Natural Awakenings Greater Hartford February 2020 Edition by Nicole Miale

E HEALTHY LIVING E FR

HEALTHY

PLANET

Heart of the Matter Keys to Cardiovascular Health

Healing from Within

Regenerative Medicine Renews Hope

Thought Power Three Steps to Inner Peace

February 2020 | Greater Hartford County Edition | NAHRT.com February 2020

Many Paths Many truths One Bridge

BRIDGE HEALING ARTS CENTER Bridge Healing Arts Center is a diverse holistic wellness center, offering the community many choices of complementary and holistic healing modalities, workshops, events, and classes on their journey to wellness.

Meet some of the Bridge community… Chinese Medicine

Hypnotherapy

Donna M. Gordon, RMT, Tui Na Acupressure, Usui Ryoho Reiki, Qi Gong Therapy, Tong Ren Healing, Tai Chi and Qi Gong Instruction myheartsourcewellness@gmail.com www.heartsourceintegrative.com 860-978-2938

Psychic/Mediumship/Events/Workshops

Carl Brown Hypnosis Licensed Hypnotherapist Easily change limiting beliefs. You can have, be, or do anything you want! www.carlbrownhypnosis.com 860-309-9004

Reiki/Intuitive Readings

Keiko Broyles, Psychic Spiritual Medium Willows Healing Path, LLC - Owner Tested Member of Shay Parker’s Best American Psychics • Usui Reiki Master Teacher keiko@keikomedium.com www.keikomedium.com • 860-280-5548

Deborah Lyons, RMT Owner/Operator of The Lotus Petal, LLC Reiki Master Teacher, Spiritual Counselor, Psychic/Medium, Nutrition Health Coach LotusPetalReiki@gmail.com www.TheLotusPetalReiki.com • 860-335-4060

Spiritual Intuitive, Medium & Psychic Denise Ann Atkinson, Owner of Soul Centered Mediumship. Private and group readings, CT and New York • Reiki Master/Teacher Facebook.com/Deniseaapsychicmedium www.deniseatkinsonmedium.com 860-930-9515

Our Village is Growing!

There is currently a wide variety of services available at The Bridge Healing Arts Center. Please visit our website at www.BridgeHAC.com for a complete list. If you are a practitioner who is interested to move your practice to the Bridge, please be in touch today! We have limited space available for you to join our growing village!

�� Main St. | Farmington, CT �6�� | bridgehac.com | 86�-��-�� | info@bridgehac.com 2

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Natural Awakenings is a family of more than 70 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.

Contents 14 SACRED VESSELS

The Lifeblood of Heart Health

20 RENEWING HOPE Regenerative Medicine

Upends Traditional Prognoses

24 JUST THE FACTS

A Doctorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Advice to Patients

about Regenerative Medicine

26 VITAL STEPS

The Path to Vascular Fitness

27 WRITE ON!

Shift Vibrational Frequencies

Through Writing

ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings, please contact our sales team: Ads@NAHRT.com or 860-507-6392. Our fax is 860-357-6034.The due date for ads is the 10th of the month prior to publication. EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Submit articles, news items and ideas to Editor@NAHRT.com or call 860-507-6392. The due date for editorial is the 8th of the month prior to publication. CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Submit ALL calendar events on our website at NAHRT.com. The due date for calendar is the 10th of the month prior to publication. REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets, call 239-434-9392. For franchising opportunities, call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakenings.com.

28 USE YOUR

THOUGHT POWER Three Steps to Inner Peace

30 2020: A NEW DECADE WILL BRING MASTER CHANGE!

DEPARTMENTS 5 news briefs 10 global briefs 12 health briefs 13 eco tip 24 wise words

26 fit body 32 calendar 35 classifieds 35 resource guide 38 display ad index February 2020

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

letter from publisher

espite years of study, advanced understanding of the physical systems at work and well-proven intervenGREATER HARTFORD tions, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains one of the COUNTY EDITION leading killers in our country. Like many of you, CVD Publisher Nicole Miale runs in my genes, on both sides of the family tree. In Managing Editor Patricia Staino this modern era it’s difficult to find someone without Editor Michelle Bense some form of CVD in their heritage. Our genes are often Design & Production Kathleen Fellows blamed but the emerging field of epigenetics casts doubt Erica Mills on that since it suggests we each have some ability to Contributing Writers Paige Dest turn off our propensity to manifest physical conditions Greer Jonas or diseases previously viewed as hereditary and there Patricia Staino Nicole Miale fore somewhat inevitable.The choices we make, in each Sales & Marketing Shirley R. Bloethe Nicole Miale moment and certainly accruing over time, have a tremendous impact on the physical results we may have when it comes to cardiovascular health. There is much you can do, Social Media Amy Hass and all is not lost even if you’ve already, like me, suffered a cardiovascular event of some Website Erica Mills kind. While not all damage can be reversed, much can be prevented and our articles CONTACT US this month provide a valuable blueprint to work from. 137 Danbury Rd, #323, New Milford, CT 06776 Interested in how people could take more control over their healing by working Ph: 860-507-6392 • Fax: 860-357-6034 with their own genetic material, Managing Editor Patricia Staino spoke to some local Publisher@NAHRT.com • NAHRT.com experts in Connecticut about the field of regenerative medicine. A long way from the SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $30 first fevered reports of stem cell experiments way back when, regenerative medicine (for 12 issues) to the above address. now shows a lot of promise in a variety of conditions and situations. Though still costly and not yet covered by most insurance plans, regenerative treatments are NATIONAL TEAM becoming more available and represent an exciting new set of alternatives for pain CEO/Founder Sharon Bruckman COO/Franchise Sales Joe Dunne relief and self-healing. National Editor Jan Hollingsworth I hope the articles this month will inspire you to take steps to improve your physi Managing Editor Linda Sechrist cal condition, whether that means parking far away from a store entrance so you can National Art Director Stephen Blancett get more steps in, committing to a new walking regimen (a great workout for those Art Director Josh Pope with CVD! And get a dog to walk with while you’re at it… furry companions help, Financial Manager Yolanda Shebert too!) or making a major lifestyle change (job, relationship, etc.) in order to reduce your Asst. Director of Ops Heather Gibbs stress level. Any step you consciously take to improve your situation will take you in a Digital Content Director Rachael Oppy National Advertising Lisa Doyle-Mitchell healthier direction, and nothing you do is in vain. Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 4933 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 203 Naples, FL 34103 Ph: 239-434-9392 • Fax: 239-434-9513 NaturalAwakeningsMag.com

Wishing you vibrant good health, this month and always!

© 2020 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment. Natural Awakenings Magazine is ranked 5th Nationally in CISION’S® 2016 Top 10 Health & Fitness Magazines

Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soy-based ink.

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See our display advertiser index on page 38, making it easier to find the resources you need.

news briefs

Holistic Life Coaching in Tolland

Divinely Fit Summit in East Hartford

eed help removing the obstacles blocking you from receiving love, peace and joy in 2020? Mindy Porell, owner of BreatheMoreYoga in Tolland and certified holistic life coach, now offers holistic life coaching services at the yoga studio, over the phone or via Zoom. “Change can be uncomfortable,” says Porell. “However, it is possible when self-love and self-acceptance are present.” Porell promises that her clients will be empowered to heal and grow from their past; take charge of their circumstances; and get unstuck and move forward. By Mindy Porell reacting from a place of love rather than fear and tapping into the mind-body connection, clients can discover their life’s purpose. Porell holds a B.A. in communications from The University of Connecticut and earned her holistic life coaching certification from Bloom Holistic Life Coaching in 2019. She received her 200-hour yoga certification in 2014 at Sacred Rivers Yoga and her second (in trauma-informed yoga) through 108Monkeys.org in 2017. Sessions cost $60 per hour and payment is due at the time of service. The first session is 90 minutes and includes a free 30-minute assessment. To schedule an appointment, call 860-375-0360 or email Mindy@BreatheMoreYoga.com. Location: BreatheMoreYoga, 68 Hartford Tpk, Tolland.

Avon Wellness Way Promotes Holistic Living

he Avon Holistic Chamber of Commerce aims to boost community awareness of holistic modalities with its Avon Wellness Way program. Running from February 1 through April 30, community members can pick up a Wellness Way leaflet at participating Chamber member locations, then collect stamps from the practitioners by visiting their locations and events. Return the leaflet with as few as six stamps and you qualify to win “unbeLEAFable” prizes, including a $400 spa day. Chamber members hope it will inspire the community to add holistic approaches to their daily routines. The first event, the Sharing The Light for the Wellness Way Fair, will take place on February 22 from 1 to 4pm. A number of participating vendors will be available to speak to visitors and stamp their leaflets. Participants include Sharing The Light Wholistic Center, Menla Holistic Health Center, Botanicals Day Spa, Raya Clinic and Eagle Flight Healing, as well as other Chamber members. Leaflets should be returned to Sharing The Light Wholistic Center by May 9. Winners will be drawn during the Avon Holistic Chamber of Commerce meeting on May 20 at 7pm. A list of winners will be posted at HolisticChamberofCommerce.com/Avon. For more information about Wellness Way events and locations, visit Facebook.com/ HCCAvonCT or HolisticChamberofCommerce.com/Avon. Location: Sharing the Light Wholistic Center, 395 W. Avon Rd, Avon. See ad, page 21.

n Saturday, March 7, the Divinely Fit Summit returns to East Hartford to get people of all shapes and sizes to move, individually, collectively and culturally by empowering them to discover a transparent spiritual, mental and physical connection with themselves and others. The daylong event, which runs from 8:30am to 3pm, will feature innovative workouts, lectures, panel discussions, demos, music, vendor resources and community. The highlight of the day will be special guest and presenter Billy Blanks, Sr, the creator of Tae Bo, along with Karla Medina, the Summit’s producer and the creator of Sudor Taino Group Fitness Studio’s signature workout, Tribeology. On-site sponsors and vendors (such as Divine Secrets Beauty & Spa, A Little Time for You, the Vascular Experts and more) will provide valuable resources to help attendees maintain a healthy lifestyle through 2020. Visitors will receive an awesome swag bag filled with sponsored items (such as Sweet Defeat, Derma-E, Blistex, Stamina Pro and more). They’ll also have a chance to win raffle prizes sponsored by Thrive Market, Born Primitive, Hylete Athletic Wear, Blender’s Eyewear and even a one-year membership to Sudor Taino. Proceeds from the event benefit ongoing efforts to support the revitalization of Puerto Rico and the local homeless population. For attendee registration, sponsorships, vendor sign-up, and venue and day-ofevent information, visit SudorTaino.com/ Divinely-Fit-Summit. Location: Pratt & Whitney Stadium, Rentschler Field, 615 Silver Ln, East Hartford. See ad, page 17. February 2020

Author Talk on Quitting Hair Dye

news briefs

Healthy Family FunFest Returns

he 11th annual Healthy Family FunFest is on the horizon. Don’t miss this fun, engaging event that showcases wellness experts and services in the community. On February 23 from 10am to 2pm, more than 4,000 people will enjoy the festivities at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville. The free event is hosted by The Hospital of Central Connecticut, Hartford HealthCare Senior Services and the Southington-Cheshire Community YMCAs. Now a community tradition, attendees come from all age groups—from young children to vibrant seniors—to play and learn, with a little something for everyone. iHeart Radio personalities Renee DiNino and Cory Myers and ESPN’s Rob Dibble will also be greeting and mixing with the crowd. Activities include health screenings, demonstrations, entertainment and wellness tips from a variety of local organizations. This family-friendly day promotes living a healthy lifestyle, from eating better to learning about green energy, to physical/mental well-being and beyond. Local health practitioners and related services will be on hand to provide information about their practices. There will also be a kids’ area, drawings and giveaways. Location: The Aqua Turf Club, 556 Mulberry St, Plantsville. See ad, page 17.

uthor Ronnie Citron-Fink will visit First Church in West Hartford on February 2 at 11:30am to discuss her new book, True Roots: What Quitting Hair Dye Taught Me About Health and Beauty. Citron-Fink, journalist and editorial director for the Environmental Defense Fund’s Moms Clean Air Force, wondered if the unpronounceable chemical names Ronnie Citron-Fink on her box of hair dye could be causing her allergies and headaches. However, she worried that going gray would adversely affect her job and social life. “Will I still feel like me when I have gray hair?” she wondered. Along her journey to find answers, Citron-Fink discovered products that are safer for the planet and for people, and she learned to embrace her natural beauty. A Yahoo “Top 10 Green Living Expert,” Citron-Fink’s writing has appeared in InStyle, USA Today, Huffington Post and Medium, among other publications. Copies of her book will be available for sale at the event. Parking is free in the church parking lot (accessible via Farmington Avenue). Enter building from rear through the rotunda entrance and take the elevator to the second floor to John P. Webster Library. A light lunch will be available. Location: First Church, 12 South Main Street, West Hartford.

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Sacred Cacao Ceremony in Hartford

n celebration of a season of heart-centered awareness, join Shadia Heenan Nilforoush at Vasu Studio on February 16 for Journey to the Heart: A Cacao Ceremony, to root down, reconnect Shadia Heenan to your heart and Nilforoush radiate out. Cacao is one of the most powerful yet gentle facilitators, teachers and guides on the planet. It is believed to open the heart and remove bitterness, and it can be delicious too! Some sources suggest cacao use originated as early as 1900 BC in Central America for health and ceremonial purposes. Its spiritual use continued with the ancient Mayans and Aztecs. Cacao is used as a vehicle for entering euphoric states, releasing negative emotions and connecting to pure heart energy. A cacao ceremony is an opportunity to deeply connect to yourself and open your heart, in a safe space with healing guides. This is done through the magic of ceremony and ritual, which require intention and attention. At this event, participants will create sacred space together, set individual and group intentions and enjoy ceremonial-grade cacao to open the heart. Heenan Nilforoush will guide the group in chanting to activate their voice, move through a gentle yoga flow, engaging journal prompts and exercises and a shamanic journey similar

to Yoga Nidra and guided meditation. The rituals will invite the medicine of cacao and sound vibration to heal the mind, body and spirit. Following our journey, there will be space for conversation and insight sharing. Heenan Nilforoush is a Yoga Alliance-registered, 500-HR international yoga teacher. She looks to create safe and supportive space for others to experience mind-body-heart connection by employing

mindfulness-based practices including yoga, breath work, ceremony and meditation. Cost is $55 and includes a oneounce bottle of I Am Love Oil and a $5 voucher toward the Vasu store, as well as an exclusive event playlist. Participants should bring a journal and pen and wear comfortable clothing. To purchase tickets, visit VasuTribe.com/ events. Location: Vasu Studio: Yoga + Organic Spa, 56 Arbor St, Suite 406, Hartford.

