September 2020 Natural Awakenings Gulf Coast AL/MS

EE H E A L T H Y L I V I N G R F

HEALTHY PLANET

THE YOGA ISSUE PLUS: Emotional Well-Being and Flavorful Herbs for Health

September 2020 | Gulf Coast AL/MS Edition | HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Discover how I lost 58 pounds and got my life back.

Hypnosis ended my struggle with weight.

Candace after weight loss.

Size 4

FRUSTRATION ENDED.

I had been to gym programs. I tried dieting. I even ordered videos.

Nothing lasted. Now I am in a size 4 and this program is completely the reason why. My search stopped here.

I saw the ad for hypnosis and called to make the appointment for the free screening. I figured, what have I got to lose? I knew it was the right place immediately when I got there. They showed me other people like me who had succeeded on the program. It was fun and I learned a lot.

Motivation is possible. I understood how this would work for me.

Candace before.

Size 16

Call for your FREE screening:

251-274-THIN 22622 B Hwy 59 S | Robertsdale, AL | robertsdalehypnosis.com 2

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

The Health Hut Mobile

680 S. Schillinger Rd. 251-633-0485

Daphne

6845 Hwy 90 251-621-1865

www.healthhutal.com

HAVE YOU TRIED ADAPTOGENS FOR STRESS & FATIGUE?

Early detection can mean life.

Breast thermography is one of the easiest and safest methods for spotting inflammation, a major precursor to disease. It offers earlier detection of breast disease than self examination, doctor examination or mammography.

Overall Health Begins in the Gut. Ashwagandha•Astragalus•Cordyceps•Eleuthero Holy Basil•Rhodiola•Ginseng•Turmeric

NON-INVASIVE | RADIATION-FREE | HIGHLY EFFECTIVE NO COMPRESSION | FDA REGISTERED

Thermography Advantage

Mobile & Foley, AL | Pensacola & Destin, FL | Brandon & Hattiesburg, MS | Covington, LA

Carolyn Olson, Founder and Certified Clinical Thermographer

Come see us at The Health Hut to learn more.

CALL US TODAY: 251-623-2225 Learn more at ThermographyAdvantage.com

HOMEGROWN & FAMILY-OWNED IN LOWER ALABAMA SINCE 1975

Fairhope Health Foods | 251-928-0644

280 Eastern Shore Shopping Center in Fairhope

Virginia’s Health Foods | 251-479-3952 3055 A Dauphin Street in Mobile

VA-FairhopeHealthFoods.com Delicious, organic dining experience with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairyfree options. Catering available.

Fairhope Cafe: 251-929-0055

Located next door to Fairhope Health Foods Mon-Sat 10:30am-4pm; Sunday Brunch 10:30am-2pm

Mobile Cafe: 251-479-3200

Located inside Virginia’s Health Foods in Mobile Mon-Sat 10:30am-4pm; Sunday 11am-2pm

september specials

20% OFF

Solaray, Terry Naturally, Heritage Store, Nordic Naturals, Garden of Life & New Chapter products.

Plus 15% off all non-sale supplements every Sunday!

September 2020

3

Contents 28 16 DIVERSITY ON THE MAT Local Yoga Teachers Leading the Way

22 YOGA FOR EVERY BODY

Adaptive Ways Ease Pain and Immobility

24 EMOTIONAL

WELL-BEING IN THE PANDEMIC AGE

Self-Care Strategies for Tough Times

32

28 SPICE UP HEALTH

Using Herbs for Flavor and Medicine

32 NATURAL ANTIVIRALS Help in Staying Strong and Healthy

34 CARS GO VEGAN

Leather Interiors are on the Way Out

36 HAPPINESS HELPERS Five Ways to Be More Positive

DEPARTMENTS 7 news briefs 11 health briefs 12 global briefs 14 yoga briefs 16 diverse

conversations 22 fit body 24 feature 4

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

34

28 conscious

eating 32 healing ways 34 green living 36 inspiration 37 calendar 39 classifieds 40 directory

Natural Awakenings is a family of nearly 60 healthy living magazines celebrating 26 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

Does someone you know struggle with

MEMORY LOSS or DEMENTIA?

16 We can help.

24

36

Cutting-Edge | Non-Invasive | Drug-Free Our unique approach is non-invasive and has helped dementia patients that originally scored in the teens on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment be restored to the point of scoring normal (26-30) on the same assessment.

Contact us today to schedule a comprehensive neurological evaluation (includes Quantitative EEG) to identify the potential for brain pathway improvement. Once a treatment program is put in place, many patients see notable improvements within a few weeks, but the benefits can last a lifetime.

ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 251-990-9552 or email Publisher@HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com. Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month prior to the month of publication.

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Publisher@ HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com. Deadline for editorial: the 5th of the month prior to the month of publication.

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Submit dated and ongoing calendar events online at HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com. Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month prior to the month of publication.

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 239-434-9392. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakenings.com.

Treating a range of brain disorders including Dementia | Depression | Brain Injuries | ADHD

Dr. J Douglas Brown DC DACNB, Board Certified Neurology-Chiropractic Dr. Brown is one of only a few functional neurologists in the U.S. providing brain pathway activation therapy in conjunction with deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and Bredesen’s science-based nutritional program.

Call today:

251-597-8787

MindPerformanceCenter.com 240 West Laurel Avenue, Foley, AL (Located inside Path To Wellness)

September 2020

5

letter from publisher

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

Savasana (the final resting pose of a yoga class) is my favorite yoga pose.

It’s what gets me on my mat every day. I love the physicality of a flowing sequence, a long headstand or an invigorating Kundalini kriya, but my mind and body crave the stillness of savasana most. Although it looks like nap time on the floor, it is a very powerful experience to be still and quiet the mind as the body integrates the benefits of the physical practice.

While working on our tenth annual Yoga Issue, I spoke to the four teachers featured on this month’s cover about their own practice and the local yoga scene. They too seemed deeply connected to the quieter aspects of a serious yoga practice. Although initially drawn to the physical benefits to heal pain, gain flexibility and build strength, they all wanted to talk most about the mental and spiritual growth they have experienced.

Yoga teaches us that we are all connected. When we recognize that everyone is working through their own journey shaped by a unique set of experiences, we can learn to accept our differences instead of judge them. Not only does this help us move more gracefully through divisive times, it boosts our own mood and brightens our outlook on life.

This issue includes other ways to keep our spirits high such as the self-care strategies in “Emotional Well-Being in the Pandemic Age” and five ways to be more positive in “Happiness Helpers”. If you want to improve your health and your cooking skills, read “Spice Up Health” to learn how to incorporate medicinal herbs into delicious recipes.

And whether you’re an experienced yogi or new to the mat, make sure you explore the annual yoga section. Get to know some of the local studios, learn about the gentle ways of adaptive yoga and hear how four teachers are amplifying diversity in the Gulf Coast yoga community.

When you’re finished reading this month’s content, I encourage you to give yourself permission to be still for 15 minutes. Lie on your back in savasana and feel the weight of your body surrender to the floor beneath you. Do a mental scan from your toes to the top of your head as you try to melt away any tension that remains. Focus on your breath, soften the creases in your forehead and allow your thoughts to float by. Feel the heaviness of your limbs turn weightless and experience the power of stillness. As you gently awaken to your physical space, harness that sense of clarity as you move through the rest of your day, and know that this peaceful place is always just a few breaths away.

Namaste,

GULF COAST EDITION PUBLISHER Meredith Montgomery

EDITING TEAM Michelle Bense Josh Montgomery Anne Wilson Michael Wilson LAYOUT Gabrielle W-Perillo

DISTRIBUTION MGR. Stephanie Klumpp

CONTACT US P.O. Box 725, Fairhope, AL 36533 Ph: 251-990-9552 HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com Publisher@HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscribe to the free digital magazine at HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com. Mailed subscriptions are available by sending $29 (for 12 issues) to the above address.

NATIONAL TEAM

CEO/Founder Sharon Bruckman COO/Franchise Sales Joe Dunne

Art Director Josh Pope

Layout & Design Gabrielle W-Perillo

Financial Manager Yolanda Shebert Asst. Director of Ops Heather Gibbs Digital Content Director Rachael Oppy National Advertising Lisa Doyle-Mitchell Administrative Assistant Anne-Marie Ryan Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 4933 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 203 Naples, FL 34103 Ph: 239-434-9392 • Fax: 239-434-9513 NaturalAwakeningsMag.com © 2020 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. 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.

Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.

Natural Awakenings Magazine is ranked 5th Nationally in CISION’S® 2016 Top 10 Health & Fitness Magazines

Natural Awakenings is printed on recyclable newsprint.

6

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

news briefs

Mobile’s Salt Cave is Therapeutic for Respiratory Issues Above and Beyond Yoga and Salt Therapy is offering Natural Awakenings readers a free salt therapy session ($30 value) with the purchase of five. “It’s a way for us to contribute to the health, calm and well-being of the community during times of uncertainty,” say owners Jake and Shoshana Treichel.

As the first Himalayan salt cave and halogenerator in Mobile, Above and Beyond offers dry salt therapy, or halo-therapy, to remove toxicity from the respiratory system, improve skin appearance and boost the immune system without harmful effects. This natural and relaxing therapy has no side effects and is available to both adults and children.

According to the Treichels, scientific research reveals that halo-therapy is beneficial for COVID-related issues because inhaled dry salt particles have bactericide, mucokinetic, hydrophilic and anti-inflammatory properties, which may reduce inflammation in the entire respiratory tract and widen the airway passages. “We’ve had doctors sending postCOVID patients to us for halo-therapy to help their recovery process. And we see clients coming in for preventative measures as well,” says Shoshana.

Other conditions that may be managed with salt therapy include asthma, bronchitis, colds and flu, sinus infections, COPD, cystic fibrosis, ear infections, sleeping problems, anxiety and fatigue, plus many skin conditions such as psoriscis, eczema and acne.

For more information, visit ABHotYoga.com. See ads, pages 21 and 25.

Integrative Medicine Practice Accepting New Patients Functional Medicine Practitioner Tara McLellan is accepting new patients for in-person appointments and televisits at her Daphne practice, Integrative Healthcare of Lower Alabama. Integrative medicine blends traditional western medicine with science-based and evidence-based functional medicine to discover and treat the underlying causes of disease and chronic illness.

In addition to treating existing conditions, Integrative Healthcare of Lower Alabama also works to prevent illness from occurring. “During this pandemic, many of us are wondering what else we can do to stay healthy. There are many simple lifestyle interventions and over-the-counter supplements that can amplify our immunity,” says McLellan, who has been a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner for more than 10 years. “Medications are often just a bandaid. Most of the time we can address lifestyle, genetic and Tara McLellan environmental factors and help a person heal from within.”

Initial appointments last two hours because McLellan believes a genuine collaboration between the patient and provider is paramount to finding true health of not only the body, but also the mind and soul. “We strive to help you improve your quality of life, achieve your wellness goals, and heal your body to live your best life possible.”

about the cover In celebration of National Yoga Month, Natural Awakenings teamed up with local photographer Ambreia Turner (AmbreiaArtistry.com) for a photo shoot in downtown Mobile with four African American yoga teachers (who are also the subjects of this month's Diverse Conversations article).

“As a black woman, who enjoys a holistic lifestyle and strives to maintain a healthy lifestyle, it was exciting to capture women who value wellness. Especially women who practice and teach yoga, creating space for their community members to grow, heal and become rooted in the practice as well. It felt like a mini retreat—there was so much joy and humility on location that day,” says Turner, who specializes in modern maternity, newborn and motherhood portraits.

Featured on the cover of this tenth annual September Yoga Issue is Gulfport yoga teacher and owner of The Soular Yogi, LaToya BassBarnes, and Mobile teachers Nikki Grayson, who teaches private and corporate yoga; LaSarah Deshauteurs, a teacher at Synergy Yoga & Pilates; and Jacqueline Johnson a teacher at Above and Beyond Yoga.

For more photos from the shoot, see pages 16 to 19 and 22.

Location: 28720 US-98 #2, Daphne, AL. For more information, call 251-210-8615 or visit AlabamaIntegrativeHealth.com. See ad, page 35.

September 2020

7

Grandman Goes Virtual

Human touch can play a critical role in maintaining mental and emotional wellness during stressful times.

“Massage therapists strive constantly to break the stigma that massage is just a luxury or a bit of self-indulgence,” says Jennifer Adams, a licensed massage therapist and owner of Jubilee Healing Arts in Daphne. “It’s definitely a feelgood experience, but scientific research has proven that massage has many mental and emotional benefits as well.”

One study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience found that massage increases the amount of serotonin and dopamine in the bloodstream by about 30 percent. Another study showed that after having a connective tissue massage, volunteers’ endorphins (which relieve pain and improve mood) increased by almost 20 percent.

Additionally, numerous studies have shown that massage increases oxytocin, a hormone which enhances feelings of belonging and bonding, a sense of trust and stability and the ability to socialize. Research from 2010 found that individuals had lower levels of cortisol and higher counts of white blood cells after receiving massage, indicating that regular sessions over extended periods of time can boost the immune system, reduce blood pressure and improve weight loss.

The Board of Directors of Mobile Baykeeper has determined that it is in the best interest of the community at large to transition the 2020 Publix Grandman Triathlon to a virtual race, held September 19 to 26.

“We understand you might think virtual races are silly, but joining virtually means you support Mobile Baykeeper’s mission for clean water, clean air and healthy communities,” says Casi Callaway, Race Director for the triathlon and Executive Director & Baykeeper of Mobile Baykeeper. “We simply cannot fund programs like water quality monitoring, environmental education and urgent campaigns like coal ash without the support of our Grandman racers.”

The race typically consists of a 1/3mile swim in Mobile Bay, an 18.6-mile bike through downtown Fairhope and a 3.1-mile run along the Bay. For the virtual version, triathlete and Race Coordinator Meredith Diskin is developing a selection of suggested courses, including the original Grandman course, where staff will set up buoys for both Saturdays of the virtual race.

