Investing in Infrastructure in Latin America

If you wanted to pinpoint the moment when things got particularly bad for Latin America, August 1982 wouldn’t be a bad choice. The emergency warning that month that Mexico was on the verge of default was the first in a decade-long series of regional debt crises. It’s a rare Latin American nation that wasn’t forced to grapple with out-of-control inflation, a stagnant economy, plummeting wages or high unemployment during the so-called “Lost Decade.” And even though 30 years have passed since the unofficial start of the bad times, the misfortunes of the era still loom large in our collective memory. Here’s the good news: If you wanted to pinpoint the moment when investors finally turned the page toward optimism again, January 2014 wouldn’t be a bad choice, either.

There’s no question that the area earned its reputation as the international economy’s problem child, but, according to a February 3 report from the Credit Suisse Research Institute entitled “Latin America: The Long Road,” the region has been advancing over the past two decades and is poised to extend its gains. Poverty has declined, inflation has slowed and political stability has improved. Not only is Latin America no longer a trigger of global disorder, it has proved resilient to financial crises generated elsewhere, including the Great Recession. That’s certainly a break from the region’s volatile past, when disturbances in the world economy routinely had a very negative impact on its domestic economies. “The last 20 years have been a crucial period as they represent the most radical change in the political, macro and social structures of Latin America in the last two centuries,” says the report.

Most Latin American countries have either transformed or are in the midst of transforming their economies away from a dependence on commodities, which historically left them vulnerable to the volatile fluctuations of global prices for oil, food, metals and other raw materials. Since the early 1990s, many have been modernizing their economies by strengthening their service and manufacturing sectors, approving key structural reforms and boosting long-term investment. Latin America now exports a higher proportion of its goods to Asian economies, resulting in a more diversified roster of trading partners, inflation has come under control, and political regimes in many countries have become more democratic.

The upshot? Now that an extended global commodity boom is waning, the region isn’t at risk like it was the last time that happened, in the 1980s. Even though the collective current account balance recently hit deficit territory, several other indicators suggest that Latin America is well positioned to absorb external shocks. The region boasts an external debt-to-exports ratio of around 100 percent, which is half its level in 1980 and similar to other emerging markets. The external debt-to-GDP ratio of 24.5 percent is only 4 percent above its 30-year low, total reserves excluding gold were at a near-record high of 60 percent of external debt at the end of 2012, and the capital-to-assets ratio of the region’s banks was 10.3 percent in 2012, compared with an OECD average of 7.4 percent.

That spells opportunity for investors, in our view, especially those in the consumer goods, financial services and energy sectors. Growth in the region has fueled a burgeoning middle class, which grew by 50 percent between 2003 and 2009, from 103 to 152 million people. Credit Suisse expects that upward social mobility to persist, giving consumers more purchasing power and prompting them to buy more sophisticated—and therefore more valuable—goods and services. Greater Internet coverage is fueling more opportunities for e-commerce, and an expanding economy amid slow inflation should bring throngs of new customers to the financial services industry. To top it off, recent legislation to end Mexico’s state oil monopoly, along with plans by Brazilian energy company Petrobras to double production by 2020, should fuel growth in the energy sector.

Still, the regional economy isn’t without its weaknesses. Per capita GDP remains inferior to that of the developed world, the level of technological innovation is low, and doing business in many countries can still be a red tape-filled bureaucratic jungle. And consider Latin America’s total investment in infrastructure—just 2.1 percent of GDP between 2003 and 2012, roughly half of the minimum necessary to sustain economic growth of 4.5 percent, according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America. (Compare that to China, which invested around 13 percent of its GDP, or even India, which came in at 5 percent.) Two of the region’s largest countries, Mexico and Brazil, have recently announced plans to woo private investors to build roads, ports, bridges and airports, but whether they will succeed remains to be seen.

Latin America is not a monolith, of course, and there are vast disparities among its economies. Chile, Peru and Panama, for example, score in the top ranges of Credit Suisse’s adaptation of the so-called misery index, which factors in economic growth, the inflation rate and the unemployment rate. Argentina and Venezuela are in the bottom 30 percent. And even as Brazil’s middle class grew to 50 percent of the population from 39 percent between 2002 and 2009, Mexico, the region’s second largest economy, only saw an increase of 35 to 39 percent between 2002 and 2011.

