Flagstaff Hypnotherapy

05/15/2026

I first developed this class years ago because I was seeing so many stressed and overwhelmed people, including many dealing with job loss and uncertainty. I wanted to create something genuinely helpful—simple, practical tools people could use immediately to decrease stress and easily share with others.

With financial pressure, rapid technological change, political tension, and uncertainty in the world, many people are feeling more stressed than ever. This inexpensive two-hour class is designed to give you practical techniques you can begin using right away.

Join me this Saturday from 10:00 AM to noon.

Managing Your Stress and Anxiety — A Toolbox
Quick, Easy, Powerful Techniques
$27cash/check $30 credit card.

For more information and to register:
elevatededucation-az.com/book-a-community-class

05/06/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The American Psychological Association in a 2023 report states that the majority of Americans report increased stress, with approximately 3 out of 4 adults experienced physical or emotional health impacts related to stress.
I do have a class to provide some help May 16
Managing Your Stress and Anxiety — A Toolbox
Quick, Easy, Powerful Techniques
$27cash/check $30 credit card.
For more information and to register go to

Discover a variety of educational courses and community classes at Elevated Education of Northern Arizona. Register online or contact us today.

01/07/2026

There are two (part 1 and part 2) The Hypopressive Technique classes this Sunday. Part one is Introduction to The Hypopressive Technique with Katie Bortle. This class introduces you to the hypopressive technique. Through a series of specific postures, breathing and apnea, this training system helps restore function and tone to the deep core, which is critical in maintaining optimal pelvic health.
The second class The Hypopressive Technique Level 2 with Katie Bortle, is built on the Intro class. A period of practice with the material from the Intro class is required before taking this more advanced class. For information and register go to https://elevatededucation-az.com/book-a-community-class

11/26/2025

Using Mindfulness to De-stress this Holiday Season

Give Yourself the Gift of Mental Peace

The holiday season can be a hectic and stressful time for many people. There are parties to attend, gifts to buy, and family obligations to juggle. It's no wonder that so many people end up feeling overwhelmed and exhausted by the end of the season.

However, there is one simple practice that can help us experience a sense of calm and inner peace during the holiday craziness and it only takes a few breaths: Mindfulness.

What Is Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the state of being conscious or aware. It is a form of meditation that can be practiced outside of what is considered traditional meditation.
Mindfulness is the act of paying attention to the present moment and all that is happening in it, with an open and non-judgmental attitude. It means being aware of your thoughts and emotions without getting wrapped up in them. When you're mindful, you're able to savor the good moments and let go of the bad ones.

There are many benefits of mindfulness, including reducing stress and anxiety, improving your mood, and promoting better sleep. In addition, mindfulness can help to increase your focus and concentration, improve your memory, and prevent age-related cognitive decline.

How to Be Mindful During the Holiday Season
It can be hard to slow down and take time for yourself during the holiday season. With so many things to do and so little time, it's easy to get caught up in the craziness and forget to take care of yourself.

Here are some tips for practicing mindfulness during the holiday season:

1. Take a few minutes each day to sit quietly and focus on your breath. Not only will this help you relax, but it will also give you a break from all the holiday madness.

2. Pay attention to your senses. Notice the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes around you. This will help you appreciate all the wonderful things about this time of year.

3. Be present in your interactions with others. When you're talking to someone, really listen to what they're saying instead of thinking about what you're going to say next. This will help you connect with people on a deeper level.

4. Make time for things that make you happy. Whether it's reading, biking, or taking a nature walk, find activities that bring you joy and make sure to schedule them into your week.

5. Let go of perfectionism. The holiday season is not about being perfect; it's about enjoying time with loved ones and creating memories. So don't sweat the small stuff!

When we are mindful, we take note of our thoughts and feelings without getting caught up in them. We simply observe them and let them go. This can help us to avoid getting caught up in the holiday drama and instead focus on the things that truly matter. So during this holiday season, take a few moments each day to practice mindfulness and let go of the stresses of the season.

While it may take some time to develop a regular practice, the benefits of mindfulness are well worth the effort.

