Entitled From Little Acorns....!

In June this year it will be two years since I qualified in Holistic Stress Management with Kevala. What an adventure this work is and what a privilege!

When I qualified, everyone said to me it would take 2-3 years to get the business up and running. And so far, it looks like I'm on course and the business is finally really taking off!

It has been a busy couple of years and a very steep learning curve, but so far worth every minute. The business still hasn't quite reached a stage where it's self-supporting but, if early indications are right, this could be the year it also starts to pay a reasonable living too.

Since qualifying with Kevala, I've also qualified in Raynor Technique (deep tissue) massage, Shiatsu and Reiki stage I & II. I've also just completed a course in Hypnotherapy and should shortly qualify in hypnotherapy/psychotherapy.

Workwise, the first 18 months was largely working with individuals and I've been right in there at the deep end. Dealing with cancer patients, people who were abused as children, people with anger problems and people who simply want to chill out and relax.

In the past few months, I've also been delivering courses on effective stress management to companies including KPMG and I'm now talking to a large print firm about training their 150 or so employees!

Over the past year, I've been working with a colleague to develop programmes in various places in Spain. We'll be running courses there later this year and I also take 2 or 3 people at a time as paying guests in my Spanish home. This is ideal for those who are 'feeling the pinch' and need a few days of being looked after (yoga, great food, counselling and massage are included) and learning how to manage stress more effectively in the future.

It also looks likely that I'll be helping organise programmes on stress management, kinesiology, hypnotherapy, nutrition and Fung Shui in France later this year, on a wonderful farm which grows its own medicinal plants and makes elixirs, tonics and massage oils. Fab!

And just in case I felt bored, my partner became involved in a project in New York at the end of 2005! This means we're spending a week or so a month there for the coming year. I can't do paid work there as I don't have a Visa. However, a friend pointed me in the direction of The Open Center - a holistic centre in the Soho area of NYC and I've been accepted to work as a volunteer when I'm there on two afternoons a week. Not only will this be likely to generate some great friends and contacts for the future, it also does wonderful yoga classes - bliss!

So, there's lots going on, but with Kevala's training under my belt I'm managing to enjoy it and to take time to relax. I'm also finding Kevala a continuing source of inspiration, friendship and support, so thanks to them for that.

In fact, I have made quite a few contacts with other Kevala graduates and we are managing to meet or swap emails to discuss ideas with a view to cross-referring work or working on joint projects together, so that's great too.

One of my latest privileges has been to work with groups of Senior Citizens in Yorkshire and London, offering hand, head and shoulder massages in two-hour sessions. What great fun and what fantastic people!

Whether I continue to be so diverse in my activities or whether, eventually, one area will occupy most of my time, I don't know.

After 20 years in advertising, I'm still finding I can use my marketing and presentation skills. Do I miss it? Well, I'm just loving what I do now. If I'm honest, I miss the money, but not much else!

If you'd like to know more or are interested in my associate programme, please contact Annie Lawler on 0772 581 8884 or on  annie@breathingspacetherapies.co.uk.

For more details of Annie's work please visit www.breathingspacetherapies.co.uk/