Universal Relaunch!

Universally Rio's First Anniversary

On Monday 1st September we will be launching our new website and newsletter. In preparation for this, we have already reduced the site to its present state and will be taking it completely offline as from Friday.

If you would like to be informed when the new site is ready

Click Here

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I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of our contributors and readers for helping to make our first year such a success.

Have a magical week and come back and see us on Monday when all will be revealed!

In love and light

Sally xx

Sound Journey!

Have you ever experienced a Sound Journey? Now's your chance!
On the 3rd and 4th September in Camberley, Surrey, UK Courtney Ward and Paulus van der Merwe will be hosting two evenings of pure love and bliss, during which you will be transported into the realms of sacred sound and deep relaxation through their many musical, singing, and chanting talents. Their use of ancient and indigenous instruments, including singing bowls, didgeridoos, bells, gongs African drums, flutes and rain and ocean sounds, (to name but a few) combined with their amazing voices have a profound effect on all who listen.
The human body and everything on our planet vibrates at a certain frequency and, as sound is vibration, the harmonics of their instruments and voices work on the harmonics of the energy field of our bodies at both cellular and auric level, removing blockages, pain and distress and restoring balance and harmony to our whole beings.

Universally Rio will be officially introducing Courtney Ward and Paulus van der Merwe in September, when we celebrate our First Anniversary and re-launch our site.

I will be there on Wednesday 3rd September ... so I hope to see you there too! It's a special experience too good to miss!

Please direct all enquiries and bookings to
Mary Cowieson
Tel: +4479 1020 5323
E-Mail: marycowieson@googlemail.com

888

Depending on where you are in the world ... tomorrow/today is the 8th of August 2008. A very significant date on the calendar. In Greek the number 888 means Jesus and is representative of biblical prophecy and the foretelling of critical events.

In China, it is a day of great fortune and this was why it was chosen for the opening ceremony of the Olympic games. It is also seen as a gateway, a time for raising our mass conciousness and vibration.

For some more fascinating insights into the significance of this day, as it falls between the 2 eclipses, visit Edna Spennato's blog http://www.earthheal.blogspot.com/ There are some great links and I am sure you will be touched and inpsired to make the most of this auspicious day!

August Horoscopes!

Oh my goodness, it's August already! Take a minute to check out Steve Judd's sun sign forecasts and get the 'head's up' on what August has in store for you...

The last couple of weeks have been very hectic and I have worked the flights to Tanzania and Bangalore and I made a very quick trip back up to Scotland inbetween them to catch up with my mother and brother ... and to sleep!

Now I am finally home in Rio again and I have a blissful month ahead of me... Not that I will be lying on the beach though as there is so much going on. I have clients already booking in for treatments and I am the guest speaker at the International Club in Rio at the end of August, and I will also be popping up to Las Vegas for the magical Chris Stormer's wedding.

And inbetween all that, Marten and I are bringing together the wonderful new website for Universally Rio's first anniversary next month.

Watch this space ... it's all go!

Now... what does Steve say about August for us Geminis....

http://www.universallyrio.com/Astrology/steve_judds_sunsigns.html

Meet Chrissie!

Chrissie is Fiona's guide dog and she was just as much part of the Universal workshop as her human companions! Whenever Fiona was in the chair receiving the reflexology, she would plonk herself down beside her and quite often lie underneath the back of the reclined chair. She must have felt the healing energy as she was always falling asleep during the practical sessions!
On our first morning we all drew a faerie card to work with during the day and Fiona drew one for Chrissie... the card was The Magic of Nature and it was a message of encouragement to spend more time outdoors amoung the plants and flowers and to connect with the healing powers of nature.

It really was a delight to see Fiona and Chrissie together and their love and complete trust in one another was an honour to witness. Humanity could learn a lot from these two wonderful beings!

Universally Elgin!

Was it really only 2 weeks ago that I was in Elgin teaching Universal Reflexology? It seems like only yesterday, but the northern hemisphere does seem a long way away now that I'm back home in Rio ... but what a fabulous weekend we all had!

