Horwath HTL Spa Consulting

Good food starts with the food you eat. Amazingly, at a time when we have never known more about health, fitness and nutrition, the health of various nations continues to decline as more and more people succumb to degenerative conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

At present, an ‘allopathic’ approach to health dominates today’s nutrition landscape. Treating all symptoms under one prescription-based umbrella, this approach groups people with similar outward characteristics together, prescribing generic treatments to the masses. Nutrition-wise, it encourages the public to follow the general guidelines of the food pyramid, without taking into consideration a person’s individual bio-chemical makeup and dietary imbalances.

METABOLIC TYPING EXPLAINED

The idea of customized nutrition is not new. The great classical medical traditions, from the Indians, Egyptian, Greeks, Romans, to the Chinese, all acknowledged physiological individuality as far back as 2,000 years ago. Expressed through China’s five ‘elements’ and India’s Ayurvedic system, each concept was based on the ancient Roman philosophy “one man’s food is another man’s poison.”

One of the core philosophies of metabolic typing is that every body (literally) needs its own specific ratio of ‘macro-nutrients’ (carbohydrates, proteins and fats) to meet its bio-chemical needs. Since no two individuals are alike on a biochemical or physiological level, our diets shouldn’t be either. In other words, a one fits-all approach to nutrition has no place in metabolic typing, rather, the trick is to discover what kinds of foods yours individual metabolism thrives on.

ANCEDTRAL HERITAGE

Standardised nutritional approaches fail to recognize that, for genetic reasons, people are all very different from one another on a bio-chemical or metabolic level. Due to widely varying hereditary influences, we all process or utilize foods and nutrients very differently. Consequently, the very same nutritional protocol that enables one person to lead a long healthy life can cause serious illness in someone else.

In metabolic typing there are no ‘good’ or ‘bad’ foods, except in terms of foods that are right or wrong for your genetic makeup. A person’s ancestral heritage plays a big part in determining their nutrient requirements and to prove the point we only need to look at the Eskimo (or ‘lnuit’) diet, which largely consists of a high protein/fat combination, and the Masai of Africa who live long healthy lives on a high fat, low fibre diet of beef and milk. Neither culture has high rates of heart disease, yet cardiovascular disease is one of the most prominent illness in the United States and many other Western countries – a fact that can only be attributed to genetics.
In short. There is no such thing as a standard ‘healthy diet’. The only healthy diet is that one that meets one’s genetically-based requirements.

BALANCING BODY CHEMISTRY

Rather than focus on symptoms, metabolic typing looks at the cause of disease at its point of origin. Bypassing standardised therapeutic approaches, it builds health through specific, targeted nutritional intervention.

Most importantly, it balances the chemistry in the body’s executive command centres’- namely the Autonomic Nervous System and the Cellular Oxidative System – which in turn produces a health inducing ‘domino effect’ on all the body’s systems, leading to the elimination of multiple symptoms at the same time.

INDIVIDUAL NEEDS

We all need a full spectrum of nutrients, but people have varying requirements for different nutrients. This explains why a certain nutrients can make one person feel good, have no effect on another, and cause a third person to feel worse.

Similarly, just as the same food may cause different patterns of metabolic balance (or imbalance) in different people, two people displaying similar disease symptoms may need distinctly different diets to return to health. For example, two women might both have high cholesterol, yet depending on their metabolic type, will follow distinctly different customised diets back to health. While one woman may resolve her high cholesterol with a low fat, low protein, high carbohydrate diet, the other may follow a low carbohydrate, high protein, high fat diet. The result? Lowered cholesterol in both women due to the fact that each has matched her nutritional needs to her individual imbalances.

IGNORING YOUR METABOLIC TYPE

Not following your metabolic nutrient requirements can lead to a gradual bio-chemical erosion of energy production. This is particularly noticeable in times of stress, or even when there is a change in the weather. How often has it happened when there is a sharp change in weather, that people start coughing, or start getting colds? The insidious development of chronic disease is the result of a continuous biochemical imbalance in the body which left unchecked leads to illness.

LONG TERM GOOD HEALTH

As pioneering nutritionist, Dr. Roger Williams once pointed out, “Even individual organism that has a distinctive genetic background also has distinctive nutritional needs which must be met for optimal wellbeing.” Unlike other methods of determining dietary individuality, such as blood typing or body typing, metabolic typing is a dynamic, comprehensive system that encourages people to better understand their personal nutrition needs. The direct result of this is better health for longer.

