Man Is What He Eats
An avid enthusiast of inventing healthy recipes and of entertaining, Kusum Saxena, who lives in California, combined both interests in a book written for her daughter’s benefit. This interest in healthy recipes “that also please the senses” informs her diet plan for her students. For those looking for a natural way to treat certain chronic […]
The Hakim has the Cure
The tradition of apothecaries and hakims, sellers of salves and spices, tinctures and medicinal herbs, is still wide spread in the by-lanes of the Muttrah souk in Muscat, the capital of Oman. Entering this bazaar, with its maze of alleyways, its age-old charm and its untold secrets of curative herbs, potions and balms, is an […]
The Sari extends and stretches across centuries
The Sari, which came into being in North West India, stretches across history from the Indus Valley Civilisation (2800-1800 B.C.) until today. The journey of the sari started by weaving cotton which flourished in the Indian subcontinent around the 5thmillennium B.C.
Chapman’s Challenge – Tugging Dubai into the 20th Centennium
Dubai, once a relatively unknown part of the world, has today emerged as an important and strategic crossroad between the East and the West. It is a hub of international affairs, a first among equals, a venue where before the ink has dried on the contract, the construction is underway and in the blink of […]
Musings On Friendship
Kusum believes that an individual’s emotional landscape is an important area to address for their wellness practice to be sustainable. She often found that her students, who ostensibly came for a specific physical course of treatment or diet, would get into their current circumstances and their reaction to those events. She quickly realised that being able to gently guide, with humour whenever possible, or suggest practical solutions to some of those challenges, would enable that person to maintain their wellness practice. As the counselling component developed, a few students started recording what they affectionately called ‘Kusumology’.
No One is Talking About This
An unusual, thought-provoking book, ‘No One is Talking About This’ was reviewed at our book club recently. It brought to the forefront the juxtaposition of the older generation and their ‘normal’ and today’s generation surrounded by gadgets which replace humans. Or do they? Vidur Bhatia, lawyer, critiques the book: Short-listed for the Booker Prize and […]
Healing with a Ha!
Hearty laughter is a spontaneous and uninhibited outburst of feeling good, relaxing both body and mind. It is a medicine which is not available in any chemist or pharmacy, yet you carry it with you all the time. Journalist and author Dinesh C.Sharma explained that laughter therapy is beneficial for all age groups in any […]
Chacha
Everyone called him “Chacha” (Uncle)* and knew that, should they have a genuine problem, Uttamchand could be counted on to offer assistance. Chacha had a modest textile shop next to the abra point and other merchants and shop-owners always sought his assistance and advice. Uttamchand had a place of honour in the large Indian community […]
The Other Side of Covid
With over 35 years’ experience as a successful wellness counsellor and dietician, Kusum Saxena, who lives in California, has received acclaim for her unique style of teaching. Her health craft offers a four-fold bespoke programme that includes yoga, diet, reflexology and relationship counselling. Through word-of-mouth, Kusum’s customised, effective methodology has garnered a loyal international clientele. […]
Dubai’s ‘Grand Prix’ celebrates a nation’s first decade
The residents of Dubai were eager, impatient and agog with the news that Dubai’s first Grand Prix would be held on 4thDecember 1981 to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the United Arab Emirates’ National Day. As the track reached completion, there was an influx of foreign journalists in town. Ian Macaulay, the son of Edward Macaulay,