Then Gina explained that the second technology in the bracelet and their products is the far infrared. My quizzical look made her explain further, "Far infrared is the portion of the light spectrum that is emitted by the sun. Everything on earth absorbs this light as heat energy. It helps everything grow and is known as the wavelength of life that penetrates deep into tissues and joints. By using this technology, the FIR increases blood flow, breaks large water molecules into smaller ones which helps improv hydration, and reduces lactic acid in muscles that build up."

"So this would work well then for my mom who has arthritis."
"Yes. Infrared reduces inflammation. The technology was originally developed for NASA."

"Why did those astronauts have arthritis?" She was about to answer and realized I was joking. "Okay, Gina give me the lowdown on these negative ions. Do they go around all day saying..."Oh this will never work, life is so hard..." I smiled.

"Well negative ions, actually have very positive results. You see the negative ions serve several purposes. First they help purify and freshen the air. You know - the allergens like pollen, dust mites, animal dander, mold spores - all the things that people are allergic to that float in the air...well they have either a positive or neutral charge. The negative ions cause them to attract to each other like glue and cause clumps."

"Ah...the ole opposites attract theory?"
"Exactly. So these clumps become heavy, can't float and fall to the ground."
"Ah... the ole gravity theory." I smiled. (I was starting to sound like Get Smart.)
"Yes agent 99." She smiled and continued. "If they are in clumps on the ground they can be vacuumed up rather than floating in the air. You'll notice for example if you use an air filtration system in your house, that the dust you normally would see in the sunlight beams that come through your window are gone."

"Wow...we killed them!"
"Let's say you got rid of them."

"Oh man. So the negative ions are like hit men or rather vigilantes."

"Never heard it put that way, but yes."
I think at this point she didn't know what to make of me. So I put an upbeat swing on it. "So then does the fresh air in the country or forest have negative ions?"
"Yes, and that s why getting fresh air is one of the best forms of therapy to relieve stress."

"Wow, Gina...all I can say is I have renewed respect for this bracelet."
"Yes and these bracelets are special to me because they also help support autism, which has a special place in my heart."

"Okay, without sounding totally ignorant, I've heard of autism before but what exactly is it?"

"Autism is a complex brain disorder that often inhibits a person's ability to communicate or respond to their surroundings. It's also hard for them to form relationships with others. Doctors have known about autism now for a little over 50 years. It effects all races and ethnic backgrounds and often can be diagnosed by the age of two. They sad thing is that many kids with autism, because of the language impairment and the way it effects relationships, will never be able to tell their parents that they love them."

"Wow, that's rough. Do they know what causes it?"
"Unfortunately, the cause is unknown and there is no specific treatment or cure. The disease is diagnosed just through observation because there is no blood test or scan that they can do to detect it. The problem is, it is one of the lowest funded areas of medical research in both the public and private sector...so I figured that I would do what I can by having some of the profits of this disease go
to the Autism Speaks foundation to help out".
"Gina, that truly is wonderful."

I left Gina and we agreed that I would help spread the word about the bracelet and autism and she in turn would teach me more about this technology and help me heal my shoulder.

A week later, I had a "session" at Gina's home office in Port Washington.
We went into a room which had a nice aroma and a rollout mattress with contained all the technology we spoke about at the expo.

Gina gave me this kinesology test which showed my balance and strength. We were going to do a before and after comparison. I was strong but easily unbalanced (we are talking physical here not mental )

After the test, I laid face down on the rollout. Gina had this soft foreign music playing and she used this magcreator which is rolled up and down around the spine in a certain pattern to align me. All I know is it felt great. I can't say I felt my magnets being aligned...but I was relaxed.

At one point I looked up and noticed there was a statue of Mother Mary in the room. I have a special connection to her and was surprised to see she was supervising my session here in Port Washington. I commented to Gina about the statue. She said, "Yes, this one is actually known as a traveling Virgin Mary. She's from Italy."

I didn't know they had such things, but I was sure glad she decided to stop in at Gina's house. (Hey she could have chosen a Marriott instead.)

Gina continued telling me about the different technologies and in the middle of her talk I said, "Wait...you hear that? Is that Silent Night being sung in another language?"

