.• Choose bamboo for longevity,

health and prosperity, and jade plants for prosperity.

• A pair of Kumquat trees by the front entrance of the home or business represents abundance.

• Avoid dried plants or flowers. • Silk or plastic flowers are

a better choice.

Enjoy bringing about these simple and practical changes that the art of Feng Shui offers, and invite positivity in to your home and your work environment.

aBundant Chi reSultS in a viBrant and PoSitive atMoSPhere


Create bright, clear, open space for

entrances or reception areas

Keep up to date with all things VTCT

Tel: +44(0)23 8068 4500Email: [email protected]

www.vtct.org.uk

VTCT is committed in supporting the Government’s recent proposals to reform vocational qualifications for 16-19 year olds, and the introduction of Study Programmes from September 2013.

We have been consulting widely with centres to develop Study Programme Packages to support all the sectors in which we award qualifications. These packages include all the necessary Study Programme components and provide a great deal of choice to ensure you are able to tailor a programme that meets the needs of your learners.

The Department for Education (DfE) has published guidance on the design of 16-19 Study Programmes.

For more information and to see VTCT's Study Programme offer, you can download our Study Programme leaflet at www.vtct.org.uk.

April 2013 Study Programmes.indd 1 16/04/2013 15:24:54


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Business | Mind deTox

How can I help my clients stop feeling like a victim to their body conditions? Symptoms that most people consider to be physical problems can in fact be your body’s best attempt at staying alive. Survival is the primary goal of the human body. it is not designed to just break, malfunction or get ‘sick’ without good reason. instead, it is constantly doing everything in its

power to adapt to, and survive, the inner and outer conditions it is experiencing during daily life. Physical symptoms are often highly symbolic, as the body does a brilliant job at speaking the mind and reflecting our external life circumstances.

Asking your clients the following questions can help them to consider how they are not a victim to their body, but instead, their body is

adapting to survive: if this physical condition was trying to send a symbolic message to you, what might it be saying? if the physical condition were a negative emotion, what emotion would it be? How might your body be mirroring your life? the answers to these questions can be very revealing and empowering as the client sees their body is not against them - Quite the opposite in fact! Are there any techniques my clients can use in-between sessions to help heal their relationships?Yes, i’ve found the Pink Light technique to be remarkable at healing relationships. it is used to clear all pain and suffering between the user and the subject. it has never been known to fail.

in the beginning, this process should take no more than ten minutes a day, eventually getting down to five minutes. if you can’t visualize the pink light, that’s fine - what is important is the intent. Once someone is done, assume that they are finished for the day. You will get a sense of when someone is “complete” and no longer requires a treatment. Some people will not show up for a while; others, who you didn’t expect to see, will suddenly appear to receive their pink light. n

aSk SandY Founder of the Mind Detox Method and CALM Mediation, Sandy Newbigging answers more therapist questions

AnsWers To These quesTions cAn Be very reveAling And eMpoWering

Pink Light Technique

STEP 1 - Get yourself in a loving space:

Remember a time when you felt loved.

STEP 2 - in your mind’s eye, picture pink

loving light radiating from your heart,

encompassing you in a pink sphere.

STEP 3 - Stay within your pink light sphere.

Remember a most loving memory of yourself

(this could be recent or from your childhood) and

project this aspect of you outside the pink light

sphere. cover this projection of yourself with the

pink loving light, still radiating from your heart.

STEP 4 - then, starting with your immediate

family-mother, father, siblings, partner,

children-imagine them appearing individually

in front of you, outside the pink light sphere. if

possible, make it an image of them in a loving

memory. in your mind’s eye, picture yourself

covering each of them with the pink light as if

you were icing a cake. cover them with light

and then let them go and move on to the next

person. if there is someone who you cannot

remember as part of a loving memory, just

picture that person in front of you. if you cannot

do this, visualise bringing them in to stand

at a distance and/or facing away from you.

STEP 5 - Next, do this with anyone with whom

you still have an emotional charge or discomfort.

STEP 6 - Allow for anyone else to

show up (whether you know them or

not), cover that person with the pink

loving light, and let them go too.