February 2020

Calling All Soul Warriors

news briefs

Partner Yoga in East Hartford

ring your favorite fellow yogi to Sacred Rivers Yoga in East Hartford for a special two-hour class designed to deepen your experience of yoga postures and connection with others. Partner yoga naturally encourages communication, patience, trust and balance. Bring your partner, spouse, friend or sibling to work on synchronizing your breath and mirroring postures, as well as practicing opposite postures (e.g. one person is in a forward bend, while another is in a backbend). Practicing yoga with a partner invites a unique intensity that has a restorative feel, including deeper stretching, more stability and support. Some basic yoga experience and familiarity with the most common asanas is recommended, and laughter is highly encouraged. The class will be held February 8 from 2:30 to 4:30pm. Cost is $45 per pair, and pre-registration is required. To register, call 860-657-9545 or visit SacredRiversYoga.com/ public-workshops. Location: Sacred Rivers Yoga, 28 Main Street, East Hartford.

“S

oul Grit” is a free weekly class designed to “ignite your most badass and soulful life.” Hosted by Sarah Carey at Soul Warrior Headquarters in Hartford every Tuesday, the group wants to help you achieve spiritual growth and enliven your life adventures. During the weekly class, participants experience grounding/meditation and Sarah Carey sharing with others. Carey “sermonizes” over something inspirational—from rock n’ roll, athleticism, the holy sacred texts, practical application of self-discovery and legends, to real-life stories and everything in between, and then the group digs in. They make plans for massive action, do ceremony, have guided visualizations, and do anything else under the sun to bring this sacred work into their bones. To quote Carey, “Now it’s time to talk about spirituality based in reality. The time of spirituality that disengages from this world is over. Let’s get down with all the raw and messy physicality of doctor appointments, dirty diapers, sweating, golfing, doing dishes and conflict resolution. Are you with me?” Classes take place this month on February 4, 11, 18 and 25 at 7pm. Attendees should bring their heart and soul, notebook and a pen. For more information, visit Tinyurl.com/sbajw73 or SarahECarey.me/. Location: Soul Warrior HQ, 56 Arbor St, Hartford.

COMING IN APRIL Greater Hartford Edition

2020

LT Y H OU Y P RH LA N EA E LT T R HY E S LI O V U IN R G C , E G U

NATURAL LIVING DIRECTORY

Early Bird Deadline: February 10

Regular Deadline: March 10 Call now to reserve your space!

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Cozy Self-Care in Norwich

f you’ve promised to dedicate some time to selfcare this year, mark your calendars for March 21, when BYODestiny will host two Fireside Revive events at the Norwich Inn and Spa (at the Cottage). Both sessions offer the chance to cozy up by the fire and chat with like-minded individuals about emotional self-care, positive thinking and better relationships. The first session takes place from 1:30 to 3:30pm and includes hot chocolate. Cost is $44.50. The second session will be held 6:30 to 8:30pm and includes a glass of wine. Cost is $49.50. Advance registration is required. For more information, visit Tinyurl.com/ ukns63x. Location: Norwich Inn and Spa (at the Cottage), 607 West Thames St, Norwich.

Trees for Teas Outing in Granby

Astrological Fairs in Wethersfield

he Astrological Society of Connecticut (ASC) has announced the dates for its 2020 quarterly New Age Fairs, which are scheduled for 10am to 4pm on February 2 (snow date is February 9), May 3, August 2 and November 1. Spawned by the popularity of Linda Goodman’s Sun Signs, astrology was in its heyday when the Astrological Society of Connecticut was born in 1972. By the mid ‘80s, the ASC began organizing quarterly New Age Fairs to introduce the public to astrology and other metaphysical arts. The ASC is one of the oldest state-wide astrological organizations (thanks to a good birth chart!) and its fairs may be the longest-running metaphysical expos in Connecticut. Fair visitors enjoy free lectures, an array of vendors and bodyworkers and refreshments. Admission and parking are free. Astrology is enjoying a resurgence these days as people search for something to believe in. The ASC offers lectures monthly from September to May (free with $40 yearly dues, $10 for non-members); workshops throughout the year, including one on April 19 about “transits”—influences from moving planets to birth charts; and Basics of Astrology classes at the fairs. The $10 class includes a coupon for $5 off an astrology reading (normally $25). The next lecture is “Astrology and the Hermetic Traditions” on February 20 at 7pm (a “pre-lecture” class begins at 6pm) when Mark Iwanicki will discuss the correlations between astrology, numerology and Kabbalah. For more information, call 860-568-8617 or visit MyASC.org or Facebook.com/myasc. Location: Keeney Memorial Cultural Center, 200 Main St, Wethersfield.

rees have long been used as food and medicine in North America. Now you can join The Institute Of Sustainable Nutrition on a winter foray at Holcomb Farm to learn how to sustainably harvest from some of the local trees. Afterward, join fellow foragers back in the kitchen to share tea and learn how to use your harvest to make delicious, nutritious food and medicine. Participants will leave with knowledge, recipes, warmth and tea to share with family or friends. The event takes place February 1 from 9:30am to noon. Cost is $30, which includes the foray (weather permitting), tea and food sampling, handouts, recipes and something to take home. To reserve your space, call 860-764-9070 or visit TIOSN.com. Location: Holcomb Farm, 113 Simsbury Rd, Granby.

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Professional Intuitive Energy Work

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Unable to let go of negative emotions? Dealing with nagging injuries or pain? Do you keep getting in your own way? Clear traumas from your current life, past lives, and ancestral lineage going back 7 generations on both sides using: Universal Source Energy • Advanced Clearing Energetics EFT/Tapping • Matrix Re-imprinting Release & Replace Shortcut • Guided Self-Healing To book a FREE consultation visit: www.tapintothelight.com tapintothelight@gmail.com February 2020

Seal Deal

global briefs

The 40th General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), held last November, adopted a resolution that reaffirms the importance of the Earth Charter (EarthCharter.org) as an ethical framework for sustainable development. The Charter’s four pillars— respect and care for the community of life; ecology integrity; social and economic justice; and democracy, non-violence and peace—have guided and underpinned UNESCO’s sustainable development work. Taking into account the current world situation and environmental crises, delegates felt it was time to act and that the Earth Charter provides the needed principles and values. Although it has no binding force, like previous UNESCO resolutions, its ethical foundation may surface in future battles in international courts.

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UNESCO Adopts Resolution on Earth Charter

In 1969, there were only 100 South American fur seals and sea lions along the coastline of Lima, the capitol of Peru, but that has increased to more than 8,000 today, thanks to local fishermen that have realized over the intervening years that a balanced ecosystem benefits all. Once hunted almost to the point of no return for their pelts and because they ate so many fish, the sea mammals have slowly rebounded since Peru established its first marine protection area there in 1979, the Paracas Marine Reserve. Today, the Fishermen’s Union has defined these areas, in which each local fishing collective is dependent economically, and has assigned responsibility to that group for protecting those marine resources. Impetus for species protection is also being driven by the rise of tourism and artisanal fisheries. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature, which maintains a “Red List” database of species and the degree to which they are threatened with extinction, has also been involved. It also compiles a “Green List” to recognize global best practices for area-based conservation, a program working with marine reserves along the Pacific coast.

Water Win

Fresh H20 Comes to Kenya Town

A drought-plagued Kenyan region is using a new, solar-powered, desalination plant from the international nonprofit GivePower to obtain clean water. Before the plant’s arrival in the town of Kiunga, villagers had completely run out of clean drinking water and had to use dirty well water and saltwater from the Indian Ocean. The new solar water farm produces enough drinking water that’s cleaner than typical desalination plants for more than 35,000 people every day. GivePower has a mission of using renewable energy as a means of bringing water, food and energy to places that need it most. They plan on building similar facilities in other drought-prone countries such as Colombia and Haiti.

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Clear Thinking

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Fishermen Protect Endangered Sea Mammals

Holistic Community Professionals HCP

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. See more holistic practitioners at: www.HolisticCommunityProfessionals.org To join the HCP contact Shirley R. Bloethe, Executive Director, at 860-989-0033.

Astrologist/Psychic/Reiki Practitioner Bren Meadows, Psychic Reading Tarot since 1984 Psychic Parties, Individual Sessions, Spiritual Guidance Sessions Terryville, CT or by Skype rainmakers2413@gmail.com 860-983-3030

Crystal/Sound/White Time Bradford W. Tilden, MM, CMT Universal White Time Gemstone, Energy, and Angelic Sound Healing Individual, Remote, Group Sessions Classes, Workshops, Sound Journeys Bradford@CrystalMusicHealing.com CT/MA locations 860-830-5841

Holistic Diabetes Coaching Laura Estan, RD, LDN, CDE Specializing in mindfulness-based Diabetes health coaching and holistic medical nutrition therapy. 10 Grassmere Avenue Suite 300 West Hartford, CT *Now accepting Medicare Laura.EstanRD.CDE@gmail.com 860-930-0308

Professional Intuitive Energy Work Justin Speller, Certified Holistic Practitioner Professional Intuitive Energy Work Source Light Healing Ancestral Energy Clearing Past Life Resolution, EFT www.tapintothelight.com tapintothelight@gmail.com Wethersfield, CT 617-435-7798

Shamanic/Reiki/Sound Healer Denise Cassella, Stairway to Healing Light, LLC Reiki Master/Sound Healer Teacher, Angelic & Spiritual Guide, Interfaith Minister, Shaman, Qigong Instr. CT/RI/Cent. & East. MA Stairway2Healing@gmail.com StairwaytoHealingLight.abmp.com 860-965-6398

Chiropractic/Acupuncture/Nutrition Raya Clinic - Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Nutrition, Spinal Decompression, Physical therapy, Food-sensitivity testing, Cold-laser and Neuropathy treatments 200 Queen St, Southington RayaClinic.com 860-621-2225

Coaching & Workshops Torin Lee TL Coaching /Zen Events www.MyPathForward.net torin@zenevents.net www.torinlee.com 860-861-9038

Healing/Coaching

Healing & Wellness Center

Robin Barros, Spirit of the Lotus Integrative Manual Therapy, Medical Shamanism, Holographic Sound Healing, Advanced Soul Coaching® & Past Life Journeys Medical Intuitive, Medium, Channel SpiritoftheLotus.org Columbia, CT 860-709-3903

Lily Holcomb, The Water Lily Holistic Empowerment Center, Intuitive & Mediumship Readings, Empowerment Energy Healings, Groups, Classes & Events • 129 Tolland Stage Rd. Tolland, CT thewaterlilycenter.com 860-756-6391

Integrative Psychotherapy

Naturopathic Physician

The Enlightenment Counseling Center, LLC Holistic psychotherapy & alternative medicine to enhance our clinical services. 998 Farmington Ave, West Hartford 660 Prospect Ave, Hartford EnlightenmentCenterCT.com EnlightenmentCenterLLC@gmail.com 860-729-3284

Quantum Psychotherapy Celeste E. Mattingly, LCSW Creator of Celestial Psychology® State-of-the-art energy medicine & quantum healing techniques with Tachyon Zero-Point-Energy products & traditional talk therapy Insurance accepted celestialempowerment.com 860-586-8700

Transformational Healing Shari Dorman, LPC Inner Mountain Peak Healing, LLC- Owner Licensed Professional Counselor Reiki Master/Teacher InnerMountainPeakHealing.net InnerMountainPeakHealing@gmail.com 860-324-3309

Mind • Body • Soul

Dr. Nicole Klughers, ND, PharmD, MSAc Naturopathic Provider & Acupuncture Specialist Vis Wellness Center at Nova Spa Rocky Hill DrNicoleKlughers.com DrNicoleKlughers@gmail.com (234)2-ACU-DOC

Reiki/Sound Therapy Ed Cleveland The Ed Cleveland Reiki & Sound Therapy Training Center, Hartford Sound therapy, Reiki, Classes, Workshops EdReiki3@yahoo.com 860-681-3981

Treating Acid Reflux Susan Berman, M.Ed., CHHC Find your unique food & lifestyle triggers. Offering 1:1 coaching via Zoom, Skype, or a DIY program. HealingAcidReflux.com Susan@HealingAcidReflux.com 860-670-4152 February 2020

Naturopathic Physicians

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Qigong, a traditional Chinese massage technique and movement practice, may offer hope for the one in 68 American children suffering from autism spectrum disorder. Researchers at Portugal’s Oporto University reviewed 10 highquality studies, all of which involved massage for children as young as 2, including two which also employed slow qigong movements and breathwork for older children. Previous studies have found that the qigong type of gentle massage practiced for 15 minutes daily by parents on autistic children helps the children tolerate touch, feel reassured by it and bond more deeply with parents that also feel less stress. The meta-study affirmed, “Qigong seems to be able to decrease severity of individual sensory, behavioral and language components of autism, and improve self-control, sociability, sensory and cognitive awareness, as well as healthy physical behavior.”

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Kathleen M. Riley, ND Wilberto Lugo, ND

Practice Qigong Massage to Improve Autism Symptoms in Children

Try Mind-Body Options to Reduce Opioid-Treated Pain People suffering from acute pain often turn to addictive opioid treatments, but research from the University of Utah School of Social Work published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine concluded that certain mind-body therapies significantly reduce pain and the use of opioids. Reviewing 60 randomized, controlled, published clinical trials with more than 6,400 participants, researchers found that meditation/mindfulness, therapeutic suggestion and cognitive behavioral therapy all significantly reduced pain severity along with opioid use and misuse. Hypnosis also helped lower pain. Mind-body therapies proved effective at reducing short-term, acute pain from medical procedures, as well as chronic pain. Lead author and Associate Dean for Research Eric Garland pointed out that 82,000 Americans are projected to die from opioid overdoses in the next five years and noted, “If all of us—doctors, nurses, social workers, policymakers, insurance companies and patients—use this evidence as we make decisions, we can help stem the tide of the opioid epidemic.”

