2015-04 Natural Awakenings of Greater Hartford by Nicole Miale

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NATURE’S WISDOM Its Lessons Inspire, Heal and Sustain Us

MASTERING SPRING EDIBLE THE FORCE GREENING FORAGING The Martial Arts Hold Deep Inner Lessons

Easy Ways to Detox a House

The Ultimate in Sustainable Nutrition

April 2015 | Greater Hartford County Edition | www.NAHRT.com

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34 Jerome Avenue, Suite 305 Bloomfield, CT 06002 T: 860-519-1916 | F: 860-986-6756 34 Jerome Avenue, Suite 305, Bloomfield, CT 06002 info@IntegrativeWellnessandPT.com Info@IntegrativeWellnessAndPT.com • www.IntegrativeWellnessAndPT.com www.IntegrativeWellnessandPT.com

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Medicare Accepted

natural awakenings

April 2015

letterfrompublisher The environment is not separate from ourselves; we are inside it and it is inside us; we make it and it makes us. ~ Davi Kopenawa Yanomami, Amazon shaman.

Read more on page 26.

Publisher Shawn Cole Publisher@NAHRT.com Editorial and Design Alison Chabonais Linda Sechrist Julie Peterson Kathy Zygmont Stephen Gray Blancet Steve Hagewood Julee Bode Erica Mills Darcy St. Onge Alissa Johnson Colleen Brunetti Advertising and Marketing 860-507-6392 Ads@NAHRT.com Customer Service Hotlines Phone: 860-507-6392 Fax: 860-357-6034 Website: www.NAHRT.com

© 2015 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. 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.

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Hartford County Edition

The temperatures are warming and the sun is shining brighter and longer each day. I have only one word to sum up how I feel: “HURRAY!” There are patches of green grass appearing where, for months, there was only snow. My nursery trays are full of tiny kale, basil and cilantro seedlings. Joyful sprouts, waiting for the ground to warm a bit more. Spring is a time of change and growth and for me, it’s especially important after the long, cold winter. Many of us were probably inside our warm homes even more than normal these past few months, but now we will be beckoned to venture out more as the weather and scenery improves. It feels so good to linger outside again (as opposed to running from the car to the building for fear of frostbite). But why does it feel so good? It’s not just that the temps are warmer; it’s something deeper and ultimately comforting. From ancient philosophers like Aristotle, through more recent American philosophers like Thoreau to modern-day Amazonian Shaman like Yanomami, many have postulated on our need for Nature to be truly healthy and happy. Today, scientists are researching this topic and there’s data coming that quantifies the healthful effects of spending an hour in nature. No surprise, but it’s been proven to be really good for us. Learn more in our feature article, Natures Wisdom. April brings the Annual World Tai Chi & Qigong Day on the last Saturday of the month. To celebrate, local Qigong and Tai Chi teachers are holding a variety of workshops and ongoing classes. These are ancient Taoist practices for health and wellness, much like Yoga is. To learn more, check out our Event Spotlight and our Calendar of Events to see many more Qigong and Tai Chi workshops scheduled to take place from Colchester to Collinsville, and everywhere in between, in the coming weeks. In April and early May, there are educational opportunities to learn other energy work and stress-blasting practices like Reiki, Yoga and Reflexology. These include training programs where you can learn to perform or teach these modalities – perhaps enabling a new career or providing life-enhancing experiences for your family and friends. Check these out in our News Briefs and our Calendar of Events. Wishing us all a beautiful, healthful spring. Naturally Yours, Shawn

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contents 13

6 newsbriefs 10 eventspotlights 12 healthbriefs 14 globalbriefs 18 naturalliving

14 8 directory 30 healingways 32 wisewords

34 greenliving 36 consciouseating 34 38 fitbody 39 inspiration 40 calendar 45 classifieds 46 resourceguide

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.

26 NATUREâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S WISDOM Its Lessons Inspire, Heal and Sustain Us by Christine MacDonald

30 SPRING GREENING

Easy Ways to Detox a House by Lane Vail

32 EDIBLE FORAGING IN CONNECTICUT

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

34 HOME-GROWN

ORGANIC MADE EASY by Barbara Pleasant

36 THE FOOD ARTISANS Homemade Delicacies, Direct from Our Neighbors by Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko

38 MASTERING

THE FORCE The Martial Arts Hold Deep Inner Lessons

Submit ALL Calendar Events on our website at www.NAHRT.com. Due dates for the calendar: the 10th of the month prior to publication.

by Eric Stevens

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.

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The Ultimate in Sustainable Nutrition by The Institute Of Sustainable Nutrition

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39 DEEPENING YOUR YOGA PRACTICE by Maggie Rueda

natural awakenings

April 2015

newsbriefs Colon Hydrotherapy Center Relocates

Reiki I, II and III Certification Classes

onstance Jones announces the opening her Colon Hydrotherapy Practice at a new location in Manchester and welcomes Jonathan Ritz, ND, as her new supervising physician. Colon Hydrotherapy, also known as colonic, colon cleansing or colonic irrigation, is the process of cleansing the colon through safe, gentle infusions of warm, filtered water into and out Constance Jones of the rectum and large intestine using no chemicals or drugs. Jones says “my techniques are hygienic and comfortable and I use disposable equipment and multi-filtered, purified water within a closed FDA-registered system.” Jones, who has been in practice since 1980, was awarded the I-ACT Colon Hydrotherapist of the Year 2014 and is New England’s senior therapist. Center for Progressive Therapies (C4PT), 192 Hartford Road in Manchester. For more information on the health benefits of colon hydrotherapy or to schedule an appointment, call Constance at 860-287-4558 or visit CleanMyColon.com. See ad on page 25.

eiki certification classes are being offered by Andrea Frasier, certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher, Lightarian Reiki Master, and certified crystal healer will lead the classes at Yoga Born in South Windsor. Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of healing, stress reduction, and self-improvement that everyone can use. It always creates a beneficial effect and can be used in conjunction with medical or therapeutic techniques. Most recipients report that it produces a calming effect, providing enhanced inner peace and serenity. An amazingly simple technique to learn, the ability to use Reiki is not taught in the usual sense, but is transferred to the student during a Reiki class. This ability is passed on during an “attunement” given by a Reiki master and allows the new practitioner to tap into an unlimited supply of “life force energy” to enhance the quality of life for oneself, others, and even pets. Classes will be offered in Reiki Level I on Saturday, May 2, in Reiki Level II on Sunday, May 3 and Reiki Level III on Saturday, May 9. Master Teacher Classes are available by appointment. Early bird pricing is available for registrations completed by April 19th. Andrea Frasier is a certified Reiki Master/Teacher (RMT) and offers Reiki sessions and training at Yoga Born, 1735 Ellington Rd (at the Stop & Shop plaza), South Windsor. To register, visit YogaBorn.com or call 860-432-5678. For more information or to register, call Andrea Frasier at 843-467-7918. See ad on page 6.

Take Charge of Your Health with Yoga and Reiki

Therapeutic Yoga and Reiki Improve Your Life

a CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT YOUR STRESS? We can help you learn to relax. When you slow down to reinforce your desire for balance you alleviate anxiety. It will become easier to soothe yourself regardless of what life throws at you!

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When you allow for your body and mind to work together, they enhance each other. Reiki invites healing life force in. Yoga creates pathways for energy to move freely. You can feel better than ever!

a DETOXING THE BODY AND MIND JUST BECAME EASIER!

The best part of your week will be releasing thoughts and feelings that hold you back from living a life you love. Reiki and Yoga help cleanse blockages to speed up the healing process. Now is the time to become a healthier - happier you.

1735 Ellington Rd • South Windsor, CT • Request Appointments at www.YogaBorn.com 6

Hartford County Edition

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Introductory Workshops for Professional Training Program

Holistic Violin Instructor Offers Private Lessons

he Hartford Family Institute is offering four-hour workshops designed for psychotherapists, energy healers, body workers, health professionals and integrative health practitioners. The professional training program is designed to enable these professionals to feel optimistic about their work while working effortlessly with all emotional, relationship and illness issues. The program focuses on common areas of healing including trauma work, bonding ad attachment, how childhood trauma creates illness, spirituality, mindfulness and psychotherapy and Buddhist conflict resolution. Workshops will be held on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 16, June 13, July 11, August 8 and September 12.

s life grows more complex and challenging, people are turning to coaches for inspiration, encouragement and direction. To meet this growing demand, the Coaching Excellence Institute will offer a Life Coach Certification course in Windsor, CT at the Marriott on April 18-19th. These trainings will be led by MaryAnn D’Ambrosio, MBA, PhD, giving participants the benefit of her twenty plus years of teaching and coaching experience. If you’ve got a passion to help others, this content-rich training will equip you with the insights, skills and strategies needed to build a profitable coaching practice. Our proven system is easy to implement and it will allow you to coach anyone with both clarity and confidence.

haring the Gifts violin studio is currently accepting students of all ages from 2 years old and up. Depending on the skill level of each student, violinist and certified music teacher Shelby Ricks uses a variety of method books during instruction, including Solos for Young Violinists, Suzuki, Sassmannshaus, Introducing the Positions, Schradieck and Wolfhart. With a Bachelor of Science in music education, Ricks believes that everyone can learn the violin, but it’s essential that each student has a support system. “I provide a relaxing and calm environment where students are able to enjoy every moment of their violin journey,” Ricks says. “Not only do I want to help every student learn the instrument, but also I want to deal with the overall person. It’s never too late to be great.”

For additional information please call 980-263-2600 or 860-924-6992 or visit CoachingExcellenceInstitute.com. See ad on page 30.

For more information, contact Shelby Ricks at 860-463-3422.

Hartford Family Institute, 17 South Highland St, West Hartford. To register or for more information, call 860-236-6009, visit HartfordFamilyInstitute.com or email info@hartfordfamilyinstitute.com. See ad on page 31.

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April 2015

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Natural Awakenings Earns Top Franchise Business Award

N www.ConduitCT.com 860-888-4314 East Hartford/Manchester

Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature. ~Gerard de Nerval

atural Awakenings has been ranked in the best 50 in its size class among 200 companies named in the Franchise Business Review’s 2015 Top Franchises Report. The healthy living magazine was one of five franchise companies cited as best-in-class in the advertising and sales category. To select the top franchises across industries and performance categories, the organization surveyed more than 28,500 franchisees. “We feel privileged that it was our franchisees’ expression of high satisfaction that earned us this award,” says Sharon Bruckman, CEO of Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. “Gaining this recognition proves that our process of providing franchisees with editorial, promotional and operational support, partnered with their enthusiastic dedication in individual markets, serves communities well. Together, we are nourishing and growing a healthy living consciousness in America.” The network now encompasses nearly 100 franchisees nationwide and in Puerto Rico. Franchise Business Review, headquartered in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is a national franchise market research firm that performs independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction and franchise buyer experiences. 2015 marked its 10th annual Top Franchises Report. For more information, call Anna Romano at 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com and FranchiseBusinessReview.com. See ad, page 17.

Nature always wears the colors of the spirit. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson 8

Hartford County Edition

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natural awakenings

April 2015

eventspotlight Visiting Qigong Master and Local Teacher Offering Workshops

Master Joe Lok

Collins Company Factory Building on the Farmington River, Collinsville, CT

oga Center of Collinsville will host both a visiting Qigong Master and a local senior teacher and qigong practitioner for workshops on May 1st and 2nd. Qigong and Tai Chi are ancient Taoist practices from China used to ensure health and vitality by promoting the flow of chi (energy) through the body. Workshops will be led by Master Joe Lok, founder of Phoenix Alchemy Qigong and the Natural Energy Academy of Hong Kong and Risa Brophy, B.S., MQT, who has been teaching Tai Chi and Qigong for more than 20 years and has specialized training in Medical Qigong Therapy. Brophy will lead the Introduction to Qigong Workshop on Friday, May 1st, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Registration is $25. This workshop is the perfect warm-up to Master Lokâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s workshops on Saturday. Participants will get a brief introduction to Qigong theory and the bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s energy system according to 10

Hartford County Edition

Chinese Medicine. Attendees will also try a set of simple qigong exercises along with self-massage techniques for stimulating acupressure and neurolymphatic reflex points to maintain health and relieve stress. Beginner Workshop with Master Joe Lok will be Saturday, May 2nd, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration is $65. Lok will cover the fundamentals of chi and how energy works in the body. Participants will learn how cultivating energy through practice of qigong and tai chi promotes good health. Instruction will also include a few movements with direct, hands-on instruction. Attendees will notice the exciting experience of energy flow in the movements almost instantly. Advanced Workshop with Master Joe Lok will be Saturday, May 2nd, from 2 to 5 p.m. Registration is $75. This workshop is designed for students with a good knowledge and practice of Qigong or Tai Chi. This session will

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help attendees explore the legendary qi and develop a deeper sensation. This experience will continue to develop insight of participants and if desired, prepare them for instructing tai chi and qigong. All three workshops will be held in Collinsville. The Intro to Qigong workshop will be held at Yoga Center of Collinsville (10 Front St, Ste 102). The Beginner and Advanced workshops will be held at the Canton Town Hall Auditorium (4 Market St). Master Lok and Brophy are also available for individual energy healing sessions by appointment during the weekend. Brophy offers weekly qigong medical therapy sessions and qigong group and private classes. For more information or to register, visit YogaCenterCollinsville.com/QIGONG or call 860-693-9642. See ad on page 16.

eventspotlight Marketing and Coaching Workshop for Holistic and Wellness Professionals

tteDr health!

r. Dori Gatter, LPC, a psychotherapist for more than 20 years, is providing a workshop to support practifeel better? tioners and healers in becoming heartcentered and spiritually aligned toward to better health! a successful business. The workshop is for therapists, acupuncturists, chiropractors or anyone building a business in the healing arts professions. Gatter’s workshop will focus on identifying and working through personal and professional blocks that prevent

L THERAPY

ust about everything... l not getting better?

nging issues like joint pain, headaches women’s health issues, allergies and ntegrative approach can help you.

Dr. Dori Gatter, LPC holistic and wellness professionals from being successful. She will also teach attendees how to create and build an abundant and satisfying private practice, navigate website and internet marketing and social media, and how to build a practice from authenticity and creativity. The workshop is Saturday, April 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, April 12, from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Hartford Family Institute. Cost is $250, CEUs are available.

Register online at HartfordFamilyInstitute.com. Hartford Family Institute, 17 South Highland St, West Hartford. For more information, call 860-236-6009 x108 or email Info@HartfordFamilyInstitute.com. Dr. Dori Gatter, LPC is the founder of Temple of Success Private Practice Coaching Training Program. DrDoriGatter.com. See ad on page 31.

Return to an Active, Pain-Free Life!

r specializing in holistic Physical Therapy, erapy (IMT) and nutritional wellness. skilled, practicing Physical Therapy ng njoyiyears! ly for more than E250 e’re e W

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focus is to help you y to pain-free health! schedule your FREE

onsultation at our enter! 860-519-1916

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Medicare Accepted

Back Pain

Headaches and Migraines

Joint Pain or Injury

Fatigue or Low Energy

Back pain is our specialty. Using manual therapy and holistic physical therapy, we discover and treat the underlying causes of your pain.

