Natural Awakenings Richmond May/June 2020

HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

Special Digital Edition

BRAS AND CANCER RISK UNDERSTANDING COVID-19

EYE CARE FOR KIDS DANCING TO YOUR OWN DRUMMER

POWER UP YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM

Autoimmune Breakthroughs Offer New Hope FREE

MAY/JUNE 2020 | GREATER RICHMOND | NARICHMOND.COM

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from the publisher

Jessica Coffey, Publisher

Dear Reader, As I type this letter, it has been a month since everything really changed… social distancing began followed up quickly with stay-at-home orders and mask-wearing. I am lifted up by the stories I have heard and situations I have witnessed where people are supporting one another—caring for the ill, feeding the hungry, comforting the lonely. In order to support others—in our families and communities—we need to find ways to reduce our stress and increase the health of our immune system. The best way to remain healthy is by staying rested and hydrated; eating well; exercising; getting outside for fresh air, Vitamin D and a connection with nature; and by finding ways to stay calm and grounded, perhaps by connecting with others online/by phone, through meditation and journaling, getting lost in a good book, creating art/ music, learning a new hobby or playing a game. Some days are certainly better than others and we need to give ourselves permission to be okay in each moment with where we are. Then take a deep breath and move on to the next moment. If you need professional assistance or guidance, I hope you will get the support you need; there are many local practitioners and businesses offering virtual or modified services to help—take a look at our special Business As (Un)Usual section to get an idea of what is available.

I’m a big fan of Mary Oliver’s poetry and was delighted when someone shared this adaptation of one of her most popular poems— 4

Greater Richmond Edition

You do not have to become totally Zen, You do not have to use this isolation to make your marriage better, your body slimmer, your children more creative.

You do not have to “maximize its benefits.”

By using this time to work even more, write the bestselling Corona Diaries, Or preach the gospel of ZOOM. You only have to let the soft animal of your body unlearn everything capitalism has taught you, (That you are nothing if not productive, That consumption equals happiness, That the most important unit is the single self.

That you are at your best when you resemble an efficient machine).

Tell me about your fictions, the ones you’ve been sold, the ones you sheepishly sell others, and I will tell you mine.

Meanwhile the world as we know it is crumbling.

Meanwhile the virus is moving over the hills, suburbs, cities, farms and trailer parks.

Meanwhile The News barks at you, harsh and addicting, Until the push of the remote leaves a dead quiet behind, a loneliness that hums as the heart anchors.

Meanwhile a new paradigm is composing itself in our minds, Could birth at any moment if we clear some space From the same tired hegemonies.

Remember, you are allowed to be still as the white birch, Stunned by what you see, Uselessly shedding your coils of paper skins Because it gives you something to do.

Meanwhile, on top of everything else you are facing, Do not let capitalism co-opt this moment, laying its whistles and train tracks across your weary heart.

Even if your life looks nothing like the Sabbath, Your stress boa-constricting your chest.

Know that your antsy kids, your terror, your shifting moods, are no less sacred than a yoga class.

Whoever you are, no matter how broken, the world still has a place for you, calls to you over and over announcing your place as legit, as forgiven, even if you fail and fail and fail again.

Remind yourself over and over, all the swells and storms that run through your long tired body all have their place here, now in this world.

It is your birthright to be held deeply, warmly, in the family of things, not one cell left in the cold.

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Stay Safe and Be Well and Know That You Are Not Alone,

Photo credit: Kim Lee Photography

Mary Oliver for Corona Times (after Wild Geese) by Adrie Kusserow:

Tools for Nurturing Body, Mind & Spirit.

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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

CONTENTS

GREATER RICHMOND EDITION

Publisher

Editors

Writers

Design & Production

Jessica Coffey Martin Miron Theresa Archer Randy Kambic Tressa Breindel Tessa Broadwater Amber Ellis Distinctive Grafix, Inc

Natural Awakenings | Richmond | May/June 2020 Issue

CONTACT US P.O. Box 14603 Richmond, VA 23221 804-405-6724 Jessica@NARichmond.com NARichmond.com

Natural Awakenings Richmond Facebook is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $12 (for 6 issues) to the above address.

NATIONAL TEAM

CEO/Founder Sharon Bruckman COO/Franchise Sales Joe Dunne

National Editor Jan Hollingsworth

Managing Editor Linda Sechrist

National Art Director Stephen Blancett

Art Director Josh Pope

Financial Manager Yolanda Shebert

Asst. Director of Ops Heather Gibbs Digital Content Director Rachael Oppy

National Advertising Lisa Doyle-Mitchell Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 4933 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 203 Naples, FL 34103 Ph: 239-434-9392 • Fax: 239-434-9513 NaturalAwakenings.com

18 18

HEALING THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

Autoimmune Breakthroughs Offer New Hope

21

BRAS AND CANCER RISK

22

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

6

Greater Richmond Edition

EYE CARE FOR KIDS

A Clear Path to Healthy Vision

30

DANCING TO YOUR OWN DRUMMER

The Healing Power of Movement

UNDERSTANDING COVID-19

32

24

The Kitchen As Sacred Space

and How To Fight It © 2020 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved.

Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.

Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business.

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

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

24 28

CORONAVIRUS PET SAFETY

Facts and Tips for Dog and Cat Owners

SOUL NOURISHMENT

42

RECONNECTING TO NATURE— and Finding Hearts

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

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DEPARTMENTS 8 advertiser news briefs 10 advertiser kudos 11 health briefs 13 global briefs 16 business as (un)usual 22 healing ways 24 natural pet 25 eco tip 26 holistic marketplace 28 healthy kids 30 fit body 32 conscious eating 34 wise words 35 calendars 36 healthy living directory 42 the james river matters

ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 804-405-6724 or email Jessica@NARichmond.com.

Deadline for ads: the 1st of the month prior to publication.

An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Jessica@NARichmond.com.

Deadline for editorial: the 1st of the month prior to publication.

of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Email Calendar Events to: Jessica@NARichmond.com.

Deadline for calendar: the 1st of the month prior to publication.

REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-434-9392. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakenings.com.

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advertiser news briefs

Bioenergetics to Support the Immune System Deise R. Russell is offering remote body-field scans in which clients can scan from the comfort of their own home with a palm-sized scanner device. The bioenergetics scan shows if the body-field is not responding properly to regulate the energy and information flow it needs to do its job of keeping the immune system strong.

Cutting-edge science has proven that there is a regulating field of energy and information that operates in the physical body at the subcellular level called the human body-field. The idea of a “field” is well known in the world of physics. Albert Einstein said, “The field is the sole governing agency of the particle.”

Russell says, “When we improve the function of the bodyfield and we combine this with good nutrition and lifestyle choices, the body’s incredible healing system can take over and begin restoring the body to health.”

Helping Seniors Remain Independent Last year, The Shepherd’s Center of Richmond (TSCOR) gave 210 clients 1,300 rides to medical appointments and grocery stores with only 72 volunteer drivers. TSCOR faces challenges during this pandemic and the need for volunteers will only be greater once we all find our footing.

TSCOR clients are seniors 60 and older. They’re mobile and may have canes or walkers, but don’t use wheelchairs.

They live independently, but for various reasons, no longer drive. Volunteering is easy. Volunteers choose who, when and where to drive using online scheduling. Pick up a client, drive them to their appointment, stay nearby until they’re finished and drive them home again. Grocery shopping is done either with or without the client.

TSCOR is the local affiliate of The Shepherd’s Center of America, a nationwide network that shares the mission of empowering older adults to use their wisdom and skills for the good of their communities. TSCOR has received a grant from the Pauley Family Foundation to increase their roster of drivers and reach underserved individuals and communities in the Richmond metro area.

For more information, call 804-690-7783 or visit TheEnergyHacker.net. See ads on pages 11 and 39.

To volunteer or for more information, call 804-355-7282 or visit TSCOR.org. See ad on page 2.

The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do. ~Kobe Bryant 8

Greater Richmond Edition

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Project Yoga Richmond Launches Online Initiative Wellness educator Nitika Achalam has stepped into the executive director role at local nonprofit Project Yoga Richmond (PYR) and moved up the roll-out of their newly available selection of virtual experiences amidst the current health advisory. PYR’s pay-what-you-can model is dedicated to making yoga affordable and accessible to everyone in and around Richmond.

The selection of community programs available to the public is thanks to passionate PYR ambassadors that lend their expertise to lead the sessions. With their new subscription-based service connecting people with virtual classes, these yogis have the opportunity to teach during a time when in-person classes are not possible.

Achalam has been guiding yoga sessions since 1999 and served on the board for PYR since 2016. In addition to multiple yogic certifications, she has training and expertise in anthropology, botanical arts and energy healing.

For more information, call 804-447-6058 or visit Patreon.com/ ProjectYogaRichmond to register for online classes. See ads on pages 26 and 41.

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advertiser news briefs

advertiser kudos

The Innerwork Center Provides Mindfulness Tools for Teachers

Bri Thomas recently joined Dr. Sherron Marquina and the patient support team at Health InSyncs. A mathematics graduate of Virginia Tech, Thomas brings a zeal for problem-solving, a lifelong love of numbers and a vibrant motivation to be efficient and organized. Also a vegan, former teacher, avid plant enthusiast and skilled baker, she is a natural fit for the team.

Health InSyncs provides individualized care using functional Bri Thomas diagnostics, gentle structural balancing, clinical nutrition and advanced electromagnetic therapies. They blend ancient healing practices and advanced health technologies to enhance the body’s natural abilities to recover from disease and increase vitality and function.

In April, 14 teachers from Richmond Public Schools (RPS) began the first online mindfulness program created and facilitated

by The Innerwork Center. This six-week session was led by The Innerwork Center faculty members, Korantema Pierce-Williams and Amanda Lynch. For the cohort at RPS to participate in these mindfulness-based stress reduction practices for both their personal and professional benefit, RPS is using mindfulness as a vital link between trauma-informed and restorative justice practices in their classrooms. The Innerwork Center will provide full donor-funded scholarships for all RPS school teachers across the division.

The mission of The Innerwork Center is to be a catalyst for well-being through programs that inspire curiosity, cultivate mindfulness and awaken the spirit. They envision an individual and collective human experience rich with compassion, authenticity and meaning. The Innerwork Center offers programs in mindfulness to adults in the Richmond region, led by certified and experienced mindfulness facilitators.

For more information, call Executive Director Rachel Douglas at 804-359-0384 or visit InnerworkCenter.org. See ads on pages 39 and 43.

Study and Practice Yoga at Home Glenmore Yoga and Wellness Center is offering online yoga classes to comply with social distancing directives by the CDC and the governor of Virginia. Glenmore is also switching training classes to an online format in order to offer continuing education for yoga instructors.

For those practicing yoga at home during the COVID-19 crisis, this is an excellent opportunity to introduce children to some basic yoga postures and relaxation techniques.

Invite them to join in for an online class and it could inspire a lifetime love of yoga.

For more information on how to sign up for online yoga or training classes, call 804-741-5267 or visit GlenmoreYoga.com. See ads on pages 26 and 39.

10

Greater Richmond Edition

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Location: 9210 Forest Hill Ave., Ste. B3 (Stony Point Professional Park). For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 804-377-2222 or email Info@HealthInSyncs.com. See ads on pages 27 and 39.

Vegan Action is celebrating 20 years of the Certified Vegan logo. It is not only the first in North America, it is also the most recognized and trusted in circulation.

Nonprofit Vegan Action, started by three University of California students in 1995, is working to eliminate animal suffering, reduce environmental impacts and improve human health.

Vegan Action now has a staff of 10 in Richmond, with an expanded outreach to people all around the globe, making the world a better place for animals, the environment and our health. Their many educational programs over the years have continued to grow, and the program to label vegan products for easy shopping has garnered some of the greatest support and appreciation.

For more information, visit Vegan.org.

1/4 V

health briefs

Eat Less Sulfur Amino Acids to Reduce Heart Disease Risk A plant-based diet low in such sulfur amino acid foods as meat, dairy, nuts and soy may be key to lowering the risk of heart disease, concludes a study from the Penn State University College of Medicine. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins; a subcategory called sulfur amino acids plays integral roles in metabolism. Researchers correlated diets and blood biomarkers of more than 11,000 participants from a national study and found people that ate foods containing fewer sulfur amino acids tended to have a decreased risk for cardiometabolic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. They also found that the average American consumes almost two-and-a-half times more sulfur amino acids than the estimated average requirement. “People who eat lots of plant-based products like fruits and vegetables will consume lower amounts of sulfur amino acids,” says lead author Zhen Dong, a doctor of public health.

Confirming this, a Northwestern Medicine and Cornell University study in JAMA Internal Medicine found that every two servings of red meat, processed meat or poultry per week increased cardiovascular disease risk by 3 to 7 percent. For every two servings of red meat or processed meat per week, the risk of death from any cause was increased by 3 percent.

