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Emerging Workouts Infused with Spirit
Schools Go Green Green Box: Creating Student Awareness
A Pledge for Peace
Kids Promoting Kindness in Las Vegas
Look Out Kids About Pedestrian/Driver Awareness for All Ages
September 2013 | Las Vegas Edition | NaturalAwakeningsLV.com
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Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.
14 BACK-TO-SCHOOL SAFETY TIPS
by Gina Greisen
16 WHAT PEACE MEANS TO CHILDREN
The World We All Need
16
by Kids for Peace
17 SELF-ESTEEM
& COMPASSION IN THE WAR AGAINST BULLYING
20
by Nikk Zorbas
18 STAYING POWER A Good Trainer Keeps Us On Track by Debra Melani
20 WHOLE-BEING WORKOUTS
Moving the Body Opens the Door to Spirit by Lisa Marshall
24 DEEP-HEALING YOGA
Release Trauma, Build Resilience
by Sarah Todd
25 FALL FLYWAYS
Thrill to Flocks in Full Flight
by Timothy Boucher
26 SCHOOLS GO GREEN Homework, Lunch, Buses Get an Eco-Makeover by Avery Mack
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28 SUGAR MONSTER How Sweet It Isn’t by Kathleen Barnes
30 FAT FIGHT Like Us, Pets Must Eat Right and Keep Moving by Dr. Shawn Messonnier
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September 2013
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letterfrompublisher
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Contact Us Publisher/Executive Editor Gabrielle Wyant-Perillo Editor Martin Miron Calendar Editor Michele Perillo Contributors Jocelyn Arter Gena Bunim Marketing/Advertising Brad Banks Tracey owens Design & Production Helene Leininger Michele Rose National Franchise Sales John Voell 239-530-1377 Natural Awakenings – Greater Las Vegas Po Box 230925 Las Vegas, NV 89105 702-483-3255 Publisher@NA-LV.com NaturalAwakeningsLV.com
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Greater Las Vegas
ack to school—I still get a slight flip in my stomach reminiscing about those days leading up to the first day of school. For me, fear of the unknown was the worst. Yet, as I look back, school was a peaceful time; a time of play, close relationships and laughter. Still, I feel that familiar pang thinking about my girls starting at a new school. My inner dialog says, “What if Ysa can’t get her locker open?” and “What if A’ngel is too shy to ask where the cafeteria is located?” So, to avoid my daughters having to experience my experiences, I required Ysa to open her locker 100 times, and I walked A’ngel around her school 49 times (okay, a slight exaggeration). The reality is that the only anxiety the girls are feeling is excitement! In fact, they, “can’t wait to go to school and make some friends.” This year, my class of 1983 reunited to celebrate 30 years since our graduation. Though I could not attend, I learned that memories of me were there. Within two days after the event, 22 people from my graduating class “friend” requested me on Facebook. I’ve spent much of the last 30 years hiding out with the thought, “I don’t want anyone to find me.” As it turns out, it made me very happy to connect with friends and relive some great memories. For me, school was not a time of stress or adversity. These reconnections feel safe and I feel loved and honored by their outreach. My mom says, “You’re lucky if you have one good friend in your lifetime.” For me, my friend Jeff has been a constant since high school. I, somewhat of an introvert, and he, about as extroverted as a person can be, were a perfect balance. Jeff absolutely loves people and is the happiest, most social person I know. I have only seen him unhappy one time during our 30-plus-year friendship, and that was when in ninth grade, an older kid was harassing him. I recently asked Jeff about this incident and he has little recollection of it. I, however, can still see the expression on Jeff’s face, and it haunts me. I will forever wish I had said something to that bully. I was lucky and had little adversity in school, but because of a time I feel I failed my friend, I learned the importance of taking a stand. As a former Montessori educator, I believe, as did Maria Montessori, that education is the most powerful and universal way by which to reconstruct society; a way to transition from war to peace. Every child deserves peaceful memories of their school days. It is my hope that you read this issue, filled with information about “What Peace Means to Children” (page 16), and anti-bullying and back-to-school safety tips, and share them with your children. Ask them to take the “Stand for the Silent” pledge and teach them to stand up for their classmates and friends. It is comforting to know that my girls are confident to enter new surroundings. They know that they are amazing individuals and, if they do all things with kindness and integrity, they will have true friends. I wish for my girls and the children of the Clark County School District to have that “one good friend of a lifetime,” create kind relationships and Stand for the Silent. Peace,
Gabrielle Wyant-Perillo, Publisher NaturalAwakeningsLV.com
newsbriefs Naturopaths Gather at the Riviera Hotel
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he American Naturopathic Medical Association (ANMA), the country’s largest, has provided more than 30 years of service to the naturopathic profession. The 32nd annual ANMA convention will be held from September 6 to 8 at the Riviera Hotel, in Las Vegas. Exhibitors from around the world will share their knowledge and experience in medicine and new product research will be presented, along with methods to achieve optimum success in treatment. For three decades, ANMA has stopped the type of restrictive legislation that would discriminate against its members. Over the years, it has kept a watchful eye on legislation around the country and intervened when it appeared that members could suffer as a result. For a speaker schedule or to register, call 888-202-4440 or visit anma.org.
Fun After 55 Good Vibrations Expo Features Free Beach Boys Concert
New Crazy Spokes Bicycling Event Debuts in Henderson
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razy Spokes, a 30- and 60-mile organized bike ride through portions of the River Mountains Loop Trail, to be held October 12 at Mission Hills Park, in Henderson, will be followed by a family festival and bike parade. The rides begin at 7 and 7:30 a.m., the festival runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the parade goes off at 10:30 a.m. Crazy Spokes is a new bicycling event that challenges cyclists to conquer the Three Sisters of the world-famous River Mountains Loop Trail, a wicked ride only few have mastered. It winds its way through the Henderson Trail, into Lake Las Vegas and back to Mission Hills Park. The family festival includes live entertainment, bounce houses and kids’ activities. Participants are encouraged to get crazy with their spokes and decorate their bicycles for the parade. Register before September 12 for reduced ride admission fee. Admission for the bike parade is $1 per entry and the family festival is free. Location: 551 E. Mission Dr. For more information and prices, call 702-267-4000 or visit BikeHenderson.org.
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as Vegas is home to more than 500,000 “fifty-plussers”. The Fun After 55 Good Vibrations Expo takes place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., September 2, at South Point Arena and helps inform its active visitors by featuring 150 vendors that are selling, sampling and demonstrating thousands of products and services oriented to those 50 and older. The expo features guest speakers discussing a wide range of topics, and local performers will put on a variety of entertaining shows. As part of their 50th anniversary tour, the Beach Boys will perform a free concert at 6 p.m. Anyone attending the expo can receive a free ticket to the concert. Vendors at the expo focus on both traditional and nontraditional methods to live a healthy and balanced life. Attendees can explore activities in senior dating services, leisure sports, creative arts, higher education and volunteerism. Other vendors will be on hand to provide information on cosmetics, skin, hair and nail care, cosmetic surgery, jewelry, clothing, shoes and accessories. In addition, information will be available about home care and placement opportunities for aging parents. This event will benefit Helping Hands of Vegas Valley, a nonprofit organization that provides free, assistive services to senior citizens in southern Nevada. Admission is free. Location: 9777 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. For more information, call 702-331-1350 or visit ProExpos.Biz. natural awakenings
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newsbriefs My Healthy Meal Expands with Second Location
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y Healthy Meal, a provider of all-natural, organic and pre-portioned meals designed to keep customers healthy, balanced and in control of their nutrition and known for offering meals for health-conscious individuals on the go, has opened a second location at 9500 South Eastern Avenue, Suite 140, near Richmar Avenue, in Henderson. Customers can also dine in. “At our Summerlin location, we’ve been able to help many people change their eating habits by offering great food in healthy portions at a fair price,” says Candace Bailey, owner of My Healthy Meal. The new Henderson store will also feature My Healthy Meal’s first-ever smoothie bar, where fresh fruit and vegetables are blended to offer a variety of options. My Healthy Meal features 14 smoothies to choose from and offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, as well as snacks that cater to individuals on the go. Customers select their favorite items from salads, seafood, beef, chicken, flatbreads, vegetarian, desserts and raw foods. Gluten-free, low-carbohydrate, high-protein, lowcalorie and vegetarian options are available. Summerlin location: 10220 W. Charleston Blvd., Ste. 2. For more information, call 702-605-6757 (Summerlin) or 702-2721800 (Henderson). To sign up for a newsletter to receive special offers, visit MyHealthyMeal.com. Also on Facebook and Twitter.
Springs Hike and Raptors at Red Rock Canyon
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group hike in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, beginning at 8 a.m., September 15, will focus on the springs, raptors (birds of prey), wildflowers and animals occurring at some of Red Rock Canyons springs. Likely springs are Whispering Ben, Mormon Green and Wheeler Camp Spring. Participants will see the Red Rock Escarpment, a 3,000-foot-high mass of multicolored pinnacles and boulders jutting from the canyon floor, feral horses and burros and species of native wildlife, including bighorn sheep and coyotes. The 13-mile scenic loop drive offers picnic areas and hiking trails and the visitors center features information about the area and a gallery. There is a $7 charge per vehicle to enter the conservation area. Easy terrain, three miles; for ages 10 and up. Location: 1000 Scenic Loop Dr. From Las Vegas, travel west on Charleston Blvd., which will become State Hwy. 159, to the Red Rock Canyon entrance. Register (required) by calling 702-515-5367.
Solarbration 2013 Expands Format
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he third annual Fiesta Las Vegas Latino Parade & Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., September 14 downtown to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month festivities. In the parade, from 10 a.m. to noon, the grand marshal is international artist Rogelio Martinez. Fiesta Las Vegas provides an opportunity for Latinos residing in southern Nevada to celebrate and share their colorful roots and customs including floats, walking groups, marching bands, ROTC groups and equestrian teams. The celebration strives to encourage and promote cultural pride by uniting Latino organizations, community groups, schools and businesses to share folkloric costumes, traditions, music, dance and comida.
olarbration, the annual Las Vegas solar festival, to be held from 2 to 7 p.m., October 5, at the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Life Long Learning Center, blends art, technology and outreach to promote renewable energy, inspire conservation and support sustainable communities. Showcasing the power and possibilities of solar energy, Solarbration is partnering this year with the national and local Solar Home Tour and Solar Decathlon. The purpose of the festival is to combine world-class entertainment with incredible educational opportunities in renewable energy, sustainability and community engagement. According to organizer Louise Helton, “Solar energy will be an incredible opportunity for our community and our state. Our community can be a leader in one of the most progressive, exciting and important renewable energy areas.”
Admission is free. Location: Fremont Street Experience, 425 Fremont St., Las Vegas. For more information, call 702-6785600 or visit FiestaLasVegas.org.
Location: 8050 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas. For more information, call Helton at 702-592-5330 or visit cdsn.org/ upcomingevents/solarbration.html. See ad, page 15.
Fiesta Las Vegas Latino Festival
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Local organic Produce Grown in urban Gardens
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obert and Joyce Plumlee, owners of Solar Urban Green, based in Las Vegas, are striving to bring sameday fresh produce via indoor vertical agriculture to The Valley, and in the process, create high-value careers and business ownership opportunities for returning veterans. Robert states, “Since all of our produce is herbicideand pesticide-free, grown organically from certified organic (non-GMO) seeds and produced in ISO-rated clean rooms to eliminate biologic contamination, we will appeal greatly to the health-conscious consumer.” Looking to open in the first quarter of 2014, the Plumlees are soliciting crowdsourcing funds at IndieGoGo (Tinyurl.com/SolarGreenUrbanGarden). For more information, call 702-370-6048, email RPlumlee48 @gmail.com or visit SolarGreenUrbanGarden.com.
Visit the Wild, Wild Fest
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he fourth annual Nevada Wild Fest returns to the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, September 20 through 22, with the thrills of a big state fair experience in the Las Vegas Valley, including carnival rides, celebrity meet-and-greets and concerts, including NBC’s The Voice winner Danielle Bradbery onstage September 21. Wild Fest main attractions include more than 30 large carnival rides for all ages, as well as DockDogs, the world’s premier canine aquatics competition, the Iron Dog Best of the Best Championship, specialty foods and beverages in the food plaza, wine tasting, beer and mixed drink bars and rockin’ music headliners on the festival stage supported by some of the best local bands in Las Vegas. Guests can feel good knowing that 100 percent of the net proceeds are donated to the nonprofit Lili Claire Foundation.
Save with Solar Get the lowest out of pocket cost of any solar installer in Las Vegas.
Any school, church, community club or other nonprofit organization that sells a $10 Nevada Wild Fest entrance ticket gets $5 back. For more information, email Jeanne Powers at Jeanne@LiliClaire.org. Admission is $10 onsite or $6 online. Discounted packages are available. Children under 3 get in free. For tickets, visit NevadaWildFest.com. Also on Facebook and Twitter.
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Submit editorial online at NA-LV.com (Deadline: the 10th of the month)
Call us today! 1.702.749.4111 natural awakenings
September 2013
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newsbriefs Project 150 Back-To-School Drive
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roject 150 is collecting supplies for nearly 1,000 Clark County homeless, displaced and disadvantaged high school students through September 9. The mission of Project 150 is to offer support and services to homeless high school students in greater Las Vegas so they can stay in school through graduation and learn the life skills necessary to be successful. Project 150 is seeking assistance from the greater Las Vegas community to help with notebooks, pens, pencils, calculators, shirts, undergarments, gently used clothes, toiletries, non-perishable food and gift cards. The supplies are delivered to schools for distribution directly to the students. Collaborating with many organizations in the community, Project 150 holds special drives for high school sports equipment, formal wear, blankets and other seasonal items as needed and accepts tax-deductible monetary donations. For donation drop-off locations, volunteer information and events, visit Project150.org.
Healthy Kids Festival
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n celebration of National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, Clark County Cooperative Extension’s All 4 Kids Program and Paradise Park are hosting the second annual free Healthy Kids Festival event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., September 28, at Paradise Park. The event presents childhood obesity awareness and prevention to nearly 1,200 parents and children. Families are invited to attend and learn how to be healthy and active. A day full of fun and entertainment is anticipated for everyone while gaining valuable resources and information available to community residents. Sports sign-ups, live music and healthy food tastings are just some of the activities. Children will dance, play soccer, see Zumba and karate demonstrations, learn how to grow their own foods and participate in other fun happenings. First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Program is an initiative that begins with the child, the families and the school, and then extends to the community, local and national government. Educating children at a young age will provide them with tools to make healthier choices and engage in active lifestyles during adolescence and later years. Parents and families are invited to learn how to support and model positive behaviors for their young child.
Location: 4775 McLeod Dr., Las Vegas, 89121. For more information call 702-948-5942 or email All_For_Kids@unce.unr.edu.
