Natural Awakenings Pittsburgh Sept 2023

THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF TRAVEL

Self-Improvement While Seeing the World How Parents Can Model Coping Skills

How to Reduce Light Pollution

Tapping Into the Global Health Network

Publisher Michelle Dalnoky

Lead Editor Martin Miron

Production Assistant Joann Dalnoky

Design & Production C. Michele Rose

Sales & Marketing Michelle Dalnoky

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©2023 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.

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You Are The Journey

Should I stay or should I go? When I was young, I traveled quite a bit. I have family in Germany and Italy, and have been able to go to Europe many times throughout my life. I have also spent time in Canada, Mexico, Morocco, the Caribbean and many parts of the United States. When I was young, I was visiting family and looking for adventure. I have always been one to seek out the less touristy spots, though.

I love historical places and also want to talk to the locals, and so even in one of my favorite cities, Florence, I would go off from the tourist spots and down the back alleys to the small restaurants where the locals ate, the little street markets buzzed and cafes were filled with people enjoying their coffee, cappuccino or espresso in a regular porcelain coffee cup, because disposables are either not used or looked upon harshly.

I have been to rich areas and poor areas. I have been to densely and sparsely populated areas. I have seen ancient wonders and natural wonders. I never really had a fear of traveling, since my mother is an immigrant and we always traveled. I have invariably felt that travel is enlightening in many ways. It can be educational, spiritual, peaceful, recreational, exciting and motivating, bringing opportunity or community. It can share kindness, solve problems and seek nature. The possibilities are endless.

I have even traveled as a medical tourist, and if done with care, I believe it can be a great option. I have had some of the best doctors and cleanest and most competent hospital experiences as such; and remember, I have been a nurse for 29 years. I even worked for a biomedical company for a time, traveling with foreign doctors and working in foreign hospitals and medical facilities as they trained U.S. doctors in a new procedure. In fact, that opportunity came to me through my own medical tourism experience.

Having said all that, some of the most awesome beauty I have ever seen is right here in SW Pennsylvania, and after a lifetime of tromping through this magnificent area, I am still in awe, still exploring, still learning and can find all of the above components right here at home: deep history, natural beauty, water, forests, mountains, wildlife, peace, excitement, community and my favorite, kindness.

Michelle Dalnoky, RN, BA, Publisher

Natural Awakenings is a network of natural lifestyle magazine publishers empowering local communities with knowledge, resources and connections to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

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10 SAVOR THE PRESENT MOMENT

How to Add Mindfulness to Mealtime

14 MEDICAL TOURISM

Navigating the Risks and Rewards

16 TRAVELING WITH PURPOSE

Nine Destinations for Spiritual Enlightenment

20 UNDERSTANDING LIGHT POLLUTION

Environmental Concerns and Achievable Remedies

22 HELPING KIDS COPE

Guiding Children Through Trauma and Anxiety

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24 DOG PARENTING

How to Shape Behavior and Strengthen Our Bond

24 natural pet 26 calendar 30 resource guide

31 classifieds

Pittsburgh Conference Addresses Global

Issues

Electric Power Transformation: 2023 MEGA Symposium will take place September 26 and 26 at the Sheraton Pittsburgh Hotel at Station Square, with a focus on the transition of the energy generation industry to cleaner and climate resilient electric power that can remain cost-effective and reliable. Electric power energy issues abound as the world and the industry address environmental policy challenges such as climate change, air quality, waste and water policy, environmental justice, and Environmental Social Governance (ESG), as well as and technology issues related to energy production and delivery.

Intuitive panels and sessions in the Technical Program will address myriad issues the industry is currently facing, including advanced power technologies, air emissions controls, CAA regulation, CCS, climate change policy, environmental justice, ESG/ disclosure, hydrogen, reliability, renewable energy, siting/permitting, transportation, waste and water.

Location: 300 West Station Square Dr., Pittsburgh. For more information, visit awma.org/MEGA.

Unique Sound Healing Summit

Visions

TheReiki and Soul Spa will host the inaugural Point Of Light Sound Healing Summit, an immersive experience to elevate mind, body and spirit through the power of sound, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., October 7.

Featured sound healers, speakers, and performers include Sven Hosford, of Point of Light; Gerald Savage, of Sound Pill; Wyatt Mylius, of Rooted In Sound; Leza Vivio, of Sacred Centered You; Stephanie and Bob Miller, of Music For Life of Pittsburgh; and Steve Sciulli, of The Singing Life of Plants. Attendees can enjoy talks, demonstrations, experiential activities and meditations incorporating different sound healing modalities.

Organizer Wendy Bourne says, “Sound healing is gaining popularity as a effective, integrative approach to chronic and acute stress relief. Vibrational medicine uses vibrations and tones to induce an immediate relaxed state. Sound waves have a range of therapeutic effects on the mind, body and spirit. The use of sound in meditation is an effective way to entrain the brain to move into deep meditative and peaceful states.

Tickets are $100, with lunch by Fresh From The Farm Juices. Location: 206 Alexander Ave., Strabane. For more information, call 724-745-1785, email Wendy@VisionsReiki.com or visit VisionsReikiAndSoulSpa.com/event/point-of-light-sound-healingsummit. See ad, page 11.

Benefits of Biological Dentistry

Understanding that the body and oral health are connected, a biological dentist thoroughly assesses the patient’s overall health to determine the best course of treatment. Biological dentistry is a revolutionary approach to oral health, as well as whole-body health, that highlights prevention and conservative treatment methods. They support a patient’s physiology, metabolism and body chemistry for the purpose of avoiding certain dental interventions and maximiziing healing.

Millions of people have at least one amalgam (mercury) filling in their mouth. Drilling out mercury without protection creates an elevated concentration of mercury vapor that results in a significant exposure of this neurotoxin in the body. Biocompatible flowable ceramic fillings are a safe replacement.

Wholefoodsupplementssupportthephysiologyofthepatient beforeandaftermercuryremovalappointmentstomaximizethe elimination of toxins. This is not the same as detoxification, which isoptimallyperformedafterallamalgamsareremoved.

High-tech air purifiers with extension tubes positioned by the patient’s mouth effectively remove mercury vapor and particles from the treatment room. The air purifier acts as a vacuum and sucks up dangerous toxins.

A rubber dam barrier minimizes scattering of amalgam debris, reducing contact with the oral tissues. A 1990 study determined that a rubber dam eliminated the spike in plasma mercury one day after removal, as well as the spike in urine mercury 10 days later.

The best way to remove mercury vapor and amalgam particulates from the area completely is the high-volume evacuation (HVE). Using purified water during removal lowers the temperature and limits mercury vapor. Using cut and chunk, larger and fewer pieces of the filling are removed, which means less surface area for mercury to escape.

A dedicated detoxification program should be followed after amalgams are removed to continue healing the body of mercury. A doctor can help decide which holistic detoxification protocol is best.

There are no recognized biological benefits to mercury and removing it from the mouth is imperative for health and wellness. A biological dentist will protect their patients from acute exposure to mercury vapor during amalgam removal in a healthy and safe way.

For more information, visit nutraDentist.com. See ad, page 7.

Children’s Physical Activity Declined Since Pandemic

In a new systematic review and metaanalysis published in JAMA Pediatrics, researchers found that children’s physical activity has been greatly reduced by the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers looked at data from 22 studies that included 14,216 participants ranging from 3 to 18 years old. The data showed that children’s total daily physical activity decreased by 20 percent (17 minutes), irrespective of pre-pandemic baseline levels, and the reduction was larger for higher-intensity physical activity. This reduction represents almost one-third of the daily dose of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity recommended for young children and adolescents.

These effects are largely due to social distancing policies and related school closures, which affected 1.5 billion youth worldwide. Under lockdown, children no longer had access to regular physical activities, recreational facilities or outdoor recess, and online learning increased sedentary screen time, disrupting healthy habits. Physical activity affects not only physical health, but also psychosocial functioning and mental well-being.

The study’s results align with another meta-analysis showing that the pandemic increased the prevalence of youth depression and anxiety symptoms, highlighting the tremendous challenges that public health officials face to revive young people’s interest in physical activity since the pandemic.

Holistic Reflexology for Integrative Health Care

Holistic reflexology is a unique and natural treatment whereby the entire body may be reached through gently massaging reflex points which are located in the feet. Its origins can be found 5,000 years ago in China and 3,000 years ago in Egypt; in the 1930s, holistic reflexology was introduced to the West.

The underlying principle is that the entire body may be treated through the feet because each organ of the body has a corresponding reflex point on the foot. The link connecting the feet and the organs are called meridians: a system of energy lines extending throughout the body from head to foot. They form the basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine and are instrumental in shiatsu and acupuncture.

Kirlian photography, which can actually photograph fields of energy surrounding objects, has proven that the field surrounding the human body increases significantly following a reflexology treatment.

Holistic reflexology aids in harmonizing and balancing the body’s energy system; enhances the self-healing power of the body; increases the blood circulation; strengthens the immune system; and relieves pain and tension in the muscles. It can also provide a deep relaxation and stress reduction. One reason for its success is that it treats not only the symptoms of a problem, but the origin. Throughout the healing process, the patient is continuously involved in order to achieve a deeper understanding and awareness for their body.

This process will take time, but an illness or disease may develop over many years, according to lifestyle, nutrition, emotions, stress and other factors. A treatment series will thus typically last between two weeks and three months. Then the body must rest using the new information received to restore the natural inner balance

Holistic reflexology is an excellent form of preventative medicine, as well. We do not have to be ill to begin thinking about our health. This is one of the main differences between integrative and conventional medicine practiced today in Western society. Often the focus of conventional medicine is on illness and disease, and doctors are only consulted after a health problem occurs. But there is an alternative to that. In ancient China, the doctor’s task was to take care of the health of the population in such a way that illness was to be prevented. If someone became ill, the doctored had failed his task.

