The rise in popular television dance shows is undoubtedly helping to lift the profile of swing, but what is it about swing that is so infectious, that people keep coming back for more?

Instructor and performer, Andrew Fodor, says it’s a friendly and incredibly musical dance style, which is particularly easy for beginners to pick up. “Swing dancing was developed as a street dance and as such, has a relaxed, less structured style when compared to Ballroom or folk dances.”

Swing dancing actually refers to a group of dances that developed in the 1920s alongside the swing style of jazz. The dances range from traditional foot-stamping Lindy Hop to the body-hugging Balboa. But Fodor says don’t get confused by all the different names.

“Swing Dancing is an umbrella term for a variety of African-American dance styles. Swing had a revival in the 1980s and has been growing in popularity since. Lindy Hop is the most popular style of swing and is typically danced to swing, jazz or big-band,” Fodor explains.

Lets break it down:

Lindy Hop: Lindy Hop is the acrobatic dance that you’ve seen performed in the Gap commercials. The Lindy got its start in Harlem in the late 1920s, and features plenty of high-kicking Charleston steps, hopping and high-flying lifts, which were developed by dance legend Frankie Manning in the 1930s.

It is danced with an eight-count basic, meaning that patterns occur in series of eight steps, although six-count patterns crop up. Lindy performances often combine choreographed performances, improvised sequences, partner dancing, and the aerial steps for which it is perhaps most famous.

West Coast Swing: West Coast Swing is a six or eight-count dance where the man moves the woman in a straight line while he steps out of the way, instead of the circular patterns of the Lindy Hop. In other words, West Coast looks like a bullfight, while the Lindy looks like two sumo wrestlers facing off.

Jitterbug/East Coast Swing: While the jitterbug (also known as the East Coast Swing) is the first style people learn at those free lessons before dances, it’s not really a swing-era dance. You know the dance we’re talking about. It goes: “one-and-two, three-and-four, rock-step.” It’s often taught because it’s easier to grasp than Lindy Hop.

Balboa: This is an 8-count dance with a strong emphasis on partner connection and quick footwork. A product of Southern California’s crowded ballrooms, balboa is mostly danced in a closed embrace, and can be danced to a wide variety of tempos.

DC Hand Dancing: A cousin of the jitterbug, hand dancing was developed in Washington’s African American community in the 1950s and is still primarily danced by African Americans. Most patterns, including turns, are done while holding hands – hence the name. The turns are more elegant looking than its fast-paced relatives.

Social dancing is offered in most major cities now, with dance schools as crowded as the Roseland Ballroom was in the ’30s. Claudia Funder and Scott Cupit founded the Swing Patrol movement 12 years ago, after being disappointed by the lack of growth in the Australian swing scene.

“This whole thing just started with a genuine and breath-taking passion and love for the dance. We just wanted other people to dance with. We never dreamed Swing Patrol would become known as the largest swing school in the world”, says Funder.

Maybe it’s the high energy and youthful exuberance of the jumpin’ jivin’ style that’s attracting the younger folk. But at the end of the day, it’s all about interpretation. While the basic steps are the same, adding your own style and flare is key; and colourful facial expressions just adding to the fun.

Getting social

Newcomers to swing won’t be throwing their partners in the air at their first class. The flashy moves, while attainable through plenty of practice, don’t come straight away. And while you dance with a partner, you don’t have to bring one, with people rotating their way around the circle of dancers.

Funder says swing dancing is a great way to socialise. “Swing dancing is all about friendship and swing dancers tend to be a close knit group, enthusiastically welcoming newcomers to the sport. Dancing classes can be a great way to meet new people as you learn the moves in a friendly and supportive environment.”

It was the strong sense of community that drew Fodor to swing. “That, and the great friendships have kept me dancing for eleven years now.  And there’s always a chance you’ll meet someone swing dancing too!”

“There are so many stories of people meeting their boyfriend or girlfriend through swing dancing – I met my wife on the first night I started dancing in Melbourne! Because everyone rotates partners in class, you get to dance with everyone, so it’s a bit like speed dating to great music!”

Sweatin’ it out on the dance floor

A lively evening of swing dancing can get your heart rate up to aerobic levels and that means great benefits for your heart.  And because it’s so much fun, dancing is great for relieving stress. When you throw yourself into the swing moves, you can almost feel the stress melt away.

If you’re tired of using the treadmill as your weight loss tool, swing dancing offers a unique alternative to crowded gyms, burning around 260 calories per hour. When you consider that swing dancers often dance for several hours, this can result in some serious weight loss. Plus, you get to ditch your boring gym gear and dress up in flirty dresses and cute skirts as you spin around the room.

Looking the part

As the swing revival keeps rolling along, so are we seeing the return of classically flashy fashion, from zoot suits, high-waisted pants, gabardine shirts, paperboy hats and braces for men, to seamed stockings, flared skirt-dresses and flower accessories for women.

With authentic ‘40s and ‘50s threads becoming a little harder to come by in vintage clothing stores, due to the rising popularity of this elegant era, it’s no surprise that new swing kids are rifling through their grandparents’ closets in search of something to wear to their next social dance.

Many people question if they can actually be hypnotised. Well, if you’ve driven to work on auto-pilot, reaching your destination without any recollection of the drive there, or been completely enthralled in a romantic comedy or footy game on TV, then you’ve been in trance.

We are being hypnotised everyday by the news we hear on the radio, the advertisements we see on billboards, even playing a musical instrument can be a hypnotic experience. Deep absorption in the task at hand and losing track of the time are both indications of hypnosis.

What is hypnosis.. really?

Hypnosis is often defined as an altered state of consciousness where people become more suggestible. According to Dr. Gerard Sunnen of the New York University School of Medicine: “ Hypnosis is the most potent non pharmacological relaxing agent known to science.” He will prescribe hypnosis before prescribing a tranquilliser.

Melbourne Clinical Hypnotist, Dr. Bruce Alexander agrees, that hypnosis is one of the most powerful tools, when it comes to results-based therapy. “I am frequently told by clients that they have achieved more in a few sessions with me than months or sometimes years with a their counselor, psychologist or psychiatrist.”

