2016-02 Natural Awakenings of Greater Hartford by Nicole Miale

H E A L T H Y

L I V I N G

H E A L T H Y

P L A N E T

feel good • live simply • laugh more

The Rise of FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

FREE

New Paradigm Gets to the Root Cause of Disease

Easy-Peasy Ways to Go Green

SUPER SOUPS

New Twists on Old Favorites Heal, Nourish and Soothe

Good Reasons to Try

Acupuncture Thousands of Studies Show Healing Results

February 2016 | Greater Hartford County Edition | www.NAHRT.com natural awakenings

February 2016

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How You Eat Affects How You Feel Reduce Your Joint Pain

Chronic pain is often caused by inflammation in the body. A poor diet will commonly contribute to joint aches and pain. Working with a nutritionist to improve your diet and lifestyle can greatly benefit how you feel on a daily basis.

Do You Experience Chronic Digestive Discomfort?

Holly Niles, Clinical Nutritionist

Are you ruled by your gut? Do you experience bloating, gas, abdominal pain? How we eat and what we eat can greatly affect how we feel throughout the day and night. Our Nutrition Team can teach you how to eat healthy without ‘going on a diet’.

Do You Suffer from Anxiety or Depression?

Many people don’t know that most of our mood modulating brain chemicals are produced in our gut. If our gut is inflamed, our mood is often affected. By learning how to eat in a healthier and more nourishing way, we can improve our mental health.

Our Approach

Our approach to nutrition is to help our clients find practical ways to enjoy making healthy changes in their life. Being on a diet is never fun and rarely brings about long-lasting changes. But learning how to change your lifestyle to include more whole foods can bring about huge benefits in how we feel.

Call NOW! 860-519-1916

to schedule a nutritional consultation with a nutritional expert! 2

Hartford County Edition

34 Jerome Avenue, Suite 305 • Bloomfield, CT 06002 • (860) 519-1916 Info@IntegrativeWellnessAndPT.com • IntegrativeWellnessAndPT.com www.NAHRT.com

Find Your Balance Discover the Benefits Yoga Brings to Life

Yoga differs from many forms of exercise in that it uniquely blends mind and body for lifelong wellness. Yoga as a regular part of your life offers many physical benefits including increased flexibility and balance, improved strength and relief from joint pain. Yoga also incorporates techniques that provide increased mental focus , stress relief, lowered blood pressure and a deeper self-awareness.

A Collinsville establishment for more than 13 years, the Yoga Center of Collinsville provides classes for both beginner and advanced students. Our beginner classes offer a supportive environment for new students to learn about yoga. All classes offer intimate class sizes taught by certified yoga teachers in our beautiful historic location with ample parking.

New Student Intro Unlimited Yoga, Dance & Qigong For 30 Days

Sign-Up Today

Call 860-693-9642

Located in historic, downtown Collinsville across from LaSalle Market

10 Front Street, Collinsville, CT 06019 â&#x20AC;˘ 860-693-YOGA (9642) natural awakenings February 2016 info@YogaCenterCollinsville.com â&#x20AC;˘ YogaCenterCollinsville.com/balance

B&W letterfrompublisher

h, month two of a New Year. Still working to create a fresh start in 2016? What if you discovered a simple way to be happier this year? A few months ago, I watched a fascinating TED Talk entitled “The Happy Secret to Better Work.” It was delivered by Shawn Achor, a psychologist who received more than a dozen distinguished teaching awards at Harvard University where he lectured on positive psychology.

Achor argues that it’s not necessarily our reality that shapes us, but the lens through which our brains view the world that shapes our reality. He found that there are ways to train your brain to become more positive. His advice? Do one of the following for only two minutes each day for 21 days:

Managing Editor Debbie Marconi Editor@NAHRT.com

• Write down three new things that you’re grateful for. • Journal about one positive experience you’ve had in the last 24 hours. (This allows your brain to relive the experience.) • Meditate. Teach your brain to focus. This allows your brain to get over the cultural ADHD that we’ve been creating by trying to do multiple tasks at once and allows it to focus on the task at hand. • Use the first email you write or the first interaction you have every day to praise or thank someone you know. Spread happiness.

Editorial and Design Alison Chabonais Linda Sechrist Julie Peterson Kathy Zygmont Stephen Gray Blancet Steve Hagewood Erica Mills Gina Croteau Colleen Brunetti Advertising and Marketing 860-507-6392 Ads@NAHRT.com

Achor has studied the effects. After subjects did these activities for 21 days, their brains started to retain a pattern of scanning the world not for the negative, but first for the positive. They actually rewired their brains to function more optimistically.

Customer Service Hotlines Phone: 860-507-6392 Fax: 860-357-6034 Website: www.NAHRT.com

I’ll admit, I tried it. It’s challenging to stick to. But I learned that when I made small, sustainable changes, they stuck. I started to focus on the positive in people and events rather than the negative.

© 2016 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business.

Few would argue the powerful connection between mind and body. Natural Awakenings sheds light on these connections each month and unites us with resources in our community that can help us become more balanced, from acupuncturists to herbalists, yoga and tai chi instructors to life coaches and chiropractors. Be sure to read this month’s articles on functional medicine and check out several local, functional practitioners treating infertility, thyroid disease and chronic pain. Naturally Yours,

We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soybased ink.

Hartford County Edition

Debbie

www.NAHRT.com

contents

10 12

6 newsbriefs 10 healthbriefs 12 globalbriefs 15 inspiration 22/25 community

Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.

16 THE RISE OF

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE New Paradigm Gets to the Root Cause of Disease

spotlight by Lisa Marshall 28 healingways 23 WHY AM I STILL SO TIRED? 29 localexpert A Functional Medicine Approach to Thyroid Disease 30 fitbody by Craig Fasullo 32 consciouseating 24 GOOD REASONS TO 34 healthykids TRY BODYWORK 36 greenliving Thousands of Patients Found Relief from Chronic Pain with 38 naturalpet Holistic Physical Therapy by Ayelet Connell-Giammatteo 40 calendar 44 classifieds 26 STEP 1 TO FUNCTIONAL LIVING GET TO THE 46 resourceguide ROOT CAUSE

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 Due dates for ads: the 12th of the month prior to publication

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Submit articles, news items and ideas to Editor@NAHRT.com or call 860-986-6073 Due dates for editorial: the 5th of the month prior to publication

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Submit ALL Calendar Events on our website at www.NAHRT.com. Due dates for the calendar: 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 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com

by Holly Niles

27 RETREATS:

Relax, Rest, Renew and Return

23 27

by Maggie Knoedler Durbas

28 GOOD REASONS TO

TRY ACUPUNCTURE Thousands of Studies Show Healing Results by Kathleen Barnes

30 THE POWER OF

CONSCIOUS DANCE

Creative Movement Connects Body, Mind and Spirit by Gail Condrick

32 SUPER SOUPS

New Twists on Old Favorites Heal, Nourish and Soothe by Judith Fertig

natural awakenings

February 2016

B&W newsbriefs

New Fit in 42 Program

Gemstone Therapy Training

he Gemstone Therapy Institute presents Gemstone Therapy 101, an introductory workshop for those interested in learning how to work with gemstones for healing themselves or others. The workshop will take place Friday through Sunday, March 4 to 6, at Homewood Suites in Windsor Locks. Gemstone Therapy offers a sophisticated way to work with crystals. It employs gemstones shaped into drilled spheres, which radiate their energies throughout the body and aura to reach all levels. Gemstone Therapy incorporates specialized tools such as aura sprays, necklaces, therapy strands on wands and customized gemstone mandalas. This hands-on training focuses on the skills to Isabelle Morton provide simple yet meaningful Gemstone Therapy sessions. Participants will learn how to balance essential energies; nourish the emotions, memory, mind, and spirit; perform clearings and negative energy extractions; and build custom gemstone formulas to address particular issues. All are welcome. The workshop is ideal for practitioners of other healing arts disciplines who wish to incorporate Gemstone Therapy in an existing practice; this training is the first step toward Gemstone Therapy practitioner level 1 certification. The Gemstone Therapy Institute provides world-class instruction in the therapeutic application of gemstones to uplift, transform, and heal and Isabelle Morton, founder of the Gemstone Therapy Institute, has pioneered Gemstone Therapy for more than 30 years. To register, call the Gemstone Therapy Institute at 860-646-3063, email Education@GemFormulas.com, or visit LearnGems.com. See ad on page 27.

Get More From Your Business Save Yourself Time, Money and Frustration

Matt Connell, Ed.D., MBA

Running your own business is one of the most exciting things you will do. But many business owners quickly discover that there’s a lot to do and more to learn. It can be hard to keep up with all you juggle.

Matt’s business education and experience are rich and he can quickly offer answers or direct support for most business needs including operation, business plans, bookkeeping, finance, and much more. Don’t wait another week to resolve those longrunning questions or issues.

Call 860-269-6544 Today!

Schedule a FREE Question & Answer Session Matt will answer at least one of your burning questions!

34 Jerome Ave., Suite 304 • Bloomfield CT, 06107 Info@StrategicImprovementAssociates.com • StrategicImprovementAssociates.com

Hartford County Edition

www.NAHRT.com

it in 42 is an all-encompassing, educating, motivating, habit changing, empowerment-building program designed to help anyone change their body and life in less than 42 days. The Fit in 42 program, held at Y.E.S. Fitness in Burlington, combines exercise and fitness science, nutrition counseling and education along with entertainment and motivational coaching to push participants and their bodies to change. Within only 42 days clients see a change in habits, a change in waistline and reach goals they never thought possible. Fit in 42 workouts are short and intense but fun. They are always different. They are designed to burn fat, gain strength and build lean muscle. Fit in 42 is for all shapes, sizes and ages. The program includes a complete support system from a caring and passionate team for those who embark on this new fitness journey. Y.E.S. Fitness, 292 Spielman Hwy, Burlington. Visit YesFitnessCT.com or call 860-673-4293. See ad on page 15.

Whatever you are, be a good one. ~Abraham Lincoln

Sound and Crystal Concert and Training

radford Tildon has been practicing and teaching crystal and sound healing since 2005. From Portugal to Peru, he has helped people all over the world find inner strength and open to a higher spiritual potential. Tildon is a conduit for angelic and ancestral frequencies and is dedicated to healing and empowering individuals through his private sessions, classes, workshops and sonic activation concerts. Now, Tildon is teaching and performing locally at Pure Health Wellness in Windsor. On February 25, Tilden offers Empowerment and Healing with the Voice and Crystal Bowls / Sonic Activation Concert from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. It is intended to help attendees push through blockages and limitations and increase awareness about the innate power of creation and healing within by connecting with soul and higher self through Bradford Tildon, Crystal Sound voice. (Preregistration is $40 for workInstructor and Practitioner shop, $20 for concert, $50 for both.) On March 5 and 6, Tilden will lead a Certification Course in Universal White Time Gemstone Healing Level II, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. This course covers color and crystal relations and developing higher aspects of consciousness. No experience is necessary. Classes do not need to be taken in order. (Cost is $375 with pre-registration; $400 after Feb 19, with financing available) Pure Health Wellness, 88 Day Hill Rd, Windsor. For more information, call 860-219-1369 or visit PureHealthOfCT.com. See calendar event on page 42.

FREE... Sit in on a Weekly Training Lecture Learn how our programs for Psychotherapists and Healers can expand your consciousness and improve your skills.

Professional Training Program in In-Depth Body Psychotherapy and Subtle Energy Healing • Master’s Degree Program in Pastoral Counseling •

Healing Retreat in China

xperience 2,000-yearold traditional Chinese medicine techniques precisely where they originated by traveling to Fujian, China, with Dr. Ming Wu for a Ming Wu 10-day stay at the Wuyi TCM Healing Spa. During the May trip, visitors can participate in a variety of programs including Qi Gong, meditation, Tai Chi instructor training, Chinese herbalism, acupuncture and massage. This is a unique opportunity to relax or seek healing treatments. Wu is a doctor of Chinese Medicine, a sixth-generation Chinese herbalist and a Master Tai Chi and Qi Gong practitioner who has been teaching mind-body therapies for 20 years. Wu Healing Center, 45 S Main St, West Harford. For retreat details, call 978790-8888. See ad on back cover.

Wednesday Evenings 6 –7:30 pm Where: Hartford Family Institute 17 South Highland Street West Hartford, CT 06119

Call to reserve your free seat: (860) 236-6009 www.hartfordfamilyinstitute.com/calendar/wednesdayevenings/ natural awakenings

February 2016

newsbriefs New Chiropractic, Naturopathic and Therapeutic Massage Services Announced

Live Pain Free

Integrative Manual Therapy gently helps you release tension from injury, illness or surgery. Intuitive guidance assists you in releasing physical, mental & spiritual baggage that has been carried for years, lives or generations. As a Certified Soul Coach & Past Life Coach, we clear away inner debris in order to connect you with the wisdom of your soul.

“Robin is a remarkable and compassionate Soul Coach. She creates a safe and nurturing environment for discovering your soul’s truth!” ~Denise Linn, Founder, International Institute of Soul Coaching™

Call 860-402-9501

50% OFF

roNatural Physician’s Group recently moved into a new location and has added four new practitioners to meet the growing needs for integrative health and wellness. Dr. Marla Colburn provides chiropractic care and specializes in maternal health and pediatrics utilizing multiple New Location for ProNatural Physician’s types of safe and gentle Group and Wellness Center, techniques. Each patient 120 Webster Sq Rd, Berlin receives a personalized treatment plan tailored to specific needs. She continues to work with patients after their pain is alleviated to advise them on preventive care measures. Dr. Colburn accepts insurance and is accepting new patients. Naturopathic Doctor and Registered Nurse Sarah Zambarano provides integrative, individualized health care through a belief that true medicine needs to encompass the entire life and spirit of the patient and that healing includes more than just medicines and machines, but is an understanding of the body’s wisdom, listening to the patient, providing nutrients and safe environments, removing obstacles to healing, looking to the planet’s gifts and embracing the individuality of each person. She particularly enjoys working with adolescents, providing adjunct oncology care, working with genetic variations in metabolism and helping patients with long-term health issues. Lara O’Neil is a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner who combines traditional with integrative health care. She is licensed to perform routine physicals and sports exams, as well as to diagnose, prescribe and treat acute and chronic health conditions. With a holistic approach to healing, she seamlessly combines allopathic medicine and a love of science, with her knowledge and deep respect for integrative medicine to treat the whole person in a “best of both worlds” approach to wellness. She takes insurance and is accepting new patients. Licensed Massage Therapist Brian Cameron specializes in orthopedic techniques for clients with pain and also works with athletes and does relaxation massages. Brian is a level II Reiki practitioner and volunteers at Hartford Hospital’s post operation/recovery room. He has also taken classes in mindfulness meditation, cross-cultural psychology and healing and art therapy. ProNatural Physicians Group is located at 120 Webster Sq Rd, Berlin. For information or to schedule an appointment, call 860-829-0707. Visit ProNaturalPhysicians.com for more details. See ad on page 14.

your first treatment when you mention Natural Awakenings

Robin Barros, IMTC, CSC, CPLC SPIRIT of The LoTuS 837 Boston Tnpk. (RT 44)• Bolton, CT www.SpiritofTheLotus.org

Hartford County Edition

www.NAHRT.com

The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. ~Elie Wiesel

Auricular Therapy Now Offered at Lotus Center in Avon

Be Happy, Energized & Youthful Again! In a few short steps you can recreate your health. Explore our stress-busting, depression-beating, life-altering offerings under the guidance of our holistic specialists.

Call 860-649-9600 To schedule a FREE 1 hour assessment

You’ll relax, regain joy and open new horizons with services like massage, energy work, coaching and counseling, meditation, or hypnotherapy. And there’s much more!

and learn the positive and natural options for your good health.

