Nicola told me that just because we have always done something in a particular way, it doesn’t mean that we have to keep doing it that way. We can change it. If, upon reflection, we find that certain behavioural patterns we have learned from childhood (or from our own life experience), are not providing positive results, then it is a good indication that we need to change our behaviour, whether we are dealing with relationship problems (and who isn’t?), parenting skills, stress/anger management, trauma, phobias, employment/career issues etc.

However, sometimes changing our behaviour is easier said than done, especially on our own. This is precisely where a qualified NLP practitioner can help us. So I asked Nicola to elaborate on how it works. Basically, someone will come to her with a problem and tell her what is wrong and how they feel about it. Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t know what they want; they are too busy focusing on the problems rather than solutions. Nicola’s role is to help the person shift their focus away from the problem to how they would rather feel instead. The issue changes from a negative state into a positive one. She then helps the person draw up an action plan with goals about what they would like to achieve in specific areas, be it related to health, finances, work, family, spirituality, education and so forth.

Typically she will spend four to six personalized sessions with a client, each lasting 60 to 90 minutes. When I asked Nicola where the sessions take place, she said that she usually sees clients in a neutral place or wherever the client feels most comfortable. The first consultation with her is free as it is important to meet and see if you are comfortable with each other.
Nicola told me that NLP is a toolbox of techniques that help to change your state of mind. It is not psychology. It is not analysis. There is no such thing as failure, only feedback. NLP is the language of the brain and the science of your own brain’s interaction with your body. It is how you think, feel, move and how you can enhance the performance of each. It is a way to get your life in balance.

When asked about her background, she told me she worked for the National Probation Service in the UK for ten years rehabilitating offenders and their families. Prior to that, she was employed for Social Services as a social worker. She worked for the Children and Families Department assisting in custody cases, family breakdown prevention and child protection. Since moving to Almuñécar six years ago, she has been busy with her own practice and a steady clientele. For more info. See www.nlplifeskills.com or call Nicola directly at 600 332 917.

ArteCalle came to life because Andrea had an idea and a desire to do something beautiful in (and for) the town. In her own words, the idea “was to bring the flair of art into the village.” The intent was not only to beautify the town for the summer, but also to create a cultural art event that involved both local artists and establishments. The aim was also to create exposure for local artists and to generate interest in their works of art.

It was easy to get the local community involved because the project is such a creative one. Not to mention the fact that is has all the right ingredients in order to become a successful one. The concept is to decorate the streets and establishments of La Herradura with original and colorful artwork.

Different artists in the area will have their sculptures, paintings, ceramics and other art objects featured in various locations throughout town during the summer. There are 25 establishments participating in the project, ranging from the hotel, to boutiques, to restaurants and real estate agents. Naturally, the Town Hall is also very supportive of the project and hopes it will become an annual event.

Starting in July, you will see streetlamps throughout town decorated with large banners. Each banner, measuring 50 x 140 cm, will show a particular piece of artwork, the name of the artist, and the name of the establishment where you can view the original piece. The establishment pays a fee to sponsor the banner during this three-month event.

A brochure will be available that includes an ‘art-walk’ map with a route to follow in order to see all the pieces being showcased. Also look at the ArteCalle posters hanging in the surrounding towns for a list of all participants.

What a great way to spend the day in La Herradura – it sounds almost like an exciting treasure hunt to me! All the works of art will be available for sale through Kuerbis & Kaviar Art Studio. For more information see www.kuerbis-kaviar.com or contact Andrea at tel. 671 696 743.

Sophie Newick

The Look It’s Music Academy offers private singing coaching and also guitar, piano and drumming lessons using modern methods. Look It’s Music is also a recording studio and is available on an hourly basis for artists who want to record CD’s, or for use of professional services such as making ad campaigns or commercials. They also offer services of arranging and production and have an in-house sound engineer.

If you have kids who want to express themselves musically, they can join in their Funk Club on Saturday mornings. It’s a workshop where they get to study a contemporary song and are introduced to many different instruments and rhythms. These are drop-in sessions, so for details please contact Russell directly at info@lookitsmusic.com. Who knows; maybe your child is an up-and-coming star waiting to bloom.

A young lady, 17-year-old Keivah (who grew up in La Herradura but now lives in the UK) was actually discovered by Russell at an early age. He coached her for many years and nurtured her musical talent. The result is amazing and can be heard on their website as well. Keivah performs songs composed, arranged and mixed by the Look It’s Music writing team made up of Russell Nash, Sophie Newick (see photo) and Vicente Escudero.