All forms of integrative medicine, including holistic reflexology, have become more popular in recent times as many people realize that there are limitations and shortfalls of todays’high-tech medicine that sometimes treats the human body as if it were a machine. Hopefully, we are entering a time where conventional and complementary medicine may begin to work together hand in hand for the benefit of all.

Dorit Brauer is the owner of the Brauer Institute for Holistic Medicine. In Pittsburgh. For more information, visit BrauerInstitute.com. See ad, page 7.

Samuel Borges Photography/ShutterStock.com

Savor the Present Moment

HOW TO ADD MINDFULNESS TO MEALTIME

by Veronica Hinke

Recipes That Enrich Mindful Eating

The Ann Wigmore Natural Health Institute, in Aguada, Puerto Rico, offers a mindful eating class that invites diners to practice with a bowl of Ann Wigmore’s Energy Soup—a recipe by the institute’s founder containing an array of vegetables, legumes and grains. “It’s fulfilling, nutritious and cleansing, all in one,” says Executive Director Carolyn Marin. “Key in what makes this a mindful eating meal is that while it is pulsed in a blender, it is not a liquid, and it requires chewing. Also, it is served at room temperature, which helps with mindful eating and proper digestion.”

There is a sharp difference between grabbing a fast-food burger at the drive-through and paying full attention to a home-prepared meal. For many of us, busy schedules and harried lifestyles get in the way of a more introspective dining experience. Mindful eating—the practice of slowing down, appreciating the present moment and becoming consciously aware of the ingredients, flavors, aromas and textures that we consume—can be a worthwhile meditative endeavor.

“If we’re mindful of what we eat, when we eat and how we eat, we are supporting the vibrancy of what our bodies are so capable of,” says Dr. Carrie Demers, medical director at the Himalayan Institute, in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. “Studies show that when people stop to sit down and chew their food carefully, they not only eat

less, but they actually get more enjoyment out of their meal. Food tastes better when we are actually present with it.”

“When we slow down, we become more aware,” says Shawngela Pierce of Seek Within You, who leads spiritual retreats in Sedona, Arizona. “Sometimes people eat out of habit, but when we become more mindful, we start to notice patterns that, once understood, can help us harness a whole new way of eating and living.”

Mindfulness can begin before we even sit at the dining room table, “when we aren’t distracted by watching television or something else, and we take the time to think deeply about what we are preparing,” Pierce says, adding that calm focus can even help us when shopping for ingredients at the farmers market or grocery store.

While soft music plays in the background, students of the mindful eating class are instructed to slowly pick up their spoons, place a serving of soup in their mouths, set their spoons down and unhurriedly chew 30 times. “They look out at the ocean, breathing carefully, eating consciously and slowly, taking their time and getting their body out of fightor-flight mode and into healing mode. It can be very emotional,” Marin explains. “Mindful eating also aids in digestion because the person is chewing the food fully and allowing it to spend more time in the mouth, where digestion begins. Many of our guests have experienced noticeable improvement with acid reflux, stomach aches and nausea.”

Four Aspects of Mindful Eating

Marc Demers, head chef at The Himalayan Institute, says there are four aspects

Asier RomeroShutterStock.com

of mindful eating—right food, right time, right quantity and right attitude or environment—each of which can be individualized and honed to deepen awareness and improve health. Here are his recommendations.

RIGHT FOOD: Eat fresh, whole foods that are easy to digest and give energy. We need mindfulness to notice which foods support us and which cause indigestion, mucus or fatigue.

RIGHT TIME: Our bodies naturally digest better in the daytime and when we feel hunger. Stop eating at least three hours prior to bedtime. We need mindfulness to notice the difference in digestion between eating ice cream at 3 p.m. and at 11 p.m.

RIGHT QUANTITY: Eat just the right amount of food—enough to feel satisfied and fuel the day’s activities, but not so much that we feel lethargic or sleepy. Mindfulness helps us notice our hunger and fullness, as well as how we feel after we eat.

RIGHT ATTITUDE OR ENVIRONMENT : Sit down in a peaceful place, ideally with people we like, rather than eating while driving, working or walking. Don’t eat when stressed or angry. If we are upset, it is better to take a moment to mindfully breathe and calm the nervous system before eating. The goal is to welcome the food with gratitude and openness.

Take It Slow and Steady

For those struggling to commit to mindful eating, Pierce says, “Start practicing mindful eating with the food that you enjoy the most. Don’t try to do it all at once. Just try one meal each week as a start. Make it a priority. Set a reminder if it helps. Have fun with it. Make it a playful practice. Say, ‘Today is going to be my mindful eating day.’ That opens the gateway to something that will become an integral part of your spiritual life.”

Veronica Hinke is a food historian and author of The Last Night on the Titanic: Unsinkable Drinking, Dining and Style and Titanic: The Official Cookbook. Learn more at FoodStringer.com.

Nature’s Germ Killer

Stop germs before you get sick

Science proves pure copper kills germs fast.

GREEK ORZO AND CHICKPEA SALAD

CopperZaps® are made of pure copper, shaped to reach bad germs where they gather in your nose. The inventor has gone 11 YEARS without a cold. Now many thousands of people use CopperZaps.

Stop germs in nose, on skin

Pure copper is scientifically proven to kill germs by touch in seconds, including viruses, bacteria and fungus.

Use a CopperZap against:

Colds, Flu, Covid.

Sinus trouble from germs, Cold sores or fever blisters, Canker sores that get infected, Mold allergy, Warts, Ringworm

Sleep loss due to Congestion

Pink Eye and Styes

Infected sores or skin lesions

This recipe by Vincci Tsui, a dietician and intuitive eating counselor in Calgary, Canada, can inspire mindfulness because it requires chopping, dicing and cubing ingredients, which can be methodical and meditative activities. In terms of eating the salad, the numerous flavors and textures provide ample opportunity to engage the senses and be present with the food.

YIELD: 4 TO 6 SERVINGS (6 CUPS)

8 oz orzo

1 19-oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed (about 2 cups cooked)

1 pint grape tomatoes, halved

1 large English cucumber, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 bunch green onions, chopped

Cuts or wounds getting infected

Getting sick after Air Travel

That’s why ancient Greeks and Egyptians used copper to purify water and heal wounds. They didn’t know about germs, but now we do.

The National Institutes of Health, the EPA and the American Society for Microbiology vouch for the power of copper to kill germs, including antibiotic- resistant ones.

Users say:

“It works! I love it!”

“Is it supposed to work that fast?”

“One of the best presents ever.”

“Sixteen lights and not a sniffle!”

“Cold sores gone!”

“The kids all got sick, but not me.”

“I am shocked! My sinus cleared.”

“Best sleep I’ve had in years!”

Longtime users say they haven’t been sick in years. Less stress, less medical cost, more time to enjoy life.

Independent scientists placed millions of viruses on copper. “The viruses started to die literally as soon as they touched it,” said head scientist Dr. Bill Keevil.

The handle is curved and textured for maximum contact with your fingers and hands in case you touch things a sick person touched and pick up their germs. EPA tests show copper works just as well when it is tarnished. Easy to clean. Easy to use. Comes with Directions. Use over and over again. Never wears out.

90-day Money-back Guarantee. Top BBB rating. Price $79.95. Get $10 off each with code NATA37. See CopperZap.com or call 888-411-6114 toll-free.

Live people answer 9-4 Pacific on business days. Statements not evaluated by FDA. Not claimed to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

ADVERTORIAL

1 cup chopped basil

7 oz feta, cut into ½-inch cubes

FOR THE DRESSING:

¼ cup red wine vinegar

2 Tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp honey

1 tsp dried oregano

½ cup olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Cook the orzo according to the package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.

Meanwhile, make the dressing by whisking together the red wine vinegar, lemon juice, honey and oregano until honey is dissolved. Slowly whisk in olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

In a large bowl, mix together cooked orzo and remaining salad ingredients. Add in dressing and toss to coat.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Dietician and Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor Vincci Tsui.

HEARTY QUINOA SALAD

YIELD: 4 TO 6 SERVINGS (6 CUPS)

⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil

7 Tbsp scallions, sliced thin

1 cup quinoa

1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen

1¾ cups kale, stems removed, finely chopped

1¾ cups cheese of choice, crumbled or diced small (use tofu or tempeh for vegan option)

Photo by Vincci Tsui

⅓ cup pesto (dairy or vegan)

⅓ cup sunflower seeds

⅓ cup dried tomatoes, chopped

Wash and drain the quinoa three times. Cook according to package instructions.

Let cool. If using frozen corn, cook in water for 3 minutes.

Blanch the kale (spinach or other leafy greens work also). Press out extra water.

Sauté the scallions for 2 to 3 minutes. If using tofu or tempeh, lightly brown it in the skillet.

Combine all of the ingredients, and mix well. Use within 3 days.

Photo courtesy of The Himalayan Institute; recipe by Head Chef Marc Demers.

Photo by Himalayan Institute

Medical Tourism NAVIGATING THE RISKS AND REWARDS

by Sheila Julson

Many Americans have experienced sticker shock upon receiving a medical or dental bill, whether or not they have health insurance. As healthcare costs continue to rise in the United States, patients are grabbing their passports and turning to medical tourism—the act of crossing borders to obtain quality medical care at a lower cost.

“We have a great healthcare system in the United States, but it is priced out of the market for millions of people at the bottom of the economic pyramid,” says Josef Woodman, CEO of Patients Beyond Borders, a medical tourism resource. He estimates that to date, 2.1 to 2.4 million Americans have intentionally crossed borders specifically for medical care. Approximately 65 percent of those people sought complex dental treatments.

