Natural Awakenings Boston December 2020

F

E E HEALTHY LIVING R

HEALTHY

PLANET

WRITING A NEW

WORLD STORY

THAT HEALS US AND THE PLANET

HEALING WITH ESSENTIAL OILS

GIVE THE GIFT

OF FESTIVE EDIBLES

HOMETOWN BENEFITS OF THE BUY LOCAL MOVEMENT

OPEN YOURSELF UP TO THE POSSIBILITIES OF HEALING WITH ENERGY December 2020 | Boston | NaturalAwakeningsBoston.com

DEPARTMENTS 7 news briefs 10 health briefs 11 global briefs 12 eco tip 21 green living 22 conscious eating 26 plant medicine 28 classifieds 29 resource guide

Due to the fluidity of the coronavirus situation and massive amounts of event cancellations, please visit our website for calendar listings. Please also be sure to confirm events prior to the date of the event.

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Natural Awakenings | Boston | December 2020 issue

14 14 HEALTHY CONNECTIONS FOR THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

16 A NEW STORY FOR THE WORLD Re-Visioning the Script for a Healthier Society and Planet

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25

20 ESSENTIAL OILS: A POSITIVE IMPACT ON HEALTH CARE AND DENTISTRY

21 PAY WHERE WE PLAY

Boosting the Hometown Economy

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25 THE POWER OF ENERGY

Opening Up to Reiki Healing

26 HOW TO SAFELY SHOP FOR MEDICINAL CBD

THE GIFT OF YUM Homemade Treats Spark Holiday Cheer

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publisher’s blog

This issue wraps up a whirlwind of a year, which I can say wasn’t anything like what I was expecting. Just like many of our readers, my expectations included a year of clarity, and hope for this new decade, and a mindset that included 20/20 vision set on seeing the good in everything, including our political landscape.

It hasn’t been easy finding the good in all situations, especially when regarding politics and an unexpected pandemic that has seemingly, singlehandedly turned our world and its occupants upside down and sideways though I still see that hope is alive and well, manifested in many ways.

Today, I’m especially grateful for one area in particular. After earning a few different degrees and making several different career choices, my great niece Danielle finally settled on Occupational Therapy. I had no idea of the scope of what OTs do but suffice to say, it is expansive.

Currently still a student, she has been working in a variety of hospital settings including acute psychiatric care and a geriatric unit. Many of her patients are there due to the stress and anxiety of prolonged isolation.

Those who live alone, in nursing homes isolated from friends, family and other facility residents, are suffering at alarming rates.

Danielle’s work includes educating patients on how to use technology to connect with others through platforms like Zoom or Google Hangouts. It also includes assisting patients with coping skills and stress management.

Leisure exploration introduces opportunities for hobbies like online knitting, writing and crafting groups and support groups to help connect with others on a regular basis.

When asked what friends, family and even strangers can do to help support the elderly, Danielle encourages family and friends to be diligent about connecting with loved ones online as often as possible. For strangers, she encourages anyone interested to reach out to area nursing homes to explore pen pal programs to connect with residents and exchange letters and photos. A letter can make all the difference in the world to one’s mental and emotional health, especially during the holidays when many individuals are isolated.

With hopes and wishes for a peaceful holiday season for all.

Peace,

A Special Thank You to Our Sponsors:

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news briefs

KnoWEwell Platform Offers One-Year Free Memberships in December

KnoWEwell, a collaborative partner with the Natural Awakenings family of publishers, is offering individuals and providers the opportunity to receive a complimentary one-year membership to its global community and marketplace. The KnoWEwell platform is a comprehensive online destination for today’s trusted Regenerative Whole Health knowledge, resources and community. Through its use, subscribers can find access to vetted, evidence-based resources for health, wellness and sustainability.

Individuals, providers and experts can communicate and work together in an interactive, vibrant online community.

“We are an ecosystem collaborating to inspire and empower individuals to achieve WELLthier Living. Join the movement as we share knowledge and healing success stories, provide access to evidence-based resources, create meaningful connections and help today’s providers, mission-aligned nonprofits and businesses opportunities prosper. We are transforming the health care we know,” says Kimberly Whittle, Founder and CEO. “Natural Awakenings is honored to give our dedicated readers the opportunity to be among the first members welcomed into the KnoWEwell community. With gratitude for our 26 years of readership and support, through our mission-aligned collaborative partnership with KnoWEwell, for a limited time we are pleased to gift both individuals and providers with free annual memberships,” says Sharon Bruckman, Founder and CEO.

We wish everyone a beautiful, peaceful holiday season.

For more information, visit KnoWEwell.com and see the ad on back page, which includes the free membership codes during this limited time offer.

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December 2020

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news briefs

Get Cooking with Virtual Soup-Making Classes

Personal Chef, Debbie Brosnan, will host two virtual soup-making classes this month: Butternut Squash Soup on December 5, and Pasta e Fagioli Soup on December 12. Both will take place from 1 to 2 p.m., on Zoom. These are fun, interactive classes that teach new cooking skills in the safety of one’s own home. All levels of experience and kids are welcome.

In this time of social distancing, people have started to participate in her classes with friends joining from other homes. It is also a fun way to bridge the gap with friends or family at a distance. Soup is a wonderful meal to prepare in bulk and freeze for when needed as a healthy quick meal or side dish.

Cost: $30 per device, per class. Classes can be booked through Experiences on AboutTheJourney.com. For more information, call 860-359-2200.

Wishing you a safe and healthy holiday season!

Visit Our New Pharmacy: Theatre Pharmacy 1784 Massachusetts Ave. Lexington, MA • 781.862.4480

Invest in Self-Care, Health and Wellness at Savin Hill Fitness Studio

Savin Hill Fitness Studio, in Dorchester, is ready to inspire and motivate individuals through virtual and in-person classes and trainings.

With more than 35 classes every week, both in-person and virtual, including Barre, yoga, Bootcamp, HIIT, kickboxing, power yoga and more, its team is dedicated to helping people stay active, strong and supported during these stressful times. PersonErin Madore al training and nutrition coaching are also available.

“Regardless of whether you work out with us from home or in our space, we are sure that you will find us fun, engaging, challenging and motivating,” says studio owner Erin Madore.

For anyone looking to further or get started with a fitness career, Madore is offering a Barre Empowered Certification program starting December 10.

