May 2021 Natural Awakenings Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties CT by Natural Awakenings Magazine

EE R F

HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

2021NATURAL

LIVING DIRECTORY

Build Your Wellness Dream Team

Homeopathic First-Aid Well-Being for Women COVID Fatigue Recovery

2021 | Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties | eNaturalAwakenings.com Natural Living Directory 2021

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203-856-9566 www.203TLC.com

203 TLC

203 TLC is a community of accredited health and wellness providers offering a wide variety of services and products. Founded in 1997 by Beth Leas, the TLC Tribe is Fairfield County’s largest holistic health resource - a vibrant and growing community of over 90 Members, committed to living consciously and offering healthy lifestyle opportunities. We offer high quality private sessions, products, workshops, classes and resources designed to help you live life well. Energy Healing/Meditation/Tarot Beth Leas 25+ Years Experience Private Sessions, Workshops, Events In-person or by phone bethleas.com 203-856-9566

Lyme Disease Healing Gregg Kirk, Lyme Recovery Clinic & Detox Center Heal from chronic illness through all-natural herbal treatments, intensive detox, cleanses & energy healing. 528 Post Rd, Darien Gregg.Kirk@gmail.com 203-858-9725

Transformation Coaching/Healing Katie Augustyn, MA, CPC Transformation Coach, Shamanic Practitioner, Spiritual Evolution Trainer, Energy Healer, TV Host TransformationCenterCT.com 203-820-3800

Essential Oils Wayne Leiss, LMT, CAO Adventures in Connection. dōTERRA Essential Oils, Symphony of the Cells™ Applications and Massage Therapy 20 Fifth Ave, Apt A, Danbury Wayne@WayneLeiss.com WayneLeiss.com • 203-994-1207

Life Coach/Hypnotist Thea Litsios, CHy When you are ready to reinvent yourself. Currently working remotely. 203-693-1493

Meditation & Counseling Meg Reilly, MS, CH Counselor, Workshop Facilitator, Writer, Poet Services in person or by phone megreilly360.com 203-952-6272

Salt Cave Salt Cave of Darien Salt therapy, massage, meditation & yoga 555 Post Rd, Darien Info@SaltCaveofDarien.com SaltCaveofDarien.com 203-658-7667

VISIT US

Transformative Healing Susan Ahlstrom, Lighter & Brighter Wellness MS Counseling, EFT Practitioner, Reiki Master 450 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT lighterandbrighterwellness.com 401-232-4514

www.203TLC.com www.TribeTLC.com FB: Tribe TLC

Get to know us at TLC’s monthly networking breakfast! Looking for a relaxed group of professionals offering a supportive community, free networking events, many affordable marketing opportunities, and FUN? We meet on the first Tuesday of every month, at Valencia Luncheria, 164 Main St, Norwalk, CT, from 8:30 -10:00am. Come the first time as Beth's guest - and if you find your time with us worthwhile, we invite you to become a TLC Member. Please RSVP to Beth Leas at: 203-856-9566 (call/text) orTLCBethLeas@gmail.com so she can reserve your place. Natural Living Directory 2021

Contents 10 SHUNGITE WATER

Make this Beneficial Beverage at Home

11 ODE TO THE EARTH GONG 12 THE MOON AND THE ART OF ASTROLOGY

14 MEANING – THE M IN

POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

16 HEALING FROM COVID FATIGUE

18 HOMEOPATHY TO THE RESCUE

Create a Family First-Aid Kit

20 NATURAL LIVING DIRECTORY 2021

48 INTEGRATIVE

WOMEN’S WELLNESS

Five Top Health Concerns and What to Do

52 THERMOGRAM PROGRAM

Provides In-Depth Women’s Health Check

54 SIX WAYS TO PRACTICE SELF-LOVE FOR A HEALTHIER LIFE

56 STAY FIT WITH

BODYWORK THERAPY Enhance Workout Performance and Recovery with Massage

DEPARTMENTS 7 ad index 8 global briefs 9 health briefs 11 inspiration 14 positive psychology series

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18 healing ways 20 2021 natural

living directory 56 fit body 58 green living 60 naturally healthy pet 63 calendar

Natural Awakenings is a family of 50+ healthy living magazines celebrating 26 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

NATURAL LIVING DIRECTORY 2021 58

BE your Light!

Live Your Soul's Purpose | Attain Deep Peace Have Balance Around Giving and Receiving Have Loving, Supportive Relationships Have the Career that Sings to Your Soul Is your Soul calling to be in alignment with your Divinity? If your Soul says YES, please join us to transform your mind, body, and spirit!

Academy for Soul Healing

The Academy for Soul Healing supports the growth and expansion of humanity, individually and on a global scale. "I foresee many students from the Academy becoming teachers of this integrated way of service."

ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 203-885-4674 or email Advertising@eNaturalAwakenings.com. Deadline for ads: the 12th of the month. EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Visit eNaturalAwakenings.com. Deadline for News Briefs: the 12th of the month. CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Visit eNaturalAwakenings.com. Deadline for magazine calendar listings: the 12th of the month. Website calendar listings may be entered at any time. REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-434-9392. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakenings.com.

One-on-one Sessions, Group Classes, Training, workshops and Events with Eilis Philpott Master Healer and Teacher “I feel a complete transformation in my life since working with Eilis in group and private sessions. Eilis has a magical way she connects with her clients. All the modalities she teaches have a great impact on my life. I was able to reach profound depths for personal development. I have learned about many life enhancing tools and feel confident to share it with the world. Eilis offers support in a soulful way. She is a guiding light the minute you connect with her. Eilis is a gift!” See updated offerings and training schedules at: www.SoulHealingJourney.com www.academyforsoulhealing.com

203-767-5954 | Eilis@SoulHealingJourney.com Natural Living Directory 2021

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

FAIRFIELD & SOUTHERN LITCHFIELD COUNTIES

Publisher Erica Mills

Editor Michelle Bense

Design & Production Kathleen Fellows Erica Mills Contributing Writers Marlaina Donato Ariana Rawls Fine Ann C. Reeves Sales & Marketing Shirley Bloethe Erica Mills

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letter from publisher

elcome to our 2021 Natural Living Directory. As you read this special issue, you will see that it is actually two issues in one. It contains articles focused on personal and global wellness, as well as the Directory. The Directory begins on page 20, where you will see we moved the regular Community Resource Erica Mills Guide up. We include expanded profiles of many businesses as well as a Natural Living Glossary to help you better understand terminology which may be new. The depth and breadth of this edition make it a reference guide to be kept all year and referred to in times of need. Don’t worry if you lend your copy out and it doesn’t come back! This unique edition can be found throughout Fairfield and Southern Litchfield Counties at our major rack distribution points, events and conferences throughout the rest of the year. You can always find the digital edition on eNaturalAwakenings.com or visit our Facebook page for the link. We hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we enjoyed creating it. We encourage you to reach out to the businesses in the issue to learn more about them. Each of them has something wonderful to offer and they are truly lovely people. Wishing you many blessings including love, light, health and kindess,

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 4851 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 200 Naples, FL 34103 Ph: 239-434-9392 • Fax: 239-434-9513 NaturalAwakenings.com © 2021 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.

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Natural Awakenings is proudly printed in Connecticut at Trumbull Printing on recycled newsprint with soy-based ink. 6

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To empower individuals to live a healthier lifestyle on a healthier planet. To educate communities on the latest in natural health and sustainability. To connect readers with local wellness resources and events, inspiring them to lead more balanced lives.

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203TLC 3 Academy for Soul Healing 5 Alba Thermal Imaging 19 AmpCoil 64 The Angel Cooperative/ Angel Wing 17 Agneta Borstein 57 Chamomille Natural Foods 47 The Computer Fairy 11 Cristina Sarno Artist/ Your Pet’s Portrait Paintings 60 Embody the Sacred 9 Eye Care Associates, PC 15 Feng Shui Joan’s Way 10 Final Journey LLC 61 Health, Wellness & Lifestyle Expo 2021 4 HGH Gel 57 Hilda Demirjian Laser & Skin Care 55 Holistic Community Professionals 16 Hummingbird Sound Yoga 50 Institute for Ayurvedic and Naturopathic Therapies 53 KleinSleep 13 KnoWeWell 2 Lectio 360 57 Lighter & Brighter Wellness 18 Love + Light Salon 10 Lyme Connection 52 The Market 47 Natural Awakenings Singles 62 Nature’s Temptations 47 Nature’s Way Health Foods 47 New Morning Market 47 Optimal Health Medical/ Henry Sobo, MD 19 Passport to Health & Wellness Expo 59 Psychic Astrology with Sherry 15 Robin Ordan, LCSW 57 Salon Aponte 15 Sedona Art 12, 53 Soul Healing Journey 5 Sustainne 8 Touch of Sedona 55 Turning Point Healing Arts & Education Center 14 Two Coyotes Wilderness School 59 We Are One/Connie Martin 60 Wellness Institute/ Marvin Schweitzer, ND 49 Wellness Metaphors/ Nancy S. Scherlong 12 Whole Foods 47 Whole Health Thermography 8

Natural Living Directory 2021

global briefs

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Fuel Fight

Gas Utilities Knock Electric Appliances

As cities phase out the installation of gas lines in new buildings to cut down on methane emissions, gas utilities have been staging adversarial campaigns nationwide. In Santa Barbara, California, residents received warnings that a gas ban would dramatically increase their bills. The Pacific Northwest group Partnership for Energy Progress, funded in part by Washington state’s largest natural gas utility, Puget Sound Energy, has spent at least $1 million opposing heating electrification in Bellingham and Seattle, including $91,000 on bus ads with the slogan, “Reliable. Affordable. Natural Gas. Here for You.” In Oklahoma, Arizona, Louisiana and Tennessee, the industry has worked aggressively with state legislatures to pass laws to prevent cities from passing cleaner building codes. The American Gas Association even has a website (aga.org) dedicated to promoting cooking with gas. Surveys have found that most people are open to switching water heaters and furnaces from gas to electric versions, so gas company advertising has made gas stoves a symbol of wealth, good taste and status for consumers, builders and realtors. Gas connections in American houses are at an all-time high, but as Americans realize that natural gas is a powerful contributor to climate change and source of air pollution, at least 42 cities have strengthened building codes to discourage expanding gas hookups in new construction. callum hill/AdobeStock.com

Our actions and decisions today will shape our future. Visit us to get inspired and shop responsibly.

photo courtesy of phil hardberger park conservancy

Digital Infrared thermal Imaging (DItI)

The new Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge connects people with nature in the heart of San Antonio across a six-lane highway at Phil Hardberger Park. Private donations and a five-year bond program approved by voters helped fund the $23 million bridge, the largest wildlife crossing of its kind in the U.S. Wildlife and vehicle collisions are a big problem across the country, increasing by 50 percent in 15 years, with an estimated 1 to 2 million large animals killed by motorists every year, according to National Geographic sources. In the U.S., 21 threatened and endangered species face extinction partly because of traffic accidents. Wildlife crossings are seen as an effective solution to the problem, with fatality reductions of up to 95 percent, depending on the location. The San Antonio bridge is notable for its size—150 feet wide and 150 feet long—and that it accommodates people, too. Animals in the 330-acre park that benefit from the bridge include ringtails, squirrels, coyotes, lizards, raccoons and deer. They are using it as intended, and it also serves as a habitat for native plants.

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health briefs

Don’t Rely on Money for Happiness

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People in the “poorest of the poor” communities in which money is not a high value can feel as happy as people in high-income Scandinavian countries, concludes new research from Canada’s McGill University. For the study published in PLOS One, interviewers studied 678 people living in Bangladesh and the Solomon Islands, both extremely low-income countries. People in remote fishing villages with subsistence-level incomes reported very high levels of “subjective well-being”, which they attributed to spending lots of time with family and being in nature. Villagers that had migrated to urban areas for work were more likely to gauge their well-being by economic and social factors, and reported lower feelings of wellbeing, leading researchers to speculate that monetization, especially in its early stages, may be detrimental to happiness. “When people are comfortable, safe and free to enjoy life within a strong community, they are happy—regardless of whether or not they are making any money,” says Chris BarringtonLeigh, a professor at McGill’s Bieler School of the Environment.

Sleep Deeply to Reduce Anxiety

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A natural, non-pharmaceutical remedy for anxiety disorders that affect 40 million Americans is as close as our beds, say University of California at Berkeley researchers. In Nature Human Behaviour, they reported that a sleepless night can trigger up to a 30 percent rise in anxiety levels, but a full night of slumber stabilizes emotions. The type most apt to calm and reset the anxious brain is deep sleep, also known as non-rapid eye movement, slow-wave sleep during which neural oscillations become highly synchronized and heart rate and blood pressure drop. The researchers used brain scans to identify anxiety levels in 48 volunteers after nights of deep or restless sleep. “Without sleep, it’s almost as if the brain is too heavy on the emotional accelerator pedal without enough brake,” says the study’s senior author Matthew Walker, professor of neuroscience and psychology. A second survey of 280 people online found that the amount and quality of sleep people experienced from one night to the next predicted how anxious they would feel the next day. Even subtle nightly changes in sleep affected anxiety levels.

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SHUNGITE WATER

Make this Beneficial Beverage at Home

by Christy Abate

hungite is a powerful healing stone that was first discovered in Karelia, Russia. It contains naturally occurring antioxidants called fullerenes. Putting shungite in our drinking water can provide many health and healing benefits. Drinking shungite water can help alleviate headaches, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), eczema, asthma and many other conditions. Shungite also helps neutralize free radicals in the body. Making shungite water is very easy. Elite shungite has the highest concentration of fullerenes, so it is a great option to make shungite water. It is recommended one doesn’t consume more than eight ounces in

one day. Shungite is a mineral and we don’t want to create an imbalance in the body by ingesting too much of one mineral. How much should one drink? Well, some people drink two ounces a day and they feel it’s enough. Some people drink all eight. How to make shungite water: • Wash crystals and pat them dry. • Find a container that can hold 16 ounces. • Put 28 grams of crystals in the container and then pour in 16 ounces of water. • Now, we wait! It takes about 24 hours for the shungite to charge the water so we can receive its maximum benefits. A 16-ounce

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container will provide two (or more) days’ worth of shungite water. Shungite naturally filters and cleans water. It has a carbon structure like charcoal, which is regularly used as a water filter. Rinse the stones about once a month just to get any residue off of them. Even though it’s a self-cleansing stone, shungite benefits from getting a new charge or a tune-up. It loves sunlight, so recharge it in the sun every few months for a couple of hours. The shungite used to charge water can lose some of its potency over time because it filters out so many other minerals from drinking water. After six months to a year of continual use, consider replacing the stones. But just because we are not putting the shungite stones in our water, doesn’t mean we have to completely get rid of them. Put old stones in the garden, place them on an altar, use them for gridding or even repurpose them as jewelry and wear the shungite.

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To learn more about this process, watch the video at tinyurl.com/shungitewater. Christy Abate is co-owner and manager of The Angel Cooperative, a unique lifestyle boutique in Ridgefield which offers shungite stones pre-measured into packets perfectly sized to charge 16 ounces of water at home. Connect at 203-431-2959 or TheAngelCoop.com. See ad, page 17.

inspiration This space inside rhythm and time, This holy silent union of Yin and Yang.

Cherry Blossoms by Barbara Soares

Finally realizing we are the ones who we have been waiting for. All our lives, tuning the subtle body with elemental soundings of fire burning, earth rising, air blowing, waters running, flowing with positive outcomes and regard, heart pledged, hesitation free.

Ode to the Earth Gong by Barbara Soares Returning to the garden of your core essence. Humming, sounding your sound essence. Reverberating with intention, inside the earth gong resonance. Listening, listening deeply to this vibrational sound, To the sound of your breathing. Slowly becoming one with sound. One point focus. Inside, inside the outside, The outside of the in zone, With no end, no end zone,

Infinity speaks, But does anyone listen? The power of one, united fabric of rhythm, time, space. Defining who we are, where we were and when? What ingredients do we invite into this playground? Garden of earth gong: spirit – sound journey. Inside sacred space, this transformative space,

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Using the power of sound to clear the soul, focus intention and loosen the ego to arrive at “I have no thoughts” state of iridescent flux. Flowing flowers of love and gratitude, into the sound, into the oneness, the breath, the pachamama of truth, beauty and unconditional love. All back doors closed, full speed ahead. Relaxing into calm and safe, Slipping into your essence, Into your sacred space, Your sacred sound space. Into the garden of your sound essence. Being safe. Being sound. In gratitude and blessings. Hummingbird Sound Yoga Connect with Barbara (Bobbi) Soares, owner of Hummingbird Sound Yoga in New Milford at 860-946-9470, BSoares@LightOfTheNewMoon.com and WiseFishWorld.com. See ad, page 50.

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Natural Living Directory 2021

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gym or why we overreacted about a certain situation. The current eclipse season began last year and will be noticeable on May 26, June 10, November 19 and December 4 this year. People with prominent Sagittarius and Gemini energies, either Sun, Moon, Ascendant (personality) or other focal points in the natal birth chart, will experience life-changing events in work, relationships and health. Taurus, Pisces and Virgo ought to be aware of these dates as well. And all of us. Eclipses are a direct link between the Sun and the Moon that tend to strongly impact our daily lives. During challenging times, to know our Moon sign supports our emotional search for tranquility. Find out where your Moon is hiding. To find your Moon sign, visit Alabe.com (you will need date, time and place of your birth).

The Moon and the Art of Astrology by Agneta Borstein

he Moon in the art of astrology represents our feelings, emotions, mothers, nurturing, senses and our quest for Soul Search. During the Full Moon phase, she is noticed as her light shines through our window or enjoyed by a walk in her Moon Light. The whole side of the Moon is facing us and is reflecting light from the Sun. During the New Moon phase, twoand-a-half weeks after a Full Moon, we do not notice her since we cannot see the side that the Sun is shining on. The Sun in astrology represents the Spirit, our strength and power. The Moon seeks the unknown, the subconscious, and can be understood by meditation, counseling or simply by being silent. It is valuable and practical to know where in our astrological chart our Moon is placed. The Sun stays in one sign for 30 days; the Moon changes signs every two-and-a-half days. When we are aware of our Moon-sign, we can observe our feelings for a first date, a job interview, at the

“I seek her through my Soul; I find myself moving with her rhythm.” ~Agneta Borstein, The Moon’s Nodes: Understanding the Dynamic Ties that Bind

Aries Moon: A person with a Moon in Fire Aries has no problem displaying their opinion and courage. There is a sense of the importance of the Aries Moon, often the center of attention. A woman with an Aries Moon is frequently promoted and prefers to be first in any line. Taurus Moon: A Moon in Earth sign Taurus finds the chocolate or the wine during any occasion. They have a gourmet taste, both in food and pastries, and make sure the quality is the finest. A Taurus Moon also likes cozy and soft clothing. Gemini Moon: The nerves with a Gemini Moon show a changeable and unpredictable nature. Their fun and witty, talkative personality often wins the crowd. A Gemini Moon modifies their outfits, tends to follow the latest fashion and changes colors again, and again. Cancer Moon: The Moon in Cancer has a most sensitive character, caring for others, baking the cookies, nurturing anybody that

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needs attention. The Moon in this Water sign hides their feelings inside—until they release them uncontrollably, a healthy sign of healing. Leo Moon: A Leo Moon prefers bright colors, often the glitzy and dramatic look. The Fire Moon thrives on attention and approval, or their ego hurts. Romance for a Leo Moon is vital—the candlelit dinner and the flower is never forgotten. Virgo Moon: Virgo Moon folks take care of the details that no one else can bother with. This Earth Moon drives others crazy with their attention to vitamins, health and pickiness. Virgo Moon is a perfectionist and is admired for its details and precise reports. Libra Moon: A Libra Moon “loves to be in love” and requires relationships to be perfect. The symbol of Libra, the scale, tips over by a feather when challenged, and the Libra Moon becomes moody. This Moon in Air sign has a kind personality and deserves only the best.

Scorpio Moon: The Scorpio Moon might be quiet for a few days (or weeks) as they process their feelings. The Moon in this Water sign prefers lifelong commitments to work, relationships and family matters. The Scorpio Moon becomes a friend or partner for a long period, hopefully forever. Sagittarius Moon: Sagittarius Moon enjoys being outdoors, frequents the gym and hits the yoga mat. A Moon in this Fire sign is a charmer, optimistic, spontaneous and thrives to travel to distant destinations. At times they are told to slow down on their fast path. Capricorn Moon: A Capricorn Moon organizes the home, office and garden, and prefers to oversee others. Often too occupied with tasks, they need to be reminded that emotions are a natural release of the subconscious stored up feelings. Aquarius Moon: Freedom is a natural inner awareness of an Aquarius Moon. They are often detached, and too cool to be tied

down to obligations, and at times, relationships. When committed to a cause, they are fun, social, inventive, creative and a bit rebellious. Pisces Moon: The Pisces Moon, a Water Sign, is extremely sensitive, intuitive and can detect what is right or wrong. They seek spirituality, religion, alternative healing and to support others. The Moon in Pisces habitually displays their strong emotions, often with tears, even during a regular TV commercial. Agneta Borstein incorporates her over 30 years as an Astrologer with a certificate in Advanced Shamanism and Advanced Healing into her private practice, workshops and writing. She has presented hundreds of workshops and lectures, is a past president of the Astrological Society of Connecticut and is the author of The Moon’s Nodes: Understanding the Dynamic Ties that Bind. Connect at AgnetaBorstein@gmail.com or AgnetaBorstein.com. See ad, page 57.

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positive psychology series

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In this series, we’ll hear from Ann C. Reeves about aspects of Positive Psychology. This month, she continues with the “M” of the Positive Psychology acronym, PERMA-V.

Meaning – the M in Positive Psychology

by Ann C. Reeves

ositive Psychology (PP) is the scientific study of optimal human functioning, its research encompassing neurobehavioral, cognitive behavioral and physiological science. The acronym used in PP is PERMA-V. M stands for Meaning, another lens through which to achieve wholeness and deep contentment. Founder of positive psychology, Dr. Martin Seligman, speaks about three routes to wellbeing, each of which is a valid way to seek it. The first is the Pleasant Life, seeking pleasure (P), through savoring, gratitude and broadening and building on the happiness that comes. The second is the Good Life, where one is absorbed through engagement (E) and flow. The third is the Meaningful Life (M), where one uses one’s strengths in the service of something greater than oneself. It can be helpful to contemplate which one fits for us. Some have asked whether there is a difference between meaning, purpose, goal, values and passion. Having purpose is often a lifelong pursuit, while a goal is a more contained event. A passion is an inclination toward an action, while values serve as a compass, expressing what is important in our lives. Strengths are often values in action. Meaning is seen to surround

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

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all of these. Researchers have proposed that purpose is more action-oriented, whereas meaning may be more of an internal state. In addition, purpose has been found to be more vulnerable to stress, and is more fragile than meaning, with resilience being more related to a strong sense of meaningfulness. When we experience a sense of meaning within at least one aspect of our lives, it is useful to ask ourselves what, exactly, feels meaningful to us? For many of us, our hectic lives preclude the thought of finding meaning. Between jobs, kids, caregiving responsibilities, social media and now, the energy needed to manage COVID-19, it may seem hard to find. If it’s difficult to come up with something, a helpful strategy is to spend some quiet time thinking or journaling about earlier times in life, including childhood. Was there ever a time when we followed an interest—photography, art, a spiritual commitment, a hobby, social protest, being with animals, nature or a quest for something, well, meaningful? What would it mean to commit some time to return to or search for it? Post-traumatic growth is the positive psychological change experienced as a result of adversity and other challenges in order to rise to a higher level of functioning. Although these circumstances highly challenge a person’s ability to adapt, posttraumatic growth invokes psychological shifts in thinking and relating to the world. These contribute to a significant personal process of change that is deeply meaningful. Such individuals demonstrate unusual resilience in face of extreme trauma, with an ability to approach life looking more toward the future than the past.

