Are you suddenly finding people are looking wonderfully beautiful? Are you enjoying the lovely bursts of sunshine and the new freshness of flowers and plants.
This is a natural part of the the season of Spring with new energy and new beauty and a great time to plant seeds of your dreams and think about what you would like to harvest in Autumn.
If you were to go back 365 days to the same time last year you might find a lot of the same experiences and feelings. We have just come out of Winter when we have been naturally hibernating and being more inward, gentle and slow with life.
Now we are in Spring and it is a good time to think about planting seeds which will grow in the Summer and come into fruition in Autumn. So this is a good time to think about what you want in your life and how you would like your life to be like in September and start to plant the seeds.
All projects begin with one idea and develop and grow with the energy we give it. Spring is an energising time, a great time to have fun, to be playful and to birth your ideas of what you want in your life.
Good luck! Top Tips for May:- Write down what you would like to create in your life. What home do you want, what career or partnership? Remember Oscar Wilde said that anything written down would come to pass.
- Take yourself to a park or nature in the sunshine and really take in the image of the flowers and the scenery and take a mental photo that you can remember for Autumn.
- Smile at lots of people, go on it's so much fun! Also if you are single and you would like to have a partner smile at at least 50 people and be open to being asked out!
- Think about what you would like to let go of mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically. Clear your cupboards, you'll be amazed what happens when you clear! The universe hates a vacuum so if you let go it allows new room for unexpected magic to come in!
- Take a risk buy a dress or a hat that makes you stand out and have fun with it!
- Be spontaneous and let a longed for wish come true. If you had no fear what would you love to do? I love comedy and I am thinking of doing a stand up comedy course!
- Playfulness! Can you let yourself have fun and play, can you paint or draw or dance or skate just for fun? Or how about feeding the ducks in the Park?
- Make lots of wishes and be prepared for them to come true!
Cate Mackenzie is Life Coach, Workshop Leader and Artist. She has been working with people since 1993 and teaches all around the UK and in Spain, Greece and Kuwait. She specialises in helping people to open their hearts to their wishes and dreams and paints heart paintings two of which are being sold as posters world wide in IKEA. She has been featured on BBC2, BBC Radio and in magazines Cosmopolitan, Psychologies and Harpers Bazaar.
Cate is running her course 'A Heart-Centred Life' on Skyros island, Greece this summer. Join her from Sunday 29 August to Saturday 11 September at the Atsitsa Bay Centre, by calling 01983 865566, see www.skyros.com or email office@skyros.com.
Cate will also be facilitating a weekend at The Grange by the Sea in the Isle of Wight from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 June. Call Jenni on 01983 867644 if you would like to attend her weekend. Cate will also be at The Grange for a New Year Celebration at the end of the year.
Selecting the right jeans for your body shape. Welcome to a checklist to use when shopping.
It is important to me to feel comfortable in my skin and to connect with a deeper centredness.... I also know that it is just as important to be comfortable in my own JEANS!!!!!!!! Look at buying jeans the same way as you would buying a new bra because the effects are just as dramatic.
Consider the following before you go....... - When will I wear my new Jeans? Work/party/casual and all rounders.
- Check out any areas on your lower body that you consider to be your less attractive bits – you may have larger thighs like me!
- What shoes/boots will I wear with them? Take them with you when shopping.
- What size am I in trousers? Do I already have a pair of jeans that I love and they fit well? Why do I like them so much? Have a look at the waist rise and leg length.
- What is my budget and what shops internet sites will I use?
Now for the technical bit.........Your body shape and shape of leg will be key in selecting the most flattering cut for you...