Center For Progressive Therapies • 192 Hartford Road • Manchester, CT • www.C4PT.org

Dental Wellness for Your Entire Family!

nyone who is experiencing pain, headaches, insomnia, anxiety, depression, menstrual irregularities, menopausal symptoms, or fertility challenges may find that auricular therapy can help. Auricular therapy is based on the idea that the ear is a microsystem that reflects the entire body represented on the auricle or outer portion of the ear. In fact, there are more than 200 auricular acupoints on each ear that represent all parts of the body and many functional areas of the human organism. Much like acupuncture, but without the use of needles, auricular therapy uses small beads made of gold, silver, magnets or vaccaria seed. The practitioner attaches these inconspicuous beads or seeds to stimulate acupuncture points on the ear. Later, simply by pressing these beads, the patient can stimulate his or her own acupuncture point for several days following treatment. In some cases only one treatment is necessary to provide relief. The goal of auricular therapy is to detect energy imbalances in the body and jumpstart normal healing functions. For more information and to schedule an auricular therapy session, contact Patricia Almeida RN, BSN, LMT, and owner of Lotus Center at 860-987-3823 or Patty@LotusCenter-llc.com or visit LotusCenter-llc.com. See ad on page 24.

We offer gentle dentistry that supports your overall wellness in a caring environment.

OUR DENTAL HEALTH SERVICES INCLUDE: • CEREC™ Crowns in One Visit • Sedation Dentistry • Wireless Invisalign Braces • TMJ (Jaw Pain)/Headache Therapy • Dental Sleep Appliances

• Safe Mercury Removal • Fluoride-Free Cleanings • Non-Invasive Periodontal Therapy • NuCalm™ Patient Relaxation Treatment

YOUR WELLNESS CONNECTION We are proud to be the area’s choice for quality dental care in Connecticut. We use safe, biocompatible dentistry to improve your life. Dr. Maroon and the team at Advanced Dental are dedicated to preserving your total health and wellness. Michael Maroon, “Dr. Mike” DMD, FACE, FAGD

Call 860-828-3933 Today! NEW PATIENT SPECIAL

Includes exam, x-rays, cleaning, polishing & consultation. Limit 1 per client. Regular price $449

EMERGENCY EXAM

Includes exam, necessary x-rays & consultation.

Limit 1 per client. Regular price $125

39 Webster Square Rd • Berlin • 860-828-3933 26 Shunpike Rd, Suite A • Cromwell • 860-894-2933

www.advanceddental.com

natural awakenings

February 2016

healthbriefs

Feel Young, Live Long

esearch published in the Journal of the American Medical Association has found people that feel younger than their years have a lower incidence of earlier mortality. Conducted by scientists from the UK’s University College London, the research analyzed data from 6,489 people and measured their self-perceived age with the question, “How old do you feel you are?” Then, over more than eight years, the scientists tracked the number of deaths from all causes. Almost 70 percent of those that averaged a little over 65 reported feeling at least three years younger than their chronological age. Only a quarter said they felt close to their age and about 5 percent said they felt more than a year older. The research found that deaths among those that felt younger were 14 percent, while more than 18 percent of those who felt their own age and more than 24 percent of people that felt older died during the follow-up period. The research further found that individuals that felt at least three years younger were less likely to die later from heart disease or cancer. These relationships prevailed even when other health and lifestyle factors were eliminated. Co-author Andrew Steptoe, Ph.D., says, “We expected to find an association between self-perceived age and mortality. We didn’t expect that the relationship would still be present even when wealth, other socio-demographic indicators, health, depression, mobility and other factors were taken into account.”

Need Help Moving Forward After a Divorce or Death? Partnering With a Coach Can Help. Do you feel like you’ve lost control of your life? Or having a hard time healing after losing a loved one? Finding your path forward after a loss can be difficult. Whether it’s the death of loved one, a relationship ending, a health issue, or job loss, each experience can stop you in your tracks. Partnering with a Coach can help get you moving forward again. Torin Lee Life Transition Coach, Executive Coach, Speaker To Find Your Path Forward

Call 860-467-6518 TODAY!

First Session for $60 (Regular $80) or 3-Session Package for $180 One on One Sessions by telephone/Skype, or in person. Includes email communication as needed in between sessions.

Offices in Marlborough (OHHC), Manchester and Mystic www.TorinLee.com • BodyMindSpirit88@gmail.com

Hartford County Edition

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Leave Them at the Door: Shoe Soles Harbor Risky Bacteria

esearch from the University of Houston has determined that a species of bacteria that has become resistant to many antibiotics might be tracking into homes on the soles of shoes. More than a third of randomly tested homes were contaminated with Clostridium difficile bacteria, and 40 percent of doorsteps were also infected with the bacteria. Depending upon the strain, C. difficile can cause intestinal infections, inflammation and severe diarrhea. Study author M. Jahangir Alam, Ph.D., comments, “Shoes are contaminated from diverse sources, and we are regularly contaminating our doorsteps by shoes.” The researchers tested three to five household items within 30 houses in Houston, Texas. They collected 127 environmental samples— from 63 shoe bottoms, 15 bathroom surface samples, 12 house floor dusts and 37 other household surfaces They found that 41 of them harbored C. difficile and nearly 40 percent of the shoes were positive for the bacteria. They also found that a third of the bathroom surfaces harbored the bacteria, a third of house dust and 19 percent of other surfaces maintained the bacteria. The cause of many intestinal disorders, this bacteria species has become increasingly resistant to antibiotics and many household cleaning products.

Vitamin E and D Supplements Hinder Alzheimer’s and Falls Among Elderly

Autism Spurs Creative Thinking

wo common vitamins are making headlines in medical research. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that supplementation with vitamin E may reduce the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. The five-year study followed 561 Alzheimer’s patients and included a placebo and the pharmaceutical drug memantine. Those that took vitamin E had a reduced progression of the disease compared to both a placebo group and the memantine group. Also, researchers from the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center found that vitamin D supplementation reduced the risk of falling for elderly folks. The study had a vitamin D supplement or a placebo delivered through a Meals-onWheels program to 68 people. The subjects were given blood tests and their history of falls was measured. Diaries revealed that the individuals taking vitamin D supplements fell less than half the number of times than the placebo group.

he UK’s University of East Anglia and the University of Stirling conducted a study of individuals with autistic traits among 312 people recruited through social media, including 75 diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder. Each of the subjects completed a series of creativity tests in which they determined uses of mundane objects. Published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, the study found that while the autistic people chose fewer uses for each object, their choices were significantly more original and creative. The subjects developed a greater range of “divergent thinking”. Martin Doherty, Ph.D., co-author of the study, confirms, “People with high autistic traits can have less quantity, but greater quality of creative ideas. They are typically considered to be more rigid in their thinking, so the fact that the ideas they have are more unusual or rare is surprising. This difference may have positive implications for creative problem solving.” The researchers found that while the average person will utilize simple mental strategies to produce more obvious answers first, autistic people tend to first utilize more demanding strategies during their processing, thus producing the more creative result.

Stop Pain and Experience Deep Relaxation With Zero Gravity Flotation Therapy Deep Relaxation for the Mind and Soul

Magnesium Replacement for the Body

Zero Gravity therapy incorporates elements of sensory isolation providing you with a needed escape from stressful external stimuli. In our spacious float rooms, the water is as dense as the Dead Sea, allowing you to float on the surface effortlessly. You control the lighting level and music. The water and air temperature are controlled to match external body temperature. All together, this creates a powerful and unique sensory experience that allows deep relaxation.

Doctors estimate that about 70% of adults have magnesium deficiency, which creates symptoms of muscle or joint pain, restless leg, fibromyalgia and inflammation disorders. Soaking in Epsom salt offers a time-tested remedy. A flotation session uses a dense solution of water and 1,000 pounds of Epsom salts. This allows absorption of magnesium through the skin for a faster and more effective therapy than oral supplements and vitamins.

Scientifically Proven

Research shows that flotation therapy provides relief from issues ranging from joint or muscle pain, stress and even creative blocks. Other benefits include reducing inflammation, headaches, depression, insomnia and blood pressure while improving the health of your skin.

Call 860-485-0405 Today to Schedule Your Appointment $25 off your first appointment. A Healing Trail Wellness Center • 500 Burlington Rd (Rt 4), Harwinton • Massage4CT.com natural awakenings

February 2016

globalbriefs News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.

Fish Folly

Marine Life Drops by Half since 1970 The nonprofit World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Zoological Society of London have jointly determined that industrial-scale overfishing, pollution and climate change have killed half of all marine life over the last 40 years. The Living Blue Planet Report cites that species essential to the global food supply are among the hardest hit, partially due to humans catching them faster than they can reproduce. Large swaths of coral reefs, mangroves and sea grasses have also died, further decimating fish populations. Statistics show that the family of fish that includes tuna and mackerel has declined by 75 percent since 1970. The number of species is also declining; a quarter of all shark and ray species face extinction. Half of all coral has already disappeared, and the rest will vanish by 2050 if temperatures continue to rise at current rates. “Coral reefs occupy less than 1 percent of the ocean surface, but they harbor a third of ocean species,” says French biologist Gilles Boeuf. The WWF report argues that protected global ocean area should be tripled by 2020 and fish retailers should source from companies that follow certified best practice standards. Source: Tinyurl.com/WWF2015BluePlanetReport

Experience organic Color The best thing about Organic is what we leave out. You'll get a superb result using the best natural ingredients to produce a gentle color with Organic Color Systems. In our exclusively certified organic salon, we never use haircare products that produce fumes or toxins. That also goes for the cleaning products we use. If you have environmental sensitivities or care about the environment, this is the salon for you.

Organic Services Include: Color - Highlights - Perms

Studio 3 Salon

www.Studio3-Salon.com • 860-518-4674 350 Silas Deane Hwy. • Suite 201 • Wethersfield

Exclusively Certified Organic Salon From our hair products to our cleaning products 12

Hartford County Edition

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OM MBA

Eastern Practices Penetrate U.S. Corporate Culture Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini has introduced free yoga and meditation classes for employees of the health insurance giant, and more than 13,000 are participating. On average, they experienced a 28 percent reduction in their stress levels, 20 percent improvement in sleep quality, 19 percent reduction in pain and 62 minutes per week of extra productivity. “We have this groundswell inside the company of people wanting to take the classes,” says Bertolini. “It’s been pretty magical.” He sells the same classes to businesses that contract with Aetna. Google now offers emotional intelligence courses for employees and General Mills has a meditation room in every building on its Minneapolis corporate campus. Even conservative Wall Street firms such as Goldman Sachs are teaching meditation on the job. Some programs, from yoga sessions for factory workers to guided meditations for executives, are intended to improve overall well-being; others to increase focus and productivity. Most aim to make employees more present-minded, less prone to make rash decisions and generally nicer people to work with. More than 21 million individuals now practice yoga nationwide, double the number from a decade ago, and nearly as many meditate, according to the National Institutes of Health. Source: MindfulYogaHealth.com

Doctor’s Orders

GMO Labeling Endorsed by Physicians Even as the federal government pursues H.R. 1599, aka the “Deny Americans the Right to Know” (DARK) act, mainstream medicine is urging the government to abandon its resistance to GMO (genetically modified organism) labeling. They are bolstered by a recent announcement by the World Health Organization that glyphosate (the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup weed killer) is probably carcinogenic in humans. The genetic engineering ends up making crops resistant to the herbicide so more must be applied. According to contributing doctors from Harvard, Mt. Sinai Medical Center and the University of Wisconsin reporting in the New England Journal of Medicine, “GM crops are now the agricultural products most heavily treated with herbicides, and two of these herbicides may pose risks of cancer.” A recent notice in the same journal, “GMOs, Herbicides and Public Health,” reports: “The application of biotechnology to agriculture has been rapid and aggressive. The vast majority of the soy and [feed] corn grown in the United States are now genetically engineered. Foods produced from GM crops have become ubiquitous.” Sixty-four countries, including Russia and China, have already adopted transparency in labeling laws, but U.S. Big Food and Big Ag lobbyists have stonewalled efforts domestically.

FEELING STRESSED?

Learn to Quiet Your Spinning Mind

Your racing thoughts create stress. I offer private coaching to begin your unique, personal journey to mindfulness using everyday activities and all of your senses.

Sandy Duffy, Mindfulness Coach

Call 860-777-7316 today to discuss reducing stress with a free 30 minute session Discovering The Present You • ThePresentYou.com

Just because something doesn’t do what you planned it to do doesn’t mean it’s useless. ~Thomas A. Edison

Natural Physicians, Ready to Listen

For more information and petitions, visit OrganicConsumers.org.

DR. ASHLEY BURKMAN

DR. TONYA PASTERNAK

DR. CRAIG FASULLO

DR. LAUREN YOUNG

BOARD CERTIFIED NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIANS 315 EAST CENTER ST MANCHESTER 860-533-0179 IN NETWORK PROVIDERS FOR MOST INSURANCE COMPANIES

natural awakenings

February 2016

globalbriefs

actionalert

Drive-Thru Vegan

No-Choice Vaccines

Amy’s Opens Organic Fast Food Restaurant California now hosts the nation’s first Amy’s Organic Drive-Thru restaurant, in Rohnert Park, with a vegetarian menu sporting veggie burgers, salads and dishes served in both regular and vegan varieties. Ingredients are sustainably grown and GMO-free (no genetically modified ingredients). The company’s signature frozen pizzas have been popular for years in health food and grocery stores nationwide, and now Amy’s first restaurant is serving them hot, with toppings ranging from spinach and diced tomatoes to a choice of mozzarella cheese or vegan “cheeze”. While some other fast food restaurants import almost all of their products from factory farming operations and give nothing back to the community, Amy’s Drive-Thru grows produce sustainably on its own roof. Amy’s Kitchen, a familyowned, privately held organic frozen food company, reportedly pays workers a living wage with health benefits. On the inaugural restaurant’s popularity, Manager Paul Schiefer remarks, “It’s given us a lot of hope that this is a concept that works.”

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California Mandates Shots for Childcare Workers

After passing the state House and Senate, California Senate Bill 792 was approved by Governor Jerry Brown on October 11. The unprecedented law mandates vaccines for adult childcare workers and volunteers, including all individuals working in private and public school early childhood education programs, with no religious exemptions permitted. SB 792 reads, “Commencing September 1, 2016, a person shall not be employed or volunteer at a day care center if he or she has not been immunized against influenza, pertussis [whooping cough] and measles. Each employee and volunteer shall receive an influenza vaccination between August 1 and December 1 of each year.” The same regulations also apply to family home day care workers and volunteers. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in a loss of licensing for the facility/center. For more information, visit Tinyurl.com/ californiasb792. Let California lawmakers hear what the people want via Legislature.ca.gov.

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All great achievements require time. ~Maya Angelou

inspiration

Key Signs We’re Approaching a Defining Moment by Dennis Merritt Jones

ur authentic self is constantly trying to get our attention so it may be more fully expressed. When we set our intention to genuinely evolve, we naturally begin to pay attention and see how redefining moments appear as needed. They are drawn to us sequentially to support us in the process of staying the course on our pilgrimage, each one a perfectly aligned portal in space and time, opening and closing, creating whatever experience is required to guide us to heightened awareness of our authentic self. While the possible circumstances that preclude such a moment are limitless, there are key signals to watch for. When they pop up, it helps immensely to stay engaged in the moment, rather than zipping past them on to another distraction. Rather, consider ways in which this might prove to be a pivotal point forward in our life journey. n Moments that challenge our ego and moments that our ego challenges us n Unexpected events n Times of significant loss n First-time experiences n Discontentment n Disappointment n Experiencing someone or something that instantly inspires us to grow

n Birth of a loved one n Death of a loved one Personal growth and evolution can be motivated by either inspiration or desperation. Both may prompt us to ask big questions of ourselves and the universe that cause us to dig deep. The deeper we dig, the closer we come to merging with our truest self. We know the answers to such questions are correct because they will

lead to actions that honor life—like harming no one, including ourself— and affirm the presence of a prevailing power for good that lies within; a power that guides, protects and sustains us. Satisfying answers seek only the highest and best of us and bless all. They connect our mind, heart and soul, moving us forward on the path of wholeness as a fulfilled and joyfully self-expressed person. When we are impelled to ask an important question of our self and the universe, don’t rush the process and are willing to embrace the answer we receive, it pushes a reset button as to what defines us. It brings us an enhanced sense of authentic wholeness. The lesson is that when redefining moments appear, we must be open and prepared to go where we had no plans of going—because that’s where our bliss awaits us. Dennis Merritt Jones, D.D., is the author of Your (Re)Defining Moments, the source of this essay. He has contributed to the human potential movement and field of spirituality as a minister, teacher, coach and lecturer for 30 years. Learn more at DennisMerrittJones.com.

