Natural Awakenings December 2015

H E A L T H Y

L I V I N G

H E A L T H Y

feel good • live simply • laugh more

Natural Awakening Fragrances to Spirit

The DIY Guide to Beautifully Safe Scents

Prayer and Meditation Heal and Free Us

December 2015

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P L A N E T

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Sky-High YOGA

Six Stretches for Your Next Plane Trip |

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Treating the Whole Person, and the Whole Family KEITHLEY FAMILY MEDICAL, INC Dr. Larry M. Keithley, DO

Family Practice (Ages 3+) Osteopathic Medicine Holistic Medicine Minor Emergencies Minor Surgical Procedures Physicals (School, Sports, Employment) Drug Screens Diagnostic Services

Thyroid Testing Diabetes Evaluation Allergy Shots Vitamin Shots (B12, B-Complex, D3) Gynecology and Hormone Shots Pregnancy Tests Genetic Testing

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256-881-7579

8210 Stephanie Drive, Suite A Huntsville, AL 35802

natural awakenings

December 2015

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contents 8

6 newsbriefs 8 healthbriefs 10 globalbriefs 17 naturalpet

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18 healingways 2 1 wisewords 22 fitbody

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A Power for Self-Reflection and Transcendent Growth

by Nancy Sheppard

14 AWAKENING TO SPIRIT Prayer and Meditation Heal and Free Us

24 greenliving

by Richard Davenport

27 healthykids 29 classifieds 30 resourceguide

advertising & submissions

17 EAT, BARK AND BE MERRY

Healthy Holiday Treats for Our Pets

Display Ads due by the 15th of the month prior to publication.

To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 256-808-8044 or email Editor@Natvalley.com.

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS* Newsbriefs due by the 15th of the month. Limit 50-250 words.

Content limited to special events and other announcements.

No advertorials, please.

Articles and ideas due by the 15th of the month. Articles generally contain 250-850 words, with some exceptions. No advertorials, please.

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Calendar of Events and Ongoing Calendar listings due by the 15th of the month. Limit 50 words per entry. Please follow format found in those sections.

ADVERTISE WITH US TODAY 256-808-8044 -or- Editor@Natvalley.com *All submissions are subject to editing and will be printed at the publisher’s discretion. Article space often fills in advance. Deadline dates refer to the month prior to next publication and may change without notice due to holidays, shorter months, or printing schedules.

Digital archive: Issuu.com/natvalley Facebook.com/natvalley

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by Sandra Murphy

18 HEAVENLY SCENTS How to Make Your Own Natural Oil Fragrances

by Kathleen Barnes

22 AIRPLANE YOGA

HOW TO ADVERTISE

Tennessee Valley

12 ENNEAGRAM: CENTERS 14 OF INTELLIGENCE

23 inspiration

28 calendar

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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.

Six Easy Stretches Ease the Journey

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by Cynthia Bowman

23 RECIPE FOR A

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Fail-Proof Ingredients for a Glorious 2016

24 GREEN CONGREGATIONS Faith Groups Join in Preserving All Creation

by Avery Mack

27 GENEROUS

PINT-SIZED GIVERS

Teaching Kids How to Care and Share

by Jennifer Jacobson

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letterfrompublisher “I refuse to accept the view that peace and brotherhood can never become a reality. I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.” ~Martin Luther King, Jr. The holidays are here, with all the joys of the season of love and giving. Yet it is a complicated and conflicted world in which we live, and global peace is still our collective dream.

So I will keep my message simple and yet oh-so-challenging. Find peace, make peace, keep peace. In your heart. In your actions. In your morning intention when you wake. In what you know to be true in your heart as you drift to sleep.

Make peace and love the central themes of how you interact with your family, your children, the pushy person at the store, the party guest with political beliefs that you may find offensive, and the rude driver in the other car who cuts you off on the road.

Do this because we need each and every one of us together to build collective peace, love and unity. This is a grassroots action we can all become active in every day. Every one of us can make a huge difference in the world by what we hold in our hearts and what we outpicture. Today and always, no thought rings truer than the traditional message of the season: “On Earth, peace and goodwill to all.”

From everyone in our family to you and those you hold dear, we wish you every joy this holiday month. May you find the opportunities to celebrate and find inspiration in the little pleasures of the season; may you find moments of blissful inner stillness; may you find comfort and relief from all stress and suffering; and may you be surrounded in love and kindness.

