Shalini Kapoor is the Founder and Director of Little Artists, an art studio , Singapore, which celebrates Art through children – to imbue their lives with color, form, texture, and composition. When Shalini established Little Artists, it was the confluence of two major passions-Art and Teaching children. She has special ability to train children in Art. She coordinates the entire art program, monitors the development /progress of all children and trains the staff at the studio. It is an entrepreneurial journey of 14 years which expanded without any marketing and advertisements channels but just on word of mouth publicity. At some point Shalini found it very challenging to manage the studio herself and then she started hiring teachers. Today there are 25 teachers working under her both on full time and on freelancing basis. These teachers are professionally qualified in the field of arts and are trained specially as per requirement of the studio.A down to earth personality, Shalini finds enjoyment in every activity she gets involved, even she considers cooking as an art which has to be delivered with creativity.She is a woman of substance in real terms. Womenlines is proud to share about Shalini’s journey in the field of arts with its readers-

1)Tell us a bit about yourself

I am an art educator and an entrepreneur, heading art studios which provide specialized art education to children (age 2 1/2 to 17) and adults. We provide the full range of curriculum, at every age and stage, which is tailored to their abilities and aptitude, grow their skills, eventually train them enough to be able to succeed in school and later lead them to Art Colleges globally.I am a graduate of Sophia Institute Mumbai, specializing in Design and Art. Before embarking on teaching, I was a full-time fashion and textile designer for various buying houses, with clients like Gap, Banana Republic, Billabong, Levis, Pier 1 etc. I then took a career break to pursue my passion for fine arts and later specialized in traditional Indian art. Art has always been my passion, since childhood.I loved my career as a designer as it brought its own daily dose of excitement. However, when I came to Singapore, instead of taking up a similar job here,  I felt the need to do something that comes naturally to me and is fulfilling. I love children and had a natural ability to teach and understand them. Once I started, there was no stopping. The studio grew not because I had planned it that way but because of the response and support from keen parents. Little Artists is the outcome of parents’ appreciation and a faith in my teaching philosophy.

2.When did you start your company? Where? And what motivated you to start it?

I arrived in Singapore in 1996, as an expat wife, accompanying my husband in his career move.I started the studio in 1997. I felt there was a need in Singapore, for a good quality art education for children. When I saw how children were taught in different art classes, I could see something was missing.Another thing that got me involved in teaching is my love for children. They get along with me very well and I love their company. It is one of those non-observable bonds that exist between me and children.I have always derived happiness from seeing a child develop and feel confident.I believe in everyone getting chances, so I do not give up on people or children. I know that if I have the class full of kids, I would want them ALL to be successful. I believe in finding a unique solution to each and every student’s problem. With all the chances I was given as a kid, I should give all of my students’ as many chances as they need to achieve their potential. We have had many special needs kids who had no hope in academics but were interested to learn the art. With many years of learning how they have become capable enough to aspire to pursue art as their career choice. This is absolutely satisfying and motivating for me

3.Any challenges that you had to face in the initial days?

I never looked at my work as a business but as a mission.  I consciously resisted the pressure to grow the studio at a rapid speed, in spite of high demand at all times. We always took only those many students whom we can give full time and attention. My greatest challenge was that the demand for the program was always superseding the studio capacity. Many times parents would get upset after waiting for too long. I didn’t want to take students and don’t do my best as I carry a moral and professional responsibility.I had to also make sure that the staff working with me is also as committed and maintains the same quality of teaching.It was hard to find such people. Overall I have been fortunate to have worked with wonderful people who aligned themselves well to the ethos of the studio. Another challenging period was during the SARS epidemic and economic downturns, but we stuck to our values, did not retrench any staff, but used that period to enhance their skills.

4.How do you balance your personal and professional life?

