Natural Awakenings Washington DC - April 2015

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EARTH

DAY

NATURE’S WISDOM Its Lessons Inspire, Heal and Sustain Us

EARTH IN PERIL

Children Confront Climate Change

HEALING JOURNEYS Universal Truths Found on a Trek

April 2015 | Washington, D.C. Edition | NaturalAwakeningsDC.com natural awakenings

April 2015

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Your Path to Healing Starts Here a n i n t e g r at i v e a p p r o a c h t o yo u r h e a lt h GeorGe WashinGton Center for inteGrative MediCine offers you a unique health care program principled in science and tradition where the patient is treated as a whole person and respected as an individual. With your visit to the Center, a highly-trained practitioner—licensed, certified and credentialed in his or her specialty—will develop with you a care plan tailored to fit your needs and honors your personal healing process. natural & inteGrative health ChoiCes W e prov i de C a r e f o r …

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April 2015

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letterfrompublisher Dear friends, contact us Publisher, Editor in Chief Robin Fillmore Contributing Editors Grace Ogden Jessica Bradshaw Design & Production Irene Sankey Marketing Director Beverly Nickerson Sales Director Aurora Hutchinson Outreach Director Samantha Hudgins Natural Awakenings of Washington, D.C. Phone: 202-505-4835 Fax: 202-827-7955 5230 Tuckerman Lane, #408 North Bethesda, MD 20852 Robin@NaturalAwakeningsDC.com NaturalAwakeningsDC.com ©2015 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved.

Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.

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Washington, D.C.

There is a great Dar Williams song that resonates with me – When I Was a Boy. It’s a wonderful series of vignettes in a song that pays homage to those of us lovingly called “tomboys” back in the day. We were the girls who climbed trees and jumped on rocks. I had a Barbie, but she hung out with my brother’s G.I. Joe. The best part of not caring if my shoes got muddy or worrying if my hair was combed, was that it left Robin at Crow Lake in Ontario space for adventures of my own making. I spent formative summers as a young girl up at my grandparent’s place at Crow Lake in Ontario. My grandfather was a high school math teacher but he and my grandmother also owned, built and ran summer cottages on the most beautiful little fishing lake. Sometimes my brothers, one older and one younger, would be up there with me and sometimes other children would spend a week at one of the five cottages, but more likely, I was on my own to figure out what to do each day.

After chores (including tending the garden, pumping water and doing laundry through a wringer washer), I was free to explore the pine woods, the rock point and the lake. I caught frogs and fish. I knew all the best trees to climb and had a secret route up the top of the steep rock point. There was no point in staying inside when there was a great big world to discover outside.

Our feature article this month on learning from nature’s wisdom by Christine MacDonald confirms the experiences that I, and so many others, have had. The connection to the natural world is vital to our own health and for the entire human race. We learn from our insect and bird friends about creating a sustainable habitat. The medical establishment is starting to understand the value of stepping back into the woods and some doctors are prescribing hiking and connecting with nature for desk-bound patients.

As the weather is warming, there are no more excuses to not getting out there and taking advantage of the wonderful outdoor spaces in the city and beyond. We are blessed with some of the area’s best biking and hiking trails. In only a few hours, you can be at the Bay and out on the water. Or if you are more inclined to watch things grow, now is the time to plant some seeds or better yet, forage for healthy wild food. Teresa Boardwine tells us how this month.

With the million-plus visitors descending upon the city to witness the burst of cherry blossoms, isn’t it a good time to escape to the woods and the wild and to reconnect with nature? See you on the trail.

Peace,

Robin Fillmore, Publisher

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

contents 6 newsbriefs 1 2 healthbriefs

12

1 4 globalbriefs 26 breakthrough

8 27 firstperson 28 practitioner

spotlight

14 3 1 event 37

Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.

1 6 NATURE’S WISDOM

Its Lessons Inspire, Heal and Sustain Us

by Christine MacDonald

20 TRANSFORMING Determining the Physical Causes

33 earthdayevents

by Dr. Chas Gant

39 calendar 45 resourceguide

advertising & submissions HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 202-505-4835 or email Robin@NaturalAwakeningsDC.com.

Deadline for ads: the 15th of the month.

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Robin@NaturalAwakeningsDC.com. Deadline for editorial, news briefs and health briefs are due by the 10th.

22 EARTH IN PERIL Children Confront Climate Change

20

by Avery Mack

24 WILD FOODS FORAGE

The Thrill of the Hunt

by Teresa Boardwine

30 LET GO AND

LET GROW

The Power of Retreat

by HawaH

32 VACCINES

Exploring the Controversy

by Samantha Hudgins

33 EARTH DAY 2015

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Submit Calendar Events online: NaturalAwakeningsDC.com within the advertising section.

Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month.

Hope for Our Future

REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets!

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

Paul Stutzman Finds Universal Truths on His Treks

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

FATIGUE AND

DEPRESSION

spotlight

37 ecotip

16

22

by Julianne Hale

34 HEALING

JOURNEYS

by Randy Kambic

36 FEEDING YOUR

PET A RAW DIET The Pros and Cons

By Dr. Pema Choepel Mallu

natural awakenings

36 April 2015

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newsbriefs where healthy food comes naturally

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Washington, D.C.

Earth Day on the Mall

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he Earth Day Network (EDN), under President and CEO Kathleen Rogers, has recently announced that this 45-year-old holiday will be celebrated locally on the National Mall on April 18. EDN has partnered with the Global Poverty Project to present Global Citizen 2015 Earth Day. This large-scale public event joins together the climate movement with the movement to end extreme poverty. This is an important step as the EDN has worked to expand the one-day event to a year-round effort that seeks to promote sustainability for all, particularly the poorest and most vulnerable populations to climate change.

This action on the mall, to which all are invited, will be one piece in a series of actions taking place across the globe, with an estimated 2 billion people across 192 countries participating—making it the largest civic observance in the world.

Hundreds of major cities, both nationally and internationally, including Houston, Des Moines, Milan and New Delhi will be holding their own celebrations. More than 2,000 mayors are expected to participate in town hall meetings where local representatives will discuss sustainability issues and solutions with their communities. Hundreds of thousands of schools worldwide will be participating in Climate Education Week, which is an educational program designed to empower students to become tomorrow’s leaders in the green economy.

For more information about Earth Day events in Washington, D.C. and other locations, visit EarthDay.org.

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veryone is invited to join Muse Concierge’s upcoming seminar titled Green Your Routine at the new apartment building, Cadence at Crown Farm, in Gaithersburg, at 6 p.m. on April 22—which also happens to be Earth Day.

Presenter and owner of Muse Concierge, Michele Muise, discusses practical ideas to reduce, recycle and reuse what you already own, use and throw away. For example, Muise provides suggestions on the best charities to give your clothes to and which coffee places give you credit for bringing in your own cup.

In her search to reuse, she has found a fantastic resource for all sorts of household and home project items— namely, Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore.

Their goal is to support the community and the environment by collecting and reselling items that won’t be going into the landfill, while providing great deals to community members. The Gaithersburg and Silver Spring locations of ReStore can help customers who are looking for building materials for a small to mid-size project like a backsplash or bathroom project at a fraction of the price from a big-box retailer.

If you are interested in making a difference on Earth Day and all the days of the year but don’t know where to start, join the fun with Muse Concierge.

Refreshments will be served.

Location: 113 Ellington Blvd., Gaithersburg, MD. For more information, email Michele.Muise@gmail.com. See ad, page 15.

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newsbriefs District Teenagers and Innovative Youth Program Shine in New Documentary, Fly By Light

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n award-winning documentary, Fly By Light, about District teenONE COMMON UNITY PRESENTS A FILM BY ELLIE WALTON & HAWAH agers breaking cycles of violence, will premiere at 7 p.m. on May 1, at the National Geographic Theatre, in HOW HIGH CAN YOU RISE? Washington, D.C. The film follows four unforgettable young people on an eight-day journey into the mountains of West Virginia, leaving the streets Four D.C. youth embark on a journey into the mountains to participate in an ambitious peace to break the cycles of violence and rewrite their future education program.

Under the mentorship of artist educators and conflict resolution specialists, Mark, Corey, Martha and Asha begin to process and move on from the shootings, abuse and neglect of their past. But as they return to D.C., each young person faces an unforgiving series of hurdles and roadblocks that challenge their efforts to build a better life. Through breathtaking visuals from street corners to mountaintops, the film is an intimate exploration of the chaotic, confusing and emotional journey to rewrite a young person’s future.

“We need not only have high test scores; we need to have whole children who feel purpose and value in life. We have to cultivate their ability to see the interconnected world we live in, so that they want to improve themselves and their community,” said executive director of One Common Unity and producer of Fly By Light, Hawah Kasat. There is a great demand for youth health and wellness, peace and empowerment initiatives in the nation’s capital. In Washington, D.C., juvenile arrests for violent crimes are nearly six times the national average and youth are four times more likely to die by homicide than by the next closest cause.

Having received acclaim at 12 international film festivals across the country, One Common Unity is now, through the film, sparking a grassroots campaign to build more “Fly By Light” program sites at schools throughout the District. These sites will inspire an environment at each school of compassion by training the next generation of youth leaders and helping teachers cultivate the social-emotional literacy of their students.

Cost: $20. Tickets must be purchased online in advance at OneCommonUnity.org.

Location: 1145 17th St., NW.

Transform Your Corporate Kitchen with

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Contact for a COMPLIMENTARY consultation bethlindley.com 202-285-8191 • beth@bethlindley.com

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Art of Wellness Health and Healing Fair in May

U

nity of Fairfax will be offering the Art of Wellness, their second annual health and healing fair, and all are invited. The event will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. on May 2 on the Unity of Fairfax campus.

Participants will have opportunities to speak with health professionals, spiritually based healers, sample different healing modalities and hear from experts on a variety of topics relating to homeopathic medicine as well as naturopathic and energy healing. There will be a yoga class and the chance to share with a life and nutrition coach. For those seeking a spiritual adventure, they will be offering an opportunity to experience hypnosis. Natural foods and snacks will be offered for sampling­—fresh broth, sprouts and kale chips.

For spiritually based holistic healers, speakers and body workers, there are still opportunities to participate in this event as an exhibitor, as well as open slots for teachers and those seeking to do a demonstration.

The application for exhibitors is due

by April 15 and can be found on their website listed below.

Cost: $10 online; $15 at the door.

Location: 2845 Hunter Mill Rd., Oakton, VA. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit UnityOfFairfax.org/WellnessFair.

Spring Women’s Health and Thermography Clinic

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women’s health and thermography clinic will be offered at Neck, Back and Beyond from May 1 to 4. They are also offering a free women’s health seminar and movie on April 30 in Fairfax.

Neck, Back and Beyond is an integrated wellness center dedicated to helping their patients attain optimal health through prevention and the promotion of improved lifestyle choices. They offer a variety of therapies based on natural healing principles, including acupuncture, chiropractic, naturopathic medicine, colon hydrotherapy and nutritional consultations for a balanced food plan and detoxification protocols.

They also have a number of bodywork and soft tissue treatments (Thai and deep tissue massage and reflexology) designed for deeper healing. Many of their therapists use energy healing and mindfulness techniques to aid in creating a calmer, more centered life.

A thermography clinic is held biannually in their Fairfax office under the guidance of Donna Marie Scippa, RN,NP, CTT. Scrippa has been a nurse practitioner in women’s health for more than 29 years and is certified in thermography through I.A.C.T. Her passion is focused on breast health and she has specialized in breast thermography for over 10 years.

Through nursing, thermography and a variety of certifications in various alternative healing modalities such as massage therapy, kinesiology and bio-feedback, Scippa is skilled in helping women understand and focus on their particular health needs. Thermography is a wonderful noninvasive procedure designed to give women a better understanding of their breast physiology, the tools to reverse imbalances and the opportunity to create vibrant health.

For more detailed information about thermography, read Scrippa’s article on page 26.

Thermography appointments are available from Neck, Back and Beyond by contacting NeckBackAndBeyond.com or visiting their website at NeckBackAndBeyond. See ad, page 36.

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newsbriefs Rest and Restore: Two-Hour Restorative Practice Integrated branding and coaching for visionary professionals and organizations

Grace Ogden has decades of experience in Washington, DC, and a diverse international network in wellness, spirituality and social change. Her team serves leaders, nonprofits and publishers with: n

Strategic marketing

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Business development

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Events

N

ya Alemayhu is holding space for a restorative yoga practice from 6 to 8 p.m. on April 10 at Buddha B Yoga Center in NW. As we welcome the spring season and with it, an opportunity to cleanse and renew, restorative yoga is a wonderful addition to an existing practice or a journey into a new practice.

Restorative yoga is a quieting, supportive and deeply nourishing type of yoga. The practice uses props to support the body in comfort and ease which facilitates healing by releasing deeply held tenNya Alemayhu sion. Quite like the practice of savasana or yoga nidra, it is a meditative, receptive practice. When practiced regularly, restorative yoga helps to reduce anxiety, lowers blood pressure, improves digestion and immunity, healing from injuries and harmonizes the entire nervous system.

This practice has the theme of grounding and will address the benefits of aligning the root chakra, muladhara, where the seat of all spiritual energy lies. To restore something is to renew it or to bring it back to its natural state and so, we will be exploring what it means to restore things in our lives. This practice is suitable for everyone including beginners. Due to the quiet nature of the practice and the use of props, space is limited to 15 people.

Cost: $30. Location: Buddha B Yoga Center, 1115 U St., NW. Early registration is encouraged, as well as warm socks and an additional layer of clothing.

Participants should also bring a journal and a pen. For more information, visit BuddhaBYoga.com or YogaWithNya.com. See ad, page 35.

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Dr. Chas Gant, MD, PhD National Integrated Health Associates

5225 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 402 DoctorChas.com .

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Hooray for Worms and Much More

J

oin Sacred Roots D.C. for a series of classes throughout the month of April, as part of their work to bring education, services and events that promote the ancient ways of living in right relationship with the Earth, to create a healthy community and world. The classes are: EarthFriendly Cleaning Products from The Kitchen Cabinet on April 4 and two classes, Organic Gardening in Containers and Hooray for Worms: Vermicomposting 101 on April 25. All the classes will be held at the Green Farmacy Garden in Fulton, Maryland.

As part of the classes, discussion will focus on how the plants we grow for food, medicine or simple beauty are only as good as the health of the soil. It’s a common misconception that we should “feed the plants”, when in reality it’s more beneficial to focus on the quality of the soil. Bargain potting soil can be alluring, but the results are food that lacks vitality and attracts insects, herbs that lack potency and flowers that may not be as robust as they could be. There are a multitude of Earth-friendly options to choose from when considering soil health.

For those who are unable to attend (or just want more information), class leader Hillary Banachowski suggests looking for peat-free, organic potting soil. Coir fiber, a waste by-product from the coconut-processing industry, is more friendly to peat bogs. For those looking to make their own potting soil, rotted sawdust, sand, leaf mold, worm castings and compost are a few examples of easily accessible ingredients you can use, with many more soil reci pes online. Finally, add organic matter to introduce and promote healthy microbes and bacteria.

Compost and compost tea are nature’s best fertilizer and are readily available, thanks to the decomposition process. You can benefit by creating a compost pile in your own yard, starting a worm composting system, or by buying compost from your local organic farmer or public works department, such as the city of College Park that makes excellent compost. For those with more growing space, aged manure, nitrogenrich cover crops and organic chicken poop also make excellent soil amendments.

For more information on the classes or the work of Sacred Roots, visit SacredRootsDC.com.

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Doctah Ayo Handy-Kendi

Power of the Breath Tour

R

esearch has shown that nine out of 10 Americans breathe inefficiently which puts them at greater risk for poor health.

Limited breathing decreases oxygen, the essential element of cell life. Limited breath also increases stress, the root cause of 60 or more stress-related disorders.

Ayo Handy-Kendi, has developed a nine-hour training course for Breathology, the art and science of effective breath techniques and breath awareness to impact spirit, mind and body. She has certified more than 68 Breathologists in five states and will offer a Breathology Certification on April 19 in the greater Washington, D.C. area. All are invited to take part in the Power of the Breath Tour.

This past February, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) released a study that one-third of Americans use some form of alternative, complementary therapy and that “deep breathing” is the second-most widely used therapy.

“This was no surprise to me,” states Doctah Ayo Handy-Kendi, the founder of Optimum Live Breathology, a certified Breathologist and transformational breath facilitator and founder of PositivEnergyWorks, LLC, who has studied breath and holistic practice for 44 years. “Mastery of breath personally changed my life as an overwhelmed, abused person and I’ve facilitated the ‘Power of the Breath’ to support millions in my private practice, workshops, onstage, in print and in radio on the Sageing Baby Boomer Show and on television, on Steve Harvey’s Morning Show, Verizon’s Internet Profiles and Retirement TV. “ For more information about the certification and the location or to register, contact Handy-Kendi at Ayo@postivEnergyWorks. com or visit PositivEnergyWorks.com.

natural awakenings

April 2015

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healthbriefs

Acupuncture Increases Quality of Life for Allergy Sufferers

R

esearch from Berlin’s Charité University Medical Center suggests that acupuncture is an effective treatment for patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, in 2013, the study analyzed data on the costs and quality of life of 364 allergy patients that had been randomly assigned to receive one of three treatments: rescue medication alone (taken when symptoms are greatest); acupuncture treatment plus rescue medication; or sham (nontherapeutic) acupuncture plus rescue medication. Patients receiving acupuncture incurred higher total treatment costs, but also gained significantly more quality of life compared with the rescue medication-only groups.

Strawberries Reduce Blood Pressure

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study published in the World Journal of Diabetes concluded that the regular consumption of a flavonoidrich strawberry beverage reduces blood pressure in people with Type 2 diabetes. The study divided 36 subjects, all with moderately high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes, into two groups—the first drank the equivalent of one serving of fresh strawberries per day made from freeze-dried berries, and the other group drank the same amount of an imitation strawberry-flavored drink over a six-week period. Blood pressure was tested at the beginning and end of the study for all participants.

At the end, the group drinking the real strawberry beverage registered significantly lower diastolic blood pressure than at the outset; it was also lower than the imitation strawberry group. The average diastolic blood pressure of the group drinking real strawberries went down by 6.5 percent and the systolic dropped by 12 percent. The strawberry-flavored group’s systolic blood pressure was also reduced, but only by 3.7 percent.

THE COLOR GREEN MAKES EXERCISE FEEL EASIER

R

esearch from the University of Essex, in England, suggests that viewing natural green images while exercising may be better than being exposed to other colors. The researchers tested 14 people doing moderate-intensity cycling while watching video footage of predominantly gray, red or green imagery. Each of the participants underwent three cycling tests—one with each of the videos— along with a battery of physiological and mood testing.

The researchers found that when the subjects watched the green-colored video, they had better moods, with a lower relative perception of exertion than when they exercised while watching the red and grey videos. They also found those that exercised while watching the red video experienced greater feelings of anger during their exercise.

