As Donna Luke sat in a local Albuquerque hospital during a visit to one of her friends, she did something that left a lasting impression. She offered to a perfect stranger, the gift of a teddy bear to hug. The stranger peacefully hugged that teddy bear all day for two days. This small act of kindness may have changed a stranger’s life; and it all started with a teddy bear hug.

Donna Luke, known as the mama of teddy bear hugs, realized after that and so many other similar experiences, her company’s purpose is definitely making a difference.

The mission of MamaBearsPlace is to give people a way to feel happy, cared about, and encouraged by giving and receiving one of MamaBearsPlace teddy bears.

According to Maureen Lyon, PhD, clinical health psychologist and associate research professor in pediatrics at George Washington University,* it is important to “give and receive four hugs a day.” Why? Research shows that hugging makes you live longer. Human beings need touch. It “soothes and calms us,” Lyon said. “It brings down that reactive arousal system that can get activated when we feel threatened in any way and especially in stressful situations.” And hugs don’t have to be just of the human type.

Teddy bear hugs offer two solutions, among many. They provide a way for the recipient of the teddy bear to have a therapeutic experience – during the time spent hugging the bear. That experience actually lasts for quite some time after the hug. For some that impact of the hug lasts moments, for others it’s a lifetime.

The second solution – is that when one bear is purchased to a specific recipient, a second bear goes to a child in the hospital – anywhere in the country. In other words, when you give to one – you are actually giving to two people who will benefit from a teddy bear hug. That is the MamaBearsPlace way, according to its owner.

Also according to Luke, “It is so cool to know that my bears impact so many lives on so many levels. It brings me joy to see that others are experiencing that same joy many times over.” Luke started the online company after retiring from her full time job in Albuquerque, NM.

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MamaBearsPlace.com is an online business that offers opportunities to experience the hug of a teddy bear and express that hug as a donation. Contact Darren L Johnson at 505-340-3711 or email Darren@DarrenLJohnson.com for more information or to reach Donna Luke for comments or an interview.

*Resource: http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2011/04/25/10-tips-for-healthy-living/

Not Just Payroll (formerly Employers Pro Advantage) has successfully contributed to increasing the employment rates in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque with the hiring of a new Office Manager. Carol Ann Benavidez, a native New Mexican and bi-lingual professional will be a part of the company’s new journey of growth.

The change in economy challenged the company to delve in to new and exciting markets, according to Gwen Lewis, founder and sole owner of Not Just Payroll. “Because much of our customer base was in the construction industry, we lost a large percentage of our clients when the economy down shifted.” Today the company is on an incredible upswing with new clients, a recently new name change, and now a new addition to its infrastructure.

Carol Ann Benavidez has a Masters degree in Organization Management with a diverse background in human resources and customer service. With experience in many industries from healthcare to construction, Benavidez is the newest personnel addition to the company; a hiring decision made by Lewis in an effort to strengthen the company’s infrastructure.

“We are excited about the future, yet we are focusing on making sure we service our existing customers with excellent quality customer service. Our future is in our customers as they are the reason we exist,” says Lewis, who founded the company in 1997.

Not Just Payroll is also a relatively new name for the company. Earlier this year it had a ribbon cutting and announced its name change from Employers Pro Advantage. Hiring Benavidez was part of the new path of success for the company as it embarks on its future trek.
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Not Just Payroll is SBA 8(a) certified, Native Alaskan woman-owned, professional, administrative firm in business since 1997. Not Just Payroll specializes in custom payroll services, business insurance management and placement, bookkeeping and human resource management. For more information visit http://www.NotJustPayroll.com. To schedule interviews and get more media information contact Darren L. Johnson at 505-340-3711.

Molly Garza, Director of Annual Giving at Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation, was reportedly moved to tears when she received six donated teddy bears. Six children at Albuquerque’s Presbyterian Healthcare Services get to hug a bear – for as long as they want, thanks to the parents of Sophia Olivia Fuller. Sophia’s parents, in her memory, donated bears to children in ICU care at Presbyterian through a program being offered online. The program is part of a new partnership between French Funerals-Cremations and MamaBearsPlace.com.

picture used with permission from Presbyterian

Garza says, “ I am so grateful for the kindness, compassion and generosity of people like Donna and her customers. “

Donna Luke, owner of MamaBearsPlace.com says, “I believe in the healing power of hugs. I also love making people, particularly children, happy with these really huggable teddy bears. That is why I enjoy what I do so much.”

Presbyterian hospital houses approximately 21 PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care) beds, 35 PED (Pediatric) beds, and 60 NICU (Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit) beds. “Often, being able to experience what could be referred to as hug therapy from a soft cuddly companion, like a teddy bear, could be an emotionally healing experience,” says Luke, who is considered an expert in the art of connecting teddy bears with those who need hugs.

To learn more about the program and make a donation in the memory of someone special, go to www.MamaBearsPlace.com.