Happy holidays! And many blessings for love and success in the new year.

contact us Editor@Natvalley.com 256-808-8044 Publisher/Editor Advertising Sales Tom Maples Co-Publisher Cindy Wilson Design and Production Melanie Rankin Natural Awakenings in the Tennessee Valley 14 Woodland Ave Trinity, AL 35673 Fax: 256-217-4274 Facebook.com/natvalley Issuu.com/natvalley © 2015 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved.

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We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $20 (for 12 issues) to the above address.

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December 2015

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Dr. Jamie’s Wellness Center 917 Merchants Walk Suite A Huntsville, AL 35801 256-­‐434-­‐7977

newsbriefs Holiday Open House at Dr. Jamie’s Wellness Center

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Dr. Jamie’s Wellness Center

Holiday Open House

Early Bird ls ia c Spe

s & Prize ays aw e iv G

& Food !

Fun

Wednesday & Thursday December 9-­‐10, 9am-­‐6pm We will be featuring:

Pampered Chef, Thirty One, Norwex & EssenRal Oils

Holiday Specials for this event: $10 Detox Footbath Special!

(Limit one per person)

$30 New PaRent Package, including exam and X-­‐Rays!

(Package cannot be used with Medicare)

Give the gift of wellness this holiday season!

r. Jamie’s Wellness Center would like to invite everyone to their holiday open house on Wednesday and Thursday, December 9 and 10, from 9am-6pm. Dr. Jamie will be featuring products from Pampered Chef, Thirty-One, Norwex and Essential Oils.

Dr. Jamie and staff Holiday Specials include Detox Footbaths for $10 (limit one per person) and $30 new patient package, including exam and X-rays (can not be used with Medicare). Give the gift of wellness this holiday season with a gift certificate from the Wellness Center. Also during your visit register for door prizes to be given away.

Dr. Jamie’s Wellness Center is located behind Whole Foods on at 917 Merchant Walk Suite A, Huntsville. 256-434-7977.

DrJamiesWellnessCenter.com. See ads, page 6 and 9.

Holiday Open House on December 4 at Decatur Healing Arts

D Space for Lease!

2000-3000 sq. ft. for lease at Nature’s Apothecary’s Huntsville location (old Foods for Life store).

Great opportunity for chiropractors, naturopaths or other compatible businesses. Will build space to your specifications.

Call 256-533-2050 for more info.

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ecatur Healing Arts invites everyone to the Holiday Open House on December 4 from 9am6pm. Come and meet the licensed massage therapist Cathy Holmes, Charlotte Avery, and Sharron Bryant.

Cindy Wilson, a Certified Foot Care Nurse, from Specialized Nail Care will also be there. They will be providing complimentary paraffin hand dips throughout the day. Compass Zyto Scans for Young Living Essential Oils will be $10. There will be spa products available to custom design the prefect gift basket for the special people on your shopping list. There will also be a limited supply of essential oils accessories such as carry oils, various types of glass bottles. And, as always, gift certificates are available for purchase.

Come by and visit Decatur Healing Arts and find out more about our services. Enjoy some refreshments and register to win some great door prizes.

Decatur Healing Arts is located at 1900 Flint Rd SE, Decatur, 35601. For more information, visit Facebook.com/ DecaturHealingArts.

Acupuncture Happy Hour at Alabama Holistic Health

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labama Holistic Health is now offering a 30-minute ear acupuncture treatment that will de-stress, detox, relax and re-energize you. The treatment consists of five acupuncture points in the ears that have specific benefits for balance, relief and improvement.

Sympathetic: This point balances the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems and internal organs. It relieves anxiety, stress in the autonomic nervous system (Fight or Flight), and pain. It also improves calmness, and blood vessel dilation.

Shen Men: The Shen Men point balances the internal journey and “Spirit Heart” or Heart energy. It relieves feelings of impatience, cruelty, anxiety, nervousness, and mood swings. It improves feelings of joy, calmness, relaxation, and a since of Honor.

Kidney: This point balances the body’s essential energy and source of Yin & Yang. It relieves fear, paranoia, anguish, insecurity, and toxicity in the kidneys. It also improves awareness, gentleness, will power, strength to the nervous system and blood purity.

Liver: This point balances life energy (chi), emotions, relaxation, and confidence. It relieves anger, rage, depression, impulsiveness, mood swings, and liver toxicity. It improves kindness and blood purity.

Lung: Lung points balance the immune system, respiration and skin functions, and physical life force (chi). It relieves grief and sadness and improves courage, emotional expression, and relaxation.

