H E A L T H Y
L I V I N G
H E A L T H Y
P L A N E T
feel good • live simply • laugh more
SUPER SOUPS New Twists on
FREE
Old Favorites Heal, Nourish and Soothe
Functional Medicine for the 21st Century Treating Autism Naturally Easy-Peasy Ways to Go Green
2015 Nattie Awards
January 2016 | Englewood • North Port • Port Charlotte • Punta Gorda • Venice | PeaceRiverNA.com
letterfrompublisher
H contact us Publisher Janet Lindsay Managing Editor Mary-Elizabeth Schurrer Contributing Writer Juliette Jones Calendar Editor Cheryl Hynes Design & Production Susan McCann Web Development Stephen Warne Social Media Manager Stephen Warne
appy New Year, everyone! I hope your holiday season was filled with festive cheer and, as you enter 2016, may you embrace its opportunities for positive change and selfimprovement. As I look ahead to the promise of new beginnings, I—just like many of you—feel motivated to re-commit to my nutrition and fitness goals after all that holiday feasting! Now is the prime time to start pursuing a healthier lifestyle that promotes physical, mental and emotional well-being. This month’s article on “Reasons to Try Acupuncture” explains how this ancient healing modality can help alleviate aches and pains, allergies, digestive issues, stress or anxiety, and other concerns that might be preventing you from experiencing vitality this year. In addition, if regular exercise is on your resolution list, be sure to read “Dancing for the Body, Mind and Spirit” for suggestions on making fitness both enjoyable and effective. Since we’re also heading into cold and flu season, check out our feature on “Healthy Seasonal Soups” for recipe inspirations that will provide immune-boosting nutrients and keep you cozy during these winter months—or, as “wintry” as it gets here in Florida! Finally, let’s not forget about our furry friends. Make sure they also stay healthy throughout 2016 with advice from our “Benefits of Using a Holistic Vet” article. As always, please feel free to email any comments or suggestions to Publisher@nasrq.com. And, I hope you’ll find this issue both insightful and informative as you embrace all the possibilities of this exciting New Year
To contact Natural Awakenings Peace River Edition: 941-564-0885 publisher@nasrq.com © 2016 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.
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contents 6 newsbriefs 9 business spotlight
Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.
10 healthbriefs
16 THE RISE OF 16 10 13 actionalert FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE New Paradigm Gets to the 13 14 globalbriefs Root Cause of Disease 19 wisewords 19 BRUCE LIPTON ON 20 healingways THE EPIGENETICS 21 inspiration REVOLUTION Our Beliefs Reprogram 22 consciouseating Our Genetic Destiny 14 24 greenliving 20 20 GOOD REASONS TO 26 calendar TRY ACUPUNCTURE 26 classifieds Thousands of Studies Show Healing Results 31 resourceguide by Lisa Marshall
by Linda Sechrist
by Kathleen Barnes
advertising & submissions HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 941-564-0885 or email Publisher@ nasrq.com. Deadline for ads: the 15th of the month. EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Publisher@nasrq.com. Deadline for editorial: the 10th of the month. CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Email Calendar Events to: calendar@nasrq.com. Deadline for calendar: the 12th of the month.
21 KEY SIGNS WE’RE
APPROACHING A DEFINING MOMENT by Dennis Merritt Jones
22 SUPER SOUPS
21
New Twists on Old Favorites Heal, Nourish and Soothe by Judith Fertig
24 IT’S EASY
TO BE GREEN
At Home and On the Road by Avery Mack
22
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 941-564-0885. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.
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January 2016
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newsbriefs Beach Life Wellness Offers “New Year,
New You” Functional Personal Training Pet Ventures re your ready to look and feel your best in 2016? Beach Life Wellness is committed to your success! A Announces Woof Fitness specialists Lucho De Vettori, PFE, PT, and Jake Grabin, PT, will work together to provide a truly Rescue Pet customized personal training and nutrition program that Adoption App for addresses your specific goals. After a few sessions, you will feel a noticeable difference, and with persistence, you Android will become a completely transformed person. Both one-on-one and couples personal
P
et Ventures, LLC recently announced the release of Woof Rescue Pet Adoption App for Android which features over 100,000 adoptable pets. “We’ve had such an enthusiastic response to our iOS pet adoption app in the first year— building an Android version was an obvious choice to help place more pets,” said Mark Wade, founder and CEO at Pet Ventures. Woof Rescue Pet Adoption App for Android is a new product, driven by customer feedback, and is part of Pet Ventures’ commitment to deliver the best tools to promote pet adoption from rescue shelters. Tens of thousands of people in North America have already found the iOS app to be a valuable resource as they search for adoptable pets in rescue shelters, and rescue organizations have also welcomed the new tool for promoting pet adoption. In addition, a growing number of cities are banning the sale of animals from commercial breeders, so featuring adoptable pets in a mobile app with attractive photos and extensive details gives people options, thereby reducing the number of homeless animals Founded in 2015, Pet Ventures is a fast growing startup in the pet industry. This company offers multiple products and services designed to enhance pet ownership. For more information and to download the app, visit WoofApp. com.
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training sessions are available. From beginners to athletes, Beach Life’s Functional Training System is unique and innovative, utilizing various functional exercise progressions to improve strength, flexibility, cardio endurance, posture, balance and coordination. Each session is adjusted to your current fitness level and customized to your goals, needs or limitations. These safe and fun workout routines create muscle confusion to keep your body challenged and your interest engaged. This program can be used for weight loss, inch reduction, body shaping, body building, muscle fascia training, sports, TRX, golf, tennis, law enforcement, clinical exercise therapy, pre-or post-surgery, rehabilitation and pregnancy. In addition, you can consult with De Vettori to develop a simple lifestyle nutritional plan that will maximize your results. De Vettori and Grabin are offering a “New Year, New You” four-week kick-start program offered in January. This includes eight customized personal training sessions, a fitness plan for off days, lifestyle nutritional coaching and a full fitness assessment which includes a total body composition analysis, functional movement screening, fitness test and 45-day vegan protein shake supply. Sessions will take place by appointment on Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Location: 301 Albee Rd. W, Nokomis. Cost: $450 (special price for January). For more information, call 941-244-2006, email BeachLifeWellness@gmail.com or visit BeachLifeWellness.com.
Sparky Healthy Water Offers Solutions for Common Water Filtration Questions
W
ill treating H2O harm the water quality? To keep water clear of bacteria, water treatment plants use chlorine or a compound called chloramine. Those chemicals react with organic matter in the water, forming potentially toxic byproducts. Using the Sparky Hybrid Water Sanitizer with Ozone kills well-known bacteria and fills every faucet in your home with healthy drinking water. We never use harmful salts or chemicals. Should filters be replaced regularly? Old filters contain material that traps contaminants, and builds up bacteria which can lead to gastrointestinal illness. Therefore, filters should typically be replaced every three months. With Sparky Hybrid Water Sanitizer with Ozone, there is never a filter to replace. This system automatically back-flushes all contaminates with ozone every three days for three minutes which, not only saves the environment, but also provides clean water to give your plants. What are reverse osmosis filters? These mechanisms are most effective for removing the widest variety of contaminants including pharmaceuticals and consumer product chemicals. Using Sparky Hybrid Water Sanitizer with Ozone does not remove the important natural minerals that benefit your body and overall health. You don’t want to use RO in your drinking water because ozone is the strongest known oxidizer, and is 100% oxygen while leaving the important minerals for you to consume. For more information, call 1-941-202-9050, email CustomerService@ SparkyHealthyWater.com or visit SparkyHealthyWater.com.
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3 Unique Facts about Genacol Collagen!
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7
Seaside Wellness Spa Honorable Mention: Angela’s Pure Salon and Spa
Favorite Nutritionist
Nattie Winners 2015 Favorite Business of the Year
Favorite Anti-Aging Practitioner
Special Nutrition Honorable Mention: Massage Works, Chuck Kelly
Dr. Rene Ng, Chinese Medical Solutions Honorable Mention: Dr. Christina Captain, Family Healing Center
Favorite Eco-friendly Business of the Year
Favorite School for Holistic Medicine
Seaside Wellness Spa Honorable Mention: Family Healing Center
East West College of Natural Medicine Honorable Mention: Sarasota School of Massage Therapy
Favorite Pet Friendly Business of the Year Petsmart Honorable Mention: Cat Depot
Favorite Holistic MD Dr. Christina Captain, Family Healing Center Honorable Mention: Dr. Fred Harvey
Dr. Christina Captain Honorable Mention: Dr Rene Ng Chinese Medical Solutions
Favorite Chiropractic Physician Dr. Joseph Arme Honorable Mention: Daniel Knapp
Favorite Natural Dentist Dr Ray Behm Honorable Mention: Glori Enzor, DDS
Favorite Natural Healing Center Family Healing Center Honorable Mention: Chinese Medical Solutions
Favorite Natural Women’s Health Specialist
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Dr. Christina Captain Honorable Mention: Elissa Bentsen, Forever Souls
Favorite Holistic Practitioner of the Year
Favorite Acupuncture/TCM Practitioner
Catherine O’Connell, MD Honorable Mention: Dr. Christina Captain
Favorite Energy Healer
Dr. Christina Captain, Family Healing Center Honorable Mention: Dr. Rene Ng, Chinese Medical Solutions
Favorite Spiritual Center Sarasota Krishna Center Honorable Mention: Rising Tide International
Favorite Yoga Studio/Sanctuary Heartwood Yoga Honorable Mention: The Yoga Sanctuary
Favorite Weight Loss Program/Center Dr. Christina Captain, Family Healing Center Honorable Mention: Dr. Rene Ng, Chinese Medical Solutions
Favorite Yoga Instructor Cheryl Chafee Honorable Mention: Randall Buskirk
Favorite Eco-friendly Salon/Spa www.peaceriverna.com
Louise Mastro, Special Nutrition Honorable Mention: Dr. Christina Captain, Family Healing Center
Favorite Place to Shop for Natural Foods Whole Foods Honorable Mention: Richards Foodporium
Favorite Farmer’s Market Jessica’s Organic Farm Honorable Mention: Sarasota Farmer’s Market
Favorite Place to Buy Nutritional Supplements Special Nutrition Honorable Mention: Dr. Christina Captain, Family Healing Center
Favorite Enlightened Books and Gift Store Elysian Fields Honorable Mention: Pixie Dust Metaphysical Boutique
Favorite Eco-Friendly Cleaning Service Green World Home Cleaning Honorable Mention: Sarasota Green Cleaning Services
Favorite Skin Care Professional Michele Turner, Zen Blossom Honorable Mention: Heather Bishop, Seaside Wellness Spa
Favorite Holistic Veterinarian Dr. Gonzalez, Bear Creek Vet Center Honorable Mention: Madonna Fugent, DVM, Best Friends Animal Hospital
Favorite Animal Hospital Petsmart Honorable Mention: Sarasota Animal Medical Center
Favorite Natural Pet Food Store Holistic for Pets Honorable Mention: Bone Appetite
businessspotlight Interesting Ozone Facts: • Ozone disinfects water, eliminating color, taste and odor • Ozone is 150 times more powerful than chlorine • Ozone is 3,500 times faster-acting than chlorine • Ozone leaves behind no toxic or carcinogenic byproducts
Ozone Kills: • • • •
E.coli Staphylococcus Areus Fecal Streptococci Salmonella Choleraesuis Staphylococcus Aureua Bacillus Subtillis Aspergillus Niger Bacillus Antracis (Anthrax)
• • • • • • • • •
Micro-organisms Viruses and Bacteria E. Coli 3 (125 times faster than chlorine.) THM formation (a problem with chlorine) Oxidation of inorganics Taste and odor control Micro-flocculation Oxidizing synthetic and volatile organic chemicals Legionalla pneumophila (bacteria responsible for Legionnaires disease) Bacillus and Clostridium spores Amoebae Cysts and Free Amoebae Giardia, Cryptosporidium and Algae Iron, Manganese, Cadmium, Zinc, Nitrate and Sulfides Heavy metals (arsenic, copper and lead) Over 700 individual organic compounds
Ozone Removes:
Lighting…The Natural Way to Purify Our Air & Water by Mary-Elizabeth Schurrer
L
iving in the Sunshine State offers undeniable advantages— access to world-class beaches, year-round outdoor amenities and perpetual warm temperatures, for instance. However, despite these benefits, unpredictable weather patterns come with the territory of a Florida lifestyle. The Suncoast, specifically, has the nation’s highest lightning concentration which can damage property, cause bodily harm and even lead to death. In fact, these occupational hazards are what most people associate with lighting strikes. While we generally fear this natural phenomenon, though, lightning possesses qualities that we need to stay alive. As it travels through the atmosphere, lightning turns oxygen (O2) into the gaseous compound O3 which chemists call ozone. This conversion forms a 10-mile high and 10mile wide radius, known as the ozone layer, which protects us from harmful UV solar rays. Whenever lightning strikes during a rain storm, the surrounding air carries a fresh scent from generated ozone in the atmosphere, cleansing our oxygen supply. This naturally occurring process enhances humankind’s ability to breathe. For about a century, European countries have been harnessing the untainted purification properties of ozone to decontaminate their food and drinking water for safe consumption. This 100-year-old technology is still considered a novelty throughout the United States—but its demand is increasing.