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February 2016

Intrigued, Mills caught a flight to Ohio and soon was offering up 30 tubes of blood, stool and saliva samples, as well as an exhaustive life history. One year later, thanks to a series of personalized diet and lifestyle changes, she’s 10 pounds heavier and feels better than she has in decades. “I spent a lot of years and money in the traditional medical system and got nothing,” says Mills. With functional medicine, “In a very short time, they had me feeling nearly 100 percent.”

Distinctive Characteristics

The Rise of Functional Medicine New Paradigm Gets to the Root Cause of Disease by Lisa Marshall

y the end of 2014, Trina Mills, of Parker, Arizona, had given up on conventional medicine. She’d been diagnosed with a thyroid disorder 17 years earlier and taken medication ever since without feeling her symptoms of fatigue, muscle aches and stomach problems ever fully subside. She’d visited endocrinologists, gastroenterologists and a half-dozen other specialists, each of which offered a different diagnosis and prescribed a different drug. At one point, she had her gallbladder removed. At another, her doctor suspected she had bleeding in her brain and sent her for a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan. Some

Hartford County Edition

thought she was a hypochondriac; others said she was depressed. “I would tell them, ‘I’m just depressed that you can’t figure out why I’m so sick,’” she says. Weighing a skeletal 82 pounds, the 54-year-old mother of three finally wrote out a living will and braced for the inevitable. Then she heard of a new Center for Functional Medicine opening at the prestigious, century-old Cleveland Clinic. As the first clinic of its kind to open at an academic medical center, it promised to look at the underlying causes of disease, while focusing on the whole person, rather than isolated symptoms.

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In the 25 years since nutritional biochemist Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D., of Gig Harbor, Washington, coined the term, this science-based, whole-body approach to addressing chronic disease has gained widespread traction. More than 100,000 physicians—60 percent of them medical doctors—have trained with the Institute for Functional Medicine he founded in Washington and New Mexico, and numerous medical schools have added its tenets to their curricula. More naturopaths and chiropractors are also distinguishing themselves with a functional medicine emphasis. “It is not alternative medicine at all,” stresses Bland, whose latest book, The Disease Delusion, details how functional medicine can curb chronic diseases like arthritis, diabetes, dementia, and heart disease, which constitute 78 percent of U.S. health care costs. “It’s the basis of 21st-century health care,” he says. For most of the 20th century, conventional medicine centered on a singular objective: Arrive at a diagnosis and treat it with drugs or surgery. Then, the alternative medicine movement proffered a toolbox of more natural therapies, including acupuncture, herbs and massage to address these same diagnoses. The 1990s brought integrative medicine, a best-of-both-worlds approach. “While all of the above have merit, they lack the necessary guidance to help practitioners determine which tools work best for which patient,” says Dr. Mark Hyman, director of the

DIY Testing W

hile most practitioners recommend that patients consult with a physician to interpret their test results, several companies offer gene, blood and microbiome lab testing directly to consumers. Here are a few options to consider. uBiome, Inc. (Ubiome.com): Send in swab samples from gut, mouth, nose, genitals and/or skin and the company will genetically sequence the DNA of resident bacteria and send findings back within six weeks, identifying good and bad varieties present, deficiencies, and how that personal microbiome compares to others with similar lifestyles, such as smokers, vegans, meat-eaters, etc. It’s also possible to test a client’s microbiome over time to see if dietary changes implemented to change gut health are working. WellnessFX (WellnessFX.com): Visit an affiliated diagnostic lab to submit blood samples with results posted within a week on a secure website. Different packages targeting weight loss, sports performance, heart health or women’s health issues look at different biomarkers in the blood, such as levels of certain micronutrients, hormones or signs of inflammation. Clients can request an online consultation with a doctor or dietitian to interpret the results. Pathway Genomics (Pathway.com): The company’s DNA Insight Genetic Health and Wellness Tests use genetic material taken from saliva to analyze genetic markers. Ordered via a licensed practitioner, online or through a smartphone app, clients receive a kit, send in a sample and get results within three weeks. The Pathway Fit tests snapshot 75 genetic markers related to metabolism and sports performance. Others look for genes that influence nutrient absorption, heart health or hormonal function.

Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Functional Medicine. “Alternative therapies and conventional treatments are tools. We need a new map that can teach us how to skillfully use those tools,” maintains Hyman. “That map is functional medicine.” Because one chronic disease such as diabetes can have dozens of underlying causes, or one culprit such as a genetic predisposition or exposure to toxins can lead to multiple chronic conditions, functional medicine focuses on systems, rather than organs, and origins, rather than diseases. “It’s about listening to the patient’s story in a different way, where the objective is not simply about arriving at a diagnosis,” explains Bland.

Ferreting Out Key Clues

diet. Those genetically prone to difficulty in metabolizing the amino acid homocysteine (an excess of which can raise the risk of heart disease) might be advised to take folic acid supplements. If a patient displays intractable gut problems, rather than simply look for blood or pathogens in the stool, Fitzgerald also looks at the DNA of their gut microbiome, mapping out which strains of good bacteria are present or absent and prescribing prebiotics, probiotics or whole foods to promote a healthful balance. For another patient with thinning hair and aching joints, she might use specialized blood tests to look for micronutrient deficiencies, signs of allergies or certain autoantibodies—proteins produced by the immune system that mistakenly attack one’s own tissues— that might herald a brewing autoimmune disorder. “Research shows that predictive autoantibodies can show up in the blood 10 or even 20 years before an autoimmune disease such as Type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis makes itself known,” says Fitzgerald, pointing to a seminal review published in 2007 in Scientific American: “If a patient with mild, early-stage symptoms is proactive with diet and lifestyle changes, they may be able to fend it off.”

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High-tech tests aside, Bland stresses that what’s most important is “a tool that has been largely lost in medicine today: Knowing how to listen to the patient.” In a typical exam, Fitzgerald thoroughly inspects often neglected body parts, including the tongue and fingernails, which can hold important clues to underlying health. She asks about past emotional trauma which might trigger chronic disease, and inquires about what environmental toxins and harmful chemicals both the patient and their birth parents may have been exposed to. One example might be a patient exposed to cigarette smoking in utero having a bias toward an allergic disease. If their parents grew up in a period of famine, they might have inherited a genetic disposition for rapid weight gain. “She spent two-and-a-half hours with me,” in her initial consultation, recalls 52-year-old Lauren Zambrelli, of Long Island, New York, who credits Fitzgerald for helping her tame her multiple sclerosis into remission. “It was like having a sister for a doctor.”

Learn More Online Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine Tinyurl.com/Center4 FunctionalMedicine Dr. Kara Fitzgerald’s blog DrKaraFitzgerald.com/blog Functional Forum FunctionalForum.com Dr. Mark Hyman’s blog DrHyman.com/blog Institute for Functional Medicine FunctionalMedicine.org ach problems ever fully subside. She’d visited endocrinologists, gastroenterologists and a half-dozen other specialists, each of which offered a different diagnosis and prescribed a different drug. At one point, she had her gallbladder removed. At another, her doctor suspected she had bleeding in her brain and sent her for a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan. Some thought she was a hypochondriac; others said she was depressed. “I would tell them, ‘I’m just depressed that you can’t figure out why I’m so sick,’” she says. Weighing a skeletal 82 pounds, the 54-year-old mother of three finally wrote out a living will and braced for

Lobby for Change To lobby for consistent insurance coverage of more complementary therapies, check out these resources. CoverMyCare (CoverMyCare.org). This national grassroots advocacy campaign, a project of the Integrative Healthcare Policy Consortium, aims to support the proper full implementation of Section 2706 of the Affordable Care Act, which states that insurers cannot leave licensed practitioners like naturopaths, chiropractors, massage therapists or Oriental medicine practitioners out of their provider networks. It still lacks enforcement at the state level, although Oregon and Rhode Island recently passed legislation to fix the existing loophole; California, Hawaii, Minnesota and New Mexico are working to do the same. American Sustainable Business Council (Tinyurl.com/Integrative Reimbursement). The organization recently launched a campaign to urge insurers to cover integrative practices. 18

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the inevitable. Then she heard of a new Center for Functional Medicine opening at the prestigious, century-old Cleveland Clinic. As the first clinic of its kind to open at an academic medical center, it promised to look at the underlying causes of disease, while focusing on the whole person, rather than isolated symptoms. Intrigued, Mills caught a flight to Ohio and soon was offering up 30 tubes of blood, stool and saliva samples, as well as an exhaustive life history. One year later, thanks to a series of personalized diet and lifestyle changes, she’s 10 pounds heavier and feels better she has in decades. “I spent a lot to feel than better? of years and money in the traditional ath to better health! medical system and got nothing,” says Mills. With functional medicine, “In a very short time, they had me feeling nearly 100 percent.”

etter health!

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d just about everything... Distinctive still not gettingCharacteristics better? In the 25 years since nutritional bio-

Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D., of Gig Harhallenging chemist issues like joint pain, headaches bor, Washington, coined the term, this s or women’s health issues, allergies and ue integrative approach can help you.

science-based, whole-body approach to addressing chronic disease has gained widespread traction. More than 100,000 physicians—60 percent of them medical doctors—have trained with the Institute for Functional Medicine he founded in Washington and New Mexico, and numerous medical schools have added its tenets to their curricula. More naturopaths and chiropractors are also distinguishing themselves with a functional medicine emphasis. “It is not alternative medicine at all,” stresses Bland, whose latest book, The Disease Delusion, details how functional medicine can curb chronic diseases like arthritis, diabetes, dementia, and heart disease, which constitute 78 percent of U.S. health care costs. “It’s the basis of 21st-century health care,” he says. For most of the 20th century, conventional medicine centered on a singular objective: Arrive at a diagnosis and treat it with drugs or surgery. Then, the alternative medicine movement proffered a toolbox of more natural therapies,

including acupuncture, herbs and massage to address these same diagnoses. The 1990s brought integrative medicine, a best-of-both-worlds approach. “While all of the above have merit, they lack the necessary guidance to help practitioners determine which tools work best for which patient,” says Dr. Mark Hyman, director of the Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Functional Medicine. “Alternative therapies and conventional treatments are tools. We need a new map that can teach us how to skillfully use those tools,” maintains Hyman. “That map is functional medicine.” Because one chronic disease such as diabetes can have dozens of underlying causes, or one culprit such as a genetic predisposition or exposure to toxins can lead to multiple chronic conditions, functional medicine focuses on systems, rather than organs, and origins, rather than diseases. “It’s about listening to the patient’s story in a different way, where the objective is not simply about arriving at a diagnosis,” explains Bland.

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February 2016

Ferreting Out Key Clues

Key to discovering the underlying origins of a health issue are a host of new gene, blood and gut health tests. “They allow us to look under the patient’s ‘metabolic hood’ at the genetic and biochemical factors influencing health,” says Naturopathic Doctor Kara Fitzgerald, who heads up a functional medicine clinic in Newtown, Connecticut. For instance, certain genes influence how a person burns and stores fat. Depending on which variant a patient has, based on a genetic test, they might be guided toward a higheror lower-fat diet. Those genetically prone to difficulty in metabolizing the amino acid homocysteine (an excess of which can raise the risk of heart disease) might be advised to take folic acid supplements. If a patient displays intractable gut problems, rather than simply look for blood or pathogens in the stool, Fitzgerald also looks at the DNA of

their gut microbiome, mapping out which strains of good bacteria are present or absent and prescribing prebiotics, probiotics or whole foods to promote a healthful balance. For another patient with thinning hair and aching joints, she might use specialized blood tests to look for micronutrient deficiencies, signs of allergies or certain autoantibodies— proteins produced by the immune system that mistakenly attack one’s own tissues—that might herald a brewing autoimmune disorder. “Research shows that predictive autoantibodies can show up in the blood 10 or even 20 years before an autoimmune disease such as Type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis makes itself known,” says Fitzgerald, pointing to a seminal review published in 2007 in Scientific American: “If a patient with mild, early-stage symptoms is proactive with diet and lifestyle changes, they may be able to fend it off.” High-tech tests aside, Bland stresses

that what’s most important is “a tool that has been largely lost in medicine today: Knowing how to listen to the patient.” In a typical exam, Fitzgerald thoroughly inspects often neglected body parts, including the tongue and fingernails, which can hold important clues to underlying health. She asks about past emotional trauma which might trigger chronic disease, and inquires about what environmental toxins and harmful chemicals both the patient and their birth parents may have been exposed to. One example might be a patient exposed to cigarette smoking in utero having a bias toward an allergic disease. If their parents grew up in a period of famine, they might have inherited a genetic disposition for rapid weight gain. “She spent two-and-a-half hours with me,” in her initial consultation, recalls 52-year-old Lauren Zambrelli, of Long Island, New York, who credits Fitzgerald for helping her tame her multiple sclerosis into remission. “It was like having a sister for a doctor.”

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Who Pays

Functional medicine doctors don’t shy away from prescription drugs when necessary, but they do lean decidedly toward the lower-tech modalities, using dietary supplements, allergen-free diets, exercise, mind-body practices and toxin avoidance as their primary tools. “We basically take out the bad stuff from the body and put in the good stuff,” says Hyman. Maintaining good health is priceless, but without conventional insurance coverage, it can be expensive. While Mills’ doctor visits were covered by insurance (which is rare), she spends roughly $1,000 a month on supplements to address her diagnosed leaky gut syndrome, nutrient deficiencies and mercury poisoning. Zambrelli has paid thousands out of her own pocket, too. Some people worry that, like most conventional physicians, some functional medicine practitioners place too much emphasis on expensive tests and too little on the most crucial and affordable remedy—self-care. “Functional medicine as a concept is an important step forward,” says integrative medicine pioneer Dr. James Gordon, founder of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine, in Washington, D.C., and San Francisco. “However, some practitioners do a lot of tests and prescribe a lot of supplements and work on cleaning out the gut, but neglect the psychological, spiritual and social issues. That concerns me.” Bland and Hyman concede that some practitioners overtest, but say that will fade over time as they learn to better discriminate which ones are useful for specific patients. Several efforts also are underway to get more functional medicine providers and the acupuncturists, massage therapists and nutritionists they work with covered under the Affordable Care Act, which expressly emphasizes a need for more preventive medicine. Viewing the big picture, Bland believes that functional medicine is just what the country needs to save on exploding healthcare costs. Rather than spending dollars on extraordinary measures to save heart attack victims or diabetics in emergencies, we can prevent such dire situations by identifying underlying problems sooner and halting their progression. In the meantime, some patients are finding priceless relief. “Am I poorer right now? Yes,” says Mills. “Am I healthier? Way. It’s been so worth it.”

Join Dr. Lauren Kempton and Robin Moore for this eye-opening look at the power of intergenerational stories. Location: Tower One/Tower East 18 Tower Lane, New Haven CT RSVP to Susan at susan@towerone.org (or) Ariel at ariel@towerone.org

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Lisa Marshall is a freelance health writer in Boulder, CO, who specializes in health care. Connect at LisaAnnMarshall.com.

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February 2016

communityspotlight

A Functional Approach to Fertility at The Lotus Center

he Lotus Center provides a variety of holistic services and care to women of all ages and their families including childbirth and breastfeeding classes, infant massage classes, several massage modalities, auricular therapy and a wealth of other health and wellness services. Of particular interest is Mercier Therapy for pelvic health and the Shared Journey Fertility Program offered at the Center by owner and Patricia Almeida, RN. Mercier Therapy is a soft tissue visceral manipulation therapy technique that has been used to help restore health and wellbeing within the female pelvis. It was developed by midwife, naturopathic doctor and massage therapist Jennifer Mercier, PhD.