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Memory Works Better Reading Real Books

R

esearchers from Norway’s Stavanger University and France’s AixMarseille Université found that readers remember a story better if it’s on paper.

The study tested 50 people that read the same 28-page short story. Half of the group read the paper version and the other half read the story on a Kindle e-reader. The researchers discovered that readers of the digital version could not remember details from the story or reconstruct the plot as well as the group that read the paper copy.

The researchers found that the feedback of a Kindle doesn’t provide the same support for mental reconstruction of a story as a print pocket book does. “When you read on paper, you can sense with your fingers a pile of pages on the left growing, and shrinking on the right,” explains Stavanger University’s Anne Mangen, Ph.D.

These findings confirm a study performed a year earlier, also led by Mangen. Seventy-two 10th-graders were given text to read either on paper or on a computer screen. The students that read the paper text versions scored significantly higher in reading comprehension testing than those reading digital versions.

Local Toxins Increase Risk of Autism

C

onfirming previous findings, a large study from the University of Chicago has found that autism is linked to toxic environmental exposure. The research examined data from nearly a third of the U.S. population, which showed that both autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disabilities increased as exposure increased in region-by-region testing.

The research measured clusters of autism incidence together with exposure rates in different counties and states across the country. The areas with greater environmental toxin exposures had significantly increased autism rates. The correlation was significant among both boys and girls, but stronger among girls. Proximity to urban areas also increased autism incidence. For every 1 percent increase in urbanization, there was about a 3 percent rise in autism and intellectual disabilities. Influential toxins include pesticides, plasticizers, lead and pharmaceuticals.

Depression and Meditation

by Kristine Kim epression is thought to be one of the most common conditions that people have today. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 350 million people are suffering from depression but surprisingly, less than 10 percent receive the treatments for depression.

Depression may be so common that most people do not consider it a mental disorder. Due to the stresses from life (from work to dealing with others) and a lifestyle that seems to revolve around money and material items, many people tend to get trapped into their own “self”, rather than focusing on their true soul and spirit.

Moreover, depression is becoming so increasingly apparent and serious that it is often regarded as a social problem.

When viewed through the lens of Maum Meditation, it can be pointed out that throughout their lives, humans accumulate “false pictures” (otherwise known as “the false mind”). For example, a child that has grown up in negative family environment with parents that constantly fought, would have taken “pictures” of what was seen and heard and stored it in his or her mind. The child may then generate feelings of resentment, and with time, those emotions could manifest into hatred, fear, anger and maybe even depression.

Meditation is very effective in dealing with disorders like depression. Maum Meditation offers easy meditation techniques, even for a complete beginners, allowing practitioners the ability to see past “the false mind” and find relief.

D

Kristine Kim is the director of Rockville Meditation Center. For more information about Maum Meditation, visit RockvilleMeditation.org. See ad, page 9.

Olive Oil Boosts Healthy Cholesterol

I

n an effort to understand what makes olive oil so good for heart health, a study from Europe’s Cardiovascular Risk and Nutrition Research Group and the U.S. National Institutes of Health has found that olive oil’s polyphenols significantly increase the size of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL) in the blood and enhance the HDL’s ability to inhibit formation of the abnormal fatty deposits, known as plaque, within the walls of arteries. Polyphenols are natural compounds from plants known to help prevent cancer and heart disease.

In the three-week study, researchers isolated the effect of polyphenols by dividing 47 healthy European men into two groups: one ate a diet containing polyphenolpoor olive oil and the other consumed polyphenol-rich olive oil. The enriched diet resulted in increased size, fluidity and stability (resistance to oxidation) of the HDL molecules by reducing their triglyceride core.

The researchers note that the oxidation of cholesterol lipids such as lowdensity lipoprotein (LDL) is linked with arteriosclerosis.

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globalbriefs News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.

Vanishing Wildlife

50 Percent Gone in Under 50 years The latest World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Living Planet Report shows that the Living Planet Index (LPI), which measures more than 10,000 representative populations of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish, has declined by 52 percent since 1970. The report is widely considered the leading science-based analysis on the health of our planet and the impact of human activity (Tinyurl.com/WWF-Living-Planet-Report).

In fewer than two human generations, populations of vertebrate species—the life forms that constitute the fabric of life-sustaining ecosystems and serve as a barometer of how humans are impacting nature—have dropped by half. Nature conservation and sustainable development go hand-in-hand; it’s not only about preserving biodiversity and wild places, but about safeguarding the future of humanity.

Living Planet Report partners include the Zoological Society of London, Global Footprint Network and Water Footprint Network. Marco Lambertini, director general of WWF International, states, “We need leadership for change. Sitting on the bench waiting for someone else to make the first move, doesn’t work.

Heads of state need to start thinking globally; businesses and consumers need to stop behaving as if we live in a limitless world.”

Thriving Eco-Towns

Malaysian Villages Model Sustainability

photo by MIGHT

Innovations being successfully pioneered in Malaysia offer ideas for improving the world, according to the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), including the construction of high-tech, self-sustaining ecological “smart” villages.

These villages are lifting incomes for scores of rural families while promoting environmental sustainability. Each 50acre community consists of about 100 affordable homes, advanced educational, training and recreational facilities and an integrated, sustainable farm system that provides villagers with food and employment that on average, triples their monthly income.

Low-cost, 1,000-square-foot homes are built in 10 days and the communal farming operations include a cascading series of fish tanks, or “aquafarms”.

Filtered fish tank wastewater irrigates trees, grain fields and high-value plants grown in “autopots”, a three-piece container with a valve that detects soil moisture levels and releases water as required, reducing the need for fertilizers and pesticides. Free-range chickens feed on the fast-reproducing worms that process the plant compost.

This system optimizes nutrient absorption, minimizes waste and enables crops to be grown on previously non-arable land. The village’s solar-generated power is complemented by biomass energy and mini-hydro electricity. A community hall, resource center, places of worship, playgrounds and educational facilities equipped with 4G Internet service support e-learning and e-health services.

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Corporate Do-Gooders

U.S. Recognizes Companies for Earth-Sound Policies Each year, the U.S. Department of State presents Awards for Corporate Excellence recognizing U.S.-owned businesses that play vital roles worldwide as good corporate citizens. Parameters include supporting sustainable development, respect for human and labor rights, environmental protection, open markets, transparency and other democratic values.

The 2014 winners, announced last December, include the EcoPlanet Bamboo Group, in Nicaragua, for fostering sustainable development by regenerating degraded pasturelands.

The company dedicates 20 percent of its plantations as natural habitat that protects biodiversity by prohibiting illegal hunting. EcoPlanet also focuses on employing persons with disabilities and empowering women through recruitment to managerial positions.

Wagner Asia Equipment, LLC, in Mongolia, a heavy equipment dealership, is recognized for its commitment to public/private partnerships with Mongolia’s local and national governments designed to protect the environment. Initiatives include planting more than 900 trees, conducting workshops for students on environment and ecology, implementing a project to build a community garden and rehabilitating a toxic waste site.

Other finalists include the Coca-Cola Company, in the Philippines; Chevron Corporation, in Burma; ContourGlobal, in Togo; General Electric, in South Africa; General Electric International, in Tunisia; GlassPoint Solar, in Oman; and the Linden Centre, in China.

For more information on finalists, visit Tinyurl.com/ACE2014Finalists.

Soil Salvation

Organic Farming May Counteract Greenhouse Effect The nonprofit Rodale Institute, the United Nations and the Soil Association are reporting that modern, chemicalintensive industrial farming is stripping the soil’s natural ability to take carbon back out of the atmosphere through photosynthesis and store it in the soil. Rodale researchers say that by returning to small-scale organic farming, more than 40 percent of annual greenhouse gas emissions could be captured in the soil, and if the entire world’s pasture and rangelands were managed using regenerative techniques, an additional 71 percent of those emissions could be sequestered.

Further, organic practices could counteract the world’s yearly carbon dioxide output while producing the same amount of food as conventional farming. Rodale claims that using regenerative organic agriculture—like low or no-tillage, cover crops and crop rotation—will keep photosynthesized carbon dioxide in the soil, instead of returning it to the atmosphere. The institute cites 75 studies from peerreviewed journals, including its own 33-year Farming Systems Trial, which directly compare organic farming with conventional farming.

Buzzing Buddies

‘Flying Doctor’ Bees Prevent Cherry Disease

People in the United States waste more than a third of all of the food they produce, but more than 180 cities and towns are beginning to realize that wasted food can be valuable; they are asking residents to separate unwanted food from the rest of their trash and put it in a curbside compost bin. The idea is to stop sending food waste to the landfill, where it generates harmful methane gas pollution, and start turning it into something useful, like compost.

In 2011, Portland, Oregon, launched a curbside compost program in which residents are encouraged to put food scraps into the city’s green yard waste bin.

Since then, the amount of garbage sent to the landfill has decreased by 37 percent.

According to Bruce Walker, the city’s solid waste and recycling program manager, the program also reduces the environmental footprint of the trash heap.

Getting people to separate their food waste, however, can be difficult. To motivate its residents to put more food waste in the compost bin, the city of Seattle, Washington, has proposed both making curbside composting mandatory and fining residents a dollar every time they put a disproportionate volume of food waste in their trash.

University of Adelaide researchers are introducing a “flying doctor” method of employing bees as preventive medicine. Project leader and bee researcher Katja Hogendoorn, Ph.D., says, “All commercial cherry growers spray during flowering to control the later development of cherry brown rot.

Instead of spraying fungicide, we’re using bees to deliver a biological control agent right to the flowers, where it’s needed.” The innovative delivery works via entomovectoring.

This is a new technique for Australia, with potential application in many horticultural industries. The biological control agent contains spores of a parasitic fungus that prevents another fungus that causes the brown rot from colonizing the flower. Future applications of the small, winged medics are expected to become available for disease control in almonds, grapes, strawberries, raspberries, apples, pears and stone fruit.

Source: NetNebraska.org

Source: Adelaide.edu.au

Source: OrganicConsumers.org

Curbside Composting

No Food Scraps Need Go to Waste

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April 2015

15

Nature’s Wisdom Its Lessons Inspire, Heal and Sustain Us

by Christine MacDonald

The environment is not separate from ourselves; we are inside it and it is inside us; we make it and it makes us. ~ Davi Kopenawa Yanomami, Amazon shaman

W

hile the idea that we humans stand apart from—or even above—nature is a prevailing theme in much of modern civilization, naturalists and other clever souls throughout the ages have observed that the opposite is true: We are part of, depend on and evolve with nature— and we ignore this vital connection at our peril.

“If one way is better than another, that you may be sure is nature’s way,” admonished the Greek philosopher Aristotle, in the third century B.C.E.

“Time destroys the speculation of men, but it confirms the judgment of nature,” Roman politician and philosopher Cicero ruminated two centuries later.

Nobel Prize-winning physicist and philosopher Albert Einstein remarked, “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”

Today, more of us are looking to nature for ways to improve physical, mental and emotional health, develop 16

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intelligence, innovate, overhaul how we build homes and neighborhoods, and raise our children.

Healthful Nature

As Henry David Thoreau wrote in his classic 1854 book Walden, “We need the tonic of wildness.”

While we know firsthand how walking in the woods can elevate mood, scientists have documented that a regular dose of nature has other far-reaching benefits. It can lower stress hormone levels, blood pressure and undesirable cholesterol; help heal neurological problems; hasten fuller recovery from surgery and heart attacks; increase cancer-fighting white blood cells; and generally aid overall health (Health Promotion International research report; also Nippon Medical School study, Tokyo).

Regular playtime outdoors helps children cope with hyperactivity and attention deficit disorders, accord-

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ing to research published in Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care.

Exposure to nature can help adults escape from today’s wired lives; reinvigorate, be fitter and less likely to suffer from obesity, diabetes and heart disease, as reported in studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and a University of Washington research summary. It can also unlock understanding of the spiritual essence of life.

Hours regularly spent by youth outdoors stimulate imagination and creativity and enhance cognitive development, helping them learn.

Nature also helps youngsters develop social awareness, helping them better navigate human relations (Tinyurl.com/ OutdoorHealthBenefits Research).

“It’s strange and kind of sad that we are so removed from nature that we actually have to ask why nature is good for us,” says Dr. Eva Selhub, a lecturer at Harvard Medical School, author of the new book Your Health Destiny, and co-author of Your Brain on Nature. “The fact is our brains and bodies are wired in concert with nature.”

Recognition of nature’s positive effects has grown so much in recent years that physicians increasingly write their patients “prescriptions” to go hiking in the woods, counting on the healthy exercise and exposure to sunlight, nature and soothing views to address health problems stemming from poor diets and sedentary lifestyles. Healthcare clinics and hospitals in Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago, Indianapolis, Albuquerque, New Mexico, California’s Bay Area and elsewhere have launched Prescription Trails programs aimed at objectives from preventing obesity in children to healthful activities for retirees (Tinyurl. com/AmericanHealthTrails).

Bestselling author Richard Louv calls the positive nature effect “vitamin N” in The Nature Principle. He contends: “Many of us, without having a name for it, are using the nature tonic.

We are, in essence, self-medicating with an inexpensive and unusually convenient drug substitute.”

Such ideas are commonly accepted in many cultures. The Japanese believe in the restorative power of shinrin-yoku, which could be translated as “forest medicine” or “forest bathing”. Indigenous peoples like the Brazilian tribe led by Shaman Davi Kopenawa Yanomami, fighting to preserve their land and way of life in the Amazon, profess to be at one with the innate riches of sustainable rainforests (SurvivalInternational.org/parks).

Innovative Nature

Scientists, inventors and other innovators are increasingly inspired by nature.

Biomimicry, part social movement and part burgeoning industry, looks to how Earth’s natural systems work and solve problems. University of Utah researchers, inspired by the durable homes built by sandcastle worms, are creating a synthetic glue that one day could help repair fractured bones. Architectural components manufacturer Panelite makes energy-efficient insulated glass by mimicking the hexagonal structure that bees use in honeycombs. (Find other precedents at Tinyurl.com/ BiomimicryCaseExamples).

The inspiration for biomimicry comes from many places, says Dayna Baumeister, Ph.D. co-founder of Biomimicry 3.8, a Missoula, Montana, company working with other companies and universities to propel biomimicry into the mainstream.

“People are recognizing that they’ve been disconnected to the natural world,” she says. “We also realize that [as a species] we are in trouble.

We don’t have all the answers, but we can look to other species for inspiration” for clearing pollutants from our bodies and environments.

Plants and fungi are now commonly used to clean up old industrial sites that resemble nature’s way of removing pollutants from water and soil. A University of California, Berkeley, meta-study confirms that farmers currently using organic farming methods and solar power achieve roughly the same crop yields as conventional techniques with far less dependence on fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gases and petrochemical pesticide and fertilizer pollution.

While we know firsthand how walking in the woods can elevate mood, scientists have documented that a regular dose of nature has other far-reaching benefits. It can lower stress hormone levels, blood pressure and undesirable cholesterol; help heal neurological problems; hasten fuller recovery from surgery and heart attacks; increase cancer-fighting white blood cells; and generally aid overall health.

Cyclical Nature

These breakthrough technologies emulate the way nature uses the building blocks of life in an endless cycle of birth, reproduction, decay and rebirth.

It’s part of a broad rethinking of the principles behind sustainability— building, manufacturing and living in greater harmony with natural systems, perhaps eventually eliminating landfills, air and water pollution, and toxic site cleanups.

“A toxin is a material in the wrong place,” says architect William McDonough, of Charlottesville, Virginia.

The only individual recipient of the Presidential Award for Sustainable Development, he is co-author of Cradleto-Cradle, a groundbreaking book that calls for re-envisioning even the nastiest waste, and The Upcycle: Beyond Sustainability—Designing for Abundance.

McDonough imagines a world where waste becomes raw material for new buildings, furniture and other goods— akin to how a forest reuses every deceased tree and animal to nourish the ecosystem and spawn new life.

With 80 percent of U.S. residents currently living in urban areas, architects, builders and municipal planners are likewise pivoting toward nature, prompted by the scientific evidence of the many ways that human health and general well-being rely upon it. While this contact is preferably the kind of “stopping by woods” that inspired New England poet Robert Frost, even a walk in a city park will work.

“Urban nature, when provided as parks and walkways and incorporated into building design, provides calming and inspiring environments and encourages learning, inquisitiveness and alertness,” reports the University of Washington’s College of the Environment, in Green Cities: Good Health.

The American Planning Association stresses the importance of integrating green space into urban neighborhoods. Not only does so-called “metro nature” improve air and water quality and reduce urban heat island effects, urban wilds such as Pittsburgh’s Nine Mile Run and Charlotte, North Carolina’s Little Sugar Creek Greenway also restore natural connections in densely populated city centers.

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Man is everywhere a disturbing agent. Wherever he plants his foot, the harmonies of nature are turned to discord. The proportions and accommodations that ensured the stability of existing arrangements are overthrown. Of all organic beings, man alone is to be regarded as essentially a destructive power. ~George Perkins Marsh, Man and Nature (1864)

Natural Intelligence

A growing number of scientists say that research about our place in nature has sparked fresh thinking about our role and devastated quaint notions about our species’ superiority. “Single-celled slime molds solve mazes. Brainless plants make correct decisions and bees with brains the size of pinheads handle abstract concepts,” points out Anthropologist Jeremy Narby, author of the groundbreaking book Intelligence in Nature.

At a national conference of Bioneers, an organization based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and San Francisco that gathers nature-minded social and scientific innovators, Narby said: “We are nearly identical to many animals.

Many behaviors once thought to be exclusively human are shared by other species. The zone of the specifically human, as determined by science, has been shrinking.”

We haven’t lost the ability to tap that primal animal inside, even if most of us are more likely to “venture into the forest” by watching a movie or playing video games. We may feel cut off from our instincts, but studies show time in the woods can do wonders to restore the keenness of our senses to

connect with the subtle changes in natural habitat, the movements of other species and the changing seasons.

The rise of human civilizations may have taken “survival of the fittest” in new directions, often decidedly tamer ones, but experts ranging from scientific researchers to lifestyle analysts say humankind is still hardwired by our more primitive past. Despite the ingenious ways we’ve devised to exploit other life forms, capitalize on Earth’s resources and protect ourselves from nature’s sometimes terrifying power, our fate remains linked to natural laws and limits, from nurturing our body’s immune system to resolving planet-sized problems like climate change.

“‘Nature’ is our natural environment,” according to Selhub. We don’t have to move to the country to reconnect, she says. “Even spending 20 minutes a day outside has an effect.”

Houseplants, nature photos and aromatherapy Earth scents can also help indoor environments better reflect our own nature.

The wealth of research and common sense wisdom is aptly summed up by celebrated author Wendell Berry in The Long-Legged House. “We have

True-Life ‘Aha!’ Reads 10 Lessons from Nature to Inspire Our Everyday Lives

by David Miller, Tinyurl.com/10InspiringLessons FromNature 9 Amazing Lessons from Nature to Inspire Your Everyday Life

by Annie Hauser, Tinyurl.com/9InspiringLessons FromNature Intelligence in Nature

by Jeremy Narby Life Lessons from Nature

by Elvis Newman Cathedrals of the Spirit

by T. C. McLuhan Your Brain on Nature

by Eva Selhub lived our lives by the assumption that what was good for us would be good for the world. We have been wrong.