What would you see a hypnotist for? Most things actually.

There are many ways people can use hypnosis to enhance their lives, from conquering stage fright and losing weight, to quitting smoking or getting rid of annoying habits and phobias. Hypnosis can go with you to school, to work, to the playing field, even to the bedroom. Yes, hypnotic suggestions can even improve your sex life!

You can erase ugly habits with hypnosis or use it to stay calm during stressful situations at work. Even when it comes to study, hypnosis can help you learn, retain and recall new information. Hypnosis makes it easy to change your behaviours so you are able to achieve your goals.

A scientific study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology  found that the addition of hypnosis had a significant and substantial effect on the outcome for weight reduction, and increased over time. Therefore it was especially useful for long-term maintenance of weight loss.

Alexander says he now sees more people for alcohol reduction, than for quitting smoking. “I also see many people for anxiety, self-confidence, fear of public speaking, blushing, gambling addiction, insomnia, fear of flying and other phobias. Even people with sexual issues such as impotence, premature ejaculation and vaginismus gain benefits from hypnosis.”

What to expect..

While it’s a serious therapeutic technique, hypnosis is a pleasant, calming experience that has the ability to transform your life. During a session, a health professional suggests that you experience particular changes in your ideas and future actions. These are called hypnotic suggestions.

Generally the client will not speak, so there is no concern with letting any dark secrets slip out into the public domain. The hypnotist introduces new ideas, which are absorbed by your unconscious mind and become part of your thinking. This state of trance is able to quieten the conscious mind, which likes to analyse and criticise, judge and reject information.

The depth of the trance will depend on the individual. 15 – 20 percent of the population could swap anaesthetic during surgery for the sound of a hypnotherapist’s voice. But at the other end of the scale, 15 – 20 percent will only be able to use hypnosis for removing a bad habit.

A willingness to want to make changes in your life is necessary. If, for example, your partner thinks you should quit smoking, but you don’t want to give up the ciggies, chances are, hypnotism won’t work. The therapist is simply nudging someone to make changes, using suggestions.

How quickly will I see results?

Alexander explains that in hypnosis the Acronym PREM is used, which stands for Positive, Repetitive, Ego-Strengthening and Motivating. “As a general rule, the more frequently a suggestion is repeated, the more likely it will be accepted. The results vary widely, depending on how suggestible a person is.”

Some people can gain all they need from just one session, but Alexander says usually three or so sessions are necessary to get the results they’re seeking. “Hypnosis is a bit like advertising; you don’t just see one advertisement on TV and decide to purchase a product. Repetition helps a lot in hypnotherapy.”

The workings of the human mind

Have you ever noticed, that what you pay attention to, you always find more of? That is why our beliefs become our reality. It’s like tunnel vision. Nothing in itself has meaning until the human brain gives it meaning. Therefore, our pre existing beliefs shape out interpretation of a situation.

Hypnosis works by bypassing the beliefs, giving the client permission to consider new and healthier alternative frames of mind. It allows a person to replace a limiting belief that is holding them back, with a new, more helpful belief. This in turn, changes a person’s thoughts, emotions and behaviours.

Giving new meaning to an old situation could be as simple as developing a strong desire to exercise, or fall asleep easily. Hypnosis can get you to believe that Brussels sprouts are delicious if you really want to!

Essentially, hypnosis helps a person take a negative past memory and reframe it into a learning, so they get a new set of resources. Putting a positive spin on the painful memory, takes the issues from the unconscious mind, bringing them to the conscious mind. Awareness afterall, is the first step to change.

Getting to the root cause

Overcoming a concern often involves uncovering the underlying issue. Alexander says addictions such as smoking, gambling, alcohol and drugs are usually just a mask for stress. “Once you can eliminate the stress or help the client find a way to manage it, there is no longer a need for the unhealthy behaviour or addiction.”

“Stress is often brought on by a fear of judgment, criticism or rejection. People who are sensitive to other’s opinions tend to experience higher levels of stress and anxiety. I use hypnotherapy to help them become more resilient, and in doing so, reduce a lot of the stress they usually feel from social interactions.”

The myths

Contrary to popular belief, it is not necessary to be relaxed during hypnosis. Hypnosis is not meditation, psychotherapy, relaxation or sleep. While hypnosis is the Greek word for sleep, it is quite different. In sleep, you drift off, whereas during hypnosis you are alert and interested in the mental adventure you’re having.

Hypnosis is completely safe. If a suggestion goes against your value system, then you will reject it. Your unconscious mind will not permit the acceptance of suggestions that are dangerous, so you will not rob a bank if you believe that to be morally wrong, no matter what the suggestions used during hypnosis.

Psychotherapist, Dr. Roberta Temes says you will not get stuck in a trance or embarrass yourself while under the spell of a cruel master. “You are in complete control of opening your eyes and returning to your normal state at anytime. You’re not sleeping. You’re conscious of everything around you.”

The original mind body medicine

All communication invites the receiver into a hypnotic trance. Any good storyteller can draw us out of the present and into a world constructed in our mind. Given that our thoughts create our reality, it makes sense, to use our mind as a playground, in which we create our desired future.

FINDING A HYPNOTHERAPIST:  Many therapists these days are using hypnotherapy as part of their practise to gain faster results with clients. Simply ask your psychologist, physician, life coach or nurse if they are in fact qualified in hypnotherapy, or visit a hypnotherapy specialist.

Firstly, let’s get clear on what intuition is: gut hunches, sudden flashes of insight, powerful feelings, an undeniable knowing, subtle or electric physical sensations that run through your body, telling you that something is or isn’t right, even though your rationale may suggest otherwise. What it is not: intellectual mind crunching, crystal-ball gazing, or something utterly mysterious.

Intuition is your gut instinct or that time you walked into a room and thought ‘you could cut the atmosphere with a knife’ despite having no factual information to back up that thought. When used correctly it is your most accurate inner radar system, continually scanning your inner and outer environments, sending back messages.

