Natural Awakenings NYC Dec 2014

H E A L T H Y

L I V I N G

H E A L T H Y

P L A N E T

feel good • live simply • laugh more

Gabrielle Bernstein

FREE

on Shifting into

Miracle Mode What the World Needs Now Sacred Activism Merges Divine Love with Action

Guilt-Free FEASTING

Holiday Fare that Brings Joy to the Table

Playful Pet Gifts

The Most Loved Interactive Toys and Games DECEMBER 2014 | New York City Edition | NA-NewYorkCity.com

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Helps ensure deep, steady breathing throughout the night, improving the efficiency of the lungs and relaxing muscles to address sleep apnea.

Injury Repair Ankle sprains, bruises, painful elbows and shoulders all need help during repair. Bruise, Strain & Tear Repair clears the bruising and keeps the healing process going for as long as you apply it. Get a complete repair naturally.

Sinus Infection Sinus Relief offers a nasal spray that is both anti-fungal and anti-bacterial in a convenient spray bottle. Super Neti Juice offers the same antimicrobial power with soothing, subtle peppermint. Powerful tools to combat germs.

Rash Relief This powerful herbal lotion is designed to relieve the pain and itch of eczema. while correcting the cause and repairing the skin. A healthy and natural approach to correcting skin rash without dangerous drugs.

THE TOXIN DESTROYER Intravenous Ozone Therapy

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December 2014

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letterfrompublisher

B contact us Publisher Tina Woods CEO Sharon Bruckman Marketing Director Roger Dubin Editor Alison Chabonais Linda Sechrist

lessing. A miracle, we so often think of this time of year. The magical season of December with lights, shows and gifts. In looking more deeply into this season, I like to think of all the blessings life is filled with. Superficial gifts are meaningless and only bolster the outrageous commercialism we see all around us. How do you acknowledge those around you this time of year and show them that they are a blessing in your life? Offer simple heartfelt gifts that are an expression of who they are to you. In simple measures of great thought, you will see what the gifts of the season truly are.

Feel Good, Live Simply, Laugh More,

Tina Woods

Calendar Editor Janet Merryman Design & Production Julee Bode Natural Awakenings NYC P.O. Box 482 Radio City Station New York, NY 10101 www.na-newyorkcity.com Contact: publisher@na-newyorkcity.com

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Natural Awakenings practices environmental sustainability by using post-consumer recycled paper and soybased ink on uncoated stock, avoiding the toxic chemicals and huge energy costs of producing shiny, coated paper that is harder to recycle.

Natural Awakenings NYC

naturalnyc Š 2014 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved.

Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.

Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen.

Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business.

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

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contents 8 6 newsbriefs 8 healthbriefs 10 globalbriefs 11 community

spotlight 20 consciouseating 22 wisewords 24 fitbody 10 25 inspiration 26 naturalpet 27 calendar 29 classifieds 29 resourceguide

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

18 SACRED ACTIVISM

18

Love in Action Can Change the World

by Judith Fertig

20 HAPPY FEASTING TO ALL

Tasty Rituals that Deepen the Holiday Spirit

by Lane Vail

22 OPENING UP

TO MIRACLES

Gabrielle Bernstein on Creating More Happiness

22

by April Thompson

24 FIND YOUR

FITNESS STYLE

advertising & submissions

Workouts that Suit Your Personality

by Wendy Worrall Redal

HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please go online at www.na-newyorkcity.com or email roger@na-newyorkcity.com.

Deadline for ads: the 15th of the month.

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Email Calendar Events to: publisher@na-newyorkcity.com.

Deadline for calendar: the 15th of the month.

REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets!

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in multiple markets contact Roger at roger@na-newyorkcity.com or 917-699-6492.

DISTRIBUTION To have our magazine placed at your residence or place of business free of cost, please contact Roger at roger@na-newyorkcity.com or 917-699-6492.

25 HYMN TO LIVING IN SILENCE

26

by Robert Rabbin

26 PET BED-BUDDIES

Is Sleeping Together Healthy?

by Erik J. Martin

Find Us in December at the Grand Central Partnership Boxes natural awakenings

December 2014

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newsbriefs

Explore a Career in Massage Therapy at Finger Lakes School

T

Nutritional Supplements Aid Regularity

C

onstipation, a common health concern, may cause more than just discomfort. Chronic constipation can lead to problems with the epithelial lining of the intestines that secrete and absorb nutrients, and even to colon cancer, according to a 2012 study conducted by the American College of Gastroenterology. Passing overly dense fecal waste can also aggravate hemorrhoids. According to Steven Frank, founder of Nature’s Rite, an herbal remedies company, two key nutrients can contribute to a solution.

For most people, ingesting 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C per day through food sources and/or supplementation is sufficient to soften stools. In addition to oranges and a variety of citrus, good sources of vitamin C include strawberries, chili peppers, red and green bell peppers, kale, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and broccoli.

Still, many need something more to accomplish the goal. Magnesium, critical in supporting muscle movement as well as heart health, may aid with peristalsis, the involuntary contractions of the intestines and colon that move fecal matter along. Magnesium also helps with the production of lubricating mucus. Magnesium food sources include beans and nuts, fish, avocados, bananas, yogurt, dark leafy greens and dark chocolate. A daily dose of 500 milligrams of magnesium is usually sufficient for good health and regularity.

For more information, call 888-465-4404 or visit NaturesRiteRemedies.com. See ad, inside front cover.

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he Finger Lakes School of Massage (FLSM) in Mount Kisco, NY, offers another round of massage therapy training classes beginning Monday, January 5, at 9 a.m.

The program runs for seven FLSM graduates months and helps students to explore the intuitive and scientific approaches to healing through therapeutic massage and hydrotherapy.

“A career in massage therapy is a great option for nurturing people who feel called to give back to others through the beauty of therapeutic touch,” says Joan Fuller, Campus Director of FLSM Westchester. “In under one year’s time someone can complete their 1000 hours schooling requirement and sit for the licensure exam in therapeutic massage to begin practicing in New York State.”

Fuller says FLSM is welcoming a new education director this year, Tracy Pettit, a graduate of the school. “Tracy is in charge of maintaining the quality of the education students receive by managing the instructor development, curriculum and scheduling,” says Fuller. “After completing the program at FLSM, she held a few positions here, including registrar, a position she still holds.”

FLSM is now registering students in the upcoming fulltime program, and federal financial funds and scholarships are available for those who quality. GI bills are accepted, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

The Finger Lakes School of Massage is located at 272 North Bedford Rd., Mount Kisco, NY. For more info, call 914.241.7363 or visit FLSM.com. See ad, page 11.

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Reach Your Keeping the American Family Together Target Market Secure a spot in our magazine!

Contact Roger 917-699-6492 roger@na-newyorkcity.com

By Marija Santo-Sarnyai

W

here are you going when you are going away? Away from your family, your marriage, or yourself? What is it that drives or keeps you away from yourself? It’s difficult, right? Just hearing these questions could make you want to run away.

The holidays are coming. We often think, “Oh my, how am I going to survive this one?” or “I can’t stand my family.” Hurts and grudges are unforgiven and accumulated. Shoving them under the carpet doesn’t help. Make up your mind this holiday season to make a different choice. Decide to forgive, let go, and rise above. It’s easier. It takes so much energy to hold on to hate, anger, and frustration.

At the same time it takes just a moment to change your mind, and allow yourself to move on, to love.

Once you have done that, you think there will be room for those warm and fuzzy feelings. But even then, we have difficulty feeling only the good ones. When we feel, we feel everything. That could be the very reason we are so cautious and afraid of falling in love. And then when we do, we sometimes hurt those we love the most. Why? Because they are the very reason we feel the old hurts.

What if you could quickly resolve these feelings before they destroy your happiness and joy? Sometimes the problem is that you don’t think you have a problem. Dorothy W. Espiau created Geotran for the purposes of rapid personal transformation, so we can go back to our lives in no time. I know how you feel because I have been there. If you need a little push, I’m here. Happy Holiday Season.

Marija Santo-Sarnyai is a certified natural health professional and Geotran practitioner.

For more information, contact Marija at 201-388-4661 or 4flamingo@netscape.com.

View Marija in our directory on page 29.

natural awakenings

December 2014

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WHY AN ORGANIC MATTRESS IS RIGHT FOR YOU

healthbriefs

Hip Fractures Decrease on Weekends and Holy Days

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While we sleep, our immune system recovers and prepares for the day ahead. If your mattress is filled with airborne allergens and chemical toxins, your immune system will battle these rather than repair itself. Regular bedding & mattresses are laden with polyurethane foam, toxic flame retardants, and water or stain resistant chemicals.

new study published in the Israel Medical Association Journal found that older adults are more likely to have hip fractures in the wintertime, except during weekends and on religious holidays.

The study’s authors checked the records of 2,050 patients that were at least 65 years old and had suffered a hip fracture. Analyzing the dates of each fracture revealed that significantly more of them occurred during the wintertime; the injuries corresponded directly with lower temperatures and greater rainfall.

Fewer fractures took place on the Sabbath and during weekends in general, as well as on Yom Kippur and other holy days, with the exception of Passover.

Organic Innerspring Mattresses Our cotton innerspring mattresses are made with organic cotton batting and organic wool — free from chemicals and pesticides! Great for those who are chemically sensitive or allergic to latex. A good fit for families on a budget because an innerspring is generally less expensive than a latex mattress.

A

Natural Latex Organic Mattresses When it comes to latex there’s “natural” and then there’s “all natural”. We sell only “all natural” latex mattresses so you sleep chemical-free. Beware mattress stores online and in your neighborhood selling “natural” or “green” or “sustainable” foam mattresses.

This is “green wash” marketing hype.

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Mistletoe Extract Benefits Pancreatic Cancer Patients

study published in the European Journal of Cancer revealed that a mistletoe extract may lengthen life for patients with severe pancreatic cancer. German researchers tested 220 patients with advanced stage pancreatic cancer, an aggressive, often fatal disease. The patients were divided into two groups; one was given up to 10 milligrams of Viscum album (European mistletoe) three times a week for up to 12 months.

Both groups received supportive care throughout the study period.

The average length of survival for those taking the mistletoe extract, 4.8 months, was nearly twice that of the other group, 2.7 months; a survival period typically dates from the original diagnosis. Within a group considered to have a good prognosis, the survival period for those that consumed the extract, averaging 6.6 months, was more than double that of the no-extract group, which averaged 3.2 months.

Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries.

Without them, humanity cannot survive. ~Dalai Lama

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Use Your Own Stem Cells to treat:

Orthopedic ailments, Spinal cord injuries, Neurological, Cardiovascular, Autoimmune diseases, Stroke & more

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CELL PHONES AND ROUTER MICROWAVES STRESS PLANTS

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vidence of the effects of wireless technologies on human health continues to be controversial, with agreement on results remaining elusive. Now a new study published in the Journal of Plant Physiology found that humangenerated microwave pollution can potentially be stressful to plants.

Researchers from Romania’s Estonian University of Life Sciences tested three common garden plants—parsley, celery and dill weed. They exposed each to the types of microwave radiation equivalent to those produced by cell phones and wireless routers. Then these radiation-exposed plants were compared with identical plants not exposed to the radiation.

The scientists noted that the irradiated plants had thinner cell walls; smaller chloroplasts (cellular sites of photosynthesis); smaller cell mitochondria (centers of energy production); and greater emission of volatile compounds, particularly monoterpenes and green leaf volatiles, which are protective, life-promoting components of the plants’ essential oils.

The effects were stronger for the type of radiation produced by wireless routers. While essential oil production overall was increased by the frequency of the microwaves produced by cell phones, it was decreased by the frequency emitted by the routers.

