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Born to Eat Wild Why Ancestral Diets Boost Health
Shamanic Path in Modern Times Reconnecting Spirit with Health, Healing and Everyday Life
Life Exercises for the Chakras
GAME CHANGERS in Connecticut People who Dare to Hope and Act
October 2016 | New Haven-Middlesex | NaturalNewHaven.com natural awakenings
October 2016
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letterfrompublisher “A community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm. “ ~Henrik Ibsen
contact us Publisher Art Director Gail Heard 203-988-1808 Gail@naturalnewhaven.com Managing Local Editor Ariana Rawls Fine Managing National Editor S. Alison Chabonais Design and Production Gail Heard Printer TN Printing Franchise Sales 239-530-1317 To contact Natural Awakenings New Haven/Middlesex Counties: Natural Awakenings PO Box 525 North Branford, CT 06471 Phone: 203-988-1808 Gail@NaturalNewHaven.com NaturalNewHaven.com © 2016 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call for a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business.
I have always believed that if we want to see transformation in our world, we need to take personal responsibility for being part of that transformation rather than looking outside of ourselves. Every one of us was born with at least one gift and we all have something very special to contribute. When we loose sight of our individual power and ability to make a difference in our world, we forget who we are. Some of the biggest movements in history have been initiated at a grass roots level—not in Washington, and we have many movers and shakers right here in Connecticut, who are committed to changing their corner of the world—one individual, one group and one community at a time. Our feature articles this month highlight local individuals, and organizations, working tirelessly to raise the bar on conscious living and personal and planetary wellness. The mass media tends to dwell on fear and doubt and everything that is not working. However, I take the stand that there are a lot of good things happening in our local community and in the world—thanks to the game changers, who dare to dream— and take action. If we chose to shift our attention away from all of the gloom and doom and instead focus on positive outcomes we intend to achieve, we will soon realize that there is much to appreciate and celebrate. In this issue, we also take a closer look at Shamanism, a spiritual and healing practice that has been around for thousands of years. Shamanism is the foundation of many modern age complementary healing modalities all over the world—and here in Connecticut too. Check out the Shamanic Practitioner Profiles on pages 21 and 23. Conscious dying is a natural part of conscious living. The process of transitioning can be meaningful and beautiful in an environment that supports the dying experience. Three of our local feature articles share insights, and resources offering support and guidance for those nearing transition and for their family caregivers as well. VNA Community Healthcare, serving the greater New Haven area and Shoreline region, is currently looking for volunteers, specializing in complementary therapies for their soon-to-be launched Hospice home health care program. For details, see this month’s Community Spotlight: “Extending Care into Home Hospice” on page 19. Every issue of Natural Awakenings is filled with educational and informative reads, plus a rich array of holistic events, classes, services and products … so read on and enjoy!
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.
SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available for $30 ( for 12 issues ). Please call 203-988-1808 with credit card information. Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soy-based ink.
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contents 12
6 newsbriefs
12 healthbriefs
13 globalbriefs 19 community spotlight
Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.
14 COMMUNITY LEADERS
16
RAISE THE STANDARD
Education and Protection are Key
to Environmental Change 13 20 healingways 26 inspiration 16 BEING THE CHANGE Improving the World 28 fitbody One Community at a Time 30 wisewords 32 consciouseating 20 THE SHAMANIC PATH IN MODERN TIMES 13 Reconnectiong Spirit with 34 calendar Health, Healing and Everyday Life 42 classifieds 44 resourceguide 22 PSYCHOPOMP by Ariana Rawls Fine
by Sheri Hatfield
20
by Deana Paqua
advertising & submissions HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 203-988-1808 or email Gail@NaturalNewHaven.com. Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month. EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to Gail@NaturalNewHaven.com Deadline for editorial: the 1st of the month. CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Submit calendar events online at NaturalNewHaven.com. To revise or discontinue a calendar listing email Calendar@NaturalNewHaven.com. Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month. REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.
SHAMANIC HEALING
Ancient Practices Honor and Transition Spirit by Jessica Hunter
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24 THE ART OF
DYING WELL
Elevating the Converstion and Active Participation at End of Life by Sheri Hatfield
28 LIFE EXERCISES
FOR THE CHAKRAS by Ana Brett and Ravi Singh
30 ONE DOCTOR’S
32
JOURNEY
A Conversation with Edward C. Corsello
32 BORN TO EAT WILD Why Ancestral Diets Boost Health by Judith Fertig
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newsbriefs New Age & Craft Expo in November
n November 6 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., come experience a day of spiritual and creative enlightenment at the New Age & Craft Expo in Southbury. The event will feature two rooms of speakers and guided meditations. Spiritual gifts will be available, including meditation CDs, sage, candles, Tibetan singing bowls, crystals, stones and hand-crafted items. Visit with the aura photographer and many intuitive readers that will be present at the expo. Admission is $6 per person. Some vendor spaces are still available. Contact 203-733-6560 or Cryours87@yahoo.com before October 15 to reserve a table.
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For more information, visit Facebook.com/New-Age-Craft-Epo-724103394360582. Location: 1284 Strongtown Rd., Southbury, CT. See ad on page 3.
New World Language Program to Begin
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For registration and information, email MandM@CTExperiential.org, visit CTExperiential.org or call 203-433-4658. Location: 28 School St., Branford, CT. See ad on page 17.
Is Your Teen Experiencing a Sports Injury?
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o you have a family member who has suffered a sports-related injury and continues to experience pain? Manual physical therapy offers a structural approach to relieving the pain of sports injuries thus reducing the need for pain medication. This structural approach is different than exercise alone and often times patients experience a reduction in pain quickly. Free 10-minute vertigo screenings will be held at Physical Therapy Services
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T Experiential Learning Center (CELC) Middle School introduced a new world language program this fall with Spanish and Mandarin for children aged seven to 14. The 60-minute, full immersion drop-off classes meet twice per week and feature learning through play, combined with the QTalk visual method of language instruction. Visuals representing all parts of speech in the target language allow for complete sentence creation from the first lesson. Teachers are native to the target language and culture; they focus instruction on the ways in which we all learned our first language. Students
learn vocabulary and grammar in context. Students will speak the language starting on the first day. The class will have a minimum of three students with a maximum of 10. Spanish class will be held Monday and Wednesday while the Mandarin course will be Tuesday and Thursday; for 11-14year olds, it will be 3:30-4:30 p.m. and 4:30-5:30 p.m. for ages 7-10. Session I runs September 19 through December 8.
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of Guilford, located in Branford, Connecticut. They will be offered on October 20 from 4-5 p.m., and October 25 from 3-4:30 p.m. Call 203-315-7727 to schedule the free screening. Location: Physical Therapy Services of Guilford, 500 East Main St., Ste. 310, Branford, CT. See ad on page 31.
Holistic Business Cooperative Debuts
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ristin Kunhardt of Indigo Sky World is partnering with Healing Tao Institute’s Jampa Stewart, MSOM, LAc, and Lee Kancher of Right Brain Group to launch Valley Spirit Cooperative in October. The Washington Depot-based holistic cooperative will feature their three unique businesses with a common goal: to contribute to the surrounding community with services, teachings and products that support personal and communal healing by helping to energize wellness, feed the spirit and boost productivity. Jampa Stewart brings 22 years of acupuncture and Chinese medical practice, along with 44 years of tai chi and qigong experience, to the center. Other healing modalities will include acupressure, massage, shamanic healing and facial rejuvenation. Valley Spirit’s spacious wellness center studio will feature classes and workshops in tai chi and qigong, meditation, yoga, mat Pilates, barre exercise and senior wellness classes led by select area practitioners. In addition, Valley Spirit’s movement studio will host retreats, seminars, intimate music and performing arts offer-
ings and pop-up galleries, storytelling, poetry readings and dances. Workshop and classroom space is also available for interested parties. The retail space at Valley Spirit features Kristin Flagg Kunhardt’s landscape and animal photograph with Indigo Sky World heading up the cooperative’s gallery and creative shop. Graphic arts can bridge the gap between math, science and energy. Lee Michael Kancher of Right Brain Group integrates quality computer programming, branding and design aesthetics with research, organization and business planning. For more information, go to ValleySpiritCoop.com. See ad on page 29.
Meeting Monthly with the Holistic Chamber of Commerce
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he New Haven Chapter Holistic Chamber of Commerce (HCC) business education topic this month is How to Use Feng Shui and Chinese Metaphysics to Support Your Business, presented by Beth Grace, FSSA, an international classical feng shui and Chinese metaphysics consultant. The informational session will be held during their monthly business meeting on October 13 at 6:30 p.m. at The Graduate Institute in Bethany, Connecticut. Join Grace to learn some simple, basic techniques you can use right away to support your business and boost your wealth. Attendees should bring a copy of their 4 Pillars Astrology chart, available for free using at Bazi.MasteryAcademy.com. The meeting is free to chamber members and
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For more information, visit NewHavenHolistic.org or contact New Haven Chapter President Jiayuh Chyan at 203-228-1777 or NewHaven@HolisticChamberofCommerce.com. Location: The Graduate Institute, 171 Amity Rd., Bethany, CT. See ad on inside front cover.
Introducing Yourself to Hiking in the Giant
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he Sleeping Giant Park Association invites you to join on their Introduction to Hiking in the Giant Hike on October 30. Learn about the park’s many hiking trails, how to navigate in the park, and clothing and equipment that is needed for safe and enjoyable hiking. Meet at the bulletin board by the kiosk near the park entrance at 1:30 p.m. The hike is expected to last about three hours and involve traveling over uneven, rocky terrain, possibly with a degree of rock scrambling. Hikers should be in good physical condition. Wear comfortable, supportive shoes, with good traction. Snacks and water—preferably in a day pack—are recommended. The hike is free and open to the public. Advance registration is not necessary; however, minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult or have signed permis-
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interested first-time guests. The regular fee is $15. To register, visit Meetup.com/HCC-New-Haven. The chamber is also presenting a member spotlight on October 21. Join Jiayuh Chyan for an Arcturian healing circle. The Arcturian healing method is an efficient, multidimensional healing that clears lower vibrational energies from your energy system, helping you to release anything that no longer serves you. Chyan will lead you in meditation, then will transmit Arcturian healing light. The event, taking place 6:30 to 8 p.m. at The Graduate Institute, is $25 for nonHCC members and free for HCC members. The Holistic Chamber of Commerce is an expanding organization representing holistic professionals, practitioners and businesses. It is a welcoming community of like-minded individuals with the goal of helping to heal the world and the inhabitants that live within it by empowering members to build their business through business education, networking and community events.
sion of a parent or legal guardian. Out of consideration for other hikers, dogs are not permitted on the hike. For hike cancellations or rescheduling, check SGPANews.wordpress. com or SGPA.org. For more information, visit SGPA.org. Inquiries can be directed to the SGPA Hiking Committee at Hike_the_Giant@ yahoo.com. The Sleeping Giant Park is located on Mt. Carmel Avenue in north Hamden (off Whitney Avenue). The park entrance is directly across the street from Quinnipiac University.
Healing Room Celebrating Four Years
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ackie Piazza, owner of Healing Room in Madison, Connecticut, is offering an open house celebration on October 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The day will offer free mini make-up makeovers provided by Elise Firestone, a GLO Minerals make-up specialist. All GLO Make-up will be 15 percent off at the event. There will be raffles and refreshments.
East West Integrative Health Clinic, LLC Our services include: Naturopathic Medical Visits Chinese Medicine Evaluation Acupuncture Diet and Nutritional Counseling Supplement and Medication Evaluation *Most Insurance Accepted*
Lisa Rosenberger, ND, LAc Naturopathic Physician and Licensed Acupuncturist 217 Montowese St. Branford, CT 06405
203.915.9125 Sign up for a FREE newsletter at:
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How to Harmonize Your Home with Holistic Moms Network
The Healing Room offers meditation classes, guided meditation circles and Reiki energy healing in addition to quality skincare and make-up services to improve wellness. Call 203-245-5137 to schedule the free mini makeover.
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For more information, visit HealinGroomLLC.com. Location: 70 Wall St., Madison, CT. See ad on page 29.
Group Meditation with Sound Healing
TraceyKroll
For more information, visit TheSoundretreat.com, sign up at facebook.com/thesoundretreat or call 860-322-4492. Location: The Sound Retreat, 96 Cedar Lake Rd., Chester, CT. See ad below.
TraceyKroll
he Sound Retreat in Chester, Connecticut, will be holding a group meditation with sound healing at 5:30 p.m. on October 2. The soothing sounds of planetary gongs, crystal bowls, chimes and bells help wash away stress and gently guide you into a deep meditative state for full body/mind relaxation. The Sound Retreat is immersed in an encircling expansive state forest and surrounded by its creatures, pristine nearby lakes and open sky providing a safe, serene space where only the sounds of the Earth support your journey. Only 15 seats are available for the retreat. The cost for the 60-minute healing meditation is $22.
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he New Haven County chapter of Holistic Moms Network will host its monthly meeting on October 18 at 6:30 p.m. at Woodruff Family YMCA in Milford. Connecticut. At the meeting, you will begin to learn how to harmonize your home using feng shui with Joan Law, a certified feng shui consultant. Your home should be a place to relax and rejuvenate, especially during the winter when you spend much of your time indoors. Come to this workshop to learn about the art of feng shui, an ancient Chinese philosophy that focuses on the arrangement of your environment to maximize your comfort and energy level. Law will give a brief overview of how it works and how the art applies to our lives today. She will explain simple ways you can begin organizing your home to bring harmony into your life. Joan Law is a professional feng shui educator and consultant who has been practicing in Connecticut for over 15 years. She is a professional member of the International Feng Shui Guild; most recently, Law was mentored by feng shui author and educator Karen Rauch Carter. Holistic Moms Network is a nonprofit support and discussion network that welcomes all people wherever they are on the holistic path in an environment that does not judge. The member chapter, open to the public, meets the third Tuesday of each month at the Woodruff Family YMCA, 631 Orange Avenue, Milford, Connecticut. Children are welcome. For more information, visit HolisticMoms.org or Facebook. com/HMNNewHaven.
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Lending a Helping Hand by Assuming a Yoga Position
yoga, outdoor yoga and more from local studios such as Full of Joy Yoga, Breathing Room Yoga Center, One World Wellness & Yoga Collective and others. Those interested in participating can contact Connecticut YRO Co-Chairs Lani Rosen-Gallagher or Peg Oliveira at YROCT@YogaReachesOut.org. There is a $25 registration fee; all participants are also encouraged to raise as much money as possible in personal sponsorships beyond the $250 minimum.
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oga Reaches Out (YRO), one of the nation’s biggest yoga fundraisers, is coming to Connecticut on October 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Join hundreds of yogis from across the state for a joyful day of yoga, community, lively music, a marketplace and more at Insports Centers in Trumbull, Connecticut. The “yoga-thon” features a team of instructors who will lead participants in sessions throughout the day, including national yoga teacher Dana Flynn and local Connecticut instructors Peg Oliveira, Margot Broom, Elizabeth Crisci, Annie Quagliaroli and Kelvin Young.
To register, visit YogaReachesOut.org. For information on event sponsorships, contact Melissa Lynott at MLynott@YogaReachesOut.org. Location: Insports Centers, 29 Trefoil Drive, Trumbull, CT.
YRO CT’s goal this year is raise over $150,000 to benefit two local nonprofits: the Sandy Hook Promise, working to end gun violence, and 108 Monkeys, an organization promoting a culture of peace and justice through yoga. Mark Barden, who lost his son Daniel in the Sandy Hook tragedy and is the co-managing director of Sandy Hook Promise, will be one of the keynote speakers. To date, the national Yoga Reaches Out has donated $1.5 million to children’s charities across the country. Yoga Reaches Out also raises awareness and funds in advance of the big day. Benefit classes are going on throughout September and October. YRO is looking for participants, yoga instructors and studios, vendors and fundraising partners to help raise money, plan events and spread the word. Upcoming benefit classes include events for all ages and levels at numerous locations, including family yoga, rooftop KCC_bc_final_vendor2.pdf
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verlastings organic beauty & brow lounge is now open. The lounge offers waxing services for men and women as well as brow and eyelash tinting using vegetable-based dyes. Makeup artist and stylist Samantha specializes in wedding and theatrical makeup as well being Everlastings’ brow expert. Everlastings is also now offering Kaleidoscope coloring, a semi-permanent hair color free from ammonia, peroxide and parabens. With many different iridescent colors available, Everlastings-trained stylists can customize the perfect color combination that represents the client’s individual personality. In honor of breast cancer awareness month, Everlastings will be offering pink (for breast cancer) and purple (for all types of cancer) hair extensions throughout the month of October. With a $15 dollar donation, you can show your support and raise awareness for these diseases. All proceeds will benefit the Breast Cancer Action’s mission Salon Owner Arlene Bouley (center-left) & staff
Call for Your Complimentary Consultation C
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REIKI | REFLEXOLOGY | READINGS | MEDITATION | ANGELSPEAKE™ EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUE | AROMATHERAPY | MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKING
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Diane C. Esposito, RMT/Holistic Coach
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Everlastings Organic Salon Debuts New Brow Services
to achieve health justice for all women at risk of and living with breast cancer. For more information and updates on monthly specials, visit EverlastingsSalon.com or call 203-458-1298. Location: Everlastings Salon & Spa, The Carriage House, 2614 Boston Post Rd., Ste. 3618, Guilford, CT. see ad on page 17.
