Annual exhibition helps you decide whether complementary therapies can offer you physical and spiritual well being
There are three categories people generally fall into when it comes to alternative therapies: those who believe in them fervently, those who dismiss them outright, and those who are somewhat unsure either way. Recognising the category you fall into is easy, but if it is the latter then deciding whether you should change your habits to include alternative therapies can be quite tricky.
Can alternative therapies really provide the solution you are looking for when it comes to certain health problems? Can they be trusted? And will they improve your overall quality of life?
Alternative therapies can perhaps better be understood as ‘complementary’ therapies, which can be used as part of daily life to relieve stress, aid general well being, or simply promote positive thinking. It doesn’t mean that you have to give up everything you have trusted so far: stop going to the doctor, throw out the entire contents of your medicine cabinet, and escape to Tibet to spend the rest of your life meditating. But it does mean that you can slowly embrace certain new practices that make you feel good.
Next weekend, the Hilton Park Hotel in Nicosia will host the annual Mind, Body and Spirit exhibition providing a vital link between people on the island with similar interests in healthy living, complementary therapies, and self-development. Now a regular forum for locals and overseas speakers to share their knowledge, the exhibition brings together people working in the fields of holistic health therapies and self-development to raise awareness about what’s available to help us in our search for health and personal growth.
With over 100 participants, there will be something for everyone, including talks on disease prevention, the benefits of detoxification, and other complementary, drug-free health systems. You can meet doctors, holistic therapists, healers, clairvoyants and life experts. You’ll also have the chance to learn about natural beauty products, crystals and organic food and be able to sample a yoga class, meditation, or mini healing treatment on offer from various professionals.
“People are too often scared of trying something new,” says one of the organisers of the event, Anette Martinsen. “But what have you got to lose? In fact, nothing at the exhibition is really ‘new’ as most practices date back thousands of years to when things were done naturally. As modern day medicine can’t cure or solve everything that has an effect on us today, the new way of thinking now has to go back to the old way of thinking.”
You may be tempted to take a Shamanic drum journey with Judith Bourque who is travelling from Sweden to take part in the event. Shamanism is probably mankind’s oldest method for traditional healing and problem solving, and during a special workshop you will have the opportunity to experience a Shamanic drum journey which aims to connect you with your inner spirit.
How about taking a closer look at what you put on your dinner table? It’s well known that lack of awareness about the food we eat can lead to all sorts of illnesses, Dr. Igor Cetojevic will be giving a talk on health problems associated with food, helping you understand simple ways to try and ensure good health as you age.
You can also learn about ‘naturopathy’, a system of health care that promotes the body’s own natural self-healing with a special lecture by Caroline Evans. As a naturopath and nutrition consultant who runs her own organic herbal remedy company, she will teach the public about natural methods of hydration, detoxification, natural plant medicines, and vitamins and minerals to ensure optimum health totally naturally.
“Alternative therapies are all about mental, emotional and spiritual healing. Modern day medicine just works to treat the effect of an illness on a physical level. But it doesn’t look at the root cause of the problem,” says Anette.
Ever had a headache and wished you didn’t have to pop strong pills to get rid of it? Then maybe you will be interested in a pranic-healing workshop with life coach Helen Weeks, where you can learn how your hands can heal with the use of bodily energy. If you suffer from stress, an introduction to holistic stress management will outline specific tools and techniques which can be used to manage stress in daily life. For a great bit of fun, you can even learn to play the mother drum or take part in a belly dance class.
It’s not just all geared towards adults however, as kids can have their fair share of fun. In a special ‘Reiki for Kids’ workshop, children over seven years old can get attuned with reiki, which can help them with doubts, insecurities, lack of confidence, or even the stress of growing up. In another workshop especially for young ones, they will be introduced to the concept of their ‘guardian angel’, and learn how to ‘connect with it.
With five rooms filled with all sort of different activities, the £3 entrance fee includes all presentations, classes and workshops. If you walk into the exhibit and feel overwhelmed by what’s on offer, Anette has the answer. “Don’t think about it too much. Take a browse and just find out more about the things you are particularly drawn too. Trust your intuition and you’ll already be on the right path!”
Mind, Body and Spirit Exhibition
With workshops, talks and all sorts of stalls promoting mental, physical and spiritual well being. November 10 and 11. Hilton Park Hotel, Nicosia. Saturday 11am-2pm. Sunday 11am-7pm. £3 which includes all presentations. www.CyprusSpirit.com
