Natural Awakenings Magazine East Bay ~ February 2017

H E A L T H Y

L I V I N G

H E A L T H Y

feel good • live simply • laugh more

P L A N E T

FREE

Sacred Passage

Conscious Dying as a Transformational Healing Journey

IN THE OZONE

Oxygen Therapy Heals a Host of Ills

KEEP DECAY AWAY

Kids Do Best with Holistic Dentistry

SUSTAINABLY STYLISH HOME Relax Into Nurturing Furnishings

February 2017 | East Bay Area Edition | NAEastBay.com 1

East Bay Area | www.NAEastBay.com

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February 2017

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contact us Publisher/Editor Celeste Souza National Editor S. Alison Chabonais Proofreader Randy Kambic Writer Tessa Rigdon Design & Production Stephen Blancett Kim Cerne Multi-Market Advertising 239-449-8309 Franchise Sales Anna Romano 239-530-1377

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y daughter, Kaila, is volunteering in a village five hours outside of Chiang Mai, Thailand. She’s part of a project working to rehabilitate elephants while also tackling improvements in conservation.

The adventure has presented a string of challenges she’s had to patiently overcome. Hiccups started just before her departure with critical missing documents and an airline boarding software crash. Eventually, she landed safely, easily finding her peer group to set off for the village.

As she settled in, she learned some things conveniently left out of advance notices, including the bucket shower and squat toilet. We’ve shared laughter as her limits continue to be pushed. I love how she is fully embracing her experience as she learns her capacities and boundaries.

Kaila’s Thailand family raises chickens for the village. Roosters proudly crow three times at 12:30 a.m., 2:30 a.m. and 5 to 9 a.m., surprising this suburban gal. Her great sense of humor has rescued her in the face of the several required lifestyle adjustments.

After the first week there, the volunteers got word that an elder elephant herder had died and were invited to participate in the three-day vigil. The monks gave them each a bracelet made of multiple string bracelets, the expression of blessing, which Kaila used as a reminder to keep the blessing going in her mind.

Everyone attending was asked to approach the altar and light two candles, at the elder’s head and feet. As she lit her first, her group leader whispered “You’re on fire!”

Quickly patting out the flames on her bracelet, she moved to light her second candle accompanied by giggles and chatter from the locals. One monk stepped forward to suggest she also light some incense. It was an honor that left her feeling less silly and more hopeful that the disruption was minimal. She’s in awe at the opportunity to honor customs wholly outside her previous experience.

My Catholic upbringing did little to calm my fears about death, which surfaced each time someone left for the hospital or even just traveling. A flurry of activity ensued when a family member died, but we never discussed our feelings, desires and grief. It wasn’t until the loss of my mom that I realized how unprepared and illequipped our family has been in fully letting loved ones move on.

Linda Sechrist’s feature article, “Conscious Dying,” inspires fresh perspective and encourages exploration of new ways to prepare for this vital life transition. We hope that you find ideas and tools that are useful to you and your family in times of need.

Loss can also show up via a marriage, animal, job or our own childhood. If you’re carrying around an unfinished loss, local practitioner Tina Kopko specializes in grief care. Her workshops help us better understand our own feelings and experiences, providing a process and tools that empower us to more gracefully and gratefully move through it and out the other side (more information on page 7).

To quality of life,

Celeste Souza, Publisher

Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soy-based ink.

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East Bay Area | www.NAEastBay.com

contents 10

6 newsbriefs 10 healthbriefs 12 globalbriefs

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

14 SACRED PASSAgE

Conscious Dying as a Transformative Healing Journey

17 healingways

12

18 naturalpet

16 yOUR gRATITUDE

20 healthykids

Swim, Float or Sink

22 greenliving

13

by Linda Sechrist

23 inspiration 24 calendarofevents 26 ongoingcalendar 29 resourceguide

LIFE PRESERVER:

by Michael Disend

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14

IN THE O-ZONE

Oxygen Therapy Heals a Host of Ills

by Valerie Burke

18 HEART-TO-HEART WITH A HORSE

Their Gentle Empathy Helps Us Heal

by Sandra Murphy

advertising & submissions HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 925-557-7583 or email Ads@ NAEastBay.com. Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month.

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Editorial@ NAEastBay.com. Deadline for editorial: the 5th of the month.

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Submit Calendar Events online at NAEastBay.com or email to: Calendar@NAEastBay.com. Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month.

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20 KEEP DECAy AWAy Kids Do Best with Holistic Dentistry

by Linda Sechrist

22 SUSTAINABLy

STyLISH HOME

Relax into Nurturing Furnishings

by April Thompson

23 KISSED By KINDNESS

by Emily Esfahani Smith

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

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February 2017

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kudos Spiritual Counselor Janet Myatt Publishes First Book

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he Divine Journey, Awakening to the Creative Process of Life, a new book by spiritual counselor Janet Myatt, is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Balboa Press. Drawing from such diverse sources as the Ageless Wisdom teachings of Alice Bailey, A Course in Miracles, The Urantia Book, Seth, and the Christian Bible, Myatt offers a modern interpretation of complex spiritual concepts that can be applied to our daily experience.

The Divine Journey takes readers on a path of spiritual discovery to learn how the forces of creativity work within us and to help us move out of painful ways of thinking and feeling into an awakened awareness that is limitless, loving, and powerful.

Readers will learn ways to discover the divinity within; understand how thoughts and desires determine our experiences; heal the mental and emotional patterns that cause suffering, and experience a deeper connection with ourselves, others, and the world around us.

Says Mayatt, “People all over the world are awakening to an inner calling to love more, connect more, to heal themselves and the world. Many are having spiritual experiences they don’t fully understand but know are real and important. They hunger for more infor-

mation and for connection with others who are having a similar awakening. The Divine Journey helps them build a context for their experience, for their aspiration, and gives them actual techniques for developing it.”

The Divine Journey offers a unique combination of thought-provoking ideas, real-life stories, and targeted exercises and guided meditations to catalyze your higher intuition and find your answers.

Whether you are newly on the path of spiritual awakening or an experienced traveler, the concepts and techniques offered provide fertile ground for a transformational shift into your unlimited self.

Myatt is a spiritual counselor, teacher, healer, and licensed minister.

Her training includes a master’s degree in psychology, 30 years of extensive spiritual studies, and ten years of advanced training at an awareness institute specializing in healing and strengthening the mind/body connection. Myatt lives with her husband and three sons in Livermore.

Reader reviews for The Divine Journey, Awakening to the Creative Process of Life: “The Divine Journey offers you a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of spirituality and metaphysics and I be-

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lieve takes this field to the next level of understanding. I have had the privilege of studying with Janet and know that she truly walks her talk.”

—Kate Mackinnon, author of From My Heart and Hands.

“The Divine Journey truly connects you to the higher consciousness thought, and it contains many excellent tools for the light-workers of the world to work with on their spiritual quest.”

—Amanda Romania, author of Akashic Therapy.

“We need every voice tuned to the Divine presence in all of us. Use Janet’s joyful, wise words to tune your heart to the divinity you are and have always been. As a friend and sister seeker and teacher, I’ve been looking forward to reading her book and I’m glad you too can have a copy in your hands!”

—Laura Hansen, author of, Hand Me a Wrench, My Life Is Out of Whack “The Divine Journey successfully translates complex spiritual concepts into logical, practical guidance that can be used to help explain how one can develop and grow their own spiritual path.”

—Peggy Prien, client “Janet creates a welcoming environment for you to explore, learn, and begin to understand this wonderful, yet at times difficult, journey in a comfortable and effective way.”

—Tammy Campbell, client “The Divine Journey is awesome!

The information provided is interesting, clear, concise, and fun to learn. Full of golden nuggets of wisdom, powerful meditations, and new approaches that support you on your journey back to wholeness.”

—Eugene Vodovoz, client For more information, call 510-3862467, email JanetMyatt@live.com or visit JanetMyatt.com. See listing, page 31.

newsbriefs

What To Do About Compound Grief

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Soul Connection Healing Center Launches in the East Bay

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he Soul Connection Healing Center is a new paradigm of health. It’s an online gathering place for those seeking alternative approaches and holistic practitioners in the greater East Bay. These practitioners have a commitment to health and wellness utilizing the body and mind’s natural healing powers with proven methods and client case studies. Healing modalities represented include craniosacral therapy, spiritual counselors, biofeedback, chiropractic and more.

Founder Kate Mackinnon, a globally recognized CranioSacral Therapist who is local to the East Bay, saw an opportunity to create a virtual information center to connect practitioners whom she knows and recommends. Says Mackinnon, “I wrote the importance of creating your own well-being team in my book, From My Hands and Heart. The Soul Connection Healing Center helps people connect with practitioners and healing methods, allowing them to quickly find an array of support within our center. In addition all the practitioners meet regularly to provide support to one another.”

Joining Mackinnon as founder of the Soul Connection Healing Center is Lauren Doko. Known for establishing a successful holistic mother’s club and her reputable natural health referrals, Doko remains a passionate advocate for alternative healing approaches. “We have brought together experienced practitioners and professionals in the Tri-Valley area to serve as a formalized resource for those seeking excellent and experienced holistic care,” says Doko. “We have a spectrum of practitioners to share knowledge and resources not only with clients but also with one another, creating a focus on collaboration and community as well.”

Passionate about alternative healing methods, Mackinnon and Doko are inspired to advance the knowledge and understanding of the amazing resource of practitioners we have right here in the East Bay. The Soul Connection Healing Center was created to be a central location for holistic and complementary approaches to health, and will serve as a dedicated, central place for the greater Bay Area to easily find experienced and reputable alternative medicine practitioners.

For more information, visit SoulConnectionHealingCenter.com. See listing, page 31.

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ina Kopko is a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist who offers The Grief Recovery Method Support Groups in the Oakland/Berkeley area. The method is very personal to Tina Kopko Kopko, who used it to heal from her own losses and who now leads other grievers to resolution.

The goal of this work is to reclaim joy, energy, enthusiasm and happy memories after experiencing losses due to death, divorce, moving, life transitions, changes in appearance or physical ability, tests of faith or any of the more than 40 types of loss that can cause grief.

In the span of just two years, Kopko experienced eight major losses, including her longtime feline companion, Topher; her mother to cancer; her ability to play her favorite sport after a foot injury; and the dream of owning her own home. At the time, Kopko was training to be a psychotherapist and was surprised at how ill-prepared she was to deal with so much grief and loss all at the same time. She participated in a free grief support group for women without mothers, and found some relief in the use of ritual, sharing, memorializing and letter writing. But when the losses started piling up, she was suffering from a broken heart and just barely managing to show up at work, pay her bills and keep from jumping on a plane to Bali.

About a year later, Tina found a program called The Grief Recovery Method and decided to jump fully into the work by participating in the certification program. The training leads each person through their own grief recovery process, and additionally trains them on how to guide others through the method.

The goal of this process is to have communicated any unresolved emotional statements and to say goodbye to the pain associated with those messages.

For more information, call 510-813-9811, email Tina@AuthenticiTina.com, or visit AuthenticiTina.com. See listing, page 30.

natural awakenings

February 2017

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newsbriefs Crystal Empowerment Workshop Explores Gemstone Energy

L Proposed 'Bill of Rights for Children' Legislation in CA Raises Questions

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any California families are on high alert after a state legislative notice, SB18, called the “Bill of Rights for Children and Youth in California,” was introduced on December 5 by Sen. Richard Pan, a pro-vaccine pediatrician who also led the charge to mandate childhood vaccinations in California.

According to official text, “This bill would declare the intent of the Legislature to expand and codify the Bill of Rights for Children and Youth of California to establish a comprehensive framework that governs the rights of all children and youth in California, outlines the researchbased essential needs of California’s children, and establishes standards relating to the health, safety, wellbeing, early childhood and educational opportunities, and familial supports necessary for all children to succeed.”

Critics of Pan’s proposed legislation are wary of its vague language and missing details regarding the potential development and implementation of new health and safety standards that would affect millions of children. Concerned families are encouraged to contact their state senators and have their voices heard.

oretta Metzger, a certified teacher with the Spiritual Unfoldment Network, will present a Crystal Empowerment Workshop, from 1 to 5 p.m., February 25 in Walnut Creek.

“Although many books exist on individual gemstone and crystal properties, their benefits, geometric structure and mineral content, for most of us, it takes time to develop our own intuition on how to best work with the stones,” says Metzger, who provides guidance and expertise to those exploring gemstone energy.

Crystal Empowerment Workshop participants learn to boost the power of stones, transform stones into intelligent energy that can sense when our energy field is “full,” and work to increase the connection to the higher self.

For more information, visit LegInfo.Legislature.ca.gov.

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East Bay Area | www.NAEastBay.com

For more information, call 925-954-7908, email Sun88@juno.com, or visit Spiritual-Initiations.com.

See listing, page 31.

A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. ~Joseph Campbell

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The Great San Francisco Crystal Fair Shines in its 30th Year

Positively Priming the Mind Workshop

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he Great San Francisco Crystal Fair comes to the Fort Mason Center in San Francisco, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on February 25 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on February 26.

Now in its 30th year, the Crystal Fair boasts more than 40 vendors with displays of crystals, beads and jewelry, and healing arts practitioners offering massage, psychic readings, aura photos and more.

