Natural Awakenings D.C. September 2017 by Natural Awakenings DC

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Yoga as a Way of Life Rodney Yee’s Advice for Staying on Track

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AGING Gloriously Enriching Our Later Years

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September 2017

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September 2017

letterfrompublisher Dear Friends, contact us Publisher, Editor-in-Chief Robin Fillmore

Contributing Editors Jessica Bradshaw Randy Kambic

Design & Production Irene Sankey

Outreach Director Samantha Hudgins

Natural Awakenings of Washington, D.C. Phone: 202-505-4835 4938 Hampden Lane, #214 Bethesda, MD 20814 Robin@NaturalAwakeningsDC.com NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

©2017 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. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

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We have two great themes this month—antiaging and yoga. It is coincidental that the anti-aging issue is being produced on my birthday, and brings this theme into greater perspective for me personally. Although we are aging every day, our birthdays mark the passage of time and lead us to look a bit more closely in the mirror to scrutinize our “smile lines”. This year I was greatly blessed with precious time with family, friends and a walk down memory lane. Each year I have the opportunity to pull out my clarinet and march with our alumni band—the pride of Cuyahoga Falls High School Black Tigers. I’ve heard that it is the largest active alumni marching band association in the country with a board of directors and thousands of members. In the show this year, I had no problems marching to keep up with the recent grads (and we move very fast with our unique swing style), although my clarinet skills are a bit lacking after not picking up the horn for 15-plus years. Just to be back in a place, along with those who were as enriched and inspired as me, was magical. In a quick conversation with a friend from way-back in elementary school, we noted how formative the years in the band were. From my spot on the 50-yard-line, I recalled what I learned—discipline, honor, camaraderie—and see the impact that those relationships had on my life. The memories are sweet and profound, and I was blessed with a chance to reflect on where I came from and where I am going in the years to come. It also inspires me to find the ways to stay as healthy and young-at-heart as I possibly can, as I mark off another year on the calendar. We have several excellent articles this month that share some of the secrets to keep away the scary thoughts of aging. Nutritionist Elizabeth McMillan, of Rose Wellness, in Oakton, Virginia, looks to the foods that will help us stay young and Dr. Isabel Sharkar of Indigo Integrative Health Clinic, in Georgetown, suggests lifestyle choices that put a new spin on anti-aging. Dr. Margarita Kullick, from NIHA in D.C., looks at the anti-aging process from a holistic, integrative approach. From these three local experts, I learned a lot and hope you will, too. September is National Yoga Month and we try to keep spreading the word about wonderful yoga opportunities in the greater D.C. area. The remarkable thing about yoga is that there is something for everyone—all ages and all skill levels. Anyone with the desire to use their body in ways that will encourage strength and flexibility while deepening an inner life (and savoring the benefits of a form of mindful practice) can find a good fit. The health benefits of yoga are tremendous. Local osteoporosis specialist and physical therapist Susan Brady writes about how this ancient practice supports aging bones. We also take the time again this month to highlight some of the superb yoga studios in our region. If you haven’t tried yoga and seek a healthier lifestyle, I encourage you to make a personal goal this month to try it out. I have never met a person who started a yoga practice and was disappointed. Our September issue is a good place to be inspired— and we hope you will! Peace, Robin Fillmore, Publisher

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contents 6 newsbriefs 8 healthbriefs 1 1 ecotip 8 12 globalbriefs 17 event

spotlight

28 healthybody

29 naturalhealing 30 practitioner spotlight

3 1 yogadirectory 32 yogamini spotlights 34 calendar 12 38 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. CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Submit Calendar Events online: NaturalAwakeningsDC.com within the advertising section. Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month. 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.

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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.

14 AGING WITH PASSION AND PURPOSE

Finding Fulfillment, Creativity and Meaning by Deborah Shouse

18 RODNEY YEE ON YOGA AS A WAY OF LIFE

by Marlaina Donato

Simple Strategies for Staying on Track

19 SOLAR HEATS UP

Demand Surges as Prices Fall by Jim Motavalli

20 THE PROMISE OF

ANTI-AGING MEDICINE A Spotlight on Margarita Kullick, M.D.

22 FABULOUS FAN FARE

Healthy Tailgating Foods to Cheer For by Judith Fertig

24 ZAYA AND

MAURIZIO BENAZZO Joining Science to Spirituality by Linda Sechrist

26 CENTER YOURSELF

AROUND YOUR BONES The Benefits of Yoga for Bone Health

by Susan Brady

29 THE TRUE MEANING OF ANTI-AGING

Living a Life Geared to Healthy Aging by Dr. Isabel Sharkar

natural awakenings

September 2017

newsbriefs Grand Opening of Take Care in D.C.

ake Care, D.C.’s first independently owned and operated all-natural, holistic lifestyle shop, located at 1338 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, recently celebrated its grand opening and is ready to serve the community. Owner Becky Waddell seeks out brands and makers that embody the Take Care philosophy: that form and function are as important as the way in which a product is made. All of Take Care’s products are gently and thoughtfully crafted by small teams, with lots of trial and error until a truly effective product is created and brought to market. The 1,200-square-foot shop features carefully curated small batch, plant-based apothecary goods, including skincare, body care, natural perfume and cosmetics, in addition to sophisticated and handmade home goods and gifts. Brands will include Axiology, Josh Rosebrook, Gressa, Strange Invisibles Perfume, Vapour Organics, Herbivore Botanicals, Meow Meow Tweet, Lilfox, Smoke Perfume, Mischo Beauty, Raaw in a Jar and others. For more information, visit TakeCareShopDC.com.

First School of Naturopathic Medicine in the Mid-Atlantic to Open

aryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH) announced recently that it will welcome its first class of naturopathic medical students in the fall of 2018. Applications will be available starting this month. “In establishing our School of Naturopathic Medicine, MUIH is taking a bold step to address some of most challenging issues in health care,” says Steven Combs, president and CEO of MUIH. “We expect the graduates of this program to help fill the gap caused by the shortage of primary care physicians and to provide patients with cost-effective, compassionate care based on preventative and natural methods.” Naturopathic medicine is a general practice discipline that emphasizes lifestyle medicine, wellness and optimal health. It mobilizes the wisdom of nature to support the body’s inherent healing ability. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) diagnose and treat disease and use traditional therapies combined with modern medical practices to help restore and maintain health. NDs place patients at the heart of a relationshipcentered care model, empowering them to take charge of their own well-being. The School of Naturopathic Medicine at MUIH will be the first in the midAtlantic region and one of only a handful of naturopathic doctor schools in the nation that operate within a regionally accredited university. It will offer students highly progressive models and best practices for evidence-informed medical education and will incorporate digitally enhanced learning, interactive classroom experiences, hands-on and virtual laboratories and a wide variety of clinical experiences including community-based health care. The number of naturopathic doctors has tripled in the last 10 years as more and more states provide licensure opportunities for NDs. Today, 19 states, including Maryland and the District of Columbia, license NDs and several more are in the legislative process toward licensing. The career outlook is extremely promising for graduates of MUIH’s School of Naturopathic Medicine, as NDs are increasingly in demand at integrative health practices, hospitals, medical centers, specialty clinics and research centers. For more information, call the Office of Graduate Admissions at 410-888-9048 ext. 6647 or email Admissions@muih.edu. See ad, page 34.

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The People Speak on Climate Change

ccording to a recent study by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication and the George Mason University Center for Climate Change, a majority of registered voters—including large majorities of all Democrats and Independents, as well as nearly half or more of liberal and moderate Republicans, want more to be done to address global warming. The cast of characters who should be acting include corporations and industry, citizens themselves, the U.S. Congress, President Trump and their own members of Congress. Half of conservative Republicans want corporations and industry to do more to address global warming, although fewer want Congress or President Trump to act. The study also found that a clear majority of registered voters support policies to promote clean energy and reduce carbon pollution. This includes: funding more research into renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power which is supported by 86 percent of all registered voters; providing tax rebates to people who purchase energy-efficient vehicles or solar panels, supported by 84 percent of all registered voters; and regulating carbon dioxide as a pollutant, which is supported by 77 percent of all registered voters. Requiring fossil fuel companies to pay a carbon tax and using the money to reduce carbon produced by others by an equal amount, a plan often referred to as a “revenue neutral carbon tax”, garnered the support of 70 percent of all registered voters. The study finds that millions of Americans are willing to work together to demand climate action by the government and companies—but this potential mass climate movement remains largely unorganized, with many people sitting on the sidelines waiting to be engaged. For more information, visit Climate Communication.Yale.edu/Publications/ Politics-Global-Warming-May-2017.

Garden Dreams Come True with Prior Unity Garden’s Foundations of Organic Gardening

any folks are joining the organic home garden revolution. Newbies look for reliable information while others want their garden to be more fruitful. You can achieve your organic gardening goals and dreams with The Foundations of Organic Gardening, an interactive, six-session course spread over seven months, beginning September 30. Foundations' topics include garden design and layout, building soil, seeds, critters, companion planting, herbs, four seasons, biodynamics and more. The course also focuses on permaculture, ecological design and sustainable water practices. Each session consists of multimedia instruction, demonstrations and a hands-on workshop, with time for questions throughout. The course is timed so students can take their knowledge and immediately apply it to their own garden plan, and are ready to plant when spring comes. The course is a download of everything two local, seasoned professional gardeners know about gardening. Your instructors love helping to grow gardeners. Students are given all materials required, including a binder of over 100 pages of handouts and worksheets. Student testimonials run from “a wow of information and fun too” to “you won’t find a better course” as well as, “there is nothing out there like this, it’s exactly what I was looking for.” The kudos keep coming with statements such as “well organized from beginning to end,” “blown away by the binder,” “imparted knowledge in a comfortable and fun way” and “something you can’t get from reading a book.” An added benefit of Prior Unity Garden’s courses is the sense of community they foster, including reunions with past students. You can be a successful and savvy gardener. To contact Prior Unity Garden or sign up for their Foundations of Organic Gardening Course, call 703-281-7743 or visit PriorUnityGarden.com/FoundationsCourse.

Yoga Lessens Back Pain and Opioid Use

ith the U.S. opioid epidemic reaching a boiling point, insight into the effectiveness of alternative methods of pain relief has become increasingly relevant. Scientists from the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System have found yoga to be an effective technique to reduce back pain. The researchers divided 150 California veterans with chronic low back pain into two equal groups. One attended two yoga classes per week—comprising postures, movement and breathing techniques—for 12 weeks in addition to their more conventional treatment. The other continued such treatment without yoga. Scientists measured pain levels before and after the core study period and again six months later. After only 12 weeks, those that participated in the yoga practice experienced a 2.05 point reduction in Roland−Morris Disability Questionnaire scores, compared to a 1.29 reduction for those that received only usual care. After six months, this difference increased, with the yoga group’s scores decreasing 3.37 points compared to only an 0.89 reduction in the usual care group. In addition, pain intensity scores were reduced by 0.61 in the yoga group and 0.04 in the group receiving usual care after 12 weeks. Opioid medication use declined among all participants, from 20 percent to 8 percent after six months.

When Thyroid Hormones Fail Us— A Free Talk

ven though many women are taking thyroid hormones and their lab tests state that they are “normal”, up to 90 percent continue to suffer from Dr. Serena Satcher many of the symptoms. Dr. Serena Satcher is offering a free wellness talk to help break out of this cycle by discussing the root causes of hypothyroidism and natural ways to overcome it. The talk will be held at 11 a.m. on September 23, in Springfield. In her practice, Satcher has worked with women who continue to suffer from many symptoms, including: tiredness and insomnia, inability to lose weight, cold hands and feet, constipation, depression and lack of motivation, thinning hair and acne, memory problems or brain fog or feelings of nervousness and heart palpitations. The traditional approach is to drive the labs into the “normal” range by giving thyroid replacement hormones, such as synthetic thyroid hormones. This drugonly approach is not helping most of the women who try it. In her free talk, Satcher will provide information that will help women sufferers to understand the underlying cause of 85 to 90 percent of hypothyroidism in the U.S, why it’s destroying not only the thyroid gland, and other glands and tissues as well, why taking thyroid medication may not help and why a personalized approach is essential. Satcher, an M.D. and certified in PMR, functional medicine and integrative medicine, specializes in metabolic and autoimmune problems affecting the glands, nervous system and musculoskeletal system. Location: 6820 Commercial Dr., Springfield, VA. For more information, call 703454-9326, ext. 0 or email Info@Treat YourselfToHealth.com.

natural awakenings

September 2017

esearchers from several international universities have found that seniors that provide caregiving services live longer than those that do not. The scientists analyzed survival data and information collected from the Berlin Aging Study on 500 adults over the age of 69 from 1990 to 2009. They compared survival rates from the subjects that provided caregiving for children, grandchildren and friends to those that did not. Of the subjects analyzed, the half that took care of their grandchildren or children were still alive 10 years after their first interview in 1990. Caring for nonfamily members also produced positive results, with half of the subjects living for seven years after the initial interview. Conversely, 50 percent of those that did not participate in any caregiving had died just four years after their first interview. The researchers warn that caregiving must be done in moderation. Ralph Hertwig, director of the Center for Adaptive Rationality and the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, in Berlin, explains, “A moderate level of caregiving involvement seems to have positive effects on health, but previous studies have shown that more intense involvement causes stress, which has a negative effect on physical and mental health.”

LESS SALT REDUCES NIGHTTIME POTTY VISITS

study from Nagasaki University, in Japan, has found that reducing salt in the diet can cut down on the number of trips to the bathroom during the night. Researchers followed 321 men and women with high-salt diets and sleep problems for 12 weeks. Of the subjects, 223 reduced their salt intake from 10.7 grams per day to 8 grams and the remaining 98 increased their salt intake from 9.6 grams per day to 11 grams. The nighttime urination frequency rate for the salt reduction group dropped from 2.3 times per night to 1.4 times, while the increased salt group’s rose from 2.3 to 2.7 times per night.

EARLY BIRDS EAT BETTER AND EXERCISE MORE

esearchers from Helsinki, Finland, analyzed data from 2,000 people to find out how sleeping patterns affected their food choices. They discovered individuals that wake up early make healthier food choices throughout the day and are more physically active. “Linking what and when people eat to their biological clock type provides a fresh perspective on why certain people are more likely to make unhealthy food decisions,” explains lead author Mirkka Maukonen, from the National Institute for Health and Welfare, in Helsinki.

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Caring for Others Prolongs Life

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Yoga Eases Eating Disorders

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esearchers from Brown University, in Providence, Rhode Island, have found that regular yoga practice can help reduce anxiety and depression in young women with eating disorders. The scientists followed 20 girls between the ages of 14 and 18 that were enrolled in an outpatient eating disorder clinic that comprised the larger control group. Those selected agreed to participate in a weekly yoga class and complete questionnaires after six and 12 weeks, assessing their anxiety, depression and mood. Of those that started the study, five attended all 12 yoga classes and six completed between seven and 11 classes. Researchers found decreases in anxiety, depression and negative thoughts among those that participated in the yoga classes, with no negative side effects. Another study from the University of Delaware, in Newark, supports these results. Half of the 38 residential eating disorder treatment program participants did one hour of yoga prior to dinner for five days and the other half did not. The yoga group showed significant reductions in pre-meal anxiety compared to the control group.

