IT was a health problem that originally lured British-born Denise Gurney - wife of Bermuda's Deputy Governor Tim Gurney - to her calling as a teacher and practitioner of kinesiology.

Mr. and Mrs. Gurney have made their home in Bermuda since October 1998. But they have lived in such diverse places as London, New York, Dublin, Montreal, Karachi (Pakistan) and Istanbul (Turkey). They will be leaving Bermuda in May or June of next year for an as-yet-undetermined locale. The couple have two teenage children.

Mrs. Gurney, a former chartered librarian and energy medicine sceptic, was living in Accra, Ghana in 1989, when she happened upon the modality that changed her life. This week, reporter TRICIA HILL and photographer ARTHUR BEAN spoke with Mrs. Gurney about her life's passion.

Q: First of all, what is kinesiology?

A: Kinesiology is a form of energy medicine that uses muscles to show what is out of balance with the body. A person's muscles will tell us (as practitioners) what to do and how to correct the imbalance. You don't have to be an expert on a client's condition because their muscles tell us what to do.

Q: When did you first discover kinesiology?

A: I started kinesiology about 12 or 13 years ago because of my own health problems with asthma and I knew as soon as I experienced it that this is what I wanted to do. I had actually endured asthma for many years prior to living in Ghana, but while there, I met a kinesiologist from Holland, who was teaching some of the villagers.

At first, I was really sceptical about trying it. But my husband said, "Well what have you got to lose?" and I didn't have an answer for that. So I said okay. And it has made an astounding difference.

Q: Did you find that your asthma went away?

A: Yes, after three weeks, the symptoms were greatly reduced.

Q: What prompted you to get trained in the modality?

A: My husband is a diplomat so we move around the world every three or four years, which is pretty stressful sometimes. It's exciting and I love it, but it's challenging and it makes having a career fairly difficult.

I thought with kinesiology, I had found something I could do in each place and I could feel useful and helpful. And, of course, it was mobile so I didn't have to be locked into anything. I felt kinesiology was the perfect career and I felt so passionate about it.

I never found that passion in library studies although the two disciplines are similar in that they both help people find a solution. I think it's important to feel helpful and successful.

Q: How do you help people? Do you treat them for physical pain, emotional pain and issues or both?

A: What's the difference . . . emotional pain, physical pain. It's all related. It's all in the body somewhere so it doesn't matter what approach you take. But everybody is an individual. So even those that have the same complaint will have a completely different way of sorting themselves out.

Q: Do you practise on a full-time basis?

A: No, I do not practise full time . . . it would be too demanding. I need to take care of myself. And I find my main focus is teaching here in Bermuda - whether it's on a one-to-one level or to a small class.

So, on average, I practise about three days a week. But it really depends. I have some clients that come to see me three or four times or every few months and some that only come once or twice.

Q: Is kinesiology covered by insurance in Bermuda?

A: No. I've tried to change that, but the insurance companies don't really understand what I'm doing. In other countries such as the UK and the US, kinesiology may be covered depending on the insurance policy

Q: How many people are you training in Bermuda and how long does it take?

A: It takes about four years to become fully trained. I'm a senior faculty member at the International College of Professional Kinesiology Practice (ICPKP), which is a world-wide training system of a really high standard, based in New Zealand. And I teach people in Bermuda though this college.

I have four people that will be fully qualified just around the time that I leave the island next year (mid- 2003). In fact, they are already trained to practise now. I also have three junior students who will be able to practise at the end of the year, but they will not be able to finish up the entire course before I leave.

They can, however, go overseas to continue should they choose to. Or they can use what they have learned in their current vocations. All three of them have different areas of expertise one with children, one with animals and the other with nutrition so they can use what they have learned and apply it to those areas.

Q: Do you work with or subscribe to any other modalities?

A: Yes, of course. They all work provided you are in the right state of consciousness. I enjoy reiki, chiropractic, reflexology and acupunture. Apart from kinesiology, I would say my favourites are chiropractic and acupuncture.

I can't do kinesiology on myself, but I get kinesiology balances from my students - that's how I know they are good! I also take a lot of nutritional supplements, or more specifically, organic whole food substances.

Q: I know you tend to move around the world every few years. Do you also travel often in between moves?

A: Yes. This year, for instance, I went to New Zealand for a research workshop where I made quite a few presentations. They were very well received so I was really proud of that. And in May, I went to Alberquerque, New Mexico for the Science and Consciousness Conference, which was very useful. I usually go to a kinesiology conference, but there wasn't a good one being offered this year. I am always furthering my learning and training, which is really important. My interest is in cutting-edge, new developments that does not involve medication. Things that can shift a person's biology.

Q: Are you planning to attend or speak at any other upcoming conferences or workshops?

A: Yes, in fact I'm going to be a speaker at the Women in Public Life conference being held here in October. It is being organised by the Bermuda Government.

Q: As the wife of the Deputy Governor, you obviously mix with a lot of top business people and politicians. What kind of response do you get from them regarding your field of work?

A: Well, I think there is so much of it (alternative medicine) around these days that people are more open to it. There is reiki and reflexology and so many other alternative medicines that it makes it easier for people to understand.

I can soon tell if people are interested so I won't launch into it unless I'm asked. But I do find that people are interested in what I do. I have passed the preaching phase or the convert stage. But, of course, I am still full of excitement about it.

Q: How do you relax? What are your hobbies or other interests?

A: I love to read. I love movies - I'm an avid movie fan. And my husband and I like to go boating. I also spend a lot of time on the computer. The course I teach is based in New Zealand so I have to go online and download a lot of materials and things as do my students.

While a lot of that is work and not relaxing as such, I love to write papers and research. It's just fun. I also use my dreams a lot for inspiration and guidance. If I'm thinking something through, I'll sleep on it rather than make a rash decision and my subconscious helps me sort things out.

Q: How would you describe your lifestyle? Do you lead a healthy life?

A: Well, I'm aiming for balance all the time. I don't exercise as much as I should. But I find the climate here pretty challenging. I still have some asthma and the humidity and mildew is not so good for me. I do better in a drier climate. But I do take care of myself. I drink a lot of water, I eat well, I take food supplements and, of course, I get balances.

Q: How would you respond to someone who doesn't believe in what you do?

A: It depends on the person. I try to speak in the language that they'll understand. If they are into computers, I'll speak in digital terms. If I'm speaking with a mechanic, I'll relate it to a car. But if they don't want to believe in it, that's okay. They don't have to believe it. And I suppose the only way for them to understand is for them to try it.

Q: But will kinesiology still work if a person does not have faith in it?

A: Absolutely. Whether a person believes in it or not does not matter. As long as they are in the correct state of consciousness, it will work. If one's body is in the wrong state, kinesiology will not work, but nor will anything else. It's about timing. But most people will come to me when their body is in the right state. Your body knows.

Q: Do you feel you have a made a difference here in Bermuda with your teaching and your practice? Have you made an impact?

A: Yes, I feel that I have raised the profile on kinesiology in Bermuda. And I think that's partly because I have a higher profile due to the fact that my husband is the Deputy Governor. So people take me seriously.

I guess you could say that I have street credibility. I definitely feel that my time here has made a difference and that was my hope and intention when I came to Bermuda. I certainly haven't changed the world. But in my small corner, I hope I've made a difference.

Kinesiology is a tool which allows you to enhance your performace in every aspect of your life. For more information on kinesiology, check out www.icpkp.com