By Heidi Trautmann

I must say I hadn’t known that people living in North Cyprus were so conscious of alternative medicine, of listening to the whispers of their soul and of acknowledging that body and soul had to be in balance to be functioning properly. You can achieve that in many ways as I know for myself and as I have learnt when I visited the second Expo Heart and Soul at the Hotel Club Acapulco east of Kyrenia.

On altogether 60 stands various exhibitors were available to explain and lecture on the various methods;  there were not only the healing powers of herbs, stones and oils, there were the healing powers of Yoga, Qigong and other body exercises on the programme. Many were drawn to the reflexology stands where they could lie down for hands-on training, have their feet massaged and they obviously enjoyed it. There was an Iranian lady who said that she would measure my energy and she asked me after a while if I would feel the vibrations. Energy you give off and receive seems to be a means of communication between sensitive persons and you are told how you can learn it. Healing the world..is healing, one slogan I remember, I find some truth in it. Many other slogans and beliefs, and I am sure they are very helpful to some people.

One stand with information on physiotherapies, a local clinic, attracted my personal attention, as they offered acupuncture in their programme, a method I am a believer in, a believer by experience. And, the doctor said, he has been trained in Beijing. That sounds very promising.

There was our friend Muriel Clutten who at a stand of her own had offered to do portraits in water colour, While I was in the hall she had done two, what a tiring procedure after a couple of hours. Oh yes, painting is an occupation, a passion, which takes your thoughts of any pain.

And there I discovered charity stands, one promoting the Cancer Charity, right next to her the Kyrenia Animal Rescue with very charming ladies, and in the same row, a stand representing the SOS Children Village. Doing something for others will cure one’s sickness much faster than a doctor can. For example, as one of the KAR ladies was explaining, taking dogs out for a walk, even adopting one for the length of a year, covers all you need. That is very true for so many people who come here and don’t know what to do with themselves, so they are delighted to have a companion.

I spoke to many people, and I found it most interesting. There were three drummer ladies of a drummer circle based in Larnaca which is also joined by people in the North of the island, and they told me for a long while of the soothing effects an hour of drumming would have on the mind and body. I have heard them drumming a year ago on the occasion of the Elephant Peace walk initiated by Rosemarie Gnausch. You remember?

I hope  you could make it to this very special event. It is going to be a regular expo. A similar event “Mind, Body and Spirit Exhibition”will take place in November 13 and 14, 2010 at the Hilton Park Hotel in Nicosia. info@CyprusSpirit.com

If you want to learn more, especially about the exhibitors, please click www.heartandsoulexpo.com as I don’t want to make any advertising.