To entice more people to participate, the swag bags got upgraded to include the typical racer tech T-shirt and finisher's medal, as well as discounts and gift certificates from several sponsors including Publix, Fleet Feet, Runnin’ Wild, Run-N-Tri, OM Personal Training and more. Winners will still receive the same first place prizes as in the full race – including a night at the Grand Hotel for top male and female finishers and the signature Grandman handmade tiles from Anne Webb Pottery.

rido/AdobeStock.com

Boost Emotional and Mental Health with Massage

To schedule a therapeutic massage, call 251-616-4201 or visit JubileeHealingArts.com.

See ad, page 25.

Vitamin C Therapy Offers Many Benefits Intravenous (IV) infusions of Vitamin C can possibly reverse some of the damage caused by infections. Because it has few side effects, Vitamin C may be a safer option than riskier treatments. enrG-IV, in Orange Beach, offers medium and high dose Vitamin C nutritional therapy in their spa-like IV lounge and functional medicine clinic.

IV nutrition administers vitamins, minerals and other nutrients directly into the bloodstream through an IV drip.

Because it bypasses digestion, nutrients are completely absorbed, resulting in faster, longer lasting relief. “You only absorb 20 percent of anything you take in orally, but you absorb 100 percent of what you get by IV. This saturates the cells with nutrition and feeds mitochondria,” says enrG-IV owner and registered nurse Janet Baker.

Vitamin C is antimicrobial, it supports the immune system and as an antioxidant it can help fight inflammation and the damage caused by the body’s disease-fighting process.

It is also included in enrG-IV’s anti-aging cocktail because it can build collagen from the inside out and help decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Other benefits include more energy, improved microcirculation and stress relief. All of enrG-IV’s cocktails are preservative free and sessions last 20 to 60 minutes.

For more information, call 251-273-1323 or visit enrGIV.com. See ad, page 29.

8

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

For more information, visit TheGrandman.com.

Free Hearing Evaluations in September Offering veterinary acupuncture and end-of-life care in the comfort of home.

EverLoved offers in-home acupuncture for all age pets as well as compassionate and comprehensive care for geriatric and terminally-ill patients.

As an essential businesses we’ve adopted extensive sanitation protocols to protect the health of each household we serve. Find us on Facebook for details!

Lydia M. Sullivan, DVM, CCRP, CVMA

Serving Mobile and the Eastern Shore

Learn more today: 251-229-1043

EverLovedVeterinary.com

Dr. Emily Domingue One in three people over the age of 65 live with hearing loss, which has been linked to cognitive decline. Annual hearing checks are important, and Nautilus Hearing Audiology Clinic in Spanish Fort is kicking off the beginning of fall by offering free hearing evaluations for the month of September.

During evaluation appointments, owner Dr. Emily Domingue, Au.D., CCC-A reviews the patient’s case history, checks ears for wax or debris and administers the hearing exam. Results of the exam are reviewed with the patient and Domingue makes recommendations that will be the best fit for the patient’s hearing journey.

Nautilus Hearing specializes in personalized patient care and Domingue understands the importance of spending time with patients and listening to their unique needs. She says, “Life is a journey; Nautilus Hearing is here to make sure you are enjoying the soundtrack.”

For more information, call 251-250-7343 or visit NautilusHearingSpanishFort.com. See “Audiology” listing, page 40.

TRADITIONAL PHARMACY SERVICES + ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS

We’re not your average pharmacy...

We offer traditional pharmacy services while embracing alternative solutions that are frequently overlooked or dismissed by traditional pharmacy settings. We care for you like family and we treat you like a person, not a prescription.

-Owners Dr. Sarah Siefert & Dr. Christina Bond •Wellness-focused environment •Convenient drive-thru •Insurance accepted •High-quality supplements + CBD •Local honey & elderberry •Art, gifts and more!

Call to transfer your prescriptions today: 251-206-8999 28720 US Hwy. 98, Ste 2 | Daphne, AL Mon-Fri 8:30-5:30 | ByTheBayPharmacy.com

$5 OFF

purchase of $30 or more.

Expires 10/15/20.

September 2020

9

Work from anywhere and love what you do.

Are you creative, driven & passionate about healthy living?

We are looking for the next Natural Awakenings publisher—the connector, the change maker, the motivated individual who wants to make a difference in our community.

This is more than a job, it’s a life-changing opportunity to inspire others to make choices that benefit themselves and the world around them.

And you’ll have fun while you’re doing it!

The Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi edition is for sale. This is a profitable, established, home-based business that provides extensive training and ongoing support. No previous publishing experience is required.

10

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

The time is now.

Learn more today:

251-990-9552 HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

health briefs

Learn to love cooking.

Consider Therapy to Reduce Inflammation

cottonbro/Pexels.com

In exploring the mind-body link that is particularly relevant during the current pandemic, an analysis of 56 randomized clinical studies found that cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and similar approaches reduced inflammation and enhanced immunity in subjects, reports JAMA Psychiatry. University of California, Davis, researchers reviewed studies that included 4,060 participants undergoing behavior therapy (which seeks to help patients understand and change problematic behaviors), cognitive therapy (which teaches patients how to change negative thoughts or mindset), CBT (that combines elements of both), bereavement or supportive therapy, psychoeducation and other therapies such as stress management. Those that received these psychosocial interventions experienced a 14.7 percent increase in positive immune outcomes such as lower viral load and an 18 percent decrease in negative outcomes, including proinflammatory cytokines, compared with those not receiving therapy. The immunity improvements were strongest among patients that received CBT or multiple interventions.

Reduce PFAS Exposure to Help Delay Menopause

Kristin Alpine, RN, BSN

Private classes make cooking fun for individuals, couples & small groups!

Plus Free Online Recipes & Videos

wildflowersfreshfood.com 251.656.9112

You have to motivate yourself with challenges. That’s how you know you’re still alive. ~Jerry Seinfeld

Headache? We can help.

cookerking/Unsplash.com

Exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS)—“forever chemicals” often found in non-stick cookware, food packaging and contaminated water—may cause menopause to occur two years earlier in women, according to a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. University of Michigan scientists tracked more than 1,100 women for an average of 17 years and found that those with higher levels of the chemical in their blood experienced menopause an average of two years earlier than those with lower levels. “Even menopause a few years earlier than usual could have a significant impact on cardiovascular and bone health, quality of life and overall health in general among women,” says co-author Sung Kyun Park.

Family Care Acupuncture A Classical Acupuncture Clinic in Mobile, Alabama

General Wellness • Pain Management • Anxiety Stress Relief • Digestive Issues • Fibromyalgia Immune System Support • Weight Loss • Addiction Sports Injury • Fertility • And so much more

251-644-4127

6925 Cottage Hill R, Ste. C, Mobile, AL

FamilyCareAcupuncture.com

September 2020

11

Starchy Solution

global briefs

A Plant-Based Alternative to Plastic

vegefox.com/AdobeStock.com

Keeping Half the Earth Natural

A study led by the National Geographic Society and the University of California (UC), Davis, published in the journal Global Change Biology compared four recent global maps of the conversion of natural lands to anthropogenic (human activity) land uses. It concluded that if we act quickly and decisively, there is an opportunity to conserve about half of the planet’s ice-free land. The developed half includes cities, croplands, ranches and mines.

The authors note that areas having low human influence do not necessarily exclude people, livestock or sustainable management of resources. A balanced conservation response that addresses land sovereignty and weighs agriculture, settlement or other resource needs with the protection of ecosystem services and biodiversity is essential. Approximately 15 percent of the Earth’s land surface and 10 percent of the oceans are currently protected in some form.

Lead author Jason Riggio, a postdoctoral scholar at the UC Davis Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology, says, “The encouraging takeaway from this study is that if we act quickly and decisively, there is a slim window in which we can still conserve roughly half of Earth’s land in a relatively intact state.”

12

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

Japanese manufacturer Kuraray has introduced a renewable and sustainable starch-based barrier film called Plantic. The plant-based packaging material can be recycled or composted to achieve a circular product cycle. Conventional packaging made from multiple layers of plastic can cause recovery issues, and perishable food imposes unique demands on wrapping. Plantic packaging washes away or decomposes after use. It includes compostable coffee pouches, as well as a barrier layer to package meat, seafood and poultry products with continuous protection against oxygen and other gases that spoil food. The Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that one-third of all produced food is wasted in the supply chain.

Drawdown Direction Nurses Stand Up Against Climate Change

Nurses, the most numerous and trusted health profession in the world, have organized the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments and partnered with Project Drawdown to significantly impact climate change. Together, they are working to help decrease greenhouse gas emissions and create a healthier future for humans and the planet. Nurses from all specialties and in all practice settings are encouraged to take action in four key areas.

Energy: Supporting a clean energy future by promoting energy efficiency and advocating for a transition to renewable energy.

Food: Committing to a plant-based diet, use of clean cook stoves and reduced food waste.

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Mobility: Supporting bike infrastructure, walkable cities and mass transit.

Gender equity: Educating girls and family planning.

Nature-based solutions: Planting trees, protecting tropical forests and forest protection.

Founded in 2014, nonprofit Project Drawdown seeks to help the world reach “drawdown”, the point in time when levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere stop climbing and start to steadily decline.

For upcoming events, visit Drawdown.org.

anna shvets fr/ Pexels.com

Planetary Planning

Rolfing® is a holistic approach

that resolves physical discomfort, releases tension and alleviates pain while restoring flexibility and enhancing energy.

SKINCARE ANTI-AGING BODY CARE MAKE-UP SUPPORT YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM with clean, safe, highly effective products.

PREBIOTIC/PROBIOTIC BASED & MICROBIOME FRIENDLY with ZERO HARMFUL INGREDIENTS Products are free of gluten, parabens, sulfates, phthalates & synthetic fragrances.

Pam Reaves, Certified Rolfer™ 706-681-2935 EasternShoreRolfing.com

Karen Watson

TruAura Beauty Consultant Based in Daphne, Serving the Gulf Coast TruAuraBeauty.com/trubeauty4u

WE’VE MOVED! Make an appointment at our larger location today!

davidtroeger/Unsplash.com

22806 HWY 98, FAIRHOPE, AL

Tasty Trap

Sea Turtles Attracted to Deadly Ocean Plastic

Loggerhead turtles may think they’re biting into a favorite food when they encounter some synthetics, a study of 15 turtles in the journal Current Biology posits. Ocean plastic is often covered with algae and other marine organisms (biofouled), making it smell delicious to them. At least 1,000 die every year because they swallow plastic or get tangled up in it. Exposed to different odors in the lab, the loggerheads responded to the smell of turtle food, distilled water, clean plastic and biofouled plastic. The team found that the turtles had similar responses to biofouled plastic as to their normal food.

Kayla Goforth, a Ph.D. student in biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who worked on the study, says, “So they have to come up to breathe. And we know that they can detect airborne odors. So when they find that there’s an odor of interest in the air, they’ll spend an increased amount of time at the surface with their nostrils out of the water. And we found that the turtles spent more time with their nostrils out of the water when there was this biofouled plastic odor or a food odor.”

256-508-0389

S U S TA I N A B L E INVESTING DO WELL WHILE DOING GOOD

Chesley Allegri

Jacey Cosentino

Financial Advisor

Financial Advisor

251.470.1081

850.470.8033

11 N Water St, Ste 16290 Mobile, AL 36602 • 850 S Palafox St, Ste 200 Pensacola, FL 32502

The returns on a portfolio consisting primarily of Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) aware investments may be lower or higher than a portfolio that is more diversified or where decisions are based solely on investment considerations. Because ESG criteria exclude some investments, investors may not be able to take advantage of the same opportunities or market trends as investors that do not use such criteria. The appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor’s individual circumstances and objectives.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC3017596 4/20

Less Fat, More You! Feel great and let go of insecurities...

That’s the power of Cryoskin.

schedule your free consultation.

Cryoskin is a revolutionary machine from europe that destroys fat cells permanently. No suction, No surgery.

Just incredible results in 30 minutes.

Call 251-459-0500 today!

9037 Independence Ave, Ste A2, Daphne, AL DynamicTherapeutics.net

September 2020

13

yoga briefs

Yoga Studio Glows with the Flow Just as yoga teaches practitioners to welcome and gain wisdom from challenges, Glow Yoga is adapting and evolving to make the most of these unfamiliar times. “We’re being forced into new ways of doing things, and if we just ‘glow with the flow’ while keeping an open mind, these changes will make us even better in the future,” says owner Jennifer Guthrie.

For example, the two large studio spaces at Glow’s Gulf Shores location are now one massive space allowing for students to spread out confidently. Quarantine also gave the studio owners time and motivation to build a gorgeous outdoor studio and create a new virtual platform that is launching this month.

Before the pandemic, students at Glow were used to packed classes where the physical space was shared intimately. “That closeness created a community connection that many of our traveling students say they have never experienced before,” Guthrie says. “Fortunately, it is not just the proximity of our mats that create connection. As we are socially distancing in class we know that this strange time is actually bringing us all closer together. And after months of consistent uncertainty, the connection and community that a yoga studio provides is more critical to our well-being than ever before.”

For more information, call 251-968-4569 or visit Glow-Yoga.com.

See ad, page 21.

Soul Shine Yoga Offers Teacher Training in Virtual Format Soul Shine Yoga School (SSYS), a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga School, is entering its sixth year and offering a 200-hour teacher training beginning this month. Training is open to dedicated yoga practitioners who desire to inspire and be inspired through the transformative practice of yoga. Emily Sommerville, E-RYT 200, YACEP will lead the curriculum with support from the entire community of Soul Shine Yoga teachers.

“We believe that our world needs yoga now more than ever and we want to make our training accessible to all who want to deepen their knowledge and practice. Thankfully, Yoga Alliance is offering us the flexibility to continue our training virtually through the end of 2020,” says Sommerville. “We’re excited to embrace this new format and move forward in building our online yoga community with students locally and around the world.”

The Soul Shine 200-hour program provides a supportive and nurturing environment that fosters a sense of togetherness among the program’s participants, allowing them to meet personal growth goals while gaining a deeper understanding of yoga history, philosophy and the physical postures.

For more information or an application, visit TheSoulShineLife. com. See ads, pages 21 and back cover.

Yoga Classes Raise Awareness of Human Trafficking Two local organizations, Little Tree Project and Walking Gospel, are partnering to not only raise funds and awareness for the fight against modern slavery, but to also teach the healing practice of yoga.