Call 718-544-1444 for a 15 minute FREE consultation

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When we fulfill our function, which is to truly love ourselves and share love with others, then true happiness sets in. ~Gabrielle Bernstein

Knotweed and Hawthorn Outperform Lovastatin in Trial

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hinese researchers recently discovered that two herbal extracts may treat atherosclerosis, the hardening of the arteries, as well as or more effectively than the pharmaceutical drug Lovastatin.

Sixty-four patients with atherosclerosis of the carotid artery were studied. For six months, half the patients received 20 milligrams of Lovastatin per day, while the other half took an herbal extract combination of Japanese knotweed and hawthorn.

After six months, tests showed artery plaque thickness and inflammation were significantly lessened among both groups.

However, the herbal extract-treated group showed a greater reduction of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels, a marker of risk for cardiovascular disease.

Relatively high levels of hs-CRP in otherwise healthy individuals are predictive of heart health crises even when cholesterol levels are within an acceptable range.

People with lower values have less of a risk.

natural awakenings

December 2014

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globalbriefs Planet Power The Fear and Anxiety Solution

Scientists May Harvest Energy from Earth’s Infrared Emissions

Physicists at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) are developImagine you’ve just settled into bed. You feel ing a device described in Proceedings of the ready to drift off to sleep when your mind National Academy of Sciences that would starts to race. Did I remember to feed the harvest energy from Earth’s infrared emissions cat? Will he get fat if I feed him twice by into outer space. The power is modest, but tangible. Steven J. Byrnes, a postdocaccident? Can cats get diabetes? While this is toral fellow at SEAS, points out, “The device could be coupled with a solar cell, for a funny example, if you’ve ever been sucked example, to obtain extra power at night without extra installation costs.” into a destructive spiral of worry, then you

Heated by the sun, our planet is very warm compared to the frigid depths of understand what anxiety feels like. space. Thanks to recent technological advances such as plasmonics and nanofab One of the most effective techniques rication, and new materials like graphene, the researchers say this heat imbalance for combating a limiting belief is to replace could soon be transformed into direct current (DC) power, taking advantage of an it with a new, empowering one. In his new untapped, virtually limitless energy source. book, The Fear and Anxiety Solution, Dr. Source: ScienceDaily.com Friedemann Schaub outlines three steps to take if you want to establish a new core belief: Step 1: Define a new core belief Don’t Be So Quick to Bash the Rich The new belief needs to be stated in the affirmative not the negative. “I am at ease” A survey at social research site Queendom.com reveals that stereotypes of the richest class of society as being uniformly selfish individuals are is an example of a phrase stated in the affirmative. In contrast, “I don’t have anxiety” not entirely accurate. It seems that having money does not necessarily is negative, and will not help you to adopt mean that a person has an overactive ego. Actor Will Smith, with an esa new belief—your subconscious mind will timated net worth of $200 million, observes, “Money and success don’t ignore the “not” in “don’t,” and create more change people; they merely amplify what is already there.”

Queendom data shows a difference of only a few percentage points between anxiety for you to overcome. respondents of varying income levels in matters of altruism such as doing and returnStep 2: See it, feel it, believe it ing favors, putting themselves in others’ shoes, sympathy and empathy. The area where Create a picture of the new you. Imagine yourthose in a higher socioeconomic status rank at the top is in charitable contributions. self as the person who embodies the qualities

Ilona Jerabek, president of parent company PsychTests AIM, says, “Our personalof the new belief—for example, someone ity impacts every aspect of our life—the choices we make, the people we surround who is peaceful, confident, energized, and ourselves with, the career we pursue, the way we respond to life experiences, the way empowered. For example, you might picture we manage our finances and whether or not we share our good fortune.” your future self in a new office, on a Hawaiian

By Kaitlin Vogel for Rewire Me

Green Envy

beach, or at an award ceremony surrounded by friends cheering you on.

Step 3: Collect supportive evidence The greatest obstacle between an idea and its execution is doubt. If you alleviate the doubt, your subconscious is more likely to release an old belief and replace it with the new, desired one. The best way to remove doubt is to collect convincing evidence that supports your new idea.

It is human nature to doubt yourself and act fearful rather than confident. But if you work on establishing new core beliefs, you will start to conquer the negative thoughts that are keeping you from reaching your full potential.

COPYRIGHT © 2014 REWIRE ME. All rights reserved.

Find out more at RewireMe.com.

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Take the survey at Tinyurl.com/AltruismTest.

Feeding Hope

Recognizing Restaurants that Support the Homeless Food Recovery Certified is a new program that rewards restaurants that donate their extra food to those in need with a sticker on their front door. It’s a project of The Food Recovery Network, a national system of college students that takes cafeteria leftovers to homeless people. Founder Ben Simon started the group in 2011 at the University of Maryland, and the network has saved more than 320,000 pounds of food from the dump in its first three years.

If a restaurant donates unsold food to the hungry at least once a month, it can apply for the certification. Then Food Recovery Certified verifies with local nonprofits that the donations actually occur before awarding its approval. Simon states, “Every food business should be donating its extra food.”

For more information, visit FoodRecoveryCertified.org. na-newyorkcity.com

communityspotlight

Rosacea When Redness is More than Blushing

Dr. Mariana Boneva

How to rebalance your skin when redness won’t go away Everyone gets a little flustered sometimes.

We blush when shy or embarrassed, get a bit rosy after a strenuous workout or, on a chilly day, we might find ourselves looking a little like Rudolph. But what does it mean when your face is ruddy almost all the time? It could be that you have rosacea but, according to Dr. Boneva, you don’t have to let redness rule your life.

What is rosacea and what causes the redness?

Rosacea is a common skin condition that often begins with a tendency to blush or flush more easily than other people. It’s a chronic inflammatory disorder that causes the face to turn red when facial blood vessels enlarge. It can occur in anyone, but mostly affects women with fairer skin.

It’s not serious but, like acne, it can affect the way we feel about ourselves and if left untreated it can spread beyond the nose and cheeks to the forehead and chin, and even ears, chest, and back. It can also be mistaken for acne or an allergic reaction, so it’s good to have your skin examined by a professional who can properly diagnose and treat the condition.

What is your approach to treatment?

Rosacea is actually a complex disorder with four subtypes and a variety of potential causes and triggers, so each case is unique and must be handled on an individual basis. What causes one person’s rosacea to flare-up may not trigger a flare-up for another person. My general program for redness reduction consists of four parts:

Diet: To tone down redness, I recommend a vegetarian diet and reduction or elimination of dairy, alcohol, caffeine, spicy foods and, sometimes, certain grains that can ramp up inflammation.

Reducing triggers: Beyond diet, there are other triggers to identify and address, which can include overly warm environments; overexposure to sun, wind or cold; menopause; stress; and certain medications or skin products.

Topical solutions: I have developed my own line of products, which many of my clients use to control rosacea, but I generally recommend products with cooling, soothing ingredients like cucumber and mint.

Resurfacing: A combination of vibradermabrasion (a gentler form of dermabrasion), deep chemical peels, and intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy works wonders for many rosacea patients over time.

No one can cure the genetic propensity to developing rosacea symptoms, but by making some lifestyle adjustments, identifying and avoiding triggers, getting the right treatment and using appropriate products, you really can beat the redness!

Dr. Boneva’s office is located at 353 Lexington Ave, Suite 1603, New York, NY. For more info visit BeautyPlusAesthetics. com or call 212-371-6097.

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MATTRESS IS RIGHT FOR YOU

Sleep 101

How to Choose a Dream Mattress

By Christine Chamberlin

A

dults spend about one-third of each day in bed, forging a strong bond between the mattress and the sleeper’s overall health. Yet most people rush through the process of choosing a mattress—from overlooking details about construction materials to skipping the time it takes to properly test-drive (or test-nap) all the options.

Here are five steps to follow to choose a dream mattress.

Step 1: Go Green Many mattress options are conventional; they are toxic concoctions of oil, polyester and chemicals, which cause a sleeping body to do battle rather than rest and repair. Fortunately, there are organic and all-natural mattress options available in all sizes, sleep styles and price points. Crafted from sustainable sources, these mattresses also avoid chemical flame-retardants, instead utilizing natural materials to pass the required flame barrier tests required by the federal government.

Step 2: Know the Materials Organic mattresses are made with materials found in nature, like cotton, sea grass and coconut fiber. Wool, the organic mattress “superstar,” is often used as batting and as a comfort layer. It acts as a body temperature regulatory agent, keeping sleepers cooler in summer and warmer in winter; it’s also inherently antimicrobial and antibacterial as well as dust mite resistant, eliminating the need to enclose a mattress in anti-dust mite casings. Wool smolders instead of ignites under direct flame and self-extinguishes,

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New York City Edition

While we sleep, our immune system recovers and prepares for the day ahead. If your mattress is filled with airborne down allergens and and chemical toxins, as comfort support allows.your making it a natural flame retardant. immune system will battle these rather than repair

What’s good for the goose isn’t

Structurally, a mattress can be comitself.

Regular bedding & mattresses are laden with always goodflfor theretardants, gander, and so water a prised of either latex, innerspring or a polyurethane foam, toxic ame and couple selecting a mattress together or stain resistant chemicals. combination of the two. Traditionally, should look for one with customizable all-natural innerspring mattresses will firmness configurations. feel the most familiar, with the maxiOrganic Innerspring Mattresses mum amount of airflow and breathabilStep 4: Talk the Pillow Talk ity. All-natural latex varies in firmness A mattress works in tandemare withmade pillows.

Our cotton innerspring mattresses with (from very soft to firm); the amount of The right pillow encourages and supports organic material used versus the amount of air cotton batting and organic wool — free from chemicals pesticides!

Great those alignment of theforneck and who spine,are allowed into the mold will determine its andproper chemically sensitive or allergic to latex.

A good fit leading to easier breathing, a deeper feel. As for the material itself, all-natural for families onnight’s a budget because an innerspring is sleep with less tossing and turning, latex is a raw sap pulled from generally the Hevealess expensive than a latex mattress. and reduced strain on muscles and joints. brasiliensis tree, native to India, ThaiPlenty of all-natural pillow varieties are land, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. The liquid available, with a range of cover materials is collected from the tree, placed into Naturaland Latex Organic Mattresses types of fill, along with construction molds and heated to form the layers that that relates to preferred sleep position make up a mattress. (back, side or stomach) and personal When it comes to latex there’s “natural” and then We sell only “all natural” build. Because mattress firmness influ-latex Step 3: Be Like Goldilocks there’s “all natural”. mattresses so youa pillow’s sleep performance, chemical-free.

Beware ences it’s wise to Comfort and support are paramount mattressinstores online and infrom yourbed neighborhood selling carry a pillow to bed while testachieving the perfect fit between sleep-or “green” or “sustainable” foam mattresses. “natural” ing mattresses. er and mattress. When testingThis a matis “green wash” marketing hype. tress, shoulders, hips and knees are the Step 5: Don’t Rest Until It’s a areas that predominantly develop radi-A HUGE FIND SELECTION OF THE BEST Perfect Fit ating pain if not adequately supported.