The Bay Area’s first Crystal Fair was held in Fort Mason in 1987. Six years later, Walnut Creek hosted the first Contra Costa Crystal Fair. Crystal Fairs take place three times each year in both San Francisco and in Walnut Creek.

Cost: $10 for two days. This event is free for children 12 years and under who are accompanied by adult. Location: 2 Marina Blvd., San Francisco. For more information, call Jerry Tomlinson at 415-383-7837, email Jerry@CrystalFair.com or visit CrystalFair.com.

eventspotlight Learn the Language of Your Own Mind With Nlp

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n Integrative Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) Practitioner Certification Training is being held February 9 to 12 at the Courtyard Marriott San Jose North, in San Jose. The training is geared toward anyone seeking to gain mastery over their mind and emotions and get better results in life. Attendees will learn how to overcome unwanted habits in minutes; feel any emotional state instantly and automatically; get into rapport and create instant connection with anyone, anytime, anywhere; and program their unconscious mind to instinctively have any empowering belief.

“Do you ever find yourself repeatedly falling into the same emotional or behavioral patterns? Do these patterns prevent you from achieving a goal? Does it feel like you’re unknowingly sabotaging yourself?” asks event facilitator Dr. Matt James, owner of Empowerment Partnership. “Your results in life come from your actions, which comes from your thoughts and emotions. Your thoughts and your emotions come from your programming.”

During this event, participants will learn tools and techniques to free themselves of negative cycles so they can achieve their goals. “You will also learn integrative energy techniques to facilitate balance and improved motivation. This combination will help free yourself of the baggage that has prevented you from achieving your goals in life and help you improve your relationship with yourself and others to achieve your desired results,” adds James.

According to James, neuro refers to neurology, linguistic refers to language, and programming refers to how that neural language functions. “In other words, learning NLP is like learning the language of your own mind,” he says. “In NLP, we have a saying: the conscious mind is the goal setter, and the unconscious mind is the goal getter. Your unconscious mind is not out to get you—rather, it’s out to get for you whatever you want in life.”

Cost: $194 for all 4 days. Event location: 111 Holger Way, San Jose. For more information and to register, call 800-800-MIND, email info@nlp.com or visit nlp.com.

im Serafini, founder and CEO of MindPT, will be the keynote speaker at a Positively Priming the Mind Workshop from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., on FebKim Serafini ruary 24, in Danville. Participants will learn more about the research and technology behind the accelerated learning tool called Mind Power Technology (MindPT) that serves businesses, nonprofits, organizations and entrepreneurs in creating positive results by priming the mind to start each day on a positive note.

Serafini is a leading authority on positive priming and how to accelerate learning and change. This workshop is for coaches, practitioners, doctors, healers, educators, advocates, managers, trainers and others. Attendees will leave with real tools to navigate life more easily and beautifully.

“MindPT is a revolutionary new way to integrate new beliefs and cultivate the mindset and habits of happiness and success,” she says.

“Traditional personal growth programs often fail to produce the desired results because they require time, effort and discipline, but MindPT is quick and effortless, based on the latest in neuroscience research and proven, positive psychology principles. It is shared in fun and engaging bite-sized lessons on a desktop computer or mobile app to create fast, enduring results.”

Cost is $49, including lunch. For location and tickets, visit PositivePriming ForSuccess.com. See ad page 6.

natural awakenings

February 2017

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Chinese Herbs Lessen Postpartum Blues

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twitter.com/#NAEastbay

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nticipating surgery can be stressful, and many patients suffer from preoperative anxiety, which can cause serious health complications such as hypertension, rapid pulse and sugar metabolism changes. Israeli researchers from the University of Haifa have found that complementary medicine, combined with standard use of antianxiety drugs prior to entering the operating room, can significantly reduce preoperative anxiety levels and improve outcomes.

Researchers divided 360 preoperative patients ages 17 and up into three groups: those receiving standard care for preoperative anxiety; those receiving standard care along with complementary therapy, featuring acupuncture, reflexology, individual guided imagery or a combination of the latter two; and those receiving standard care combined with generic guided imagery via a recording.

Anxiety levels were measured preoperatively before and after the intervention on a scale of one to 10, with scores of four or more constituting intermediate or higher-level anxiety.

The study found that complementary therapy in combination with standard care produced a 60 percent reduction in anxiety, with the mean score dropping from 5.54 to 2.32. Combining standard care with reflexology and guided imagery provided the best relief, reducing anxiety by an average of 4.22 points. Patients receiving only standard care experienced a slight rise in their average anxiety level.

Fenugreek Eases Menopause

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Oliver Wilde/Shutterstock.com

study from the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, in Beijing, reports that Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) can be an effective treatment for patients with postpartum depression. Traditional Chinese Medicine advocates herbal treatments based on underlying issues.

Researchers analyzed data from 47 clinical trials encompassing 3,795 participants between the ages of 18 and 43 suffering from postpartum depression. The study pooled results into three categories: CHM versus placebo, CHM versus routine treatments (antidepressants) and CHM plus routine treatments versus only routine treatments.

The study found that using Chinese herbs combined with antidepressants is the most effective approach, noting that CHM is a safe, effective alternative for patients unable or unwilling to take antidepressants.

Reflexology and Imagery Relieve Preoperative Anxiety

randomized, double-blind study from the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Science and Research, in Bangalore, India, has found that an extract of fenugreek husk (FHE) called FenuSMART can provide relief from common symptoms of menopause, including night sweats, insomnia, headaches, hot flashes and mood swings.

Researchers studied 88 menopausal women between the ages of 45 and 58. Half were given one gram of FHE per day for 90 days while the other half received a placebo. The study measured the impact the supplement had on the subjects’ menopausal symptoms through weekly telephone sessions.

At the study’s end, approximately 32 percent of the women in the FHE group reported no hot flashes, while the placebo subjects saw the frequency of theirs reduced from three to five per day to one or two. Additionally, the subjects that took FHE experienced a 57 percent reduction in night sweats, a 68 percent abatement of mood swings, a 75 percent drop in insomnia and 58 percent fewer headaches.

East Bay Area | www.NAEastBay.com

Photographee.eu/Shutterstock.com

marilyn barbone/Shutterstock.com

healthbriefs

September 2016 survey from Packaged Facts, a division of Market Research Group, LLC, showed that as much as 20 percent of the U.S. adult population is cutting back on supplement use due to consumption of fortified foods. Despite this trend, nutritional supplement sales nationwide are projected to increase by $1.5 billion in just two years to $16 billion in 2018.

Fortified foods contain extra nutrients added by manufacturers such as cereal fortified with iron, milk with added vitamin D and pasta enhanced with folic acid. While the original intent of these additives was to improve nutritional deficiencies in people without access to foods that naturally contain these nutrients, consequences now include an overabundance of particular nutrients for some and poor food choices due to a dependence on fortified foods for others. Ingesting naturally occurring nutrients in unfortified foods allows each nutrient to be absorbed together with the other vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients contained in that food, enabling them to work together within the body, according to the Harvard School of Public Health.

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esearchers from the David Grant Medical Center, at Travis Air Force Base, in Fairfield, California, have found that oral doses of aloe vera can reduce fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), which indicates the average glucose level over the previous three months, in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Data from nine clinical studies that included 89 diabetes patients were analyzed. Findings suggest that patients with a fasting blood glucose level of more than 200 milligrams per deciliter experienced the greatest benefits from the aloe vera.

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February 2017

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joannawnuk/Shutterstock.com

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Aloe Vera Juice Allays Diabetes Dino Osmic/Shutterstock.com

Fortified Foods Cut Into Supplement Use

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

Heave Ho

Plants Communicate with Sound A recent study from the University of Western Australia has found that plants regularly react to and emit sounds through a series of clicks produced by their roots, and that such inter-flora communication may be essential to their survival.

Evolutionary biologist Monica Gagliano, who made the discovery, listened to the roots of young corn plants and found that they regularly produced sounds in the range of 220Hz, a frequency audible to the human ear.

Plants have been shown to influence each other in many ways through nanomechanical oscillations on a molecular scale.

Gagliano remarks, “Scientists also know that plants use volatile chemicals to communicate with each other.”

Another biological research team under the direction of Professor Olaf Kruse, Ph.D., scientific director of the Center for Biotechnology at Germany’s Bielefeld University, has shown that green algae not only engages in photosynthesis, but also has an alternative source of energy: It can draw it from other plants (Nature Communications).

Gagliano comments, “Considering that entire forests are all interconnected by networks of fungi, maybe plants are using fungi the way we use the Internet.”

12

Abandoned and lost fishing gear such as traps, crab pots and nets litter the ocean floor in coastal areas worldwide, continuing to attract, entrap and kill fish and other marine life.

The Associated Press reports that global nonprofits, governments and companies are engaged in efforts to retrieve and recycle as many of the items as possible to protect the environment, save marine life and reduce hazards to marine navigation.

A 2009 United Nations report estimated there are 640,000 tons of discarded fishing nets deep below the ocean surface worldwide. Recommended solutions include degradable panels on traps that break down and allow trapped marine life to escape. International agreements prohibit dumping fishing equipment at sea; yet in England, small vessels can amass landfill charges of roughly $700 per year, giving them an incentive to ditch broken gear.

Pascal van Erp, a Dutch diver alarmed by the amount of equipment he’s encountered, founded the Ghost Fishing Foundation to tackle the issue. He says, “It’s found in all seas, oceans and inland waters at all depths, along the beach and under the sand. I don’t think the problem can be resolved completely, but we can keep it from getting worse by showing the problem to the public and the authorities.” Industry experts and scientists estimate that commercial fishermen annually lose about 10 percent of their traps due to bad weather.

Free Fuel

Hydrogen Conversion From Water Making Gains Scientists at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, in Stockholm, report that they have finally unlocked a major barrier to exploiting a renewable energy source through extracting pure hydrogen from water. Because the bestperforming catalysts for electrochemical oxidation, or “water splitting”, are expensive precious metals, the research team led by KTH Professor Licheng Sun developed molecular catalysts for water oxidation with an efficiency approaching that of natural photosynthesis comprising common, abundant elements, all of which could help change the economics of large-scale hydrogen fuel production.

Meanwhile, Daniel Nocera, a professor of energy at Harvard University, and Pamela Silver, a professor of biochemistry and systems biology at Harvard Medical School, have co-created a system that uses solar energy to split water molecules and hydrogen-eating bacteria to produce liquid fuels. Their paper, whose lead authors include post-doctoral fellow Chong Liu and graduate student Brendan Colón, was recently published in Science.

“This is a true artificial photosynthesis system,” says Nocera. “Previously, people were using artificial photosynthesis for water-splitting, but this is a true A-toZ system, and we’ve greatly exceeded the efficiency of photosynthesis in nature.”

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Veggie Tales

Richard Whitcombe/Shutterstock.com

Abandoned and Lost Fishing Gear Pollutes the Seas

Bevan Young/Shutterstock.com

Fungus Among Us

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Genetically Altered Mushrooms Approved for Consumption

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) is a new method of editing genomes of farm animals and food crops. White button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) that have been genetically modified to delay the natural browning process are the first CRISPR-edited organisms to receive approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Yinong Yang, a plant pathologist from Penn State University, crafted the modified mushrooms by targeting the family of genes responsible for the browning effect seen in produce when sliced and exposed to oxygen. Yang was able to reduce the browning enzyme’s work by 30 percent and was granted approval from the USDA because no foreign or altered DNA was integrated into the mushroom genome. The department only assesses whether there’s a risk that the new modified variety of an organism could become a weed or “pest” to other plants.

The mushrooms may still be subject to Food and Drug Administration or Environmental Protection Agency regulations. The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine are in discussions about developing a new set of rules for the biotech industry in the next five to 10 years.

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PASSAGE Conscious Dying as a Transformative Healing Journey

by Linda Sechrist

W

hen properly viewed, the thresholds of all of life’s transitional moments can be both emotionally and spiritually rewarding.

Whether it involves marriage or birth, job loss or illness, gleaning insight from the experience can yield fresh perspective on how to live life more fully today, if we remain mindful and lovingly attentive through the process.

Like birth, death is a transition we can wisely prepare for. In recent years, compassionate individuals and grassroots movements have emerged to help us conduct ourselves, heal and grow from losing a loved one or face our own passing. An increasing number of initiatives support a new model in palliative care that treats death not as a failure, but an expected aspect of the human experience. Each in its own way advocates for a grace-filled passage supported by dignified, caring and compassionate practices.

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Profound Shift

The Conscious Dying Institute, in Boulder, Colorado, aims to restore death and dying to its natural place in the sacred circle of life. Its end-of-life literacy curriculum and certificate training programs are helping to create a new, wisdom-based culture of healing teachers and end-of-life doulas that serve among the frontline caregivers and companions providing the comfort people want and need most. Founded by Tarron Estes, a healing artist, poet, Caritas coach and transformational learning educator, the institute is grounded in love, spiritual openness, compassion and a universal field of consciousness.

“Training is open to nurses, physicians, clinicians, caregivers, family members, healthcare teams and anyone else interested in exploring what it means to die consciously,” says Estes. It attends to the provider’s inner

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SACRED

awakening and helps them strengthen their ability to give spiritual, emotional, physical and practical care to anyone, helping to relieve pain, regardless of diagnosis.

