Jo Hazelhurst- A Beautiful Road, Challenge, Failure, Growth & Love

(See Below for My story, My Professional Bio, Methodologies and Qualifications)

Hallo Friend,

Like you, I am here!

Sometimes I know. Sometimes I know not.

I study continually how to live in a way that is not only best for me, but for us all, and best for the environment.

I have made many discoveries and had wonderful long-lasting transformations - one of which is the vegan raw food diet. I've learned that how I live, contributes to peace or to war; to abundance or to poverty, and that what I do affects the world. At times I live with full integrity. At other times I fall and go back to old habits of addiction, drama and self destructive habits. And each time that happens - I am reminded that:

"Self-destructive behavior is unrecognized spiritual craving" - Deepak Chopra

I've learned that with perserverance and compassion, one only moves forward - and no amount of action, thinking or effort will make up for the lack of the Higher Presence of God/The Creator in our lives. I am learning that what matters most is this.

Sometimes we know what is best for us - but find we still do what is harmful and will resist what will rejuvenate us. I speak here, not only of physical well-being but also of spirtual, mental, emotional and social well-being. Everything is interconnected.

The vegan raw food diet has been an incredible transformation in my life, making me feel light and wonderful. Yet, every now and again, I reach for toast.

I've asked the question - "What makes us resist?" Each time I come back to the same place - at some point I invited doubt in. And with doubt I disconnected from Source. Disconnection invites dischord, addiction and drama.

I share with you what I have learned - what has worked, what hasn't - and I invite you to join me in your own quest to live JOY FULLY in a Higher Way of life. We can succeed far more readily as a community than we can alone.

Below, you can find out more about me, personally and professionally as well as my coaching strategy. I look forward to hearing from you, and being a part of co-creating our future together.

Love and Peace,

Jo (Ann)

My Story

By conventional standards, I’ve made poor choices in my life.

They say I have a super high genius IQ. They must be wrong because I sighed my way through school. I once received a certificate of excellence. Typically, I lost it. No one believed me. Year after year, I barely made the 40% grade needed for a pass. It's astounding I completed at all.

In Grade 6, I earned the nickname 'Pig Pen.' I was a tomboy. My poor mother's reputation was in ruins. Despite her best efforts, I looked as if she bought me no clothes. I, of course, lost everything faster than she could afford to buy. I was untidy, unkempt and played in the mud. I didn't want to look pretty like all the other girls. I excelled neither at my academics nor in sports. I avoided debating teams, clubs and school representative councils.

University allowed my rebelliousness to breathe. No one seemed to care much about my comings or goings. I made it to honors class - barely attending academic lectures - without files or books. There are many students I have to thank, for lending me their best essays before exam time.

I didn't fare much better in my romantic relationships. My first real boyfriend helped to ensure I ended up in jail at 17. I fell in love with drug addicts, gangsters and womanizers. Mostly, I've made very little money in my life.

But change the rules of what determines success or failure and I could tell you a different story.

While students were to be found in classroom libraries, I played with snakes and baby wolves. Real lives ones you may ask? Yes, I did indeed. I rode my bicycle down the steepest of hills, with my eyes closed. I jumped off rooftops and pretended walls and trees were gymnastic beams and bars. I spent my weekends, with my mother's help, taming a horse deemed too wild. The world was ready to put him to sleep. With this horse I found myself in 1st, 2nd and 3rd places at show jumping tournaments.

Here I learned anything is possible. It's a miracle of something much greater than me that I never broke a bone.

When I ventured into Hillbrow, it wasn't because I was running. The streets fascinated me. In the red light district of Boks Street, I made Maxim's my home. I loved it. Befriending commercial sex workers opened up a secret world. Here I was taught to tell men old enough to be my father, "I'm not here for business." This is code for 'I don't sell sex.'

Here I learned kindness comes from everyone and the subtle ways of looking after myself in an unsafe world. I didn't feel unsafe. I felt invigorated. It's a miracle of something much greater than me that I lived to tell this tale.

