9 will be fine

I thought 68 would be a good age, a kind of Dom Perignon year, and so it was. The hardest part was learning to surf, carrying a big heavy beginners board out through the Lennox breakers against an undertow so strong it felt like the muscles were being ripped off my legs. But on the last day of five I stood up and sailed in and understood what it was about. I could have started younger, I guess, but being of an obssessive nature I might then have done nothing else.

Back in the maelstrom I was gratified to see a pleasant gain in the portfolio, especially in the DIY stock and even more so in a builder whom everyone seemed to have written off but for some strange reason whose shares quadrupled in just a few weeks - could it be that the market finally noticed that if it folded, just 50% of its land bank would pay 100% of its debts? Or was it that the government started talking about 3m new homes?

Returning to my real world, I'm limbering up for the Tai Chi weekend, expecting a few people keen to learn how this simple but effective form of stress-busting builds confidence, works for self-defence, meditation, healing and personal fitness and is fine for both men and women. in this most reasonable of courses at just 192.08 - benefitting from the reduced VAT rate too. Join us on Saturday and Sunday 10th & 11th 10am to 5 pm at the London Tao Centre, 68 Great Eastern Street London EC2A 3JT. Learn more

Then a deeper dive into the Taoist dimension with a four-day course in Shamanic Healing. January 23rd to 26th. The four-day introductory workshop on the concepts and practices of Taoist Shamanic Healing is ideal both for Beginners and for more experienced shamanic Practitioners of other Traditions. Friday to Monday, 10am to 5pm. There are NO PRE-REQUISITES for this workshop so you can benefit without having had any previous experience. More

Looking ahead, Marta and I are running a Couples Workshop across the Valentines Weekend. We have only a few places left on this one so, if you're a couple and want to learn some magical ways to stimulate and sustain each other, why not find out more.

A final word, as its New Year and the chance to fulfil your New Year Evolution! Change is the common denominator of life and the highest common factor so why not make yours for the better? Invest in yourself was the best advice I heard last year. Let this be the one you make a difference. Yes, I'm talking about the most effective programme I've come by in my 38 years of walking the way of self-realisation - Healing NLP works to benefit yourself and others with habit control, cope with unnecessary fear and phobia, master emotions, gain confidence, change unwanted behaviours and learn techniques of motivation. This excellent training counts towards CPD (Continuous Professional Development) for Shiatsu and other complementary healthcare but its not just a matter of ticking boxes but learn to maximise your potential. Make the most of yourself. More