THE WISDOM OF INDIGENOUS MEDICINE A RETURN TO ANCIENT HEALING PRACTICES
PLANT-BASED MACROBIOTIC EATING
INTUITIVE TIPS FOR THE VEGGIE LIFESTYLE
HEALING WITH QIGONG AND TAI CHI
TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE FOR PETS
FOUR POWERFUL NATURAL HEALING STRATEGIES
Our professional team of holistic and natural businesses provides community outreach and education. We are committed to improving the health and wellness of body, mind and spirit in the communities we serve.
To join Holistic Community Professionals, contact Shirley Bloethe at 860-989-0033. Visit our site: HolisticCommunityProfessionals.org
Damaris Cruz
Holy Fire is both powerful and gentle, and provides purification, healing, empowerment and guidance.
Tender Loving Reiki
Shelton, CT 203-338-1100
DCruz88@yahoo.com
Rev. Lauri Ingram
Mindfulness and Meditation teacher
Spiritual Counseling, Sacred Creativity through Cosmic Smashbooking Crystal, Light, Sound Energy Balancing
203-435-5650
Lauri@LauriIngram.com
LauriIngram.com
Elizabeth Raver
PhD, Psychology
Psychic Medium
Spiritual Intuitive Life Coach Sessions, Classes, Mentoring
Connect with loved ones/guides
DrLizMedium.com
203-400-9212
RavElizabeth516@gmail.com
INTUITIVE COUNSELOR & HEALER
Gayle Franceschetti
MEd, CHt
Hypnotherapy, Meditations, Reiki/Energy Sessions, Essential Oils, Group Past Life Regression, Individual Past Life Regression, Workshops, Spiritual Power Journeys
Private mentoring & counseling 203-631-7803
Return2love3@gmail.com
Return2Love.com
Nicole Klughers
ND, PharmD, MSAc Vis Wellness Center
Rocky Hill & Virtual Visits Your Health Detective. Listens, Takes Time, Finds You Answers. Uses Detailed Testing, Not Guessing. Discovers the Root Cause of Symptoms. 234-222-8362
Hello@DrNicoleKlughers.com
DrNicoleKlughers.com
ENERGY HEALING
Kathy Stalter Owner
Scalar/biophotonic energy field system that creates an environment for cells to recharge and restore, so the body can heal itself.
Sanaré Wellness, LLC
860-600-0106
Kathy@Sanare.life
Sanare.life
Jill Andrzejewski
LMT, RMT, Psychic Massage Therapy
Reiki & Chakra Balancing
Angel Tarot, Oracle Card and Tea Leaf Readings
A Moment In Time Treasures items for self-care and healing workshops and classes
203-909-1108
JillaMomentinTimeMassage@gmail.com
AMomentInTimeMassage.org
Heather Gottlieb
Psychic Medium
Group and individual intuitive readings about loved ones, jobs, relationships, past life, Oracle Card. In person and online.
433 Spring St.
Southington, CT 06489
860-899-9211
PsychicMediumHeather@yahoo.com
HeathertheMedium.com
TRANSFORMATION COURSES
Terri O’Brien
Transformational Course Creator
Fear Stomper
Belief Changer
Audio and spotlight courses to transform your mindset, life and productivity.
Terri@MasterJoyandSuccess.com
MasterJoyandSuccess.com
SPIRITUAL HEALTH PRACTITIONER
Rev. Bradford W. Tilden
MM, CMT, UWT
Starseed support
Universal White Time
Crystal Healing
Sound Healing
Sessions and trainings
860-830-5841
CrystalMusicHealing.com
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As October begins, fall is in full swing with the promising beauty of leaves changing into the majestic reds, oranges and yellows of a New England autumn. It is a time of year when I find myself truly grateful for the splendor around us, for the fun I have with my family and friends at fall festivals and gatherings, for the comradery around the firepit in the crisper air with sweatshirts and hot cider. I am thankful for the love of our like-minded community as we strive to do, learn and be better.
We celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day on October 9, distinguishing their important contributions and resilience around the world. We honor the tribes that called New Haven and Middlesex Counties home, including the Mohican, Wappinger, Paugussett, Quinnipiac, Hammonassets, Mohegan, Wangunks and Western Nehântick. Visit Native Land Digital (native-land.ca) to learn the location and history of lands inhabited by Indigenous peoples around the globe. The website, which includes an interactive map, identifies territories, languages and treaties. Read our article on page 23.
With the October theme as traditional world medicine, we have articles about Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and returning to the “old ways” with healing practices from herbalism and energy healing to Traditional Chinese Medicine and emotional healing. We take a look at how martial arts, qigong and tai chi help both experienced and new practitioners with spiritual mind-body connections. Local qigong practitioner Erik Harris gives insights into the practice with exercises you can try.
Our Healthy Kids section delves into how music helps with early brain development and learning life skills. From a local perspective, we have a community spotlight this month with Divinely Rooted Yoga Therapy and Mat Pilates Studio, which uses yoga, meditation, Pilates, qigong and barre as tools to help heal pain, addiction and mental health.
Our holistic expert advertisers stand beside our publication in striving to help the local community by offering their services and supporting Natural Awakenings . Keep connecting with and supporting them as you continue your wellness journey. And please continue to share the great articles with family and friends!
Natural Awakenings is a network of natural lifestyle magazine publishers empowering local communities with knowledge, resources and connections to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.
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Thispast June, Bradford Tilden of Crystal Music Healing became the third person in North America approved to teach the Level 4 Universal White Time Gemstone Healing Certification Course.
Universal White Time (UWT) Gemstone Healing is a universal education known, taught and practiced by the oldest and most advanced spiritual beings in the Universe, said Tilden. UWT has been developed and approved by a coalition of light masters for humanity now, to accelerate our growth and consciously ascend with Mother Earth to the 5th Dimension and the New Earth.
Level 1 is an introduction to the philosophy. Level 2 focuses on color healing and raising the frequency of the body. Level 3 examines the evolving chakra system in response to the Earth’s rising frequency and introduces one to higher Universal Forces. Level 4 is about the cosmic human awakening to the divine within as well as connecting with higher forms of angels, light beings, extraterrestrials and divine forces. Each level concludes with an initiation that removes spiritual blockages acquired when incarnating at birth. Healing, activation and permanent effective change may result.
Start your journey of true awakening with stones by registering for the next Level 1 UWT Gemstone Healing Certification held on the weekend of October 21-22, 2023, at The Center for Higher Living in Berlin, Connecticut. The registration deadline is October 15. Mention this news brief in Natural Awakenings and get $125 off the tuition.
For more information, call 860-830-5841, email Info@CrystalMusicHealing.com or visit CrystalMusicHealing.com/Events-Trainings.
KnoWEwell and Natural Awakenings magazine will host a free, advanced screening of Memories for Life: Reversing Alzheimer’s, a documentary-style film that follows the journeys of six Alzheimer’s patients that refuse to accept their prognosis and are instead turning to a new, clinically proven method to help reverse the hands of time and retain their memories. This innovative approach, called the ReCODE (Reverse Cognitive Decline) Protocol, was invented by top neurologist Dr. Dale Bredesen.
Narrated by Grammy Award-winner Michael Bublé and directed by Hideyuki Tokigawa, the film will be live-streamed on KnoWEwell’s Regenerative Whole Health Hub at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT), on October 14. As an added bonus, Bredesen, New York Times’ bestselling author of The End of Alzheimer’s, will participate in a live, post-screening Q&A session.
This is a rare opportunity to view the film at no charge prior to its formal release and to interact with the creator of this exciting new Alzheimer’s protocol.
For more information or to register, visit Tinyurl.com/memoriesforlife. See ad, page 22.
Practicing in Wallingford since 2009, Dr. Nicole Kerr has moved Fertility Oasis, her 4-year-old fertility-focused naturopathic medicine and acupuncture clinic, to 33 N. Main St., Suite D, Wallingford, CT. Now nestled in the Hallowed Grownd of Hidden Gem on Main, Dr. Kerr sees patients on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. by appointment only.
Dr. Kerr is passionate about finding, educating about and treating the underlying causes of fertility struggles, period complaints and male factor infertility issues. Period complaints, too commonly treated and masked by medication, are often the first signs of future dysfunctional fertility. Her “unexplained infertility” is all too often either unexplored or flat out ignored by mainstream medicine. Male and female aspects of infertility are addressed at Fertility Oasis because 40 percent of fertility struggles are male factor, 40 percent are female factor and 20 percent are combined issues.
“Finding a space that embodies the energy to transform the mind, body and spirit was so important for me when looking to relocate,” said Dr. Kerr. “It is my belief that you need to address all these aspects of human existence, along with lifestyle issues, to fully transform health, including fertility and the ability to conceive.”
Research and traditional healing modalities are the cornerstone for Dr. Kerr to help her patients succeed in their fertility journey. Herbals, acupuncture, addressing environmental toxin exposure, proper foundational living habits, and food and nutritional support are utilized at Fertility Oasis to improve overall reproductive health, regardless of how far off having a family is for you.
For more information, call Fertility Oasis at 203-265-0459 or visit Fertilityoasis.com.
Location: 33 N. Main St. Ste. D, Wallingford, CT.
OnOctober 3, attend a homeschoolingfocused roundtable on different homeschooling styles, alternative schooling options, current state regulations, resources and more with the New Haven County chapter of Holistic Moms Network. The chapter meetings are open to the public and take place on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Nate’s Plates in Milford, Connecticut, The chapter is also celebrating the national organization’s 20th anniversary in October. On November 7, the chapter will host the Boiron-sponsored Homeopathy Home Essentials: Single Remedies meeting with homeopathic educator Yashasvi (Yaashi) Jhangiani focusing on family-friendly homeopathic solutions for everyday health issues.
The homeschooling “wisdom circle” meeting will be of benefit to those who are curious about or contemplating homeschooling and alternative schooling as well as those who are already on this educational adventure with their families. There are many local resources, groups and more. We can all learn from each other, whether our children are in a public, private or homeschooling setting. You will also learn how to withdraw your child from school and what is required versus suggested with school districts.
For the November 7 event, chapter members and guests will have a chance to receive homeopathy information and samples to use at home. Local attendees will have a chance to win a HomeoTravel Kit Set from Boiron. Homeopathy is a therapeutic method that uses natural substances to relieve a variety of symptoms. It derives from the Greek words homeo, meaning “similar,” and pathos, meaning “suffering” (such as the pathology of a disease). Homeopathy operates on a “like cures like” principle that has been used empirically for more than 200 years and continues to be confirmed in pharmacological research and clinical studies.
Jhangiani, a homeopathic educator who has been practicing since 1994, has a bachelor’s degree in homeopathy from Mumbai University. In addition to being board certified by the Council for Homeopathic as a CCH (certified classical homeopath), she is registered with the North American Society of Homeopaths and the National Center of Homeopathy. Jhangiani strives to empower, educate and guide families looking for safe, effective, over the counter, non-prescription homeopathic alternatives for everyday ailments. She has been an EMT with Westport EMS since 2003 and also teaches their American Heart Association-affiliated CPR and First aid program.
The mission of Holistic Moms Network, a nonprofit support and discussion network, is to connect parents and others who are interested in holistic health and green living. It welcomes people wherever they are on their own holistic path in an environment that does not judge. The monthly meetings, open to the public, are held the first Tuesday evening of each month.
For more information, visit HolisticMoms.org or Facebook.com/HMNNewHaven. RSVP for the event on the Events page on the Facebook page or message the chapter on Facebook Messenger. Location: Nate’s Plates, 2 Schooner Ln., Milford, CT.
Face masks are used to reduce the transmission of airborne diseases. Nevertheless, for certain people, extended use of an N95 mask may be problematic, and that is what Chinese researchers set out to study in a randomized clinical trial published this year in JAMA Network Open.
For 14 hours in a controlled setting, 30 healthy participants were randomly assigned to receive various interventions with and without the N95 mask, including two 30-minute, light-exercise sessions. Biometric measurements and blood samples were taken before, during and after each testing period.