STRAIGHT BODY SHAPEIf you have a boyish frame with lean legs and torso you will look fab in the straight leg style however, pay close attention to the back pockets and ensure they create a peach effect and don’t flatten your bottom like pancake. Look to Audrey Hepburn and Kylie. They do the ¾ length jean with flat pumps and a simple shirt for timeless style - ideal for your shape. Your body shape doesn’t tend to have a defined waist so low /mid rise is best for you... belts look better sitting on your hips. You can wear the crisp engineered denim without too much give in the fabric. Boy cut jeans work well for you.SEMI STRAIGHT BODY SHAPEIf you are like me and have a semi straight shape with shorter athletic legs and long body you will find low rise do not work. Our body shape is made for mid rise with boot cut leg and a generous amount of room at the top of the leg so the legs don’t look like sausages in skins!! Dark denim is best on these athletic legs and check that the denim has some flexibility in it. Sit down in them and bend over to check they fit well. Check the back pockets flatter your bottom and don’t flatten it or make it look big. Always choose patch back pockets as they break up the area and make the bottom pert and smaller.
If you want to elongate your leg length, like I do, always ensure the jeans come over your shoes and touch the ground. Wedged shoes/sandals are fab with the boot cut jean – thin spiky heals don’t work with athletic legs and boot cut jeans. If you have long slim legs then you can carry off most styles however, do check the rise and ensure it sits just below or on the waist. As a semi straight you can move between the boy cuts and jeans cut for curves. Avoid crisp denim as it only works on the straight body type.
HOUR GLASS FIGUREIf you have an hour glass figure with a defined waist then go for jeans that you can belt at your slim waist. You are blessed with curves so use them! If you have shorter legs ensure the jeans are long enough to touch the floor with your shoes on - your body loves jean material that moves so avoid crisp structured denim as your body wants movement in the fabric. You will have square shape shoulders so check that the bottom of the jean is wide enough to balance out the look. Think Miss Monroe and tuck in your tops to show off your curves.
General tips for all bodyshapes..............
Do check that the jeans are not too tight over your waist/hip area as this creates a muffin top!! I tend to buy jeans a ½ - 1 size larger now that I am in my 50’s. Why? Because tight jeans don’t work on us as we get older! Try it.I am running some workshops at Atsitsa from 20th June – 3rd July and then again 15th August – 28th August. My workshop is based on having a positive body image no matter what shape/size you are. I have found that being comfortable in my own skin gave me the freedom to think outside the box and develop my own style.
We have plenty of time here to work with you one to one so do bring your jeans and any items of clothing you want help with. It’s lots of fun and you will save you a fortune on buying clothes that you never wear!!! You can email me for any further help on andrea_gates@sky.com.
Love to you all Andrea Gates X
Andrea will be running her courses in Greece this year, firstly from Sunday 20 June to Saturday 3 July in Atsitsa, Skyros island, and then from Sunday 15 to Saturday 28 August. Andrea will also be at the Skyros Centre from Sunday 1 August. So, plenty of opportunity to find out more! See www.skyros.com, mail office@skyros.com or call 01983 865566 to secure your place.
Like many people, I am a workaholic. No time for me. I was exhausted, too exhausted even to think about the kind of holiday I would take on my own. Then the new Skyros brochure plopped in the letterbox. I had been in Skyros before, in 2003, where I had a fantastic time whether in Ari Badaines course ‘Take Life at Whatever Risk’, singing with Trixie (Field), learning Greek cookery or just enjoying the new company. Some of the people I met there still remain firm friends.
Now I thought a beach holiday in Thailand was just what was needed. I went for it - that was in January 2007. Koh Chang was fantastic and exactly what the doctor had ordered.
It was there that I heard that Michael (Eales), Ed and Kel (Portman) were just about to do the first Skyros-in-Cambodia holiday. A group of us agreed that if all went well, we'd take it in 2009.
Two years later I was standing at the border at Poipet (on the Cambodia-Thailand border). I don't think I’ll ever forget that day. I knew that this country was going to get me, that my life had changed (again!) forever. But I still had no idea how....
The temples were amazing but I prefer people to monuments and the Cambodians bowled me over. Whenever we left the bus we were surrounded by children so cute they could sell you anything. It doesn't take long to realise that the cuteness is disguising something much less appealing. These kids are horrendously poor and often abused. At best, they have to go out after school and earn for the family to live. At worst they are beaten, abused...... 
I felt I had no choice. I HAD to do something and throwing money at the kids was not the answer.