For many, meaning is tied in with spirituality, whether religious, or the desire to experience transcendence and awe. In some ways, the brain is wired to connect with people or experiences larger than ourselves. Haven’t we all heard people say “my religion is in nature”? The experience of a beautiful natural immersion can bring that transcendence and awe, giving us a glimpse of greater meaning. Neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Newberg studies the relationship between brain function and various mental states. A pioneer in the study of religious and spiritual experiences, he takes brain scans of people in prayer, meditation, rituals and trance states in an attempt to better understand the nature of religious and spiritual practices and attitudes. One of his books, written with Mark Robert Waldman, How God Changes Your Brain, reveals research from such brain scans, plus analyses of adult drawings of God, concluding that active and positive spiritual belief changes the human brain in a positive way. They also determined that actual religious faith is not necessary—nonbelievers who meditate on positive imagery can obtain similar neurological results. Most religions contain myth-making, story-telling and ritual, which engage the senses through rhythmic and repetitive movement, which has a positive impact on the brain. Awe is the feeling of reverential respect, sometimes mixed with wonder as well as fear. One can seek awe through travel to a beautiful place; immersing oneself in a very large crowd where we realize we are both so small, and yet part of this impressively large group; watching a moving artistic performance; becoming roused by listening to a highly inspirational person; or even simply turning our gaze upward. Another approach toward discovering more potential for finding meaning is to explore our values, the compass of our life. The Values in Action Institute has an interesting survey of character strengths in a 240-item questionnaire designed for adults. It takes about 25 minutes to complete, there is no time-limit and it is free and highly informative. Find this survey at www.AuthenticHappiness.sas.upenn.edu, and jump-start a personal investigation of life’s meaning.

Ann C. Reeves, Psy.D is a Licensed Psychologist in Wilton. Connect at 203-451-6208, AnnReevesPsych@optonline.net or AnnReevesPsychology.com.

Read the next article in this PERMA-V series, focusing on the A for achievement, in the June issue.

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Natural Living Directory 2021 15

Our professional team of holistic and natural businesses provides community outreach and education. We are committed to improving the health and wellness of body, mind, and spirit in the communities we serve. Crystal/Sound/White Time Bradford Tilden, Universal White Time Energy, Gemstone and Sound Healing, Distance Healing Sessions, Trauma Clearing, Blockage Removal, Spiritual Development and Empowerment info@CrystalMusicHealing.com CrystalMusicHealing.com • 860-830-5841

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HCP

Holistic Community Professionals

HEALING FROM COVID FATIGUE

Naturopathic Physician Dr. Nicole Klughers, ND, PharmD, MSAc Vis Wellness Center Naturopathic Physician and Acupuncture Provider • Rocky Hill, CT & TeleMedicine • DrNicoleKlughers.com info@DrNicoleKlughers.com • (234)2-ACU-DOC

Medium Elizabeth Raver DeCesare, PhD Medium, Energy worker, Clairvoyant and Trance worker. Online sessions available. RavElizabeth516@gmail.com DrLizMedium.com • 203-400-9212

Mobile Reiki Cheryl Benanti Relieve Stress with in-home Reiki Sessions or two office locations if preferred. Provide sessions for horses as well. reikiwilltravel.com • reikiwilltravel@gmail.com 860-966-0121

See more holistic practitioners at: www.HolisticCommunityProfessionals.org To join the HCP contact: Shirley R. Bloethe, Executive Director at 860-255-8844 16

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

by Amy Wiesner

ost of us have never lived through a pandemic. The elimination of our normal activities, even our freedom, which helped to keep us relatively balanced both emotionally and physically, has resulted in widespread unhealthiness. Being home, shut away, constantly around food, some of us without touching other beings (whether human or animal) has taken a toll on the world population. We may have PTSD—post-traumatic stress disorder. We have been traumatized by the change to our lifestyles and in extreme cases, our food supplies, homes and income. We have also been in survival mode for a year—our very lives have been threatened. According to Psychology Today, COVID-19 fatigue is a “complex of emotions that include boredom, loneliness, sadness, frustration, anxiety, fear, anger and resentment, all brought on by the loss of activities and social relations produced by pandemic restrictions”. Though the pandemic hasn’t yet gone away, there are some ways in which we can cope with this fatigue. Now that the long winter is over, make sure to get out in the fresh air. Sunshine is very important. Not only will it help to reduce our feelings of isolation and confinement, but sunshine is necessary for a healthy body. We need sunshine to help support our circadian rhythm, to produce vitamin D, to balance our hormones melatonin and cortisol and to help promote healthy sleep. Exercise is another way to fight COVID fatigue. We feel better both physically and emotionally when we exercise, not to mention the healthful benefits to our bodies and overall health. Exercise can help us to live longer and healthier and to stave off disease. It also releases chemicals that make us feel better emotionally and helps us to have healthier sleep. Healthy sleep is incredibly important for mental and physical health and this is often neglected. Creating a healthy sleep regimen is necessary for gut health, hormone balance, healing and repair and a healthy immune system. And think about how grumpy we are and how we sometimes can’t think properly when we don’t get enough sleep. It can even affect those around us—our loved ones, our coworkers, the driver who just cut us off. Prioritizing sleep is necessary. Set a schedule and try to stick to it— and make sure to get eight to nine hours each night, preferably between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Stress is also a ubiquitous side effect of the COVID pandemic. Stress negatively impacts eNaturalAwakenings.com

all of our body, including our immune system. Not to mention the emotional and mental toll it takes on our everyday lives. Who doesn’t have some kind of stress in their lives, even before the pandemic? The thing is, we can’t eliminate stress, but we can change our reaction to it. Meditation is an effective way to decrease our stress levels. By sitting still and being calm, we can change the way our brain reacts to stressors in our life. Our brains actually have an enormous capacity to change—it just takes consistency. Even if we only start with three minutes a day and work our way up, it’s a start to a less stressful life. Healing therapies such as acupuncture, chiropractic and massage are also great ways not only to deal with stress in general, but also to help waylay COVID fatigue. Acupuncture, for instance, helps the body to release endorphins, which makes people feel happier and create the “runner’s high”. Even just taking a bath or a long, indulgent shower can be healing. Adrenal fatigue also needs to be addressed after a year in a pandemic. The stress from the change in our daily lives and the threat to our very existence which puts us in “fight or flight” mode can tax our adrenal glands. Exercise, proper sleep, a healthy diet and meditation can help get us on the right track. Of course, a healthy diet must be mentioned. Eating healthy, unprocessed, whole foods is incredibly nurturing and healing. Not only are we getting essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals, we are decreasing inflammation in the body which can cause disease. It also makes us feel good long-term, whereas eating improperly

can make us feel better initially, but feel tired or unwell later on, which only causes more stress. Eating healthfully is often the hardest thing to change as we use detrimental foods as a source of comfort in times of stress. Take this time to choose wisely and feel better both emotionally and physically. Having a community to belong to with people who care about us is important to staying healthy mentally and emotionally as well. Religious groups, meditation groups, exercise groups and shared interests are ways to find like-minded individuals who can be supportive. And many groups are conducting meetings via Zoom, so we can still connect with other people even if we can’t leave home. To keep our bodies the healthiest they can be so that we can hopefully avoid ever contracting COVID, we must combine all of these efforts to maintain a healthy immune system. Exercise, sleep, healthy food choices and mental and emotional well-being are all necessary for us to be at our best. As always, if feeling especially unwell—either emotionally, physically or both—seeking professional help is key. Dr. Amy Wiesner has been a Naturopathic Physician and Licensed Acupuncturist for over 15 years. She assists people in healing on all levels—physically, mentally and emotionally. She has a private practice at the Wellness Institute with Dr. Marvin Schweitzer in Norwalk, but also does home visits and tele-health visits. Connect at 203-9625887, DrAmyWiesner@gmail.com and HealthfulHarmony.com. See ad, page 49.

Natural Living Directory 2021 17

Homeopathy to the Rescue Create a Family First-Aid Kit by Marlaina Donato

homeopaths recommend tailoring remedies to an individual’s constitution, but first-aid applications are relatively universal and simple. Homeopathic firstaid can be administered for Arnica muscle strains, splinters, montana minor burns and even the common cold. Available in health food stores and pharmacies, homeopathic remedies come in various potencies in the form of pellets, tinctures and topical agents.

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healing ways

Aconitum napellus

he 200-year-old health system of homeopathy is based on natural sources and is unique in its “like cures like” philosophy that uses extremely diluted substances to trigger the body’s natural defenses. “The word homeopathy is derived from two words: homeo—meaning similar, and pathos—meaning suffering. Basically, it means that a substance has the power to cure the same symptoms it can create,” says Kate Birch, a certified classical homeopath at the HippHealth Center for Holistic Healing, in Minneapolis. “Moreover, the more a substance is diluted through homeopathic preparation, the more potent it can be for healing when given upon homeopathic indications.” For most health conditions, including chronic complaints,

Transformative Healing Manage Stress and Anxiety. Calm the Energy Centers and Relax Body and Mind. EFT Tapping, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Energy Psychology, Mindfulness and Expressive Arts. Susan Ahlstrom, MS Counseling, EFT Practitioner, Reiki Master “I believe that every minute of every day offers us choices. How we use our power to choose sets the course for our lives. I want to help you find that power.”

Lighter & Brighter Wellness | 450 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT 401-232-4514 | www.lighterandbrighterwellness.com 18

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

Whether treating a child’s skinned knee or an athlete with a mild to moderate injury, regular potencies offer benefits without a high risk of unpleasant or dangerous contraindications. “In general, homeopathic remedies are safe for people of all ages because if taken as directed, there are no side effects or drug interactions. This is due to the fact that remedies have been made through a process that renders the substances harmless,” says certified classical homeopath Myra Nissen, in Davis and Walnut Creek, California. Classical homeopathic treatment is based on a person’s unique physical, emotional and mental nature, and requires deeper study to find the most appropriate remedies, but first-aid applications are most often universally straightforward. “A homeopathic first-aid kit at home is useful for cuts, burns, bumps and bruises, insect bites, poison oak/ ivy and minor illnesses,” says Nissen. Gentle, but beneficial Arnica montana is perhaps the best-known application, used for acute injury and post-surgery. In a 2016 review of studies in the American Journal of Therapeutics, a team of international researchers found Arnica to be more effective than a placebo for swelling, bruising and post-surgery pain, and suggested it could be an alternative to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Calendula is a heavy hitter for wound care, skin ailments, minor burns including sunburn, diaper rash and post-tooth extraction. It offers antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties and is available for topical and internal use. Rhus toxicdendron

Soft Tissue Trauma, Burns and Bites Nissen highlights Ruta graveolens and Rhus toxicdendron for soft tissue injury and tendonitis and suggests Symphitum for serious damage to cartilage and ligaments. For puncture wounds or injuries involving nerves, Hypericum perforatum is helpful. She emphasizes the importance of using remedies immediately and properly to maximize the potential for rapid healing and pain reduction.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

virtexie/AdobeStock.com

scisetti/AdobeStock.com

Gentle Go-To Medicine

and nausea, and Arsenicum album for respiratory and stomach flus. Homeopathic remedies, like all medications, should be properly stored and kept away from children and pets. Also, not all products labeled as homeopathic may be pure. Some products add homeopathic remedies to other ingredients that are not safe; for example, Arnica gel may have alcohol, preservatives and stabilizers, and be harmful if swallowed. While homeopathy offers many benefits, Birch clarifies that it is not designed to be a quick fix and is best approached from a broader view or “a philosophy that shapes your day-to-day life. When you understand these things, once you have the right remedy, it produces instantaneous results.”

When taken at the first sign of a cold Marlaina Donato is a or flu, specially combined homeopathic body-mind-spirit author formulas or single remedies can help to and composer. Connect at lessen severity and duration of certain AutumnEmbersMusic.com. PRP or Stem Cell therapy is viruses. Bryonia alba is useful for moderright for you ate fever, Gelsemium for general flu-like symptoms, Nux vomica for severe chills Bryonia alba

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Fighting the Flu

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Birch says that bee stings and allergic responses respond well to Apis mellificia and fevers and headaches to Belladonna. Using Cantharis or Urtica urens for firstand second-degree burns can help to prevent blisters and minimize pain, while Silicea is a good choice for splinters. In general, for all acute cases and injuries, remedies are often taken every hour and tapered down to every four hours upon signs of improvement or lessening of intensity. If results are not seen within two days, it is best to discontinue the remedy. Hypericum perforatum

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203-348-8805 Optimal Health Medical, LLC | 111 High Ridge Rd. Stamford, CT 06905 | www.drsobo.com Natural Living Directory 2021 19

NATURAL LIVING DIRECTORY 2021

This year we are pleased to once again offer the region a reference guide featuring a wealth of content, as well as showcasing the offerings of many businesses and practitioners waiting to help our readers achieve their personal goals in 2021. This year’s Natural Living Directory includes profiles and listings of local wellness businesses as well as a Natural Living Glossary to help readers learn more about terminology which may be new. We hope the people and products in these pages— and in later issues during the year—support your efforts to live a happier, healthier life in 2021!

NATURAL LIVING DIRECTORY 2021 INDEX Wellness Profiles 21-36

Directory Listings 37-43

Glossary of Terms 44-47

WELLNESS DREAM TEAM PROFILES Page 21 • Academy for Soul Healing • Adventures in Connection

Page 29 • Nadia Noori, ND • Optimal Health Medical LLC

Page 22 • The Angel Cooperative • The Angel Wing

Page 30 • Berta Prevosti - Rajayogini • The Primping Place

Page 23 • AmpCoil-East Coast Center & OSYB • Rev. Shirley R. Bloethe

Page 31 • Dr. Elizabeth Raver DeCesare, Ph.D. • Reiki Will Travel LLC

Page 24 • Crystal Music Healing • EyeCare Associates, PC

Page 32 • Salon Aponte • Salt Cave of Darien

Page 25 • Holistic New Day Counseling Services • Hummingbird Sound Yoga LLC

Page 33 • Nancy S. Scherlong, LCSW, PTR, M/S • Soul Healing Journey, LLC

Page 26 • Neeru Kaushik, ND, MS Acu, MS, MA • Beth Leas

Page 34 • Touch of Sedona & Sedona Art • Transformation Center CT

Page 27 • Lighter & Brighter Wellness • Love+Light Salon Studio

Page 35 • Two Coyotes Wilderness School • Vis Wellness Center

Page 28 • Thea Litsios, Life Coach/Hypnotist • Lyme Connection

Page 36 • Loriann Vita, CHC, RMT • Wellness Institute

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

eNaturalAwakenings.com

DIRECTORY LISTINGS Page 37 13th Octave/LaHoChi All Thiings Health & Wellness AmpCoil Center Art & Healing Astrology Ayurveda Breast Thermography Cave Rental/Unique Gathering Space Page 38 CBD Coaching Coaching & Guidance Education Empowerment & Transformational Healing Energy Healing Page 39 Energy Medicine Essential Oils Feng Shui Functional Mediciine Hair Salon Healing Center Health Coach Holistic Dentist Holistic Networking Page 40 Holistic Wellness Center Hypnotherapy Integrative Medicine Physician Integrative Optometry Life Coach/Hypnotist Lyme Disease Lyme Disease Education/Support Massage & Bodywork Meditation Page 41 Medium Metabolic/Weight Optimization Metaphysical Store Naturopathic Physician Non-Denominational Ceremonies Online Yoga & Meditation Page 42 Psychotherapy Reiki Shamanic Practitioner The Shungite Room Sleep Disorder Sound Healing Tarot TMJ Disorder Page 43 Transformative Healing Universal White Time, Crystal & Sound Healing Wellness & Gifts Wellness Center YOGA: Sound and Vocal

BUILD YOUR WELLNESS DREAM TEAM These practitioners and businesses are ready to help you achieve your health and wellness goals in 2021.

Academy for Soul Healing Eilis Philpott Fairfield • 203-767-5954 Eilis@SoulHealingJourney.com AcademyForSoulHealing.com

Summary/services offered: I am a master healer and teacher, certified in numerous modalities as both a practitioner and teacher. I am the owner and founder of the Academy for Soul Healing, which offers trainings in soul-level healing modalities. What drew you to this profession? I knew part of my purpose and mission was to spread love throughout humanity and to teach others how to do it too. To fulfill the mission, I founded the Academy for Soul Healing to share the information and techniques that I have learned from this lifetime and many others. How does your work differ from others in your profession? I see my work in the Academy for Soul Healing as the integration of many modalities in their purest form being used to support the growth and expansion of humanity, individually and on a global scale. What should someone expect from working with you? I am loving and nurturing. Over the years I have learned how to nurture myself and share that skill with my clients. Fundamentally, we all want to feel loved and many of us have not experienced that unconditional love in our lives. Every class, training and modality I teach is based in love and learning a true acceptance of who we are and where we are in that moment in time.

Adventures in Connection

Wayne Leiss, LMT, CAO 20 Fifth Ave, Apt A, Danbury 203-994-1207 Wayne@WayneLeiss.com • WayneLeiss.com Summary/services offered: I am a Certified Essential Oil Coach, Symphony of the Cells Educated Professional, Licensed Massage Therapist, world traveler and Adventure Bound Healer. I offer adventures in connection, helping men connect with themselves, and to begin the greatest adventure of their lives—through oils, touch and spoken word. What drew you to this profession? The work I do allows me to bring together all my passions: service, connection, travel and helping others reach their potential. What better way to spend your life than doing something that brings great joy! What sets your work apart from others in your profession? My extensive travels and 28 years of corporate experience have given me the insight needed to guide men toward a better connection with themselves. This, in turn, will allow them to develop and stand true to their individual purpose, become connected with themselves and then the rest of the world. I work with you to develop a plan that will help support your body systems and maintain optimal health while providing education to support you on your journey. What should someone expect from working with you? An Adventure in Connection is unique to each of us. Sometimes it takes the form of a healing touch, sometimes self-discovery, and for others it is impacting the greater good through your grace. I offer you a look at each of these connections: healing, discovery and impact.

What changes do you plan in 2021? 2019 saw the introduction of A Year of Healing—students taking their personal, professional and spiritual journey to new heights. This program has grown and developed into a three-module program over 16 months. All classes are now remote, which means anyone from any part of the country can join us.

What changes do you plan in 2021? In March of 2021 I officially launched my new brand, Adventures in Connection, a redesigned website and a new webcast series called “Living Lives”, where I interview a variety of guests with an emphasis on creating connections. We discuss ways of creating connections to ourselves and others. While women are always welcome, the focus of my business is helping men.

What is most important for Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? The techniques and processes that students learn in my classes are only the surface layer of what is going on in those trainings. Some students want to be practitioners and learn the “how-tos”, while others just want to work on clearing whatever is getting in the way of living their truth. Many layers below the surface will be happening for each person. See ad, page 5.

What is most important for Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? I have been fortunate to be able to travel the world. My journey has been both in miles and in insight. I am completely honored and humbled to be able to integrate my love of every journey, both interior and exterior, with the healing properties of essential oils, massage and coaching. See ad, page 3. Natural Living Directory 2021 21

The Angel Cooperative • The Angel Wing Lifestyle Boutique • Shungite Room • Private Rental Space 49-51 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield 203-431-2959 • TheAngelCoop.com

Summary/ services offered: The Angel Cooperative is a unique metaphysical and lifestyle boutique. Our mission is to be purveyors of positivity (POP), offering one-stop shopping for the home, body and soul. You will find a large selection of crystals, jewelry, inspired gifts, home décor, fashion, accessories, spiritual items, as well as the first Shungite Room in the U.S. Come explore products that create a sense of harmony and balance. From crystals to clothing, love and positivity abounds in the space. The Shungite Room hosts energy sessions, angelic, tarot and oracle card readings, channeling and mediumship, reiki, workshops, and guided meditation led by a group of talented and experienced practitioners. Shungite is said to be around 2 billion years old. It is the only natural material known to contain fullerenes, a unique carbon molecular structure (also known as a buckyball). A Nobel Prize was awarded in 1996 for the discovery. The energy embodied within this extraordinarily positive ancient stone is said to help absorb and eliminate anything that is a health hazard to human life. It is believed to have active metaphysical properties with strong healing powers. Next door to The Angel Cooperative is The Angel Wing, a divine spiritual center. The Angel Wing hosts group workshops, retreats, sound baths, yoga, massage, yoga teacher trainings, certification classes in tarot and reiki, and events. The Angel Wing is also available to rent on an hourly, daily, weekly or monthly basis to hold group and/or individual practice sessions, workshops, classes and retreats, or for any therapeutic sessions including yoga, meditation, reiki, massage, musical events and more. Optional rental spaces include a large open room and/or

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

an intimate private room with massage/reiki table. Our intention is to create a shared sacred space for spiritual practice of all types. More information on The Angel Wing page on our website. What should someone expect from working with you? Partners Laura Ancona and Christy Abate have created a store that embodies positive energy with a wide variety of merchandise and services which reflect that mission. With The Angel Wing, our intention is to create a shared sacred space for spiritual practice of all types. What is most important for Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? There are myriad ways to connect with us. Enjoy our beautiful shop and explore our metaphysical products at the physical location and in our online store; we ship anywhere in the U.S. We offer in-person readings, workshops, yoga, retreats, massage and Reiki Certification classes (Zoom and digital readings are available). We have a weekly podcast hosted by Anna Raimondi available on Apple Podcast, SoundCloud and our YouTube channel (The Angel Cooperative). Find all the information and register for events and readings at TheAngelCoop.com. Be sure to download our monthly calendar so you can see all the happenings at a glance! See ad, page 17.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

AmpCoil-East Coast Center & OSYB

Rev. Shirley R. Bloethe

Summary/services offered: AmpCoil sessions, health coaching and spiritual counseling. The AmpCoil system is a modern, intelligently designed wellness tool that supports physical, emotional and mental well-being. Your body is like a musical instrument. Every cell in your body needs to stay tuned to a specific frequency to function optimally. Metals, microbes, toxins, stress and many other factors can pull your cells out of tune. AmpCoil is a proprietary system that utilizes sound frequencies delivered via a pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) to help get your cells back into tune and resonate your body’s natural frequencies in perfect harmony. When cells resonate at their optimal frequency, it creates balance leading to health and vitality. Freddie Kimmel is a Functional Health Coach, Reiki Healer, Gut Health Specialist and cancer survivor. He helps people eliminate brain fog, fatigue and belly fat by incorporating PEMF, Bioresonance and energy devices to help activate the body’s natural healing mechanisms. Rev. Cathy Whelehan is a Spiritual Counselor who creates sacred space to be seen, heard and healed. This in turn helps to integrate core beliefs into the practice of your own life. Experience a brave space of compassionate listening, non-judgement and loving accountability.

Summary/services offered: Holistic and wellness matchmaking, holistic events coordinator, ceremonies, referrals and consulting for websites, marketing and collaborations. Business experience spanning more than 40 years in multiple small businesses, both brick-and-mortar and online. I have hosted holistic events for the last 35-plus years and have over 40 years of experience in the holistic community, connecting people with many products, modalities and teachings by numerous practitioners and businesses.

Freddie Kimmel, Rev. Cathy Whelehan 95 Cross Hwy, Redding 833-267-2645 Freddie@AmpCoil.com • AmpCoil.com

What drew you to this profession? The power of sharing my experience of moving through chronic illness and helping others find the robust health that I experience today. How does your work differ from others in your profession? We use frequency, magnetics and mindset to allow the body’s innate healing mechanisms to function the way nature intended. What should someone expect from working with you? Tune into the best you. Reclaim your vibrancy and your wellness. Each client will be seen, heard and validated. The working relationship is education-based and filled with joyful energy. Clients are given the tools to continue the work from home and independently progress when they are ready. What changes do you plan in 2021? Continued Lyme data collection and studies around recovery from Pandemic Induced Anxiety. What is most important for Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? AmpCoil is one of the most effective technologies we have seen in the field of chronic illness. Magnetics, sound and mindset continue to be the cornerstones of wellness that thousands of clients rely on for better clarity and a direction to move forward. In fact, 90 percent of AmpCoil’s most active users reported that AmpCoil has been instrumental to their personal wellness. See ad, back cover.

Holistic Events/Wellness Promotions/Minister 860-989-0033 YourHolisticEvents@gmail.com YourHolisticEvents.com

What drew you to this profession? I have always been drawn to self-help and personal growth opportunities. My passion is to introduce people to their empowerment options through a variety of products, programs and organizations. How does your work differ from others in your profession? I have been involved in all types of businesses since my early years and also am a graduate of Hartford College in the Women’s Entrepreneurial Course. I started on a holistic journey in the early 1980s and felt the pull to lead and learn all about wellness in the seven key areas of life: physical, spiritual, financial, family, career, mental health and education. Having connections to so many people allows me the opportunity to give great referrals. I know so many people who are excellent practitioners and I enjoy being a holistic matchmaker. Who do you need to meet? What are you looking for? Just ask! What is most important for Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? As head of the Holistic Community Professionals, I will offer the 2021 6th and 7th Bi-Annual EXPO: Passport to Health and Wellness, in Bristol at The DoubleTree by Hilton. These events feature some amazing exhibitors and speakers. Showcasing quality, reputable, local businesses and practitioners to the public is a win-win opportunity. Additionally, as a holistic matchmaker, I will refer you to your perfect products, client or practitioner. My assistance is pro bono and I am happy to help and collaborate with you. Call any time. My database of holistic practitioners and businesses spans the U.S., and I truly enjoy partnering with them. Natural Awakenings is the perfect partner to share information with the public about what I do. See ads, pages 16, 57 and 59.

