Natural Awakenings Magazine East Bay ~ November 2017 by Celeste Souza

E E FR

HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

Natural Remedies for

SACRED SILENCE Discover the Benefits of Quiet at a Silent Retreat

DIABETES Lissa Rankin on

A CURE FOR FEAR

November 2017 | East Bay Area Edition | NAEastBay.com

BETTER SLEEP The Philip Stein Sleep Bracelet can be a natural solution for a truly restful night’s sleep. Its Natural Frequency Technology® promotes overall wellbeing. Wearers have experienced:

· Falling asleep faster · Increased quality sleep · Waking up more refreshed Recommended by

Discover more at philipstein.com

If you choose to return your Philip Stein goods, please do so within 30 days of receipt in perfect condition and in the original packaging.

Touching the Source, Opening the Heart a Breema workshop with Arlie Mischeaux & Roxanne Caswell

Saturday, November 18 • 10:00am - 12:30pm

Breema nurtures harmony in our life and profound gratitude for all our relationships— the relationship to ourself, to others, and to all of life. We will look deeply into the principles of Mutual Support and No Force, which support us in the direction of being receptive. Practicing Self-Breema and Breema partner sequences support us to become present by bringing the mind, body, and feelings together. $25 ($20 if paid by November 13) • CE available for massage therapists

(NCBTMB), Registered Nurses (BRN), LMFTs, LCSWs, and LPCCs (CAMFT)

ONGOING WEEKLY CLASSES $10 drop-in Saturday mornings, 10-11:30AM Monday evenings, 7-8:30PM Breema Center • breema.com • 510/428-0937 • center@breema.com • 6076 Claremont, Oakland

East Bay Area | NAEastBay.com

letterfrompublisher Well I know what’s right, I got just one life In a world that keeps on pushin’ me around But I’ll stand my ground and I won’t back down ~Tom Petty

s I worked on this month’s issue, I kept being distracted by headlines inundating us with reports of hurricanes, floods, fires, earthquakes and shootings along with the untimely passing of familiar faces. Suddenly unimaginably awful events “out there somewhere” struck home. My neighboring Napa community was incinerated, fellow publishers of Natural Awakenings Puerto Rico struggle to find balance for their family and help rebuild their island’s natural living community in the wake of Hurricane Maria, and the publisher of Natural Awakenings Long Island had her home burn to the ground from an electrical fire. As a teen, I experienced a fire in our home and the recent events triggered a deep grief and sadness for displaced neighbors. Another sister publisher shared a comforting quote by Fred Rogers that’s held true this year, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me: Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” We know that thousands are also praying for the many communities in upheaval, sending love and healing energy. Serendipitously, along comes April Thompson’s article, “Sacred Silence: Discover the Benefits of a Silent Retreat.” I have been craving this very thing for some time and am now mapping out my next meditation adventure to help counter the general mental chaos. My first 10-day silent retreat several years ago was life-changing. Its initial gifts included a nurturing sense of solace and healing. Witnessing myself move through this experience was fascinating and ultimately stirred an undeniable shift in my perspective on just about everything. I left there with the desire that everyone would give themselves this uniquely individual gift. I crave silence now—relishing quiet and alone time for just being. Previously I preferred to always be busy, companioned by people and on the go. Now I bask in every bit of peaceful calm in my life and find myself wanting more. It’s all a result of participating in silent retreats and stretching past old comfort zones. I have found much healing in silence (for an inspired treat, see NaturalAwakeningsMag.com/Natural-Awakenings/March-2013/TheHealing-Power-of-Silence). I feel like I’ve discovered the keys to heaven’s kingdom right here, under my nose the whole time. Embracing it has been a simple choice. Many blessings,

Celeste Souza, Publisher

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

21001 San Ramon Valley Blvd. Suite A4, #348 San Ramon, CA 94583 Phone: 925-557-7583 Fax: 925-705-4757 NAEastBay.com

© 2016 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $32 (for 12 issues) to the above address. Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soy-based ink.

natural awakenings

November 2017

contents 10

5 newsbriefs

7 fundraising spotlight

8 healthbriefs

10 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 PREVENTING, REVERSING 14 AND MANAGING DIABETES NATURALLY by Linda Sechrist

12 ecotip

17 SACRED SILENCE

17 healingways

Quiet at a Silent Retreat

Discover the Benefits of by April Thompson

11 20 fitbody 20 TRY SOME STRETCHES 22 wisewords Four Ways to Flex 22 Our Muscles 24 calendarofevents 26 ongoingcalendar 22 LISSA RANKIN ON MOVING FROM FEAR 29 resourceguide TO FREEDOM by Marlaina Donato

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

NAEastBay.com NaturalAwakeningsMag.com 4

East Bay Area | NAEastBay.com

by April Thompson

newsbriefs Gluten Free & Allergen Friendly Expo Meets Needs of Celiac & Food Sensitive Community

he Gluten Free Media Group presents Gluten Free & Allergen Friendly Expo (GFAF), 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on November 18, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on November 19, at the San Mateo County Event Center Fiesta Hall, in San Mateo. The Gluten Free Media Group makes gluten-free life easier by connecting over 3 million consumers to gluten-free brands with their restaurant-finder mobile app, consumer expo tour, websites, e-newsletters, blogger outreach and social media interaction. The GFAF Expo is a fun, safe and family-friendly event, where attendees can enjoy healthy and delicious samples from a variety of exhibitors, meet with local and national brand representatives, receive coupons, and attend informative presentations on topics related to the gluten-free and allergenfriendly lifestyle. GFAF Expo is sponsored by Udi’s Gluten Free and Glutino. The Gluten & Nut Free Area is presented by Enjoy Life Foods. Location: 1346 Saratoga Dr., San Mateo. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit GFAFExpo.com.

ACUPUNCTURE FOR SHOULDER SURGERY REHAB? Acupuncture uses the regenerative forces of the body, Qi and Blood. When they are free flowing they can stop pain. Shoulder pain and repair are successfully treated by invigorating the area, relaxing muscles and promoting healing. “After one treatment I regained movement, within a few weeks my pain had reduced so much that it was only intermittent. I was so happy that I did not go down the typical Western medical approach. If I had followed that path I would not have won two National Championships in Master’s Swimming in 2008.” —B. McCracken

Christmas Crystal Fair is a Gem of San Francisco

he Pacific Crystal Guild presents its Christmas in San Francisco Crystal Fair, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on November 25, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on November 26, at the County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. The Crystal Fair is a magical mix of crystals, beads, jewelry, and healing arts practitioners offering massage, psychic readings, aura photos and more. This family-friendly event also features displays of minerals and fossils for everyone to marvel. The Bay Area’s first Crystal Fair was held in Fort Mason in 1987. Today, Crystal Fairs take place six times per year in two locations, San Francisco and Walnut Creek. With over 40 vendors at each show, there are thousands of items available at affordable prices. Cost: $12. Admission is free for children 12 and younger. Location: 9th Ave. & Lincoln Dr., San Francisco. For more information, call 415-383-7837 or visit CrystalFair.com.

Call Us Now to learn more (925) 847-8889 5933 Coronado Ln #100 • Pleasanton, CA 94588

www.EasternMedicalCenter.com natural awakenings

November 2017

Intelligent Energy Drisana Workshop Coming Soon

here are many energy systems available to the public, but not all utilize “intelligent” Energy. What is intelligent energy? Intelligent energy ultimately comes from source, is stepped down to be useful in the human energy field, and is received through attunements/ initiations from a teacher initiated into the specific system. Join Loretta Metzger of the Spiritual Unfoldment Network(tm) (SUN) for a two-day intelligent energy Drisana workshop or free Drisana lecture coming soon. One property of intelligent energy is when the energy is activated, it can sense if it has saturated a person’s energy field and then turns off to avoid overcharging the individual. Additionally, it works in conjunction with the person’s higher self, is compatible with intelligent energies from other systems, and knows where to go in one’s energy field. All workshops in the SUN are composed entirely of intelligent energies received by the student through attunements/ initiations. Drisana is a SUN energy system of Tibetan origin with incredible power and sophistication, having no parallel in any other system. Its versatility and ease of use makes it perfect for even the complete beginner to energy work. Drisana offers 32 attunements and works with all seven planes of reality: the physical/etheric, emotional, mental, Buddhic, atmic, monadic, and cosmic. The energies can be accessed at any time, giving the individual the ability to work at their own pace for personal and spiritual progress. The energies can be used for self or others by mentally directing the flow. SUN students can learn to access power settings used in Drisana and can be used with other attunement systems. Some unique abilities the student can access are: create energy programs; clear, align, balance chakras, meridians, and subtle bodies; enhance meditation and visualization; channel building, and much more. For more information, call 925-954-7908, email Sun88@juno.com, or visit SpiritualInitiations.com.

East Bay Area | NAEastBay.com

newsbriefs Clothing Drive for Men Moving Forward

hrough November 16, Chris Corrales is collecting men’s business/interview attire and monetary donations to help men in need to move forward in their lives. Corrales accepts donations at his Dublin office. “My life project is to create a curriculum to teach healthy male roles,” says Corrales. “Helping to create healthy male roles is the one thing that can make the biggest impact on today’s world.” Corrales is the owner of MedicinEvolution, in Dublin, where he practices Rolf Structural Integration, a progressive method of healing that integrates the body and mind. Corrales provides supportive resources for men who are open and intentional about creating positive changes in their lives. Says Corrales, “Men must do their part, but we must all be involved in helping to change unhealthy perceptions of what men are and aren’t, such as being strong and unemotional, unhealthy thoughts and actions that are supported and condoned by popular culture, such as misogyny, and define positive roles in all relationships, such as friend and family dynamics.” Corrales office location: 6400 Village Pkwy., Ste. 101. For more information, call 925-922-2246, email Chris@MedicinEvolution.com, or visit MedicinEvolution.com. See listing, page 31.

