Natural Awakenings Tampa Bay May 2023 Edition

Helping Our Aging Pets

Non-Surgical Solutions for Improved Mobility

Balancing Act

Foods That Support

Hormone Health

Stress Success

Holistic Coping Strategies

Publisher Debbey Wilson

Editor Cheryl Hynes

Design & Production Patrick Floresca

Contributing Writer Eleanor Bailey

Sales & Marketing Debbey Wilson

Circulation Manager Dean Wille

Accounting Susan Hoffman

Website Kyle Hass

Operations Amy Hass

CONTACT US

Natural Awakenings Tampa Bay Ph: 727-865-9339

dwilson@natampa.com

NATampa.com

Follow us on Facebook!

DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS

FREE email: dwilson@natampa.com to request or visit NATampa.com

NATIONAL TEAM

CEO Kimberly B. Whittle

National Editor Sandra Yeyati

Editor Brooke Goode

Copy Editor/Proofreader Melanie Rankin

Design & Production Gabrielle W-Perillo

National Advertising Lisa Doyle-Mitchell

CONTACT US

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 350 Main Street, Suite 9B Bedminster, NJ 07921 Ph: 239-206-2000

NaturalAwakenings@KnoWEwell.com

© 2023 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.

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

We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.

Meditation in a Time of Madness, by Carol Penn, a dual-certified physician and movement coach, in New Jersey, features in our main theme this month of wellness, especially for women. The feature article, Solving Stress, illustrates how rapidly medicine is evolving with a genre of doctors treating the whole person rather than separate parts. Always aiming for the root cause, often illnesses are permanently deterred by early uprooting. As to the energy body contained within, this too can be upgraded and healed through meditation and other soft forms of energy therapy.

This month’s Conscious Eating article, Taking Control of Our Hormones, is a very powerful reminder of this inner life-altering alchemy. Included in the article are nutritional tips and a tasty recipe with the minerals and vitamins needed to support hormonal chemistry, having tremendous power over our behavior.

In Healing Ways, First Signs of Menopause, Dr. Lindsey Berkson, author of Safe Hormones, Smart Women, shares, “The vagina doesn’t exist alone. Treating only the vagina is minimized medicine.” Approached with dignity, in-depth, as well as non-surgical and painless, learn of rejuvenation via functional medicine.

If you have a furry bestie, Bringing the Bounce Back educates pet parents as to the availability of leading-edge healing modalities for aging pets and those with mobility challenges.

As always, with an open heart and open mind, I hope you enjoy this issue.

ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS

Natural Awakenings is a network of natural lifestyle magazine publishers empowering local communities with knowledge, resources and connections to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

HOW TO ADVERTISE

To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 727-865-9339 or email dwilson@ natampa.com. Deadline for ads: the 15th of the month

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS

Advertisers email articles, news briefs to dwilson@ natampa.com. Deadline for editorial: the 10th of the month.

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS

Email Calendar Events to: dwilson@natampa.com Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month.

NATIONAL MARKETS

Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-206-2000. For franchising opportunities call 239-206-2000 or email Natural Awakenings@KnoWEwell.com.

∙ BHRT including pellets

∙ Wt-Loss Metabolic

∙ Type II Diabetes

∙ Adrenal Fatigue

∙ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

∙ Thyroid

∙ IV Therapy

∙ MonaLisa Vaginal Rejuvenation

∙ EMSCULPT NEO®

∙ EMSELLA®

∙ EMTONE®

∙ PRP Injections

∙ Prolozone Therapy

∙ Chronic Infection Treatments

∙ GI Repair

∙ Chelation Therapy

∙ Autoimmune Disorders

∙ Acupuncture

∙ Nutritional Blood Analysis

∙ DNA Analysis

Mayo

Liana Kramer, AP, DOM

Miranda Giusti, DO

Jeanne Bangtson, DC

Tracie Leonhardt, DO Medical Director

Become an EF Host for International Students

17th Annual National Herb Day Celebration in St. Pete

Education

First (EF) host families needed now! Host an international student for two weeks. EF is seeking volunteer families to host students from France, ages 13 to 17. Students come to Florida with the dream of learning about American culture and improving their spoken English.

Volunteer families may host from one to four students. EF offers ongoing support 24-hours/day, 7-days/week from their local office. EF’s 55-plus years’ experience in both language education and hosting assures host families and their charges are in good hands.

Hosts provide students their welcoming and comfortable home, ambience and meals in a minimum two-week commitment. Upcoming dates are July 27 to August 12, 2023, with school location in St. Pete to be determined. Students are in classes Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and spend weekends with host family.

Noelle Morris Dumitrescu, of EF, shares, “My family has personally hosted three times with students from Spain, Japan and China. It’s a great international experience for everyone! Feel free to contact me for firsthand knowledge on hosting.”

For more information, contact Noelle Morris Dumitrescu, 727458-3405, email nmorriskw@gmail.com. FAQs https://www.ef.edu/ host-family/faq/. See ad page 26.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on May 6, herbalists and lovers of herbal medicines will celebrate the importance of plants in health with Herb Day 2023. Hosted by Acupuncture & Herbal Therapies and Traditions School of Herbal Studies, at 2520 Central Avenue, in St. Pete, this celebration honors the importance of plants in health.

Free and open to the public, there will be herb and food tastings and botanical teas, with free lectures every 30 minutes throughout the day, including Herbs for Pets, Herb and Drug Interactions, Becoming an Herbalist, Herbal First Aid, Herbal Skincare, and more. Lectures will be given by local herb experts. Locally grown medicinal plants will be for sale.

Herb Day was created by the Herb Day Coalition, a national group of nonprofit herbal organizations dedicated to herbal education, research, quality control, plant preservation, and the responsible use of herbs in human health. The St. Petersburg event is a collaboration with the Florida Herb Society and the West Coast Chapter of the American Herbalists Guild; raffle drawings will be held throughout the day for their benefit.

For more information, call 727-249-1174 and/or visit acuHerbals.com, TraditionsHerbSchool.com or HerbDay.org. See ad page 39.

The C Word – COVID, Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, Cavitations and Vitamin C Connection

COVID-19 pandemic brought increased attention to the benefits of Vitamin C in treating respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, Long COVID, and spike protein-related injuries. Since the 1930’s, Vitamin C has been the most researched topic on PUBMED, yet it is the most misunderstood and misapplied critical therapy by healthcare providers.

Vitamin C has been shown to reduce the levels of certain pro-inflammatory molecules in the body, such as cytokines and C-reactive proteins (CRP), and to improve overall immune function. Antioxidant high-dose Vitamin C therapy may help reduce the severity of symptoms and improve outcomes for COVID-19 patients, as well as mitigate injuries related to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2—the virus that causes COVID-19.

In addition, for decades, pro-oxidant, high-dose Vitamin C therapy has been proven to have anti-cancer effects by promoting the death of cancer cells and inhibiting the growth and spread of tumors.

Discover from world renowned experts, scientists and clinicians the powers of Vitamin C for COVID, cancer, cardiovascular disease, oral and systemic health connection and beyond, from September 14 to 16, at the annual 2023 VCICI C-Mposium, in Clearwater Beach.

For more information, visit vcici.org/conference. See ad page 22.

Wellness and Adventure Travel on Offer

TheZNG Cruises and Retreats LLC specializes in wellness and adventure travel, cruises and Rocky Mountaineer luxury train travel. The agency offers a wide range of personalized travel itineraries designed to meet the needs and interests of its clients. For those interested in wellness, ZNG offers stays at wonderful wellness bed and breakfasts offering yoga retreats, plant-based meals, wellness treatments, workshops and hikes through scenic landscapes.

For clients who want their adrenaline pumping, choose from a variety of adventure travel experiences such as zip lining, kayaking and white-water rafting. As to ZNG’s cruise packages, they come with a range of options including river cruises through Europe and Canada, island hopping in the Caribbean and luxurious adult-only cruises.

Also on offer is ZNG’s customized two-to-10-day Rocky Mountaineer luxury train travel that takes clients through the stunning Canadian Rockies or the amazing American Southwest.

Clients get to work with ZNG to create an itinerary that is custom tailored to their specific interests and preferences. The owner, an experienced agent and traveler herself, will assist with all aspects of planning, including flights, accommodations and local tours. ZNG’s goal is to provide clients with an unforgettable travel experience, in joy and sans stress.

For more information, call Monica Grajales, 813-586-3656, email ZNGCruisesAndRetreats@gmail.com and/or visit ZNGCruisesAndRetreats.com. See ad page 43.

Light Therapy for Autoimmune Symptoms

Fatigue is often reported as the most disabling symptom for people with autoimmune disorders, significantly impairing their physical, mental and social quality of life. Autoimmune researchers in Denmark, noting previous studies wherein bright light therapy significantly reduced fatigue related to traumatic brain injury and cancer, devised a study involving multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The study was conducted as a randomized, sham-controlled trial of 26 people with MS that reported a Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) score greater than 36. Participants received either bright light therapy or a dim red light sham intervention for 30 minutes each morning for two weeks. The bright light therapy decreased FSS scores over the course of the study. However, this benefit occurred in the sham control group as well, highlighting the need for more research on the effects of light therapy on fatigue.

Reversing Type 2 Diabetes With Diet

A Type 2 diabetes (T2D) diagnosis is often regarded as a lifelong sentence and typically treated as such, requiring an increasing number of drugs. However, sustained remission of T2D is now well established.

In a recent primary care-based cohort study published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health, advice on a lowercarbohydrate diet and weight loss protocols was offered routinely to 9,800 patients with T2D between 2013 and 2021. Overall, remission was achieved in 51 percent of the patients that adopted a low-carb lifestyle, with individuals diagnosed with T2D within the previous year more likely to achieve remission (77 percent) than those that had been diagnosed for longer (20 percent for patients with a T2D duration greater than 15 years). Additionally, about 97 percent of the patients experienced improvements in blood glycemic control. Average low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and systolic blood pressure decreased, and there were also significant financial savings on drugs.