Natural Techniques for Women of All Ages

Merciér Therapy is a gentle external pelvic visceral manipulative technique that is used to assist in removing adhesions in the pelvis and reproductive tract for women facing fertility challenges, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, pelvic and lower back pain, those recovering from gynecologic or lower abdominal surgery and menopausal symptoms. The therapy provides a 22

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Merciér Therapy is a healthy, non-invasive approach to many fertility problems. more natural approach for a multitude of pelvic issues for women of all ages, from teens to those going through menopause.

The Shared Journey Fertility Program

Merciér Therapy is a healthy, noninvasive approach to many fertility problems. It is a structural therapy that addresses adhesions, scar tissue, and/ or mal-alignment of the reproductive organs that can hinder conception and/or pregnancy. The work increases blood flow and clears any congested areas of backed-up lymph. The Shared Journey Fertility Program™ was developed by Dr. Jennifer Merciér, a pioneer in women’s health and fertility care. In September 2012, Merciér completed a four-year, evidence-based study that demonstrates an 83% success rate within one year of finishing The Shared Journey Fertility Program. The abstract entitled: Merciér Therapy Helps Infertile Women

www.NAHRT.com

Achieve Pregnancy was published in the Midwifery Today journal.

Mercier Therapy and IVF/IUI

The program can be used as a standalone therapy or as an adjunct to IVF/ IUI. An IVF cycle can be very costly, rigorous and physically tiring. Many times, the woman must endure more than one IVF cycle to achieve a pregnancy, therefore the Shared Journey Program was developed to help limit the number of cycles needed. Patients are advised to make an appointment well in advance of their cycle start. If time is limited, the Shared Journey Fertility program can be completed within a 3-4 day weekend. Fertility Weekend Retreats include lodging, meals and wellness classes, along with the fertility program. The Lotus Center of Avon specializes in Merciér Therapy. Patricia Almeida, owner of the center, is the only certified Merciér therapist in Connecticut and Massachusetts, having trained directly with Jennifer Merciér. For more information, contact the Lotus Center at 860-987-3823 or visit LotusCenter-llc.com for more information. See ad on page 24.

Why Am I Still So Tired? A Functional Medicine Approach to Thyroid Disease by Dr. Craig Fasullo

any patients come to our clinic speaking some variation of this theme: “My doctor says my thyroid level is normal, but I still don’t feel very good.” Far too often, these individuals are placed on thyroid medication, which is adjusted until their TSH level fits into the broad “normal” range. At that point, they are told that nothing else can be done. While it’s true that there is a portion of the population that responds well to that type of treatment, there are others who are left feeling sluggish and tired and suffering many of the same symptoms they experienced prior to beginning medication.

Much More than Just a Number Fortunately, there is another way. In the functional medicine model, doctors look deeper into the workings of the thyroid gland itself, as well as examining other related systems of the body that may be playing a role in symptoms. Most importantly, lab values are considered within the context of presenting symptoms, and doctors treat the individual with those symptoms, not just a number.

Adrenal Imbalance Symptoms Can Mimic Thyroid Dysfunction

In terms of the thyroid itself, it is important to look at all the various components of glandular function. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is the most commonly run test, but there are a number of others that provide important information regarding how the thyroid is working. More narrow “optimal ranges” for many test results are considered in the functional medicine model, as there is clinical evidence that most people do better when their levels are maintained here.

...many thyroid conditions improve dramatically with dietary change and improving digestive function. In this more comprehensive approach, is also vital to look beyond simply the thyroid itself. Advanced functional testing can determine various nutrient levels and assess the health of other hormonal systems, including the adrenal gland. Functional

adrenal imbalance is remarkably common within this culture of high stress. Symptoms can be very similar to those of thyroid dysfunction, and the two conditions often manifest together. Unless both are addressed, there is little chance for successful treatment.

Diet Gets Close Attention

In the functional medicine approach, diet and the gastrointestinal system are looked at with the understanding that healthy digestion is a foundational component of overall health. Indeed, many thyroid conditions improve dramatically with dietary change and improving digestive function. By taking a broader view of thyroid health, functional medicine has helped countless individuals eliminate symptoms and feel better. Dr. Craig Fasullo is a naturopathic physician at Connecticut Natural Health Specialists in Manchester. For more information on functional treatment for thyroid and other health issues, call 860-533-0179 or visit CTNaturalHealth.com. See ad on page 13.

natural awakenings

February 2016

Good Reasons to Try Bodywork Thousands of Patients Found Relief from Chronic Pain with Holistic Physical Therapy by Dr. Ayelet Connell-Giammatteo

or many people, pain is a daily experience. It is a common understanding for most Americans that aging is synonymous with degeneration, becoming unwell and less active. Many traditional therapies are commonly used for chronic pain, such as physical therapy or massage therapy. Sometimes, these modalities provide relief, but it is often short-term. Sometimes they do not provide relief because there are underlying reasons for the pain. Manual therapy is a gentle approach that is commonly practiced by holistic physical therapists. This approach allows the physical therapist to look at the body in a different way. Consider a painful and compressed knee joint. Using a holistic physical therapy perspective, the therapist would recognize that the pain is caused by a

compressed joint. But it would be taken one step further to ask why the joint is compressed. The body’s wisdom is immense, as is evidenced by the healing of a simple cut. Remarkably, when there is something in the body that is compromised (an underlying issue), the body will often go into a protective compressed mode to limit movement in the area. This allows healing without further injury to the area. With manual therapy, the treatment is aimed at creating more movement and less pain in an area by focusing treatment on the underlying reason for the problem. With the example of the compressed and painful knee, there may be underlying scar tissue inside the joint or perhaps the joint is out of alignment. By addressing these underlying issues, the knee will feel better and be able to

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move with less pain. The goal of holistic physical therapy is to create long-lasting sustainable changes in a person’s health and movement so that the person can return to a full and active life. To be successful in this goal, it is important to consider the whole body, not just the painful joint. Traditional physical therapy would help the person attain greater movement in a joint, but the changes might not last if there is inflammation or other underlying reasons for the joint problem. The joint compression can be the effect, not the cause of the problem. By getting a broader view of the body to see what might be influencing the joint, the person can be guided toward pain-free living. Because physical therapists typically accept some insurance, manual therapy practiced by holistic physical therapists is often submittable to insurance. Dr. Ayelet Connell-Giammatteo, PhD, PT, IMT,C is the owner of Integrative Wellness & Physical Therapy, a wellness center in Bloomfield, specializing in using holistic and advanced Physical Therapy, Manual Therapy and comprehensive nutritional wellness to find and treat the underlying causes of pain and dysfunction. To learn more, call 860-5191916 or visit IntegrativeWellnessAndPT. com. See ad on page 19.

communityspotlight

ProNatural Physicians Group Creates Integrative Center in Berlin

Brian Cameron

Marla Colburn

he first of its kind of integrated practices, ProNatural Physicians brings together health care practitioners under one roof to meet patients’ needs. With a larger facility in Berlin, the group has a greater variety of practitioners including naturopathic medicine, massage therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic, counseling, health/life coaching and general practice/pediatric advanced practice registered nurses (APRN). Practitioners work together to treat patents holistically, treating the whole person by looking at the physical symptoms, emotional and mental components as well as environment. Naturopathic Physicians (ND) practice based on a holistic approach to healing, using the least invasive natural therapies along with modern medicine. Treatment plans are individualized for each patient. NDs see all ages for

Lara O’Neil

Sarah Zambarano

a wide range of health conditions. ProNatural Physicians has three NDs: Dr. Ann Aresco, Dr. Summer McAllister and Dr. Sarah Zambarano. The ProNatural team has also added two APRNs. Lara O’Neil specializes in pediatric primary care and Amanda Swan specializes in women’s and adult primary care. Both combine conventional and holistic medicine and believe in a holistic approach looking at all aspects of a patient and using the least invasive treatments. Dr. Marla Colburn, ProNatural’s chiropractor, works with all ages and specializes in maternal and pediatric chiropractic care. Dr. Colburn focuses on proper technique using gentle chiropractic treatments. James Osborne, licensed professional counselor, works with families and groups treating trauma, co-occur-

ring disorders, grief, anger management, substance abuse, depression, developmental disabilities and chronic and severe mental disorders. As a veteran, he has also worked with other veterans, active personnel and their families. ProNatural also has Kathy Beach, a certified nutrition coach, athletic trainer and exercise physiologist. She specializes in the training of post cancer exercise and nutrition, especially for breast cancer patients. Capri Kurtz is a classic fiveelement acupuncturist and yoga teacher at ProNatural. Using acupuncture simultaneously on the levels of mental-emotional, psycho-spiritual and physical, she helps clients reach their goals whether it be pain management, enhanced energy or other issues. Capri also does private and group yoga classes. Massage therapy brings the center to completion, creating a full treatment for patients. Brian Cameron specializes in orthopedic care for pain from accidents, injuries and chronic pain. Helene Sandquist is trained in several different therapies and adjusts to what her clients need. She is certified in Core Myofascial Therapy and Cupping Therapy and has training in reflexology. Both therapists offer relaxing Swedish and deep tissue massage. The new facility has a large open room that will be utilized for various community events. These include movie nights to watch films involving health care, such as the impact of fast food, the advantages of good diet and nutrition as well as the tricks that pharmaceutical companies use to profit financially versus what would be in the best interest of patients. There will also be community/group acupuncture, chair massage clinics and Reiki. ProNatural Physicians Group, 120 Webster Sq, right off Rte 9 and the Berlin Turnpike. To make an appointment, call 860-829-0707. See PronaturalPhysicians.com for more info and for the online supplement shop. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook! See ad on page 14.

natural awakenings

February 2016

Step 1 to Functional Living Get to the Root Cause by Holly Niles, Functional Medicine Nutritionist

he basics of Functional Medicine are simple: Get to the root cause of a person’s symptoms, such as why someone doesn’t have enough energy or is overweight. This approach doesn’t just try to fix symptoms, but looks deeper at why the symptoms exist in the first place. To get to the why of symptoms, functional medicine practitioners must look at a patient’s whole life story, including personal medical history from childhood, family medical history and daily life including family, work and diet. Through this process, functional medicine can benefit many common conditions.

Joint Pain

Pain can mean that the body is inflamed or irritated. A Functional Medicine Nutritionist will look at a person’s lifestyle to see what might be creating the pain. For example, certain dietary habits promote inflammation. The cause could be from eating too many highly processed foods containing excessive sugar or artificial ingredients, which the body can’t readily use for fuel. Instead, these foods can be irritating to the body and can lead to increased pain. A diet that is based in whole and unprocessed foods, including lots of vegetables, tends to decrease inflammation. Adding herbs like curcumin has been shown to 26

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reduce inflammation as well as joint pain. Finding ways to move the body, such as stretching, yoga, walking or resistance exercise, can reduce tension and strengthen muscles, improve circulation and help joints move. All these changes can lead to less pain, which can result in less of a need to take medication for pain.

Digestive Issues

Stomach and intestinal challenges such as constipation, bloating, reflux and gas cause many people to spend money on over-the-counter and prescription medication. Rather than trying to just manage the symptoms of poor digestion, functional medicine works to support digestion through the addition of nutritional supplements such as enzymes. There are also lifestyle changes that could be considered to aid digestion, such as eating more slowly, chewing more thoroughly and eating less so that the stomach can work properly. In addition, the time of day one eats is important to consider as the body considers digestion a priority and attempts to do it even if the body is not in an optimal position, such as in bed.

Depression and Anxiety

There is a strong connection between food and mood. A chronically stress-

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ful lifestyle can sometimes lead to anxiety and/or depression, which leads many people to take medication to help reduce its effects. Sometimes, medication is the perfect choice, but medications have side effects and are not always effective. There are many changes in lifestyle that can improve mood and relieve stress such as food choices and timing, which can affect blood sugar levels. In addition, there is research showing that some type of regular meditation practice can help calm the nervous system and reduce anxiety and depression. And all forms of exercise release brain chemicals that reduce stress and allow the body to work more efficiently. There are many other tools and ways to support the root cause of how a body got out of balance. This is the foundation of Functional Medicine— recognizing how the whole life can impact health results in powerful tools that can help anyone take charge of a less stressful, happier, more relaxed and pain-free life. Holly Niles, MS, CNS, LDN, CFSP is a Licensed Functional Medicine Clinical Nutritionist and the Nutrition Director at Integrative Wellness & Physical Therapy. Her approach is to help individuals find practical ways to enjoy making healthy changes to create wellness in their lives. See ad on page 2.

Retreats: Relax, Rest, Renew and Return by Maggie Knoedler Durbas, E-RYT 500

eople go on retreats not in order to avoid life, but to nourish the mind, body and spirit. It generally helps people more fully engage in a healthy way, upon return, with the demands of life and other people. There are many kinds of retreats and retreat centers. Some focus on study: yoga asana (postures), meditation or philosophy. Others don’t offer study at all, rather they offer time and space for quiet contemplation. Some retreat centers are luxurious, in exotic locations and with beautiful rooms, gourmet food and spa services. Others are closer to home and more Spartan, offering only small rooms, simple food and the occasional massage. There are choices to travel with a group and participate in community or to spend time alone in silence. Many people from the Northeast enjoy retreats at Kripalu, in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts. A former Jesuit seminary, it offers a combination of world-famous teachers and magnificent scenery, all within earshot of Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Another famous retreat is the Himalayan Institute in the beautiful Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. It’s a fabulous place to go for a weekend or a week, to take classes, study Ayurveda, enjoy vegetarian meals and hike the lovely hills. Time spent at a retreat usually gives people

the chance to return reinvigorated and ready to engage anew with family, friends and self. Sometimes, we don’t have to go anywhere to go on retreat. We can take a little “staycation.” Maybe it’s a day off from work with the phone set on do not disturb. One could take a yoga class, go for a delicious and nutritious lunch out, then head home to some quiet music and a good book. It could be followed with a nice healthy dinner, a candle lit bath, a meditation session and early to bed. No time for all that? There’s no point in being frustrated by not being

able to go away or having an entirely uninterrupted day. One can simply figure out what is practical and make it happen. As the Bhagavad Gita says, “Even a little of this practice will shelter you from great sorrow.” Maggie Knoedler Rueda, E-RYT500 and Reiki Master, is the owner of Journey of Yoga, 730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury. She also conducts yoga teacher training programs. For more information, call 860-680-1482 or visit JourneyOfYoga.com. See ad on page 17.

natural awakenings

February 2016

healingways

Good Reasons to Try Acupuncture Thousands of Studies Show Healing Results by Kathleen Barnes

he ancient Chinese art of acubody’s natural repair and regulation puncture is gaining popularity mechanisms based on the fundamenin modern Western medicine tal Chinese medicine principle that for many reasons. “There’s lots of the inside of the body can often be research to support the effectiveness treated from the outside. Burgoon of acupuncture for a wide variety of explains that acupuncture works by conditions,” says Thomas Burgoon, a stimulating and releasing the body’s medical doctor who natural pain relievers, The U.S. Library of practices internal including endorphins, medicine in West producing the feelMedicine database Chester, Pennsylvania, good brain chemical and is president of the lists more than 23,000 serotonin and relievAmerican Academy of studies on acupuncture. ing inflammation, as Medical Acupuncture, well as bringing many an association of doctors of medicine other body processes into normal and osteopathic medicine that use function. acupuncture in conjunction with con Brevard, North Carolina, licensed ventional treatments. master acupuncturist Paul Buchman, Acupuncture treatments typically adds, “Acupuncture differs from coninvolve the nearly painless insertion ventional Western medicine in many of very thin needles to stimulate the ways, primarily in that when it treats

