Stress-free Gifts
Ease the mind, body and soul with these inspiring ideas.
By Judith Cookis
Soap and washcloth set,
The Print Gallery, Southfield.
Vigorous aerobic workouts
are so 1989. Today, its all
about yoga and Pilates —
exercises that strengthen the
body and mind, increase
energy and lower stress.
Yet today's quest to de-stress
and detoxify can be, well,
stressful, with all the choices
out there. Organic or low-
fat? Green tea or chai tea?
Tai chi or kung-fu? Hatha
yoga or Feldenkrais?
This holiday season, help
spread inner peace with
gifts designed to ease the
mind, body and soul.
Inspire the mind with
brain-teasing games.
Soothe the body with
aromatherapy p roducts. A
charitable gift helps others
and helps the soul. Whoever
said holiday shopping had
to be a stressful chore?
11/22
2002
G12
Brain strain
Got a friend with a thirst for knowl-
edge? Know someone who's always
talking about the glory days of univer-
sity life? Send 'em back to school.
Cranbrook Institute of Science in
Bloomfield Hills offers scientific class-
es, workshops and activities for adults.
Upcoming 2003 classes include:
Paleontology for Beginners,
Introduction to Archaeology of
Michigan, and Geology of the Planets,
Moons and Asteroids. Classes are held
Monday evenings. Cost: $50 for
members; $60 for non-members. Call
(248) 645-3201.
Give those workaholic friends a gift
certificate to Franklin Covey's "What
Matters Mot" one-day time manage-
ment workshop. It's designed to help
people create a healthy balance
between personal and professional life,
increase productivity and improve
peace of mind. Seminars are held
throughout the metro area, including
Troy, Dearborn, Livonia and Ann
Arbor. Call the Franklin Covey store
at the Somerset Collection North in
Troy to register, (248) 649-8080.
You can't beat a great book for chal-
lenging the mind and soothing the
soul. Pick from hundreds of titles at
The Book Beat, 26010 Greenfield
Ave., Oak Park. Head for fiction, or
pick a book based on someone's
hobby. Choose from art deco, to
cooking, dance, Far Eastern art,
Impressionism, the occult, self-help
and women's studies. Call (248) 968-
1190.
Got a game freak in the family? Sign
them up for The Crosswords Club.
They'll receive six custom puzzles each
month from master wordsmiths like
Fred Piscop of the Washington Post. (6
issues start at $20). Visit www.puzzle-
ofthemonthclubs.com .
•
Body electric
Banish back pain with a Back Rest
Self-Inflating Support from Relax the
Back ($39.95). This portable back