Natural Awakenings Central Ohio - February 2017 issue by NA Central Ohio

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February 2017 |

Mindfully Navigating Life’s Final Act

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letterfrompublisher Welcome to the February “Conscious Dying/Children’s Dental Health” issue of Natural Awakenings Central Ohio.

s unpleasant as the thought of death might be, we owe it to those we love and ourselves to give it serious consideration. My wife’s parents have taken

great care to plan their funeral arrangements, from choosing

the headstone and burial location to even deciding what will

Publisher Sean Peterson

be served at the wake meal and then pre-paying for the entire process. In fact, they gave us a business card and said that all

Editors Jim Froehlich Marge Veeder

we need to do after they are gone is call the number listed on it and the wheels will be set in motion with the funeral home.

Design & Production Patrick Floresca Ad Design Charles Erickson Ryan Mackey Ad Sales Liz Jaggers

Their motivation was borne of having their own preceding relatives leave

remaining family in the lurch to make such decisions and bear the financial burden. My wife’s parents do not want the same scenario to happen to their children and immediate family when they pass. The level of detail we put into how we would like our final days and those immediately after to transpire is personally important. Of equal meaning, however, is how we proactively assist those who will care for us in our remaining time, be responsible for how we are

Franchise Sales Anna Romano 239-530-1377

remembered after we are gone, and handle the dissolution of our possessions and finances.

Natural Awakenings Central Ohio PO Box 4056 Dublin, OH 43016 Phone: 614-427-3260 Fax: 614-455-0281 Publisher@NACentralOhio.com www.NACentralOhio.com © 2017 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.

Benjamin Franklin remarked that in this world, “nothing can be said to be

certain except death and taxes.” As sure and inescapable as death is, the finality of its reality serves as a reminder to be mindful of how we spend all our days. In a 2012 Forbes article about the 25 regrets people have later in life, the number one answer was not spending enough time with loved ones and close friends. We are social creatures by nature, and as such value the interaction and meaning we provide for one another while we are here.

Abraham Lincoln advised, “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that

count. It’s the life in your years.” For those who believe in an afterlife, this

Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business.

stage of our existence is merely fleeting in comparison to the eternity we will

We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

that time and what we do while we are here.

spend after our passing from this realm into the next. For those who believe our existence is finite and that we return to the universal order of matter constantly being shaped and destroyed, even more importance is placed on how we spend

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $24 (for 12 issues) to the above address. Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soybased ink.

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contents 8 6 newsbriefs

7 healthtip

8 healthbriefs 10 globalbriefs 12 ecotip

14 wisewords

16 greenliving

25 localperspectives 26 fitbody 28 consciouseating

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

14 ALISON ARMSTRONG ON TRANSFORMING THE WAY WOMEN RELATE TO MEN

by April Thompson

16 SUSTAINABLY

STYLISH HOME

Décor That Helps the Planet

30 healingways

by April Thompson

32 healthykids

20 CONSCIOUS DYING

12 34 naturalpet 36 inspiration 37 calendar

42 classifieds 43 naturaldirectory

Mindfully Navigating Life’s Final Act by Linda Sechrist

26 FIT FOR LIFE

How to Stay Healthy, Flexible and Strong by Aimee Hughes

advertising & submissions 28 INDOOR KITCHEN

GARDENING

HOW TO ADVERTISE How to Grow Nutrient- To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media Packed Microgreens kit, please contact us at 614-427-3260 or email by Barbara Pleasant Publisher@NACentralOhio.com. Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month.

30 OXYGEN TO THE

RESCUE EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS The Many Benefits of Email articles, news items and ideas to: Publisher@NACentralOhio.com. Deadline for editorial: the Ozone Therapy by Valerie Burke 10th of the month.

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS KEEP DECAY AWAY Email Calendar Events to: Publisher@NACentralOhio.com Holistic Dentistry Keeps or fax to 614-455-0281. Deadline for calendar: the 10th of Kids Cavity-Free the month. by Linda Sechrist

REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! HEART-TO-HEART Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing WITH A HORSE franchised family of locally owned magazines serving Equine Empathy communities since 1994. To place your ad in other Helps and Heals markets call 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities by Sandra Murphy call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

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36 LOVE LESSONS

by Emily Esfahani Smith

natural awakenings February 2017

newsbriefs Complementary Medicine School Announces New Programs

he American Institute of Alternative Medicine (AIAM) is offering a new Holistic Wellness Program. “If maintaining good health is one of your goals, or learning more holistic approaches to your and others’ health interests you, we are excited to share our new program,” says Diane Sater-Wee, AIAM co-founder. “The program is offered in a part-time, weekend format to accommodate a busy adult learner.” The curriculum includes an emphasis on current and future trends, current research in holistic wellness, and an integrative approach to wellness. Students will learn how to provide holistic wellness services including life coaching, reflexology, Touch for Health™, hypnotherapy, aromatherapy, energy balancing, wellness principles, mindfulness and stress management, as well as the steps to setting up a successful holistic wellness practice. A diploma in Holistic Wellness is awarded upon fulfillment of the 830-hour requirement and all completion criteria. Multiple certificates are earned during the diploma program, including Holistic Coaching, Aromatherapy, Hypnotherapy, Non-Directive Imagery, Reflexology, and Touch for Health™, as well as certification from the International Kinesiology College (IKC). Individual courses can be taken as an Enrichment Student or as Continuing Education credits for massage therapists, acupuncturists or nurses. Location: 6685 Doubletree Ave., Columbus. For more information, call 614-825-6255 or visit AIAM.edu/ Professional-Community-Education. See ad, page 39.

Wellness Center Adds Yoga Studio, Counseling, Mind-Body Classes

ody Wisdom Healing Group (BWHG) has provided therapeutic massage services in the Clintonville community for over 20 years. They recently doubled their space with a new 500-square-foot yoga studio and a private office for individual sessions with Alice Daniels, an in-house counselor. Ayurvedic nutritional consulting will be offered this fall. In addition, newly-added mind-body classes range from Hatha Yoga to Tai Chi and Trance Dance to Core Conditioning, as well as Pilates. Wellness Workshops and lectures by guest speakers also enhance the schedule of events. “Our class schedule is still taking shape, so prospective students should check our website regularly for any new additions,” says owner and founder Lark Witt. “We posted photos of the new yoga studio on Facebook, in addition to our regular updates on new instructors and therapists, as well as information about upcoming classes and workshops.” “Product offerings at BWHG have expanded, too, and now include Ayurvedic herbal remedies, a wide range of massage tools and products to help you find your bliss,” says Witt. “Our clients are interested in a holistic approach to health. They have asked for movement classes and nutritional counseling to combine with our therapeutic services to help them move from chronic pain and limited movement to a more balanced state of health. We’re doing everything we can to help them accomplish just that by offering holistic wellness through touch, movement and education in a gentle and nurturing environment.” Location: 2999 Indianola Ave., Columbus. For more information, call 614-784-9473 or visit BWHG.net/Classes. See ad, page 17.

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healthtip

Local Natural Food Market Wins Grocer Award

Xylitol Gum Helps Kids Prevent Cavities

he Ohio Grocers Association (OGA) awarded its Pinnacle Award to Raisin Rack, a natural food market. “It is my distinct honor to award Raisin Rack Natural Food Market as our 2017 Pinnacle Award winner,” says Kristin Mullins, President and CEO of OGA. “The Caster family and their loyal employees have a long record of serving the communities of Westerville and Canton, and are most deserving of the Ohio Grocers Association’s highest honor.” Founder and owner Don Caster opened the first Raisin Rack store in Canton in 1978 to meet the needs of his customers by providing a complete natural food market. He designed the store to offer fresh foods with little or no processing, with an added commitment to local quality. Since its inception, Raisin Rack has grown to fill a 17,000-square-foot facility in Canton and a 25,000-square-foot facility in Westerville. Under Caster’s leadership, a team of over 80 people continues to evolve the stores to meet the needs of today’s shoppers, from Baby Boomers to Millennials, catering the stores’ offerings towards each customer group’s health portfolio. Their website offers extensive product knowledge and provides guides for meal planning. The stores feature an extensive deli counter plus organic salad and fresh sushi bars. The Westerville location offers online shopping for added customer convenience. The OGA represents over 350 food retailers, wholesalers and suppliers across the state, from the large chain stores to the small independent grocers. The Pinnacle Award is based on operational excellence and significant contribution to Ohio’s food industry, and is given annually to both a small and large operator. Location: 2545 W. Schrock Rd., Westerville. For more information, call 614-882-5886 or visit RaisinRack.com. See ad, page 21.

by Trudy Pieper, ND

ylitol is a natural sugar alcohol that has been shown to have decay-preventive qualities, including fighting off cavities, and is especially useful for people at moderate to high risk for decay when used as part of a healthy diet and good home care. Dr. Peter Milgrom, a dentist at the University of Washington, states, “Xylitol is an anti-microbial – so it’s acting against the bacteria themselves, which helps to prevent tooth decay.” According to the California Dental Association, xylitol inhibits the growth of bacteria that cause cavities because the bacteria (Streptococcus Mutans) are unable to use xylitol as a food source to help them grow. Children in Finland have been chewing xylitol gum for years as a part of a public health initiative to reduce cavities. Finnish researchers have documented a preventive effect in numerous studies going back to the early 1970s at the University of Turku. Research has also shown that the use of xylitol also helps repair damage to the enamel. Dr. Milgrom encourages parents to look at the first ingredient in the gum. If xylitol is listed, then there is likely a high enough amount of it in each piece to be effective. His recommendation is to chew two pieces three times daily for approximately five minutes each time. Trudy Pieper is a Naturopathic Doctor with Phoenix Wellness Center, in Johnstown. For more information, call 740-616-9949 or visit PhoenixWellness4U.com. See ad, page 45.

natural awakenings February 2017

Infants Breathing Bad Air May Suffer as Teens FamVeld/Shutterstock.com

study from the Karolinska Institute of Environmental Medicine, in Stockholm, analyzed data on air pollution exposure and lung function in the first and 15th years of life among 2,415 adolescents in Sweden. The researchers focused on nitrogen oxide in vehicle exhaust and particulate matter from road erosion, using road traffic, topography and weather conditions to classify pollution levels. They compared this data to the level of difficulty the teens experienced getting air through their peripheral airways, termed “resistance”. The study found that breathing problems increased for teenagers each time their exposure as infants to such pollution increased by 10 micrograms per cubic meter, with the strongest association occurring in male subjects with asthma at age 16. The same increase was not present in relation to their exposure to traffic pollution as teenagers. Lead author Erica S. Schultz, Ph.D., says, “An increasing number of studies demonstrate the importance of airway periphery for lung health. It’s concerning that the effect from the first year of life seems to be long-lasting, although we don’t yet know the full clinical implications.”

nticipating surgery can be stressful, and many patients suffer from preoperative anxiety, which can cause serious health complications such as hypertension, rapid pulse and sugar metabolism changes. Israeli researchers from the University of Haifa have found that complementary medicine, combined with standard use of anti-anxiety drugs prior to entering the operating room, can significantly reduce preoperative anxiety levels and improve outcomes. Researchers divided 360 preoperative patients ages 17 and up into three groups: those receiving standard care for preoperative anxiety; those receiving standard care along with complementary therapy, featuring acupuncture, reflexology, individual guided imagery or a combination of the latter two; and those receiving standard care combined with generic guided imagery via a recording. Anxiety levels were measured preoperatively before and after the intervention on a scale of one to 10, with scores of four or more constituting intermediate or higher-level anxiety. The study found that complementary therapy in combination with standard care produced a 60 percent reduction in anxiety, with the mean score dropping from 5.54 to 2.32. Combining standard care with reflexology and guided imagery provided the best relief, reducing anxiety by an average of 4.22 points. Patients receiving only standard care experienced a slight rise in their average anxiety level.

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Reflexology and Imagery Relieve Preoperative Anxiety

healthbriefs

Fenugreek Eases Menopause

randomized, double-blind study from the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Science and Research, in Bangalore, India, has found that an extract of fenugreek husk (FHE) called FenuSMART can provide relief from common symptoms of menopause, including night sweats, insomnia, headaches, hot flashes and mood swings. Researchers studied 88 menopausal women between the ages of 45 and 58. Half were given one gram of FHE per day for 90 days while the other half received a placebo. The study measured the impact the supplement had on the subjectsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; menopausal symptoms through weekly telephone sessions. At the studyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s end, approximately 32 percent of the women in the FHE group reported no hot flashes, while the placebo subjects saw the frequency of theirs reduced from three to five per day to one or two. Additionally, the subjects that took FHE experienced a 57 percent reduction in night sweats, a 68 percent abatement of mood swings, a 75 percent drop in insomnia and 58 percent fewer headaches.

Dino Osmic/Shutterstock.com

Oliver Wilde/Shutterstock.com

Fortified Foods Cut Into Supplement Use

study from the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, in Beijing, reports that Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) can be an effective treatment for patients with postpartum depression. Traditional Chinese Medicine advocates herbal treatments based on underlying issues. Researchers analyzed data from 47 clinical trials encompassing 3,795 participants between the ages of 18 and 43 suffering from postpartum depression. The study pooled results into three categories: CHM versus placebo, CHM versus routine treatments (antidepressants) and CHM plus routine treatments versus only routine treatments. The study found that using Chinese herbs combined with antidepressants is the most effective approach, noting that CHM is a safe, effective alternative for patients unable or unwilling to take antidepressants.

Aloe Vera Juice Allays Diabetes joannawnuk/Shutterstock.com

esearchers from the David Grant Medical Center, at Travis Air Force Base, in Fairfield, California, have found that oral doses of aloe vera can reduce fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), which indicates the average glucose level over the previous three months, in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Data from nine clinical studies that included 89 diabetes patients were analyzed. Findings suggest that patients with a fasting blood glucose level of more than 200 milligrams per deciliter experienced the greatest benefits from the aloe vera.

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Chinese Herbs Lessen Postpartum Blues

September 2016 survey from Packaged Facts, a division of Market Research Group, LLC, showed that as much as 20 percent of the U.S. adult population is cutting back on supplement use due to consumption of fortified foods. Despite this trend, nutritional supplement sales nationwide are projected to increase by $1.5 billion in just two years to $16 billion in 2018. Fortified foods contain extra nutrients added by manufacturers such as cereal fortified with iron, milk with added vitamin D and pasta enhanced with folic acid. While the original intent of these additives was to improve nutritional deficiencies in people without access to foods that naturally contain these nutrients, consequences now include an overabundance of particular nutrients for some and poor food choices due to a dependence on fortified foods for others. Ingesting naturally occurring nutrients in unfortified foods allows each nutrient to be absorbed together with the other vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients contained in that food, enabling them to work together within the body, according to the Harvard School of Public Health.

A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination and instill a love of learning. ~Brad Henry

natural awakenings February 2017

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

Heave Ho Richard Whitcombe/Shutterstock.com

Abandoned and Lost Fishing Gear Pollutes the Seas Abandoned and lost fishing gear such as traps, crab pots and nets litter the ocean floor in coastal areas worldwide, continuing to attract, entrap and kill fish and other marine life. The Associated Press reports that global nonprofits, governments and companies are engaged in efforts to retrieve and recycle as many of the items as possible to protect the environment, save marine life and reduce hazards to marine navigation. A 2009 United Nations report estimated there are 640,000 tons of discarded fishing nets deep below the ocean surface worldwide. Recommended solutions include degradable panels on traps that break down and allow trapped marine life to escape. International agreements prohibit dumping fishing equipment at sea; yet in England, small vessels can amass landfill charges of roughly $700 per year, giving them an incentive to ditch broken gear. Pascal van Erp, a Dutch diver alarmed by the amount of equipment he’s encountered, founded the Ghost Fishing Foundation to tackle the issue. He says, “It’s found in all seas, oceans and inland waters at all depths, along the beach and under the sand. I don’t think the problem can be resolved completely, but we can keep it from getting worse by showing the problem to the public and the authorities.” Industry experts and scientists estimate that commercial fishermen annually lose about 10 percent of their traps due to bad weather.