A low-carb diet may give hope to those with T2D as a practical, manageable way to achieve remission, as well as substantial health and financial benefits. Even for those with poorly controlled T2D that may not achieve remission, improvements in diabetic control may be within reach.

Fran.Vila/ShutterStock.com

Benefits of Water Immersion During Birth

Seniors Avoid the Hospital With Nature

New research has found that exposure to natural environments may reduce the risk of hospitalization for older adults with Alzheimer’s disease, related dementias and Parkinson’s disease. The cohort study included approximately 62 million Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years or older that lived in the contiguous United States from 2000 to 2016. Researchers looked at ZIP-Code-level greenness, percentages of park cover and blue space (water) cover, as well as hospitalizations. They found that exposure to greenness, park cover and blue space cover reduced hospitalizations for patients with Parkinson’s. Greenness—but not park or blue space cover—was associated with a lower risk of hospitalization due to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Water immersion during labor is an increasingly popular birthing option for healthy women that experience a straightforward pregnancy, labor spontaneously at full term and plan to give birth in a midwifery-led care setting. The process involves immersion in a birth pool to achieve relaxation and pain relief during the first and possibly part of the second stage of labor. The mother exits the pool for the actual birth, allowing the infant to emerge outside of the water. This method is different from a water birth, during which the woman remains in the pool as the infant emerges into the water and is then brought to the surface to initiate breathing.

In a new systematic review and meta-analysis published in BMJ Open, researchers compared the interventions and outcomes of water immersion, water birth and no-waterimmersion births. After reviewing 36 studies encompassing the experiences of about 150,000 women, researchers found that water immersion significantly reduced the use of epidurals, injected opioids, episiotomy, maternal pain and postpartum hemorrhage. There was also an increase in maternal satisfaction and improved odds of an intact perineum with water immersion. Water births were associated with increased odds of the tearing of the umbilical cord from the placenta, making delivery of the placenta difficult, although the absolute risk remained low (4.3 versus 1.3 per 1,000). There were no differences in any other identified neonatal outcomes.

Ashwagandha May Improve Women’s Sexual Experience

Poor sexual function affects about 40 percent of women and may worsen their quality of life. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a known adaptogenic herb that has been reported to improve sexual satisfaction, sleep and quality of life in women. Researchers in Mumbai set out to evaluate the efficacy and safety of standardized ashwagandha root extract in improving sexual function in healthy females.

A randomized, placebo-controlled study of 80 women between the ages of 18 and 50 with hypoactive sexual desire disorder and no other hormonal imbalances were given either 300 milligrams of ashwagandha root extract twice daily or a placebo for eight weeks. Sexual function, quality of life and safety were assessed. In comparison to the control group, the ashwagandha participants experienced statistically significant improvements in sexual desire, arousal and satisfaction; improved lubrication and orgasm; and less pain.

Ruslan Huzau/ShutterStock.com

Ground Picture/ShutterStock.com

Indian Food Images/ShutterStock.com

Sulfur Shortage Predicted

Fir Trees Die in Record Numbers

According to unpublished research by the U.S. Forest Service reported by Columbia Insight, fir trees in Oregon and Washington died in record-breaking numbers in 2022. Labeled “Firmageddon” by researchers, the event involved more than 1.23 million acres across the two states, with Oregon being hardest hit. In some areas, an estimated 50 percent or more of fir trees died.

According to a study in The Geographical Journal led by University College London, a shift away from fossil fuels and an increase in agricultural demand will cause the demand for sulfuric acid to increase considerably from 246 to 400 million metric tons by 2040. The result is an annual supply shortfall of between 100 and 320 million metric tons, or between 40 and 130 percent of the current supply. Sulfur is a byproduct of processing crude oil and natural gas. As the world decarbonizes in response to climate change, there will be a diminished supply of both fossil fuels and sulfur. Sulfuric acid is required for the manufacture of phosphorus fertilizers used in global food production and for the extraction of rare metals from ores crucial to the transition to a green economy, such as cobalt and nickel used in batteries.

Unless action is taken to reduce the need for this chemical, the study authors warn, environmentally damaging mining will be required to fill the shortfall.

Surveys of more than 69 million forest acres (over 100,000 square miles) in Oregon, Washington, and small sections of California and Idaho were conducted using a combination of fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, drones and satellite imagery.

Although fir die-offs have been recorded as far back as 1952, when surveys began, Firmageddon dwarfs all previous accounts. The causes are believed to be drought compounded by insects and fungal diseases working together to weaken and kill trees. Extreme heat, including a record-breaking heat dome, is also being investigated as a possible factor. The dead fir trees pose a major fire risk, especially during the next two years while the trees hold onto their dried-out needles.

Using Algae for Industrial Carbon Capture, Food, Fuel and Plastic

In an effort to reduce its carbon footprint, Honda is experimenting with the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii class of algae they have nicknamed “Dreamo”, which can eat twice its weight in carbon dioxide in three to five days, depending on the time of year. Developers are growing Dreamo on the roof of a car factory in Tochigi, Japan, where it can absorb CO2 emissions from manufacturing. It has been genetically modified to grow hardier and five times faster than ordinary microalgae, allowing the growth solution to last months instead of weeks.

The development team is also exploring additional uses for Dreamo. After serving its pollution-fighting role, the algae can be harvested, dried and turned into food, fuel or plastic. Depending upon the amount of nitrogen applied to the algae, its cellular composition can be modified to be either predominantly carbohydrate- or protein-based. When the algae is mostly protein, an enzyme can be added to easily extract the starch to be used as food or as a raw material in animal food, cosmetics or pharmaceuticals. When the algae is mostly carbohydrate, it can be extracted as glucose and ethanol to be converted into plastic resin or jet fuel.

erome

LABOUYRIEShutterStock.com

Tomasz Klejdysz/ShutterStock.com

lazaalaexa/ShutterStock.com

Scientists Invent Battery Made of Paper

Scientists have developed a water-activated, disposable, paper battery, according to a proof-of-concept study published in Scientific Reports The developers believe that their invention could be used to power a variety of lowpower, single-use electronics, such as smart packaging, environmental sensors and medical diagnostic devices, thereby reducing their environmental impact.

The single-cell battery consists of one square centimeter of paper treated with salts. One side is printed with ink containing graphite flakes, which serves as the positive terminal, and the other side is printed with ink containing zinc powder to create the negative terminal. Another layer of ink containing graphite flakes and carbon black is applied over that, linking the battery’s positive and negative ends to two wires secured by wax.

When a few drops of water are added to the paper, the salts dissolve, releasing charged ions that spread across the paper to activate the battery. In tests, researchers were able to reach a stable 1.2 volts. (The voltage of a standard AA alkaline battery is 1.5 volts.) The battery’s performance decreased significantly after an hour when the paper dried. However, after two more drops of water were added, the battery maintained 0.5 volts for an additional hour.

photo courtesy of newatlas

Exploring the Doomsday Glacier

Roughly measuring the size of Florida, the Thwaites Glacier is one of the most rapidly melting ice formations in Antarctica, having retreated more than eight miles since the 1990s. Scientists refer to it as the “doomsday glacier” due to concerns about its collapse, which could raise global sea levels by more than a meter, causing devastation along coastal cities and communities.

According to two papers published in the journal Nature, researchers are learning more about the driving forces behind the glacier’s rapid retreat, thanks in part to a robot deployed through a 600-meter-deep borehole in the glacier. Although melting has increased beneath the ice shelf, the current melt rate is slower than many computer models had estimated. A layer of fresh water between the bottom of the ice shelf and the ocean below slows the rate of melting along flat parts of the shelf.

Scientists discovered that the melting had produced a stepped topography across the bottom of the ice shelf, resembling a staircase, as well as cracks in the ice where rapid melting was taking place. “Our results are a surprise, but the glacier is still in trouble,” says Dr. Peter Davis, oceanographer at the British Antarctic Survey and lead author of one of the papers.

photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Exploring the Healing Power of Ayahuasca

A Sacred Journey to Self-Discovery

by Lani Gonzales

Ayahuasca, a powerful psychedelic plant medicine, has been used for centuries by indigenous communities in South America for spiritual healing, awakening and enlightenment. It mirrors the subconscious mind, and participating in an ayahuasca ceremony is likened to receiving decades of counseling. It is said that ayahuasca may not give you what you want, but it gives you exactly what you need.

In recent years, ayahuasca has gained popularity in Western cultures as a means of treating mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and PTSD. Prince Harry, Aaron Rodgers and Will Smith are among the list of celebrities who attest to the power of ayahuasca to transform their lives.

This article explores the benefits of ayahuasca/psychedelic therapy and how it can lead to healing, spirituality, awakening and enlightenment.

Healing: Ayahuasca is known to have a powerful healing effect on the body, mind and spirit. It works by opening the mind to new perspectives, inducing intense emotional and psychological catharsis, and promoting a deeper connection to the self. The intense physical and emotional purging that takes place during an ayahuasca ceremony can help individuals release long-held emotional traumas and negative patterns, resulting in a greater sense of well-being and peace.

Spirituality: Ayahuasca is considered a powerful spiritual tool, allowing individuals to connect with a higher power, the divine and the universe. The plant medicine opens the mind to new spiritual perspectives and

insights which can lead to a deeper sense of purpose and meaning in life. Many people report feeling a greater connection to their spirituality, leading to an increased sense of inner peace and happiness.

Awakening: Ayahuasca has been described as a “wake-up call”, inducing a state of heightened awareness and consciousness. It can lead individuals to experience profound epiphanies and insights into their lives, providing them with a new understanding of their place in the world. This awakening can lead to a greater sense of clarity and purpose, allowing individuals to make meaningful changes in their lives.

Enlightenment: Ayahuasca can also be seen as a path to enlightenment, promoting a deeper understanding of the self and the world. Through its powerful effects, it helps individuals to shed old beliefs, patterns and emotions, allowing them to experience a greater sense of unity with all things. This can lead to a greater sense of inner peace and happiness, allowing individuals to live more fulfilling lives.