• • • • • •
The USDA and FDA approved ozone usage around 2001, primarily for organic farming and food processing purposes. In certain U.S. regions, ozone depuration stations are utilized to rid shellfish of toxins before entering the wholesale market, and most public aquariums sanitize tanks with ozone so tourists can view the marine exhibits underwater. Additionally, in major urban centers, ozone purifies over five billion gallons of drinking water per day. Within the medical field, ozone has become a preferred method of sterilizing equipment, and food processing plants clean industrial waste water and production machinery with this compound. Also, here in Florida, ozone purification is the standard grade for multiple citrus fruit packing warehouses. When applied to drinking water, ozone oxidizes contaminants like bacteria, viral strains, iron, magnesium, sulfur and tannins—which is how Sparky Healthy Water fits into the equation. Manufactured locally in Venice, this company has gained widespread recognition as Florida’s leading producer of hybrid water sanitation systems, using ozone technology. This self-contained unit operates on a patented oxygen
Continued on page 10. natural awakenings
January 2016
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bubbler and eco-friendly aeration filter to organically clean an entire household’s water supply. “Lighting turns ozone into a natural air and water purification system that we make ondemand with an efficient three-amp power source. “Since the byproduct of ozone is 100% oxygen, there is no salt or chemical content, and never a filter to replace. In fact, that’s the idea behind our name—‘Sparky’ because the electric currents from lightning generate ozone, and ‘Healthy’ because ozone is 150 times stronger and 3,500 times faster-acting than chlorine,” explains the company founder Bill Nelson. Most restaurants, homes and public spaces throughout this area rely on salt water softeners and hazardous chemicals to distil drinking water, but the World Health Organization cautions that people over age 40, or who require a low-sodium diet, should not consume these artificial substances. Moreover, every household operating on salt water softener will annually discharge about 12,000–50,000 gallons of saline-laced brine water into the environment. Conversely, Nelson illuminates, “Sparky Healthy Water’s patented stainless steel Oxygen Bubbler Aerator will sanitize both well and city water, creating small bubbles of oxygen in all faucets throughout your house to provide clean and delicious water for the whole family.” So, next time you see a lightning bolt streak across the horizon, just consider it nature’s way of affording us breathable air, purified water and safety from toxic pollutants. For more information on installing a Sparky Healthy Water system in your own home, call 1-941-202-9050, email CustomerService@SparkyHealthyWater. com or visit SparkyHealthyWater.com. Mary-Elizabeth Schurrer is the Managing Editor of Natural Awakenings Sarasota-Manatee. She also works as a freelance writer, blogger and social media marketer, based in Southwest Florida. Her personal blog, HealthBeAHippie.Wordpress.com, features practical tips for embracing a fit, nutritious and empowered lifestyle. 10
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healthbriefs
Feel Young, Live Long
R
esearch published in the Journal of the American Medical Association has found people that feel younger than their years have a lower incidence of earlier mortality. Conducted by scientists from the UK’s University College London, the research analyzed data from 6,489 people and measured their self-perceived age with the question, “How old do you feel you are?” Then, over more than eight years, the scientists tracked the number of deaths from all causes. Almost 70 percent of those that averaged a little over 65 reported feeling at least three years younger than their chronological age. Only a quarter said they felt close to their age and about 5 percent said they felt more than a year older. The research found that deaths among those that felt younger were 14 percent, while more than 18 percent of those who felt their own age and more than 24 percent of people that felt older died during the follow-up period. The research further found that individuals that felt at least three years younger were less likely to die later from heart disease or cancer. These relationships prevailed even when other health and lifestyle factors were eliminated. Co-author Andrew Steptoe, Ph.D., says, “We expected to find an association between self-perceived age and mortality. We didn’t expect that the relationship would still be present even when wealth, other socio-demographic indicators, health, depression, mobility and other factors were taken into account.”
Vitamin E and D Supplements Hinder Alzheimer’s and Falls Among Elderly
T
wo common vitamins are making headlines in medical research. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that supplementation with vitamin E may reduce the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. The five-year study followed 561 Alzheimer’s patients and included a placebo and the pharmaceutical drug memantine. Those that took vitamin E had a reduced progression of the disease compared to both a placebo group and the memantine group. Also, researchers from the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center found that vitamin D supplementation reduced the risk of falling for elderly folks. The study had a vitamin D supplement or a placebo delivered through a Meals-on-Wheels program to 68 people. The subjects were given blood tests and their history of falls was measured. Diaries revealed that the individuals taking vitamin D supplements fell less than half the number of times than the placebo group.
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Autism Spurs Creative Thinking
T
he UK’s University of East Anglia and the University of Stirling conducted a study of individuals with autistic traits among 312 people recruited through social media, including 75 diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder. Each of the subjects completed a series of creativity tests in which they determined uses of mundane objects. Published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, the study found that while the autistic people chose fewer uses for each object, their choices were significantly more original and creative. The subjects developed a greater range of “divergent thinking”. Martin Doherty, Ph.D., co-author of the study, confirms, “People with high autistic traits can have less quantity, but greater quality of creative ideas. They are typically considered to be more rigid in their thinking, so the fact that the ideas they have are more unusual or rare is surprising. This difference may have positive implications for creative problem solving.” The researchers found that while the average person will utilize simple mental strategies to produce more obvious answers first, autistic people tend to first utilize more demanding strategies during their processing, thus producing the more creative result.
Sunlight Reduces Risk of Pancreatic Cancer
R
esearchers from the University of California (UC) School of Medicine at San Diego have determined that regions with greater exposure to ultraviolet (UV)-B radiation from the sun and reduced cloud cover have significantly lower incidence of pancreatic cancer. In an analysis of global rates of the disease, the research, published in the Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, demonstrated that areas with more sunshine had only one-sixth of the pancreatic cancer rates of areas with less sunshine. The farther from the equator, the less is the exposure to UV-B radiation, leading to less body production of vitamin D. Study author Cedric F. Garland, doctor of public health, a UC professor and member of the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, says, “If you’re living at a high latitude or in a place with a lot of heavy cloud cover, you can’t make vitamin D most of the year, which results in a higher-than-normal risk of getting pancreatic cancer.” According to World Cancer Research Fund International, 338,000 new cases of pancreatic cancer are diagnosed annually, and it is the seventh most lethal form of cancer.
Let your life lightly dance on the edges of time like dew on the tip of a leaf. ~Rabindranath Tagore
Leave Them at the Door: Shoe Soles Harbor Risky Bacteria
R
esearch from the University of Houston has determined that a species of bacteria that has become resistant to many antibiotics might be tracking into homes on the soles of shoes. More than a third of randomly tested homes were contaminated with Clostridium difficile bacteria, and 40 percent of doorsteps were also infected with the bacteria. Depending upon the strain, C. difficile can cause intestinal infections, inflammation and severe diarrhea. Study author M. Jahangir Alam, Ph.D., comments, “Shoes are contaminated from diverse sources, and we are regularly contaminating our doorsteps by shoes.” The researchers tested three to five household items within 30 houses in Houston, Texas. They collected 127 environmental samples—from 63 shoe bottoms, 15 bathroom surface samples, 12 house floor dusts and 37 other household surfaces They found that 41 of them harbored C. difficile and nearly 40 percent of the shoes were positive for the bacteria. They also found that a third of the bathroom surfaces harbored the bacteria, a third of house dust and 19 percent of other surfaces maintained the bacteria. The cause of many intestinal disorders, this bacteria species has become increasingly resistant to antibiotics and many household cleaning products.
natural awakenings
January 2016
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healthbriefs
Scientists Urge Ban on Non-Stick Pan Coatings
Exploring The Inner Dimensions of Yoga & Yoga Nidra The Amrit Method of Yoga Nidra is a guided meditation technique, assessible to everyone. It has the power to take you to the innermost, deepest levels of relaxation where your whole body and being is permeate by peace of mind and profound stillness. Studio Offerings: Weekly Amrit Yoga, Yoga Therapeutics, Meditation in Motion & Yoga Nidra (Meditation) Classes, Transformational Workshops, 6 Week Corporate Stress Management Program, Private Yoga Therapeutics, Yoga, & Life Coaching
NEW Student Special $57.00 1 month unlimited classes *1 time offer for new students only
Journey Into Complete Well-Being Yoga & Meditation Center 265 E. Marion Ave. Suite #117 C, Punta Gorda, Fl. 33950 (772)485-0605 • www.journeyinstudio.com
Englewood Beach Yoga is 8:30am-9:30am Every Day
A
new paper published in the Environmental Health Perspectives journal warns of the continued health risks of chemicals used for non-stick pan coatings and water repellents on clothing. The chemical is being found in some municipalities’ drinking water. More than 200 scientists signed the statement, which presents the dangers of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These chemicals are persistently used as pan coatings, despite more than a decade of research showing associations with liver toxicity, neurological disorders, cancers of different organs and types, and heart conditions. The paper noted that many manufacturers have discontinued long-chain PFAS production and substituted shorter-chain PFAS. The scientists caution that these shorter-chain PFAS may not effectively reduce PFAS exposure because more has to be used to achieve the same effectiveness, maintaining PFAS in the environment with exposure levels relatively unchanged. It calls for scientists, governments, chemical manufacturers and consumer product manufacturers to participate in halting all PFAS production.
Healthy Food for a Healthy Life
Good Morning Yoga Every Day
Join us for Good Morning Yoga on Englewood Beach for a one hour class which is open to all levels, ages and abilities! Holidays included!!! 8:30am-9:30am Every Day, 365 Days a year Tuesday & Thursday 7:45am-8:15 am Morning Sun Salutations with Lata
Englewood Beach Park Sunset Yoga Wednesdays
Englewood Yoga Center A variety of Yoga classes for all ages and abilities with additional classes in Aerial Yoga, Blindfold Yoga and Sound Healing Crystal Bowl Concerts with Restorative Yoga, Yoga Nidra and Chakra Yoga/Meditation.
941-417-0135 • 3455 S. Access Road, Englewood
www.lovinglightyoga.com 12
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Our New Menus Are Here!
New Smoothies, Juices, Gluten-Free Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner items
For more details:
visit CafeEvergreen.net or Facebook
801 Tamiami Trail S. | Nokomis, FL 34275
941.412.4334 | cafeevergreen.net
Playing Outside Before actionalert Lunch Spurs Kids to Eat Healthier
R
esearchers from Brigham Young University and Cornell University have determined that simply moving recess to precede lunch significantly increases students’ consumption of fruits and vegetables at lunch. The researchers tested first- through sixth-graders from seven schools in Utah for 14 school days. In three schools, recess was switched from after to just before lunch. In the other four schools, recess still followed lunch. Published in the journal Preventative Medicine, research found that when recess was just prior to lunch, students ate 54 percent more fruits and vegetables. Moving recess also resulted in 45 percent more kids eating at least one serving of fruits and vegetables during school-provided lunches. The researchers concluded that results show the benefits of holding recess before lunch and suggest that if more schools did this, there would be significant increases in fruit and vegetable consumption, particularly among students that eat school lunch as part of the National School Lunch Program.
No-Choice Vaccines
California Mandates Shots for Childcare Workers After passing the state House and Senate, California Senate Bill 792 was approved by Governor Jerry Brown on October 11. The unprecedented law mandates vaccines for adult childcare workers and volunteers, including all individuals working in private and public school early childhood education programs, with no religious exemptions permitted. SB 792 reads, “Commencing September 1, 2016, a person shall not be employed or volunteer at a day care center if he or she has not been immunized against influenza, pertussis [whooping cough] and measles. Each employee and volunteer shall receive an influenza vaccination between August 1 and December 1 of each year.� The same regulations also apply to family home day care workers and volunteers. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in a loss of licensing for the facility/ center. For more information, visit Tinyurl.com/californiasb792. Let California lawmakers hear what the people want via Legislature.ca.gov.
natural awakenings
January 2016
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globalbriefs News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.