“Rather than curative care, it’s all about seeking to increase precious, meaningful moments, a sense of spiritual sanctity, beauty, interconnectedness and appreciation of life for the families and patients they serve. An end-of-life doula at bedside assures that families and loved ones can focus on what is most important,” explains Estes, who believes that our true nature lives within us as an unblemished jewel.

Helping individuals become comfortable talking about death is the work of Dr. Karen Wyatt, of Dillon, Colorado, founder of the End of Life University, an online interview series with end-of-life care experts. She provides a trustworthy loving environment in monthly death cafés. The author of What Really Matters: 7 Lessons for Living from the Stories of Dying expands the conversation through related articles and podcasts at eolUniversity.com.

Death cafés benefit from Wyatt’s experience as a hospice doctor. “There is never an agenda. Of the 10 to 12 people that generally join in, one is always a new caller, recently awakened to the idea of conscious dying or their own mortality. They’re seeking information and someone to talk to because family and friends aren’t interested.

Some already embracing their mortality wish to explore their thoughts with others. Some callers join just to listen,” advises Wyatt.

Because death in the West has become a commercialized, medical event with funeral home packages the norm, Wyatt recommends the National Home Funeral Alliance to those interested in a deeper understanding of options and resources for a gentler model. The nonprofit, grassroots movement and its members, such as Sacred Crossings, in Los Angeles, seek to restore the lost art and healing ritual of a home funeral by preserving the rights of families to provide home after-death care.

Supporting and educating interested families is the mission of Sacred Crossings founder Rev. Olivia Rose-

marie Bareham. The certified death midwife and home funeral guide draws from her experiences as an auxiliary nurse and hospice volunteer to assist families with end-of-life planning, death midwifery and arrangements for an at-home vigil and funeral, as well as cremation and burial choices.

“We also offer sacred singing to help ease a loved one’s transition. Music by a bedside soloist or choir before, during and after death can be deeply relaxing and comforting, and even provide pain relief,” advises Bareham.

Exploring the Mystery

For more than 40 years, philosopher, psychologist and physician Raymond Moody’s life work has been acknowledging the mysteries and validating the unexplainable events at the end of life. His seminal bestseller Life After Life appeared in 1975. Lisa Smartt’s mentorship by Moody led them to co-found FinalWordsProject.org. She’s also authored Words at the Threshold, a study of the nonsensical, metaphorical and paradoxical language and visions of the dying.

Moody and Smartt agree that by better understanding the unique language patterns related to end of life we can share more deeply and build bridges with our beloveds throughout the dying process. “When we do so, we offer greater support to the dying and ameliorate our own experience of loss as they cross the threshold,” remarks Smartt. Like William Peters, founder of the Shared Crossings Project, in Santa Barbara, California, they caution that compassionate etiquette during events at death is important.

“Assume that levels of awareness exist in the dying so that our energy and presence are felt and our voices heard,” advises Moody. “Respect your words and actions, regardless of the person’s state of consciousness. Be a compassionate listener and validate their vision.

Don’t pretend to intellectualize or explain anything.”

Dianne Gray, president and executive director of the Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation, also owns Hospice and Healthcare Communications. “The dy-

ing often wish to leave here surrounded by peace and harmony. They choose to let go of contentiousness and often wish family members would do the same, which is facilitated by mapping out Advance Directives according to the final wishes of the patient,” says Gray.

Questions she frequently addresses in public talks and Death Over Dinner party conversations include: the necessity of finishing unfinished business; bringing closure to unresolved relationship issues; finding words to express our compassion; soothing the sense of

impending loss; and managing to take only love with us to the other side, yet leave enough of it behind to help loved ones through their grieving process. She cautions that no matter how well we plan for death, things don’t always go as planned.

“Sometimes no matter how many advance care conversations have taken place, discord can dismantle the best laid plans. It requires the tough work of compassionate communications. Friends and families need to remember that this is the patient’s end-of-life experience,

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not theirs. It is possible to find peace in the midst of conflict, understanding that the one leaving overwhelmingly wishes for a peaceful passing, including peace within the family.”

The Death Over Dinner initiative, founded by Michael Hebb in 2013, has been hosted by groups in more than 20 countries to help people engage in conversations on “how we want to die”—the most vital and costly discussion Americans aren’t having (DeathOverDinner.org/stories).

Practical Plans

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and its 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy program offer a free downloadable national Guide to Financial Decisions: Implementing an End-of-Life Plan at Tinyurl.com/EssentialPlanNeeds. It includes basic descriptions of issues that arise as we age beyond retirement and details the critical documents needed for the individual, dependents, property, assets, estate planning, wills and trusts. It also addresses issues related to advance, treatment and do-not-resuscitate directives, insurance, types of funerals and costs, and Social Security, Medicare and veterans’ benefits. Guidelines suggest consulting with a certified public accountant or personal financial planning specialist.

The latest innovation is the blessing of a living funeral, a celebration of life while the honoree is present to hear the eulogies, praises and farewells before they depart.

AgingWithDignity.org provides a downloadable Five Wishes document, a popular advance directive, or living will that covers personal, spiritual, medical and legal aspects. It’s easy to use and can serve as a family guide to prompt conversations about personal care preferences in the event of serious illness.

New York Times journalist Mark Leibovich wrote about how Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy chose to spend his final weeks in pursuit of a “good ending.” As death approached, Kennedy told friends that he wanted to take stock of his life and enjoy the gift of his remaining days with the people he loved most. As a result, he continued enjoying his morning ritual of reading newspapers while drinking coffee, playing with his dogs, watching James Bond movies with his wife and holding family dinners and sing-alongs near nightly. He reveled in his bedside view of Nantucket Sound, sailed when he could and ate lots of his favorite ice cream. His mantra was, “Every day is a gift.”

“As our time winds down, we all seek comfort in simple pleasures—companionship, everyday routines, the taste of good food, the warmth of sunlight on our faces,” remarks Boston’s Dr. Atul Gawande in Being Mortal. “If we strive in our final months for independence, companionship, mindful attention, dignity, wisdom, joy, love and freedom from pain, we have the power to make those days less miserable, confusing and frightening.”

In these many ways, we can manage to gently embrace and tenderly navigate life’s final transition with grace and love.

Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings.

Connect at ItsAllAboutWe.com.

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Your Gratitude Life Preserver: Swim, Float or Sink

by Michael Disend

W

hen Ocean of Life tidal waves crash down upon us, we may feel like we’re drowning—hopelessly drowning. 2016 ended that way for many.

I heard from friends and strangers alike that they’d spent days in bed grieving, often in a fetal position. It doesn’t have to be that way. Ever.

When life waves get crazy rough, when there’s a spiritual tsunami roiling, when the collective ego psychic temperature is weird and scary, when “bad” guys, “bad” conditions, “bad” situations seem to prevail, wise Ocean of Life swimmers slip on their Gratitude Life Preserver and glide into bliss, serenity, and loving silence.

Gratitude is our divine tailwind. Gratitude opens the window of our heart and lovingly guides us home, which just so happens to be wherever and whatever we’re supposed to be and do.

That’s a whole new day at the beach. Dead winter is eternal summer. Gratitude Heals. Gratitude guides to the garden of everlasting peace. Gratitude returns great and mighty love for carcinogenic hate and fear.

Yet there must be a conscious choice—a flip of the “on” switch—to receive the living love that guides us forever.

Gratitude is recognized only with humility, when you let go of your self, your little self.

I was little, 10 years old, when the Divine One tossed me in the summer camp pond and made me do my best to swim across to the opposite shore. What a horror! What a teaching! I cried, I screamed, I flailed, I gulped mouthful after mouthful of pond water and I sunk like a stone. That’s when the Divine One, a life guard, dove in and “rescued” me. After allowing a brief rest, he lovingly encouraged me again to swim across the deep pond, the big wet barrier covering all my fears and tears. The lifeguard knew I was terrified,

For more information about Michael Disend, Certified Consulting Hypnotist, and Power Hypnosis, visit Power Hypnosis.com.

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In the O-Zone Oxygen Therapy Heals a Host of Ills

by Valerie Burke

A

s safe and trusted as hy p e r b a r i c ( h i g h p r e s s u r e ) o x y g e n t h e r a p y, ozone therapy also harnesses the healing power of oxygen. Since the 1950s, its popularity has increased around the world.

Today, more than 45,000 physicians in 50 countries administer ozone therapy to address ailments ranging from endodontic infections and herniated disk pain to arterial plaque and Lyme disease.

According to the American Academy of Ozonotherapy, the widespread medical use of ozone began in Germany and has since spread across Europe as an alternative treatment for antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The academy notes that allopathic physicians caution against ozone therapy largely due to misinformation and a lack of understanding regarding its efficacy, side effects, expense and safety, even though published international studies as well as U.S. clinical trials have shown it can be used instead of more expensive and dangerous methods such as surgery or pharmaceuticals.

Therapeutic ozone has a sound safety record and no toxic effects have been observed from proper clinical use (Journal of the American Medical Association). Occasional reported side effects are slight weakness, dizziness or drowsiness for short periods of time during or after treatment. Rare allergic skin reactions like

nettle rash are possible with local applications, although occurrences are mild and quick to resolve.

Ozone is an oxidant.

Ozone therapy, like exercise, creates health benefits by delivering measured doses of oxidative stress that activate the body’s internal antioxidant systems. The primary natural enzyme in ozone therapy is superoxide dismutase, which stimulates another enzyme called telomerase that keeps DNA young by maintaining the telomere at the end of each DNA strand.

A study from Cuba’s University of Havana of herniated disc patients found that ozone therapy provided both oxidative protection and pain relief. Such properties make medical ozone therapy a safe and effective treatment for many infections.

It’s been shown to be particularly effective for sinus and endodontic infections (Iranian Endodonics Journal), osteonecrosis of the jaw, ear infections, hepatitis (Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine), cystitis, HIV, intestinal and blood infections and Lyme disease. Staff of the Sophia Health Institute, in Woodinville, Washington, report remarkably fast results treating such chronic complex infections by following intensive intravenous (IV) ozone protocols, with individualized systemic support.

Ozonotherapy is a prime treatment

natural awakenings

February 2017

17

Sebastian Kaulitzki/Shutterstock.com

but his confidence in me awakened my confidence in myself. I knew in my heart I could and—amazingly, blessedly—I did.

I still burst with gratitude to that life guard, whose name I don’t remember, and to my parents as well. For I’d had spinal meningitis as a baby, resulting in a very weak left leg, but my parents had wisely chosen not to tell me, and to raise me as a healthy boy. So I played and ran, climbed trees and swam with the “bad leg,” and I learned that the things we are most frightened to do can end up being blessings beyond measure.

Sound crazy? It’s not! Gratitude is simple and easy. You simply face the eternal and listen, look, receive.

When you wear the Gratitude Life Preserver, you “get it” and you welcome both tumultuous waves and serene seas. You thrive in both. Thus gratitude is medicinal in the deepest meaning of the word: our lives flower onward and upward. Truth follows fearlessness and love comes next. I learned to listen from the heart to the everlasting heart.

Your Gratitude Life Preserver is your worldwide loving smile. Gratitude is never far away, provided we open ourselves and keep on opening to infinite life’s great alchemizing power. Gratitude is natural awakening.

Valerie Burke is a freelance health writer in Olympia, Washington, versed in integrative medicine with a master’s degree in nursing science.

18

naturalpet

HEART-TO-HEART WITH A HORSE

Their Gentle Empathy Helps Us Heal

by Sandra Murphy

P

hysical therapists have long used horses to help patients improve balance or strengthen core muscles.

Now they’re helping to teach empathy.

Given a horse’s significant size, sometimes distracting surroundings and the need for safety, humans need to learn the animal’s non-verbal cues, and to regulate their own. Close interaction without riding is proving to be helpful for those dealing with addictions, trauma and grief, and for employees to improve their communication and teamwork skills.

Kelly Wendorf and Scott Strachan, co-founders of Equus, in Santa Fe, work with both individuals and organizations.

Strachan emphasizes, “This isn’t magic.

Horses reflect our feelings back to us. If we’re nervous, the horse will be more skittish.”

“We’ve had executives arrive with cell phones firmly in hand and leave holding soggy tissues instead,” comments Wendorf. “For them, it was unexpectedly emotional.”

For addicts caught up in a debilitating cycle, “Equine therapy gets the

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brain firing in a new direction,” says Constance Scharff, Ph.D., director of addiction research at Cliffside Malibu, in California. “Patients may say they’re fine when they’re not, but you can’t lie to a horse. They have boundaries; if you’re angry, a horse won’t tolerate your behavior and will walk away.”

Scharff notes, “Equine therapy is complementary to psychotherapy medicine, and one tool we use in approaching addiction. Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can be the underlying issue, so we can address it, to understand why the person became an addict.”

Wendorf relates the story of an 18-year-old client facing body image issues. “Five horses approached her and touched her with their noses on her arms and legs. Where they touched was where she had been cutting herself to try to relieve her emotional pain.”

“People feel a powerful connection when they let down their defenses and a horse responds,” says Sheryl Jordan, equestrian director at Salamander Resort

Osetrik/Shutterstock.com

for infections, especially viral. Leading experts in oxidative therapy Dr. Robert Rowen, who practices in Santa Rosa, California, and Dr. Howard Robins, director of The Healing Center, in New York City, had good success administering treatment during the Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone. In addition to many patients helped, “It’s been reported that ozone therapy rapidly cured five patients with Ebola during the outbreak,” says Rowen.