I belong to a very close-knit family and am very close to my parents. Therefore I would like my children to have the same feeling for me.  I believe in the clear allocation of time for my personal and professional life.I have two kids 10 and 4. I spend daily quality time with my children, play with them , help them with their homework’s or be present in their school and social activity as much as possible. On the days I am not working I take them out or plan a day where they have a different kind of learning with fun. I love to paint with my sons or go to the beach cycling. I like to talk to them and listen to their day to day happenings.I believe in having a balance in life. It is very important to set your priorities, be organized and be disciplined. Nobody can be 100 % perfect every day, but I try my best to fill up my day meaningfully.

5.What would you suggest to other aspiring women, who want to venture out on their own?

I would say be passionate about what you want to do and dedicate yourself to your work. Have a strong belief in what you do If you are good the rest will happen by itself.

6.Is there any person who has mentored /supported /inspired you

My husband Sanjeev has been my greatest source of support and inspiration He has always guided me to look at the big picture and not to let small problems deter me from my path. Being himself from Business Management School (IIMB), he has mentored me very closely in many aspects of my work. I do think that I would not have reached this far without him. He has been my true friend, mentor, and guide and I dedicate my work to him.

My other source of inspiration comes from my mother who has always encouraged me to be independent and my dad, who is a homeopathic physician of national fame in India. He is a very hardworking and a positive man. He is 79 and still working. He loves his work and finds joy in curing cases which were declared incurable. He has taught me to find joy in what I do. According to him, your work should be your greatest source of relaxation, and then you don’t need so many holidays!!

7.What do you have in the pipeline for your company?

I would want all children who are part of Little Artists to be successful and find their path in the field of visual art. I want the studio to be always a place of quality learning, for those who are seeking for real knowledge.Till we continue to meet the above two fundamentals, the studio can grow and shape up organically to its potential.

A believer of the quote “Painting is an extension of man’s means of communication, As such, it’s pure, difficult, and wonderful.”Shalini believes in giving back to society. She has done a lot of work with SAMH (Singapore Association of mental health) as a visiting art therapist and has received rewards and recognition for her services. She has also contributed to  SCARF (Schizophrenia  Research Foundation). Womenlines wishes best of luck to Shalini for her future!

Visit http://little-artists.com/index.php to know about Shalini’s venture.

Charu Mehrotra

Promoting Excellence in Women

Womenlines  is proud to bring Holistic Healing and Therapies under Health Section.Ms Pratima Nagraj, who is a C.Ht(Clinical Hypnotherapist),Holistic Healer in Singapore, will be sharing about various therapies through which Major diseases can be cured.

For most of their lives, women have been inundated with the negative stories of other women’s birth experiences. Everyone, from their mothers, sisters, aunts, cousins, friends, and even strangers, wants to tell them the horrors of giving birth. They have been conditioned to believe that excruciating pain is associated with birth; and because of this, women today hold an unprecedented fear of giving birth. This extreme fear causes their bodies to become tense, and that tension often prevents them from easily performing the normal, physiological function of birth. The result?—exactly what they feared most–long, painful, disappointing birthing.

People who are drawn to HypnoBirthing have long been searching for a way that helps women give birth as calmly, safely, and gently as possible. Until HypnoBirthing® was founded, it seemed almost  unattainable. Through a very simple program of self-hypnosis and education, women learn to release emotions tied to fear-based stories and misinformation, and they are helped to see birth as normal. They learn to trust that their bodies know how to bring their babies into the world in the calm and gentle way that Nature intended.

What is HypnoBirthing all about?

HypnoBirthing® is as much a philosophy of birth as it is a technique for achieving a satisfying, relaxing, and stress-free method of birthing. This amazing program teaches you, along with your birthing companion, the art and joy of experiencing birth in a more comfortable manner. You will learn how to call upon your body’s own natural relaxant and thus lessen, or even eliminate, discomfort and the need for medication. When a woman is properly prepared for childbirth and when mind and body are in harmony, Nature is free to function in the same well-designed manner that it does with all animal mothers in Nature. You will be fascinated as you view HypnoBirthing® films, showing laboring mothers, awake, alert and in good humor as they experience the kind of gentle birth that you, too, can know when you are free of the fear that causes pain and tension. Through self-hypnosis, special breathing, and visualization, HypnoBirthing® teaches you to release all prior programming about birth, how to trust your body and work with it, as well as how to free yourself of harmful emotions that lead to pain-causing fear and unyielding muscles.