Fish Folly
Marine Life Drops by Half since 1970 The nonprofit World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Zoological Society of London have jointly determined that industrial-scale overfishing, pollution and climate change have killed half of all marine life over the last 40 years. The Living Blue Planet Report cites that species essential to the global food supply are among the hardest hit, partially due to humans catching them faster than they can reproduce. Large swaths of coral reefs, mangroves and sea grasses have also died, further decimating fish populations. Statistics show that the family of fish that includes tuna and mackerel has declined by 75 percent since 1970. The number of species is also declining; a quarter of all shark and ray species face extinction. Half of all coral has already disappeared, and the rest will vanish by 2050 if temperatures continue to rise at current rates. “Coral reefs occupy less than 1 percent of the ocean surface, but they harbor a third of ocean species,” says French biologist Gilles Boeuf. The WWF report argues that protected global ocean area should be tripled by 2020 and fish retailers should source from companies that follow certified best practice standards. Source: Tinyurl.com/WWF2015BluePlanetReport
Drive-Thru Vegan
Amy’s Opens Organic Fast Food Restaurant California now hosts the nation’s first Amy’s Organic Drive-Thru restaurant, in Rohnert Park, with a vegetarian menu sporting veggie burgers, salads and dishes served in both regular and vegan varieties. Ingredients are sustainably grown and GMO-free (no genetically modified ingredients). The company’s signature frozen pizzas have been popular for years in health food and grocery stores nationwide, and now Amy’s first restaurant is serving them hot, with toppings ranging from spinach and diced tomatoes to a choice of mozzarella cheese or vegan “cheeze”. While some other fast food restaurants import almost all of their products from factory farming operations and give nothing back to the community, Amy’s Drive-Thru grows produce sustainably on its own roof. Amy’s Kitchen, a family-owned, privately held organic frozen food company, reportedly pays workers a living wage with health benefits. On the inaugural restaurant’s popularity, Manager Paul Schiefer remarks, “It’s given us a lot of hope that this is a concept that works.” 14
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OM MBA
Eastern Practices Penetrate U.S. Corporate Culture Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini has introduced free yoga and meditation classes for employees of the health insurance giant, and more than 13,000 are participating. On average, they experienced a 28 percent reduction in their stress levels, 20 percent improvement in sleep quality, 19 percent reduction in pain and 62 minutes per week of extra productivity. “We have this groundswell inside the company of people wanting to take the classes,” says Bertolini. “It’s been pretty magical.” He sells the same classes to businesses that contract with Aetna. Google now offers emotional intelligence courses for employees and General Mills has a meditation room in every building on its Minneapolis corporate campus. Even conservative Wall Street firms such as Goldman Sachs are teaching meditation on the job. Some programs, from yoga sessions for factory workers to guided meditations for executives, are intended to improve overall well-being; others to increase focus and productivity. Most aim to make employees more present-minded, less prone to make rash decisions and generally nicer people to work with. More than 21 million individuals now practice yoga nationwide, double the number from a decade ago, and nearly as many meditate, according to the National Institutes of Health. Source: MindfulYogaHealth.com
Doctor’s Orders
Puppy Cuddles
Students De-Stress by Petting Dogs At least three universities in England have offered puppy rooms to stressed students. More than 600 students signed up last year in Bristol alone. Gordon Trevett, from the University’s Centre for Sport, Exercise and Health, says, “Every year I see students fretting about their exams, and I thought this would be a great way to ease the stress and take their minds off it. People with dogs have lower blood pressure in stressful situations than those without a dog, and we know that playing with a dog can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax.” Jo Woods, from the Bristol Students Union, says, “It’s important to do fun and different things to de-stress during exams, and cuddling a puppy is a perfect way to release some endorphins.” Source: BBC
Sci-Fi Solution
Beaming Solar Power to Earth from Space A great deal of solar power falls on our planet, but a lot more misses us and goes off into space. Scientists at JAXA, Japan’s space administration, have made a major breakthrough in accurate wireless power transmission on Earth that bodes well for solar space technology. The team beamed 1.8 kilowatts of power, enough to power an electric tea kettle, more than 50 meters to a small receiver without any wires whatsoever. The researchers were able to accomplish this task by first converting the electrical energy to microwaves, and then beaming them to a remote receiver before converting them back into electrons. The program’s goal is to harness a constant supply of solar energy directly from space using orbital solar farms, and then beam that energy for use on Earth. Solar power generation in space has many advantages over current technology, including the constant availability of energy regardless of the weather or time of day. Source: Global.jaxa.jp
GMO Labeling Endorsed by Physicians
Even as the federal government pursues H.R. 1599, aka the “Deny Americans the Right to Know” (DARK) act, mainstream medicine is urging the government to abandon its resistance to GMO (genetically modified organism) labeling. They are bolstered by a recent announcement by the World Health Organization that glyphosate (the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup weed killer) is probably carcinogenic in humans. The genetic engineering ends up making crops resistant to the herbicide so more must be applied. According to contributing doctors from Harvard, Mt. Sinai Medical Center and the University of Wisconsin reporting in the New England Journal of Medicine, “GM crops are now the agricultural products most heavily treated with herbicides, and two of these herbicides may pose risks of cancer.” A recent notice in the same journal, “GMOs, Herbicides and Public Health,” reports: “The application of biotechnology to agriculture has been rapid and aggressive. The vast majority of the soy and [feed] corn grown in the United States are now genetically engineered. Foods produced from GM crops have become ubiquitous.” Sixty-four countries, including Russia and China, have already adopted transparency in labeling laws, but U.S. Big Food and Big Ag lobbyists have stonewalled efforts domestically. For more information and petitions, visit OrganicConsumers.org.
Unique Character
Sesame Street Addresses Autism After working with organizations such as Autism Speaks and the Autism Self Advocacy Network, Sesame Street has been aiming to help reduce the stigma associated with autism spectrum disorder. A new autistic character, Julia, already has her own digital storybook, We’re Amazing, 1,2,3 as part of the campaign See Amazing in All Children. According to Dr. Jeanette Betancourt, senior vice president of U.S. social impact at Sesame Workshop, Sesame Street producers are waiting to hear back from the autism community before introducing Julia to the TV show. For more information, visit Autism.SesameStreet.org/storybook-we-are-amazing and Tinyurl.com/MeetJuliaVideo.
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medical system and got nothing,” says Mills. With functional medicine, “In a very short time, they had me feeling nearly 100 percent.”
Distinctive Characteristics
The Rise of Functional Medicine New Paradigm Gets to the Root Cause of Disease by Lisa Marshall
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y the end of 2014, Trina Mills, of Parker, Arizona, had given up on conventional medicine. She’d been diagnosed with a thyroid disorder 17 years earlier and taken medication ever since without feeling her symptoms of fatigue, muscle aches and stomach problems ever fully subside. She’d visited endocrinologists, gastroenterologists and a half-dozen other specialists, each of which offered a different diagnosis and prescribed a different drug. At one point, she had her gallbladder removed. At another, her doctor suspected she had bleeding in her brain and sent her for a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan. Some thought she was a hypochondriac; others said she was depressed. “I would tell them, ‘I’m just depressed that you can’t figure out why I’m so sick,’” she says. 16
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Weighing a skeletal 82 pounds, the 54-year-old mother of three finally wrote out a living will and braced for the inevitable. Then she heard of a new Center for Functional Medicine opening at the prestigious, century-old Cleveland Clinic. As the first clinic of its kind to open at an academic medical center, it promised to look at the underlying causes of disease, while focusing on the whole person, rather than isolated symptoms. Intrigued, Mills caught a flight to Ohio and soon was offering up 30 tubes of blood, stool and saliva samples, as well as an exhaustive life history. One year later, thanks to a series of personalized diet and lifestyle changes, she’s 10 pounds heavier and feels better than she has in decades. “I spent a lot of years and money in the traditional
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In the 25 years since nutritional biochemist Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D., of Gig Harbor, Washington, coined the term, this science-based, whole-body approach to addressing chronic disease has gained widespread traction. More than 100,000 physicians—60 percent of them medical doctors—have trained with the Institute for Functional Medicine he founded in Washington and New Mexico, and numerous medical schools have added its tenets to their curricula. More naturopaths and chiropractors are also distinguishing themselves with a functional medicine emphasis. “It is not alternative medicine at all,” stresses Bland, whose latest book, The Disease Delusion, details how functional medicine can curb chronic diseases like arthritis, diabetes, dementia, and heart disease, which constitute 78 percent of U.S. health care costs. “It’s the basis of 21st-century health care,” he says. For most of the 20th century, conventional medicine centered on a singular objective: Arrive at a diagnosis and treat it with drugs or surgery. Then, the alternative medicine movement proffered a toolbox of more natural therapies, including acupuncture, herbs and massage to address these same diagnoses. The 1990s brought integrative medicine, a best-of-both-worlds approach. “While all of the above have merit, they lack the necessary guidance to help practitioners determine which tools work best for which patient,” says Dr. Mark Hyman, director of the Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Functional Medicine. “Alternative therapies and conventional treatments are tools. We need a new map that can teach us how to skillfully use those tools,” maintains Hyman. “That map is functional medicine.” Because one chronic disease such as diabetes can have dozens of underlying causes, or one culprit such as a genetic predisposition or exposure to toxins can lead to multiple chronic conditions, functional medicine focuses on systems, rather than organs, and origins, rather than diseases. “It’s about listening
to the patient’s story in a different way, where the objective is not simply about arriving at a diagnosis,” explains Bland.
Ferreting Out Key Clues
Key to discovering the underlying origins of a health issue are a host of new gene, blood and gut health tests. “They allow us to look under the patient’s ‘metabolic hood’ at the genetic and biochemical factors influencing health,” says Naturopathic Doctor Kara Fitzgerald, who heads up a functional medicine clinic in Newtown, Connecticut. For instance, certain genes influence how a person burns and stores fat. Depending on which variant a patient has, based on a genetic test, they might be guided toward a higher- or lower-fat diet. Those genetically prone to difficulty in metabolizing the amino acid homocysteine (an excess of which can raise the risk of heart disease) might be advised to take folic acid supplements. If a patient displays intractable gut problems, rather than simply look for blood or pathogens in the stool, Fitzgerald also looks at the DNA of their gut microbiome, mapping out which strains of good bacteria are present or absent and prescribing prebiotics, probiotics or whole foods to promote a healthful balance. For another patient with thinning hair and aching joints, she might use specialized blood tests to look for micronutrient deficiencies, signs of allergies or certain autoantibodies—proteins produced by the immune system that mistakenly attack one’s own tissues—
that might herald a brewing autoimmune disorder. “Research shows that predictive autoantibodies can show up in the blood 10 or even 20 years before an autoimmune disease such as Type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis makes itself known,” says Fitzgerald, pointing to a seminal review published in 2007 in Scientific American: “If a patient with mild, early-stage symptoms is proactive with diet and lifestyle changes, they may be able to fend it off.” High-tech tests aside, Bland stresses that what’s most important is “a tool that has been largely lost in medicine today: Knowing how to listen to the patient.” In a typical exam, Fitzgerald thoroughly inspects often neglected body parts, including the tongue and fingernails, which can hold important clues to underlying health. She asks about past emotional trauma which might trigger chronic disease, and inquires about what environmental toxins and harmful chemicals both the patient and their birth parents may have been exposed to. One example might be a patient exposed to cigarette smoking in utero having a bias toward an allergic disease. If their parents grew up in a period of famine, they might have inherited a genetic disposition for rapid weight gain. “She spent two-and-a-half hours with me,” in her initial consultation, recalls 52-year-old Lauren Zambrelli, of Long Island, New York, who credits Fitzgerald for helping her tame her multiple sclerosis into remission. “It was like having a sister for a doctor.”
Lobby for Change To lobby for consistent insurance coverage of more complementary therapies, check out these resources. CoverMyCare (CoverMyCare.org). This national grassroots advocacy campaign, a project of the Integrative Healthcare Policy Consortium, aims to support the proper full implementation of Section 2706 of the Affordable Care Act, which states that insurers cannot leave licensed practitioners like naturopaths, chiropractors, massage therapists or Oriental medicine practitioners out of their provider networks. It still lacks enforcement at the state level, although Oregon and Rhode Island recently passed legislation to fix the existing loophole; California, Hawaii, Minnesota and New Mexico are working to do the same. American Sustainable Business Council (Tinyurl.com/Integrative Reimbursement). The organization recently launched a campaign to urge insurers to cover integrative practices.
DIY Testing W
hile most practitioners recommend that patients consult with a physician to interpret their test results, several companies offer gene, blood and microbiome lab testing directly to consumers. Here are a few options to consider. uBiome, Inc. (Ubiome.com): Send in swab samples from gut, mouth, nose, genitals and/or skin and the company will genetically sequence the DNA of resident bacteria and send findings back within six weeks, identifying good and bad varieties present, deficiencies, and how that personal microbiome compares to others with similar lifestyles, such as smokers, vegans, meat-eaters, etc. It’s also possible to test a client’s microbiome over time to see if dietary changes implemented to change gut health are working. WellnessFX (WellnessFX.com): Visit an affiliated diagnostic lab to submit blood samples with results posted within a week on a secure website. Different packages targeting weight loss, sports performance, heart health or women’s health issues look at different biomarkers in the blood, such as levels of certain micronutrients, hormones or signs of inflammation. Clients can request an online consultation with a doctor or dietitian to interpret the results. Pathway Genomics (Pathway. com): The company’s DNA Insight Genetic Health and Wellness Tests use genetic material taken from saliva to analyze genetic markers. Ordered via a licensed practitioner, online or through a smartphone app, clients receive a kit, send in a sample and get results within three weeks. The Pathway Fit tests snapshot 75 genetic markers related to metabolism and sports performance. Others look for genes that influence nutrient absorption, heart health or hormonal function.
