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The Hindu :

Terrified every time you have to board a flight? There are ways to beat the fear of flying

Photo: V. GanesanHappy journey Train yourself to enjoy flying

As you stuff your flexi-fold clothes into the bursting suitcase, the questions loom. What if the plane hits an air pocket, or a bird? Can an airline glide if the engines quit? Can the doors be opened in-flight? And, is my airline hijack proof? Then,you face it. “Why do I feel scared during takeoff/touchdown, and what’s that sinking feeling?” That is fear of flying, a silent syndrome. In its mild form you can shush it into silence. If severe, you need sustained treatment.Affects many

A surprising number of people harbour it, but won’t admit to having it. You’ll hear, “I’m scared of heights”, “I’m scared of cockroaches”, but not “I can’t set foot on an airplane.”

Often friends, family, bosses and airline crew don’t understand the problems of those afraid to fly. The fear of flying may be called aerophobia, aviatophobia, aviophobia, or pteromerhanophobia, says Prithika Chary, consultant neurologist and neurosurgeon. “It’s a phobia.”

People swear air travel isn’t safe, while jittery about their own behaviour onboard. “What if I have a panic attack and do things that will raise the airhostesses’ eyebrows?” Even if the odds of a disaster are a million to one, they believe their flight is in danger.

Many recall a trigger point. “Years ago, I had to fly from Kolkata to Chennai when I was three months pregnant,” says a special educator. “I was travelling alone, first time, and I was terrified I would embarrass myself by bringing up, and I did. The crew was sympathetic, but that didn’t change things.” An infrequent flier, she’d check-in anxiety with her luggage, fly with air-sickness bag in hand.Trigger point

A corporate trainer and frequent flier blames it on NatGeo’s crash footage. “I flew without event…More

The Hindu : y>

PHOTO: Bhagya Prakash K.Healing touch The technique helps build physical and mental strength

Padmini Menon, a trained instructor of the Alexander technique in India is conducting sessions employing this discipline in Bangalore.

The Alexander Technique is a method of postural re-education. It works by making us aware of the tensions which we hold within ourselves, and carry into all the actions of our lives. These tensions have physical or psychological origins, and manifest themselves as muscular disorders and pains. The technique will have lessons that help the student to be aware of these issues, and teaches techniques that allow you to release them, so that the body expands into its natural, elastic, balanced state.

Padmini Menon is the only trained teacher of this technique in India. Her students include people who suffer from musculoskeletal disorders, like RSI, migraine, chronic back pain and neck pain. Padmini conducts 15-class packages priced at Rs. 12,000. Patrons can also opt for the single session of 30 to 45 minutes for Rs. 900. Taster sessions are priced at Rs. 500. For more information, call 09341220759 or e-mail:nekfree@gmail.com or visit:www.stat.org.uk.

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The Hindu : y>The Dune offers packages for the holiday season

Photo: T. SingaravelouChill zone The Dune Ecobeach Resort

The Dune Eco Beach Resort and Veda Spa, near Puducherry, offers a special summer package.

The summer special offer is for a three-days-two-nights package.

During this time, unwind at The Dune for Rs. 15,950.

You can stay in the Garden Room with complimentarybreakfast and afour-course dinner, and one body massage per person.

It also includes mid-day and evening tea at Fun restaurant, daily morning and evening yoga sessions coupled with activities such as swimming, beach games, pottery, coir making, garland making, incense stick making and milking cows…

The offer is from April 15 to July 31 and is valid from Sunday to Friday.

For reservations and bookings, call 093644-55440 or 093457-06708.

***

If you are thinking of spending some quality time with your family and are ready to head for a much needed vacation, then enrol for the Family Outbound Learning program organised by Ether Ventures.

The programme is organised every weekend for couples and families at locations like Doddamakali fishing and nature camp, Galibore fishing and nature camp, and camp GeeDee near Bangalore. The programmes are priced at Rs. 5,850 for a couple and include activities and team-building tools, and adventure sports like trekking, hiking, river rafting, rock climbing, rappelling, cultural sight seeing, bird watching etc.

Ether Ventures Operations can be contacted on 9986130433/25703780 or log on towww.etherventures.biz

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The Hindu : y>Parenthood has no one rulebook so the best answer lies within you, writes BINDU TOBBY

Photo: Murali Kumar k.LEAD THEM GENTLY Encourage two-way communication

Like all relationships, the parent-child relationship also has a lot of give and take (read as take almost nothing and give almost everything) and as the years roll by, the initial thrill of holding those tiny tender fingers, or watching that toothless grin, slowly give way to encounters rife with disagreements, sore throats, tears, comparisons, decisions that seem un-convincing, often leaving parents with nagging questions, indecision, doubts, fears, even guilt.