During school, rather than stewing in Maths, I took my makeshift raft down the Jukskei River at flood time. Or on a hot summers day, I swam fully clothed in the bilharzias infested waters.

Here I learned to not fight currents, and that water is stronger than I could ever be.

I ventured at 3am to the dark corners of Bree Street taxi rank - to rescue a girl of 10 years, kidnapped and sold into a pornographic ring. I moved into a shelter for street children because the children in Braamfontein said they would go if I went. So I did – for 18 months.

Here I learned about my own courage and my capacity to serve.

My first job took me to the far corners, of what was then, one of the most rural areas in the country, on the southern border of Mozambique during the years of KZN violence. The closest bank was 2 ½ hours away. With my possessions in the back of a borrowed bakkie, I kept company with the sounds of Sibongile Khumalo on the six hour drive.

Here I learned to live without running water, and that if you sleep on the banks of a lake - a hippo is likely to sleep next to you. How was I to know?

In Asia, I arrived in Japan with less than R500 in my pocket. Hotel rooms cost a minimum of R1000.00. At the airport, a German man I didn't know battled to exchange Korean money for Japanese Yen. He was supposed to do it before he arrived. So I gave him R400 to pay for his Korean Visa. Between us we had R100.00. Enough to buy some rice.

If you're going to be homeless in a foreign land, an island is the perfect place. I walked ten kilometers to catch the ferry. I slept on the beach, in a wooden log cabin on stilts, thanks to the generosity of an old man. We stayed up until the early hours of the morning, with the sounds of a guitar strumming from a famous Japanese pop singer on retreat. I swam in the ocean at midnight.

Here, I learned about the gift of faith and giving. I learned sharks live in Japan too. It's miracle of something much greater than me that I had such a happy ending.

I spent some months as an 'uchi deshi' (a personal student) to a Karate Master, living in a dojo. Here I learned the art of practice and patience. I learned I'm never too old to change my life.

I've loved and lost, and known the greatest of heartaches. Here I learned that only I need to love me, and what it means to truly love another unconditionally.

I've danced and sung in front of thousands with a voice that croaks and a rhythm that forgets every third beat. I learned that you don't make a fool of yourself when you throw your whole heart into it.

I threw away a lifestyle of parties when it no longer suited me and delved into the quiet waters of stillness. This new adventure took me to Thailand where I meditated with 40,000 people for ten days nonstop.

Here I learned to follow my own whispers and not convention. I learned God is.

I've made beautiful friends and done some wonderfully, deliciously, stupid and excellent things. So yes, I've failed by conventional standards. But I've succeeded far more – on my own terms.

Copyright 2008

Proffesional Bio

She is the founder and director of Kalavati whose mission it is to teach people how to make healthy decisions that will allow for personal and global transformation.

Jo spent two years coaching with Raizcorp Business Prosperator under the mentorship of CEO, Allon Raiz (Young Global Leader 2008), studying the success building blocks of entrepreneurship. She wrote a column for Business Report called ‘Learn to Lead’, and has a virtual library of free resources that services over 90 countries.

Jo has worked with corporate, government, NGO’s, Cosatu, artists, prisons, schools and the public sector. She specializes in using yoga, theatre, martial arts, dance and music integrated with coaching and mind body fitness training.

She has her honours at Wits (BADA) specialized in using theatre for change and her Advanced Professional Mentoring and Coaching qualification through Unisa. She has completed her 200hour (RYT) international Yoga Alliance accredited course.

She has stood as a Mentor for The Market Photo Workshop, Women in Finance and The Mostert Scholarship Program. She is a member of the Coaching and Mentoring Association South Africa. She is currently studying to gain certification in Low Fat Raw Vegan Nutrition and is taking her Black Belt in Karate.

Jo's Approach & Methodologies

It is a future and solutions-focused approach rather than past-based blame and complaining focus. Yet it still takes the time for healing of past traumas and hurts to heal. It is process and community orientated which means the learning experiences themselves are of value. Where failure is understood to 'never' be a failure but rather a step forward. It encourages the exploration of the interconnection between all people, living things and the earth.

