AUSTRALIAN BUSHFIRE APPEALS AS NATION COMES UNDER FIRE

January 9, 2013 By

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BREAKING NEWS:

More than 180 fires are burning across the Australian states of Tasmania, New South Wales and Victoria. Some 100 homes have been destroyed along with farms and livestock. Smoke inhalation, burns and loss of life are major concerns.

Damage in Tasmania alone is estimated to be more than $26 million. The Western Australian and South Australian state governments have pledged $250,000 each to the bushfire relief effort.

Red Cross, who launched their Tasmanian bushfire appeal four days ago, has received more than $350,000 in donations. Hawthorn Football Club has pledged $10,000.

Word of Warning When Donating

However, government organisations offer words of warning when it comes with making donations, due to previous scams. During the 2003 Canberra and the 2009 Victorian bushfires scammers set-up fake websites to collect funds and prayed on the good intentions of many giving souls.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), warns people who are looking to donate to be wary before putting their hands into their pockets. As the ACCC state, “Charities are registered at state or territory levels – check with your fair trading agency to see if they are a genuine charity and are raising money for bushfire victims.” This will ensure that your funds are sent to the right organisation who will use the money appropriately.

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Declutter Your Life and Lose Weight

February 23, 2012 By

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NEWS FEATURE:

Many of us are guilty of having a cluttered household. This, not only makes it stressful to find what we want, when we want it, but it also can lead to health issues.

According to McMillan & Company Professional Organizing, some 80% of clutter in your home or office is the result of disorganisation, rather than a lack of space. They also estimate that by decluttering your home you could eliminate 40 percent of your housework.

Susanne Thiebe, an accredited expert professional organiser who holds a an engineering degree in interior architecture, says that clutter is a health concern.

“Professionally, I realised that people with a lot of clutter often have health issues,” she said. “So by helping them declutter, I help them get healthier,” said Thiebe.

Thiebe says she was motivated to develop her professional organising concept because a lot of customers had health issues.

“It occurred to me that my customers health issues might not be the reason for their clutter, but rather, the other way around,” she said. “You get depressed if you have too much stuff.”

“Just by observation, I realised that some people hold onto stuff and this includes their weight,” said Thiebe. “It’s about change management, loosing fear, embracing new ideas and following healthy routines,” she said. “It might sound like a weight loss program, but it is more of a stuff loss program.”

Thiebe believes that by starting the program and shedding clutter, people often discover that they can lose weight, and vice versa.

“I am motivated by my customers tears of gratitude,” said Thiebe.

Thiebe says that listening to yourself and making time is important.

“Listen to yourself, it’s your life, not someone else’s,” she said. “There is no such thing as ‘not enough time’. If you claim not to have time for something then you should really say that you don’t find it important enough.”

Thiebe believes in incidental exercise and using your daily surroundings to workout. She says that it is vital to maintaining your health and fitness.

“Replace driving with cycling and walking, and take the stairs, not the lift,” she said. “Also have a weekly meal plan and stick to your shopping list.”

Decluttering your life begins with your home and then it progressively develops into a lifestyle choice.

David F. Tobin Ph.D., director of the Anxiety Disorders Center in the United States, says in Consumer Reports on Health that clutter can be hazardous and unhealthy.

“Clutter might create a fire hazard or vermin infestation, or keep them [people leading cluttered lifestyles] from walking around in the house,” said Tobin. “They have an exaggerated attachment to items and that prevents them from discarding things,” he said.

“We recommend cognitive-behavioural therapy, in which we help the person identify and change irrational ways of thinking and practice new patterns of behaviour,” said Tobin.

According to a study conducted by Clutterless Recovery Groups Incorporated, a clutter addict recovery group situated in America, some 74 percent of clutter addicts felt they needed therapy. Some 37 percent of the 1000 people surveyed said they suffered from clutter anxiety, and 24 percent considered themselves to be depressed most of the time.

Karen Kingston, author of ‘Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui’, states in her book that clutter can make you feel tired and lethargic, can affect your body weight and cause confusion, as well as generate a sense of shame.

“A curious fact I have noticed over the years is that people who have lots of clutter in their homes are often overweight,” said Kingston. “I believe this is because both body fat and clutter are forms of self-protection,” she said. “By building layers of fat or clutter around yourself, you hope to cushion yourself against the shocks of life, and particularly against emotions you have difficulty handling.”

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Paperless Personal Training May Ease Current Ecological Burden

February 21, 2012 By

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NEWS FEATURE:

For many businesses, the paperless office that was once predicted never transpired. Today, it is estimated that 95 percent of businesses still store their information on paper. And with paper manufacturing being one of the largest users of fossil fuels and natural resources in the world, this could equate to ecological disaster.

The International Institute for Environment and Development estimates that worldwide usage of paper, per person, is more than 48 kilograms per year. Plus, paper production is increasing, with the Confederation of European Paper Industries stating that during 2010 the average quarterly production of pulp had risen by 9 percent.

However, not all businesses are adding to this ecological burden.