For a long time, it seemed that economic news out of Latin America was always bad—the only question was how bad it was going to be. For the time being, those days are over, and the region is more likely to be garnering praise rather than prompting lectures from the rest of the world. “By any reference to its own history, Latin America’s performance during and after the Great Crisis has been remarkable,” says former Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo in an introduction to the report. “However, it would be a terrible mistake for Latin American governments and societies to be complacent about the challenges in front of them.”
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After over a decade of working in the field and helping patients successfully, the answer lies in the key difference between Lyme disease and what we call Chronic Lyme disease complex. In most of the cases, we see unfortunate patients given the diagnosis of Lyme disease, who were prescribed antibiotics and attained very short term lived results with mild improvement to say the least. However, it’s the only thing that helped them at all. Patients believe that if they have the infection and receive antibiotics, that it’s game over. This is certainly not the case with Chronic Lyme disease!

Many conventional doctors will often miss the Lyme disease diagnosis all together due to not being well-informed on CDC’s (Centers of Disease and Control) failed testing criteria. Unlike many other infections, Lyme disease does not involve one straight forward lab test: in fact it involves a battery of tests to include genetic bands, immunity coupled with thorough medical history and confirmatory symptoms. Finally, when the diagnosis is made, antibiotics are almost always prescribed. The journal of Clinical Infectious disease published a study headed by Dr. Raphael B. Stricker that concluded that prolonged antibiotic therapy may be useful and justifiable in patients with persistent symptoms of Lyme disease and co-infections with tick-borne agents. However, another opposing study was conducted by Department of Neurology, University Medical Center at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY:

After receiving either 28 days of ceftriaxone (2 g per day) or placebo, the investigators found that there was a modest benefit with a lower fatigue score among those receiving ceftriaxone, although there was no change in the other end points, such as neurocognitive function or the CSF biomarker. Because of serious adverse effects, 4 (7%) of 55 patients were hospitalized with complications of intravenous therapy; study investigators concluded that parental antibiotic therapy could not be recommended, because the single subjective improved measure could not be justified against the considerable complication rate (2).

Taking into account that the antibiotic selections were different in the above studies, from a clinical perspective these outcomes are conflicting and confusing for patients. It all comes back to knowing the difference between “Lyme disease” and Chronic Lyme disease complex. Lyme disease in a vacuum is the infection of Borrelia (a spirochete that is most commonly transmitted by ticks). However, we define Chronic Lyme disease Complex or CLDC as: involving one or more factors: Lyme disease (as anchoring infection); its confection’s; the reactivation of dormant infections, such as viruses, fungal and parasitic infections; and or an immune compromised state that can be further complicated by heavy metal toxicity, chemical toxicities, essential nutritional deficiencies and structural impairments as part of the etiology of the chronic disease. Lyme disease Complex presents itself as a multifaceted medical puzzle that cannot be simply solved with only oral or IV antibiotics alone. Point being, in a medical culture where it’s difficult to find Lyme literate physicians that can treat you properly, it becomes almost impossible to find a doctor that treats this complex syndrome in an organized, comprehensive manner.

Our group has been working on solving this puzzle for many years. It starts with a proper diagnosis and treatment of all the infections involved: viral, fungal and parasitic co-infections that are often times more difficult to treat than the Lyme disease (Borrelia) itself. All these infections are connected and communicate with each other within your body; if one goes down the other up-regulates its replication until the vicious cycle is broken. Next, an in-depth functional medicine approach is implemented to correct all of the nutritional and amino acid imbalances while addressing old scar tissue, injuries and trauma that the body has suffered. Furthermore, selected medications are delivered in a proprietary method to cross the blood brain barrier and toxic metabolites removed from the central nervous system. This is all done while rebuilding immunity and restoring health. So many patients are confused when it comes to receiving treatment. When you don’t treat Lyme disease complex you leave way too many health issues on the table that are unresolved for the patient; it’s no wonder people don’t get well! In the end, it’s all about the personalized, integrative medical approach that works best for your individual case and getting the health you deserve. If you have any questions about Lyme disease or your current health condition, don’t hesitate to contact us. - See more at: http://envita.com/lyme-disease/stop-treating-lyme-disease-and-treat-the-complex#sthash.tcU2zJze.dpuf