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Who Pays
Functional medicine doctors don’t shy away from prescription drugs when necessary, but they do lean decidedly toward the lower-tech modalities, using dietary supplements, allergen-free diets, exercise, mind-body practices and toxin avoidance as their primary tools. “We basically take out the bad stuff from the body and put in the good stuff,” says Hyman. Maintaining good health is priceless, but without conventional insurance coverage, it can be expensive. While Mills’ doctor visits were covered by insurance (which is rare), she spends roughly $1,000 a month on supplements to address her diagnosed leaky gut syndrome, nutrient deficiencies and mercury poisoning. Zambrelli has paid thousands out of her own pocket, too. Some people worry that, like most conventional physicians, some functional medicine practitioners place too much emphasis on expensive tests and too little on the most crucial and affordable remedy—self-care. “Functional medicine as a concept is an important step forward,” says integrative medicine pioneer Dr. James Gordon, founder of
Learn More Online Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine Tinyurl.com/Center4 FunctionalMedicine Dr. Kara Fitzgerald’s blog DrKaraFitzgerald.com/blog Functional Forum FunctionalForum.com Dr. Mark Hyman’s blog DrHyman.com/blog Institute for Functional Medicine FunctionalMedicine.org
the Center for Mind-Body Medicine, in Washington, D.C., and San Francisco. “However, some practitioners do a lot of tests and prescribe a lot of supplements and work on cleaning out the gut, but neglect the psychological, spiritual and social issues. That concerns me.” Bland and Hyman concede that
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some practitioners over-test, but say that will fade over time as they learn to better discriminate which ones are useful for specific patients. Several efforts also are underway to get more functional medicine providers and the acupuncturists, massage therapists and nutritionists they work with covered under the Affordable Care Act, which expressly emphasizes a need for more preventive medicine. Viewing the big picture, Bland believes that functional medicine is just what the country needs to save on exploding healthcare costs. Rather than spending dollars on extraordinary measures to save heart attack victims or diabetics in emergencies, we can prevent such dire situations by identifying underlying problems sooner and halting their progression. In the meantime, some patients are finding priceless relief. “Am I poorer right now? Yes,” says Mills. “Am I healthier? Way. It’s been so worth it.” Lisa Marshall is a freelance health writer in Boulder, CO, who specializes in health care. Connect at LisaAnn Marshall.com.
In a universe
made out of energy, everything is entangled; everything is one. ~Bruce Lipton
wisewords
Each human also possesses a unique set of “identity” receptors, a subset of which are called “self-receptors” by the biomedical community, found on nearly all of our cells, with the primary exception of red blood cells. Self-receptors are unrelated to the cell’s function contributing to muscle, bone, brain or heart. Conventional medicine studies the physical aspect of self-receptors as being the source of “self” but overlook the environmental signals they receive. In by Linda Sechrist other words, individual identity is linked to the signals received by the antennae. When I reached this point in my ruce Lipton, Ph.D., it promises radical change research, I realized that we can’t die, author of The Biolocapable of revolutionizing because our real identity is represented gy of Belief and The civilization. Its dynamics by the invisible environment-derived Honeymoon Effect, is a are equivalent to the leap “broadcast”, which might legitimately stem cell biologist and from Newtonian physics be referred to as spirit. My personal internationally recognized to quantum physics, which identity signal is received by each of leader in bridging science led to everything from my 50 trillion cells endowed with the and spirit. He is a visiting computers and cell phones unique set of “Bruce” self-receptors. fellow lecturer on immuto Martian rovers. We are While my physical body is like a TV, nology at the New Zealand freed to abandon the belief the “spiritual broadcast” representing College of Chiropractic and that genes cause cancer, the Bruce Show is an eternal, energetic participated in the Founfor instance. In changing element of the environment. dation for Conscious Evolution’s seventh our lifestyle, beliefs and perceptions, we Worldwide Meeting on Human Values, also change our genetic expression. What is entrainment and why in Mexico. His research explains the in Remember, this works because how is it important today? terplay between individual consciousness we individually interpret our world is and body biology. translated by the brain into chemical in- A group of heart cells in a Petri dish will each beat to its own vibrational formation that adjusts the behavior and Why do you start with genetics of cells to complement our per- frequency. After a couple of days, they start beating in synchrony, because the epigenetics as a foundation ception. We could live in the healthiest stronger heart cells control the tempo. environment, but if our mind perceives for health? Many people, programmed with the con- it as threatening and non-supportive, our The other cells organize their behavior to entrain with the more powerful one. biology will become less healthy and cept of genetic determinism, believe that can generate disease. The cells’ response This happens in women’s college dorgenes in the fertilized egg at conception mitories when residents start the school is based on the brain’s information, determine character and fate. Unable to which actually is only an interpretation. year with different menstrual cycles, but pick our DNA genes, we are powerless later experience entrainment, with their Personal perceptions and the way we to control our life, so that the only option cycles beginning and ending about the live, including our spiritual nature, adis seeking help from someone in the biojust genes to manifest either a functional same time. They link to a pulse and a medical community to fix our genes. beat, just like the heart cells. state of health or one of dysfunction. I introduced a new vision about Humans become entrained to a the understanding of genes a half-cenhigher force that’s an invisible broadtury ago that is now the new science of Where is the “self” that makes cast of energy in harmony or in discorepigenetics. Epi- means “above”. Here, people different? dance. As more of us hold the intention we can realize control by regulating No two people are the same biologifor living a life of love and peace, the the environment in which we live and cally. If I inject my cells into another our perception of it, making us the broadcast of that harmonic energy human, their immune system will master of our own genetics rather than amplifies and those not yet there will recognize it as “not-self” and begin a victim of heredity. eventually entrain to the stronger signal. to eliminate them. On the surface of This is the shift we need to make for virtually all our cells are thousands of Do you believe epigenetics is protein receptors that function like min- conscious evolution to occur. iature antennae. They read and respond the future of medicine? to environmental signals similar to the Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer Epigenetics is a revolution in our larger receptors on the skin’s surface, for Natural Awakenings. Connect at knowledge and awareness of heredity. ItsAllAboutWe.com. This new concept of biology is so big that such as the eyes, ears and nose.
Bruce Lipton on the Epigenetics Revolution
Our Beliefs Reprogram Our Genetic Destiny
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healingways
Good Reasons to Try Acupuncture Thousands of Studies Show Healing Results by Kathleen Barnes
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he ancient Chinese art of acuexplains that acupuncture works by stimpuncture is gaining popularity ulating and releasing the body’s natural in modern Western medicine for pain relievers, including endorphins, many reasons. “There’s lots of research producing the feel-good brain chemical to support the effectiveness of acupuncserotonin and relieving inflammation, as ture for a wide variety of conditions,” well as bringing many other body prosays Thomas Burgoon, a medical doctor cesses into normal function. who practices internal medicine in West Brevard, North Carolina, licensed Chester, Pennsylvania, and is president master acupuncturist Paul Buchman, of the American Academy of Medical adds, “Acupuncture differs from conAcupuncture, an asventional Western sociation of doctors of The U.S. Library of medicine in many medicine and osteoways, primarily in Medicine database pathic medicine that that when it treats a use acupuncture in lists more than 23,000 disease on the physconjunction with conlevel, it also has studies on acupuncture. ical ventional treatments. far-reaching effects on Acupuncture our mental, emotional treatments typically involve the nearly and spiritual aspects.” painless insertion of very thin needles to Chronic back pain: Chronic low stimulate the body’s natural repair and back pain affects 80 percent of us at regulation mechanisms based on the some time and is the second-most fundamental Chinese medicine princicommon cause of disability in Amerple that the inside of the body can often ican adults, according to a University be treated from the outside. Burgoon of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study
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published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. A recent study of Australian patients arriving in Melbourne hospital emergency rooms complaining of low back pain found that those treated with acupuncture experienced as much pain relief in an hour as those given drugs. “When I treat a person for low back pain, I always take pulses in several parts of the body, and then take into account many factors, including age, gender and life situation,” says Buchman. “The underlying causes of the pain may be different in a 20-something student with a stressful academic load than a 50-something woman that’s a recent empty nester redefining her future,” he explains. When researchers at China’s Central South University reviewed 13 studies on acupuncture and low back pain, they concluded that comprehensive treatment plans that involve acupuncture are urgently needed. Headache: Acupuncture has long been used to relieve the pain of migraines and tension headaches. Australian research published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that 16 acupuncture sessions cut in half the number of days that patients experienced migraines, significantly reducing pain. “Acupuncture is a must-try therapy for anyone with migraines or chronic or tension-type headaches,” says Burgoon. He notes that Aetna Insurance Company policy considers acupuncture among accepted, medically necessary treatments for migraines, chronic low back pain, knee osteoarthritis, postoperative dental pain and nausea associated with surgery, pregnancy and chemotherapy. Asthma and allergies: More than 25 million Americans have asthma, including 6.8 million children. Danish research published in the journal Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine showed that 10 acupuncture sessions given over a three-month period reduced asthma symptoms and use of inhaled steroids, but only when acupuncture was ongoing. Benefits diminished when treatments were discontinued. German researchers
Find a local physician trained in medical acupuncture at MedicalAcupuncture.org/ FindAnAcupuncturist at Berlin’s Charité University Medical Center found similar effects for seasonal allergies by comparing it with the effects of antihistamines and sham acupuncture. “Patterns of bad health get more ingrained in our body systems as we get older,” says Melanie Katin, a licensed acupuncturist specializing in treating children in New York City and professor at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. “If we can catch an illness in a child’s first seven or eight years, we may be able to prevent it from becoming chronic in adulthood.” Digestive problems: Acupuncture has been found to be effective for treating colic in babies, irritable bowel syndrome, morning sickness and postoperative nausea caused by anesthesia and chemotherapy treatments, verified in research from Australia’s University of Sydney on patients after surgery for metastatic liver cancer. Several other studies, including one from the Milwau-kee’s Medical College of Wisconsin, show that acupuncture rebalances the nervous system and restores proper digestive function, while relieving pain. The World Health Organization review of research notes how acupuncture relieved gastrointestinal (GI) spasms better than atropine injections, and also recommends acupuncture for relief of nausea. “Acupuncture helps calm down an overactive GI tract and stimulates an underactive one,” explains Burgoon. Acupuncture is a non-pharmaceutical remedy for many health problems, Burgoon says. “I fell in love with acupuncture when I discovered I could use it to treat some problems that nothing else helped. I almost never prescribe any medications. Instead, I help people get off pharmaceuticals.” Kathleen Barnes is author of many natural health books, including The Calcium Lie 2: What Your Doctor Still Doesn’t Know, with Dr. Robert Thompson. Connect at KathleenBarnes.com.
inspiration
Key Signs We’re Approaching a Defining Moment by Dennis Merritt Jones
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ur authentic self is constantly trying to get our attention so it may be more fully expressed. When we set our intention to genuinely evolve, we naturally begin to pay attention and see how redefining moments appear as needed. They are drawn to us sequentially to support us in the process of staying the course on our pilgrimage, each one a perfectly aligned portal in space and time, opening and closing, creating whatever experience is required to guide us to heightened awareness of our authentic self. While the possible circumstances that preclude such a moment are limitless, there are key signals to watch for. When they pop up, it helps immensely to stay engaged in the moment, rather than zipping past them on to another distraction. Rather, consider ways in which this might prove to be a pivotal point forward in our life journey. n Moments that challenge our ego and moments that our ego challenges us n Unexpected events n Times of significant loss n First-time experiences n Discontentment n Disappointment n Experiencing someone or something that instantly inspires us to grow n Birth of a loved one n Death of a loved one Personal growth and evolution can be motivated by either inspiration
or desperation. Both may prompt us to ask big questions of ourselves and the universe that cause us to dig deep. The deeper we dig, the closer we come to merging with our truest self. We know the answers to such questions are correct because they will lead to actions that honor life—like harming no one, including ourself— and affirm the presence of a prevailing power for good that lies within; a power that guides, protects and sustains us. Satisfying answers seek only the highest and best of us and bless all. They connect our mind, heart and soul, moving us forward on the path of wholeness as a fulfilled and joyfully self-expressed person. When we are impelled to ask an important question of our self and the universe, don’t rush the process and are willing to embrace the answer we receive, it pushes a reset button as to what defines us. It brings us an enhanced sense of authentic wholeness. The lesson is that when redefining moments appear, we must be open and prepared to go where we had no plans of going—because that’s where our bliss awaits us. Dennis Merritt Jones, D.D., is the author of Your (Re)Defining Moments, the source of this essay. He has contributed to the human potential movement and field of spirituality as a minister, teacher, coach and lecturer for 30 years. Learn more at DennisMerrittJones.com.
