T'ai Chi Chih February 5, 2011

Less Stress – More Energy for the New Year! – This may be one of your goals for the new year, how to finally manage the increasing stress that is a common complaint for the majority of us. Whether you are a CEO, hairdresser, or unemployed, stress appears to be the common denominator for most Americans today. Considering that 60-90% of illness is stress related isn’t about time we do things differently? The famous Mehmet Oz, MD has stated that stress control is one of the five key factors to a longer and better life, but the good news is that he estimates that we have 70% control over this!
If we have the power to decrease our stress how do we start? The good news is that there are many choices available to suit individual tastes. Finding a guide to natural techniques in stress relief is a fun and easy way to start. At Next Step Strategies, LLC our focus is on stress reduction and increasing vitality through tapping into our body’s natural healing ability. One option is taking a 6-8 week class in a mindful, moving meditation called T’ai Chi Chih®: Joy thru Movement. This is great for beginners and because benefits are available in as little as 8 weeks, it is adopted by UCLA for research studies. It has many health benefits: increases immunity for seniors, helps relieve insomnia, strengthens balance, increases energy while decreasing stress, and people with arthritis report improvements, as do people with Parkinson's.

One can also choose a deeply relaxing one-on-one session in Reiki. Each session is individualized to provide the client with a holistic nurturing experience. Clients are fully clothed on a massage table or in a chair, while the practitioner lightly touches them. If you have not experienced Reiki, this may all sound very strange, but there is increasing scientific studies to support these natural practices. In fact local hospitals provide Reiki (i.e. CentraState Med. Cntr., Morristown Memorial Hospital, Columbia Univ. Med. Cntr., Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Cntr.) for patients and family members. And, Next Step Strategies, LLC has provided many workshops for clinicians as well as caregivers and their loved ones. Many caregivers report not taking the time to care for themselves and Reiki would offer them stress relief and the feeling of well-being.

Next Step Strategies, LLC provides these practices throughout Central Jersey (Kingston, New Egypt, Brick, Hazlet) and Langhorne, PA and easily adopts these practices for corporate wellness programs. Please visit our Website for more information and testimonials at www.nextstepstrategiesllc.com or call us at 609-752-1048