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Rejuvenated in Penang

I needed rest and recuperation, but not only that, due to my working life, I also need some kind of treatment that will give me more energy and motivation as well. That’s asking a lot of a spa in Pengang, but that’s exactly what they delivered. I was fortunate enough to be staying in one of the luxury hotels Penang for my rest and recuperation, when I was told about this very special spa. Apparently, they have a healing specialist who has created a massage style, named after some famous warrior (I can’t remember the name), but it’s a massage style designed for men. It uses a form of c movements during the massage. The massage oil has a red tinge to represent fire, life force, blood and the warrior spirit.

Afterwards, I was very uplifted and rejuvenated. I felt so uplifted, I felt like going out clubbing all night long. I was very impressed with this massage technique, I asked if they had other massage techniques that were as new and different as the one I was just given. They told me there’s one where they use bamboo sticks, and one where then incorporated Qigong. They talked about one that is truly on the cutting edge which has taken their spa to a whole new level. I asked them to show me.

They took me into a darkened room with a starlit sky roof. The colors of the lights changed at a hardly noticeable pace. I sat on a tatami rice mat and let them take me on a journey of awakening that included deep pranic breathing, vibrational and sound therapy, a letting go ritual, tasting sensations and the best back, shoulder and foot massage I’d ever received. I could tell that this special treatment was a transforming treatment. It was very powerful and definitely a personal journey I never expected to take, but one that was necessary.

Tags: deep pranic breathing, luxury hotels Penang, Penang, Rejuvenated

Healthcare

I attended a healthcare conference in New York, where they were discussing and promoting the use of art as a gap between illness and health. I attended because I’m an artist and have witnessed first hand just how much art in necessary to enhance the healthcare experience for patients, their families and for caregivers. Organizations from the U.S. and Canada have projects to support and innovate artists to use art to advance healing and preventative health. There was an array of imaginative artists discussing just how theater, film, writing and music has given an un-quantifiable boost to patients that have benefited from all the art therapies. The conference also announced the recipients of its annual grant program. The structure of the grant has been revised to focus exclusively on organisations with evidence of prior success. They advised that the awardees of the grant will work to replicate their evidence-based models in underserved communities across the U.S. and Canada over a three year period. Then, a committee will convene at the end of the grant period to present the findings from the awardees programs; this will add to the growing base of research that shows that there are significant benefits when arts are incorporated into the healthcare system.

I was heading back to my room at one of the top New York City hotels, when it occurred to me just how I to could incorporate my art with inner-city homeless shelters which will involve not only the children, but the entire family structure. My healing art is about promoting balance and understanding how balance works and how to archive balance through art projects. When I got to my hotel room, I couldn’t sleep, I was so excited that awareness of just how important art is to our society is in every aspect of life, is becoming more and more prevalent. I immediately began to work on my proposal to become a recipient of that grant.

Tags: Canada, Healthcare, New York, top hotels, U.S.

Delhi’s Ajeer Cour

An extremely important consideration when traveling to Delhi, hotels are the center of the journey.  This is where you lay both your head and your hat, so it seems very reasonable that you would want choices, and want to choose the best.  We offer a splendid range of hotels to fit your budget, with economical choices along with five-star choices, each reflecting the best standards of the industry in their class.  There are also hosts of wonderful amenities offered, from exercise rooms to world-class restaurants, in order to keep you both rested and ready to enjoy all the wonderful things the city offers.   Each hotel is carefully designed to reflect the local styles, fusing the contemporary with the classical, so that your stay begins in elegance.

Delhi is one of the most unique places on the planet, and has attracted some of the world’s greatest minds for centuries.  Extremely cosmopolitan and diverse, it is one of the most exciting cities, with a wide array of attractions that will keep the whole family happy.  It won’t take long to see why the city is so popular as a business and tourist destination, and also why it acts like a magnet for so many writers, writers like Ajjet Cour.  Born in Lahore, Pakistan, and currently serving as the chairperson for New Delhi’s Academy of Fine Arts and Literature, she has also written a substantial body of fiction, with short stories that run the range from romanticist to realist.