Location: 110 Savin Hill Ave., Boston. For more information, call 617-430-4060 or visit SavinHillFitness.com.

Sacred Song Reiki is Re-Opening Private reiki, sound healing and/ or crystal bed healing sessions, with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID -19 protocols in place, are now available at Sacred Song Reiki, in Stow.

Owner Priscilla Gale is currently booking appointments for the following services: reiki, reiki with sound healing, crystal bed healing, and crystal bed healing with crystal sound vibration.

Gale teaches that the true experience of oneness and wholeness is based in recognizing everyone is far more than just the sum of their parts, but a vitally important part of a greater whole of the heart of humanity. Formerly an international opera singer, now as minister and high priestess, she is devoted to a life of learning, having studied multiple spiritual paths and healing modalities in the service of mankind and the planet.

Location: 22 Circuit Dr., Stow. For more information, call 978897-8846 or visit SacredSongReiki.com.

For every minute you remain angry, you give up 60 seconds of peace of mind. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson 8

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news briefs

JANUARY

Rhode Island Natural Awakenings Seeks New Steward

When the first Natural Awakenings edition was published in Naples, Florida, 27 years ago, it was to fill a specific community need. Founder Sharon Bruckman wanted to make it easier for people in her area to find information in one place about local farmers’ markets and healthy living activities and events. It may seem quaint in the post-Google era we are in now, but Natural Awakenings was born from one woman’s honest desire to help people be informed and empowered. That mission has driven Maureen Cary’s leadership as publisher of the Rhode Island edition for more than 12 years.

With a passion for healthy living, Cary was looking to bring the Rhode Island holistic community together. “I knew it was out there and just needed a vehicle to bring it all together,” says Cary. That has been her passion for the last 12 years— being actively involved in the community, introducing new businesses, sponsoring events, having a visible presence at expos and distributing the magazine anywhere that will have it. “The more people who can find us, the more people we can help,” she attests.

In the midst of extraordinary change on the planet and in our culture, on all levels, Natural Awakenings is no exception when it comes to that wave. In the aftermath of the upheaval, new projects, businesses and enterprises will be forming, which will be thrilling to witness (some of it is already underway). Exciting new digital partnerships are forming for the Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation national franchise and those represent innovative opportunities for multiple revenue streams for the local magazines and their constituents.

“While I know the future of the magazine is bright, for a variety of reasons both personal and professional, now is the time for me to step away from publishing the Rhode Island edition. I am making the franchise available for immediate sale; this December 2020 edition will be my last issue as publisher,” shares Cary.

This is a great opportunity to get involved in the local community and make a difference. Work from anywhere, make your own hours, plot your own course.

Coming Next Month

Holistic Hospital Care Plus: Health & Wellness on a Budget

For more information about the sale of Natural Awakenings Rhode Island, contact Maureen Cary at 401-862-5695 or email MCary@RINaturalAwakenings.com. See ad page 24.

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December 2020

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health briefs

The simple step of taking a daily multivitamin during pregnancy can reduce the risk of autism in newborns by 38 percent, report Chinese researchers that analyzed nine studies of 231,163 children, of which 4,459 were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Another study from Kings College, London, of 1,555 obese, pregnant women, concluded that when they improved their diet and exercised, their children three years later had an average resting pulse rate of five beats per minute lower than the other children, a better glycemic response and slightly less obesity. Israeli research, published in the online journal Sleep, involving 116 men ages 21 to 59, found those that used smartphones and tablets in the evening and after bedtime had lower sperm quality with reduced counts and motility. Watching TV, another light-emitting source, during the evening also correlated with lower sperm concentration.

Cruciferous Veggies Cleans Blood Vessels

“Bulking up” evokes images of bodybuilders and possible steroid use, but new research shows that older people that simply eat lots of vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables have greater skeletal muscle mass than those that don’t eat these foods. Researchers from the UK’s University of East Anglia collected data from more than 13,000 people between 42 and 82 years old and reported in The Journal of Nutrition that the highest amounts of vitamin C correlated with the greatest estimated skeletal muscle mass— an important finding, as people older than 50 typically lose half a percent of muscle fat each year, leading to frailty and a lower quality of life. Sixty percent of men in the study and 50 percent of women were not getting enough vitamin C from food or supplements. “We’re not talking about people needing megadoses.

Eating a citrus fruit such as an orange each day and having a vegetable side to a meal will be sufficient for most people,” says study co-author Richard Hayhoe.

Pile on the broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage.

In a study of 684 older Australian women published in the British Journal of Nutrition, researchers found those that ate more than 45 grams of cruciferous vegetables a day— about one-quarter cup of steamed broccoli or one-half cup of raw cabbage—were 46 percent less likely to have calcium buildup in the aorta, the main vessel carrying blood from the heart into the body. Fatty calcium deposits in the aorta are a key marker of vascular disease linked to heart attacks and strokes. “One particular constituent found abundantly in cruciferous vegetables is vitamin K, which may be involved in inhibiting the calcification process that occurs in our blood vessels,” says lead author Lauren Blekkenhorst, of Edith Cowan University, in Perth.

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Retain Muscle Mass with Vitamin C

kudos

Dr. Margo Roman 10

Dr. Margo Roman, of Main Street Animal Services of Hopkinton (MASH Vet), has published a peer-reviewed research article about the microbiome and behavior in Townsend Letter, the Examiner of Alternative Medicine. In it, Roman explains microbiome restorative therapy, which she uses in her veterinary practice and explains changes in behavior in both humans and animals as a result of the therapy.

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“A reboot of the gut-brain connection is critical for good health,” she explains.

To learn more, read the full article at bit.ly/3ksCrNF. Main Street Animal Services of Hopkinton (MASH Vet) is located at 72 W. Main St., Hopkinton. For more information, call 508-4354077 or visit MASHVet.com.See ad on page 19 and Resource Guide on page 30.

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freestocksorg/Pexels.com

For a Healthy Baby, Take a Multivitamin, Exercise and Ditch the Devices

global briefs

Skin Relief

Shining Example Saving Arctic Ice Using Glass Beads

The California nonprofit Arctic Ice Project is proposing to scatter a thin layer of reflective silica glass particles over parts of the Arctic in an effort to protect it from the sun and help ice to re-form. Engineer Leslie Field, an adjunct lecturer and chief technical officer at Stanford University, says they are trying to break a self-destructive feedback loop.