Natural Living Directory 2021 23

Crystal Music Healing

Bradford W. Tilden, MM, CMT, UWT, LSINH CT/MA, Phone/Zoom 860-830-5841 • CrystalMusicHealing.com Bradford@CrystalMusicHealing.com Facebook.com/CrystalMusicHealing BradfordWTilden.BandCamp.com (music) Summary/services offered: I am an internationally recognized composer, pianist, sound healer, crystal healer and Universal White Time (UWT) energy and gemstone healing teacher and practitioner, as well as the founder of the Lemurian School of Intuitive Natural Healing. I have been helping people release trauma, become empowered and find renewal of purpose since 2006. My services include in-person and remote healing and spiritual mentorship and transformational voice activation sessions, bookings for sound healing concerts at local venues and private functions, commissions for creating custom music projects such as guided meditations, and professional certifications in UWT Energy and Gemstone Healing. I retail Lemurian Seed Crystals, gemstones, sound healing instruments and my original healing music CDs. What drew you to this profession? Pursuing what brings me the greatest joy, I focused on my strengths and followed my dreams and intuition. When I discovered my music could heal people, I enrolled in a Sound Healing Institute. When I was guided to UWT Gemstone Healing, I had an awakening of my divine inheritance. I made the conscious decision to devote my gifts and talents to help inspire others to find their authentic expression and remember their own divine expression because it is possible. What should someone expect from working with you? I help people balance the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of life. I enjoy working with people who are already “doing the work” and looking for higher levels of connection with their authentic self and divine expression. I strive to ensure my clients and students obtain a sense of peace, calmness, empowerment and improved quality of life. Gaining a renewed clarity and a sense of purpose occurs as my clients and students perceive their truth and remove blockages that distort their perception. What changes do you plan in 2021? I am continuing to contribute to the healing of individuals, the planet, and the development of the New Earth, creating a strong local community of UWT practitioners from my certification classes, developing a sound healing certification program featuring therapeutic vocal application through toning and crystal bowls, expanding my virtual platform to reach a global audience with online classes and producing new music CDs. What is most important for Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? My life is dedicated to conscious transformation toward the New Earth Paradigm. I always come from a place of love. I am passionate and knowledgeable about sound, crystals and all aspects of vibrational healing. My mission is to use these skills and abilities to help us all evolve consciously through inspiration, education and activation. See ad, page 16. 24

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

EyeCare Associates, PC

Dr. Randy Schulman Dr. Justin Rapp Dr. Jacqueline Benoit Dr. Jason Grygier Dr. David Spengler Dr. Sonia Singh. Offices in Trumbull, Southport, Norwalk and Stamford CTEyeCareAssociates.com Summary/services offered: EyeCare Associates and Dr. Randy Schulman have been serving Fairfield County as a leading provider of optometry services, vision care products, vision therapy, sports vision, neuro-optometric rehabilitation and preventive eye care for nearly 30 years. With offices in Trumbull, Southport, Norwalk and Stamford, the experienced team of doctors and therapists helps patients of all ages with their vision needs, including those with complex vision needs such as specialty contact lenses, dry eye, reading and learning challenges, brain injury and strabismus. What drew you to this profession? When I was 15 years old, I worked for Dr. Carl Gruning, a behavioral optometrist in Fairfield. I was amazed at how much better the patients got after doing vision therapy. The children were more focused and better behaved, and the adults were happier. As a behavioral optometrist, I understand that, “how you see is how you be,” and vision can be changed for the better. How does your work differ from others in your profession? As an integrative optometrist, I am looking at how the visual system functions. I look at how vision is connected to physical, emotional and mental health and overall wellness. Treatment based on the whole person includes prescribing optimal glasses, as well as giving lifestyle modifications and visual wellness suggestions. What should someone expect from working with you? Patients should expect a careful assessment of symptoms, visual demands, health and wellness, visual function and prescription needs. We also give recommendations for optimizing vision and quality of life. What is most important for Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? We place high emphasis on education and offer internships for optometry students from around the country and plan on adding another SUNY Optometry resident. We are happy to speak to groups about vision and are actively seeking individuals who want to join our team. See ad, page 15.

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Holistic New Day Counseling Services Jessica Lima, MS, LCSW 158 Danbury Rd, Ridgefield 203-260-5769 HolisticNewDay@gmail.com HolisticNewDay.com

Summary/services offered: I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a master’s in Human Services and a certificate in Integrative Health and Healing. In working with clients, I practice a holistic approach which focuses on the whole person. What drew you to this profession? I have always been fascinated with the mind and how a shift in one’s perception can lead to greater healing. This led me to study psychology and social work. Later, as I integrated holistic healing practices in my own life, it illuminated to me a different path for healing. This path led to a greater sense of health and well-being and ignited my passion for sharing these practices with my clients. How does your work differ from others in your profession? In working with clients, I utilize a combination of traditional psychotherapy techniques and holistic healing practices. What should someone expect from working with you? I collaborate with clients on their path of healing and wellness. I have been trained in several integrative techniques such as mindfulness, Reiki, Integrated Energy Therapy, herbal medicine, Active Dreaming, nutrition and meditation. What changes do you plan in 2021? I plan to continue embarking on learning opportunities that will help facilitate my clients on their path of wellness and healing. What is most important for Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? Therapy and self-reflection can be a lot of work, but can also be the greatest adventure. I am honored when I am chosen to be part of that adventure.

Hummingbird Sound Yoga LLC Barbara (Bobbi) Soares New Milford, CT 860-946-9470 BSoares@LightOfTheNewMoon.com WiseFishWorld.com HummingbirdSoundYoga.com Facebook @HummingbirdSoundYoga

Summary/services offered: Sound and vocal yoga classes; sound healing immersions using gongs, bowls, tuning forks, voice, transformational energy/shamanic Reiki; humming meditation, toning, deep listening; sacred sound journeys/sound baths/ sacred fire ceremony; workshops, group and private sessions; available for performances, presentations. What drew you to this profession? Church bells ringing when I was born! Those vibrations fostered my lifelong study of spirituality, singing and creative arts. I was drawn more deeply into the sacred work of the gong and sound yoga healing after unresolved health issues of Lyme, Ehlers-Danlos and a NDE shifted my life’s path. How does your work differ from others in your profession? I use a blend of vibrational healing techniques from music, science, creative arts therapy, shamanic light body practices, sacred sound journeys and soul retrievals. Passion for honoring our unique vibration through play grounding, laughter, primal sound and vocal yoga. Giving others hope and inspiration by sharing my “wounded healer” experience of undiagnosed Lyme and Ehlers-Danlos. Experimental and directed vocal/instrumental compositions and improvisations. What should someone expect from working with you? Strong intuitive guidance, commitment, compassion and respect. Honoring that we are all unique vibratory beings. What changes do you plan in 2021? Will be following COVID protocols, adding Zoom sessions and tailgating events. I’ve optimized sound healing for Zoom and also added several stringed instruments to promote a deeper relaxation response. Also considering offering lessons in playing sacred sound instruments including the gong. Will continue to promote Humming For Peace and sacred sound jams and journeys at community events. What is most important for Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? Drink deeply. Hummingbird’s powerful medicine of vibration teaches you to listen deeply and be in the stillness of the present moment. It shows us how to take the journey without hesitation or expectation to find the perfect resonances that tune and nourish mind, body and spirit. It is only in the stillness of the present moment that we can clarify, resonate and reclaim our best self. See ad, page 50. Natural Living Directory 2021 25

Neeru Kaushik, ND, MS Acu, MS, MA 805 Kings Highway E, Fairfield 203-331-9111 Health@AyurCT.com • AyurvedicInstituteCT.com

Summary/services offered: Ayurvedic and Naturopathic medicine allows for the treatment of a multitude of conditions and ailments. At the Institute, we offer individualized treatment with diet and lifestyle recommendations according to one’s dosha (body constitution), panchakarma, acupuncture, homeopathy and more.

Beth Leas

Virtual and In-Person Sessions 203-856-9566 TLCBethLeas@gmail.com BethLeas.com 203TLC.com Summary/ services offered: Transformative healing sessions, intuitive readings, coaching programs, unique PlayShops—all designed to inspire and facilitate change in your life. Get unstuck, clarify your intentions, heal and feel more power and perspective. If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.

What drew you to this profession? As a child, I was always curious to know about the human body and its functions and am passionate about helping others. This profession offered me the opportunity to incorporate both. How does your work differ from others in your profession? Our practice is a unique combination of Ayurvedic, Chinese and Naturopathic medicine. In Ayurveda, health represents a balance of body, mind and spirit. Imbalances cause illness and can be detected before manifestation. By combining the unique therapies of Ayurveda with acupuncture and naturopathy, we create an individualized treatment program to achieve the optimum healing benefits, especially in chronic conditions. What should someone expect from working with you? My aim is to get to the root cause of the condition(s) that a client is going through. I ask detailed questions to get a whole picture of health, diet, lifestyle and environment—as they all play an important role. I educate my client throughout the whole process so that they are aware of what is happening in their body and a possibility of why. With that understanding, they understand what needs to be done, then they will stick to the treatment recommendations more closely. I believe in having a supporting and guiding role for a client and strive for that bond. We strive for our patients to know just how resilient and self-healing their bodies are and can grow to be. What changes do you plan in 2021? We are excited to welcome another Naturopathic Physician to our staff that brings in more knowledge of physical medicine, endocrine health and women’s health. What is most important for Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? We offer a patient-centered personalized health plan and focus on our patient’s overall health instead of on just the symptoms. Healing takes place when the body is brought back into balance; a body out of balance promotes disease. Bringing the body back into balance includes an individual customized plan of diet, supplements and lifestyle changes. I aim at educating and empowering my clients toward their optimal health. See ad, page 53. 26

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

What drew you to this profession? My healing journey began when I was drawn to meditation and alternative healing modalities as effective ways to heal from an abusive childhood. I love helping others who are feeling stuck step into their power to transform their lives. How does your work differ from others in your profession? I have more than 30 years of extensive healing experience working with adults and children of all ages. I use four powerful tools: energy healing, meditation, reflective writing and transformative tarot. Your session may focus singularly on one of these or be a combination of several. What should someone expect from working with you? You will feel supported and come into a place where it is safe to wake up from what came before. Change is inevitable, but transformation is by conscious choice. What changes do you plan in 2021? I am looking forward to expanding my online programs and retreats, in addition to collaborating with other professionals to best serve our clients. What is most important for Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? My down-to-earth sessions combine my gift of intuition with my personal practice of mindfulness, compassion and light-heartedness. See ad, page 3.

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Lighter & Brighter Wellness

Susan Ahlstrom, MS Counseling, Certified EFT Practitioner, Reiki Master 450 Main St, Ridgefield 401-232-4512 LighterAndBrighterWellness.com Summary/services offered: I help women and young adults learn to manage stress and anxiety. Calming the energy centers and relaxing/regulating the mind and body is essential. I provide clients with a set of easy, actionable and empowering tools to help them understand their strengths, uncover emotional triggers and reach their highest potential. What drew you to this profession? My personal journey inspired me at an early age to be a seeker and gain greater self-awareness. Recent world events and additional Energy Psychology research has fortified my belief in our ability to heal ourselves. Stress and anxiety are at an all-time high. I teach effective techniques that can help others help themselves. After earning an MS in Counseling, I became a certified EFT Practitioner in order to share this easy to learn, highly effective, self-care method with as many people as possible. How does your work differ from others in your profession? I incorporate EFT/Tapping, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Energy Psychology and other modalities to help guide my clients. I incorporate practical tools such as the Clifton Strengths Finder, MBTI® Values Assessment, Mindfulness and other gratitude practices to help individuals better understand themselves and develop a personal toolkit to manage stress and anxiety to deal with the ups and downs of daily life. What changes do you plan in 2021? I have partnered with Sedona Art to incorporate the expressive arts into my program of self-care and self-discovery. The healing power of creativity is well known. These art and journaling practices deepen emotional awareness and support the process of emotional healing. My vision is to work more with children and young adults, to help them grow and build their social emotional skills. What is most important for Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? I believe that every minute of every day offers us choices. How we use our power to choose sets the course for our lives. I want to help you find your power. See ads, pages 3 and 18.

Love+Light Salon Studio Jocelyn Furtado, Owner 5 River Rd, Studio 16, Wilton 475-731-7389 LoveAndLightSalonStudio@gmail.com LoveAndLightSalonStudio.com

Summary/services offered: Clean beauty-based, haircuts, hair color, makeup, bridal and editorial/photo shoot hair and makeup. What drew you to this profession? After a decade of climbing the corporate ladder in retail and cosmetics sales and development, I finally realized that one huge piece of the puzzle was missing: quality of life. The long hours, minimal vacations and short lived days off were second to none. I had finally had enough of working around the clock for companies that didn’t allow me the freedom to really live my life, on my terms. Becoming a Beauty Professional over 14 years ago has been one of the best career decisions I’ve ever made. Not only because I can work my dream schedule and have the space to be super creative and artistic—but I have the ability to transform the way people look and feel about themselves, inside and out. How does your work differ from others in your profession? Having this strong corporate training in my toolbox has allowed me a huge advantage in how I manage my business and exceed all of my clients’ expectations. I wake up every day with the hope that Love+Light will be a haven for you to relax, unwind and feel rest assured that you will be listened to and understood. A place where you can trust in consistency, reliability and stellar customer service above all else. What should someone expect from working with you? I believe that beauty should be good for you and good for our planet, too. That’s why it all starts with using the most luxurious, ethical and sustainable beauty products in the world. During your appointment, we will work together to create a custom beauty look made just for you, every time you visit. You’ll know all the tips and tricks before you leave, so you know just what to do and what products you’ll need to maintain your look for weeks to come. What changes do you plan in 2021? Love+Light is planning on becoming a Green Circle Salon by the end of 2021. Created by beauty industry leaders, their awardwinning program empowers salons to recover up to 95 percent of their beauty waste. That includes previously unrecoverable materials and hard-to-recycle items like hair clippings, foils, excess hair color, aerosol cans and color tubes. Green Circle has been certified by B Corp and the Carbon Trust to acknowledge that they meet the highest standards of environmental and social responsibility, and meet requirements for Zero Waste to Landfill. What is most important for Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? My strong attention to detail, my behind-the-chair experience and my one-of-a-kind consultation approach all make your visits with me unlike any other. My favorite services to do are color correction, hair painting (balayage and babylights) and natural, “lived-in” color. Here at Love+Light, you will always receive exclusive services that guarantee all you need to stay refreshed, revived and living your best life. See ad, page 10. Natural Living Directory 2021 27

Thea Litsios, Life Coach/ Hypnotist Currently working remotely 203-693-1493 Thea@TheaLitsios.com

Summary/services offered: As a Life Coach, I help people navigate change in their lives. If you feel an inner stirring and desire to reinvent yourself or an aspect of your life, I can assist you in creating the life you desire. What drew you to this profession? Through many modalities of personal growth I found myself naturally drawn to coach and assist people. After becoming a certified hypnotist in 2016, I found that I wanted to expand the range of what I could do for my clients and becoming a Life Coach was a natural next step. How does your work differ from others in your profession? Each life coach brings their life experience to their coaching practice. Because my own life has demanded that I reinvent myself many times, I have a lot of personal experience with that journey and can assist others with ease. I also bring my knowledge of hypnosis, intuition and working with one’s dreams to my coaching to assist you on your path and help you work with your own intuition. What should someone expect from working with you? My coaching springs from the premise that my clients know what is best for their lives, but that knowing might be buried under self-doubt or limiting beliefs. I assist you in getting beyond your limiting beliefs and move on to the next, more expansive version of your life. My clients find that given the opportunity to be heard deeply, without judgement, they are able to flower, and with confidence and a renewed vision, they can create a life they are excited about. What changes do you plan in 2021? I am currently working remotely and will continue to do so. What is most important for Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? All the experience over my lifetime has brought me to the point of doing work that I am very passionate about. Helping people live a life that they desire gives me great joy. I love teaching, and will be offering classes in Active Dream work. I will also be offering a monthly dream group. Please send me an email if you would like to be informed of these upcoming events. See ad, page 3.

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

Lyme Connection 400 Main St, Ridgefield Info@LymeConnection.org LymeConnection.org

Summary/services offered: Lyme Connection is an all-volunteer, communitybased task force providing support and resources to patients and their families coping with tick-borne disease. We represent patients, family members, practitioners, researchers and community members committed to ending the suffering caused by tickborne diseases. We offer educational programs about prevention and early diagnosis and provide support to patients. Our goal is to connect patients with compassionate care, and provide the encouragement and validation needed to make it through what is often a daunting challenge. What changes do you plan in 2021? We are excited to announce Lyme Connection has received another round of funding from the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven, which will provide grants through the Elizabeth White Fund. These grants provide financial support for treatment of tick-borne diseases through ILADS physicians to qualifying CT residents. Patients should visit LymeConnection.org for more information or to apply. We also continue to distribute our Tick Prevention Packets through the Ridgefield Health Department and Ridgefield Town Hall free of charge. The Tick Prevention Packet includes a fine point tweezer with magnifying glass, proper tick removal infocard, tick ID card and a BLAST prevention magnet. We are looking forward to hosting our annual patient conference once again in the spring of 2022. What is most important for Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? Visit the Lyme Connection website at LymeConnection.org to view videos of past events and interviews. We also provide lots of information and resources to support those struggling with tick-borne diseases as well as those interested in protecting themselves and their families from contracting these diseases. We look forward to hosting our educational programs in person once the state opens up again. Please look for announcements on our website and join us in protecting the health of our communities by preventing tick-borne illness and supporting patients and their families. See ad, page 52.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

Nadia Noori, ND

Shalva Clinic 8 Lincoln St, Westport 203-916-4600 DrNoori@ShalvaClinic.org ShalvaClinic.org @DrNadiaNoori (Instagram) Summary/services offered: As a licensed naturopathic physician, I utilize comprehensive assessments in conjunction with innovative and standard laboratory testing to develop tailored health plans that encourage the body’s inherent ability to heal. What drew you to this profession? Having experienced the benefits and practice of naturopathic philosophy firsthand, I have a strong desire to aid others on their health journey. I seek to understand and clarify the “whys” while assisting patients in the application and maintenance of a healthier life. How does your work differ from others in your profession? In addition to a general family practice, my area of specialty lies in optimizing digestive and brain health with a focus on neurodegenerative and neuropsychological conditions. What should someone expect from working with you? There are a variety of therapies and services I am trained in, including nutritional and lifestyle counseling, herbal medicine, vitamin and mineral supplementation, homeopathy, physical manipulation, acupuncture, craniosacral therapy and LENS neurofeedback. What changes do you plan in 2021? My mission is to continue bringing preventative advice to the forefront of health care. This will not only educate patients, but also enable all healthcare practitioners involved in the care of my patients to collaborate and collectively improve the quality of life for those we seek to serve. What is most important for Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? I am focused on meaningful and measurable outcomes. Be it a comprehensive workup, pain management or simply optimizing an already healthy mind and body, my passion lies in fostering a collaborative relationship with my patients and their families so that they can take an active role in the improvement of their overall wellness and health.

Optimal Health Medical LLC Henry C. Sobo, MD 111 High Ridge Rd, Stamford 203-348-8805 DrSobo.com

Summary/services offered: Advances in Regenerative Medicine allow Dr. Henry Sobo to offer cuttingedge technologies such as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatments and adult stem cell therapy. Dr. Sobo’s integrative approach addresses a variety of conditions such as: food allergies, Alzheimer’s/dementia, chronic fatigue syndrome, weight loss, hormonal health, fibromyalgia, anti-aging medicine and MTHFR-Genetic Mutation. What drew you to this profession? I found some conditions were not being treated effectively by conventional medicine. For example, irritable bowel syndrome— we simply don’t do much about it. There is medication now that addresses the constipation symptom, but it doesn’t really change anything except that it relieves constipation. In my experience, the majority of people suffering from IBS have significant food sensitivities. That led me, in part, to this type of medicine. How does your work differ from others in your profession? We supplement conventional medical approaches with more natural, less toxic treatments and less medications where possible. People interested in natural therapies often try to find a doctor like myself because sometimes there are cases where medication must be used. If their health professional doesn’t have a medical license, they can only do natural, holistic therapies. So, for more immediate, serious health issues, they need to find another practitioner. My patients feel they get the best of both worlds with me. I am licensed to use medications if we need to, yet I recommend more natural approaches as well. What should someone expect from working with you? In terms of what our practice does, it’s a very broad spectrum. We see many patients with allergies, as well as food sensitivities, which we feel still is not adequately addressed in conventional medical circles. For conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, conventional medicine doesn’t correlate them with food sensitivities, but I’ve seen many patients experience relief when they avoid certain foods. What is most important for Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? Utilizing the most up-to-date research, Dr. Sobo has developed natural protocols to utilize diet and the correct combinations of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and other nutrients needed for optimum results. See ad, page 19. Natural Living Directory 2021 29

Berta Prevosti

The Primping Place

Rajayogini LLC Online Yoga and Meditation Platform 203-902-5090 Support@Rajayogini.com Rajayogini.com

Electrolysis, Skin Care and Hair Restoration 999 Summer St, Stamford Text/call 203-325-9565 ThePrimpingPlace.com

Summary/services offered: Get the full studio experience from the comfort of home. Rajayogini.com is an online platform for yoga and meditation. We offer online classes in meditation, yoga, yoga teacher training programs, certifications, workshops, retreats and metaphysical studies. Memberships as low as $9.99 a month. What drew you to this profession? I dreamt of creating a space where healing on all levels was possible through education of the body, mind and soul. I have had the pleasure of creating a beautiful yoga/ meditation studio in the past, but now it appears the Universe would like me to reach more people by creating an online experience. For me, this is not a profession, but an extension of who I am. I didn’t really have a say in it. How does your work differ from others in your profession? I have over 30 years of experience in this field and feel honored to have worked with and taught thousands of people who, like me, are in search of a higher purpose in life. I am a E-RYT 500hr certified Yoga Alliance Teacher as well as a YACEP provider, with over 1,000 hours of CEUs. I am a certified Reiki Master in Usui and Karuna Systems of Universal Hands On Reiki Healing. Plus, I love what I do, and even more love to see the experience of my students as they become exceptional teachers. What should someone expect from working with you? You should expect everything from working with me and you will receive it. You should expect your life to change, and then expect to begin to do the same for others. What is most important for Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? Your experience will feel as if you were in person. We will strive to perfect our online experience to achieve just that. We only hire and teach from our hearts and you will feel as if you have found your community with us. Please join Rajayogini.com and begin your journey with us. We can’t wait to get started. 30

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

Summary/services offered: Established in 1992, The Primping Place offers a unique combination of treatments including hair restoration, LED facials and ionic foot detox, as well as BEMER PEMF sales, rentals and treatments. BEMER increases microcirculation, in collaboration with NASA, and the first session is free. Founder Lisa Primps has expertise in electrolysis, including permanent hair removal using disposable gold and insulated probes, as well as advanced techniques specializing in fine hairs and difficult hormonal imbalances that cause excessive facial and body hair. She offers customized facials with a blend of clinical and botanical products, organic facials, medical grade glycolic peels, TCA peels, microdermabrasion, hydrafacial serum-based microdermabrasion treatments, stress therapy treatments, Champissage scalp massage, as well as teen and adult skin care lessons. What drew you to this profession? I was a teenager when I decided to start my own business doing electrolysis. Like many others, I experienced low self-esteem through my life due to excess hair on my arms, acne, thinning hair and cellulite. I now offer all these services to help others achieve their primping goals. How does your work differ from others in your profession? My business is unlike any other with my unique variety of services and years of experience in a professional medical office. My clients can expect honest work ethic with results-driven treatments. What changes do you plan in 2021? Once the pandemic hit, we had to shut down for several months. It was a huge wake-up call to expand my services to continue the ability to keep the business open. I’ve added the FIT Body Wraps, Skin Sheek treatments for vascular blemishes and BEMER to expand my services and it has been thriving ever since. What is most important for Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? Founder Lisa Primps is state licensed in electrolysis, esthetician and hair dressing/cosmetology. She is a Certified Face Reality Acne Consultant and Certified Award Winning Trichologist. Free consultations and discounted packages are available. Book appointments online, and purchase gift certificates to print at home.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

Dr. Elizabeth Raver DeCesare, Ph.D. Fairfield County 203-400-9212 RavElizabeth516@gmail.com DrLizMedium.com

Summary/services offered: Mediumship development classes, private sessions/readings, group demonstrations. What drew you to this profession? My desire to educate others that continuity of consciousness continues after the change called death, and therefore that we can continue to have relationships with loved ones who have passed over. In addition, I truly love working with the other worlds and helping others to do the same. How does your work differ from others in your profession? I have a Ph.D. in Psychology, have taught Mathematics at the university level and am a member of the Parapsychological Association. Hence, I am constantly updating my understanding of mediumship by keeping up with the latest scientific research in this area. I am an active participant in the merging of science and spirituality. I am, so-to-speak, a right-brain/left-brain person balancing the one with the other. What should someone expect from working with you? Generally speaking: communications with loved ones who have passed; deepened understanding of how After Death Communication (ADC) works; an awakening desire and/or ability to experience their own ADC; help and a sense of peace with the grieving process, if appropriate; and recognition that ADCs are indeed real. What is most important for Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? That death is as much a part of life as is birth. That consciousness and the personalities of our loved ones continue after the physical body ceases. That the grieving process can indeed be made less painful through understanding and/or personal ADC experiences. See ad, page 16.