We must change our lives so that it’ll be possible to live by the contrary assumption, that what is good for the world will be good for us. And that requires we make the effort to know the world and learn what is good for it.”

Christine MacDonald is a freelance journalist in Washington, D.C., whose specialties include health and science.

Visit ChristineMacDonald.info.

Nature always

wears the colors of the spirit. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson 18

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leadingedge

Transforming Fatigue and Depression Determining the Physical Causes

by Dr. Chas Gant

F

atigue (also known as chronic fatigue syndrome) and depression (also known as a mood disorder) are both common diagnoses described as collections of various symptoms. Most adults have occasionally experienced some of these symptoms or have observed them in others, but what if these symptoms become a chronic part of everyday life? What is causing this and how can it be reversed to experience a life filled with natural vitality, strength and mental/emotional balance?

To begin, it is important to rethink the term diagnosis as “to describe the cause(s) of a problem” as opposed to merely “describing a problem’s symptomatic appearance.” This opens the door to interventions which address root causes and provide sustainable solutions, as opposed to palliative efforts which merely cover up symptoms and obscure the causes.

The physical causes of chronic fatigue and depression can be diag20

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nosed with in-depth, modern laboratory testing and they fall into various categories, including: Nutritional, such as an essential fatty acid deficiency (omega-3s) or a mineral deficiency (magnesium or iron) Metabolic imbalance, such as hypoglycemia caused by a deficiency in glutamine (an amino acid in protein) Toxicities, such as mercury (otherwise known as “mad-hatter syndrome”) or alcohol abuse Infections, with a bacteria such as Lyme or a fungus such as candida.

Allergies, such as gluten (wheat) sensitivity.

Lifestyle factors, such as sleep patterns, diet, exercise patterns.

Genetic vulnerabilities, to all of the above.

This is not to suggest that psycho-emotional causes don’t exist, or that psychotherapy, prayer, yoga or meditation is not effective in dealing

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with depression and fatigue. However, addressing fatigue and depression through these tried and true methods works much better if the physical causes listed above are handled first.

Psychotherapy, prayer, yoga, meditation or even psychiatric drugs, are less likely to be effective if the nutritional deficiencies, metabolic imbalances, toxicities, infections, allergies and genetic vulnerabilities are not addressed.

When the root causes of depression and chronic fatigue are not diagnosed and treated properly, many people resort to psychotropic drugs, such as alcohol and tobacco (legal drugs), psychiatric medications and illicit substances. Who can blame them? These substances temporarily short circuit the brain’s natural coping neurotransmitters that may be deficient.

For instance, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) may artificially boost serotonin levels in the synapses (junctions between neurons or brain cells), but the brain compensates over time by making or releasing less serotonin. Those who resort to such medication usually find themselves back in their original state within a several weeks. The same is true for the brain’s natural nicotine (acetylcholine), the brain’s natural Valium (GABA), the brain’s natural amphetamines (dopamine) and the brain’s natural heroin (endorphins).

Why do the brain’s natural neurotransmitters become depleted or burned out in the first place? The answer is stress, which takes many forms: metabolic stress, toxic stress, allergic stress, immune stress, psycho-emotional stress (interpersonal, financial, academic, etc.), the stress of chronic pain syndromes, the stress of starvation for essential nutrients like protein, essential fats, vitamins and minerals, even “electro-smog” stress from Wi-Fi’s and microwaves.

Stress uses up our coping hormones and neurotransmitters, which can leave us fatigued and depressed.

It’s no wonder that drugs are so popular and that drug abuse is the number one cause of death, with tobacco alone killing nearly a half million Americans per year.

When the root causes of depression and chronic fatigue are not diagnosed and treated properly, many people resort to psychotropic drugs, such as alcohol and tobacco (legal drugs), psychiatric medications and illicit substances.

Even if the symptoms are identical, each person suffering from depression or fatigue has a completely unique pattern of causative metabolic imbalances, toxicities, nutritional deficiencies, allergies and/ or infections. Each person suffering from depression or fatigue also has a completely unique pattern of genetic quirks called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) which can be inexpensively tested and identified.

Of course, each person has a different set of psychosocial stressors and lifestyle patterns as well.

Fatigue and depression take a huge toll in human resources. The technologies to determine the physical causes are available, covered by most health insurances and are currently underutilized. Many don’t know that they exist at all and believe that the only options are medication and psychotherapy. It is time to get the word out that solutions for fatigue and depression are at hand.

Dr. Chas Gant, MD, Ph.D., is an author, physician and educator, specializing in functional medicine, molecular health and healing. For more information, call 202-237-7000, ext. 120, or visit DoctorChas.com. See ad, page 10.

To hear Dr. Chas speak on this topic, attend a free seminar/webinar at 6:30 p.m. on April 23 at the Smith Center, 1632 U St. NW, Washington, D.C. For more information or to register, visit NaturalAwakeningsDC.com. See ad, page 29.

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healthykids

EARTH IN PERIL Children Confront Climate Change

by Avery Mack

T

his month, Home influence, according to We only have Nino Box Office (HBO), University of South Carolina in collaboration with one home. If we statistician John Grego.

New York City’s American “The globe is warmer Museum of Natural History, mess this one up, than it has been in the last will air the new documenwhere do we 100 years,” says climate tary, Saving My Tomorrow. scientist Jennifer Francis, go next?

Scientists representing Ph.D., of Rutgers Univerthe museum discuss how ~Hippocrates, age 8 sity, in New Jersey. “Any temperature change affects wisps of doubt that human life on Planet Earth, but the activities are at fault are majority of voices are those of children. now gone with the wind.”

Their words cry out for universal action to prevent them from inheriting what At Sea they believe is a dying planet in desper“We do more damage to the planet ate need of healing. than we think.” ~Peri, age 9

In the Atmosphere

“We need to know the truth, because adults clearly aren’t doing enough to stop this.” ~Zoe, age 12 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA recently announced that last year was the hottest in 135 years of recordkeeping, with rising ocean temperatures driving the global heat index.

Nine of the 10 hottest years have occurred since 2000. The odds of this taking place randomly are about 650 million to 1, especially without an El 22

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In the same 100 years, sea levels have risen seven inches, mostly due to expansion as the water warms. “We have over 2 million preserved fish in our collection. We study them to see the effect of temperature change,” says Melanie Stiassny, Ph.D., curator of ichthyology at the museum. “The mummichog fish is less than an inch long. It’s a bottom feeder and that’s where pollution like mercury lies. When the water is warm, fish eat more and mercury is stored in their bodies.” The contaminants move up the food chain, bringing the effects of pollution to our dinner table.

A 2006 study by Nicola Beaumont, Ph.D., with the Plymouth Marine Laboratory UK, found that 29 percent of the oceans’ edible fish and seafood species have declined by 90 percent in the past 100 years. The international team of ecologists and economists led by Boris Worm, Ph.D., of Dalhousie University, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, predict total saltwater fish extinction by 2048 due to overfishing, pollution, habitat loss and climate change. Rising ocean acidity due to absorption of increasing carbon dioxide and other emissions from burning fossil fuels impacts creatures large and small, like dissolving the shell of the tiny sea butterfly, a vital link in the ocean’s food chain.

Americans currently consume 4.5 billion pounds of seafood each year.

“The skins show us how birds lived years ago.” In just the past 100 years, bird species that have gone extinct range from the ivory-billed woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) to the onceabundant passenger pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) and Carolina parakeet (Conuropsis carolinensis).

In Colorado, 70 percent of the lodgepole pines have been lost, with pines in other states also in trouble.

Pine beetles feed on the pines. Historically, winter brings death to both the beetles and weakened trees, which fall to feed a renewed forest. Due to warmer temperatures, the beetles are living longer and migrating to higher altitudes to kill more trees. Forest fires follow the dry timber line.

On Land

“I don’t have time to grow up before becoming an activist.” ~Ta’Kaiya, age 12

“Each species was put here for a reason.

We are the caretakers.” ~a youth at a climate rally Scientists look back to look ahead.

Henry David Thoreau fell in love with the wilderness around Concord, Massachusetts, 160 years ago. From his renowned journals, scientists know when flowers like the pink lady slipper (Cypripedium acaule), bird’s-foot violets (Viola pedata) or golden ragworts (Packera aurea) used to bloom.

Today, with temperatures six degrees Fahrenheit warmer than in Thoreau’s time, these species now bloom two weeks earlier. The Canada lily (Lilium canadense), plentiful before, is now rare, unable to adapt to the new reality.

Paul Sweet, collections manager of the museum’s ornithology department, studies “skins” (stuffed birds). He says,

All Are Needed

“Get your parents involved.” ~Teakahla, age 11 Children are more informed now than ever before. Schools offer classes on ecology, the environment, global warming and climate change. Disasters are instant news, constantly streaming through digital media. Kids are aware that they need adults to work with them to keep Earth habitable.

HBO will air all four parts of Saving My Tomorrow starting Apr. 22. Check local listings—and watch as a family.

See Tinyurl.com/SavingMyTomorrow.

Connect with freelance writer Avery Mack at AveryMack@mindspring.com.

Forward Good Change Today 4 Reuse more, buy less. Less trash equals less pollution.

4 Bike or walk, instead of driving.

Don’t use the car at least one day a week. Less use of fossil fuels equals less drilling, fracking and oil spills.

4 Substitute a planet-healing activity for the usual after school program. Replace lawns with native plants, which need less water and no mowing. Email manufacturers to urge them to use less packaging and plastic, auto makers to produce more fuel-efficient cars, grocery stores to carry more locally sourced foods and ban plastic bags, and government agencies to improve pollution control measures.

4 When eating meat, make sure the animals were humanely and locally raised, not factory farmed.

4 For fish, factory farmed is preferred when farmers are vetted by watchdog agencies for being devoid of disease, pollution and heavy metals; clean fish are especially rare among international providers. Learn more at Tinyurl.com/ SustainableFishFarming.

4 Support wildlife. Help hatchling sea turtles make their way to the sea.

Predators and man are the biggest threats—only one in 1,000 hatchlings reach adulthood. Plant milkweed to feed monarch butterflies. Use natural insect repellants like basil or marigolds instead of killer sprays.

4 Speak out and speak up. Search c2es.org/science-impacts/basics/kids for event ideas and resources.

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April 2015

23

naturalliving

Wild Foods Forage The Thrill of the Hunt

by Teresa Boardwine

S

ome do it for the thrill of the hunt, some for survival and even more because it is available for free. Why else would one eat weeds?

Foraging for food is primal, governed by the innate desire to live off the bounty of the season but our instincts are not as developed as they would be if grocery stores were not available to us. Consider the nomadic tribes and the years before humans cultivated gardens.

What were their food sources? We don’t have to experience an apocalypse to turn to nature for our survival. We just need to learn what is around us in the plant world, watch the seasons turn and have a really good plant guide.

There are some wonderful foraging books, including one by Virginia herbalist, Vickie Shufer, called The Everything Guide to Foraging. Shufer has been writing the Wild Food Forum for years and offers a subscription to her newsletter which can help those interested locate reliable information. Another important resource is a plant identification book, like Peterson’s Field Guide to the East24

Washington, D.C.

ern Edible and Medicinal Herbs by Dr. James A. Duke and Steven Foster. Armed with information, let the foraging begin.

Early spring under the snow, we notice that several greens have been just waiting to reappear. Chickweed is a nourishing edible that is considered a fat emulsifier; wonderful to help the body rid itself of the stored fat in the liver as we come out of hibernation and looking to drop some weight. Chickweed is easy to identify as a source of early spring greens that can be eaten in salad or made into unctions for topical use.

Dandelion greens will be popping up soon to provide a large amount of potassium while stimulating diuresis.

Every part of the dandelion is edible.

The flowers contain lecithin. By pulling the petals out of the calyx, they can be used in cornbread or muffins and sometimes salads for beauty. The dandelion root can be washed, cut into rounds and roasted on low heat in the oven. With chicory root (or by itself), both make wonderful coffee substitutes which are helpful to the

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liver do its job to filter.

For a really tasty root, look for burdock. In the second year of growth, it has a stalk which grows burrs that get caught on clothes and animal’s fur.

Look for the first year tap roots that grow straight down and may get as long as three feet. Look around where you see old stalks and dig the young ones from the big leaf plant that has not sent all its energy into the stalk.

While it is easier to buy these long woody roots, known as GoBo to the Japanese, at an ethnic supermarket, but you can “forage” for them at the store as well. Cut in thin strips and sautéed in olive oil, garlic and good soy sauce, they need to cook until crispy outside and tender inside.

One of the most important weeds to foragers is nettle. This plant often called stinging nettle for the formic acid in the needles which sting the skin but the greatest revenge is to eat it. Nettle is high in iron, chlorophyll, calcium and other minerals. When cooked down, it loses the acid in the leaves from which a puree can be made into a green summer soup, served cold.

There are so many gifts from nature that can feed and sustain us. Tree fruits are a favorite to hunt in our area in the fall as well as walnuts, persimmons, spice bush berries, autumn olives, paw paws and acorns. There are many sources of fuel found on the woodland floor. Armed with a foraging book and bucket, anyone can gather and make jams, cordials, medicine and nut breads. Wild food sustains and nourishes the innate desire to live in sync with the seasons and in harmony with the Earth.

To learn more about foraging, attend Eat Your Weeds, on April 25 at Green Comfort School of Herbal Medicine. For more information, call 540-937-4283, email Green.Comfort@gmail.com or visit GreenComfortHerbSchool.com.

Teresa Boardwine teaches and conducts clinical consultations at Green Comfort School of Herbal Medicine. She is a professional member of the American Herbalist Guild and has lectured throughout the country on a variety of topics related to herbs and healthy living. See ad, page 23.

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25

breakthrough

Thermography for Breast Health

by Donna Marie Scippa

T

hermography, or medical infrared imaging, is a painless, noninvasive and inexpensive breast scan approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for women of any age. Research suggests that breast cancer survival rests upon the earliest possible detection. When discovered early, 95 percent cure rates are possible, making breast thermography an essential part of risk assessment and early detection.

How does it work?

Thermography involves fascinating technology. It is a physiologic test measuring heat levels in the tissue.

Interpreting a thermogram requires a complex computerized system, which measures heat in the breast by analyzing images taken by a state-of-theart medical infrared camera. All of us are heat generators and most of the heat we produce is normal. A thermogram detects abnormal heat in the breast tissue, (angiogenesis, or new blood vessel formation, necessary to sustain the growth of a tumor), which is one of the earliest signs that a breast cancer may be forming.

Thermography is an imaging procedure that uses no radiation, injections, extreme pressure or other invasive methods. Infrared markers of early 26

Washington, D.C.

stage cancers missed by other methods may be discovered using thermography. This is the beautiful thing about thermography—it is capable of picking up these early signs while giving us 90 percent sensitivity and specificity.

By contrast, a mammogram is anX-ray (radiation) and a structural test. It detects microcalcifications and masses in breast tissue, which may or may not be benign. Unfortunately, cancer has already formed and been present in the breast for some time before detection by mammogram is possible.

Christiane Northrup, M.D., a board certified OB/GYN, author, and a strong advocate of thermography, states: “I understand that mammography has been the gold standard for years.

Doctors are the most familiar with this test and many believe that a mammogram is the best test for detecting breast cancer early. But it’s not. Studies show that a thermogram identifies precancerous or cancerous cells earlier.”

Why is it important?

The inclusion of thermography in breast cancer awareness and prevention plans is essential. It helps differentiate high-risk women, detects changes in breast tissue early and may give women a significant chance of beating an aggressive and wide-

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

It is also important to note that if women began receiving thermographic scans in their 20s, there is a significant opportunity to change the course of a woman’s life. spread disease. It has been determined that no one method of examination alone can serve all the needs of breast cancer detection. Thermography can help in this arena, especially given how many women have dense breast tissue, which lowers the sensitivity of mammography.

It is also important to note that if women began receiving thermographic scans in their 20s, there is a significant opportunity to change the course of a woman’s life. Breast cancers in younger women are generally more aggressive and have poorer survival rates. Breast thermography offers younger women a valuable imaging tool to add to their regular breast health check-ups.

The importance of including thermography cannot be over-emphasized. In this day and age, it is important to be as proactive as possible in order to finally stop breast cancer from being so prevalent. Breast thermography has developed into an important tool in the fight against breast cancer and is important to include in any breast health program.

To learn more, Neck, Back and Beyond, an integrated wellness center located at 10560 Main St., Fairfax, is offering thermography from May 1 to 4. To make an appointment or get more information, call 703-865-5690, email NeckBackAndBeyond@gmail. com or visit NeckBackAndBeyond. com. See ad, page 36.

Donna Marie Scippa has been a nurse practitioner in women’s health for more than 20 years based in the San Francisco Bay area. She is passionate about integrative therapies for women’s health and the value of thermography as a breast health screening tool.

firstperson

Seeking Home An Interview with Terri Neff Metin

by Robin Fillmore

A

fter growing up in Georgetown and traveling throughout the world, Realtor and designer Terri Neff Metin helps transitioning individuals and families sell or find new homes. She approaches this noble work with a deep sense of calling and service, helping her clients learn not only about real estate but also labout themselves in the process.

In an interview with Natural Awakenings publisher, Robin Fillmore, Metin shared her thoughts on limitations, purpose, home and this great city of ours.

What are you passionate about?

I am very passionate about creating a more focused life for me and my clients. We all have the tendency of accepting our surroundings as the parameters for our vision and goals.

As I communicate with people, I work with them to open and release their fears—to loosen their limitations so they can recognize that the universe of their world is a really big place and starts inside of them. If you see yourself as limitles, that we are

all connected to each other, then you can relax a little.

How does that passion extend to your work with clients?

As I work with clients, I like to see how they live. It gives me an expanded view of my reality and theirs, and presents more as an opportunity to build our relationship. I am there with them from the day we start working to the day they tell me not to. They don’t have to worry. I tell them: “You can trust yourself and you can trust the decisions you are going to make.

We will take our time and won’t be making our decisions out of fear. We are going to operate in love.”

Their castle, their cocoon, their salvation where they go home at night­—maybe that’s where they lost a child or birthed a child. Home becomes, very insidiously, like our armor. We have to help them gently remove it, shine it up, dust it off and get it ready for the next person.

We look at the basics. Do we need to paint? Do we need caulking? Do we need new carpet? Every single person who

walks through the door has an expectation. I can’t tell you what that is but we need to prepare the home so that it is clean, uncluttered with as little personal material so that the new buyer will identify with it. Your home can’t be your museum of your stuff. We want them to see the home as the place of their hopes, their dreams—where they are going to grow their family.

Are you fulfilling your life’s purpose?

I don’t ever doubt that—God takes every one of us where we need to go.

My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, like five of her sisters. They grew up very poor and she left high school at the age of 14 to work for the telephone company in the big city. She was in her 50s when she got breast cancer, yet every day she would wake up happy.