Bikers for Fur Babies at Barking Dog Bakery
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he WhiskersTails Twilight Motorcycle Raffle Run benefiting All Fur Love Animal Society will be held September 14, at Barking Dog Bakery. Registration starts at 4:30 p.m. Raffle prizes include show tickets, hotel stays, restaurant certificates, motorcycle gear and more. All Fur Love Animal Society is a no-kill, nonprofit, fosterbased organization with dedicated volunteers committed to the rescue, safety and welfare of abandoned animals in our community. All Fur Love Animal Society began with the vision to rescue animals that have been abandoned and provide them extra love and care until new forever loving homes are found. Cost is $25, includes dinner. Location: 9325 S. Cimarron Rd., Ste. 145, Las Vegas. To purchase tickets, visit AllFurLove AnimalSociety.org. For more information, call 702-362-5617 or email BikeRun@AllFurLoveAnimalSociety.org. 8
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Nevada Voters For Animals Fundraiser
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evada Voters For Animals (NV4A), an animal advocacy group that fights passionately for animal protection in Nevada, mainly in Clark County, is currently holding its first fundraiser through September 6 in order to continue fighting for animals and giving them a strong voice. Those that contribute $15 or more will be entered into a drawing to win two tickets to the upcoming Toto concert, September 13, at Red Rock Casino’s Sandbar Pool. NV4A focuses on issues such as anti-cruelty legislation, bringing animal abusers to justice, education on responsible pet ownership and spay/neuter to reduce the pet overpopulation. It has received no financial assistance in eight years. NV4A President Gina Greisen authored Cooney's law, making willful and malicious animal cruelty a first-time felony in Nevada. Cooney, a beagle mix, was brutally killed by her owner with a box cutter and the crime could only be charged as a misdemeanor. Now, under Cooney’s law, the punishment will fit the crime. Donations can be made by following the Paypal link on the Facebook page. For more information and ticket winner announcement, visit Facebook.com/NevadaVoters4Animals.
Child Safety Education Program in Henderson
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he Clark County Cooperative Extension will offer a Child Safety and Welfare program for four weeks from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, beginning September 11, at the Valley View Recreation Center, in Henderson. This program is designed for parents to increase their awareness and knowledge of safety and welfare issues that include shaken baby syndrome (SBS), child abuse awareness, anger management and positive guidance. Shaken baby syndrome education increases awareness and knowledge for parents or other caregivers. Child abuse awareness instruction helps them recognize signs of mistreatment and neglect. The anger management class provides parents with research-based information related to emotional issues and child abuse prevention. Positive guidance lessons build parents’ positive guidance skills. The materials are also available in Spanish. Location: 500 Harris St. For more information, contact Olga Soto at 702-257-5567 or email SotoO@unce.unr.edu. natural awakenings
September 2013
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healthbriefs
Jog or Walk to Live Longer
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slow jog around the block a few times a week can prolong life. The Copenhagen City Heart Study monitored 1,878 joggers for 30 years and found that 44 percent of these subjects are less likely to prematurely die from any cause than non-runners. Males and females that continued to jog regularly added 6.2 years and 5.6 years, respectively, to their average lifespans. It only takes 1.5 hours of slow-to-average-pace jogging a week to reap the longevity benefits. Walking is also beneficial; the National Institutes of Health says it can add up to 4.5 years to the average life expectancy. Seventy-five minutes of brisk walking a week can add 1.8 years to life expectancy after age 40, according to study results cited in PLOS Medicine.
The Humble Apple May Ace Cancer
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pples are among the world’s most healing superfoods, thanks to their abundant fiber and heart-healthy nutrient properties. New research shows that an apple a day may also help keep cancer away. Two major independent cancer research projects, from Poland and Uruguay, confirm that daily apple consumption can cut the risk of colorectal cancer in half, a unique value among all fruits or vegetables. Other studies documented at GreenMedInfo.com suggest that apples contain components geared to help stop the growth of liver, breast, esophageal, stomach and multi-drug-resistant cancers. Additional research further associates the fruit with relieving diarrhea in children, soothing bowel inflammation in adults, preventing flu, facilitating weight loss, protecting against gum disease, maintaining brain cells and even slowing the aging process.
School Lunches Minus the Meat
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s the first school in the nation to go completely meatless, 400 students at New York City’s P.S. 244, the Active Learning Elementary School, are treated to eclectic fare that includes black bean and cheese quesadillas, falafels, and tofu in an Asian sesame sauce. “We’ve had a really great response from the kids, but they also understand it’s about healthy options,” says Principal Bob Groff. “Because we teach them to make healthy choices, they understand what is happening and believe in what we’re doing, too.” When the school opened in 2008, the cafeteria served vegetarian meals three days a week. “We started to try out recipes with small groups of students to see what they liked and didn’t like. It was a hit,” says Groff. All meals adhere to U.S. Department of Agriculture standards, so students get plenty of nutrient- and protein-dense vegetables. Students are also welcome to pack their own lunches, including meat. 10
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Hair to Dye For
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hree-quarters of American women are interested in changing their hair color, particularly to cover gray, according to a Clairol study. But other studies show they should be wary of most traditional hair dyes and consider natural alternatives. A study from the University of Southern California published in the International Journal of Cancer, for example, identified women using permanent hair dyes at least once a month to be at the highest risk for bladder cancer. As early as 2007, the European Union banned 22 potentially dangerous chemicals in cosmetic and body care products, including hair dyes. In the journal Materials last year, British researchers warned of the increased cancer risk from toxic chemicals called secondary amines, found in Europeanand U.S.-manufactured permanent hair dyes, because they remain on the hair for extended periods long after application and can penetrate skin. Meanwhile, increasing demand by consumers for safer products has expanded the market for natural hair dyes containing henna, oils and extracts from berries and other fruits, plus vegetables. Many are now available at pharmacies, organic salons and online, including do-it-yourself recipes.
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he way you think, the way you behave, the way you eat, can influence your life by 30 to 50 years. ~Deepak Chopra
Antibacterials May Make Kids Allergy-Prone
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dults’ obsession with antibacterial soaps, toothpastes and other personal care products may be making our children more prone to many allergies, according to research from the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, in Baltimore, Maryland. While not the direct cause, researchers say such products may impair the development of children’s immune systems. In a study of 860 children between the ages of 6 and 18, researchers found elevated levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in children from households where these products were used. IgEs increase when exposed to allergy-causing substances like pollen, pet dander and certain foods. Urine levels of triclosan, an antibacterial agent used in soaps, mouthwash and toothpaste, provided the strongest link to increased IgE levels and increased allergy risk. Parabens, preservatives with antimicrobial properties commonly found in shampoos, conditioners, lotions and body washes, were strongly associated with allergies to pollen and pet dander. These results confirm the “hygiene hypothesis” that society’s focus on cleanliness has actually prevented children from getting dirty and developing strong immune systems that are regularly challenged and strengthened by pathogens, say researchers.
Yoga Relieves Back Pain
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ould a simple yoga class ease chronic back pain? Yes, say researchers in two recent studies. Scientists at the University of Washington found that subjects reported a 61 percent decrease in back pain when practicing yoga in a 12-week period compared with doing simple stretching. The researchers attributed their findings, published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, to yoga’s physical and breathing exercises and how they increase awareness and relaxation. Another project, funded by Arthritis Research UK, showed that Britons with long-term back pain that took a 12week yoga course reported 75 percent fewer sick days.
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September 2013
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globalbriefs News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.
Freebie Fruit
online Mapping Points the Way Falling Fruit (FallingFruit.org), created by Caleb Philips, co-founder of Boulder Food Rescue, and Ethan Welty, a photographer and geographer based in Boulder, Colorado, uses a map to cite locations of fruits and vegetables that are free to forage around the world. It looks like a Google map, with reported locations marked with dots. Zoom in and click on one to find a description of what tree or bush is there. The description often includes information about the best season to pluck plant fruits, the quality and yield, a link to the species’ profile on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website and additional advice on accessing the spot. Welty compiled most of the half-million or so locations from various municipal databases, local foraging organizations and urban gardening groups. Additionally, the map is open for Wikipedia-style public editing. He says, “Falling Fruit pinpoints all sorts of tasty trees in public parks, lining city streets and even hanging over fences from the UK to New Zealand.” It also lists beehives, public water wells and even dumpsters with excess food waste.
Killing Fields
Neonicotinoid Pesticides Threaten Birds and insects, Too Controversial neonicotinoid pesticides linked to catastrophic honeybee declines in North America and Europe may also kill other creatures, posing ecological threats even graver than feared, according to a new report by the American Bird Conservancy. It claims that dangers to birds and stream-dwelling and soil-dwelling insects accidentally exposed to the chemicals have been underestimated by regulators and downplayed by industry. “The environmental persistence of the neonicotinoids, their propensity for runoff and for groundwater infiltration and their cumulative and largely irreversible mode of action in invertebrates raise environmental concerns that go well beyond bees,” according to the report co-authors, pesticide policy expert Cynthia Palmer and pesticide toxicologist Pierre Mineau, Ph.D., who both work for the nonprofit. They note that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency typically sets guidelines for bird exposures using laboratory tests on just two species, which ignores widely varying sensitivities among hundreds of other species. Scott Black, executive director of the Xerces Society, an invertebrate conservation group, says that integrated pest management (IPM), which combines precisely targeted chemical use with other, non-chemical means of pest control, can deliver industrial-scale yields in an environmentally sustainable way. To the detriment of wildlife, “[Our nation] has moved away from IPM, from scouting a farm, putting in habitat for beneficial insects and spraying only if there’s damage,” he warns. “With neonicotinoids, they don’t do that anymore,” instead returning to indiscriminate blanket spraying. Primary source: Tinyurl.com/ABCBirdReport 12
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Feathered Friends
Food Shortages Guide Behavior A new report published in American Naturalist by a pair of ecologists, W. Alice Boyle and Courtney J. Conway, at the University of Arizona, in Tucson, has determined that the primary pressure prompting short-distance bird migrations comes from seasonal food scarcity, not their amount of eating or living in nonforested environments, as was previously thought. “It’s not just whether they eat insects, fruit or nectar, or where they eat them; it matters how reliable that food source is from day-to-day,” says Boyle. A universal assumption has been that short-distance migration is an evolutionary steppingstone to longer trips. The team’s work contradicts that idea by showing that the two are inherently different. They also found that species that forage in flocks are less likely to migrate. “If a bird is faced with food scarcity, is has two options,” Boyle notes. “It can either forage with other birds or migrate.”
Solar Socket
Portable Power from Any Windowpane The Window Socket, a new device that attaches to any window using a suction cup, provides a small amount of electricity to charge and operate small devices from its solar panel. Inventors Kyuho Song and Boa Oh, of Yanko Design, note, “We tried to design a portable socket so that users can use it intuitively, without special training.” Even better, the charger stores energy. After five to eight hours of charging, The Socket provides 10 hours of juice to charge a phone, even in a dark room. The device is not yet available in the United States. Find more information at Tinyurl.com/ WindowSocket.
Shellfish Solution
Bivalve Farming May Purify Fouled Waters Scientists are investigating whether mussels can be grown in urban areas as a way of cleansing coastal waters of sewage, fertilizers and other pollutants. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has placed an experimental raft at the mouth of New York City’s Bronx River with long tendrils seeded with geukensia demissa hanging beneath it. The two-year experiment will test whether the ribbed mussel can survive in the industrial and organic effluent found there. If it does, that could have implications for cleaning up coastal waters all over the world. The idea of using bivalves like mussels, oysters and clams to purify waterways has been on the minds of conservationists and scientists for decades. If the creatures can absorb enough nitrogen from the polluted water, it will prevent algae blooms that deprive waterways of the oxygen needed to support life. Other researchers also are investigating the beneficial effects of raising seaweed and kelp in conjunction with bivalves to clean coastal waters. Source: E360.yale.edu
Fashion Freedom
Fair Trade Comes to Retail Clothing The revolution that started in food is expanding to clothing: origins matter. With fair trade coffee and organic fruit now standard on grocery shelves, consumers concerned with industry working conditions, environmental issues and outsourcing are now demanding similar accountability for their T-shirts. As a result, some retailers have started supplying information about how and where their products are made. “There’s real demand for sweat-free products,” observes Ian Robinson, Ph.D., a lecturer and research scientist at the University of Michigan who studies labor issues. “Consumers don’t have the information they need, and they do care.” The New York Times reported that a recent factory collapse in Bangladesh might play a part in changing that. Loblaw Companies Limited, the parent company of Joe Fresh, which produced clothing there, has vowed to audit factories more aggressively and compensate the victims’ families. “The apparel industry can be a force for good,” vows Galen G. Weston, Loblaw’s chairman. natural awakenings
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Back-to-School Safety Tips by Gina Greisen
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ore than 310,000 students are returning to nearly 360 schools across The Valley, along with around 1,500 school buses, parents and guardians dropping off children, kids walking or biking to schools and bus stops. It takes an entire community to keep Clark County children safe during this special time of year. Drivers and children should be armed with information that can save their lives. In recent years, there have been some positive changes and events to bring attention to issues in school zones and pedestrian safety. However, many safety challenges in and around school zones still exist, and the safety of students walking to school remains a pressing issue in the Clark County School District. For 15 minutes before and after school, there is often traffic chaos and bad driving behavior. In many neighborhoods, crosswalks are found both adjacent to schools and crossing major intersections. School zone safety task forces; representatives from law enforcement, public agencies and parent and community groups, maintain these crosswalks and intersections. It is the responsibility of average citizens to observe safety rules and make sure kids safely arrive to and from school. Slow down. A group of individuals got together and created an event called Safe For A Day – Working Towards Safe Every Day. Parents and citizens handed out mock tickets to those committing common violations such as parking on a crosswalk, speeding,
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jaywalking and other dangerous and illegal activities. The penalties for such offenses were also explained to the violators. Thank-you notes were given to parents and children that were seen following the rules. The event brought much attention and awareness to safety in the school zone and brought about the creation of an authorized school traffic safety task force that followed through on the group’s informal recommendations. Parents are a child’s best advocates and, because they are part of the problem, they must be a part of the solution. All motorists can help solve the problem right now by simply slowing down in school zones and watching out for our children as they walk and ride their bikes to and from school. Lead by example and follow the rules. The most effective safety solutions don’t come from new laws or enforcement—they come from parents and guardians, the most important teachers in the life of a child. Consider volunteering to be a crossing guard or getting involved in the issue of school zone and pedestrian safety to report problems with signs, crosswalks or other safety features. To report problems, contact the public works and traffic operations departments for these cities: Boulder City: 702-293-9200; Henderson: 702-2673200; Las Vegas: 702-229-6327; and North Las Vegas: 702-633-1313.
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Gina Greisen is a community advocate whose efforts brought about the coordination of school safety task forces in and around Clark County.
It’s Easy to Be Safe If You Follow the Rules by Erin Breen
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s parents, we worry that our children are getting the best education possible, but many children lose their potential every year when they are hit by cars before or after school. In 2012, 192 young people were struck by vehicles in Clark County; only nine of them between June 6 and the last week of August, when school started again.
Pedestrian Safety Tips n Cross at corners and marked midblock crosswalks. When provided, push the button for lights. n Even with the signal or flashing lights, never assume drivers will stop. Make eye contact, smile and wave at them to assure they see you. n Stop at every lane and repeat, just because one lane stopped does not mean others will. n Wear bright clothes and add reflectors if at dawn, dusk or night. n Put belongings in a backpack: eliminates risk of a child chasing papers into street. n Use crosswalks when provided. Remember wherever two streets cross, the pedestrian has the right-of-way; paint on the ground is not required. n Older kids with portable music or phones need to be reminded to not use them while crossing, they need to hear traffic. Also no texting in crosswalks. n When a crossing guard is in the crosswalk you must stop and stay stopped until the guard is on the sidewalk, no matter what side of the street.