The Graduate Institute Expands to the Connecticut Shoreline
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arn a master of arts degree or certificate in integrative health and healing with weekend courses at The Graduate Institute’s new location is at Mercy by the Sea in Madison, CT. Programs are based on an integrative holistic perspective and are specifically designed to empower students to reach their full potential in both their personal and professional lives. Course studies are educational, transformational, inspiring and healing. Coursework includes stress management, homeopathy, traditional Chinese medicine, nutrition, art therapy, naturopathic medicine, ayurvedic medicine, energy medicine and more. Faculty is comprised of practitioners and educators, including Dr. David Forbes, past president of the American Holistic Medical Association; Dr. Bernie Siegel, author and retired surgeon; C. Norm Shealy, a pioneer in energy medicine; and Caroline Myss, one of the world’s leading voices in spirituality, health and human consciousness. “I have seen the changes in our students when they achieve new levels of self-empowerment and discovery, as well as prepare themselves for higher levels of professional work,” says Siegel. There will be an open house on October 5 from 6-8 p.m. at Mercy by the Sea, 167 Neck Road, Madison, CT. The institutes other locations include Bethany, Stamford and Hartford. To learn about our other programs, visit Learn.edu or call 203-874-4252. See ad on right.
Tia Art Designs Custom & Original Artwork Illustrations Logos Murals Paintings Intuitive Artist / Graphic Designer Tia Mandrozos
TiaArtDesigns.com (203) 305-7037 natural awakenings
October 2016
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NOV
healthbriefs
Sweat Can Transfer Happiness
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LOOK TO THE SUNNY SIDE
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esearch published in Psychological Science, the journal of the Association for Psychological Science, has found that positive moods can be transferred from one person to another via human sweat. The scientists from Utrecht University, in the Netherlands, tested 12 young men and 36 young women. The men were given clean shirts and absorbent pads were attached to their armpits while they watched video clips that induced several emotional states—fear, happiness or neutral. The researchers then stored the absorbent pads for each emotion into sealed jars. The 36 women were then tested with each of the absorbent pads randomly, with five-minute breaks in-between. They placed their chins on a special rest that held the absorbent pad underneath. The research was double-blind, so neither the researchers nor subjects knew which pads they were exposed to. During each exposure, the women’s facial expressions were recorded. The researchers determined that the women had facial expressions reflecting the emotion induced by the videos the men watched, based on the activity of the women’s facial muscles. Senior researcher Gün Semin, of Utrecht University, says, “Our study shows that being exposed to sweat produced under happiness induces a simulacrum of happiness in receivers and induces a contagion of the emotional state. This suggests that somebody that’s happy will infuse others in their vicinity with happiness. In a way, happiness sweat is somewhat like smiling—it’s infectious.”
Don’t let a gloomy sales report get you down
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November Mental Health Issue
esearchers from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center tested 209 women between 45 and 60 years old with a history of hot flashes and/ or night sweats. After up to 20 treatments over six months, the women receiving acupuncture reported a 37 percent reduction in hot flashes, while the control group saw a 6 percent increase. The symptom relief among the women treated with acupuncture persisted for a year. The researchers also found that the acupuncture group experienced an improvement in several menopausal quality of life measurements. Nancy Avis, Ph.D., a professor of public health sciences at Wake Forest University and lead author of the study, says, “There are a number of nonhormonal options for treating hot flashes and night sweats that are available to women. None seem to work for everyone, but our study showed that acupuncture from a licensed acupuncturist can help some women without any side effects. It also showed that the maximum benefit occurred after about eight treatments.”
To advertise or participate in our next issue, call
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Men can starve from a lack of self-realization as much as they can from a lack of bread. ~Richard Wright
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Acupuncture Eases Hot Flashes
globalbriefs News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.
Green Crisis
One in Five Plant Species May Face Extinction A new report from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in the UK, has issued the first comprehensive assessment of plant life, the inaugural State of the World’s Plants, and found that one in five plants may be at risk of extinction due to invasive species, disease and changing landscapes. Researchers also have determined that just 30,000 plant species have a documented use out of hundreds of thousands of known species. These are only the vascular plants that have specialized tissue for sucking up water through their systems. Over the years, different people and agencies have identified the same plant at both different times and locations, so they may have accumulated multiple names. The Kew researchers determined that each plant in the International Plant Names Index had, on average, 2.7 different species names. By cutting out the duplicates from more than a million different names, the Kew report was able to pare down the known species to 391,000. In the Arctic, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a doomsday bank buried in the side of a mountain, contains more than 800,000 samples representing 5,100 different crops and their relatives. Cherries/Shutterstock.com
• Fresh Organic Juices & Smoothies • Superfoods & Raw Desserts • Organic Wheatgrass Shots • Tonic & Tea Bar • Immunity Elixirs • Vegan friendly • Salads & Wraps • Events & Classes
Source: Wired
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Biodegradable Bottle
Algae-Based Jars Quickly Decompose
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This place was absolutely perfect and made me feel at home. The food was great. People who aren't even vegan should go here! And the dessert is great!
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Ari Jónsson, a 32-year-old student at the Iceland Academy of the Arts, has invented an all-natural water bottle that holds its shape when full and decomposes when empty. He debuted his creation at the DesignMarch 2016 festival in Reykjavík, Iceland. The only two materials needed to create the bottle are agar, a gelatinous substance that comes from red algae, and water. “I just followed the path in what I was researching, trying to find new ways to use materials,” says Jónsson, who combined the two ingredients, heated the mixture, poured it into a mold, and then quickly cooled it. The H2O binds and thickens the agar when cooled, retaining the shape of the water bottle mold, explains Jónsson. When the finished bottle is empty, “It will rot like other foods.” The bottles can sustainably decompose in soil, although Jónsson has yet to determine exactly how long that process will take. A plastic water bottle takes more than 1,000 years to biodegrade, and in the U.S., more than 2 million tons of the containers are languishing in landfills.
www.purealchemyjuice.com 236 N. Colony Rd. (Rt. 5), Wallingford
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Community Leaders Raise the Standard Education and Protection are Key to Environmental Change
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by Ariana Rawls Fine
ith emphasis on education or protection, Ansonia Nature & Recreation Center, Branford Land Trust and Allnex are three entities working hard to make a difference in their individual communities to promote an appreciation for nature and information on how to reduce our impact on the environment.
generation with educational programs. Tucked away in the middle of Ansonia next to the nearly 600-acre Naugatuck State Forest Quillinan Reservoir, the center is within walking distance of two elementary schools. “We need to balance the demand for recreation with the need for conservation. My job is to get children to connect with nature and become more Ansonia Nature comfortable being outside. You’re not going to care about something until you & Recreation Center Although part of its mission previously love and feel a connection to it,” says Assistant Director Wendy Sabol, who included rehabilitation of wild animals, the Ansonia Nature & Recreation heads up Ansonia Nature & Recreation Center’s educational programs. Center (AnsoniaNatureCenter.org) is In addition to going to schools to teach now solely focused on connecting kindergarteners through second gradadults and children in Ansonia and ers about birds, owls, reptiles and area towns with the Lower Naugatuck River Valley’s environment. In addition other animals, she has traveled to area schools, reaching 227 school classes to managing the center’s 150 acres, with 4,189 students. the center’s employees and volunteers Nature camps are offered by the cultivate community interest in environmental stewardship and inform the next center during regular school breaks in
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addition to three days of afterschool programs for sixth through eighth graders during the school year. In addition to nature education classes or walks with local schools, the center schedules classes for homeschool groups. Family and adult programs are also offered throughout the week, including multiple hikes, Astronomy: Lunar Sketching, Mushroom Identification for Beginners, Pet Loss Grief Support Group and Soap Making with Goat’s Milk, to name a few upcoming October events. Celebrate the fall season with the center’s staff and the Friends of the Ansonia Nature Center during the annual Autumn Fest on October 22 from 11am-4pm. Attendees can take a ride in a horse-drawn story wagon; meet bats, spiders, and owls; taste fresh apple cider and baked goods; try pumpkin painting or face painting; walk a goldenrod maze; and more. The center continues to look into ways to be better conservationists for their natural spaces and the wildlife that inhabits or visits. “We have almost 150 acres that needs to be managed. This spring, Audubon came in and did an assessment of our land for better bird and animal habitats; they gave us suggestions about what we could do. With help from staff, volunteers, and local scouts, we will make the recommended changes,” Sabol explains. The assessment of the property’s large weed and sediment-filled pond showed that it needed dredging to create more habitats, such as distinctive shallow and deeper water areas for various species. In order to better ensure safety and accessibility for the center’s pond-related classes, several areas also needed to be rebuilt. In addition to the school classes, 3,675 people have participated in 157 family and adult programs during the 2015-2016 fiscal year. With the addition of 25 Nature Day classes and 14 outreach presentations, the Ansonia Nature & Recreation Center has reached over 31,000 participants in just one year. Nearly 2,600 hours were clocked by adult volunteers and 732 hours by youth volunteers, demonstrating the commitment the community members have in supporting the center.
Branford Land Trust
Preserving open space is a key component of the Branford Land Trust’s (BranfordLandTrust.org) mission. Since 1967, the organization has become a game changer for the community by acquiring and protecting nearly 1,000 acres of open space in Branford. In addition, the trust holds conservation easements on 400 additional Branford acres of publicly owned tracts of land. Although the tracts are governmentowned, the easement provides a layer of extra protection with legal standing and resources in case elected town governments consider changing an open space’s use or selling it. “We’ve done a remarkable job on our own and in partnership with the town and neighboring land trust and regional water trust to establish natural spaces,” says Dr. Bill Horne, a former Branford Land Trust president. “Over the course of 50 years, we have accumulated a good open space system, which includes a 28-mile walking trail route that circumnavigates the town.” The land entrusted to the organization includes a variety of natural environments, such as shoreline tidal salt marshes, river wetlands, forests, meadows and several small islands in Long Island Sound. Employees and volunteers are active on a slew of projects, such as maintaining and monitoring osprey platforms, mowing meadows to increase grassland habitats, building bluebird and wood duck boxes, and restoring fishways and breeding areas. To continue with its change-generating role, members of Branford Land Trust’s acquisition committee target undeveloped environmentally significant areas, with priority given to ones with a diverse, abundant wildlife population. With sea levels on the rise, spaces near tidal marshes have become increasingly important to ensure a high marsh zone is established for species that depend on the habitat. Volunteers enable the organization to continue to protect the land. Tract stewards keep an eye on legal property rights and easements, ecological monitoring of the protected lands, and maintenance of the land tracts and trails. Community members contribute their time through monthly work parties
to help maintain and clean up trails as well as remove invasive plants. In order to ensure continued interest in protecting the land, the trust’s education and community outreach efforts include summer camps, a nature explorer program and a library project established 18 years ago that provides books and other resources annually to Branford libraries.
Allnex
Moving from environmental preservation and education to reducing environmental impact, Allnex’s Wallingford specialty chemical plant has several non-mandated initiatives underway and planned to reduce its impact on the water and air around the location. Allnex, an international company with $1.5 billion in sales and 29 facilities around the globe, manufactures resins and additives for various industries, include architectural, industrial and automotive. The Connecticut plant began using large black plastic balls to cover a waste water treatment holding tank in December 2014 instead of the more cost-prohibitive full covering or dome. The hundreds of thousands of balls keep more of the butanol and methanol, both alcohol solvents, in the basin so they can be consumed by the biomass and become non-toxic rather than slowly evaporate into the atmosphere. The Wallingford plant’s site manager, Frank DiCristina, emphasizes that this move was not mandated by regulatory requirements but was rather a proactive investment by the company in reducing emissions that affect the environment, an environmental strategy set by the international company’s top leadership. In order to reduce nitrate emissions to help the environment, the plant also underwent upgrades in 2014 with new computerized control systems to combat ammonia, a process by-product. Previously the plant did not have the ability to monitor and tweak the feed level of the ammonia that went into the biomass, potentially causing too much to be added in. The more ammonia that is in, the more excess nitrates are generated. Being able to put in the minimal necessary amount needed to maintain
a healthy biomass enabled the plant to greatly reduce nitrate emissions, explains DiCristina. Butanol, which became another process by-product, was previously discharged according to permit limits into the local waste water treatment system to be consumed by microorganisms whenever an excess imbalance occurred at the plant. The company knew it would require so much energy to recover the butanol stream that it would not be cost effective. Allnex instead redesigned the protocol to re-use the excess butanol in its own production process even though the recycling process was cost neutral from an operational perspective. “It may not be cost effective to make some of the changes but, because it reduces our emissions, it is the right thing to do,” declares DiCristina. “It is still a cost but it is inconsequential in the bigger scheme of things and worth the positive environmental benefits.” To continue its proactive environmental efforts, the Allnex Community Advisory Board (CAB) was recently launched by Allnex. CAB has a mix of representatives from area businesses and charitable organizations as well as local officials and Wallingford citizens. The committee, currently consisting of 21 members, had its first meeting in August and plans to meet bimonthly. “We are trying to have an active, ongoing process in place with our community as opposed to engaging when needed,” says DiCristina. “We obviously have to be open and more willing to be engaged with concerned citizens and environmental groups so we are not trying to work out agreements and work on obstacles at the last minute.” In celebration of the community and the plant’s 75th anniversary, the Allnex Community Open House will be held on October 15 from 10am to 2pm (rain or shine). The variety of activities include bus tours, bike safety tips, a touch-a-truck, safety-related demonstrations, fingerprinting and more. Ariana Rawls Fine is editor of Natural Awakenings Fairfield County and New Haven/Middlesex Counties. She resides in Stratford with her family.
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ment their income. “When refugees arrive into the area, they are typically given about $900 to start their new lives,” says Cynthia Davis, Our Woven Community’s founder. “Our purpose is to find a way to let women have a craft or skill to help them integrate into their new community and earn a supplemental income.” In doing so, the women also learn English, decision-making, creativity, teamwork and compassion, all while getting to know the local community. “Some of these women come from terrible situations and suffer from significant PTSD, emotional and language barriers when they arrive. Our Woven Community allows them to work with women who have shared experiences, and perhaps feel compassion for their own situation for the first time,” Davis explains. Our Woven Community works with donors and volunteers who donate fabric and time to help the refugee women create their handiworks. Companies like Ethan Allen, The Fabric Factory and
BEING THE CHANGE Improving the World One Community at a Time by Sheri Hatfield
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merican anthropologist Margaret Mead once said “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Nowhere is that more true than in communities in Connecticut where small groups of committed citizens are working to change their corner of the world—one group, one idea, one person at a time.
Weaving a New Life for Refugee Women
The Burroughs Community Center in Bridgeport has been a cornerstone for helping women since it was built in 1903 as a home for single women working in local factories. The building has stood since the early 1900s 16
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and changed with the times to go from housing for single women to housing for elderly women to its current state as the Burroughs Community Center (BurroughSCC.org/Classes) offering programs, classes and education opportunities. Tucked into a room in the basement of the community center is a workroom where women create handmade goods like messenger bags, change purses, cosmetics bags, clutches, ties, belts and pillowcases. The women are a part of the Our Woven Community (OWC), a nonprofit group which helps refugee women who have settled into Bridgeport integrate into their new community. When they join Our Woven Community, they are taught to sew the handicrafts and sell them at local events, craft fairs and stores to supple-
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local designers like Ellen Hyde Phillips donate fabric to the organization. Volunteers sort through the donations and put together kits for the women to sew into the items. Each item contains a swatch of cloth from their native Africa, and features a tag that tells the story of the woman who sewed it. The volunteers and refugee women then work together at craft fairs and events to sell the products; each woman receives 50 percent of the sales from the items she created. The group keeps an inventory of products; each woman is encouraged to sew as much as she wants to or can. Our Woven Community meets at the Burroughs Tuesdays from 10am to 2pm to sew. There are currently nine women involved. As women participate in the program and meet goals, they are awarded their own sewing machine so they can sew at home. “Some women gather together to sew and continue the community outside of the center,” says Jane Delworth, director of programming for the Burroughs Community Center,
which arranges the craft fairs. The Our Woven Community items are also sold at Hazel Days in Fairfield and Mama Jane’s Global Boutique in Fairfield. The retailers take no profits from the sales of these items so the organization and women can make more.