In conclusion, ayahuasca offers a promising new approach to healing, spiritual growth and enlightenment with the potential to transform lives in profound and meaningful ways. Whether looking to heal from physical or mental health issues, find spiritual fulfillment or simply explore one’s inner landscape, ayahuasca may just be a part of this journey.

For more information and to schedule a free consultation, visit AdAstraAwakening.com. See ad page 21.

SOLVING STRESS HOLISTIC TIPS FROM LIFESTYLE DOCTORS

by Linda Sechrist

Medicine is changing as a new class of doctors endeavors to treat the whole person rather than the symptoms of disease, helping their patients achieve optimal health with lifestyle changes, medicine, herbs, supplements and modalities tailored to the individual. No longer reaching for a prescription pad as often, these functional and integrative physicians are spending an average of 45 minutes per office visit. Using their sleuthing skills and innovative skillsets, they ask probing questions about a patient’s current lifestyle and history, pinpoint the root cause of a problem and craft customized solutions.

To help someone manage stress, a functional or integrative doctor may suggest a daily dose of herbal tea, nightly entries in a gratitude journal, a visualization practice, brisk walks, gardening, art therapy, mindful meditation, a nutrient-rich diet that reduces food allergies, yoga poses and regular sessions of qigong or tai chi. Armed with an extensive list of better-for-you choices than addictive, prescription sleeping pills or tranquilizers, individuals are empowered to improve their health and eliminate stress. Studies suggest that 75 to 90 percent of illnesses are stress related. Getting to the root cause before it escalates into cardiovascular disease, depression or diabetes is what curious and compassionate doctors do.

“Because sleep is a great resolution to almost anything, it’s one of the first things I consider,” says Carrie Jones, a functional and naturopathic doctor in Portland, Oregon. “Stress can be physiological, caused by parasites, viruses, bacteria and toxins, as well as blood sugar imbalances. Not getting enough sleep, or poor sleep, is stressful to the body, which is on alert all the time.”

According to Jones, finding ways to coax the body into feeling safe can help people relieve stress and get a good night’s sleep. “People rarely realize that basic things such as joy, play, laughter and a community of supportive people have anything to do with feeling safe enough to sleep deeply. It’s why I inquire about those things,” she explains.

Tips for Sounder Slumber

n Turn the thermostat down in the bedroom. A cool temperature combats insomnia.

n Snuggle under a weighted blanket. The gentle pressure signals the autonomic nervous system to go into rest mode.

n Install blackout shades. Light decreases melatonin, the sleep hormone.

n Avoid alcohol before bed, as it can disrupt the sleep cycle.

n Stop using electronics, including social media, television and phones, two hours before getting under the covers. The blue light emitted by screens restrains the production of melatonin.

Connecting and spending quality social time with friends helps to alleviate stress. Anna Cabeca, a triple board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, advises, “Every day, stress causes the stress hormone cortisol to go up and oxytocin, the connecting hormone, to go down, lessening the desire to connect. It’s a double whammy for women in perimenopause and menopause, because hormones are declining, and stress overloads the already overtaxed endocrine system.”

Rebecca Hunton, personalized medicine doctor and founder of Radiantly Healthy MD, in Melbourne, Florida, coaches her patients to modify unhelpful habits. “I’m always looking for that one thing that patients can easily change. Sometimes it’s teaching them the difference between stress resilience and stress avoidance. A stress avoidance activity is spending two hours playing a game on your phone that leaves you beating yourself up and feeling like, ‘Why did I waste all that time?’ If, on the other hand, an activity leaves you feeling energized and wanting to tackle the other things on your to-do list, you just did a stress resilience activity,” says Hunton.

Stress Resilience Activities

n Meditation

n Prayer

n Chanting a mantra

n Expressing creativity, such as cooking or painting

Carol Penn is a dual board-certified physician and movement coach in New Jersey. While observing her 87-year-old father practicing qigong, a form of meditation in motion, she had an epiphany and saw a powerful life lesson occurring before her eyes. “Moving with strength and grace through his practice so close to the end of his life, it occurred to me that he was rolemodeling what it would be like for me to be kind to my future self. I teach my patients from this perspective, visualizing their future selves full of health, vitality, wonder and awe,” says the author of Meditation in a Time of Madness.

Qigong has psychological and physical components, regulating the mind, body movement, breath and posture. “It balances and calms the autonomic, sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems so that you feel less stress upon completion of the practice. Movements are designed to build longevity on a cellular level,” Penn explains.

According to Lorraine Maita, a board-certified functional and integrative doctor in New Jersey, “The body sends out hormonal fight-or-flight signals when it’s distressed. In the initial stages, there’s a release of adrenaline, followed by cortisol, keeping your body on high alert. To most people, stress is just worry, and they’re thinking they’re handling it, but stress can be like a viral program running in the background all the time. It’s still there whether you’re reacting to it or not, whether you’re stuffing it under the surface or not. It’s why you go to therapy with mental stress, or why you need someone to talk to for processing it.”

Maita is a proponent of alternative modalities that help people modulate the stress response. “I recommend HeartMath to my patients, which is self-regulation technology based on more than 32 years of scientific research on the psychophysiology of stress, resilience and the interactions between the heart and brain,” says the author of Vibrance for Life: How to Live Younger and Healthier.

Jaquel Patterson, a naturopathic physician and medical director of Fairfield Family Health, in Connecticut, might determine if her patient is suffering from chronic stress by testing their saliva for

cortisol levels in the morning and evening. Noting that her favorite teas for sleep and relaxation are chamomile and passionflower, she explains that passionflower is for someone that can’t fall asleep because there’s a radio playing in their head. “For dealing with stress, I like adaptogens, such as Siberian ginseng, rhodiola rosea, ashwagandha, holy basil and L-theanine. The stress response requires a lot of B vitamins, along with magnesium and vitamin C,” she says.

Citing Hal Elrod’s book The Miracle Morning, Patterson recommends starting every day with a set of stress-relieving rituals Elrod calls “Life S.A.V.E.R.S.” She explains, “S is for silence, like meditation. A is for affirmations. V is for visualization, so you can visualize how your day is going to be. E is for exercise. R is for reading, and S is for scribing, writing things in a journal.”

Pointing out the differences between stress and anxiety, Patterson notes that anxiety is a continual rumination of thoughts, second-guessing and overthinking. Anxiety can cause stress, but stress can occur without anxiety. People with high anxiety sometimes have heart palpitations. Some stress is good for us. Without any stressors, Patterson cautions, we are unmotivated, lethargic and lacking in enthusiasm.

Technological Solutions to Quiet the Anxious Mind

n Reflect Orb: This handheld biofeedback device can help an individual self-monitor their body’s physiology and learn to control the involuntary body-mind connection.

n Meditation apps: Insight Timer, Calm and similar apps offer guided meditations, relaxing music videos and meditation instruction for newbies and experienced practitioners.

n YouTube videos: Look for musical compositions with energy frequencies and binaural beats that encourage relaxation, promote positivity and decrease anxiety.

Linda Sechrist has been a contributing writer to Natural Awakenings publications for almost 20 years.

Next Month: TOP WOMEN IN WELLNESS

Don't miss interviews and lifestyle tips for reducing stress.

Scan the QR code to JOIN US LIVE ONL INE as these top women in wellness share their expert insights for reducing stress and achieving WELLthier Living!

Trevor Cates, ND Stress Impact on Skin

Jaclyn Chasse, ND Stress and Fertility

Carol Penn, DO Aging Gracefully

Carrie Jones, MD, FAAP Stress and your Thyroid

Jaquel Patterson, ND, IFMCP Sleep, Cortisol and its Relation to Stress

Anna Cabeca DO, OBGYN,FACOG Stress and Libido

Arti Chandra, MD, MPH Healing Your Gut

Anne Marie Fine, ND Cracking the Beauty Code

Kela Smith, PhD DNM Stress & Fertility

Jyl Steinbeck Women’s Health & Homeopathy

First Signs of Menopause

HOW TO RESOLVE VAGINAL DRYNESS

by Linda Sechrist

When The New York Times and National Geographic cover the subject of menopause in the same calendar year, perhaps it’s a sign that the inevitable phase of a woman ’s life that ushers in vaginal dryness, irregular periods, hot flashes, brain fog, mood swings, night sweats, sleep problems, decreased sex drive and weight gain is finally getting the attention it deserves.

Solutions for women experiencing perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause are not covered in medical school. Instead, they stem from the work of pioneers like Dr. Pamela Wartian Smith, author of What You Must Know About Women’s Hormones: Your Guide to Natural Hormone Treatments for PMS, Menopause, Osteoporosis, PCOS, and More, and Dr. Christiane Northrup, who wrote Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom: Creating Physical and Emotional Health and Healing.

Today, integrative and functional doctors, researchers and continuing education instructors are leading the charge to provide innovative and customized answers for women experiencing vaginal dryness and other hormone-related symptoms.

The earliest sign of changes occurs between the ages of 40 to 44, during perimenopause, and according to Dr. Lindsey Berkson, author of Safe Hormones, Smart Women, vaginal dryness is the flashing red light. “A sign of insufficient hormone signaling, vaginal dryness is the body’s warning that bones are beginning to thin; the brain’s structure, activity and neuron connectivity are beginning to decline; and the aging process has begun,” she explains.

A continuing-education instructor for doctors and pharmacists, Berkson notes, “The vagina doesn’t exist alone. Treating only the vagina is minimized medicine. It’s so important to find a doctor who practices functional medicine, has completed continuing-education

hours in hormone replacement therapy and nutrition, and has experience in these areas.”

Dr. Meena Malhotra, a double board-certified internist practicing functional and integrative medicine for 27 years, understands that vaginal tissue is hormone-dependent, and dryness left untreated can lead to urinary tract infections that can progress to kidney infections. “Atrophic vaginitis with dryness, itching and burning doesn’t happen overnight; it happens gradually. Many women who are not seeing a gynecologist regularly for checkups are unaware of the gradual decrease of their progesterone and estrogen,” advises the founder of the Heal n Cure Medical Wellness Center, in Glenview, Illinois.