Reiki Will Travel LLC Cheryl Benanti Various locations in Connecticut 860-966-0121 ReikiWillTravel@gmail.com ReikiWillTravel.com

Summary/services offered: Mobile Reiki sessions What drew you to this profession? I was searching for connection and various ways to help others. I took my first Reiki class and knew this was something I was meant to pursue and share with others. My passion is working with people to bring them a sense of calm and empowerment for their overall well-being. I encourage people to be comfortable in their own skin and be accepting of themselves in a safe environment. How does your work differ from others in your profession? I offer in-home sessions, business wellness days and sessions in various office locations. In addition, I work with therapists who refer clients to me with anxiety, stress and related holistic health issues. I’m able to help alleviate those issues with Reiki treatments. What should someone expect from working with you? Clients can expect a calming and relaxing experience in a safe space where their privacy is respected. A client testimonial states, “She brings knowledge, compassion, healing and strength to her clients.” What changes do you plan in 2021? I’m looking forward to working with animals, especially horses after having such wonderful experiences already with them. I would also like to expand my practice in 2021. What is most important for Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? My practice is mobile and in various locations to make Reiki sessions easily accessible. See ad, page 16.

Natural Living Directory 2021 31

Salon Aponte

Salt Cave of Darien

Summary/services offered: We provide healthy hair care alternatives in a relaxed and upbeat atmosphere. We offer hair cutting and styling, creative hair coloring, eyebrow tinting, men’s services, children’s haircuts, formaldehyde-free smoothing treatments, body sugaring/hair removal, deep conditioning treatments, Beautycounter skincare and makeup and makeup application. The salon has safer alternatives to traditional beauty treatments; ammonia-free coloring without harmful color pigments; naturaland organic-based shampoos, conditioners and styling products; and organic nail polish and remover.

Summary/services offered: Our wellness destination offers a rich lineup of therapies and experiences: private cave rentals in our luxurious salt cave, couples/friends date night, salt cave sessions, massage and energy work, amazing special events with local healers, and weekly yoga classes.

Nancy Aponte, Owner 838 Main St, Monroe 203-261-2838 • SalonAponte@att.net Beautycounter.com/NancyAponte

What drew you to this profession? I always enjoyed creating shapes with hair even as a child. I enjoy interacting with the public and making them feel happy and confident and working with a creative group and sharing artistic ideas. How does your work differ from others in your profession? We differ by offering safer alternatives in hair and skin care for the past 31 years, while never compromising our artistic abilities. Specializing in all forms of hair color from grey coverage to multi-dimensional applications. Guiding recovering cancer patients about styling and coloring as their hair grows back in. Trained as a Reiki practitioner. All-natural hair removal/body sugaring. Awarded Best Eco-Friendly Salon in Fairfield County. What should someone expect from working with you? Our stylists pay close attention to detail for each of our guest’s needs, focusing on what best suits the individual, offering a variety of styling options and products to support their styles. What changes do you plan in 2021? We will continue to offer a more streamlined atmosphere, paying close attention to sanitization throughout the salon. Our staff will receive monthly virtual education updating, including techniques in color, cutting and styling following the latest trends. What is most important for Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? Salon Aponte will continue to search for cleaner, safer alternatives in all forms of beauty care. Partnering with American-made, like-minded grassroots companies continues to be an honor. Being able to make a difference in peoples’ lives throughout the years has given me great pleasure. The salon attracts like-minded women who share information and health tips with each other. See ad, page 15. 32

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

555 Post Rd, Darien Text/call 203-658-7667 Info@SaltCaveOfDarien.com SaltCaveOfDarien.com

What drew you to this profession? Stress! I knew I needed to find something to release tension from a stressful job. I enjoyed my own visit to a salt cave and once I researched it further, I found there were many additional benefits that can help people with different ailments. How does your work differ from others in your profession? Our cave is very luxurious—with the soothing red, yellow, orange and pink colors, the sound of our waterfall and the meditative music, you will surely leave rejuvenated. We also have a private salt-lined room for date night for two and individual treatments including massage, reflexology, energy work or tarot card readings. Our staff will ensure you enjoy your time with us. What should someone expect from working with you? Customers should feel relaxation and rejuvenation. Over time, regular exposure to the salt cave may help improve respiratory or skin conditions. We listen to our customers to make their experience even more amazing. What changes do you plan in 2021? We got even more creative with our cave rentals for up to eight people. Now you can add reflexology, wine tasting with a virtual expert, do an aerial or flow yoga class (up to five people) or Zoom in your family and friends from around the world on our big screen projector. Too bad you can’t pass them the salt! What is most important for Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? The benefits of dry salt therapy (halotherapy) are clinically proven, and it has been used in Europe for centuries. Dry salt acts like a sponge, attracting foreign substances along its path through the respiratory tract. People find relief from stress, respiratory and skin conditions and joint pain. We offer a positive atmosphere and an amazing experience in our beautiful salt cave and private salt room. See ad, page 3.

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Nancy S. Scherlong, LCSW, PTR, M/S

470 Main St, Ste 307, Ridgefield and Norwalk (Silvermine) Locations 914-572-3167 WellnessMetaphors.com ChangeYourNarrativeTherapy.com

Soul Healing Journey, LLC Eilis Philpott Fairfield 203-767-5954 Eilis@SoulHealingJourney.com SoulHealingJourney.com

Summary/services offered: I offer life, wellness and creativity coaching as well as experiential and holistic psychotherapy. I utilize techniques such as EMDR and brainspotting, IFS, SE and expressive arts-based groups and workshops.

Summary/services offered: I am a master healer and teacher certified in numerous modalities. I offer soul-level healing, which clears blocks, obstacles and challenges that are preventing you from living your life to its fullest potential. I specialize in working with healers to bring their services to the next level.

What drew you to this profession? Originally an artist, I have been a psychotherapist for over 20 years. I began helping others after my own recovery from an automobile accident in 1991. At that time, I received many of the methods I now use with my clients.

What drew you to this profession? I became fascinated at an early age with the impact that thoughts and emotions had on the body and the psyche. As I experienced both working in the corporate world, the teaching world and then the world of energetic healing, I knew my place was in the healing arts.

How does your work differ from others in your profession? My work is strength-based and focused on positive psychology and innovative problem solving. I will help you find and express your own unique voice through the creative arts—journal work, poetry and psychodrama.

How does your work differ from others in your profession? I have trained in many healing modalities and offer sessions which are a true integration of everything I have learned to date. I am guided which combination of modalities will serve the highest good for each session. This means that each session is bespoke to the individual and/or group receiving the healing. The work we do together at Soul Healing Journey supports the internal energetic shifts needed in order to live a life of peace, harmony and joy as well as be in alignment with your soul purpose.

What should someone expect from working with you? My philosophy is that we can all change our lives by changing our story or mindset. Once we have shifted how we view things, we can approach them in a new and fresh way. What changes do you plan in 2021? I find I am teaching more and more workshops, facilitating groups and providing training in person, online and at conferences. I am expanding my corporate wellness offerings as well as customizing packages for small businesses.

What should someone expect from working with you? All sessions are dictated by the needs of the client on that day and every session is thus individualized to each person’s needs. Over more than 20 years, I have seen individuals change their careers, work through major trauma and abuse, and improve their current relationships or create new ones.

What is most important for Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? Healing is a collaboration or a partnership involving mind, body and spirit as well as a chosen practitioner. Contact me today for a free 30-minute discovery session about how we can work together to achieve your goals. See ad, page 12.

What changes do you plan in 2021? I continually strive to educate myself to better serve in my practice. New modalities are often added or incorporated into my offerings. 2021 promises even greater expansion with the addition of trainings and individual healing sessions. What is most important for Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? The greatest wish I have for all my clients is that they truly know what it feels like to be loved unconditionally. Many of us have not been given that gift and need to learn how to give it to ourselves. No matter where you are, where you’ve been and where you’re going, you deserve to know and love every aspect of yourself. See ad, page 5. Natural Living Directory 2021 33

Touch of Sedona & Sedona Art Purveyor of Art & Spirit Guided Inspiration Marge Courtney, Owner 450-452 Main St, Ridgefield 203-438-7146 Facebook.com/TouchOfSedona

Transformation Center CT Mataji Katie Augustyn 7 Reimer Rd, Westport 203-820-3800 TransformationCenterCT@gmail.com TransformationCenterCT.com

Summary/services offered: I am a purveyor of art and spirit. I consider my stores a center for exploring and expanding intuition and the healing energy of the earth. I enjoy being in retail and being part of the healing community. What drew you to this profession? My love for the Southwest and Native American arts inspired Touch of Sedona. It has been a unique destination in Ridgefield, CT for nearly 25 years. It has been my passion to share the beauty and abundance of Native American culture, art and jewelry with the local community and beyond. How does your work differ from others in your profession? The creative arts have always been important to me and I believe in their power to heal. The concept for Sedona Art was created in 2020 to add to the other products and services being offered. In opening the art store, I hope to support the arts and artists in the community and inspire positive energy with more art, love and spirit. What changes do you plan in 2021? It is my hope that more people, young and old, will discover the benefits of following the inspiration of the earth, the arts and Native American traditions. In 2021, the stores will expand their reach by providing items and services that support the healing arts, such as intuitive readings, crystals, candles, music, incense, singing bowls, etc., as well as art supplies and lessons in the expressive arts.

Summary/services offered: We offer group workshops and trainings, as well as individual coaching and healing sessions, including Karttikeyan Yoga Nidra and Shamanic sessions. Our offerings are designed for those seeking healing, spiritual growth and personal transformation. What drew you to this profession? I have a passion for empowering people to be the best they can be. Once I realized how beneficial energy healing and coaching were for me, I wanted to use them to allow others to have the lives they really want. What sets your work apart from others in your profession? I have training and experience in several modalities that I use to help my clients heal, evolve and transform their lives. Each client receives a personalized session based on their individual needs. We also offer a variety of workshops and trainings. What should someone expect from working with you? You will be nurtured and honored, and you will release energy and patterns that don’t serve you, replacing limiting erroneous beliefs with empowering, accurate beliefs. You will experience a greater self-awareness, have less fear and achieve clarity on what you need to have the life you want. What changes do you plan in 2021? We will hold some of our events outdoors, including Satsang. We plan on partnering with other practitioners to offer sound baths, group meditations and intuitive readings. What is most important for Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? We are all connected and are here to help each other thrive. I would love to meet you and assist you in becoming who you are meant to be. See ad, page 3.

What is most important for Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? I invite everyone to explore their creative side and discover the positive energy that is available to us all. This, along with intuitive readings, spiritual guidance and all that Touch of Sedona offers, couldn’t have manifested at a better time. See ads, pages 12 and 55.

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

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Two Coyotes Wilderness School 197 Huntingtown Rd, Newtown • 203-843-3112 Programs@TwoCoyotes.org • TwoCoyotes.org Facebook.com/TwoCoyotes Instagram.com/TwoCoyotes

Summary/services offered: Two Coyotes Wilderness School is a nonprofit nature mentoring organization that connects people to nature, community and self. We design interdisciplinary programs that provide a dynamic environment for students to face challenges, engage their natural curiosity and cultivate an intrinsic love for learning that they bring back into the classroom and the rest of their lives. Since 2000, we have honed our innovative and transformative programs through school day, child & caregiver, rites of passage, mentor-intraining, adult apprenticeship and summer camp programs. What drew you to this profession? Two Coyotes was founded in 2000 to help young people foster a connection to nature and their environment. Our work is a response to a history that began, on this continent, with the forcible removal of indigenous people from their land, continued as nature and wilderness environments became white spaces in America and persists today as many urban residents lack easy access to safe outdoor spaces in their community. Today’s youth spend more time indoors and in front of screens, whether at home or in school, than any other generation. We are committed to addressing these inequities and to help today’s youth foster a sense of self that is rooted in a sense of place. How does your work differ from others in your profession? We believe that nature connection is our birthright as humans, and therefore every activity, game or song that we introduce helps foster connection with the earth, typically without kids being aware of the underlying purpose. Unlike other youth programs, Two Coyotes Wilderness School challenges young people to learn about themselves as they encounter the natural world and understand their own place in it. We believe our unique emphasis on mentoring, cultural practices and personal growth results in stronger intergenerational connections, deeper community ties, greater self-awareness and profound respect for the Earth. What changes do you plan in 2021? We have been running in-person programs successfully, with necessary COVID precautions, since June 2020. We will continue to offer the following in-person, outdoor programs in 2021: Coyote Village School Year Program, Summer Camp, Coyote Pups, Heartwood Wilderness Skills and Mentor-in-Training. What is most important for Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? Two Coyotes has a vision of creating a healthier and more connected future for all people. We inspire enthusiasm for learning in creative and invisible ways by utilizing the abundance of child passions as teaching tools. Our programs nurture values such as service, thanksgiving, leadership, self-trust, respect, teamwork, fun and discovery. See ad, page 59.

Vis Wellness Center

Nicole Klughers, ND, PharmD, MSAc Rocky Hill & TeleMedicine 234-2-ACU-DOC Info@DrNicoleKlughers.com DrNicoleKlughers.com Summary/services offered: As a licensed naturopathic physician, acupuncture specialist and health educator, I offer all-natural solutions to restore optimal health and reclaim a life of energy, balance and joy. What drew you to this profession? Formerly working as a pharmacist, I realized the limitations of conventional medicine in its ability to provide integrative, sustainable and holistic care. I searched for more natural ways I could help people change their lives for the better; that’s when I found naturopathic medicine and acupuncture. How does your work differ from others in your profession? Since I have experience in a variety of healthcare settings, I practice as an integrative physician. I focus on utilizing natural therapies, yet also recommend appropriate conventional approaches if needed. Many individuals come to me when they have trouble finding answers and solutions and are looking for a “health detective” to identify the root cause of their health issues. What should someone expect from working with you? Individuals I work with become empowered to take their health into their own hands and are ready to feel like the best version of themselves. Individuals can expect to be the healer of their body and mind, while I serve as their guide, teacher and supporter. What changes do you plan in 2021? The word “doctor” comes from the Latin word docere, which means “to teach”. Fully embracing the role of “Doctor as Teacher”, I’ll be expanding offerings of free or low-cost wellness classes/ workshops to provide our local and distant communities with tools for healthy living. What is most important for Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? Passionate and knowledgeable about health, healing and nature, I am truly honored to do this work. I am here to help everyone I can to experience a life of wellness—naturally. See ad, page 16.

Natural Living Directory 2021 35

Loriann Vita, CHC, RMT

Westchester County & Surrounding Areas 845-402-8474 LoriannVita@gmail.com LoriannVita.com Summary/services offered: Personalized health coaching and Reîki sessions focused on bolstering your holistic well-being and increasing relaxation, clarity, focus and balance. Animal Reîki services are also available for your companion animals. What drew you to this profession? My decades-long passion for holistic health as well as my firsthand experiences on my own wellness journey inspired me to help others as they navigate their paths to greater joy, clarity and balance. How does your work differ from others in your profession? My background is unique; I couple my practical and analytical skills honed as a practicing attorney with my heart-centered approach as a health coach and Reîki practitioner to provide individualized sessions tailored to client needs and goals. No session is the same; the sessions are just as fluid and evolving as the client. What should someone expect from working with you? Clients can expect to participate fully in individualized sessions tailored to their specific needs. I meet my clients where they are and gently guide them to a new way of thinking and seeing a particular issue. Every day presents the opportunity to learn and expand; I encourage clients to cultivate awareness of all possibilities. What changes do you plan in 2021? Due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic, I continue to offer clients flexible pricing so that their well-being is not hindered by financial hardship. What is most important for Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? I, too, continue to learn, grow and change and personally do “the work”. I am no different from my clients; my journey is also ongoing and ever-evolving. I truly live what I teach: change is the only constant in life and once we learn to embrace the flow of life, we can live our best lives.

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

Wellness Institute

Marvin P. Schweitzer, ND • Amy Wiesner, ND, LAc 1 Westport Ave, Norwalk 203-847-2788 Info@DrMarvinSchweitzer.com DrAmyWiesner@gmail.com DrMarvinSchweitzer.com

Summary/services offered: Naturopathic treatments which cleanse, detox, nourish, repair and rebalance. These include: Electrodermal screening, Bio-Energy Testing and individualized metabolic optimization program, BEMER circulation enhancement, Brainpaint EEG Biofeedback, Ondamed PEMF Therapy, acupuncture, homeopathy, nutrition programs, energy medicine, botanicals and oxygen multistep therapy/EWOT with altitude contrast. What should someone expect from working with you? During each office visit, we work on nourishing, balancing, repairing and cleansing your body, as well as working on stress and epigenetics. How does your work differ from others in your profession? We have over 25 years of family practice experience with cuttingedge, highly individualized approaches to help unleash your body’s healing power. Areas of specialty include: allergies, antiaging, arthritis, candida, cholesterol, digestive health, hormonal balancing, environmental sensitivities, fatigue, headaches, drainage and detoxification, heavy metal detox, Lyme disease, ADD/ ADHD, tissue repair, stress and weight optimization. What is most important for Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? We are enthusiastically committed to doing what it takes to help you get well by addressing underlying causes. We take the necessary time, make the necessary effort, and have experience, expertise and amazing technology. When you share this commitment and desire to be a partner in this quest for wellness, outcomes are greatly improved. See ad, page 49.

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NATURAL LIVING DIRECTORY 2021 This comprehensive resource guide includes community leaders in natural health, green living and personal empowerment. No matter what your vision or mission is for this year, we are certain you will find someone or something in the following pages that inspires and supports your efforts to become healthier and happier. 13TH OCTAVE/LAHOCHI SOUL HEALING JOURNEY, LLC Eilis Philpott Fairfield 203-767-5954 Eilis@SoulHealingJourney.com SoulHealingJourney.com

Eilis is a master healer and teacher and certified in numerous modalities as both a practitioner and teacher. She is one of only two people approved to teach 13th Octave/LaHoChi in the U.S. She offers soul level healing, which clears any blocks, obstacles and challenges that are preventing you from living your life to its fullest potential. See ad, page 5.

ALL THINGS HEALTH & WELLNESS REV.SHIRLEY R. BLOETHE 860-989-0033 PassItOnLLC.com

Energy worker and Reiki Master Practitioner who channels intuitive messages. She is also an ordained priest in the Order of Melchizedek. Labozzo is passionate about guiding and healing others through her experiences while bringing peace and love into the world. See ads, pages 16, 57 and 59.

AMPCOIL CENTER AMPCOIL

Freddie Kimmel, Product Expert 95 Cross Hwy, Redding 833-267-2645 Freddie@AmpCoil.com AmpCoil.com Extraordinary Wellness! AmpCoil is an extraordinary system that delivers sound frequencies through PEMF to harmonize, balance, and support you on your journey to wellness. 90% of AmpCoil’s most active users reported that AmpCoil has been instrumental to their personal wellness. See ad, back cover.

ART & HEALING SEDONA ART

Art Supplies & More Marge Courtney, Owner 450 Main St, Ridgefield SedonaArt.net The expressive arts are alive and well at Sedona Art. Inspiration and supplies for artists, and creative types of all ages. Art and spirit inspired workshops, events and artist talks. We can’t wait to meet you and see what you’re creating. See ads, pages 12 and 55.

ASTROLOGY MARJORIE PARTCH

Jungian Astrology • Tarot • Reiki 203-912-3528 or Skype AlephTalks.com CyberAstrologer@Outlook.com Rather than predictions following the default mode, the Jungian approach provides insight into patterns and cycles of time, empowering you to transform challenges into opportunities.

AYURVEDA NEERU KAUSHIK, ND, MS ACU, MS, MA Institute for Ayurvedic and Naturopathic Therapies 805 Kings Highway East, Fairfield 203-331-9111 DrKaushik@AyurvedicInstituteCT.com AyurvedicInstituteCT.com

A combination of Ayurveda and Naturopathy is used to create a unique treatment plan to regain and maintain health. Based on one’s particular body constitution (dosha), a plan may include supplements, diet/ nutrition suggestions, lifestyle management, detoxification, hydrotherapy, 0zone therapy, Panchakarma. See ad, page 53.

BREAST THERMOGRAPHY ALBA THERMAL IMAGING LLC Safe, painless early detection 71 East Ave, Ste D, Norwalk 203-856-1421 AlbaThermalImaging.com

Thermography can detect breast disease at its earliest stages and monitor and assess pain in any part of the body. Safe, painless, non-invasive, FDA registered. See ad, page 19.

CAVE RENTAL/ UNIQUE GATHERING SPACE SALT CAVE OF DARIEN

555 Post Rd, Darien 203-658-7667 Info@SaltCaveofDarien.com SaltCaveofDarien.com

Our wellness destination offers a rich lineup of therapies: community salt cave sessions, special events with local healers, lunchtime meditation class, coffee chatter sessions and weekly yoga and stretch classes. See ad, page 3.

Natural Living Directory 2021 37

CBD BLACK ROCK HOLISTIC HEALTH CBD Dr. Kristine DeMarco 203-333-6544 BlackRockHolisticCBD.com

Black Rock Holistic Health Center has the most feminized Organic CBD Oregon Seed products on the market. We offer CBD oil, as well as CBD Buds. Organically Grown in Washington County, NY. CBD oil and Buds to help deal with pain, anxiety, stress and insomnia.

COACHING FREDDIESETGO

Freddie Kimmel New York City, Connecticut, Austin 833-267-2645 FreddieSetGo@gmail.com FreddieSetGo.com Freddie Kimmel is a Functional Health Coach, Reiki Healer, Gut Health Specialist, and cancer survivor. He helps people eliminate brain fog, fatigue, and belly fat by incorporating PEMF, Bioresonance, and energy devices to help activate the body’s natural healing mechanisms. See ad, back cover.

COACHING & GUIDANCE HEALING HAND AND HEART Lisa Labozzo 111 High Ridge Rd, 2nd fl, Stamford 203-219-7846 IntuitiveGlowingLight@gmail.com HealingHandAndHeart.com

EDUCATION ACADEMY FOR SOUL HEALING Eilis Philpott Fairfield • 203-767-5954 Eilis@SoulHealingJourney.com AcademyforSoulHealing.com

The academy hosts many trainings including 13th Octave LaHoChi, Rebirthing Breathwork, Akashic Field Healing and An Enhanced Year of Healing. The vision for the Academy for Soul Healing is the integration of many modalities, in their purest form, in order to support the growth and expansion of humanity, individually and on a global scale. See ad, page 5.

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

EMBODY THE SACRED

Deana Paqua, MA, LMT Ridgefield and New Milford Deana.Paqua@gmail.com EmbodyTheSacred.net Offering classes, training programs, healing sessions and mentoring in cross-cultural energy medicine and contemporary shamanism for healers, spiritual seekers and the energy sensitive. Learn self-healing, self-empowerment and trauma transformation through the sacred. See ad, page 9.

CHEALTH STUDIES

Western Connecticut State University Christel Autuori, RDH, RYT, MA, Director 181 White St, Danbury 203-837-8559 AutuoriC@WCSU.edu • WCSU.edu/IHHS The mission of the IHHS is to provide the University and Greater Danbury area with opportunities to engage in and explore different aspects of holistic and integrative health through programming and instruction. Our programs are currently offered virtually. Ongoing programs include the Mudra Meditations and Stressbusters, and programs are open to the public and offered free of charge. Please visit us online for detailed information about virtual programs.

THE INSTITUTE OF SUSTAINABLE NUTRITION 113 Simsbury Rd, West Granby 860-764-9070 Joan@TIOSN.com • TIOSN.com

We offer a unique certification program blending the science of nutrition with the hands-on components of sustainable gardening practices. We use food and herbs to make kitchen medicine, teach basic culinary skills, and practice foraging for and using nutrient-rich wild food. Now enrolling.