If you are lucky enough to find a way of life you love, you have to find the courage to live it. ~John Irving

Advanced Japanese Water Technology 1 2 3 4 5

Flushes the body of toxins & acidic waste

Memberships & Home Units Available Increases immunity & disease fighting ability Returns the body to homeostasis

Supports healthy digestion & elimination

Call for Details

Promotes better sleep, more energy & weight loss

Learn more at www.TapIntoHealth.com about: Alkaline • Antioxidants • Cellular Hydration

Try it FREE for 14 Days!

2190 Meridian Park Blvd Ste H • Concord

Call or Text “Free”

4550 Balfour Rd • Suite A

*Pick-up Only*

Now Open in Brentwood!

925.259.3377

fundraisingspotlight Getting Back to a Healthy Home

Cleaning After Fire Top-10 Tips from HUD:

n Remind yourself often to put people before property! Make safety your top priority.

Coming Together to Help Rebuild Lives in North Bay

ne of the most direct ways to help those in need of assistance is by making a monetary donation online. GoFundMe has curated a page of wildfire fundraising campaigns that address different areas of need, GoFundMe.com/raise-funds/Cafirerelief; The American Red Cross is accepting donations at RedCross.org, select California Wildfires; YouCaring is getting close to reaching their intended goal at YouCaring.com/americanredcross-976697. Car-sharing site Turo has a program where those displaced by fires and without personal transit can access Turo cars for free. According to spokesperson Christin Di Scipio, “If North Bay fire evacuees are in need of a vehicle during this hard time, email DisasterRelief@turo.com.” Those who wish to make cash donations (still the recommended method of assistance) may also contribute to the United Way Bay Area, uwba.org/ donate, entering the phrase “wildfire” in the comments section. There are many websites listing local drop-off locations for clothing, bedding, food, baby formulas and more. As needs change daily, it’s best to do an internet search immediately prior to drop-off. For more information, visit abc7news. com/take-action-how-to-help-northbay-fire-victims/2515175.

n Wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including protective clothing and a NIOSH approved respirator, every time you set foot in a damaged or moldy building. n Assess structural stability and hidden hazards before you enter. A professional inspection may be needed. n Prepare a plan for site work (supplies and methods), make a map (disposal and clean-up site layout), and review insurance policies and disaster assistance resources. n Go slow when pumping out water, then act fast to dry out and remove mold. Read, copy and share the DIY Mold Removal Guidelines sheet from the Rebuild Healthy Homes guidebook. n Always remove wet insulation and foam padding, even if the surface looks dry and clean. n Assume lead-based paint and asbestos are in homes built before 1978 (unless verified not present). Be mindful that disturbing such materials increases the hazard. n Control dust, capture debris and contain contaminants – with wet methods, drop cloths, debris bags, HEPA vacuums and workers trained in safe work practices. n Check credentials and hire only licensed and insured contractors, Lead Safe Certified Renovators and certified asbestos professionals. Examine qualifications of mold remediation, fire and water damage restoration and other professionals. Check with your local contractor licensing agency, permit office and health department for requirements and lists. n Restore for more than before! Install hazard-resistant materials, connectors and building systems. Include energy saving and healthy home improvements.

natural awakenings

November 2017

fter 25 years experience in medical practice and research, Dr. Hannah Hershoff decided to leave her lucrative medical doctor career to create healing jewelry. A phone chat with a cousin who took a trip from China totally changed Dr. Hannah’s life. Dr. Hannah learned that the mystical stones from a remote area of Southeast China near her hometown have incredible spiritual healing properties. After extensive research, Dr. Hannah learned that the five natural elements in the stones had served several dynasties of Emperors over thousands of years. This information excited Dr. Hannah enormously and motivated her to test the spiritual healing effects of the stones. A few weeks after wearing Dr. Hannah’s bracelets, three out of four individuals reported they gained confidence, improved their self-image, sensed more connections to loved ones, and experienced a reduction in anxiety. This dramatic positive feedback encouraged Dr. Hannah to leave her medical career and work full time on Sara Yo healing jewelry. Dr. Hannah says, “I am so glad I have made this career change decision, as I truly believe in the power of spiritual healing. I am so happy to do something I am extremely passionate about and I can help more people than I even did before!” For more information, visit www.myspiritjewel.com.

East Bay Area | NAEastBay.com

Aerobics Improve Brain Function

esearchers from the Wake Forest School of Medicine, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, have found that aerobic exercise increases overall brain volume and gray matter, and helps improve brain function. Thirty-five adults with mild cognitive impairment were split into an aerobic group and a stretching group. The aerobic group participated in moderate-to-vigorous exercise four times per week for six months, while the others did stretching exercises at the same rate. The researchers used magnetic resolution imaging with each participant at the beginning of the study and after six months to determine potential changes in the brain. They found that both groups showed volume increases in gray matter regions linked to short-term memory, but the aerobic group displayed a larger preservation of overall brain volume. They also had greater improvements in cognitive function.

Nejron Photo/Shutterstock.com

Healing at Hand

healthbriefs

Acupuncture and Herbs Ease Delirium in Patients

cientists from the Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, in Japan, examined the impact of a combination of acupuncture and traditional herbal medicine on the rate of delirium in cardiovascular patients admitted into an intensive care unit. Of the 59 patients studied, 29 were treated with conventional care and 30 were given the same care, plus herbal medicine three times a day and acupuncture once a day. In the treatment group, incidental rates of delirium were 6.6 percent, significantly lower than the 37.9 percent rate found in the control group. This group also required fewer sedative drugs traditionally used to combat aggressive behavior in delirious patients.

Wolfilser/Shutterstock.com

— Advertorial —

Maks Narodenko /Shutterstock.com AndreyCherkasov/Shutterstock.com ILYA AKINSHIN/Shutterstock.com

Cranberry Prebiotic Promotes Gut Health

DEC

esearch from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, has found that the cell walls of cranberries contain xyloglucan, a complex sugar that feeds the beneficial, naturally occurring bifidobacteria, enhancing the body’s microbiome. “A lot of plant cell walls are indigestible, just like we can’t digest the special sugars found in xyloglucans,” explains nutritional microbiologist and researcher David Sela, Ph.D. “But when we eat cranberries, the xyloglucans enter our intestines, where beneficial bacteria can break them down into useful molecules and compounds.” Sela emphasizes the importance of prebiotics. “With probiotics, we are taking extra doses of beneficial bacteria that may or may not help our gut health,” he says. “But with prebiotics, we already know that we have the beneficial guys in our guts, so let’s feed them with more nutrients and things that they like.”

TEETOTALERS ENJOY LESS HEART DISEASE

Coming Next Month

Holidays Plus: Uplifting Humanity December articles include: Tips for a Peaceful and Happy Holiday Uplifting Your Family New Year Inspirations and so much more!

In a meta-analysis of 45 research studies covering thousands of subjects led by Canada’s University of Victoria, in British Columbia, researchers found that former and occasional drinkers have a 45 percent increased risk of heart disease than non-drinkers. This discovery contradicts the widely held belief that occasional alcohol consumption reduces the risk of coronary heart disease.

Onions Healthy for Heart and Kidneys

cientists from the Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences and Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, both in Tehran, Iran, investigated the impact on leading diseases of regularly eating onion and garlic (both belonging to the genus Allium). Using data from more than 12,000 people for an average of six years, researchers assessed their onion and garlic consumption using a food frequency questionnaire and compared those measurements with blood pressure and incidences of both cardiovascular and chronic kidney disease. The scientists discovered the subjects that ate more onion and garlic regularly had risk reductions of 64 percent in cardiovascular disease, 32 percent in chronic kidney disease and 25 percent in hypertension compared to those that ate less of them.

To advertise or participate in our next issue, call

925-557-7583

natural awakenings

November 2017

globalbriefs oliveromg/Shutterstock.com

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

Wine Worry

Get Outside

Black Friday Alternative

For glyphosate-related consumer information, search Actions at MomsAcrossAmerica.com.

Landfill Eulogy

Landfills generate environmental problems such as the greenhouse gas methane that warms the atmosphere and toxic chemicals from household cleaning products that pollute soil and groundwater. Installations are smelly, noisy and can breed diseasetransmitting vermin, as well as harm wildlife. Recycling helps cut the volume of waste, but the bulk of all trash continues to fill these dumps. Sweden produces about the same amount of waste as other European nations, but less than 1 percent of its household refuse ends up in landfills. Thirty-two waste-to-energy (WTE) plants that have been operating across the country for years incinerate more than 2 million tons of trash annually—almost 50 percent of all waste. The country still recycles, but anything else normally ends up in the WTE incinerators, creating steam to generate electricity distributed on the grid. This system heats close to a million homes and powers more than a quartermillion, thus reducing Sweden’s reliance on fossil fuels. Sweden also helps to clean up other countries in the European Union by importing their trash and burning it. Because specific products contain materials that cannot be recycled or incinerated, some landfills are still necessary.

East Bay Area | NAEastBay.com

Yaniv Schwartz/Shutterstock.com

Sweden Dumps its Dumps

This year, all REI outdoor outfitter stores will close on Black Friday and join hundreds of national and local organizations and like-minded brands to ask, “Will You Go Out with Us?” For the third year, the REI #OptOutside initiative will mobilize Americans to firmly establish a new tradition of choosing trails over sales on Black Friday, including camping under the stars instead of camping out at malls. For helpful ideas, visit rei.com/ opt-outside.

Getting Greener Renewables Hit High Mark in UK

In a major marker of renewable growth, sources of energy that includes wind, solar, hydro and wood pellet burning briefly generated more electricity—50.7 percent— than coal and gas in Great Britain for the first time on June 7. When nuclear sources are added, the number increased to 72.1 percent. Records for wind power are also being set across Northern Europe.

nikolarisim/Shutterstock.com

Monsanto’s toxic Roundup herbicide glyphosate has been found in all 10 California vintages tested, including organic wines. While glyphosate isn’t sprayed directly onto grapes because it would kill the vines, it’s often used to spray the ground in the vineyard to be absorbed via the roots. Sometimes, glyphosate drifts from conventional vineyards into nearby organic and biodynamic vineyards. Other times, the toxin remains in the soil after a conventional farm has been converted to organic; the chemical may persist onsite for more than 20 years. Glyphosate is patented as an antibiotic. Designed to kill bacteria, it harms both soils and human health, and has been cited as a human carcinogen by the World Health Organization.

