Costa Women Blogs

Gone is the Summer sunshine and warmth and as the weather gets colder, wetter and windier (especially of late), people are more likely to develop signs of colds (cough, sore throat, runny nose) or flu. The best way to treat a disease is to prevent it.  So, do something to boost your immune system now before you start showing any symptom. Chinese herbs such as Huang Qi (Astralagus) are used to strengthen Qi and to boost the immune system. Acupuncture can help rebalance energy, regulate the Qi and stimulate the immune system. Several clinical studies have demonstrated that acupuncture and herbal medicine in particular reduce the incidence of upper respiratory tract infection and shorten the length of time one is ill. When you get sick with a cold or the flu, do not wait. Start acupuncture treatments in the early stages. It may help eliminate pathogenic influences.Regular exercise of sufficient intensity (to warm you up, but not to make you sweat- not overdoing it) has been shown to reduce the incidence of the flu. Exercise such as Qi-gong, Tai-Chi, and Yoga can help reduce emotional and physical stress. It also strengthens the immune system and prevents disease from arising. Keep a good diet. Make sure to eat a full balanced diet that is rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. Foods containing beta-carotene are thought to help boost your immune system and keep your mucous membranes and upper respiratory system healthy and harder to infect. Carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes, garlic and tomatoes are high in beta-carotene. Eating lots of them during the flu season may help you avoid illness, or recover sooner. Drink water to prevent dehydration. Ample liquids can help your body flush the invaders and the debris from their battle with your immune system. Chicken soup is recommended because it adds extra water and expels mucous to help you get rid of the illness. Try to drink an 8-ounce glass of water every hour. This is very important to help your body recover from the flu.Extra rest will help you save energy for battling the illness. This is particularly important if you became sick when you were already tired or run down. Get more sleep and take a nap in the afternoon; it will help you recover faster.

If you were weaned on The Wooden Tops… if you associate Cher with Sonny … if Joni Mitchell makes you misty eyed… never mind. Welcome to Generation Jones, the club for misfits who are neither hippy Baby...

If you are hanging pictures in your study, you will need to know how to measure a straight line, perhaps how to calculate symmetrical distances from one object to another in order to situate the picture at dead center, and you’ll have to know how to use a hammer. If you are painting your bedroom wall, you will need to know how to edge the corners, prep the walls, and you’ll also – obviously – need to know how to handle a roller brush and the smaller one for more delicate areas. And if you’re mowing the grass, you’ll need to know how to use the particular lawn mower you happen to have. Logical. But each example refers to tools that you need to know how to handle in order to get the job done. Handling anger also requires tools. One of them can be patience. Patience in the face of what just happened or was just said, and patience in the face of your knee-jerk reactions to that. If I suggest that you make use of patience for your angry outbursts and patience is not a tool you are accustomed to using, then it makes just as little sense for you to try to do it, as it does for me to try to fix the broken plumbing in my bathroom. I simply have no experience in such issues, and no idea how to use the appropriate tools. However, if you practice patience in other areas of your life that might just be a bit easier than in moments of anger, such as: being patient while waiting behind a very slow person in the bank, or at the supermarket check-out line being patient while being stalled in heavy rush-hour traffic being patient with a small child that is learning how to walk (that one’s easy … think about it! And apply those principles.) being patient with someone to whom you are teaching a skill that they are unfamiliar with: trigonometry, carpentry, graphic design, poetry. etc. Clearly by developing the ability to be patient in areas of your life that do not provoke a knee-jerk reaction on your part, but rather, perhaps, merely impatience, will help you develop the muscle of patience for when you really need it, as in moments of anger. You’ll never know how well it works unless you try. Note: If you are wondering why this blog is now only appearing on alternate days (excluding Sat/Sun), it is because I also post on my other blog on the others days. That other blog is The Tao of Spiritual Partnership, so named for my new book. Click here to visit the blog and/or to sign up for the feed. For more about developing patience in your life and about becoming aware of the choices and attitudes you have at all times in order to transform your life, have a look at my book Rewiring