Angelica Whitecliff
angelika@eq4couples.com
[Kealakekua, Hawaii] Swimming with dolphins
improves emotional intelligence by developing an individual’s
capacity for ‘biophilia’ - the ability to
love life and connect with nature. Increases in emotional
intelligence - the ability to become aware of, to manage,
to integrate emotions, and capacities such as biophilia
- lead to improved communications and interactions with
others in social settings. Swimming with dolphins therefore
helps individuals develop capacities for resolving interpersonal
conflicts. So claims an international expert in conflict
resolution who has taught at prestigious universities
in the United States and Australia.
Dr Michael Salla has taught and researched
at the Australian National University (1994-1996), American
University in Washington DC (1996-2004), and George Washington
University (2002). His specialty was conflict resolution
and his field research took him off to brave the dangers
of ethnic conflicts in East Timor, Sri Lanka and Kosovo.
During his research he discovered that emotional intelligence
was critical for harmonious communications and interactions,
and is a critical tool in conflict resolution.
After moving to Hawaii in 2004 and directly
interacting with wild spinner dolphins, he began experiencing
at first hand how dolphins directly influence human behaviors
and impact on emotional intelligence. Citing from a November
2005 scientific study published in the British Medical
Journal, he argues that there is a clear correlation between
emotional intelligence and dolphin interaction. He argues
that the British study factually establishes that dolphin
interactions develop ‘biophilia’ which is
an emotional capacity as opposed to a temporary state
of euphoria. So rather than just producing a temporary
emotional high, dolphin interaction actually develops
a key emotional capacity that is a part of emotional intelligence.
He claims that his research can assist
individuals develop more harmonious social relationships
and he has begun offering seminars and retreats in Hawaii
offering dolphin interactions. He believes that his seminars/retreats
will help couples in particular develop more harmonious
relationships and improve emotional intelligence of participating
individuals.
Dr Salla has released a series of articles
studying the relationship between emotional intelligence
and dolphin interactions. His website features his and
others research on dolphin interactions developing various
aspects of emotional intelligence, and is available at:
http://eq4couples.com/articles.htm
For further information on his seminars
and retreats for couples in Hawaii go to: www.eq4couples.com