After over a decade of working in the field and helping patients successfully, the answer lies in the key difference between Lyme disease and what we call Chronic Lyme disease complex. In most of the cases, we see unfortunate patients given the diagnosis of Lyme disease, who were prescribed antibiotics and attained very short term lived results with mild improvement to say the least. However, it’s the only thing that helped them at all. Patients believe that if they have the infection and receive antibiotics, that it’s game over. This is certainly not the case with Chronic Lyme disease!

Many conventional doctors will often miss the Lyme disease diagnosis all together due to not being well-informed on CDC’s (Centers of Disease and Control) failed testing criteria. Unlike many other infections, Lyme disease does not involve one straight forward lab test: in fact it involves a battery of tests to include genetic bands, immunity coupled with thorough medical history and confirmatory symptoms. Finally, when the diagnosis is made, antibiotics are almost always prescribed. The journal of Clinical Infectious disease published a study headed by Dr. Raphael B. Stricker that concluded that prolonged antibiotic therapy may be useful and justifiable in patients with persistent symptoms of Lyme disease and co-infections with tick-borne agents. However, another opposing study was conducted by Department of Neurology, University Medical Center at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY:

After receiving either 28 days of ceftriaxone (2 g per day) or placebo, the investigators found that there was a modest benefit with a lower fatigue score among those receiving ceftriaxone, although there was no change in the other end points, such as neurocognitive function or the CSF biomarker. Because of serious adverse effects, 4 (7%) of 55 patients were hospitalized with complications of intravenous therapy; study investigators concluded that parental antibiotic therapy could not be recommended, because the single subjective improved measure could not be justified against the considerable complication rate (2).

Taking into account that the antibiotic selections were different in the above studies, from a clinical perspective these outcomes are conflicting and confusing for patients. It all comes back to knowing the difference between “Lyme disease” and Chronic Lyme disease complex. Lyme disease in a vacuum is the infection of Borrelia (a spirochete that is most commonly transmitted by ticks). However, we define Chronic Lyme disease Complex or CLDC as: involving one or more factors: Lyme disease (as anchoring infection); its confection’s; the reactivation of dormant infections, such as viruses, fungal and parasitic infections; and or an immune compromised state that can be further complicated by heavy metal toxicity, chemical toxicities, essential nutritional deficiencies and structural impairments as part of the etiology of the chronic disease. Lyme disease Complex presents itself as a multifaceted medical puzzle that cannot be simply solved with only oral or IV antibiotics alone. Point being, in a medical culture where it’s difficult to find Lyme literate physicians that can treat you properly, it becomes almost impossible to find a doctor that treats this complex syndrome in an organized, comprehensive manner.

Our group has been working on solving this puzzle for many years. It starts with a proper diagnosis and treatment of all the infections involved: viral, fungal and parasitic co-infections that are often times more difficult to treat than the Lyme disease (Borrelia) itself. All these infections are connected and communicate with each other within your body; if one goes down the other up-regulates its replication until the vicious cycle is broken. Next, an in-depth functional medicine approach is implemented to correct all of the nutritional and amino acid imbalances while addressing old scar tissue, injuries and trauma that the body has suffered. Furthermore, selected medications are delivered in a proprietary method to cross the blood brain barrier and toxic metabolites removed from the central nervous system. This is all done while rebuilding immunity and restoring health. So many patients are confused when it comes to receiving treatment. When you don’t treat Lyme disease complex you leave way too many health issues on the table that are unresolved for the patient; it’s no wonder people don’t get well! In the end, it’s all about the personalized, integrative medical approach that works best for your individual case and getting the health you deserve. If you have any questions about Lyme disease or your current health condition, don’t hesitate to contact us. - See more at: http://envita.com/lyme-disease/stop-treating-lyme-disease-and-treat-the-complex#sthash.tcU2zJze.dpuf

Treating Lyme disease comprehensively isn’t as easy as it sounds. Our vast clinical experience uncovers why so many patients suffer needlessly and never reach best outcomes. With the huge underreported number of cases and despite a burgeoning growth in public awareness, Lyme disease for so many is still masked as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic pain, depression or some other autoimmune disease. Chronic Lyme disease patients are often referred to as “attention seekers” by most doctors. It is important to note that Lyme disease can mimic over 360 diseases with over 300 genetic variations of Borrelia (Lyme disease). Our team has developed a special proprietary and successful approach that allows us to target all of the infections and factors involved.