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a disease on the physical level, it also has far-reaching effects on our mental, emotional and spiritual aspects.” Chronic back pain: Chronic low back pain affects 80 percent of us at some time and is the second-most common cause of disability in American adults, according to a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. A recent study of Australian patients arriving in Melbourne hospital emergency rooms complaining of low back pain found that those treated with acupuncture experienced as much pain relief in an hour as those given drugs. “When I treat a person for low back pain, I always take pulses in several parts of the body, and then take into account many factors, including age, gender and life situation,” says Buchman. “The underlying causes of the pain may be different in a 20-something student with a stressful academic load than a 50-something woman that’s a recent empty nester redefining her future,” he explains. When researchers at China’s Central South University reviewed 13 studies on acupuncture and low back pain, they concluded that comprehensive treatment plans that involve acupuncture are urgently needed. Headache: Acupuncture has long been used to relieve the pain of migraines and tension headaches. Australian research published in EvidenceBased Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that 16 acupuncture sessions cut in half the number of days that patients experienced migraines, significantly reducing pain. “Acupuncture is a must-try therapy for anyone with migraines or chronic or tension-type headaches,” says Burgoon. He notes that Aetna Insurance Company policy considers acupuncture among accepted, medically necessary treatments for migraines, chronic low back pain, knee osteoarthritis, postoperative dental

Find a local physician trained in medical acupuncture at MedicalAcupuncture.org/ FindAnAcupuncturist pain and nausea associated with surgery, pregnancy and chemotherapy. Asthma and allergies: More than 25 million Americans have asthma, including 6.8 million children. Danish research published in the journal Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine showed that 10 acupuncture sessions given over a three-month period reduced asthma symptoms and use of inhaled steroids, but only when acupuncture was ongoing. Benefits diminished when treatments were discontinued. German researchers at Berlin’s Charité University Medical Center found similar effects for seasonal allergies by comparing it with the effects of antihistamines and sham acupuncture. “Patterns of bad health get more ingrained in our body systems as we get older,” says Melanie Katin, a licensed acupuncturist specializing in treating children in New York City and professor at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. “If we can catch an illness in a child’s first seven or eight years, we may be able to prevent it from becoming chronic in adulthood.” Digestive problems: Acupuncture has been found to be effective for treating colic in babies, irritable bowel syndrome, morning sickness and postoperative nausea caused by anesthesia and chemotherapy treatments, verified in research from Australia’s University of Sydney on patients after surgery for metastatic liver cancer. Several other studies, including one from the Milwau-kee’s Medical College of Wisconsin, show that acupuncture rebalances the nervous system and restores proper digestive function, while relieving pain. The World Health Organization review of research notes how acupuncture relieved gastrointestinal (GI) spasms better than atropine injections, and also recommends acupuncture for relief of nausea. “Acupuncture helps calm down an overactive GI tract and stimulates an underactive one,” explains Burgoon. Acupuncture is a non-pharmaceutical remedy for many health problems, Burgoon says. “I fell in love with acupuncture when I discovered I could use it to treat some problems that nothing else helped. I almost never prescribe any medications. Instead, I help people get off pharmaceuticals.” Kathleen Barnes is author of many natural health books, including The Calcium Lie 2: What Your Doctor Still Doesn’t Know, with Dr. Robert Thompson. Connect at KathleenBarnes.com.

localexpert ACCUPUNCTURE OF GREATER HARTFORD Stan Baker, L.Ac., Dipl.Ac. 645 Farmington Ave, Hartford 860-836-1068 AcupunctureStanBaker.com

tan Baker is a fully licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist practicing at a new location in Hartford and in a second location in Springfield, Massachusetts. With more than 30 years of experience in the Oriental Healing Arts, Baker specializes in difficult cases. Presently he uses the major modalities of Chinese Medicine in his practice. These include Stan Baker acupuncture, herbal medicine, Chinese dietetics, Chinese massage and body work, Tui Na and chi cultivation methods. Baker graduated from Kototoma Institute in New Mexico. Upon graduating from acupuncture school, he started an acupuncture practice in New Mexico. For almost three decades he has been researching and continuing his education in various styles of acupuncture and herbal medicine, also completing the Kanpo program in Herbal Medicine. Baker’s interests in the healing art forms of Qi Gong lay well beyond the average Oriental Healing Practitioner. He is an avid practitioner and master instructor of Chen Tai Chi with ongoing weekly classes. He is also an instructor/practitioner, with a black belt, in the defensive art form of Aikido since 1980. He is an instructor/practitioner of Sun Do Mountain Yoga since 1986 and is also a practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism. Call for appointments or group tai chi classes.

Work like you don’t need the money. Love like you’ve never been hurt. Dance like nobody’s watching. ~Satchel Paige natural awakenings

February 2016

Connecting “within” through free and inspired body movement is the power of conscious dance.

fitbody

tions, many are finding the power of conscious dance suits their search for movement with purpose beyond improved fitness as it’s practiced in drug- and alcohol-free club-style events and ecstatic dance experiences, as well as dance fitness programs. “It’s about honoring body intelligence and paying attention to the body and mind-body connection,” says Metz. “The modalities mentioned most often are 5Rhythms, Soul Motion, Open Floor, JourneyDance, and the Nia Technique,” says Metz. A brief look at three of them shows how each has its own style.

5Rhythms

The Power of Conscious Dance Creative Movement Connects Body, Mind and Spirit by Gail Condrick

A growing tribe of movers and shakers are discovering and unleashing their power in conscious dance, a combination of moving meditation, soul-stirring music, self-expression and sweat.

“

ost are familiar with the performance or competitive dance world of learned steps. Conscious dance is a non-competitive, body-based way of raising consciousness. There’s no wrong way to move and your shape and measurements don’t matter,” says Mark Metz, of Berkley, California, founder and executive director of the Dance First Association

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(DFA) and publisher of the Conscious Dancer Magazine and UpShift Guide. The group identifies more than 100 forms of conscious dance, ranging from ecstatic dance to somatic movement therapy. Commonalities include body awareness, barefoot movement, inspiring global music and minimal structure facilitated by leaders. With 1,000 DFA studio loca-

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In St. Petersburg, Florida, 22 women have gathered to seek the bliss promised by 5Rhythms, one of the original conscious dance forms, founded by the late Gabrielle Roth. “Find your flow. Feel your connection to the Earth through your feet and release your head,” guides facilitator Amber Ryan, of New York City, who travels the world for dance sessions. “Use your body as a gateway into the now.” For two hours, dancers move freely and individually, swaying, sensing and interacting in an experience called “the wave”, intended to move energy through the body, release emotions and heal the psyche. It’s based on Roth’s premise that, “Each of us is a moving center, a space of divine mystery. Though we spend most of our time on the surface in daily ordinary existence, most of us hunger to connect to this space within, to break through to bliss, to be swept into something bigger.”

JourneyDance

Toni Bergins, from the Massachusetts Berkshires, is a frequent presenter at the Kripalu Center and Omega Institute for Holistic Studies. After years

of studying and teaching movement, drama, creative visualization and gestalt techniques, she combined them in creating JourneyDance. More than 400 trained facilitators now offer it in 60- or 90-minute classes worldwide based on the philosophy, “Move into a new story!” Every class includes visualization, creative movement, affirmations and evocative music, all working together to release emotions and connect with spirit. “You learn to love your body, expand your emotional intelligence, clear your mind and connect with your inner source,” explains Bergins. “You express yourself, infuse life with creativity and connect with a dancing community.” Participants engage in a ritual journey of physical transformation, cleansing the body through breath, sweat and expression. In this safe space, “Dancers discover their power and personal heart medicine, their true essence,” says Bergins.

Nia Technique

For those that prefer more structure, the Nia Technique is the original barefoot mind-body-spirit fitness practice, activating sensation and awareness in a workout adaptable for everybody. More

Dance Sites DanceFirst.com 5Rhythms.com JourneyDance.com NiaNow.com OneDanceTribe.com OpenFloor.org SoulMotion.com than 2,600 instructors in 51 countries offer 60-minute classes where enthusiasts move the way the body is built to move, reaping cardiovascular fitness and therapeutic benefits while having joyful fun. Dancers, guided by instructor’s moves, feel the rhythm of the music and ground themselves in spirit, equipping themselves to take the selfhealing experience into everyday life. “Nia has always blended form and freedom,” says Debbie Rosas, of Portland, Oregon, co-founder and creator of the technique. “We are now introducing new FreeDance classes to bring what we have learned through Nia to embody consciousness in new ways, conditioning the whole body and nervous system. It’s an invitation to move in free, unbound, unstructured

ways to offset the tendency we have to move less as we age.” Dancers move to music designed to animate each chakra through an eight-stage process via a Nia DJ. They’re guided to listen to body feedback through sensation, release emotions and relish being in the present moment. “Regardless of how you act, dress or think, the way you feel inside reveals the most accurate truth of oneself and this is reflected in dance,” says Rosas. “Moving without interference allows your unconscious creative self to shine. You can connect to the sacred artist within; the one that holds a palette with endless colors, shapes and possibilities.” She sees life as ultimately a free-style dance into the self that supports a philosophy of “Love your body, love your life”. “Dance is in everyone’s family tree, a universal message,” says Metz. “In conscious dance, you disconnect from gadgets and reconnect with yourself and others around you. People need that.” Gail Condrick is a Nia faculty member, retreat leader and archetypal soul coach in Sarasota, FL. Connect at GaelaVisions.com.

Gong

Meditation

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Let your life lightly dance on the edges of time like dew on the tip of a leaf. ~Rabindranath Tagore

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SUPER SOUPS New Twists on Old Favorites Heal, Nourish and Soothe by Judith Fertig

inter season soups on chilly days can warm us, both body and soul. Whatever our food preferences or time constraints, some new twists on traditional favorites will satisfy everyone’s taste buds—with an accent on healthy pleasure. Here’s where to start. Reinventing the past. From her Colorado mountain home, Jenny McGruther, author of The Nourished Kitchen, celebrates the wisdom of traditional foodways, making nutrientdense, healing soup broth from bones, water, vegetables and seasonings. McGruther’s twist is to make it in a six-quart slow cooker. Once her family has dined on organic roast or rotisserie chicken, she simmers the bones with purified water, a bay leaf or two, a few whole peppercorns and a few chopped organic vegetables like onion, carrot and celery on the low setting for 24 hours. Then

she ladles the broth through a coffee strainer into another container, refreshes the slow cooker with more water and simmers the bones and seasonings for another 24 hours. Eventually, the broth will have less flavor and color, and that’s when McGruther starts all over again. “I call this perpetual soup,” she says. She blogs at NourishedKitchen.com. Slowing it down. With homemade broth on hand, it’s easy to make the Italian winter staple of Tuscan Vegetable Bean Soup. Cookbook authors and slow cooker experts Kathy Moore and Roxanne Wyss, from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, love to make this when they’re working on a cookbook deadline. They simply use what they have in the refrigerator, freezer or pantry. “With a soup like this you can always substitute one vegetable for another, adjusting the recipe to what you enjoy and have on hand,” advises

Natural Awakenings recommends using organic and non-GMO (genetically modified) ingredients whenever possible. 32

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Photo by Stephen Blancett

consciouseating

Moore. The pair blogs at PluggedInto Cooking.com. Speeding it up. Sometimes, we need a single serving of homemade soup fast. Award-winning recipe developer and cookbook author Camilla Saulsbury, of Nacogdoches, Texas, whips up a Pumpkin Sage Soup that can simmer in a saucepan within minutes, ready to be enjoyed in a mug. Saulsbury uses organic canned pumpkin, full of vitamins, which can vary in sweetness. “If needed,” she suggests, “add a drizzle of maple syrup to enhance the flavor of the soup.” Making “bisque” in a high-speed blender. Karen Adler is an avid grower of organic tomatoes in her Kansas City garden. When the seasonal harvest comes to an end, Adler grills or oven roasts the tomatoes, along with organic peppers and onions, and then freezes them, ready to make Roasted Tomato Bisque any time of the year. “My secret to a light bisque without using cream is to blend all the roasted vegetables together with a highspeed blender to give it body. A swirl of extra-virgin olive oil at the end finishes ensuring the satisfying flavor,” she says. Going cold. Douglas McNish, head chef at Toronto’s raw and vegan restaurant Raw Aura, serves a popular Lemon, Cucumber and Dill Soup, which is easy to make in a food processor. “This soup is amazing this time of year, when most of our diets may be lacking in healthy fats and trace minerals,” says McNish. Warming up. Two cookbook authors teamed up across many miles to write 300 Sensational Soups. Meredith Deeds lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, while Carla Snyder resides in Cleveland, Ohio. They’ve mutually discovered the naturally warming properties of curry powder in Curried Coconut Chickpea Soup. Snyder observes, “A good soup nourishes the heart, as well as the stomach, spreading a feeling of satisfaction and contentment.” Judith Fertig blogs at AlfrescoFood AndLifestyle.blogspot.com from Overland Park, KS.

SOUP’S ON! Tasty Recipes for Winter Meals

IntroducIng...

own Yields: 6 servings 2 Tbsp olive oil 1 large yellow onion, chopped 3 carrots, chopped 1 stalk celery, chopped 1 cup frozen, cut green beans 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 can (14.5 oz, BPA-free) diced tomatoes, with liquid 4 cups bone broth or 1 carton (32 oz) vegetable broth 2 tsp Italian seasoning 1 /8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, optional Salt and pepper, to taste 1 cup chopped fresh broccoli 1 can (15 oz, BPA-free) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained 2 Tbsp minced fresh basil, plus additional for garnish Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

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Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add onions, carrot and celery and cook, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes. Stir in the green beans and cook, stirring frequently, for 2 to 3 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes, vegetable broth, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Heat, covered, until boiling, and then reduce heat to a simmer and cook 15 to 20 minutes.

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Tuscan Vegetable Bean Soup

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Stir in broccoli, cannellini beans and minced basil. Simmer for 5 minutes or until the vegetables are as tender as desired. Ladle into bowls. Sprinkle with grated

Parmesan cheese. Garnish if desired with additional minced basil.

Adapted from PluggedIntoCooking.com, by Kathy Moore and Roxanne Wyss. natural awakenings

February 2016

healthykids

spectrum disorder (ASD) as a group of complex brain development disorders characterized by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors.

Prevention

Treating Autism

NATURALLY Plus Strategies for Prevention by Meredith Montgomery

SCEND) program at a joint Harvard n The Autism Revolution, Pediatric University, Massachusetts Institute of Neurologist and Neuroscientist Technology and Massachusetts General Martha Herbert approaches autism Hospital Medical Imaging facility. as a whole-body condition that can “While autism is often thought improve, rather than be a static, lifelong of as a genetic disorder, it’s the result genetic brain disorder. a gene-environment “It’s the way the Experts agree that a of interaction where genes brain is shifted into actare corrupted,” explains ing when faced with a natural foundation Robert Hencombination of stressfor health begins with Psychiatrist dren, who is currently ors—some, but not all of which are genetic—at breastfeeding infants partnering in developing the Center for Autism a vulnerable point in to support natural Spectrum Disorder and development,” says immunity, and then Neurodevelopmental Herbert. Non-genetic Disorders at the Univerchallenges can come ensuring children’s sity of California, San from the immune system, Francisco. nutrition, the environ- diets are rich in to the ment and stress. “Adnutrients at all ages. U.S. According Centers for Disease dressing them can make Control and Prevention, autism is the a profound difference in the condition; fastest-growing developmental disabilmaybe even turning it around.” ity, now affecting one in 68 children Herbert directs the Treatment Reand one in 42 boys. Autism Speaks search and Neuroscience Evaluation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (TRAN- (AutismSpeaks.org) defines autism

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Many experts agree that in some cases, autism can be prevented. “Prevention needs to start early—preconception is ideal,” says Dr. Kenneth A. Bock, of Bock Integrative Medicine, in New York, and author of Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma and Allergies. Emphasizing omega-3 essential fatty acids, folic acid and probiotics during pregnancy can be beneficial, and it’s important to avoid iron deficiency, which has been tied to higher rates of autism, Hendren counsels. Results from a recent University of California, Davis study published in Environmental Health Perspectives reveals increased rates of autism among children of women that live close to pesticide-treated fields during pregnancy, particularly during the second and third trimesters. Hendren says, “Living near heavily sprayed fields can be very detrimental. Living close to freeways or downwind of coal-fired power plants is also associated with autism.” If heavy metal toxicity in blood is confirmed, chelation therapy is often used to remove metals, although Hendren advises against using it for the general treatment of ASD. “Chelators pull out mercury, along with other metals, a process that can be harmful. Instead, think about diet and nutritional supplements that can help detoxify the body more safely,” he explains. Bock says, “It’s not enough to detoxify, we have to remove and prevent exposure to neurodevelopmental toxins.” Herbert suggests avoiding toxic household products, electromagnetic exposure from devices such as cell phones and baby monitors, which can lead to stress, sleep disruption and cell health problems, as well as antibiotic overuse, which can disrupt the gut microbiome, increasing vulnerability to exposure to other harmful chemicals.