Pain from an injury or recurring joint pain can be caused by many factors including inflammation, poor alignment of the pelvis and low back, and more. We’ll find the cause and help restore your health and comfort with customized holistic treatments.

Chronic headaches and migraines create debilitating pain. We’ll help you find and treat the source of the pain and get you back to pain-free living.

Imagine having the energy to do everything you want every day. We can discover the source of your fatigue and using holistic therapies, treat most common causes including joint restrictions, inflammation, poor circulation, and even poor digestion.

34 Jerome Avenue, Suite 305, Bloomfield, CT 06002 Info@IntegrativeWellnessAndPT.com • www.IntegrativeWellnessAndPT.com natural awakenings

April 2015

healthbriefs

Acupuncture Increases Quality of Life for Allergy Sufferers

esearch from Berlin’s Charité University Medical Center suggests that acupuncture is an effective treatment for patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, in 2013, the study analyzed data on the costs and quality of life of 364 allergy patients that had been randomly assigned to receive one of three treatments: rescue medication alone (taken when symptoms are greatest); acupuncture treatment plus rescue medication; or sham (non-therapeutic) acupuncture plus rescue medication. Patients receiving acupuncture incurred higher total treatment costs, but also gained significantly more quality of life compared with the rescue medication-only groups.

THE COLOR GREEN MAKES EXERCISE FEEL EASIER

esearch from the University of Essex, in England, suggests that viewing natural green images while exercising may be better than being exposed to other colors. The researchers tested 14 people doing moderate-intensity cycling while watching video footage of predominantly gray, red or green imagery. Each of the participants underwent three cycling tests—one with each of the videos— along with a battery of physiological and mood testing. The researchers found that when the subjects watched the green-colored video, they had better moods, with a lower relative perception of exertion than when they exercised while watching the red and grey videos. They also found those that exercised while watching the red video experienced greater feelings of anger during their exercise.

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As one of the world’s most ancient forms of therapeutic relief, massage therapy and bodywork promote health in everyday life. Bodywork delivers numerous benefits to the immune, circulatory, and nervous systems, allowing the body to benefit from a sense of homeostasis or total body balancing.

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Hartford County Edition

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Olive Oil Boosts Healthy Cholesterol

n an effort to understand what makes olive oil so good for heart health, a study from Europe’s Cardiovascular Risk and Nutrition Research Group and the U.S. National Institutes of Health has found that olive oil’s polyphenols significantly increase the size of highdensity lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL) in the blood and enhance the HDL’s ability to inhibit formation of the abnormal fatty deposits, known as plaque, within the walls of arteries. Polyphenols are natural compounds from plants known to help prevent cancer and heart disease. In the three-week study, researchers isolated the effect of polyphenols by dividing 47 healthy European men into two groups: one ate a diet containing polyphenol-poor olive oil and the other consumed polyphenol-rich olive oil. The enriched diet resulted in increased size, fluidity and stability (resistance to oxidation) of the HDL molecules by reducing their triglyceride core. The researchers note that the oxidation of cholesterol lipids such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is linked with arteriosclerosis.

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. ~Lao Tzu

Local Toxins Increase Risk of Autism

onfirming previous findings, a large study from the University of Chicago has found that autism is linked to toxic environmental exposure. The research examined data from nearly a third of the U.S. population, which showed that both autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disabilities increased as exposure increased in region-by-region testing. The research measured clusters of autism incidence together with exposure rates in different counties and states across the country. The areas with greater environmental toxin exposures had significantly increased autism rates. The correlation was significant among both boys and girls, but stronger among girls. Proximity to urban areas also increased autism incidence. For every 1 percent increase in urbanization, there was about a 3 percent rise in autism and intellectual disabilities. Influential toxins include pesticides, plasticizers, lead and pharmaceuticals.

Strawberries Reduce Blood Pressure

study published in the World Journal of Diabetes concluded that the regular consumption of a flavonoid-rich strawberry beverage reduces blood pressure in people with Type 2 diabetes. The study divided 36 subjects, all with moderately high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes, into two groups—the first drank the equivalent of one serving of fresh strawberries per day made from freeze-dried berries, and the other group drank the same amount of an imitation strawberry-flavored drink over a six-week period. Blood pressure was tested at the beginning and end of the study for all participants. At the end, the group drinking the real strawberry beverage registered significantly lower diastolic blood pressure than at the outset; it was also lower than the imitation strawberry group. The average diastolic blood pressure of the group drinking real strawberries went down by 6.5 percent and the systolic dropped by 12 percent. The strawberry-flavored group’s systolic blood pressure was also reduced, but only by 3.7 percent.

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Reduce Stress with Reiki

tress is commonly recognized as a major contributor to many illnesses. What can people do to take charge of their health through a reduction of stress? Reiki is one healing modality that has an extremely calming effect, filling the recipient with a sense of inner peace and serenity that reduces stress. Experiencing reiki can help release energy blocks, which allows the body to connect to its own ability to heal. Through a series of treatments, recipients generally feel clearer and connected on all levels. “Whether you are interested in improving your health, your thinking or how you feel (which are all connected), reiki can support you in that process,” says Andrea Frasier, certified Reiki Master, whose treatment specialties include depression, dis-ease, stress, pain, emotional issues, low self-esteem, chronic illness, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue and thoughts as well as feelings that hold people back. Andrea Frasier is a certified Reiki Master/Teacher (RMT) and offers Reiki sessions and training at Yoga Born, 1735 Ellington Rd (at the Stop & Shop plaza), South Windsor. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call 860-4325678 or visit YogaBorn.com. See ad on page 6.

On Earth there is no heaven, but there are pieces of it. ~Jules Renard natural awakenings

April 2015

globalbriefs photo by MIGHT

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

Vanishing Wildlife

50 Percent Gone in Under 50 years The latest World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Living Planet Report shows that the Living Planet Index (LPI), which measures more than 10,000 representative populations of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish, has declined by 52 percent since 1970. The report is widely considered the leading science-based analysis on the health of our planet and the impact of human activity (Tinyurl. com/WWF-Living-Planet-Report). In fewer than two human generations, populations of vertebrate species—the life forms that constitute the fabric of life-sustaining ecosystems and serve as a barometer of how humans are impacting nature—have dropped by half. Nature conservation and sustainable development go hand-in-hand; it’s not only about preserving biodiversity and wild places, but about safeguarding the future of humanity. Living Planet Report partners include the Zoological Society of London, Global Footprint Network and Water Footprint Network. Marco Lambertini, director general of WWF International, states, “We need leadership for change. Sitting on the bench waiting for someone else to make the first move, doesn’t work. Heads of state need to start thinking globally; businesses and consumers need to stop behaving as if we live in a limitless world.”

Curbside Composting

No Food Scraps Need Go to Waste People in the United States waste more than a third of all of the food they produce, but more than 180 cities and towns are beginning to realize that wasted food can be valuable; they are asking residents to separate unwanted food from the rest of their trash and put it in a curbside compost bin. The idea is to stop sending food waste to the landfill, where it generates harmful methane gas pollution, and start turning it into something useful, like compost. In 2011, Portland, Oregon, launched a curbside compost program in which residents are encouraged to put food scraps into the city’s green yard waste bin. Since then, the amount of garbage sent to the landfill has decreased by 37 percent. According to Bruce Walker, the city’s solid waste and recycling program manager, the program also reduces the environmental footprint of the trash heap. Getting people to separate their food waste, however, can be difficult. To motivate its residents to put more food waste in the compost bin, the city of Seattle, Washington, has proposed both making curbside composting mandatory and fining residents a dollar every time they put a disproportionate volume of food waste in their trash. Source: NetNebraska.org 14

Hartford County Edition

www.NAHRT.com

Thriving Eco-Towns Malaysian Villages Model Sustainability

Innovations being successfully pioneered in Malaysia offer ideas for improving the world, according to the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), including the construction of high-tech, self-sustaining ecological “smart” villages. These villages are lifting incomes for scores of rural families while promoting environmental sustainability. Each 50-acre community consists of about 100 affordable homes, advanced educational, training and recreational facilities and an integrated, sustainable farm system that provides villagers with food and employment that on average, triples their monthly income. Low-cost, 1,000-square-foot homes are built in 10 days and the communal farming operations include a cascading series of fish tanks, or “aquafarms”. Filtered fish tank wastewater irrigates trees, grain fields and high-value plants grown in “autopots”, a three-piece container with a valve that detects soil moisture levels and releases water as required, reducing the need for fertilizers and pesticides. Free-range chickens feed on the fastreproducing worms that process the plant compost. This system optimizes nutrient absorption, minimizes waste and enables crops to be grown on previously non-arable land. The village’s solargenerated power is complemented by biomass energy and mini-hydro electricity. A community hall, resource center, places of worship, playgrounds and educational facilities equipped with 4G Internet service support elearning and e-health services.

Buzzing Buddies

Soil Salvation

‘Flying Doctor’ Bees Prevent Cherry Disease

Organic Farming May Counteract Greenhouse Effect The nonprofit Rodale Institute, the United Nations and the Soil Association are reporting that modern, chemical-intensive industrial farming is stripping the soil’s natural ability to take carbon back out of the atmosphere through photosynthesis and store it in the soil. Rodale researchers say that by returning to small-scale organic farming, more than 40 percent of annual greenhouse gas emissions could be captured in the soil, and if the entire world’s pasture and rangelands were managed using regenerative techniques, an additional 71 percent of those emissions could be sequestered. Further, organic practices could counteract the world’s yearly carbon dioxide output while producing the same amount of food as conventional farming. Rodale claims that using regenerative organic agriculture—like low or no-tillage, cover crops and crop rotation—will keep photosynthesized carbon dioxide in the soil, instead of returning it to the atmosphere. The institute cites 75 studies from peer-reviewed journals, including its own 33-year Farming Systems Trial, which directly compare organic farming with conventional farming.

University of Adelaide researchers are introducing a “flying doctor” method of employing bees as preventive medicine. Project leader and bee researcher Katja Hogendoorn, Ph.D., says, “All commercial cherry growers spray during flowering to control the later development of cherry brown rot. Instead of spraying fungicide, we’re using bees to deliver a biological control agent right to the flowers, where it’s needed.” The innovative delivery works via entomovectoring. This is a new technique for Australia, with potential application in many horticultural industries. The biological control agent contains spores of a parasitic fungus that prevents another fungus that causes the brown rot from colonizing the flower. Future applications of the small, winged medics are expected to become available for disease control in almonds, grapes, strawberries, raspberries, apples, pears and stone fruit.

Source: OrganicConsumers.org

Source: Adelaide.edu.au

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SUCCESS RATE! April 2015

Learn Qigong and Tai Chi from a Taoist Master to Achieve Holistic Health and Longevity

Master Joe Lok

Twentieth Inheritor of the Dragon Gate Taoist tradition, Founder of Phoenix Alchemy Qigong and the Natural Energy Academy of Hong Kong.

Friday, May 1st Intro to Qigong

Saturday, May 2nd

Two Qigong Workshops with Visiting Taoist Master QIGONG FOR HEALTH AND VITALITY

Qigong is an ancient Taoist practice from China used to ensure health and vitality. Practicing Qigong for even 10 minutes a day, you’ll promote the flow of qi (chee) throughout your meridians and internal organs. This will build your immune system, rejuvenate your body, ease joint and nerve pain, tranquilize your mind and relieve stress.

LEARN FROM A VISITING MASTER

There are many local teachers in Greater Hartford that are ready to help you on your journey with Qigong. But it is a rare opportunity to learn from a master practitioner that is so deeply steeped in the Taoist lifestyle and philosophy yet communicates in excellent English.

INTRO TO QIGONG WORKSHOP WITH RISA BROPHY – MAY 1ST, 7 TO 8:30PM – $25

Join local Qigong teacher and Medical Qigong Therapist Risa Brophy for the perfect beginning to your qigong experience. If you are brand new to Qigong, this introduction will better prepare you for Master Lok’s workshops on Saturday. You’ll get a brief introduction to Qigong theory and the body’s energy system according to Chinese Medicine. And you’ll learn a set of simple Qigong exercises along with self-massage techniques for stimulating acupressure and neurolymphatic reflex points to maintain health and relieve stress.

BEGINNER WORKSHOP WITH MASTER LOK – MAY 2ND, 10AM TO 1PM – $65

Designed for students that are brand new or have limited experience with Qigong, this session will provide a deeper exploration of the fundamentals of qi and how energy works in the body. You’ll learn how cultivating your energy through practice of Qigong and Tai Chi promotes good health. Your instruction will also include movements with direct, hands-on instruction, and you’ll share the exciting experience of energy flow in your own movements almost instantly.

ADVANCED WORKSHOP WITH MASTER LOK – MAY 2ND, 2 TO 5PM – $75

Designed for students with a good knowledge and practice of Qigong or Tai Chi, you will explore the legendary qi and develop a deeper sensation. This experience will continue to develop your insight and if desired, prepare you for instructing Tai Chi and qigong. The workshops will be held in Collinsville, a beautiful and historic village of Canton, CT located on the banks of the scenic Farmington River, just 17 miles west of Hartford.

Hartford County Edition

Hosted by Yoga Center of Collinsville

Call 860-693-9642 for Information or Visit

YogaCenterCollinsville.com/QIGONG Register for one or more sessions. Space will be limited so register soon. www.NAHRT.com

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April 2015

INTEGRATIVE HEALTH Ayelet Connell-Giammatteo, PhD, PT, IMT, C INTEGRATIVE WELLNESS & PHYSICAL THERAPY 34 Jerome Avenue, Suite 305, Bloomfield • 860-519-1916 IntegrativeWellnessAndPT.com

What is your specialization and why did you choose to work in this area? I specialize in Holistic Physical Therapy, Integrative Manual Therapy (IMT) and wellness, including supporting individuals and families in transitioning into a more natural living with healthier eating habits and cleaner lifestyle. Tell us about your practice and specialty and which patients should see you. My PhD work is in the field of neuro-pediatrics and my doctoral dissertation focused on alternative therapies for individuals with autism and other learning and socialization challenges. In addition to working with children and families, I have worked for many years with children and adults with acute and chronic pain, allergies and autoimmune issues, gut-related challenges, and sports-related injuries. What keeps patients from trying an integrative or functional health approach? I have found that the terrain is friendlier these days to alternative options and there are many more people using alternative therapies today. Some barriers would include cost that is most certainly a reality today with our current economy. What do your patients remark upon most after their first visit? What keeps someone returning? Using Integrative Manual Therapy and Holistic Physical Therapy in our clinic, we look for underlying issues. By treating these underlying problems, we are able to achieve more longlasting sustainable results. In addition, we try to ‘meet people where they are at’. This means that we work with the person to educate them on strategies for gaining better health. What is your level of support for health insurance and claims? At Integrative Wellness & Physical Therapy, we accept Anthem BCBS and Connecticare as in-network Physical Therapy. We also accept Medicare. For other insurance companies, we are considered out-of-network Physical Therapy. See ad inside front cover and page 11. 18

Hartford County Edition

www.NAHRT.com

INTEGRATIVE HEALTH Miwako Ohta-Agresta, CNM, CHC, RYT-200 S.H.E. MEDICAL ASSOCIATES Member of Women’s Health CT 449 Farmington Ave, Hartford Satellite offices in Avon, Glastonbury, Enfield, S. Windsor & Marlborough 860-236-5431 WomensHealthCT.com

What is your specialization and why did you choose to work in this area? I am a certified nurse midwife, practicing for over 20 years. I was drawn to the nurturing, individualized care that midwives provide for pregnant women. I am no longer attending births but still am committed to providing individualized care to all my patients. Tell us about your practice and specialty and which patients should see you. People automatically associate pregnancy with midwives but in my current role, I provide care for women of all ages integrating my knowledge as a health coach and yoga teacher. I see people for GYN care and often provide health guidance to help them make changes to improve their overall quality of life through yoga, meditation, health coaching. What keeps patients from trying an integrative or functional health approach? Many people are more comfortable with a traditional Western medical approach since that is what they know. I offer them options that might help them alleviate symptoms either in place of or in conjunction with traditional care. For example, utilizing yoga poses for insomnia, osteoporosis or menopausal symptoms. I offer health counseling for people with obesity, high cholesterol or diabetes. What do your patients remark upon most after their first visit? What keeps someone returning? I think people come back because I listen. I provide care that suits their needs and not automatically prescribe medications. However, if that is the most appropriate option, I certainly offer that. What is your level of support for health insurance and claims? Our office accepts most major insurance carriers including Medicare and Medicaid.

