Tom’s blog

A good friend of mine and client (thanks Sasha) recently asked me whether I know the link between chakras and auras. An interesting one and there is much information to be found on the subject.

In Polarity Therapy we appreciate the chakra system as a stepping down in the frequency of energy from top to bottom with each chakra having a slightly lower energetic vibration than the one above.  Each chakra has its own characteristics and relationships. For example the throat (ether) chakra resonates with the thyroid, the chest (air) chakra resonates with the thymus from a bi0-energetic endocrinogical viewpoint. It is also believed that a disruption in the individuals emotional standpoint will influence a corresponding chakra, i.e rage disrupts the balanced flow of fire chakra energy as it tries to maintain a steady movement of energy in and out (self-regulation) of its self.

Each chakra according to Barbara Ann Brennan in her book  Hands of Light: Guide to Healing Through the Human Energy Field (pg47), relates each of the 7 chakras to seven identifiable bio-fields (auras).

 A balanced flowing movement of energy throughout our bodies some say will maintain the aura fields that exist around us. Conversely, others will suggest that if the field is damaged in some way either by physical or emotional stress that the chakra system will in turn be affected.

 From my point of view as a practicing therapist, quite simply life exists because of movement of energy-no movement no life. Equally, good health occurs because the individual is able to maintain a homeostasis, a continuous uninterupted flow of energy throughout and round the human body. One where we live within our tolerances.

Other references:
The Spiritual Healing Handbook: How to Develop Your Healing Powers and Increase Your Spiritual Awareness

 Tom Grant
Polarity Therapist
Chek Exercise Coach
www.helfordclinic.com

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It all began well. There must have been 40 competitors assembled on a murky June morning at 5.30am. After the briefing we were off. These long events always start of jolly with everyone laughing and joking. It wasn’t long though before I found myself on my own and thats where I remained for the next 30 miles. It’s impossible to describe how hard it is for someone who is not so nimble on their feet to not just run such a long distance but also to handle the very difficult terrain. I did seem to muddle along though.

 Things wouldn’t have been so bad but the weather was approaching with great wet fury.  At 22 miles at the midway checkpoint there was some relief in changing my entire soaked clothing and a fresh pair of trainers but already my limbs where in intense pain.  I realised at this point that my preparation for this event was no where near where it should have been.  The training I did was not enough and I decided to walk through most of Penzance, Newlyn and Mousehole.  I managed jogging for a bit but not for long.

At Lamorna, I seemed to feel better but quite warm so I opted to take off my (wet) middle layer.  This was to prove my downfall, because as I set off it started to rain - hard. Within the space of 20 minutes I had gone from being too warm to being too cold (IN JUNE!!). My resolve was lost and with no fellow runners to pick me up, I baled out at Porthcurno-6 miles from the end.  If I hadn’t done so then things would have got difficult.  Never mind, the moral is to prepare, prepare, prepare and not one for being beaten I will be there at the start next year, all going well.

There is a trend in the fitness industry around the world to exercise the abdominal muscles to death. There are literally hundreds of different products and equipment that purport to effectively condition the abdominal muscles. But why and how effective are all these different approaches.

The bandwagon has been jumped on simply because in the late 1990’s a whole raft of research came out into the importance of the abdominal muscles in human movement. New methods had been identified that helped to objectively assess the function of the differing layers of muscles and how faulty recruitment of these muscles could contribute to a multitude of pain syndromes and shearing and wear on the joints.

Human movement is initiated by recruiting the abdominal muscles in the right sequence.  The deep core muscles are the major stabilising force on the trunk followed by the lower abdominals then the oblique muscles at the side then the upper abdominals.

 Where alot of bandwagoners go wrong is the vast over conditioning of the upper abdominals-the six pack. If there is one exercise that is done to death and often totally incorrectly its the crunch.  If god had created a movement pattern that involves bobbing your head forward repeatedly for as many as 1000 times a day then there would be no problem.  However most (upper) abdominal exercises cause neck problems and negative postural changes. The muscles these movement patterns work are not good stabilisers in side to side movements.  It doesn’t matter how you wrap it up with abdominal cages, abdominal machine, rollers or whatever, it’s so easy to over use, misuse or abuse the upper abdominals.

 If a trunk curl is to be performed it should be performed on a swiss ball/exercise ball. This ensures full utilisation of the complete range of these muscles.  Lying on your back on the floor only works the muscles through a very short range.  Lying on the ball means you extend the spine taking these muscles to their absolute start range.

 Much of what I am talking about here come from the most inspirational of individuals in the fitness industry Paul Chek.  An absolute revolutionary he has single handedly turned traditional exercising on it’s head.

 Go to http://www.chekinstitute.com

 If you want more information how i use his training in my practice go to http://www.helfordclinic.com/contact_us.html

I have now taken the plunge and I am fully paid for the classic. I was out on Sunday and ran from Rinsey Head to Gunwalloe on the Lizard. In hot sunshine even Stanley my faithfull Springer Spaniel companion suffered. Can’t believe I am doing this.

 
 

Hard work or what. Cliff running is trying to take in the awe inspiring beauty of the scenery and pushing yourself across some very tough terrain.

I am entering myself into the Classic Quarter on 30 June 2007. Taking in the 90 degrees of the compass from the Southern most tip of England & Cornwall (The Lizard) to the Western most point (Lands End) the challenge is to cover the 44 miles of the South West Coastal Path between the two landmarks alone, or as part of a four person relay team.

The Classic Quarter is in support of the following South West Hospices:- St Julia’s Hospice, Mount Edgecumbe Hospice, and Children’s Hospice South West, all of which do amazing work and touch the lives of many.

Again like the shelterbox challenge on Dartmoor, (in which incidentally my team came second) I will be rattling the pot once more.

More information at http://www.endurancelife.com/HTML/classicquarter.htm

Wish me luck, I will let you know how the training goes (or not!)

I realise how amazing Polarity is the more I use it in my practice.  It crosses a broad spectrum of philosophies and treatment methods and can be used to treat a number of conditions.  From reflexology to chiropractic and craniosacral therapy to osteopathy, Dr Randolph Stone pooled from many resources to deliver his therapy.  A good website to look at is the american polarity therapy association at http://www.polaritytherapy.org

A new name, a new focus, a new website and a new blog-  FAB