It’s when you think of your friend and then she calls, randomly out of the blue. Intuition is that fluttering feeling in your belly, telling you not to walk down that street, or a blushing sense of pulsing familiarity when you meet someone new. When you get a subtle feeling that you shouldn’t buy that house – that is your intuition at work.

Medical Intuitive Carmel Bell says intuition is using something other than research, hard knowledge or science, to tell us how to act or react. “It is like a parent of a teenager who will hint and suggest lightly, hoping that the teen will pick up on the clue.”

inner guidance

Believe it or not, everyone is intuitive. Your intuition is a completely natural sense, just like your sight and hearing. If you repress or ignore it, it’s like you’re getting around with blinkers on. Your intuition is there to help and guide you to make the right decisions.

Nearly everyone has at some point in their life, felt compelled to do something for a reason they couldn’t quite define, that turned out to be a smart move. Maybe you just got a bad feeling about someone without knowing why, only to find out later that they’ve got a bad temper.

Transformational therapist and astrologer to the stars, Teymara Antonio-Wright, says our intuition is with us all the time. “Learn to trust your initial feelings. After you do this for a period of time it will become second nature. You must remember though, that it doesn’t make sense.”

“Some of my New York clients had a bad feeling about going to work at the World Trade Centre on that fatal day September 11. Many decided to do something on their way to work, while others took the day off. All had worked with me often enough and learnt to totally trust their feelings,” says Antonio-Wright.

Unfortunately intuitive ignorance is epidemic as most of us are raised in a society that does not encourage or support this sixth sense. We all have this inner guidance system, we just need to trust it until it becomes a skill. Just as animals have a natural survival instinct, so too are humans born with the natural ability to be intuitive; your human instinct.

more than just a whim

Historically, scientists have ridiculed the concept of intuition, but according to a new Leeds University study, intuition is more than just a hunch. Professor Gerard Hodgkinson says intuition is the result of the way our brains store, process and retrieve information on a subconscious level.

Everyone has this powerful ‘inner software’ that is able to scan, assess, make sense of and obtain the ‘bottom line’ of any situation, issue or condition you may be facing! However, most of us are walking around with this valuable ‘software’ intact, with no clue on how to use it. Discovering that innate ability can be similar to rediscovering lost information, clarifying unknown or predicting outcomes.

Your intuition can and should be used for just about anything – whether it be politics, choosing the right new car to wading through the dating pool or deciding whether or not to gulp down that high fibre vegan chocolate cupcake!

What you are actually picking up are the subtle vibrations and energies that everything emits. After a while, using your antennae will become second nature. It’s up to you to decide whether you ignore it, acknowledge it in passing, or expand its range of power.

adjusting the antennae

Problems arise when we lose our ability to sense what is right for us and what is not; when we usurp our own knowing in favour of an external rule or law or method. Unfortunately much of this world rides high on rationality, reason and concrete examples and proof, instead of our own intuitive hunches.

So many people stick with something, whether it be a gym class or a new eating regime, because logically it should work, or after hearing a celebrity endorsement. Buddha said, “Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.”

Sera Beak, a Harvard-trained scholar of comparative world religions now studies spirituality, and says your intuition wants to help you grow. “The divine will never lead you over a cliff without providing a trampoline down below, even if it appears, from your current vantage point, like stone-cold cement.”

To help you develop your antennae to the more subtle frequencies, try this exercise:

Next time you’re heading out, stop and take a minute to calm your mind, focus on your breath, and relax your body. Then, once you come into contact with other people, shift your attention away form your basic sensory input, like how someone looks or smells, and pay attention to how a person resonates with you. How do they make you feel on a deeper level, physically, mentally, emotionally, and energetically?

Notice how your body responds. Take note of what you’re sensing, even if you think you’re just imagining it, even if you think you brain is just playing around. Don’t try too hard with this exercise, just have fun with it. You might be surprised when you come back to it later, how spot on you were.

Or get out a pack of cards and try this exercise:

Shuffle the cards, leaving them face down. Pick up the first card and use your intuition to feel if it is red or black. Turn it over. If you got it right, put it into one pile, while putting the wrong ones in another pile. Go through the deck that way. Keep practicing until you are regularly getting at least 90 percent correct.

Paying attention to signs, interpreting your dreams, and becoming more in touch with your own needs and wants through meditation, will all help you become more intuitive. You can do intuitive experimenting anywhere with anyone or anything – from picking out running shoes to deciding whether to go out or not. Yes, it’s that kind of tool. No limits, no restrictions.

Beak says if you try these exercises and you’re still struggling, don’t worry, your intuition is not broken! “Your intuition is like a muscle; it takes time to develop, and in many cases, our intuition has been buried under so many thick layers of logic and doubt and misinformation that the muscle might take a little coaxing to make itself known.”

tune in to your sixth sense

You don’t have to do anything unnatural to be intuitive. In fact, many people realise that they followed their intuition only after the fact. They felt like turning right instead of left. They didn’t stop in the middle of the road and interrupt the natural flow with questions. Once you start to allow your intuition to guide you, and you see how correct it is, you will begin to trust it more, and therefore act on it with more certainty.

So, shut off your logical brain, and start to trust your gut!

Albert Einstein stated, “The intellect has little to do on the road to discovery. There comes a leap in consciousness, call it intuition or what you will, and the solution comes to you and you don’t know how or why.”

Dancer and personal trainer Staci Haffner says making eye contact allows you to let another person in and form an intimate bond. “A mutual gaze has the power to narrow the physical gap between humans. That’s why it’s hard to lie to someone when you’re looking directly into their eyes.”

Certain situations demand different uses of the eyes. If you’re arguing, for example, it is seen as strong to hold someone’s gaze. If you are deferring to someone it is better to lower your gaze. When it comes to showing love to a special someone, staring into the pool of their eyes will portray your true feelings.

Crisp says we can read our partner’s eyes to add depth to our understanding of the spoken word. “Emotional closeness is often matched with frequent and lengthy eye contact in romantic relationships, while a lack of eye contact may unconsciously signal that one person is emotionally withdrawing.”