INTEGRATIVE ENERGY MEDICINE INSTITUTE

Chantal Guillou-Brennan, EMP, CHT Zoom or Live Monthly Training Certifications IntegrativeEnergyMedicine.com Transform-Grow-Awaken. 80% hands-on practice: Reiki 1-2-3 energy medicine, EFT, medical intuitive, Shamanic Healing, Shamanic Reiki, Elemental Healing, Soul Retrieval, Shamanic Divination, Advanced Divination, Psychopomp. Testimonials, curriculum, CEUs and registration online at IntegrativeEnergyMedicine.com. Register to get free Reiki.

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TWO COYOTES WILDERNESS SCHOOL

P.O. Box 711, Monroe TwoCoyotes.org Facebook.com/TwoCoyotes Instagram.com/TwoCoyotes Two Coyotes Wilderness School is a non-profit nature organization dedicated to creating a healthier, more connected future by connecting people to nature, community, and their personal empowerment. We offer year-round wildernessbased mentorship programs, including summer camps, for all ages. See ad, page 59.

EMPOWERMENT AND TRANSFORMATIONAL HEALING BELOVEDNOW

Rev. Cathy Whelehan & Rev. Laura Young 77 Post Rd, Danbury 203-648-8023 Goddesses@BeLovedNow.org BeLovedNow.org BeLovedNow is a three month healing and empowerment program for women 18-88 and beyond. This program of daily embodied practice, using meditation and journaling, is based on 12 Guiding Spiritual Principles which support living your soul’s truth FULLY.

ENERGY HEALING BETH LEAS

Transformative Healing • Tarot Virtual and In-Person Sessions 203-856-9566 BethLeas.com If not now, when? Inspire change on all levels—greater physical ease, emotional freedom, peace of mind and spiritual connection. 30+ years of intuitive healing experience with adults and children of all ages. Reiki, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Tarot. See ad, page 3.

SOUL HEALING JOURNEY, LLC Eilis Philpott Fairfield 203-767-5954 Eilis@SoulHealingJourney.com SoulHealingJourney.com

Eilis is a master healer and teacher and certified in numerous modalities as both a practitioner and teacher. She offers soul level healing, which clears any blocks, obstacles and challenges that are preventing you from living your life to its fullest potential. See ad, page 5.

ENERGY MEDICINE INTEGRATIVE ENERGY MEDICINE INSTITUTE

Chantal Guillou-Brennan, EMP, CHT Zoom or Live Monthly Training and Groups CGB@IntegrativeEnergyMedicine.com IntegrativeEnergyMedicine.com Certification training with 80% hands on practice. Mastery of awareness, psychic development, medical intuitive, shamanic visioning, remote viewing, shamanic Reiki Shamanic healing, family systemic/elemental constellations. Testimonials, curriculum, CEUs and registration online at IntegrativeEnergyMedicine.com.

ESSENTIAL OILS WAYNE LEISS, LMT, CAO 20 Fifth Ave, Apt A, Danbury 203-994-1207 Wayne@WayneLeiss.com WayneLeiss.com

Essential oils address stress reduction, support the natural functioning of body systems and can enhance overall well-being. They are used in topical, internal and aromatic applications. Improve physically, emotionally and spiritually as Wayne teaches you about the benefits and uses of massage with natural and pure dōTERRA Essential Oils. See ad, page 3.

FENG SHUI FENG SHUI JOAN’S WAY

Joan Law 203-260-7770 FengShuiJoansWay@gmail.com FengShuiJoansWay.com If not now, when? Inspire change on all levels—greater physical ease, emotional freedom, peace of mind and spiritual connection. 20 years of intuitive healing experience with adults and children of all ages. Reiki, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Tarot. See ad, page 10.

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE TAMARA SACHS, MD

Functional Medicine and Integrative Care LLC 15 Bennitt St, New Milford 860-354-3304 TSachsMD.com Using Functional Medicine, Dr. Sachs prevents and treats chronic illnesses by addressing their underlying root causes, remaining respectful of the uniqueness, complexity and intuitions that make us human. Trained at Mt. Sinai Medical School and Yale University Hospital in Internal Medicine, in 2003 she opened Functional Medicine and Integrative Care LLC. She has great success with IBS, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, autoimmune problems, toxicity and more, by creating individualized, realistic and comprehensive personalized wellness plans. She consults in her New Milford, CT office, and also by phone or video using telemedicine.

HAIR SALON FRESH ORGANIC SALON SOLUTIONS Hair care, Skincare & Make up 190 Rt 117 By Pass, Bedford, NY 914-242-1928 FreshOrganicSalon.com

A healthy approach to beauty and wellness led by Maureen Toohey, Regional Educator for Organic Salon Systems. The fresh team is committed to making your experience fully complete and satisfying, organically. Receive a gift valued at $75 with your 1st color appointment, when you mention Natural Awakenings.

HEALING CENTER TURNING POINT HEALING ARTS & EDUCATION CENTER

JoAnn Inserra Duncan, MS, RMT 100B Danbury Rd, Ste 101, Ridgefield 203-438-3050 TurningPointReiki.com/Healing-Arts-Center TPHA & EC is a central resource for healthy living and wellness in Ridgefield. This vibrant, serene, HEALING ARTS & EDUCATION CENTER energetically positive center Heal. Enlighten. Renew. is home to skilled practitioners and teachers offering holistic services and educational programs to empower and enhance both the individual and community. Reiki, Zero Balancing, Evidential Psychic Mediumship, Shamanic and Cross-Cultural Healing and much more. See ad, page 14.

HEALTH COACH LORIANN VITA, CHC, RMT

Westchester County, New York 845-402-8474 LoriannVita@gmail.com LoriannVita.com Bolster your holistic well-being and increase relaxation, clarity, focus and balance with personalized health coaching and Reiki sessions conducted by a Certified Health Coach and Reiki Master Teacher. Please see website for details. Animal Reiki also offered.

HOLISTIC DENTIST DAVID L LERNER, DDS, CAC, FIND Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 914.214.9678 HolisticDentist.com

We offer a unique approach to the health care of the mouth based on a holistic understanding of the whole body. I invite you to explore our web site to learn how we can serve your needs.

HOLISTIC NETWORKING HOLISTIC COMMUNITY PROFESSIONALS

Shirley R. Bloethe, Executive Director 860-255-8844 HCPinc.ORG@gmail.com HolisticCommunityProfessionals.org Holistic Community Professionals is an organization of holistic practitioners and businesses focused on improving health and wellness with products and services throughout New England. We also connect consumers with a wide variety of modalities, holistic products, and services as well as offering two EXPOs a year at The DoubleTree by Hilton in Bristol. See website for details. See ad, page 16.

My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return. ~Maya Angelou Natural Living Directory 2021 39

HOLISTIC WELLNESS CENTER OPEN SKY YOGA BARN & WELLNESS CENTER Cathy Whelehan 95 Cross Hwy, Redding 203-648-8023 CWheels33@mac.com

We are a welcoming community offering classes, workshops, spiritual counseling, AmpCoil sessions, concerts. Yoga offerings include asana, restorative, pranayama, chanting, philosophy, meditation, and ritual. Our garden-filled grounds featuring a river and labyrinth are designed to help you along your path. See ad, back cover.

HYPNOTHERAPY SOUL CENTERED HYPNOSIS

Chantal Guillou-Brennan, CHT/QHHT/SCH Zoom or Live Hypnosis & Energy Medicine CGB@IntegrativeEnergyMedicine.com SoulCenteredHypnosis.com QHHT & SCH Past Life Regression Hypnotherapy. Eliminate conflicts, attachments, contracts, vows and limiting beliefs. Speak to your higher self to receive healing and guidance. View testimonials on site or Google page. Request information and appointment choice at SoulCenteredHypnosis.com.

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE PHYSICIAN HENRY C. SOBO, MD

Optimal Health Medical LLC 111 High Ridge Rd, Stamford 203-348-8805 DrSobo.com Advances in Regenerative Medicine allow Dr. Sobo to offer cutting-edge technologies such as PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) treatments and adult stem cell therapy. Dr. Sobo’s integrative approach addresses a variety of conditions such as: food allergies, Alzheimer’s/ dementia, chronic fatigue syndrome, weight loss, hormonal health, fibromyalgia, anti-aging medicine, and MTHFR-Genetic Mutation. See ad, page 19.

INTEGRATIVE OPTOMETRY EYECARE ASSOCIATES, PC

Dr. Randy Schulman, MS, OD, FCOVD Dr. Justin Rapp • Dr. Jacqueline Benoit Dr. Jason Grygier • Dr. David Spengler Dr. Sonia Singh Locations: 6515 Main St, Trumbull • 203-374-2020 444 Westport Ave, Norwalk • 203-840-1991 2600 Post Rd, Southport • 203-255-4005 1425 Bedford St, 1M, Stamford • 203-357-0204 CTEyeCareAssociates.com We offer behavioral optometry, comprehensive vision exams, contact lenses and vision therapy. See ad, page 15.

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

LYME CONNECTION

400 Main St, Ridgefield Info@LymeConnection.org LymeConnection.org Lyme Connection is an all-volunteer, communitybased task force providing support and resources to patients and their families coping with tick-borne disease. See ad, page 52.

MASSAGE & BODYWORK A MOMENT IN TIME MASSAGE, LLC

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LIFE COACH/HYPNOTIST

THEA LITSIOS, CHy

Life Coach, Hypnotist, Teacher of Active Dreaming Remote sessions available TheaLitsios.com • 203-693-1493 My specialty is to help individuals who have an inner stirring that says, “Something has to change”. Using skills as a life coach, hypnotist and teacher of Active Dreaming, I assist my clients in reinventing themselves, and creating the life they dream of. Call for a free 30-minute consultation. See ad, page 3.

LYME DISEASE MARVIN P. SCHWEITZER, ND AMY WIESNER, ND, LAC

Wellness Institute 1 Westport Ave, Norwalk 203-847-2788 • DrMarvinSchweitzer.com We help you unleash your own body’s ability to heal. Cutting-edge evaluations and 25+ years experience help to determine precisely which individualized therapies – including energy medicine, oxygen therapies, acupuncture, homeopathy, botanicals, nutrition, allergy/toxin testing and treatment are used to nourish, cleanse, balance and repair. We collaborate with you in a caring environment. See ad, page 49.

Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again. ~Sarah Ban Breathnach

LYME DISEASE EDUCATION/SUPPORT

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Jill Andrzejewski • License # 9900 3490 Whitney Ave, Ste 205, Hamden 85 Wall St, Madison 203-909-1108 AMomentInTimeMassage.org

I use Massage Therapy and Reiki to empower people with tools to help them on their healing journey. The goal is to achieve relaxation and restore a balanced flow of energy.

MEDITATION CENTER FOR MINDFULNESS & INSIGHT MEDITATION 9 Picketts Ridge Rd, West Redding 203-244-3130 ReddingMeditation.org

We teach and practice Mahasati meditation. Mahasati meditation cultivates self-awareness through attention to the movement of the body and, at more advanced levels, to the movement of the mind. No prior meditating experience is necessary. Ongoing weekly meditation classes, retreats and events. Please check monthly event calendar or visit ReddingMeditation.org for updated information.

MEG REILLY

Meditation | Counseling Lectio360.com MegReilly360.com 203-952-6272 Join Meg for Lectio 360, a guided 30-minute contemplation to deepen and strengthen your personal spiritual practice, to help ground you in the sacred in every thing, every day. See ads, pages 3 and 57.

MEDIUM DR. ELIZABETH RAVER DECESARE, PHD 97 Gilbert Dr 203-400-9212 RavElizabeth516@gmail.com DrLizMedium.com

As a medium, Dr. Liz brings messages from the Spirit world to Earth. By focusing on Spirituality and Science research, she also seeks to educate people about after death communications. Schedule a convenient and safe session from anywhere you live. See ad, page 16.

METABOLIC/WEIGHT OPTIMIZATION MARVIN P. SCHWEITZER, ND AMY WIESNER, ND, LAC

METAPHYSICAL STORE THE ANGEL COOPERATIVE

51 Ethan Allen Hwy (Rte. 7), Ridgefield 203-431-2959 TheAngelCoop.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube The Angel Cooperative is a unique lifestyle boutique featuring the first and only Shungite room in the USA. Wide selection of crystals, jewelry, candles, essential oils and soaps. Spiritual gifts, statuary, oracle decks and tarot and home décor. Available in The Shungite Room: readings, Reiki, meditation, sound therapy, energy work, sound and gong baths, and workshops. See ad, page 17.

NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN NEERU KAUSHIK, ND, MS ACU, MS, MA Institute for Ayurvedic and Naturopathic Therapies 805 Kings Highway East, Fairfield 203-331-9111 DrKaushik@AyurvedicInstituteCT.com

A combination of Ayurveda and Naturopathy is used to create a unique treatment plan to regain and maintain health. Based on one’s particular body constitution (dosha), a plan may include supplements, diet/nutrition suggestions, lifestyle management, detoxification, hydrotherapy, 0zone therapy, Panchakarma. See ad, page 53.

NICOLE KLUGHERS, ND, PHARMD, MSAC

Vis Wellness Center 1845 Silas Deane Hwy, Rocky Hill (234)2-ACU-DOC DrNicoleKlughers.com Info@DrNicoleKlughers.com Dr. Nicole Klughers offers comprehensive naturopathic care to restore optimal health and prevent disease. Dr. Nicole’s “health detective” approach identifies the root cause of symptoms and provides all-natural solutions with personalized “Food as Medicine,” herbal medicine, nutrient therapies, acupuncture and more. In-depth assessment is often done with detailed testing of vitamins/minerals, hormones, advanced cardiovascular markers, inflammation, food intolerances, gut/microbiome health and more. See ad, page 16.

NADIA NOORI, ND

Shalva Clinic 8 Lincoln St, Westport 203-916-4600 DrNoori@ShalvaClinic.org ShalvaClinic.org As a licensed naturopathic physician, I utilize comprehensive assessments in conjunction with innovative and standard laboratory testing to develop tailored health plans that encourage the body’s inherent ability to heal.

MARVIN P. SCHWEITZER, ND AMY WIESNER, ND, LAC Wellness Institute 1 Westport Ave, Norwalk 203-847-2788 DrMarvinSchweitzer.com

We help you unleash your own body’s ability to heal. Cutting-edge evaluations and 25+ years experience help to determine precisely which individualized therapies – including energy medicine, oxygen therapies, acupuncture, homeopathy, botanicals, nutrition, allergy/toxin testing and treatment are used to nourish, cleanse, balance and repair. We collaborate with you in a caring environment. Our Optimal Body Program gives you ongoing weekly support, intensive health coaching, therapies for metabolism, stress and cleansing for weight loss and anti-aging. See ad, page 49.

NON-DENOMINATIONAL CEREMONIES HUMMINGBIRD SOUND YOGA LLC Barbara (Bobbi) Soares New Milford • 860-946-9470 BSoares@LightOfTheNewMoon.com HummingbirdSoundYoga.com WiseFishWorld.com Facebook @HummingbirdSoundYoga

Barbara (Bobbi) Soares, MA, CYT, is a sound yoga and vocal yoga teacher, blues/jazz singer, and Reiki master, certified in several modalities of energy and sound healing. As an ordained minister and sound healer, She will be offering non-denominational sacred sound ceremonies for weddings and other rites of passage. Bobbi’s band Hummingbird and Friends is well known for their eclectic blend of chants, jazz, blues, reggae and country. She has studied vocal improvisation with Bobby McFerrin, vocal yoga with Heather Lyle and sound healing with Silvia Nakkach, John Beaulieu and Don Conreaux. See ad, page 50.

ONLINE YOGA & MEDITATION BERTA PREVOSTI

Rajayogini LLC 203-902-5090 Support@Rajayogini.com Rajayogini.com Get the full studio experience from the comfort of home! Rajayogini.com is an online platform for Yoga & Meditation. We offer online classes in Meditation, Yoga, Yoga Teacher Training Programs, Certifications, Workshops, Retreats and Metaphysical Studies. Memberships as low as $9.99 a month!

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PSYCHOTHERAPY

HOLISTIC NEW DAY COUNSELING SERVICES

Jessica Lima, MS, LCSW Holistic Psychotherapy/Coaching 158 Danbury Rd, Ridgefield 203-260-5769 HolisticNewDay@gmail.com Jessica will align with you on your journey to emotional and physical well-being. Combining her traditional psychotherapy background with her certification in integrative healing, she will work with you in exploring a more holistic approach to feelings of anxiety, depression, stress and more.

PSYCHOTHERAPY ROBIN ORDAN, LCSW Family, Child, Individual and Couples Therapy Old Greenwich/Stamford 203-561-8535 RobinOrdanLCSW.com

Robin has more than 18 years of experience working with families and children. Specializing in divorce, parent/child conflict, grief, attachment/bonding, child development and parenting. See ad, page 57.

NANCY SCHERLONG, LCSW

Coaching/Psychotherapy/Consulting Offices in Norwalk and Ridgefield 914-572-3167 WellnessMetaphors.com

TURNING POINT REIKI LLC

JoAnn Inserra Duncan, MS, RMT 100B Danbury Rd, Ste 101, Ridgefield 203-438-3050 TurningPointReiki.com TurningPointShare.com JoAnn uses intuition, experience and a deep spiritual connection in her Reiki, IET and Reconnective Healing sessions. Specializing in care for individuals with cancer, Lyme disease and back pain. All Reiki levels taught. See ad, page 14.

SHAMANIC PRACTITIONER EMBODY THE SACRED

THE SHUNGITE ROOM THE ANGEL COOPERATIVE

51 Ethan Allen Hwy (Rte. 7), Ridgefield 203-431-2959 TheAngelCoop.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube

Manage stress with relaxation techniques. Rediscover your creativity through writing and the expressive arts. Resolve trauma with EMDR, IFS or SE. Or book an experiential workshop! Nancy has over 20 years of experience with children, families, groups, adults and corporate wellness programs. See ad, page 12.

The first Shungite room in the USA. Shungite is the only natural material known to contain fullerenes, a unique carbon molecular structure. It is believed to have active metaphysical properties with strong healing powers. The Shungite Room hosts readings, Reiki, meditation, sound therapy, energy work, sound and gong baths, and workshops. See ad, page 17.

REIKI

SLEEP DISORDER

GIGI BENANTI, USUI REIKI MASTER Angelic Healing Center 7 Morgan Ave, Norwalk 203-852-1150 AngelHealReiki.com

Gigi is an experienced Reiki Master/Teacher. She offers all levels of Reiki training monthly. All classes and Reiki sessions include the latest techniques including Karuna, Angelic and Jikiden Reiki.

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

DAVID L LERNER, DDS, CAC, FIND Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 914.214.9678 HolisticDentist.com

We offer a unique approach to the health care of the mouth based on a holistic understanding of the whole body. I invite you to explore our web site to learn how we can serve your needs.

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SOUND HEALING HUMMINGBIRD SOUND YOGA LLC Barbara (Bobbi) Soares New Milford • 860-946-9470 BSoares@LightOfTheNewMoon.com HummingbirdSoundYoga.com WiseFishWorld.com Facebook @HummingbirdSoundYoga

We live in an ocean of sound and vibration, constantly changing and affecting our body’s unique natural resonance. Many types of stress cause this resonance to get out of tune. Hummingbird Sound Yoga explores and restores this resonance by shifting awareness to where the body is out of tune. Using earth, dance and symphonic gongs, bowls, tuning forks and humming-for-health meditations, a deep relaxation response balances energy and retunes and reconnects our natural resonance. Barbara (Bobbi) Soares, MA, CYT, is a sound yoga and vocal yoga teacher, blues/jazz singer, and Reiki master, certified in several modalities of energy and sound healing. See ad, page 50.

TAROT BETH LEAS

Transformative Healing • Tarot Virtual and In-Person 203-856-9566 BethLeas.com What’s in the cards for you? Tarot is a powerful tool for guidance and will empower you to make your best choices. Gain insight to your most thoughtful questions. The answers you receive will illuminate your path, making visible your challenges and ways to overcome them. See ad, page 3.

TMJ DISORDER DAVID L LERNER, DDS, CAC, FIND Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 914.214.9678 HolisticDentist.com

We offer a unique approach to the health care of the mouth based on a holistic understanding of the whole body. I invite you to explore our web site to learn how we can serve your needs.

TRANSFORMATIVE HEALING KATIE AUGUSTYN, MA, CPC

Transformation Coach - Shamanic Healer TransformationCenterCT.com 203-820-3800 TransformationCenterCT@gmail.com Katie will assist you in reaching your true potential and heal what has been holding you back. You will experience real selfacceptance and start to live in alignment with who you truly are so you can create a life you love, a life of meaning and purpose. See ad, page 3.

BETH LEAS

LIGHTER & BRIGHTER WELLNESS Susan Ahlstrom, MS Counseling, EFT Practitioner, Reiki Master 452 Main St, Ridgefield 401-232-4514 LighterAndBrighterWellness.com

Susan Ahlstrom is a Certified EFT Practitioner. She incorporates energy practices and the expressive arts to support mental health. Her fun approach to healing helps children and adults learn self-care skills to lessen anxiety and improve overall well-being. See ads, pages 3 and 18.

SOUL HEALING JOURNEY, LLC Eilis Philpott Fairfield 203-767-5954 Eilis@SoulHealingJourney.com SoulHealingJourney.com

UNIVERSAL WHITE TIME, CRYSTAL & SOUND HEALING CRYSTAL MUSIC HEALING Bradford Tilden, MM, CMT, UWT Remote: Phone or Zoom 860-830-5841 Info@CrystalMusicHealing.com CrystalMusicHealing.com

My goal is to empower you to develop spiritually and professionally. I offer UWT energy and gemstone healing with guided visualization for spiritual healing and self-actualization, and transformational voice activation coaching sessions. I teach certification classes in Universal White Time (UWT), Lemurian Intuitive (LSINH), Crystal, and Sound Healing. I use these techniques, and more to help you to obtain authentic expression, empowerment, and transformation. You can purchase personally attuned crystals and gemstones through me. My clients and students gain a renewed clarity and a sense of purpose as they perceive their truth and remove blockages that distort their perception. Contact me for a free 30 minute consultation. See ad, page 16.

WELLNESS & GIFTS TOUCH OF SEDONA

Gifts, Crystals, Native American Art & Jewelry, Intuitive Readings Marge Courtney, Owner 452 Main St, Ridgefield 203-438-7146 Facebook.com/TouchOfSedona A unique spiritual boutique offering gifts, healing inspiration and the energy of the American Southwest. Come explore Native American art and jewelry, crystals, chimes, candles, incense, books and more. Check out our schedule of intuitive readers, guides and more! See ad, page 55.

WELLNESS CENTER ANEW MASSAGE AND WELLNESS Angela Ballard 15R Hartford Ave, Granby 860-413-9886 • Option 5 ShiftingGranby@gmail.com AnewMassageAndWellness.com

After 20+ years as a registered nurse, Angela is now a wellness practitioner, offering consultation and AmpCoil and IonCleanse foot bath sessions. She has recovered from chronic illness and Lyme disease, and now enjoys helping others on their journey. See ad, back cover.

THE ANGEL WING, A DIVINE SPIRITUAL CENTER

Located next door to The Angel Cooperative 49 Ethan Allen Hwy (Rte. 7), Ridgefield 203-431-2959 • TheAngelCoop.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube The Angel Wing hosts workshops, yoga classes, retreats, energy work sessions, readings, Reiki sound and gong baths, and guided meditations. It is available to rent on an hourly, daily, weekly or monthly basis. Optional rental spaces include a large open room and/or an intimate private room with massage/Reiki table. See ad, page 17.

SALT CAVE OF DARIEN

555 Post Rd, Darien 203-658-7667 Info@SaltCaveofDarien.com SaltCaveofDarien.com

SALT OF THE EARTH THERAPEUTIC SPA

787 Main St S, Woodbury 203-586-1172 • NaturalSaltHealing.com Combining an array of natural therapies that have been used since ancient times with today’s technology, Salt of the Earth Spa provides a sanctuary for deep transformation, healing and grounding for mind, body and spirit.

YOGA: SOUND AND VOCAL HUMMINGBIRD SOUND YOGA LLC Barbara (Bobbi) Soares New Milford • 860-946-9470 BSoares@LightOfTheNewMoon.com HummingbirdSoundYoga.com WiseFishWorld.com Facebook @HummingbirdSoundYoga

Barbara (Bobbi) Soares, MA, CYT, is a sound yoga and vocal yoga teacher, blues/jazz singer, and Reiki master, certified in several modalities of energy and sound healing. She offers hummingbird sound yoga and sound healing immersions for groups and private sessions in person & online. Her goal is to help individuals experience becoming “one with sound” to promote a deep relaxation response that balances energy and encourages healing. See ad, page 50.