Little Tree Project is an anti-trafficking organization launching its trauma-informed aftercare and residential program for survivors of human trafficking in Baldwin County, Alabama. Their mission is to provide hope, purpose and healing to survivors through its survivor-driven and solutionbased model. With a holistic approach encompassing prevention, awareness, rehabilitation and restoration, Little Tree Project will bring a lasting change to the ever-present local issue of human trafficking.

Walking Gospel’s mission is to walk the gospel in culturally relevant ways.

Founder Kara Palmer believes yoga is a pathway of healing and a powerful union of the mind, body and spirit to God. Every first and third Saturday of the month, Palmer and Susan Bordenkircher offer Walking Gospel Yoga classes to raise funds for Little Tree Project’s cause. Classes begin at 9 a.m. above the bluff at the Fairhope Pier, where there is space for social distancing and the suggested donation is $10. The sequencing is gentle and beginners are welcome.

For more information, call 251-283-2810, visit TheLittleTreeProject.org or find @_littletreeproject on social media.

14

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Daphne Yoga Studio Raises Awareness for Suicide Prevention True Yoga and Therapy, in Daphne, is observing National Suicide Prevention Month throughout September by raising awareness for mental health issues in our community. From September 6 to 12, True will donate a portion of proceeds from all instore yoga accessory sales to National Suicide Prevention. Donations will also be accepted throughout the month to benefit this worthy cause.

Donation-based Suicide Prevention Workshops will be held at True on September 11 and 12, where topics of discussion will include statistics, risk factors, warning signs, how to help and how to seek help for self, minors and others. Each workshop will conclude with a beginner-friendly yoga class to help attendees feel more connected and balanced within their own body and mind. There is no registration fee but a donation (of any amount) for National Suicide Prevention is requested.

Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S. and the second leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 24. Studio Owner Sydney Wasdin, an Associate Licensed Counselor, National Board Certified Counselor and certified yoga teacher, says, “In Alabama, our suicide rate has been consistently above the national mean since 1990. It is both a national and state health crisis and unfortunately, it’s one we don’t talk enough about because it is still heavily stigmatized.”

Yoga for Daily Relief from Thrive Using multiple styles of yoga and massage techniques, Billie Reinhart with Thrive Yoga & Massage, in Fairhope, specializes in individualized sessions for pain relief and other therapeutic needs.

“Private yoga sessions can provide a self-care plan for someone to follow in the comfort of their own home. With a few daily postures for everyday stress and pain relief, most plans can be simple and can be done even in a time crunch,” Reinhart says.

For example, she suggests the following restorative sequence of “legs up the wall” poses for headaches or low back pain. Lay on the floor with hips 6 inches from the wall. Place both legs straight up the wall. Relax there for 5 to 10 minutes. Then place one ankle just above the opposite knee so that the legs make an upside down “4” shape against the wall. Breathe and relax there for just five breaths or for up to five minutes, then switch sides. Lastly, for additional stretching of the low back and hips, either spread legs apart or bring the soles of the feet together to make a diamond shape against the wall. Stay for as long as it feels good for your body.

Mention Natural Awakenings for $10 off a private session. For more information, call 251-929-4020 or visit ThriveFairhope.com.

See ad, page 21.

For more information, call 215-2509440 or visit TrueYogaTherapy.com.

See ad, page 21.

DELIVERED TO YOUR MAILBOX for only

$2.50 PER MONTH! Free digital subscriptions are also always available.

Subscribe today.

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

September 2020

15

diverse conversations

DIVERSITY ON THE MAT

Local Yoga Teachers Leading the Way

by Meredith Montgomery

a different demographic in that way; I really got to know them and got insight into their lives,” says Deshauteurs, who grew up in the Mississippi Delta where the school system was segregated. “It used to be hard for me to move through social barriers because of the way I was treated in the Delta. I thought about excluding myself but I stuck with the teacher training, which was a lot more than a physical practice; it was work that I needed that I didn’t know I needed—mentally and emotionally.” As she got to know her fellow teachers in training on a deeper level she began to wonder why she ever feared being the only black student in the first place.

LaToya Bass-Barnes also questioned how she would be received as a black yoga teacher, when she was one of the only people of color in her teacher training. “Prior to my training, I felt a little uncomfortable and didn't always receive the most warm welcome at some studios. But then I’d step on my mat and they would see I’m a serious practitioner—a practitioner of color. It wasn’t something they were used to seeing,” she explains.

Bass-Barnes first discovered yoga on her kids’ Nintendo Wii Fit. “I started doing it for fun with the children but when they’d go to school I’d practice more. I was gaining flexibility and strength; I was calmer and more patient with my four kids and more focused with work. I had a lot of anxiety and yoga helped—I was hooked from there,” she says.

After completing her teacher certification, Bass-Barnes opened The Soular Yogi in Gulfport because she wanted to provide a studio space where everyone feels comfortable, especially people of color and other underrepresented minorities.

More than 5,000 years ago, most yoga teachers and students were dark skinned males, but today, the word yoga evokes images of thin white women. According to data from the 2017 National Health Interview Study, white adults are nearly twice as likely as black adults to have practiced yoga in the last 12 months. As the local yoga scene mirrors these national trends, four African American teachers are trying to bring more diversity to their classes.

BECOMING YOGA TEACHERS When LaSarah Deshauteurs showed up for the first weekend of her yoga teacher training four years ago at Soul Shine Yoga, in Fairhope, she wondered if she had made the right decision. “It was nothing like what I expected,” she says of the hot power, Baptiste-style training. Previously, her yoga experience consisted of stretches that were taught as a part of her fitness training program and she was unfamiliar with sequencing and pose names.

She was also the only person of color enrolled in the training. “I had some fears about that. It was the first time I had really been around 16

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

With 23 years of experience, Jacqueline Johnson is used to being the only African American in most of her yoga classes. She started searching for yoga after hearing Madonna say it was her cure-all and the reason she no longer ran 10 miles a day to stay in shape.

Johnson’s physical therapist had also recommended yoga as a remedy for the sciatica she suffered from after her first pregnancy. “I fell in love with the practice and meditation. I have ADD and it helps me calm down and be mindful and less anxious. It reminds me to slow down and that it’s okay if I don’t do 10,000 things a day,” says Johnson, who has been teaching in Mobile since 2001 and currently teaches at Above and Beyond Yoga Center.

Nikki Grayson first stumbled upon yoga while living in Brooklyn 19 years ago. “I was in a depressed state from a failed relationship and childhood trauma rearing into my life as an adult,” she recalls.

“I was walking to the subway and there was a vendor table with a book titled Yoga for Depression. I thought ‘What the heck, let’s give this a try.’” She bought the book and a mat and her life was forever changed as she learned pranayama breathing and yin yoga.

“My mat has caught thousands of tear drops as I allow my emotions to flow with each breath and movement for the release and

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

healing of stored pain,” says Grayson. She became a certified teacher in 2013 and now uses chair yoga and the power of breath to teach others in the Mobile area how to reduce stress in their own lives.

INCREASING DIVERSITY There are parts of the country where yoga classes are filled with people of color, but along the Gulf Coast, and even in Mobile where half the population identifies as African American, teachers report that most of their students are Caucasian.

“Many people of color think this is a practice for flexible, skinny white women and that is a huge misconception. I’d love for more teachers of color to be present to break that myth. Yoga is for everyone— black, white, yellow; children, men and women; different body shapes and levels,” says Grayson, who once was locked out of a class in a predominantly white neighborhood. “I had to yell through the door that I was there for yoga.”

“For the longest time I thought yoga wasn’t something black people did. It’s just not what I saw,” says Bass-Barnes. “When yoga was brought here from the East, it wasn’t particularly accessible in black communities. The pictures of early American yogis with the gurus don’t look like me,” she says, also noting that segregation might have played a role since Eastern yoga was introduced to mainstream America during the 1950’s and 60’s. She feels it’s important for people in the yoga industry to include more people of color in their marketing efforts to help shift this misconception. “Historically, black people were not always welcome in predominantly white spaces so it creates a prejudgment that yoga isn’t for us. When people see more representation of people that look like them, they’re more likely to relate and try it.”

Since becoming a yoga teacher Deshauteurs has seen a shift of more people of color trying yoga because they can identify with her. In addition to teaching at Synergy Yoga and Pilates, she regularly leads a class for members of the predominantly black walking group MobPacers. “I was walking with them a couple days a week and people kept unloading stories of pain to me, so I said ‘I should offer yoga to this group’ and now we meet every other Saturday,” she says.

Johnson believes cultural differences also play a role in the lack of diversity. When she polls her friends about why they don’t try photos by Ambreia Artistry

Jacqueline Johnson

September 2020

17

YOGA TEACHER SPREADS MESSAGES OF LOVE Local yoga teacher Nikki Grayson grew up in Westchester, New York and came to Mobile in 2009 to visit her grandmother who had retired to the area.

“I came down just for a little break but ended up falling in love with Mobile. I have never met more beautiful people than I have in the south. I love this sense of community,” she says.

Hate is too great a burden to bear. ~MLK” and she, along with her daughter in a stroller, held it during a busy music festival in downtown Mobile.

Over the last three years, Mobile residents may have seen Grayson holding inspirational signs in high-traffic areas. “I call it being a conduit of love,” she says. On a large white board she writes a bible verse, an inspirational quote or a simple message of gratitude. Her first sign read “I have decided to stick with love.

She attributes this kind and gentle way of life to her yoga practice.

“I think about what I can be grateful for instead of focusing on the problems,” she says. Even through today’s turbulence, Grayson observes much more love than hate in the world. “The overwhelming reaction has to be love; it can’t be more hate and division.”

“It just felt so right, like this is what I’m supposed to be doing,” she recalls. A few months later her second sign simply read “I thank God for everything.” As she held it outside Rodgers Barbecue in Prichard, a woman pulled up, handed Grayson $100 and said, “God sent you. Keep doing what you’re doing.”

She began taking her signs to uncomfortable places like outside of the funerals of slain police officers and women killed by domestic violence. She’ll also stand at busy intersections like McGregor and Airport where she held a sign that read: “Those who love God must also love their brothers and sisters.”

THE SOULAR YOGI

Fostering Self-Empowerment in an Inclusive Space The Soular Yogi opened in Gulfport last spring with a passion for yoga, healthy living and a balanced lifestyle. Their mission is to promote intentional partnerships and a true sense of community by providing empowering experiences to a wide range of students.

“We are driven by self-empowerment. Our playful and energetic classes fuse movement, the breath and stillness in a fresh and innovative way to encourage students to live a fearlessly inspired life,” says owner LaToya Bass-Barnes. The studio’s class schedule includes a mix of high-energy, music-filled, heated and non-heated flow yoga and power yoga, as well as stress-relieving yin and gentle yoga. Additionally, a vinyasa class and a gentle yoga class are offered virtually via Facebook Live each week.

As a member of the Yoga Body and Image Coalition, and the Black Yoga Teachers Alliance, Bass-Barnes strives to promote diversity, body owner LaToya Bass-Barnes, CYT, E-RYT 200 positivity and inclusivity in the yoga community. She emphasizes that yoga is for everyone regardless of race, religious beliefs, body type and socioeconomic status, saying, “I wanted to open a studio where everyone feels welcome when they walk in the door. Bringing everyone together—connection—that’s what yoga is really all about.”

See ad, page 21.

18

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

yoga, some can’t afin the world today,” says Yoga is for everyone— ford it, some think it Grayson. conflicts with their reblack, white, yellow; When Deshauteurs first ligion, but most simply started doing yoga she children, men and don’t see the value in was in a dark place, women; different body it. “African Americans often excluding hershapes and levels. do not have a good self from anything that track record with preseemed unfamiliar and — Nikki Grayson ventative health and feeling vulnerable to inwellness. Some say securities. But through they won’t come beher practice she discovcause of their hair—unless it’s natural it’s ered that the majority of her struggle was not going to take the heat of a hot yoga an internal battle. “You have to start small— class. But you have to decide whether with you. And then look at how you choose you care more about outward appearto interact with others and how you will ance or what you’re working on in the present yourself to the world, how you will inside,” Johnson says. show up for your family and how you will Accessibility is an issue for many as well, connect with a higher power. It’s a journey and Bass-Barnes emphasizes that if stuand one day you’ll get there—I get a little dio owners really value diversity, they closer every day.” need to make the extra effort to reach That self-discovery is what Bass-Barnes broader audiences. “Sometimes you have thinks is most exciting about yoga. “I’ve to meet people where they are; offering encountered racism and bigotry, but yoga something like a donation-based class has removed blinding ignorance from my in an inner city or low-income area alheart and mind. It’s allowed me to have a lows the opportunity for people to unlot of compassion towards people that are derstand that this is something they may so filled with hate; they truly are suffering. need. Yoga is all about connection and if I stopped seeing myself and my own sufyou really want to connect with people, fering as separate from everyone else and then you have to take the initiative to exstarted seeing other people as an extenpose more people to it.” sion of myself,” she explains. “I don’t have to Grayson, who is hired by businesses to agree with them, but I do understand that teach yoga in the workplace, wants to see everyone has pieces of themselves that the benefits of yoga more prominently need to heal.” included in class descriptions, along with Johnson believes that yoga instructors need a larger focus on beginner classes. “Most to use their classes as a platform to talk of my classes have a stress-relief compoabout the state of the world and to inspire nent and that is because stress affects so positive change beyond the studio doors. many of us,” she says. “I encounter groups As she teaches the core-building boat pose who may not be into trying yoga, so I alto her classes she uses it as a metaphor for ways start off with chair yoga because managing the uncertain times that everyit’s a beautiful introduction to yoga and one is dealing with right now. “We’re all its benefits in a nice beginner way.” in our own boats, but all of our boats are All four teachers believe that diversity in this same storm of a pandemic, social initiatives should not only address a injustice, inequality…Through this storm range of skin colors and cultures but we have to figure out how to survive, how also the inclusivity of all body types. “As to thrive. So steady your ship and stay teachers we need to make sure our classstrong with who you are. You might sway es feel like a community that is open to back and forth a bit, but we can all land on all,” says Deshauteurs. our feet eventually.”