Relax your attachment to expectations and realize that your child sees, hears and feels the world differently than you. Broaden your perspective and make every choice a healthy choice. ~Martha Herbert Herbert notes some parents observe that their child became autistic after a vaccination but there are also autistic children that are vaccine-free; still others become so after facing other stresses such as illness or trauma. “We need to focus on the underlying vulnerabilities and keep children strong and resilient so they can handle life’s challenges to their health and immune systems,” she says.

Safeguard Resilience

Currently, the only treatment that has been proven to consistently improve the core symptoms of ASD is behavioral therapy designed to foster language, socialization and academic skills. While effective, this approach is timeand staff-intensive.

With the rise and prevalence of autism in the past decade, more parents are turning to complementary and alternative treatments (CAM). Hendren reports that the best researched and safest CAM therapies for treating autism include melatonin to improve sleep, omega-3 fatty acids to ease hyperactivity and possibly improve socialization, multivitamins to supplement a limited diet or poor appetite and methyl B12 injections to protect against oxidative stress. Massage therapy has also proven effective in increasing connectivity with others and reducing over-arousal, while reducing ASD symptoms. Research remains in its infancy, but other CAMs deemed acceptable for a professionally monitored trial include B6 and magnesium supplements to correct metabolic aberration, folic acid for improvements in core symptoms, probiotics to ease gastrointestinal distress and iron supplementation for a deficiency. Although clear benefits have yet to be backed by scientific evidence, many parents of children with ASD report that behavior improves with a diet free of the proteins gluten (found in wheat, barley and rye) and casein (found in dairy). Other parent-endorsed diets include anti-yeast, anti-hyperglycemia, specific carbohydrate, low-oxalate and

Creating Calm Islands by Carolyn Dalgliesh

ensory kids, like those living with autism spectrum, sensory processing, anxiety or attention deficit disorders, are often highly affected by the design of their physical environments. Here are some tips for removing daily stressors for a more supportive home environment. Identify the common sensory challenges for the child so the family can create spaces that support them. Kids may struggle with regulating their emotions, initiating tasks, maintaining focus, rigid rules, lack of flexibility or being consistently overwhelmed. Less is more because these kids

are often more sensitive to environmental stimuli. Tone down the color scheme of their bedroom and playroom, and maintain uncluttered spaces. Clearly defined and labeled areas in certain rooms can help them know what to expect and how to use each space appropriately. Define areas and tasks with visual aids to foster more focused, calm and flexible interactions. Consider creating a designated dressing area with hooks that hold the next day’s clothes and a laundry hamper. This provides a visual routine to follow and structural aids to help complete the task successfully.

specific food reaction regimens. A review article in the journal Autism Research and Treatment notes that acupuncture, exercise, and music- and animal-assisted therapy have all been reported as helping to reduce a variety of ASD functional and behavioral symptoms. From sound-dampening headphones that offset loud noises to structuring the environment to anticipate transitions, removing stressors can help reduce the debilitating characteristics of ASD. “This improves abilities to learn and interact with others, but we also don’t want to shelter them from having a chance to learn the rules of social interaction in real-world situations,” advises Hendren. Because autism is a heterogeneous disorder with numerous subtypes, the best individualized combination of treatments can be challenging to identify and can often change throughout one’s life. Bock reminds families that even with a successful treatment plan, “A parent’s love is the final element that brings these recovering children out of darkness into light.” Meredith Montgomery publishes Natural Awakenings of Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi (HealthyLiving HealthyPlanet.com).

Create a space to escape and regulate when they return home anxious, overwhelmed or ready to explode; a zone to help them feel calm and connected again. Dark and quiet spots are best, like the corner of a closet, bottom bunk, under a desk or even a cardboard box “cabin”. Add a flashlight, favorite books, beanbags, heavy or weighted blankets, handheld sensory toys and something that taps into the child’s current fascination. Carolyn Dalgliesh is the founder of Systems for Sensory Kids & Simple Organizing Strategies in North Kingstown, RI, and author of The Sensory Child Gets Organized. Connect at CarolynDalgliesh.com.

natural awakenings

February 2016

greenliving

by-step app. It encompasses more than 3,000 organic, GMO-free, edible varieties. 4 No dishpan hands. A full load of dishes in a water-efficient dishwasher uses four gallons of water versus 24 gallons for handwashing them, according to Seametrics, which manufactures flow meters. 4 Test the toilet. If a few drops of food coloring added to the toilet tank colors water in the bowl, replace the flap. It’s an easy and inexpensive DIY task. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that one in 10 homes leaks a cumulative 90 gallons a day. 4 Fix the faucet. One drip per second equals 3,000 gallons a year wasted, Seametrics calculates.

It’s Easy to Be Green At Home and On the Road by Avery Mack

“

iving green means living well, using what you create with minimal waste,” says Mike Bond, an ecologist and bestselling activist author in Winthrop, Maine. Here, he and other savvy sources share tips to go ever greener in ways that are painless and affordable.

Start Small 4 Choose the best bulb for the job. Light bulbs can confuse even informed shoppers. Incandescent bulbs last more than 750 hours, but aren’t energy-efficient. Fluorescent bulbs use 75 percent less energy than incandescent and last 10 to 15 times longer. A 20-watt compact fluorescent light (CFL) uses 550 fewer kilowatt-hours than a 75-watt incandescent bulb. For additional information, check Tinyurl. 36

Hartford County Edition

com/EnergyInfoLightBulbs. For a free app showing the best buy, visit LightBulbFinder.net. 4 Use appliance thermometers. Widely available, this useful tool will confirm a correct operating temperature of 37 to 40 degrees in the refrigerator and zero degrees in the freezer. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a warmer fridge allows bacteria to grow, while 10 degrees cooler than the ideal range increases energy use 25 percent. Chiller units work harder if the room temperature exceeds 70 degrees, so keep appliances out of direct sunlight and away from the stove. 4 Find the right seeds and plants. Then get quick advice on how many to buy and how and when to plant using the SmartGardener.com step-

www.NAHRT.com

4 Reset the hot water heater to 120 degrees. This safe and efficient setting also reduces corrosion and mineral buildup. 4 Discover soap nuts and wool dryer balls. Dried soapberry fruit shells contain saponin, which works like most detergents and soaps. Toss five or six whole shells (one-half ounce) in a wash bag with the laundry. They’re good for five to eight reuses. All-natural sheep’s wool dryer balls shorten drying time, soften and fluff fabric, reduce static and help keep pet hair off of clothes. 4 Change the car’s air filter. Maintain a clean filter according to manufacturer’s guidelines and visual inspection, about every 30,000 to 45,000 miles. 4 Use an oil-change service. In Connecticut alone, do-it-yourselfers change 9.5 million gallons of motor oil a year, and 85 percent of it ends up in sewers, soil and trash as a major groundwater pollutant. Earth Talk reports that one quart can create a two-acre oil slick; a gallon can contaminate a million gallons of fresh water. While the more costly chemicals in synthetic oil create the same amount of pollution as traditional oil, it doesn’t need to be changed as often.

4 Carpool. The Green Living Ideas media network condones Uber, Lyft and Sidecar apps for making ridesharing ultra-accessible.

Go Greener 4 Replace old appliances with energy-efficient models. Check out a unit’s Energy Star rating. Consider a tankless heater for hot water on demand, rather than 24/7 heating. 4 Choose eco-tires. Low rolling resistance improves gas mileage and reduces emissions. Keep tires properly inflated and periodically rotated for longer wear. Watch for future innovations in sustainable materials currently in research and development. 4 Ban idling. Don’t idle an electronic fuel-injected engine for more than 30 seconds when parked in cold weather; it warms up faster by being driven, explains the U.S. Department of Energy. Fuel injection engines took over in the 1980s and early 90s. Only older carburetors need a couple of minutes’ warm-up. The Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory further advises, “Idling for more than 10 seconds uses more fuel and emits more CO2 than engine restarting.” 4 Ask for pet- and eco-friendly antifreeze. Choose less toxic red-orange

propylene glycol antifreeze instead of green ethylene glycol antifreeze, which is poisonous to pets and people. Dispose of both types properly, as they are toxic to wildlife and fish via groundwater, as well.

“An electric car is perfect when commutes are not long,” Bond discloses. “If charged in the day, it can serve as the battery for a solar home at night, when no power is being created.”

4 Green-clean car windows. Choose a brand like EvergreeN Windshield Washer Fluid, which is plant-derived, eco-friendly, non-toxic and biodegradable. Traditional blue fluid is methanol, combined methyl alcohol and wood alcohol, and extremely poisonous, especially to children and pets.

Connect with freelance writer via AveryMack@mindspring.com.

Go Big 4 Switch to a heat pump. “A heat pump works the reverse of a refrigerator; it takes cold air from the outside and turns it into warm air inside, and uses no oil or gas,” explains Bond. 4 Go solar. It’s the eco-alternative to conventional electricity generation. “Solar means that you’re creating your own power,” says Bond, who has used solar for years. “It works on an elegant cycle—create energy, use energy.” Leased solar panels reduce the cost of equipment, which has dropped dramatically in recent years. 4 Get a hybrid car. In combination with solar power, a hybrid vehicle can reduce or eliminate daily energy costs.

Go-Green Apps Here are three apps we suggest among the many available. n Green You is a free app. It calculates our eco-friendliness and suggests steps toward a deeper shade of green. ItAnyPlace.com/support/ greenyou n Recycle offers a free national database of 100,000 recycling and disposal locations for 200 products. Specify the item and find local options with contact information. Earth911.com/ eco-tech/irecycle-now-on-android n eEcosphere helps users discover, adopt and share the best sustainable living ideas and makes it easy to share specific actions and ideas with friends via social media. eEcosphere.com

Reach Your Target Market Secure this ad spot!

natural awakenings

February 2016

naturalpet

The Right Vet for Your Pet

Animals Thrive with Gentle, Safe and Natural Approaches by Shawn Messonnier

et parents have many criteria to consider when choosing a healthcare provider for their prized pet, and among the most vital is trying to find a doctor that uses holistic therapies, because the advantages are many. Wellness care is more than vaccines. While many conventional vets consider giving vaccines and flea medications to all of their patients to be their best form of wellness care, holistic vets know these aren’t always necessary and can potentially be harmful. Instead, true wellness care involves careful consideration of proper diet, blood

Hartford County Edition

titer testing instead of vaccines, natural parasite control when appropriate and a heavy dose of diagnostic testing (blood, urine, fecal) to monitor organ function, check for parasites, screen for disorders of the urogenital system, liver and pancreas and early screening for cancer and other inflammatory conditions. There’s also a full physical check for common diseases like dental and heart disease and tumors. Individualized prescriptions for a proper diet and supplements to maintain health are big reasons many owners prefer a holistic vet.

www.NAHRT.com

Natural treatments include disease prevention. Many pets treated via a more natural approach have an easier experience with occasional illness than those that don’t enjoy this specialized care. Natural therapies can quickly restore an ill pet to his homeostatic balance without the side effects often associated with multiple drug doses. A team approach is expected. A holistic practice is a team effort, and the family doctor will suggest options for care, helping an owner decide on the best therapies for each pet. A fuller range of options is available. While holistic vets prefer a more natural approach, they know that if necessary, conventional therapies can sometimes be an appropriate complement if they follow holistic principles, which means infrequent use of lowdose medications and only when absolutely needed. In general, most conditions can be treated successfully without drug therapy, extending the health and life of the patient and reducing medical costs. Gentler anesthesia means quicker recovery. A naturally balanced and gentler approach means less drugging if anesthesia becomes necessary, close monitoring of an anesthetized pet, a smooth and quick recovery for prompt discharge from the hospital and natural forms of follow-up treatment to control post-operative pain and inflammation. New hope rises for the hopeless. Many pets are brought to holistic doctors after conventional care has failed to help them. Some have been turned away by practitioners of conventional medicine because their cases are diagnosed as “hopeless”. Holistic vets and pet parents alike experience considerable satisfaction in helping to give a joyful pet a whole new lease on life. Shawn Messonnier, a doctor of veterinary medicine practicing in Plano, TX, is the award-winning author of The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats and Unexpected Miracles: Hope and Holistic Healing for Pets. For more information, visit PetCareNaturally.com.

A DV E RTO RIA L

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A Few Drops Can Change Your Life! You could feel better, lose weight or increase energy and mental clarity with a few drops of Natural Awakenings DETOXIFIED IODINE daily in water or topically on the skin. The supplementation of iodine, an essential component of the thyroid, has been reported to give relief from: • Depression • Weight Gain • Fibromyalgia • Low Energy • Hypothyroidism • Hyperthyroidism • Radiation • Bacteria • Viruses

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The Hidden Deficiency Having the proper amount of iodine in our system at all times is critical to overall health, yet the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition finds that iodine deficiency is increasing drastically in light of an increasingly anemic national diet of unpronounceable additives and secret, unlabeled ingredients. This deficit now affects nearly three-quarters of the population.

Causes of Iodine Deficiency

Radiation

Almost everyone is routinely exposed to iodine-depleting radiation

Low-Sodium Diets

Overuse of zero-nutrient salt substitutes in foods leads to iodine depletion

Iodized Table Salt

Iodized salt may slowly lose its iodine content by exposure to air

Bromine

A toxic chemical found in baked goods overrides iodine's ability to aid thyroid

Iodine-Depleted Soil Poor farming techniques have led to declined levels of iodine in soil

A Growing Epidemic Symptoms range from extreme fatigue and weight gain to depression, carpal tunnel syndrome, high blood pressure, fibrocystic breasts and skin and hair problems. This lack of essential iodine can also cause infertility, joint pain, heart disease and stroke. Low iodine levels also have been associated with breast and thyroid cancers; and in children, intellectual disability, deafness, attention deficient hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and impaired growth, according to studies by Boston University and the French National Academy of Medicine.

What to Do The easy solution is taking the right kind of iodine in the right dosage to rebalance thyroid function and restore health to the whole body. 39 natural awakenings February 2016

calendarofevents 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 www.NAHRT.com

markyourcalendar

FREE WELLNESS CLASS FIRST THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH

TRANSFORMING RELATIONSHIPS COME AS YOU ARE

6-7pm Learn to train your brain to improve your response to stressors in life. Don’t accept living with stress and don’t let it become your “normal”. Alternative Health, Inc. 625 New Park Ave, West Hartford Register: 860-218-2838

Workshop with Donna Baker-Gilroy, Psy.D. LPC and David Gilroy, Psy.D., LPC

FEBRUARY 13 Our unique approach is an integration of Body Centered Gestalt Psychotherapy, Mindfulness Practice, Attachment Theory, our own psychotherapy and individual life experiences. Open to people in any relationship. $100/Per Person $175/Per Couple

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6 Free Quick Healthy Hands On Kids Activity! – 11am-1pm. Live right with ShopRite Kids Day Event “Healthy Snacks” with Shana Griffin, Registered Dietitian. ShopRite of West Hartford, 46 Kane St, West Hartford. For more info: ShopRite.com.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7 Psychic & Wellness Fair – 9:30-4pm. Our many practitioners provide you their offerings at $20. Free experientials and demonstrations all day. See our website. Center for Progressive Therapies, 192 Hartford Rd, Manchester. 860-649 9600.