the Soul: Finding the Possible Self (paperback or Kindle). To download the first chapter, click here Reviews From the Back Cover: A revelation of insight into the foundations of human suffering & transcendence. It not only lays out essential steps for inner freedom & joy but illuminates the way to true human potential. Dr. Kortsch is a spiritual master for our time. Paul Rademacher, Executive Director, The Monroe Institute; author: A Spiritual Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe “The masterwork of a profoundly gifted healer of the soul. Dazzling, challenging, wondrously useful.” Peggy Rubin, Director, Center for Sacred Theatre, Ashland, Oregon; author: To Be and How To Be, Transforming Your Life Through Sacred Theatre “The instruction manual on rewiring the soul. An in-depth guide on life, love, spiritual evolution & our integration within the universe.” Michael Habernig & April Hannah; Producers: The Path- The Afterlife & The Path 11 Documentaries “Rewiring the Soul is one the best introductions to the spiritual life I’ve ever read. Not esoteric but real-world & practical. The implications are profound.” Peter Shepherd; Founder Trans4mind.com; author: Daring To Be Yourself “The human being’s directory to the soul. A breakthrough for those seeking practical assistance, those of a more mystical bent & every soul awaiting discovery.” Toni Petrinovich, Ph.D.; author: The Call: Awakening the Angelic Human My new book The Tao of Spiritual Partnership is now also available in paperback format. The Kindle version will be released near the end of November 2012. To download the first chapter, click here From the Description on Amazon: More exciting than any other kind of relationship you have ever known, spiritual partnership is a path, a Tao, available to you so that you may transform your life. Spiritual partnership becomes background music to daily life allowing you to enhance the process of your growth and evolution. This ground-breaking book addresses: • relationship patterns that hold you back from a truly fulfilled life• the strong connection between sexuality and spiritual partnership• communication leading to true connection & lasting transformation of your relationshipIt is precisely at the problematic crossroads so often encountered in relationships that we are offered the opportunity to create a new foundation based on mutual complementarity rather than need; a free relationship between two people who want to be together, rather than two people who need to be together. Needing another, we are told, is the measure of love, but for a fully conscious individual nothing could be further from the truth. And therein lies part of the secret and healing power of spiritual partnerships.  Praise for The Tao of Spiritual Partnership “All humans seek the illusive touch of another’s Soul, which opens us to the sense of belonging to something bigger than the self. Dr. Kortsch has given us the true “tao” of relationship in this brilliant exploration of emotional tapestry. We will be grateful for this illumination of spiritual partnership for generations to come.” Chris Griscom: Spiritual Leader, Author “Eloquently and comprehensive, showing how your primary love relationship may be a sacred vessel that transports you and your partner to a place of mutual healing and expansion.” Robert Schwartz: Author of Your Soul’s Gift: The Healing Power of the Life You Planned Before You Were Born “The Tao of Spiritual Partnership is a unique blend of wit and wisdom; Dr. Kortsch encourages us to take responsibility for our relationships, while recognizing and seizing the opportunities for our own personal spiritual growth.” William Buhlman, Author of Adventures Beyond the Body    BIO: Gabriella Kortsch, Ph.D. (Psychology) is author of the bestselling Rewiring the Soul. and the recently released The Tao of Spiritual Partnership. She works in private practice as a psychotherapist, relationship and life coach with an international clientele in southern Spain using an integral focus on body, mind and soul. Also an international speaker, she teaches workshops, posts on her blogs, and publishes a monthly newsletter in English and Spanish. She has three sons.  Website: www.advancedpersonaltherapy.com Blogs: www.TaoofSpiritual Partnership.com &  www.RewiringtheSoul.com

Holistic Health – What is it and what types are there?  – by Venerina Conti MA, BSc I’m sure that all you readers out there have, once or twice, come across the terms Holistic Healing, Holistic health or Alternative Therapies. At some point, I’m sure some of you, or someone you know, may have practiced some form of it. However, for those who are a little unsure of the different kinds of Holistic Therapies available, and what they entail, I am going to try to give a brief explanation of what the most common alternative therapies consist of and what you can expect during a treatment. The term “Holistic” comes from the word “whole.” In this regard, when it comes to healing, Holistic health therapies treat the body, mind and soul as if they were one; working in unison. Holistic Health is based on a philosophy of natural, and balanced, living.  