Welcome  to the beginning of a wonderful new adventure.  The journey begins with our new company, "Life Always Works", founded by Cindy Kocher, Dee Baker, Pat Pierce and Sandy Turner.

Life Always Works Kickoff Party

Sunday, March 9, 2008

A time to renew old acquaintances and make new friends as we celebrate the kickoff of our new company "Life Always Works!"  Mark your calendar for March 9, 2008, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at beautiful Philippe Park in Safety Harbor, FL. Stay tuned for more details.   

Everyday Champions: Uplifting One Another with Laughter 

www.laughteryogaflorida.org 

phone: (727) 501-9944

 (Affiliated with the Dr. Kataria School of Laughter Yoga)

It is my absolute pleasure to be contributing to this first edition of the Life Always Works (LAW) Newsletter and have this opportunity to present the healthful, life-enhancing benefits of Laughter Yoga!  I’m honored to be associated with LAW’s founding members, and am grateful to have something so beneficial to bring to the table – the simple and yet profoundly transformative  practice of Laughter Yoga!

In a nutshell, Laughter Yoga (LY) is a physically-oriented technique that uses a perfect blend of playful, empowering and “tension-releasing” simple laughter exercises, interspersed with gentle breathing and stretching exercises, rhythmic clapping and chanting of Ho Ho Ha Ha Ha in unison.  This is done as a way to improve health and increase well-being, and promote peace in the world through personal transformation.  In LY you use laughter as a tool, not an emotion.  These exercises last 20-30 minutes and are adapted to suit the needs, abilities and motivations of the group participating.

Because Laughter Yoga does not rely on the mind at all, LY helps you to easily distance yourself from your fears, sadness, worries, self-defined limitations, etc.  As a result you do not need to be happy, have a sense of humor, or even have a reason to laugh.  Dr. Madan Kataria, an M.D. from India and Founder of the Laughter Yoga movement, made this breakthrough discovery in 1995, after researching “Laughter as the best medicine” for his integrative health newsletter.  As a result Dr. Kataria was the first to teach that laughter can be performed as exercise.  Dr. Kataria, together with his wife Madhuri, a long-time Yoga teacher, incorporated very mild stretching and deep breathing techniques found in traditional forms of yoga.  Thus, we can laugh for no reason!

The benefit that is perhaps closest of all to my heart lies in the fact that Laughter Yoga crosses all boundaries: age, gender, language, physical abilities, race, religion, politics.  For example, my son TJ experiences multiple disabilities, yet he loves LY, and is my partner in our clubs and workshops because he truly inspires us all as “The Laugh Master”!  Also, the oldest current member of our group through OLLI at Eckerd College is 92!  Truly, Laughter Yoga is meant for everyone.

"A Caring Touch Wellness Center"
Peace, Energy, Serenity.  It's all about you.

Welcome to A Caring Touch.  We offer massage, massage countinuing education workshops and personal growth workspaces.  Our mission is to foster healthy practices for the mind, body, and spirit.

A Caring Touch Enterprises, Inc. was formalized in 2005.  Bernadette Dunn Opened her business in late 2001 after working with Massages for Health for 18 months.  She is passionate about bringing unity back to community through workshops and therapy.

Her background includes a Bachelor Degree In Chemistry, six years service in the Air Force and over twenty years of competitive Volleyball.  She's married with two children.

711 E. US Highway 92

Seffner, FL  33584

Phone:  813-849-0023

Fax:  813-849-0023(Call First)

E-Mail:  massage@acaringtouchwellness.com

A Message from Dee

The process of getting Life Always Works from a concept to a real business has been very exciting!  I remember about 3-4 years ago when I was just beginning to take classes at the College of Metaphysical Studies and I was asking myself what I was going to do with this knowledge and I got the message to “just take the courses and the way would be shown to me”.  Well, I now see clearly what it has all been about!  It is a confirmation to me that there is a plan in the Universe and that if we all just keep moving forward, trusting that all is in Divine order, the way will be shown to us.

I believe that Life Always Works will continue to serve the community “one starfish at a time”.  We have a terrific and very gifted group of instructors who have a lot to share.  I am proud to promote each and every one of their classes and I look forward to the time when our calendar is FULL!

Also, please be sure to mark your calendars and join us on March 9 at our kickoff.  It will be a lot of fun and an opportunity to meet new friends and old acquaintances.  Make sure to check the website periodically as we add to our class schedule.  I hope to see you in one of the classes!