MamaBearsPlace.com is an online business that offers opportunities to experience the hug of a teddy bear and express that hug as a donation. Contact Darren L Johnson at 505-340-3711 or email Darren@DarrenLJohnson.com for more information or to reach Donna Luke for comments or an interview.

There are two questions one might ask. ”What the heck is dance Zumba Fitness?” Second, “What does it have to do with ballroom dancing? The answers come in two phrases – Emotions In Motion Dance Studio and Rosamaria Delgadillo. Rosa’s studio is offering dance Zumba Fitness classes and they are so popular, the only thing left to do is get over to 1627 San Pedro, NE and experience her class.

According to the Google keyword search tool, the phrase – Zumba fitness – was searched over 500,000 times in the past 30 days. The reason is because it has become a very popular fitness dance workout for many people. Health & Fitness Association honored Zumba Fitness as the largest popular fitness program of 2008. Zumba Fitness has become the new favorite in the fashion and entertainment world; plus, people love it!!

At Emotions In Motion Dance Studio, Zumba fitness creates a party-like atmosphere that provides an opportunity for all, including those who have previously hesitated to participate in group classes. According to Zumba Fitness franchise owners, “the program is a Latin-inspired, dance-fitness class that incorporates Latin and international music and dance movements, creating a dynamic, exhilarating, and effective fitness system.  It is freeing, and the music rhythms are intoxicating. The classes combine fast and slow rhythms that tone and sculpt the body using an aerobic/fitness approach.”

Rosamaria Delgadillo has been dancing and professionally teaching all aspects of ballroom dance for twenty years. Three years ago her professional dance-instructing journey continued with the opening of her dance studio in Albuquerque.  Emotions In Motion Dance Studio has quickly become Albuquerque’s dance studio of choice for its commitment to infusing quality in Ballroom dancing. According to Rosa, “”Dancing is a reflection and expression of one’s life. All of the lessons in life can be seen and experienced through dance. This includes dance Zumba fitness.”

So it makes sense that Emotions In Motion Dance Studio would offer Zumba fitness. It gives people yet another way to enjoy the life lessons of dance, while getting in shape at the same time. Plus it is a fun and exciting way to experience what Emotions In Motion Dance Studio offers.

Emotions in Motion Dance Studio offers professional Ballroom and Latin dance lessons from the social level through competitive standards.  The studio also offers Salsa, Swing, and other social dance instruction, and Zumba fitness classes.  For more information or to reach Rosamaria Delgadillo for comments or an interview, contact Darren L Johnson at 505-340-3711 or email Darren@DarrenLJohnson.com.

Emotions In Motion Dance Studio
1627 San Pedro, NE Albuquerque, NM 87110
www.EmotionsInDance.com

Owner Gloria Belsky has taken an “out of the box” approach to managing her new consignment store in Albuquerque. She has become a wholeseller of a special soap made on the east coast and she is willing to have all kinds of events in the store. “I like to think outside of the box,” says Gloria, who is fulfilling a dream of owning a consignment store.

Having the book signing on Mother’s Day Weekend is another indication of her thinking out of the box. Letting Go of Stuff is about getting unstuck by simplifying one’s life. Having Darren L Johnson sign books in the store would seem like it goes against the concept of a consignment store; but Belsky sees it differently.

“Its a way for me to help people let go on many levels,” she explains. When my customers want to get rid of their stuff, I help by offering them a way for them to do so. I am helping pelple to let go. Having Darren’s books in my store goes hand in hand with why I have the store.”

Gloria B’s Consignments and Cusiosities offers everything from clothing, jewelry, furniture, and household items to soap, books and toys for childern. If you can name it, then Gloria B’s may offer it. So if you are looking to let go of stuff around your home, or want to pick up some great stuff for your home – this store could be the place for both.

See the full press release HERE.

Letting Go of Stuff Book Signing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Albuquerque, NM – October 5, 2010

“I’m excited to offer this opportunity to my customers. It will give them a chance to discuss how to let go of stuff, including emotional stuff, that we live with each day. The book will also provide tools to help them incorporate Letting Go of Stuff into their lives,” states Tamura.

We are honored and excited to have Letting Go of Stuff, the soft back version of the book, available and the Mind Over The Matter Book Store in Sante Fe, NM.

Since November 2009 the store has ordered twice from the publisher.

According to Brandelyn Jokiel, co-owner, “…in May 2010… we sold more copies of Letting Go of Stuff… than we have ever sold of any other book in a single month. The books are flying off the shelf…”

The only location in Santa Fe in which the book is available is at Mind Over Matter, located on the square at 60 E. San Francisco St., #210. Call the book store 505-850-0052 for more information.

InsideOut Learning, Inc. is the publisher of the Letting Go of Stuff^® seminar and book series. It also offers business consulting and personal development coaching. Letting Go of Stuff^® is a registered trademark of InsideOut Learning, Inc. Visit www.insideoutlearning.com for more info or email info@LettingGoPro.com.