Spread the Word, not the Disease?

HIV and AIDS are definitely up there in the ‘taboo subject’ category. Unfortunately, because people feel too ashamed to talk about it openly and get tested if they feel they may have put themselves at risk, the disease will continue to thrive, especially in certain communities.

This week is National HIV Testing Week, so what does that mean for us? Well, many people assume that HIV is an illness generally associated with the gay population and African population. While this is true, the infection isn’t restricted to these people alone. Around one in 650 people in the UK is HIV positive – but worryingly, these are only the people that have been tested. Individuals can live with the disease for years without ever knowing, living freely to pass on the virus. So essentially, if you have ever had unprotected sex, you are at risk.

The reason that HIV is such a scary prospect is because there is no cure. Many people also conclude that HIV and AIDS are the same thing, or at least that AIDS is certainly impending and subsequently fatal. Thankfully, this is not the case and generally people coping with HIV can live perfectly fulfilled and healthy lives.

While the advancement in medicine is fantastic, we need to accept that it is our responsibility to combat HIV and AIDS for good. If everyone got tested if they felt they had put themselves at even the most minor risk and those already infected with HIV treated their illness sensibly and accordingly then eventually HIV and AIDS could be eliminated for good.

For more information about HIV and AIDS including a list of symptoms and where to go if you think you might have become infected, head to http://www.tht.org.uk/myhiv/HIV-and-you/News/Latest-News/National-HIV-Testing-Week for all the advice that you need. 

Humour Halloween or Pretty and Pristine?

There’s a line on Halloween which seems to cause quite a debate. Dress up as scary/hilarious/stupid as you can, or go as pretty/primed/’slutty’ as you can?

 

This has got the GYS team thinking.

 

We think Halloween is the one time of year that you can make a complete fool of yourself and no one will even question you. Pumpkins are definitely our favourites this year. Here’s a few of our favourite outfits that we’ve seen so far:

 

Don’t get us wrong, there’s anything wrong with looking nice. We do think that if you do choose the pretty category, imagination is a must! Make an effort as well as making yourself look as attractive as you can. Skeleton is our favourite pretty outfit this year, have a look at this skelly tutorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8OM8ucENAk

 

Happy Halloween!

Strong bones make strong women

 

 

How well do you take care of your bone health? Osteoporosis is the condition that makes the bones weak and fragile and more likely to break or fracture. Some of the factors that cause this are ones that cannot be changed. However, promoting a positive lifestyle and treating breakages with care can help to make experience of Osteoporosis better. This is where Bowen comes in to play.

20^th October sees the launch of the yearly campaign by the IOF (International Osteoporosis Foundation) to promote awareness of all aspects of Osteoporosis. Pair the pain of Osteoporosis with Bowen therapy to support the campaigns strap line of ‘strong bones make strong women’.

Advice given to sufferers of Osteoporosis is to avoid negative lifestyle habits. Bowen therapy is the small rolling movements with fingers and thumbs to help you to relieve stress. Bowen is a relaxing treatment, rather than forcing the body to change Bowen ‘asks’ the body to recognise and make the changes it requires.

Bowen is also useful for dealing with breakages and fractures. A patient who was suffering with problems due to breaking her neck said that “my neck muscles returned to normal and my rotations steadily improved with each session” and that she was “so impressed with Bowen”.

What better timing to consider Bowen therapy than the celebration of Osteoporosis World day. Bowen therapists are located all across the UK, for more information and to find your nearest therapist click here. For even more information call 0844 561 7173, or send an email to ask@BowenTherapy.org.uk.

National Chocolate Week!

Running in its 9^th year, this week (14^TH – 20^TH) the nation is celebrating all things chocolate. No need to make an excuse about that chocolate treat at lunch. And break. And that time between lunch and packing up. According to http://www.chocolateweek.co.uk chocolate week ‘promotes fine flavour chocolate’, but hey, Cadburys does us fine.

