Bridging the gap between all health care traditions and guiding individuals toward self-discovery in wellness.
Inside This Issue:
My journey began in traditional medicine By Linda Mitchell
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How did I get here from there? By Dawn J. Benko
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Cover Story When do we move from mainstream medicine to a more holistic approach? By Clementina Verge
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Publisher
Using an integrative approach is best way to treat anxiety and panic attacks By Dr. Kenneth Langlieb, PhD.
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Editor & Layout Designer
ON THE COVER:
Our Staff Linda Mitchell Publisher
Dawn J. Benko Janine M. Torsiello
Photo illustration by Janine M. Torsiello
Conscious Health™ magazine grew out of the former publication known as MARCI, which was started by Publisher Linda Mitchell, founder of the former Holistic Mentorship Network in 2002.
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Publisher Dawn J. Benko, is a photojournalist who joined MARCI as a contributor in the fall of 2010 and partnered with Linda Mitchell to create Conscious Health™ Magazine in 2012.
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We welcome letters to
We would love to hear from you! Please write to us at:
ch@conscioushealth-online.com
Contact Information P.O. Box 1337 Montague, NJ 07827
www.conscioushealthmagazine.wordpress.com ch@conscioushealth-online.com Disclaimer The views expressed within articles are not necessarily the views of Conscious Health Magazine™. Copyright for all articles, poems, etc. are owned by the respective authors. Permission to copy or use in any manner is at the sole discretion of the writer. The information in this publication is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your own doctor. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have.
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Inside This Issue: Giz is gone Easing grief with Emotional Freedom Techniques By Debra M. Hollinrake
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Healing through music The HTM Method focuses on the power of resonance By Dalit Lerner Shmueli
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10 tips for more energy every day — Simple lifestyle changes to a healthier happier you by Ellen G. Goldman, M.Ed.
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Assessing anxiety and depression through the mind, body and spirit connection By Kim Ruggierio 23 Is there a doctor in the house? Be conscious of toxic substances in the home and limit them by Dr. Melissa Brown, MD, CPC 26 How the consciousness of a child during the birth process has an impact by Joy S. Pedersen 34
Columns Creative Arts With Beth Olney
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Working With Spirit With Christina Lynn Whited
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Everyday Acupressure With Susannah Pitman
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Conscious Parenting With Beth Haessig
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The Naturopathic Physician With Dr. Peter Bongiorno
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My journey began in traditional medicine a message by Linda Mitchell, Co-Founder of Conscious Health™ My introduction to medicine was when I was 4 and my sister Mary Lou, who was 6 and a twin to Betty, had a nose bleed, and was swept away to the hospital forever changing our lives. As my parents went through this nightmare that their young daughter had leukemia, Betty and I were sent to spend the next several months with various aunts and uncles. At 4 I did not understand death, or how abandonment would follow me into adulthood. What I did know is that I wanted to stop the pain of loss, — my parents, mine. As a result I would end up following a path into nursing with the desire and need to work with kids. Nursing also served me well as a single mom, and the soul breadwinner to care for my children, Sharon and George. Having a rebel-like spirit, I have taken my position in health care to heart — not always agreeing with health care politics. In my last nursing gig, after five years of working in the pediatric unit, and seeing the health care decline due to “change,” I was asked by one of my colleagues to help bring in a union that had been started by nurses who worked at a another hospital in NJ. Taking the lead in bringing a union in to our workplace was one
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of the hardest, scariest and yet empowering things I have ever done in my nursing career. In the final days of campaigning, the union was voted in although my days would be numbered there and I would eventually leave. Growth is all about change, whether it be yours, or someone else’s. As I stood at the crossroads, I wanted to bring more balance and peace into my life. Through an accidental encounter — although it is said that there are no accidents — I found massage therapy, and then would later deepen my practice by embracing Cranio Sacral Therapy, Reiki, Somatic Emotional Relief and Integrative Energy Therapy. These various forms of alternative practices have helped me to rid my mind, body and spirit of negative energy, stress and what is
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known as PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), which most of us have experienced at some time during our life. Over time stress affects our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being causing further breakdown, dis-ease and our vulnerability to falls and accidents. For me, health care is about taking care of the whole person, “Mind, Body & Spirit” through both Eastern and Western philosophies. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines “Traditional Medicine” as “health practices, approaches, knowledge and beliefs incorporating plant, animal and mineral-based medicines, spiritual therapies, manual techniques and exercises, applied singularly or in combination to treat, diagnose and prevent illnesses or maintain well-being.” There are many spokes on the wheel to health care that encompasses both Eastern and Western medicine. It is with great care and understanding that we now bring to you Conscious Health magazine, “Bridging the Gap Between All Health Care Traditions,” that will provide you with “expert information to guide you toward selfdiscovery in wellness.” In peace & love, Linda
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How did I get here from there? a message by Dawn J. Benko, Co-Founder of Conscious Health™ I am not a health nut. I will never be a health nut. I have no desire to be a health nut. I do, however, have the desire to live healthier than I have in the past. How did I live in the past? Well, let me tell ya. In my younger days, I could be found on any given day with a bacon cheeseburger, fries and strawberry shake at lunch. I would top that off with four donuts for dessert. Weight-wise I could get away with it, because I was so active. As a matter of fact, colleagues would call me a freak, because I would eat all of that three or four times a week and still lose weight or, at least, not gain any. Another wonderful habit I had was pushing my body beyond its limits, injuring myself and, subsequently, ignoring the injury until I had no choice but to go to the doctor. Half the time, the doctor couldn’t even figure out what was wrong, but the prescribed treatment was always the same — rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medication. I usually dumped the meds after a few days, because they
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didn’t work. That maaaaay have been because I tended to ignore the rest and ice part of the treatment. I’ll never know. What I do know is that I’ve done permanent damage to my body by not allowing it to heal properly. I can’t help wondering if some of the other problems I am dealing with now have something to do with the way I used to eat. Again, I’ll never know. The things I am dealing with are, by no means, serious. They’re more of a nuisance than anything else. With a couple of them, modern medicine has completely failed me by not being able to even give me a definitive diagnosis, despite being poked and squeezed and probed endlessly.
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In other areas they have been able to tell me what the problem is; however, the treatments, while not a complete failure, have come up short. Despite decades of non-diagnoses and treatment failures, I continued to put my faith in modern medicine and cast a wary eye toward anything deemed “natural” or “alternative” or “holistic.” While I am still skeptical of some of those methods, I’m coming around to some of them. About ten years ago, I started to look more and more toward natural ways of healing. I had a lot failures, but I kept trying. Recently, with the problems that I have definitive diagnoses for, I have found that I get the most positive results by combining modern medical treatments with alternative therapies and products. The results have astounded me. This, my friends, is how I came to the realization that I not only don’t have to but also can’t rely solely on modern medicine. It definitely has its place, but it is by no means the only answer for every health problem.
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COVER STORY
When do we move from mainstream medicine to a more holistic approach? by Clementina Verge, Contributing Writer Most people start out as the products of conventional medicine. Born in a hospital, they follow an immunization schedule and continue consulting with a pediatrician or physician when sickness strikes.
women’s health, fertility, and pregnancy. “Women don’t take medication or have surgeries while pregnant,” she pointed out. “Acupuncture is safe and effective for pain relief, nausea, fatigue and even labor induction.”
At some point, some of those people decide to break free from conventional medicine, and to seek strictly natural remedies, while others try to bridge the gap between traditional and alternative and find themselves benefitting from various kinds of health care. Jill Kleiber, an acupuncturist in West Hartford, Connecticut, grew up using traditional medicine but when acupuncture cured her facial paralysis she realized that at times alternative medicine is a better choice.
