22 minute read
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE | 24 HEALING WAYS
Chicago
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
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NEFERTEM HOLISTIC SKINCARE
Self-care for every spirit. Gift more magical me-time with a thoughtful skincare gift set infused with essential oils + good intentions. Everything they’ll need for head-to-toe glowing skin – plus 4 bonus gifts including a crystal! Ready-toship, beautifully wrapped and blessed to support their highest good. Shop Now.
708-990-4995 | NefertemNaturals.com
NON-DISCLOSURE APPAREL
Designed for comfort, the Elli Bralette is seamless, non-padded, wire-free, and features a concealing petal inside each cup for modesty. Stylish, soft, and stretchy, the Elli is the perfect bra for tween girls, teenage girls, and women with small busts. Give the gift of cozy comfort this year!
Use code: DREAMBRA for 10% Off! NDApparel.com
THE GREEN READ & THE GREEN SPOT BOOKSTORES
Buy great books and do good for the environment at the same time! The “Green” bookstores are committed to providing high-quality, gently used books to the community as well as puzzles, stationery and gift items. Bookstores are projects of the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County. 61 N. WILLIAMS ST., CRYSTAL LAKE 110 S. JOHNSON ST., SUITE 104, WOODSTOCK mcdef.org/bookstores/
SKINCARE PRODUCTS BY KEVAY
Kevay’s expertise is in handmade, organic and vegan Himalayan Pink Salt whole body products. Our body/feet scrubs, soaking salt , body oils, face creams, lip scrubs, toners and astrology candles are 100% vegan, free of synthetic fragrances and preservatives. We also customize bundle gift packs for all occasions. Contact Kunjana or visit Kevay’s website for more information.
FLOTSTONE
FLOAT * RELAX * RESTORE Give a gift of total bliss and relaxation. There’s no need to sit with stress and anxiety day in and day out. Floating has been lowering cortisol levels close to zero day in and day out. The Flotstone team is here to help. $59 intro Float Special thru 12/31. Gift cards available.
57 E. SCRANTON AKE BLUFF 847-482-1700 | Flotstone.com
CHEF BEAU’S KLEAN KITCHEN
Healthy tastes great! Let Chef Beau and his staff create delicious, anti-inflammatory, autoimmune meals that are nutritionally hardy, cusom-made, non-GMO, allergen-friendly for you and your selective, hard-to-feed family! Gift cards available. Ask about Natural Awakenings reader specials.
26 W CALENDAR AVE. LA GRANGE, 60525 708-354-4844 | ChefBeausKleanKitchen.com
BUSTED BRA SHOP
Busted Bra Shop has 2 Chicago locations to help with your holiday shopping! Find us in Hyde Park and Lakeview. We fit bras AA-P cups and 28-56 bands. Busted also carried lingerie up to 4X. Our 12 days of Christmas sale will feature new sales everyday. Watch our FB and IG for details and www.BustedBraShop.com.
1013-1/2 E. 53RD ST. CHICAGO 3148 N. LINCOLN AVE, CHICAGO | 773-697-9199 BustedBraShop.com
IN OUR OWN HANDS WOMEN’S WELLNESS SERIES
Midwest Women’s Herbal Virtual events make wonderful gifts for the woman on your list who wants to learn more about self-care, natural health, personal growth and herbal wisdom. Save 10% on 2023 Series or Workshop registration through 12/31 with the code Natural10.
Virtual Workshops January-April 2023 Register NOW at MidwestWomensHerbal.com
InteriorWerx WITH SUSAN CURRY
Holistic Life Coaching session $40$170 gift certificates. Provides solutions for emotional/spiritual health, physical wellbeing & business/relationship issues. Health products: Alkaline/Ionized water systems, shower heads, EMF phone/computer protectors, quality nutrients, on Shop Tab.
InteriorWerx.net
THE CHAKRA SHOPPE
Aromatherpy soothes your soul as you enter our colorful, crystal filled center for classes, sessions, books, candles, incense & more. Gemstone jewelry, unique crystals, spiritually enlightened gifts for everyone on your list. Do visit us for a smile & enjoy a Free Cup of Chakra Tea. We Welcome You.
