Tag Archives: amwriting

Reiki Healing Energy explained

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What is Reiki Healing?

Reiki Healing (pronounced ray key) is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing.  It is administered by “laying on hands” and is based on the idea that an unseen “life force energy” flows through us and is what causes us to be alive.  If one’s “life force energy” is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are capable of being happy and healthy.reikiman

It’s all about balance

Reiki is a holistic form of healing and works on Physical, Emotional, Mental and Spiritual levels at the same time. The term “healing” refers to the balancing of energy in the body so that it may heal itself.

Reiki healing helps the client to heal and rebalance themselves; it stimulates the healing energies of the body and encourages the particular area of the body to heal itself.

One obtains this power to perform Reiki by being attuned by a Reiki master. This is done in four sessions in which the master activates the chakras, creating an open channel for the energy. The attunement process is not made known for general information, but is held in secrecy for only those being initiated. One of the main reasons Reiki has become so popular is its apparently pleasurable experience. Those who have experienced Reiki report feeling a powerful sense of warmth and security.

Some Hollywood celebrities who use Reiki Healing

Here is a list of Hollywood celebrities who find Reiki useful in their busy lifestyle – for example Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry, Sharon Stone, Uma Thurman, Helen Hunt, Naomi Watts, Kate Hudson, Macy Gray, Sandra Bullock, Ellen DeGeneres, Kate Bosworth, Michael Flatley and Nicole Kidman.

Would you like to try Reiki Healing?

If you would like to sample a Reiki healing session, we will be offering complimentary sessions to participants at our Power Of Me Weekend Retreat

This holistic weekend focusing on Mindfulness and Journaling for increased wellness and focus will take place in beautiful Townley Hall, Drogheda, May 17-19, 2019. If you’d like to know more about Anne-Marie Curran, psychotherapist, well-being coach and Reiki Healer click here.

Vision Boards really do work

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vision boardVision Boards
You may have heard of these things called vision boards. You may be interested in learning how to make your own vision board. They are fantastic tools for focus and goal-setting. You can use pictures of places you would like to travel, your favourite car, dream lover, your dream body, your business goals, inspirational quotes, pictures of friends and family. Basically, anything that you love. For more information on how to make vision boards take a look at this article I published on Linkedin

Oprah Winfrey uses vision boards
Did you know that Oprah Winfrey uses vision boards?

“The media mogul, who pulled herself up from poverty to become one of the wealthiest women in the world, might be one of the biggest celebrity supporters of affirmations.

Her commitment started young: As a child watching her grandmother toil away, Winfrey says she’d tell herself over and over again: “My life won’t be like this. My life won’t be like this, it will be better.”

Besides frequently showcasing success stories of positive thinking on The Oprah Winfrey Show — and even discussing creating her own vision boards to realize her dreams — her many words of wisdom to fans include: “Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life, because you become what you believe“.

Arnold Schwarzenegger also uses the power of visualization.
As a young athlete, Schwarzenegger swore by the power of visualization to reach his bodybuilding goals.

“I had this fixed idea of growing a body like Reg Park’s. The model was there in my mind; I only had to grow enough to fill it,” he explained. “The more I focused in on this image and worked and grew, the more I saw it was real and possible for me to be like him.”

Later, when he transitioned to careers in acting and politics, Schwarzenegger said he employed similar mental tricks: “It’s the same process I used in bodybuilding: What you do is create a vision of who you want to be — and then live that picture as if it were already true.

Read how actor Jim Carrey motivates himself
To stay motivated, actor Jim Carrey wrote himself a check for $10 million for “acting services rendered,” dated it for 1994, and carried it in his wallet for daily inspiration. In 1994, Carrey learned he would reap exactly $10 million for his role in Dumb and Dumber.

Want to make a vision board with us?
Join our Weekend Retreat, May 17-19th, 2019. Form more information click here

vision board

The act of writing by hand engenders true mindfulness

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quote1-w“The Creative Writing course with Act the Maggot opened my mind to the world of words. I have always written creatively and this course made my writing better and gave me a better sense of what and how I write. Thanks to the teacher, we were able to explore the art of writing and poetry in depth. ”
Testimonial from Marluce Lima, student from January 2018 group

The following is an extract from an interesting article published in Forbes Magazine proposing an argument that writing with pen and paper in longhand is a powerful tool for learning, relaxation creativity and connection.

Stephen King purportedly wrote Dreamcatcher in longhand — using a Waterman cartridge pen. J. K. Rowling penned The Tales of Beedle the Bard — all 157 pages of it — in longhand, and the leather-bound tome sold for almost $4M at auction. F. Scott Fitzgerald did it, as did Hemingway, Kafka and countless others, each of whom had access to either a typewriter or, later, a computer. They all chose to put pen to paper and see where it took them. This is perhaps the true magic of a pen: It transports us to unexpected places, on wings that require no more than a timely shot of ink to keep them aloft, destination unknown. And in the process, the mindfulness writing engenders encourages calm and creativity. Here are three proven ways that handwriting is good for your brain…

1. Handwriting increases neural activity in certain sections of the brain, similar to meditation. According to a study performed at the Indiana University, the mere action of writing by hand unleashes creativity not easily accessed in any other way. And high-tech magnetic resonance imaging has indeed shown that low-tech writing by hand increases neural activity in certain sections of the brain much like meditation.

2. Handwriting sharpens the brain and helps us learn. Writing is good for keeping one’s grey matter sharp and may even influence how we think, as in “more positively,” studies show. Apparently sequential hand movements, like those used in handwriting, activate large regions of the brain responsible for thinking, language, healing and working memory.