Exert from; Eat Right for Your Metabolic Type, AsiaSpa March – April 2010 page 135, written by Miles Price

The idea of fragrances and perfumes in our homes is not new to India. The use of flowers and incense sticks in rituals to create fragrant, pleasant and peaceful ambience is well entrenched in our culture. Today, there are some key drivers of changes in lifestyle which have resulted in a need for new forms of dissipating fragrances. The increase in air conditioned spaces which may create malodour in living spaces. De-stressing and maintaining harmony are our prime concerns. Home fragrance plays a big role in creating a soothing ambience. A fragrant home connotes a fresh, clean and happy home and the choice of fragrance can go a long way in creating a lasting memory, both for the family members and the guests.

The different fragrances widely used in homes are floral, citrus, fruity, spicy, earthy, and herbal among others. The smell of flowers such as jasmine, rose and geranium are also sought-after and has been used from a long time. Floral fragrances reflect feminine, delicate and sensual characters and are perfect for bedrooms and bathrooms.

Citrus fragrances impart a clean, invigourating and fresh appeal. Choose from orange blossom, lemon, lemongrass, lime, grapefruit and bergamot. Citrus fragrances are gender neutral, and are well suited for office, bathroom, and even cars. It will keep you fresh throughout the day. Green fragrances are gender neutral and include rosemary, chamomile and eucalyptus. These fragrances and herbs make a relaxing bath and is a good choice for soaps, bath salts and lotions. Spicy fragrances warm up a room giving a cosy feeling. cinnamon, ginger, myrrh and frankincense are spicy fragrances. These are strong, and are good for winters.

Earthy odours are resinous and can be used in bath products for both men and women. Fragrances that fall into this category include sandalwood, rosewood, musk, cedar wood and patchouli.

Exert from; The Aroma Touch, AsiaSpa India  January–February 2010 page 88-89, written by Kiran Ranga

There’s no doubt that functional foods are changing the food supply with consumers enjoying the convenience of it all. It’s not just that no one has ever put natural soluble fibre from psyillium husks (which help lower cholesterol) in cereals or pastas, or memory boosters into gum before. It’s that companies are making during, often outrageous claims on their labels without anyone’s approval without solid evidence to back it up.

Until recently, America’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prohibited labels from claiming that food could prevent disease. In 1993, the FDA started approving so-called “health claims” on labels, but those claims are tightly regulated. A label can say, for example, that a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol can reduce the risk of heart disease, but only if it has the FDA’s approval and only if the food isn’t unhealthy. But most functional food-makers have figured out how to short-circuit the rules.

Instead of making a health claim, which mentions a disease, companies make ‘structure-or-function claims’ that a food can affect the structure or function of the body. The FDA doesn’t have to approve them, and they can appear on any food, no matter how unhealthy. For example, a box of high sugar Fruit Loops cereal can’t say, “may reduce the risk of heart disease” or “lowers cholesterol,” but it can say “promotes a healthy heart” or “maintains healthy cholesterol.” Would you recognize the difference?

At least products like Kashi’s ‘Heart-to–Heart Oatmeal’ has evidence to show that soluble fibre lowers cholesterol, but 95 percent of functional foods sold in today’s market, haven’t been clinically tested and are making claims unsupported by clinical data. So are functional foods safe? Do they delivery what they promise? You’ve got to evaluate each one on its own merits and ask yourself the following four questions:

1. DOSE IT WORK?
The calcium in calcium-fortified orange juice helps build bone, the folate in enriched flour helps prevent birth defects – those are the easy ones. It’s much tougher of figure out whether the claims for other ingredients added to functional foods are backed by solid evidence. Take Celestial Seasonings St. John’s Wort Tea, whose label shouts “Mood Mender!” It doesn’t say a word about preventing or treating depression, since that would be an illegal health claim. So far, the only studies available show that the herb only ‘somewhat’ helped under half of all volunteers with clinical depression, course that means it didn’t help more than half the volunteers. What’s more, reliable research has never looked at whether St. John’s Wort can bounce you out of a bad mood if you aren’t clinically depressed.

