Mindfulness Retreats in July

“Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky.” -Thich Nhat Hanh

Have you ever thought: There is no WAY I could ever meditate, my mind is too busy, crazy, active and wild. I only feel like I’m failing when I try to meditate. I feel frustrated just thinking about it!...  Many people imagine meditation as sitting completely still with one’s mind clear from thoughts. but the July fertility AND women's retreats will prove that this is simply not true! 

The July 11th Women's and July 20th Fertility retreats will offer a good ‘ole Minnesotan smorgasbord of mindfulness options, from moving, walking, eating, cooking and cleaning, to breath awareness and quieting the mind.  In addition to receiving acupuncture, you will spend time trying several of the many many options out there and will discover which work best for YOU and how to incorporate them into your daily life to reduce stress, promote balance and feel more focused, healthy and calm.

Oh, and did I mention we'll be eating several different types of delicious CHOCOLATE!?!  

come mindfully compare different types and see how different they really are. It's like a wine tasting, but for chocolate!!!  Who can say no to that?!

I hope you will join me, share your experience, feel support and community, and take some time to nourish your body, mind and spirit!  It is a great way to start your weekend.

Click Here to go to the Life Healing Life Store and register for your spot

Wear comfortable clothes and bring a blanket and/or yoga mat and pillow as well as a journal if you wish (not required).  ALL stages of the journey are welcome.  TTC naturally, with ART, 3rd party, adopting, unsure what your next step is... acupuncture pro or newbie... you will be supported and at home here!

Both retreats will be held on the campus of St. Catherine University. Room and parking info will be sent 2 days prior to each retreat to all registered participants. Wear comfy cloths that are comfortable for both relaxing on the floor and getting acupuncture as well as walking a bit outside (weather permitting!)

Retreats

If you've found your way here, there's a good chance you found one of the Life Healing Life Retreat Postcards!  Welcome and a BIG thanks for taking the time to check it out! These retreats are one of my favorite parts of my practice (which is REALLY saying something, since I'm head-over-heels in LOVE with my work!) I'd be thrilled to see you at one of my upcoming events and help you find inner balance, health and time for a little TLC for YOU!

Here are some links you may find helpful!

To view the entire year's topics and find further descriptions and dates of each click here
To learn more about retreat style acupuncture click here
To reserve your spot in an upcoming retreat click here
To learn more about me (Nicole Lange) click here

I also invite you to take a gander at my blog... body and earth friendly beauty care, ways to deal with stress, inspiration and more are waiting, just check out some of the links to the right ---->

Hope to see you soon -
and remember.... Be Kind to YOU!

Nicole

Reserve a space at a Life Healing Life Retreat!

Starting in June the reservations for both the fertility and busy women's retreats will get a little easier!

Please visit the Life Healing Life Store to claim your very own space with just a few easy clicks of a button - yay for Nicole joining the 21st century (hey, better late than never!)

June Busy Women's Retreat - The Stories We Tell Ourselves

WOW!

I mentioned the topic of this retreat to a patient and she exclaimed, "Oh! Did you know there's a whole book about that?"  So, I hopped on Amazon and, sure enough, there's not just one, but several books about the lies women tell themselves and believe!  Does it surprise you?

Take this sampling from the table of contents of Big Fat Lies Women Tell Themselves

I am unlovable
I am not enough
I don't belong
I am damaged goods
If I don't do it, it won't get done
I can't ask for help unless I'm in crisis
Taking care of myself is selfish
If I allow myself to celebrate, the other shoe will drop
It's tolerable
I'm a good girl, I need to be nice
I should be over this loss by now

Ladies!  There are 59 chapters of this book, each dedicated to a different lie we tell ourselves - 59!?
And I'm guessing you could think of a few more... am I right?  I know I've had my share of them...

So how do you drop the story and break free of the limitations that come with the turf?
How can you change something you've told yourself for so long or believe so completely?

I don't know that there's an easy answer, but I do think we can explore and express and start the momentum moving in a healthy, new, and balanced direction. Awareness is step one...

I hope you'll join the discussion. I hope you'll learn about yourself, where you are coming from and where you want to go. Let's drop the stories even for a little while and see how it feels (spoiler alert... it feels SOOOOO good!)

This group is for all women 18 years and older, those dealing with fertility struggles and those who are not.

THE DETAILS

When: Thursday, June 13th from 6:30-9:30pm (or 8:30pm if you do not stay for acupuncture)

Where: On the campus of St. Catherine University in Saint Paul (directions, room number and parking info will be given after registration)

Who: All women 18+ (all stages of life, single, partnered, GLBT, fertility, pregnant, parents all are welcome!)

Cost: $75 per participant includes supplies, tea, snacks and acupuncture OR skip the acupuncture (and stay from 6:30-8:30) and pay $50 instead. 