HypnoBirthing® will teach you the art of using your own natural birthing instincts. With HypnoBirthing®, you will not be in a trance or a sleep state. You will be aware and fully in control, but profoundly relaxed.

Advantages:

• Teaches deep levels of relaxation to eliminate the fear that causes tension and, thus, pain

• Greatly reduces and often eliminates the need for chemical painkillers and drugs

• Shortens the first phase of labour

• Leaves mother alert, fresh, awake and with energy

• Helps keep oxygen supplied to baby during birthing

• Reduces the need for an episiotomy

• Reduces and often eliminates fatigue during labor

• Empowers parents with techniques to achieve a gentle, calm birth for themselves and their baby

• Gives the birthing companion an integral role in the birthing

• Embraces the concept of pre-birth  parenting

• Teaches breathing techniques that allow a woman to gently breathe her baby into the world without the violence of hard, physical pushing.

You can attend our FREE introduction talk to know more about HypnoBirthing and get your queries answered, on Sunday, Aug 21st ,2011 at ParentLink, 43 Jalan Elok, Singapore. For details contact pratima@reviveholistic.com .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vZthmZ3B7o

Pratima Nagaraj

Dancing is fun, as Lord Byron quotes “On with the dance! Let joy be unconfined”…dance has always been a source of unconfined joy, so why kids shouldn’t be involved in it?

Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic. It can be used as a form of expression or also presented in a spiritual setting. Whatever way you want to define dance, but nobody can ignore this fact everybody enjoys dancing. For kids dance can be a good activity to keep them busy and active too. In fact, I consider dancing with my baby as a good bonding time. The expression of joy which comes on my kid’s face cannot be expressed in words. I really love dancing with him. There are numerous benefits of dancing which makes it a must activity for every kid.
Dance fills kid with joy, dance helps in distressing, dance helps in coming across one’s inhibition, dance also is a good way to exercise and can keep your kid very active. Ooh lala …..Try always to make your kid do lip-sync while dancing, his memory skills will definitely improve and when they know the meaning of the song it will help them dance better. That can actually relate to it.
Researches also prove that dance can play a role of magician in improving learning difficulties in some kids.
This investigation carried by National Institute of Health was on effects of dance therapy on motor performance. This investigation studied effects of dance therapy on motor performance of children who have been learning disabilities. An experimental group of five subjects who received dance therapy was compared with a control group of five subjects who received their usual sensory integrative therapy. Pretests and posttests of motor performance were given before and after a four-week treatment period to assess changes. Results indicate improved motor performance for both the experimental and control groups, with slightly greater gains made by the experimental group. Results of the study indicate that dance therapy could serve as a form of vestibular stimulation comparable to the usual play activities in a sensory integrative therapy program. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7454796

There are many other benefits which dance hobby can help us achieve. When the movements are repeated in dance then it helps kids to improve muscle tone, helps gain more balance, and also improves overall cardiovascular health correct. Children who are overweight can lose weight while dancing regularly as dance is also considered as an aerobic exercise. Besides health there are many social benefits like dance activity can really help kids to improve their communication skills and also help build team spirit in kids. It also helps kids to overcome their shyness. Dance activity relaxes kids and then they feel so comfortable in their skin. Thus, this helps develop their self esteem and build their confidence.

Dancing is really a gem of all activities with multiple benefits for  kids and thus  is a must activity for every parent. This activity can leave you with so many Kodak moments  which you want to keep forever in your life. Let’s dance Baby!

Charu Mehrotra

Promoting Excellence in Women!

Womenlines  is proud to bring Holistic Healing and Therapies under Health Section.Ms Pratima Nagraj, who is a C.Ht(Clinical Hypnotherapist),Holistic Healer in Singapore, will be sharing about various therapies through which Major diseases can be cured.