Meet, Rona, Janet, Angela, Greta, Shelagh, Aileen, Fiona and relaxing in the chair is our other lovely Fiona. The only one missing from the photo is Chrissie, relaxing Fiona's guide dog!

Aileen had organized a wonderful space in Spey Bay for us to work in and for 2 days we emersed ourselves in feet, reflexology, the Universe and healing. It was a magical group to work with and everyone welcomed me with open arms and even though my voice was giving in to laryngitis, their loving energy picked me up and I was able to share and guide them through working with the techniques of Universal Reflexology.

Thank you all for such a special weekend ... and tomorrow I'll post another picture of us all in action!

Remember, we are all the instruments of change that can improve the world, by simply honouring and being ourselves!

Laptops and Laryngitis!

Hello everyone! Yes, despite the lack of blog posting, I am still here! Where have I been these last couple of weeks? Well, the short version is that my beloved laptop decided she needed a break, and so did just that... broke down. I had no idea just how attached and reliant I had become on her, until she had her breakdown. I was desolate and felt totally isolated in my inability to communicate, saved only by a few furtive moments in hotel business centres! And then to top it all I succumbed to a rather vicious virus last week which resulted in me losing my voice and the will to drag myself out of bed.
Isn't it amazing how everything is interconnected and reflects back on us?!

The good news is that my laptop and voice have been recovered and we are back in circulation... just in time for the next edition of Universally Rio. All is perfect and all is well!

Remember ... Friday 25th is the closing date for contributions for the May/June edition!

Sally xx

Earth Heal Equinox Event Update!

A short report-back from Edna...
on Earth Heal's Equinox-Mayan New Year distant healing event on 21 March 2008

Greetings to everyone at Universally Rio! It's wonderful to be part of this amazing network of people, and blessings to Sally for making it possible for us to communicate with one another here!

The photograph is of me with my son Raul, on the beach last Sunday at Praia do Frances.

This is a short report-back on the distant healing event we hosted on the Equinox, March 21. The energies were crystal clear and incredibly powerful on that day, which was also Mayan New Year, Good Friday, and a day before the full moon.

There were 217 participants located around the world, tuning in from as far afield as South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Argentina, Dubai, the USA, Panama, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Austria, Spain and Norway.

The event was facilitated by me (Edna Spennato), located in Praia do Frances on the North East coast of Brazil, with the assistance of five surrogates on five different continents, whose role it was to anchor the incoming healing energy and release disharmonic energies on behalf of all the participants and the collective energy field (the morphic field) of the planet.

Each of the participants was worked on as an individual and as part of the group, and many participants reported that the energies and sensations they experienced were very strongly felt. To read the feedback received from the facilitator and surrogates sent out after the event, please go to this link. To read participant's feedback received after the event, please go to this link.

The energy field of the planet as a whole was a major focus for this event, as well as specific countries, species, aspects of the natural kingdom, current events happening around the globe which affect masses of people, and even certain politicians whose roles are affecting the planet at this time. Some of the areas which our unseen helpers focussed on during the treatment process included:

The animal kingdom as a whole
The mineral kingdom
Whales and dolphins
Amphibians
The ocean current known as the Gulf Stream, which carries warm water north from the mid-Atlantic to the USA, Europe and the UK
Current events in Tibet, Palestine (particularly Gaza), South America (particularly Venezuela), Liberia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Vietnam, Ireland, Italy, Cuba, Java, Russia and South Africa (with emphasis on the crime rate)
The outbreak of the Dengue epidemic in Brazil, which has killed almost 70 people in Rio in the last few weeks
The relationship of the collective consciousness to:
The jailing of people for "thought crimes", including those known as "historical revisionists"
war crimes
the mainstream media
the world economy
the weapons industry.

More info about this event will be posted on the Earth Heal blog soon, and in the meantime, you are all invited to join us for our upcoming distant healing events on 5 May (New Moon) and 21 June (Solstice).

Blessings to all, and a million kisses from Brazil's Norde Este coast!

Edna Spennato
Earth Heal Geoharmonic Research Project

Related links

The Equinox - Mayan New Year group distant healing event, 21 March 2008
More info...

Feedback from participants after the Equinox event
Feedback from the facilitator and surrogates after the event
Earth Heal Blog

Universal Reflexology CD!