The Skyros group were lucky - we had been assigned a brilliant young guide - Narong - who was passionate about his country and wanted so much to share all his knowledge with us. He did the temples as was his job and then he answered questions on the Khmer Rouge, the Killing Fields, politics, life in Cambodia etc etc.
I asked him what I could do to help. His answer was simple: ‘find a poor person and help him’! Well, to cut a long story short, thanks to Narong I am now the very proud Godmother of two Cambodian boys. This was the start. Now I would have to return... 
For the first time in years I had acquired a purpose, a sense of direction, something other than work, work, work. Then I came across something that I really wanted to do: voluntary work with these children.
At the time, I was not sure I would have had the courage to go totally blind into this. However, as I write this, I realise that decision involved the coming together of a couple of desires - firstly to go back and meet my boys and also to try volunteering which is something that had always played in the back of my mind. That was to me a perfectly logical, natural and normal thing to do. So in retrospect, there wasn't the slightest element of bravery in my decision. I didn't need courage to do this. The words fish and water spring to mind.
That was it. I booked everything and only then asked for six weeks off work! I had made my mind up and NOTHING was going to stop me now. Before I knew it, it was Christmas Day and I had a flight to catch. And my time in Cambodia flew even faster. I had a ball. I laughed and cried with all my heart on so many occasions.
At the end of my (Cambodia) ‘work’ I had a couple of weeks’ holiday with my Koh Chang roommate, Lorraine. One evening she asked me what I had been most surprised to discover about myself in doing this. I replied I hadn't really been surprised at all. Like all human beings I am multi faceted. So perhaps, in hindsight, the biggest ‘surprise’ was how others had been ‘surprised’ by their glimpse at part of the ‘real’ me! I answered without hesitation that I was totally at ease in Cambodia, with the kids, the heat, barefoot and constantly covered in dust! I wasn't bothered about de-fleaing my hair and I had my worm tablets to take when I got back to France! I wasn't squeamish about cleaning a manky wound or cuddling a child who may have AIDS (we didn't know who did and didn't). I slept with a cockroach feet away under a champagne bottle... I hadn't once pined for my own bed, a European meal or indeed for anything (though in fairness I can't say we really roughed it - Globalteer does look after its volunteers well and Siem Reap is NOT the end of the world however poor the locals are). Some of my clothes, although washed, were fairly stained from being on a dirty bench or tuk tuk or from the juice of a deliciously fresh pineapple that was impossible to eat without getting totally covered. But does it matter? Of course it doesn't! The pineapple would not have tasted so good prepared by someone else and eaten with a knife and fork. The cuddle with the child would have been spoiled if I'd wanted to keep flealess! To stay clean on a tuk tuk or bike ride is impossible. You have to peel off the barriers to enjoy, I mean really enjoy, the things in life that count. I learnt that a very long time ago.
So to close, the whole trip was truly amazing. I miss Cambodia, the kids and my boys so much it truly hurts. How can you feel such love after such a relatively short period? I am of course going back (haven't told work yet!). Vachanak, my eldest boy (16) needs to change school and we need to find him somewhere to live as he leaves home for the big town (Siem Reap). There is nowhere for these boys to live - they often sleep on the street. You wouldn't know when you see them washed and in their school uniform, but they do. They deserve better and if I do nothing else with my life I will do all I can to make sure that at least a couple of them get better.
I chose life, whatever the risk. Thanks Ari, Michael (pictured left), Ed and Kel and to all at Skyros for helping me find the courage to be. Yes, I'll leave it like that. The courage to be.
The end
or is it
The beginning....
You can read my whole blog at http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog/marianner/1/tpod.html
Thank you to Marianne for her wonderfully inspiring story. If you would like to share your own, email text and photos to stories@skyros.com.
UNICORNS SELL!Fantasy fiction dominates the world bestseller lists, makes zillions at the box office, and has turned writers like J.K. Rowling and Stephanie Meyer and Christopher Paolini into household names.