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Clean and Green Eco-Laundry Tips

By laundering clothes using simple ingredients and wise eco-practices, consumers can both save money and lower their carbon footprint. Natural cleaning ingredients cited by TheEcoGuide. org include white vinegar, baking soda, lemons, borax and castile soap, all of which “can be bought in bulk with minimal packaging and have known cleaning properties that make them safe, effective and carbon-friendly alternatives.” Coarse salt is also suggested due to its moldfighting power. Look for biodegradable laundry detergents made with plant oils and other natural ingredients that are free of phosphates, bleach and surfactants such as petroleumbased nonylphenol ethoxylates. Consider coldwater washing. About 90 percent of the energy a washing machine uses goes toward heating water. By washing four out of five loads in cold water, a household could cut its carbon emissions by 864 pounds a year, according to Energy Star data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Because the cold setting may still heat the water to as much as 80° F, see if the washer has a preferable “tap cold” option. Also, the temperature recommendations on clothing labels represent “the highest spectrum clothes can handle,” Melissa Hockstad, president and chief executive of the American Cleaning Institute, recently told The New York Times, so the hottest water won’t necessarily clean clothes better. During rinsing, natural disinfectants that can be added include a few drops of peppermint or lavender essential oil; two teaspoons of tea tree oil; white vinegar (one-half cup per load); or one teaspoon of grapefruit seed extract. Always assemble a full load of laundry each time. Line drying outdoors or on a drying rack indoors also conserves energy and is gentler on fabrics. Further, learn how to make homemade, felted wool dryer balls at DIYNatural. com; tossing four to six of them in each dryer load saves time, energy and money plus reduces static cling. And consider running the dryer early in the morning or overnight: this shifts energy consumption to off-peak hours, which lowers the demand on power plants and could help reduce national reliance on fossil fuels.

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SACRED VESSELS

by Julie Peterson

hen people think about heart health, what generally comes to mind is the fist-sized muscle that pumps and oxygenates the body’s lifeblood. However, the heart of the matter is not the pump itself, but the vascular system—the network of veins, arteries and capillaries that distributes blood to every cell in the body, delivering nutrients and eliminating waste. Each human adult harbors an astonishing 60,000 miles of blood vessels—enough to wrap around the planet twice. Keeping these hard-working vessels supple and open is the key not only to avoiding disease, but also to ensuring a long and healthy life. The alternative—arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries—can slowly and silently bring on cardiovascular disease (CVD), which can result in a heart

When a disease is lifestyleinduced, the only thing that can reverse it is a dramatic change in diet and lifestyle. We’ve seen over and over again that it works. ~Brenda Davis 14 Hartford County Edition

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attack, stroke, vision loss and cognitive decline. CVD is the leading cause of death in the U.S., killing one in four Americans, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). By 2035, nearly half the population—45 percent— is predicted to have some form of the disease. “A hundred years ago, we were farming the back 40 with a team of horses, eating what we grew. Kids don’t get out and ride bikes; they’re playing video games and eating crap. There’s very little doubt how we got to this problem,” says John Osborne, M.D., director of cardiology at State of the Heart Cardiology, near Dallas. Yet, the nation’s number one killer, which can fester for decades without symptoms, is largely preventable and reversible. Only 15 percent of CVD is related to genetics; the rest is attributed to lifestyle, and the right choices can make all the difference. The key is to adopt heart-healthy habits before the body delivers a potentially fatal warning. “The initial presentation of heart disease can be an acute catastrophic event that results in death in half the men and two-thirds of the women. That’s not treatable,” warns Osborne.

Know the Risk Factors

The first step toward cardiovascular health is awareness. Important indicators of CVD risk include: 4 High blood pressure (over 140/90) 4 High cholesterol (over 240 mg/dL) 4 High triglycerides (over 200 mg/dL)

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The Lifeblood of Heart Health

4 High blood glucose (over 140 mg/dL) 4 Obesity (BMI over 30) 4 Inflammation (hsCRP test above 2 ml/dL) 4 Physical inactivity (less than 30 minutes a day) 4 Smoking or vaping (any at all) 4 Chronic stress 4 Loneliness Any of these factors can increase the risk of CVD, but possessing a cluster of the first five comprises a condition called metabolic syndrome, which significantly increases the potential for heart disease and Type 2 diabetes—itself a significant risk factor that can damage blood vessels, as well as the organs they support. “While diabetes is the seventh-leading cause of death in the United States, this figure belies the fact that most people with diabetes die of heart disease, kidney failure and other complications,” says Brenda Davis, RD, of Alberta, Canada, author of Kick Diabetes Essentials: The Diet and Lifestyle Guide. Metabolic syndrome, like CVD, has few obvious symptoms and is on the rise: Nearly one-third of adults in the U.S. have it, according to the CDC. The one distinct marker for the condition is an accumulation of fat around the waistline, characterized by a measurement of over 35 inches for women and 40 for men.

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“When a disease is lifestyle-induced, the only thing that can reverse it is a dramatic change in diet and lifestyle,” says Davis. “We’ve seen over and over again that it works.”

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n Know the Numbers

CVD flies under the radar even though it’s increasingly common at younger ages. The Journal of the American Medical Association released a study in December 2019 stating that about one in four young adults in the U.S. have prediabetes, putting them at increased risk for Type 2 diabetes and CVD. Lisa McDowell, director of clinical nutrition and wellness at St. Joseph’s Mercy Health System, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and team dietitian for the Detroit Red Wings, works with elite athletes of all ages and notes that they more likely know their favorite player’s jersey number than their own health numbers. “Learn what your blood pressure is, know your body mass index, get your cholesterol levels and triglycerides and your [hemoglobin] A1C. Know these numbers early on and, if there’s a problem, fix it,” she advises. February 2020

While simple blood tests help monitor indicators for CVD, more sophisticated tests can be even more revealing. In 2018, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association (AHA) jointly issued new guidelines for patients over age 50 to get a computerized tomography (CT) scan to determine their calcium score. The procedure checks for hardening of the arteries and predicts the risk of a 10year future cardiovascular event. “This identifies people who have pre-clinical atherosclerosis, regardless of risk factors,” says Osborne. “It also helps people modify behaviors, because they are faced with a diagnosis.” Yale R. Smith, a Melbourne, Florida, M.D., who specializes in metabolic and functional medicine, utilizes the U.S. Food & Drug Administration-approved protein unstable lesion signature (PULS) blood test. Recommended for patients in their 40s, it measures inflammatory biomarkers for the body’s immune system response to arterial injury and provides a chronological heart age and risk of a CVD event. “If you can show someone the future, it’s a wake-up call to make lifestyle changes to increase longevity,” Smith says.

n Eat for Heart Health

Perhaps the single most important change that people can make is diet. “But a lot of people don’t want lifestyle medicine—they’d rather take a statin with their Big Mac,” says McDowell.

There’s not an excess of blueberries in the American diet; there’s an excess of relatively inexpensive, highly processed junk foods in large containers. ~Lisa McDowell Preventing or reversing CVD requires diligence, but it’s largely about eating real, whole food—and mostly plants. This means avoiding processed foods and consuming less salt, trans fats, saturated fat and cholesterol; and more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds. “There’s not an excess of blueberries in the American diet; there’s an excess of relatively inexpensive, highly processed junk foods in large containers,” says McDowell. Overcoming the urge to grab fast and easy foods requires education. “Everyone needs to learn how to read a food label and avoid foods linked to vascular disease,” she adds. Vegans have healthier cholesterol levels in their blood compared to vegetarians, which in turn have better levels than meat-eaters. Study-verified diets that lower CVD indicators also include the Mediterranean diet, as well as two developed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) diet, which also addresses exercise and weight control.

“I don’t believe that one diet fits everybody, but there’s a preponderance of evidence that the more plant compounds you get, the better off you are,” says McDowell.

Some cardiovascular boosters:

Leafy greens flush out excess sodium and magnesium, and reduce inflammation. Berries improve circulation by boosting nitric oxide, which expands blood vessels. Pomegranate juice lowers blood pressure and reduces plaque formation. Walnuts, peanuts and almonds lower LDL, the “bad cholesterol”. Oily fish, chia and flax seeds with omega-3 fatty acids lower triglycerides. Soy with anti-inflammatory isoflavones helps dilate blood vessels. “We could eat tofu, tempeh, miso, edamame, soy beans or even organic soy ‘veggie meats’ in place of red meat,” says Davis. Yogurt, kefir and other fermented probiotic dairy products help improve glycemic control, blood lipids, cholesterol and blood pressure. Supplements can be very helpful: Red yeast rice extract, much like a statin, significantly lowers total cholesterol and LDL. Coenzyme Q10, a powerful antioxidant, lowers blood pressure and combats the side effects of statins. Omega-3s in fish oil supplements reduce heart risk in healthy people and those already diagnosed with CVD risk. Nicotinamide riboside improves

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blood pressure and arterial health in those with mild hypertension. Garlic, fresh or in capsules, can lower cholesterol and blood pressure.

n Move It

Sitting all day and then briefly exercising doesn’t provide the same benefit as moving periodically throughout the day. Take more frequent breaks from sitting, get up to move around for a couple of minutes every 30 minutes. Exercise strengthens the endothelium, the innermost of an artery’s three layers, and produces nitric oxide, which helps keep arteries open and healthy. Getting the blood moving lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, and increases oxygen and nutrients to the body. Exercising outdoors provides additional benefits. Research from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health found that exposure to green spaces helped prevent metabolic syndrome.

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Spending even 20 minutes outdoors in nature can do wonders for high blood pressure and cortisol levels, studies show. Walking or talking with a friend deepens social engagement, a key factor in lowering CVD risk: “Having the right tribe is crucial,” says McDowell. “If you’re with people who support you and make you laugh, you feel less stress.” Walking a dog outdoors gets three cardiovascular pluses— exercise, nature and sociability, as dogs tend to be tail-wagging ice-breakers. Further, merely stroking a pet lowers blood pressure. Apps like Headspace and Insight Timer make it easy to do meditation, which studies suggest may reduce overall CVD risk.

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n Don’t Smoke

Not starting to smoke or vape at all is ideal for cardiovascular health, but quitting allows the body to begin to heal, reducing the risk of coronary heart disease after one year by 50 percent, reports the AHA; 14 years later, the risk is the same as a non-smoker’s. “It’s not intuitively easy to make healthy decisions,” says McDowell. “We have to learn how to make good choices.” Julie Peterson writes from rural Wisconsin. Connect at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com. February 2020

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What’s the hardest part of staying healthy?

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Assess Personal Risk High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure occurs when the force of blood pushing against the vessel walls is too high, making the heart and vessels work harder. The friction damages the endothelium—the inner lining of veins and arteries—plaque builds up, the vessels narrow and blood pressure increases even more. Contributing factors include being sedentary, overweight and consuming excessive alcohol or salt.

High Cholesterol

A waxy, fat-like substance found in all cells of the body, cholesterol can pile up (mostly as a consequence of poor diet) and stick to arterial walls, creating plaque that stymies blood flow to the heart.

High Triglycerides

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The end product of digesting fats in food, triglycerides become fat in the blood that gives the body energy. Numbers climb with consumption of refined carbohydrates, simple sugars and fatty foods, contributing to arteriosclerosis.

Metabolic Syndrome

A cluster of conditions that affect up to a third of Americans, metabolic syndrome is defined by high blood pressure; high levels of blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides; and excess fat around the waist. It’s closely linked to Type 2 diabetes, another CVD risk factor.

Obesity

Obesity—which afflicts almost 40 percent of American adults— causes chronic inflammation, harms the endothelium and causes

poor cholesterol numbers. A 12-year study of 17,640 Europeans, published in the European Heart Journal, found that obese people with metabolic risk factors were two-and-a-half times as likely to have heart disease as those of normal weight.

Stress

When stressed by such factors as work overload, family strife or traumatic memories, the body releases adrenaline, which causes acceleration of breathing and heart rate, contraction of vessels and a rise in blood sugar. Chronic stress can cause constricted arteries that lead to arteriosclerosis and inflammation of the endothelium. Further, stressed people often turn to vascular-destructive activities such as smoking, drinking and binge eating.

Standard American Diet (SAD)

Previous studies have linked processed foods to hypertension and high cholesterol, and a 2019 British Medical Journal study of 105,000 adults reported that a 10 percent increase in the consumption of processed foods corresponded to a 12 percent overall increase in cardiovascular disease.

Inflammation

Chronic inflammation, caused by such factors as fried and processed foods, smoking, obesity, alcohol and stress, can trigger the immune system to attack healthy tissues, including the endothelium, raising CVD risk. C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammation marker, is measured by the hsCRP blood test. Men with higher CRP levels had three times the risk of heart attack and twice the risk of stroke, Harvard scientists have found.

Physical Inactivity

A lack of regular, ongoing physical activity has been shown to dramatically increase obesity, blood pressure, cholesterol and inflammation. A 2019 British study found that artery functions declined and CVD

risk factors worsened in just two weeks when active exercisers reduced their daily steps from 10,000 to 1,000.

disease. E-cigarettes and cigars may be worse due to higher doses of nicotine, the AHA warns.

Smoking and Vaping

Loneliness

Nicotine, carbon monoxide and chemicals in cigarettes increase blood pressure and heart rate, damage the endothelium and cause blood platelets to clot more, which is why smokers are two to four times more likely to get cardiovascular

People need people: Harvard researchers examined 23 studies that involved 181,000 adults and found that loneliness, social isolation or both were associated with increased risks of heart attacks (29 percent) and strokes (32 percent).