Free Fuel

Hydrogen Conversion From Water Making Gains Sashkin/Shutterstock.com

Scientists at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, in Stockholm, report that they have finally unlocked a major barrier to exploiting a renewable energy source through extracting pure hydrogen from water. Because the best-performing catalysts for electrochemical oxidation, or “water splitting”, are expensive precious metals, the research team led by KTH Professor Licheng Sun developed molecular catalysts for water oxidation with an efficiency approaching that of natural photosynthesis comprising common, abundant elements, all of which could help change the economics of large-scale hydrogen fuel production. Meanwhile, Daniel Nocera, a professor of energy at Harvard University, and Pamela Silver, a professor of biochemistry and systems biology at Harvard Medical School, have co-created a system that uses solar energy to split water molecules and hydrogen-eating bacteria to produce liquid fuels. Their paper, whose lead authors include post-doctoral fellow Chong Liu and graduate student Brendan Colón, was recently published in Science. “This is a true artificial photosynthesis system,” says Nocera. “Previously, people were using artificial photosynthesis for water-splitting, but this is a true A-to-Z system, and we’ve greatly exceeded the efficiency of photosynthesis in nature.” 10

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A recent study from the University of Western Australia has found that plants regularly react to and emit sounds through a series of clicks produced by their roots, and that such inter-flora communication may be essential to their survival. Evolutionary biologist Monica Gagliano, who made the discovery, listened to the roots of young corn plants and found that they regularly produced sounds in the range of 220Hz, a frequency audible to the human ear. Plants have been shown to influence each other in many ways through nanomechanical oscillations on a molecular scale. Gagliano remarks, “Scientists also know that plants use volatile chemicals to communicate with each other.” Another biological research team under the direction of Professor Olaf Kruse, Ph.D., scientific director of the Center for Biotechnology at Germany’s Bielefeld University, has shown that green algae not only engages in photosynthesis, but also has an alternative source of energy: It can draw it from other plants (Nature Communications). Gagliano comments, “Considering that entire forests are all interconnected by networks of fungi, maybe plants are using fungi the way we use the Internet.” Soru Epotok/Shutterstock.com

Watch the Birdie

Selfies Promote Animal Cruelty and Death

Zachary Crockett, of Pricenomics.com, has found that since 2014, 49 people were killed in attempts to take pictures of themselves with wild creatures. Although there are no statistics on how many animals have been harmed due to selfies, wildlife organizations such as Care for the Wild International are appealing to the public to stop using animals as props. Visitors to China’s Yunnan Wild Animal Park lured captive peacocks from their enclosure and grabbed them by their tails. The birds died as a result. Another group of people at a beach in Argentina was filmed mobbing a baby Franciscana dolphin, an endangered species, while taking pictures, resulting in its death likely through shock and severe dehydration from being removed from the water for too long. Due to the high demand by tourists to take pictures with wild animals, special photographic settings are popping up in Mexico, Europe and Morocco. However, the Association for British Travel Agents stated that no legitimate sanctuary would allow animals to be used as photo props.

Repurposed Pallets

Texas Company Turns Wood Waste into Furniture Nearly 2 billion wooden pallets are currently in circulation in the U.S., consuming around 50 percent of the country’s annual hardwood harvest and representing more than 90 percent of the world’s shipping waste. PalletSmart, in Fort Worth, Texas, has been making furniture, home decor and custom projects out of repurposed pallets and other reclaimed material since 2012. Company co-founder John Zaskoda says, “As with any business, we are looking to grow, but want to be smart about it. For now, we are staying put, taking custom residential and commercial orders and producing top-notch furniture.” He sees the endeavor as proof that with hard work and consistency it’s possible to make trash into treasure. Source: PalletSmart360.com

Bevan Young/Shutterstock.com

Plants Communicate with Sound

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Veggie Tales

Fungus Among Us Genetically Altered Mushrooms Approved for Consumption

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) is a new method of editing genomes of farm animals and food crops. White button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) that have been genetically modified to delay the natural browning process are the first CRISPR-edited organisms to receive approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Yinong Yang, a plant pathologist from Penn State University, crafted the modified mushrooms by targeting the family of genes responsible for the browning effect seen in produce when sliced and exposed to oxygen. Yang was able to reduce the browning enzyme’s work by 30 percent and was granted approval from the USDA because no foreign or altered DNA was integrated into the mushroom genome. The department only assesses whether there’s a risk that the new modified variety of an organism could become a weed or “pest” to other plants. The mushrooms may still be subject to Food and Drug Administration or Environmental Protection Agency regulations. The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine are in discussions about developing a new set of rules for the biotech industry in the next five to 10 years. Source: Nature.com

natural awakenings February 2017

Laundry List Cool Tips to Save Money and Energy

Following eco-friendly laundry tips can save on energy, water usage and utility bills, making it good for both the planet and the bank account. The laundry results, too, may be better for some loads. RealSimple.com advises that 90 percent of the energy consumed while running a wash load is used to heat the water, so the average household can eliminate as much as 350 pounds of carbon emissions and save about $40 annually by turning the knob to cold. It also notes that some protein-heavy stains, like perspiration and blood, can become more set into the fabric when washed in hot water, which can also shrink synthetic fibers. For sweat stains, DIYNatural.com suggests combining two tablespoons of cream of tartar, a few drops of lemon essential oil and water to make a paste. Mix and spread it on the stain, and then rub it in and let dry. Another pre-laundry option is to pour or spray a 3 percent solution of hydrogen peroxide onto the stain and then soak for about 30 minutes. Mildly soiled laundry doesn’t necessarily need hot water for adequate cleaning, reports the Mother Nature Network. It advises pre-soaking heavily soiled laundry in cold water for about an hour, adding four tablespoons of baking soda to loosen dirt and grime. “Responding quickly to stains always helps,” says Steve Boorstein, a Boulder, Colorado, clothing-care expert on his ClothingDoctor.com website. “For washable clothing, flush the stained area with cool water to remove any solid matter. Never rub the stain in order to avoid driving it deeper into the fabric.” Conserve more energy as well as water by always assembling a full load of laundry. Appliance performance can also make an eco-difference. Energy Star estimates that water savings of between 40 and 75 percent can be achieved with front-loading machines instead of top-loaders. Line drying wins over a clothes dryer in terms of freshness, energy use and kindness to the environment. Start with biodegradable and phosphate-free detergents made from plant- and vegetable-based ingredients.

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wisewords

Alison Armstrong on Transforming the Way Women Relate to Men by April Thompson

or 25 years, relationship expert Alison Armstrong has worked to evolve society by changing the way women relate to men. Her yearning to understand the opposite sex was born from personal challenges, including a failed marriage in her 20s. She began studying men on her own, at the age of 30, beginning with the question, “What if men are responding to women?” What started out as a personal inquiry has become a lifelong pursuit and she’s shared her findings with millions of men and women worldwide. Armstrong, co-founder and CEO of PAX Programs, addresses gender differences, sexuality and relationships. She has written three books, including The Queen’s Code, and speaks to interpersonal insights through workshops, webinars and teleclasses, including free recordings and articles at UnderstandMen.com. Armstrong and her second husband have been happily married for 23 years and now live in Colorado.

Which core differences between men and women cause everyday misunderstandings? The biggest source of mischief is denying that differences exist at all. Both men and women tend to assume that each is a version of the other, which creates significant misunderstandings. We interact with our partners by doing or saying what works for us. When 14

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that doesn’t get the response we’re expecting, we usually draw incorrect conclusions and act in counterproductive ways. For example, men and women relate to feelings differently. Women often make life decisions based on their feelings about something or someone. To men, who tend to rely on facts and set aside feelings, this approach can seem irrational, and relating to women as irrational has predictably bad outcomes.

Where does a couple best start to heal the communication divide? The most powerful thing men and women can do is to address misunderstandings with openness and curiosity rather than assuming we know why our partner did or said something. We should ask ourselves, “What if there’s a good reason for that?” Don’t assume that what’s true for her is also true for him, and vice versa. Once a couple chooses to give each other the benefit of the doubt, a few simple changes can further open up communication. Saying “I need” instead of “I want” will make a huge difference. Because being “needy” is considered unattractive, women avoid this word, not realizing that it connects with a man’s instinct to provide. When asking for something, it’s important to say what it would

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provide us. For him, there needs to be a reward equal to or greater than the energy he’ll have to expend. Years ago, I described to my husband in colorful detail the experience of falling into the toilet in the middle of the night; he took it upon himself to make sure that never again happens to the women he loves.

What’s the secret to navigating partners’ differing needs and drives for physical intimacy? The secret is to stop leaving our sex lives to the whims of biology, or making decisions based on whether we “feel like it.” Waiting for a time when both partners feel like it, the kids are at Grandma’s and we’re not too tired leads to sex happening too rarely. Delicious sexual partnerships begin when we decide to stop waiting and instead work on creating the circumstances that put us in the mood. One example is learning to offer “dessert”. Using the desire for food as a metaphor for the desire for sex, we’re often trying to eat together when only one partner is hungry. But dessert sounds delicious anytime; examples might be massage or kissing or other physical activities. Find out what reliably perks up a partner’s interest and put that on the menu.

How can a woman satisfy a man’s desire to provide without sacrificing her independence? American culture tells women that being low-maintenance matters most. Yet, when we allow our partners to fulfill our needs, it can help us unlock our own greatness, as well as theirs. Men are driven to provide for their loved ones and denying them such opportunities takes away their life’s pursuit, which can be emasculating. By asking for what we need, women create opportunities for partnership, satisfaction and fulfillment for both partners. When we allow the men in our life to contribute to us and learn to receive graciously, we discover that it doesn’t diminish our power. Connect with freelance writer April Thompson, of Washington, D.C., at AprilWrites.com.

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Sustainably Stylish Home Décor That Helps the Planet by April Thompson

e all relish a cozy nest, whether that means lightfilled views, the embrace of form-fitting sofas and chairs or plush rugs that snuggle bare feet. A beautiful, comfortable home that reflects our personal style and embodies our values can be achieved by learning the origin of furnishings and investing in sustainably made pieces that will stand the test of time, say experts. “Furnishing a home ethically doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort or style,” says JD Doliner, a business consultant in Charlotte, North Carolina. Doliner’s home is graced with 18thand 19th-century antiques, organic cotton mattresses, comfy custom-made chairs from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified wood and handmade wool rugs certified child-labor-free by GoodWeave. “They give me peace of mind as a humanitarian and environmentalist,” she says.

Signs of Progress

Debbie Hindman, marketing director for Associates III Interior Design, in Denver, is working with increasingly knowledgeable clients like Doliner asking for sustainably sourced products. Manufacturers, in turn, are upping transparency about product origins, realizing it can provide a competitive 16

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edge, she notes. “We look at the story behind a product and make sure that it aligns with both our company’s and clients’ values,” says Hindman, a co-author of Sustainable Residential Interiors. “We ask questions like, ‘Are workers paid a fair wage? Was the product made with local materials? What is the story behind the company’s founding?’” The Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC) coalition of manufacturers, retailers and designers partners with

businesses and informs consumers to increase environmentally responsible choices in the marketplace. Its 400 members commit to sustainability and transparency in their business practices and submit an annual action plan showing such efforts. Headquartered in Edenton, North Carolina, the council strives to minimize industry carbon emissions and remove unsustainable materials and harmful chemical ingredients from residential and commercial furnishings. “The residential furnishings industry frequently takes raw materials from one continent, processes and manufactures on another to be consumed on yet another, leaving a huge environmental footprint,” says Susan Inglis, the council’s executive director. As the third largest consumer of wood, these manufacturers bear significant responsibility for preserving the world’s forest ecosystems and fighting deforestation, reports Inglis.

Savvy Shoppers

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

Toxic Furnishings Alert

oday’s mass-produced furniture may contain hidden chemicals such as formaldehyde-based adhesives, flame retardants and other volatile organic compounds (VOC) linked to serious health issues. Researchers from the Natural Resources Defense Council found 45 toxic chemicals in indoor dust, 10 of which were present in at least 90 percent of households sampled. “These chemicals enter the air as materials in the furnishings break down,” explains healthy home expert Lisa Beres. “Because we spend an average of 90 percent of our lives indoors, the exposure to harmful chemicals is troubling.” Beres advises shoppers to be wary of synthetic fabrics, which not only consume nonrenewable resources like petroleum, but may also contain toxic dyes, heavy metals or chemicals like Teflon. Foam and other fillings in mattresses, sofas and chairs are often a hidden source of off-gassing VOCs. The Sustainable Furnishing Council’s seal of approval and member list at SustainableFurnishings.org are a good place to start to find companies committed to offering healthier alternatives that include transparency and responsibility in their manufacturing practices.

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GreenGuard, which verifies low levels of chemical emissions. Not all natural products are sustainably produced; cotton, for example, is one of the most heavily sprayed crops. Look for certified organic cotton as a responsible textile choice. Beres also suggests renewable fiber sources like bamboo or hemp. “Natural latex is a sound alternative to foam fillers, offering good support and dust mite resistance,” says Beres. Specific animal-based products like down feathers used in bedding can provoke allergies and be produced inhumanely, Beres cautions. Products certified to the Responsible Down Standard, which protects the well-being and welfare of geese tapped for their manufacture, offer a humane choice for fluffy down comforters. Look for well-crafted furniture made from locally sourced, reclaimed or FSC-certified wood instead of particleboard, which usually contains formaldehyde and may be made from unsustainably harvested wood. Sustainable furnishings are both better for the planet and can make a home distinctive. Natural pieces like

a countertop made from reclaimed, rough-hewn wood provide a unique beauty that mass-manufactured pieces can’t match and also showcase the material’s natural form and feeling. Her firm promotes durable, timeless pieces over trendy furnishings that a client might discard in a few years. When it’s time to retire a piece of furniture, find a new home for it, whether by donating to a charity or reselling through a consignment store. While cutting corners on home furnishing choices can be tempting, especially when shopping on a budget, remember that today’s quality pieces may become tomorrow’s cherished heirlooms. “Some will spend money on the latest gadget, but hesitate to invest in a great piece of furniture or a quality mattress they’ll spend much of their life sitting or sleeping on,” says Beres. “It’s not a splurge; you’re investing in your health and protecting Earth’s precious resources. It all comes full circle.”

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natural awakenings February 2017

Sustainable Furnishings by Marge Veeder

onsumers look to add beauty, personal style and comfort to their homes with the furnishings they choose. More and more these days, astute shoppers also search for sustainable furnishings, including selections made from reclaimed wood, locally-sourced materials, and those which will last and be handed down to future generations. Buyers have many options to choose from in the Central Ohio area.

T.Y. Fine Furniture

106 E. Moler St., Columbus. TYFineFurniture.com. See ad, page 48. One early entry into the sustainable furnishings marketplace is T.Y. Fine Furniture, a retail store featuring handmade artisanal furniture and organic mattresses and serving eco-conscious customers for the past dozen years. T.Y.’s, solid wood products are certified by the Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC), and they often exceed its standards, explains owner Tarik Yousef. Yousef also proudly notes that his store is the only organic mattress store in Ohio, and that the mattresses and the bed frames which support them are among his most popular store selection Yousef has been a part of, and a witness to, a growing market for sustainable furnishings. “People are more concerned than they’ve ever been with where their furnishings are sourced, their own health and wellbeing, and the effect on the environment,” he remarks. The showroom also features dining tables, end tables, sofas, bedroom furniture and other carefully crafted pieces – all made from Ohio-grown wood. “We try, whenever possible, to use trees which have naturally fallen,” Yousef points out. He adds that his growing business will soon open a new showroom 18

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in Clintonville. In addition, he is completing requirements to be a partner in an American Forests program that will provide for ten trees to be planted for every piece of furniture sold.