ORGANIC MATTRESSES IN THE WORLD Finding that dream mattress takes time, The mattress should be firm enough to Queen$4398 Queen$2439 Queen$2599 $2530 usually around 15 minutes per Queen bed to support the body, while giving little, adequately gauge feedback. if any, positive or negative resistance feedback on the bodyline. For example, Christine Chamberlin is co-founder if a sleeper is on his right side, a matGreen Sleep Dolcezza Luxury OrganicPedic by OMI Duo Rest Serenity Best Seller Oyasumi and co-ownerSavvy of The Clean Bedroom, tress is too firm if he feels the mattress a resource for allergy-free, eco-friendly press firmly against his right hip, pushTM mattresses, bedding and accessories. ing it upward. It’s too soft if he feels th Celebrating its 10 anniversary later his left hip being driven down into the this year, The Clean Bedroom has sleep mattress. The concentration of body the World, all one placeand seven showrooms in in Greenwich weight will be in the lumbar to pelvic other national locations. For more region, so this is a great barometer of Manhattan at 230 5thvisit Ave | 212.889.1091 information, TheCleanBedroom. immediate support and comfort. Once Greenwich at 79 East Putnam Ave | 203.292.9275 com or call 207-438-9778.

See ad, a mattress is found where the feedback www.thecleanbedroom.com page 8. is neutral, firmness can be moved up or

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13

CANDIDIASIS The “Great Impersonator” From the Desk of Dr. Howard Robins at The Healing Center in New York City

The Problem They come in each day all with different health complaints and suffering in their own special way. No two are exactly the same. Most have been suffering for years and have tried everything, almost everything, that is, to get well. While many treatments and medicines have offered hope and have helped, at least for a while, they finally fail to stop the never-ending discomfort, pain and suffering.

Each doctor has told them that they have this or that condition or disease. They show the entire range of classic symptoms of it, don’t they? Then why didn’t their treatments work? The answer is that the true underlying cause was missed or ignored. Ignored because it wasn’t recognized as the real “felon,” the real reason for their/your problem.

Dr. Howard Robins

causing a wide variety of symptoms often leading to a misdiagnosis.

What’s worse is that while most doctors know the condition exists, they “don’t see the forest because there are too many trees in the way”! They either don’t believe or don’t recognize the relationship between your health problems and the yeast overgrowth. The symptoms, conditions and illnesses are so varied that it’s hard to believe that this one cause could be the problem.

Believe it or not, this is just a partial list of symptoms that have been associated with this horrible illness (found on numerous anti-candidiasis websites):

Constant tiredness, excessive fatigue and exhaustion Foggy brain/trouble concentrating/ cognitive impairment Anxiety/depression The Cause Mood swings/irritability Since the first time you had even one Poor memory dose of antibiotics as a child or eaten red meat or chicken that wasn’t organic Learning difficulties (most contain traces or more of various Hyperactivity antibiotics), your good, healthy bacteria Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) (probiotics) in your intestine were killed Anger outbursts Irritability along with the harmful bacteria that Headaches needed to be destroyed. This allowed Intense cravings for sugars, sweets and yeast, the different types of candida breads (carbohydrates in general) (also known as monilia), to overgrow Abdominal gas and bloating, stomach in your intestinal wall as well as bad pain, digestive problems bacteria to move in and inhabit your Acid reflux intestinal wall, continually secreting Headaches/migraines toxins into your system.

Cravings for alcohol Skin problems (skin infections, eczema, The Results So, what real difference does this make? psoriasis, acne, itchy skin) Vaginitis Well, after years of research, scientists Rectal itching have discovered that by allowing the Diarrhea/constipation yeast(s) to overgrow, your immune Sinus inflammation system and body becomes weakened.

Pre-menstrual syndrome Weakened to different degrees and in Hormonal problems different ways, as each of us is unique,

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na-newyorkcity.com

Low sex drive Inability to become pregnant Dizziness Persistent cough Muscle weakness Sensitivity to fragrances and/or other chemicals Thrush Athlete’s foot/fungus nails Sore throat Chronic pain in muscles/joint pain Herpes outbreaks Environmental allergies It’s hard to believe that this one problem can cause all these different health issues. Regardless, do you suffer from one or more of these symptoms or know someone who does? Please don’t give up hope (though you may already have), read on.

The Answer Finally, the answer to this persistent health dilemma consists of a necessary combination of three things: temporary dietary change (anti-candida diet); special probiotics (the kind that adhere to the intestinal wall); and most importantly, Intravenous Ozone Therapy. Without all three, failure to get well may be the result as it has with most people.

Dr. Howard Robins, with more than 22 years of clinical experience using medical ozone therapy and over 185,000 treatments performed, is considered by many to be one of the world’s foremost clinical experts on its use. He is also available and willing to answer your questions about it. He can be reached at his Manhattan office by calling 212-581-0101.

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The Future of Dentistry is Here Minimally Invasive Ozone Dentistry is a revolutionary way to approach tooth decay. First, the way to detect decay has been redefined by a new diagnostic laser called the Diagnodent. We shine a light beam on your tooth (no poking with a probe) and can find the beginning stages of decay, long before it will show up on an x-ray. Then, in cases where the decay is just starting, we can use ozone gas alone to sterilize the bacteria and a remineralization agent to help the tooth to actually repair itself, all done without a filling, drilling or any discomfort.

If decay has progressed just past the outer enamel layer of the tooth, then we use a gentle air/water/powder spray called Air Abrasion to remove the decay, instead of a drill.

In nearly all cases, this is easily done without anesthesia (no shots!) because no drilling into the tooth is needed.

Then ozone gas is employed to sterilize the bacteria, a remineralization agent is placed and finally a tooth colored filling is bonded to replace the missing structure.

Minimally Invasive Ozone Dentistry also uses Ozone gas, Ozonated oil and Ozonated water to wipe out the bacteria in gum disease. By utilizing these three forms of Ozone Therapy, we can heal deep pockets around teeth and also stimulate bone growth. The traditional alternative involves surgery where the gums are cut and sewn to a new position and involves a long and painful healing period.

You don't have wait until the year 2020 to have this kind of dentistry done, it is available now!

Advantages of Minimally Invasive Ozone Dentistry • No poking with a probe • Can find decay much sooner than traditional methods • Usually no drilling is needed • No injections are needed • Preservation of healthy tooth structure • All bacterial decay is sterilized with ozone • Your tooth actually starts to repair itself • Non surgical approach to gum disease • Preventative treatment of entire mouth

For people who are prone to decay and/or gum disease, we can fight back with a custom tray that lets us apply ozone gas to your whole mouth, done as a preventative measure on a regular basis. You come in and sit down for 20 minutes for a dental spa treatment.

To see if you are a candidate for this procedure, please call Dr Silver's office at 212-924-6890 or email us at DrPeterSilver@gmail.com Dr. Silver

16

New York City Edition

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For over 18 years, Dr. Peter Silver, DDS, has been practicing MIOD in Greenwich Village, near Union Square. MIOD is the use of specialized techniques that allows your teeth and gums to be healed in the most gentle manner possible. Traditional dentistry attacks cavities by removing healthy tooth structure along with the decay. Dr. Silver uses Ozone gas to eliminate the bacteria, leaving your healthy tooth structure unharmed.

In many cases, no drilling or injections are needed, because Dr. Silver uses an air/powder spray to remove the decay that doesn’t cause any discomfort. For more extensive restorations, pain free injections are given and you are profoundly numb so that nothing will bother you. For those with any dental anxiety, we have nitrous oxide (laughing gas) which helps you relax in our extra soft chairs. We also offer Relaxation Dentistry (Sleep Dentistry) for those patients who want a completely alternative visit.

After wiping out the bacteria, a remineralization solution is placed on the tooth, so it can start healing itself immediately. Then a tooth colored restoration is placed and your tooth is ready for chewing!

212-924-6890 • DrPeterSilver@gmail.com 24 East 12th Street Suite 305 • Between University Place and Fifth Avenue Dr. Peter Silver is a founding member of the International Association of Ozone in Healthcare and Dentistry.

17 natural awakenings December 2014

Sacred Activism Love in Action Can Change the World

by Judith Fertig

themselves to positive action for a result that is good for all.

It’s a process that Andrew Harvey first described in a 2005 talk he gave at the Santuario de Guadalupe, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, that’s also reflected in his book, The Hope: A Guide to Sacred Activism. Born in India, educated at England’s Oxford University and in the religious traditions of Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity, he now resides in Melbourne, Arkansas, where he’s founder and director of the Institute for Sacred Activism. The goal of his international travel is to bring concerned people together to proactively face global crises.

Says Harvey, “Sacred activism is a fusion of two of the most powerful fires of the human psyche—the mystic’s passion for God and the activist’s passion for justice.”

Hallmarks of Spiritual Intent

“Sacred activism is the fusion of the mystic’s passion for God with the activist’s passion for justice, creating the burning sacred heart that longs to help, preserve and nurture every living thing.” ~ Andrew Harvey

T

he butterfly, a universal symbol of transformation, reminds us that becoming our best selves is an ongoing process. Yet these delicate, fluttering creatures are suffering a decline, especially the vivid orange and black monarch butterflies that depend on milkweed flowers for sustenance during their migration to and from Mexico and Canada.

“When I heard about the monarch butterfly crisis, I also noticed that I had milkweed vines all along my back 18

New York City Edition

fence,” says Karen Adler, a Kansas City, Missouri, gardener. “In years past, I would have pulled them out because they can strangle other plants. But I talked it over with my neighbor and we agreed to let them grow. This year, we had more monarchs than ever.”

These two women might not realize it, but they had engaged in spiritual activism. They became aware of a problem, approached it with compassion, learned about the issue, realized life’s interdependence and committed na-newyorkcity.com

The Awakening – Progressing from concerned citizen to spiritual activist is a gradual process. It may begin with an issue to which one feels called. “Our life in the world is a continual call and response,” observes Kabir Helminski, of Santa Cruz, California. He authors and translates books on the Muslim Sufi tradition, which tends to have an open relationship with other religions, and is a core faculty member of the Spiritual Paths Institute, which encourages seekers to find the sacred traditions that speak to them.

“Sometimes events are a waking dream calling for interpretation, and sometimes the heart is directly addressed from within,” says Helminski.

Compassion – Once an event moves us, prayer can be a pathway that opens our hearts to compassion, according to Jagadish Dass, of Granada Hills, California.

The healer and teacher wrote The Prayer Project: The 3-Minute, 3 Times a Day Solution for World Change, which encourages involvement with something bigger than ourselves. Dass maintains that praying for three minutes, three times a day, will help us transmute into expressing a quiet power.

“As we take responsibility for our lives, a transformation occurs within,” he says. We begin to inspire others to also take up the cause of working for change and bringing

“When you put spirit and activism together, you realize that all actions are connected to spirit. It makes you think about your duty in every instance—from how you treat people throughout your day to how you treat the environment. It becomes a satisfying way of living.” ~ Carla Goldstein more peace, joy and love to the world.

Likewise, Harvey urges each of us to make a real commitment to daily spiritual practice on the road to spiritual activism.

He suggests, “Start with a short prayer that aligns you with the pure deep love that is longing to use you as its instrument in the world.” Options include prayers from many of the world’s spiritual traditions shared in Dass’ book; a free download is provided at StewardshipOfTheSoul.com.

Interconnectedness – Just as everything in the universe is connected by the simple act of being, like-minded people can connect to do good in the world. Sacred activists pursuing their own spiritual paths need to work with others, according to Harvey. “They form empowering and encouraging networks of grace—beings of like heart, brought together by passion, skill and serendipity to pool energies, triumphs, griefs, hopes and resources of all kinds. When people of like mind and heart gather together, sometimes miraculously powerful synergy can result.”

Harvey has found that groups of six to 12 people become the most efficient and productive, whether joined together through a profession (such as physicians on medical missions), a passion for animal rights or the environment, or a strong sense of social justice.

Knowledge – Knowledge, both inward- and outward-seeking, is another key to doing good for all. Carla Goldstein, JD, chief external affairs officer at the

Omega Institute for Holistic Studies, in Rhinebeck, New York, and cofounder of its Women’s Leadership Center, used her interest in women’s empowerment issues as a springboard to spiritual activism.