Mariyana M/Shutterstock.com

Glyphosate Toxin Turns Up in Wines

hxdbzxy/Shutterstock.com

Faster Rescues

Artificial Intelligence Helps Locate People and Wildlife Artificial intelligence (AI) is helping doctors and scientists worldwide do their jobs better. In wildlife preservation, many researchers want to know how many animals there are and where they live, but Tanya Berger-Wolf, a professor of computer science at the University of Illinois at Chicago, states, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Scientists do not have the capacity to do this, and there are not enough GPS collars or satellite tracks in the world.â&#x20AC;? At AI-driven Wildbook.org, photos are uploaded by experts and the public and analyzed for species, age and even gender. One massive Kenyan study in 2015 prompted officials to alter their lion management program. Also, the locations of stranded victims of floods, earthquakes or other disasters can be determined via computer programmers writing basic algorithms that examine extensive footage. In flooded areas, AI technology can also find debris that harbors trapped people. AI techniques can even monitor social media sites to find out more about missing people and disasters.

Quick decisions are unsafe decisions. ~Sophocles

To order: Call (972) 492-0419 E-mail: info@realtimelab.com To order directly from our web site: www.realtimelab.com/Environmental-Inspectors/ natural awakenings

November 2017

Marijus Auruskevicius/Shutterstock.com

globalbriefs Why Whales Leap High

Humpback whales are famous for their prodigious leaps from the water. A recent paper published in Marine Mammal Science proposes that breaching the surface and making a big splash serves as an acoustic telegram to communicate with far-off pods. The phenomenon may be compared to a distant drumbeat, which probably carries farther than the whales’

Smart Street Lights Powered by Footsteps Conventional street lights collectively emit more than 100 million tons of carbon dioxide annually. The city of Las Vegas, a leader in municipal sustainability, has contracted with EnGoPlanet, a New York City clean tech startup, to install the world’s first Smart Street Lights powered by pedestrians’ footsteps via kinetic energy pads and solar energy. When someone steps on a kinetic tile, energy is created and goes directly to a battery. Petar Mirovic, CEO of EnGoPlanet, says, “Clean and free energy is all around us. Urban cities have to build the smart infrastructures of tomorrow that will be able to harvest all of that energy. This project is a small but important step in that direction.” Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman says, “Through our LEED-certified buildings, solar projects, water reclamation, alternative-fueled vehicles and sustainable streetlights, Las Vegas continues to lead the way.” The company also cites Smart Street Light projects in Chicago, Detroit, Auburn Hills (Michigan), Asbury Park (New Jersey) and at stadiums such as the MercedesBenz Superdome, in New Orleans. View an illustrative video at Tinyurl.com/SmartStreetLights.

East Bay Area | NAEastBay.com

signature songs. Former University of Queensland marine biologist Ailbhe S. Kavanagh, Ph.D., and her colleagues observed 76 humpback groups off the coast of Australia for 200 hours between 2010 and 2011 and found that breaching is much more common when pods are at least 2.5 miles apart, with more local slapping of fins and flukes when fellow whales are nearby.

ecotip Oil Spoil How to Properly Discard Cooking Oil Holiday meal traditions that kick off with a Thanksgiving turkey and continue through festive meals for New Year’s can produce lots of cooking oil and grease waste. Following proper disposal procedures protects both the environment and home plumbing. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that vegetable oils and animal fats share common physical properties and create similar environmental effects as petroleum spills, including coating and suffocating animals and plants; polluting food supplies and habitats; fouling shorelines; and clogging water treatment plants. Cooking oil and kitchen grease is the number one cause of stopped-up sewer pipes, according to Earth 911. Grease sticks to the lining of plumbing pipes in small particles, which catch onto each other and accumulate

until the growing mass can block and backup sewage lines, leading to a nasty mess and sometimes costly repairs. This potential problem can be avoided simply and easily. n For small amounts of kitchen grease such as lard, shortening or tallow that inevitably go down the drain, flush with cold water so that it solidifies, making it less likely to stick to pipes. n Freeze small amounts of used cooking fats, oils and grease in a container like a used coffee can with a tightsealing lid, then place it in the trash. n Larger and unfrozen quantities of used cooking oil may be taken to an area recycling center for proper disposal year-round. No special container is required and the liquid is emptied from the consumer’s container onsite. Don’t combine the contents with anything else, so it can be repurposed by vendors that collect it from the centers.

Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com

Pedestrian Power

Paul S. Wolf/Shutterstock.com

Humpback Holler

—Advertorial—

Strengthen Your Wood Energy for a Fulfilling Life When Sandra, in her forties, wakes up in the morning she feels a little sad and empty. “Another same old day,” she says to herself. As the day goes by her sadness diminishes, however, her feeling of boredom remains. Countless people feel the same as Sandra. They are bored and feel a lack of Dr. Hannah Hershoff meaning or purpose in life. According to research, boredom is a widespread phenomenon in modern societies in developed countries, where providing people with more than enough material items and conveniences is commonplace. However, some people still have fulfilling lives in this environment. Apparently, modern societies and environments rich in entitlement do not necessarily spur boredom in everyone. According to Five-Element energy philosophy used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine, profoundly bored individuals are likely to be low energy people. In particular, their Wood energy is more likely to be at a low level. Wood energy is one of the five natural elements consisting of Fire, Water, Wood, Earth, and Metal. Wood energy in plants consistently guides and supports trees to expand and grow tall. This element in humans enables us to know what we want in life, gain awareness of our life path and feel hopeful and joyful. When individuals lack high levels of Wood energy, they don’t have the clear vision or goals in their lives. They often believe life is hopeless, and as a result, feel bored, lonely, and anxious. Some people are lucky to be born with high Wood energy. Even at a young age, they knew exactly what they wanted in life. Their natural high Wood energy helps them live life with purpose and ultimately achieve higher satisfaction. However, in the absence of luck being granted to us by the birth lottery, we still have ways to elevate our Wood energy levels. For example, mindfulness meditation, yoga and fast-paced walks in the woods may be helpful in enhancing our Wood energy.

IEH Integrative Energetic Healing

Balancing and Optimizing Mind, Body & Spirit

John Ortiz 925.289.8520

Affordable Healings! Offices in Walnut Creek & Lafayette

VitaClay Smart Organic Multi-Cooker and nourishing because VitaClay seals in the enzymes with an ancient secret–organic unglazed Zisha Clay. –Mike Fenster, Cardiologist/ Professional Chef/Author

Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Plus bonus Yogurt Maker… all in one!

• Aluminum Non-stick Chemicals NO Lead Visit us today for a free healthy cook book at

Save 20%

with Coupon Code

NS15 NAEB15

www.VitaClayChef.com

Dr. Hannah Hershoff, M.D. and Ph.D., recently studied a way to improve Wood energy. She found that meditating with Sara Yo healing jewelry could create a hopeful feeling and reduce boredom. For more information, visit MySpiritJewel.com. See ad, page 8. natural awakenings

November 2017

Preventing, Reversing and Managing Diabetes Naturally by Linda Sechrist

ore health practitioners today are recognizing both the mind-body connection, as well as energetic and metaphysical insights into preventing and reversing illnesses. As a result, those facing diabetes and other health challenges are accessing contemporary resources such as Louise L. Hay’s explanation of the emotional roots of disease in You Can Heal Your Life, and the medical science and natural methods explained by health researcher and author Gary Null, Ph.D., in No More Diabetes: A Complete Guide to Preventing, Treating, and Overcoming Diabetes. Applying a “both” rather than an “either” approach illuminates the importance of recognizing the ways our thoughts, emotions and lifestyle choices can impact chronic illness and long-term health.

Two Perspectives

michaeljung/Shutterstock.com

Hay suggests that this metabolic disorder may be rooted in a feeling of being deprived of life’s sweetness and longing for what might have been, accompanied by a great need to control deep sorrow. Such chronic unease can show up as Type 1, or insulin-dependent, diabetes; Type 2, or non-insulin-dependent diabetes; latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), a slowly progressing variation of Type 1; or gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy.

East Bay Area | www.NAEastBay.com

Oleksandra Naumenko/Shutterstock.com

Eavesdropping on our repetitive inner mind chatter and observing its impact on outer experiences can reveal faulty thinking that disrupts the mind-body connection. Hay, a firm believer in the power of affirmations to send a message to the subconscious mind, recommends them to aid healing. For diabetes, she suggests, “This moment is filled with joy. I now choose to experience the sweetness of today.” Null cites medical evidence that explains how the physical causes of diabetes are related to the pancreatic production of the hormone insulin and the body’s use of it, together with rollercoaster blood sugar levels determined by food selections, stress, sleeplessness, insufficient rest and lack of exercise. His approach for preventing, reversing or managing this debilitating condition is to raise awareness of the physical, behavioral and mental causes that lead to its emergence, and making healthy lifestyle choices that regulate blood sugar levels.

Naturally Control Blood Sugar

Glucose, the human body’s key source of cellular energy, is the end product of the digestive system breaking down carbohydrates, proteins and fats for absorption in the intestines. From there, it passes into the bloodstream. Glucose also supplies energy for the brain. Normal blood glucose levels vary throughout the day. For healthy individuals, a fasting blood sugar level upon awakening is less than 100 milligrams (mg) per deciliter (dl) of blood. Before meals, normal levels are 70 to 99 mg/dl; otherwise, 100 to 125. Consistent readings above 126 indicate that lifestyle changes are needed to avoid eventual progression into full Type 2 diabetes. When there’s an inability to efficiently transport glucose from the blood into cells, cells don’t receive the energy they need to function properly. “Elevated glucose levels contribute to blood vessel damage, high blood pressure and inflammation

Nourishing myself is a joyful experience, and I am worth the time spent on my healing. ~Louise L. Hay among other issues. High glucose causes insulin levels to spike in an effort to draw the glucose into cells. This stresses the pancreas and causes a sugar crash, called hypoglycemia, which can lead individuals to make impulsive, poor food choices,” advises Marcy Kirshenbaum, a board-certified clinical nutritionist and owner of Enhance Nutrition, in Northbrook, Illinois. She notes, “Elevated sugar and insulin levels raise triglycerides, a fat that circulates in the blood, and cholesterol, specifically the LDL (lowdensity lipoprotein) levels. Triglycerides and cholesterol are important measures of heart health. Triglyceride levels of 150 mg/dl in fasting blood is a risk factor for a stroke or heart attack.”