Chocolate is no longer that naughty indulgence, with prestigious companies like Hotel Chocolat, Godiva, Divine and Leonidas creating edible art, with new cocktails of flavours which differ so much from a regular, foil wrapped Twix. You can buy a crème brulee in a mini chocolate cup, the same size as a small Vaseline tub, and a banoffee pie in a bite. Who needs a full sized pudding when you can have one of each, all in the same box.

Divine Chocolate, The Waterfront - Leicestershire

With the packaging just as pretty as the product, chocolate makes an amazing present. Someone’s birthday? Give them Thorntons. Friend feeling down? Let her cry over a heart shaped box of Ferrero Rochers. Creme Eggs galore in April and Nestle selection boxes at Christmas. There’s never a bad time for chocolate.

Chocolate is not only sweet now, unusual flavours like chilli, bacon and pink pepper are being introduced by Chocolatiers, breaking away from the regular caramels, honeycombs and covered berries. Mixed with dark chocolate means it’s actually good for you! Magnesium and potassium plus points, so don’t use your monthlies as an excuse.

Cocoa Bean Chocolate at Harvey Nichols

Events this week are dotted around London including John Lewis, who are partaking in a week long chocolate event, with something different to try everyday. Chocolate sampling and tasting events and a Chocolateria at Clapham Junction, Choctails at Met Bar are some more events taking place, with many more at http://www.chocolateweek.co.uk.

So whether you’re having a evening of Fine Tequila and Fine Chocolate in Westminster, a chocolate spa treat or enjoying a silky and comforting Galaxy moment at your desk, make the most of this week. And remember, a balanced diet is a chocolate in both hands!

Chilren's Clinic CPD Event

Bowen Therapy has long established itself for its ability to transform the lives of patients. One of the biggest draws to the technique is the versatility of the treatment – each session is tailored to the individual. Because of this, it is essential that therapists are constantly being refreshed and updated on methods of treatment.

On the 19^th and 20^th October 2013 at Dunchurch Park Hotel and Conference Centre in Warwickshire, the BTPA - Bowen Therapy Professional Association - are launching an event for both Bowen and non-Bowen therapists to broaden their understanding about the range of conditions which could be affecting children who visit the clinics. There is the option of one or both days and is a great opportunity to network with other therapists to increase your knowledge of children’s welfare.

The first day features a choice of two workshops; either
a seminar on pregnancy and birth designed to help take into account the processes from the baby’s point of view, or an Emm-Tech muscle management workshop. The former will be presented by both John Wilks and midwife Lina Clerke, who will work with the group to explore the physical ramifications of different birthing procedures, as well as looking into issues with fertility, conception and pregnancy. This day is exclusively for those already trained in Bowen Therapy. The Emm-Tech seminar is a short-course on releasing tension and tightness in eleven key muscles in the body. All of the techniques taught have shown exceptional effects on children and no previous Bowen experience is required. Both courses are priced at £90.   


The second day is open to both Bowen and non-Bowen therapists and consists of a timed agenda running from 9am until 5pm. Within this time-table, there will be the speakers including a paediatric consultant and a representative from social services. In the afternoon delegates can choose two out of the four workshops available. The cost of the day is £85 for BTPA members and £105 for non-BTPA members and the price includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day.

 

For further information on the itineraries/agenda and content of the event, please visit http://www.bowen-therapy.co/Bowen/kids-clinic-cpd-event.html

Bringing Back Bowen

With summer far behind us, and Christmas jumpers in all major retailers, we’re all a little more conscious of the change in our lifestyle: we eat more, spend more, and wear more. It’s not surprising that we feel a little low with the changing of seasons, but Bowen is here to help.

A Bowen treatment aims to help every person, whether recovering from a serious summer workout or the idea of Christmas shopping is daunting this year, the sessions are proven to heal many ailments ranging from headaches and body pains to depression and insomnia.

 

As an alternative form of therapy, Bowen Therapy relaxes the mind and allows the body to actively explore its own healing process. The technique is carried out by using the fingers and thumbs to make small, rolling movements over muscles, ligaments, tendons and soft tissues at precise points on the body. Rather than 'making' the body change, Bowen 'asks' the body to recognise the ailment and make the changes it requires.

