Spoiled for choice
For two days, complementary therapies of all kinds will be the focus of a mind-opening exhibition
The only problem for visitors to the Mind, Body & Spirit exhibition is the difficulty in choosing which talk or workshop to attend, such is the range of topics on offer over the two days.
Glancing over the list of this year’s events several new additions catch the eye, things it would be nice to learn more about or even experience such as the Shamanic drumming workshop with Heleni Q, the psychic challenge workshop with Suzanne Egan and the one on the Romany way of life by Susanna Buxton.
Potentially fascinating talks over the weekend include one on the Indigo Children, again by Suzanne Egan. Indigo children are said to be different from all previous generations of children. They are reportedly rebellious, nonconformist, extremely emotionally fragile, highly talented and often psychic. According to the experts these children are often just labelled ADD when in fact they are here to raise the consciousness of the planet and of mankind.
From children to the power of water, a talk by Antonis Antoniades on the healing properties of water promises to be fascinating for anyone who has checked out the work of Japanese scientist Dr Masaru Emoto who has made some amazing discoveries in the field relating to how water contains information, and how it can be imbued with ‘good’ rather than harmful information that can lead to better health and well being.
A personal favourite is the Global Consciousness Project. This Princeton-based project that has been going on for years seems to indicate that when the world’s population is engaged in focusing on a positive or negative global event, it can affect randomly generated computer numbers at 65 stations around the world. One of these so-called generators is actually in Cyprus. Those behind the project are trying to see if we really are all connected at some unseen level of mind. Always fascinating. The talk is being given by Linda Leblanc from the Paphos-based Psychognosia.
Another interesting topic that catches the eye is Baby Yoga. Few people realise how important it is to take care what you say and do and act like around babies thinking they don’t understand. They may not understand in words but it’s frightening to think how much they can pick up even from the womb as research continues to show. Babies are blank cassettes continuously recording by impression what is going on around them. These impressions are stored much like a computer programme and can affect people right into adulthood. Baby Yoga, which induces positive parent-infant interaction, can help their later ability to learn and reason, and creates a deeper bond between parent and child. Elina Pavlides will be giving a talk on the benefits during the second day of the exhibition.
In addition to all this there will be several opportunities to explore different types of meditation at the exhibition from Kundalini Yoga to Ashtanga Yoga and FISU meditation. There will also be several psychics, experts on past life regression, holistic and nutritional practitioners and even a talk on Tantric sex. In other words visitors are truly spoiled for choice. There are also shops selling natural products, organic food and hand-made crafts.
With 150 exhibitors and around 1,500 visitors, the Mind Body & Spirit exhibition has really taken off in Cyprus over the past three and a half years. But it is not only of benefit to the public. It is also an opportunity for those in the business to get together.
According to organisers Anette Martinsen and Francesca Pinoni, the exhibition provides a vital link between people on the island with similar interests in healthy living, complementary therapies and self-development.
“Following Cyprus’ accession to the European Union we see the Mind, Body & Spirit Exhibition as part of the cultural and social harmonisation process and look forward to the day, in the not too distant future, when complementary therapies will be widely accepted and their benefits recognised and enjoyed by all,” a statement by the organisers said.
The first Mind, Body & Spirit event in Cyprus was called “The Aquarius Gathering” and took place in Nicosia in April 1986. Two more followed, one in Limassol and another in Nicosia the following year. In the early 90s, there were similar exhibitions in Limassol but then the exhibition dropped off the map until Martinsen and Pinoni resurrected it in 2002 at the Navarria Hotel in Limassol.
They gathered 50 exhibitors and 1,200 visitors and paved the way for more exhibitions, each of which has grown bigger and more popular than the last.
“It is safe to say that this time there is no holding back the tide. A new generation with open minds will continue to move in the direction of health, co-operation, self-growth and personal responsibility,” said the organisers.
Mind, Body & Spirit. November 12 and 13, Hilton Park Hotel, Nicosia. Saturday 11am to 8pm and Sunday 10am to 6pm. Entrance £2.50. For more information visit: www.CyprusSpirit.com