An underrated feature of Arctic sea ice is the ability of its bright, white surface to reflect light. The frigid poles have acted for millennia as a massive umbrella that helps keep the planet cool and climate stable. Now much of that ice is rapidly melting. As temperatures rise, the reflective white ice dissolves into darker blue water that absorbs more of the sun’s energy instead of reflecting it into space.

Warmer water accelerates melting, which means yet more absorption of heat, which drives further melting, in a cycle that is part of the reason why the Arctic is warming about twice as fast as the rest of the planet. In July, the ice cover was as low as it has ever been at the same time of year.

laura chouette/Unsplash.com

California governor Gavin Newsom has signed the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act into law, which bans 24 ingredients from cosmetics and personal care products sold within the state. The list includes mercury, formaldehyde, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, endocrine-disrupting phthalates and long-chain parabens used as preservatives, among other chemicals. Many have been linked to breast cancer, reproductive and neurological damage, birth defects, organ system toxicity and developmental delays.

National standards lag behind the rest of the world and have not been updated since being created in 1938. Despite the industry’s immense size, only two pages of the 829-page Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act govern cosmetics.

The new California law will make products safer for everyone, but Black women stand to benefit more because they represent the biggest U.S. market for cosmetics. Environmental watchdog Treehugger notes that Black women account for an estimated 22 percent of the country’s $42-billion per year personal care products market, despite comprising less than 7 percent of the national population.

Tainted Taps WellExplorer App Can Warn of Toxic Drinking Water

The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has created WellExplorer, a new, interactive tool that allows residents and scientists to find out what toxins have been deposited in their drinking water as a result of hydraulic fracturing (fracking). Exposure to fracking fluid in drinking water has been shown to increase the risk of respiratory problems, premature births, congenital heart defects and other health problems.

Different fracking sites use a diverse mix of chemical ingredients, and individuals and researchers are often uninformed about the exact health consequences of living near a particular well. People can view the closest fracking sites in their state, learn which chemicals are used at those sites and view their levels of toxicity by entering their zip code. WellExplorer can be obtained for free at WellExplorer.org or downloaded on Apple’s App store.

A recent study published in the journal Database found that operators of wells in Alabama use a disproportionately high number of chemicals that target estrogen pathways, as do those in Illinois, Ohio and Pennsylvania in impacting testosterone pathways. The information found through WellExplorer might be particularly relevant for those that use private water wells. kobu agency/Unsplash.com

matt holmes/Unsplash.com

California Passes Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act

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eco tip

’TIS THE SEASON TO SAVE THE PLANET Eco-Friendly Holiday Ideas When the holiday classic Jingle Bells starts playing in department stores, Americans deck the landfills with extra trash. According to the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), garbage increases by 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day—or about 1 million extra tons each week—including 38,000 miles of ribbon, $11 billion worth of packing material and 15 million discarded Christmas trees.

As this waste decomposes, dangerous greenhouse gases such as methane and carbon dioxide are emitted, adding to the climate crisis. This season, include Earth on the gift list by reducing holiday-related waste.

To stop the uptick of mailed catalogs, call stores and request to be removed from mailing lists.

Reusable shopping bags are not just for groceries. Bring them to malls and boutiques to cut down on single-use 12

store bags.

Wrapping paper, ribbons and bows are beautiful, but create waste. Consider eco-friendly alternatives like towels, tablecloths, scarves and even socks.

According to NEEF, an estimated 2.6 billion holiday cards are sold in the U.S. every year. That’s enough to fill a football field 10 stories high. Be kind to the planet by switching to e-cards or making personal phone calls.

At the holiday table, use cloth napkins and tablecloths instead of paper. They’re festive, elegant and best of all, washable and reusable.

Forgo plastic cutlery, paper plates and single-use plastic cups, too. An extra dishwasher load is better than bags full of trash, plastic being the worst non-biodegradable culprit.

Social-distancing Americans are expected to flock to the internet for gifts.

Consider saving the shipping boxes and

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packing materials for later use or donating them to a mailing center that would be happy to reuse them.

The most environmentally friendly gifts eliminate wrapping and shipping altogether. Here are some favorite low-waste ideas: n Charitable donations n Cooking, music, craft or other lessons n Passes to museums or amusement parks n Gift cards for restaurants or bookstores n Music downloads or spa treatments Most towns recycle Christmas trees and process them into mulch for use in parks.

Contact a local waste management agency for details.

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What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other? ~George Eliot

It’s That Easy.

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December 2020

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Healthy Connections for this Holiday Season

by Tamara Luck

The holidays are quickly approaching, which typically is the season to be merry and gather with family, friends and loved ones to eat delicious foods and celebrate.

But this year is shaping up to look different. While cheer is still encouraged, parties and large get-togethers are not advised in order to decrease the chance of spreading viruses.

Instead, stay connected while staying apart. Here are three recommendations for doing just that:

SHARE HOMEMADE HOLIDAY DISHES

The true spirit of the holidays is spreading warmth and care to others, showing them just how much they mean. One can still do this by cooking homemade and nutritious meals or baked goods to be shared within the community. Drop off an apple pie at a neighbor’s house to let them know they are being thought about or make a holiday dish to bring to elder parents, siblings or friends. Some favorites include homemade chili, which can be made vegan or gluten-free so everyone can enjoy it, as well as a turkey dinner or sweet potato pie. Sharing nutritious dishes spreads joy, while also helping relieve some stress people might feel around this time of year.

It’s difficult to not engage in holiday traditions as usual, which might induce feelings of anxiety or sadness. Making 14

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meals and baked goods for loved ones is the perfect way to stay connected and keep the holiday cheer.

NEVER MISS AN ISSUE!

DONATE

Donating goods is a tradition that is always encouraged each year, and 2020 is no exception. In fact, even more organizations and centers are seeking support. At the next visit to the grocery shop, pick up a few extra canned goods or non-perishable items and drop them off at the local community center or shelter. Shelters are often in need of gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free and other allergen-free foods. Some helpful items to give are beans, rice, potatoes, chicken broth, canned tomatoes, gluten-free bread or almond milk. Donating is an easy way to connect with the community during the holidays, while maintaining a safe and healthy distance from others to stop the spread of disease.