THE POWER OF YOGA In these divisive and uncertain times, yoga can help us generate more peace within and a connection to others. “Yoga is a way of self-care that can be practiced anywhere—in the office at a desk, at the kitchen table—just a couple of deep, present breaths can do so much for all the trauma

This article is a part of Natural Awakenings’ new Diverse Conversations department.

Each month we continue this interracial dialogue about diversity, empathy and inclusion of all people, while spotlighting people of color in our local community. Contact us with story ideas and read the archives at HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com.

LaToya Bass-Barnes

Nikki Grayson

Sarah Deshauteurs September 2020

19

ABOVE AND BEYOND YOGA CENTER

Tranquil Setting in a State-of-the-Art Studio In 2016, Above and Beyond Yoga Center, in West Mobile, opened with a team of highly qualified instructors. The studio is one of the first in North America to install an antibacterial flooring system with a state-of-the-art air purification system. The system provides the freshest air possible with ion generators, UV light sanitation and a ventilation system to remove carbon dioxide from the air. The studio also features changing rooms and shower facilities.

Offering both heated and non-heated classes, Above and Beyond’s schedule features 10 different yoga styles, ranging from gentle to power yoga to accommodate both novice and advanced students. All classes are also offered virtually and their library of archived online classes is growing daily so students can practice at their leisure from home at any time.

Pre-COVID studio class.

“Above and Beyond provides constant transformation and the vast experience into the journey of the heart of yoga,” says studio owner Shoshana Treichel. “You will feel totally supported in taking a proactive approach to your wellness—bringing your mind, body and spirit in harmony for optimal health.”

See ads, pages 21 and 25.

SOUL SHINE YOGA

Embracing Change and Shining from Within When Soul Shine Yoga opened its doors in downtown Fairhope in the summer of 2014, owner Emily Sommerville gathered a team of 10 passionate yoga teachers to provide a welcoming, inspirational hot yoga experience. Today, even in the midst of COVID-19, Soul Shine is a thriving yoga community offering classes in its downtown Fairhope studio, outside on the bluff overlooking Mobile Bay and now online with Soul Shine On Demand.

“This year has been full of challenges and opportunities— the opportunity to realize what a strong yoga community we have, the opportunity to learn and grow and adapt together and the challenge inherent in discovering new ways to lead and share our yoga practice as teachers and students,” says Sommerville. “I’m excited about our growing virtual yoga community and learning to connect in a new way with students in Baldwin County and beyond.”

In addition to group classes, Sommerville and other Soul Shine teachers are available for individual yoga, reiki and wellness coaching sessions to foster self-care and promote overall health and wellness. The next Soul Shine 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training begins virtually this month (registration is open until October 1).

See ads, pages 21 and back cover.

20

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Heated & non-heated studio classes (+ virtual) in a warm and welcoming environment!

Masters of Yoga

BUY 10 CLASSES, GET 1 FREE! 878 Hillcrest Rd, Ste. C, Mobile, AL ABHotYoga.com | 251-639-9030

NEW LOCATION!

July 11th-18th

Ask about Thai Yoga Massage, spa services, private lessons for individual or groups and CBD products!

We believe that yoga is for everybody.

glow-yoga.com

thrivefairhope.com • 251-929-4020 21883 AL-181, Fairhope, AL

SYNERGY

Mental Health + Physical Health

200 & 300 hour

Teacher Training

if not NOW when?

1613 25th Ave | Gulfport, MS 228-239-9088 | TheSoularYogi.com

Yoga & Pilates

=

Health

Locations in Fairhope & Daphne, AL 251-225-4597 TheSoulShineLife.com Group Classes

Private Sessions

Dana B. Garrett

MS, ACSM, RYT Merrithew IM and IR Certified Merrithew CCB and ISP Trained MELT Instructor

www.synergyoga.net 3152 Old Shell Road, Suite 2 Mobile, Alabama 36607

251.473.1104

YOGA + THERAPY 26050 Predazzer Ln, Ste B, Daphne, AL

(251) 250-9440 | hello@trueyogatherapy.com trueyogatherapy.com @trueyogatherapyAL

@trueyogatherapy

September 2020

21

fit body

Yoga for Every Body Adaptive Ways Ease Pain and Immobility

by Marlaina Donato

Taming chronic pain, restoring energy reserves, improving heart health and relieving symptoms of depression and anxiety are only a few of the science-backed perks of spending time on a yoga mat. However, misconceptions about this ancient practice can make yoga seem intimidating for individuals that could benefit the most from it.

Adaptive yoga, designed for people challenged by injury, chronic pain, autoimmune disease or debilitating conditions like multiple sclerosis, can foster perhaps unexpected gains through the use of props, chairs, wall space and even countertops. From wheelchair-bound veterans to seniors with compromised balance, adaptive yoga offers new horizons for achieving well-being.

Yoga’s gentle influence goes beyond physical benefits. A 2017 British study published in the Journal of Pain Research found people with spinal cord injuries that took sitting yoga classes twice a week for six weeks were less depressed, more self-compassionate and more mindfully in the moment than those in a control group.

EMPOWERMENT, NOT PERFECTION “Yoga is for any body, no matter the size, shape or color. It’s not about designer clothing, athletic ability, talents or perfection in the pose. Adaptive yoga is a movement to change this misconception and mitigate the anxiety to try yoga,” says Mindy Eisenberg, a Detroit-area certified yoga therapist and author of Adaptive Yoga Moves Any Body: Created for Individuals with MS and Neuromuscular Condition and the accompanying

Nikki Grayson

photo by Ambreia Artistry

22

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Adaptive Yoga Cards. For Eisenberg, the focus is about the internal experience, healing and most of all, “the sense of joy that comes from a regular practice.”

Ora Ramat, owner of the Wagging Tail Yoga Studio, in Bethel, New York, witnesses remarkable, everyday mastery in her students through adapted poses. “Many of my students are 40 to 95 years young, and the range of modification I do with them is endless,” says Ramat, who underscores the importance of listening to the body. “I learned the hard way 17 years ago when I first became a teacher. I am gentle with myself if I am unable to do a pose and embrace the modification. I go deeper in my poses now than when I was younger.”

FREEDOM THROUGH SUPPORT “Our students have a wide range of health conditions including spina bifida, arthritis, MS, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, fibromyalgia, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, paraplegia, epiphyseal dysplasia, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, chronic back pain and more,” says Miranda McCarthy, CEO of Wavelength VR (WavelengthVR.com), a healthcare company that produces a library of science-supported content for pain management without medication. The London-based creator of Adaptive Yoga LIVE, which offers seated online classes, knows firsthand how yoga can change lives.

“Until I found adaptive yoga, I felt like I was constantly at war with my body,” she says. Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 2 and the youngest recipient of bilateral hip replacement sur-

gery in the U.S., McCarthy thought she knew her body inside and out. After 40 surgeries and decades of rehabilitation and medication, she went through a radical shift in perspective. “When I discovered adaptive yoga, I soon realized my relationship with my body had only just begun.”

Eisenberg highlights the internal process that adaptive yoga can catalyze: “The energy and sensation that yoga students feel on the inside is much more important than what the pose looks like on the outside.” Items such as chairs, blocks, straps, blankets and bolsters are used to make traditional postures more accessible to those with physical challenges and to ensure safety. “Using props is not a sign of weakness or inferiority. We even use ambulatory devices such as a cane as a prop. Those who require assistive devices cease to see them as a hindrance. In fact, they become an accessory,” says Eisenberg.

For McCarthy, the biggest takeaway is simple, yet profound selfacceptance. “I no longer judge myself or compare myself to ablebodied people. I gained a newfound love for my body and a love for myself.”

Eisenberg affirms, “It’s exciting to realize that our bodies are so much more capable than we thought, and we learn that we are not defined by our individual disease or limitations. As my teacher Jon Kabat-Zinn says, ‘As long as you are breathing, there is more right with you than wrong.’”

Marlaina Donato is an author and composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

SYNERGY YOGA & PILATES

Established Studio with Synergistic Offerings Dana and Chris Garrett, of Synergy Yoga and Pilates in Mobile, became yoga teachers and studio owners because they wanted to make a positive difference in people’s lives. They opened Synergy’s doors in 2005, doubled their size in 2011 and believe, even with the 2020 COVID pandemic, that the best is yet to come.

Class vibes are relaxed and friendly, offering options to suit beginner to advanced students, no matter where they are in life. Experienced yoga teachers offer regular multi-level hatha yoga and gentle formats. The studio also offers Pilates (both mat and equipment), Fitness Fusion and (for inflammation and pain relief) MELT method classes.

Synergy students and teachers pre-COVID.

Synergy helps students reach their goals by moving through a series of small and attainable steps, setting them up to succeed. “We don’t want to raise the bar so high they ultimately give up. In the big picture, the only failure is not trying,” says Dana.

“Whether a student’s focus is on their physical, mental or emotional needs, we find the most joy in making sure they feel better walking out than they did when they walked in.”

See ad, page 21.

September 2020

23

toaheftiba/Unsplash.com

24

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

feature

RELAX IN OUR HEALING SALT ROOM TODAY!

Emotional Well-Being in the Pandemic Age Self-Care Strategies for Tough Times

by Sandra Yeyati

ABOVE AND BEYOND YOGA & SALT THERAPY INHALE • EXHALE BREATHE WELL

Dry salt therapy (halotherapy) may relieve: As the pandemic ravages our country, we are engulfed by a sea of challenging emotions, including fear, loss, anger, disappointment and grief. Compounding the suffering, past emotional traumas and pent-up desires are surfacing and crying for attention. One way to navigate these treacherous waters is by first enveloping ourselves in self-compassion. Next, we can gather the courage to face our fears and experience unpleasant feelings in order to heal them and let them go. Then, we search for and internalize positive emotional states to rewire our brains for positivity. This noble voyage promises immense rewards along the way.

Texas at Austin and co-author of The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook. “It’s linked to the parasympathetic nervous system, which is a natural part of our organism. We’re tapping into this way of feeling safe, which is through care, bonding and connectedness.”

COLDS • COPD • ASTHMA • STRESS ALLERGIES • SKIN CONDITIONS

Encouraging our friends when they’re feeling down or hugging our moms in the morning is hardwired into us. When we decide to be kind to ourselves, it’s easy to think of what we would say: “I’m sorry you failed that test.

You’ll do better next time. How can I help you?” To lend perspective, add a statement about our common humanity, counsels Neff.

“This is hard for everybody. You’re not alone.”

BUY 5 SESSIONS, GET 1 FREE!

THE COCOON OF SELF-COMPASSION

We must be aware of our pain before we can comfort it, and many of us try to suppress or resist pain, choosing to numb it with distractions like alcohol addiction or compulsive shopping. Others may get lost in the storyline of what’s happening and succumb to suffering with no apparent way to obtain relief. Self-pity or self-criticism may creep in.

Some of us chase self-esteem like the Holy Grail, yet it eludes us when we need it most.

Faced with a failing grade or cruel insult, our self-worth withers. We can’t understand why we lost it or how to get it back. When we attach our self-worth to achievements or comparisons with other people, self-esteem becomes unstable and unreliable.

Enter self-compassion, the life-changing perspective of showing kindness to ourselves in any and all situations—a supportive best friend that lives within us and can be accessed any time, every day. A pioneer and expert in this topic, Kristin Neff believes that self-compassion has three components: a decision to be kind to ourselves, a mindful awareness when we are in pain so that we can seek some relief and a sense of common humanity or connectedness.

We already know how to be compassionate, says Neff, an associate professor of educational psychology at the University of

Mindful awareness is the antidote to these emotional extremes, because it helps us become aware that we are experiencing pain and to stay with that pain long enough to make a conscious decision to take care of ourselves. “One easy thing is physical touch,” says Neff. “The first few years of life you have no words, so the body is programmed to respond to touch as a signal of care. Put your hand on your heart or your stomach, or hold your hand. This changes your physiology, activates your parasympathetic nervous system, helps you calm down and helps you feel physically supported. Sometimes, that’s an entryway for people.”

It removes toxicity from the respiratory system, while improving the appearance of the skin, and boosting the immune system.

100% natural | no harmful effects

878 Hillcrest Rd, Ste. C, Mobile, AL ABHotYoga.com | 251-639-9030

The benefits of Therapeutic Massage reach beyond physical health.

Massage Boosts Positive Emotional Neurochemicals: Serotonin | Dopamine | Oxytocin

While Simultaneously Reducing Negative Emotional Neurochemicals: Cortisol | Adrenaline | Norepinephrine

No single drug can address all 6 neurochemicals the way massage can.

Jen Adams, LMT AL LIC #3263 28170 N. Main Street, Ste. C, Daphne, AL Book appointments online 24/7: JubileeHealingArts.com or Call/Text 251-616-4201 September 2020

25

FINDING CONFIDENCE THROUGH UNPLEASANT FEELINGS Nobody likes to feel sad or embarrassed.

We’d rather have an ice cream cone or turn on the TV. But for Dr. Joan Rosenberg, a prominent psychologist and speaker, uncomfortable feelings present an invaluable opportunity for people to transform into confident individuals that relate to the world around them with authenticity and resilience.

In her book 90 Seconds to a Life You Love, Rosenberg offers a formula—one choice, eight feelings, 90 seconds—to experience and move through eight of the most common unpleasant feelings: sadness, shame, helplessness, anger, embarrassment, disappointment, frustration and vulnerability.

“The choice is to stay aware of and in touch with as much of your moment-to-moment experience as possible and not get lost in avoidance,” she explains, adding that there are more than 30 behaviors, thoughts and emotions that we employ as distractions, including substance abuse, social media, pornography, exercise, obsessive thoughts about body image, humor and denial.

To move through bodily sensations, which may come in multiple waves, take deep, slow breaths. Try not to tighten up or clench the jaw and swallow. Notice the location and nature of the bodily sensations to help identify which of the eight unpleasant feelings it might be, and be curious as to what might have triggered it. All of this will take a few moments. With practice, identification will become faster, easier and more accurate.

“If I have more time, then I can think about whether this is connected to anything else.

Is it just one thing that triggered it, or is it like something else that’s happened before?”

Rosenberg says. This level of awareness leads to a calming effect, clearer thinking, improved decision making and, perhaps most importantly, an ability to speak authentically.