With a strong reputation for an inner strength and tenacity, Ajeet Cour is one of the driving forces behind the SAARC Writers and Literature, an organization that draws links between India and Pakistan.  This is part of her life’s mission, and given more force lately after the attacks in 2008.  The organization honors creative work by writers in the region, making creative connections in an attempt to bring unity and compassion into light.  From a very difficult life under very difficult circumstances, Ajeet Cour has certainly forged a path where none existed, and thus makes the walking easier for her daughter, along with countless among the next generation.

Tags: Ajeer Cour, Delhi, hotels

Gavin Russom: Ibiza Listening

There’s really nothing in the world like clubbing in Ibiza.  It’s the hot spot on the planet for parties that last all night, with pounding rhythms that keep the crowds dancing  until the sun comes up.  The beaches are fantastic, too, of course, set in a Mediterranean paradise that has attracted visitors for centuries.  The Castilian and Catalan languages are heard all over the island, reminding the party-goers that this has been home to a rich blend of cultures for centuries.  The old fishing villages that are now the party capital of the world add to the weight of history of the place, and the contemporary scene is evidence that this island is constantly evolving.

One of the main attractions here is the music, and some of the world’s hottest djs find their homes in our fantastic selection of clubs.  There are special events that go on all year, and the summer is when they really reach their peak, attracting rave fans and celebrities from all over the globe.  In the midst of the blur of the excitement, there is a keen sense of sound, and the crowds know when something is working.  This is why the work of the electronic music wizard Gavin Russom is a talent that even the most jaded Ibiza locals can appreciate.

Born in Providence, Rhode Island in the U.S. and currently based in Berlin, Gavin Russom has had a rather remarkable career, considering his young age.  He honed his musical and performance art chops performing for all the right crowds at all the right haunts in New York City, when he worked with one of his long-time collaborators, Delia Gonzalez.  His early love for machine music, fueled with a remarkable musical sensibility (and sometimes working as a dj, bringing his particular wizardry to spinning), makes him a talent to watch.  His current release, Black Meteoric Star, gives a sense of the depth of his mastery of matching electronic beats to the rhythms of the body in shamanic trance, suggesting a direction for his own future as his audiences dance to their own shifting consciousnesses.

Tags: Delia Gonzalez, Gavin Russom, Ibiza, Listening

The Natural History Museum of Mauritius Island

The history of the settlement and the population of the island of Mauritius is expansive, covering many years and many different occupations by many different countries and cultures.  This is one of the aspects that has contributed to the cultural diversity of the island today.  The modern times always reflect the past, and the evidence of this is seen in everything from the art and architecture, to the species of both plant and animal that now inhabit the island, to the people themselves.

And as such is the fact with cities or countries so steeped in culture, such is true on the island, and that is that there are a number of museums that are dedicated to exhibited the artifacts and relics of the historical times, as well as concerned with expanding the knowledge of the visitors that come to tour.  The National History Museum is one such place.  The art, the history and the culture is displayed at the museum through the fast collection of these artifacts.

The museum is located conveniently close to the Jardin de la Compagnie,  on the first level of the Mauritius Institute Building close to many luxury hotels.  Mauritius museums are maintained by Museums Council in the middle of the Port Louis city center.  The council is the corporate body of the Ministry of Arts and Culture.  The museums roots began in 1942, with the establishment of the Desjardins Museum, of which the History Museum has become the oldest museum on the island of Mauritius, as well as being one of the oldest in the entire region of South Africa.

The Institute Building was built between the years of 1880 and 1884 and is now on the list of the National Heritage Sites.  The design is taken directly from the Sri Lankan Colombo Museum.   The collection includes incredible examples of the artwork that has had so varied a cultural influence, and is one of the most popular sites for tourists with a penchant for history.

