"The Empress Bridge represents the bridge separating two widely different worlds or ways of experiencing reality; the first being the choice for those who choose to give their power away and be controlled by fear; the second for those who choose to value themselves and respect all life forms. In the years ahead, many will find themselves faced with making the decision as to which world they will choose to belong. Will it be the world where fear dominates? Or will it be the world where freedom, creativity, abundance, joy and peace are more commonplace and life is lived based on the frequency of love? If you decide to work through your fears, forgive yourself and others, and develop a set of spiritual values that benefit everyone living here on Earth at this time, then you and I will meet sometime in the future, in the world across The Empress Bridge . . . I'll look forward to seeing you there!"

- Marilyn Buan

Although practiced throughout the world by a wide variety of natural health practitioners, kinesiology is still much misunderstood by the general public - even those who consider themselves knowledgeable in the area of alternative healing. The confusion exists because of two widely different branches of kinesiology; one being part of a medical science degree program offered at many universities and the other an adaptation from what is known as Applied Kinesiology. It is this second application of kinesiology that forms the foundation of all classes being taught at The Empress Bridge College.

Closely linked with the Chinese Acupuncture System, kinesiology can best be described as a type of muscle response testing. A practitioner will monitor stress responses while testing a variety of specific items, emotions, issues, correction techniques, or affirmative statements while a person sits in a chair or lies on a massage table. In this way the kinesiologist can elicit a positive or negative response from a person's body. There are only two responses possible; the muscle being tested will either lock or unlock. This response is then interpreted by the practitioner as feedback that can help them determine a person's priority needs or preferences from a wide assortment of possibilities. After carrying out a series of preliminary tests and corrections to ensure that the 'muscle testing' is accurate, the practitioner can then identify what may be at the root of fear, poor health, tiredness, learning difficulties, lack of joy etc. Because our body records energetically a history of everything that has ever happened to us, past experiences as well as unexpressed emotions can, and do block the natural expression of who we are. This translates as pain, discomfort and illness in addition to feeling a lack of emotional fulfilment in our lives.

Marilyn, the kinesiology practitioner and instructor of the college, brings together several different healing modalities when working with others in her private sessions. This often involves unlikely combinations such as using astrology together with kinesiology for helping others get in touch with their inner selves. A vast amount of information can be obtained from knowing the date, time (when available) and location that a person was born. One of the most common misunderstandings about astrology is that the planets 'cause' our fate or destiny. "Nothing could be further from the truth, says Marilyn. It's always up to us how we choose to use the planetary energies available in our birth chart. I believe we have to actually 'qualify' for our date of birth and it is our soul that dictates even the time we are born according to what is needed for our spiritual growth. By becoming familiar with our birth chart, we can recognize how the events of our lives, the good and the bad, have been a necessary part of our learning experience. When we truly understand this, life itself takes on a much deeper meaning, and we begin to experience more love and joy in our lives."

During a kinesiology session, Marilyn takes information not only from a person's birth data but also from her study of the Tarot. She believes the cards to be a 'source' of knowledge, she couldn't be without and to represent the many 'paths' we must travel before we become aware of our more 'authentic inner voice'. Marilyn believes the Tarot can help us tap into the wisdom of our 'higher self'. "When on a journey of personal growth, the cards can provide us with profound knowledge about specific events in our lives and can be a true source of comfort in times of need, says Marilyn. By working with the cards we can learn how to truly honor and respect the spiritual dimension of life. I can't speak highly enough about this 'sacred' body of work."

Marilyn also uses her knowledge and training in the healing properties of flower essences to help others through periods of adjustment, change and transition. She believes we all have many of the same fears, and insecurities and often just need someone who can help us become more aware of where we may be blocking ourselves. Once these things are understood, there are many ways to help get ourselves back on track.

There are several types of private sessions available through The Empress Bridge College including those that can help us: identify our life direction; release energy blockages that keep us stuck in past patterns; make positive decisions for ourselves that facilitate personal and spiritual growth; relieve physical pain and discomfort; improve our level of confidence in a specific area of our life; understand ourselves through a study of our astrological birth chart; as well as become aware of any important cycles and transits that may be influencing us at the present time.

The world could benefit from there being many more massage therapists, energy workers, kinesiologists and healers. If these practitioners could have metaphysical knowledge, in addition to their present abilities, they could also help their clients live more joyful, meaningful and abundant lives. It was with this goal in mind that Marilyn was inspired to create The Empress Bridge College.