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Photo by Stephen Blancett
consciouseating
SUPER SOUPS New Twists on Old Favorites Heal, Nourish and Soothe by Judith Fertig
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inter season soups on chilly days can warm us, both body and soul. Whatever our food preferences or time constraints, some new twists on traditional favorites will satisfy everyone’s taste buds—with an accent on healthy pleasure. Here’s where to start. Reinventing the past. From her Colorado mountain home, Jenny McGruther, author of The Nourished Kitchen, celebrates the wisdom of traditional foodways, making nutrient-dense, healing soup broth from bones, water, vegetables and seasonings. McGruther’s twist is to make it in a six-quart slow cooker. Once her family has dined on organic roast or rotisserie chicken, she simmers the bones with purified water, a bay leaf or two, a few whole peppercorns and a few chopped organic vegetables like onion, carrot and celery
on the low setting for 24 hours. Then she ladles the broth through a coffee strainer into another container, refreshes the slow cooker with more water and simmers the bones and seasonings for another 24 hours. Eventually, the broth will have less flavor and color, and that’s when McGruther starts all over again. “I call this perpetual soup,” she says. She blogs at NourishedKitchen.com. Slowing it down. With homemade broth on hand, it’s easy to make the Italian winter staple of Tuscan Vegetable Bean Soup. Cookbook authors and slow cooker experts Kathy Moore and Roxanne Wyss, from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, love to make this when they’re working on a cookbook deadline. They simply use what they have in the refrigerator, freezer or pantry. “With a soup like this you can always substitute one vegetable for
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another, adjusting the recipe to what you enjoy and have on hand,” advises Moore. The pair blogs at PluggedInto Cooking.com. Speeding it up. Sometimes, we need a single serving of homemade soup fast. Award-winning recipe developer and cookbook author Camilla Saulsbury, of Nacogdoches, Texas, whips up a Pumpkin Sage Soup that can simmer in a saucepan within minutes, ready to be enjoyed in a mug. Saulsbury uses organic canned pumpkin, full of vitamins, which can vary in sweetness. “If needed,” she suggests, “add a drizzle of maple syrup to enhance the flavor of the soup.” Making “bisque” in a high-speed blender. Karen Adler is an avid grower of organic tomatoes in her Kansas City garden. When the seasonal harvest comes to an end, Adler grills or oven roasts the tomatoes, along with organic peppers and onions, and then freezes them, ready to make Roasted Tomato Bisque any time of the year. “My secret to a light bisque without using cream is to blend all the roasted vegetables together with a high-speed blender to give it body. A swirl of extra-virgin olive oil at the end finishes ensuring the satisfying flavor,” she says. Going cold. Douglas McNish, head chef at Toronto’s raw and vegan restaurant Raw Aura, serves a popular Lemon, Cucumber and Dill Soup, which is easy to make in a food processor. “This soup is amazing this time of year, when most of our diets may be lacking in healthy fats and trace minerals,” says McNish. Warming up. Two cookbook authors teamed up across many miles to write 300 Sensational Soups. Meredith Deeds lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, while Carla Snyder resides in Cleveland, Ohio. They’ve mutually discovered the naturally warming properties of curry powder in Curried Coconut Chickpea Soup. Snyder observes, “A good soup nourishes the heart, as well as the stomach, spreading a feeling of satisfaction and contentment.” Judith Fertig blogs at AlfrescoFood AndLifestyle.blogspot.com from Overland Park, KS.
SOUP’S ON! Tasty Recipes for Winter Meals with grated Parmesan cheese. Garnish if desired with additional minced basil. Adapted from PluggedIntoCooking.com, by Kathy Moore and Roxanne Wyss
Pumpkin Sage Soup Yields: 1 serving
Tuscan Vegetable Bean Soup Yields: 6 servings 2 Tbsp olive oil 1 large yellow onion, chopped 3 carrots, chopped 1 stalk celery, chopped 1 cup frozen, cut green beans 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 can (14.5 oz, BPA-free) diced tomatoes, with liquid 4 cups bone broth or 1 carton (32 oz) vegetable broth 2 tsp Italian seasoning 1 /8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, optional Salt and pepper, to taste 1 cup chopped fresh broccoli 1 can (15 oz, BPA-free) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained 2 Tbsp minced fresh basil, plus additional for garnish Freshly grated Parmesan cheese Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add onions, carrot and celery and cook, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes. Stir in the green beans and cook, stirring frequently, for 2 to 3 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes, vegetable broth, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Heat, covered, until boiling, and then reduce heat to a simmer and cook 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in broccoli, cannellini beans and minced basil. Simmer for 5 minutes or until the vegetables are as tender as desired. Ladle into bowls. Sprinkle
¾ cup ready-to-use chicken or vegetable broth 2 /3 cup pumpkin purée (not pie filling) ¼ tsp dried rubbed sage 3 Tbsp half-and-half, whole milk or coconut creamer Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Roasted Tomato Bisque Yields: 8 servings
In a saucepan, bring the broth, pumpkin and sage to a simmer over medium-high heat. In the mug, stir broth, pumpkin and sage until blended. Stir in cream and heat for 1 minute more. Season it to taste with salt and pepper before pouring into a mug. Garnish with roasted pumpkin seeds. Adapted from 250 Best Meals in a Mug, by Camilla V. Saulsbury
4 large beefsteak tomatoes, sliced 2 red bell peppers, seeded and sliced 1 large red onion, peeled and sliced 2 Tbsp plus ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil ¼ cup red wine vinegar 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1 tsp kosher salt 1 tsp hot pepper sauce Bone broth or vegetable broth, if necessary Add fine dry or gluten-free bread crumbs and sliced green onion for garnish Preheat the oven to 425° F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Arrange the tomatoes, bell peppers and onion on the baking sheets and drizzle with the two tablespoons of olive oil. Roast for 30 minutes or until soft and browned at the edges. Transfer to a Vitamix or similar blender. Add the remaining half-cup olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt and hot pepper sauce and blend until smooth. Add a little bone broth or vegetable broth if the soup is too thick. Serve each bowl with a sprinkling of breadcrumbs and thinly sliced green onion. Adapted from The Gardener and the Grill, by Karen Adler and Judith Fertig
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greenliving
Go-Green Apps Here are three apps we suggest among the many available. n Green You is a free app. It calculates our eco-friendliness and suggests steps toward a deeper shade of green. ItAnyPlace.com/support/ greenyou
It’s Easy to Be Green At Home and On the Road by Avery Mack
L
“
iving green means living well, using what you create with minimal waste,” says Mike Bond, an ecologist and bestselling activist author in Winthrop, Maine. Here, he and other savvy sources share tips to go ever greener in ways that are painless and affordable.
Start Small 4 Choose the best bulb for the job. Light bulbs can confuse even informed shoppers. Incandescent bulbs last more than 750 hours, but aren’t energy-efficient. Fluorescent bulbs use 75 percent less energy than incandescent and last 10 to 15 times longer. A 20-watt compact fluorescent light (CFL) uses 550 fewer kilowatt-hours than a 75-watt incandescent bulb. For additional
information, check Tinyurl.com/Energy InfoLightBulbs. For a free app showing the best buy, visit LightBulbFinder.net. 4 Use appliance thermometers. Widely available, this useful tool will confirm a correct operating temperature of 37 to 40 degrees in the refrigerator and zero degrees in the freezer. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a warmer fridge allows bacteria to grow, while 10 degrees cooler than the ideal range increases energy use 25 percent. Chiller units work harder if the room temperature exceeds 70 degrees, so keep appliances out of direct sunlight and away from the stove. 4 Find the right seeds and plants. Then get quick advice on how many to buy and how and when to plant using the SmartGardener.com step-by-step app. It encompasses more than 3,000 organic, GMO-free, edible varieties. 4 No dishpan hands. A full load of dishes in a water-efficient dishwasher uses four gallons of water versus 24 gallons for handwashing them, according to Seametrics, which manufactures flow meters.
Let your life lightly dance on the edges of time like dew on the tip of a leaf. ~Rabindranath Tagore
4 Test the toilet. If a few drops of food coloring added to the toilet tank colors water in the bowl, replace the flap. It’s an easy and inexpensive DIY task. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that one in 10 homes leaks a cumulative 90 gallons a day. 4 Fix the faucet. One drip per second equals 3,000 gallons a year wasted, Seametrics calculates. 4 Reset the hot water heater to 120 de-
24
Peace River Edition
www.peaceriverna.com
n Recycle offers a free national database of 100,000 recycling and disposal locations for 200 products. Specify the item and find local options with contact information. Earth911.com/ eco-tech/irecycle-now-on-android n eEcosphere helps users discover, adopt and share the best sustainable living ideas and makes it easy to share specific actions and ideas with friends via social media. eEcosphere.com grees. This safe and efficient setting also reduces corrosion and mineral buildup. 4 Discover soap nuts and wool dryer balls. Dried soapberry fruit shells contain saponin, which works like most detergents and soaps. Toss five or six whole shells (one-half ounce) in a wash bag with the laundry. They’re good for five to eight reuses. All-natural sheep’s wool dryer balls shorten drying time, soften and fluff fabric, reduce static and help keep pet hair off of clothes. 4 Change the car’s air filter. Maintain a clean filter according to manufacturer’s guidelines and visual inspection, about every 30,000 to 45,000 miles. 4 Use an oil-change service. In Connecticut alone, do-it-yourselfers change 9.5 million gallons of motor oil a year, and 85 percent of it ends up in sewers, soil and trash as a major groundwater pollutant. Earth Talk reports that one quart can create a two-acre oil slick; a gallon can contaminate a million gallons of fresh water. While the more costly chemicals in synthetic oil create the same amount of pollution as traditional oil, it doesn’t need to be changed as often. 4 Carpool. The Green Living Ideas media network condones Uber, Lyft and Sidecar apps for making ridesharing ultra-accessible.
Go Greener 4 Replace old appliances with energy-efficient models. Check out a unit’s Energy Star rating. Consider a tankless heater for hot water on demand, rather than 24/7 heating. 4 Choose eco-tires. Low rolling resistance improves gas mileage and reduces emissions. Keep tires properly inflated and periodically rotated for longer wear. Watch for future innovations in sustainable materials currently in research and development. 4 Ban idling. Don’t idle an electronic fuel-injected engine for more than 30 seconds when parked in cold weather; it warms up faster by being driven, explains the U.S. Department of Energy. Fuel injection engines took over in the 1980s and early 90s. Only older carburetors need a couple of minutes’ warm-up. The Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory further advises, “Idling for more than 10 seconds uses more fuel and emits more CO2 than engine restarting.” 4 Ask for pet- and eco-friendly antifreeze. Choose less toxic red-orange propylene glycol antifreeze instead of
green ethylene glycol antifreeze, which is poisonous to pets and people. Dispose of both types properly, as they are toxic to wildlife and fish via groundwater, as well. 4 Green-clean car windows. Choose a brand like EvergreeN Windshield Washer Fluid, which is plant-derived, eco-friendly, non-toxic and biodegradable. Traditional blue fluid is methanol, combined methyl alcohol and wood alcohol, and extremely poisonous, especially to children and pets.
Go Big 4 Switch to a heat pump. “A heat pump works the reverse of a refrigerator; it takes cold air from the outside and turns it into warm air inside, and uses no oil or gas,” explains Bond. 4 Go solar. It’s the eco-alternative to conventional electricity generation. “Solar means that you’re creating your own power,” says Bond, who has used solar for years. “It works on an elegant cycle—create energy, use energy.” Leased solar panels reduce the cost of equipment, which has dropped dramatically in recent years. 4 Get a hybrid car. In combination
with solar power, a hybrid vehicle can reduce or eliminate daily energy costs. “An electric car is perfect when commutes are not long,” Bond discloses. “If charged in the day, it can serve as the battery for a solar home at night, when no power is being created.” Connect with freelance writer via AveryMack@mindspring.com.
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natural awakenings
January 2016
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More than an Ad... It’s a presence in our community.
Advertising with Natural Awakenings reaches your direct market and allows you to be seen in print, online, on Facebook and Twitter, on mobile devices, and through email blasts.
Our conscious consumers are looking for you!
“In my opinion, Natural Awakenings advertising is without a doubt the finest representative advertising vehicle in Sarasota and Manatee Counties”. We have been extremely satisfied with their commitment to our success in all of our marketing campaigns... Natural Awakenings continues to be our number one lead source. J Kamore, Macys Pest Control.
Become part of our community today call
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calendarofevents NOTE: All calendar events must be received via email by the 12th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Email publisher@nasrq.com for guidelines. No phone calls or faxes, please. Visit NASRQ.com to submit online.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 2016 HAPPIEST NEW YEAR! Live from Downtown Sarasota, It’s Friday Night! – 6-9pm. Live street performances with local entertainers and performing arts groups. Rotating locations each week. 1st Friday: Main Street at Five Points Park &Palm Avenue. 2nd Friday: Burns Square. 3rd Friday: Towles Court. 4th Friday: Rosemary District & Historic Downtown. dsaSarasota.com.
Peace River Edition
MONDAY, JANUARY 4
Lakshmi Ceremony and Mantra for Prosperity – 7pm. Start your New Year of 2016 with a special ceremony and invocation to Lakshmi, the Hindi Goddess of prosperity, generosity and charm. We will tap into her benevolent energy through her special Mantra, with Rev Sharon Elizabeth James. Love offering. The Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Mdw, Bldg G-2, Sarasota. 941-371-9333, ccosl.com.
Powerful Therapy To Health and Wholeness – A registered nurse since 2004, intuitive Ralph Serrano’s true healing power comes from his ability to communicate with Spirit Guides, in helping people find their true illness and then helping them through the process of Biomagnetic Pair Therapy, a new revolutionary, scientific and therapeutic approach to healing that differs from Traditional Medicine, Homeopathy, Herbs and Naturism. This is a therapy free of side effects, compatible with traditional or alternative practices. The Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Mdw, Bldg G-2, Sarasota. To schedule an appointment call 941-371-9333. ccosl.com.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 2
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6
The Sarasota Farmers Market – 7am-1pm. Rain or shine. Browse 5,000 sq ft of locally grown produce, plants, prepared foods and artisans, and make purchases from more than 55 vendors. 1592 Main St, from Lemon Ave to Selby Five Points Park, Downtown Sarasota. VisitSarasota.org.
“Enhancing Our Spiritual Life” – 8:30am-4pm. The Circle of Spiritual Growth presents a one-day women’s retreat, including workshops, energy healing, message, lunch and guest speaker Rev Donna Loflin. $30/by Jan 2; $35/after. Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 790 Tamiami Trl, Venice. 603296-7417. CircleOfSpiritualGrowth.org.