REGISTERED DIETICIAN Kristen Ludwig RD, CD-N, CPT

Shana Griffin, RDN, CD

SHOPRITE OF CANTON Joseph Family Markets 160 Albany Tpke, Canton 860-693-3666 KNutritionPlus.com

SHOPRITE OF W. HARTFORD Joseph Family Markets 46 Kane St, W. Hartford 860-233-1713

What is your specialization and why did you choose to work in this area? Healthy cooking and fitness because both are the key to optimal health. Meals don’t have to be anything fancy and can be made in 30 minutes or less and there are so many options available for exercise now—find one you enjoy and do it often! What do you find limits an individual’s success when trying to change? Most want rapid results without having to change much. A true healthy lifestyle requires patience and hard work. Realizing that every day is not going to be perfect and understanding that there is not just ONE way of eating and exercising that is best for everybody. Find what works in your life. How do you support your client’s goal to keep their intention? I consistently recognize their efforts and remind them that they are doing the right things. It’s very easy to become doubtful about individual goals when there is so much misinformation out there. Creating confidence and trust within people, along with holding them accountable, is what creates lasting change. What ongoing support do you provide to create change and success? Free nutrition services at ShopRite! Anyone can make as many appointments as they need with me at any time. I also provide a “Healthy Recipe of the Week” for shoppers to use along with in-store demonstrations that feature healthy recipes and ideas. When uncertain how to begin, what is your best advice to start new goals? Find a registered dietitian that you feel comfortable talking to and sharing your struggles with eating and exercise. They will help you to start setting small goals that you feel confident about and hold you accountable to them. See ad on page 35.

What is your specialization and why did you choose to work in this area? I became a Registered Dietitian to raise awareness of health and wellness and because I love to eat and want to show others that eating healthy can be easy (and inexpensive). What do you find limits an individual’s success when trying to change? The most common theme I see as a clinician is the customer’s lack of overall motivation, lack of support system, and initial expectations and goals being unrealistic and not measurable. How do you support your client’s goal to keep their intention? By truly understanding what is valued or important to the client, in other words, find out what makes the client’s eyes light up. This helps me to identify how to challenge them to take baby steps towards their goals, while always providing positive reinforcement for their achievements. Instill the saying, “begin every day expecting to be surprised and you will be.” What ongoing support do you provide to create change and success? I am accessible to customers at various times throughout the week for questions and am available to set up appointments. I also offer a wide variety of nutritionfocused events both at the store and in the community every week, including a supportive weight management class that provides group support. When uncertain how to begin, what is your best advice to start new goals? Remembering that “slow but steady wins the race.” The problem is that it can be hard to unlearn habits developed over a lifetime. Setting small attainable goals equal big outcomes. Don’t beat yourself up when you fall off the bandwagon. See ad on page 35.

natural awakenings

April 2015

COACHING-HOLISTIC HEALTH Patty Midwood, CWC

Jean Stender RN

Felicia Ricks, NET

ALTERNATIVE HEALTH, INC. 625 New Park Ave, Unit B, West Hartford 860-218-2838 AlternativeHealthSpas.info

LIVING HEALTHY WEIGHT LOSS CENTER 112 South Main St (Rte177), Unionville 860-977-9001 LivingHealthyWeightloss.com

GLORIOUS BODY Serving Greater Hartford and Beyond 860-463-5134 GloriousBody.FR@gmail.com

What is your specialization and why did you choose to work in this area? I am a certified wellness consultant. I started as a client of Alternative Health on a structured wellness program and lost 50 pounds of body fat in five months. It was a perfect fit for me to help others achieve their health goals.

What is your specialization and why did you choose to work in this area? After being an RN for 21 years, I chose to help people lose weight to help them avoid developing many of the medical conditions I saw as a nurse. I’ve personally had success with Ideal Protein and know it works and can be maintained.

What do you find limits an individual’s success when trying to change? We tell clients “if you follow the program, it will work.” Sabotage happens when a client’s family members do not understand the program and try to encourage the client to eat or drink something that is not allowed.

What do you find limits an individual’s success when trying to change? Trying to lose weight and develop a nutritional lifestyle change can make a person feel alone. It’s also frustrating when results don’t come quickly.

What is your specialization and why did you choose to work in this area? My specialization is in Advanced Nutritarian Studies, which has a primary focus on a whole food plant based diet. One of the reasons I chose to work in this area is to educate people about the wonderful benefits of eating healthy plant based foods.

How do you support your client’s goal to keep their intention? We are available to our clients just about around the clock. They can call us multiple times a day if needed and we see them on a weekly basis for a well check and detoxifying service. What ongoing support do you provide to create change and success? We support our clients by calling them daily while on a wellness program to answer their questions and assist them with their food choices and supplementation. Also, they can call a cell phone if unable to reach the office. When uncertain how to begin, what is your best advice to start new goals? If you are ready to make a lifestyle change and want to improve your health, call and schedule a 90-minute consultation to find out how we can help you. I know our programs work because I have lived it, and am still living it. See ad on page 15.

Hartford County Edition

How do you support your client’s goal to keep their intention? We discuss weekly progress and take frequent measurements. This motivates clients to stay on track. I provide continuous support and education. Ideal Protein is a scientific program developed by a doctor, so just by following the guidelines, clients lose the weight. On average, I see clients losing 9-12 pounds per month! What ongoing support do you provide to create change and success? We meet with clients privately each week. They obtain their weight, body analysis, blood pressure, recipes, education and answers to questions. Daily, they receive brief educational videos. We are available daily by phone or email for questions. When uncertain how to begin, what is your best advice to start new goals? We know it is tough to choose the best program. We offer free educational seminars on Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30pm to help them learn about us. See ad on page 7.

www.NAHRT.com

What do you find limits an individual’s success when trying to change? One of the major obstacles in an individual’s follow-through is renewing their mindset. It’s extremely difficult for some people to relinquish old habits. It’s hard to give up things they are comfortable with. Learning to incorporate new habits can also be an obstacle. How do you support your client’s goal to keep their intention? I offer reinforcing encouragement to my clients on a consistent basis and reassure them that this is a lifestyle health change. What ongoing support do you provide to create change and success? I offer support via email, Skype and telephone support. If possible, I will be available to offer support in person. When uncertain how to begin, what is your best advice to start new goals? My best advice for any individual in this situation would be to have them visualize what they want and write it down. I would let them know that regardless of the situation there is always hope and to encourage them to never give up and take it one day at a time. See ad on page 27.

COACHING-HOLISTIC CONT. Colleen Brunetti, M.Ed. 42 Maple Hollow Rd, New Hartford 860-833-9788 ColleenBrunetti.com

What is your specialization and why did you choose to work in this area? As a certified Integrative Nutrition Coach I work with the interplay between lifestyle, nutrition and life balance. I specialize in working with moms and teachers, and those with chronic and critical illness. What do you find limits an individual’s success when trying to change? Moms and teachers are innately nurturing, yet they tend to have a difficult time putting themselves first and taking the time to work on their own needs. Those with major illness are often overwhelmed or dealing with a medical model that does not completely serve their needs. How do you support your client’s goal to keep their intention? Work together with a client, we create step-by-step attainable goals that work with the individual’s body, needs and home life. There is also an educational component and a great deal of accountability. What ongoing support do you provide to create change and success? I am very accessible to my clients, allowing them to contact me with questions between sessions. I also offer free resources on my website and encourage clients to create support systems as we go. When uncertain how to begin, what is your best advice to start new goals? Remember that it took a long time to get where you are now. Change does not happen overnight, but with the right coach by your side and commitment to your wellness goals, you can achieve them.

COACHING-LIFE AND BUSINESS Matt Connell, Ed.D., MBA

Alexandra Lowry, CILC

STRATEGIC IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATES 34 Jerome Ave Ste 304, Bloomfield 860-269-6544

THE WISDOM ALLIANCE Greater Hartford and Beyond 860-559-1264 TheWisdomAlliance.com

StrategicImprovementAssociates.com

What is your specialization and why did you choose to work in this area? To help business owners get a full picture of their business and their mission, while helping them recognize their dreams. I love business and I enjoy helping people get the most out of their hard work. What do you find limits an individual’s success when trying to change? Self-sabotage, disbelief in their abilities, external influences, disorganization and improper infrastructure get in the way of people’s success. How do you support your client’s goal to keep their intention? First, I help them define their goals. Then, I then help them work backward from the goal to what needs to happen to accomplish that goal. In this way, I help create a realistic plan that works. What ongoing support do you provide to create change and success? I am readily available as a sounding board to my clients. In this manner they bounce off me and, with me knowing their goals, we are able to have conversations about whether their actions are leading to or distracting from goals. When uncertain how to begin, what is your best advice to start new goals? Know that no one gets it right the first time, or even the second time. We all struggle with things. The best advice I have is, set goals, work toward those goals, be light with yourself if you miss a goal, and don’t give up on working toward your goal. Giving up is the only real failure. See ad on page 28.

What is your specialization and why did you choose to work in this area? I became a Certified Integrative Life Coach specializing in Breakthrough Shadow Coaching because the process so profoundly transformed me. What do you find limits an individual’s success when trying to change? Fear is the foundation of everything that stops us and the inability to distinguish between the ego and heart is another block. Taking the 18-inch journey from the head to the heart can be one of the most challenging journeys, but it holds the key to change. How do you support your client’s goal to keep their intention? In a coaching relationship we are continually checking in and revisiting the client’s intentions and goals, reviewing action steps for integrity and alignment with their vision. Together, we create positive structures and habits to reinforce new behaviors and beliefs. What ongoing support do you provide to create change and success? With confidential and personalized attention, I use deep emotional education, total accountability, profound compassion while holding my client in their highest, so they develop the courage, confidence and the tools to succeed. When uncertain how to begin, what is your best advice to start new goals? I reassure my clients. You are not your thoughts, you are the observer behind your thoughts. You have infinite possibilities and power within you ready and available to tap into. You have all that you need to create the life you desire with more love, joy and inner peace! See ad on page 37.

natural awakenings

April 2015

LIFE AND BUSINESS CONT Whitney Christina, CFMW

COUNSELING Stuart Alpert, PsyD., LCSW HARTFORD FAMILY INSTITUTE 17 South Highland Street, West Hartford 860-236-6009 HartfordFamilyInstitute.com

ENERGETIC BEING 3 Barnard Ln, Top Floor, Bloomfield 860-830-1180 EnergeticBeing.org

What is your specialization and why did you choose to work in this area? I am an Access Consciousness Certified Facilitator and work with people that are ready to step into their potency creating change for themselves in all aspects of their lives. Access Consciousness allows them limitless, joyful creation of infinite possibilities.

What is your specialization and why did you choose to work in this area? I have more than 40 years of experience as a psychotherapist and I still feel excited by my work. I truly care about people and bring my caring to each therapy session and to my belief in people’s ability to heal emotionally, physically and spiritually.

What do you find limits an individual’s success when trying to change? People get an inkling of their true potency, inner beauty and what is possible, but then they listen to their mind chatter telling them how they are wrong, bad and a failure before they can even start. People need to learn not to listen to these unkind judgments.

What do you find limits an individual’s success when trying to change? We all have the negative influences from our childhood. Often, what happens as we open to connection and understanding from our self and from the therapist, the old negative influences open up. They appear in the body, energy system, emotions and mind and end up being in conflict with one another. If a person is aware of this, they can still move toward success.

How do you support your client’s goal to keep their intention? I provide my clients with cool tools and processes they can use to create the lasting change they are looking for. What ongoing support do you provide to create change and success? I offer the support clients need to make life changes. These include verbal processing, body processing, books, exchanges, classes and more. When uncertain how to begin, what is your best advice to start new goals? I recommend to my clients that they start by being kind to themselves. When you start to hear the negative voice in your head, you can ask “Who does this belong to?” Chances are, the voice in your head isn’t even yours. See ad on page 13.

Hartford County Edition

How do you support your client’s goal to keep their intention? Building awareness is important in addition to connection that comes from a deep place of understanding and heart, as opposed to a more clinical approach to therapy. What ongoing support do you provide to create change and success? I encourage patients to take the therapy session outside of the office. Talk to friends, look for connection and ask for people to help them stay out of the negative energy. When uncertain how to begin, what is your best advice to start new goals? Self-compassion and patience starts in the therapy office. Good therapists explore a patient’s sense of acceptance and help them realize a greater sense of acceptance. See ad on page 31.

www.NAHRT.com

Robert Caffrey, LPC, JD 920 Farmington Ave, Ste 202, West Hartford 860-331-0641

What is your specialization and why did you choose to work in this area? I specialize in working with men who want to be more effective in their personal and professional relationships. I spent years as a lawyer, business owner and soldier, but became a counselor because my own counseling greatly improved the quality of my life. What do you find limits an individual’s success when trying to change? Our nervous systems are literally wired to resist the new and unknown, and that pretty much defines “change.” The greatest challenge is remembering that change is a process, so there will be good days and bad. How do you support your client’s goal to keep their intention? To help my clients create and sustain change, we focus on identifying exactly what needs to change, setting small but clear steps that let us know we’re on the right track, and being patient. Like a marathon, lasting change requires stamina as opposed to speed. What ongoing support do you provide to create change and success? I’ve been through the change process I’ve been through the change process myself, so I know it’s difficult. I bring knowledge, skill, empathy, objectivity, patience, and most of all, respect for the courage it takes to embark on this journey. When uncertain how to begin, what is your best advice to start new goals? My advice is to recognize how much courage you’re showing just by considering making a life change. Take small but constant steps. You’ll get there in the end!