The approach asks people to change themselves first, parallel to being change agents within their families, workplaces, and communities.

The facilitator's role is to ask 'What' and 'How' rather than provide answers. The quality of the questions produces the quality of the answers. Participants are given a chance to analyse, identify, and source the cause of their 'problems' rather than focusing on the symptoms. They are encouraged to seek alternatives to the frustrating situations they may find themselves in, to seek their own ability to make change possible.

The process inspires authentic dialogue, which allows them to explore their needs and to dynamise the static situations in a safe environment. The question “How may I serve?” and “Everything is possible” are the underlying themes.I work with individuals, teams and communities.

For coaching testimonials please go to Testimonials

Qualifications

BA Dramatic Arts, Honours, Wits University, 2000:

• Media in Education

• Drama in Education

• Drama Therapy

• Theatre for Development

• Performing Arts Management, Labour Law in the Entertainment Industry

• Theatre & Film Script Writing

• Thesis: 'How to Make Your Work Work: Using drama to work with abused children.' Case study of children living at Streetwise Children's Shelter

• Other Subjects: Drama & Film II, Theatre Design II, Movement & Acting II, African Literature II, Sociology II: Law, Crime & Deviance, Zulu I, First Class Distinction

Short Courses

Level 1: 200hour (RYT) international accredited course, Shades of Yoga, 2011, Yoga Alliance Accredited. (www.yogaalliance.com)

Education vs. Dedication, The Institute of Regenerative Truth, Israel, 2010

Demartini Methodology, Orchid House, 2009

Coaching & Facilitation Refresher, Orchid House, 2009

Coaching & Mentoring, Women In Finance Mentorship Program, 2008

Sales Mastery University, SalesPartners Worldwide, 2008

Online Business Building, 2007 – Current, SBI

Coaching & Mentoring Standard Bank Program & UCT Leadership, Women In Finance Mentorship Program,2007

Sales & Authentic Leadership, SalesPartners Worldwide, 2007

Entrepreneurship 101, Raizcorp, 2007

Sales & Management for Entrepreneurs, Raizcorp, 2006

Landmark Advanced Course, Landmark Education, 2006

Landmark Forum, Landmark Education, 2006

Power of Love, Kairos Foundation, 2006

Investment in Excellence, Pacific Institute, 2005

Power of Relationship, Kairos Foundation, 2005

More to Life (Life Training), Kairos Foundation, 2005

Life Training SEE, Kairos Foundation, 2004

Deep Democracy for Facilitators II, Fieldwork, 2004

Deep Democracy, Working in Conflict, FieldWork, 2004

Leadership Development Program, Advanced Coaching for Southern African Coaches, UNDP, 2004

Leadership Development Program, Coaching for Southern African Coaches, UNDP, 2004

Process Psychology, in Conflict Management, Fieldwork & Portland University, 2004

Refresher Facilitation Course, Malitaba Development Consultancy, 2003

Introduction to Process Psychology, Fieldwork, 2003

Inner Child Therapy Dr Polanstinsky, 2003

Creative Arts in Education & Clowning for Change, Delia Meyer, 2003

Narrative Therapy, DramAidE, University of Zululand, 2000

Basic Craft Skills, DramAidE,University of Zululand, 2000

Memory Boxes and Grief Work, Malitaba Development Consultancy, 2000

HIV & General Counselling, Malitaba Development Consultancy, 1999Advanced Theatre of the Oppressed Techniques, Theatre for Development Projects, 1998

Evaluation & Research Methodology, Theatre for Development Projects, Dr Kevin Kelley, Rhodes University & Cadre, 1998

Theatre of the Oppressed Techniques (training by internationally recognised community practitioner Auguste Boal), NACTED, TTEDA, PAWE, SA & British Council) 1997

Methodologies in HIV/Education, DramAidE, University of Zululand, 1996

Aids Education & Training Course, ATTIC, Department of Health, 1996

STEP, Systematic Training for Effective Parenting, KidsHaven 1995