- See more at: http://envita.com/lyme-disease/stop-treating-lyme-disease-and-treat-the-complex#sthash.tcU2zJze.dpuf

Treating Lyme disease comprehensively isn’t as easy as it sounds. Our vast clinical experience uncovers why so many patients suffer needlessly and never reach best outcomes. With the huge underreported number of cases and despite a burgeoning growth in public awareness, Lyme disease for so many is still masked as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic pain, depression or some other autoimmune disease. Chronic Lyme disease patients are often referred to as “attention seekers” by most doctors. It is important to note that Lyme disease can mimic over 360 diseases with over 300 genetic variations of Borrelia (Lyme disease). Our team has developed a special proprietary and successful approach that allows us to target all of the infections and factors involved.

- See more at: http://envita.com/lyme-disease/stop-treating-lyme-disease-and-treat-the-complex#sthash.tcU2zJze.dpuf

6 Super Snacks to Grab During the Work Week

Apples – This is the “go to” classic snack that everyone should include in their daily eating routine (remember the old adage “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”).  Apples are inexpensive, compact, transportable, readily-available and delicious.  They are rich in phytonutrients and despite a rather high sugar content, they help regulate blood sugar and also improve digestive health.  Apples are filling so if you are extremely hungry but not ready to prepare a full meal, grab a fresh, juicy apple.
Avocado – This may seem like an odd choice – most people won’t carry an avocado in their purse or briefcase.  What the avocado lacks in transportability it makes up for in nutrition. If you won’t make time for breakfast, for example, grab a piece of whole grain toast and spread some avocado on it.  It is better than butter, much healthier for you and takes about the same amount of time to prepare.  Avocados contains  one of the “good fats” your body needs to stay healthy, as well as  protein and potassium (higher than bananas and with less sugar).
Berries – Grab a container with a lid, wash up a mixture of your favorite, fresh berries and hit the road with a turbo-charged, super snack.  Berries are rich in antioxidants, vitamins and fiber and they simply taste amazing.  Yes, some are high in sugar but it is in the best possible form for your body to use.  I recommend raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and strawberries for an unbeatable sweet snack any time of day.
Cucumber and watermelon juice – Because most people are chronically dehydrated (too busy to eat, too busy to drink water), why not take care of the hunger and the thirst at the same time.  Watermelons and cucumbers are high in water, complementary in flavor, and packed with nutrients.  They are both soft and break down easily in a conventional blender so you don’t even need a juicer to enjoy this delicious drink.  Drink it right away or pour it into a BPA-free thermos for a refreshing thirst quencher later (remember to shake before drinking as it can thicken up when it sits for a while).  Cucumbers are a surprisingly good source of vitamin C, vitamin K and potassium; watermelon is also a good source of vitamin C and potassium and is one of the best sources of lycopene, a potent antioxidant.  This juice is a great option for athletes as well, as it will rehydrate them and help combat muscle fatigue and pain.
Raw, organic nuts – Nuts, like apples, are highly transportable and highly nutritious snacks.  Try combining almonds, cashews, Brazil nuts, pistachios and pecans for a crunching and filling snack.  These nuts are high in protein and fiber, as well as a wide-range of minerals needed by your body.  Stay clear of roasted and salted nuts in cans or bottles.  These processed nuts frequently contain rancid oils which, combined with the high levels of sodium, will do more harm than good.
Hummus on raw veggie sticks – This old standby brings some international flare to your snacking with the great taste of chickpeas (or garbanzo beans as they are also named).  This high-fiber, high-protein legume provides the perfect base for the Middle Eastern dip that goes so well with celery and carrot sticks, cucumbers, and other raw vegetables. Hummus can be customized with different ingredients but the traditional recipes also include nutrient-packed garlic and lemon.  Be wary of store-bought hummus:  it can contain artificial flavors, preservatives and excessive amounts of salt and/or sugar.  If you aren’t making your own, consider shopping for your hummus at a natural foods or organic health food store but still read the label for quality ingredients.