Our sessions aim to help every person, whether recovering from a serious summer workout or the idea of Christmas shopping is daunting this year, the sessions are proven to heal many ailments ranging from headaches and body pains to depression and insomnia.

“I have had many alternative treatments, but feel Bowen to be the most beneficial.” - Lower back pain sufferer.

 

Channel 4 thrill-seeker and Bowen Therapy Professional Association (BTPA) client, Bear Grylls appreciates this: ‘It’s a vital support in putting right a whole range of new aches and pains’. Bowen therapy is also reassuring when keeping away previous pains. Bear Grylls adds that the therapy ‘helps me fight stress and fatigue’. The born survivor benefits from the therapy as he prepares for bigger and bolder adventures.

Bowen therapists can be found all over the UK, and your nearest therapist is only a few clicks away at www.bowentherapy.org.uk. Alternatively, you could call for more information on 0844 561 7173, or send an email to ask@BowenTherapy.org.uk. We can’t change the weather, but we can change the feeling of fatigue and seasonal stress, so click here to find your nearest Bowen therapist!

World Mental Health Day

Okay, so we get it – it’s Miley’s mouth, she can say what she wants to. In many ways, she is starting resembling a desperate potential Big Brother contestant, stuffed full of ‘I don’t care what people think of me, I say it how it is’ and ‘I’m just being honest, if people don’t like it, screw them!’ How great to have a role model who is so open-minded, outspoken and confident. After waking up every morning for the past few weeks, since Miley’s infamous performance at the VMAs, I am always eager to find out what inspiring line she is going to come out with next – ‘malaria rules!’ – ‘people with cancer are so stupid’ or ‘Miley loves cystic fibrosis’; because after all, she is super open about her thoughts. She is quite happy to belittle, insult, and upset the millions of people world-wide suffering with mental health problems, so why not insult everyone else who is living with a serious, potentially fatal, illness too?

This is the reason why mental health is such a taboo subject. No one talks about it, and when they do, they’re never left to forget about it. I haven’t found a single article about Catherine Zeta-Jones which doesn’t mention her battle with bipolar disorder, yet I have never read an article which says ‘Rihanna, who has had black skin since she was born, is revelling in the success of her latest single’ or ‘it is rumoured that Louis Spence has split up with his husband because he is gay.’ Every single person in this world has a skin colour, just like they have a sexual orientation, and just like they have a mental health. So why is it that in the supposedly open-minded society that we live in, there is still such a heavy stigma attached to issues with mental health?

Let’s look at the facts: 25% of people will experience mental health problems in any given year. Do you consider yourself to have a phobia? If so, then you are suffering from a mental health problem. Do you feel ashamed and alone because of it? Probably not because, because you don’t consider yourself to be any different to anyone else. The most surprising thing is that phobias are one of the lesser common mental illnesses, with the amount of people who suffer from mixed anxiety or depression almost double the amount that suffer from a phobia. I know more people that refuse to watch the television with the volume on an odd number – this is a form of OCD, yet no one crosses the street to avoid these perfectly normal people for fear of them lashing out in a deranged craze.

10^th October 2013 is World Mental Health Day, so take this opportunity to raise awareness and learn more information about various mental illnesses because they are normal. If you personally feel like you are suffering and are worrying about asking for help, then think about how many people you know who have had the flu, because guess what? Only 5-20% of people catch the flu every year, less than the amount of people that suffer from a mental health problem. So you are not alone, and you should never feel like you are.

Because of people like Miley Cyrus making mental illness into a joke, thousands of people will feel too ashamed to talk about it, resist treatment or even resort to suicide. Depression isn’t a case of needing to ‘cheer up’, it is like a black cloud is suffocating you and darkening all of the happiness that you find. Mental health problems leave you feeling trapped inside your own head, nothing is fun; you obsess over things that other people wouldn’t even notice. The more people that support this cause, the more people that won’t have to suffer in silence. Keep smiling, we promise there is help out there for you.

For information on mental health, visit www.mind.org.uk and for information on World Mental Health Day, which this year focuses on older sufferers, visit www.mentalhealth.org.uk