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Types of Regenerative Therapies

RENEWING HOPE Regenerative Medicine Upends Traditional Prognoses

by Patricia Staino Center offers platelet-rich plasma (PRP) f you think self-generation of new and stem cell injections to treat acute or cells, organs and body parts is just the chronic pain conditions related to degenstuff of superhero movies, think again. Pioneering research in regenerative medierative spinal discs, joints, muscles, tendons cine renews hope for us all, harnessing the and ligaments. “Recently, it has gained power of our own biological make-up to quite a bit of momentum, moving from an one day make us all super-beings. area of anecdotal medicine to more of an Regenerative medicine is an emergevidence-based approach. Its main premise ing branch of medicine in which therapies lies in a reparative approach in which your are applied to help cells and tissues heal, own body potentially rebuilds/heals its own tissue versus the traditional prior approach repair and regenerate themselves. Origiof using steroid-based therapy aimed at nally focused on using the body’s own decreasing inflammation.” cells and functions to heal itself, research The goal of regenerative medicine is to now includes growing tissues and organs heal injured tissue rather than just masking for transplant in cases where that’s not the pain. While stem cells from embryos, possible. It is found at the crossroads of adult tissues and reprogrammed differentitissue engineering and molecular biolated cells are used to generate increasingly ogy, and includes treatments such as stem sophisticated engineered tissues, we can cell therapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), better understand its application on a much medical devices and artificial organs, tismore granular level, in stem cell and PRP sue engineering and biomaterials. While injections, particularly for bone, joint and some of its trials are a long way from muscle repair to end chronic pain. being available at local hospitals, many “Regenerative therapy that utilizes the treatments—particularly those that treat patient’s own blood or stem cells and other muscle and joint complaints and resulting biologic options can be considered as an pain—are available from specially trained interventional option for musculoskeletal medical practitioners in the U. S. “Regenerative medicine is likely the injuries, joint pain and back pain,” says breath of fresh air that has emerged in pain Roshni N. Patel, MD, medical director at medicine,” says Rajat Sekhar, MD, interven- the Center of Excellence in Pain & tional pain physician with Greenwich HosRegenerative Medicine in Farmington. pital’s Center for Pain Management. The Patel has reinvented how she treats pain, 20 Hartford County Edition

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Many types of treatments, therapies and devices collect under the umbrella term of “regenerative medicine.” While the idea of engineering skin tissue and other biomaterials has a certain cool factor, it’s much more relevant to look at less invasive therapies currently available to patients. These include injections and biologics that stimulate cell and tissue repair and regrowth, often used to treat muscle and joint pain, but which have shown results in treating hair loss and erectile dysfunction, among other conditions. Stem Cell Therapy The Mayo Clinic website refers to stem cell therapy as the “next chapter in organ transplantation and uses cells instead of donor organs.” However, there’s more to stem cell therapy than growing organs outside the body. “Our body has more than 200 different types of cells; not all are stem cells,” says Steven Geoffrion, co-owner of Optimum Regenerative Care in Bethel. The regenerative medicine clinic uses stem cells and other therapies to treat degenerative joint conditions, back pain, arthritis, peripheral neuropathy, plantar fasciitis, anti-aging issues and whole-body wellness. “Stem cells are called the ‘master cells’ of the body because they are in charge of healing and repair. The very reason we age is because we lose stem cells as we get older.” These “master cells” can transform into different types of cells to replace dying cells and repair damaged tissue. Stem cells can be derived from umbilical cords of healthy babies and moms, as in the treatments offered at Geoffrion’s clinic, but can also be derived from an individual’s own bone marrow: During the stem cell procedure, bone marrow is collected from the patient, which takes just a couple of minutes. Those cells are isolated with a

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using procedures designed to provide longterm benefits and prevent surgery as well as help patients recover faster from surgery.

specialized centrifuge, then injected into the injured body part so healing and regeneration can begin. (This part of the procedure takes a couple of hours.) Patients can usually return to their daily activities after a few days, but they may have some pain at the marrow aspiration site for up to a week. “Stem cells are very intelligent, and they know where to go in the body,” says Geoffrion. “Inflammation is signaling to stem cells, so these healing cells will migrate to where inflammation exists and help the healing process.” According to Henry Sobo, MD, of Optimal Health Medical in Stamford, stem cells are being studied worldwide for their effectiveness in treating an ever-increasing variety of medical conditions. “The conditions for which stem cell therapy may be effective include disorders such as Alzheimer’s, MS and many others, for which, at present, there are no effective medical treatments,” Sobo says. These also include COPD, Type II diabetes, Epstein Barr, heart disease, Parkinson’s and autoimmune diseases.

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Sobo, who employs a nutritional and holistic approach to medicine, includes stem cell injections (as well as PRP and peptides) in his practice because he is committed to treating the cause of disease, not just the symptoms. His office participates in ongoing research studies in this field of therapy, following treatment protocols designed by an institutional review board, to help his patients augment the body’s natural repair process. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Sobo sees a big demand for platelet-rich plasma therapy—“popularized” by its use in orthopedics and sports medicine— among his patients. “PRP is produced from a person’s own blood,” he explains. “It is a concentration of the type of cell known as platelets. Platelets and the liquid plasma portion of the blood contain many factors that are essential for the cellular functions that are required for healing.” It sounds similar to stem cell injections, but bone marrow contains hundreds of growth factors that PRP cannot deliver,

so stem cell injections are used for more severe degenerative conditions for which PRP may not provide sufficient growth factors. After a blood sample is obtained from a patient, the blood is put into a centrifuge, which separates the blood into its many components. Platelet-rich plasma then can be collected and delivered to the area of the body that needs treatment. This procedure concentrates the platelet count in a patient’s centrifuged blood so that when returned to the body, it contains many times the natural concentration of platelets along with the regenerative healing factors they produce. Because PRP is created directly from a patient’s own blood, neither allergic reactions nor rejection of the platelet cells can occur. This is a safe treatment that can be performed and completed in an office setting in approximately one hour from start to finish. Peptides Another treatment growing in popularity is peptides therapy, used to improve skin care, prevent heart disease and stroke,

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February 2020

and treat immune system issues and chronic infections like Lyme disease. Peptides are chains of amino acids, which are the building blocks of the body’s proteins. Peptides are like little messengers who facilitate cell-to-cell communication, telling cells when to turn certain functions on and off. Some peptides occur naturally in the body, while others can be created in a laboratory. When administered to a patient (in place of a hormone or drug), they enhance the body’s own natural abilities to produce hormones or other healing proteins. Peptides are used to produce a specific reaction in the body, so an injection could be intended to assist with weight loss by stimulating the breakdown of fat, while others are meant to reduce inflammation. Some peptides stimulate production of human growth hormone for anti-aging therapies or to build muscle mass. According to Sobo, some of the most important peptide treatments currently are approved by the FDA-equivalents in Australia, many European countries and other governments around the world. “The human body possesses over 250,000 peptides, and we are only beginning to classify and understand them, to harness their power in the practice of medicine,” he says. He notes that in other countries, peptides have shown promise in treating sleep disorders, libido issues, fibromyalgia, cancer and aging. Exosomes Similar to peptides are exosomes, which also help cells communicate. Sekhar finds the research around these little messengers exciting and hopes there will be an FDA announcement in the coming year regarding approved biologics for patient treatment. “Exosomes are cell-derived vesicles containing what is believed to be the regenerative components released from mesenchymal stem cells, yet they are acellular,” he says. “They provide transmitting and honing device functions between cells when the body initiates the healing process. They have been attributed to the spread of cytokines, proteins, hyaluronic acid and growth factors. Exosomes have the potential to treat a wide variety of conditions.” Research has shown that when an older organism is exposed to a younger organism, the exosomes from the young stem cells appear to rejuvenate the older cells. By introducing exosome injections, the external exosomes could support stem cell functions by providing additional information that can spur the healing process. Geoffrion offers exosome therapy to his patients to promote overall well-being, as the FDA prohibits practitioners from promising to cure specific ailments through the treatment: “We now offer exosome therapy because many consider it to be the next generation of stem cells,” he says. “Exosomes are much smaller than stem cells and will allow us to better treat the body for anti-aging and whole-body wellness and healing.” He notes that some research has shown exosomes to be effective in reversing symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, MS, lupus, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, heart disease, diabetes and more.

What to Expect

As with any medical treatment, doctors and patients may vary as 22 Hartford County Edition

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to when a therapy should be deemed “successful.” Sekhar warns that patients need to temper their expectations, and be patient as they wait to see results, particularly when the condition for which they are seeking relief is causing pain. “Managing patient expectations is important because the onset of healing can take months, and patient pathologies can vary amongst patients, hence restoration of damaged tissue from autologous/allogenic tissue will differ from one patient to the next,” says Sekhar. “There is quite a bit of variation in clinical practice amongst pain physicians. It is important to ensure FDA-approved guidelines are adhered to and that patient expectations are accurately managed.” Additionally, Patel stresses patients should research their doctors and the procedures thoroughly, while Sobo suggests they ask friends and family for recommendations, which are often the most reliable and accurate picture of what to expect. If you do a little digging, you can find reliable information that can educate you further, from organizations like Pew Research, the Mayo Clinic, and, yes, even the FDA (which issued a report in November 2017 to clarify the distinctions between products that are subject to the agency’s full drug approval requirements and those that are not; and to streamline the review process for new therapies and reduce some of the regulatory requirements on product developers). “I am hoping for primary care providers to become more aware of therapies, so they can accurately guide their patients in seeking out the right medical professional for these treatments,” says Patel. “Patients must be well-informed on the limitations of regenerative medicine and not be gullible. While advances are being made in the field of regenerative medicine, we all have to be patient when it comes to the right treatment and approach for a given medical condition.”

Local Resources: Center of Excellence in Pain & Regenerative Medicine

Roshni N. Patel, MD 55 South Rd, Ste 120, Farmington 860-397-6179 • RoshniNPatelMD.com

Greenwich Hospital Center for Pain Management

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ost regenerative therapies are considered experimental, and most insurance plans don’t cover them. They can be pricey, and for all of these reasons, patients should thoroughly research these therapies and consult with a qualified medical professional before deciding if the treatments are right for them. Why would a patient choose a stem cell or PRP injection? Those who do often are suffering from chronic pain due to degenerative conditions that have baffled their doctors for years. Many have few options left, and often it is a choice between an invasive surgery or trying the injections. “Studies have shown that steroid injections or opioids, which are conventional therapies that promote pain relief, are detrimental in the long run, whereas surgical intervention often means a longer recovery period, pain and opioids,” says Roshni N. Patel, MD, medical director at the Center of Excellence in Pain & Regenerative Medicine in Farmington. “Regenerative therapy offers less invasive procedures and shorter recoveries. It is a less risky treatment option that can help patients avoid invasive, risky and expensive surgeries.” According to Greenwich Hospital’s website, the benefits of PRP and stem cell injections include a same-day procedure as opposed to a lengthy hospital stay, and often the treatments reduce the necessity for major surgery down the line because they treat injured tissues before the damage progresses further. Additionally, regenerative therapy has been proven to accelerate healing for osteoarthritis, ligament injuries, rotator cuff tears, tennis and golfer’s elbow, tendonitis and plantar fasciitis. Many patients see improvement in pain levels and mobility within four to six weeks after treatment, and they may continue to see improvement for up to 12 months.

Patricia Staino is a freelance writer and the managing editor of Natural Awakenings’ Hartford and Fairfield County editions. She can be reached at PatriciaStaino@gmail.com.

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A Doctor’s Advice to Patients about Regenerative Medicine

oshni N. Patel, MD, is an interventional pain management physician who is quadruple-boardcertified in the areas of pain, headache, neurology and brain injury. Currently the medical director of the Center of Excellence in Pain & Regenerative Medicine in Farmington, she has been treating patients for 15 years and offers regenerative medicine procedures to patients seeking pain relief and improved quality of life. We asked her to share her thoughts on the regenerative medicine questions that are top of mind for our readers.

What are the most exciting developments in the regenerative medicine field right now? The most exciting recent developments in the field certainly include the advances in research both conducted and published. 24 Hartford County Edition

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Also, while still slowmoving, we’re seeing a bit of momentum gained in the increase in insurance companies’ willingness to pay for these procedures; they’ve begun to realize that the patients and their own coffers stand to benefit in the long run by avoiding expensive medical procedures down the line. For example, Alabama is now paying for its state employees to undergo these therapies. I am hoping primary care providers become more aware of these therapies, so they can accurately guide their patients in seeking out the right medical professional for these treatments. Patients should be well-informed on the possibilities and limitations of regenerative medicine. The other exciting recent development has been the momentum and gains we’re seeing in the field of iPSC, or induced pluripotent stem cells, which can be engineered to treat a myriad of condi-

How do you address the common misconceptions patients and the public have about regenerative medicine? When it comes to misconceptions by the public at large, primarily they think all regenerative medicine is a stem cell procedure, which just isn’t true. Most of them don’t know about other options, like PRP, and that these procedures are available in reputable facilities within the U.S. They also think the therapies will cost tens of thousands of dollars. One of the most common misconceptions about regenerative medicine by patients is that they see it as a cure. Rather, it is a therapy that can improve their quality of life, and that is what practitioners should aim for with every patient that walks into their practice. There are still other factors to consider. For example, patients with healthy lifestyles have better outcomes compared to patients with unhealthy lifestyles.

RoshniNPatelMD.com

JUST THE FACTS

tions affecting degeneration. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is taking a lead in researching and conducting the trials on it. The therapy involves taking a patient’s blood cells and, in a lab, converting them into iPS cells, which have the potential to form any type of cell in the body. This study goes back to the basics of using the patient’s own blood cells to treat degeneration without the use of external biologics. iPSC, once perfected, will be able to change how we treat patients. I’m also following the use of regenerative medicine for neurological conditions, as researchers are still in the early stages of developing therapies for Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, Parkinson’s, traumatic brain injury, dementia and Alzheimer’s. The therapeutic potential of cell-based treatment for several neurological disorders cannot be understated, as many of them currently result in either permanent neurological damage or are incurable. Regenerative medicine may offer an alternative approach to supportive care.

Patients often think that stem cells or other biological products provide better outcomes versus their own blood cells because such treatment is more expensive compared to a PRP procedure, and that’s just not the case. We only approach second-level use of bone marrow if PRP has failed. Also, patients wonder why they would choose regenerative medicine over surgery since the latter is covered by insurance and regenerative procedures most likely are not. They need to consider the downside of surgery and total joint replacements, including recovery time, pain and the risks of surgery. The most dangerous misconception, however, is that it is a miracle cure for everything that ails them. This thinking has led to unscrupulous practitioners taking advantage of desperate patients seeking a miracle. The best thing to do is seek proper medical advice from a trusted professional.

What criteria should a patient use in choosing a health care professional in the regenerative medicine field? When it comes to regenerative medicine, a practitioner’s technique, education, equipment and skill set all matter. Most importantly, practitioners should follow clinical studies on PRP, non-autologous biologics, bone marrow, adipose and many others, and monitor ASIPP and FDA guidelines to ensure they are offering safe regenerative medicine treatment options when it comes to regenerative medicine. When searching for a regenerative medicine practitioner, be sure the therapies they offer are in line with their area of specialty. What is the physician’s background and training? For example, I largely focus on pain- and neurology-related conditions so I can offer optimal outcomes. Is a proper work-up being done to identify the root cause of the symptom? And if they suggest a regenerative medicinebased treatment, ask for clinical studies that back up their reason for suggesting it. Ask what kind of biologics will be used. PRP and BMAC are allowed for autologous use. Adipose is not allowed. If non-autologous biologics are suggested, find out how they are sourced and, if it is donor-derived, has the provider performed due diligence? Patients should understand that non-autologous biologics marketed as “stem cells” actually contain zero stem cells. They do, however, contain growth factors and cytokines, which are used to signal patients’ own stem cells to repair and regenerate. Find out what kind of equipment is being used to process PRP or BMAC. Not all centrifuges are created equal: A lab centrifuge is not ideal for achieving the correct concentration of platelets needed in PRP to ensure efficacy.