Venice Farmers Market – 7am-1pm. Every Saturday morning, local farmers, fisherman, craftsmen, bakers, artists and others gather in the heart of historic downtown for a weekly celebration of the best of Venice where you can get fresh seasonal Florida fruits and vegetables direct from local farms. You can’t find any fresher shrimp or seafood. There’s incredible tasty homemade baked goods, trinkets, crafts, soaps, flowers, plants, locally roasted coffee and more. Tampa Ave between Nokomis & Nassau. 941-929-5304. TheVeniceFarmersMarket.com. Casey Key: Nokomis Beach Drum Circle – 6pm. One of Casey Key’s most unique and celebrated events. On any given Saturday and Wednesday evening, one will encounter the rhythmic beats, amateur belly dancing, children playing, and the most amazing sunsets anywhere. Nokomis Public Beach, 201 South Casey Key Rd, Nokomis.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 3 Spiritual White Stone Ceremony – 9am or 10:30am. Confirm your commitment to soul growth and empowerment. Leave limitations behind. All are welcome. The Sanctuary, Unity of Sarasota, 3023 Proctor Rd (between Beneva & Swift), Sarasota. 941-955-3301. UnityOfSarasota.com. Open Heart Divine Healing Service – 12:15pm. First Sunday of each month. Through the gathering of the Faithful, experience and co-create the Anchoring of Powerful Divine Healing energies within the Sacred Circle. Expect Miracles! Rev Sharon Elizabeth James. Love offering. The Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Mdw, Bldg G-2, Sarasota. 941-371-9333, ccosl.com. New Year’s Romance on the Piano – 4pm. Celebrate New Year’s beginning with soulful Classical Music. World-acclaimed piano virtuoso Eleonora
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Lvov, winner of many prestigious competitions, popular recording artist and teacher, plays romantic works by Chopin, Debussy, Ravel and Gershwin. Manatee Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 322 15th St W, Bradenton. Call 941-358-0235. Manateeuuf.org.
www.peaceriverna.com
THURSDAY, JANUARY 7 Activate Your Brain: Create a Collage Illustrated Storybook – 10am-noon. Katya De Luisa, a mixed media artist and creativity coach for seniors, facilitates this workshop. The picture storybook technique combines collage making and story writing creating a reminiscence journal. Learn how using collage imagery and automatic writing techniques activates the brain improving both memory and emotional wellbeing. No prior art or writing experience necessary. Bring materials: 2 magazines, scissors, glue stick, pen, 8 ½ x 11” sketch book. (Books purchased at class $5). $6/non-members, $3/members. Sarasota Senior Friendship Center. Info 941-549-1317. Sarasota Orchestra Presents Winter Dreams – 8pm. Jan 7, 9, 10. Dunayevsky The Children of Captain Grant Overture; Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3; Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 1 (Winter Dreams); Fireworks result when three Russian musical geniuses are brought together in this unique program. Tchaikovsky’s lush first symphony proves his brilliance as a master melodist. Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 was made more famous in the movie Shine and is renowned
classifieds SERVICES CREATIVITY COACH FOR SENIORS. Personalized arts. Private home sessions. Specializing in dementia. Caregiver and family training. Excellent résumé. 941-549-1317. kdeluisa@yahoo.com.
as one of the most difficult to perform in the piano repertoire. Estonian pianist Mihkel Poll is garnering international accolades. The concert opens with Dunayevsky’s Overture. Tickets $30- $86. Neel, State College of Florida, 5840 26th St W, Bradenton. Info, 941-953-3434, SarasotaOrchestra.org/masterworks/winter-dreams.
ly distraction to the center of your being. Space is limited. Free. Journey Into Complete Wellbeing Yoga & Meditation Studio, 265 E Marion Ave, Ste 117C, Punta Gorda. Register, 772-485-0605. JourneyInStudio.com.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 8
ECK Worship Service – 10-11am. This month: Animals are Soul Too! Learn about the special connection we can have with our pets and other animals that come into our lives. Free, Charlotte County Cultural Center, Rm I, 2280 Aaron St, Port Charlotte, 941-764-1797, Meetup.com/EckankarInSarasota.
Activate Your Brain through Collage Making – 10-11:30am. There’s considerable attention on improving memory and keeping our brains healthy through exercising our brains. Discover how to have a whole brain workout using collage making. Katya De Luisa, renowned mixed media artist and creativity coach, explains how this easy and fun technique is an effective way to revive memories, express emotions and get those neurons moving. Bring a magazine to participate in a hands on demonstration. Free. Ana Maria Island Library. Info 941-549-1317. Women’s New Moon Meditation & 10 Anniversary – 6:30pm. Doors close 7pm. Begun in 2006 with 8 women, now numbering over 500, celebrating with a slide show of the 10 years, introduction of the original 8 members, and a meditation led by Patricia Cockerill called “Honoring the Goddess”, summoning the Divine Feminine across all religions & practices and acknowledging the goddess in each woman present. Circle meets on the New and Full Moons. $10 Donation. Rising Tide, 5102 Swift Rd, Sarasota. Info, Jo Mooy 941355-1414, JoMooy@gmail.com. th
Beyond Criminal Art Opening – 7pm. Featuring the work of Bruce Jackson, SUNY Distinguished Professor & James Agee Professor of American Culture at the University of Buffalo. Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Ct, Sarasota. 941-545-5635, PeaCenter@gmail.com, Fogartyville.org. Friday Night Concert-Patchouli – 7-9pm. Visit Downtown Venice for the Free Friday Night Concert series at the Gazebo in Centennial Park. 200 W Venice Ave. Venice MainStreet.com. Celebrate the New Year with Your Beloved – 7pm-Sun 2pm. Jan 8-10. Couples vacation retreat & Tantra Workshop. Join Richard & Diana Daffner, authors of Tantric Sex for Busy Couples, for a romantic beach getaway. Bring greater joy, intimacy and passion to your relationship. Connect with your beloved on a soul level. $695/couple. Siesta Key Beach, Sarasota. More info, other dates, brochure, 941-349-6804, IntimacyRetreats.com.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 9 Coquina Beach Winterfest – 10am-4:30pm. Jan 9-10. Featuring arts and crafts. Gulf of Mexico Dr, Bradenton Beach. FloridaFairsAndFestivals.com. Learn Palmistry with Myrna Lou, Master Palmist – Noon-2pm. Learn to read your own hand so you can read others. Easy to digest material. Myrna Lou is an award winning author. The Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Mdw, Bldg G-2, Sarasota. 941-371-9333, ccosl.com. Revealing Your True Self, Intro to Yoga Nidra Workshop – Noon-2pm. We experience ourselves as our values, goals, dreams and achievements we wear as a mask. Our true self is buried beneath our self-image. Our personality, the person we identify with occupies our attention, distorts our perception, and obstructs us from knowing the limitless Self within. Yoga Nidra meditation is a process of unveiling this Self by disengaging the mind from its constant chatter and emotional entanglement. It is a process of moving from the periphery of dai-
SUNDAY, JANUARY 10
Circus Ring of Fame – 1-3:30pm. Event recognizes persons who have made a significant contribution to the circus. St Armands Circle Park. 941388-1554. StarmandsCircleAssoc.com.
MONDAY, JANUARY 11 Awakening to a Life of Joy – 6-8pm. This 10week course takes you on a profound and safe journey of self-discovery in order to clear the way to living a more peaceful, loving and joyful life. $200 + $15 Materials/2.0 college credits. Angel Ministries College, 2269 S Tamiami Trl, Venice. Rev Patricia Charnley, 941-492-4995. AngelMinistriesfl.org.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 12 Mind & Energy – 6:30-8:30pm. This is the second course in a series of three in preparation for Practical Mysticism and Mediumship. It is designed to enable the student to understand the power of the mind and learn to use it to manifest a higher understanding of our true spiritual nature, and so much more! $200/2.0 college credits. Angel Ministries College, 2269 S Tamiami Trl, Venice. Rev Patricia Charnley, 941-492-4995. AngelMinistriesfl.org. Learn to Love What Arises in Your Life! – 6:45pm. Also Jan 19 & 26. Practical steps to spiritual fulfillment. Unleash your potential! Whatever arises, love that are words to really live by. Reverend Elizabeth Thompson, inspirational speaker. $10. Fellowship Hall, Unity of Sarasota, 3023 Proctor Rd (between Beneva & Swift), Sarasota. 941-955-3301. UnityOfSarasota.com.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13 Sarasota Orchestra Presents Crazy for Classics – 5:30pm. In this survey of all-time favorites, enjoy wonderful music you know and love, from Flight of the Bumblebee to Sleeping Beauty, and from Oklahoma to Blue Danube and Swan Lake. Featuring Bharat Chandra, principal clarinet, performing Mozart. Holley Hall, The Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center, 709 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota. 941-953-3434. SarasotaOrchestra.org/ great-escapes/crazy-for-classics.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 14 Tom Nielson Sierra Club Benefit – 7pm. People for a New Society has proudly nominated Tom Neilson, EdD for the 2015 Nelson Mandela Award. Tom’s work has spanned decades and continents sharing comprehensive and sobering interpretations of sociology and history with an easily digestible and entertaining format designed to inform and inspire Peace. $10/Advance, $15/ Door. Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Ct, Sarasota. 941-545-5635, PeaCenter@gmail.com, Fogartyville.org. Manatee County Fair – Jan 1-24. Live music, a midway and exhibits. Fairgrounds, Palmetto. 941722-1639. ManateeCountyFair.com.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 15 Ringling College Presents Amer Kobaslija: A 10-Year Survey – 4:30-7pm Opening Reception. On display Jan 15-Feb 20. A selection of over two dozen large and small-scale paintings, curated by Ringling College Galleries Chief Curator Mark Ormond, the exhibition will include views of Kesennuma, Japan where the tsunami came ashore in 2011, paintings of the artist’s studio, Balthus’ studio and Switzerland, miniature paintings, and Florida landscapes. Kobaslija’s works have been reviewed by The New York Times, Art in America, ArtNews, New York Magazine and The San Francisco Chronicle. Willis Smith Gallery, Academic Center, 2363 Old Bradenton Rd, Sarasota. Ringling.edu/gallery_calendar. Psychology of the Chakras Workshop – 6:309pm. Dr Marie Bailey, RYT-500 has a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and spent many years in her first career as a psychologist. She discovered and became intrigued with Yoga Therapy in 2007 while still a practicing psychologist. There are parallels between traditional Psychology and the Yogic perspective. However, the Yogic perspectives were arrived upon 5000 years before the advent of modern psychology! Yogic philosophy offers an interesting perspective on the development of the personality that is built upon the rich structure of the chakras. This fascinating workshop will demonstrate the interplay between the foundational development of the Muladhara (first) chakra, the ego, and its influence on the entire chakra system. $45. Journey Into Complete Wellbeing Yoga & Meditation Studio, 265 E Marion Ave, Ste 117C, Punta Gorda. Register, 772-485-0605. JourneyInStudio.com. Meditation & Spirit Circle – 7-8:30pm. Learn how to prepare for meditation. Experience a guided meditation. Participate in a Spirit Circle, and so much more! $10. Angel Ministries, 2269 S Tamiami Trl, Venice. Rev Patricia Charnley, 941-4924995. AngelMinistriesfl.org.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 16 Intro to Yoga Therapy Weekend with Dr Marie Bailey – Jan 16: 9:30-11:30am. 1-3pm. 4:306:30pm. Jan 17: 9:30-11:30am. 1-3pm. Yoga Therapy is a Journey into Prana (life force) as a medium for healing. Incomplete emotions and experiences can manifest as “holding patterns” in the body, which can result in desensitization, chronic tension, and pain. This informative weekend will explore the Yogic perspective on energy and the development of energy blocks, as well as their manifestation in the body. Group Yoga Therapy sessions gently guide participants to experience the limbs of Yoga Therapy. Deepen your practice and join us for this informative introduction to Amrit Yoga Therapy. Space is limited. Journey Into Complete Wellbeing Yoga & Meditation Studio, 265 E Marion Ave, Ste 117C, Punta Gorda. Info & Registration, 772-485-0605. JourneyInStudio.com. Basic IET Certification – 10am-4pm. In the Basic IET class you will be attuned to the energy ray activating the 1st and 2nd DNA pairs that empower you. You will learn to conduct the 5-minute empowerment self-balancing and clearing session, an absentee IET session, increase your ability to be an energy intuitive and “read” energy, and so much more. $180/0.5 college credit. Angel Ministries College, 2269 S Tamiami Trl, Venice. Rev Patricia Charnley, 941-492-4995. AngelMinistriesfl.org. Intuitive Arts Fair – 10:30am-5pm. Readers include Elizabetta, Skye, Margo, Catherine & Jason. No appointments made by phone. First come, first served. 30mins/$35. Elysian Fields, Midtown Plaza, 1273 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota. RSVP 941-3613006, ElysianFieldsOnline.com.
natural awakenings
January 2016
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JOIN OUR CIRCLE OF FRIENDS
Reiki I Certification – Noon-4pm. Receive Reiki Attunement. Experience guided meditation & meet your Reiki Guides. Learn hand positions to treat yourself & others, including your pets. Prepare for the 21-day Reiki Self-Healing. $75 + $15 manual/0.5 college credit. Angel Ministries College, 2269 S Tamiami Trl, Venice. Rev Patricia Charnley, 941-492-4995. AngelMinistriesfl.org.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 17 Roy Eugene Davis – 2pm. Paramahansa Yogananda disciple will share lessons and meditation techniques. All are welcome. Love Offering. The Sanctuary, Unity of Sarasota, 3023 Proctor Rd (between Beneva & Swift), Sarasota. Please call to reserve your spot, 941-955-3301. UnityOfSarasota.com. Grande Piano: Chopin & Friends – 4-5:30pm. Experience the romance, poetry and spirituality of great piano music played by the ardently passionate, world-renowned concert virtuoso Eleonora Lvov. $15. Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Rd, Sarasota. 941-358-0235. EleonoraLvov.com.