The future plans of the academy are to release both Russell and Keivah’s second albums and, if Sophie has time, her first album. They hope, with all their initiative, effort and investment, to help put Almuñécar on the musical map internationally so to speak. A way for readers to support this local business and it´s artists is to look at the website, spread the word, or buy an album.

For more info: www.lookitsmusic.com, located at Calle Larache Local 5, Almuñécar, tel. 958 883 295

When trying to describe Anna Digesu’s work, the word that springs to mind most is ‘colour.’ Anna is a master colourist, using her expressive, fluid style to capture her figures in fleeting moments and with gentle poise. Working in oils, watercolors and in drawings, this exhibition brings together some of the best of Anna’s work over the past 32 years, the time she’s been living and painting in this area of Spain.

To see a preview of Anna’s work, please visit: http://annadigesu.wordpress.com. Anna is also a member of the business and social networking group WomenWorks. The next WomenWorks monthly meeting takes place on Friday March 5th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. For details and to join see: http://womenworks.ning.com. Also please mark in your calendars that the Almuñecar Women’s Group has their Informal Coffee Morning on Sat. March 13th at 11:00 a.m. and their Planning Meeting on Sat. March 27th at 11:00 a.m. Venue is Hotel Arrayanes Playa, Paseo de Cotobro 5, Epsylon 1, Almuñecar. To receive the group’s monthly newsletter, send an e-mail to almunecarwomensgroup@googlemail.com. Regular events include the following:

Sunday: Walking – subject to weather. Contact Stella at tandinspain2@yahoo.co.uk. (Write ‘Sunday Walks’ as the subject to avoid it being perceived as spam).

Monday: 11:00 – 12:00 Spanish conversation at intermediate level with Rosa at Bar Pinball. Shared costs; 12 euros.

10:00 1-hour Walk prior to Delgada Group meeting at Delfin Books. Weigh-in at Delfin Books at 11:00 a.m. then coffee at Italiana coffee bar near Sol Bank.

13:30-14:30 Singing at Look Its Music Academy on Calle Larache. 1-hour harmony singing. Shared cost 30 euros between the group (usually 3-4 euros per person).

17:00 Agua Gym at Santa Cruz resort.

Wednesday: 15:30 Spanish Language Class at Centro Social 10 euro per month.

Thursday: Line dancing at Clipper Bar in La Herradura 18:00 – 19:00. Cost is 5 euros per person.
If you have any interesting stories, personal profiles or future events for this column, please contact me at danish@seasidegazette.

Arpi Shivley is a professional writer. She has written guidebook content for the Lonely Planet, as well as written websites, annual reports, advertising copy, public health literature, press releases, executive speeches and concepts for employee events. She currently works as a fundraising/communications writer with the Shingirirai Trust. Furthermore, she is working on branding and marketing new products and services, most recently in the sustainable energy sector. Read about her and her work at www.arpishively.co.uk/index.asp.
Michelle Rumney is a Venture Coach – a term she uses to describe what she’s aiming at – helping people release their thinking and realise their dreams, their adventures and their personal joy in life. She is also a Creative Coach and runs a supportive, creative coaching group in La Herradura for people who are committed to a writing project – be it a novel, memoirs, play, script, blog etc. Her website is www.RoomOnTheEdge.com.

Glen Ladegaard is an artist and a Life Coach and through her unique GoddessGuide Coaching and BodyImage Therapy, she empowers individuals who’ve lost direction and purpose to break life-long negative belief patterns. In her GoddessGuide Coaching she uses GoddessGuide cards, which sharpen your intuition and gives you the light of insight enabling you to have the power for expansive change. Read more about her at www.GlenLadegaard.com.

WomenWorks is a growing community of like-minded women who meet for support, connection and networking. It has already grown to include 89 members. The group meets the first Friday of every month from 11 am to 1 pm. The well-organised meeting follows a pre-planned agenda that is posted online on the WomenWorks website www.womenworks.ning.com. Members are expected to help shape the growth and continuity of the group and the role of Chairwoman rotates between the members. Previous meetings, aside from the networking aspect, have included inviting keynote speakers, holding workshops, Mastermind sessions and having presentations and discussions on relevant topics.

To become a member, simply join by posting your profile on the website. This gives you access to the site where you can see agenda and venue for the monthly meeting, upcoming events, post blogs, forums, notes, photos and read about or communicate with other members. Membership is free.