In Holistic tradition, prevention is better than cure. In fact, alternative therapies aim to prevent disease and not just to heal physical conditions as they arise. Holistic philosophy works on the principle that each individual is the sum of his/her parts and for all of them to be functioning properly, they need to be properly balanced and working harmoniously together. You’ve heard the saying Corpus san is Mentes san is, which translates from Latin into to “A healthy body is a healthy mind.”  As long as you feel healthy, your mind is positively set,  you are at peace with your inner being and anything is possible.  We all get days where we wake up full of the joys of spring and ready to tackle the world. Then, we have others when we feel sluggish, we’re not as productive, we sleep badly, we suffer indigestion and the slightest thing sets us over the edge. Holistic Health Therapies advocate that “full of the joys of spring feeling” all year round and not just when the sun is shining.  There are many different types of Holistic Therapies around and sometimes, choosing the right one can be a daunting task. In my experience, I’ve also found that not everyone will respond the same way to the same treatments. So, it’s up to you to choose which alternative therapy (ies) resonates best with you, which works best for you and how you may apply one, or more, into your everyday life in order to be healthier and happier. Here, I introduce you to just two of the most popular alternative therapies and my personal favourites: Reiki – Being a Reiki Master, I never underestimate the power of Reiki. Aside from QiGong Medicine, I believe Reiki is one of the most powerful healing tools to have ever existed. It penetrates the mind, body and soul in ways that can never be predicted. In fact, everyone reacts differently to Reiki sessions. I have witnessed people healing physically, mentally and emotionally by having regular Reiki sessions. In traditional Eastern Medicine, a human being not only consists of a physical body made of organs, limbs, blood, skin etc. but also of a more subtle energy system, which is responsible for our thought processing, our emotions and, ultimately, our health. Furthermore, eastern medicinal philosophies believe that disease in the body is nothing more than a manifestation of disease that has been afflicting the energy body for quite some time.  You may have heard of chakras. Metaphorically speaking, they are likened to wheels that, when functioning optimally, turn in our 7 core energetic centers (base or root, spleen, solar plexus, heart, throat, brow and crown,) with the energy that flows through us. Should there be a problem within our energetic system, one or more of the wheels will stop turning, imbalance is created, and when untreated, disease sets in. Reiki works on the basis of cleansing negative energy from the subtle energetic body and reactivating the chakras; restoring balance. Once restored, the physical body can begin to heal itself. The person who conducts the process of energy cleansing is known as a Reiki Master who is skillfully trained, and experienced, in channelling energy.  What to expect during a Reiki session: There are two ways of having Reiki treatments. One is “hands on” and the other is “hands off.” It’s a Reiki Master’s personal preference; according to the necessity of the client. However, personally I like to use the hands on approach during massage when people have a particularly stubborn lower back or shoulder pain.  The hands off treatment can be long distance or in person. The Reiki Master’s hands hover over the body of the client, usually within the energetic field. No direct physical contact is made with the client. Clients’ response to Reiki will vary. Some people feel a deep sense of relaxation. Some people cry as the build up of blocked emotions unravels and get released. Some people fall asleep, which is a sign the body needs time to heal at a cellular level. Nobody can predict what type of response they will have to a treatment. Reiki is particularly recommendable for cancer patients and people recovering from chemotherapy. In my 7 years experience, working with all types of hospitalised patients, I have seen dramatic results. Obviously it is not a cure nor a miracle, however the benefits are indisputable.  Reiki is non invasive, deeply cleansing, healing, truly relaxing and a form of unparalleled comfort. Aromatherapy; Aroma derives from the Greek word meaning “spices”, but in the case of the therapy, in question, it refers to a “therapy by use of fragrances”, (or scents, if you prefer.) On the contrary to popular belief, aromatherapy is not just about massages using scented oil.  Coincidently,  the word massage derives from the Arabic “Mass or mash’s” – meaning to press gently and it is a practice that can be dated back as far as 2700 B.C.  