AFTER a period of overindulgence during the festive season, many of us decide to make New Year’s resolutions, which involve losing extra pounds, or quitting habits bad for our health, such as smoking.
A new year brings with it the motivation and opportunity to reflect on our lives and do something about the areas, which cause us unhappiness. There are many groups to join in Paphos, catering for the needs and goals of almost everyone, from giving up smoking, to learning a new craft or making new friends.
The most popular new year’s resolution is to give up smoking. But how many smokers really quit for life?
Lorna Firth DHP, DPLT, is convinced her success rate is around 90 per cent.
“I’m a hypnotherapist and a psychotherapist, and an advanced EFT practitioner. I’ve been in Cyprus for about four years, and the full smoking cessation programme I run is well attended and successful.”
Firth admits it’s hard to be exact about the number of smokers she ‘cures’, as once people stop smoking they don’t need her assistance again.
“I used to smoke a long time ago, so I’m fully aware of how difficult it can be to stop. But it’s very beneficial to give up on many levels.”
Firth’s smoking programme consists of two sessions, and between the appointments she makes a tailor-made hypnotherapy CD for the client, based on the information she gleans from their first session.
“Most therapists provide one session, but I find with two, the quitting success rate is much higher,” she said.
For some people, the New Year is a time to explore their creative side. One woman who is helping to develop the skills of would-be artists is Caroline Ludwit.
She comes from a family of artists, and moved to Cyprus just over three years ago. She runs continuous courses in art tuition in Tala in Paphos. Ludwit’s expertise covers drawing, watercolours, pastels and acrylic.
“I believe anyone can learn how to draw if they’re keen,” she said.
Many of her students had wanted to learn to draw and paint for years, and found they improve quickly under her tutorage.
“I have a new student at the moment, and their drawing has improved substantially over the last three-week period,” she said.
Whatever level of experience or skill Ludwit feels everyone can get something from the opportunity of learning to draw. “It’s a good way to express yourself,” she said.
Exploring creativity and socialising is also something, which takes place on a weekly basis at the Paphos cancer patients’ association day centre.
They have a craft group who meet every Thursday at the association’s day centre in Paphos. New members are always welcome, and Jan Handley, of the association told the Sunday Mail,
“We use the skills people have got. But for new members, we are happy to teach them. For example maybe they would like to learn to sew or knit or make greeting cards.”
The purpose of the craft group is to make items, which may be sold to raise money for the cancer patients’ support group. Handley made a number of tapestries last year.
“The group is a social event too,” she said, “and a number of cancer patients have attended to create items. This is their way of doing something to pay back the charity for all their help.”
Many people use the New Year as a mental milestone to start a health and fitness programme. A fun way of getting fit is Jazzercise.
“Jazzercise originated in America 40 years ago. Since then it’s grown and grown,” said Christine Fiddes, a jazzercise instructor.
Jazzercise is a way of exercising, which is dance based, and caters for all ages and all fitness levels.
“We have students from as young as 12, up to their seventies at the moment. It’s suitable for everyone, and it’s a good way to lose weight, get fit and have fun.”
There are currently five jazzercise instructors based in Paphos, and they are sent about 30 new routines from America, which are set to music, every ten weeks.
“Paphos is currently the only place on the island where jazzercise is available,” said Fiddes, “although we’re starting classes in Limassol some time in January.”
Venues in Paphos include Mesoyi community hall, Emba Showgun Karate club and Peyia Primary School.
Another type of dance exercise, which is taking Paphos by storm, is modern jive. Martin Tamkin along with his dance partner, Gemini, has been teaching people to jive at the Kamares club in Paphos for some time.
“It’s great fun,” said Tamkin, “and anyone can learn how to do it.”
Tamkin has had more than a decade of experience in jive dance, and helped host jive party weekends in the UK for up to 800 people.
“Many years ago, I was attending a cousin’s wedding, and I realised that I was the only person there who couldn’t dance. That spurred me on to learn,” he said.
“We cater for beginners and the more advanced. It’s a bit like salsa, but without the really complicated footwork,” he laughed.
Tamkin assures it’s an excellent way to stay trim, learn to dance and to make new friends. The class numbers fluctuate and new courses are about to start.
“We also do one to one coaching in people’s homes,” he said. “We will begin teaching again next week.”
Lorna Firth Stop Smoking www.hypno-krhem.co.uk
Art tuition with Caroline Ludwit is on Mondays from 9.30am-midday in the Tala monastery area, Paphos. Call 99-834470.
Craft group at the Cancer Patients’ Association day centre. Tel: 26-654007.
Jazzercise Christine Fiddes 99-990348
Modern Jive – Martin Tamkin and Gemini 99-921287