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you And your heAlTh | reTAil TherApy

When it comes to colour, sometimes less is more, and that well-needed injection of sunshine yellow, or ocean blue can really brighten up your day. Stylist Jac Lambert has chosen five fun accessories that will certainly add a super stylish splash to your outfit, as well as enhance your Feng Shui…

#1 – Pink PoutBeauty Without cruelty Azalea Natural infusion

Moisturising Lipstick£9.99 at bwcshop.co.uk

Feng Shui: Drawing passion from Fire and progression from Wood, a pink smile encourages positive energy in your business

and personal relationships.

#3 – Green RingPrincess Jade Ring by Ziba collections£35 at zibacollection.co.uk Feng Shui: Being the most natural Wood colour, green is harmonious and nurtures your mind with renewal energies and knowledge.

#4 – Purple WatchLa Mer collections copacabana Stones crystal and charms Wrap in Violet

£130 (approx) at lamercollections.com Feng Shui: Purple promotes prosperity in a calm and uplifting manner.

A colour from both Wood and Water, it holds strong power.

#5 – Yellow ClutchAccessorize Acid Wrist Strap clutch in Yellow£12 at uk.accessorize.com/view/product/uk_catalog/acc_1,acc_1.7/3890669800Feng Shui: Yellow is an Earth colour pulling wisdom and creativity together. it will help center and ground your thoughts.

#2 – Blue ScarfBeckSöndergaard F Reflected Leo Print Scarf in Spring Blue£25 at Miinto.co.uk Feng Shui: A relative of purple in the Water family, blue is intuitive but in control. it shows you’re trustworthy and productive.


SPRinG SHadeSEmily Rose helps you step into spring with a subtle spot of strong colour


you & your heAlTh | MAke-up TherApy

A pout that pops with colour

Bright statement eyes

aS winter steps aside and flowers begin to bloom, it’s that time of year when the world becomes vibrant

and alive; the air warms, and that inner glow seeps radiantly through our skin.

Make-up is all about strong versus subtle; drawing attention to key facial features with colour… turquoise, pinks, greens, golds etc – whatever your colour, make sure it pops!

Begin by exfoliating your skin with a product that is super soft and gentle, massaging the skin rather than scrubbing it. Use circular motions with your fingers very lightly; this should be done once, no more than twice per week, because you need to give the skin beneath, time to replenish.

Use a rich, hydrating moisturiser at night, when your skin is at its most active. A day cream that is too rich or heavy may sit on the surface of the skin, causing a film

of product, which can result in make-up that you apply on top of it to slip and slide. So in the morning, opt for something more lightweight, then the skin can absorb it. Use circular motions to massage the cream into the skin and stop just before your under-eyes – applying moisturiser to the under-eyes can cause puffiness, because this skin is too thin to absorb all of the product. instead, apply an eye-cream along the top of the cheekbone; your skin will absorb the product upwards into the under-eye area, giving it the treatment that it needs.

Using the warmth of your fingers to apply a sheer cover foundation to your skin, which you can build in layers where it is needed. Ensure that you blend it down onto your neck and into the hairline, so that no lines are visible. Apply foundation to the eyelids so that the texture and tone of the skin is consistent. Add a glossy radiant glow

to the skin, by applying a highlight in a curve-shape from your temple onto the top of the cheekbone.

Powder the skin lightly with a fluffy brush, and sweep a light bronzer of the high points of your face where the sun would naturally hit, i.e. forehead, nose, cheeks. Again, blend away any visible lines using a clean brush.

Pop a bright blusher onto the apples of your cheeks, and blend up towards the temples. the brighter it looks in the pot, the better, because this will really uplift the skin – and if used sparingly, it won’t look over done.

choose which one of your features you would like to pop

with spring colour. if it is your lips, than apply a bright lip-colour, and keep your eyes neutral – just a light nude shimmer across the eyelids, or mascara alone. For an extra fresh appearance, keep mascara just on the top lashes. For a wide-eyed look, apply some mascara to your bottom lashes too.