The scientists found that wearing an N95 mask resulted in reduced respiration rate and oxygen saturation within one hour, and an elevated heart rate two hours later, which continued until the mask was taken off. During exercise, mask-induced cardiopulmonary stress was further exacerbated, as heart rate and blood
pressure increased, and respiration rate and oxygen saturation decreased. Energy expenditure and fat oxidation were elevated.
After the 14-hour masked period, blood pH markers decreased, which may cause drowsiness, stupor and even coma in extreme cases, according to the National Institutes of Health. The study authors note that chronic cardiopulmonary stress may increase cardiovascular diseases and overall mortality in elderly individuals, children and those with cardiopulmonary diseases. Further investigation is needed to explore the effects of different masks on various populations.
Natural Awakenings truly appreciates the hundreds of locations in New Haven and Middlesex Counties that distribute our monthly publication to their customers. Please continue to visit these businesses to support them and pick up our magazines! Reach out to Distribution@NaturalAwakeningsNewHaven.com for new distribution location recommendations.
The consumption of fermented products is on the rise as drinks like kombucha and kefir have become popular. They are a source of tryptophan, an amino acid critical to producing serotonin, the brain chemical that influences mood, and may also contain neurotransmitters in their raw form. Research has shown that eating fermented foods may have longand short-term impacts on brain function, such as reducing stress.
Led by researchers at University College Cork, in Ireland, a new large study has begun to compare 200 fermented foods from around the world to pinpoint which ones are the most beneficial for brain health. Although still in its initial stages, preliminary results have already revealed some surprises. Almost all of the fermented foods display the potential to improve gut and brain health. While more research is needed, sugar- and vegetable-based fermented foods are likely to top the list, according to the lead researcher.
Taurine, one of the most abundant amino acids in the body, is vital for health of the eyes, muscles, brain and heart. Research has found that taurine levels decrease with age. In a study published in the journal Science, researchers found that taurine supplementation improved the lifespan and healthspan of middle-aged mice.
The scientists noticed improvements in bone, muscle, pancreas, brain, fat, gut and immune function. The median life span of taurine-treated mice increased by 10 to 12 percent, and life expectancy at 28 months
According to the American Cancer Society, about one man in eight will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, with six in 10 of these cases in men 65 years and older. Non-Hispanic Black men have a 75 percent higher risk and are twice as likely to die from prostate cancer than white men, with genetics accounting for some of these disparities.
Researchers from The University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio evaluated the impact of yoga on quality of life, as well as on immune and inflammatory responses. Published in the Journal of Urology, the study included 30 men with cancer that were scheduled for radical prostate removal. Half of the patients performed 60 minutes of yoga twice a week for six weeks before surgery and for three to six weeks after surgery. The other patients received standard care.
The group that performed yoga reported higher quality-of-life scores, including reduced fatigue and improvements in physical, sexual, functional and social well-being. Based on blood samples, the scientists also found that yoga promoted an anti-tumor immune response and reduced inflammatory cytokine levels.
increased by about 18 to 25 percent. Similar effects were observed in monkeys and cellular worms. The researchers also found a link between lower circulating taurine levels and higher risk for Type 2 diabetes, obesity and hypertension.
The researchers speculate that taurine’s anti-aging and disease-preventing benefits could be due to its effects on reducing cellular death, inflammation, DNA damage, mitochondrial dysfunction and other hallmarks of aging. They also found that exercise increased concentrations of taurine metabolite levels in the blood.
While more research is needed on taurine supplementation, dietary sources can be prioritized. Shellfish (scallops, clams and mussels) are the best dietary source of taurine, followed by lamb, beef, pork and chicken.
According to a new analysis from the journal Nature Communications, the Atlantic Ocean’s sensitive circulation system has become slower and less resilient. Scientists are concerned that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) could collapse any time between 2025 and 2095.
The AMOC plays a critical role in transporting warm, salty water from the tropics to the North Atlantic and sending colder water back south along the ocean floor. Because Arctic ice is melting at a rapid pace due to global warming, there is an overabundance of cold freshwater in the system, putting it in danger of irreversible collapse. Such a collapse could dramatically alter weather patterns, lowering temperatures in North America and Europe, propelling severe storms in the tropics and elevating sea levels on the U.S. Atlantic coast.
To measure the AMOC’s strength, scientists use buoys and proxy indicators, such as microscopic organisms and tiny sediments from the seafloor, and according to the data, it is at its weakest state in more than 1,000 years. Other experts suggest that the entire ocean system must be studied to more accurately predict the effect of these AMOC changes.
Magpies and crows in Scotland, Holland and Belgium are using metal spikes—originally intended to deter bird perching—to build their nests. The spikes appear to provide several nesting benefits, such as structural support, protection against predators and even as a signal of mate quality.
According to researcher Auke-Florian Hiemstra from the Naturalis Biodiversity Center and Leiden University, in the Netherlands, the metal spikes seem to provide a similar function to more natural materials, such as thorns. However, manmade materials in nests can be dangerous. For example, metal may get cold at night and harm chicks, or the spikes can collect materials that can be harmful to the birds.
This is not the first documentation of birds using harsh, manmade materials for nesting. The first account of a crow’s nest made of barbed wire dates back to 1933, and more modern examples include the use of nails, screws and syringes.
As first frosts arrive, annual plants die back and perennials begin to go dormant. This can create a considerable amount of leaf litter and dead stalks as the once-lush garden and yard turn brown. Many people mow and rake up the debris so that the ground is neat and bare. This winter, consider allowing at least some of this fallen foliage to remain where it lands. This will benefit the local ecosystem and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in landfills.
When temperatures drop, many insects live or leave eggs in fallen plant materials. By resisting the urge to tidy our yards, we can protect biodiversity and preserve beneficial bugs, such as stick insects, pill bugs and millipedes. While bumblebees hibernate underground, other bee species find their way into the hollow stems of native plants to rest and wait for spring. Certain butterflies
find cozy shelter in plant litter, and some caterpillars roll themselves up in fallen leaves. Toads and salamanders lie dormant in the ground or under the protection of plant debris.
Birds are drawn to highly textured landscapes with a diversity of plants. They feed on seed heads left standing and forage for insects among the litter. When snow piles up on fallen foliage, voles and mice scavenge through the debris for seeds and nuts. Squirrels and opossums may find edibles in the layers of mulch. The extra plant material on the ground creates habitats for more spring insects that will benefit birds, toads and other creatures when the snow melts.
Perennial root systems tucked in for winter with a protective blanket of garden waste are less likely
to be harmed by extreme cold temperatures. The ground is also less likely to freeze and thaw as the temperatures vary.
Take a walk through the woods in the fall. Leaves drop; plants die back; and the ground is carpeted with a rich layer of composting materials. This loamy soil in the woods is some of the healthiest to be found. In the spring, plants reappear through the layer of humus without effort.
If saving the plants, insects and birds isn’t motivation enough, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states that yard debris takes up as much as 6 percent of all waste in landfills, producing methane as it breaks down. If the garden or yard must be cleaned up, pile the material onsite or take it to a compost site instead of putting it in the trash.
by Kimberly Bouley
Wallingford’s Divinely Rooted Yoga Therapy and Mat Pilates Studio promotes a holistic approach to heal chronic pain, addiction and mental health using ayurvedic tools to prioritize discipline with yoga, meditation, Pilates, qigong and barre to connect to your divine roots. Kellie Codianna, owner of the studio, has studied nursing and worked as a CNA for many years. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Southern Connecticut State University in 2000.
In 2003, Codianna participated in Yoga Spirit Studio’s 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Program. Since then, she has received a yoga therapy certification, Pilates in Balance certification and 500-hour ayurveda training, along with other certificates that have helped her relieve clients’ chronic pain, depression, anxiety and discomfort. The studio’s transformative practices synchronize the breath and movement to prompt balance in the mind and body to control the nervous system.
“I love having a space for people to feel safe, comfortable and whole,” Codianna said. She opened her current studio in 2019 on North Main Street in Wallingford, Connecticut. The studio has ambient lighting with a lotus painted on one wall and trees on the other, giving the space an inspiring and serene vibe.
The name Divinely Rooted comes with the slogan “connect to your divine roots,” meaning to ground yourself and go deeper into self-actualization. The studio supports people to look within to find authenticity and balance.
Currently, there are three instructors at the studio with a variety of classes. Codianna teaches gentle to moderate yoga and Pilates classes and holds private sessions for clients. Her classes are fluid with hands-on assistance to help with posture and form to feel the effects of each pose. The studio manager, Kim, teaches the barre class, which combines yoga, ballet and Pilates. She holds space for people to come in, workout and experience the results of their hard work. Amy teaches the Yoga for Neuroplasticity and Qigong classes promoting balance to improve the mind, body and soul connection. Amy has a soothing approach that calms the mind and nervous system.
Codianna has found joy bringing her community outside the studio by hosting multiple retreats, such as her upcoming Costa Rica retreat in March 2024. She will also be collaborating with Kim Valeri from Yoga Spirit Studio and others to host an 8-month, 200hour Yoga Teacher Training Program at the Divinely Rooted Studio.
Codianna wants everyone that experiences her studio to feel a sense of calm and peace while feeling rejuvenated. The studio’s practices create a youthful and radiant energy for longevity. Divinely Rooted has a studio introduction offer of four classes for $44 to experience the classes, instructors and atmosphere for 2 weeks. Visit DivinelyRooted.com to sign up for classes. Call 203-675-7155 to book a 20-minute intention call with Codianna for suggestions on which classes to start with.
It takes a special kind of artist to create a work of art out of discarded items. These imaginative, multimedia visionaries see beauty and purpose in the most mundane materials, including paper, computer parts, bits of plastic, leftover fabrics, used tires and random game pieces. Their thought-provoking, surprising works reduce waste that would otherwise populate landfills and prove that trash can indeed become treasure.
Motivated by a desire to educate and inspire, many upcycle artists often interweave a message of environmental consciousness into their artwork, thus spreading awareness about issues or making social commentary. Plastics found along the beach may become a collage of a thriving sea turtle, for example. Old rusty metal parts may be transformed into a steampunk clock face or a modern hanging sculpture that spins in the wind.
Artist and interior designer Noelle Turco, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, comes from a legacy of artists that found ways to be creative with things that were left
behind. “Repurposed and upcycled art is inventive and gives a second or third life to everything from packing materials and wood to bottle caps and string,” she explains. “It’s one of my favorite things to do and challenges me mentally because it makes me think about how I am going to take the treasures that I have found— the bits, pieces and even words on paper—and make them into art.”
Cesar Aguilera, art curator at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, in Fort Myers, Florida, makes art to create consciousness about what humans use and consume. “My personal artwork and the exhibitions I design encourage others to reconsider how much we throw away,” he says. “There is not another species on Earth that creates the amount of waste that does not naturally decompose. All that we create has an impact.”
Jen Hardwick, a mixed-media artist who resides in Longview, Washington, loves working with vintage game pieces, toys, wood and metal. “When I moved to Seattle in the late 80s, I started going to markets, junk stores and donation centers, and I would collect all these little ‘treasures’. A lot of these materials would end up in a landfill, so I hope that by using them in my art pieces, it’s helping the environment in a small way.”
Artist Gracie Berry, who also lives in Lancaster, loves the challenge and inspiration that creating upcycled and repurposed art brings. “It allows me to use my creativity to rename things from my perspective,” she explains. “While each of my creations has their own stories and set of rules, a common message is that my art is purposeful and needs to be here.”
Aguilera, Berry, Hardwick and Turco concur that when making repurposed
art, the creative process unfolds in a messy, nonlinear way. Sometimes they begin with an idea in mind, but inspiration occurs while working with the pieces, so the work often takes a different direction. Canvas, wood, metal and fabric become foundations for intricate layers of found items placed, sewn and nestled into nooks and crannies, like puzzle pieces fitting oddly together.
“Materials seem to find me way before I ever go looking for them,” Berry shares. “Sometimes the material itself gives me inspiration for my next piece. It’s magical the way it all unfolds. I welcome challenges when it comes to learning techniques that work for specific projects. It’s exciting to find solutions through trial and error, cementing techniques that can be used again.”