LUMIERE MED SPA & BOUTIQUE
WELCOME SPECIAL DEC 3RD ONLY! Great selection of pampering gifts, selfcare items and gift cards for services. Save 15% on select skin care products.
Stop by on December 3rd for a complimentary gift bag (while supplies last).
95 REVERE DR, STE A, NORTHBROOK 224-628-1246 | MyLumiereMedSpa.com
MARVIN’S TOY STORE— SIMPLY WONDER FUN
Where you’ll find the Magic of the Holidays. Downtown Barrington and Downtown Crystal Lake. For toys that are good for the Earth and the mind!
64A N. WILLIAMS ST., CRYSTAL LAKE 100 E. STATION ST. #155, BARRINGTON MarvinsToyStore.com
THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE
This holiday season, celebrate those in our lives with Inspirational Gifts and Wellness Packages. All natural remedies and apparel in the specialty shop will be 20% off. Our natural healing therapies can be bundled at a discounted rate. check out our Facebook page for the latest details. Looking forward to spreading healing holiday cheer!
160 W. CAMPBELL STREET, ARLINGTON HEIGHTS 224-735-2355 | PhilosophersStoneApothecary.com
Transforming Our World
WORKING TOGETHER FOR MEANINGFUL CHANGE
by Linda Sechrist
With all the chaos occurring in the world today, it is challenging to remain centered and not feel overwhelmed. Every shocking headline seems to pull the proverbial rug out from under us. Thought leader Laureen Golden explains the dilemma this way: “Psychologically, we were raised, educated and socialized in a world that no longer really exists. We have a new world that we must navigate, and we need a new psychology, a whole new way of being for that world. Reducing, compartmentalizing, separating things in order to understand them no longer works for us. It’s going to take work to get out of this paradigm.”
Drawing from her background in education and social work, Golden ponders, “How does that new psychology develop when all our institutions charged with cultivating consciousness— schools, families, religious institutions and organizations—are set in the 19th and 20th centuries? Since learning is how we go from one paradigm to another, where do we go to learn the skills and the structures we need to be successful in such a complex world? We can’t do it individually. We must learn in collectives.” The paradigm shift envisioned by Golden offers an opportunity for us to access innovative methods of learning, discovery and connection, such as sociocracy (a self-governance system based on the equality of its members); systems thinking (an approach to complexity that looks at the whole and analyzes relationships, rather than splitting it into smaller pieces); permaculture (ex-
ploring natural ecosystems as a whole); circle methods (thinking things through as a group); and Indigenous wisdom (focusing on the interconnectedness of all things). All of these methods focus on an ethos of collaboration and teach us how to discern wisdom, which is different theworldcafe.com than knowledge. By engaging in these conversations and explorations, we learn that if we tug on any one part of the web of life, we tug the whole web—an important analogy for our times.
A BELOVED COMMUNITY CO-CREATING AN ISLAND OF SANITY THROUGH COLLABORATION
Instead of shouting, “The sky is falling, and the seas are rising,” in response to a world that is unraveling and experiencing the growing realities of global warming, residents of St. Petersburg, Florida, are embracing resilience. To prove that the future is born in webs of human conversation, the city is counting on collective intelligence to emerge. Among the tools city participants are employing is The World Café, developed by Juanita Brown and David Isaac, which allows people to host group conversations around thoughtful questions. The concept is designed to evoke deeper listening and give rise to solutions for today’s challenges in a more conscious, intentional and strategic way. Forty citizens have taken The World Café facilitation course. Employing a simple and flexible format for hosting large group dialogue, this methodology enables participants to clarify the context, create hospitable space, explore questions that matter, encourage everyone’s contribution, connect diverse perspectives, listen together for patterns and insights, and share collective discoveries.