COUNSELING Joe Buyse C.A.R.C., P.C. Serving Central Connecticut 860-673-8771

FITNESS AND YOGA Cyndi Roberts, RYT-200 Therapeutic and Prenatal Yoga CYNDI ROBERTS YOGA 1477 Park St, Ste 14, Hartford 860-517-9322 YogaWithCR.com

What is your specialization and why did you choose to work in this area? As a Certified Coach and Pastoral Counselor, I coach folks who are somehow stuck in unhealthy, compulsive behaviors, especially those people stuck in addictions or those directly affected by addictions. What do you find limits an individual’s success when trying to change? Many people want to change, but they insist that the process be on their terms. Difficulty in admitting, and completely owning, the true nature of the problem, and then, consistently following a plan of action, are the most common challenges I see. How do you support your client’s goal to keep their intention? My work is strengths-based, client-centered and 100 percent solution-oriented. I bring objectivity, stability, and a good measure of planning and organization to a collaborative effort. Accountability is a key ingredient. What ongoing support do you provide to create change and success? I focus and build on your existing strengths, encourage daily mindful awareness, and support your process of making strong, measurable commitments to attainable goals. When uncertain how to begin, what is your best advice to start new goals? I would encourage beginning from a place of self-acceptance rather than selfimprovement. Learning to work with what you have, is wiser and healthier, than desperately wanting to become something or someone you feel you need to be.

Dawn Marie Greenfield, RYT-200, Therapeutic Yoga YOGA BORN 1735 Ellington Rd, South Windsor 860-432-5678 YogaBorn.com

What is your specialization and why did you choose to work in this area? I specialize in one-on-one therapeutic, gentle and prenatal yoga. Yoga is amazing for healing on an emotional, physical and spiritual level. Working one-on-one with clients, I’m able to address their specific needs in a way that group classes cannot.

What is your specialization and why did you choose to work in this area? I teach therapeutic yoga classes and personal sessions. As I healed using therapeutic yoga my teaching evolved. I teach step-by-step techniques that are accessible, can be applied in everyday life and support long-term goals.

What do you find limits an individual’s success when trying to change? Unrealistic expectations, looking for a quick fix, self-sabotage. Falling back into old patterns rather than moving forward. Lasting change comes from daily investment and commitment. Genuine healing takes time.

What do you find limits an individual’s success when trying to change? People limit themselves with negative beliefs and lack compassionate acceptance. You can skillfully learn how to soothe all of these into a better feeling awareness while taking charge of your well-being.

How do you support your client’s goal to keep their intention? One-on-one instruction ensures that students are getting exactly what they need. I hold the space and share experience and knowledge to guide students. I provide meditations, stretches and breathing exercises that can be done at home to support their practice.

How do you support your client’s goal to keep their intention? I recognize their accomplishments and elevate their awareness of what is possible by encouraging them to honor their progress. This reinforces new habits of positive selffocus. You do so much for others—making a choice to do for yourself is very empowering and inspiring!

What ongoing support do you provide to create change and success? I check-in to make sure that we’re addressing their specific needs each time they see me, and we modify or adjust their practice accordingly. When uncertain how to begin, what is your best advice to start new goals? After your goal is set, break it down into smaller, manageable steps. Do something daily to move toward your goal, and celebrate small victories. Let the large goal motivate you, but let smaller steps be your focus. See ad on page 24.

What ongoing support do you provide to create change and success? Accountability through weekly appointments creates a routine of successful self-care. Practice is most important to condition the body-mind align with your ‘higher-power.’ Take-home techniques are individualized to support your goals. When uncertain how to begin, what is your best advice to start new goals? Believe it before you can see it! It’s possible, you can do it. Find what inspires you and let it fuel you everyday. See ad on page 6.

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What is your specialization and why did you choose to work in this area? I specialize in designing fitness programs for men and women aged 40-plus to reverse the effects of aging and the perceived, inevitable decline of individuals middle-aged and older.

What do you find limits an individual’s success when trying to change? The only thing that gets in the way of an individual is carving out time to get on the mat. People’s everyday lives are very hectic, but it is very important to find the time for oneself.

What do you find limits an individual’s success when trying to change? Every individual has a different level of commitment and readiness for change. Each level, from low to high, must be treated differently. I help clients understand their level and take one step at a time.

How do you support your client’s goal to keep their intention? Revisiting intention and releasing expectations are important as both allow students to look within themselves and find things they would like to let go. Self-reflection is an important part of life, and allows one to keep their personal intention and create lasting change.

How do you support your client’s goal to keep their intention? Support starts with proper goal setting, defining realistic expectations, monitoring progress and accountability management. Through established monitoring strategies and follow-up meetings, clients learn to troubleshoot challenges for lasting changes. We run contests and challenges to keep clients motivated and engaged.

What ongoing support do you provide to create change and success? I recommend networking with people within the studio. Share experiences with others. People often feel that their experience in life or on the mat is unique. The details of each experience may be different, but the feelings and emotions experienced are often similar. Once you realize that we are all experiencing similar feelings, you are filled with more confidence. When uncertain how to begin, what is your best advice to start new goals? Loving the self is the catalyst of change. Change requires self-acceptance!

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What is your specialization and why did you choose to work in this area? My specialization is Power Vinyasa Yoga and I chose this style because it is a combination of power strengthening and meditation allowing my clients to receive results mentally and physically.

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What ongoing support do you provide to create change and success? Through continuing education and support that includes daily follow-up, developing social support networks, and celebrating client success the client adjusts to the “new normal.” When uncertain how to begin, what is your best advice to start new goals? I understand the difficulty in starting an exercise program. When setting your goals, don’t just set an outcome goal like, “I want to lose 15 pounds.” Determine why that is important to you. Connecting an emotional tie to the goal will help ensure success.

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What is your specialization and why did you choose to work in this area? I specialize in hypnosis and other subconscious tools and techniques, including EFT, TAT, NLP and others. I can’t say that I chose to work in the field; I would say that it was chosen through divine intervention. What do you find limits an individual’s success when trying to change? Fear, fear and more fear. Typically the fear of not being good enough manifesting in one way or the other. Most of think we’re the only ones that feel that way, when in truth there’s a rare one who doesn’t. How do you support your client’s goal to keep their intention? I support my client’s goal by helping them systematically find and remove every single block that’s in the way of their success. Once the blocks are gone, they will naturally head in the direction of their intentions. What ongoing support do you provide to create change and success? I help my clients realize that they have powerful inner support (their subconscious minds) 24/7. Once they realize that and learn how to connect, they receive more help from this inner resource than they can from any external one. When uncertain how to begin, what is your best advice to start new goals? Your first personal goal should be the one with the most joy attached to it, the one that you want the most, not the one you “should” accomplish. I’m happy to help you winnow down and land on that one goal.See ad on page 17.

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Nature’s Wisdom Its Lessons Inspire, Heal and Sustain Us by Christine MacDonald

The environment is not separate from ourselves; we are inside it and it is inside us; we make it and it makes us. ~ Davi Kopenawa Yanomami, Amazon shaman

hile the idea that we humans stand apart from—or even above—nature is a prevailing theme in much of modern civilization, naturalists and other clever souls throughout the ages have observed that the opposite is true: We are part of, depend on and evolve with nature— and we ignore this vital connection at our peril. “If one way is better than another, that you may be sure is nature’s way,” admonished the Greek philosopher Aristotle, in the third century B.C.E. “Time destroys the speculation of men, but it confirms the judgment of nature,” Roman politician and philosopher Cicero ruminated two centuries later. Nobel Prize-winning physicist and philosopher Albert Einstein remarked, “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” Today, more of us are looking to 26

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nature for ways to improve physical, mental and emotional health, develop intelligence, innovate, overhaul how we build homes and neighborhoods, and raise our children.

Healthful Nature

As Henry David Thoreau wrote in his classic 1854 book Walden, “We need the tonic of wildness.” While we know firsthand how walking in the woods can elevate mood, scientists have documented that a regular dose of nature has other far-reaching benefits. It can lower stress hormone levels, blood pressure and undesirable cholesterol; help heal neurological problems; hasten fuller recovery from surgery and heart attacks; increase cancer-fighting white blood cells; and generally aid overall health (Health Promotion International research report; also Nippon Medical

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School study, Tokyo). Regular playtime outdoors helps children cope with hyperactivity and attention deficit disorders, according to research published in Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care. Exposure to nature can help adults escape from today’s wired lives; reinvigorate, be fitter and less likely to suffer from obesity, diabetes and heart disease, as reported in studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and a University of Washington research summary. It can also unlock understanding of the spiritual essence of life. Hours regularly spent by youth outdoors stimulate imagination and creativity and enhance cognitive development, helping them learn. Nature also helps youngsters develop social awareness, helping them better navigate human relations (Tinyurl.com/OutdoorHealthBenefits Research). “It’s strange and kind of sad that we are so removed from nature that we actually have to ask why nature is good for us,” says Dr. Eva Selhub, a lecturer at Harvard Medical School, author of the new book Your Health Destiny, and co-author of Your Brain on Nature. “The fact is our brains and bodies are wired in concert with nature.” Recognition of nature’s positive effects has grown so much in recent years that physicians increasingly write their patients “prescriptions” to go hiking in the woods, counting on the healthy exercise and exposure to sunlight, nature and soothing views to address health problems stemming from poor diets and sedentary lifestyles. Healthcare clinics and hospitals in Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago, Indianapolis, Albuquerque, New Mexico, California’s Bay Area and elsewhere have launched Prescription Trails programs aimed at objectives from preventing obesity in children to healthful activities for retirees (Tinyurl.

com/AmericanHealthTrails). Bestselling author Richard Louv calls the positive nature effect “vitamin N” in The Nature Principle. He contends: “Many of us, without having a name for it, are using the nature tonic. We are, in essence, self-medicating with an inexpensive and unusually convenient drug substitute.” Such ideas are commonly accepted in many cultures. The Japanese believe in the restorative power of shinrin-yoku, which could be translated as “forest medicine” or “forest bathing”. Indigenous peoples like the Brazilian tribe led by Shaman Davi Kopenawa Yanomami, fighting to preserve their land and way of life in the Amazon, profess to be at one with the innate riches of sustainable rainforests (SurvivalInternational.org/parks).

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Innovative Nature

Scientists, inventors and other innovators are increasingly inspired by nature. Biomimicry, part social movement and part burgeoning industry, looks to how Earth’s natural systems work and solve problems. University of Utah researchers, inspired by the durable homes built by sandcastle worms, are creating a synthetic glue that one day could help repair fractured bones. Architectural components manufacturer Panelite makes energy-efficient insulated glass by mimicking the hexagonal structure that bees use in honeycombs. (Find other precedents at Tinyurl.com/ BiomimicryCaseExamples). The inspiration for biomimicry comes from many places, says Dayna Baumeister, Ph.D. co-founder of Biomimicry 3.8, a Missoula, Montana, company working with other companies and universities to propel biomimicry into the mainstream. “People are recognizing that they’ve been disconnected to the natural world,” she says. “We also realize that [as a species] we are in trouble. We don’t have all the answers, but we can look to other species for inspiration” for clearing pollutants from our bodies and environments. Plants and fungi are now com-

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Scientific studies show that a regular dose of nature has far-reaching health benefits. More doctors now write “nature” prescriptions for their patients. monly used to clean up old industrial sites that resemble nature’s way of removing pollutants from water and soil. A University of California, Berkeley, meta-study confirms that farmers currently using organic farming methods and solar power achieve roughly the same crop yields as conventional techniques with far less dependence on fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gases and petrochemical pesticide and fertilizer pollution.

Cyclical Nature

These breakthrough technologies emulate the way nature uses the building blocks of life in an endless cycle of birth, reproduction, decay and rebirth. It’s part of a broad rethinking of the principles behind sustainability— building, manufacturing and living in greater harmony with natural systems,

perhaps eventually eliminating landfills, air and water pollution, and toxic site cleanups. “A toxin is a material in the wrong place,” says architect William McDonough, of Charlottesville, Virginia. The only individual recipient of the Presidential Award for Sustainable Development, he is co-author of Cradleto-Cradle, a groundbreaking book that calls for re-envisioning even the nastiest waste, and The Upcycle: Beyond Sustainability—Designing for Abundance. McDonough imagines a world where waste becomes raw material for new buildings, furniture and other goods— akin to how a forest reuses every deceased tree and animal to nourish the ecosystem and spawn new life. With 80 percent of U.S. residents currently living in urban areas, architects, builders and municipal planners are likewise pivoting toward nature, prompted by the scientific evidence of the many ways that human health and general well-being rely upon it. While this contact is preferably the kind of “stopping by woods” that inspired New England poet Robert Frost, even a walk in a city park will work. “Urban nature, when provided as parks and walkways and incorporated into building design, provides calming and inspiring environments and

encourages learning, inquisitiveness and alertness,” reports the University of Washington’s College of the Environment, in Green Cities: Good Health. The American Planning Association stresses the importance of integrating green space into urban neighborhoods. Not only does so-called “metro nature” improve air and water quality and reduce urban heat island effects, urban wilds such as Pittsburgh’s Nine Mile Run and Charlotte, North Carolina’s Little Sugar Creek Greenway also restore natural connections in densely populated city centers.

Natural Intelligence

A growing number of scientists say that research about our place in nature has sparked fresh thinking about our role and devastated quaint notions about our species’ superiority. “Single-celled slime molds solve mazes. Brainless plants make correct decisions and bees with brains the size of pinheads handle abstract concepts,” points out Anthropologist Jeremy Narby, author of the groundbreaking book Intelligence in Nature. At a national conference of Bioneers, an organization based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and San Francisco that gathers nature-minded social and scientific innovators, Narby said: “We are nearly identical to many animals.

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Man is everywhere a disturbing agent. Wherever he plants his foot, the harmonies of nature are turned to discord. The proportions and accommodations that ensured the stability of existing arrangements are overthrown. Of all organic beings, man alone is to be regarded as essentially a destructive power. ~George Perkins Marsh, Man and Nature (1864)

Many behaviors once thought to be exclusively human are shared by other species. The zone of the specifically human, as determined by science, has been shrinking.” We haven’t lost the ability to tap that primal animal inside, even if most of us are more likely to “venture into the forest” by watching a movie or playing video games. We may feel cut off from our instincts, but studies show time in the woods can do wonders to restore the keenness of our senses to connect with the subtle changes in natural habitat, the movements of other species and the changing seasons. The rise of human civilizations may have taken “survival of the fittest” in new directions, often decidedly tamer ones, but experts ranging from scientific researchers to lifestyle ana-

lysts say humankind is still hardwired by our more primitive past. Despite the ingenious ways we’ve devised to exploit other life forms, capitalize on Earth’s resources and protect ourselves from nature’s sometimes terrifying power, our fate remains linked to natural laws and limits, from nurturing our body’s immune system to resolving planet-sized problems like climate change. “‘Nature’ is our natural environment,” according to Selhub. We don’t have to move to the country to reconnect, she says. “Even spending 20 minutes a day outside has an effect.” Houseplants, nature photos and aromatherapy Earth scents can also help indoor environments better reflect our own nature. The wealth of research and common sense wisdom is aptly summed

up by celebrated author Wendell Berry in The Long-Legged House. “We have lived our lives by the assumption that what was good for us would be good for the world. We have been wrong. We must change our lives so that it’ll be possible to live by the contrary assumption, that what is good for the world will be good for us. And that requires we make the effort to know the world and learn what is good for it.” Christine MacDonald is a freelance journalist in Washington, D.C., whose specialties include health and science. Visit ChristineMacDonald.info.