For eyes to pop with colour, sweep a vibrant shade over the lids, and apply mascara to the top and bottom lashes. Sweep a powder through your eyebrows to make them full and striking too. Ensure to keep lips nude and healthy, using a similar shade to your natural lip-colour, and a lip-balm or gloss to finish. You can even add a touch of sparkle to your eyes for an ultra spring ready look. Enjoy experimenting with the strong shades of spring. n

geT THe sPRiNg Ready look

THe BRigHTeR iT looks iN THe PoT THe BeTTeR


you & your heAlTh | Food TherApy

Ingredients 1 ripe plantain, slicedA handful of asparagus chopped into 1-inch piecesBaby courgettes sliced/diced lengthwaysSmall bird’s eye chilli, finely choppedKnob of fresh ginger, gratedA small bunch of thai basil, tornA sprinkle of paprika100g/5oz of whole or broken cashew nutsA tablespoon of extra virgin coconut oilA fresh lime, squeezedBasmati ricecardamom pods cinnamon sticks in a dry, heavy pan, roast the cashew nuts, until very lightly toasted; set aside.

in a wok, melt a tablespoon of extra virgin

coconut oil, on a medium heat.Add the chilli and ginger, fry for a few

minutes.

Add the plantain and fry until both sides are golden, sprinkle with paprika and a squeeze of lime. Set aside, on a plate.

Add all of the vegetables together and stir-fry for at least five minutes, then add the plantain, cashew nuts, and the basil. Fry for a further two minutes.

Steam a cup of basmati rice, three cardamom pods, and two small cinnamon sticks together in a pan. Use just enough water to cover the rice, and after a brief boil, turn down to a very low heat and steam with the lid on tight, until all of the water has been absorbed. Serve the stir-fry with the steaming rice immediately!

Charlotte Palmer of foodspecialist.co.uk shares her colourful culinary delights

colourful cookeryThis stir-fry is a colourful and nutritious selection of greens, red chilli, zinc-rich ginger, and refreshing limejuice. For the veggies among us, cashew nuts make a great protein substitute, along with Vitamin C rich plantain.

Cooking with a medium chain fat coconut oil is a safer way to fry, and it also aides weight loss and promotes good gut health. Prawns and chicken also work really well in this dish depending upon your dietary persuasion.

plantain anD asparagus, chilli anD basil stir-fry, with cinnamon and cardamom basmati rice


you & your heAlTh | nuTriTion

MANY of my clients have a typically brown and beige plate of food, with lots of starchy refined carbohydrates. i often find myself chatting about having a mixture of colours in their

diets. Different coloured foods contain different, and important, health-giving properties. So it is vital to eat red, yellow or orange, brown or white, green, and blue or purple foods. Each colour food group offers different phytonutrients, which all have their own individual health benefits. And phytonutrients are not found just in fruits and vegetables, but also in edible flowers, herbs, spices, seeds, pulses, and even in chocolate and wine! it certainly makes for an attractive meal, but is there really any science behind all of this?

PhytonutrientSimilarly coloured foods do appear to share some phytonutrients, but there is still a lot of research to be done on what all of the different fruits and vegetables contain. So what is a phytonutrients? “Phyto” comes from the green word for plant, and so phytonutrients are substances, which it needs to maintain its health, and that are synthesised by the plant, and these same substances seem to have benefits for us as humans too.

Phytonutrients are divided up into groups depending on their chemical structure: the three most significant groups for our health are the carotenoids, the flavonoids and the glucosinolates. And it is this division that suggests a rainbow diet, as each phytonutrients has a different arrangement of carbon atoms, which absorb certain wavelengths of light. the wavelengths that are not absorbed are reflected, and it is this reflection that gives each compound a different colour.

Carotenoidsthe carotenoids are responsible for the colours of many red, yellow, and orange fruits and vegetables; like carrots, apricots, butternut squash, oranges, nectarines and peaches. these are all important dietary anti-oxidants, scavenging free radicals and thus minimising cell and DNA damage, which could play a role in the improvement of heart disease and cancer prevention. A couple of specific carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin have been linked with a reduced risk of age-related macular degeneration.