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natural living glossary Acupressure: Based on the same system as acupuncture, but fingers and hands are used instead of stimulation with needles in order to restore the balanced flow of the body’s life energy (qi or chi, pronounced “chee”). This force moves through the body along 12 energy pathways, or meridians, which practitioners unblock and strengthen. Acupuncture: An ancient Oriental technique that stimulates the body’s ability to sustain and balance itself, based on the theory that an electromagnetic life-force (qi or chi, pronounced “chee”) is channeled in a continuous flow throughout the body via a network of meridians. Disease is understood as an imbalance in the meridian system. Diagnosis of an imbalance is made by “reading” the pulse, face, tongue and body energy. To correct it, a practitioner inserts acupuncture needles at specific points along the meridians to stimulate or disperse the flow of life-force. Alexander Technique: A system of re-educating the body and mind to support and facilitate proper posture and ease of movement. Through gentle manual guidance, accompanied by verbal directions, the Alexander teacher coaches the student to become aware of unnecessary tension and to unlearn longstanding patterns of movement. The Alexander technique is an established method for helping to improve chronic conditions, including: back, shoulder or neck pain; nervous tension; poor coordination; breathing problems; and vocal strain. It is frequently used by athletes and performing artists to improve performance level. Aromatherapy: An ancient healing art that uses the essential oils of herbs and flowers to treat emotional disorders, such as stress, anxiety and a wide range of other ailments. Oils are massaged into the skin, inhaled or added to a water bath. Often used in conjunction with massage therapy, acupuncture, reflexology, herbology, chiropractic or other holistic treatments. Art Therapy: Uses the creative process of making art to improve and enhance physical, mental and emotional well-being, and to deepen self-awareness. The therapist makes a diagnosis and determines treatment plans by encouraging a client to express his or her feelings and unconscious thoughts through the nonverbal creative process and by observing the forms and content created. Astrology: A system of traditions and beliefs that holds that the relative positions of celestial bodies either directly influence life on Earth or correspond to events experienced on a human scale. Modern astrologers define astrology as a symbolic language, art form and type of divination that can provide information about personality and human affairs, aid in the interpretation of past and present events, and predict the future. Ayurveda: The oldest medical system known to man and a comprehensive spiritual teaching practiced in India for 4,000 years. It focuses on achieving and maintaining perfect health via the balance of the elements air, fire and water (illness is considered an excess of any element). A patient’s body type— determined according to ayurvedic principles—is the basis for individualized dietary regimens and other preventive therapeutic interventions. Bioenergetics: A psychotherapy that works through the body to engage the emotions. Performing specified postures and exercises causes the release of layers of chronic muscular tension and defensiveness, termed “body armor”. The unlocking of feelings creates the opportunity for understanding and integrating them.

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

Biofeedback: A relaxation technique that monitors internal body states. It is used especially for stressrelated conditions. Such as asthma, migraines, insomnia and high blood pressure. During biofeedback, patients monitor minute metabolic changes (e.g., temperature, heart rate and muscle tension) with the aid of sensitive machines. By consciously thinking, visualizing, moving and relaxing, they learn which activities produce desirable changes in the internal processes being monitored. Bodywork: Massage and the physical practices of yoga are perhaps the best-known types of bodywork; both have proven successful in relieving tension and stress, promoting blood flow, loosening stiff muscles, and stimulating the organs. Massage therapies encompass countless techniques, including Swedish massage, shiatsu and Rolfing. The same is true for yoga. Finding bodywork that improves mental and physical health is a highly individual process. Several types may be combined for the greatest benefit.

Chelation therapy: A safe, painless, nonsurgical medical procedure that improves metabolic and circulatory function by removing undesirable heavy metals—such as lead, mercury, cadmium and copper— from the body. A series of intravenous injections of the synthetic amino acid EDTA are administered, usually in an osteopathic or medical doctor’s office. Over time, injections may halt the progress of the underlying condition that triggers the development of various degenerative conditions, such as diabetes, arthritis, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s and cancer. Chinese Medicine: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is one of the world’s oldest and most complete systems of holistic health care. It combines the use of medicinal herbs, acupuncture, food therapy, massage and therapeutic exercise, along with the recognition that wellness in mind, body and emotions depends on the harmonious flow of lifeforce energy (qi or chi, pronounced “chee”). Chiropractic: Based on the premise that proper structural alignment permits free flow of nerve activity in the body. When spinal vertebrae are out of alignment, they put pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves radiating from it, potentially leading to diminished function and illness. Misalignment can be caused by physical trauma, poor posture and stress. Colon therapy: An internal bath that washes away old toxic waste accumulated along the walls of the colon. It is administered with pressurized water by a professional using special equipment. One colonic irrigation is the equivalent of approximately four to six enemas; it cleans out matter that collects in the pockets and kinks of the colon. The treatment is used as both a corrective process and for prevention of disease. Color therapy: Color therapists believe that the vibrations of color waves can directly affect the body’s cells and organs. Thus, different hues can treat illnesses, and improve physical, emotional and spiritual health. Many practitioners also claim that the body emits an aura—or energy field—with colors reflecting a person’s state of health. Color therapists apply colored lights or apply color mentally, through suggestion, to restore the body’s physical and psychic health. Another related sensory healing technique is light therapy, which

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attempts to restore well-being and can be successful in treating seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Counseling/Psychotherapy: These terms encompass a broad range of practitioners, from career counselors to psychotherapists treating depression, stress, addiction and emotional issues. Formats can vary from individual counseling to group therapy. In addition to verbal counseling techniques, some holistic therapists may use bodywork, ritual, energy healing and other alternative modalities as part of their practice. Craniosacral therapy (CST): A manual therapeutic procedure to remedy distortions in the strucure and function of the craniosacral mechanism—the brain and spinal cord, the bones of the skull, the sacrum and inter-connected membranes. Craniosacral work is based upon two major premises: that the bones of the skull can be manipulated—because they never completely fuse—and that the pulse of the cerebrospinal fluid can be balanced by a practitioner trained to detect variations in that pulse. CST is used to treat chronic pain, migraine headaches, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), ear and eye problems, balance problems, learning difficulties, dyslexia, and hyperactivity. Crystal and gem therapy: Practitioners use quartz crystals and gemstones for therapeutic and healing purposes, asserting that the substances have recognizable energy frequencies and the capacity to amplify other frequencies in the body. They also absorb and store frequencies, and can essentially be programmed to help affect healing. Dance/movement therapy: A method of expressing thoughts and feelings through movement, developed during the 1940s. Participants, guided by trained therapists, are encouraged to move freely, sometimes to music. Dance/movement therapy can be practiced by people of all ages to promote self-esteem and gain insight into their own emotional problems; it is also used to help those with serious mental and physical disabilities. Decluttering: Based on the theory that clutter drains both physical and mental energy, decluttering involves two components. The first focuses on releasing things (clothing, papers, furniture, objects and ideas) that no longer serve a good purpose in one’s life. The second focuses on creating a simple system of personal organization that is easy to maintain and guards against accumulating things that are neither necessary nor nourishing. Dentistry (Holistic): Regards the mouth as a microcosm of the entire body. The oral structures and the whole body are seen as a unit. Holistic dentistry often incorporates such methods as homeopathy, biocompatibility testing and nutritional counseling. Most holistic dentists emphasize wellness and preventive care, while avoiding and often recommending the removal of silver-mercury fillings. Detoxification: The practice of resting, cleansing and nourishing the body from the inside out. According to some holistic practitioners, accumulated toxins can drain the body of energy and make it more susceptible to disease. Detoxification techniques may include fasts, special diets, sauna sweats and colon cleansing. Doula (Birth): A woman who supports an expectant mother through pregnancy, labor, birth and the postpartum period. Studies indicate that support in labor has profound benefits, including shorter labor, less desire for pain medication, lower rate of cesarean section delivery, and more ease in initiation of breastfeeding. Doula (End-of-life): A person who works with a dying person and their family to create the end-of-life experience that best suits the patient and the family. Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT): A self-help procedure founded by Gary Craig that combines fingertip tapping of key acupuncture meridian points while focusing on an emotional issue or health

challenge. Unresolved or “stuck” negative emotions, caused by a disruption in the body’s energy system, are seen as major contributors to most physical pains and diseases. EFT is easy to memorize and portable, so it can be done anywhere. Energy field work: The art and practice of realigning and re-attuning the body between the physical, and the etheric and auric fields to assist in natural healing processes. Working directly with the energy field in and around the body, the practitioner channels and directs energy into the cells, tissues and organs of the patient’s body to affect healing on physical and nonphysical levels simultaneously. Sessions may or may not involve the physical laying on of hands. Environmental medicine: Explores the role of dietary and environmental allergens in health and illness. Factors such as dust, mold, chemicals and certain foods may cause allergic reactions that can dramatically influence diseases, ranging from asthma and hay fever to headaches and depression. Enzyme therapy: Can be an important first step in restoring health and well-being by helping to remedy digestive problems. Plant and pancreatic enzymes are used in complementary ways to improve digestion and absorption of essential nutrients. Treatment includes enzyme supplements, coupled with a healthy diet that features whole foods. Essential Oils: Inside many plants—hidden in roots, seeds, flowers, bark—are concentrated, highly potent chemical compounds. These natural compounds are essential oils. Essential oils give a plant its scent, protect it from hazardous environmental conditions, and even assist it with pollination, among other important functions and benefits. Pure essential oils offer an alternative to synthetic products. Essential oils are more than just natural products. Each with a unique chemical makeup, essential oils have dozens of benefits for the body and mind. Essential oil benefits are determined by the chemistry of the plants. If these natural chemicals are properly extracted, they can be used to help you physically, mentally, and emotionally in your daily life. Feldenkrais method: Helps students straighten out what founder Moshe Feldenkrais calls, “kinks in the brain.” Kinks are learned movement patterns that may have been adopted to compensate for a physical injury or to accommodate individuality in the social world. Students unlearn unworkable movements and discover better, personalized ways to move, using mind-body principles of slowed action, breathing, awareness and thinking about their feelings.

Feng shui: The ancient Chinese system of arran-ging man-made spaces and elements to create or facilitate harmonious qi or chi (pronounced “chee”)—or energy flow—by tempering or enhancing the energy where necessary. Feng shui consultants can be an asset to both personal and business spaces, either before or after the spaces are created. Flower remedies: Flower essences are recognized for their ability to improve well-being by eliminating negative emotions. In the 1930s, English physician Edward Bach concluded that negative emotions could lead to physical illness. His research also convinced him

that flowers possessed healing properties that could be used to treat emotional problems. In the 1970s, Richard Katz completed Bach’s work and established the Flower Essence Society, which has registered some 100 essences from flowers in more than 50 countries. Functional medicine: A personalized medicine that focuses on primary prevention and deals with underlying causes, instead of symptoms, for serious chronic diseases. Treatments are grounded in nutrition and improved lifestyle habits and may make use of medications. The discipline uses a holistic approach to analyze and treat interdependent systems of the body and to create the dynamic balance integral to good health. Guided imagery and creative visualization: Uses positive thoughts, images and symbols to focus the mind on the workings of the body to accomplish a particular goal, desired outcome or physiological change, such as pain relief or healing of disease. This flow of thought can take many forms and, through the imagination, involve all the physical senses. Healing touch: A non-invasive, relaxing and nurturing energy therapy that helps to restore physical, emotional, mental and spiritual balance, and support self-healing. A gentle touch is used on or near the fully clothed client to influence the body’s inner energy centers and exterior energy fields. Healing touch is used to ease acute and chronic conditions, assist with pain management, encourage deep relaxation and accelerate wound healing. Herbal medicine: This oldest form of medicine uses natural plants in a wide variety of forms for their therapeutic value. Herbs produce and contain various chemical substances that act upon the body to strengthen its natural functions without the negative side effects of synthetic drugs. They may be taken internally or applied externally via teas, tinctures, extracts, oils, ointments, compresses and poultices. Homeopathy: A therapy that uses small doses of specially prepared plants and minerals to stimulate the body’s defense mechanisms and healing processes in order to cure illness. Homeopathy, taken from the Greek words homeos, meaning “similar”, and pathos, meaning “suffering”, employs the concept that “like cures like”. A remedy is individually chosen for a person based on its capacity to cause, if given in an overdose, physical and psychological symptoms similar to those the patient is experiencing. Hydrotherapy: The use of water, ice, steam, and hot and cold temperatures to maintain and restore health. Treatments include full-body immersion, steam baths, saunas, sitz baths, colonic irrigation, and the application of hot and/or cold compresses. Hydrotherapy is effective for treating a wide range of conditions and can easily be used at home as part of a self-care program. Hypnotherapy: A range of hypnosis techniques that allow practitioners to bypass the conscious mind and access the subconscious. The altered state that occurs under hypnosis has been compared to a state of deep meditation or transcendence, in which the innate recuperative abilities of the psyche are allowed to flow more freely. The subject can achieve greater clarity regarding his or her own wants and needs, explore other events or periods of life that require resolution, or generally develop a more positive attitude. Integrative medicine: This holistic approach combines conventional Western medicine with complementary alternative treatments in order to simultaneously treat mind, body and spirit. Geared to the promotion of health and the prevention of illness, it neither rejects conventional medicine nor accepts alternative therapies, without serious evaluation. Intuitive arts: A general term for various methods of divination, such as numerology, psychic reading and tarot reading. Individuals may consult practitioners to seek information about the future or insights into

personal concerns or their personality. Numerology emphasizes the significance of numbers derived from the spelling of names, birth dates and other significant references; psychics may claim various abilities, from finding lost objects and persons to communicating with the spirits of the dead. Tarot readers interpret a deck of cards containing archetypal symbols. Iridology: Analysis of the delicate structure of the iris, the colored portion of the eye, to reveal information about conditions within the body. More than 90 specific zones on each iris—for a combined total of more than 180 zones—correspond to specific areas of the body. Because body weaknesses are often noticeable in the iris long before they are discernible through blood work or other laboratory analysis, iridology can be a useful tool for preventive self-care. Jin Shin (or Jin Shin Jyutsu): A gentle, non-invasive, energy-balancing art and philosophy that embodies a life of simplicity, calmness, patience and selfcontainment. Practitioners employ simple acupressure techniques, using their fingers and hands on a fully clothed client to help eliminate stress, create emotional equilibrium, relieve pain, and alleviate acute or chronic conditions. Kinesiology/applied kinesiology: The study of muscles and their movement. Applied kinesiology tests the relative strength and weakness of selected muscles to identify decreased function in body organs and systems, as well as imbalances and restrictions in the body’s energy flow. Some tests use acupuncture meridians and others analyze interrelationships among muscles, organs, the brain and the body’s energy field. Applied kinesiology is also used to check the body’s response to treatments that are being considered. Magnetic field therapy: Electromagnetic energy and the human body have a vital and valid interrelationship, making it possible to use magnetic field therapy as an aid in diagnosing and treating physical and emotional disorders. This process is reported to relieve symptoms and may, in some cases, retard the cycle of new diseases. Magnets and electromagnetic therapy devices are now being used to eliminate pain, facilitate the healing of broken bones and counter the effects of stress. Massage therapy: A general term for the manipulation of soft tissue for therapeutic purposes. Massage therapy incorporates various disciplines and involves kneading, rubbing, brushing and tapping the muscles and connective tissues by hand or using mechanical devices. Its goal is to increase circulation and detoxification in order to reduce physical and emotional stress and increase overall wellness.

Meditation: The intentional directing of attention to one’s inner self. Methods and practices to achieve a meditative state are based upon various principles using the body or mind; they may also employ control or letting-go mechanisms. Techniques include the use of imagery, mantras, observation and the control of breathing. Research has shown that regular meditation can contribute to psychological and physiological well-being. As a spiritual practice, meditation is used to facilitate a mystical sense of oneness with a higher power or the Universe. It can also help reduce stress and alleviate stress-related ailments, such as anxiety and high blood pressure.

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natural living glossary Mediumship: A medium professes to mentally see, hear and/or sense persons or entities in a spiritual dimension, and convey messages from them to people in the physical world. Readings focus on evidential messages from recognizable personalities in the spirit world. The messages are delivered as guidance for one’s “highest good”. Midwife: A birth attendant who assists a woman through the prenatal, labor, birth and postpartum stages of pregnancy. The mother is encouraged to be involved and to feel in control of her birthing experience. Midwives are knowledgeable about normal pregnancy, labor, birth and pain relief options. They respect the process of birth as an innate and familiar process. Certified nurse-midwives are registered nurses who have received advanced training and passed a national certification exam. Nurse-midwives collaborate with physicians as needed, especially when problems arise during pregnancy. (Also see Doula.) Naturopathy: A comprehensive and eclectic system whose philosophy is based upon working in harmony with the body’s natural healing abilities. Naturopathy incorporates a broad range of natural methods and substances aimed to promote health. Training may include the study of specific approaches, including massage, manipulation, acupuncture, acupressure, counseling, applied nutrition, herbal medicine, homeopathy and minor surgery, plus basic obstetrics for assistance with natural childbirth. Network chiropractic: Uses Network Spinal Analysis (NSA), a system of assessing and contributing to spinal and neural integrity, as well as health and wellness. Founded and developed by Donald Epstein. Practitioners employ gentle force to the spine to help the body eliminate mechanical tension in the neurological system. The body naturally develops strategies to dissipate stored tension/energy, thus enhancing selfregulation of tension and spinal interference. (Also see Chiropractic.) Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP): A systematic approach to changing the limiting patterns of thought, behavior and language. Through conversation, practitioners observe the client’s language, eye movements, posture, breathing and gestures in order to detect and help change unconscious patterns linked to the client’s emotional state. Nutritional counseling: Embracing a wider range of approaches, nutrition-based, complementary therapies and counseling to seek to alleviate physical and psychological disorders through special diets and food supplements. These will be either macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, proteins and fiber) or micronutrients (vitamins, minerals and trace elements that cannot be manufactured in the body). Nutritional therapy/counseling often uses dietary or food supplements, which can include tablets, capsules, powders or liquids. Osteopathy/osteopathic physicians: Uses generally accepted physical, pharmacological and surgical methods of diagnosis and therapy—with a strong emphasis on body mechanics and manipulative methods to detect and correct faulty structure and function—in order to restore the body’s natural healing capacities. Doctors of osteopathy are fully trained and licensed according to the same standards as medical doctors; they receive additional extensive training in the body’s structure and functions. Oxygen therapies: Alters the body’s chemistry to help overcome disease, promote repair and improve overall function. Properly applied, oxygen may be used to treat a wide variety of conditions, including infections, circulatory problems, chronic fatigue

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

syndrome, arthritis, allergies, cancer and multiple sclerosis. The major types of oxygen therapy used to treat illness are hyperbaric oxygen and ozone. Hydrogen peroxide therapy (oral or intravenous) can be dangerous and should be avoided. Past Life Regression: Past life and regression therapies operate on the assumption that many physical, mental and emotional challenges are extensions of unresolved problems from the past, either childhood traumas or experiences in previous lifetimes. The practitioner uses hypnosis or other altered states of consciousness and relaxation techniques to access the source of this “unfinished business”, and helps clients to analyze, integrate and release past traumas that are interfering with their current lives. Pilates: A structured system of small isolated movements that demands powerful focus on feeling every nuance of muscle action while working out on floor mats or machines. Emphasizes development of the torso’s abdominal power center, or core. More gentle than conventional exercises, Pilates— like yoga—yields long, lean, flexible muscles with gracefully balanced movements that readily translate into everyday activities like walking, sitting and bending. Can help in overcoming injuries. Prolotherapy: A rejuvenating therapy that uses injections of natural substances to stimulate collagen growth in order to strengthen weak or damaged joints, tendons, ligaments or muscles. Often used as a natural alternative to drugs and/or surgery to treat pain syndromes, including degenerative arthritis, lower back, neck and joint pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, migraine headaches, and torn ligaments and cartilage. Qigong and Tai chi: Qigong and tai chi combine movement, meditation and breathe regulation to enhance the flow of vital energy (qi or chi, pronounced “chee”) in the body, improve circulation and enhance immune function. Qigong traces its roots to traditional Chinese medicine. Tai chi was originally a self-defense martial art descended from qigong and employed to promote inner peace and calm. Real Time EEG Neurofeedback: Involves direct training of brain function. Using computer processing to capture electrical activity in the brain, an individual can reward the brain with positive feedback, changing its activity to desired, more appropriate patterns. Gradually, the brain learns and remembers how to exhibit only the good patterns. Reflexology: A natural healing art based upon the principle that there are reflexes in the feet and hands that correspond to every part of the body. Correctly stimulating and applying pressure to the feet or hands increases circulation and promotes specifically designated bodily and muscular functions. Reiki: Means “universal life-force energy”. A method of activating and balancing the life-force (qi or chi, pronounced “chee”). Practitioners use light hand placements to channel healing energies to organs and glands or to align the body’s chakras (energy centers). Various techniques can ease emotional and mental distress, heal chronic and acute physical problems, and achieve spiritual focus and clarity. Reiki can be a valuable addition to the work of chiropractors, massage therapists, nurses and others for whom the use of touch is essential and appropriate. Rolfing structural integration (Rolfing): A handson technique for deep tissue manipulation of the myofascial system—which is composed of the muscles and the connective tissue, or fascia—in order to restore the body’s natural alignment and sense of integration. The range and freedom of physical and emotional expression increases as the

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body is released from old patterns and postures. Rolfing can help ease pain and chronic stress, enhance neurological functioning, improve posture and restore flexibility. Shamanism: An ancient healing tradition which believes that loss of power is the real source of illness and that all healing includes the spiritual dimension. Shamanic healing usually involves induction into an altered state of consciousness and journeying into the spirit world to regain personal power and to access the powers of nature and of teachers. Shamanic healing may be taken literally or employed symbolically; the tradition can be both self-empowering and self-healing. Shiatsu: The most widely known form of acupressure, shiatsu is a Japanese word meaning finger pressure. The technique applies varying degrees of pressure to balance the life energy that flows through specific pathways, or meridians, in the body. Used to release tension and strengthen weak areas in order to facilitate even circulation, cleanse cells and improve the function of vital organs.

Sound healing: Employs vocal and instrumental tones, generated internally or externally. When sounds are produced with healing intent, they can create sympathetic resonance in the physical and energy bodies. Sound healing also is used to bring discordant energy into balance and harmony. Symphony of the Cells: 18 essential oil applications developed by Boyd Truman and designed to help anyone bring harmony physically, emotionally, and spiritually within the body. The applications were created with the knowledge that every condition is connected to a body system. Each application takes a focused approach, addressing a specific body system and targeting the underlying causes and symptoms of various conditions. The applications incorporate pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils and utilize a layering technique. Thermography (thermal imaging): A diagnostic technique that uses an infrared camera to measure temperature variations on the surface of the body, producing images that reveal sites of inflammation and abnormal tissue growth. Inflammation is recognized as the earliest stage of nearly all major health challenges. Yoga: Practical application of the ancient Indian Vedic teachings. The word yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj which means “union” or “to join”, and refers to the joining of man’s physical, mental and spiritual elements. Yoga focuses physical exercises called asanas (or postures), controlled breathing, relaxation, meditation, and diet and nutrition. Please note: The contents of this Health & Wellness Glossary are for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to be used in place of a visit or consultation with a healthcare professional. Always seek out a practitioner who is licensed, certified or otherwise professionally qualified to conduct a selected treatment, as appropriate. SOURCES: U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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INTEGRATIVE

WOMEN’S WELLNESS Five Top Health Concerns and What to Do

by Ronica O’Hara

nyone walking into a U.S. hospital today will notice something that was inconceivable 50 years ago—one in three practicing physicians is a woman, and among physicians under age 35, it’s three in five. That compares to one in 14 in 1970. For women needing health care, that fact can change everything. “Research says that female physicians provide better care to female patients than male physicians do,” says Harvard Medical School Associate Professor Alice Domar, Ph.D., a pioneer in women’s mind-body medicine. “They are more likely to listen carefully and take complaints seriously.” That’s just one factor in how health care is improving for women. Only three decades ago, women were simply considered “small men” in medical research and rarely included as subjects in clinical studies. Today, after a 1993 federal mandate ensured their inclusion, it’s been well established that women metabolize drugs differently than men, respond to health threats with a more robust immune system and are more likely to experience side effects. These findings have helped spur major changes for women in standards, dosages, medications and procedures—resulting in fewer cancer deaths, better treatment of autoimmune disorders and more nuanced cardiac care strategies. Although much has improved about women’s health, much more remains to be done.

