Regina WB - Sidetracked Writing

Published in Catalonia Today, Barcelona, Spain 2007

A Long Awaited Visit: The Dalai Lama in Barcelona

He describes himself as ‘a simple Buddhist monk’, which could be a bit of an understatement. No matter what one’s religious or political orientation, the fact is that the Dalai Lama is a man who commands a bit of respect. With seventy-two books, sixty-two countries, and one Nobel Peace Prize under his belt, the Dalai Lama, or Thubten Gyatso, is a very accomplished individual.

Viewed by Tibetans as the political their leader, things have not been easy for the fourteenth Dalai Lama. In his lifetime he has seen the occupation of Tibet by the Chinese (1950), and been forced to live in exile with the rest of the Tibetan government in Dharamsala, India . Although the Dalai Lama and many others have worked to return power to the Tibetan people, a struggle they continue with currently, as of date their goals have not come to fruition.

A large part of the Dalai Lama’s work has been giving conferences on various peace related subjects internationally. Currently on a tour of Europe, the Dalai Lama will be visiting Barcelona next week for two days. This is a big event for Buddhists in Barcelona , as he’s not visited for over ten years. In 2004 the Dalai Lama was scheduled to come to Barcelona for the Universal Forum of Cultures. Officially, his visit was cancelled because of ‘health problems’. Unofficially, Forum planners were given an ultimatum; the Dalai Lama or the Chinese Qin Dynasty Terracotta Army, and went with the later.

Barcelona’s local Fundació Casa del Tibet is organizing the Dalai Lama’s up coming conference titled; The Art of Happiness, to take place at Palau Sant Jordi. With a seating capacity of 10,000, and 6,000 tickets already sold, organizers are certain the event will be sold out. Many people have also been inspired by the event to lend a hand. According to Jordi Santandreu of Casa del Tibet, the Foundation has over forty volunteers working daily to prepare for the Lama’s arrival.   

Besides Monday’s conference, there will be additional ceremonies all week around town in celebration for the Dalai Lama’s long awaited visit. On Monday night, another pair of important Tibetan Lamas, Gyurme and Jean-Philippe Rikyel, will perform The Chant of the Lama a musical presentation of modernized Buddhist mantras and songs. The event will be held at ’Església de Santa María del Pi (Plaça del Pi). 

For more information on the Dalai Lama and Lamas Gyurme and Jean-Philippe Rikyel, visit: www.casadeltibetbcn.com.

Published In Catalonia Today, Barcelona, Spain 2008 

Naturally

By Regina WB

When Dublin native Pamela Thompson first came to Barcelona in 1997 she fell in love. It was not just Barcelona that bewitched Thompson, but the Barcelonese pace of life. After years living in London, she was shocked to step into a European metropolis where some people still stopped to chat in the park, there was time to shop in the local markets, and a few lucky individuals even managed to sleep an hour mid-day. ‘I was amazed that a place like Barcelona still existed. It seemed so human and peaceful compared to London,’ Pamela told Catalonia Today.

The love affair continued for a few years and Pamela and her husband would escape London whenever possible to visit Barcelona for a few days. Finally, they made their move and set up house in Catalonia . After a couple years working as a freelance Holistic Massage Therapist, Pamela realized there was a need in Barcelona for quality natural remedies and stress-reducing procedures. And so, A Mà Teràpies was born; a wellness center on c/ Enrique Granados offering everything from acupuncture to organic Reiki. The space itself at demands tranquility and is detailed with silver-lavender colored rooms, orchids, candlelit hallways and breezy views onto a leafy interior patio.

Though A Mà Teràpies offers a long list of treatments and classes, it specializes in massage and programs for expecting moms (and even dads!). ‘New moms have difficulty prioritizing their time. They’re always sleep deprived,’ said Thompson, ‘We offer a place for moms to learn about their pregnancy, relax, and unwind.’ The center offers classes for parents pre and post birth, with details such as; a Natural Fertility Program, Pregnancy Yoga, Yoga for Mums and Babies, Natural Birth Consultations and Baby Massage. A Mà even offers one class where mothers can bring their babies and leave them in an adjacent room while they participate in class, making life easier.

It seems like Pamela has thought of just about everything, offering a wider array of treatments than most day spas or health centers in town. ‘The most important thing for me is to maintain extremely high standards,’ said Thompson about her staff. Of the therapists and teachers working at A Mà, about half are Spanish and the other half foreigners. Pamela insists on a rigorous screening and training process before taking on a new therapist; ‘Sadly, in Spain a person can take a weekend course in massage and then call themselves a massage therapist.’ commented Pamela. To be fair, massage is not regulated anywhere accept in the United States . With Spain ’s lax laws and lack of set standards when it comes to massage therapy, it’s hard for a client to know what to expect. A Mà Teràpies and Pamela are trying to raise the bar in Barcelona by offering a quality product and experienced staff.

As of now, most of A Mà’s clientele base consists of foreigners. While Barcelona seems to be increasingly open to the ‘natural’ side of life, for most a visit to la famacia is usually preferred to a holistic cure. But maybe this is changing. With Yoga centers springing up all over town, organic food stands appearing in the market and a few natural grocery stores such as Veritas, there is clearly some demand for alternatives to the mainstream, which is good news for Pamela, A Mà and anyone else in Barcelona looking for a different approach to the daily grind.

More info at: www.amaterapies.org

BARCELONA