Flavonoidsthe flavonoids are a large group that can be subdivided down into lots of small groups, two important ones being anthoxanins and anthocyanins. the first are not as colourful, giving the pale and yellow colours found in, for example, potatos and yellow skinned onions and grapefruits. this group also

includes isoflavones, some of which might help to balance hormones, with soya beans being a great source of these.

the beautiful, sometimes dramatic colours of reds, blues and purples are found in the anthocyanins. think strawberries, blueberries, red apples, grapes, prunes and beetroot for example. All of these have powerful antioxidant effects. Blueberries are even thought of as a superfood because, in rats, the berries have been shown to reverse damage in aging brains, but all the anthocyanins appear to have anti-inflammatory effects and may offer protection against heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and eye disease.

GlucosinolatesAnd then the third of the important groups is the glucosinolates. these are the ones our grannies where thinking of when they firmly implored us to “eat those greens”. these are found in cabbage, broccoli, rocket, cauliflowers and Brussels sprouts. Bacteria in our colon help break them down, and research suggests that these may help to detoxify carcinogens. Onions and garlic have similar effects as well as containing sulphur compounds, which may also lower cholesterol and blood pressure. So, increasing colour in the diet can have lots of health giving effects. For a broad-spectrum effect, eat a variety of colours in natural foods, from the yellow and orange of sweet potatos, carrots, tomatos and melons, to the blue and purple berries and grapes. Drink berry juice and red grape juice (diluted with water to avoid high sugar content), and drink herb teas too, as these contain the colour benefits. During the cold winter months, frozen fruits and vegetables contain all the health benefits a rainbow diet has to offer. Enjoy adding colour to your plate. n

enJoY a RainBoW dieT Karen Watkins expresses the importance of eating a variety of naturally coloured foods


you And your heAlTh – Food inTolerAnce FeATure

Biochemist Doctor Gill Hart PhD, shares how we can have a greater understanding of food intolerance

FORtY-five-per-cent of the population suffer from food intolerance with symptoms as wide ranging as gut

problems, skin problems, headaches, migraines, joint pains and fatigue. However, when people talk about suffering from food reactions, whether allergy, intolerance or hypersensitivity, what exactly do they mean? there is much confusion, particularly in the media, which makes the subject seem even more complicated than it already is! it is clear that food intolerance exists; yet there are few resources available on the NHS that can help those with symptoms to identify trigger foods, and manage dietary changes. What is going on?

Let’s start by separating out “food allergy” from the mix! What exactly is a food allergy? A food allergy is an adverse immune reaction to a specific food. the body makes specific antibodies called igE to “fight off” the allergens (food protein triggers) and when the specific food is eaten it triggers immediate symptoms such as rashes, swelling, diarrhoea and vomiting. in the most severe cases symptoms such as breathing difficulties, loss of consciousness and anaphylaxis can occur; all potentially life threatening. Although true food allergy can be hugely significant for those who suffer, it is actually relatively rare, with approximately two-and-half-per-cent

of the adult population diagnosed.Leaving food allergy aside; food

hypersensitivity can take on other forms such as coeliac disease, lactose intolerance, and chemical sensitivities, but these also make up a small proportion of sufferers. The majority of the forty-five-per-cent of people that have symptoms of food intolerance do not come under any of the above categories. So what about these sufferers?

Some people will have just one symptom, such as migraines; others will have the misfortune to have several symptoms, such as irritable bowel syndrome, migraine, a skin condition, and or fatigue as well.

one Man’S Food iS anoTHeR Man’S PoiSon


you And your heAlTh – Food inTolerAnce FeATure

Recognising that food is a trigger for a particular set of symptoms is not easy when, unlike food allergy, food intolerance symptoms appear many hours, and often up to two or three days, later.