Once again, the spark of an idea grew into something wonderful! With my upcoming workshop in Scotland rapidly approaching, I was thinking up different ways that I could help one of the delegates who is blind. Mmmm. While I was in Dubai with Chris, I had led some of the afternoon practical sessions and the lovely ladies there had all commented on how soothing it was to listen to my voice. "Ping!" On came the lightbulb above my head and I decided to talk through a Universal Reflexology treatment and give her the recording as her course guide. From there it just grew. My husband suggested making a professional CD and my brother connected me up with his friend Sergei, who is a professional musician and teacher and who has a studio in his own home. And there we have it, my first CD called Universal Reflexology and the Healing Journey came into being.

It was a great experience doing the recording and I learnt all about microphones, volumes, editing and how it takes water 20 minutes to reach the voice box and for the voice to warm up! And my brother recorded the event with a series of photos, one of which he has jazzed up for me here. A great big thank you to everyone for helping me bring my first CD into reality!

If you are signed up for my workshop in Elgin you will receive the CD as a special gift... to celebrate its arrival!

Universal Reflexology Workshop

Do you live in Scotland and would you like to learn more about Universal Reflexology and the Healing Journey?

Sally Teixeira is going to be in the UK and will be presenting a 2-Day workshop in Elgin on Saturday 12th - Sunday 13th April. You will gain insights into how the feet and the body are expressing the emotional root causes behind dis-ease and you will learn how to combine working with energy, colour and affirmations in applying these gentle yet powerfully healing techniques in reflexology.
This inspirational workshop is open to anyone who has a desire to learn more about reflexology, healing and themselves!

If you have any enquiries about Universal Reflexology and the Healing Journey, Sally would love to hear from you! Email sally@reflexologyinrio.com

Please book your place with Aileen Forsyth: aileenforsyth@tiscali.co.uk

See you in Scotland!

Magical Sydney!

I don't know quite what it is about Sydney, but I just love it!

As crew, we only get 24 hours here, but on every visit, I take immense joy from going down to the main harbour area called Circular Quay, where the Opera House stands in its magnificence. Along side the ferry terminal and toursit shops, you will find this incredible man. I have no idea what his name is, but he is always there and he spends his days being a focal point for tourists and fulfilling their desire to have their photo opportunity with an aborigine. His friends play the digiridoo and you can hear the mysterious vibrations calling you to come closer and closer and pulling you into ancient Australia and aborigine dreamtime. I always feel uncomfortable standing there as a tourist ... and yet I just can't help myself from wanting to be there. It is always a huge wrench to pull myself away from the music as it casts its spell over me and I yearn to know more about the innate ancient knowledge that I sense is held within.

If you find yourself 'down under,' be sure to experience this aboriginal magic for yourself!

Angelic Answer!

It really was quite incredible. There I was sitting right at the back of the aircraft on a jumpseat and as we flew through the intermittent clouds I sent out a huge thank you to the angels and the Universe for helping me make the flight. Then as I looked out of the window to enjoy the view, beautiful rainbow colours started to form in the sunlit cloulds... but more than that, the colours surrounded the shadow of the aircraft I was flying in. It was stunning! The shadow of our aircraft in the centre of a complete circle of rainbow colours flew along beside us for a few minutes ... and my spirit soared.

The Universe is part of us and if ever there was a sign to reassure me that divine assistance and guidance is always there, then this was it.

How blessed we all are ... we just have to open our hearts and eyes and the angels can speak to us through the beauty of nature.

Staff Travel Angels!

Well you guessed it! The flight was full and further to that, there still seemed to be a rather large number of people hanging around ... "I hope they are not all staff" I thought to myself. One of the perks of working for an airline is our travel concessions but it also means that we are never actually guaranteed a seat. We can however, use a crew supernumery seat with the permission of the Captain which means we get from A to B but without the luxury of a seat in the cabin for the flight.