The findings, based on an analysis of six studies involving 29,682 people, contradict a controversial study published last year that recommended people not reduce the amount of red meat and processed meat they eat. “Everyone interpreted that it was okay to eat red meat, but I don’t think that is what the science supports,” says senior study author Norrina Allen, a professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern.

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Tuck Kids In Early to Reduce Depression and Cognitive Issues Fewer than seven hours of sleep for a child is not only linked to anxiety, depression, impulsiveness and cognitive difficulties, but also impacts a child’s brain structure, suggests new research from the UK’s Warwick University published in Molecular Psychiatry. Researchers used data that included MRI scans of more than 11,000 children ages 9 to 11 from 21 centers in the U.S. Parents also provided information about their child’s sleep duration and mental health conditions, and children performed a battery of cognitive tests.

Researchers found that compared to children that slept between the recommended nine and 11 hours, those receiving less than seven hours had 53 percent more behavioral problems and scored 7.8 percent lower on cognitive tests. In children that slept less, volumes were smaller in five brain regions.

Children that slept longer showed less depression and higher cognitive scores, and felt safer and more secure in their homes and neighborhoods.

12

Greater Richmond Edition

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Echinacea extract may be helpful for situation-induced anxiety, indicates a new study from Hungary’s Institute of Experimental Medicine, in Budapest. The researchers tested 64 middle-aged people that had scored high on the State Trait Anxiety Inventory.

They were given either 80 milligrams Echinacea angustifolia root extract or a placebo every day for seven days, followed by a three-week washout period during which no pills were taken. Those taking the echinacea started experiencing less anxiety than the placebo-takers by day seven, and scored significantly lower in “state anxiety”, marked by arousal connected to specific dangers or threats. Measures of “trait anxiety”, in which anxiety is an ongoing personal characteristic, improved slightly compared to the placebo group. Improvements were maintained even during the washout period.

Poor eating habits are not only disease-producing, they are also costly, the latest research shows. “Suboptimal eating” incurs approximately $300 in healthcare costs annually per person, and $481 for older people on Medicare, adding up to $50 billion a year nationally—84 percent of which goes to acute care, say Harvard-associated Brigham and Women’s Hospital researchers. This means that poor diets account for almost 20 percent of heart disease, stroke and diabetes costs in the U.S. Researchers studied the impact of 10 dietary factors, including fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, processed meats, sugary drinks and salt, and found that the top three risks were overconsuming processed meats and underconsuming nuts/seeds and omega-3-rich seafood. “There is a lot to be gained in terms of reducing risk and cost associated with heart disease, stroke and diabetes by making relatively simple changes to one’s diet,” says study co-author Thomas Gaziano, M.D. “Our work illustrates the need for interventions or policies that incentivize healthier dietary behavior, as these changes have the potential to have a big impact and reduce the health and financial burden of cardiometabolic disease.”

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Take Echinacea to Reduce Anxiety

Eat Better to Cut Healthcare Costs

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health briefs

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global briefs

Cool Solution

Biodegradable Cooler Keeps Food Cold and Dry

Exercise to Boost Sperm Quality A new Harvard study of 746 young sperm donors reports that men that exercise more have better sperm quality. The men, with an average age of 26, at least a high school education and no radiation exposure or sexually transmitted diseases, were qualified to donate to a sperm bank in their area. Compared to men that seldom exercised, those that reported the most total exercise and logged the most time doing intense workouts had better sperm motility, which increases the chances for sperm to move through the female reproductive tract to reach an egg.

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Take Quercetin to Reduce Blood Pressure Supplementation with quercetin, a plant pigment found in capers, cilantro, fennel, onions, red leaf lettuce, watercress, elderberries, asparagus, kale, cocoa, apples and chia seeds, can significantly reduce both diastolic and systolic blood pressure, lowering each by about three milliliters/Hg, reports a new review of research published in the Oxford Academic Journal, of 17 clinical studies that tested 896 participants. Quercetin also improved HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels when consumed for eight weeks or more.

The ice chests we haul to picnics are typically made of Styrofoam, Dow Chemical’s trademarked name for extruded polystyrene, but it is a highly flammable source of greenhouse gases that animals can mistake for food and won’t degrade for hundreds of years, leading thousands of landfills to ban it. Now, Igloo, the top global cooler maker, has introduced a new, less-destructive alternative made out of paraffin wax and recycled tree pulp called Recool. The 16-quart, water-resistant cooler, sold at REI and other stores, keeps 75 pounds of contents ice-cold for up to 12 hours and goes up to five days without leaking water. The coolers can be stored and reused many times and then recycled, composted or used as a dry storage container. It’s also less likely to break or chip than Styrofoam.

Unsafe Sipping

Widespread Drinking Water Contamination Found The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has found contamination of U.S. drinking water with manmade “forever chemicals” to be much worse than estimated. Miami, Philadelphia and New Orleans have some of the highest levels. Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are resistant to breaking down in the environment and some have been linked to cancer, liver damage, low birth weight and other health problems. David Andrews, a senior scientist at EWG and co-author of the report, says, “It’s nearly impossible to avoid contaminated drinking water from these chemicals.”

Sources include products like Teflon, Scotchguard and firefighting foam. Only one location in the country, Meridian, Mississippi, which has 700-foot-deep wells, had no detectable PFAS, while Seattle and Tuscaloosa, Alabama, had levels below 1 part per trillion, the limit EWG recommends. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has known since at least 2001 about the problem of PFAS in drinking water, but has so far failed to set an enforceable, nationwide legal limit.

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global briefs

Hot Spots

Climate Change City Index for 2050 Temperature changes, water shortages and rising sea levels will impact some of the world’s most populous cities during the next 30 years. Apartment rental hub Nestpick.com commissioned researchersto comb through data and determine how the ongoing climate shift could impact specific cities to help people choose where to live and add to the debate about procedures that can be put in place to ensure the longevity and livability of cities. Bangkok faces the highest risk of flooding from rising sea levels and a projected temperature increase of 3° F. Nairobi may move from a temperate humid warm summer climate to a tropical-type savanna wet summer climate due to rising temperatures. The demand for water is projected to be double the supply in Melbourne. Ho Chi Minh City and Amsterdam are also very high on the list.

A new study led by the University of Washington (UW) has found that not all forms of nature are created equal when considering benefits to people’s wellbeing. Experiencing wildness is particularly important for physical and mental health, according to the study published in the journal Frontiers in Sustainable Cities. This is the first study to show that wildness in urban areas is profoundly important for human well-being. “The wilder areas in an urban park seem to be affording more benefits to people, and their most meaningful interactions depended on those relatively wild features,” says lead author Elizabeth Lev, a graduate student in the UW School of Environmental and Forest Sciences.

Senior author Peter Kahn, a UW professor of environmental and forest sciences and psychology, says, “Everywhere, development is chipping away at wild areas. Humanity has caused so much destruction and there’s no stopping it—unless we stop. We’re trying to show that if you’re going to develop an area, you at least need to understand the human costs.” The researchers hope studies like this can be used as part of the decision-making process for development proposals in parks and urban natural areas. They compiled their analysis methods into a handbook that can be used in other cities around the world.

Greater Richmond Edition

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Charging Ahead

New Batteries From Fruit Waste Carbon aerogels that exhibit high specific surface areas, high proportions of mesopores and significant levels of nitrogen doping have been developed for the first time using waste from durian fruit and jackfruit scraps using a chemical-free, green synthesis procedure. According to the Journal of Energy Storage, the electrodes also displayed long-term cycling stability and rapid charge–discharge processes. Both electrodes are attractive candidates for the next generation, high-performance, yet lowcost supercapacitors for energy storage devices derived from biowastes.

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Wildness a Big Factor in Urban Parks

A “green” sunscreen has been synthesized from discarded cashew-nut shells by a team of scientists from South Africa, Malawi, Tanzania and Germany, reports the European Journal of Organic Chemistry. Using xylochemistry (wood chemistry), the scientists produced new aromatic compounds that show good UVA and UVB absorbance, which can protect humans, as well as polymers and coatings, from harmful rays from the sun. The research was published in the European Journal of Organic Chemistry. UV rays can lead to sunburn, premature aging and the development of lethal melanomas in humans and animals, and are also damaging to most materials, causing the discoloration of dyes and pigments, weathering, yellowing of plastics and the loss of gloss and mechanical properties.

Maria Sbytova/Shutterstock.com

Eco-Sunscreen Made from Cashew Shells

Wild Things

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O P E N 16 16

Greater GreaterRichmond RichmondEdition Edition

BUSINESS as (UN)Usual

Here is a list of local businesses and practitioners still open and offering new or modified products and/or services (be sure to call, email or check the website for any updates or changes…)

AGRIBERRY FARM & CSA

6289 River Road, Hanover, VA 23069 804-537-0448 Agriberry.com Visit Agriberry.com for updated market and pickup location information, and access to our new online store.

ALCHEMISTS

Books & Gifts for the Spirit AlchemistsBooksAndGifts.com Alchemists@verizon.net Curb pickup by appointment. Sage, votives, palo santo, clearing sprays, abalone shells.

Beekman fragrance-free goat milk soap & hand cream. Singing bowls, crystal lamps, Jellycat Soft Animals, Microwaveable neck pillows.

Phone readings with Sandy Kalaora or Jamie Dawn. Email for more information.

ARIYA FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC CENTERS

804-526-7125 AriyaChiro.com

We continue to follow our stringent protocols for sanitation as well implementation of additional social distancing protocols. Our offices are not over-crowded and we are staggering patient appointments to maintain distancing. We are taking new patients daily— and our team is here to protect your health, now and always.

BLISSFUL HEART- WOMEN’S INTEGRATIVE HEALTH

804-505-3010 Jacqueline@BlissfulHeartCenter.com BlissfulHeartCenter.com We are offering virtual video appointments for our Integrative Medicine and Health Coaching services. There are many labs that can be done as home collection kits. We are also offering new sessions of our free online Women’s Wellness Book Club, featuring the books Wild Feminine and Hangry. Details online.

ECHO + LIGHT

EchoAndLight.com 540-266-8950 Kristin@EchoAndLight.com Echo & Light, LLC, blends the edges of traditional counseling and evolutionary astrology.

When self-knowledge is explored and highlighted through the lens of a natal chart it allows for the breaking of behavioral and emotional patterns to truly heal the soul. Learn how to break old cycles with practical techniques that enhance your quality of life and heal trauma.

Online and telecounseling sessions available.

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FOOT & HAND SPA

804-320-FOOT (3668) FootAndHandSpa.com The Foot & Hand Spa, Richmond’s true medical-grade clean nail salon can’t wait to reopen and, once open, will be expanding its weekend hours to accommodate clients. Please call 804320-4322 and leave a message if you would like to get on the schedule. The podiatry clinic at Johnston Willis (where the Spa) is located is currently open for foot issues that might need addressing during the Spa’s closure.

HEALTH INSYNCS

804-377-2222 Info@HealthInSyncs.com Socially distant, at-your-convenience webinar/workshops available on natural health topics. Pre-register if you can’t attend the webinar, and you’ll have access to the webinar recording for three weeks. Check the Natural Awakenings calendar for topics, times and dates, or join our email list to register for our monthly online webinars. Call or email for more information.

GLENMORE YOGA & WELLNESS CENTER

804-741-5267 Info@GlenmoreYoga.com GlenmoreYoga.com

Glenmore Yoga has transitioned to online yoga classes given the current health crisis until group classes are able to resume. Online classes include beginner to intermediate level and ageless yoga, restorative and yin yoga, prenatal yoga and meditation. Teacher Training sessions are also available online for CEUs. Email for details.

HEALING CREATIONS

804-980-4021 EPels@aol.com • EmilyPels.com This is an important time to keep your energy field spiritually strong. Distance energy healing is one of my specialties. There are no boundaries when it comes to sending and receiving healing energy. The session would be conducted by phone or by FaceTime with you relaxed at home.

THE INNERWORK CENTER

Hello@InnerworkCenter.org InnerworkCenter.org

We’ve launched Innerwork Online! This includes tons of online events and programs that can be accessed via Zoom. We have our regular types of programming that can be registered and paid for via our website, as well as drop-in groups that are donation-based.

Nora Vimala Pozzi, Owner/Director 804-677-3199 YogaHelps.com Vimala@YogaHelps.com IYCOR has switched to online classes so you can continue to enjoy the many benefits of yoga. Please check our website for updates or call or email for additional information.

LIFESTYLE DESIGNS

804-683-7774 LifestyleDesignsWellness@gmail.com LifestyleDesignsWellness.com Lifestyle Designs, in partnership with eLEEte Physicians, has been your thermography resource for nearly seven years – ask about our special pricing for June and July. Debbie Troxell, RN, MSNH, Thermographer, offers several additional remote services during these challenging times to assist with stress management, provide nutritional assessments and recommend healthy lifestyle choices to support the immune system. Please visit website listed above for more information and check out UltaLabTests.com/LifestyleDesigns to order labs online.