While all the Dr Spocks books and other parenting guides can give you part solutions to tackle your child who is a fussy eater, or the best approach to toilet training, we as parents would do best to understand that the set of circumstances that you and your child are in, are unique; which is why your neighbours decision can’t be applied in your case.Making sacrifices

But many decisions are not easy, and they come at a price. Ashwini Shridhar, working with a software behemoth, and mom of a three year old, recently got admission into one of the premier B schools in India. The initial thrill and excitement was followed by some intense reflection with hubby Ashish. She says, “After some deep thought, we figured that you really can’t be a parent and a full time student at the same time — you won’t do justice to either. So when I had to choose, I chose Ved (her son).”

So while some parents make big sacrifices and willingly at that, there are other young couples who are putting away the ‘parenting bug’ as much as they can. Santosh Belani, an architect working in Bangalore has been married for the last three years, but says that the thought of starting a family is scary and overwhelming. “For now, our mastiff is…More

The Hindu :

Miss World 2008 runner-up Parvathy Omanakuttan unplugged

Photo: K. PichumaniPoisedParvathy Omanakuttan

Runner- up for Miss World 2008, Parvathy Omanakuttan, is the epitome of grace and poise, as she answers a volley of questions.Miss World Was a wonderful experience,getting to meet so many people,being independent, seeing a new country,tasting a new lifestyle.I made a lotof friendsThe crown No matter how hard youwork or how hard you pray or otherspray for you, an element of luck is needed.Although I was confident I would winthe crown, I guess it just was not my day.People think that pageants are justabout looking good and answering a routineset of questions, but it is not.Fashion Means wearing somethingyou are confident and comfortable in. Athome I’m in shorts and t-shirts. Outshopping, it’s usually jeans and tees. Ilove accessories, and often carry bags.Iwear saris when I need to stand out fromthe crowd.Figure I exercise and watch my diet.I’m a foodie and love home-cookedmeals. I eat everything in moderation. Ido cook, but it depends on the time andmood.Spare time I usually while my timelistening to music. I also like dancing,eating and sleeping.Plans I have been offered roles infilms, but I want a role that can bring outthe best in me. I want to connect withthe audience. I don’t want to be anotherMiss India who has entered movies.

LIZA GEORGE

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The Hindu :

Rock Ethos, the festival which celebrates original Rock music by Indian bands, put together a tight show

Photo: Murali Kumar K.ORIGINAL No less than 20 bands from different parts of the country played at the mega show

There aren’t many cities in India where a two-day rock festival — sans any international heavyweights, relying solely on original performances by home-grown bands — would be able to draw the kind of response that this indigenous Rock festival at Palace Grounds witnessed over the weekend. In its sophomore year, Rock Ethos – the festival which celebrates original Rock music by Indian bands – put together a tight show. And the weekend turnout, for this show put together in a rather laborious format, is only a testament to the spirit of Rock in this very youthful city. It is not without reason, it seems, that the city – unofficially termed the country’s Rock Capital – has become a near-regular on the tour list of several international acts.

If the two-year-old “Rock In India” aims at placing Bangalore at the centre of the rock circuit by bringing in international acts, then Rock Ethos is an earnest attempt at providing international-quality in terms of equipment quality, stage size and sound — platform to local acts. No less than 20 bands from different parts of the country played at the mega show – an impressive number for a festival which has “no cover music” as one of its pre-requisites.

Rock Ethos was a success on two counts: It had some of the most talked-about and promising bands from across the country playing and it gives a true fillip to original rock music. With prominent bands strung out evenly over the two days, rock heads were seen walking in and out of the festival. On the last day, Mother Jane and Bhayanak Maut performed to a soaked, yet enthused audience. Divine…More

The Hindu :

Estee Lauder launches its latest range in make-up, skin care and fragrance

Personal expression For women who value their look

It was all about looking and feeling good. And the celebration of womanhood. Estee Lauder brought together women of different age groups at an evening organised at the Taj West End recently and showcased its latest in make up, skin care and fragrancerange. Beauty advisors from Estee helped the women choose the beauty products that suited their lifestyle. Complimentary makeovers and personalised beauty consultations were the added perks.

The event also marked the coming together of Estée Lauder, Taj West End and Manjusha Maheshwari of Ma Jju, which offers services on how to evolve a personal style statement.