“For the first 20 years of my professional life, I focused on public policy and politics,” she says. “But something was missing in the rhetoric of taking care of each other.” Practicing yoga and meditation and receiving support during a personal health crisis prompted what she terms “an awakening understanding of a gap between personal change and systems change.” Goldstein came to question her own “rugged individualism” versus the interconnectedness she felt when people took care of her. “Can we actually move towards integrating these two ideals?” she asked herself. Knowledge about issues is readily available from experts and organizations that experts recommend; she observes, “The big question is: What is needed for us to be of help?”

Sometimes listening and understanding can be powerful. Under the auspices of the Omega Women’s Leadership Center, Goldstein invited women on both sides of the reproductive rights issue to meet in 2005. They had been part of the Public Conversations Project in the Boston suburb of Watertown, Massachusetts, begun after medical staff members were killed and wounded at an area women’s health clinic providing abortions in 1994.

“Women from the divided com-

munity initially came together to tell their stories,” Goldstein relates. “Over time, they developed a deep love for each other.

Nobody changed their positions, but they did change how they interacted with one another.” They experienced a shift from emotional and verbal turbulence to, if not agreement, feelings of peace and understanding. Since then, the project has grown to facilitate such conversations in 38 states and 15 countries (PublicConversations.org).

Positive Action – While many thorny issues take long-term, dedicated efforts to be resolved, others only need smaller individual or collaborative actions for positive outcomes. For Mark Nepo, a New York City poet, philosopher and author of the New York Times bestseller, The Book of Awakening, kindness is the force behind positive action, no matter how modest at first.

“Kindness reveals kinship. It gives us connection to everything greater than us and everything else that is kind in the universe,” he says. “I think it’s powerfully effective, yet it’s such a small thing.”

Nepo is active in Bread for the Journey, an international nonprofit that encourages community grassroots philanthropic projects that generate micro-grants. One involved a small town in northern New Mexico that sought to improve the lives of local teenagers when the town’s elders wanted to open a youth center as a positive alternative to the drug scene. Just before the center was scheduled to open, the project ran out of money for required floodlights, so Bread for the Journey funded them and the center opened. “Within a few years, the whole culture shifted,” reports Nepo. This small contribution made a big difference to the whole community.

Once awakened and nurtured, spiritual activism can become an omnipresent part of our lives. Says Goldstein, “When you put spirit and activism together, you realize that all actions are connected to spirit. It makes you think about your duty in every instance—from how you treat people throughout your day to how you treat the environment. It becomes a satisfying way of living.”

Judith Fertig is a freelance writer from Overland Park, KS.

natural awakenings

December 2014

19

consciouseating

gauge. Am I actually hungry, or is this desire coming from something else?”

May suggests practicing FEASTing: First, focus on physical sensations, thoughts and emotions; perhaps we’re thirsty, rather than hungry, rationalizing that holiday foods are special, or feeling stressed or lonely. Next, explore why the feelings or thoughts are present, and then accept them without judgment.

Strategize ways of satisfying the need and take a small step toward change.

HAPPY FEASTING TO ALL

Savor

Tasty Rituals that Deepen the Holiday Spirit

by Lane Vail

T

he holiday season is ripe with an array of spiritual, cultural and family rituals. We celebrate, reflect, give gifts and, of course, feast.

Fortunately, the media also teems with tips on how to avoid high-calorie holiday goodies, says Dr. Michelle May, author of Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat. For our diet-driven culture to resolve its struggle with food, she says we must learn to honor its intrinsic value. Ritualized eating can help; a recent study published in the journal Psychological Science found that engaging in food rituals evokes mindfulness that enhances the enjoyment of eating.

Pause

Hunger, the body’s fuel gauge, manifests in physical symptoms like a growling stomach or low blood sugar, says May, citing a useful analogy. “You wouldn’t drive around and pull into every gas station you see; you’d check your fuel gauge first. Before filling up with food, pause and check your fuel

Complex preparations for a major holiday can provoke anxiety and impatience, and likewise, feelings of longing or disappointment when it’s over. Sarah Ban Breathnach, bestselling author of Simple Abundance and Peace and Plenty, recommends allowing Christmastide to unfold at its own pace and celebrating all of December with a homemade Advent calendar.

Craft a tree-shaped tower of tiny boxes or a garland of burlap mini-bags clipped with clothespins. Place an almond covered in organic dark chocolate in each container and use the treat as a daily mini-meditation.

“Drop into the present moment, fully savor the luxurious, small bite and experience the pleasure of eating,” suggests May. Consider it symbolic of the season’s sweetness.

Connect

“Food connects us with one another, our heritage and our culture,” says May. Heather Evans, Ph.D., a Queen’s University professor and a holiday

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culinary history expert in Ontario, Canada, suggests creating a food diary of traditions to reinforce a connection with the past and support a holiday food legacy for the future. Ask grandparents about their childhood culinary memories, peruse family recipe books or discover new dishes that honor everyone’s ethnic heritage. Then create an heirloom holiday cookbook with handwritten recipes arranged alongside favorite photos and stories.

Sync

According to pagan philosophy, sharing seasonal food with loved ones during the winter solstice on December 21 symbolizes the shared trust that warmth and sunlight will return. Eating warm foods provides physical comfort and eating seasonally and locally connects us to the Earth, observes May.

Sync body and spirit with the season by stewing root vegetables, baking breads, sipping hot cider and tea, and nibbling on nuts and dried fruits.

“The repetition of predictable foods is reassuring,” remarks Evans, and it celebrates nature’s transitions.

Play

Stir-Up Sunday is a Victorian amusement filled with fun, mystery and mindfulness, says Ban Breathnach. Some December Sunday, have each family member help stir the batter of a special Christmas cake while stating a personal new year’s intention. Drop a clean coin, bean or trinket into the mix and bake. Serve it with a sprig of holly on Christmas Day,

and the person with the piece containing the lucky charm will be rewarded with a prosperous, wholesome and positive new year, according to tradition. Evans remarks, “This is a wonderful ritual for nurturing the health and spirit of the family.”

Give

Boxing Day offers something far more meaningful to celebrate than postholiday sales. Originating as a tradition that thrived during the 19th century, “December 26 was a chance for landowners and homeowners to give back to household staff and local tradespeople,”

says Evans. “It’s a tradition worth reviving to pause, reflect on our own good fortune and contribute to others’ comfort.”

Consider serving a meal at a local soup kitchen, collecting items for a food drive or offering a box of healthy culinary treats to community stewards at a fire station, post office or library. On Christmas Day, says Ban Breathnach, “Our kids have the world lying at their feet.” Boxing Day, she says, provides a natural transition to reach out in charity.

Lane Vail is a freelance writer and blogger at DiscoveringHomemaking.com.

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wisewords

miracle are you still trying to realize?

Opening Up to Miracles Gabrielle Bernstein on Creating More Happiness

by April Thompson

M

otivational speaker and bestselling author Gabrielle Bernstein knows the gravitational pull of addiction firsthand. Although introduced to spiritual practices from an early age, she turned away from that upbringing in her 20s, pulled instead into a vortex of drugs, alcohol and unhealthy relationships while running a public relations firm promoting Manhattan nightclubs. After hitting rock bottom at age 25, Bernstein made the unwavering decision to seek spiritual help and change her life.

The entrepreneurial young woman found her groove as a spiritual teacher, introducing millions to new ways of thinking and living through her books, lectures, blogs and videos. Her no-nonsense approach to spirituality and knack for making practices like meditation and prayer accessible to beginners and cynics have attracted a new generation of seekers.

Bernstein’s latest book, Miracles Now:108 Life-Changing Tools for Less Stress, More Flow, and Finding Your True Purpose, offers simple, yet powerful tips to short-circuit unhealthy thought patterns and take a shortcut to transformational change.

Why do you reframe a miracle as simply a shift in perception?

Shifting your perception and choosing again is a core principle from A Course in Miracles, a metaphysical text that I study and teach from. When you choose 22

New York City Edition

to reorganize your belief system and align it with a loving, forgiving perspective, rather than a fearbased reality, that’s when miracles can happen.

Some people shift away from a harmful relationship with addictive drugs and alcohol like you did, while others take such unhealthy behaviors to the grave; what makes the difference?

Often when we get caught in unhealthy behavior, we aren’t willing to ask for help.

I think the reason I was able to leave those behaviors behind and create a new path was my willingness to live a different way. I was able to witness my life and see that it wasn’t working. It’s an ongoing process; I’ve been on my current path of turning to spiritual principles for many years, but I’m still constantly working to apply them throughout my moment-tomoment experiences.

How does meditation help create radical change?

I’m in constant conversation with myself over my thoughts and beliefs about judgment and separation. People are programmed by society to believe we are separate and to judge ourselves and others. My practice suggests a reinterpretation of that general belief system in order to perceive things differently. I also try to forgive limiting thoughts I was holding onto; for example, judging myself for not performing well at a lecture.

Talking too much in conversations is a big challenge for me. A practice in my Miracles Now book called WAIT, for “Why am I talking?” reminds me to notice when I’m saying too much, commenting unnecessarily or not supporting the greater good.

How do you think about money, and has that proven helpful in broader terms?

I believe that we have the power to attract healthier relationships in our financial circumstances in the same way that we have the power to attract healthier relationships with people in our lives.

Some people think that you can’t both be spiritual and secure financial abundance; I think that’s nonsense. When you start to reorganize your beliefs around your self-worth and capacity to earn, and open up to your intuitive voice and the creative possibilities for earning, then your financial situation can change dramatically.

I have lived that principle fully. I was brought up in a poverty mindset, but with a shift in perception, I was able to release my fears of financial insecurity.

Do you have a go-to practice that you reach for first when faced with a difficult situation?

I think meditation is a key tool for health, happiness and well-being. It can help reorganize the nervous system, lower stress levels, calm the mind and recalibrate energy. It can help us experience more synchronicity in our lives and a greater sense of interconnectedness, as well.

When I’m faced with a complicated situation or feeling powerless, I say a prayer in stillness. Such a practice asks through prayer and listens through meditation. It’s in that stillness that I can hear the voice of intuition and the voice of forgiveness, and love can come forward.

What do you struggle with the most and what personal

Connect with freelance writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com.

na-newyorkcity.com

The Year of Power

I

Living in Harmony with the Seasons: Winter

by Dylan Stein

A

s I sit at my desk this evening, writing to all of you Natural Awakenings readers, my ability to ignore Winter’s steady approach is diminishing. There’s frost creeping along the windowpane and the constellation Orion just rose over the horizon. The rhythm of the seasons may continue to march on, but that doesn’t mean we’re not allowed to have favorite seasons.

Winter is the season of stillness and moving inward. It’s about going deep within ourselves to reconnect with our resources and identity.

We lead busy lives. Luckily, nature has built a period of the year when the days are short, gently suggesting we go to bed early and rest indoors to avoid the cold. This is a season of conservation. Try to connect to the idea of the season as we see it in nature - everything is quiet and still, waiting for rebirth under the warm rays of the sun in Spring.

December 21st marks the Winter Solstice. The Winter Solstice is the day each year when daylight is at its shortest. From then on, the hours the sun lights the sky increase.

Winter turns to Spring, and soon we reach the long days of Summer until the Summer Solstice marks the decline of daylight again. I take solace in knowing that once we mark the solstice, we’re solidly on our way back into the warmer months.

In the meantime, we need to guard ourselves against the ailments of the season.

In Winter, Jinhee and I see a lot more back pain and joint pain of all sorts than we do during the rest of the year. Acupuncture is known for its great ability to treat pain, but it’s also fantastic for treating sniffles, sinus congestion, colds and flus.

