Positive Living Training
Positive Living is a 3 to 5-day training, depending upon the needs of the participants: For Corporate Wellness, the training is 3 days in length; For trainings where additional modules (e.g., Home Gardens) are included, the training is 5 days in duration.
During the training, the delegate will receive the following key learnings:
 1. Health Motivation: My Future Dream
People are motivated either towards something they desire, or away from something they fear. Fear motivation is strong, but weakens over time. Creating a strong motivation towards a desirable future is a more permanent method to motivate people in all aspects of health. Delegates will learn a specific method entitled ‘My Future Dream’ that enables them to facilitate creating a compelling future. This in turn promotes health-seeking behaviours such as treatment compliance, VCT attendance, and engaging in healthier lifestyle choices.
2. Healthy Mind
Based upon mind-body (psychoneuroimmunology / PNI) research and studies of the psychological profile of long-term survivors of cancer and HIV. The nature of the connection between chronic psychological coping styles and changes in hormone levels, and immune changes. Methods to change such chronic aspects of coping: Safe methods of expressing emotions; Dialogue with the virus; Confronting fears. The difference between denial positive thinking and realistic positive thinking.
3. Healthy Soul
A non-religious examination of forgiveness and prayer: What is it, and how exactly do you do it? Forgiving the person who infected you.
 4. HIV and the immune system: How it really works
· An overview of the various parts of the immune system, and how each part contributes towards health. This includes the non-specific, humoral, cellular, and innate immunity.
· How exactly a person gets infected. Latest research on langerhans cells and circumcision.
· Why HIV spreads much faster in Africa, versus Europe and the USA: Concurrent relationships, viral load and the Window Period.
· Why TB and other co-infections accelerates HIV infection.
 4. Stay Warm
Germs dislike heat, while the immune system becomes more active with a warmer body. How to ensure your body temperature is normal (37 degrees Celsius): Exercise, specific foods, rest, energy foods, calcium.
5. Healthy Body: Food & water security (not included in Corporate trainings)
· A regular supply of food is critical to health. It is also a fundamental requirement for ARV treatment. A method to grow food in almost any climate and situation is described.
· More people die from stomach problems than any other disease. Access to clean water is critical. Methods to clean water.
6. Healthy Body: Nutritional Security
· A simple explanation of the basics of a balanced diet. Does a person living with HIV eat the same food as someone who doesn’t have HIV?
· Foods to avoid if you live with HIV.
· Interactions between specific foods (e.g, garlic) and drinks and ARVs.
7. Healthy Body: Immune-focused nutrition
· A practical examination of the key nutrients (e.g., selenium, beta-carotene, zinc, and Vit B12) that have been shown to affect immune function in those living with HIV. Two options are provided: Supplements (including dosages), or food sources.
· Selenium is the top priority, and has been found to support ARV treatment. Local sources are discussed, and methods to extract it from aloe juice demonstrated.
· Local foods – such as imbuya (amaranth) – are highlighted due to their high nutrient contents.
8. Healthy Stomach
The focus is upon preventing and treating diarrhoea, as well as dealing with Wasting Syndrome. Deworming (pills and/or foods) are discussed, as well as the role of refined sugar in promoting fungal growth (e.g., thrush/candidiasis).
9. Home Remedies
This module has two sections: Immune-balancing herbs (e.g., African Potato and Sutherlandia), and plants and substances found in the home that can be used to treat non-life-threatening conditions, such as upset stomachs, skin conditions, and sore throats. Interactions between ARVs and specific herbs are explained.
10. Q&A
Each day’s session commences with an open Q&A forum, where delegates can ask anything related to HIV and other health matters. Typically, these forums discuss the details of PMTCT and the AFASS method, and a range of infection and prevention issues.
11. Follow-up
All delegates are provided with email and telephone contact details of the facilitators. They may contact them at any time in the future for information and support.
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