2. HOW MUCH DOES IT CONTAIN?
If a food is fortified with vitamins or minerals, the label has to tell you exactly how much or how little, has been added. That’s not the case with herbs or other added ingredients. Snapple, for example, refuses to divulge the amount of ginseng it puts into its Ginseng Tea. And even when labels say how much is in each serving, most shoppers have no idea whether that’s a lot or a little. So how do companies decide how much herb or other “functional” ingredient to add to their foods? Do they evaluate the scientific literature to determine how much is effective and safe? Don’t bet on it.

3. IS IT SAFE?
Unlike food additives or drugs, the herbs and other ingredients in functional foods or supplements don’t have to undergo tests to see if they cause cancer, birth defects, liver toxicity, or any other serious problems later on. Also when you buy a drug, the label tells you not just how much to take, but for how long to take it and who shouldn’t take it. With functional foods, you’re almost always on your own. For example, most Echinacea supplement labels caution users not to take the herb for extended periods of time. You won’t find those cautions on Fresh Samantha Super Juice with Echinacea, or on most other foods that contain the herb.

4. THE BOTTOM LINE: IS IT HEALTHY?
Don’t assume that all functional foods are healthy. No matter how impressive-looking a functional food’s name or package claim – no, sorry but Echinacea dose not prevent colds – it’s all about marketing, not health. Check the nutrition facts label before deciding whether it’s good for you. Fortified junk foods are still junk.

And don’t forget nature’s functional foods. Fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, and low-fat milk and yogurt are packed with nutrients or phytochemicals that may reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, eye disease, and other health problems. Crisps, candy bars, puddings, and biscuits (even if they’re fat-free, low salt, and contain no preservatives) can’t take the place of foods that come with no label, no advertising, and no gimmicks.

Exert from; Functional Foods, AsiaSpa January – February 2010, written by Gabrielle Tüscher

Perhaps you began your day with a slice of folate-enriched toast (to protect your heart) slathered with margarine (that lowers cholesterol) washed down with a glass of apple juice with echinacea (hoping to ward off the sniffles.) For lunch, you may have had a bowl of soup spiked with St.John’s wort (hoping to prevent depression.) What’s wrong with adding vitamins, fibre, herbs and extracts to foods that ordinarily do not contain them? Maybe nothing. If research show’s that they’re safe and that they work. Unfortunately there’s no guarantee of either. Welcome to the fastest-growing segment in the food industry – ‘functional food.’

Over the past decade we’ve seen a shift in consumer demand for organic, ‘natural’ and ‘whole’ foods (in the hopes of weight loss and disease prevention), with a preference to get extra nutrients from food rather than from supplements, and heavyweight food manufacturers agree.

In a sense, functional foods have been around since the 1920’s when iodine was added to salt to prevent goitres. Today, we can find everything from gummy bears with added vitamins, snack chips with gingko biloba and teas with added ginseng.  Everyone from Kellogg’s to Danone are jumping on the ‘functional food’ bandwagon. Consulting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers, (PwC) expects the global market for functional foods to mushroom from US$78 billion in 2007 to US$128 billion in 2013; functional beverages, the fastest-growing global segment, will top US$34 billion in 2010.

Japan was, and still is; the pioneer in Asia’s functional food market, yet China, America, England and other Asian countries are catching up very quickly. So what is all the hype about? Are these ‘miracle’ foods the cure alls they claim to be? And we slates for a future of cake batter and chocolate filled with aspirin and blood pressure medication?

Exert from; Functional Foods, AsiaSpa January – February 2010, written by Gabrielle Tüscher

“Like the cleanliness of a guest hotel room, cleanliness of a spa, along with good hygiene and sanitation practices, are absolutely necessary and should never be compromised.” So says Georgia Sutherland, owner of spa Alliance spa consultancy management group and Glo Day Spa in Bali. She’s right. After all when you think about it spas are a perfect breeding ground from germs; the dark corners and damp surfaces of the steam room for example, are an ideal environment for fungus if the right steralisation measures haven’t been put in place.

Reassuringly, in response to increasing customer expectations, spas are taking an extremely pro-active stance to hygiene…… Sean O’ Connor, Group Spa Manager – Design and Development for the mandarin Oriental Hotels ….. explains that the three primary transmission risk elements are water, air and surface touch. “While all can be managed, the major issue in spas is water.” He advises spas to introduce benchmark sanitary standards, which include schedule internal and external audits; and investment into technologies that prevent the spread of disease. “Consider everything from devices that instantly assess bacteria counts using bacterial swabbing to mold and mildew prevention, prevention with disinfection, water management, food hygiene and personal hygiene.” Sutherland agrees, “All equipment should disposable or sanitisable. Bacteria needs food, water and oxygen to grow which means that materials such as wood (which are porous) are not ideal as they harbor bacteria.”…..