Meditation and Music Aid Memory in Early Stages of Alzheimer’s

new study from West Virginia University, in Morgantown, reveals that listening to music and practicing meditation may help improve memory function for those in the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers asked 60 adults experiencing subjective cognitive decline (SCD), a common predictor of Alzheimer’s, to engage in kirtan kriya musical meditation or listen to other music for 12 minutes a day for three months, and then consider continuing for an additional three months. Scientists measured the memory and cognitive function of the 53 participants that completed the six-month study and found significant improvements in both measurements at the three-month mark. At six months, the subjects in both groups had maintained or improved upon their initial results.

The traveler sees what

he sees; the tourist sees what he has come to see. ~Gilbert K. Chesterton

Minty Fresh and Great Health Benefits by Laina Poulakos int has been used for more than 3,000 years for its medicinal properties. In addition to drinking it in delicious tea or inhaling it, mint has even been used on the skin because of it’s amazing healing properties. Starting with the stomach, it is excellent at helping with minor discomforts such as colic, nausea and diarrhea. Mint is also a stimulant, yet it can also be used as a good remedy to calm jittery nerves. Known as a treatment for bronchitis due to its expectorant abilities, mint can soothe when sipped as tea or inhaled through steam. Externally, peppermint can be used on the body to treat acne (when first diluted in water), because of its astringent properties. It is a great relief for headaches by rubbing peppermint oil on the temples and forehead, diluted in a carrier oil. One can even chew peppermint gum to help a headache. Around the house, mint can become a power disinfectant. Peppermint, spearmint and many other mints are always thought of as common, and sometimes considered a pest when they overgrow in the garden, but there are many powerful and useful properties to this miracle herb. So, in addition to freshening breath, consider incorporating mint into a daily routine for self-care.

Laina Poulakos is the founder of Mother’s Nature Store and a certified aromatherapist and herbologist. For a consultation and products, call 703851-0087 or visit MothersNatureStore. com. See ad, page 8. natural awakenings

September 2017

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esearchers from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, in Nashville, Tennessee, examined the effectiveness of tonsillectomies in children with recurring throat infections. Using data from nearly 10,000 studies of tonsillectomies, the scientists analyzed illness rates and quality of life for young patients following the surgery. The analysis found that children experienced a notable drop in school absences and infections in the first year after the surgery, but that these benefits did not persist over time. Dr. Siva Chinnadurai, an associate professor of otolaryngology and co-author of the report, believes, “For any child being considered a candidate for surgery, the family must have a personalized discussion with their healthcare provider about all of the factors that may be in play and how tonsils fit in as one overall factor of that child’s health.”

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etirees are volunteering at hundreds of nationally protected lands. They staff visitor centers, do maintenance, clean up debris and remind visitors to keep food items secure from wildlife. Last year, volunteers outnumbered National Park Service staff about 20 to one, expanding the financially strapped agency’s ability to serve hundreds of millions of visitors. Nearly a third of them are 54 and up, contributing to the 7.9 million service hours worked in 2015 by all 400,000 volunteers. Volunteer opportunities also exist at National Wildlife Refuge sites, fish hatcheries and endangered species field offices of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Sallie Gentry, volunteer coordinator for the Southeast Region, based in Atlanta, notes that Georgia’s Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge has a dozen designated spots for motor homes in its Volunteer Village. She says most volunteers are local retired residents whose working hours vary while RV volunteers commit to 20 hours a week for at least three months. In return, they get free hookups for electricity, sewage, propane and water. “They have skills they want to contribute, but are also looking for a social outlet,” notes Gentry. Cookouts and potlucks are common. She also cites the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge, an important migratory stop especially for songbirds, as a place with great appeal. “We supply uniforms, training, tools and orientations,” says Gentry. “It’s a mutually beneficial investment.” She suggests that individuals apply for specific sites at least a year in advance. Megan Wandag, volunteer coordinator for the USFWS Midwest Region, based in Minneapolis, cites the popular Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, in Bloomington, and the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, near Des Moines, as “oases near urban areas.” USFWS Southwest Region volunteer coordinator Juli Niemann highlights the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, in central New Mexico, that has 18 recreation vehicle spots and an average occupancy duration of five months. “It’s a prime wintering place for sandhill cranes.”

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Volunteer.gov updates site details and contact information at federal facilities nationwide. natural awakenings

September 2017

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

Milk Muddle

The Aurora Organic Dairy pastures and feedlots north of Greeley, Colorado, are home to more than 15,000 cows—more than 100 times the size of a typical organic herd. It is the main facility of the company that supplies milk to Walmart, Costco and other major retailers. They adhere to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic regulations, but critical weaknesses exist in the inspection system the government uses to ensure that food is organic; farmers are allowed to hire their own inspectors to certify them, and thus can fall short of reaching standards without detection. Organic dairies are required to allow the cows to graze daily throughout the growing season rather than be confined to barns and feedlots. Although the USDA National Organic Program allows for an extremely wide range of grazing practices that comply with the rule, Aurora was observed onsite and via satellite imagery by the Washington Post as having only a small percentage of the herd outdoors on any given day. The company disputes the data. U.S. organic dairy sales amounted to $6 billion last year; although it is more expensive to produce, the milk may command a premium price of 100 percent more than regular.

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Organic Milk Producer Under Pressure

Experiential Ed

Finland, internationally renowned for innovative educational practices, is poised to become the first country to eliminate school subjects. Officials are making changes to be implemented by 2020 that will revolutionize how the school system works by allowing pupils to absorb a body of knowledge about language, economics and communication skills. “We need something to fit for the 21st century,” says Department of Education head Marjo Kyllonen. The system will be introduced for seniors beginning at age 16. They will choose which topic or phenomenon they want to study, bearing in mind their ambitions and capabilities. “Instead of staying passively in their benches listening to the teachers, students will now often work in smaller groups collaborating on projects, rather than just assigned classwork and homework.” Another new model of learning sparked by XQ: The Super School Project (xqsuperschool.org) is underway at New Harmony High School, housed on a floating barge at the mouth of the Mississippi River southeast of New Orleans. They’ve received a $10 million grant to work on environmental issues when it opens in 2018. “High schools today are not preparing students for the demands of today’s world,” says XQ Senior School Strategist Monica Martinez; she notes that about a third of college students must take remedial courses and are not prepared to thrive as employees. 12

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Gestalt-Based Curricula Emerging

Plutonium Problem Glass or Cement May Encase Nuclear Waste

Congress might consider authorizing the U.S. Department of Energy to encase much of the nuclear waste at the Washington state Hanford Nuclear Reservation, the nation’s largest waste repository, in a cement-like mixture, according to a new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office. It states that when burying the waste, cement would be less expensive and faster than vitrification, an alternative process currently used to turn the waste into glass logs. A $17 billion vitrification plant, one of the federal government’s most expensive construction projects, is intended to separate much of the waste into high- and low-level radioactive material, but construction has stalled over design and safety concerns. After the highly radioactive waste is immobilized in the glass logs, it would theoretically be shipped to an as-yet-nonexistent national repository proposed for Yucca Mountain, in Nevada. The 56 million gallons of waste in question is left over from plutonium production for nuclear weapons since World War II, and the site itself has a history of leaks. The Department of Energy likes the cement burial, but state officials believe the best way to safely deal with the waste and protect the environment is by turning it into glass. Source: enews.earthlink.net

Bat Banter

The Egyptian fruit bat is a highly social mammal that roosts in crowded colonies. A machine learning algorithm helped decode their squeaks, revealing that they speak to one another as individuals. The research appears in the journal Scientific Reports. Researchers at Tel Aviv University, in Israel, discovered that the bats exchange information about specific problems in four categories. Ramin Skibba, at Nature, notes that besides humans, only dolphins and a handful of other species are known to address individuals, rather than making broad, general communication sounds. Studies allow that it may eventually be possible to understand nuanced communications in other species.

Rolling Internet

Winnebago Assists Computer Literacy Librarian Shannon Morrison drives the Digibus, a new, 40-foot-long Winnebago computer classroom that hit the road in January bound for Fresno County, California, communities with the goal of bringing free computer literacy and job searching skills to the public. It employs 12 computer tablets with keyboards and staff that include bilingual interpreters. The library bus was scheduled to spend one week at each of two different communities each month.

Milkweed Mittens Leene/Shutterstock.com

Common Weed Is Lightweight Insulator The Canadian Coast Guard is testing milkweed pods as a source of potential environmentally friendly insulation in partnership with Encore3, a manufacturing company in Québec, Canada, in prototype parkas, gloves and mittens. The plant is roughly five times lighter than synthetic insulation and hypoallergenic. The Farm Between, in Cambridge, Vermont, harvests the plants and sends the material to Encore3. Co-owner John Hayden says, “Milkweed is grown as an intercrop between the rows in our apple orchard to increase biodiversity and provide a host plant for monarch caterpillars. Monarch populations are in serious decline, and the two things we can do to help on the land we steward are to not use pesticides and provide milkweed habitat.”

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Computers Decipher Animal Language

Free Wheeling

Architecture Becomes Portable Innovative, moveable mini-houses, tents and wagons are gaining advocates amid a trend toward traveling light with style. Designs range from the functional to the outlandish, and also encompass forms of transport from tugboats to tractors. The four-wheeled Collingwood Shepherd Hut wagon has a shingled exterior and wood-burning stove. Some options can provide ready shelter during a crisis or protection in extreme weather. The Rapid Deployment Module temporary dwelling can be assembled in an hour; DesertSeal’s inflatable, lightweight tent can ward off extreme heat. The experimental Camper Kart turns a shopping cart into a mini-home with a roof, sleeping deck and storage, all of which can be folded right back into the cart. The Portaledge is a small hanging tent that climbers can affix to a rock face and sleep in safely partway up the rock. Golden Gate 2 camper features a rounded timber frame, portholes and a spot for a surfboard. Find fun pictures at AtlasObscura.com/ articles/mobile-architecture-tiny-houses.

Easy Mark kaipadhking/Shutterstock.com

Lasers Stamp Prices on European Produce Food retailers are aiming to cut plastic and cardboard packaging by ditching stickers on fruits and vegetables, instead using high-tech laser “natural branding” and creating huge savings in materials, energy and CO2 emissions. Pilot projects are underway in Europe with organic avocados, sweet potatoes and coconuts. The technique uses a strong light to remove pigment from the skin of produce. The mark is invisible once the skin is removed and doesn’t affect shelf life or produce quality. The laser technology also creates less than 1 percent of the carbon emissions needed to produce a similar-sized sticker. Source: The Guardian natural awakenings

September 2017

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Aging with Passion and Purpose Finding Fulfillment, Creativity and Meaning by Deborah Shouse

ant to age well? The answer isn’t in your 401k. Self-acceptance, a positive attitude, creative expression, purposeful living and spiritual connections all anchor successful and meaningful aging. In fact, these kinds of preparations are just as important as saving money for retirement, according to Ron Pevny, director of the Center for Conscious Eldering, in Durango, Colorado, and author of Conscious Living, Conscious Aging.

Savor Self-Acceptance

While most people believe adulthood is the final stage of life, Dr. Bill Thomas is among the creative aging experts that identify another life chapter: elderhood. “Elders possess novel ways of approaching time, money, faith and relationships,” says Thomas, an Ithaca, New York geriatrician and fierce advocate for the value of aging. “The best chapters may be near the end of the book,” Thomas continues. “Once you appreciate yourself and your years, you can relinquish outdated expectations and seek to discover your true self. Then the world can open up to you,” says Thomas. “Living a rewarding life means we are willing to say, ‘These chapters now are the most interesting.’” During this time, rather than feeling consumed by what we have to do, we can focus on what we want to do. 14

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Fill the Funnel of Friends

For older people, relationships offer foundational connections; but as we age, friends may drift away, relocate or die. “Successful aging requires refilling our funnel of friends,” says Thomas, who considers socially engaged elders with friends wealthier than a socially isolated millionaire. “Notice opportunities for interacting and connecting,” advises Shae Hadden, co-founder of The Eldering Institute in Vancouver, Canada. Talk with the checkout person at the grocery store or smile at a stranger walking her dog.

Cultivate a Positive Attitude

Our beliefs about aging shape our experiences. A Yale University study found that older individuals with more positive self-perceptions of aging lived 7.5 years longer than those less so inclined. Connecting with positive role models helps us release limiting beliefs and embrace an attitude of gratitude instead. Other life lessons can be gleaned from observing how negativity affects people physically, emotionally, and socially. Holding onto regrets traps us in the past zapping energy and self-worth; it also keeps the best in us from shining out says Pevny. He suggests a simple letting-go ceremony, with friends as witnesses. If possible, hold it in a natural outdoor setting.

EdBockStock/Shutterstock.com

At one of his conscious aging retreats, Pevny created a fire circle. Mike, 70, had been a dedicated long-distance runner for most of his life. Now plagued with mobility issues, Mike decided to let go of regrets. He brought a pair of running shorts into the circle and talked about what the sport had meant to him—its joys, challenges and camaraderie. Then he tossed the shorts into the fire, telling his friends, “I am letting go so I can find a new purpose and passion.”

Understand Our Life Stories

Creating our own life review helps us acknowledge and understand our most significant experiences and reminds us of all we’re bringing to our elder journey. Pevny offers these approaches: n Develop a timeline, dividing life into seven-year sections. For each, write about the strongest memories and most influential people. n Consider what matters most, from people and values to challenges and dreams. n Write to children and grandchildren, sharing tales of our life’s most significant events and lessons. n Record key stories on audio or video.

Explore the Arts

The changes that aging brings can mire elders in depression and isolation. “Older people need to be brave and resilient,” says Susan Perlstein, of Brooklyn, New York, founder emeritus of the National Center for Creative Aging, in Washington, D.C., and founder of Elders Share the Arts, in New York City. “To age creatively, we need a flow of varied experiences, exploring new activities or reframing longtime interests from a fresh perspective.” Expressive arts can engage people’s minds, bodies and spirits. A George Washington University study shows that people engaged in the arts are happier and healthier. Perlstein understands this firsthand, having begun taking guitar lessons in her 70s. Motivated to play simple songs for her new granddaughter, she subsequently learned to play jazz and blues tunes and joined a band. “I’m doing something I love,” says Perlstein. “I’m meeting diverse people, learning new things and enjoying a rich life.”