For many sufferers, there is often no clear diagnosis, and it is usual that symptoms get treated rather than the cause. currently, the best accepted method for confirming food intolerances is by elimination diet, which is time-consuming, and it’s virtually impossible to determine the exact combination of foods that are causing the problems. One approach that has been used for many years is a strategy to “fast track” the elimination diet process, by targeting foods that have triggered specific igG antibody food reactions in the blood. Many people are not aware how easy it is to use this type of finger-prick home-to-laboratory testing for food intolerance. igG antibodies have been linked to inflammation and have wide reaching effects within the body; it is clear now that food intolerance can impact aspects of our lives that we may not have even considered. Here are three examples: Food intolerance, anxiety and depression We all make emotional connections with the foods we eat, but many of us don’t realise just how direct the link is between food and our mood. Our gut contains some one hundred million neurons (nerve cells) and this nerve network is so extensive that some scientists have nicknamed the gut our “second brain”. Our gut nerve tissue does so much more than merely handle digestion or cause occasional nervous feelings. Our “second brain” partly determines our mental state and plays key roles in certain diseases throughout the body. Many will not be aware that ninety-per-cent of serotonin, (the brain’s ‘happy hormone’) is produced in the gut. in addition, the gut’s nervous system uses more than thirty neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) that are identical to those in the brain. Research has now shown that depression is frequently associated with gastrointestinal inflammation, which is commonly associated with food intolerance. By tackling unidentified food intolerances, not only do physical symptoms benefit, but mental health symptoms can often

show significant improvement as well. in a paper published in the Journal of Nutrition and Food Science, eighty-one-per-cent of patients reported a significant improvement in mood and mental wellbeing as a direct consequence of applying the dietary changes, recommended by Yorktest.

Food intolerance and weight gain the regulation of food intake in the body is complex and involves biochemical signals from many sources, including the brain, gastrointestinal tract, fat stores and the pancreas. the digestive system needs to process and deliver nutrients to the whole body. A stressed digestive system is unable to do this efficiently. More than seventy-per-cent of the body’s immune system is in the gut and once the immune response is triggered in the body (as evidenced by raised igG levels) the body feels that it is ‘under siege’ thus hoarding supplies, storing fluid, and increasing weight. in addition, resulting low serotonin levels can cause cravings, which are soothed short-term by eating the foods that we are intolerant to. it takes a holistic approach to ‘undo’ the damage done, starting with identifying and eliminating culprit foods. A recent clinical trial showed that one hundred and twenty people who eliminated their igG reactive foods significantly improved their body composition and lost weight. Food intolerance and sports performance Symptoms of food intolerance can significantly impact the performance of any athlete, be they a professional elite or a keen amateur. Joint pains, wheezing, digestive distress and fatigue are all commonly associated with food intolerances, and so the identification and elimination of food triggers is an important part of reaching sporting potential. Our gut lining acts as a second “skin”; a highly selective barrier that is in place to

protect our internal environment. it also makes sure that essential nutrients and digested foods are freely allowed into the bloodstream. this balance between an efficient passage of nutrients and the restriction of the entry of larger molecules, such as larger proteins, is absolutely critical to energy balance and sports performance. if the barrier fails for any reason, this can lead to an increase in the passage of allergens and larger food particles that have been linked with inflammation and food intolerance symptoms. Matt Lovell, elite sports nutritionist, explains that food intolerance can compromise performance on a number of levels. in elite sport the difference between finishing first and fourth can be measured in minute percentages, so maximizing an athlete’s performance is essential. Studies have shown significant improvement in athletes who remove trigger foods from their diets, and famously, tennis star, Novak Djokovic has attributed his stellar rise to the top of his sport to the identification of gluten intolerance.

For those who suspect that they have food intolerance, who have ruled out more serious disorders, and don’t know where to start with an elimination diet, there is a simple natural approach that can help. Where we have the option, we would rather opt for simple dietary changes rather than popping more pills… Wouldn’t we?

YorkTest Laboratories, Europe’s leading provider of food and drink intolerance testing with over thirty years’ experience. the food and drink intolerance test called Food&DrinkScan can uncover potential food and drink triggers, allowing people to simply modify their diets,resulting with life changing health benefits. Food&DrinkScan measures reactions to 158 foods and also ingredients found in beverages. Find out more yorktest.com or call free-phone 0800 074 6185

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2 Mix up your favorite ingredients and share time cooking with your child, with the added bonus of

eating the culinary delights together afterwards.

3 Mix sand and water to create a sandcastle masterpiece… UK’s spring-summer weather may not be a patch

on Hawaii’s, but you can still visit a British beach, perhaps Brighton, clacton-on-Sea, or Bournmouth.