But rather than see acupuncture as a cureall, Kleiber highlights its ability to complement mainstream medicine, such as increasing the success rate of in-vitro fertilization by 50 to 80 percent, and aiding post surgery.
“When surgery is the best treatment, acupuncture can reduce the recovery time, sometimes dramatically,” Kleiber noted, adding that in China it is standard procedure for patients to Most of us begin our lives with mainstream medicine. We receive acupuncture after a stroke because it helps are born in a hospital and visit a pediatrician. But then them recover their nerve some of us move over to a more holistic approach. For an expectant mothfunction quickly. “Acuer, for example, alternapuncture is very effective tive medicine is a safer option than traditional in conjunction with surgery and reduces swelling, treatments, said Kleiber, whose specialty includes scar tissue and the need for narcotics.”
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A desire to help without the standard use of narcotics is what attracted Dr. Kenneth Langlieb to his profession. A psychologist in Ridgewood, New Jersey, Dr. Langlieb said that from an early age he felt a desire to help people, to listen to their problems, and to help them find lasting solutions. Today, Dr. Langlieb specializes in treating anxiety disorders, which affect more than 40 million Americans ages 18 and over, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. But instead of just handing his patients prescriptions for Cymbalta, Paxil, or Prozac, Dr. Langlieb helps them to identify the causes of their anxiety so they can learn lifelong coping skills. “Technology and pills have made us dependant on something outside of us,” he noted. “And while a pill may give you immediate relief, it’s short term. And a pill doesn’t teach you anything. People can have a bad reaction to medicine and there are so many other options that have no side effects.” These other options, known as alternative or holistic medicine, encompass herbal medicine, aromatherapy, mediation, and several other treatments not normally used by mainstream doctors, but which have been in place long before chemical laboratories and pharmaceutical giants. But what all have in common is a desire to solve the problem, not just the symptoms. “We don’t rely on pharmaceuticals,” said Dr. Ani Kalayjian, a New York psychotherapist and author of four books dealing with mass trauma and emotional healing. “We try to help our patients to overcome their anxiety in other ways. Anxiety, for example, has roots.” Dr. Kalayjian, whose father is a survivor of the Ottoman-Turkish Armenian genocide that killed 1.5
million Armenians, understands the depth of those roots and was drawn to psychotherapy out of the desire to “try and transform the pain, and help the larger community with sadness, depression, and unresolved trauma.” “We work to find those roots,” she said. “The health of the mind, body, and spirit is integrated. You cannot separate one from another.” This has also been the experience of Shannon Sodano, a nutritionist, and yoga and fitness instructor in Brooklyn, N.Y. A sports injury in college forced her to learn the difference between standard and alternative medicine. “I remember just how much time was spent between doctor’s visits, and it can be very disempowering because if they cannot figure it out, then you don’t have a solution,” Sodano said. “And the truth is, there isn’t just one answer.” Sodano found the answers outside the doctor’s office; this not only improved her health, but determined her career path. “You have to prioritize your own health,” cautioned Sodano. “No one else is going to take care of you. Start your own path to health. Take time for self care; have a cup of tea; choose foods that are energizing; spend time outdoors; spend time with family and friends. “The basis of alternative medicine is the basis that the body has the power to heal itself and to alter itself, and alternative medicine encourages and supports that process,” she added. “The rest is up to the individual.” But to some, that kind of responsibility is unwelcomed or downright frightening. “Some people are afraid of their own self, of what their intuition tells them,” Dr. Langlieb noted. cont’d on page 10
Clementina Pope Verge, a former journalist, teaches writing at Central Connecticut State University, University of Connecticut, and Tunxis Community College. Her writing has been featured in the Hartford Courant, The Rockville Gazette (Maryland), and the Morris County Daily Record (New Jersey). Her passions include travel, art, literature, animal rights, wildlife preservation, and spending time in Maine. She lives in Connecticut with her family, which includes two spoiled German Shepherds.
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Photo by Dawn J. Benko
Carol Stegan, at left, uses Jin Shin Jyutsu to help Kathy Kowalow of Whippany relax. Kowalow, 34, went into labor ealier in the morning with her first baby. After the treatment, she went from being dialated 4cm to 10 cm in about 20 minutes.
Approach
continued from page 9 “This is the case for many alcoholics and drug users. It scares them to look inside, but this fear is paralyzing.” Ultimately, people need to learn how to achieve balance. Dr. Langlieb cautions that some people are completely afraid or skeptical of traditional doctors. Others have an extreme view that they are totally responsible for their life threatening diseases. He recommends an in-between: “The right attitude is to say, ‘I am committed to healing myself, now help me’.” Kleiber recommends the same kind of balance. “Do not go to an acupuncturist with a stroke, heart attack, or broken bone! Go to the hospital first, stop at the acupuncturist the next week,” she said. Dr. Langlieb also highlighted
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the decisions involved in healthcare: a cold, for example, can be treated strictly through natural approaches, relying on rest, nutrition, and perhaps supplements. A cancer patient must decide between chemotherapy or alternative treatments, but someone with cataracts cannot avoid traditional surgery. “There is a huge place for traditional medicine, but also for alternative medicine,” he said, cautioning against extremes of thinking, either that traditional medicine is never necessary, or that it always is the only option. The bottom line, he said, is that people take charge of their health, and become educated and invested participants in their own health. “To accept personal responsibility takes more work, is harder than taking a pill,” Dr. Langlieb said. “People can just have a surgical procedure to lose weight, or they can learn to overcome emotional eating.” It is no hidden mystery that
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one’s diet greatly affects the body and mind, and many studies have shown a correlation between proper nutrition and health. Though many people are aware of this, making good choices is not easy, said Shirley Scranta, director of the International School of Shiatsu in Doylestown, Pa. “American consumers are hungry and searching in the wrong places,” she said. “Growers need to look at the soil and nurture it. Our land has been raided for years. The soil is deficient. There are no natural nutrients even in organic foods.” Scranta explained that the lining of our blood vessels is activated and rejuvenated by DNA of plants, fruits, and vegetables; therefore, a healthy green smoothie is not made from powder, and a diet of pizza, mac and cheese, and salad will not provide nutritional value. “People need to realize their cont’d on next page
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continued from page 10 choices, and manufacturers must be held accountable,” she urged. “Our food is modified; it doesn’t have the same taste as real food. Our food is processed in factories, much like our pills and medicine. It is totally wrong that you can genetically modify food and not have to label it as such. Other countries have banned this, and (Americans) don’t even taste it.” To cope with the consequences of poor nutrition, such as excessive sugar consumption, which, according to the Hypoglycemic Health Association, can lead to insulin resistance and depression, people could turn to
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traditional medication. According to Scranta, however, this decision often backfires. “Antidepressants make things worse. Medicine takes away your power,” she said. “A depressed person is missing something. The body and mind are not at peace, and the person knows they are missing something. What’s the underlying problem? Not just the symptoms. “ Like many other health experts, Scranta recommends a return to basics. “Life is connected to nature,” she said. “We need sunlight to interact with our body. We need Vitamin D. We need to get back to nature. Turn off technology, enjoy cooking a home cooked meal, and the company of those
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you share it with.” And, of course, there is shiatsu, used in China for the past 5,000 years, a technique similar to acupuncture, minus the use of needles. “It uses pressure on an energy gathering point,” Scranta explained. “It is about energy flow to the body, to nurture cells, and to restore and improve all the systems in the body.” Alternative medicine may be more respected outside American boundaries, but the trend is changing, especially with the arrival of more Asian doctors, and with the willingness of American doctors to become more open-minded toward Eastern medicine and integrate cont’d on next page
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continued from page 11 it in their practice.