Yoga for Insomnia: 5 Poses to Help Your Mind and Body Let Go

If you’re suffering from insomnia it may feel like sleep will never come again. Instead of lying in bed, try this yoga for insomnia series!
As someone who has struggled off and on with insomnia, I know how rough it can be. You’re exhausted, and you’re lying in the dark, staring at the ceiling, but sleep just. won’t. come. Maybe your thoughts are racing, or maybe you feel like your body can’t settle down so that your brain can let go. If you deal with sleeplessness, yoga for insomnia may be able to help you sleep better and sleep more deeply.
The causes of insomnia are complicated, and yoga isn’t going to be a cure-all for every person who suffers from this condition. It’s definitely helped me and other folks that I know, though so I recommend giving it a go. You’re awake anyway, right?

If you’re new to yoga, I would suggest taking a couple of classes before practicing on your own. The poses below are pretty basic, but learning how to properly align your body is part of yoga’s benefit and can help prevent injury. Even a few classes with a teacher can help you get a feel for how your body should be aligned. Most teachers will take requests, so you can ask if it would be OK to include these yoga for insomnia postures in class.

Yoga for Insomnia: The Poses

1. Seated Forward Bend
What it does: This relaxing pose is calming and restorative. It also can help improve digestion. If digestive issues are keeping you up or waking you at night, this can be a big help!
How to do it: Sit on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you, focusing on sitting up as straight as possible. Inhale, and raise your arms over your head, flexing your feet as you dive forward. Grab on to your feet, ankles, calves, or thighs. Don’t worry about how far you go. When you feel a gentle stretch in the backs of your legs, you’ve gone far enough to get the benefits of this pose. Keep your back as straight as you can, and stay here for 10-12 slow breaths.

2. Bridge Pose

What it does: A back bend might not seem like a sleep-inducing pose, but it can actually help you calm down and prepare for sleep. Inversions like bridge pose alleviate stress, which is one of the major factors that can contribute to insomnia.
How to do it: Start by lying on your back, then bend your knees, drawing your feet in, so that they’re flat on the floor right by your bottom. On your next inhale, press down with your feet and your arms to raise your bottom off of the floor. Use your inner thigh muscles to keep your legs from falling out to the sides, and clasp your hands together. Squeeze your shoulder blades together gently, and breathe in this posture for 10-15 slow breaths, then slowly release your back onto the floor.

photo via Faern, Faernworks Art & Photography

3. Reclining Bound Angle Pose

What it does: This is a relaxation pose that stretches your legs and reduces stress to help you sleep better and more deeply. It’s especially beneficial if racing thoughts or a restless body are keeping you awake.
How to do it: Start in a seated position, with your feet touching each other. Lean back, so one elbow is on the floor, then lower yourself down so that your back is resting on the floor, and focus on rolling your shoulders back and pulling your shoulder blades together. Your arms should be in a neutral position, palms up, like in the photo. Close your eyes and breathe, staying in this posture for as long as you like. You can use a blanket or bolster to support your feet, like in the photo above, if necessary. You can also tuck pillows or folded blankets under your knees or thighs, if you feel like you need more support there.

4. Shoulder Stand

What it does: A basic inversion like shoulder stand helps you slow down and relax. This posture calms the mind and relieves leg and foot soreness that might be keeping you awake.
How to do it: Begin by lying on your back, then bring your knees into your chest. Place your arms flat on the floor, so that your hands extend past your bottom, palms on the floor. Push with your arms, and curl your spine to bring your legs straight up into the air. Bend your elbows, and place your hands on your lower back to support yourself in this posture. If you find shoulder stand too intense, try Legs Up the Wall instead. It’s a simpler variation with many of the same benefits.