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PRACTICE SELF-CARE

Not only is it important to continue supporting others over the holidays, but also remember to make time for oneself. This has been a challenging year for most. Focusing on gratitude and self-care are excellent ways to stay grounded, thus allowing one to connect with others in an authentically joyous way. The path to feeling our best often begins with proper nourishment. Start the day with a robust mix of protein, whole grains and healthy fats, such as an egg, quinoa and a veggie bowl. Throughout the day continue to stay fueled with fiber, satiated with protein, and hydrated with water. Of course, there is usually room for a little dessert, too. Enjoy a piece of dark chocolate with peppermint for a sweet and festive treat.

This holiday season will feel and look different from previous years. Keep the community safe by maintaining distance while also fostering a jolly spirit by staying connected with those who matter the most to you.

Tamara Luck, RDN, LDN, is an integrative and functional dietitian in Waltham.She works to uncover root causes of imbalances in the body and takes an individualized approach to wellness with her one-onone clients.She is currently accepting new patients at Johnson Compounding and Wellness and appointments can be made at Calendly.com/TamaraLuck. See ad on this page and Resource Guide on page 30.

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A New Story for the World Re-Visioning the Script for a Healthier Society and Planet

by Linda Sechrist

lightscience/AdobeStock.com

The most familiar form of human activity and the most natural way to describe what happens in our lives is through telling stories. Toddlers listen to stories that have contained the same archetypal characters acting out similar plots for millennia. In literature, folktales and myths all over the world, stories serve the purpose of providing life instructions and answering humanity’s fundamental questions about the nature of existence, such as who we are, where we came from, the definition of our purpose and the nature of our reality.

In the 1980s, author and cultural historian Thomas Berry declared that humanity needed a new story that is less destructive and dysfunctional. Berry filled lecture halls, telling attendees, “We are in trouble now because we don’t have a good story. The old story, the account of how the world came to be and how we fit into it, isn’t functioning properly. What once sustained us, shaped our emotional attitude, provided us with life purpose, energized action, consecrated suffering, integrated knowledge and guided education is no longer serving humanity.” As we are discovering globally through hard experience, the old stories of rugged individualism and conquering and dominating the natural world have run their course with grim results.

In the last four decades, fragments of a new story have been slowly emerging. Because it isn’t deemed worthy of mainstream media, the public is left in the dark about new, life-instructing stories capable of altering human civilization in positive ways.

Were these story fragments woven together in an anthology, chapters on climate, economy, religion, environment, science, politics, medicine, education, conscious evolution and community would constitute a useful account of ideas and concepts capable of bringing about a brighter future for humanity and the planet. These possibilities would surely capture readers’ imaginations.

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New Climate Story In Climate: A New Story, writer and activist Charles Eisenstein suggests that we need a new story that Boston | NaturalAwakeningsBoston.com

makes possible the more beautiful world our hearts know is achievable.

The story, which he believes is attainable, calls for people, governments and organizations to embrace a partnership paradigm to protect, restore, regenerate and repair damages to our planet’s natural world, which we call the environment. Using indigenous wisdom, organizations such as the Pachamama Alliance and Bioneers are helping individuals worldwide to recognize that humanity is here to be in service to life. Creating the right conditions for revitalizing life is the opposite of our collective story that views the natural world only as a resource.

Eisenstein’s ideas for regenerative agriculture match those described in environmentalist Paul Hawken’s Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming. In October, Drawdown Georgia became the first state-centered effort to crowd-solve for climate change, with solutions tailored to Georgia’s unique natural, economic and social resources.

New Science Story Evolution biologist Elisabet Sahtouris’ stories about science shine a light on the broader perspective of life and science gained from studying multiple worldviews. A scholar of ancient sciences, Sahtouris reminds us that the original purpose of science was to find guidance for human affairs by studying nature. During a recent conversation with Ubiquity University founder Jim Garrison in the online Humanity Rising’s Global Solutions Summit, she says, “We have acted in opposition and made ecology subservient to our economy, using ecology as a set of resources for human economics. When we make our economy fit into nature’s economy, which we call ecology, we’ll have ecosophy, the ‘wisdom of the Earth itself’ that occurs when a man knows how to listen with love.”

Sahtouris teaches corporations about ecosophy’s new view of a conscious universe and a living Earth in which we are co-creators. This, she believes, takes humans out of fatalistic victimhood so that we can become

consciously active agents of our destiny. Lifting the fog of our self-image as consumers of stuff gives humans the rights and responsibilities to live out our full co-creative humanity.

A Global Commons Sharing Solutions Through the daily sharing of stories with keynote speakers and panel discussions, Garrison increases the momentum of the Humanity Rising movement, which includes Ubiquity University students, program participants and more than 400 organizations that come together as a “global commons” to take counsel and share what they are developing for their own networks.

Humanity Rising was launched to try to leverage the crisis of the coronavirus pandemic into an opportunity for human renewal and increase our resilience to future challenges. This new form of real-life competency education delivered in TED Talk-style presentations, moderated dialogues, working groups, blogs, ongoing conversations, group discussions and other interactions provides participants a wide scope of possibilities and activities for working together for global solutions.

Economics Story If British economist Kate Raworth writes a follow-up to her bestselling book Donut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st Century Economist, she’ll certainly add a case study of her consulting work in Amsterdam, where her donut model is now embraced as the starting point for public policy decisions. Amsterdam is the world’s first city to make a commitment to Raworth’s concepts: “Out with the global attachment to economic growth and laws of supply and demand, and in with … what it means for countries, cities and people to thrive in balance with the planet,” as reported in The Guardian. The simple central premise of Raworth’s alternative to growth economics is that the goal of economic activity should be to meet the core needs of all within the means of the planet.

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Interconnectedness Author Robert Atkinson’s contribution to the new story is his understanding of the underlying unity in all religions and all humanity, expressed throughout his book The Story of Our Time: From Duality to Interconnectedness to Oneness. “Nature is an embodiment of the divine, and the whole Earth is sacred. Its vast resources are our common heritage entrusted to us,” he says. “Humanity is one family.

Having passed through the stage of childhood, humanity is now struggling to leave behind its adolescent ways while taking on new patterns of thought and action in approaching its maturity. Accepting the oneness of humanity as a biological fact, a social necessity and a spiritual reality will lead us further along our journey toward lasting peace.”

Atkinson believes global harmony is inevitable when we exercise our obligation to independently investigate reality and stop blindly and uncritically following various traditions, movements and opinions. He says, “I consider this as one of the main sources of world conflict.”