we can become master chefs of homemade happiness and health. This would be right on target with the constitution of the World Health Organization,
which states, “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
“Government regulations and insurance companies are not promoting alternative medicine as rapidly as the consumers want it,” Dr. Langlieb observed. “Consumers have become more open to natural remedies, at a more rapid rate than medical doctors. Now we have several yoga teachers per county, health food stores, meditation classes. But you still don’t see doctors prescribing yoga at the same rate that consumers are using it.” Dr. Kalayjian also cautions against a passive following of just going to the doctor and doing whatever one is told, without questioning diagnosis or treatment options. “We need to take health back as our responsibility,” she stated. “You know better what lifestyle you have, what helps you, what will be most positive. We need to consult with those who know better than us, but the ultimate responsibility is upon us — you can do something.” And apparently, individual power is not such a far-fetched concept especially when realizing what a powerful organ the brain is in our biology. “There are 40,000 known chemicals in our brain and when we think, the way we think, we produce mood elevators, endorphins, serotonins,” Dr. Langlieb explained. “The chemicals inside ourselves can be changed. We can be our own drug store.” Imagine that — instead of being an overly medicated society that creates superbugs stronger than our immune systems,
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Photo by Dawn J. Benko
Massage therapist Mary Munoz works on a patient at Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, NJ. Holistic modalities like massage therapy are being incorporated more and more into the mainstream medical community.
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Using an integrated approach is best way to treat anxiety and panic attacks By Dr. Kenneth Langlieb, PhD. Have you ever felt like your heart was pounding, so intense that you thought it might burst? Your chest is heavy, breathing labored, numb tingling sensations down your arm or legs? Maybe you felt dizzy, sweat profusely, your hands got cold, you were shaking and couldn’t think straight. You were sure you were going to die. Compound this with driving a car while your children are in the back seat. What do you do? You visited a cardiologist, a neurologist or an endocrinologist. There are several medical conditions that can bring on these symptoms: Asthma, Insomnia, Alcohol or recreational Drug use, Poor eating habits, Hypoglycemia, Candida, Hyper or Hypothyroidism, Perimenapause or Heart Arrhythmia to name a few. It is important to determine if there is a medical condition that requires medical attention. Often a trip to the emergency room with a racing heart results in a diagnosis of Anxiety or Panic Attack. A condition that is more psychological than physiological. Perhaps it is more accurate to say it is “psycho-physiological.” This is the true intersection between mind and body. Once a person is mildly stressed and notices some physical symptoms, the mind jumps to the conclusion that there is something drastically wrong. The mind starts to race and take over and next the body rapidly goes into hyper-drive. A medical doctor may prescribe anti-anxiety medications, but there is also a lot one can do to reduce the symptoms in addition to or even without medication in many cases.
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Where did this come from? When we hit an emotional wall, when too much stress is on us that we can not process, we go into overload. If there is a combination of family stress, financial losses, death in the family, relationship problems or medical issues, we can get overloaded. Learning the proper way to do
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paced breathing or abdominal breathing goes a long way to calm down the parasympathetic nervous system ( the flight or fight response) and activate the sympathetic nervous system ( the relaxation response). This will slow down the heart rate, begin to quiet the mind and set the stage for the cont’d on next page
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Anxiety
continued from page 14 next step. Relaxing the muscles thru progressive muscle relaxation or guided imagery will allow the muscles to unwind, blood to flow once more to the brain and may even reduce blood pressure, dizzy sensations and warm up the hands. Next, the big challenge, is to get the mind to control the mind. In a Zen like fashion, often letting go of control is the way to gain control. Set aside daily worry time, meditating to clear the mind, using positive pro-relaxation affirmations or rational thoughts is a good start. Someone who lost a friend recently, may have a harder time stopping themselves from thinking they might be next. Someone with an obsessive thinking pattern may need extra assistance to capture their thoughts and convert them to peaceful images and sensations.
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The mind is such a miracle. Some people are very sensitive to their thoughts, so if they think of something scary, they go right into fight or flight mode. But, the good news is, they may also be as sensitive to positive safe thoughts which will bring them right down to a relaxed healthy frame of mind. If the anxiety and stress go untreated, a person may not be able to drive to school, work or socialized. Left untreated, other stress related medical conditions could crop up or be exacerbated. Reducing the underlying anxiety and managing daily life stressors, goes a long way to improving one’s frame of mind and physical well being. Additional treatments may include biofeedback, neurofeedback, assertiveness training, cognitivebehavioral therapy, exposure therapy, relaxation training, bodycentered psychotherapies, fitness/ nutritional counseling and exploration of self-esteem/self-identity issues.
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There is much hope for people experiencing anxiety. Even if it has been many many years, the proper help can go a long way to making significant reductions in the levels of anxiety and promoting a more peaceful mind and satisfying lifestyle. Kenneth Langlieb, Ph.D., is a NJ Licensed Psychologist specializing in natural approaches to treating anxiety, panic and stress disorders. Dr Langlieb has taught at several colleges including Montclair State, Rockland Community, Bergen Community, Bloomfield College, Rutgers University, University of Houston, Kansas State, Indiana State and has worked at several Mental Health Clinics and Hospitals. He has been in Private Practice in Ridgewood and West Milford, NJ for twenty (20) years. He practices yoga, meditation and fitness. He is a musician/composer and an appreciator of the beauty and healing effects of nature. He has traveled thru Asia, South America and the Caribbean learning and exploring world cultures and healing practices.
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Giz is gone Easing grief with Emotional Freedom Techniques by Debra M. Hollinrake An inner voice said, “Look behind you.” As I do, my eyes catch the sight of Gizmo, my beloved orange Tabby, forced into that all too familiar vision of pure pain. It’s odd how I remember at this moment how he would curve up his spine just like that as a kitten when he felt playfully threatened. Then I watch him twist from acid attack as the intestinal illness ravaging his system for the last nine months sends spasms through his little body again. The inner voice then says what I have refused to hear for too long. “It’s time to let him go.” For the first time, I hear with wiser ears. “It’s time to let him go. He’s lost half his body weight, is almost always uncomfortable, and can’t digest his food. It’s time to let my sweet boy go.” I call my veterinarian and tell her it’s time to let Giz go. She asks, “Can you bring him in today at 3:45 p.m.?” My throat catches and my body reacts – so soon? I hear myself speak, “Okay. See you then.” I hang up the phone, and my
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Photos courtesy of Debra M. Hollinrake
Here was the whole gang: Gizmo, Billie, Desi and K2 sitting by the window watching out for things.
The grief from losing Gizmo, at left, was overwhelming but Debra Hollinrake knew it was time to let him go and she used the Emotional Freedom Technique to help herself get through the grief and begin to heal from the loss.
grief is through the roof. On a scale of 1-10, it’s 25. As the grief grips my body, I begin applying EFT. I tap on my Karate Chop point and say, “Even though I feel this overwhelming grief at a 10 intensity, I deeply and completely accept myself.” I say this two more times while tapping, using “this grief trying to burst out of my chest” and “this overwhelming grief”.