Ozone therapy is now used to relieve arthritis, neuropathy, degenerative joint and disk disease, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. A pilot study led by the Universidad de Granada, Spain, saw improvement in the physical and depressive symptoms of fibromyalgia.

“Ozone is also effective in treating osteoarthritic knees and, via injection, arthritic hips,” says Rowen. Other individuals describe their experiences of overcoming various diseases using ozone therapy at YouTube.com/user/ RobertRowenMD/videos.

One of the most impressive evidence-based applications is relief from the pain of herniated disks, particularly lumbar. More than one meta-analysis deemed ozone treatment an effective and extremely safe procedure, with pain and functional outcomes equal to or better than surgery and far lower complication rates (less than 0.1 percent), along with significantly shorter recovery times (Pain Physician; American Journal of Neuroradiology).

According to the Journal of Natural Science, Biology and Medicine, oxygen/ ozone therapy used in dentistry offers three fundamental forms of applications to treat oral tissue—ozonated water, ozonated olive oil and oxygen/ozone gas. Ozonated water and olive oil have proved to be an ideal delivery system.

Non-toxic and simple to generate, ozone therapy is coming of age as a viable option for both the treatment and prevention of illnesses.

& Spa, in Middleburg, Virginia. “Our Equi-Spective life lessons program brings self-awareness and the power to better control emotions. During the session, they may hug, pet and cry on the horse, but they leave the corral smiling.”

The program teamed up with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) serving bereaved military families.

Kelly Griffith, a surviving sister of U.S. Marine Corps Major Samuel Griffith, points to the power of equine therapy in a video at Tinyurl.com/Equi-SpectiveVideo.

Susan Wight, a former professional steeplechase rider and ambassador for TAPS in Leesburg, Virginia, says, “My husband was my riding coach. When he passed away, I was numb when facing decisions, but at the session, it felt like one of the horses was the one to choose.

The initial flood of emotions and memories from being around horses again wasn’t pretty, but empathy is a specific language, and I’m grateful for the opportunity. Horses are a huge part of my life.”

At Ranch Hand Rescue Counseling Center & Animal Sanctuary, in South Argyle, Texas, founder Bob Williams considers animal therapy a ministry.

“We rescue abused and neglected farm animals, including horses that come into play when patients are not responding to usual therapies,” he says. “It’s important for damaged people to learn to live in the light, and our partnering with the special needs animals helps put them on the emotional path to health.”

The rescue’s mission is to provide hope, healing and a sense of security for children and adults that have suffered severe trauma such as abuse, domestic violence and witnessing violent death (Tinyurl. com/RanchHandRescueVideo).

Riding Beyond’s four-session program, in Ashland, Oregon, is free to women recovering from the rigors of breast cancer treatment. Expenses are covered by donations from the community. German research published in the journal Psycho-Oncology reported that 82 percent of participating breast cancer patients studied displayed symptoms of PTSD following diagnosis.

“They often don’t want to touch or be touched, and have trouble with friendships and intimate relationships; issues that can cripple a woman’s life,” says Trish Broersma, founding director

and a certified therapeutic riding professional at Riding Beyond (Tinyurl.com/ RidingBeyondVideo). “The medical team that saved their lives doesn’t treat these issues.”

The first client, unfamiliar with horses, met Mystic, who touched her on the site of the former tumor. She says, “Even weeks later, when I brought her image to mind when stressed, sad or even happy, it brought feelings of contentment, peace and well-being.”

Horses have been serving humans in many ways for centuries.

Equine therapy shows they have even more to give if we are open to receive.

Connect with freelance writer Sandra Murphy at StLouisFree lanceWriter@mindspring.com.

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It’s more than just green.

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It’s FUN!

KEEP DECAY AWAY Kids Do Best with Holistic Dentistry

by Linda Sechrist

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A

ccording to a 2012 New York Times story, “Preschoolers in Surgery for a Mouthful of Cavities,” more dentists nationwide are recommending that children be administered general anesthesia at hospitals due to the severity of decay.

Such extensive dental work on children is largely preventable. Wise parents encourage their children to develop healthy habits such as brushing teeth at least twice a day; eating fewer sugary snacks and brushing afterwards; limiting fruit juice intake to four ounces a day; and sucking on bacteria-killing xylitol lollipops. Such a routine combined with an initial dentist visit by their first birthday can reduce dental costs, including hospital treatment for extreme decay that can cost thousands of dollars.

Other ways to reduce the too-common incidence of six to 10 childhood cavities include breastfeeding only until baby teeth erupt; avoiding transmission of an anaerobic oral bacteria carried in saliva that’s the leading cause of tooth

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decay; early interceptive treatment to avoid crowding of teeth; and consulting a nutritionist.

Breastfeeding

Andie Pearson, a doctor of dental medicine and owner of Gaimed Dental Spa, in Wilmette, Illinois, tells mothers that in the descent through the birth canal, their baby ingests the bacteria necessary to digest breast milk. As teeth later emerge, their gut bacteria also become able to digest solid food. “By the time a child has all 20 baby teeth, between 18 and 30 months, they no longer have the microbial ecology for digesting breast milk and should be weaned. Researchers from the University of CaliforniaBerkeley have found that the more frequently a mother breastfed her child beyond the second birthday during the day, the greater the child’s risk of severe early tooth decay,” says Pearson.

Development of facial muscles and bone structure is dependent on chewing and gnawing. “Teething rings facilitate

chewing that builds stronger teeth and creates better alignment,” she explains. If childhood tooth growth is delayed, Pearson often suggests a chiropractic adjustment if all other developmental areas are normal. “It can help the body relax so that teeth erupt naturally,” she advises.

Mouth-to-Mouth Susan Maples, a doctor of dental surgery and owner of Total Health Dentistry, in Holt, Michigan, notes that Streptococcus mutans is the leading reason children are hospitalized today. “Cavities are formed when the rate of decay of the teeth caused by the lactic acid produced by the bacteria exceeds the rate of repair initiated by the phosphate and calcium ions in saliva,” she explains.

The unwanted bacteria is transmitted through saliva, which is why adults should avoid licking spoons or tasting foods before offering them to children between the ages of 1 and 3. “This type of bacteria thrives on sugar, so children shouldn’t have lots of sugary drinks and sweet treats,” says Maples. Mouth kissing presents a similar risk.

prevent crowding of teeth as well as malocclusion, or misalignment of upper and lower teeth, according to Pearson.

Role Modeling “Parents play a pivotal role in their children’s dental hygiene. They influence how their children care for their teeth, behave in the dentist’s office and feel about dental visits,” advises Pentti Nupponen, a doctor of dental medicine and owner of the Halifax Center for Holistic & Cosmetic Dentistry, in Halifax, Pennsylvania.

Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. Connect at ItsAllAboutWe.com.

A Complement to Whole Body Health

Early Intervention

Kris Kammer, a doctor of dental surgery and owner of Gums of Steel Oral Hygiene Transformation, in Middleton, Wisconsin, learned early in his career to avoid mercury amalgam fillings and early extractions of bicuspids for orthodontic purposes, and that xylitol reduces buildup of plaque bacterial biofilm on teeth. A study published in the Journal of Dental Research, supported by findings of a metastudy appearing in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dentistry “shows that regular use of xylitol over six months significantly reduces the Streptococcus mutans population,” he says.

He also suggests early interceptive treatments which can be performed by general dentists. “Parents don’t need to wait for children’s teeth to come in crooked and crowded. These issues can be addressed with a removable appliance that expands the arch in the roof dome, influences bone growth and makes room for incoming teeth,” says Kammer. Early proper diet may also help

Children should be made familiar with dentistry and taught that they are responsible for their dental hygiene from around age 1. Nupponen explains his gentle method: “I encourage mothers to bring their children along for dental appointments so that they can watch me from their mother’s lap. Generally, by the time they are alone in my chair, they aren’t frightened.”

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www.fremontnaturaldentistry.com natural awakenings

February 2017

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Sustainably Stylish Home Relax into Nurturing Furnishings

by April Thompson

W

e all relish a cozy nest, whether that means light-filled views, the embrace of form-fitting sofas and chairs or plush rugs that snuggle bare feet. A beautiful, comfortable home that reflects our personal style and embodies our values can be achieved by learning the origin of furnishings and investing in sustainably made pieces that will stand the test of time, say experts.

“Furnishing a home ethically doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort or style,” says JD Doliner, a business consultant in Charlotte, North Carolina. Doliner’s home is graced with 18th- and 19th-century antiques, organic cotton mattresses, comfy custom-made chairs from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified wood and handmade wool rugs certified child-labor-free by GoodWeave. “They give me peace of mind as a humanitarian and environmentalist,” she says.

“We look at the story behind a product and make sure that it aligns with both our company’s and clients’ values,” says Hindman, a co-author of Sustainable Residential Interiors. “We ask questions like, ‘Are workers paid a fair wage? Was the product made with local materials? What is the story behind the company’s founding?’”

The Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC) coalition of manufacturers, retailers and designers partners with

Signs of Progress

Debbie Hindman, marketing director for Associates III Interior Design, in Denver, is working with increasingly knowledgeable clients like Doliner asking for sustainably sourced products. Manufacturers, in turn, are upping transparency about product origins, realizing it can provide a competitive edge, she notes.

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East Bay Area | www.NAEastBay.com

melis/Shutterstock.com

greenliving

businesses and informs consumers to increase environmentally responsible choices in the marketplace. Its 400 members commit to sustainability and transparency in their business practices and submit an annual action plan showing such efforts. Headquartered in Edenton, North Carolina, the council strives to minimize industry carbon emissions and remove unsustainable materials and harmful chemical ingredients from residential and commercial furnishings.

“The residential furnishings industry frequently takes raw materials from one continent, processes and manufactures on another to be consumed on yet another, leaving a huge environmental footprint,” says Susan Inglis, the council’s executive director. As the third largest consumer of wood, these manufacturers bear significant responsibility for preserving the world’s forest ecosystems and fighting deforestation, reports Inglis.

Savvy Shoppers

To make informed decisions, furniture shoppers need to ask how, where, from what and by whom a potential purchase is made. Lisa Beres, a healthy home expert and former interior designer in Newport Coast, California, and author of Just Green It! advises not taking product claims at face value. Ask if the product has earned a certification like the Global Organic Textile Standard for fabrics or GreenGuard, which verifies low levels of chemical emissions.

Toxic Furnishings Alert

T

oday’s mass-produced furniture may contain hidden chemicals such as formaldehyde-based adhesives, flame retardants and other volatile organic compounds (VOC) linked to serious health issues. Researchers from the Natural Resources Defense Council found 45 toxic chemicals in indoor dust, 10 of which were present in at least 90 percent of households sampled. “These chemicals enter the air as materials in the furnishings break down,” explains healthy home expert Lisa Beres. “Because we spend an average of 90 percent of our lives indoors, the exposure to harmful chemicals is troubling.”

Beres advises shoppers to be wary of synthetic fabrics, which not only consume nonrenewable resources like petroleum, but may also contain toxic dyes, heavy metals or chemicals like Teflon. Foam and other fillings in mattresses, sofas and chairs are often a hidden source of off-gassing VOCs. The Sustainable Furnishing Council’s seal of approval and member list at SustainableFurnishings.org are a good place to start to find companies committed to offering healthier alternatives that include transparency and responsibility in their manufacturing practices.

Connect with freelance writer April Thompson, of Washington, D.C., at AprilWrites.com.

inspiration

KISSED BY KINDNESS

by Emily Esfahani Smith

Masson/Shutterstock.com

Not all natural products are sustainably produced; cotton, for example, is one of the most heavily sprayed crops.

Look for certified organic cotton as a responsible textile choice. Beres also suggests renewable fiber sources like bamboo or hemp. “Natural latex is a sound alternative to foam fillers, offering good support and dust mite resistance,” says Beres.

Specific animal-based products like down feathers used in bedding can provoke allergies and be produced inhumanely, Beres cautions. Products certified to the Responsible Down Standard, which protects the well-being and welfare of geese tapped for their manufacture, offer a humane choice for fluffy down comforters.

Look for well-crafted furniture made from locally sourced, reclaimed or FSC-certified wood instead of particleboard, which usually contains formaldehyde and may be made from unsustainably harvested wood.

Sustainable furnishings are both better for the planet and can make a home distinctive. Natural pieces like a countertop made from reclaimed, roughhewn wood provide a unique beauty that mass-manufactured pieces can’t match and also showcase the material’s natural form and feeling.

Her firm promotes durable, timeless pieces over trendy furnishings that a client might discard in a few years. When it’s time to retire a piece of furniture, find a new home for it, whether by donating to a charity or reselling through a consignment store.

While cutting corners on home furnishing choices can be tempting, especially when shopping on a budget, remember that today’s quality pieces may become tomorrow’s cherished heirlooms.

“Some will spend money on the latest gadget, but hesitate to invest in a great piece of furniture or a quality mattress they’ll spend much of their life sitting or sleeping on,” says Beres. “It’s not a splurge; you’re investing in your health and protecting Earth’s precious resources. It all comes full circle.”