The answers can lead to fresh settings, including local community centers and places of worship. Many universities have extension classes for lifelong learners. State arts councils support programs, and museums and libraries host helpful activities. Shepherd Centers encourage community learning and Road Scholar caters to elders that prefer to travel and study.

Discover a Purpose Older people are our Upon retirement some people feel greatest resource. We need purposeless and lost. They yearn for to nurture them and give something that offers up excitement, energy and joy. Hadden invites people them a chance to share to be curious and explore options. “We’re designing our future around what they know. ~Susan Perlstein, founder, National Center for Creative Aging and Elders Share the Arts Musician John Blegen, of Kansas City, Missouri, was 73 when he realized his lifelong secret desire to tap dance. When Blegen met the then 87-year-old Billie Mahoney, Kansas City’s “Queen of Tap,” he blurted out his wish and fear of being “too old.” She just laughed and urged him to sign up for her adult beginner class. He asked for tap shoes for Christmas and happily shuffle-stepped his way through three class sessions. “Tap class inspired me, encouraged me and gave me hope,” he says. “Now I can shim sham and soft shoe. It’s a dream come true.” To unearth the inner artist, ask: n Which senses do I most like to engage? n Do I enjoy looking at art or listening to music? Do I like sharing feelings and experiences? If so, a thrill may come from writing stories or plays, acting or storytelling. n As a child, what did I yearn to do; maybe play the piano, paint or engineer a train set? Now is the time to turn those dreams into reality. n How can I reframe my life in a positive way when I can no longer do activities I love? If dancing was my focus before, how do I rechannel that energy and passion? If puttering in the garden is too strenuous, what other outdoor interests can I pursue?

who we are and what we care about now,” she says. Try keeping a journal for several weeks. Jot down issues and ideas that intrigue, aggravate and haunt. After several weeks, reflect on the links between concerns that compel and those that irritate. Perhaps we’re intrigued by a certain group of people or a compelling issue. “A concern points to problems and people you want to help,” Hadden observes. This can range from lending a hand to struggling family members, maintaining our own health, volunteering for a literacy project or working to reduce world hunger. “Choose what inspires you to get out of bed each day, eager to move into action.”

Develop Inner Frontiers

People in their elder years may still be measured by midlife standards, which include physical power, productivity and achievement. “They come up short in the eyes of younger people,” dharma practitioner Kathleen Dowling Singh remarks. “But those standards do not define a human life.” Rather, aging allows us to disengage from the pressures of appearances and accomplishments. As we release judgments and unwanted habits, we can increase our feelings of spirituality and peace. “When doors in the outer world seem to be closing, it’s time to cultivate inner resources that offer us joy and meaning. We have the beautiful privilege of slowing down and hearing what our heart is saying,” says Singh, of Sarasota, Florida.

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September 2017

respect, appreciation and celebration, and says, “As I’ve grown older, I’ve learned how vital it is to nurture the world I am in.” Deborah Shouse is a writer, speaker, editor and dementia advocate. Her newest book is Connecting in the Land of Dementia: Creative Activities to Explore Together. Connect at DementiaJourney.org.

Acknowledge Our Shelf Life

“We cannot speak about aging and awakening without speaking about death and dying,” Singh believes. “We need to confront our mortality.” Meditating on the coming transition opens us up to the blessings of life. We can ask ourselves deep questions such as, “What am I doing? What do I want? What does this all mean? What is spirit?” Singh believes such searching questions are vital. None of us knows how much Earth time we have to awaken to a deeper, fuller experience of the sacred.

Help the World In today’s world of chaos and crisis, the wisdom of elders is more important than ever. “Older people need to be engaged, using their insights to help the Earth, community and world,” Pevny says. Creative aging is about improving the future for subsequent generations. In 2008, longtime educator Nora Ellen Richard, 70, of Overland Park, Kansas, wanted to be of greater service. She

O C T

Nearly three-quarters of America’s adults believe they are lifelong learners. It helps them make new friends and community connections and prompts volunteerism.

Creative Aging Resources

~Pew Research Center

The Eldering Institute Eldering.org

asked herself, “What if I housed a foreign student?” and found the International Student Homestay Program. She embarked upon an exploration of cultures from around the world without leaving home. Today, Richard has hosted more than a dozen female students and each relationship has expanded and enriched her life. “We talk about politics, food, religion and cultures; we even pray together,” Richard says. She points to memorable moments of bonding and

Elders Share the Arts Estanyc.org

Center for Conscious Eldering CenterForConsciousEldering.com Changing Aging ChangingAging.org Dr. Bill Thomas DrBillThomas.org

From Aging to Sageing Sage-ing.org Kathleen Dowling Singh KathleenDowlingSingh.com National Center for Creative Aging CreativeAging.org Shepherd’s Centers of America ShepherdCenters.org

Coming Next Month Chiropractic plus: Transformative Travel October articles include: Selecting a Chiropractor, Bone-Density Exercises Life-Changing Travel, and more!

To advertise or participate in our next issue, call 202-505-4835 16

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Meditation is one way to deepen spiritually as we age. “Sit in solitude, gather your scattered thoughts and set an intention,” Singh suggests. “A daily practice shows what peace, silence and contentment feel like. As you become more comfortable, add time until you’re sitting for 20 to 40 minutes.”

eventspotlight

Celebrate the DMV Yoga Community at Namas Day

amas Day—a celebration of yoga, wellness and local community—comes to the DMV region at George Mason University’s Arlington Campus. The all-day event, hosted by DC Area Yoga, includes a variety of yoga programs and a wellness marketplace, and emphasizes community and local yoga resources. Namas Day DC is based on the very successful annual Namas Day events that have been hosted in Philadelphia since 2012. “We launched Namas Day with the goal of creating community and showcasing the amazing yoga teachers, students and schools right in our own neighborhoods,” says Mary Fetterman, founder of Namas Day and MyAreaYoga. com, of which DC Area Yoga is a subsidiary. “We’re grateful for all the support the community has given us in spreading the word this first year. Our belief is that no single studio or business should have a strong influence on the event. Namas Day is open to all and the biggest influencers are the attendees.” Namas Day is a neutral, local, accessible event, open to all individuals interested in yoga, whether novice or well-traveled on their yoga journey. The day includes a diverse schedule of workshops including; inspirational vinyasa, Yoga Sutra conversations, arm balancing, pranayama, yin yoga, anatomical analysis and a few more.

Presenting teachers include Mimi Rieger, HawaH, Hari-kirtana das, Hugh Byrne and Marni Sclaroff, to name a few. “We hear a lot about critically acclaimed teachers around the globe, but it is important to remember the incredible instructors we have in our own cities,” Fetterman says “Namas Day offers the chance to meet yogis you wouldn’t normally train with, to expand your community and to appreciate the yoga opportunities available in your area. It is an inspiring day. It is impossible to leave without feeling uplifted.” The day kicks off with community meditation led by Dawn Curtis from the East Meets West Yoga Center. All are welcome (ticket holders and non-ticket holders) to attend the opening and visit the marketplace. The amazing schedule of workshops will run from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and will require a purchased ticket to attend.

The most important

pieces of equipment you need for doing yoga are your body and your mind. ~Rodney Yee

Location: 3351 Fairfax Dr., Arlington, VA. Discounted full-day passes available through September 14. Half-day and single workshop tickets are available about two weeks before the event. For more information, to purchase tickets or to get information on sponsorship, exhibiting or partnership opportunities, contact Mary Fetterman at Mary@ MyAreaYoga.com or visit NamasDay. com. See ad, page 10. natural awakenings

September 2017

fitbody

Rodney Yee on Yoga as a Way of Life

You can blink and half your life is gone. You can’t always be busy, busy, busy; you have to decide how to fill your life.

Simple Strategies for Staying on Track by Marlaina Donato

enowned yogi and international teacher Rodney Yee, of New York City, has maintained an inspired yoga practice for 37 years while juggling career obligations, fame and family life. While the benefits of yoga are increasingly well known—from stress reduction and pain management to a more limber body and inner peace—Lee is also aware of the challenges to maintaining a consistent practice. Here he shares insights on the pitfalls encountered by both beginning and advanced students. “My advice is to first get rid of self-berating behavior, including judgmental inner dialogue. In many aspects of life, we are constantly measuring ourselves against a standard, which is a waste of time and energy,” says Yee. With a professional background in classical dance and gymnastics, Yee decided to give yoga a try at a nearby studio when he craved more physical flexibility. “As many people do, I came to yoga for a reason. I was a dancer with tight joints. After the first class, I couldn’t believe how I felt. It was not at all like an athletic high; I had a sense of well-being and knew what it means to feel peaceful and clear.” For people with jam-packed lives, finding time for exercise can be daunting. Yee suggests a relaxed approach to scheduling yoga into a busy day. “As the rishis [Hindu sages] say, we shouldn’t ‘try’ to meditate, not try to force a natural state. To say, ‘I have to do yoga,’ just puts another thing on our to-do list. Sometimes discipline is needed, but another part of discipline is not about force.”

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Different approaches to yoga abound, and part of staying motivated may include exploration of a variety of traditions as individual needs change due to lifestyle, health, interests or simple curiosity. Yee reminds us to go with the flow and follow how we feel in the moment. “Different schools of yoga exist because each offers something different. There is a form for all of our moods and a practice for how you feel at any given time.” Reflecting on how his own practice has evolved through the years, Yee recollects, “In my 20s and 30s, my yoga practice was arduous, including three to four hours of strong, physical work and a half hour of pranayama [breath work]. Then for 20 years, it involved a lot of teaching. Over the past 17 years, my practice has become more subtle, with a focus on sequencing and meditation; it’s about how to do this all day long in the context of my body and my life; about being both centered and in the world. In some way, we’re always doing yoga, as we already take 20,000 breaths a day. From a philosophical and ethical point of view, yogis have no choice but to practice.” Because many American women have found their way to a yogic path, men often assume it’s primarily a women’s niche. But yoga has been a male practice for nearly 2,500 years in other countries. Yee encourages men to not feel intimidated. “Why not try something that can help you improve your business, family life and even your golf game?” he queries. While Yee believes in a no-pressure approach, he also suggests inviting ways to foster consistency. “If you are just beginning, set aside a half-hour before going to bed or get up a half-hour earlier. Also note that pain is less to be avoided than learned from.” Wisdom can come from dedication to a yoga practice. Yee’s philosophy is, “You can blink and half your life is gone. You can’t always be busy, busy, busy; you have to decide how to fill your life. As spiritual teacher Ram Dass counsels, ‘Be here now.’ Train yourself to bring body, mind and heart together and fully drink from that.” Learn more at YeeYoga.com. Marlaina Donato is a freelance writer, author and multimedia artist. Connect at MarlainaDonato.com.

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greenliving

SOLAR HEATS UP Demand Surges as Prices Fall by Jim Motavalli

ow is a good time to buy a solar system and get off the grid. Solar photovoltaic prices have fallen 67 percent in the last five years, reports Alexandra Hobson with the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). It’s a boom period for solar—a record 14.8 gigawatts were installed last year in the U.S. Solar represented 39 percent of all new electric capacity added to the grid in 2016, surpassing natural gas (29 percent) and wind (26 percent). In the first quarter of this year, solar and wind together comprised more than half of all new U.S. power generation. The Solar Investment Tax Credit was extended for five years at the end of 2015, so homeowners and businesses can qualify to deduct 30 percent of the installed cost from their federal taxes. Also, there’s no upper limit on the prices for the qualifying panels. There are 1.3 million solar systems in the U.S. now, with a new one added every 84 seconds. Some 260,000 people currently work in the industry, double the figure of 2012. California is the leader in installed capacity, followed by North Carolina, Arizona, Nevada, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Utah.

Technical Breakthroughs In 2016, the average residential solar

system produced seven kilowatts, at an average installed cost of $3.06 per watt, according to Hobson. A system costing just over $21,000 before taking the income tax credit yields a final net cost of $15,000. “It’s a perfect marriage for residential customers,” says Bill Ellard, an energy economist with the American Solar Energy Society (ASES). “The systems will produce electricity for about five cents per kilowatt-hour year-round compared to the average electric price of 10.34 cents per kilowatt hour tracked in March 2017.” New solar panel designs coming online mean even greater savings. Panels with built-in micro-inverters are cutting home installation costs for large central units (although their long-term, all-weather durability isn’t clear yet). A breakthrough at Japan’s Kobe University means single solar cells could achieve 50 percent efficiency, up from the 30 percent formerly accepted as the upper limit. Ugly panel frames may also be a thing of the past. More aesthetically pleasing frameless panels are expected this year from big players like SolarWorld, Canadian Solar and Trina Solar, with adapted mounting hardware. Producers like Prism Solar and DSM Advanced Surfaces are also working on frameless clear panels, with cells bound between panes of glass. These attractive clear panels are highly resistant to fire and corrosion. Tesla, which recently acquired

SolarCity, is marketing tempered glass photovoltaic shingles that integrate with tile roofing materials to make the installation nearly undetectable. Tesla claims they’re three times as strong as standard roof shingles and guarantees them for the life of the house.

Solar Works for Many Now

For an average household electric load of 600 kilowatt-hours per month, for example, a daily dose of five hours of direct sunlight and four-kilowatt system will likely meet demand. For households with higher usage, especially in the South and West, bigger installations are the norm. “Solar system sizes have been growing fairly steadily as the price has come down,” Hobson notes. Thanks to Google Earth, solar installers usually know if a property has the right conditions; avoiding the fee for an onsite inspection. Houses with a southern orientation within 40 degrees of direct southern exposure are golden. Those with flat roofs work well because the panels can be tilted for maximum effect. Adjustable panels can also be adapted to the best angle per season. Panels can’t be in shade for a significant part of the day. Rooftop installers can work around vent pipes, skylights and chimneys. If major obstructions are a problem, ASES suggests a ground-mounted array or solar pergola, a freestanding wooden frame to mount panels. Solar systems heat swimming pools, too, offering huge operational savings over conventional heaters. They start at around $3,500 and average $5,500, compared to an average $2,664 for a fossilfuel heater, reports HomeAdvisor.com. Determine if a state has net metering laws, which make it easy to sell excess power from a whole-home system back to the grid. Check for local tax subsidies on top of the federal 30 percent. The beauty of solar is that once the system is in place, operating costs are negligible. The lifespan of today’s panels is two decades and the payback is just two to three years. Jim Motavalli is an author, freelance journalist and speaker specializing in clean automotive and other environmental topics. He lives in Fairfield, CT. Connect at JimMotavalli.com.

natural awakenings

September 2017

oneonone

The Promise of Anti-Aging Medicine

A Spotlight on

Margarita Kullick, M.D.

ecently joining the team at National Integrated Health Associates (NIHA), Margarita Kullick, M.D., is a functional and anti-aging medical physician. Natural Awakenings had the opportunity to learn about Kullick’s methods of working with patients, and provided information about the type of patient that should be seeking anti-aging support, and when to start.