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Now the reminder phrases while tapping acupoints. Top of head: “This grief.” Eyebrow: “This overwhelming grief.” Side of Eye: “This grief.” Under Eye: “This 10 intensity grief.” Under Nose: “This grief.” Chin: “This grief.” Collar Bone: “This grief.” Under arm: “This grief.” I measure my intensity and, amazingly, cont’d on next page
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Grief
continued from page 16 the grief is gone but now I feel sad. This is a new aspect so I measure the intensity and tap again, this time on the sadness. Two sequences and I’m down to 0. Wow! That was easier than I thought it would be! Driving to the vet, I tell Giz that I’m taking him to finally ease his pain once and for all. Tapping with my right hand while steering with my left. “You’re finally going to be free!” I pet Gizmo’s little paw as he meows and I tell him he’s going into the light. Following EFT protocol, I tap. “Maybe you’ll see our other cats there.” Tap, tap tap. “And chase butterflies again.” Tap tap tap. When we arrive I think, “I’m okay. I’ll be okay.” We go into the patient room and I set Gizmo on the soft pillow I brought for him. I tap on his little head and down his spine and say, “Even though you don’t feel good and you don’t want to be here, you are the best cat in the whole world. Even though you’re going into the light now, I love you so much.” The assistant holds Giz while the vet finds his vein. I keep tapping Giz and whispering to him. Surprised, the assistant exclaims what I already know. “He’s purring!” Within seconds he’s asleep. A few seconds more and he’s gone. I walk briskly to the car, open the door and fall into the seat as the water works begin. I clearly have more emotional aspects to release so tap on every one I can think of: “needle in his vein,” “he’s gone forever,” “he’ll never sleep with me again,” “gizzywizzywizmo,” and so on. Within 45 minutes, I no longer feel grief or sadness. I feel a little empty, but the negative charges are gone. I finally say out loud, “Giz is Gone.” I remember him purring as he joined the light…and smile. Yes, Giz is gone, but I bet his spirit’s doing just fine. Debra M. Hollinrake is a certified EFT Practitioner and energy and light worker in the lineage of King Solomon. She has a private practice in Milford, PA and offers her services at The Tree of Health Center in Newton, NJ.
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Illustration courtesy of Debra M. Hollinrake
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Healing through music The HTM Method focuses on the power of resonance byDalit Lerner Shmueli Throughout the ages, music has been a source of power and mystery. From religious rituals in ancient Greece, to Indian healing chants, to Tibetan singing bowls, the energetic and beneficial powers of music have deeply affected every culture. There is no doubt that music can have an impact on our mood, our mind and our body. We humans react to musical frequencies, both on the physiological and emotional levels. Our internal selves resonate in harmony, enabling renewal and healing. In the hands of Yosef Schwartz-Shahar, music’s transcendent power can change one’s physical and emotional reality with healing energetic frequencies. Schwartz-Shahar has studied the powerful impact of music on the body, exploring the healing possibilities inherent in music. His HTM method (Healing through Music) channels the energetic healing powers of resonance – the interaction of sound waves from the very specific combination of notes in the tunes he composes – to treat and heal. When the musical frequencies resonate and vibrate on the cellular level, returning emotional and physical balance to the body, healing occurs. Yosef Schwartz-Shahar is a musician, composer and music teacher who has spent the past seven years delving deep into the world of higher energy healing. A natural progression led
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him to develop his unique healing method, based on the acoustic qualities of sound. Higher energy and music intertwined, as he refined the skills that enabled him to sense the underlying causes of people’s emotional and physical problems, and use his music to heal them. Schwartz-Shahar describes it this way: “Through channeling, I came to the understanding of how specific frequencies would work on a specific organ in the body. There is a give-and-take relationship between resonance and the body. Many of my insights came from the world of music, from my training as a piano tuner. I can hear the ‘notes within the notes,’ I do not need electronic devices to tune a musical instrument. I can feel the
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notes vibrating, how they affect other notes, and even objects in the room. This ability sharpened my understanding of how the body can have a physical reaction to a set of notes, and the energetic effect music has on the body.” The Four Elements As he began to compose tunes, guided on the spiritual plane through channeling, he began to treat his patients, and those of his wife Rivka, a TCM practitioner and energy healer herself. They soon discovered that the songs that kept playing in Yosef’s head had healing frequencies. As he recorded them, cont’d on page 20
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continued from page 18 they discovered that each new tune affected a different part of the body. It did not take long before they made the connection to the four elements: earth, air, water and fire. Aware that imbalance or instability of the elements in the body can cause physical or emotional distress, Yosef and Rivka researched healing theories based on the four elements as building blocks in the body. Knowing that each person has a dominant element, and a different order of the “building blocks,” they developed a method to pinpoint the areas of the body where there is an imbalance of the elements. Balance and Healing Throughout the ages, music has been a source of power and mystery. Emotional and physical balFrom religious rituals in ancient Greece, to Indian healing chants, to Tibetan ance in every organ and system singing bowls, the energetic and beneficial powers of music have deeply of the body is essential for wellaffected every culture. being and optimal health. The healing tunes in the HTM method tions for guided imagery while create a frequency that permeates physiological level.” A treatment session with Yolistening to the music. These visuand vibrates within the organs. sef and Rivka always starts with alizations help guide the flow of The body responds, enabling ena tune called “Joy”, followed by the musical frequency and assist ergetic balance and healing, even an additional piece that relates to in the healing process. in cases where the root causes of the specific health condition they Healers can use HTM alone, illness are unclear. The succesneed to focus on. For maximum efor to enhance and intensify other sion of musical notes in the tunes fect, the usual course of treatment alternative therapies. The HTM composed by Yosef is the key to is a minimum of nine sessions, method is a powerful self-healing achieving this balance, and a deonce a week. Yosef stresses the tool that anyone can benefit from, tailed questionnaire he develimportance of scheduling weekly whether to recover from illness, oped helps to decide which tunes treatments on the same day and or simply as a pleasant and efto use. Each tune treats specific time, and the need, between sesfective way to promote a sense of elements, and has special healing sions, for the body to acclimatize well-being. characteristics targeted toward to the healing frequencies. For more information, visit the particular organs. Yosef believes that guided imHTM website: healthrumusic. “Music has a lower frequency agery is an essential part of the com than high energy healing; it is easDalit Lerner Shmueli is a writer, ier for the body to accept, so the healing process – a therapeutic tool that increases the effect of the editor and translator. She focuses reaction is much stronger,” says music in the HTM method. Guidon holistic health and natural wellYosef. “Even the most skeptical ed imagery has an enormous imness, working with healers and natuof patients can feel the intensity pact on the body, restoring balral health innovators to bring their of the energetic frequencies, and ance, accelerating healing, and unique perspectives, insights, methbenefit from the healing energy helping to cope with illness on the ods and stories to the public awareof the tunes. Every one of my patients can feel the change that the emotional level. Therefore, each ness. Dalit is from New Jersey, and body undergoes in HTM, on the tune comes with specific instruc- currently lives and works in Israel.