MIND FITNESS RVA

804-690-7783 MindFitness@MindFitnessRVA.com TheEnergyHacker.net MindFitnessRVA.com Offering Neurofeedback, “Energy & Information” medicine (bioenergetics), remote BodyField online scans & consultations and online & in-person Dance Therapy (Belly Dance). Visit website for more information.

PROJECT YOGA RICHMOND (PYR)

804-447-6058 Abbey@ProjectYogaRichmond.org ProjectYogaRichmond.org

In an effort to maintain community while following recommendations for physical distancing, PYR launched an online membership platform at Patreon.com/ProjectYogaRichmond where you can remotely access yoga and mindfulness content from PYR ambassadors.

As a member, you’ll receive regular content to support your practice at home and the pride of fueling work that matters to you.

RVA HEALTH & WELLNESS

804-929-0494 (text for consultations) Info@RVAHealthAndWellness.com RichmondBHRT.com We are excited to offer LDI, low-dose immunotherapy and LDN, low-dose naltrexone. LDI is a very safe way to induce tolerance to multiple allergens and autoimmune disorders. LDN can be used alone or with LDI to stimulate endorphins and T cells to improve many autoimmune conditions.

RVA PHYSICAL THERAPY & SPORTS REHAB

804-396-6753 RVAPBHS@RVAPhysicalTherapy.com RVAPhysicalTherapy.com

We are open from 9am-2pm, Monday - Friday and closed on the weekends. We offer telehealth for our existing clients. As always, we are committed to providing excellent service to get exceptional results.

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SOUTH RIVER COMPOUNDING PHARMACY

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Personal Shopper in store – give us a list and we will shop for you. Curbside Service – call or email your order and we will have it ready for you when you arrive and deliver to your car.

Shipping – Free USPS shipping on all prescriptions, vitamins and supplements for orders over $20.

VITAL SOLUTIONS 4U LLC

804-717-5000 Kathryn@Rx3Pharmacy.com Rx3Pharmacy.com

804-437-0243 BarbSatterwhite@gmail.com Nikken.com/NA/Satterwhite

We offer FREE Rx mailing*, FREE CBD mailing, Hand Sanitizer (while supplies last), Rx Delivery, Curbside Rx pick-up, Online refills and supplement sales and Veterinary compounded Rx.*restrictions apply

Weekly demonstrations of energy technologies/products via Zoom. Creating your “Wellness Home” with individual consults via phone or Zoom. Determine solutions for better sleep, hydration, less stress, less hurts, more energy & immune support. Introduction to “A Better Way”.

ILONA SCHENK-CHERRY, LMSW

Experiential and Trauma Therapy 570-412-2043 IlonaSchenkCherry.com

Are you focused on everyone except yourself?

Imagine a life where your relationships are life-giving, boundaried and healthy. This can become your reality and I am here to help. I’m offering secure telehealth appointments for individuals anywhere in Virginia. Specializations include relationships, codependency, love addiction and trauma. Free 15-min consultation.

ADINA SILVESTRI, EDD, LPC

804-536-9143 Adina@AdinaSilvestri.com AdinaSilvestri.com

Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist and owner of Life Cycles Counseling currently offering tele-counseling services to help you achieve balance and clarity during these uncertain times. Schedule your free 15-minute consultation by calling 804-536-9143. Tune into my podcast via the website; Episode 36 offers 5 Ways to Maintain Sobriety When You’re Stuck at Home.

SOULSHINE STUDIOS

804 335 0593 Info@SoulShineStudios.com SoulShineStudios.com

WELL INTO LIFE MASSAGE & BODYWORK

804-818-6281 CustomerService@WellIntoLife.com WellIntoLife.com Now might be a great time to add yoga to your wellness routine! We have something that will help get you started at home—check out our free yoga videos at WellIntoLife.com/Yoga.

Our yoga instructor, Ariana, goes through some beginner to intermediate poses in both 15- and 30-minute sessions.

ZOE THERAPY SERVICES

804-303-9622 ContactUs@ZoeTherapyServices.com ZoeTherapyServices.com Zoe Therapy Services is pleased to support our community by offering tele-psychiatry, telecounseling, tele-nutrition and tele-health coaching. In addition to self-pay, we accept most insurance for all services except health coaching. As an added bonus, most insurance companies have waived their copays during this time of crisis. Call now!

Please Support LOCAL Businesses

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INTEGRAL YOGA® CENTER OF RICHMOND (IYCOR)

We are here to support you. Our studio doors may be closed - but our community is going strong - bringing health, well-being, connection and support during this difficult time. Enjoy our live online Nia and yoga classes daily in the comfort of your own home. EveryBody is welcome! (sliding scale pricing)

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Healing the Immune System Autoimmune Breakthroughs Offer New Hope

by April Thompson Some 23 million Americans suffer from one or more autoimmune diseases—a category comprised of more than 80 conditions, including fibromyalgia, Hashimoto’s disease, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and Type 1 diabetes. These pernicious disorders are notoriously difficult to diagnose, even harder to treat and can be debilitating, diminishing the quality of life for sufferers.

Another commonality is the increased prevalence of autoimmune disease in women versus men; in the case of lupus, for example, a nine-fold difference. Some early indicators are that this may be related to a “gene dosage effect”, as men with XXY chromosomes have the same risk of developing lupus as other women, and women with XXX chromosomes (known in medical

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parlance as “superwomen”) have an even higher risk of autoimmune disease, according to Judith James, chair of the Arthritis & Clinical Immunology Program at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, in Oklahoma City.

Yet there is hope on the horizon, as scientific discoveries unlock important insights about the manifestation and progression of autoimmune diseases leading to new treatments and prevention tips. Evidence is also mounting around the role of diet and lifestyle in autoimmune conditions, giving patients new avenues for taking charge of their health instead of simply waiting for a cure.

Autoimmune diseases are chronic and can affect almost

ARTFULLY PHOTOGRAPHER/Shutterstock.com Evara/Shutterstock.com

Basic science is now showing that the microbiome has a huge impact on the immune system activity and the brain; the food we eat can turn gene expression on and off. any part of the body, including the heart, brain, muscles, skin, eyes, joints, lungs, kidneys, glands, digestive tract and blood vessels. Each disease carries its own set of symptoms, but inflammation is nearly always present, and are all connected by how the immune system attacks the body’s healthy tissues.

“Those shared characteristics hold the potential for shared treatments, and ultimately potentially common cures,” says Jane Buckner, president of the Benaroya Research Institute (BRI), at Virginia Mason, in Seattle, which works to advance the prediction, prevention, reversal and cure of immune system diseases.

“I’m excited about our progress toward prevention. We are working to understand those tipping points in transitioning into disease that help us understand who is at highest risk, and helps give very directed therapies,” says James.

SELF-HEALING FROM AUTOIMMUNITY By her early 20s, Mickey Trescott, of Willamette Valley, Oregon, was bedridden and had lost her job to autoimmune disease. At one point, doctors thought it was multiple sclerosis (MS); she was dizzy, numb, falling over and slurring her speech.

Eventually, she was diagnosed with both Hashimoto’s and celiac diseases, affecting the thyroid and small intestine, respectively.

Trescott, a nutritionist, chef and author of The Autoimmune Paleo Cookbook, had been vegan for 10 years, but had a feeling that her body needed something different.

She found an early version of what would become known as the autoimmune protocol (AIP), and in following its guidelines, began to find relief. Trescott connected with other women and started a private Facebook group to share information on what was improving their condition from which the AIP community sprung. AIP, an elimination diet that seeks to reset the immune system by cutting out inflammation-causing foods and treating leaky gut, has much in common with the paleo diet

and promotes vitamin- and nutrient-rich foods. However, every individual comes out of the AIP process with a customized diet.

For Trescott, “Gluten is a forever-no, and I am also allergic to dairy and sensitive to a lot of nightshade vegetables, like tomatoes and peppers.” It took three years to recover most of her functioning, and although she had been a personal chef, it was still challenging to determine a new approach to eating that didn’t include the grains and legumes that had been staples of her diet.

Trescott is still on medications, including the same thyroid support she’s relied on from the start. “There is a misconception that the AIP is an alternative to conventional medicine. We really pride ourselves on using all the tools in our toolbox, including surgery, medication and lifestyle changes,” she says.

Anecdotal successes like Trescott’s have led researchers to pursue funding to test the AIP’s efficacy. In a pilot study of 18 individuals with an average sick time of 19 years that didn’t respond to traditional medication, 73 percent were in clinical remission at the end of the trial, having followed the AIP. “It was a small sample size, but the results are promising,” says Trescott.

PHYSICIAN, HEALED THYSELF Like many physicians, Terry Wahls focused on treating her patients with drugs or surgical procedures—until the Iowa City doctor was diagnosed with MS in 2000. Within three years, despite conventional medical treatments, her back and stomach muscles had weakened to the point where she needed a tilt-recline wheelchair, and by the summer of 2007, she could no longer sit up.

Though Wahls had been a vegetarian on a low-fat diet for 20 years, she went back to eating meat and gave up all dairy, wheat and grains, but still wasn’t improving. Delving back into the science of her condition, Wahls realized that mitochondrial support was key, and the speed of her decline slowed while taking a cocktail of vitamins to support its functioning.

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COMMON LINKS SERVE AS RESEARCH CLUES

It wasn’t until she took a comprehensive approach to optimize everything she could take in through her food rather than relying on supplements that she saw radical results: Her brain fog, fatigue and pain went away and she biked around the block for the first time in six years. “Taking in nutrients in the form of food rather than supplements, you get related compounds and thousands of others in biologically anticipated ratios,” explains Wahls. “I still do take some supplements, but the magic is the food.”

Those key ingredients, says Wahls, include magnesium, zinc, selenium, sulfur, amino acids, cholesterol, omega-6 and omega-3s, fats, carnitine and creatine. Her rule of thumb for daily intake is three cups of leafy green vegetables; three cups of sulfuric vegetables like cabbage, mushrooms and onions; and three cups of deeply pigmented vegetables, plus sources of protein for meat eaters and vegetarians.

While her work was initially not accepted, today she has funding from the National MS Society and her research has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals. “Basic science is now showing that the microbiome has a huge impact on the immune system activity and the brain; the food we eat can turn gene expression on and off,” says Wahls, who hasn’t taken any drugs for her autoimmune condition since 2008.

Buckner cautions against patients trying to manage disease with lifestyle changes alone, without giving available allopathic treatments a fair try. “People do better if they are treated early and aggressively. They are reliant on fewer medications down the road and don’t have permanent damage if they seek treatment early.”

However, even researchers focused on pharmaceutical approaches acknowledge the importance of diet and lifestyle. Meggan Mackay, professor of Molecular Medicine at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, at Northwell Health, in Manhasset, New York, believes this can play a critical role in disease management. She cites numerous studies showing exercise as a stress-buster positively influencing disease outcomes, as well as a more specific study looking at the benefits of adding fish oil and vitamin D to the diets of lupus patients.

“The rise in obesity, which is linked to increased inflammation in the U.S., may be one of reasons we are seeing more autoim20

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There are some clear links between autoimmune diseases, such as the genetic predisposition that runs in families. “Someone with rheumatoid arthritis may have a sister with celiac disease, for example, and one individual may suffer from multiple autoimmune conditions. We can learn from these common genetic links,” says Buckner. These common links can serve as important clues. For example, Buckner says they are able to demonstrate changes in T cells in diabetes and MS that are the same, which might lead to common treatments for the two conditions.

While the process from basic scientific discovery to development of effective treatment can be slow, there are some concrete breakthroughs autoimmune researchers are excited about, having demonstrated ability to both prevent and delay disease.

Citing a recent clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine, “They have demonstrated in kids at high risk for developing Type 1 diabetes the ability to delay onset for at least two years. It’s an incredibly exciting finding,” says Buckner.

Mackay is hopeful about advances in basic science addressing specific immune system abnormalities linked to inflammatory problems. “Lupus is very challenging to diagnose and treat because it can affect every system in the body,” says Mackay, whose research team has focused on lupus for decades. “The only forms of treatment have been very immunesuppressive medications that shut down the immune response.

None of these medications are specific, so in shutting down the immune response to treat lupus, they in turn interfere with the body’s ability to fight off infection and cancer.” Researchers are now honing in on single cells from biopsies that indicate which proteins are abnormal, thereby helping develop more selective therapies, she says.

Seeing progress in the lab is one thing; seeing it in the waiting room is another, and that’s where autoimmune scientists and clinicians are really beginning to note a difference.

“I’ve seen patients for 25 years, and when we started, we had very few options in my clinic, which was full of wheelchairs,” says Buckner. “In the last 20 years, we have seen an explosion in research and available treatments. I don’t have wheelchairs in my office anymore.”

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

Evara/Shutterstock.com

mune disease than ever,” says Mackay.

