Life Coaching, Professional Women's Groups,
Organic Cooking Classes, and Inspiration
MyHeartDances(TM) was developed to support individuals in living from their heart and going after what they want in life. Our mission is to support you in deciding to be honest with yourself and be honest with others so you can face your fears and go after your dreams to "let your heart dance!" www.myheartdances.com
1. Does the Self-Esteem Movement Make Us Insecure?
2. LAST WEEK TO SIGN UP -12 Week Health and Fitness Program
3. Cooking Classes
4. Featured Life Coaching Package - Fabulous in Your 20's
5. Advice Column
1. Does the Self-Esteem Movement Make Us Insecure?
Do you ever worry that people aren't telling you the truth about your own strengths and weaknesses, or where you fall short? Do you worry that people aren't being honest about the areas in your life where you could improve - whether it be a skill set at work/play or in relationships? Do you worry about this because you know they are afraid of hurting your feelings?
Or the Reverse
Do you ever avoid the truth and lie to your friends about their strengths and weaknesses just to make them feel good? Do you avoid telling people where they're falling short because you don't want to make them feel bad?
In America we have a big push to increase the self-esteem of individuals, especially children. In fact, some teachers are even being encouraged not to grade in red because it might be too discouraging to the students. I think it's great to work on building self-esteem, but I wonder if some of our ideas about how to do that actually produce insecurity instead of confidence?
What if We Were Honest?
I have a question. If the people in your life were honest with you about the difficult things to say, would you feel more trusting of them when they gave you a compliment or encouragement?
I think we've gotten to a point where we almost expect that people will always say something positive about us when we ask for their opinion, even when we don't deserve a positive remark. We don't expect people to tell us the truth when we are messing things up or when we're not doing well at something. If this is the case, how will we know when they truly are telling us the truth? How will we know when we truly have abilities that we should feel confident in? How will we know when we really do need to work on improving something?
Healthy self-esteem comes when we can acknowledge our weaknesses and still accept ourselves. It is when we can acknowledge our weaknesses and take responsibility for them. It is when we can acknowledge our weaknesses and still receive love from the people around us. (Poor self-esteem sees weaknesses and then hides from people, or it pretends the weaknesses don't exist.)
Healthy Self-Esteem
Healthy self-esteem is not pretending that we do not have weaknesses. Healthy self-esteem gives us the confidence to know we can work on improving our weaknesses. Healthy self-esteem recognizes that even though we have weaknesses, we also have strengths.
Now I am not encouraging ruthless honesty in the sense that the truth is told in an insensitive manner. I think the truth should be told with the intent of helping the other person. It should be told sensitively. It should be expressed humbly, remembering that you have weaknesses also.
(Certainly there are situations where there is no room for sensitivity, like if a person is being intently rude or hurtful.)
I believe that when you know the truth, and you trust that you have something to offer no matter what your weaknesses are, you will begin to grow a strong foundation of self-esteem.
Communication and Conflict Resolution
I have a few spots open in my Wednesday Night Women's Group. In May we will be working through the topic of Communication and Conflict Resolution. We will be discussing how to communicate in an honest but effective way. I would love for you to join us. The group meets on the UWS from 6:45 - 8:15. It's $75 per month. Please contact me if you are interested:
Have a wonderful weekend!
Melissa
or 917-689-6530
2. 12 Week Health and Fitness Weight Loss Group
You Get:
Weekly Meeting with a Lesson and Group Support
Twice a Week - One-Hour Group Workouts in the Park with a Personal Trainer
One Initial Private Session with Melissa (that's me!) -
Plus, Two Additional Private Sessions with Melissa that you can use anytime during the three months (especially great if you go on vacation & miss a month)
Group E-mail Support Throughout the Week
Group is Limited to Six Women
Group Begins the First Week of May and Ends the Last Week of July with One Week Off. Most events will take place on the Upper West Side
Fee: $625 for the entire three months
It's time to take your weight loss goals seriously! Be fit by August and enjoy the last month of summer in a great body!
Who Is This Group Right For
-If you are ready to take your weight loss goals seriously and are ready to give up fad diets
-If you do well with structure, support and accountability
-If you are not happy with the way your body looks and feels, but you know you have what it takes to achieve your goals
-If you know what to eat, but just haven't had the discipline to stick to it
-If you don't know what to eat, and would like to find out
-If you want to do this in a healthful way
-If you also want to work on the deeper issues around self-esteem and body image, not just weight loss
Classes and sessions will discuss healthy eating, portion control, effective weight loss strategies, self-esteem, body image, stress eating, emotional eating, and more!
When Will The Group Meet?