“If we don’t handle the eight feelings, we don’t feel capable in the world,” she says. The ability to speak adds to that empowerment.

“Be aware of what you’re aware of,” she advises. “If we know that we don’t like feelings, and we know we’ve been engaged in using ways to distract ourselves, then our challenge is to be more awake and aware of those times we do it, and as soon as we start to do the thing and become aware, that’s when we make the decision to stop and ask, ‘What’s really going on?’”

toaheftiba/Unsplash.com

“Most people have the impression that feelings linger a whole lot longer and that they’re going to be overwhelmed by it and never come out of it if they start. But when they understand that what they’re trying to avoid are uncomfortable bodily sensations that help you know what you’re feeling emotionally, and that these are short-lived, most people will start to lean into them, and once they do, their life changes,” Rosenberg says.

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

REWIRING THE BRAIN FOR POSITIVITY Discoveries in neuroplasticity have revealed that the brain changes throughout life well into adulthood. It’s designed to learn not just ideas and information, but skills, attitudes, feelings and moods. Rick Hanson, a clinical psychologist and author of several books, including Hardwiring Happiness and Resilient , contends that we can develop greater happiness, just like we can develop greater depression.

“There’s a lot of research that shows that through deliberate little practices spread out through the day or sometimes more formal practices like psychotherapy or meditation, we can actually produce physical changes in the brain that are now measurable with things like MRIs,” he remarks.

Hardwiring happiness is easy, pleasurable and doesn’t take a lot of time. “If you take care of the minutes, the years will take care of themselves,” says Hanson. “Little steps gradually move us forward a breath at a time, a minute at a time, a synapse at a time. Bit by bit, we grow the good inside while gradually releasing the bad.”

Discoveries in neuroscience suggest that most of us come to know what we’re feeling emotionally through bodily sensations. We might feel heat in the neck and face when embarrassed or a sinking feeling in the chest when disappointed. As feelings get triggered in the body, a rush of biochemicals in the bloodstream activate these sensations and are flushed out of the bloodstream in roughly 90 seconds.

26

“From asking someone to stop a behavior so that you feel safer to telling someone you love them, asking your boss for a raise or letting people know about yourself and your work to garner opportunities and desired experiences—it cuts across every aspect of our lives and is absolutely crucial to our sense of well-being.”

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

“Our power to positively influence who we are in small, genuine ways every day is really important to compensate for the brain’s negativity bias, which makes it like Velcro for bad experiences, but Teflon for good ones,” he says. “We evolved a negativity bias over the 600-million-year evolution of the nervous system. Learning from negative experiences and mistakes was a critical survival skill, so we have a brain that is designed to scan for bad news, overreact to it and fasttrack it into memory. It’s not our fault, but it is our responsibility to deal with it by first, feeling the negative without reinforcing it and second, focusing on the positive and taking it in. Gradually, you can give yourself a brain that’s like Velcro for the good and Teflon for the bad.”

Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer.

Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

Want to boost your immune system for optimal health?

Try IONIZED ALKALINE WATER.

Offering Ionized Alkaline Water, In-Home Alkaline Water Ionizers, BPA/BPS-Free Water Bottles & HydroZen Spa Services.

Utilize chemical free, ionized alkaline water for the entire family to promote optimal health for everyone you love!

EXPERIENCE THE BENEFITS OF IONIZED ALKALINE WATER: Neutralizes Acid Throughout the Body to Relieve Reflux, Gout, Asthma, and Soreness Increases Stability of Oxygen & pH Levels Boosts Immune System & Flushes Out Toxins Improves Colon & Intestinal Health Removes Harmful Residue from Fruits & Vegetables

VISIT US TODAY!

TRY OUR IONIZER RENTAL PROGRAM!

$99/MONTH!* Experience the convenience of an in-home ionizer without a commitment to purchase. Never buy bottled water again! *Only a 6 mo commitment, then month-to-month. Small initial deposit required.

NOW OPEN in Mobile! 2724 Old Shell Rd, Midtown Mobile, AL | 251-586-8198

217-B Fairhope Ave, Fairhope, AL | 251-270-7200 | PeakAlkalinity.com

Masters of Massage

FOLEY, AL THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE Charlene Rester, RN, LMT Historical Downtown 117 West Orange Ave. 251-550-0117

FAIRHOPE, AL MOUNTAIN MASSAGE & DAY SPA

101 Lottie Ln., Ste. 5 251-928-0214 MountainMassageDaySpa@gmail.com MountainMassageDaySpa.com

DAPHNE, AL DYNAMIC THERAPEUTICS

9037 Independence Ave., Ste. A2 251-459-0500 DynamicTherapeutics.net See ad, page 13.

JUBILEE HEALING ARTS Jennifer Adams, LMT 28170 N. Main St., Ste. C 251-616-4201 JubileeHealingArts.com See ad, page 25.

MOBILE, AL ELEMENTS THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE 6920 Airport Blvd., Ste. 111 251-342-6415 Mobile@TouchOfElements.com ElementsMassage.com/Mobile See ad, page 37.

OCEAN SPRINGS, MS YOUR MASSAGE STUDIO HERE!

Our readers are looking for Mississippi LMT’s. Advertise your massage business here. Call 251-990-9552 for SPECIAL MISSISSIPPI PRICING! September 2020

27

conscious eating

conscious eating

SPICE UP HEALTH Using Herbs for Flavor and Medicine

by April Thompson

Herbs add lush flavor to all kinds of dishes, and they are culinary friends that bring the benefits of helping to restore and maintain health. “Food is medicine, and herbs bring out the medicinal properties of food,” says Kami McBride, of Sebastopol, California, author of The Herbal Kitchen: Bring Lasting Health to You and Your Family with 50 Easy-to-Find Common Herbs and Over 250 Recipes. “The spice rack is a relic from another time when we knew how to use herbs and spices to optimize health and to digest our food.”

To get a medicinal dose of an herb, consider making teas, vinegar extracts or pestos, says Brittany Wood Nickerson, the Conway, Massachusetts, author of The Herbalist’s Kitchen: Delicious, Nourishing Food for Lifelong Health and Well-Being. “Parsley, for example, is a nutrient- and vitamin-rich herb. If you garnish with parsley, you won’t get a significant amount of vitamin C, as you would if you make a pesto from it.”

Salads can also pack a healthy dose of herbs into a meal, says Martha’s Vineyard resident Holly Bellebuono, an herbalist and author of The Healing Kitchen: Cooking with Nourishing Herbs for Health, Wellness, and Vitality.

“So many herbs, including violets, mints and red clover, can just be tossed fresh into a salad, offering both fiber and minerals.”

markusspiske/Unsplash.com

Vinegars are one of Bellebuono’s go-to methods to incorporate herbs into a diet, infusing fresh or dried herbs into red wine or apple cider vinegar for salad dressings and other uses. “Vinegar is great at extracting minerals from herbs and making them more bioavailable,” she says.

28

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

Drying herbs does not diminish their medicinal properties, but rather concentrates their essence, as it removes excess water, according to Bellebuono. “Dried and powdered herbs are a great way to preserve the garden harvest and add herbs into everyday dishes.

You can throw a teaspoon of turmeric, a wonderful anti-inflammatory herb, in spaghetti sauce or oatmeal, and you won’t even notice it,” she says.

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Best Herbal Buddies While Mediterranean herbs like oregano and basil are often at the front of the spice rack, Nickerson also suggests lesser-used herbs such as sour sumac, anise-accented tarragon and versatile, yet often discarded orange peels, which can be added to soups along with fennel seed and bay leaves for a complex flavor. Thyme is another of Nickerson’s favorites, a hearty herb for fall dishes that’s also a powerful antifungal and aids with digestion, lung health and detoxification.

While some may think of parsley as a garnish, “It offers incredible freshness and livens up almost anything,” says Nickerson.

“I use it as a vegetable and make a salad of its leaves or add handfuls of it into a quiche. Parsley is loaded with vitamins and minerals, and has detoxification properties.”

Adding it near the end of cooking maintains its vibrant flavor and color, she notes.

McBride loves versatile herbs like mint and coriander that can be used in sweet and savory dishes with antimicrobial properties that help fight colds and flu. She also keeps salt shakers on the table filled with spices like cardamom, an antibacterial, antispasmotic and expectorant, to sprinkle onto beverages and dishes. Bellebuono also recommends infusing honey with herbs such as sage or oregano that support the immune system.

Herbal-Aided Digestion All herbs, whether leafy, green culinary herbs or spices like coriander and clove, are carminative, meaning they help digest food, McBride says. “Digestion can use up to 40 percent of your day’s energy, which is why you often get a nap attack after a big meal. Every meal needs a carminative, even if it’s just black pepper, which is one of the problems with most fast food.”

Pungent and bitter herbs, in particular, support digestion and absorption of nutrients and make them more bioavailable, says Nickerson: “Activating the taste buds dedicated to sensing bitter stimulates the digestive system.” A salad of bitter greens, for example, can help prepare digestion of a heavier meal to come, whereas a postmeal aperitif can help with digesting the food afterward.

“It absolutely adds up when you add small doses of herbs to your meals every day,” McBride advises. “Many Americans suffer from gastrointestinal inflammation from modern diets and lifestyles, and herbs can help reverse that. Your gut gets a little healing every day.”

Sustainability is beautiful with our 100% organic products.

Out of quarantine?

Come see us.

April Thompson is a Washington, D.C., freelance writer. Connect at AprilWrites.com. call/text for an appointment: Mobile & Daphne

251-607-6666 TMACsHairStudio.com

Our demographic is human. CBD is for everyone, every day.

TUNE IN! Sweet Home CannaBama Radio Show Your home for all things cannabis in Alabama.

FM Talk 106.5 on Mondays at 7PM or anytime at SweetHomeCannaBama.com.

251-255-5155 www.CannaBamaCBD.com Daphne: 25935 Friendship Rd. Downtown Mobile: 558 St. Francis St. +Montgomery & Hoover stores Too!

GO BEYOND CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE with Functional Medicine + IV Vitamin Therapy

Even a healthy gut can only absorb 20% of what you eat or supplement. But everyone absorbs 100% of IV nutrition resulting in faster, longer-lasting relief, healing, and recovery. IV therapy can also increase health and immune function, boost energy levels and mood, and enhance athletic performance. Schedule your free consultation with an enrG-IV RN today.

3099 Loop Rd | Orange Beach, AL | 251-240-0842 | enrgiv.com | Facebook @enrgiv September 2020

29

recipes Spinach & Grapefruit Salad with Toasted Pumpkin Seeds The floral notes of tarragon in the dressing and the juicy, sour grapefruit invigorate the senses and wake up the digestive processes.

Yields: 4 to 6 servings 8 oz spinach (about 4 packed cups) 1 large or 2 medium-size grapefruits ½ cup pumpkin seeds

Toast the pumpkin seeds in a skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until they are lightly browned, have puffed up and begin to pop—4 to 7 minutes.

Combine the oil, lemon juice, vinegar, mustard, shallot, tarragon and salt in a bowl and whisk together. Stir in any grapefruit juice that may have puddled on the cutting board while sectioning the fruit.

Pour the dressing over the spinach. If any dressing is left over, it will keep in the fridge for up to a week. Toss the spinach well, then add the grapefruit and pumpkin seeds and toss gently again to combine.

Mint and Feta Bruschetta with Chive Blossoms Yields: 4 servings as an appetizer ½ cup fresh chive blossoms (can be substituted with other edible flowers or left out) 1 French baguette ½ lb feta cheese, crumbled, or a vegan alternative 1 cup chopped fresh mint ½ cup minced chives (can be substituted with scallions) 2-4 Tbsp olive oil Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Dressing ½ cup olive oil 1 Tbsp lemon juice 1 Tbsp white wine vinegar 1 tsp Dijon mustard 1 Tbsp finely minced shallot 1 tsp finely chopped tarragon Pinch of salt

Preheat the oven to 325° F. While the oven is heating, pull apart the chive blossoms, removing the central stem and plucking the tiny purple florets.

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

Remove the baguette from the oven and slice along the diagonal. Arrange on a platter with 1 to 2 tablespoons of the bruschetta mixture on each slice. Drizzle with a little more oil and serve.

Note: For the bread to be crisp throughout rather than soft on the inside and crispy on the outside, slice it on the diagonal to start with, brush each piece with olive oil and bake on a baking sheet at 325° F for 5 to 7 minutes until crispy.

Cilantro Pesto Yields: about ½ cup 2 Tbsp (heaping) walnuts 2 cups packed cilantro leaves and stems (one large bunch) 2 garlic cloves 2 Tbsp olive oil Salt and freshly ground pepper

Drain and rinse the walnuts. Combine them with the cilantro, garlic, oil and salt to taste, and a few grinds of pepper in a food processor. Blend until smooth.

Cut the top and bottom off the grapefruit so that the flesh of the fruit is exposed so it sits flat on a cutting board. Cut the peel and pith from the fruit using a sharp knife or vegetable peeler.

30

Meanwhile, combine the feta in a bowl with the mint, minced chives and chive florets. Add enough of the oil to moisten then season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix well.

Soak the walnuts overnight in enough water to cover them. (This makes them easier to digest and helps remove some of the bitterness in the skin.)

Tear the spinach into bite-size pieces, if necessary, and place in a large bowl.

Set the grapefruit on one of its flat ends on a cutting board. The sections of the fruit will face up. Cut out the sections, slicing from the outside toward the center of the fruit, just inside the membranes. Leave the sections whole or cut them into bite-size pieces.

Set the baguette in the hot oven and bake for 7 to 10 minutes, until the edges are crispy, but not browned.

Taste and adjust the seasonings as necessary.

The pesto will keep for 5 to 7 days in the fridge or for 6 months or more in the freezer.

Recipes and photos from Recipes from the Herbalist’s Kitchen by Brittany Wood Nickerson.

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

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

PLANT-BASED WELLNESS

CBD CANNABAMA: THE CBD STORE

Locations in Downtown Mobile, Daphne, Montgomery and Birmingham 251-255-5155 • CannaBamaCBD.com 100+ high quality CBD products from reputable hemp farms including oral, topical, vape and pet products plus educational classes. Listen to our podcast at SweetHomeCannaBama.com.

See ad, page 29.

