“Hypnosis you say, hmmmm….”  “No no, Hynotherapy” she says. “There is a very big difference between being hynotised on stage to cluck like a chicken and using Hynotherapy to deal with emotional issues and blockages.” Still skeptical and half convinced I would be revealing state secrets in a trance (years of watching Andre the Hypnotist will do that), I decided to live dangerously and give Hypnotherapy a go.

I’ve always had a problem with keeping my weight down and as I get older the battle is fast being lost. So, aware that Hynotherapy can be used to treat phobias, stop people from smoking and other addictions I decided to try and see if it would help me on this road to losing weight. Hafsa Parker is a therapist that deals with Aafiyah Healing and Hypnotherapy and was to administer my first session.

We sat in comfortable armchairs across from each other in her rooms in Goodwood, Cape Town. A calm and serene sanctuary with soft zen music tinkling in the background. Hafsa first spoke me through some of my weight issues before asking me to close my eyes and talking me slowly and systematically into a deeply, calm and relaxed state. She explored mainly my emotions as we tried to determine where my weight issues originate from and how to start the process of addressing them. Through all of this I was relaxed to the point where I could almost fall asleep but at no point did I feel a lack of control. I could converse with her and answer her questions with a full awareness of what I was saying. In fact at some points when the suggestions did not suit me I could say so.

My first session ended after about an hour with a small goal set towards my vision of looking like a catwalk supermodel…. ok, ok, just to get down to a size 10 dress size. I am told most people need 3 or 4 sessions for it to be effective. My fears of revealing things or of being manipulated (ok let’s call it what it is – my control issues) allayed, I am keen to see the initial behaviour changes manifest.

Hafsa was kind enough to write an article for Hungry for Halaal about the alternate therapies that she uses to help her patients and how they fit into an Islamic ethos.

Aafiyah Healing

In healthcare like every other sphere of our lives, we are bombarded with options and alternatives. Most times all the information out there just leaves us more confused and with more questions than actual answers. Many people have become skeptical and disillusioned with pharmaceutical drugs which has led to an ever growing interest in alternate treatments. One such form of treatment is Aafiyah Healing. Most forms of Energy Healing are similar in some ways and Aafiyah Healing is no different. The one thing that sets it apart is that it draws its bases from Tibb teachings and breath work. It is essentially touch therapy.

How and why does it work?

Everything that exists, man-made and created by Allah, has energy to it. Each thing or being resonates at a different energy level. This includes all living things, the earth and all things in the earth as well. When we become ill or injured, our energy flow is disturbed causing dis-ease. This also results in the body’s energy level dropping, this leaves the person feeling “down” and miserable.

All that Allah has created resonates with a pure high energy frequency. During a treatment session, through intention (niyaat) we connect to the pure earth energy and by touching or directing the energy to the person we are working with we are able to raise the body’s energy frequency again. In this process we teach the person about breathing correctly and being conscious of the breath, the higher energy within the body assists the self-healing process to begin. Essentially, the body heals itself, but requires a helping hand to get started. It is important to note that we as Aafiyah Healing practitioners are not healers but facilitators as healing only takes place with the blessing and permission of Almighty Allah.

What happens when you come for a session

The facilitator will request that you remove your shoes and any leather items that you may be wearing (belts) as leather is the one item that would interfere with the flow of energy during the session. The first thing that would happen is that the facilitator would start balancing your body along the spine then proceed to where the ailments are. You may feel various sensations during this process, heat, cold, pressure, tingling or a pricking sensation or no sensation at all. These sensations are not always at the point where the facilitator is focusing the energy. Keep communicating with your facilitator as to what you are experiencing and where.

Energy Healing and Islam

In some energy healing modalities they speak about calling on the spirits and angels to assist in the healing process when doing the session. That is the main difference that sets Aafiyah Healing apart from the rest. When we facilitate a healing session, we start with niyaah for Allah provide wellbeing for the client. Almighty Allah is the Most compassionate, the Bestower and the Provider, so we can only facilitate healing with Allah’s permission.

Hypnosis and Islam

Another powerful modality for healing is hypnotherapy. With this modality as well there is a lot of questions regarding it being allowed in Islam. Where it is not allowed is where it is used for entertainment and to ridicule the person. Where is it used as a form of healing and therapy it is allowed.

The state of being hypnotised or being in trance feels very much like those moments before falling into a sleep. The client remains in control, so if they are uncomfortable with anything during the session, they will come out of the trance state. It is in this trance state that we are able to access the subconscious mind and facilitate healing. The same as with Aafiyah Healing, we provide the service of being a facilitator as the healing and the ability and knowledge of how to heal is within each of us.

Cupping Therapy

Most of us are aware of hijama or wet cupping as practiced and prescribed by our beloved prophet Muhammed (Peace be upon him) and his sahaba. Although cupping is not confined and restricted to Sunnah practice. Cupping has been practiced for 1000’s of years in slightly different ways around the world, from the Native Americans to the Chinese and the Egyptians as well. Cupping is and was always practiced in 2 forms, wet and dry cupping. Wet cupping is when tiny cuts are made on the skin to remove toxins (dirty blood). With dry cupping, these toxins are pulled to the surface and the body is allowed to process and remove these through the lymph drainage system. In the early times practitioners mostly used animal horns or ceramic cups with fire to do the cupping, however we now use glass, plastic and silicone cups, with the added advantage to be able to have more control on how intense the treatment is and being able to effectively sterilise the equipment between treatments.

With the progression to plastic and silicone cups we are now able to include cupping as a form of deep tissue massage. This is done together with dry cupping to speed up toxin removal through the lymph system and the recovery period. This is especially helpful for inflamed and sore muscles. It has become commonly used by many sports men and women around the world before and after major sporting events.

My contact information and a lot more detailed information is all available on my website: www.healingelements.co.za.