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10 tips for more energy every day — Simple lifestyle changes to a healthier happier you by Ellen G. Goldman, M.Ed. It’s late afternoon, you still have tons to accomplish; yet you can’t keep your eyes open. Your focus is gone, and all you can think about is how you will possibly get through the rest of the day. When you do get home, you’re too tired to enjoy your family, cranky and irritable, and all you want is to have some dinner and collapse in front of the TV. Sound familiar? You are not alone. So many of my clients tell me the one thing they really want is more energy. Amazingly, small changes in your daily habits can produce big changes in how you feel. Try on some of the suggestions below, and see if you don’t begin feeling more alive, productive and energized throughout your day. 1. When working at your desk, take a break every 90-120 minutes. Get up, walk around, take a snack, get some fresh air, or call a friend. Even five minutes will bring you back to your task feeling refreshed and energized. 2. Commit to a time and finally complete that big project that’s been on your to do list. If it’s been constantly nagging at the back of your mind, getting it finished will release an enormous amount of energy. 3. Stop multitasking. Stay totally engaged until one job is complete and then move on to the next. 4. Get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night, preferably at the same time, to keep you feeling rested and alert. 5. Exercise. It seems like the last thing you would want to do when feeling exhausted and drained. However, energy begets energy. Even 10 minutes of brisk walking will refresh you and make you feel more awake. 6. Switch your exercise routine to mid-afternoon when energy levels are most likely to plummet. 7. Practice deep breathing. When we are rushed and stressed, often we breathe fast and shallow,
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and we don’t even realize it. Taking a couple of minutes to relax your body and take a few long, deep breaths, will refuel your cells with oxygen, leaving you feeling more refreshed. 8. Try a power nap. Set your alarm and don’t sleep for more than 20 to 30 minutes or it might interfere with the quality of your evening sleep. 9. Avoid toxic relationships as much as possible. If you notice whenever you spend time with a particular friend or colleague you leave feeling exhausted, it’s a sure sign that they are an energy drainer. 10. Build in some down time every day. Sitting in silence, meditating, journaling, praying or enjoying nature are all powerful ways to refresh and recharge your batteries. It’s hard to change our habits, but when we take small steps, one at a time, we reach success. Choose one or two tips, and incorporate them into your routine every week. Within a couple of months, you should notice a huge difference in how you feel. Everyday holds opportunities to love, learn, and enjoy life with those around you. Don’t be too exhausted to notice. Ellen Goldman created EnerGcoaching, LLC, to help overextended business professionals and entrepreneurs who are worried about their health and happiness, and are either exhausted, burnt out, out of shape, overweight, or all of the above! She shows clients how to integrate health into their busy lifestyles with simple, small steps that lead to massive change, resulting in greater energy, focus, productivity and happiness every day. Ellen is a Certified Wellness Coach and Certified Personal Trainer. She holds a BS and Masters in Physical Education, and is certified by American College of Sports Medicine, Aerobic and Fitness Association of America, and Wellcoaches Corporation. To learn more about Ellen and her wellness programs, visit www.EnerGcoaching.com,
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Assessing anxiety and depression through the mind, body and spirit connection by Kim Ruggierio It is clear that our society today, as a whole, is overworked and highly stressed which often leads to high anxiety and depression. We often battle these with alcohol, comfort food and yes, even compulsive shopping. Many of us simply look to distract and numb ourselves rather than unpeel the onion and face our issues head-on. Of the many clients I have worked with as a Wellness Coach, the majority have been challenged by anxiety or depression. If left untreated, anxiety and depression can lead to serious complications. Well-rounded Mind/Body/ Spirit assessments are the key to effective, long-term solutions. Sadly, many physicians lack the time and training to assess and treat us as a whole person. Root causes are often overlooked and the resulting symptoms become the basis of our treatment. For example, undiagnosed and untreated Thyroid Disease can result in anxiety and depression. Medicating the symptom does nothing to address the root cause and may even mask it further. Antidepressants are one of the most frequently prescribed medications in the United States. Unfortunately, their side effects may mimic our original symptoms or even trigger a domino
Conscious Health
effect of new issues which can overwhelm us even more. I do not argue that anxiety and depression may require medication. However, we need to examine other factors as well, that are often overlooked, that may impact and contribute to these chronic conditions. Fuel For Your Engine The quality of foods we eat, along with the timing of meals, can affect depression and anxiety. Many people skip breakfast or have only coffee and a doughnut. They describe their mornings as stressful, and may experience headaches, lack of focus, mood swings and feelings of high anxiety. A sugar or caffeine surge can negatively af-
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fect a person’s physiology, particularly brain function. Even if a person doesn’t have Diabetes, Insulin levels can rise and peak, and blood sugar levels drop. This vicious cycle repeats over and over during the day. Being proactive and eating well-balanced, mini-meals throughout the day can help keep blood sugar stable. Combining complex carbohydrates with protein is ideal. Clients who eat at least three meals a day, plus natural snacks in between, tell me how much better they feel both emotionally and physically. Catching Zzzzzzzzz When we lose sleep or experience poor quality of sleep, chemcont’d on next page
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Connection
continued from page 23 ical changes in the brain affect our perception of ourselves and how we view the world. This also impacts our ability to effectively deal with life’s stresses. Many of my clients sleep with the television on. This can affect Serotonin levels in the brain, which can impact our REM stage sleep. We may wake feeling energetic, but are we truly well-rested? “Nervous energy” should not be confused with healthy, well-balanced energy. Getting a minimum of 7 to 8 hours of quality sleep each night can help you feel like a million bucks, inside and out. Keep Moving Exercise can help with anxiety and depression. Studies have
shown that physically active people recover from mild depression more quickly, and that there is a strong correlation between physical activity and good mental health. When juggling family, career and household responsibilities, more often than not, exercise is the first action item to fall off our To Do list. Raising your heart rate into your aerobic zone for 45 minutes a day, 3 to 5 days a week, can help realign your perspective and increase your ability to manage stress more effectively. Over time, this can lead to a reduction in anxiety and depression. Motivation can be hard to come by when you’re depressed. One way through this challenge is to retrain your brain to view exercise as “play,” something you deserve and look forward to. Find something you love to do, perhaps with friends or fam-
ily, and establish a routine you can stick to. The Vitamin Factor Vitamin & mineral deficiencies can also affect anxiety and depression. I recommend specific blood work, to rule this out of the equation, early on. B vitamins are essential for normal brain function and mood regulation. A vitamin D deficiency may cause low moods along with muscle weakness. Potassium, also known as the “cognition mineral,” can impact anxiety and depression. If levels are too low, symptoms can include decreased focus, impaired cognition, muscle weakness, fatigue, anxiety, nervous system deterioration, poor sleep and yes, depression. Omega-3 supplements, either alone or especially in combination with prescription medications and talk therapy, may be effective in treating mild to moderate depression. While more research is needed, it appears that low levels of Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA), one of the fatty acids found in fish, are common in people with depression. Supplementation with therapeutic doses of amino acids sometimes results in an improvement in mood in just a few days, but the typical course of treatment lasts from two months to a year. Low doses of amino acid supplements are used thereafter. Amino acids are converted to neurotransmitters. As neurotransmitter levels rise, depression and anxiety symptoms diminish. The Highly Sensitive Person Emotionally sensitive people/Empaths often experience heightened levels and greater frequency of both anxiety and depression. The (HSP) Highly Sensitive Person is a term that psychiatrists and psy-
Photo by iStock
Many of us simply look to distract and numb ourselves rather than unpeel the onion and face our issues head-on.
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cont’d on next page
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Connection
continued from page 24 chologists often use to describe this type of person. An HSP tends to have a hyper-sensitive nervous system, is highly aware of subtleties in his/her surroundings, is more easily overwhelmed when in an over-stimulating environment, and is extremely sensitive to the feelings of others. These are often positive experiences, however, based on their surroundings and stimuli, they can be negative and even damaging to the individual’s emotional well-being. Through education and practice, the HSP can master their gifts rather than relying on medication to numb or mask the situation so they don’t have to “feel.” Aches and Pain Chronic pain, at high or low levels, can drive the mind and body deep into a stressful, anxious state. Over time, we may become so familiar with the pain that we overlook it’s direct impact on our overall mood and sense of wellbeing. Eventually, we feel lethargic and slow our daily pace. We may lose motivation to enjoy our children, complete our chores and even go to work. To work through this, we must first take the time to assess, preferably with a professional, the connection between our anxiety and depression and our underlying physical pain. Once we gain a clear understanding of this, we can take steps to better manage the pain through medication, exercise, meditation, nutrition, Reiki and other such practices, to help minimize the emotional strain and move past the resulting anxiety and depression. Talking to someone about what you are going through can help.
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Finding a professional who truly listens to you, thinks outside the box, and doesn’t just treat you by your test results, can make all the difference. This can be an MD, therapist, or spiritual guide, as well as holistic, healing practitioners. Facing ourselves in the mirror can be something that makes us uncomfortable, however, by not doing this we miss out on unleashing our potential to heal. They say the answers are inside of us. Finding someone you trust and taking small steps is a great way to start. Assessing anxiety and depression through the mind, body and spirit connection is crucial. They are truly interconnected. We are a whole person and not the sum of our symptoms. Through education we can gain a better understanding of alternative treatment options. Well-rounded approaches that complement allopathic medicine, providing us with positive results.