“Women generally self-treat sexual discomfort from dryness first with self-prescribed, over-the-counter gels, suppositories and creams, which are temporary fixes,” Malhotra says. “Functional medicine, which allows for longer appointments, in-depth intake and more intimate conversations, can determine the root cause of vaginal dryness, which can be treated early with FormaV, a non-surgical, painless rejuvenation procedure which tightens loose labia, improves vaginal health and makes sexual intimacy desirable again.”

Known as “the girlfriend doctor”, triple board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist Anna Cabeca has been in practice for 23 years and is the author of The Hormone Fix: Burn Fat Naturally, Boost Energy, Sleep Better, and Stop Hot Flashes, the Keto-Green Way. Recognizing that many over-the-counter lubricants perpetuate dryness and create damage to the tissue, she formulated her own products. “Inflammation can happen because of a reaction to the ingredients in the lubricant. I tell my patients that they can make their own lubricant using organic coconut oil mixed with aloe vera gel and a few drops of an essential oil that turns their partner on. They can also strengthen the pelvic floor with Kegel exercises and eat a keto-green diet,” Cabeca suggests.

Dr. Rebecca Hunton, the founder of Radiantly Healthy MD, in Melbourne, Florida, believes that treating the changes in a woman ’s body is a form of personalized medicine. “Every woman ’s journey is different, but generally before vaginal dryness comes progesterone deficiency. Symptoms include trouble falling asleep, anxiousness and moodiness,” she says, adding that not all vaginal dryness is hormone-related, as an autoimmune disorder could also be a cause.

Hunton recommends, “Starting early with a transdermal progesterone cream can mitigate some dryness, but at a certain point, progesterone won’t suffice. There are nonsurgical treatments such as MonaLisa Touch, a laser treatment that brings the tissue in the vagina to a more youthful state. It needs to be repeated every 18 months to two years.”

These doctors all agree that women no longer have to power through the changes. There are answers. As Cabeca asserts, “This is a time that heralds a second spring of our lives and should be a beautiful journey.”

Linda Sechrist is a senior writer for Natural Awakenings.

Skin Fitness

DAILY ROUTINES FOR A RADIANT APPEARANCE

by David J. Sautter

While many of us work out to tone our muscles, we may be neglecting the largest organ in the body: our skin. Every day, it is exposed to a variety of irritants, including ultraviolet rays, air pollution, extreme weather and highly processed foods. Stress can also cause skin irritations and conditions. To serve its important functions and look healthy, our skin needs a fitness regimen. With a few daily routines, lifestyle modifications and coping strategies, a radiant appearance is within reach.

Skin Conditions Exacerbated by Stress

ACNE: When we are stressed, our body releases cortisol, a hormone that stimulates the production of pore-clogging oils, which can lead to the formation of acne. Stress also triggers inflammation, which can worsen existing acne.

PREMATURE AGING: Stress can accelerate the aging process by reducing the skin’s elasticity and causing wrinkles and fine lines. It triggers the production of free radicals, precipitating damage to collagen and elastin fibers, which are responsible for keeping the skin firm and supple. When they are damaged, the skin becomes saggy.

CHRONIC CONDITIONS: Stress can trigger or worsen skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and rosacea, which are characterized by inflammation, dryness and itching.

Lifestyle Tips to Improve Skin Health

GET ENOUGH SLEEP. A good night’s sleep is essential for skin health. It also helps reduce the impact of daily stress. Aim for no less than seven hours of shut-eye each night.

EXERCISE REGULARLY. Getting our bodies moving is essential to reduce stress levels and improve skin health by increasing blood flow, nutrient delivery and oxygenation to the skin.

EAT A HEALTHY DIET. “An antiinflammatory diet full of fruits, veggies and healthy fats like those from seeds and nuts will help to keep skin healthy,” says Jennifer Scheinman, a registered dietitian and nutrition coach. “Foods rich in omega-3 fats like salmon and walnuts are great for skin health since they have natural anti-inflammatory properties, and the fats help to keep skin moisturized.”

PRACTICE STRESS-RELIEVING TECHNIQUES. Engage in activities that help manage stress, such as yoga, meditation or deep-breathing exercises.

APPLY SKIN-CARE PRODUCTS DESIGNED FOR THE PERSON’S SKIN TYPE. According to Dr. Trevor Cates, author of Clean Skin From Within and Natural Beauty Reset , “ The most important care tip is to find skin care with mild acidity [4.5 to 5.4 pH] and natural actives [plant-based extracts] that support the skin microbiome. A healthy skin microbiome means less chance for breakouts, blemishes and premature aging.”

According to Dr. Anne Marie Fine, author of Cracking the Beauty Code, “Air pollution has been demonstrated to prematurely age the skin and cause age spots. This is why you want to make sure to consume antioxidants and use antioxidant-containing, clean skin-care products.”

Therapies to Enhance the Skin

RED-LIGHT THERAPY DEVICES use infrared light to stimulate collagen production, improve circulation and promote healing. This reduces wrinkles, fine lines, age spots and other signs of aging.

MICROCURRENT FACIAL TOOLS use low-level electrical currents to stimulate facial muscles, helping to tone, reduce puffiness and promote a youthful appearance.

LASERS DESIGNED FOR HOME USE offer a safe way to treat various skin issues such as wrinkles, acne scars, sun damage and pigmentation problems. They can also help even out skin tone by stimulating collagen production in the deeper layers of the skin.

GUA SHA is an ancient Chinese technique that involves gently scraping the surface of the skin with a special tool to increase blood flow, promote healing and reduce puffiness and inflammation.

OXYGEN TREATMENTS infused into pores using a special device can help nourish skin cells, decrease inflammation, reduce wrinkles and improve overall complexion.

FACIAL ACUPUNCTURE involves inserting tiny needles into specific points to stimulate energy flow, which may improve circulation, reduce tension and promote smoother skin.

FACIAL MASSAGE reduces wrinkles by stimulating collagen production in the deeper layers of the skin. It promotes circulation, drainage and toning.

David J. Sautter is a certified personal trainer specializing in fitness nutrition and sports conditioning, as well as a professional fitness writer. Learn more at WriteFit.com.

Taking C ontrol of Our Hormones

NUTRITIONAL TIPS TO SUPPORT THE DELICATE BALANCE

by Sheila Julson

Think of hormones as the body’s messengers, sending signals that affect a host of functions. Produced by the pancreas, thyroid and other endocrine glands and organs, hormones drive our metabolism, impact mood, regulate blood pressure, manage our sleep cycles, influence sexual function and more. Key players are insulin, cortisol, thyroid and growth hormones, adrenaline, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.

Keeping these hormones in proper balance is critical for health, and imbalances can lead to a wide range of effects, including diabetes, thyroid disease, unintended weight fluctuations, skin problems, fatigue, mood swings and infertility. While inactivity, stress, age and genetics impact hormone production, our food choices can significantly tip the scales.

Dr. Ann Lee is a naturopathic doctor and licensed acupuncturist based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. When treating hormonal, thyroid and adrenal imbalances, she says it is important to focus on foods that provide the minerals and vitamins that support those systems. For women of all ages, she recommends blueberries, asparagus, lettuce, celery and papaya. Teens and women in their 20s can also benefit from apples, bananas, mangoes, avocados, cauliflower, broccoli, cucumbers, sweet potatoes and most lettuce varieties. The

nutrients in these vegetables and fruits become even more important as women reach 30 and for those dealing with menopause, so Lee recommends more frequent consumption of these fresh, whole foods to support the adrenal and thyroid glands. According to Lee, it is equally important to avoid foods that interfere with hormonal nutrition. She advises women over 50 to lower their caffeine intake. Dairy products contain naturally occurring hormones that can impede human hormone balance and should be eaten in moderation. “ The less external hormonal exposure you have, the easier it is for your own hormones to balance,” Lee explains. Despite the popularity of intermittent fasting, Lee believes that the trendy eating pattern can deny the body the vitamins and minerals it needs, causing it to produce more adrenalin and cortisol to make up for the loss. “People do intermittent

fasting because it might feel good to have more adrenalin, and thus more energy, but it does come at a price—your hormones,” she says.

Most of the foods Lee recommends are low in calories. “In order to curb hunger, you have to eat them regularly, and that goes against intermittent fasting. People that do intermittent fasting often focus on proteins and fats, so they don’t have to eat for a long time, but that can cause adrenal burnout because the body is not getting what it needs,” she explains, noting that avocados and potatoes tend to help people feel full longer.

Jaclyn Downs is a functional nutrigenomics practitioner in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and author of Enhancing Fertility Through Functional Medicine: Using Nutrigenomics to Solve ‘Unexplained’ Infertility. She notes that for hormones to be produced by the body, nutritional co-

factors or “helper nutrients” are required. “Magnesium, zinc and B vitamins are a few of the spark plugs that move these processes and keep the wheels spinning,” she emphasizes. “Grass-fed beef liver or capsules contain all of these.”

According to Downs, menstrual problems can be an indicator of eventual fertility issues. To support female reproductive hormones, she recommends cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, broccoli sprouts, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. These foods also support liver detoxification pathways due to their high concentrations of vitamins and sulfur. “ The liver helps clear used or ‘dirty’ hormones,” she notes. Downs also recommends pomegranates, which are rich in antioxidants and fight inflammation-producing free radicals. Healthy fats from cold-water, wild-caught fish support pregnant women and growing fetuses. “Folate is often emphasized as a nutrient for pregnant women, but choline is just as important for everybody, regardless of life stage or gender,” Downs notes. Choline is found in egg yolks, sunflower lecithin and shiitake mushrooms. For 50-plus women, Downs prescribes fish or high-quality fish oil, which can benefit brain, liver and hormonal health.

KALE AND TEMPEH TACOS

In this yummy, low-carb taco recipe, cabbage leaves substitute for the tortillas and are filled with a mixture of proteinpacked tempeh, veggies and lots of great spices. Compounds in tempeh called isoflavones serve as a natural remedy for menopausal relief.