The one part of eye contact that we have no control over is the size of our pupils. Eckhard Hess, as the head of the Psychology Department at the University of Chicago found in 1975 that the pupil gets bigger when we’re interested in the person we’re talking to or the subject they’re talking about.

We can test this next time we’re spending time with a friend. Simply notice your friend’s pupil size when you’re talking about something interesting, then change the subject to accounting, and watch their pupils contract.

mesmorise the object of your desire

One of the first signs that someone is interested is eye contact. You’ll often see flirting masters make eye contact with the object of their desire, hold their gaze for a couple of seconds, then shyly look away, only to follow it up with another look and a warm smile.

This happens before any conversation is exchanged and can be done from across the room of a busy pub or as you walk by someone in the street. Haffner says it will usually be enough to entice that person to come over and start a conversation. “Sustained eye contact engages a person, sparking curiosity, while drawing them in. It’s a key ingredient in shaping your social skills.”

But learning good eye contact skills will do more than simply get you a date. Good sales people, politicians and public speakers all understand how to use eye contact to their advantage:

The job interview: This skill is especially important when you want to sell yourself to a potential employer. No eye contact can give the impression that you lack confidence or are hiding something, while maintaining the interviewer’s stare shows you are genuine and believe in your own abilities. Because it helps build rapport, it will greaten your chances of being hired.

Public Speaking: Communications expert Robert Graham says when speaking to a group as a whole, imagine you are having individual conversations with one person in the group at a time. “You will make your listeners feel more connected and that will make you feel more comfortable speaking to groups of people.”

Studying: Recent studies suggest that eye contact has a positive impact on the retention and recall of information and may promote more efficient learning. Matt Catling, Founder of Peak Performance Psychology, says 70% of people are visual. “When you look at someone in the eyes it induces trance, which puts them into the learning state where they absorb more information.”

Sales: Staci Haffner says salespeople all over the world keep potential buyers interested by using rapport-building techniques like eye contact. “Whether you’re selling a car or a nice dress, a person is more likely to do business with you if you engage them through your eyes. When an object arouses a person their pupils dilate, which is a big cue for sales staff.”

cultural differences

There are different, unspoken rules about how much eye contact is enough, and how much is too much. Simon Crisp says in Western culture a direct gaze can be interpreted as being shifty-eyed. “Indigenous Australians similarly view a direct gaze as disrespectful or threatening.”

Most North Americans like to have eye contact with the person they’re talking to, while African Americans and Native Americans don’t. If you’re unsure how much eye contact to make, follow the lead of the person you are having a conversation with.

Even between humans and non-humans, persistent eye contact is sometimes unadvisable: the New Zealand Medical Journal reported that one reason so many young children fall victim to attacks by pet dogs is their over-powering regular eye contact with pets, which causes them to feel threatened and defensive.

practise makes perfect

Take the time to make deliberate eye contact with people you like, until it becomes a habit. Try it in a shop, on the bus or anywhere where you meet strangers. Hold the other person’s gaze with a nice smile and watch the reaction. You might just be surprised!

You can even use the television for practice, by making eye contact with people on the screen. News bulletins, where the presenter looks directly at, and talks, right to you, tend to be the best. Making eye contact changes the way you approach people, so step out of your own mental landscape and face the gaze head on.

So what is anger? It is an emotionally triggered reaction to a situation or event and comes in three different forms: passive, aggressive and constructive. Some people bottle it up and feel bad inside, many let it out in ways that are destructive to themselves and those around them, while others are able to use the anger to make improvements in their life.

Clinical Psychologist Simon Crisp says your body will usually tell you when you are angry. “The emotion manifests itself in physiological changes such as increased respiration and heart rate, muscle tension, sweating and flushing of the skin. It can also reduce peripheral vision, and the processing of auditory language.”

He says people experience anger in different ways. “Some may experience a physical sensation, others more perceptual distortions, while some may only report changes in how they think when they’re angry.” That said, anger only becomes a problem when it is making you unhappy.

a place for anger

Anger doesn’t have to dictate our behaviour, it can be used to create positive changes. The raw emotion itself is powerful and clarifying as long as we choose to express it in a constructive way. When used with discipline and compassion, anger is the warrior’s sword that can cut away that which is putrid and unhealthy.

In her book The Dance of Anger, Psychologist Harriet G. Lerner, says “Our anger may tell us that we are not addressing an important emotional issue, or that too much of our self is being compromised in a relationship. Just as physical pain tells us to take our hand off the hot stove, the pain of our anger preserves the very integrity of our self.”

Crisp agrees that there is a place for anger. “It aids survival by preparing us to deal with a potential threat. It can also draw our attention to important issues that need our attention. Keeping control of anger can allow us to express our needs or concerns constructively and assertively, facilitating clear communication, and effective problem-solving.”

uncover the cause of your anger

Master Success Coach Julie Ashton admits it’s not always easy to find the true trigger of someone’s anger. “The best way to find the cause of the emotion, is to identify the reflection within yourself that deals with how and when you do the same thing. Take some time out to really analyse what has ticked you off. ”

Crisp says learning to quickly identify the signs that you are getting angry will help make the emotion more manageable. “It’s all about becoming familiar with what things make you angry. Learning how to identify when we are angry and what makes us so, is a most valuable life skill.”

Identify the triggers: Take note of the people, situations or personal states that tend to trigger your angry episodes. Are there certain people that anger you? Are you more prone to anger when you are tired?

Note the physical cues: Watch for the physical signs that suggest you are losing your cool, eg. Tightness around the chest, general muscular tension, a change in your breathing, shaking, etc.

Observe your behaviour: Take note of how you behave when you are getting uptight. Passive hostility shows itself in sarcasm, being silent, impatience, while aggressive  hostility can be expressed through verbal attacks and physical violence. You may also overreact, hold resentments and seek revenge.

Just keep in mind that when you increase emotion you decrease intelligence – so your rational thinking and problem solving skills won’t be as strong.

express your anger

We can liken our emotions to a beach ball. When it’s pushed down into a pool, the longer it is held down, and further beneath the water it is being held, the bigger the explosive splash once it’s let go and bursts through the surface of the water. It’s the same with emotions.