She would be smiling and never complained. And I never saw my father sit home a day either. Both of them approached life from a very simple standpoint. Get up, get a shower and get out there and serve your purpose—whatever that is.

I have been so lucky and I am so excited about the future. A mom of two and another teenager who lives with us, plus a 29-year-old stepson who stops in. They all teach me so much. I am blessed to have several generations of knowledge that are constantly feeding me. I am extremely passionate about what I do. Every day is a new opportunity and you just don’t know where it is going to take you or teach you.

What do you love about D.C.?

Washington, D.C. has the capacity of being the greatest city on the planet. We are educated and have the most capable people in the country living here. We just need to be smart enough to start talking to each other. There are so many close-knit but diversified communities so no one is stuck. You can walk into any restaurant in the city and hear 10 different languages at one time. I love that.

For more information, contact her at 202256-2163 or Terri.Metin@cbmove.com.

See ad, page 6.

natural awakenings April 2015 27

practitionerspotlight

Dr. Rotella Helps Solve Patient’s Health Puzzles With Acupuncture and Chiropractic

by Robin Fillmore

M

aryjoyce Rotella is a doctor who wears a number of different hats. For many patients, she is a chiropractor who offers adjustment for back and neck pain. For others, she represents great hope in dealing with fertility issues as she treats them as an acupuncturist. For others, she is the trusted medical professional who can offer relief for hay fever and other allergies, so prevalent in this area—and for one young patient, Dr. Rotella is lovingly referred to as the “tickle doctor.”

She recently opened her practice in this area after being a successful practitioner for almost 20 years in different areas such as northeast Pennsylvania, New York and Missouri. From her office in Burtonsville, Maryland, she sees a steady stream of patients who know that her vast experience and gentle nature will ultimately provide them with relief. While there is no typical patient, Rotella’s patients come to her with allergies, fertility problems, pain management, digestive issues and acid reflux, sleeping concerns as well as the common cold—just to name a few.

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What is amazing about Rotella is her depth and breadth of training in the fields of acupuncture, chiropractic and Chinese herbs. With this comprehensive background, she provides patients with a range of options when seeking treatment. Most practitioners invest their time and precious finances in school for just one of these fields. Rotella received her initial postgraduate degree in chiropractic, fueled by her desire to study the body and explore a truth she learned early in her training—that the body has the capacity to heal itself.

She notes, “Our Western medicine is important—to deal with diseases, but there are so many people who fall through the cracks. They aren’t in the disease process yet but they are not well either.

I thought it would be great to help those people.” For more than 2,000 years, Eastern medicine has provided relief. Rotella proudly carries on these traditions in her own practice.

When she first started as a chiropractor in Missouri, Rotella took the minimal training (only 100 hours) required to use

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

acupuncture techniques in that state under her chiropractic license. When she moved to Long Island, New York, the requirement to practice acupuncture was a master’s degree, involving more than 3,000 hours of education and clinical hours.

With the help of a supportive husband, Rotella went back for three more years of school so that she could earn her master’s in acupuncture and receive training in Chinese herbs. She notes, “I couldn’t see treating people without needles after witnessing how it helped my patients when I was in Missouri. I just couldn’t fathom practicing without this technique.”

The blend of her techniques, which also shows a balancing of Eastern and Western Medicine, offers a significant advantage to her patients. A typical patient may not share with her acupuncturist that she is suffering from neck pain, but would tell that to a chiropractor.

Likewise, a patient may not discuss his allergy symptoms with his chiropractor, but these seemingly disparate conditions may have a common source in the body system. The ability of Rotella to put the various pieces of the patient’s health puzzle together has been of great help to many—including patients who had tried every other option without success.

Rotella also brings a bit of the Missouri Ozark Mountains to her practice in the form of herbs, extracts and formulas organically grown or wildcrafted from Teeter Creek Farm. She offers their nutritional supplements and tinctures, as well as her own blends from Teeter Creek herbs. For Rotella, knowing the source of the herbs, the farmer and having had the chance to walk the lands that are the source of the herbs is an important component in the healing process for all her patients.

She also uses many other techniques and products, such as herbs, homeopathic remedies, whole food supplements and vitamins tailored to fit the specific need of each patient.

Dr. Rotella also takes time to share her knowledge with others—as a professor at two different online universities.

Through teaching, she has the opportunity to engage students on a different level and encourages them to be just as curious about health and healing as she is.

For more information about Dr. Rotella, visit her at DrRotella.com. See ad, page 35.

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April 2015

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retreatspotlight

Let Go and Let Grow The Power of Retreat

by HawaH

J

oin HawaH and and Mimi Rieger for Let Go and Let Grow, from May 29 to 31, as they create a transformational space for those living in the greater Washington, D.C. area to find peace, quiet and sanctuary at Yogaville (Satchidananda Ashram) located in Buckingham, Virginia. It is a beautiful oasis of 100-plus acres, walking trails and wonderful practice spaces.

Participants will have time to be in retreat, turn off their phones, listen to the birds and meet new friends who are interested in similar paths of evolution. As attendees peel back the layers and dive into deep asana, pranayama, meditation and discussion circles, they will be surrounded by a bounty of love, support, laughter and fun.

The impetus for this retreat came to co-leader, HawaH, as he went through a period of discernment in his own life—over the decision (or not) to cut off his dread locks. He notes, “When I decided to start growing out dread locks about eight years ago, I wasn’t prepared 30

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for all the ways that I would be treated differently. Being a man of color in the world and then trying to manage to be taken seriously and professionally with dreads always felt like an uphill battle.

It’s strange, but when you grow dreads, somehow all of your interactions, relationships and dreams get knotted into your head. At some point, the dreads can start to feel heavy and that’s when it is time to reassess.”

What HawaH came to understand is that dreads are often more about energetics than their physical weight. His decision to shed the dreads was not impulsive. Months before cutting them, he was already beginning to feel tired of all the maintenance—the longer showers and the need to constantly maintain the roots so he could look presentable at meetings with principals and foundation representatives. He knew that they were nearing the end of their life, but where is the opportune moment?

The decision to finally let them go

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We can’t always be pushing forward.

Sometimes the greatest ideas take place when we can pull back and remove ourselves from all the noise, clutter and monotonous haste. came while on retreat in Jamaica at the end of January. HawaH recalls, “I can’t overemphasize how essential retreat has been for me throughout my life. I believe there is power and necessity in retreat. We can’t always be pushing forward. Sometimes the greatest ideas take place when we can pull back and remove ourselves from all the noise, clutter and monotonous haste. If we are constantly in the washing machine, when will the clothes ever have a chance to dry? ”

By the sixth day of his Jamaican retreat, HawaH knew that it was time to let the dreads go. “It was hard for me to make such a big decision in the middle of my life in Washington, D.C. Thinking clearly is sometimes hard when you are in meetings all day, teaching from school to school and then trying to also have friends and community to play with. Going on retreat alone, or with others who have the same intention of reflection, slowing down and exploring the not-so-obvious, is what can give us the courage to make decisions about our lives that propel us in new and healthier directions.”

The May retreat weekend promises to ignite change, evoke a deeper appreciation for life and further yoga journies.

Location: 108 Yogaville Way, Buckingham, VA. For more information, visit Yogaville. org/Products/Spring-into-Summer-Practice _Sweat_Reflect_and-Play/.

HawaH has authored four books and produced three documentary films. He is executive director of the nonprofit organization One Common Unity and also the founding editor of The Poetry of Yoga book anthology that contains more than 300 yogi poets from 19 countries.

eventspotlight

Mind-Body Week

Presents Leading Researchers on Treating Pain

by Deborah Norris and Jessie Taylor

All are welcome to attend Mind-Body Week, D.C., from April 17 to 19 in Silver Spring and Bethesda, to learn more and to get real answers about dealing with chronic pain.

O

ne in three Americans suffers from chronic pain (or least 100 million adults) indicating that pain is a pervasive national health care concern. Even more alarming, nearly half of all of those who suffer report that it is inadequately treated.

There is new and pervasive evidence that reveals that the use of self-care therapies such as meditation, yoga and tai chi have had great success in the treatment of chronic pain. All are welcome to attend Mind-Body Week, D.C., from April 17 to 19 in Silver Spring and Bethesda, to learn more and to get real answers about dealing

with chronic pain.

At this year’s Mind-Body Week, D.C., top researchers in the field of mind-body medicine will share their findings on the clinical applications of mind-body therapies for the treatment of chronic pain.

According to keynote speaker, Sara Lazar, Ph.D., from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, mindfulness may alter the flow of information in our brains to reduce symptoms of chronic pain.

Her research focuses on elucidating the neural mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of yoga and medita-

tion, both in clinical settings and in healthy individuals.

For example, in a recent study conducted by Lazar, mindfulness practitioners and a control group of non-practitioners received unpleasant electric stimuli while their brain functions were mapped by MRI. It was found that mindfulness practitioners, but not those in the control group, were able to reduce pain unpleasantness by 22 percent and anticipatory anxiety by 29 percent during a mindful state.

Joining Lazar as keynote speaker will be Chen Chen Wang, M.D., from the Division of Rheumatology at Tufts Medical Center. Wang’s research has shown that tai chi may modulate complex factors and improve health outcomes in patients with chronic rheumatologic conditions. As a form of physical exercise, tai chi enhances cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, balance and physical function. It also appears to be associated with reduced stress, anxiety and depression, as well as improved quality of life. Wang says, “Tai chi can be safely recommended to patients with fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis as a complementary and alternative medical approach to improve patient well-being.”

Further research by Deborah Norris, Ph.D., and Thomas Nassif, Ph.D., from the Department of Psychology at American University, evaluated the effectiveness of mindfulness meditation for managing chronic pain in U.S. military veterans who have sustained a traumatic brain injury during deployment to Afghanistan or Iraq.

In this first-ever study to research iRest Meditation as an intervention for chronic pain, Norris and Nassif found statistically significant reductions in pain interference in veterans receiving iRest as an adjunctive therapy to standard medical care. This study highlights the therapeutic potential of iRest as a novel approach for those living with chronic pain after traumatic brain injury.

Locations: Friday at Silver Spring Civic Center at 1 Veterans Pl., Silver Spring and Saturday and Sunday at The Mindfulness Center at 4963 Elm St., Ste.100, Bethesda. For more information or to register, visit MindBodyWeek.com.

See ad, page 50. natural awakenings

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inmyopinion

Are vaccines better than natural exposure?

Vaccines give the body an advantage because the disease being introduced is either weakened or dead. Natural exposure to infectious diseases in their active form can have serious consequences—from mental and physical disability to death. While vaccines do require boosters to keep the body in top-fighting condition, natural exposure does not always guarantee full immunity either. For example, someone who has had chicken pox is still susceptible to shingles, a reactivation of the virus that causes chicken pox.

What is going into the body?

Vaccines?

Exploring the Controversy

by Samantha Hudgins

V

accines are training wheels for the body’s immune system. They allow the body to learn how to fight symptoms and infections without risk of contracting the disease itself.

They are an important part of keeping both individuals and communities healthy and though there has been some controversy surrounding vaccines, it is important to note that they are not at odds with complementary and alternative medicines (CAM).

Research on the rate of vaccinations among adults has shown an association between those who seek complementary and alternative medicine and a higher rate of vaccinations.

However research on CAM-users and childhood vaccines is less clear. Rates seem to be lower but the reason is unknown. In response to these studies, the director for the National Center for 32

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Complementary and Integrative Health, Dr. Josephine Briggs has written, “It is essential that we recognize the extraordinary success of childhood vaccination, and that we look to the abundant scientific evidence that documents the safety and vital role of vaccines in the health of our nation.”

How do vaccines work?

Instead of exposing the body to an infectious disease, an altered or weakened version of the disease is given either orally or through injection, just under the skin or into the muscle. This mimics the disease enough to cause the body to create anti-bodies, which overcome the vaccine. Where the body previously had no defense against the infectious disease, it now has the antibodies and the memory to fight exposure of a full-strength infection.

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

The majority of a vaccine is made up of the antigen, or the weakened disease, the body is being trained to fight. The other components potentially in a vaccine are diluents like sterile water to get the correct concentration; adjuvants which are substances used to increase the body’s immune response to the vaccine; stabilizers to maintain the vaccine’s effectiveness while in storage; preservatives to prevent bacteria from growing in the vaccine and trace-components left from the manufacturing process. Every part of a vaccine serves a purpose.

There are no fillers and sometimes it is possible to request vaccines that do not contain preservatives.

When it comes to the specific ingredients in vaccines, it is important to look at the quantity used.

Things like aluminum, mercury and formaldehyde may seem frightening but we’re already exposed to much larger quantities in our everyday lives. Aluminum is the most common metal found in nature and there is more mercury in the meat of a tuna fish than in vaccines. The human body produces—and filters out— more formaldehyde as a byproduct of metabolizing natural alcohols in fruit and nuts than is used in a vaccine.

Should everyone vaccinate?

Vaccines are meant to be administered to healthy bodies. The rare instances of severe adverse effects are often associ-

ated with those who have weakened immune systems. There are also age minimums and maximums placed on vaccines. Family history and allergies are important factors to consider before vaccinating, as well. Some vaccines may contain trace amounts of egg, gelatin or yeast, which can enact adverse reaction to those already allergic to those components. Most often, the side effects of a vaccine are redness or soreness where the vaccine was given, fever or headache.

There are those who cannot receive vaccines. Therefore, it is important that those who are healthy enough to get them, do so. As more people have a defense against a disease, the less likely it will spread— especially to someone who cannot fight it.

Vaccines are an important part of preventive medicine. It is possible, and encouraged, to lead a lifestyle in line with CAM practices and follow a vaccine schedule. When choosing a vaccine schedule, take care to discuss health, family history, potential allergies, ingredients and any concerns or questions with your healthcare provider. Vaccines train the body to stay healthy so that severe illnesses don’t have to do it.

Sam Hudgins is a mother, writing enthusiast and Outreach Director for Natural Awakenings of Washington, D.C.

Silence is a

true friend who never betrays.

~Confucius

earthdayevents

EARTH

DAY 2015

Hope for Our Future

by Julianne Hale

W

hen we learn about the condition of our most valuable resource—this spinning planet we call home—we may feel a sense of urgency, desperation or even defeat. Global climate change is a powerful foe, and current efforts may seem like a losing race against time.

Yet, mounting evidence suggests that the global community is making progress, giving rise to the possibility that climate change may not be the insurmountable obstacle we once thought. The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) article, “We Can Do This: 10 Reasons there’s Hope for our Climate,”

by Dan Upham, summarizes a speech given by EDF President Fred Krupp at the 2014 Aspen Ideas Festival (Tinyurl. com/HopeForTheClimate). Here are some encouraging highlights.

The price of solar energy panels has dropped by 75 percent in the U.S. since 2008, and affordable wind energy is increasingly available. According to a study published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, carbon dioxide emissions from energy in this country dropped by 10 percent between 2005 and 2012. In addition, China, the world’s largest producer of greenhouse gases, is actively seeking ways to reduce emissions.

Proof of progress is also found in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan to cut billions of tons of pollution, a goal supported by two-thirds of Americans, according to a survey conducted by Harstad Strategic Research. Aligned with this, the government is requiring that manufacturers

double automobile fuel mileage by 2025.

Perhaps the best argument for hope reflects the priorities of America’s younger generations. A recent bipartisan poll of young voters conducted

by Benenson Strategy Group and GS Strategy Group suggests that 80 percent of voters under the age of 35 support the president taking action to address climate change, making it an issue that both major political parties must take seriously.

It’s time to realize that mankind is making decided progress, that the majority of us do care, that what local communities accomplish has a positive effect and that the global community can take the steps needed to avert catastrophic climate change.

Become a part of the solution by attending a community event such as the two listed here.

Earth Day on the Mall Friday, April 20, 11am-5pm Saturday, April 21, 11am-6pm Sunday, April 22, 11am-7pm ­—Eco Village opens at 11am; Programming begins at noon The National Mall For more information about Earth Day events in Washington, D.C. and other locations, visit EarthDay.org.

Green Your Routine April 22, 6 p.m.

Cadence at Crown Farm 113 Ellington Blvd Gaithersburg, MD For more information, see the newsbrief on page 7 or email Michele.Muise@gmail.com. natural awakenings

April 2015

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wisewords Neck Back & Beyond

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Healing Journeys

Paul Stutzman Finds Universal Truths on His Treks

Margeuritte McGee RN, DiHom, LAc Nationally Board Certified Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM Dipl. OM)

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Pain Management Call for a free 30 min consult!

10560 Main St., PH- 1 Fairfax, VA 22030 703-865-5690 www.neckbackandbeyond.com

Nothing is more powerful than BELIEF in what you do.

by Randy Kambic

P

aul Stutzman was a successful executive with a family restaurant chain and a happy father and husband married for more than 30 years when his wife, Mary, passed away from breast cancer in 2006. Questioning his faith as to why this happened, Stutzman quit his job to hike the 2,168-mile Appalachian Trail (AT), advising everyone he encountered, “Don’t take spouses and families for granted.” His book, Hiking Through, recounts this extreme adventure and relates his subsequent thoughts about grief, healing and life.

Stutzman chronicled his second journey, a 5,000-mile-plus crosscountry trek, in Biking Across America. This time, he perceived a “noble, yet humble America that still exists and inspires.” More recently, the author has turned to fiction with The Wanderers and Wandering Home, both enriched with reflections upon the values of his Amish Mennonite upbringing and marriage.

What kept you going?

Early on, I realized how soothing nature was to my grieving soul. Still, there

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Washington, D.C.

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were times it would have been easy to abandon my journeys and head for the safety of home. The desire to discover if my life held any meaning after such a great loss kept me moving forward. I kept telling myself on both journeys, “If my wife can fight cancer for four years, I can overcome any obstacle I encounter.”

I was determined to write about what I was being taught by nature. I also believed books written by and about someone seeking solace via an incomplete pilgrimage would be cheating the reader.

What do such journeys teach about nature and our response to experiencing it?

I find comfort in nature. I believe the beautiful streams and waterfalls, the grand views from mountaintops and the wildlife were all created for our enjoyment. When we absorb this beauty and wonderment, the stresses in life slowly melt away. Granted, not everyone will be able to do what I did; however, a stroll through a local park, along a beach or in a flower garden can have similar effects.

Did these extended physical endeavors make mental demands that catalyzed unexpected self-growth?

Treks like these into the unknown are physically demanding. With time and effort, one’s body gets into shape for extended hiking and biking. The mental hurdle must be crossed next. You’ll miss home and loved ones. Loneliness will set in. This is where you discover who the real you is. Are you tenacious enough to push through the desire to abandon the pilgrimage or will you succumb to the allure of comfort and safety?

On my journeys, I had to make difficult choices. There is a saying that applies to folks planning to hike the AT end-to-end through 14 states: “If hiking the entire Appalachian Trail isn’t the most important thing in your life, you won’t accomplish it.”

