is better neuromuscular control and
coordination, increased concentration,
and improved right/left brain
integration. I am confident that every
young person who takes a yoga or
Pilates class leaves happier than when
they started the class,” says Shalabi.
Music and mindfulness
Kirtan, a form of Bhakti yoga,
is renowned for restoring inner
peace, calm and mindfulness, says
Rodenbeck. She hosts a monthly
Kirtan group, attended by women and
children who sit together in a circle
and sing ancient Sanskrit mantras.
One attendee, Lisa Abraham,
believes that Kirtan music cured her
daughter’s recurring mouth ulcers.
“Our doctor regularly prescribed
antibiotics and medicated mouthwash
but last year I figured the ulcers might
be caused by stress. I introduced my
daughter to Kirtan, a healing music.
She finds it therapeutic to sing or hum
when she’s stressed… She hasn’t had
an ulcer since,” says Abraham.
Rodenbeck explains, “When you
pronounce mantras in the vibratory
language of Sanskrit, you are pressing
meridian points on the roof of the
mouth with the tongue (like sending
keyboard code into a computer). This
code is sent to the hypothalamus,
which in turn sends it to your pineal
and pituitary glands. Your glands
chemically interpret these messages to
bring about certain changes: this is a
bit like cleansing the garbage stored in
the subconscious mind and creating
new more positive life habits and
attitudes.”
Change is never easy
It’s not for everyone and many
mums who might like to try some
alternatives, will still want to keep
paracetamol on hand for when their
children are sick and nothing else is
having much effect. For Wong, the
switch to alternative therapies proved
to be a nerve-racking but worthwhile
experience. “What I would say to
anyone wanting to switch is that you
have to be fully committed and don’t
expect miracles to happen overnight.
Whilst my husband has often thought
I’m bonkers for trying out all these
‘weird’ medicines, he has let me
continue with it because he sees that
it has worked. And whilst he won’t
admit it, I’ve caught him rummaging
around in my essential oils drawer and
applying oils on himself!”