Re:Work Furnishings

1271 Edgehill Bldg. B, Columbus. 614-657-6306. ReworkFurnishings.com. In a custom millwork shop and showroom, family-powered Re:Work Furnishings is working to make one-of-akind wood sustainable furniture from reclaimed wood and locally-sourced materials. The business, owned by Alex and Lindsay Remley, is four years old. The couple, however, has almost a decade’s worth of experience giving old wood new life as tables, end tables, bedroom furniture, desks and whatever else customers would like. “The large majority of what we use is barn wood, but we do source locally and responsibly for other wood as needed,” Alex adds. The business also offers a small goods line of cutting boards, candleholders, serving boards, coasters, mirrors, picture frames and other useful items. The concept has been popular with area consumers, so much so that the Remleys soon will move from their 2,000-square-foot shop to just down the road in Grandview, to new quarters with 10,000 square feet. The new space features room to grow; perfect for a growing market and a growing family, as Alex notes.

Buckeye Amish Furniture

50 S. Liberty St., Powell. 614-8461234. BuckeyeAmishFurniture.com. This family-owned business features hardwood furniture that is bench made in Ohio. Though the finishes meant to add durability and lifetime use to the pieces do not meet organic product standards, enthusiasts note

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that all of the wood has always been grown and sourced regionally, and that the Amish and Mennonite families crafting the pieces know a great deal about sustainable use. Dining tables and chairs are among the store’s biggest selling items, but over the years, customers have come to appreciate the value of heirloom pieces for every room of the house. The furniture and the culture that creates it is based on a concept of making goods that stand the test of time, rather than disposable items, and of repairing rather than replacing. “Made once to last” is just another facet of the sustainable furnishings movement.

New Uses – A Resale Store for the Home NewUses.com.

Retail chain New Uses focuses on repurposing, recycling and reusing, a business concept which is rapidly catching on among savvy shoppers. “Our customers look to save money on home purchases, but they also like the idea of both buying and selling good quality used items as their needs change,” comments New Uses Marketing Specialist Vanessa Young. A New Uses store is staged and lit in a way that is similar to a traditional furniture store, and it features large items such as sofas, tables, dining sets and chairs, as well as home décor pieces and kitchenware. The family-owned franchise store has three locations in the Central Ohio area: Columbus, Hilliard and Reynoldsburg. “We try not to sell new, though people sometimes do turn in fairly new items that don’t suit their needs,” Young notes. Customers sometimes are creative in adding new finishes and decorative touches before finding just the right spot and use for their purchases. “To us, sustainability means that good quality furniture is put to good use in another home.” Marge Veeder is a Midwest-based writer for Natural Awakenings. She enjoys writing about intergenerational relationships, travel, cooking, and topics related to children.

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natural awakenings February 2017

Mindfully Navigating Life’s Final Act by Linda Sechrist

hen properly viewed, the thresholds of all of life’s transitional moments can be both emotionally and spiritually rewarding. Whether it involves marriage or birth, job loss or illness, gleaning insight from the experience can yield fresh perspective on how to live life more fully today, if we remain mindful and lovingly attentive through the process. Like birth, death is a transition we can wisely prepare for. In recent years, compassionate individuals and grassroots movements have emerged to help us conduct ourselves, heal and grow from losing a loved one or face our own passing. An increasing number of initiatives support a new model in palliative care that treats death not as a failure, but an expected aspect 20

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of the human experience. Each in its own way advocates for a grace-filled passage supported by dignified, caring and compassionate practices.

Profound Shift

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

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CONSCIOUS DYING

compassion and a universal field of consciousness. “Training is open to nurses, physicians, clinicians, caregivers, family members, healthcare teams and anyone else interested in exploring what it means to die consciously,” says Estes. It attends to the provider’s inner awakening and helps them strengthen their ability to give spiritual, emotional, physical and practical care to anyone, helping to relieve pain, regardless of diagnosis. “Rather than curative care, it’s all about seeking to increase precious, meaningful moments, a sense of spiritual sanctity, beauty, interconnectedness and appreciation of life for the families and patients they serve. An end-of-life doula at bedside assures that families and loved ones can focus on what is most important,” explains Estes, who believes that our true nature lives within us as an unblemished jewel. Helping individuals become comfortable talking about death is the work of Dr. Karen Wyatt, of Dillon, Colorado, founder of the End of Life University, an online interview series with end-of-life care experts. She provides a trustworthy loving environment in monthly death cafés. The author of What Really Matters: 7 Lessons for Living from the Stories of Dying expands the conversation through related articles and podcasts at eolUniversity.com. Death cafés benefit from Wyatt’s experience as a hospice doctor. “There is never an agenda. Of the 10 to 12 people that generally join in, one is always a new caller, recently awakened to the idea of conscious dying or their own mortality. They’re seeking information and someone to talk to because family and friends aren’t interested. Some already embracing their mortality wish to explore their thoughts with others. Some callers join just to listen,” advises Wyatt. Because death in the West has become a commercialized, medical event with funeral home packages the norm, Wyatt recommends the National Home Funeral Alliance to those interested in a deeper understanding of options and resources for a gentler model. The nonprofit, grassroots

movement and its members, such as Sacred Crossings, in Los Angeles, seek to restore the lost art and healing ritual of a home funeral by preserving the rights of families to provide home after-death care. Supporting and educating interested families is the mission of Sacred Crossings founder Rev. Olivia Rosemarie Bareham. The certified death midwife and home funeral guide draws from her experiences as an auxiliary nurse and hospice volunteer to assist families with endof-life planning, death midwifery and arrangements for an at-home vigil and funeral, as well as cremation and burial choices. “We also offer sacred singing to help ease a loved one’s transition. Music by a bedside soloist or choir before, during and after death can be deeply relaxing and comforting, and even provide pain relief,” advises Bareham.

Exploring the Mystery

For more than 40 years, philosopher, psychologist and physician Raymond Moody’s life work has been acknowl-

edging the mysteries and validating the unexplainable events at the end of life. His seminal bestseller Life After Life appeared in 1975. Lisa Smartt’s mentorship by Moody led them to co-found FinalWordsProject.org. She’s also authored Words at the Threshold, a study of the nonsensical, metaphorical and paradoxical language and visions of the dying. Moody and Smartt agree that by better understanding the unique language patterns related to end of life we can share more deeply and build bridges with our beloveds throughout the dying process. “When we do so, we offer greater support to the dying and ameliorate our own experience of loss as they cross the threshold,” remarks Smartt. Like William Peters, founder of the Shared Crossings Project, in Santa Barbara, California, they caution that compassionate etiquette during events at death is important. “Assume that levels of awareness exist in the dying so that our energy and presence are felt and our voices heard,” advises Moody. “Respect your words and actions, regardless of the person’s state of consciousness. Be a

compassionate listener and validate their vision. Don’t pretend to intellectualize or explain anything.” Dianne Gray, president and executive director of the Elisabeth KüblerRoss Foundation, also owns Hospice and Healthcare Communications. “The dying often wish to leave here surrounded by peace and harmony. They choose to let go of contentiousness and often wish family members would do the same, which is facilitated by mapping out Advance Directives according to the final wishes of the patient,” says Gray. Questions she frequently addresses in public talks and Death Over Dinner party conversations include: the necessity of finishing unfinished business; bringing closure to unresolved relationship issues; finding words to express our compassion; soothing the sense of impending loss; and managing to take only love with us to the other side, yet leave enough of it behind to help loved ones through their grieving process. She cautions that no matter how well we plan for death, things don’t always go as planned.

natural awakenings February 2017

chose to spend his final weeks in pursuit of a “good ending.” As death approached, Kennedy told friends that he wanted to take stock of his life and enjoy the gift of his remaining days with the people he loved most. As a result, he continued enjoying his morning ritual of reading newspapers while drinking coffee, playing with his dogs, watching James Bond movies with his wife and holding family dinners and sing-alongs near nightly. He reveled in his bedside view of Nantucket Sound, sailed when he could and ate lots of his favorite ice cream. His mantra was, “Every day is a gift.” “As our time winds down, we all seek comfort in simple pleasures—

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

Writing Our Legacy

Practical Plans

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and its 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy program offer a free downloadable national Guide to Financial Decisions: Implementing an End-of-Life Plan at Tinyurl. com/EssentialPlanNeeds. It includes basic descriptions of issues that arise as we age beyond retirement and details the critical documents needed for the individual, dependents, property, assets, estate planning, wills and trusts. It also addresses issues related to advance, treatment and do-notresuscitate directives, insurance, types of funerals and costs, and Social Security, Medicare and veterans’ benefits. Guidelines suggest consulting with a certified public accountant or personal financial planning specialist. The latest innovation is the blessing of a living funeral, a celebration of life while the honoree is present to hear the eulogies, praises and farewells before they depart. AgingWithDignity.org provides a downloadable Five Wishes document, a popular advance directive, or living will that covers personal, spiritual, medical and legal aspects. It’s easy to use and can serve as a family guide to prompt conversations about personal care preferences in the event of serious illness. New York Times journalist Mark Leibovich wrote about how Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy

companionship, everyday routines, the taste of good food, the warmth of sunlight on our faces,” remarks Boston’s Dr. Atul Gawande in Being Mortal. “If we strive in our final months for independence, companionship, mindful attention, dignity, wisdom, joy, love and freedom from pain, we have the power to make those days less miserable, confusing and frightening.” In these many ways, we can manage to gently embrace and tenderly navigate life’s final transition with grace and love.

by Linda Sechrist

n their books Caring for the Dying and Having the Last Say, authors Henry Fersko-Weiss and Alan Gelb, respectively, advocate reviewing our life and writing a short narrative to explore its value as we approach our final act of Earth’s play. Processing experiences from the past and what they mean at this juncture presents us an opportunity to achieve greater clarity and integrate them in a positive way in our life story. According to Fersko-Weiss, it has the power to reduce depression, increase life satisfaction, promote acceptance of self and enhance integrity of spirit, no matter what phase of life we are in. The harvesting of life experiences should reflect our true humanity— flaws and all—and what we’ve learned through mistakes and failures, as well as triumphs. Conveying a compelling mythic family story, values we’ve lived by and our embrace of meaningful relationships will help the people we know understand that, for all its difficulties and complexities, life is worth living. Our narrative, whether recorded as an essay or scripted video, becomes an act of praise for the gift of the life we’ve led, imperfect as it may have been. It can also serve as a potential keepsake that passes along life lessons and values from one generation to another. Gelb suggests that summing up what’s most important to us in 500 to 1,000 words can be an experience to savor and enjoy at a reflective time in life, an opportunity to capture our legacy and even serve as our own eulogy. When we want a loved one no longer here to feel near to us and hear them one last time, it’s a way for them to literally have the last say, he adds.

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“Sometimes no matter how many advance care conversations have taken place, discord can dismantle the best laid plans. It requires the tough work of compassionate communications. Friends and families need to remember that this is the patient’s end-of-life experience, not theirs. It is possible to find peace in the midst of conflict, understanding that the one leaving overwhelmingly wishes for a peaceful passing, including peace within the family.” The Death Over Dinner initiative, founded by Michael Hebb in 2013, has been hosted by groups in more than 20 countries to help people engage in conversations on “how we want to die”—the most vital and costly discussion Americans aren’t having (DeathOverDinner.org/stories).

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Each day provides its own gifts. ~Marcus Aurelius

natural awakenings February 2017

Serving the Dying (and the Living)

THE DOULA by Jacki Mann

“For life and earth are one, even as the river and sea are one.” Khalil Gibran

irth. Life. Death. Each is a natural rite of passage in the circle of life. Death is seen as a natural passage in other cultures today, and especially with indigenous peoples. In our society, however, it has become simply a medical event. There is a movement today to return dying to its sacred place in the circle of life. At the forefront of this movement is the doula. Most are likely familiar with doulas and the first phase of the circle. Growing in popularity, though, is the doula who serves those in the final phase of death. One helps guide a life into this world and the other helps guide it through the end of life. End-of-life doulas have varying titles and roles. In a January 15, 2015, The New York Times story, author Alina Tugend emphasized the growth and diversity in the field by saying “There isn’t one name for such a job, there isn’t one description…But everyone in the field agrees that interest in both hiring and training to be such a doula is growing as an aging population grapples with how to gain some control over this most uncontrollable stage of life.” Death doula, end-of-life doula or conscious dying doula. Whatever the title, their role is to offer comfort and support to individuals and their loved ones, not only during the dying process and at death, but also in preparation. Most would ask, “Isn’t that what hospice does? Relieve suffering, provide comfort and support for the dying?” With families ill-prepared to care for a dying loved one and given the time constraints of the hospice team to meet

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the needs of the dying and their loved ones, a void has been created for doulas to fill. Labeled “patients” within the medical system of which hospice is a part, it creates feelings of de-personalization for many. Since doulas do not offer medical care, they frequently work alongside the hospice team and serve to enrich and expand upon hospice care, offering a “comforting presence” for the dying and their loved ones. Some say this also brings “humanness” back to the natural process of dying. Basics of end-of-life care are touch, presence and comfort measures for not only physical pain, but for emotional and existential pain and suffering as well. Many find that doulas trained in integrative therapies provide additional comfort with aromatherapy and Reiki, or therapeutic touch. They come to the home, hospitals, and nursing facilities to make their care flexible and available. Doulas have found their way into our death-phobic society again, not only through their work with the dying but in ways that serve to de-mystify death and provide important guidance throughout life, exploring how to enrich life while keeping the end in mind. They help those who search for a way to be more comfortable with the subject of death through education and exploration, retreats, workshops and group discussions. As they help their clients prepare for the inevitability of death in these ways, they serve as life and death coaches. Assisting with clarification of end-of-life wishes, doulas help plan living wills that specify such details as life-sustaining treatment and comfort measures. They may also explore creating a “good death” plan for clients, which addresses the step taken in the final days of life. For one person, it could be dying surrounded by music, family and friends laughing and story-telling. For another, it could be time in silence with only family and a chaplain present. Doulas also serve in other ways, such as planning living wakes, or celebrations of life, and living legacy projects chronicling the life of the dying. As part of returning death to its sacred place, doulas can also incorporate rituals during the final days and at death that add depth of meaning and sacredness to all involved. Home funerals and green burials are traditions that can be part of these final rituals and coordinating these services with providers is one more role a doula can fill. For many, there is the desire to return dying to its natural, sacred place in the human experience. Increasingly, doulas answer this call. They are a guide to light the way, providing the presence of loving support, comfort and care through to the end and during the final phase in the circle of life. Jacki Mann is a Conscious Living and Conscious Dying Doula in the Central Ohio area, as well as a Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse, Urban Zen Integrative Therapist and Certified Life Coach. For more information, email Jacki@InTheCircleOfLife.com or visit InTheCircleOfLife.com. See ad, page 23.