At-risk individuals should be aware of factors under their control, adds James. “If someone is worried about autoimmune disease running in their family, monitoring and maintaining adequate vitamin D levels and avoiding smoking and other high-risk behaviors can help improve their chances.” Even sleep patterns can play a role in disease manifestation, says the researcher. In one study, individuals at high risk for autoimmune disease that slept less than seven hours per day were more likely to develop an autoimmune condition, according to James.

Bras and Cancer Risk Photo by Castorly Stock from Pexels

by Tessa Broadwater

There is an ongoing debate in medical circles as to whether wearing bras can predispose the wearer to breast cancer. A 1978 California study showed that high breast temperature influences the growth of cancer. It examined women in different cultures that all had breast cancer, and the common variable among them was the increased temperature of their breasts. This increased heat may come from the body-hugging, restricting fabric that makes up a typical bra.

Along with increased heat, the tight framework of a bra adds unnecessary pressure on the lymph nodes, blocking lymphatic drainage. When this happens, it prevents the detoxification of the lymph nodes, thus trapping toxins in the body and potentially making bra-wearers more susceptible to breast cancer.

One of the most popular bras is the underwire model, but it may actually be the most health-damaging design. In “Can Wearing Your Bra Cause Cancer?” Dr. Joseph Mercola explains how the metal found in the underwire bra can act as an antenna, attracting electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Constant exposure to EMFs can cause molecular change in our cells, leading to possible cancer formation in the breasts.

If underwire bras are a go-to and not an easy option to give up, a healthy and beneficial fix would be to remove the metal wire and exchange it with plastic. This immediately lessons the chance of EMF being attracted to the body and could reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Additionally, constantly wearing a bra can form weak, underdeveloped pectoral muscles. This creates an undesirable response from the body’s natural ability to support the breasts, causing them to sag.

Good advice is to reduce the amount of time wearing a bra throughout the day. Many studies prove that women that wear bras less often or not at all have a significantly lower risk of breast cancer. Switch out underwire bras for a wireless style, or even camisoles with built-in bras that are less constricting. Let the body breathe.

For more information, visit Tinyurl.com/MercolaBraCancer.

Tessa Broadwater is a Laser Therapy Technician/Patient Support team member with Dr. Sherron Marquina at Health InSyncs in Bon Air. See ads on pages 27 and 38.

Two local businesses specializing in women’s health and wellness…

BLISSFUL HEART, PLLC

Women’s Integrative Health 804-505-3010 Jacqueline@BlissfulHeartCenter.com BlissfulHeartCenter.com Blissful Heart, PLLC, is an integrative medicine practice focused on helping busy women reclaim their health.

We offer integrative medicine consults, health coaching, Holistic Pelvic Care™ and group classes as well as in-office lab draws, hormone and food sensitivity testing and a state-of-the-art online client portal.

Through our unique approach to care, we put the client at the center and address the full range of physical, emotional, social and environmental influences that affect a person’s health.

We believe women are the experts of their own bodies and we partner with our clients to help them achieve their health goals.

We understand the unique challenges women face, so we customize our treatment plans to meet each woman’s schedule and needs while providing the ongoing support to help her be successful.

ADINA SILVESTRI, EDD, LPC Licensed Professional Counselor Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist 804-536-9143 Adina@AdinaSilvestri.com AdinaSilvestri.com

Adina Silvestri, EdD, LPC, is a licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist. She specializes in treating women with substance abuse issues and in helping children who have experienced trauma lead full and productive lives.

Dr. Silvestri also helps women with Binge Eating issues recover from shame and find hope and healing. Her services include Individual Counseling, Family Counseling, Couples Counseling and Group Counseling. Her practice style is spontaneous, creative and designed to fit each client’s unique needs. Dr. Silvestri utilizes hypnotherapy to help treat complex disorders, from pain management to anxiety and depression. Hypnotherapy can be used to treat phobias, sexual dysfunction, undesirable spontaneous behaviors, bad habits and substance abuse (including tobacco use). It can also help resolve sleep issues, relationship issues and challenges with learning disorders and communication. Schedule your free 15-minute consultation today to begin living a life with purpose, joy and authenticity.

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Understanding

healing ways

COVID-19 and How To Fight It

COVID-19 has sprung onto the scene as a new viral infection that we are just beginning to understand. There is so much information flying around that it is hard to know what the risks truly are and how to best protect ourselves and our community.

COVID-19 is clearly more deadly than the common flu, although not as contagious as other major infections such as measles, HIV or norovirus (stomach flu).

This is such a new virus that humans don’t yet have immunity like they do with more common viral infections. Direct contact with respiratory particles is considered to be the major route of transmission of COVID-19. However, it may be possible to catch it from particles remaining in the air after an infected person has passed by. While this is not considered a major route of transmission, it contributes to its threat as being highly contagious.

For most individuals without significant underlying conditions such as poorly controlled diabetes, heart disease or lung conditions, or those under the age of 65, the real threat isn’t so much death, but that they will contribute to the spread and continuance of this severe viral infection. For them, the threat is less personal than it is to the community as a whole.

The average death rate from the flu in the U.S. is just over 0.1 percent, while the average death rate in the U.S. from COVID is 2.69 percent. That means if we get COVID-19, on average, exclusive of other factors such as age or preexisting conditions, we have about a 2.7 percent chance of dying from it. Between 24 to 50 percent of people won’t even show symptoms of being infected. And for most of the rest of us, it would feel like the seasonal flu, and then we would get better.

Eighty percent of deaths are in those over 65 years old, with the highest percentage of severe outcomes occurring in those 85 years or older and people with underlying chronic heart and lung conditions and diabetes.

There is more we can do for viral infections than just Tylenol, hydration and rest. Remember that none of the statistics take into account the use of immune supportive and herbal antiviral strategies. Because this is a brand-new virus, it has not been tested against any of our natural protocols, so we can only speculate about their efficacy (and nothing replaces the ongoing need for social distancing, hand-washing and not touching the face). It is always best to start with foundational lifestyle practices such as adequate sleep, a whole-food, 22 22

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by Tressa Breindel

nutrient-dense diet, exercise and stress management/mindfulness practices to build and strengthen the immune system.

Use nutrients, supplements and herbs to prevent, treat and fight infection and reduce its severity, duration and damage if infected. Vitamins that have demonstrated efficacy in supporting the body against viral infections, but not yet trialed with COVID-19, include vitamin C, vitamin D and vitamin A.

The goal of treatment isn’t just to kill the virus with herbal antivirals, but also to control its powerfully inflammatory stimulation to the immune system. You may have heard of the “cytokine storm” that COVID-19 can stimulate in our bodies. Cytokine signaling is how our immune system creates inflammation, and it is this inflammation that is able to contain and kill invading infections. However, too much inflammation, even though good for attacking the infection, can lead to collateral damage to our body. It is the latter that can lead to lasting lung damage and death from COVID-19.

While nothing will compensate for the immense human tragedy this virus is causing, let’s use this unique opportunity to evolve so that we can be healthier as individual humans and a global human society.

Tressa Breindel, LAc, MSOM, a functional medicine and Chinese medicine practitioner, is the owner of InHealthRVA. For more information, call 804-288-1111 or visit InHealthRVA.com. See ad on page 2.

THANK YOU PG-Natural Awakenings Magazine-PROCESS.indd 2

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

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natural pet

Coronavirus Pet Safety Facts and Tips for Dog and Cat Owners

by Shawn Messonnier There are many types of coronavirus. COVID-19 is new—a novel coronavirus—and there are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in dogs or cats. Dogs can become infected with a canine coronavirus. It is fairly species-specific and will not infect people, but can infect cats (without causing clinical disease in naturally infected cats). Most infected dogs do not show symptoms and recover without showing signs of infection; young puppies may exhibit mild diarrhea.

Cats have their own coronavirus that, like dogs, usually causes an asymptomatic infection, or may cause mild diarrhea or mild respiratory infection (especially in kittens). However, this coronavirus, for unknown reasons, can mutate in the GI tract and transform into the (usually) lethal feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) virus (this occurs in about 10 percent of infected cats).

Again, this feline coronavirus will not infect dogs or people, and only infects felids. (A curious note is that cats can become infected with the human SARS coronavirus experimentally and naturally, but do not become ill, and the original SARS virus was suspected to have originated from a mongoose.) As with human coronaviruses, canine and feline coronaviruses can survive outside of the pet’s body for a period of time, especially in a colder environment, but are easily killed with most soap or disinfectants.

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Dogs and cats that develop their own coronaviral diseases will not infect people. However, by serving as fomites (objects that can carry an infectious organism on the surface), dogs and cats could potentially carry a virus on their coat or skin if an infected family member gets infected material (saliva, respiratory droplets, etc.) onto the animal. Like any other surface in the home, the virus could transfer from the surface of the pet to other uninfected family members. (This is usually by hand to face transfer.)

To be safe, it may be wise to keep the family pet away from the infected family member, or at least have the infected family member bathe and/or wipe the pet’s coat with a wet washcloth before the pet is exposed to uninfected family members.

Keep in mind that maintaining proper blood levels of vitamin D in people and in pets is important in minimizing infectious diseases.

This is an evolving topic. As new discoveries and research arise, check the Centers for Disease Control website (cdc.gov) for the latest advisories and recommendations.

Shawn Messonnier, DVM, is the owner of Paws & Claws Holistic Animal Hospital, in Plano, Texas, and an award-winning author and host on Martha Stewart Radio.

Virus-Free Hands and Home:

eco tips Vichy Deal/Shutterstock.com

Research-Proven DIY Sanitizers That Work

Clean and Green Eco-Laundry Tips

By laundering clothes using simple ingredients and wise ecopractices, consumers can both save money and lower their carbon footprint.

Natural cleaning ingredients cited by TheEcoGuide.org include white vinegar, baking soda, lemons, borax and castile soap, all of which “can be bought in bulk with minimal packaging and have known cleaning properties that make them safe, effective and carbon-friendly alternatives.” Coarse salt is also suggested due to its mold-fighting power.

Look for biodegradable laundry detergents made with plant oils and other natural ingredients that are free of phosphates, bleach and surfactants such as petroleum-based nonylphenol ethoxylates.

Consider coldwater washing. About 90 percent of the energy a washing machine uses goes toward heating water. By washing four out of five loads in cold water, a household could cut its carbon emissions by 864 pounds a year, according to Energy Star data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Because the cold setting may still heat the water to as much as 80° F, see if the washer has a preferable “tap cold” option. Also, the temperature recommendations on clothing labels represent “the highest spectrum clothes can handle,” Melissa Hockstad, president and chief executive of the American Cleaning Institute, recently told The New York Times, so the hottest water won’t necessarily clean clothes better.

During rinsing, natural disinfectants that can be added include a few drops of peppermint or lavender essential oil; two teaspoons of tea tree oil; white vinegar (one-half cup per load); or one teaspoon of grapefruit seed extract.

Always assemble a full load of laundry each time. Line drying outdoors or on a drying rack indoors also conserves energy and is gentler on fabrics. Further, learn how to make homemade, felted wool dryer balls at DIYNatural.com; tossing four to six of them in each dryer load saves time, energy and money plus reduces static cling. And consider running the dryer early in the morning or overnight: this shifts energy consumption to off-peak hours, which lowers the demand on power plants and could help reduce national reliance on fossil fuels.

When we’re out and about, if we can’t use a sink and soap to ward off the COVID-19 coronavirus, a hand sanitizer can work, advises the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)—as long as it’s 60 percent alcohol. But with many store shelves empty and some sanitizers selling for up to $150 online and commercial disinfectants in short supply, it’s time to turn to an easy, cheap and environmentally friendly solution—making a batch at home.

The most basic formula, and the one that’s most studyproven, is to mix in a bowl a ratio of two parts alcohol, which wards off germs, to one part aloe vera gel or liquid, which binds the alcohol and protects hands. The alcohol most recommended is 99 percent isopropyl alcohol, a disinfectant found at pharmacies and grocery stores that is typically used to clean surface wounds and take off nail polish. If 99 percent isopropyl (rubbing alcohol) can’t be found, 91 percent or 70 percent isopropyl can also work.

Another option is 180-proof liquor, available in high-alcoholcontent vodka and rum.

The numbers are important: Most often liquor is 80 proof— or 40 percent alcohol—which doesn’t work. Aloe gel can be found in natural-food stores. After mixing the alcohol and aloe, decant them into a small spray bottle.

To give the sanitizer fragrance and added punch, add a few drops of essential oils. According to Medical News Today, top antiviral essential oils include bergamot, eucalyptus, red thyme, cinnamon leaf, tea tree oil and lemon balm. If there’s the risk of making contact with a doorknob, cup or toilet seat used by someone infected with the virus, the latest study from Infection Prevention in Practice reports that based on experience with previous coronaviruses like SARS and MERS, some disinfectant agents effectively reduce the infection potential within one minute, including a solution of one part chlorine bleach to 50 parts water. Rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide can also rid surfaces of viruses, say researchers.