P

sychologist Ty Tashiro reports in The Science of Happily Ever After that only three in 10 couples remain in healthy, happy marriages.

Psychologist John Gottman, in New York City, has studied couples for four decades seeking to understand successful relationships. He and his psychologist wife, Julie, founded The Gottman Institute that helps couples build and maintain loving, healthy relationships based on scientific studies.

Using data from his Love Lab at the University of Washington, John separated thousands of couples into two groups: masters (still happy after six years) and disasters (separated or chronically unhappy in their marriages).

One of Gottman’s studies watched 130 newlywed vacationing couples and found that partners regularly made bids for connection, requesting responses from their mate. Choices to “turn toward” or “turn away” revealed the level of engagement and respect in the relationship. Couples that divorced within six years had shown “turn toward” bids a third of the time while couples still together responded to their partner’s emotional need nine times out of 10.

An integral element is the spirit couples bring to the relationship: kindness and generosity or contempt, criticism and hostility.

“There’s a key habit of mind that the masters have,” Gottman explains. “They are scanning the social environment for things they can appreciate and express thanks for. Disasters are scanning for partners’ mistakes.”

People focused on criticizing miss 50 percent of positive things their partners are doing and see negativity when it’s absent. Deliberately ignoring their partner or responding minimally to opportunities for small moments of emotional connection devalues and kills a relationship.

Kindness, conversely, glues couples together, making each partner feel cared for, understood, validated and loved. In a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers found that the more someone receives or witnesses kindness, the more they will be kind themselves, creating upward spirals of love and generosity.

Practicing kindness during a fight is vital. Letting contempt and aggression spiral out of control during a conflict can inflict irrevocable damage.

“Kindness doesn’t mean that we don’t express anger,” Julie explains, “But it informs how we choose to express it.

You can either throw spears or explain why you’re hurt and angry, which is the kinder path.”

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Kindness can also solidify the backbone of a relationship by being generous about our partner’s intention and avoiding misinterpreting what’s motivating their behavior. “Even if it’s executed poorly, appreciate the intent,” Tashiro advises.

Clearly, if we want to have a stable, healthy relationship, exercise kindness early and often and let a spirit of generosity guide happy years together.

Emily Esfahani Smith is the author of The Power of Meaning: Crafting a Life That Matters. Connect at EmilyEsfahaniSmith.com or on Twitter @emesfahanismith.

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The most worthwhile thing is to try to put happiness into the lives of others.

~Robert Baden-Powell

calendarofevents All Calendar events for the March issue must be received by February 10 and adhere to our guidelines. Visit NAEastBay.com or email Calendar@ NAEastBay.com for guidelines and to submit entries.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4

UC Berkeley Botanical Garden | Berkeley 9am-5pm. Enjoy more than 13,000 different kinds of plants from all around the world, nurtured from landscapes of faraway lands. Over 34 acres of beautiful scenery waiting to be viewed. A sight that will stay in your mind forever. Free. UC Berkeley Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Dr, Berkeley. More information at BotanicalGarden.Berkeley.edu.

Connection to the Body is the Bridge to Reality | Oakland 10-11:30am. Breema’s philosophy supports a practical approach to self-understanding. The bodywork is an ideal way to practice body-mind connection, and coming to the present moment. $10/first class is free. The Breema Center, 6076 Claremont Ave, Oakland. 510-428-0937.

Breema.com.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2

Valentine Crab Feed | Livermore 6-10pm. It may be Valentine’s Day for humans, but don’t forget the ones who don’t have a voice. If you treat your Valentine to a crab feast, you can save the life a beloved pet. $60/pp. Shrine Event Center, 170 Lindbergh Ave, Livermore. Paws-In-Need.org. You may also send checks to Paws in Need, P.O. Box 3436, San Ramon, CA. 94583.

Free Angel Lecture | Phone Lecture 7-8:30pm. Learn how receiving initiations for working with angels can assist with personal and spiritual evolution. Initiations empower students to access energies for themselves or others. To register, 925-954-7908.

Sun88@juno.com. Course descriptions at Spiritual-Initiations.com.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5 Active Isolated Stretching & Strengthening | San Francisco 8am-6pm. Thursday-Saturday, 8am-3pm. Sunday. AIS is a myofascial therapy technique for MTs, trainers and athletes. AIS is a unique form of stretching that utilizes Sherrington’s Law of reciprocal inhibition to avoid irritating the GTO stretch reflex to open a new, functional range of motion. $625/includes seminar, two Mattes books and a $50 non-refundable deposit. Held in San Francisco, CA. More information or to register, 415-407-3874. Diane@StretchingByTheBay.com.

StretchingByTheBay.com.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3 Block Party | Oakland 5-9:30pm. A great community experience. The Koreatown/Northgate area of town comes to life with this event. You won’t want to miss the street artists, performers, musicians, dancers, DJs, poets and others.

Thousands of people come from all over the Bay area and beyond to experience the great foods, the live music, and to take part in the eclectic city attraction. Free.

Telegraph Ave from West Grand to 27th St, Oakland.

More information at SF.FunCheap.com.

Roller Boogie Street Jam | Oakland 6-9:30pm. Bring your skates, bring your friends, get ready to party and come out and dance! There will be plenty of food trucks if you get hungry, and lots of entertainment and art along the streets. A great night out to hang with friends or family, or a great opportunity to meet new people and have lots of fun. Skating is free.

Telegraph Ave & 23rd St, Oakland. SF.FunCheap.com.

Family Activities | Oakland 6-10pm. This is an exciting experience at any age.

Join in for hands-on activities and live demonstrations that the whole family can participate in and enjoy. $5.

Chabot Space & Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd, Oakland. ChabotSpace.org.

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East Bay Area | www.NAEastBay.com

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5 Oakland Museum of California | Oakland 10am. Bring the family to the only museum in the state that has such a diversified collection of history and art under its roof. View the exhibits while interacting with the art, and experience the real California from many mind-sets. Free. Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St, Oakland. 510-318-8400. CaliforniaMuseum.org.

Blazer/Zoom Award Ceremony | Walnut Creek Noon-2pm. You ran long and hard all year long. You’ve pushed yourself to your limit, and now it’s that time of year for the rewards, and the awards! Calling all Coastal and Zoom volunteers, runners and family members.

Enjoy a lunch buffet with a free beer, soda or a glass of wine. Must RSVP. Skipolini’s Pizza, 1535 Giammona Dr, Walnut Creek. CoastalTrailRuns.com.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8 Acro-Yoga Class | Berkeley 7:30-8:30pm. Join us for the Acro-Yoga experience.

Come learn the skills. Balance and the art of acrobatic partner yoga. By using basic yoga poses, you’ll learn how to combine them into partner balancing and dynamic movements. No partner needed, and no experience required. Free. Sports Basement Berkeley, 2727 Milvia St, Berkeley. Shop.SportsBasement.com.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10 Community Breema | Oakland 3-5pm. Experience a new level of well-being and harmony in your relationship to yourself and all life.

20-minute sessions. $10-20 sliding scale. The Breema Clinic, 6201 Florio St, Oakland. 510-428-1234.

BreemaHealth.com.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11 Indie Craft & Antique Market | Oakland 11am-5pm. Come one come all! From indie designers, collectors, artists, local makers, start-ups, DIY workshops and more, you’ll want to be part of it! There’s something for everybody so bring the whole gang, even

fur babies are welcome when on a leash. Free entry.

Jack London Square, Broadway & Embarcadero, Oakland. 510-645-9292. JackLondonSquare.com.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11 & SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12 Breema Winter Intensive Weekend | Oakland Time varies by the day. Breema offers a practical way to establish true body-mind connection by unifying the energies of mind, body, and feelings to support being present and living more meaningfully. CE available for nurses, bodyworkers, LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs. $140/ first-time students. The Breema Center, 6076 Claremont Ave, Oakland. 510-428-0937. Breema.com.

The Empower Thyself Class & Initiation | Pleasant Hill 10:30am-6pm. Saturday, 10:30am-5pm. Sunday. Have you felt there must be more to life? Do you want to effect positive change in your life and the world? From the temples of King Salomon, this 2-day class shares the keys to lasting transformation. Awaken to the possibilities! $900/for the weekend. 925-997-7518. Contact, Kathleen@TheHealing.Place.

Drisana, Level 1 Workshop | Phone Workshop 1-5:30pm. Receive 30 profound energy attunements which have no parallel in any other system. Giving advanced methods for working on all aspects of your being, etheric, emotional, mental & spiritual. Can also be arranged as private workshop. $350. To register, 925-954-7908. Sun88@juno.com. Course descriptions at Spiritual-Initiations.com.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12 Rattlesnake Ramble 5K/10K/Half | Castro Valley 9am-1pm. All participants will receive a Rattle Snake Ramble tech shirt, a medal and a massage courtesy of PSOAS Massage/Bodywork. Don’t forget post-race refreshments of beer from the Cleophus Quealy Beer Co. $35-$75. Lake Chabot Regional Park, 17600 Lake Chabot Rd, Castro Valley. SasquatchRacing.com/ Rattlesnake-Ramble.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16 Angelic Opening & Shielding Base Chakra Workshop | Phone Workshop 7-8:30pm. Initiations from angelic kingdom opens your chakra in amount considered safe by angel. Also, gives higher self-ability to place temporary shield around the chakra whenever appropriate. Can also be arranged as private workshop. $75. To register, 925-954-7908.

Sun88@juno.com. Course descriptions at SpiritualInitiations.com.

Burning Man devotees get together monthly and features a different speaker or topic of discussion each time. We talk, exchange ideas, teach, learn and have fun. A great way to meet friends, or if you’re a beginner, to figure out what Burning Man is all about. Wheelchair accessible, and no loud music, please. American Steel Studios, 1960 Mandela Pkwy, Oakland. SF.FunCheap.com.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18 Spring Ride: Bay Trail from MacArthur BART | Oakland 10am-1pm. This ride is a flat 20-mile ride from MacArthur BART to Bay Bridge path, then up the Bay Trail to Point Isabel, ending at El Cerrito Plaza BART station.

There will be an option to continue to Point Richmond.

Bring your own bike and helmet, water and snacks, sunscreen, money for BART and lunch, (or bring your lunch with you). 555 40th St, Oakland. 510-845-7433 ext 1008. Rachel@BikeEastBay.org. BikeEastBay.org.

Cartooning Workshop | Berkeley 11am-12:30pm. If you like to draw and enjoy comics, this is where you need to be! Children ages 10-16. This class will teach you how to create your very own cartoon characters with their own expressions to tell their own stories. Any skill level welcome. Fee includes material.

City of Berkeley, 1947 Center St, First Flr, Berkeley.

More information and registration at Active.com.

Miraculous Vessels | Walnut Creek 1-5:30pm. Miraculous Vessels are energy reservoirs known to pre-Taoist and Taoist greatly accelerate spiritual evolution. 17 initiations give profound harmonization of body, mind, spirit and oneness with nature. Can also be arranged as private workshop. $100. To register, 925-954-7908. Sun88@juno.com. Course descriptions at Spiritual-Initiations.com.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24 Candle Lit Labyrinth Walk & Live Music | Berkeley 6-7pm. Come rain or shine because the labyrinth is located indoors. Open to all ages, faiths and walks of life. Guests have the option to just sit and listen or walk around. Walking the winding path reminds us that even though life has many twists and turns, we always end up at the center. RSVP is preferred. Free. Grace North Church, 2138 Cedar St, Berkeley. Lots more information is available at SF.FunCheap.com.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25

can connect with others and with all life. $10/first class is free. The Breema Center, 6076 Claremont Ave, Oakland. 510-428-0937. Breema.com.

Crystal Empowerment | Walnut Creek 1-5pm. Receive empowerments that enable you to easily magnify tenfold energy fields of crystals or gemstones. Acquire new ways to quickly clear and program crystals, contact your higher self and make gemstone elixirs. Can also be arranged as private workshop. $40.

To register, 925-954-7908. Sun88@juno.com. Course descriptions at Spiritual-Initiations.com.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25 & SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26 Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour | Berkeley 6pm-midnight. Join us either night or both if you’re able, and you will help benefit the nonprofit organization Cal Adventures. This event is the most prestigious mountain festival in the world, and you can see the best environmental, cultural and adventure films here, right in your own neighborhood! Get your tickets early and you will be taken away to some of the most captivating places on earth. $20. The UC Theatre, 2036 University Ave, Berkeley. For more information, you may go to AlamedaMagazine.com.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27 Salsa Dura: Dance Party & Live Salsa Orchestra | Berkeley 9-11pm. Join us this evening as Josh Jones and his 30 other band members bring the raw power of salsa dura to La Peña’s stage. They will perform songs from some of your favorite salsa artists, including Eddie Palmieri, Beny Moré, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra and many more. Start your week out on the right foot (for you ladies, or your left foot for you gentleman). Free. La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley.

LaPena.org.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28 Volunteer Night | Oakland 5-8pm. Each month, on the last Tuesday, come join us as we tackle large scale projects while socializing with fellow Bike East Bay members and supporters. Snacks and dinner will be provided. No reservations or sign-ups needed, just show up! Bike East Bay, 466 Water St, Oakland. 510-845-7433. BikeEastBay.org.