Tags: Animals, Jardin de la Compagnie, luxury hotels, Mauritius Island, Sri Lankan Colombo Museum, The Natural History Museum

Mayan Calender

The Mayan calendar was calculated out till a date in December of 2012. According to Mayan stories this is the date that this world will end and the transition to the new world will begin. That is a big thought to wrap a mind around. The Cherokee have the same date marked as the end of this calendar. These traditions talk about the evolution of human kind through various ‘worlds’ these worlds relate to the chakras and their functions. The 1st world being the world of survival. IN the first world we are selfish and think and act for our own survival. The second worked is where we have accomplished survival. We are surviving and we can become creative. In the second world creativity began, shaping the physical world for the purpose of humans. The third world is where we begin to gain awareness. Awareness of others, that they are different, think differently and have different needs. In the third world we became responsible for our actions and receive consequences for those actions.  These traditions say that we are currently living in the 4th world. The world of the heart and compassion. Here is where we develop our love and respect for each other. IT would appear that something has gone wrong if this is the 4th world as compassion and love do seem to be lacking. So we sit here in this thinking on the cusp of the transition from the 4th to the 5th world. As a Cherokee elder once said I’m not sure how this will go. We are in the 4th world ready to transition into the 5th world and most of society is living out of the third world. This transition to the 5ht world is supposed to usher in an age of truth and transparency. How will this happen when most folks still function fr selfishness and greed, traits of the third world. This transition is likely to occurs weather prepared for it or not, so the change should be interesting! Now I have to decide if I will be cancelling those plans to reunite with my buddies at a Kerala resorts in January 2013.

Tags: 2012, Cherokee, Kerala resorts, Mayan Calender

Levels of Awareness

There are many depths and levels to awareness. Awareness actually goes out in all directions form us as if we are in the center of a complex spider web. We develop awareness from very early on and can continue to develop all our lives. As children our awareness is kept in close. As babies we are only aware of pr needs and those closest to us. As we develop this awareness grows to more specifics around the needs ability to communicate them etc. Keep our focus on awareness in close as children is crucial as we are in need of being cared for, this keeping awareness to ourselves mainly makes us react and act is such ways as to remind those in care for us to come to our aid. As we get older though and more able to care for our selves and ultimate independent our developing awareness shifts, that is if it continues to develop as many seem to choose to closed down to this as they mature assuming they know all that is need to be known. IN this modern society this awareness not only goes for our relationships and surroundings bit deeper to where are things coming from, how did they get here. What is the impact of sing this vs. that or eating this vs. that. It is daunting to keep up if you continually think abort it. Again another one of these conversations I got into while sitting in the lobby of the best Bangkok hotel. Knowing no conclusion could be come to but the activity can become habit as the idea of gaining deeper awareness is ever more conscious. This awareness goes into how and what do we consume not only food consumption but everything from energy and products to goods and services. It also expand to speech and actions. How and what words do we choose to use, what do we choose to speak about and in what light. Are we aware enough of ourselves that we know we are being negative? Do we realize we are putting someone down? These are subtle levels of awareness that take practice to gain understanding and control over. The thought starts and then suddenly without awareness the action has occurred. The trick is to catch the thought before the action to be able to be aware if you want to continue or not. Not simply being a being that reacts without awareness in this world.

Tags: best Bangkok hotel, consumption, Levels of Awareness

Energy Boost in Sydney

I was told to imagine if I had the power, the knowledge and the ability to not only heal myself, but others, then imagine how my life would change, how empowered I would feel and how much money I’d save not only for me, but for others. I was told this at a weekend healing retreat my friend dragged me to because she was interested in becoming a healer, but didn’t want to attend the retreat all by herself. Actually, I think she wanted me with her so I would become a partner with her and we’d start up a wellness center together. But I didn’t believe in any of this stuff, but I did believe in her and her abilities to do what she put her mind to.

What I didn’t expect was to become a believer myself. Even on the very first day, after we got settled in our room at one of the Sydney five star hotels, I felt something strange happening to me. The only way I can describe the feeling is like I could sense every part of my body all the time, not just when I focused on my body, but all the time, I didn’t have to focus, I was just aware. So, I think I was being prepared to absorb the information this seminar was about to teach.

They taught us that understanding energy is easier than one would think and it can lead to absolute healing and happiness in every aspect of our lives. That we didn’t need to understand the underlying principles, just like how we (the general Joe on the street) don’t understand electricity, but we can still use it and gain the benefits of its use. They gave use three basic energy levels. The first was Maximum energy, this will change our lives by getting access to boost energy which will aid in removing stress and pain like migraines in minutes. Then the second energy is the hassle free energy which accesses the infinite universe of what’s called the Life Force. They told us once we learn this technique, which draws on the infinite source, we will be able to apply the technique anywhere, anytime on anyone. It’s kind of a tool kit that we’ll learn to use for all aspects of life, like just zap someone on public transport, or a co-worker, or even or loved ones at home, and no one’s the wiser that they received a healing. The third and last technique is called the Fast technique where we’ll be able to remove pain, increase our energy levels and help not only ourselves, but our loved ones. This last technique, they told us, we’ll be able to master on our first day of the retreat.