When it comes to keeping hands virus-free, research suggests that when possible, washing hands under running water— even without soap—is a superior method. In a study published in September in the journal mSphere, researchers found that handwashing removed the flu virus from hands more quickly and more effectively than using a dab of alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

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Affordable and inclusive access to yoga and mindfulness programs.

Floyd Herdrich, L.Ac. 804-698-0225 TaiChiRichmond@gmail.com TaiChiRichmondVA.com

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Let’s walk for mental health!

The 2020 NAMIWalks Virginia will be at the Stony Point Fashion Park on Sat., Oct. 24th.

To register or inquire about sponsorships, please visit NAMIWalks.org/Virginia.

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healthy kids

Eye Care for Kids A Clear Path to Healthy Vision

by Ronica A. O’Hara The blurry distant vision of myopia is a worldwide epidemic.

Nearsightedness has doubled in the U.S. since 1971 to 42 percent, and in some Asian countries it affects 90 percent of teens and adults, reports the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Eye doctors say the key time to pay attention is during childhood, because myopia and other eye and vision problems can be reversed or stabilized if addressed at an early age.

“Parents tend to assume that vision problems aren’t a concern for the young and healthy, but it’s never too early to promote healthful habits or to be on the lookout for potential vision issues,” advises ophthalmologist Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., medical director of the Clearview Eye & Laser Medical Center, in San Diego.

Ophthalmologists and optometrists recommend having a 28

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child’s eyes tested at 6 months, 3 years and 5 or 6 years to detect nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, “lazy eye” (amblyopia), crossed or misaligned eyes (strabismus) and other potential problems. “For signs of trouble, I ask parents if they have seen their child have an eye that wanders or if the child covers an eye regularly, they are rubbing their eyes or playing with their toys close to their face,” says optometrist Nathan Langemo, of the Hopkins Eye Clinic, in Hopkins, Minnesota.

If myopia becomes severe, it can lead to retinal detachment, premature cataracts and glaucoma in adulthood, but early detection is possible. An Ohio State University study of 4,500 children found that myopia in eighth-graders could be predicted in the first grade by their eyeglass prescription. Children at age 6

are naturally slightly farsighted, and those with normal vision are more likely to become myopic later.

A common medical treatment to slow myopia in kids is daily use of 0.01 percent atropine eye drops, the medication used to dilate an eye before an exam. It slowed down nearsightedness by roughly 50 percent in Singapore children. A new, two-year study shows that combining the eye drops with nightly contact lens-wearing is 28 to 38 percent more effective. For preschoolers with amblyopia, an iPad game called Dig Rush was shown to be helpful in a University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center study. Hong Kong researchers report that 15 weeks of acupuncture beat out eye patches for treating children with lazy eyes, resolving the condition in 41 percent of cases, compared to 16 percent.

The simplest preventive strategy for myopia may be simply to shoo children outdoors every day, including involving them in outdoor sports. Researchers aren’t sure whether it’s the vitamin D effect or the fact that when they are outdoors kids focus more on distant objects like trees and balls than when reading a book or screen, but recent studies in Taiwan and Denmark have verified that more time outdoors is linked to less myopia. Even sitting in sunlight inside while reading or using full-spectrum light bulbs is protective, say researchers. When outdoors, “Make sure the child has 100 percent UVA and UVB sun protection for the eyes,” advises Langemo, including using UV contact lenses.

Evidence is mixed on whether close-up reading brings on childhood myopia, but a study of 500 college students that heavily used computers found 53 percent reporting headaches, 55 percent with burning sensations in the eyes and 48 percent with tired eyes. When kids focus on a computer, their eyerefreshing blinking rate slows from 10 to 12 times a minute to three or four times a minute, says optometrist Marc Grossman, of New Paltz, New York, author of Natural Eye Care: Your Guide To Healthy Vision and Healing.

He recommends taking breaks at least 10 minutes every hour, using homeopathic eye drops and gently massaging the eyes by moving fingers from the inner corner, around the upper socket and underneath, stopping about six times to massage each point for five to 10 seconds.

It’s also important to remove household hazards. Medical emergency rooms increasingly report eye injuries in kids from popular toy weapons like Nerf, BB guns and paintball guns, as well as colorful detergent pods that preschoolers love to squeeze or bite, plus aerosol spray from paint, hairspray, cleaning products and bug repellants.

Feeding children the right foods, including lots of vegetables, fruits and grains, also benefits their eyes. The omega3s in fish oil, nuts and seeds help minimize dry eye, and leafy greens and eggs have the eye-protective antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin.

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A NETWORKING/SPEAKER SERIES

JOIN US ONLINE VIA ZOOM Offering tools, resources and conversation around what it means to live well.

Date: Second Friday of each month (5/8 & 6/12) Time: TBA for Virtual Events Cost: FREE; please register through Eventbrite

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

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29

fit body

Dancing to Your Own Drummer The Healing Power of Movement

Movement comes in many colors, from modern dance to country line dancing, and there’s something for everyone, including those that claim to have two left feet. Dancing is healthy for the heart and improves cognitive function by forging new neural pathways in the brain. It builds stronger bones, helps balance and improves flexibility and endurance. Putting on dancing shoes also has a positive effect on depressive disorders, flooding the brain with endorphins that uplift mood and jumpstart motivation. Dance has found its way into the clinical setting as a psychotherapeutic tool for healing trauma, eating disorders and addictions.

Dancing, in essence, is for everyone. “Dance is a human right, a feature of almost every culture in the world, and our natural inclination to dance is one of the things that makes us human,” says David Leventhal, program director of Dance for PD, a nonprofit Parkinson’s Disease program of the Mark Morris Dance Group, in Brooklyn.

Valerie Durham, a modern dancer in Baltimore specializing in the Isadora Duncan technique, concurs, “Birds don’t consider if they have talent for singing, they just sing. They sing because they have a voice. Similarly, dance is a right offered to anyone with a body.”

A DETERRENT FOR ALZHEIMER’S, PARKINSON’S DISEASE AND CANCER Going dancing on a Friday night also proves to nourish the brain. A 2017 study published in Frontiers of Aging Neuroscience shows evidence that dance increases white matter that diminishes with cognitive decline. An older study sponsored by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and published in the New England Journal of Medicine spotlights data gathered during 30 30

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Photo by edgar_mr.photography

by Marlaina Donato

a 21-year period and reveals that regular social dancing can reduce the risk for dementia in seniors by 76 percent.

“A number of peer-reviewed research studies point to dance’s ability to improve motor skills and function of people living with Parkinson’s disease—balance, gait and tremor. Dance is expressive, giving people a creative voice when it feels that their capacity for physical, vocal and facial expression is being taken away,” says Leventhal.

Durham, who worked with patients at the University of Florida Shands Hospital Arts in Medicine Program in the 1990s, witnessed memorable responses from cancer patients. “We danced with patients who were attached to IVs and those even in the ICU, some who were partially or even completely paralyzed, people who maybe could dance only with their eyes.

And yet they danced,” marvels Durham. “Getting the lymphatic system, endorphins and breath flowing all elevate the body out of pain mode.”

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DANCING FROM THE SOUL All forms of dancing have the capability to free the spirit and heal deep emotional wounds buried in the memory-holding fascia of the body’s soft tissues. Ecstatic dance, which has roots in ancient spiritual practices, is an unstructured option that dilutes limiting, self-conscious habits. These days, ecstatic dance gatherings have been organized in cities around the world.

“There’s a vast movement in the dance world that has nothing to do with performance, but rather, is done for the joy of inhabiting a body in motion. Ecstatic dance is a free-form conscious dance and is a vibrant global community for people who love music and movement,” says Donna Carroll, founder of Ecstatic Dance International, in San Francisco. “When we can be courageous enough to turn away from our cultural norms that say you need ‘talent’ to dance, we get a chance to experience music through our bodies, and it can be quite pleasurable and life-affirming. Ecstatic dance is one of the most effective methods to return to what matters, to our bodies, to our ‘home’, and is accessible for people of all abilities.”

In her artistic sphere of performance art, Durham has seen her students blossom from the inside-out. “They are able to connect with the deep wisdom in their bodies, thereby releasing old energetic wounds. Depression and anxiety are relieved during dance because you are so consciously consumed with the present moment of the steps and the music. Dancers will find that they feel more joyful and at peace at the end of a dance session.”

For Leventhal, moving the body is a blessing for all: “Dance should be accessible and enjoyable to everyone, regardless of physical or cognitive challenges.”

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

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Soul Nourishment The Kitchen As Sacred Space In our busy lives, grabbing food on the run or eating while standing at the kitchen counter is often the norm. Designating the kitchen as a practical sanctuary and seeing the sacredness of food not only makes it more conducive to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but also gives our spirits much-needed satiety.

“If we don’t touch the transcendent—emotionally and spiritually—physical nourishment won’t fill us up,” says Ronna Kabatznick, Ph.D., former psychological consultant to Weight Watchers International and the author of The Zen of Eating: Ancient Answers to Modern Weight Problems. “Seeing the kitchen as sacred is something that represents gratitude, beauty and blessings.”

Delia Baron, co-author of Better Together Kitchen: Beautiful Recipes to Share With People You Love and the host of seasonal food workshops with partner Ronnit Hoppe in Melbourne, Australia, concurs, “The kitchen is often the heartbeat of the home and the best place to gather, feast, chat and create beautiful memories and rituals. The kitchen is also a place to connect to our food source.”

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by Marlaina Donato

FUN AND FELICITY Preparing meals the old-fashioned way can slow us down and foster mindfulness, but Kabatznick emphasizes that cooking is irrelevant. “Look at the kitchen in terms of possibilities: ‘What can I create in this space?’ You don’t have to turn into Julia Child,” she says, adding, “You could be eating Chinese takeout or a prune; it’s all about mindset and simple rituals like saying a blessing, appreciating what we eat as a great gift.” Kabatznick encourages everyone to eat with dignity, and this includes using the good dishes, putting fresh flowers on the table and eating with awareness.

Seeing the kitchen as the inspired nucleus of the home, it’s natural to add favorite items like art prints, colorful jars, sentimental treasures, dried flowers and other seasonal delights to nourish daily contentment. Conjuring an element of joy adorns the mundane. “Put on some music to put you in either a peaceful or joyful mood,” says Molly Larkin, author, healing practitioner and blogger at Ancient Wisdom for Balanced Living (MollyLarkin. com), in Corrales, New Mexico. “Turn off the TV and give every-

Solis Images/Shutterstock.com

conscious eating

photo by Marlaina Donato

one in the family a job. Laugh throughout the meal preparation. Dance as you cook.

Do the same thing if you live alone.”

Preparing food, whether a healthy smoothie or a gourmet weekend dinner for two, is a way to express love for ourselves and others. Baron loves the presence of plants, lovely ceramics and interesting platters and dishes, and notes, “Families can definitely shop, chop, cook and meal-plan together to make the kitchen a fun place to be. Doing these things together is very bonding and sends the message that looking after yourself is important.”

SACRED SERVINGS Fruit and Flower Salad Yields: 4 servings 1 head romaine or green leaf lettuce 8 medium-large organic strawberries, thinly sliced, or 2 small packages of fresh organic raspberries Handful of fresh, chemical-free flowers from the garden or store’s produce section: nasturtium, pansies and/or calendulas; gathered wild: spring violets and dandelion blooms

photo by Marlaina Donato

PRACTICAL MAGIC Meal prep can be enjoyable and even relaxing in a calm environment. For Baron, organization is key. She advises, “Having all the ingredients you need and working in a clean space also helps make the experience rewarding.”

The smallest of kitchens can be abundant and organized with the help of a little innovation. A simple bookcase can offer additional shelf space for dry goods, bowls of produce or favorite cups. A small end table can hold a favorite tea pot and a jar of gourmet dark chocolate. A beautiful basket can hold go-to spice jars, and a pretty pitcher near the stove can accommodate a multitude of cooking utensils. “If you can’t fit it all out of sight in a cabinet, get some glass jars, fill them with grains, flours and legumes and line them up on the countertop. It will be neat, and you can see what you have,” suggests Larkin.

In the end, a well-nourished body and spirit fosters a beautiful life and inspires the same in others. An advocate for supporting the hungry in all communities, Kabatznick underscores local efforts and seeing the big picture of our relationship with food: “Taking out the garbage and cleaning up is also a sacred act if we bring that attitude into it. Food connects us to the Earth, the moon and the stars. From the seed to the truck driver—everything and everyone involved—the process of food is miraculous.”