A Sanctuary of Healing
When Sue Martovich was looking to expand her existing Salt of the Earth healing arts business in Woodbury, she was approached by her landlord to rent space in a healing arts community and she knew it was the right thing to do for her business and her community. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” he building—most recently known as the Wayne Pratt house—started as a minister’s home then became an inn, a tavern and an antique store. Now it is home to The Healing Arts Sanctuary (NaturalSaltHealing.com/Index.Php/Healing-ArtsSanctuary), returning to its spiritual roots as a place for healing, community and connection. “I see Woodbury as the next Rhinebeck, New York,” states Martovich. “Woodbury is a beautiful community in need of a rebalancing; we intend to shift the balance by bringing in healers and connecting to existing businesses like bed and breakfasts, natural foods stores and restaurants. It will be a place known for healing and conscious living.” Together with Inspirit Studio’s Jeanne Street, Martovich will invite healing arts practitioners of all modalities to share the space, which celebrated its grand opening on September 9
and 10. In addition to Martovich’s salt therapies, the main floor space will offer crystal light therapy, aromatherapy, sound therapy and specialty massages. The second floor space will offer Reiki healing and teaching, yoga classes and spiritual connections through mediumship. Martovich and Street operate separate healing arts business but they will also collaborate on weekend events, educational series and retreats to bring the healing community together. On the main floor is a large open gathering space called Athena Hall. The large, open, airy room is to be a community space for learning, sharing and connecting. Martovich plans to invite “like-minded people” to share their knowledge with the community. A small kitchen, the house’s original summer kitchen and another meeting room featuring dark wood paneling, a cozy fireplace and a bar will be used for smaller groups and private parties. The room walks out to the backyard that, in the future, may feature an English garden or labyrinth. “I see this as a center for conscious living, a place where people can ground on Mother Earth and open up to higher consciousness,” explains Martovich. By partnering with healers, educators and a raw foods chef, Martovich and Street see the potential for their new Healing Arts Sanctuary.
Holding Space for Intentional Reflection
Grace Farms began as 80 acres of open farmland that was once an equestrian facility. It was scheduled for parceling in 2000, with developers envisioning “McMansions” to be built on the
land. Instead, a group of citizens came together to form The Grace Farms Foundation and purchased the land. The intention was to create a welcoming new space open to the public as space for intentional reflection, so they might enjoy a “type B” experience in a “type A” world. Grace Farms (GraceFarms.org) focuses on five initiatives: nature, arts, justice, community and faith. Nature abounds in both the land and the design. The long driveway snakes through the land, passing restored horse barns and coming to the River Building, which features glass and open areas so that people can see one another from most places in the building. The X Café features farm-to-table offerings and becomes a respite where people can come, enjoy a meal and connect with one another. “We often see people bringing their parents from Waveny and Brightview to enjoy nature over a cup of tea and a light meal,” says Grace Farms Director Lisa Lynne Kirkpatrick. Art is brought to life in a myriad of ways from the design of the buildings to a 108-foot mural painted by Beatrice X to the weekly Arts for Healing classes. Many nonprofits use the building free of charge through space grants, including one organization that holds a music and art therapy class for autistic children. “Space grants allow local nonprofits a place to bring their mission to life, or have much needed office and meeting space,” explains Kirkpatrick. The nonprofit aspect of Grace Farms is also directly related to the Justice Initiative, which is to disrupt and eradicate human trafficking in Connecticut. Grace Farms recently hosted a two-day retreat and training session for Polaris
COME TO OUR OPEN HOUSE EVENT OCT 15! Tell me and I will forget. Show me and I may remember. Involve me and I will understand. ~ Chinese Proverb
Connecticut Experiential Learning Center
203-433-4658
Branford
Experientially-based Middle School 5th - 8th grade
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Susane Grasso REIKI MASTER
Relaxation Therapy Chakra Balancing Aura Readings
203.500.6950 2489 Boston Post Road Suite F Guilford CT 06437
Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.
~ Albert Camus
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Project caseworkers who are traveling to Mexico to work with survivors of sex trafficking. Grace Farms is privately owned by The Grace Farms Foundation. It is free for the public to enjoy the grounds and the buildings, and participate in the passive and active engagements offered. “People can come for restoration, recovery and healing and participate in the way that works best for them,” says Kirkpatrick. “They can play a game of pickup basketball, enjoy a quiet cup of tea or walk the grounds and connect with nature.” Grace Farms hosts a community dinner the third Friday of every month. It promotes one of the five areas of focus through content, like nature with Jim Fowler of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom or a film festival. Tickets are $10 per person and the 160 seats sell out quickly. The schedule of events can be found on the website.
Bringing the Holistic Community Together to Better the Whole
When a person has a question about a local business, its reputation and its services, one of the first places they might visit is the local chamber of commerce. The chamber of commerce is a support network for local businesses and their local community. Since 2006, there has been a little-known Holistic Chamber of Commerce (HCC) organization offering healing and holistic practitioners and businesses the opportunity to connect, learn more about the business of running a healing business and opportunities for collaboration. The New Haven, Connecticut chapter (HolisticChamberofCommerce. com/CT-New-Haven) of the HCC has been operating since 2014; it is now one of the top five largest chapters in the United States. It is one of three in Connecticut and services communities from Woodbury to Meriden and from Guilford to Fairfield. Its goal is to help create healthy people, businesses and a healthy planet with service businesses that support that goal. Chapter Co-Presidents Jiayuh Chyan and Lynne Grobsky are Akashic records teachers, healers and businesswomen. NaturalNewHaven.com
Their shared focus for the New Haven chapter is to help people make choices about natural, organic, traditional and holistic services. Each business in the chapter is vetted through references and research to ensure that the chamber is supporting businesses that actually support the chamber’s purpose. “Since it’s not always natural for a practitioner or healer to run a business, we help educate them on marketing, business building and collaboration,” says Grobsky. “I learned how to do social media, marketing and how to speak about my business publicly to communicate it clearly. It helped me and I want to help others,” explains Chyan, who was a member for two years prior to becoming chapter co-president. The New Haven chapter meets the second Thursday of every month from 6:30 to 8:30pm; it offers an exchange of services and education from member to member. For example, the October business education topic, How to Use Feng Shui and Chinese Metaphysics to Support Your Business, will be presented by Chamber Member Beth Grace. “Membership in the HCC helps businesses stand out, provides credibility and delivers professional ways to help grow businesses and gain visibility,” said Chyan. “It’s a movement so that everyone moves forward together,” adds Grobsky in a joint phone interview. Whether it is helping refugees adapt to a new country by providing a community, creating a community for healing, holding a space for the community to share or supporting and promoting a healing community to the world at large, it is inspiring to know there are small groups of people in our area who are actively changing the world. Sheri Hatfield is a freelance writer and marketing professional who lives in Shelton with her son. Connect at Sheri@daydreamerconsulting.com.
Extending Care into Home Hospice by Ariana Rawls Fine
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NA Community Healthcare, a nonprofit visiting nurse agency, has been serving the greater New Haven and Shoreline region since 1910 with home healthcare services. The organization also offers many free and low-cost programs to 35 area communities to keep them well, such as Caregiver Support Network, VNA helpline, exercise classes and a continuum of care through their private homecare affiliate, LifeTime Solutions. VNA Community Healthcare made 324,000 home healthcare visits annually with 653 exercise class attendees, 210 family caregivers attending support groups and 155 individual family caregiver consultations in fiscal year 2014 alone. “For many years, our patients were disappointed that we needed to refer them elsewhere if they needed end-of-life care when they and their families preferred to stay with the agency they were familiar with,” explains Jo Ann Begley, the community liaison for Caregiver Support Network and a 12-year agency veteran. VNA Community Healthcare listened to its community and will be adding a home hospice program to its services in the beginning of 2017. Currently undergoing the process to be licensed by the state and certified by Medicare as a hospice home health care agency, the new program, the VNA’s interdisciplinary home hospice team will include, as needed, medical personnel, dieticians, pharmacists, program directors and social workers. Finding and training a robust team of volunteers is Begley’s current mission. She is looking for those involved in complementary therapies—such as massage, reflexology, Touch Therapy and Reiki—to be a source of sup-
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communityspotlight port for those in their last days. Activity assistants can also offer music, interactive word games, art or other projects. Pet companions are also needed, Begley emphasizes. When a person gets sick, they unfortunately usually need to find a place for their pet. Volunteers who are willing to come to their home to feed, walk, clean up or whatever is needed can help that person keep their pet companion with them even as they go into hospice care. “We have been using complementary therapies for family caregivers for more than 10 years. As caregivers, we tend to forget about our own health; caregiver burnout and stress is a real thing. We rallied professionals to support them; it is now a natural transition to bring these services and volunteers to our new home hospice program,” Begley says. Volunteers will be required to go through a training process, which covers the hospice philosophy, training, roles, what to expect in the home, the interdisciplinary team, and how the team can surround the patient to support their goals. The basic training is eight hours with additional in-services that follow based on the modalities the volunteer will be offering. For example, a massage therapist would need to coordinate with the patient’s medical doctor to ensure that it is medically safe. Volunteers are specifically needed in complementary therapies, activities at bedside, patient/caregiver companions (companionship, errands, light housekeeping, respite), administrative support, bereavement support, spiritual support and pet companions. “It’s a natural expansion of the services we currently offer and the care we have come to be known for,” says Begley. “There is no greater honor than to help someone with their end-of-life transition.” For more information on becoming a volunteer with the new Hospice Homecare Program of VNA Community Healthcare, contact Jo Ann Begley at 203-458-5950 or JBegley@vna-commh.org. Ariana Rawls Fine is editor of Natural Awakenings Fairfield County and New Haven/Middlesex Counties. She resides in Stratford with her family.
Final Journey, LLC (Pet Euthanasia Service) Kristen Klie, D.V.M. and Associates (203) 645-5570 www.finaljourneyllc.com
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The Shamanic Path in Modern Times Reconnecting Spirit with Health, Healing and Everyday Life by Deana Paqua
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t no other time have we had access to more amazing technology that is designed to make our lives easier, well-informed and efficient. We have made incredible steps forward in medicine to save and improve lives mainly because of these technological advances. We can replace body parts, grow new cells, restart hearts and target cancerous tumors with laser-like precision. However, even with all of these advances in technology and health care, we have more chronic illness and mental health challenges today— including cancer, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, immune disorders, anxiety and depression— than we ever have before. Given that, it is no wonder that with our ongoing societal decline in physical and mental health, many health care practitioners and concerned consumers are looking outside of conventional medicine and returning to the roots of healing. Over the last two to three decades, we have seen increasing interest in all areas of holistic health, including nutrition, yoga, chiropractic, massage, and energy medicine and Eastern techniques such as meditation, acupuncture, Reiki and the ancient spiritually-based practice of shamanism. Hospitals, schools, corporations, medical clinics, psychotherapy centers, rehabilitation centers, Veterans Administration programs and prisons are offering an array of holistic and integrative health programs to help heal, transform and empower an unwell and over-stressed population. Shamanism—one of the oldest known spiritual and healing arts practice in the world—has offered remedies, ceremonies, hands-on healing, divination and working with spirits on behalf of communities for over 50,000 years. These ancient practices form the foundation of many contemporary
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complementary and alternative healing modalities and cross over all parts of the globe. The term, “shamanism”, traditionally comes from the earth-honoring spiritual traditions of Siberia; however, “shamanism” and “shamanic practitioner” are now used as general terms to acknowledge those practicing some form of contemporary or indigenous practices that include working directly with helping spirits—such as angels, spirit guides, spirit teachers, ancestors and animal guides— to facilitate healing for themselves, clients and communities. The traditional title of “shaman” is one that is typically reserved as a title of respect for those who come from ancient lineages of medicine people and/or who have practiced traditional shamanic techniques successfully for many years to support their communities. Both in contemporary and indigenous cultures, those called to the shamanic path have often gone through some sort of profound healing from illness or injury, loss, transformation or trauma that has served as a catalyst to reignite their connection to their soul and their spiritual journey. This path of the “wounded healer” can involve many years of self-healing, therapy and treatment; it is followed by training with one or more mentors, teachers or guides to provide the practitioner with more self-awareness, personal responsibility and integrity in following their call to the shamanic way of life. For the shamanic practitioner to provide their services to others effectively for the long term, they must truly “walk their talk” and continue with continuous self-healing and training. This dedication to practice and learning also supports the humility that is necessary on this difficult path of service. Contemporary shamanic practitioners, when properly trained, practice in a way that supports and empowers each
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healingways
individual client’s own spiritual path, connection and healing journey. Shamanic practitioners are not gurus, but rather teach and guide their clients and students to become their own best advocate and authority on their personal connection to spirit and their team of spiritual helpers to guide and support them in their health, well-being and everyday lives. Shamanic practitioners work in conjunction with conventional medicine and other holistic health care practitioners to support a safe, integrative approach to healing for their clients. Depending on the practitioner and their background, knowledge and training, their work often focuses on bridging the metaphysical and the physical to support their clients’ healing from challenges. They might perform healing practices such as: n soul retrieval, which restores vital energy that can be lost after traumatic events; n shamanic extraction, which removes energy blocks that can interfere with physical, mental and emotional health and vitality; n psychopomp work to assist souls crossing over to the other side; and/or n home, land and space clearings and blessings to restore harmony and balance to physical locations by working in partnership with the nature spirits, ancient ancestors, animal spirits and spirits of the land residing there. Today, shamanic practitioners work in integrative healing arts centers, schools, businesses, medical offices, private practice, large clinics and in their own backyards. They might be trained practitioners of other healing arts—such as nurses, doctors, massage therapists, physical therapists, Reiki practitioners, yoga teachers—and/or those seeking a more holistic, earth-honoring and spiritually based approach to healing. Practitioners can seek training with local teachers, indigenous medicine people and larger established schools such as the Foundation for Shamanic Studies. Some organizations also offer trips abroad to study and work with indigenous tribes to learn their healing arts and practices in a traditional setting. Those seeking to learn shamanic healing practices are encouraged to seek formal training before attempting to provide this work on behalf of others. Shamanic practices are thousands of years old. They can provide deep powerful healing to the body and soul of people, land and communities. Now seems to be the time when many are seeking to restore their relationship with nature and spirit to help create a world where dissatisfaction, disease and illness decreases and health, vitality and spiritual fulfillment increases for the benefit of all. Deana Paqua is a teacher of spiritual and holistic health, shamanic practitioner and teacher, licensed massage therapist, Reiki master and adjunct professor at Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) in Danbury. She has a private practice at Turning Point Healing Arts & Education Center in Ridgefield and teaches a holistic shamanic practitioner program through WCSU’s Institute of Holistic Health Studies. Connect at EmbodytheSacred.net.