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Acupuncture Happy Hour is Monday and Tuesday from 4-6pm. Cost: $25. Walk-ins are welcome. Location: Alabama Holistic Health, LLC, 204 Lowe Ave, Ste 3 (south end of Bldg.

1), Huntsville. 256-801-9162. ALHolisticHealth.com. See listing, page 30.

Jin Shin Jyutsu® of Huntsville Sandra Cope Certified Jin Shin Jyutsu® Practitioner Assists healing through relaxation and restoring body harmony.

Animal companion sessions are available.

Office: (256) 534-1794 Cell: (256) 509-3540

1108 McClung Avenue SE Huntsville, Alabama 35801

Light Journey Reiki Barbara Caioli, RM Barbara@LightJourneyReiki.com LightJourneyReiki.com

256-716-8419 natural awakenings

December 2015

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healthbriefs A Course In Miracles Study Group 9:15am Sundays 1-Hour Mystery School 11:00am Sundays

Affirmations, Music, Mystery Message, Fellowship, An Open Communion Table

Christmas Dinner/ Entertainment 6:00pm, Saturday Dec. 12th New Moon Circle 6:00pm, Wednesday Dec. 11th Winter Solstice Celebration 6:30pm, Tuesday Dec. 22nd Christmas Eve Program 6:30pm, Thursday Dec. 24th Looking Ahead:

Medical Intuitive Workshop 1:00pm-4:00pm, Saturdays January 9th & 16th Palmistry Class / Chiromancy 6:30pm, Tuesdays January 12th - February 16th Intro to Astrology Class 6:30pm, Thursdays January 14th - March 3rd

Our labyrinth is always open for your meditative walks.

Superfruit Antioxidants Found in Chilean Maqui Berry

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esearch from the University of Arizona’s Health Sciences Center has confirmed that the South American superfruit maqui berry (Aristotelia chilensis) can aid the cardiovascular system and reduce blood sugar. Clinical trials found a group of antioxidants, called delphinidins, significantly reduced levels of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol, which is linked to atherosclerosis and other heart diseases.

The clinical research found that the delphinidins contained in the maqui berry, known as the richest natural source of the antioxidant, aid the health of blood vessels by increasing nitric oxide and decreasing platelets linked with thrombosis, the clogging of arteries that can cause strokes. The researchers also found that the superfruit may help counteract skin aging from ultraviolet radiation-B (UVB) exposure.

Meditation Linked to Telomere Integrity in Cancer Patients

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aintaining telomere length has been directly linked to longer lifespan in a number of studies. A telomere is the structure at the end of a chromosome that protects it from deteriorating or fusing with other chromosomes. Its length is being used to measure the potential success of integrative therapy for recovering cancer patients; now University of Calgary research has found that mindfulness meditation helps.

The researchers tested 88 breast cancer survivors with a previous diagnosis of stage-one to stage-three breast cancer.

The patients’ telomere lengths were tested after either group-support therapy or mindfulness meditation training that included gentle hatha yoga exercises. Results showed that while the control group’s telomere lengths decreased over time, both the mindfulness group and the support therapy group were on average able to maintain their telomere length throughout the testing period.

Potatoes Don’t Pack on Pounds

R Let the Magic Begin 4208 Holmes Ave. NW Huntsville, Alabama 256-895-0255 www.lightofchristcenter.org

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esearch from scientists at the University of California, Davis has mashed the notion that potatoes cause weight gain. The researchers tested 90 overweight people divided into three groups, with all of them eating five to seven servings of potatoes each week over a three-month period.

Two groups reduced their calorie intake by 500 calories per day, with one group eating low-glycemic index (GI) foods and the other group eating high-GI foods. The third group had no calorie restrictions. Despite the increased potato consumption during the study period, all three groups showed slight weight loss and reduced body mass index.

The researchers concluded, “Potato intake did not cause weight gain.”

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Digital ‘Blue Light’ Reading Disrupts Sleep Rhythms

Now Open

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ecent findings from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in Boston, has determined that reading from a light-emitting tablet or computer before bedtime will disturb sleep and may change the circadian rhythms that govern the body’s clock.

The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, tested 12 people for two weeks.

On five nights during one week, the subjects read ebooks on an iPad for four hours before bedtime. Another week, they read from printed books for the same duration.

During the five days of iPad reading, the participants fell asleep later and spent less time in rapid eye movement (REM)-stage sleep. The light-emitting tablet altered the circadian rhythm, changing the body’s natural sleeping pattern. The researchers also tested other blue-light emitting devices, including laptops, tablets, other eReaders, cell phones and LED monitors.

