Learning to Make Beautiful Music Together
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Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
In teaching young people to play violin and ocarina, I see them also learning skills that help them in their studies, life and work. Many of these skills are the same ones that can help couples preparing to get married to enjoy a healthy, happy relationship over the years.Through music instruction, students learn discipline, patience, problem-solving skills, confidence and responsibility, among other valuable lessons. These character traits are developed through repetition, as students slow down and focus on playing each note correctly. In a world bombarded by fast-paced and often dubious media messages touting instant gratification, music can help people slow...
Tuning Up Muscles and Mind: Health Benefits of Music Education
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
My husband is a very fine musician, and as our business has grown, he has had less time to devote to practicing the violin. When he was able to start regularly practicing again recently, he soon found he had lost several pounds.How could that be? Violin is a very physical instrument. He wasnt doing any other exercise or diet, so we know his weight loss was from the extra activity of playing.One of the often-overlooked benefits of playing a musical instrument is how it helps improve overall fitness and health. In my experience teaching music at the St. Louis School of...
Life Skills From Music Education
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
In teaching young people to play violin and ocarina, I see them also learning skills that will help them in their studies, life and work. One of the amazing things about music education is how students pick up these skills through the process of learning to play an instrument.Through music instruction, children learn discipline, patience, problem-solving skills, confidence and responsibility. These character traits are developed through repetition, as students must slow down and focus. In a world where kids are bombarded by fast-paced and often dubious media messages touting instant gratification, they learn the value of applying themselves to a task.Learning...
Ocarina: Easy, Economical Way to Introduce Kids to the Joy of Music
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
Summer is almost here and parents are looking for ways to keep their kids entertained, engaged and learning. Many families will enroll children in music lessons over the summer, but there are other economical ways to introduce kids to the joy of playing an instrument. I teach violin at the St. Louis School of music and I know that not all families have the time, resources and or interest to devote to private instruction and buying or renting a violin, cello or piano.For these families, I have found the ocarina is a great instrument to introduce kids to music. It is...
Are You Tempted To “Settle”?
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
Recently, Ive heard the rumor that some people out there think maybe its a good idea to stop trying to meet the great mate. Some writers on the subject of dating have suggested that if you cant find Mr. or Ms. Right, how about Mr. or Ms. Good-Enough. I have a problem with that attitude.That perception could take you in a direction that would not serve you well. Heres why: I see people every day who gave up searching for their great love and settled for the compromise. Now they are paying the price. Making the choice to settle for someone...
What Are You Waiting For?
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
Waiting for the fish to bite and waiting for wind to fly a kite. Waiting around for Friday night or waiting perhaps for their Uncle Jake or a pot to boil or a better break or a string of pearls or a pair of pants or a wig with curls or another chance. Everyone is just waiting. Dr. SeussAre you waiting to meet someone special? Are you waiting to fall in love? Are you tired of waiting to find your soul mate? If you're single...and you're honest...the answer to that would be a big yes!But the dream of falling in...
6 Signs That You've Gotten M.A.D. (Money Anxiety Disorder)
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
The American Psychological Association conducted a survey in late 2008 and found that 80% of the people who responded said that the financial crisis was causing them a significant amount of stress. Anxiety over money issues has produced a new ailment that is affecting a large part of the population, particularly women. Psychology professionals have named this affliction: Money Anxiety Disorder. Women tend to be more highly stressed about money issues because in general they are not the major breadwinners; they are the care-givers, concerned about their family's future and well-being. And, in relationships, there usually isn't an open and equal...
FTC to Protect Consumers from Online Debt Settlement Companies: People facing debt should know their rights
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
The Federal Trade Commission has ruled that starting Oct. 27, 2010, companies that sell debt relief services over the phone will not be able to charge a fee in advance of settling or reducing a client's debt.Many debt settlement companies promise to settle debt by 50 percent or more, but collect fees up front and frequently aren't able to reduce the debt as promised. In some cases, because of the accumulation of unpaid interest, consumers end up facing more debt than when they started.Starting Oct. 27, 2010, a Telemarketing Sales Rule will go into effect with the following provisions:Debt relief companies...
The Power of the Purse: How to wield a bag for financial, personal defense
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
Your purse has power squared for your personal financial self-defense. First, it holds the resources to make you a powerful consumer. Studies have shown that women and their wallets control over 80 percent of consumer spending. In general, women buy most of the household and family items, including major appliances, vacations and automobiles, so they carry a hefty financial weight in the operation of the economy.The best method for using your spending power, particularly for larger ticket items, is to take your time and not make impulsive decisions. Comparison shop, gather information, work within your budget and after a lot...
The Gift of Forgiveness: 5 Signs That It's Time to Forgive
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
The holiday season is a time for joy and celebration. For some, it is also a time for reflection on past events in which there is a need for reconciliation. I know, for me, being around my family and friends during this time can bring joy as well as an understanding that some things need to be made right.This concept of making things right in the system of Huna is called pono. Though pono is a word that does not have a specific English translation, the closest word is right but not as in "you are right and I am wrong."...
Huna Empowerment
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living. Nelson MandelaThe word "empowerment" is tossed around a lot today in the field of personal growth and development. My students have referred to it as a goal, as a plan of action, or as a state of being. Yet when I have delved a little deeper with some of these students, they seem to have no clear definition of empowerment. One student even said I dont know what it means, but everyone is telling...
Huna Prosperity: Effortless Abundance in any Economic Climate
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
Last week my eight year-old son asked if we could watch Deal or No Deal together before going to bed. I'd never watched the show before but instantly sensed a great parenting opportunity!When I asked my son why he wanted to watch the show, he said that it would be cool to win a lot of money. This led to a discussion about what I teach hundreds of people in my Huna workshops every year: that money needs to be understood before it can be manifested in abundant quantities (okay, I did simplify it a bit more since he is only...
Huna, Fatherhood and Lineage
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
Recently, my wife and I went on vacation, and I had to explain to my nine year-old son why it was just the two of us going. I explained that mom and I needed time for just the two of us, just like he and I spend father and son time.Each year, I take Ethan to the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival in Hawaii where we live and where I teach Huna, the ancient system of empowerment and flexibility of the mind/body/spirit that is being passed down to me through family lineage. One idea of Huna, taught by Hula master Uncle George,...
Education and Fulfillment: Finding your path - A Huna perspective
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
I have a cousin who chose to become a carpenter rather than going to college. Fortunately for him and those who benefit from his beautiful work, he did not heed the many family members who told him he would fail and never make money without a college degree.Once while he was on vacation he came to my home in Hawaii. It was hot. At the time the only air conditioning I could afford was a window unit, but I had no window to put one in.My cousin took one look around and said I can put it in this wall. He...
Finding an Authentic Spiritual Teacher
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
Becoming a spiritual teacher, especially in ancient traditions, requires much more than the knowledge one can get from reading books or attending workshops. How can you tell if a teacher is truly qualified?The James Ray Spiritual Warrior retreat in Arizona in which three people died and 19 were injured in a sweat lodge ceremony raises this and many other questions. It was a reminder that teachers of indigenous spiritual beliefs and practices bear heavy responsibilities to assure the safety of participants and to respect sacred traditions.Huna is the ancient Hawaiian understanding of energy, healing and life that I teach and have...