It is a pretty tense and stressful situation to wait at the check in desks, with walkie talkies buzzing and the ground staff's fingers flying over the keyboards. The closer it gets to take off time, the less chance there is of getting on ... and the seats are allocated in order of our priority within the company. "I wonder where I am in the pecking order this time" I thought as I eyed up my colleauges. I am in my 18th year with the airline, and so far it has served me well when it comes to jump seats!

"Please angels ... please get me on this flight" Another silent plea was sent out into the ether and boy, I really meant it. After everything I had just gone through to get to Sao Paulo, I began to think I should have stayed home with my husband afterall. There was an immense flurry of activity going on behind those desks and to my horror I didn't hear my name being called as 3 jumpseats were allocated. There are 5 on the jumbo. I took a deep breath and asked my angels for help again. There was now only 20 minutes till take off and the butterflies in my stomach were definately fluttering. All of a sudden I heard a crackly "Teixeira" being called through the walkie-talkie and then it came through loud and clear as I was madly beckoned to the desk. Yes, my angels had looked after me again, and I had to leg it through security and immigration before the aircraft doors were closed. What a relief! Who cares that I didn't have a seat ... I got on ... thank you thank you thank you angels!

But it didn't end there, the Universe still had something up its sleeve for me!

Universal Travel Angels!

Yesterday, I left my lovely husband and my adopted home of Rio de Janeiro to begin my alternate reality of flying the world's skies. It is never easy to leave and this day was no exception, with it pouring with rain and huge traffic jams on the drive out to the airport. We made it though, and there wasn't time for prolonged goodbyes, which was actually a blessing in disguise.

My subdued mood was reflected in the low cloud and muggy rain and it wasn't until I got through to the departure gates that I found out that all flights had been grounded due to the inclement weather. "No problem," I thought to myself, "I have almost 6 hours till my connecting flight to London leaves from Sao Paulo," and I settled down to read and muse, and text my husband. Time passed and absolutely nothing was happening. But it was ok, I had plenty of time for a little weather delay. But still nothing happened and now they started announcing that nothing would happen. I looked at my watch ... but I still had over 4 hours to get there and its only a hop, skip and a 45 minute flight, so there was nothing to worry about. Finally about an hour and a half hour later a whole host of flights started being called and mine was one of them. "Cool," I thought to myself "I knew I had nothing to worry about" and off I went to board the plane.

But we just sat there. Firstly it was 30 minutes delay ... and then silence ... and then I think they just didn't dare say anything, because I overheard the crew saying in Portugese that we had no departure time at all. Now I began to get worried. I had less 3 hours before check in closed in Sao Paulo. I started to make all the calculations of what time check in would close, how long it would take for my bags to arrive off this flight, how long the flight would actually be to Sao Paulo and when we would have to take off at the very latest for me to be able to catch my flight. Mmmmmm....

But the angels were already looking after me because all of a sudden I saw a lovely lady who had come to me for reflexology and so we passed some time chatting and I was so grateful for her presence. But we were soon dispatched back to our seats as the crew decided to offer us drinks to appease the growing unrest in what felt like an increasingly small cabin. By now well over an hour had passed and it was definately time to ask for some angelic assistance. "Please angels, help this flight leave at 2pm" and I put my heart and soul into my simple request. That gave them a little time to get things going and I thought I handed my fate over to the Universe. Well 2pm came and went and I was surprised that we were still sitting on the tarmac, because I was so sure the angels had heard me. "Ok, if I am still here at 2.45pm then I will offload myself from the flight because there is no way I can make my connection," and I phoned my husband to tell him the story. Only then did I completely let go and give up worrying ... what was the point!

Within 20 minutes the aircraft door had closed and we were pushing back and on our way to Sao Paulo! As I sent up huge amounts of love and gratitude to the angels, they replied with a wonderful loving whooosh of goosebumps and I knew everything was going to be ok.

And so it was ... until I ran up to the check in desk in Sao Paulo, in raptures that I had made it in time, only to find out that the London flight was completely full and my staff ticket just might not get me back into the northern hemisphere afterall...

Tune in again for the next instalment of my adventures with the Universal Travel Angels ... it's not over yet!