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Iit is important to be empowered and inspired to become our own health and wellness advocates. Have faith and never give up. Kim Ruggierio is the founder and driving force behind Wellness Begins Here. Kim is a Certified Wellness Coach, a Certified Corporate Wellness Coach, a Reiki Master, a Degreed Exercise Physiologist and is affiliated with The American College Of Sports Medicine. She has more than 20 years of experience serving women, men and children from all walks of life including competitive athletes and weight loss/fitness clients with medical challenges. Kim has also survived health challenges of her own. She has combined her own personal experiences and knowledge of holistic health practices with her extensive professional background in the medical, pharmaceutical and fitness communities, to assist other people in overcoming their own obstacles, particularly women suffering from complex and confusing autoimmune diseases.
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Is there a doctor in the house? Be conscious of toxic substances in the home and limit them by Dr. Melissa Brown, MD, CPC Conscious health. The definition of ‘conscious’ is: The state of being aware of something, and in this case—conscious of health. Health, too, has multiple meanings but let’s agree to consider that health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not just the absence of disease or disability. Conscious health assumes a “wellness-oriented lifestyle” and those who are aware or conscious of health are concerned with mind, body, and spirit through nutrition, fitness, stress management and the environment. Let’s look at that word environment. Not in the sense of the world environment just now, but your home environment. It’s a sad fact that our environment is toxic, and in particular our homes are very polluted with chemical toxins. What do you do when your house—your home—is sick? Actually, not just sick, but poisoned? What kind of doctor do you call to ask for a ‘house call’? The truth is that we all live in toxic homes to various degrees. It’s an inescapable fact that we are living in such toxic times that we can’t totally escape all of the 84,000+ chemicals currently registered by the Environmental Protection Agency. No one is safe. Even the Inuit Eskimos living in the Arctic are not exempt from these chemicals and may even be more at risk from exposure due to the bioaccumulation effect bringing these toxins into the polar regions. Awareness of these toxins in
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the home is particularly important in households with pregnant mothers or young children. It is widely known that children are more susceptible to the effects of toxic chemicals in the environment than are adults. There are seven main reasons for this. •Pound for pound, children consume more food, water and air than adults. If that food, water or air is polluted, the child receives a proportionally larger dose of the toxins. •Children have unique behaviors that allow them to contact environmental toxins that an adult would logically avoid. Children learn about their environment by mouthing objects, putting their hands into their mouths and licking items. For example, pesticide residue tracked into the home from adults’ shoes is found in carpet
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fibers that babies crawl over and then put their hands into their mouths ingesting the pesticide chemicals. •A child is closer to the ground due to their shorter heights and more exposed to toxic vapors released from carpeting or radon emitted from the ground in your basement. •Children’s bodies are unable to detoxify many chemicals that enter the body. They lack the metabolic pathways that a mature liver would have to clear the toxins. The toxins can then accumulate in the body causing damage at any age. •Children’s gastrointestinal absorption is better than an adult’s. This is a double-edged sword. It’s good for absorbing calcium for growing bones but not good that lead is easily absorbed from ingesting paint chips. •The neurological pathways are being formed during embryology and early childhood. If there is a disruption in critical sequences or timing, the effects could be permanent and irreversible, even if the toxin is later removed from the body. •And lastly, exposure early on to a toxin may create changes that are set in motion that won’t manifest until adulthood or even late adulthood. Certain cancers fall into this category. Lymphoma, for example, has been linked to exposure to pesticides or the chemical benzene years or decades earlier. So what is a parent to do? cont’d on next page
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Photo © Can Stock Photo Inc. / monticello
It’s important to try to reduce the toxins used in and around the hoime to keep from exposing your family to them.
Doctor
continued from page 26 How do you keep your family safe? Awareness about this threat to conscious health is the first step in helping your sick home. In essence then, we can all become our own ‘house doctor’. When you become aware of the common places that chemical toxins can be brought into your home along with everyday items, this knowledge brings power. Your power is manifested in your future choices. You can choose to reduce, replace and eliminate these toxic chemicals wherever possible. You become the house doctor to diagnose where there are toxins and then prescribe a treatment—a cleanse or detox— of your home. This might sound like a daunting task. However, with a system to examine the different parts of your home much like
Conscious Health
a traditional physician moves through the different body parts systematically while conducting a physical examination, the process becomes much more doable. There are quick and easy action steps that anyone can take to reduce the toxic load within their home and prevent recontamination. Not all of the chemical toxins in an individual home can be eliminated 100 percent. We apply the serenity prayer to the toxic home: God grant me the serenity to accept that there are toxins in my home that I cannot change, the courage to remove, reduce or eliminate the toxins where I can and the wisdom to know the difference. Don’t get overwhelmed by trying to do too much at once. That will surely set you up for burnout. Follow a system and go through one area of your home at a time making gradual changes. If you need help, enlist your pediatrician or other health
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care professional that can assist you with the process. Dr. Melissa Brown, MD, CPC, is also known as “The Tox Doc For Kids!” Dr. Brown retired from mainstream pediatric clinical practice after a 25 year career and began to research more fully the toxic home epidemic. Raised on a farm in the country, she has always had a passion for a healthy environment for all living things. Dr. Brown realized that modern-day overwhelmed parents are confused with all of the information about toxic chemicals in everyday items. She began removing toxic items in her own home and recognized that the most efficient way to do this was with a system. She created her proprietary system, the FIRED UP™ system, to help parents more effectively make those changes in their own homes. Dr. Brown is available for speaking engagements and private coaching for parents. You may visit Dr. Brown’s website at www. greenlightcoaching.com.
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of Creative Action Works. Taking creative action works to enhance many aspects of one’s life and mirrors one’s attributes. Each activity takes on personal meaning as core being is reawakened. The ways to view through the windows of with sensory awareness are infinite through artistry. Elizabeth Olney This is as enriching as the many ways that there are to be creative. CAW facilitates workshops in drawing, painting, Mandala-work, mask-making, sculpture, poetry, Creative Visualization, percussion music and dance-movement. In addition to workshops in The Arts, CAW gives one-to-one art sessions, a seminar “The Dynamics of Creativity”, offers consultation and in-services to health and educational facilities while providing internship/volunteer Creativity : opportunities. As a part of •Stirs the imagination Conscious Health, CAW serves to •Honors all feelings and encourage people to become the best individuality that one can be with empathy and •Frees up discontent and fears compassion for others •Clarifies thoughts with always with the utmost respect for Nature. mindfulness May Conscious Health heal and enhance the •Brings spirit sources to light world with love and li ght. •Re-activates potential Elizabeth Olney contribues articles about •Enlivens the world with creativity and art for Conscious HealthTM wide-eyed sensibility magazine. She can be •Celebrates life itself reached at cawobeth@ gmail.com.