YIELD: 2 SERVINGS

1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, chopped

4 oz tempeh, cubed

½ tsp sea salt or more, to taste

½ tsp black pepper or more, to taste

½ tsp ground cumin

½ tsp chili powder

¼ tsp paprika

¼ tsp cayenne

¼ cup vegetable broth

2 cups stemmed and chopped fresh kale

4 to 6 large, green cabbage leaves, dipped for 30 seconds into hot water to soften

½ avocado, sliced

1 radish, sliced

¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

½ lime, cut into wedges

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic and tempeh and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the onion softens and becomes translucent. Add the salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, paprika and cayenne, stir, then add the

broth and kale. Stir again to combine and cook until the broth thickens and reduces by at least one-half. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper as needed.

Spread the cabbage leaves open on a large plate. Spoon the kale mixture into the center of the leaves. Add some of the avocado, radish slices and cilantro, then fold in the sides like a taco.

Serve with lime wedges.

Adapted from MenuPause. Copyright © 2022 by Dr. Anna Cabeca. Used by permission of Rodale Books, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

cabe/Courtesy of Random House

Sheila Julson is a freelance writer and contributor to Natural Awakenings.

LYPO-SPHERIC the Future of Lifestyle Vitamins

by Dr. Robert Yu, DMD

Offering an array of remarkable health supplements, Tampa Bay Dental Implants, Periodontics and Oral Surgery, in St. Pete, hones in on Lypo-Spheric Vitamins, an amazing and innovative way to keep up with necessary daily nutrients, with the help of liposomes. You may ask, what are liposomes?

The structure of a liposome mimics an adipose (fat) cell in the body, which is why it’s acknowledged and absorbed better into the body. Liposomes function by polar lipid molecules called phospholipids which encapsulate the nutrients in a nano-to micro-sized sac, preserving them from stomach acid, enzymes and other forces that might degrade the supplement.

Lypo-Spheric offers a variety of unflavored gel supplements to fit most any lifestyle. All Lypo-Spheric products are vegan, sugar- and gluten-free, and contain

no GMOs. Vitamin C is one of the most popular supplements offered in the office. One of the few “water-soluble“ vitamins, which means our bodies are not capable of storing the complete necessary nutrients, it was discovered in a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health, that a maximum of only 200mg of non-liposomal Vitamin C was absorbed at a time. This means when you consume a Vitamin C oral supplement at 1,000 to 2,000mg, your body is only absorbing 200mg of that dosage. In support of liposomal Vitamin C benefits, researchers found in a 2016 study that liposomal Vitamin C provided substantial absorption compared to capsulized forms of oral supplements.

Other than primates and guinea pigs, humans are the only other mammal on Earth incapable of making Vitamin C in the body. We lack the enzyme L-gulo-

nolactone oxidase (GLO) needed to make C from the glucose (sugar) in our blood. Also known as ascorbic acid, Vitamin C is necessary for the growth, development and repair of all body tissues. When you think of the benefits of Vitamin C, your mind automatically goes to boosted immunity (which is amazing), but it offers so much more than that. Vitamin C is involved in many body functions, including formation of collagen, absorption of iron, proper functioning of the immune system, wound healing, and the maintenance of cartilage, bones and teeth. Insufficient Vitamin C intake can lead to fatigue, depression, bruising easily and joint pain.

Lypo-Spheric R-Alpha-lipoic acid is another popular supplement offered. A liquid formulation of R-lipoic acid was discovered to be better absorbed and more stable in plasma, suggesting that it might be considerably more productive than the capsulated form in the management of a condition such as diabetic neuropathy. Several studies suggest R-Alpha-lipoic acid helps reduce blood sugar levels. Its ability to eliminate free radicals may benefit people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, alleviating pain, burning, itching, tingling and numbness in arms and legs from nerve damage. Because alpha-lipoic acid is both fat and water soluble, the liposomes help create a barrier to help the body absorb the full nutrients from the supplements. All Lypo-Spheric products benefit a range of support from cellular heath to brain and nerve function.

Vitamins work hard to keep our bodies functioning properly, and they help drive essential processes needed in our everyday lives. Each nutrient is on a mission to deliver health benefits to help reach wellness goals. Dr. Robert Yu cares tremendously about his patients’ health and wellness, not only believing in these products and how they benefit overall health, but ingesting these supplements to benefit daily life outside the dental office! Dr. Yu shares, “Feel free to call with any questions regarding these products; we’d love to answer them and see you in soon!”

Tampa Bay Dental Implants, Periodontics and Oral Surgery is located at 6700 Crosswinds Dr. N, Ste. 200-B, St. Petersburg. For more information and an appointment, call 727-384-9122 or visit tbperio.com. See ad page 12.

Carol Penn ON FINDING CALM

IN A CHAOTIC WORLD

by Sandra Yeyati

Dr. Carol Penn, double board-certified in family and obesity medicine, is a movement, meditation and mindset coach who teaches people to prioritize self-care to achieve their best and highest selves. She is certified in mind-body medicine, fitness and personal training, yoga and qigong, and draws inspiration and wisdom from a previous career as a dancer and dance educator with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Penn is the author of Meditation in a Time of Madness: A Guidebook for Talented Tweens, Teens, Their Parents and Guardians Who Need to Thrive.

Why did you write your book?

Because I was heartbroken after speaking to an 8-year-old in Parkland, Florida. I asked him, “Are you looking forward to going back to school?” not realizing his older sibling was one of the teenagers murdered in the Stoneman Douglas school shooting. He responded, “I feel like something bad could happen, and no one will be able to help me—not my parents, not my teachers, not even the president.”

An 8-year-old shouldn’t be afraid to go to school, and if that’s what our society is becoming, then children need resiliency skills, a way to self-soothe, and so do their parents. The book is a response to gun violence, but it also applies to the pandemic and other unprecedented events that cause that kind of internal chaos and disorientation that leads to mood disorders, depression, anxiety and suicidality. Whether it’s meditation, yoga, journaling or something else, mind-body skills can get you back to your center so you can function at a higher level from a place of calm and relaxed awareness, versus out of fear and nervousness.

Why do you define meditation as relaxed awareness?

Many people think that you have to sit in a certain posture and have no thoughts to meditate, but that isn’t true. We have 60,000 thoughts a day, and we don’t pay attention to most of them. Meditation allows you to slow your thoughts so they’re not as overwhelming and don’t interfere as much. When thoughts slow down and there’s space between them, your body also begins to slow down. Neurotransmitters like dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins are released in the brain, and you feel their downstream effect, which we call relaxation.

What is soft belly breathing?

Many times, you get into this rigid kind of breath where you’re holding your belly in and your shoulders are thrown back. People think they look better if they have a flat, tight belly, and that’s how they’re moving in the world, but they’re not getting the full experience of the breath. Soft

belly breathing relaxes the torso, particularly that area just below your navel. This type of breathing allows the diaphragm to push down and massage everything beneath it, improving digestion and elimination processes and allowing the lungs to fill out from their bases where you pick up all the oxygen and nutrients that need to be carried throughout the body. As you inhale, say the word “soft” to remind yourself to soften and let go of any muscle tension. As you exhale, say “belly” to be reminded not to hold that part of the body in a rigid way.

Why do you say that movement is medicine?

Motion is synonymous with life. There’s always something moving, even when we’re asleep. Even gentle movement helps the body release endorphins, which elevate our mood, reduce pain and bring us pleasure. We want to bring that flow and fluidity into our lives so that we can tap into it on purpose. Have you ever noticed the less you move, the harder it is to move? Movement needs to be encouraged throughout the lifespan.

What movements do you recommend?

One starts in a standing position. Notice how the rib cage moves as you soft belly breathe. Soften the knees, drop the chin to the chest and as you inhale, lift the arms and feel yourself float away slightly from the body to create a gentle undula-

tion of the spine. This stimulates the “mu” receptors that cause our brain to release pain-reducing endorphins.

Another is to shake it off, like when a dog is walking along and all of a sudden their back twitches, they shake and then continue along their merry way. If we’re bothering them, dogs will literally shake it off. They don’t let it anchor in the body, in their muscles and in their nervous system the way that humans do. Some people wake up tired. Their jaw hurts because they were clenching their teeth all night. By shaking off that tension for one to three minutes, you loosen the tight ligaments where we habitually hold tension.

What is “taking your seat on your throne,” and how can it help us?

I came up with that when teaching women how to meditate from a seated position. Women wear so many hats that life can feel weary, so asking them to sit down as if they’re taking a seat upon the throne of their own well-being gives them a way of sitting that’s different than just plopping down and collapsing because they’re exhausted. It shifts the energy and mental picture. You are more than the exhausted mother, executive, wife or caretaker. There’s a regal elegance, calm and quiet strength inside, and we’re going to meet her in our time of meditation.

Sandra Yeyati is national editor of Natural Awakenings.

Gardening Therapy

HEALING MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT IN THE YARD

by Sheryl DeVore

Gardening outdoors adds color and texture to yards and neighborhoods and, with the right plants, attracts pollinators, whose numbers are declining. It also can improve human health. The exercise, sunshine and fresh air promote mental and physical health, and so does our contact with soil microbes and the harmonious patterns of nature.

HollyHarryAdobeStock.com

“Being in the sunlight is a great way to get vitamin D, which is linked to mood and well-being. We spend so much time inside, where our perspective and thoughts can close around us. Getting outdoors can improve mindfulness and the sense of being in the moment, especially when we leave our phones inside,” says Pennsylvaniabased psychologist Seth J.

in the garden or designing an ornamental bed is really about playing, and playing is integral to mental health.”

Gillihan,

author of Mindful Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Simple Path to Healing, Hope and Peace.