Other important work being applied is that of bestselling author and longtime community organizer Margaret Wheatley. Her training, which is designed to cultivate what she calls “Warriors of the Human Spirit,” arouses people’s inherent generosity, creativity, compassion and need for community. Known as a big-systems thinker throughout her 45-year career, Wheatley has concluded that the only opportunity for change is at the local level. Questions
that encourage collective learning became integral to creating cohesiveness in St. Petersburg this year. Dr. Donella Meadows’ “systems thinking” has helped St. Petersburg participants understand that living systems begin as networks, shift to intentional communities of practice and evolve into powerful systems capable of influence. Also instructive has been “complexity theory”, which helped participants recognize human systems as organizations, families and communities. “The city leaders felt conversations were important enough to invest $20,000 to cultivate a culture of conversational leadership in the neighborhoods. Another $25,000 was granted by the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay to research the outcomes. Now, the Florida Council of Churches, University of South Florida, Community Foundation of Tampa Bay and The Connection Partners have received a Community Vibrancy grant of $14,500 to pilot conversations in three neighborhoods, spreading the skills in creating participatory democracy. Participants will host conversations in their own neighborhoods,” says St. Petersburg resident Sharon Joy Kleitsch, founder of The Connection Partners and a longtime catalyst for applying strategic actions based on the new sciences of complexity theory, strategic thinking and quantum science. “Those who have used World Café as a tool know theworldcafe.com that a culture of conversational leadership offers citizens the opportunity to experience a sense of oneness and connectedness. We’ve explored what happens when we share feelings of care, compassion and appreciation toward a beloved community,” says Kleitsch. “We found that group resonance, profound personal involvement and deeply engrossing, interactive conversation supports a City of Compassion and an International City of Peace, which St. Petersburg was chosen to be. I want to be sure that people understand that we do not have answers. Together, we are exploring pathways and listening for the answers to emerge.” Since 2020, a thoughtfully selected group of Florida activists—including participants from St. Petersburg— have been holding weekly online Zoom conversations that matter. In 2021, they were joined by participants from Ohio to study
the Capra Course, which is based on The Systems View of Life: A Unifying Visionby bestselling author Fritjof Capra. “What we discovered after only two weeks was that we were ourselves a living system connecting to itself and becoming self-organized,” says Kleitsch. “We became aware that we were learning together. We were sharing what we were learning around subjects such as honoring Indigenous peoples, local food systems, the human right to clean water, reimaging capitalism and many more subjects. We’ve also bifurcated into a Sarasota [Florida] cohort. The key is, we were not random. We were a self-selected study group learning collaboratively, which is the best way I recommend activists study the Capra Course.” Argerie Vasilakes, who is researching outcomes, explains that her work is dedicated to helping teams, communities and organizations become more coherent. “I start with traditional ways of thinking about our relationships with nature that native peoples have never forgotten—humans are part of nature, not apart from nature,” she explains. “To me, human organizations, communities, families and governments are also part of nature and examples of natural ecosystems. So, I naturally look at things from a living systems perspective.” Vasilakes advises, “In a group that is learning together, such as those in the St. Petersburg neighborhoods, group conversations organized around questions specifically crafted for the context and desired purpose of the World Café evoke a deeper kind of listening, the most important factor determining the success of a Café. They spark learning conversations that can produce insights and innovation for meeting the challenges they face. Through practicing shared listening and paying attention to themes, patterns
and insights, participants begin to sense a connection to the larger whole.” According to Wheatley, the important work is to foster critical connections. She believes it is not necessary to convince large numbers of people to change; instead, she suggests we connect theworldcafe.com with kindred spirits. Through these relationships and tools like The World Café, we can develop the new knowledge, practices and commitment that lead to broad-based change. Wheatley sometimes opens her interviews with an ancient Hopi prophecy that reads as if it were applicable to our current times: “Here now is a river flowing very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid, who will try to hold on to the shore. They are being torn apart and will suffer greatly. The elders say, ‘Let go of the shore, push off and go into the middle of the river. Keep your heads above the water. Know the river has its destination.’ The elders say, ‘See who is in there with you and celebrate.’ At this time in history, we are to take nothing seriously; least of all, ourselves. Gather yourselves. Everything we do now must be done in a spirit of celebration, for we are the ones we’ve been waiting for.” Seeing who is in the river of chaos with us, we can choose to theworldcafe.com respond with, “How can I serve with what I have, where I am?” This is what any Warrior of the Human Spirit would say because in the same river of chaos, there are also the seeds of transformation. In these turbulent times when all the old boundaries are unravelling and all the old certainties are dissolving, there is a possibility for creative transformation if we work together. theworldcafe.com Linda Sechrist is Natural Awakenings’ senior staff writer.