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Spring Greening Easy Ways to Detox a House by Lane Vail

or most individuals, odorous chemicals are simply unpleasant. For those that are sensitive and susceptible, however, even common chemical exposures may evoke a toxicant-induced loss of tolerance (TILT) marked by multiple-

system symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, autoimmune disease, asthma, depression and food intolerance. Since the post-World War II expansion of petrochemicals, the incidence of TILT has increased dramatically, says Claudia

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Miller, a medical doctor, researcher and professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and co-author of Chemical Exposures: Low Levels and High Stakes. “Fortunately, public awareness has also grown significantly in the last few years,” says Rick Smith, Ph.D., a Canadian environmentalist who co-authored Toxin Toxout. “Now companies and governments worldwide are moving toward making safer products.” We can support progress by leveraging some practical tips in greening our home. Start somewhere. Many volatile organic compounds (VOC) that include formaldehyde and benzene are concealed in household items such as couches, chairs, particleboard furniture, mattresses, box springs, carpeting, rugs, synthetic flooring, wallpaper and paint. Green TV host and Fresh Living author Sara Snow implores us not to become overwhelmed, disheartened or fearful. “Creating a healthy home is a gradual process that doesn’t require throwing all the furniture out,” she advises. Start by scrutinizing labels and choosing not to bring new toxins in. For example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is widely found to be associated with reproductive toxicity and is found in many waterproofed and flexible plastics. Select PVC-free toys, shower curtain liners and mattress covers. In the kitchen, avoid potentially carcinogenic perfluorinated chemicals (PFC) found in nonstick coatings of pots and pans. Toss the Teflon when it scratches, says Snow, and upgrade to stainless steel or cast iron. Weed out bisphenols, the DNA-disrupting chemicals found in plastics and epoxy resin can liners. Even “BPA-free” products likely contain alternative and equally harmful substances, according to a recent study published in Chemosphere. Choose clear glass instead of plastic containers. When remodeling, look for zeroVOC items, Miller says, plus materials free of stain-resistant sprays and flame retardants whose efficacy is questionable. Consider natural fiber rugs like jute or wool. Forest Stewardship Council-cer-

Even small changes can measurably reduce your family’s daily exposure to healthdamaging chemicals. ~Rick Smith tified hardwoods or alternative flooring like cork or glass tile are safer investments in long-term well-being. Clean green. Conventional cleaners are among the worst offenders, and even some “eco-cleaners” can be deceptively unsafe, says Smith. He recommends avoiding antibacterial products containing triclosan, which proliferates antibiotic-resistant bacteria that prolong and exacerbate illnesses, as well as phthalates, a chemical oil that carries artificial aromas and has been repeatedly linked to cancer and abnormal fetal development. “Even so-called natural fragrances are often complex petrochemicals that outgas and contaminate the air,” notes Miller. Snow advises formulating products at home using staple pantry ingredients, including distilled white vinegar for disinfecting, baking soda for scouring, liquid castile soap for

sudsing, lemon juice for degreasing and olive oil for polishing. Freshen with fresh air. Americans spend about 90 percent of their time amid indoor air pollutants that are significantly more concentrated than outdoor pollutants, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports. “Most energy-efficient homes are well sealed with ventilation systems that recirculate indoor air, so opening the windows helps dilute accumulated airborne toxins,” says Miller. Snow further recommends bringing air-purifying plants into the home such as Gerbera daisies, bamboo palms and English ivy. Vacuum and dust. Vacuuming with a high-efficiency particulate arrestance (HEPA) filter and dusting with a moist cloth eliminates allergens such as pet dander, mites, pollen and mold, and helps remove phthalates, flame retardants, lead and pesticides that “latch onto house dust and accumulate in dust bunnies,” says Smith. Weed out lawn chemicals. “Organophosphate pesticides are profoundly neurotoxic,” says Miller, especially to the developing brains of children. Instead try integrated pest management, which involves controlling pests’ food sources and applying non-toxic deterrents. Eliminating potentially carcinogenic herbicides might mean managing

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more weeds, says Snow, but it’s worth it. Eat green. “Buying produce as close to its source as possible, from a farmer or farmers’ market, provides threefold benefits,” says Snow—less wasteful packaging, reduced exposure to chemical plastics and greater concentration of health-promoting nutrients. Buy in bulk and favor glass containers or rectangular cardboard cartons. Take tests. Radon, an invisible, odorless gas that can emanate from the ground and accumulate in homes, annually causes 21,000 U.S. lung cancer deaths, according to the U.S. EPA. Lead, a neurotoxin that may occasionally leach from home water pipes, can also hide in pre-1978 paint. Testing for both and implementing reduction or precautionary measures is simple, advises Smith. Most hardware stores stock test kits. Take action. Join with other concerned citizens by launching a pertinent petition at Change.org; campaigning with organizations like the Environmental Working Group (ewg.org) or Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families (SaferChemicals.org); and supporting cleaner, greener companies with family purchases. Lane Vail is a freelance writer and blogger at DiscoveringHomemaking.com.

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April 2015

Edible Foraging in Connecticut

The Ultimate in Sustainable Nutrition by The Institute Of Sustainable Nutrition

pring is a wonderful time to get out into the woods, meadows, streams and gardens to find wild nutritious edibles. Wild food is available year-round, but we’ll leave the other seasons for future articles. Local wild plants can be used as sustainable, nutrient dense food sources, kitchen medicine and amendments for our gardens. Some of these plants are considered invasive species, others are prolific weeds. Then there are those, that are on the “to watch list” because of over harvesting. According to Joan Palmer, Director of The Institute of Sustainable Nutri-

Hartford County Edition

tion (TIOSN) in Connecticut, “When beginning to forage, it’s important that folks begin to learn ethical, sustainable methods to ensure that we maintain strong local plant biodiversity for generations to come.” Joan and her staff of educators at TIOSN compiled their knowledge of local wild edibles as an overview to prepare interested foragers for spring.

Invasive Plants Some local invasive plants hold great potential as wild foraged food or medicine. These include garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) and autumn olive

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(Elaeagnus umbellata). All parts of garlic mustard, an invasive cruciferous plant, are edible. The leaves and tender flower buds are a delicious spring green that can be added to salads, cooked into soups or made into pesto. The seeds are a substitute for mustard seeds and the spicy root can be grated and made into mock horseradish. Filled with cancer preventive compounds such as sulfurophane, this plant is nutritious and tasty. “We encourage people to pull garlic mustard, but rather than discarding it find delicious ways to eat it. It is part of sustainable nutrition and a respectful way to harvest,” said Alison Birks, Science Director at TIOSN. As an invasive shrub, autumn olive yields beautiful red/orange speckled berries that are tart-sweet and make wonderful jam, fruit leather and juice. “Rich in lycopene and other carotenoids, this invasive species could easily be called our own ‘super food,’” said Birks, adding that autumn olive is so common in this region that most landowners have some growing on or near their property. “This past year was especially prolific for autumn olive. These are very

astringent berries that make your mouth pucker, but this year was different. These beautiful berries were bigger and definitely sweeter than in the past,” said Joan. “Not only did they make delicious fruit leather, but they were sweet enough to enjoy right from the branch.”

Prolific Weeds These plants grow readily in our region but do not meet the standards of invasive. One of our favorite prolific weeds is stinging nettle (Urtica dioica). Stinging nettle loves to grow around the rich soil of manure and compost piles. It is another “super food” in our region with a full spectrum of vitamins, minerals and other beneficial compounds. We begin harvesting, cooking, making tea and dehydrating it for next winter as early as possible in the spring. “Nettle is a tenacious and abundant weed with so many uses,” said Joan. “It is one of our very favorite plants, not only because it makes delicious tea and soup, has a long list of health benefits, but it’s also useful in the garden.” Soil and Outside Consultant, Nigel Palmer, ferments nettle, along with other nutrient dense herbs and wild plants, to make soil amendments. “These plants are a local, sustainable source available to remineralize our depleted soils and to help us to grow more nutrient rich foods,” said Nigel.

To Watch List According to United Plant Savers, (UnitedPlantSavers.org), plants on the “To Watch List” are ones that are currently in decline due to expanding popularity and shrinking habitat and range. A plant recently added to this list is the ramp (Allium tricoccum). Ramps, also known as wild leeks, are a delicious and very popular plant. The plant has become synonymous with spring foraging in this region. Ramps with their lovely pungent oniongarlic flavor, are a delicacy now found on menus of many top restaurants. They can be roasted, sautéed or even eaten raw. Unfortunately, they are so coveted and heavily harvested that they have now been placed on the “to watch list.” When harvesting, it is recommended that only a portion of the greens from the top of the plant be taken. Leaving some of the greens and the perennial bulb allow the ramp to continue producing and spreading. “You should never take more than 10% of a stand of plants to ensure their vigor and continuous growth year after year,” says Birks. “And never take anything if there are less than ten healthy plants.” We encourage you to get out and explore those wild places around you. Learn how to safely, sustainably and ethically forage for delicious edibles and wild medicine. We are today’s guardians of the wild for tomorrow’s generations.

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To learn more about sustainable nutrition, foraging, cooking, gardening, kitchen medicine and more, check out the curriculum at the Institute of Susatainable Nutrition. Visit www.TIOSN.com or call 860-764-9070. See ad on inside front cover. natural awakenings

April 2015

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Hartford County Edition

Organic gardening experts share strategies for growing a great garden and having a life, too.

he arrival of planting season has a stunning effect on veggie gardeners. We talk to our seedlings as if they were children, and don’t mind working until dark if that’s what it takes to get the fingerling potatoes in the ground. Then, complications like crabgrass and cabbageworms appear, and keeping up with all the details feels impossible. We can lighten looming chores by using these time-saving tips, which will reduce later workloads when storms and the hot summer sun threaten to squelch the magic. Mulch to reduce watering and prevent weeds. “You can cut your watering time in half by mulching crops with a three-to-four-inch layer of straw or shredded leaves,” says Niki Jabbour, award-winning author of The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener and Groundbreaking Food Gardens: 73 Plans That Will Change the Way You Grow Your Garden. “Crops

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like tomatoes, potatoes, kale, broccoli, cucumbers and squash all benefit from a deep mulch, which reduces the need to water and also prevents weeds, saving even more time.” Grow herbs in convenient containers. Family cooks will harvest kitchen herbs every day, in all kinds of weather, so don’t waste footsteps. Grow some parsley, basil and other herbs in large containers near the kitchen door. Try promising perennials. Plant them once, and vegetables like asparagus and rhubarb come back year after year in cold winter climates like the Midwest and Northeast. Where winters are mild, artichokes or chayote (pear squash) are long-lived and productive. Many resilient herbs will return each spring, too, including sage, mints, thyme and oregano. Tarragon and marjoram make trusty perennial herbs in the Sun Belt.

Stock up on organic seeds. “As a year-round vegetable gardener, I try to come up with a list of all the seeds I’ll need for every season when I place annual seed orders,” Jabbour says. “That way, I will place fewer orders and have everything on hand at the proper planting time, saving both time and money.” Organic seeds in consumer seed catalogs and retail racks won’t be genetically modified or treated with pesticides. Be generous with organic compost. With each planting, mix in organic compost along with a balanced organic fertilizer. Food crops grown in organically enriched soil are better able to resist challenges from pests and diseases, which simplifies summer tasks. Grow flowers to attract beneficial insects. Reducing or eliminating pesticides and increasing plantings of flowers can radically improve the balance between helpful and harmful insects in a garden. Horticulturist Jessica Walliser, co-host of Pittsburgh’s The Organic Gardeners KDKA radio show and author of Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden, recommends starting with sweet alyssum, an easy-to-grow annual that can be tucked into the edges of beds or added to mixed containers. “The tiny blossoms of sweet alyssum are adept at supporting several species of the non-stinging parasitic wasps that help keep aphids and other common pests in check,” Walliser says. In warm climates where they are widely grown, crape myrtles have been found to serve as nurseries for lady beetles, lacewings and other beneficial insects. Protect plants with fabric barriers. Pest insects seeking host plants won’t find cabbage or kale if they’re hidden beneath hoops covered with fine-mesh fabric like wedding net (tulle) or garden fabric row cover. “Cover the plants the day they are transplanted into the garden,” advises Walliser. As long as the edges are securely tucked in, row covers will also protect plants from wind, hail, rabbits and deer. Hoe briefly each day. Commit 10 minutes a day to hoeing. While slicing down young weeds, hill up soil over potatoes or clean up beds ready to be replanted. Look out for small problems to

correct before they become big ones. No more misplaced tools. Time is often wasted searching for lost weeders, pruning shears and other hand tools, which are easier to keep track of when painted in bright colors or marked with colored tape. Jabbour uses a tool stash basket placed at the garden entrance. Stop to smell the flowers. Use moments saved to sit quietly, relax and soak up the sights, sounds and smells of the

garden. Pausing to listen to the birds or watch a honeybee work a flower is part of the earned reward of any healthy garden that can’t be measured by the pound. Barbara Pleasant, the author of numerous green thumb books, including Starter Vegetable Gardens: 24 No-Fail Plans for Small Organic Gardens, grows vegetables, herbs and fruits in Floyd, Virginia. Connect at BarbaraPleasant.com.

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natural awakenings

April 2015

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Hartford County Edition

Neighbors in most states can now legally buy fresh breads, cookies and preserves from local food artisans.

he locavore movement of eating locally produced foods continues to expand, thanks to 42 states passing cottage food laws that permit community members to make certain foods at home to sell to neighbors. Some enterprises use a contract packer to deliver on a scale not possible domestically, or even operate from a commercially licensed production facility. From sauerkraut and distinctive jams and organic jellies to gluten- or peanutfree cakes and regional artisanal breads, some of the most flavorful products are being produced with no chemical preservatives, artificial colors or other laboratory ingredients. Nearly all are made in small batches, and usually by the owner. Many source local ingredients or serve special

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dietary needs largely underserved or ignored by larger food businesses. “In a sharing economy, individuals look less to big chain stores for their food needs and more to each other, making fresher, tastier and often healthier foods more accessible,” explains Janelle Orsi, co-founder of the Oakland, California, Sustainable Economies Law Center (SELC), citing its Policies for Shareable Cities report partnered with the nonprofit Shareable. The Specialty Food Association reports that sales of specialty foods—primarily at grocery retailers, but also cottage operators via farmers’ markets and direct orders when allowed by their state—grew 22 percent from 2010 to 2012, topping $85 billion.

photo courtesy of Epiphany Gluten Free Bakery, Naples, FL

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Get Strong, Balanced and Focused

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“All of our products are made by hand and in small batches daily,” says Ruth Wardein, co-owner, with Andrew Amick, of Epiphany Gluten Free Bakery, in Naples, Florida, which she launched from her home kitchen. Besides glutenfree cookies, cakes and breads, she’s always “perfecting” her Paleo cookies, brownies and pancake mix. Paleo recipes contain no grains, dairy, yeast or refined sugars, explains Wardein. “They require nut and seed flours, coconut oil and natural sugars like honey or maple syrup. So they are naturally higher in protein and fiber and lower in carbs than the average glutenfree recipe.” “We’re experimenting with the community supported agriculture model with local fruit,” says Erin Schneider. She and her husband, Rob McClure, operate Hilltop Community Farm, in LaValle, Wisconsin, which produces value-added products with organically grown crops. “We have salsas, pickles and jams. Our black currant and honey jam is sold before it’s made. Rob’s garlic dills have their own following.” Wisconsin’s cottage food law restricts sales to only high-acid foods.