CBD TWO10

210 Fairhope Ave., Fairhope, AL 251-232-5151 CBDTwo10.com Locally owned and offering one of the largest selections of CBD products made from high quality hemp and manufacturers. With 100+ different products, we have something for everyone. Also hosting monthly Healthy Conversations (educational events).

FAIRHOPE HEALTH FOODS

280 Eastern Shore Shopping Center 251-928-0644 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com Comprehensive health food store offering a range of CBD products: caps, soft gels, gummies, sprays, tinctures, topicals, mixed with ghee, teas, waters, hot cocoa, infused honey, pedicure powders. See ad, page 3.

THE HEALTH HUT

680 S. Schillinger, Mobile: 251-633-0485 6845 Hwy. 90, Daphne: 251-621-1865 HealthHutAL.com We offer a wide variety of non-GMO, hemp-derived CBD products harvested through chemical-free CO2 extraction and tested through 3rd party labs to ensure safe, quality products. See ad, page 3.

THRIVE: YOGA, MASSAGE & CBD 21883 AL-181, Fairhope, AL 251-929-4020 (call or text) ThriveFairhope.com

We've moved! We have a wide variety of CBD products available which can help with inflammation, stress, anxiety and other conditions. Get 20 percent off online orders at ThriveFairhope.com/shop/ with code “TwentyOff”. Curbside pickup available. See ad, page 21.

VIRGINIA’S HEALTH FOODS 3055 A Dauphin St., Mobile, AL 251-479-3952 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com

Comprehensive health food store offering a range of CBD products: caps, soft gels, gummies, sprays, tinctures, topicals, mixed with ghee, teas, waters, hot cocoa, infused honey, pedicure powders. See ad, page 3.

HERBAL MEDICINE SOUTHERN INSTITUTE OF NATURAL HEALTH

Mississippi Gulf Coast and Virginia 228-257-1946 or 804-839-0723 SouthernInstituteOfNaturalHealth.com Offering a variety of educational and certification programs in Herbal Medicine, Naturopathy, Aromatherapy, Nutrition and more. Virtual and in-person options available.

PLANT-BASED FOOD THE SUNFLOWER CAFÉ I

320 Eastern Shore Shopping Center Fairhope, AL • Café: 251-929-0055 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com An organic cafe offering vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairyfree options. Open for lunch Monday-Saturday and Sunday brunch. See ad, page 3.

THE SUNFLOWER CAFÉ II

3055 A Dauphin St., Mobile, AL 251-479-3952 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com An organic cafe offering vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options. Open for lunch 7 days a week. See ad, page 3.

September 2020

31

healing ways

NATURAL ANTIVIRALS Help in Staying Strong and Healthy

by Ronica O’Hara In these sobering times, we must use every weapon in our arsenal against invasive viruses, including often-overlooked natural remedies with antiviral properties. As is also the case with pharmaceutical agents, natural approaches have not been shown to stop an aggressive virus in its tracks, but they may ameliorate symptoms.

“Nutrition and supplementation are unlikely to prevent an infection, but they may help prevent the infection from becoming symptomatic or severe,” explains Leo Galland, M.D., a global leader in functional medicine and author of Power Healing: Use the New Integrated Medicine to Heal Yourself.

Eating healthy foods, sleeping seven to nine hours a night and exercising at least 150 minutes a week are also key in fortifying our natural defenses against viruses. Steps still necessary for COVID-19 protection include hand-washing, mask-wearing, social distancing and sterilizing objects and surfaces.

BASELINE PROTECTORS

samael334/AdobeStock.com

Scientists report that some vitamin and mineral deficiencies appear to be linked to poor COVID-19 outcomes, while adequate levels help combat other viruses. ConsumerLab.com, which provides comprehensive research overviews and information on nutritional products, lists these natural supplements as potential aids against COVID-19, although at this early stage, none have been proven to work:

32

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Vitamin D: According to Galland, vitamin D “stimulates your immune system to produce factors called defensins and cathelicidins that kill viruses.” People with levels below 30 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) were 45 percent more likely to test positive for the coronavirus and 95 percent more likely to be hospitalized, Israeli researchers found.

Getting three 30-minute sessions of sun exposure a week and eating D-fortified foods raise levels, and supplementing with up to 2,000 international units daily is generally considered safe.

Zinc: “Zinc throws a wrench in the viral replication machine and helps fight infections by boosting the production of antibodies,” says Nicole DeMasi, an integrative dietitian nutritionist in Los Angeles. Zinc lozenges may ward off the coronavirus in the upper respiratory tract. The recommended dosage is 15 to 30 milligrams (mg) a day for up to two weeks.

Vitamin C: A cup of orange juice, tomato juice or a kiwi supplies most of the minimum recommended intake of vitamin C, a vital supplement for white blood cells that fight viral infections. Supplementing with 1,000 mg daily is also safe. Intravenous megadoses are being studied for critically ill COVID-19 patients, but no evidence exists so far that higher levels prevent infections, reports ConsumerLab.com.

Potassium: A critical antiviral mineral and electrolyte, low levels of potassium were found in 61 percent of 175 Chinese patients hospitalized with COVID-19, making them more prone to heart damage, reports the Journal of the American Medical Association. Foods that boost levels include potatoes, squash, lentils, spinach, avocados, bananas and raisins.

SUPPLEMENTAL SUPPORTERS When choosing supplements proven to be effective, “Much of what we know and can apply is based on our previous research on viruses of the past,” says Monisha Bhanote, M.D., an integrative physician in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Here are some good choices.

Melatonin: Known best as the hormone that regulates sleep, melatonin also supports antiviral immunity and helps control inflammation in viral infections. A study of 11,672 people tested for COVID-19 found that those taking supplemental melatonin were less likely to test positive, and a clinical study is underway to see if 2 mg a day helps protect healthcare workers. Typical dosages range from 0.3 to 3 mg.

Licorice Root Extract: This herb contains a substance called glycyrrhizin that makes it hard for a virus to attach to and invade a cell and hinders its ability to replicate, slowing the spread from one cell to another. Chinese doctors used it with other traditional herbs to combat COVID-19, and studies have shown it effective against an earlier coronavirus, as well as against HIV, herpes, viral hepatitis and respiratory infections. For

dosage, follow package directions. People with high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, kidney disease or low potassium levels are advised against its use.

Astragalus: Known as huang qi, astragalus “is one of the most powerful herbs used in Chinese medicine for people with weakened immune systems,” says Tsao-Lin Moy, a New York City acupuncturist and herbalist. It’s best taken as a hot or cold tea using tea bags or the root itself.

Andrographis: This herb has long been used for colds and throat infections in China and India, and may prevent flu viruses from binding to cells. In a Swedish study, flu patients that took an andrographis extract along with Siberian ginseng recovered more quickly with fewer complications than those given a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved flu medication. Because of its potency, it’s best to consult a health practitioner to avoid interactions. The recommended dosage is 400 mg twice a day.

FIGHTIN’ FOODS To lower the inflammation linked to poor viral outcomes, integrative physician Monisha Bhanote, M.D., recommends a predominantly whole foods diet with at least five to seven servings of vegetables and two to three servings of fruit a day.

Quercetin-rich foods, such as apples, onions, broccoli, raspberries, parsley and celery are especially important, she says, because the bioflavonoid enhances zinc’s antiviral actions: “It functions as a zinc ionophore, chelating zinc and transporting it into the cell cytoplasm.” Quercetin can also be taken as a supplement in doses ranging between 500 and 1,000 mg daily.

Garlic has potent antiviral and antibacterial properties, and can be cooked into food, eaten raw in salads and dressings or obtained from capsules of allicin, the active component.

Green tea has epigallocatechin gallate, a compound with “a wide range of antiviral activity, especially in the early stages of infection, by preventing viral attachment and entry into the cell,” says Bhanote. Aim for three to five cups a day.

Ronica O’Hara is a Denver-based health writer. Connect at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

60 seconds of effort once-a-week improves balance, posture and strength.

NO PAIN. ALL GAIN.

The Ultimate Biohack “I've seen first hand the amazing impact that OsteoStrong can have on health, strength and vitality.

I’m honored to partner with them to expand their impact and improve the quality of people’s lives.”

~Tony Robbins Life and Business Strategist

scientifically-advanced non-invasive non-pharmaceutical accessible to all ages and fitness levels Effective for

Osteoporosis | Balance Issues | Fibromyalgia | M.S. Joint & Back Pain | Type II Diabetes | Sports Performance

Experience our unique system for immediate and significant gains in strength, power, flexibility, balance, energy, agility and overall physical health and wellness.

You won’t even break a sweat.

NEW! Mobile: 251-586-8226 2724 Old Shell Rd

Fairhope: 251-210-6955 333 Greeno Rd S., Unit 2B

www.OsteoStrong.me

Schedule your session today.

September 2020

33

bright/AdobeStock.com

green living

CARS GO VEGAN Leather Interiors are on the Way Out

by Yvette C. Hammett Consumers are becoming more conscious about their purchases in light of the ongoing climate crisis exacerbated by animal-based agriculture. As they begin to make better choices in what they consume, wear and drive, vegan car interiors are becoming more popular. The environmental impact of producing leather, foam and other materials is being replaced in some instances by alternatives that are becoming more readily available to environmentally conscious consumers.

The Toyota Prius line uses Sof-Tex synthetic leather or other synthetic cloth upholstery which bolsters its reputation as a sustainable automaker. Mercedes Benz and BMW are offering customers plant-based alternatives and Tesla has been dropping leather from its upholstery choices for a while now, with the Model 3 and Model Y already sporting vegan-only interiors. The Volvo Polestar 2 also comes standard with vegan upholstery, along with recycled wood. And the 2020 Range Rover Evoque, Velar and Jaguar I-Pace SUVs all offer consumers vegan interiors.

Research and development is ongoing in this realm to create faux leather that not only looks good, but is actually more durable and easier to maintain than leather. Vegan “leather” is being produced from cork, glazed cotton and even bark cloth, so it’s not just a matter of replacing animal-based products with unsustainable plastic.

34

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Vegan “leather” is being produced from cork, glazed cotton and even bark cloth, so it’s not just a matter of replacing animal-based products with unsustainable plastic.

With funding from Honda and Ford, Bharat Bhushan, Ph.D., director of the Nanoprobe Laboratory for Bio- & Nanotechnology and Biomimetics in the John Glenn College of Public Affairs of Ohio State University, Columbus, developed a faux leather that has the potential to be used on both seats and dashboards.

“I work in technology to repel water and oil from a variety of surfaces,” Bhushan says.

“Leather gets very sticky when it is hot, so we thought it would be great to repel water or any other contaminant to avoid that stickiness and help it remain clean.” The side benefit, he further notes, is that it’s an alternative to animal hide.

Audi Head of Design Marc Lichte, whose twin daughters are both vegan, says vegan leather is a huge selling point for customers and that both the Audi e-tron GT and Q4 will be animal-free. Faux leather will replace the traditional leather, and all cushions, window trim, armrests, headliners and center consoles will be manufactured with recycled materials.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) made a major push in the past few years to increase production of vegan-based car interiors. In 2016, PETA conducted an investigation into JBS, the world’s largest leather supplier, which sells to car companies from GM to VW and more. “What it found was that the supplier severely mistreats the cattle being raised for the leather while they are still conscious,” says Jennifer Behr, corporate responsibility officer for PETA. “When consumers are shopping, they should take that into consideration. Those interiors came from a cow that lived a miserable life and died a painful one.”

Beyond that, cattle represent a climate risk.

The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health published a study showing that knowledge of the environmen-

tal ramifications from cattle is not well known by the average consumer. “The livestock industry is the source of a broad spectrum of environmental impacts,” the study states. “The first and most important is climate change.”

It’s estimated that 18 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions are caused by the livestock industry. Enlightened consumers are using that information to determine what they purchase, from food to cars.

BMW spokesperson Oleg Satanovsky says vegan options are not new for his company; they’ve been around for decades, but options have been updated. BMW uses a material called SensaTec, a new brand name for its non-animal-sourced upholstery “to reflect the more upscale design and feel of the materials,” he contends.

We go beyond medication & symptom management.

Discover functional medicine to restore whole-body health.

“Uncover the underlying causes of illness so you can heal from within.”

Tara McLellan,

Functional Medicine Practitioner 28720 US-98 #2, Daphne, AL

Telehealth Appointments Available!

251-210-8615

AlabamaIntegrativeHealth.com

Integrative Healthcare of Lower Alabama

LEARN TO COMMUNICATE WITH ANIMALS IN 12 WEEKS

“We look to nature for clues” to develop alternatives, Bhushan says. His research was based on the lotus leaf and its resiliency—it’s both water and oil repellant. “A single species like that can be used for many things,” with little or no environmental impact.

Available on Amazon, order a copy today!

Learn more about awardwinning author, animal communicator & teacher Babette de Jongh visit HearThemSpeak.com.

Yvette C. Hammett is an environmental writer based in Valrico, FL. Connect with her at YvetteHammettHull49@gmail.com.

Fall in love with your hair.

Try organic hair color with certifed organic ingredients.

Go organic today.

B-Butterfly SALON

Organic Hair Color & Products

103A N Bancroft St, Fairhope | 251-990-9934 | www.BButterflySalon.com

September 2020

35

inspiration

Studies show that when we see the positive more often, we’re happier and kinder to ourselves and to those around us. Luckily, we’re not locked into one way of viewing the world. We can choose to see things in a more positive fashion. Here are some steps we can take to teach ourselves to look for the positive more often. Eventually, the brain can get into the habit of doing this without any prodding.

Happiness Helpers Five Ways to Be More Positive

by Brad Aronson

Compliment at least one person every day.

Maybe we can begin the day by sending a short email or text telling someone why we appreciate them. Besides reshaping how we see the world, we might make someone’s day.

Keep a gratitude journal. Every night, write down three things to be grateful for.

Researchers have found that people that regularly keep track of what they’re grateful for are happier. We can also have a nightly family discussion about what happened that day that we’re thankful for.

Perform a daily act of kindness. When we perform a kind act every day, we start noticing other opportunities to be kind, creating a cycle of positivity in our minds. Think small— a thank-you note or letting someone cut in front of us in traffic.