The town of Los Algodones, Mexico, located just over the U.S.Mexico border near Baja California, has approximately 300 dental clinics. Known as “Molar City”, the town is a mecca for people looking for more affordable dentistry. U.S. travelers also head to Costa Rica, Turkey and Thailand for elective cosmetic surgery, bariatrics, infertility treatments, orthopedic medicine, cardiology and cancer care, or to obtain low-cost pharmaceuticals.

Add holistic treatments to the list, says David G. Vequist IV, Ph.D., the founder and director of the Center for Medical Tourism Research at the University of the Incarnate Word, in San Antonio. “People are very interested in how Asian countries naturally combine both alternative and traditional medicine. Philosophies like ‘food as medicine’ are commonly used in treatments there,” says the 15-year scholar of medical tourism trends.

Planning for the Best Outcomes

According to Vequist, “The best Mexican hospitals are using the same standards that we have in the U.S.” In 2009, for example, when Mexico’s General Health Council set out to create national hospital certification standards in their country, officials followed protocols established by Joint Commission International, an influential U.S.-based nonprofit that has served as a global driver of health care quality improvement and patient safety for the past 20 years.

Nevertheless, it is important to understand that complications may arise during a healthcare procedure regardless of where it is performed. Vequist cautions that the farther a patient travels from home, the more likely they will be exposed to bacteria that is unfamiliar to their body. Also, traveling in a pressurized airplane after complex surgical procedures should be avoided, and seeking medical care outside of a patient’s regular care network may break the continuum of care, leading to miscommunication and errors in the transfer of medical records.

“Although global health care isn’t for everyone, those who try it will find the quality is the same or better than at home, with modern facilities at a fraction of the cost,” says Paul McTaggart, founder of two specialized travel agencies—Medical Departures and Dental Departures—that help patients become informed about the best and most appropriate clinics and doctors around the world for their medical needs. They

also book appointments, forward medical records and make travel arrangements.

McTaggart vets medical providers outside of the U.S. by verifying doctor credentials with local regulatory authorities; measuring web reputations; conducting onsite inspections when possible; posting authentic, patient-verified reviews; removing partners that consistently receive poor reviews; and checking the web for legal and other claims against hospitals or clinics.

Woodman advises that extensive research of foreign hospitals, clinics and providers is crucial for a positive medical-tourism outcome and cautions against making a decision based solely on cost. “There are some bad actors out there that advertise mostly on price to attract U.S. patients. If a clinic advertises that you’ll

save 80 or 90 percent off U.S. healthcare prices, be wary—that’s way too high of a discount.”

Other red flags include clinics that are located in strip malls or a lack of verifiable credentials for a provider. “A medical tourist needs to be a little more adaptable and critical of their surroundings,” Woodman says, adding that even if they’ve made the trip, when the circumstances seem off, a patient should never feel pressured to go through with the treatment or procedure.

Jonathan Edelheit, president of the Medical Tourism Association, recommends using healthcare providers that are certified or accredited by international organizations like Global Healthcare Accreditation. “Be careful of trusting any website,” he warns. “Some medical tourism facilitators are middlemen or agencies that receive a commission. Some will refer you to the best provider, but some will refer you to a provider that provides the largest commission, but who isn’t the best.”

Edelheit believes that with proper research and planning, costeffective, quality health care is possible. He reminds travelers to avoid countries where the U.S. Department of State has issued a travel advisory, and he recommends speaking with several patients that have gone through the same procedure to get a firsthand review and manage expectations. He asserts, “The value you receive and being able to immerse yourself in another culture and integrate a vacation is something that most medical tourists treasure and cherish.”

Sheila Julson is a freelance writer and frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings.

TRAVELING WITH PURPOSE

NINE DESTINATIONS FOR SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTENMENT

by Kiki Powers

Seeker rests on Machu Picchu while viewing Huayna Picchu in Peru

Throughout history, humans have embarked on pilgrimages in pursuit of wealth, good fortune, divine intervention, spiritual enlightenment and other blessings. These journeys could be considered the earliest manifestations of one type of adventure travel, while today some of these would be defined as spiritual tourism.

The notion of “spirit” refers to both our conscious and subconscious minds. A spiritual practice, then, is any activity that enables us to step away from the noisy parade of life and explore our emotions, where any concept of the human spirit resides. This spiritual self-care includes any ritual or practice that helps connect us with our most authentic higher self.

Travel can be an amazing way to explore metaphysical interests with new people, sites and scenes, in order to invigorate the senses, stimulate the imagination, refresh the mental framework and invite new ideas and personal insights. Some places qualify for spiritual travel by virtue of their natural beauty, or due to some historical, mythological or religious significance. For a trip that fosters mind-body-spirit self-care with a generous portion of adventure, check out these sacred sites.

Mount Shasta

This Northern California treasure is believed to be a powerful spiritual vortex that has long captured the imagination of spiritual seekers. By some accounts, Mount Shasta is reputed to be the Earth’s root chakra, in keeping with the belief that, like the human body, planet Earth possesses chakra energy centers

This majestic mountain, which is associated with healing, transformation and spiritual awakening, is a stunning backdrop for the many spiritual retreats and workshops offered locally that include meditation, energy healing, yoga, sound therapy and other restorative modalities.

Spiritual guide Andrew Oser, who has led Mount Shasta retreats for decades, says, “I can help you allow Mount Shasta’s transforming energies into the core of your very being, and by utilizing my direction to harness the mountain’s heightened vibration, you will feel it almost magically dissolve all of your fears.”

Sedona, Arizona

Surrounded by red rock canyons, whimsical forests and waterfalls, Sedona’s natural beauty inspires spiritual reflection. It is also part of one of the most powerful energy vortexes in the world and a New Age Mecca for those seeking transcendence through energy healing, yoga, sound baths and a host of other spiritual offerings.

From venturing to the bright turquoise waters at Havasu Falls nearby to visiting the Chapel of the Holy Cross, there are many activities in Sedona for those wishing to connect more deeply to nature and themselves.

Bali, Indonesia

Known as the “Island of the Gods”, Bali is a captivating destination with a serene, spiritual ambiance. Nestled amidst lush greenery and terraced rice fields, the town of Ubud, in the uplands of Bali, enjoys international recognition for its spiritual offerings and welcoming vibe for those seeking inner peace and self-discovery.

Holistic healing options in Bali include energy therapies, sound healing and traditional Balinese massage. Yoga enthusiasts will be delighted with the varied class options, immersive programs and specialized workshops. Along with wellness spas offering rejuvenating treatments that harmonize the body, mind and spirit, Bali offers beautiful meditation areas for quiet contemplation.

Maddy M/ ShutterStock.com

Edwin Verin/Shutterstock.com

Machu Picchu, Peru

Spirituality runs deep in the Peruvian culture, from the ancient temples of the Incas to the living history of shamanism in the Amazon jungle. Machu Picchu has long been a revered site, and historically the place for worshipping the sun, the main Inca deity. Seekers can explore Machu Picchu on their own or participate in guided spiritual meditations—either way, it is a beautiful destination for a mind-body-spirit getaway.

For those seeking a deep mystical experience, Peru Sacred Tours provides a safe haven for spiritual advancement with the individualized attention and guidance of indigenous practitioners, including the herbalist shamans of the rainforest, Q’ero Inca priests of Cuzco or Moche San Pedro shamans of Chiclayo.

Egypt

Egypt is considered a land of majesty and mystery, attracting treasure hunters, history buffs and adventure seekers, as well as those searching for spiritual transformation. This world-renowned destination has a long history of spirituality, with a colorful tapestry of beliefs and practices. The ancient Egyptians were convinced of the existence of a spiritual plane, while also maintaining deep reverence for the natural world, and these concepts continue to inform contemporary Egyptian culture and spirituality.

In recent years, there has been a surge in demand for spiritual tours in Egypt, particularly for meditation workshops in iconic places like the Great Pyramid of Giza, Valley of the Kings, Mount Sinai and Nile River. One of the more well-known tour guides is Freddy Silva, a leading researcher of ancient civilizations, sacred sites and their interaction with consciousness, as well as the bestselling author of The Divine Blueprint.

Varanasi, India

Varanasi may be the world’s oldest city, settled more than 4,000 years ago. Located on the banks of the Ganges River, it is regarded as the spiritual heart of India, with a tradition of Hindu mythology, as well as Buddhism. Religious, humanist and secular visitors frequent the evening aarti ceremony, when sadhus [sages] show their devotion by raising flaming lamps amid the aroma of incense.

If this strikes a chord, renowned author and spiritual teacher Andrew Harvey is offering a 14-day pilgrimage to the artistic, historical and spiritual soul of North India in November. He is the founder and director of the Institute for Sacred Activism, an international organization that inspires people to take up the challenge of our contemporary global crises by becoming effective, practical agents of institutional and systemic change.

Kyoto, Japan

Imbued with the rich heritage and history of Zen Buddhism, this enchanting city is an ideal destination for seekers to explore close to 2,000 Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, as well as the iconic Golden Pavilion, where centuries of devotion and wisdom have been housed. Many of these sites also provide inspiring settings for quiet contemplation, meditation and discussions of The Buddha’s teachings. The traditional tea ceremony offered at numerous venues around the city is a refreshing, meditative practice that cultivates a sense of tranquility and connection to the present moment. Kyoto is also home to exquisite Japanese gardens that illustrate the profound relationship between nature and spirituality in this gentle culture.