However, aromatherapy can also be used, carefully, in the home, to alter one’s state of mind at any given moment in time. You might recall one of those days when you were feeling less than in top form, yet suddenly came to life when you smelt the sweet sent of citrus like a lemon or orange. Unwittingly, you were experiencing the power of aromatherapy. The benefits of aromatherapy don’t just stop here. When I have a client, for massage or deep tissue massage, who has a particular back problem, or a sports injury, I love using a therapeutic blend of peppermint, lavender and black pepper essential oils with my carrier oil. The reason I choose this blend is because peppermint is an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic – just to mention a few of its properties. Lavender is soothing, anti-rheumatic, analgesic and relaxing – among others. Finally, a few of black pepper’s properties include warming, antiseptic, antispasmodic and antitoxic. Thus, during the massage, this blend will relax the client physically and mentally. It will, more deeply, relax and warm the muscles so that I can manipulate the problematic area without leaving the client distressed or in pain. Finally, it relieves the client of any potential “next day post massage” pain; especially when deep tissue massage has been used . All essential oils need to be carefully dosed, blended and used in conjunction with a carrier oil. The only essential oils safe to use neat and directly onto the body are lavender and tea tree oil. However, before you use any essential oil on your skin, you should carry out an allergy test, which is very simple. Just put a drop of the oil onto your wrist and wait to see if you have an allergic reaction. If you do, wash the area very quickly with cold, fresh water. Some essential oils are photosensitive, which means that after you use them, on your skin, you need to wait a minimum of 4 hours before you expose yourself to direct sunlight. If you would like further information or if you would like to book any treatments, please do not hesitate to contact me on tel. 0034 646760028. I am based in Estepona but provide a mobile massage service along the entire Costa del Sol and in Gibraltar.  I am happy to travel outside these areas but, to make it viable, it would have to be for a minimum of 3 hours worth of treatments. For a full list of treatments and a price list, please email: spamarazul@gmail.com

Torrential rain and storms had reached their peak last Tuesday, and so did the Costa Women Fashionistas, over 110 of whom had gathered in Nueva Andalucia´s swanky Skybar, upstairs of the Guey Restaurant! It´s such a lovely venue, very plush and cozy, and the gorgeous Guilhermina looks after us so well with reduced drinks prices, Audio, and complementary canapés! It proved to show once again, that nothing will stand between the gorgeous Marbella ladies and their passion for fashion, as all of us enjoyed a sassy Lingerie Fashion-show put on by the luxurious A La Folie Boutique in Puerto Banus. So hard to choose between so many fun and sexy outfits!! I personally fully intend to add to my collection on at least monthly basis!! Daili – you´ve been warned, you´ll be seeing me (and I´d imagine my very delighted husband!! ;-)) often enough in your charming boutique! Kerry Hawthorne of Kool Jewels was also there with her glamorous and original accessories and also donated 15 % of all sales of the evening towards the evening´s fundraising. It was also a great way to celebrate Costa Women´s achievement of its 2012 target of 1,250 members – don´t forget – recommending it to just 1 friend, could make us double in size overnight, and imagine what a celebration and superpower we would be if it was 5 friends that you referred!! As always, the evening was also a fundraiser, this time for the Sue Holloway and her family, who had also lost it all in the Malaga fires some weeks ago. In total €50 was raised for them to have in Leroy Merlin vouchers, which Sue´s husband Andy will use to replace some of his trade tools he lost in the fire, which will help him towards working as a self-employed welder. Please remember him and his 10% discount offer for Costa Women if you need any such work done! Also a Big Thanks to Christian Pascua, professional photographer, who did such a fantastic job on the night and putting together his brilliant overview album (in his own pic above he doesn´t seem have been suffering toooo much anyway!! :-)). Please visit his site http://www.facebook.com/iCAPTUREDiMAGES and website www.christianpascua.com Needless to say, I´m delighted to have Bea Gyutai helping with promotion of the Marbella event, please visit and “like” her brand new Facebook page and see if you could maybe help her with some tips and advice of how to get ahead in PR & Marketing (or maybe you have a project that she could help you with? ) http://www.facebook.com/pages/PR-marketing-events-communication/300352223408840 So brilliant to have such a great mix of many familiar faces at each event and also new, like our volunteer Miah! THANK YOU ALL!

A list of Activities in Granada – November 2012 Jazz festival, exhibitions and foodie evenings. http://piccavey.com/granada-november/ Enjoy! Molly