What is your philosophy in working with patients using anti-aging procedures? Describe your typical patient or why someone might come to you. A typical patient may have a variety of ailments and some may be the result of aging. Problems of the immune system, degenerative diseases such as arthritis, memory loss, fatigue, heart and kidney disease and diabetes are a manifestation of aging. I look at the whole person, not just the symptoms or physical ailments that brought them into the office. Human beings are complex and emotions and attitude affect overall well-being 20

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Recent scientific advances such as stem cell therapy, telomere therapy and Sirtuin therapy may help slow down the progression of aging—preventing gene mutations or expression of genes that make us more susceptible to diseases and cancer.

What are some lifestyle choices that affect how we age? We live in a polluted world, from the air we breathe to the water we drink, the quality of our food and sadly, now all of us have unhealthy exposure to EMFs (electromagnetic fields) from cell phones and wireless devices. It is imperative to be aware of the cumulative effects of our lifestyle choices on long-term health. Smoking, drinking alcohol in excess, using drugs or a poor diet can take years off our life. Making small changes such as eating organic food, eliminating processed foods, managing stress, regular exercise and quality sleep, eliminating or controlling exposure to EMF will help get us on a better path and hopefully slow down the aging process.

and health status. This total evaluation helps us to get to the root cause of accelerated aging.

It seems that the science on aging (and anti-aging) has changed significantly in the past? Can you give a brief description of what we now know about the aging process? Aging is a natural process of the human cycle. The accumulation of toxins, DNA damage, oxidation and inflammation all lead to what we call senescence, or gradual deterioration, as the cells slow the normal replication cycle of physiological renewal. As we age, the cell mitochondria can start to malfunction, the repair system fails, our natural defenses get overwhelmed, a cascade of inflammation develops, our DNA gets injured and the telomeres shorten. Telomeres are the tips of the cells that protect our precious DNA for cell replication (our cell clock). As we age, the protective tip wears off, and slows the replication process but there are natural ways to lengthen the telomere.

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What are the common natural health anti-aging therapies that you use? There is science behind a number of lifestyle choices that improve our cell performance and help to protect our DNA. Something as simple as meditation has shown tremendous benefits to overall health. Balancing the hormones is crucial to keep the body functioning optimally. After an evaluation, recommendations may include bioidentical hormone therapy (BHRT), lifestyle changes, natural supplements, vitamins, minerals and IV’s to improve the function of the mitochondria and the health of genes. More advanced anti-aging therapies may include telomere therapy and stem cell therapy, when indicated. Hormones in the body work like a symphony—if one is low, it affects all the rest. A thorough evaluation of hormones is an integral part of antiaging plan. A low sex drive may be due to low testosterone in women, and it may be due to high Estradiol in men. Finding what causes the abnormalities is essential to draft a plan of treatment. When we find thyroid, sex hormones or adrenal hormone abnormali-

ties, we need to entertain first what is causing the deficit or elevation. The answer not always is hormonal replacement. Our hormones, like the rest of our body, are altered by many lifestyle choices—such as coffee and alcohol excess, EMF exposure, foods, stress and more. A BHRT may be recommended in a temporary basis until your body takes the healing path.

How is your work different from a physician or technician that would use cosmetic therapies such as Botox? What is your opinion on those therapies? There is a wide difference between the practice of anti-aging medical therapies and aesthetic anti-aging. Although the aesthetics may combine skin anti-aging techniques and products, they do not necessarily address the core of the problem at the cellular level. There are so many new exciting modalities to renew from the inside out which slow down the spiral of aging and gain many good years of health—enabling patients to look and feel young. The body needs the basics of good health first, so I look at detoxification, gut health and exercise, and then test and plan what is best suited for each individual. Keep in mind that the best investment you can make is in your own health, fitness and vitality.

When should I start my antiaging plan? There is a difference between chronological and biological age. You may be only 40 yet your biological age may be 50. Please do not wait until your memory fails you or you cannot dance. Start a customized plan as soon as you can that will help you stay healthy and reclaim vitality and joy. Margarita Kullick, M.D, is a functional and anti-aging medical physician, board certified in Internal Medicine. She combines natural therapies such as hormone replacement with state-of-the-art anti-aging therapies to assess and renew the body from the inside out. For more information, visit nihadc.com/Health-Programs/AntiAging-Medicine-Wash-DC-MD-VA.html. See ad on this page. natural awakenings

September 2017

photos by Stephen Blancett

consciouseating

FABULOUS FAN FARE Healthy Tailgating Foods to Cheer For by Judith Fertig

at, play, party… and repeat. We may call it tailgating, fangating, homegating, a watch party or simply eating with friends before a big game. According to the American Tailgaters Association, in St. Paul, Minnesota, an estimated 50 million Americans tailgate annually. Whether we’re on the road or at home, making the menu healthy is a winning strategy for hosts and guests. Here, two experts divulge their winning ways. Says Debbie Moose, author of Fan Fare: A Playbook of Great Recipes for Tailgating or Watching the Game at Home, Ivy League schools like Princeton and Yale claim credit for pregame picnics that 19th-century sports fans packed into their horse and buggy for local road trips. Moose lives in the tailgate trifecta of the North Carolina triangle, home to Duke, North Carolina and Wake Forest universities. She enjoyed discovering that University of Washington sports fans from the Seattle area like to sail to their chosen picnic spots, while

University of Hawaii folks grill fish on hibachis in Honolulu. Moose naturally prefers healthy, Southern-style fare such as deviled eggs and marinated green bean salad, which can be served hot, cold or at room temperature. “At the game or at home, your guests will be moving around, so go for foods that can be eaten with one hand,” she suggests. She also plans her menu around color, universal appeal and variety because it’s healthier than just serving a mound of barbecued chicken wings and a big bowl of potato chips. She likes recipes that can do double duty; her black bean summer salad with cherry tomatoes and corn can function as a colorful side dish or as a salsa for nonGMO blue corn chips. “Recipes that you can do ahead of time make things easier on game day; just pull them from the fridge and go,” says Moose. Daina Falk, of New York City, grew up around professional athletes because her father, David Falk, is a well-known

Natural Awakenings recommends using organic, non-GMO (genetically modified) and non-bromated ingredients whenever possible. 22

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sports agent. Excitement-generating sports are in her blood and inspired her to write The Hungry Fan’s Game Day Cookbook. She knows that most of the tailgating in her area takes place for football and baseball games and NASCAR races. On HungryFan.com, Falk serves up tips for every fangating/homegating occasion, from the Kentucky Derby to the Super Bowl. “Keep your menu interesting,” says Falk. “I always like to feature a dish for each team. For instance, if you’re hosting an Alabama versus Washington watch party, you could feature an Alabama barbecue dish with white sauce and oysters or other fresh seafood. Both dishes are characteristic of the local foods in the universities’ respective hometowns.” Falk recommends buying more local beer than needed to make sure not to run out. Game day guests can get hot and thirsty, indoors or out. Supply lots of filtered water in non-breakable containers. For easy entertaining, Falk recommends biodegradable dishes and cups. “Whenever there are a lot of people in one room, especially when they’re drinking, a glass will likely be broken,” she says. “Save yourself cleanup and the risk of glass shards by committing to temporary cups and plates that are Earth-friendly and compostable.” Judith Fertig writes cookbooks and foodie fiction from Overland Park, KS (JudithFertig.com).

Michelada—recipe on page 23

Healthy Tailgating Recipes bowl or large re-sealable plastic bag. Pour the dressing in and mix with the vegetables. Refrigerate four hours or overnight, stirring or shaking occasionally. Let come to room temperature before serving. Courtesy of Debbie Moose, Fan Fare: A Playbook of Great Recipes for Tailgating or Watching the Game at Home.

Crowd-Pleasing Marinated Green Beans

Place the sliced onions in a colander over the sink. In a small bowl, stir together the oil, vinegar, salt and pepper until combined. Stir in the garlic. Set aside. When the water comes to a boil, add the green beans. Cover and cook for 5 to 10 minutes or just until the beans are bright green; do not overcook. Pour the beans and hot water over the onions in the colander. Rinse under cold running water to cool down. Drain well for a few minutes. Place the beans and onions in a large

Bake for 18 minutes or until golden brown. Brush the cauliflower with barbecue sauce and return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes. Remove the cauliflower from the baking sheet and plate alongside a dipping sauce of your choice. Adapted from Daina Falk’s HungryFan.com.

Yields: 8 servings Mix this cocktail in a pitcher and serve over ice. Part bloody Mary and part beer, the umami flavor comes from Maggi Seasoning, a bottled condiment available at better grocery stores.

This simple salad is easy to double or triple. Make it the day before the game and refrigerate.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

Dredge each piece of cauliflower in the batter before placing it on the baking sheet.

Michelada

Yields: 8 servings

½ large red onion, thinly sliced 1 /3 cup extra virgin olive oil ¼ cup herb-flavored white wine vinegar or regular white wine vinegar Kosher or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 2 cloves garlic, crushed 2 lb fresh green beans, ends trimmed, but left long

milk until smooth.

Glass Rimmer: Lime wedges (plus more for serving) 2 Tbsp kosher salt ½ tsp chili powder

Vegetarian-Friendly Barbecue Cauliflower Nuggets Yields: 8 appetizer servings Plant-based barbecue is a home run or touchdown. 1 head of cauliflower 1 cup all-purpose or gluten-free flour 1 Tbsp barbecue spice blend 1 cup nut milk of choice 1 cup tomato-based barbecue sauce Accompaniment: Dipping sauce of choice

Michelada: 1 (32 oz) bottle of chilled Clamato (about 4 cups) 1 (32 oz) bottle or 3 (12 oz) bottles chilled Mexican lager ½ cup fresh lime juice 1½ tsp Worcestershire sauce 1 tsp bottled hot sauce 1 tsp bottled Maggi Seasoning For the glass rimmer, mix the kosher salt and chili powder on a small plate. Rub rims of pint glasses with lime wedges and dip in salt mixture. Set aside.

Preheat the oven to 450° F.

Rinse and separate cauliflower florets into small- to medium-sized pieces.

Mix Clamato, lager, lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce and Maggi Seasoning in a large pitcher. Fill glasses with ice, top off with Michelada mixture and garnish with added lime wedges.

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the barbecue spice, flour and nut

Adapted from Judith Fertig’s 500 Mexican Dishes.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

natural awakenings

September 2017

wisewords Zaya and Maurizio Benazzo

JOINING SCIENCE TO SPIRITUALITY

Cash is Convertible

by Linda Sechrist

Convert your cash to their necessities. cidi.org

Washington, D.C.

n 2008, the Sebastopol, California, filmmaking team of Zaya and Maurizio Benazzo created Science and Nonduality (SAND), which later became a nonprofit organization aimed at fostering a new relationship with spirituality that is free from religious dogma, based on timeless wisdom traditions, informed by cutting-edge science and grounded in direct experience. The next year, they organized the first SAND conference, exploring nonduality and the nature of consciousness. Since then, the duo has been producing short films that contribute to the expansion of human awareness, and hosting annual conferences in the U.S. and Europe involving leading scientists, academics and other pioneering thinkers. Thousands of participants from around the world interact in forums and respectful dialogues with luminaries such as Menas Kafatos, Ph.D., a professor of computational physics at Chapman University, in Orange, California; Peter Russell, a theoretical physicist and author of From Science to God: A Physicist’s Journey into the Mystery of Consciousness; Robert Thurman, Ph.D., professor of Tibetan Buddhist studies at Columbia University, in New York City; evolutionary biologist Elisabet Sahtouris, author of EarthDance: Living Systems in Evolution; and Robert Lanza, physician, scientist and co-author of Biocentrism: How Life and Consciousness are the

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Keys to Understanding the True Nature of the Universe.

Where do revelations about a deeper reality begin? MB: Individual and communal explorations often occur around life’s big questions, such as what it means to be conscious and to seek meaning and purpose; the possible place of intuition as the edge where knowledge meets the unknown and unknowable; and how crucial individual awakening is to social transformation.

What is meant by nonduality? ZB: Nonduality is the philosophical, spiritual and scientific understanding of fundamental oneness in which there is no separation. Through quantum mechanics, Western science has reached an understanding of what Eastern mystics have long understood. Duality, generally determined in terms of opposites such as self and other, conscious and unconscious, illusion and reality, as well as separation between the observer and the observed, is an illusion. Nonduality is the understanding that our identifying with common dualisms avoids recognition of a deeper reality. Until recently, human sciences have ignored the problem of consciousness by calling it the “hard problem”. This has led to our present fragmented

worldview rife with chaos, conflict and crises. It may be time for scientists to accept the discoveries of the mystics and consider consciousness intrinsic to every observed scientific phenomenon. Understanding that consciousness is the key to the universe, reality and ourselves may be the missing link in bridging science and spirituality.

What difference can exploring the nature of consciousness make? ZB: Understanding the new science that points to consciousness as allpervasive and the fundamental building block of realityâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;that we are all made of the same essence, like drops in the oceanâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;can change how we approach and harmonize day-to-day living. We can be far more open, peaceful and accepting of others. Absurd violence, as well as economic, social and political crises, could all be things of the past, based on a new quantum understanding of our interconnectedness and oneness.

How has the nonduality movement evolved? MB: SAND has evolved into something we never imagined when we began discussing the ideas that the true spirit of science and spiritually is best supported by an open mind and a nondogmatic inquiry; while science seeks

to understand our external reality and spiritual thinkers seek to understand our inner, personal experience of consciousness, these seemingly different disciplines rarely come together in open dialogue. It became more evident that we werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t looking for scientific answers or proof of what spiritual wisdom traditions teach, but rather to expand the questions asked of both science and spirituality. Open-ended questions arise such as: What if space and time are just useful maps and quantum mechanics is pointing us to a deeper reality more mysterious than we can ever imagine? What if science and spirituality, while responding to our collective aspiration to grow and progress, would no longer need to carry the burden of having all the answers? What if we considered our search open-ended, rather then having to arrive at a grand theory of life or final state of enlightenment? What if, while we probe deeper into reality and who we are, we realize that knowledge gathered will always be just a stepping-stone?

OCT

Coming Next Month Transformative

Travel Plus: Chiropractic October articles include: Life-Changing Travel Selecting a Chiropractor Bone-Density Exercises and so much more!

For information about the 2017 conference in San Jose from Oct. 18 to 22, visit ScienceAndNonduality.com. Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. Connect at ItsAllAboutWe.com.

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September 2017

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Center Yourself Around Your Bones The Benefits of Yoga for Bone-Health Growing old is not for the weak (especially the weak-boned). by Susan Brady

his year, 2 million people will break a bone due to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by loss of bone mass as we age, resulting in bones that are weak and fragile, increasing risk for fractures. There are no symptomsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel your bones weakening, and unfortunately, breaking a bone is often the first sign that you have osteoporosis. Although many people believe that osteoporosis is a normal part of the aging process, and while it is typical to lose some bone mass as you age, osteoporosis is not an inevitable part of aging and can be prevented, halted and in some cases overcome. There are many things you can do to keep your bones healthy as you age. Proper nutrition, optimizing your digestion, reducing stress, weight-

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bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises and smart supplementation are all things you can do to keep your bones strong. Yoga, an ancient method that promotes fitness of the body, mind and soul, is a perfect adjunct to supporting your bones and keeping them strong and fit. It can be a safe mode of physical activity that includes weight-bearing, as well as nonweight bearing asana, pranayama (breath work) and meditation, all of which has been shown to improve bone mineral density in post-menopausal osteoporotic females. Ancient yoga is all about finding that healthy balance. Many Western yoga studios and gyms often focus solely on the asana, the physical practice, which helps strengthen the body.

Yet, the spiritual practice of yoga is just as important for nurturing your bones. Pranayama, meaning life-force, focuses on breath work that is vital for cellular energy and relaxation. Meditation messages to the body that you are safe to relax, repair, rest and digest. The yoga sutra describes sthira and sukha, translated to “finding the balance between” effort and ease.

such that even a non-traumatic event, such as a sneeze, can result in a vertebral compression fracture. Yoga movements involving spinal flexion or extreme twisting can increase risk for vertebral fractures, however, there is evidence that a combination of mild spinal flexion and extension may prove beneficial. Some flexion poses can be performed more safely if done ensuring that the flexion comes from the hip and not the spine and twisting is performed slowly and only through midrange. It is also important to focus on poses that enhance balance. No two people have the same degree of bone loss and it is important to be knowledgeable in what poses are safe for you. It is wise to find a yoga instructor with a rehabilitation specialty who can modify poses to make them safe for people with fragile bones. A healthy yoga practice is safe and produces feelgood hormones and endorphins and aids bone health. Our miraculous body is selfhealing and self-repairing, but only if

The benefits of yoga for people with osteoporosis include:

■ Safe weight-bearing exercises to stimulate bone remodeling ■ Strengthening of the muscles of the back and neck to protect against fractures and improve postural alignment ■ Stretching of the muscle of the chest to improve breathing, digestion and postural alignment ■ Exercises to improve balance, reducing the risk of falls ■ Controlled flow of movements to enhance lymphatic flow aiding the immune system in removing and destroying pathogens, as well as encouraging the movement of essential nutrients inside the bone and removal of toxins

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Everything in the body is interconnected, so it is natural that practicing yoga would be beneficial to supporting the health of our bones. However, being mindful of exercises that can increase the risk of fracture in people with osteoporosis is important. The “no pain, no gain” mentality is counterproductive. Movements that are too rapid, too forceful or produce too extreme of a stretch could fracture brittle bones. The vertebrae of individuals with osteoporosis are very fragile,

Susan Brady, founder of Nurtured Bones, is a physical therapist, doctor of integrative medicine and nutrition consultant whose practice is dedicated to helping you keep your bones strong and healthy, practicing in Northern Virginia. Her Strong BONES Method provides an integrated system of assessing and addressing all aspects of building and maintaining a healthy skeletal system. Nurtured Bones provides a holistic approach to building strong, healthy bones so you can age with vibrancy and vitality. Brady provides a free 15-minute consult for anyone wanting to learn more about her method and how it can help you achieve better bone health. For more information, call 703-738-4230, email at Susan@ NurturedBones.com or visit Nurtured Bones.com. See ad, page 35.

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■ Breath work to release stress and decrease the circulation of the hormone cortisol which causes the breakdown of bone ■ Meditation to stimulate our parasympathetic nervous system which signals relaxation throughout the body—most of us live in a constant state of stress and you cannot build bone, digest food, or heal and repair when your body thinks it is running for its life

cared for appropriately. Yoga integrates all aspects of health and wellbeing. The integration of the physical, energetic (breath), mental-emotional and spirit that yoga delivers allows healing of the whole being, including your bones.

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September 2017

healthybody

Combat the Changes of Aging With Optimized Nutrition by Elizabeth McMillan

here are certain facts of life, like normal wear-and-tear on a system and aging. Aging is a physiological process that can be done gracefully with a healthy lifestyle, filled with a balanced diet and physical activity. As we age, there are structural changes in the body that affect nutrient intakes, like changes in smell, cognition, digestive motility and nutrient balance. With normal wear-and-tear on the body, one of the first functions to slow down is digestion. This slowing greatly impacts healthy nutrition. To breakdown and metabolize foods, the digestion tract secretes enzymes and mucus; as we age these secretions lessen. Therefore, it is common to become more constipated as we age. Sufficient intakes of fiber, daily physical activity and proper hydration balance help to maintain intestinal fluidity. Irregular bowel movements not only impact digestion and absorption 28

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but also lead to changes in the kidneys, lungs and liver. Constipation can also slow the immune system. As people age, there are also changes in sight, peripheral vision, hearing, smell and taste. These changes drastically impact nutrient needs because sight and taste are the first steps of digestion. When food does not smell or taste the same as it once did, it most often will not get eaten. Adding more flavor and seasonings may help with this; herbs like thyme, rosemary and basil have an aromatic alertness that satisfies. Decreased visual acuteness may also lead to less activity and a fear of cooking on the stove. It will also impact the ability to read nutritional labels and recipes. Although this seems like a minor change, it can drastically alter nutritional status over time. In addition, energy requirements tend to decrease in senior years, however, adequate daily nutrient intake requirement remains the same. While calorie

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intakes are decreasing, it is vital to obtain the necessary nutrient intakes. This means balancing intakes for more nutrient-dense foods like fresh fruits and vegetables verses processed sources. Higher intakes of foods rich in folate, vitamins B-12, C and A are especially important. Water, often the neglected nutrient, is also vital. Research shows that even small decreases in fluid affect cognition. Many seniors have difficulty obtaining enough fluids because they are simply less thirsty. Another forgotten nutrient is fiber. Fiber increases bulk in the intestines and helps to decrease instances of constipation. Fiber is also excellent at helping to reduce inflammation and cholesterol spikes. Other important nutrients to consider balancing are protein, calcium, vitamin D, B vitamins, vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients can be maintained through a balanced, whole-foods diet. Cognitive changes that occur during aging are affected by several vitamin intakes. Some of the nutrients involved are antioxidants, healthy fats and B vitamins. There is also a strong association with vitamin E and its protective measurements. DHA, an essential fatty acid found in fish, is also extremely important in repairing and maintaining cognitive function. Oxidative stress is another key factor that affects brain function. Higher intakes of antioxidants can eliminate the oxidative damage. Many of these nutrients that are associated with improving dementia exceed the dairy recommended intakes, and should be advised under guidance from a medical professional. Although such changes in our sight, smell, digestion and cognitive function come with age, it is important to note that maintaining nutrient balance is the key to aging gracefully. Such physiological changes can be altered with a holistic approach that focuses on decreasing chronic diseases while equally improving the quality of our lives. Elizabeth McMillan, MS, CNS, LDN, practices integrative nutrition therapy at Rose Wellness Center, in Oakton, VA. She specializes in digestive health, chronic inflammation, energy optimization and weight problems. McMillan will work with your physician and your personal goals in order to create energizing wellness for a lifetime to come. For more information, visit RoseWellness.com. See ad, page 11.

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Additionally, make sure to…

The True Meaning of Anti-Aging

■ Eliminate all toxins from your face and personal care products like parabens and sulfates, as well as housecleaning products. ■ Undergo seasonal detoxes to keep your body functioning optimally and keep your channels of elimination open. Detoxing helps to eliminate all sorts of toxins from the body, including endotoxins—those formed by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. ■ Decrease inflammation in your body through an elimination diet and heal your leaky gut. Chronic inflammation is the gateway to dis-ease. ■ Improve your sleep—it’s the quality of the hours you are getting. Sleep in a pitch-black room, start winding down two hours before bed, put your phone on airplane mode and don’t exercise two hours before bed.

Living a Life Geared to Healthy Aging by Dr. Isabel Sharkar

nti-aging products are flooding the market, yet do they really work? When it comes to true anti-aging, you can never start too soon. Unfortunately, the anti-aging we are looking for doesn’t come in a cream base, wrapped in a pretty package. Living a life that is geared toward anti-aging is the true key toward healthy aging. Aging begins in your cells as disease begins on a cellular-molecular level. In your cells are tiny little power plants known as mitochondria that are the epicenter for energy production. Adenosine triphosphate or ATP is the energy your body uses to fuel your daily activities. Healthy mitochondria are the bedrock for optimal energy production, vibrant aging and protection against oxidative stress. With age, mitochondria decline and become weaker. Fortunately, there are numerous things any person can do to prevent mitochondrial and cellular aging now. Everyone can benefit at any age from eating a clean, organic diet, drink-

ing two to three liters of natural spring water a day, exercising and sweating, avoiding processed foods and refined sugar, minimizing alcohol and avoiding tobacco, getting an adequate amount of sunshine and vitamin D while preventing sunburn. All of these things alone will halt the aging process and preserve healthy skin. With this basic foundation, you can give yourself the best skin, body and health possible as you age. Incorporating healthy habits now is the best way to approach anti-aging. The main goal is to minimize oxidative stress in the body. Increase your antioxidant (ECGC, resveratrol, vitamin C, glutathione) intake especially as you approach your thirties, in addition to maintaining proper zinc, selenium and silica levels. Eat for beauty. Eating plenty of phytonutrients from dark leafy greens, vegetables, berries, good quality fats and drink plenty of green juice. Maintain proper nutrient levels in your body with a simple micronutrient testing and test your telomeres to see how quickly your body is aging.

■ Exercise and break a sweat. Exercise improves cognitive performance, enhances memory, reverses depression, slows or stops mental decline associated with aging and prevents dementia. In head-to-head studies, exercise beats or equals Prozac as an antidepressant. ■ Meditate and decrease stress in your body. Stress is highly underrated and a huge culprit to dis-ease. Every time you worry and go in fear, your brain sends chemical signals to your body to react and with enough repetition this chronic stress can have detrimental effects on your body. There are no quick fixes to reverse aging. Sure, you can opt for plastic surgery, but that doesn’t mean that you are adding years to your life. Beauty is from the inside out. The more you take care of your body, the more it will age gracefully. Anti-aging is an art form and life is a ritual. Isabel Sharkar, ND, is a licensed naturopathic physician and co-owner of Indigo Integrative Health Clinic, in Georgetown. For more information, call 202-298-9131 or visit Indigo HealthClinic.com. See ad, page 2.

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September 2017

practitionerspotlight

Giving and Receiving Energy Healing

A Spotlight on Juana Sancho Davila Moreland

riginally from Lima, Peru, Juana Sancho Davila Moreland started her career as a healer after receiving a bachelor’s degree in social work from Catholic University, in Lima. She followed that up with a master’s degree in social work at Howard University, after moving to the United States. Trained as a family therapist and trauma specialist, Moreland worked as a clinical social worker bilingual psychotherapist for D.C.’s Department of Behavioral Health-Multicultural Program. After 25 years in that position, she retired to start a private practice with her husband, Robert. Together, they launched the Inca Energy Integrative Health and Wellness Center which offers a variety of energy healing therapies. For the past 12 years, she has integrated her knowledge, training and different energy healing modalities for many who seek her healing touch and presence. Juana has a great deal of expertise in a wide range of therapies. She is certified as a Comprehensive Energy Psychology Diplomate (DCEP) and in Eden Energy Medicine–Clinical (EEMC). She is also trained in Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) and is an acupressurist. As an active

Washington, D.C.

member of the Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology (ACEP), she serves on the International Committee and is an active member of the National Association for Social Workers and the Association of Professional Women. Juana uses her skills as a licensed clinical social worker, holistic psychotherapist and as a wellness educator as the tools in her toolbox to reach and heal her patients where they most need help. As part of her treatment, she embraces contemplative practices to access infinite potential and inner wisdom. With Robert, an Energy Psychology practitioner and I Rest Yoga Nidra meditation teacher, they live their passion to teach integrative health modalities—to empower people in self-healing and professional growth. They offer EEM classes and workshops on a variety of topics including different types of therapy practices, mindfulness meditation, energy principles and explore the neuroscience that helps to create optimal health and authentic heartcentered living. One aspect of their work is based on Energy Psychology (EP), which is sometimes called the “accupressusre of

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the emotions”. It is a self-empowerment approach that draws from ancient spiritual practices and healing traditions. EP combines tools for conventional psychotherapy such as focused imagination, visualization, cognitive behavior therapy, with tools from healing and spiritual practices such as yoga, tai chi and qigong, among others. It is designed to improve psychological, physical and mental well-being. The Morelands also use Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), which are the best-known and researched energy psychology methods. These techniques complement other approaches to medical care, offering a complete system for selfcare and self-help by addressing physical illness and emotional or mental disorders. EFT can also promote high-level wellness and peak performance. The technique is based on the idea that any person can heal their body by activating its natural healing energies. It is possible to heal the body by restoring energies that have become weak, disturbed or out of balance. To accomplish personal health goals, energy medicine utilizes techniques from healing traditions such as acupuncture, yoga, kinesiology and qigong. Juana finds that flow, balance and harmony can be non-invasively restored and maintained within an energy system by tapping, massaging, pinching, twisting or connecting specific energy points (acupoints) on the skin or by tracing or swirling the hand over the skin along specific energy pathways. Also, there are exercises or postures designed for specific energetic effects and by focused use of the mind to move specific energies or by surrounding an area with healing energies, healing can take place. When asked what keeps them motivated, Juana notes that, “The connection and relationship within our individual self, as a couple (married for 25 years) and others, including friends, clients and family expands our spirit, enriches our souls and strengthens our beliefs that we are just one connected with love, empathy and compassion. That is what you get when you practice on your own and what you give to others and more. That keeps us going—this giving and receiving.” Location: 10440 Shaker Dr., Ste. 203, Columbia, MD. For more information, call 410-292-5149 or visit EnergyTherapy CEUWorkshops.com. See ad, page 33.

Yoga Directory BIKRAM YOGA IVY CITY

BIKRAM YOGA TAKOMA PARK

BYIC is located off New Yo r k Ave., in the old Hechts Warehouse District, near My Organic Market, Planet Fitness, BicycleSpace and Hierarchy CrossFit. It boasts plenty of parking (in the lot and on the street), a 1,700-squarefoot hot room and radiant heat panels. Call this your home away from home. A range of classes are offered at this location including Bikram Hot Yoga (60-minute and 90-minute sessions) and hot Pilates.

BYTP is located in the heart of Takoma Park is your community studio. It boasts a spacious hot room and a cozy community area where you can meet and greet fellow yogis. Parking is available on the street as well as in the lot in the back of the building. The heating system uses radiant heat panels to heat your bodies from inside out, from bones to your skin. Come try a class and get all hot and unbothered. New classes are being offered, including hour-long express classes and hot Pilates.

1510 Okie St, NE 202-288-5745 Info@BikramYogaRiveric.com BikramYogaRiveric.com

BIKRAM YOGA RIVERDALE PARK 6202 Rhode Island Ave, Ste 200 Riverdale Park, MD 301-699-1300 Info@BikramYogaRiveric.com BikramYogaRiveric.com

BYRP is located minutes f r o m t h e University of Maryland, College Park and the historic Hyattsville Arts District. This location boasts plenty of on-site parking, a large community space for events and a stateof-the-art hot yoga room that utilizes the latest technology to heat the room and help you work up a sweat. Bikram Yoga Riverdale Park is your community yoga studio, an oasis away from home.

7324 Carroll Ave, Takoma Park, MD 301-270-4777 Info@BikramYogaRiveric.com BikramYogaRiveric.com

EAST MEETS WEST YOGA CENTER 8227 Old Courthouse Rd, Ste 310 Vienna, VA • 703-356-9642 YoginiDawn@yahoo.com EastMeetsWestCenter.com

RAJ YOGA CENTER

22821 Silverbrook Center Dr, Unit 160, 2nd Fl, Sterling, VA 703-376 3433 Info@RajYoga.org • RajYoga.org Welcoming, serene yoga center. Daily classes: Kundalini yoga, vinyasa and c h i l d re n’s yo g a . Meditations, music and tea. Beautiful uplifting space to rejuvenate, strengthen, relax mind body and soul.

YOGA 4 ALL BODIES

1321-B Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 301-294-9642 Thrive@ThriveYoga.com ThriveYoga.com

East Meets West Yoga Center is a premier studio located in the Tysons Corner/Vienna, Vi r g i n i a a r e a . We provide a safe, tranquil and supportive environment to practice, allowing individuals to open to the possibilities of what could be. Our teachers/educators are a community of knowledgeable, dedicated yoga practitioners with years of experience, open to teaching a variety of yoga styles to allow each student to flourish. We celebrate the uniqueness of each student, where students’ requests are heard and responded to positively. We offer classes in hatha, vinyasa, gentle, prenatal and so much more.

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New to yoga, have physical matters, or want to improve your practice? We adapt to your body. Build strength, f l e x ibi l it y and e q u a n i m it y i n warm, positive space.

September 2017

yogaminispotlights

Leanne Roque and Yoga 4 All Bodies

t Yoga 4 All Bodies, the priority for founder Leanne Cusumano Roque is to help her students alleviate suffering and increase joy through yoga. All students are welcome and poses can be adapted for all body types. As a certified Iyengar yoga teacher and an IAYT Certified Yoga Therapist, Roque focuses on making poses accessible to all while creating a warm, positive space for practice. Students focus on proper alignment and technique to grow systematic intelligence, which means they live more comfortably in their body and self. Students build strength, flexibility and equanimity, and improve overall health. Roque has been practicing yoga since 2006. A friend suggested she give it a try. “Although I had no idea what to expect, a book I read suggested starting when I could practice every day for six months. I waited until I could make that commitment, and started. At the end of six months of daily practice, I knew yoga was an incredible gift. I found yoga addresses the entire person— physical, mental, emotional and spiritual,” notes Roque. She found that a regular practice grounded her, and made her stronger and healthier than she had ever been in her life. For several years, she explored different yoga traditions—from Bikram to vinyasa to hatha to anusaura. When she discovered Iyengar yoga, she knew she had found a tradition and practice that would change her life. According to Roque, “Iyengar yoga has been a constant companion and help as I have navigated various injuries and life transitions. It has allowed me to have a positive influence on my ongoing health and well-being.” Students at Yoga 4 All Bodies range in ages from 25 to 75 and come in all shapes, sizes, colors and genders. Many people who walk through the door have tried other types of yoga classes but haven’t yet found a match for them, sometimes due to physical matters. Students, whether practitioners or practitioner teachers, also find Yoga 4 All Bodies when they want to understand why they are doing what they are doing, what the effect is of a sequence or a particular pose, or how to sequence a personal practice. When asked why she enjoys teaching yoga, Roque beams. “I love-love-love when a practitioner gets to know their own body better and is then able to care for themselves in a way that brings long-term well-being. It is very exciting to see students have that breakthrough.” Location: 12021 Creekbend Dr., Fairfax County Pkwy., Reston. For more information, call 703-297-2224 or visit Yoga4AllBodies.com. 32

Washington, D.C.

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Raj Yoga and Upcoming Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training

aj Yoga Center opened as a community-owned nonprofit in 1975 with one focus—to teach and share Kundalini yoga. Known as the “yoga of awareness”, Kundalini yoga offers innumerable physical, spiritual and mental benefits, and can be practiced by all ages and abilities. Some of the rewards Kundalini offers include increased flexibility, stress management, body and mind awareness, healing, aura expansion, strengthening the spirit and uplifting the mood. Kundalini is being explored in memory research (see Kundalini-Yoga-Info.com/Alzheimers-AndKundalini-Yoga.html) as it activates different parts of the brain, as well as in the expanding field of sleep research. Beginning this fall, Raj Yoga will offer a 220-hour course of Kundalini Yoga Level One teacher training program, from September through May. With 180 hours of classroom instruction in a well-defined curriculum will include topics such as: Kundalini Kriyas and meditations; asana, breath, mudra and mantra; awakening consciousness; yogic and Western anatomy; yogic philosophy; the origin of Kundalini Yoga; humanology and yogic lifestyle; and the role of a Kundalini Yoga teacher. Participants are encouraged to explore their creative potential, transform themselves, while they elevate others. The Aquarian Teacher Certification program is open to yoga students ready to become teachers—from beginner to advanced—and those who wish to immerse themselves in the science and art of Kundalini yoga. Payment plans are available. The Center offers evening classes Monday through Thursday and morning classes on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. For those unable to sit on the floor during class, chairs and alternative instructions are offered. The Center spreads its love and respect for yoga by opening its doors to volunteers, guest teachers, workshops and concerts. Location: 22821 Silverbrook Center Dr., Ste. 160, 2nd Fl., Sterling, VA. For a full list of events and classes, go to RajYoga.org, and for updates on classes, specials and Kundalini research, follow them on Facebook.

Bikram Yoga

ikram Hot Yoga Riverdale Park, Takoma Park and Ivy City have joined the “movement movement” and offer a range of wellness classes and services at their three locations. Bikram Yoga, which offers many health benefits, is complemented by other classes such as Inferno Hot Pilates, LifeStretch and Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST). Bikram yoga is perhaps the perfect sequence of strengthening and lengthening exercises. But when it comes to building the healthiest tissue, variety is key. In addition to a regular Bikram class, practitioners should start to add classes into their regimen that work specifically on strengthening or lengthening, depending on which “movement medicine” they need more. Practitioners that are flexible but not strong tend to lack stability in end-range motion. These clients should be incorporating Hot Pilates to help build core strength and stability. Practitioners that are strong but not flexible should be training the fascia. Roughly half of the body’s flexibility is trapped in this body-wide net that connects and surrounds muscles, bones and joints. LifeStretch is a 60-minute functional mobility stretch class with a variety of flowing, pain-free mobilizations designed specifically to manipulate, lengthen, realign, reorganize and rehydrate the fascia. This non-heated class can be enjoyed with any of our membership packages. FST is an assisted stretch which targets the fascia. FST also targets the entire joint and joint capsule, using traction to remove restrictions. Benefits include increased range of motion, muscular balance and symmetry, improved physical performance, reduced pain and risk of injury, and improved posture and circulation. A 30-minute intro stretch can be booked for just $30. Locations: Riverdale Park, 6202 Rhode Island Ave., Ste. 200, Riverdale Park, MD; Ivy City, 1510 Okie St., NE, Washington, D.C.; Takoma Park, 7324 Carroll St., Takoma Park, MD. To see the full class and workshop schedule, visit BikramYogaRiverIC.com.

East Meets West Yoga Center

ast Meets West Yoga Center is a premier studio located in the Tysons Corner/Vienna, Virginia area, with individuals coming from all over the greater metro area to enjoy the lifechanging benefits of yoga. Under the thoughtful and skillful leadership of owner, Dawn Curtis, East Meets West Yoga Center has been bringing the practice of yoga as well as education about yoga to the community for more than a decade as of this past July. They provide a safe, tranquil and supportive environment to practice, allowing individuals to open to the possibilities of what could be. Even their website is full of information for those looking to begin a practice with practical information about the things a new yoga enthusiast might need to feel comfortable with this new lifestyle. This includes classes in gentle yoga as well. It is important to Curtis and her teachers that yoga be made accessible to everyone. This has been an important component of their work since opening a one-room studio in 2006. In the preceding years, they have grown into their current location of 5,900 square feet, with four different studio spaces and 20 teachers. East Meets West Yoga Center’s staff of teachers and educators is a community of knowledgeable, dedicated yoga practitioners with years of experience. These teachers are open to offering a variety of yoga styles, to allow each student to flourish. Location: 8227 Old Courthouse Rd., #310, Vienna. For more information, visit EastMeetsWestCenter.com. natural awakenings

September 2017

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.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

Yoga, 8227 Old Courthouse Rd, Ste 310, Vienna, VA. Info: AngelaBlueskies.com.

Forklift First Friday – 6-8pm. Drink, dine and dance while you shop. Join us for a pop-up market with live folk music from The Iris Bell, a mystery sale, local artists, craft beer and wine, sushi and rice bowls from the Maki Shop Food Truck. All ages and friendly, leashed pets welcome. Community Forklift, 4671 Tanglewood Dr, Edmonston MD. Info: 301-933-2912 or CommunityForklift. org/News-Events/Forklift-First-Fridays.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

specialevent Take Back Your Health Conference

At Take Back Your Health, experts teach you how to live free from the pain of chronic disease, like cancer, Lyme and autoimmunity. Learn exactly what healthy steps you need to take today, in order to change your life tomorrow.

Saturday, Sept. 2 to Sunday, Sept. 3 Tysons Corner Marriott 8028 Leesburg Pike, Tysons, VA. Register: TakeBackYourHealthConference.com.

Khusi Hona Drive 4 Change - Sound Voyage – 6-9pm. Join with us for D4C - Sound Voyage a silent yoga experience combining ancient practice with modern technology by incorporating noise-isolating, glowing headphones by Soundoff Experience and the sounds of DJ Karri Om. $30 for members and $35 for non-members. Be Here Now Yoga DC, 411 8th St, SE. Register: 202-643-8875 or BeHereNowYogaDC.com/ Workshops. Info: BeHereNowYogaDC.com.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 Pilates Mat Class – 9-10am. Pilates mat workout open to all levels. $19. Elements Center, 2233 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 217, NW. Register: FrontDesk@ ElementsCenter.com. Info: ElementsCenter.com.

Be a Yogi Now – 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training – 7:30am-9:30pm. Through Nov 19. BHNY’s 200-hour Teacher Training will give you all the skills needed to be an effective yoga teacher or yogi. We will explore all eight limbs of yoga with an emphasis on: physical and subtle anatomy, psychic anatomy, pranayama, asana postures, etc. $3200. Be Here Now Yoga DC, 411 8th St, SE. Register: BeHereNowYogaDC.com/FallTeacherTraining. Info: 202-643-8875 or BeHereNowYogaDC.com. Munay-Ki: Initiation into the Shamanic Healing Tradition of Peru – 6pm. Through Sunday September 10. The Munay–Ki are the codes for the new human. They are delivered in the form of energetic transmissions. These Rites are given as the next step in the evolution of humanity, to realign and attune our neuropathways and truly shift human consciousness. $395 and $275 renewal of Rites. East Meets West Yoga, 8227 Old Courthouse Rd, Ste 310, Vienna, VA. Info: AngelaBlueskies.com.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 Creating a Heart-Centered Home with Feng Shui – 10am-12pm. Learn to use furnishings, colors and personal treasures to enhance the beauty, comfort and harmony of your home. The result, more space for love. $90. Robin Buck, Feng Shui Consultant at Refresh Interiors, Takoma Park/Silver Spring (location provided at registration). Register: RefreshInteriorsDC.com/Events. Info: 301920-0678 or Robin@RefreshInteriorsDC.com. Mindfulness for Stress Management – 12-2pm. Learn simple mindfulness practices to improve your health and well-being. Mindfulness can play a significant role in coping with stress, improving health, even in treating chronic diseases. $40. The Mindfulness Center, 4963 Elm St, Ste 100, Bethesda, MD. Register: 301-986-1090 or TheMindfulnessCenter@gmail.com. Honoring Gaia’s Sacredness – 1-4:30pm. Join Gaia Mystic Mare Cromwell for a rich workshop learning more about Gaia/Earth Mother and how to

Gyrotonic Intermediate Level – 10-11am. For people with some prior experience of Gyrotonic tower exercise. $35. Elements Center, 2233 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 217, NW. Register: FrontDesk@ ElementsCenter.com. Info: ElementsCenter.com.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 Transformational Sound Medicine Sessions – 11am-7pm. With Angela Blueskies. Private sessions offer clients the opportunity to create an experience that is specific to their needs and intentions. In this intimate space it is possible to experience profound physical, emotional and spiritual release. By appointment only, for one or two people, 70 to 90 minutes. $150. East Meets West

Washington, D.C.

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more powerfully connect with her. $40. East Meets West Yoga Center, 8227 Old Courthouse Rd, Ste 310, Vienna, VA. Register: EastMeetsWestCenter. com. Info: 703-356-9642.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

specialevent Illuminate Columbia Mind-Body-Spirit Festival

A wonder-filled day of natural health and spiritual rebalancing! Sample acupuncture, massage, reiki, reflexology, energy healing, essential oils, crystals, intuitive readers and much more. $5; free admission for active and veteran military and children 16 and under.

Saturday, Sept. 10 • 11am-6pm Illuminate Festivals DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Columbia, 5485 Twin Knolls Rd, Columbia, MD Info: IlluminateColumbia.com

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 Laughter Yoga – 6:30-7:30pm. Please join us for a playful and fun practice that has been proven to reduce stress and strengthen the immune system. The session ends with a silent meditation. Free. Arlington Central Library auditorium, 1015 N Quincy St, Arlington, VA. Info: ArlingtonLaughterYoga@yahoo.com.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 Vinyasa Class: Teacher in Training – 8:309:30am. Join one of our talented teacher trainees, Mary Kearns, as she offers this vinyasa class open to the community. Support her path as an instructor as she applies what she has learned over the course of our Refresh 200-Hour Teacher Training Program. Free. Refresh Yoga Center, 110 King St, 2nd Floor, Alexandria, VA. Register: RefreshYogaCenter.com/Classes/Class-Schedule. Info: RefreshYogaCenter.com.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 Weekend Meditation Retreat – 6:30-9:30pm. Through Sept 16. Be guided deep into the realms of personal awareness and integration. As the practitioner, learn to deepen your practice and learn to guide others to do the same. The Mindfulness Center, 4963 Elm St, Ste 100, Bethesda, MD. Register: 301986-1090 or TheMindfulnessCenter@gmail.com.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 Women as Powerful Change-Makers: Elevating Our Voices and Making an Impactful Difference – 11am-5pm. If you are looking for renewed energy in your social justice activism, come and join a group of women ready to be effective change makers, naming truths with fierce and caring voice and creating bridges over gaps of differences. It starts with you. Inquire for scholarships and tuition relief. $95. Peace Circle Center, The Viva Center, 1731 Connecticut Ave, NW. Register: PeaceCircleCenter. org/?wp_Events=Women-as-Powerful-ChangeMakers-Elevating-Our-Voices-and-Making-anImpactful-Difference. Info: PeaceCircleCenter.org.

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202-505-4835 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 Make Your Own Natural Perfume – 10am12pm. Enjoy a hands-on lesson on crafting your own natural perfume. After an explanation of the properties of various essential oils and absolutes, enjoy formulating your own personalized scent using perfume-grade ingredients. $70. Gala Artisan Jewelry & Gifts, 10417 Armory Ave, Kensington, MD. Register: 301-933-2912. Info: GalaArtisans. com/Gala/EventsWorkshops. Calm Your Inner Critic – 2-5pm. This 3-hour educational workshop will examine our inner critic (negative thoughts - false scripts) that get us caught up in feelings of unworthiness, self-judgment and self-doubt. $30. East Meets West Yoga Center, 8227 Old Courthouse Rd, Ste 310, Vienna, VA. Register: EastMeetsWestCenter.com. Info: 703-356-9642.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 Bedroom Eyes: Inviting Intimacy with Feng Shui – 7-9pm. Sometimes we put things in the way of loving relationships. Using feng shui, we can replace barriers with beautifully heart-opening possibilities. $90. Robin Buck, Feng Shui Consultant at Refresh Interiors, Takoma Park/Silver Spring (location provided at registration). Register: RefreshInteriorsDC.com/Events. Info: 301-920-0678 or Robin@RefreshInteriorsDC.com.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 Fall Session - Iyengar Yoga All Levels – 5:456:45pm and 7:15-8:30pm. Through Dec 14. Fall yoga session starts. Classes on Wednesdays, Thursday, and Saturdays. Beginners, all levels and for students working with inversions. Practice can be modified to accommodate various physical conditions. First class is always free. Additional class costs range from $20-25 per drop-in or $160240 for entire fall session. Yoga 4 All Bodies, 12021 Creekbend Dr, Reston, VA. Info: 703-297-2224 or Yoga4AllBodies.com. Holistic Moms Network Arlington/Alexandria Chapter Meeting – 7-9pm. Pediatric Neuropsychologist Dr. Caroline Ba will discuss assessing and treating neurodevelopmental disorders (dyslexia, ADD/ADHD, etc.) in children. Holistic Moms Network Arlington/Alexandria Chapter, Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, 4444 Arlington Blvd, Arlington, VA. Info: Chapters. HolisticMoms.org/Chapters/VA-Arlington.

Stress, Hormones and Health – 7-8pm. Free talk about why it is so tough to lose that belly fat. How stress affects everything when it comes to hormones. What you can do about it. Free. Regenasyst Wellness, 6820 Commercial Dr, Springfield, VA. Register: Info@TreatYourselfToHealth.com. Info: 703-454-9326x0.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

specialevent Kundalini Yoga Level One Teacher Training Program Certified instructors, Gurudass Kaur, Sat Kartar Singh, Gurunater Kaur and Kartar Singh, present this training through the Aquarian Teacher KRI Level One Teacher Training Program. Level One is a 220-hour course with 180 hours of classroom instruction in a well-defined curriculum.

Friday, Sept. 22 through May 2018

Raj Yoga, 22821 Silverbrook Center Dr, Ste 160 Sterling, VA. Info: 703-376-3433 or Info@ RajYoga.org or RajYoga.org/Teacher-Training.

Yin Yoga Teacher Training Module 1 – 5:30pm. Through Sept 24. Submerge yourself into the depths of Yin Yoga with this 3-part training. Sign up for 1 or more modules. The weekend modules (3 days/module) can be taken independently for 30 hours of teacher training each. $349. Be Here Now Yoga DC, 411 8th St, SE. Register: BeHereNow YogaDC.com/Yin-Yoga-Training. Info: 202-6438875 or BeHereNowYogaDC.com.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

specialevent CrossFit, Bike, Yoga! This fall Bicycle Space, CrossFit Hierarchy, and Bikram Yoga Ivy City will host its first triathlon that will welcome people in the DMV interested in getting fit for a cause. Proceeds from this event will go towards a program for underprivileged D.C. residents. Participate in a 1-hour CrossFit workout, bike ride and 90-minute Bikram Yoga session. After the event, participants will meet at the Ivy City Smokehouse for some refreshments. The event will be complete with raffles and amazing prizes—memberships, swag and other great giveaways.

Saturday, September 23

$65. Register: BikramYogaRiverIC.com. Family Constellation: Reconnecting to Self – 9am-2pm. We all have "blockages" and "baggages" that we carry internally from our families. Come and discover the power of Family Constellation to liberate yourself and find more of your truths. $75 early bird by Sept 8 or $95 regular tuition. Core To Coeur LLC with Mali Parke, Josephine Butler Park Center, 2437 15th St, NW. Register: Core2Coeur.com/Event/Family-Constellation-Exploration-Day. Info: Core2Coeur.com.

specialevent Why Isn’t My Thyroid Medicine Working Anymore?

We will talk about how stress and your immune system affect the functioning of the thyroid and the thyroid hormone. We will also talk about what causes you to gain weight and lose weight in response to hormones and stress

Saturday, Sept. 23 • 11am to 12pm Regenasyst Wellness (formerly Om Wellness), 6820 Commercial Dr, Springfield, VA. Register: TreatYourselftoHealth.com. Info: 703-454-9326 x0.

Tai Chi for Fall Prevention – 1:30-3:30pm. To bring awareness to fall prevention, Cynthia

natural awakenings

September 2017

Calendar A wonderful resource for filling your workshops, seminars and other events.

Maltenfort will present a workshop specifically designed for balance. This workshop presents an effective and novel approach to balance rehabilitation. $25. East Meets West Yoga Center, 8227 Old Courthouse Rd, Ste 310, Vienna, VA. Register: EastMeetsWestCenter.com. Info: 703-356-9642.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 Fall Equinox Yoga Mala – 1-3pm. Please join us in celebrating the equinox and welcoming fall. Marco will lead us through the practice of 108 sun salutations (12 rounds of 9), offering an optional yin pose in between each set. We will finish with a yoga nidra. $22 for members and $28 for nonmembers. Be Here Now Yoga DC, 411 8th St, SE. Register: 202-643-8875 or BeHereNowYogaDC. com/Workshops. Info: BeHereNowYogaDC.com.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 Women Healing Women Through Sacred Circle Program – 7-9pm. Wednesdays through Nov 8. This is a 7-week self-discovery program for women of all ages utilizing the power of ritual, self-inquiry, journaling, movement, creative expression, visualization, guided meditations and more. Join facilitator, Karen Tasto, in this safe container for engaging with other awakening women in meaningful and inspiring ways. Learn new tools and practices every week for living with more vibrancy, connection and balance. The Happy Yogi, 16650 Georgia Ave, Olney, MD. Register: The HappyYogi.com. Info: OpenHeartMaryland.com.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training – 6pm. Through Oct 1. This program is perfect for the avid yoga student who wants to become a yoga teacher or anyone that wants to deepen their personal practice. Scholarships available. The Mindfulness Center, 4963 Elm St, Ste 100, Bethesda, MD. Register: 301-9861090 or Roxanne@TheMindfulnessCenter.org.

Two styles available: n Calendar of Dated Events: Designed for events on a specific date of the month. n Calendar of Ongoing Events: Designed for recurring events that fall on the same day each week. Contact us for guidelines so we can assist you through the process. We’re here to help!

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Washington, D.C.

Stress, Hormones and Health – 7-8pm. Find out about why the exercise you are doing may actually be the wrong exercise to help you get rid of belly fat. Find out about innovative solutions to this problem. Regenasyst Wellness, 6820 Commercial Dr, Springfield, VA. Register: TreatYourselfTo Health.com. Info: 703-454-9326 x0.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 Friday Night Candlelight Yoga – 8-9:30pm. Through gently energetic and continuous flow we release tension and balance energy, while soft candlelight sets an ambiance to calm the mind and explore inner depths. $20. The Mindfulness Center, 4963 Elm St, Ste 100, Bethesda, MD. Register: 301986-1090 or TheMindfulnessCenter@gmail.com.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

specialevent The Foundations of Organic Gardening Course

Make your organic garden dreams come true. Be a savvy and successful gardener. Fun workshops, no-homework, professional instructors.

Saturday, Sept. 30 • 9am to 4pm

Prior Unity Garden (a short walk from the Vienna Metro) James St, Fairfax, VA. Register: PriorUnityGarden.com/FoundationsCourse.html. Info: 703-281-7743 or Gardeners@PriorUnityGarden.com.

Yoga and Essential Oils - Journey Through The Chakras – 1:30-3:30pm. The asana practice coupled with the essential oils used will assist in emotionally connecting you with the lower body. Gifts from this workshop will be calmness, patience and a willingness to stay in one place. $15. East Meets West Yoga Center, 8227 Old Courthouse Rd, Ste 310, Vienna, VA. Register: EastMeetsWestCenter.com. Info: 703-356-9642.

plan ahead MONDAY, OCTOBER 2 Laughter Yoga – 6:30-7:30pm. Please join us for a playful and fun practice that has been proven to reduce stress and strengthen the immune system. The session ends with a silent meditation. Free. Arlington Central Library auditorium, 1015 N Quincy St, Arlington, VA. Info: ArlingtonLaughterYoga@yahoo.com.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 9 Heart of the Mother Retreat - Sacred Valley of Peru – Through Oct 19. For 11 days and 10 nights, we will travel through the stunning landscape of the Sacred Valley, experiencing powerful ceremonies with Ayahuasca, ancestral healing traditions with respected elders, and visits to remote sacred temples, as well as meditation, yoga, live music and wonderful food and accommodations. Led by Angela Blueskies and Helene Garrovillo. $2,350. Info: HeartOfTheMotherRetreats.com.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13

specialevent National Kids' Yoga Conference

Yoga is a way to freedom. By its constant practice, we can free ourselves from fear, anguish and loneliness. ~Indra Devi

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Join children’s yoga leaders, researchers, educators, parents, mental health professionals, and emerging voices in these fields for a unique professional learning opportunity. The conference will empower participants to effectively bring yoga and mindfulness to the youth in their communities.

October 13 – 15 • noon

Nannie J. Lee Community Center, Alexandria, VA. Info: Conference.Yokid.org

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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 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 Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown. Info: Living-Mindfully.org. Mindfulness in Recovery – 6:30-8pm. This group is open to new meditators and seasoned practitioners alike with a common interest in the intersection of Buddhist teachings and 12 Step recovery. All 12 Steppers are welcome and we ask that participants have at least 90 days of continuous recovery and a working relationship with a home 12 Step recovery group be established before attending your first meeting. This group is not a replacement for our individual 12 Step programs. The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200 NW, Tenleytown. Info: Living-Mindfully.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 Meditation Community of Washington (IMCW). The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown. Info: LivingMindfully.org.with cancer in a safe group setting with a trained social worker and to connect with others who are facing a similar challenge. Please RSVP by phone prior to your first visit. Free. Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, 1632 U St, NW. Info: 202-483-8600 or SmithCenter.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.

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.

Teen Sanga – 7:30-9pm. 2nd and 4th Wed. The teen sangha provides a framework for exploring one’s inner life, understanding the causes of emotional stress and realizing the possibility of inner freedom. We explore key Buddhist teachings and how they can be helpful in navigating life’s inevitable challenges. The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown. Info: Living-Mindfully.org.

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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. Gentle Stretching Yoga – 11am. A restorative, gentle stretching class in which you will release stress, improve circulation and muscle function and relieve joint strain throughout the body. Appropriate for all levels of yoga experience and all ranges of physical ability. $20. The Mindfulness Center, 4963 Elm St, Ste 100, Bethesda, MD. Register: 301-986-1090 or TheMindfulnessCenter@ gmail.com.

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.

saturday Refuge Recovery – 6:30-8pm. Refuge Recovery is a mindfulness-based recovery program and community that utilizes Buddhist philosophy as the foundation of the recovery process. Based on the Four Noble Truths and Eight-fold Path, emphasis is placed on both knowledge and empathy as a means for overcoming addiction and its causes. The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown. Info: Living-Mindfully.org.

They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself. ~Andy Warhol

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natural awakenings

September 2017

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

BEDROOM FURNITURE SAVVY REST NATURAL BEDROOM

NECK BACK & BEYOND WELLNESS CENTER

9255 Center St, Ste 301B, Manassas or call for appointments in Fairfax 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 more. See ad, page 8.

VIRGINIA MITCHELL, M.AC., L.AC., DIP’L AC.

Rose Wellness Center 571-529-6699 • RoseWellness.com

Virginia Mitchell is board-certified acupuncturist specializing in pain management, fertility support and stress reduction. She also treats other conditions including allergies, anxiety, depression, arthritis, back, neck or shoulder pain, migraines, headaches, fibromyalgia, autoimmune disorders, insomnia, and sports injuries. Virginia is also a trained massage therapist focusing on acupressure and zero balancing. See ad, page 11.

ARCHITECT HELICON WORKS

7108 Holly Ave, Takoma Park 301-404-5578 Bill@HeliconWorks.com HeliconWorks.com

258 Maple Ave East, Vienna, VA and 12242 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 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 3.

CANCER SUPPORT NATIONAL INTEGRATED HEALTH ASSOCIATES

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

If you are diagnosed with cancer, there are supportive treatments which may enhance the body’s ability to fight cancer and help the traditional cancer treatments work more effectively. Integrative, holistic medicine combines traditional and adjunctive complementary treatments to restore the patient to a better state of health and improve the quality of life. Whereas traditional medicine will focus on treating the tumor, the holistic approach is to focus on the patient and outcome. See ad, page 21.

CHIROPRACTOR

Helicon W o r k s Architects is a green architecture and natural building collaborative in the D.C. metro area. We create healthy and ecological homes for our clients. See ad, page 21.

NECK BACK & BEYOND WELLNESS CENTER DR. ALLAN TOMSON, DC

9255 Center St, Ste 301B, Manassas or call for appointments in Fairfax 703-865-5690 • NeckBackAndBeyond.com NeckBackAndBeyond@gmail.com

AROMATHERAPY MOTHER NATURE’S STORE 703-851-0087 Laina_Poulakos@hotmail.com MothersNatureStore.com

Certified aromatherapist and herbalist offering lifestyle consultations and handmade pro-ducts, including soaps, balms and beard oils. Reach a better state of body and mind. See ad, page 8.

Washington, D.C.

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

Dr. Allan Tomson, DC, director of Neck Back & Beyond Healing Arts in Fairfax, VA with a satellite office in Manassas, VA. He is not your ordinary chiropractor with skills and experience in functional medicine, visceral manipulation, CranioSacral Therapy and Cayce protocols. See ad, page 8.

DR. VISHAL VERMA, DC, CCSP Rose Wellness Center 571-529-6699 RoseWellness.com

Dr. Verma specializes in functional ch i ropr a c t i c c are for p ai n management and active restoration of the body. He treating root causes using gentle chiropractic, physical therapy, cold laser therapy and rehabilitation for fast effective results. Dr. Verma treats back, neck, spine and joint pain, sciatica, sports injuries, fibromyalgia, and various other chronic and acute pain conditions. See ad, page 11.

CLEANING MAID BRIGADE CAPITAL REGION

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

We are Green Clean Certified, so you can have peace of mind that you r h om e w i l l b e healthier for you, your pets and the environment. See ad, page 27.

COLON HYDROTHERAPY NECK BACK & BEYOND WELLNESS CENTER

9255 Center St, Ste 301B, Manassas or call for appointments in Fairfax 703-865-5690 • NeckBackAndBeyond.com NeckBackAndBeyond@gmail.com An effective method for cleansing the colon and large intestine. It helps to renew and cleanse the cells, purify the blood and give life to the digestive system. Accumulation of toxic waste materials in the body, also known as autointoxication, is the root cause of many diseases. CHT allows the body to get rid of these toxins, and is a necessary part of any type of detox program or cleanse. See ad, page 8.

DENTISTRY, HOLISTIC NATIONAL INTEGRATED HEALTH ASSOCIATES

5225 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 402, NW 202-237-7000 • NIHADC.com The professional health team at NIHA is comprised of holistic medical physicians, biological dentists, naturopaths, a chiropractor and health professionals highly skilled in acupuncture, nutrition and other healing therapies. See ad, page 21.

HERBS

ENERGY THERAPIES INCA ENERGY INTEGRATIVE HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER

10440 Shaker Dr, Ste 203, Columbia, MD 410-292-5149 EnergyTherapyCeuWorkshops.com Inca Energy Integrative Health and Wellness Center is an ecofriendly holistic center offering e n e rg y m e d i c i n e , e n e rg y psychology and meditation. Inca Wellness brings together authentic ancient healing traditions from around the world with contemporary therapies to nurture ones whole being. See ad, page 33.

HEALTH COACH HAPPY HEART HEALTH

301-366-6090 • HappyHeartHealth.net SeShakeri21@gmail.com Happy Heart Health is a coaching service that guides individuals to optimal health and well-being. Through goal setting, sustainable lifestyle changes and a supportive environment, you will achieve tremendous results. Imagine having more energy, feeling better in your body, improving your fitness, greater productivity and a happier, healthier life. See ad, page 33.

NATIONAL INTEGRATED HEALTH ASSOCIATES 5225 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 402, NW 202-237-7000 NICADC.com/Health-Programs/ Rejuvenation-Detoxification.html

Rejuvenation & Detoxification program provides guidance to restore balance and health with lifestyle tips on diet, hydration, digestion and internal cleansing and detoxification with integrative at-home and spa strategies. See ad, page 26.

HOLISTIC PEDIATRIC CARE

MOTHER NATURE’S STORE

NATIONAL INTEGRATED HEALTH ASSOCIATES

703-851-0087 Laina_Poulakos@hotmail.com MothersNatureStore.com

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

Certified aromatherapist and herbalist offering lifestyle consultations and handmade products, including soaps, balms and beard oils. Reach a better state of body and mind. See ad, page 8.

HOLISTIC NUTRITION ELIZABETH MCMILLAN, MS, CNS Rose Wellness Center 571-529-6699 RoseWellness.com

Elizabeth McMillan is a boardcertified clinical nutritionist specializing in functional nutrition. She believes in finding the root cause of aliments and creating a personalized dietary plan to restore optimal wellness. Elizabeth specializes in diab etes, fo o d s ensitivities, gastrointestinal health, autoimmunity and metabolic syndrome issues. Call today to see how she can help. See ad, page 11.

HOLISTIC PARENTING HOLISTIC MOMS NETWORK ARLINGTON/ALEXANDRIA CHAPTER Bit.ly/HMN-MetroDC

Supportive communities for parents following natural lifestyles with six local D.C.-area chapters, Metro D.C. area chapters are in Arlington/Alexandria, Burke/Springfield, Northern Virginia/Fairfax, Loudoun in Virginia and in Anne Arundel County and Montgomery County in Maryland.

MINDFUL HEALTHY LIFE

HEALTHY PETS WHOLE PET CENTRAL

571-358-8645 Jessica@MindfulHealthyLife.com MindfulHealthyLife.com

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 10.

Aging is not lost youth, but a new stage of opportunity and strength. ~Betty Friedan

Online lifestyle magazine for D. C . - are a n atu r a l minded families. Event calendar, resource directory, blog. News, events, giveaways, profiles, tips for holistic healthy living and mindful parenting.

Holistic pediatric and young adult care combines the healing power of traditional Western medicine with safe, complementary healing therapies. This approach addresses the whole child, not just the symptoms that brought you to the doctor, and encourages the immune system to heal naturally. See ad, page 21.

HOLISTIC PRIMARY CARE NATIONAL INTEGRATED HEALTH ASSOCIATES 5225 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 402, NW 202-237-7000 • NIHADC.com

Holistic primary care is an integrative approach that treats the whole person: mind/body and spirit. A primary care provider coordinates all of the health care a patient receives. This total patient care considers the physical and emotional needs of the person and how health issues may be affecting those needs. Whether you are coming in for an annual check-up or managing a chronic disease, we focus on the whole person, not just your disease or symptoms. We consider lifestyle, nutrition and stress management and put together a treatment plan to help you attain an optimum level of wellness. See ad, page 21. parenting.

HOMEOPATHY

MICHAEL LISS

Rose Wellness Center 571-529-6699 • RoseWellness.com Michael Liss is a Doctor of Classical Homeopathy and an integrative health practitioner. He specializes in using homeopathy to help you find relief from various emotional and physical health problems including addictions, substance abuse, anxiety, depression, allergies, asthma, childhood ailments, migraines, hair and skin disorders, immune deficiencies and sinus disorders. See ad, page 11.

Aging has a wonderful beauty and we should have respect for that. ~Eartha Kitt natural awakenings

September 2017

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE SUSHMA HIRANI, MD

Rose Wellness Center 2944 Hunter Mill Rd, Ste 101, Oakton, VA Info@RoseWellness.com RoseWellness.com • 571-529-6699 Dr. Sushma Hirani uses an integrative approach to wellness, utilizing conventional medicine and evidence-based complementary therapies. She strives to treat the whole person an d e mph a s i z e s nut r it i on , preventive care and lifestyle changes. Dr. Hirani specializes in the treatment of chronic issues such as hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, hormonal imbalances, digestive disorders, menopause and women’s health issues. Patients love her compassionate care and personalized attention. See ad, page 11.

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 2.

ROSE WELLNESS CENTER

2944 Hunter Mill Rd, Ste 101, Oakton, VA 571-529-6699 • RoseWellness.com Info@RoseWellness.com

Suffering from chronic pain, fatigue, allergies, stress? Whatever your health challenges, Rose Wellness Center can help you get on the path to real wellness. We help identify hormone, metabolic, digestive, nutritional and food sensitivity issues to get to the root cause of your health problems, where true healing begins. Our services include digestive and women’s health programs, hormone balancing, acupuncture, Lyme treatment, homeopathy and thyroid management. See ad, page 11.

TAKOMA PARK ALTERNATIVE CARE 6930 Carroll Ave, Ste 502, Takoma Park 301-328-3045 Info@TakomaCare.com • TakomaCare.com

Integrative Family Physician Rose Wellness Center 2944 Hunter Mill Rd, Ste 101, Oakton, VA 571-529-6699 • RoseWellness.com Dr. Alex Leon is a board-certified family physician specializing in integrative functional medicine to help restore and maintain your wellbeing. He has a special interest in men’s health care, chronic pain syndromes including musculoskeletal problems, fibromyalgia, bioidentical hormone replacement for men and women, chronic conditions including hypothyroidism, gastrointestinal disorders and allergic disorders. He treats kids too. See ad, page 11.

NATIONAL INTEGRATED HEALTH ASSOCIATES

5225 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 402, NW 202-237-7000 NIHADC.com The professional health team at NIHA is comprised of holistic medical physicians, biological dentists, naturopaths, a chiropractor and health professionals highly skilled in acupuncture, nutrition and other healing therapies. See ad, page 21.

TAKOMA PARK ALTERNATIVE CARE 6930 Carroll Ave, Ste 502, Takoma Park 301-328-3045 • TakomaCare.com Info@TakomaCare.com

Pediatric and adult evaluations for D.C. and MD by certified medicinal cannabis specialist. Tr e a t m e n t / d o s i n g recommendations; nonpsychoactive protocols available. No residency restrictions for MD program. See ad, page 11.

NATURAL LIVING RESOURCE MINDFUL HEALTHY LIFE OF METRO DC

Jessica@MindfulHealthyLife.com MindfulHealthyLife.com • 571-358-8645 Blog, calendar and directory for natural living, holistic parenting and family wellness.

OSTEOPOROSIS SUPPORT NURTURED BONES

Nurtured Bones provides a holistic approach to addressing osteoporosis and bone loss. Our BONES method will help you build strong, healthy bones for life. See ad, page 35.

Washington, D.C.

Great Falls, VA 703-738-4230 • NurturedBones.com Nurtured Bones provides a holistic approach to addressing osteoporosis and bone loss. Our BONES method will help you build strong, healthy bones for life. See ad, page 35.

POLARITY THERAPY NECK BACK & BEYOND WELLNESS CENTER

Janice M Johnson NeckBackAndBeyond@gmail.com NeckBackAndBeyond.com • 703-865-5690 Allow me to join you in creating your own individualized treatment program, which provides a safe and supportive experience for your healing process, with Polarity Therapy and Swiss Bionic Solutions MRS 2000 (Magnetic Resonance Stimulation) pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF). See ad, page 8.

SHIATSU THERAPIST

MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Great Falls, VA 703-738-4230 • NurturedBones.com

NURTURED BONES

Pediatric and adult evaluations for D.C. and MD by certified medicinal cannabis specialist. Tr e a t m e n t / d o s i n g recommendations; nonp s ycho a c t ive proto c ols available. No residenc y restrictions for MD program. See ad, page 11. .

ALEX LEON, MD

PHYSICAL THERAPY

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

NECK BACK & BEYOND WELLNESS CENTER

Nathalie Depastas 9255 Center St, Ste 301B, Manassas or call for appointments in Fairfax 703-865-5690 • NeckBackAndBeyond.com NeckBackAndBeyond@gmail.com Nathalie Depastas is a highly skilled acupuncturist and Shiatsu therapist with 30 years of experience in Chinese medicine, including medical qigong. See ad, page 8. .

THERMOGRAPHY

NECK BACK & BEYOND WELLNESS CENTER

ROSE WELLNESS CENTER

CONNECT WITH OUR READERS!

2944 Hunter Mill Rd, Ste 101, Oakton, VA 571-529-6699 • RoseWellness.com

Rose Wellness Center for Integrative Medicine offers Thermography or Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI). This noninvasive diagnostic technique creates thermal images that are analyzed for abnormalities and early signs of disease. Thermal imaging is painless, non-invasive, does not involve any compression and emits no radiation. Call today to setup your scan. See ad, page 11.

VETERINARIAN - HOLISTIC HOLISTIC VETERINARY HEALING

Pema Choepel Mallu, DVM, CVA, M.Ac. L.Ac 12627 Wisteria Dr, Ste C/D, Germantown, MD 240-715-6570 • HolVetHealing@gmail.com HolisticVeterinaryHealing.com We offer integrative compassionate veterinary care. We view your animal as a whole focusing on the root cause of dis-harmony for long-term healing. See ad, page 10.

We are not victims of aging, sickness and death. These are part of the scenery, not the seer, who is immune to any form of change. This seer is the spirit, the expression of eternal being. ~Deepak Chopra

T H R E E -MONT H E DIT OR IAL CALE ND AR AND MAR KE T ING PLANNE R

O C T

Transformative Travel

N O V

Diabetes Prevention & Reversal

D E C

plus: Chiropractic Our Readers are Seeking Providers & Services for:

Transformative Travel Companies Adventure Tour Groups • Travel Outfitters Personal Growth Retreats • Spiritual Pilgrimages Natural Habitat Adventures General, Advanced & Sports Chiropractors

plus: Silent Retreats Our Readers are Seeking Providers & Services for:

Functional Medicine Practitioners Fitness/Health Clubs • Herbalists Organic/Non-GMO/Sugar-Free Foods Eco-Retreats • Spiritual Centers • Spas

Uplifting Humanity plus: Holidays

Our Readers are Seeking Providers & Services for: Charities • Community Services Ethnic Crafts • Gift Baskets/Certificates Natural Toys • Relationship Counselors Spiritual Centers/Healing

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September 2017

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Washington, D.C.

Publish One of the Nation’s Leading Healthy Living Magazines Natural Awakenings Magazine

is ranked 5th Nationally in Cision’s® 2016 Top 10 Health & Fitness Magazines list 1. 2. 3. 4.

Spry Living – 8,907,303 Shape – 2,521,203 Men’s Health – 1,852,715 Prevention – 1,539,872

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As a Natural Awakenings publisher, you can empower yourself and others to create a healthier world while working from your home earning an income doing something you love! No publishing experience is necessary. You’ll work for yourself but not by yourself. We offer a complete training and support system that allows you to successfully publish your own magazine.

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Contact us about acquiring an existing publication FOR SALE highlighted in RED* Natural Awakenings publishes in over 80 markets across the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic (listed below).

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September 2017

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

Announcing School of Naturopathic Medicine Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine Program Begins Fall 2018 The School of Naturopathic Medicine at Maryland University of Integrative Health will be the first in the mid-Atlantic region, and one of a handful in the nation. Students will learn the art, science, and wise practice of natural medicine, and experience the transformative process of becoming an effective doctor and compassionate healer. MUIH also offers online and on campus graduate programs in: Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine | Nutrition | Herbal Medicine Health & Wellness Coaching | Health Promotion | Yoga Therapy

Washington, D.C.

muih.edu

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410-888-9048