“We found the body’s natural circadian rhythms were interrupted by the shortwavelength enriched light, otherwise known as blue light, from these electronic devices,” says neuroscientist Anne-Marie Chang, Ph.D., one of the study authors.

Dr. Charles Czeisler, Ph.D., a leading sleep researcher, remarks, “In the past 50 years, there has been a decline in average sleep duration and quality. Since more people are choosing electronic devices for reading, communication and entertainment, particularly children and adolescents who already experience significant sleep loss, epidemiological research evaluating the long-term consequences of these devices on health and safety is urgently needed.”

Spirituality is Beneficial for Cancer Patients

Providing Comprehensive Chiropractic Care Aromatherapy Nutritional Consulting Community Educational Events Inner Harmony Massage Call 256-653-5303 for Appointment

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ccording to a new review of research published in the journal Cancer, a strong religious or spiritual belief system may improve a cancer patient’s prognosis physically, emotionally and mentally.

Researchers from Florida’s H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute and North Carolina’s Wake Forest School of Medicine reviewed clinical studies that included more than 44,000 cancer patients. The first review focused on physical symptoms and found that patients with stronger religious and spiritual beliefs reported fewer cancer symptoms and better physical health. They also showed enhanced capabilities in managing their daily lives.

“These relationships were particularly strong in patients that experienced greater emotional aspects of religion and spirituality, including a sense of meaning and purpose in life, as well as a connection to a source larger than oneself,” states Heather Jim, lead author of the first review.

The second review focused on mental health and found reductions in anxiety, depression and distress among those with greater spirituality. Lead author Dr. John Salsman comments, “Also, greater levels of spiritual distress and a sense of disconnectedness from God or a religious community were associated with greater psychological distress or poorer emotional well-being.”

In the third review, the researchers found that patients with a stronger spiritual well-being reported better social health, as well.

Dr. Jamie Bunis DC Michelle Riviere, LMT#3996

Dr. Jamie’s Wellness Center 917 Merchants Walk, Ste A Huntsville, AL 35801 256-434-7977 DrJamiesWellnessCenter.com Located just behind the new Whole Foods.

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December 2015

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

Fungus Among Us

Mushrooms Offer Pesticide-Free Insect Control Paul Stamets, one of the world’s leading mycologists, invented a fungus (mushroom)-based pesticide in 2006.

An industry executive states, “This patent represents the most disruptive technology we have ever witnessed.” This “smart” pesticide provides a safe and nearly permanent solution for controlling more than 200,000 species of insects.

Entomopathogenic (insect-destroying) fungi are altered so they don’t produce spores. This actually attracts the insects, which then eat them and turn into fungi from the inside-out. The invention has the potential to revolutionize the way humans grow crops.

Source: Earth. We Are One. View the patent at Tinyurl.com/FungusPesticidePatent.

Sentient Beings

New Zealand Enacts Bill Recognizing Animal Intelligence The New Zealand Animal Welfare Amendment Bill that passed into law this year states that animals, like humans, are sentient beings. Dr. Virginia Williams, chair of the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee, says this acknowledges, “Animals can experience both positive and negative emotions, including pain and distress.” The bill thus bans the use of animals for testing cosmetics.

Williams says the legal recognition of animal sentience provides a stronger underpinning of the requirements of the existing Animal Welfare Act. The bill also provides for penalties to enable low-to-medium-level offenders to be punished more effectively and gives animal welfare inspectors the power to issue compliance notices, among other measures.

Find a link to the legislation at Tinyurl.com/NewZealandSentienceBill.

Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy holiday season

Uncommon Devotion Religion in America Shows Resilience On any given Sabbath, four of 10 Americans travel to a place of worship, a number that hasn’t fluctuated dramatically in the past half-century. Gallup polls report that more than 81 percent say they identify with a specific religion or denomination; 78 percent say it’s an important part of their lives; and 57 percent believe that religion is able to solve today’s problems.

While recent attendance may be off, Americans are no less likely to attend services today than they were in the 1940s and early ’50s, just prior to the ultra-religious following decade. The reason, says Gallup’s Frank Newport, is that U.S. religious worship is cyclical.

Today’s practicing religious communities “tend to consist of the seriously committed, not just those swept along by obligation,” reports Christian Smith, director of the Center for the Study of Religion and Society at the University of Notre Dame and coprincipal investigator of the National Study of Youth and Religion.