Undivided Wholeness In a world engulfed by fragmentation, the film Infinite Potential: The Life & Ideas of David Bohm is a healing balm with the potential to overturn our ideas about the world and ourselves.

“The core work of David Bohm, considered one of the most significant theoretical physicists of the 20th century, is our essential interconnectedness and undivided wholeness from which we get a sense of our own interconnectivity,” says producer and director Paul Howard. “This realization makes it logical to start taking better care of ourselves, each other and planet Earth.”

Howard notes, “David was interested in the nature of thought and consciousness. Realizing that he wanted to develop full expression of his interests, he explored wider domains and investigated different worldviews with sages, philosophers and spiritual leaders such as the Dalai Lama, who called David his ‘science guru’. A lifeDecember 2020

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long concern with social and political change led him to develop the Bohm Dialogue, a form of communication aiming to break through our collective modes of habitual thought. He also spent time with indigenous people, searching for a new form of language in which to express his ideas in a more process-oriented way.”

Indigenous Wisdom

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While the early church developed and grew in numbers by assimilating the wisdom of the world about it, including paganism, it neglected to assimilate the intuitive ways in that indigenous people knew the natural world, how it functioned and how intimately they were integrated with it.

Tribes around the globe have ancient extinction stories that foretold the crises we are collectively experiencing, as well as potential outcomes and possible solutions. In Sacred Instructions: Indigenous Wisdom for Living Spirit-Based Change, Sherri Mitchell (Weh’na Ha’mu Kwasset) tells the story of the Mohawk Seventh Generation Prophecy. “The Onkwehonwe, or real people, rise up and demand their wisdom and way of life be respected and that the natural way of the Earth and way of life be fully restored. Teachings on the indigenous way of life are being sought after, and all that remains is that we work together to restore the Earth to a state of balance and good health,” she says.

Medicine and Community

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Thousands of people are gathering in online intentional communities associated with personal growth, healing and spiritual awakening. Jennifer Phelps, M.D., owner and director of Phelps MD Integrative Medicine, in Redding, Connecticut, practices mind-body medicine and is a faculty member of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine, in Washington, D.C. A trained facilitator of small groups, she has been teaching trauma and stress healing via Zoom calls during the pandemic.

Initially, Phelps was concerned about how the levels of intimacy, trust and vulnerability necessary for individuals to develop a sense

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of cohesiveness and bonding could be formed via computer screens. By using the center’s model of self-care, self-awareness and mutual support that has its roots in indigenous culture, she felt her concern dissipate as group members began to bond quickly. “Our guidelines call for no cross-talking and no interrupting. Confidentiality is sacred. I’m a facilitator and a participant, which most models don’t allow,” says Phelps. She speculates that the success of online bonding might be due to participants feeling safer in their homes with a little extra anonymity, noting, “Not being face-to-face seems to allow people to share more freely. These weird times are creating a commonality and a sense of community connection.”

Conscious Choice Leah Lamb, a sacred storyteller in Topanga, California, defines her role as a seer far beyond the present moment. In Lamb’s online classes with her storytelling community, she loves sharing quotes by other storytellers such as Rebecca Solnit, “We think we tell stories; but stories often tell us …

Too often stories saddle us, and they ride us and whip us onward and tell us what to do and we do it without questioning. The task of learning to be free is to learn to hear them; to question them, to pause and hear silence, to name them and then become a storyteller of your own story.”

“In our role of storyteller, we can’t be without understanding that we tell stories about how we are in the world as much as stories tell us how to be in world. Identify and notice your stories, then understand how they are running you, so you can consciously choose your place in them,” advises Lamb, who encourages her students to discover the genius of their own calling.

These are only some chapters in the new story that calls for each of us to be aware of the stories we live by, as well as those we tell ourselves and others.

It also begs us to ask what is our role in the new story.

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

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December 2020

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Essential Oils: A Positive Impact on Health Care and Dentistry

by Amparo David Essential oils, homeopathic medicine and herbal remedies hold an impressive title when it comes to healing illnesses.

Many people are realizing healthier alternatives to medications that doctors will prescribe in a hurry. Antibiotics, among other drugs, have been one of the most prescribed band-aid approaches to conditions that may have a much simpler fix. Diagnosing conditions takes time and focus, something health care has lost to meet production goals for the day. As people begin to take more control over the direction of their health care, they are realizing there are healthier options to treat their bodies that also won’t cause long-term damage.

Essential oils have become more popular to people’s everyday lifestyle and for a good reason. Essential oils are small extracts of plant life, including fruits, flowers, leaves and wood. These extractions are the “essential”, or healing properties, of the associated vegetation. There are countless types of essential oils that can help manage different conditions ranging from a minor skin rash to a complex cancer. The advantage of essential oils is they run through the body flawlessly without causing any unwanted side effects.

For example, chlorhexidine is a common, post-surgical antibiotic rinse. Many times, this rinse would be recommended after having a tooth extracted. This rinse is not biocompatible with the body due to its abrasive properties, and side effects of a toxic amount of chlorhexidine can include nausea. So, why is this product exposed to highly absorptive tissues inside the mouth? Recommending a plant-derived essential oil, such as tea tree, clove or eucalyptus can prove to be a superior form of patient care as it removes the chance of harmful side effects while still treating an inflamed tooth extraction site.

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Similar to essential oils, individuals can also turn to herbal remedies. Anxiety and stomach discomfort are common problems many people deal with daily. Instead of managing an anxious mind with a drug known as benzodiazepines, known to cause side effects such as disorientation and depression, something as simple as drinking chamomile tea before sleeping can improve anxiety in some people. When it comes to stomach pains, rather than drinking a large amount of Pepto Bismol, which can worsen stomach discomfort and even cause impairment with hearing, ginger can be taken as a remedy to treat nausea and improve gastrointestinal function. Approaching certain conditions with an herbal remedy first may save a person from intensifying present symptoms and creating new ones.

Over the years, health care has grown comfortable with pharmaceuticals as a universal treatment for countless people.

Taking the time to treat patients correctly should be occurring more in hospital and dental practice settings. Patients themselves should also take the time to learn about themselves and take charge of their care. If not, the public will continue to consume unnecessary toxins over the span of a lifetime. By being able to use a remedy that Earth has provided for us is a gift, and it should be considered more.