4 Mix generations, and visit your parents, with your children and celebrate Father’s Day with a

family picnic, or a group visit to the local zoo.

5 Mix old memories with new ones; tell stories of when you were younger and when your child was

born; look through photo albums; and use some of the day taking photographs of you and your father, or you and your children, and document your day forever.

i had the pleasure of training with yoga teacher Stacha in texas, USA, for my Editor Fix Fix

EDitor

An International Yogi Queen Maybe if I practise, I’ll perfect this pose

Myself and Stacha in tree pose

Stacha teaching


you & your heAlTh | ediTor Fix

international yogi

StAcHA has always had an interest in yoga “I brought my first yoga book when I was just fifteen years-old, and

I practised in my bedroom. After learning a few poses, I tried to take classes whenever I could. I continued to practise for many years in the different locations I lived; including the UK, Europe, Australia, and America.”

it was in texas, USA, where Stacha graduated in 2009 with an internationally recognised Yoga Alliance certification. this involved over two hundred hours of yoga studies, and it was something she had wanted to do for years. “I could tell I was beginning to grow from the practise and I wanted to share this wonderful gift with others. Once my youngest child finished high school, I realised that I would have the time to devote to the study and practise of yoga. I guess you could say, it was the right stage of my life, and so it became a personal goal to be a yoga teacher.”

Since graduating, Stacha has taught around five hundred hours a year, as well as regularly conducting small-group workshops, including, an introduction to yoga, mediation, and working towards doing a head-stand. - “I take my mat from my home in Houston, Texas, to our home in New Castle, which is north of Sydney in Australia, and I teach in both locations. Every class brings a different feel and passion that rises within me - I feel

privileged to share this with my students.” Stacha realised that her ability to teach

depended on so much more than just knowledge – yoga is a way of life! “It was a journey I loved being on; exploring different paths and I soon became very passionate about this 5000 year-old ancient art, science and philosophy that was first born in the Indus Valley civilization of South Asia.” Stacha chose a yoga style that best suited her body-type, personality, stage of life, and fitness level. ”I decided on Yoga West University to complete my HATHA studies. This included over one hundred and twenty hours of teaching techniques; over thirty demonstrations; observation and assisting; anatomy and physiology; Sanskrit study of yoga terms; yoga philosophy lifestyle and ethics for the yoga teacher, and loads of personal practise hours and study. This was done over a period of four months and over the two hundred hours that was required by Yoga Alliance, to receive your degree.”

i am a fan of yoga, and have been lucky enough to attend several of Stacha’s classes in America. i love how she teaches, and her classes are always packed. She explains that yoga is progressive, and so i took it at my own pace – and realised by taking the pressure off myself i was able to challenge my body. i ask Stacha ‘what is yoga?’ she answers passionately “ - it’s a form of exercise

based on the belief that by controlling the breath and keeping the body steady, one can control the fluctuations of the mind, and create harmony between the mind and the body. Yoga practise consists of five key principles: the Proper Breathe, Proper Exercise, Proper Diet, Proper Relaxation, plus Positive Thinking and Meditation.”

Benefits:• Builds strength• Increases flexibility• Lean and supple muscles• Helps with weight management• Detoxifies the body• Stress reduction • Encourages relaxation

Stacha continues to tell me that yoga participation has grown to an estimated 22.1 million people in the USA alone, and is convinced this is - “Because it Works!” Stacha believes that the more people that practise yoga, the better the world will become, as “Yoga is one of the greatest gifts we can give to ourselves.”

“From stepping on my yoga mat nearly fifty years ago, I can attest that it has lead me to an extraordinary experience, greater self-knowledge and better health. And so, I invite you to take your journey on whatever path leads you and find your pot of gold at the end of the yoga rainbow - Namaste’ - ” n

Warrior Pose


you & your heAlTh | ediTor pix

The professionals tried some tea tree cream, yoga roll-on oil, and an organic lip balm… here are their verdicts:

PixEDitor

Professional Panel

Head to holistictherapistmagazine.com for the editor’s verdict on each product

Paola feRNaNdezGroup Stock Merchandiser at Urban Retreaturbanretreat.co.uk

Thursday Plantation Tea Tree creami have used it as a body cream and a foot cream. i must say that the aroma was quite strong, but it was great for my dry and irritated skin, due to the weather changes. i love the fact that it doesn’t contain any paraben, petrochemicals, artificial colour or fragrance. the packaging is quite basic.

