_____________
Book Series to
be published
in early 2008:
StressLessGirls
A Girl's Guide to Leading a Happier,
Healthier Life
For 6 -8 year olds
For 9- 12 year olds
For Teens
For Entering College
Email us to keep informed of
progress on series
_____________
Partners with:
DaycareStressLess
and
StressLessGirls
_____________
Reprinted from the Midlands Business Journal, Sept 8,
2006
Wellness and prevention issues lead to
the development of Balance Matters
by Matrissa Leggett
When Melanie Osborn, owner of Balance Matters, was looking for answers to her own health and wellness issues, she found herself overwhelmed by the amount of information. Once she determined how to make herself healthier, she decided to become a resource to help others make their own discoveries.
"There wasn't just one answer or one resource to go to," Osborn said. "I had to read multiple books and try a variety of ideas before I came up with what worked for me.
"I thought it would have been so nice to have had someone who could have done some of that research for me, so I decided to help connect people to resources to feel better."
That was eight years ago. Today, Balance Matters has corporate programs and clinic programs for individuals, families and children.
It offers two specialty programs: Daycare Stress Less, designed for in-home day care providers, and Stress Less Girls, a program for Girl Scouts and youth groups. Products such as instructional DVDs, activity kits and reading materials are distributed nationally for these programs.
"This has been a big year for us," Osborn said. "I just finished a book, "Guide to Stress Reduction for In-Home Daycare Providers," that will be published this year."
Osborn, who has a bachelor's degree in psychology and sociology from the University of Iowa, is a licensed massage therapist. She has had paramedic training and was a military medic for six years.
"I wanted to incorporate a holistic philosophy that combined mainstream wellness and massage," Osborn said. "I wanted to find a niche that was not fully developed in Omaha.
"If the body and mind are out of balance, we work to find out why and re-set it. The goal is to empower people to get well."
Osborn began the company as Balance Massage, working with 10 independent massage therapists, offering chair massages on site for businesses. As new services were introduced the name was changed to Balance and Wellness in 2000 and Balance Mailers in 2002.
"1 wanted to bring wellness to companies and help increase productivity." she said. "Employees don't have time to go out for these services during the workday, so I started ongoing services for the company."
As she saw demand, Osborn started "lunch and learn" programs, wellness and nutrition consulting, yoga and tai chi classes for clients, going to their locations weekly or monthly.
"It was an idea that had been on the Coasts but had not gotten to the Midwest yet," she said.
Osborn has worked with ConAgra, Methodist Hospital, Omaha Steaks and the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce.
"Over the course of time, the corporate environment changed," she said. "The employees began to drink more water and decrease their consumption of caffeine. They began to tell me that they were practicing stretching and breathing techniques to reduce stress.
"Back and neck pain decreased rapidly, and people who had been on medications became well and weaned themselves off the medications. People who had been scheduled for surgeries no longer needed them.
"Over the years companies and individuals have shifted focus from combating disease to prevention and wellness. Companies' revenues go up because of it."
Private clinic programs account for 60 to 70 percent of business. Osborn offers wellness and life coaching, bio-energetic synchronization technique, intuitive bodywork, energy balancing, massage and yoga, working from her home near 114th and Fort streets and a studio at 138th and Maple streets.
"1 work with clients who have sleep disorders, back and neck pain, migraines, digestive disorders, anxiety, trauma or depression and a variety of other issues," Osborn said.
Private sessions last 30 to 60 minutes and cost $35 to $75, depending on the service, said Osborn, who is a member of the Wellness Council of the Midlands and the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce.
What's New:
_____________
200 Hour
Self-healing & Practitioner
Certification
Beginning in
April
_____________
Julie Cornell's feature on our
work with girls
View
our story that aired on Channel 7
click
here
_____________
We are proud to announce the publication of Melanie Osborn's new
book:
In-Home Daycare Provider's Guide to Stress
Reduction
in your business,
environment, kids and self
A must have book for
all daycare providers
more info
_____________
View our article
in "The
Midlands
Business
Journal"
click here
_____________