Bicyclists n For children that bike: helmets are 86 percent effective in preventing brain trauma—this should not be negotiable. n Bikes are treated like vehicles; ride with traffic, in a bike lane when pos-
sible, kids over 10 belong mostly on the street, depending where you live, use parental discretion. n Bikes should be walked across crosswalks and intersections. Riding at bike speed makes it nearly impossible for vehicles or bikes to stop to avoid each other.
Drivers n It is illegal for a driver to pass a stopped vehicle at a corner or marked crosswalk until they can determine why the driver has stopped. Pay attention. n Stay off your cell phone while driving. Concentrate until you get to your destination; it helps make sure everyone safely gets to where they are going. n By law you must park more than 20 feet from a marked crosswalk or corner. This is so pedestrians can be seen. n U-turns are illegal in most posted school zones; this cuts in half the danger of hitting a child. n Follow your school policies for pick up and drop off. Or, purposefully park a block away, you get exercise and you can teach your child rules of the road on the trip back. n Speeding tickets in school zones are at minimum doubled. Fines go higher if you drive more than 10 miles an hour over the posted limit. n Moving violations are also subject to doubling in school zones, including U-turns.
Remember n Be a good role model. Practice what you teach, children learn from you. n Children also don’t remember the rules without being reminded constantly. Ask children to recite rules along with you. This helps them understand the rules are important and so are they. n The very best thing you can do for yourself and your child is to give yourself enough time to get to where you are going so you can follow the rules (and the crossing guards).
Peace begins with a smile. ~Mother Teresa
For more information, call 702-895-1780. Erin Breen is the director of UNLV’s Safe Community Partnership. natural awakenings
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healthykids
What Peace Means to Children The World We All Need by Kids for Peace
Peace is‌ a wish that grows around the world everyone feeling music in their hearts everyone having someone to love everyone knowing they are in a safe place everyone knowing they are beautiful inside and out singing together making art and sharing it with others growing a garden, planting a tree protecting animals
being kissed goodnight every child having a family every child having a ball to play with at least one hug a day a warm bed to dream in the angel in my heart using your voice for good treating others as you wish to be treated sending all soldiers home to their families people shaking hands keeping our world safe knowing anything is possible
having fun and being kind helping people in need everyone having an education everyone having good food
Honoring the United Nations’ International Day of Peace, September 21 Greater Las Vegas
the beauty that surrounds the world
Kids for Peace Pledge I pledge to use my words to speak in a kind way. I pledge to help others as I go throughout my day. I pledge to care for our Earth with my healing heart and hands. I pledge to respect people in each and every land. I pledge to join together as we unite the big and small. I pledge to do my part to create peace for one and all. Contributions are by children ages 5 to 11. For more information, visit KidsForPeaceGlobal.org.
The Stand for the Silent Pledge
getting Dorothy back home everyone playing sports instead of going to war happiness for all, peace on Earth and pizza for all people
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From this day forward, I promise to respect those around me as well as respect myself. I am somebody, and I can make a difference. I can make another feel loved. I can be the helping hand that leads another back to a path of hope and aspiration. I will not stand silent as others try to spread hatred through my community. Instead, I pledge to lift up these victims, and show them that their life matters. I will be the change, because I am somebody. Stand for the Silent is empowering youth to stand above bullying. Encourage your child to Take Your Stand! by downloading and signing a Pledge Card and, together, watch the media content at StandForTheSilent.org.
Self-Esteem & Compassion in the War Against Bullying
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by Nikk Zorbas
ullying is not something we can write off as just part of growing up; it is a serious problem. The bullying act may manifest in various forms of physical abuse, such as spitting, slapping, beating someone up and even sexual assault. Psychological forms of bullying include taunting, gossiping, excluding the victim from group activities and abuse through social media and texting. The emotional impact of bullying can leave scars that last a lifetime and even lead to suicide.
The Warning Signs
Because bullying can be disguised and remain hidden from adults, parents and teachers, it is not always easy to recognize the warning signs. Children that are victims of bullying often have very few friends, if any. They may come home with scratches, torn clothing or damage to school supplies or other possessions. Other warning signs include a sudden drop in grades or a loss of interest in going to school. They may fake illness to get out of going. Bad dreams, a loss of appetite and distant or withdrawn behavior are other signs for concern. No one likes to think that their child may be a bully, but it is important to be aware of bullying behaviors. If your child is easily angered or aggressive in nature, lacks compassion toward other children that are bullied or comes home with extra money, toys, clothes or other items that can't be accounted for, he or she may be exhibiting bullying behavior at school. If you see these signs, take action immediately.
Prevention Begins With Parents The first step to prevent begins at
home. Think of your own behavior as a parent or guardian. Are you presenting yourself as a positive role model? What kinds of examples do your actions set for your children? How do they see you treat others? Do you use respectful language when addressing your children or other people? If not, change it now. Remember, children are products of their environment. Your children will become who you are, so be the kind of person you want them to be. As adults, it is our responsibility to create a school environment where children feel safe, so they look forward to going to school and socializing with their friends. Form a parent and teacher information group or online forum so you can all communicate on a regular basis. Become involved in your children’s lives and stay involved. Know their circle of influence and who they spend the most time with. Become more involved in their activities and school projects. Help them identify interests and encourage them to join a club, sports team or organization that fuels their passion. These strategies keep parents in the loop and more likely to notice changes in a child’s behavior that will alert them to the problem of bullying.
Build Self-Esteem
Building positive self-esteem in children is key to combating the effects of bullying. Parents can do that by letting them know they don’t have to be perfect. Let your kids know you still love them even if they don’t get an A or shoot the winning basket. Self-esteem is not about finding perfection; rather, it’s about being the best they can be and helping
others be the best they can be. Children need to see themselves in a positive and productive way. Having high self-esteem will help them deal with adversity and instill the confidence to get though any challenges they may encounter, including bullying. Have your children adopt the mantra, “I will never allow anyone to make me feel bad about myself, no matter what.”
Teach Compassion
Teach your children to be compassionate toward others. Explain that many bullies come from a home in which adults hurt or fight with each other, and that bullies may pick on other kids because they themselves have been bullied or abused. They need to learn how to interact with others in a positive way, but they lack the role models in their own homes. Let them know these children need counseling to help them understand their behavior and its impact on others. Help your child understand that bullies thrive on getting attention and a reaction from others, and that sometimes more than anything, bullies need love. Explain that really strong people never put others down. Instead, they are the ones that lift others up. Teach them to have compassion for the bullies, because they obviously don't feel good about themselves.
Encourage Action
Establish a periodic review with your child, much like you would a fire drill for your home, but in this case, go over what your children should do if they encounter a bully or see someone else being victimized. Children need to know that it’s okay to speak out against injustice, and if they witness bullying, they have a responsibility to report it. Let them know they won’t be tattletailing. Instead, frame it in the way that it gives them the chance to be a hero in that other child’s life. By arming yourself and your child with knowledge and understanding, everyone has a chance to make a difference. Nikk Zorbas is a personal development coach and author of Discovering Your Personal Power. For more information, visit DiscoveringThePowerOfYou.com.
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fitbody
“Group training can cost as little as $15 an hour. Women especially enjoy combining fitness with socializing. Working together and growing together, they feed off and rely on each other to show up.” ~ Kristin McGee
STAYING POWER A Good Trainer Keeps Us On Track by Debra Melani
Maintaining one’s own fitness program can prove a challenge when the will to work out fizzles. Many people are getting help conquering roadblocks and staying on an effective path of regular exercise through an enduring relationship with a personal trainer.
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pproximately 6.4 million Americans now engage personal trainers, according to the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, including some in less traditional locations, like community centers and corporate workplaces. When a client sticks with a personal trainer over the long haul, the relationship can evolve beyond a caring coach into a steadfast mentor, producing benefits that transcend basic fitness. “I have individuals I’ve worked with for 10 years, and have come to know them and their bodies and habits well,” says Kristin McGee, a New York City trainer who counts celebrities like Steve Martin and Tina Fey as clients. By understanding all aspects of each of her clients, she says she can better tailor programs to meet their needs. When nine-year client Bebe Duke, 58, faced a lengthy rehabilitation after tripping and shattering a shoulder, McGee helped lift her spirits, ease her back into full-body fitness and even slay some psychological dragons. “We worked her lower half; we kept her strong and her moods steady with meditation 18
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and yoga,” McGee says. “The physical therapist knew how to work with her shoulder joint, but not with the rest of her body and the rest of her life.” Duke felt, as she puts it, “a significant fear of falling” after the accident. “So we spent an enormous amount of time on balance and making sure I didn’t feel nervous.” McGee was able to help Duke prevent fitness loss, which can happen to anyone that goes four weeks without exercising, reports Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise journal. Maintaining regular exercise can also deter depression, confirmed by a study in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine. Three years after the injury, Duke can now hold a downward dog yoga pose and do a headstand. “I’m also running again,” Duke adds. “I’m signed up for a half marathon.” Richard Cotton, a personal trainer in Indianapolis, Indiana, and the American College of Sports Medicine’s national director of certification, agrees that a good long-term trainer often serves as a fitness, nutrition and even life coach. “You can’t metaphorically cut off people’s heads and only train their bodies. Then you are just a technician,” he observes. Building a true foundation for health requires understanding the importance of each building block, not just working with a trainer for a few sessions and afterwards going blindly through the motions, attests Sandra Blackie, a former professional bodybuilder, certified nutritionist and current personal trainer in San Diego, California. “I want to educate my clients.” During extended periods, good trainers also revise routines at least once every four weeks to prevent adaptation, another problem that can hinder reaching fitness goals. “Without trainers, people often get stuck in a rut and lose motivation,” remarks Blackie, who also adapts exercises according to bodily changes due to aging or other conditions. Long-term relationships also allow trainers to focus on the individual’s bottom-line goals, Cotton notes. For instance, “I want to lose 10 pounds,” might really mean, “I want the energy to play with my kids,” or “I want to feel more alert at work.” “Achievable goals evolve from values,” Cotton explains. “It’s not about getting in super great shape for six months and then stopping. It’s about creating a foundation for life.” Freelance journalist Debra Melani writes about health care and fitness from Lyons, CO. Connect at Debra Melani.com or DMelani@msn.com.
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“Exercise can be a powerful gateway to the spiritual.” ~ Chantal Pierrat
WHOLE-BEING
WORKOUTS Moving the Body Opens the Door to Spirit by Lisa Marshall
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t’s the Sabbath, a day of prayer, and millions of people across America are quietly sitting or kneeling, humbly communing with a power greater than themselves. But inside the Alchemy of Movement studio in Boulder, Colorado, the Soul Sweat faithful are connecting with their higher power in a different fashion. In bare feet, and wearing yoga pants and tank tops, they find a place before a wall-to-wall mirror while a slow, Afro-Brazilian rhythm vibrates the wooden floor. At the urging of instructor Chantal Pierrat, they let their arms and necks go limp, shaking off the week’s stresses via a sensual, full-body writhe she calls “the flail.” As the World Beat playlist picks up the pace, Pierrat leads the group through a funky, rave-like series of dance moves aimed at “opening up” the hips and chest and something less tangible deep inside. By song five, the sweat is flowing and some are dancing unabashedly, eyes closed, lost in the music. Others are smiling broadly, making eye contact in the mirror. The sense of joy and interconnectedness in the room is palpable. “Exercise can be a powerful gateway to the spiritual,” observes Pierrat, the founder of Soul Sweat, a highly choreographed, spiritually charged dance workout. Twenty years after the yoga craze introduced Westerners to the possibility that the two seemingly incongruous goals could be intertwined, the spirituality-fitness link has spread well beyond the yoga mat. It has spawned fusions ranging from Body Gospel, a Christian workout tape, and Jewish Yoga classes to triathlon programs rooted in Native American teachings and Buddhism-based running meditation workshops. 20
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In addition, creative instructors have been fusing body/ mind/spirit classics like yoga and Pilates with hard-core cardio disciplines like spinning and boxing. Half of all U.S. fitness clubs now offer mind/body programming, according to the IDEA Health & Fitness Association, and the portion of classes dedicated to “mind/spirit” versus just “body” is on the rise. “The newer programming is balanced 50-50, rather than the 80-20 body-mind split of the past,” estimates Sandy Todd Webster, editor in chief of IDEA’s publications. At a time when, according to the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, the number of people that identify with “no organized religion” continues to grow (topping one-fifth of Americans and one-third of U.S. adults under 30), more people than ever are exploring exercise as a path to both flatter abs and deeper self-discovery. “We have spent so long focusing on the mind and the brain… but that is not the whole story,” says Pierrat. “The somatic, or physical, expression of spirituality is the future.”
In the Zone
The notion that intense dancing or a long run could spark what feels like a spiritual awakening makes sense to Philadelphia-based research neuroscientist and physician Andrew Newberg, author of How God Changes Your Brain. A pioneer in the field of integrative “neurotheology”, he has for years used brain imaging technologies to study the impact religious or spiritual practices like deep meditation, intense prayer and speaking in tongues have on the brain. Exercise, he says, provides many of the same effects. In addition to prompting a surge of feel-good endorphins, a highly strenuous workout is one of the few activities that can lead to simultaneous activation of both sympathetic (fight-or-flight) and parasympathetic (calming) nervous system reactions. “Normally, when one of these is active, the other one shuts down, but when people drive one or the other to a very heightened level of activity, there is some evidence that the other turns on too,” explains Newberg. That intense dual firing can paradoxically lead to an interruption in sensory information traveling to areas of the brain that control our sense of ourselves at any moment. “Not only do you have this great feeling of energy and calmness, but you tend to lose your sense of space and time,” he notes. Newberg’s own research also suggests that when people “surrender” themselves in a spiritual practice, the frontal lobe (the practical part of the brain that keeps our thoughts in check) quiets. He speculates that something similar may happen in the midst of, say, a marathon or intense dance, enabling out of the ordinary thoughts and feelings to surface. “It can allow for creativity—a blending of different, more intuitive ideas in ways you don’t normally mix things,” comments Newberg. So, is exercise able to only make us feel like we’re having a mystical experience, or is it somehow actually opening a channel to the divine? Newberg declines to go there, commenting that a brain scan tells what’s going on in the brain, not in the soul. Yet he has no doubt the two are
inextricably linked. He says, “There are many well-known examples of intense experiences, like Sufi dancing, generating spiritual experiences for people.”
Whole-Being Workouts
Marcus Freed is one of those people. He grew up in a traditional Jewish family in London, England, and attended a rabbinical seminary in Israel. Still, he felt that something was missing in his spiritual life. “I thought, ‘God has created us with a body. Why aren’t we praying with our body?’” Freed says that Biblical text often references the body: King David, in the Book of Psalms, says, “Let all my bones praise the creator.” The Jewish Talmud refers to a rabbi that “stretched his spine with a prayer of gratitude.” Yet, Freed observes, the physical elements of daily spiritual practice have been largely forgotten over the centuries. When he discovered yoga, it filled a gap for him. “I found a way to draw upon this incredible spiritual literature but ground it in the body, so that experience is not just in the head, but also in the heart.” Thus, Freed founded Bibliyoga, which launches each class with a Hebrew or Kabbalistic teaching, followed by poses that incorporate its themes, as reflected in his book, The Kosher Sutras: The Jewish Way in Yoga and Meditation. The practice, now taught in cities around the United States and Europe, has prompted the birth of similarly religion-infused classes, including Christ Yoga, and the Jewish Yoga Network. “A lot of people separate things, saying they’ll get their spirituality from one place and their exercise from somewhere else,” says Freed. “I think they are missing out.”
