The Alexander Technique

An original poster advertising the services of F. M. Alexander

JC writes: “Can you tell me whether the Alexander Technique is New Age? I am a musician and my teacher recommended it for ‘body awareness.’ Apparently, it is popular among professional, classical musicians. The idea of “body awareness” sounds very New Age to me!”

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Reader Shares Bad Experience with BodyTalk

One of our readers sent an e-mail describing a bad experience she had with BodyTalk – a kind of “therapy” that can supposedly locate broken energy circuits in the body and resynchronize them by “tapping” the patient on the top of the head. We felt this e-mail would serve as a warning to anyone who is considering this kind of therapy.

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What’s Wrong with “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People”?

Stephen Covey (1932-2012)

MG writes: “I am looking for information on The Seven Habits program. My children go to a Catholic school that has incorporated the program into the counciling program.  I have been trying to find out more about The Seven Habits program because of what I will call a “gut” feeling.  I do not what to go to the school before I have more information to back up my uneasy feelings.  Is the program ok and if not where can I look to get more information?”

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Should You Put Castor Oil in Your Belly Button?

                                              Castor oil seeds

The latest TikTok craze is calling for the application of castor oil in the belly button, a so-called “ancient” practice that will do everything from detoxification and improving your digestion to enhancing bowel movements and even making you more fertile. So what is this all about?

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Silva Mind Control

EC writes: “We are having a parish ‘retreat’ day with a priest who also is heavily involved with the Silva Mind Control Method. Can you point me to any Vatican documents which expressly state that the Silva Mind Control Method is New Age and therefore incompatible with our Catholic faith? I want some  ‘backup’ from the Church, so I can voice my objections to the Parish Priest.”

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