Be mindful of who and what we expose ourselves to. The people we spend time with and what we watch, listen to and read all send messages to our brain that influence how we see the world.

Train the brain for positivity. Here is a simple 10-minute exercise that can train the mind to think differently: • Get a pen and paper. Take only three seconds to look around the room and remember everything that’s red. Then take only a few seconds to write a list of everything you remember that’s red. Finish this step before continuing.

samael334/AdobeStock.com

• Now write down everything that is blue.

Chances are that like most people, we won’t remember the blue things nearly as well because we weren’t looking for them. We see what we look for, and that’s as much an asset as a shortcoming.

36

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Training the brain to be more positive takes time, but it’s a priceless opportunity to change our perspective and become happier.

Brad Aronson, a tech entrepreneur and investor, is the author of HumanKind: Changing the World One Small Act At a Time. Connect at BradAronson.com.

calendar All calendar events must be received by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Go to HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com to submit entries.

SUNDAYS Discounts on Supplements Every Sunday get 15% off supplements at Fairhope Health Foods (251-928-0644) and Virginia’s Health Foods (251-479-3952). 280 Eastern Shore Shopping Center, Fairhope, AL and 3055-A Dauphin St, Mobile, AL. VA-FairhopeHealthFoods.com.

Yoga at Glow Join us for indoor and outdoor classes at our studio plus virtual classes via live stream and YouTube.

Glow Yoga, 314 E 21st Ave, Gulf Shores, AL. 251-968-4569. Glow-Yoga.com.

Yoga at Soul Shine Yoga Hot Power Yoga, Yoga Sculpt, Gentle Yoga and more offered morning and evening. Schedule online.

S o u l S h i n e Yo g a , 1 0 3 B N B a n c r o f t S t , Fairhope, AL.Namaste@TheSoulShineLife.com.

TheSoulShineLife.com.

Open Table Worship Service (United Church of Christ) Progressive Christian worship. Weekly podcast of sermon, song and interview available on our website (under “sermons”) no later than 10am Sunday mornings. 11am gathering for prayer and connection via Zoom. 251-545-1011. Pastor@OpenTableUCC.org.

OpenTableUCC.org.

Restorative Yoga at Above and Beyond 9am. This profoundly calming and nurturing practice restores the nervous system and promotes the effects of conscious relaxation. Be supported by props and an emphasis on breathing. All levels. Unheated. Above and Beyond Yoga and Salt Therapy, 878 Hillcrest Rd, Ste C, Mobile, AL. 251-639-9030.

ABHotYoga.com.

Weekend Yoga 2-3pm. Join Chris M, Sarah, Annette, Rebecca or Lisa as you wind down your weekend and get ready for the busy week ahead - expand the potential of your body while you refresh and renew your spirit. Check the website for schedule rotation.

Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile, AL. 251-473-1104.

Synergyoga@att.net. Synergyoga.net.

Yoga at Glow Join us for indoor and outdoor classes at our studio plus virtual classes via live stream and YouTube.

Glow Yoga, 314 E 21st Ave, Gulf Shores, AL. 251-968-4569. Glow-Yoga.com.

Yoga at Soul Shine Yoga Hot Power Yoga, Yoga Sculpt, Gentle Yoga and more offered morning and evening. Schedule online. Soul Shine Yoga, 103B N Bancroft St, Fairhope, AL.Namaste@TheSoulShineLife.com.

TheSoulShineLife.com.

Yoga at True A peaceful place to find mind-body wellness. Check our schedule online and on social media for this week’s classes. True Mind + Body Wellness, Daphne, AL. 251-250-9440. Hello@TrueYogaTherapy.com.

TrueYogaTherapy.com.

Gentle Flow at Above and Beyond 9am. Link breath and body to go beyond the noisy mind and reconnect with the peace within. Build flexibility, balance and strength. All levels. Unheated. Above and Beyond Yoga and Salt Therapy, 878 Hillcrest Rd, Ste C, Mobile, AL. 251-639-9030.

ABHotYoga.com.

TUESDAYS Yoga at Glow Join us for indoor and outdoor classes at our studio plus virtual classes via live stream and YouTube.

Glow Yoga, 314 E 21st Ave, Gulf Shores, AL. 251-968-4569. Glow-Yoga.com.

Yoga at Soul Shine Yoga Hot Power Yoga, Yoga Sculpt, Gentle Yoga and more offered morning and evening. Schedule online. Soul Shine Yoga, 103B N Bancroft St, Fairhope, AL.Namaste@TheSoulShineLife.com.

TheSoulShineLife.com.

Yoga Therapy at Above and Beyond 11:30am, Tues & Thur. A non-heated class with movement, breathing and meditation to recharge you for the afternoon. Above and Beyond Yoga and Salt Therapy, 878 Hillcrest Rd, Ste C, Mobile, AL. 251-639-9030. ABHotYoga.com.

Gentle Noon Yoga with Lisa Blount 12-1pm. A stressful morning? Synergy can fix that. Join Lisa Blount in the land of “ahhhhs” for a relaxing hour-long gentle yoga class to soothe the spirit, calm the mind and replenish the soul - leave class refreshed! Also on Thursday with Mary Ann Sinde. Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile, AL. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga@att.net. Synergyoga.net.

Praying for Peace Devotional Gathering 2:30-4pm. (Pending social distancing requirements.

Join our email list for event updates.) Inspired by “Women Pray for Peace” by Tess Wacker, participants join the author in the practice of discussing and praying for a means to peace. 54 N Church St, Apt 19, Fairhope, AL. 251-596-1450.

BahaisOfFairhope@gmail.com.

WEDNESDAYS Wash Up Wednesdays Get 10% off CBD bath products at CannaBama: The CBD Store every Wednesday. Mention Natural Awakenings and get 15% off! Downtown Mobile and Daphne, AL. 251-255-5155. CannaBama@yahoo. com. CannaBamaCBD.com.

Yoga at Glow Join us for indoor and outdoor classes at our studio plus virtual classes via live stream and YouTube.

Glow Yoga, 314 E 21st Ave, Gulf Shores, AL. 251-968-4569. Glow-Yoga.com.

Yoga at Soul Shine Yoga Hot Power Yoga, Yoga Sculpt, Gentle Yoga and more offered morning and evening. Schedule online. Soul Shine Yoga, 103B N Bancroft St, Fairhope, AL.Namaste@TheSoulShineLife.com.

TheSoulShineLife.com.

Baha’i’s of Fairhope Diversity Devotions 3-5pm. Every 4th Sunday. (Pending social distancing requirements. Join our email list for event updates.) Join us in the coming together of people from diverse religions and backgrounds to celebrate our unity and strengthen the spiritual health of the community. Refreshments served immediately following the shared devotional program. 81 Magnolia Ave, Fairhope, AL. BahaisOfFairhope@gmail.com.

MONDAYS Munchie Mondays Get 10% off CBD edibles at CannaBama: The CBD Store every Monday. Mention Natural Awakenings and get 15% off! Downtown Mobile and Daphne, AL. 251-255-5155. CannaBama@yahoo.com.

CannaBamaCBD.com.

September 2020

37

WEDNESDAYS (CONTINUED) Yoga at True A peaceful place to find mind-body wellness. Check our schedule online and on social media for this week’s classes. True Mind + Body Wellness, Daphne, AL. 251-250-9440. Hello@TrueYogaTherapy.com.

TrueYogaTherapy.com.

Yoga with Susan Kangal 7:45-8:45am. Join Susan Kangal and start your day with her refreshing energy as she challenges you with a strong emphasis on alignment and focus while still calming the mind. Sink into the moment and experience the bliss - yes! Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile, AL. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

Group Reformer Class 10:30-11:30am. Catch the wave of classical fitness and join Dana in the morning for a Pilates group reformer class. Stand taller, get toned and be both leaner and stronger. Please log onto the website to make reservations.

Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile, AL. 251-473-1104.

Synergyoga@att.net. Synergyoga.net.

Chair Yoga with Patsy Tucker 4:30-5:30pm. Patsy will use chairs and other props to support a modified yoga practice. Also explore breathing techniques and guided meditation for calming the mind. This class is ideal for people uncomfortable practicing on the floor or who need support for balance. Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile, AL. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga@att.net. Synergyoga.net.

Pure Power Yoga at Above and Beyond 5pm, Mon & Thur. 9am, Tues & Thur. Dynamic vinyasa class with weights that strengthens, balances, detoxifies and exhilarates the body and mind.

Moderately heated. Above and Beyond Yoga and Salt Therapy, 878 Hillcrest Rd, Ste C, Mobile, AL. 251-639-9030. ABHotYoga.com.

THURSDAYS Yoga at Glow Join us for indoor and outdoor classes at our studio plus virtual classes via live stream and YouTube.

Glow Yoga, 314 E 21st Ave, Gulf Shores, AL. 251-968-4569. Glow-Yoga.com.

Yoga at Soul Shine Yoga Hot Power Yoga, Yoga Sculpt, Gentle Yoga and more offered morning and evening. Schedule online. Soul Shine Yoga, 103B N Bancroft St, Fairhope, AL.Namaste@TheSoulShineLife.com.

TheSoulShineLife.com.

Group Reformer Class 8:30-9:30am. Catch the wave of classical fitness and join Dana in the morning for a Pilates group reformer class. Stand taller, get toned and be both leaner and stronger. Please log onto the website to make reservations. Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile, AL. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga@att.net. Synergyoga.net.

Yoga with Chris McFadyen 5:45-7pm. Join Chris McFadyen for some energizing yoga as his breath work, asana and flow calms the mind and also enhances and refocuses the body.

Relocate your passion and find your joy and humor; smile after a long day! Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile, AL. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

FRIDAYS MARK YOUR CALENDAR FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 & 12 True Yoga’s Suicide Prevention Workshops These 1-day workshops will help you learn the warning signs for suicide and how to seek help. Close with a gentle yoga class.

No yoga experience necessary. Donation.

True Mind + Body Wellness, Daphne, AL. 251-250-9440. Hello@TrueYogaTherapy. com. TrueYogaTherapy.com.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 Teens Only Yoga Class Invite your friends to hang out and do yoga together! Ages 14 and up. Free for members/$5 drop-in fee. True Mind + Body Wellness, Daphne, AL. 251-250-9440. Hello@ TrueYogaTherapy.com. TrueYogaTherapy.com.

Flower Friday Get 10% off hemp flower at CannaBama: The CBD Store every Friday. Mention Natural Awakenings and get 15% off! Downtown Mobile and Daphne, AL. 251-255-5155. CannaBama@yahoo.com.

CannaBamaCBD.com.

Yoga at Glow Join us for indoor and outdoor classes at our studio plus virtual classes via live stream and You Tube. Glow Yoga, 314 E 21st Ave, Gulf Shores, AL. 251-968-4569. Glow-Yoga.com.

LOCALS SUPPORTING LOCALS T h a n k y o u to th e fo llo w in g b u sin e sse s w h o se r v e a s so m e o f o u r m a jo r d istrib u tio n p a r tn e rs. Yo u c a n a lw a y s p ic k u p o u r la te st issu e a t th e se su p p o r tiv e e sta b lish m e n ts. A n d fo r th a t, w e a re g ra te fu l.

A B e t t e r W a y , F o le y F a r m F r e s h M e a t s , R o b e r tsd a le O r ig in a l O y s t e r H o u s e , G u lf S h o re s A lle g r i F a r m M a r k e t , D a p h n e F o o d C h a m p s , M o b ile P ig g ly W ig g ly , Fa irh o p e & Fo le y B a ld w in B o n e a n d J o in t , D a p h n e G r e e r ’s , R o b e r tsd a le & M o b ile R o u s e ’s , a ll lo c a tio n s B a y G o u r m e t C a t e r in g , M o b ile G u lf S h o r e s S t e a m e r , O ra n g e B e a c h S e a s o n s in t h e S u n , S p a n ish Fo r t B illy J a c k s , R o b e r tsd a le H a p p y O liv e , Fa irh o p e S e r d a ’s C o ff e e C o , M o b ile C a n n a B a m a , D o w n to w n & W M o b ile H a z e l’s M a r k e t , D a p h n e T h e G u lf , O ra n g e B e a c h D e w D r o p In n , M o b ile L o c a l A p p e t it e G r o w e r s , Fa irh o p e T h e H e a lt h H u t , M o b ile & D a p h n e D r a g o n fl y F o o d b a r , Fa irh o p e L o c a ls , Fa irh o p e T im e t o E a t , M o b ile D y k e s V e t e r in a r y , F o le y M a g n o lia S p r in g s P h a r m a c y , V ir g in ia ’s H e a lt h F o o d s , M o b ile E lb e r t a G r o c e r y , E lb e r ta M a g n o lia S p rin g s W a r e h o u s e B a k e r y , Fa irh o p e F a ir h o p e H e a lt h F o o d s , Fa irh o p e M e llo w M u s h r o o m , D a p h n e & Fo le y W h o le F o o d s, M o b ile F a ir h o p e J u ic e C o m p a n y , Fa irh o p e N a t u r e N in e F a r m s , Fo le y W in n D ix ie , M o b ile F a ir h o p e R e c C e n t e r , Fa irh o p e O n e L ife C h ir o p r a c t ic , Fo le y Ya k th e K a th m a n d u K itch e n , Fa irh o p e

38

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Yoga at Soul Shine Yoga Hot Power Yoga, Yoga Sculpt, Gentle Yoga and more offered morning and evening. Schedule online. Soul Shine Yoga, 103B N Bancroft St, Fairhope, AL. Namaste@TheSoulShineLife.com.

TheSoulShineLife.com.

Vinyasa at Above and Beyond 9am. Link the flowing nature of the breath with the mindful, continual movement and creative sequencing. Increase strength and flexibility and train the mind to be more content during challenges.

Above and Beyond Yoga and Salt Therapy, 878 Hillcrest Rd, Ste C, Mobile, AL. 251-639-9030.

ABHotYoga.com.

Community Yoga Class at True 5:45-6:35pm. Last Friday of each month.

Free to attend and donations appreciated benefiting National Suicide Prevention. True Mind + Body Wellness, Daphne, AL. 251-250-9440.

Hello@TrueYogaTherapy.com. TrueYogaTherapy.com.