So over the next few weeks, take some time to embrace Winter. Find time for naps and go to bed early. Meditate quietly. Wear wool socks and a scarf. Cuddle up in a sweater. Enjoy warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Eat warm and nourishing foods, like root vegetables, black sesame seeds, lamb, and soups, stews and bone broths.

Prepare your body for the bursting energy of Spring by recharging your body’s batteries in Winter. The good you do for your body now will show all year long.

But if you’re suffering with aches and pains or you’re feeling under the weather, no need to wait out the Winter. Give us call. We can help.

Dylan Stein Acupuncture is a midtown Manhattan acupuncture clinic, offering both acupuncture and herbal medicine. Find out more at DylanSteinAcupuncture.com or by calling 212-863-9223.

See ad on page 21.

n numerology, all numbers have a vibration and energy.

Let's take a look at the year coming up, 2015.

2+0+1+5 = 8, the number of power and abundance. How will the universal eight year affect you? Taking a look at 2014, it was the universal year of 7. A quieter, spiritual, inner time of reflection and soul searching. Did you find this true for you? Sometimes, in the seven year, if you are not meditating and connecting with spirit, you could find yourself uneasy and confused.

Often covert secrets are revealed like NJ's Gov. Chris Christie's George Washington bridge debacle.

Our dynamic United States, a very aggressive country, had a hard time of it because in the 7 year everything goes slower and you can't get a lot of practical work done. Can you relate?

Enter the 8.. wow.. complete turnover. This is a time of dynamic energy where you can accomplish your goals and dreams. The 8 is abundance in every way – your power, your relationships, your money, your spirit. It is an exciting and energetic boost to your body, mind and soul. What will you do to enhance your life this coming year? Hopefully our country will use this energy to empower others and not push the oppressed down even further.

Want to know more about your numbers and how 2015 will affect you in your business life and personal life?

Connect with Greer Jonas, an intuitive numerologist and teacher living in NYC at 917-716-5814 or Greer@Numerology4YourSoul.com.

Visit Greer's Art Exhibit on Dec 11.

See our calendar on pg 27 more info.

natural awakenings

December 2014

23

fitbody

Find Your Fitness Style

Workouts that Suit Your Personality

by Wendy Worrall Redal

W

hile some people find repetitious workouts boring, others like doing predictable routines at regular locations. Ensuring that our fitness regimen jives with our “fitness personality” is integral to making exercise a consistent part of our lifestyle, a concept that has traction among exercise experts.

Jonathan Niednagel, founder and director of The Brain Type Institute, in Mountain Home, Arkansas, and an athletic consultant for professional teams, explains in his book, Your Key to Sports Success, that understanding our inborn brain type can help us to determine which sport is best suited to motivate us.

In Suzanne Brue’s book, The 8 Colors of Fitness, she applies principles from the Myers-Briggs personality inventory to help readers develop a personalized exercise program. Susan Davis-Ali, Ph.D., in St. Paul, Minnesota, a professional coach for working women, created a Fitness Interest Profile survey for the Life Time Fitness health club chain. She points to research that suggests people that engage in activities appropriate for their personalities enjoy their workouts more and are likely to stay with them longer.

Identifying our fitness personality can help us find a program that suits our rhythms and interests. Based on composites from growing research, here are six categories that assess and capture the way we may feel about exercise; more than one 24

New York City Edition

can apply to any individual.

Disciplined and driven. This is an image to which many of us may aspire, even though not everyone fits the mold.

These exercisers are self-motivated and goal-oriented. Commitment and consistency go hand-in-hand. They like to use devices to track progress, maintain a training log and/or work with a personal trainer in systematic workouts geared to measure improvement. Disciplined types are often early risers; starting the day with regular exercise is second nature.

Compatible fitness regimens include cardio workouts, interval and weight training, running, swimming and martial arts.

Relishes routine. While these folks are disciplined and driven in some ways, they tend to be more relaxed about regimens.

The key to success here is consistency.

They like order and familiarity in exercise settings and practice and may enjoy reading or watching a screen during workouts. Whatever the preferred approach, whether it’s a favorite training video, Wii Fit video game, favorite teacher or memorized Pilates moves, these exercisers like to stick with it, even working out at the same time every day—often first thing in the morning or after work— finding that regularity can be habit-forming.

Conscious contemplative. Reflective individuals enjoy quiet, solo activities like long-distance running, biking, hiking and swimming, that allow opportunities to look na-newyorkcity.com

inward, often without thinking too much about the physical details. Exercise offers a chance to clear the mind and renew the spirit while strengthening the body.

These types naturally gravitate to outdoor pursuits, but some indoor practices may also suit them, like yoga, Pilates, tai chi or even karate, which incorporate a strong mind-body component. Workouts are often soothing, rather than intense.

Plays well with others. For many people, exercise is best enjoyed with others, combining the social and fitness benefits of both. Connections and camaraderie get them off the couch, revved up and ready to go. Whether it’s a committed group of friends chatting during water aerobics or a high-powered cardio class that compares notes, motivation comes primarily from the presence—and accountability factor—of others. A lunchhour class at a nearby studio or gym may be a fun break in the workday. On weekends, consider golf, tennis, dance or a local recreation team.

Compulsive competitor. While the communal aspect is appealing, the greater gratification for this type comes through the thrill and challenge of competition.

Trying to win is the great motivator, unlike driven and disciplined types that are happy to push through to their personal best. Team sports are a natural outlet, including soccer, rugby, lacrosse, basketball or swimming, plus disc golf, tennis or racquetball matches and running events.

Avid for adventure. It’s tough for any formal exercise program to keep the attention of adventurers. They crave freshness and spontaneity in fitness venues, activities that engage their interest and animate enthusiasm. It’s crucial for adventurous types to mix things up and not rely on any one exercise practice. Outdoor endeavors such as snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, inline skating or mountain biking have appeal. They may gravitate to the variables of Nia, Zumba’s high-energy Latin dance groove, kickboxing, exercise balls or hot yoga. A midday exercise escape can break the work routine. Their key to keeping active is to keep things stimulating.

Wendy Worrall Redal blogs at Gaiam Life (Life.Gaiam.com), from which this was adapted.

inspiration

Hymn to Living in Silence

by Robert Rabbin

T

here’s one truth, and Celebrate the dawn must give away our inventory of unreleased thoughts it is silence. All truths of the winter solstice and cherished beliefs, come from, exist as and return to silence. on December 21 undigested experiences and dogma, disappointments, Silence is behind every holy in nature and fears, worries, resentments thought, word and act. All holiness is silent. and sorrows; even personal in silence.

This is what all sages desires and joys.

If it’s difficult to do: throw it away, know and say: Enter silence and we leave behind the rubble of self and no-self, time fling it off, kick it out. Just don’t let it stay.

We must empty our storehouses of past, and death. Enter silence and we see the present and future, and then burn them world that God created; that we are the down so that nothing can ever accumucreated. God, the world and being are late again. one. Life is suddenly real—beautiful and

Now give more. Let go of ego, will perfect in each curve and angle. and humility, ignorance and knowledge,

This awakening into truth happens as we surrender everything to silence. We the body and its faculties. Surrender what

is and is not yourself. Give away meaning, purpose and happiness, even precious life itself. Nothing can remain.

Then, by letting everything go the second it occurs, we return to clarity, freedom and eternal openness. We live in silence. For it is in silence that God is working, playing and loving. In silence, we become perfectly one with that divine working, playing and loving.

When absolutely all has been given up and only emptiness remains, even then, take one more step towards silence.

Give away the emptiness. Hold back nothing. Even the giver is given away.

In silence, we transform and are reborn. We become real with more joy, pleasure, peace and contentment than we ever hoped for. Our highest purpose is fulfilled, our greatest longing is realized in ways we know not.

In becoming nothing, we become everything. We need nothing, and thus have everything. With nothing to protect, only peace remains. It cannot be controlled or fathomed, only lived. We love this about the holy ones, the sages. No one knows how it happens, only that it does.

In silence, we are moved by what moves all else without knowing how, why or when. This is freedom, love and truth.

Robert Rabbin is a self-awareness teacher and author. Connect at RobertRabbin.com.

natural awakenings

December 2014

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naturalpet

ing-sounding toy. An orphaned sock filled with crinkly cellophane and sewn shut makes an intriguing toy to drag around.

Improvise a fishing pole from a colorful dowel rod and heavy twine with a petand planet-friendly item tied on the end for a pet to chase.

Cats love to squeeze themselves into small spaces or relax in larger ones, so pass along gift boxes.

Pretty-Bird Specials

PLAYFUL PET GIFTS

Animals Love Interactive Toys and Games

by Sandra Murphy

W

hat’s on the family pet’s wish list this year? Family members can have fun creating interactive toys and games that are easy on the holiday budget.

According to a recent American Pet Association survey, three out of four owners buy gifts for their pets during the holiday season to the collective tune of $5 billion. Dogs and cats receive new sweaters and boots, collars and leashes, toys and treats. Yet, what they really crave is attention.

“Too often, pets are left alone for eight hours a day, leading to anxiety, frustration and unwanted behaviors. It’s important that they’re mentally challenged, learn new commands and have fun,” says Dr. Mary Gardner, co-founder of Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, in Los Angeles. “Cognitive decline and muscle wasting, common in older pets, can both be thwarted with games personalized for age and ability.”

Special Dog Treats Look for sturdy wooden puzzles that hide a treat behind doors that pull or slide open. Advanced 26

New York City Edition

In the wild, birds spend most of their time foraging for food. Mimic a wilderness search by hiding food beneath an unused, unbleached coffee filter or a large lettuce leaf. Cut food in pieces big enough to hold in a claw to help hone balance. Hide seeds in a made-for-birds piñata, available at pet supply stores. Puzzle boxes range from reach-in-for-food versions to slide-adoor or pull-a-knob difficulty levels.

Fun for Fish

puzzles involve a multi-step solution.

Following dog treat cookbooks will keep dedicated bakers in a canine’s good graces throughout the year.

Write an activity—a walk, trip to the dog park, game of fetch or a doggie/human dance party—on a few index cards.

“Teach the dog to choose by rubbing one card with a sodium-free bouillon cube,” suggests Eileen Proctor, a pet lifestyle expert in Denver. “As soon as the dog sniffs the card, reward with praise and the designated gift. Once the game is learned, there is no need to keep scenting the cards.”

Turn up a corner of all the cards for easy pickup.

Purrfect for Cats

Cats may like to play it cool, but bring out a laser pointer and they act like kittens again. To mimic hunting instincts, play hide-and-seek with kitty’s food; put holes in a closed box with special bits of dry food inside, then let her paw it out or roll the box.

Place a too-largeto-swallow jingle bell inside an empty toilet paper roll and tape the ends shut for a charmna-newyorkcity.com

Betta (Siamese fighting) fish love to rest near the surface, so provide a leafy hammock, available where supplies are sold.

Finned friends get exercise as they chase a laser pointer’s red dot through the water.

A new plant or ping-pong ball floating on the surface provides added entertainment.

Moss balls are a good place to hide food and also help keep the water clean. A ceramic log lets fish hide inside.

Climbing Crabs

Hermit crabs are social animals, both curious and amusing. The gift of a new shell or two during molting season is appreciated.

Flat-topped rocks with textured sides, large enough to not tip over, provide a different view. Fibers like those used for macramé, hung from the lid of the tank almost to the floor mimic rope climbing. Upside-down terra cotta flower pots, in different sizes and covered with netting, provide more surfaces and heights to explore.

“Time spent together is a gift for both the giver and the recipient,” says Proctor.

“It’s more thoughtful than anything you can find in a store. You always get back more than you give.”