One solution to this problem? Creating green spas of course. “Our ‘Pure Rooms’ are cleaned organically using natural methodologies including ‘ozonation’ air purifiers (a process that destroys bacteria and other microorganisms with out using chemicals), and de-chlorinated water facilities that create a pure and clean guest room space,” says O’Conner. “We have guests paying a 20 percent premium for these rooms, so yes there is certainly a market willing to pay for a room that has been ‘green cleaned’.”

All in all its best to choose a spa that explains its cleaning process, or mentions it in its marketing. As Matherick points out, “If they are making a points of it, then they are putting the energy in and ensure the staff understand how effective procedures such as hand washing are in reducing contagious diseases.”

Exert from; Hygiene in the Spa, AsiaSpa November – December 2009, written by Judy Chapman

One of biggest ageing factors is diet. Most of us consume a diet that is high in fat and sugar, with little or no exercise to move it alone. Add to that, lack of sleep, stress, and too much exposure to the sun and you have all the components for premature ageing. In order for our bodies to function at optimal level and hence stave off the ageing process we need to maintain a diet that includes a minimum of five servings of antioxidant rich foods per day. Why? because these foods have been proven to help reduce stress and ageing exceptionally well. Eating a diet rich in antioxidant vitamins and minerals are your best defence against the free radical damage of oxidation, while nourishing and protecting your skin to extend its youthful appearance.
Fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidant can boost your immune system and help fight negative stress. Some of these foods include blueberries, tomatoes, carrots and broccoli. Magnesium is known as the anti-stress mineral. You’ll find this in whole grains, beets, and raisins. Foods high in vitamin C, such as oranges and grapefruit, and foods rich in potassium like bananas, avocados, and yogurt, help to lower blood pressure. All these can lower your stress levels that will significantly lessen the effects of ageing on your body. Including the following top 10 anti-ageing into your daily diet will not only prevent premature ageing, but it is easy to do, not to mention a lot less painful than going under the knife.

Top 10 Anti-Ageing Foods

1. Acai Berry: Some refer to it as the youth berry others refer to it as botox in a bottle. Pronounced “ah-sigh-eee” this unique fruit ranks number one on the list for its for nutritional and health properties, linking it to everything from promoting healthier, younger looking skin, to improving stamina and sexual function, to cleansing and detoxifying the body. Packed with antioxidants like vitamins C and E (that help prevent premature ageing,) with up to 33 times the anthocyanins of red wine grapes, and more essential amino acids (proteins) than an egg.

2. Blueburries: Second on the list are these plump berries that range from mildly sweet to tart and tangy. This tiny fruit packs a synergy of multiple nutrients including vitamin C, folic acid, fibre, and carotenoids. Analysed for their antioxidant capabilities, blueberries rate high in their capacity to destroy free radicals. They are rich in phytonutrients (anthocyanidins, and pterostibene) that may help reduce the risk of cancer, help lower cholesterol and combat the ageing process.

3. Tomatoes: Not only do tomatoes contain lycopene, the antioxidant phytochemical that also helps prevent heart disease, but they’re also a good source of dietary fibre and an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and E – all enemies of cancer-friendly and ageing free radicals. (Note: Lycopene is best absorbed by the body when the tomatoes are cooked so load up on fresh tomato sauce or broil them with a little olive oil.)

4. Omega-3s: These healthy fatty acids help maintain cell membranes, allowing nutrients in and keeping toxins out. Numerous studies have shown that Omaga-3s can help protect against ageing caused by sun damage and helps reduce the risk of skin cancer. The best sources of Omega 3s include wild salmon, herring, mackerel (not king), sardines, rainbow trout, Omega 3 fortified eggs, flaxseed (ground, oil), walnuts, seaweed, canola oil and soybeans.