In a study of the health and well-being benefits of allotment gardening published in the Journal of Public Health, researchers measured the mood, self-esteem and general health markers of people given plots for gardening versus those that didn’t garden at all. The scientists found that the gardeners displayed significantly better self-esteem and experienced less depression and fatigue. The top three reasons participants gave for enjoying their time tinkering in the soil were: being outdoors and having contact with nature (70 percent); feeling a sense of achievement (50 percent); and having the opportunity for restoration and stress relief (35 percent).

Cultivating our outdoor space also gives us a healthy perspective, helping us to accept our limitations and better understand our place in nature. “It’s easy to see in the garden how many things are outside of our control, such as rain, temperature and pests. We can do our best, but at some point, we need to let go,” Gillihan notes, adding that learning to let go is a lesson we can apply to other aspects of our lives.

When he faced a long-term illness coupled with depression, Gillihan built raised garden beds and planted herbs and vegetables. “I knew I needed to get more involved in something that would bring me a sense of reward and engagement. All of that creative effort really helped to bring me back to life,” he recalls. “In a garden, you’re exercising, but it’s not a repetitive thing like running, so that can make it more fun and seem like less of a task.”

“Digging, walking, carrying and squatting circulate our blood and release dopamine and endorphins in our brains,” says Karen Hugg, author of Leaf Your Troubles Behind: How to Destress and Grow Happiness Through Plants. “We feel more energetic and happier. Similarly, puttering

By merely observing greenery we can find peace and clarity. “A tree’s subdividing branches or the whorled arrangement of leaves are patterns that can calm the nervous system. If you look at plants during even a five-minute break, either indoors or out, you’re practicing a kind of relaxation therapy,” Hugg affirms.

A little bit of earth under our fingernails is good for us. “When you get your hands dirty, there are beneficial microbes in the soil that improve your health and well-being,” says Charlie Hall, professor of horticultural studies and department chair at Texas A&M University, who has researched the physiological, psychological and social benefits of plants.

According to Hall, horticultural therapy reduces stress and anxiety, enhances memory and attention span and can improve quality of life for those with physical, mental or cognitive challenges. Citing the example of disabled adults helping to run a garden center and greenhouse at the Brookwood Community in Brookshire, Texas, he notes, “Working together in a garden builds a sense of belonging. Even those who are not physically able to participate in those activities benefit. Just being in the garden can dramatically reduce the levels of the stress hormone cortisol.”

Gardening Tips to Improve Human and Planetary Health

n Choose a modest space outdoors or purchase small containers.

n Keep it simple and start small with just a few plants.

n Read books to learn about plant needs by region.

n Talk to nurseries that sell native species.

n Think of the garden as a refuge, a place to smell flowers and watch plants thrive.

n View gardening as a fun exercise.

n Grow houseplants, herbs and lettuces to bring in the outdoors.

Sheryl DeVore is a frequent contributor to national and regional publications and has authored six books on science, health and nature. Learn more at SherylDeVore. wordpress.com.

Bringing the Bounce Back

INTEGRATIVE TREATMENTS FOR PETS WITH MOBILITY ISSUES

by Ruth Roberts, DVM

All pet owners want to see their animals live long, healthy lives filled with activity, but sometimes our furry friends find it difficult to move comfortably due to aging, injuries and other ailments. While vets often suggest surgery for certain debilitating conditions, less invasive treatments might be just as effective with considerably less risk, particularly for animals that cannot tolerate anesthesia.

For example, a 2013 University of Minnesota study focused on large-breed, overweight dogs with torn knee ligaments. Half of the dogs were treated with medical management consisting of weight loss, pain medication and physical therapy, and the other half received surgery to repair the torn ligament, followed by the same medi-

cal management. After a year, 75 percent of the dogs treated with surgery and medical management were considered treatment successes, based on leg function, quality of life and gait analysis. Surprisingly, 63.6 percent of the dogs that did not have surgery and received only medical management were also deemed successful cases. Before considering surgery or other invasive treatments, integrative pet mobility and rehabilitation (IPMR) might be a good way to help a pet regain its vitality without going under the knife. It is a holistic approach to helping pets recover from injuries, manage pain and improve mobility that combines various techniques to provide a comprehensive and personalized plan for each pet.

“It is all about educating pet parents and preserving the best quality of life for my patients,” says Dr. Joyce Gerardi, of Synergy Integrative Veterinary Clinic. “Over time, my special interests have grown to include platelet-rich plasma, bone marrow aspirate, adipose-derived and allogeneic amniotic stem cell therapies, acupuncture, food therapy, cold laser, herbal medicine, tuina massage, ozone and physical rehabilitation services.” Here is a look at a few such modalities.

LASER THERAPY uses light energy to stimulate tissue repair and reduce pain. The procedure involves the application of laser light to the damaged area using a handheld device. The severity of the ailment and the location being treated determines the

Rosie, an almost 3-y-o English Golden Retriever, is a regular at Peaks of Health Medical Center. Her humans, Dr. Tracie Leonhardt and husband Mitchel Beasley, of Clearwater, share that besides being a therapy dog, Rosie enjoys playing with her best friend Piper (also a Golden Retriever), chewing on her fave stuffed squirrel, chasing sticks, and rolling in the grass. Her “jobs” include accompanying her humans on errands, greeting everyone at work, visiting Grandma, and babysitting new kitten Misty.

length and frequency of treatments. The patient will feel a gentle, warm sensation as the laser technician or veterinarian moves the device over the affected area. Pets usually relax and take pleasure in the calming warmth of laser therapy, which is painless.

PHYSICAL THERAPY is an essential component of IPMR. It involves exercises and stretches that help pets regain strength and flexibility in their muscles and joints. A trained physical therapist can customize a plan that targets specific areas of concern such as the hips, knees or spine. This can help reduce pain and improve mobility, allowing pets to move around more easily and enjoy their favorite activities.

ACUPUNCTURE involves inserting tiny needles into specific points on the body to stimulate the nervous system and promote healing. Acupuncture can help relieve pain, reduce inflammation and improve circulation, all contributing to improved pet mobility.

CHIROPRACTIC CARE involves manipulating the spine to correct misalignments and improve overall function. This can help pets with hip dysplasia, arthritis or spinal injuries.

MASSAGE involves gentle pressure and strokes to relax muscles, reduce pain and improve circulation. Massage can also help

pets with anxiety or stress, which can contribute to muscle tension and pain.

NUTRITION: A well-balanced, nutrientdense diet can help with healing, inflammation reduction and overall health. A qualified veterinarian can recommend a diet plan tailored to each pet’s needs.

Easing a Pet’s Pain While

in Treatment

Reducing a pet’s discomfort with fullspectrum cannabinoids or, if needed, prescription pain medications offers better comfort and recovery time. Another option is to reduce a pet’s stress by balancing its adrenal stress hormones.

Email your favorite pet picture to Debbey at dwilson@ natampa.com for inclusion in the magazine.

Ruth Roberts is a holistic veterinarian and certified pet health coach with more than 30 years’ experience.

calendar of events

THURSDAY, MAY 4

Integrative NLP Practitioner Certification Training - 9am-8pm, May 4-7. Your energy is driven by the clarity of your mind. Providing unique training experiences for 40-plus years to professionals, entrepreneurs, coaches and individuals wishing to advance themselves and help others do the same. Regularly $194, Now $144. Hotel Alba by Hilton, 5303 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. Info & registration, 800-800-6463, nlp.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 6

17th Annual National Herb Day Celebration10am-4pm. Local herbalists and lovers of herbal medicines celebrate the importance of plants in health. Open to public and hosted by Acupuncture & Herbal Therapies and Traditions School of Herbal Studies, enjoy wholesome food, medicinal plant and herb vendors, with lectures hourly. 2520 Central Ave., St. Pete. 727-249-1174, acuHerbals.com, TraditionsHerbSchool.com, HerbDay.org.

Drum Circle with Jake - 6:30pm. Bring an instrument if you have one. This is a fun community event with lots of high energy. Bohemian Gypsea, 12 West Orange St., Tarpon Springs, 727-853-5091.

THURSDAY, MAY 11

Gentle Yoga - 6-7:30pm. Join us for an introduction to yoga in a setting designed for beginner students who are curious about yoga or for those who stepped away for a while and want to reconnect to their practice. Kelley, of Rooted Sol Yoga, facilitates. Space limited. $15/class. Six Oaks Wellness, Garden Suite, 607 1st Ave. SW, Largo. To reserve: 727-776-0519.

THURSDAY, MAY 18

New Moon Manifestation Workshop & Sound Bath - 6:30pm. Join us for a powerful and enchanting evening at Station House, filled with meditation, manifestation and sound healing. Our Manifestation Workshop, brought to you by certified clinical and quantum hypnotherapist Lani Gonzales, will guide you on how to use neurolinguistic programming to overcome mental and energetic blockages and unlock your infinite power of manifestation. Eventbrite.com/o/picnic-underthe-moon-40587345463

FRIDAY, MAY 19

I Can Do It! - Hay House Live Event at the Tampa Convention Center. Be inspired, uplifted and empowered by your favorite Hay House self-help teachers, spiritual guides and healing experts. More than 30 authors offering workshops for three days. Attend one workshop or all of them. $75-$399. Visit: HayHouse.com.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 24

Free Hypnosis-NLP Webinar: Hypnotic Regression - 7:30-8:30pm. Interactive webinar with Certified Master Trainer Patricia V. Scott, PhD. With 30+ years’ experience as a Medical Hypnotherapist, NLP Master Practitioner and Certified Master Trainer, Patti shares practical, easy-to-use techniques with Q&A. (Usually held 3rd Weds. monthly w/various topics.) Register by 5pm for log-in details: 727-943-5003, UPHypnosis.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 27

Chair Massage Skill Builder - 10am-noon. Join Diane Murray, LMT (MA75574) to have fun with head, neck, shoulders and arm massage skills. No experience or chair necessary! Class size limited. $25/ includes 2 CE hrs for FL LMTs. The Health Center, 13803 N FL Ave., Tampa. Info & registration, Diane 813-500-1899, TheEffortlessSolution@gmail.com.