Yogandha Roll-on Oili have tried this product, but unfortunately i didn’t feel any change. the concept is a great idea - a roll-on, easy-to-apply on your pulse points. However, i would avoid it if you are pregnant and also late afternoon and evening as it could disturb your sleep. the packaging, price and history give you the right vibes to believe in the product. A shame it didn’t work on me. Organic Island Shell Lip Balm it is a really girlie product! But i found it very cheap. the lip balm is clear and didn’t leave any residue on my lips. i like the fact that the ingredients are 100% organic, natural, and Australian oils such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, and mango seed butter. the idea and leaflet presentation of the product is fantastic, but work is needed on the inside and out of the product finish.

kaReN waTkiNsNutritional Therapist & Founder of Mineral Checkmineralcheck.com

Thursday Plantation Tea Tree creamthis is a nice, natural antiseptic in a gentle base - Lovely, and very gently soothing on some wind-dried chapped skin. However, used on a burn that had blistered, it stung so badly that i had to wash it off! it has a strong tea tree smell, quite appropriate for an antiseptic, and passes quickly.

Yogandha Roll-on Oilthis product is designed to be used before yoga, but i never remembered it before class. Used just as a roll on this is the perfect pick me up! Everyone here tried it, and loved the smell! i found, to my surprise, i felt brighter, clearer, and more alert after using it. i’m looking forward to trying others in the range.

Organic Island Shell Lip Balmthis is a totally natural,luxury lip balm. the presentation is outstanding, beautifully packaged and a joy to receive. the lip balm is natural, light, and best of all works! this is a beautiful gift, or just a great treat for yourself. i adore mine!

lliNos MeRRiMaNAromatherapist, Reflexologist and Swedish Massage [email protected]

Thursday Plantation Tea Tree creamthis cream is free from synthetics, and has 100% natural tea tree oil. Naturally antiseptic and very soothing, it’s excellent for sore or inflamed skin. A definite addition to my bathroom cabinet, it’s great when your skin needs some tLc.

Yogandha Roll-on Oilthis oil is designed to energise. With uplifting grapefruit and bergamot, Salute awakens the senses. it absorbs into skin well, and leaves a citrusy scent. You can apply it a few times a day; it’s the perfect size to keep in your pocket… and so i carry mine with me.

Organic Island Shell Lip Balmthis lip balm is absolutely gorgeous. it is 100% natural and packaged in a real beach shell, with a compact mirror. it’s perfect to keep in your handbag. it’s full of nourishing oils, smoothes onto lips easily and absorbs quickly. A lovely consistency, and a joy to use!

Organic Island Shell Lip BalmRRP £12.99 shelllipbalm.co.uk

Thursday Plantation Tea Tree CreamRRP £8.90 thursdayplantation.com for stockists

Yogandha Roll-on OilRRP £15 yogandha.com

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Rexel P185 Shredder Confetti to ensure security for your business and that your documents are disposed of before you recycle the materials, invest in a high security desk-side shredder. Rexel Shredders (RRP varies depending on supplier, approx £190 for this model). Suitable for small busy offices, and this high performance shredder is easy to operate and provides sufficient security to shred confidential documents into little confetti cut pieces. it handles nine sheets at a time and features a conveniently sized 35-litre bin taking up to 270 sheets.rexeleurope.com

PRoducTs personally chosen by the editor

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Heritage Rose IncensesRose has the ability to soothe and uplift. Using an extract from its petals, the Heritage Rose incense sticks (£0.79) are great for any home therapy room, salon and office or treatment space. Simply light one while relaxing, or add a touch of calm to the room, before and after treatments. Allow the soft scent to wash over you and create a loving, mellow atmosphere for you and your clients.ayuuri.co.uk