My daughter gave birth to my grandson while I was hiking. Although she asked that I come home for the event, I declined. I kept on hiking because I knew I wouldn’t return to the trail if I went home. I’d spent my lifetime trying to do the right things for my three children, but now had to do what was right for me.

What did you learn about Americans along the way?

I discovered that most Americans are kind, law-abiding citizens. Most are still willing to help a stranger in need.

Unfortunately, I feel we focus too much time and energy on the minority of malcontents.

How have these experiences informed your creative process?

America is a great country. The beauty I’ve witnessed from a bicycle seat and on two feet hiking the mountains is a continual source of inspiration. Many folks are unable to do what I do. My ongoing desire is to describe the images imprinted in my mind in such a way that others can feel as if they are there walking with me.

For more information, visit PaulStutzman.com.

Randy Kambic is an Estero, FL, freelance writer and editor who regularly contributes to Natural Awakenings.

Meditation Teacher Training (160 Hours) • Yoga Teaching Training (200 Hours) The Mindfulness Center • 4963 Elm St., Ste. 100 • Bethesda, MD 301-986-1090 • TheMindfulnessCenter.org The Mindfulness Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

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(301) 421-4248 • www.drrotella.com

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yogawithnya.com nya@yogawithnya.com washington, dc ∙ 202.212.9304 natural awakenings

April 2015

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naturalpet EarthLight Promotions

Feeding Your Pet a Raw Diet

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The Pros and Cons

Beverly Nickerson 703-401-9663

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by Dr. Pema Choepel Mallu

A

raw diet is advised by many holistic veterinarians for both dogs and cats. Dogs and cats are carnivores and have teeth that are designed to tear meat and grind bones. They do not have grain-grinding teeth in their mouths.

The majority of commercially prepared kibble is high in carbohydrates and grains. Many also have chemical dyes and preservatives. There are no grain kibbles available without unnatural additives. All the commercially prepared canned foods are either heat-processed or pasteurized or both. This processing kills the live nature of the food.

Raw diets include home-prepared raw diets, fresh-frozen raw diets and freeze-dried raw diets. It is important to balance the Calcium/Phosporous ratio and for this, each raw diet must include a portion of raw bone. Home-prepared raw diets generally use whole meat carcass portions with bone that is chewed in whole, organ meats, vegetables and fruit.

The fresh-frozen raw diet and freeze-dried raw diet have these same ingredients and the raw bone is finely ground.

Raw diets may contain pathogenic bacteria, although freezing will kill them. It is important to wash the pet’s bowls, all utensils and counters when preparing raw food to avoid human contamination. Animals have a high acid stomach pH which destroys any

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of these bacteria. Meat pathogenic bacteria do not become a problem for the pet. Rinsing all meat and bones before serving is also a good habit.

Pros for feeding a raw diet:

A healthier pet and fewer trips to the vet­–This is a natural diet for the carnivore and keeps the immune and digestive system healthy.

Ideal weight and increased energy­– The raw diet is live food and has a high metabolic rate, thus keeping the thyroid balanced, fats digested and weight controlled.

Shiny hair coat and healthy skin­–The raw meat, bone marrow and organ meats nourish the blood which in turn nourishes the skin and hair coat.

Clean teeth, healthy gums and fresh breath­–A raw diet is low in carbohydrates and keeps the salivary pH balanced to prevent bacterial growth and tartar buildup. Gnawing on raw meat and bones also keeps teeth clean.

Good stools which are firm and small­– Foods are not processed and have no preservatives, chemicals or dyes.

Pets experience fewer allergies or digestive complaints. Carbohydrates are the main culprit of inflammation in the GI tract of dogs and cats causing propensity for allergies and digestive disturbances.

Cons for feeding a raw diet: Possible bacterial contamination for humans­–You must clean the bowls and prep materials with hot soapy water.

Choking or bowel obstruction­–The raw bones must be appropriate to the size of the pet to avoid an episode of choking on a too-large piece of bone or a piece which is not chewed enough, thus causing bowel obstruction.

Constipation­–If too much raw bone is fed, the stools can become ashen and dry or even impacted.

Food can not be left out for long time periods­–Most pets will eat raw food immediately so this is not usually a problem.

Diarrhea­–Some pets, who have been fed commercially-processed food for years, have depleted their digestive enzymes. They may need enzymes added to raw foods or may need home-cooked food instead of cold raw food.

More expensive­–It can be more expensive to feed a raw diet, but on the other hand, your pet may be healthier and make less trips to the vet in their lifetime, which can save money.

Pema Choepel Mallu, DVM, CVA, MAc, LAc, is co-owner of Holistic Veterinary Healing, in Germantown. She is also an ordained Tibetan Buddhist nun and as such lives life with the notion that all creatures are created equal. To contact her, email HolVetHealing@ gmail.com or visit HolisticVeterinaryHealing. com. See ad, page 25.

ecotip Sustainable Shopping Tips Smart Choices Help Our Home Planet

The buy local movement and popularity of local farmers’ markets continue to grow, but we can do even better when it comes to sustainable shopping. A recent Greendex.com survey on environmental impacts of consumer behaviors in 18 countries reports that more Americans are eating local and organic foods and say they’re going to consume less meat and bottled water. Nevertheless, we continue to eat the most processed and packaged foods and the fewest fruits and vegetables of all the countries surveyed. Evidently, we need to literally put our money where our mouths are.

The Greendex survey cites several basic ways to make our diets more sustainable. These include eating more vegetables and less beef and lamb (recognizing the greater environmental impact of raising animals); participating and supporting community supported agriculture and fishery initiatives; economizing meal planning; and storing food properly in the refrigerator to maximize space and freshness periods.

When grocery shopping, peruse the perimeter aisles first, where whole foods are stocked, instead of the interior shelves, which typically comprise processed foods according to MotherEarthLiving.com.

More cooperation between the public and private sectors and individual involvement can also increase sustainability in communities around the world.

Rachael Durrant, Ph.D., a research fellow with the UK-based Sustainable Lifestyles Research Group, cites in a recent paper the need for improved understanding of the key roles that civil society organizations play within processes of large-scale social change and warned that many communities are vulnerable to grave environmental and social risks.

Durrant lauds “greener, fairer and healthier practices, such as community gardening or cookery classes,” plus “those that change the rules of the game through campaigns or lobbying to coordinate and facilitate activities of other groups.”

Supporting food and farming management that’s independent, cooperative and welcomes volunteers, for example, is highly beneficial.

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April 2015

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calendarofevents NOTE: All calendar events must be received via email by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Email Robin@NaturalAwakeningsDC.com for guidelines and to submit entries.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1 Introduction to Terrariums – 10am-12pm. The small eco-systems in terrariums are simple to maintain and enjoy. Overcome your black-thumb and increase your creativity by building your own Tillandsia Orb Terrarium. $30. Rising Phoenix Holistic Center, 9028 D Prince William St, Manassas, VA. Register: RisingPhoenixHC.com.

Info: 703-392-9200.

TUESDAY, APRIL 7

Tarot for Beginners – 7-9pm. Over 5 weeks ending April 30. This class is for anyone that has little to no tarot knowledge. You will be trained in how to decode the imagery of the tarot and perform readings using the Rider-Waite tarot deck. $180. Rising Phoenix Holistic Center, 9028 D Prince William St, Manassas, VA. Register: RisingPhoenixHC.com. Info: 703-392-9200.

FRIDAY, APRIL 3 Women’s Monthly Dance Party – 9:30-10:30pm.

No lines, no cover charges, no uncomfortable shoes. Just you and your friends dancing it out to fabulous tunes. Yoga District 14th St, 1910 14th St, NW. Info: Clients.MindBodyOnline.com/Classic/ ws?studioid=2070&stype=-8&sView=day&sTrn= 100000176&date=04/03/15.

SATURDAY, APRIL 4 50-hour Restorative Yoga Teacher Training for 200-hour Certified Yoga Teachers – 9am. Sat and Sun through April 26. Join Yoga District’s Restorative Teacher Training with Bernie. The training curriculum is designed to provide yoga teachers a deeper understanding of relaxation science, while exploring techniques to attain deeper states of relaxation. Yoga District I Street, 1922 I St, 1st Fl, NW. Info: Clients.MindBodyOnline. com/Classic/ws?Studioid=2070&stype=-101&sVi ew=Day&sTrn=100000004&Date=04/04/15.

Hands On, Respectful, Chemical-Free Beekeeping – 10am-12pm. Combine, condense or create a nuc. All ages welcome. Our bees are gentle, but stings are a possibility. Bring your own veil, if you want. $50. Azure B LLC, 4730 Bicknell Rd, Marbury, MD. Register: Info@AzureBLLC. com or AzureBLLC.com.

Introduction to Ayurveda: The Science of Life – 1:30-4:30pm. Discover Ayurveda, the knowledge of health and wellbeing, with Neva Ingalls.

Ayurveda is the medical system of yoga and the key

Growing Green Schools – 2:30-4pm. Showcasing school gardening and nutrition programs in Arlington. Sponsored by FitArlington and APS Superintendent’s Advisory Committee on Sustainability and open to parents, staff and students. FitArlington and APS Superintendent’s Advisory Committee on Sustainability at Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S Stafford St, Arlington VA. Register: Bit.ly/1BFpOSX. Info: GrowingGreenSchools@gmail.com.

Mindfulness Meditation for Well-Being and Happiness – 7-8:30pm. Monday evenings through May 18. Bring greater ease to your life with a regular meditation practice through this 6-week course. $225. Maryland University of Integrative Health, 7750 Montpelier Rd, Laurel, MD. Register: MUIH.edu. Info: Events@MUIH.edu.

THURSDAY, APRIL 2

Practicing Ahimsa: Nonviolence in Our Communication (Intro to NVC) – 7:45-9:30pm.

In this introduction to Nonviolent Communication (NVC), you will get a glimpse of how a shift in perspective can enhance immediate compassion for yourself and others. $35 OM pass members or $40 non-members. The Peace Circle Center at The Studio DC, 1710 Connecticut Ave, NW. Register: TheStudioDC.com/WorkShopsEvents.htm. Info: PeaceCircleCenter.org.

MONDAY, APRIL 6

Astrology 101: Understanding the Fundamentals – 7-9pm. A fun and insightful 4-week, 8-hour course for beginner astrologers. The course takes place on Tuesdays evenings April 7, 14, 21, and 28th. $140. Rising Phoenix Holistic Center, 9028 D Prince William St, Manassas, VA. Register: RisingPhoenixHC.com. Info: 703-392-9200.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8 to conscious living. $65. The Yoga Fusion Studio, 4609 Willow Ln, Chevy Chase, MD. Register: TheYogaFusionStudio.com/WorkandPlay. Info: 301-656-8937.

Restore and Rejuvenate with Therapeutic Yoga Practices – 1:30-3:30pm. This 2-hour therapeutic yoga class with blends restorative yoga, gentle stretches between postures, breathing exercises, hands-on healing, aromatherapy, and guided meditation techniques. Yoga District Bloomingdale, 1830 1st St, NW. Info: Clients.MindBodyOnline. com/Classic/ws?Studioid=2070&stype=-8&sView =Day&sTrn=100000218&Date=04/04/15. iPath Postural Alignment – 2:30-4pm. With Denese Cavanaugh. Whether you are new to mind /body awareness techniques or a seasoned athlete, the Integral Postural Alignment Therapy method (iPATH®) will help create the ideal posture. $25.

Buddha B Yoga Center, 1115 U St, Ste 202, NW. Info: BuddhaBYoga.com.

Yoga Lab: Vinyasa Breakdown – 2:30-3:30pm.

Explore and strengthen each of the separate asanas associated in a vinyasa sequence in a safe and supportive environment. $20. Lil Omm Yoga, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Tenleytown. Register: Bit. ly/1EInYCO. Info: LilOmm.com.

Yoga for Runners Workshop – 4:15-6:15pm.

Join us for a slow-paced vinyasa flow practice designed specifically for runners. Yoga District Dupont, 1635 Connecticut Ave, NW. Info: Clients.MindBodyOnline.com/Classic/ ws?Studioid=2070&stype=-8&sView=Day&sTrn =100000009&Date=04/04/15.

Dance with Daughters – 5:30-6:45pm. Join us as we dance with our daughters the areas we intend to grow and give physical expression to our goals for 2015. $30/family of 1 adult and up to 2 kids or $40/family of 4 or more. Lil Omm Yoga, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Tenleytown. Register: Bit. ly/1D3rZ2b. Info: LilOmm.com.

Nature Conservancy Bird Walk – 7-9am.

Join The Nature Conservancy for a spring bird walk at Hughes Hollow in Montgomery County.

The Nature Conservancy, Hughes Hollow, Montgomery County, MD. Register: Nature.org/ MarylandDCBirdwalks. Info: Email Kate Arion at Karion@TNC.org.

Family Yoga Workshop – 4-4:45pm. Enjoy practicing yoga with your kids and have fun while doing a healthy activity. Classes are kidoriented with movement, games and relaxation. $25 (includes adult and child). The Yoga Fusion Studio, 4609 Willow Ln, Chevy Chase, MD. Register: TheYogaFusionStudio.com. Info: Info@ TheYogaFusionStudio.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 9 School Environmental Action Showcase – 9am2:30pm. This annual event allows students in Northern Virginia to showcase outdoor learning, participate in workshops, and meet regional agencies and businesses connected to outdoor education.

NoVA Outside at George Mason University Center for the Arts, 4400 University Dr, Fairfax, VA. Register: Bit.ly/1AODOrc. Info: NoVaOutside.org or Showcase@NoVaOutside.org.

FRIDAY, APRIL 10 Rest + Restore = Restorative Practice – 6-8pm.

With Naya Alemayhu. Restorative yoga is a yoga that uses props to support the body and mind in comfort and ease to facilitate health and healing.

Limited to 15 people, so register early to reserve a spot. $30. Buddha B Yoga Center, 1115 U St, Ste 202, NW. Info: BuddhaBYoga.com.

Vocal Toning - Vibration Meditation – 7:308:30pm. Amazing simple, yet peacefully powerful.

Close eyes and resonate vowel sounds with crystal bowl to release stress and rejuvenate body and spirit. $5 donation. Unity of Gaithersburg, 111 Central Ave, Gaithersburg, MD. Info: UnityOfGaithersburg.org.

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SATURDAY, APRIL 11 7th Annual Rock Creek Extreme Cleanup – 9am-12pm. Join Rock Creek Conservancy for the Rock Creek Extreme Cleanup which aims to clean up all of the trash in Rock Creek. Volunteers will of all ages welcome. Rock Creek Conservancy, 75 sites all of Rock Creek in Montgomery County and D.C. Register: RockCreekConservancy.org/WhatWe-Do/UpComing-Events/Extreme-Cleanup.

Build Your Own Container Garden Workshop – 9am-4pm. Build and plant your own selfwatering container garden and learn how to be a successful container gardener. Includes all materials/ worksheets/handouts. $85. Prior Unity Garden, 3017 James St, Fairfax. Register: PriorUnityGarden.com/ BuildContainerGarden.html. Info: 703-281-7743 or Gardeners@PriorUnityGarden.com. iPath- Integral Posture Alignment Therapy Workshop – 1:30-3:30pm. With Denese Cavanaugh.

As our posture deteriorates, joint movements become restricted and cause pain, stiffness and loss of motion throughout the body. But fix these imbalances, along with breathing techniques, your posture (and pain associated with it) will improve. $25. The Yoga Fusion Studio, 4609 Willow Ln, Chevy Chase, MD. Register: TheYogaFusionStudio. com. Info: Info@TheYogaFusionStudio.com.

Cleanse and Clarify – An Ayurvedic Cleanse based on Panchakarma – 2-4pm. Learn the ayurvedic approach to restoring health and balance to the mind and body. Participate in a cleanse with the guidance of two experienced practitioners. Beloved Yoga, 12001 Sunrise Valley Dr, Reston, VA. Register: BelovedYoga.com. Info: ApurvaWellness.com/Events-and-Resources.aspx.

Children’s Angel Circle – 4-5pm. This is an afternoon event for children ages 4-9 to come and enjoy the beautiful energy of the angels that support and watch over them as they grow. $5/ child. Rising Phoenix Holistic Center, 9028 D Prince William St, Manassas, VA. Register: RisingPhoenixHC.com. Info: 703-392-9200.

Anacostia River Festival – 12-4pm. This is the first Anacostia River Festival, which will celebrate the Anacostia River, its history, ecology, and the communities alongside it. Anacostia Watershed Society at Anacostia Recreation Center, 1800 Fairlawn Ave, SE. Info: BridgePark.org/AnacostiaRiver-Festival.

Yin Yoga: Energize, Balance, and Restore – 6:15-8:15pm. A deep meditative, therapeutic practice for all levels. $35. Lil Omm Yoga, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, NW, 8.5Blue Mash Nature Trail in Montgomery County. The Nature Conservancy, Blue Mash Nature Trail, 20400 Zion Rd, Gaithersburg, MD. Register: Nature.org/ MarylandDCBirdWalks. Info: Email Kate Arion at Karion@TNC.org.

Divine Drinks: A Raw Vegan Class – 7-9pm. Join raw vegan chef Stephanie Hall for an evening of fun as you unwind and see how to mix and prepare the healthiest raw vegan drinks. Raw drinks are ideal as they are loaded with tons of nutrients and antioxidants and perfect to incorporate into any healthy eating regimen. Jump start your internal spring cleaning and add a few new nourishing recipes to your repertoire by learning how to prepare delicious drinks that provide a deeper layer of nourishment. $75. Salamander Resort and Spa, 500 North Pendleton St, Middleburg, VA. Register: 540-326-4162. Info: SalamanderResort. com/Stephanie-Hall.

Screen Time: Raising Children in a BooksPlus World – 7-9pm. Presentation by Lisa Guernsey, author of Screen Time: How Electronic Media, from Baby Videos to Electronic Software, Affects Your Young Child. Free. Holistic Moms Network Arlington/Alexandria and Arlington Unitarian Cooperative Preschool at Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, 4444 Arlington Blvd, Arlington, VA. Register: Bit.ly/1NpRe7c.

Info: HolisticMomsArlAlex.Blogspot.com and HMNArlAlex@gmail.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 18

Sivananda – 4-6pm. With Shana Silverstein. A Sivananda yoga class incorporates chanting in the sacred Sanskrit language, invigorating pranayama techniques, practice of the 12 major asanas and deep relaxation. $25. Buddha B Yoga Center, 1115 U St, Ste 202, NW. Info: BuddhaBYoga.com.

What is Yoga Nidra, Really? – 2-5pm. Yoga Nidra is a tension melting and energy restoring form of meditation. This workshop is an introduction to this effortless practice. $40. Blue Heron Wellness, 10723-B Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD. Register: 301-754-3730. Info: ShiraOzSinai.com.

Spring Cleanse Workshop: Yoga Qigong and Meditation – 4-7pm. With James Foulkes. In this workshop we are to focus on rejuvenating and invigorating the organs and meridians (energy channels) of the wood element–the liver and gall bladder–and the transformation of their negative emotional characteristics, anger and frustration to acceptance and kindness. $40. Buddha B Yoga Center, 1115 U St, Ste 202, NW. Info: BuddhaBYoga.com.