11/14/2025

Great American Smoke Out
Friday, November 21 5:30 – 7:30
Flagstaff, Moonshot Campus
It is time to be free! Free to be healthy. Free to have more money. Free to feel great about yourself.
Don Berlyn
Elevated Education of Northern Arizona
cash/check $77 credit card $82 (at $10 a pack, at a day, $3650 a year goes up in smoke and into your lungs)
For information Call/Text 928 699-8263 flaghypno@gmail.com
Register at elevatededucation-az.com

11/01/2025

🍬 How to Recover from a Candy Hangover 🍫

Did you go a little overboard with the Halloween stash? (No judgment. We’ve all been there — “just one Reese’s” somehow turned into “where did all the Reese’s go?” 😅)

When you eat too much sugar, your body throws a full-on tantrum — blood sugar spikes, then crashes, leaving you tired, cranky, and questioning your life choices.

✨ Here’s how to bounce back from your candy hangover:
1️⃣ Move around. A quick walk burns off some of that sugar and lifts your mood.
2️⃣ Hydrate. Sugar = dehydration. Grab your water bottle or herbal tea.
3️⃣ Eat protein. Eggs, nuts, or peanut butter > more candy.
4️⃣ Nap if you can. Chocolate + caffeine = restless night.
5️⃣ Chew gum. Keeps cravings busy and freshens your breath.
6️⃣ Be patient. You’ll feel human again soon — promise.

💡 Pro tip for next time: The average American eats 24 pounds of candy a year (that’s two bowling balls 😳). Moderation is your friend — and your pancreas will thank you.

So, be kind to yourself, drink some water, and remember you’re not weak… you’re just temporarily possessed by your inner 8-year-old. 👻🍭

10/15/2025

We have so much happening with our Massage Therapy CE classes and our Community offerings.
November 9th-Prenatal Massage Techniques- Level 1 with Brette Ulrich (8CE)
December 11th, 12th & 13th- Fascial Manipulation and Advanced Connective Tissue Techniques with Olivia Herman (15CE)
February 5th, - 8th, 2026. Lower Extremity Workshop with Ron Murray,D.O., Certified Advanced Rolfer, LMT, Berry Method Practitioner. (32CE)
COMMUNITY WELLNESS Classes:
The Peaceful Living Yoga Series (ongoing)
November 2nd - Hormone Balancing Through Food and Lifestyle: Guidance through perimenopause, menopause, and hormonal imbalance with Fasting and Traditional Chinese Medicine with Brittany Petrick RN, LAC.
November 15th - Calm in Chaos – Managing Your Holiday Stress with Don Berlyn
November 21 - The Great American Smokeout - Freedom from Smoking with Don Berlyn
December 14th - Body Awareness Workshop with Olivia Herman

10/09/2025

Today is World Mental Health Day! Here is some information about mental health and tips for keeping your mind peaceful and powerful.
🌿 Mental Health 101: Understanding and Enhancing Well-Being
What Is Mental Health?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
“Mental health is a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”
Mental health is a vital part of whole-person health—just as important as heart or dental care.
Our brain chemistry—hormones, neurotransmitters, and other signaling molecules—plays a key role in how we think, feel, and respond to life’s experiences.
Only about 17% of U.S. adults are considered to be in a state of optimal mental health.
The good news: research shows that positive mental health supports better physical health outcomes, stronger immunity, and greater life satisfaction.

The Three Domains of Mental Health
Healthy mental functioning can be viewed through three complementary domains:
🧠 Emotional Well-Being
Life satisfaction, happiness, cheerfulness, and peacefulness.
🌱 Psychological Well-Being
Self-acceptance, optimism, sense of purpose, openness to growth, spirituality, and positive relationships.
🤝 Social Well-Being
Feeling connected and useful, believing in the potential of others, and maintaining a sense of community.
Building strength in all three areas supports resilience and helps prevent burnout.
Mental Illness and Chronic Health Connections
The CDC defines mental illness as “all diagnosable mental disorders”—conditions that alter thinking, mood, or behavior and may cause distress or functional impairment.
Depression is the most common mental health condition, affecting more than one in four adults.
It remains one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, second only to heart disease.
Mental disorders—especially depressive disorders—are strongly linked to chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and obesity, and to lifestyle factors such as smoking, poor sleep, inactivity, and excessive drinking.
(Adapted from CDC — “Mental Health Basics”)