Gregory Stark, founder and director trainer of Better Being, a personal training venue located in New South Wales, is utilising ways in his business to reduce the use of paper.

“We use an online customer relationship management system and our trainers have an iPad,” said Stark. This means that our trainers are able to have pre-exercise questionnaires and personal health plans at their finger tips. In addition, this saves the use of 4 pieces of paper, per client,” he said.

Stark says that this system is more effective and limits paperwork, plus it encourages trainers and possibly clients to be more careful of paper usage.

“We conduct our services predominately in the great outdoors,” said Stark. “We encourage our trainers to think before they print. They have alternative resources. This, hopefully, encourages clients to do the same,” he said.

Stark does not feel that carbon emissions are contributing to, or increasing, global warming. Instead, he feels that the temperature changes that we are currently experiencing are a part of our natural ecology, as with the Ice Age in prehistoric times. However, as he says, this does not mean that we cannot develop sound ecological practices that reduce the impact we have on the earth.

David Hall, a physiotherapist, trainer and facilitator, is another health and fitness practice operator that thinks about the environment, before he carries out his daily work duties.

“I have a long-term involvement as a volunteer with environmental groups, including The Wilderness Society and Beyond Zero Emissions,” said Hall. “I have a variety of ways that I try to decrease environmental impact. I use 100 percent green power and, where possible, I use services and select venues that do the same. I limit paper use and, as a wellness trainer, I often refer to the importance of protecting our green spaces and air quality,” he said. “I also refer interstate work to local providers to reduce travel emissions. Plus, part of my work activity includes cycle trips that have a sustainable focus.”

Hall says that he aims to inspire others through example, this includes wellness training and environmental facilitation via organisations and the support of worthwhile environmental causes.

“I think we are in strife because the financial bottom-line seems to trump the social and environmental bottom-lines,” said Hall. “I, like anthropologist Jared Diamond, am cautiously optimistic, as I agree that our current behaviour is heading towards the collapse of all that we hold dear, along with the resources that sustain us,” he said. “This is very hard to watch, especially now that I am a father.”

Hall firmly believes that we are all responsible for the environment that sustains us.

“This is not simply an interest,” he said. “This is a requirement for our survival.”

“All of us who value our lives and the lives of our loved ones, are concerned about the environment. We just have different ways of expressing this,” said Hall. “Some of choose to face this fear and take affirmative action. Others make a loud blocking noise of protest and state that the fear is not justified. They insist that global warming is not influenced by us,” he said. “These head-in-the-sand pundits, such as Tony Abbott, leader of the opposition, are slowing down progress and need to be braver.”

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The Environmentally Friendly Wellbeing Toolkit

January 19, 2012 By

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NEWS FEATURE:

Walking, group activities such as aerobics, yoga and pilates, and swimming are the most popular forms of exercise for Australians, and they are green alternatives when practiced within environmentally friendly practices.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, some 23 percent of the Australian population walks to keep fit, while 14 percent participates in group activities and 7 percent swim.

These activities can also be considered as environmentally friendly, especially if fitness facilities use technology that reduces their carbon footprint.

Jane Ribinskas, director of Yoga Concepts and teacher of Stillness Meditation, Japanese Jikyu Jitsu, and Reiki, developed an online yoga studio that considers the Australian environment as it aims to increase the health and fitness of its students.

“As a result of requests from my students who weren’t able to make it to my studio, due to work commitments, I decided to create an online concept. I realised I was producing an environmentally friendly “wellbeing tool kit” that would improve my carbon footprint,” said Ribinskas.

Ribinskas, who has been in the health and fitness industry for 25 years, says that she saw the way technology was moving and that this was the perfect way to continually motivate her students.

“Yoga Concepts’ students learn to get to know themselves from within, at a mind, body and soul connection level,” said Ribinskas. “They learn to get to know how they are using their mind. How they are feeling. And, how they are reacting to what is presented to them in life. This process teaches them about their stress patterns and how to let them go.”

“It is being conscious of  patterns that trigger negative behaviour such as eating habits or avoidance of exercise, which can lead to weight gain, and then knowing  how to apply positive behaviours that keeps individuals motivated,” she said.

“Yoga Concepts uses “the knowing flow” of Vinyasa Yoga sequences. These are dynamic and flowing physical practices where individuals build physical strength, flexibility, and stamina, as well as tone the body and naturally lose weight,” Ribinskas said. “We focus on individuals nourishing their whole person and not just on the physical form. When individuals see their life changing in positive ways at home and  work, and within relationships, they then begin to see a great body emerge and they stay very motivated.”

Jane Ribinskas says that her own health and fitness journey began some 20 years ago after a challenging period in her own life.

“Learning and applying the physical practices and fine-tuning my positive wisdom has lead to my own personal development, which just gets better and better. I’m a mature woman living in a pain free body and I am able to jump around on the yoga mat like a kid. In fact people don’t think I’m anywhere near the age that I am,” said Ribinskas. “I’m healthy and happy, and stay inspired as a result of living the life that I live. It is easy to stay motivated when you’re positive, it’s all just a state of mind. I also receive constant feedback from my students about how their lives keep changing in positive ways too.”