shamanicpractitionerprofile
Catherine Steinberg, LMFT 142 North Madison Road, Guilford, CT 203-453-5091 ctcl@comcast.net CatherineNSteinberg.com Practice Summary Wellness services offered: I am a psychotherapist, shamanic practitioner and artist. I provide shamanic journey work, soul retrievals, and workshops on shamanic painting. My psychotherapy practice with individuals and couples is kept separate from my shamanic work. What first drew you to Shamanic Energy Medicine? I have always viewed clients from a holistic perspective. In the mid 90’s, I was introduced to shamanism as part of a year long program in women’s spirituality. My experience with shamanic drumming brought me to the core of my being. Not only did it become my deepest source for meditation, it also provided guidance from animal and human spirit guides. I used this method for myself for several years before sharing it with others. I have had experiences with indigenous shamans, but most of my training has been with Sandra Ingerman. Special Training/Certifications: Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist 1983 Shamanic Practitioner 2012 What should a client expect from working with you and/or your program? A client can expect a deep level of meditative relaxation with the steady beat of the drum. Guidance will be received and shared during a shamanic journey according to the client’s intention. With soul retrievals, lost aspects of the client’s soul will be reintegrated into their being. Are you planning any practice/service enhancements or changes in 2017? Shamanic Painting Workshops and Retreats will be offered in New Mexico as well as in Connecticut. What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about you and your work? My compassionate and grounded presence as a person, along with 35 years of psychotherapy experience, offer clients a safe, welcoming environment to receive guidance and healing. natural awakenings
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long before our modern science and physics theories were conceptualized or proven. Many shamanic cultures view what we consider the “Soul” as not only a singular energy, but a combination of three energies—body, mind and spirit or a soul cluster. These three energies function together, simultaneously. According to shamanic traditions, our spirit is always connected to source. In Huna (Hawaiian) shamanic traditions, the Kahunas call our spirit piece of the soul cluster, “Aumakua”; this translates to, “the Spirit that hangs over me.” Also known as “the over soul,” it connects us to source, the energetic and the physical. In Huna beliefs, when we inhale our first breath at birth, the spirit soul merges with the physical soul and then the mental soul. When we exhale our last breath at death, the spirit soul separates from the physical and mental. Many shamanic cultures believe in the soul cluster and have variations on how it functions depending on cultural beliefs. Just as healing and celebration occur when one is born, healing and celebration also takes place when one is transitioning from this life. This takes many different forms in shamanic cultures. Despite the various cultural differences, one of the practices that shamans work with in regards to transitioning spirit is psychopomp healing. Practiced for the last 75,000 years by shamans, this form of healing is still
Psychopomp Shamanic Healing Ancient Practices Honor and Transition Spirit by Jessica Hunter “I give you this one thought to keep ... I am with you still, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain; I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awake in the morning’s hush, I am the swift, uplifting rush—of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not think of me as gone—I am with you still—in each new dawn.” ~Native American Prayer
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hamanic cultures have been aware for centuries that death is never really death. Indigenous people believe all things have a spirit and the spirit never truly dies but changes form. They also believe that it may also experience many lifetimes as it is not limited to just one linear time table of one life. Spirit is an energetic form of what one truly is; many refer to it as the “Soul”. Everything is made of energy. According to science and physics, energy cannot be created or destroyed but only transformed. So if everything has a spirit and is made of energy, then it also must transform, as it can never be destroyed. Shamans have always known and believed this,
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facilitated by many modern shamanic practitioners. In addition to healing, psychopomp is also a form of sacred ceremony used to assist a spirit’s transitioning process. The transitioning can be at the actual time of death for an individual, during a terminal illness, or in the event a spirit is “stuck” and not fully transitioned—which can be due to being attached to an area of land, an object or even a home. Traditionally in indigenous cultures, many of the psychopomp healings were done with the entire community involved and the shaman facilitating the ceremonial healing as directed by the spirits. When a member of the community was dying, family, friends and community members would gather around the individual with offerings, prayers and gifts. The shaman would connect with the helping spirits to assist the individual’s spirit in its transition. Although grieving also occurs during this process, there is a major focus on healing and guidance for the spirit of the individual transitioning as well as celebration. Surviving connections know their loved one is going to be with the spirits and that their loved one is still with them, just in another form. In shamanism, working and communicating with spirits is part of the belief system. Surviving members never view the transition as a true loss as they still have access to, and a relationship with, their loved one in spirit long after the physical “death” of the body. Psychopomp healing can also be facilitated when an individual is suffering from a terminal illness or lingering death. In this case, a shaman may perform multiple healing ceremonies over a period of hours, days or even months de-
Just as healing and celebration
shamanicpractitionerprofile
occur when one is born, healing and celebration also takes place when one is transitioning from this life. This takes many different forms in shamanic cultures. pending on the state of the individual’s soul, when it is ready to transition and the process occurring between the physical and spiritual worlds. Ceremony, prayers, offerings and healing are also included in this process. Additionally, psychopomp healing is used to assist spirits who may have not fully transitioned or may be stuck or lost in a state in between the physical and the spirit world, unaware they are deceased. If there was an extreme trauma on an area of land—such as multiple tragic deaths from a war—there may be a high probability that the spirits of individuals who physically died there may still be spiritually attached to the land. Psychopomp healing may be beneficial in this case. A shaman would connect with and identify these spirits, simultaneously working with helping spirits, prayers, ceremony and further shamanic healing techniques to assist in healing the trauma connected to the spirits. The shaman would also assist the spirits in fully crossing into the spirit world. This is usually a multi-layered process; it may happen quickly or may take an extensive amount of time, healing and ceremonial work. It depends on the state of the spirits and the interaction process during the healing. Psychopomp work is a very involved form of shamanic healing; it requires extensive advanced shamanic healing training and skills to facilitate it. It is not work to be taken lightly and should never be attempted without professional training as it involves working with souls and the care, respect and healing around their transitioning process. It is highly recommended to seek out a practitioner who is not only professionally trained in psychopomp but well experienced in it for such purposes. Untrained “spirit crossing” not only may harm the souls involved, but the individual attempting it as well. Psychopomp healing is a labor of love in shamanism, which heals, honors and assists the spirit transformation process. Death never really is death; we may lose our physical body, but we do not lose our spirit. Just like trees shed their leaves in autumn, slumber in winter and return anew in the spring, we may shed our body but we return anew in a different form with different leaves. Jessica Hunter is a shamanic practitioner and medium, OM with Circle of the Sacred Earth, certified Reiki master teacher, and Melody-certified crystal healing practitioner. She teaches individual crystal classes, and also provides a complete crystal healing practitioner certification program.
Eagle Flight Healing, LLC Cathy Stubbs 309 Hillfield Road, Hamden, CT 203-535-8849 cathystubbs@sbcglobal.net eagleflighthealing@gmail.com EagleFlightHealing.wordpress.com Practice Summary Wellness services offered: I offer light body healing, soul retrieval, extractions, conscious dying and other shamanic practices. Light body healing releases unresolved pain, fear, shame, rage, pushed into the subconscious and into our luminous energy field(aura). Our LEF connects to our body through chakras, influencing our health. Shamanic energy medicine clears old beliefs that restrict us, stories that define us, imprints which dictate repetitive behavior patterns, brings back parts of self lost to trauma and agreements. We begin to feel more alive, present, full of vitality, emotional and physical wellbeing, happiness and joy. We are able to desire and dream our life more successfully as we attract new possibilities; free of the past we were dragging along. What first drew you to Shamanic Energy Medicine? In my reiki practice, I was “seeing” the constricted emotions of clients in the physical body. I felt called to shamanism. Experiencing the modalities as a student I was amazed with the depth of my own transformation into a person filled with joy and inspiration. Special Training/Certifications: RN, Reiki Master, Certified Light body Healer, Shaman. What should a client expect from working with you and/or your program? Expect to feel very grounded, centered in self, ‘lighter,’ full of vitality, happier and inspired. Are you planning any practice/service enhancements or changes in 2017? Packages for soul integration and bundling offerings together. What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about you and your work? I establish a very safe, loving environment. Issues clients bring to sessions do not need to be discussed. A new map to engage change is created. Sessions done via phone, skype or in person.
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The Art of Dying Well
Elevating the Conversations and Active Participation at End of Life by Sheri Hatfield
D
eath is not simply the end of living; it is part of living. Whether it is coming to terms with one’s own death or processing a loved one’s end of life, all humans encounter death. Yet in many places, especially in the United States, death continues to be a relatively taboo subject for most people. We do not speak openly about our own death, and tend to avoid the subject even when someone we know is sick and likely dying. We will talk about everything but death. Yet it is as death approaches that some people do most of their most conscious living. When a person realizes their death is near, they begin to reflect on their lives, the legacy they will or will not leave behind, making things right with friends and loved ones, and working through the spiritual and emotional aspects of death. When faced with the imminent death of a loved one—especially after a long illness—family members also 24
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begin to process what is next. They may have spent days, weeks or even years caring for the sick and dying; being so focused on the now, they have not thought about what is next. Having a conversation about a loved one’s death before it happens allows them to begin to process their future. Having an open conversation about what their loved one wants, may help to lessen stress, relieve guilt and allow them to create their own plan for living after the death. People who are in the final stages of life often start to feel useless. Because they are less active, they are treated like children and may feel excluded because they cannot participate in activities like they used to. There is a loss of control, autonomy and a feeling that they are just waiting with nothing else to do. For loved ones, there may be awkwardness about being around the person and a lack of knowledge or confidence about what to say and do. Dying can create a tense situation for
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all involved. Having an open conversation about death can bring about understanding, compassion and empathy; it can change the experience.
End of Life Doulas
Now there is a group of people who are trained to elevate the conversation around death. They are called end of life doulas or “death doulas”. “Doula” is a Greek word meaning “female servant” or “female who serves”; it is commonly associated with the birth and the beginning of life. Just as a birth doula helps to create a birth plan, an end-of-life doula helps to create a death plan. He or she will work with the dying person and their family to create the end-of-life experience that best suits the patient and the family. Different than a hospice care worker whose main concern is keeping a patient comfortable during their last days, a death doula helps and guides people through their last days of life.
Their role is multi-fold for both the patient and the families. They help guide conversations about what the dying need and want to communicate that to others; they give caregivers and family members much needed rest so that they can be rested and engaged in the last moments. They also help both the dying and the living understand the experience of dying. While there are many end-of-life doulas now, the first official training program was created by Henry Fersko-Weiss, LCSW, in 2003. At that time he was a social worker in a hospice center in New York City. Hospice workers used volunteers to visit people in their last days of life, but many did not sit vigil in the very last moments. “My experience as a hospice social worker showed a need to make the dying experience different,” said Fersko-Weiss. “There was no one doing that, being with people who were dying while they were dying. And no one was helping the families understand what was happening with their loved ones as they were dying.” Death is not pretty. In fact it can be messy. There are a host of emotions to deal with, questions to ask and be answered, physical needs to attend to and family dynamics to navigate. An end-of-life doula is a guide and brings deeper meaning and a richer experience to the last few months, days and hours of life. Fersko-Weiss leaned on his knowledge as a social worker to understand the stages of both death and grieving. In speaking to a friend who was a birth doula about his experience, he realized the need for a death doula. He spent a year creating a three-phase process that eventually became the groundwork for the first-ever end-of-life doula training and the International End of Life Doula Association (INELDA.org). This three-phased process is aimed at helping the dying exercise control over their remaining time and how they spend it. It also gives the gifts of control and purpose to the dying, who often feel that they have neither. “It’s not about waiting for the end, it’s about living with purpose and meaning through the end, to the very last
breath,” explained Fersko-Weiss in a phone conversation.
Life Meaning and Legacy
The first phase works with the dying person to examine the meaning of their life. The doula and patient review what they’ve learned, their values, what they did or did not do well, and what they are leaving behind or hope to leave behind. As they facing death, what was the meaning of their life? This is a process most people go through naturally; a doula helps them examine and make sense of it. They then create a legacy project to complete prior to their death. This project can be their memories, the lessons they’ve learned or anything that helps them feel as though they’ve left a gift behind for their families that can be treasured. Then the doula and the person dying create a plan for the unfolding of their last days. Much like a birth plan, the death plan lays out their wishes and desires, how they want to be touched and held, how they want to have interactions with others and how they want to set up their space. The plan pays attention to all five senses by incorporating taste, touch, sight, smell and, especially, hearing. “Hearing is the last sense to go,” explains Barbara Slaine, owner of the Liphe Balance Center in Weston and founder of the Alliance for Conscious Transitioning (TheAllianceforConsciousTransitioning. Org). “So we want to ensure that right up to the last breath, we are letting them hear something meaningful to them. We have had women who sing people in to the beyond.” Slaine notes, “People don’t realize they have options, so they go like lemmings. But being aware of our mortality makes us much more conscious of the present. We have choices. We choose how we bring a life into this world, it only makes sense that we have choices when leaving this world.”
Holding Vigil
The second phase of the process, the vigil, occurs when the person is actively dying, which can happen from two to four hours or up to eight to 10 days. The end-of-life doula or doulas work in shifts over 24-hour periods to ensure
that the person is never alone. This provides respite for the caregivers and families and allows them to be fully present in the last moments of life. “The process of watching someone die can be traumatic for loved ones,” Fersko-Weiss noted. “End-of-life doulas are trained to know the signs of a person’s last moments. They can then alert loved ones when it is time and explain the physical process that is happening so that it is less frightening.” Having a doula in the home also relieves the fear of what to do if the person dies in the middle of the night or when the caregiver falls asleep. The vigil is also the time when the doula and the dying can finish any legacy work; the doula can support the dying spiritually and emotionally in addition to bringing in rituals that have meaning to the person and the family. “The U.S. has a very death-phobic culture,” said Slaine. “We are able to bring in intercultural practices and open up the sacred path to death. It can be very powerful for both the dying and the living.” Doulas may do energy work, pray, sing or bring in other practitioners to help both the dying and the living transition to the next phase in life. Finally, after the passing of the person, the doula meets again with the family to reprocess the active dying experience. They can sort through the various emotions, reframe experiences and give back beautiful and touching memories. The intention is to bring greater balance to the way survivors begin to grieve. It is during this time that the doula and family review the legacy project, work through traumatic experiences associated with death and talk through the experience as a whole. By elevating the conversation around death, end-of-life doulas and organizations like the Alliance for Conscious Transitioning are helping people choose how their soul leaves the world to make it a meaningful experience for all involved.
Sheri Hatfield is a freelance writer and marketing professional who lives in Shelton with her son. Connect at sheri@daydreamerconsulting.com.
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104 acres of wooded hills and grassy fields, miles of nature trails, streams, a two-acre pond, wet meadows, upland swamp, butterfly & hummingbird garden, woodland wildflower and fern garden, community gardening, childrens’ playscape, visitor center, animals & nature exhibits, classes and more!
(203) 736-1053 AnsoniaNatureCenter.org
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Tree-Mendous Love How Trees Care for Each Other by Melissa Breyer
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rom learning to communicate to physically caring for each other, the secret lives of trees are wildly deep and complex. “They can count, learn and remember; nurse sick neighbors; warn each other of danger by sending electrical signals across a fungal network known as the ‘wood wide web’; and keep the ancient stumps of long-felled companions alive for centuries by feeding them a sugar solution through their roots,” reveals Peter Wohlleben, a German forest ranger and author of The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate— Discoveries from a Secret World, released in September. Upon seeing two soaring beeches in the forest, Wohlleben observes, “These trees are friends. See how the thick branches point away from each other? That’s so they don’t block their buddy’s light. Sometimes, pairs are so interconnected at the roots that when one tree dies, the other one dies, too.” Wohlleben is rekindling a re-imagination of trees even as many people consider their role is only to supply us with oxygen and wood. Using a mix of scientific research and his own observations from studying forestry and working in the forest since 1987, the man who speaks for the trees does so in decidedly anthropomorphic terms.
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“Scientific language removes all the emotion, and people don’t understand it anymore. I use a human language. When I say, ‘Trees suckle their children,’ everyone knows immediately what I mean,” he says. After years of working for the state forestry administration in RhinelandPalatinate, and then as a forester managing 3,000 acres of woods near Cologne, he began to understand that contemporary practices were not serving the trees or those that depend on them very well. Artificially spacing out trees ensures that trees get more sunlight and grow faster, but naturalists report that trees exist less like individuals and more as communal beings. By working together in networks and sharing resources, they increase their resistance to potentially damaging influences. After researching alternative approaches, Wohlleben began implementing some revolutionary concepts. He replaced heavy machinery with horses, stopped using insecticides and let the woods become wilder. The pilot German forest plot went from losing money to posting a profit in two years. As Dr. Seuss’ tree-loving Lorax says, “I speak for the trees. I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues.” Melissa Breyer, of Brooklyn, NY, is the editor of Treehugger.com, from which this article was adapted.
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A Banquet of opportunities to heal and replenish the physical body and inner self will be at your fingertips; a place to come to stimulate the mind with evening events ranging from talks about health to programs for children and families. Athena Hall is also available to “like minded” people who are part of the alternative and holistic community for rent by the hour, full or half day, or based on a series of weeks for an ongoing class.
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I am a mystIc . . . Relationship with the Divine within Courageous open heart Willing to find peace within Open to service and love Honoring masculine and feminine Christ Consciousness The Center of Light Spiritual classes and teaching Sacraments and initiation Meditation and healing www.centersoflight.org/newhaven 860-952-9781
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October 2016
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fitbody
its polarity. The quality and depth of our lives, our character and consciousness are determined by the interplay of the chakras. Think of a long-time married couple dealing with the same issues year after year. For the long-term success of their union, they need to embrace cooperation, mutual respect and a merger of strengths. When the chakras are working together and supporting each other, we can more easily be healthy, happy and successful. The first polarity is earth and ether, exemplified by the first and seventh chakras. A first chakra imbalance makes us like a stick in the mud: stubborn, set in our ways, one dimensional, and very reactive and defensive. A seventh chakra imbalance engenders a head-inthe-clouds way of being. We’re abstracted, too idealistic and not willing to deal with reality as it is.