Dee Baker

Instructor and Co-Founder of Life Always Works

Message from Cindy Kocher with love: 

Many years ago, a wise mentor reminded me that life is a journey not a destination.  For the past 16 years I have been teaching personal development/ motivational courses around the country and in the Tampa Bay community.  I often asked myself, “what is my purpose and why did the universe (God) choose me to be a messenger?”  How did I know that I would be given an opportunity to spend two years training to become a National Instructor for the Global Relationship Center or that I would become a founder of  M/C Insights with my former partner, Mel Fergenbaum, who has been an incredible gift in my life in so many ways?  How did I know that I would run into a former student from many years ago who recently said to me “you saved my life and my marriage”?    How did I know?   It begs the question, is it important to figure it out or do I just trust the process of life knowing that everything is in divine order and Life Always Works!

When life presented me with a very difficult decision, I thought to myself is it time for me to give up my life’s passion or do I shift my energies into a new arena for the purpose of continuing my life’s mission to make a difference?  A tough question given the 15 years I have been teaching personal growth courses. Where does one go to find the answer? Well, that is a no brainer….prayer of course!  And, here I am.

I wish to honor and acknowledge Dee Baker, Pat Pierce and Sandy Turner for not letting my dream fade away and for their incredible commitment to Life Always Works. We are excited for the future and look forward to creating opportunities for your continued growth as well as ours.  Stay tuned for future newsletters and courses.

If you are interested in Life Always Works linking to your organizations, please let us know.  We will be more than happy to provide links. Also, for those instructors out there who are interested in teaching courses through L.A.W., we welcome you.  Contact us through our website.  Keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we continue to build L.A.W. and let us always support other organizations that continue to make a difference in our community one starfish at a time.

Love and Light,

Cindy

Instructor and Co-Founder of Life Always Works 
 

MESSAGE FROM SANDY WITH LOVE

I can’t tell you how excited I am to join 3 fabulous women in putting together what is going to be a most exciting adventure.  Cindy, as you know, has always been a shining star and has wonderfully touched the lives of so many people.  She has chosen to continue reaching out with the gifts that God has given her and we have put together a great team and fabulous new company.  We have our company up and running and already have this beautiful website thanks to our wonderful Dee .  Our fabulous newsletter will be published regularly to keep everyone posted on our current and future events, so please join us as we walk down this exciting path together. 

Love and Blessings, Sandy

Co-Founder of Life Always Works 

A MESSAGE FROM PAT

Just about 20 years ago a friend told me about a life changing experience he had had during a recent weekend.  I was immediately eager to learn more and, the way he explained his weekend, I couldn’t wait to try it.  And try it I did as quickly as possible.  It turned out that the course was being taught by the man who had started it – the real guru, I was thrilled.  That course, known as Understanding Yourself and Others (UYO), changed my life.  Yes, the course gave me insight into how I view the world and how my view can work to my advantage or disadvantage – a very valuable lesson and one that keeps on giving. 

Coupled with the learning that took place during the course was an introduction to a group of like-minded people who wanted to maximize their lives and bring peace and joy to those they encountered.   Two of the most unforgettable people I met early on in UYO were Cindy Kocher, who actually attended my graduation, and Mel Fergenbaum. I was privileged to be Mel’s angel when he took the course.  In addition to all the personal growth we enjoyed, the friendships we formed were life enhancing.  When my son died, the UYO family rallied to my family and nurtured us through those days.  We enjoyed the years of the “ Clearwater Center ” and when it closed it created a void in our lives.

Thankfully, Cindy and Mel launched M/C Insights and RYL was born out of the same love and search for peace.  I remember the first RYL I went to and was absolutely blown away by the synergy Cindy and Mel brought to the course; they made it come to life.  Over the years, RYL grew and blossomed and changed so many lives.  And the connections between the people just kept getting better and better. 

Now, Cindy, Dee, Sandy and I are launching another opportunity for personal growth and friendship.  One of the courses I am particularly interested in is geared toward nurses.  Nurses are targeted partly because I am one but mostly because the stressfulness of the job often interferes with communication and sometimes the end result is poor patient care and job unhappiness. We’re going to impact health care by teaching nurses communication skills and improving interpersonal relationships among health care professionals.  We believe this is key to transforming the experience of patients and workers alike. 

I am thrilled to be part of Life Always Works.  My commitment is to focus on our mission, to live and promote authenticity in every aspect of my life, and to use myself as an instrument to promote understanding, joy and peace.  Thank you for being here with us, I am honored by your interest and participation.

Pat Pierce

Instructor and Co-Founder of Life Always Works