Early Heads-Up

According to the American Diabetes Association, 8.1 million of the 29.1 million individuals diagnosed with diabetes were previously unaware of any early symptoms such as dry mouth, excessive thirst, frequent urination, constant hunger (even after meals), unusual weight gain or loss and lack of energy. “Many individuals only learn of their condition from

a doctor-ordered routine blood test such as the A1C glycated hemoglobin procedure, which reads blood sugar levels over a three-month period,” advises Dr. Nancy Iankowitz, a board-certified family nurse practitioner and founding director of Holistic and Integrative Healing, in Holmes, New York. Individuals that consume large amounts of simple carbohydrates and sugars, are overweight or are exceedingly sedentary and eat unhealthy processed foods, have a higher risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. Iankowitz’s effective, patientcentered practice follows a practical, four-month healing plan that includes tracking foods, moods, blood pressure, sleeping habits and exercise, all necessary to manage or reverse Type 2 diabetes.

Effective Diet Choices

Making the highest-impact food choices is critical in the earliest stages of diabetes. That’s why nutritionist and holistic integrative health practitioner Saskia Kleinert, an independent practitioner who also serves as director of the Emeryville Health & Wellness Center, in California, helps patients integrate dietary changes into everyday life. “Patient education includes the necessity of eating low-glycemic index foods and reducing blood glucose levels, while increasing healthy fats with nuts, avocado and olive oil,” advises Kleinert. She notes that antioxidant-rich plant foods are another key component of an effective dietary plan for all age groups. The role of exercise is also vital for those needing to reverse pre-diabetes or managing diabetes aided by insulin injections. “Exercise increases the muscle cell’s demand for glucose, moving it out of the blood into muscle cells that use it as fuel, and so lowering insulin levels,” explains Jamie Coughlan, a naturopathic doctor who practices in Pleasanton and Pleasant Hill, California. Dr. Angelo Baccellieri, owner of Westchester Wellness Medicine,

natural awakenings

November 2017

in Harrison, New York, introduces patients to intermittent fasting, an eating pattern that helps treat insulin resistance and control blood sugar. “The concept is predicated on going 14 to 16 hours without food, replicating how our primitive ancestors ate. They feasted when food was available and fasted during famines, sometimes going several days without eating,” advises Baccellieri, who notes that intermittent fasting can be done one day a week. “Our biochemistry actually does very well with this approach, which isn’t hard to do when your last meal is at 7 p.m. and you skip breakfast and delay lunch the next day until 1 p.m. You can drink water with lemon, teas and black coffee throughout. By 1 p.m., the body has been 18 hours without protein and carbohydrates, allowing insulin levels to remain at a low level. Excess insulin from too much sugar shifts the body into a storage mode. Having no sugar stores available, the body can then switch into a ketogenic state that allows the

body to burn fat for fuel,” explains Baccellieri. Herbs such as turmeric reduce inflammation. Berberine can help cells use glucose efficiently. Supplements such as vitamin C, B-complex, resveratrol and pycnogenol (pine bark extract) can raise antioxidant levels, in which most pre-diabetic and diabetic individuals are deficient, according to a study published in PubMed. Cautious health professionals tailor supplement recommendations to each patient.

Helpful Weight Loss

In The Diabetes Breakthrough, based on a scientifically tested way to reverse diabetes through weight loss, Dr. Osama Hamdy and Sheri R. Colberg, Ph.D., explain a homebased version of the 12-week Why WAIT (Weight Achievement and Intensive Treatment) program offered at the Joslin Diabetes Center, af-

filiated with Harvard Medical School, in Boston. WAIT allows participants to reach their weight and blood glucose goals, along with improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and liver and kidney function. The program’s success is due to doable increases in exercising that put greater emphasis on strengthening muscles; effective ways to change bad habits; successful portion control; healthy alternatives to favorite foods; carbohydrate counting; and meals composed of the right balance of complex carbohydrates and antioxidant-rich plant foods, protein and fat, all to achieve optimum body weight and diabetes control.

No Quick Fix

Restoration of health begins with the most important lifestyle changes. n Replace processed and sugary foods in meals and snacks with nutrient-dense, whole foods.

Symptoms Associated with Trauma: • Inability to make Dissociation

Feeling stressed, depressed, anxious? Is your relationship not meeting your desire for love and intimacy? Work issues? Don’t have the self-confidence to get you where you want to go in life? Trauma is often the cause. I am certified in both Somatic Experiencing™ and NARM™ (NeuroAffective Relational Model), the two gold standards of trauma healing. Trauma healing requires a mind-body approach not just talk therapy.

780 Main St. • Ste 201 • Pleasanton nwinblad.com/se • nwinblad@nwinblad.com 16

East Bay Area | NAEastBay.com

• Physical ailments • Hypervigilance • Hyperactivity • Nightmares and night terrors • Abrupt mood swings • Difficulty sleeping • Panic attacks • Avoidance behaviors • Attraction to dangerous situations • Frequent crying • Inability to love, nurture, or bond with others • Fear of dying, going crazy, or having shortened life

commitments • Chronic fatigue or very low physical energy • Immune system problems • Endocrine problems (e.g., low thyroid) • Psychosomatic illnesses, particularly headaches, neck and back problems, asthma, digestive, spastic colon, severe premenstrual syndrome • Depression, feelings of impending doom • Feelings of detachment, alienation, and isolation

First Session Half Price! With this ad. A $75 Value.

925-963-9786 NEAL WINBLAD, MFT, SEP

healingways

SACRED SILENCE buffaloboy/Shutterstock.com

Discover the Benefits of Quiet at a Silent Retreat by April Thompson

n Determine possible food sensitivities with an elimination diet. n Eat some protein with every meal. n Eliminate environmental toxins. n Perform some form of cardiovascular exercise and resistance training at least three to five times a week. n Add stress-relieving practices such as yoga, tai chi or qigong. According to Hamdy, “On average, diabetes has the potential to rob you of more than 12 years of life, while dramatically reducing the quality of life for more than 20 years through chronic pain, loss of mobility, blindness, chronic dialysis and heart disease.” Such serious consequences also include stroke, hearing impairment and Alzheimer’s, he adds. All provide good reasons to live responsibly every day, cherishing long-term goals of laying claim to the best possible health. Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. Connect at LindaSechrist.com.

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. ~Joseph Addison

ndividuals seeking to escape life’s ceaseless distractions, deepen their personal spiritual practice, enhance well-being and gain fresh perspective, are patronizing silent retreats in rising numbers. “Retreats are a special opportunity to enter a healing space where your natural energy, insight, intelligence and wisdom can arise,” says Linda Mary Peacock, known as Thanissara, a former Buddhist nun, cofounder of South Africa’s Dharmagiri Hermitage and Outreach and a retreat leader at the Spirit Rock Insight Meditation Center, in Woodacre, California. Sheila Russ, of Richmond, Virginia, has participated in several retreats with silent components, hosted by spiritual traditions spanning Baptist to Benedictine. “People of different faiths all have the same need to reach inside and listen. If we don’t slow down and get quiet, we can’t hear what’s going on with us,” says Russ. “Spending time in contemplation is cleansing and freeing; I feel like mentally and spiritually I can breathe.”

Scientific Support

Attaining heightened well-being after a retreat may have a neurological basis, according to research from Thomas Jefferson University’s Marcus Institute of Integrative Health, in Philadelphia. Silent retreats appear to raise the brain’s levels of moodboosting chemicals, according to Dr. Andrew Newberg, director of research there. Newberg’s team tested the brains of retreat participants before and one week after an Ignatian-based retreat, finding significant changes in their serotonin and dopamine systems. “Whether through prayers, walks or meditations, the single-minded ritualistic aspect of retreats seems to predispose the brain for peak spiritual experience,” he observes.

What to Expect

Formats vary, but most silent retreats entail extended periods of sitting meditation or prayer, often alternating with walking meditation or other mindful movement. Some may also entail a work detail, like sweeping the meditation hall or helping prepare meals.

natural awakenings

November 2017

The deliberate, conscientious practices of my first silent retreat made me appreciate each moment: the gifts, blessings, music, stretching, meditation, prayers and practice of stillness. ~Unity retreat feedback Yet retreats aren’t a cakewalk. Los Angeles author and mindfulness facilitator Jennifer Howd chronicles the challenges of her first nine-day silent retreat in Joshua Tree, California, in her memoir Sit, Walk, Don’t Talk. Seven retreats later, Howd says that although the journey isn’t always

easy, she always gains insights about herself and the nature of the mind.

Choosing a Retreat

Retreat leaders caution that while it’s good to jettison expectations and approach the experience with an open mind, choose a retreat that fits individual needs. The level of personal attention at retreats can vary greatly, remarks Thanissara. “Some may host 100 or more people, relying largely on taped instruction without much interaction with group leaders. A small group might be better for a first retreat,” she suggests. Thanissara recommends an upfront review of instructor credentials and starting with a weekend retreat before embarking on one of longer duration. Regardless of length, retreats aren’t always for everyone. “If you’re going through emotional

(RollingMeadowsRetreat.com) offers silent retreats combining yoga and meditation. Leaders Patricia Sunyata Brown and Surya-Chandra Das take an eclectic approach incorporating multiple traditions to stimulate selfinquiry and compassion.

Insight Meditation Society:

etreat centers vary from nondenominational to those aligned with a faith, but even within a tradition, styles of meditation vary. The following opportunities highlight some of the more prevalent offerings. RetreatFinder.com and RetreatsOnline. com can be helpful tools.