Aguilera makes art from discarded computer parts, fabric and furniture. “Technology consumes precious resources but gets discarded as newer inventions become the focus,” he explains. “Showcasing the interior workings of a computer draws attention to hidden beauty. A fresh coat of paint or a design remodel breathes new life into a piece of furniture or clothing.”
“For those just starting out, simple projects can be created using magazines, cardboard, yarn and glue,” explains Turco. “Visit secondhand and thrift shops. Often, these stores are nonprofits,
so by shopping there, we are not only keeping stuff out of landfills, but also supporting our local communities.”
“Choose materials that inspire you. Pieces can be as simple or detailed as you want them to be, but most importantly, have fun,” enthuses Hardwick. “I love all the things I collect individually, but putting them together to create a robot or a bug or an animal opens up a whole new world for me.”
Look for beauty in unexpected places. Berry suggests that repurposing upcycled objects is not only more sustainable for
the planet, it also allows creativity to be accessed anywhere. “When we think outside the box, we can create change through art,” believes Aguilera.
Gisele Rinaldi is a frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings publications.
Photo by Noelle Turco/nturco@hilancaster.com
Goddess Tree recycled toys, beads, jewelry, wire, metal
It's All About the Bass circut board, bass guitar
As long as autumn lasts, I shall not have hands, canvas and colors enough to paint the beautiful things I see.
—Vincent Van Gogh
Traditional martial arts date back more than 2,000 years and have blossomed into about 200 styles. While originally devised to assist in hunting and protect against enemies, these practices also offer philosophical and spiritual guidance as practitioners establish a mind-body-spirit connection.
According to Statista, a German-based market research company, nearly 6.2 million people in the U.S. participate in some form of this sport.
“Martial arts are for everyone, and it’s never too late to start,” says John Fonseca, an Illinois-based trainer specializing in karate, jiu-jitsu and other self-defense
modalities. He is the first karate athlete in the world to win repeat gold medals at the Pan American Games, the first American to medal at the Karate World Championships in almost 16 years, and the first American to win the Paris Open in more than 30 years.
According to Fonseca, “Short-term benefits of any martial art include improved fitness, self-confidence and stress relief. While long-term benefits are hard to count, they may include increased discipline, self-defense skills and a sense of personal growth. Remember: Every black belt was just a white belt that never gave up.”
When advising beginners, the champion says, “It’s important to choose a style that suits your goals and fitness level. Each modality offers unique benefits. Find a reputable instructor or school, start gradually to avoid injury and maintain a consistent practice routine for better progress.”
With origins in Okinawa, Japan, dating back to the 17th century, the guiding principles of karate include respect, humility, perseverance and selfdiscipline. “A karate practice starts with kihon, or basic fundamentals, that include a variety of punches, kicks, knee strikes, elbow strikes, blocks and stances,” Fonseca explains. “These techniques are practiced repeatedly to develop muscle memory, accuracy and power. They are further
developed in choreographed sequences called kata, which simulate various applications for self-defense situations.”
Practitioners perform these routines solo in a specific order and then practice the bunkai, or applications, with a partner to develop self-defense skills. “Lastly, kumite is the sparring component of karate training to develop timing, distance, adaptability and the ability to receive and deliver strikes. It involves practicing techniques and strategies against a live, resisting opponent. Depending on the training level and focus, kumite can range from controlled, prearranged drills to freestyle sparring with varying levels of contact,” says Fonseca.
A martial art disguised as dance, capoeira is performed to music and traditional songs, including rhythmic clapping and drumming. Players form a circle, at the center of which two participants engage with one another in a combination of fighting and dancing. The art form was created in Brazil by African slaves in the mid-16th century. Although banned by the government after the abolition of slavery in 1888, many people continued to practice in hidden spaces. Modern capoeira was later developed around 1930, with several styles taking on their own characteristics. Emphasizing deception, flexibility and fluidity, participants learn discipline, confidence and self-control, while the use of music and instruments provides a multisensory experience.
Aikido, which means “the way of harmony with the spirit,” originated in 14th-century Japan and was modernized during the 1920s. Although it is mainly a throwing and pinning art, practitioners also utilize strikes, kicks, sweeps and come-alongs.
According to Greg O’Connor, chief instructor at Aikido Centers of New Jersey,
“Aikido is the most challenging and most ethical of the martial arts, and the most difficult to achieve any level of black belt rank. Our practice requires working with a partner on the specific attack and technique demonstrated by the instructor. Each partner takes turns in this practice with safety for each other in mind, and we train to handle an aggressor with the full awareness that there are no rules in a selfdefense situation.”
O’Connor describes aikido as a magical skill, because as the participants learn to be patient and persevere, they often discover eye-opening alternatives to violence. It requires full integration of mind, body and spirit, as well as an awareness of how our minds and emotions can work against us, he says.
Jiu-jitsu originated in Japan, evolving over centuries, with Brazilian jiu-jitsu further developing in the early 20th century. Fonseca says that the practice focuses on leverage, technique over strength, control and adaptation. Students will first learn and practice positions, transitions, escapes and submissions, then engage in those techniques with a partner to refine their movements, timing and muscle memory.
“Live sparring, known as rolling, is a crucial aspect of jiu-jitsu training. During
rolling, practitioners engage in controlled but dynamic matches with resisting opponents. The goal is to apply learned techniques, gain positional control and attempt submissions,” Fonseca explains. “Rolling helps students develop timing, adaptability and practical application of techniques; enhances concentration, awareness, self-esteem and focus; and creates a sense of balance and calm.”
The Koreanbased practice of taekwondo was developed during the 1940s as a blend of native fighting styles. Students learn kicking, punching and blocking techniques, which are applied to various forms of selfdefense. According to the International Taekwondo Association, the philosophy is to build a more peaceful world, and that starts with developing individual character and positive morale. Through repeated practice and exercises, students learn courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and an indomitable spirit. These five tenets are recited at the start and end of every class and become the foundation of both the students’ development as individuals and as martial artists.
Qigong is more than a modern wellness practice. It’s a 5,000-year-old Chinese healing art steeped in tradition. At its core, qigong revolves around the concept of qi (pronounced “chee”), considered to be the life-force energy that permeates the universe. Like love, qi can act as a potent healing agent, restoring inner peace, balance and harmony. Gong refers to the dedication and effort invested in mastering this skill, a journey marked by patience and repetition. Qigong is a moving, meditative practice aimed at harmonizing internal energies, and it is related to tai chi, which originated as a martial art.
The practice of qigong involves breath work, movement, mindfulness and
stretching. It is performed with intention, yet emptiness (wuji), enabling practitioners to cultivate a stronger, deeper mind-body-spirit connection that allows for heightened stillness, clarity, vitality, awareness and sense of self. It has been clinically documented to alleviate stress, enhance energy levels, improve physical fitness and promote cardiopulmonary and immune function. A 2020 study published in Frontiers in Medicine reported that qigong improved balance and coordination in older adults. In presenting their scientific approach and rationale, the researchers noted, “Qigong is an integral part of both ancient and modern Chinese medical practice and is now a popular mind-body wellness technique in the United States, as well. An estimated 2.9 million U.S. adults practiced either tai chi, qigong or both in 2012.”
In a 2012 study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, researchers found that tai chi could enhance brain size and improve neuropsychological measures in elderly individuals, potentially delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s. A systematic review of 11 studies involving 1,061 seniors with mild cognitive impairment suggested that tai chi training could be effective in improving cognitive function, including memory, learning, mental speed and attention. And, a 10-week study by Brown University researchers reported that cancer patients that practiced qigong displayed clinically significant improvements in fatigue.
“Knowing yourself is the real practice,” says David Stokes Hone, a naturopathic
doctor, medical qigong master and founder of the Elements of Life Institute. “As practitioners, all we’re doing is reminding people of the divine connection that’s inside of them. Qigong helps clear blockages and move the stuck qi out. Just doing the practices, we allow our bodies to heal through the movement that helps us have the faith to heal. The blocks and addictions melt into the light formed by the exercises.”
According to Hone, the profound transformations achieved through qigong can range from the dramatic, such as restoring sensation in a paraplegic’s legs, to the more subtle, like the emergence of a smile. He recalls the story of a young woman entrenched in addiction who managed to turn her life around after embracing the practice.
Kevin Chen, Ph.D., a qigong master and associate professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, introduced qigong to his father with chronic back pain as a way to alleviate his suffering and avoid a recommended surgery.
For beginners, Tai Chi Master Violet Li emphasizes relaxation and mindfulness. “True relaxation is more a state of mind,” she explains. “When we pay attention to our body, the qi will follow.”
Troy Bennett, a doctor of acupuncture and qigong master from Newfoundland, Canada, shares eight principles that he learned from Qigong Grandmaster Effie Chow.
MEDITATE Whenever a problem arises, meditate and wait for the answer to come. If you come to the conclusion that you can’t fix the problem, then it’s not in your hands, so don’t worry about it.
BE LIKE THE WILLOW TREE. Learn to be flexible in the body, mind and spirit.
BREATHE The quality of your breath will determine the quality of your life. Breathe like a newborn baby.
CONNECT Everyone and everything in the universe is connected through qi. Remember the smallest thing you do in life will have an effect on the universe. Always hold the intention of love.
TRAIN FOR SUCCESS. Remember to always help people become the best that they can become.
LEAVE A BLESSING Whenever you meet someone, always give a blessing. Your kindness can have the most powerful effect on someone’s life and transform them in ways you can only dream of.
EXPERIENCE EIGHT HUGS AND THREE BELLY-ACHING LAUGHS DAILY Don’t take life so seriously. Learn to laugh and enjoy life.
LIVE. When Dr. Chow was asked, “What happens when you die?” she laughed and said, “I cannot answer that question. There is no such thing as death. There is only life.”
Nadia Linda Hole is a medical doctor, qigong master and pioneer in bridging Oriental, Western and energy medicine with Hawaiian-style qigong. She served as a consulting editor for the book Chinese Medical Qigong and contributing author in medical textbooks on complementary medicine.
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by Erik Harris
Qigong, a practice that is part of traditional Chinese medicine, has been around for thousands of years. It is rooted in Taoist philosophy which, at its core, connects to the energy of nature that flows through all things. A literal translation of qigong is the practice of cultivating qi. Qigong is often called meditation in motion. This mindful movement can be a different approach to create more awareness in someone’s life with the focus on the breath, body and mind.
Qigong is the foundation for tai chi While many people know of tai chi, they might not be aware of its origins in qigong. Tai chi was developed around 600 years ago. Qigong is a great modality for people who are dealing with chronic pain and illness. It is gentle yet powerful in how it can affect healing on all physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. It can be better for those with chronic conditions than tai chi or yoga because some of the exercises in those practices are too much for people who deal with chronic pain or illness. The beauty of qigong is that it can be modified to suit the needs of the student. Most of the exercises are done in the standing position but they can be modified to do while seated if needed.
There are many different styles of qigong, but there are only two types. There is dong gong, which consists of movement exercises. Jing gong connects with stillness. These are a combination of seated or standing meditation positions where you focus on the wu ji, the universal energy flowing through you. This practice is very simple but not always easy. When you practice the exercises on a daily basis, there is a cumulative effect. Often people call Chinese medicine slow medicine because it can take a while to take effect; once it does, it has long-lasting benefits. The changes can be subtle at first but, over time, they can make a tremendous impact.
Being a part of Chinese medicine, qigong has a connection to the five elements and the organ systems. One of its main focus areas is to open up energy through the meridians that are energy channels of the organs that flow through the body. There are even ancient Taoist chants that correlate with the five elements and organ systems.
Another concept that is focused on in qigong is the three dan tiens. These are the three main energy centers in qigong, similar to the seven chakras in yoga. However, they are a different application to the flow of energy. The lower dan tien connects to the body, or more external energy. The middle
dan tien connects to the mind. This relates to the concept of Shen, which is our spirit that resides in the heart. Think of it as the true mind, not the ego mind. The upper dan tien connects to spirit. Imagine a connection to the universe, creator or a higher power. When exercises are done focusing on the dan tien, there is a bridge or connection of the body, mind and spirit that is created.