C O R E
P O W E R
Life Exercises For the Chakras
The CorePower
by Ana Brett and Ravi Singh
T
Seminar for your business or organization
C o r e Po w e r Wo r k s h o p . c o m
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he chakras are beautiful flowers that blossom through all dimensions of our lives. Their petals, colors, contours and fragrances lend vibrancy, vitality and authenticity to everything we do and are. Cultivating and showcasing this resplendent bouquet is what all yoga systems seek to accomplish. When the chakras are in bloom our life energies can flow and we can truly be sun-kissed beings. In Kundalini yoga, there are a wide array of exercises and meditations to balance, stimulate, unblock, unlock and develop our chakra system. It’s one of the reasons why we leave each Kundalini yoga class in such a buzzed state of energy, buoyancy and joy. Our worlds completely rocked, yet heads and souls clear and calm at the same time. Everything exists in relation to its opposite. In this sense, no one chakra is an island unto itself. Each chakra has
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The answer: next time our deep buttons get pressed, rise above. Sense the big picture, the wider view. Next time action is called for, don’t procrastinate, meander, dither or philosophize. Be in the body with feet on the ground, and be willing to do the tough/unpleasant but very necessary thing. The next pairing is sex and sixth sense, represented by the second and sixth chakras. A second chakra imbalance renders us too puritanical in relation to our sexuality or, conversely, too promiscuous. We also hesitate to flare our flair, which means joyfully expressing our style and individuality. A sixth chakra imbalance makes it almost impossible to make a decision. Our mind takes us forever in circles. We’re not in touch with our intuition or subtle sense. The answer: So, next time we find ourselves deconstructed by desire, harness that taking that energy and directing it creatively. Sex is a good and true
thing, but only when the conditions are right. Those who have mastered the art of higher desire are the great geniuses of this world. The same energy and passion with which you would create a baby can immediately augur creative leaps and breathtaking breakthroughs. Be willing to chip away at mental encrustation until only a diamond remains. And the next time a whirlwind of cogitation occurs, use the creativity to look at things from a different angle. Now we’ve arrived at the plateau of love and will and the dance between the third and fourth chakras. A third chakra imbalance incites us to see everything in terms of gain and loss which, inevitably, means our gain and everyone else’s loss. A fourth chakra imbalance could mean that we give and give and give, and forget to create our own life to live. The answer: So next time the tendency is to be a shark, help a goldfish get back its gold. Instead of giving our power away next time, offer it to ourselves. Our final chakra couple is the fifth and eighth chakras, or “known” and “unknown”. A fifth chakra imbalance causes us to swallow our words and bury our feelings. Also, we may have great ideas, but there is a tendency to not be able to manifest them. An eighth chakra imbalance makes us feel like the invisible woman or man. Our radiance isn’t radiating. The answer: practice being direct, speaking up and sparking up. We may not feel like the life of the party, but be willing to practice the greatest life chakra exercise of them all: “fake it ‘til you make it.” Ana Brett and Ravi Singh have over 40 years of combined experience as international Kundalini yoga teachers. They are Authors of 25 DVDs and a forthcoming book. They will be offering a Yoga Alliance 200/300 hour Teacher Training Certification at Raven’s Wing Yoga in Branford, Connecticut beginning October 21st. Ravi Singh will also be offering an ongoing class on Wednesdays, 5:30p.m. at Raven’s Wing Yoga. Connect at Raviana.com. See ad on page 35.
70 Wall Street-Rear Madison, CT 06443
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lasses, Facials, Make up & Healing, Meditation C Nai ls Healing for the Mind, Body, and Soul
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October 2016
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One Doctor’s Journey A Conversation With Edward C. Corsello
an unforgettable, experiential evening of discovery, freedom and power!
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Never believe
that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have. ~Margaret Mead
N
atural Awakenings recently discussed with Edward C. Corsello, DC BCAO, a Stratfordbased chiropractor, what led him to study the Atlas Orthogonal (AO) technique and advanced therapies to reshape the spine and heal spinal decay. Discovery of these techniques changed the course of his own life.
You were a chiropractor for over 12 years when something happened to you that changed you. Tell us your story. I’ve suffered with ulcerative colitis since chiropractic school and was in and out of hospitals. I had tried both medical and alternative “cures” for my condition. I spent thousands of dollars “managing” my symptoms with not only medication but also vitamins, nutrition, acupuncture and traditional chiropractic. You name it, I tried it. I was at the point of hopelessness, ready to accept my doctors’ explanation that my disease was “autoimmune,” my body was “attacking itself”, and it was just a case of “bad genes”.
How did you find your way out? A colleague convinced me to try a chiropractic specialist in the Midwest. When I arrived, he put aside my voluminous medical file and asked me about my spine.I responded that I had no spinal pain, because at the time I thought that spinal “health” was all about “pain”. “I mean what is the condition of your spine?” he then said. I admitted that I didn’t know as I hadn’t had an x-ray in years. My last x-ray was when I was in a car accident and had pain. I didn’t understand so I asked him what my spine has to do with my colitis. He answered, “Everything.”
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How does the health of your spine directly correlate to your overall health? The brain has within it everything the body needs to be healthy; it speaks to the body through the spine. When the spine moves out of position, it causes blockages that prevent the brain from communicating to each cell, organ, tissue and system within the body. Where the spine is being choked off, that part of the body will break down. In order for your body to express health, your spine must be healthy. By healing the spine, the nerves can flow at 100 percent, and restoration of health takes place.
What did the chiropractic specialist focus on? He did a series of tests, including advanced bio-structural x-rays of my spine. He showed me that I had moderate to severe spinal decay in my neck and lower back that was blocking the nerves that run to my colon. By correcting my atlas—the first bone in my neck—through a technique called atlas orthogonal (AO) and repairing my neck and lower spine with advanced therapies, I became symptom free.
How has that experience changed your practice? I was so impressed with the “miracles” I saw in his office that I decided to expand my practice to offer both AO and advanced therapies to heal the spine. Today, I am one of only two spinal correction specialists and only three AO doctors in the state of Connecticut; people from as far away as New York, Rhode Island, and Delaware come to see me. I use these powerful techniques that changed my life to treat others who are
suffering from asthma and allergies, headaches, neck and back pain—often resulting from car accidents or athletic injuries— and sciatica. They also help with autism, scoliosis, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, trigeminal neuralgia, fibromyalgia and ADHD as well as with digestive diseases like Crohn’s disease and colitis. Doing the AO correction in conjunction with advanced therapies to heal the spine, we are able to provide permanent relief to some of the most severe and chronic conditions.
Please share some of the feedback you have received. A patient of mine for over two years who suffers from Parkinson’s stated that the chiropractic treatments and maintaining a healthy lifestyle have helped her get off 11 medications. Another told me that she was diagnosed with narcolepsy with cataplexy in 2009. She said she has been off medication since two months into treatment with us and has no symptoms of narcolepsy with cataplexy any longer. There are many other stories.
So what do you actually do? I don’t heal anyone of anything. I perform specific, gentle techniques to remove nerve pressure, and the body responds by healing itself. We get tremendous results. It’s as simple as that! Many people find they actually save money on their health care expenses by seeing me. An entire week of care in my office costs what you could pay for one visit elsewhere.
What about diet and supplements? Of course, healthy nutrition is important. However, “life flow”—from the brain to the organs—must work in conjunction with lifestyle. Think of an automobile. If its structure is compromised, you can put the best fuel in it, but it will not run properly. The same is true of the body. Even the best food and vitamins will have only a limited benefit to a body that is breaking down due to a decaying spine.
The Natural Choice – The Breiner Whole-Body Health Center Optimize Your Smile and Your Health! Whole-Body Dentistry® provides comprehensive oral health care using traditional and holistic approaches. We understand the “mouth-body connection.”
Mark A. Breiner, DDS, FAGD, FIAOMT Speaker and best-selling author of Whole-Body Dentistry® Mercury-free for over 30 years, Dr. Breiner is a pioneer and recognized authority
WholeBodyDentistry.com • 203-371-0300 501 Kings Highway East, Suite 108, Fairfield, CT 06825
The Natural Choice – The Breiner Whole-Body Health Center Naturopathic Physicians Offering the Best in Holistic Healing Get your health back in balance naturally with proven treatments & therapies. FREE CDs on our approach to Lyme Disease
Watch our therapy videos on our website!
Drs. Adam Breiner, Elena Sokolova, and David Brady
WholeBodyMed.com • 203-371-8258
in Fairfield, CT
2 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
TO ASK WHEN SEEKING A PHYSICAL THERAPIST 1. Will my PT work ONLY with me during my treatment? ABSOLUTELY! At Physical Therapy Services of Guilford, we are one of the few remaining practices that spend 40 minutes, one-on-one, with YOU and ONLY YOU.
2. Will I ONLY be doing exercises during my treatment? No. Your physical therapist will be using hands-on techniques to relieve your pain and will provide you with exercises to do at home.
Physical Therapy Services of Guilford • 500 East Main Street • Branford
203-315 7727
•
PhysicalTherapyGuilford.com
Edward Corsello, DC, BCAO, is a board certified Atlas Orthogonist with an office in Stratford. Connect at CorselloClinic.com and 203-381-1800. Mention this article for a complimentary consultation. See ad, page 6. natural awakenings
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Find Jo Robinson’s free Wild Side Shopping Guide at Tinyurl.com/ WildSideProduceList.
Born to Eat Wild Why Ancestral Diets Boost Health by Judith Fertig
I
n The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals, Michael Pollan surmised that we’d be healthier if we ate the way our great-grandparents did. It would mean sticking to regularly scheduled meals instead of impulsive snacking, having a meat or protein item comprise only a quarter of our plate, adding fresh vegetables and eliminating junk food. We must look further back than our immediate ancestors, counters Jo Robinson, a food journalist who surveyed more than 6,000 scientific research studies before writing her bestselling Eating on the Wild Side: The Missing Link to Optimum Health. She has also co-authored several other books, including The Omega Diet: The Lifesaving Nutritional Program Based on the Diet of the Island of Crete.
Narrowed Field of Foods
“Many believe we have dumbed down the nutrition in our food over the past 100 years,” says Robinson, who lives and gardens on Vashon Island, Washington. “Research shows we have been breeding out proteins and minerals and most importantly, antioxidants, for much longer.” She points out that the hunter-gatherer diet encompassed many wild foods that tasted more bitter, astringent, sour and earthy than the sweet blandness in today’s fruits and vegetables. Wild foods offered a wider variety of phytonutrients, but came at a cost—the time required to hunt and gather enough food for a day, let alone a season. “Then, 12,000 years ago, we had a better idea—gardening,” says Robinson. “We evolved to 20 varieties in a garden versus 150 in wild plants.” First, farmers chose sweet, starchy, mild-tasting, oil-rich foods such as figs, dates and olives. “We’re hard-wired to choose high-calorie foods because they’re directly connected to the pleasure centers of the brain,” she adds. 32
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consciouseating
After that, the trend to grow sweeter-tasting, less nutritious plants snowballed. Robinson cites research that found adding one Golden Delicious apple to the daily diet of a small group of overweight men led to higher levels of undesirable low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides due to its high-fructose content and low levels of antioxidants (International Journal of Preventive Medicine).
Wilder Options Even organic farming methods, in which the soil is naturally enriched, can’t return all those lost nutrients to our food. Rather than advocate that we return to eating wild foods, Robinson suggests finding wild equivalents. Even those that follow a paleo diet—presumably eaten by early humans and consisting chiefly of meat, fish, vegetables and fruit, excluding dairy, grain products and commercially processed items—could use further refinements in the produce they choose. She recommends specific varieties of fruits and vegetables and explains the benefits of “wild” foods such as meat, eggs and dairy from livestock and poultry fed on grass on her website, EatWild.com. We can make smarter choices, seeking wilder-type varieties of foods at the grocery store, farmers’ market and garden seed companies. In general, they are more vividly colored, especially from red to purple, and less sweet. Brightly colored fruits and vegetables indicate a botanical sunscreen the plant produces to protect itself from ultraviolet light and other external threats, notes Robinson; it’s an indication of a higher antioxidant activity. “Find as many purple foods as possible because they have anthocyanins, known to fight cancer and inflammation,” suggests Robinson. “The original carrot from Afghanistan is purple. It’s only been orange for the past 400 years when it was bred to salute the royal House of Orange, in the Netherlands.” According to Robinson, we can also prepare our foods in ways that maximize their phytonutrient content. Eat fresh-picked asparagus and broccoli immediately or their natural sugars and antioxidants disappear. Let chopped or pressed garlic sit for 10 minutes before using so its pungent allicin—the healthy compound that benefits our health—will increase. Tear fresh lettuce the day before eating and keep it fresh in a plastic bag with poked holes, to allow the stillliving lettuce to rally its healthy compounds as if its battered leaves were repelling an insect attack. This emerging science of polyphenols, the technical term for phytonutrients in our food, will be explosive, predicts this pioneering research-based author. “There’s a new study just about every month,” she finds. It can all lead toward breeding and growing more nutritious foods that are more readily accessible to everyone. Judith Fertig writes cookbooks and foodie fiction from Overland Park, KS (JudithFertig.com).
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calendarofevents SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1
MONDAY, OCTOBER 3
Help CT Experiential Learning Center (CELC) Middle School Support Mother’s Against Drunk Driving – 8:30am-9:30am (check in time). Walk alongside us at the Walk Like MADD Walk in Branford to raise critical funds and take steps to stopping this violent crime. Join the CELCstars team! Register online at: http://www.walklikemadd.org/team/CELCstars.
October Yoga Challenge – 6:30am-7:30am. (Weekdays; Oct 3-31). Here is your chance to make that ongoing commitment to yourself. Set intentions, encourage each other, and for those who make it to all the challenge classes there are “valuable prizes,” but of course, the real prize is having done it! $125+tax. Your Community Yoga Center, 39 Putnam Ave, Hamden. 203-287-2277. YourCommunityYoga.com.
Men’s Weekend- Self-empowerment and Breaking Down the Walls of Isolation – 9am Oct 1 – 4pm Oct 2. Will be held at a private Island, retreat center in New Milford CT. $275. For more information and to register contact Jody Grose: 203-426-2156. healingbear@charter.net. returntothefire.com. Grounding – 9:30am-1pm. Experiential workshop. The more grounded to Earth, the easier it is to access other dimensions and shield the body from electromagnetic interference enabling a life filled with a secure, rational and loving manner. $75. Wallingford. Call 203-265-2927 or email Return2love3@gmail.com. Free Reiki at Thyme & Season – 1:30pm-4pm. Tranquil Healing Reiki provided by Usui Reiki Master Anita Jones. First & 3rd Saturday of Every Month! Enjoy a 10-minute session. Learn about healing energy. Free. No reservation. Thyme & Season Natural Market, 3040 Whitney Ave, Hamden. (1 m south of Sleeping Giant/QU; I-91 x10, ¼ m north of end of connector). Bittersweet Wreaths – 2pm. Bring clippers and gardening gloves for this workshop led by Ranger Dawn. When you collect these beautiful orangeberried vines, you’re actually helping the park by removing this invasive plant species. Free. Ansonia Nature Ctr, 10 Deerfield Rd, Ansonia. Preregister: 203-736-1053. Donatella’s Online Video Meditation with the New Moon in Libra! – 7pm-8:15pm EST. Sound Healing and Energy Alignment with Donatella Moltisanti under the Magic of the New Moon! In the Meditation you will be guided with the power of the sound to heal and to tune into the energies that are ready to be transformed and releasing all that doesn’t serve you anymore. Contact Information: https://donatellamoltisanti-newmoon.com.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2 Reiki I class (Holy Fire II) w/ Anita Jones, RMT – 1pm-6pm. Learn about Usui and Holy Fire Reiki energy, their histories, and how to use this energy for yourself and others. Certificate and manual included. Placement (Attunement) given. $125. Hamden. Info/Registration: 203-415-4791. Group Meditation with Sound Healing – 5:30pm. Allow the soothing sounds of planetary gongs, crystal bowls, chimes and bells to wash away stress and gently guide you into a deep meditative state for full body/mind relaxation. ONLY 15 seats available! The Sound Retreat, 96 Cedar Lake Road. Chester, CT. 860-322-4492. 60 min. of healing meditation $22. Sign up: facebook.com/thesoundretreat. TheSoundRetreat.com.
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New Haven / Middlesex
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5 Young Living Essential Oils – 6:30pm-8pm. Help align your mind, body, spirit. Learn to take control of your health with therapeutic grade oils. Free class. 36 Cheshire Rd, Wallingford. 203-265-2927 or Return2love3@gmail.com.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6 Jewelry Making: Realistic Snowy Owl Class – 1pm-4pm. Artist D. Jaffe teaches how to carve a realistic snowy owl from polymer clay to make your own pin or pendant or ornament.Early Registration Required. $40. KanduBeads in the Watch Factory Shoppes, Cheshire. 203-439-8689. KanduBeads.com. Jewelry Making Class Beaded Layered Necklace – 6pm-8pm. Make a layered bar necklace using chain, beads and wire. We will teach you the fundamentals of design and chainmaking. KanduBeads in the Watch Factory Shoppes, Cheshire. Early registration tequired. $30 + materials. 203-439-8689. KanduBeads.com. Menopause and Weight Gain: Free Talk at Thyme & Season – 7pm. Come to commiserate and combat! Join dietitian Maureen Wasik (yes, she’s middle aged) for a lively discussion on the physiology of weight gain and how to eat during mid-life. Coupon to all. Thyme & Season, 3040 Whitney Ave, Mt Carmel. New Haven Community Circle Dance – 7:30pm9:30pm. Move in the footsteps of our ancestors as we enjoy traditional dances from many cultures, as well as contemporary pieces choreographed in the spirit of ancient folk dance. All dances are taught and no experience is necessary. Suggested donation $8. Location: Friends Meetinghouse, 225 East Grand Ave, New Haven. 203-467-1069.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7 Nature’s Child: Leafy Critters –10am. Join our ranger to create an animal out of leaves that have already fallen from the trees and shrubs in the park. Go for a fall discovery hike to learn why leaves change color! Tuition: $7 per child ($5 for family-level FANCI members and Ansonia residents). Ansonia Nature Ctr, 10 Deerfield Rd, Ansonia. Pre-register for preschoolers and their adults: 203-736-1053.