Kanuman/ShutterStock.com

Roop Dey/ShutterStock.com

Nataliya Hora/ShutterStock.com

Italy

As there are many sacred sites in Italy, a guided experience or well-planned itinerary may help facilitate an immersive spiritual journey. This is a labor of love for Phil Cousineau, author of more than 40 books, teacher, editor, independent scholar, documentary filmmaker, travel leader and storyteller. His lifelong fascination with art, literature and history of culture has taken him on journeys around the world.

Author of The Art of Pilgrimage: The Seeker’s Guide to Making Travel Sacred, Cousineau has stated, “To shine the light of your own natural curiosity into the world of another traveler can reveal wonders—to remember the mysteries you forgot at home. What matters most on your journey is how deeply you see, how attentively you hear, how richly the encounters are felt in your heart and soul.”

In partnership with Sacred Earth Journeys, Cousineau has prepared a guided tour in November entitled The Sweet Life of Mythic Italy, which will explore sacred locations in Rome, Perugia, Assisi, Montepulciano, Florence, Verona and Venice. To learn more, visit Tinyurl.com/SweetLifeTour

Making the Most of a Spiritual Vacation

by Linda Sechrist

Stonehenge, England

Every year, more than a million people make the spiritual voyage to Stonehenge, in Wiltshire, England. Archaeologists are still seeking a plausible explanation as to how the stones weighing multiple tons were transported to the site. This ancient masterpiece of prehistoric engineering remains shrouded in mystery to this day. There is further spiritual charm in myths around the purpose of Stonehenge. People ask, “Was it intended as a funeral monument, an astronomical observatory, a tool to predict the seasons or a sanctuary where the sun was worshipped?” Stonehenge is believed to be an epicenter of Earth energy with as many as 14 ley lines converging on the site—powerful channels of energy associated with places of ancient and primordial significance.

It is plain to see that when we are ready to invest in our spiritual well-being in a fun, mind-expanding way, many mind-body-spirit travel options abound.

Kiki Powers is a health writer, blogger and national speaker specializing in plant-based nutrition and healthy green living. Learn more at RawKiki.com.

Phil Cousineau, author of The Art of Pilgrimage: The Seeker’s Guide to Making Travel Sacred, specializes in creating meaningful travel experiences and leading tours to sacred sites. “All pilgrimages are a search for meaning and purpose, which is why I prepare groups on how to travel deliberately, ways to experience it and how to integrate the experiences into daily life so they are not forgotten,” he says.

Cousineau recommends getting off the bus, putting away the video recorder and simply walking into the landscape. “Remind yourself why you traveled to there,” he says. “Take the deepest, most probing question in your life with you. Chronicle your answer for two to five minutes daily. At the site, look for one detail that represents your entire visit that day and take a photo. Use active imagination to open your heart, rather than waiting for something to happen. Don’t compare your travels. When you are comparing where you are with where you’ve been, there’s no meaning—it becomes just one more purposeless tour.”

To share the experience with traveling companions, Cousineau says, “I begin mornings over breakfast with a long conversation that includes any stories about where we’re visiting. We’re reminding ourselves that we’re forming a small community by traveling together and studying the same stories so that we can continue our long conversation over dinner. This is where the meaning starts to form and deepen.”

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Understanding Light Pollution

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS AND ACHIEVABLE REMEDIES

by Sheryl DeVore

At Montana’s Medicine Rock State Park, visitors have a rare opportunity to look up at the night sky and see an awe-inspiring display of planets and constellations, as well as the Milky Way, our spiral-shaped galaxy that contains about 100 billion stars, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. It is a magnificent sight, but those of us that live in or near cities with artificial lights beaming out of buildings and cascading over parking lots and highways may never get the pleasure.

“Because of light pollution, up to 80 percent of people living in North America are unable to see the Milky Way where they live,” says Sabre Moore, executive director of the Carter County Museum, in Ekalaka, Montana. “Medicine Rock State Park is designated as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, and the Carter County Museum has committed to safeguarding it in perpetuity.”

The park’s sanctuary certification was issued by the nonprofit International Dark-Sky Association, based in Tucson, Arizona, with a grassroots network throughout the world. The organization offers five dark-sky designations based on stringent outdoor lighting standards and relies on the help of community stakeholders, such as Moore, who serves as a volunteer dark-sky preservation advocate. At Medicine Rock, she helps host sky-parties for people to enjoy the celestial show and learn about the negative impacts of light pollution.

Threats Posed by Artificial Lighting

The skies around cities are hundreds, if not thousands, of times brighter than they were 200 years ago, according to 2017 research published in Science Advances. In addition to robbing us of the Earth’s nocturnal skyscape, outdoor illumination negatively affects many plants and animals, including humans. Human-made lighting threatens approximately 30 percent of nocturnal vertebrates and 60 percent of nocturnal invertebrates, and it “is increasingly suspected of affecting human health,” writes scientist Christopher Kyba, lead author of the report.

The mechanisms by which these life forms are affected vary. For example, when birds migrate, they fly into buildings that are lit up at night. Scientists estimate that at least 100 million bird deaths in the United States annually are related to light pollution. “Bobcats and bats rely on the cover of darkness for their survival and are also being affected,” says Moore, adding that artificial light interrupts human circadian rhythms, thereby affecting our REM [rapid eye movement] sleep, which is vital for our well-being. The flight patterns of night-active insects are disrupted by outdoor lighting, which partially explains their declining numbers worldwide.

A Simple Switch Saves Turtles

It is possible to reduce these negative impacts, as the Sea Turtle Conservancy has proven. By getting people to modify the positioning and types of lights used in buildings along Florida and Texas beaches, the nonprofit has been able to rescue loggerheads, leatherbacks and green sea turtles from the brink of extinction.

Female turtles have evolved to instinctively lay their eggs on the beach, allowing the hatchlings to emerge at night and head toward the light of the horizon into sea. Humans, however, have interrupted this natural course with artificial light emanating from the windows of high-rise condominiums, garden spotlights and outdoor lamps.

“When hatchlings erupt out of their nests in the middle of the night, the bright horizon today is in the direction of the land. They go the wrong way into roads, parking lots, swimming pools or dunes, where they are run over by cars or subject to predation,” explains David Godfrey, executive director of the conservancy.

Researchers have discovered that lights with longer wavelengths that are amber, orange and red in color do not disturb the turtles, as opposed to outdoor fixtures that emanate shorter-wavelength blue and white light. According to Godfrey, the good news for these sea creatures is, “LED can be programmed to emit the specific wavelength you want.”

The conservancy works with coastal counties, beachfront property owners and others to switch to turtle-friendly lighting, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation often provides grants to pay the retrofitting costs. As a result, Godfrey reports, there has been increased nesting in areas with changed lighting and greater survivorship by the hatchlings.

“We are saving tens of thousands of hatchlings every season, and homeowners are seeing a reduction in their utility bills. People love it. They’ve found the longer wavelengths are more pleasing to the eyes,” Godfrey asserts. “Since we know that light pollution affects various other forms of wildlife and humans, the managed use of lighting at night is something that everyone should pay attention to.”

Tips to Address Light Pollution

n Avoid blue-light fixtures.

n Turn off unnecessary lights in the evening.

n Use dimmers, timers and motion detectors.

n Close curtains and blinds at night to stop indoor lights from beaming to the outdoors.

n Visit Lights Out: Recovering Our Night Sky, an exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, in Washington, D.C. (NaturalHistory.si.edu/exhibits/lights-out).

n Get involved at GlobeAtNight.org, a citizen-scientist group that monitors light pollution.

n Support dark-sky designated areas (Tinyurl.com/DarkSkyPlace).

Sheryl DeVore is a frequent contributor to national and regional publications and has authored six books on science, health and nature. Learn more at SherylDeVore.wordpress.com.

Helping Kids Cope

GUIDING CHILDREN THROUGH TRAUMA AND ANXIETY

by Carrie Jackson

Children today are facing ever-increasing amounts of stress and anxiety. In addition to academic pressure, bullying and family dynamics, kids are worried about navigating social media, climate change and school shootings. While a certain amount of stress is normal and healthy, too much can cause debilitating physical, emotional and cognitive effects.

A 2010 study published by the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, at Harvard University, reports that persistent fear and chronic anxiety can have lifelong consequences by disrupting the developing architecture of the brain. Parents can help anxious kids by modeling stress-management and problem-solving techniques, and inviting their children to talk about their feelings.

Acknowledging and Coping With Fear

While each child’s anxiety is unique, the themes are often universal. “Children fear not being liked, being made fun of, failing when they try new things, getting hurt, losing a loved one, being left out and not fitting in. If this list seems familiar, it’s because they are all the same fears adults have too,” says Michelle Nelson-Schmidt, an author and illustrator of 32 children’s books, including What If I Know My Feelings? and The Whatif Monster

series “It is debilitating when we don’t talk about our fears and anxieties. Children often don’t have the vocabulary to verbalize their fears, so they bottle it up, letting fears get bigger and scarier. The earlier they learn that it’s okay to be scared, to talk about their fears and to ask for help, the less power fear and anxiety will have over their brains.”

According to Dr. Carol Penn, author of Meditation in a Time of Madness: A Guidebook for Talented Tweens, Teens, Their Parents & Guardians Who Need to Thrive, “Fear is a natural phenomenon. It’s how we’re hardwired to survive as a species. However, when fear turns into anxiety and the body enters a chronic state of hyperarousal with raised cortisol levels, it can be debilitating. This shortens attention spans and disrupts the hypothalamic loop, which deals with creating short-term memory, causing kids to lose the ability to engrain long-term learning.”

