With the growing number of holistic practices on offer, it’s hard to know what might be helpful for you. These local practitioners share their approach to supporting whole-person health and the stories of growth, love, and transformation that drive them.

Words Helen James @blackhorsecommunications

Two-thirds of Australians use complementary health practices and supplements, spending $3.5 billion - double PBS medication[1] expenditure. Often used alongside mainstream medical services, holistic options are increasingly used to manage chronic health issues tagged ‘the diseases of western civilisation’ - stress, anxiety, depression, obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer[2].

So, what are some of these holistic health practices and what exactly do they offer us?

Meditation

Marshy is indeed a guru, but perhaps not what you’d expect. A master of meditation with a lifetime of learning and over a decade of teaching, he isn’t draped in white flowing robes, nor do you need to visit Tibet to study with him. Instead, his studio is nestled into the ocean-misted hillside at Wombarra, where he greets clients with a wide, welcoming smile and disarming candour.

Andrew Marsh, or ‘Marshy’ as he’s known, describes meditation as a process of going inward to connect with something greater, a process of paring back rather than adding more to find a new peace and a new happiness. “We’re taught to look externally for happiness, by acquiring things, reaching goals, anything outside ourselves. But meditation reveals the fact that you are, and have always been, the silver bullet you were seeking. And once you find this source of love, of gratitude, of worthiness, you have the opportunity to give it to others, instead of extracting it from the world.”

“No one cannot learn to meditate. There are no physical or mental health issues that mean it’s not possible.”

An awe-inspiringly ancient practice, historians believe meditation was practised as far back as 3000 BC[3]. Originating in India, forms of meditation were quickly adopted by neighbouring countries and became part of many religious traditions. But Marshy stresses that meditation can be practised independently of any particular religious connection, and work alongside any belief system. “No one cannot learn to meditate. There are no physical or mental health issues that mean it’s not possible” he says.

After falling in love with the Illawarra as a young Quiksilver surfer, Marshy and his partner made the decision to relocate permanently here just over a year ago. He continues to manage his thriving Coogee meditation studio remotely and work with high-performance athletes one-on-one, but is excited to be bringing his offering to his new home. Already part of the community, Marshy is a proud brand ambassador for Surfing Is My Coffee, and from time-to-time holds free introductory meditation courses to support locals.

From his Wombarra studio, Marshy teaches transcendental - also known as Vedic - meditation in one-on-one sessions, group courses, and 2-day workshops. “In my experience, transcendental is the Rolls Royce of meditation” he says, describing transformations both powerful and swift. “I’ve seen whole lives change over a weekend. And if practice continues, so does growth”. The body of evidence supporting transcendental meditation’s effectiveness continues to grow, even being used to reduce stress and improve wellbeing for mainstream medical health providers[4].

Marshy’s clients come to him seeking something more in their lives, “but not surface level mood-making”. Sometimes a life event precipitates the decision, but often it’s a more intangible sense of something missing. “We all want to feel peaceful, strong, capable, and worthy of love. And without meditation you’re stuck in the loop of lack.” he says. Grinning, he adds “but I’m only a guide to help people connect with the greater truth. It’s all there already, just waiting to be revealed.”

Reiki

Annie Teng is a local Reiki Master and full member of the Australian Reiki Connection, the professional Reiki association. Starting a spiritual practice for her own wellbeing over 30 years ago, Annie was led to the path of total health Reiki offered her and has been certified as a practitioner since 2016.

She explains Reiki as a process of restoring balance that is founded on understanding the body’s energy system. First developed as a specific modality in Japan in the 1920s, a Reiki practitioner channels universal energy through the whole body of their client, also aiding the release of negative trapped energies to support healing on all levels.

Reiki can be either hands-on, over a distance, or hands-off where the practitioner holds their hands near the client’s body without touching, making it safe and accessible for anyone regardless of age or health concern. Many of Annie’s local clients visit her weekly simply to maintain general wellbeing and focus on self-care, and range in age from their early 20s to late 80s. “I can see the shifts at the end of just one session” Annie says “but most return for more, especially if they are recovering from past trauma, working on relationships or building self-awareness. I have ongoing clients each week who are managing stress in their lives or just for general self-care and maintaining health.” Recognised as a supportive therapy, Reiki is now an adjunctive therapy in many public and private hospitals, palliative care, nursing homes and community health settings[5].

Annie sees the demand for Reiki growing in correlation with our ever-increasing pace of life. “Reiki can reduce depression and anxiety, relieve physical pain, promote relaxation and better sleep quality, and boost the body’s natural healing abilities'' she says. As the concept of manifestation has increasingly appeared in mainstream media, more clients are looking for guidance in manifesting affirmations to reach their life goals.

KINESIOLOGY

Kinesiology developed over the course of the last century in the US, emerging as a framework for practice in 1972. Local practitioner Debbie Rogers, a massage therapist of two decades experience, was introduced to Kinesiology several years ago while seeking health support for herself and her family. After experiencing significant results, Debbie completed a Certificate IV in Kinesiology and further extended her training with trauma-specific Resolve Beyond Neurology.

Debbie describes Kinesiology as a truly holistic approach to physical, mental, emotional and energetic health. “By using muscle testing as a biofeedback mechanism to assess the subconscious responses of the body, an experienced practitioner can help uncover the root cause of symptoms and limiting beliefs. Then, Kinesiology helps a person access their own innate healing ability and form new neural pathways, which is a forgotten skill in modern times.” Debbie’s clients report significant improvement in one session, but often visit regularly to stay on top of their general health or manage ongoing concerns.

Debbie says clients present to her with a wide range of concerns: chronic back pain, anxiety and depression, trauma, grief and stress. “Many come because they feel that they have tried everything that traditional healthcare offers and need more help. They are willing to go deeper to find peace”. Because Kinesiology is non-invasive and completely guided by the free will of the client, Debbie can work with any condition or client safely.

"The empowerment my clients experience comes through their healing, but also discovering that they have the ability to take control of their wellbeing. It’s so rewarding to see”. But Debbie’s greatest joy comes when clients are able to reconnect their heart and mind to live fully and freely. “We are taught to believe that our brain is our mind. But I want to see more people living from their true mind - which ancient wisdom teaches is the heart space - not the busy brain”.

Coal Coast Magazine advises your own research before embarking on any new health or wellbeing practice.

Von Conrady, Dora and Bonney, Andrew 2017 Patterns of complementary and alternative medicine use and health literacy in general practice patients in urban and regional Australia, RACGP Australian Family Physician, Volume 46, Issue 5.
Clatic, Victor 2018 Diseases of Civilization, Maedica Journal of Clinical Medicine, Volume13, Issue 4.
https://www.news-medical.net-meditation
Nestor M, Lawson A, Fischer D 2023 Improving the mental health and wellbeing of healthcare providers using the transcendental technique during the COVID-19 pandemic, PLOS ONE Journals.
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au › health › reiki

demystifying holistic health

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