NaturalNewHaven.com
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8 Free Breakfast Provided by Assumption Church Breakfast Club & Masters Table Community Meals – 9am-10:30am. Join us for a hot breakfast or a cup of coffee. All are welcome! Assumption Church Hall, 61 N Cliff St, Ansonia. For more information call 203-732-7792. Reiki I Certification w/RMT, Holistic Coach Diane Esposito – 9am-3pm or two 1/2-Days/ Eves. Provides empowering foundation for selfhealing, support for personal challenges/goals/ relationships and treating others. Wallingford. $150 Pre-Class Consult/Register: 203-913-3869. PersonalHarmonyandHealth.com. Hike and Draw w/ Amie Ziner – 10am-2pm. Will walk 1-2 miles to a number of pretty spots along the trails, collecting small things to draw and stopping to do some landscapes, in pencil and watercolor. Bring sketchbook and pencils, portable watercolor and brush (optional), a portable stool if desired, and water bottle. Free. Ansonia Nature Ctr, 10 Deerfield Rd, Ansonia. Pre-register: 203-736-1053. G a i a S p i r a l E a r r i n g s Wi re Wr a p p i n g Jewelry Class – 11am-12pm. Use wire and beads to make intricate patterns for an endless variety of earrings. Free with minimum purchase. Early registration recommended. KanduBeads in the Watch Factory Shoppes, Cheshire. 203-439-8689. KanduBeads.com. Astronomy: Lunar Sketching – 7pm. Come to Ansonia’s darkest location for some fun viewing the moon with Bob Carruthers and the New Haven Astronomical Society. Get a chance to see the first-quarter moon’s surface on Bob’s TV camera as well as sketch its craters. Bring a clipboard and pencil. Class size is limited. Ansonia Nature Ctr, 10 Deerfield Rd, Ansonia. Pre-register: 203-736-1053.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9 Mushroom Identification for Beginners – 1pm. Join a foraging family who hunt, photograph, identify, and eat the fungi in New England. Will dispel myths, teach how to safely identify mushrooms, and discuss mycophagy, the cooking and eating of wild mushrooms. Bring mushrooms you find in your yard. We’ll use our newly learned skills to identify them. Fee: $5 per person. Ansonia Nature Ctr, 10 Deerfield Rd, Ansonia. Pre-register: 203-736-1053. Pet Loss Grief Support Group – 1pm. Losing a beloved animal can be tragic and a very emotional time for humans. Susan Wilson has created this support group for those who have lost an animal or have one in the process of moving on. Free. Ansonia Nature Ctr, 10 Deerfield Rd, Ansonia. Register/ information: 203-736-1053. Reiki II class (Holy Fire II) w/ Anita Jones, RMT – 1pm-6pm. Increase Holy Fire Reiki knowledge and energy. Learn the basic Reiki symbols and distant healing. Certificate and manual included. Placement (Attunement) given. $150. Hamden. Info/Registration: 203-415-4791.
Sound YIN Yoga w/ Emrys Tetu – 5:30 pm. YIN Yoga class on a huge deck overlooking Cockaponsett State Forest. Class accompanied with live sound healing instruments to add atmosphere and high vibrations to this unique class. An all levels yoga class drawing from classic YIN practices. 90 min. of healing Yoga. $30. The Sound Retreat, 96 Cedar Lake Rd, Chester. 860-322-4492. Sign up: facebook. com/thesoundretreat. TheSoundRetreat.com.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10 Ascended Masters Meditation w/Gayle Franceschetti – 6:30pm-8:30pm. (Oct 10 & 24; Nov 7). Connect with loving and powerful ascended beings and the multi-dimensional assistance and lessons given. With other like-minded friends, we are downloaded with loving channeled messages. Series 5 classes. $97. 203-265-2927.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11 Jewelry Making: Sterling Silver Nature Impressions – 6pm-8pm. Use Sterling Silver Clay to make leaf impressions for natural wearable art jewelry. $40 + required materials. Early Registration Required. KanduBeads in the Watch Factory Shoppes Cheshire. 203-439-8689. KanduBeads.com. Angelspeake™ Class w/RMT, Holistic Coach Diane Esposito – 6:30pm-8:30pm. Ask empowering questions, awaken intuitive senses, receive signs/ loving messages/guidance from angels, guides, loved ones. $33/class. ($25 Returning Students bring Manuals). Wallingford. Register: 203-9133869. PersonalHarmonyandHealth.com.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13 Cool Down Heartburn: Free Talk at Thyme and Season – 7pm. Dr. Matthew Robinson, ND, of Natural Health Associates: Causes of heartburn, reflux and indigestion; strategies to relieve, correct and restore health and vitality. No reservation. 3040 Whitney Ave. Hamden. No reservation. ThymeAndSeasonNaturalMarket.com.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14 Mindfulness Class stands for “Stop, Breathe, and Be” – 10am-11am. Course for young adolescents written by experienced classroom teachers and mindfulness practitioners. 28 School Street, Branford, CT, $10 per class or $45 for 9-week series. Ages 10 - 14. Register: mandm@CTExperiential.org. Full Moon Gong Kundalini & Meditation – 7pm-9pm. w/ Barbara and Steve Chillemi. Experience live gong sound healing tones, Kundalini, and meditation to put mind/body at ease $22/session, $60/3. Your Community Yoga Center, 39 Putnam Ave, Hamden. 203-287-2277. YourCommunityYoga.com.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15 Homeopathy Study Group: Sponsored by Connecticut Homeopathy – Learn to treat first aid and acute illness; Prevent use of OTC or prescription meds. Study group meets every 3rd Saturday in North Haven. Reservation and fee required. $5. RSVP Required. Email to: Connecticuthomeopathy@gmail.com.
Reiki II Cert. w/RMT, Holistic Coach Diane Esposito – 9am-3pm or two 1/2-Days/ Eves. Receive empowering keys to mentalemotional clarity, balance; support for empathic challenges/relationship healing. Wallingford. $175. Pre-Class Consult/Register: 203-913-3869. PersonalHarmonyandHealth.com.
markyourcalendar
Talisman Amulet Necklace: Jewelry Making Class – 11am-12pm. Find what moves you. Then learn to wirewrap found objects, leather gems & crystals to make a personal talisman. Free with min purchase. Early registration recommended. KanduBeads in the Watch Factory Shoppes, Cheshire. 203-439-8689. KanduBeads.com.
Teacher Training
Free Reiki at Thyme & Season – 12pm-3pm. Tranquil Healing Reiki with Usui Reiki Master Anita Jones. First & 3rd Saturday of Every Month! Enjoy a 10-minute session. Learn about healing energy. Free. No reservation. Also, Certified Nutrition Counselor to assist you Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. See Facebook. Thyme & Season Natural Market, 3040 Whitney Ave, Hamden, 203-407-8128. Back to Basics: Soap Making w/ Goat’s Milk – 2pm-4pm. Will provide the basic skills you’ll need to make wonderful soaps! Will learn basic safety and traditional techniques required. Makes great gifts— or soaps to keep for your own use. Soap samples and recipes provided. Bring a small container for your take-home samples. Fee $10 per person. Ansonia Nature Ctr, 10 Deerfield Rd, Ansonia. Pre-register: 203-736-1053. Full Hunter’s Moon Hike – 6:30pm. Historically this moon was honored and served as an important feast day among many tribes. Join the Nature Center guides as we lead you around our park by the light of the moon. For all ages (children must be accompanied by an adult). Wear comfortable walking shoes for uneven terrain. Fee: $1. Ansonia Nature Ctr, 10 Deerfield Rd, Ansonia. Pre-register: 203-736-1053.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16 Advanced Reiki Training (ART Holy Fire II) w/ Anita Jones, RMT – 1pm-6pm. Become a Master practitioner. Deepen your Holy Fire Reiki knowledge. Learn meditations and techniques for enhancing Reiki energy. Certificate and manual included. Placement (Attunement) given. $250. Hamden. 203-415-4791.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17 Full Moon Meditation w/Gayle Franceschetti – 6:30pm-8:30pm. Align w/new energies of full moon. Opportunities for allowing spiritual energies to reach human hearts and minds. Tap into this vast pool of energy. $20. 36 Cheshire Rd. Wallingford. 203-265-2927. Return2love3@gmail.com. Return2love.com.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18 Young Living Essential Oils – 6:30pm-8pm. Help align your mind, body, spirit. Learn to take control of your health with therapeutic grade oils. Free class. 36 Cheshire Rd, Wallingford. 203-265-2927 or Return2love3@gmail.com.
Kundalini Yoga Evolution/Revolution with
Ana Brett and Ravi Singh
BEGINS OCTOBER 21st Deepen your yoga practice. Use your gifts to heal, uplift and inspire. Celebrate and heal the world.
LOCATION:
Raven’s Wing Yoga Branford, CT
1-800-243-9642
Raviana.com WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19 How to Cultivate Compassion” – 6pm. Are you ready to heal and transform your relationship with yourself and others? We will use meditation and EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) to bring about positive change in your life. $25. Healing Room, 70 Wall St, Madison. Reserve your seat: 203-245-5137. Mindful Healing Meditation & EFT w/ RMT/ Holistic Coach Diane Esposito – 6:30pm8:30pm. (& Tues 10/25) Engage in [+] Energy insights and create lasting, healthy transformations. $25. Wallingford. Register: 203-913-3869 or PersonalHarmonyandHealth.com.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20 Have you ever wondered what it’s like to have DYSLEXIA? – 6:30pm-8:30pm. CT Experiential Learning Center is pleased to offer a Dyslexia Simulation workshop, presented by Learning House of Guilford. At 28 School Street, Branford. $30 materials fee. Register: LearningHouse-ct.com. Thyroid Issues and Adrenal Fatigue: Free Talk at Thyme & Season – 7pm. Dr. Elise Panza, ND. Address fatigue & weight gain by understanding how the thyroid and adrenals are designed to work together. No reservation. 20% coupon. Thyme & Season, 3040 Whitney Ave, Hamden. ThymeAndSeasonNaturalMarket.com.
natural awakenings
October 2016
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Tao Yoga Beginner Class Series – 7pm-8:30pm. Gentle yoga postures with meditation and breathwork. Herbal tea tasting after class. All levels welcome! $40 for 5 classes. One World Wellness & Yoga, East Haven. OneWorld-Wellness.com.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21 Madison Anniversary Open House Celebration – 10am-1pm. Free makeovers, Raffles, Refreshments. Healing Room, 70 Wall St, Madison. Call for makeover appointment: 203-245-5137. Kundalini Yoga Evolution / Revolution Teacher Training with Ana Brett and Ravi Singh – 2pm7pm (Oct 21) 8am-7pm (Oct 22) & 6am-2pm (Oct 23). Location: Raven’s Wing Yoga, Branford. 203-488-9642. RavensWingYoga.com.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22 Reiki III ART Cert. w/RMT Holistic Coach Diane Esposito – 9am-3pm or two 1/2-Days or Eves. Promote/Deepen personal and client lasting, healthy transformations Advanced Techniques w/Crystal/Stone healing and manifesting grids. $200. Wallingford. Pre-Class Consult/Register: 203-913-3869. PersonalHarmonyandHealth.com. Reiki II – 9:30am-2pm. Reiki II attunes higher frequencies of energy. Second Degree or Reiki II certification class teaches ancient, powerful and precise healing symbols. Gain the ability to heal mental, emotional, and past life issues from a distance. $150. 36 Cheshire Rd, Wallingford. Call Gayle: 203-265-2927. Tisanes (Not Tea) – 11am-1pm. Delicious herbal teas (tisanes) made from fresh-cut herbs from local farms. Learn how to create tisanes and make your own herbal teabag to take home. $25 online. One World Wellness & Yoga, East Haven. OneWorld-Wellness.com. Steampunk Pendant – 2pm-5pm. World Renowned Polymer Clay Artist D. Villano teaches her very own technique to form polymer clay into a hollow form to create amazing Steampunk inspired pendants. Early registration Required. $65. KanduBeads in the Watch Factory Shoppes, Cheshire. 203-439-8689, KanduBeads.com.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29
Iyengar Yoga Back Care and Scoliosis Workshop w/ Madeleine Hexter – 2pm-4pm. Students will practice traditional yoga poses that lengthen and strengthen the back as they help to balance the spine’s irregularities. The emphasis is on optimal alignment. Yoga in Middletown, 438 Main St, Middletown. 860-347-YOGA (9642). YogaInMiddletown.com.
Jewelry Making: Chakra Charm Bracelet – 11am-12pm. Learn to make one of a kind charm bracelets using chain and gems in the colors of the chakras. Free w/ minimum purchase. KanduBeads in the Watch Factory Shoppes, Cheshire. Early registration recommended. 203-439-8689. KanduBeads.com.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26 Access Your Intuition for Your True Career Path – 5:30pm. Learn effective methods to tap into the wisdom of your body, mind and spirit to access your intuition and make your career plan. Presenter: Rachel Heerema, Certified Coach, Herbalist and Reiki Master. New Haven Free Public Library, Ives Program Room, 133 Elm St, New Haven. 203-747-8606. CoachingEffectiveLeaders.com. Guided Meditation Circle – 6pm-7pm. Join this monthly circle where we meditate together, go within and find that quiet place of peace and calm. No experience necessary. $10. Healing Room, 70 Wall St, Madison. Register: 203-245-5137. Crystal Toning – 6:30pm-8:30pm. Experience a unique method of healing by combining the energies of crystals with toning, creating an individualized healing experience in a group setting on many levels. $20. Wallingford. Contact Gayle: 203-2652927, email Return2love3@gmail.com.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27 Chinese Medicine holistic approach to optimal health: Free Talk at Thyme & Season – 7pm. Dr. Xilin Jordan. What is Chinese acupuncture; herbal medicine? What’s cupping? Learn essence of Chinese Nutrition and Spiritual healing. No reservation; coupon. Thyme & Season, 3040 Whitney Ave, Hamden. 203-407-8128. Spirit Guide Experience – 7pm-8:30pm. For those who know their Spirit Guide and those who don’t. Learn to develop your relationship with your Spirit Guide to enhance your life. Gain information about and from your own Spirit Guide. With Christie, a clear intuitive; and her Spirit Guide, Great Bear. 6 people limit. $25. At Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Society, 297 Boston Post Road, Madison. For information or to sign up: 203-481-8827.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30 Free Reiki Clinic w/Eileen Anderson: Critical Care Nurse, Reiki Practitioner – 2pm-5pm. Relax/ Revive and Heal with a 10-minute chair treatment. Edge of the Woods, 379 Whalley Ave, New Haven. ReikiwithEileenAnderson.com. Costume Party Presented by Master’s Table – 3pm-6pm. Decorate a pumpkin (3pm-4pm). Dinner at 4pm. Music, dancing and awards 4:30pm-6pm. Open to first 25 individuals who sign up. Deadline: Oct 16. Free. Donations accepted. Assumption Church Hall. 61 Cliff St, Ansonia. 203-732-7792. MastersTableMeals.org. Donatella’s Online Video Meditation with the New Moon in Scorpio! – 7pm-8:15pm EST. Sound Healing and Energy Alignment with Donatella Moltisanti under the Magic of the New Moon! In the Meditation you will be guided with the power of the sound to heal and to tune into the energies that are ready to be transformed and releasing all that doesn’t serve you anymore. Contact Information: https://donatellamoltisanti-newmoon.com.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3 Migraine Headaches Indicator of Underlying Imbalance: Free Talk at Thyme & Season – 7pm. Dr. Lindsay Chimileski, ND. Identifying root causes; approaches for effective lasting treatment and cures. No reservation, 20% coupon. Thyme & Season, 3040 Whitney Ave, Hamden. ThymeAndSeasonNaturalMarket.com.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6 New Age & Crafts Expo – 10am-5pm. Come experience a day of spiritual and creative enlightenment! Angel card, past life and intuitive readers, aura photos, crystals, 2 rooms of dynamic speakers, guided meditations, unique crafters and jewelers, Reiki, massage, spiritual vendors and more. Crowne Plaza Hotel, Strongtown Rd, Southbury. Info: 203-733-6560 or cryours87@yahoo.com.