Marlaina Donato is the author of several books and a composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

In-the-Bowl Dressing:

Moroccan-Spiced Red Lentil Soup Yields: 4 servings 4 cups water 1½ cup red lentils 1 tsp sea salt 1 medium-size organic carrot, chopped in bite-size pieces 2 soft, dried apricots, chopped, or 1 Tbsp golden raisins or 2 dates, chopped ¼ tsp ground cloves ¼ tsp ground turmeric ¼ tsp ground coriander seeds or ½ tsp crushed coriander seeds ½ tsp cinnamon ½ tsp coarsely ground black pepper 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp crushed or ground cumin seeds 2 tsp extra-virgin, cold-pressed olive oil

Juice from one fresh tangerine 1 part organic apple cider vinegar to 2 parts avocado oil Dash of sea salt Add avocado oil, apple cider vinegar and salt into a large bowl, swirl around twice. Tear (don’t chop) lettuce and add to the preliminary dressing. Squeeze tangerine juice over lettuce and toss lightly until well-dressed. Place strawberry slices over salad. Sprinkle (don’t toss) flowers on top or artfully place where desired. Serve immediately.

Bring water, carrots, apricots and all spices and seasonings to boil. Add red lentils, stir once and set heat to low. Cover pot with lid. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes, remove from heat. Add olive oil and allow to sit for five minutes before serving.

Optional toppings for each bowl: finely chopped red onion, red pepper flakes, fresh cilantro and/or a sprinkle of turmeric.

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

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33

wise words

Brigit Strawbridge Howard on Rediscovering Nature

by April Thompson Bee advocate, wildlife gardener and naturalist Brigit Strawbridge Howard was alarmed the moment she realized she knew more about the French Revolution than the native trees around her. Howard’s realization that she had lost touch with the natural world led her on a journey deep into the fascinating world of honeybees, bumblebees, and the often unsung superpollinator solitary bees, chronicled in her book Dancing with Bees: A Journey Back to Nature. Howard writes, speaks and campaigns to raise awareness of the importance of native wild bees and other pollinating insects. She lives in North Dorset, England, with her husband, Rob, where they love to bee-watch in their backyard garden.

WHAT FIRST PIQUED YOUR INTEREST IN BEES? Initially, apocalyp-

tic headlines about bee decline and colony collapse with female worker bees leaving hives and not coming back alarmed me from a human food chain perspective. It happened to be around the time I realized I had completely lost touch with the natural world I so loved as a child. I started looking for bees and became completely immersed in their world; the more I watched them, the more I lost track of time and the more questions I had. I also began to more worry about the bees themselves than about their decline’s effect on us.

Bees have been a portal to the natural world for me. It happens when many people get interested in a specific species because everything is interconnected, and you start to notice the whole web of life.

WHAT MAKES BEES DISTINCT FROM OTHER KINDS OF INSECTS? Bees go out specifically to col-

lect pollen and nectar to feed their larvae; other insects eat pollen and are important pollinators, but don’t collect it for their young. They also tend to visit the same flower species again and again, which other pollinators don’t always do.

HOW HAS YOUR STUDY OF BEES AFFECTED YOU PERSONALLY? I dropped out of school as a teenag-

er. Bees are the only thing I’ve truly ever studied; I am self-taught in insect biology and ecology. I have read scientific papers that I would have never thought were for the likes of me in my quest to understand more about bees.

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Also, when I feel overwhelmed with life, because of my interest in bees I have something else to focus on. I can lose hours and hours walking in the woods and totally forget my problems. I have learned to tune into the tiny things, the fungi and miniscule plants I would have otherwise walked past.

WHAT IS ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING ASPECTS OF BEE BEHAVIOR? Some years ago, I remem-

ber vividly a day on my patio listening to bees with my eyes closed and seeing if I could recognize them by their buzzes. Bumblebees have a deep booming buzz, for example, and I recognized this, but suddenly it changed to a high-pitched sound like a dental drill.

I opened my eyes, and it was a bumblebee going round and round the sides of a Welsh poppy, sounding really frantic and having a pollen bath. As it turns out, she was sonicating, otherwise known as buzz foraging.

This is how bees pollinate tomatoes. A lot of flowers don’t give up pollen easily, but the bumblebee knows exactly what to do.

It grasps the flower and continues to vibrate without moving its wings. This produces high-frequency vibrations that trigger the tomato flower to open and explodes pollen out onto the bee.

WHAT ARE A FEW WAYS THAT WE CAN HELP SUPPORT BEE POPULATIONS? Maintain gardens,

backyards and balconies with a variety of nectar-rich plants and create habitat for bees to nest in. Plant flowers that will bloom in succession. Stop using pesticides, insecticides and other chemicals, because the bees are taking that cocktail of chemicals back to the hive or nest, and collectively they are more dangerous than the sum of their parts. Also, dare to be less tidy in your garden; grow wildflowers and let flowering weeds like clover and dandelions be. Watch and see what comes. It won’t just be the bees: If we get it right for the bees, it spirals out to other species.

It’s never too late to reconnect and find the curiosity and awe that you experienced as a child. It was bees that captured my attention and imagination; for someone else it may be something else, but if you make time to stop, sit and look around you, you will find the wonder in nature.

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

CALENDAR and ONGOING EVENTS CALENDAR DEADLINE: All Calendar events must be submitted in writing by the 1st of the month preceding publication.

Submit online at NARichmond.com/Calendar.

FRIDAY, MAY 8

Healthy Mornings – 8-9:15am. Networking/speaker series offering tools & conversation around what it means to live well. Connecting, educating and inspiring folks in around RVA who are seeking healthier, more balanced lives. Sponsored by Natural Awakenings and Missy Bane. Register for Zoom login details. Info: Jessica@NARichmond.com.

TUESDAY, MAY 12

Homeopathy for Injuries of the Active Life – 7-8pm. Avoid common pain killers & NSAIDs that have long-term pro-inflammatory effects; learn about safe & inexpensive homeopathic first aid for common conditions of mild injury & overexertion associated with the active life of summer. Access to the recording of the webinar will be available to the registrants. Sherron Marquina, DC, of Health InSyncs. Free. 804-3772222. Info@HealthInSyncs.com. Register by 6pm, 5/12: Zoom.us/webinar/register/ WN_XW-AAzLMSeaO19L0CF8JZA.

FRIDAY, JUNE 12

Healthy Mornings – 8-9:15am. Networking/speaker series offering tools & conversation around what it means to live well. Connecting, educating and inspiring folks in around RVA who are seeking healthier, more balanced lives. Sponsored by Natural Awakenings and and Missy Bane. Register for Zoom login details. Info: Jessica@NARichmond.com.

SATURDAY, JUNE 13

SpiritMindBody June Gathering: Online – 12-2pm. Join us on our Facebook Watch Party @smb-rva. We will watch Part II of our video from the Living in a Mindful Universe Workshop w/Eben Alexander & Karen Newell. A prerecorded video & you will be able to ask questions & make comments. Free. For more info: follow us on Facebook or Meetup.

TUESDAY, JUNE 16

Heart of the Matter – 7-8pm. Learn about the “silent” markers for heart disease risk and the strategies for correcting them. Access to the recording of the webinar will be available to registrants. Sherron Marquina, DC, of Health InSyncs. Free. Register by 6pm, 6/16: 804-377-2222 or Info@HealthInSyncs.com.

SUNDAY

WEDNESDAY

Breast Cancer Support Meeting – 4:30pm.

3rd Sun. Sisters Network Central Virginia (SNCVA). Details: 804-447-4027.

SistersNetworkCentralVA.org.

ONLINE Live Yoga Classes for EveryBody – 10:30-11:30am. We are here to support you. Our studio doors may be closed, but our community is going strong. $10, $5.

Pre-register & pre-pay on our website or app. Will receive an invitation to our Zoom classroom after register. SoulShine Studios.

804-335-0593. SoulShineStudios.com.

MONDAY 30 Days to Healthy Eating – 1st & 3rd Mon. Arbonne30: a 30-day, clean-eating program. Join a private Facebook support group that offers a jump-start to a healthy lifestyle: encouragement, accountability, education, a place to ask questions, meal plans & shopping lists. $266.40/30 days.

More info, Fran Babashak: 804-218-6413 or FvBabashak@gmail.com.

FrancesBabashak.Arbonne.com.

TUESDAY ONLINE Live Nia Fusion Fitness – 10:3011:30am. For all levels & abilities. No experience (or rhythm or coordination) needed.

Practiced barefoot. $10, $5. Pre-register & pre-pay on our website or app. Will receive an invitation to our Zoom classroom after register. SoulShine Studios. 804-335-0593.

SoulShineStudios.com.

Being Happy VA – 6:30-8pm. 4th Tues.

A workbook-based program designed to walk the user through 26 wks of positive living activities that will rewire your brain for positive living. The House of Compassionate Gratitude. $324/6-month program.

802-353-5495.

Register: TheHouseofCompassionateGratitude.com.

ONLINE SpiritMindBody Healing Circle – 6:30-6:30pm. 1st & 3rd Wed. Join us online on our Facebook Page @smb-rva for an evening of exploring alternative healing practices & to stay connected with the SpiritMindBody community. You can also send in your prayer request on our Facebook page or FB Private Message. Free. For more info: follow us on Facebook or Meetup.

FRIDAY ONLINE Moving to Heal – 12-1pm. Supports people looking for a gentle approach to Nia and for those dealing with a wide range of therapeutic issues from injury, trauma, grief, short-term to long-term illness. Learn to slow down and personalize movement to fit your body’s way while focusing on the sensation of feeling better move by move, breath by breath. $16/dropin; class passes avail. Pre-register & prepay on our website or app. Will receive an invitation to our Zoom classroom after register. SoulShine Studios. 804-335-0593.

SoulShineStudios.com.

Hydration Happy Hour – 7:30-8:10pm.

Fun demonstrations of water technologies from 5 different homes. How to create your own wellness environment for you & your family. Save your wallet, save the planet & improve your health. Free. Vital Solutions 4 U LLC, 4504 Monument Ave. Nikken.com/NA/Satterwhite.

GO TO NARichmond.com/Calendar for current offerings and updates, but here are some highlights of what’s available as we explore new ways to work and live together while we are physically apart...

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| May/June 2020

35

2020 healthy living DIRECTORY

Acupuncture ACUPUNCTURE & HEALTH CENTER

Ruiping Chi, L.Ac., MD (China) 3924 Springfield Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23060 804-308-3561; 804-387-7651 AcupunctureVirginia.com Trained and practiced in China since 1985. Specialties: pain management, allergies, fertility, gastro-intestinal disorders, insomnia, women’s health, emotional issues, chronic medical conditions and cosmetic acupuncture.

KEITH BELL, DACM, L.AC.

Oriental Medicine Specialists, PC 5500 Monument Ave, Ste R 804-358-7071 OrientalMedicineSpecialists.com Founder & Clinical Director of Richmond’s first & most trusted center for Holistic & Integrative Medicine, Dr. Bell is an internationally recognized expert in holistic medicine, a Board Certified & Licensed Acupuncturist with 20 years of clinical experience.

CHINESE ACUPUNCTURE & HERBS

Xiaoyan Wang, L.Ac., MD (China) 3721 Westerre Pkwy, Ste C, 23233 804-301-1784 AcupuncturistWang.com

Trained and practicing in China since 1983 with extensive experience working as a doctor in Traditional Chinese Medicine hospitals. Specializing in pain management, acne, psoriasis, eczema, shingles, Bell’s Palsy, allergies, infertility, menstrual problems, menopause, endometriosis, anxiety, depression, insomnia and more.

36 36

WORSLEY CLASSICAL FIVE-ELEMENT ACUPUNCTURE

Floyd M. Herdrich, M.Ac., L.Ac., MAP™ 804-698-0225 WorsleyInstitute.org Family Practice Acupuncture, since 1985, now in Ginter Park. Complementary & Alternative treatment for medical conditions: overriding emphasis on Wellness, Body-MindSpirit and quality of life. See ad on page 26.

CBD Oil BREMO PHARMACY

2024 Staples Mill Rd, Richmond 804-288-8361 BremoRx.com Bremo Pharmacy carries professional, pharmaceutical-grade, hemp-based CBD oil products. Ananda Professional, Charlottes Web and Bremo Hemp Oil are all trusted brands that use strict organic growing and manufacturing processes to ensure safe, quality products. Our pharmacists are well-informed on CBD research and are available to safely advise which products are appropriate for each individual. See ad on page 9.

Inhale courage, exhale fear.

KULTIVATE WELLNESS

13140 Midlothian Turnpike 804-464-2238 KultivateWellness.com @KultivateWellness Kultivate Wellness brings you the area’s first dedicated Hemp, CBD and Wellness boutique with 20 years of industry knowledge!

Offering CBD products, hemp products, herbs, local CBD honey, teas, wellness classes, yoga therapy, crystals, workshops, lectures, films, food demos and more. See ad on page 5.

KULTURE

Richmond, Midlo, Short Pump, VCU 804-447-7995 KultureVA.com Serving RVA and Virginia since 1999 with four locations and an online store. Offering CBD oils, edibles, syrups, balms, cartridges, crumbles, hemp flowers and more. Products for pets, too.

