RELAX FOR THE FUN OF IT
A Cartoon & Audio Guide to Releasing Stress
by Allan Hirsh, MA |
NORTH BAY NUGGET
By: Phil Novak
November 8, 2001 |
North Bay psychotherapist Allan Hirsh says that if we can laugh at our problems, we'll always have something to laugh about.
Hirsh provides plenty to laugh about in his new book, Relax For The Fun Of It (Caramal Publishing), which will be launched today at Gulliver's Books and Toys.
The book contains a collection of Hirsh's cartoon drawings, which center on stress release and relaxation. It also comes with a 16-minute relaxation CD, narrated by Hirsh in soothing tones. Listeners won't be asked to envision themselves on a warm, sandy beach, with a light tropical breeze grazing their bodies. Instead he uses progressive muscular relaxation, where a listener will be directed to focus on a muscle, tense, and then release it. |
| The CD contains two tracks: one that includes a wake-up call and another which can be used if people just want to doze off. |
| Everyone can find 16 minutes in their day just to relax, Hirsh said during a recent interview at the Nugget. "In the past the only way that most people have been introduced to relaxation is either through a drama class at school, through birth preparation classes, through yoga or through therapy. My goal is to introduce relaxation in a simple, safe form, and make it available to everybody." |
| Hirsh has given hundreds of workshops on the subject, and also helped thousands of clients relax. |
| "So when I'm teaching someone relaxation, I'm also relaxing at the same time." Hirsh's cartoons have appeared in A Cup of Chicken Soup for the Soul and will appear in Canadian Chicken Soup for the Soul. |
| As well as Relax For The Fun Of It, Hirsh co-authored Getting Along - The ABC's of Human Relations, with Donna Sinclair. |
| In penning his current compendium, Hirsh decided to take a light hearted approach because of the popular notion that relaxation is a discipline, something that people have to learn to do. |
| " It isn't a discipline, it's something fun to do. Once you begin to relax you naturally want to keep relaxing. That's why I called the book Relax For The Fun Of It. It's not a chore." |
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THE CANADIAN PRACTITIONERS' ASSOCIATION OF ASIAN MEDICINE'S NEWSLETTER
By: JoAnne Harrop
Spring 2002 |
| Relax For The Fun Of It: A Cartoon and Audio Guide to Releasing Stress. Allan Hirsh, Caramal Publishing Inc. 2002 |
| Allan says if you can laugh at your problems, you'll always have something to laugh about. His little compendium of cartoons, Relax for the Fun of It, includes a selection of cartoons related to relaxation, and a soothing CD with two progressive relaxation tracks (one with a wake-up call at the end), which Allan narrates himself. A psychotherapist by trade, Allan has conducted hundreds of relaxation workshops. He cartoons as a means of relieving his own stress, and has been published in the "Chicken Soup" series. His wonderful little solo opus is a fine holiday gift, and is available from him, (www.allanhirsh.com) or through Caramal Publishing Inc., (www. caramal.com) |
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| Radio Interview on CBC. |
| Real Audio (6 minutes and 47 seconds) www.hirsh.ca/radio.ram |
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"Allan Hirsh never fails to make me laugh! (You should see him with earflaps.) He
is a healer and a humorist. He is a gifted therapist and a treasured friend. I envy his
wit and I love his cartoons. Now I have the honor and pleasure of introducing his
work to you. This is Allan. Talent like this should be shared."
Lynn Johnston
Creator of the syndicated comic strip For Better or For Worse |
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"What would it mean to you to start off each day feeling invigorated and less
stressed? Allan Hirsh has put together this unique program to ease your stress
and uplift your spirits. Spend a few minutes each day reading a few cartoons and
listening to the relaxation CD and you will be fully energized and ready to handle
anything the world has to throw at you!"
Barry Spilchuk
Co-Author of A Cup of Chicken Soup for the Soul™ and creator of Let’s Talk
About Relationships™ |
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"In my medical and psychotherapy practice, I find that giving patients Allan Hirsh’s
relaxation exercise can speed their emotional and physical recovery."
Marc Gabel, M.D.
Past President
General Practice Psychotherapy Association, Toronto, Ontario |
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"Combining empathy, humor and insight, Allan Hirsh guides us to a greater
understanding and awareness of the potential of everyday life. This book is a witty,
invaluable tool that teaches as it heals."
Philip Shelby
Best-selling co-author of Robert Ludlum’s The Cassandra Compact and By Dawn’s
Early Light |
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"I have worked closely with Allan as a psychotherapist for 20 years. His therapy is
intuitive, sensitive and sprinkled generously with humor. Allan skillfully blends his
insight into human issues with a lighter view of the larger perspective. He has
successfully helped many individuals and couples find the courage to face their
issues and move beyond the ruts that we all get stuck in. But above all, it is
always fun to meet with Allan."
George Nicholl, Ph.D.
Ontario, Canada |
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