We’re glad you have arrived to Self Care Connections. Here you can explore some “tools for the toolbox” of self care, either in person or virtually. When we care for ourselves, we can become more peaceful inside. We can then share that peace with our families, our communities, and our world.
So glad we can connect!
Laughter is the best medicine! Let’s join together to laugh intentionally. It’s easy, it’s fun, and it is such a great stress reduction tool.
Connect with us to gently stretch, observe our breath, and “just be” in the present moment as we care for ourselves. This is yoga for every body.
Qigong (pronounced chee gong) is an ancient Chinese practice. We describe it as a moving, peaceful meditation. Let’s connect and give it a try.
Connect with us to gently stretch, observe our breath, and “just be” in the present moment as we care for ourselves. This is yoga for every body.
Qigong (pronounced chee gong) is an ancient Chinese practice. We describe it as a moving, peaceful meditation. Let’s connect and give it a try.
Laughter is the best medicine! Let’s join together to laugh intentionally. It’s easy, it’s fun, and it is such a great stress reduction tool.
Hello. As you check out the photo collage, you may wonder, “What’s with the hats?” We all wear many “hats” as we move about our lives. The Self Care Connections team members “wear the hats” of qigong practice group leaders and trainers, gentle yoga teachers, and laughter yoga/intentional laughter leaders . . . and learners and sharers! Plus, we are family members, workers, community members, moms, grandmothers, aunts, volunteers, and SO much more! Check out the About page to meet the team.
We’d love to connect, and together we can explore and enjoy some moments of “Self Care.” All ages, and multigenerational groups, are welcome to join us.
“Self-care means giving yourself permission to pause.” – Cecilia Tran
"I have experienced the joys of having Judi Olson lead me in Qigong and Laughter Yoga over the past few years.
Judi can always bring a smile to my face no matter how my day has been. She has the teaching gift to calm us, remind us what is important in our life and health, and send us off after a practice with a renewed feeling of energy and peace combined. She once volunteered to lead Yoga with a group of children in an after school program at our church. She had some very active students who at the end were totally relaxed on the floor listening carefully to her voice after a fun Yoga Session.
I also had the unique experience to have Judi lead Qigong with a small group of travelers during a sunrise in Kruger National Park in South Africa. One of my best memories of Qigong. I thank Judi for introducing me to Qigong and appreciate her teaching and leading gifts."
"I was depressed and anxious during the pandemic. Many of my coping tools had been taken away. Judi, a childhood friend, had re-entered my life, and she introduced me to Spring Forest Qigong. I’ll admit that I was skeptical, at first. I love that qigong is about the mind, body and spirit. Judi always stresses “good, better, best.” I don’t ever feel like I am doing any of the techniques “wrong.” Judi has an amazing energy, which comes through in her teaching. She lets all emotions be present. Our Zoom qigong group is a team and a family, because of Judi’s teaching style. We are all accepted for who we are. Qigong breathing, movement and healing were my coping tools these past eight months and will be into the future."
"In July of 2015, my frightening ordeal began. In less than 24 hours I went from a healthy 64-year old to a woman on death’s doorstep. My blood pressure dropped dangerously low, and for 12 days the ICU was my home. A culture indicated a blood infection caused by bacteria from a mammal’s mouth. The lack of circulation resulted in blisters forming on my hands and legs/feet which then turned into black eschar. The eschar could not be removed as the pain of doing so would have been unbearable. The wound care I received was exceptionally good, but there was permanent damage to parts of my fingers and to all of my toes. They were amputated in October. After 124 days of hospitalization and 20 days at a rehab facility, at the end of November I finally came home.
The most important components of my healing were: my attitude, the prayers of so many, and the laughter. My husband visited daily, despite the 70 mile one-way commute, and my brother-in-law and his wife came at least five days of every week. The four of us had a marvelous time with laughter ringing out of the room every time. We were occasionally asked to “tone it down” but whenever the nurses needed a “breather” they would join us for a moment or two. All my health care people, the other patients, and my friends and family called me the amazing patient because I stayed so “up." I know it was because of the laughter, it truly does heal!
More power to you, Judi, for bringing laughter to so many and instructing us all to “laugh for health!""
“I am so very thankful that Joan introduced me to ‘laughing for no reason.’ She is a great laughter leader. Laughter is one more way we can take care of ourselves …it has improved my physical and emotional health.
Joan explains the physical and mental benefits of laughter in detail and always has fun, little exercises for the group to do, which is really helpful, especially to those new to this practice.
I admire Joan as well as the other Self-care Connections leaders for their commitment to the practices and the comradery they share.”
