New Dubai academy teaches skills to better your work and home life


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DUBAI // Changing the way we think and act by 'reprogramming' our brains can help us achieve our goals, experts claim, whether we are an athlete, executive or a busy mum.

Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), a form of life coaching, involves a set of techniques to alter unwanted patterns of behaviour.

An academy specialising in the discipline opened in Dubai this month and aims to help residents from many walks of life.

Business-focused coaching will be a key part of the UAE NLP Academy, said its founder, John Hannah.

"Communication and the ability to influence and motivate staff are key tools to business development," he said.

"Helping staff become more confident at, for example, public speaking or running meetings all adds up to the free flow of work and who is able to conduct it effectively.

"Increasing a person's skill set, improving performance and removing stressors will allow the employee to better work with clients and colleagues."

These skills can also transfer to your personal life, Mr Hannah says, and NLP can assist with a variety of issues, from insomnia and anxiety to eating disorders.

Malin Blomdahl Lenner, 28, a personal trainer at Smart Fitness in Dubai, is training for a physique competition in the UK.

She first came across Mr Hannah about two years ago, when she was in an abusive relationship.

"I started being coached by John and realised the relationship was holding me back in life," she said.

"He helped me to rebuild my confidence and get out of the relationship."

Ms Lenner said the practical approach to NLP, different to psychological counselling, allowed her to focus on her obstacles and quickly find solutions to address them.

"Working with my subconscious through exercises and games to train the mind to take on new neurological behaviours means you act differently in the situations you want to change or leave," she said.

Ms Lenner now hopes to train to become an NLP coach.

Sarah Brooks, 39, has worked with Mr Hannah to overcome anxiety attacks. A member of the Abu Dhabi 4x4 off-road driving club, she was feeling anxious during difficult driving situations, which made her more aggressive at work and in her personal life.

Mr Hannah used visualisation techniques with her, helping to reprogramme her mind when in stressful situations. Now, instead of being asked to leave the driving club, she has been promoted.

"This was my hobby every weekend and I didn't know how to react in difficult situations," she said. "It has affected the rest of my life now. It seemed such a small activity but gave me such a quick and huge reward."

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1. Mathieu van der Poel (NED) Alpecin-Fenix - 3:45:47

2. David Dekker (NED) Jumbo-Visma - same time

3. Michael Morkov (DEN) Deceuninck-QuickStep   

4. Emils Liepins (LAT) Trek-Segafredo

5. Elia Viviani (ITA) Cofidis

6. Tadej Pogacar (SLO UAE Team Emirates

7. Anthony Roux (FRA) Groupama-FDJ

8. Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:00:03

9. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep         

10. Fausto Masnada (ITA) Deceuninck-QuickStep

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

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'Operation Mincemeat' 

Director: John Madden 

 

Cast: Colin Firth, Matthew Macfayden, Kelly Macdonald and Penelope Wilton

 

Rating: 4/5

 
MATCH INFO

Sheffield United 0 Wolves 2 (Jimenez 3', Saiss 6)

Man of the Match Romain Saiss (Wolves)

The biog

Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia

Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins

Favourite dish: Grilled fish

Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.

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The burning issue

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Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE