Natural Awakenings Washington DC May 2014

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letterfrompublisher Dear Friends, contact us Publisher Robin Fillmore Managing Editor Sharon Hadden Contributing Editors Grace Ogden Jessica Bradshaw Terri Carr Design & Production Irene Sankey Regional Coordinator Beverly Nickerson Natural Awakenings of Washington, D.C. Phone: 202-505-4835 Fax: 202-827-7955 5230 Tuckerman Lane North Bethesda, MD 20852 Robin@NaturalAwakeningsDC.com NaturalAwakeningsDC.com ©2014 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.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscribe online to receive FREE monthly digital magazine at NaturalAwakeningsDC.com.

Natural Awakenings practices environmental sustainability by using post-consumer recycled paper and soy-based ink on uncoated stock, avoiding the toxic chemicals and huge energy costs of producing shiny, coated paper that is harder to recycle.

When I was young, I remember the term women’s intuition, as a mysterious semi-superpower that all females (supposedly) possessed (or held) over men. Back when women were often considered second-class citizens and were challenging the status quo for rights (by burning our bras) to earn equal wages and opportunities, I heard that there was this thing called women’s intuition where we (i.e. the entire gender) had the capacity to know things that men weren’t able to know. As a young woman in the 1970s, I wasn’t certain that I had been bestowed this gift.

In my busy life, between school, non-stop extracurricular activities and friends, I didn’t take a lot of time to reflect on where I was going, much less to tap into a deep well of knowledge that would help me take my next steps, or tap feelings and emotions of my friends and family. Spending time in silence was something to be avoided because, I thought, if I wasn’t moving, I might lose my chance to take my next step.

I’ve come to know intuition as something quite different. Perhaps it came as the result of being a mother—with times of silence as I held my children, when babies, as they nodded off to sleep. These tender, precious moments provided me with a needed respite and place of deep connection. I knew with the slightest glance what they were thinking, feeling and experiencing. Perhaps that was the first step in my journey to discover my own superpower.

Now I find that there are times, when deeply listening to others, that I intuitively know the next thing that my companions are about to say, just as the thought seemed to be coming into their mind­—not always and it always surprises me, as it does them when I hear “How did you know what I was going to say?” It isn’t a superpower but a moment of clarity—a deep connection and a different way of listening—which is something that we can foster in ourselves.

Our theme this month is women’s wellness, with a wonderful feature on the latest thinking about intuition and listening with your heart. Senior editor of Natural Awakenings, Linda Sechrist, presents scholarship that moves the topic from the ephemeral to the scientific. By tending to our own stillness and listening to that deep inner voice, every person (men too) can tap into a source of inner guidance that leads to a fuller life. I hope you read it, share it and then start a conversation with your friends. Find out how your inner voice can strengthen and heal you and the others whom you hold dear.

Have a wonderful May, and don’t forget to call your mother—to thank her for sharing her own superpowers with you!

neverglossy.alwaysgreen 6

Washington, D.C.

Peace,

Robin Fillmore, Publisher

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

contents 8 newsbriefs 14 healthbriefs

16 globalbriefs

15 24 leadingedge 26 greenliving 29 oneonone 30 eventspotlight 35 practitioner

16 spotlight 38 ancientwisdom 39 firstperson 42 calendar 21 47 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.

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.

18 TRUST YOUR INTUITION

Listen to that Still, Small Voice and Let it Lead You

by Linda Sechrist

22 FUNNY TUMMY Probiotic Foods Can Fix a Troubled Gut

by Kathleen Barnes

24 RECONNECTIVE HEALING

Help for Range of Motion Issues

18 27

by Jackie Lapin

27 PAIN-FREE POOCH

Five Natural Therapies that Work

by Jennifer Kachnic

28 HERBS FOR ALL

Beyond Local Food and Re-Localizing Our Folk Medicine

by Molly Meehan with Angela Adrar

32 BODY EASE

33

Fluid, Flexible Movement Can Be Ours

by Sarah Todd

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.

33 BUDDHAFEST

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

Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month.

THE CUTTING EDGE in Health, Healing, Brain Wellness and Enlightment with Chas Gant, M.D., Ph.D.

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.

by Robin Fillmore

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

Celebrating Five Years of Generosity

by Gabriel Riera and Eric Forbis

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36 FROM “SHOULDING” TO BEING

An Invitation to Reconnect

by Alexandra Hughes

38 MANDALA

Circles of Wholeness

by Suchinta Abhayaratna, Th.D.

natural awakenings

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newsbriefs Local Author Shares Groundbreaking Research with New Book

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ouglas Kinney just published his breakthrough research book, Frontiers of Knowledge: Scientific and Spiritual Sources for a New Era. It details the findings from scientifically trained researchers who are revolutionizing our understanding of ourselves and the universe.

The author covers unusual (and up to now, unexplained) phenomena in quantum physics, cosmology, biology, mind, healing, near-death experiences, reincarnation investigations and spiritual regression explorations. It is the first book to fully outline the new knowledge revolution’s scope and Douglas Kinney the integrated concepts of reality needed to explain all of the phenomena. His explanations highlight the central role of consciousness, spiritual intelligence and subtle energy information fields in all levels of our universe—from quantum to humans, to galaxy structures.

Kinney’s smaller companion book, Framework of Reality: Understanding Our Subtle Spiritual Nature, is available for those just wanting the highlights of this new knowledge revolution. Kinney’s broad experience, talents and skills combine to uniquely qualify him to write this ambitious book about frontier science, consciousness and spirituality. He is a New Thought minister and practitioner, a certified spiritual hypnotist (including between-lives regression) and a spiritual journalist, who has personal relationships with several spiritual channels.

Kinney’s great system integration and synthesis talents, from his many years as a high-level defense system engineer and architect, have also been critical.

Douglas Kinney is a member of the Institute for Noetic Science (IONS) and the Society for Scientific Exploration (SSE). For more information about Frontiers of Knowledge: Scientific and Spiritual Sources for a New Era, email DougKinney@ msn.com or visit DougKinney.com. See ad, page 40.

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Dr. Chas Gant, MD, PhD has practiced functional, holistic and integrative medicine and psychotherapy for over 35 years. He has helped thousands of patients of all ages with science based treatments recover from many chronic medical and psychiatric disorders.

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Mandala Workshop to Celebrate the Summer Solstice

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uchinta Abhayaratna, Th.D., will facilitate a Community Sand Mandala to celebrate the summer solstice from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., on Saturday, June 21.

From ancient times, visualizing, creating and meditating on a mandala has been a spiritual practice by which one’s own divine creative essence, through symbolic and sacred art, is expressed.

Abhayaratna, the workshop leader, is a transpersonal and transformational psychologist, holistic self-care coach and workshop facilitator, living and working in the Washington metropolitan area. She is the developer of Creative Holistic Integration (CHI), a Suchinta Abhayaratna heart-centered, subtle energy-based holistic self-care and self-transformation program. She studied mandala with Dr. Judith Cornell and is a certified mandala facilitator and teaches mandala as an associate professor at Holos University.

In addition to the solstice event, Abhayaratna offers Mandala Healing Art workshops to individuals and groups, in-person and online, as one of several holistic self-care processes that are part of the CHI self-care program. The next series of mandala workshops will be offered on Saturdays in July.

The Summer Solstice Community Sand Mandala will be held at the Vienna Arts Society building, 115 Pleasant Street, NW, Vienna, VA. Info or registration: call 571-422-6734 or CHISuchinta@yahoo.com, CHISuchinta.com. For more information about mandalas, see article, page 38. See ad, page 39.

Reiki for Animals Certification in June

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he Reiki for Animals Level I and II Certification Program will be presented by Life Holistic Center (LHC) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Saturday, June 21 for the classroom work portion and from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sunday, June 22, for the practicum.

Day one, which will be held at the LHC Violet Studio in Mountain Top, Pennsylvania, will cover Japanese Reiki techniques for strengthening ki flow. It will also cover animal Reiki meditations for creating and maintaining a healing space to connect and work Anthony Wojnar with animals; a review of level two symbols and mantras; the “Reiki for Animals” levels I and II attunement (initiation) and a Reiju (spiritual blessing).

Day two will be held at Claws and Paws in Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania. It will include additional animal Reiki meditations, as well as Reiki practice sessions with lions, tigers, bears, giraffes and others. Each session will be observed by the instructors, and there will be opportunities for debriefing after the sessions.

A 110-page manual will be provided.

There is a prerequisite of Reiki II or higher (any lineage). Please bring your certificate to be copied. The instructors for this course are Anthony V. Wojnar D.D., RMT, LHART and Mark E. Gerger, RMT, LHART. CEUs for massage therapists are available.

For more information or to register, email ReikiCenterOnline@yahoo.com or visit LifeHolisticReiki.com.

Now Offering Chiropractic Care in Tenleytown

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elissa Windsor, DC, is excited to announce that she is now offering chiropractic care at Restorative Health, in Tenleytown.

Dr. Melissa Windsor She received her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic, in San Jose, California. She also has a Masters in Applied Psychology from the University of Baltimore and a bachelors degree from Washington College, in Chestertown, Maryland.

Chiropractic therapy is a safe, non-invasive approach to healing neck and back pain, and many other disorders connected to the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. As patients that have tried chiropractic often find, in addition to relieving pain resulting from accidents, falls, heavy lifting or sitting with poor posture for extended periods of time, regular chiropractic care may also help to reduce stress, alleviate headaches and improve general health and wellness. Chiropractic is a widely accepted holistic medical therapy that offers both specific pain relief and broad-spectrum healing.

Chiropractic physicians use firm but gentle manual pressure to restore proper structure and function to the spine. In addition to directly treating painful conditions that arise from injuries, chiropractic adjustments also address referred pain and dysfunction distant to the injury site, surprising patients with broader than anticipated benefits—increased energy, improved sleep and digestion, reduced anxiety and depression and reduced high blood pressure. Skilled chiropractic therapy offers the potential of broadspectrum holistic healing.

For more information on how chiropractic care can help you, visit RestorativeHealth.org/Therapies/ Chiropractic. See ad, page 3. natural awakenings

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newsbriefs India Stories and Charity Auction

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ear the stories of inspiration, joy, survival and hope of girls rescued from sex trafficking in India.

Join Gita on the two-year anniversary of the yurt (shelter) in Sterling, as she shares the stories of her trip back to India in service to girls who have been rescued from the brothels of Kolkata. The event takes place on Sunday, May 4 and includes stories, pictures and video showing where the donated money from previous fundraisers were used and the yoga program BE Yoga and Gita’s Dream Kirtan.

As part of this event, Gita will share stories about Gita and friends the joy she found at the Anandamayima Ashram in Omkareshwar, along with the inspiration, hope and paradox she met in India. Gita’s mission is to continue to raise money for these girls, to help support the amazing organizations that foster girls’ growth towards independence. A silent auction will be held, which will start online the week before the event, and conclude at 5 p.m., on the day of the event. The auction will be followed by Kirtan at 5:30 p.m. Last year, Gita’s Dream Kirtans and fundraisers raised $10,000 for this cause.

Online bidding can be found at 32auctions.com/IndiaStories2014. Bids will be accepted from everywhere in the United States, and winning items may be shipped. Cash, checks and credit cards are welcomed for bidding.

The event will be held at BE Yoga, 45406 Lakeside Drive, Sterling, Virginia at 2 p.m. Registration is now open at BEYogaYurt.com/IndiaTrip2015, for a trip with Gita, scheduled for February 2015. For more information, visit BEYogaYurt.co

Yoga on the Mall Featuring a Class with Shiva Rea

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C Community Yoga (DCCY) is hosting the Ninth Annual DC Yoga Week and Yoga on the Mall, Monday, April 28 to Saturday, May 3. This year, over 30 studios in the Washington metro area, including Virginia and Maryland, have signed up to participate by offering free and reduced-cost classes daily all week long.

Throughout the week, DCCY will provide many opportunities to bring our community together and highlight member studios and partner offerings to the greater D.C. area. The week will culminate with Yoga on the Mall, a gathering of over 2,000 yoga practitioners and enthusiasts that features free all-level outdoor community classes from 10 a.m. to noon, on Saturday, May 3, at the Constitution Gardens by the Vietnam Memorial, (Metro stop Foggy Bottom).

Yoga on the Mall will kick off with a 20-minute children’s class, led by Budding Yogis, and a class for beginners, led by Arlet Kosein of Extend Yoga and Annie Moyer of Sun & Moon Yoga Studio. At 10:30 a.m., D.C. area teachers will lead yoga demonstrations. They will be followed by a one-hour all levels class with Shiva Rea, a leading teacher of transformational Prana Flow Yoga and Yoga Trance Dance. Rea is known for bringing the roots of yoga alive for modern practitioners in creative, dynamic and life-transforming ways and for offering the synthesis form of vinyasa flow out in the world.

DC Community Yoga (DCCY) is a tax exempt nonprofit organization bringing the local yoga community together, to support the practice and growth of yoga in the Washington metropolitan area.

For more information about DC Yoga Week and DC Community Yoga Association, including a list of participating studios, visit dccy.org.

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rior Unity Garden, a Green American Gold Certified Business, which offers a wide variety of services and products to help our community grow their own organic food, herbs and flowers, is now celebrating its fifth year in business.

Spring is when most people think about gardens, although according to Debby Ward, founder and owner of Prior Unity Garden, summer and fall are actually the best times to plan your garden. Observation and planning preclude missed opportunities, allowing you to work smarter and let nature do some of the heavy work for you.

The long snowy winter is behind us and there is plenty of time to get a garden in this year, be it for summer or the fall. Fall gardening can actually be easier for a number of reasons, including less bugs and weeds. The USDA has pushed back the frost-free date by two weeks, so right now, you can safely plant all your summer heat-loving crops.

Having grown up in northern Virginia and gardened all her life, Ward has a unique ability to help people in our area. She combines her art degree and 30 years experience as a manager to not only create an innovative local small business but also to paint with plants—designing pleasing food gardens that are also beautiful. She values biodiversity, community, healthy living soil, fresh organic food and the prior unity inherent in all beings.

Prior Unity Garden offers classes, consultations, garden designs, plans, installations and products, including a custom seed starting system.

US A

Unique Organic Gardening Help in Northern Virginia as

oa tC

biodanza movement facilitator life coach

Connect with your body/mind/spirit!

Dissolve limiting beliefs and create!

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h Michelle Dubreuil Macek offers individual and weekly group sessions in DC, MD & Skype. www.lifedance.me • 410-736-9311

For more information, call 703-281-7743, or visit PriorUnityGarden.com. See ad, page 45.

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Coming Next Month

newsbriefs Herbs for All

BE INSPIRED I This Summer Physically Emotionally Spiritually

n Celebration of International HerbDay, the first bilingual herbal encuentro (conference) to learn, grow and connect herbal wellness for all ages will take place Emergence Community Arts Collective from 3:30 to 9 p.m., on Saturday, May 3, in northwest Washington, D.C.

This will be the first year Herbs for All takes place in Washington and will include an afternoon of workshops in both English and Spanish, kids activities, cultural and musical art, a seed exchange and an outdoor herbal village-style market, filled with vendors, music, raffles, and hands-on demonstrations for all ages.

Free workshops include topics such as dying with herbs, kitchen medicine, art making and others. There will be a guided neighborhood herbal walking tour and a community seed exchange, so bring non-GMO seeds to share and a dish for the potluck. Cooking and capoeira demonstrations will take place in the outdoor herbal village-style market, while DJ Mezkla mixes music and entertainment, and vendors share raffle prizes throughout the afternoon. The DC Childcare Collective will provide childcare so parents can enjoy workshops. The event will be held close to local public transportation and is free.

This event is brought to you by Centro Ashe (CentroAshe.org), a local organization rooted in local food and traditional medicine and EcoHermanas (EcoHermanas.org), a global community of women that share, weave and reconnect life to Mother Earth.

The event will be held at 733 Euclid St., NW D.C. (Corner of Georgia Ave Shaw Green Line Metro stop). Donations of five to 10 dollars are appreciated, to support the day’s activities. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Raffle tickets will also be available. Online registration is strongly encouraged at CentroAshe.org/HerbsForAll.html. See ad, page 30.

To advertise or participate in our June edition, call

202-505-4835 12

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NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

learn more by contacting: Alexis Knox (202) 436-1264 or Alexis.Knox@icloud.com or shop: us.nyrorganic.com/shop/AlexisKnox

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healthbriefs

Rolfing Restores Alignment, Balance and Freedom of Movement

by Mary Starich olfing Structural Integration has the potential to put your body aches to rest and give you the freedom of movement you thought wasn’t possible anymore. Also contrary to popular belief, Rolfing can be highly effective and pain-free.

This hands-on form of bodywork manipulates the fascial wrapping of muscles and bone that is continuous from your head to your feet. The Rolfing approach is named after its original developer, Ida Rolf, and approaches the body from the unique perspective that gravity constantly works against our efforts to stand upright, causing strain patterns and shortness in the fascial network which supports our form. Eventually, our inefficient movement and postural patterns cause discomfort or pain in the body.

By addressing an individual’s unique strain patterns using myofascial release, Rolfing restores optimal alignment over a series of sessions, usually 10. During the Rolfing process, clients often report having more energy, feeling taller, sleeping more soundly, returning to favorite activities with no pain and generally feeling increased range of motion in their joints.

Rolfing can provide relief to people experiencing congenital postural challenges, lingering pain due to falls, sports-related injuries, repetitive stress injuries (carpal tunnel syndrome, plantar fasciitis), back strain, post-partum changes, periods of inactivity and the stiffness and misalignment that remains after surgical procedures, including mastectomy, knee, back, hip and shoulder surgery.

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Mary Starich, Ph.D., is a Certified Advanced Rolfer practicing in Silver Spring, and will be joining the staff at the Georgetown Center for Integrative Medicine in NW Washington soon. See ad, page 2.

Roundup Toxin Accumulates in GM Soybeans

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study published in the journal Food Chemistry tested soybeans grown from seeds that were genetically modified (GM) to be resistant to the herbicide Roundup. It compared these with organic soybeans and soybeans from non-GM seeds.

The chemical and nutritional analysis of soybean samples from 31 different Iowa farms found the GM soy contained significantly higher levels of the toxin glyphosate, the central chemical in Roundup, than both the organic and the conventional non-GMO soybeans.

The organic soybeans contained no glyphosate, plus significantly higher levels of protein and zinc, as well as lower levels of saturated fats.

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Periodontal Disease Affects Overall Health

by Dr. Terry Victor, the DC Dentist

D

id you know that your mouth can have a serious impact on your overall health?

Many aspects of dentistry have an influence on how the body functions overall. For example, if someone has periodontal disease they are three times more likely to have heart disease and twice as likely to have cardiovascular disease.

Heart tissue and gum tissue are similar so, the bacteria in the dental build up will colonize similar tissue.

In reference to periodontal disease, the bacteria will travel throughout the course of the body, which will put the immune system on a constant state of alert. If the periodontal disease is not corrected, this can lead to the immune system being worn down.

Periodontal disease can also be the cause of tooth loss. Once one tooth is lost, it creates a cascade of events. This can cause your other teeth to shift, which alters your bite.

In addition, if you are missing teeth, you are not able to break down food in your mouth, and when it reaches the stomach, nutrients are not absorbed properly.

All these issues show the importance of oral health care in relation to our overall health. These potential issues can be avoided by simply treating periodontal disease early.

Terry Victor, DDS, is a dentist in Washington, D.C., providing general, restorative and cosmetic dentistry.

Victor is an accredited member of the International Academy of Oran Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) and is also certified by the Eco-Dentistry Association. For more information, visit TheDCDentist.com. See ad, page 4.

Redefining Diet and Exercise According To You

by Dr. Isabel Sharkar e are led to believe that longer, harder workouts will help us achieve the perfect body—constantly pushing our bodies to the limit and uttering the words, “No pain, no gain.”

Striving to stay up to date with all the latest and greatest exercise programs and diet fads, we find ourselves not always achieving the results we desire. How do we know which workout program is best for us? Each individual is unique and one size does not fit all.

Genetic testing is now available to uncover the secrets to our individual metabolism, path to weight loss, athletic steps to peak performance and even to avoid childhood obesity. Up until now, genetic testing has been used to diagnose or rule out hereditary diseases. It takes one simple cheek swab to collect DNA and through full sequencing, the DNA is analyzed with 100 percent accuracy.

This genetic test concentrates on four genes that encode the blueprint for fat absorption and retention, physiological responses to exercise, insulin resistance, obesity, regulation of glucose homeostasis, and nutritional requirements and limitations.

The results from this testing show the percentage of protein, carbohydrate and fat intake each individual should consume, as well as which supplements are most beneficial to the person for optimal health and weight loss. Further, the test reveals what percentage of high intensity versus steady aerobic exercise the person should perform according to his or her genes, in addition to the maximum heart rate necessary for achieving optimal results. Our path to achieving a healthy weight is unique to each of us. This truly may be the solution for those stubborn 10 pounds that have been a nightmare to lose.

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Dr. Isabel Sharkar is a licensed naturopathic physician and co-owner of Indigo Integrative Health Clinic, in Georgetown. To find out more about genetic testing, contact the clinic at 202-298-9131 or visit IndigoHealthClinic.com.

Vitamin D No Help for Bone Mass or Hip Fractures

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niversity of Pittsburgh researchers that followed 29,862 women for 11 years have found that supplementing calcium with vitamin D does not reduce hip fractures. The study, published in the Journal of Women’s Health, found that women taking calcium plus vitamin D had as many hip fractures as women taking a placebo.

Women supplementing with more than 600 international units (IU) of vitamin D per day also had a 28 percent higher incidence of breast cancer.

Because hip fractures are linked to a reduction in bone density, these findings are compounded by a review of research published in The Lancet, which established that vitamin D supplements typically taken with calcium did not increase bone density among elderly adults. The review analyzed 23 studies among 4,082 participants, 92 percent of whom were women.

Spring Clean Your Beauty Products

by Alexis Knox he average American uses 12 or more skincare and beauty products per day.

If you are using conventional, non-organic products, then this equals 12 potentially toxic loads applied directly to your body.

Your skin is your bodies largest organ and absorbs toxins into your bloodstream. By entering through the skin, these toxins can be deposited and stored throughout your tissues, before your liver has a chance to metabolize and detoxify them. On the other hand, your beauty routine could be 12 opportunities to nourish your body with plant-based, certified organic products.

Which will you choose? The answer is obvious, but most women do not realize they are making this choice when they purchase their skincare and beauty products. Many products that claim to be “natural” are actually filled with potentially harmful substances.

Here are 10 ingredients to avoid: parabens, fragrance, phthalates, BHA, boric acid or sodium borate, mineral oil (petrolatum), PEG (polyethelyne glycol), formaldehyde, preservatives ending in “-thiazolinone” and triclosan. Keep these harmful chemicals in mind when you shop and check the labels on your existing products. Every small step that you take in spring cleaning your personal care products leads to your overall health and wellness.

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For more information on making the switch to certified organic skincare safe for men, women and even babies, email Alexis.Knox@icloud.com or visit NYR Organic at US.NYROrganic.com/ shop/AlexisKnox.

Alexis Knox offers NYR Organic products that are certified organic and effective. Visit her at DC Birth and Babies Fair (DCBirthandBabiesFair.com), May 3 at The Hill Center and the Green Festival. See ad, page 12. natural awakenings

May 2014

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globalbriefs

Dangerous Additive

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

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, under a new court agreement with the Natural Resources Defense Council, has agreed to issue a new rule governing the use of Triclosan, a controversial antimicrobial agent used widely in consumer products, by 2016. The action was first proposed in 1978.

Triclosan, a possible endocrinedisrupting chemical, has been found in three-quarters of people from whom blood, urine or tissue has been analyzed as part of biomonitoring studies; it is also found in the environment after having passed through sewage treatment plants.

Bikes-to-Go

Cycling Gains Ground at Colleges and in Cities May is National Bike Month, and more universities continue to commit to bicycling as a sustainable, healthy and environmentally conscious transportation choice. Recently, Harvard University joined Princeton and Yale as an official Bicycle-Friendly University (BFU), and the League of American Bicyclists designated 14 new BFU members, expanding the program to 58 colleges in 30 states across the U.S. with more to come.

When New York City opened registration for a public bike-sharing program, Citi Bike, more than 5,000 people signed up within 30 hours. Similar demand for more cycling options is happening across the nation where shared bicycle programs are taking root (see Tinyurl.com/Top50BikeFriendliestCities).

The popular Washington, D.C., Capital Bikeshare program began operating in September 2010, and is now the nation’s largest, with 200 locking docks able to accommodate more than 1,800 bright-red bicycles. As in many programs, people can sign up for a short-term stint or an annual membership using either a credit card online or at a station kiosk. Then they can unlock a bicycle and return it to any station within the system. All rides under 30 minutes are free, after which escalating fees kick in, encouraging people to make short trips and to keep more bikes available for other riders.

For more information, visit BikeLeague.org.

Solar Surge

Global Rise in Sun-Generated Power Last year, the U.S. joined Germany, Italy, China and Japan in producing more than 10 gigawatts of solar production nationwide. Now, other countries have awakened to the opportunity and are on their way to catching up. The popular Scandinavian retailer IKEA has sold $10,000 solar panels in 17 British outlets.

Peru recently started a National Photovoltaic Household Electrification Program to connect 2 million of its poorest residents with solar power. In the first phase, 1,601 solar panels were installed to power 126 impoverished communities. The plan is to install about 12,500 photovoltaic systems for 500,000 households at an overall cost of $200 million.

Earth Hour India is helping citizens to switch to solar energy in villages that previously had no electricity. Woodlands stores, in partnership with World Wildlife Foundation-India, has launched a collection drive across the country, inspiring individuals to donate to help light up more than 100 households in three villages in Madhya Pradesh with solar power. The residents had traditionally depended on forest resources for their energy needs.

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FDA Finally Regulates Triclosan

Source: TheDailyGreen.com

Every moment in our lives is a miracle we should enjoy instead of ignoring. ~Yoko Ono

Sinking Reptiles

Forests Preserve

World Turtle Day Sounds Alarm

Trees Rescue Urbanites from Dirty Air

Since 2000, people around the globe have celebrated World Turtle Day, held this year on May 23, to increase respect for and knowledge of the world’s oldest creatures.

Susan Tellem, co-founder with Marshall Thompson of American Turtle Rescue (ATR), states, “These gentle animals have been around for about 200 million years, yet they are rapidly disappearing as a result of the exotic food industry, habitat destruction and the cruel pet trade.” They believe that turtles may be extinct within 50 years and suggest ways to increase their chances for survival for future generations:

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, poor air quality can irritate the respiratory system, reduce lung function, inflame and damage the cells that line the lungs, make lungs more susceptible to infection, aggravate asthma, aggravate other chronic lung diseases and cause permanent lung damage.

U.S. Forest Service researchers have discovered that the urban forests in 10 cities across the country save on average one person a year from pollution-related death. In New York City alone, that number increases to eight people per year.

The scientists recommend that people everywhere plant more trees.

n Never buy a turtle or tortoise from a pet shop; it increases demand from the wild. n Never remove turtles or tortoises from the wild unless they are sick or injured. n If a tortoise is crossing a street, pick it up and gently place it on the other side

in the same direction it was headed. n Write legislators about keeping sensitive habitats preserved. n Report cruelty or illegal sales to a local animal control shelter. n Report the sale of any turtle or tortoise less than four inches long, which is

illegal throughout the U.S. For more information, visit Tortoise.com or Facebook.com/AmericanTortoiseRescue.

Source: AmericanForests.org

Greening Garbage

Activist Turns City Food Waste into Rural Soil Jeremy Brosowsky had an epiphany at a Milwaukee, Wisconsin, greenhouse a few years ago that set him on a more sustainable path: “What if we could take our garbage and grow food in it?” He was in the Midwest to learn about urban agriculture at Growing Power, the pioneering urban farm of McArthur Genius Fellow Will Allen, and was considering starting a rooftop agriculture business. Allen’s emphasis on the importance and elusiveness of fertile soil intrigued him.

“If you don’t dramatically improve the soil, you cannot grow food in cities,” Brosowsky realized. His solution was to create Compost Cab (CompostCab.com), a Washington, D.C.-based service that picks up and delivers urban food waste to local farms for composting. Nearly 100 cities already divert food waste from landfills, but Brosowsky emphasizes, “Composting is not just about waste reduction.

It’s about food production, education, jobs and creating social benefits.” He hopes to roll out Compost Cabs in other cities.

Information Overload

Organic Food Labeling Causes Confusion A recent Harris Poll of 2,276 U.S. adults showed that concern for the environment is growing, but Americans may not be ready to spend more for organic food. More than half think that labeling food or other products as organic is just an excuse to charge more. Yet more than half of respondents also believe that organic foods are healthier than non-organic. At the same time, only 23 percent know what the term “dirty dozen” means in regard to organic food; it’s the Environmental Working Group’s annual list of foods consumers should always buy in organic form due to high pesticide levels in conventional farming.

Radical Fuel

Three Automakers Roll Out Hydrogen Models Toyota has announced that it will market a hydrogen-powered car beginning with the 2015 model year, and Hyundai has also committed to rolling out its fuel-cell Tucson model next year. Honda has already begun leasing its hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity to customers in California.

Each of these vehicles can travel about 300 miles without a refill (three times the range of the hybrid Chevy Volt in battery mode), and reach a top speed of about 100 miles per hour. A refill takes just a few minutes, and because the hydrogen is used to produce electricity, the cars drive without the roar of an internal combustion engine. The cost of hydrogen-fuel-cell vehicles is expected to continue to fall and eventually match that of conventional cars by 2023.

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pushed Teague to take a leap of faith—close her psychotherapy practice and enroll in a filmmaking class.

Teague recognizes that a deeper wisdom activated her response. She observes, “The individuals I was counseling about their restless desire for something better mirrored my own discontent, and my restlessness was an emotional response to what was emerging.

“Today, I no longer concern myself with making the right decision. I trust that whatever the circumstances are, I need to listen, observe and reflect, because ‘now’ contains information for my next step,” she advises.

Amanda Owen, counselor, coach and author of Born to Receive: 7 Powerful Steps Women Can Take Today to Reclaim Their Half of the Universe, has studied the state of receptivity that Teague references. Owen explains, “Receiving is a dynamic and productive state. When the body is relaxed and the mind and nervous system are calm, we become receptive and can feel and intuit subtle information contained in the energy received from external and internal environments.

Trust Your Intuition Listen to that Still, Small Voice and Let it Lead You

by Linda Sechrist

What if you could consistently tap into answers to life’s problems when you need them, knowing deep down that you are on the right track and that the decisions and choices you are making are the correct ones?

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ur body is a wellspring of priceless wisdom. Yet heeding our innate voice seems constantly tested as society distracts us with the busy acquisition of external knowledge and rewards more visible work. Those used to focusing outwardly over-stimulate their five senses and so tend to disconnect from their body’s deep innate intelligence—our sixth sense, also known as intuition.

The resulting joylessness, discontent, isolation, depression and illness have sent millions in search of a real solution that discerning experts believe already exists within.

Our ultimate guide to the fountain of personal health and happiness, they believe, could well be our own intuition.

Changing Directions

For years, Katie Teague, producer of the documentary film, Money & Life, lived with the consequence of sublimating her intuitive impulse. “I felt a restless itch in my soul,” relates Teague, who intuited that life was prompting her to change careers so she could use her talents in a more meaningful way.

The vision of her 94-year-old self lying on her deathbed and faced with the question, “What are you not saying yes to?”

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“Our parasympathetic nervous system is engaged when we’re in this listening state. In contrast, rushing through the day engages our ‘fight-or-flight’ sympathetic nervous system.

Busyness and mind chatter drowns out the valuable information that intuition provides,” Owen notes.

An intuitive energy therapist, Marilyn Eppolite strongly relies on intuitive guidance in her southern New Jersey practice, believing it emanates from her body’s intelligence. “I listen and it’s always present,” she says. Eppolite shares an example of a time she received a clear image and perceived the bodily sensations of a grieving small child from a female client that a psychotherapist had referred. “When I described what I was sensing, her tears flowed and she also connected to the feeling,” she says. “It provided the needed breakthrough she needed to access her feelings and move forward in therapy.”

Eppolite is keenly aware when roadblocks—busyness, willfulness and a fearful, restless mind—create interference.

“These feed each other and can rarely be separated. I can’t hear or feel my intuition when my energy and attention are willfully directed outward,” she observes.

Abandoning the drive for personal control and surrendering to stillness is how Eppolite signals her body’s intelligence that she’s ready for whispers of guidance. “I sense that surrender as strength and trust that the information received is for my greatest good, even if I don’t fully understand it,” she remarks. “Discernment is necessary because deep wisdom frequently comes in segments that I must piece together and put into action before more of it bubbles up from within.”

The teachings of Yogeshwari Kamini Desai, Ph.D., combine Western psychology and Eastern philosophy. As

the director of education and lead teacher of the Amrit in the Buddhist concept that mindfulness of the body alMethod of Yoga, at the facility in Silver Springs, Florida, lows us to love fully. She finds, “It brings healing, wisdom Desai instructs on listening to the voice of intuition identiand freedom.” fied as prana in yogic tradition, which she characterizes as

She relates how she is led to direct a client’s attention “the energy that enlivens and carries out all balancing and to their own body’s intuition, which works best when she life-giving processes in nature. is following her instincts, rather than thinking. “After one

“It speaks through the body as sensations, impulses session, my client, who had been silently experiencing and urges,” she says. “This ‘inner divining rod’ informs numerous feelings in her stomach, asked me why I had us what feelings, thoughts and actions are moving us into touched her abdomen. I was just intuitively led to that part alignment with our source and what of her body.” is moving us out of alignment.”

Dr. Mona Lisa Schulz, also a

Quieting the mind and strengthenPh.D., medical intuitive and co-author ing the directives of prana through mediof All is Well, notes that everyone has a tation, yoga and being in nature moves connection to intuition. “We get a gut us away from what we tell ourselves feeling and sadness in our heart from and back to directly responding to its our inner intelligence that we don’t promptings. “Absorbed in the present know what to do with. While some moment and bodily sensations, we conindividuals consult a practitioner, nect with inner guidance,” explains Deothers listen to their body’s intuitive sai. “With practice, our mind becomes a language and reflect on their insights servant to inner intelligence. It can both and dreams—the language of soul,” direct our lives and make us sensitive to says Schulz. “Intuition can speak softly early symptoms suggesting oncoming through symptoms,” she observes. illness,” she adds.

“Eventually, when disregarded, it can

“There is growing interest in become a full-blown illness.” energy medicine and developing Biochemist and author of Secrets a deeper connection to the body’s of Our Cells: Discovering Your Body’s intelligence through yoga and energy Inner Intelligence, Sondra Barrett, practices like qigong and tai chi Ph.D., is awed by the body’s cellular because people are tired of taking intelligence. “Our cells are invismedications that don’t heal the root ible, so we don’t think of ourselves as Fearlessly following cause of health problems,” comcellular beings. However, a deeper ments Dr. Sue Morter, founder of understanding of our constitution and our intuition frees us to Morter Health Center, near Indianapthat our cells speak to each other and fully live an authentic olis, Indiana, and the healing phecollaborate harmoniously could inspire nomenon she terms Energy Codes. us to befriend our body’s intelligence and satisfying life.

A regular practice of any one of for life,” she says. “We might shift from these disciplines expands sensory wanting to fix an ache or pain to underfunction to encompass internal recognition and referencing standing that our cells are warning us of something.” of subtle information.

Sonia Choquette, a global consultant who recommends

Morter teaches how to awaken gut feelings, personal we rely on our sixth sense as our first sense, has authored power and self-love to restore wholeness left behind in purseveral books on intuition. She finds, “With intuition, we suit of external sources of happiness. “Participants learn to have a personal compass and an ally in discerning what is trust their gut more than the opinions of others, which turns authentic and true for us so that we won’t be tugged and up the volume on the whispers of intuition,” she explains. pulled in different directions when we make decisions.”

After Pat Hall, a therapeutic bodyworker in Augusta,

Laurie McCammon, co-author of Enough: The Rise of Georgia, read Jill Bolte Taylor’s My Stroke of Insight, she was the Feminine and the Birth of the New Story, was relaxing certain a habit of listening to mental chatter interfered with and reflecting with two friends when intuition graced her feeling and interpreting her body’s helpful promptings. “Jill’s with a message of information-laden energy: “I am enough. experience of her body as energy and her mind as silent We are enough. I have enough. We have enough. Enough!” when the left lobe of her brain shut down due to a stroke was The experience inspired them to collaborate on an e-book my ‘Aha!’ moment,” says Hall. For her, heeding inner guidcelebrating the grassroots groundswell toward a major shift ance took practice and a commitment to dismantling reactive in the world. “I believe intuition is an aspect of The Grand thought patterns and habits, plus discerning between intuPlan, which always moves us toward greater expansion, ition and distracting chatter. inclusion and an ever more mature and loving response to

“Mind chatter generally creates fear, negativity and life,” says McCammon. pressure to do something,” she explains. “Intuitive guid Ute Arnold, founder, director and teacher of the Unergi ance is gentle, expansive and undemanding.” Hall believes School of Body-Psychotherapy, in Point Pleasant, Pennsylvania, natural awakenings

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“Today, I no longer concern myself with making the right decision. I trust that whatever the circumstances are, I need to listen, observe and reflect, because ‘now’ contains information for my next step.” ~ Katie Teague describes several physical signatures of body intelligence that can foster improved self-care. “You feel more expansive, available and receptive—with a sense of a longer spine, a wider and deeper body and feet rooted in the Earth’s powerful energy,” explains the author of Touchback: A Self-Healing Journey with Body, Art and Nature, who also has a master’s degree in fine arts. “Expanded into a condition of soft relaxation, your mind stops talking; you enter a mind-body state of energetic receptive listening, where emotional intelligence is accessible.

“These feelings and sensations are indicative of wholeness. From it, we have access to the eternal place of the fully healed soul, which whispers intuitively, nudging us toward what can heal our life, body and mind.”

Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings.

Visit ItsAllAboutWe.com for the recorded interviews.

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healthyeating

Super Juice The Benefits of Kombucha

by Robin Fillmore

A

lthough Kombucha may seem like it is the latest new thing that many foodies and nutrition experts have “discovered,” this fermented tea has ancient roots in China and India. For more than 2,000 years, it has been used for its digestive properties, while providing a link from generation to generation in traditional families, that pass the essential ingredients (and their secrets) from mother to daughter.

Kombucha gets its name from the microorganisms that float in a flat pancake-like shape on top of brewing tea.

SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast) is the “mother culture” that makes the magic of kombucha happen and is often shared as it is passed down from generation to generation, or from friend to friend. The SCOBY is added to black tea and mixed with a small amount of sugar and other natural flavorings.

Fermentation produces the beneficial bugs that are found in probiotic dairy drinks such as yogurt and kefir, as well as prebiotics, also known to generate microorganisms that support healthy digestion. A small amount of alcohol is produced in the fermentation of kombucha, but this process also generates a host of beneficial elements such as B vitamins, microflora, enzymes and organic acids, each with its own healing properties.

Enzymes, working with the acids, help aid digestion by enabling nutrient absorption and waste removal, while supporting the immune system. The body relies on B vitamins to boost energy and to support the body’s metabolic functions, heart health and the maintenance of skin, nails and hair.

While many varieties of kombucha

may have a slightly sour taste, if made with herbs, like basil, or fruits, like strawberries or orange zest, the sourness is overwhelmed with flavor and the goodness of the healthy natural additions. One local brewer of kombucha, Ralph Crafts, has a whole menu of Made to Order Kombuchas (MTOKombucha. com)—including Lime Basil and Orange or his newest addition, Hops, which is a great, healthy alternative to beer.

While brewing kombucha at home is possible, there have been reported incidents of illness and hospitalization that appear to be the result of homebrewed kombucha made from the same SCOBY. The FDA reports that drinking kombucha in normal quantities (about four ounces a day) should not cause adverse effects in healthy persons; however, the potential health risks are unknown for those with preexisting health problems or those who drink excessive amounts. Even some commercially produced kombucha is known to concern those that wish to live GMO-free, so it is wise to know the source of all the ingredients. However, local options are available. MTO Kombucha is completely GMO-free, vegan and organically made in a geothermalfueled brewery in Warrenton, Virginia.

Every regular drinker of kombucha has a story of how the fermented tea has helped them personally, either by jolting them with lots of natural (rather than caffeine-inspired) energy, dissipating their symptoms of acid reflux or lessening their chronic health issues.

To learn more about Kombucha and to try a local brew, visit MTOKombucha.com. See ad, page 29. natural awakenings

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consciouseating

Funny Tummy?

Probiotic Foods Can Fix a Troubled Gut

by Kathleen Barnes

Gas, bloating, stomach cramps, diarrhea and constipation—each of these digestive issues indicates an imbalance of “good” and “bad” intestinal bacteria.

C

hronic digestive discomfort is distressingly common. More than 60 million Americans suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), notes Dr. Mark Pimentel, director of the Gastrointestinal Motility Program at Cedars-Sinai Hospital, in Los Angeles, and author of A New IBS Solution.

Many are too embarrassed to mention it to their doctor, so they suffer silently and learn to live with it.

Multiple Culprits

While digestive distress can visit most of us occasionally, regular bouts have increased due to high-stress lifestyles and unhealthy diets, according to Dr. Dustin James, a St. Louis, Missouri, gastroenterologist and author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Digestive Health. “Getting home late after a stressful day, eating a high-fat meal and then going to bed is a recipe for problems,” he says.

James advises a food-free interlude of four to six hours before bedtime and notes that prescription and over-thecounter heartburn medications can actually worsen the problem over time.

Pimentel, citing his own research, also suggests that even a minor case of food poisoning may unbalance digestive bacteria enough to cause problems for years. “We think food poisoning leads to bacterial overgrowth,” says Pimentel.

In his clinical experience, James says about 10 percent of IBS cases can be connected to the food poisoning theory. Although such cases are typically treated with an antibiotic, rifaximin, many experts ironically attribute bacterial overgrowth to the 22

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use of antibiotics. All antibiotics, taken for any reason, indiscriminately kill both good and bad intestinal bacteria, ultimately creating unbalanced bacteria colonies in the digestive tract, says James. “There can be bad long-term effects,” he advises. James’ antibiotics theory is affirmed by a major Australian review of current research on the links between antibiotics and intestinal bacterial overgrowth.

Sugar is another culprit as are antibiotics in dairy products and meats, which can also aggravate digestive problems. Sugar feeds the growth of unfriendly bacteria and yeast and antibiotics kill friendly bacteria, contributing to imbalances.

The U.S. obesity epidemic has even been linked to digestive problems.

In a study published in the journal Frontiers of Public Health, researchers at the University

of California-Berkeley warn against long-term exposure to antibiotics through their widespread use in the dairy and meat industries. One animal study from Washington University, in St. Louis, showed that intestinal bacteria tend to extract more nutrients—and more calories—from the same foods when eaten by obese animals than when ingested by thinner ones. This helps explain why obese people tend to stay obese without heroic measures.

Good Food Solutions

There is considerable agreement that probiotics—live bacteria such as those contained in fermented foods like quality yogurt—help rebalance beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract and ease ailments that include IBS. Due to U.S. food regulations, yogurt is routinely pasteurized, which kills its probiotic benefits; conscientious suppliers then add active digestive microorganisms, like Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus, back into their products.

“Check yogurt labels for specific names of the species and a certification that it contains live cultures,” counsels Maria Marco, Ph.D., an assistant professor of food science at the University of California-Davis.

Coconut yogurt may be preferred by those with dairy-free diets. Dairy is acidforming and can be difficult to digest.

Many fermented foods can provide the same probiotics to ease digestive woes and restore a healthy balance of the right bacteria. Sauerkraut, rich in Lactobacillus and other strains of healthy bacteria, is at the top of the list.

It’s easy to make super-healthy sauerkraut at home with shredded organic cabbage and salt.

Other fermented foods to put high on a natural probiotic list include: miso, kefir, tempeh, soft cheese, kimchi, sour pickles and sourdough bread.

James recommends two daily servings of high-quality yogurt or other fermented foods to obtain the 2 to 5 billion live bacteria needed to restore gut health. “Every human is unique; try different products in search of what works,” he says.

Probiotic supplements may be more effective for people with serious digestive distress that need higher bacterial counts and the product label may provide specifics of the bacteria and strains. “For example, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is a strain that has been proven to be effective against antibiotic-induced diarrhea,” Marco explains. High-quality probiotics usually require refrigeration to keep the bacteria alive.

In addition, there are many nonfermented foods, including certain juices, candies and energy bars, with specific strains of bacteria added that have probiotic effects.

Kathleen Barnes is the author of a wide variety of natural health books including 8 Weeks to Vibrant Health, with Dr. Hyla Cass. Connect at KathleenBarnes.com.

Safe Digestive Relief In addition to fermented foods, these foods offer digestive relief.

Ginger: Safe enough to quell the nausea of early pregnancy, ginger can offer relief from nausea, gas and even colic in babies.

Peppermint Oil: A traditional remedy now validated by science, peppermint oil can relieve irritable bowels and heartburn. Consider enteric coated (acid resistant) capsules that can impact the small intestine, where relief is needed.

Fennel: This mildly licorice-flavored seed hasn’t been extensively studied, but lovers of Indian cuisine have traditionally used it to promote smooth digestion after consuming curryladen meals.

Sources: American Botanical Council; Mayo Clinic, MN; Baylor University, TX; University of Michigan; University of Rochester, NY

r te is g w Re No

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leadingedge

Reconnective Healing Help for Range of Motion Issues

by Jackie Lapin

A

new study by researchers at the University of Arizona has shown definitively that people that have range of motion limitations in their arms and shoulders show a significantly greater level of healing and pain reduction through a 10-minute, one-time session of Reconnective Healing, than when treated with physical therapy.

This study, coupled with a highly acclaimed segment with Reconnective Healing discoverer Dr. Eric Pearl on The Dr. Oz Show, has pushed this revoltionary form of alternative healing into the public consciousness and to the forefront of exciting new healthcare options.

Reconnective Healing is a comprehensive, yet simple and easy-to-learn, healing approach, which completely transcends “energy healing” and its complex rituals and techniques. It accesses vibrational frequencies that are self-correcting by nature and are accessible to everyone.

Without physically touching people, Reconnective Healing frequently has instantaneous and life-lasting re-

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sults for individuals with range of motion limitations, cancers, depression, AIDS-related diseases, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, chronic pain, muscle aches and more.

According to researchers that call it the forefront of “information medicine”, Reconnective Healing is a healing power that transcends imagination and the limitations of previously conceived human ability. Some scientists say it even has the power to transform DNA. Reconnective Healing practitioners interact with a bandwidth of vibrational frequencies that convey corrective information to the body and mind. Stanford Professor Emeritus Dr. William Tiller says, “When information carried through these frequencies is introduced, it creates coherence and order within the field and the body itself.”

The result: dramatic reports of regeneration instead of degeneration and account after account of seemingly unexplainable healings. The book, Science Confirms Reconnective

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

Healing, by Dr. Konstantin Korotkov, chronicles many studies that show that Reconnective Healing is scientifically measurable and powerful.

Pearl, the founder of Reconnective Healing, has taught more than 75,000 people how to become catalysts for healing—both for themselves and others. Pearl is the author of The Reconnection: Heal Others, Heal Yourself, an international bestseller, now translated into 36 languages. The book relates his transformation from a highly successful Los Angeles chiropractor, into the first Reconnective Healer, when his patients began reporting sudden healings, even though he physically had not touched them.

Now the reality of Reconnective Healing existence has been demonstrated clearly in practice, as well as in scientific research laboratories.

Pearl and the Reconnection team have been working with eminent scientists around the world to quantify, validate and understand the dynamics of this profound healing methodology.

“Reconnective Healing is not just energy healing, but instead, a more comprehensive spectrum of healing that goes beyond energy, into levels of light and information,” explains Pearl.

“Anyone can learn to access these energies once you interact with them.

Reconnective Healing is not something we do. It’s something we become. It’s something we allow and help facilitate.

It works by itself, as well as greatly expands the results of the modalities that today’s healing and healthcare practitioners are already using.”

Pearl travels 42 weeks per year, teaching Reconnective Healing to eager tens of thousands on six continents, including medical students and doctors, other healthcare professionals, as well as the lay public. They come from all walks of life, demographics and socio-economic classes and are astonished at the clear and immediately observable physical effects they witness as they work on others.

After almost 20 years of practicing and teaching Reconnective Healing, Pearl recognizes from thousands of cases, that Reconnective Healing is a very real phenomenon. Yet he and the scientific world are still not

certain why—or for that matter, even how—it works. “What’s important is that Reconnective Healing works,” affirms Pearl, “even if we don’t know exactly why—even if we don’t ever know exactly why.”

Jackie Lapin is a writer and marketing assistant to Dr. Eric Pearl.

For more information, email Joan Fowler at Joan@dove333.com or Debbie Spinelli at Debbie333 Spinelli@gmail.com. To learn more about Reconnective Healing locally, visit Dove333.com or Balance HealEvolve.com. Upcoming seminars will be offered, May 9 to 13 in Miami, FL, and November 21 to 25 in Philadelphia. See ad, page 34.

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greenliving

Big Buildings Go Green

by Sharon Hadden

I

t is easy to make eco-conscious decisions when you’re a household of two, or four, but the Consolidated Forensic Laboratory (CFL) in Washington found a way to save money, and the environment, with its newly built, state-of-the-art facility.

Towering at 287,000 square feet, CFL houses the city’s public safety forensic science and public health efforts, put-

ting the D.C. public health lab, the medical examiner and police department crime lab in a single, reliable facility.

CFL provides quality, timely information for law enforcement agencies and safety and health services to D.C. residents.

The laboratory was designed to be LEED Gold Certified, however, in 2013, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) awarded the CFL

with LEED Platinum Certification, the highest level of four that can be achieved. LEED certification is recognized globally as an achievement in green building. It’s all about saving money, conserving energy, better building materials, improving air quality and more. With an actual budget of $215 million for the overall project, the building landed a contract of completion for only $133 million. Through innovative architecture and design, the CFL achieved an unimaginable accomplishment for a building that would otherwise negatively impact the environment due to hazardous waste and emissions.

The design features recognized in the CFL are energy and atmosphere, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality and materials, among others. In a release from the Department of General Services, Bill Hellmuth, president and director of design HOK, the architecture/engineering firm for CFL, said, “It is a testament to the commitment of the District as well as the design and construction team to execute a high performance, high design project that not only exceeds the requirements of the DC Green Building Act, but blows them away.”

Sharon Hadden, writer, editor and public relations consultant, helps businesses manage and understand their digital footprint.

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naturalpet

Pain-Free Pooch Five Natural Therapies that Work

by Jennifer Kachnic

Because dogs won’t always let us know when they’re hurting, some people assume they don’t experience pain the same way we do, but that’s not the case. Instincts retained from their wild heritage will generally prompt them to hide pain as it’s a sign of weakness.

T

he truth is that arthritis and muscle or joint injuries are just as uncomfortable for dogs as they are for us, and many canine illnesses generate significant pain. While conventional medications can ease discomfort, they’re not the only or even the best options in many cases.

Alternative therapies can be helpful in managing and relieving pain and work best as part of a whole body wellness program designed for a dog’s individual needs. To that end, always consult with an integrative veterinarian before starting any new treatment. Together, practitioner and owner will note that some of the following modalities may be contraindicated in some situations—for example, massage should never be performed on or near a tumor.

Canine Massage: Dogs love massage because they crave being touched.

Physical contact from another being provides a calming effect and brings comfort. Skin, the largest sense organ in the body, is loaded with sensory receptors and nerve endings that register touch, temperature and pain, and send information to the brain. Massage

therapy relaxes muscles and also stimulates endorphins, increases circulation, elevates oxygen levels, flushes toxins, helps with inflammation, strengthens the immune system and accelerates healing. All of these benefits can contribute to effective pain management.

Acupuncture and Acupressure: Both of these time-honored modalities are based on the concept of keeping vital energy flowing through the body and seek to stimulate key points along the energy meridians beneath the skin. Acupuncture involves the insertion of small needles at these points, while acupressure uses fingers to apply pressure to the same points. Both modalities are widely known to assist in managing pain and anxiety.

Energy Healing: Here, the practitioner improves the flow of energy in an animal’s body using a range of gentle and powerful natural therapies. During a treatment, the trained healer sends subtle energy through the hands to promote physical and emotional balance and healing. While conventional medicine follows the belief that treatments for disease or injury must be strictly biological, energy medicine works to restore

the patient’s health by treating the mind, body and spirit in nonphysical ways.

Energy healing modalities available for dogs include Reiki, qigong, Healing Touch and Tellington Touch.

Cold Laser Therapy: Developed more than 20 years ago, cold laser therapy has become a popular alternative treatment around the world for aches and pains in dogs. It directs highly concentrated coherent light waves to muscles, tissues and organs, reducing inflammation and muscle spasms. It’s also applied to disc and other spine-related issues. Low-level cold laser therapy is painless, noninvasive and takes only minutes. The effects are similar to those provided by non-steroidal medications, with negligible negative side effects.

Hydrotherapy: The benefits of swimming are renowned. When dogs swim, they feel a resistance to movement, which makes a vigorous fiveminute swim virtually equivalent in energy expended to a five-mile run.

Some dogs like swimming even better than running. Hydrotherapy, which includes exercise on an underwater treadmill combined with swimming, is particularly helpful. The effect on senior dogs is especially dramatic, affording them a painless and enjoyable way to move about and exercise.

Water’s natural buoyancy supports the dog, lessens stress on joints, facilitates greater movement and provides a safe and healthful form of exercise for those suffering injuries, disease or pain.

The best choice of therapies for an individual animal will depend on the dog’s condition and recommendations by the family veterinarian. Selected and practiced properly, these complementary modalities can make a major impact in a canine’s physical and emotional well-being, while minimizing or even eliminating the need for medications.

Jennifer Kachnic is the author of Your Dog’s Golden Years: Manual for Senior Dog Care Including Natural Remedies and Complementary Options. She is a certified canine massage therapist, animal Reiki practitioner and certified therapy dog handler with the American Humane Association. Learn more about this president of The Grey Muzzle Organization at GreyMuzzle.org. natural awakenings

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Herbs for All

Beyond Local Food and Re-Localizing Our Folk Medicine

by Molly Meehan with Angela Adrar

H

erbs, specifically folk herbalism, are of the “people”— this is knowledge kept alive and thriving amongst our communities. Even today, 80 percent of the world still uses herbs as part of their medicine.

Folk equals people, and folk are growing herb gardens, looking back to their grandmothers and towards kitchen spice racks, for health solutions. Yet, at a global level, herbal medicine is being systematically dismantled in favor of commercial, mechanized, pharmaceutical medicines.

Even in herbal medicine we have to be careful to this mechanized approach. We could just as unconsciously pop an herbal extract pill and not really connect with the medicine of that beautiful plant.

Surely, at times the actual process of mixing the tea, smelling, tasting, slowly sipping and experiencing it is part of the healing process.

The healing process of natural medicine, that we all know in our cellular history, comes from a lineage of plant people. Every single one of us comes from a line of farmers, of bush doctors, of curanderas-herbalists, fishermen and hunters. The richness, the language and community, as well as the culture that goes along with this around the world, is the medicine in us. The comfort of a mama’s sancocho (chicken soup) or a cup of warm chai tea is food-medicine for the soul.

In alignment with the resurgence in local food, the re-localization of our

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herbal medicine is an effort that must be shared by all peoples, from all backgrounds and ages. Our food, but also our medicine, carry what we believe are much of the solutions to the issues we now face. Social movements from La Via Campesina to SlowFood are getting traction around fair food, seed saving and agroecology. Historically, our farms and gardens were home to both our food and our herbs side-by-side, and harvesting seeds for food also meant harvesting seeds for herbs. Herbal medicine is who we are, culturally appropriate and locally available where linguistic and cultural diversity only enrich its value and level of adoption by all.

As the infrastructure and education around local and organic agriculture continues to expand, local food movement has to put equal energy into localized medicine. Learn more about herbal wellness on International HerbDay , May 3, at Herbs for All: the first bilingual Herbal Encuentro in Washington. It will be held at Emergence Community Arts Collective and presented by Centro Ashé and EcoHermanas, a global community of women that share, weave and reconnect life to Mother Earth. Free workshops include topics such as dying with herbs, kitchen medicine, herbal art-making and others. A guided neighborhood herbal walking tour, cooking and capoeira demonstrations for kids and adults, the community seed exchange and a potluck will happen as part of the outdoor herbal village market. Childcare is also available by RSVP, so parents can fully engage. The event is close to local public transportation, and is free, though donations of five to 10 dollars are suggested.

Registration online is strongly encouraged at CentroAshe.org/HerbsForAll. Molly Meehan, of Centro Ashé Herbs and Education (CentroAshe.org), is inspired by thriving community based food and herbal medicine. In Washington, D.C., and Costa Rica, Centro Ashé works in engaged community exploring and protecting these traditions. Angela Adrar is a founding member of Ecohermanas collective and works on issues of food sovereignty and environmental and restorative justice. She is a consultant on strategic planning and communications.

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oneonone

restriction, to create as much balance in the tensions around that area as I can, until it releases and resets to a new balance point.

Hands-On Healing with a Dose of Happy

Why does someone seek osteopathic treatment?

Most people come to see me for physical pain, musculoskeletal pain—joint pain, back pain, neck pain, stiffness or headaches—but some come because they’re having functional restrictions, there’s something they used to be able to do that they can’t do as well.

An Interview with Stella Emsellem, DO

by Grace Ogden

T

he patient asks the doctor behind her, “Is that your head?” Osteopathic physician Stella Emsellem responds with a cheerful, muffled yes.

Set on finding the source of her patient’s migraine, Emsellem has pressed her head into the woman’s back and placed her hands diagonally on the shoulder and hip. Using her head as a fulcrum, she starts rocking the patient gently back and forth.

Four years of medical school and a yearlong residency taught Emsellem to use her head and hands this way.

Characterized by manual diagnosis and treatment, osteopathic medicine treats the body as a unit of interrelated structure and function that possesses the inherent ability to heal itself. Emsellem applies the intelligence in her hands, inherited in a blend of art and science from her jeweler father and neurologist-turned-sleep-doctor mother, to her patients at Hands on Osteopathic Healthcare in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

She described her work during this recent interview.

How do you see osteopathy’s role in healing?

When we respect that the body has the capacity to heal itself, we can evaluate it from a knowledgeable stance, and just give it a nudge in the right direction. Most of my patients are generally healthy and active and have taken numerous falls and bumps along the way and been fine. They come to see me when they have accumulated too many, or encountered an external traumatic

force, such that they can’t bounce back.

How do you do it?

My training lineage goes all the way back to the founders of osteopathy.

The way we practice is very direct. I can feel where tensions consolidate and change. I was taught to treat for balance and balanced tension, in the whole body, in all the tissues of the body. Learning to feel different layers of tissue is a skill set. Orthopedic surgeons place their hands on a knee and go straight to analyzing the ligaments, joint and meniscus. I place my hands there and stop along the way, so that I first feel the skin, fatty tissue, myofascial tissue, muscle, tendons and then the ligaments, joint space/ fluids and bones. It’s all just a matter of training. Bones are mosaics of fluid in different densities. I treat the body and the head in the same way. I directly engage it, motion test in all directions, find a restriction and then go into that

What other perspectives do you bring to your work?

I’m a big fan of happiness, which I find in the self-exploration of movement.

The more different forms of movement and outdoor sports I pick up, the more I understand the way the body is functioning on a physical and anatomical basis. My yoga practice helps me understand the way breath influences the body and how opposing forces can create balance. I was raised cultural Jewish in a Type A household but have become more spiritual, connected to movement and being in the mountains, feeling something greater and bigger, a sense of unity. I find that place too when I’m treating patients, because it’s such an honor to have their trust.

For more information, call 240-7434287 or visit HandsOnOsteo.com.

Grace Ogden is the founder of Grace Productions, which offers transformational consulting and Living Sacred events. For more information, visit GraceProductions.co. See ad, page 30.

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eventspotlight

Integrated branding and coaching for visionary professionals and organizations

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

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Events

The Ultimate Marketplace for Sustainability and Green Living

G

reen Festival, America’s largest and longest-running sustainability and green living event, returns to Washington, D.C., May 31and June 1.

Now in its 10th year in the nation’s capitol, Green Festival is attended by more than 20,000 Washington-area attendees.

At Green Festival, Washington’s green community will have an opportunity to learn from innovative green brands, national and local businesses, and pioneering thinkers about how to live healthier, more sustainable lives—and experience the latest in sustainability and green living. Green Festival D.C. will be held at the Walter

Contact Grace to find out how she can help you grow.

FLI www.graceproductions.co grace@graceproductions.co (301) 445-6771

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E. Washington Convention Center.

With more than 200 sponsors and exhibitors participating, Green Festival D.C. will include sustainable offerings to appeal to everyone, with the widest selection of products and services to work green, play green and live green— from food, fashion, pets, kids, yoga and health, to energy, construction and design. People can shop and enjoy vegan, vegetarian and organic foods, hands-on cooking and fitness demos, educational activities and learn from inspirational speakers. The festival will include greenthemed stages for families, business and technology, home and community, as

well as a yoga pavilion, a sustainable beer and wine garden, and a vegan/vegetarian food court.

“We are so pleased that Green Festival will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in Washington, D.C. in 2014,” says Dr. Corinna Basler, president of Green Festival, Inc. “This year, Green Festival will feature the widest array ever of sustainable products, ideas and innovations in our nation’s capitol, which will help us build more awareness of healthier, more sustainable lifestyle choices made available through our expansive and engaging marketplace connecting customers, retailers, wholesalers and corporations —all under one roof.”

This year, Green Festival announced a new Green Festival Brand Award and Green Festival Community Award, which will be given away at Green Festival Washington, D.C. Awarded to leading innovators in sustainable business whose products and services are transforming the lives of consumers, the Brand Award will honor Green Festival exhibitors that are making a significant impact on the lives of consumers and the planet. The New Community Award will provide a $5,000 grant to a deserving regional nonprofit for its sustainability-focused project aimed at improving the local community.

In addition, consumers at events in each city that vote for their favorite green brands will be eligible for the chance to win the Super Green Shopper Prize, a gift basket of premium green products donated by exhibitors at Green Festival.

The call for applications and public voting will begin April 28 on www. greenfestivals.org/awards.

Green Festival will be held 801 Mt. Vernon Place, NW. For more info, Green Festivals.org. For news and updates, follow Green Festival on Facebook and Twitter @ GreenFestival.

Half-off tickets at GreenFestivals.org/ Tickets and using the code NATAWAKDC14. See ad, page 5.

Global Foods From Around the Corner

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fitbody

Body Ease Fluid, Flexible Movement Can Be Ours

by Sarah Todd

B

ad habits are hard to break—and it’s even harder to eliminate those we are unaware of. Many people experience pain from unconscious physical patterns such as hunching over a computer keyboard or holding a musical instrument at an uncomfortable angle, but don’t know how to identify and change limiting positions. This calls for body movement re-education.

Alexander Technique

“Let’s say you’re a runner and didn’t realize that you were running in a lopsided way,” explains Alexander Technique practitioner Beret Arcaya, who has taught the practice in New York City for almost 30 years. Students learn to retrain their thinking, movements and posture for better natural alignment. “It helps you understand how you’re making an argument between yourself and gravity,” she says.

Invented by Australian thespian F. Matthias Alexander at the end of the 19th century as a means of improving his onstage presence, the Alexander Technique is highly regarded by actors and entertainers, yet anyone can benefit from it, according to Arcaya.

In typical one-on-one sessions, Alexander movement practitioners use a light, gentle touch and verbal instruction to show students how to realign their head, neck and upper back while standing in front of a mirror, which helps the rest of the body attain a more natural position.

Next, students learn to move through 32

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routine activities like sitting, walking and bending in ways that replace damaging habits with easier movements.

The technique is easily modified to meet individual needs, Arcaya says, citing a former student that suffered from hemophilia. “He could hardly bend his knees, and he had little mobility in one elbow; he was terribly stiff,” she recalls. While the technique couldn’t treat the disease, “It allowed him to skillfully use his remaining uninjured tissue.” One day, when he returned from a three-mile walk with his young son, he was beaming. “‘I walked with a freedom and a lightness,’ he said, ‘I didn’t want to stop.’”

A 2008 study in the medical journal BMJ found that patients with chronic back pain experienced long-term benefits from Alexander Technique exercises and lessons. People with Parkinson’s disease also improved their walking, speech, posture and balance through Alexander training, according to a 2002 study in Clinical Rehabilitation.

Feldenkrais Method

Others in need of movement reeducation use the method founded by physicist, electrical engineer and judo black belt holder Moshé Feldenkrais in the mid-20th century. Feldenkrais was familiar with the Alexander Technique, and the two methods share the same fundamental goal of helping students change harmful patterns through movement exploration, touch and dialogue.

The Feldenkrais Method avoids concepts of “right” and “wrong”. Instead, the

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

practitioner leads students through gentle, slow-movement sequences, mostly on the floor, while asking questions about subtle details as they experience options. This sharpens sensory awareness of how to perform each movement with maximum ease. In one-on-one sessions, the student is passive while the practitioner’s hands suggest various non-habitual movements to widen his repertoire. It all increases flexibility, balance, fine motor skills and overall physical self-awareness.

Feldenkrais stated, “What I’m after isn’t flexible bodies but flexible brains; to restore each person to their human dignity.”

Seniors that practiced the Feldenkrais Method enhanced their balance and mobility, according to a 2010 study published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. It may also alleviate symptoms of nonclinical depression, according to a 2011 pilot study reported in the Journal of the South Carolina Medical Association.

Trager Approach

Another entry point to such a bodily reawakening is the Trager Approach, invented by Dr. Milton Trager, an athlete who suffered from a congenital spinal deformity. “The intention of the practitioner in a Trager session is to introduce the client to a series of playful and pleasurable sensations as the session unfolds,” says practitioner Martha Partridge, of New York City, who works primarily with people that have Parkinson’s disease.

During tablework sessions, practitioners “bring awareness” of a specific movement by rocking, cradling and gently rotating a client’s body, Partridge explains. The feeling of effortless movement is further ingrained through a series of mental gymnastics, termed mentastics, that clients can do at home.

The objective, says Partridge, is to help people have a sense of joy in everyday, common movement.

All three bodywork techniques can help people banish bad habits for good.

“Gradually, aches and pains will go away,” Arcaya says. “You can undo the imbalances that have done you wrong.”

Then go forward, doing things right.

Sarah Todd is a freelance writer in Brooklyn, NY. Connect at SarahToddInk.com.

BuddhaFest Celebrates Five Years of Generosity

by Gabriel Riera and Eric Forbis

B

uddhaFest presents its fifth anniversary festival of films, talks, meditation and music on June 19 to 22 in Rosslyn, Virginia. This year’s theme is generosity and service, and speakers include Ram Dass, Roshi Joan Halifax, Tara Brach, Sharon Salzberg and many more.

The idea for BuddhaFest came about five years ago, after being asked to put together a benefit screening of a film about Tibetan nuns. From that small act of generosity came a festival that now fills several thousand seats every year, all in service of promoting spiritual awareness, compassion and peace in the world. So, it is very fitting that the fifth anniversary celebration centers on service and generosity.

When the Buddha taught, he always began with generosity. The cultivation of generosity is the beginning of spiritual awakening. It has tremendous force because it arises from an inner quality of letting go, which gives us profound freedom.

The cornerstone of BuddhaFest is

the films. As film fans, we know that cinema can help us grow into a deeper understanding of what it means to be alive, by showing us the common threads that bind us all. Often, what is familiar in our own hearts can be seen through the camera in the faces of people, or the sweep of a landscape, or the simple objects that fill a room.

That’s especially true with conscious cinema. These types of films encourage our connection to a greater reality. They have just as important a role to play, in the understanding of our inner lives, as the storytellers of the past, who also sat in the darkness, perhaps by a fire, engaging listeners with their tales.

BuddhaFest was created to share and learn through cinematic stories, but it was also important for people to connect to their own stories, to be able to make sense of the dharma, or spiritual teachings, in contemporary terms. Because of this, BuddhaFest was expanded beyond the idea of a film festival to a broader, and as it turns out, unique concept, which includes spiritual teachers,

meditation and music.

We’re happy to have hosted so many wise and often funny teachers who have helped us find our center in this messy and complex modern world. We love this quote from Salzberg, our teacher, who has been a part of each year’s festival:

“The Buddha talked about cultivating the spirit of generosity, and he also talked about reflecting on the good things we’ve done and taking delight in them. We recall acts of generosity, not to bolster ego, but rather to acknowledge that—in this world that offers so many choices and possibilities—we cared enough about ourselves and others to choose to give rather than hold on.”

We hope you’ll join us for inspiring films, beautiful music and speakers who will share their wisdom and heart energy, as we explore mindfulness, compassion, and the profound effect that the power of generosity and service can have on our lives.

Gabriel Riera and Eric Forbis are the cofounders and co-directors of BuddhaFest.

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May 2014

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practitionerspotlight

The Cutting Edge in Health, Healing, Brain Wellness and Enlightenment with Chas Gant, M.D., Ph.D.

by Robin Fillmore

D

to Gant, tends to be r. Chas the easy part. “With Gant, an internationin-depth, functional ally known author, medicine and gene physician and local testing that has now practitioner, grounds become a relatively inexpensive, his healing work insurance-covered with the fundamental diagnostic tool, and belief that his job, as the science that is a healer, is to prepare his patients for becoming widely a greater journey to available, getting wellness and fullness good outcomes for of life. It is through all types of chronic his rare combinamedical and psychition of training in atric problems has biochemistry, his become fairly routine medical degree and What is lackDr. Chas Gant specialties in family ing for the patient, practice, psychiatry, however, is that when psychology, psychotherapy, as well someone is sick, both physically and as genetics, that he has been able to mentally, it is difficult for them to feel perfect unique and highly successful compassion—to feel the love—and to integrative treatment strategies that be open to everything that is going on transcend the standard protocol of around them, which is often the most treating symptoms, through medicaserious impediment to wellness.” tion or even nutritional supplements

To heal the patient fully, the brain and holistic treatments alone. needs to be engaged to its natural

With a variety of tools in his state. People everywhere are buzzmetaphorical medical bag, Gant is ing about mindfulness, which is a able to start at any place in the life of practice in which Gant has practiced a patient, to address the root causes and taught for several decades. In for chronic emotional and physical his medical practice, he sees papain, dysfunction and disease. “If I get tients whose brains have become too stuck on the biochemistry part, I can toxic—nutritionally deprived or metashift gears into psychotherapy or teach bolically imbalanced—which diminmindfulness. Or, I can start at the ishes their capacity to fully reap the other end and look for immunologibenefits of a mindfulness or spiritual cal, toxicological, metabolic, genetic practice. By incorporating his extenor infectious stressors, to see what sive understanding of the brain as “an impedes my patient from fully living— organ structurally designed to attain from experiencing a complete life. It is enlightenment,” Gant has elevated the a journey,” states Gant. whole concept of medical practice to

The healing part of this journey, perhaps unprecedented levels.

Often, patients come to him as the last resort, having exhausted tens of thousands of dollars on testing and treatments which were not effective, only to find that previous testing didn’t reveal basic biochemical imbalances, infections and toxicities that were the root cause of the disease or chronic emotional and physical pain. There is no typical patient for Gant, as he searches for the root causes of cancer, auto-immune diseases, depression, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, autism, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome and cardiovascular disease, as well as many other conditions and diseases.

He has published ground-breaking research on his work with addictions and AD/HD (which will be presented in future issues of Natural Awakenings).

While fully accepting his role in the healing process, Gant is shifting the traditional paradigm within the medical profession, with the doctor serving in a new role. Healing patients not as end unto itself, but instead to prepare his patients to take on the challenges of a spiritual journey, which he sees as the most important purpose of the human experience.

Throughout his career, he has been turning his relationships with patients into a dialogue between equals or partners in the journey, as he sees his professional activities as seamlessly bound to a spiritual life.

Gant helps his patients understand that, “to engage the brain in this process is an integral part of what is happening all around the world. Why not use our strength, which is our scientific knowledge, to understand the mechanisms of how healing happens? Our brains are designed to express compassion, evolutionarily selected to be enlightened, but we are not accessing all of our gifts, our hardware, which we are obviously designed to use.” It is Gant’s mission to bring this message to his patients and all those who seek greater understanding of sharing the human experience.

To learn more about Dr. Chas Gant, call 202-237-7000 ext. 104 or visit, DrChasMDcom. Watch for more articles by Gant in upcoming issues of Natural Awakenings. natural awakenings

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wisewords

From“Shoulding” to Being An Invitation to Mothers to Reconnect with Their Inner Wisdom and Intuition

by Alexandra Hughes

M

these “shoulds”, are the grant shoulds othering today is complicated. Mothers are bom(excuse the pun): you (and your family) barded by parenting “shoulds” from all angles.

There are, of course, the old school “shoulds” com- should achieve, you should succeed, you should be perfect. ing from colleagues, friends and family. But, with the grow Life then becomes about doing, to ing mother market, never before has there been so much achieve perfect success. Busy-ness driven by an “stuff” out there for moms. And, along with this stuff, comes externally defined perfection not only allows, but a lot of messaging. A lot of “shoulds”. also supports a disconnection from self. First of all,

Aside from the baby gear and children’s activities, there the notion does not come from within and secondly, it are books, planners, television shows, blogs, websites, Faceis non-forgiving and unattainable. Perfection is never book pages and Twitter feeds, all dedicated to helping moms attained. There is always better and be better moms. Messages of betterment differ, though—and what is most confusing When mothers begin to more to consume and do.

And so, as moms get busy achievis that they are often contradictory. ask these questions, an ing an externally defined vision of n “Mothers should stay at home to perfection­—as mothers, as wives, as inner transformation care for their families.” professionals—they often lose sight of towards growing and n “Mothers should work outside the their authentic self. They live accord home and be role models for ing to unconscious and unquestiontrusting inner wisdom their children.” able “shoulds”. This busy-doing-toand intuition begins. achieve-perfection cycle can keep n “Mothers should support their many mothers at bay from their inner children to do sports, creative, wisdom and intuition, a place where linguistic and social activities answers about their soul-fulfilling needs lie. outside of school to become well-rounded

So how do mothers reconnect with themselves? A citizens of the future.” first step here is becoming aware of the “shoulds” that n “Mothers should support their children to have free govern ones’ life. And in order to hear these humming in time—a space to cultivate their imaginations.” the background of our busyness, there is a need to stop and simply, be. Brigid Schulte calls it “time serenity”; Tara n “Mothers should cook balanced meals from fresh, Brach calls it “the space of presence”. It is about stopping organic produce.” and listening non-judgementally. n “Mothers should exercise regularly—they shouldn’t “let

Moms who invest in such “stopping and being time” themselves go” and stay healthy and fit.” may find themselves asking: Who they are? What they love?

The list goes on. If moms were all in a Zen-like state, Where their happiness lies? And when mothers begin to ask conscious and collected when bombarded by all of these these questions, an inner transformation towards growing messages, they could intuitively connect with their inner and trusting inner wisdom and intuition begins. wisdom and make the conscious decision to consume, or

So, although externally defined “shoulds” will never go not; or to partially consume a message and disregard the away, taking the energy and time to connect with self will rest of it. However, very few moms would attest to feelhelp moms to be aware of them, and neutralize the power ing Zen-like these days. The thing that’s that underpinning they have over their lives. Connection with self will support 36

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NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

them to align what they do with who they really are. This is not only the true art of happiness and perfection, but also the most powerful role model for today’s children.

Alexandra Hughes is co-founder and life coach for mothers at TheBlissSpace.com, a growing community helping mothers to find, grow and celebrate themselves as women and mothers. Residing in Washington, D.C., she is also mother to three mischievous children and wife to one exasperated husband.

Sources: m2moms.com, Brigid Schulte, Overwhelmed: Work, Love, and Play When No One Has the Time; Tara Brach in HuffingtonPost.com.

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May 2014

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ancientwisdom

Mandala: Circles of Wholeness

by Suchinta Abhayaratna, Th.D.

M

andala is a Sanskrit word that means “container of essence” or “sacred circle”. These circular symbolic images are found in the sacred art of many cultures. Visualizing, creating and/ or meditating on a mandala can be a spiritual practice expressing one’s own divine creative essence, through symbolic and sacred art.

Mandalas have been used since ancient times to deepen and enhance meditation, awaken, heal, reveal, inspire and teach, in the Hindu, Vedic, Chinese, Native American, Islamic, African and Judeo-Christian traditions.

They are often imprinted on circular healing talismans worn by the sick.

Tibetan Mandalas are some of the better known forms of mandala art.

Tibetan Buddhist monks spend years learning to create symbols of cosmic forces and relationships in intricate traditional designs. They are created from fine, colored sand with the intention of bringing balance and order to individuals, communities and the world at large.

In traditional healing ceremonies of the Navajo of North America, the patient is placed in the center of a mandala depicting healing spirits

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created with desert sand, flower petals and pollen.

Psychologist Carl Jung painted mandalas he saw in dreams, having witnessed the devastating effects of war in Europe. However, it was only after several months and many mandalas later that he observed psychological transformation within himself and recognized the significance of mandala creation. He discovered that mandalas held a key to unleashing healing within those who create or meditate on them and used mandalas to observe and analyze the inner world and progress of his psychotherapeutic patients.

The late Judith Cornell, Ph.D., an American artist, yogini and scholar, developed a modern expression of ancient sacred healing art. She described the mandala as “a concrete symbol of its creator’s absorption into a sacred center.” Cornell’s approach to mandala healing came from her yogic experiences of the healing power within herself, through creating mandalas as her own response to cancer. While Jung discovered the key to a door, he did unlock it and fully open to the healing power of mandala art. Cornell, on the other

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

hand, flung the door wide open, enabling those who walk through it to participate in a deep self-healing experience. Her simple, multifaceted, transpersonal, vibrational healing process often reveals profound truths about oneself that often lead to mental, emotional, spiritual and even physical healing.

Cornell’s process is a heartcentered, deeply spiritual practice that is a modern expression of the ancient Eastern spiritual practices. She presents the mandala as sacred art that mirrors “the vibrational light of consciousness” and sees it as “the creative amalgam between science and spirituality” that includes both physics and meta-physics, helping us to “understand our own divine artistry in the unfolding patterns of light, sound and consciousness.” To her, the creation of a mandala is about “self-realization and ultimate healing.”

Cornell’s mandala process uses white and colored pencils on black paper. The black paper represents the “womb of the universe or the dark un-manifested parts of our soul’s consciousness.” The white pencil represents the pure light of the soul and colored pencils represent the rainbow spectrum contained in white light— the colors that represent the energy centers of the body.

Each mandala is focused on an intention: expressing the light within, wholeness, heart opening, forgiveness, gratitude, letting go and healing for others. Group mandalas include living/nature mandalas and sand mandalas. Each mandala is a different experience, Participants report experiencing lightness of being, feelings of beauty, peace, expansiveness and childlike joy.

Suchinta Abhayaratna, Th.D., is a transpersonal and transformational psychologist, holistic self-care coach and workshop facilitator living and working in the Washington metropolitan area. See ad, page 39.

To learn more about local mandala workshops, both live, online and threeday retreats, email Chisuchinta@yahoo. com or visit Chisuchinta.com.

firstperson

Biodanza and the Poetry of Human Encounter

by Michelle Dubreuil Macek

I

others. Not superficially present as we tend to be in our busy Western society, but really connected with someone else in the dance. Holding hands, gazing into the “eyes of humanity” as Biodanza creator Rolando Toro describes it, or lying in a warm nest or “puppy puddle” on the ground, I felt increasingly comforted, contained and liberated from cultural constraints of how we are supposed to relate to one another.

Deepening this ability to be authentically present with myself and others also allowed me to connect more profoundly to the Divine. When I dance now, I am filled with the presence of the numinous and feel this awesome energy in dancers with whom I ignite on the dance floor.

As a wife and mother of three, I am more connected in mind, body and spirit ways that replaced the distraction I felt before. I look people in the eyes, focus on them, and don’t answer my ringing phone or look away with disinterest. I can say that I know what it truly is to be present with someone and I know that each moment of life is sacred and precious. My “poetic encounters” now extend beyond the dance floor and spill over into my daily life.

What is that mask happened upon I am hiding beBiodanza during hind? How is this a very low point showing up in my in my life. I was dance? As I began seven years into to peel away the a 14-year journey layers with selfin Africa, having regulation and given up my secure, feedback, I felt independent life the emergence of in the U.S. and a the real me within tenured teaching every dance. These job that defined me. are two important I had married and concepts reinforced had two children, in the Biodanza but had lost myself Michelle Dubreuil Macek space. Self-regulation somewhere along the way in the morass of new motherhood allows you to care for your physical needs in the dance—if you need to and the difficult task of adapting to slow down, speed up, or even rest, you new and challenging environments in need to make the decision. Extending poverty-stricken African cities.

Discovering Biodanza was the product this concept to the other dancers, being in communication with them through of pure serendipity in the form of a Michelle Dubreuil Macek is a Life awareness of their space, gestures, and flyer on a gym wall. With trepidation, Coach and Biodanza facilitator who need for contact is also stressed.

I made my first encounter, pregnant offers a safe space for potential to be

Next, and perhaps the biggest chal- explored. For more information, visit with my third child, in an outdoor lenge, was learning to be present with Biodanza class.

LifeDance.me. See ad, page 11.

I was initially taken back by the personal connections during the sessions, staring into someone’s eyes or holding hands with a stranger during the walking exercise. However, as the facilitator wove specific exercises into each class, I began to develop a comfort level with Suchinta Abhayaratna, Th.D. these connections and in time, a deep Transpersonal /Transformational Psychologist desire for this authenticity. The constant Self-care Coach • Consultant • Workshop Facilitator pulsation from me to the group and Mandala Spiritual Art Facilitator back helped me acknowledge that in Family Constellations Facilitator • Reiki Master • Teacher my own adventurous and nomadic life, I CHI is a multi-modal educational approach to holistic self-care, healing and transformation that was indeed strong and quite capable of combines ancient knowledge, science and spirituality. Easily connect to “wholeness” and the embracing life’s authentic flow. energy field, and

With passion in my heart and a  Manage stress, fatigue, anxiety and release trauma.  Energize, balance and harmonize yourself. newly born baby, I decided to join  Address root causes of illness.  Understand the language of your symptoms. the Biodanza School in Johannesburg,  Release and re-program stuck patterns, habits and limiting beliefs.

South Africa. I was challenged by the  Address generational and cultural patterns that affect your life.  Make creative expression a spiritual practice for healing & transformation. level of intimacy that was carefully and progressively introduced. However, I 571-422-6734 •chisuchinta@yahoo.com • www.chisuchinta.com felt safe connecting first with myself.

Creative Holistic Integration (CHI)

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May 2014

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Scientific and Spiritual Knowledge for a New Era • Gain insights about new views of reality coming from the frontiers of scientific research • Personally experience your subtle spiritual nature through my experiential and knowledge workshops • Explore your life purpose in spiritual counseling Douglas Kinney, M.S, RScP, CHt Member: IONS, ARE, Society for Scientific Exploration, International New Thought Alliance Author: Frontiers of Knowledge, Framework of Reality (see website for excerpts from books) Visit: www.douglaskinney.com for events, updates Contact: dougkinney@msn.com, 301-236-9040

GROW Your Business For more information about advertising and how you can participate in Natural Awakenings of Washington, D.C., call

202-505-4835

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May 2014

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

THURSDAY, MAY 1 Mad Hatter Open Mic – 6:30-8pm. House of Steep invites you to join us for an evening of tea, and talent. Creativity welcomed. Held the 1st Thursday of each month. House Of Steep, 3800 Lee Hwy, Ste D, Arlington, VA. Info: HouseOfSteep.com/ Upcoming-Event-Open-Mic-Night.

better understanding of gluten sensitivity and how to navigate the complex world of food choices.

You will receive GF recipes and a meal plan for achieving optimal nutritional support for your body.

Taught by Babette Lamarre, Board Certified Nutritional Therapist. $85. Register: 703-865-5690 or NeckBackAndBeyond@gmail.com.

Mindfulness Meditation for Well-Being and Happiness – 7-8:30pm. A six-week course to learn new meditation techniques and join like-minded people committed to being a healing presence for others.

Taught by Hugh Byrne. $220. Maryland University of Integrative Health, 7750 Montpelier Rd, Laurel, MD. Register: MUIH.edu.

Beat the Sugar Blues Workshop and All Levels Yoga Class – 1:30-3:30pm. We’ve designed this class to permanently change your relationship with sugar. We will begin with a one-hour all-levels flow yoga class to get us feeling good in our bodies, and then spend the second hour learning how to Beat the Sugar Blues. $22. Yoga District, 1830 1st St, NW. Register: YogaDistrict.com.

Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) – 7pm. GIG is a national organization providing information to people who suffer from Gluten Intolerance and Celiac Disease. We have the most reliable and up to date practical information for Gluten Free Living. Meets monthly. Free. Neck, Back and Beyond Healing Arts, 10560 Main St, Ste PH-1, Fairfax, VA. Info: 703-865-5690 or NeckBackandBeyond@gmail.com.

Herbs for All: An Herbal Encuentro – 3:30-9pm. A family friendly event with bilingual workshops, local vendors, kids crafts, hands on activities, free samples, raffles, seed exchanges, global beats, dance, art and community inspiration to celebrate International Herb Day. Donation. Centro Ashé and EcoHermanas at Emergence Community Arts Collective 733 Euclid St, NW. Register: CentroAshe.org/HerbsforAll.html.

FRIDAY, MAY 2

SUNDAY, MAY 4

Sweet Freedom – 5:30-7pm. This class will help you to understand why one will constantly crave sweets and suffer from the sugar blues. $20. M3 Wellness LLC, 4545 42nd St, Ste 301, NW. Register: MarvaMakle.com.

Vocal Toning: “Vibration Meditation” – 7:308:30pm. Amazingly simple, yet peacefully powerful. We sit in a circle and resonate vowel sounds with a crystal bowl to release stress and create peaceful clarity. Free with $5.00 donation for use of the space. Unity of Gaithersburg, 111 Central Ave, Gaithersburg, MD. Info: UnityOfGaithersburg.org.

SATURDAY, MAY 3 Quantum-Touch Level 1 Workshop – 9am-5pm.

Thru May 4. Learn to accelerate healing, relieve pain, reduce inflammation, reduce stress and more.

Address the root cause of disease and create space for true healing. CEU’s available. $400. Miriam Hunter, 8996 Burke Lake Rd, Ste L101, Burke, VA. Register: 202-361-7321 or MiriamHunter@ verizon.net.

Herb Walk on Herb Day – 10-11:30am. A relaxing and informative tour of the MUIH grounds. Learn to recognize a variety of herbs and understand their uses for healing and wellness. Maryland University of Integrative Health, 7750 Montpelier Rd, Laurel, MD. Register: MUIH.edu.

DC Birth and Babies Fair – 11am-4pm. Learn more about NYR Organic’s amazing line of certified organic products for both moms and babies at the DC Birth and Babies Fair–educating, empowering and connecting DC’s growing families. $15. DC Birth and Babies Fair, The Hill Center at Old Naval Hospital. Register: DCBirthAndBabiesFair.com.

Living Well Gluten Free: An In-Depth Workshop – 1-5pm. This workshop will give you a much

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Cultivate: A Journey in Re-skilling and ReConnecting – First Sun of each month thru Oct. Explore basic elements of homesteading. We will examine our relationship with our food, our homes, the land, and our health, exploring the intersection of self-reliance, sustainability, and community. $450.

Centro Ashé, 1620 Chester Ave, Bryans Road, MD. Register: Info@CentroAshe.org.

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas – 1-5pm. Join Herban Lifestyle at Langford Market in the trendy new Mosaic District for an afternoon of samples, demos, giveaways, refreshments and more. Langford Market, 2905 District Ave, Ste 135, Merrifield, VA. Info: Mary@HerbanLifestyle.com.

India Stories and Charity Auction – 2-4pm. Stories and pictures of Gita’s work with girls rescued from sex trafficking in India. Joy, Inspiration, Survival and hope. Bid on items to support this work at the auction event or online. BE yoga & Gita’s Dream, 45406 Lakeside Dr, Sterling, VA. Info: Info@BEYogaurt.com.

MONDAY, MAY 5 Mommy Meet Up – 11:45am-12:45pm. A friendly environment to chat, share, and learn together as moms with children. Bring your lunch and enjoy the space to learn, live, play and grow. Meets monthly. $5. Lil Omm Yoga, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, NW. Register: LilOmm.com.

Intro to Meditation: Finding Time to Meditate – 6:30-7:15pm. Come learn meditation basics with Timothy Eden, MSW in this calming introductory class. Studies show even minutes a day can make a big difference in your health. Come as you are, beginners and advanced meditators welcome. Free.

Restorative Health, 4801 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Tenleytown. Register: RestorativeHealth.org.

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 7 Bird Walk with the Nature Conservancy – 6:308:30am. Join The Nature Conservancy’s own Tim Boucher, a senior conservation geographer, for a bird walk at the Thompson Wildlife Management Area in Front Royal, VA. Boucher is a skilled birder, having traveled the world to see many different bird species.

The Nature Conservancy, Marshall, VA. Register: Nature.org/OurInitiatives/Regions/NorthAmerica/ UnitedStates/Maryland_DC/Explore/MarylandDCBird-Walks.xml.

THURSDAY, MAY 8 Rh Therapies: Hormone Therapy – 7-8pm. With diverse symptoms, it may be hard to tell if your hormones are off balance. Come learn more about this common problem in aging women and men and the best therapies available with Karen Threlkel, ND. Free. Restorative Health, 4801 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Tenleytown. Register: RestorativeHealth.org.

‘Get Going’ Cleanse – 7:30-8:30pm. Thru May 18.

If you are feeling bloated, sluggish or heavy, then eating well for 7 days can help lighten the load. $75.

M3 Wellness LLC. Register: MarvaMakle.com.

FRIDAY, MAY 9 Access Consciousness Body Processes – 10am1pm and 2-5pm. Learn to access Body Processes.

Give and receive two separate Access Body Processes with a Certified Facilitator and receive written materials about the Processes. $120. Gina Maybury, 8996 Burke Lake Rd, Ste L101, Burke, VA. Register: 703-629-0925 or 703Change@gmail.com.

Cooking with Local Foods Community Dinner and Demo – 6-8:30pm. Join Centro Ashé and two talented chefs and explore cooking with local foods with recipes from around the world. Each class will include a participatory cooking demonstration in which participants will work with our instructors to create beautiful meals, and at the end we’ll share a nourishing and tasty meal together. $25. Centro Ashé, 1620 Chester Ave, Bryans Road, MD. Register: CentroAshe.org/Cooking-with-Local-FoodsDemo-and-Dinner.html.

Singles Sangha – 7-10pm. A welcoming community of people who gather to experience a shared connection with others who are, by choice or by circumstance, single at this time in their lives. All varieties and ages of single people are encouraged to join. The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown. Info: Living-Mindfully.org.

Restorative Yoga – 7:45-8:45pm. Let go of the efforts of the week and surrender to deeply soothing poses, supported by props that open your hips and shoulders. Release your body and relax your mind.

Open to all levels; prenatal, cancer survivors, and brand new beginners are welcome. $20. Lil Omm Yoga, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, NW. Info: LilOmm.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 10 Access Consciousness Bars Workshop – 10am6pm. Learn Access Bars with an Access certified Facilitator, receive two Bars sessions, run two Bars Sessions, receive a comprehensive manual and charts to become a practitioner. $200/first time or $100/if repeating. Gina Maybury, 8996 Burke Lake Rd, Ste L101, Burke, VA. Register: 703-629-0925 or email 703Change@gmail.com.

Canal Stewards at the River Center – 10am-12pm.

Join Potomac Conservancy as we pick up trash and remove invasive plants from the area surround the River Center at Lock 8. Potomac Conservancy, 7906 Riverside Dr, Cabin John, MD. Register: Long@ Potomac.org.

Accunect Self-Care Workshop – 1-5pm. Learn simple, easy, yet powerful energy medicine techniques to improve your health, manage stress, balance your body, and help injuries heal faster. $95. Balanced Being Therapies, 4201 John Marr Dr, Ste 228, Annandale, VA. Register: IEmbraceWellness.com.

Monthly MAAD Sangha (Mood, Attachment and Anxiety Disorders) – 2-4pm. Dharma Sanga with Trudy Ann Mitchell-Gilkey. Take refuge in the power of awareness, understanding and compassion. Not designed to replace psychotherapy, and participants must email facilitator in advance. The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown. Info: Living-Mindfully.org.

Yoga Lab: Backbends for Strength – 2:30-3:30pm.

Work with postures that use and stabilize the lower back. Big or small, learn how to use lower back muscles to create good, safe, energizing backbends. $20. Lil Omm Yoga, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, NW. Register: LilOmm.com.

Spring Cleanse – 4-7pm. With James Foulkes. This is the season to plant seeds for a future harvest and determine our direction and action for the coming expansive months. $40. Buddha B Yoga Studio, 1115 U St, Ste 202, NW. Info: BuddhaBYoga.com.

SUNDAY, MAY 11 iPath Postural Alignment – 2-4:30pm. With Denese Cavanaugh. As our posture deteriorates, joint movements become restricted and the differences between tense and weak muscles places greater stress on the joints, which then have to compensate. $25. Buddha B Yoga Studio, 1115 U St, Ste 202, NW. Info: BuddhaBYoga.com.

AnumThubten KM Group – 4-6pm. This “open” KM group is the Washington, DC chapter of the Dharmata Foundation which is dedicated to the teachings of AnamThubten. The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown. Info: Living-Mindfully.org.

Children’s Sangha – 4-5pm. For 5-12-year-olds, accompanied by parents. The class provides young children with a Buddhist framework to explore their inner life, understand the causes of emotional stress, and develop peace, wisdom and kindness. The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown. Info: Living-Mindfully.org.

Vegetarian Potluck and Kirtan – 4:30-8pm.

4:30pm Eat, 6:15pm Chant Sanskrit Mantras from your heart. Bring a vegetarian dish. Come for some or all. Families welcome. $10-20 (Recommended Donation for Adults). BE Yoga, 45406 Lakeside Dr, Sterling, VA. Info: Info@BEYogaYurt.com.

Mindfulness in Recovery – 6:30-8pm. Open to those with an interest in the intersection of Buddhist teachings and 12 step recovery. The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown. Register: Living-Mindfully.org.

MONDAY, MAY 12 Bird Walk with the Nature Conservancy – 7-8:30am. This is the final bird walk this spring.

Conservancy volunteer Jim Nelson will lead a bird walk along the C&O Canal near the Potomac River.

The Nature Conservancy, Seneca, MD. Register: Nature.org/OurInitiatives/Regions/NorthAmerica/ UnitedStates/Maryland_DC/Explore/MarylandDCBird-Walks.xml.

Breastfeeding Mothers’ Support Group – 5:156:15pm. Mothers bring your babies of all ages to connect with other mothers, ask questions of Holistic Mothering’s IBCLC Sharon Curry and find support for breastfeeding related challenges. Baby scale available. Meets monthly. $10. Lil Omm Yoga, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, NW. Register: LilOmm.com Infant Massage – 5:15-6pm. 3-week series. A hands-on approach to the proven techniques and philosophy of infant massage. Learn to read baby’s cues, tailor massage, and lay the foundation for nurturing touch. $100-180. Lil Omm Yoga, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, NW. Register: LilOmm.com.

Extreme Self-Care: Learn to Ask for and Receive Help – 7-8pm. Join our monthly support group as together we work our way through Cheryl Richardson’s inspiring 12-month program, The Art of Extreme Self-Care, with Nutrition and Lifestyle Coach Melissa Windsor, DC, CHC and Naturopathic Physician Karen Threlkel, ND. Come walk the walk with us. $10/class. Restorative Health, 4801 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Tenleytown. Register: RestorativeHealth.org.

TUESDAY, MAY 13 Free Energetic Well Being© Demonstration – 7-9pm. Join LeRoy Malouf as he demonstrates the EWB Process© where volunteers witness how energetic clearing can quickly relieve pain and symptoms. Hosted at the offices of Dr. Margaret Gennaro, 10560 Main St, Ste 301, Fairfax, VA. Info: EWBP.com.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 14 DC Contemplative Lawyers Group – 7:30-9pm. 20 minutes of guided meditation followed by guided discussion. Open to all active and retired lawyers, legal professionals, law students and judges. The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown. Register: Living-Mindfully.org.

Free Energetic Well Being© Demonstration – 7:30-9:30pm. See May 13 for details. Hosted by Glory Lane at 4705 Sunflower Dr, Rockville, MD. Info: EWBP.com.

THURSDAY, MAY 15 Sister Circle – 6:45-8:15pm. 3rd Thurs of each month. Women are invited to come together to share and receive emotional support. The group is led by Dr. Theresa Ford, a skilled and sensitive psychotherapist. $20. Creative Counseling and Coaching Services, Seekers Church, 276 Carroll St, NW. Register: TFord@ CreativeCounselingAndCoaching.com.

Free Energetic Well Being© Demonstration – 7-9pm. See May 13 for details. Hosted by Stephen Carter at 8268 Academy Rd, Ellicott City, MD. RSVP: CarterMethod@outlook.com. Info: EWBP.com.

FRIDAY, MAY 16 Movie Night: Blackfish – 7-9pm. Blackfish tells the story of Tilikum, a performing killer whale that killed several people while in captivity. $5. Buddha B Yoga Studio, 1115 U St, Ste 202, NW. Info: BuddhaBYoga.com.

Vocal Toning: “Vibration Meditation” – 7:30

– 8:30pm. See May 2 for details. Unity of Gaithersburg, 111 Central Ave, Gaithersburg, MD. Info: UnityOfGaithersburg.org.

SATURDAY, MAY 17 Energetic Well Being Essentials Workshop – 9-6pm. Thru May 18. With LeRoy Malouf. A two-day workshop where participants learn the Energetic Well Being Process©. Learn how to shift from struggling with symptoms, whether physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual, to living in a state of improvement and regeneration. Bethesda Marriott, 5151 Pooks Hill Rd, Bethesda, MD. Register: 508-375-6452 or info@ EWBP.com or EWBP.com/workshops.

Quantum-Touch Level 2 – 9am-5pm. Thru May 18. Beyond the boundaries of what you think you are. Learn heart-centered techniques that lead to amazing discovery, power, love and ease of transformation. CEU’s available. $450. Miriam Hunter, 8996 Burke Lake Rd, Ste L101, Burke, VA. Register: 202-361-7321 or MiriamHunter@verizon.net.

specialevent Art of Wellness Health and Healing Fair Fairfax Health and Healers Fair starts off with sound healing concert, healthy food, lectures, yoga and more.

May 17, 1 to 5 pm

This is an opportunity to experience a variety of healing art modalities and learn about conventional wellness practices. Health and healing businesses of all types will welcome community members to learn about their services. $10.

Unity of Fairfax VA, 2854 Hunter Mill Rd, Oakton, VA. Info: HandsWithHeart.Jean@gmail.com

SUNDAY, MAY 18 Canal Stewards at Fletcher’s Cove – 10am-12pm.

Join Potomac Conservancy as we cleanup trash and perform trail maintenance at Fletcher’s Cove. Potomac Conservancy, 4940 Canal Rd, NW. Register: Long@Potomac.org.

Asana Lab: Backbends – 2-4:30pm. With Kristen Krash. In this workshop, we will build upon the work in the basic to intermediate backbends and venture into new territory, map and tools in hand. $35. Buddha B Yoga Studio, 1115 U St, Ste 202, NW. Info: BuddhaBYoga.com.

Kabbalah Festival – 2:30-7:30pm. Experience the mystical tradition of Kabbalah through workshops including, chanting, sacred dance, amulets, meditation and astrology. Plus a silent auction, food for sale, bonfire and more. $10/suggested donation.

Sanctuary Retreat Center, 19520 Darnestown Rd, Beallsville, MD. Partner Prenatal Yoga – 6:30-8pm. In this shared practice, your partner’s body provides support to go deeper into the postures, as all three of you bond in preparation for becoming a family. $30. Lil Omm Yoga, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, NW. Register: LilOmm.com.

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THURSDAY, MAY 22 Crystals Workshop – 7-9pm. Learn about crystals, their qualities and ways to use them in your life. A fun-filled workshop and everyone is given a crystal to take home. Gina Maybury, 8996 Burke Lake Rd, Ste L101, Burke, VA. Register: 703-629-0925 or 703Change@gmail.com.

FRIDAY, MAY 23 Restorative Yoga – 7:45-8:45pm. See May 9 for details.. $20. Lil Omm Yoga, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, NW. Info: LilOmm.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 24 Wild Medicinal Plant ID/Botany Field Day – 9am-5pm. Thru May 25. Join us for two days exploring the incredible world of medicinal plants. We will focus on learning the basics of botany, in a practical and useful manner, and then doing wild medicinal plant identification. $88. Centro Ashé, 1620 Chester Ave, Bryans Road, MD. Register: CentroAshe.org/ Field-Day--Wild-Medicinal-Plant-ID--Botany.html.

Chakra Tai Chi (CTC) – 4:45-5:30pm. CTC is a meditative movement sequence which brings attention to the different energy centers, known as chakras.

No previous knowledge or experience necessary.

OurSpace, 809 Easley St, Silver Spring, MD. Register: AwakenMyHeartNow.com/Chakra-Tai-Chi.html.

The Throat Chakra Workshop – 5:30-7:30pm.

This experiential workshop combines tools from yoga nidra meditation and Chinese medicine to invite attention and balance to the energy center located at the throat. $40. OurSpace, 809 Easley St, Silver Spring, MD. Register: AwakenMyHeartnow. com/The-Chakra-Workshop-Series.html.

SUNDAY, MAY 25 Awakening Your Divine Fire through Universal Mandala Vinyasa – 2-5pm. With Jessie Fletcher. In this workshop, learn what Universal Yoga is and practice one of its most unique aspects: the double mat Mandala Sadhana. $50.

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

AnumThubten KM Group – 4-6pm. See May 11 for details. The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown. Info: Living-Mindfully.org.

Mindfulness in Recovery – 6:30-8pm. See May 11 for details. The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown. Register: Living-Mindfully.org.

THURSDAY, MAY 29 200-Hour Teacher Training – 7am-9pm. Thru June 9. Join Yoga District for their “transformative” 200 hour teacher training through a 12-day intensive immersion this spring. $2,000. Yoga District, 1910 14th St, Units 1 and 3, NW. Register: TeacherTraining@ YogaDistrict.com or YogaDistrict.com.

Neck Back & Beyond Movie of the Month – 7pm.

Join us for a special screening of In Organic We Trust, a food systems solution movie. Director Kip Pastor looks beyond the label and unearths inspiring solutions to our health and environment. Individual citizens and communities are taking matters into their own hands, and change is coming from the soil up. $5. Neck Back & Beyond, 10560 Main

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St, Ste 204, Fairfax, VA. Info: 703-865-5690 or NeckBackAndBeyond@gmail.com.

RH Kitchen: Vitamix – 7-8pm. Summer’s coming. Join Dr. Melissa Windsor to learn about the magic of the Vitamix, that turns veggies and fruits into smoothies, soups and even ice creams in seconds. An indispensable tool for the healthy cook.

Recipes and tastings included. Restorative Health, 4801 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Tenleytown. Register: RestorativeHealth.org.

FRIDAY, MAY 30 Biodanza – 6:45-8:15pm. Held the last Friday of every month. Expressive dance that fuses movement, music and heartfelt emotion that will help you tap into your joy. Two “left feet” welcome. No age limits. Near Dupont in DC. Biodanza East Coast, 1611 16th St, DC. Register: LifeDance.me.

SATURDAY, MAY 31 Self-Created Health Workshop – 9am-5pm. Thru June 1. Learn this simple, yet complete system that helps you to discover, release and transform emotional causation of dis-ease into forgiveness, love and gratitude. Miriam Hunter, 8996 Burke Lake Rd, Ste L101, Burke, VA. Register: 202-361-7321 or MiriamHunter@verizon.net.

Green Festival – 10am-6pm. Thru June1. Learn more about NYR Organic’s certified organic skincare by stopping by our booth at Green Festival. Mention Natural Awakenings and get a free sample bag with any $35 or more purchase. $10. Green Festival, Washington Convention Center. Register: GreenFestivals.org/Exhibit/ Washington-DC-2014.

Practical Permaculture Intensive – 10am-4pm.

Learn in depth all about permaculture and get hands on creating permaculture designs right here on the farm. $100. Centro Ashé, 1620 Chester Ave, Bryans Road, MD. Register: CentroAshe.org/BackyardPermaculture.html.

Kirtan – 7pm. At Yoga in Daily Life. Join us for what will become a monthly Kirtan at YIDL Ashram in 2015.

Chant Sanskrit mantras, dance, smile with your face and heart. All Welcome. Donation. Yoga In Daily Life Ashram and Gita’s Dream, 2402 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA. Info: BEyogaYurt.com/GitasDream.

plan ahead SUNDAY, JUNE 1 Accunect SelfCare Workshop – 1-5pm. Learn simple, easy, yet powerful energy medicine techniques to improve your health, manage stress, balance your body, and help injuries heal faster. $95. Neck, Back & Beyond Wellness Center, 10560 Main St, Ste 204, Fairfax, VA. Register: 571 -232-9979 or Laura@ IEmbracewellness.com, IEmbraceWellness.com.

SATURDAY, JUNE 21 I Can Do It! Conference – Thru June 22. Explore, dream, discover with Hay House authors. Join for a few hours or an entire weekend and learn how to heal pain, use daily meditation practices and make healthy choices stick. Believe in you to reach your highest potential. Register: 800-654-5126 or HayHouse.com/events.

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

specialevent Reiki for Animals Levels 1 & 2

To be held in nearby Mountain Top and Lake Ariel, PA. Highlights: Japanese Reiki Techniques, Reiki Initiation & Reiju, practice time with lions, tigers, bears, etc.

Includes 110-page manual if registered by June 7.

CEUs granted for LMT’s. Member: IARP, ICRT.

June 21 & June 22 9:30am • 5pm. $250

Half down to receive manual to study before class.

Contact Anthony V. Wojnar D.D., OBT, RMT, Life Holistic Center LLC Needs SAVE THE DATE HEADER Register or Info: 570-868-6635 ReikiCenterOnline@yahoo.com LifeHolisticReiki.com.

Needs

MONDAY, JUNE 23 Peace thru Culture Camp – 8am-4pm. Thru August 16. Peace thru Culture Camp is for youth ages 5-12. We introduce different cultures through movement, music, art, cooking and guest presenters.$150/ week. Peace thru Culture Camp at Perry Center, New York Ave Recreation and Park, 1st and New York Ave, NW. Register: PeaceThruCulture.org.

SATURDAY, JULY 12 The Four Foundations of Mindfulness – 10am4pm. Sharon Salzberg teaches the Four Foundations of Mindfulness for greater awareness of body, mind, feelings and experiences. Co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society (Barre, MA), she teaches meditation practices of mindfulness and loving kindness.

Donation, no set fee. Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church, 3401 Nebraska Ave, NW. Info: Metropolitan12@verizon.net.

Needs SAVE THE DATE HEADER

SAVE THE DATE

Needs

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

sunday Open-Level GYROTONIC Group – 10-11am. This class is open to all experience levels and provides a well rounded, fundamental GYROTONIC® work out on the pulley tower. $35/session, $250/10 Sessions. Elements Fitness & Wellness Center, 2233 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 217, NW. Info: ElementsCenter.com.

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.

Weekly Yoga and Brunch – 10:30-11:45am. Work up your appetite with a Flow 1-2 Asana practice at Yoga District. Then come downstairs to enjoy a yummy vegan brunch at District Tea Lodge. Both your yoga practice and brunch is included in the price. Invite your friends and have an awesome time. $22. Yoga District and District Tea Lodge, 1922 I St, NW. Register: Bit.ly/177o7wP. Sunday iRest® Yoga Nidra Meditation – 6-7pm.

Dubbed “Sleep of the Yogi”, this meditation is easy, relaxing, and has been clinically proven to decrease symptoms of insomnia, anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain, and depression. $20. OurSpace, 809 Easley St, Silver Spring, MD. Register: AwakenMyHeartNow.com/ Sunday-Yoga-Nidra-Sessions.html.

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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: Living-Mindfully.org.

Advanced GYROTONIC® Group – 10-11am. For

clients with a significant amount of experience in the GYROTONIC method. $35/session. Elements Fitness & Wellness Center, 2233 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 217, NW. Info: ElementsCenter.com.

Beginner GYROTONIC® Group – 12-1pm. This class is held on the GYROTONIC pulley tower and is designed for new students. Students will learn how to set up the equipment and gain an understanding of the fundamental movements of the system. $35/ session. $250/10 sessions. Elements Fitness & Wellness Center, 2233 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 217, NW. Info: ElementsCenter.com.

Yoga – 6:30-7:30pm. A fluid contemplation in motion and balance of breath, this yoga class nurtures harmony of mind and body as we work with alignment and awareness, deep stretching and relaxation for a revitalizing experience. $10. Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd, Mount Rainier, MD. Register: JoesMovement.org.

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

Weekly meditative, gentle and restorative yoga using mindful movement, balance and breathing techniques taught by Amy Dara Hochberg to help women with a history of cancer to reduce anxiety, improve quality of life, and regain sense of self.

On-going class; participants may join the group at any time. $7. Sibley Memorial Hospital, 5255 Loughboro Rd, NW. Register: Sibley.org/Community/Events/default.aspx.

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

Info: Living-Mindfully.org.

Moms’ Craft and Chat Morning – 10am-12pm.

In between drop off and pick up, make a little something for yourself and meet other moms. We’ll have material available or bring your own. $10.

Herban Lifestyle, 2931 C-Eskridge Rd, Fairfax, VA. Register: HerbanLifestyle.com/catalog/workshops.

Introductory Yoga Series – 12:15-1:15pm. A brief introduction to the fundamentals of yoga, for beginners and for those new to the Iyengar approach. No experience necessary. $68/course or $20/drop-in.

Unity Woods Yoga Center, 4853 Cordell Ave, Ste PH7, Bethesda, MD. Info: UnityWoods.com.

Open-Level GYROTONIC Group – 1-2pm. See Sunday for details. Elements Fitness & Wellness Center, 2233 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 217, NW. Info: ElementsCenter.com.

Girls in Tune – Middle School – 4-6pm. A mindful awareness group to help girls soothe anxiety and enhance positive coping skills. The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown. Info: Living-Mindfully.org.

Girls in Tune – High School – 6-7:15pm. A mindfulawareness stress-reduction group designed for girls who want to reduce anxiety, regulate their moods, and create and sustain healthy friendships. The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown. Info: Living-Mindfully.org.

Mindfulness Meditation – 7:30-9pm. These classes will introduce the practice of mindfulness meditation and give an overview of helpful means for working with thoughts, opening difficult emotions, developing wisdom, and deepening compassion. The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown. Info: Living-Mindfully.org.

Hoop Jam – 6:45-8:15pm. With Noelle Powers.

Lift your spirits and get a full body workout accompanied by a super hoop-friendly soundtrack.

All ages and skill levels are welcome at this drop in jam. A lesson for those interested is presented in the first half hour of jam, and the remaining hour is self-directed. $10. Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd, Mount Rainier, MD. Register: JoesMovement.org.

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

Zumba – 8:30-9:30pm. Zumba is an effective, exhilarating, Latin-inspired, easy-to-follow, calorieburning dance fitness-party that works all major groups in a high-energy cardio blast that leaves the participants invigorated, refreshed and full of life.

It achieves the perfect balance of a progressive core workout, full-body cardio and strength training, and a stress-relieving, energy-producing fitness

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May 2014

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experience. $10. Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd, Mount Rainier, MD. Register: JoesMovement.org.

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

Pilates – 8:30-9:30am. This Pilates mat class is suitable for students who are new to pilates or who have already been introduced to the method. The first two classes will focus on fundamental concepts in pilates and each week will build on the last. $10.

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

Advanced GYROTONIC® Group – 10-11am. See Monday for details. $35/session. Elements Fitness & Wellness Center, 2233 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 217, NW. Info: ElementsCenter.com.

Seva Stress-Release Acupressure – 1-4pm. Seva Stress-Release is a series of acupressure points designed to ease the human stress response and support overall well-being. 30-minute private sessions. $15-$40 (suggested). OurSpace, 809 Easley St, Silver Spring, MD. Register: OurSpaceAcupuncture.org/Seva-Stress-ReleaseAcupressure.html.

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

Wednesdays with Tara Brach – 7:30-9pm.

Class includes 30-min of Vipassana meditation instruction and guided meditation followed by an hour-long Dharma talk. A large gathering of approximately 250-300 people. Beginners through advanced students welcome. There is no registration, but dana (donation) of about $10-$15 is suggested to help cover expenses and is gratefully received. River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 6301 River Rd (corner of Whittier Blvd and River Rd), Bethesda, MD. Info: IMCW.org.

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.

Seva Stress-Release Acupressure – 1-4pm. See Wed for details. $15-$40 (suggested donation). OurSpace, 809 Easley St, Silver Spring, MD. Register: OurSpaceAcupuncture.org/Seva-Stress-ReleaseAcupressure.html.

Meditation and Mindfulness: Tools for Alleviating Stress after a Cancer Diagnosis – 7-8pm.

Join other cancer survivors to learn about and practice a relaxation technique that focuses on breathing. Facilitated by Ashley Nunn, MA. This practice has been shown to be effective in reducing stress, anxiety and loneliness and in improving sleep and boosting the immune system.

Family members and caregivers welcome. Sibley Memorial Hospital, 5255 Loughboro Rd, NW. Info: Sibley.org/Community/Events/default.aspx.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction – 7-9:30pm.

An eight-week program that assists people who want to learn to use their own internal resources to respond to stress, medical and psychological conditions, and promote healthy living. The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown.

Info: Living-Mindfully.org.

Zumba – 8:30-9:30pm. See Tuesday for details. $10.

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

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

Info: Living-Mindfully.org.

Open-Level GYROTONIC Group – 10-11am. See Sunday for details. Elements Fitness & Wellness Center, 2233 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 217, NW. Info: ElementsCenter.com.

Yoga for People Living With Cancer and Their Caregivers – 2-3pm. A relaxing hour of yoga taught by yoga therapist Yael Flusberg. The class combines breathwork, gentle movement and guided visualization. GW University Hospital, 900 23rd St, NW. RSVP: Jennifer Bires, 202-741-2218 or JBires@Mfa.Gwu.edu.

Yoga for Teens – 4:15-5:15pm. A special space for teens to explore asana, meditation, breathwork, and relaxation. The full spectrum of Yoga is used to help teens build a healthy attitude. $200. Lil Omm Yoga, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, NW. Register: LilOmm.com.

Community Yoga Class – 6-7pm. Community classes are mixed level, one-hour asana classes taught by a rotating selection of Unity Woods teachers. They are offered by different teachers every Friday of the session. $5/class. Unity Woods Yoga Center. 4853 Cordell Ave, Ste PH9, Bethesda, MD. Info: UnityWoods.com.

Yoga for Women Cancer Survivors – 6:307:30pm. Join Amy Dara for a gentle class designed for women undergoing treatment or who are in

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remission from cancer. We will include breathing, stretching, balancing, and healing yoga sequences appropriate during and after cancer treatment. Our safe and nurturing space welcomes new beginners to experienced yogis alike. $10. Lil Omm Yoga, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, NW. Info: LilOmm.com.

saturday Tai Chi and Qi Gong – 8-9:30am. Learn the Chinese martial art referred to as “meditation in motion” Improves your health and overall sense of well being. Dancing In Silence, Inc, 4413 Tuckerman St, University Park, MD. Register: Info@ DancingInSilence.com.

Open Level GYROTONIC® Group – 9am. See Sunday for details. Elements Fitness & Wellness Center, 2233 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 217, NW. Info: ElementsCenter.com.

Get at the Roots: Healthy Eating/Weight Loss Class – 10-11:30am. With Babette Lamarre Board Certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner. We look at many aspects of why weight management can be such a difficult issue for us in our daily lives. This is a hands on, well thought out program designed to bring your eating habits into balance with your body’s needs. $549. RSVP: 703-865-5690 or NeckBackAndBeyond@gmail.com.

Open-Level GYROTONIC Group – 10am. See Sunday for details. Elements Fitness & Wellness Center, 2233 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 217, NW. Info: ElementsCenter.com.

Gyrokinesis Group Class – 11am-12pm. Group class starting on stools, moving to the floor and finishing with a standing series. $15-$18. Elements Center, 2233 Wisconsin Ave, NW. FrontDesk@ ElementsCenter.com.

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

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

ACUPUNCTURE CITY ACUPUNCTURE CIRCLE

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

HEALEN ARTS ACUPUNCTURE WELLNESS STUDIO Akmal Muwwakkil, PhD, LA.c, LMT 12911 Woodmore Rd., Mitchellville, MD 301-249-2445 • HealenArts.net

We provide acupuncture, Tui Na, healthy lifestyle changes, weight loss, holistic diabetes care, pain reduction, detoxification to increase life and longevity.

See ad, page 33.

IX CHEL WELLNESS

202-630-2435 • Adam@IxChelWellness.com IxChelWellness.com We provide acupuncture and Intuitive Reiki services. Our mission is to heal our patients, ourselves, each other and our communities.

OURSPACE ACUPUNCTURE

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

Schedule your appointment online today.

REVIVE COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE 3808 34th St, Mt. Rainier, MD 301-864-1975 • Revive-Acupuncture.com

$15-$35 acupuncture. Open Tuesday/Thursday, 2-7pm, Wednesday/Friday/Saturday, 10am-2pm. Convenient to Brookland, Chillum, H St, the Hill, Hyattsville, Cheverly. Free parking. Walk-ins welcome.

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

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

ALTERNATIVE HEALING IEMBRACE WELLNESS

Centreville, VA 571-232-9979 Office@iEmbraceWellness.com iEmbraceWellness.com Accunect™ and BodyTalk™ are used to restore the body’s natural ability to heal itself at the mind, body and spirit levels, by clearing the underlying sources of stress that interfere with this natural healing process. Self-care workshops are offered to educate and empower individuals in their own healthcare. See ad, page 30.

ARCHITECT

CATERING SUNNYSIDE GOURMET TonyaVirgan@gmail.com 301-585-6484

Catering and packaged foods using sustainable, organic, locally sourced ingredients. No processed ingredients. Specializing in international fusion dishes, paellas and tagines.

Accommodate all dietary needs. See ad, page 31.

CHIROPRACTOR MELISSA WINDSOR, DC, CHC

Chiropractor and Certified Holistic Health Coach Restorative Health 202-244-6661 RestorativeHealth.org Dr. Windsor is a Chiropractor and Nutrition and Lifestyle Coach. She is an expert in using both chiropractic and nutrition in healing the body and balancing the immune system both for general wellness and in the face of specific disease states. See ad, page 3.

CONSULTING GRACE PRODUCTIONS

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

See ad, page 30.

HELICON WORKS

7108 Holly Ave, Takoma Park 301-404-5578 • HeliconWorks.com Ecologically sensitive architecture and building practices, responding to people and place.

BEEKEEPING AZURE B LLC

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

COUNSELING CREATIVE COUNSELING AND COACHING SERVICES, LLC

Theresa Ford, Ph.D., LPC, BCC Individual and Group Therapy & Life Coaching 240-354-3854 CreativeCounselingAndCoaching.com

Offers high quality, culturally competent and gender-sensitive therapy and life coaching for adults that promotes physical, psychological and spiritual well-being.

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MARY KENDELL, MS, NP

Couples Therapy GW Center for Integrative Medicine 202-833-5055, 202-300-4981 Gwcim.com • SexMatters2Me@gmail.com Evaluation, treatment, counseling, and education for all sexual health concerns. See ad, page 2.

ENERGY HEALING ENERGETIC WELL BEING

LeRoy Malouf, Owner 625 Willow Street, West Barnstable, MA info@EWBP.com 508-375-6452 • EWBP.com Removing root causes of symptoms and creating strong internal support for desired state of being– what you want in life–with full confidence and self-reliance. See ad, page 31.

NATALIE X. KORYTNYK, PHD

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

HEALING GATEWAY

877-534-5534 HealingGateway.com

Sherry Lynn Dmytrewycz invites you to enter into a healthier, unlimited life with an energy clearing for you, your space or your animals. Handson or distance sessions. See ad, page 20.

MIRIAM HUNTER & GINA MAYBURY

DENTIST LYNN D. LOCKLEAR, DDS, LVIF 437 Cedar Street, NW, DC 202-829-7600

Dr. Lynn Locklear has helped many patients to get their “bite back” non-surgically after a diagnosis of TMJ Dysfunction. An International Associate of Dentists, Top in Washinton, D.C. in 2012. See ad, page 13..

EDUCATION WASHINGTON WALDORF SCHOOL 4800 Sangamore Rd, Bethesda 301-229-6107 WashingtonWaldorf.org

Washington Waldorf encourages the connections that broaden students’ experience and help them grow in new directions. Their teachers incorporate academic, artistic, and practical elements into every subject, creating memorable lessons—and highly successful scholars—along the way.

8996 Burke Lake Rd, Ste L101, Burke, VA Miriam Hunter 202-361-7321 MiriamHunter@verizon.net Gina Maybury 703-629-0925 GinaMaybury@gmail.com MiriamHunter.com

Sessions and workshops in Quantum-Touch, Access Consciousness, Angel Card reading, Crystal Healing, Sound Healing, Metamorphosis and more.

See ad, page 13.

FITNESS ELEMENTS FITNESS AND WELLNESS CENTER

2233 Wisconsin, Ste 217, DC 20007 202-333-5252 • ElementsCenter.com Offering Pilates, GYROTONIC® Exercise, physical therapy, massage and more for clients of all ages. Experience the joy of moving and breathing freely at Elements Center.

HEALTHY PETS THE BIG BAD WOOF

5501 Baltimore Ave, Hyattsville, MD 117 Carroll St NW, Old Takoma, DC 301-403-8957 • TheBigBadWoof.com

The essential conditions of everything you do must be choice, love, passion. ~Nadia Boulanger

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The Big Bad Woof is a community resource for companion animals and their guardians. We are committed to providing nutritious foods for companion animals whether they are dogs, cats, small mammals, birds or fish. We provide access to organic, holistic and premium raw diets and a wide range of alternatives including holistic supplements for companion animals.

See ad, page 11.

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

HOWL TO THE CHIEF

733 8th St SE, DC 202-544-8710 • HowlToTheChief.com We carry a large assortment of natural, holistic, raw and organic diets for dogs, cats and small animals. Grooming and selfserve dog wash service too! See ad, page 26.

PAWS OF ENCHANTMENT 3415 Perry St, Mount Rainier 301-209-0411 PawsOfEnchantment.com

The original holistic pet spa in the Metro DC area.

Rated ‘Best’ by Washingtonian Magazine. Let your pet be enchanted!

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

Green Comfort offers a variety of educational opportunities for herbal studies, offering clinical training, integrated medicine and holistic nutrition.

Apothecary and garden apprenticeships are available to returning students.

Green Comfort Herbal Apothecary Clinic is available by appointment to anyone wishing to discuss their health concerns and a holistic healing regimen.

HOLISTIC DENTISTRY TERRY VICTOR, DDS

The DC Dentist 509 11th St, SE, DC 202-544-3626 • TheDCDentist.com Staff@TheDCDentist.com Dr.Victor provides exceptional holistic and biological dentistry.

The DC Dentist is the first ecofriendly and completely sustainable dental office in the DC area. See ad, page 4.

HOLISTIC HEALING RECONNECTIVE HEALING

Joan Fowler 301-452-3305 Joan@Dove333.com • Dove333.com Reconnective Healing, a new level of healing that scientists and researchers know we now have access to. It goes beyond energy healing spectrum into a new bandwidth of light and information. See ad, page 34.

RECONNECTIVE HEALING Debbie Spinelli 305-992-5733 Debbie333Spinelli@gmail.com

Reconnective Healing is a form of holistic healing; leading clients to a deeply transformational path that allows for healing on all levels; physical, spiritual, mental and emotional. As a practitioner and healer since 2011, Spinelli has trained with Dr. Eric Pearl, the founder of Reconnective Healing.

See ad, page 34.

HOLISTIC PARENTING HOLISTIC MOMS NETWORK ARLINGTON/ALEXANDRIA CHAPTER 571-451-8273 HolisticMomsArlAlex@gmail.com HolisticMomsArlAlex.blogspot.com A nonprofit resource for parents seeking support in their natural lifestyle choices. All chapters hold monthly meetings and most offer supplemental activities.

HOME ENVIRONMENT MIKHAIL SOGONOV, PH.D.

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

See ad, page 2.

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE ALI SAFAYAN, MD

Integrative Physician and Medical Acupuncturist Restorative Health 202-244-6661 • RestorativeHealth.org Dr. Safayan views himself as a partner and educator, offering medical assessment and treatment plans that combine the best of conventional medicine with complementary and alternative therapies. He offers medical acupuncture, p r o l o t h e r a p y, a n d a l l e r g y elimination techniques See ad, page 3.

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

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

See ad, page 2.

CHAS GANT, MD, PHD

National Integrative Health Associates 5225 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 402, NW, DC 202-237-7000 ext 104 CEGant2@gmail.com • DrChasMD.com Dr. Gant, an internationally known author and integrative/functional medicine physician, addresses the root causes of chronic medical and psychiatric disorders, unique to each patient in all age ranges. See ad, page 8.

HYDROTHERAPY VITALITY CLEANSING

571-331-1497 Inquiry@VitalityCleansing.com We offer an elegant and contemporary space using the natural element of water to gently wash debris from the colon. Our gravity-open system provides the connection between water and cleanliness that forms the basis for rejuvenation and vitality. See ad, page 21.

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

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

INDIGO INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CLINIC

The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate. ~Oprah Winfrey

1010 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 660, DC 202-298-9131 IndigoHealthClinic.com

MIKHAIL KOGAN, MD

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

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

NATIONAL INTEGRATED HEALTH ASSOCIATES

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

Leaders in Integrative Medicine and Biological Dentistry At National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, our team of Integrative doctors blends the best of western medicine and safe, proven complementary and alternative therapies to help the body heal. See ad, page 8.

RESTORATIVE HEALTH

4801 Wisconsin Ave, NW 202-255-6661 • RestorativeHealth.org

Restorative Health is a patient-focused integrative medical practice dedicated to helping people achieve optimal health. Using a variety of healing therapies, the doctors at Restorative Health work with you in identifying the causes of illness and in shaping personalized, unique therapies to eliminate them.

See ad, page 3.

VIP IMED

3022 Javier Rd, Ste 217, Fairfax 703-207-4646 • VIPiMED.com

VIP iMed features individualized Integrative Medical and Wellness Programs: transforming your life and addressing your individual needs, with a proven record of treating most medical conditions and getting results.

KOMBUCHA MTO KOMBUCHA 540-364-2639 MTOKombucha.com

Kombucha is a delicious, naturally brewed, healthy drink, rich in probiotics and B vitamins, with a history dating back 2,000 years.

Delivered at locations throughout the greater DC area or order online. See ad, page 29.

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 34.

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LIFE COACH LIFE DANCE COACHING

410-736-9311 LifeDanceMe@gmail.com • LifeDance.me Michelle Dubreuil Macek offers a wholehearted, mindful, life coaching approach to guide you towards breaking down limiting thoughts and creating space for joy, love and peace in your life. See ad, page 11.

NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIANS ALOE WELLNESS

5840 MacArthur Blvd NW, Ste 2, DC 202-966-2563 • AloeWellnessDC.com Our Naturopathic physicians, acupuncturist, massage therapist, reiki practitioner, and life coach provide a comprehensive and personalized approach to achieving optimal health and wellness.

KAREN THRELKEL, ND

MARTIAL ARTS DANCING IN SILENCE, INC.

Naturopathic Medicine Restorative Health 202-244-6661 • RestorativeHealth.org Dr. Threlkel provides her patients with a full range of naturopathic medical services, including naturopathic medical assessment, specialty laboratory testing, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, detoxification, nutritional supplementation and herbal medicine. See ad, page 3.

301-466-5894 Info@DancingInSilence.com

Evening classes in Taiji, Qigong, Hip Tinh Mon. All Classes at UPCOB, 4413 Tuckerman St, University Park, MD, 20784. Free Saturday Taji. See ad, page 10.

MASSAGE

MARIANNA LEDENAC, ND

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

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

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

POTOMAC MASSAGE THERAPY INSTITUTE 5028 Wisconsin Ave, NW PMTI.org

Whether you are looking for a new career, interested in continuing your education to expand your knowledge as a massage therapist, or drawn to take an introductory class on massage and bodywork for yourself, family and friends–come join the circle at PMTI. Classes and workshops available, as well as massages. See ad, page 25.

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

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

MEDITATION HUGH BYRNE, PHD Hugh-Byrne.com

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

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GOûTER

240-330-3674 Facebook.com/HeyGouter Handcrafting raw, vegan and organic treats, tonics and cleanses in Washington DC. Making a raw vegan lifestyle more approachable, fun and simple through our products and services; consume less, become aware and live sustainably.

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

KRISTA NOELLE

302-897-2407 Krista@KristaNoelle.com • KristaNoelle.com Krista combines her knowledge of physiology, medicinal herbs, foodas-medicine and the mind/body connection to evoke positive and lasting change with each individual client. She currently sees clients in the Baltimore and Washington area.

RAW LIVING D-LIGHT

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

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

See ad, page 34.

ORGANIC GARDENING PRIOR UNITY GARDEN

Debby Ward, Founder & Owner 3017 James Street, Fairfax 703-281-7743 • PriorUnityGarden.com

Make your dream garden a reality—growing your own organic food made easy.

Classes, consults, coaching, designs, installations and products. See ad, page 45.

PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS HERBAN LIFESTYLE HerbanLifestyle.com

Making the world a happier, healthier, better-smelling place by handcrafting herbal bath and body products using organic, natural and Fair Trade ingredients in earthfriendly packaging. See ad, page 20.

NYR ORGANIC

Alexis Knox, Independent Consultant 202-436-1264 • Alexis.Knox@icloud.com US.NYROrganic.com/Shop/AlexisKnox Founded in 1981 in London, NYR Organic is an all natural, certified organic award-winning skincare line for men, women and babies.

Contact me to learn more. See ad, page 12.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT BIODANZA EAST COAST USA BiodanzaEastCoast@gmail.com 410-736-9311 • Biodanza-usa.com

Join us for personal development through a fusion of authentic movement, awesome music, and heartfelt emotions. A safe space for you to feel and dance organically all of the untapped potential within you.

See ad, page 11.

REIKI LIFE HOLISTIC CENTER, LLC

ReikiCenterOnline@yahoo.com 570-868-6635 • LifeHolisticReiki.com Our main focus is Reiki, a spiritual practice which promotes physical, emotional and spiritual healing.

We offer Certification in Reiki 1 thru Reiki Master/Teacher Usui and Tibetan Style. Dr. Anthony received a Master/Teacher attunement on Kurama Mtn, Japan, the birthplace of Reiki. We offer CEUs for Massage Therapists.

LUANN JACOBS, SLP/RMT

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

REIKI VYBZ CENTER

Dwight Palmer, Reiki Master/Teacher 202-596-5181 • ReikiVybz.com R e i k i Vy b z C e n t e r i s a complementary healing therapy that focuses on individual healing and restoration. Healing can be done through sessions, shares or clinics. Reiki opens energetic pathways that are blocked by illnesses or emotions. Reiki Practitioner training also offered. See ad, page 21.

SPIRITUAL COUNSELING DOUGLAS KINNEY

DougKinney@msn.com 301-236-9040 DouglasKinney.com

ad, page 40.

Gain insight on your life issues from counseling session with spiritual practitioner, spiritual and scientific r e s e a r c h e r, a n d c e r t i f i e d hypnotherapist. Variety of processes available: mapping parental gifts and harms, learning about your special talents, hypnosis, and guided imagery. See

CREATIVE HOLISTIC INTEGRATION (CHI)

Suchinta Abhayaratna, Th.D.

571-422-6734 CHISuchinta@yahoo.com CHISuchinta.com

Suchinta is a Transpersonal/ Transformational Psychologist, self-care coach, consultant, workshop facilitator, Mandala healing arts facilitator, Family/ Systemic Constellations facilitator Reiki Master and teacher. CHI is a multi-modal educational approach to holistic self-care, healing and transformation that combines ancient knowledge, science and spirituality. See ad, page 39.

SPIRITUAL LIVING UNITY OF FAIRFAX

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

THERAPEUTIC YOGA LINDA LANG

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

Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world. ~Lucille Ball

Make your community a little GREENER…

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For every $100 spent in locally owned business, $68 returns to the community. source: the350project.net

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THETA HEALING

WELLNESS

CREATIVE HEALING TRENDS 301-876-3475 CreativeHealingTrends.com

DESAI HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Rebecca Norris is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, offering ThetaHealing, an extraordinary new technique that allows for immediate physical and emotional transformations and healings. See ad, page 53.

202-599-0832 Anura@DesaiHealthAndWellness.com DesaiHealthAndWellness.com Eat healthy. Increase energy.

Reduce stress. No one approach works for everyone. Find out yours. Discover simple ways to making a healthy life easy and possible.

offering over 55 classes a week, including 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training. See ad, page 11.

DAHN YOGA

WashingtonDC@DahnYoga.com 202-393-2440 • DahnYoga.com Dahn Yoga is a dynamic mindbody practice originating in Korea that combines stretching, flowing movement, deep PObreathing exercises and meditation in a simple and easy to learn format that focuses on the development of the body’s core strength as the basis of physical, mental, and spiritual health.

eXTEND YOGA iEMBRACE WELLNESS

Centreville, VA 571-232-9979 Office@iEmbraceWellness.com iEmbraceWellness.com Accunect™ and BodyTalk™ are used to restore the body’s natural ability to heal itself at the mind, body and spirit levels, by clearing the underlying sources of stress that interfere with this natural healing process. Selfcare workshops are offered to educate and empower individuals in their own healthcare. See ad, page 30.

WELLNESS COACHING ON THE WAY COACHING

Linda@OnTheWayCoaching.com OnTheWayCoaching.com Linda Mastro uses humor, intuition and compassion to coach people who are ready to take a pilgrimage into the heart of life.

12106 Wilkins Ave, Rockville 301-881-3330 • extendYoga.com extendYoga strives to provide a positive, nurturing environment that challenges individuals to extend themselves physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. We believe in giving back to the community by participating in various charitable causes.

LIL OMM YOGA

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

THE YOGA FUSION STUDIO

4609 Willow Ln, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 301-656-8937 • TheYogaFusionStudio.com

cohesive yoga family.

YOGA BELOVED YOGA

2001 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston BelovedYoga.com Beloved Yoga embraces all traditions and paths of yoga and our classes are designed to give you a complete yoga experience.

Our teachers come from different lineages offering you a wellbalanced practice and exposure to this ancient practice. One intention that you will find in all our classes is the philosophy of flow, integrating breath with movement creating a meditative space for the mind, body and spirit.

BUDDHA B YOGA

1115 U St NW, DC, Ste 202 202-588-5885 • BuddhaBYoga.com Experience a place of refuge and a spiritual center where all are welcome! A Vegan Vinyasa yoga studio and JivaMukti™ Yoga Center Affiliate. Open 7 days a week and

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Yo g a c l a s s e s , t e a c h e r training, health and wellness seminars, and community wellness offerings. We are your home for a loving and

Y’S ELEMENTS

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

ZERO BALANCING LISA SCHUMACHER

4000 Albemarle St, NW Ste 202 202-244-9588 Lisa@Balancentering.com Helping others find natural ways to gain optimum health through Zero Balancing, Massage, Energy Therapy and Herbal Support. See ad, page 20.

A D V E RTO R I A L

Visit www.creativehealingtrends.com for UPCOMING Classes

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