Sandra Murphy is a freelance writer in St. Louis, MO. Connect at StLouis FreelanceWriter@mindspring.com.

calendarofevents

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12

NOTE: If you would like to add your event to our calendar, please email publisher@na-newyorkcity.com for guidelines.

View our entire calendar online at na-newyorkcity.com

MONDAY, DECEMBER 1

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7

The 15th Annual Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square – 5:30-9pm. The Lincoln Square Business Improvement District and sponsor Time Warner host New York’s largest holiday festival. Join legendary artists, up-andcoming musicians, dancers, street performers and more as we welcome the holiday season and light up the Upper West Side. It promises to be an evening of music, food, dancing, and fun for everyone. Dante Park at Broadway and 63rd St, New York, NY. 212-5813774, info@lincolnsquarebid.org or winterseve.nyc.

Keeping It Green for Families – 10am-12pm. Spend quality time with your family helping keep Central Park green. Central Park Conservancy environmental educators will lead mulching and leaf-raking projects throughout the Park. Ages 5+. Closed-toe shoes required. Families only; no groups. Space is limited; advance registration required. Central Park, New York, NY. For more information or to register for a session, call 212-348-4867, contact jking@centralparknyc.org or visit centralparknyc.org/keepingitgreen.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2

MONDAY, DECEMBER 8

Winter Village Tree Lighting – 6pm. It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Join us for the 9th Annual Tree Lighting Show and feel like a kid again as you observe the Bank of America Winter Village. The Rink at Winter Village in Bryant Park, New York, NY. 212-768-4242 or nycgovparks.org.

T’ai Chi for Better Balance – 3:10-4:10pm. T’ai Chi for Better Balance is based on simple Qigong and T’ai Chi movements which have been proven to help balance as we age. It is a good introduction to the T’ai Chi Chih form that we also feature each week. For more information, contact Carolyn Perkins at 212-371-0133 or inquire at Quest Bookshop. Next door to Quest Bookshop, 240 E 53rd St, 2nd Floor, New York, NY. questbookshop.com.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4 18th Annual Central Park Holiday Lighting – 5:30-6:30pm. Celebrate the season at our 18th Annual Holiday Lighting in Central Park. Meet Santa and friends, watch a live ice carving demonstration, sing carols on the Plaza, and warm up with hot cocoa and cookies. The evening concludes with lighting the Charles A Dana Discovery Center and a flotilla of trees on the Harlem Meer. Free and family friendly! Sorry, no strollers, but stroller parking is provided. Charles A Dana Discovery Center, Central Park, New York, NY. 212-310-6675 or nycgovparks.org.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5 Evergreen Express – Various times, see web site.

This event is part of the Holiday Train Show, so hop aboard the Evergreen Express for lively activities in the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden, where each station stop offers something new to explore or create. Join a musical marching parade, visit the William and Lynda Steere Discovery Center where a hands-on workshop with cones, needles and other winter plant parts helps you create your own miniature balsam fir pillow. On the weekends, build your own train puppet with master puppeteer Ralph Lee. New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY. 718-817-8700 ornybg.org.

markyourcalendar SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6 Become a Certified Life Coach or Executive Coach – Dec 6-7. This two-day intensive course will teach you everything you need to know to succeed. All Certified Coaches Federation graduates also receive admission (at no additional cost) to our one-year CCF Continuing Education Program. Only Certified Coaches Federation™ earn the esteemed Certified Life Coach Practitioner™ designations! Register today: Certified Life Coach Courses in New York City, W Hotel Times Square, New York, NY. 866-455-2155 or certifiedcoachesfederation.com.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9 High Line Art: Pier 54 Exhibit – 11am-6pm. High Line Art presents Pier 54, an exhibition conceived as a tribute to and a reaction against Pier 18, a legendary project organized by artist and curator Willoughby Sharp in 1971. The pier is visible from the High Line and preserves many historical memories and architectural vestiges of Manhattan’s West Side, a neighborhood that has quickly transformed in the past few decades.

This time, High Line Art invited 27 contemporary artists—all women—to create projects that respond to the location and engage with the changing landscape of the waterfront. High Line Exhibition, 120 11th Ave, New York, NY. nycgovparks.org.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10 Shape Up NYC: Bollywood Cardio Dance – 6:307:30pm. BollyX has landed in New York City! BollyX is a high intensity cardio dance workout that is a Bollywood-inspired dance-fitness program combining dynamic choreography and intensive workouts with upbeat music. Are you ready to bring your swag and sweat? It’s fun and it’s free! J Hood Wright Recreation Center in J Hood Wright Park, 351 Fort Washington Ave, New York, NY. 212-927-1563 or nycgovparks.org.

markyourcalendar

Wreath Interpretations Holiday Exhibition – 9am-5pm. New York City Parks celebrate the holiday season with its 32nd annual exhibition of unique and unconventional wreaths. You’ll find a diverse selection of 56 fine artists, designers and other spirited contributors who enliven this ageless holiday symbol. Among the many varied materials used are sponges, keys, Smarties, forged steel and insect specimens, ranging from drones to damaging debris in our waterways. It is an imaginative and enjoyable experience this holiday season. The Arsenal Gallery in Central Park, 830 5th Ave, New York, NY. 212-360-8163, artandantiquities@parks.nyc.gov or nycgovparks.org.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13 Health and Race Walking – 9:30-11am. The New York Walkers Club leads these moderate to brisk walks for people 18 years and older of all abilities.

This low-impact fitness program is perfect for those who want to get in shape, build muscle tone, strength and increase cardiovascular health, all while enjoying the beautiful landscapes of Central Park. Free and no pre-registration required. Rain or shine except in extreme weather conditions. North Meadow Recreation Center, Central Park, New York, NY. 212-348-4867, jking@centralparknyc.org or nycgovparks.org.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14 Traditional Japanese Reiki Training Level 2 with Jyogan – 3-9pm. This class will expand your mind, and with it, your Reiki abilities. Expand your understanding of Reiki and delve deeper into the Western influences of the chakra system and the energetic effects on the aura. Namaste Bookshop Healing Center, 80 5th Ave, Suite 1104, 11th Floor, New York, NY. 212-645-0141 or namastebookshop.com/calendar.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 15 Winter Skies Telescope Party – 6:30pm. Join astronomers Steve Beyer, Joe Rao and Ted Williams for a “sneak peek” at the nebulas and open cluster that will be visible this winter. Receive details on how to observe the night sky from inside this world-famous Space Theater, utilizing its state-of-the-art Zeiss IX planetarium projector. Afterward, bundle up, grab a hot chocolate and head outside to the Ross Terrace to observe celestial objects with members of the Amateur Astronomers Association (weather permitting).

Bring your own binoculars and telescopes if you like. American Museum of Natural History Hayden Planetarium Space Theater, Central Park W at 79th St, New York, NY. 212-769-5100 or amnh.org.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11 Art Show – Artist Greer D Jonas will be showing her newest paintings at the Ceres Galley in Soho. She is a painter, sculptor, teacher and numerologist who teaches classes in art, numerology and meditation.

Her work is an expression of her passion, sorrow and aliveness. A lover of color, Greer’s work is organic and transformational. Ceres Gallery, 547 W 27th St #201, New York, NY. greerdjonas@gmail.com or greerjonas.com.

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current exhibitions and Museum collections. Volunteer “folders” begin in July to complete the 100s of creations that are displayed on the tree. During the holiday season, knowledgeable volunteers are available to teach visitors of all ages the art of origami folding. Grand Gallery (near the 77th St exit on the Museum’s 1st Floor), American Museum of Natural History, Central Park W at 79th St, New York, NY. 212-769-5100 or amnh.org.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16 Lighting of the World’s Largest Hanukkah Menorah – 6pm. Gather ‘round the 32-foot high, gold-colored, 4,000-pound steel holiday icon at Grand Army Plaza to kick off the annual Jewish Festival of Lights. Friday’s lighting starts at 3:30pm and Saturday’s lighting starts at 8:30pm, when the Sabbath ends. Grand Army Plaza, 5th Ave between W 58th and W 59th Sts, New York, NY. nycgovparks.org.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17 Blues and Live Music – 6-8:20pm. Join Shen Celentano for an awesome, blues-inspired class with Johnny Holleran and other special guest musicians.

Laughing Lotus Yoga Center, 636 6th Ave (at 19th St), 2nd Floor, New York, NY. 212-414-2903, bit. ly/1s283eJ or yogacitynyc.com.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20 35 Annual Winter Solstice Celebration – 2pm and 7:30pm. Winter Solstice is our contemporary interpretation of ancient solstice rituals. It’s when people come together during the longest night of the year to celebrate the turning point in the Earth’s journey around the sun, and the birth of a new year. This crosscultural performance has become one of New York’s favorite holiday events and promises to be a landmark in its tradition of interweaving diverse performers of the world. Please join Paul Winter and “bring home the sun to celebrate the birth of a new year.” Cathedral of St John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Ave (at 112th St), New York, NY. 212-316-7540, info@stjohndivine.org or solsticeconcert.com/#about-the-show. th

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21 Vigorous Winter Wonderland Hike – 11am. On the shortest day of the year, join us for one of our longest hikes as we explore Central Park from top to bottom.

Central Park will be decorated for the holidays, so be sure to bring your camera. Pre-registration is encouraged. If registrations exceed program capacity, participants will be chosen through lottery to ensure fairness in the selection process. To register please visit nyc.gov/parks/rangers/ register on Wednesday, December 10th. Dana Discover Center, Central Park, 110th St between 5th and Lenox Aves, New York, NY. 212-772-3751 or nycgovparks.org.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 22 Origami Holiday Tree – This annual tradition—the delightfully decorated Origami Holiday Tree—has been part of the holiday season at the Museum for more than 30 years. The tree will be decorated with handmade origami ornaments inspired by items in the permanent halls,

28

New York City Edition

Handel’s Messiah at Carnegie Hall – 7:30pm.

Musica Sacra presents its annual performance of George Frideric Handel’s most beloved work. The event is conducted by Musica Sacra’s acclaimed Music Director, Kent Tritle. Perlman Stage, Stern Auditorium, Carnegie Hall, 57th St at 7th Ave, New York, NY. 212-247-7800 or carnegiehall.org.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24 Christmas Eve Caroling – 5-6pm. Christmas Eve is a traditional time to celebrate the holiday with carols at the Washington Square Arch. The Rob Susman Brass Quartet and revelers from all over the city will gather to sing familiar tunes. Songbooks are compliments of the Washington Square Association, and the songs will ring out to remind us all of the true meaning of the holidays.

Washington Square Park, New York, NY. nycgovparks.org.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25 Morning Fitness at Fort Tryon Park – 7:30-8:30am.

Come to Fort Tryon Park and try something new. For a breath of fresh air, add variety to your workouts by taking them outdoors. Exercise with a view! All fitness programs are free, led by trained professionals, and suitable for all levels. Wear comfortable clothing and bring water. Please check for weather/air advisories (cancelled if weather is lower than 20 degrees). Heather Garden in Fort Tryon Park, Cabrini Blvd and Ft Washington Ave, New York, NY. 212-795-1388, info@FortTryonParkTurst.org or nycgovparks.org.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27 Celebrate Culture! Kwanzaa 2014: Our Brightest Lights – 12pm or 3pm. The Tap Dance Kid (Savion Glover) makes his Museum debut as he brings in ‘da noise and ‘da funk for the Museum’s 36th annual Kwanzaa celebration! Savion, a Tony winner, with performances on Sesame Street for 4 years and a PBS special at the White House, hosts a dynamic, familyfriendly program that will get your toes tapping! Milstein Hall of Ocean Life and Kaufmann Theater, 1st Floor, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park W at 79th St, New York, NY. 212-769-5100 or amnh.org.

markyourcalendar SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28 Practical Meditation for Daily Life – 1-3pm. Studies have shown stress to be the number one factor in all illnesses, including heart disease, cancer and even diabetes.

