Happiness is a Muscle

Recently I watched and rewatched a PBS special on happiness. The documentary examined the growing study of happiness.  In attempting to create markers and quantifiable measurements and turn it into a science, some interesting observations were made:

• Money does not determine happiness: once a person is making a minimum that provides for food, clothing and shelter, more money does not equate with more happiness.
• The more meaningful connections you have and the more you work at these personal connections, the more happy you are.  In other words, strong links to friends and families directly and positively link with the likelihood that you will be happy.
• Serving others, volunteering and helping others is positively linked to happiness.
• Countries that support infrastructures that build these connections such as Norway, report happier communities.

Meaningful connections - Happiness! Photo by J. Philipchuk

There are no surprises here.  Being loved and giving love trumps a fancy car and the latest fashion and gadgets. Spending time and serving others brings more happiness than spending money and collecting things. Yet, somehow,  we still behave as though the opposite is true, "If only I lose 10 pounds and fit into this outfit, I'll get a man, and then I will be happy" "Once I get my own car and my own place, I won't need to depend on anyone and then I will be happier," "You get paid the big bucks, must be nice to have an easy life".

Historically,  economic growth and the amount of cash circulating our global economies, is unprecedented, yet we are in the midst of a global "unhappy and anxious" epidemic in First World countries.  We are firmly attached to the idea that things bring us happiness, despite the mounting evidence to the contrary.

"It is easier to change ideas and doctrines in other's minds than it is to change their myths and symbols," writes Madonna Kohlbenschlag. All of this "Happiness Research" clearly points to a doable action plan that all of us in some way, can begin to implement.

The most compelling part of the documentary for me, is the claim that we can teach happiness, practice happiness and train ourselves to be happy.  It is a muscle, that through practice, repetition, and support, can grow and develop and become strong.

The ball is in our court.  We can choose to work on developing our happiness muscle.  No special equipment is required.  All that is needed is a willingness to put down the burden of belief that says things and this illusion of independence matter more than people, service, love and belonging.

In a Nutshell

CreativeEdge Bodyworks is a dynamic process that removes obstacles that prevent YOU from living the life YOU want to live.

Through a series of 3-6 50 minute sessions, utilizing a number of techniques which include Conflict Coaching, NLP and Specialized Kinesiology, I help you identify and remove obstacles.  Together we work on an action plan that will move you towards Productivity, Peace and Wellness.

Creative Edge supports you in transforming pain into freedom and well being.

Photo Courtesy of Jill Philipchuk 

CreativeEdge Bodyworks Can Help if You are Experiencing Yourself As: 

•         Always Angry

•         Anxious

•         Depressed

•         Chronically Injured

•         In a state of Crisis

•       Stuck – the same thing you keep trying to avoid keeps happening to you

•         Trying to change a bad habit

•         In a significant transition in your life such as a divorce or death in the family

•         Sick and tired of being sick and tired

Specialized Kinesiology, Touch for Health, Neurolinguistic Programming is not a substitute for any other medical care and makes no claims of treatment or cures.  They are not medical diagnostic tools. Always consult a medical Doctor for treatment and diagnosis.

Living and Healing in a Holographic Universe

“Everything you'll ever need to know is within you; the secrets of the universe are imprinted on the cells of your body.”

― Dan Millman, Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives

We live in a holographic universe. What does this mean?  What does the holographic principle mean to healing and to the way we view our world? In The Hidden Reality, Brian Greene explains a Holographic Multiverse as follows:

...the holographic principle envisions that all we experience may be fully and equivalently described as the comings and goings that take place at a thin and remote locus. It says that if we could understand the laws that govern physics on that distant surface, and the way phenomena there link to experience here, we would grasp all there is to know about reality. http://physics.about.com/od/physicsetoh/g/holoprinciple.htm

Holographic Principle in energy medicine, can be summarized by the following 7 principles taken from Barbara Ann Brennan’s book, Light Emerging:

1. Consciousness is the basic reality
2. Everything is connected to everything else
3. Each piece contains the whole.
4. Time is holographic
5. Each aspect is individual and not identical to any other aspect
6. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts
7. Consciousness creates reality and its own experience of reality (38-40)

The idea, that the part is the whole is prevalent in energy medicine and Chinese medicine.  An energy block located in your gall bladder meridian also correspond to the idea of letting go or holding on; a block in your spleen meridian may also indicate blocks in your relationship with your mother, as spleen is the “mother” of all organs.  If your gastrocnemius, soleus and Achilles muscles which are connected to your triple warmer meridian consistently switch off, then thyroid, adrenals, and your hormone levels may need your attention. 

Take this metaphor even further, and your surroundings are also “alive” and reflecting back to you what needs your attention.

If you pay attention to your suffering you may likely be more aware of your disasters and lack. No matter how many times you switch jobs, you keep attracting a domineering and controlling boss, no matter how much money you make, you can’t seem to save any despite all of your efforts to do so. You keep falling on the same side of your body,

If you pay attention and attend to your joys you will be more aware of your successes and abundance. You are constantly giving away money but suddenly unexpectedly receiving more.  This is what seems to happen to a friend of mine who says “No matter what I do, money always finds me” and lives her life giving generously to others.  Or maybe you leave work late but always manage to make it on time as the traffic  will unexpectedly go your way.

You are a community of 50 billion cells.  There is not one new function in a human that is not present in every single cell.  Bruce Lipton Biology of Belief

The world is an ever present holograph.  It is not just the 50 million cells of our body that are repeating the patterns of our being. Everything is alive, reminding us of our own beliefs, and reflecting what we believe about our selves and the world we inhabit.