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ongoingevents Yoga with Marlene – 10:30am & 7:15pm. Yoga classes for all ages and problems in a serene atmosphere with emphasis on stress-management. 1221 Village Walk. Guilford. Info: 203-453-5360.
sunday EFT Emotional Freedom Technique w/RMTHolistic Coach Diane Esposito – By appt. 7 Days/ week. Phone/In-Person. Relax, refresh w/take-home techniques and insights to “release stress/pain”, heal and expand free-spiritedness. Wallingford. Register/Complimentary Pre-Session questions: 203-913-3869. PersonalHarmonyandHealth.com. Sunday Service – 9:30am-11am. Uplifting, inspiring and deepening in consciousness. Includes singing, prayer, and a sermon relevant to the process of spiritual development. Includes a powerful and transformative Communion Service. Each Service begins with a half-hour of silent meditation. Center of Light, 844 Grand Ave in New Haven. CentersofLight.org/newhaven. Mystical Market – 11am-4pm. (The 3rd Sunday of every month). Vendors, artisans, holistic practitioners, and like-minded folk. Free admission, vendors fees vary. The Ruby Tree, Sherman Village Shopping Center, 670 Main St South, Woodbury. 203-586-1655, Christina@therubytreect.com, TheRubyTreeCT.com.
monday Pilates/Barre Community Class – 8am. This class is a mix between pilates moves to strengthen core muscles and the Barre technique to sculpt and lean our arms and legs. Discount price of $10.00 cash/ check or $12.00 credit card. Kneading Hands Yoga & Massage, 760 Main St S, Unit F, Southbury. 203-267-4417. KneadingHands.net. Homeschool Days at CT Experiential Learning Center (CELC) of Branford – 9:45am-3pm. Session I: Oct 10-Dec 5, 2016 (8 weeks). *No classes Nov 21. A variety of classes will be offered. More information, call 203-433-4658 or email mandm@CTExperiential.org.
Iyengar Yoga – 6pm-7:15pm. Align and yourself as you deepen your understanding of yoga. Individual attention given. Expert instruction. Yoga in Middletown, 438 Main St, Middletown. 860-347-YOGA (9642). YogaInMiddletown.com. Qigong for Health – 7pm-8pm. Learn a practice that invigorates the internal energy, relieves stress, tones and stretches the muscles and connects the mind and body. $15/class. Tranquil Mountain Internal Arts. Location: Shoreline Center for Wholistic Health, 35 Boston St, Guilford. Info: 860-301-6433. tmiarts.com.
tuesday
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement Class – 12pm-1pm. Learn to move efficiently and effortlessly with everyday functional movement patterns. All levels welcome. $13 drop in or class cards. Holistic Therapies Classroom, 15 South Elm St, Wallingford. Contact Carol Meade: 203-415-8666. info@massage2movement.com. Healthy-Steps, The Lebed Method w/Susan Sandel – 3:45pm-4:45pm. Gentle therapeutic exercise/mvmnt prog. Helpful for breast cancer survivors/chronic health conditions. Free. Sponsored by Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center of Integrative Medicine. Location: Madison House, 34 Wildwood Ave, Madison. Details: 203-457-1656. Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement Class – 6pm-7pm. Learn to free your shoulders and pelvis effortlessly. All levels welcome. 5 Week Series $50 or $13 drop in. Holistic Therapies Classroom, 15 South Elm St, Wallingford. Call Carol 203-415-8666. info@massage2movement.com.
... it’s all in the details
Free Reiki Sessions: The Universal Reiki Plan – 7:30pm-8:30pm. (& 8:30pm-9:30pm Thurs). Reiki teachers Jeannette and Jim of ReikiOvertones and students offer free Reiki sessions. Appt. only. Love offering appreciated. 95 Harris St, Fairfield. Details: Jim and Jeannette 203-254-3958. info@ReikiOvertones.com. Qigong for Health – 7:45pm-8:45pm. Learn a practice that invigorates the internal energy, relieves stress, tones and stretches the muscles and connects the mind and body. $15/class. Tranquil Mountain Internal Arts, Location: MECA, 28 Washington St, North Haven. Info: 860-301-6433. tmiarts.com.
wednesday
Yoga with Marlene – 9:30am & 6:30pm. Yoga classes for all ages and problems in a serene atmosphere with emphasis on stress-management. 1221 Village Walk. Guilford. Info: 203-453-5360.
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Free weekly Tuesday Meditation classes – 6pm7pm. (those who would like instruction can come at 5:45pm). Open to all and fully accessible. Instruction provided for beginners. No reservations necessary. Walk-ins welcome. Program offered in cooperation with New Haven Insight and the New Haven Zen Center. New Haven Free Public Library. 133 Elm St, New Haven. 203-946-8138.
Emei Wujigong Qigong Group Practice – 12pm1pm. Experience a qigong form for rebalancing and strengthening body, mind and spirit. For all abilities and levels of health. Schedule Available online. 1st class free (reg. $5). Holistic Therapies Classroom, 15 South Elm St, Wallingford. Info: EmeiQigongChan.com. Palm Readings – 3pm-5pm. (Walk-Ins Welcome) and Happy Hour Specials. Mingle with Imani-Get your nutrition questions answered. Pure Alchemy Juice Bar Café, 236 N Colony Rd, Wallingford. 203-265-5000. PureAlchemyJuice.com. Kundalini Yoga w/ Ravi Singh – 5:30pm-7pm. Breathe, move, stretch, and celebrate Spirit with a master Teacher. Raven’s Wing Yoga, 19 S Main St. Branford. 203-488-9642. Stony Creek Yoga for Stress Relief – 5:45pm7pm. Classes led by Gina Macdonald MA, LPC. Sessions include breathing techniques, yoga poses and relaxation techniques. Emphasis on movement, flow and release of tension.. Beginning yoga experience recommended along wit loose clothing and a yoga mat. Newcomers please arrive early. $10/session. Willoughby Wallace Library. 146 Thimble Island Rd, Stony Creek. Contact Gina: 203-710-6665.
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October 2016
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Weekly Centering Prayer Group – 6pm–7pm. Free. Mercy by the Sea Retreat and Conference Center 167 Neck Rd, Madison. For more information, call 203-245-0401. Intermediate/Advanced Yoga w/ Iyengar Teacher Training Graduate – 6pm-7:30pm. Refine and renew your practice with sophisticated sequences and expert instruction. Yoga in Middletown, 438 Main St, Middletown. 860-347-YOGA (9642). YogaInMiddletown.com. The Caring Network: Free Support Group for Adults who have Lost a Loved One – 6pm-8pm. (Oct 5 & 19). Bridges, 949 Bridgeport Avenue, Milford, 6:00-8:00pm For information or brochure: Cody-White Funeral Home, 203-874-0268 or Cynthia Dodd, M. Div, 203-878-6365 ext 344. Yoga with Marlene – 6:30pm. Yoga classes for all ages and problems in a serene atmosphere with emphasis on stress-management. 1221 Village Walk. Guilford. Info: 203-453-5360. Meditation In the World @ Guest House Retreat – 7pm-8pm. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced meditator, join us every week as we are led in the practice of focusing our awareness. Helping you find calm within everyday demands and stress. Free. 318 West Main St, Chester. 860-322-5770.
thursday Be uplifted by Unconditionally Loving Spirit – Release what holds you back. Learn from Loving Spirit about who you are on a deeper level. Be supported and encouraged to grow. Christie, a clear intuitive, and her Spirit Guide, Great Bear Can make this happen for you. For information or an appointment, call: 203-481-8827. Ropes Yoga w/ Iyengar Teacher Training Graduate – 11:30am-12:30pm. Experience yoga in new and liberating ways with the use of wall ropes. All levels welcome. Great for scoliosis. Expert instruction. Individual attention. Yoga in Middletown, 438 Main St, Middletown. 860-347-YOGA (9642). YogaInMiddletown.com. Branford Alps Farmers Market – 4pm-7pm. (through October 27). Non-profit market - doubling SNAP (food Stamp) dollars and donating $500/week in market tokens to the Branford Food Pantry to purchase fresh food for our neighbors in need. Our farmers also accept WIC and Senior Farm Market Nutrition Program vouchers. 17 Alps Rd, Branford. Information: 203-494-0227 or visit AlpsFarmersMkt.org. The Milford Chamber’s ‘Health & Wellness Council’ – 8:30am-9:30am. (2nd Thurs. monthly). Group is comprised of businesses in the health and wellness industry. 5 Broad St, Milford. 2 0 3 - 8 7 8 - 0 6 8 1 . p r i s c o @ p r i s c o p r. c o m , Milfordct.com. Yoga with Marlene – 10am & 6:30pm.Yoga classes for all ages and problems in a serene atmosphere with emphasis on stress-management. 1221 Village Walk. Guilford. Info: 203-453-5360.
Emei Wujigong Qigong Group Practice – 6:30pm7:30pm. (Every Thurs. except the 1st Thurs. of month). Experience a qigong form for rebalancing and strengthening body, mind and spirit. For all abilities and levels of health. Schedule Available online. 1st class free (reg. $5). Holistic Therapies Classroom, 15 South Elm St, Wallingford. Info: EmeiQigongChan.com. Qigong Group Healing & Silent Meditation – 6:30pm-8pm. (1st Thurs. 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 information if this is 1st attendance: 203-500-6492.
friday Yoga with Marlene – 9:30am. Yoga classes for all ages and problems in a serene atmosphere with emphasis on stress-management. 1221 Village Walk. Guilford. Info: 203-453-5360. Intuitive Readings w/Susane Grasso – 11am-3pm. Usui and Karuna Reiki Master and Clairvoyant Susane sees auras/mirrors of soul/emotions and physical being. Now also a certified Doreen Virtue Angel Reader. $1/min. Enchanted, 1250 Boston Post Rd, Guilford. 203-453-4000. EnchantedGuilfordct.com. Drama Classes with Long Wharf Theatre for ages 9-14 – 12:30pm-2:30pm. Oct 14-Dec 16 (9 weeks). Utilize imaginations and playfulness! Long Wharf Theatre, Stage II, New Haven. $160. Minimum ten students required for this pricing. To register call: 203-433-4658 or email mandm@CTExperiential.org.
saturday Akashic Record or Angelic Reading w/RMT, Diane Esposito – By Appt. 7 Days/week. Phone/ In-Person. Ask empowering questions, awaken to signs, receive loving messages/guidance from masters, teachers, loved ones, angels/guides. Develop spiritual senses. Wallingford. Register: 203-913-3869. PersonalHarmonyandHealth.com. Simple Moves – 9am-10am. (5 Week series-Begins 9/10). We will be exploring ways to balance the pelvis in relation to moving our shoulders. $50/5wks. Holistic Therapies Classroom, Wallingford. Contact Carol Meade 203-415-8666. info@massage2movement.com. ReikiShare: The Universal Reiki Plan – 11am1:30pm. Pre-register to share Reiki and join in a FREE workshop to make it a Reiki day! The 3rd Sat. of every month. Free (“love offering”). Bloodroot Rest. 85 Ferris St, Bridgeport. Reservation only. Jim or Jeannette: 203-254-3958. info@ReikiOvertones.com.
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. 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 visit our website: NaturalAwakeningsMag.com/ mymagazine or call 239-530-1377
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clients, customers, participants... Become a
Natural Awakenings Network Provider! For Details Call:
203-988-1808 or email:
Gail@NaturalNewHaven.com NaturalAwakeningsNetwork.com
How will the program work once it launches? Natural Awakenings Network (NAN) card holders purchase an annual card to visit local practitioners/businesses (Providers) who offfer a discount on products/services involving personal and/or planetary health.
What’s in it for you as a provider? 1st year of participation is FREE! Just $88/year after 1st year once program is launched. Enhanced visibility with FREE marketing opportunities Expansion of your customer base
To Meet Natural Awakenings Network (NAN) Providers Who Have Already Joined Our Family Turn the page... natural awakenings
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MEET OUR NAN PROVIDERS in New Haven and Middlesex Counties
NaturalAwakeningsNetwork.com
Calling All Holistic and Green Businesses! Interested in becoming a NAN Provider? Information: 203-988-1808 Gail@naturalnewhaven.com AMSTON A PLACE OF HEALING
Kelly Ann Matuskiewicz 203-747-8444 KellyAnnCory.com
BETHANY
EAST HADDAM
HAMDEN continued
860-873-8760 CTFFE.com
DENNY CHIROPRACTIC & ACUPUNCTURE
CT FARM FRESH EXPRESS, LLC
EAST HAVEN
ATLAS CHIROPRACTIC
203-393-9545 SMCooper.com
Adam Church, D.C. 203-466-1111 Dr.Church.com
BRANFORD
EMPOWER MASSAGE
S.M. Cooper Photographic Artist
NATURAL FAMILY HEALTH Jasmine Manning, N.D. 203-315-6246 NaturalFamilyHealth.net
CHESHIRE
Christopher Chialastri, LMT#005812 Home Visits for Massage Therapy 203-430-3163 EmpowerMassage.abmp.com
ESSEX
DOROTHY MARTIN-NEVILLE, PhD
Kim Nagle 203-565-6495 SerenityHealingPlace.com
Psychotherapy-Adults in Transition Emotional & Spiritual Aspects in Health Care 860-461-7569 DrDorothyct.com
DURHAM
GUILFORD
SERENITY HEALING PLACE
CASHMAN NUTRITION
Natalie Cashman 860-398-4621 CashmanNutrition.com
DURHAM NATUROPATHIC HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER Jason Belejack, N.D. 203-824-7428 DurhamNaturopathichealth.com
DANCING WITH ANGELS LIFE COACHING Diana R. Carr 860-349-9542 DianaCarr.wordpress.com
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EVERLASTINGS ORGANIC SALON & SPA
203-458-1298 EverlastingsSalon.com
MASSAGE SAVVY
203-453-8667 MassageSavvyCT.com
HAMDEN
COLOR ESSENCE
Joan S. Gilbert 828-551-0420 JoanSusan.star@gmail.com
NaturalNewHaven.com
Eileen Denny, D.C. 203-407-8468 DennyWellness.com
JUNE CAN CHANNEL
June Can, Reiki Master Practitioner International Channel & Medium 203-230-1197 http://junecanchannel.blogspot.com
LISA LAUGHLIN, N.D
475-227-2773 NaturopathicWellnessLLC.com
TAKE SHAPE FOR LIFE
Marni Esposito 203-430-1009 YouCanLiveHealthyNow.tsfl.com
THE TAX GUY
Thomas Fortuna 203-684-3512 TheTaxGuy.us
TRANQUIL HEALING REIKI, LLC Anita Jones, RMT 203-415-4791 TranquilHealingReiki.com
MADISON
COASTAL CHIROPRACTIC AND WELLNESS Keith Mirante, D.C. 203-245-8217 DrMirante.com
ROI MARKETING OF NEW ENGLAND Bob Kademian 866-306-9799 Bob@BizCoachBob.com
TINA KADISH
MIDDLEFIELD
Life and Health Mentor 203-610-7477 LifeisIdeal.com
860-349-7039 SolutionsByHypnosis.com
NEW HAVEN
MARY ELLEN MONEYMAKER HYPNOTIST
MIDDLETOWN
CONNECTICUT YOGA CENTER
860-986-2017 CTYogaCenter.com
YOGA IN MIDDLETOWN 860-347-YOGA (9642) YogainMiddletown.com
MILFORD
CHIROPRACTIC & WELLNESS CENTER OF MILFORD Elizabeth Rumley, D.C. 203-713-8600 CWCofMilford.com
HEALTHY FOODS PLUS Natural/Organic Foods/Gluten-Free Vitamins/Supplements/Beauty Aids 203-882-9011
IMPRESSIONS SERVICES Raymond Daneault 800-217-1963 ImpressionsClean.com
JOANN DUNSING HYPNOSIS Joann Dunsing 203-907-7710 JoannDunsing.com
LYNN LYONS
Wt. Release/Loss/HypnoBirthing 203-415-8567 LynnALyons.com
MY HEALTH 1ST URGENT CARE
203-693-3676 MyHealth1stUrgentCare.com
MARCY DOLAN, N.D.
Milford, CT 475-282-4112 DoctorDolan@hotmail.com
PATTY SCHEIN
Holistic Counseling 203-878-3140 PattyScheinLMFT.com
PRISCO CONSULTING Priscilla Lynn 203-530-0103 PriscoPR.com
WATERBURY
MILFORD continued
GREEN & GLOBAL MEDIA, LLC KellyAnn Carpenter 203-533-9823 GreenandGlobalMedia.com
Anaika Ocasio 203-400-1293 TheSereneSpot.com
LGN CONSULTING Lisa Nastu 203-301-4109 LGNConsulting.com
NORTH HAVEN
ADVANCED PHYSICAL MEDICINE CHIROPRACTIC AND WELLNESS CENTER Candice Pollack, D.C. 203-691-5581 Apmct.com
Vincent Farricielli 203-985-8000 SteamaticCT.com
ORANGE
ADVANCED SPINE & SPORT David Durso, D.C. 203-553-9300 AdvancedSpineAndSport.com
PORTLAND
LIFETIME HEALTH
Venice Walters 203-507-0889 YORHealth.com/LifetimeHealth1
LIVER MEDIC
800-387-2278 LiverMedic.com
Karen Obier, Reflexologist 203-645-2188 InnerHarmonyHolisticWellness.abmp.com
STEAMATIC OF CT
Sports Medicine Dr. Joel Segalman, M.D. 203-270-6724 DrSegalman.com
WEB-BASED BUSINESSES
THE SERENE SPOT
INNER HARMONY HOLISTIC WELLNESS
CHASE PARKWAY PODIATRIC GROUP, LLC
SUCCESS MARKETING, LLC Michael Guerin 888-542-2936 BestWebPresence.com
ZAHAVAH RAW BEAUTY
Aadil Al-Alim & Faith Bredwood 203-389-0089 Zahavah.co
WEST HAVEN
RUBINO CHIROPRACTIC CENTER Robert Rubino, D.C. 203-933-9404 RubinoBackCare.com
STAIRWAY 2 HEAVEN Holistic Center
WOODBRIDGE
TRUMBULL
Katey Hauser, D.C. 203-387-5015
860-770-2126 Stairway2Heaven.net
SERENITY BODY WELLNESS Rosa Cervoni, LMT #003111 Reflexologist/Reiki Practitioner 203-929-1002 SerenityBodyWellness.com
WALLINGFORD
THRIVE CHIROPRACTIC AND WELLNESS
WOODBURY
ALISON BIRKS, MS, RH (AHG), CNS
New Morning Market 203-263-4868 NewMorn.com
L.O.V.E.