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Conscious Dying is Conscious Living

Conscious Dying from the Vedic Viewpoint

by Patrice Rancour

by Hari Sharma

o understand the process of dying, it is first necessary to understand the process of living. The Sanskrit term “veda” translates as “knowledge.” The Vedic texts of ancient India, known as the Vedas, contain comprehensive knowledge of both life and death. According to the Vedas, the act of living, as well as life itself, consists of two parts: the unmanifest and the manifest. Unmanifest life is known as “the absolute” and is eternal, unbounded and full of peace and bliss. It is pure existence and pure consciousness. It contains all knowledge and all the laws of nature in seed form. Manifest life originates from the unmanifest absolute and is known as “relative existence.” It is dynamic, changing and evolving. Human beings are a combination of the unmanifest absolute and the manifest, changing relative. The absolute is eternal life and the relative is dynamic, changing life. The Vedas posit that only one quarter of the unmanifest absolute becomes manifest. This correlates with the discovery in the field of cosmology and physics that only 30 percent of the universe is manifest. The remaining 70 percent is an unmanifest aspect referred to as “dark energy.” According to the Vedas, the manifest relative existence consists of two aspects: the subjective and the objective. The subjective aspect consists of ego (the “I”, knower, seer), intellect (the discriminating faculty), mind (which is full of thoughts) and the five senses. The objective aspect is the physical body. The relative existence is mortal; it is based, however, on the absolute immortal that is eternal existence. Human beings live in the subjective and objective aspects of relative existence; they can contact, however, the absolute phase of life, which is their deep inner self, through the

process of meditation in which the subjective and objective aspects of life are transcended to reach the absolute. If the proper type of meditation is practiced, the process will take the meditator beyond the ego, intellect, mind, senses and body. During this process there is increasing bliss, as one perceives the deeper inner layers of existence, then ultimately transcends and reaches the absolute. By making contact with the absolute phase of existence on a daily basis, the properties of the absolute will gradually be brought into the relative phase of existence. These properties include peace and bliss, and the relative existence will become peaceful, happy, harmonious and enjoyable. In this practice of meditation, one goes beyond the relative phase of existence and reaches the eternal life of the absolute, then comes out of the meditative process and returns to the relative phase of existence. This correlates with the process of dying in which one leaves the relative existence and reaches unmanifest life. By meditating, one is consciously dying daily and getting a taste of the eternal life that is full of peace and bliss. When the time comes for death at the end of one’s lifespan, meditators will be familiar with the process that occurs. Instead of being filled with fear and uncertainty, death will be a peaceful experience for them.

Hari Sharma, MD, is an Ayurveda provider and teaches Spontaneous Meditation and Pranayama as part of the Integrative Medicine team at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Dr. Sharma is also a Professor Emeritus at the OSU College of Medicine, and has published more than 150 research papers and written five books related to Ayurveda.

n our death-denying society where the physical supersedes the ineffable (spiritual, energetic), we are often reduced to the physical bodies we inhabit. The subsequent fear often emphasizes length of life over quality of life, resulting in medical systems that prolong dying rather than life. The body might appear to be “slowing down” during the dying process, but what often cannot be perceived is the escalation of spiritual energies. Emphasis on the material part of who we are can lead us to feel unattended emotionally, spiritually and mentally. While curing happens to a disease, healing happens to a life. Many of us know people with cured diseases but hobbled lives. After all, even the saints and mystics are all dead. Conscious dying is the antidote to this scenario. It is the focused practice of using this threshold event to remain present, loving, healing and mindful. Conscious dying refers to the process of using our dying as a means to a spiritual awakening. Eastern cultures and tribal traditions of indigenous peoples have cultivated belief systems and rituals to provide guidance during this remarkable transition. Many of these traditions have been lost to developed societies over the years. Once hospice was reintroduced into modern culture by Cicely Saunders of the United Kingdom, and Elizabeth Kubler-Ross began her explorations into death and dying, interest rekindled in creating a sacred space around what is, after all, a very normal and natural part of life. A number of proponents have worked to elaborate on concepts and therapies that support conscious dying, including people like Ram Dass, Stephen Levine, and other thought leaders. Their writings and programs continue to enlighten and guide the evolution of conscious dying even today. Of course, the best preparation for a conscious death is to live

natural awakenings February 2017

Patrice Rancour, MS, RN, PMHCNS-BC, is a mental health clinical nurse specialist working in Integrative Medicine at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. For more information, visit WexnerMedical.OSU.edu/Integrative-Complementary-Medicine. 26

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consciously – beginning right now. As Ram Dass points out, then death becomes just another moment in a great chain of moments that is a life. There are very useful guides for professionals and families to support conscious dying, among them the online program, Sacred Goodbyes, at WarmlyEileen.com/All-Programs. These programs offer what is identified as “the Art of Ascension,” a name which describes the dying process as a threshold event of sacred healing. It offers meaningful and loving ritual to help lift us up at times of deep mystery. This is exactly what is missing from the sterile environment of an intensive care unit, and why so many health care workers in those environments can burn out caring for people at the end of life. Another tool is an “advance directive” for conscious dying, found at TTBook.org. This is an addendum to, and not a replacement for, traditional living wills and durable powers of attorney for health care. In it is the potential to create a blueprint for making this sacred event meaningful. This is true not only for the person whose life is transforming, but also for the people who surround him or her. Many years ago, I remember reading an account of a tribal culture that taught its members as children to befriend death as a personal companion one accompanies on the journey of life. That way, at the very end of life, each person feels embraced by the familiarity of an old friend, rather than feeling one is being thrown kicking and screaming into the maws of a deep, dark void. At the time, I remember feeling very envious of such a culture. Oh, how those people must love their children!

FIT FOR LIFE How to Stay Healthy, Flexible and Strong by Aimee Hughes

“

hen thinking about the best forms of exercise as we enter midlife and beyond, we should first clarify some myths and preconceptions,” says Michael Spitzer, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, biochemist, fitness expert and author of Fitness at 40, 50, 60 and Beyond. “In our society, there’s a mindset that once we pass our 40th year, it’s all downhill from there. Our metabolism slows and we gain weight, lose mobility and flexibility, deal with more aches and pains, experience shortness of breath and the list goes on.” According to Spitzer, this all can happen, but it’s more of a self-fulfilling prophecy than destiny. “Research with older people at both rehabilitation and nursing centers tells us that the human body wasn’t designed to begin a major decline in function until age 70, barring major illness or accidents along the way. Most of

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individual decline is due to lifestyle choices, not nature’s plan.” Spitzer teaches his clients that weight training is essential for every age group. “After age 30, most people lose between 0.5 to 1 percent of lean muscle fiber per year, which directly affects the basal metabolic rate. Much like a car engine, the more lean muscle mass we have, the more energy our ‘engine’ uses, even when idling. If not prevented, by age 50, for example, we may have lost as much as 20 percent of the lean muscle fiber we had when we were 30.” He also recommends regular cardiovascular exercise. “Do a good round of cardio inside your target heart rate zone for 30 minutes at least three times a week. It’s vital for lung and heart health, the primary benefit of cardio exercise as opposed to just burning calories.” “For those in their 40s, I recom-

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mend high-intensity interval training such as burst training, along with a mind-body practice like power yoga or budokon,” says Nelson Pahl, of Northfield, Minnesota, managing editor of Longevity Times. “Vinyasa yoga, tai chi and cycling are ideal during our 50s, while hatha yoga, tai chi, or qigong and hiking work well in our 60s.” “Most of my clients are 70 and up,” notes Gwyneth Jones, an active aging specialist at the Carriage Club, in Kansas City, Missouri, who also trains physical therapists, rehabilitation specialists and movement educators. “They enjoy mixing up their daily exercise routines and look forward to the support and encouragement of their classmates. Discussions include lighthearted wordplay and questions

about anatomy and physiology.” Pahl urges everyone at every age, “Consume only whole foods, always.” He rarely drinks alcohol and begins every day with yoga and qigong. “Also, be sure to stay well hydrated,” adds Jones. “This will keep your joints healthy, skin clear and moist, digestion more efficient and detoxification of organ systems more effective. Add fresh lemon if you like.” Physical fitness is only one aspect of aging gracefully. Spiritual growth lifts and lightens any mental and emotional load, while supporting physical well-being.

PAIN FREE, RADIATION FREE

BREAST SCREENING

Spitzer also recommends, “Reading, learning to play a musical instrument, crafting activities, computer strategy games or doing other activities that require concentration or new problem-solving skills; all help the mind stay tuned up and sharp.” It’s always healthy to break out of normal routines and comfort zones, venture into new worlds, volunteer and do what makes our heart soar. Jones advises, “Choose activities that feel good, refreshing, include people you enjoy, and are done in pleasant environments. Don’t forget to revel in sunshine or a good book on a rainy day. Listen to music, play music, sing and dance every day.” Maturity brings benefits we can embrace with delight when we bring loving attention and happy novelty to life. Aimee Hughes, a freelance writer in Kansas City, MO, is a doctor of naturopathy and consultant for the Yandara Yoga Institute. Connect at ChezAimee@gmail.com.

The

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INDOOR KITCHEN GARDENING How to Grow NutrientPacked Microgreens by Barbara Pleasant

ast, fun to grow and packed with flavor and nutrition, tender young microgreens can go from seed to table in as little as a week. Close cousins to edible sprouts, microgreens are grown in potting soil or seed-starting mixes instead of plain water. They customarily grow beyond the sprout stage until they have produced a true leaf or two. After that, harvesting is a simple matter of snipping off fresh greens. “You don’t need a green thumb to grow microgreens, only patience and persistence,” says Mark Mathew Braunstein, in Old Saybrook, Connecticut, author of Microgreen Garden. Even first-timers can expect good results. For example, the thin shoots grown from popcorn taste like a more vibrant form of sweet corn, and pea shoots work well in wraps, salads and virtually any Asian dish. Like high-fiber wheatgrass, “Microgreens are great for juicing, either by themselves or mixed with other veggies,” says Rita Galchus (aka Sprout Lady Rita), proprietor of The Sprout House, in Lake Katrine, New York, which sells organic seeds for microgreens and sprouts. “You can add a handful of microgreens to

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consciouseating

a smoothie to ramp up the nutrition without changing its taste or texture,” she notes.

Good Picks

The seeds of dozens of plants from alfalfa to wheat can be grown as microgreens. If seeking to maximize nutrition, put red cabbage and cilantro on the planting list. Scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Quality Laboratory, in Beltsville, Maryland, tested the nutritional properties of 25 microgreens; red cabbage, cilantro, garnet amaranth and green daikon radish had the highest concentrations of vitamin C, carotenoids, and vitamins K and E, respectively. Microgreens generally provide three times as much nutrition per weight as the same food eaten in its mature state. “People underestimate the intense flavor of microgreens and might try planting mustard greens or radish varieties even if they don’t like spicy flavors,” say Elizabeth Millard, an organic farmer in Northfield, Minnesota, and author of Indoor Kitchen Gardening. For beginners, large seeds that sprout quickly such as sunflowers, buckwheat and snow peas are

Clean Greens

Microgreens grow so fast that there’s little time for them to run into trouble. Commercial growers use large trays, but home gardeners can also use pretty coffee mugs or tofu boxes rescued from the recycling bin. Drainage holes in the container bottoms work well when growing beets or other slow-sprouting seeds, but are less important for fast-growing sunflowers or wheat. Work only with organic seeds. Seeds sold for sprouting or bulk grains from a local health food store cost

much less than the larger, robust seeds produced for gardening. Soak seeds in water overnight to jump-start germination. Place an inch or so of potting soil or seed-starting mix in the container, and then scatter the plump seeds on top. “A common beginner’s error is to sow seeds too thickly,” says Braunstein. Sown seeds should not touch each other, with most spaced about one-quarter-inch apart. Spritz with water and cover with a plate or plastic wrap. At the first signs of sprouting, water and move the pot to a sunny spot near a bright window or within two inches of a bright grow light. Dribble in small amounts of water to maintain moisture over the next few days. To harvest, cut in bunches about one-half inch above the soil line. Microgreens store well in the refrigerator for a couple of days, but are best eaten fresh. For both beginners and experienced gardeners, growing microgreens provides a close-up look at seed germination, one of nature’s miracles.

Award-winning garden writer Barbara Pleasant’s new book Homegrown Pantry: A Gardener’s Guide to Selecting the Best Varieties & Planting the Perfect Amounts for What You Want to Eat Year Round, will be out next month from Storey Publishing.

Organic Seed Sources Check with these online companies for any seeds unavailable locally. SproutHouse.com, 800-777-6887 SproutPeople.org, 877-777-6887 OrganicSproutingSeeds.com

natural awakenings February 2017

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good choices because they produce big, robust sprouts with mild flavor. Many people also grow microgreens for their pets. “Cats tend to prefer mild, sweet-tasting microgreens such as red clover, alfalfa and flax seed,” advises Galchus. “They also love grasses grown from hard wheat, whole barley and rye. Cats cannot digest the grass, but use it to bring up indigestible matter that might be lodged in their stomachs.”

Oxygen to the Rescue

The Many Benefits of Ozone Therapy by Valerie Burke

s safe and trusted as hyperbaric (high pressure) oxygen therapy, ozone therapy also harnesses the healing power of oxygen. Since the 1950s, its popularity has increased around the world. Today, more than 45,000 physicians in 50 countries administer ozone therapy to address ailments ranging from endodontic infections and herniated disk pain to arterial plaque and Lyme disease. According to the American Academy of Ozonotherapy, the widespread medical use of ozone began in Germany and has since spread across Europe as an alternative treatment for antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The academy notes that allopathic physicians caution against ozone therapy largely due to misinformation and a lack of understanding regarding its efficacy, side effects, expense and safety, even though published international studies as well as U.S. clinical trials have shown it can be used instead of more expensive and dangerous methods such as surgery or pharmaceuticals. Therapeutic ozone has a sound safety record and no toxic effects have been observed from proper clinical use (Journal of the American Medical Association). Occasional reported side effects are slight weakness, dizziness or drowsiness for short periods of time during or after treatment. Rare allergic skin reac-

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tions like nettle rash are possible with local applications, although occurrences are mild and quick to resolve. Ozone is an oxidant. Ozone therapy, like exercise, creates health benefits by delivering measured doses of oxidative stress that activate the body’s internal antioxidant systems. The primary natural enzyme in ozone therapy is superoxide dismutase, which stimulates another enzyme called telomerase that keeps DNA young by maintaining the telomere at the end of each DNA strand. A study from Cuba’s University of Havana of herniated disc patients found that ozone therapy provided both oxidative protection and pain relief. Such properties make medical ozone therapy a safe and effective treatment for many infections. It’s been shown to be particularly effective for sinus and endodontic infections (Iranian Endodonics Journal), osteonecrosis of the jaw, ear infections, hepatitis (Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine), cystitis, HIV, intestinal and blood infections and Lyme disease. Staff of the Sophia Health Institute, in Woodinville, Washington, report remarkably fast results treating such chronic complex infections by following intensive intravenous (IV) ozone protocols, with

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individualized systemic support. Ozonotherapy is a prime treatment for infections, especially viral. Leading experts in oxidative therapy Dr. Robert Rowen, who practices in Santa Rosa, California, and Dr. Howard Robins, director of The Healing Center, in New York City, had good success administering treatment during the Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone. In addition to many patients helped, “It’s been reported that ozone therapy rapidly cured five patients with Ebola during the outbreak,” says Rowen. Ozone therapy is now used to relieve arthritis, neuropathy, degenerative joint and disk disease, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. A pilot study led by the Universidad de Granada, Spain, saw improvement in the physical and depressive symptoms of fibromyalgia. “Ozone is also effective in treating osteoarthritic knees and, via injection, arthritic hips,” says Rowen. Other individuals describe their experiences of overcoming various diseases using ozone therapy at YouTube. com/user/RobertRowenMD/videos. One of the most impressive evidence-based applications is relief from the pain of herniated disks, particularly lumbar. More than one meta-analysis deemed ozone treatment an effective and extremely safe procedure, with pain and functional outcomes equal to or better than surgery and far lower complication rates (less than 0.1 percent), along with significantly shorter recovery times (Pain Physician; American Journal of Neuroradiology). According to the Journal of Natural Science, Biology and Medicine, oxygen/ozone therapy used in dentistry offers three fundamental forms of applications to treat oral tissue—ozonated water, ozonated olive oil and oxygen/ozone gas. Ozonated water and olive oil have proved to be an ideal delivery system. Non-toxic and simple to generate, ozone therapy is coming of age as a viable option for both the treatment and prevention of illnesses. Valerie Burke is a freelance health writer in Olympia, Washington, versed in integrative medicine with a master’s degree in nursing science.