Here is a description of a set of movements that focuses on the three dan tiens. The lower dan tien is at the abdomen. The middle dan tien is at the chest area. The upper dan tien is at the forehead area. Start by bringing your hands up towards your lower abdomen. Separate your hands at the top of your stomach and make a circle back down to the lower abdomen. Continue this movement for a few breaths. Now move to the middle dan tien bringing your hands up towards your chest. The circles get a little bigger now as you come back down to the lower abdomen and then back up to your chest. Continue to breath and bring your hands up, separate, down and to the center again. Move up to the upper dan tien at the area of your forehead. You will make big circles now. Separating at the forehead coming down to the lower abdomen and then back up. Do this for a few breaths. Now go in the opposite direction; take your hands hold them up and out, and then bring them towards your forehead and then down to your lower abdomen. Then separate your hands and bring them up and in, and then down at your forehand towards your abdomen. Do this for a few breaths and then start to make the circles smaller. Continue down your body, now starting at your chest. Bring your hands in and down. Up and around. Continue for a few breaths. Then move down to the lower abdomen. Circles will be very small now coming down, separating, up and around. After a few breaths, allow yourself to come to stillness.
Erik Harris, a qigong practitioner for 17 years, is certified through Fengyang TCM with Dr. Ming Wu. He is offering a Qigong for Chronic Pain Certification Course in October at the Red Barn in Durham. Connect at ChiforHealing. com and Erik@ChiforHealing.com.
With time-tested wisdom and natural roots, traditional and Indigenous medicine has been an integral resource for centuries in communities around the world. According to the World Health Organization, 88 percent of all countries are estimated to use traditional medicine, such as herbal remedies, acupuncture and shamanism. The contribution of these practices is increasingly being recognized by Western medicine, especially in collaboration with integrative, holistic and regenerative medicine. The pandemic prompted renewed interest in traditional treatments, and incorporating them into wellness and healing modalities is easier and more valuable than ever.
Herbalist and spiritual coach Lucretia VanDyke integrates rituals, plant-spirit meditation, holistic food and ancestor reverence into her practice. An expert on Southern folk healing, VanDyke notes in her book, African American Herbalism, that Indigenous practices were never lost, but people had to go underground for fear of persecution.
“Herbal and sacred ceremonial practices of enslaved people of African descent were highly regulated or banned by the United States government in an effort to control the people most affected by colonization,” she explains. “In the mid-18th century, Virginia and South Carolina made it a capital offense to practice herbalism, resulting in harsh punishment or even execution if found guilty. Additionally, in 1883, the U.S. Department of Interior came up with the Code of Indian Offenses, which implemented laws that applied only to Native people until 1978. They were punished for dances and feasts by imprisonment or withholding food rations for up to 30 days.”
Noting a resurgence of these onceforbidden practices, VanDyke adds, “Today, I see people trying to branch out on their spiritual journey and seeking sources outside their Christian upbringing to answer questions within themselves with practices like herbalism and African traditional religion coming more into the mainstream.”
Linda M. Conroy, MSS, MLSP, is an educator, herbalist and community organizer who dedicates her life to connecting with the green world. She is the founder of two annual gatherings: the Midwest Women’s Herbal Conference and the Mycelium Mysteries Women’s Mushroom Conference. She also provides herbal education, workshops and individual consultations through her Wisconsin-based business, Moonwise Herbs.
“Herbalism is a practice where people connect and work with plants for healing and nourishment,” she says. “Plants, herbs and mushrooms have been around long before we have and provide an innate connection to the earth. Everyone has ancestors that grew and foraged for their own food, and we remember that in our being. It’s a different experience from buying a plant or pill from the store shelf.”
Misconceptions about herbalism are common in America, Conroy asserts. “In other countries such as Cuba, Germany and China, conventionally trained physicians still learn about more than 50 herbs in their training, but the United States all but abandoned herbalism after the development of antibiotics and pharmaceuticals,” she explains. “The pandemic has helped spawn a resurgence of interest, with people increasingly disappointed by Western medicine and turning to herbs for respiratory support, stress management and other conditions.”
Conroy stresses that working with herbs is both an art and a science. Learning their unique properties is key. “In order to be truly effective, it’s imperative that people know how to properly choose and use the correct herb for each situation. This includes being mindful of the dosage, method of delivery and sourcing. Herbs are much safer than most things out there, and with the right assessment skills, they can be truly transformative,” she says.
Another recommendation is to establish a wellness routine that incorporates herbs as maintenance to remind the body of their healing value. “Herbs are not drugs but can work in synergy with them. Many common ingredients can be used every day, such as a stinging nettle infusion to nourish the kidneys and lungs, and oats to fortify the nervous system,” Conroy says. “Acquiring our herbs and foods from local sources also strengthens our connection to the plants. Most things we need, such as garlic, cabbage, eggs and raw honey, we can find in our own garden, from neighbors or at a farmers market.”
Billie Topa Tate’, a member of the Mescalero Apache tribe, is founder of MSI Wellness, in Evanston, Illinois, and author of the upcoming book, Spirit Guide Invocations: Seeking Wisdom from Sacred Helpers. Dedicated to creating a sacred space one person at a time through her Indigenous teachings, she is a mentor, teacher and healer. Her work has been shared by several universities and publications.
Although Indigenous healing practices do not have scientific studies to support their efficacy, they do have the observational and traditional support of her people, Topa Tate’ says. “The Apache learned medicinal properties from the plants and honored the position of being stewards of the land,” she asserts. “We learned from our virtuous elders that plants provide us with medicine and food, as well as spiritual qualities, such as smudging, essential oils and incense, which help to cleanse the body, mind and spirit.”
According to Topa Tate’, a shamanic journey is a visit to the energy world and can lead someone to insightful wisdom regarding their life’s purpose. “The spirit world provides a release of the thoughts that limit us and brings us into a realm where we can be guided by higher thought,” she explains. “Visiting the spirit world with proper guidance allows us to access the worlds of healing, wisdom, angels, the past, the future and even the symbolic energies of our present lives through our mind. Another way to find this release is to understand that words are energy carriers and can provide our mind, body and spirit with
a source of enlightenment. We do this through our drumming songs and ceremonies, but also by becoming more aware and harnessing the power of words as medicine in everyday actions.”
Energy work can help us reconnect with that part of ourselves that facilitates healing, says Topa Tate’. “I recommend beginning the day with a five-minute morning ceremony that gives thanks to the creator for a beautiful day and invokes our helpers to offer assistance with particular projects. As a healer, it is important to teach people how to manage their stress with more productive platforms, such as meditation, nature walks and seeking out their life’s purpose. There is a misconception that only Native people can do this energy work, but we are all one family and can learn how to integrate the natural wellness that the Native people have used for centuries,” she explains.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is based on the philosophy, experiments and experiences indigenous to Chinese culture. It has been practiced for more than 2,500 years and is used for health maintenance as well as the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of physical and mental illness. According to Dr. Heming Zhu, NCCAOM, a board-certified acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist, author, educator, scientist and founder of Harmony Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, in Maryland, the basis of TCM lies in the belief that the human body is a holistic system deeply connected to the universe.
“TCM is influenced by the flow of vital energy called qi. To restore the balance of qi and gain the harmony of life’s paired aspects known as yin and yang, TCM practitioners use various techniques, including acupuncture, moxibustion [burning herbs at acupressure points], herbal medicine, massage, qigong and dietary therapy,” Zhu explains.
Zhu says that TCM modalities fit into either a physical therapy or chemical therapy category and can be introduced for regular maintenance. “Acupuncture is commonly used for addressing fatigue, stress, pain, gastrointestinal issues, arthritis and improving overall well-being. Cupping is beneficial for relieving stress and muscle soreness. Tui-na, a form of therapeutic
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massage, is used for musculoskeletal disorders, digestive issues, pain and more. Gua sha helps manage stress and alleviate muscle tension and pain. Moxibustion can boost energy, improve digestion and address cold-related ailments. Qigong and tai chi are gentle, mind-body exercises that reduce stress and promote relaxation and overall mental well-being. Chemical therapy includes herbal medicine and dietary therapy to emphasize the connection between food and health,” he says.
TCM can be incorporated into an established wellness routine, and Zhu offers a few guidelines to ensure the best results. “People should seek education on the basic principles of TCM and be intentional not to judge it by Western medicine standards. They should find a licensed and experienced TCM practitioner and keep an open mind in initial consultations. Simple TCM practices, such as mindful breathing, gentle stretching or drinking herbal teas, can be incorporated into a daily wellness routine, and lifestyle changes, such as sleep routines and stress management, are part of the healing process,” Zhu says.
“There are multiple factors to illness, but often our emotions and trauma, either intergenerational or personal, are at the core,” VanDyke says. “Creating ceremonies based on the old ways gives you the strength to show up for yourself and makes it a little easier to move through the experience. Grief is a multilayer process, and it takes a holistic approach to co-create a path to a new normal. Our emotions are like invisible chains that bind us in a trauma loop, and having support for that is important. Nurturing the spirit is one thing that Western medicine does not talk about. I find that laughter, joy, pleasure and feeding the child-like spirit in us helps with this when life gets heavy. Ask yourself how you prioritize joy, and create your own rituals that center traditions while honoring your true self.”
October 9 is Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Its origin traces back to 1977, during the United Nations International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas, but it was not proclaimed an official U.S. holiday until 2021. During this national holiday, we celebrate the invaluable contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples, recognize their inherent sovereignty and commit to our treaty obligations with tribal nations. The federal government recognizes 574 American Indian tribes and Alaska Native entities in the U.S. According to the United Nations, there are more than 476 million Indigenous peoples living in 90 countries worldwide, accounting for 6.2 percent of the global population.
Here are a few ways to celebrate.
HONOR THE LAND. Visit Native Land Digital (native-land.ca) to learn the location and history of lands inhabited by Indigenous peoples around the world. The website, which includes an interactive map, identifies territories, languages and treaties.
LEARN THE HISTORY. Winner of the 2015 American Book Award, An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States by
CONNECT WITH NATURE. Indigenous peoples are exemplary stewards of the land that they inhabit, and we can take their lead by spending time in nature, acknowledging our dependence on the land and becoming good stewards of the local ecosystem.
BUILD A GARDEN. There is much to learn from Indigenous gardening techniques. Companion planting, for example, is the idea that certain plants grown together improve each other’s health and yield. Choose native plants as much as possible to support the local ecosystem. Grow healing herbs and flowers. At the end of a season, save the seeds of plants that thrived for future use.
SUPPORT INDIGENOUS BUSINESSES. On this day and every day,
consider supporting Indigenous businesses for handmade jewelry and clothing, bodycare products, home decor and artwork.
VISIT A MUSEUM. The National Museum of the American Indian is part of the Smithsonian Institution, with locations in Washington, D.C., New York City and Suitland, Maryland. It curates one of the world’s largest collections of native artifacts.
TAKE UP STORYTELLING.
Historically, Indigenous peoples have used storytelling to educate, inform, entertain and preserve their distinct legacy for future generations. Gather with friends and family to learn about and practice this life-affirming art.
EXPLORE INDIGENOUS ART
FORMS. From traditional masks that narrate origin stories to handmade jewelry, crafts and dreamcatchers that memorialize healing dreams, there are so many wonderful art projects that we can appreciate and learn.
Kiki Powers is a health writer, blogger and national speaker specializing in plant-based nutrition and healthy green living. Learn more at RawKiki.com.
Sophie Haruna Klimcak is the cofounder and program director of Wild Awake, a nonprofit in San Francisco. Drawing from her Japanese and Eastern European roots, she designs immersive, nature-based learning experiences that nurture deep caring for people and the planet. Klimcak holds a master’ s degree in education from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education and bachelor’s degrees in philosophy, neuroscience and psychology from Washington University, in St. Louis.