Breema: The Art of Being Present | Oakland 10-11:30am. The more you are present the more you

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17 Lindsay Wildlife Experience | Walnut Creek Noon-5pm. Come learn and interact with the wild animals of our area. See the up-close-and-personal encounters that we connect with as some species are non-releasable. These animals are native to California, and are on exhibit for you to learn and experience from.

View creatures such as an opossum, a great horned owl, or maybe even catch a glimpse of a red-tailed hawk.

Free. Lindsay Wildlife Experience, 1931 1st Ave, Walnut Creek. 925-935-1978. LindsayWildlife.org.

I’m not interested in my legacy. I made up a word: ‘live-acy.’ I’m more interested in living. ~John Glenn

East Bay Burner Social | Oakland 7-9:30pm. If you’re looking for a group of young men to hang out with, and live in the East Bay area, listen up.

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ongoingcalendar

monday

All Calendar events for the March issue must be received by February 10 and adhere to our guidelines. Visit NAEastBay.com or email Calendar@ NAEastBay.com for guidelines and to submit entries.

sunday Tibetan Nyingma Meditation | Berkeley 9am. One of the best ways to take care of yourself, is through meditation. All are welcome to clear their mind, and to grow with inner tranquility. Each session has a brief instruction of Nyingma meditation, then silent sitting. Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Place, Berkeley. For prices or more information, please contact 510-809-1000.

Swarm Urban Farming Bike Ride with Fleet Farming | Oakland 9-11am. If you’ve been thinking about checking out Fleet Farming in your area, now is your chance!

A moving workshop done bi-weekly, that will let you get your hands dirty with seeding, tending beds, harvesting and other farming activities. We bike ride to all three of our farmlettes. Bottoms Up Community Garden, 814 Peralta St, Oakland.

More information at BikeEastBay.com. FB.com/ FleetFarmingOak. Community Sing & Meet Up | Oakland 11am. Meets the 4th Sunday of the month. Join in with us to sing, laugh, think, and listen, and build your community together. Speakers from local science and humanities communities typically offer a way to donate to local organizations. Free. Oakland Peace Center, 111 Fairmount Ave, Oakland.

Soul Sanctuary Dance | Berkeley 11am-1pm. All ages are welcome to dance to the blend of funk, soul, world music, positive hip-hop, reggae, dance classics, jazz, blues, electronica and other music to free the mind, body and soul. Wheelchair accessible. No scented products please. Shoes optional. Donations accepted. Ashkenaz Music and Dance Community Center, 1317 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley. SoulSanctuaryDance.com.

Nia | Berkeley Noon-1pm. Also, Friday at 8:45am. Expand your dance, increase your joy. Give the body the gift of learning the Nia language with teacher Alexis Mulhauser. Namaste Yoga, 2820 7th St, Berkeley.

Info@FloraMotion.net. FloraMotion.net.

Crystal Singing Bowl Concert | Dublin Noon-1:30pm. 1st Sunday of every month. A sound healing concert played by Shala. Everyone’s experience will be unique and suited to their own specific needs. $10/suggested love offering. Unity of TriValley, 7567 Amador Valley Blvd, #108, Dublin.

925-829-2733. UnityOfTriValley.org.

100+ Free-to-Play Tabletop Games | Berkeley Noon-6pm. Meet the 3rd Sunday of every month.

If you’re into board games new or old, come out and join in on the fun. Maybe you’re a designer

26

of games, or a play tester? Everyone is welcome here. Food and drinks are available next door. Free.

Games of Berkeley, 2151 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley.

510-540-7822. More information is available at Events@GamesOfBerkeley.com.

Needle Crafters | San Leandro 1:30-3:45pm. If you enjoy any type of needle crafts, such as knitting, crocheting, needle point, you’re welcome to join us. While working on our individual projects, we discuss movies, books, and everyday life. Fun and casual, so come and relax. If you are a beginner and would like to learn more, this is the place. Main Library, 300 Estudillo Ave, San Leandro.

Shamanic Drum Circle | Dublin 3-4:15pm. Second Sunday of every month. With Ashleigh Pevey. A trained clinical certified hypnotherapist, Shamanic healer and Reiki practitioner.

Drumming helps you gain access to your inner guidance and learn to work with your helping spirits. Enhance your relationship with yourself and spirit. Move from just trusting that your guides are there, to knowing and working with them. Allow the mystery of life to unfold. One of the great benefits of shamanic journeying is learning that we are never alone, and are loved unconditionally. $10-25/ suggested love offering. Unity of Tri-Valley, 7567 Amador Valley Blvd, #108, Dublin. 925-829-2733.

UnityOfTriValley.org.

Community Lounge Rumba | Berkeley 3:30-6pm. 1 and 3 Sunday each month. Rumba is the word used for a group of related communityoriented music and dance styles in Cuba. These jam sessions welcome drummers, singers and dancers who perform rumba. Free. La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley. 510-849-2568.

LaPena.org. st

rd

Free Kundalini Meditation | Walnut Creek 5-6:30pm. Kundalini meditation is an ancient Tantric practice that allows every individual to deeply experience their direct, inner connection to the divine. Class includes shaktipat transmission, guided meditation and discussion. Scheduled appointment for introduction is required for first-timers at 4pm.

2910 Camino Diablo, Walnut Creek. 510-917-2349.

Ellen@TrikaShala.com.

Barefoot Boogie | Berkeley 7:30-11pm. Enjoy freestyle dancing in a casual, friendly environment. Boogie is a healthy alternative to the club scene. Smoke, scent and alcohol free. The first hour is slow music for stretching and unwinding, and then the pace picks up to an aerobic, ecstatic high. Our DJs play a great mix of Latin, African, Funk, R&B, Hip-Hop, Blues, house, pop, oldies, and more. This is real music for real people. $8-$15/sliding scale; $5/first-timers. 8th Street Studios, 2525 8th St at Dwight, Berkeley.

SFBarefootBoogie.com.

East Bay Area | www.NAEastBay.com

Private Grocery Tour | East Bay Need help navigating your health food store? Discover new foods and create quick, easy, healthy delicious meals. Budget and kid-friendly. The easiest investment to make you get started on your health journey. 60-minute private Grocery Tour. $125/complete grocery lists, menus and recipes.

Alexandra Le Ny, CHC. 925-858-2133. Alexandra LeNy@yahoo.com. AlexandraLeNy.com.

Radio Show-Life Insights Live, Personal Growth Radio 7-8am. This week featuring Practical Mystic, Scout Bartlett. This will be replayed on Wednesdays from 7-8am. Various topics of self-understanding, personal growth and spiritual perception discussed.

A 2 ½-minute group meditation each Monday at 7:30am. We are on the air broadcasting to the Bay Area on KEST, 1450AM. Simulcast and archived for later listening on IfIdKnownThen.com.

Grief Recovery Support Group | Oakland 6:30 - 8:30pm - Heal your heart after loss. The Grief Recovery Method Support Group® is an 8-week, action-based program to discover and heal unresolved emotional issues related to death, divorce, disability, aging, life transitions, moving, or any other kind of loss. Led by Tina Kopko, MFT, Certified Grief Recovery Specialist®. $595 - 8-week group (early registration discounts available). Tina@AuthenticiTina.com. 510-813-9811.

North Oakland location.

Breema Bodywork & Principles: No Extra | Oakland 7-8:30pm. As we learn and practice Breema bodywork and Self-Breema, we have an ideal opportunity to practice the Nine Principles of Harmony, then bring them to everyday life. $10/first class is free. The Breema Center, 6076 Claremont Ave, Oakland. 510-428-0937. Breema.com. No class on Monday, February 13.

Community Healing Circle | Dublin 7-8:30pm. First Monday of every month. Individual and group healing techniques from various disciplines are demonstrated to re-align the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual. Facilitated by Claudia Scott. $10/love offering. Unity of Tri-Valley, 7567 Amador Valley Blvd, #108. 925-784-5956. JoyOfHealing@ClaudiaJ.com.

East Bay Biodanza Class | Berkeley 7:30-10pm. Biodanza, which means Dance of Life, is a system that integrates music, movement and authentic interactions to provide experiences of intense perceptions, of being in the here and now.

Mixed beginner/intermediate level. Registration required. Sliding scale: $20-$25/single session; $65-$80/monthly pass. Finnish Hall, 1970 Chestnut St, Berkeley. Biodanza.us.

People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude. ~John C. Maxwell

tuesday Heart-Centered Meditation 10am. Are you seeking spiritual healing and renewal? Discover an ancient Sufi meditation practice to cleanse your heart of the blocks that keep you from living in conscious connection to divine love.

Get started today with an eCourse, and join us live for guided meditation calls. Free. SufiUniversity. org/INFO. Yoga at Bishop Ranch 15 | San Ramon 12:05-12:50pm. Please arrive a few minutes early.

Take a midday break to reconnect with yourself while you relax and rejuvenate with gentle Hatha Yoga. Build strength, flexibility, balance and coordination. Deepen your self-awareness and inner peace. Please bring a mat. All levels are welcome. $42/5 class package, $75/10 class package. 12667 Alcosta Blvd, Ste 135, (BR15), San Ramon. ClarityWithSusan@gmail.com. ClarityWithSusan.com.

South Berkeley Farmers’ Market | Berkeley 2-6:30pm. Go outside the box, the big box stores that is. Enjoy fresh produce and products from the area. Not only is this a healthier way of living, but you’ll be supporting the local businesses in the area.

Adeline St and 63rd St, Berkeley.

Teens, Come and Make Some Things | Berkeley 4-5pm. Come to the library and express yourself through arts and crafts. It’s a laid back, self-paced workshop where you can have some fun, and meet and make new friends. South Branch Library, 1901 Russell St, Berkeley. 510-981-6260.

Team Lemon Run Club | Walnut Creek 6:30pm. Social and fun run for all levels of runners.

Runs are 3 or 5 miles through downtown Walnut Creek and along local trails. Pace is moderate. Free.

Lululemon, 1201-A South Main St, Walnut Creek.

925-274-1253. Lululemon.com/WalnutCreek.

Korean Zen Meditation | Oakland 7-9pm. Taught by Buddhist nun Jaguang Sunim.

A relaxed meditation to free yourself from life’s stress, and find your inner center of wisdom.

Dharma talk. Sitting and walking meditation, tea and discussion. By donation. Sixth Ancestor Zen Center, 100 Monte Cresta Ave, Oakland. 510 8444164. SixthAncestorZen.org.

Comedy at the Layover | Oakland 8-10pm. The last Tuesday of every month. Grab your friends, your spouse, any one you choose, and head on out. Be ready for fun and laughs with comedians from HBO, Comedy Central, and Late Night TV. Must be 21 and over. RSVP is requested. Free admission. The Layover, 157 Franklin St, Oakland.

For information and updates call 510-834-1517.

wednesday ThetaHealing & New Offerings at IRE | Oakland & Modesto Not only distributors, we have displays of both dōTerra Oils and Nikken products in both loca-

tions. IRE staff members are offering introductory sessions to instruct and support you. $50. We are available for your inquiries or registration at 510654-1405. Info@IREInst.com. IREInst.com.

Quiet the Mind & Open the Heart | Pleasanton 7pm. First Wednesday of the month. This workshop is for people looking for a life transformation and support, to build new healthy habits and routines.

You will have the opportunity to learn about connections and dependencies between our physical, mental, and spiritual bodies. The talks are 1½ hours, and include lecture, discussions, and practical exercises. Free. For more information, go to TheSacredHealingWell.com or MTHWellnessCenter.

MassageTherapy.com.

Transcendental Meditation | Berkeley Noon. Learn about transcendental meditation.

Berkeley TM Center, 950 Gilman St, #100, Berkeley. 510-872-2287. Berkeley@TM.org.

Gentle Yoga | Oakland 1-2pm. No experience needed. Wear comfortable clothes. Designed for women who have, or have had cancer. Class includes gentle asana practice, as well as restorative poses. Women’s Cancer Resource Center, 5741 Telegraph Ave, Oakland.

510-420-7900. WCRC.org.

Turn ON San Francisco | San Francisco Preferred arrival: 7:15pm. Doors locked: 7:30pm.

Through three guided round-robin style games, you’ll express yourself and gain new (and maybe surprising) insight into yourself and others. All this in a room full of cool, fun people engaging in honest, humorous, playful conversation. Topics are based on thoughts that we only would have in our head. Singles and couples welcome. Registration preferred. Those without reservations will be put on a wait list until 7:20pm. 47 Moss St, San Francisco.

408-390-2095. Awakening360.com.

Alcosta Blvd, Ste 135, (BR15), San Ramon. Clar ityWithSusan@gmail.com. ClarityWithSusan.com.

Youth Yoga | Walnut Creek 3:45-4:30pm. Ages 5-8. 4:45-5:45pm. Ages 9-11.

Members and non-members welcome. This class is designed to work with pre-teens in developing a strong sense of self. Students are taught relaxation techniques, yoga postures and breathe work.

Age-appropriate activities are used to promote self-love, community and an awareness of the environment. No yoga experience necessary. $12/ class; $38/month. Yoga Works, 1131 Locust St, 2nd Flr, Walnut Creek. 925-478-7272. InfoNorCal@ YogaWorks.com.

Coloring Club | Dublin 5:30-6:30pm. Do you ever feel like you just need to calm down and unwind for a little while? Here is a great way to do just that! Color. That’s right, coloring can have such a calming effect over you, and relax for one hour, and do just that. Meet the third Thursday of every month. Please bring your supplies. Dublin Library, 200 Civic Plaza, Dublin.