Penn notes that kids can pick up on their parents’ anxiety, so it is imperative to model self-care and create a soothing home environment. “Children are unsettled when their parents are unsettled. By observing body language and energy, kids can intuitively gauge when something is wrong, and they often make up stories about why,” she explains. “Teaching kids to take regular breaks throughout the day for relaxed awareness encourages them to notice a mind-body connection. Take two minutes before getting out of the car or starting a new activity to pay attention to your breath and observe and label pain or tension in the body. If you are hunching your shoulders or clenching your jaw, make mindful adjustments to reset and settle the body and nervous system.”

Overcoming Anxiety After a Traumatic Event

Last year, Highland Park, Illinois, experienced the improbable yet possible event of a mass shooting during their Fourth of July parade. “While the community worked to rediscover a sense of safety, our school focused on the necessary structures and initiatives to help students heal and rebuild,” says Holly Fleischer, the assistant principal of diversity, equity and inclusion at Highland Park High School. “As we started the school year, we recommitted to a focus on social-emotional learning by teaching strategies to manage emotions, sustain healthy relationships, develop an awareness of self and make healthy decisions. By practicing coping skills with everyday stressors, our students are learning to develop feelings of control, safety and resiliency as they navigate a traumatic experience or event.”

According to Fleischer, “While there is little control of one’s outside world and circumstances, kids can find calm in a

storm through strategies like deep breathing, recognizing your five senses, listening to music, reaching out to loved ones, using ice packs for sensory intervention and giving oneself a strong bear hug. Students will get to know which ones work for them. It is also essential to disrupt maladaptive coping mechanisms like avoidance, which do not allow for the practice of these healthier ways of self-management.”

Building Resilience for the Future

“Thoughts are the language of the mind, and feelings are the language of the body,” Penn counsels. “When stress develops, have kids draw three pictures identifying what it looks like for them. The first is a picture of themselves right now; the second is the challenge they’re facing; and the third is how they will feel when the challenge is resolved. This gives children control over their feelings, allowing them to self-soothe and creatively work through challenging situations. When children

learn to be adaptable, flexible and imaginative critical thinkers, they can respond to even the darkest days and move forward with grace and hope.”

Carrie Jackson is a Chicago-based freelance writer. Connect at CarrieJacksonWrites.com. Maria/AdobeStock.com

DOG PARENTING

HOW TO SHAPE BEHAVIOR AND STRENGTHEN OUR BOND

by Karen Shaw Becker, DVM

Although the saying is that dogs are our best friends, canine companions are a lot like kids, too. In the same way that parenting styles impact children’s mental and emotional development, so do pet parenting choices. How we guide and care for our dogs can shape their behavior, responsiveness, attachment, cognition and overall well-being.

A 2022 study in the journal Animal Cognition found that authoritative pet parents, defined as those with high expectations for their dogs, have the most positive influence on the behavior and cognition of their pets. The study’s co-author, Monique Udell, an associate professor at Oregon State University, says, “We found that pet parenting style does predict patterns of dog behavior and cognition. This is an important finding because it suggests that dog owners who take the time to understand and meet their dog’s needs are more likely to end up with secure, resilient dogs.”

Pet Parenting Styles

A range of factors will determine a dog owner’s parenting style, but in general there are three categories:

n Authoritative (high expectations, high responsiveness)

n Authoritarian (high expectations, low responsiveness)

n Permissive (low expectations, low responsiveness)

Dogs with authoritative owners are the most likely to have secure attachment styles, be highly responsive to social cues, prefer to be close to their owner over an unfamiliar person and be more independently persistent in solving problems.

Understanding the Human-Canine Connection

Dogs track human eye movements, linking them with intent. One study has suggested that when a dog’s gaze follows a human’s, it’s not simply a reflex; rather, it is associated with the human’s “communicative intent”. A dog’s ability to interact with its owner at this level helps strengthen the bond they share.

According to study co-author and behavioral scientist Lauren Brubaker, research into human-dog relationships parallels human psychological research in that, just as a child’s development, mental health, intellectual success, social cognition, attachment and job performance are influenced by their upbringing, human-dog relationships influence a dog’s behavior and cognition.

A positive connection between humans and their canine family members is mutually beneficial on many levels. Science has revealed a demonstrable chemistry between dogs and their humans, and, in fact, daily interactions with our canine companions have a measurably beneficial effect on our biochemistry, thanks to a hormone called oxytocin, sometimes called the “hug hormone” or the “love chemical”.

A Japanese study involving 55 dogs and owners proved that when we share loving visual connections with our dogs, everyone benefits. The researchers found that people whose dogs looked upon them for two minutes or more showed increased levels of oxytocin and claimed to be happier than owners whose dogs regarded them for a minute or less.

In a 2003 study conducted at the University of Pretoria, in South Africa, researchers had dog owners focus solely on their pets for half an hour, talking with them as they stroked, scratched and petted them. The owners’ blood was drawn at the beginning and at the end of the 30-minute session.

The scientists found that blood pressure decreased in the human subjects, while oxytocin increased, as did other beneficial hormones, such as beta-endorphins, which are associated with both pain relief and euphoria; prolactin, which promotes bonding between parent and child; phenylethylamine, which is increased in people involved in romantic relationships; and dopamine, which heightens feelings of pleasure. These hormones were also elevated in the dogs, which suggests the feelings of attachment are mutual.

As we see, there is a demonstrable positive chemistry between dogs and humans. Not only can our pet parenting style shape a dog’s behavior, it also has potential wellness benefits for us mentally, physically, emotionally or all the above.

Veterinarian Karen Shaw Becker has spent her career empowering animal guardians to make knowledgeable decisions to extend the life and well-being of their animals. To learn more, visit DrKarenBecker.com.

calendar of events

NOTE: Events were accurate at the time the magazine went to press – please call ahead to check for date or time changes. All calendar events must be received by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Review submissions guidelines at NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com or email Publisher@NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com for more information.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

Monroeville Jazz Festival-20thAnniversary – 11am. Hosted by Gratzie Ventures and Monroeville Foundation. Sponsored by UPMC East and Dollar Bank. Enjoy this free event, with free parking, food trucks, vendors, and amazing performances by regional and national artists. Donations accepted in support of The Monroeville Foundation charities. Tickets at MonroevilleFoundation.org/Monroeville-Jazz-Festival. 412-856-3304.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

Restorative Yoga-Online via Zoom – 9:45-11am. Hosted by Sterling Yoga. Constant stress creates dis-ease in the body, so we use various props like blankets blocks, and sandbags to support the body in learning to relax. All ages. $18. Register at SterlingYoga.PunchPass.com/Classes/. 412-260-0533

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

Tree ID Walk – 5:30-7:30pm. Hosted by Tree Pittsburgh. 16+, no pets. Wear walking shoes, be prepared to walk over sloping terrain. Want to know more about the trees in your neighborhood? Learn basic tree ID skills at Riverview Park. Space limited. Tickets $10/$15 at Secure.Givelively.org/ event/Friends-of-the-Pittsburgh-Urban-Forest/ Tree-ID-Walk-Riverview-Park. Riverview Park, 159 Riverview Ave. 412-781-8733.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

Fall Knitted Animal Scarf Class 1 of 4 – 10:30am12:30pm. Hosted by Appalachian Creativity Center. 4-week class scheduled for Sept 9, 16, 23, and 30. Choose from 4 designs. $70 plus $5/class fee. Reservations required. Call 724-208-1746. Appalachian Creativity Center, 136 South Pittsburgh St, Connellsville.

4th Annual Read Local/Eat Local 2023 – 11am-2pm. Free Event. Hosted by Peters Township Public Library. The library will host 22 local authors representing writers and illustrators of everything from adult fiction and nonfiction, teen fiction, juvenile chapter books, and children’s books, alongside local food trucks Tango Authentic Argentinian Food, Hott Dawgs, and Donut NV. Info PTLib.org/rlel. Peters Township Public Library, 616 E McMurray Rd, McMurray.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

Monday Morning Yoga with All Bodies Welcome – 9:15-10:15am. Hosted by East End Food Co-op. Emily Anderson, of All Bodies Welcome Yoga, brings accessible, trauma-informed yoga to those who want to connect their bodies and minds. Free. Tickets: EEFCyoga.EventBrite.com. East End Food Co-op, 7516 Meade St. 412-242-3598.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

Webinar: All About Bears – 5-5:45pm. Hosted by Allegheny Land Trust. Free webinar about bears, including Pennsylvania’s only bear, the American Black Bear. 412-741-2750. Link at: AlleghenyLandTrust.NetworkForGood.com/events/55777-allabout-bears-webinar.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

50+ Walking Series with AARP – 9-10:30am. Hosted by Allegheney Land Trust and sponsored by AARP PA. Geared for 50+, hike Allegheny Land Trust’s properties over moderate terrain and distances. Learn about local flora and fauna while you experience the beauty of these spaces. Rain or shine. Park and meet in the larger parking lot. $Free. Register at AlleghenyLandTrust.NetworkForGood.com/events/6053250-walking-series-with-aarp? Churchill Valley Greenway, 800 Beulah Rd. 412-741-2750.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

Art(s) in the Park – 11am-4pm. Hosted by The Washington Park in partnership with Citywide Development Corp, WQED, the Pittsburgh Ballet, Frick Park, WashPA Outdoors and more. Celebrate, showcase and embrace demonstrations of various forms of art. The Washington Park, 283 Dunn Ave, Washington, PA. 724-228-2812.

12 Months of Christmas Ornaments – 3-5pm. Hosted by Appalachian Creativity Center. Christmas ornament class by Stained Glass artist Shirley Rosenberger. Classes began in Jan and run through 16 Dec. Each ornament is $40 +$5 class fee for 2 hours of instruction per day up to four weeks per ornament, if needed. Reservations required. 724208-1746. Appalachian Creativity Center, 139 West Crawford Ave, Connellsville.