The holographic point of view takes the best out of the idea that we can take 100% responsibility for our being.  Once you believe that you are responsible for your own world you take the power in your own hands. You remove the power of your life out of the hands of whoever you are choosing to point the finger as the person/thing that is the cause of your unhappiness.

The invitation is to move away from a victim perspective that believes, “Things happen to me and I can’t control my unhappiness.” Rather than perpetuating the very things you are trying to avoid, becoming your own active agent allows to focus and create the life you want,  “I now choose to work at bringing in my own happiness.”

Beings empowered with their own capacities are what we are looking for.  When we go from I am not in control of what happens to me, to “I am the agent of my own story” we can begin to evolve into what we are aching for in the first place – contentment, service, kindness, peace, abundance, health and well being.

If there is something in this blog entry that you would like to discuss further, feel free to contact me via facebook, twitter or email.  

What Can I Expect After a Balance?

Post sessions experiences can vary.

You can experience nothing at all or you can feel completely transformed, or somewhere in between.

Here are a few common experiences:

1.   I feel great!

2.  I feel energized and started seeing my old self back again.

3. I feel very relieved, like a big load had been lifted off my shoulders.

4.  I had a few days of feeling very vulnerable and teary and I felt like I needed time to be alone, but then I felt better.

5. My back felt even more painful and things got worse, but by the third day I noticed that I could move and bend without pain.

6. I felt like I got a new perspective on an old problem. Now I have to take responsibility and do something about it!

7. I feel like I have just been hit by a truck and my bones are all achy, what did you do to me?

8. I didn't notice anything at all.  Does this mean that the balance didn't 'take'"?

9. I felt completely drained and had to take a long nap after my session.

These are all normal experiences and are in fact part of the healing process. If there is a negative experience that persists, you can contact me and I will be happy to answer any of your questions or support you in your balance.  It's all good.

Why Am I Doing This?

Why am I doing this?

Well, for a very long time, I had asked myself why am I NOT doing this?

I am offering CreativeEdge BodyWorks for the simple reason that it has been, for a very long time, something that I have felt called to do.  I have trained and studied and practiced various forms of bodywork, whether that be ecstatic dancing, movement and theatre; or, conflict resolution, non-violent communication and restorative justice; or, Applied Kinesiology, Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) and processwork. In all of this study and work, I have seen some recurring themes.

Our bodies have a tremendous desire to move into balance and by doing so, heal itself.

Our brains are not just in our heads, but in every cell of our bodies.

Emotions are valuable pieces of information that inform us of the direction that is best for us to follow.

Guided awareness and guided movement can help restore balance in our bodies.

I have been drawn to use my intuitive skills, to work with bodies, spirit, emotions and energy.  I have been drawn to practice in more quiet and stillness.  The modalities that I use to help you align your bodies into balance are primarily Applied Kinesiology (AK) and NLP, and although I have been practicing AK since 2001, I believe that I have been practicing some form of energy work for a much longer time through other modalities such as charismatic prayer.

CreativeEdge is my way of bringing my unique set of strengths and studies out into the world in service of other.

And let's just see where that leads us....

What are my Qualifications?

Qualifications

Although I am primarily using Specialized Kinesiology and Neurolinguistic Programing (NLP) in my bodywork practice, I bring all of my research and studies in a session.  In particular, my interest in cell memory, processwork and our evolving understanding of how and where we store memories informs my work.

And, more than all of the paper, my practice itself informs me, as I continue to learn from my clients and growth, transformation and courage that takes place in between the sessions.

Training and Course Work
2013         Touch For Health Proficiency
2013          Specialized Kinesiology Proficiency

2010          Non Violent Communication

2008                Neural Linguistic Programming (NLP) Certification

2008                  Neural Linguistic Programming (NLP) Empower Your Future

2007         Managing Hostile Individuals

2007         Anger Management Training,

2006         Mediation

2006                Restorative Justice Training (Level 1 and 2)

2001         Specialized Kinesiology

Education

2003             Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) 

1999         Masters in Educational Studies (M.Ed.) 

                 

What is Creative Edge BodyWorks?

Creative Edge Bodyworks

Using Specialized Kinesiology, Energy work and Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP),  Creative Edge Bodyworks supports the Body, Mind and Spirit to achieve its expected balance.

Once your body is in balance, healing, calm and well being occur naturally. 

When you are balanced, you can heal yourself.

Here's how it works:

1. Schedule a 50 minute session.  Come well hydrated and wear comfortable clothes.

2. You will be primarily lying on a massage table in a relaxed position.  Together, we work on a specific goal for your session.  Some examples of a presenting complaint are:

• "I have a constant pain in my left knee"
• "I have an autoimmune disorder"
• "I keep attracting a partner who cheats on me"
• "I am tired of feeling sad all of the time and I would like to feel better"

3.  Whatever the complaint, we work on goal for the session that is typically framed in a positive feeling statement.  Some examples of a session goal might be:

• I can move freely and easily without pain.
• I have energy and I am calm.
• I attract loving, kind, committed partners
• I feel joy.

4. You then relax on the massage table, and through muscle testing, energy work and whatever your body is requesting, we work to align your body to balance for this goal.

5.  I will then review the session with you and go over any activities or practices that will support your balance.  The home support and the notes from the session will then be emailed to you or provided to you in a paper copy upon request.

Creative Edge BodyWorks is not a diagnostic tool and does not replace any medical assistance.  It merely helps align the body so that it can better heal itself.