5. Savasana

What it does: Have you ever fallen asleep during savasana at the end of yoga class? This pose may not seem like much, but the practice of lying still and letting your body soak in the poses you just practiced helps prepare your brain for rest and relaxation.
How to do it: Lie on your back with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms in a neutral palms-up position by your sides. Close your eyes, and focus on your breath. Notice how your belly gently rises and falls as you inhale and exhale. There are quite a few technique that you can use while you’re in this pose. You can just focus on your breath, listen to soothing music, or choose a guided meditation to listen to. One meditation that I really like is the Rainbow Relaxation that was part of my hypnobirthing practice. After a few weeks of practicing that meditation every evening, I could instantly relax as soon as the music started. That’s just one suggestion, though! If you’re planning to go the meditation route, do a little bit of googling to find one that’s a good fit for you.

Yes, You Can Prevent Skin Chafing!

It‘s finally summer, and, odds are, you‘re spending a least some time enjoying the warm weather. As nice as this time of year is, however, it can wreak havoc on your skin. Sweat, friction, and inappropriate attire can all lead to chafing, or the painful, irritated skin that happens after exposed skin rubs together. But is there really any way to stop it? Are you just supposed to stick to pants all summer long? Hardly! There are plenty of easy ways to prevent skin chafing before it even starts. Read on for tips on preventing and treating chafed skin, and let us know some of your own in the comments.

1. Keep it Dry.
When it comes to chafing, moisture is your skin’s worst enemy. To prevent that, apply something that absorbs moisture, like cornstarch, to the areas that are prone to chafing. This isn’t an all-day cure, however. If you’re going to be out and about, bring some cornstarch along with you so you can periodically reapply the stuff.
2. Keep it Lubed.
There are several products specifically designed to prevent chafing  – Body Glide is a perennial favorite. Vitamin E cream works well, too. Petroleum jelly is an okay option in a bind, but it can stain your clothing and be a bit of a mess to deal with.
3. Bike Shorts are Your Friend.
No one will see ‘em anyway! Wear bike shorts under shirts and dresses to avoid that dreaded chub rub.
4. Drink Up.
As if you needed another reason to drink water! Staying hydrated will help stop excessive sweating and, in turn, prevent chafing.





5. Wear the Right Workout Clothes.
Wear the appropriate clothes for whatever activity you’re doing. Skip the moisture-absorbing cotton — it’ll get wet and stay wet, and wet clothes are a major culprit when it comes to chafing. Don’t wear anything loose. Your best bet? Tight-fitting workout gear that’s made out of synthetic materials.
6. Wear the Right Everyday Clothes.
If you don’t have any strenuous exercise planned, breathable cotton is an excellent option. Whatever the material, make sure your clothes aren’t too tight — that can cause chafing as well. And, of course, don’t wear dirty clothes!
7. Treat it Well.
Sometimes chafing just can’t be prevented, but there are several ways to help heal irritated skin after the fact. And you should do something to treat it — chafed skin, if not properly treated, can lead to infection. If your skin is particularly painful, or even swollen or bleeding, see your doctor. Otherwise, cleaning and treating the area with aloe vera, vitamin E cream, tea tree oil or petroleum jelly well help your skin heal.

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A Side of Sharks You’ve Never Seen

Every year, 100 million sharks are killed for their fins, which are used for prestigious shark fin soup. Sharks reproduce very slowly, so it’s difficult for their populations to recover once depleted.
Filmmaker Geert Droppers created this documentary Gimme a Hug with a clear purpose–to save a species headed for extinction.
Deeply thought provoking in content and mesmerizing in its visual grandeur, Droppers’ Gimme a Hug is a stunning example of discovery filmmaking. Portrayed as man-eaters by films like Jaws, sharks have a reputation of being treacherous. But with Droppers’ film, viewers are surprised by an underwater ballet of sharks displaying the amiable docility of dolphin. Filmed off Freeport, Grand Bahamas, Gimme a Hug evokes a deep compassion for one of nature’s most misunderstood sea creatures. In never-before seen footage, Droppers reveals an almost Ripley’s Believe it or Not behavior of sharks to succumb to a hypnotic state of passivity–causing one shark to stand on its head at the tip of the diver’s hand!
I recently got a chance to ask Droppers a few questions. Our conversation follows.