The longer they are suppressed the bigger the splash when they eventually catch up with us. Anger needs to be dealt with otherwise it lead to nervous breakdowns and disease. It is better to cry and release pent up anger, than it is to push it down, and allow it to wreak havoc on the body.

Physical exertion can help clear your head of anger, or at least get you to a state where it is more manageable. Ashton says bottling it up only causes pain in the long-term. “Cry, scream, exercise, laugh; do whatever you need to do to allow the anger to flow out of your body.”

She says there is no point in trying to control anger. “You can only acknowledge that it is there and work out a constructive way to deal with it. The worst thing you can do is suppress anger as it can turn inwards leaving you unhappy.”

Crisp says creative expression can be another way of unravelling what can feel like a confusing angry mess. “Art, music, dance or simply plain exercise or sport can help a person work through their anger.”

Crisp says the way we decide to let off steam is vitally important to our health. “Some people turn to alcohol or other drug use to numb the emotion, which unfortunately can quickly lead to losing all control over it. Bottled up anger leads to violence or other destructive behaviour or self-critical thinking.”
If you are angry at another person, it is important to express those feelings assertively and not aggressively. Try using ‘I statements’ such as: ‘I feel angry because …..’ If you get angry at a situation such as your computer shutting down, it’s okay to yell at the machine. It won’t hurt anyone’s feelings, but destroying the keyboard will (maybe not its feelings, but certainly its functioning).

Ways to dampen anger

• Stop, take yourself out of the situation and ask yourself ‘If this was a movie, what would I see?’ In other words, practise detachment.
• To reduce the physiological effects that anger can invoke, practise positive self-talk, muscle relaxation or deep breathing, or simply remove yourself from the place or situation that is triggering the emotion.

The liver is our second largest organ (only the skin is bigger) and therefore one of the most important. If the body was an automobile, the liver would be considered its engine. It does hundreds things to make sure it runs smoothly, playing a vital role in regulating fat, balancing our hormones, digestion and circulation.

But Medical herbalist Dominique Finney says the liver’s main job is to get rid of foreign substances. “Anything that enters the blood stream is filtered through the liver to ensure that quality nutrients go to the organs, while any excess is removed.” It is like a sharp-eyed bouncer guarding the red velvet rope in front of an exclusive nightclub called Your Body: it makes sure the right elements get in and the wrong ones thrown out.

Acupuncturist Adam Davidson says from a Chinese medicine perspective, the liver controls the flow of qi (energy flow) through the body. “It also ‘rules’ the tendons, stores the blood which nourishes the eyes and nails. The liver also influences our digestion and menstruation.”

blocked liver

Going out on a bender may be fun at the time, but it will make your liver have to work double as hard. All the alcohol, processed foods and toxic chemical residue we’re exposed to, get caught in the liver. Too much, and our liver starts to resemble a dirty wet sponge, that needs to be wrung out.

Finney says when the liver becomes overworked or too congested it will not filter blood optimally. “It can become blocked, fatty or even bloated. The liver will then contribute to high cholesterol and lowered synthesis of nutrients and new cells, compromising your health.” This is why many alcoholics have liver failure.

The liver is about the size of a football and can be found behind the ribs in the upper right-hand part of the abdomen. We can only survive one or two days if it shuts down. That said, the liver can function even when up to 75 percent of it is diseased, as it has the amazing ability to create new liver tissue.

Over two-thousand Australians die from liver diseases each year. Given that liver disease is preventable, this number is way to high. The first signs of a struggling liver, are headaches, fatigue, depression, poor concentration, mood swings, allergies, rashes, red itchy eyes, food sensitivities, sore and stiff sides or even a bitter taste in the mouth.

to detox or not to detox

Dietitian Emilie Isles doesn’t encourage detox plans at all because the liver is working continuously to detoxify the body. “You’re much better off improving everyday eating habits to boost liver function instead of paying for expensive, gimmicky plans or following highly restrictive diets. We need to get back in touch with real food solutions and ensure we understand what nutrients we need.”

To ensure a natural detox, Isles recommends keeping your diet relatively low in fat, consuming five serves of vegetables and two serves of fruit per day and keeping alcohol to a minimum. Davidson agrees. “I’m not a fan of detoxing, unless it’s a severe case, and only under supervision of a qualified practitioner.”

Finney urges us not to get confused by the masses of information out there. “Detoxing is a natural bodily process that occurs every night when you sleep, each time you are sick. You need nothing to detox properly except yourself, some pure fresh water, a place to rest peacefully and some silence.”

mental liver cleanse

The liver is the seat of our emotions according to ancient wisdom, Chinese medicine, and even cutting edge medical systems. Authors like Louise Hay (Heal Your Body) point to our ability to heal our body through our thoughts. Thanks to modern science we now know what thoughts are behind which physical ailments.

Davidson says particular organs are directly related to certain emotions. “When we become unbalanced, the liver for example, can lead to anger and frustration.” While anger is a natural emotion, often our thoughts about anger are not. When we’re talking about the liver, we’re talking about anger and anger-thoughts.

Anger triggers the stress response, releasing specific hormones, which can weaken the liver and immune system. Many grumpy people will have a toxic liver. Often restoring proper liver function, is more about changing your thoughts – using certain techniques to reprogram negative thinking patterns.

give the liver a helping hand

While the key to a healthy liver is maintaining harmony and balance, Davison says there are some foods and supplements that will help the liver along. “Ginger, most dark green leafy vegetables, beetroot and mint will all help the free flow of our qi. The most common traditional Chinese medicine herbal formula for liver ailments is called Xiao Yao San, and can be made by a qualified practitioner or bought in pill form.”

Give these a try:

Dandelion tea: Swap your morning coffee for a cup a dandelion tea. Dandelion has been used for centuries by herbalists as a general detox, cleansing the liver while boosting kidney function. It works as a blood purifier and antioxidant and is recommended for anyone with liver complaints.

Milk Thistle: is one of the best known herbs for supporting the liver and treating liver disease. It contains an antioxidant that acts as a toxin blocker while contributing to the reversal of fatty liver. Milk thistly is what makes the white of your eyes white again.