An Introduction to Natural Positive Care for People with Cancer - 1-4pm. Whether you are experiencing cancer treatment/recovery or know someone who is, this class will provide tools and practice for acupressure, Jin Shin Jyutsu to complement conventional care. $35/includes 3 CE hrs for LMTs. The Health Center, 13803 N FL Ave., Tampa. Info & registration, Diane Murray, LMT (MA75574), 813-500-1899, TheEffortlessSolution@gmail.com

PLAN AHEAD

MONDAY, JUNE 19

Hypnosis Webinar: Deep Dive into Time Line Techniques - 7-10pm. Patricia V. Scott, PhD, brings 30+ years’ experience to these interactive virtual Zoom trainings for practitioners to gain deeper insight and understanding into this common therapeutic approach. Handouts, demos, Q&A and practice (time permitting). Some prior training or knowledge of hypnosis recommended. 3 CEUs Hypnotists/Hypnotherapists. $45; $35/UPHI Member. 727-943-5003, UPHypnosis.com.

SATURDAY, JUNE 24

FL Laws and Rules, Ethics & Boundaries, and Prevention of Medical Errors - 10am-4:30pm. (2 hrs each with breaks, 6 hrs total) Are you renewal ready? FL LMTs can benefit from these small, in-person classes where serious material is presented in game formats. $25/each, $60/all three. Class size limited. The Health Center, 13803 N FL Ave., Tampa. Info & registration, Diane 813-5001899, TheEffortlessSolution@gmail.com

NLP 2-Day Training Live in Oldsmar - June 24 & 25. 7pm. No prerequisite. Patricia V. Scott, Ph.D., Certified Master Trainer, teaches fun, interactive class on Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) principles, presuppositions & techniques for personal or professional use. 12 CEUs Hypnotists/NLP Practitioners. Register by 5/25: $125; $95/UPHI Member. After 5/25: $145; $125/ Member. Repeat $65. 727-943-5003. UPHypnosis.com.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 19

Ayahuasca Awakening - July 19-22. Partake in a sacred ayahuasca ceremony to heal from human suffering and connect to the divine wisdom and truth within. Receive personal guidance to prepare the mind, body and soul for the ceremony; a twoday ayahuasca ceremony in Colombia with shamans and healers with 40-plus years of experience; three months of guided integration and support following the ceremony. $2,997/retreat, guided preparation, and supported integration. To schedule a free consultation, visit AdAstraAwakening.com

SATURDAY, JULY 22

Medical Hypnotherapy Specialty Certification (Online) Begins - 1-6pm. Prerequisite: 200 hours prior hypnosis training. Patricia V. Scott, PhD, Certified Master Trainer for the International Medical & Dental Hypnotherapy Association, teaches medical applications to work with referrals. Dates: July 22-23; Aug. 12-13, 26-27; Sept. 16-17 (plus practicums and exams). Register by 6/30: $785 or $685 (UPHI Mbr); After: $855; $785 (Mbr). 727-943-5003. UPHypnosis.com.

THURSDAY, JULY 27

Welcome Students from Across the Globe into Your Home – Jul 27-Aug 12. Education First seeks host families for 13-17–y-o students from France. Contact Noelle Morris Dumitrescu, 727-458-3405, email nmorriskw@gmail.com

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18

Ayahuasca Awakening - October 18-21. Partake in a sacred ayahuasca ceremony to heal from human suffering and connect to the divine wisdom and truth within. Receive personal guidance to prepare the mind, body and soul for the ceremony; a two-day ayahuasca ceremony in Colombia with shamans and healers with 40-plus years of experience; three months of guided integration and support following the ceremony. $2,997/retreat, guided preparation, and supported integration. To schedule a free consultation, visit AdAstraAwakening.com

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20

Re-Parenting Your Inner Child Yoga Retreat in the Mountains of Puerto Rico - Oct 20-22. Reflect on your childhood while taking in the nature that Puerto Rico offers. Re-parent your inner child. Lodging, all plant-based meals and activities included. Airfare and transportation additional. Early bird pricing before May 31. Info and booking: ZNGCruisesAndRetreats.com or contact Monica at 813-586-3656 or ZNGCruisesAndRetreats@gmail.com

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27

Ayahuasca Awakening - December 27-30. Partake in a sacred ayahuasca ceremony to heal from human suffering and connect to the divine wisdom and truth within. Receive personal guidance to prepare the mind, body and soul for the ceremony; a two-day ayahuasca ceremony in Colombia with shamans and healers with 40-plus years of experience; three months of guided integration and support following the ceremony. $2,997/retreat, guided preparation, and supported integration. To schedule a free consultation, visit AdAstraAwakening.com

ONGOING EVENTS

SUNDAY

Sunday Celebration Services - 11am. Unity Palm Harbor is building a beautiful community. Join in for uplifting, heart-centered celebration every Sunday. 1960 Tampa Rd., Palm Harbor, 727-784 7911, UnityOfPalmHarbor.org.

Restorative Yoga - 7pm. Awaken and heal through contemplative self-awareness and personalized instruction, facilitated by Intuitive Healer Ronni Ford. $15 Drop-in rate with a reservation. Studio 3, 210 Patricia Ave., Dunedin. RonniFordyeh@gmail.com.

MONDAY

Yoga - 6pm (also Tues., Thurs., Fri., Sat.) Join in on the yoga experience with our new instructor, Alexa! Having moved down from the Boston area, she is excited to bring her brand of yoga to the area. Bring your mat or use one of ours, but do come down and join in the calming world of yoga. $15/session; package alternatives available. 6251 Park Blvd., Ste. 9, Pinellas Park. Reserve your space, 727-346-5875.

TUESDAY

Meditation Practice & Study Group - 6:30-8pm. Tuesdays & Sundays. For beginners & experienced. Join Dr. Castellani in his integral awareness approach to effortless meditation, melding methods of Mantra, Mindfulness & Core-consciousness Awareness. $5/class. 809 S. Hillcrest Ave., Clearwater. Info 716-816-5464.

WEDNESDAY

A Course in Miracles Study Group -10am. Unity Palm Harbor, 1960 Tampa Rd., Palm Harbor, 727784 7911, UnityOfPalmHarbor.org

Feldenkrais with Bonnie K - 11am. Online! Awareness through Movement classes: Lessons (in chairs/ on floor) are designed to quiet non-working habitual patterns, invite you into a process for learning and offer experiences for more efficient movement. Ongoing classes-movement lessons w/replays. More info, 941-360-2248, FeldenkraisInSarasota. com. Register, FeldenkraisinSarasota.com/SarasotaClasses-Feldenkrais/

Yoga Session: Hatha Yoga with a Therapist -6:307:30ish pm. Join Elizabeth Rice, LCSW ACE CFI, for a yoga session that will not only strengthen your mind-body connection, but will help you to get in deeper touch with your inner calm. Space is limited, reserve now. $15/per session. 6251 Park Blvd., Ste. 9, Pinellas Park. 727-346-5875.

Gong Meditation and Sound Journey - 7pm. (2nd Weds. monthly) Facilitated by Gregg Akin, Sound Healer. Unity Palm Harbor, 1960 Tampa Rd., Palm Harbor, 727-784 7911, UnityOfPalmHarbor.org

THURSDAY

Psychic Playground - (2 nd & 4 th Thursdays) 6-7:30pm. Join Anna-Victoria to develop your psychic talents. $25. The Violet Butterfly, 35154 US Hwy 19 North, Palm Harbor, 727-386-4535, TheVioletButterflymhc.com

community resource guide

Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community.

ACUPUNCTURE

ACUPUNCTURE & ORIENTAL MEDICINE

Chris Dziubinski, DOM, AP, L. Ac

12952 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa

813-935-CARE (2273)

MindBodySpiritCare.com

Florida Board Certified Acupuncture Physician offering acupuncture therapies for the whole family. Established, comfortable, caring and professional integrative medicine clinics in South & North Tampa. Innetwork with most medical insurances; accept payments from HRA, HSA and FSA.

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

LIFEWORKS WELLNESS CENTER

Dr. David Minkoff, M.D.

Dr. Griselle Figueredo, M.D.

Dr. Neena Iyer, M.D.

Sue Morgan, APRN, Karima Redouan, APRN

Rose Tyler, APRN & Lindsay Williamson, APRN 301 Turner St., Clearwater 727-466-6789

LifeWorksWellnessCenter.com

Specializing in Ozone Therapy, IV Therapy, Heavy Metal Detoxification, Neurological Issues, Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, Gut Issues, Thyroid Issues and IPT for Cancer treatment. See ad inside front cover.

ORTHOMOLECULAR NUTRITION & WELLNESS

9225 Ulmerton Rd., Ste. 312, Largo 727-518-9808

OrthoLiving.com

We address the underlying root cause of disease by using a variety of modalities such as Nutrient IV’s, Chelation, Weight loss, HRT, PEMF, Ozone Therapy and more. To see if you qualify for Medical Marijuana go to OrthoMMJ.com.

PROFESSIONAL HERBALISTS TRAINING PROGRAM

Acupuncture & Herbal Therapies

2520 Central Ave., St. Petersburg 727-551-0857

AcuHerbals.com

The 2-year program meets one weekend each month for class and Wednesday nights for our handson student clinic. This program is designed to create clinical herbalists in a combination of Chinese and western herbalism. Designed to meet American Herbalists Guild standards. See ad page 39.

THE GROSSGOLD CLINIC

Andreas Grossgold, MD

Susan Budgis, Integrative Aesthetician

Misty Barnes, Integrative Hair Specialist

609 Lakeview Rd., Clearwater 727-330-3844

TheGClinic.org

Dr. Grossgold practices internal medicine and pediatrics with an integrative approach to detoxification, anti-aging medicine, functional medicine and nutrition. Integrative Cancer Treatment, EBOO, MHA, UVBI and more! See ad pages 9 & 14.

APOTHECARY

BOHEMIAN GYPSEA

12 West Orange St., Tarpon Springs 727-935-6046

BohemianGypsea.com

Metaphysical Gift Shop, Crystals, Jewelry, Clothing, Local Artist, CBD, Delta 8, Tea, Supplements, Greeting Cards, Sage, Incense, Essential Oils, Books, Energy Healing, Candles. See ad page 12.