Dr. Amparo M. David, DMD, has her own practice, Dentistry by Dr. David, located at 563 Main St., Bolton, where she practices general and cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics. She also has completed a residency in dental sleep medicine and sleep apnea and is able to assist some of her patients with this common problem. For more information, call 978-779-2888 or visit BoltonDental.com.

See ad on page 13 and Resource Guide on page 30.

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green living green living

Pay Where We Play Boosting the Hometown Economy

by Sandra Yeyati A message we hear throughout the year, but especially during the holidays, is, “Buy local.” The idea is to purchase from locally owned and operated businesses. Facing competition from big chains like Walmart or internet companies like Amazon, they need our support. But it’s not just a nice thing to do; consumers that buy local help build robust hometown economies with a long list of impressive benefits.

“About three dozen studies have found that two to four times more money stays in the economy for every dollar spent in a locally owned business rather than a nonlocal one,” says economist Michael Shuman, author of The Small-Mart Revolution, Put Your Money Where Your Life Is and The Local Economy Solution. “What’s more, the community enjoys a multiplier effect, generating two to four times more job opportunities, two to four times more income and two to four times greater tax collections. If your interest is in reducing poverty and raising social equality, locally owned businesses are your ticket to doing so.”

According to Shuman, cities that rely on just one or two large companies to drive their economies are far less self-reliant and less resilient than towns that support a diversified base of smaller, locally owned businesses. “The more you have control over your economy, the less likely you’re going to be hurt if one big company splits for Mexico,” he explains.

Cities that have many thriving local businesses enjoy other benefits, too. “We know from political science studies that they have higher rates of voting participation and volunteering,” Shuman says. “Sociology studies show lower crime and greater degrees of social organization and civil society. Health studies reveal that local business communities replace a lot of unhealthy, imported food with healthier, fresher, less-packaged food that lowers rates of diabetes and obesity. Unique local businesses attract tourists.

And because they shorten the lines of distribution and supply, we know they bring down carbon footprint.”

Phoenix business leader Kimber Lanning, who opened a record store in 1987 and Be sure to let our advertisers know you found them in

an art gallery in 1999, has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of local commerce. “Doing business with people we know heightens our connection to place, and when we care about place, we’re more likely to vote, volunteer and give charitably.”

In 2003, Lanning founded the nonprofit Local First Arizona (LFA) to help local businesses thrive and eventually eliminate city, state and federal subsidies that multinational companies were receiving.

“Big chains move in, claiming they’re going to drive so much sales tax revenue that the city should pay them to be there,” she explains. “Cabela’s [the outfitter chain] got a $68 million subsidy from Glendale to open one retail location. These sweetheart deals extract money out of the community that could have been spent on parks, libraries and fire departments, but instead goes to shareholders living elsewhere.”

Responding to political pressure by LFA and others, Arizona passed a law banning these subsidies five years ago—a major victory—leveling the playing field for smaller businesses, according to Lanning.

As the author of 13 destination guidebooks, Florida-based travel journalist Karen T. Bartlett helps people discover the often-hidden flavors and experiences unique to their own region, meeting neighbors and supporting the local economy along the way. “From kayak adventures and foodie tours to community theater productions and galleries featuring local artists, fun and meaningful ways to enjoy the distinctive offerings of home abound,” she says.

“Think local first,” Lanning says. “Spend your money with people you know in your community—from haircuts to oil changes.

Use a local pharmacy. Go to the farmers’ market and move your money to community banks and credit unions.”

“For people to get excited about the purchase of a five-dollar hammer and not pay attention to where they have their mortgage is utterly irrational. Rank [in] order your business expenditures, which starts with your home, then probably goes to your car and then health care, and think about ways of localizing those things, rather than every grocery item,” Shuman advises.

“Usually, you find cheaper, better-quality goods and services, or at the very least, comparable options,” he says, adding that even if a purchase is slightly more expensive or a bit less convenient, favoring the neighborhood vendor is always going to benefit the local economy.

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

Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

December 2020

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conscious eating

The Gift of Yum Homemade Treats Spark Holiday Cheer

by April Thompson

Gift-givers seeking memorable presents while avoiding holiday shopping stress need look no further than the kitchen. Edible homemade gifts make special, welcome treats, help slow down the shopping frenzy of the season and increase creativity in the kitchen. While 79 percent of recipients return some holiday gifts every year, food and handmade items rank in the top 10 treasured gifts, according to Survey Monkey research.

Mackenzie Burgess, a Fort Collins, Colorado, dietitian and recipe developer at Cheerful Choices, encourages holiday gift-givers to think beyond the Christmas cookie. One of her go-to holiday gifts, a lentil and brown rice dry soup mix, features colorful dry ingredients layered in a Mason jar and the recipe attached with a pretty ribbon. “This shelf-stable dry soup mix is the perfect, plant-based meal to make on a chilly night, and makes for a unique, affordable and thoughtful gift,” says Burgess, adding that the Mason jars can be repurposed.

For a sweet but healthy treat, Burgess offers freezer-friendly energy bites, which can be made in large quantities in advance and frozen or refrigerated, then popped into jars at gift time. These gluten-free, vegan treats can be made with common pantry items, including a base of oats, nut butter and a sweetener like honey or agave, as well as “fixings” such as shredded coconut, dried cranberries or goji berries, chopped nuts, or chia or flax seeds to boost the flavor and nutrition. Natural food coloring can also be added to foster a more festive look.

To give a gift a “wow” factor, blogger Shelley Fulton, in Hudson, Ohio, recommends making a themed basket that may include a mix of homemade and purchased items. “You can take your signature spice rub or that homemade soup mix everyone raves about and expand into a gift basket with other products that support the theme, like barbecue tools for the spice rub or a kettle with cute soup bowls and a new ladle for the soup mix,” says Fulton, the creator of Two Healthy Kitchens. For the dog lovers on a holiday list, Fulton suggests making homemade sweet potato dog biscuits, which can be bundled in a dog bed with other canine comforts.

Stephanie Hafferty, author of The Creative Kitchen: Seasonal Plant Based Recipes for Meals, Drinks, Garden and Self Care, suggests handcrafted items like 22

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infused vinegars, herb salts, herbal tea blends or spice mixes for foodies on the holiday gift list.