Arbor Aid 2023! – 5-9pm. Hosted by Tree Pittsburgh. 21+, no pets. Pierogis, light bites, the infamous Arbor Aid Cookie Table, beer from Penn Brewery, cider from A Few Bad Apples, and music from Chet Vincent, followed by Mani Bahia & The Mob. Tickets range from “What you can give” to “Pay it Forward” ($25-$75) at Secure.GiveLively.org/event/ Friends-of-the-Pittsburgh-Urban-Forest/Arbor-Aid2023-a-Celebration-of-Trees. 412-781-8733.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

Arts & Open House Tour at the Carrie Blast Furnaces – 1-5pm. Hosted by Rivers of Steel and

the Borough of Rankin. Self-guided tours of the landmark furnaces, including the new Mini Greens 2 art installation in the Iron Garden. Experience arts programs including graffiti, blacksmithing, folk art, and a live hot metal pour. Enjoy the local vendor market. Food and drinks available for purchase. General Admission $22. Tickets: RiversOfSteel. com. Carrie Blast Furnaces, 801 Carrie Furnace Blvd. Info 412-464-4020.

Mexican War Streets 51st Annual House and Garden Tours – 11am-5pm. Hosted by Mexican War Streets Society. Pittsburgh’s oldest and finest House and Garden Tour promoting the historic significance of the neighborhood, presenting beautifully restored homes and private and community gardens. Tickets only available online. $30 at MexicanWarStreets.org/new-products/51st-annualmexican-war-streets-house-garden-tour.

Homestead Cemetery History Day – 1-5pm. Hosted by Homestead Cemetery, Kim Farrah, and Kyra Ostovich. Family-friendly celebration and information about past influential members of the Homestead community. Guided walking tours, food trucks, and an open house to showcase restoration work. See the resting place of several Civil War era soldiers with local historians and members of the 40th PA Volunteer Infantry Reenactors. Baseball history also comes alive in the legends about owners and players with the Homestead Grays Negro League, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and other teams. Also an intimate view of the life and death of the 1892 Battle of Homestead Steel Strike victim, John E. Morris. $Free: donations appreciated. Homestead Cemetery, 2257 Main St, Munhall. 412-294-3189.

WEDNESDAY,

SEPTEMBER 27

Webinar: Fall & Winter Gardening for Wildlife – 5-5:45pm. Hosted by Allegheny Land Trust. Maintain your garden and yard for wildlife over the long winter months. Webinar: us02Web.Zoom. US/J/87602733380. Info Facebook.com/AlleghenyLandTrust, 412-741-2750.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

Underground Railroad-Guest Lecture – 7-9pm. Hosted by the New Brighton Historical Society. Join Dr. Laurence Glasco for his presentation, “After They Got Here: The Remarkable Accomplishments of Pittsburgh’s Runaway Slaves,” at the Merrick Art Gallery. Tickets $10. Tickets at NBHistory.org/ Underground-Railroad-Walking-Tour. Merrick Art Gallery, 1100 5th Ave, New Brighton.

Cranberry Township Farmers Market Barktoberfest – 3pm. Hosted by Cranberry Township Farmers Market. Vendors centered all around your furry friends. Bring your furry friends dressed in costume for our annual Costume Contest! Cranberry Township Municipal Building, 2525 Rochester Rd, Cranberry Township. 724-776-4806.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

Third Biennial Underground Railroad Walking Tour – 9am-2pm. Hosted by New Brighton Historical Society. All tours start at J & J Spratt Funeral home, 1612 3rd Ave, New Brighton. Free 2.5-mile walking tour of 8 buildings/homes that were either part of New Briton’s Underground Railroad or linked to famous abolitionists. Info NBHistory.org/ Underground-Railroad-Walking-Tour.

plan ahead

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7

savethe date

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7

Point of Light Sound Healing Summit – 9am6pm. Hosted by Visions Reiki and Soul Spa. Immersive experience to elevate mind, body and spirit. Demonstrations, talks, experiential and meditation activities incorporating sound and healing modalities. Featuring Sven Hosford of Point of Light; Gerald Savage of Sound Pill; Wyatt Mylius of Rooted in Sound; Leza Vivio of Sacred Centered You; Stephanie and Bob Miller of Music for Life of Pittsburgh; and Steve Sciulli of The Singing Life of Plants. Includes boxed lunch from Fresh from the Farm Juices. Tickets $100 at VisionsReikiAndSoulSpa.com/event/point-of-light-sound-healingsummit. Info 724-745-1785. Visions Reiki and Soul Spa, 206 Alexander Ave, Strabane.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11

savethe date

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11

Professional Holistic Reflexology Certification – Pittsburgh – 5-9pm. Hosted by The Brauer Institute for Holistic Medicine. Embark on a fulfilling career path in the fast-growing field of Holistic Medicine. Become a Holistic Reflexologist. Enrollment for the 2023/24 Holistic Reflexology Certification has begun. 300 hours of instruction. For student requirements and information call Dorit Brauer, 412-925-0812. Info at BrauerInstitute.com.

ongoing events

sunday

Squirrel Hill Farmers Market– 9am-1pm. Thru Nov. Hosted by CitiParks. Local freshly picked fruits and vegetables, meats, cheese, baked goods etc. SNAP accepted. Info CitiParks.net. Beacon/ Bartlett Parking Lot.

Yoga for Makers – 10-11am. 2nd Sundays thru Dec. Hosted by All Bodies Welcome Yoga at Prototype PGH. Gentle, accessible floor or chair yoga addressing common physical woes of makers: neck and shoulder pain; hand and wrist fatigue; low back aches. Bring towels, mats, yoga props. $10 at EventBrite. Info 412-204-7080. Prototype PGH, 460 Melwood Ave #208.

Hatha / Tantra Yoga with Lesley Eckenrode –11am-12:15pm. Hosted by Visions Reiki and Soul Spa. Advanced class with more challenging pace for those with prior yoga experience. $15. Register at VisionsReikiAndSoulSpa.com/yoga/.

Art as Therapy – 1-3pm. 2nd and 4th Sunday. Hosted by Atithi Studios. Unlock the therapeutic potential of artmaking. All disciplines and levels. Pay what you can to keep this program going. Registration required: AtithStudios.com/programs.

The Writer’s Club – 1-3pm. 1st and 3rd Sunday. Hosted by Atithi Studios. Writers of all experience levels explore writing through discussions, feedback circles, prompts, and creative exercises. Pay what you can to keep this program going. Registration required: AtithStudios.com/programs.

Sunday’s Restorative Rejuvenation – 5-6:30pm. 3rd Sun. Hosted by Morgantown Power Yoga. All levels welcome. Learn to use breath, props, and focused awareness to decrease stress and anxiety in the body and the mind. Compliment your power yoga practice with restorative rejuvenation. $25. 235 Spruce St, Morgantown, WV. Tickets: Clients. MindBodyOnline.com.

The Poetry Atelier – 6-8pm. 1st Sunday each month. Hosted by The Space Upstairs. A series of sharing writings and writing processes, with writers invited to read their work, workshop their shared submissions, and experiment together in invented group exercises. Open and inclusive respectful forum. Drop-ins welcome. $5 suggested donation. 214 N Lexington Ave. 412-225-9269.

monday

1 Hood Power Hour – 7-8pm. A virtual forum hosted by 1 Hood Power to discuss all things political in SWPA and beyond. A virtual public affairs forum featuring elected officials, policymakers and thought leaders. 617-517-7600. Facebook. com/1HoodPower.

tuesday

Tuesday Morning Yoga Vinyasa Flow – 9:3010:30am. Tuesdays thru Dec. Hosted by YHL The Mind & Body Boutique. Flow from slow to warm with the intention of waking up the body and mind. $15. Tickets at YoughioghenyHolisticLiving.com/ events-workshops. YHL The Mind & Body Boutique, 110 South Pittsburgh St, Connellsville. Hatha / Tantra Yoga with Lesley Eckenrode –11am-12:15pm. Hosted by Visions Reiki and Soul Spa. Introductory class with focus on learning poses, correct alignment and linking breath with the asanas. $15. Register at VisionsReikiAndSoulSpa.com/yoga.

Sensory Friendly Afternoon – 1-5pm. Second Tuesdays monthly thru Nov 2023. Hosted by Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. Individuals with autism spectrum disorders and sensory issues enjoy a comfortable and accepting museum experience Lights and sounds are adjusted, there are designated quiet areas, and sensory kits with noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, and fidgets are available. Regular rates of admission apply. Info, PittsburghKids.org/visit/accessibility. Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, 10 Children’s Way. Beginners Yoga – 7:30-7:45pm. Hosted by Himalayan Institute of Pittsburgh (HIP) Yoga. Register online for drop-in and membership rates. HIPYoga. org. 300 Beverly Rd. 412-344-7434.

wednesday

Mindful Museum, 55+ - 9am-1pm. Hosted by Carnegie Museum of Art. Extensive suite of programs and activities for age 55+. Nurtures mind, body, and soul. Includes art paths, meditation stops, drawing, art, chair yoga, art history, social gather-

ings, guided tours, exclusive digital content, and more. Designed to support novice and experienced learners. Discounted coffee and pastries at Café Carnegie, and $5 parking. One-time registration fee grants unlimited participation. Scholarships available. 412622-328. $55/members, $85/non-members. Program Registration@CarnegieMuseums.org.

Yoga for Balance and Harmony – 1-1:45pm. Hosted by Himalayan Institute of Pittsburgh (HIP) Yoga. Register online for drop-in and membership rates. HIPYoga.org. 300 Beverly Rd. 412-344-7434. Harmony Acres Farmer’s Market – 3-6pm. MayOctober. Fresh veggies, wine samples, food trucks. 355 Perryopolis Rd, Belle Vernon. 724-244-7143.