Full Moon Flow – 2:30-4:30pm. Honoring this month’s full moon, students move through an extended 2-hour lunar flow inspired by

SUNDAY, APRIL 12 Hands-on Assists: Workshop for Yoga Teachers – 10:45am-1:45pm and 2:45-5:45pm. With HariKirtana das and Jordana Rock-Garden. In this series of workshops, Advanced Certified Jivamukti Yoga Teacher Jordanna Rock-Garden and 800Hour certified Jivamukti Teacher Hari-kirtana das will team up to offer their colleagues an immersive experience that will break down the essentials of giving hands-on assists. $40/workshop or $65/for both. Buddha B Yoga Center, 1115 U St, Ste 202, NW. Info: BuddhaBYoga.com.

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Matthew Sweeney’s chandra krama. Yoga District Bloomingdale, 1830 1st St, NW. Info: Clients.MindBodyOnline.com/Classic/ ws?studioid=2070&stype=-8&sView=day&sTrn= 100000799&Date=4/18/15.

Yoga Lab: Better Backbends - 2:30-3:30pm. From the basic bridge pose - to standing up from full wheel, you’re invited to explore this energizing family of poses. $20. Lil Omm Yoga, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Tenleytown. Register: Bit.ly/1uugMde. Info: LilOmm.com.

SUNDAY, APRIL 19

specialevent Breathology Certification for the D.M.V.

Master life by mastering the Breath. Breathology Certification for the D.M.V. offers an 8-hour course in the art and science of breath awareness, mechanics and 11 life-changing breath techniques for spirit, mind and body.

April 19, 8am-7pm.

$175—Register: 202-667-2577 or Ayo@PositivEnergyWorks.com or PositivEnergyWorks.com.

PositivEnergyWorks, LLC, Capitol Heights, MD. Path to Mediumship – 10am-4pm. With Melody Krafft. In this workshop you will be provided with that knowledge and support to build your confidence to go forward as a medium. $120. Rising Phoenix Holistic Center, 9028 D Prince William St, Manassas, VA. Register: RisingPhoenixHC. com. Info: 703-392-9200.

Don’t Freak Out! Yoga and the Art of Living a Stress-Free Life – 2-4:30pm. With HariKirtana das. This is the second part of a four-part workshop series. In this workshop series, Harikirtana will lead an exploration of four pressure points of modern life, time, money, conflict and self-image and illuminate the practical ways that yoga alleviates stress. $35. Buddha B Yoga Center, 1115 U St, Ste 202, NW. Info: BuddhaBYoga.com.

Design Your Own Practice – 6:30-8:30pm.

With Bradley Lyon. This two-hour workshop will provide inspiration and dedicated time for you to design a personalized daily yoga routine, such as a 10-20 minute routine that may include asanas, reading, meditation and savasana. $30. Buddha B Yoga Center, 1115 U St, Ste 202, NW. Info: BuddhaBYoga.com.

Introducing Energy Work Into Your Practice – 6:30-8pm. This workshop will introduce you to the basics of energy work and how to incorporate it in your yoga and/or meditation practice. $20. Lil Omm Yoga, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Tenleytown.

Register: Bit.ly/1zzUEe5. Info: LilOmm.com.

MONDAY, APRIL 20 Jivamukti Happy Hour Satsang – 7:15-8:30pm.

With Lisa Pettinati. Join Jivamukti teachers and students in satsang to discuss the Focus of the Month as presented by Jivamukti co-founders, Sharon Gannon and David Life. Registration is free.

Buddha B Yoga Center, 1115 U St, Ste 202, NW. Info: BuddhaBYoga.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 23 Transforming Fatigue and Depression – 6:308:30pm. Brain wellness through genomics and functional medicine with Dr. Chas Gant, MD, plus healthy happy hour. Sponsored by Natural Awakenings and the Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, learn how new diagnostic testing can reveal and demystify causes of depression and fatigue which are unique to each individual, and how simple, safe, natural, targeted and effective treatments can address them. Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, 1632 U St, NW. Info: SmithCenter.org.

youth ticket. Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment and the Arlington County Council of PTAs at George Mason University, Mason Founder’s Hall, 3351 Fairfax Dr, Arlington, VA. Register: EventBrite. com/e/Go-Gaga-for-Green-Tickets-15167307826.

Info: Relations.GMU.edu/Community-Relations/ Programs-and-Services/Go-Gaga-for-Green.

Full Moon Dance Party – 7-8pm. Join us in a JourneyDance of release and renewal as we connect to our inner fire, feel the strength of our bodies and dance our hearts’ deeper expression. $20. Lil Omm Yoga, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Tenleytown. Register: Bit.ly/1FOG8GD. Info: LilOmm.com.

Women’s Health Seminar and Movie Night – 7-9pm. Free seminar with Donna Marie Scippa, R.N., N.P., C.T.T., in preparation for their upcoming breast thermography clinic. We will also be screening No Family History, which looks for ways to prevent, rather than cure breast cancer. $5. Neck, Back & Beyond, 10560 Main St, PH-1, Fairfax, VA. Register: 703-965-5690 5690 or NeckBackAndBeyond@ gmail.com. Info: NeckBackAndBeyond.com.

plan ahead

FRIDAY, APRIL 24

SUNDAY, APRIL 26

FRIDAY, MAY 1

Artful Awakenings - Women’s Art and Yoga Retreat – 3pm. Through April 26. Registration for our Artful Awakenings Spring Retreat is now open.

The retreat team and organizer, Jackie Tury, will be hosting another magical weekend full of art, yoga, and delicious meals in the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina. Info and Register: JackieTury.

BlogSpot.com/p/Retreats.html.

Bhakti Yoga Satsang – 2-4:30pm. With Dhanurdhara Swami. Dhanurdhara Swami’s talks draw from his own sadhana (spiritual practice), his intense study of yoga wisdom texts, and his personal experiences with revered teachers to demystify the ancient path of Bhakti Yoga and illuminate the means by which seemingly impossible dilemmas can be solved with the simplest of resources. $15. Buddha B Yoga Center, 1115 U St, Ste 202, NW. Info: BuddhaBYoga.com.

Thermography Clinic – 10am-4pm. First visit $275/Follow-up $185. We will be holding a 4-day thermography clinic with Donna Marie Scippa, R.N., N.P., C.T.T. Thermography is a powerful breast health screening tool that uses Digital Infrared Imaging to detect, analyze and produce high-resolution images of temperature variations in the tissue. Neck, Back & Beyond, 10560 Main St, PH-1, Fairfax, VA. Register: 703-965-5690 5690 or NeckBackAndBeyond@ gmail.com. Info: NeckBackAndBeyond.com.

Beginners Yoga Workshop – 2:30-4:30pm. In this workshop you will learn about the full system of yoga in a safe and gentle way. All levels welcome. Yoga District Bloomingdale, 1830 1st St, NW. Info:Clients.MindBodyOnline.com/Classic/ ws?Studioid=2070&stype=-8&sView=Day&sTrn= 100000085&date=04/18/15.

World Premiere: Fly By Light – 6:30pm doors open and 7pm show time. An award-winning documentary follows four District teenagers as they attempt to break the cycles of violence while participating in an ambitious peace education program. $20. One Common Unity at National Geographic Grosvenor Auditorium, 1600 M St, NW. Register: OneCommonUnity.org. Info: OneCommonUnity@gmail.com.

Vocal Toning - Vibration Meditation – 7:308:30pm. See April 10 for details. $5 donation. Unity of Gaithersburg, 111 Central Ave, Gaithersburg, MD. Info: UnityofGaithersburg.org.

SATURDAY, APRIL 25 Anacostia Watershed Society’s Annual Earth Day Clean-up and Celebration – 9am-2pm.

The Nature Conservancy is helping AWS with their annual trash clean-up along the Anacostia River. Anacostia Watershed Society at Anacostia Recreation Center, 1800 Fairlawn Ave, SE. Register: Karion@TNC.org.

Real Lyme Solutions – 9am-4pm. Learn 6 affordable solutions to help with brain fog, gut health, joint pain, and balancing emotions. $47.

Family Health Thermal Imaging & Detox, 427A Carlisle Dr, Herndon, VA. Register: 703-635-6324.

Wild Food Forage – 10am-2pm. Discover the early edible spring herbs and weeds. Identify plants in the fields, forest, streambed and roadsides. Learn to prepare, sustain and heal yourself with wild foods. Green Comfort School of Herbal Medicine. Info: 540-937-4283 or GreenComfortHerbSchool.com.

Mala Flow Vinyasa – 2:30-4:30pm. With Denese Cavanaugh. Mala Flow is a transforming stacking practice guided by mind body awareness.

All levels are encouraged to experience the enlightenment of Mala Flow vinyasa yoga, and those who have practiced traditional vinyasa yoga will be empowered to deepen through the release of attainment. $25. Buddha B Yoga Center, 1115 U S, Ste 202, NW. Info: BuddhaBYoga.com.

Tween and Me Yoga – 2:30-3:30pm. Explore yoga poses and breathing exercises with your child ages 9-12 and learn how they can promote stress relief, strength and flexibility. $30/family. Lil Omm Yoga, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Tenleytown. Register: Bit.ly/1zaKtLT. Info: LilOmm.com.

Go Gaga for Green – 5-8:30pm. Go Gaga for Green is a family-friendly, community-wide gathering to celebrate Earth Day and benefit local education and conservation programs. The event is free for Arlington Public School staff, students, and their families. For all others, $25/adult ticket and $10/

TUESDAY, APRIL 28 Bird Walk with The Nature Conservancy – 7-9am. This Nature Conservancy bird walk will be held along the C&O Canal at Pennyfield Lock. The Nature Conservancy, C&O Canal at Pennyfield Lock; off of Pennyfield Lock Road in Potomac, MD. Register: Nature.org/MarylandDCBirdwalks.

Info: Email Kate Arion at Karion@TNC.org.

THURSDAY, APRIL 30 Ashtanga for the Rest of Your Life – 5:30-8pm. With David Williams. Through May 3. David Williams has been practicing yoga daily, without interruption, since 1971. David is responsible for teaching the Ashtanga Yoga system to many of today’s leading teachers and practitioners. $250/before April 15 for the entire course or $300/after April 15 for the entire course or $70/individual class. Buddha B Yoga Center, 1115 U St, Ste 202, NW. Info: BuddhaBYoga.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 2

specialevent Art of Wellness Wholistic Health Fair

Come to sample holistic wellness practitioners and engaging presentations. Attendees can register online or at the door. Tables available—Calling spiritually-based holistic healers, speakers and body workers. See Exhibitor Registration on website for table availability and pricing.

May 2, 1-5pm.

$15. Unity of Fairfax, 2854 Hunter Mill Rd, Oakton, VA. Register: UnityofFairfax.org/ WellnessFair or Contact Jean Walker-Wiley at HandsWithHeart.Jean@gmail.com..

Vinyasa Intensive Workshop – 1:30-3:30pm.

Deepen your practice in this two-hour vinyasa flow workshop with Eileen Reyna Schwartz. Through flowing movement create heat and calm the mind. $30/by April 28 or $35/after. The Yoga Fusion Studio, 4609 Willow Ln, Chevy Chase, MD. Register: 301-656-8937 or TheYogaFusionStudio.com/ WorkandPlay.

THURSDAY, MAY 21 200-Hour Teacher Training Spring Intensive Session – 7am-9pm. Through June 1. Join Yoga District this winter for a 200-hr training to learn set sequences from major yoga traditions. $2500. Yoga District, 1910 14th St, NW. Register: YogaDistrict.com.

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ongoingevents NOTE: All calendar events must be received via email by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Email Robin@NaturalAwakeningsDC.com for guidelines and to submit entries.

sunday

Introduction to Transcendental Meditation – 12-1:30pm. What you’ll learn: Why TM is so effective for stress and anxiety. How TM improves brain function and memory. What happens during TM. Why TM is easy to practice. Why TM works from the start. How to learn TM in Bethesda.

Transcendental Meditation Center of Bethesda, 11300 Rockville Pike, Ste 408, Rockville, MD. Register: 301 770-5690 or Bethesda@TM.org or TM.org/Bethesda.

Yoga for Women Cancer Survivors – 12-1pm.

A gentle yoga class that encourages and nurtures warrior women from brand new beginners to experienced yoginis undergoing treatment for and in remission from cancer. $10 suggested donation.

Proceeds benefit Living Beyond Cancer. Circle Yoga, 3838 Northampton St, NW. Info: 202-6861104 or CircleYoga.com.

Grow Sprouts and Micro Greens in Your Home Year Round – 2:30-5:30pm. 4th Sun. Indoor growing: wheatgrass, sunflower, broccoli and more. $50 (includes handouts and kit). Raw Living D’Light, Fairfax, VA. Register: Luzy@ RawLivingDLight.com.

Sunday Yoga – 4-7pm. All are welcome to Sunday yoga. Schedule: 4pm Yoga class, 5pm Meditation Class/Discussion, 5:30pm Chanting/Kirtan, 6pm Silent Collective Meditation and 6:30pm Vegetarian Dinner (potluck). Join us and expand your spiritual community. AMURT, 2502 Lindley Ter, Rockville, MD. Register: SundayYoga.org.

monday Early Morning Meditation – 7:30-8:15am. A beautiful way to start your day, with a 30-minute meditation and optional 15-minute discussion following. Drop-ins welcome. A project of the Insight

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Washington, D.C.

Free Yoga – 7-8pm. Power Flow levels 1-2.

Beginners welcome. Space limited to 6 slots.

RSVP required at least 24 hours in advance. Your email will be added to our mailing list, unsubscribe anytime.

RSVP: FreeYoga@SamsaraHouse. org. Samsara House 2023, 36 R St, NW. Info: SamsaraHouse.org.

Yoga for Women Cancer Survivors – 7-8:15pm.

Weekly meditative, gentle and restorative yoga using mindful movement, balance and breathing techniques to reduce anxiety, improve quality of life and regain sense of self. Scholarships available. $7. Sibley Memorial Hospital, 5255 Loughboro Rd, NW. Register: Sibley.org/CancerSupport. Info: 202-243-2320 or Pgoetz4@jhmi.edu.

Sunday Morning Meditation Class – 10:30am12:30pm. With Hugh Byrne. An oasis in a busy week, including 30-minute guided meditations, a 10-minute walking meditation, and 30-minute discussion. A mini-retreat. Drop-ins welcome.

The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Av e , S t e 2 0 0 , N W, Te n l e y t o w n . I n f o : Living-Mindfully.org.

West African Dance – 11:30am-12:30pm.

Throughout the African continent, dance and music have long been a part of the collective culture, bringing people together for praise, celebration, motivation, and healing. Immerse yourself in this beautiful experience as you learn dances from Guinea and Mali, West Africa. Accompanied by live drumming. $18. MamaSita Studio, 6906 4th St, NW. Info: GoMamaSita.org.

are definitely welcome. Rising Phoenix Holistic Center, LLC, 9028 D Prince William St, Manassas, VA. Register: RisingPhoenixHC.com. Info: 703-392-9200.

Meditation Community of Washington (IMCW).

The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Av e , S t e 2 0 0 , N W, Te n l e y t o w n . I n f o : Living-Mindfully.org.

The Profitable Alchemist Academy – 9:3011am. 1st and 3rd Mon. The Profitable Alchemist Academy is a safe and fun place to learn, build and brand your one-of-a-kind creative, holistic, spiritual and light-filled business. Rising Phoenix Holistic Center, 9028 D Prince William St, Manassas, VA. Info: 703-392-9200 or Meetup. com/Profitable_Alchemists.

Introduction to Transcendental Meditation – 12-1:30pm. See Sun for details. Transcendental Meditation Center of Bethesda, 11300 Rockville Pike, Ste 408, Rockville, MD. Register: 301 7705690 or Bethesda@TM.org or TM.org/Bethesda.

Casey Health Community Night – 5:15-7pm.

All-level yoga class offered to the community.

Come join the 45-minute session and use it as a warm-up to the community mediation, chakra clearing and meditation classes that follow or as a stand-alone class. $5 for all Monday evening classes. Casey Health Institute, 800 S Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg, MD. Info: 301-355-2030 or CaseyHealth.org.

Prenatal Yoga – 5:30-6:30pm. Gently move through a yoga practice as you connect with your breath, preparing your body and mind for each stage of your pregnancy. $18 drop in fee. The Yoga Fusion Studio, 4609 Willow Ln, Chevy Chase, MD. Info: Info@TheYogaFusionStudio.com or TheYogaFusionStudio.com.

Vinyasa Yoga – 6:30-8pm. A fluid contemplation in motion and balance of breath, this yoga class nurtures harmony of mind and body as we work with alignment and awareness, deep stretching and relaxation for a revitalizing experience. $10.

Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd, Mount Rainier, MD. Register: JoesMovement.org.

A Course in Miracles – 7-8:30pm. Discussion group focused on returning to love through the study of A Course in Miracles. New members

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

Doonya: The Bollywood Workout – 7:458:45pm. Celebrate your body, mind and one of the most festive cultures of the world with energy and expressions of Bollywood-inspired music and dance. $8. ProFIT Club, 304 E Diamond Ave, Gaithersburg, MD. Info: ProFitClubMD.com or Doonya.com.

Tai Chi – 8-9pm. Learn and enjoy peaceful slow movements, balance, and meditation, this class is for youth and adults who will study the movements of Tai Chi Chun long form. Tai chi is an internal Chinese martial art practiced for health beneits, self control, and relaxation. $10. Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd, Mount Rainier, MD. Register: JoesMovement.org.

Yoga Level 1 and 2 – 8:30-9:30pm. Starts with warm-upsrelaxing the joints and connecting with the breath then building heat with vinyasa flow. Close with restorative poses and guided meditation. $20/drop in. The Mindfulness Center, 4963 Elm St, Ste 100, Bethesda, MD. Info: 301986-1090 or TheMindfulnessCenter.org.

tuesday Early Morning Meditation – 7:30-8:15am. See Mon for details. The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown.

Info: Living-Mindfully.org.

Tuesday Qigong – 10-11am. With Dante Baker.

Qigong are gentle exercises that stimulate, unblock and balance a person’s energy flow. Practicing qigong regularly produces positive health benefits. $15. Rising Phoenix Holistic Center, 9028 D Prince William St, Manassas, VA. Register: RisingPhoenixHC.com. Info: 703-392-9200.

Continuing Yoga – 12-1:15pm. This Iyengar yoga class uses equipment and props which enables everyone, regardless of age or flexibility, to benefit from this practice. $18/class or $87/6 class package. Casey Health Institute, 800 S Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg, MD. Register: 301-355-2030 or CaseyHealth.org.

Meet the Locals – 4-7pm. 2nd Tues. Come sample products from our favorite local vendors while you enjoy a glass of beer or wine, on the second Tuesday of every month. Free. Dawson’s Market, 225 N Washington St, Rockville, MD. Info: 240-428-1386.

wednesday Early Morning Meditation – 7:30-8:15am. See Mon for details. The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown.