Reservation Details: Space is limited to 8 acupuncture participants MAX. To reserve your space, please go to the Life Healing Life Store by clicking here. Cancellations given less than 72 hours in advance forfeit their $25 reservation payment. 

SPECIAL DEAL!  If this is your first ever retreat or you bring a friend take $25 off your cost.

An Amazingly Touching Film

When I was preparing for the grass is greener retreat this month I stumbled across this short film. It was sort of amazing that I did, because I thought I'd gotten side-tracked into a tangent and was "wasting time," (I know, I know I should know better!), but when I actually watched the film it spoke to the subject so well, that I debated showing it at the retreat. Ultimately I opted not to...

Now I'm preparing for the June Women's Retreat where we'll be discussing 'The Stories We Tell Ourselves.' It is something of a variation on a theme (as these holistic things often are) and it seems even more applicable to the film. So, whether you are coming to the retreat or not, I hope you'll take a few moments of your day and watch it. You will be moved, your thoughts will be provoked, and hopefully you will learn something beautiful about yourself. And if you are moved, I hope you will think about coming to the retreat and digging a little deeper.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE MOVIE
(don't click the picture below, it's just a picture, not a link!)

May Women's Retreat: The Grass is Always Greener

Why oh why do we do it to ourselves?

If I had more time.....  

If I weren't single.... 

If I had kids.... 

If I wasn't stuck at home....

If my career wasn't so demanding... 

If I could lose some weight....

If I had more money.....

If my house was bigger....

If I only had ABC...   

If only I didn't have XYZ....

The Grass is Always Greener!

Where's the love ladies?! You know you've got it pretty good... so why the comparisons, the pining, the wasted time and energy you spend "going there?"

Let's explore how to find holistic health and balance by letting go, finding compassion and embracing life as you know it! Step beyond yourself, see the big picture and find your blissful and unique place in the world.

THE DETAILS

What: relaxing holistic retreats for busy women with topics you'll love, women you'll connect with and a la carte group style acupuncture

When: Thursday, May 16th from 6:30-9:30pm (or 8:30pm if you do not stay for acupuncture)

Where: On the campus of St. Catherine University in Saint Paul (directions, room number and parking info will be given after registration)

Who: All women 18+ (all stages of life, single, partnered, GLBT, pregnant, parents all are welcome!)

Cost: $75 per participant includes supplies, tea, snacks and acupuncture OR skip the acupuncture (and stay from 6:30-8:30) and pay $50 instead. Space is limited to 8 acupuncture participants MAX. Pay a minimum of $25 in advance (non refundable) to reserve your place. If you pay in full in advance and need to cancel less than 72hours in advance you will be refunded your full fee less $25. 


SPRING FEVER DEAL!  If this is your first ever retreat or you bring a friend take $25 off your cost ($25 off EACH if you bring a friend)

Spaces are Limited

Email nicole@lifehealinglife.com to register 

April Busy Women's Retreat - Gratitude and a Joyful Heart

It has been said, 'if you forget the language of gratitude, you'll never be on speaking terms with happiness.' Come to the April 18th Busy Women's Retreat and find your joy!

Cultivate gratitude by learning new ways to give thanks. Discover the latest amazing research on the power of being thankful. Explore the many ways gratitude can transform your life (physically - better sleep, less pain - socially - more giving, less self-focussed - emotionally - less depression and anxiety). We'll also learn how gratitude is especially useful when times are hard, not to make difficulties disappear, but rather to help offset what is hard and keep things more balanced.

Each participant of this retreat will leave with her own gorgeous and custom created set of gratitude beads and a heart full of joy. Bring your own beads if you are inspired (you will need approximately 110 medium sized beads - preferably ones you find lovely). Those who do not bring their own beads will have a provided assortment to choose from. 

THE DETAILS

What: relaxing holistic retreats for busy women with topics you'll love, women you'll connect with and a la carte group style acupuncture

When: Thursday, April 18th from 6:30-9:30pm (or 8:30pm if you do not stay for acupuncture)

Where: On the campus of St. Catherine University in Saint Paul (directions, room number and parking info will be given after registration)

Who: All women 18+ (all stages of life, single, partnered, GLBT, pregnant, parents all are welcome!)

Cost: $75 per participant includes supplies, tea, snacks and acupuncture OR skip the acupuncture (and stay from 6:30-8:30) and pay $50 instead. Space is limited to 8 acupuncture participants MAX. Pay a minimum of $25 in advance (non refundable) to reserve your place. If you pay in full in advance and need to cancel less than 72hours in advance you will be refunded your full fee less $25. 

Email nicole@lifehealinglife.com to register 

New Mini-Retreats for ALL WOMEN!