10 Ways to Enhance Your Emotional and Mental Health
Modern life is fast, noisy, and often overwhelming.
Taking small, intentional actions can dramatically improve your emotional balance and mental clarity.
1. Stay Connected
Healthy relationships are the foundation of emotional wellness. Schedule time with supportive people.
2. Care for Your Body
Physical and mental health are inseparable. Nourish your body, move regularly, and prioritize sleep.
3. Challenge Yourself
Growth requires some level of stress. Set goals that stretch you without overwhelming you.
4. Manage Stress Constructively
Avoid numbing habits. Try exercise, breathing practices, or mindfulness instead.
5. Do Something Enjoyable Every Day
Even 10 minutes of music, art, or time outdoors can restore your energy.
6. Practice Forgiveness
Releasing resentment frees up emotional space for healing.
7. Give Your Time
Volunteering or helping others boosts self-esteem and connection.
8. Quiet Your Mind
Meditation, prayer, or self-hypnosis calm inner chatter and strengthen focus.
9. Ask for Help
Seeking professional support is a sign of courage and self-awareness.
10. Keep a Journal
Writing about your experiences helps process emotions and gain insight.
Why It Matters
Your mental and emotional health form the foundation for everything else—your relationships, your energy, your creativity, and your sense of purpose.
When one aspect is neglected, the rest of life feels harder.
Taking care of your mind is not indulgence—it’s maintenance for your humanity.

Look for upcoming community and massage CE classes for managing stress and anxiety

04/26/2025

There is an amazing class coming this summer. Zero Balancing changed my physical therapy practice and literally changed my life. It was this course; ZB 1 that I took in '99 that got the whole thing started. Helen is a great teacher. I am fortunate in being able to assist. More information is at
Zero Balancing I
Course Description:
This is the first course of the Core Zero Balancing curriculum and introduces the practical framework of the art and science of ZB.
Instructors provide a detailed study guide, clear presentations, and
demonstrations of Zero Balancing. In practice sessions, students experience both how to perform Zero Balancing and how Zero Balancing feels to receive.
You Will Learn:
The basic Zero Balancing protocol
Theory and principles of ZB
To distinguish body energy and body structure through touch
The skill of using energy as a working tool
The energetic anatomy of the skeleton
The theory and application of fulcrums
How to give a ZB session
Dates: July 24-27, 2025
Location: 2201 N Gemini Dr. Flagstaff, AZ
Instructor: Helen LeClair, PT
hlhandsonpt78@gmail.com
Register: at zerobalancing.com $595 for 25 CEU’s

04/15/2025

Stress Much?
Managing Your Stress and Anxiety, Tuesday April 15 from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Moonshot Flagstaff Campus conference room.
In this class you will learn about stress and anxiety management techniques that can be used to calm our minds, as well as others, in our daily lives. The functions of the conscious and subconscious in creating and relieving stress and anxiety will briefly be discussed. You will learn how to determine your level of stress in the moment, and to use methods and techniques to manage stress and anxiety. The techniques are easy to learn, use and teach to others.
You will experience the technique through the teacher’s instruction, then be a subject and then a teacher to demonstrate teaching these concepts and techniques to others.
To register go to Book a Class — Elevated Education of Northern Arizona
The class is $25 cash or check, $27 credit card

04/11/2025

We are living in crazy town! Things are unpredictable and scary. Thinking about my retirement fund is stressful. The good news is that, even if there is chaos around you, even if there are things beyond your control (and there always is) you can control the chaos within. You can almost instantly experience inner calm. There are quick effective techniques that I teach my clients and use myself. One technique, avoid thinking about retirement fund!
There is a class for that! Managing Your Stress and Anxiety, Tuesday April 15 from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Moonshot Flagstaff Campus conference room.
In this class you will learn about stress and anxiety management techniques that can be used to calm our minds, as well as others, in our daily lives. The functions of the conscious and subconscious in creating and relieving stress and anxiety will briefly be discussed. You will learn how to determine your level of stress in the moment, and to use methods and techniques to manage stress and anxiety. The techniques are easy to learn, use and teach to others.
You will experience the technique through the teacher’s instruction, then be a subject and then a teacher to demonstrate teaching these concepts and techniques to others.
To register go to https://elevatededucation-az.com/book-a-class
The class is $25 cash or check, $27 credit card
Please share with someone who might be stressed. Believe me they are out there, everywhere!