Will the injection be done under image guidance? Look for a practitioner who uses fluoroscopy or ultrasound to inject PRP. When it is done blindly, it is not as effective as when it’s done under image guidance, which ensures accurate needle placement. If the clinic charges an exorbitant amount, seek additional medical advice. The average cost of a single PRP injection is around $1,500 at a reputable practice; BMAC and other biologics are between $3,000 and $5,000. On the other hand, be wary if the cost is far less, as it’s possible they do not use the right equipment, which could compromise the patient’s safety. One final thought: One of the major concerns in the field of regenerative medicine is that it has become the wild, wild west, which has put a damper on what regenerative medicine can do for patients. For the best experience with regenerative medicine, the patient must be as responsible as the physician in terms of being educated and informed. Roshni N. Patel, MD, is medical director of the Center of Excellence in Pain & Regenerative Medicine in Farmington. She can be reached at 860-397-6179 or PainRegenMD.com.

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VITAL STEPS The Path to Vascular Fitness

by Marlaina Donato

t is well-known that exercise combats cardiovascular disease by balancing blood pressure and managing blood sugar, but aerobic exercise, not resistance training, takes the prize for keeping the body’s thousands of miles of blood vessels more supple. A 2017 study published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise shows that all-extremity exercise like brisk walking improves arterial flexibility in older individuals; even those with a sedentary history. Moving the body regularly also lowers stress hormones like cortisol that can ignite damaging vascular inflammation. A West Virginia University study presented at the 2016 Experimental Biology meeting in San Diego showed that aerobic exercise fosters healthy blood vessels in rats exposed to chronic stress. Combining aerobic exercise with good diet and paying attention to triglyceride levels all help to keep us young from the inside-out.

Step It Up

According to a 2015 study by the University of Missouri School of Medicine published in Experimental Physiology, walking just 10 minutes after prolonged sitting can restore blood flow in the legs and improve impaired vascular function. Results like these are another reason to get up and move. Walking, running, swimming, cycling, jumping rope and playing tennis are all 26 Hartford County Edition

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excellent options. “For blood vessel flexibility, any sort of sustained aerobic exercise helps. Find something you enjoy so that you’ll keep doing it in the long term,” says Alex Hutchinson, New York Times bestselling author of Which Comes First, Cardio or Weights? Fitness Myths, Training Truths, and Other Surprising Discoveries from the Science of Exercise. The Toronto-based, Outside magazine science columnist underscores that treadmills and walking outside foster equal benefits by increasing the heart rate. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic exercise. Dr. Regina Druz, a boardcertified cardiologist and medical director of the Integrative Cardiology Center of Long Island, explains, “This translates into 30 minutes a day, five times a week. A specific exercise program may be helpful for those with a medical condition, but for overall vascular health, any physical activity like walking or taking the stairs will do.” Druz also highlights the role of nitric oxide: “One of the most studied mediators of vascular health is [nitric oxide], which makes arteries flexible.” Research findings published in 2018 in the journal Hypertension spotlight the correlation between the number of daily steps and arterial plasticity through a technique called pulse wave velocity, which measures how fast blood travels from the heart to the feet. The evidence suggests that 1,000 extra steps a day

foster significant vascular improvement. Judy Heller, a walking coach and founder of Wonders of Walking, a fitness program in Portland, Oregon, concurs: “Moving throughout the day, not just once a day, is most important.” Heller is a firm believer in consistency. “My aunt lived to 107 and remained in her three-story house. Her words to me were, ‘Judy, don’t ever stop walking.’ Small changes yield greater rewards over time. We’re meant to move.”

Superfoods and Supplements

Nitric oxide, responsible for the dilation and contraction of blood vessels, is produced by exercising and helps to protect the smooth interior lining of the arteries from excessive plaque accumulation. Adding nitric oxide-boosting foods to an already healthy diet can give us an extra edge over vascular conditions like stroke and peripheral artery disease. “Beets, arugula, spinach and rhubarb are all good sources of dietary nitrate. They’re not miracle supplements, but if you make these foods a regular part of your diet, you’ll have a positive effect on your arteries,” says Hutchinson. Research by Florida State University published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics reveals that a one-cup daily serving of blueberries helps to protect the arteries from stiffness. Watermelon, rich in the nonessential amino acid L-citrulline, also packs a nitric oxide punch. Full-spectrum vitamin E is another good option, especially for addressing peripheral artery disease and reducing serum triglyceride levels that are often seen as secondary to “bad” cholesterol levels, but which low levels are vital to cardiovascular health. Druz cautions against using supplements as substitutes for healthy nutrition and exercise, and underscores the importance of dialing down stress, “I advise my patients to build stress resiliency, which involves recognizing and practicing stress response. This, along with nutrition and consistent exercise, will lower inflammation and help build stress resiliency.” Marlaina Donato is an author and composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

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WRITE ON!

Shift Vibrational Frequencies Through Writing

by Elizabeth Hill

e all know what it feels like to be in a low vibe, while being positive feels exquisite. However, putting pressure on ourselves to shift into a higher vibration if we don’t feel that way can make us feel even worse. Often when we want to shift into the positive, it makes it all too clear that we aren’t there! Even worse, when people label low moods as bad or negative, this can lead to a double whammy of feeling bad for feeling bad. All that does is highlight how low we actually are. If we are feeling low on the vibrational scale, it won’t work to just magically wish we were more positive. First, we must recognize where we are at the moment and honor the space we are in—no matter where we are on the vibrational scale—rather than wishing any low vibes away. In Ask and It is Given, Esther and

Jerry Hicks clarify how we can assess and adjust our vibrational frequency by looking at our emotional guidance scale. If we are low in vibration, we will experience feelings such as anger, guilt, fear or shame. Feelings on the mid-vibrational scale are boredom, pessimism or overwhelm. When we are on a high vibrational frequency, we experience feelings such as joy, passion and love. Obviously, we don’t like to feel low. We want to stay positive and we want to stay in action. But there’s nothing wrong

or bad about any feelings in and of themselves. It’s important that we honor all the feelings and discover the lessons they offer. Daily practices such as writing and meditation help us honor where we are and help us gently adjust our vibrational frequencies so we may shift our state of being to one that feels better. Try the following writing practice each morning before starting your day: First, take five to 10 minutes to free-write anything that is on your mind, is weighing on you or that you can’t sort out. As you write, the pressure will be cleared from your body and mind. You may find some clarity on a specific action to take that will release the heaviness or weight, and you can jot these thoughts down as well. This will bring a sense of clarity and freedom. Second, write things that are going well and for which you are grateful. They may not be going 100% perfectly, but they may be one step further in your chosen direction. Cultivating the grateful feelings through writing helps them grow in our body, mind and heart. You will be more open to receiving when this gratitude is present. You will find an extended version of this writing practice in the book Green Your Heart, Green Your World. Elizabeth B. Hill, MSW, ACC, is the founder of Green Heart Living and the author of Green Your Heart, Green Your World: Avoid Burnout, Save the World and Love Your Life. Her book Love Notes: Daily Wisdom for the Soul will be released February 14. Access free mindfulness resources and other soul-healing goodness at GreenHeartLiving.com.

To build a daily habit of meditation, try the free “21-Day Manifesting Experience,” which can be accessed at Facebook.com/groups/21-daymanifestingexperience. Each month has a different theme with corresponding mindset meditations and mantras. February’s theme is “Love All Ways.”

February 2020

Use Your Thought Power Three Steps to Inner Peace by Paige Dest

o matter who you are, negativity can take over your mood and drag you down for a day, a week or even longer. We all face it— negative self-talk, cynicism and bad mojo. Sometimes it seems like there’s negativity everywhere you turn: Listen to the news; it’s usually negative. Look at Facebook—

everyone seems to have a happier or better life than you. Think about those around you—there’s always drama. Between dealing with people at work, in the community and friends and family, do you ever feel like shouting, “Stop the world, I want to get off!”? It’s easy to get caught up in the

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Question your thoughts. You are responsible for your thoughts, and you have the right to question your negative self-talk. Ask yourself where your thoughts are coming from—are they caused by something in your past? Are your thoughts about fearing a future event? The past is given to us as a lesson. We don’t know the future, so our mind tends to wander in the past because that’s what we know. Rather than dwell in the past, it could be helpful to ask yourself what is the worst that could happen? How likely is that worst case?

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negativity because it’s biological. Your brain actually has developed to focus on the negative: It monitors for threats, and even if the thought or situation isn’t really posing a threat, our brain can convince us that there is one. Now, we could consider how the brain works, how the chemical cortisol flows freely and encourages negative thoughts and how thinking positively helps the flow of dopamine, bringing warm and happy feelings; but let’s keep it simple with this one simple rule: You have the power to control your thoughts. You have the choice to see things positively, though it may take effort and practice. This is easier said than done, though. How do you deal with your coworker who is always complaining or the friend who likes to “help” by criticizing you in some way or the newscaster who is warning you of the dangers of global warming? You take back your power of choice. Here are three steps you can take today to begin developing positive inner peace.

Or maybe your negative thought is driven by something someone did or said. Remember that what people do and say is about them, not you. They may blame you or judge you, but it’s coming from their perspective, belief system and past lessons. What they say and do is their choice, what you think (and say and do) is yours. Put your thoughts into perspective and make a conscious decision as to whether the thought is true or exaggerated in some way. Our thoughts can often “lie” to us, so make sure you only allow truth into your world. Practice gratitude. Gratitude reminds us that there is good in the world, and that we are the recipient of goodness from an outside source. No matter who you are or what you may be going through, you can find blessings if you look. Look for the silver lining and be grateful for even the little things. You can practice gratitude by naming one thing each day for which you are grateful. If you keep a written or digital journal, you can go back and see all the blessings in your life. Perhaps begin a ritual of reviewing your gratitude journal on New Year’s Eve to start the new year with a positive outlook! Think about this story: A man was walking to the bus stop after work, tired and frustrated by the events of the day and anxious to get home. As he sat on the bus waiting for his horrible day to be over, a woman getting on the bus caught his eye. This woman had only one leg, but she was greeting everyone around her pleasantly. The man looked out the bus window and saw a child in a wheelchair. The child had no legs but was smiling and laughing with the adult walking along side of him. The man realized that putting his problems into perspective helped him see the blessings he’d been given, even the ones he had taken for granted. Seek out positive surroundings. Have you ever heard the saying, “You are the company you keep”? The people with whom you surround yourself can influence your thoughts and behavior. Their energy can be absorbed by you like a sponge, so make sure the people you allow to be around you bring positive energy and exhibit realistic optimism. Find the people who lift you up and remind you to be your best self. Recognize setbacks as temporary situations or learning experiences. Remember, sometimes you win, sometimes you learn. Determine who and what you want in your life—the people and things that lift you up. And make sure to spend time outside every day. Nature is an amazing emotional healer! Better yet, take a walk with a good friend to maximize the positivity. Paige Dest is a Certified Emotional Intelligence Coach and Core Values Index Practitioner and the owner of BYODestiny. She provides emotional intelligence coaching to individuals and presents retreats, workshops and national webinars on emotional intelligence and happiness topics. Attend her Self-Care workshop at the Norwich Inn and Spa on March March 21. Session one is from 1:30 to 3:30 ($44.50) and session two is from 6:30 to 8:30pm ($49.50). To register, visit Tinyurl.com/ukns63x.

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Master 0s in 2020 Original paintings by Greer Jonas

The master zero (0) is the magical energy of potential—that which has never happened before. It is “conception” before it is fully realized—the vision of an idea or intention of something we want in our lives without its limitations. We are in the womb, anxiously waiting to be birthed. How will you move ahead in your life with the new energy of intention and connection in all your relationships? How can you reach past the “I” of the ego—the “I can’t,” the “I must,” and the “I have to control”? Instead, envision what you really want, not how. See your vision happening and let go of imagining its form. But you have to be present in your life before anything can shift in the areas of relationships and potential.

The Global 2020 Year

Bring Master Change!

by Greer Jonas

elcome to the third decade of the 21st century. What is the 2020 numerology effect on our lives? Never again in our lifetime will there be two 2s and two zeros in our year. According to numerology, when two numbers are the same, they are considered master numbers because they have double the power of the number. In mastery, the energy will have a pivotal effect of change in our lives and in the world. In what way will our outlook and actions change?

The Decade of the One

First, let’s step back. For 10 years we were in the decade of the “1.” One is all about the ego, leadership and action. It is the yang energy of pushing forward your ideas. This was the time on our earth when we were asked to expand our beliefs and take the lead. We can witness, in our current politics, much ego being thrown around. Many belief systems have emerged to produce change. It seems as if the belief systems during this decade have been taking turns with what is right and what is wrong.

Master 2s in 2020

Now we move into the master 2s. The two is the yin—intuitive connections and sensitivity with a view of fairness. This is the Divine Feminine, an outlook far different from living inside of self. The two, in comparison, seeks relationship and duality. Two sides to every argument, we have the opportunity to look at the bigger picture. We have the choice of reaching past the “I” into the “we.” 30 Hartford County Edition

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“We” Rather Than “I”

Is it possible to create this change? Perhaps we can begin in our own lives and relationships as we mutually support and inspire each other. Rather than focusing on the desire to be right, the new decade can be about the aspiration of letting go and reaching out together towards change. Get involved in a group that inspires you; it could be about social change or environmental. Be the difference in this world.

Manifest Your Dreams

What a great time to manifest your dreams—to create with your intuition rather than old ways of doing things. And remember, it is always okay to ask for support! Now this is the way to bring in 2020! Greer Jonas is an intuitive numerologist and artist living in NYC. She conducts numerology readings via Zoom, phone and in person. Visit her numerology website at Numerology4YourSoul.com and her art website at GreerJonas.com. To schedule a reading, request a class schedule or find out more about your personal year in 2020, contact her at GreerDJonas@gmail.com.

Original paintings by Greer Jonas

2020 A New Decade Will

The digits of the year 2020 add up to four (2+0+2+0=4). So along with having two master numbers, we also have the value of the four, which is all about the builder, the grounding earth, the ability to create form. Thus, the potential for our world to turn around and build once again, instead of destroying, is possible. We need to be proactive, of course, while speaking in an intelligent and thoughtful manner so that we are heard and not turned off because we are yelling at each other. We must also be willing to listen. With a mutual understanding we can shift into a more grounded world that works together and makes a difference.