THRIVE Carmichaels Community Garden Project Meeting – 6-7pm every second Wed. Hosted by Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA. Attend in person or via Zoom. Fellowship Hall, 101 W South St, Carmichaels. Info 724-223-5477. Keep Calm and Carry Yarn – 6-9pm. 18 and over. 2nd Wednesday thru November. Hosted by HackPittsburgh. If you knit, crochet, spin, do needlepoint or any yarny craft, join our monthly Stitch & Bitch. Free to members, $2 donation requested but not required. Entry to venue is on Jumonville St. GPS: (40.437892-79.977705). Official address 1936 Fifth Ave. Info@HackPittsburgh.org.

Reiki Share at Visions Reiki and Soul Spa –6:30-7:30pm. 2nd Wed of each month. Free event hosted by Visions Reiki and Soul Spa. Donations gratefully accepted. Experience the healing, high vibrations, joy and fellowship that result from Reiki gatherings. No experience necessary. Register at VisionsReikiAndSoulSpa.com/event/Reiki-ShareAt-Visions-Reiki-And-Soul-Spa-24. Visions Reiki and Soul Spa, 206 Alexander Ave, Strabane.

Yoga and Sound Bath – 7-8:15pm. 1st Wed. With Susannah Azzaro. $25. Himalayan Institute of Pittsburgh, 300 Beverly Rd. 412-344-7434.

thursday

Reiki Share at Visions Reiki and Soul Spa –8:30-9:30am. 2nd Thursdays. Free event hosted by Visions Reiki and Soul Spa. Donations gratefully accepted. Experience the healing, high vibrations, joy and fellowship that result from Reiki gatherings. No experience necessary. Register at VisionsReikiAndSoulSpa.com/event/Reiki-Share-At-VisionsReiki-And-Soul-Spa-24. Visions Reiki and Soul Spa, 206 Alexander Ave, Strabane.

Yoga Classes – 9:30-10:30am. 1st & 2nd Thurs. Hosted by Spruce Street United Methodist Church. All ages and abilities with variations to accommodate health and movement issues, with students sitting or standing next to a chair. Emphasis on meditative practices. Wear comfortable clothing. 386 Spruce St, Morgantown, W Virginia. 304-292-3359.

Barre Flow Yoga – 11am-Noon Thursdays thru Sept. Hosted by Youghiogheny Holistic Living, The Mind & Body Boutique. Accessible for everyone, low intensity high impact movement with yoga. Includes 1-2 pound weights. $15. Class pack of 4, $52. RSVP Square.Link/u/F6WUHMwl. YHL The Mind & Body Boutique, 110 South Pittsburgh St, Connellsville. Movement and Breath Meditation – 1-1:45pm. Hosted by Himalayan Institute of Pittsburgh (HIP) Yoga. Register online for drop-in and membership rates. HIPYoga.org. 300 Beverly Rd. 412-344-7434.

COMING IN THE OCTOBER ISSUE

Traditional World Medicine

Sound Bath Thursdays – 7:30-8:30pm. Hosted by Rooted in Sound at Green Heiress. One of the world’s oldest wellness practices, sound healing creates space for a deep meditative state using gongs and Himalayan singing bowls to send vibrations throughout your body. Registration required, $30 at RootedInSound.com/Event-Calendar. Green Heiress, 209 Commercial Ave.

Penn State Extension Master Gardener Program – 6-9pm. Online course beginning Oct 2023, ending March 2024. Hosted by Penn State Extension. Applications accepted until August 31, 2023. Fee $200. If interested, contact Susan Shoemaker, svs7524@ PSU.edu. 724-438-0111.

Intermission: The Artful Happy Hour – 6-9pm. Third Thursdays monthly. Hosted by August Wilson African American Cultural Center. Bring your favorite co-worker and enjoy live music, crafted cocktails and specialty hors d’ oeuvres and unwind while you tour the galleries and chill on the patio. 980 Liberty Ave. 412-339-1011.

Y12SR Relapse Prevention Group – 8:15-9:30pm. In person and online, hosted by Yoga Recovery Pittsburgh. Recovery services for those seeking holistic relief from addiction. Join Yoga for 12-Step Recovery on Thursdays at Yoga Factory Pittsburgh (space limited) and online. Complete member form, sign waiver, and register for session at YogaRecoveryPGH.com. $Donation requested. Yoga Recovery Pittsburgh, 3418 Penn Ave.

friday

First Friday Walk/Hike – 10-11:30am. Hosted by Allegheny Land Trust at various interesting parks and green areas around greater Pittsburgh. For info on location, focus, and cost go to AlleghenyLandTrust. networkforgood.com/events. 412-741-2750.

Friday Family Walk – 10am-Noon. Hosted by West Virginia Botanic Garden. First Friday of every month. Enjoy a short story followed by a walk around the Garden, conclude with a simple craft. Trail accommodates off road strollers. Members/free, $15/donation per family suggested. Preregistration required: wvbg. org or Forms.donorsnap.com/form.

Friday 101 – Carnegie Science Center Fab Lab Public Workshops – 1-2pm. Hosted by BNY Mellon Fab Lab Carnegie Science Center. Take a crash course in maker technology – learn the basics of 3D printing, laser cutting, vinyl cutting, and more. $30/ nonmembers, $25/members. One Allegheny Ave. 412-237-3400. Register: CarnegieScienceCenter.org.

Northside Farmers Market – 3-7pm. Thru Nov 17. Hosted by CitiParks. Local freshly picked fruits and vegetables, meats, cheese, baked goods etc. SNAP accepted. Info CitiParks.net. Allegheny Commons Park at East Ohio St and Cedar Ave.

Reiki Guided Meditation at Salt of the Earth –4-5pm, 1st Fri each month. Hosted in the Himalayan salt cave at Salt of the Earth. Balance your energy and raise your vibe in guided meditation and reiki healing with Wendy Bourne. Tickets $55 at Clients. MindBodyOnline.com. Salt of the Earth, 504 Valley Brooke Rd, McMurray. 724-260-0472.

Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership Night Market

– 5-10pm. Hosted by Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership at Market Square. Fri and Sat thru October. Awesome outdoor pop-up shopping market and festival featuring Pittsburgh’s most creative independent vendors. Clothing, furniture, candles, food,

If a metal does this to your skin... Imagine what it will do implanted inside of your body?

drinks, and more. Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, 412-566-4190.

saturday

Fire Flow Yoga – 8:15-9:15am. Saturdays thru Sept.

Hosted by YHL The Mind & Body Boutique. Buti yoga, Vinyasa yoga, heart-pumping sequences, tribal dance, deep stretches, big music, primal energy, and fun! Tickets $15 at YoughioghenyHolisticLiving. com/events-workshops. YHL The Mind & Body Boutique, 110 South Pittsburgh St, Connellsville. Morgantown Farmers Market – 8:30-noon. Hosted by Morgantown Farmers Market. Beginning April 29 at Morgantown Market Place, 400 Spruce St, Morgantown WV.

Sound Bath Saturdays – 11am-Noon. Hosted by Rooted in Sound at Green Heiress. One of the world’s oldest wellness practices, sound healing creates space for a deep meditative state using gongs and Himalayan singing bowls to send vibrations throughout your body. Registration required, $30 at RootedInSound.com/Event-Calendar. Green

Heiress, 209 Commercial Ave.

All-Levels Vinyasa Flow with Sarah – 10-11am. Hosted by Gritstone Climbing and Fitness. Get your Zen on and bliss out with this gentle yet challenging flow. Member/nonmember pricing and packages available. Tickets at ClimbGritstone.com. 1901 Eljadid St, Morgantown, WV.

3D Printer Workshop – Noon-2pm. Hosted by Prototype PGH. Learn to use the Elegoo UV Photocuring 3D resin printer. $10 at Eventbrite. 460 Melwood Ave, Oakland. Info: PrototypePGH.com.

Prototype PGH – Monthly Open House – Noon2pm Second Sat of the month. Meet with members of our team to ask questions about Prototype and the events, workshops and services offered. Donations appreciated to cover free events and workshops. 460 Melwood Ave #208. RSVP on our Facebook page.

Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership Night Market –5-10pm. Hosted by Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership at Market Square. Fri and Sat thru October. Awesome outdoor pop-up shopping market and festival featuring Pittsburgh’s most creative independent vendors. Clothing, furniture, candles, food, drinks, and more. Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, 412-566-4190.

Second Saturdays at the Space Upstairs –8-11:45pm. Hosted by The Space Upstairs. Begun in 2007, Second Saturdays are the signature jazz happenings at the Space Upstairs. Lightbulbs and couches, coffee tables and deconstructed pianos, vivid splashes of light and projection. Poetry scribbled on the walls. Improvisational postmodern jazz dance by the Pillow Project. Different musical guest each month. Modern speakeasy magic and spontaneous art. Proudly a sober event serving several houseinfused waters, specialty iced coffees and seasonal drinks for donation at the Space Bar. $15 at the door. 214 N Lexington Ave. 412-225-9269.

community resource guide

Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care and green living in our Pittsburgh community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide, email Publisher@NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com to request our media kit.

APOTHECARY

MURRAY AVENUE APOTHECARY

Susan Merenstein, RPH, Holistic Clinical Pharmacist

4227 Murray Ave, Pittsburgh

412-421-4996 • MaaPgh.com

A Compounding Pharmacy Boutique and home to LabNaturals CBD. We offer holistic health services— hormone balancing and consultation, pharmacist picked supplements, detox, nutritional counseling, absorbable acetylated and palmitated Glutathione products, and pharmacistcompounded CBD products for people and pets. We are a very specialized compounding only pharmacy and we compound anything that is not one-size-fitsall. Check us out online today. See ads on pages 8, 25 and back cover.