TOOLS FOR CO-CREATING BELOVED COMMUNITIES
n TheWorldCafe.com
n New Dimensions Radio
(NewDimensions.org)
n MargaretWheatley.com
n DonellaMeadows.com
n A good explanation of com-
plexity theory is at Tinyurl.com/ ComplexityTheoryExplained
n InternationalFuturesForum.
com
n SociocracyForAll.org n Lynn McTaggart’s books, in-
cluding: Living with Intention: The Science of Using Your Thoughts to Change Your Life and the World and The Power of Eight: Harnessing the Miraculous Energies of a Small Group to Heal Others and the World
Good Vibrations
THE HEALING POWER OF SOUND
by Gayatri Bhaumik
For centuries, humans have employed sound in an attempt to heal and cure. The ancient Greeks believed in the power of music, using flutes, lyres and zithers to treat illness and vibrations to alleviate mental disorders. Even today, military battalions play music to boost morale.
“Research shows that vibrations are the language of the body,” says Kyle Godfrey-Ryan, the founder of TUNE, a New York-based tech system designed to recalibrate the nervous system with sounds. “When we work with sound, we’re working with vibrations that can rebalance the nervous system and flood the body with endorphins.”
According to Susy Markoe Schieffelin, a healing practitioner at The Copper Vessel, in Los Angeles, “Sound vibrations work on a cellular level to recalibrate the body. Sound shifts vibrations in the body, both through entrainment—a process by which the vibrations of one object transform to match the higher vibration of another object—and by stimulating electric signals in the brain that support healing frequencies.”
Studies suggest that sound vibrations can unlock energy blockages, release tension and create calm and focus. For this reason, sound healing is frequently prescribed to manage conditions like anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Some practitioners also report anecdotal metabolic improvements, from lower blood pressure and decreased cholesterol levels to improved sleep.
TUNE has worked with the National Institutes of Health and the Mayo Clinic to gain scientific backing for the brand’s devices. “Our technology reduces stress by 54 percent in 15 minutes,” Godfrey-Ryan
claims. “It also has a massive impact on the circadian rhythm, so we’re able to prove better sleep quality, improved metabolism and reduced stress and anxiety.”
Sound healing can take many forms, and each type has specific applications. For example, Schieffelin explains, “Gongs and Tibetan bowls are very clearing and grounding, while crystal singing bowls feel more uplifting and elevating.” It is up to the individual to find a style that works for them and their intended results.
SINGING BOWLS
Originating in 12th-century Tibet, these metal bowls come in different sizes, each producing a specific sound vibration that is said to work on a particular part of the brain or body. Several-sized bowls often are used together to create a holistic healing approach. They can be placed directly on parts of the body to stimulate circulation and relax muscles. Singing bowls made of pure crystal quartz are popular for their pure sounds, and are believed to offer stress reduction, chakra balancing and mental clarity.
GONGS
Used in healing since about 4,000 B.C., gong baths, which combine different tones and melodies to fashion multifaceted vibrations, may positively influence the mind and body by stimulating the vagus nerve. Godfrey-Ryan advises, “Gongs are amazing for trauma release, but gong work is very heavy, so if you’ve never played with sound before, this will be really intense.”