MONDAY, JANUARY 18 John of God, Crystal Light Bed Session – Call or email to book your session with Michele Denise, authorized John of God guide. The Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Mdw, Bldg G-2, Sarasota. 828-423-1482. Michele@CrystalHealingBed.com.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 19
We’ll introduce you to thousands of our friends when you advertise in the
February Friendship and Dental Health Issue To advertise or participate in our next issue, call
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Peace River Edition
Qi Gong – 7-8pm. Qi Gong opens pathways in the body to circulate and stimulate the body’s internal processes to allow for the smooth flow of Qi (energy), which can increase strength and produce vitality. $20. Angel Ministries, 2269 S Tamiami Trl, Venice. Dr Bill Phil Philpot, DOM, AP, LMT 941587-1288. AngelMinistriesfl.org.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 23 Intuitive Faire Readings and More – 11am-4pm. A monthly event with Intuitive and Mediumistic Readings, Spirit Artist, Palmistry, Astrology and Numerology Reports. Something for everyone. The Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Mdw, Bldg G-2, Sarasota. 941-371-9333, ccosl.com. Guides, Masters and Angels – 3-6pm. Join Rev John White from Lily Dale, NY and learn how to get to know your guides, channeling your spiritual guides and angels, Trance mediumship and how to develop it, and so much more! $40. Angel Ministries, 2269 S Tamiami Trl, Venice. Rev Patricia Charnley, 941-492-4995. RevPat@AngelMinistriesfl.org, AngelMinistriesfl.org.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 29 Couples Weekend Getaway & Workshop – 7pmSun 2pm. Jan 29-31. Join Richard & Diana Daffner, authors of Tantric Sex for Busy Couples, for a romantic beach getaway. Bring greater joy, intimacy and passion to your relationship. Celebrate your love. Connect with your beloved on a soul level. $695/couple. Siesta Key Beach. More info, other dates & locations, brochure, 941-349-6804, IntimacyRetreats.com.
plan ahead FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5
John of God, Crystal Light Bed Session – Call or email to book your session with Michele Denise, authorized John of God guide. The Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Mdw, Bldg G-2, Sarasota. 828-423-1482. Michele@CrystalHealingBed.com.
William Henry Returns to Sarasota – Feb 5-7. For over 20 years William Henry has been a trusted voice on human transformation and ascension. He’s authored 18 books, stars on the hit History Channel show Ancient Aliens and hosts Arcanum on Gaiam TV. He is a seasoned presenter and communicator. In the past year he has shared the stage with some of the greatest teachers in the higher consciousness arena, including Gregg Braden, Graham Hancock, Lynn McTaggart, Drs. JJ and Desiree Hurtak, and Dr Eben Alexander. The Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Mdw, Bldg G-2, Sarasota. 941-371-9333, ccosl.com.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 22
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12
Sarasota Native American Indian Festival – Fri 9am-5pm. Sat 10am-6pm. Sun 10am-5pm. Jan 2224. Experience authentic Native American culture and artistry with handmade, one-of-a-kind fine arts and crafts, paintings, pottery, jewelry, sculpture, bead work and leather work, along with Native American food. Native American drumming, singing and various styles of music and dance throughout the weekend. Festival continues to be a tribute to the extraordinary life of artist Rex A Begaye, its founder. $8/adult, $3/ages 6-12, Free 5 and under. Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota. Info, 941-928-7892, snaif@mail.com, SarasotaNativeAmericanIndianFestival.wordpress.com.
Valentine Celebration/Getaway Weekend & Tantra Workshop – 7pm-Sun 2pm. Feb 12-14. Join Richard & Diana Daffner, authors of Tantric Sex for Busy Couples, for a romantic beach getaway. Bring greater joy, intimacy and passion to your relationship. Celebrate your love. Connect with your beloved on a soul level. $695/couple. Siesta Key Beach, Sarasota. More info, other dates & locations, brochure, 941-349-6804, IntimacyRetreats.com.
Séance – 7-9pm. Do you want to hear from a departed loved one? Invite them to meet you here at Angel Ministries. Tell Spirit the date, time, and address. $25 Paid Pre-registration required. Limited Seating. Angel Ministries, 2269 S Tamiami Trl, Venice. Rev Patricia Charnley, 941-492-4995. RevPat@ AngelMinistriesfl.org, AngelMinistriesfl.org.
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TUESDAY, MAY 31 American Holistic Nurses Association Annual Conference – May 31-June 5. “Interconnectedness: The Soul of Holistic Nursing.” Attendees will learn about holistic nursing practice, education and research from various types of healthcare and nursing experts. Registration opens January 2016 with discounted Early Bird rates before February 15, 2016. Hyatt Regency Coconut Point, Bonita Springs. Info & Registration, 800-278-2462, ahna. org/conference/registration.
ongoingevents sunday Beach Yoga for Everybody – 8:30-9:30am. Relax, breathe, stretch & greet the beautiful morning on beautiful Englewood Beach (N end). 941-473-0135. Loving Light Yoga, 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. Lata528@gmail.com. LovingLightYoga.com. Community Book Study: Aging as a Spiritual Practice – 9am. A contemplative guide to growing older. Buddhist meditation teacher, Lewis Richmond, helps us understand how aging can bring new possibilities and a depth of gratitude that profoundly affects us. Whether you are enjoying growing old, hating it or in denial, this study is for you. All beliefs and “unbeliefs” welcome. Faith United Church of Christ, 4850 SR 64 E, Bradenton. 941-746-8890, FaithChurchucc.com. Amrit Level 1 Yoga – 9:30-10:15am. Specifically designed to lead students into a deeper experience of integration. You will be guided into proper alignment for your body type through energetic extensions and press points. Working with the 1st and 2nd half of the posture brings the nervous system into balance and body into homeostasis. Intentionally repeating this sequence is similar to chanting a mantra repeatedly, focusing the mind so that the body can relax fully. All levels welcome. $15/1, $125/10, NEW student special $57/unlimited-1x offer. Journey Into Complete Wellbeing Yoga & Meditation Studio, 265 E Marion Ave, Ste 117C, Punta Gorda. 772-485-0605. JourneyInStudio.com. Bridge Street Market – 10am-3pm. Open-air market. Live music every week. Bradenton Beach, Anna Maria Island. BridgeStreetMerchants.com. Silent Retreat – 10am-3:45pm. 2nd Sun. Venice Mindfulness Community. Come to all or part. Silent brown bag lunch Noon-1:30pm. Venice Holistic Community Center, 714 Shamrock Blvd, Venice, RSVP 941-615-7613. A Cosmic New Thought Service – 10:30-11:30am. A metaphysical universal service with music, talk, meditation and chants, to educate & expand our understanding and concepts to clarify and empower our connection with Infinite Spirit, Divine Source. Free energy healings at 10am. Love offering. The Cosmic Center, 5041 Ringwood Meadow, Bldg G-2, Sarasota. Rev Zan Benham 941-922-7839, Zan@Woman-Spirit.com, CCOSL.com. Sunday AM Service – 10:30am-Noon. Join us for a free chair healing, singing, inspiring spiritual church messages and, after service, messages from Spirit with our Psychic/Mediums. Love Offering Welcome. Angel Ministries, 2269 S Tamiami Trl, Venice. Rev Patricia Charnley, 941-492-4995, revpat@ angelministriesfl.org, angelministriesfl.org. Chess – 11am-3pm. The Cultural Center of Charlotte County, 2280 Aaron St, Port Charlotte. Info & sign-up 941-625-4175. Cosmic In-Service – 12:15-1:30pm. Gathering of Lightworkers. A call to Planetary World Servers to anchor Light and work with our family of light to bridge Heaven and Earth. Love Offering. The Cosmic Center, 5041 Ringwood Meadow, Bldg G-2, Sarasota. Rev Sharon Elizabeth James, 941-3719333, CCOSL.com. Sunday PM Service – 6:30-8pm. Join us for a free chair healing, singing, inspiring spiritual church
messages and, after service, messages from Spirit with our Psychic/Mediums. Love Offering Welcome. Angel Ministries, 2269 S Tamiami Trl, Venice. Rev Patricia Charnley, 941-492-4995, revpat@ angelministriesfl.org, angelministriesfl.org.
monday Beach Yoga for Everybody – 8:30-9:30am. Relax, breathe, stretch & greet the beautiful morning on beautiful Englewood Beach (N end). 941-473-0135. Loving Light Yoga, 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. Lata528@gmail.com. LovingLightYoga.com. Yoga Infused – 8:30-9:45am. A fun class, blending yoga fit & Pilates to build full body strength, improve posture, increase endurance, stamina & flexibility. Loving Light Yoga Studio, 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. 941-473-0135. Lata528@ gmail.com, LovingLightYoga.com. Paddleboard Lessons & Tour – 9-10:30am. Learn how to stand up paddleboard while exploring the barrier islands that surround the North Jetty. Great opportunity to see dolphins, manatees and other wildlife. $25. N Jetty, Nokomis. 941-234-4311. SUPEnglewood.com. Gentle Mixed Yoga – 9:30-11am. Gentle mixed level yoga. All levels and bodies welcome. $10. 238 W Tampa Ave, Ste 250, Venice. 941-468-0403. Sunlight Yoga – 9:30-11am Mon, Tues, Thurs. 5:45-7:05am Wed. With Debbie Downing. Gentle flowing hatha yoga for range of motion, balance, relaxation. Mixed level. $10. The Power of One, 238 W Tampa Ave, Venice Centre Mall/KMI Bldg, Rm 250. 941-468-0403. SunLightYoga@verizon.net. Amrit Yoga Therapeutics – 10-11:30am. 6-7:30pm Thursdays. Over time, patterns of thinking and feeling are energetically and physically held in the body. Left unsolved, they can manifest as tension, agitation, health imbalances and other problems. Through this understanding and the use of yoga postures to free prana, the body mind complex can begin to heal and integrate itself. The focus of this class is learning to relax with forms of energy one would normally resist and recognizing that even the most intense, uncomfortable sensations lead back to stillness and calm. All levels of students welcome. $15/1, $125/10, special $57/unlimited-1x offer/new students only. Journey Into Complete Wellbeing Yoga & Meditation Studio, 265 E Marion Ave, Ste 117C, Punta Gorda. 772-4850605. JourneyInStudio.com. Gentle Yoga with Lata – 11am-12:30pm. A heart centered gentle flow of postures and deep stretching, breathing techniques and relaxation helping you to release tension and stress in the body and mind. Englewood Yoga Center, Loving Light Yoga, 3455 S Access Rd, 941-473-0135. Lata528@gmail.com. Slow Flow Kripalu Yoga with Angelena Craig – 4-5:15pm. A gentle, yet energetic approach to traditional yoga, suitable for beginners or the more advanced. First time student special $15/ first class, second one is free; $55/5 class packages. Circusoul Yoga Studio, 4141 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota. 941822-9620, ANewAgingMovement.com. The Amrit Method of Yoga Nidra – 6-7pm. Experience a guided meditation technique with the power to take you to the innermost, deepest levels
of relaxation where your whole body and being is permeated by peace of mind and profound stillness. Yoga Nidra takes you beyond the ordinary state of mind where the deepest level of healing and rejuvenation take place effortlessly. $15/1, $125/10, special $57/unlimited-1x offer/new students only. Journey Into Complete Wellbeing Yoga & Meditation Studio, 265 E Marion Ave, Ste 117C, Punta Gorda. 772-485-0605. JourneyInStudio.com. Evening Yoga Flow – 6-7:15pm. Join Lata in this evening slow flow vinyasa practice. Bring your focus to releasing stress and tension in the body and mind while opening the heart and freeing the spirit, slowing down from your busy day as we link breath and movement with grounding asana sequencing and longer held forward bends to relax and re-new. Loving Light Yoga, 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. 941-473-0135. Lata528@gmail.com, LovingLightYoga.com.