We both listened. She said, "Wow, I never noticed it but I think that is. It's Enya and I think she's singing in Celtic." I looked up and for a second I thought I saw Mother Mary give me a wink--but then I realized it was probably the sunlight bouncing off her face.

We did a few more minutes of back alignment and then I was asked to turn over. A magnetic mask was placed on my eyes, and I was covered in a magnetic comforter. It was very relaxing. I wanted to peak to see if Mother Mary approved but decided against it. After a few minutes I was asked to turn on my right side to allow my blood pressure to adjust. I was told to get up when ready.

For this energy filled girl...I just wanted to stay and relax more, but I realized I was in someone's house and I should see what else my body was going to experience. Once up, we did the kinesolgy test again. To my surprise I was more balanced. I certainly wish I knew about this stuff when I was taking martial arts.

After my balance test I was escorted to another room where I was given this Pi Mag water to drink. The name threw me off, "We are not going to be doing math calculations now are we?"

"No, no math Fran. This portable Pi Mag Water system transforms standard drinking water into high-energy water with coral calcium in it. There is an actual stream in Japan that has pi water, where this water of life was discovered." She went into something else about magnetic fields, but I zoned out. The water tasted good, and I just wanted to enjoy it. Then I asked her, "Why is it that everytime after a massage they want you to drink water?"

"That's simple. During a massage toxins are released into your bloodstream. This can be disagreeable a few hours after the massage. If you drink water it will flush the toxins out of your system".

"And I bet this Pi stuff is the ultimate scrubber of toxins."
"Yes."
"Okay, let me ask you, I heard as a general rule you should drink half your body weight of water in ounces to keep a healthy body. Seems like a lot."

"Not really, Our bodies are made mostly of water...water is our highest energy food and has 0 calories...it's a good thing to drink it to sustain good health."

"Okay, that makes sense. I guess I'm going to have to drink near a bathroom. So Gina, what's next on the agenda?"

"Sit on the couch. I want you to sit next to this Airwellness Power system".
"Is this the negative ion thing?"
"Yes it is." She smiled.
"Hey I catch on quick."
"Okay, put your feet on this body energizer. It has six spinning magnets that create a magnetic field of energy that begin at the bottom of your feet and go up through your body. Also six magnets hit points on your soles that correspond to organs in the body."
"Wow, that's just like reflexology."
"Very good Fran."

Boy if I was getting graded on this, I think I'd at least get an 80.

Our session came to a close with Gina showing me some other Nikken vitamin products and by telling me that the philosophy of the company is healthy mind, body, family, finance and society...based on rest, relaxation, environment, fitness and nutrition. She told me the company has a 5A rating with Dun and Bradstreet
(Which I assume is good or she wouldn't have told me).

We ended when her kids came home and I did my fast-talking three little pigs demonstration for them. We agreed to stay in touch and I promised I'd report to her in a week on how I felt.

Ironically, when I got home, I had two weird things happen. First I got a call from a booker asking me if I wanted to do my stand up comedy for an autism fundraiser at the Broadway Comedy Club in Manhattan for an organization called, FACE. Second, I got an email from my good friend, Ellen Ornato asking me if I wanted to either donate money or join a walk on June 10th in Connecticut to help raise funds for research. The organization...Autism Speaks.
Of course I said "Yes" to both and told Gina about them. Apparently all this magnetic force was drawing me to help Autism.

Amazed at the coincidences, I walked into my living room, spun the tri-phase sports bracelet around and stared at my shelf. There was the statue of Mother Mary I had just purchased. I looked at her and smiled. I turned to walk away but quickly turned back again because I thought I saw another quick glimmer in her eye...of course I realized it was just the sun...or was it?

Note: To find out more about Nikken products or the tri-phase sport bracelet that donates to autism email: Gina at gcperretti@yahoo.com To find out about Autism speaks go to: www.autismspeaks.org To find out about Autism Speak's walk on June 10th go to: www.autismwalk.org
You can either donate under Ellen Ornato or walk yourself.

To find out about Face write to:
Face Autism
335 Buckalew Road
Freehold, NJ 07728

Please tell them Fran sent you and that I'm spreading the word.