Well, if how I’m feeling right now is any indication of putting these technique’s into play, then I’m a believer. I really can not describe just how energized I am and how wonderful I feel, and the retreat hasn’t even started yet.

Tags: Energy Boost, five star hotels, healing retreat, Life Force, Maximum energy, Sydney

Singapore is a Melting Pot

I believe Singapore is blessed with a rich diversity of religions. Owning to the assimilation of various cultures through the centuries. But, prominent among these religions is Buddhism and Taoism. I didn’t think this was surprising when I considered that the Chinese from the majority of the population in this medical tourism destination. When Sir Stamford Raffles established his trading port in the Singapore Marina, thousands of Chinese immigrants began to pour in looking for business and employment opportunities. The immigrants brought with them traditional Chinese beliefs and a strain of Buddhism known as the Mahayana sects.

Traditional Chinese philosophies influenced everything in Singapore, like medicine, business matters and interior design. Taoism is the major principle behind Feng Shui which involves the removal of bad or negative energy and fosters positive energies in the home which improves the health and wealth of the homeowner. Acupuncture, which involves insertions of needles into a body to cure various ailments, is also based on the positive energy, negative energy premise. In places like Chinatown, medical tourism visitors, such as myself, can see remnants of Toaist healing and design practices.

Islam is the dominant religion of the Malays, so therefore, has a long standing in Singapore. Muslims, approximately 16 percent of the total population and immigrants from the Middle East also boost the number of Islamic followers in this island nation. Muslim practices in Singapore are relatively liberal compared to most Islamic countries.

Hinduism, India’s most commonly practiced religion arrived in Singapore with the hundred or so Indians who were a part of the party that came with Sir Stamford Raffles’ arrival at Singapore harbor. The early Indians were largely from Tamil Nadu, and their presence resulted in the construction of some of the most beautiful temples in Singapore. All of which is good for the tourism of Singapore.

Tags: Hinduism, Islam, Mahayana sects, Marina, Melting Pot, Singapore, Sir Stamford Raffles

Spa Healing in Phuket

Thai healing techniques are becoming more popular as people are coming disenchanted with Western allopathic treatments. There appears to be a global movement towards a more holistic, a more natural approach to healing. The activities such as Yoga, meditation, Reiki and Pranic Healing are now not perceived as a one time hobby, but now are increasingly becoming mainstream. Herbal medicines and natural intentional heeling’s have also re-emerged as alternatives to what now many see as an ever growing impersonal, drug driven Western approach to healing.

Many centers, even a Phuket hotel are now set up to accommodate visitors from around the world. Thailand is now know to many as having many branches of traditional medicine equally as all the traditional Chinese medicines. Thailand has become a natural draw for practitioners of alternative approaches. The last few years alone, Thailand has become the ideal place for a visitor to explore the alternative approaches currently offered. Like Integrated medicines, detoxification, natural healing and spiritual centers.

Thailand’s Spas are fast becoming healing and spiritual spas that focus on spiritual health. They encourage visitors to pursue a spiritual journey of introspection and reflection by participating in the activities that are available during a spa visit, such as the techniques for mental meditation and physical relaxations to trauma repair and relief. The techniques include Tai-chi, yoga, chi-gong and sitting meditations. Before visiting a spiritual spa, be sure to figure out which spiritual activities the spa focuses on. A spa for spiritual relief or healing should be chosen carefully. Individuals interested in visiting a spa where they can learn Eastern methods of relaxation are not going to be satisfied with reading the Bible for a week. Spiritual spas can offer spiritual growth possibilities, so keep you eyes and heart open, because you might miss an opportunity to grow.

Tags: chi-gong, hotel, Phuket, Spa Healing, Thailand, Western allopathic