3. Handwriting forces us to slow down and smell the ink. Another often-overlooked benefit of writing by hand is that it just plain forces us to slow down and enjoy the moment — a novelty in today’s world where immediacy reigns. Mindful writing rests the brain, potentially sparking creativity, according to neuroscientist, Dr. Claudia Aguirre.

Want to try it out? Book your spot today on our next six-week Creative Writing class aimed at beginners. It starts on Tuesday, April 17th. You will cover character, plot, structure, poetry and do lots of writing exercises in class. It’s guaranteed to have you scribbling your way through Spring! Read about our course here. Drop us a line – actthemaggot@gmail.com if you wish to book or if you want to ask any questions.

 

Sunday Selection: Poetry

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caduffy

 

 

 

 

 

Prayer

Some days, although we cannot pray, a prayer
utters itself. So, a woman will lift
her head from the sieve of her hands and stare
at the minims sung by a tree, a sudden gift.

Some nights, although we are faithless, the truth
enters our hearts, that small familiar pain;
then a man will stand stock-still, hearing his youth
in the distant Latin chanting of a train.

Pray for us now. Grade 1 piano scales
console the lodger looking out across
a Midlands town. Then dusk, and someone calls
a child’s name as though they named their loss.

Darkness outside. Inside, the radio’s prayer –
Rockall. Malin. Dogger. Finisterre.

by Carol Ann Duffy

image: Carol Ann Duffy/bbc.co.uk

Get out of your comfort zone! Booking now open for all three of our Spring courses.

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screen-shot-2018-02-16-at-17-48-07“Act the Maggot took me to a place I haven’t been since I was a child. A place of pure joy. You meet great people from all walks of life and form firm friendships. I got to express myself in a way that I could never do in any conventional adult learning scenario and it made me feel like I was 10 feet tall.” – Shane Lynam, Director, Elearn.ie

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Try one of our signature beginner classes and you won’t regret it! Always been curious about the acting game? Try our six week Thursday night class in Beginners’ Acting for Adults starting March 22. quote4-wFond of developing story-lines and characters but don’t know how to get started with a writing project or just haven’t developed a good discipline? Try our six week class Tuesday night class in Beginners’ Creative Writing.

Or have you always liked drawing or just want to try it out? It’s a fantastic way to unwind and relax. Try our six week Tuesday night class in Beginners’ Drawing.

Life drawing #pencil

Life drawing #pencil

At Act The Maggot – everyone is a beginner!! Some of our maggots have tried all three at different times of the year. Take a look around and make up your mind. We answer queries at acttthemaggot@gmail.com

Write it out! Join a fun, creative writing for beginners

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cw2018Would you like to write down your ideas and thoughts and play with story and character? Writing is such a wonderful hobby to develop, especially for those cosy, indoor afternoon and evenings in the coming months. Here are some testimonials from our previous courses.

“I went into with a good attitude and I wasn’t let down. My teacher was brilliant. He had an amazing passion for writing that he shared with all of his students. He shared good resources with us all and gave us a beginners insight into the writing world. Something that other courses don’t offer. I couldn’t recommend the course enough and I’m looking forward to doing another course with Act the Maggot.”

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“Act the Maggot was an excellent experience and I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone with an interest is developing their writing skills or adapting their knowledge to serve an alternate purpose. With a diverse group of those looking to achieve different goals and pursue various methods of writing, we each have greatly gained from the course.”

“It was excellent and our teacher was amazing.”
“This was a great experience. It stretched my abilities and gave me confidence to carry on scribbling. Thanks to the teacher for his encouragement and easy manner. Keep up the good work.”

Read about the next Creative Writing course. If you have any queries please email us at actthemaggot@gmail.com

Improv can change your life

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Spotted a great article recently in the Guardian newspaper about the power of Improv to help fight anxiety and build confidence. Perhaps 2018 will be your year to move outside your comfort zone and try a beginner’s acting class. Our beginner’s acting class teaches you the rudiments of improvisation. We create a fun, supportive environment where participants can learn to truly act the maggot! No-one is judging and everyone spurs one another on. Here are some of the latest testimonials:

“Act the Maggot was a wonderful addition to my week. I enjoyed every class and learned a lot as I let my creative side free. Thank you.”

“I was very satisfied with the level 1 acting course. It had what I was hoping for – taking me outside of my comfort zone, meeting fun people and having the craic.”

“Enlightening”

“It was fantastic, really well spread out and the increase in difficulty each week was great as it really took me out of my comfort zone.”

“It was brilliant. Fun and learned lots.”

“Enjoyed the experience, meeting lovely people in a playful environment.”

There are still places available on our end of January course. Contact us with any queries – actthemaggot@gmail.com – If you don’t think acting is your bag you can always sign up for our fun creative writing or drawing courses. All of our six week courses take place in Dublin city centre on Middle Abbey Street.

Final call for Summer Creative Writing. Book today!

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scribblertuesdaysWant to work on some of your ideas or generate fresh ones with a fun group? Spice up your summer with this great creative writing class for beginners. Generate some sparkle this summer by tapping into your creative side of a Tuesday! Our next 6-week Beginners’ Creative Writing Course is open for booking now. It will take place in Temple Bar on Tuesday, June 6th, 2017 and runs until Tuesday, July 11th, 2017. All classes will be from 7.30-9.30pm – €180 per course.

“I loved the course. Niall was amazing as were the other participants and I revived my thirst for writing. I went in with an idea I had started writing about. It was due to our “non-compulsory” homework for the course that a TV show proposal I wrote ended up getting commissioned for a pilot by a TV station. Everyone had different interests, which is what made it so much fun and it was really laid back. Couldn’t recommend it more to get your creative juices flowing. I did it for the craic and it delivered big time.”

If you have any queries or want to book your place, email us at actthemaggot@gmail.com