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healingways

natural awakenings February 2017

growth is delayed, Pearson often suggests a chiropractic adjustment if all other developmental areas are normal. “It can help the body relax so that teeth erupt naturally,” she advises.

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Mouth-to-Mouth

KEEP DECAY AWAY Holistic Dentistry Keeps Kids Cavity-Free by Linda Sechrist

ccording to a 2012 New York Times story, “Preschoolers in Surgery for a Mouthful of Cavities,” more dentists nationwide are recommending that children be administered general anesthesia at hospitals due to the severity of decay. Such extensive dental work on children is largely preventable. Wise parents encourage their children to develop healthy habits such as brushing teeth at least twice a day; eating fewer sugary snacks and brushing afterwards; limiting fruit juice intake to four ounces a day; and sucking on bacteria-killing xylitol lollipops. Such a routine combined with an initial dentist visit by their first birthday can reduce dental costs, including hospital treatment for extreme decay that can cost thousands of dollars. Other ways to reduce the too-common incidence of six to 10 childhood cavities include breastfeeding only until baby teeth erupt; avoiding transmission of an anaerobic oral bacteria carried in saliva that’s the leading cause of tooth decay; early interceptive treatment to

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avoid crowding of teeth; and consulting a nutritionist.

Breastfeeding

Andie Pearson, a doctor of dental medicine and owner of Gaimed Dental Spa, in Wilmette, Illinois, tells mothers that in the descent through the birth canal, their baby ingests the bacteria necessary to digest breast milk. As teeth later emerge, their gut bacteria also become able to digest solid food. “By the time a child has all 20 baby teeth, between 18 and 30 months, they no longer have the microbial ecology for digesting breast milk and should be weaned. Researchers from the University of California-Berkeley have found that the more frequently a mother breastfed her child beyond the second birthday during the day, the greater the child’s risk of severe early tooth decay,” says Pearson. Development of facial muscles and bone structure is dependent on chewing and gnawing. “Teething rings facilitate chewing that builds stronger teeth and creates better alignment,” she explains. If childhood tooth

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Susan Maples, a doctor of dental surgery and owner of Total Health Dentistry, in Holt, Michigan, notes that Streptococcus mutans is the leading reason children are hospitalized today. “Cavities are formed when the rate of decay of the teeth caused by the lactic acid produced by the bacteria exceeds the rate of repair initiated by the phosphate and calcium ions in saliva,” she explains. The unwanted bacteria is transmitted through saliva, which is why adults should avoid licking spoons or tasting foods before offering them to children between the ages of 1 and 3. “This type of bacteria thrives on sugar, so children shouldn’t have lots of sugary drinks and sweet treats,” says Maples. Mouth kissing presents a similar risk.

Early Intervention

Kris Kammer, a doctor of dental surgery and owner of Gums of Steel Oral Hygiene Transformation, in Middleton, Wisconsin, learned early in his career to avoid mercury amalgam fillings and early extractions of bicuspids for orthodontic purposes, and that xylitol reduces buildup of plaque bacterial biofilm on teeth. A study published in the Journal of Dental Research, supported by findings of a metastudy appearing in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dentistry “shows that regular use of xylitol over six months significantly reduces the Streptococcus mutans population,” he says. He also suggests early interceptive treatments which can be performed by general dentists. “Parents don’t need to wait for children’s teeth to come in crooked and crowded. These issues can be addressed with a removable appliance that expands the arch in the roof dome, influences bone growth and makes room for incoming teeth,” says Kammer. Early proper diet may also help prevent crowding of teeth

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

Role Modeling “Parents play a pivotal role in their children’s dental hygiene. They influence how their children care for their teeth, behave in the dentist’s office and feel about dental visits,” advises Pentti Nupponen, a doctor of dental medicine and owner of the Halifax Center for Holistic & Cosmetic Dentistry, in Halifax, Pennsylvania. Children should be made familiar with dentistry and taught that they are responsible for their dental hygiene from around age 1. Nupponen explains his gentle method: “I encourage mothers to bring their children along for dental appointments so that they can watch me from their mother’s lap. Generally, by the time they are alone in my chair, they aren’t frightened.” Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. Connect at ItsAllAboutWe.com.

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naturalpet

HEART-TO-HEART WITH A HORSE Equine Empathy Helps and Heals by Sandra Murphy

hysical therapists have long used horses to help patients improve balance or strengthen core muscles. Now they’re helping to teach empathy. Given a horse’s significant size, sometimes distracting surroundings and the need for safety, humans need to learn the animal’s non-verbal cues, and to regulate their own. Close interaction without riding is proving to be helpful for those dealing with addictions, trauma and grief, and for employees to improve their communication and teamwork skills. Kelly Wendorf and Scott Strachan, co-founders of Equus, in Santa Fe, work with both individuals and organizations. Strachan emphasizes, “This isn’t magic. Horses reflect our feelings back to us. If we’re nervous, the horse will be more skittish.” “We’ve had executives arrive with cell phones firmly in hand and leave holding soggy tissues instead,” comments Wendorf. “For them, it was unexpectedly emotional.” For addicts caught up in a debil-

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itating cycle, “Equine therapy gets the brain firing in a new direction,” says Constance Scharff, Ph.D., director of addiction research at Cliffside Malibu, in California. “Patients may say they’re fine when they’re not, but you can’t lie to a horse. They have boundaries; if you’re angry, a horse won’t tolerate your behavior and will walk away.” Scharff notes, “Equine therapy is complementary to psychotherapy medicine, and one tool we use in approaching addiction. Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can be the underlying issue, so we can address it, to understand why the person became an addict.” Wendorf relates the story of an 18-year-old client facing body image issues. “Five horses approached her and touched her with their noses on her arms and legs. Where they touched was where she had been cutting herself to try to relieve her emotional pain.” “People feel a powerful con-

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nection when they let down their defenses and a horse responds,” says Sheryl Jordan, equestrian director at Salamander Resort & Spa, in Middleburg, Virginia. “Our Equi-Spective life lessons program brings self-awareness and the power to better control emotions. During the session, they may hug, pet and cry on the horse, but they leave the corral smiling.” The program teamed up with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) serving bereaved military families. Kelly Griffith, a surviving sister of U.S. Marine Corps Major Samuel Griffith, points to the power of equine therapy in a video at Tinyurl. com/Equi-SpectiveVideo. Susan Wight, a former professional steeplechase rider and ambassador for TAPS in Leesburg, Virginia, says, “My husband was my riding coach. When he passed away, I was numb when facing decisions, but at the session, it felt like one of the horses was the one to choose. The initial flood of emotions and memories from being around horses again wasn’t pretty, but empathy is a specific language, and I’m grateful for the opportunity. Horses are a huge part of my life.” At Ranch Hand Rescue Counseling Center & Animal Sanctuary, in South Argyle, Texas, founder Bob Williams considers animal therapy a ministry. “We rescue abused and neglected farm animals, including horses that come into play when patients are not responding to usual therapies,” he says. “It’s important for damaged people to learn to live in the light, and our partnering with the special needs animals helps put them on the emotional path to health.” The rescue’s mission is to provide hope, healing and a sense of security for children and adults that have suffered severe trauma such as abuse, domestic violence and witnessing violent death (Tinyurl.com/RanchHandRescueVideo). Riding Beyond’s four-session program, in Ashland, Oregon, is free to women recovering from the rigors of breast cancer treatment. Expenses are covered by donations from the community. German research published in the journal Psycho-Oncology reported that 82 percent of

participating breast cancer patients studied displayed symptoms of PTSD following diagnosis. “They often don’t want to touch or be touched, and have trouble with friendships and intimate relationships; issues that can cripple a woman’s life,” says Trish Broersma, founding director and a certified therapeutic riding professional at Riding Beyond (Tinyurl. com/RidingBeyondVideo). “The medical team that saved their lives doesn’t treat these issues.” The first client, unfamiliar with horses, met Mystic, who touched her on the site of the former tumor. She says, “Even weeks later, when I brought her image to mind when stressed, sad or even happy, it brought feelings of contentment, peace and well-being.” Horses have been serving humans in many ways for centuries. Equine therapy shows they have even more to give if we are open to receive. Connect with freelance writer Sandra Murphy at StLouisFreelanceWriter@ mindspring.com.

natural awakenings February 2017

inspiration

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LOVE LESSONS by Emily Esfahani Smith

sychologist Ty Tashiro reports in The Science of Happily Ever After that only three in 10 couples remain in healthy, happy marriages. Psychologist John Gottman, in New York City, has studied couples for four decades seeking to understand successful relationships. He and his psychologist wife, Julie, founded The Gottman Institute that helps couples build and maintain loving, healthy relationships based on scientific studies. Using data from his Love Lab at the University of Washington, John separated thousands of couples into two groups: masters (still happy after six years) and disasters (separated or chronically unhappy in their marriages). One of Gottman’s studies watched 130 newlywed vacationing couples and found that partners regularly made bids for connection, requesting responses from their mate.

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Choices to “turn toward” or “turn away” revealed the level of engagement and respect in the relationship. Couples that divorced within six years had shown “turn toward” bids a third of the time while couples still together responded to their partner’s emotional need nine times out of 10. An integral element is the spirit couples bring to the relationship: kindness and generosity or contempt, criticism and hostility. “There’s a key habit of mind that the masters have,” Gottman explains. “They are scanning the social environment for things they can appreciate and express thanks for. Disasters are scanning for partners’ mistakes.” People focused on criticizing miss 50 percent of positive things their partners are doing and see negativity when it’s absent. Deliberately ignoring their partner or responding minimally

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to opportunities for small moments of emotional connection devalues and kills a relationship. Kindness, conversely, glues couples together, making each partner feel cared for, understood, validated and loved. In a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers found that the more someone receives or witnesses kindness, the more they will be kind themselves, creating upward spirals of love and generosity. Practicing kindness during a fight is vital. Letting contempt and aggression spiral out of control during a conflict can inflict irrevocable damage. “Kindness doesn’t mean that we don’t express anger,” Julie explains, “But it informs how we choose to express it. You can either throw spears or explain why you’re hurt and angry, which is the kinder path.” Kindness can also solidify the backbone of a relationship by being generous about our partner’s intention and avoiding misinterpreting what’s motivating their behavior. “Even if it’s executed poorly, appreciate the intent,” Tashiro advises. Clearly, if we want to have a stable, healthy relationship, exercise kindness early and often and let a spirit of generosity guide happy years together. Emily Esfahani Smith is the author of The Power of Meaning: Crafting a Life That Matters. Connect at EmilyEsfahaniSmith.com or on Twitter @ emesfahanismith.

calendarofevents

PAI Yoga and Fitness, 6367 Sawmill Rd, Dublin. 614-397-8230. Info@PAIYogaFitness.com. PAIYogaFitness.com.

NOTE: All calendar events must be received via email by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Email Publisher@NACentralOhio.com for guidelines and to submit entries. No phone calls or faxes, please. Or visit NACentralOhio.com to submit online.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1 Planning a Medicinal Garden – 7-9pm. This workshop will cover companion planting using herbs, as well as help students plan which herbs would be best their family to grow, plus receive a discount on seed and seedling preorders. Pre-registration required. $35. Bleu and Fig, 4622 N High St, Columbus. 614-517-0466. BolineApothecary.com.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3 Intro to Shamanic Journeying with Heidi Howes – 6-9pm. We will learn the method the shaman uses to “see in the dark,” as well as deepen our connection to ourselves and the multiverse through an experience of direct revelation. We will talk about shamanic practice as a spiritual path and how it can help see into the imaginal realm (a.k.a. Spirit Realm, Dream World, Quantum Field, etc.) and the much larger picture of our world. Each participant will have an opportunity to connect with power animals, other unseen allies and experience firsthand the magic behind the veil. Students will be taught basic divination and open up to greater experiences with intuition and personal guides. $75. The Reiki Center, 1540 W 5th Ave, Columbus. 614-486-8323. TheReikiCenter.net.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5 Animal Reiki Class with Kaye Smith and Denise Musser – 9am-5pm. Animal Reiki is an energetic connection that is specially adapted to pets and other animals. It offers targeted pain and stress reduction techniques through light touch. Learn treatment techniques for assessing energy imbalances throughout the animal chakra system and how to work with each of these energy centers (chakras) to enhance the effectiveness of each session. Hands-on practice included. Maximum of four students per class. Prerequisite: Reiki I (or equivalent prior Reiki training). $150. The Reiki Center, 1540 W 5th Ave, Columbus. 614486-8323. TheReikiCenter.net.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8 Cooking with Medicinal Herbs – 7-9pm. This class will cover the various ways of incorporating herbs into cooking and the therapeutic uses of common spices. Tips will be shared on how to conveniently use herbal broths, syrups, vinegar, oil and honey infusions in everyday cooking, plus ideas on healthy herbal snacks such as gummies, crackers and nut butter balls. Students will go home with handouts and recipes to help herbally inspire in the kitchen. We will sip on some vegan soup while we learn. Pre-registration required. $35. Bleu and Fig, 4622 N High St, Columbus. 614-517-0466. BolineApothecary.com. Let’s Talk About Death, Dying and Living With the End in Mind – 7pm. This informal group gathering, away from a culture of silence about death that many fear yet all will experience, will explore how facing mortality changes living and dying. Our topic of discussion varies each month.

Free. 136 Mill St, Ste 200, Gahanna. 614-6488897. InTheCircleOfLife.com.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10 Stones of Love Class with Joseph Floyd – 6-8pm. This class will cover which crystals are for love, what their properties are, plus how to work with them to attract and amplify love in life on many levels, as well as for the highest good. We will talk about connecting heart to higher heart and opening the heart chakra, using exercises and meditations and balancing them with crystals. Students will keep the crystals they receive in class. $23. The Reiki Center, 1540 W 5th Ave, Columbus. 614-486-8323. TheReikiCenter.net. Full Moon Drumming – 7-10pm. Each full moon, the All Life Community honors the lunar cycle of life with celebratory drumming as we welcome the full moon. This family-friendly event is open to the public. During the cold-weather months we gather fireside indoors, and during the warmer months we enjoy a bonfire outside. Bring an instrument or use one of ours. Suggested donation. All Life Center, 123 Hyatts Rd, Delaware. 740-201-8242. AllLifeCommunity.org.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11 Full Moon Goddess Day Retreat – 11:11am5:55pm. Women are invited to connect with the ancient rhythms of the moon to discover, honor and re-connect to a source of true power and great potential. Reconnect with the cycles of nature, cleanse and clear old stuck energy, deepen intuition, unveil personal rhythms and the inner Goddess, plus learn how to work with both the new and full moon energies to release what is no longer of service. $99. Om2Ohm Meditation and Wellness Center, 324 W Case St, Powell. 614-7870584. Om2Ohm.com.