Creative Arts
Creativity can nourish the soul As I honor the nexus of being, I contend that “Creativity is the voice of Creation”. Creativity nourishes the soul and keeps the heart afire. As an artist and Art Workshop Facilitator, it has been a privilege of opportunities to inspire others to engage in artistic endeavors. Having served dozens of clients, implemented Art Therapy programming and conducting many art sessions for people ages 3 to 93, the moments of awe I witness are wondrous and inspiring. I am the founder
We welcome letters to We would love to hear from you! Please write to us at: ch@conscioushealth-online.com Conscious Health
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Working with Spirit: Subtle Energy
down, to do it in person or anywhere in the world via the telephone. I have developed a certification course for the healing work that I do and founded a school to teach intuitive sciences. I am honored to speak for many members of the Hierarchy of Light, ascended masters, teachers, with Christina angels, and saints. My experiences have taught Lynn Whited me so much and I try to share those lessons through my work. Ultimately, I work with energy – with Light – with Love. In my view it is all one, as we are all One. I do my best to connect with that part of each of us that is eternal, that part that is pure energy, and thereby to bring forth healing. Our human nature most times requires a structure for I am told that our greatest challenges propel the healing process, and since there are very few us toward our greatest passions. In my life it has magic wands available these days, I use methods also been true that those challenges and passions and tools that I have created and channeled over have propelled me the years to guide me in toward my greatest each process. When I gifts. put a name to my work I am a channel and it is Spiritual Detox. a healer, a teacher and Clearing away past life a counselor. Although baggage is the focus of I was already working the four steps: Soul Path to develop my innate Clearance, Unconscious intuitive gifts, the Scripts Release, challenge of being up Quantum Leap Healing, against a brick wall and the Golden Orb one too many times Technique. The net in my life moved me result is greater clarity, in a direction I had no a feeling of lightness inkling I would take. and joy, and far fewer I felt blocked in brick walls. my journey and I So in this column knew it was not the I will be writing result of anything about energy work that I had done. That in a wide variety of was when I became manifestations. I hope aware of the reality of you will journey with outside interference me on this amazing and psychic attack. I ride. discovered that I had Christina Lynn the ability to heal Whited has been featured ghosts, to release in People Magazine, on psychic attack, and to CNN and Geraldo, and remove curses. Since in the New York Post, those early years, I The Los Angeles Times, have been blessed The Chicago Tribune and to help thousands many other papers. Her Photo © Can Stock Photo Inc. / Massonforstock of people, as well work has also been lauded as many more who by such notables as Dr. received residual benefits but will never know Wayne Dyer and Dr. Joe Vitale. Christina heads The my name. Circle of Intention School of Intuitive Sciences and I have found ways to expand the clearance the Church of All Creation, both in High Bridge, New work that I offer, to speed it up and to slow it Jersey.
How I came to do energy work
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Everyday Acupressure with Susannah Pitman
Often the path comes when we sit still Stillness is the greatest revelation.
during that time. In that moment, there is nothing else to do but be still. As a result of being still with needles, patients have expressed gaining insight, especially with regard to problems they have been struggling with. Patients have told me they realized they need to change careers, let go of toxic people, eat healthier, and be still more often, among other things. In general, patients have realized being still can bring about great, life-changing revelation. I can relate to this personally. In my mid-20s, I was working as a massage therapist, a career I enjoyed a lot. However, that career was not completely fulfilling. I did not know what to do next, but I knew I needed to do something else. I intentionally made time to sit still for a little while and think about what career would fulfill my needs. Within a minute, acupuncture came to mind. Interestingly, I knew nothing about acupuncture, I had never had a treatment before, and I was afraid of needles. While being an acupuncturist did not make sense, it still felt good to think about becoming one. After researching the career and schools, I went for it. Here I am now, with a career that is fulfilling for me in every way imaginable. Also, the fear of needles was released.
— Lao Tzu This is one of my favorite quotes. We live in a culture that is not very still. We are often on the run, multitasking along the way. The high-paced energy that is often celebrated and rewarded is the complete opposite of being still. Sometimes negative connotations, such as laziness and passiveness, are associated with stillness, a common misunderstanding of what it truly means to be still. I believe that when people are still, great revelations can come their way. I see this often in my acupuncture practice. During acupuncture treatments, patients are Susannah Pitman, MS, LAc, forced to be still on my is a NCCAOM certified Diplomate treatment table so as to in acupuncture and is a licensed not disturb the needles. acupuncturist in the state of New Patients have to find Jersey. She is the owner of Balance that place of letting go Acupuncture Center in Boonton, of the idea that needles NJ. She founded The Harmony are inserted all over Photo by Š Can Stock Photo Inc. / wacker Journal, an online blog about their body, which can complementary and alternative cause some to tense up, Acupuncturist Susannah Pitman was once afraid of needles but now she uses them in therapies. She also creates and and just release into her practice. teaches self-help acupressure stillness. classes. She serves as Secretary of Often times, this is the Board of Directors of Changing Health, Inc., completely opposite of what they are used to a nonprofit dedicated to providing donation-based doing all day. acupuncture clinics for people in need, a nonprofit Patients have to be still, to face the present she helped founded. moment and process whatever comes to mind
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Conscious Parenting with Beth Haessig
It’s important to read relationships with our children correctly “Inquiry meets the thought and it opens itself to freedom.” — Adyashanti How do we as parents get free from the thoughts that bind us to certain feelings and behaviors? These are the thoughts that create fixed roles, reactions and responses in our relationships with our children. We can do this through our personal inquiries. Our children change before our eyes as do their needs. Our love is a constant but its expressions—oh how those change. Nose-to-nose kisses we deliver to a fourmonth old may need to be transformed into a different expression for our eight-year-old. The quick responsive holding for our twoyear-old must look different ten years later. We need to let go of the behaviors we enjoy delivering to our children, in order to feel into their specific needs that are being presented in this very moment. The now of parenting gives us such a terrific challenge because it calls forth continuous letting go of what was, and what we want, in order to see what is unfolding before us. It demands a clear mind, free of “shoulds” and expectations. We need to be able to clearly experience what our children are needing from us through their behavior—not our thoughts about their behavior. It may feel like a tight rope walk across a raging ravine, where sometimes our step matches our child’s need and we step perfectly on the rope, while other attempts at love are rejected outright and we feel we’ve been pushed off the rope into the raging river below.
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In unconscious retaliation, we may be tempted to push them away in order to be the one to stay in charge of the love relationship. But what would it be like to bring inquiry to the moment our loving behaviors are challenged by our children? Are they asking us to step out of a traditional role, into a new place with them? Are they needing us to see them differently; from a unique vantage point? Maybe they have a new emerging part in them that needs loving in a way we’ve never had to love before? Allow yourself to engage in an inquiry about the way you are loving your children these days. Are you allowing them to push you away? Are you allowing them to express themselves? How are you responding? Your inquiry may open you to more growth and freedom in your parenting. In this new magazine Conscious Health, we will explore parenting inquiries in all forms throughout the year. I welcome you to be part of this new venture with me. Dr. Beth L. Haessig, Psy.D. is a licensed psychologist, body-centered psychotherapist, and a Kripalu-certified yoga teacher. She works in schools, in a Newark hospital, and has a private practice in Denville. Her mind-body interventions are experiential, body-focused and skill based, as she views her client’s challenges as sourced in a lack of mindful awareness & skills rather than pathology. She specializes in trauma, anxiety and depression, eating issues, and relationship difficulties. Additional training includes Core Energetics (R), Trauma Resiliency Model (R), LifeForce Yoga (R), Exceptional Marriage (R) and MySelf Design (R) (bariatric counseling). Her clients are children, adults, and families.
