New Day Yoga & Wellness, LLC, Opens In Chippewa Falls
You will notice a special ambiance when you ?rst step into this peaceful, comfortable, and relaxing studio. You will hear the gentle sound of trickling water walls coming from the yoga room. Once inside, you will ?nd The Great Yoga Wall, a premier feature in today’s yoga world, that allows for inquisitive novices to experience deep yoga stretches and even go safely into complete inversions.
New Day has four certi?ed, experienced instructors who are very knowledgeable and who love what they do. There are also two massage therapists onsite, specializing in deep tissue, relaxation, and hot stone massage therapy. Studio owner, Linda Foster, RYT500, who has been teaching in the Chippewa Valley since 2007, and most recently worked at Gold’s Gym and the Chippewa Valley YMCA notes, “Our approach is that yoga should be accessible for everyone. We offer all levels, from beginner to advanced. Our goal at New Day is to provide an environment and experience that empower our students to strengthen and become more ?t, to feel better, to relax, and to enjoy life.”
Yoga increases overall ?tness and is a powerful tool for conquering stress. The workshops at New Day are unique, encompassing a holistic approach to wellness and partnering with other health professionals. The Elijah Project, currently at New Day, is a group-therapy-oriented series of workshops designed by Andrea Polnaszek, LCSW, to help you re?ect, relax, and rest. You will come to a better understanding of who you are from a Christian perspective as you explore the depths of God’s love and provision for you, using faith, therapy, and yoga. You will also learn to live more comfortably “in your own skin” as you deepen your understanding of your own mind-body connection through breath work and simple stretches.
Check out newdayyogawellness.com for more information.
Namaste!
Puckabee’s, Eau Claire’s Eco-Friendly Pet Salon, Turns One!
In January 2012, something big happened in downtown Eau Claire. The very first eco-friendly dog and cat salon, Puckabee’s, was born. To some, this may not seem like a big leap forward; most pet owners may not even realize what a difference eco-friendly products and a relaxing, chemical-free environment can make for their pets. Fortunately, for all the dogs and cats in the Chippewa Valley, there is one person who does.
In the fall of 2010, Melissa Kullman (who has been pet grooming for over twelve years in Eau Claire) knew that a change needed to be made to provide a safe grooming place for our dogs and cats—and that she was just the person to do it. Melissa says, “Reducing carbon ‘paw prints’ is a priority for me. When I first had the idea of an eco-friendly salon, I took a scrupulous look at all the changes that would need to be made, and did it. All the small things really add up to a big difference for both the animals and the earth.”
Melissa notes that the list of changes was long but important. All of the products that are used on the dogs and cats are chemical free, biodegradable, plant based, locally made, and of course not tested on animals. As for the rest of the shop, Melissa replies, “If it’s not green, it doesn’t come in. I really want to make a difference: recycled paper products, eco-friendly floor cleaner, glass cleaner, hand soap, laundry soap, no bleaches or artificial air fresheners. We reduce, reuse, recycle, and buy local.” Besides being the responsible thing to do for the environment, Melissa knows that all the dogs and cats appreciate her dedication as well.
“Most people don’t think of all the toxins their dogs and cats encounter in a day. Dogs always have their nose to the ground (and in everything else). It’s their nature. They’re sniffing up all those harmful toxins from detergents, fabric sheets, household cleaners, room sprays, lawn fertilizers, you name it. And because they’re closer to the ground, they’re getting a higher dose of toxins than we do. Not to mention all the toxins that are picked up on their paws and licked off. Think of the licking that your dog or cat does in a day. Scary. It’s important that I provide a truly clean place that’s safe and non-toxic.”
Besides being free of chemicals, and reducing the carbon paw print (as Melissa puts it), one might wonder what else goes into making Puckabee’s an eco haven. Melissa says that it’s simple. “Make it a home away from home. Don’t make them spend their day cooped up in a poorly lit room. Make them comfortable. I treat each pet as if it were my own.” When the dogs and cats are content and feel safe, they are less stressed and the grooming experience becomes a positive one. Since each dog or cat is different, Melissa knows that many pets have their unique challenges. Whether it’s a unique or giant breed, the timid, difficult to handle, those with health problems, or the slow to trust, Puckabee’s is the place to have your pet treated as an individual with patience and respect.
Take a quick walk through the salon and you’ll see that the dogs and cats don’t mind spending the day at Puckabee’s one bit. Each pet gets its own suite where it gets to relax before and after its haircut or grooming session, complete with a cot, pillow, and its own window. The pets love being able to watch Melissa work, see people coming and going, and watching all the outside action that Barstow Street has to offer. Within just a few moments of being in Puckabee’s, you see the difference. Melissa’s interest in green living and passion for animals is apparent.
Puckabee’s is located at 24 S. Barstow Street in Downtown Eau Claire. For more information including hours, services, and pricing, please call (715)514-1003 or visit www.puckabees.com.
Thrive with Massage Therapy and Healing Touch!
Two years ago, I had never had a massage. Then, over the Christmas holidays, my sister and sister-in-law coaxed me—after I protested at first that it “wasn’t my thing”—to go with them to get a massage. I thought it would be relaxing, of course, but I was not expecting it to be so revitalizing, giving me a new connection and appreciation of the body while at the same time transcending the body—both a physical and a meditative experience. That one massage impressed me so much that I decided to become a massage therapist.
During my massage therapy schooling, I also studied Healing Touch, an energy healing therapy that uses gentle touch or hand movements near the body, to relieve pain, calm the emotions, and heal both the energy body (chakras and aura) and the physical body. I have completed Level Two of the Healing Touch International training.
With my new business, Thrive Therapeutic Massage and Healing Touch, I strive to make each massage an experience that tends to your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being, whether it’s the first time you’re trying massage or if you are seasoned massage fan, and whether you’re coming in to get a handle on stress, address chronic pain issues, or balance your chakras. I believe a safe, nurturing atmosphere sets the tone for an effective session. We will talk and decide together which types of massage and what Healing Touch techniques would best suit each session. The types of massage we can draw from for your session include Swedish, myofascial release, deep tissue, trigger point, hot stone, craniosacral, pregnancy, and lymphatic drainage.
If you’d like to talk with me about how massage can help you thrive, call or email for a one-time, fifteen-minute, free consultation.
Jan Carroll runs Thrive Therapeutic Massage and Healing Touch, 534 Water Street. Call (715) 838-9432 or email thrivetherapeuticmassageEC@gmail.com. On the web at www.thrivetherapeutic.abmp.com.
Seventh Annual Nelson Institute Earth Day Conference
Monday, April 15, 2013
Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center
Conservation Everywhere: Sustaining Natural and Cultural Diversity will explore connections between biological diversity and human cultures and examine preservation across the whole range of environmental context—from forests and oceans to cities and farms. This year’s conference will raise awareness of the many frontiers of environmental action including but beyond traditional wilderness areas—in neighborhoods and communities, in forward-thinking business models, and in sustainable urban areas.
This one-day event will feature appearances by renowned primatologist Jane Goodall, marine conservation advocate and filmmaker Céline Cousteau, Kohl’s senior executive vice President Ken Bonning, Nelson Institute director Paul Robbins, and a variety of other speakers, panelists, exhibits, and activities. More information coming soon!
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