Whether in an after-school setting with children or an outdoor adventure among adults, she and her team of naturalists, artists and healing practitioners invite people to mindfully gaze at the stars, invigorate the senses with ocean soundbaths, experience healing and community in a song circle, build empathy and connection through storytelling, and express creativity by painting with botanical pigments.
In the summer of 2020, my co-founder Shasha Du and I took a weeklong trip to Joshua Tree National Park. Every night we experienced this feeling of awe and wonder and reverence as we stared up at this stunning night-sky portal of infinite space and blazing stars. On the last night, we brought binoculars and stayed up to see the comet NEOWISE. At 4 a.m., it appeared on the horizon—this icy rock moving toward the sun and releasing all these gases behind it in a glorious paintbrush streak—and we literally screamed and held each other
because we had never seen anything like that before. As educators, we decided that we wanted to keep those feelings alive in our hearts, and design for awe and wonder in learning.
You don’t have to travel to places like Joshua Tree or see a comet to experience wonder and awe. With the right amount of mindfulness and attention, everything is worthy of such appreciation—our backyards, our houses, everything. Feeling a sense of wonder requires us to take time to appreciate the textures of something in its entirety and realize where it might have been sourced from and how it’s supporting us and we’re supporting it—remembering that we’re interconnected. We offer local experiences to help people see that magic exists where they live.
Learning is super-creative, constructive, collaborative and social. The best kind of learning is when you’re following a thread of your own intuition and asking questions that are joyful for you. They’re not questions someone told you to ask. You’re building your own worlds by a process of inquiry. I think wakefulness comes from bringing that attention to whatever it is that you want to go deeper into.
One of our most experiential offerings was a wildflower therapy workshop, which brought people in community to see the
superblooms in the Bay Area. To make this a wonder-based experience, I created this little booklet for a mindfulness walk, inviting folks to choose one flower to develop a relationship with over the course of an hour and a half.
The booklet had multisensory prompts to deepen that relationship, and I asked them to record a conversation with their flower. When do people stare at a flower that long, right? But it does wonders, helping you move a little bit slower in the world.
The next time they walk by flowers, they’ll notice them in a different way because they took intentional time to develop a relationship to local flora and to their own joy and wonder. Little steps like these can be radical in developing a love for what we may lose if we don’t protect and care for this world.
Can you describe one of your favorite programs?
Living in San Francisco with the bay surrounding us, we are always in a relationship with the ocean. It cools the
planet, making it livable for us; it’s an amazing place to play and enjoy water sports; and it nourishes us through seafood. So, we designed a program that takes folks out to forage for seaweed.
It’s not about filling our buckets with as much seaweed as possible, but rather bringing mindfulness to the experience. We marvel at the diversity of seaweed; you can see dozens of different kinds along our shoreline. People are curious about what makes seaweed a certain color or how it nourishes us. We learn how to harvest seaweed from rock in a way that it can regenerate and grow more seaweed. We make an offering to the ocean, saying, “Thank you,” remembering our mutual reciprocity.
One of the most accessible ways of connecting to nature is by connecting to your own body. Putting one hand on your belly and one hand on your heart and noticing your breath can really help you drop into that space of deep calm and deep knowing. If you can, find your local dark sky and go out to see the stars. Look at the moon. Notice the way planets and stars move through the sky. Or, notice a leaf or a flower and be in a relationship with it by noticing it over time, returning to it and seeing how it has changed and how you’re changing inside, too.
SandraYeyati is the national editor of Natural Awakenings.
Eugenia Mullenix Helen Tran LMFT,
So much has evolved in the 100 years since Japanese educator George Ohsawa created the macrobiotic diet. For one thing, the recipes have become more flexible, empowering people to save time and use ingredients that they love. “The modern macrobiotic diet is about much more than tofu, seaweed and miso,” says chef and author Christina Pirello, the Emmy Award-winning host of Christina Cooks, on PBS seasonal, whole, unprocessed food cooked in accordance with each person’s condition and lifestyle.”
“In the beginning, there was rigidity that didn’t give you the freedom to say, ‘I don’t want to eat adzuki beans again,’” Pirello says. “Variety is key. You can’t just eat kale and drink smoothies and hope for the best. You have to get balanced nutrition with enough protein, fats and carbohydrates.”
According to Pirello, “What we eat determines how we move through the world. Are we comfortable or uncomfortable? In Chinese medicine, we are either in a state of ease or dis -ease, which became the word disease, but in Chinese medicine, it really means uncomfortable. What do you do to get back into that state of ease, or balance? That’s really what macrobiotics is about; how do you rebalance the body—the organs—to be comfortable?”
Eating in accordance with the natural order— with the seasons—is an essential concept of the macrobiotic diet and includes fall, winter, spring, summer and a fifth season, “late harvest.” The idea is to follow our intuition, Pirello advises:
“If you walk into the supermarket in November, you’re not immediately attracted to cherry tomatoes and strawberries, but the winter squashes, pumpkins and parsnips call your name.
Macrobiotics allows us to understand that—even here in the United States where foods are so widely available that you can have strawberries at Christmas.”
Her recipe for Winter Squash Risotto, which is featured in her new cookbook, VegEdibles, is just one example of the delicious macrobiotic dishes she has developed. “This risotto is perfect for cooler weather, when we need to keep energy in our middle organs so we are warm and cozy, centered and balanced,” Pirello says. “Come winter and fall, we want foods that are going to help the body hold onto heat. Squash, pumpkin, turnips and rutabaga are going to help relax the body and the middle organs and help us stay grounded, centered and warm. The risotto is cooked really long, so there’s a lot of warming energy that will help you in cold weather.”
“There has to be a period when the body transitions from the heat of summer into the cool of the fall,” says Chicago
area-based macrobiotic counselor Karla Walter. “That’s when we have those beautiful orange foods starting to come out, and the squashes start arriving. We have this really lovely, sweet time of the year that actually nourishes the body and helps the immune system ramp up and get ready for colder weather.”
Walter recommends the macrobiotic diet for finding calmness and rhythm. “When we eat healthy foods that sustain us, our goals come to the surface where we can see them a lot clearer. People don’t know their potential until they start to feel good about themselves,” she says.
Lisa Books-Williams, a plant-based chef, educator and therapist in the San Francisco area, encourages people to find their own plant-based path. “I found my answer at the end of a fork, instead of in a bottle of pills,” she says. “The most loving thing I ever did for myself started with changing my food choices. Sure, it would be more delicious to be eating a pizza, but eating a salad with beans and rice is how I love myself.”
Books-Williams believes that taking the extra time that is required to follow a plant-based lifestyle is worthwhile. “We can eat well inexpensively if we are willing to take an extra couple of hours each week to chop vegetables. We are worth the time it takes to batch-cook and freeze beans in single servings so we have them when we need them. Each of us has to be committed to our own wellbeing. No one is going to do it for us.”
While much has changed since Ohsawa introduced the macrobiotic diet, Pirello still adheres to its three core ingredients. “I still eat rice, seaweed and miso soup,” she says. “Not as much as I used to, but I still do, because miso is the greatest probiotic on the planet, followed by kimchi. Those are the greatest macrobiotics we could ever eat in our lives, and both are delicious.”
Veronica Hinke is a food historian and the author of The Last Night on the Titanic: Unsinkable Drinking, Dining and Style and Titanic: The Official Cookbook. Learn more at FoodStringer.com.
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If a metal does this to your skin... Imagine what it will do implanted inside of your body?
YIELD: 4-6 SERVINGS
FOR THE BROTH:
¼ red onion, diced
½ carrot, diced
¼ cup diced winter squash
Splash of white wine or mirin
3 cups spring or filtered water
FOR THE RISOTTO:
2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
½ red onion, finely diced
¼ tsp sea salt
Splash of white wine or mirin
½ cup carnaroli or Arborio rice
¼ winter squash, unpeeled and finely diced
4-5 sprigs fresh basil, leaves removed, hand-shredded
To make the broth, combine all of the listed ingredients in a large saucepan over low heat and simmer for 30 minutes before making the risotto. This can be done the day before.
For the risotto, place the olive oil in a deep skillet along with the onion over medium heat. When the onion begins to sizzle, add a pinch of salt and cook, stirring until translucent. Add the rice and a generous splash of wine, and cook, stirring until the wine is absorbed. Add ¼ cup broth and cook, stirring frequently, until the broth is absorbed. Add another ¼ cup of broth and repeat the process. Stir in half of the diced squash and cook, stirring.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, place the remaining squash with enough water to cover halfway. Add a pinch of salt. Cook over medium heat until the squash is soft, about 20 minutes.
Continue adding the remaining broth to the rice—¼ cup at a time—and stirring until the rice is tender but al dente, about 25 minutes.
Take the remaining squash and use an emulsion blender or a food processor to purée until smooth. Stir the puréed squash into the cooked risotto. Season it lightly with salt and cook over low heat until the squash is absorbed into the rice.
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil.
Recipe courtesy of Christina Pirello.
YIELD: 4-6 SERVINGS
4 medium beets, washed and with stems trimmed to about 1 inch
2 tsp ginger, finely chopped
2 Tbsp green onions, finely chopped
2 cups water or vegetable stock
1¼ cup orange juice
2 Tbsp raspberry vinegar
1 Tbsp barley (mugi) miso
½ cup chopped chives or green onions
Place the beetroot in a large saucepan, cover with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer until tender, about 40 minutes. Drain the beets.
Next, run the beets under cold water and peel them. The skin and stalks should fall off easily. Chop the beets into ½-inch cubes.
Reserve ⅓ cup chopped beets and set aside.
In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the remaining beets, ginger, green onions, water or vegetable stock plus one extra cup of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in orange juice.
Purée soup in small batches in a blender until smooth.
Remove a small portion of the soup into a bowl and dissolve the miso. Add miso back into the soup and stir through. Add the vinegar and stir through.
Garnish with the chives or green onions.
Recipe courtesy of Karla Walter.
Scientists prove pure copper kills germs in seconds, just by touch, including viruses, bacteria, and fungus. High-power microscopes show germs instantly start dying when copper touches them.
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LASAGNA WITH TOFU RICOTTA AND VEGGIE BOLOGNESE
YIELD: 6-8 SERVINGS
FOR THE LASAGNA:
¾-1 lb whole wheat or regular lasagna noodles, cooked according to package directions
6-8 oz frozen spinach
1 large zucchini, cut into fettucine-shaped noodles with a vegetable peeler
1 eggplant, cut into ¼-inch rounds and salted
FOR THE VEGGIE BOLOGNESE:
5-6 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 medium carrot, finely chopped
1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
½ lb fresh mushrooms, finely chopped
1 zucchini, finely chopped
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp dried basil
¼ tsp dried thyme
¼ tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp salt
½-¾ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp olive oil or water
1½ tsp sweetener (coconut or date sugar)
12 oz tomato paste
5 fresh tomatoes, diced
1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes (plain or with basil)
½ cup chopped Kalamata or black olives
2 Tbsp capers, rinsed
¼ cup red wine
FOR THE TOFU RICOTTA:
1 lb medium tofu, drained
¼ cup unsweetened almond or soy milk
1 tsp dried oregano
1 Tbsp dried basil
2 Tbsp nutritional yeast (optional)
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp nutmeg
2 Tbsp lemon juice
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, chopped
To make the veggie Bolognese, in a large pot over high heat, sauté the garlic, onion, carrot, bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, oregano, basil, thyme, pepper, salt and red pepper flakes in the olive oil or water until the onions are tender, about 10 minutes.
Add the sweetener, tomato paste, tomatoes, olives, capers, wine and ¾ cup water. Cover, and simmer over medium-low heat for 30 minutes.
Serve with pasta or use in lasagna.
To make the tofu ricotta, blend all of the ingredients in a blender or food processor until it achieves the consistency of cottage cheese, about 3 to 5 minutes. If mixture is too thick, add a little water.
To salt the eggplant, wash and dry the outside of the eggplant. Line a 9- by 12-inch cookie sheet with 2 layers of paper towels. Cut eggplant into ¼-inch rounds and place each round on the sheet pan. Sprinkle ⅛ teaspoon or less of salt on each round and gently massage it into the eggplant. Let rest for 10 minutes. Use paper towels to remove the water that is being expelled from the salting process. Flip the eggplant and repeat process. For best results, remove the salt and expelled liquid.