925-803-7252. Any questions? Email A.Dunn@ DublinLibrary.org.

Weight-Loss Class | Castro Valley 6-7pm. Come to the Nature’s Sunshine Health Center weight loss class. We are currently working on a one-on-one basis. $25/week. Nature’s Sunshine Health Center, 21709 Redwood Rd, Castro Valley. Please call to schedule your appointment at 510-582-8482.

Change Your Water, Change Your Life | Walnut Creek 6:30-7:30pm. Join us for a presentation to learn how alkalized, ionic Kangan water can bring your body into a state of balance. Eliminating toxic pesticides and household chemicals from your daily life.

RSVP. 925-609-4426.

East Bay Biodanza Class | Berkeley

Free Kundalini Meditation | Berkeley

7:30-9:30pm. Also on Thursday. Beginner level, open to new participants. Biodanza, which means Dance of Life, is a system that integrates music, movement and authentic interactions to provide experiences of intense perceptions of being in the here and now. Sliding scale: $20-$25/single session; $65-$80/monthly pass. Jeffery Bihr Studio, 5390 Miles Ave, Berkeley. 415-717-3578 or 415505 9482. Biodanza.us.

7pm. See Sun listing for details. Free. Rudramandir, 830 Bancroft Way at 6th St, Berkeley. 510-4868700. Ellen@TrikaShala.com.

Lake Merritt Oneness Blessing and Meditation | Oakland

10-11am. Learn the basics of using a computer.

You will be taught to correctly use a mouse, the keyboard, how to set up email, also to search/surf the internet. Free/drop-in classes. Central Library, 2090 Kittredge St, Berkeley. 510-981-6100.

7-9pm. The purpose of Lake Merritt Oneness is to support the awakening of humanity; by cultivating direct experience of oneness consciousness through universal teachings, meditation and oneness blessings. The Oneness Blessing is the sacred technology that advances each person’s journey into the direct experience of awakening. This gift to humanity helps to deepen our personal connection to the divine. These blessings have catapulted many people from around the globe into an awakened state and deeper awareness. The Blessing allows us to completely experience and dissolve old hurts, fears, and worries. It also silences repetitive thinking. Suffering decreases naturally. Lake Merritt Church, 1330 Lakeshore Ave, Oakland. LakeMerrittOneness.org.

Yoga at Bishop Ranch 15 | San Ramon

Game Night | Berkeley

12:05-12:50pm. Please arrive a few minutes early.

Take a midday break to reconnect with yourself while you relax and rejuvenate with gentle Hatha Yoga. Build strength, flexibility, balance and coordination. Deepen your self-awareness and inner peace. Please bring a mat. All levels are welcome. $42/5-class package, $75/10-class package. 12667

7-11pm. Not sure what you feel like doing on a Thursday night? Open game night is the place to be! Your options are many with all types of board games, card games, miniature games, games of dice, or bring your own game. Open to all ages. Free. 924 Gilman St, Berkeley. Information and confirmation is available at 924GameNight@gmail.com.

thursday Beginner Computer Class | Berkeley

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Ballroom & Social Dance | Livermore

Roller Boogie Street Jam | Oakland

7:30pm. Join instructor Joallyn Bohn and learn the beginner steps to the Tango, (American style).

This class if for adult students. A partner is recommended but not required. Smooth-soled shoes are much better to war than rubber soled shoes. Free.

Organized by Livermore Area Rec & Park District, 522 South L St, Livermore. Register at Active.com.

6-9:30pm. The first Friday of the month. Bring your skates and bring your friends and come out and dance! There will be plenty of food trucks if you get hungry, and lots of entertainment and art alon the streets. A great chance for a night out and to have a lot of fun. Skating is free. Telegraph Ave & 23rd St, Oakland. SF.FunCheap.com.

Artwalk | Alameda

Parent’s Night Out | Emeryville

7:30-9:30pm. Second Friday of every month. This is a gallery/studio home for the Alameda artists group. It’s open to the public on the second Friday for the gallery walk. Artists are encouraged to bring their projects, sketchbooks, or their lastest projects.

Free, $5-$10 suggested donation. Studio 23 Gallery, 2309 Encinal Ave, Alameda. Contacts are Wes-NJess. 415-580-2309. Art@AlamedaArtists.com.

Studio23Gallery.com.

6-10:30pm. This is a great night out for everyone in the entire family. Children’s ages are 4 and up, and must be potty-trained. The kids get to jump, frolic, flip, while in a safe environment. Then they can enjoy pizza and an appropriate movie. All while parents get a night out. $35. Head Over Heels Athletic Arts, 4701 Doyle St, Bldg F, Emeryville.

For questions and more information please call 510-655-1265. Diedra@HohAthleticArts.com.

HOHAthleticArts.com.

East Bay Biodanza Class | Berkeley 7:30-9:30pm. Beginner level, open to new participants. See Wednesday listing for details. Sliding scale: $20-$25/single session, $65-$80/monthly pass. Jeffrey Bihr Studio, 5390 Miles Ave, Berkeley. LauraLouc@gmail.com. KRohnem@Galileo Web.org. Biodanza.us.

friday Nia | Oakland 8:45am. See Monday listing for details. Namaste Rockridge, 5416 College Ave, Oakland. Info@ FloraMotion.net. FloraMotion.net.

Concert in the Park | Pleasanton 7-8:30pm. Enjoy an eclectic mix of music from the 50’s, 60’s, rock, and soul. West Grand Boulevard has performed for a countless number of people at weddings, festivals, fundraisers and clubs. Support your local restaurants by picking up some dinner to bring with you. Concert is free. Lions Wayside Park, 4401 First St, Pleasanton. 925-4842199. PleasantonDowntown.net.

Drop-In Volleyball | Walnut Creek 7-10pm. Open to the first 45 participants. $5.

Tice Valley Community Gymnasium, 2055 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek. 925-256-3572. WalnutCreekRec.org.

Block Party | Oakland 5-9:30pm. The first Friday of every month. A great community experience. The Koreatown/Northgate area of town comes to life with this event. You won’t want to miss the street artists, performers, musicians, dancers, DJs, poets and others. Thousands of people come from all over the Bay area and beyond to experience the great foods, the live music, and to take part in the eclectic city attraction.

Free. Telegraph Ave from West Grand to 27th St, Oakland. More information at SF.FunCheap.com.

Candlelit Labyrinth Walk & Live Music | Berkeley 6-7pm. Last Friday of every month. Come rain or shine because the labyrinth is located indoors. Open to all ages, faiths and walks of life. Guests have the option to just sit and listen or walk around. Walking the winding path reminds us that even though life has many twists and turns, we always end up at the center. RSVP is preferred. Free. Grace North Church, 2138 Cedar St, Berkeley. Lots more information is available at SF.FunCheap.com.

Family Fun Night | Oakland 6-9pm. The first Friday of every month. Everyone is welcome to join in on the fun! The purpose of our gathering is to encourage and educate our younger generations. Our evenings include games, arts and crafts, more games, food, lots of energy and most of all, fun! Free. Memorial Tabernacle Fellowship Hall, 5801 Racine St, Oakland. For more information please call, 510-652-4915. Grow@ MemorialTabernacle.org.

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saturday Webinar Series: The Degrees of Woman in Sufism Join Susan Rahima Schmall to learn how spiritual connection affects illness as it manifests in the physical, emotional and mental bodies. Incorporate spiritual healing for the physical body. Gifted at creating a safe nurturing space for people with physical illness and emotional pain can find peace.

She is passionate about helping students develop their own gifts as healers and human beings.

SufiUniversity.org/Distance-Learning/Webinars/.

Fun Run with Fleet Feet | Pleasanton 9am. Distances range from 2-8 miles, and is great for everyone with a pace from walkers on up. It’s always a fun time! 925-699-4926. EthanFalls@ comcast.net.

Farmers’ Market | Danville 9am-1pm. One of the best things about living in California is our fresh produce. Fruits and vegetables grown locally, and served on our tables.

What more is there to ask for? Free admission.

Railroad Ave, Municipal Parking Lot, Downtown Danville. 925-825-9090.

Farmers’ Market | Pleasanton 9am-1pm. Stop by and visit the market that offers a diversity of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Open year round, every Saturday. Rain or shine,

East Bay Area | www.NAEastBay.com

you can purchase the freshest items from the farmers that planted and harvested these crops.

Downtown Pleasanton, E Angela St, Pleasanton.

925-484-2199.

Health & Awakening | Oakland 10-11am. Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 9th St, Suite 290, Oakland. 510-637-0455. Info@ ShaolinMaster.org.

Castro Valley Farmers’ Market | Castro Valley 10am-2pm. Join us very week for the freshest and the best produce and baked goods our state can offer. Many vendors to choose from. Open all year round. Castro Valley BART Station, Redwood Rd and Norbridge, Castro Valley. If you have any questions or would like more information, please call Ron Radini, 510-745-7100.

Morning Meditation | Berkeley 10:30-11:30am. Become focused. Learn to clear your mind. Remove the stress that is in your life!

An instructor with more than 15 years of experience is here to teach you what you need to know. North Branch, 1170 The Alameda, Berkeley. More information at 510-981-6250. BerkeleyPublicLibrary.org.

Cartooning Workshop | Berkeley 11am-12:30pm. If you like to draw and enjoy comics, this is where you need to be! Children ages 10-16. This class will teach you how to create your very own cartoon characters with their own expressions to tell their own stories. Any skill level welcome. Fee includes material. City of Berkeley, 1947 Center St, First Flr, Berkeley. More information and registration at Active.com.

Jack of All Trades | Oakland 11am-5pm. Jack of All Trades will fill Jack London Square with a curated mix of local makers, indie designers, antique dealers, collectors, artists, start-ups and more brought together by the Treasure Island Flea. Free to the public, this eclectic market will feature one-of-a-kind items, live music and several free DIY workshops for all ages. Jack of All Trades will take place on the second Saturday of each month. Jack London Square, Broadway, Oakland.

For more information please call 415-898-0245.

JackofAllTradesOakland.com.

Bellydance Class | Oakland Noon. Build your self-confidence! This class is also a great low-impact workout focusing on basic bellydance steps, muscular technique, isolations and musicality. No experience required. Wear yoga pants, capris or shorts so instructor can see your leg positions. Tank top or another workout shirt.

You don’t have to expose your belly. Hip scarves are optional. Bare feet or thin-soled dance shoes. $25/3 classes for new students, $16/drop-in. Yoga Love Oakland, 3851 Market St, Oakland. Holistic Bellydance@gmail.com.

Grief Recovery Support Group | Berkeley 3 - 5pm - Heal your heart after loss. The Grief Recovery Method Support Group® is an 8-week, action-based program to discover and heal unresolved emotional issues related to death, divorce, disability, aging, life transitions, moving, or any other kind of loss. Led by Tina Kopko, MFT, Certified Grief Recovery Specialist®. $595 - 8-week group (early registration discounts available). Tina@AuthenticiTina.com. 510-813-9811. South Berkeley location.

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 Publisher@NAEastBay.com to request our media kit.

acupuncture EASTERN MEDICAL CENTER

Dr. Teresa Shen, LAc, PhD China 5933 Coronado Ln, Ste 100, Pleasanton 925-847-8889 EasternMedicalCenter.com Award-winning natural family healthcare clinic brings 5,000 years of traditional Chinese healing and 4 generations of expertise including acupuncture, acupressure, cupping and herbs.

See ad, page 7.

AYURVEDA & HOMEOPATHY RASHANA RAUNIAR SHARMA (BHMS, CCH, AWP)

Chetna Center for Health and Wellness 110 Ryan Industrial Ct, Suite #1 San Ramon, CA – 94583 925- 255- 5375 ChetnaCenter. com Certified practitioner of Ayurveda, Homeopathy and Reiki serving the Bay Area for over 15 years.

We provide safe and natural health care alternatives for all ages with concerns on digestive issues, stress, anxiety, allergies, recurrent cough and cold, constipation, insomnia and other immune related issues. Therapy is designed and customized per individual’s unique body constitution and includes Natural and Herbal remedies, Diet & Lifestyle changes and Meditation. We also provide Reiki initiation and healing. Consultation can be given in person or via Skype or phone.

BIOPHOTON LIGHT THERAPY BIOPHOTON SERVICES

Kathy McIntire 1151 Harbor Bay Parkway, Suite 100 Alameda, CA 94502 510- 217-8677 BiophotonServices.com Biophoton therapy restores the body’s ability to self-heal. This is done by influencing the biophotons (light) emissions of the body, neutralizing chaotic light and strengthening coherent light.

Causes of biophotons disruption range from whiplash/scars to environmental toxins, GMOs, heavy metals, electromagnetic radiation, etc.

body work The Breema Center 6076 Claremont Avenue Oakland, CA 510-428-0937 Center@Breema.com Breema.com

Breema® is a simple, natural form of touch and body movement supported by universal principles that provides a unique approach to experiencing body-mind connection. The aim of Breema is to bring us to a tangible experience of presence that becomes our foundation for a new dimension of health and consciousness. See ad, page 8.