Hartford Family Institute’s Center for Healing Arts 17 S Highland St, West Hartford For more info or to register: 860-236-6009 HartfordFamilyInstitute.com

markyourcalendar ALIGN YOUR BODY, AWAKEN YOUR HEART With Todd Norian

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9 Free Cholesterol Screening at ShopRite of West Hartford – 10am-2pm. Get your numbers checked, it’s Heart Health Month. The Registered Dietitian will be available to answer your nutrition questions. No appointment necessary. ShopRite of West Hartford, 46 Kane St, West Hartford.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10 Working with Lemurian Crystals – 6:30-8:30pm. Includes hands on applications and techniques to maximize your personal growth using Lemurian Crystals, and an exciting guided meditation activation for connecting with Lemurian consciousness. $40/with pre-registration, $45/at door. Pure Health Wellness, 88 Day Hill Rd, Windsor. 860-219-1369.

10am-12:30pm and/or 1:30-3:30pm Join Todd Norian for a blend of therapeutic alignment techniques, positive heart virtues, and the empowering teachings of tantra philosophy. All levels. $50/10am or $40/1:30pm Save $10 when you register for both sessions. Journey of Yoga 730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury Reservations strongly encouraged: 860-680-1482, JourneyOfYoga.com

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15 Culinary Workshop for Kids – 12-1:30pm. Classic pie recipes and modern pie innovations geared especially for little bakers. Recipes include: Easy Shepherd’s Pie, Veggie Pie Pockets, and Pear-Raspberry Pie Bites. $20. ShopRite of West Hartford, 46 Kane St, West Hartford. To learn more and to register: Shoprite.com/culinary-workshop. The Guild Presents: Bradford W. Tilden – 7pm. Vibration is the root of all healing modalities. We are quantum, multidimensional beings with tremendous vibrational healing powers that manifest in infinite ways. Center for Progressive Therapies, 192 Hartford Rd, Manchester. 860-989-1238.

Hartford County Edition

www.NAHRT.com

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16 Essential Oils 101 Workshop – 5:30-6:30 pm. Learn how pure essential oils can greatly enhance your physical and emotional health - naturally, cost-effectively, and without dangerous side effects. Free. TFC Health Foods, 230 Farmington Ave, Farmington. Christine: 917-488-5788.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17 Culinary Workshop for Adults – 6-7:30pm. “Stem to Root.” Creative ways to eat the entire vegetable or fruit. Recipes included: Warm Grapefruit Peel Tea, Kale-Stem Pesto, and Swiss Chard Rib Gratin. $20. ShopRite of West Hartford, 46 Kane St, West Hartford. To learn more and to register: Shoprite.com/culinary-workshop.

markyourcalendar BASICS OF BELLY DANCE (3-Session Series) THURSDAYS FEBRUARY 18 - MARCH 3 7-8:15pm Ready to try something new? Be bold in 2016! Join us for Belly Dance Basics and discover this powerful, transformative, joy-filled practice. $59 Yoga Center of Collinsville 10 Front St, Collinsville Registration Required: 860-693-YOGA (9642) YogaCenterCollinsville.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18 Monthly Bird Walk – 1pm. Join Andy Rzeznikiewicz in search for wintering bird species. We will look for horned larks, ducks, hawks, sparrows, yellow-bellied sapsuckers and more. $5/CAS members, $10/non-members. Connecticut Audubon Society, Grassland Bird Conservation Center, 218 Day Rd, Pomfret Center. 860-928-4948. Love Your Body to Health – 7-8:30pm. Join us for an experienced chiropractor’s perspective on loving and living a healthy body and mindful posture. Sponsor: Alliance for Holistic Living; Presenter: Dr. Marian Vitali. Free, non-perishable food donation encouraged. The Conduit Center, 1227 Burnside Ave, Ste 1, East Hartford. 860-871-5467.

markyourcalendar YOGA NIDRA SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21 4:30-6pm Yoga nidra is a systematic method of inducing physical, mental, and emotional relaxation. Relax and prepare for the cooler, darker months ahead.

markyourcalendar HANDSTANDS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19 6-7:30pm Feel like the New Year deserves a new perspective? Come assemble the building blocks to move your practice off of your feet and onto your hands. $24 Yoga Center of Collinsville 10 Front St, Collinsville Registration Required: 860-693-YOGA (9642) YogaCenterCollinsville.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19 Coiling Silk Qigong – 1-5pm. Exercises gently open and close joints, improve posture and breathing, develop resilience and supple strength. $45. Spirit Matters at Ravenwood, 199 W Center St, Manchester. Register by 2/17: 860-742-5892.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20 Owl Walk – 7pm. Join our Sanctuary Manager in search of wintering owls. Attempt to find screech, barred, and great-horned owls. Program cancelled due to inclement weather (rain, snow, high winds). $5/CAS members, $10/non-members. Connecticut Audubon Society, Grassland Bird Conservation Center, 218 Day Rd, Pomfret Center. 860-928-4948.

markyourcalendar ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION FORUM

Self-Directed, Homeschool and DIY Education

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21 1-4pm Learn about self-directed learning, homeschool resources, DIY education and join the discussion about local educational alternatives available now. Free True North Teen Learning Collins Axe Factory 95 Canal St, Collinsville Follow the footbridge below the rail trail www.TrueNorthTeens.org

$24

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25 Empowerment and Healing with the Voice and Crystal Bowls/Sonic Activation Concert with Bradford Tilden – 6:30-9:30pm. Push through your blockages and increase awareness about the innate power of creation and healing within you by connecting with higher self through your voice. Preregistration: $40/for workshop, $20/for concert, $50/for both. Pure Health Wellness, 88 Day Hill Rd, Windsor. 860-219-1369.

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Yoga Center of Collinsville 10 Front St, Collinsville

DEEP WINTER RESTORATIVE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26

Registration Required: 860-693-YOGA (9642) YogaCenterCollinsville.com

6:30-8pm

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22 Gemstone Therapy Study Group: Gemstones to Support Physical Self-Healing – 7- 8:30pm. To support healing, first balance, harmonize, and uplift the energetic counterparts. Get hands on experience wearing and working with gemstones. Perfect for beginners and energy workers. $20/in advance, $25/ at door. The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Dr, Glastonbury. 860-646-3063.

markyourcalendar GET YOUR DETOX ON!

with Holly Niles, Clinical Nutritionist

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23 6:30-7:30pm Everyone is talking about detox, but how does it work? Join us for this lecture that gives you the ‘411’ on what detoxification is all about. Free Integrative Wellness & Physical Therapy 34 Jerome Avenue, Suite 305, Bloomfield 860-519-1916 Info@IntegrativeWellnessAndPT.com

markyourcalendar EAT WELL BE HAPPY Free 6-Week Weight Management Series! WEDNESDAYS Starts FEBRUARY 24

This luxurious, passive practice allows you to drop deeply into poses as props safely support you, allowing all the body systems to harmonize. $24 Yoga Center of Collinsville 10 Front St, Collinsville Registration Required: 860-693-YOGA (9642) YogaCenterCollinsville.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26 The Conduit’s Gong Meditation Concert – 7-8:30pm. Gong journeymen perform a meditative landscape of sound using various singing bowls, gongs, and bells to rebalance, and find mindbody bliss. All props are provided. $22/pre-pay. The Conduit Center, 1227 Burnside Ave #1, East Hartford. 860-888-4314.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27 Creativity Through Construction - Ages 7 and Up – 10-11am. Explore the fun and imagination that comes with architecture and construction. Activities will be oriented around bridges, tunnels, and other building structures. Science, technology, engineering and math. $7/per child CAS members, $14/per child non-members. Connecticut Audubon Society, Grassland Bird Conservation Center, 218 Day Rd, Pomfret Center. Registration required: 860-928-4948. Dyad Meditation Day – 12-6pm. Have you ever wanted to deepen your sense of self? Authentically relate with others? Connect to a sense of well being? Don’t miss out. $39/ preregister, $49/day of. Vital Life Center, 100 W Main St, Plainville. 860-479-0466.

6-7:30pm Each session a different topic will be discussed, such as meal planning, importance of protein and fiber, label reading, cooking for weight loss, hydration, etc. ShopRite of West Hartford 46 Kane St, West Hartford For more info or to register by 2/19: Shana. Griffin@wakefern.com.

THURSDAY, MARCH 3 The Conduit’s Gong Meditation Concert – 7-8:30pm. Gong journeymen perform a meditative landscape of sound using various singing bowls, gongs, and bells to rebalance, and find mindbody bliss. All props are provided. $22/pre-pay. The Conduit Center, 1227 Burnside Ave #1, East Hartford. 860-888-4314.

natural awakenings

February 2016

calendarofevents markyourcalendar GEMSTONE THERAPY 101 WORKSHOP FRIDAY-SUNDAY MARCH 4-6 All Day Learn how to work with therapeutic gemstones to awaken innate healing abilities and to resolve energetic causes of disharmony for yourself and others. For beginners and experienced. $395 Homewood Suites by Hilton Hartford/Windsor Locks Advance Registration Required: 860-646-3063 Education@gemformulas.com LearnGem.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 4 Sound Healing Meditation with Tala Durso of Sacred Alignment – 7-9pm.

* OFsFhips % 0 r 2 Membe

Let this sound healing with intention support you for a deep journey into the self to increase personal power, self acceptence and interconnectedness. $40/ in advance, $50/at door. Vital Life Center, 100 W Main St, Plainville. 860-479-0466.

New pecial uary S Febr

Find Your Natural Valentine

The Conduit Yoga’s Nidra with Gentle Sound – 7-8:15pm. Join an intimate group for guided imagery meditation in a resting pose, accompanied with live gentle gong and singing bowl vibrations by Conduit artisans. $25/pre-pay. The Conduit Center, 1227 Burnside Ave #1, East Hartford. 860-888-4314.

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oin the largest database of health-conscious and ecominded, spiritual singles. This February, receive a 20% Valentine’s Day discount* on new memberships using refferal code “NASingles”!

UNIVERSAL WHITE TIME GEMSTONE HEALING LEVEL II Practitioner Certification Course With Bradford Tilden, Instructor

MARCH 5-6 9am-6pm Covers color and crystal relations, and developing higher aspects of consciousness. Classes do not need to be taken in order. Manual, initiation, and certification included. $375/With pre-registration, $400/After 2/19 Financing available

* Offer good Monday, Feb. 1 through Monday, Feb. 29

Try it for FREE at NaturalAwakeningsSingles.com 42

Hartford County Edition

www.NAHRT.com

Pure Health Wellness 88 Day Hill Rd, Windsor 860-219-1369 PureHealthOfCT.com

SATURDAY, MARCH 5 Bodhi Groove Kirtan Jam – 7-8:45pm. The Conduit presents a lively night of musical expression featuring Andrew Biagiarelli, Kalidasa Getter, and Craig Norton. Sing, dance, and enjoy ambient meditative musical stylings. $22/pre-pay. The Conduit Center, 1227 Burnside Ave #1, East Hartford. 860-888-4314.

SUNDAY, MARCH 6 The Conduit Sound & Restorative Yoga – 6-8pm. Relax, restore and renew as you enjoy the meditative vibrations of gongs and singing bowls while being guided through easy, gentle yogic postures supported with props. $35/pre-pay. Breathe More Yoga, 68 Hartford Tpke, Rte 30, Tolland. 860-375-0630.

SATURDAY, MARCH 27 Creativity Through Construction - Ages 7 and Up – 10-11am. Explore the fun and imagination that comes with architecture and construction. Activities will be oriented around bridges, tunnels, and other building structures. Science, technology, engineering and math. $7/per child CAS members, $14/per child non-members. Connecticut Audubon Society, Grassland Bird Conservation Center, 218 Day Rd, Pomfret Center. Registration required: 860-928-4948.

markyourcalendar HEALING RETREAT Wuyi Traditional Chinese Medicine MAY 2016 A unique, 10-day retreat to Fujian, China to experience meditation, Tai Chi, herbalism, acupuncture and Tui Na. Simply relax and learn or seek deeper healing. Prices Vary by Package Fujian, China Call 978-790-8888 or visit WuHealing.com

ongoingevents sunday Astrology with Pat Peabody – Afternoons by appointment. See website for details. $35. Center for Progressive Therapies, 192 Hartford Rd, Manchester. 860 989-1238. Restorative Yoga - All Levels – 9:30-10:45am. A luxurious class with passive postures done over props for a meditative practice allowing you to surrender layers of deeply held tension. Perfect for beginner and advanced yogis. $40/30 days, unlimited classes/new students. Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville. 860-693-9642. Unity Church Celebration Service – 10:3011:45am. Are you spiritual, but not religious? Experience oneness, acceptance, self-empowerment, transformation. Join us for affirmative prayer, singing, meditation, lesson, community, refreshments. Youth program - ages 2-18. Donations appreciated. Unity Church, 919 Ellington Rd, South Windsor. 860-289-8963. 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. Community Yoga – 5-6pm. All levels weekly community practice. Teachers vary. Free. Suggested donation to benefit Simsbury ABC Program. Journey of Yoga, 730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury. 860-680-1482. 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.

monday Vinyasa Yoga – Monday through Friday. 9-10:15am. Keep your resolution for 2016. All students welcome, modifications offered. $20/drop in, or class pass/membership. Journey of Yoga, 730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury. 860-680-1482. All-Levels Power Yoga – 9:30-10:45am. Our signature, power vinyasa (flow) class in a heated room. Baptiste influenced, it’s strong and challenging, a meditation in motion. No pre-registration required. $18/drop-in. 163 Albany Tpke, Ste 400, Canton. SanctuaryPowerYoga.com. All-Levels Power Yoga – 9:30-10:45am. Our signature, power vinyasa (flow) class in a heated room. Baptiste influenced, it’s strong and challenging, a meditation in motion. No pre-registration required. $18/drop-in. 23 Franklin St, Torrington. SanctuaryPowerYoga.com.

tuesday

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. $40/30 days, unlimited classes/new students. Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville. 860-693-9642. Gentle Yoga for Strength – Mondays and Fridays. 10:30-11:45am. Enjoy an accessible, gentle practice designed to help you cultivate, maintain, and regain strength throughout the body. $20/drop in or class pass/membership. Journey of Yoga, 730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury. 860-680-1482. Meditate Through the Madness – 6pm. Hosted by Torin Lee. Learn to manage the stress of life through mediation. $10. Oneida Holistic Health Center, 16 West Rd, Marlborough. Call to register: 860-467-6518. Tai Chi Class – 6-7pm. Practiced to achieve therapeutic benefits, as well as, to promote balance and to improve flexibility and overall strength. $15. Wu Healing Center, 45 S Main St, Ste 100, West Hartford. 800-990-9332. Gentle Yoga – Monday through Thursday. 6-7:15pm. Relax, stretch, and breathe at these classes accessible to all students, even those recovering from injury, illness, or surgery. Modifications offered. $20/drop in or class pass/membership. Journey of Yoga, 730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury. 860-680-1482. Satsang Meditation – 6:30-8:30pm. 1st & 3rd Monday. Join our community for a group meditation. We will share a chant, a silent sit, a teaching and a discussion to support awakening consciousness. $15. Vital Life Center, 100 W Main St, Plainville. 860-479-0466. Meditation & Tea – 6:45-7:15pm. Meditation that includes gentle stretches, breathing exercises and chanting. You will feel centered and focused. We will serve tea after the practice. Donation - $5 suggested. Culteavo, 29 Mill St, Unionville. 860-470-5121. Metabolic Zone – 7-8pm. Our version of a cardio workout. Monitored by heart rate, burn calories, get your metabolism revving, and give you the cardiovascular benefits you are looking for. $20. YES Fitness, 292 Spielman Hwy, Burlington. 860-673-4293. 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. $40/30 days, unlimited classes/new students. Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville. 860-693-9642.