Most of us these days are familiar with the term “Holistic” due to the growing popularity and need for holistic health. “Holistic” means the three aspects of the self – mind, body and spirit. It comes from the word “Whole” which means Complete. It’s a way of taking an all round approach to treat diseases or imbalances and choosing to lead a more balanced lifestyle. Holistic healing (or more popularly referred to as alternative medicine, Complementary medicine or Integrative medicine) is not an ‘alternative’ to medical care. These therapies are presented as options to conventional medical treatments. Seeking help from a medical professional should never be ignored. But what we fail to understand is that physical illnesses are the symptoms of a greater imbalance which may have a root cause in our thoughts & emotions. Some of the holistic therapies and treatments available are: • Aromatherapy • Hypnotherapy • Regression Therapies like Past Life Regression • Energy-healing methods such as Reiki, Pranic Healing • Acupuncture • Yoga • Meditation • Crystal Therapy • Affirmative healing • Chinese medicine and lots more!

One major belief common to all the above holistic therapies is that “WE” are ultimately responsible for our own health and issues and not our environment, friends, relatives, bosses, co-workers, circumstances and whatever it is that we choose to blame, in order to escape from owning responsibility. It is only when we take personal responsibility that we can truly begin to get healed. The first step begins here, even before you visit a holistic practitioner! Our childhood beliefs, cultural values and attitudes affect our mental and physical health and they are considered in the above techniques while finding the cure. As a holistic healer our role is to recognize that the discomforts or pains are just symptoms at the surface level whereas the imbalance may be due to the mental, emotional or spiritual needs not being met. No aspect is overlooked in this treatment. A complete evaluation is made and appropriate techniques are suggested to the client. Every person is unique; so no one treatment, medication or technique will be used. There is no one standard or one-size-fits-all approach. Each treatment is individualized.

It can be worthwhile in guiding your own self-appraisal by asking questions like “How can I strengthen my body to have a robust physical health?”, “Are my emotional relationships allowing me to grow in a healthy way” or “How are my activities helping in developing my inner spiritual self?” Choosing your holistic practitioner is like choosing your medical professional. You have to find a good fit! So make your choice today and bring in those positive changes in your life! –Pratima Nagaraj

To know more about Pratima visit – www.reviveholistic.com

I am the founder of Lianco International Property Pte Ltd (LIP).  It is a service provider (SP) to clients locally as well as serving markets in the global arena. My business is unique in the sense that my company brands itself as ‘the property professionals’ instead of a property agency in which the main concern is to close the deal.

The significant difference of my company is that we evaluate, analyze and educate our customers after knowing their current financial condition to invest in properties.

As the social entrepreneur, I have all the property agents as my working partners and a handful professional property team consultants who are able to dispense professional advice on top of being able to carry out their assigned duties.My business model is based on doing excellent work and holding social responsibility at my heart and trying to the best of my abilities.

2. So when did you venture into property field and what conspired or motivated you to take a plunge into this venture? ?

I think it is due to my experiences as an overseas student counselor in the overseas students servicing department to serve overseas students in Australia 20 years ago. overseas student My major in accountancy and minor in marketing and management backed me up for my venture choice. I have the right venture for expansion now as Singapore has positioned itself to be the global hub and my overseas experience will definitely assist our nation. Next, I am a very lucky one who had my mother as the referral as a start. She secured three cases and in just only one week entered the property market, I managed to close them and make a net profit of S$15,000/- and we take it as our working capital and expanded it till today. For the first few years, we had a good start; the right timing and overseas experience make us unique to expand our network.

3.Can you share with us, some of the challenges you faced during your initial days?

All business starts from scratch! I think most important of any business challenges exist in  part of incorporating the value and culture of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) into any business model planning from the start is the immediate move of 21st-century entrepreneurs. Especially Lianco as the service provider in the present Singapore environment without any resources available thus we need to have CSR incorporated as the self-regulation with our knowledge of products and services to come up with a good plan to start the business, and subsequently financing it to sustain its growth.

In the year 1996, the property market overheated and a lot of government policies implemented. One of them is to implement the standard of agents’ professionalism and code of conduct. As at that time, the government even faced the dilemma that there were no Chinese lecturers able to conduct the course. I even went for extra mile assisting to translate the English materials to Chinese materials and stand out to be the first and only Chinese lady lecturer for code of conduct training for Certificate Examination for Hosing agents (CEHA) course which is the first and only examination for the Chinese educated agents in the property industry for the association. Since the start of my business, I practice as the socialpreneur and emphasis the code of conduct and to be self-regulation of the industry which I have observed the professional agents did in Australia. After nine years of implementation, as at the 01.05.2005, the government authority and the property industry required only CEHA agents are permitted to close deals and it has great improvement of professionalism is the proudest achievement we have. Finally, only recently 01.01.2011, the Council of Estate Agents (CEA) being formed! I am looking forward the property agents integrity and standards could be maintained after being mandated so for others to emulate.

In the industry for 22  years, I have experienced the worst significant event which has made me stronger now! For the period 2003 to 2004, my business was badly affected by the market force of ‘Cash Back’ in the property market. I, as the socialpreneur, even went through to bring up the issue and alert the public of the criminal impact on individuals.  The ‘Cash Back’ issue finally ceased with the new rule imposed by the government in the 1st quarter of 2005. However, my strong belief in social responsiveness brings us to further height

4.So how do you balance your personal and professional life?

I am the person who believes in 3Ps (Planning, Process & Professional approach). As long as you have good planning ahead, the balance of personal & professional life is automatic fall in place.

5.What would you suggest to other aspiring women who want to venture out on their own?

As the women, we have to work double hard than men to prove  our ability.  No matter where you go, women are being classified to be under male’s domination! As a woman, we have advantages than men in the service industry.  As by nature, we are more caring & have more concern for people. Just do it and bear in mind that we are also there for mankind.  As my slogan states: “ Be With U, For U, By U!”

6.Is there any person who has mentored/supported/inspired you?

I am inspired by my mother, the unique woman in Singapore, with her strong spirit within her! Also, she is a very sharp investor I have ever seen!  I think I have inherited her supervision of future investments and I use the skill to advise my clients in property investments.

7.What do you have in the pipeline for your company’s/ business future development?

I still want to be in the property industry for another 13 years to complete my 35 years contribution to the property industry. I have the intention to write a book about Singapore property industry. Perhaps, e-books via our up-coming launched website: www.singmarts.com to share with netizens will be the immediate move for our development

8.How you keep yourself motivated every time?

I can recall that I have a special case which I had to deal with “Ah Long” (Moneylender) in the year 1996 for my client who purchased the property by borrowing the money from them and expecting to have immediate sub-sales and pocket the capital gain. Unfortunately, the government implemented the policy to control property price with immediate effect, which landed him to be in trouble and the “Ah Long” interest really killed him and made me ask where is the professionalism of this trade? I almost wanted to give up this career. However, I believed that this is not what a socialpreneur should do and I picked up and went till the CEHA course imposed half a year later, I quickly assisted the industry as a lecturer for the property agents so to improve the industry to be the better career for anyone who are interested to pick it up. influence other

9.What are your hobbies?

I enjoy reading, jogging & thinking

10.What message will you give to Womenlines readers?

Dear women! Learn the art of being yourself at your best in the art of unfolding your personality into U to be.  Prepare to learn, re-learn & un-learn with the right attitude toward human kinds. When you try to achieve your goals even how much obstacles lay in front you still feel energetic all the time! One of the things we have to keep in mind is that when people start to challenge us and business starts coming in, Alphabets visions: ABCDEFGHI remains a priority. A=Attitude; B=Behaviour; C=Conduct; D=Disciplines; E=Excellent; F=Fullness; G=Gratitude; H=Habit and I=Ideas!