Dominique Finney says milk thistle can be taken daily over an extended period of time to gradually repair the liver. “For those who like their alcohol, take 5-10mg of milk thistle extract mixed with water before going to bed after a big night on the town.”

Black walnut: gets in on a cellular level and sneaks up on parasites, toxins and nasty cancers helping to eliminate them from your system. Finney says this herb can be taken in therapeutic doses for about thirty days before you need to give it a rest.

Lemons: are the number one fruit for cleansing your entire body. They cleanse not only the liver, but also the gallbladder, kidneys, digestive tract and lungs.

Beetroot juice: contains a chemical called betaine that stimulates the liver cells and protects the liver and bile ducts.

Carrots: are high in beta carotene and are the premium liver cleansing food. They helps regulate blood sugar levels, while reducing inflammation in the whole body and are a good energy food to increase stamina. Carrot juice is an excellent liver food as it helps the detoxification pathways operate better.

Garlic: helps strengthen and cleanse the blood, while giving the liver and kidneys a good spring clean that will increase your energy.

Get plenty of sleep, have infrared saunas, indulge in lymphatic massages, but most importantly, drink copious amounts of filtered water. Water is vital for the elimination process, keeping the body clean and detoxified. It literally flushes out all the toxins your body stores from any bad foods you eat.

Having graced our televisions many times over, British comedian Gordon Suthern is returning to Australia to give us a laughter injection at this year’s festival. “Laughter is a release of tension, like an orgasm or a sneeze, or urinating after a long wait. Laughter is unique amongst these in so far, as there is less need for the toilet tissue afterwards!”

If you’re stressed, then chances are, you’re not getting your daily dose of laughter. According to a study done by German Psychologist, Dr. Michael Titze, “In the 1950s people used to laugh 18 minutes a day, but today we laugh not more than six minutes per day, despite the huge increase in the standard of living.”

Researchers tell us that laughter has a positive impact on our physical and mental wellbeing. Yet in today’s high-pressure competitive world where society is overridden by stress, anxiety and mental disorders, laughter is disappearing fast. The hearty humour of thirty years ago, no longer stirs even the faintest of smiles today.

Geraldine Hickey will also be taking to the stage this year. She says comedy is one of those rare things that make your feel good without having to put in too much effort. “Having sex or walking up a mountain to watch the sunrise are amazing for the soul, but sometimes way too much effort is involved!”

“An audience can be quite uptight when they come into a show, but by the end there is generally this sense of release. “It’s like they came in constipated and during the course of the show they’ve eaten a big bag of prunes. Thankfully the release doesn’t come from their bowels!”

Hickey admits that being funny was one of the only skills she had, hence her decision to move into stand-up comedy. “I was also very good at pouring a beer and making a very tasty Long Island Ice tea, but in comedy there is an equal amount of joy between you and the audience. When you work behind a bar only one person gets to enjoy the beer.”

Laughter really is the best medicine

Jokes allow people to connect and bond. Sharing a good belly laugh is a great method to improve both work and personal relationships. From a mental health perspective, laughter is vital, as not only is it the quickest way to change a person’s mental state, it also reduces loneliness, and with it, depression.

Hickey suffered from severe depression in her youth, attempting suicide on a number of occasions. “Performing stand up does wonders for your sense of purpose in life, especially how it makes other people feel good. I can still get quite nervous before going onstage, but when I get that first laugh there is no better feeling in the world.”

Humour is an invaluable asset in crisis situations, helping us calm down and reduce levels of stress. Laughing can help you escape the drama that’s triggered off the initial upset without the use of drugs or alcohol. Sitting and dwelling on a situation does nothing to make you feel better.

It has long been established that optimists live longer than pessimists, but now there is some hard evidence that people with a better sense of humour also have longer and healthier lives. Scientific studies have even shown that patients with severe diseases have the best chances of beating the illness, if they have an upbeat approach.

Mumbai physician Dr Madan Kataria is behind the popular Laughter Yoga movement, and he agrees that laughter influences more than just our mental framework, saying it can have really positive physical benefits as well. “One minute of laughter is the equivalent of ten minutes on a rowing machine. It’s a mild and extremely pleasant aerobic exercise.”

The C.E.O of Laughter Yoga International, Merv Neal adds that a good joke may lower blood pressure, improve memory and cognitive functions and boost the immune system. “People who laugh regularly almost never get a cough, cold or flu.” This is backed up by research done by Dr. Lee S. Berk of Loma Linda University in California, who found, laughter helps increase the count of good cells in the body which lead to a stronger immune system.

Laughter works by increasing the level of endorphins in our bodies (our natural painkillers). Norman Cousins, an American journalist, who was suffering from an incurable disease of the spine benefited from laughter therapy, when no painkiller could help him.

Bath the soul in laughter

Melbourne comedian Danny McGinlay’s theory on laughter, is that it’s a spiritual and physiological yin-yang; the ultimate combination of light and darkness. “We laugh to communicate joy, but it’s almost always at someone else’s expense. The Universe is full of good and evil, black and white, but it’s in laughter that we manage to experience both simultaneously.”

“Watching people make the spiritual journey from uncertainty and hope at the start of a show, to trust and pleasure at the end makes me feel like some sort of shaman – a puppeteer of emotion. Storytelling is supposedly the fourth oldest profession behind prostitution, hunting and gathering; so I have a lot of evolved instincts that make me want to be on stage telling jokes. Personally it gives me feelings of belonging.”

With no harmful side-effects, laughter is  the perfect therapy for the mind, body and soul. It’ll give your belly a workout and just like with any other skill, constant training and exposure to jokes and comedy actually improves your sense of humour. So, jump online, and take a look at the many shows on offer at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

There is an undeniable connection between emotional and physical health. Extreme or prolonged emotional stress, sadness, grief, anxiety, and even tension caused by happy events, can have dramatic effects on the body. These physical effects manifest in many ways, which may include digestive disruption, sleep problems and depressed immune function.