Info: Living-Mindfully.org.

Yoga for Women Cancer Survivors – 9:3010:45am. See Mon for details. Scholarships available. $7. Sibley Memorial Hospital, 5255 Loughboro Rd, NW. Register: Sibley.org/CancerSupport. Info: 202243-2320 or Pgoetz4@jhmi.edu.

Continuing Yoga – 5:30-6:45pm. See listing above for details. $18/class or $87/6 class package.

Casey Health Institute, 800 S Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg, MD. Register: 301-355-2030 or CaseyHealth.org.

Hula Hoop Jam – 6:45-8:15pm. With Noelle Powers. Lift your spirits and get a full-body workout accompanied by a super hoop-friendly soundtrack. All ages and skill levels are welcome at this drop in jam. A lesson for those interested is presented in the first half hour of jam, and the remaining hour is self-directed. $10. Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd, Mount Rainier, MD. Register: JoesMovement.org.

An Introduction to Waking Down in Mutuality – 7-9:30pm. 2nd Tues. An introductory evening facilitated by aspiring Waking Down in Mutuality mentor Cullen Kowalski. Includes a free copy of Becoming Divinely Human: A Direct Path to Embodied Awakening by CC Leigh. $20.

Samsara House 2023, 36 R St, NW. Register: DCIntroWakingDown.Eventbrite.com.

Info: Wakeup@SamsaraHouse.org or WakingDown. org/About-Waking-Down.

I Meditate DC: Introduction to the Art of Living – 7-8pm. Refresh and rejuvenate with a free community service initiative to introduce people to breathing and meditation techniques that have a calming effect on the mind and reduce stress.

In this 60-minute interactive session, participants develop insight on how to reduce negative emotions that eat up our energy and time. The Art of Living Foundation, 2401 15th St, NW. Register: Secure.ArtofLiving.org/Events.aspx.

The Relationship Circle – 7-9:30pm. 1st Tues. Led by Gregg DeMammos, an ontological life coach. We endeavor to use our relationships themselves meditatively, as an avenue for personal transformation as well as creating more love, happiness, success and well-being in our lives. $10 Samsara House 2023, 36 R St, NW. Register: RelationshipCircle2.eventbrite. com. Info: WakeUp@SamsaraHouse.org or RelationshipCircle.com.

Vipassana Meditation – 7:30-9pm. Learn to develop concentration to quiet the mind and body.

Begin to find mindfulness in the present moment.

There will be discussion at the end of the meditation. $10/suggested donation or pay what you can.

The Yoga Fusion Studio, 4609 Willow Ln, Chevy Chase, MD. Info: Info@TheYogaFusionStudio. com or TheYogaFusionStudio.com.

Introduction to Transcendental Meditation – 6:30-8pm. See Sun for details. Transcendental Meditation Center of Bethesda, 11300 Rockville Pike, Ste 408, Rockville, MD. Register: 301 7705690 or Bethesda@TM.org or TM.org/Bethesda.

Vinyasa Yoga – 6:30-7:30pm. See Mon for details. $10. Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd, Mount Rainier, MD. Register: JoesMovement.org.

Niclaire’s Zumba Experience – 7-8pm. Total body conditioning dance fitness. $8/drop in fee. Ncrease Fitness, LLC at Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd, Mt Rainier, MD. Info: NcreaseFitness.com.

West African Dance – 7-8pm. See Sun for details. $18. MamaSita Studio, 6906 4th St, NW, DC. Info: GoMamaSita.org.

Free Health Lecture – 7:30-8:30pm. (Q and A until 9pm.)

2nd Wed. Free Education Health Lectures at the Roselle Center for Healing (Various Topics). The Roselle Center for Healing & Caring For Others, Ltd, 8550 Arlington Blvd, Ste 325, Fairfax, VA. Register: RoselleCare.com. .

thursday

Early Morning Meditation – 7:30-8:15am. See Mon for details. The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown.

Info: Living-Mindfully.org.

Yoga Level 1 – 11am. Work slowly and deeply with classic poses in well-rounded sequences, with an emphasis on healthy alignment. Appropriate for all levels. Cost: $20/drop in. The Mindfulness Center, 4963 Elm St, Ste 100, Bethesda, MD. Info: 301986-1090 or Info@TheMindfulnessCenter.org.

Continuing Yoga – 12-1:15pm. See Tues for details. $18/class or $87/6 class package. Casey Health Institute, 800 S Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg, MD. Register: 301-355-2030 or CaseyHealth.org.

Aerial Yoga – 4:30-5:30pm. Release your spine, strengthen you core and lift your spirits. The perfect complement to a yoga practice. Aerial yoga is accessible to everybody. $25/drop in or $100/5 class pass. The Yoga Fusion Studio, 4609 Willow Ln, Chevy Chase, MD. Register: TheYogaFusionStudio. com. Info: Info@TheYogaFusionStudio.com.

Meditation Info Session – 5:30-7pm. Learn about the guided meditation. Rockville Meditation is located just a block away from the White Flint metro station located in the flint hill plaza on Nebel St. Rockville Meditation, 11601 Nebel St, Rockville, MD. Register: 301-770-7778.

Info: RockvilleMeditation@gmail.com or RockvilleMeditation.org.

Yoga Level 1 and 2 – 6-7:15pm. Starts with warmupsrelaxing the joints and connecting with the breath then building heat with vinyasa flow. Close with restorative poses and guided meditation. $20/ drop in. The Mindfulness Center, 4963 Elm Street, Ste 100, Bethesda, MD. Info: 301-986-1090 or TheMindfulnessCenter.org.

Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) Meeting – 7-8:30pm. 1st Thurs. Open to anyone with an interest in living gluten-free. Meet with other like-minded individuals to share ideas and recipes.

Held by Babette Lamarre, certified nutritional therapist. Free. Neck, Back and Beyond, 10560 Main St, Ste 204, Fairfax, VA. RSVP: 703-8655690 or NeckBackandBeyond@gmail.com.

I Meditate DC: Introduction to the Art of Living – 7-8pm. See Tues for details. The Art of Living Foundation, 2401 15th St, NW. Register: Secure.

ArtofLiving.org/Events.aspx.

Meditation and Mindfulness: Tools for Alleviating Stress after a Cancer Diagnosis – 7-8pm. Join other cancer survivors to learn about and practice a relaxation technique that focuses on breathing. Facilitated by Ashley Nunn, MA. This practice has been shown to be effective in reducing stress, anxiety and loneliness and in improving sleep and boosting the immune system. Family members and caregivers welcome. Sibley Memorial Hospital, 5255 Loughboro Rd, NW. Info: Sibley.org/ Community/Events/default.aspx.

Practicing Ahimsa: Foundation Series on Nonviolence in Our Communication – 7:459:30pm. Through June 28. Learn how to connect with greater clarity and awareness to what motivates you and others behind words and actions, enhance your capacity to voice your true self and empathically guess what may be precious to all, strengthen connection and trust. $320. The Peace Circle Center at The Studio DC, 1710 Connecticut Ave, NW. Register: TheStudioDC.com/WorkshopsEvents.htm.

Info: PeaceCircleCenter.org.

friday Early Morning Meditation – 7:30-8:15am. See Mon for details. The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown.

Info: Living-Mindfully.org.

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Grow Sprouts and Micro Greens in Your Home Year Round – 9:30am-12:30pm. 4th Sat. See Sun for details. $50 (includes handouts and kit). Raw Living D’Light, Fairfax, VA. Register: Luzy@RawLivingDLight.com.

Book Club – 9:30-11am. 1st Fri. Every first Friday we’ll gather to review and discuss and dig in to a different spiritual, selfempowerment or joy-focused book. Free.

Rising Phoenix Holistic Center, 9028 D Prince William St, Manassas, VA. Info: 703-392-9200 or RisingPhoenixHC.com.

Pilates Mat – 9:30-10:30am. Join Mary McCarthy for a Pilates mat workout--all levels welcome. $19.

Elements Center, 2233 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 217, NW. Register: FrontDesk@ElementsCenter.com.

Info: ElementsCenter.com.

Strength and Balance with Gyrotonic Exercise – 11am-12pm. This group class avoids movements not suitable for those with osteoporosis/osteopenia. $37.10 single or $26.50 with a 10 pack. Elements Center, 2233 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 217, NW. Register: FrontDesk@ElementsCenter.com. Info: ElementsCenter.com.

Gentle Yoga – 10:30-11:30am. This Iyengar based class is designed specifically for those with health conditions and injuries. Classes focus on relieving tension and pain, breathing, and posture/alignment. $18/class or $87/6 class package. Casey Health Institute, 800 S Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg, MD. Register: 301-355-2030 or CaseyHealth.org.

Aerial Yoga – 12-1pm. See Thurs for details. $25/ drop in or $100/5 class pass. The Yoga Fusion Studio, 4609 Willow Ln, Chevy Chase, MD. Register: TheYogaFusionStudio.com. Info: Info@ TheYogaFusionStudio.com.

Community Yoga Class – 6-7pm. Community classes are mixed level, one-hour asana classes taught by a rotating selection of Unity Woods teachers. They are offered by different teachers every Friday of the session. $8/class. Unity Woods Yoga Center, 4853 Cordell Ave, Ste PH9, Bethesda, MD. Info: UnityWoods.com.

Sutras, Science and Psychology Series – 6:309pm. Through April 24. A by donation series of discussion-based workshops. Yoga District I St, 1922 I St, 1st Fl, NW. Info: Clients.

MindBodyOnline.com/Classic/ws?Studioid=2070 &stype=8&sTG=11&sView=day&sLoc=1&sTrn= 100000004&date=04/04/15.

Yoga for Women Cancer Survivors – 6:307:30pm. 2nd Fri. Join Amy Dara for a gentle class designed for women undergoing treatment or who are in remission from cancer. We will include breathing, stretching, balancing, and healing yoga sequences appropriate during and after cancer treatment. Our safe and nurturing space welcomes new beginners to experienced yogis alike. $10.

Lil Omm Yoga, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, NW. Info: LilOmm.com.

West African Dance – 10:45-11:45am. See Sun for details. $18. MamaSita Studio, 6906 4th St, NW. Info: GoMamaSita.org.

Yoga Nidra Workshop – 7:45-9pm. 1st Fri. Allow Shira’s soothing voice to support you in cultivating ease, healing, and well-being with a meditation practice that requires no effort or physical exercise. $20. Blue Heron Wellness, 10723-B Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD. Info: 240839-1661 or Shira@AwakenMyHeartNow.com or AwakenMyHeartNow.com.

Continuing Yoga – 9-10:15am. See Tues for details. $18/class or $87/6 class package. Casey Health Institute, 800 S Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg, MD. Register: 301-355-2030 or CaseyHealth.org.

Niclaire’s Zumba Experience – 9-10am. See Wed for details. $8/drop in fee. Ncrease Fitness, LLC at Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd, Mt Rainier, MD. Info: NcreaseFitness.com.

I Meditate DC: Introduction to the Art of Living – 4-5pm. See Tues for details. The Art of Living Foundation, 2401 15th St, NW. Register: Secure.

ArtofLiving.org/Events.aspx.

saturday

Advertise in Natural Awakenings’ May

Women’s Health Issue Focusing on Breast Health & Natural Birth

To advertise or participate in our next issue, call 202-505-4835 Washington, D.C.

Introduction to Transcendental Meditation – 12:30-2pm. See Sun for details. Transcendental Meditation Center of Bethesda, 11300 Rockville Pike, Ste 408, Rockville, MD. Register: 301 7705690 or Bethesda@TM.org or TM.org/Bethesda.

Gluten-Free Living Workshop – 1-5pm. 1st Sat. Learn how to live your life gluten-free. Certified Nutritional Therapist Babette Lamarre teaches you how to eliminate gluten and replace it with delicious, nutrient densefoods. Lots of info and tips, recipes and taste testing gluten-free snacks. $85. Neck, Back, and Beyond, 10560 Main St, Ste 204, Fairfax, VA. Register: 703-865-5690 or NeckBackandBeyond@gmail.com.

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Adoption Event – 12-3pm. Rural Dog Rescue holds its weekly adoption event every Saturday at Howl to the Chief. Fosters and Volunteers Needed. Howl to the Chief, 733 8th St, SE. Info: RuralDogRescue.com.

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

communityresourceguide Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide, email Robin@NaturalAwakeningsDC.com to request our media kit.

ACUPUNCTURE CITY ACUPUNCTURE CIRCLE

1221 Connecticut Ave, Ste 5B, NW, DC 202-300-8428 • CityAcupunctureCircle.com Safe, affordable acupuncture care. Pay what you can, $20-$50 per treatment. Join the Community Acupuncture movement.

NECK, BACK & BEYOND WELLNESS CENTER

10560 Main St, Ste PH-1, Fairfax, VA 703-865-5690 NeckBackAndBeyond@gmail.com NeckBackAndBeyond.com Neck Back & Beyond offers chiropractic and naturopathic care, acupuncture, massage, colon hydrotherapy (colonics), reflexology, lymphatic drainage and more. lasting change to heal the mind, body and soul. Fitness, educational consultant and hypnotist. See ad, page 36.

OURSPACE ACUPUNCTURE

914 Silver Spring Ave. #104, Silver Spring, MD 301-388-8085 • OurSpaceAcupuncture.org Natural, affordable, safe, holistic health care in a comfortable community setting. We ask for $15-$40 per session.

Schedule your appointment online today.

ROTELLA CHIROPRACTIC & ACUPUNCTURE CENTER

15891 Kruhm Rd, Burtonsville, MD 301-421-4248 DrRotella@DrRotella.com • DrRotella.com Rotella Chiropractic & Acupuncture Center is a family practice designed to provide the best of both Eastern and Western holistic health care. Dr. Rotella prides herself on her many years of study of numerous diagnostic and treatment techniques. See ad, page 35.

SHAWNA SNYDER Rose Wellness Center 2944 Hunter Mill Rd, Ste 101, Oakton, VA Info@RoseWellness.com RoseWellness.com 571-529-6699 Shawna Snyder is a licensed acupuncturist specializing in pain management. She effectively relieves pain by custom tailoring a comprehensive treatment plan to achieve optimal results. See ad, page 9.

W ..

ACUPRESSURE

AWAKEN MY HEART NOW Silver Spring, MD 240-839-1661 AwakenMyHeartNow.com

Compassionate, supportive and skilled, Shira combines acupressure and yogic meditation in individual/group sessions to cultivate a whole-being path to healing and growth.

ALLERGY MANAGEMENT DEBRITT EALEY

Rose Wellness Center 2944 Hunter Mill Rd, Ste 101, Oakton, VA 571-529-6699 Info@RoseWellness.com RoseWellness.com DeBritt Ealey specializes in the treatment of all forms of symptoms associated with allergies and sensitivities with the Advanced Allergy Therapeutics (AAT) therapy. See ad, page 9.

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE NOVA CENTER FOR ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

4635 Chain Bridge Rd, Ste 100, McLean, VA 703-229-3106 NOVAAlternativeMed.com

BEDROOM FURNITURE SAVVY REST NATURAL BEDROOM

258 Maple Ave East, Vienna and 12242 Rockville Pike, Rockville, 703-255-7040 (VA) or 301-770-7040 (MD) Maddie@SavvyRest.com • SRNB.com

Savvy Rest Natural Bedroom is the premier retailer of Savvy Rest organic mattresses and bedding, a Virginia manufacturer, and retailer of fine bedroom furniture. See ad, page 25.

BEEKEEPING AZURE B LLC

4730 Bicknell Rd, Marbury, MD 301-743-2331 • AzureBLLC.com Azure B LLC is a small, familyrun permaculture farm in Southern Maryland. We offer beekeeping education, locally made equipment and support

BOTANICAL GARDENS MEADOWLARK BOTANICAL GARDENS 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct, Vienna, VA 703-255-3631 KTomlinson@Nvrpa.org • Nvrpa.org

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, a public garden for all the senses, a place of peace and reflection.

Near Wolf Trap in Vienna.

BREATH TRAINING BREATHOLOGY

PositivEnergyWorks, LLC Doctah Ayo Handy-Kendi, CB, CTBF, CLYT, CSYMI, Reiki 3, Sound Healer 202-667-2577 Ayo@PositivEnergyWorks.com PositivEnergyWorks.com3 With over 44 years of breath training and wholistic practice, we offer Breathology Certifications, Breathshops, Transformational Breath Sessions, Laughter Yoga Playshops, Sound Healing,Transformative Relaxation practices, products, presentations and Sage-ing Baby Boomer Radio Show. Especially suitable for Baby Boomers over age 50.

Our holistic approach gets to the nexus of your pain and treats your pain’s cause, not just your symptoms. Dr Sanford’s approach and treatment will greatly improve your quality of life. Specializing i n P e r i p h e r a l N e u r o p a t h y, Chiropractic Care, Acupuncture, Nutrition, Physical Therapy and Functional Medicine. See ad, page 37.

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CHIROPRACTOR

CONSULTING

NECK, BACK & BEYOND WELLNESS CENTER

GRACE PRODUCTIONS

10560 Main St, Ste PH-1, Fairfax, VA 703-865-5690 NeckBackAndBeyond@gmail.com NeckBackAndBeyond.com

Grace Ogden, Principal 301-445-6771 • GraceProductions.co Grace Ogden leads this consulting and event production firm that supports progressive social change with an awareness of why spiritual principles and practices matter.

See ad, page 10.

Neck Back & Beyond offers chiropractic and naturopathic care, acupuncture, massage, colon hydrotherapy (colonics), reflexology, lymphatic drainage and more. lasting change to heal the mind, body and soul. Fitness, educational consultant and hypnotist. See ad, page 36.

COUNSELING MARY KENDELL, MS, NP

ROTELLA CHIROPRACTIC & ACUPUNCTURE CENTER

15891 Kruhm Rd, Burtonsville, MD 301-421-4248 DrRotella@DrRotella.com • DrRotella.com Rotella Chiropractic & Acupuncture Center is a family practice designed to provide the best of both Eastern and Western holistic health care.

Dr. Rotella prides herself on her many years of study of numerous diagnostic and treatment techniques. See ad, page 35.

CLEANING MAID BRIGADE CAPITAL REGION

Individual and Couples Therapy GW Center for Integrative Medicine 202-833-5055 • GWICM.com YourSexualHealthMatters@gmail.com Evaluation, treatment, counseling, and education for all sexual health concerns. See ad, page 2.

NATALIE X. KORYTNYK, PHD

Individual & Couples Therapy GW Center for Integrative Medicine 202-833-5055 • Gwcim.com With over 20 years of experience, D r. N a t a l i e K o r y t n y k i s a psychologist with an expertise in relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression, work stress, eating disorders and self-esteem. See ad, page 2.

We are Green Clean Certified so you can have peace of mind that your home will be healthier for you, your pets, and the environment. See ad, page 7.