I am starting a morning group and an evening group. Please e-mail me with which group you are interested in.
or 917-689-6530
**I have partnered with Piel Canela Dance School, which means that instead of having to commit to taking two classes with a personal trainer at the same time every week, you will be able to get your workout by selecting classes at the dance studio that fit with your interest and schedule!**
3. 2008 Cooking Classes
Organic Food, Organic FUN, and Good Company
"Thank you for sharing your home, knowledge, great recipes, and warm friends. There's something very intimate about creating and sharing a meal with others. It was interesting to learn about your holistic health background and cook with new ingredients. I look forward to taking more classes with you." - Heather
May 8 - 6:30/Thursday
Salmon Burgers
Spring Out Quinoa
Sunset Salad
Parsley Ginger Dressing
Saturday, June 14 11:00 a.m.
California Waldorf Salad
Picnic Potato Salad
Lemon Vanilla Mousse
Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats
July 19 - (Breakfast Creations) 11:00 a.m.
Scrumptious Breakfast Sandwich
Pumpkin Pancakes
Breakfast Burrito
Carob-Banana Smoothie
(this class is not completely vegetarian)
Pre-register Today - Only $50 per class -
Gift Certificates Available
All classes are held on the Upper West Side
Class is from 6:30 until 8:30 unless otherwise noted.
All classes include the following:
*Hands-on instruction
*Meet new people
*Learn cool facts and tips about the food you're preparing
*Get healthy tips
*Receive a copy of the recipe to take home
*Enjoy a DELICIOUS meal at the end of class!
Made by The Fabulous You!
Please contact Melissa at
for more details and to register, or call 917-689-6530
**Classes are fun, relaxed, and not intimidating! They are great for beginners!
I don't know what I'm doing with my life. I'm not satisfied with my career, my relationships are not going anywhere. I'm not really where I want to be.
Sound like you? This package will cover career, relationships, spirituality, and health. You'll gain a stronger hold on your identity, and find satisfaction moving forward towards discovering and completing personal goals and projects.
6 sessions - $675
The Nutrition and Health Makeover
I don't eat what I should, nor do I stick to an exercise plan. I'm not even sure if I know what I should eat! I find myself snacking on junk food and eating poorly when I'ma t work or traveling. I want to have more energy and be fit. I want to grow old healthy!
This package is for the typical New Yorker. You want to be conscious about your health, but you are not making it happen. You want more energy and to eat better. In this plan, we'll get down to the nitty gritty about what is getting in the way for you, and how you can achieve a healthier you without cramping your lifestyle. We'll create a therapeutic lifestyle plan that works just for you!
3 sessions - $375
The Weight Loss Makeover
I'm tired of not sticking to my diets. I'm ready to make a commitment to my health. I want to see my real body underneath this cushion. I want to feel good when I walk down the street and enter a room.
Sticking to a weight loss plan is hard. No doubt about it! This program is designed to get you off the dieting cycle and get you on a plan to achieve results. It's for individuals who are ready to make a change and commit to giving this gift to themselves. No more quick fix attempts. This is the real deal!
10 sessions - $1125
I Am - Strategic Solutions for Women in their 20's
I love working with young women! It's a time in life where you are testing your own identity and power in this world, yet sometimes you feel conflicted by the pressure of your parents' and peers' ideas about what track you should be on. You have your own mind and you want to use it... but sometimes you're not sure about your different opinions. This program deals with self-image, self-respect, confidence, and effective decision making.
5 sessions - $575 (sliding scale available for this program, please call or e-mail me for details).
***
All programs can be adjusted to fit your specific needs. Number of sessions can be increased or decreased based on your goals.
Payment plans available.
Contact me with any inquiries
917-689-6530
5. Advice Column
I am now writing a regular advice column for the Boutros Boutros Follies called Just AsKing. Feel free to head over there and ask some questions. Here are links to the first two postings.
"For whatever reason, people are so inclined to spend money on a health club membership and working out their body, but when it comes to working on the mind and emotions, people are more hesitant. I remember the session that we had together and all of the advise and direction that you provided was truly excellent. You really made a very positive impact on my life and I can tell that you are exceptionally gifted in this area. You have a very intuitive sense and are able to put all the pieces together very quickly and correctly. These are very good skills for the type of coaching that you do, and I hope more people will see how they can benefit from the coaching that you provide." -J.R.
"You are non-judgmental and so real and practical about dealing with these issues. I tell everyone about you. You are so young, but you are so smart and have great insight. I love working with you, and I'm a tough customer." GG, NYC
™ was developed to support individuals in living from their heart and going after what they want in life. Our mission is to support you in deciding to be honest with yourself and be honest with others so you can face your fears and go after your dreams to "let your heart dance!"
Copyright 2002-2005 Melissa King. Please feel free to share this newsletter or reprint articles, but you MUST include authorship and contact information.
™ was developed to support individuals in living from their heart and going after what they want in life. Our mission is to support you in deciding to be honest with yourself and be honest with others so you can face your fears and go after your dreams to "let your heart dance!"