For the lasagna, preheat the oven to 350°F. Cover the bottom of a 9- by 13-inch cake pan in a thin layer of sauce, then cover with a layer of the lasagna noodles. Place the salted eggplant rounds on top of the noodles. Place a dollop of tofu ricotta every 1 to 2 inches. Cover with the zucchini noodles, followed by a layer of sauce. Cover with the spinach, followed by a layer of sauce. Finish with a top layer of lasagna noodles, covered with sauce and sprinkled with dollops of the tofu ricotta.
Cover loosely with aluminum foil or a baking lid and bake until it is hot and bubbly, about 45 minutes. Optional: Remove foil during the last 10 minutes of cooking to brown the ricotta topping. Remove from oven and set it on the countertop for 20 minutes before serving.
Recipe courtesy of Lisa Books-Williams.
YIELD: 8 SERVINGS
FOR CHILI
3½ cups fresh tomatoes, diced
1 15-oz can tomato sauce
1 15-oz can pinto beans, drained and rinsed (or 2 cups cooked pinto beans)
1 15-oz can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed (or 2 cups cooked kidney beans)
1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed (or 2 cups cooked black beans)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
½ small red onion, finely diced
½ small yellow onion, finely diced
1 red, yellow or orange bell pepper, finely diced
1 zucchini, finely diced
2 carrots, finely diced
2½ Tbsp chili powder
1¼ tsp cumin
⅛ tsp cayenne powder
½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 can diced green chilies (optional)
1 cup fresh or frozen white corn
FOR CASHEW SOUR CREAM
1 cup cashews, soaked for 2 hours
½ cup pure water
Juice of 1 lemon
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
Place all of the ingredients, except corn, in a large saucepan over medium heat and cook until the chili begins to boil. Note: For a meatier consistency, before placing them in the pot, place all of the veggies (except corn, tomatoes and green chilies) in a food processor fitted with an “S” blade, and pulse-chop until the ingredients become confetti size, about 2 to 3 minutes.
Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the corn, cover and simmer an additional 5 minutes.
Serve over brown rice with the cashew sour cream.
To make the cashew sour cream, use a blender to combine all of the ingredients together, pulsing until smooth, about 1 to 2 minutes. Adjust seasonings to taste. Seal and store for up to 1 week in the refrigerator.
Recipe courtesy of Lisa Books-Williams.
For years, we have seen a growing appreciation in contemporary culture for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and the complementary role it can play within Western medicine. Based upon thousands of years of observation, this natural healing approach can be valuable not just for humans, but also for animal companions.
Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) includes the use of food therapy, acupuncture, Chinese herbs and tui-na massage to maintain health and treat disease. Some pets with chronic arthritic pain, inflammatory bowel disease, nerve damage, epilepsy, cancer and other long-term ailments may not respond well to conventional treatments, or the side effects of Western medicine may cause even more problems. That is when TCVM can intercede to provide relief.
There are a few basic principles governing TCVM. Qi is the life force that flows freely when a pet is healthy and may be blocked or weak when a pet becomes ill. Yin-and-yang refers to the interplay between natural dualities—such as light and dark or hot and cold—and the need to maintain a balance between these opposing properties. There are five elements—wood, fire, earth, metal and water—which also need to be in balance for optimal health. During an examination, a TCM vet will determine what is out of balance and develop a customized treatment plan.
Dr. Ruth Roberts, an integrative veterinarian and pet health coach, applies TCM principles when designing a whole-foods diet to optimize pet well-being and support healthy longevity. “Under TCM principles, foods have warming, cooling or neutral properties when they interact with a pet’s natural energy, and the goal is to find a balance,” she explains. “Many pet ailments may stem from or be related to imbalances within the body, as well as environmental factors, all of which underscore the need for the proper nutritional balance.”
According to Roberts, in a hot climate, a pet might need cooling foods, such as turkey, fish, banana, celery, kelp, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, cucumber and melon. In colder temperatures, warming foods such as mutton, deer, chicken, ginger, squash and pumpkin are advisable. When designing a balancing diet, neutral foods may be needed, including pork, bison, salmon, tuna, carrots, green beans, peas, olive oil and shiitake mushrooms.
Veterinary acupuncture is becoming increasingly popular to relieve pain or treat ailments, including allergies, seizures, reproductive problems and liver and kidney disease. The procedure involves the insertion of very thin needles into specific points on the body, thereby stimulating nerve endings, which then conduct impulses to the brain and spinal cord. It is best to consult an experienced, licensed acupuncturist or TCVM specialist that specifically treats pets.
In a 2017 study published in the Canadian Veterinary Journal, researchers found, “Acupuncture alone or in combination with
analgesics reduced pain and improved quality of life in dogs with neurological and musculoskeletal diseases. Dogs with musculoskeletal disorders had a better improvement in chronic pain and locomotion than those with neurological disorders.”
TCVM uses a number of herbs, roots, mushrooms, bark and other plant-based ingredients to help pets with immune dysfunction, gastrointestinal issues, skin conditions, liver and kidney disease and other long-term, chronic conditions. When it comes to more serious pet health issues, such as osteosarcoma (bone cancer), Roberts suggests the strategic use of full-spectrum hemp extract (CBD), cannabis oil (THC) and medicinal mushrooms. Dosages will differ for each individual pet. It is best to consult an integrative veterinarian or pet nutritionist.
“In several documented cases, a combination of homeopathy, TCM, medicinal mushrooms and CBD-THC solutions working together synergistically with a healing diet have helped dogs outlive their bone cancer diagnosis without harmful side effects, stressful procedures or complicated vet visits, all at a dramatically reduced cost,” Roberts says. “As they say, ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,’ especially where our beloved animal family members are concerned.”
Also under the TCVM umbrella, tuina massage uses kneading, pressing
and rolling techniques to improve a pet’s health and balance. Among the conditions that respond well to this type of massage are arthritis, muscle tension and soreness, stress and anxiety, joint paint and mobility issues. The technique focuses on stimulating acupuncture points and energy pathways, or meridians, that promote the smooth flow of qi throughout the body. This treatment can be used in conjunction with complementary therapies to enhance results.
“I strongly believe Traditional Chinese Medicine is good medicine. Western medicine is great medicine. However, the best medicine is an integration of both because each of them has their own strengths and weaknesses,” says Dr. Huisheng Xie, DVM, Ph.D., a clinical professor of integrative medicine at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, in Gainesville.
According to Xie, TCVM is weak in diagnosis because it does not have sophisticated diagnostic technology. Western medicine’s weakness is the large amount of side effects associated with conventional drugs. “That’s why the best medicine is to integrate both to avoid the weaknesses and take advantage of the strengths of each,” he says.
Kiki Powers is a health writer, blogger and national speaker specializing in plant-based nutrition and healthy green living. Learn more at RawKiki.com.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1
Crystal Dreaming Express at Hidden Gem on Main 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The Crystal Dreaming EXPRESS technique is a pathway to rapid Ascension and Unity Consciousness, allowing participants to shift their perception of life positively and dramatically. Experience Crystal Dreaming Express. $30/30-minute session. Appointments recommended. Hidden Gem on Main, Wallingford, CT. 203-435-5650. LauriIngram.com/Live-Events.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3
Holistic Moms Network: Learn More About Homeschooling/Alternative Schooling. 6:30 p.m. First Tuesday of each month. Join the New Haven County chapter for a homeschooling-focused roundtable on homeschooling styles, current state regulations, resources and more. The chapter will also celebrate the national organization’s 20th anniversary in October. Network with like-minded parents/ community members. Nate’s Plates, 2 Schooner Ln., Milford, CT. Info, RSVP: Facebook.com/HMNNewHaven.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5
Found Poetry Workshop. 1-2:30 p.m. From old book pages, allow a poem to emerge and discover wisdom from within. Create a journal page and discover your creativity. Led by Donna Wrubel. All supplies provided; no experience needed. $20. The Liminal Studio, Bethany, CT. 203-435-5650. LauriIngram.com/Live-Events.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6-15
West Haven & Milford Restaurant Week. Support the restaurants you love and eat, drink and save at participating eateries. Think discounts, prix-fixe offerings and more. 2023 Milford Regional Restaurant Week is presented by TrinityPoint Wealth, hosted by the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Milford Business Association, and with Support from Hartford Healthcare. Info: MilfordCT.com/Restaurant-Week.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8
Mini Retreat. 1-3 p.m. Escape from the stresses of daily life and treat yourself to an afternoon of blissful relaxation. Join for a unique, rejuvenating experience that combines head massage, acupuncture, sound healing and the special gemstone layout Inner Nourishment. $70. Wholeness Acupuncture Center, 10 Forest Park Dr., Ste. 1, Farmington, CT. Register: tinyurl.com/MiniretreatOct2023. 860-4042197. WholenessAcupunctureCenter@gmail.com.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10
4 Secrets to Radiant Health, Wellness and Vitality. Free instant access to a mini-course and cheat sheet without wasting time and money on diets and supplements. More info: bit.ly/RadiantHealthCheatSheet.
TLC Networking Lunch in Milford. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Opportunity to meet other healthy living entrepreneurs and practitioners at Tribe TLC’s networking lunch event in Milford at Stonebridge Restaurant. New Haven County TLC Networking Lunch held monthly on 2nd Tuesday of each month. RSVP to Beth Leas: 203-856-9566 (call/ text), TLCBethLeas@gmail.com.
Monthly White Time Healing Circle. 7-9 p.m. Roundrobin style healing circle featuring White Time Energy and Gemstone healing. October featured gemstone layout is Connecting with Earth’s Soul. Facilitated by Bradford Tilden. $30. The Center for Higher Living, 130 Webster Square Rd., Berlin, CT. Register: tinyurl.com/WhiteTimeCircle. 860-830-5841. Info@CrystalMusicHealing.com.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12
Art Journaling with Intention in the Third Chapter of Life. October 12-November 9. 1-2:30 p.m. Create an art journal book celebrating the Third Chapter of Life using creative techniques and collage during this 5-week series led by Donna Wrubel. All supplies provided; no experience needed. $120/5-week series. The Liminal Studio, Bethany, CT. 203-435-5650. LauriIngram.com/Live-Events.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14
Holistic Wellness Fair. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Hosted by Soleil Acupuncture and Naturopathic Wellness in Hamden, join practitioners in the holistic health and wellness space to learn more about potential new providers in one place. Free and open to the public. 2661 Whitney Ave., Hamden, CT. Info: SoleilHolistic.com.
Passport to Health and Wellness Expo. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Presented by Holistic Community Professionals. Natural Awakenings is a Media Sponsor. 75 vendors & readers, free raffles, grand prize plus speakers on the half hour. Keynote by John LeBeau, INHC, an orthomolecular researcher, integrative nutrition health consultant and holistic practitioner, on Covid-19, Vaccines and Controversies. Sound Healing 4-5 p.m. with Fred Maerkle of Zentastic Wellness. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bristol, 42 Century Dr., Bristol, CT. Tickets: eventbrite.com/e/passport-tohealth-and-wellness-expo-tickets-502899695527.