Meditation can help you manage that stress. It is a skill you develop. Stress expert Veronica Cruz will guide you through several types of meditation practices and exercises to increase your ability to meditate in your daily life. A.R.E. of New York Edgar Cayce Center, 241 W 30th St, 2nd Floor, New York, NY. 212-691-7690 or edgarcaycenyc.org.

na-newyorkcity.com

Monthly Reiki Share with Jyogan Hakata-Kohler – 5:30-8pm. This Reiki Share (led by Jyogan HakataKohler, Namaste Bookshop’s resident Reiki Teacher) is open to anyone, even if you have never tried Reiki before! It is in the same style as the share held in Kyoto, Japan at Dai Zen In Temple with Hyakuten Inamoto (Jyogan’s teacher). Everyone will receive group-style Reiki (one person lies on the table as others give Reiki).

And, a basic Attunement to the Reiki Energy will be given to all who attend. $20. Namaste Bookshop Healing Center, 80 5th Ave, Suite 1104, New York, NY. 212-645-0141, Jyogan@PureVowReiki.com, namastebookshop.com or PureVowReiki.com.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30 Mantra Practice with Rakesh Samani – 7-8:30pm.

In a mantra practice, one typically relaxes, withdraws, and lets the rhythmic sounds of a mantra replace the chaotic sounds of one’s internal conversations. This practice develops concentration since internal talk is the major source of distraction in our daily lives.

Namaste Bookshop Healing Center, 80 5th Ave, Suite 1104, 11th Floor, New York, NY. 212-645-0141 or namastebookshop.com/calendar/.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31 New Year’s Eve Dance Party – 8pm. Come join in on the fun and festivities as you ring in the new year of 2015! Buttenwieser Hall at 92Y Tribeca, Lexington Ave at 92nd St, New York, NY. 212-415-5500 or 92y.org.

ongoing MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, THURSDAYS, SATURDAYS Bare Bones Basic—For Raw Beginners to Yoga – Mon, 7-8pm, Wed 6:30-7:30pm, Thurs 6:30-7:30pm, Sat 10:30-11:30am. Beginners to yoga need a true beginner’s class and this class is for those who have never done yoga before, feel very inflexible, or are recovering from injury. No vinyasa, chaturanga, or down dog in this class—just the foundation poses of hatha yoga taught in a compassionate and gentle way.

Great for seniors, post-natal, or anyone who needs a slower approach. Reflections Yoga, 227 E 24th St, New York, NY. 212-74-2288 or reflectionsyoga.com.

FRIDAYS, SUNDAYS Yin Yoga – Fri 6-7:30pm, Sun 3-4:30pm. Reflections Yoga is proud to be one of the few studios in NYC that offers Yin Yoga! Although this style of yoga is a perfect antidote to the over-stressed, over-scheduled lives of NYC residents, it’s really hard to find Yin classes in the city. Our Yin Yoga classes will bring you to your edge and keep you there, help you drop in, calm your mind and open your energy channels. Reflections Yoga, 27 E 24th St (between 2nd and 3rd Aves), New York, NY. 212-974-2288 or reflectionsyoga.com.

SATURDAYS 5Rhythms Dance/Movement Class – 10am-12pm.

This class, facilitated by 5Rhythms® certified teacher Margaret H. Wagner, is a dynamic movement practice.

It’s a practice of being in the body that ignites creativity, connection and community. Using musical beats from around the world, it is a body and soul workout for young and old, survivors of bum knees, bad backs and broken hearts! Students move through the energies

of Flowing, Staccato, Chaos, Lyrical and Stillness. $20; $15 for full-time students with valid IDs. New York Live Arts, 219 W 19th St (between 7th and 8th Aves), New York, NY. 203-209-0047, margaret@ MargaretWagner.com or 5Rhythms.com.

savethedate JANUARY 13 Discover Your Past Through Regression – 7-9pm.

Experience the amazing discoveries and healings of past-life regression with hypo-energy healer Saba Hocek. A.R.E. of New York Edgar Cayce Center, 241 W 30th St, 2nd Floor, New York, NY. 917-658-1660 or SelfEmpoweredMinds.com.

JANUARY 13 & FEBRUARY 17 Six Degrees of Self Discovery – 7-9pm. Learn, experience, improve past-life regression, stress reduction, focus/concentration, intuition, talents and your soul’s purpose with hypo-energy healer Saba Hocek. $25 each or 6 for $100. A.R.E. of New York Edgar Cayce Center, 241 W 30th St, 2nd Floor, New York, NY. 917-658-1660 or SelfEmpoweredMinds.com.

communitydirectory HEALING SERVICES

ACUPUNCTURE

BARBARA DOMINICK, MS, RMT

DYLAN STEIN ACUPUNCTURE

Energy/Sound Healing Practitioner Manhattan/Bronx locations 718-863-1553 www.sanctuaryofdivinelight.com

303 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1508 New York NY 10016 (212) 863-9223 info@dylansteinacupuncture.com www.dylansteinacupuncture.com

Dylan Stein Acupuncture is a midtown Manhattan acupuncture clinic, offering both acupuncture and herbal medicine. Specialties include pain management, dermatology, fertility, men’s and women’s health, pediatrics, and support for people undergoing cancer treatment. They also offer facial rejuvenation acupuncture. Health insurance accepted: Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare and Oxford. Open weekdays by appointment only.

JANUARY 17 The Best Winter Weather Recipe for Weight Loss and Detox— “A New Year’s Resolution You Can Keep” – 10:30am-3pm. Join us for the DRS2HEALTH personalized cleanse and weight loss challenge: TEASOUP-SALAD. Receive your personalized recipe and cooking demonstration, using the finest of Jamaican herbs and spices. Registration required. $40.00. 3511 BarnesAve, #1A, Bronx, NY. 347-843-0789 or DRS2HEALTH.com.

FEBRUARY 27 – MARCH 1 Reiki I, Reiki II, Masters and/or Teachers’ Classes with Lisa Guyman – This is a rare opportunity to learn Reiki with Lisa Guyman in New York City! In this workshop, you’ll find an amazingly supportive and grounded environment for your Reiki experience.

Your teacher, Lisa Guyman, is a Reiki Master, Chopra Meditation Instructor, Yoga Nidra Instructor, IARP Reiki Member and author of “Journey Through Reiki” 5 CD set and 2 guided meditation CDs. 122 W 26th St, 7th Floor, New York, NY. Register for these Reiki workshops at lisaguyman.com or call 720-683-0444 for more information.

MARIJA SANTO-SARNYAI

ANGELIC TAROT CARD READINGS

CNHP & Geotran Practitioner 201-388-4661 4flamingo@netscape.com

STANDING WITH ANGELS

Margaret McDermott 917-498-4599 thefieldswherethelavendergrows@gmail.com StandingWithAngels.com In person or by phone- Join Margaret for uplifting messages from the Angelic Realm touching on life purpose, finding love, career, energetic clearing, and making amazing life choices. Angelic messages focus on Divine Love and its ability to provide healing and create miracles.

ARTHRITIS CARE ADVANCED ARTHRITIS CARE CENTER

4766B Bedford Ave, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn 11235 AACareCenter.com • 718-648-8877

classified Fight today's infectious diseases with therapeutic essential oils known for their anti viral/bacterial properties. The Home Defense Kit contains 10 different oils. www.trygodesana.com (504) 475-3754.

Through the audible frequencies of Light Language and hands-on energy healing, multiple levels of your being are realigned to their natural rhythms. This facilitates your body’s innate ability to heal itself. The energies stay with you long after your session is over with benefits that include: unblocked energies; pain relief; restful sleep, opened heart center; alignment with higher self; emergence of spiritual gifts, and much more. My commitment is to be a loving conduit for your healing to occur! Call for a free 15 min. consultation.

Yelena Sokolova, MD - a boardcertied Rheumatologist - created a powerful transformational Life without Pain program. This program is designed for people who are determined to overcome pain, enjoy a healthier body, and are serious about achieving the positive results fast. If you are tired of empty promises – find out about the difference that a passionate doctor, who focuses on YOUR needs could make.

Marija Santo is a natural health and Geotran Practitioner who also utilizes applied kinesiology in her healing work. Geotran, the language of all possibilities, speaks to the information field, clearing past negative experiences, learned behaviors, re-educating the brain, and integrating future goals that clients set themselves.

A simple, easy, and fun way to address learning difficulties (dyslexia, ADD, All Midline Movement, ADHD, Autism) teenage conflicts (who am I, what am I, where am I, cutting, depression, suicide attempts), marital problems (abuse, being taken for granted, infidelity, divorce, growing apart, empty nest) addictions (alcohol, drugs, food, gambling, sex) and children’s problems (bullying, nail biting, bed wetting, nightmares).

VERONICA CRUZ

Stress Management Expert 917-821-1809 VeroCruz.Co Veronica Cruz is a meditation coach in Manhattan, guiding the average person in to a more relaxed and calm state of consciousness. She has been meditating and researching meditation for over 10 years, including, guided meditation, mind/body integration, mindfulness, Buddhist chanting, meditation in the healing arts, and disciplines

by Sri Chinmoy and Paramhansa Yogananda. She is trained in neuro-linguistic programming and emotional freedom techniques (EFT), and is an energy worker.

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INSPIRATION REWIRE ME

351 E 78th St, New York, NY 10075 212-772-8960 editor@rewireme.com • www.rewireme.com Rewire Me is an online community of people seeking more in their lives—ways to learn, grow, heal, and transform into their best selves. Founded

by Rose Caiola, Rewire Me combines mutual inspiration with resources—the most useful ancient practices combined with the latest scientific discoveries—to guide readers toward wholeness and balance.

LIFE COACH DAVID BARTKY

Certified Law Of Attraction Life Coach 973-444-7301 • www.lifecoachdavid.com Do you want to improve your life?

As a Certified Law of Attraction Life Coach, I show my clients how to use the Law of Attraction in their lives so they can attract whatever it is they want. If you already know about, or have heard about, or are interested in finding out about how you can use the Law of Attraction in your life, give me a call. My clients also find that after working with me, they’re not only attracting more of what they want, they simply feel more excited about life and enjoy each day more than before. Don’t you want to experience that too? Please also check out my new book “Vibratize Your Life!” on Amazon.

YAMITKAYA COACHING

225 Central Park West New York NY, 10024 347-423-0098 • yamit@yamitkaya.com Yamit is a certified life coach and yoga teacher who empowers women to connect with their authentic selves and guides them to live their lives from a place of deep love and trust. She uses mindfulness-based skills such as yoga, guided meditation, breath-work and visualization to aid clients in developing deeper body awareness and to attune to their intuition. Yamit is deeply committed to helping women embody their greatest passions and live with intention and joy! She currently works with women 1-1 and also in groups. Workshops soon to come.

MASSAGE SCHOOL FINGER LAKES SCHOOL OF MASSAGE

272 N. Bedford Road, Mount Kisco, NY 914-241-7363 • flsm.com Join us for a transformative experience as you develop your intuitive and scientific abilities to heal through therapeutic touch. Classes taught to auditory, visual and kinesthetic learners. Financial aid available for full and part-time programs.