VOCAL TONING
Numerous cultures— from ancient Egyptians to Tibetan throat singers—have their distinct forms of vocal toning. Hindu mantras can be especially powerful for some people because they harness the energy of specific words and intonations. Among practitioners, seven distinct tones have been linked to specific parts of the body. It is believed that these vibrations can balance the body’s cells and open energetic healing, leading to targeted benefits. While mu sicians use these devices to ensure that their instruments are set to the correct pitch, they also can be held next to specific parts of the body by individuals seeking healing vibrations, emotional balance and pain relief. “Tuning forks are fun because you can have a very strong somatic reaction within a few seconds—they’re very powerful,” notes Godfrey-Ryan.
Microgen/AdobeStock.com
SOLFEGGIO FREQUENCIES
Solfeggio frequencies are musi cal tunes or sound patterns designed to stimulate the brain by syncing brain waves to specific healing frequencies. Each of the seven most popular solfeggio frequencies sets out to target a certain purpose, from improving relationships and awakening intuition to navigating change and letting go of fear.
kentoh/AdobeStock.com
BINAURAL BEATS
Binaural beats are soundscapes that create a gap between different frequencies. For example, the tune might have a tone of 210 Hertz (Hz) in the left ear and 200 Hz in the right ear, producing an illusory tone of 10 Hz, also known as a binaural beat. Brainwaves are thought to automatically align themselves with this auditory tone, which may be useful for improving focus and reducing stress.
Sound healing is finding a permanent place in modern wellness culture as more people experience its rewards. While there are myriad ways to use sound vibrations for healing purposes, it is up to each individual to find the style that resonates with them and achieves the improvements they seek. With regular practice, they may even find relief that is cumulative and long-lasting.
Gayatri Bhaumik is a professional writer and editor. For more information, visit GayatriBhaumik.com.
Somatic Practices for Healing Trauma
THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
by Janelle Knippen
Eastern cultures and ancient healing practices have long recognized the energetic connection between the mind and body, and in recent years, Western society has been moving toward acceptance of the mind-body connection. Many researchers recognize the importance of healing trauma on a somatic, or physical, level. Current research within the fields of psychology and neurobiology acknowledges the impact psychological stress and trauma have on our bodies as far back as the moment we begin to develop in utero.
Psychiatrist Dr. Bessel van der Kolk defines trauma as exposure to an event that overwhelms the central nervous system. When individuals experience trauma, physiological survival mechanisms such as the fight-flight-or-freeze response are activated. Lingering effects of these traumatic responses can be stored in the body long after the experience is over and the danger has passed.
Based on a 1993 study on the long-term effects of trauma, the National Center for PTSD explains that trauma can “trigger a cascade of neuronal, hormonal, and immunologic effects that damage the body over time,” which may lead to chronic illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, and chronic pain. These effects can be passed down generationally as illustrated by neurobiologist Dr. Dan Siegel’s research on intergenerational trauma.
During times of stress, such as the holidays, when our fight-flight-or-freeze responses are activated, we need to be aware of how our bodies respond to both current stressors as well as triggers from past traumas. Once we become aware of our triggers and patterned responses, we can work on changing how we react from a more present and balanced state, emotionally and physically.
Psychologist Dr. Arielle Schwartz explains that because “trauma leaves wounds on the body, imprints in the psyche and markers on our DNA,” healing occurs when we “attend to the impact of traumatic events on the body.” A somatic approach to healing trauma includes techniques such as increasing body awareness, grounding and repatterning limiting movements.
Here are four somatic practices to add to a healing toolbox to help cope with stress and trauma this holiday season:
BEFRIEND THE BODY
In a world where we are constantly being told that we are not enough, we rarely treat our bodies with the love they deserve. Befriend your body. Become aware of your sensations, physical cues and what your body is telling you. Listen without judgment, as though you are listening to a friend, then meet your needs with a sense of compassion. Self-care doesn’t have to look like a bubble bath. It can be as simple as placing a comforting hand over your heart when you feel upset and telling yourself it’s okay to cry.
FEEL FREE TO DANCE IT OUT
As children, we freely express ourselves through movement. As adults, we learn to sit still and hold in our impulses to move, which disconnects us from our bodies. Tune into your inner child. When you notice you are feeling activated and your body is responding physically to stress, move/ dance/walk/shake it out. When feeling
tense in a meeting or on a call, get up and shake out your legs. If feeling frustrated during traffic, dance to your favorite song. Excuse yourself to go for a walk or stretch in another room when feeling anxious at a family gathering.
