Today is December 6 and we are receiving a beautiful snowfall. There are several inches on the ground and it is still falling.

If you're still wondering what to buy for that person who has everything, why not think about a gift certificate from Healthy Connections. We have a lot of options available. Please call us for a custom made gift certificate.

Since my last post a lot has changed in Healthy Connections.

1. Nikki Thies is now teaching Yoga classes a couple of times a week. Her students are giving her nothing but the highest praise. Nikki can be reached at 515-865-3950 or e-mail at nikki_thies207@hotmail.com.

2. In October I got certified to teach BodyTalk Access classes. To learn more about BodyTalk Access please visit http://www.bodytalkaccess.com. My next scheduled class is set for January 19, 2008.

3. I am also offering Life Coaching sessions. The methods used for clearing blocks are very simple and very effective. Any aspect of life can potentially be affected to bring about the desired changes and goals. If there is any area of life that has a negative or unpleasant feeling, it can be shifted. The methods used are designed to empower you, the client, with the inner strength, wisdom and happiness to guide you through life with greater enjoyment, fulfillment and overall success. To that end, a commitment is usually required. Clients should expect to reevaluate the success of this work on a monthly basis and be willing and eager to attend an average of 4 one-hour sessions per month. These methods are extremely powerful and results do come very quickly and often immediately.

4. Healthy Connections is also offering free weekly Sedona Method/Release Technique classes. If you are interested please call Norm or Fonda at 267-9184. Or you can use the "contact us" page of this web site.

5. Norm has also joined Healthy Connections. His bio should be posted soon. He is helping keep things organized and coordinating classes.

I wish you all the very best.

Namaste,
Fonda

Restful sleep provides the foundation for your mental and physical well being.
After a day of stimulating activity your body is ready for and needs deep sleep. We recommend a minimum of 6-8 hours of restful sleep each night for maximum rejuvenation. Hours of sleep before midnight are generally the most rejuvenating. Therefore, if you are sleeping eight hours between ten P.M. and six A.M., you will feel more rested than if you slept eight hours between midnight and eight A.M.

To promote restful sleep, try the following routine:
***Eat a relatively light dinner.
***Take a leisurely stroll after dinner.
***To the extent possible, minimize exciting, aggravating, or mentally intensive activities after 8:30 P.M.
***About an hour before bedtime, run a hot bath into which you place a few drops of relaxing oil into the tub
***Diffuse relaxing aromas in your bedroom.
***As your bath is running, perform a slow self-administered oil massage and then soak in the warm tub for ten to fifteen minutes
***While soaking, have the lights low or burn a candle, and listen to soothing music.
***After your bath, drink a cup of warm relaxing herbal tea.
***If your mind is very active, journal for a few minutes before bed, "downloading" some of your thoughts and concerns so you don't need to ruminate about them when you shut your eyes.
***Read inspirational or soothing literature for a few minutes before bed. Avoid dramatic novels or distressing reading material.
***Do not watch television or do any work in bed.
***Once in bed, close your eyes and simply "feel your body" -- this means focus on your body and wherever you notice tension, consciously relax that area.
***Then, simply watch your slow easy breathing until you fall asleep.

To learn more go to http://www.chopra.com/3.html

Fighting crowds while shopping for presents you're not even sure your friends and family will like can quickly strip the fun from your holiday season. Consider, then, the perfect gift: a massage. This versatile option allows you to spend just the right amount: purchase a modest certificate the recipient can use toward a service, buy a series of sessions, or opt for an amount in between. You can also tailor the type of bodywork. Would your recipient like a 15-minute chair massage, a 60-minute Swedish massage, or perhaps a BodyTalk session? Give us a call at 515-267-9184 and we can make just the right gift certificate for you.

Massage is the gift of soothing and healing relaxation. In a world where stress is a prevalent health problem, massage can transport the gift recipient to a place of incredible calmness and well-being. Consequently, you are oftentimes thanked twice -- once when the person receives the certificate and again after the recipient basks in the massage.

UPCOMING CLASSES:

On January 20 we are planning a BodyTalk Access class taught by Dr. Jon Estrin. This is a one day class that is available to the lay person for their own personal use. To find out more about BodyTalk Access and to register for this class, check out the web site http://www.bodytalkaccess.com

In May we will be hosting a Module 1/2 Advanced Practical with Jeff Goodman instructing. For more information check out the BodyTalk web site: http://www.bodytalksystem.comand again visit the seminars and training page.