5. Water: The most important to radiant looking skin. Water helps your body flush away toxins, allows the smooth flow of nutrients into the cell, and keeps organs functioning at their best. Plus, cells that are well hydrated are plump and full, which means that your skin will look firmer and clearer. Although liquids are the main source of water, many foods have such a high water content that they contribute to overall hydration. Choose foods that are made up of 75 percent water – apples, grapefruit, mangos, watermelon, cherries, berries, orange and vegetables – artichokes, asparagus, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, pumpkin, lettuce, red yellow, green peppers, and allow your thirst guide to dictate how much water you should drink per day.

6. Spices: Who would have thought that the spice rack is full of anti-ageing secrets? Research shows that cinnamon can decrease blood sugar levels and lower cholesterol, especially in people with type-two diabetes. Arthritis sufferers may also find relief in turmeric, a spice found in curry that also been reported to help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Paprika and cayenne pepper can help fight high blood pressure and improve circulation and even ginger can help decrease blood pressure, alleviate arthritis pain and reduce your risk of cancer. Fresh spices are usually your best choice to fight ageing, but you can still benefit from including dried version into your daily diet.

7. Fibre: Another key to staying young is to keep your intestines healthy and bowels regular. This takes plenty of fibre-about 25 grams a day for women and 35 grams for men. Fibre works by keeping all the nutrients you eat in your intestines and release them as needed, and soluble fibre has been shown to help reduce cholesterol levels and maintain blood sugar levels. So eat more fruits, vegetables and foods rich in whole grains. Good fibre-rich options include oats, oatmeal, oat bran, psyillium seeds, apples, sweet potatoes, carrots, raisins, pears, cabbage, spinach, almonds, sunflower seeds, beans, brown rice, whole grain breads and pasta.

8. Dark Leafy Greens: Broccoli, spinach, bok choy, arugula and other dark leafy greens are pached with antioxidants such as beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin, all cancer-fighting and anti-ageing substances. They are also rich source of vitamin C, folate, B vitamins, calcium, and potassium; so include a variety in your daily diet.

9. Garlic: Nicknamed ‘Russian Penicillin’, due to its legendary antioxidant properties, this sometimes ‘stinky food’ is a powerful anti-fungal, an anti-viral and an anti-bacterial. Studies show garlic helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure. In addition, garlic is an excellent source of manganese, a very good source of vitamin B6 and vitamin C and a good source of selenium – all anti-ageing nutrients.

10. Tea: Last but not least on the list is tea. Why? Because tea in another great option for hydrating the body and it contains natural compounds called polyphenols, which have antioxidant properties that help prevent sun-related cancers and help increase collagen production in skin. Your best choices include white and green tea, which have the best medicinal effect on the body and contain a very small amount of caffeine compared to coffee (which dehydrates the body), and darker teas.

Gabrielle Tuscher, AsiaSpa September – October 2009 page 58-59

The history of massage therapy is probably as ancient as the history of humanity. The first evidence mentioned by historians are European cave paintings that depict the use of healing touch as far back as 15,000 BC

The origin of the word “massage” is derived from either the Arabic word “mass?, meaning to touch, or the Greek word “massein,” , which means to knead.

The information in the timeline below is from many sources, mainly massage textbooks, and massage school manuals. There are many contradictions and the information is quite inaccurate even though you may ind the same information in various sources. This information will hopefully give some background and intrigue your interests to pursue more information on about the history of massage, bodywork and other related modalities.

3000 BC Chinese: Cong-Fu of Toa-Tse is the oldest book known about massage. Translated to French in 1700s.

2760 BC Nei Ching described therapeutic touch.

2500 BC Egyptians created reflexology.

2000 BC First writings about massage

1800 BC Ayurvedic. Art of Life book that included massage techniques. In India, the focus was on sensual massage aspects. Ayur-Veda is a code of life and it deals with rebirth, renunciation, salvation, soul, purpose of life, maintenance of mental health, prevention and treatment of diseases.

1600 BC In Egypt, the first record of chemotherapy was treatment for cancer

1555 BC A medical papyri contains remedies for all types of illnesses and the methods of application are similar to the ones used in Aromatherapy and Herbal medicine today.

500 BC – 50 AD The Greek and Romans used massage on Olympic athletes and to relieve neuralgia and epileptic seizures, to help prepare the muscles before activity and remove extra fluid and metabolites after sport, a concept which is still used today.