Earth Heal Equinox Event

Edna Spennato is facilitating an Earth Heal, Group Distant Healing Event on the 21st March, which is the Equinox and Mayan New Year. People all around the world will be combining their healing energy for the highest good of all. During the treatment process, each participant will be worked on individually and as part of the group, and will assist the planetary healing by anchoring the healing energy in their part of the world, and releasing disharmonic energies no longer needed, on an individual and collective level.

This is an opportunity to harmonise with the solar cycle, and to utilise the powerful incoming energies available for personal and planetary healing on this special day.

New participants will need to get their details and pics to Edna via e-mail before the event, so if you are interested in taking part, please e-mail Edna right away to receive information on how to be included. Email: ednaspennato@gmail.com

For more information visit http://earthheal.blogspot.com/ and Universally Rio's Upcoming Events Page.

We're Live!

I still find it so exciting to send out Universally Rio's latest edition! First there is the flutter of butterflies, then I imagine it winging its way through the internet ether into everyones inbox, waiting to be discovered and enjoyed by all. It usually takes a couple of days for the responses to start coming in, and there is nothing more fulfilling than hearing that we have touched someones heart or ignited a dormant spark of interest through one of our articles.

We have a wonderfully abundant edition for March and April and it has been a delight to put it all together and to get to know our latest family members. Remember this space is for you, so if there is something you would like us to feature, or you would like to share with us, then our door is always open!

And a huge thank you to all this months contributors ... you are amazing!

Lots of love, Sally xx

Email me anytime! sally@universallyrio.com

Sheer Joy!

One thing I was reminded of when I was in Dubai, was how to revel in the joy of the moment!
How often do we let ourselves get bogged down with everyday life and forget to smile, laugh and have fun. There are opportunities within every minute of the day to shrug off our burdens and to let our spirit free to soar ... if only we just remember to do it! You don't have to be out in the Dubai desert, on holiday or in a special place to do it, you can skip down your high street or dance as you do the washing up and there is absolutely nothing to stop you doing it.

So go on, throw yourself into the moment and find the sheer joy of just being alive ... it is there within you, just waiting to be invited out to play! Yipeee!!

Meeting Amy

One of the many highlights of my stay in Dubai, was meeting Amy. On the very first night that I spent in her room, my dreams were filled with images of her as I felt her powerful presence connect with me. Although I rarely saw her move, her energy filled the room and I found myself saying "good morning" and "goodnight" and I always said "hello" whenever I came into the room.

It wasn't until my last night in Dubai that I actually asked if I could take her out. What a truly incredible experience that was. Her seemingly inaminate body became vibrant and strong and I was transfixed by her grace, peace and subtle strength. I couldn't put her down, and I felt my whole energy lift and expand as we interacted. One minute sitting peacefully together, the next minute she was weaving her beautiful body up around mine. It felt like a joining of hearts.

Snakes represent transformation and there is no doubt in my mind that Amy brought about a change in me over that week.

Thank you Amy, it was an honour to meet you!

Universally United through Rei-flexology!

What an amazing 5 days we had as we shared in the wonders of Rei-flexology with Chris Stormer!

Over the short time that we spent together on the seminar in Dubai, we formed a deep bond of friendship that will stand the test of time and distance. We are forever connected by the wonderful experiences we shared in through this powerful and beautiful approach to reflexology.

The great news is that Chris and myself have already been invited to run the Rei-flexology and Language of the Feet course in Egypt and in the meantime I will be teaching a 2-day introductory course to Universal Reflexology in April in Elgin, Scotland.

A huge thank you to our organiser Graça Ward and to the very special souls who made it such a magical experience!

From left to right: Mona, Dawn, Jo, Sue, Chris, Graça and Sally

Lots of love to you all! xx

Chris and Sally in Dubai!

Ah, the Universe has worked its wonders again to bring myself and Chris together in Dubai! We are having such an amazing time and meeting some wonderful people along the way. Every day brings incredible experiences and the special souls who are learning the techniques of Rei-flexology with us this week are blossoming, flourishing, re-discovering their true selves ... and having so much fun! Just as we are too! When we finished our session this afternoon, we headed down to Jumeirah beach and revelled in the joy of feeling the sand between our toes as we paddled in the cooling, clear waters.