Native American History Hike. 1-2 p.m. Join an Ansonia Nature Center naturalist for a stroll through woodlands to a historic Paugussett settlement. Enjoy the forest and the crisp fall air while peering into a small bit of New England’s First Nations history. Wear appropriate shoes for a moderate hike to this historic, secluded site. Free. 10 Deerfield Ln., Ansonia, CT. Register in advance: AnsoniaNatureCenter. org/Calendar/Native-American-History-Hike.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20-21
Universal White Time Gemstone Healing 1 Certification. 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m., 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Learn to heal yourself, others, animals and the environment with ancient universal knowledge. Learn 5 powerful Gemstone layouts for body and chakras. Includes initiation and certification. All levels of experience welcome. The Center for Higher Living, 130 Webster Square Rd., Berlin, CT. $600 includes a basic stone kit. Register: tinyurl.com/UWTGHL1Register. 860-830-5841. Info@CrysalMusicHealing.com.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21
Autumn Fest at Ansonia Nature Center. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Horse-drawn story wagon, haunted trail, food vendors, cider and pumpkin donuts, Nature Shop table, face painting, crafts, Revolutionary encampment, and more. Nature-related exhibitors and vendors. Learn about bats, spiders and owls. All proceeds benefit Ansonia Nature Center’s exhibits and animals. Rain or shine. No admission fee. 10 Deerfield Ln., Ansonia, CT. Info: AnsoniaNatureCenter.org, Facebook.com/events/639493844944734, 203-736-1053.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28
Creepy Crawly Creature Feature. Noon-1 p.m. Learn about Ansonia Nature Center’s resident mammals, reptiles, insects and birds at this special creature feature celebrating the animals of Halloween. Children learn how to touch and handle some of these soft, scaly and slimy creatures. Free. 10 Deerfield Ln., Ansonia, CT. Info: AnsoniaNatureCenter.org/Calendar/Creepy-Crawly-Creature-Feature.
Full Moon Hike: Hunters Moon. 6-8 p.m. This full moon is called the Full Hunter’s Moon, Blood Moon or Sanguine Moon. This moon was honored by Native Americans and served as a feast day among many nations. Join Ansonia Nature Center guides as they lead
November 11 • 1-3 p.m.
Extraordinary multi-dimensional quantum healing journey during the 11:11 Ascension Portal guided by Archangels Michael and Uriel, accompanied by channeled music and specially charged gemstones.
Participants offered two uniquely energized gemstones, one aligned with each Archangel’s energy.
VIP guests receive complete gemstone layouts for deeper connection.
Hosted by Bradford Tilden
VIP Tickets: $111. General Admission: $77 SANARE WELLNESS
92 North Summit St., Southington, CT Contact: Kathy@sanare.life • 860-600-0106
around the park by the moon’s light. All ages (children must be accompanied by an adult). Wear comfortable walking shoes for uneven terrain. Fee: $3 per hiker. 10 Deerfield Ln., Ansonia, CT. Info: AnsoniaNatureCenter. org/Calendar/Full-Moon-Hike-Hunters-Moon.
The Radiant Health Series: Holistic Detox. 6:30-8 p.m. Get ready for the most health-conscious and relaxing holiday season ever. Bridge Healing Arts Center, Farmington, CT. More info, register: bit.ly/HolisticDetox.
Sandals/Beaches Webinar. 7-8 p.m. Online webinar. Come hear about Sandals & Beaches Resorts and the many new happenings at the resorts. There will be some specials offered to those that attend the entire webinar. Questions: 860-573-3199 or Chris.Bafumo@CruisePlanners.com. Register: Attendee.GotoWebinar.com/ Register/5539086027394872156.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7
Holistic Moms Network: Homeopathy Home Essentials—Single Remedies with Boiron. 6:30 p.m. First Tuesday of each month. Join the New Haven County chapter for a Boiron-sponsored meeting about single homeopathy remedies with Yashasvi (Yaashi) Jhangiani. Receive homeopathy information, single remedy samples and a chance to win a Boiron travel kit. Network with like-minded parents/community members. Nate’s Plates, 2 Schooner Ln., Milford, CT. Info, RSVP: Facebook.com/HMNNewHaven.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8
Are You Ready to Go to Alaska? Holland America Cruise Lines and Cruise Planners. 6 p.m. The Traveling Buddies hosts the On Stage Alaska program at Cabela’s Store, 475 East Hartford Blvd., East Hartford, CT. Free event to learn about the awe-inspiring Denali National Park and the Yukon’s spectacular wilderness. This is a great way to begin planning an Alaskan Cruise. Register (incl. # of people attending) with Chris Bafumo: 860-573-3199 or Chris.Bafumo@CruisePlanners.com.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15
Business After Hours at Kinship Glassworks. 5-7 p.m. Join the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours event for a unique evening of art and craftmanship accompanied by food and drink. Try your hand at glass blowing or stand by and watch the demonstrations as you network with other members of the chamber. Kinship Glassworks is a 5,000-square foot full-service glass blowing studio, learning center and gallery. 23 Seemans Ln., Milford, CT. Register at event on MilfordCT.com.
mondays
Gentle Beginner Class 9:15 a.m. In this beginner foundations class, Kellie Codianna guides through techniques in yoga to alleviate hip and back tightness. $25/class;newstudentofferof$44/fourclasses.Divinely Rooted Yoga Therapy and Mat Pilates, 33 N. Main St., Ste. B, Wallingford, CT. RSVP: DivinelyRooted.com/ Register-for-a-Class.
Barre. 6 p.m. Kim’s class includes light weights, barre, matPilatesandfunmusic.Barreisatotalbodysculpting workout fusion of Pilates, strength training and ballet. $25/class;newstudentofferof$44/fourclasses.Divinely Rooted Yoga Therapy and Mat Pilates, 33 N. Main St., Ste. B, Wallingford, CT. RSVP: DivinelyRooted.com/ Register-for-a-Class.
Divinely Strong Yoga—From the Ground Up. 9:15 a.m.KellieCodianna’score/posturestrengtheningclass will guide you into holding poses and working toward inversions such as handstands and headstands. $25/ class; new student offer of $44/four classes. Divinely Rooted Yoga Therapy and Mat Pilates, 33 N. Main St., Ste. B, Wallingford, CT. RSVP: DivinelyRooted.com/ Register-for-a-Class.
Barre. 6 p.m. Kim’s class includes light weights, barre, matPilatesandfunmusic.Barreisatotalbodysculpting workout fusion of Pilates, strength training and ballet.
$25/class; new student offer of $44/four classes. Divinely Rooted Yoga Therapy and Mat Pilates, 33 N. Main St., Ste. B, Wallingford, CT. RSVP: DivinelyRooted.com/ Register-for-a-Class.
wednesdays
Qigong. 8 a.m. Join Amy for a qigong practice to explore a system of coordinated body postures and movement utilizing breath, meditation and some martial arts. $25/ class; new student offer of $44/four classes. Divinely Rooted Yoga Therapy and Mat Pilates, 33 N. Main St., Ste. B, Wallingford, CT. RSVP: DivinelyRooted.com/ Register-for-a-Class.
Divinely Strong Yoga—From the Ground Up. 6 p.m. Kellie Codianna’s core/posture strengthening class will guide you into holding poses and working toward inversions such as handstands and headstands. $25/ class; new student offer of $44/four classes. Divinely Rooted Yoga Therapy and Mat Pilates, 33 N. Main St., Ste. B, Wallingford, CT. RSVP: DivinelyRooted.com/ Register-for-a-Class.
Rooted & Aligned Yoga. 5:30 p.m. Kellie Codianna’s class incorporates breathing exercises while aligning the spine to embody each pose with ease using props as needed. She encourages holding poses to work through stuck energy and feel balanced. $25/class; new student
offer of $44/four classes. Divinely Rooted Yoga Therapy and Mat Pilates, 33 N. Main St., Ste. B, Wallingford, CT. RSVP: DivinelyRooted.com/Register-for-a-Class.
Shamanic Sound Healing Meditation. 6-7 p.m. Every other Thursday on October 12 and 26. Join guest sound healer Katie Cavanaugh for a deeply restorative Sound Healing Meditation. Relax, recharge and release stress and unwanted energies from your body, mind and field. Bring a blanket, chair or yoga mat. Register: tinyurl. com/BridgeSoundBrad2023. Walk-ins welcome. $20$35. The Bridge Healing Arts Center, 304 Main St., Farmington, CT. 860-404-2578. BridgeHAC.com.
Rooted & Aligned Yoga. 9:15 a.m. Kellie Codianna’s class incorporates breathing exercises while aligning the spine to embody each pose with ease using props as needed. Kellie encourages holding poses to work through stuck energy and feel balanced. $25/ class; new student offer of $44/four classes. Divinely Rooted Yoga Therapy and Mat Pilates, 33 N. Main St., Ste. B, Wallingford, CT. RSVP: DivinelyRooted.com/ Register-for-a-Class.
Gentle Beginner Class. 4:45 p.m. In this beginner foundations class, Kellie Codianna guides through techniques in yoga to alleviate hip and back tightness. $25/ class; new student offer of $44/four classes. Divinely Rooted Yoga Therapy and Mat Pilates, 33 N. Main St., Ste. B, Wallingford, CT. RSVP: DivinelyRooted.com/ Register-for-a-Class.
Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. DEADLINE: All listings must be received by the 12th of the month prior to publication.
KC CHIROPRACTIC & WELLNESS
Kevin Healy, DC
17 Woodland Rd., Madison, CT 203-245-9317
KevinHealy@sbcglobal.net
DrHealMe.com
Applied kinesiology is a neurological evaluation to find and treat dysfunction, addressing 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 13.
LAURI INGRAM
The Liminal Studio
696 Amity Rd., Unit B1, Bethany, CT 203-435-5650
Lauri@LauriIngram.com
LauriIngram.com
Ordained interfaith/interspiritual minister, Lauri specializes in custom ceremonies for those who are spiritual, but not religious. Lauri creates meaningful and transformative wedding and commitment ceremonies, life celebrations, and baby blessings events to mark other life events.
CHI FOR HEALING
Erik Harris
The Red Barn in Durham
352 Main St. Durham, CT
Erik@ChiforHealing.com
ChiforHealing.com
Chi for Healing integrates Chinese medicine with holistic healing practices to provide a multifaceted program to take back your health. Erik specializes in helping people suffering from chronic pain/ illness to find and treat the root cause of dis-ease. He offers in-person and virtual consultations.
THE WORKING COMPUTER, LLC
Gregg Allen
646-320-3639
GTA@GTA.earth
GTA.earth
Computer slow and glitchy? We can assess your Apple or Windows system, and provide options to repair, upgrade or repurpose your computer. We partner with you for your technology needs, system optimization and backup solutions for a secure and private personal computer setup. We can also help with data recovery. See ad on page 9.
KATHY STALTER
Sanaré Wellness, LLC
Southington, CT 860-600-0106
Kathy@Sanare.Life
Sanare.life
The Future of Energy Medicine is here! This 24-unit Energy Enhancement System creates multiple bioactive, regenerative energy fields, including scalar waves and biophotons, that can assist your body’s ability to repair and heal itself from disease. The body can become capable of rejuvenating and recalibrating itself back to homeostasis. Appointment only.
STEPHANIE TORNATORE
The Frequency Solution
The-Frequency-Solution.com
Info@The-Frequency-Solution.com
You’ve used energy modalities and done the work. Still stuck? This is when people find me, the missing puzzle piece. Everything is energy and holds a frequency where it optimally functions. By matching the vibration, we can create fundamental change quickly and clear trauma. No time commitment, travel or Zoom. Private and group sessions to address physical, mental, emotional concerns. Change your frequency, change your life!
LAUREN MAGEL
Holistic Hemp Wellness
Green Compass Advocate
631-877-0441
LaurenMagel.GreenCompassGlobal.com/share/191341
Lauren offers small group education sessions and individual consultations in Connecticut and online to help you identify products to feel your best every day with a full line of USDA-certified organic hemp wellness products, including full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD, collagen, skin care, topicals and drink powders. Let’s get you started with a CBD brand you can trust.
HOLISTIC COMMUNITY PROFESSIONALS
Shirley R. Bloethe, Executive Director 860-989-0033
HCPinc.ORG@gmail.com
HolisticCommunityProfessionals.org
Holistic Community Professionals is an organization of holistic practitioners and businesses focused on improving health and wellness with products and services throughout New England. We also connect consumers with a wide variety of modalities, holistic products, and services as well as offering two expos a year at The DoubleTree by Hilton in Bristol. See website for details. See ad on page 2.
DR. BEATA HARASIM PT, DPT, FAAOMPT Holistic & Integrative Doctor of Physical Therapy 860-266-7745
Beata@HolisticDrBeata.com
HolisticDrBeata.com
Specializing in gut health, nutrition, nervous system regulation and alternative modalities. Provides expert care for chronic fatigue; autoimmune, digestive and skin conditions; food allergies, sensitivities and intolerances; anxiety; depression; acute and chronic pain; colic; reflux; eczema; and more. Feel empowered, calm and confident with your custom health plan for you or your family. See ad on page 11.