Thai Yoga Partner Massage – 1-3pm. Carrie Ingham, certified Thai Yoga Massage Therapist, provides a Valentine’s Day treat that keeps on giving. Bring a partner to learn and experience some basic Thai yoga massage techniques for relaxation, connection and relief. Thai yoga massage is an ancient form of healing in which practitioners use hands, forearms, elbows, feet and knees to relieve pain and stress in the recipient’s body. Student pairs will learn several techniques to influence the body’s meridians, tissues, circulation and lymph system, as well as bring home the ability to calm and care for each other. Come learn and explore together. $30 per person. Pre-registration required. PAI Yoga and Fitness Gahanna, 5576 N Hamilton Rd, Columbus. (614) 656-4476. PAIYogaFitness.com.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16 Herbal Tea Circle – 7-8pm. Join us for an informal evening of tea and herbal discussion. We will sample a featured tea or blend and enjoy light refreshment with an herbal twist, plus spend the hour discussing whatever herbal topics the group is interested in. Tea circle meets the third Thursday of each month. Instructor: Jennifer Schneller. Pre-registration required. $7 non-Gahanna residents, $5 Gahanna residents. Ohio Herb Education Center, 110 Mill St, Gahanna. 614-342-4380. OhioHerbCenter.org. Meditation Class – 7-8pm. Live a longer, healthier life by learning to meditate. $10. Beecher Chiropractic and Wellness, 428 Beecher Rd, Ste B, Gahanna. 614-855-5533. BeecherSynergy.com. Love Your Liver – 7-9pm. Sometimes our bodies become congested with toxins from our air, water, soil, and food. This becomes a burden on our organs and unintentionally promotes sluggish digestion, poor skin and a lack of energy. In this class, we will learn in depth about the liver and discuss how to effectively detox to maintain or improve health status and energy levels. A light

Herbal Hard Candy – 1-2pm. In this class, we will learn the basic technique for making hard candies at home and explore how to kick things up a notch with herbal infusions. Come experiment with flavors and learn how to make an easy gift for a favorite sweetie. Instructor: Jennifer Schneller. Pre-registration required. $30 non-Gahanna residents, $25 Gahanna residents. Ohio Herb Education Center, 110 Mill St, Gahanna. 614-342-4380. OhioHerbCenter.org. Thai Yoga Partner Massage – 1-3pm. Carrie Ingham, certified Thai Yoga Massage Therapist, provides a Valentine’s Day treat that keeps on giving. Bring a partner to learn and experience some basic Thai yoga massage techniques for relaxation, connection and relief. Thai yoga massage is an ancient form of healing in which practitioners use hands, forearms, elbows, feet and knees to relieve pain and stress in the recipient’s body. Student pairs will learn several techniques to influence the body’s meridians, tissues, circulation and lymph system, as well as bring home the ability to calm and care for each other. Come learn and explore together. $30 per person. Pre-registration required.

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natural awakenings February 2017

snack of detoxifying fruits and vegetables will be provided. Pre-registration required. $55. Boline Apothecary, 15 W Dunedin Rd, Columbus. 614517-0466. BolineApothecary.com.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18 Basic Reflexology Class – (Series: 2/19, 3/4, 3/5) 8am-5pm. In this two-weekend reflexology class, students will learn the theories and techniques of in-depth foot reflexology, relaxation techniques for specific reflex points, practical applications and indications, as well as professional ethics and practice parameters. Registration deadline is February 12. Class might be cancelled if enrollment requirement is not met. $320. American Institute of Alternative Medicine, 6685 Doubletree Ave, Columbus. 614-825-6255. AIAM.edu. Certified Usui Reiki I Class with LJ Groom – Feb 18-19. 9am-5pm. Students will discover peace of mind by employing multiple meditation techniques, identify and transmit healing energy to relieve a headache or an aching muscle without medication, and share in hands-on experiences to learn how to feel energy and see its immediate impact on the self and others, including pets. We will learn specific techniques and create a positive affirmation to help clarify and goals, as well as discuss how to develop intuitive abilities and connect with personal guides. Course includes vegetarian lunches and snacks, as well as a binder of instruction materials. $300. The Reiki Center, 1540 W 5th Ave, Columbus. 614-486-8323. TheReikiCenter.net. Aromatherapy 101 – 1-3pm. This class is for those who have essential oils but do not know what to do with them. We will learn safety, dilutions, applications and recipes, as well as discuss how to research any essential oils and how to use them in a safe, effective manner. Items will be supplied for students to make a blend with the essential oil(s) they bring with them to class. Instructor: Deborah Zerkle, LMT, CA. Pre-registration required. $55 non-Gahanna residents, $45 Gahanna residents. Ohio Herb Education Center, 110 Mill St, Gahanna. 614-342-4380. OhioHerbCenter.org. Erasing Tension with Therapy Balls and Salt Therapy – 9-11am. Join Loretta Zedella for two hours of movement and healing in a beautiful Himalayan brick-walled salt therapy room. Included in these two hours of tension release is one hour of halotherapy, otherwise known as salt therapy. Students will leave with two therapy balls and the skills to use them. $50. City Salt Spa, 218 W Main St, Plain City. 614-873-0072. CitySaltSpa.com.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19 Meditation Level I – 1-3pm. Join Master Meditation and Mindfulness Instructor Sheri Rathburn for this introduction to meditation workshop, as a way to begin or reawaken a meditation practice. Participants will begin to explore the practice of meditation in an interactive and experiential way. Sheri will guide the group through mindfulness-based breathing techniques to quiet the mind and overcome the “fight or flight” response, as well as begin a regular and manageable meditation practice. $50. Om2Ohm Meditation and Wellness Center, 324 W Case St, Powell. 614-787-0584. Om2Ohm.com. Chakra Discovery: An Exploratory Eight-Week Course of the Subtle Energy Body with Sara Goff – (Series: 2/26, 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 4/2,

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4/9) 3:15-6:15pm. Join PAI instructor and Soul Guide Sara Goff on a deep course of discovery as she offers a thorough understanding of each major center, or chakra, of the subtle energetic body, as well as tools for healing and balancing the personal chakra system at home. Each week, the course will be followed by a yoga flow practice specifically designed for each chakra. $240. Pre-registration required. PAI Yoga and Fitness Gahanna, 5576 N Hamilton Rd, Columbus. (614) 656-4476. PAIYogaFitness.com.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22 Astrology 101 – 7-9pm. Many people have a strange idea of what astrology is. This crash course will cover astral-literacy as we bust the myth that it is only about 12 personality types. Learn what the signs actually mean as we will talk about the planets and the houses that help script the play that is our daily lives. Pre-registration required. $35. ILLIO, 13 E Tulane Rd, Columbus. 614-517-0466. BolineApothecary.com.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23 Women’s Wellness Winter Gathering – 6-9pm. Worthington Optimal Wellness is hosting a night with health experts in weight loss, natural hormone solutions, dental health, acupuncture, bra-fitting, exercise solutions, anti-aging skin treatments and living pain free. Free, but please RSVP. Worthington Optimal Wellness, 6180 Linworth Rd, Worthington. 614-848-5211. WorthingtonOptimalWellness.com.

featuredevent Inner Engineering Total with Shambhavi Kriya Inner Engineering is a complete technology to create inner well-being. Learn a 21-minute series of movements and breathing called Shambhavi Kriya, a powerful and purifying energy technique. Led by an Isha Foudation teacher trained by the yogi and visionary Sadhguru. CME and CE credits available. When: Thursday to Sunday, February 23-26 - Th/Fr 6:30-9:45pm, Sa 8:30am-7pm, Su 7:30am-7pm Cost: $325 (student, senior, group and military discounts available); free introductory session Thursday, February 23, 6:30-7:30pm Location: The Ohio State University - Drake Performance and Event Center, 1849 Cannon Dr, Columbus, 43210 614-233-1892 • Columbus@IshaUSA.org

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Lozenges and Gargles – 7-9pm. This class is part of our Medicine Maker series, which covers techniques for making different types of medicines in the Western herbalism style. In this installment, we will learn how to make two types of lozenges: the hard candy and soft bolus types. We will also learn about herbal gargles and sample one. Students will bring home the products we make in class, as well

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as recipes. Pre-registration required. $35. Bleu and Fig, 4622 N High St, Columbus. 614-517-0466. BolineApothecary.com.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24 Death and Dying Documentary and Discussion: Death Makes Life Possible – 7pm. This film explores how popular culture deals with the ever-present fear many have about mortality, featuring interviews with mental health experts, cultural leaders and scientists to search for the meaning of death and how we can learn to live without the fear. The evidence presented is interwoven with personal stories of people facing their own death. Free. 136 Mill St, Ste 200, Gahanna. 614-648-8897. InTheCircleOfLife.com. Meditation Level I – 7-9pm. Shift deep-seated beliefs and unconscious negative thought patterns to dive deep into the greatest potential through radical self love, emotional detox and inner alchemy. Reframe inner thoughts and beliefs to create an energetic shift, and watch as the outer experience becomes a match to that vibration. $50. Om2Ohm Meditation and Wellness Center, 324 W Case St, Powell. 614-787-0584. Om2Ohm.com.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25 Mindfulness and Wellness Class – Feb 25-26. 8am-5pm. Join us in exploring the role of mindfulness in wellness. Students will learn to define mindfulness, the benefits of mindfulness practice and how to perform mindfulness techniques. Registration deadline is February 19. Class could be cancelled if enrollment requirement is not met, which will be determined on February 20. $160. American Institute of Alternative Medicine, 6685 Doubletree Ave, Columbus. 614-825-6255. AIAM.edu. Become a Beekeeper – 9am-4:30pm. Learn how to become a beekeeper at this intro to beekeeping workshop, suitable for both beginners and those with some prior beekeeping experience. Discover how to get started in beekeeping, and learn about the science and history of the hive. Once students complete the class they will be ready to start their own beekeeping experience. Participants will receive: “Bee-sentials: A Field Guide” book, handouts, as well as 2017 memberships to Ohio State Beekeepers Association and Urban Beekeepers of Central Ohio. Instructor: Urban Beekeepers of Central Ohio representative. Pre-registration required. $110 non-Gahanna residents, $100 Gahanna residents. Ohio Herb Education Center, 110 Mill St, Gahanna. 614-342-4380. OhioHerbCenter.org. Certified Reiki II with Linda Haley – Feb 25-26. 9am-5pm. This advanced Reiki class significantly enhances the skills learned in the Reiki II class. Discussions will include how to develop intuitive abilities to sense blockages in the self and others, as well as how to effectively connect with personal guides for their assistance. Students will receive detailed instruction in how to work effectively with others, learn how and when to use the Reiki symbols for maximum benefit, how to provide an effective distant healing treatment, plus how to set up a professional practice if that is a chosen career path. Class includes course handouts, vegetarian luncheons and snacks, as well as ample practice time. Prerequisite: Reiki I class at the Center, or a demonstrated competency and knowledge equivalence to the Center’s classes.

Instructor: Linda Haley, RMT, Director of The Reiki Center. $350 for the series, paid in full upon registration. The Reiki Center, 1540 W 5th Ave, Columbus. 614-432-6632. TheReikiCenter.net. Moving into Stillness: Yoga Nidra Meditation – 2-4pm. Yoga Nidra is more restful than sleep, offers deeper benefits than meditation and presents the possibility of profound relaxation as students are carefully brought to a deep and stable state of consciousness and directed awareness, awash in the healing rhythms of alpha state brain wave activity. In this class, we will learn the steps and engage the tools of a Yoga Nidra practice, experience warm ups and breathing techniques that prepare us for practice, experience turning inward to uncover the heart’s desires and the soul’s expression, plus learn how to create a home-based practice. $25. Balanced Yoga Studios, 3520 N High St, Columbus. 614-265-9642. BalancedYogaStudios.com/Events. New Moon Wild Woman Circle – 7-9pm. In collaboration with Chris Maddox’s The Wild Woman Project, PAI Instructor and Wild Woman Circle Leader Sara Goff invites the women of Columbus to gather during each new moon, in the spirit of true sisterhood, for a wild co-creation with the rhythms of nature and the wisdom of ancient tribal traditions. The new moon has long been revered as a powerful time for setting intentions to be nourished as the moon grows into fullness. Each month around the world, women of The Wild Woman Project come together for these celebratory circles and delight in guided meditation, group rituals and creative visualization. We will explore stories of the divine feminine archetype from a variety of cultures, plus explore the manifestation of our own inner wild and sacred feminine embodiment in modern life. This circle is open as a safe and loving space to all who identify as a woman; sisters, soul-sisters, mothers and daughters alike are welcome. Please bring a journal and pen. $20. PAI Yoga and Fitness Dublin, 6367 Sawmill Rd, Dublin. (614) 397-8230. PAIYogaFitness.com.

“ My massage therapy education from AIAM was unique, with forward-thinking advantages. — Lisa Binkley, LMT (WMT Class of 2007)

”

Owner, Therapeutic Touch Massage • Worthington, Ohio

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26 Therapy Ball Fascia Work – 1-3pm. Join Loretta Zedella for two hours of erasing tension in the shoulders and other hard to reach areas of the body. Discover why fascia, the layer between skin and muscle, is so important. Learn self-massage techniques and take two therapy balls home for self care. $40. Rise Yoga, 4032 Broadway, Grove City. RiseYogaOhio.com.

Experience a reputation of quality: •hands-on, clinical training • neuromuscular training (NMT) (a skill employers seek)

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Introduction to Craniosacral Therapy March 11-12, 2017 - Columbus

Sample the Upledger Institute’s internationally renowned, Craniosacral Therapy course and learn practical techniques you can use immediately on your clients. 12 CE hours for NCTMBs, nurses and OTs. Tuition: $250 before Feb 25, $289 after Registration: Call 330-701-8780 or register online at PolarityHealthcare.com.

program in Central Ohio

Now Enrolling! School & Clinic: 6685 Doubletree Ave. Columbus, OH•(614)825.6255•www.aiam.edu Find graduation rates, median debt of students and more at our website. Click the disclosure links on any program page.

1489-T

natural awakenings February 2017

ongoingevents sunday Morning Hatha – 10-11am. Join Federica Rinaldi a slow and gentle Hatha practice, ideal for beginner to intermediate students who prefer a more relaxed style of yoga where poses are held longer. Hatha is an old system of yoga that includes the practice of yoga postures and breathing exercises to help bring peace to the mind and body, preparing it for deeper spiritual practices such as meditation. Body Wisdom Healing Group, 3001 Indianola Ave, Columbus. 614-784-9473. BWHG.net/Classes. Yoga Well Being – 10:30-11:45am. This class is based in the Hatha tradition. The moves are challenging, yet simple and accessible to all. Open to new and veteran students. Practice proper breathing and meditation in a warmed room. Yoga-Well-Being, 1510 Hess St, Columbus. 614432-7553. YWBYoga.com. Advanced Yingjie Tai Chi – 3-4pm. This Tai Chi style blends various martial arts into a philosophy designed to develop strength, relaxation, and self-defense. Positive energy for stress relief. $35/ session, $85/monthly. The Grey Budha, 400 West Rich St, Columbus. 614-975-7683. GreyBudha. Weebly.com. Yin Yoga – 6-7pm. Lengthen connective tissue by releasing into each posture for three to five minutes. Open to all, but not recommended for those in the third trimester of pregnancy. Shift, 1520 W 1st Ave, Grandview Heights. 614-407-4668. Lucy@ ShiftGrandview.com. ShiftGrandview.com.

monday Morning Meditation – 8:30-9am. An empowering and relaxing way to set the tone for the day or week. Shift, 1520 W 1st Ave, Grandview Heights. 614-407-4668. Lucy@ShiftGrandview. com. ShiftGrandview.com. SpinExpress Classes – Noon-12:45pm. Get the heart pumping over the lunch hour. Drop-ins welcome. PAI Yoga and Fitness, 6367 Sawmill Rd, Dublin. 614-397-8230. Info@PAIYogaFitness. com. PAIYogaFitness.com. Noon Beginners Basics Yoga – Noon-1pm. Join Kris Tann for a fit way to start the second half of the day. PAI Yoga and Fitness, 5576 N Hamilton Rd, Columbus. 614-397-8230. Info@PAIYogaFitness.com. PAIYogaFitness.com. Beginner’s Tai Chi/Chi Gong – 5-6pm. Join Marya Barrios for this Chinese system of slow meditative physical exercise, designed for relaxation, improved balance and health. Body Wisdom Healing Group, 3001 Indianola Ave, Columbus. 614-784-9473. BWHG.net/Classes. Next Level: High Intensity Training – 5:306:30pm. This total body workout shocks muscles with an always-changing format and set of exercises. Any fitness level can have benefit from this program. Builds endurance, reduces body fat and increases flexibility. $10. Elite Physiques, 350 E Orange Rd, Lewis Center. 740-548-3637. ElitePhysiquesInc.com.