Mindful Sports
The spirituality-exercise link likewise resonates through other traditionally solo pursuits such as triathlon activities and running, in which many athletes say a more mindful approach to training has infused their sport with more meaning, and in some cases, improved their performances. Ironman Marty Kibiloski, formerly a competitive marathoner and road racer, led what he terms a “high achievement, low contentment” life for years, measuring his self-worth by
timed results that never quite satisfied him. In 2006, he attended a Running with the Mind of Meditation three-day workshop, based on Rinpoche Sakyong Mipham’s book of the same name. The retreat combined with his newfound interest in Buddhism, completely redefined running for him. Kibiloski prefers to steer clear of the word “spiritual” (which he sees as somewhat ambiguous) when describing what he now experiences when running. Instead, he frames it as a vehicle for self-discovery, a mobile meditation that provides the intense focus and freedom from distraction that enables him to “awaken to how things really are.” He now leads the retreat that proved pivotal for him, drawing more than 100 runners each Labor Day weekend to the Shambhala Mountain Center, in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado. Participants learn to focus on the cadence of their footfalls, their breathing and their surroundings to, as he puts it, “move meditation beyond the cushion.” He remarks, “It trains you to have your mind be still when your body is active, which is how you are in everyday life.” Triathlete Mark Allen credits his work with Brant Secunda, a shaman and teacher in the Huichol Indian tradition of Mexico, for enabling him to overcome negative self-talk and physical stresses and go on to win the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, six times in the late 1980s and early 90s. He notes, “In every one of my physical workouts, I also focused on training the spiritual aspect, so that when I got that chatter in my head, saying, ‘This is too hard’ or ‘I want to quit,’ I could go to a quiet place, rather than a negative one.” Based on their book, Fit Soul, Fit Body: Nine Keys to a Healthier, Happier You, the pair conduct workshops around the country on how to strengthen both soul and body by intertwining both. “Some people think you are only spiritual when you are praying, but when you are moving your body, that is an intensely spiritual experience, too,” says Allen. “It’s my way of saying, ‘Thank you for letting me be alive.’” Lisa Marshall is a freelance health writer near Boulder, CO. Connect at Lisa@LisaAnnMarshall.com. natural awakenings
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FUSION WORKOUTS Pump Body, Charge Spirit Drawing newcomers eager to break a sweat while staying true to their mind/body and spiritual roots is the aim of yoga, Pilates and tribal dance instructors that are busy introducing innovations. Here’s a quick look at just some of them. Aero boga: This approach to yoga-dance fusion is designed for older adults that follow the bhakti yoga philosophy. Buti: Teachers of this 90-minute, high-intensity workout that fuses yoga, tribal dance and plyometrics aim to unlock the shakti spiral and release the hips to help energy flow freely in the first and second chakras. Piloxing: Created by Swedish dancer and celebrity trainer Viveca
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Jensen, Piloxing blends Pilates and boxing with powerful principles of femininity. Soul Sweat: Highly choreographed, yet accessible to beginners, dance movements are set to World Beat, African, Latin, hip-hop and rave music to enhance coordination, tone muscles, enhance energy flow and awaken creativity. Vinyasa on the bike: Conscious pedaling on a stationary bike integrates yoga principles of breathing, flowing and paying attention to what is happening in the body. YoBata: Fast-paced classes intersperse Vinyasa (or flow) yoga with tabata brief sets of high-intensity, fat-burning bodyweight or cardio exercises).
UNIVERSAL FITNESS TIPS
Mindful Practices Enhance Any Routine by Casey McAnn When it comes to attaining fitness, several well-regarded recommendations increase the likelihood of success. Natural Awakenings canvassed online fitness sources for tips and techniques intended to keep workouts safe, fun and satisfying. Our favorites follow. Always stretch – Light stretching before and after workouts loosens muscles and increases circulation for quicker repair and healing. It can also help prevent injuries. It’s ideal to hold stretches for at least 30 seconds, breathing “into” the muscles that are being stretched and inviting a gentle release of tension on the exhalation. If any pain surfaces while stretching a certain area, stop. Start slowly – Begin and build workout routines slowly in order to avoid straining muscles and ligaments. Exercise at least twice a week, the bare minimum for staying physically fit. Be well rounded – Add leg and back exercises to crunches and bicep curls, and vary cardio routines to stay enthusiastic about workouts. Experiment with all the equipment available at a studio or gym, asking a trainer for guidance. Drink plenty of water – Drinking water helps to decrease appetite and eliminate cravings, while nourishing and hydrating the body. The goal is to drink half of one’s body weight number in ounces each day. Keep it regular – Making exercise a regularly scheduled part of the week eliminates excuses. Keep it on the calendar and show up as dutifully as for any other important appointment. Make up any days missed. Increase intensity – More intense workouts mean less time spent doing them while achieving the same level of benefits. It’s also important to keep endurance exercises in any routine, however, because they are vital for cardiovascular benefits and building stamina. Use weights – Adding muscle to the body increases strength, life expec-
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tancy and fat burning. To tone muscles, use a weight that works for eight to 12 lifts. For bulk, use a weight suited to four to six lifts. Practice a weight training routine two to three times a week, keeping sessions under 45 minutes. Add interval training – Sprinting for about 50 yards boosts metabolism and heart health. Return to the starting point by taking a slow walk. Repeat as many times as possible, making sure to warm up before the interval training and cool down afterwards. Dress up – Energize a workout session and boost confidence by wearing something snazzy. Donning an exercise “uniform” gets us in the mood, and a new piece of clothing or footwear can make us excited to get moving again. Be a safe runner – Every six weeks, cut running mileage and frequency in half for a week. This allows the body to recover from workouts and helps to prevent injury. Make it meaningful – While walking or running, recite prayers or a gratitude list, or listen to inspirational podcasts and downloads. Volunteer for fitness – Many volunteer tasks involve some form of physical movement. It feels good to burn calories while helping others. Bring workout buddies – Friends and pets need exercise, too, and they provide restorative companionship. Working out with a pal adds support and motivation, which are keys to success. Seek out a human buddy with similar fitness goals. Go green – Research from the University of Essex, in England, shows that exercising in nature produces additional physical and mental benefits. The researchers found that “green exercise” improves mood, self-esteem, enjoyment and motivation.
UNLIMITED Classes
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Casey McAnn is a freelance writer in Boston, MA. natural awakenings
September 2013
23
healingways
DEEP-HEALING YOGA Release Trauma, Build Resilience by Sarah Todd
W
hen a woman separated from her husband last fall, she tried hard to shut down her emotions. A 30-year-old working mother of two young boys, she felt she couldn’t afford to be sad or angry, even as she contemplated divorce. But something shifted when she began taking yoga classes in her town in northern Michigan. “It was my one place to relax and let go,” says Emily, who asked that her real name stay private. “I used to go to class, get into a deep stretch and cry. It was like my muscles were connected with my heart. My instructor would warn us that certain poses would provide emotional releases, and sure enough, the tears would fall.” People suffering disruptive changes —from losing a loved one to coping with unemployment or striving for sobriety— often find yoga to be a healing force. Lola Remy, of yogaHOPE, a Boston and Seattle nonprofit that helps women navigate challenging transitions, attests that yoga makes them feel safe enough in their bodies to process difficult emotions. “The goal isn’t to make stressors go away, it’s to learn resilience,” Remy explains. “Irreparable harm isn’t necessarily the only result of experiencing stress. Even if I’m in a challenging position—like wobbling in the tree pose—I can see that I’m still okay.” The object 24
Greater Las Vegas
is to teach women that their bodies are strong and capable, giving them more confidence in their ability to weather obstacles off the mat.
Supporting Science
Research suggests that yoga can also be an effective therapy for people affected by some forms of severe traumatic stress. A study in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences that scanned the brains of trauma survivors after a reminder of the traumatic event revealed decreased activity in the prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain that helps make sense of raw emotions and bodily experiences. While shutting down the connection between body and mind can help in coping with dangerous experiences, it also makes recovery difficult. “You need to have a high-functioning prefrontal cortex to organize the thoughts that come up and know that you’re safe in the present moment,” advises David Emerson, director of yoga services at the Trauma Center, in Brookline, Massachusetts. “Otherwise, you’re assaulted by memory sensory information.” Yoga appears to rewire the brains of trauma survivors to stop reliving past distress. “You can’t talk your prefrontal cortex into functioning well again,” Em-
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erson observes. “But you may be able to do it with your body.” The study found that eight female patients that participated in traumasensitive yoga saw significant decreases in the frequency and severity of their post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. In a study at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in Boston, co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense, military veterans enrolled in a 10-week yoga course also showed improvement in PTSD symptoms. A paper presented at a recent International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies conference studied 64 people that had experienced childhood abuse and neglect; those that participated in a trauma-sensitive yoga course had a 33 percent reduction in PTSD symptoms. Two months later, more than 50 percent in the yoga group experienced greater freedom and were no longer diagnosed as suffering from PTSD, compared to the control group’s 21 percent. Yoga can also transform traumatized lives in other ways. “For many traumatized people, being touched intimately can be a trigger,” Emerson remarks. “Yoga may let them feel ready for physical intimacy again. Others have mentioned victories such as being able to go to the grocery store and knowing exactly what foods their bodies crave.” Emerson notes that such programs emphasize choice and individual empowerment. “The beauty of yoga is that you reclaim your body as your own.”
Spreading the Word
Once largely concentrated on the East Coast, trauma-sensitive yoga programs are spreading. Jennifer Johnston, a research clinician and yoga instructor at Boston’s Mind Body Institute, sees programs like these enriching our culture’s understanding of the physical and mental health connection. “In a country where drugs and surgery are often the first go-to,” she says, “it’s important to remember that things like yoga can change our chemistry, too.” Sarah Todd is an East Coast-based writer and editor. Connect at SarahToddInk.com.
inspiration
Fall Flyways
Thrill to Flocks in Full Flight by Timothy Boucher
F
all migration literally brings birds of a different feather than in springtime. Spring migration brings a glorious burst of song and color as millions of tiny feathered gems pour northward, singing their hearts out, flitting about with the excitement of arrival at their breeding grounds. They are relatively easy to spot and identify by their voices and bright plumage. In the fall, birdwatching is trickier. To survive, migrating birds need to go to warmer climes for food, because insects do not thrive in cold temperatures. Males molt their bright plumage, needing fresh feathers for the long flight.
Most retain some color, but generally, they are duller and look similar to the females. Identification becomes harder because some species are similar in appearance and the singing gives way to an occasional, subtle call, emitted as little chipping sounds at most. The Internet offers a comprehensive range of data that can suggest which days are best for early morning viewings. Experienced birders know the best local spots, and weather forecasts are good indicators of timing. Sid Gautreaux’s pioneering study of bird migration in the 1960s using weather radar, still ongoing at the Radar Ornithology Lab at South
Carolina’s Clemson University, is available to birders on regional websites via Tinyurl.com/USBirdTrackingRadar. While radar can confirm the magnitude and direction of the migration over the previous night, weather predictions help forecast when big flights will occur. So, the next step is to hold a wetted finger up to the wind. A big cold front will hold up birds from moving south because the associated low pressure brings southerly winds and storms. Birds wait it out, storing fuel. Then, when the front clears and a tailwind comes from the north, a floodtide of birds pours southward. Eager birders, having arrived shortly after dawn, await at selected spots 200 to 300 miles south of the leading edge of the former front. On days like these, the skies are brimming with birds. Grassroots monitoring reports on the birds’ progress from mid-August through October are posted at eBird. org, sponsored by New York’s Cornell Lab of Ornithology (Birds.Cornell.edu). As Joni Mitchell sang, we rejoice that, “They’ve got the urge for going now, and they’ve got the wings to go.” Timothy Boucher is a senior conservation geographer at The Nature Conservancy (Nature.org), focused on ecosystem services, land use, habitat conditions and links between conservation and human well-being. His fieldwork spans six continents, encompassing local and global issues.
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September 2013
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greenliving
Schools Go Green Homework, Lunch, Buses Get an Eco-Makeover by Avery Mack
With paperless homework, bookless backpacks, zero waste lunches, plastic-free filtered water and classrooms without walls, today’s parents and teachers are bringing eco-friendly ways to schools and giving students an early appreciation of the importance of environmental health.
G
oing green goes both ways— home to school and school to home. Alysia Reiner, an actress and eco-advocate from New York’s Harlem neighborhood, became involved with the Bank Street School for Children when her daughter enrolled at age 3. “I’m green at home, so in my mind her school had to be green, too. With no programs in place, I made suggestions, which got me elected co-chair of the green committee,” says Reiner, with a smile. “Today, we have a school-wide composting program serving 1,500 students that has reduced previous levels of food waste by 75 percent. To raise awareness and funds to support it, we sold reusable snack sacks, stainless steel water bottles and home composting bags.” An innovative chef focuses on organic foods with vegetarian options for school lunches. The next step is a rooftop garden. When Sheila Hageman, an author, teacher and public speaker living in Milford, Connecticut, first read the memo requesting garbage-free lunches for
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her three children at the New England School-Montessori, she couldn’t imagine packing food without the use of plastic wrap, sandwich bags or paper napkins, but, “Now, it’s no big deal,” she says. “I use glass containers and cloth napkins. The kids eat better quality food. It costs less, too, because prepackaged snacks are out.” She notes that the governing rule is one protein, one fruit and one vegetable. The school even has a natural composter—a class guinea pig that loves to eat leftover veggies. Students often bring the first of their homegrown vegetables each season for show and tell in the classroom, where they normally eat lunch. It’s a neat way to avoid massproduced food; the school has no cafeteria. “A little change becomes part of a
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lifestyle,” remarks Hageman. Oxbridge Academy of the Palm Beaches, for grades nine through 12, in West Palm Beach, Florida, provides a near-paperless experience for students, all of which are issued computers. Homework is assigned, completed, graded and returned; tests are given and graded; report cards are sent and textbooks studied—all online. “We buy one set of print books, since not all students learn the same way. But e-books can be updated electronically each year, saving the educational costs of outdated materials and financial costs of replacement,” says Teresa Thornton, Ph.D., the science teacher who spearheaded many of the school’s green initiatives. “By the end of the year, they know how to use software programs to organize and analyze information.” In Pittsburgh, Chatham University follows the example of eco-pioneer and Silent Spring author Rachel Carson, a class of 1929 alumna, to preserve, maintain and restore nature. With the goal to be carbon neutral by 2025, sustainability becomes part of every decision. The Chatham Eastside facility, located in a revitalization area, reclaimed a former manufacturing complex. “We are the first school in Pennsylvania to have a solar hot water system,” says Mary Whitney, the school’s sustainability coordinator. “Bottled water was banned in 2011 and filtered water stations provide free refills for stainless steel bottles. The rent-a-bike program is especially popular with international students.” The two campus Zipcars shared by students can be reserved for a fee. Students also ride free on public transportation. In Chattanooga, Tennessee, at the Calvin Donaldson Environmental Science Academy, students gain the knowledge and experience to extend the difference they make beyond greening their school. Anne Vilen, a designer for expeditionary learning schools like Donaldson, says, “It’s empowering for students to discover they can make a real impact.” Connect with Avery Mack via AveryMack@Mindspring.com.