I'm thrilled to announce the newest, exciting development in the Life Healing Life world.  For the last 14 months I've been holding once a month fertility retreats on topics such as mindfulness, transformation, gratitude, the unknown, self compassion and more.  And I LOVE these retreats and the women who have showed up to do amazing work!

But I've heard from many of you out there who are feeling left out.  Those who are not in the throws of their fertility journey, whether you are on the flip side, are pregnant or expecting but still crave support, have never struggled with fertility challenges, don't identify with the idea of "infertility," feel intimidated by the fertility specific groups, or haven't even thought of becoming mothers.  You want these topics too!

So, starting the evening of Thursday, April 18th from 6:30-9pm (and one thursday each month to come) I am hosting retreats that will be open to any and all women. Not only does this mean anyone can come (fertility or not) it means you can easily invite a friend!

Each retreat will feature a holistic topic/activity and discussion as well as community style group acupuncture treatments.  Spaces are limited, so sign up early.

April's topic will be Gratitude!

We will explore the power of gratitude from personal, holistic and scientific perspectives and create our own gratitude bead necklaces.* We will also honor that, while gratitude is healthy and wonderful, it does not take away the difficulties of life, rather, it balances them out. 

*if you would like to use beads of your own choosing please feel free to bring them along (you should have around 100 beads with one that is unique and stands out from the rest) otherwise basic beads and supplies will be provided! 

THE DETAILS

where: On the campus of St. Catherine University in Saint Paul (directions, room number and parking info will be given after registration)

who: Any and All women 18+ 

cost: $75 per participant includes supplies, tea, snacks and acupuncture. Pay $25 in advance to reserve your place, this fee is refundable with >72 hours cancellation notice but will be forfeited in cases of <72 cash="" check="" div="" hours="" nbsp="" notice="" or="" pay="" paypal="" via="">

Email nicole@lifehealinglife.com to register 

What is Retreat Style Acupuncture?

Perhaps you are considering attending one of the Life Healing Life Fertility Retreats and aren't exactly sure what group style acupuncture entails... You've come to the right place!

During these retreat style acupuncture sessions participants come wearing comfy relaxing clothes and claim a space on the floor (where we'll have already been hanging out and chatting during the educations/support part of the retreat).  Typically participants bring something to lay on such as a yoga mat or blanket (or both).  Bringing one or two pillows is also recommended, one for your head (and should you bring a second you will likely find that placing one under your knees makes laying down and relaxing more easy & comfortable).  You are welcome to bring other blankets to cover up with as well (the room tends to be if anything on the warm side, so most find it very comfortable to relax in).

Once you are comfortable lying down (face up) you may opt to use an eye pillow to darken the room, or simply close your eyes.  Relaxing music will be playing, and prior to receiving your acupuncture treatment the mere act of lying down peacefully is much like a savasana (or final relaxation pose) at the end of a yoga class.  This alone is part of cultivating stillness and peace and unwinding from the stress that is so much a part of our day to day lives.

Using the one page paperwork that you complete when you arrive at the class, I will select the points that match your main complaints, where you are in your menstrual cycle (if pertinent) and anything acute that may be going on with you the day of the retreat (each person gets different points because each person is unique!).  I may take your pulse and/or palpate gently on your abdomen to help me determine the best point selection for you.  Because there are up to 10 participants per retreat, the number of points used per participant is usually between 5 and 10. They are commonly done on the arms, legs, head and abdomen (the abdomen often feels like a vulnerable place to be needled, but in reality, there are very few nerve endings, so it is one of the most comfortable places!).

I work my way through the group, needling each person in turn.  Once everyone has their needles in a brief meditation or peaceful music is played and then the needles are removed.  The first person to receive their needles is the first person to have them removed.  In this way everyone gets close the the same amount of time with their needles in (generally 20-30 minutes total).

A final goodbye is given and you are sent on your way, hopefully to embrace the day recharged and supported and ready to have a lovely rest of your week!

Some logistical things to know:
Eating within 4-5 hours of receiving acupuncture is required (feel free to bring snacks, I'll provide some too)
All needles used are single use, disposable, sterile needles
The needles used for acupuncture are much thinner than western needles and solid (as opposed to hollowed) so they feel like a tiny poke (most would say less than a mosquito bite) to not much of anything when they are place through the skin.
Once the needles are in place they do not feel "pokey" they typically feel a little heavy or distended, warm, or like nothing.
If you haven't ever tried acupuncture there is no way of really knowing how it feels without giving it a try.  I am a very gentle needler and have worked with many a needle-phobe as well as with many women who are just plain sick of needles because of ART treatments for fertility.  In almost every case these women are amazed that the acupuncture needles feel so different and relaxing!

If you aren't comfortable receiving acupuncture you may opt to leave after the first two hours (and pay accordingly) or stay for the third hour and be treated using pressure beads instead of needles.

I hope to see you at a retreat :)

Warmly,
Nicole