Their books have sold more than 500 million copies in the last dozen years. Add the sales of J.R.R Tolkien (150 million for The Lord of the Rings alone), C.S. Lewis (120 million for the Narnia series), Robert Jordan (44 million), Terry Brooks (21 million), Dragonlance (20 million) and the Artemis Fowl books (18 million) – and it is clear that fantasy is the most popular of narrative forms.The world is hungry for tales of epic quests, dragons, vampires, wizards, magic rings and cloaks of invisibility. One publishing house in the US has even issued their staff with a T-shirt that reads ‘Unicorns Sell!’
And what readers want to read, publishers want to publish!
So what is fantasy? Why is it so popular? And how can aspiring writers tap into that hunger for fantastic fiction?
Kate Forsyth is the award-winning and internationally bestselling author of 23 books for both adults and children. Her books are published in 12 countries including the UK, the US, Japan, Russia, Indonesia and Spain (as well as her homeland of Australia). She has taught ‘Writing Fantasy’ workshops all over the world, including a writers retreat in Fiji last year.In a week-long course, she will teach participants everything from the history and common motifs of fantasy fiction to world-building and creating characters that leap off the page. She’ll tell you the secret formula to all stories, yet teach you how to make sure your work is fresh and original and imaginative. Kate’s ‘Writing Fantasy’ course helps you build a story from the first flash of inspiration to finding a publisher for your work.Aristotle said: “A likely impossibility is always preferable to an unconvincing possibility.’ Learn how to make your fantasy book so convincing and so entrancing that your readers will wish the book never had to end, with Kate Forsyth’s ‘Writing Fantasy’ course from 29th May to 5th June. For more information about Kate, check out her website at www.kateforsyth.com.au.
Kate will be facilitating her course 'Fantasy Writing - Ideas' at the Writers' Lab, Skyros Centre in Greece this summer from Saturday 29 May to Saturday 5 June. See www.skyros.com to book online, email office@skyros.com or call 01983 865566. The holiday also includes participation in yoga and music & arts courses.
I’ve visited Skyros as a participant and now I’m returning as a facilitator. I’m really looking forward to being at the Skyros Village Centre from the 20th June to 3rd July where I shall be running my programme ‘Finding Your Purpose and Leading Your Life’.
As Judy Garland once said: ‘”Be a first rate version of yourself not a second rate version of someone else,” so my programme is designed for people who feel empty when their days are so full, for those who feel out of balance and want to re-gain it, and those who want to find their life purpose and how to manifest it every day.
In the two weeks I’m there, I want to offer a new and different practice that I hope will provide you with a temporary escape pod to reflect away from your busy life and give you hope for a more joyous future.I’ve spent more than twenty years managing and leading teams in organisations and businesses as well as coaching and mentoring individuals. (If you’re interested, my CV and a lot more information about what I do is on my company website www.createtomorrowtoday.com ). I've studied and read avidly. I believe I've found a golden thread running through all this theory and practice. The same development areas crop up. - How to THINK for yourself and recognise your thinking patterns and where they come from
- How to CREATE and use your imagination and ability to generate new ideas and possibilities. To dream. To know and appreciate beauty
- How to FEEL emotionally expressive, compassionate and self-aware of others and their point-of-view. To manage yourself and your relationships
- How to BELIEVE through your journey of self-improvement. To find the joy in life and your purpose
I’ve placed these four ‘Quarters’ into a circle for it’s is a significant symbol and geometric shape. For many cultures, the circle is a symbol of unity. Having no beginning or end, it represents infinity and perfection. If you travel this circle that I call 360 Degree Wisdom, you will gain a rounded perspective on how to lead a ‘whole-some’ life!
In the first week 'Finding Your Priorities', we’ll study each quarter of the 360 Degree Wisdom circle THINK, CREATE, FEEL and BELIEVE and ask ourselves challenging questions about our patterns of thinking and behaviour. We’ll also apply self-development and management techniques to understand better why we do things the way we do and how certain factors can influence us without our realising! We’ll spend time working through what makes you glow with energy and joy and see how this can be translated into daily life through living your true values, beliefs and attitudes.