460-375 AD Another significant figure in massage therapy history is Hippocrates, the great Greek physician and the father of Western medicine. He wrote: “The physician must be experienced in many things but assuredly in rubbing can bind a joint that is too loose, and loosen a joint that is too rigid. “He believe that massage along with fresh air, good food, baths, music, rest, and visits to friends, are keys to treating diseases. Hippocrates described stroking the extremities upward (toward the heart) and returning with a light stroke back up again to push the venous and lymph upward toward the heart. These strokes could be hard, soft or moderate, depending on the condition of the tissues and the effect desired.

100s AD Schools for massage therapy were created in China.

130 AD – 201 AD Galen, a Greek physician from the school of gladiators who were rubbed before fighting wrote a book on manual medicine.

600s AD The Japanese developed shiatsu, which uses the fingers to apply pressure on acupuncture points to regenerate energy.

1368-1644 During the Ming Dynasty pediatric massage therapy or tui-na evolved into a higher form of therapy which is still used today.

1776-1813 Per Henrik Ling, a fencing master and gymnast cured himself of rheumatism through massage and created Medical Gymnastics and later formed the Royal Gymnastic Central Institute in Stockholm, Sweden.

1839-1909 Johann Mezger introduced medical massage to the scientific community and the terms effleurage, petrissage and tapotement become familiar. That is when Swedish massage become internationally know.

1917 Massage therapy was formerly introduced as a separate profession in the United States when the sureon-general set up a rehabilitation process for soldiers wounded in the First World War. The physiotherapy clinics in the US treated roughly 75,000 men who were disabled while fighting in World War I. During World War II, soldiers suffering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder were treated by massage therapy.
Throughout history, massage therapy has been used to treat ailments and physical stress. Today, massage therapy continues to be a popular treatment for correcting long-term health problems and illnesses.

More details: www.thebodyworker.com

The world, indeed, the very fabric of our society, is undergoing tremendous changes and upheavals as we speed toward the new millennium. In these times of apparent madness and chaos, peace of mind and body becomes priceless “commodities” as we contemplate upon the direction of where we are heading in the new era.

Aromatherapy, as a holistic therapy, is an all-encompassing “healing balm” to our body, mind and spirit.

Essential oils, being the building blocks of Aromatherapy, are the “living souls“ of the plants and flowers of Mother Nature. They are capable of both give and receive energy, as seen in the aura pictures of essential oils taken by Harry Oldfield, a scientist and inventor who successfully developed the visual presentation of energy fields with computers, known as Polycontrast Interference Photography (PIP).
Bruce Tanio, an agricultural scientist and invented and built equipment, BT3 Frequency Monitoring System, which uses a highly sensitive sensor to measure bio-electrical frequencies of plant nutrients and essential oils. His research gleaned over the years on the frequency of essential oils is remarkable as it showed that different essential oils as having different frequencies:

• Basil (Ocimum basilicum)        52 MHz
• Juniper (Juniperus communis)    98 MHz
• Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia)    118 MHz
• Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)        105 MHz
• Rose (Rosa damascena)        320 MHz

The measured frequencies of essential oils begin at 52 MHz, the frequency of basil oil and go as high as 320 MHz, the frequency of rose oil. Each megahertz equals to one million oscillations per second, being the frequency of their vibrational equipment does not reveal much as the frequency of any one essential oil is changed dramatically when it comes in contact with other energies of people, for example. Using the equipment, Tainio is able to measure the human electrical vibrational frequency by taking readings on various point of the body and averaging those numbers together which indicate that the daytime frequency of a health human body vibrates in the range of 62 to 68 MHz

Studies conducted in 1992 by the Eastern State University in Washington showed a person’s frequency drops below the optimum healthy range, the immune system is compromised. Findings supported by this research indicate that different pathological changes occur when the human body vibrates at specific frequencies:

• 62 MHz or below – cell mutation
• 58 MHz – Flu
• 55 MHz – Candidiasis
• 52 MHz – Epstein - Barr virus
• 42 MHz – Cancer
• 20 MHz – Death process begins

The study of frequencies raises an important question of how do the frequencies of essential oils be used to affect our personal frequency? Based on his studies, Nikola Tesla, a researcher, said that if we cloud eliminate certain external interfering frequencies in our bodies, we could have greater resistance toward disease. Using essential oils, which have an inherently higher frequency, we can raise a lower frequency, due to the principle of entrainment, based on the low of resonance. The human body is vibrating within its normal vibrotory range between 62 MHz and 68 MHz when this coherent frequency is out of sync, a person experiences pathological and psychological changes, resulting in diseases or emotional stress. By “retuning” the body to its original frequency brings it into balance & restores its natural harmonic resonance and illness either dose not manifest or resolved.