Quality over Quantity

In Royal Oaks, California, Garden Variety Cheese owner, cheesemaker and shepherd Rebecca King feeds her 100 milking ewes organically raised, irrigated pasture grass and brewer’s grain to yield awardwinning farmstead easier-to-digest sheep cheeses from her Monkeyflower Ranch. “Many first-time customers like my story as a small producer and want to buy direct from the farm. They keep buying because of the taste,” says King. “My marinara and pizza sauces are made in small batches by hand in a home kitchen, enabling us to hot pack them to retain the ingredients’ natural favors,” says Liz James, owner of The Happy Tomato, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Her sauces are also low in sodium and contain no sugar, saturated fat or gluten. James’ production is facilitated by Virginia’s home food processor license, which lets her work from home and sell wholesale. Whole Foods Market is among her major retail accounts. When home-based cottage food businesses are spurred into expansion to keep up with demand, a situation sometimes complicated by state limits on sales volume, many opt for renting space in the growing number of incubator, or community, kitchens nationwide. “We did

farmers’ markets for three years and went from seven customers to thousands,” says Wardein, who now rents a commercial kitchen space. “Returning customers are the momentum that has pushed us forward.” “By growing food in and around our own neighborhoods and cities, we decrease our dependence on an oftentimes unjust and ecologically destructive global food system and build stronger, more connected and resilient communities,” affirms Yassi Eskandari-Qajar, director of SELC’s City Policies program. “We think it’s important to produce what grows well on our soil and then sell it, so that ecology drives economics, rather than vice versa,” says Schneider. “Random things prosper in our area, like paprika peppers, elderberries, hardy kiwi, garlic, pears and currants. It’s our job as ecologically-minded farmers to show how delicious these foods can be.” Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko are coauthors of the new book Homemade for Sale, a guide for launching a food business from a home kitchen, plus ECOpreneuring, Farmstead Chef and Rural Renaissance. Learn more at HomemadeForSale.com.

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April 2015

fitbody

MASTERING THE FORCE

The Martial Arts Hold Deep Inner Lessons by Eric Stevens

ew words are as oddly coupled as martial and arts. The first means “relating to war and soldiers,” while the second means “something that is created with imagination and skill, and is beautiful or expresses important ideas or feelings.” All martial arts represent a paradox of push and pull, yin and yang, external and internal. Their practice represents the blending of our physical lives in harmony with our emotional makeup, allowing our external activity to mirror our internal being. Seldom is the fusion of body, mind and spirit easily achieved with one activity, but martial arts are an exception, because they focus equally on internal and external well-being. Here are five key life lessons that martial arts can teach us. Learn how to breathe. True connection with our breath permeates an artist’s realm. A vocalist must reach deep within the diaphragm to sing proficiently and a dancer must learn to time their breath while performing. A martial artist learns to control breath with stillness and speed, like juxtaposing yoga with intense contact sports. Breathing properly makes the practi38

Hartford County Edition

tioner a better martial artist and a healthier one. According to a study published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine, hypertensive qigong program participants were able to both lower their blood pressure after 10 weeks and increase their oxygen uptake by 20 percent. Avoid conflict by developing character. While it may seem counterintuitive that learning how to fight could avoid conflict, it’s an essential part of martial arts. The philosopher Lao Tzu said the best fighter is never angry. The martial arts are primarily about discipline, heightened awareness and honing an ability to face our own internal conflicts. Several studies corroborate that practicing martial arts produces positive behavioral changes. For instance, according to a study published in the Journal of Adolescence, participating students in the martial arts were characterized as being less impulsive and less aggressive. Connect the external (body movement) with the internal (energy movement). The energetic force that catalyzes expressive kicks, punches, blocks and other outward forms is as essential as the

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movements themselves. In Chinese martial arts, that force is referred to as qi, the life energy that intrinsically unites body, mind and spirit. Be both an artist and athlete. Artistry and athleticism need not be divergent forces. The martial artist combines the grace of a creator and skill of a warrior, and watching a martial arts competition can be as riveting as watching a ballet or sports event. Most of us may not be talented artists or natural athletes, yet all students can learn how to integrate both worlds by blending physicality with stillness and expression through action. Let go of ego, find mental clarity and access the present moment. Jirōkichi Yamada, a master of Japanese kenjutsu, said, “The way of the sword and the way of Zen are identical, for they have the same purpose; that of killing the ego.” The focus of all true martial arts is the process, not the outcome. Whatever the style of execution, preparatory practice and meditative application, they all require the discipline of being purely present. Gaining such clarity requires grappling more with ego than with opponents; the real battle of a martial artist is waged within. Bruce Lee, the film star who revolutionized Western awareness of martial arts and founded jeet kune do, realized that martial arts’ transcendent philosophy gives us many lessons to draw upon. He suggested, “Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves.” Eric Stevens has been a fitness professional and martial arts coach for 15 years. He writes about related topics from Denver, Colorado. Connect at EricChristopherStevens@gmail.com.

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tudents often approach me after class when they are in the yoga zone. That is the place where they not only feel “blissed out” but where they allow themselves to be more vulnerable. They ask me questions about poses, meditation, breath work (which yogis call pranayama), as well as the tenets of yoga including non-excess, non-possessiveness and more. These are usually a result of poses we did, a quote I read or something I reminded them of in class – basically all topics that there is insufficient time to cover in detail. To answer questions and satiate curiosity about the deeper practices of yoga, I recommend various options. Although these are listed from least to most expensive, the benefit far outweighs the cost for the larger investment. There are many very good books and videos available. Ask your teachers to recommend some. Sign up for private sessions with a beloved instructor. This gives you the undivided attention of the teacher for an hour, allowing you to work on whatever you need or desire. Although having a private tutor for an hour is a great way to learn, it is a more expensive option. Consider going to an ashram for a weekend or weeklong program. If India isn’t in the budget, consider going to Kripalu in Massachusetts, Himalayan Institute in Pennsylvania or Omega New York. All offer great workshops and the opportunity for a nice getaway. Take a yoga teacher training (YTT). You don’t have to want to become a teacher; you just have to want to deepen your practice. Make sure the school you are considering is certified through Yoga Alliance and be sure to take some classes with the primary teacher. Attend an orientation session, ask to see the course syllabus and the books that are used, meet the primary teachers, inquire about their experience and ask to speak with former students. Most yoga students who start to learn more begin to realize that what is covered in a regular yoga class is just the tip of the iceberg. Maggie Knoedler Rueda, E-RYT 500 is the owner of Journey of Yoga LLC in Simsbury and the director of their 200-hour YTT program. The next YTT begins in September, but an overview session for YTT is May 13 at 7:30pm. Call 860-680-1482 to register or visit JourneyOfYoga.com. See ad on page 36.

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natural awakenings

April 2015

calendarofevents

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8

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

Opening to Our Soul’s Potential with Nicole Miale – 7-8:30pm. Webinar with Nicole Miale, Integrative Health and Healing Graduate and Publisher, Natural Awakenings - Fairfield County. The Graduate Institute, 171 Amity Rd, Bethany. 203-874-4252.

THURSDAY, APRIL 9

markyourcalendar

COFFEE WITH COACH

FREE WELLNESS CLASS

WEDNESDAYS

FIRST THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH

Facilitated by Life Coach Torin Lee-Lewis 7am

6-7pm

Learn ways to handle stress, navigate change and make each day count. Refreshments provided. $10 Oneida Holistic Health Center 16 West Road, Marlborough

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

RSVP Weekly: 860-467-6518

OPEN HOUSE - CYNDI ROBERTS YOGA

markyourcalendar OPEN STUDIO FEATURING THE ART OF COURTNEY IERONIMO

Explore One-On-One Yoga Sessions

WEDNESDAYS 12-1pm

FRIDAY, APRIL 3

Meet instructor Cyndi Roberts and tour her private Hartford yoga studio. Learn about therapeutic, gentle, and prenatal yoga customized to your individual needs.

Free All Levels Class 7:15-8:15pm

Free 1477 Park St, Ste 14, Hartford RSVP Required: 860-517-9322 YogaWithCR.com

5-7pm

As part of Torrington’s Art Walk Evening, we will be displaying and selling works by one of our teachers and will conclude with a free yoga class. Sanctuary Power Yoga Torrington To Register: SanctuaryPowerYoga.com

FREE INTRODUCTION SESSION

markyourcalendar YOGA AND GONG RELAXATION WORKSHOP

WEDNESDAYS

FRIDAY, APRIL 10

6-7:30pm

7-9pm

Learn how this program advances your knowledge and career with tools and training to expand consciousness and a counseling modality that allows for transformation at the core.

Slow your vibration! Begin with gentle and restorative poses, then enjoy an extended guided meditation, all accompanied by the sonic massage of a live gong performance.

Hartford County Edition

W.I.N.

(Women’s Independent Network)

SATURDAY, APRIL 11 Are you a woman contemplating, going through, or in process of divorce and would like some professional support and counsel? Attend for donated professional support. UCONN 85 Lawler Road, West Hartford Register: AllAboutWIN.com/solutions Call Toll-Free: 855-200-iWIN

markyourcalendar MARKETING AND COACHING WORKSHOP

For Holistic And Wellness Professionals With Dr. Dorri Gatter, LPC

SATURDAY, APRIL 11 9:30am-4pm

9:30am-12pm

Earn Your Master’s Degree in Pastoral Counseling At Hartford Family Institute

RSVP: 860-236-6009 HartfordFamilyInstitute.com

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SUNDAY, APRIL 12

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17 S Highland St, West Hartford

Secrets for Aligning Mind, Body to Sustain Lifelong Success –7-9pm. Webinar and on-site with Ann Wilkinson, Osteopathic Physical Therapist and Integrative Health and Healing faculty. The Graduate Institute, 171 Amity Rd, Bethany. 203-874-4242.

9am-12noon

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Free

New Haven Chapter of the Holistic Chamber of Commerce Monthly Meeting – 6:30-8:30pm. The Graduate Institute, 171 Amity Rd, Bethany. Free. NewHaven@holisticchamberofcommerce.com.

$40 Journey of Yoga 730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury 860-680-1482 JourneyOfYoga.com

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Learn to create and build an abundant and satisfying practice, authentically and creatively. This session led by a successful and experienced healing professional. CEUs available. Early Bird Special: $225/Register by 4/1 $250/After Hartford Family Institute 17 S Highland St, West Hartford Register: HartfordFamilyInstitute.com 860-236-6009 x108

SATURDAY, APRIL 11 Jayaprabha and the Joy of Sound Kirtan – 7:30pm. Jayaprabha and the Joy of Sound allows the heart to unfold, as they create uplifting vocal harmonies and energetic instrumental accompaniment. $15/in advance, $20/at the door. Vital Life Center, 100 W Main St, Plainville. 860-479-0466.

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PARTNER YOGA

REIKI I CERTIFICATION CLASS

SUNDAY, APRIL 12

SATURDAY, APRIL 18

RELAX AND REJUVENATE WITH GENTLE AND RESTORATIVE YOGA

With the assistance of our partner, we’ll playfully take turns within yoga postures to help deepen our experience and our bodies and sense of balance to support one another with ease. No prior experience is necessary.

Learn the history of this ancient healing technique, how it works, and what it’s used for. Receive attunement to the Usui Reiki energy.

4-5:30pm

$26.10/By 4/9 $29/After Yoga Center of Collinsville 10 Front St, Collinsville Registration Required: 860-693-YOGA (9642) YogaCenterCollinsville.com

markyourcalendar A TASTE OF HEALTH

Farm to Table Events with Nurturing Foods

10am-4:30pm

$130 + $20/Worksheet fee Pre-registration Required: 860-531-8972 or TerrLoyd@gmail.com C4pt.org JourneyOfYoga.com

Yoga Center of Collinsville 10 Front St, Collinsville

markyourcalendar LIFE COACH CERTIFICATION SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, APRIL 18-19 Learn the tools, skills and strategies to build a profitable coaching practice. Discover a proven, success-oriented system that allows you to begin your coaching career with confidence!

TUESDAY, APRIL 28 Whole Food Dinner Event 6pm

For Info: 980-263-2600, 860-924-6992 Or CoachingExcellenceInstitute.com

Health begins with our food. Join holistic chefs, Bill and Angelo, at their special organic dinner buffet event to experience their prepared organic farm to table dishes. $25 Angelo’s Restaurant 289 S Main St, West Harford RSVP: 860-313-0460 NurturingFoods.orgNurturingFoods.org

TUESDAY, APRIL 14 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. Yoga Basics – 6-wk series. 7:30-8:45pm. This class promotes balance, flexibility, strength and stress release. Great for those new to yoga or who would like a refresher on the basics. $39/pre registered, $49/day of. Vital Life Center, 100 W Main St, Plainville. 860-479-0466.

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

MONDAY, APRIL 20 Holistic Moms Network of Greater Hartford – 7pm. Kristen Werblow of Balanced Living Now to speak about Recharging in the Season of Renewal. Free and open to the public. HmnHartfordCt@gmail.com: for location info. 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.

TUESDAY, APRIL 21

THURSDAY, APRIL 16 Organic Gardening, Health and Wellness – 7-8:30pm. Explore how gardening and working the soil produce health, wellness and peace of mind. Sponsor: Alliance for Holistic Living; Presenter: Bettylou Sandy, MCC educator. Free, non-perishable food donation encouraged. Ravenwood Holistic Center, 199 W Center St, Manchester. 860-8715467.

SUNDAY, APRIL 12 Restorative Yoga with The Conduit – 12:30-3pm. A deeply relaxing and restorative yoga workshop led by WHY instructors Corinna and Adrianna, assisted with The Conduit’s soothing gong and singing bowl vibrations. $45/preregister. West Hartford Yoga, 23 Brook St, West Hartford.

4-5:30pm

Bring peace and balance to your mind and body through gentle stretching, restorative postures, and guided relaxation. $17.10/By 4/16 $19/After

TUESDAY, APRIL 14 Vegan Dinner Event 6pm

SUNDAY, APRIL 19

Medicine Cabinet Makeover with Essential Oils – 5:30-6:30pm. 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. RSVP, Christine: 917-488-5788. The Science of Spiritual Marketing with Andrea Adler – 7-9pm. Webinar and on-site with Andrea Adler Marketing, Communications, and Public Relations Expert. The Graduate Institute, 171Amity Rd, Bethany. 203-874-4242.

markyourcalendar markyourcalendar FAMILY YOGA

GOING YIN-SIDE OUT: A YIN APPROACH TO YOGA FRIDAY, APRIL 24

SUNDAY, APRIL 19

6:30-8pm

2-3pm

Family yoga is a class for your whole family to learn yoga movements, stretches and to have fun! Bring your entire family to practice together.

Find your balance between softness and strength, ease and effort with Yin yoga – the perfect companion to an active (Yang) yoga practice, and to our busy lives.

$10.80/By 4/16 $12/After

$17.10/By 4/21 $19/After

Yoga Center of Collinsville 10 Front St, Collinsville

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

natural awakenings

April 2015

markyourcalendar

AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION

WEIGHT LOSS FOR A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

QIGONG & TAI CHI

8th Annual Fight For Air Climb Step Up to the Challenge!