Central Ohio

Salty Yoga – 7-8pm. Relax and breathe in during a one-hour Slow Flow yoga class combined with salt inhalation therapy. Instructor: Kathy Morgan. $20. City Salt Spa, 218 W Main St, Plain City. 614-873-0072. CitySaltSpa.com. Flow and Let Go – 7:30-8:30pm. This upbeat vinyasa class begins with a slow warm up, then moves into a rhythmic and continuous flow, building lots of heat and momentum. Clear the mind, work the body and end in a relaxed state of calmness. Yoga-Well-Being, 1510 Hess St, Columbus. 614432-7553. YWBYoga.com. Yoga with Therapy Balls – 8-9pm. Join Loretta Zedella for a weekly dose of therapy balls and yoga to erase tension. We will combine the balls with specific yoga tune-up methods to help us feel better in our bodies. $15 drop-in, or $55 for five weeks. Balancing Owl Yoga, 6017 Post Rd, Dublin. 614-975-0353. BalancingOwlYoga.com.

tuesday Sunrise Meditation – 7-7:30am. Group meditation in the Dharma House studio, overlooking a wooded ravine. Suggested donation. Dharma House Columbus, 1970 W Dublin-Granville Rd, Worthington. 614-344-8409. DharmaHouseColumbus.com. Tea for Tuesdays – 10am-6pm. During regular Tuesday business hours, come sample a warm tea in the cold months, and a cool tea in the warm months. Free. Boline Apothecary. 15 W Dunedin Rd., Columbus. 614-517-0466. BolineApothecary.com. Walk-In Psychic Clinic – Noon-5pm. A certified psychic medium will answer big questions in a private setting. Quick and affordable. Clients report feeling lighter when they leave. $32 credit card $30 cash. All Life Community Center, 123 Hyatts Rd, Delaware. 614-905-1668. PsychicBarbaraWagner.com. Mid-Day Hatha Yoga – 12:15-1pm. Prep the body to handle the rest of the day centered, grounded, but stimulated and strong. Open to all levels. Shift, 1520 W 1st Ave, Grandview Heights. 614-407-4668. Lucy@ShiftGrandview.com. ShiftGrandview.com. Mellow Yoga – 7:15-8:15pm. This restorative class helps to limber up, expand a stiff back and defog a clouded mind. Yoga-Well-Being, 1510 Hess St, Columbus. 614-432-7553. YWBYoga.com.

wednesday Sunrise Meditation – 7-7:30am. Group meditation in the Dharma House studio, overlooking a wooded ravine. Suggested donation. Dharma House Columbus, 1970 W Dublin-Granville Rd, Worthington. 614-344-8409. DharmaHouseColumbus.com. Morning Meditation – 8:30-9am. An empowering and relaxing way to set the tone for the day or week. Shift, 1520 W 1st Ave, Grandview Heights. 614-407-4668. Lucy@ShiftGrandview. com. ShiftGrandview.com. Salty Yoga – 9-10am. Relax and breathe in during a one-hour Slow Flow yoga class combined with

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salt inhalation therapy. Instructor: Lindsay Davis. $20. City Salt Spa, 218 W Main St, Plain City. 614-873-0072. CitySaltSpa.com. Noon Beginners Basics Yoga – Noon-1pm. Join Kris Tann for a fit way to start the second half of the day. PAI Yoga and Fitness, 5576 N Hamilton Rd, Columbus. 614-397-8230. Info@PAIYogaFitness.com. PAIYogaFitness.com. Community Reiki and Relaxation Clinic – 3-7pm. Ease into a comfy recliner and let stress melt away while receiving Reiki, guided imagery and essential oils to relax and replenish. $20-40. All Life Community Center, 123 Hyatts Rd, Delaware. 740-202-9348. AllLifeCommunity.org. Kundalini Yoga – 5:45-7:45pm. An all-encompassing yoga that uses pranayam (breathing techniques), yoga posture, movements, mantra, deep relaxation, and meditation. Flexibility is not required, however, and open mind is important. $15/drop-in, $12/two or more classes. Center for Wholeness, 4041 N High St, Ste 100, Columbus. 614-596-6385. YogaMallett@Yahoo.com. CFWOhio.org. Tai Chi – 6-7pm. A moving meditation done standing that centers and grounds the practitioner. Build strength and balance in the physical body while enhancing internal vital energy. Shift, 1520 W 1st Ave, Grandview Heights. 614-407-4668. Lucy@ ShiftGrandview.com. ShiftGrandview.com. Chair Yoga – 6-7:15pm. Designed for those who might have difficulty using a yoga mat, this class is suitable for all levels of practice and includes standing poses and balances, plus work along a wall to lengthen and strengthen the body. Taught by Sipra Pimputkar. $15. Yoga-Well-Being, 1510 Hess St, Columbus. 614-432-7553. YWBYoga.com. Beginning Yingjie Tai Chi – 6:30-8pm. This Tai Chi style blends various martial arts into a philosophy designed to develop strength, relaxation, and self-defense. Positive energy for stress relief. $35/session, $85/monthly. The Grey Budha, 400 West Rich St, Columbus. 614-975-7683. GreyBudha.Weebly.com.

thursday Sunrise Meditation – 7-7:30am. Group meditation in the Dharma House studio, overlooking a wooded ravine. Suggested donation. Dharma House Columbus, 1970 W Dublin-Granville Rd, Worthington. 614-344-8409. DharmaHouseColumbus.com. Mixed Level Vinyasa Flow Yoga – 9:30-10:30am. Participants build strength, plus increase flexibility and balance. Poses move gracefully from one to the next, using the inhalation and exhalation of the breath as a guide for each movement. Taught by Lisa Chorey. $15/drop-in. Elite Physiques, 350 E Orange Rd, Lewis Center. 740-548-3637. ElitePhysiquesInc.com. Mid-Day Hatha Yoga – 12:15-1pm. Prep the body to handle the rest of the day centered, grounded, but stimulated and strong. Open to all levels. Shift, 1520 W 1st Ave, Grandview Heights. 614-407-4668. Lucy@ShiftGrandview.com. ShiftGrandview.com. TRXExpress Classes – Noon-12:45pm. Get a lunchtime workout in with this midday fitness program. Drop-ins welcome. PAI Yoga and Fitness, 5576 N Hamilton Rd, Columbus. 614-397-8230. Info@PAIYogaFitness.com. PAIYogaFitness.com.

Crossing Over with

John Edward Live in Columbus!

April 2 | 1:00pm Southern Theatre nd

Tickets Available at JohnEdward.net and TicketMaster.com or by phone (866) 448-7849 *Reading not guaranteed

natural awakenings February 2017

Beginner’s Tai Chi/Chi Gong – 5-6pm. Join Marya Barrios for this Chinese system of slow meditative physical exercise, designed for relaxation, improved balance and health. Body Wisdom Healing Group, 3001 Indianola Ave, Columbus. 614-784-9473. BWHG.net/Classes. Yoga Well Being – 6-7:15pm. This class is based in the Hatha tradition. The moves are challenging, yet simple and accessible to all. Open to new and veteran students. Practice proper breathing and meditation in a warmed room. Yoga-Well-Being, 1510 Hess St, Columbus. 614-432-7553. YWBYoga.com. Yoga: Wisdom and Motion – 6:15-7:45pm. A blend of yoga poses and philosophy. Classes include breath work, postures, relaxation exercises and basic principles. All skill levels and abilities welcome. $14 members, $15 non-members. Center for Wholeness, 4041 N High St, Ste 100, Columbus. 614-398-0890. JoyfulLotusYoga.com. Turtle Flow Yoga – 6:35-7:35pm. Experience completeness by integrating breath and movement to create a powerful and stabilizing, yet delicate and meditative flow. The measured pace supports quality of breath, postural alignment, and awareness of the body and mind. Great for beginners to advanced yogis. $15. Arena District Athletic Club, 325 John H. McConnell Blvd, Ste 150, Columbus. 614-719-9616. MaggieFekete.com. Trance Dance – 6:45-8pm. Join Rita Carnevale for a unique blend of body movement, healing sounds, dynamic percussive rhythms, transformational breathing techniques and the innovative use of a blindfold or bandana to stimulate a ‘trance’ state and promote spiritual awakenings, mental clarity, physical stamina and emotional well-being. Body Wisdom Healing Group, 3001 Indianola Ave, Columbus. 614-784-9473. BWHG.net/Classes.

Columbus Threshold Choir Rehearsal – 7-8:30pm. For those who can carry a tune, and enjoy conveying kindness through singing. This all-female choir is dedicated to singing at the bedsides of those struggling between living and dying, in hospitals, hospices, extended care facilities and private residences in the Columbus metropolitan area. Free. Columbus Mennonite Church, 35 Oakland Park Ave, Columbus. 614-600-2460. Columbus@ThresholdChoir.org. ThresholdChoir. org/Columbus.

friday Sunrise Meditation – 7-7:30am. Group meditation in the Dharma House studio, overlooking a wooded ravine. Suggested donation. Dharma House Columbus, 1970 W Dublin-Granville Rd, Worthington. 614-344-8409. DharmaHouseColumbus.com. SpinExpress Classes – Noon-12:45pm. Get the heart pumping over the lunch hour. Drop-ins welcome. PAI Yoga and Fitness, 6367 Sawmill Rd, Dublin. 614-397-8230. Info@PAIYogaFitness. com. PAIYogaFitness.com. TRXExpress Classes – Noon-12:45pm. Get a lunchtime workout in with this midday fitness program. Drop-ins welcome. PAI Yoga and Fitness, 5576 N Hamilton Rd, Columbus. 614-397-8230. Info@PAIYogaFitness.com. PAIYogaFitness.com. Dancing Mindfulness – 7:30-9pm. For beginners and experienced movers alike, this meditation and creative movement class explores the mind-body connection and mindfulness through dance. $10 suggested donation. Center for Wholeness, 4140 N High St, Ste 100, Columbus. 614-784-8488. DancingMindfulness.com.

saturday Morning Hatha – 10-11am. Join Federica Rinaldi a slow and gentle Hatha practice, ideal for beginner to intermediate students who prefer a more relaxed style of yoga where poses are held longer. Hatha is an old system of yoga that includes the practice of yoga postures and breathing exercises to help bring peace to the mind and body, preparing it for deeper spiritual practices such as meditation. Body Wisdom Healing Group, 3001 Indianola Ave, Columbus. 614-784-9473. BWHG.net/Classes. Yoga Well Being – 10:30-11:45pm. This class is based in the Hatha tradition. The moves are challenging, yet simple and accessible to all. Open to new and veteran students. Practice proper breathing and meditation in a warmed room. Yoga-Well-Being, 1510 Hess St, Columbus. 614432-7553. YWBYoga.com. Mind Path Taiji and Qigong – 2:30-4pm. Join Don Gubbins for a complete study of the classic Yang-Style Taiji, which will incorporate a combination of Healthy Yang Style Taiji, Qigong (a.k.a. Chinese yoga) for wellness, and Chinese Neigong self-massage - a vital but often overlooked aspect of a complete Qigong practice. We will stimulate the flow of chi in the body and to enhance the ability to sense chi during a Taiji practice. Body Wisdom Healing Group, 3001 Indianola Ave, Columbus. 614-784-9473. BWHG.net/Classes. Community Reiki and Relaxation Clinic – 3-7pm. Ease into a comfy recliner and let stress melt away while receiving Reiki, guided imagery and essential oils to relax and replenish. $20-40. All Life Community Center, 123 Hyatts Rd, Delaware. 740-202-9348. AllLifeCommunity.org.

classifieds Classified ads are $1 per word, per month. Minimum 25 words. To place a listing, email content to Publisher@ NACentralOhio.com. Submission deadline is the 10th of the month.

FOR LEASE OFFICE SPACE IN UPTOWN WESTERVILLE – Seeking holistic health and metaphysical practitioner tenants. Rooms from $425 to $750. Shared room rentals encouraged. Utilities included. Call or text 614-260-0105, or visit TheParlorWesterville.com.

ORGANIC BEEF FOR SALE – Freezer beef, high in omega-3s. One-hundred percent grass fed, with no grain finishing. Economical, healthy, and raised at Pleasant Springs Farm, Mount Vernon. 740-4279001. OEFFA.org/userprofile.php?geg=1073.

SERVICES OFFERED LICENSED MASSAGE THERAPIST – Offering neuromuscular therapy for pain relief, including from headaches, the shoulders and lower back. Anne is also an infertility specialist. 614-755-9424.

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naturaldirectory Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Natural Directory email Publisher@NACentralOhio.com to request our media kit.

ACUPUNCTURE ACUPUNCTURE OF POWELL Sarah Studebaker, RN, L.Ac. 83 E Olentangy St, Powell 740-919-9292 AcupuncturePowell.com

Remember feeling good? Even a health-conscious lifestyle can be negatively impacted by the fast pace of modern living. At Acupuncture of Powell, we provide safe and effective care to treat pain, insomnia, headaches and digestive disorders, as well as issues unique to women such as fertility to menopause. Wellness care will keep your immune system strong and your thought process clear. We offer healthy lifestyle solutions!

APOTHECARY BOLINE APOTHECARY

Lily Shahar Kunning, Owner 15 W Dunedin Rd, Columbus 614-517-0466 Lily@BolineApothecary.com BolineApothecary.com We are an old-fashioned apothecary that makes tonics and body care for the community. Our shop is run by an herb-alist who uses time-tested, tried-and-true methods to select and curate her “good for you” offerings. We also carry local and national lines of homeopathic remedies, Ayurvedic medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), dried bulk herbs, spices, body care ingredients and essential oils. Classes are held regularly on the demonstration and hands-on creation of human and pet remedies. Many of our raw ingredients are sourced locally, so be sure to visit regularly to view our seasonal offerings. See ad, page 15.

CHIROPRACTIC BEECHER CHIROPRACTIC

Dr. Joseph Iuvara Dr. Benjamin Long Dr. Paul Valenti 428 Beecher Rd, Ste B, Gahanna 614-855-5533 BeecherChiro.com We l c o m e t o B e e c h e r Chiropractic and Wellness Center. Our goal is to help improve your health through complementary and integrative techniques designed to enrich and balance your everyday life. Our team of doctors and therapists have created a welcoming environment where each person is treated based on their own unique needs. Balancing all aspects of a person on an individual basis, and offering cutting-edge treatments that are only available in our center, sets us apart as Ohio’s foremost chiropractic and wellness center.

COLON HYDROTHERAPY

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY

Katherine M. Kraft, OTR/L, CST Practitioner 123 Hyatts Rd, Delaware 740-973-9903 GR8FaithGirl@yahoo.com KatherineCST.com Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a gentle, lighttouch technique that releases restrictions tissue-deep in order to restore balance in the nervous system and promote optimal health and well-being. Pain, decreased range of motion, stress, fatigue and difficulty focusing are all symptoms that can be improved with craniosacral therapy. Katherine practices CST on all ages, from newborns to adults, as well as children with ADD/ADHD, sensory processing disorders, autism, speech delays and motor movement disorders.

DENTISTRY DENTAL ALTERNATIVES

Dr. Richard DeLano, DDS, MS 150 E Wilson Bridge Rd, Ste 150, Worthington 614-888-0377 DentalAlternatives.net

RADIANT LIVING

81 W Waterloo St, Canal Winchester 614-833-3884 3805 N High St, Ste 204, Columbus 614-369-1533 RadiantLivingByVickie.com Colon hydrotherapy is a safe, effective method of removing waste from the large intestine without the use of drugs. By introducing filtered and temperature-regulated water into the colon, the waste is softened and loosened, resulting in evacuation through natural elimination. A certified technician performs this process in a private, relaxing atmosphere on an FDA-approved closed system. See ad, page 23.