Infused concoctions can be easily made by steeping a light vinegar like champagne or cider with rosemary, thyme or other perennial herbs, along with a spiraled citrus peel, for two weeks before gifting. “Infused vinegars look so lovely and go with so many winter dishes. They also have the advantage of being antiviral and having the shelf life of a few years,” says Hafferty.

Herb-infused olive oils make another gorgeous foodie gift, but Hafferty warns of botulism risk if the herbs are not completely dried beforehand and fully submerged in the oil. “Make this one closer to the time you plan to give it and include instructions to use within a few weeks,” recommends the Somerset, England, author.

Unusual spice mixes are another favorite gift of Hafferty’s, which can encourage home cooks to get creative.

“Ras el Hanout is a versatile Moroccan spice blend that elevates dishes to another dimension. You can upcycle an old tin and decorate it with images of Moroccan tiles and add a homemade

lydia matzal/Unsplash.com

booklet with recipe ideas,” she says.

For a hostess gift that will be eaten immediately, Fulton loves making fruit kabob bouquets, made festive by using red and green fruits like strawberries and kiwi cut into holiday-themed shapes like stars and bells. “This is a fun one to make with kiddos,” adds the blogger.

If concerned about preparing food items for someone due to COVID-19, Fulton suggests assembling a countertop herb garden or a handmade book of favorite recipes, with a promise to cook together soon.

The spirit that goes into holiday gift-making matters as much as the end product. Making thoughtful presents for loved ones is a great time to reflect upon our blessings, especially those that have blessed our lives this year.

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

Holiday Gift-Giving Recipes Lentil Brown Rice Soup

bread and parmesan cheese, if desired.

yield: 6 servings

Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 4 months.

If presenting the soup mix as a gift, layer dry ingredients in a Mason jar and print recipe to attach to the jar.

1 cup green or brown lentils ½ cup uncooked brown rice ½ cup green split peas 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning 1 Tbsp dried parsley 1 Tbsp garlic powder ½ tsp ground black pepper 2 large vegetable bouillon cubes (1 cube should be equivalent to 1 Tbsp of granulated bouillon) 8 cups water

Recipe from Mackenzie Burgess, Cheerful Choices.

photo by Mackenzie Burgess, RDN

Optional: 1 medium yellow onion, diced 1 Tbsp canola oil 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, no salt added Optional: Sauté onion in oil in a large stock pot over high heat for 3 minutes. Add can of diced tomatoes.

Add dry soup ingredients and 8 cups of water to the same large stock pot (unless starting with this step). Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat and simmer for 40 minutes, covered with a lid. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Serve with crusty Be sure to let our advertisers know you found them in

December 2020

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photo by Stephanie Hafferty

THANK YOU

To the healthcare professionals who are risking their lives during this epidemic, thank you for fighting COVID-19 on the front lines.

Energy Bites yield: 12 large bites or 24 small bites

These energy bites are the perfect snack to grab and go. They’re completely customizable and take 5 minutes or less to make. It’s easy to create festive, colored bites for the holidays. Simply add one-quarter cup of oats into a bowl with 15-30 drops of food coloring and give it a stir. Then, simply roll your finished balls in the food-colored oats.

1 cup rolled oats or quick oats ½ cup add-ins (dried fruit, chocolate chips, shredded coconut, chia seeds, ground flaxseed, chopped nuts or a mixture) ½ cup nut or seed butter (peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, sun butter) 1 Tbsp liquid (plant-based milk, dairy milk, water, coconut oil) 2-3 Tbsp honey or maple syrup Add oats, add-ins, nut or seed butter, and liquid to a large bowl. Stir to combine.

Mixture should be slightly sticky, but still crumbly.

Add in honey or maple syrup, 1 tablespoon at a time, to reach desired sweetness. Stir until mixture starts to come together in a sticky ball. If the mixture is still too dry, add in 1-2 more tablespoons of liquid.

Place bowl in the freezer for at least 30 minutes to chill, then roll mixture into balls using hands.

Store in the fridge until ready to eat or pack into a jar for a gift. Store any leftovers in fridge for up to 1 week or the freezer for up to 3 months.

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The Power of Energy Opening Up to Reiki Healing

by Maria Meidanis Reiki quite literally translates to spiritual life force: Rei=Spiritual and Ki=life force.

In the Japanese understanding of connectedness, humans are always connected in the sense of oneness. With that, energy is always present and knows no space and time or boundary; humans are experiencing it together collectively. Hence, the sending of reiki to someone is viewed more as sharing a sense of oneness that we inherently possess within.

Nikola Tesla, best known for his contributions to the design of the modern alternating current electricity supply system, says, “If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration.” Energy is all around us; it is malleable and fluid. We can manipulate it and harness it in ways that support us in working with the energy versus against it.

Reiki is a good example of this, in the sense that it is accessible to everyone and it is therefore, up to each of us to take accountability for the role in which we decide to interpret it and/or apply it to our life.

For example, if we are resistant to reiki or skeptical of its workings, reiki will only be as effective as we allow it. We are who we have been waiting for in the sense that we hold the key to both refraining from and/or opening up to energy as a form of healing.

Why Choose a Reiki Session?

Reiki can be used to expedite the healing process, especially when working on healing the inner child. It promotes spiritual growth and exploration, as well as heart opening. Individuals have used it to reduce stress, calm nerves, alleviate depression and anxiety, improve relaxation and support feelings of overwhelm. In addition, reiki can help alleviate pain and stress.

Reiki sessions can be performed either in-person or via a distance session for people living anywhere in the world. For individuals that can come in-person, a reiki practitioner will scan the client’s energy body using a gentle touch with their hands.

Alternatively, they can place their hands an inch or two above the body, depending on one’s personal preference. The head,

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shoulders, chest, stomach and kidneys are most commonly worked with. Some practitioners also work alongside the chakra system, working to clear areas of blockage, in efforts to optimize and restore balance and homeostasis to each chakra point. Areas of physical ailment, such as an earache or tweaked knee, for example, are also areas of focus when indicated.

During a session, individuals may experience an array of sensations: from heat or coolness to a light tingling or buzzing sensation in different areas of the body. The sensations that are experienced is natural and signifies that one’s energy body is both purifying and realigning itself. Deep relaxation, as well as a sense of peace, may also be experienced by the end of a session.

Maria Meidanis is a reiki II practitioner at Still Motion Therapeutic Services, in Braintree.