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Cancer

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About one in three women is diagnosed with cancer in the course of a lifetime, and they have better survival rates than men, of which one in two receives that diagnosis. Between 2001 and 2017, the overall cancer death rate for women declined by 1.4 percent each year as diagnoses and treatments became more refined and targeted. The number one cancer killer for women is lung cancer, although 19 percent diagnosed have never smoked. The next most deadly are cancers of the breast, colon/rectum, pancreas and ovaries. Breast cancer deaths have dropped by 40 percent since 1989, thanks to greater awareness, early detection and better treat-

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ments. “Women learned from the AIDS crisis that making noise gets results,” says Domar. “Look at how far breast cancer research and treatment has come in the past 10 to 20 years, how powerful Breast Cancer Awareness Month is, and that everyone recognizes that pink ribbon.” Common symptoms: Bowel changes, lingering sores, fatigue, lumps, unusual discharge, difficulty digesting or swallowing, nagging cough or hoarseness, belly or back pain. New research: An international research team has identified a direct molecular link between meat and dairy diets and the development of antibodies in the blood that increases the chances of developing cancer. Medical advances: Painful, invasive biopsies may become a thing of the past. Mayo Clinic researchers have developed a simple blood test that detects more than 50 types of cancer, as well as their location within the body, with a high degree of accuracy, and the City of Hope Cancer Center, in Los Angeles, has developed a urine test that analyzes cell-free fragments of DNA to detect cancer. Preventive strategies: Vitamin D supplementation lowers the risk of mortality across all cancers, German researchers found, estimating that if all Germans older than 50 took such supplements, up to 30,000 cancer deaths per year might be avoided. A 10-year study found that people between 55 and 74 that took a low-dose aspirin at least three times each week lowered their risk of all types of cancer by 15 percent and overall mortality by 19 percent.

Heart Disease

One in three American women die from heart disease, more than all cancers combined. “Unfortunately, awareness that heart disease can and does happen to women remains low, and this results in delay of care,” says cardiologist Nicole Harkin of Whole Heart Cardiology, in San Francisco. “Women tend to seek medical care later in the course of their heart attack and with more risk factors, resulting in poorer outcomes, and they are more likely than men to die of their first heart attack.” Women have different symptoms of heart disease than men, are often misdiagnosed and have a 20 percent greater risk of dying within five years of a heart attack. Pregnant women that develop hypertension are two to five times more likely to later develop cardiovascular disease. Common symptoms: Heart pressure, fatigue, breathlessness and pain between the shoulder blades. New research: Eating more than seven servings per day of refined grains like croissants and white bread increased the risk of heart disease by 33 percent and stroke by 47 percent, concluded a study in The British Medical Journal. In a Stanford study, participants that ate plant-based meat for eight weeks had improved markers of heart health, lower LDL levels and lost two pounds compared to those eating meat. Medical advance: To successfully fix a floppy mitral valve that’s hampering blood flow in the heart, doctors can guide a cath-

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eter up a patient’s leg vein and staple the troubled parts of the valve with a tiny clip, a safer and less invasive procedure than open-heart surgery. Preventive strategies: Eating nuts several times a week lowers by 30 to 50 percent the risk of heart attacks, sudden cardiac death and cardiovascular disease, four large cohort studies have shown. Older women with high fitness levels have one quarter the risk of dying from heart disease as women that are out of shape, report Spanish researchers.

Autoimmune Diseases The prevalence of autoimmune diseases has grown by one half in two decades, even as medications and targeted therapies have kept more patients active and out of wheelchairs. “Where it used to be the norm for many physicians to consider women with some autoimmune illnesses to be neurotic, that approach is now being recognized as being abusive and unacceptable. This is a critical step towards recovery,” says chronic fatigue expert Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D., author of From Fatigued to Fantastic! About 80 percent of the 23 million Americans that suffer from debilitating autoimmune diseases are women, and those conditions tend to develop during childbearing years. The eighth-leading cause of death among women, these illnesses shorten lifespan by an average of eight years. The 80-plus diseases, including fibromyalgia, lupus, celiac disease, Type 1 diabetes, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis, are linked to genetics, environmental triggers, some medications, obesity, injuries and stress. Common symptoms: These vary widely, but may include achy muscles, fatigue, recurring low-grade fever, joint pain and swelling, skin problems, abdominal pain and swelling, hair loss, swollen glands and tingling in hands and feet. New research: Eating significantly fewer foods containing the amino acid methionine, found at high levels in meat, fish, dairy and eggs, could slow the onset and progression of autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis in high-risk individuals, reports a study in Cell Metabolism. 50

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Medical advance: Evidence is mounting that low doses of naltrexone, a substanceabuse treatment drug, can treat conditions like lupus, Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis by normalizing the immune system and relieving pain with few side effects. “It costs only about 70 cents a day, is made by compounding pharmacists and is remarkably beneficial for a host of autoimmune conditions,” says Teitelbaum. Preventive strategy: To fight inflammation, take a daily turmeric or curcumin supplement that includes piperine (black pepper) for better absorption. A University of Houston meta-study in Nutrients found that curcumin supplements improved symptoms in 14 osteoarthritis, two ulcerative colitis and eight Type 2 diabetes studies.

Hormonal Imbalances The past 20 years has seen significant improvements in the studies and treatments of female hormonal issues. “There are now treatment options that allow women to transition into menopause, options for prevention of osteoporosis and momentous changes in fertility,” says Stephanie Seitz, a naturopathic family physician in Scottsdale, Arizona. At the same time, she adds, “I have seen environmental toxins rising in my female population. I see young girls coming in with polycystic ovary syndrome, early menarche and painful menstrual cramping; women having trouble getting pregnant for unknown reasons; the rise of fibroids, premature ovarian insufficiency and endometriosis.” Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers, regulating processes ranging from hunger to blood pressure to mood and playing a key role in reproduction. They have come under assault from endocrine disrupters, thousands of largely unregulated per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, abbreviated PFAS. These “forever chemicals” are found in everything from plastics to cushions to canned foods, and are in the blood of 98 percent of Americans. Studies have linked them to girls experiencing puberty one year earlier than 40 years ago; to rising cases of infertility, miscarriages and low birth weight; to menopause occurring two to four years earlier; and to obesity,

polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis and breast cancer. Common symptoms: Because hormones regulate all of the body’s processes, symptoms of imbalance run the gamut and may include fatigue, weakness, erratic menstrual cycles and weight gain or loss. New research: Early menstruation increases the likelihood of hot flashes and night sweats decades later at menopause, according to a University of Queensland study. Eating five teaspoons of extra-virgin olive oil daily reduced women’s moderate to severe menstrual cramps by 83 percent in two months, Iranian researchers found. Medical advance: A major study of 9,000 postmenopausal women with hormone-sensitive breast cancer showed 94 percent that received hormonal therapy, but not chemotherapy, did not have recurrences. Preventive strategies: To avoid toxic chemicals, buy organics; replace plastic kitchen containers with glass; replace Teflon pans with ceramic or cast-iron; use chemical-free cosmetics and shampoos; nix air fresheners and chemical cleaners; and check out food and care products at the Environmental Working Group (ewg.org). To help detox the body, consider working with a naturopathic doctor to develop a program that may include cleansing foods, herbs, saunas, elimination diets and chelators such as activated charcoal and algae.

Depression

Common symptoms: Sadness, anxiety, flat feeling, loss of motivation or feelings of pleasure, change of eating or sleeping patterns, low energy, difficulty concentrating or headaches. New research: Sleeping irregular hours, doing night shifts and working for more than nine hours a day have been shown to put women at higher risk of depression, while eating more dietary fiber in produce, grains and legumes significantly lowers this risk. Medical advances: For the estimated one in four people with depression that doesn’t respond to medication or therapy, emerging approaches offer fresh hope. Low doses of the anesthetic drug ketamine lifted the depression of 70 percent of hard-to-treat subjects by targeting specific serotonin receptors, Swedish researchers report. Transcranial magnetic stimulation, which uses magnetic pulses to stimulate parts of the prefrontal cortex, lifts symptoms for 50 to 60 percent of subjects, studies show. Preventive strategies: Eating at least two servings a week of wild-caught, oily fish or a daily 1,000-to-2,000-milligram fish oil supplement with a 60-to-40 EPA to DHA ratio has been shown to be effective for symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and postpartum depression. Taking a brisk daily walk in nature with a friend or dog lowers four factors linked to depression: a “nature deficit”, physical inactivity, low vitamin-D levels and isolation. Natural health writer Ronica O’Hara can be reached at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

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Women are twice as likely as men to develop depression, with one in four having a major episode at some point in life, yet fewer than half seek treatment. “Many women are too busy caring for others and feel guilty about their depression, fearing it could get in the way of their caregiving goals,” says New York psychoanalyst Claudia Luiz. “Many have the fantasy that if they open that door and allow themselves to focus on their feelings, they won’t be able to keep going.”

Depression occurs most frequently in women ages 25 to 44, and one in five teenage girls reports having had a major depressive episode, a number that has exploded due to social media use. Psychotherapy is effective for 62 percent of adults with depression, antidepressants work for 54 percent and combining the two is helpful for 72 percent.

Natural Living Directory 2021 51

Thermogram Program Provides In-Depth Women’s Health Check

by Ariana Rawls Fine

s we navigate a world with increased environmental toxic overload for many of us, we search for ways to decrease our exposures. As women, we are encouraged to go for annual female-focused checkups that may include mammograms— and, for some of us with denser breasts, ultrasounds as well—as well as Pap smears and other types of hormonal-related tests. These tests can detect issues that may need to be addressed immediately, but they do come with exposure-related concerns for some with repeated annual tests. Early detection enables us to address potential trouble areas sooner than later before they become a serious issue, explains Rachel Mazzarelli, MS, CCT, owner of Whole Health Thermography LLC (WholeHealthThermography.com), which serves Fairfield and New Haven Counties in Connecticut, and Westchester County in New York. One of the benefits of digital infrared thermal imaging (DITI) is a detection of body changes and risk markers before they might move out of the “normal” level ranges on the regular annual tests. DITI, or thermography as it is referred to, is non-invasive, non-con-

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tact, painless, FDA-cleared technology with no radiation involved. DITI has been recognized as a viable diagnostic tool for over 30 years by the AMA Council on Scientific Affairs, ACA Council on Diagnostic Imaging, Congress of Neuro-Surgeons and American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. While an increasing number of women are having breast thermograms for much earlier detection of potential problem areas and for readings that are around 85 percent accurate, a new thermography program addresses broader women’s health. The Advanced Women’s Health Check (WHC) provides a focused holistic view of overall health status and future risk levels, as indicated by the American College of Clinical Thermology. It is an opportunity to detect changes earlier than possible through self or doctor examination, and diagnostic testing alone. This quick, 30-minute test starts with a detailed medical history being taken before partially disrobing for the non-contact scanning. WHC can be a valuable procedure for alerting a person’s healthcare practitioner to changes that can indicate developing

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pathology and dysfunction. The results are also weighted for analysis and specific to female symptoms related to thyroid dysfunction, estrogen dominance or genitourinary issues. The WHC thermogram report is generated from a 71-point questionnaire that combines symptoms and history across breast, obstetrics/gynecology, thyroid, endocrine, visceral and autonomic systems. DITI looks for findings that may indicate autoimmune, endocrine/adrenal system, vascular, lymphatic and breast health dysfunctions, such as hormonal dysfunction, polycystic syndrome and inflammatory pelvic disease and endometriosis. A colored slider moving from green to red indicates associated risk levels. A green Normal reading does not rule out subclinical or non-active pathology, but is an indication of good functional health and low risk for existing or developing pathology. The orange Low Risk level justifies clinical evaluation or correlation with low-risk physiological dysfunction, which should be assessed and/ or monitored by a healthcare professional in order to achieve and maintain optimum wellness. The red Some Risk level indicates risk for existing or developing pathology, justifying additional clinical testing or intervention to diagnose or rule out clinically significant physiological dysfunction. The WHC includes the additional findings relating to physiological changes in the breasts and is an important piece in the breast screening puzzle. Breast health is integral to our wholistic wellness as well as being an early indicator of developing pathology. As for digestive issues, abdominal findings include colon inflammation that can indicate IBS, leaky gut, diverticulitis and other risk factors that justify colonoscopy or preventative treatment. “My reasons for beginning to get regular thermograms are my family history of breast cancer. After a couple of pictures and a short wait time to get the report, I was delighted to learn that my breasts were looking all blue and green (healthy), which was a big relief. I was surprised to see that I had perioral hyperthermia, which was noted as consistent with a low-grade dental infection. I had an annual appointment coming up with my dentist, so she checked it out. It was a simple case of not flossing enough. I was so impressed that the thermogram picked up on such a relatively minor situation. There were no symptoms,” said Laura (last name withheld for privacy) from New York, about the thermogram picking up other imbalances in her body. For many of us suffering from autoimmune conditions, a loss of temperature gradients can indicate autonomic disease or dysfunction, such as early-stage diabetic changes. Inflammatory vascular findings can provide a warning before any symptoms develop, as arteries become inflamed before occlusion becomes clinically significant. The head and neck views that are graded in WHC include sinuses, arteries, dental, thyroid, lymphatic and autonomic, as well as any indications of inflammation or infection that can affect the immune system. “Because of the women’s health check report, I was able to hone in with my naturopath on what further lab tests were needed or unnecessary to investigate symptoms I was experiencing,” said Daniela (name changed for privacy). “As an example, suspected intestinal issues did not ‘light up’ in the thermogram reading, which was con-

trary to what I thought was happening. Instead, viral and environmental toxin overload in other areas seemed to come up. My result definitely showed more T2/T3 issues associated with a chronically activated immune system, which led my naturopath to test more for food allergies and sensitivities, hormonal imbalances, heavy metal toxicity, low-grade chronic infection and systemic illness. In addition, the test pointed out a low-grade level of dysfunction throughout my back, which indicated to me that I needed to implement a more regular plan of treatment with my chiropractor as well.” The test and report are designed to help patients take control of their current and future health. The report is also designed to help motivate patients to incorporate lifestyle changes, holistic treatment or even medical intervention. Annual studies are recommended to help monitor risk levels and provide early indicators of any issue that justifies intervention. Patients can bring the easy-toread report to any practitioners—such as naturopaths, osteopaths, biological dentists, holistic physical therapists, chiropractors, energy practitioners and others—to better inform treatment plans with health support providers. Article Source: Rachel Mazzarelli, MS, CCT of Whole Health Thermography LLC. Connect at WholeHealthThermography.com. See ad, page 8. Ariana Rawls Fine is a holistic writer and editor who lives in Stratford with her family. She can be reached at ArianaRawls.com or Ariana@ArianaRawls.com.

Natural Living Directory 2021 53

Six Ways to Practice Self-Love for a Healthier Life by Nadia Noori

“Self-love means finding peace within ourselves—resting comfortably within the depths of our being.” ~ John Amodeo

elf-love is critical for a truly healthy lifestyle. Studies have found that people who treat themselves compassionately have better health habits and outcomes. Loving ourselves means we’ll be more in tune with what’s going on in our body and mind, more likely to realize when there’s a problem and more likely to seek care. Self-love also leads to a happier, less stressed life. Self-care and self-compassion are two big components of showing ourselves love. This can include activities like treating ourselves to a long bath or a massage, but it also applies to how we treat ourselves daily, in a broader sense. It’s about making decisions that benefit us, even when they are difficult or inconvenient. Self-compassion doesn’t mean setting low expectations or standards for ourselves; it means we don’t beat ourselves up when we make a mistake, miss an opportunity or something doesn’t go our way. We can think of it as treating ourselves with the care, attention, understanding and kindness we’d give to our closest friends and family. Not sure where to start? Here are six ways to practice self-love. 54

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Set boundaries. Knowing when and how to say “no”, not overextending ourselves and not making commitments that are harmful to us, are important parts of self-love. This means acknowledging which situations and people have a negative impact on our well-being and minimizing exposure to them. Boundary-setting can be difficult and guilt-ridden if we’ve always been the one everyone else counts on, or are used to giving of ourselves without limits. An important part of setting boundaries is reminding ourselves that we have a right and obligation to put us first, because we are the only person who can take care of us in the best ways. Pay attention to which environments and people cause feelings of stress or exhaustion, and which give positive energy or feelings of calm and safety. We should avoid the exhausting, stressful ones as much as possible, and make a conscious effort to immerse ourselves in those that make us feel good.

Avoid comparing to others. We are bombarded with messages —from the media, society, our social circles—about what others have and accomplish, and can start to believe that if we don’t do or have those same things, we’re lesser. Whether it’s a celebrity’s “summer body”, a friend’s successful startup or a sibling’s “perfect” nuclear family, we’re constantly nudged in the direction of comparisons that negatively impact our well-being. We can fight the urge to use anyone else as a measuring stick for who we should be or how we should live our lives. Everyone is unique, and it’s through that uniqueness that we’ll make our impact on the world. Let’s take stock of our strengths, the things we’re good at, and work to make those central to our day-to-day life, career, hobbies and relationships. We should get involved in activities that interest us, learn things we’re curious about and do what makes us happy and whole.

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Meditation and mindfulness. From the ability to lower blood pressure to helping people manage anxiety, depression and pain, mindfulness meditation has many science-backed benefits. In simplest terms, this practice involves sitting, focusing on the breath and noticing when thoughts or feelings arise without getting caught up in them. It can help us relax in the moment, but also carries over into how we process and deal with the stresses and challenges of everyday life. Meditation is a great self-love practice in part because we are actively carving out time that’s just for us, even if it’s five or 10 minutes a day. In our hectic world, that can be powerful. For first-time meditators and those looking to cultivate a regular practice, technology can help. Apps like Headspace ease into meditation from the ground up, and can make sticking to a practice easier. There are also great guided meditations on Insight Timer, plus a basic timer for those not looking to do a guided practice.

Practice gratitude. As the saying goes, “It’s not happy people who are thankful, it’s thankful people who are happy.” Gratitude is another powerful way of loving ourselves. Similar to when

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we take stock of the positive aspects of who we are, taking account of the good things in our daily life can boost our mood and make us more resilient in trying times. There are many ways to practice gratitude, including keeping a gratitude journal where we write a few things for which we’re grateful each day. We can also take gratitude notes on our phone, or make the notes entirely mental ones. Another great option is to do a guided gratitude meditation. The point is to pause and reflect on the positives in our life, however large or small.

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Eat a healthy, nutritious, balanced diet. One of the best ways we show ourselves love is through the food we eat and how we consume it. If we’re constantly putting things into our bodies that leave us feeling lethargic or weighed down, and we’re inhaling food while doing three other things at once, we are sending ourselves the message that we aren’t worth the time and energy to fuel ourselves with good things in a deliberate and present way. And of course, diet has a huge impact on our overall health. It’s important to be mindful about what we eat, really paying attention to how certain foods make us feel. We can start by keeping a food/feelings diary to record what we’ve eaten, and also track how we feel. Patterns may emerge over a few weeks or a month. It can also be a good idea to have a doctor run tests to determine whether we have any food sensitivities or allergies we may not be aware of. A great way to get into the swing of things regarding a healthy diet is to ask for help. Sometimes a little guidance and structure is all it takes.

Schedule needs and take care of them. Oftentimes, our calendars fill up with things we have to do for people and situations outside of ourselves: kids’ sports practices, grocery shopping, work meetings, friends’ birthdays. Before we know it, we’re booked up and spent, with no time or energy for ourselves. Part of self-love is taking care of our needs, not just our wants or responsibilities, and committing to choices that benefit us down the line. That sometimes means doing things we’d rather postpone, like getting an annual checkup, or even seeing a doctor when we feel sick. Neglecting our needs sends the message that we’re not worth it, which is the opposite of self-love. So, make that doctor’s appointment, set a reminder, and go to it. Schedule big tasks, but make sure to also set aside time for all the everyday practices that make up self-maintenance. This includes blocking out time for exercise, meditation, play and whatever else helps us feel cared for. Recognize when some “me-time” is needed, and make it a priority. Dr. Nadia Noori, of the Shalva Clinic in Westport, received her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine. Her areas of specialty lie in optimizing gastrointestinal health and brain health with a focus on neurodegenerative and neuropsychological conditions. She strongly believes that when provided the optimum environment and care, the body possesses an innate ability to self-heal. Connect at 203-916-4600, Info@ShalvaClinic.org or ShalvaClinic.org.

Sedona Art is an art supply boutique for artists and creatives of all ages. Workshops in the expressive arts are offered for adults and children of all ages. Inspiration is always free.

450-452 Main Street Ridgefield, CT 203-438-7146 https://www.facebook.com/touchofsedona www.sedonaart.net

HILDA DEMIRJIAN LASER & SKIN CARE LASER COLLAGEN TREATMENTS AND LASER HAIR REMOVAL FOR ALL COMPLEXIONS

Effective on the full face, neck and body for: Fine Lines & Wrinkles • Sun Damage • Brown Spots Skin Tightening • Dark Circles • Scars • Rosacea • Acne Cellulite • Stretch Marks • Turkey Neck • Elbows & Knees Radio Frequency Stimulates collagen internally for younger looking skin. For fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, dark circles around the eyes and mouth; skin tightening & plumping. Stretch Marks

Before & After

Only one treatment

Before

After

“Highly recommended! This is the place to go for anyone who is skeptical or has any reservations about Laser for their skin! Your skin will love you for it.” Deborah S.

Free Consultations 914-374-1756 34 S. Broadway, Suite 607 • White Plains, NY 10601

HildaDemirjianLaser.com • HildaDemirjianSkincare.com Natural Living Directory 2021 55

fit body

Stay Fit with Bodywork Therapy Enhance Workout Performance and Recovery with Massage by Marlaina Donato

Tailored Tools “In the context of exercise, someone who trains three to five times per week at a high intensity will likely have a higher level of fitness. However, the demand placed on the soft tissue structures will equally be high, and may require more treatment to offset this. This may vary from once a week to once a month,” says Andy Stanbury, head of soft tissue therapy at Pure Sports Medicine, a London clinic for sports injuries. After working with high performance athletes for 15 years, he always asks, “What do I need to add to improve a patient’s fitness or performance?” For a patient that wants to improve fitness by running, “I would want to optimize their range of movement and stimulate the nervous system in readiness to exercise. I may look to use some myofascial release techniques, active release therapy, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization or muscle energy techniques. This would of course take place before the run.” For post-run recovery, Stanbury suggests more relaxing modalities, such as gentle massage, combined with breathwork.

The Fascia Factor Fascia, a network of connective tissue, wraps the body in protective layers from the most superficial muscle to the deepest organs and plays a central role in flexibility. This complex netting can become stuck due to inactivity, injury or surgery. Keeping it supple is vital for everyone. 56

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

eNaturalAwakenings.com

minervastudio/AdobeStock.com

herapeutic massage and other bodywork modalities are well-known stress-busters, but they can also hasten recovery after a workout or injury. A little restorative TLC with a bodywork practitioner before or after exercise can combat post-workout soreness and stiffness, maximizing our fitness investments in and out of the gym. Approaches such as Swedish, deep tissue and sports massages, and myofascial trigger point release therapy can boost both blood and lymphatic circulation, giving soft tissues a vital shot of cellular nutrition. Massage modalities affect biochemical processes and on the deepest level, mitochondria—the cell’s energy-producing engines. Research from 2015 published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise shows that massage immediately following injury due to resistance training encourages tissue regeneration.

Bodywork like myofascial release that targets trigger points—knots of tension—can help to ramp up postoperative and overall injury recovery. “Myofascial release is a technique used to reduce the tension in the fascial membrane. Slowly stretching the fascia will unwind and reduce the pressure on the muscles and nerves, reducing pain and creating range of motion and flexibility,” explains Anthony Hansen, a myofascial release therapist at Therapy on the Gulf, in Naples, Florida. Hansen, who specializes in a “fast release” technique, emphasizes the importance of a gentle approach. “Trigger points are caused by cellular debris encapsulated by the fascia, so it’s much better to stretch it loose than it is to force it. Normally, it takes about three to five sessions, depending on the condition of the patient, for the fascial system to unwind before the patient will feel relief.” Active trigger points refer, or radiate, pain elsewhere in the body while latent

points tend to be more localized and are sore when compressed. “From a whole-body perspective and when we put this in the context of fascial planes, restoration of efficient movement is key, particularly post-surgery and when progressing training load,” says Stanbury. “However, this is not just movement of the body (muscles), but movement of blood, lymph and energy.” A supple, tension-free body helps deter and bounce back from injuries. Regular bodywork, especially Swedish and deep tissue massage, fosters muscle recovery and helps prevent future issues. Self-massage using foam rollers and massage balls or canes can also be very helpful. Bodywork offers full-spectrum perks, points out Stanbury, including “improved tissue mobility and elasticity, more efficient blood circulation and reduced anxiety and stress. This will, in turn, help promote better sleep, which is, of course, where we recover best.” Marlaina Donato is a body-mind-spirit author and composer/ recording artist. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

MODALITIES TO HELP EASE PAIN AND STRAIN Swedish Massage: Gentle, gliding strokes to stimulate circulation, lower blood pressure and reduce muscle tension. Deep Tissue Massage: Specific, focused massage to break up muscle congestion and reduce restrictions. Sports Massage: Offered at many gyms, physical therapy facilities and recreational sports events for recovery and prevention.