tuesday Beach Yoga for Everybody – 8:30-9:30am. Relax, breathe, stretch & greet the beautiful morning on beautiful Englewood Beach (N end). 941-473-0135. Loving Light Yoga, 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. Lata528@gmail.com. LovingLightYoga.com. Yoga with Robert – 8:30-10am. Class includes gentle warms ups, yoga postures & relaxation, all levels are welcome. Loving Light Yoga, 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. 941-473-0135. Lata528@ gmail.com, LovingLightYoga.com. WSLR Peace & Justice Show – 9-10am. Tune in to 96.5 on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Tuesdays of the month for The Peace and Justice Report. Submit any event announcements for the show to Info@ wslr.org. Gentle Mixed Yoga – 9:30-11am. Gentle mixed level yoga. All levels & bodies welcome. $10. 238 W Tampa Ave, Ste 250, Venice. 941-468-0403. Deep Water Aerobics – 10-10:45am Tues & Thurs. Come join the fun. Some swimming ability required. $3, South County Regional Park, 670 Cooper St, Punta Gorda, 941-629-0170, 941-505-8686. Gentle Yoga Flow – 11am-12:30pm. A flow of postures designed to increase strength, flexibility and the flow of vital energy. Ending with a guided deep relaxation to restore body, mind and spirit. Beginner friendly. Loving Light Yoga Studio, E Englewood. 941-473-0135, Lata528@gmail.com. Transformative Yoga – 5:30-6:45pm. The literal translation of Nidra is sleep. However, Yoga Nidra is a dynamic state, not the unconscious sleep of nighttime. It has the ability to alter your unconscious programming. You tap into creative powers beyond the ego-mind and have access to healing on physical, mental and emotional planes. First class complimentary, $10 thereafter. Venice Holistic Community Center, 714 Shamrock Blvd, Venice. Register, Facilitator Rick Rabalais 941-539-9149. Yoga Nidra and Sound Healing – 6-7pm. First Tuesday monthly. A time to relax, restore and renew. A deep guided meditation that will take you into the deepest levels of relaxation. Through the use of guided imagery, breath awareness and the healing sounds of the Crystal Bowls, Yoga Nidra will help to alleviate not only muscular tensions, but also mental & emotional stress, healing the
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body, mind & spirit, bringing you into balance, harmony and peace. Open to all ages. Bring your favorite blanket and pillow. $18. Loving Light Yoga, 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. Must Pre-register, 941-473-0135, Lata528@gmail.com, LovingLightYoga.com. Yin/Restorative and Sound Healing – 6-7:15pm. A gentle yin practice with the crystal healing bowls. Relax and surrender into sensations and unlock deep rooted tensions in the body, quite the busy mind as you allow every cell of your bod y to be bathed in sound healing and vibration. A Spiritual Uplift for body, mind and soul! Englewood Yoga Center/Loving Light Yoga. Must pre-register, 941-473-0135, LovingLightYoga.com. Community Book Study: Aging as a Spiritual Practice – 6:30pm. Beginning Feb 16. A contemplative guide to growing older. Buddhist meditation teacher, Lewis Richmond, helps us understand how aging can bring new possibilities and a depth of gratitude that profoundly affects us. Whether you are enjoying growing old, hating it or in denial, this study is for you. All beliefs and “unbeliefs” welcome. Faith United Church of Christ, 4850 SR 64 E, Bradenton. 941-746-8890, FaithChurchucc.com.
wednesday Beach Yoga for Everybody – 8:30-9:30am. Relax, breathe, stretch & greet the beautiful morning on beautiful Englewood Beach (N end). 941-473-0135. Loving Light Yoga, 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. Lata528@gmail.com. LovingLightYoga.com. Yoga for Well-Being – 8:30-10am. Guided meditation, breathing exercises, sun salutations and an energizing flow of postures with a guided relaxation. All levels welcome. $12; $55/5; $100/10. Loving Light Yoga Studio, 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. 941-473-0135. LovingLightYoga.com. The Amrit Method of Yoga Nidra – 10-11am. Experience a guided meditation technique with the power to take you to the innermost, deepest levels of relaxation where your whole body and being is permeated by peace of mind and profound stillness. Yoga Nidra takes you beyond the ordinary state of mind where the deepest level of healing and rejuvenation take place effortlessly. $15/1, $125/10, special $57/unlimited-1x offer/new students only. Journey Into Complete Wellbeing Yoga & Meditation Studio, 265 E Marion Ave, Ste 117C, Punta Gorda. 772-485-0605. JourneyInStudio.com.
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Yoga/Pilates Flow, Level One – 11am-12:15pm. With Lata. Great for beginners and all levels. A flow of yoga postures and Pilates to strengthen, tone and stretch the entire body. Packages available. 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. 941-4730135. LovingLightYoga.com.
Square Dancing – 7-9pm. The Cultural Center of Charlotte County, 2280 Aaron St, Port Charlotte. 941-625-4175.
thursday Kundalini Yoga/Gong Meditation – 8-9:30am. A blend of postures, mantra & gong meditation offering a technology that aligns with the ever-evolving universe. All levels. $15; $52/4; $88/8. Moving Toward Stillness Wellness Center, Osprey. 941812-8695. Beach Yoga for Everybody – 8:30-9:30am. Relax, breathe, stretch & greet the beautiful morning on beautiful Englewood Beach (N end). 941-473-0135. Loving Light Yoga, 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. Lata528@gmail.com. LovingLightYoga.com. Yoga Infused – 8:30-9:45am. A fun class, blending yoga fit & Pilates to build full body strength, improve posture, increase endurance, stamina & flexibility. Loving Light Yoga Studio, 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. 941-473-0135. Lata528@ gmail.com, LovingLightYoga.com. Zumba/Yoga Class with Allison – 9-10am. Feel young & energetic on Venice Beach. Dance & relax. Donations. W Venice Ave, on the Beach, Venice. VeniceInformationCenter.com. Englewood Farmers’ Market – 9am-2pm. Find a wide range of fruits, organic vegetables, fresh baked German breads, gourmet French foods, fresh seafood, bonsai plants, orchids, garden plants, kettle corn and much more! Olde Englewood Village, W Dearborn St, Englewood, EnglewoodFarmersMarket.org. Gentle Mixed Yoga – 9:30-11am. Gentle mixed level yoga. All levels & bodies welcome. $10. 238 W Tampa Ave, Ste 250, Venice. 941-468-0403. Deep Water Aerobics – 10-10:45am. Some swimming ability required. $3, S County Regional Park, 670 Cooper St, Punta Gorda. 941-629-0170, 941505-8686. Awakening Spirit Kundalini Yoga – 11am12:15pm. Awaken spiritual energy with breath, movement and meditation, with Jana and Hannah. $10. Venice Holistic Community Center, 714 Shamrock Blvd, Venice. Register 941-488-1828. Gentle Yoga Flow – 11am-12:30pm. A flow of postures designed to increase strength, flexibility and the flow of vital energy. Ending with a guided deep relaxation to restore body, mind, and spirit. Beginner friendly. $12; $55/5; $100/10. Loving Light Yoga Studio, E Englewood. 941-473-0135, Lata528@gmail.com.
Free Healing Clinic – 4-6:30pm. Our Masters tap into the Divine Source of energy to balance and heal your being. Relax and enjoy this renewing and enlightening experience. Love Donation Appreciated. Angel Ministries, 2269 S Tamiami Trl, Venice. Rev Patricia Charnley, 941-492-4995, revpat@angelministriesfl.org, angelministriesfl.org.
Tai Chi as a Spiritual Practice – 2-3pm. Join master teacher and author Caroline Demoise and experience the wonderful benefits of the meditative practice of tai chi that helps retain health with vitality while creating relaxation. All ages welcome. $10; $40/5. Fellowship Hall, Unity of Sarasota, 3023 Proctor Rd (between Beneva & Swift), Sarasota. 941-955-3301. UnityOfSarasota.com.
Sunset Yoga – 5pm. Relax, breathe, stretch & enjoy the sunset on beautiful Englewood Beach. Beginner friendly. Donation. Sponsored by Loving Light Yoga, Englewood Beach (N end). 941-4730135. LovingLightYoga.com.
Open Gym Basketball – 5-8pm. Drop in & enjoy a game of indoor basketball. Shoot some hoops. Play 3 on 3, 5 on 5 or a pickup game with friends. Times subject to change. $2/player. Tringali Recreation Ctr, 3460 N Access Rd, Englewood.
Debbie Downing Yoga – 5:45-7:15pm. Gentle mixed level yoga. All levels and bodies welcome. $10. 238 W Tampa Ave, Ste 250, Venice. 941-468-0403.
Gentle Restorative Yoga – 6pm. Unwind the body with this gentle restorative class. All levels. $15/
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first class free. Moving Toward Stillness Wellness Center, Osprey. 941-266-6962. Restorative Yoga and Sound Healing – 6-7:15pm. Restorative yoga with the use of props to help you relax and surrender into gravity, with sound healing concert of the crystal bowls that will take you into the deepest levels of relaxation and healing. Loving Light Yoga, 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. Must pre-register, 941-473-0135. LovingLightYoga.com. Amrit Yoga Therapeutics – 6-7:30pm. Over time, patterns of thinking and feeling are energetically and physically held in the body. Left unsolved, they can manifest as tension, agitation, health imbalances and other problems. Through the use of yoga postures to free prana, the body mind complex can begin to heal and integrate itself. The focus of this class is learning to relax with forms of energy one would normally resist and recognizing that even the most intense, uncomfortable sensations lead back to stillness and calm. All levels of students welcome. $15/1, $125/10, special $57/ unlimited-1x offer/new students only. Journey Into Complete Wellbeing Yoga & Meditation Studio, 265 E Marion Ave, Ste 117C, Punta Gorda. 772485-0605. JourneyInStudio.com. Healing & Messages – 6:30-8pm. Join us for a free chair healing, singing, inspiring spiritual messages with our Psychic/Mediums. Love Offering Welcome. Angel Ministries, 2269 S Tamiami Trl, Venice. Rev Patricia Charnley, 941-492-4995, revpat@ angelministriesfl.org, angelministriesfl.org.
friday Beach Yoga for Everybody – 8:30-9:30am. Relax, breathe, stretch & greet the beautiful morning on beautiful Englewood Beach (N end). 941-473-0135. Loving Light Yoga, 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. Lata528@gmail.com. LovingLightYoga.com. Yoga for Well-Being – 8:30-10am. Guided meditation, sun salutations and an energizing flow of postures with a guided relaxation. All levels welcome. Loving Light Yoga Studio, 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. 941-473-0135, LovingLightYoga.com. Amrit Gentle Yoga Class – 10-11am. Through breath you learn to release limitations felt in your body and keep the mind present in the experience. You will be guided into your body’s energetic extensions and press points present within each posture. By working with press points and extensions the body naturally is held into the pose without force or strain, allowing you to find your full ex-
pression in the posture, opening the energy channels in your body to release trapped energy and tensions, effortlessly bringing you back into harmony. $15/1, $125/10, special $57/unlimited-1x offer/new students only. Journey Into Complete Wellbeing Yoga & Meditation Studio, 265 E Marion Ave, Ste 117C, Punta Gorda. 772-485-0605. JourneyInStudio.com. Gentle Yoga with Lata – 11am-12:30pm. A heart centered gentle flow of postures and deep stretching, breathing techniques and relaxation helping you to release tension and stress in the body and mind. Englewood Yoga Center, Loving Light Yoga, 3455 S Access Rd, 941-473-0135. Lata528@gmail.com. Astrology Fridays at The Power of One – 11am3pm. Know thyself and know what’s coming in your future. New relationship, order a synastry chart. Accurate, affordable prices. Call for an appointment or stop by the store to talk. Ask for Astrology Bob. $35/Natal or Progressed chart. The Power of One Metaphysical Shop, 238 W Tampa Ave, Venice. 941-493-6096. Amrit Yoga Nidra Class – 6-7pm. The Amrit Method of Yoga Nidra is a guided meditation technique, accessible to everyone. It has the power to take you to the innermost, deepest levels of relaxation where your whole body and being is permeated by peace of mind and profound stillness. Yoga Nidra takes you beyond the ordinary state of mind where the deepest level of healing and rejuvenation take place effortlessly. $15/1, $125/10, special $57/unlimited-1x offer/new students only. Journey Into Complete Wellbeing Yoga & Meditation Studio, 265 E Marion Ave, Ste 117C, Punta Gorda. 772-485-0605. JourneyInStudio.com.
saturday Beach Yoga for Everybody – 8:30-10am. Relax, breathe, stretch & greet the beautiful morning on beautiful Englewood Beach (N end). 941-473-0135. Loving Light Yoga, 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. Lata528@gmail.com. LovingLightYoga.com. Punta Gorda Farmers Market – 8am-Noon. Voted the ‘Best Small Market in Florida’ and 15th in the USA, we have a large number of vendors offering fruits and vegetables, dried fruits and nuts, Italian bakery, fresh homemade pasta, kitchenware, cupcakes, beef and fresh seafood, fresh citrus, jewelry, candles and soaps, dip mixes, Florida arts and crafts, cheese, French bakery, baguettes and olives, homemade pies, orchids, organic produce, personalized pens, kettlecorn, coffee beans and drinks, native and exotic plants.Taylor St (across from Historic Charlotte County Courthouse), Punta Gorda. 941-391-4856. Info@PGDowntownMerchants.com. Yoga with Robert – 8:30-10am. Class includes gentle warms ups, yoga postures & relaxation, all levels are welcome. Loving Light Yoga, 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. 941-473-0135. LovingLightYoga.com. Psychic Fair – 10am-3pm. 2nd & 4th Saturdays. Are you searching, questioning and seeking answers? Choose from some of the best Intuitive Artists in the Area! See what your future holds! Complimentary refreshments. Private Readings $1/Min. Angel Ministries, 2269 S Tamiami Trl, Venice. Rev Patricia Charnley, 941-492-4995, revpat@angelministriesfl.org, angelministriesfl.org.
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