In the second week, 'Leadership Skills', we will apply all you’ve learned from the 360 Degree Wisdom Circle to a set of scenarios and challenges that you might face as an individual or group. This can be applied to home and work situations. We’ll look at leadership theories and techniques to learn what is possible when you are in balance as a leader of your life and when you take on the responsibility and honour of leading others. We’ll discuss what qualities make a leader and study leaders from the past to see what can be applied by you in the future.I hope to see you on my programme where we’ll have some serious fun!Claire Chidley is the Managing Director of Create Tomorrow Today, a leadership development company. She has been working for 20 years as a senior manager in the public and cultural sector. See www.createtomorrowtoday.com
Claire will be facilitating her courses at the Skyros Centre, on Skyros island, Greece from Sunday 20 June to Saturday 3 July. See www.skyros.com, email office@skyros.com or call 01983 865566 to book your place.
The more fast paced and stressful our lives become we often, quite literally, forget to give ourselves room to breathe.
Our level of tension is usually reflected in our breathing. When stressed breathing tends to become more rapid and shallow, and primarily located in the upper chest. Under too much stress the tendency might also be to over breathe, sigh or hyperventilate.
When we are relaxed breathing tends to be slower and deeper, and should include more movement in the rib cage and the diaphragm.
Breathing is one of the easiest things to be aware of and to change. Noticing breathing helps us to notice the symptoms of stress early, so we can take a moment to pause and relax. The connection between breathing, stress and tension is two way. In the same way stress can have a negative effect on our breathing, so too can adjusting our breathing have a positive influence on stress.
Tip: Here is a simple breathing exercise you can try anywhere, sitting, standing or lying down. You can also decide whether to have your eyes open or closed.
- Rest both hands on the upper part of your chest. Allow your lungs to empty with an out breath, and then breathe in slowly through the nose, without forcing it, and notice the rise and fall of your hands as you breathe. Repeat this between 5 and10 times.
- Rest both hands on your rib cage below your chest with the finger tips of your middle fingers just touching when your lungs are empty. Breathe in slowly and feel your fingers parting as you rib cage expands outward. Repeat between 5 and 10 times.
- Rest your hands on your belly at navel level, middle finger tips touching. This time as you slowly breathe in fill your whole abdomen with breath, feeling your fingers parting and your hands rising slightly towards your chest. Again repeat between 5 and 10 times.
- Finally just rest your hands gently in your lap, or at your sides and take a few moments to be aware of your breathing now. Make sure your shoulders and neck are relaxed. Make a little stretch before resuming your normal daily activities.
If you make a commitment to do this regularly – it will only take about 5 minutes a day– you will begin to notice the level of stress held in your breath and will also experience your breath in its most relaxed state. Over time this will become part of your general awareness, so you can notice your breathing at any time and make a conscious decision to relax.
Tip: Record your mood in an exercise book before and after doing the breathing exercise. The four most common moods are Activity and Calm at the positive end, and Anxiety and Melancholy at the negative end. See if you notice a pattern over time.
So take a break, take a breath - instead of reaching for caffeine, tobacco or chocolate. And as your breath becomes more relaxed and centred so your whole being can feel the same.
Michael Eales
After many years as a facilitator Michael has come to value the practice of Mindfulness as the core of healthy living.
“Paying attention to moment to moment experience without judgement or self-criticism enables you to become more aware of the conflicting forces within your mind. This awareness enables you to access your strong inner core: the place of inner wisdom, wellbeing and happiness. Becoming aware of our habits of thought and action is the first step toward self-transformation.”
Of course he still draws on all his experience as a humanistic psychologist who has worked widely in organisations and with individuals. See www.globalresonance.com
Michael's forthcoming teaching dates for Skyros:
6 – 19 June: Mindful Living, Atsitsa Bay, Greece
29 Aug – 11 Sept: The Path of Happiness, Skyros Centre, Greece
12 – 25 September: Mindful Living, Atsitsa Bay, Greece
14 – 27 December: The Path of Happiness, Koh Chang, Thailand
14 – 23 January 2011: On the Exploration Path, Thailand & Cambodia
Are you suddenly finding people are looking wonderfully beautiful? Are you enjoying the lovely bursts of sunshine and the new freshness of flowers and plants.