A g net a B or stei n Astrologer

• Natal Interpretation • Relationships • Business Consultation • Transits - Updates For appointments: 860 -983-5666 Zoom Sessions Available www.agnetaborstein.com

Lectio 360

A Contemplative Practice to Improve Self-Awareness and Serenity

Regular Online 30-Minute Sessions Conveniently Scheduled and Designed to Fit Into Your Day

Learn More and Register at www.lectio360.com

Maintain your youth

with Homeopathic HGH Transdermal Gel Maximum Strength Somatropin

Muscle Energy Techniques: Stretching and hands-on techniques that enable gentle muscle contraction to improve joint function and lengthen muscles.

Unique and affordable alternative designed to support your pituitary gland!

Myofascial Release: Modalities that specifically target trigger points in the muscles and fascia to release adhesions, increase oxygen and reduce pain and tightness include the following:

• Improve Bone and Joint Health • Improve Sleep • Increase Muscle and Reduce Fat

Usage may

Contact Shirley R. Bloethe

860-989-0033 or www.PassItOnLLC.com

Active Release Therapy: May be beneficial for chronic pain due to repetitive movements, especially where muscle weakness, numbness or tingling/burning is experienced in the soft tissues.

Family and Child Psychotherapy

Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization: Also known as the Graston technique, practitioners use an array of hand-held instruments for deep trigger points in the fascia and muscles—beneficial after injuries and conditions such as piriformis, muscle-induced sciatica and back pain.

Support and Guidance • Divorce Anxiety • Parent/Child Conﬂict Attachment and Bonding • Trauma • Grief Professional/Executive Coaching

Myofascial Cupping: A technique that employs cups to create suction on the muscle tissue to move lymph and blood through the area of deep trigger points.

Robin Ordan, LCSW 203-561-8535

www.robinordanlcsw.com Located on the Old Greenwich/Stamford Border Natural Living Directory 2021 57

green living

Sustainably Stylish Eco-Fashion that’s Kind to the Planet by Kajsa Nickels

image courtesy of FairIndigo.com

he trendy “fast fashion” industry standard that originated in the early 1990s has had far-reaching effects that continue today. With a production turnaround time as short as four months, designer knock-offs made with inexpensive materials line the shelves of shopping centers throughout the world. But cheap textiles come with a hidden price tag. According to the documentary The True Cost, consumers worldwide buy around 80 billion new items of clothing per year, a 400 percent increase from 20 years ago. A report by the UK-based Ellen MacArthur Foundation, which advocates regenerative, circular economy, found that more than $500 billion in value is lost

Clothing from companies like Fair Indigo use more sustainable fabrics and ensure better lives for garment workers.

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

globally every year from rarely worn manufactured clothing and the lack of recycling. The greenhouse gas emissions from the production of these textiles total more than 1 billion metric tons per year, more than produced by international flights and maritime shipping combined. Sustainable clothing is important for both the planet and those wearing the clothing, says Jeff Garner, a fashion designer in Franklin, Tennessee, who founded the eco-label Prophetik. “The worst effect is the washing of clothes. The synthetic fabrics and dyes come off in the laundry process and go into our groundwater and oceans, including the microplastics from polyester clothing.” Jay Charlton, founder of the UK’s Viva la Vegan fashion brand, believes eco-friendly fashion does not have to be poorly produced or poorly designed. Nor does it mean choosing between a million different options, says Charlton, who found her passion for vegan-statement apparel after adopting a vegan diet. “One easy choice here is organic cotton over conventional cotton. While not perfect, it is better for the environment. Most organic cotton is produced under better working conditions for the farmers, too,” she says. She also stresses the importance of reading labels to determine where clothes originate. “The next time you go shopping, seek out sustainable vegan fabrics and fair wear policies to do what’s right for the planet, people and our animal friends.”

Sustainable Yet Stylish Just because something is safe for people and the planet doesn’t mean it can’t also be fashionable. Fair Indigo, located in Madison, Wisconsin, is a sustainable clothing company that specializes in garments made from organic Peruvian pima cotton. According to president and co-founder Robert Behnke, Peruvian pima cotton is prized for its longevity and durability. “We want to show the world that organic and sustainable does not have to be either too ‘crunchy’ or too trendy. The clothes that people wear every day— the clothes that make them feel comfortable—these are the brands that will have the greatest impact in truly changing the world.” Fashion doesn’t have to be brand-new in order to be in style. Although secondhand clothing has been regarded negatively in the past by some, it has become more popular in recent years, especially during the COVID-19 crisis. Market researchers predict that resale clothing sales will increase 185 percent in the

eNaturalAwakenings.com

next decade compared to 20 percent for fast fashion. Creative ways we can help reduce clothing waste while staying in style include the following: Clothing exchange parties. Friends and family members can swap clothes and nonsized items such as purses, hats and scarves in fun, socially distanced events. Creative mending. People that have extra time on their hands may like to learn a new skill. Also known as visible mending, creative mending includes freestyle stitching around holes and tears, and both beaded and Japanese shashiko embroidery. Repurpose into something new. If an item of clothing is beyond repair, it doesn’t have to be thrown away. Old T-shirts can be turned into blankets, pillowcases and even coin purses. Men’s dress shirts can be transformed into dresses for young girls or onesies for babies.

6th Bi-Annual

Passport to Health & Wellness presented by the Holistic Community Professionals

Statewide Benefit * HoliStic expo

Sunday | July 18 | 10 am - 5pm

75+ Exhibitors and Speakers! ! pliant

Com CDC-

DoubleTree by Hilton 42 Century Drive, Bristol, CT 06010

FREE DRUM HEaling 4-5pm Speakers all day Free Raffles • Drumming gRanD PRiZE: A Hilton Overnight Stay for Two!

FREE aDMiSSiOn Donations Accepted * All door donations to benefit:

Hartford Hospital's Integrative Medicine Angie’s Spa and CT Children’s Medical Center.

For more information please contact: Vendors apply at: yourholisticevents.com Shirley R. Bloethe at 860-989-0033 FB - Passport to Health and Wellness Expo Email: yourholisticevents@gmail.com

Holistic Community Professionals

Kajsa Nickels is a freelance writer in Salisbury, Massachusetts. Contact her at Kajsa.BlueMountain@gmail.com.

www.HolisticCommunityProfessionals.org

6th Bi-Annual Photos by Phyllis Meredith Photography

Passport to Health & Wellness presented by the Holistic Community Professionals

Statewide Benefit * HoliStic expo

ExtraordinarySunday Summer Camps | July 18 | 10 am - 5pm & Year-Round Wilderness Programs 75+ Exhibitors and Speakers! Kids will learn how to: • • • •

Build fires Make shelters & forts Create nature art Gather wild edibles

DoubleTree by Hilton 42 Century Drive, Bristol, CT 06010

NOW ENROLLING FREE aDMiSSiOn Donations Accepted SUMMER CAMP! Free Raffles • Drumming

• Identify plants and animals • Connect more meaningfully FREE DRUM HEaling 4-5pm to people & nature Speakers all day

Two Coyotes also offers… • • • • •

iant!

ompl

C CDC-

* All door donations to benefit: Hartford Hospital's Integrative gRanD PRiZE: at Sticks & Stones FarmMedicine A Hilton Overnight Stay for Two! Angie’s Spa and CT Children’s Medical Center.

197 Huntingtown Road, Newtown

Weekly school-day programs for students age 5-17 For more information please contact: Wilderness skills apprenticeship program for adults Vendors apply at: yourholisticevents.com Shirley R. Bloethe at 860-989-0033 Coyote Pups for caregivers & children 0-5 to Health and Wellness Expo Email: yourholisticevents@gmail.com Field trips & in school programs RegisterFBat- Passport twocoyotes.org Scholarships and tuition assistance for families in need

Holistic Community Professionals

Email programs@twocoyotes.org or visitwww.HolisticCommunityProfessionals.org twocoyotes.org for more information Natural Living Directory 2021 59

The Monthly Naturally Healthy Pet Section Starts Here!

News, articles, resources, events— all dedicated exclusively to happy, naturally healthy living for our furred, feathered and scaled animal companions. To contribute, email Editorial@eNaturalAwakenings.com.

natural pet

CURBING CANCER in Cats Ways to Keep a Feline Healthy by Julie Peterson

iz phil/Unsplash.com

he absence of one back leg isn’t slowing down 13-year-old Cougar the cat. In fact, she is doing better than before, as that limb once had a painful tumor. Alyssa Baker Herbst, co-founder of the Autumn Farm Sanctuary, in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, was told that, even with chemotherapy, Cougar might only live three more months. Herbst sought out a veterinary oncologist at University of Wisconsin Veterinary Care for another opinion. Amputation was recommended and done in December 2020. Cancer isn’t uncommon in cats; the Animal Cancer Foundation, in Port Washington, New York, states that one in five cats will be diagnosed at some point. This equates to approximately 6 million cats being newly diagnosed with cancer each year, according to the Comparative Oncology Program of the U.S. National Cancer Institute.

Cristina Sarno Artist YOUR PET’S PORTRAIT PAINTING

We are One

Energy Balancing for Companion Animals

Connie Martin

Reiki Master Healing Touch for Animal Practitioner E.F.T. Practitioner

203-216-1900 • CristinaSarno@gmail.com 60 60

Working together for your companion’s health and well-being.

Cell: 203-274-3267 • AnimalHealing@optonline.net

Fairfield Fairfield & Southern County & Litchfield Housatonic Counties Valley Edition eNaturalAwakenings.com eNaturalAwakenings.com

Diagnosis and Staging

Treatment Options Treatments vary based on the type, site and stage of cancer, the age and wellness of the cat and what is available and accessible to the owner. Traditional remedies may include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. While not without side effects, cats tolerate these methods relatively well. Holistic therapies such as acupuncture, homeopathy, supplements and traditional Chinese veterinary medicine may also be used. “Herbal therapies can be used with traditional cancer treatment to relieve side effects and to improve outcomes,” says veterinary oncologist Amanda Beck, at the University Veterinary Hospital, in Shreveport, Louisiana. Clinical trials are another option. The Veterinary Cancer Society, in Columbia, Missouri, provides information on current research trials that “may involve novel diagnostic methods or therapies including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgical procedures, hypo- or hyperthermia, immunotherapy and photodynamic therapy, among others.” While these trials may offer hope, each has very specific qualifications for participation and they may not be free. Herbst did her own research after seeing the 2019 documentary Fantastic Fungi and learning about cancer patients using turkey tail mushrooms. “We found that dogs taking those mushrooms were living four times as long as dogs that got chemo,” she says. “We wondered if we could use that for Cougar.” Their veterinarian ensured they wouldn’t be harmful and determined an appropriate dosage. Unfortunately, some feline cancers are extremely aggressive. It started in Doris Gassen’s cat, Meadow, with a few small bumps under the skin that quickly grew and multiplied. “About six days after they first appeared, they were open and draining,” says Gassen, in Madison, Wisconsin. The diagnosis of cutaneous lymphoma was made and palliative care was implemented. Meadow crossed the rainbow bridge within a few weeks.

Preventive Measures Keeping cats at a healthy weight, giving them plenty of exercise opportunities and keeping them indoors more or entirely can

iz phil/Unsplash.com

Cats instinctively hide pain, so it’s up to pet parents to detect unusual behaviors or symptoms. Karen Shaw Becker, a holistic veterinarian in Chicago who writes Mercola Healthy Pets, recommends that unusual bumps, sores that won’t heal, weight loss, offensive smell, low energy and difficulty eating indicate the need for evaluation by a veterinarian to rule out cancer. If cancer is diagnosed, a referral to a veterinary oncologist is likely. Pet owners can also search for one at the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (ahvma.org). Blood work, biopsies or aspirates, imaging and a thorough exam may be needed to determine the extent of the cancer and any possible complications. These tests help ensure treatment is appropriate, tolerable and humane. all help reduce the risk of cancer. The feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus, which can lead to cancer, are usually contracted from feral cats outdoors. Genetically modified organism (GMO) ingredients such as corn, soy, alfalfa and cottonseed in pet foods are also culprits, because they can contain high concentrations of glyphosates. The World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer declared glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide, to be a probable human carcinogen, and research indicates that it does cause cancer in animals. “Many experts who have studied animal dietary patterns in the wild agree that a whole-food diet composed of mostly meats, organs and bones, supplemented to a much lesser extent with vegetables, is the way to go for both cats and dogs,” says Ty Bollinger, the San Antonio-based author of The Truth About Cancer. Keeping cats healthy throughout life with routine wellness care helps strengthen them against any illness or injury. And while quality of life for pets may be paramount, Cougar seems to be going for quantity, as well. “Clinically, Cougar is doing fantastic. She just can’t jump as high as she used to,” says Herbst. “She’s back to bullying the other three cats and hanging out with the dog. She’s feisty.” Julie Peterson writes about health, wellness and environmental issues. Find her at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.

Final Journey,

LLC

( Pet Euthanasia Service )

Kristen Klie, D.V. M. and Associates

( 203 ) 645-5570 www.finaljourneyllc.com

Natural Living January Directory 2021 2021 61 61

pet resource guide

VETERINARY SERVICES NUTMEG SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC

ADOPTION/RESCUE ANIMALS IN DISTRESS INC

NFSAW

238 Danbury Rd, Wilton 203-762-2006 • Animals-In-Distress.com

223 State Rt 37, New Fairfield 203-746-2925 • NFSAW.org

BRIDGEPORT ANIMAL CONTROL

PET ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY INC (PAWS)

236 Evergreen St, Bridgeport 203-576-7727

504 Main Ave, Norwalk 203-750-9572 • PAWSCT.org

COMMUNITY CATS

PET PROTECTORS

PO Box 4380, Stamford CommunityCatsCT@yahoo.com CommunityCatsCT.org

2490 Black Rock Tpke, #453, Fairfield 203-330-0255 PetProtectorsRescue.org

DANBURY ANIMAL WELFARE

RIDGEFIELD OPERATION FOR ANIMAL RESCUE (ROAR)

SOCIETY (DAWS) 147 Grassy Plain St, Bethel 203-744-3297

45 South St, Ridgefield 203-438-0158 • ROAR-Ridgefield.org

FRIENDS OF FELINES INC

STRAYS AND OTHERS

PO Box 8147, Stamford 203-363-0220 Cats@AdoptAPet.org AdoptAPet.org

PO Box 473, New Canaan 203-966-6556 StraysAndOthers@hotmail.com

LOOKING GLASS ANIMAL RESCUE

WESTPORT ANIMAL SHELTER ADVOCATES (WASA)

Ridgefield • LGARinc.org On Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

1 Tower Ridge, Westport 203-557-0361 • WestportWASA.org

25 Charles St, Stratford 203-690-1550 NutmegClinic.org

The Nutmeg Spay/Neuter Clinic is a low-cost, high-volume facility for cats and dogs, the first such professional clinic in Fairfield County. The clinic offers other low-cost services during the spay/neuter appointment. Nutmeg honors state spay/neuter vouchers at face value from adopted shelter pets and qualified lowincome families, and offers further low-cost incentives to nonprofit rescue groups. Pit bulls and mixes are welcome at an even more reduced rate, and the clinic offers spay/neuter and vaccine discounts for feral cats. See ad, page 26.

PET ASSISTANCE, INC

PO Box 2015, New Preston 860-355-PETS GetaPet@gmail.com PetAssistanceInc.org Pet Assistance helps keep pets in their homes in times of financial and medical crises, providing emergency veterinary subsidies to pet owners in financial need. We only give grants for pets that have a good prognosis, unless the knowledge we gain from the treatment or surgery may help future animals in need.

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Fairfield Fairfield & Southern County & Litchfield Housatonic Counties Valley Edition eNaturalAwakenings.com eNaturalAwakenings.com

events calendar NOTE: All calendar events must be received online by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Email Editorial@eNaturalAwakenings.com for guidelines and instructions. No phone calls or faxes, please. Visit eNaturalAwakenings.com to submit online.

SATURDAY, MAY 1 Universal White Time Energy Healing: Level 2 – 5/1 and 5/2. 9am-6:30pm. Prerequisite UWT Energy Healing Level 1. In the second level you are getting an upgrade that stands for 150 hours of healing. It enhances your sensitivity for the energies so that you can learn to feel the results of the different visualization techniques you are learning. $400. Braulttree Wellness Center, Higganum. Bradford Tilden, 860-830-5841, Info@CrystalMusicHealing.com. Virtual: The Luminous Energy Field – 1:303:30pm. Learn both philosophical knowledge, practical application and personal experience of working with your own energy system. Come explore this ancient system that weaves the sacred with science. No chakra knowledge necessary. Call for limited studio spots. $39. Yogaspace, 78 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel. 203-730-1893. Yogaspace-CT.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 8 Sonic Alchemy – 7-8:30pm. This sound healing meditation concert combines Bradford Tilden’s inspiring piano music, crystal bowls and channeled vocal tones to create a powerful activating, and healing experience. $20/prepay with Venmo: @ronald-smith-419. Payment required to RSVP. $25/cash at door. Livestream access for $4.99. Avant Garde Holistic Center, Branford. 203- 481 8443. AvantGardeCT13@yahoo.com. AvantGardeCT.com. Facebook.com/CrystalMusicHealing.

SATURDAY, MAY 15 “You Had Me At Aloe...” – 2-4pm. Summer means spending more time outdoors, which also increases your chances of getting bites, stings, rashes, and sunburns. We’ve rounded up three of our tried-andtrue herbal remedies for summer problems. These natural remedies use herbs and “weeds” that you might find in your own backyard. With these three make/takes, you’ll be able to relax and make the most of the season. Learn the materia medica for a variety of herbs including: burdock, aloe, lavender, yarrow, witch hazel. $28/participant, all materials provided. Grounded Goodwife, 785 Main St North, Woodbury. 203-942-0774. GroundedGoodwife.com.

SUNDAY, MAY 22 Universal White Time Gemstone Healing Level 2: Crystals and Color Healing – 5/22 & 5/23. 9am-6:30pm. Explore stones and layouts for healing the body and the aura and for meditation, and an introduction to healing with color. Learn to open a portal for angels, recipes for Stone Aura baths, and elixir recipes. Initiation at end of class. No experience necessary. UWTGH classes can be taken in any order. $400. Wellness Center, 415 Killingsworth Rd, Higganum. Contact Bradford: 860-830-5841, Info@ CrystalMusicHealing.com.

ongoing events

sunday Online Meditation Practice Session – 10-11am. While in-person meditation is limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are offering online meditation practice sessions and Dhamma talks using Zoom. All levels welcome. No formal charge. By donation. Center for Mindfulness & Insight Meditation, 9 Picketts Ridge Rd, West Redding. 203-244-3130. ReddingMeditation.org. Learn Energy Psychology in Classes and Healing Sessions – 10am-1pm. First Sunday. 10am-1pm. Learn the ways you can use color therapy and energy medicine techniques to create health, wellness, happiness and improve your body, mind and soul. Lessons guided by Energy Medicine Practitioner with over 20 years’ experience. No previous knowledge. Free. Congregation Rodeph Sholom, 2385 Park A e, Bridgeport. 212-362-8800. Reserve: MicheleSValente@ protonmail.com or 475-999-2180. Virtual Live Streaming and On Demand Meditations – 10:30-11:45am. Experience inner peace and lasting happiness by learning to control your mind through the practice of meditation. Classes include guided meditations and practical advice to carry into daily life. Everyone is welcome, no meditation experience necessary. $5-$12. MeditationInConnecticut.org.

monday Salt Cave of Darien: Salt and Musical Guided Meditation with Christina Connors – 7:308:30pm. Nurture your body and soul in this unique salt therapy and musical guided meditation with healer and recording artist Christina Connors. To learn more, visit ChristinaConnors.com. $40. Salt Cave of Darien, 555 Post Rd, Darien. 203-658-7667. SaltCaveOfDarien.com.

wednesday Salt Cave of Darien: Yin Yoga – 6:15-7:45pm. Limited to 4 people. Please bring your own yoga mat, blanket, towel, 2 blocks, if you have them and wear white socks and a mask. Join Jennifer Duncan, Certified Yoga Instructor, for a 90 minute Yin Yoga class. All levels class. You can also enjoy the class from the safety of home while hearing and seeing the peaceful cave. $35/In-person; $17/from home. Reservations required. Salt Cave of Darien, 555 Post Rd, Darien. 203-658-7667. SaltCaveOfDarien.com. Online Meditation Practice Session – 7-8pm. While in-person meditation is limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are offering online meditation practice sessions and Dhamma talks using Zoom. All levels welcome. No formal charge. By donation. Center for Mindfulness & Insight Meditation, 9 Picketts Ridge Rd, West Redding. 203-244-3130. ReddingMeditation.org.

friday Reiki 1st Degree Workshop: Online or In-Person – 10am-5pm. First Friday. With Gigi Benanti, Reiki Master/Teacher (24 years). Learn Reiki 1st Level (Western Style). Learn how to use Reiki for self-healing and healing for others. Two manuals and certificate included.

Zoom link will be given with e-mail and payment. Please call to register. Also held on the first Saturday. No drop-ins. $135. Angelic Healing Center, 7 Morgan Ave, Norwalk. 203-852-1150. AngelHealReiki.com. Virtual: Yoga Dance Party Livestreamed – 8-9:15pm. Fourth Friday. Dance party to shake your soul, move your energy, emotions, and let it all flow. Short yoga warm up and cool down, ending with prayers and blessings for the well-being of all. Please register to get the Zoom link. $10. Yogaspace, 78 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel. 203-7301893. YogaSpace-CT.com/Events.

saturday Saturday Dharma and Morning Meditation – 7:308:15am. Every week we will discuss various works on topics such as self-study, meditation, self-improvement, mindfulness, joy and much more. The discussion will be followed by a 30-minute guided breath-based meditation. Proceeds are donated to our charity of the month. $10/cash. Yoga Culture, 105 Mill Plain Rd, Danbury. 203-730-0250. WeAreYogaCulture.com. One-Day Meditation Retreat – 9:30am-4pm. Second Saturday. Limited in-person meditation retreat. The extended practice is meant to deepen self-awareness and a previously established meditation practice is suggested. Please abide by guidelines listed on our events page. Must register online. By donation. Center for Mindfulness & Insight Meditation, 9 Picketts Ridge Rd, West Redding. 203-244-3130. ReddingMeditation.org. In-Person Meditation Practice Session – 10-11:30am. Limited in-person meditation practice offered on Saturday mornings. All levels welcome. If it’s your first time, please let someone know so that we can provide a brief introduction. Please abide by guidelines listed on our events page. MUST register online. Donations encouraged. Center for Mindfulness & Insight Meditation, 9 Picketts Ridge Rd, West Redding. 203-244-3130. ReddingMeditation.org. Reiki Second Degree Workshop: Online or InPerson – 10am-5pm. Fifth Saturday. With Gigi Benanti, Reiki Master/Teacher (24 years). Learn Reiki Level 2 (Western Style). Learn how to send reiki distance healing, deepen your use of Reiki for yourself and others and more. Two manuals and certificate included. Also held on the last Friday. No drop-ins. $225. Angelic Healing Center, 7 Morgan Ave, Norwalk. 203-852-1150. AngelHealReiki.com.

markyourcalendar ALEPH TALKS

by Dr Bart Stuck and Rev Marjorie Partch

Wednesdays • 7pm An ongoing weekly online lecture series discussing linkages between science and religion through mysticism. Spirituality and mysticism are for many not any part of daily life, with empty materialism becoming dominant, and ever more people ask: What is the Purpose of Life? Background: the Tao of Physics, CG Jung, string theory, Kabbalah and the Tree of Life, music keys and scales, yoga, astrology.

Sessions Hosted via Zoom

through the Unitarian Church in Westport by Dr. Bart Stuck, Mathematician & Physicist and Rev. Marjorie Partch, Jungian Astrologer & Poet. To receive the link to attend, go to AlephTalks.com and fill out the contact form. Natural Living Directory 2021 63

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Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

May 2021 Natural Awakenings Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties CT

Articles inside

INTEGRATIVE WOMEN’S WELLNESS

Thermogram Program Provides In-Depth Women’s Health Check

HOMEOPATHY TO THE RESCUE

THE MOON AND THE ART OF ASTROLOGY

HEALING FROM COVID FATIGUE

ODE TO THE EARTH GONG

SHUNGITE WATER