Thinking Inside the Box by Martin Miron
T
he Green Box is a new learning tool being used by educators in settings from kindergarten to high school to promote environmental sustainability and climate change awareness with prepackaged curriculum and materials for hands-on activities and projects. GreenPower, a Desert Research Institute (DRI), largely supported by NV Energy and other organizations, has been the outreach program for DRI since 2000. Funded by customers that voluntarily add a few dollars each month to their NV Energy electric bill, 100 percent of their tax-deductible donations support renewable energy education for Nevada students, including resources for GreenPower schools such as professional development for teachers, educational materials for Green Boxes and tools for classroom instruction. The Green Boxes come from other educators and are then evaluated by an Advisory Green Box Committee, comprised of education and environmental experts, before they are distributed to GreenPower schools. Those that choose to participate are offered workshops and professional development training by GreenPower. The boxes, with enough material for one to two weeks of instruction, contain “green” grade-level-specific topics for discussion such as science and math; two to four hands-on activities or projects; a flash drive loaded with curriculum that is compliant with Nevada state, Common Core and Next Generation Science standards and all collateral materials needed for the activities. First, GreenPower hosts teacher workshops for each Green Box topic, which educators request through the GreenPower website. Then, the Green Box is sent to the school for use over a one-to-two-month period. They record metrics such as the number of students exposed to
the material, number of hours used with the material and which classes and grade levels are involved. Finally, they fill out a satisfaction survey and send the Green Box back to GreenPower via the included prepaid postage. GreenPower reviews the survey, records the metrics and replenishes the Green Box to be used again. For example, the hydroponics Green Box for middle school students in grades six to eight teaches how hydroponics can benefit Nevada’s desert-like climate. It was designed by a permaculture education nonprofit organization, Urban Roots, in Reno, Nevada. Containing eight different activities that teachers can use in the classroom, the hydroponics Green Box contains a clearly outlined educational curriculum and many hands-on activities. “We actually give them all the materials, down to cotton balls, glue and all of that. We have posters in them and workbooks that students can use. The materials in the boxes start a small hydroponics lab in the classroom,” says Amelia Gulling, the administrator for the DRI GreenPower program. “Hydroponics can be somewhat costly,” Gulling says. “We try to find a more affordable way to share the opportunity with the larger number of educators.” DRI, the nonprofit research campus of the Nevada System of Higher Education, strives to be the world leader in environmental sciences through the application of knowledge and technologies to improve people’s lives throughout Nevada and the world. For more information, visit GreenPower.DRI.edu. Martin Miron is the editor of Natural Awakenings Las Vegas.
natural awakenings
September 2013
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consciouseating
Sugar Monster How Sweet It Isn’t by Kathleen Barnes
“Am I a sugar addict?” There’s an easy way to tell.
I
“
f you have to ask yourself, you are,” advises Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, a renowned integrative physician in Kona, Hawaii, and author of Beat Sugar Addiction Now! The dangers of excessive sugar consumption, especially of highfructose corn syrup (HFCS), are well known. Yet such cheap, corn-based sweeteners account for nearly 56 percent of all sweeteners, especially in beverages. The average American annually consumes 152 pounds of sugar, compared to 109 pounds in 1950, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A large portion is ingested as sugary liquids, including juices and an average of 46 gallons of soft drinks a year—compared to 11 gallons 50 years ago.
Puts on Pounds
Certainly, high-calorie sugars trigger weight gain, but it may be news that calories from sugar act differently in the body than those from other foods. “Fat doesn’t make you fat. Sugar makes you fat,” states Dr. John Salerno, director of The Salerno Center for Complementary Medicine, in New York, Tokyo and Sao Paolo, Brazil. “Eating carbohydrates quickly raises blood sugar (glucose), prompting the release of insulin to transport the glucose not immediately needed for energy, to the cells,” Salerno explains in his new book, The Salerno Solution: An Ounce of Prevention, a Lifetime of Health. “If there is more glucose than you need, the remainder is stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen, and then converted to fat.”
Killing Effect
While the negative effects of excess sugar consumption have been documented for decades, “Evidence is mounting that sugar is the primary cause of obesity, plus many chronic and lethal diseases,” says Osteopathic Physician Joseph Mercola, of Hoffman Estates, Illinois, who runs the highly popular natural health website, Mercola.com, and has authored books that include The No-Grain Diet and Sweet Deception. “Excessive fructose consumption leads to insulin resistance that appears to be the root of many, if not most, chronic diseases,” says Mercola. Beyond the obvious association with obesity, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, liver and heart
Corn Syrup Hides in Processed Foods Most of us might suspect that highfructose corn syrup (HFCS) lurks in soft drinks, baked goods, candy and other sweets, but substantial amounts permeate many processed foods. Key culprits include: 4 Applesauce 4 Bottled steak and barbecue sauces 4 Breads 4 Breakfast cereals (including low-calorie ones) 4 Canned soups 4 Catsup 4 Canned vegetables 4 Cottage cheese 4 Flavored yogurt 4 Juice drinks 4 Salad dressings 4 Spaghetti sauce Notes: HFCS sometimes hides on labels as inulin, glucose-fructose syrup, isoglucose and fruit fructose, among others. Sources include several online publications and food product labels.
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NaturalAwakeningsLV.com
disease and Alzheimer’s have all been linked to sugar, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information at the National Institutes of Health. “Sugar, in excess, is a toxin, unrelated to its calories,” says Dr. Robert Lustig, an endocrinologist and professor of clinical pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco. “The dose determines the poison. Like alcohol, a little sugar is fine, but a lot is not. And the food industry has put us way over our limit.” Sugar can be addictive, continues Lustig. “It has clear potential for abuse. Like tobacco and alcohol, sugar acts on the brain to encourage subsequent intake.”
Risky Substitutes
No-calorie artificial sweeteners can be equally dangerous by convincing us we are bypassing calories. The 5,000-participant San Antonio Heart Study, which followed subjects for seven to eight years, showed that adults consuming regular or diet soft drinks were likely to gain weight, but those that drank the diet versions were more likely to become obese. Participants in Massachusetts’ Framingham Heart Study further confirmed that soft drink lovers in general were 40 percent more likely than non soda-drinkers to develop metabolic syndrome, increasing the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Studies from Washington University School of Medicine, in St. Louis, Missouri; National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; and Gunma University, in Maebashi, Japan, suggest that sucralose (marketed primarily under the brand name Splenda) can trigger the release of insulin as though sugar has been consumed; over time, this contributes to insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes. Aspartame and saccharin have also been associated with weight gain and suppressed satiety (fullness) response, effecting overeating and possibly even cancer. Such effects are supported by studies from at least seven countries, published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Finally, xylitol, another low-calorie sweetener that some claim to be natural, is actually highly processed and even a small amount can cause diarrhea.
Healthy Sweeteners
n Stevia, a powdered extract of a South American plant, is the most popular natural sweetener, delivering no calories or blood sugar swings; 200 to 300 times sweeter than sugar, a little goes a long way. Look for a product with no additives. n Sucanat—minimally processed, dehydrated cane sugar juice—is a reasonably healthy alternative, especially to substitute measure for measure in baking. Because it metabolizes like sugar, it too will cause blood sugar swings; also note that both agave and “raw” sugar, which is merely less refined table sugar, have similar effects. n Honey, while not calorie-free, is high in heart-healthy flavonoids and antiallergens, and may even help lower cholesterol, according to a study from University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, in Germany. n Maple syrup carries calories, but is also a rich source of polyphenol antiinflammatory antioxidants. A University of Rhode Island, Kingston, study suggests that maple syrup may help manage Type 2 diabetes.
as luo han guo, has traditionally been used in herbal medicine. It is touted as being low in carbs and is 200 to 300 times sweeter than sugar. n Coconut sugar is generating excitement largely because of its low glycemic index (35) and low carbohydrate qualities. This optimum option is a good source of potassium, magnesium, iron, boron, zinc, sulfur and copper.
n Molasses, while not calorie-free, is a worthy alternative if weight isn’t an issue, since it’s a good source of minerals, especially iron.
n All fruit contains fructose, but in a natural state—not synthesized as a vegetable product like corn syrup. Fruit also comes loaded with health benefits, so eating it in moderation works, especially fruits and berries that are low on the glycemic index, a measure of carbohydrate effects on blood sugar levels.
n Raw monk fruit (avoid processed Nectresse), a small, sweet melon native to China and Southeast Asia known
Kathleen Barnes has authored many natural health books. Connect at KathleenBarnes.com.
Everyday Sugar Addicts by Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum A solution to sugar addiction is simply to stop eating sugars, especially any form of corn syrup. Drink more water and take a high-quality multivitamin, plus other supplements as necessary. Here are the four characteristics of people that tend to obsessively seek sugar. 4 Chronically exhausted and looking for an energy boost 4 Stressed out and suffering from adrenal exhaustion 4 Cravings caused by excessive presence of yeast/candida 4 Hormonally related cravings
natural awakenings
September 2013
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naturalpet
FAT FIGHT Like Us, Pets Must Eat Right and Keep Moving by Dr. Shawn Messonnier
O
besity, a severe and debilitating illness, is the most common nutritional disease in both animals and people. The latest survey of 121 veterinarians in 36 states by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) and corroborating American Veterinarian Medical Association data reveal we have 80 million fat cats and obese dogs; that’s more than 58 percent of dogs and 52 percent of domesticated cats. “Pet obesity remains the leading health threat to our nation’s pets,” says Dr. Ernie Ward, APOP’s founder, from the organization’s headquarters in Calabash, North Carolina. Current medical consensus states that an animal is obese if it weighs at least 15 percent more than its ideal weight. But looking at body composition is more accurate, based on measurements top-to-bottom and side-to-side and depth to the ribs and spine.
Health Issues
Animals aren’t born fat. Obesity results from too many calories in food, snacks and treats, paired with a lack of aerobic exercise. People may believe they are showing love by rewarding begging with treats, but they actually may be slowly killing their companions with kindness, putting them on a path toward painful and costly medical problems. These can include cancer, cardiac problems, complications from drug therapy, difficulty breathing, heat intolerance, hypertension, intervertebral disk disease, orthopedic conditions (including arthritis), lethargy and ruptured ligaments. Also, because excess body fat first deposits in the cavities of the chest and abdomen and under the skin, hypothyroidism and diabetes mellitus can develop, so screen overweight animals for these disorders prior to treatment for obesity. Tackling obesity involves restricting calories and increasing the metabolic rate with a controlled exercise program. Diet and exercise are the two most vital factors in fighting fat.
Eating Right
Simply switching to a store-bought “lite” pet food is inadequate because many are designed to maintain, not lose, weight. Also, many products contain chemicals, byproducts and unhealthy fillers that are 30
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NaturalAwakeningsLV.com
contrary to a holistic program. A homemade restricted-calorie diet is the best choice for obese animals. The second is a processed “obesitymanagement” diet available through veterinarians, although many of these also contain chemicals, byproducts and fillers. Such diets can be used to attain the target weight, and then replaced with a homemade maintenance diet. Foods high in fiber work well for shedding pounds because they increase metabolism. Vegetable fiber decreases fat and glucose absorption. Fluctuating glucose levels cause greater insulin release that can lead to diabetes; because insulin is needed for fat storage, low, stable levels are preferred. Fiber also binds to fat in the intestinal tract and increases the movement of digested food through the intestines.
Supplement Options
Several natural therapies may be helpful for treating animal obesity. These include herbs such as cayenne, ginger and mustard; white bean extract; chromium; carnitine; hydroxycitric acid (HCA); epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG); and coenzyme Q10. All have been widely used with variable success, although not yet thoroughly researched or clinically proven. A supplement called Vetri-Lean appears promising. Based on a white bean extract, it has cut starch digestion by up to 75 percent in the company’s clinical tests. The formula also has EGCG from green tea extract to boost metabolism, inhibit carbohydrate-digesting enzymes and help maintain normal blood insulin levels, all to help dissolve fat and control appetite. Chromium polynicotinate, another ingredient, also helps to curb appetite, build muscles and reduce fat.
Exercise is Key
As with humans, a regular program of supervised exercise is essential to pet health. Experience shows that it must be combined with a diet and supplement plan to achieve maximum results for overweight pets. Along with burning off excess calories, even mild exercise works to reduce hunger, improve muscle strength and aerobic capacity and improve functioning of organs. Plus, as veterinarians further attest, the activity is mentally stimulating for both animals and guardians, while decreasing behavioral problems. There is no one best exercise program for every animal; a sensible plan must be personalized to needs and abilities. Consult a veterinarian to determine the best regimen. As always, prevention is better than a cure, so staying alert to signs of additional pounds and keeping an animal from becoming obese in the first place is optimum. Dr. Shawn Messonier has authored The Arthritis Solution for Dogs, 8 Weeks to a Healthy Dog, and the award-winning Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats. His Paws & Claws Animal Hospital is located in Plano, TX. Find helpful tips at PetCareNaturally.com.
productprofile Every Pet Deserves a Little Halo
H
alo, Purely for Pets, which creates wholesome, healthy, natural wet and dry diets for dogs and cats, evolved from three guiding principles: balance, nature and love. Halo believes, “Every pet deserves a little halo,” and is committed to making healthy natural products and finding ways to help pets in need have a healthy life. Since 1986, its holistic philosophy for great health and vitality has been focused on treating the whole pet, recognizing that good nutrition is an essential element for overall well-being. Halo products include high-quality protein sources like chicken, lamb and salmon. Dry diets are made without rendered meats, fish or poultry such as chicken meal. Its signature brand, Spot’s Stew, comes in a variety of formulas; some with whole grains or grain-free. These complete and balanced diets also include farm-fresh vegetables, fruits, beneficial fatty acids and added vitamins and minerals. Recently, two new Healthy Weight diets have been introduced to help keep dogs and cats fit. Halo’s passion extends beyond making great food to helping pets in need reap the benefits of a quality diet. Ellen DeGeneres, co-owner of Halo, Purely for Pets, is known for her generosity and commitment to philanthropy, and the company is built on a foundation that mirrors her commitment to giving back. Over the years, Halo, Purely for Pets, has created a number of inventive ways to support homeless pets. Halo’s most unique philanthropic program is in conjunction with Freekibble.com, a website that was started in 2008 by an 11-year-old girl named Mimi Ausland. There, visitors can answer trivia questions about pets and for every answer, right or wrong, Freekibble.com donates 10 pieces of kibble to shelter pets. In 2010, Halo became Freekibble’s official kibble sponsor, providing the more than 1.5 million meals donated to shelters each year. The most exciting part of Halo’s work is the results of a recent survey that show how their natural, nutritious food is making a difference in helping shelter pets be adopted. Of the 86 survey respondents that have collectively fed more than 450,000 shelter animals with food donations from Freekibble.com and Halo, more than 71 percent said that better food quality “definitely helps” dogs and cats to get adopted. Through a variety of unique programs, Halo is committed to providing shelter pets with high-quality, nutritious food that keeps them looking and feeling their best. As the company continues to grow, so does the number of pets DeGeneres and her team can help.