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29 8-9am

APRIL 25 9am

Teams will participate in the physical strength and lung strength. The team with the fastest time will be awarded a medal tocan purchase drinks if you wish. City Place I, Hartford FightForAirClimb.org

SHE Medical Associates invites you to a free seminar to learn how to make lifestyle changes to improve health by working with a health coach. Free SHE Medical Associates 44 Dale Rd, 3rd FL, Avon RSVP: 860-236-5431

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markyourcalendar 17TH ANNUAL WORLD TAI CHI & QIGONG DAY SATURDAY, APRIL 25 10am-3pm

Tai Chi & Qigong classes by 15+ local Tai Chi teachers. Connecticut’s largest World Tai Chi Day Event. Free Colchester Town Green For details, workshop schedule and directions: ConnecticutTaiChi.us or Silver Dragon: 860-742-5892

FREE QIGONG CLASS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29 5:30-6:30pm

Learn simple exercises to calm your body and energize your mind with deep breathing and slow, flowing movements of these ancient Chinese healing exercises. Free Integrative Wellness & Physical Therapy 34 Jerome Ave, Ste 305, Bloomfield 860-519-1916

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29 The Art of Healing and the Psychology of Illness with Dr. Bernie Siegel – 7pm. Dr. Bernie Siegel, IHH faculty. The Jewish Community Center Auditorium, 360 Amity Rd, Woodbridge. RSVP, Anne Grant: 203-387-2522, x 300.

THURSDAY, APRIL 30

FRIDAY, APRIL 24 Dream Seed: A Shamanic Sound Journey – 7-8:30pm: The Conduit presents native drumming, meditative didgeridoo and other overtone-emitting instruments for healing consciousness, featuring NYC artists, Didge Project & Golden Drum. All props provided. $25/pre-pay. The Conduit Center, 1227 Burnside Ave, #1, East Hartford. 860-8884314.

SATURDAY, APRIL 25 Complimentary Community Class with YTT – 12:30-1:30pm or 2-3pm. Sample our future yoga teachers and support their progress. These all levels classes are perfect for everyone. No experience necessary. Free, open to the public. 274 Silas Deane Hwy, Wethersfield. For more info, River Rock Yoga: 860-757-3339.

SUNDAY, APRIL 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.

markyourcalendar INTRODUCTION TO QIGONG FRIDAY, MAY 1 7-8:30pm

Learn a simple set of ancient Chinese healing exercises. In just a few minutes a day, you can manage stress, improve mental clarity, and achieve emotional balance in your daily life.

C4PT Psychic & Wellness Fair – 9:30am-4pm. A day of free educational demonstrations and 20-minute sessions giving services and psychic readings for $20. Includes information on Colonics, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, and Wellness Insurance. Center for Progressive Therapy, 192 Hartford Rd, Manchester. 860-649-9600.

Hartford County Edition

www.NAHRT.com

$25 Yoga Center of Collinsville 10 Front St, Collinsville Registration Required: 860-693-YOGA (9642) YogaCenterCollinsville.com

with Visiting Master Lok

SATURDAY, MAY 2

Join Master Lok of Hong Kong to explore Dragon Gate Qigong, Tai Chi and Daoism, all to create health and vitality in your life. Beginner Qigong Workshop 10am-1pm, $65 Learn the fundamentals of qi, how it works in the body and how cultivating your qi promotes good health. Experience the energy flow with hands-on instruction in several movements. Advanced Qigong Workshop

2-5pm, $75

For experienced students. Explore the legendary qi and develop a deeper sensation. Develop deeper insight and prepare to instruct others in qigong and tai chi. Yoga Center of Collinsville 10 Front St, Collinsville Register: 860-693-YOGA (9642) YogaCenterCollinsville.com/workshop

markyourcalendar REIKI CERTIFICATIONS

Presented by Andrea Frasier, RMT, CCH ICRT Member

SATURDAY, MAY 2 Level I, 11:30am-5:30pm

SATURDAY, MAY 3 Level II, 11:30am-5:30pm

SUNDAY, MAY 9

Level III, 11:30am-5:30pm Learn the ancient healing art of transferring energy through your hands. Supporting your body’s natural ability to heal, eliminate toxins and help others. Reiki is easily learned by anyone and can improve overall health and wellness. LEVEL I Register by 4/19: $105/After $130 LEVEL II Register by 4/19: $150/After $175 LEVEL III Register by 4/19: $225/After $250 $20 Workbook fee (one-time) Yoga Born 1735 Ellington Rd, South Windsor (Stop & Shop Plaza) Register: YogaBorn.com or 860-432-5678 Information: Call Andrea at 843-467-7918

SATURDAY, MAY 2 The Healing Arts of Emei Qigong - Level 1 Training – 5/2-5/4. 9am-5pm. Seminar taught by Master Patricia Bolger. $99. Holistic Therapies, 15 S Elm St, Wallingford. Register: 203-500-6492.

ongoing events

markyourcalendar HAND AND FOOT REFLEXOLOGY TRAINING & CERTIFICATION

Learn reflexology to enhance your personal life or professional career. Perfect for moms, home caregivers, yoga teachers, massage therapists or those looking to create a new business. $445 Yoga Center of Collinsville 10 Front St, Collinsville Registration Required: 860-693-YOGA (9642) YogaCenterCollinsville.com

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.

sunday

4 Weekend Sessions

MAY 2-3 & JULY 25-26 11am-7pm

Meditate Through The Madness – 6pm. Hosted by Torin Lee-Lewis. $10. Holistic Health Center, 16 West Rd, Marlborough. To confirm attendance: 860-467-6518.

Yoga Hikes – Starting 8am. Guided hikes infused with the spirit and practice of yoga. Refresh your senses, restore connection to the natural world, and rejuvenate body, mind, and breath. $30-$40 (student discount available). Locations vary. Register: YogaWithSybil.com. 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.

Guided Meditation – 4-5 pm. 3rd Sunday each month. No experience is necessary. Topics are relaxation great health and spiritual wellness. Cost: $18 on-line/$20 SUNDAY, MAY 3 walk-in. Hosted by Bonnie Zaman, Reiki Master at Reiki Clinic – 1-3pm. Come experience a Reiki ses- Yoga Born, South Windsor. 860-944-1668. sion. Reiki is used for stress reduction, relaxation, and Insight Meditation with Kevin McDonough – to promote healing. Center for Progressive Therapies 5-5:45pm. Learn techniques to start a meditation offering free 20-minute sessions, first-come, first- practice or enhance the one you have. We will practice served. Donations accepted. For info, Terry Lloyd: meditation as a group each session. No experience nec860-531-8972. essary. By donation. River Rock Yoga, 274 Silas Deane

Hwy, Wethersfield. Reserve your space: 860-757-3339.

markyourcalendar YOGA TEACHER TRAINING INFORMATIONAL SESSION WEDNESDAY, MAY 13 7:30-8:30pm

Learn more about JOY’s 2015-2016 program, designed for students who want to become yoga teachers and for those who want deeper study of the practice and philosophy of yoga. Free Journey of Yoga 730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury 860-680-1482 JourneyOfYoga.com

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

All-Levels Power Yoga – 9:30-10:45am. Power vinyasa class in a heated room. Baptiste influenced, strong and challenging with an emphasis on compassion and mindfulness. Get in the flow-meditation in motion. $18/drop-in. Sanctuary Power Yoga, 23 Franklin St, Torrington. 860-496-1500. All Levels Yoga – 9:30 -10:45am. Learn to manage stress, decrease aches/pains, release emotional/physical blocks. Class is personalized to your needs. Here is your chance to feel even better. $12-$15/suggested donation, all welcome regardless of ability to pay. Universalist Church of West Hartford. 433 Fern St, West Hartford. SpadaWellness@gmail.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. GirlYoga for Teens and Tweens – Most Mondays. 3:15-4:15pm, grades 9+, and 4:30-5:30pm, grades 5-8. A special practice designed to meet the unique needs of young women in middle and high school grades. Try your first class for $14. Journey of Yoga, 730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury. 860-680-1482.

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.

tuesday

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. Stress Reduction Class – 10-11am. With Liz Lockwood. Class begins with discussion including tips to manage stress. Followed by a 30-minute relaxation practice in comfortable lounge chairs. $10. Simsbury Chiropractic and Wellness Center, 540 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury. Questions and registration: 860-306-1680. Feldenkrais® Awareness Through Movement – 12-1pm. Learn gentle yet powerful movements that create strength and flexibility without stretching or straining. $13/drop-in. Holistic Therapies Classroom, 15 S Elm Street, Wallingford. Contact Carol Meade: 203-415-8666. Lessons in the Alexander Technique – 2:15-6pm. The Alexander Technique improves awareness of the tension in your body and helps you release it, resulting in lighter movement and less stress and pain. $45/45-minute lesson. Song-a Day Music Center, 2809 Boston Tpke, Coventry. 860-742-6878. Meditate through the Madness – 6-7pm. Hosted by Torin Lee-Lewis. Learn to manage the stress of life through mediation. $10. Oneida Holistic Health Center, 16 West Road, Marlborough. RSVP: 860467-6518. Hyperbaric Oxygen Club Meetings & Mens Group – 3rd Tuesday: 4/21, 5/19, & 6/16. 7pm. Discover the benefits and effects of mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Take a minute off your mile. The men’s awareness group, with discussion and resources, at 8:30pm. Center for Progressive Therapy, 192 Hartford Rd, Manchester. Sweat & Surrender Vinyasa Flow – 7:30pm with Kristina Kutsukos. Come breathe, sweat, and surrender in this all levels Vinyasa flow class. Sacred Rivers Yoga, 28 Main St, East Hartford. 860-657-9545. Tinker Time, With Robin Ritz, Certified Kaizen Muse Creativity Coach – 8pm. Call in to join group of others using Small Steps and Breaking Blocks. Work on whatever is calling to you; art, crafts, plans, bills, painting, drawing, writing. Free. For event details: 860-450-6164.

natural awakenings

April 2015

wednesday 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. Clinical Nutritionist Meet & Greet – 12-1pm. 1st and 3rd Wednesday. Meet Cindy Mimo, MS, CCN, and learn how clinical nutrition applies nutrition therapeutically to improve gastrointestinal integrity and reach your individual health and wellness goals. My Life Nutrition, 160 Oak St, Ste 204, Glastonbury. Reservations: 860-888-6467. Emei Wujigong Qigong Group Practice – 12-1pm. Come experience a qigong form for rebalancing and strengthening body, mind and spirit. All abilities welcome. All Thursdays except the 1st of the month, 6:307:30pm. $5, 1st class free. Holistic Therapies Classroom, 15 S Elm St, Wallingford. Info: EmeiQigongChan.com. Nutritional Recovery – 1:30-2:30pm. An educational support group for people struggling with weight management and/or eating disorders. All are welcome. Free. CCAR Windham Recovery Community Center, 713 Main St, Willimantic. 860-423-7088. Beginners Yoga – 6-7:15pm. Become aware of your body, mind and breath while exploring movement to create balance and build confidence to attend classes regularly. $20/single, $40/month unlimited. Yoga Born, 1735 Ellington Rd, South Windsor. 860-432-5678. Free Sessions - Epiphany – 6-8:30pm. 1st Wednesday of the month. CranioSacral therapy, Therapeutic Touch, Reflexology, Reiki, and more. 20-minute sessions are provided to promote relaxation, sense of well-being, and to ease discomfort. Children welcome. Free, donations accepted. 225 Commerce Dr, Canton. Iahp.com/Karen-R-Kramer. Free Seminar - Lose Weight and Keep it Off with Ideal Protein – 6:30-7:30pm. Registered nurse explains how easy it is to lose weight while eating whole foods combined with protein supplements without feeling hungry. Free. Living Healthy Weight Loss Center, 112 S Main St, (Rte 177), Unionville. Reservations: 860-977-9001. Osteotap for Bone Vitality – 7-8pm. Move, breathe, smile, brush, and tap. Manage stress, fortify connective tissues, build bone density and vitalityhealth benefits proven by NIH research. All abilities welcome. $15. Yoga Room, Malibu Fitness, 15 Executive Dr, Farmington. 860-578-2465. Our Mindful Moves – 7-8pm. Move, breathe, smile, brush, and tap. Manage stress, fortify connective tissues, build bone vitality, gain real health benefits proven by NIH research. All abilities welcome. $15. Yoga Room, Malibu Fitness, 15 Executive Dr, Farmington. 860-578-2465.

thursday Feldenkrais® Awareness Through Movement – 12-1pm. Learn gentle yet powerful movements that create strength and flexibility without stretching or straining. $13/drop-in. Holistic Therapies Classroom, 15 S Elm Street, Wallingford. Contact Carol Meade: 203-415-8666.

Hartford County Edition

Stress Reduction Class – 1:30-2:30pm. With Liz Lockwood. Class begins with discussion including tips to manage stress. Followed by a 30-minute relaxation practice in comfortable lounge chairs. $10. Simsbury Chiropractic and Wellness Center, 540 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury. Questions and registration: 860-306-1680. Sweat & Surrender Vinyasa Flow – 5pm with Kristina Kutsukos. Come breathe, sweat, and surrender in this all levels Vinyasa flow class. Sacred Rivers Yoga, 28 Main St, East Hartford. 860-657-9545. Reiki Circle – 6pm. A gathering of healers and Reiki practitioners for the purpose of sharing reiki healing energy. Free. Oneida Holistic Health Center, 16 West Road, Marlborough. RSVP: 860-467-6518. H.U.S.H. Holistic Universal Sound Healing – 6:30-8pm. 2nd Thursday. Restore the inner balance of the body and awaken the spirit with gongs, crystal and brass bowls. $20. Monthly groups in Columbia. For location and reservations, Linda: 860-428-2097. 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. Mixed Levels Yoga – 7-8pm, Therapeutic Yoga is the foundation of this class. Simultaneously build strength, create balance and flexibility. $20/single, $40/month unlimited. Yoga Born, 1735 Ellington Rd, South Windsor. 860-432-5678. 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 Mixed Levels Yoga – 8-9am. Start your day practicing Therapeutic Yoga to build strength and balance feel supported from the inside out - love the body you were born! $20/single, $40/month unlimited. Yoga Born, 1735 Ellington Rd, South Windsor. 860-432-5678. Community Acupuncture Clinic – 10am-2pm. Provides in-group setting using points below elbows and knees. Effective for pain, stress, chronic illness, medication side effects and more. $20-40/sliding scale, + $10/fee first visit. Windham Hospital, 112 Mansfield Ave, Willimantic. 860-456-6002, option 5. CommUnity Siddhanath Yoga & Meditation – 6-7:30pm. With Andrew Burkamp. Come learn chakra meditation and pranic healing techniques from the tradition of Kundalini Kriya yoga. $10/ suggested donation. Sacred Rivers Yoga, 28 Main St, East Hartford. 860-657-9545. First Friday FREE - Sample Wellness – 5-8pm. 1st Friday: 4/3, 5/1, 6/5. Join us at Oneida for FREE mini sessions. Come relax and experience chair massage, reflexology, Reiki, a mini-facial and much more. Light refreshments provided. Oneida Holistic Health Center, 16 West Road, Marlborough. RSVP: 860-467-6518.

www.NAHRT.com

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. Community Sauna/Sweats with Medicine Horse – 1st Friday: 4/3, 5/1, & 6/5. 6:30pm. Detoxifying and rejuvenating. Into our sweat house for four rounds of positive intentions, drumming, singing and rhythm play. Bring water, sweat clothing and a contribution to the potluck dinner. Center for Progressive Therapy, 192 Hartford Rd, Manchester. Contact Dr. Joe: 860-992-2810. H.U.S.H. Holistic Universal Sound Healing – 7-8:30pm. 3rd Friday. Restore the inner balance of the body and awaken the spirit with gongs, crystal and brass bowls. $20. Monthly groups at Unity Church, South Windsor. For location and reservations, Linda: 860-428-2097.

saturday 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. Family Yoga – Most Saturdays. 8-8:45am. Ages 4-10. Parents, grandparents and caregivers and invited to bind with kids through a fun, accessible practice. $12/ person. Journey of Yoga, 730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury. 860-680-1482. 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. ChakraDance™ -First Class Complimentary Introduction – 10:30am-12pm. Rebalance your energy by dancing to music composed to resonate with each of your Chakras. Come to exercise, energize and be enlightened. All welcome. Center for Progressive Therapy, 192 Hartford Rd, Manchester. Barbara Gagnon: 860-836-6665. 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. Beginners Yoga – 11am-12pm. Designed for those with no experience. Learn what is positively possible for your body and mind. $20/single, $40/month unlimited. Yoga, 1735 Ellington Rd, South Windsor. 860-432-5678. Improve Posture and Balance with the Alexander Technique – 11am-12pm. Learn to prevent aches and pains by aligning your body naturally. Hands-on guidance from teacher will help you too remove tension and move more freely. $15. Miller - Alexander Technique, Farmington. 860-656-6177.