Ribinskas is environmentally aware in her yoga practices and also in her own life.

“From an environmental perspective, I’m conscious of how I shop, dispose of waste and generally live. I walk or catch a tram, rather than drive, so that I help to cultivate a green external environment,” said Ribinskas. “However, my key focus for the environment is to learn to sustain my inner green environment, meaning that I sustain mental and physical health, and a peaceful, healthy lifestyle. When one is fit and healthy, on all levels, there is less need to impact on the medical health system as you stay well. When your mind is healthy you naturally are attracted to lifestyle options that are environmentally friendly.”

This is a practice that Ribinskas allows to flow on to her students.

“I encourage others by allowing them to know that their own individual efforts will collectively impact and make a positive difference,” said Ribinskas, “I’ve heard people ask, ‘what difference am I going to make on the environment, as I am just one person? I am overwhelmed,” she said. “My response is that one spec of sand in isolation can easily be lost, however a beach is made up of lots of collective specs of sand, so if everyone collectively takes action then we will all make a positive difference environmentally.”

“As a society the more healthy and happy we become on an physical, emotional, and psychological level, the more positive the impact at an environmental level,” said Ribinskas.

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Emotional Freedom Techniques Helping to Reduce Australian Obesity

December 21, 2011 By

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NEWS FEATURE

More than 56 percent of Australians are overweight or obese and some 72 percent lead sedentary lifestyles with little or no exercise.

Obesity in Australia, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, has a significant impact on the health and social lives of Australians, and affects economic conditions. All, of which, can be linked to a lack of exercise and a poor diet.

Rod Sherwin, an energy therapist at Tap4Health, an innovative weight loss medium, believes that weight and emotions are connected.

“I help people with emotional issues and peak performance,” said Sherwin. “Emotions drive our behaviours a lot of the time and this can apply to eating disorders and weight issues – the emotions that drive us to eat what we know we shouldn’t. I also work with the limiting beliefs and self-talk that holds people back from achieving their potential.”

Sherwin uses ‘Emotional Freedom Techniques’ or ‘EFT’ principles that were developed by Gary Craig, a Stanford engineering graduate and ordained minister, to help reduce Australian obesity.

“I came across EFT in my own personal development journey and thought it was so powerful that I needed to share it with others,” said Sherwin. “This method is a form of energy therapy, a generic term for the fields of energy psychology and energy medicine, which work with the body’s energy system to create mental, emotional and physical changes.”

Sherwin, who holds a Bachelor of Engineering and Science and is, currently studying Kinesiology, feels that EFT is an excellent weight loss motivator.

“EFT helps by dealing with the emotional drivers and sabotage patterns that are causing us to eat,” said Sherwin. “Whether we are depressed, angry, bored, anxious, or something else, eating supresses these feelings. Energy therapy can help identify, clear, and heal these emotional patterns. This then allows us to make conscious choices about when and what to eat, rather than doing so on autopilot.”

The proof is in the results says Sherwin, who does not believe in a ‘perfect’ lifestyle balance.

“Well, for starters, I don’t believe in ‘perfect’. There is ‘good enough’ and ‘what works for now’. Life is complicated and changes on a daily basis,” said Sherwin. “By making our goals and routines too rigid, we are actually imposing more stress on ourselves, which is counter to what we are trying to achieve in terms of health and wellbeing. Today, you might only be able to fit in a five minute workout because there is a deadline approaching but, tomorrow, you might be able to go for an hour’s exercise or to a meditation class because the deadline has now passed and the kids are all staying at a friend’s place.”

Sherwin, who balances his own energies using a variety of gentle exercises and martial arts, says that his number one health and fitness tip is to be gentle with yourself. He also believes that it is important to find out what works best for you and your body, especially when it comes to nutrition.

“Pay attention and notice what works for you. No diet works for everyone,” said Sherwin. “Some people do better with carbs for breakfast, some people, like me, do better with protein for breakfast. Take a scientific approach. Experiment with different food types and groups, and one hour later notice how you feel.”

Sherwin’s overall philosophy on health and fitness centres on three areas.

“Our health is a combination of our thoughts, emotions, and physical wellbeing,” said Sherwin. “We all tend to focus on one or two of these areas, but we need to pay attention to all three areas to gain optimal health and wellbeing.”

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Carbon Diet Reducing Carbon Footprint

October 28, 2011 By

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NEWS-IN-BRIEF:

Greg Combet, Minister for Climate Change stated in a media release that Australia’s emissions are expected to rise unless action is taken.

“In 2020 emissions are projected to be 24 percent above 2000 levels,” said Mr Combet. “Clearly more needs to be done.”

Georgie Drury, founder of Online Personal Trainer, is an ‘EcoSmart Cookie’ that urges everyone to go on a ‘carbon diet’.

“There is one diet that, if more people were on, would make a world of difference,” said Drury.

Drury believes economical water and electricity use, and reducing waste and pollution outputs can greatly decrease our carbon footprint.

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