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petcalendar
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
PET EVENTS CALENDAR: Submission deadline: The 10th prior to publication. Email or online only. For guidelines and submission form visit NaturalAwakeningsLV.com. Event days and/or times may change for a variety of reasons. Please call to verify all events before attending.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
daily
2nd Annual Pawcasso LV Art Auction – 6-9pm. An evening with Silent and Live Auction, entertainment, food and spirits to help Animal Rescue Groups. This year’s wonderful animal rescue participants are looking for donation items for their auction: artwork, crafts, jewelry, photography, pottery, quilts and other handmade items. Animal Network, Nevada SPCA, Old English Sheepdog Rescue, Saint Bernard Sin City Saint Rescue, Second Chance Rescue and Southern Nevada Beagle Rescue. Pet’ographique Photography, 2525 W Horizon Ridge Pkwy, #150, HD. Pawcassolv.com.
Nevada SPCA Little Critter Adoption – 9am-8pm. At Your Service Pet Supplies & Grooming partnered with the Nevada SPCA to host adoptions to help find homes for their Little Critters. At times, AYS may have bunnies, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rats, degus and more. Please visit Nevada SPCA.org, a non-profit, non-kill shelter, to help with a donation or learn more about adoptions. At Your Service Pet Supplies & Grooming, 55 S Valle Verde Dr, 100, HD. 702-498-0416. AtYourServicePetSupplies.com.
sunday The Dog House – 11am-2pm. Extraordinary animals will be on display and available for adoption. Tivoli Village, 302 S Rampart Blvd, LV.
events SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 4th Annual Flyball Tournament “Rock the West” – Hosted by The Guardians of the Underworld Flyball Team. Flyball is a relay sport for dogs and their owners. Each team is comprised of four dogs, which, one at a time, run down a lane over four jumps, get a tennis ball from a box and race back. The fastest team with no faults wins the heat. There will be a raffle and a dog food drive with proceeds benefiting a local pet rescue. Alexis Park Resort, 375 E Harmon, LV. GuardiansOfTheUnderworld.org.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 Registration for Vegas Valley Dog Obedience Club’s Fall Classes – 7pm. Classes start Sept 12 at Dog Fancier’s Park, 5800 E Flamingo Rd, LV. Register at Mendoza Elementary School, 2000 S Sloan, LV. VVDOC.org.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 5th Annual Red, White & Blue Jeans Walk-Trot Spectacular – Sat-Sun. A fun, affordable and educational horse show for walk-trot exhibitors of all ages. This annual two-day event is part of the Horses4Heroes annual 9/11 salute to local heroes and their families. High-point buckles awarded in five age categories and two open divisions. Laurel Wachtel, NQHA, will judge. First prizes are $10 gift cards to Dover Saddlery (English Classes) and C-A-L Ranch (Western Classes). Buckles from Kathy’s Show Equipment. Participant ribbons Hodge’s Badge Company. Las Vegas Horseman’s Park – 5800 E Flamingo Rd, LV. Horses4Heroes.org.
Harmonize Your Heart Mind & Soul •Discover Serenity •Find your Center of Gravity •Move your Chi •Energize Your Body and Spirit Qi Gong - The Ancient Art of Peaceful Healing w: (702) 873-1700
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Angel Blessings Wellness Spa Christy Berry-Ugarte 4485 S. Buffalo Drive Las Vegas, NV
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Greater Las Vegas
DockDogs Competitions and the National Iron Dog Best of the Best Championship – Events take place at the 4th Annual Nevada WILD FEST – 3pm-12am, Fri; 11-12am, Sat; 11am-10pm, Sun. WILD FEST is Southern Nevada›s Music Festival and Fair with three funfilled days and nights. Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, 3700 W Flamingo Road, LV. NevadaWildFest.com.
NaturalAwakeningsLV.com
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5 At Your Service Pet Supply & Grooming 6th Anniversary Celebration – 6-10pm. Open to public. AYS is hosting a fun packed Doggie Date Night and celebrating their sixth year anniversary. Includes food trucks, pet treat and food manufacturers and other vendors. Join the party on a lighted patio and enjoy a DJ. 55 South Valley Verde #300, HD. 702982-4327. AtYourServicePetSupplies.com.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8 Foreclosed Upon Pets, Inc. 5th Anniversary Celebration – 5:30-8pm. Open to public. FUPI celebrates their fifth anniversary with a beer and wine bar, appetizers, live music, raffle and silent auction. Funds raised will assist with veterinary fees for the over 1500 rescue pets that will be adopted through FUPI this year. FUPI is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit animal rescue, foster and adoption organization. $30/ pre-sale. $35/door night of event. Home of Tom & Conita Jones, 5645 O’Bannon Dr, LV. 702-279-2544. Reservations ForeclosedUponPets.org/Events.
calendarofevents NOTE: All calendar events must be received by the 10th of the month prior to publication and adhere to our guidelines. Submit listings online at NaturalAwakeningsLV. com. For extended event descriptions and additional listings visit NA-LV.com.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 Detox for Beauty and Health – 11:30am-12:30pm. Simple detoxing with essential oils for radiant health. Free. Angel Blessings Wellness Spa, 4485 S Buffalo Dr, LV. 702-327-9082. The Fun @55 Expo – 12-9pm. The Fun @55 Expo is an active senior event that features 150 vendors selling, sampling and demonstrating thousands of products and services. This event hosts a free concert by the Beach Boys. Free admission. South Point Hotel Las Vegas. 702-331-1350. FunAt55.com.
Brain Solutions Free Seminar – Get Help for Anxiety, ADD/Focus, ASD and Much More! – 6:30pm, Thurs; 10:30am, Sat. Come and see how you can be helped with anxiety, learning issues, focus/attention, sensory integration, Tourette’s Syndrome, ASD issues and more – no medication – lasting results. Free seminars will show you how the science of neuroplasticity can help. Thurs, September 12th at 6:30pm and Sat, September 14th at 10:30am. RSVP by phone or info@brainsolutionsnv. com. Free. Brain Solutions Inc, 8515 Edna Ave, LV. 702-340-2248. Info@BrainSolutionsNV.com. BrainSolutionsNV.com.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 Natural Health Care Convention – 8am-3pm. Fri-Sun. 2013 ANMA 32nd Annual Convention & Educational Presentation. This convention is for both the individual looking to improve their quality of life through lifestyle changes or the practitioner looking to add equipment, products or skills to their current practice. Free to Las Vegas locals. Riviera Hotel, 2901 Las Vegas Blvd S, LV. 888-202-4440. Admin@ANMA.org. ANMA.org. Outdoor Picture Show: George of the Jungle – Dusk. Fri-Sat. Bring the family, snacks and blankets or chairs to the District to enjoy a movie under the stars. Free. On the Green, next to Whole Foods, at The District at Green Valley Ranch. Arts District First Friday Downtown Las Vegas – 6-10pm. First Fri. An ongoing arts, entertainment and social block party. Enjoy cool local art, live music and street performances. Free. Las Vegas Arts District. New Moon Shamanic Drumming – 7-9pm. Special event featuring Drummunication transformational leader Idris Hester, Master Percussionist and “Miracle Man.” Having overcome his own “terminal” health issues, and many living life challenges, Idris is a true modern day Urban Shaman whose powerful drumming will leave you uplifted and transformed. $20. Music 4 Life Health Club, 2975 S Rainbow Blvd, Ste B, LV. 702-889-2881. Info@Music4Life.us. Music4Life.us. Crystal Trio in Concert – 7-9:30pm. Performing on crystal glass, Crystal Trio professional musicians play special instruments: Glass Harp, Verrophone and Glass Panflute Bass. Crystal Trio continues a tradition of musical glass by playing well-known classical and popular modern works, as well as tunes specifically written for glass instruments and have performed for audiences worldwide. Free. West Charleston Library, 6301 W Charleston Blvd, LV. 702-507-3964. LVCCLD.org. Energy Healing Circle – 7:30-8:30pm. Circle of healing for self and planet. Give a healing, receive a healing. Love donations accepted. Free. Angel Blessings Wellness Spa, 4485 S Buffalo Dr, LV. 702-467-2472.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
The Healing Touch Program – 2-3:30pm. Healing Touch Program: Worldwide Leaders in Energy Medicine Healing with Vickie Smith. Active in the art of Therapeutic Bodywork and Human Energetics for over 20 years, she shares the power of touch through lectures, workshops and retreats. Free. West Charleston Library, 6301 W Charleston Blvd, LV. 702-507-3964. LVCCLD.org. Michelle Taylor-Pereira’s Grand Opening Celebration! – 5:30-7pm. Come and celebrate. Free gifts and light refreshments. Free. Angel Blessings Wellness Spa, 4485 S Buffalo Dr, LV. 702-467-2472. Jazz on the Lake: Tommy Thompson – 7-10pm. Lake Las Vegas is the place to be on Saturday evenings for jazz concerts. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy a cool and relaxing evening by the lake. No pets or coolers please. Free. The Village at Lake Las Vegas. Wine Walk at Town Square – 7-10pm. Visit Town Square Las Vegas and enjoy up to 20 different wines for sampling. Benefits disabled individuals though New Vista Community. Must be 21 years of age or older. $25/advance. $30/door. Town Square Las Vegas. For tickets or more WineWalkLV.com.
Spiritual Experiences Discussion – 4-5pm. Understand the purpose of your spiritual experiences and discover new spiritual adventures in your daily life. Free. The Spirit Within U, 4780 W Ann Rd, Ste 4, NLV. Jazz on the Lake: Everett B. Walters – 7-10pm. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy a cool and relaxing evening by the lake. Lake Las Vegas is the place to be on Saturday evenings for jazz concerts. No pets or coolers please. Free. The Village at Lake Las Vegas.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 Balance and Coordination Demonstration – 12:30-1:30pm. Learn a way to permanently better one’s balance/coordination. Free. Angel Blessings Wellness Spa, 4485 S Buffalo Dr, LV. 702-600-0733.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 Healthy Home – 11:30am-12:30pm. Alternatives to toxic home cleaners with essential oils. Free. Angel Blessings Wellness Spa, 4485 S Buffalo Dr, LV. 702-327-9082.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 Drum n Dance: Middle Eastern Rhythms – 6:30-7:30pm. Learn Middle Eastern rhythms using Music 4 Life drums. Spontaneous and structured
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 Labor Day Craft n’ Gift Show – 10am-5pm, Sat; and 10am-2pm, Sun. LV Craft Shows. Crafts, jewelry, crochet, children’s goods, baby items, candles, home décor, gift baskets, glassware and more. Support local crafters and small businesses. 2020 W. Horizon Ridge Pkwy, HD. Info@LVCraftShows. com. LVCraftShows.com.
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ers please. Free. The Village at Lake Las Vegas. Wine Walk at Lake Las Vegas: Featuring the Jazz music of Lee Anduze – 7-10pm. Must be 21 years of age or older. Enjoy up to 20 different wines for sampling. Benefits disabled individuals though New Vista Community. $25/advance. $30/door. The Village at Lake Las Vegas. For tickets or more WineWalkLV.com.
rhythmic patterns while drumming or playing zills may trigger belly dancing! Maggie Manners weaves a fun format. $10/rent a drum; $5/bring your drum. Music 4 Life Health Club, 2975 S Rainbow Blvd, Suite B, LV. 702-889-2881. Info@Music4Life.us. Music4Life.us.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 Solar NV Monthly Meeting – 6:30pm. Our meetings feature speakers from a variety of renewable energy disciplines and are also a great place to network with people who share an interest in renewable energy.. Free Welcome to Everyone. UNLV (check website for Room #), 4505 S Maryland Pky, Las Vegas. 702-507-0093. SolarNV.org.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 Downtown Cultural Series: Folk Unlimited Concert – 12-1pm. Open to public. The Folk Unlimited, Claudia Russell and Bruce Kaplan play an eclectic blend of Americana and folk music that is woven from blues, country, pop and traditional music to form a unique sound. Free. Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse, 333 Las Vegas Blvd S, Jury Assembly Room. 702-229-3515. 4th Annual Nevada WILD FEST – 3pm-12am, Fri; 11-12am, Sat; 11am-10pm, Sun. WILD FEST is Southern Nevada’s Music Festival and Fair with three fun-filled days and nights. Covering 7.5 acres with over 30 large-format carnival rides and midway, live festival music stage featuring rock, pop and country; daily celebrity meet and greets, DockDogs competitions and the National Iron Dog Best of the Best Championship, scrumptious specialty foods and thirst-quenching refreshments, beer and wine gardens, a mixed drink bar, unique and interesting arts and crafts in Vendor Village. 100% of the net proceeds of this event are donated to the Lili Claire Foundation. Discount advance purchase tickets available. $10 admission. Children under three are free. $30 All-Day Carnival Wristband. Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, 3700 W Flamingo Rd, LV. NevadaWildFest.com. Outdoor Picture Show: The Odd Life of Timothy Green – Dusk. Fri-Sat. Enjoy a free movie under the stars. Bring the family, snacks and blankets or chairs to the District. Free. On the Green, next to Whole Foods, at The District at Green Valley Ranch. Catholic Charities 5th Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser – 6-9pm. This event will highlight the importance of helping southern Nevadans in need. All ticket sales benefit various Catholic Charities programs. Master Chef Gustav Mauler, owner of Spiedini Italian Ristorante and Deacon Thomas
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
Roberts, Catholic Charities President/CEO will be available for interviews. $50 per person/advance. $75 per person/door. Spiedini Italian Ristorante, at the JW Marriott in Summerlin, 221 N Rampart Blvd, LV. 702-387-2296. CatholicCharities.com. Claudia Russell & Bruce Kaplan in Concert – 7-8:15pm. Claudia Russell and her husband Bruce Kaplan traverse the great American musical landscape with heartfelt songs, homespun humor and Russell’s expressive voice. Performing songs from their brand new CD, All Our Luck Is Changing. Free. West Charleston Library, 6301 W Charleston Blvd, LV. 702-507-3964. LVCCLD.org. Northwest Las Vegas Reiki Circle – 7-8:30pm. Celebrating 3 years of providing a safe, sacred healing circle for those in our community. Our gatherings comprise a healing exchange along with instilling spiritual insights and empowerment. The beauty of collective healing is that it not only synchronizes but it does not conform to boundaries of time and space. Therefore, we send out love, healing, peace and comfort into the Universe. Fellowship is a big part of our group so afterwards, hang out with us and get to know your neighbors! You can also find us on Meetup under “Northwest Las Vegas Reiki Circle”. Blessings and Gratitude. Love Offering. The Reiki Gal, LLC, 7495 W Azure Drive, Las Vegas. 702-875-2967. amy@thereikigal.com. TheReikiGal.com. The Poets’ Corner – 7:30pm. Ages 17+. Open to public. A monthly forum hosted by Keith Brantley for established poets and open-mic participants. Features the best local poetry talent. Free. West Las Vegas Arts Center Community Gallery, 947 W Lake Mead Blvd, LV. 702-229-4800.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 Gardening in Small Places: Using Native and Desert-Adapted Plants in the Landscape – 8am12pm. Open to public. Native and desert-adapted plants are not only cactus. There is a lot of beauty in the desert and not all of it is spiny. Professor M.L. Robinson will show and tell about plants which can create a beautiful and colorful desert garden all while saving money, energy and water. Class space is limited and pre-registration is required. $25. University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, Lifelong Learning Center, 8050 Paradise Rd, LV. 702-257-5573. Fagine@unce.unr.edu. Outdoor Picture Show: Winnie the Pooh – Dusk. Bring the family, blankets or chairs and snacks to the District and enjoy a movie under the stars. Free. On the Green, next to Whole Foods, at The District at Green Valley Ranch. Jazz on the Lake: Rocky Gordon – 7-10pm. Jazz concert at Lake Las Vegas. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy a cool and relaxing evening by the lake. No pets or cool-
NaturalAwakeningsLV.com
Annual Greek Food Festival – Sept 27-29 – 3-11pm, Fri and Sat; 12-11pm, Sun. Public event. Fortyone years of Greek dancing, music, food, fun and excitement mark the 41st Anniversary of this event sponsored by St. John Greek Orthodox Church. Continuous Greek dancing to two live Greek bands; the Olympians and Etho Ellas (a local band). Greek shops with clothing, jewelry, art, delicious Greek pastries and a children’s area. Free/under age 12. $6/12 and older. Free/military and their immediate family with ID. $10/All Pass for three days. St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, 5300 S El Camino Rd, LV. 702-221-8245. LasVegasGreekFestival.com/Festival. Outdoor Picture Show: March of the Penguins – Dusk. Bring the family, blankets or chairs and snacks to the District and enjoy a movie under the stars. Free. On the Green, next to Whole Foods, at The District at Green Valley Ranch.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 The Rising of Something Good… Remembering 9/11 – 2pm. All ages. Public event. An empowering community outreach event facilitated and hosted by I.C. Jonez showcases young urban artists and entrepreneurs in the expressive realms of spoken word, gospel rap, music and dance. Be lifted, be inspired, be determined and be connected. A marketplace and food vendors will be available. Event cosponsored by the Saint City Project and Las Vegas–Clark County Library District. Free. West Las Vegas Arts Center Outdoor Amphitheatre, 947 W Lake Mead Blvd, LV. 702-229-4800. Jazz on the Lake: Anthony James Baker – 7-10pm. Lake Las Vegas is the place to be on Saturday evenings for jazz concerts. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy a cool and relaxing evening by the lake. No pets or coolers please. Free. The Village at Lake Las Vegas. Vegas Valley Book Festival Pre-Festival Event: Vegas Valley Poetry Celebration – 7-9pm. Public event. Enjoy a celebration of the written, spoken and illustrated word with special guest Gretchen Henderson; acclaimed for her work with new media and poetry. Hear a wide range of work from Las Vegas poets. This program is a pre-festival event of the Vegas Valley Book Festival. Free. Historic Fifth Street School, 401 S Fourth St, LV. 702-229-3515.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 Posture Awareness – 5-7:30pm. Posture awareness with Lisa Agnew. Hear how postural deviations as small as an eighth of an inch cause pain in other parts of the body. Using the proper stride width and length is a fun and interactive way to begin to feel and utilize correct posture. Lecture is approved by the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodyworks for 4 CE units. Massage therapists wishing to receive credit must contact Lisa Agnew directly at Lisa: Advantagemassage@ yahoo. Free unless you want CEU credit. West Charleston Library, 6301 W Charleston Blvd, LV. 702-507-3964. LVCCLD.org.