Slow Flow (Unheated) Yoga With Meditation – 11:15am-12:15pm. A slower, gentler flow that still incorporates many of the poses from our traditional power class and concludes with a guided meditation. $18/drop-in. Sanctuary Power Yoga, 23 Franklin St, Torrington. 860-496-1500. Community Yoga – 4:30-5:30pm. Come get your vinyasa on for a great cause. All donations go to our Powerful Woman Scholarship Fund at South Windsor High School. $5/donation. The Yoga Shop, South Windsor. TheYogaShopct.com.

classifieds CLASSES ASNUNTUCK COMMUNITY COLLEGE PRESENTS – 10 Week Kripalu All Levels Yoga. Easy to understand instruction takes you through a series of therapeutic yoga poses. This practice will tone and strengthen your muscles, improve your flexibility, and help you relax! Mondays, March 9-May 11, 5:30-6:30pm. $100/program or $12/class. Instructor: Diana Ricci Gunther. 860-253-3034. Asnuntuck.edu.

FOR RENT TREATMENT ROOM / OFFICE – MARLBOROUGH. 96 sq ft. space in suite with chiropractors and massage therapist. Handicapped accessible. Internet access. Shared waiting room, kitchen and bathroom. Utilities included. $350.00 per month. 1 year lease. 860-295-1200. OFFICE / ROOM AVAILABLE – MARLBOROUGH. Looking for a serene space to host your class or workshop? Oneida Holistic Health Center has two spaces for groups of 8-20. Rates vary from $40-$300. Call 860-467-6518. TREATMENT ROOM – PORTLAND. Integrative Holistic Center looking for like minded practitioners for full or part time use. Inviting spaces, beautiful waiting room, nurturing energy. Easily accessible off Rt. 9. Call Angela at 860-358-9272. WORKSHOP / CLASS SPACE – PORTLAND. Holistic workshop space available in beautiful 1000sf well lit room, can seat up to 60 comfortably, call Angela at 860-358-9272. BEAUTIFUL NEW OFFICE SPACE - WEST HARTFORD CENTER. Looking for holistic practitioners who have their own practice, but who would like to share space with other like minded professionals. Massage therapist, energy healer, nutritionist, cranial sacral, or other healing modality welcome. Suite includes waiting room, internet access, copier, small break room. Ample parking. Building is accessible. Contact Elliott Strick 860-231-8459, www.elliottstrick.com. Email: elliottstricklmft@gmail.com

HELP WANTED SEEKING ADVERTISING SALES AND MEDIA CONSULTANT for Natural Awakenings with 2+ years experience in marketing communications or advertising that has a passion to help small, holistic businesses grow. Must demonstrate skill in consultative sales. Ideal for individual wanting a flexible work schedule of 20 or more hours per week. Position is a 1099 independent contractor and is commission-based. Send resume to ads@nahrt.com. INSIDE SALES ASSOCIATES WANTED to set up appointments for Natural Awakenings Sales staff. Must have professional phone voice and good communication skills. Computer knowledge a plus. All leads provided. Work from home, part-time on your own schedule. Fixed fees paid for appointments scheduled, meetings completed plus bonus paid on final sale. Send resume to ads@nahrt.com.

WOMEN LEAD THE WAY

PART-TIME OPPORTUNITY FOR A QUALIFIED HYPNOTIST/HYPNOTHERAPISt at a thriving hypnosis practice in Avon, CT. Initial hours are Thursday through Saturday, however there is a significant growth opportunity and full-time potential. Please Fax resume to 860 693-2221 or scan and e-mail to mindmatters@comcast.net.

SERVICES JYOTISH (AYURVEDIC / YOGIC ASTROLOGY) AND MANTRA CONSULT - Learn specific mantras to create balance and happiness in your life. Burn through your karmic blocks using specialize mantras scientifically based on your DNA and karma. Purify your difficulties using Yogic Astrology. Gauri was trained in India. 860-205-2763 or Gauri.jyotish@gmail.com. SEEKING STUDENTS – Holistic Violin Instructor for all ages 2 years and up. Learn the basics to advanced techniques of the violin in a heart-centered teaching approach. Progress easily to the next level. 860-463-3422.

Advertise in

Natural Awakenings’ May Women’s Health Issue To advertise or participate in our next issue, call

860-507-6392 natural awakenings

April 2015

communityresourceguide 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.

BUSINESS COACHING

Using a holistic approach, our community of practitioners addresses your underlying issues that are keeping you from truly thriving and return you to optimum health. See ad on page 25.

THE GRADUATE INSTITUTE (TGI)

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

34 Jerome Avenue, Suite 304 Bloomfield, CT 06002 860-269-6544 StrategicImprovementAssociates.com If you’re struggling with profitability or to balance the needs of your business, we can help! We want to be your sustainable business resource. See ad on page 28.

CHIROPRACTIC GARY ITALIA, DC, PHD

Connecticut Diagnostics, LLC 2080 Silas Deane Highway, Rocky Hill, CT 368 Franklin Avenue, Hartford, CT www.ChiroAndPT.com 860-257-7448 A full service chiropractic office that takes a holistic approach to health and wellness. The office offers chiropractic, rehabilitation/exercise, and nutrition. Most insurances are accepted. See ad on page 36.

COLON HYDROTHERAPY CONSTACE JONES, I-ACT, NBCHT

Located in Center for Progressive Therapies 192 Hartford Road, Manchester 860-287-4558 CleanMyColon.com Improving colon health in a nurturing, serene, safe, hygienic and comfortable environment, where your utmost privacy and sense of wellbeing are always my greatest concern. See ad on page 25.

EDUCATION HARTFORD FAMILY INSTITUTE

Center for Psychotherapy and Healing Arts 17 South Highland Street, West Hartford, 06119 203-236-6009 www.hartfordfamilyinstitute.com

A cutting edge Psycho-therapy and Training Center since 1969. Treatment includes in- depth body emotional work, energy healing, shamanic spiritual healing and illness and trauma work. Training also offered for psychotherapists, healers, and those interested in becoming a counselor. See ad on page 31.

Hartford County Edition

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

EDUCATION

STRATEGIC IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.

HOLISTIC HEALTH CENTER FOR PROGRESSIVE THERAPIES

FELICIA RICKS, NET

TGI offers holistic master’s Glorious Body degrees and certificate pro- Serving Greater Hartford and Beyond grams for adult learners. Pro- 860-463-5134 Medicated? Surgerized? Traditional Therapied? grams include Integrative GloriousBody.FR@gmail.com Is there anything you haven’t done to your body...and you’re still not getting better? Health and Healing, EcotherGet more energy, more happiness, and f you suffer fromwith common issues like fatigue, joint aches, apy and Cultural Sustainability, Writing and Oral more life a simple, guided approach headaches, body aches, back & neck problems, postTradition, Organizational Leadership, Integrative to nutrition and weight loss based on surgical recovery, trauma, men’s/women’s health, allergies Health Coaching and Patient Navigation, and deliciouslearning and nutritious whole foods. sinus problems, & behavioral issues, mind/body more. See ad on page 33. and more, approach can help you. Seeour ad unique on pageintegrative 27.

Is Your Body a Train Wreck?

ENERGY WORK WHITNEY CHRISTINA

Energetic Being 3 Barnard Lane, Top Floor, Bloomfield 860-830-1180 www.EnergeticBeing.org Live your life without cages! Create an exuberate life without constraints. Whitney shows how to turn passions into the key to aAccepted life you love. See ad Medicare on page 13.

HAIR CARE STUDIO 3 SALON

350 Silas Deane Hwy, Wethersfield, CT 06109 www.studio3-salon.com 860-518-4674 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 25.

HOLISTIC HEALTH ALTERNATIVE HEALTH, INC 625 New Park Ave West Hartford, CT 06110 860-218-2838 www.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 onpage 15.

You can get yourself and your family on the path to health and well being!

INTEGRATIVE WELLNESS & PHYSICAL THERAPY CALL NOW (860)

519-1916

34 Jerome Avenue, 305 for your FREESuite private consultation and your FREE boo “5 Tips Strengthen(860) the Pelvic Floor and Improve Bladder Function. Bloomfield, CT to06002 519-1916 Info@IntegrativeWellnessAndPT.com

34Holistic Jeromehealth Avenue, Suite 305 • Manual Bloomfield, CT 06002 center offering Therapy, Phys(860) Info@IntegrativeWellnessAndPT.com ical519-1916 Therapy,• Nutritional Wellness, Natural Health

and Lifestyle Coaching, and natural health Community Education programs. Some insurance billing available. See ads on inside front cover and page 11.

ONEIDA HOLSITIC HEALTH CENTER 16 West Rd, Marlborough 860-467-6518 TheOCenter.net

Using a holistic approach, our community of practitioners addresses your underlying issues that are keeping you from truly thriving and return you to optimum health. See ad on pages 27 and 29.

SPIRIT OF THE LOTUS

837 Boston Turnpike (RT 44) Bolton CT 06043 860-402-9501 www.SpiritOfTheLotus.org Robin Barros IMT-C, is guided to help you release physical, mental & spiritual baggage, carried for years, lives or generations. Are you living life to it’s fullest?

Never interrupt someone doing what you said couldn’t be done. ~Amelia Earhart

www.NAHRT.com

HOLISTIC HEALTH YOGA CENTER OF COLLINSVILLE 10 Front St, Collinsville, CT 06019 860-693-YOGA (9642) info@YogaCenterCollinsville.com www.YogaCenterCollinsville.com/HC

You can accomplish the changes you need for a long, healthy life with the help of our certified health coaches. Three, 50-minute sessions for $79. See ad on page 16 and back cover.

INSPIRATIONAL SHOPS SIXTH SCENTS

51 East Main Street Avon, CT 06001 860-674-8600 Facebook: SixthScents Awaken and discover your sixth sense of intuition at our modern, new age shop. We offer many products and services to help you heal, inspire and rejuvenate. See ad on page 39.

LIFE COACHING ALEXANDRA LOWRY

Certified Life Coach The Wisdom Alliance 860-559-1264 alexandra@thewisdomalliance.com At midlife and feeling stuck and unfulfilled? Together, we’ll shift your learned behaviors and beliefs to achieve deep and lasting change. Call me to explore. See ad on page 37.

TORIN LEE

Oneida Holistic Health Center 16 West Rd, Marlborough 860-467-6518 TheOCenter.net 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 pages 27 and 29.

NATURALLY RELAXED, LLC

WELLNESS CENTER

Denise J. Glabau 35 Webster Square Rd, Berlin, CT 06037 860-402-0613 Naturally-Relaxed.com

THE CONDUIT CENTER

Our mission is to help you live pain free for a vibrant, healthier, happier lifestyle. We specialize in biomechanical orientated massage therapy, relieving muscular pain, stiffness, tension. See ad on page 34.

NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE

DOMEGEOS’S MASSAGE & SKIN CARE

45 S Main St #211, West Hartford 860-231-7546 DomegeosMassageAndSkinCare.com Experience bliss! Our staff is dedicated and our services are designed for the relaxation, renewal, and revival of your mind, body, and spirit. See ad on page 12.

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 8.

YOGA

JASON BELEJACK, ND

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

CYNDI ROBERTS YOGA

Your first visit will be a complete medical history, comprehensive physical exam. Then we’ll discuss your first step towards rediscovering your health! See ad on pages 27 and 29.

NUTRITION SHANA GRIFFIN, RDN, CD-N

ShopRite – Joseph Family Markets 46 Kane Street, West Hartford 860-233-1713 Shana.Griffin@wakefern.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 35.

KRISTEN LUDWIG, RD

ShopRite – Joseph Family Markets 110 Albany Tpke, Canton 860-233-1713 Kristen.Ludwig@wakefern.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 35.

1477 Park Street, Suite 14, Hartford 860-517-9322 www.YogaWithCR.com Cyndi@YogaWithCR.com One-on-one yoga instruction for stress relief, chronic pain, healing from injury, and pregnancy in her private studio in West Hartford. Sessions by appointment only. See ad on page 24.

DAWN GREENFIELD

Yoga Born 1735 Ellington Rd., South Windsor 860-432-5678 YogaBorn.com 200-hr Kripalu, 500-hr Pranakriya, 150-hr Anusra and Therapeutic Training. Full-time teaching, public classes and personal sessions since 2005. Over 1000 hours with Traumatic Brain Injury and Special Needs Community. See ad on page 6.

JOURNEY OF YOGA

730 Hopmeadow St. Simsbury, CT 06070 www.JourneyOfYoga.com 860-680-1482 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 36.

YOGA CENTER OF COLLINSVILLE

WEIGHT LOSS CENTER MASSAGE

Owen James, Director Manchester/East Hartford 860-888-4314 www.TheConduitCenter.com

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

LIVING HEALTHY WEIGHT LOSS CENTER

112 So. Main St. (Rte.177), Unionville 860-977-9001 www.LivingHealthyWeightLoss.com Lose weight safely with the Ideal Protein weight loss program. Led by a Registered Nurse, you’ll eat a variety of whole foods and Ideal Protein supplements.See ad on page 7.

Experience yoga in the vibrant surroundings of historic Collinsville. Morning / evening classes available: Beginners, Gentle, Mixed, Advanced, Yogalates, BellyDance and yoga for Kids. Drop-ins welcome! New student special: $40 for one month of unlimited yoga classes. See ad on page 16 and back cover.

natural awakenings

April 2015

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.

+ CT sales tax

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

Monthly unlimited memberships available for current students and for families

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.

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) info@YogaCenterCollinsville.com â&#x20AC;˘ YogaCenterCollinsville.com/balance Hartford County Edition www.NAHRT.com