Sunset Yoga for Charity 6-7pm. Check ThriveFairhope.com for COVID-19 updates. Bring your mat to the Fairhope Bluff’s Henry George Park every 2nd and 4th Fridays Mar-Oct, each time for a different charity. Please bring your donation. Class times change with sunset times, classes end in relaxation at sunset overlooking the pier. Henry George Park, Fairhope, AL. 251-929-4020. ThrivingOffice@gmail.com.

ThriveFairhope.com.

SATURDAYS

Super Saturday Get 20% off a surprise CBD item at CannaBama: The CBD Store every Saturday. Downtown Mobile and Daphne, AL. 251-255-5155. CannaBama@yahoo. com. CannaBamaCBD.com.

Yoga at Glow Join us for indoor and outdoor classes at our studio plus virtual classes via live stream and YouTube.

Glow Yoga, 314 E 21st Ave, Gulf Shores, AL. 251-968-4569. Glow-Yoga.com.

Yoga at Soul Shine Yoga Hot Power Yoga, Yoga Sculpt, Gentle Yoga and more offered morning and evening. Schedule online. Soul Shine Yoga, 103B N Bancroft St, Fairhope, AL.Namaste@TheSoulShineLife.com.

TheSoulShineLife.com.

Farmers Market 9 a m - 2 p m . Open Saturdays year round.

C o a s t a l A l a b a m a F a r m e r s a n d F i s h e rmens Market, 20733 Miflin Rd, Foley, AL. 251-709-4469. FoleyMarketMgr@gmail.com.

CoastalAlabamaMarket.com.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19-26 Grandman Triathlon Virtual Race Support Mobile Baykeeper’s mission for clean water, clean air and healthy communities by registering for this year’s virtual race! Race courses posted online. Submit your times to win prizes. Everyone gets a goody bag.

TheGrandMan.com.

classifieds FOR SALE 13 LBS OF ICE FOR $1 – Filtered water, pull-through access, buckets available for transfer as well as bags. Ice Depot, 23858 Hwy 98, Fairhope, AL (1/2 mi N of Rock Creek).

OPPORTUNITIES BECOME A PUBLISHER – Natural Awakenings Gulf Coast AL/MS is for sale. Home-based business opportunity.

No publishing experience required. Visit HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com. See ad, page 10.

FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY – OsteoStrong is looking for motivated, healthconscious individuals to open new franchises in Alabama. Our proven system for success offers an exceptional business opportunity.

More info: 251-210-6955; OsteoStrong.me.

SERVICES METAPHYSICAL SERVICES – Psychic readings. Alternate life oracle readings.

Mediumship reunions. Animal communication. Healing energy. All services are currently done remotely. GraceJaeger.com. GJaeger@ gmail.com. 612-986-4730.

September 2020

39

directory

TMAC’S HAIR STUDIO

Connecting you to local resources for natural and green living. To find out how you can be included in the directory, email Publisher@ HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com or call 251-990-9552.

HEALTHY &

GREEN LIVING

DIRECTORY 2020

Have you picked up the 2020 Healthy & Green Living Directory issue? Contact us to find out where you can find a copy of this expanded edition or read it online at HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com.

ACUPUNCTURE

AUDIOLOGY

FAMILY CARE ACUPUNCTURE

NARO AUDIOLOGY

6925 Cottage Hill Rd., Ste. C, Mobile, AL 251-644-4127 FamilyCareAcupuncture.com Authentic classical acupuncture and Oriental medicine to boost energy and the immune system. We help with stress, pain and most health conditions. Treatment custom fitted to your needs. See ad, page 11.

ADVANCED WEIGHT LOSS ROBERTSDALE HYPNOSIS

22622 B Hwy. 59 S., Robertsdale, AL 251-274-THIN RobertsdaleHypnosis.com Relax your way to becoming thin, stay that way and never be on a diet again.

Stick With You Guarantee: If you gain weight back, we offer 1 free reinforcement session per month until you’re 100% satisfied. See ad, page 2.

ANIMAL COMMUNICATION 13 MOONS ANIMAL WISDOM

Animal Communication • 702-305-5828 13MoonsAnimalWisdom.com Sessions include a 10-minute introduction phone call, five questions for your pet, an email transcript of animal conversation, energy healing and a 20-minute follow-up phone call. Schedule via website.

Old Government, Mobile: 251-607-6666 2101 Hwy. 98, Daphne: 251-725-4334 TMACsHairStudio.com A relaxing salon environment that is free of harmful chemicals, impurities and fragrance. Offering hair services, facials and massage with 100% organic products.

Ask us about our organic smoked tofu! See ad, page 29.

KAREN WATSON

TruAura Skincare Specialist/Makeup Artist Daphne, AL • 256-508-0389 TruAuraBeauty.com/trubeauty4u Skincare, anti-aging, cosmetics and body care that are pure, clean, safe and effective with zero harmful ingredients. Prebiotic/probioticbased and microbiomefriendly. See ad, page 13.

Locations in Fairhope, Foley, Bay Minette and Brewton, AL 251-929-9397 NaroAudiology.com Offering professional audiological services and hearing health care with individualized attention and compassionate care.

Providing hearing devices and evaluations plus balance testing, functional exercise and more for overall wellness. See ad, page 4.

NAUTILUS HEARING

8230 Spanish Fort Blvd., Ste. C Spanish Fort, AL 251-250-7343 NautilusHearingSpanishFort.com Nautilus Hearing Clinic offers a personalized hearing health experience. Let us provide you with a comfortable environment and discuss your hearing needs. Insurance accepted.

Follow us on Facebook: Facebook.com/nautilushearingclinic.

BEAUTY B-BUTTERFLY SALON

103A N. Bancroft St., Fairhope, AL 251-990-9934 BButterflySalon.com

salon offering B-Butterfly Aorganic products

SALON

and services including hair color and shampoo.

Make a difference today in your hair, your life and the Earth. Visit us for a free hair exam today and go organic! See ad, page 35.

BODY WORK DYNAMIC THERAPEUTICS

9037 Independence Ave., Ste. A2 Daphne, AL • 251-459-0500 DynamicTherapeutics.net We specialize in medical massage therapy and corrective exercise programming to help people who are in pain regain a better quality of life. Also offering Cryoskin—destroy fat cells permanently. Call for free consultation. See ad, page 13.

BREAST SCREENING THERMOGRAPHY ADVANTAGE

Carolyn Olson, Certified Thermographer Gulf Coast Locations from LA to FL 251-623-2225 ThermographyAdvantage.com FDA registered thermography offers breast screenings that are non-invasive and radiation-free, without compression or bodily contact.

Valuable for detecting early stage breast disease and more. Also offering ElectroLymphatic Therapy. See ad, page 3.

CBD PLANT-BASED WELLNESS DIRECTORY See listings, page 31.

40

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

CHURCHES

FARMERS MARKETS

THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF FAIRHOPE

COASTAL ALABAMA FARMERS & FISHERMENS MARKET

Join our gathering of people from diverse religions and backgrounds to celebrate unity and support the spiritual health of the community. Meeting every fourth Sunday. Contact us to learn more.

COOKING CLASSES WILDFLOWERS AND FRESH FOOD

Kristin Alpine, RN, BSN 251-656-9112 • WildflowersFreshFood.com Follow us on Facebook and Instagram Offering a simple and colorful approach to cooking, and life!

Interactive and fun cooking classes and private parties for all experience levels, plus free online recipes and cooking videos. See ad, page 11.

DEMENTIA MIND PERFORMANCE CENTER, LLC (Located inside Path To Wellness) 240 W. Laurel Ave., Foley, AL 251-597-8787 MindPerformanceCenter.com

Our non-invasive, drug-free approach helps dementia patients that originally scored in the teens on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment be restored to the point of scoring normal (26-30). See ad, page 5.

DEPRESSION MIND PERFORMANCE CENTER, LLC (Located inside Path to Wellness) 240 W. Laurel Ave., Foley, AL 251-597-8787 MindPerformanceCenter.com

Offering Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (Brainsway—a proven tool in the fight against depression that is non-invasive, painless and drug-free) with functional medicine and brain pathway rehabilitation for the most robust changes possible. See ad, page 5.

20733 Miflin Rd. (Co. Rd. 20), Foley, AL 251-709-4469 CoastalAlabamaMarket.com Open year round Tuesdays (10am-3pm, Nov-Mar; 2-6pm, Apr-Oct) and Saturdays (9am-2pm). During COVID-19 pandemic, open Saturdays only. Local farms with seasonal produce, meat, eggs, honey, jellies, baked goods, seafood, hand-crafted soaps and more. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

FOOD & NUTRITION FAIRHOPE HEALTH FOODS AND THE SUNFLOWER CAFÉ

280 Eastern Shore Shopping Center 251-928-0644 • Café: 251-929-0055 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com Comprehensive health food store and organic café serving the public for 45 years. Extensive supplement selection; organic groceries, produce and meats; bath and body products; bulk bins; pet supplies; baby products and more. See ad, page 3.

VIRGINIA’S HEALTH FOODS AND THE SUNFLOWER CAFÉ II 3055 A Dauphin St., Mobile, AL 251-479-3952 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com

Comprehensive health food store and organic café serving the public for 45 years. Extensive supplement selection; organic groceries, produce and meats; bath and body products; bulk bins; pet supplies; baby products and more. See ad, page 3.

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

28720 US-98, #2, Daphne, AL 251-210-8615 AlabamaIntegrativeHealth.com

Functional Medicine Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner Tara McLellan addresses the root cause of disease with integrative medicine—a blend of traditional western medicine and science-based functional medicine. See ad, page 35.

MASSAGE THERAPY JUBILEE HEALING ARTS

Jennifer Adams, LMT 28170 N. Main St., Ste. C, Daphne, AL 251-616-4201 • JubileeHealingArts.com Intuitive integrative massage techniques are used to facilitate the body into a state of healing without the “no pain no gain” mentality.

Over 15 years experience in the bodywork and natural wellness field. See ad, page 25.

MASTERS OF MASSAGE See listings, page 27.

NATURAL HEALTH OSTEOSTRONG

333 Greeno Rd. S., Unit 2B, Fairhope, AL 2724 Old Shell Rd., Mobile, AL 251-210-6955 • 251-586-8226 OsteoStrong.me A 7-minute session, once a week provides a natural solution for healthy joints, strong bones and muscles, better balance and flexibility and pain reduction.

Accessible to all ages; noninvasive; non-pharmaceutical. See ad, page 33.

ENRG-IV

3099 Loop Rd., Orange Beach, AL 251-240-0842 enrGIV.com

enrG

Vitamin IV lounge and functional medicine clinVitamin IV • Supplements • Functional Medicine ic. IV vitamin therapies provide relief, healing and recovery for people with health concerns ranging from dehydration to chronic illness. Call us for a free consultation. See ad, page 29.

I

81 Magnolia Ave., Fairhope, AL 251-928-5692 BahaisOfFairhope@gmail.com

INTEGRATIVE HEALTHCARE OF LOWER ALABAMA

September 2020

41

OCTOBER

PET CARE & SERVICES

SPAS

EVERLOVED VETERINARY

HYDRO ZEN AT PEAK ALKALINITY

Lydia M. Sullivan, DVM, CCRP, CVMA Serving Mobile and the Eastern Shore 251-229-1043 • EverLovedVeterinary.com Providing in-home, veterinary medical acupuncture (for all ages), plus gentle care of geriatric and terminally-ill pets in the comfort of your own home. Hospice and euthanasia services available. See ad, page 9.

HEAR THEM SPEAK Babette de Jongh HearThemSpeak.com

Are your pets acting out?

Try energy healing and telepathic counseling for multi-species families.

Mention Natural Awakenings to purchase a set of four remote sessions at last year’s prices and save $30. See ad, page 35.

PHARMACY

217-B Fairhope Ave., Fairhope, AL 251-270-7200 PeakAlkalinity.com

Offering cleansing far infrared sauna sessions followed by a hydrating collagen shower and detoxifying foot spas. Ask about package specials. See ad, page 27.

SUSTAINABLE INVESTING THE RADCLIFF-SCHATZMAN GROUP AT MORGAN STANLEY

251-470-1081 • 850-470-8033 11 N. Water St., Ste 16290, Mobile, AL Align your investments with your values. We work with individuals and institutions to create sustainable investing opportunities that drive positive environmental, social and governance outcomes. See ad, page 13.

VITAMINS/SUPPLEMENTS

BY THE BAY PHARMACY + WELLNESS 28720 U.S. Hwy. 98, Ste. 2, Daphne, AL 251-206-8999 ByTheBayPharmacy.com

Coming Next Month

Joint Health

Plus: Stress Management

To advertise or participate in our next issue, call

Your hometown, locallyrun pharmacy with all your medication and wellness needs. In addition to traditional pharmacy services, we focus on natural products for health, nutrition, pain-relief and weight loss. See ad, page 9.

680 S. Schillinger, Mobile: 251-633-0485 6845 Hwy. 90, Daphne: 251-621-1865 HealthHutAL.com For 30+ years The Health Hut has been the go-to place for high quality, wholefood vitamins, herbs and sport supplements at great prices.

Service-oriented, knowledgeable staff. See ad, page 3.

ROLFING

WATER FILTERS

EASTERN SHORE ROLFING

PEAK ALKALINITY

Pam Reaves, Certified Rolfer® 22806 Hwy. 98, Fairhope, AL 706-681-2935

Rolfing® is a holistic approach to manual therapy that seeks to improve your health and function by reestablishing the natural alignment and structural integration of the human body.

More information at EasternShoreRolfing.com. See ad, page 13.

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

217-B Fairhope Ave., Fairhope 2724 Old Shell Rd., Midtown Mobile 251-270-7200 • 251-586-8198 PeakAlkalinity.com Offering in-home alkaline water ionizers so you never have to buy bottled water again. We have countertop and underthe-counter units plus portable marine units. Ask about our affordable rental program! See ad, page 27.

YOGA MASTERS OF YOGA See ads, page 21.

251-990-9552 42

THE HEALTH HUT

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

NAPUB110

September 2020

43

Offering classes in studio, outdoors and online.

103B N. Bancroft Street Fairhope, AL www.thesoulshinelife.com 251-225-4597