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NOTE: All Calendar events must be received by the 10th of the month prior to publication and adhere to our guidelines. Submit ALL entries at NAHRT.com

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1

Dream Circle – 3-4:30pm. Come share your dreams with others in a sacred space. Learn ways of working with dreams, and explore different types. $20/ pre-register; $25/at the door. Twisted Dog Yoga, 15 Broadway, Ste #2, Colchester. TwistedDogYoga.com. How to Make Natural Perfumes Using Essential Oils – 6pm. With Regina Slabiak, MA. Learn to create products that contain organic ingredients like herbs and therapeutic essential oils. $20. Optimal Living Center, 50 Old Farm Rd, Somers. 860-593-0304.

markyourcalendar EXPLORE THE REALMS OF SPIRIT, MIND & BODY February 2 • 10am-4pm (snow date: February 9) Sample the metaphysical world at the Astrological Society of Connecticut’s New Age Fair, featuring readings ($25), vendors, body-workers, refreshments, free lectures and an astrology class (1 pm, $10). Bring your birth time for a chart for the class or an astrology reading. Admission and parking free. Keeney Memorial Cultural Center 200 Main St, Wethersfield myasc.org/new-age-fairs Facebook.com/MYASC • 860-568-8617

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2

Yoga For Osteoporosis – 10:30am-12:30pm. Learn how to build bone density and prevent bone loss. Learn the causes of osteopenia and osteoporosis and how to reverse it with yoga and lifestyle. $35, Yoga Teachers receive 2 CEU’s. Journey of Yoga, 730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury. 860-680-1482. JourneyOfYoga.com.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3

Online Intuitive Development Circle – 6-7:30pm. Monthly group meets via Zoom video chat. All levels welcome. Explore new techniques each month to develop your sixth sense in a supportive atmosphere. $10. Pre-registration required. Class online. Creative-Psyche.com.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8

Spiritual Saturday with Lily – 10am-2pm. Come in and try a service. Lily will be available offering 30-minute intuitive/mediumship readings or empowering energy healings for only $40. Cash or check only. By appointment. 129 Tolland Stage Rd, Tolland. TheWaterLilyCenter.com.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9

Love Potion No. 9 Workshop – 1-2:30pm. Learn about aphrodisiac aromas and use these essential oils to create your very own love potion perfume.

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Pre-registration is required via website. $25. New England Naturopathic Center, Cheshire. NENaturalMed.com/events.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12

In The Kitchen: Aphrodisiac Cuisine – 6-7:30pm. Get in the mood this Valentine’s Day using foods and spices to enhance your libido, romance and sexual performance that are also helpful for the heart. $20/per person. Pre-register at NENaturalMed.com/events. Signs for Solace – 6:30-8pm. This workshop will help you to identify ways in which loved ones show us they are near, identify ways in which you may connect with them and allow you to feel at peace. $20. 129 Tolland Stage Rd, Tolland. TheWaterLilyCenter.com. Science is Completely Changing the Way We Age – 8pm. Learn about 37 clinical studies and 7 patients who use these supplements. It utilizes the patented bio-optimized process which ensures rapid absorption. It switches off the enzyme hyaluronidase that kills HA in our body. Free webinar: zoom.us/j/6806004063. Optimal Living Center, 50 Old Farm Rd, Somers. Register: 860-593-0304.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15

Channeling of Master Kuthumi and Others - 7pm. With Patrice Gildner. Patrice provides insights and practical advice to help you define your choices and become more aware of who you are, what you want, and what you are trying to accomplish. $20. Optimal Living Center, 50 Old Farm Rd, Somers. Register: 860-593-0304.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16

Self Love Meditation – 11am-12pm. This holistic meditation uses aromatherapy, crystal healing, sound healing, and guided imagery. The meditation will close with an inspirational passage and time for reflection. Soulshine Salt Cavern, 352 Main St, Durham. 860-478-0510.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18

Connecting to the Cards – 2/18 & 2/25. 6:309pm. This two-day class will help you further develop your intuitive gifts and go deeper with the message, beyond the card. $100. 129 Tolland Stage Rd, Tolland. TheWaterLilyCenter.com.

BECOME A MARCONICS PRACTITIONER! Saturday, February 22 • 9:30am-5pm & Sunday, February 23 • 9:30am-4:30pm Begin your journey back to Source. Everything that came before has been in preparation for this moment; a step along the path. THIS IS ASCENSION! Scale the Mountain and claim SOUL SOVEREIGNTY. Registration: Marconics.com/Level_1_Wallingford_CT.html Divinely Rooted Yoga Studio located in Hidden Gem on Main 33 N Main St, Suite D, Wallingford Contact: Julie Oakes 203-533-9633 or SNETeachers@Marconics.com

markyourcalendar UNIVERSAL WHITE TIME ENERGY HEALING LEVEL 1 with Bradford Tilden Friday, March 20 • 6-9pm. Saturday, March 21 • 9am-6pm Sunday, March 22 • 9am-6pm UWT is a special healing art with a unique origin, and higher vibration than other modalities like Reiki and IET. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to grow along your personal Spiritual Path. Tuition: $400 includes initiation and certification. $450 The Amethyst Center 305 Redstone Hill Rd, Bristol • 860-830-5841

markyourcalendar MARCONICS LEVEL 1 Practitioner Certification Training Class

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19

Saturday, March 28 • 9:30am-5pm & Sunday, March 29 • 9:30am-4:30pm

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20

Begin your journey back to Source. Whether you decide to become a healer or, practice Marconics healing protocols, or simply harness Marconics frequencies to further your own personal Spiritual journey - you will be forever transformed by this class.

Herbal Happy Hour: MYO Medicinal Herbal Tea – 6-7:30pm. Blend your own herbal tea using organic herbs for cough, cold and immunity and learn tea making technique. $20/per person. Preregister at NENaturalMed.com/events. Astrological Society of CT Lecture: Astrology and the Hermetic Traditions with Mark Iwanicki – 7-10pm; 6pm: pre-lecture class. The Hermetic Arts (astrology, numerology and Kabbalah) allow intuition and intellect to work together to elicit powerful insight. Free/members; $10/ non-members. Keeney Memorial Cultural Center, 200 Main St, Wethersfield. MYASC.org/Curr-Pgm.

Registration: Marconics.com/Level_1_Waterford_ct.html The Center for Healing Therapies, 83 Boston Post Rd, Waterford Contact: Julie Oakes 203-533-9633 or SNETeachers@Marconics.com

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22

Winter Mandala Making – Chrysalis Group: 9-10am; Butterfly Wings Group: 11am-12pm. Create a mandala with whatever is available during the season. Will be indoors or outdoors based on the weather. $15/per person. Pre-register at NENaturalMed.com/events.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26

Mirror, Mirror: The Vision Within – 6:30-8pm. Mirror work can lead to powerful revelations about yourself. The practice can be challenging and takes patience, yet has the potential to bring you to a pivotal place of self discovery, healing and growth. $20. 129 Tolland Stage Rd, Tolland. TheWaterLilyCenter.com.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28

Open Group Style Readings – 6:30-9pm. In an intimate gathering, Lily will share personal messages with each participant in the group. Come. with a friend or alone, knowing that the group that is brought together that evening is purposeful and connected in some way. $40. 129 Tolland Stage Rd, Tolland. TheWaterLilyCenter.com. Salt-Infused Sound Concert – 7-8:30pm. With Denise Cassella from Stairway to Healing Light. Limited seating. Bring water and white socks. Antigravity chairs and blankets provided. $45/advance, $50 at the door. Soulshine Salt Cavern at The Red Barn, 352 Main St, Durham.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29

Into the Land of Dreams Part One – 6pm. With Judith Dreyer, MS, BSN. This five part workshop will give you tools to begin your journey and excite your imagination. In every class you will learn an easy but profound technique to capture the meaning and essence of your dreaming and create practical action. Optimal Living Center, 50 Old Farm Rd, Somers. Register: 860-593-0304.

markyourcalendar FIRESIDE REVIVE FOR EMOTIONAL SELF-CARE With BYODestiny March 21 • Two sessions: 1:30-3:30pm & 6:30-8:30pm. Attend one or both. Develop a more positive relationship with yourself and with others. Maintain a positive outlook, take control of your thoughts and actions, and improve communication and conflict resolution. Cottage at Norwich Inn and Spa, Norwich $44.50 (1:30pm) and $49.50 (6:30pm) $5 discount for 2+ tickets per session Register for the afternoon session: bit.ly/FiresideRevive_Morning Register for the evening session: bit.ly/FiresideRevive_Evening Advance registration and payment are required. Paige Dest, Certified Emotional Intelligence Coach Paige@BYODestiny.com • 860-550-1844

ongoing events

sunday Bhakti Yoga and Japa Meditation – 8:30-10am. Donations gratefully accepted. Bhakti Center CT, 750 R Main, Willimantic. 860-593-5002. Sunday Sadhana – 9-10:15am. This all-levels class combines gentle yoga with mantra, mudra, meditation and shamanism. Each heart-centered class is designed to bring balance and harmony to the mind, body and spirit. $15/drop-in. Bhakti Center CT, 750 Main St Rear, Willimantic. 860-593-5002. Qi & Tea – 10am-12pm. First and third Sunday. Qigong is much more beneficial when practiced in groups. Our mission is to create the qi community and give people from all places an opportunity to learn and share this ancient healing art form. $20/ drop-in. Registration required. 280 Garden Grove Rd, Manchester. 860-558-6146. Children’s Yoga – 10am-4pm. Ages 3-11yrs. With Melanie Morales, certified kids yoga instructor. Little ones learn to control big emotions, using breath, stretches, mindfulness and movement. $10. Enlightenment Center of CT, 660 Prospect Ave, Hartford. EnlightenmentCenterCT.com. Introduction to Chinese Calligraphy – 10-12pm. Second and fourth Saturday. Chinese calligraphy has 5,000 years of history. It’s one of the most beautiful ancient art forms that has lasted to this day. It’s also known as one of best methods to calm one’s heart and release stress. $20/drop-in. Registration required. 280 Garden Grove Rd, Manchester. 860-558-6146. Creative Collaboratory – 3-4:30pm. Second Sundays. Online and some in person. Support for creative artists. Guest speakers, themed programs, meditation, yoga therapy, visualization and supportive counseling for the vows and manifestation process of creative artists. $40/ monthly membership includes one private 30-minute coaching session. Phone interview/sign up: 917-8600488. Call for address. DrSklover@gmail.com. Kids Yoga – 3-3:45pm for ages 4-8. 45-minute classes will give your little yogi a taste of all that yoga has to offer… fitness, fun, self-soothing, relaxation and more. $12/drop-in. Journey of Yoga, 730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury. 860-680-1482. Create Financial Freedom with Healthy Products – 4-5pm. Learn how to build a business and create financial freedom for you by distributing natural Aloe Vera nutritional supplements to help others be healthy. Free. Bristol (call for address). RSVP: 860-372-8171. Qigong - All Levels – 5:30-6:30pm. Deep breathing and flowing movements derived from ancient Chinese healing exercises for increased balance, flexibility, muscle and bone strength, immune function, decreased pain and stiffness. $17 drop-in. Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville. 860-693-9642. Women’s Global Circle – 6:30-8pm. Live/in-person first Sunday. Online the rest of the month. For heartcentered activism and manifestation. Women wanting to make their dreams for self and world come true. $60/monthly fee. Phone interview/sign up: 917860-0488. Call for address. DrSklover@gmail.com.

monday Complete Strength Class – 9:30-10:30am. Total Strength classes are the #1 priority to burn calories and build lean muscle to boost your metabolism for the long-term. $20. YES Fitness, 292 Spielman Hwy, Burlington. 860-673-4293. Kundalini Yoga – 9:30-11am. Free. Windham Recovery Community Center, 713 Main St, Willimantic. 860-423-7088 or 860-423-9843 for more info. Open Play! For Ages 10 Months to 5 Years – 1011:15am. Join open play in our creative arts studio. Non-instructional play will include gross motor equipment like tunnels and balance beams, dress up and art projects. Donation of canned good. Imagine Studio, 97 South St, West Hartford. ImagineStudioCT.com. Gentle + Restorative Yoga – 10:30-11:45am. Gently held postures for joint health and nurturing. Great for any experience level. $50 for 30 days, unlimited classes/new students. Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville. 860-693-9642. Meditation Mondays – 7-8pm. First Monday. Meditation for all. Beginners and drop-ins welcome. Begin each week with a meditation practice to quiet your mind and let go of all that does not serve. Facilitated by Melanie VanOstrand. $10. Sea in the Sky Healing and Wellness Center, Hebron. 860530-1552. SeaInTheSkyHealing.com. Connection and Meditation – 7-8:30pm. First and third Monday of the month. Connect with self, Spirit and other like minded souls as we let go and set intentions before Lily leads you into meditation. Free. 129 Tolland Stage Rd, Tolland. TheWaterLilyCenter.com. Tong Ren Healing Class – 7-8pm. Dr. Ming Wu leads this class focusing on internally healing the body’s energy system by using the collective unconscious. Wu Healing Center, 45 S Main St, West Hartford. To register: 978-790-8888. Vinyasa Yoga For Everyone – 7-8:15pm. Classic yoga postures in flowing sequence linked by breath. Learn breathing techniques that keep you invigorated and calm in your daily life. $50 for 30 days, unlimited classes/new students. Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville. 860-693-9642.

tuesday Chair Massage – Treat yourself to a relaxing break. You decide how long. $1/minute. Oneida Holistic Health Center, 16 West Rd, Marlborough. Walk-ins welcome or call for an appointment: 860-467-6518. Express Vinyasa Yoga – 6-7am. Touches on all the essentials of the core standing, balancing, and seated postures. Build strength, heat and focus moving through sun salutations linked with breath and clarity. Some yoga experience recommended. $50 for 30 days, unlimited classes/new students. Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville. 860-693-9642.