She is offering a free 30-minute virtual introductory reiki session to the first 25 people that email MMeidanis@StillMotionTS.com to schedule. For more information, call 617858-8017 or visit StillMotionTS.com.

December 2020

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PLANT MEDICINE

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Boston Boston || NaturalAwakeningsBoston.com NaturalAwakeningsBoston.com

How to Safely Shop for Medicinal CBD Dr. Thomas Rocco’s Guide

Dr. Thomas Rocco and BAK 2 Basics CBD medical consultants follow these simple guidelines to offer the best CBD products for safe and proper medicinal therapy for patients.

Understand the proper reason to use CBD medications and which form. Different forms of CBD such as pill, topical, drop or edible, might be appropriate for different situations. For effects within minutes, oil drops under the tongue may be the best choice. Topical lotions, rubbed onto the skin, will vary from person to person with some feeling it right away while others may not for several hours. CBD in food products is likely to take longer, 30 minutes or more, to be absorbed into the system before effects are noticed.

Know if the CBD medication contains THC. Full-spectrum CBD medications can have small amounts of THC with no higher level of a required 0.3 percent cutoff for CBD products made from hemp. The minimal amount of THC may be needed to enhance the therapeutic effect of CBD. Some research suggests that in some patients, CBD may work better when it’s combined with at least a little THC. The source of hemp is important. The Agricultural Farming program performs spot tests of hemp plants while they are still in the field to check THC levels and will investigate the potential use of any illegal pesticides based on complaints.

Search for CBD product’s certificate of analysis (COA). A COA documents the tests that check for CBD and THC levels, and the presence of contaminants. If an online manufacturer or a retail store doesn’t have the information, or refuses to share it, avoid the product and the retailer.

Look for products that list CBD amount. A good starting dose is 10 mg. If a product does not include the CBD amount on its label, checking the COA, if it has one, is important to know how much CBD or THC it contains if any.

Know what other terms mean on the label. CBD products can describe themselves as including or coming from “hemp oil.” CBD oil is rich in CBD when made mainly from the leaves, resin or flowering tops of hemp plants. But understand that “hemp oil” more often, and more properly, made from the seeds of the plant contains only very small amounts of CBD. That oil is often included in hemp-based soaps, and cosmetics. CBD oil from leaves, resin, flowers of hemp plants have high concentration of CBD as in contrast to CBD oil or hemp oil from the seed which has a very low concentration of CBD. Avoid CBD products that make sweeping health claims. Since 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cracked down on dozens of companies selling CBD products online for making disallowed health claims.

BAK 2 Basics CBD Medical Consultants is located at 2845 Post Rd., Ste. 103, Warwick, RI. For more information or a free CBD consultation, call Thomas Rocco, M.D., at 401-6786420 or visit BAK2BasicsLLC.com.

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BOSTON COMMUNITY All Calendar events for the January issue must be received by December 10 and adhere to our guidelines. Visit NaturalAwakeningsBoston.com for guidelines and to submit entries. For extended event descriptions and additional listings, visit NaturalAwakeningsBoston.com/events/new.

Due to the fluidity of the coronavirus situation and massive amounts of event cancellations, please visit our website for calendar listings. Please also be sure to confirm events prior to the date of the event. Thank you, Natural Awakenings.

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Johnson Compounding and Wellness 781-893-3870 Gary@NaturalCompounder.com Dr. Gary Kracoff provides guidance and in-depth consultative services to find the “why” to what is happening physically and mentally, working with individuals to restore balance in the body.

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Reiki Integrative Veterinary Medical Care MASH MAIN ST ANIMAL SERVICES OF HOPKINTON Margo Roman, DVM 72 W Main St, Hopkinton, MA 01748 508-435-4077 MASHVet.com

A full-service integrative veterinary clinic offering caring and healthful options and modalities like acupuncture, functional nutrition, homeopathy, chiropractic, herbs, ozone therapy, surgery and dentistry. See ad, page 19.

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Mind-Body Medicine

Boston | NaturalAwakeningsBoston.com

BOSTON REIKI MASTER

34 Lincoln St, Newton Highlands 617-633-3654 BostonReikiMaster.com Are you stressed from the pressure of your job, home life, kids or an illness? Do you want to feel calm and relaxed?

Experience reiki. Certified Reiki Master/Teacher with over 20 years’ experience in energy medicine providing pure Usui Reiki healing/relaxation sessions.

Wellness Resources

BRENNER REIKI HEALING

324 Central St, Newton 02466 617-244-8856 Elise@BrennerReikiHealing.org BrennerReikiHealing.org

BETH GARDNER

Providing you with reiki healing sessions, reiki meditation and reiki training to support you in reaching your goals of mind-body-spirit wellness and wholeness.

Spiritual Energy Healing

Acton Pharmacy Keyes Drug West Concord Pharmacy BGardner@DinnoHealth.com 508-259-7851 Certified lifestyle educator and the director of health and wellness at Acton Pharmacy, Keyes Drug and West Concord Pharmacy. Beth Gardner works one-on-one with patients to help create ways to improve diet and overall health as a means for disease and illness prevention. See ad, page 8.

KRISTI BORST, PHD

Healing Resonance Wells, ME 207-216-0473 Phone/Skype worldwide ReleaseItAll.US

Yoga CECILE RAYNOR

Inner child healing/reconnection, getting unstuck from trauma/abuse, energy balancing, pain release. Healing Resonance LLC with Kristi Borst spiritual healer/medical-emotional intuitive. Support for healing: mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically. All ages; private, couples, groups.

Certified Alexander Technique Teacher; Certified Thai Yoga Therapist 33A Harvard St, Brookline, MA 02445 617-359-7841 CecileRaynor.com Your yoga can release or create tension depending on the quality of your daily movements. Learn to let your postural mechanism work for you and notice excess body tension ease away on-and-off the mat.

Tantra/Sacred Sexuality SACRED TEMPLE ARTS

Sacha L. Fossa, Masters Health Arts & Sciences, Certified Sex & Tantric Educator, Licensed Erotic Blueprint Coach, Healing Arts Practitioner 978-309-9399 SacredTempleArts.com Ready to have better sex and love your life more, partnered or not? Holistic, cutting-edge sex, intimacy and relationship coaching, energy and bodywork, for your sexual healing and empowerment. In-person and/or virtual sessions and programs.

See ad, page 19.

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December 2020

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