Omega Institute: One of the

largest centers on the East Coast, the Omega Institute (eOmega.org), in Rhinebeck, New York, offers yoga, meditation and mindfulness retreats led by notable and varied spiritual teachers.

Unity: The Unity church, a Christian faith honoring all paths to God, offers an annual silent retreat facilitated by

East Bay Area | NAEastBay.com

Rev. Paulette Pipe (TouchingTheStillness.org). Held at Unity Center, in Kansas City, Missouri, the experience incorporates soulful music, labyrinth walks and meditation practice.

Tassajara Zen Mountain Center: A working monastery for more

than 50 years, Tassajara Zen Mountain Center and Hot Springs (sfzc.org/ tassajara), in the Ventana Mountains of northern California, offers lay meditation practitioners a sense of monastic life each summer. Retreats are mainly taught in the Zen Buddhist tradition, focused on observing the breath and mind.

Rolling Meadows: Located in rural Brooks, Maine, Rolling Meadows

Founded by Sharon Salzberg, Jack Kornfield and Joseph Goldstein in the 1970s, the Insight Meditation Society (Dharma.org) focuses on the Buddhist practices of metta (spreading lovingkindness) and vipassana (insight) meditation. Silent retreats at its historic center in Barre, Massachusetts, range from two days to three months.

Jesuits: A Roman Catholic order

cofounded by St. Ignatius, the Jesuit tradition incorporates prayer, meditation, self-awareness and other contemplative practices. Jesuits.org/ retreat-centers lists Jesuit retreat centers across the U.S. where seekers can deepen their relationship with God through silence.

GlebSStock/Shutterstock.com

“Work tasks help bring mindfulness into everyday life,” says Chas DiCapua, a resident teacher for the Insight Meditation Society’s flagship retreat center in Barre, Massachusetts, who has led silent retreats teaching Buddhist practices for 20 years. “The community aspect is equally important; being surrounded by people that support your spiritual practice can encourage you on what can be a lonely path.” Silence doesn’t mean being static and somber or not thinking, counsels David Harshada Wagner, of Ojai, California, whose meditation retreats draw from the Indian mystical traditions of yoga, vedanta and tantra. “Silence is more than the absence of talking; it’s a powerful energy,” says Wagner. “Silent retreats are the loudest, as the energy is roaring within. It should be a joyous practice.”

NO MERCURY • WHOLE BODY DENTISTRY or psychological difficulties, it’s best to discuss your circumstances with a teacher at the retreat center before deciding to attend. If you’re in therapy, talk with your therapist,” counsels DiCapua.

Call to see how our Natural & Holistic practices can help you!

Retreat Back to Everyday Life

Afterwards, ease back into the daily routine; don’t rush back into old patterns of media and food consumption, recommends Howd. “Try to build-in a day or two of down time. You may still be processing things emotionally.” DiCapua suggests finding a local community of a kindred practice to keep the momentum going, and not expect to keep it up as earnestly at home as at the retreat. Attending daylong maintenance retreats on Saturdays or Sundays can also help sustain individual practice. Above all, “Appreciate yourself for having thought to go on a retreat and follow it through,” says DiCapua. “It can be a radical thing.”

N E W E R A D E N T I S T RY

Dr. David Partrite, DDS 520 La Gonda Way • Suite 103 • Danville, CA 94526

(925) 837-3101

www.neweradentistry.com

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

Natural Awakenings M agazine is Ranked 5th Nationally in Cision’s 2016 Top 10 Health & Fi tness Magazines List

1. 2. 3. 4.

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

6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Women’s Health – 1,511,791 Weight Watchers Magazine – 1,126,168 Dr. Oz The Good Life – 870,524 For advertising opportunities visit our Vim & Vigor – 789,000 website and click “ADVERTISE”: Experience Life – 700,000 www.naturalawakeningsmag.com

The world’s leading source of media research

5. Natural Awakenings – 1,536,365

natural awakenings

www.cision.com

November 2017

Try Some Stretches Four Ways to Flex Our Muscles by Marlaina Donato

hether working out at the gym or taking to the trails, stretching is sometimes an overlooked asset to any exercise regimen. Eliminating stretches or not doing them properly increases the risk of injury and deprives muscles of what they need for optimum performance. “Just because you are in shape doesn’t always mean you have good flexibility,” notes LaReine Chabut, a Los Angeles fitness expert and author of Stretching for Dummies. “If you do plenty of strength training and cardio, but you don’t do any stretching, you’re creating an imbalance in your body. Flexibility plays a big part in overall fitness.” Loosening up correctly not only fosters flexibility, but also improves muscle endurance and coordination. “Everyone should be stretching, especially as you age, to maintain range of motion and balance,” advises fitness trainer Ben Wegman, of The Fhitting Room, in New York City. “A personal

East Bay Area | NAEastBay.com

workout regime can be enhanced with stretching, which also increases mobility, improves posture and performance, and reduces stress levels.”

Four Categories, Many Variations “Different types of stretches access different muscles and different types of flexibility, but together, can benefit everyone,” says Wegman. There are many ways to stretch, but knowing what to do and when to do it can be key to optimum results and injury prevention. Warming up to different types of stretches can be a little daunting, but the basic four (sometimes combined in terminology) are passive, static, active and dynamic. In the past, ballistic stretching was common and included potentially harmful bouncing techniques, but today dynamic stretching has become a favorite among trainers, consisting of specific, controlled movements that prepare the body for the demands of both engaging in sports and an average workout. “Stretches can be confusing, so as a rule of thumb, I suggest dynamic stretching for any

workout that involves movement and passive stretching for cooling down after a workout to release the muscles,” says Chabut. Stretching also plays an important role in yoga, which generally complements different stretches by adding a mind-body connection. “Breath is the key difference between yoga and regular stretching,” notes Chabut. “The use of breath allows you to get deeper into the muscle. Yoga also places particular emphasis on core muscles: the abdominals, lower back and spinal muscles. Through focus and deep breathing, yoga allows you to move beyond stretching into a deeper physical experience that both strengthens and focuses your body.”

Injury Prevention and Recovery

Nancy Whelan, a physical therapist and owner of The Physical Therapy Center, in West Palm Beach, Florida, emphasizes the importance of proper technique for clients to avoid further injury, especially individuals that had a torn Achilles tendon. “Stretching is important when doing any exercise, and especially important following surgery or injury, because the body’s reaction to either one is to contract, which can cause secondary problems,” explains Whelan. “I think the body has an intelligence we must listen to. We must acknowledge our limitations and the signals our body sends us to let us know that something is harmful or painful,” she notes. “When you take responsibility to take care of your body, it will take care of you.” For injury prevention, dynamic stretching offers many benefits. “It’s the best because it ensures that all major joints have full range of motion and sufficient muscle length,” says Wegman. She advises never to stretch an injured muscle or stretch too forcefully. “Introduce low-intensity stretching back into a regime only under a doctor’s supervision,” she cautions.

Svetography/Shutterstock.com

fitbody

Daily Moderation

For Chabut, moderation is everything. “Gently warm up the body before moving into deeper stretches. Build heat in the muscles slowly to avoid potential injury,” she advises. Proper stretching is beneficial, but not doing so can foster bad habits and cause muscle or tendon tears. “Stretching cold muscles or using improper techniques such as bouncing when holding a stretch position are common mistakes,” observes Whelan. Stretching doesn’t have to be reserved for workouts, and with a little discipline, its benefits can easily be attained at home or the office. “Take 10 minutes during your favorite TV program and perform a couple of stretches,” suggests Wegman. “Make it a point to get up every half-hour and stretch for five minutes before resuming work. If you aren’t being pushed or pushing yourself, you won’t see results or make improvements. If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.” Marlaina Donato is a freelance writer, author and multimedia artist. Connect at MarlainaDonato.com.

Helpful Resources BOOKS Dynamic Stretching: The Revolutionary New Warm-Up Method to Improve Power, Performance and Range of Motion, by Mark Kovacs Dynamic Stretching vs. Static Stretching and Their Benefits, by Jack Cascio Exercise Balls for Dummies (including safe stretches for pregnant woman) and Stretching for Dummies, both by LeReine Chabut Stretching: 20 Simple Stretching Techniques to Relieve Pain and Increase Flexibility, by Neb Notliar ONLINE VIDEOS BlackBeltWiki.com/stretching (range of stretches specific to martial arts styles and body parts) DoYogaWithMe.com/yoga-beginners (free yoga videos for all levels) ElderGym.com/elderly-flexibility (highly detailed instruction tailored to seniors) Essentrics.com/media.html (videos from the PBS series Classical Stretch) StretchCoach.com/resources/stretching-videos (instruction specific to sports and muscle groups) StudioSweatOnDemand.com/classes/feature/good-for-beginners (select stretching videos)

Stretching Guide at a Glance

Benefit: Increases flexibility in the muscles being stretched and increases strength in the opposing muscles.

STATIC What it is: Hold a stretch in a challenging, but not painful position, for 10 to 30 seconds until feeling discomfort; once this is felt, the muscle then releases and relaxes.

PASSIVE What it is: Employ an outside force such as a stretching device, strap or another’s body weight such as a trainer, physical therapist or massage therapist, which assists the stretch while the individual remains passive. The targeted muscles are not actively engaged. Examples include postworkout stretches applying pressure with a body part, towel or other prop or piece of equipment.

Benefit: Improves flexibility. ACTIVE (aka Static Active) What it is: Engage and contract the muscle group opposite the one being stretched to initiate the stretch; repeat. Many yoga poses are examples of active stretching.