The health conscious sweat it out at the gym, making sure they’re filling their bodies with nutritious foods. But how many of us independent women actually practise mental hygiene? Our thoughts are like the foods that can nourish us or make us sick. That’s why, healing your body can be as simple changing your thoughts.

Your internal dialogue directly affects how you feel. The brain responds just like a muscle that is trained regularly, by building an ever-stronger neural connection to that thought, until it comes naturally. So you’re going to feel happier if you are constantly re-affirming your hopes and dreams, as opposed to your fears and anxieties.

your mental toolbox

Police your thoughts: When you notice a negative thought, acknowledge it, replace it with a positive thought, then reaffirm the positive thought. Don’t rehash the past. Instead, find something pleasant or constructive to occupy your thoughts. Ask yourself: ‘What will I do instead of dwell on this negativity?’

Treasure your misfortunes: Our mistakes are our greatest teachers. Find the opportunity in the event or situation and use the energy to take a different route. When things don’t go our way, there is a lesson to be learnt. It is in times of discomfort that we get our biggest learnings that enable us to grow.

Silence the negative voice within: Change the negative conversation you have with yourself into a more positive dialogue. Building a healthy self-esteem is all about feeding yourself positive self-talk. You might like to use affirmations, such as: ‘I love my body’ or ‘I can achieve all my goals’.

Focus on what you do want: We create our reality, so focusing on past mistakes or negative experiences won’t do you any favours. When you’re thinking about what you want, you start to notice opportunities; it’s like cleaning a lens, allowing you to pick up new things you were previously unconscious of.

If you mess up, fess up! Take responsibility for your lot in life. We all have emotional scars from our childhood, but it’s how you choose to deal with past hurts that will determine whether they affect your overall wellbeing. It’s all about getting back in the driver’s seat of you life.

Live in the now: Anxiety is essentially a fear of the future, so it is impossible to be anxious if you are being present. Practise being more mindful. This can be as simple as noticing the flowers on your way to work, or taking time out to eat your lunch, noticing each individual flavour, the colour and texture.

Most importantly, life is about balance. Don’t get caught up in the small stuff. Ask yourself: ‘Does this really matter, or am I just making a mountain out of a molehill?’ Monitor your self-talk, empty out your negative thoughts on a regular basis, take time to relax and play, and before long, your mental hygiene will score an A+.

Your mind is your strongest muscle – train it!

Meditation allows us to come home to ourselves, creating a boundary from the outside world. Meditation teacher and former Tibetan Buddhist nun, Arian Young says during meditation we alleviate stress by inducing the ‘relaxation response’, a term coined by well known cardiologist, Dr Herbert Benson, the pioneer behind meditation studies at Harvard Medical School.

“As the relaxation response switches off the stress response we begin to slow down excessive thinking, relaxing the body and calming the mind so we take on a state of being as opposed to a state of doing”, Young says.

Even in the 21^st century, Young says we can use meditation to get us through our busy action packed day. “You can meditate for 30 seconds to one minute to help refresh and refocus in between tasks and duties, while a ten minute meditation daily will relax the body, sooth the nervous system and increase awareness.

HOW: Learning to meditate is often free or by donation through religious or spiritual communities. There are many paid courses and classes available too, or just go to www.meditation.org.au for free online lessons.

hypnosis

Forget the stage shows where people are made to quake like a duck, hypnosis is a therapeutic technique which has the ability to reduce the amount of stress you encounter. During hypnosis the health professional will induce trance in their patient then make hypnotic suggestions designed to change the way the brain interprets experiences.

In a recent study at Ohio State University, medical students were able to significantly reduce exam-time stress after learning hypnosis. Blood samples even revealed that the students’ immune systems became stronger the more they practiced. Once learnt, hypnosis is an inexpensive and easy technique that can be used to eliminate a wide variety of stressors such as health issues and negative habits.

HOW: You can go to a trained professional for hypnotherapy, invest in a CD for around $30 or learn self-hypnosis techniques.

rescue remedy

Rescue Remedy has been described by some as yoga in a bottle. The homeopathic remedy is helpful in stressful moments to correct emotional imbalances. Dr Edward Bach created this formula from Bach Flower Essences some 80 years ago.

The makers say the remedies contain the energetic signature of the flower, which is transmitted to the user. It is used as an emotional ally for its calming and centering energy and is now relied on by people around the world to provide unconditional support during demanding times.

Rescue Remedy is world famous for quickly restoring inner calm, control and focus, and is becoming a handbag, desk drawer, luggage and glove box essential. The Bach Flower Essences are 100 percent safe, natural and easy to use.

HOW: You’ll find this yellow bottle in chemists and health food stores for under $20. Simply take five drops in the mouth three times a day. If you experience a sudden shock or bout of anxiety, take three doses five minutes apart.

acupuncture

Chances are, if you’re feeling stressed you’re probably having trouble in the sleep department too. That’s where acupuncture can help. Acupuncturist Adam Davidson

says inserting hair thin needles into the body calms the mind, enabling a person to ‘switch off’. It works by stimulating or sedating key points along the vital energy channels that flow throughout the body.

“When a person is able to rest their mind, their quality of sleep improves which sets the platform for clearer thinking. This in turn, enables a person to better process their problems and make more effective decisions,” Davidson says.

Acupuncture also eases muscle tension, another common symptom of stress, by increasing blood flow. But Davidson says the major bonus with acupuncture is that the effects are instant. “Most patients leave the clinic feeling an immediate reduction in stress, while others can take up to 24 hours to experience the results of their treatment, often after a better night’s sleep.”

While massage is effective in helping relieve the physical manifestations of stress, and meditation the emotional aspects, acupuncture is able to work on both at the same time. Davidson says one treatment is enough to noticeably reduce stress, but usually three or four sessions over two to four weeks is required for a more lasting effect.

HOW: Expect to pay between $50 and $80 per session. To find your nearest acupuncturist, visit: www.atms.com.au

reiki

Reiki gives you the space to step outside of the stressful situation, which is fundamental for gaining a new perspective. Practitioner Natasha Tay says when we are stressed the body reacts by not only causing tension, but physical and mental blocks as well. “Reiki helps alleviate these blocks by gently encouraging the smooth flow of energy needed for the body to regain balance.”