RX3 COMPOUNDING PHARMACY

12230 Ironbridge Rd, Ste C, Chester 11934 W Broad St, Henrico Ph: 804-717-5000, Fax: 804-717-8300 Rx3Pharmacy.com RX3, Virginia’s First Nationally Accredited Compounding Pharmacy, offers physician-recommended, professional quality CBD products grown in the USA with verified certificates of analysis. Oil tinctures, gummies, topical balms, nighttime PM versions, full spectrum, broad spectrum, THC-free products - all available without a prescription. Trust the experts at RX3. See ad on page 15.

~Unknown

Greater Richmond Edition NARichmond.com Go to NARichmond.com/businesses and check out our special Online Healthy Living Directory Guide

Serves as your local green pages — a handy reference tool to use when searching for businesses, practitioners, products and services to help you live a happier, healthier, more balanced life.

SOUTH RIVER COMPOUNDING PHARMACY

11420 W Huguenot Rd, Midlothian 3656 Mayland Ct, West End 804-897-6447 SouthRiverRx.com

We offer full-spectrum, professional-grade cannabinoid oil from Ananda Professional. Our research has lead us to this pure line of CBD due to their ongoing third party purity/potency testing, being grown and manufactured in the USA (Kentucky) and their “From Farm to Pharmacy” commitment. Our pharmacists recommend these full-spectrum cannabinoid oils that are available without a prescription.

Coaching/ Spiritual Counseling

Energy Healing

SPIRITUAL COUNSELING/SACRED SERVICES AND RITUALS

Rev. Dr. Cathie Stivers 804-908-7456 IndigenousSoulRevival.com

Emily Pels, BFA, CHTP, RScP, RoHun Doctor 804-740-0509, West End Richmond EPels@aol.com EmilyPels.com

Ordained Unitarian Universalist minister with PhD in Health Education offers guidance to adults on soul/inner-work journeys seeking spiritual growth, through 1-1 spiritual direction, ritual, and teaching/ facilitating small groups. 30+ years combined experience in ministry, chaplaincy and teaching.

Working together to help you to remember what an awesome gift you are to this world.

Experience a powerful healing restoring Joy, Balance, Harmony, Pain Release. Offering Healing Touch, Energy Medicine, RoHun, Crystal Healing, Past Life Regression, Soul Portraits, Distance Healing Sessions.

Dentistry

Kapunahele Wong, CA, CAT 12097 Gayton Road.

804-370-5825 inner-path.com

Chiropractor ARIYA FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC CENTER

Six locations in the Richmond area 804-526-7125 AriyaChiro.com

Ariya Family Chiropractic Center provides a natural path to wellness through chiropractic care, acupuncture and massage therapy. We take pride in the peaceful, nurturing environment we create to provide excellent care and outstanding service.

See ad on page 11.

MONTPELIER FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC

Dr. Theresa Neiss, DC 17212 Mountain Road, Montpelier 804-883-3000 MontpelierChiro.com Offering chiropractic, nutritional healing, functional movement, massage, and recently adding NAET allergy elimination technique. We are honored to offer a caring environment for healing, helping you to meet your health and wellness goals.

DR. OLIVIA I. HART, DDS, ND

10446 Ridgefield Pkwy Near Short Pump 804-740-4485 RichmondFamilyDentistry.com

Accreditation with the International Academy of Oral Medical Toxicology. Member of International Academy of Oral Medicine & Toxicology (IAMOT), Board Certified in Integrative Biologic Dental Medicine. Certified provider of Oral Cancer screening with Velscope. Mercury-free dental practice. Family and cosmetic dentistry. Sedation dentistry-certified practice. Teeth whitening. Invisalign braces.

HEALING CREATIONS

INNER PATH, LLC

Native healer, Kapunahele, brings a unique indigenous perspective to energy work.

Reiki Master/Teacher, Certified Clinical Aromatherapist, Certified Crystal Therapist, auric/chakra work, astrological consultations, and deep spiritual work. Come as you are. See ad on page 27.

WELL INTO LIFE

Carey Phillips, LMT, EEMCP, NCTMB 3001 Hungary Spring Rd, Ste C 804-205-6531, West End WellIntoLife.com

Peace begins with a smile. ~Mother Teresa

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Intuitive and integrative bodywork. Eden Energy Medicine Certified Practitioner, Structural Integration and massage therapies. Bringing balance and healing to body, mind and spirit. Empowering individuals to live more vibrant lives! See ad on page 7.

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Essential Oils

Functional Medicine

LISA CUSANO

Holistic Neurology

HEALTH INSYNCS

dōTERRA Wellness Advocate, 212455 804-296-9284 MyDoTerra.com/LisaCusano Facebook.com/EssentiallyWellRVA

AMY TRAYLOR, MD

Sherron Marquina, DC, PAK 9210 Forest Hill Ave B-3, Richmond 804-377-2222

Looking for alternatives?

Find out why dōTERRA is committed to sharing the life-enhancing benefits of therapeuticgrade essential oils and essential oil-enhanced wellness products with the world. Join the vibrant community of Wellness Advocates in the Greater Richmond area as we learn together. Weekly classes offered on all aspects of use. See ad on page 5.

Farm/CSA

Board-Certified Professional Applied Kinesiologist.

Individualized care using functional diagnostics, gentle balancing methods, clinical nutrition, advanced therapies to solve difficult health problems or optimize your health. See ad on page 27.

Holistic Health & Wellness Center KULTIVATE WELLNESS

13140 Midlothian Turnpike 804-464-2238 @KultivateWellness

AGRIBERRY FARM & CSA

6289 River Road Hanover, VA 23069 Agriberry.com 804-537-0448

Join our 2020 CSA program and eat healthier with a weekly box of nutritious, delicious berries & seasonal fruit from area family farms. Visit our weekly markets and enjoy a variety of farm-made fruit snacks and pantry items. See ad on page 9.

Kultivate Wellness brings you the area’s first dedicated hemp and wellness boutique!

Offering wellness classes, yoga, yoga therapy, CBD oil, hemp products, herbs, local honey, tea, crystals, workshops, lectures, films and more. See ad on page 5.

THE WELLNESS VILLAGE

804-673-2936 1404 Starling Drive, Richmond TheWellnessVillage.com

FARM TO FAMILY CSA

804-397-7337 TheFarmbus.csaware.com FB: Farm to Family CSA/the Farmbus IG: @TheFarmbus Offering an all-local, four-season diet of naturally grown/raised vegetables, fruits, dairy and meats since 2009.

We are a veteran-owned business supporting local farmers. Ask about military discounts.

Quick and easy sign-ups online. Home delivery or pick-up available. Support local! Eat at home!

Sign up today!

Feng Shui LYDIA NITYA GRIFFITH

804-678-8568, Richmond NityaLiving.com Are you ready for 2020? It is time to release energy blocks in your home so you can experience a healthier, more abundant and vibrant life! Certified Traditional Feng Shui Consultant and Master Chinese Astrologer. Over 18 years of experience with hundreds of clients all over the U.S. Consultation for home or office. Free Astrology Reading with each consultation. Outstanding personal attention.

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Greater Richmond Edition Greater Richmond Edition

Your​ ​ Oasis​ ​ of​​ Health​,​ ​we​ ​are​ ​a​ group​ ​of​ ​integrative​ ​practitioners​ ​under​ ​one​ ​roof, offering​ ​a​ holistic​ ​approach​ ​to​ ​wellness​ ​and​ ​health.​ ​Our​ ​ services​ ​include therapeutic​ ​massage,​ ​acupuncture,​ ​meditation, injury​ ​prevention​ ​for​ ​ young​ ​athletes,​ ​infrared heat​ ​therapy,​ ​bioidentical​ ​hormone​ ​replacement,​ ​breast​ ​thermography, hypnosis,​ ​colon​ ​hydrotherapy,​ ​psychotherapy​ ​services ​and​ ​esthetics.

Integrative Holistic Neurologist Reiki Master 9912 Main St., Fairfax, VA 22031 703-278-0500 Practicing for 24 years, Dr. Traylor’s approach is indepth, interactive and holistic, with an emphasis on diagnosing the cause of neurological conditions and integrating complementary techniques and approaches to achieve health and well-being. Intrinsic to this approach is the incorporation of Reiki as both a spiritual and energy balancing practice. Through Reiki, Dr. Traylor assists patients in expanding and deepening their connection to their inner spiritual nature to enhance their neurological healing. A Reiki Master, Dr. Traylor offers Reiki training in Fairfax and Richmond. Call for an appointment or more information.

Hormone Therapy RVA HEALTH & WELLNESS

8720 Stony Point Parkway #100 Richmond, VA 23235 804-560-5260 RichmondBHRT.com BHRT is a safe treatment that helps restore the natural balance of hormones within the body for regained vitality and improved quality of life. If you are suffering from negative effects of fluctuating or decreasing hormones, call to learn more.

See ad on page 2.

IV Hydration Therapy QUENCH IV BAR

2008 Bremo Rd., Suite 111 Richmond, VA 23226 804-493-4060 QuenchIV.com

Smile, breathe and go slowly. ~Thich Nhat Hanh

NARichmond.com NARichmond.com

Quench IV Bar is Richmond’s premier IV hydration bar! IV hydration is the most effective way of hydrating the body and provides 100% absorption of vitamins and minerals. Our customized IVs are designed to improve fatigue, immunity, athletic training recovery and more. See ad on page 2.

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STILL POINT MASSAGE THERAPY, LLC

Laser Therapy HEALTH INSYNCS

9210 Forest Hill Ave B-3, Richmond 804-377-2222 Laser therapy can reduce pain and swelling of strained muscles, tendonitis, irritated discs, inflamed nerves; can stimulate tissue repair and regeneration from old and new injuries. See our website for more information about laser therapy. See ad on page 27.

Life Coach

Martha B. Tyler, RN, LMT 5318 Patterson Ave, Ste E 804-350-7647 Martha@StillPointRichmond.com StillPointRichmond.com

Martha draws upon 20 years of experience as a nurse and educator to promote health and wellness through loving bodywork. Multiple modalities and flexible scheduling offered.

Neurofeedback

THE MAIN CHANNEL, LLC

Stephen D. Saunders, M.Ed 804-405-5216, Richmond Cecilia B. Thomas, M.Ed, M.Ht 804-432-1109, Richmond TheMainChannel.net Gain more life balance in a relaxed, strictly confidential setting. Goal and results oriented. Free 30-minute consultation.

Further information available on our website.

Massage Therapy BOND WELLNESS STUDIOS

SOUTH: 13354 Midlothian Tpk, Ste 101 WEST: 8921 Three Chopt Rd, Ste 100 804-601-0065 BONDWellnessStudios.com BOND Wellness Studios SOUTH and WEST is a collective of expert wellness practitioners who provide you with intuitive, therapeutic massage and bodywork. You get to enjoy this healing work in a safe and beautiful environment.

GLENMORE YOGA & WELLNESS CENTER

Far West End Location 10442 Ridgefield Pkwy, Henrico 804-741-5267 Info@GlenmoreYoga.com GlenmoreYoga.com Providing Therapeutic Massage for 30+ years. Tailored to your needs – Deep Tissue, Trigger Point, Prenatal/Postpartum, Therapeutic, Hot Stone, Swedish, Sports, Chair, Couples and Infant Massage. Thai Massage, Reflexology, Healing Touch. Gift certificates available. See ad on page 26.

MIND FITNESS RVA

Deise R. Russell - The Energy Hacker 5540 Falmouth St., Suite #307 804-690-7783 TheEnergyHacker.net MindFitnessRVA.com NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback and “Energy & Information” Medicine (Bioenergetics). Benefit from a Remote Body-Field Scan; we send you a scanner and consultations can be online or in person. Scan your body field to reveal if it’s not responding properly to regulate the energy and information flow your body needs to do its job of keeping your immune system strong and to get your “Immunity Support” infoceuticals. See ad on page 11.

Optometrist BROOK RUN VISION CENTER

5644 Brook Rd. 804-264-2956 BrookRunVisionCenter.com

Brook Run Vision Center is a complete eye & vision care provider offering natural, customized treatments for Dry Eye Syndrome. In addition, we offer comprehensive eye exams, contact lenses, glaucoma management and pre- and post-operative care. Our on-site Optical carries over 1,200 frames and can make glasses in one hour.

Serving Richmond in the Brook Run Shopping Center since 1996. See ad on page 29.

Personal Growth THE INNERWORK CENTER

213 Roseneath Road 804-359-0384 InnerworkCenter.org

The Innerwork Center, a catalyst for well-being through programs that inspire curiosity, cultivate mindfulness and awaken the spirit, addresses topics ranging from movement to journaling and mediation, with free drop-in classes, regular recurring programming and retreats.

See ad on page 43.