Why not come and join us for the Language of the Feet seminar on Saturday and Sunday ... it is going to be an amazing weekend!

Contact Graça Ward: gracaward@yahoo.com or phone: (00 971) 50 5659048

Chris Stormer in Dubai!

Chris is presenting her amazing seminars in Dubai! Do you live in Dubai or have friends or family there? This is an opportunity too good to miss! Come along and be enlightened as to the messages your feet can reveal and discover how your feet can take you towards optimum health, happiness and fulfilment!

REI-FLEXOLOGY – THE UNIVERSAL APPROACH TO MASSAGING THE FEET

Saturday 16th February – Wednesday 20th February

THE LANGUAGE OF THE FEET

Saturday 23rd – Sunday 24th February

For bookings and queries please e-mail Graça Ward: gracaward@yahoo.com

Take care of the most precious gifts you have ... You and Your Health!

Tagged!

Ok, I admit it ... I let myself be tagged in order to go round the aquarium at Atlantis! Truth be known, my Mum and I had great fun as we wandered through the Atlantis underworld experience. Giant mantarays glided past us and shoals of exotic, shiny silver fish caught the sun shining in from the surface. The whole complex was created to feel like the ancient submerged city of Atlantis and there were even clusters of quartz crystals melded into the passageway walls! My favorite part was the surreal beauty of the jellyfish as their ruffles and petticoats gracefully pulsated through the water.

So after my initial horror and embarrassment at having to be tagged with a wristband, I relaxed into the wonders of Mother Nature's marine marvels!

Atlantis!

Love it or hate it ... you just can't help but be in awe of it! The sheer size, scale and opulence is overwhelming! It may not be my cup of tea but for the many hundreds of thousands of people who flock here all year round, it lives up to its name of Paradise Island. Acres of sculpted pools, fake beaches, water slides, row upon row of sunchairs, loudspeaker announcements and the most ginormous chandeliered casino ...

Give me a natural deserted beach any day!!

Lots of love from Nassau xx

You Never Know!

"So, why don't you come with me?" It was an innocent enough question but the Universe knew otherwise! "Well, ok then!" came the reply and before we knew it we were navigating our way through airline website booking systems, phoning dog kennels and madly throwing clothes into suitcases ... and it has to be said that we knocked back a little brandy and ginger ale too!

There is nothing quite like the exhiliaration of a last minute decision and I love the fact that my mother has such a great sense of adventure! Yes, we are off to Nassau and even though I am working on this trip, she is going to escape from the grey, wet UK and revel in a well earned break ... and we are going to have such... fun!!

Watch out Nassau and watch this space!

Animal Magic!

Yvette Eastman sent me some wonderful pictures of 'animal magic' and I just had to share this one with you. In Yvette's words, it really is an "Aaaaaw" moment!

Looking at how comfortable and peaceful the dog and kitten are together it made me realize that we can learn a lot from animals. Cats and dogs are traditionally supposed to be 'enemies' but this photograph shows that it doesn't have to be so. Where there is no ego involved there is no need for conflict or hatred ... love and peace are free to flourish. It really is that simple.

Life in the Laugh Lane

Universally Rio's Healing with Laughter columnist, Terry Anne Scholes, will be speaking at the UK Guild of Hypnotist Examiners Annual Conference at the Palm Court Hotel in Scarborough on Friday 18th January. She is delighted to be the opening speaker and she will be presenting 'Life in the Laugh Lane' to delegates from all around the UK.

We wish her an abundance of success and I am sure she will have everyone revelling in the joy of laughter. What a great way to open a conference!

From out of nowhere ...

Tuesday evening, in Rio de Janeiro ..

All of a sudden the wind picked up and huge forceful gusts blew up the streets from the beach and blasted us with millions of tiny grains of sand. Traffic lights, sign posts, and trees were shuddering under the strain and anything that wasn't securely fixed into the ground, was twirled high into the sky. The sky darkened to an eerie grey and then the rain came. Huge drops that felt as if they were being thrown down from the heavens. Then just as quickly as it started, it stopped. And the eerie clouds lifted to reveal a magnificent golden sky.

There is nothing quite as beautiful as Mother Nature!