Benefit: Increases range of motion, decreases muscle tension (spasm)

and reduces post-workout soreness and fatigue. DYNAMIC What it is: Use controlled, gradual movements and stretches that involve repeated range of motion moves, especially in relation to a specific activity or sport that will follow the warm-up. Benefit: Prepares the body for activity and warms the muscles; especially advantageous after static stretches. Builds strength. Primary sources: Fitness Science; Scott White, a power trainer in Scottsdale, AZ.

natural awakenings

November 2017

wisewords

Lissa Rankin on

Moving from Fear to Freedom by April Thompson

issa Rankin wears many hats: physician, mystic, author, artist, speaker and blogger. What unites her many pursuits is a passion for helping people optimize their health and understand how science and spirituality converge toward that goal. A former obstetrician and gynecologist, Rankin is the founder of the Whole Health Medicine Institute, in San Francisco, which trains doctors in mind-body-spirit medicine. She’s authored six books to date, including the bestseller Mind over Medicine, The Fear Cure and The Anatomy of a Calling. She lives in California’s Marin County and blogs at LissaRankin.com.

What common signs indicate that fear is affecting our health? When people are sick, there is almost always an element of fear. Many of us have “ridden shotgun” at one time or another with a health diagnosis, and that’s scary, so even if it’s not predisposing the illness itself, it can stimulate fear. Studies from institutions such as the Harvard School of Public Health and Carnegie Mellon University have discovered strong correlations between fear, stress and anxiety and health issues. When fear is predisposing us to illness, addressing the root cause of the issue is preventive medicine. Whether triggered by something trivial or real, fear activates the “fight-

East Bay Area | NAEastBay.com

or-flight” stress response in the brain. The body has natural self-healing mechanisms, but these only operate when our nervous system is relaxed, so effectively dealing with fear is foundationally critical to wellness.

How can we distinguish between true and false fear? True fear is an actual threat to physical survival, like being approached by someone wielding a gun. However, most fear is generated by a story we make up in our minds. Our wild imaginations, the source of beautiful creativity, can be a destructive force, too, as we envision all kinds of worst-case scenarios, most of which will not come true. Modern-day humans average more than 50 stress responses a day, which indicates we’re way off track in our relationship to fear. The mind constantly strategizes how to get what it wants and avoid what it doesn’t. A spiritual practice can help interrupt the “monkey mind” constantly ruminating on what could go wrong. Paying attention to fear around practical issues like not being able to pay bills is helpful because it can keep us from being reckless, such as buying an unneeded luxury item although our mortgage payment looms. But letting false fear prevent us from following a dream, ending an unhealthy relationship or leaving a toxic job can predis-

pose us to illness. Fear is the emotional equivalent of pain in the body. Attend to it when it arises; try to understand what it is telling you and see what’s in need of healing.

What are some effective ways to defang false fear? Ultimately, we need to come into the right relationship with uncertainty; it’s the gateway to possibility. People often think that fear provides protection, when our intuition, which typically requires a relaxed state of mind, is a far more effective protector. There have been studies about doctors following their hunches to a patient’s underlying condition, leading to life-saving diagnoses.

How can we cultivate courage, curiosity and resilience, rather than feed our fears? Cultivating a spiritual practice such as mindfulness helps put a pause between a feeling like fear and the reaction that might ensue. You learn to sit with uncomfortable feelings and recognize the story you are spinning in your mind about what’s happening. It also means letting go of expectations when things don’t go as planned. Fear is my cue to activate a practice of surrender; to turn something over to the universe. I will also ask for help to calm my heart and let go of attachments. For me, this life-changing practice means I now trust the mystery more than my mind. I trust the unknown more than science and logic. The latter may be useful tools when doing taxes or a research paper, but I don’t trust them to be the best navigation system of my life or help me in a crisis. Psychology isn’t enough to address fear, which comes with the territory if you think that we are just flesh robots programmed to maximize self-interest, alone in a hostile universe. Once you learn to see the possibilities and hand over the wheel to a greater, benign organizing intelligence, something unwinds in the nervous system and we relax into the wonder of mystery. Connect with freelance writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com.

It’s more than just green.

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

It’s FUN!

Turn Your Passion Into A Business

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

• Meaningful New Career • Low Initial Investment • Proven Business System • Home-Based Business • Exceptional Franchise Support & Training

Natural Awakenings Magazine is ranked 5th Nationally in Cision’s® 2016 Top 10 Health & Fitness Magazines list

Cision® is the world’s leading source of media research. For more information, visit www.cision.com or follow @Cision on Twitter. *Natural Awakenings recently received the prestigious FBR50 Franchise Satisfaction Award from Franchise Business Review.

Natural Awakenings publishes in over 80 markets across the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic (listed below).

Natural Awakenings’ new digital magazine Click weblinks Jump to specific articles Enjoy Flash files

To receive Natural Awakenings in your inbox FREE each month, simply send your email address to Publisher@NAEastBay.com (It’s that easy)

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Gulf Coast AL/MS Phoenix, AZ Tucson, AZ East Bay Area, CA San Diego, CA Northern CO/Cheyenne, WY 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 Miami & the Florida Keys Naples/Ft. Myers, FL North Central FL* Central Florida/Greater Orlando Palm Beach, FL Peace River, FL Sarasota, FL Space & Treasure Coast, FL Tampa/St. Pete., FL Atlanta, GA Hawaiian Islands Chicago, IL Chicago Western Suburbs, IL Indianapolis, IN Acadiana, 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* Bergen/Passaic, NJ* Central, NJ Hudson County, NJ Mercer County, NJ Monmouth/Ocean, NJ North Central NJ South NJ Santa Fe/Albuquerque, NM* Las Vegas, NV Albany, NY Long Island, NY Hudson Valley W., NY Manhattan, NY* Westchester/Putnam/ Dutchess Co’s., NY Central OH Toledo, OH* Oklahoma City, OK Portland, OR Bucks/Montgomery Counties, PA Chester/Delaware Counties, PA South Central PA Lancaster/Berks, PA Lehigh Valley, PA Northeast, PA Philadelphia, PA Rhode Island Charleston, SC Columbia, SC Greenville, SC* Chattanooga, TN Austin, TX* Dallas, TX Houston, TX North Texas*

• • • • • • • • •

San Antonio, TX* South Houston/Galveston, TX Richmond, VA Inland Northwest, WA Seattle, WA* Madison, WI* Milwaukee, WI Dominican Republic Puerto Rico

*Existing magazines for sale

Start a magazine in an OPEN TERRITORY

• Los Angeles, CA • Sacramento, CA • San Francisco, CA • Santa Barbara/Ventura, CA • Santa Clara Co., CA • Southern, MA • Annapolis, MD • Baltimore, MD • Kansas City, MO • Saint Louis, MO • Bronx, NY • Brooklyn/Staten Island, NY • Cincinnati, OH • Cleveland, OH • Pittsburgh, PA • Nashville, TN • Ft. Worth, TX • Salt Lake City, UT Inquire about other open areas

For more information, visit NaturalAwakeningsFranchise.com natural awakenings November 2017 23 239-530-1377 or call

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

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1 Noon Concert Series | Berkeley Noon-1pm. Every Wednesday in the month of November these concerts are open to the public. Join in the 65th year for a variety of music from the UC Berkeley community. Free. Hertz Concert Hall, College Ave & Bancroft Way, Berkeley. More information at Music. Berkeley.edu or AlamedaMagazine.com.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2 Climate Ride Meet & Greet | Oakland 6-7:30pm. At this meet and greet you’ll learn more about the event, and meet riders who have already done it. Bring your questions, your excitement and your friends to this fun, informational event. We will be serving light snacks and beverages. Please RSVP. Bike East Bay Office, 466 Water St, Oakland. 510-845-7433. If you have any questions contact, Volunteer@BikeEastBay.org. More information available and registration at BikeEastBay.org. Angelic Open & Shield Crown Chakre, Level 1 | 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. May also be arranged as private workshop. $75. To register call or email, 925-954-7908. Sun88@juno.com. Course descriptions at Spiritual-Initiations.com.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3 Concert at Unity of Tri-Valley | Dublin 7pm. Talented singer, songwriter, musicians David Deerfeeder and Dinah Chapman will be providing vocals and guitar, with piano accompaniment as well. Love offerings go to Unity of Tri-Valley’s ministry. Held at 7567 Amador Valley Blvd, Suite 108, Dublin. 925-829-2733. UnityOfTriValley.org.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4 Diablo Summit Stomp | Walnut Creek 7:45am. You decide how far you’re going to push yourself . 10K, 30K, 5K or half-marathon. All are welcome, even walkers and hikers for all distances. All of the courses are on trails. There are some hills at this event, so make sure you’re ready. Depending on the weather, there could also be mud and creek crossings possibly. Earlier start times for those who are hiking. If it’s your first race or you’re a seasoned runner, it will be a fun event for everyone! Fees vary. Castle Rock Park, 1700 Castle Rock Rd, Walnut Creek. For more information and to register, please go to BrazenRacing.com. Outdoor Boot Camp | Oakland 9am. Join in for a full-body cardio, core and strength workout. Instructor is from Flex Circuit Gym. Free. Piedmont Ave Elementary School Playground, 4314 Piedmont Ave, Oakland. More information at SF.FunCheap.com.