SIX OAKS WELLNESS APOTHECARY

Carolyn Zinober, LMT, Esthetician, Clinical Herbalist, Aromatherapist

607 1st. Ave. SW, Largo 727-501-1700

SixOaksWellness.com

Clinical herbalist and massage therapist offering consultations, extensive line of Eastern/Western Herbs, Teas, Essential oils, CBD, Supplements, and learning workshops. Visit your neighborhood apothecary today! See ad page 8.

ASTROLOGY

ASTROLOGY FOR YOUR SOUL

Aluna Michaels, M.A., Esoteric Astrologer Dunedin

248-583-1663

AlunaMichaels.com

Second-generation astrologer and Soul Evolutionist practitioner. Over 25 years of experience. Insightful, unique perspective on goals and issues. “Together we will unveil your soul’s purpose.”

No matter how chaotic it is, wildflowers will still spring up in the middle of nowhere.

~Sheryl Crow

COLON HYDROTHERAPY

RENEW LIFE

Bonnie Barrett

28469 US Hwy 19 N. #402, Clearwater 727-461-7227

RenewLifeFla.com, Lic# MA14802, MM35406 30 years experience. Expert in colon hydrotherapy using pressure points, abdominal massage, essential oils, and lymphatic drainage. All disposable tubing used. Very comfortable and relaxing room with private bathroom. See ad page 8.

DENTISTS

BEATA CARLSON, DDS

1825 Sunset Point Rd, Clearwater 727-888-6523

NaturalAndCosmeticDentistry.com

Natural, Holistic, Aesthetic Dentistry. Careful Silver filling removal. Non-metal crowns and bridges. Be pampered in our Spalike atmosphere. See ad back cover.

CARLO LITANO, DMD

Natural Smiles of Tampa Bay

9087 Belcher Rd., Pinellas Park, 33782 727-300-0044

Natural-Smiles.com

Offering Holistic/Biological dentistry. Swiss dental protocols, ceramic implants, safe mercury removal, ozone cleaning and on site sedation. See ad page 11.

PAUL T. RODEGHERO, DDS

Clearwater Family Dental 215 S Myrtle Ave., Clearwater 727-442-3363

MyClearWaterFamilyDental.com

We are a full service family dental practice that stresses metal free restorations, safe mercury removal, ozone and laser dentistry. We welcome patients of all ages and can handle any concern that you may have. See ad pages 3, 7 & 15.

ROBERT J. YU, DMD

Tampa Bay Dental Implants & Periodontics

6700 Crosswinds Dr., Ste. 200-B, St. Pete 727-384-9122

TBPerio.com

The only board certified periodontist and implant surgeon in Tampa Bay offering ceramic/zirconia nonmetal implants. State-of-the-art treatments include CBT imaging, LANAP and digital intraoral scanner, eliminating messy impressions. See ad page 12.

HERBALIST

ROSE KALAJIAN—HERBALIST

Natural Health Hut Clinic and Herb Farm

813-991-5177

ImHerbalist.com

Specializing in growing the herbs used in my clinic practice and in the Herbal Remedies I formulate. Consultations are available for humans, dogs, cats, and horses. Promoting health through the use of Herbs. See ad page 29.

HYPNOSIS

LANI GONZALES, CCHT, QHHT

233 3rd St. N, Ste. 202

St. Petersburg 33701

727-210-5422

AdAstraAwakening.com

A certified clinical and quantum healing hypnotherapist and intuitive healer, Lani guides seekers of transformation on a journey towards awakening. She specializes in trauma, anxiety, depression, and past life regressions. See ad page 21.

MIND AND SPIRIT HYPNOTHERAPY BY YAMARIS

Yamaris Betancur

710 Oakfield Dr., Ste. 26, Brandon 813-990-9755

HypnotherapyByYamaris.com

Certified Clinical and Transpersonal Hypnotherapist and a Mental Health Counselor. Specializing in weight loss, anxiety, panic attacks, self-esteem, pain management and breathwork. See ad page 42.

UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES

HYPNOSIS, INC.

Patricia V. Scott, President

727-943-5003

UPHypnosis@yahoo.com, UPHypnosis.com

Professional Hypnosis & NLP Certification Training, Weekly classes & Private sessions (Smoking, Weight, Stress, Sports, Habits), Clinical/Medical Hypnotherapy available w/referral. Speaking Services & Corporate Programs. See ad page 31.

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE

INTEGRATIVE THERAPEUTICS

Dr. Prudhvi Karumanchi

8320 Stone Run Ct., Tampa 33615 813-322-6171

IntTherapeutics.com

Committed to finding the root cause, Holistic MD offers: IV Nutrition, Regenerative Treatments, Functional Medicine, Heavy Metal Detox, Energy Healing, Weight Loss, Anti-aging and more. Out-ofNetwork Provider.

MIND BODY SPIRIT CARE

Ron N. Shemesh, M.D.

12952 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa 813-935-CARE (2273)

MindBodySpiritCare.com

Integrative & holistic medicine for women & men: Natural Hormone Therapy, Anti-Aging, IV Chelation, Nutritional Vitamin Therapy, Fatigue & Stress Management, Weight Loss, Yoga, Nutritional Counseling. Affiliated with St. Joseph Hospital. Most insurance accepted.

PEAKS OF HEALTH METABOLIC MEDICAL CENTER

Tracie Leonhardt, DO 1120 Belcher Rd. S., Ste. 2, Largo 727-826-0838

PeaksOfHealth.com

Dr. Leonhardt is Board Certified & Fellow of the American Academy of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine. Offers a personalized program for each individual patient. Hormone replacement therapy, weight loss, thyroid, GI issues, Diabetes, infrared sauna, IV nutrition, Anti-aging, Chronic fatigue, adrenal fatigue, and toxicities. See ad pages 13 and 47.

SUCCESS BY DESIGN

9095 Belcher Road, Pinellas Park 727-548-0001

SBDWellness.com

A Wellness Center for Age-Management, Functional Medicine

and Medical Weight Loss. Specializing in BioIdentical Hormone Replacement including Pellet Therapy, Gut Health/Food Allergies, Detoxification, Nutritional Evaluations, Acupuncture, Massage therapy and more. See ad page 17.

YOUNG FOUNDATIONAL HEALTH CENTER

John D. Young, M.D. 7241 Bryan Dairy Road, Largo 727-545-4600

YoungFoundationalHealth.com

Author of Beyond Treatment. Creator of Young Health Products. Offering specialized treatments for chronic diseases. Therapies include Bio-identical Hormone, Stem Cell, Vitamin IV, Chelation, Ozone. Special Testing and Nutritional Education. See ad page 6.

INTUITIVE HEALING

RONNI FORD YOGA AND INTUITIVE CRYSTAL HEALING

Dunedin 340-626-9642

RonniFordyeh@gmail.com

Intuitive crystal healer and yoga instructor; 22 years’ experience. Awaken: messages from your incarnated soul; energy and energetic healing; food sensitivity awareness. Group yoga and private healing sessions available online, by phone or in-person.

PSYCHOLOGIST

ELIZABETH RICE, LCSW

6251 Park Blvd., Ste. 9C, Pinellas Park 33781 727-300-9382

esLifeCoach.com, License SW15178

Heal the whole being including body, mind, spirit and emotions. Increase your quality of life; facilitate emotional healing. Specializing in Anxiety, Mood, Behavior, Trauma, Family. See ad page 43.

REFLEXOLOGY

REED ‘NAHAM’ MYLES

Certified Reflexologist and LMT 727-543-3048 by appointment

Clearwater, MA0028171

Whether you need deep therapy, a tuneup or just a relaxing treatment, I can help you. Just call me.

~Tia Walker

SPIRITUAL INTUITIVE

LISA MILIARESIS

Extreme Communication

727-239-0656

Lisa@2Communicate.net

2Communicate.net

Lisa offers private individual and group channeling sessions, as well as private counseling sessions for those looking for direction in developing their own personal practice.

UNIVERSOULLIGHT CONSULTING

Rev. Amanda Segovia, Reiki Master Certified SRT Personal Consultant

UniverSoulLight.com

UniverSoulLight@gmail.com

Private sessions using various healing, clearing & spiritual modalities. Akashic Records, Intuitive Medium, Astrologer, Personalized Astrology Reports, Numerologist, Meditation, Chakra-Balancing, Tarot/Oracles, Candles, EOL Transition, Teacher/ Mentor & more.

THERMOGRAPHY

GREENPOINT THERMOGRAPHY

John D. Bartone MD 7901 4th Street North, Suite 316 St. Petersburg, FL 33702 727-576-0100

GreenPointThermography.com

The only physician owned and operated thermography practice in Tampa Bay – serving Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco counties. Accredited by the American College of Clinical Thermology. See ad page 29.

FLORIDA MEDICAL THERMOGRAPHY

June Drennon, CCT 2008

JuneDrennon@ FloridaMedicalThermography.com 727-729-2711

FloridaMedicalThermography.com

Certified Clinical Thermographer 2008. Mindful Wellness with Thermography! Knowledge is power: Know your risk factors to make corrections and avoid developing pathology. Call for location convenient for you. See ad page 31.

VETERINARIAN

HEALTHY PAWSIBILITIES NATURAL PET WELLNESS CENTER

Dr. Cathy Alinovi, DVM

628 Cleveland St., #17, Clearwater 727-510-3665

HealthyPawsibilities.com

Offering only holistic health options. Nutrition, herbal support, body balancing, canine fitness, reiki and more. See ad page 41.

MEDICINE RIVER ANIMAL HOSPITAL

Shawna L. Green, DVM 13495 Gulf Boulevard

Madeira Beach 727-299-9029

MedicineRiverAnimalHospital.com

Compassionate health care catered toward the needs of your pet offering preventative medicine, surgery, dentistry, senior wellness, and more. See ad page 41.