Lghtworker of Vibrational Energy LLC Gayle Franceschetti 203-265-2927 Return2Love.net
PERSONAL HARMONY AND HEALTH, LLC
Diane Esposito, RMT/Holistic Coach 203-913-3869 PersonalHarmonyAndHealth.com
natural awakenings
October 2016
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classifieds ALS SUPPORT THE ALS ASSOCIATION CONNECTICUT CHAPTER – Leading the fight to treat and cure ALS through research & advocacy while empowering people w/Lou Gehrig’s Disease and their families to live fuller lives w/compassionate care & support. 4 Oxford Road, Unit D4. Milford. 203-874-5050. WebCT.alsa.org.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH BHcare – A state-licensed, non-profit behavioral health care provider serving Lower Naugatuck Valley, Greater New Haven and Shoreline communities. It provides comprehensive behavioral health, prevention and domestic violence services to improve the lives & health of individuals, families and communities. 203-736-2601. bhcare.org.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY CAREER OPPORTUNITY IN PRESTIGIOUS SALON – For as little as $65 per week, you can own your own business, make your own hours, keep 100% of your sales in an established state of the art salon & spa. Fear no more of opening your own salon due to the costly start-up expenses. Do not wait to move on this opportunity. Call 203-980-3163. START A CAREER YOU CAN BE PASSIONATE ABOUT – Publish your own Natural Awakenings magazine. Home based business complete with comprehensive training and support system. New franchises are available or purchase a magazine that is currently publishing. Call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsmag.com/mymagazine.
ENCHANTED ONLINE SHOPPING ENCHANTED NOW OFFERING SHOPPING ONLINE – Call ahead and pick up is also available. Free Gift Wrapping.We have a large selection of Crystals, Geodes,Selenite, Rose Quartz, Salt Lamps, Healing Wands, Handcrafted Jewelry and Paintings. Josephine Wall Greeting Cards. Enchanted 1250 Boston Post Rd, Guilford (Strawberry Hill). 203-453-4000. EnchantedGuilfordct.com.
LYME DISEASE AMERICAN LYME DISEASE FOUNDATION – Dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment, of Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections. Lyme, CT. Info: aldf.com. CT LYME RIDERS, INC. – Founded in 2007 by motorcyclists Sandy Brule & Tony Gargano. A 501(c)(3) non profit public charity aiming to bring awareness to the public about Lyme Disease. Events and info. 860-537-0255, CTLymeRiders.com.
HAIR MODELS WANTED
RENTAL SPACE
HAIR MODELS WANTED – With Samantha! If you are up for a NEW TRENDY HAIRCUT for the fall give us a call! Please share with Friends and Family members. Preferably models with straight and or slightly wavy hair. This is not for people just looking for a trim. Call 203-458-1298. EverlastingsSalon.com.
FITNESS/NUTRITION – Studio has space available ideally for Yoga Instructor, Fitness Programs, and also room space suitable for Massage Therapist. Located in Meriden. Easy access from all Major Highways. For elaborate information please contact Anna at 203-537-1836.
HELP WANTED W E L L N E S S PRACTITIONERS A N D MASSAGE THERAPISTS – Opportunity to work in the shoreline’s most prestigious wellness center and spa. Make your own hours, be your own boss and keep 100% of your sales without the costly start up expenses. For as little as $65 per week, this opportunity will not last long. Call 203-980-3163.
SPREAD YOUR WINGS ADD A REJUVENATION STUDIO to your EXISTING beauty, fitness, or health/wellness business. – Bring in new customers, gain revenue from several sources, and your customers will love it! For more information, call: 864-569-8631.
HYPNOSIS/ LIFE COACHING HYPNOSIS THERAPY CENTER – Providing the help you need to Relax & Resolve: stress, anger, anxiety, emotional issues, bad habits or the past. Life Coaching for personal & professional development. Psychic Readings for insights or Music Therapy to re-balance the mind & body. Madison. 203-245-6927.
PUT ON THAT HAPPY FACE We can help perk up those sales figures Advertise in Natural Awakenings’
November Mental Wellness Issue To advertise or participate in our next issue, call 203-988-1808 42
New Haven / Middlesex
NaturalNewHaven.com
N O V
Join Us in Spreading the Light. Become a Natural Awakenings Publisher! Create Your Future with a Lifestyle Franchise! 22+ years of leadership in publishing has made Natural Awakenings the #1 healthy, green living magazine with 98 editions across the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic ... ... and we continue to grow!
• Meaningful New Career • Low Initial Investment • Proven Business System • Home-Based Business • Exceptional Franchise Support and Training • No Publishing Experience Necessary
Natural Awakenings recently received the prestigious FBR50 Franchise Satisfaction Award. Our publishers ranked us among the highest in franchise satisfaction for our Training, Support, Core Values and Integrity!
We are currently expanding across the U.S. and Canada. To find out more about starting your own Natural Awakenings magazine or acquiring an existing one,
visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com/mymagazine or call 239-530-1377 natural awakenings
October 2016
43
communityresourceguide ALTERNATIVE HEALING ARTS
ACUPUNCTURE
PERSONALHARMONYANDHEALTH.COM
JAMPA STEWART, MSOM, LAC
Wallingford, CT 203-913-3869
Board Certified Acupuncturist Valley Spirit Wellness 11 Titus Road, Washington Depot 512-291-8363 ValleySpiritCoop.com
Concierge care for those suffering from pain, internal disorders, menstrual issues and menopause, infertility, depression and anxiety, insomnia, addiction, fatigue, tune-ups and more. Facial rejuvenation/cosmetic acupuncture also offered. See ad on page 29.
Improve your quality of life w/ empowering guidance & support. Move to the Heart of Healing w/ Diane Esposito, RMT/Holistic Coach/author of Play, Heal, Love! The Art of Creating Healthy Relationships. Be inspired; create habits & boundaries that heal w/in-person or phone Readings, Reiki, Reflexology, EFT, Angelspeake, Meditation. See ad on page 10.
THE GRADUATE INSTITUTE (TGI) Accredited, Non-profit Graduate School offering holistic programs in contemporary and emerging fields 203-874-4252 Learn.edu The Graduate Institute offers holistic master’s degrees and certificate programs for adult learners. Programs include Integrative Health and Healing, Ecotherapy and Cultural Sustainability, Writing and Oral Tradition, Organizational Leadership, Integrative Health Coaching and Patient Navigation, and more. See ad on page 11.
APPLIED KINESIOLOGY ALLERGIES
KC CHIROPRACTIC & WELLNESS
ADVANCED ALLERGY RELIEF OF CT Anne Mitchell, ND North Haven and West Hartford Offices 203-239-3400 aarct.com
Do you have asthma, hay fever, sinusitis, excema or other allergy symptoms? Are you careful about what you eat because of food allergies or intolerances? At Advanced Allergy Relief, we offer a safe, rapid elimination of allergic reactions. No medication, No Needles, Child friendly, Effective.
SHORELINE NATURAL HEALTH CARE, LLC
Specializing in Advanced Allergy Therapeutics Betty Brainerd, ND Guilford, CT 203-738-0020 DrBrainerd.com Are you suffering from allergies or sensitivites? Would you like to live life without medications or the need to avoid certain plants, foods animals, etc.? Our Advanced Allergy Therapeutics is a safe and effective solution for the elimination of symptoms in all ages (no needles!).
LISA BURTON, MPH, OTR/L
Applied Kinesiology is a neurological evaluation to find and treat dysfunction. Different because it addresses causes instead of chasing pains, Dr. Healy tests if a therapy alleviates dysfunction, finding immediate answers as to which provides the most improvement. Chiropractic, craniosacral, myofascial and acupressure are among the therapies Dr. Healy uses. Generally, no single cure exists as disease and dysfunction typically involve multiple areas of the body. The goal of any therapy—physical, chemical, or emotional—is to improve function; a combination of therapies typically yields the best results. See ad on page 10.
As you begin or grow your Mindfulness Practice, are you searching for fun and effective ways to bring Mindfulness Tools to the children in your life? You already know the well-being benefits of reduced stress and anxiety while improving sleep, self-esteem, and relaxation. Now learn Tools to easily incorporate within your daily routine that calm and focus both adults and children. Call Today, to reserve your complimentary 30-min phone consultation. Services available remotely or in-person.
EDUCATION CONNECTICUT EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING CENTER (CELC) MIDDLE SCHOOL
28 School Street, Branford, CT 06405 203-433-4658 mandm@CTExperiential.org http://CTEXperiential.org CT Experiential Learning Center (CELC) Middle School provides experientially-based education with a personalized approach to learning, designed to empower young people to thrive. Our students come from a variety of towns throughout Connecticut, from families looking for a program that engages and deepens learning, where their children can flourish during these important and impactful 5th - 8th grade years. See ad on page 17.
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EVERYDAY ZEN FOR CHILDREN
Kevin Healy, DC 17 Woodland Road, Madison, CT 203-245-9317 KevinHealy@sbcglobal.net DrHealMe.com
NaturalNewHaven.com
Educational Consultant Lisa@onejoyconsulting.com North Haven, CT 203-804-0024
HEMORRHOID TREATMENT A LIFE CENTER
2 Broadway, North Haven, CT 203-239-3400 info@thelifecenterofct.com TheLifeCenterofct.com
GOT HEMORRHOIDS? Now there is an easy non-surgical treatment that eliminates bleeding, pain, and swelling of hemorrhoids. It is quick, painless, and effective. There is no need to suffer any longer. Covered by most insurances. Call The Life Center for RELIEF. See ad on page 3.
HOLISTIC DENTIST MARK A. BREINER, DDS, FIAOMT
501 Kings Highway East, Suite 108 Fairfield, CT 203-371-0300 WholeBodyDentistry.com Dr. Mark A. Breiner is a pioneer and recognized authority in the field of holistic dentistry. With over 30 years of experience, he is a sought after speaker and lecturer. His popular consumer book, Whole-Body Dentistry, has been sold worldwide. See ad on page 31.
HOLISTIC THERAPIST LOLLY BE HEALING, LLC
900 Grand Ave, New Haven, CT 203-680-0227 LollyBe.com Holistic Healing integrating psychotherapy, yoga and spirituality. I am trained in clinical social work specializing in PTSD recovery and Relationships. I offer trauma informed yoga to increase awareness of the mind, body and soul connection. I use indigenous healing modalities, a conscious and mindful approach, and sound healing. Bilingual in Spanish. Online services available.
MEDITATION VALLEY SPIRIT WELLNESS
11 Titus Road, Washington Depot 512-291-8363 ValleySpiritCoop.com Meditation can be easier to master than you think. Taoist, Buddhist and generic meditation. Beginners and experienced practitioners both welcome. See ad on page 29.
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING ANNAHAVEN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES, LLC
Anna Martin, BSW, MSW, LCSW 410 State St, North Haven, CT 30 Hazel Terrace, Woodbridge, CT 377 Main St, West Haven, CT 203-606-2071 CounselingWithAnnaMartin.com
YOU deserve to be happy. AHBHS helps with depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, Obesity, agarophobia, domestic violence, ADD, ADHD and anger management. Phone,internet,skype and office sessions. Evening and weekend hours are available. Most insurance accepted, including Medicaid, Medicare and Husky.
NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIANS
PAIN MANAGEMENT THE LIFE CENTER
WHOLE-BODY MEDICINE, LLC
Dr. Robert E. Lee Naturopathic Physician Offices in North Haven and West Hartford 203-239-3400 TheLifeCenterofCT.com
Adam Breiner, ND, Director Elena Sokolova, MD, ND David Brady, ND, CCN, DACBN 501 Kings Highway East, Suite 108 Fairfield, CT 203-371-8258 WholeBodyMed.com Using state-of-the-art science combined with centuries-old healing modalities, our caring naturopathic doctors correct underlying imbalances and address issues which may interfere with the body’s abilityto heal itself. Treatment protocols or therapies include: Abdominal Manual Therapy, Acupuncture, Allergy Desensitization, Chinese Medicine, Colonics and other Detoxification Protocols, ElectroDermal Screening, Energy Medicine, FDA-cleared Phototherapy, Functional Medicine, Herbal Medicine, Homeopathy, Hormonal Balancing, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Metabolic Typing, Nutritional Assessment, Real-Time EEG Neurofeedback, and other therapies. See ad on page 31.
ORGANIC HAIR SALON ORGANIC HAIR SALON
Everlastings, by Arlene Bouley The Carriage House At The Gate House West 2614 Boston Post Rd, Guilford, CT 203-458-1298 EverlastingsSalon.com Everlastings is a full-service hair salon & spa whose passion and mission is to provide healthier, more natural organic alternatives to salon services. All products are chemical-free. You will leave feeling fulfilled, refreshed and cared for. See ad on page 17.
Getting to the root of your pain. Whether it’s structural, inflammatory, or related to injury, there are options that can significantly improve or eliminate your pain naturally. Here at The Life Center, we identify the pattern and employ a number of therapies such as Gua sha, Massage therapy, Bowen, Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Cranial Sacral Therapy, Botanical Medicine, Emotional, Mind-Body Medicine, Egoscue exercises, Laser therapy, nutritional supplements, and dietary changes to manage pain. We are not interested in covering pain up but fixing it and to helping you to understand it. In this way, you will have some say over the way you feel and be empowered to be pain free. See ad on page 3.
REIKI REIKI WITH EILEEN ANDERSON
Critical Care Nurse, Reiki Practitioner 370 Boston Post Road Orange, CT 203-314-5401 eilande@comcast.net ReikiwithEileenAnderson.com Healing practices offered by light touch with documented health benefits. RELAX/REVIVE in a restful environment while restoring balance both physically and emotionally to thebody. Offering one-hour and half-hour table sessions, 20-minute chair sessions to clients of all ages.
SALT HEALING THERAPY WELLNESS CENTER SALT OF THE EARTH THERAPEUTIC SPA
787 Main St, S Woodbury, CT 203-586-1172 NaturalSaltHealing.com Combining an array of natural therapies that have been used since ancient times with tday’s technology, Salt of the Earth Spa provides a sanctuary for deep transformations, healing and grounding for Mind, Body and Spirit. See ad on page 27.
natural awakenings
October 2016
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TAI CHI/QIGONG JAMPA STEWART
Valley Spirit Wellness 11 Titus Road, Washington Depot 512-291-8363 ValleySpiritCoop.com Develop physical and mental fitness and find a new harmony of the mind, body and spirit using ancient Chinese arts. Starting with basic movements, warm-up techniques and breathing exercises, you will learn a set of flowing natural movements done slowly with calmness, balance and awareness. Weekly classes, weekend workshops and retreats. See ad on page 29.
Natural Awakenings online magazine A green way to read • Click weblinks • Find local businesses and events
WEIGHT LOSS A LIFE CENTER
Dr. Jenna Henderson 2 Broadway, North Haven, CT 1007 Farmington Ave, Suite 7A, West Hartford, CT 203-239-3400 info@thelifecenterofCT.com TheLifeCenterofct.com
• Join our growing social network Archive issues
Medically supervised weight loss program. Get off the dieting merry-go-round and F I N A L LY a c h i e v e y o u r ideal weight. We offer a whole foods diet, individualized nutrition, emotional eating support, meal planning and weight loss coaching. COVERED BY MOST INSURANCES. See ad on page 3.
dating back to 2008 also available online
We can never
obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves. ~Dalai Lama
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STREET BODHIS ARE THE YOGA GAME CHANGERS
1O8 MONKEYS 2OO HOUR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE
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J A N U A R Y - M AY 2 0 1 7
LEAD TEACHER Peg Oliveira, PhD, E-RYT 500 COST $3,500 (Early Bird Pricing $3,100)
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