ongoingevents NOTE: All calendar events must be received by the 10th of the month prior to publication and adhere to our guidelines. Submit listings online at NaturalAwakeningsLV. com. For extended event descriptions and additional listings visit NA-LV.com.
daily Bikram Yoga – See website for class schedule and rates. Bikram Yoga LV, 5031 Wagon Trail Ave, Ste 109, LV. 702-547-9642. BikramLasVegas.com. Free Counseling Sessions – Pre-Masters MFT Practicum-Intern under the supervision of a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist now providing therapy sessions for families and couples (or individuals experiencing relationship difficulties). A sliding scale fee structure of $0 to $25 per session for relationship issues, loss and grief, infidelity, couples strengthening, life-stage changes and more. Free. 3501 W Charleston, Ste 100, LV. Schedule with Caleb: 702508-9461, Ext 3. PsychotherapyLasVegas.com. Hot Pilates & Yoga – One week unlimited access. Free. Body Heat, 8876 Eastern Ave, LV. 702-4320028. BodyHeatYoga.com. Overeaters Anonymous – Overeaters Anonymous meets daily throughout Las Vegas and HD. OA offers a holistic approach to permanent weight loss with desired results of a physical, emotional and spiritual healing that is nothing short of amazing. Donation. For days, locations and times visit website or call info-hotline: 702-593-2945. LV, HD. 702593-2945. LVOA.org. Stress Reduction Sessions – 10am-2pm. Stressed? Overwhelmed? Sleepless nights? Experience a free stress reduction session. Sessions are available daily. Free. 3663 E. Sunset Blvd, Ste 106, 3663 E Sunset Blvd, Ste 106, LV. 310-739-7673. LVSelfDevelopmentCenter.com. Wongu University of Oriental Medicine-Graduate Program – 9:30am-8:30pm. The first school of acupuncture and Oriental medicine in Nevada is offering a Master of Science Degree in Oriental Medicine, covering courses in acupuncture, Chinese herbology, Taiji, moxibustion with western medicine, practice management and more. Currently accepting applications for Spring 2013. Didactic Unit $180/Clinical Hour $18. Wongu University of Oriental Medicine, 8215 & 8620 S Eastern Ave, LV. 702-463-2122. Wongu.org. Yoga & Meditation – See Website for daily class schedule. Just Breathe Wellness Center, 5333 S Arville St, Ste 206, LV. 702-553-6819. JustBreatheWellnessCenter.com.
weekdays Staying Healthy! Radio Show – 8-9am and 5-6pm, Mon-Fri. Hosted by Jeffrey Burke, ND, MH on KLAV 1230 AM. Enrich your knowledge and learn how to stay healthy all year long. Free. 702-7311230. StayHealthy.info.
sunday Falun Gong Exercise & Qigong Meditation – 8am-10am and 9-11am. Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is an advanced traditional Chinese meditation system designed to improve mind and body
Simple Thoughts Tutorial and Journaling – 5-6:30pm. Broaden your perception of life’s experiences and be inspired. Journal your inspirations. $20. Angel Blessings Wellness Spa, 4485 S Buffalo Dr, LV. 702-610-6497. Spiritual Book Club For Women – 6-8pm. 4th Tues. First meeting Meet and Greet and discuss future book choices. Meditation included in each meeting. Suggested donation: $8. Just Breathe Wellness Center, 5333 S Arville St, Ste 206, LV. 702-5536819. JustBreatheWellnessCenter.com. Free Healing Circle – 7pm-9pm. Free healing every week with different practitioners. Free. Angel Blessings Wellness Spa, 4485 S Buffalo, LV. RSVP Janee Powers: 702-265-5219.
wednesday through slow, gentle and smooth exercises. Free. Desert Breeze Park, 8268 Spring Mountain Rd, LV. 702-773-3667. FalunDafaLasVegas.blogspot.com/. fresh52 Sunday Farmers’ & Artisan Market – 8:30am-1pm. fresh52 farmers’ and artisan market is a lively, friendly, open-air market where neighbors and friends come together to celebrate the community. Free. Sansone Park Place, 9480 S Eastern, LV. 702-900-2552. fresh52.com.
monday Qigong/T’ai Chi Classes – 8:30-9:30am, Mon and Thurs. All ages and physical limitations. The gentle movements of Qigong/T’ai Chi are suitable for all levels. Learn how to move and strengthen your body for health, relaxation and vitality. $5. Whitney Senior Community Center, 5712 E Missouri Ave, LV. Kat: 702-743-3786. ThreeTreasuresMQ.com. Yoga with Jeff – 6:15-7:15pm. Improve strength, flexibility and endurance, while clearing the mind through the power of Yoga. Donation. Herbally Grounded, 4441 W Charleston Blvd, LV. 702-558-4372. Yoga & Qigong – 7:45-9:15pm. Multi-level Ashtanga yoga class and qigong infuses balancing chi (energy). Donation: $10. 107 E Charleston, LV. 702-325-9923. GoldLightYoga.com.
Overeaters Anonymous – 10am-11am. OA Support Group - OA offers an approach to permanent weight loss with desired results of a physical, emotional and spiritual healing. This program of recovery is a way of life, based on the twelve steps and twelve traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. Donation. Congregation Ner Tamid, I-215, 55 N Valle Verde Dr, HD. 714309-0531. Voicemail info: 702-593-2945. LVOA.org. Brain Balance Open House – 2:30-4:30pm. 2nd Wed. For all parents, teachers, educators, administrators and support staff. Learn about ground breaking, drug free programs that helps kids with ADD, ADHD, Aspergers, Tourettes, OCD, PDD. Free. Brain Balance Achievement Centers of HD, 11 S Stephanie St, HD. 702-778-9500. BrainBalanceCenters.com. Mary Kay Skincare and Meeting – 5:30-6:30pm, Skincare Classes. 6:30-8:30pm, Open Meeting. Meetings are open to any guest. Special guest event every 3rd Wed features various makeup techniques. Free. Please RSVP. Pink Studio, 6655 S Tenaya Way, Ste 120, LV. 702-371-1037. MaryKay.com/sglenn2020. Reiki Healing Circle – 7-9pm. This is a free Inspirational Healing Circle. Learn new natural healing information each week. Participate in a group discussion (optional) or simply observe and learn. Experience guided meditation channeled by Victoria (Reiki Master of 20+ years) and receive deep personalized healing. Relax and recharge your mind and body. Free. Love offerings accepted. Transformations Wellness Center, 9291 Starcross Ln, LV. 702-405-9375. TransformationsLasVegas.com.
tuesday Momma’s Milk Circle – 10am-1pm. Support group for nursing moms and babies of up to one year of age hosted by lactation specialists. Well Rounded Momma Homestead, 3556 E Patrick Ave, LV. 702795-2500. WellRoundedMomma.com. Beginner Yoga – 4:30-5:45pm. Classical Ashtanga yoga, as taught by Baba Hari Dass. A multi-level class created for new and intermediate students with an emphasis on play, heart opening and alignment. Progressive options offered in many asanas, challenging each individual. First Tuesday of the month features a Beatles themed music class; the rest of the month features a fun music playlist. Donation: $10. Blue Sky Yoga, 107 E Charleston, LV. 702325-9923. GoldLightYoga.com.
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thursday Green Drinks – 2nd Thurs. Network with other eco-friendly business professionals. Times/locations vary. Facebook.com/GreenDrinksLV. Country Fresh Farmers’ Market-Water Street – 9am-4pm. Outdoor market selling fruits and vegetables, fresh baked breads, salsas, honey, jams, loose leaf teas, organic soaps, dolls, jewelry, crafts and more. Free. Downtown HD in Events Plaza, 240 Water St, HD. 702-579-9661. CountryFreshFarmersMarket.com. Senior Memoir-Writing Class – 10-11:30am. Four weekly classes. Life Stories Nevada helps older adults record their life stories for themselves and future generations. Free. Temple Beth Sholom, 10700 Havenwood Ln, LV. 702-940-5423. LifeStoriesNevada.org. ‘Bet on the Farm’ Farmers’ Market – 10am-1pm. Mario Batali’s and Joe Bastianichу’s sustainable market. Free. Springs Preserve, 333 S Valley View Blvd, LV. BetOnTheFarm.com. Momma’s Milk Circle – 10am-1pm. Support group for nursing moms and babies of up to one year of age hosted by lactation specialists. Well Rounded Momma, 6000 S Eastern Ave, Ste 9A, LV. 702-7952500. WellRoundedMomma.com. Reiki with Angels Meditation – 11:30am-12:30pm. Heal, restore and empower yourself. Allow the love of the Angel and the power of Reiki to assist you in a spiritual journey. We seek to bring Divine Light into our everyday lives. $10. Just Breath Wellness Center, 5333 S Arville, #206, LV. 702-350-1711. In Rhythm Music Song Writer Workshops – 6-8pm. Find your voice and create music in a supportive, safe environment. All levels welcome. $20. Angel Blessings Wellness Spa, 4485 S Buffalo Dr, LV. 702-610-4400. Vegas StrEATS Festival – 6pm. Performances from 8pm-12am. Every Sat. Vegas StrEATS is located in the Vegas StrEA Downtown Las Vegas, showcasing the valley’s hottest local food trucks, artists, musicians and fashion. Presented by El Cortez, Commonwealth and DJ ZO. Each month various food trucks serve up unique gourmet bites along Jackie Gaughan Plaza outside the El Cortez Hotel & Casino. Local
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Greater Las Vegas
Bands, MC’s and DJ’s provide the soundtrack for the night ranging from indie rock, hip-hop, dubstep and house music. Graffiti artists and streetwear brands line up vendor row slanging fresh apparel and art. Experience a bit of homegrown Vegas culture. Free. Jackie Gaughan Plaza at the El Cortez Hotel & Casino 600 E Fremont St, LV. Solar NV Monthly Meeting – 6:30pm. 3rd Thurs. Featuring speakers from a variety of renewable energy disciplines. A great place to network with people who share an interest in renewable energy. Free. Check website for meeting room number. UNLV, 4505 S Maryland Pkwy, LV. 702-507-0093. SolarNV.org.
friday Qigong-T’ai Chi Classes – 8:30-9:30am. Bi-monthly. These ancient Chinese healing arts involve gentle, rhythmic movement exercises, controlled breathing and focused intention. $5. Whitney Community Center, 5712 Missouri Ave, LV. 702-743-3786. Downtown3rd Farmers’ Market – 9am-2pm. Locally grown fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs, flowers and artisanal selections. Guest chef demonstrations. Kids craft zone. Dog park. Largest indoor Farmers Market in the valley. Free parking. 300 N Casino Center, LV. Downtown3rd.com. Country Fresh Farmers’ Market – 10am. Free. HD Pavilion, 200 S Green Valley Pkwy, HD. 702579-9661. CountryFreshFarmersMarket.com. fresh52 Friday Farmers’ & Artisan Market – 3-7pm. fresh52 farmers’ and artisan market is a lively, friendly, open-air market where neighbors and friends come together to celebrate the community. Located outside Whole Foods at Town Square. Free. Town Square (outside Whole Foods), 6605 LV Blvd S, LV. 702-900-2552. fresh52.com. Community Hu – 3:15-3:45pm. Open your heart to divine love and experience uplifting joy, healing, relaxation and spiritual connection. Free. The Spirit Within U, 4780 W Ann Rd Ste #4, NLV. 702-224-4328. First Friday – 6-12pm. Arts festival on 1st Fri each month. Food, drink, art and entertainers. Free. Downtown Arts District, LV. 702-384-0092. FirstFriday-LasVegas.org. Community Hu – 6:15-6:45pm. 4th Fri. Open your heart to divine love and experience uplifting joy, relaxation and spiritual connection. Free. Pure Health Foods, 7575 Washington, #129, LV. 224-4325. Community Drum Circle – 6:30-7:30pm. All ages welcome. Enjoy a large community drum-
NaturalAwakeningsLV.com
ming experience, building one strong voice with many. Bring your own drum and drums provided. Transformational leader Idris Hester facilitates the drum circle with Music 4 Life staff. Bring a drum or rhythm instrument or use a Music 4 Life instrument provided by Remo, Inc. Join the Music 4 Life Health Club for $20/month and save 65-90% off program fees. $10. Music 4 Life, Inc., 2975 S Rainbow Blvd, LV. 702-889-2881. Music4life.us. Northwest LV Reiki Circle – 7-8:30pm. Northwest LV Reiki Circle is proud to celebrate three years of providing a safe, sacred healing circle for those in our community. Gatherings comprise a healing exchange along with instilling spiritual insights and empowerment. Collective healing synchronizes but it does not conform to boundaries of time and space. We send love, healing, peace and comfort into the Universe. Find on Meetup under “Northwest LV Reiki Circle”. Love offering. The Reiki Gal, LLC, 7495 W Azure Drive, LV. 702-875-2967. TheReikiGal.com.