February 2020

ongoing events Dragon and Tiger Medical Qigong – 11:15am12:15pm. Gentle movements performed standing or sitting activate the acupuncture meridians. Improve your balance, coordination, energy and health. Don Myers, Certified Instructor, 30 years of teaching experience. $15/class. Universalist Church, 433 Fern St, West Hartford. Register at GreatPondTaiChi.com. Tai Chi for Kids (Ages 6-12) – 4-4:45pm. Learning the Chinese art of Tai Chi is a great way for children to relax, have fun and strengthen body and mind. Wu Healing Center, 45 S Main St, West Hartford. To register: 978-790-8888. Vinyasa Flow Yoga – 6pm. The Bridge Healing Arts Center, 304 Main St, Farmington. 860-4042578. BridgeHAC.com. Ayurveda 102 – 6-7pm. 8-week series. Register online at ScheduleBliss.com/BhaktiCenterCT. $108. Bhakti Center CT. 750 Rear Main St, Willimantic. BhaktiCenterCT@gmail.com. Tai Chi with Dr. Ming Wu – 6-7pm. Learn from a Tai Chi master who has studied the art of Tai Chi for more than 40 years. Wu Healing Center, 45 S Main St, West Hartford. To register: 978-790-8888. Authentic Movement – First, second and third Tuesdays. 6-7:15pm. Authentic Movement is a simple, self-guided moving meditation practice. By nurturing presence in our physical bodies, we open pathways for self-understanding, creative expression and inner peace. $12/drop-in. Bhakti Center CT, 750 Main St Rear, Willimantic. ScheduleBliss.com/index.php/bhakticenterct. Freestyle Qigong – 6:30-7:30pm. First and third Tuesday of the month. Come learn how to heal yourself with healing breath and cultivate and balance the ancient flow of qi (chee) translated as “life energy”. $20/walk-in. 129 Tolland Stage Rd, Tolland. TheWaterLilyCenter.com. Monthly Information Sessions at The Graduate Institute – 6:30-7:30pm. Join us for an info session every 2nd Tuesday of the month at The Graduate Institute. Please contact us to let us know that you’ll be attending. The Graduate Institute, 171 Amity Rd, Bethany. Call 203-874-4252. Holistic Cancer Support Group – 6:30-8pm. Do you offer a healing modality or service which will aid those in recovery from cancer? If so, please attend and work with us to build CT’s first holistic cancer support group. BRIDGE Healing Arts Center, 304 Main St, Farmington. Call Rod Kelly, 860-216-8671 or email Rod@EyeOftheEagle.org. Soul Circle: A Meditation and Journey Group – 6:30-8pm. First Tuesday. Join us for an evening of meditation, journeying, drumming and healing. Explore power animals and spirit guides, healing light meditations, nature spirit allies and more. Sea in the Sky Healing and Wellness Center, Hebron. $20. 860-530-1552. SeaInTheSkyHealing.com. Free Spirit Dance – 7:15-8:30pm. A non-judgmental community gathering to explore our unscripted authentic movement as a heart opening meditation amidst a blend of world music. No experience necessary. All Welcome. Donation based. Luna & Lotus, 50 Depot St, Collinsville. 860-803-9947.

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Turbo Kick Boxing with Mary – 7:15-8:15pm. Extreme aerobic workout is fun and will get you in shape. Great music. Tuesdays are for beginners and Thursdays are advanced classes. $5. Center for Progressive Therapies, 192 Hartford Rd, Manchester. 860-883-9664. Guided Meditation – First, second and third Tuesdays. 7:30-8:45pm. Discover how the simple practice of deep presence can open us to profound peace, compassion and love within ourselves. $12/drop-in. Bhakti Center CT, 750 Main St Rear, Willimantic. ScheduleBliss.com/index.php/bhakticenterct. Meditation as a Way of Living with Tom Dest – 7:30-8:45pm. Promoting access to intention from deep inside and heart to heart communication - soft live music. Contemplation on our eternal nature and keys to peace. $15. Center for Progressive Therapies, 192 Hartford Rd, Manchester. 413-822-8486. Online Mediumship Development Circle/Class – 9-10:30pm. Mixed level circle/class with Sharon Farber to develop evidential mediumship. Support, instruction, practice. $13/per session. $100/ten sessions. Online in a Zoom room. 860-989-2358. SharonFarber.net.

wednesday Morning Flow – 6:30-7:30am. Start your day with an all levels class that emphasizes the powerful connection between breath and movement while building both strength and balance. Journey of Yoga, 730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury. 860-680-1482. Coffee with Coach – 7am. Early morning session facilitated by Torin Lee, Life Coach. Learn ways to handle stress, navigate change and make each day count. $10. Oneida Holistic Health Center, 16 West Rd, Marlborough. To register: 860-467-6518. Qi Gong Class – 9:30-10:30am. Class starts with standing Qi Gong exercises for beginners and then flows into Yang Style Tai Chi. $32 first month for new students then $92 month thereafter. $15/walkins. Wu Healing Center, 45 S Main St, West Hartford. 860-593-8397. Erik@ChiForHealing.com. Gentle Yoga – 10:30-11:45am. Gently held postures for joint health and nurturing. $50 for 30 days, unlimited classes/new students. Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville. 860-693-9642. Yoga by Caroline, All Levels Vinyasa Flow – 4:45-6pm. Yoga is quite simply a moving meditation. Vinyasa is a flowing yoga that connects breath with movement to flow from one pose to the next. $15/per class. First class free. 129 Tolland Stage Rd, Tolland. TheWaterLilyCenter.com. Weight Loss Meetings – 5:30-6:15pm. Second and fourth Wednesdays. Join Dr. Stacey Munro for an informational meeting about effective food-based weight loss and body composition change programs. We will go over program basics, cost and answer questions. All welcome. Please RSVP: 860-758-7808. Nature’s Helper Medical Clinic, 178 Mountain Rd, Suffield. Qigong – 6pm. The Bridge Healing Arts Center, 304 Main St, Farmington. 860-404-2578. BridgeHAC.com.

LivFree All Levels Yoga – 6-7pm. With Tracey. Recharge your batteries midweek in this energetic, then relaxing yoga class. Walk-ins welcome. $10. TriCity Massage and Wellness, 220 Hartford Tpke, Vernon. Tri-CityMassage.com. Epiphany – 6-8:30pm. Second Wednesday. Experience craniosacral therapy, reflexology, Reiki, acupuncture and more. Call for your 30-minute appt during “epiphany”.$20-$40/suggested. 101 River Rd, Canton. 860-693-8040. Yoga Nidra – 6:30-7:30pm. Experience the calming effects of Yoga Nidra. Activate your parasympathetic nervous system and relax your body. $20. Enlightenment Center of CT, 660 Prospect Ave, Hartford. EnlightenmentCenterCT.com. Diabetes Support Group – 6:30-8pm. Third Wednesday. Explore the benefits of a supportive community of people struggling with similar issues and concerns. Share your wisdom and successes with others in need of help. Registration required. 10 Grassmere Rd, Ste 300, West Hartford. 860-9300308. Laura.EstanRD.CDE@gmail.com. Support Group More Better Happy – 7:158:30pm. When people and circumstances are sucking the energy, motivation and life right out of you, come here. You can recharge while getting what you want. Registration required. Free. Yoga Born, 1735 Ellington Rd, South Windsor. 860-432-5678. Mediumship Development Circle – 7:30-9pm. Mixed level circle with Sharon Farber to develop evidential mediumship. Beginners welcome. Active since May 2012. $10-$15 donation. Dragonfly Healing Arts, 8 Wickett St, Pine Meadow. 860-989-2358. SharonFarber.net. Qigong Variation – 8-9pm. Class offers students an opportunity to learn different qigong forms. Each form will be taught over five to 10 class periods, depending on the length of the form. $20/drop-in; $65/monthly. 280 Garden Grove Rd, Manchester. 860-558-6146.

thursday Complete Strength Class – 5:30-6:30am. Total Strength classes are the #1 priority to burn calories and build lean muscle to boost your metabolism for the long-term. $20. YES Fitness, 292 Spielman Hwy, Burlington. 860-673-4293. Gentle Yoga – 9am. The Bridge Healing Arts Center, 304 Main St, Farmington. 860-404-2578. BridgeHAC.com. Qigong, All Levels – 9:30-10:30am. An ancient practice that has flowing, focused movements that reduce chronic pain, stress and blood pressure, along with creating an overall state of wellness. In Stafford. Call to register and for directions. 860-970-7383. Tai Chi & Meditation – 10:30-11:30am Instruction is focused on empowering Chi and enhancing health and healing of the mind, body and spirit. Wu Healing Center, 45 S Main St, West Hartford. To register: 978-790-8888. Online Mediumship Development Circle/Class – 1:30-3pm. Mixed level circle/class with Sharon Farber to develop evidential mediumship. Support, instruction, practice. $13/per session. $100/ten sessions. Online in a Zoom room. 860-989-2358. SharonFarber.net.

Belly Dance Classes with Elisheva – 6-7pm. Learn the ancient art of belly dance in this beginner class. All levels and abilities warmly welcomed. $17. Spotlight Dance, Art & Wellness, 45 S Main St, Unionville. Register: 860-967-9424. Community Acupuncture – 6-7pm. Every other Thursday. 315 E Center St, Manchester. 860533-0179. RSVP required: CTNaturalHealth.com. Blended Style Yoga Classes – 6-7:15pm. Our many styles meet you where you are. Gentle sound allows tuning and awakening improving life and self. Also every weekday. See our website. $5 or $8. Center for Progressive Therapies, 192 Hartford Rd, Manchester. 860-649-9600. Sound Bath Session – 6:30-8:30pm. 3rd Thursday of the month. Enjoy a monthly group sound bath with Karen Fox, Sister of Sound. Let singing bowls, bells, drums, chimes bathe you in angelic healing vibrations. $20 advance, $25 at door. Oneida Holistic Health Center, 16 West Rd, Marlborough. 860-467-6518. Tai Chi for Health and Meditation – 6:45-7:45pm. Experience the proven benefits of Wu Style Tai Chi and Qigong for superior well-being and stress relief. Don Myers, Certified Instructor, 30 years of teaching experience. $15/class. Universalist Church, 433 Fern St, West Hartford. Register at GreatPondTaiChi.com. Vinyasa Yoga For Everyone – 7-8:15pm. Classic yoga postures in flowing sequence linked by breath. Learn breathing techniques that keep you invigorated and calm in your daily life. $50 for 30 days, unlimited classes/new students. Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville. 860-693-9642

friday

Morning Flow – 6:30-7:30am. Start your day with an all levels class that emphasizes the powerful connection between breath and movement while building both strength and balance. Journey of Yoga, 730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury. 860-680-1482. Intelligent Qigong Level 2 – 10-11:15am. Students continue to study “Lifting Qi Up and Pouring Qi Down” method while learning some basic exercises of Intelligent Qigong Level 2, Xing Shen Zhuang, Physical and Spiritual Stance Method. Intelligent Qigong level 1, prerequisite. $20/drop-in; $75/monthly. 280 Garden Grove Rd, Manchester. 860-558-6146. Self-Care Qigong and Shiatsu – 11:15am-12pm. Class introduces some most profound and easyto-apply methods from Five Element Meridians originated from Traditional Chinese Medicine and shiatsu massage. $20/drop in; $65/monthly. 280 Garden Grove Rd, Manchester. 860-558-6146. Friday Afternoon Walks – 1pm. Join plant enthusiast Anne Christie and nature photographer Amy Porter for a leisurely walk on the trails. We’ll see what’s of interest in the plant world and share tips on how to get good nature shots. All ages welcome. Free CAS members; $3/ non-members. Trail Wood, 93 Kenyon Rd, Hampton. 860-928-4948. CTAudubon.org/Trail-Wood-Home.

saturday Monthly Eco Yoga and Meditation Workshop – With Leesa Sklover, PhD, LPC, C-IAYT, IKYTA. Elemental imagery themes of ether, air, fire, water and earth, along with meditations, Kriya and mantra. Different theme each workshop. Registration required. 917-860-0488. Call for address. DrSklover@gmail.com. Morning Express Vinyasa Yoga – 7:45-8:45am. Touches on all the essentials of the core standing, balancing, and seated postures. Build strength, heat and focus moving through sun salutations linked with breath and clarity. $50 for 30 days unlimited classes (new students). Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville. 860-693-9642. Tai Chi and Qi Gong – 8-9am. Dr. Ming Wu is a Tai Chi and Qi Gong Master who has dedicated his life to teaching others how to live healing and healthy lives. Wu Healing Center, 45 S Main St, West Hartford. To register: 978-790-8888. Massage Ball Yoga – 9am. The Bridge Healing Arts Center, 304 Main St, Farmington. 860-4042578. BridgeHAC.com. Yoga and Meditation – 10-11:30am. All-level class offers an introduction to the Advanced Yoga Practices to support those interested to establish and/or deepen their meditation and yoga practice and knowledge. Drop-ins welcome. Bhakti Center, 750 Rear Main St, Willimantic. YogaPractices.weebly.com. Seva Saturday $7 Yoga – 10:30-11:30am. Cultivate a conscious lifestyle on and off the yoga mat as you experience the JOY of yoga and the satisfaction of giving. Your donation will go directly to the Simsbury Food Closet. $7/drop-in. Journey of Yoga, 730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury. 860-680-1482. Qigong, All Levels – 11am-12pm. An ancient practice that has flowing, focused movements that reduce chronic pain, stress and blood pressure, along with creating an overall state of wellness. In Stafford. Call to register and for directions. 860-970-7383.

classifieds To place a Classified Listing: $1 per word. $25 minimum. Magazine deadline: 10th of month prior to publication.

BOOKS THE GREAT COSMIC TEACHINGS OF JESUS OF NAZARETH - In all of infinity, there is only one principle: Sending and receiving. Each person sends himself - what he is, his sensing, thinking, speaking and acting.GabrielePublishing-House.com. Toll-Free: 844-576-0937.

HELP WANTED DO YOU LOVE NATURAL AWAKENINGS? Help us spread the word! We’re looking for Community Street Team Members to work with us at upcoming events all over CT. Please send an email (subject line: COMMUNITY) and resume to NicoleM@NaturalAwakeningsmag.com.

community resource guide Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. Create your Community Resource Guide Listing online at NAHRT.com.

ASTROLOGY DEE RANDIS

Watertown 860-274-1690 MetaphysicalCntr.net Dee Randis is an astrologer and psychic medium with over 40 years of experience specializing in personal and relationship counseling. She provides guidance on business matters, real estate decisions, legal issues, as well as missing persons. She does private parties and organizes well-attended holistic/psychic fairs.

BODYWORK WU HEALING CENTER

Rich Kevorkian LMT Certified Tui Na Therapy 45 S. Main St, Ste 100, West Hartford 860-462-3934 RichKevork@yahoo.com WuHealing.com Tui na is a hands-on body treatment that uses Chinese Taoist principles in an effort to bring the eight principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine into balance in the body. Tui na is a treatment strategy for both acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, as well as non-musculoskeletal conditions. See ad, page 15.

CHINESE HERBALIST WU HEALING CENTER

Dr. Ming Wu 45 S Main St, Ste 100, West Hartford 978-790-8888 • Center@WuHealing.com WuHealing.com Chinese herbal therapy accounts for the majority of treatments in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Dr. Wu is a master herbalist with decades of experience and thousands of years of wisdom. The herbs he prescribes help stimulate the body toward self-healing. See ad, page 15.