Pharmacy BAYLOR RICE, RPH, FIACP

Nutritional Consulting BAYLOR RICE, RPH, FIACP

South River Compounding Pharmacy 11420 W Huguenot Rd, Midlothian 3656 Mayland Ct, West End 804-897-6447; SouthRiverRx.com Our expert staff offers counseling for: Ketogenic Weight Loss, Nutrition, Diabetes, High Cholesterol, Stress, Pain Management, Autism, BioIdentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, Sports Nutrition, Respiratory Conditions, Anti-Aging (Optimal Aging), Allergies, Skin Ailments, Auto-Immune disorders, GI issues, Chronic Disease (ie: CFS/FM, RA, MS, etc). We also offer on-going free educational health seminars addressing the issues listed above. Just go to our website to view our complete seminar schedule and register for all that are of interest or applicable to you.

South River Compounding Pharmacy11420 W Huguenot Rd, Midlothian 3656 Mayland Ct, West End 804-897-6447; SouthRiverRx.com Richmond area residents have chosen South River to be their preferred provider of customized medications for 20+years. A compassionate experienced staff, paired with state of the art facilities and national ACHC accreditation, make us the true specialists in BHRT, Pain Management, Upper & Lower Respiratory, Topical Anti-Infective medications, and Veterinary compounded medication for pets. In addition we offer our patients the highest quality, pharmaceutical-grade nutritional supplements available. We also offer an affordable, wide range of comprehensive tests designed for individuals whose health insurance does.

Get lost in nature and you will find yourself. ~Unknown

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RX3 COMPOUNDING PHARMACY

12230 Ironbridge Rd, Ste C, Chester 11934 W Broad St, Henrico Ph: 804-717-5000, Fax: 804-717-8300 Rx3Pharmacy.com RX3, Virginia’s First Nationally Accredited Compounding Pharmacy, has been an industry leader for 23+ years. Specialists in customized compounding, bio-identical hormones, veterinary/ equine compounding, traditional pharmacy, palliative care, professional quality supplements, CBD experts, Food Inflammation Testing, and more. See ad on page 15.

Physical Therapy RVA PHYSICAL THERAPY & SPORTS REHAB

2620 Gaskins Road, Henrico 804-396-6753 Ramky@RVAPhysicalTherapy.com RVAPhysicalTherapy.com

NANCY A. POWELL, M.D.

Physician RUMKI BANERJEE, M.D., ABIHM

Family Practice and Integrative Holistic Medicine Apex-MD 5310 Twin Hickory Rd, Glen Allen 804-273-0010 Apex-MD.com Trained and certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and Integrative Holistic Medicine. Specialties: Primary care and Chronic disease management by integrative holistic approach. Weight loss and medical nutrition counseling, skin care, IV nutrition, Ayurveda, Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy. See ad on back cover.

MATTHEW C. LEE, M.D., RPH, MS

5700 Old Richmond Ave, Ste A-5 (Off Libbie, near St. Mary’s) 804-358-1492 eLEEtePhysicians.com

Offering expanded healing services in new location. Providing traditional primary care and alternative approaches to support the body’s ability to heal itself. Extensive study in the mind-body connection to achieve optimal health. Certified by the American Board of Scientific Medical Intuition.

and acceptance.

Unity of Bon Air is an inclusive and diverse spiritual community integrating practical Christianity with all walks of life and ways of being. Come visit! Our mission is to live and express unconditional love

FLOYD HERDRICH, L.AC.

Tai Chi Chuan Instructor Tuesday Evenings, 6-7:15pm 804-698-0225, Richmond

804-840-3656 amwrinn@gmail.com annewrinn.com

Trained by Marisa Peer.

Rapid Transformational T h e r a p y (RTT) takes only 1-3 sessions to remove bad habits and cultivate an enhanced life. RTT incorporates Neuro Linguistic Programming, Cognitive Based Therapy and Hypnosis. Customized, effective. Helps improve medical issues, emotions, creativity and productivity. Online sessions. See RTT on YouTube. See ad on page 27.

At Battery Park Christian Church, Ginter Park. Classical-style Tai Chi Chuan, the 38-posture short form. Essential movements to strengthen/enhance health and develop spiritual practice.

See ad on page 26.

Thermography DEBBIE TROXELL, RN, MSNH

Thermographer The Wellness Village 1404 Starling Dr, Richmond 804-683-7774 EleetePhysicians.com/thermography.php Safe, non-invasive, radiationfree imaging. Preserve your breasts, heart health and much more. Live happier and healthier longer! Interpreted

by Matthew Lee, MD, RPh. See ad on page 27.

Reflexology RELAXATION BY THE FOOT

Talia Moser, Reflexologist, IIR certified By appt., TMoser8@verizon.net 804-399-3353, Richmond TaliaMoser.com Reflexology is a holistic healing art. Applying pressure to points on the feet and hands stimulates a healing response in glands, organs and systems, resulting in better circulation, vitality and peace. Hot stone massage with essential oil included at end renews tired feet. International Institute of Reflexology certified. Wheelchair accessible.

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923 Buford Road Richmond, VA 23235 804-320-5584 UnityBonAir.org

Tai Chi/Qigong

Rapid Transformation Therapy

Integrative approach to medicine, optimizing a realistic plan for your health/disease management. As a pharmacist, I review your medications to determine which ones are needed. Implement alternative therapies. Web visits available for established patients. See ad on page 5.

Greater Richmond Edition Greater Richmond Edition

UNITY OF BON AIR

RAPID TRANSFORMATIONAL THERAPIST

At RVA Physical Therapy, our mission is “Excellent Care, Exceptional Results”. We specialize in Dry Needling, Manual Therapy, Soft Tissue Mobilization, Myofascial Release, Vacuum Therapy and Sports Rehab. We accept all major insurances. See ad on page 3.

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Spiritual Centers

River’s Way Healthcare of Virginia 5500 Monument Ave, Ste T 804-379-4560 RiversWayHealthcareVA.com RiversWayVA@gmail.com

Trauma Resolution/ Somatic Experiencing THE WRIGHT TOUCH, LLC

Karen Wright Henderson, BCTMB, RCST®, SEP By appointment only; 804-448-9955 Karen@HolisticWellnessVA.com HolisticWellnessVA.com A Trauma Sensitive Holistic Wellness Practice that supports those who have experienced the pains of trauma.

Karen integrates Somatic Experiencing, Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy, Clinical Herbalism and other modalities to help release trauma from the body, thus supporting balance and wholeness.

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Veterans Services VETERANS RESILIENCY HOLISTIC CLINIC

VeteransResiliency.com 800 Blanton Avenue, Richmond Karen@VeteransResiliency.com 804-448-9955

The VRHC in Richmond is for Veterans and their families. Our clinic includes 10 alternative holistic modalities to help you relax your nervous system. Donation based. 4th Wednesday of the month. Visit the website for details.

Waterproofing & Mold Remediation BONE-DRY WATERPROOFING & FOUNDATION SYSTEMS 10375 Cedar Lane, Glen Allen 804-550-7717 Bone-DryWaterproofing.com

Bone-Dry will thoroughly assess and repair any existing moisture damage that can endanger your health, including mold and fungus remediation, structural repairs and indoor air quality studies. We can then restore the health of your foundation, crawlspace and basement. Call on us for fresh air systems, sump pumps, dehumidification, encapsulation, insulation and more. See ad on page 15.

INTEGRAL YOGA® CENTER

9200 Stony Point Parkway, Ste 111 804-335-0593 Info@SoulShineStudio.com SoulShineStudios.com

25+ years teaching Integral Yoga®; 18+ years offering Teacher Training & Yoga Therapy. An educational & training center with certified teachers offering classes in a safe, noncompetitive environment with personalized attention, including Mindfulness and Raja Yoga—yoga philosophy— leading to transformative experiences and a more meaningful and peaceful life. Specialized classes and private sessions for those with physical limitations or emotional issues.

Affiliated with Yogaville.

Award-winning boutique Nia and Yoga Studio: #1 Best Adult Dance Class, #2 Best New Local Business, #3 Best Boutique Fitness Studio. Our mission is to empower individuals and build community through transformative movement and mindfulness practices which nourish and energize body, mind and spirit. See ad on page 27.

NITYA LIVING YOGA

Specializing in Yoga for Children 804-678-8568, Richmond NityaLiving.com Nitya Living™ specializes in kid’s yoga programs that engage the whole child, women’s retreats, private classes, kid’s yoga camps, workshops, and teacher trainings. Enrolling now for the 14th Nitya Living Spring Break AND Summer Camps for Kids and Teens. Use Promo Code KK20 to save 20%!

GLENMORE YOGA & WELLNESS CENTER

Far West End Location 10442 Ridgefield Pkwy, Henrico 804-741-5267 Info@GlenmoreYoga.com GlenmoreYoga.com Incorporate yoga into your life at Glenmore. 30 student-focused, multilevel classes from Gentle and Ageless to Vinyasa Flow, Yin, Restorative, Prenatal, Meditation.

Yoga Therapy. 200- and 300-hour Teacher Training. Voted Best Yoga Center. See ad on page 26.

Yoga Teacher Training INTEGRAL YOGA 200HR

Nora Vimala Pozzi, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT, Director & Main Trainer 804-342-1061 YogaHelps.com Training since 1999. Faculty from RVA & Yogaville.

6-month weekly course, Yoga Immersion Retreat, daily Soulwork to deepen spiritual practice & self-discovery, indepth Sutra study w/ application to daily life.

Opportunity to serve & heal. Limit 12 students.

Yoga Therapy SHANNON SOMOGYI, C-IAYT

PROJECT YOGA RICHMOND

Mobile OM Yoga & Wellness Shannon@MobileOMWellness.com MobileOMWellness.com

Project Yoga Richmond is a 501 (c3) nonprofit organization based in Richmond, Virginia, that makes yoga instruction accessible and affordable to practitioners of all abilities and income levels through its pay-what-you-can studio classes and community partnership programs. Project Yoga Richmond partners with local groups, agencies, schools, and community centers to provide free and/​or low-cost yoga and mindfulness services throughout Greater Richmond.

See ad on page 26.

Offering private and small group yoga therapy sessions in your home, office or INSIDE our 34ˊ converted RV. Yoga Therapy is a holistic approach to healing with evidence-based practices catered to your individual needs or ailments. We will look at all aspects of your life including diet & nutrition, sleep, relationships, past and present situations and injuries and more. Let us help you on your path to wellness by becoming the master of your own health and healing. Contact Shannon@MobileOMWellness.com for an appt. See ad on page 27.

6517 Dickens Place Richmond, VA 23230 ProjectYogaRichmond.org Info@ProjectYogaRichmond.org

Yoga

SOULSHINE STUDIOS

of Richmond Nora Vimala Pozzi, E-RYT500, C-IAYT 213 Roseneath Rd. 804-342-1061 • YogaHelps.com

Being brave isn’t the absence of fear.

Being brave is having that fear but finding a way through it. ~Bear Grylls Be sure to let our advertisers know you found them in Be sure to let our advertisers know you found them in

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the james river matters

Reconnecting to Nature— and Finding Hearts

by Amber Ellis Now more than ever, it is important for us to have a daily or at least weekly practice that gives us a moment to slow down, be present and interact with the natural world. Not all of us are lucky enough to live in walking distance of a park, but simply finding a spot in our yard or on our balcony to sit for a few minutes a day can be a place to reconnect, especially given current guidelines around physical distancing. During monthly James River Rx walks in the James River Park System, Vicki Meininger, a regular participant, shares her practice and how it led her to looking out for hearts in the landscape during her daily walks at Pony Pasture.

She says, “I’m originally from Overland Park, Kansas, but I’ve lived in Richmond for almost 25 years. I work as an after-care teacher in a private school. I love being outside! When we moved close to the river, I started walking by it every day. At first, short walks, but then I began exploring various trails and would walk for two hours without realizing it. I like being by the river, but the trees are my true love.

I love the changes in the seasons and the surprises that each brings.”

But that’s not all. “When I walk, I listen and truly look and see what is around me. The birds often sound like they’re say42

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ing things, and I’ve heard one that sounds like laughter. I take pictures most days, sometimes big things like the river, though many days it’s just little things—flowers, rocks and leaves,” recalls Meininger. “One day in the parking lot, I saw a leaf that looked like a heart, so I took a picture. As I walked through the woods, I kept seeing more and more heartshaped leaves. I took pictures of them all.

Then, I noticed heart-shaped rocks. And through serendipity, I even found a shadow that resembled a heart!”

This practice made an impact on her life. “I was a teacher in a city school for a long time, and it took me quite a while to get over some of the stress I carried from that,” she says. “Gradually, after many hours in the woods, I began to feel more like myself. I lost weight; some due to walking and some due to feeling like me again. I walk in the heat and the snow (which I really enjoy). I’m not fond of walking in the rain, but right after it is very nice.”

For more ideas on how to connect with the river and ways to be a James Changer, visit TheJamesRiver.org.

Amber Ellis is senior watershed restoration manager for the James River Association.

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