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. $40/30 days, unlimited classes/new students. Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville. 860-693-9642. Total Strength Class – 4:30-5:30pm. 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. Consortium of Unicorns – 6-7pm. This unique empowerment group will support you while you focus on reconnecting with yourself. Learn what true self worth, self-love looks and feels like. $20. The Beyond Center 281 Hartford Tpke, Ste 5G, Vernon. 860-899-4700. Emei Wujigong Qigong Group Practice – 6:307:30pm. Come and experience a qigong form for rebalancing and strengthening body, mind and spirit. All abilities welcome. All Wednesdays 5-6pm. 1st class free. Unitarian Meetinghouse, 50 Bloomfield Ave, Hartford. For more info, Diana: 860-461-0908. 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. 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.

wednesday Metabolic Zone – 6-7am. Our version of a cardio workout. Monitored by heart rate, burn calories, get your metabolism revving, and give you the cardiovascular benefits you are looking for. $20. YES Fitness, 292 Spielman Hwy, Burlington. 860-673-4293. 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. Gentle Yoga – 10:30-11:45am. Gently held postures for joint health and nurturing. $40/30 days, unlimited classes/new students. Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville. 860-693-9642. Emei Wujigong Qigong Group Practice – 12-1pm. Come experience a qigong form for rebalancing and

natural awakenings

February 2016

strengthening body, mind and spirit. All abilities welcome. All Thursdays except the 1st of the month, 6:30-7:30pm. $5, 1st class free. Holistic Therapies Classroom, 15 S Elm St, Wallingford. Info: EmeiQigongChan.com. Slow FlowYoga – 6-7pm. A slower, gentler flow that still incorporates many of the poses from our signature power class. No pre-registration required. $18/drop-in. 23 Franklin St, Torrington. SanctuaryPowerYoga.com.

thursday Move and Groove - Conscious Conditioning with Sandy Byrne – 8:45-10am. Fusing the expertise of conditioning athletes with yogic consciousness, this fun, energetic class will jump-start your metabolism and get your body feeling strong and supple. $16/ drop-in, class cards available. River Rock Yoga, 274 Silas Deane Hwy, Wethersfield. 860-757-3339. Bump Day – 10am-6pm. 60-minute prenatal massage or reflexology by Colleen Dumas, LMT and certified in prenatal care. Refreshments, raffle. $40. Oneida Holistic Health Center, 16 West Rd, Marlborough. Call for an appointment: 860-467-6518. 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. Qigong Group Healing and Silent Meditation – 6:30-8pm. 1st Thursday of the month. All levels of health addressed. No experience necessary. Fee: donation. Holistic Therapies Classroom, 15 South Elm St, Wallingford. Contact Pat for more info if this is 1st attendance: 203-500-6492. 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. $40/30 days, unlimited classes/new students. Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville. 860-693-9642.

friday

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. Meditation & Tea – 6:45-7:15am. Meditation that includes gentle stretches, breathing exercises and chanting. You will feel centered and focused. We will serve tea after the practice. $5 suggested donation. Culteavo, 29 Mill Street, Unionville. 860-470-5121. Total Strength Class Training – 7:15-8:15am. 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 – 9:30-10:45am. In this class you will experience gently held postures and breathing tech-

Hartford County Edition

niques that will calm your mind, relax your body and improve your flexibility. $15.95. Vital Life Center, 100 W Main St, Plainville. 860-479-0466. Reiki Share – 6-8 pm. 1st Friday. Meet other trusted practitioners and make personal and professional connections. Learn new techniques and get inspiration from the way others practice this healing modality. You will have an opportunity to give and receive reiki. All levels and lineages welcome. Free, donations accepted. Hosted by Andrea Frasier, RMT, CCH at Yoga Born, South Windsor. RSVP by Thursday: 843-467-7918.

saturday Metabolic Zone – 7:30-8:30am. Our version of a cardio workout. Monitored by heart rate, burn calories, get your metabolism revving, and give you the cardiovascular benefits you are looking for. $20. YES Fitness, 292 Spielman Hwy, Burlington. 860-673-4293. 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. $40/30 days unlimited classes (new students). Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville. 860-693-9642. All-Levels Power Yoga – 8-9am. Our signature, power vinyasa (flow) class in a heated room. Baptiste influenced, it’s strong and challenging, a meditation in motion. No pre-registration required. $18/ drop-in. 163 Albany Tpke, Ste 400, Canton. SanctuaryPowerYoga.com. Power Yoga – 9-10:15am. A vigorous class weaving yoga philosophy and body alignment through sequences that are designed to engage the entire body and to develop your practice. $40/30 days unlimited classes (new students). Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville. 860-693-9642. Tai Chi Class – 9-10am. Standing Qi Gong exercises for beginners flowing into the short form of Yang Style Tai Chi. $15. Wu Healing Center, 45 S Main St, Ste 100, West Hartford. 800-990-9332. Cat Adoption Open House – 10am-4pm. Protectors of Animals. 144 Main St, East Hartford. POAinc.org. Natural Weight Loss Seminar – 10am-12pm. Learn how tasty and vitamin-packed Aloe Vera drinks and supplements help you to lose and manage weight for a healthy, active life. Free. Bristol (call for address). RSVP: 860-372-8171. Belly Dance – 10:45am-12pm. Connect spirit and body through a sensual movement workout. Fusing yoga-based warm ups, belly dance techniques, and a cool-down meditation. Beginners and drop-ins welcome. $40/30 days, unlimited classes/new students. Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville. 860-693-9642. Free Yoga For Cancer Patients And Survivors! – 2/20-3/26. 11am-12pm. Fuller Yoga in Glastonbury in conjunction with CT Challenge will be offering Om For Life, a yoga class for cancer patients and survivors. Free. 2450 Main St, Glastonbury. 860430-9642.

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communityresourceguide

HAIR CARE STUDIO 3 SALON

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

THE GRADUATE INSTITUTE (TGI)

Stan Baker, L.Ac., Dipl.Ac. 645 Farmington Ave, Hartford 06105 860-836-1068 AcupunctureStanBaker.com Your acupuncture treatment plan will eliminate visible symptoms and signs, while addressing the root causes and underlying imbalances affecting the quality and quantity of your energy. See profile on page 29.

BUSINESS COACHING STRATEGIC IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.

34 Jerome Ave., Suite 304 Bloomfield, 06002 860-269-6544 StrategicImprovementAssociates.com

Accredited, non-profit graduate school offering holistic programs in contemporary and emerging fields. 203-874-4252 Learn.edu

HOLISTIC HEALTH

TGI offers holistic master’s degrees and certificate programs for adult learners. Programs include Integrative Health and Healing, Ecotherapy and Cultural Sustainability, Writing and Oral Tradition, Organizational Leadership, Integrative Health Coaching and Patient Navigation, and more. See ad on page 21.

ALTERNATIVE HEALTH, INC

625 New Park Ave West Hartford, 06110 860-218-2838 AlternativeHealthSpas.info Restore your health with a customized wellness program to strengthen your immune system. Lose weight, regain energy, improve skin and reduce reliance on prescription medications. See ad on page 2.

FERTILITY / WOMEN’S HEALTH

CENTER FOR PROGRESSIVE THERAPIES

LOTUS CENTER, LLC

192 Hartford Rd., Manchester 860-649-9600 C4PT.org

45 East Main St., Avon 860-987-3823 LotusCenter-LLC.com

Using a holistic approach, our Explore natural infertility community of practitioners treatments, prenatal massage, addresses your underlying childbirth and baby care classes, issues that are keeping you as well as treatments for from truly thriving and return endometriosis, painful you to optimum health. See ad For Individuals Aged 40-Plus intercourse,Specialized pelvic Coaching pain and on page 9. symptomsGoodbye, associated with Meds! menopause. See ad on page 24. GEMSTONE THERAPY INSTITUTE Hello, HealthytheLife! LearnGem.com Our personalized training methods reverse 860-646-3063 downward effects of aging, helping to avoid chronic medical conditions Education@GemFormulas.com such as, heart disease, diabetes, and bone density loss.

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Dr. Mike Maroon 39 Webster Square Rd,, Berlin 26 Shunpike Rd, Ste A, Cromwell 860-828-3933 AdvancedDental.com

Y.E.S. FITNESS

The premier dental practice in Central CT, dedicated to preserving your total health and wellness through safe, biocompatible dentistry including mercury removal, mercury-free and fluoride-free services. See ad on page 9.

EDUCATION HARTFORD FAMILY INSTITUTE

Center for Psychotherapy and Healing Arts 17 South Highland St., West Hartford, 06119 203-236-6009 HartfordFamilyInstitute.com

A cutting edge Psycho-therapy & Training Center since 1969. Treatment includes in-depth body emotional work, energy healing, shamanic spiritual healing, illness & trauma work. Training also offered for psychotherapists & healers. See ad on page 7.

Hartford County Edition

A full-service salon offering certified organic colors and perm processes that provide the ultimate coverage with no corrosive hair damage while improving the work environment by eliminating hazardous fumes. See ad on page 12.

EDUCATION

ACCUPUNCTURE OF GREATER HARTFORD

350 Silas Deane Hwy., Wethersfield, 06109 860-518-4674 Studio3-Salon.com

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FLOATATION THERAPY A HEALING TRAIL WELLNESS CENTER 500 Burlington Rd., Harwinton Call 860-519-1916 860-485-0405 Massage4CT.com to schedule your FREE private consultation

Reduce stress andatrelieve pain in our wellness center! our private float rooms with changing area, shower and float bath. Also offering extensive therapeutic and sports massage, hypnotherapy, reiki and more. See ad on page See ad on page 11.

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Our primary focus INTEGRATIVE WELLNESS & is to help you A Winning Treatment Philosophyfind your way to pain-free health! PHYSICAL THERAPY We care for you with a holistic and functional health approach. We focus on discovering the source of your issues, and then we customize a treatment plan according to your exact needs, drawing on

Call NOW to schedule your FREE a variety of holistic techniques including manual305 therapy, holistic physical therapy, personal training, 34 Jerome Ave., Suite nutrition and other wellness services. private consultation at our Bloomfield, 06002 860-519-1916 Your Health is Our Priority Wellness Center! 860-519-1916 We want to get you back in the game and return you to a pain-free, active and fun lifestyle as soon as Info@IntegrativeWellnessAndPT.com possible and for many years to come. 34 Jerome Avenue, Suite 305 Bloomfield, CT 06002

T: 860-519-1916 | F: 860-986-6756 34 Jerome Avenue, Suite 305, CT 06002 We specialize in Bloomfield, using holistic and advanced Physical info@IntegrativeWellnessandPT.com Info@IntegrativeWellnessAndPT.com • www.IntegrativeWellnessAndPT.com Therapy, Manual Therapywww.IntegrativeWellnessandPT.com and comprehensive Nutritional Wellness to find and treat the underlying causes of pain and dysfunction. Our team works together to help you achieve pain-free living. See ads on pages 2 and 19.

Medicare Accepted

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SPIRIT OF THE LOTUS

Robin Barros, IMT-C, CSC-C, CSCA, CPLC-A, , is guided to help you release physical, mental & spiritual baggage, carried for years, lives or generations. Are you living life to it’s fullest? See ad on page 8.

ProNatural Physician’s Group 120 Webster Square Rd, Berlin 860-829-0707 ProNaturalPhysicians.com Preventive and whole body medicine offered by an integrated team of doctors, nurses, counselors and other practitioners dedicated to treating you as an individual. See ad on page 14.

LIFE COACHING Oneida Holistic Health Center 16 West Rd., Marlborough 860-467-6518 TheOCenter.net

315 East Center St., Manchester 860-533-0179 CTNaturalHealth.com

NUTRITION

MASSAGE

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PRONATURAL PHYSICIAN’S GROUP Brian Cameron, LMT 120 Webster Square Rd, Berlin 860-829-0707 ProNaturalPhysicians.com

Preventive and whole body medicine offered by an integrated team of doctors, nurses, counselors and other practitioners dedicated to treating you as an individual. See ad on page 14.

10 Front St., Collinsville, 06019 860-693-YOGA (9642) info@YogaCenterCollinsville.com YogaCenterCollinsville.com

Get serious about your health and talk to a professional. Personalized nutrition counseling helps you make permanent lifestyle changes to lose and maintain your weight. See ad on page 18.

Holly has 25 years experience in natural health. Her approach is to help individuals find practical ways to enjoy making healthy changes to create wellness. Holly specializes in 2-14-65 Functional Medicine and Functional gd R1: fr Nutrition. See ads on pages 2 and R2: 19.

Free Nutrition Services NICOLE DEROSSA

ShopRite – Joseph Markets with our in-store Family Registered Dietitians

110 Albany Tpke, Canton ShopRite is committed to keeping you and your 860-693-3666 family eating well without breaking the bank.

R3:

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Thai Yoga Massage uniquely blends elements of acupressure, Yoga, reflexology, physiotherapy, a meditation to improve posture, breathing, flexibility, digestion and circulation. Muscles are stretched, inner organs toned and emotional and nervous tension is reduced. See ad on page 3.

Owen James, Director Manchester/East Hartford 860-888-4314 www.TheConduitCenter.com Conduit musicians use gongs, singing bowls and other instruments for effortless relaxation, and personal growth. Sounds deepen other healing practices like yoga and massage therapy. See ad on page 31.

YOGA

34 Jerome Ave., Suite 305 Bloomfield, 06002 860-519-1916 Info@IntegrativeWellnessAndPT.com

YOGA CENTER OF COLLINSVILLE

THE CONDUIT CENTER

Jane Grant, RD CD-N 37 Webster Square Rd., Berlin 860-357-2282

INTEGRATIVE WELLNESS & PHYSICAL THERAPY

MASSAGE - THAI YOGA

Sandy Duffy, Mindfulness Coach 860-777-7316 ThePresentYou.com

ShopRite’s registered dietitian is your resource to answer nutrition questions, provide menu ideas and tips to help your family live healthier. Call today for help. See ad on page 33.

WELLNESS CENTER

Receive sustainable and natural solutions for health conditions to address the cause of disease, not only the symptoms. We combine science with the wisdom of nature. See ad on page 13.

Certified coach and pastoral counselor bringing 20 years of training and business experience to help you grow from where you are and where you’d like to be. See ad on page 10.

THE PRESENT YOU

ShopRite – Joseph Family Markets 46 Kane St., West Hartford 860-233-1713 Shana.Griffin@wakefern.com

CONNECTICUT NATURAL HEALTH SPECIALISTS

TORIN LEE

MINDFULLNESS

SHANA GRIFFIN, RDN, CD-N

DR. ANN ARESCO

860-4709-3903 SpiritOfTheLotus.org

NUTRITION

ShopRite’s registered dietitian is your resource to answer nutrition questions, provide menu ideas and tips to help your family live healthier. Call today for help. See ad on page 33.

Inspiring health and happiness with every individual who steps through our door by offering Beginner, Hot Power, Vinyasa, Gentle, and Restorative classes throughout the day. See ad on page 17.

YOGA CENTER OF COLLINSVILLE 10 Front St., Collinsville, 06019 860-693-YOGA (9642) Info@YogaCenterCollinsville.com YogaCenterCollinsville.com

Experience yoga in the vibrant surroundings of historic Collins- ville. Morning / evening classes available: Beginners, Gentle, Mixed, Advanced, Yogalates, Belly Dance and yoga for Kids. Drop-ins welcome! New student special: $40 for one month of unlimited yoga classes. See ad on page 3.

Shana Griffin, RD

Retail Dietitian 860.693.3666 shana.griffin@wakefern.com

FREE Nutrition Services Include: n Educational Group Store Tours n Cooking Demos & Food Tastings n Kid’s Healthy Eating Events n Community Health & Wellness Programs

Log onto shoprite.com and click on the Health and Wellness section, where you can view a calendar of health events that are happening in your local area.

natural awakenings 4/C

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Private coaching to begin your unique, personal mindfulness journey. Learn to use everyday Nicole DeRosa, RD activities and all your senses to Registered Dietitian 860.693.3666 reduce stress and control racingnicole.derosa@wakefern.com thoughts. See ad on page 13.

JOURNEY OF YOGA

February 2016

Hartford County Edition