Visit http://www.facebook.com/mobileprotection#!/profile.php?id=100000590340559&sk=info to know more about Angela.

Vacation time has always been fun and you never want to come out of it, and this was the reason for my long absence from the blogging world!

Work-life balance, kids, office, health, friends, whole year we go around with them planning, managing, discussing and carrying our duties and thus at times we get exhausted. Vacation comes as a blessing to us as it helps to rejuvenate every member of the family. Kids come out of their school world, parents come out of their work environment and grandparents also get a chance to have some fun outside their regular routine.This change fills them with fresh energy to face rest of the year with firmness.Thats’s why always enjoy your vacations and never let those moments go waste in life. Most of the time vacations are planned while keeping in mind the location of the place, may be you want to explore some new country or some new city. But besides this one place should always be their in your list which is the native place where you belong. That place should always be in the list as that place connects you th place of your origin. Where you can take your child and show his roots and cultural values.

This topic can never come in my mind if I would have been staying in India.But when we are far away from our country then we really miss the love and warmth of our near ones back home.Our kids are growing up in such an isolation that fills me with fear about their future that they won’t be aware of the love we got. That’s why its very important for them to visit their native place once a year so that they never feel alienated there.The charm of once native place is incomparable with some other place in world.Where ever you go in this world you will be alone only. Or you may have a circle of friends. But the love which your near and dear ones shower at you has no comparison in this whole world.

The point is to enjoy those precious moments. Don’t waste it in doing those tasks which are not relevant at that time. Prioritize having fun with near ones. Spend time with them and catch up with their life, plan big family outings together, play games together, and moreover do plan a party.

Vacation can be planned to a tourist destination also which you explore with your family. It can be a good time to spend some quality time with your kids and help them to gather knowledge about the new place. Where is the place located on map, what are special feature related to place like weather, food, people etc. You can explore tourist activities at that place with your kid which can give you some relaxing time together.

Romantic vacation is the other type which helps to create a special bonding between you and your partner and it has also to be planned periodically. Time passes off and you never realize that  you have missed some fun time together as a couple. Exploring new country together can really add value to your relationship in a better way as don’t be surprised to come to know the real funloving side of your partner(which is not reflected in routine life).

Start planning all types of vacation yearly. After all we have to make our life fill with happy memories!

Charu Mehrotra

Promoting Excellence in Women!

Womenlines brings health section for benefit of  its readers. Every month one disease will be taken in consideration and  Ms Ketki Vinayachandra, a trained naturopath in Singapore, Herbalist, Nutritionist and Iridologist will be sharing her opinion about the disease.Trained in Sydney, Australia and is registered with the Australian Body NHAA – National Herbalist Association of Australia – the only association that registers herbalists in Australia.

MIGRAINE PAIN

Migraine is a debilitating condition characterized by moderate to severe headaches, and nausea, about 3 times more common in women than in men.

The typical migraine headache is unilateral pain (affecting one half of the head) and pulsating in nature, lasting from 4 to 72 hours; symptoms include nausea, vomiting, photophobia (increased sensitivity to light), phonophobia (increased sensitivity to sound), and is aggravated by routine activity. Approximately one-third of people who suffer from migraine headaches perceive an aura—unusual visual, olfactory, or other sensory experiences that are a sign that the migraine will soon occur.

Q.How to control Migraine Pain following naturopathy ways?

Ketki:Migraine pain can be due to various factors. it can be hormonal changes that induce such changes especially prior to periods or one of the accompanying symptoms for severe PMS ( premenstrual syndrome). The other factors we need to consider for migraine pain can be due to skeletal issues or misalignment , which then requires some adjustment. It can be dehydration, food allergies, constipation , lack of sleep. So a Naturopath would look at various factors and rule them out before deciding the treatment approach through diet, supplements and herbs.
For details about Ms Ketki visit-

http://www.alternative-naturalmedicine.com/about_us.html

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