CHIROPRACTOR HEALING ARTS CHIROPRACTIC

Katie Sokolski, D.C. 187 40th Street Way, Oakland, CA 94611 510-356-7832 Dr.Sokolski@gmail.com HealingArtsChiro.com Healing Arts Chiropractic offers a whole-body approach to wellness that utilizes applied kinesiology, personalized nutrition programs and massage therapy. Our holistic treatment plans are designed to facilitate wellness from the inside—what you feed your body, as well as the outside—keeping your mind, body and spirit moving in a healthy way. See ad, page 3.

MICHAEL REHL, DC

Chiropractic & Advanced Holistic Health Care 1280 Boulevard Way, Ste 211, Walnut Creek Michael@MichaelRehl.com MichaelRehl.com

BUSINESS Savvy Selling NOW! Leslie Ellis 925-338-2924 office 925-299-1920 mobile

healing process.

As a healer, you love helping people! Do you enjoy the business side of your practice? I work with entrepreneurs to help them become more comfortable with all aspects of sales. If you are going to be wildly successful, you need to be good at selling!

Contact me for a free strategy session. Leslie@ SavvySellingNow.com or 925-338-2924.

BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS San Ramon Holistic Chamber of Commerce HolisticChamberOfCommerce.com/ Ca-San-Ramon MeetUp.com/San-Ramon-HolisticChamber-of-Commerce

We are an expanding organization representing holistic professionals, practitioners and businesses. We encourage and promote healthy living, and support the professionals and businesses that make it possible. Together, we can make a difference.

Want to be seen (and found) at The Holistic Chamber of Commerce- come and join this community and learn how folks can find you via the web and locally.

See ad, page 11.

Offering a holistic approach to chiropractic care, Dr. Rehl incorporates nutrition, applied kinesiology and deep tissue work into his practice. By treating the whole body, Dr. Rehl’s treatment plan engages his patients so that they are an integral part of their

EDUCATION Singing Stones School 2491 San Miguel Dr. Walnut Creek, Ca 925-948-5006 SingingStones.org

Singing Stones School will provide an education based on the Waldorf philosophy from kindergarten through high school for children in the Tri-Valley area of Contra Costa County. It is holistic in nurturing the whole child and also in terms of its commitment to community.

University of Spiritual Healing & Sufism (USHS) 800-238-3060, option 5 Outreach@SufiUniversity.org SufiUniversity.org

USHS offers transformational programs for those who want to be agents of divinely-guided healing.

Programs are based on establishing a deep connection with Divine Love, then opening to streams of healing light from God, transforming physical illness and emotional pain into states of greater health and spiritual wholeness.

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holistic COUNSELING & GRIEF RECOVERY

HEALING CENTERS SOUL CONNECTION HEALING CENTER

Kate Mackinnon & Lauren Doko Tri-Valley SoulConnectionHealingCenter.com Hello@SoulConnectionHealingCenter.com

The Soul Connection Healing Center is comprised of practitioners passionate about healing and supporting your whole person. It›s a central hub of holistic and complementary approaches to health. Discover this TriValley resource for experienced holistic, complementary care.

HERBAL MEDICINE

Tina Kopko, LMFT, CGRS® Berkeley & Oakland 510-813-9811 Tina@AuthenticiTina.com AuthenticiTina.com

Do you struggle to validate your desires, emotions & feelings?

Have you experienced a life transition that has left you confused, bewildered, and lethargic? Are you grieving a loss from years ago? Time does not necessarily heal all wounds. The Grief Recovery Method will help you discover unresolved emotional issues related to any kind of loss, and take action steps to become complete and regain a sense of vitality and love of life. New groups begin in March. Call me for a free initial 30-minute consultation. (See calendar items on Mondays and Saturdays).

Health reflects how one is balanced in the different expressions of ourselves; mind, body and soul and our perception of life experiences, our environment and our food. Disease in any of these categories will in some degree be reflected in all others. Dis-ease healed naturally leaves a person stronger. Integrating herbs and healing modalities of the greatest healing systems and cultures in the world; Western, Ayurvedic, Chinese Traditions and Shamanism, I work with individuals to achieve and maintain vital health, wellness and longevity.

ALEXANDRA LE NY HEALTH COACHING

925-858-2133 AlexandraLeNy@yahoo.com AlexandraLeNy.com As a certified Health Coach with the AADP, clients are guided in improving their health and happiness through dietary and lifestyle changes. With support and direction we focus on balancing their primary foods (work, relationships, spirituality and exercise) and secondary foods (diet). This is achieved through a holistic approach on health, taking into account diet, lifestyle, environmental toxins, and disease prevention. Healing is supported through knowledge in nutrition, supplements, herbs, aromatherapy and homeopathic options.

HOLISTIC VETERINARIAN

Ancient Traditions Healing Erin Massengale 624 Ferry St. Martinez, 94553 925-725-1067

HOLISTIC HEALTH COACH

holistic dentist Fremont natural dentistry DR. Colin Yoshida, DDS Fremont Natural Dentistry 3885 Beacon Ave, Suite C Fremont 510-745-1800 FremontDentistry.com

Fremont Natural Dentistry is a comprehensive holistic dental provider using options such as Ozone Therapy, safe mercury amalgam removal, Laser Gum Therapy, minimally invasive restorations and an overall biodental health experience. Give us a call to schedule your next holistic dental appointment today. See ad, page 21.

ALTERNATIVES FOR ANIMALS Jennifer Luna-Repose, DVM 919 Moraga Road, Lafayette 925-283-6160 AlternativesForAnimals@gmail.com Alternatives4Animals.com

We are one of the few veterinary clinics in the Bay Area that is exclusively dedicated to Holistic Medicine. We offer acupuncture, chiropractic, Chinese herbal m e d i c i n e , h o m e o p a t h y, Bioresonance therapy, nutrition, flower essences and laser therapy.

Our treatments address the whole animal and the root cause of disease, not just the symptoms.

HYPNOTHERAPY HOLISTIC CAREGIVING HOLISTIC CAREGIVERS

Leni Pratte 1-877-7800-CARE Info@HolisticCaregivers.net HolisticCaregivers.net Our holistic approach to caregiving offers wellness-oriented families a higher level of care sprinkled with holistic practices. We believe that the individual is multi-faceted with needs and wants beyond the basic standard of care in this industry.

From whole food nutrition to breathing exercises to meditation, we follow a program that is client and doctor-approved, with many options for growth and stimulation.

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NEW ERA DENTISTRY

Dr. David Partrite, DDS 520 La Gonda Way, Ste 103, Danville 925-837-3101 Info@NewEraDentistry.com NewEraDentistry.com Whole-body dentistry approach; David Partrite, DDS, facilitates your body’s detoxification through a mercury- and fluoride-free practice, utilizing the most bio-friendly materials and a clean, safe environment through filters and ionizers. From cosmetic dentistry to safe mercury filling removal to working closely with your other holistic practitioners, every visit is a health-promoting experience. See ad, page 13.

East Bay Area | www.NAEastBay.com

Each day provides its own gifts. ~Marcus Aurelius

ADVANCED HYPNOTHERAPY Barbara Lynn Allen, MS, CCHT, DCEP 510-528-4976 Berkeley, Ca 94709 TherapyMaster@earthlink.net AdvancedHypnotherapy.com

I offer a unique blend of hypnotherapy, energy therapy and wise counseling to quickly and permanently solve emotional, physical and relationship problems. With 25 years of experience, I rapidly clear your core issues while offering gentle relief from depression, anxiety and blocks to success. Call for your free phone consultation.

ARLENE THOMPSON CLINICAL HYPNOTHERAPIST, C.Ht., M.Ed. 925-485-7997 Pleasanton Arlene_Thompson@att.net ThompsonHypnotherapy.com

SOMATIC therapist 780 Main St, Ste 201, Pleasanton 925-963-9786 NWinblad.com

See ad, page 11.

925-348-3336 DrakeInnerPrizes.com DrakeBearStephen@pacbell.net

Ever wonder who you were in a past life? Have you created your affirmation for the afterlife you want? Drake is a hypnotherapist and shamanic energy medicine practitioner that specializes in integrating past lives with present lives. Call for a free consultation today.

nutritionist NUTRAPARTNERS

Kathy Napoli, Registered Dietician 3189 Danville Blvd, Ste 260, Alamo 925-831-3900 KNapoli@NutraPartners.com NutraPartners.com Restore health and vitality through personalized nutrition and lifestyle programs, including the 8-wk program Lighten Up. Kathy’s clients achieve increased energy; improved blood sugar and lipid levels; and relief from digestive issues and food allergies. With 20 years experience as a clinical nutritionist and nutrition consultant, Kathy teaches workshops throughout the Bay Area on topics such as Age-Proof Your Skin, Get Lean and Strong and Stop Inflammation. She holds a Masters of Arts in Holistic Health Education from JFK University.

ROLFING/STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION MEDICINEVOLUTION

Chris Corrales 925-922-2246 Chris@MedicinEvolution.com MedicinEvolution.com Deemed a master by his peers, Chris Corrales’ 15 years of private practice have given him a reliable reputation as one of the best massage and bodywork practitioners in the Bay Area. His ability to discern and treat the causes of injury and imbalance has proven unique and profound.

PLEASANTON FAMILY WELLNESS CENTER

NEAL WINBLAD, MFT, SEP

Get rid of blocks to your personal growth, by harnessing the power of your subconscious to reach your goals. Full-service, individualized hypnotherapy, 21 years in business.

DRAKE BEAR STEPHEN, BA, CHT

WELLNESS CENTER

Somatic Experiencing is the gold standard for resolving complex trauma. In most cases trauma is quite easy to treat, doesn’t require a lot of talk and doesn’t need all the emotional catharsis so common in psychotherapy. Call me today for a free consultation and sample session.

SPIRITUAL CENTER UNITY OF TRI-VALLEY

7567 Amador Valley Blvd, Suite 108, Dublin 925-829-2733 UnityOfTriValley.org We are a welcoming spiritual community for people of all faiths and backgrounds. Unity is a positive path for spiritual living. Whoever you are and wherever you are on your spiritual journey, YOU are welcome here!

The Healing Place

Ancient mystery school teachings and activations 925-997-7518 Kathleen@TheHealing.Place TheHealing.Place Awaken your potential with the Life activation.

Release energy drains with a Cord Cutting.

Protect your space with Sacred Geometries. Be empowered through the Empower Thyself class & Initiation! Experience greater health & empowerment with once secret, ancient mystery school teachings & healings. Call for a consult. Kathleen, Guide & Ceremonial Master in the Lineage of King Salomon.

Kathleen Beaulieu, CMT, IMT 1491 Cedarwood Ln, Ste A Pleasanton 925-600-0503 Kathleen@PleasantonWellness.com PleasantonWellness.com Discover your body’s healing potential. Nutritional and diagnostic counseling for lifestyle changes including weight loss, gastrointestinal, thyroid, hormone, allergies and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Expert massage therapy, 20 years experience specializing in pregnancy, automobile injuries and post-surgery recovery.

WORKSHOPS Spiritual Unfoldment Network™

Loretta Metzger, certified teacher Walnut Creek, CA 925-954-7908 sun88@juno.com Spiritual-Initiations.com S.U.N. offers workshops from many ancient traditions for personal and spiritual transformation through initiations empowering student to progress at their pace. Loretta teaches nationally and internationally since 1992 including Enlightenment Society United Nations. She also offers feng shui consulting and classes.

SPIRITUAL TEACHING Janet Myatt, MA

Spiritual Counselor, Teacher, Healer 510-386-2467 Janetmyatt@live.com JanetMyatt.com Discover the higher power, divine intelligence, and spiritual purpose within you. Learn how the creative process of life works and create meaningful change. Heal the wounds within that create repeating patterns of limitation and confusion. Using a blend of spiritual and psychological tools and techniques, Janet helps you move out of limiting and painful ways of thinking and feeling into an awakened awareness that is limitless, loving, and powerful.

Private counseling and spiritual awakening classes available in person and online.

classifieds Fee for classifieds is $1 per word per month. To place a listing, email content to Classifieds@ NAEastBay.com. Deadline is the 10th of the month.

Holistic Tutor - Holistic approach to learning for children and adults. Recognize your own genius. Tutoring is Caring, Castro Valley. Call Esther, 510-733-0467.

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Huntsville, AL Gulf Coast AL/MS Phoenix, AZ* Tucson, AZ East Bay Area, CA San Diego, CA Boulder/Ft. Collins, CO Denver, CO Fairfield County/ HousatonicValley, CT Hartford, CT New Haven/ Middlesex, CT Washington, DC Daytona/Volusia/ Flagler, FL NW FL Emerald Coast Ft. Lauderdale, FL Jacksonville/ St. Augustine, FL Melbourne/Vero, FL Miami & the Florida Keys Naples/Ft. Myers, FL North Central FL Orlando, FL Palm Beach, FL Peace River, FL Sarasota, FL Tampa/St. Pete., FL Treasure Coast, FL* Atlanta, GA Hawaiian Islands Chicago, IL Chicago Western Suburbs, IL* Indianapolis, IN Baton Rouge, LA Lafayette, LA New Orleans, LA Boston, MA Worcester, MA Ann Arbor, MI East Michigan Wayne County, MI* Western MI Minneapolis/ St. Paul, MN* Charlotte, NC Raleigh/Durham/ Chapel Hill, NC

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