In this Newsletter:

My first aid training and natural winter healthcare tips
I completed my first aid training for therapists on Monday 12th November and was interested by all the additional natural hints and tips our tutor was giving us for general ailments.

New therapy training
On Friday 16th November I completed training course in Hopi Ear Candles. Read all about what they are and a discounted special offer for every appointment you have until Dec 31st 2007.

The Maternity Network
I have set up a free and effective method for you to get information about local qualified and specialist complementary and alternative therapists, classes and consultants.  Read about how it works and how you can get an information pack.

Christmas Gift Boxes and Gift Ideas
I have teamed up with a Decleor beautician to offer indulgence gift boxes for Christmas with a twist! Gift Boxes and vouchers are available and we offer free delivery if ordered before December 17th.

Holistic treatments I offer and New Year 2008 prices
Some of my prices have change for 2008. If you book in 2007 for a 2008 appointment, it will be your normal price for the first appointment.

A word from your editor and holistic therapist!
Dear All,
Welcome to my last Newsletter of 2007! My how time flies! This year has been probably the most eventful for my business since I started in 2001.
The plan for opening my own therapy centre has really come together and I’m pleased with its progress. For those of you who know me, you’ll know
I’ve researched further opening my therapy centre and am now elbow deep in questions about cash flow forecasts, accounting books, start-up guides and research! I hope to emerge successful in 2008 and have a clear business plan to move forward and can start looking for premises. How exciting!

It’s been a year for firsts – we took our 3 year old nephew to his first firework display (and he loved it!), it was our 1 year wedding anniversaries in September (Indian and English!)And it was the first time I could sing along with the Hindi on the tape at Diwali at my mum-in-laws!

I’ve had a fabulous time as a Doula this year – I have been a Doula at 5 births this year and missed the 6th who delivered at home in no less than 30 minutes! I was present at High Wycombe, Heatherwood and Wexham Hospitals and a home birth in Maidenhead this year. All super deliveries and beautiful babies! Yes, I’m terribly broody but it wouldn’t do any good to desert my therapy centre idea yet! Many congratulations to my families who had babies in March, April, June, August and September. Your births are all very special to me and I hope to get some photos of them as they grow up!

I also wanted to say thank you to all you lovely ladies who sent me emails and pictures of your new babies! Always a pleasure to hear from you and what your little one is doing now!

First Aid Training and Natural Winter Healthcare Tips
On Monday 12th November I attended a First Aid course for Therapists. The lecturer started off by asking who had come to the course because they were really excited about doing 1st aid – no hands went up! He then asked if we were all there because as therapists we have to renew our first aid qualifications every 3 years – all hands went up! The fact is, first aid training can be unexciting, even though it’s necessary. I’m sure some of you thought about it when your babies arrived and you wanted to know more about how to save a life.  
The course structure reminded us of ABC (airway, breathing and circulation) and CPR (resuscitation) and then in the afternoon we talked about natural methods of fast first aid.

New Therapy Training – Hopi Ear Candles
On Friday 16th November I did a course in Hopi Ear Candling. I have wanted to do this ever since I found out that it is helpful for people who suffer from Sinusitis and Tinnitus which are two conditions my family members suffer with.

The word ‘Hopi’ is named after a South American Indian tribe called Hopi Indians. They blew smoke into ears to aid healing. There is also pictorial evidence of Hopi Ear Candles being used thousands of years ago.

The candles that a professional Hopi Ear Candle therapist places gently inside your ear are primarily made from beeswax among other ingredients like Sage and Vitamin C. The candle shape has a chimney effect when burnt at one end – and don’t worry, it doesn't’t drip ash or wax on you!

During the training day we practiced on one another and at first I must admit I was weary of having a candle put in my ear and set alight! Once the candle was nestling gently in my ear all I heard was some crackling and fizzing, which sounded quite loud, but relaxing.
When giving this treatment you should only let the candle burn down to the red line which is several inches above your ear. The result for me (and I don’t really suffer from anything) was relaxation during the candling (about 8 minutes on either side for me) and a sense of clearness in my ears afterwards!
When the candling (one in each ear) is complete normally you would receive a face and head massage. This is pure bliss!
I discovered when giving this treatment I could use massage to benefit the draining of sinuses and lymph more effectively and use Acupressure points and ear Reflexology.

Once this lovely session had ended we opened up the candles to look at what was in the candle. Apparently there is a misunderstanding that what is inside the candle is your ear wax. It’s actually powder residue from the candle and the amount depends on how hard it has had to work and how much congestion there was. A therapist can use this information to tell you when is best to revisit for another treatment.
I’m really looking forward to doing this therapy and seeing the differences for people suffering with ear and sinus problems, especially for my family.
There are some contra-indications to receiving Hopi Ear Treatment and one of them is pregnancy, which is a bummer as I specialise in prenatal treatments! The candles have an essential oil called Sage in them which may change hormonal levels for a pregnant lady (and you wouldn’t want that unless you were overdue!)
It’s best avoided when you are pregnant, have an ear infection (wait till its gone) more serious conditions such as Epilepsy and if you have grommets in.

To introduce this therapy into my practice I am offering 45minute appointments to include Candling in both ears and a head and face massage for £20.00 (normally £30) This offer is for each of your treatments until Dec 31st 2007. You can also book a treatment in 2008 and get the same discount on your first treatment.

The Maternity Network
This is a Network that I have created to help you find complementary therapies, classes and maternity support in your area.

The Network consists of therapists, tutors and consultants and all their leaflets are pooled into one information pack. You can get an information pack from any of the members in the Network, or from me. You might find that you already know one of the members!

I hope to create a reasonable sized pack with information and contracts for complementary therapies that include cranial sacral therapy, maternity reflexology, prenatal and postnatal massage, osteopathy and homeopathy, classes such as prenatal yoga, Pilates, baby massage or yoga and swimming and consultants that can offer prenatal and baby troubleshooting. These are just a few of the people I have included and we cover parts of Bucks, Berks and Surrey. 

This service is free to you and is paid for by the people who advertise in the packs. I have gathered copies of their qualifications, insurance and police checks so that I have evidence of their training and specialist in the fertility to newborn area.

What I offer and New Year Prices

Many thanks for taking the time to read my last Newsletter of 2007! I hope you found it educational and interesting. Do get in touch if we haven’t caught up in a while, I am always delighted to hear from you.
I’ll be in touch with another Newsletter (hopefully) before March 2008!

Best wishes for a healthy, cozy Christmas and a Merry New Year!

Louise Prince