EDUCATION WASHINGTON WALDORF SCHOOL

MUSE CONCIERGE, LLC

PO Box 212, Washington Grove, MD 301-337-0988 • Muse-Concierge.com Michele.Muise@gmail.com Services that give people time for more important things in their lives. The services offered are property care including “green” cleaning, errands, in home/office food services, elder care and training. All services have sustainability in mind and use only natural, no chemical and organic options. See ad, page 15.

4800 Sangamore Rd, Bethesda, MD 301-229-6107 SSmith@WashingtonWaldorf.com WashingtonWaldorf.org

Washington Waldorf offers a holistic education that blends arts, movement, and practical skills with academics at every step. PreK-12. Imagine a better way to learn.

See ad, page 18..

Never interrupt someone doing what you said couldn’t be done. ~Amelia Earhart

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LIZETTE AYALA Rose Wellness Center 2944 Hunter Mill Rd, Ste 101, Oakton, VA 571-529-6699 Info@RoseWellness.com • RoseWellness.co Lizette Ayala, Energy Health Coach, specializes in teaching the art of self-healing and mind-body health, breaking energy draining patterns and reducing unproductive stress. See ad, page 9.

ETHEREAL HEALING

Angel Barkley 312-618-4881 Love-LetGo-Live@hotmail.com The highest creation of man is to UNCONDITIONALLY LOVE everyone as his divine loves him.

Follow, believe, hold faith and journey with me to healing. See ad, page 49.

HEALING GATEWAY

4813-A Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria, VA 800-515-6243 Marketing@Maid-Brigade.com MaidBrigade.com

CONCIERGE

ENERGY HEALING

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

877-534-5534 HealingGateway.com

Sherry Lynn Dmytrewycz invites you to enter into a healthier, unlimited life with an energy clearing for you, your space or your animals. Handson or distance sessions. See ad, page 29.

HEALTH COACH BETH LINDLEY CONSULTANCY 202-285-8191 Beth@BethLindley.com BethLindley.com

Corporate Wellness Consultant Beth Lindley is fiercely committed to working with forward-thinking companies that are looking to make a big impact but that have escalating health care costs and unhealthy kitchens to transform their company kitchens into health conscious havens and increase their revenue and the impact they can create with their business. She offers personalized kitchen makeovers for COOs, CFOs and employees as well. See ad, page 8.

HEALTH EVENT PLANNING PAM SNYDER EVENTS, LLC 703-402-7223 PamSnyderEvents@gmail.com PamSnyderEvents.com

With over 25 years experience event planning, our concentration is in the area of Health and Wellness.

Whether you are interested in a high-energy full-scale conference or a small meeting/workshop, let us help plan your next health and wellness event.

HEALTHY PETS WHOLE PET CENTRAL

Info@WholePetCentral.com WholePetCentral.com We are your one-stop destination for all things natural regarding your pet’s nutritional and grooming needs. Shop online or visit one of our stores locations in Rockville, MD, Herndon, VA or Ashburn, VA. See ad, page 6

HERBS GREEN COMFORT SCHOOL OF HERBAL MEDICINE 540-937-4283 Green.Comfort@gmail.com

Green Comfort School of Herbal Medicine offers a variety of learning opportunities for the beginning and more advanced student of holistic life practic. See ad, page 23.

HOLISTIC DENTISTRY TERRY VICTOR, DDS

The DC Dentist 509 11th St, SE, DC 202-544-3626 • TheDCDentist.com Staff@TheDCDentist.com Dr.Victor provides exceptional holistic and biological dentistry. The DC Dentist is the first eco-friendly and completely sustainable dental office in the DC area.

HOLISTIC PARENTING HOLISTIC MOMS NETWORK ARLINGTON/ALEXANDRIA CHAPTER 571-451-8273 HolisticMomsArlAlex@gmail.com HolisticMomsArlAlex.blogspot.com

A nonprofit resource for parents seeking support in their natural lifestyle choices. All chapters hold monthly meetings and most offer supplemental activities.

HOLISTIC PROMOTIONS

HOME ENVIRONMENT MIKHAIL SOGONOV, PH.D.

InSitu EcoTesting LLC GW Center for Integrative Medicine 202-833-5055 • Sogonov@InSitu-ET.com Consulting company inspecting indoor environment for biological agents negatively affecting human health. Mainly focused on mold, also includes sewage contamination and pet and pest allergens.

See ad, page 2.

GW CENTER FOR INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE 908 New Hampshire Ave, NW, DC 202-833-5055 • Gwcim.com

A clinic that effectively combines use of traditional and conventional evidence-based medical practices through a variety of complementary and alternative therapies and has many years of close collaboration with George Washington University Medical Center and a variety of physicians in most subspecialties. See ad, page 2.

SUSHMA HIRANI, MD

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE CASEY HEALTH INSTITUTE

800 South Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg 301-664-6464 KGill@CaseyHealth.org CaseyHealth.org

Casey Health offers primary care, acupuncture, chiropractic, naturopathy, yoga therapy, massage, behavioral health, wellness classes, and health coaching all aimed at getting people healthy. See ad, page 25.

ANGELA GABRIEL, MSOM, LAC, CH GW Center for Integrative Medicine 202-833-5055, 202-300-4981 Gwcim.com

Classical Chinese medicine, Japanese-style acupuncture, pain and stress management, chronic issues, family care, women’s health, pregnancy, children, Kiiko Matsumoto-style acupuncture, moxibustion, integrative medicine.

See ad, page 2.

Rose Wellness Center 2944 Hunter Mill Rd, Ste 101, Oakton, VA 571-529-6699 Info@RoseWellness.com RoseWellness.com Sushma Hirani, MD specializes in functional and integrative medicine to treat chronic diseases.

She has a special interest in women’s health care, natural hormone balancing, and detoxification. See ad, page 9.

INDIGO INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CLINIC 1010 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 660, DC 202-298-9131 IndigoHealthClinic.com

The body has an innate ability to heal itself and achieve balance from everyday stressors through non-toxic, non-aggressive and highly effective modalities. See ad, page 19.

MIKHAIL KOGAN, MD

GW Center for Integrative Medicine 202-833-5055 • Gwcim.com

Dr. Kogan is Medical Director of GW Center for Integrative Medicine where he provides integrative consultations and primary care. In addition, he does geriatric consultations at GW University Hospital and makes home visits to frail patients. See ad, page 2.

CHAS GANT, MD, PHD

National Integrative Health Associates 5225 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 402, NW, DC 202-237-7000 ext 120 DoctorChas.com Dr. Gant, an internationally known author and integrative/functional medicine physician, addresses the root causes of chronic medical and psychiatric disorders, unique to each patient in all age ranges. See ad, page 10.

EARTHLIGHT PROMOTIONS 703-401-9663 BeverlyNickerson@comcast.net EarthLightPromotions.com

Bringing back the indigenous wisdom to our modern world. Organizing sacred retreat, reconnect with nature and sacred sites travel. Promoting holistic healers, traditional ancient medicine and wellness workshops. See ad, page 36

He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe. ~Marcus Aurelius

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NATIONAL INTEGRATED HEALTH ASSOCIATES

NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIANS

5225 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 402, NW 202-237-7000 ext 118 NIHADC.com

Leaders in Integrative Medicine and Biological Dentistry At National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, our team of Integrative doctors blends the best of western medicine and safe, proven complementary and alternative therapies to help the body heal. See ad, page 11.

MARIANNA LEDENAC, ND

Adult & Pediatric Naturopathic Medicine GW Center for Integrative Medicine 202-833-5055 • Gwcim.com Dr. Ledenac is a Naturopathic Physician in family medicine caring for adults and children. She has a special focus in weight management (body composition improvement), nutritional assessments, pediatrics and women’s health including fertility care. See ad, page 2.

ROSE WELLNESS CENTER

2944 Hunter Mill Rd, Ste 101, Oakton, VA 571-529-6699 Info@RoseWellness.com RoseWellness.com At Rose Wellness Center, we practice an integrative approach to medicine by combining the best of conventional and alternative medicine. Services include hormone balancing, acupuncture, allergy management (AAT), energy healing, specialty testing, and detoxification. See ad, page 9. .

NUTRITION 2 NOURISH, NUTRITION & WELLNESS Marietta Amatangelo, Director 877-428-0555 Info@2Nourish.com • 2Nourish.com

A trusted nutritionist and wellness coach in the tri-metro area, with functional nutrition expertise in digestive and detox, wellness, MTHFR, cancer and chronic conditions.

AT EASE: TRAGER AND MASSAGE Lisa Bregman 202-686-7202 LisaBregman@yahoo.com

RAW LIVING D-LIGHT

571-471-2891 • Luzy@RawLivingDLight RawLivingDLight.com Alkaline foods to restore your health and nourish your body.

Microgreens and sprouts, foods for superior health. Classes, workshops and private consultation. Available for lectures and home growing consultations.

See ad, page 7.

Deep bodywork that uses rhythmic, wavelike movement to ease pain, joint and muscle tension, and release long-held uncomfortable movement and postural patterns. See ad, page 2.

MEDITATION HUGH BYRNE, PHD Hugh-Byrne.com

Mindfulness-based counseling and meditation instruction. Dr. Byrne teaches classes, retreats, and workshops on Buddhism and meditation in the Washington, D.C. area and nationwide and provides individual counseling.

NUTRITION EDUCATION KRISTA NOELLE

302-897-2407 Krista@KristaNoelle.com • KristaNoelle.com

ROCKVILLE MEDITATION

11601 Nebel St, Rockville, MD 301-770-7778 RockvilleMeditation@gmail.com RockvilleMeditation.org The Rockville Meditation center offers unlimited ROCKVILLE MEDITATION guided meditation www.rockvillemeditation.org s e s s i o n s d a i l y. T h e Tel: 301-770-7778 meditation focuses on a 11601 Nebel St. Rockville, MD 20852 method of subtraction.

This logical and revolutionary method is about removing the problem of emotional pain and discomfort completely. There is also an END to the meditation. The method reaches to 340 centers worldwide and is causing a sensation in different corners of the world. Make an appointment for your free consultation today. See ad, page 9.

Stop thinking. Start becoming.

Washington, D.C.

JWendt@GWCIM.com GWCIM.com

My work as a Nutrition Educator is focused on working in partnership with individuals who want or need to implement changes to their diet and lifestyle in order to achieve optimal health See ad, page 2.

NUTRITIONAL THERAPY ASK BABETTE AT NECK, BACK AND BEYOND

10560 Main St, Ste PH-1, Fairfax, VA 703-862-4612 • Info@AskBabette.com NeckBackandBeyond.com Babette Lamarre, Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, offers individualized recommendations for what to eat/how to live for maximum health and happiness given your particular life situation.

See ad, page 36.

REALTOR TERRI NEFF METIN

MASSAGE

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JULIE WENDT

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

Krista combines her knowledge of physiology, medicinal herbs, foodas-medicine and the mind/body connection to evoke positive and lasting change with each individual client. She currently sees clients in the Baltimore and Washington area.

1606 17th St, NW 202-256-2163 • TerriHomes.com Terri.Metin@cbmove.com Realtor specializing in helping clients buy and sell residential and commercial property throughout Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. See ad, page 6.

REIKI LUANN JACOBS, SLP/RMT

Reiki-Biofeedback Practitioner GW Center for Integrative Medicine 202-833-5055 • Gwcim.com Luann provides treatments and trainings in the use of Reiki hands-on and biofeedback for self-care, and Reiki care of others. See ad, page 2.

SPIRITUAL LIVING UNITY OF FAIRFAX

2854 Hunter Mill Rd, Oakton, VA 703-281-1767 • Admin@UnityOfFairfax.org UnityOfFairfax.org Unity of Fairfax offers a welcoming, environment to explore one’s own relationship with God in a community of like-minded individuals.

STORYTELLING

VETERINARIAN - HOLISTIC HOLISTIC VETERINARY HEALING

I HEAR VOICES

Susan Coti 703-966-5207 S_Coti@hotmail.com • IHearVoices.biz Specializing in wisdom, folk, myths and personal tales. Suitable for adults and families with older children. See ad, page 21.

THERAPEUTIC YOGA LINDA LANG

GW Center for Integrative Medicine 202-833-5055 • TherapeuticYogaDC.com A highly experienced practitioner, certified in the medical, therapeutic arena of Cardiac Yoga. Specializing in chronic conditions and degenerative disease. Therapeutic yoga for special conditions and m e d i t a t i o n a r e o ff e r e d b y appointment with GW Center for Integrative Medicine. See ad, page 2.

THERMOGRAPHY NECK, BACK & BEYOND WELLNESS CENTER

10560 Main St, Ste PH-1, Fairfax, VA 703-865-5690 • NeckBackAndBeyond.com NeckBackAndBeyond@gmail.com

Neck Back & Beyond in Fairfax, VA, offers chiropractic and naturopathic care, acupuncture, massage, colon hydrotherapy (colonics), reflexology, lymphatic drainage, and thermography clinics. See ad, page36.

Pema Choepel Mallu, DVM, CVA, M.Ac, L.Ac 12627 Wisteria Dr, Ste C & D, Germantown 240-715-6570 HolisticVeterinaryHealing.com We offer integrative compassionate veterinary c a r e . We v i e w y o u r animal as a whole focusing on the root cause of dis-harmony for long term healing. See ad, page 25.

VETERINARY HOLISTIC CARE 4820 Moorland Ln, Bethesda, MD 301-656-2882 Info@VHCdoc.com • VHCdoc.com

A holisticveterinary clinic focused on keeping your pet healthy by promoting quality of life while providing excellent integrative medical care in an exceptional environment. See ad, page 17.

YOGA WITH NYA

Nya@YogaWithNya.com YogaWithNya.com

Nya Alemayhu is a yoga instructor in Washington, D.C., dedicated to building community through sharing the practice of yoga. Nya offers private instruction and workplace yoga. See ad, page 35.

Y’S ELEMENTS

202-246-9592 YaelFlusberg@gmail.com • YaelFlusberg.com Experienced yoga therapist/coach available for group and individual sessions drawing from a deep well of creative, somatic and reflective methods to help you flourish. See ad, page 2.

ZERO BALANCING LISA SCHUMACHER

4000 Albemarle St, NW Ste 202 202-244-9588 • Lisa@Balancentering.com

YOGA BUDDHA B YOGA

1115 U St NW, DC, Ste 202 202-588-5885 • BuddhaBYoga.com Experience a place of refuge and a spiritual center where all are welcome! A Vegan Vinyasa yoga studio and JivaMukti™ Yoga Center Affiliate. Open 7 days a week and offering over 55 classes a week, including 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training. See ad, page 9.

Helping others find natural ways to gain optimum health through Zero Balancing, Massage, Energy Therapy and Herbal Support. See ad, page 29.

LIL OMM YOGA

4708 Wisconsin Ave, NW, DC 20016 202-248-6304 LilOmm.com A friendly, community yoga center welcoming all ages and stages of life. Offering open and honest teaching regarding yoga, well-being, family and spirituality.

LOVE is the answer to EVERYTHING. Our HEARTS are our CURES. With Angel Barkley Ethereal Touch and Meditation Healing Specializing in Chronic and Terminal Illness and Spiritual Transitioning

A FREE WEBINAR TO LEARN THE LATEST to care for yourself and those you love.

•

312-618-4881 • love-letgo-live@hotmail.com natural awakenings

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Discover the evidence-basis for what is working to heal pain, and experience optimal living and wellbeing. Mind-Body Week, D.C. 2015 is brought to you by the nation's leading experts in mind-body science!

the evidence-basis for what is working Dr. Sara Lazar , and experience living and well- Mind-Body Week, D.C. 2015 Friday, April 17, 9am-5pm: REGISTER optimal Location: Silver Spring Civic Center Conference Keynote Body Week, 2015 is Speakers: brought to you byResearch !

NOWD.C. Friday, April 17, 2015 Dr. Sara Lazar, Harvard University 8:30am – 6:00pm n's leading experts in Dr. mind-body science!

Chenchen Wang, Tufts Medical Center Silver Spring Civic Center WWW.MIND BODYWEEK.COM

Saturday, April 18 & Sunday, April 19: Keynote Speaker: Sayer Ji, Greenmedinfo.com Friday, April 17, 9am-5pm: Workshops on: Meditation, Yoga Therapy, Location: SilverTai-Chi, Spring CivicAyurveda Center Qigong, and more!

TER W!

Keynote Speakers: ABOUT OUR HOST Dr. Sara Lazar,The Harvard University Mindfulness Center is a non-profit wellness center promoting health and selfDr. Chenchen Wang, Tufts Medical Center

healing, for individuals and the community, through charitable, educational and research in mind-body April 18 &programs Sunday, April practices.

19:

D OM

1 Veterans PlazaDr. Sara Silver Spring, MD 20910

Lazar

Symposium & Master Classes

Mind-Body Week, D.C. 2015 Saturday – Sunday, April 18-19, 2015 Visit: www.MindBodyWeek.com Research Conference for complete schedule and locations.

Friday, April 17, 2015 8:30am – Register 6:00pmis MARCH 31: Advanced Adv. Reg. for Fri/Sat/Sun: $189 Silver Spring Civic Center Adv. Reg. for Fri/Sat: $139 1 Adv. Veterans Reg. for Plaza Sat/Sun: $139 Yoga Teacher Rates: $7920910 for 3 days Silver Spring, MD

Saturday, Keynote Speaker: Sayer Deborah Norris,Ji, Ph.D., Founder and Executive Director of The Mindfulness Center. Sponsorship Opportunities Greenmedinfo.com Symposium & Master Please contact Roxanne Lerner, Classes Workshops on: Meditation, Yoga Therapy, Development Director at Saturday – Sunday, April 18-19, 20 Roxanne@themindfulnesscenter.org Tai-Chi, Qigong, Ayurveda and more!

Visit: www.MindBodyWeek.com f Mind-Body complete schedule and locations.

ABOUT D.C.OUR HOST Week The Mindfulness Center is a non-profit

2015

Advanced Register is MARCH

wellness center promoting health and selfAdv. Reg. for Fri/Sat/Sun: $189 healing, for individuals and the community, Adv. Reg. for Fri/Sat: $139 For More information and charitable, sponsorship opportunities, through educational and please contact Roxanne Lerner, Development Director at: Roxanne@TheMindfulnessCenter.org 301-986-1090 Adv.or Reg. for Sat/Sun: $139 research programs in mind-body practices.

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Washington, D.C.

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

Deborah Norris, Ph.D., Founder and

Yoga Teacher Rates: $79 for 3 day

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Visit muih.edu to register for free upcoming events and webinars

Degrees with Meaning for Careers with Purpose Nutrition & Integrative Health Program Enrolling for April and September 2015 Maryland University of Integrative Health is one of the nation’s only accredited graduate schools with an academic and clinical focus on health and wellness. Here, the ability to be self-reflective and cultivate a healing presence is as critical to your academic success as competence in your chosen field.

MUIH offers graduate programs in: Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine | Herbal Medicine Health & Wellness Coaching | Health Promotion Nutrition and Integrative Health | Yoga Therapy

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Washington, D.C.

Online, on campus, and weekend options available No GREs required muih.edu 800-735-2968 NaturalAwakeningsDC.com