“Our line up is for the refined and matured women” says Aditi Gaur, marketing head of Estee lauder in India. “The luxury skin care lineup is for the more refined and more matured women. Exotic ingredients and components have gone into it such as special water and gold dust particles,” she adds.

The brand’s ultra-luxurious re-nutriv franchise has lifting cream (to give a youthful look to the skin), body toner with gold dust particles and an entire range of body creams. “We also have age spot corrector range and a revolutionary line up of anti-age creams,” Aditi adds. There is ‘cyber white’ moisturiser which is targeted at the Asian market. “Especially, the Indian skin. It tackles pigmentation and works on giving natural brightness and radiance. All the products are completely result-oriented.”

Luxury space in India is the sunrise segment, says P.K. Mohankumar, General Manager of The Taj West End. “We become a natural partner to host the event at the refurbished ballroom,” he adds. The exercise is part of branding Bangalore as a destination in lifestyle business. For Manjusha Maheshwari of Ma Jju, personal image consultation is an expression of fashion, colour and style. In the fragrance…More

The Hindu :

Sparsh is a store that is exclusively for women. Here, you get stitched saris as well

EYE CATCHING Sparsh also offers a wide range of dress material and ready-to-wear salwar suits

Its recession time, so who would want to start a new store? But Bangalore seems to be on its own trip and has one more name added to its long list of stores. Called Sparsh this one caters exclusively for women. There are saris, saris and more saris in the range of Rs. 600 to over a lakh. You will find saris for daily wear in simple printed cottons. The family has been into manufacturing of saris for 25 years. “We have also been supplying designs and fabric to some boutiques and popular retailers in the country and decided to start this outlet,” says Sachin from Sparsh.

There are saris in Kanchivarams, Pashmeena, georgettes prints and designer saris, which also include some of Sachin’s designs. Though he is not trained in design he does it out of “sheer passion”.

The designer wear section is quite interesting – from complete kitsch to sober and interesting styles – this store offers a wide range. Be it for a bride or for the family or a party, this section has something for every pocket and style. There are saris with Swarovsky crystals, which start at Rs. 22,900. The saris come in shimmer georgettes too. There are cocktail saris that start at Rs. 10,000. Some of the works are machine made while most come with hand work. “It takes us 40 to 45 days to get one sari created with hand work,” explains Sachin.

There are plenty of ghagra cholis that start at Rs. 7,000. These are created in crepes, raw silk and georgettes. The cholis are already stitched, which are altered as per the customers’ needs, says Sachin.

Then he shows you the ready-pleated saris. These come with…More

The Hindu : y>The Marriott’s 10th anniversary goodies

For its 10th anniversary celebration, the Marriott Group offers exciting stay and pamper packages in India.

These packages are valid at the Marriott Group’s six properties in Mumbai, Goa, Hyderabad and Chennai.

A package of two nights or more across all these Marriott properties will entail a complimentary amount of Rs. 3,000 for in-hotel indulgence.

The offer includes spa and massage treatments, the choice to dine in any of the restaurants within the hotel, cocktails at the lounge bar and complimentary airport transfers.

For bookings contact: 66764000.

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The Hindu : y>Some simple tips for your feet this summer

Summertime brings with it a whole new set of problems for your feet. When outdoor temperatures are hot and your feet are enclosed in tight shoes, your feet become the target of a variety of foot maladies including eczema, psoriasis, blisters, fungal infections, and socially embarrassing “smelly feet”.

The good news is by taking a few simple footcare tips; one can keep our feet healthy and odour free throughout summer!

Here are some summer foot care tips you need to know:

1. Wash you feet everyday. Make sure that you dry them thoroughly between your toes.

2. Make sure you check your feet daily. Any signs of cuts, trauma, blisters, cracks, swelling, or colour changes should be taken seriously and reported to your diabetic healthcare provider immediately. 3. Make sure that your shoes fit properly.

4. Change your socks frequently.

5. Nail care – always cut your nails in a straight line. Do not round your cut to the shape of your toes. Because this increases the likelihood of forming in grown nails.

6. Do not try to perform self treatment of ingrown toenails, blisters, corns or any other signs of wear.

7. Prevent cracking by applying cream or petroleum jelly to feet and heels, but do try to avoid the area between your toes. 8. Keep the blood flowing. Try not to cross your legs when you sit down, stay active and exercise!

9. Protect your feet from extreme temperatures. Stay away from too cold or too hot temperatures while using bath water.

10. Exercise – Ask your doctor about a programme that is right for you. The more you exercise the more likely you will have better circulation to your feet.

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