BRAIN WELLNESS

CERESET PITTSBURGH EAST

Ginna Bartlett,MA and Ginny Keteles, PTA

3122 Carson Ave, Murrysville ginna@pittsburgheast.cereset.com ginny@pittsburgheast.cereset.com

724-519-7371

Cereset can help your brain free itself, enabling you to achieve higher levels of well-being and balance throughout your life. Let us help your brain help you sleep more and release anxiety, depression, stress and more. See ad, page 13.

CHIROPRACTIC PANTHER FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE AND CHIROPRACTIC

Dr Danielle Marra, DC

Murrysville • Greensburg

724-387-1014 • PittsburghHealthPro.com

Dr. Danielle Marra has nearly 20 years’ experience helping patients regain their health through conservative and holistic approaches utilizing functional medicine, chiropractic, diet modifications, and nutritional support. The practice provides advanced lab testing, allergy relief, spinal decompression, CDL physicals, massage therapy, thermography and more. Their philosophy is treating the root of your symptoms, naturally. See ad, page 8.

FUNCTIONAL HEALTH PHARMACY

SUSAN MERENSTEIN, BSPHARM, RPH, HOLISTIC CLINICAL PHARMACIST

4227A Murray Ave, Pittsburgh

412-421-4996 • LabNaturals.com

VitalHealthPharmacist.com

Founded by Holistic Clinical Pharmacist Susan Merenstein, LabNaturals offers an anti-aging line of skincare products that are safe, non-toxic and affordable. The company also carries a line of people- and pet-friendly CBD products and offers Vital Health consultation services on functional health and hormone balance. See ads on pages 8, 25 and back cover.

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

PANTHER FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE AND CHIROPRACTIC

Dr. Danielle Mara, DC Murrysville • Greensburg

724-387-1014 • PittsburghHealthPro.com

Dr. Danielle Mara has nearly 20 years’ experience helping patients regain their health through conservative and holistic approaches utilizing functional medicine, chiropractic, diet modifications and nutritional support. Plus advanced lab testing, allergy relief, spinal decompression, CDL physicals, massage therapy, thermography and more. Their philosophy is treating the root of your symptoms, naturally. See ad, page 8.

HEALTH FOOD

THE KEFIR CHICKS

Connellsville, PA

TheKefirChicks.com

TheKefirChicks@gmail.com Facebook.com/TheKefirChicks

Kathy and Haley, The Kefir Chicks, are two chicks on a mission to bring awareness to everyone about whole foods and gut health through whole, probiotic-packed food medicine – water kefir. See ad, page 21.

HERBS

OLD THYME HERB SHOP, LLC

Lisa Cunningham

Old-Fashioned Family Herbalist

308 Liberty St, Perryopolis, PA 724-736-2400

Nothing fancy here; just hundreds of organic bulk medicinal herbs at your beck and call. Heal yourself ~ help others. In service and gratitude always. No Facebook, no website, no social media. Not enough thyme! Just you and I and your blessed healing herbs.

HOLISTIC DENTISTRY

NUTRADENTIST

Dr. Mark Buzzatto

2555 Washington Rd, Ste 620 Upper St. Clair, PA 15241

412-831-9700 • nutradentist.com

Dr. Mark Buzzatto is a biological dentist who takes a holistic approach to your health. The use of whole food nutrition, biocompatible materials, essential oils, chromotherapy, sound, and spa services create a warm and relaxing environment, and comprehensive care for your family. See ad, page 7.

HOMEOPATHY

MELANIE KRNETA

DIP HOM. ACH, Reiki Master 1252 Liberty St, Franklin, PA • 814-428-9895

Facebook: Melanie Krneta Homoeopathy Plus Classical homoeopathic consultations providing individualized care for the entire family. Migraines, hormonal imbalances, PTSD, grief, arthritis, digestive imbalance. Reiki sessions are beneficial for relaxation and pain management. Other services provided are far infrared sauna with medical grade color therapy and Himalayan salt and ear candling.

NATURAL BEAUTY PRODUCTS

NAPTURAL BEAUTY SUPPLY

724-307-8487

NapturalBeautySupply.com

Naptural Beauty Supply was created to end the stigma around natural hair by empowering men and women to love themselves naturally. We do this by instilling confidence in our community and increasing convenience by having the tools and services in one place, such as hair and body butters, beard care and apparel. We are beauty supply with naturals in mind!

Youth is the gift of nature, but age is a work of art.

—Stanislaw Jerzy Lec

NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE

DR. ARETI, LLC

Dr. Areti Fitsioris

421 Cochran Rd, Pittsburgh

412-419-1537 (call/text)

Facebook.com/Dr.Areti

Dr. Areti is a board-certified naturopathic physician who implements manual therapy, lifestyle medicine, nutritional analysis, and non-invasive methods to address functional and structural imbalances – services are 100% grounded in evidence-based science. She goes the extra mile to identify and address root causes of conditions and to provide ongoing support.

ORGANIC STYLIST

ORGANIC INSPIRED WITH ZOE

Zoe Morris-Almasi, Organic Stylist

Now available at Creative Hair Solutions

2853 Oxford Blvd, #101, Allison Park, PA 151012 412-492-1688

Everyone deserves a healthier option for their haircare and salon services. Organic hair care gives you the option to maintain a healthy lifestyle and look your best. More than 10 years of experience and passion for the industry. See ad, page 6.

REFLEXOLOGY HOLISTIC REFLEXOLOGY CERTIFICATION PITTSBURGH

The Brauer Institute for Holistic Medicine

Dorit Brauer, Founder and Owner

Carnegie, PA • 412-925-0812

Learn and achieve the highest level of knowledge in Holistic Reflexology, Energy Medicine, Personal Development, Ancestral Strength and gain a holistic view of the world. See ad, page 7.

SPIRITUAL SACRED, CENTERED, YOU, LLC

412-258-0766 • SacredCenteredYou.com

Leza is known widely for her abilities as a sound healer, inspirational speaker and interfaith spiritual counselor. Healing arts services include vibrational sound healing, past life and soul regression, journey work counseling and conscious relationships counseling. Private and group services offered. Lesa Vivio, MS, LPC, CMHIMP, DDiv, DSM.

URBAN FARMING

GROW PITTSBURGH

Raqueeb Bey, Garden Resource Coordinator

6587 Hamilton Ave, Ste 2W, Pittsburgh

412-362-4769 ext 215 • GrowPittsburgh.org

Raqueeb@GrowPittsburgh.org

Grow Pittsburgh is an urban, agriculture nonprofit that teaches people how to grow food. They envision the day when everyone grows and eats fresh, local and healthy food. Get involved. Take a tour, become a member, learn, volunteer! Visit their website for workshops and events.

VIBRATIONAL MEDICINE

ROOTED IN SOUND

Wyatt Melius

2000 Smallman St, Pittsburgh

412-609-8999 • RootedInSound.com

Sound massage, Nada yoga, forest bathing, and acoustic-induced meditation. Check the calendar for sound baths on Sundays and Thursdays. See ad, page 25.

SACRED, CENTERED, YOU, LLC

412-258-0766

SacredCenteredYou.com

Offering individual and group experiences that promote healing through self-discovery and personal acceptance. Special focus on sound healing, life coaching, qigong, and vibrational medicine.

WELLNESS

360 CAFÉ LLC

Tyleda Worou Pittsburgh • 724-374-8089 • 360CafeLLC.com

360 Café LLC is an alternative health and wellness business with the goal of helping others to heal from the inside out while taking a holistic approach to healing by offering distance reiki, and crystal healing sessions to help our consumers restore physical and emotional balance.

SALT OF THE EARTH

Himalayan Salt Cave and Crystal Boutique

504 Valleybrook Rd,McMurray, PA 15317 724-260-0472 • SaltOfTheEarthPgh.com

Experience the known ancient healing benefits of halotherapy in the Himalayan salt cave, built from 16 tons of pure Himalayan salt. 45-minute sessions scheduled on the hour. Can be rented for private groups up to 10. Provides an inviting and relaxing environment for events and classes: yoga, meditation, sound healing, and reiki. The crystal boutique offers an array of authentic crystals, jewelry, candles, locally-made bath and body, and Himalayan salt products. The knowledgeable staff will help find the right crystal for you or your home décor. See ad, page 15.

VISIONS REIKI AND SOUL SPA

206 Alexander Ave, Strabane 724-745-1785 • VisionsReikiAndSoulSpa.com

As a full-service energy-health and wellness center, our goal is to empower people to be the best version of themselves. With the understanding that all wellness begins with a healthy energy system, Visions Reiki and Soul Spa offers holistic services, workshops, and coaching to help you establish a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle.

classifieds

Fee for classifieds is a minimum charge of $20 for the first 20 words and $1 for each additional word. To place an ad, email Publisher@NaturalAwakeningsSWPA com.

OPPORTUNITIES

ADVERTISING SALES – Natural Awakenings magazine is looking for experienced advertising salespeople covering the Greater Pittsburgh area, SW Pennsylvania and Morgantown WV to help others grow their natural health & wellness and sustainable living or green businesses. Commission-based. Full- or part-time. Paying 25% commission. Unlimited potential income. Be a part of something magical! Send resume to Michelle: Publisher@ NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com.

SERVICES

READING POETRY RELAXES – Inquire at: wewuvpoetry@hotmail.com or P.O. Box 4725, Pittsburgh, PA 15206-0725.

We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.

~Thomas S. Monson