Featured article - A Japanese technique to help overcome difficult situations.

At some point all of us will come into contact with either stressful people or situations that not only can affect us emotionally but physically too. This technique involves the hara, which the Japanese believe to be both the physical and emotional centre of your body. They believe that when we move our attention to the very centre of our body, we not only become physically stronger, but psychologically stronger too. This technique can be used with the pure beneficial essential oils in our "Armour" Candle.

1. Light your Armour candle and leave in a spot near you so that you can breathe in the healing essential oils. Or you can prepare your aromatherapy burner with 6-8 drops of your Armour perfume air oil in the bowl with some warm water and light the tealight candle, twenty minutes in advance so the air is filled with the scent.

2. Standing up, put your attention on your "One Point" which is about an inch below your navel and roughly halfway between your navel and your spine. This pressure point is known as hara and the central storage point for your ki, chi, or life force. If it helps, place one hand over that area of your stomach, I find that if I line my thumb across my navel, that works better. You can also imagine a ball of energy radiating from that spot.

3. Think about a situation coming up in your life that worries you, something preferably minor at first. When you have practised the technique, then move onto something more important.

4. Thinking about that difficult situation, give your discomfort level a score from 1 (at peace) to 10 (aaaargh).

5. Bring your attention back to your "One Point". Placing your hand over that area, guide your mind to calmness in that area.

6. Finally, holding "One Point" attention, think about the situation you were worried about and notice the discomfort drain away from 10 (or wherever it was on the scale) down to 1.

7. When you no longer feel discomfort thinking about the situation, you can use your 'One Point' attention to mentally rehearse performing at your best. When you are actually in the situation, you can hold "One Point" as you perform to ensure you will stay centered and peaceful throughout.

Armour

Fragrance - Floral, Geranium scented with a hint of Vanilla and Lime.

Candle

£22 - 60 hour candle.

Perfume Air

£10 - 30ml

For extra emotional help you can burn the healing candle up to 4 hours after the technique, or you can burn the Perfume Air oils up to 4 hours afterwards.