Geert Droppers on filming "Gimme a Hug"

How was it shooting such wild creatures?
–In one word: FANTASTIC! The first time I entered the water, knowing I was going to meet Bull sharks (one of the most dangerous shark species) up close, I felt the adrenaline rushing trough my veins. I was surprised and amazed that these animals were only interested in the bait we put in the water to attract them. Instead of ‘man-eaters’ who ‘attack’ on humans, these animals showed no aggressive behavior towards us.
–In the past 10 years, I never felt really threatened by a shark. Of course, some of them were curious and interested in who/what I was, so they will check you out. But if you respect them, know what to expect, recognize certain behaviors and learn to understand their body language, there is no reason to be afraid.
Were there any mishaps? Unpredictable behavior?
–I’ve hardly seen this in most species I dove with. If there is an unpredictable shark species, I think, it might by the Great White. In terms of unexpected behavior, the Tonic Immobility shown in Gimme a Hug is something few people know about. Actually, there is so much we still don’t know about how sharks behave, and that’s what interests me the most and what I want to share with other people. In other words, how do sharks really behave and why? What purpose does tonic immobility serve, and why does a White Shark swim 11,100 km in 99 days only to return to its original location within a few months?
–The Caribbean Reef sharks we filmed in Gimme a Hug were easy going with the docility of dogs. You feed dogs a cookie to attract them, and pet them; sharks you feed sardines. Cristina wore a chain mail suit to avoid accidental bites. Sometimes the sharks get a little too enthusiastic and overly eager to get the sardines. Unfortunately, even a very small accident would be blown out of proportion in the media with a devastating impact on the image of sharks. The headlines would shout, “SHARK ATTACKS DIVER” and there are many people would love to kill these beautiful animals.
Why did you choose sharks for your film?
–Actually, sharks are the reason I started filming at all. I noticed how totally different sharks behaved, opposite of what I had learned and seen in movies and TV. I wanted to share this with other people, to alter their negative perceptions about these fascinating animals. I felt sharks were key in maintaining the balance in our oceans, and I knew several species were being threatened with extinction, so I was determined to learn as much as I could about them.
–I strongly believe that what you don’t know, you can’t love, and what you don’t love, you are not willing to protect. This is why I started collecting shark footage. I met other shark divers, with the same ideas, and we decided to put all the footage together in hopes of finding a producer who wanted to help us make a ‘real’ shark film. Then, a few years ago, we found a producer. But our story was turned down. They claimed it was too soft, no aggressive sharks, no dangerous situations, not ‘thrilling’ enough to attract viewers to a commercial station.
The tonic immobility aspect was amazing. What did you learn about sharks that you never knew before?
–I had observed Tonic Immobility before, but what surprised me most was how some sharks would go into T.I., then swim away, only to return and repeat this behavior–up to four times in a row! I had to conclude that they really enjoyed T.I. Sometimes, as the film shows, they even competed with each other for their T.I. session. And of course, I’d never seen a shark balancing on its nose. I still don’t understand why they accept this. (Some sharks go into tonic immobility when they’re turned upside down. Scientists believe a shark’s tonic immobility may be related to mating, because female sharks seem more responsive than males.)

Shark during "tonic immobility"

What affected you the most emotionally about these sharks?
–The way huge numbers of sharks are killed. Scientists estimate that more than 100 million sharks are killed annually, that’s almost 300,000 a day! They’re often just killed for their fins, by far the most profitable part of the shark’s body. What’s even more horrific, is that, to save space on fishing vessels, the shark’s fins are removed and the bodies, often still alive, are tossed back into the water. Unable to swim and bleeding to death, the sharks suffer a slow death where about 95% of the animal is wasted!
What would you like viewers to take away from this film?
–I would hope to instill in every viewer a more positive view of sharks. To regard sharks like other animals, NOT the man-eaters portrayed in films like JAWS. Or the aggressive beasts in so-called ‘documentaries’ whose singular goal is to attract as many viewers as possible to a commercial TV station, never showing a shark’s true beauty and docility.

The Real Art of Living

Don’t believe anyone who says you can’t be happy. You can. Don’t believe anyone who says that work has to be unpleasant. It doesn’t. Don’t believe anyone who says you should ignore your feelings or desires or wishes. You should not ignore that voice inside of you that insists things can be better. Anyone can be happy. Anyone can find a fulfilling job or career. Anyone can achieve their true dreams.
How?