East Bay Area | NAEastBay.com

Breema: The Art of Being Present | Oakland 10-11:30am. In these classes you’ll learn Self-Breema exercises you can take home and practice to support presence and vitality in your day, and learn and exchange some Breema bodywork. This class continues on November 4. $10/first class is free. The Breema Center, 6076 Claremont Ave, Oakland. 510-428-0937. Breema.com.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5 2017 SoFi Golden Gate Half & 5K | San Francisco This event is so much more than a 13.1-mile run through the great city of San Francisco. Imagine having the opportunity to run across the infamous Golden Gate Bridge, an experience like no other, and who knows if you’ll ever have the chance to do it again? Far too much information to list, check out the website. $55-$299. Aquatic Park Waterfront, Aquatic Park Pier, San Francisco. More information and registration at Active.com. Holiday Kick-Off | Alameda 9am. Get ready to kick-off the holidays at this fast and fun race day. The run will be a looped course and is mostly flat, some dirt and some paved trail areas that show-off beautiful views of the San Francisco skyline and the bay bridge. Whether this is your first event or if you’re a seasoned runner, this is a perfect course! Don’t forget the post-race festivities consisting of music and food from various local vendors. This is sure to be a memorable event for all who attend. (Venue is a private club, no parking on premises. Street parking only.) $15-$40. Harbor Bay Isle Club, 200 Packet Landing Rd, Alameda. More information and registration available at Active.com. Beeswax Collage on Canvas | Berkeley 1-4pm. Using melted beeswax, mulberry paper, tissue and found images, you’ll create beautiful artwork on canvas. You may also bring in photocopies of drawings or quotes. $25/material fee, cash only due the day of class. Kala Art Institute 2990 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley. More information and registration at Active.com. Crystal Empowerment Workshop | 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. May also be arranged as private workshop. $40. To register call or email, 925-9547908. Sun88@juno.com. Course descriptions at Spiritual-Initiations.com.

demonstration and heart light attunement. Free. More information available at 925-954-7908. To register Sun88@juno.com. Course descriptions SpiritualInitiations.com.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8 AcroYoga Class | Berkeley 7:30-8:30pm. Come learn the skills, balance and art of acrobatic partner yoga. Using basic yoga poses, you’ll learn how to combine these poses into partner balancing and dynamic movements. No experience or partner needed. Free. Sports Basement, 2727 Milvia St, Berkeley. More information at SF.FunCheap.com.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9 Biketopia: Bike East Bay’s Winter Party & Fundraiser | Oakland 6:30-10pm. Get your friends, family, partner or whomever you choose, and join us to celebrate at Biketopia! At this fundraiser you’ll enjoy good eats, tasty brews, and a silent auction with 100-plus items donated by bike-friendly businesses. You can bid on weekend getaways, beer and wine tours and bike accessories. The proceeds enable Bike East Bay to continue building their network of bikeways and growing the bicycling community. $15-$45. The Impact Hub, 2323 Broadway, Oakland. Information and registration at BikeEastBay.org.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10 Community Breema | Oakland 3-5pm. Come and be refreshed! 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, NOVEMBER 11 Collect Yourself from the Past and Future | Oakland 10-11:30am. Breema supports us to be less subject to worry about the past or fear of the future. Those moments of being present while practicing Breema tell you, “This is how you are, and this is how you wish to be.” $10/first class is free. The Breema Center, 6076 Claremont Ave, Oakland. 510-428-0937. Breema.com.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16 Pineal Gland, Level 1 | Phone Workshop 7-9pm. Your pineal gland has many key metaphysical and spiritual functions. Clairvoyance, linking you to your higher-self, accessing advanced states of consciousness and more. Receive attunements to permanently heighten these functions of your pineal gland. May also be arranged as private workshop. $75. To register call or email, 925-954-7908. Sun88@juno. com. Course descriptions at Spiritual-Initiations.com.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17 SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19

Drisana (Tibetan/Mystery School) | Phone Lecture 7-8:30pm. Introduction to ancient, profound energy system of 30 attunements to work on etheric, emotional, mental and spiritual levels. Receive energy

ThetaHealing Advanced | Oakland 2-8pm. Friday. 10am-6pm. Saturday & Sunday. Continue deepening your ThetaHealing skills, clear rejections, regrets and resentments. Prerequisite ThetaHealing Basics. $550. Integrative Relational Energet-

ics Institute, Inc, 300 27th St, Ste 101, Oakland. More information or questions call 510-654-1405. Info@ IreInst.com. To register please visit IreiInst.com.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18 & SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19 Drisana, Level 1 Workshop | Walnut Creek 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 and spiritual. May also be arranged as private workshop. $350. To register call or email, 925-954-7908. Sun88@juno.com. Course descriptions at Spiritual-Initiations.com.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19 Vocal Performance | Oakland 1-3pm. With Moorea Dickason. Be ready to interact and work on your tunes with your BandWorks bands. Share your knowledge, wisdom and experience. It’s a workshop focused on the songs you’re singing, so bring a positive attitude and your willingness to participate and learn. $50. Oakland Studios, 623 3rd St, Oakland. More information at Active.com.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22 Oakland Zoo/Camp | Oakland The zoo is holding week-long summer camp programs as well as day camps during other school breaks. Some camp activities will be puppet play, craft projects, science activities and of course, the animals. Help your child discover nature and the outdoors. For information please write to the Oakland Zoo, P.O. Box 5238, Oakland, CA. Turkey Trot | San Leandro 8am. A great way to start Thanksgiving Day! The course is a loop that will return you to the lovely grassy meadow of the park. This event is open to all skill levels. Whether you walk, pace, jog, all are welcome, even kids can join in. After the race the personal trainers from The Inner Athlete will begin a stretching session. There will also be post-race festivities available, so don’t miss out on this great event! $45. San Leandro Marina Park, 14001 Monarch Bay Dr, San Leandro. More information is available and registration is at Active.com.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24 Candle Lit Labyrinth Walk & Live Music | Berkeley 6-7pm. Whether rain or shine, open to all ages, and all faiths. Since the ancient times the labyrinth is and was a form of meditation. Walking the path reminds us of the many turns life has in store for us, but we always end up at the center, and back to the beginning. Come see the candles lighting the path and listen to the variety of instruments that will inspire inner peace. Free. Grace North Church, 2138 Cedar St, Berkeley. More information at SF. FunCheap.com.

forget to wear your Thanksgiving-theme costumes, not only for the kids, but the adults may partake in the costumes as well. All walkers are also welcome. Quarry Turkey also supports the Alameda County Community Food Bank, and we ask the little turkeys to each bring a canned food item to the race. $49-$75. Quarry Lakes Regional Park, 2100 Isherwood Way, Fremont. All information and registration is at BrazenRacing.com. Collect Yourself from the Past and Future | Oakland 10-11:30am. Breema supports us to be less subject to worry about the past or fear of the future. Those moments of being present while practicing Breema tell you, “This is how you are, and this is how you wish to be.” $10/first class is free. The Breema Center, 6076 Claremont Ave, Oakland. 510-428-0937. Breema.com.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27 Breema Bodywork & Principles: Body Comfortable | Oakland 7-8:30pm. As we learn and practice Breema bodywork and Self-Breema, we have an ideal opportunity to become familiar with 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. Salsa Dura: Dance Party & Live Salsa Orchestra | Berkeley 8-11pm. Join Josh Jones and the La Peña. They play the songs from your favorite salsa artists, while you dance to that Latin beat. Arrive at 8pm and receive a free dance lesson! There’s more to do on Monday then watch football. $5. La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley. More information at SF.FunCheap.com.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29 Thanksgiving Mini-Camp | Emeryville 9am-6pm. Parents let your child or children ages 4-15, partake in this mini-camp session to keep them occupied over the Thanksgiving holiday break. This is the first time such a camp has ever been offered by the department. It is co-ed and will be fun-filled days of

arts and crafts, games, movies, cooking and so much more. Sorry, no internet registration. Rates start at $83. Emeryville Center of Community Life, 4727 San Pablo Ave, Emeryville. More information at Active.com.

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.

Reading is to the

mind what exercise is to the body. ~Joseph Addison

In our 2016 Readership Survey, readers responded.... 66% have been reading Natural Awakenings for more than 2 years 21% purchase from our advertisers between 1 and 3 times per month 34.2% share their monthly copy of our magazine with 2 or more additional readers 84.7% are female, 47.7% between 35 and 54 years of age 60% have one or more college degrees 88.1% purchase healthy or organic food 47.1% regularly attend spiritual or healing events 47.4% regularly attend exercise or fitness events

Call 925-557-7583 to place your ad

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25 Quarry Turkey | Fremont 7:40am. Half-marathon, 10K, 5K, and Little Turkeys Run! It doesn’t get any better than this when it comes to races! Make sure you bring the kids along for this one. A Little Turkeys Race, give-or-take 100 yards is free to any child brought with a race participant. Don’t

natural awakenings

November 2017

ongoingcalendar All Calendar events for the December issue must be received by November 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. 510451-8822. oaklandpeacecenter.org 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. 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

East Bay Area | NAEastBay.com

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. For more information please call, 510-577-3970. 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. Kundlini Meditation & Shakti Transmission | Walnut Creek 5-6pm. Class includes shakti transmission, guided meditation and discussion about spiritual practice. Kundalini meditation is an ancient tantric spiritual practice that allows us to experience our own direct, inner connection with the divine and integrate that awareness into daily life. Required intro for 1sttimers by appointment at 4:15pm. $10-20/class, sliding scale no one turned away for lack of funds. MDi Wellness Center, 325 N Wiget Lane, Ste 130, (off Ygnacio Valley Rd), Walnut Creek. 510-9172349. AMRita@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.

monday Radio Show-Life Insights Live, Personal Growth Radio | East Bay 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.

Presence in Touch & Movement | Oakland 7-8:30pm.This three-class series invites participants to explore a new relationship to the body, mind, and feelings through touch and movement, that can support body-mind connection, and being present in daily life. $10/first class is free. The Breema Center, 6076 Claremont Ave, Oakland. 510-428-0937. Breema.com. 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. Salsa Dura: Dance Party & Live Salsa Orchestra | Berkeley 8-11pm. Join us on the last Monday of every month. Come listen and dance with Josh Jones and the La Peña. They play the songs from your favorite salsa artists. Arrive at 8pm and receive a free dance lesson! $5. La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley. More information at SF.FunCheap.com.

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. Mindfulness Yoga Class at La Peña | Berkeley 10:30-11:45am. With instructor Jordanna Glueckauf. Wouldn’t you love to reduce your stress level and increase your focus? You can, and it’s easier than you think! Everyone is welcome. Please bring your own yoga mat, blanket and any other items that you like to use. Free. La Peña, Shattuck Ave, Berkeley. 510-849-2568. Lapeña.org. 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. Clarity WithSusan@gmail.com. ClarityWithSusan.com.