saturday fresh52 Saturday Farmers’ & Artisan Market – 8am-1pm. fresh52 farmers and artisan market is a lively, friendly, open-air market where neighbors and friends come together to celebrate the community. Free. Tivoli Village, 302 S Rampart, LV. 702-900-2552. fresh52.com. Chi Kung & T’ai Chi Classes – 9-11am. Chi Kung (Qigong) is the art of developing internal energy particularly for health and vitality, mind expansion and spiritual cultivation. $10. Rainbow’s End Natural Foods, 1100 E Sahara Ave, LV. 324-0353. EarthPowers.com. LV Electric Vehicles Club Monthly Meeting – 10am. EV owners and those interested get together to show and share. Our friendly club members answer any questions about EV’s. We have fun meet ups almost every week. Free. For location information contact Lloyd: 702-524-3233, Bill: 702-636-0304 or Jon: 702-277-7544. LVEVA.org. The Art of Spiritual Dreaming Book Discussion – 2pm-3pm. Every 4th Sat. The Art of Spiritual Dreaming book discussion. Explore your universe of dreams to receive spiritual insights and wisdom from the heart, pursue your divine purpose in life, recognize dreams as a source of inner truth and as a key element of spiritual growth. Free. Starbucks, 2120 N Rampart, LV. 702-224-4325. Overeaters Anonymous – 2pm. OA offers an approach to permanent weight loss with desired results of a physical, emotional and spiritual healing. This is a way of life, based on the twelve steps and twelve traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous and offers a program of recovery. Donation. Serenity Club - Suite 10, 3990 Schiff Dr, LV. VM info 702-593-2945. 702-593-2945. LVOA.org. Community HU – 3:15-3:45pm. Open your heart to divine love and experience uplifting joy, healing, relaxation and spiritual connection. Free. The Spirit Within U, 4780 W Ann Rd, Ste #4, N LV. 702-224-4328. Mind Body & Soul Saturday –7pm. Art, meditation, music, reading performances to foster wellbeing through the arts with wellness, massage, Reiki, energy sessions adjacent to a secluded landscaped courtyard that enhances, elevates and enlightens participants face-to-face and one-on-one. $15 for you and a guest. Weston Place, 6600 W Charleston, Ste 123, LV. 702-418-0707. youTube.com/njaoneart.
communityresourceguide Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide, email Publisher@NA-LV.com to request our media kit.
ADD/ADHD TREATMENT BRAIN BALANCE ACHIEVEMENT CENTER OF HENDERSON
11 S Stephanie St, Ste 120, HD 89012 702-778-9500 • BrainBalanceHenderson.com Offering individualized plans to help children with learning difficulties reach their greatest physical, mental, social and academic potential. Customized programs correct imbalance and reduce/eliminate negative behaviors. We are brainbased, not drug based. See ad, page 8.
BEAUTY FACES BY LORRI
Lorri Ann Roy 10624 S Eastern Ave, HD, 89052 702-767-6722 • FacesByLorri.com With more than 24 years experience, Lorri is one of the most experienced and longestpracticing aestheticians in the state of Nevada, specializing in custom facials, LED light therapy and facial and body waxing. See ad, page 33.
SANDRA GLENN
Mary Kay Independent Consultant 702-371-1037 MaryKay.com/SGlenn2020 Mary Kay positively changes the lives of women and the environment. As your personal Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant, I look forward to assisting you with our trusted skin care, make up and body care products. See ad, page 32.
CAREGIVING CONSUMER DIRECT
877-786-4999 Toll Free ConsumerDirectNV.com A self directed program puts the individual receiving the care in charge allowing you to arrange and direct your own services and supports. You select, train and manage your caregiver. We take care of the program paperwork, so you can take care of… you!
CHINESE MEDICINE THREE TREASURES MEDICAL QIGONG THERAPY Kat Reyes-Campbell Certified Medical Qigong Therapist 702-743-3786
Education Flawless Silhouettes Wellness Spa 8820 Maryland Pkwy, #115, LV 89123 702-685-1922 • FlawlessSilhouettes.com
Let us help you on your road to holistic knowledge and health. We offer holistic health, lactation, CPR and doTerra essential oil classes to help support your well-being. See ad, page 13.
emotional well-being Mica Teal
Ancient healing wisdom in modern times. Medical Qigong is specifically tailored to treat an i n d i v i d u a l ’s p h y s i c a l a n d emotional pain at the root cause of symptoms achieving health, harmony and balance.
Universally Ordained Karuna & Usui Reiki Master/Live Consultant 702-503-7139 • Mica@MicaTeal.com MicaTeal.com
Does your soul feel stuck? Negative emotions are symptoms that your soul needs re-alignment. Reiki Master Mica Teal heals deep, straight to your soul with nontouch, multi-dimensional Karuna and traditional Usui Reiki.
CHIROPRACTIC WELLNESS RED ROCK CHIROPRACTIC & WELLNESS CENTER
Dr. Margaret R. Colucci 2085 Village Center Cir, Ste 110, LV 89134 702-880-5335 • RedRockChiropractic.com Dr. Colucci, a 1989 Palmer graduate, serving the Las Vegas valley for over two decades. Specializing in treating the whole body in family wellness care, pediatric and pregnancy chiropractic care, auto, work and sports injuries. Serving Summerlin.
CLEANING SERVICES
ENERGY HEALING HEALING ENERGIES QI GONG Christy Berry-Ugarte 702-239-2680 HealingEnergies.vpweb.com
The practice of this serene, balancing and energizing exercise will open your energy meridians and balance your Chakras. I will empower you with flowing movement, breath, color therapy techniques and meditation. See ad, page 32.
FAMILY DENTISTRY
GREEN CLEAN
Perry Dau 702-522-1898 GreenCleanCS.com
GENERATIONS DENTAL
Certified green cleaning company using Green Seal Certified cleaning chemicals and supplies. Sanitary and safe service eliminates gross soils (DIRT) with little to no chemical residual or odor.
COMPOUNDING PHARMACY SOLUTIONS SPECIALTY PHARMACY 8579 S Eastern Blvd, Ste B, LV 89123 702-792-3777 • VegasCompounding.com
We design medicines made for each unique patient and their specialized needs including bioidentical HRT for men and women. We consider a customer’s general well being and offer consultations with appointments.
Dr. Truvella “Trudy” Reese, DMD 7480 W Sahara Ave, LV 89117 702-982-0400 • GenDental.com Eco-friendly, family-friendly dentistry with state of the art technology. Specializing in personal attention and conscientious oral health care. Accepting most insurance plans, new patients welcome.
HOLISTIC DENTIST AAA DENTAL & FOUR SEASONS DENTAL SPA
Dr. Jim Wright, DDS, AIAOMT, AIABDM 8855 W Flamingo, LV 89147 702-281-9900 • HolisticDentistLasVegas.com Practicing holistic, biological dentistry with safe removal of mercury according to the standards of IAOMT and IABDM. State of the art early detect cavity mapping, cosmetic, general, specialty dentistry and low sensitivity teeth whitening. Dr. Wright offers holistic, no-prep veneers, Lumineers, Invisalign Braces, dental implants and All on 4 Implant Bridges, sleep and full sedation dentistry. See ad, page 11.
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BELL CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL AND HOLISTIC DENTISTRY Dr. Michael Bell, DDS 8068 W Sahara Ave, Ste A, LV 89117 702-256-7666 • LVtmjDentist.com
Holistic dentistry with a whole body approach to create a healthy smile and body. Live microscopic viewing of mouth bacteria. Laser gum disease treatment. Computerized TMJ and bite analysis. Mercury testing and removal. Nutritional testing. Autonomic nervous system analysis. Invisalign. See ad, page 32.
HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION SWGasLiving.com/Efficiency 1-800-654-2765 EnergyEfficiency@SWGas.com
Delivering smart energy solutions for your home or business. Take advantage of our programs and incentives on residential and commercial high-efficiency equipment and learn a Smarter Greener Better® way to save money and the environment.
ROYAL MEDICAL CLINIC
Daniel F. Royal, DO, HMD, JD 9065 S Pecos Rd, Ste 250 HD 89074 702-938-5055 • RoyalMedicalClinic.com We treat causes not symptoms with unique and natural therapies that are not available anywhere else. They failed? Get the Royal Treatment for energy, weight loss, pain relief, Bio-Identical hormones, testosterone, diabetes and more. See ad, page 19.
ROYAL MEDICAL CLINIC
PET SUPPLIES & GROOMING AT YOUR SERVICE PET SUPPLIES & GROOMING
3315 W Craig Rd, Ste 105, NLV 89032 702-285-8321 • MassageHelpsThat.com
Got Pain, Got Stress, No one else getting you? “Massage Helps That!” Call or text 702-285-8321. Massage, Aqua-Stretch, YLEO (Essential Oils). Massage has been an essential element of the wellness lifestyle for thousands of years the world over. For $39/hr you can experience these traditional techniques. Call today. Feel better now.
55 S Valle Verde, #300, HD 89012 702-982-4324 AtYourServicePetSupplies.com
Quality, full service, pet supply store with the best value in the valley. Pet friendly. On-site “Barkery”. Nutritional experts. Professional grooming available seven days for cats, dogs and little critters. Pet adoptions too! See ad, back cover.
JAMIE SCHAB, LMT-NVMT509
A place for healing, education and wellness. Including professional massage therapy and bodywork services. Contact Jamie about space rental for classes and workshops, or to schedule a massage.
Do you have fatigue? Low sex drive? Poor memory? It could be your hormones. See Mindy, a BioIdentical Hormone specialist, at Royal Medical Clinic and get your life back today. See ad, page 19.
LIFE COACHING JEANNE R CATHEY
OPTIMAL HEALTH PRIMARY CARE
Akashic Consultations and Life Coaching Sessions. Get clarity and guidance; get rid of the negative patterns and blocks and bring balance into your life. Free initial phone consultation/coaching session.
CHUCK WILLIAMS, LMT#NVMT4937
Mindy Margolies, Nurse Practitioner 9065 S Pecos Rd, Ste 250, HD 89074 702-938-5055 • RoyalMedicalClinic.com
INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE
Akashic Records Expert Practitioner/ C.C. Life Coach 800 N Rainbow Blvd, LV 89107 702-370-5277 • AnikaRay88@hotmail.com
LICENSED MASSAGE THERAPY
7331 W Charleston, #130, LV 89117 702-379-3628 LVHealer.com
HORMONE HEALTH
ANIKA RAY
Certified Purpose Intuitive Consultant 702-750-2346 • JeanneCathey@gmail.com JeanneCathey@blogspot.com
Jeffrey Brown, DO 10120 S Eastern Ave, Ste 100 HD 89052 702-871-7004 • OptimalHealthPC.com
Optimal Health Primary Care is an integrative medicine practice that incorporates a variety of methods to help heal the body. Dr. Brown believes that the body has its own natural healing mechanisms. See ad, page 7.
Inspired intuitive insights for your life’s path and purpose. Uncover your hidden gifts and talents, discover your highest potential, and clear the blocks in your way. Free initial phone consultation.
RECYCLING REPUBLIC SERVICES
702-735-5151 RepublicServicesVegas.com Facebook.com/RepublicServicesVegas Republic Services o ff e r s c o m p l e t e waste and recycling solutions for residential, commercial, industrial and construction customers. Offering free recycling assessments to meet the needs of any sized business or project.
SOLAR ENERGY SOLAR NV
817 S Main St, LV 89101 702-507-0093 • SolarNV.org Solar NV is the Southern Nevada chapter of the American Solar Energy S o c i e t y. We a r e a nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate about the benefits of renewable energy and promote the use of sustainable energy technology. See ad, page 9.
SOLAR UNIVERSE
Las Vegas & Henderson SolarUniverse.com• 877-43-SOLAR (7-6527)
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hen the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace. ~Jimi Hendrix
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Greater Las Vegas
NaturalAwakeningsLV.com
Solar by the ProsNABCEP. Tier 1 product line, best in the business. Best price guaranteed on comparable products. Multiple finance options available – Lease, Zero Down, Non-equity. See ad, page 7.
TRANSFORMATIONS
WELLNESS
STRESS REDUCTION STRESS LESS LAS VEGAS
Leanne L. Earnest, Ph.D. 2340 Paseo Del Prado, D-307, LV 89102 702-222-1812 • StressLessLasVegas.com Dr. Leanne Earnest is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 15 years experience integrating mindfulness meditation with traditional psychotherapy. She teaches proven programs to reduce stress, improve mental and physical health. See ad, page 36.
FLAWLESS SILHOUETTES WELLNESS SPA 8820 Maryland Pkwy, #115, LV 89123 702-685-1922 • FlawlessSilhouettes.com
Wellness Center & intl. School of Reiki Victoria Stitzer, Expert in Rapid Behavior Modification • 702-405-9375 Transformations-LasVegas.org
Whether you’re looking to strengthen your body, focus your mind, or just treat yourself, let our licensed specialists take care of you. We offer nails, hair, massage, pilates, yoga, health coaching, aesthetics and body contour. See ad, page 13.
Transform your “Fears into Power”; “Pain into Joy” through powerful proven Mind-Body t e c h n o l o g i e s : N L P - E F TRegressions-Detox-Reiki-Pranic and Thetahealing. Free Reiki circles Wednesdays at 7pm. Call 702-659-2390.
YOGA
JUST BREATHE WELLNESS CENTER
UNIVERSITIES WONGU UNIVERSITY
8620 S Eastern Ave, LV 89123 702-463-2122 Wongu.org Nevada State Board approved to offer a MS Degree in Oriental Medicine. Didactics with clinical training in acupuncture and herbology ensure competent practitioners. Step into a new career or expand your practice. See ad, page 5.
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5333 S Arville St, Ste 206, LV 89118 702-553-6819 JustBreatheTheSunshine@yahoo.com JustBreatheWellnessCenter.com
BODYHEAT HOT PILATES & YOGA 8876 Eastern Ave, Ste 105, LV 89123 702-432-0028 BodyHeatyoga.com
Vinaysa Flow Yoga & Gong, Gong meditations and “Yogatize” for weight loss classes, workshops and private lessons. Like us on Facebook.
Hot Yoga, Hot Pilates, Body Sculpt, and Boot camp classes are taught in a state of the art environment with the optimum atmosphere. We have a variety of classes to suit all levels. See ad, page 23.
verything has beauty, but not everyone sees it. ~Confucius
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