Essential oils with higher frequencies tend to influence emotions while those with lower frequencies affect the structural and physical levels, including cells, hormones, bones, viruses, bacteria and fungi. As essential oils do not resonate well with physical or emotional toxins, this natural incompatibility helps us to expel those toxins from our bodies and minds.

Cedric Chow, Beauty Cosmedica issue 38 March – April 2009, page 58-59

In today’s market the facial skin care products are most in demand. The reason for this is because people are becoming more concerned with the way they look. The skin on your face requires careful care since it is not only the most delicate skin on your body but it also gets the most exposure. Moisturizers and cleansers are the most commonly bought facial skin care products. Very few costumers purchase and use exfoliating products.

For your face there have been many skin care products developed. This makes the process of finding the right product for your skin types difficult. You can make the search easier by knowing what tasks each product performs. The following four guidelines can help you find the right product:

1. Whether you are a man or a woman will influence the type of skin care product you select. Men’s products often have stronger ingredients which make them too harsh for women. At the same time products for women are too mild for men.

2. Which product you select depends on whether you have sensitive, oily or dry skin. There are a variety of products available for all skin types. Always read the label before purchasing a product and if you still aren’t sure you can do a skin test. To do a skin test use your earlobe and put a small amount of product on it. If your earlobe reddens then the product ingredients are not safe for your skin and you should probably look for something designed for sensitive skin.

3. Depending on your age you will select different skin care products. Read the label before purchase and make sure it is recommended for your age range. The needs of our skin changes as we age. So as you age you may have to update your products to your changing skin demands.

4. For those with skin disorders you should always check with your dermatologist before using any facial skin care products since some can cause damage to your skin.

There are also different forms of facial skin care products to choose from. If you want you can experiment with various products until you find one that is effective with your skin type. It can often be difficult to tell which form of product is the best since each person needs to find which is suitable for them.

After finding the right product for your skin type, you should make sure you use it properly. Read the label and only put on the suggested amount. Always read labels carefully before using a product. Once you find a product that works for your skin you can include it in your daily regimen.

Tony Jacowski

With so many types of yoga to choose from, it’s not always easy to find the best class for your physical and spiritual needs. So whether you’re looking for a studio in the city or a yoga retreat on an island, here’s guide to help you decide in what class you’d like to improve your “downward-facing dog”. To you mats everyone…

Hatha yoga (for beginners)
There are many forms of yoga, but all of them stem from Hatha yoga, which is the classical form. Hatha comes from the “Ha” (solar) and “Tha” (lunar), the harmonious union of the two opposite aspects of the body. What’s great about Hatha yoga is that anyone can practice it, including pregnant women and individuals with medical conditions such as back pain and weak knees.
During the practice of Hatha yoga, asanas (poses), such as sun salutations or warrior poses, are executed to help you bring focus to your mind and to control your body with breathing techniques. Each asana is performed slowly and gently, and is held for a few minutes to strengthen the body and push the mind to relax in each position. Great for beginners, Hatha yoga provides all the basics that you’ll need to move on to more challenging levels of yoga.

Ashtanga yoga (great for core strength)
Meaning “eight limbs” in Sanskrit, this form of yoga is recommended for individuals who are quite athletic or for those who have completed course in training of Hatha yoga and are ready to move on to the next stage. The poses are always performed in the same order with a specific breathing pattern. The fast pace and intensity of Ashtanga yoga helps to develop endurance, strength and muscle tone. Pregnant women and individuals with back, knee or neck pain should consult a physician before signing up for this physically demanding class.

Bikram yoga (sweat, sweat, sweat)
Named after the yoga teacher/guru Bikram Chodhury, a Bikram yoga session is conducted in a heated room that will make you session is conducted in heated room that will make you sweat buckets while you practice. During the class, six different postures are executed to stretch specific muscles, tendons and ligaments.

Iyengar yoga (spiritual health)
Created by BKS Iyenger, this form of yoga proposes more than 200 postures and 15 breathing techniques. The emphasis is placed on timing and flow – the postures need to be executed in a slow and smooth motion. Expect to be using lots of props, such as blocks, towels and straps, which are great tools to help you properly align your body.

Sawasdee magazine May 2009, page 63-65