Explorations in Energy Psychology & Energy Medicine | Oakland 12:30-1:30pm. First class in November is on the 7th. Learn what energy psychology and energy medicine are, how they can benefit you and those you care about. Learn simple tools that can help get your life in balance and maintain it. Allow yourself to feel more alert and energized during the day and experience deeper, more restful, restorative sleep at night. Feel more confident in your day-to-day decisions and your life purpose. $5-$25/sliding scale. More information or questions call, 510-654-1405. Info@ IreInst.com. To register please visit IreiInst.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. 510-548-3333. EcologyCenter.org. 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 localtrails. Pace is moderate. Free. Lululemon, 1201-A South Main St, Walnut Creek. 925-274-1253. Lululemon.com/WalnutCreek. Spiritual Studies Group | Online 6:30-7:30pm. 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month via Skype. Study Esoteric Psychology Volume I, by Alice Bailey. Participants read at their own pace. Be prepared to share something you’ve read and how it affected you. Free. Learn more about it by contacting Janet at Janet.Myatt@ymail.com. Details at JanetMyatt.com. 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 locations. 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. Transcendental Meditation | Berkeley Noon. Learn about transcendental meditation. Berkeley TM Center, 950 Gilman St, #100, Berkeley. 510-872-2287. Berkeley@TM.org.

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.

thursday

Gentle Yoga | Oakland

Beginner Computer Class | Berkeley

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.

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.

Where Women Learn The Art And Soul Of Public Speaking | Livermore

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.

6-9pm. 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month. Come experience a safe community of women where you can explore your truths that your soul is waiting to express. Experience what it feels like to be seen and celebrated for your brilliance and for being your authentic self. Space is limited, must RSVP. $25. A private location in Livermore, upon registration you will receive address. Lia Venet, 510-381-5568. Lia_Venet@yahoo.com. WomanSpeak.com, WomanSpeak.SafeCHKOut.net/intro-l-venet. 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. 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. Acro Yoga Class | Berkeley 7:30-8:30pm. Every second Wednesday of the month. No previous experience necessary. Join us and learn the skills, balance and art of acrobatic partner yoga. Using basic yoga poses, learn how to combine them into partner balancing and dynamic movements. Free. Sports basement, 2727 Milvia St, Berkeley. 510-984-3907. East Bay Biodanza Class | 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

Yoga at Bishop Ranch 15 | San Ramon

Artisans Night | Dublin 4-8pm. This is not your typical farmers’ market with baked goods, festivities, locally grown produce and hot food for everyone to enjoy. Here we celebrate special events like free concerts, children’s activities, cooking demonstrations and local arts and crafts. Family-friendly atmosphere. Free/admission. Emerald Glen Park, 4201 Central Pkwy, Dublin. Frank Luna, 925-556-4506. DublinCA.gov. 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. Lake Merritt Oneness Blessing and Meditation | Oakland 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. Game Night | Berkeley 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.

natural awakenings

November 2017

Free. 924 Gilman St, Berkeley. Information and confirmation is available at 924GameNight@ gmail.com. Ballroom & Social Dance | Livermore 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. Artwalk | Alameda

most of all, fun! Free. Memorial Tabernacle Fellowship Hall, 5801 Racine St, Oakland. For more information please call, 510-652-4915. Grow@ MemorialTabernacle.org. Roller Boogie Street Jam | Oakland 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.

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.

Concert in the Park | Pleasanton

East Bay Biodanza Class | Berkeley

Drop-In Volleyball | Walnut Creek

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.

7-10pm. Open to the first 45 participants. $5. Tice Valley Community Gymnasium, 2055 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek. 925-256-3572. WalnutCreekRec.org.

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

East Bay Area | NAEastBay.com

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.

East Bay Bike Party | East Bay 7:30pm. Held on the second Friday of every month. A mobile party for riders of all ages, experience levels, and bike types, to meet, ride, and play together in the streets. Nearly 400 riders check the Bike Party website to find what East Bay BART station they will be meeting at. Every month is a different costume theme, so dress your best and bring some music too. Free. More information at FrSF.FunCheap.com.

saturday 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. Basement Pilates | Walnut Creek 9-10am. All levels welcome. Bring mat, towel and water for Pilates class by local instructor. Free. Sports Basement, 1881 Ygnacio Valley Rd, Walnut Creek. 925-941-6100. 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, 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 teaching you what you need to know. North Branch, 1170 The Alameda, Berkeley. More information at 510-981-6250. BerkeleyPublic Library.org. Bloomin’ Belly Flow Prenatal Yoga | Walnut Creek 11am-12:15pm. Bloom Retreat, 1444 S Main St, Walnut Creek. 925-939-6262. BloomRetreat.com. 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.

No person, no place and nothing has any power over us, for ‘we’ are the only thinkers in our mind. When we create peace and harmony and balance in our minds, we will find it in our lives. ~Louise L. Hay

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 5.

ALKALINE IONIZED WATER TAP INTO HEALTH

Elon Rosenthal 925-609-4426 TAPIntoHealth.com TheNewEraOfWater.org

Change your water, change your life. Treat your body to a 21-day trial of healthy alkaline Kangen water—the advanced Japanese technology. Experience deep hydration at the cellular level. Expel toxins and acidic waste. Improve immunity, digestion and elimination. Return the body to homeostasis. Neutralize free radicals. Improve your sleep, energy and compliment. See ad, page 6.

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.

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.

MICHAEL REHL, DC

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

BODY WORK THE BREEMA CENTER 6076 Claremont Avenue Oakland, CA 510-428-0937 Center@Breema.com Breema.com

healing process.

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 2.

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 13.

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.

natural awakenings

November 2017

ENERGY CLEARING ANGIE’S ENERGY READINGS Angie Lambert Pleasant Hill, CA 925-330-0116 AngiesReadings319@gmail.com AngiesEnergyReadings.com

As an Energy Reader, my work is to release unresolved, stuck energy while working directly with Spirit and your High Self. Energy clearing can help shift and balance mental, emotional and physical blocks from your present life and also release negative energies from your past lives.

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.

HERBAL MEDICINE ANCIENT TRADITIONS HEALING Erin Massengale 624 Ferry St. Martinez, 94553 925-725-1067

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.

With the new day

comes new strength and new thoughts. ~Eleanor Roosevelt

HOLISTIC COUNSELING & GRIEF RECOVERY 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 began in March. Call me for a free initial 30-minute consultation. (See calendar items on Mondays and Saturdays.)

East Bay Area | NAEastBay.com

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 19.

HOLISTIC VETERINARIAN 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 medicine, homeopathy, Bioresonance therapy, nutrition, flower essences and laser therapy. Our treatments address the whole animal and the root cause of disease, not just the symptoms.

Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough. ~Oprah Winfrey

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.

NEW ERA DENTISTRY

HOMEOPATHY PAIN RELIEF AUNT ALBERTA’S REMEDY

Homeopathic Pain Relief Cream 973-715-9097 AlbertasPainRelief.com Try Aunt Alberta’s Remedy to ease joint and muscular aches and pains from sciatica, gout, arthritis, neuralgia, fibromyalgia and more. Great buy! Get a 4 oz. jar for $15. See website for more optoins. All natural ingredients! Refer a friend and get 10% off your purchase. Read what people are saying about Aunt Alberta’s Remedy at our website.

HYPNOTHERAPY ARLENE THOMPSON CLINICAL HYPNOTHERAPIST, C.HT., M.ED. 925-485-7997 Pleasanton Arlene_Thompson@att.net ThompsonHypnotherapy.com

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. Free initial phone consultation.

SOMATIC THERAPIST NEAL WINBLAD, MFT, SEP

JANET MYATT, MA

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

See ad, page 16.

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 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 of 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.

I’m just someone who likes cooking and for whom sharing food is a form of expression. ~Maya Angelou

SPIRITUAL TEACHING

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.

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.

WELLNESS CENTER PLEASANTON FAMILY WELLNESS CENTER

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 of 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.

To begin, begin. ~William Wordsworth natural awakenings

November 2017

“TV•Ears saved our marriage!”

New Special Offer! TM

The Doctor Recommended TV•EARS® headset has helped millions of people hear television dialog clearly while eliminating concerns about loud volume or the need to buy expensive hearing aids. Put on your TV•Ears headset and turn it up as loud as you want while others listen to the television at a comfortable volume. You can even put the TV on mute and listen through the headset only. Others in the room won’t hear a thing, but we guarantee you will. Imagine watching television with your family again without fighting over the TV volume or listening in private while a loved one sleeps or reads. As thousands of our customers have said, “TV•Ears has

Adjustable Foam Tips

changed our lives!” Voice Clarifying Circuitry® The TV•Ears headset contains proprietary Voice Clarifying Circuitry that automatically adjusts the audio curve to increase the clarity of television dialog while decreasing the volume of background sounds such as music and sound effects. The words seem to jump out of the audio track, Transmitter/Charger making even whispers and accents understandable.

Pat and Shirley Boone Happily married over 60 years! “I can watch TV as loud as I want without disturbing my wife. The dialog is clear and it’s good to hear my favorite shows again!” — Pat Boone, Singer/Songwriter

120dB Volume

Adjustable Tone

Fast, Safe and Simple. TV•Ears transmitters use Speed of Light Infrared Technology™ (SoLIT) to send the television’s audio to the headset. Unlike slower Bluetooth or Radio Frequency, SoLIT does not need to be paired or adjusted, is completely safe with pacemakers, and will not interfere with your telephone. Twice the Power with 120 decibels. The TV•Ears headsets are classified as “Assistive Listening Devices” for hearing-impaired individuals. This special designation permits the TV•Ears headset to have twice the maximum volume compared to all other wireless headsets.

Voice Clarifying TV•Ears Headset

“My wife and I have used the TV•Ears headset almost daily for many years and find them an invaluable help in our enjoyment of television. We would not be without them. As a retired Otologist, I heartily recommend them to people with or without hearing loss.” — Robert Forbes, M.D., California

TV Ears Original™......$129.95 Special Offer

Now $59.95 +s&h For fastest service, call toll-free between 6am and 6pm PST Monday through Friday.

1-800-379-7832 or visit

www.tvears.com Please mention Promotion Code 35839

30-day risk free trial

Over 2 million satisfied users since 1998 TV dialog is clear and understandable Works better than hearing aids

Voice Clarifying Products