CREATE A PHYSICAL SAFETY NET
Develop a ritual that can act as a physical safety net in stressful situations. For example, if you tend to feel anxious during parties, prepare ahead of time by choosing a specific movement to practice whenever you are feeling anxious. This may be making a fist and tensing on an inhale, then exhaling and letting go as a reminder to your nervous system that you are safe.
SEEK OUT HEALING TOUCH
Scientific evidence indicates that physical touch has healing effects on the body due to an increase in feelgood chemicals such as endorphins and oxytocin. Healing touch can include self-touch, as well as physical connection with a pet. This holiday season, give yourself the gift of healing touch: engage in self-massage, pet your furry friend, hug your loved ones and seek out healing services such as reiki. You deserve it.
Trauma has many lasting effects, including a loss of the ability to feel safe in our own bodies, but there are many somatic practices that can counteract these effects. Physical practices and alternative therapies such as yoga, meditation, dance and reiki can settle the nervous system and help convince the body that the trauma is no longer happening in the present moment. These healing modalities can help us reconnect with our bodies, reestablish a sense of safety and ultimately, reclaim our sense of self.
Janelle Knippen is a dance/movement therapist, yoga instructor and reiki practitioner. She offers somatic healing services at the Philosopher’s Stone Apothecary, 160 W. Campbell St., in Arlington Heights. For more information, call 224-735-2355 or visit PhilosophersStoneApothecary.com. See ad
on page 13, in the Holiday Gift Guide and in the Business Directory at NAChicago.com.
THROUGHOUT THE LIFECYCLE
by Keri Barron
Babies are born with a very underdeveloped gut microbiome, but with each day, environmental exposures help shape the bacteria in the gut. In breastfeed babies, human milk oligosaccharides in breast milk, including 2’-fucosyllactose (2’-FL), help promote the development of a rich gut microbiome. 2’-FL is able to evade digestive enzymes in the stomach until it reaches the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract where it acts as a prebiotic, feeding bacteria in the gut. 2’-FL is uniquely available to beneficial bacteria in the gut—which helps their population flourish and benefits both gut and immune health— and its structure resembles the structure of certain binding sites on cells in the lower GI tract. This allows it to act as a binding decoy for biological toxins and other external microorganisms that can disrupt the GI system.
According to a 2016 study published in the British Journal of Nutrition (BJN), breastfeeding in infants has been strongly associated with an increase in populations of beneficial bacteria, due in large part to the high content of 2’-FL. It also is associated with reduced risk of developing lower respiratory tract infections later in life, as well as other benefits including healthy brain development and cognition, according to a randomized placebo-controlled trial published in 2021 in the journal Microorganisms. For infants that are not breastfed, formula enriched with 2’FL and other human milk oligosaccharides supports the development of the intestinal immune system and gut barrier function, asserts a 2022 study published in Frontiers in Nutrition.
The benefits of 2’-FL extend beyond infancy, promoting the growth of beneficial microbes throughout adulthood. As per a 2008 article in BJN, it stimulates the development and maintenance of the GI barrier, which can be impaired by stress, antibiotics, and chronic conditions.
In healthy adults, supplementation with 2’-FL was able to positively change the composition of the gut microbiome per the 2016 BJN study. Additionally, in adults with chronic GI conditions, consumption of 2’FL resulted in improvements in symptoms
specific to the intestines as well as more broad symptoms including quality of life, per a an article published in 2021 in the journal Nutrients. 2’-FL is a naturally occurring compound in breast milk that jump-starts a baby’s gut microbiome and can help support the gut and resolve gut-related issues throughout life. Supplementation with 2’-FL can help balance the gut microbiome by increasing populations of beneficial bacteria, as well as feed them during times of acute GI stress.
Keri Barron, Ph.D., is the scientific writer for Standard Process. For more information, visit WholisticMatters.com.
See ad on page 5.