CHANNELING YOUR WISDOM COACHING
Lynda Mettler, ACC Transformation Coach, Reiki Master Lynda@YourWisdomCoaching.com
Specializing in Internal Family Systems, Reiki energy and meditation. Guiding clients to transform their inner view to embody self-compassion and trust. Ready to embark on an extraordinary adventure to ignite your spark and unleash your talents? This coaching is for you. Now offering Clarity Coaching, a single session to ease decision-making stress.
A MOMENT IN TIME MASSAGE, LLC
Jill Andrzejewski, LMT, RMT, Psychic 3490 Whitney Ave., Ste. 205, Hamden, CT 203-909-1108
JillaMomentinTimeMassage@gmail.com
AMomentinTimeMassage.org
We partner to set physical, mental and spiritual goals to empower you. I advocate gentle stretching, crystals and breath work to maintain grounded, calm feelings. Services: massage; Reiki; chakra balancing; angel tarot, oracle card and tea leaf readings; group events/classes. A Moment In Time Treasures items available for purchase. Appointment only.
KATHERINE DEL PRATO, MSN, FNP-BC
Owner of LK Optimal Wellness
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Special Focus in Functional Medicine
203-439-6796
Info@LKoptimalwellness.com
LKoptimalwellness.com
Looking for a different approach to healthcare with individualized attention? Using evidence-based medicine, Katherine partners with motivated women to heal naturally from fatigue, pain and digestive distress so that they can have improved energy and quality of life. Together, we will identify the root causes to your vague symptoms and restore gut, mood and hormone imbalances. Optimize health and prevent disease!
EAGLE FLIGHT HEALING, LLC
Hamden, CT
203-535-8849
Info@EagleFlightHealing.com
EagleFlightHealing.com
Eagle Flight Healing’s service provides transformative energy work helping clients resolve the traumas, pain, shame and struggles of the past. They experience new self-value and mattering, and feel more vitality, happiness and joy with which to enjoy life and dream the future. Make an appointment today to change your life.
AIPING TAI CHI
Shirley Chock, CCWS
49 Research Dr., Milford, CT 203-795-0203
AipingTaiChi.com/links
Info@AipingTaiChi.com
Discover Aiping Tai Chi, recommended by The New York Times for Tai Chi beginners. For nearly three decades, we’ve been a trusted authority, imparting authentic Tai Chi, Qigong, and internal martial arts. We were founded by the renown Chinese Martial Arts Grandmaster Aiping Cheng and presently led by her disciple, “The Stressbender” Shifu Shirley Chock. Experience our inclusive international community, uniting 150K+ followers of diverse backgrounds, ages and genders on our social media platforms (@aipingtaichi). When you are ready to let go of tension and cultivate resilience, we can teach you how to be strong not hard, soft not weak. See ad on page 17.
TERRI O’BRIEN
MasterJoyandSuccess.com
Terri@MasterJoyandSuccess.com
Terri’s specialty is using her fear and hypnotherapy training to produce audio and instructional courses to rewire your internal mindset, tell yourself a better story and stomp our fear. Vastly improve your life and productivity by using these inspirational, creative and confidencebuilding courses. Visit the MindSHOP on the website to experience the sample audio course, Breathe, Relax and Let Go.
B WELL THERMOGRAPHY LLC
Shirley Faith Prendergast, CTT, INHC Milford, Stamford, Southington, Enfield, Guilford and more 203-915-9712
Shirley@BWellThermography.com
BWellThermography.com
Whole health thermal imaging analyzes skin surface temperatures; a trained thermologist interprets areas for further clinical evaluation. Thermography is a radiation-free, non-invasive screening that captures heat images of the breast and body to aid in the detection of cancer, toxicity and inflammation, and to monitor whole body health. See ad on page 21.
BRADFORD TILDEN, MM, CMT UWT Universal White Time (UWT)
In person, Zoom sessions
860-830-5841
Info@CrystalMusicHealing.com
CrystalMusicHealing.com
Are you tired and frustrated? Experience the energy and benefits of UWT. Release anxiety, stress and trauma. Receive support for your spiritual development through gemstone healing, energy work, sound and guided visualization. Schedule a free discovery call today! Bradford also offers certification course for energy healers who want to learn grow more.
SHIKOBA WELLNESS AND HEALING
Angela Stevens, BA, CH, RYT, RMT
23 Saybrook Rd., Essex, CT
ShikobaEssex@gmail.com
ShikobaEssex.com
We understand that each individual is on their own unique life journey. We foster individualism through classes that meet you where you are. We immerse our clients in wellness, healing and self-discovery, striving to provide inspiration and joy in a non-intimidating environment that ensures all feel at ease. Offerings at Shikoba include yoga, meditation, hypnosis, Reiki, spiritual guidance and healing. Private classes and wellness packages available as well.
REV. SHIRLEY R. BLOETHE
Pass It On LLC
860-989-0033
PassItOnLLC.com
Shirley has the intuitive ability to find just the right referral for anyone looking for health and wellness support. Whether it is a new or existing business owner (or the general public), her extensive resources will likely be a great match for your needs. She also is able to offer low-budget, effective solutions for holistic businesses and practitioners.
CRUISE PLANNERSTHE TRAVELING BUDDIES
Christina & Chip Bafumo
860-573-3199
Chris.Bafumo@CruisePlanners.com
TheTravelingBuddies.com
Interested in an escorted tour, or a resort, rail vacation, river, ocean or exploration cruise? We plan vacations on all 7 continents. Let us take the stress away; you can start relaxing now. Specials announced on website and Facebook. com/TheTravelingBuddies page. Get deals and quarterly Cruise Planners contests: TheTravelingBuddies.com/ TravelDeals/OptIn. See ad on page 9.
Kellie Codianna, C-iayt, Owner
Wallingford, CT 203-675-7155
DivinelyRooted.com
Kellie, a yoga therapist and Pilates instructor, offers private sessions to help people become comfortable with moving their bodies and understanding their physical, emotional, mental and subtle bodies. Intro offer for private sessions: 3 for $199. Purchase the Intro Pack and book your private sessions on DivinelyRooted. com or call 203-675-7155 today! See ad on page 31.
by Sheila Julson
For adults, music has the power to instill feelings of joy, relaxation and calmness, or to motivate us when we are exercising or performing a task, but for children, there are added benefits. Whether listening to a live orchestra, engaging in rhythmic games, learning to play an instrument or singing in a choir, musical pursuits have been proven to help with early brain development and teach kids important life skills.
Researchers at the University of Washington Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences discovered that play sessions with music helped 9-month-old babies learn to detect rhythmic patterns, an important skill for both music and speech. According to lead author Christina Zhao, “This means that early, engaging musical experiences can have a more global effect on cognitive skills.”
In a five-year study involving 6- and 7-year-olds, neuroscientists at the University of Southern California Brain and Creativity Institute, in partnership with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, found that music instruction appeared to accelerate brain development in young kids, particularly in the areas of the brain responsible for processing sound, language development, speech perception and reading skills.
“Music learning, such as studying to play a musical instrument or singing in tune, are very complex activities for the brain. They use multiple senses but also require those senses to interact and exchange information in a highly synchronized way,” explains Dr. Anita Collins, founder of Bigger Better Brains and author of The Music Advantage: How Music Helps Your Child Develop, Learn, and Thrive She asserts that complex musical activities are like full-body workouts for the brain, which sharpen a
child’s ability to solve problems and think creatively and divergently. As these skills are mastered, they can be transferred to other types of brain activities.
Collins advises that singing to and with children at a young age can help them gain control of their voices, as well as their speech enunciation and processing, and to hear nuances in sounds. She recommends interacting with the world of sound while outdoors and adds, “Getting a young child to focus their ears onto a particular sound can help train auditory attention, which trains the attention network in general.”
Kids need to listen actively, rather than passively, most of the time, Collins notes. “Passive music listening is hearing music in a mall. Active music listening is focusing our auditory processing on a particular instrument, on the melody line over the bass line or mirroring the rhythmic ostinato of the drum part.”
Silence also plays an important role in early development. “The biggest mistake is not thinking about a child’s auditory environment and always having the TV on or having a highly stimulating auditory environment all the time. Children need variety in their food, and sound is food for the brain. They need quiet times, unusual sounds, unexpected sounds and repetitive sounds,” says Collins.
Joan Koenig, author of The Musical Child: Using the Power of Music to Raise Children Who Are Happy, Healthy, and Whole , says that engaging in a
musical practice can help kids develop language awareness and social skills. Such positive results are possible even without expensive music classes or instruments.
Simple call-and-response exercises can be effective in the brain development of babies and toddlers. “We are an orchestra within ourselves; we can create rhythm, melody and harmony,” Koenig explains. “A parent or caregiver can initiate a call-and-response game by singing a song, tapping a wooden spoon on pots and pans or singing nonsense words. Babies will imitate it. When the baby is involved in this game during the first year of life, they are experiencing a connection with the person that’s doing it. It is visceral proof that they are being listened to and understood long before the development of language. You’re giving them the building blocks for both music and language. It’s about repetition and engagement.”
Basic life skills can also be learned with the assistance of music. “A marchand-stop song game allows children to practice stopping something fun and waiting, which can carry over to stopping when we’re upset and waiting until we have a thoughtful response,” says Elise Pennington, chair of the early childhood program at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, in Milwaukee. “Playing games like Ring Around the Rosie or Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes can help with a number of areas. Enrolling in an organized music class where children are active participants and being challenged will help exercise a wider range of skills in a deeper way.”
“When children or adults make music together, they become part of the musical creation,” Koenig says. “When a young child feels this kind of visceral belonging, anxiety is low and empathy and confidence are high. These are the ideal conditions for all learning.”
Sheila Julson is a freelance writer and regular contributor to Natural Awakenings
The Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce Health & Wellness Committee’s mission is to enhance community connection to high-quality health and wellness businesses to ensure a healthy Greater Milford Region. Learn more at MilfordCT.com.
MASSAGE THERAPY
ALLY KOSAKOWSKI
Ally’s Earth Touch Massage
Licensed Massage
Therapist for 20+ years
Cranial Sacral Therapy, Swedish, Sports, Deep Tissue Massage, Reflexology, Cupping, Raindrop Therapy
203-824-8293 • AllyFand@gmail.com AllysEarthTreasures.com
MILFORD BODY THERAPY
Therapeutic Massage, Myofascial Therapy, Cellulite Reduction, Manual Lymphatic Drainage
318 New Haven Ave., Unit D Milford, CT • 203-874-3096
MilfordBodyTherapy.com
PHYSICAL THERAPY
YOUTHERAPY WELLNESS & PHYSICAL REHAB
Rey Abadilla, Owner, Physical Therapist, PWR!Moves Certified, CPT
Physical Therapy for Older Adults, Balance Training, Parkinson’s Therapy, Pain Management, Neurological/Movement Disorders
475-209-1606
Info@YouTherapyWellness.com
YouTherapyWellness.com
AIPING TAI CHI
Shirley Chock, CCWS Stressbender
Discover authentic Tai Chi, Qigong and internal martial arts.
AipingTaiChi.com/Links
Shirley@AipingTaiChi.com
Talk/Text: 203-795-0203
SHIRLEY PRENDERGAST
Thermographic Technician
Holistic Health Coach
Breast Cancer
Screenings, Full Body Imaging, Hormone Imbalance
Monitoring, Cellular Detox Plans
203-915-9712
Shirley@BWellThermography.com BWellThermography.com
MILFORD HEALTH & REHABILITATION CENTER
Providing post-acute rehabilitation and long-term care, helping individuals become better, brighter and stronger. 195 Platt St., Milford, CT 203-878-5958 • MilfordRehab.com
AT SANGHA YOGA
Yoga, meditation, sound healing and more. It’s more than a studio; it’s a community.
203-873-7568
ATSanghaYoga.com
88 High St., Milford, CT