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New York City Edition

NATURAL BEAUTY MAURICIO HAIR STUDIO

210 Fifth Ave. Suite 1102 New York, NY 10010 maurucio@mauriciohair.com 212-532-3030 • MauricioHair.com

ORGANIC BEDROOM THE CLEAN BEDROOM

Manhattan- 230 5th Ave, 18th Floor 212-889-1091 Greenwich- 79 East Putnam Ave 203-292-9275 TheCleanBedroom.com AN ORGANIC Mauricio is a cross-cultural WHY MATTRESS IS RIGHT FOR YOU hair artist who provides a Our cotton innerspirng holistic approach to the mattresses are made with beauty industry—one that organic cotton batting and focuses not only on the organic wool — free from physical but also on the chemicals and pesticides! overall well-being of his Great for those who are clients, through unique services, truly organic chemically sensitive or allergic to latex. A good fit products, a tailored experience and Zen-like for families on a budget because an innerspring is environment that all work together to support the generally less expensive than a latex mattress.

Organic Innerspring Mattresses mind, body and soul. Mauricio’s private hair studio mission is to be the first of its kind: an innovative ecoOZONE DENTISTRY friendly hair studio and ‘inner beauty salon’ that seeks to unlock every guest’s beauty. Natural color services Natural Latex Organic Mattresses DR. PETER SILVER are available for both pregnant and everyday clients.

24 East 12th St., Suite 305 212-924-6890 • TheOzoneDentist.com FIND A HUGE SELECTION OF THE BEST Dr.PeterSilver@gmail.com ORGANIC MATTRESSES IN THE WORLD While we sleep, our immune system recovers and prepares for the day ahead. If your mattress is filled with airborne allergens and chemical toxins, your immune system will battle these rather than repair itself. Regular bedding & mattresses are laden with polyurethane foam, toxic flame retardants, and water or stain resistant chemicals.

Our cotton innerspring mattresses are made with organic cotton batting and organic wool — free from chemicals and pesticides! Great for those who are chemically sensitive or allergic to latex. A good fit for families on a budget because an innerspring is generally less expensive than a latex mattress.

When it comes to latex there’s “natural” and then there’s “all natural”. We sell only “all natural” latex mattresses so you sleep chemical-free. Beware mattress stores online and in your neighborhood selling “natural” or “green” or “sustainable” foam mattresses.

This is “green wash” marketing hype.

NUMEROLOGY

GREER JONAS

917-716-5814 NumerologyForYourSoul.com greer@Numerology4YourSoul.com Understanding the numbers in your name and birthday can help you discover more about your life’s purpose, the unique gifts you were born with, and the challenges in your life. If you are looking to reinvent yourself through a name change or finding a successful business name, numerology can be invaluable. Greer Jonas is an intuitive numerologist, painter and teacher living in NYC. She has been practicing numerology and teaching classes for more than twenty years. Contact Greer for more information, to schedule a private reading or to get a class schedule. She works around the world through Skype, phone and in person.

OBSTETRICS VILLAGE OBSTETRICS, LLC

1225 Park Avenue, (North Location) Ste 1D New York, NY 10128 101 W 12th St (South Location) New York, NY 10011 212-741-2229 • info@villageob.com VillageObstetrics.com Village Obstetrics™ minimally invasive practice offers a rare blend of highly sophisticated medical care and the personal touch of a small private practice and two physicians, Dr. Jaqueline Worth & Dr. George Mussalli. The philosophy of Village Obstetrics™ is one of deep respect for the natural process of pregnancy and birth. Yet as expert doctors we recognize that at times carefully selected treatments are needed.

We call our approach “minimally invasive obstetrics”.

na-newyorkcity.com

Located in an easily accessible area by Union Square, Dr. Peter Silver practices Minimally Invasive Ozone Dentistry.

TheCleanBedroom The Finest Organic Mattresses & Bedding in the World, all in one place Ozone is used to kill bacteria in cavities and gum disease, while speeding up the healing of your tissue. Dr. Silver also practices Guilt-Free dentistry, where you are never made to feel uncomfortable about the condition of your mouth.

If you are anxious about visiting the dentist, Dr. Silver uses laughing gas and does sedation dentistry as well.

TM

Manhattan at 230 5th Ave | 212.889.1091 Greenwich at 79 East Putnam Ave | 203.292.9275 www.thecleanbedroom.com

OZONE THERAPY DR. HOWARD ROBINS The Healing Center 200 W. 57th St., Suite 807, New York, NY 10019 212-581-0101 • DrHowardRobins@gmail.com If you have a disease or condition that you haven’t been able to get rid of, Ozone Therapy will most likely be the answer, even for people that have suffered for years and have lost all hope. If you are questioning if your condition can be treated, call or email Dr Robins contact information above.

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING CERTIFIED COACHES FEDERATION 866-455-2155 CertifiedCoachesFederation.com

With nearly 10,000 graduates around the world, and courses offered in over 100 cities, we are the leader in Life Coach Certification and Executive Coach Certification. The two words used most often when describing our courses are brilliance and simplicity. The Certified Coaches Federation offers a succinct course that gets to the heart of the coaching process and has removed any non-essential components in the process of helping our clients achieve their goals.

REIKI PRACTITIONER MARKO KARVALHO

310 West 49th St. New York NY 10019 917-721-2725 • marko.karvalho@live.com Reiki Energy is essential to maintain the order of our life, to lead a healthy and happy life, to totally involve in all situations we are in, to obtain knowledge, and finally for expansion of our consciousness. With Reiki treatments you will be able not only to heal yourself, but to be more connected with cosmic energy.

Some benefits include: stress reduction and relaxation, inner peace and harmony, clearing of emotional imbalances, balancing the chakras and alleviation of physical pain. Discover your inner truth and create a balanced life. Call or email for consultation.

SKIN HEALTH DR. MARIANA BONEVA

Beauty Plus Aesthetics 353 Lexington Ave, Suite 1603, NYC 10016 212-371-6097 • BeautyPlusAesthetics.com Beauty Plus Aesthetics emphasizes the uniqueness of each person. 3 main principles govern their approach: Holistic – a person’s body, mind & emotions. Personalized – treatment plans molded to each client’s lifestyle & body type. Coherent–interrelated advice & treatments.

Dr. Mariana Boneva pioneered the most advanced laser treatments 2D and 3D Skin Rejuvenation in Manhattan.

Her goal is not only to correct skin’s imperfections, but to create actual improvement in patients’ self image.

NELUM BOTANICS

1685 Lexington Ave., NYC 10029 646.271.1702 • klara@nelumbotanics.com NelumBotanics.com Founded on the belief that Mother Earth provides everything we need for our well-being, Nelum Botanics handcrafts body products from ingredients that are sourced from nature, ecologically grown and minimally processed, thereby ensuring the integrity of their botanical healing properties and the quality of Nelum Botanics’ products.

SPIRITUAL DEVELOPEMENT, HEALING AND EVENT CENTERS EDGAR CAYCE CENTER

241 West 30th St., 2nd Floor, NYC 10001 212-691-7690 • EdgarCayceNYC.org Holistic health and personal growth resource in midtown Manhattan since 1997. This non-profit Center offers: NYC’s largest selection of Cayce remedies & books, with affordable instruction on using them to bring body, mind and spirit back to a natural state of health.

NAMASTE BOOKSHOP & HEALING CENTER

STEM CELL THERAPY

2 W 14th St., New York, NY 10011 212-645-0141 • NamasteBookshop.com

AMERICAN STEM CELL CENTER

Namaste Bookshop and Healing Center offers a unique and large selection of Eastern & Western philosophy books, tarot cards, crystals, pendulums, calendars, wind chimes, incense, greeting cards, yoga accessories, meditation cushions, instructional & music CD’S & DVD’s, salt lamps, and 20 sections of books- including Spanish.. The event space, in the same building above the bookshop, holds classes, workshops, and book signings as well as provides rooms for regular readers and practitioners.

NEW YORK OPEN CENTER

22 E. 30th St., New York, NY 10016 212-219-2527 • OpenCenter.org The Open Center presents programs of exceptional depth and integrity, concentrating in five major areas: Contemplative and Spiritual Traditions; Health and Wellness; Psychology; Society and Ecology; and Creativity and the Arts. Programs and teachers focused on understanding health and mind-body healing, depth psychology, mystical and esoteric traditions, compassionate dying, socially responsible investing, humanity's impact on the earth and renewable energy, untapped sources for creativity in the arts and what we can learn from world cultures.

REFLECTIONS CENTER FOR CONSCIOUS LIVING

227 E 24th Street, NYC 10010 212-974-2288 • ReflectionsYoga.com Reflections Center for Conscious Living and Yoga is an East Side urban oasis in Murray Hill/Gramercy, near Gramercy Park’s well-walked paths. We invite you to transcend the tensions of city life and join us for a “just right” yoga class with some of the best and most skilled teachers in NYC, an illuminating talk, or a super cool dance party.

Come to Reflections and celebrate all of who you are!

We are located steps from the 6 or N/R trains to 23rd St., at 227 E. 24th St. between 2nd & 3rd aves.

SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE PO Box 237047, New York, NY 10023 Jose Mestre, 347-306-0729 Marshall Stackman 212-600-1992 • stws.org

Neil Raff, MD 160-40 78th Rd Fresh Meadows (Queens), NY 11366 718-544-1444 • AmericanStemCellCenter.com Your own stem cells may be used as the cutting edge treatment for neurological and autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular, stroke, spinal cord injuries, orthopedic ailments & more. In a few hour in-office procedure, your own stem cells are collected, concentrated and injected into the areas of damage, stimulating the body’s natural repair. There is no danger of tissue rejection or allergic reaction. Call for a 15 minute free consult.

WELLNESS FLOWLIFE NYC HOLISTIC LOUNGE

58 Orchard Street (between Grand and Hester) New York, NY 10002 917-517-0715 • www.facebook.com/flowlifenyc Flowlife nyc Holistic Lounge is a sanctuary for the Mind, Body and Soul, located in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. We offer Kabbalistic Jewelry, King Solomon Seals (exclusively) from Israel, a variety of incense, smudges and candles, and many gifts for the soul. Services include Intuitive/Card Readings, Reiki sessions, Law of Attraction, Healing and Meditation Seminars.

Consciousness is everything.

INFINITY FLOAT AT Q FLATIRON

224 5th Ave, 3rd floor, NYC 10001 212-213-8520 • QFlatiron.com/infinityfloat/ Infinity Float is the premier luxury Float Suite for the "Sensory Deprivation Experience. "Floating is a method of attaining the deepest rest that humankind has ever experienced - your awareness and focus will shift inward and help you to experience the most incredible form of stress relief and detoxification available. Floating can help to relieve pain, treat anxiety, reduce jet lag, improve concentration and creativity and much more.

SELF EMPOWERED MINDS

STWS is a nonprofit that offers holistic/integrated healing modalities to people affected by 9/11, Hurricane Sandy, the BP oil spill in the Gulf, as well as armed forces personnel and veterans. Over 3000 people have gone through our programs including over 1200 NYC firefighters. SWTS also offers Yoga

by Donation classes that are offered on a donation basis to the 9/11 community, all firefighters & their immediate family members, people who have been affected by Sandy military personnel and veterans.

More information online.

Saba Hocek, Hypo-Energy Healer East 80th Street, NYC 10075 917-658-1660 • SelfEmpoweredMinds.com Saba Hocek, developer of SEM System, creating positive changes to last a lifetime through mind, body spirit approach. With 20+ years experience in intuitive readings, certified hypnotist, Saba, connects with the client’s energy seeing blockages and natural capabilities. Using various hypnosis modalities, she reprograms the mind for new behaviors supporting these changes through acupressure. The result: Live Life Empowered!

natural awakenings

December 2014

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Serena Dyer Reflects on Her Spiritual Upbringing

NOVEMBER 2014 | New York City Edition | NA-NewYorkCity.com

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