February 2020

DIABETES EDUCATION LAURA ESTAN, RD,LDN,CDE

TAMARA SACHS, MD

10 Grassmere Ave, Ste 300 West Hartford 860-930-0308 Laura.EstanRD.CDE@gmail.com

Functional Medicine and Integrative Care LLC 15 Bennitt St, New Milford 860-354-3304 • TSachsMD.com

Specializing in mindfulness based Diabetes health coaching and holistic medical nutrition therapy in my handicap accessible office, in-home and by telephone and internet sessions for your convenience. Private insurance and Medicare accepted, State Medicaid sliding scale available. Call now for a complementary 15 minute session!th

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

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 and A Year of Healing in various locations throughout the U.S. 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.

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

HEALING ACID REFLUX HEALING ACID REFLUX NATURALLY

Susan Berman, Med, CHHC 860-670-4152 • Susan@HealingAcidReflux.com HealingAcidReflux.com I work with health conscious individuals to help heal their acid reflux or GERD in order to avoid further damage to their esophagus and prevent esophageal cancer. Find your unique food and lifestyle triggers. Offers 1:1 coaching via Zoom, Skype, or a DIY program.

Eilis is a master healer and HOLISTIC HEALING teacher and certified in CENTER C numerous modalities as both a H practitioner and teacher. She IR SEA offers soul level healing, which TS IN THE SKY, LLC M Church St, Ste 3, Hebron 269 clears any blocks, obstacles and SA860-530-1552 OC challenges that are preventing L S L you from living your life to its fullest potential. N CE SeaInTheSkyHealing.com

O IT W NO By appointment F L Experienced practitioners and

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therapists offering counseling and psychotherapy, Reiki, Celtic Reiki, shamanic healing, sound healing, yoga, massage, acupuncture, spiritual readings, meditation and a variety of classes and workshops.

SHARING THE LIGHT WHOLISTIC CENTER, LLC

395 W Avon Rd, Avon 860-936-0012 Cheryl@SharingTheLightWC.com SharingTheLightWC.com Sharing the Light is your premier healing destination specializing in Traditional Usui Reiki Practitioner certification classes and sessions with Reiki Master Teachers; Crystal Dreaming; singing bowls; tuning forks; tai chi; yoga; reflexology; drum building; psychic readings; and AngelLinks. Visit website to view our calendar of events that includes programs with full-time and part-time practitioners. See ad, page 9.

HOLISTIC HEALTH LOIS GRASSO AKA MIMI STEVENS Holistic Health Coach, Speaker, Author East Hartford-Glastonbury line 860-796-1480 Lois@LoisGrasso.com LoisGrasso.com

Eliminate painful symptoms and self-sabotage by transforming your breathing, thinking, and eating patterns into powertools. Experience unconditional acceptance and spiritual connection as together we upgrade your subconscious, using Transformational Breathwork, EFT/Tapping, Anger Clearing, Reverse Therapy and superfoods.

HOLISTIC STRESS REDUCTION THE ENLIGHTENMENT COUNSELING CENTER LLC

998 Farmington Ave, Ste 207, West Hartford 660 Prospect Ave, Hartford EnlightenmentCenterCT.com EnlightenmentCenterLLC@gmail.com We are experienced psychotherapists and practitioners providing integrative and holistic psychotherapy clinical services, as well as a wellness center offering complementary alternative medical services. We view mental illness as affecting not just the mind but also the body. We are mindful about the importance of external and internal balance.

HOLISTIC & WELLNESS CENTER RAYA CLINIC

200 Queen St, Southington 860-621-2225 RayaClinic.com

MEDIUMSHIP KEIKO BROYLES

Willows Healing Path, LLC 860-280-5548 • Keiko@KeikoMedium.com KeikoMedium.com

Our 30-year-old Wellness Center consists of a team of doctors combining chiropractic, acupuncture, nutrition, food-sensitivity testing, physical therapy, cold-laser, spinal decompression and neuropathy treatments.

I am a Psychic Spiritual Medium and also a certified Usui Reiki Master and teacher. As a natural psychic and medium, my sincere wish and desire is to promote healing for people in both the physical and spirit worlds. I am a tested member of Shay Parker’s Best American Psychics. See ad, page 2.

HORMONE SUPPORT

NATURE SCHOOL

COLLABORATIVE NATURAL HEALTH PARTNERS 315 East Center St, Manchester 860-533-0179 CTNaturalHealth.com

The clinic offers the best of both worlds; our physicians are trained in both conventional and natural approaches for diagnosis and treatment of many conditions. We combine science with the wisdom of nature to address the causes of disease, not only the symptoms. See ad, back cover.

INTEGRATIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY THE ENLIGHTENMENT COUNSELING CENTER LLC

TWO COYOTES WILDERNESS SCHOOL

P.O. Box 711, Monroe TwoCoyotes.org Facebook.com/TwoCoyotes Instagram.com/TwoCoyotes Two Coyotes Wilderness School is a nonprofit nature organization dedicated to creating a healthier, more connected future by connecting people to nature, community and their personal empowerment. We offer yearround, wilderness-based mentorship programs, including summer camps, for all ages.

NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE 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 approach addresses the root cause of symptoms with all-natural solutions such as “Food as Medicine” with individualized nutrition, herbal medicine, nutrient therapies, acupuncture and more. In-depth assessment is often done with detailed testing to evaluate the status of nutrients, hormones, inflammation, food sensitivities, toxins or digestive function.

POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY THE HAPPINESS CLUB

Audrey Carlson 860-841-5894 AudreyBCarlson@cox.net HartfordHappinessClub.com Come to Hartford’s Happiness Club monthly meeting on the first Thursday of every month from 7-8:30pm, at Town and County Club at 22 Woodland St in Hartford. Happiness is a choice… make it yours.

NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE COLLABORATIVE NATURAL

PARTNERS EHEALTH KA 315 East Center St, Manchester PRIMARY CARE LFW 860-533-0179 CTNaturalHealth.com COLLABORATIVE NATURAL ON HEALTH PARTNERS sustainable and natural S NOReceive C 315 East Center St, Manchester H solutions health conditions to ITC forS A R I M address E theLcause of disease, S TSnotI 860-533-0179 LO We combine CTNaturalHealth.com MT only the symptoms. C R A science with the wisdom of HC The S clinic OCoffers the best of S LL nature. See ad, back cover. both our physicians N CEworlds; ECLECTIC NATUROPATHIC MEDICAL CENTER, LLC

Kathleen M. Riley, ND Wilberto Lugo, ND 48 Christian Ln, Ste 203, Newington 860-665-1254

O OITtrained in conventional W Nare F and natural approaches for L

diagnosis and treatment of many conditions. We combine science with the wisdom of nature to address the causes of disease, not only the symptoms. See ad, back cover.

At ENMC, we specialize in providing gentle, effective treatments for acute and chronic illnesses for pediatrics through geriatrics. The doctors here use nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, hydro-therapy, acupuncture, Bowen, and Frequency Specific Microcurrent. Our therapies are effective in treating allergies, digestive issues, muscle aches and pains, tick-borne illnesses, diabetes, hypertension, and other conditions. See ad, page 12.

February 2020

QUANTUM PSYCHOTHERAPY PSYCHOTHERAPY HEALING SERVICES, LLC Celeste Emelia Mattingly, LCSW 10 Grassmere Ave, Ste 300, West Hartford 860-586-8700 Fax: 860-236-1909 CMattingly100@comcast.net CelestialEmpowerment.com

The Sanctuary for Celestial Empowerment is a safe, uplifting, high-frequency environment for individual psychotherapy, Tachyon Anti-Aging and Reconnective Energy Healings, workshops and more. Distance healings, evenings and some Saturday appointments available. Celeste accepts insurance including Medicare and Husky. See ad, page 23.

THERMOGRAPHY CT THERMOGRAPHY HEALTH SCREENING CENTER

April Beaman, CTT, RDH Farmington 860-415-1150 • April@ctthermography.com CTThermography.com Thermography is a FDAapproved, radiation free, notouch screening procedure. Used as part of a routine health screening program, thermography can increase the chances of detecting breast abnormalities, disease and cancer up to 10 years earlier than traditional methods. See ad, page 6.

TRANSFORMATIONAL HEALING SIMPLY PEACEFUL HEALING LLC

Joan Witherell, RMT 2433 Main St, Ste 6, Rocky Hill 860-685-0604 • JoanWitherell@gmail.com

TAI CHI/QIGONG WU HEALING CENTER

Dr. Ming Wu 45 S. Main St, Ste 100, West Hartford 978-790-8888 Center@WuHealing.com WuHealing.com Tai chi and qigong focus on empowering Chi, enhancing health and healing the mind, body and spirit using diverse bodywork therapies. Develop physical and mental fitness with calmness, balance and awareness. Dr. Wu is now offering regular classes, workshops and retreats for all levels. See ad, page 15.

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Joan has a professional office in Rocky Hill, where she offers Angel & Tarot Card Readings, Reiki Healing Sessions, Reiki Certification Training, Transformational Life Coaching Sessions and she also facilitates a variety of inspirational classes.

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Eclectic Naturopathic Medical Center 12 Enlightenment Method/Back to Eden 10 The Graduate Institute

Hartford Family Institute

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Holistic Chamber of Commerce

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Midcoast Lyme Disease Support & Education Conference

Eilis Philpott 40 Livingston St, Fairfield 203-767-5954 • Eilis@SoulHealingJourney.com SoulHealingJourney.com

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Eilis, a certified Rebirther, has completed Rebirthing and Advanced Rebirthing training. She is a Reiki Master in Usui/ Raku-kei Reiki and Angelic Reiki. She teaches 13th Octave LaHoChi, Angel Light Healing, chakra balancing and other healing techniques. A transformational healing session supports you in healing all aspects of your life.

Natural Awakenings’ Natural Living Directory 2020

YOGA YOGA CENTER OF COLLINSVILLE 10 Front St, Collinsville 860-693-YOGA (9642) info@YogaCenterCollinsville.com YogaCenterCollinsville.com

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Experience yoga in the vibrant surroundings of historic Collinsville. Morning / evening classes available: Beginners, Gentle, Mixed, Advanced, Yogalates, Belly Dance and Yoga for Kids. Drop-ins welcome! New student special: $50 for one month of unlimited yoga classes. See ad, page 18.

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Share the love not the cold

had colds going round and round, but not me.” Some users say it also helps with sinuses. Attorney Donna Blight had a 2-day sinus headache. When her CopperZap arrived, she tried it. “I am shocked!” she said. “My head cleared, no more headache, no more congestion.” Some users say copper stops nighttime stuffiness if used just before cientists recently discovered bed. One man said, “Best sleep I’ve had time. He hasn’t had a single cold for 7 a way to kill viruses and in years.” years since. bacteria. Copper can also stop flu if used early He asked relatives and friends to try Now thousands of people are using it it. They said it worked for them, too, so and for several days. Lab technicians to stop colds and flu. placed 25 million live flu viruses on a he patented CopperZap™ and put it on Colds start CopperZap. No viruses were found alive the market. when cold viruses soon after. Soon hundreds get in your nose. Dr. Bill Keevil led one of the teams of people had Viruses multiply confirming the discovery. He placed tried it and given fast. If you don’t millions of disease germs on copper. feedback. Nearly stop them early, “They started to die literally as soon as 100% said the they spread and they touched the surface,” he said. copper stops colds cause misery. People have even used copper on if used within 3 In hundreds cold sores and say it can completely hours after the first of studies, EPA prevent outbreaks. sign. Even up to New research: Copper stops colds if used early. and university The handle is 2 days, if they researchers have confirmed that viruses curved and finely still get the cold it is milder than usual and bacteria die almost instantly when textured to improve and they feel better. touched by copper. contact. It kills germs Users wrote things like, “It stopped That’s why ancient Greeks and picked up on fingers my cold right away,” and “Is it Egyptians used copper to purify water and hands to protect supposed to work that fast?” and heal wounds. They didn’t know you and your family. “What a wonderful thing,” wrote about microbes, but now we do. Copper even kills Physician’s Assistant Julie. “No more Dr. Bill Keevil: Copper quickly kills deadly germs that Scientists say the high conductance colds for me!” cold viruses. of copper disrupts the electrical balance have become resistant Pat McAllister, 70, received one in a microbe cell and destroys the cell in for Christmas and called it “one of the to antibiotics. If you are near sick seconds. best presents ever. This little jewel really people, a moment of handling it may Tests by the EPA (Environmental keep serious infection away. It may even works.” Protection Agency) show germs die save a life. Now thousands of users have simply fast on copper. So some hospitals tried The EPA says copper still works stopped getting colds. copper for touch surfaces like faucets even when tarnished. It kills hundreds of People often use CopperZap and doorknobs. This cut the spread of preventively. Frequent flier Karen Gauci different disease germs so it can prevent MRSA and other illnesses by over half, serious or even fatal illness. used to get colds after crowded flights. and saved lives. CopperZap is made in America of Though skeptical, she tried it several The strong scientific evidence gave pure copper. It has a 90-day full money times a day on travel days for 2 months. inventor Doug Cornell an idea. When back guarantee. It is $69.95. “Sixteen flights and not a sniffle!” she he felt a cold about to start he fashioned Get $10 off each CopperZap with exclaimed. a smooth copper probe and rubbed it Businesswoman Rosaleen says when code NATA17. Go to www.CopperZap.com or call gently in his nose for 60 seconds. people are sick around her she uses “It worked!” he exclaimed. “The cold CopperZap morning and night. “It saved toll-free 1-888-411-6114. Buy once, use forever. never got going.” It worked again every me last holidays,” she said. “The kids ADVERTORIAL

New device stops cold and ﬂu

February 2020

COLLABORATIVE NATURAL HEALTH PARTNERS

HEALTHCARE REFINED INTEGRATIVE PRIMARY CARE & NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE

"Listen. Through careful & attentive listening to the ways in which the mind, body, and spirit are out of balance, we may best determine the most effective & efficient means back toward health." Manchester - Stonington - West Hartford ctnaturalhealth.com - (860)533-0179 County Edition NAHRT.com 40 Hartford

Dr. Craig Fasullo Naturopathic Physician

Natural Awakenings Greater Hartford February 2020 Edition

Articles inside

RENEWING HOPE

2020: A NEW DECADE WILL BRING MASTER CHANGE

WRITE ON

JUST THE FACTS

USE YOUR THOUGHT POWER

Contents

VITAL STEPS