Integrative Energy Healing E Shamanism Lightarian Reiki E Hypnotherapy 732.248.8759 c: 908.930.9011
holisticlifemaster.com jstann@ aol.com
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The Naturopathic Physician
with Dr. Peter Bongiorno
Science Is Starting to Catch Up to Naturopathic Wisdom My hearty and hale 92 year-old Aunt Lillie remains the healthful life of the party. In fact, a few weeks ago, she led the sing-along for my parents’ 55th anniversary. When I was a kid, I remember her telling us to eat our broccoli and eat plenty of fish. She also warned us to stay away from margarine — she made it a point to say: “As long as I’m alive, only BUTTER will be eaten in this house!” As a kid, I did like fish, but never really gravitated towards green vegetables. I also had no problem slathering margarine all over a piece of Wonder bread. Today, as a naturopathic physician, I realize it was not only just Aunt Lillie who appreciated the benefits of healthy foods at a time when it was not very fashionable. During my childhood and adolescent years (of the 1960s through the 1980s), while I was eating at Burger King anytime I had the chance, there was a subculture of “health fanatic” naturopathic physicians who believed that whole and organic food were vitally important to health. They were also persecuted for telling people not to take wonder drugs, for the body can heal with natural means. People like Dr. John Bastyr (for whom my naturopathic medical school Bastyr University in Seattle is named) held this thoughtful space and carried natural medicine, virtually by themselves, until the rest of society could catch up. Genes Aren’t Our Destiny? In 2012, not only has the public and the likes of Dr. Mehmet Oz finally started to catch up with Dr. Bastyr and Aunt Lillie. Medical research itself is showing why naturopathic medicine ideas help the body heal. Years ago, it was believed how you ate and your lifestyle decisions had little bearing on your health, for
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your genes were in control. Like a card game, if you were dealt the wrong cards, and the genes you received from your parents were bad, you were destined for disease — end of story. While many doctors still believe this, medical research suggests this is not the case. In fact, a 2011 British Journal of Cancer study revealed that 40 to 45% of all cancers are preventable if people lost weight, did not smoke, and moved their body. The authors wrote in their paper :“We didn’t expect to find that eating fruit and vegetables would prove to be so important.”1 I don’t think Aunt Lillie would have been surprised. Experts also suggest that upwards of 70% of our genes are actually affected by diet, lifestyle, exercise, stress, and toxins. This means that we may inherit a gene for cancer or heart disease, but whether that gene gets turned on to cause a problem will depend greatly on what we eat and how we live. Back to Aunt Lillie’s Suggestions So what about Aunt Lillie’s vegetables, fish and anti-margarine campaign? Interestingly, brassica family vegetables (such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, and cauliflower) have been shown to shut off oncogenes (genes that cause cancer) in the large intestine, breast, lung and prostate. For instance, broccoli has compounds (called isothiocyanates and glucosinolates) which travel to our genetic material and help shut down cancer genes and help the cell to kill itself if it is turning into a cancer 2. The omega 3 fatty acids in fish are shown to affect genes that turn on repair mechanisms for our nervous system. So when we eat fish, those healthy fats can turn on genes that help fix the nervous system, and may help treat and prevent neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Multiple Sclerosis3. That is powerful medicine. As far as margarine is concerned, the years I was a kid and young teen, scientific and medical authorities had highly recommended we eat margarine and other engineered transfatty acids because they thought these trans fats were healthier than eating saturated fats like butter. We now know that was all-wrong. Trans fats raise bad cholesterol, decrease your good cholesterol, and help your arteries clog up much faster. It is interesting to note that butter, on the other hand, can be healthy when used moderately.
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Butter relates to the word ‘butyrate’ which is a type of fatty acid that keeps the intestines healthy 4. I often recommend butyrate supplements to patients with inflammatory bowel problems (like Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis) to help heal the intestine linings. Lowering inflammation will even help your arteries. Naturopathic conclusion So, what can we learn from all this research? That exercise, eating well and taking care of ourselves doesn’t just feel good – modern research shows us it helps your genes work their best too. Aunt Lillie was right all this whole time. 1. Mistry M, Parkin DM, Ahmad AS, Sasieni P. Cancer incidence in the United Kingdom: projections to the year 2030. Br J Cancer. 2011 Nov 22;105(11):1795-803. 2. Traka M, Gasper AV, Melchini A, Bacon JR, Needs PW, Frost V, Chantry A, Jones AM, Ortori CA, Barrett DA, Ball RY, Mills RD, Mithen RF. Broccoli consumption interacts with GSTM1 to perturb oncogenic signaling pathways in the prostate. PLoS One. 2008 Jul 2;3(7):e2568. 3. Sadli N, Ackland ML, De Mel D, Sinclair AJ, Suphioglu C. Effects of zinc and DHA on the epigenetic regulation of human neuronal cells. Cell Physiol Biochem. 2012;29(12):87-98. doi: 10.1159/000337590. 4. Leonel AJ, Alvarez-Leite JI. Butyrate: implications for intestinal function. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2012 Sep;15(5):474-9. Naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist Dr. Peter Bongiorno is co-director of InnerSource Natural
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Photo © Can Stock Photo Inc. / robynmac
Aunt Lillie had it right: butter may be better than margarine for you. Health and Acupuncture in New York. Peter researched in neuroendocrinology at the National Institutes of Health and Yale University, then attended Bastyr University for his naturopathic doctorate and acupuncture degrees. He teaches holistic medicine electives at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and NYU, and serves
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as VP of the New York Association of Naturopathic Physicians. He specializes in difficult-to-treat chronic conditions. A major contributor to the Textbook of Natural Medicine, he has recently authored How Come I’m Happy and Their Not (Red Wheel 2012). He can be reached through www. drpeterbongiorno.com.
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How the consciousness of a child during the birth process has an impact by Joy S. Pedersen While understanding there are numerous variables going into a birth, the one that surprised me was the consciousness awareness of the child at the time. I never realized the child was actually aware of it’s surroundings as well as knew the thoughts of those in the room until I discovered I had those memories myself. Years ago I participated in rebirthing, a method taught by Sondra Ray and something I experienced with her and some of her pracitioners at the time. The form most commonly used was underwater breathing that triggered memories of birth to free their hold on the person. In my case, I discovered some significant beliefs that were acquired at the time of my birth. I realized that the nurse was anxious to have my birth over so she could go on a date and the doctor had been thinking a baseball game. One of my decisions at the time was to not hold people up. I didn’t want to take people away from what they wanted to do. I, however, didn’t clear the cause of that concern at the time. More recently I realized that decision continued to plague me because whenever I played golf I was concerned about holding people up. That was probably the worse frame of mind to have as a golfer who should be focusing on positioning herself for her best shot. Rushing was the last thing that should occur. As I have the ability to review my own past lives as well as see those of others, I started to focus on birth experiences in my spirtiual healing practice. What I discovered over the years in my own practice was that there are significant thoughts and beliefs that occur at the time of birth. I now make it a normal part of my practice to incorporate the birth trauma in my regular work with clients. By focusing on the birth, I clear the location of the birth and all connections with those present. I also clear the karma relating to the birth. When I have identified thoughts and feelings at the time
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of the birth, the client has often confirmed they still feel that way. I have seen where people have habits that came into play because of either the way they felt or because they adopted the feelings of their mother at that time. When we clear these memories, we are set free from them. We can then evolve and experience life as it was meant to be lived. Even though I had benefit from rebirthing years ago, my rediscovery of the benefits of addressing the birth changed the way I serve my clients. The silent birth of negative effects on our lives often cause unecessary suffering. This suffering that occurs because of this unacknowledged aspect of all our lives, has been alleviated by addressing the silent part of our birth - our unconscious thoughts and the thoughts of others that help shape the way we experience life. I use an ancient Hawaiian process, ho’oponopono, which means to correct or set aright, to spiritually heal the birth to bring all back into balance. When those memories are cleared, healed and released, the person is set free from the unrecognized negative effects of the very significant beginning of their present life on earth. Joy S. Pedersen, CEO and Founder of Express Success LLC, is a Licensed Spiritual Healer, Certified Spiritual Health Coach, Certified Law of Attraction Practitioner, non-denominational ordained minister and Doctor of Divinity serving an international clientele. She works closely with individuals and businesses to overcome their challenges with money, relationships, career, business, health and well being. Her work includes clearing negative memories, property and karma. She is the author of “Wisdom of the Guardian: Treasures From Archangel Michael to Change Your Life,” a blog at www.AngelEnlightenment.com and was a contributing author to “Big Bold Business.” For additional background, visit online at www.ExpressSuccess.net.
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