Dental Alternatives is the dental office of Richard M. DeLano III, DDS, MS. Dr. DeLano practices general dentistry with a holistic approach. He takes time with his patients to explain the choices they have concerning their oral health. Dental Alternatives is a mercury-safe and fluoride-free dental practice. Visit our website to learn more. See ad, page 28.

BIOFEEDBACK BRAINCORE THERAPY

Deb Wellmes, MA, CCC/SLP, ND Beecher Wellness Center 428 Beecher Rd, Ste B, Gahanna 614-855-5533 BrainCoreOhio@gmail.com BrainCoreOhio.com BrainCore Therapy™ provides a unique, drug-free approach to treating Brainwave Dysregulation, a condition brought about by tension on the nervous system from a variety of factors. Brainwave Dysregulation may be associated with several neurological conditions such as ADD/ ADHD, insomnia, panic attacks, autism, anxiety, memory loss, TBI, migraines and PTSD.

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

natural awakenings February 2017

DIGESTIVE HEALTH ALTERNATIVE HEALTH OASIS

Kate Dixon, Loomis Digestive Specialist, CNHP, Certified Colon Hydrotherapist Dr. Michael H. Fritz, Chiropractor, Certified Applied Kinesiologist, Certified Microscopist, Naturopathic Doctor 10223 Sawmill Pkwy, Powell 614-717-9144 Info@AlternativeHealthOasis.com AlternativeHealthOasis.com Each year statistics show that more Americans complain of digestive pain. These discomforts are commonly attributed to symptoms such as: stomachache, allergies, skin problems, depression, anxiety, immune dysfunctions and diarrhea. They may also be related to chronic pain, bloating and cramps. We believe diet and digestion play a major role in the prevention and reversal of chronic degenerative disease. We objectively test and compare against our extensive patient history survey to determine which specific enzymes and nutrients are missing from the client, and then help bring the body back into balance.

EDUCATION AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

6685 Doubletree Ave, Columbus 614-825-6255 AIAM.edu For the public, we offer affordable treatments at our community, intern, student and professional clinics. For prospective students, we offer community and continuing education classes and licensing programs in acupuncture, massage therapy and holistic wellness, as well as holistic practical and registered nursing. We are transforming health care holistically. Change your life today! See ad, page 39.

ESSENTIAL OILS DOTERRA ESSENTIAL OILS

Lori and Mark Vaas, Blue Diamond Wellness Advocates 614-681-4646 LoriVaas@gmail.com MydoTerra.com/LoriVaas Who is controlling your health care? Empower yourself with Nature’s medicine: essential oils! We will teach you how at our free classes. doTERRA is the only brand to be thirdparty certified as 100 percent pure and potent, and why it is currently being used in many hospitals, including locally at the OSU’s James Cancer Hospital. Email us for a current class schedule, or to schedule your free private consult. Also visit our Facebook page – Lori’s Essential Oil Well. See ad, page 10.

FENG SHUI FENG SHUI INSTITUTE OF AMERICA Connie Spruill, Owner/Director An International Feng Shui Certification School 614-325-5452 (cell) 614-837-8370 (school) FengShuiConnie@gmail.com Feng-Shui-Institute-Of-America.com

We enroll new students throughout the year for feng shui certification. Our program teaches a scientific and mindful approach, incorporating brain science and teaching only remedies that are backed up by science. We offer a proven business system training that guarantees new profit centers for your holistic practice. We are a Certified Gold School with the International Feng Shui Guild. Private feng shui consultations are available for residential and businesses. Continuing education courses can be customized for your industry. If you are not inclined to enroll in full certification, we offer a personal feng shui coaching course to apply to your own life. See ad, page 10.

HALOTHERAPY

SIMPLY LIVING SUSTAINABLE U Sarah Edwards PO Box 82273, Columbus 614-447-0296 SEdwards@SimplyLiving.org Sustainable.SimplyLiving.org

We provide classes to train and educate people about sustainability topics and practices. Subjects include, but are not limited to, Food, Urban Homesteading, Health and Wellness, Green Building, Finance, Energy Solutions, Transportation and Economics. Visit our website for the current class schedule. See ad, page 37.

CITY SALT SPA

218 W Main St, Plain City 614-873-0072 CitySaltSpa.com Salt therapy is a drug-free, natural treatment for respiratory and skin ailments through salt inhalation. In addition to two adult salt therapy rooms, our family wellness center has a dedicated children’s salt therapy play room. Beyond providing salt therapy sessions, we also host Salty Yoga classes plus offer Salty Reiki and Salty Massage. We have a full line of Himalayan salt lamps and products, as wells as Young Living essential oils. See ad, page 39.

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. ~Aesop 44

Central Ohio

NACentralOhio.com

HYPNOTHERAPY INTEGRATIVE HYPNOTHERAPY

TD Hickerson, Certified Hypnotherapist 77 E Wilson Bridge Rd #200, Worthington 614-304-1061 Info@Integrative-Hypnotherapy.com Integrative-Hypnotherapy.com At Integrative Hypnotherapy, we help our clients grow through the issues that kept them frustrated, worried and hurt. We help them find the relief they need, and build confidence, peace and ease into their daily lives. We do this by getting to the root of the matter (the thoughts and beliefs in the mind) and that is precisely why the changes stick. If you need some support in making a lasting positive change, schedule yourself a free phone consult today at In-Hyp.com/free, or call us at (614) 304-1061. P.S. - We can help with a number of issues. See In-Hyp.com/155 for a list of some of the issues we work with. See ad, page 23.

INTEGRATIVE HEALTH THE ALL LIFE COMMUNITY FOR INTEGRATIVE WELL BEING 740-201-8242 AllLifeCommunity.org

The All Life Community is a nonprofit organization set up as a co-op, with over 170 members. Most members practice out of their own locations throughout Central Ohio, though some practice exclusively at our 24-acre facility. Please browse our website to see the many offerings from our wellness practitioners, artists, musicians, event planners and small business support professionals, as well as a host of resources for your home and family. See ad, page 15.

VITELLAS CHUN INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE AND ACUPUNCTURE Linda Chun, MD, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Hope Vitellas, Licensed Acupuncturist 929 Harrison Ave, Ste 203, Columbus 614-725-1885 VitellasChun@gmail.com VitellasChun.com

Perhaps you struggle with chronic pain, fatigue, digestive problems or anxiety, and want to explore d i ff e r e n t a p p r o a c h e s f o r treatment. Perhaps you wish to decrease your use of medications. Perhaps you seek to boost your level of wellness. An integrative medicine consultation covers nutrition, vitamins and supplements, sleep, stress management, mind-body therapies and more, while an acupuncture session might include cupping, moxibustion or other aspects of Traditional Chinese Medicine. We also offer combined consultations, blending Western and Eastern medicine, in our commitment to providing compassionate and comprehensive holistic care. See ad, page 12.

MEDITATION OM2OHM WELLNESS STUDIO

Sheri Mollica-Rathburn, Owner, C.MI 324 W Case St, Powell 614-787-0583 Sheri@Om2Ohm.com Om2Ohm.com Om2Ohm will change the way you think about stress management. We offer Peace Management for individuals and groups, teaching management of daily peace as opposed to stress. Through Certified Meditation Instruction, Sound Healing, Chromotherapy, Mindfulness based guidance, Energy and Body Work we will transform and empower you. Allow yourself time for peace in our beautiful Om2Ohm wellness center, leave your worries at the door and enter into your “Om away from home”.

NATURAL FOODS

MOMENTUM98 NATURAL HEALTH STORE

PHOENIX WELLNESS CENTER

We have been serving the holistic health needs of the Central Ohio community since January 1, 1980, selling products that uplift on all levels of existence. We carry raw foods and superfoods, herbal supplements and oxygen supplements, castor oil and essential oils, plus Chinese herbal tonics and shilajit. We also specialize in wellness and natural living accessories, including over 100 massage tools, magnets, color therapy glasses, coning candles, tuning forks, yoga supplies, hemp clothing, inversion and exercise machines, water purifying and energizing devices, plus foot detox ionizers. Stop by our store to experience five to ten minutes of the Relax far-infrared saunas and lamps, to detoxify, ease inflammation and pain, and invigorate the body. See ad, page 29.

Drs. Trudy and Allison are board certified and accredited by the American Naturo-pathic Medical Association (ANMA), the oldest and largest professional naturopathic medical organization in the U.S. Dr. Trudy is author of Prevention is the Cure for Cancer and was awarded the ANMA 2014 Higher Achievement Award. Dr. Allison is a Master Herbalist and specializes in women’s wellness.

Dr. Trudy Pieper, ND Dr. Allison Engelbert, ND 10 S Main St, Johnstown 740-616-9949 PhoenixWellness4U.com

3509 N High St, Columbus 614-262-7087 Moment98@aol.com Momentum98.com

BEXLEY NATURAL MARKET

508 N Cassady Ave, Bexley 614-252-3951 BexleyNaturalMarket@yahoo.com BexleyNaturalMarket.org The Bexley Natural Market is a not-for-profit cooperative grocery store dedicated to providing food of the highest possible nutritional quality to our members and community. We provide many local and organic products, bulk foods, organic herbs and spices, as well as a vast array of vitamins and supplements to support the health of our customers. We like to support local businesses and farmers by being a space in which their products are available. See ad, page 8.

RAISIN RACK NATURAL FOOD MARKET 2545 W Schrock Rd, Westerville 614-882-5886 RaisinRack.com

Raisin Rack offers a complete variety of organic groceries, including gluten-free foods, vegan/vegetarian products, and dairy-free items. Bulk grains, herbs, nuts and seeds accompany organically-grown fruits and vegetables, as well as a complete selection of vitamins, minerals, herbals and other nutrients from leading national brands. See ad, page 21.

REAL ESTATE DUNIGAN REAL ESTATE GROUP Cindy Dunigan, Realtor 3500 N High St, Columbus 614-361-8400 Cindy.Dunigan@e-Merge.com CindyDunigan.com

There are only a handful of Realtors in the Central Ohio area that carry the National Association of Realtors GREEN designation, and Cindy Dunigan is one of them. She has taken the initiative to encourage the industry to produce more sustainable homes, and helps communities to reduce their consumption by implementing sustainable practices. Cindy is devoted to reducing her own footprint on the environment, and lives by her motto: “We can make a significant impact on the world around us one person at a time.”

NATUROPATHY IT’S ALL NATURAL!

1360 Cherry Bottom Rd, Gahanna 614-476-6159 ItsAll-Natural.com It’s All Natural! is a prominent source of vegetarian and vegan products, offering organic, ecoconscious and down-to-earth items. Our mission is to promote a benevolent, eco-friendly and vegan lifestyle. We strive to be fertile ground where seeds of love can be planted to grow in health and harmony. See ad, page 8.

The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have. ~Vince Lombard

DANCE SYNERGY

Shirley J. McLain, ND Maren Schwital, ND 140 Morse Rd, Columbus 614-848-4998 DanceSynergy@aol.com DanceSynergyMBA.com

Satisfaction comes in working for a greater good than personal gratification. ~Anonymous

Dance Synergy Movement and Bodywork Art Pro-Active Health combines the naturopathic philosophy with whole food nutrition, herbal support and bodywork, as well as tools for ergonomic movement alignment, recovery from injuries, plus freedom from pain and illness. We offer nutritional heart health assessments using Royal Lee’s endocardiograph, private sessions, phone consultations, distance education in herbal synergy bodywork for you as well as your pet, and weekly group classes in dance, stretch and alignment. Our boutique includes Birkenstock and Vibram Five Fingers footwear, dance wear, Alex Grey art clothing, and moldavite incense and bath salt. See ad, page 7.

natural awakenings February 2017

MAR Food Sensitivities Plus: Holistic Eye Care

Our Readers are Seeking Providers & Services for Addressing Dietary Concerns & Natural Vision Care

SALON/SPA THE NATURAL NAIL SPA 8487 Sancus Blvd, Columbus 614-985-3205 TheNaturalNailSpa.com

Incorporating the most natural products and processes for manicure, pedicure and waxing, while maintaining the highest level of cleanliness and sterilization available. See ad, page 35.

VIRTUE SALON

Melanie Guzzo, Owner 3282 N High St, Columbus 614-725-2329 VirtueVeganSalon.com We are committed to helping men and women enjoy the luxuries of the modern beauty industry without harming animals, the environment or our health. We are dedicated to working in an organized, stress-free setting while enjoying a holistic lifestyle within true community. See ad, page 8.

WELLNESS CENTER BODY WISDOM HEALING GROUP 3001 Indianola Ave, Columbus 614-784-9473 BWHG.net

For over 20 years, we have provided holistic wellness through therapeutic massage with a mind-body approach. We have recently expanded our services and now teach Healing Group, LLC movement classes such as 3001 Indianola Avenue Columbus, 43202 yoga, taiOHchi, dance and Pilates, as well as offer 614-784-9473 speakers, workshops and Ayurvedic nutritional counseling. See ad, page 17.

THE REIKI CENTER

Linda Haley, RMT, Director 1540 W 5th Ave, Columbus 614-486-8323 TheReikiCenter.net

To advertise or participate in our next issue, call

614-427-3260 46

Central Ohio

The Reiki Center is Central Ohio’s oldest and largest natural wellness center, plus the only center to offer Reiki classes in the traditional format. More than 20 services are available to meet your wellness, spiritual and emotional goals, including energy therapies, therapeutic bodywork, shamanic and intuitive services, as well as animal therapies. Open daily from 9am-9pm. See ad, page 12.

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

NACentralOhio.com

WILBRIDGE WELLNESS GROUP

Becky Appelfeller, MAT, CRS, BEP 614-515-3692 Pam Hatch, M. Ed 614-338-5716 6797 N High St, Ste 221, Worthington WilbridgeWellness.com We offer life coaching and massage therapy services. Becky and Pam work with individuals, couples, families and groups. Becky practices a holistic wellness approach to healing and emotional health, drawing from her extensive training in Gestalt therapy, Neuro Emotional Technique (NET), Rubenfeld Synergy and integrative bioenergetic medicine. Pam’s specialties include Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) and hypnotherapy, as well as nutrition and lifestyle guidance for mental and emotional health, weight loss and management, mindfulness, and support for depression and anxiety. See ad, page 36.

YOGA GOYOGA

Five locations: Grandview Heights, Powell, New Albany, Upper Arlington, Worthington 844-469-6428 GoYogaUSA.com At GoYoga, we are regular working people with busy schedules and tight budgets, on a mission to inspire the Central Ohio community through providing convenient and affordable yoga classes, taught by compassionate and knowledgeable instructors. With over 150 programs each week, ranging from Beginners Series, workshops, and 100, 200 and 500-hour teacher training courses, we are here to provide you with a life-changing opportunity to live stronger, healthier and more mindfully. REAL YOGA FOR REAL PEOPLE! See ad, page 13.

PAI YOGA AND FITNESS

Two locations: Dublin and Gahanna/New Albany 614-397-8230 Info@PAIYogaFitness.com PAIYogaFitness.com At PAI, we want to be a part of your life’s journey. It is our goal to provide an atmosphere of refuge, relaxation and wellness for all those who enter our sanctuary; a place where serenity and functionality meet as one. Our studio offers a noncompetitive, supportive environment to help you discover your body’s full potential. Both of our studios offer a wide array of yoga classes, as well as Barre, Spin, and a newly revamped TRX/fitness program. We also offer different types of workshops, and recently implemented a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Program. Come and get your piece of the PAI! Mention this listing and your first class is free. See ad, page 31.

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natural awakenings February 2017

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