Compared to other treatments, Reiki is a non-invasive, deeply relaxing and nurturing experience, which allows you to remain fully clothed. The practitioner places their hands lightly on or above the body in a sequence of positions. “It works in a similar way to acupuncture minus the needles,” Tay says.

One treatment is good for a quick fix, but it can also be used on a more regular basis for stress prevention and to help maintain a sense of wellbeing.

HOW: Your average one hour session will set you back around $60. To locate a local reiki provider, go to:  www.reikiaustralia.com.au

Other quick de-stress alternatives:

Aromatherapy: Try using five or six drops of lavender essential oil in a warm bath or put a couple of drops on a cloth and inhale from time to time during the day.

Herbal teas: Ditch the afternoon coffee for a cup of chamomile, passionflower, valerian or ginseng tea to calm the body.

So leave behind the excuse: “I’m too busy to meditate”, as you don’t need to spend lengthy chucks of time sitting on a hillside, to reap the many benefits of meditation. No matter how busy you are, there are plenty of ways to adopt meditation techniques that will improve your quality of life.

meditation at a glance

Meditation, essentially, involves withdrawing from the distractions of the external world to explore the inner world of the mind, bodily sensations and feelings. When a person meditates, alpha waves are created in the brain, which promotes a sense of calm by relaxing the entire nervous system.

Meditation is very much a mind focusing technique, teaching us to become more mindful. It is not only about breathing or sitting in the full lotus posture, but doing things and actually noticing that you are doing them. Most of the time we are on auto-pilot – doing things out of habit or routine. Often, when you do one task, you are already thinking about doing the next one.

Being mindful brings you into the present, so you can be aware of what is happening moment by moment. It is a means of developing our ability to disengage from any mental clutter, thus clearing the mind. Having a calm mind allows you to respond rather than react to situations, which improves decision-making.

why meditate?

We all know meditation, where you allow the body to relax, is good for us. Scientists at Harvard Medical School who spent the past thirty years studying the effects of meditation, found: “Meditation helps decrease metabolism, lowers blood pressure and the heart-rate, and slows breathing and brain waves. Just about any condition that is either caused or made worse by stress can be helped by meditation.”

But that’s not all. Meditation has been found to drastically reduce stress and anxiety, enhance the immune system, boost concentration and memory, open up your senses, improve awareness and alertness, which in turn leads to a greater work / life balance and a happier more healthy mood overall.

Meditation teacher and former Tibetan Buddhist nun, Arian Young, says when we meditate, we are giving ourselves permission to slow down. “Just as a musician tunes their instrument to enhance performance, meditation helps us fine tune our nervous system and brain so our mind and body will perform at its best.”

“When we enter that relaxed state, our body’s sophisticated healing ability enables deep rest, renewal and recovery. The very act of meditation is an invitation to come home to yourself, and give yourself the loving attention you deserve and require to tap into your full potential.”

Senior lecturer in clinical studies at Monash University, Dr Craig Hassed, says meditation teaches you to be more present. “When we’re not being present, we fail to see what’s right there in front of us; we live in the past or create anxieties about the future, missing life as it passes us by. This effects communication and impairs our performance.”

being mindful

Arian Young says by engaging our basic senses of sight, touch, smell, hearing and taste, we enter the extraordinary world of our sensuality; our sensorium. “Stress levels are dramatically reduced when we come back to focus on the moment, particularly when it is something we love, right here, right now.”

“I suggest to clients to do the following: When you sit down to drink your coffee or tea, notice the shape, weight and temperature of your cup against the skin of your fingers and hands.  Smell the aroma wafting from your cup, let it enter your nostrils as you breathe in the richness of the moment.  Slowly take a sip and let the liquid swirl inside of your mouth and, eventually swallow. Savour the experience,” Young advises.

Try these simple exercises and notice the difference:

One-minute exercise:

Sit in front of a clock or watch that you can use to time the passing of one minute. Your task is to focus your entire attention on your breathing, and nothing else for the entire minute. Once you have mastered this, try doing two minutes, then five, and notice the sense of calm you experience afterwards.

Mindful eating exercise:

Sit at a table and eat your meal without engaging in any other activities – no television, no music and no talking. Eat your meal paying full attention to which piece of food you select, how it looks, how it smells, how you cut it, even the muscles you use to raise it to your mouth. Enjoy the texture and taste of the food as you chew it slowly.

Mindful shower exercise:

When you’re in the shower, allow yourself to become aware of the water against your skin, the temperature, the water pressure, the fragrance and texture of the soap or shower gel against the contours of your skin. When you towel dry yourself, notice the sensations against your skin. And do the same when applying lotion.

Hassad says we use mindfulness meditation exercises to come back into the present. “You are using something in the present moment, such as the body or the breath, to anchor your attention. In fact, paying attention to any of the senses will help us to ‘come to our senses’ and take out life not just one day at a time, but one moment at a time.”

take time to pause

Meditation is not difficult, and does not require any lifestyle changes, large time commitments or the ability to adopt awkward postures. When learnt properly, meditation travels conveniently into any lifestyle – anywhere, anytime.  If time is your biggest drawcard, Young suggests taking ‘micro breaks’.

“This is where you meditate for 30 seconds to one minute, to help refresh and refocus. Anyone can squeeze in a shorter session; in the shower, before a meeting, in the elevator, sitting on the toilet, preparing a meal – anytime you find yourself waiting.”

No matter where we are, life surrounds us with small pleasures of wonder, intrigue and delight. But most of us are too busy to appreciate the generous forces of life that surround us in every moment. Try pausing momentarily to feel the love in your heart for someone or appreciate the detail in the design of your shoes.

Young says when we do this, it is like absorbing a nutritional element which impacts significantly on our cells, bio-chemicals, nervous system and mood. “Meditation in the 21^st century is truly about giving your full attention to the motions of life; we are inextricably linked to all that is life and nature, but we act as if we are separate and in this split, we suffer.”