Learn to listen to yourself on the deepest level possible. Learn to discover and uncover who you really are and who you really want to be.
How?
You have to teach yourself to slow down your mind, to focus your attention on what you are feeling and thinking at this moment. When something is not right, we know it, but we often deny this truth. We feel that we have to be a certain way, we have to do a certain thing, that some mode of being is required.
Whenever we think something must be a certain way, it becomes almost impossible to see how it actually is. This is one reason people sometimes feel trapped in a relationship or a job, or why certain feelings come upon us again and again. Sometimes, seeing reality for what it is can be painful, but there is no way to change reality without confronting reality.

This is the art of living: learning to be fully aware of reality.

  What am I feeling at this moment? What am I thinking about? What am I doing? The more conscious we become of our feelings and thoughts, the deeper our understanding of ourselves becomes. Somewhere, usually buried beneath an avalanche of rapid thoughts and feelings, is a soft voice, speaking of our secret dreams and our hidden desires. We can learn to become more and more aware of this voice, and if we find the courage to follow where it leads, we will find that miracles occur. Things that seemed impossible become possible, life obstacles move aside, and unexpected opportunities present themselves.
Meditation, yoga, and psychoanalysis are all good ways to become more conscious of this voice. We live in a world of distractions. People praise multitasking. But this is unhealthy. We need to slow ourselves down, take a deep breath, and see who we are when we are not doing and achieving and rapidly moving from one thing to another.
Slow down and listen to your heart, your inner voice, your inspiration. The path towards happiness lies within you. Take the time and focus your attention and listen to whatever your inner being communicates. Then gather your courage and follow where it leads.
People often regret not taking the chance to follow their dreams. Don’t let this happen to you. Take a leap of faith, trust yourself, and believe that your life holds the promise of happiness and fulfillment. You will not be disappointed that you did.

6 True ‘Cliches’ That Really Do Apply to Life

If I can do it, you can do it. It’s true! So many of the cliches I have learned are true. Don’t waste time beating yourself up all the time and focusing on your flaws or weaknesses, and/or being around people who do it for you (unfortunately, sometimes even better than you).
Know you are loved. Know you are magnificent. Know you are so very unique and special with unique talents and gifts to share with this world. Everyone has an interesting story to tell and wisdom to offer and special things to do in their lifetime.
Focus on your strengths, your capacity for love, developing your mind and body and educate yourself, educate yourself, educate yourself – especially about your fears! The more education and knowledge you can gain about what scares you or any negative beliefs or fears that you’re holding on to that is driving you, the more power you have over it and over your life. It becomes something that might still be difficult but not scary once you have knowledge, understanding and awareness of it.
Always pay attention, be listening – don’t let moments of revelation only come in moments of crisis when you are finally desperately ready to notice them! And when you have them, no matter how crazy they might seem or what anyone else may say or think, believe in them and in yourself.
Epiphanies, moments of revelation, are not random incidences and are unique to each individual even though they contain universal wisdom, so take action on them. Go for it, act, change, trust, and you will see… the world will absolutely conspire to support you and usually in the most serendipitous ways.
And finally, have fun and take moments to enjoy life – whatever that means to you. I believe we are here to get things done, to further our development, to help and serve others, to learn to love ourselves and others unconditionally and ENJOY this beautiful earth, these gorgeous, sensual bodies and have wonderful experiences – having fun and enjoying ourselves is also part of growing into deeper human beings and is important to the human condition.
All of us has different experiences, some much tougher than others, but none of us gets out of life unscathed to some degree – it’s how you handle those challenges and what you choose to do with your life circumstances that makes the difference of a life lived.
As a very wise woman once said to me, “Life is beautiful and it’s hard.” I love the simplicity of that and the absolute truth. Life is beautiful on so many levels but it can also be a very, very difficult ride and it’s quick, so very quick. So find and develop your strengths and gifts, you will find they serve others and energize you in the process. Believe in moments of revelation and believe in yourself. Take action in life. Love yourself and love and help others. Face and educate yourself about your fears. And enjoy yourself – revel in being alive and in the gloriousness of this planet and what life has to offer!