Antiguan Ted Emanuel’s belief in the ability of the body to heal itself has been welcomed by many in his beloved adopted home, Jamaica.
“Look for the golden wall,” he’d said and there it was at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in Stony Hill. The sign out side was simple: Emanuel. I pushed the gate and stepped in and his voice rang out “Welcome! Come! Come in!”
At first sight, Ted Emanuel, the Antigua- born, self- taught naturopathic physician is a glowing testament to the benefits of his macrobiotic approach to wellness. His skin is mostly flawless, his eyes sparkle, his posture open and erect and his step is light and purposely. As we talk, his energy and passion for his work seem palpable.
First there was a tour of his beloved garden which is filled with laden fruit trees and his own sculptures.”We need to re align ourselves with our God-given environment,” he enthuses as he proudly points out his noni tree and a sculpture created after a trip to China.
It really isn’t hard to imagine Emanuel at home in any country, his message and mission to create wellness and improve health seems universal, but he says when he found this place in the hills above Kingston, he knew he was home. “It just felt right!”
There is no doubt that this is a man who is happy in his home which is also the wellness centre where he treats patients and clients for a wide range of ailments and disorders. Indeed Emanuel, with seemingly no hint of hubris, makes the astounding claim he is certain that it is possible to overcome any disease or condition with the correct balance of diet, vitamin and herb therapy, exercise and rest. And he offers the testaments of patients he has helped from the ravages of cancers, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
“It is holistic and optimistic, empowering message to build a stronger better society. If we don’t develop mind, body and spirit, the inner strength will not emerge. You know nowadays, a lot of babies are born looking old because of the ill health of the mother. So I especially focus on women’s health issues. Our Women must know that they are special. The mother must be pure in body, mind and soul in order for her to produce kings and queens all over again.”
Thus begins the forceful philosophy of Ted Emanuel who in many ways has come a long way from his impoverished childhood on Antigua and yet remains fondly connected to his roots. As the youngest of eight siblings, it fell to him to care for his invalid mother while the older children picked cotton to support the family. It was his duty to select and prepare herbal remedies to assist her recovery from a debilitating paralysis. “I lived to see my mother walk and even run. That’s how I started. And now I know my mission is to educate; to open the eyes of the people.”
In the 1960’s, Emanuel, who had been working as a barber in Antigua, travelled to the United States to pursue cosmetology studies. He particularly focused on the use of natural products in cosmetic preparations but also began to develop his interest in wellness treatments. In pursuit of further knowledge, he travelled widely, apprenticing himself with healers he considers to be great masters. And thus he developed his knowledge and skills as a naturopathic physician. (Naturopathy is based on the premise that through wholly natural, non invasive and non injurious means, such as diet modification, stress reduction and sufficient rest, the human body can be allowed to heal it.)
For people steeped in the ways of orthodox Western medicine it might seem Emanuel’s claims are extreme but his passion and conviction are undeniable and convincing , and he has developed a loyal following. He stresses, however, he does not want to be called a guru or even a healer, but rather asserts the ability of the human body to heal itself.
“But we go so far away from that, we get so out of balance. Coming back to balance so key,” he stresses. “That is what we have to do here. We get the individual to learn to help/herself so the healing process can occur naturally. And then, the sky is the limit! I really believe that.”
In pursuit of balance and good health the services Emanuel offers are many and varied. The range include facial treatments and biological face lifting; shiatsu massage; reflexology, magnetic therapy, stress/tension management and corrective nutritional counselling.
Emanuel’s passion for his work is matched by his love for his adopted home. He first visited Jamaica in 1995 and contrary to one of the pillars of his advice on healthy lifestyle – sufficient rest – he spent his vacation discussing health and wellness issues on almost every radio talk-show on the air. On his return to Antigua, he received hundreds of letters from people seeking advice and assistance and he quickly decided to return and settle in Jamaica.
His commitment to educate people to improve health and quality of life led him to also become involved with the Sandals chain of resorts where he currently offers his services free to the employees in the form of seminars to increase productivity by promoting wellness.
“Good Health increases productivity and reduces absenteeism. Our guests deserve the best service,” he says.
Leo Lambert, Director of corporate Communications at Sandals Resort International, agrees and gives a resounding endorsement of Emanuel’s promotion of healthy eating and living. “Our team members have responded favourably ” Lambert enthuses and add details of team members who have managed to lose weight and even in one case, overcome infertility after following Emanuel’s diet and lifestyle programme.
At the Sandals resorts, Emanuel also intends to introduce his safe tanning workshops to help protect visitors all too frequently returning home with painful and health-threatening sunburns.
Emanuel’s energies and ideas seem limitless. As our time draws to a close he accepts a phone call to organize a trip to the island outpost mountain resort, Strawberry hill, which will be the primary location for his upcoming local television series To Your Health, a series of educational health and wellness programs. The series will also be filmed in other locations island wide” to promote Jamaica because it’s simply the best place to do a wellness program!” He laughs and lest Jamaica’s neighbours feel left out of the love, he quickly adds he finds beauty in all the Caribbean islands, but for him Jamaica is his root. “This is where my heart is and I’m not leaving!”
I leave him, smiling and certain, standing in front of the golden wall. And the sign reads: Emanuel.
Air Jamaica, SkyWritings Magazine Article (Nov.-Dec. 2004)
Written By: Judy Angell Marks
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Ted Emanuel Wellness /Solutions 