Recovery Hamper this lovely holistic hamper (RRP £45) contains essential oils of lavender, lemon and basil, which are specific to the needs of recovery. the hand blended bath oil and body lotion leave your skin silky soft, and just as importantly help your mind, body and spirit revive after a tiring day. Orange blossom is known for its relaxing qualities too, as well as creating a fresh, clean smell for your towels and/or bed linen. this hamper is ideal as a gift or a promotional prize. notonthehighstreet.com



ediTor six – susAn greenField

1The holistic world very much believes in the mind-body connection,

what are your thoughts on this? i certainly believe that how we are thinking plays a very important part in our overall health. the placebo effect is a powerful one, and i think more research should be done on this. there is a direct link, for example, with people who are depressed, and their low production of new neurons, whereas if people are exercising there is greater production.

2 So do you believe that some people require more exercise than others to

feel balanced in their brain? i don’t think one size fits all. there are so many factors to consider, like your lifestyle, and your income, the demands of your job, and what you want to achieve. For me personally, if i can’t play squash two or three times a week, then i start to feel less good. i certainly think that the benefits of exercise are huge.

3 From your research and experience, would you say we develop addictive

characters or that we inherit them genetically? Obviously, if a gene goes wrong, then you’ll have a serious problem, for example Huntington’s disease, but that is not to say that everything is locked into the genes. Especially in humans! the more sophisticated we become, compared with say goldfish, then the more we have our own individual characters, mind-sets, and repertoires. As we have individual experiences, we literally leave a mark on our brains, and become individuals. Fish are not renowned for their great personality traits, whereas humans are. All a gene does is cause protein to be made, and so my own view is that we develop these traits just as much from our environment. And whilst we know that genes and the environment react with each other all of the time, one should never think that we are just born in a certain way, with certain traits and that that is all.

4 I have read your thoughts on Internet Addiction:

How can we still teach technology, but avoid the affect it has on the addictive part of the brain? the moderate use is not what concerns me, as the internet, tV and technology are all part of our lives, but it is when it substitutes or acts as an escapism for our lives, instead of helping to enrich our real lives. it has even become unhealthy the way people use twitter. For parents, i would say work out ways that will encourage children to make their own choice to go out and climb a tree or go for a walk, rather than be locked in the screen.

5 What are your thoughts on the brain’s ability to lucid dream?

i think these phenomena are really interesting. Dreaming is greater in young children, and if you deprive people of dreaming they start to hallucinate – so we know that it fulfills a vital function, one of them is that we consolidate what has gone on in the day. Lucid dreaming

is a halfway house between the conscious state and dreaming – if you view consciousness as i do, as being more like a dimmer switch, then lucid dreams can fit in-between the spectrum of the reflective consciousness and dreaming.

6Anti-aging is a huge part of the beauty and medical world… and more

people are increasingly looking to holistic professionals for natural methods to do this – Can we anti-age our brain naturally? My one example would be my own mother, she’s eighty-five, and does line dancing three times a week, and she talks about old people like she isn’t an old person. She has just written a book about her life, which we are hoping to get published, and that seems to have kept her very young. During a recent phone conversation, she said ‘i haven’t done any house work, as i’ve been writing all morning.’ And i think it is a wonderful thing, because it’s really taken years off her.

to truly create is a very exciting thing. if i ruled the world, i would

say the best thing for older people to do, as

well as dancing, and learning languages, is to record their life story.

Even if people have lived a so-called ordinary life, this gives them a sense

of purpose, and is great legacy for their children, and for society, and a much

more constructive thing to do then just waiting to die.

A massive thank-you to Baroness Susan Greenfield for joining us this issue! As we have launched the book review, we would like to recommend reading any of Susan’s books… She personally recommends for therapists to read ‘id, the quest for meaning in the 21st century’, which is available in all good book stores and online.

to find out more about the Baroness visit: susangreenfield.com

Susan Greenfield is an inspirational scientist, whom is fascinated by the human brain. The editor was honoured to interview the Baroness for this issue’s Editor Six

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ISSUE 6 - APR/MAY/JUN 2013 (extract from full issue)