Those that worship regularly are more likely to be older, female and Southern; they also are better educated and stronger financially than those that don’t, according to Newport. At the same time, Mitchell Marcus, a University of Pennsylvania professor, characterizes his Ph.D. students as religiously curious, often devout and eager to talk about their beliefs.

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

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Good Tithings

Lend a Hand to Causes While You Shop This holiday season, every gift purchased through Good Search.com can earn a donation of up to 30 percent of its value for a favorite charity, along with money-saving coupons for the customer. More than 2,500 national retailers are participating in the program, including Apple, Target, Toys “R” Us, Ralph Lauren, Macy’s, 1-800-Flowers, PetSmart and Expedia.

Instead of limiting qualifying purchases to a particular product and charity, the campaign includes nearly every product in the store. The donation goes to the charity or school of the shopper’s choice with the cooperation of the organization’s GoodShop, which has raised more than $9 million for charities ranging from The American Red Cross and ASPCA to local homeless shelters and schools.

Each Internet search through the website also earns the charity about a penny.

With GoodDining, meals at more than 10,000 restaurants earn donations, with more than 100,000 charities and schools benefitting. UNICEF has used money from GoodSearch and GoodShop to provide clean drinking water to more than 200,000 children.

Follow our Facebook page Natural Awakenings in the Tennessee Valley and we’ll alert you of upcoming happenings

Post-It Progress

and events.

3M Requires Paper Sources to Meet Sustainable Standards A new sustainability policy by the 3M Corporation, maker of Post-it notes, has drawn support for its goal of making a minimal impact on forests, wildlife and human rights. 3M paper-based products and packaging require pulp and paper from sources around the world. Working in collaboration with ForestEthics and Greenpeace, the company launched a comprehensive review of all of its pulp and paper procurement expectations to ensure the materials are produced from sustainably logged timber.

3M will now hold paper and pulp suppliers accountable to one of the highest standards in the industry for environmental protection and respect of human rights, including tracing origins and obtaining consent of indigenous peoples and local communities before logging operations occur. The company intends to publish semiannual updates of its progress online.

Source: ForestEthics.org

Facebook is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc.

“I was the last person I thought that would benefit from this...

Ten sessions later I am telling everyone about rolfing.” ~S.H., Birmingham

Advanced Rolf Practitioner Susan K. Jeffreys Consultations Available

Find out what Susan K. Jeffreys and Structural Integration can do for you!

Call (256) 508-3351 Today Susan K. Jeffreys, AL Lic #249 525 Fountain Row • Huntsville, AL 35801

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Enneagram: Centers of Intelligence A Power for Self-Reflection and Transcendent Growth

A Spiritual Community supporting the practice of knowing God in the heart of every person.

by Nancy Sheppard, Certified Teacher of the Narrative Tradition

ONGOING SERVICES AND CLASSES! New Thought Classes

Be the Observer

Tuesdays, 6:30-9:00pm Wednesdays, 10:00am-12:00pm

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Wednesdays 6:30pm

Rev. David Leonard Transforming Lives and Making the World a Better Place

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308 Lily Flagg Rd.

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world. Head types hesitate because they see a world of scarcity in knowledge, safety, and joy. They function in a detached analytical way as protection from everyday stressors. They search for empowerment and safety via more knowledge (5), more strength (6), more activity (7).

The Enneagram as an ancient tool of ego and spiritual development. We are each born with essential gifts that add richness to the world. Without self-reflection, we tend to exaggerate our gifts, causing imbalance and suffering. The Enneagram includes three centers of intelligence: body, heart, and thinking triad. In recent issues, I described Body types who focus on self-worth. Under stress, they instinctively control, disappear or perfect their world. I highlighted Heart types who want to connect with others. They adapt their world to gain approval and recognition from others.

In this final issue, I identify the Thinking types who seek security and safety.

They try to control their world through analysis, plans or imagination.

Head-Based Triad

Head Types (FIVE, SIX, SEVEN) perceive their world through a mental lens. They value their minds and bring qualities of curiosity, knowledge, preparation, insight, understanding, and joy to our

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FIVEs are lovers of knowledge. They tend to be private, introverted experts in their field of study. They seek deeper understanding of how things work as they search for insights from the microscopic level to the cosmic. They would rather explore first-hand than accept information through opinion or doctrine. Because they have strong boundaries, they are the friend you can trust with your secrets. They value time alone, and need quiet spaces to nurture their mental processes. Under stress, they withdraw to protect themselves from a demanding world. They will hoard their time, talent and treasure in an effort feel safe. If their vice is avarice, their ideal is holy omniscience. With spiritual growth they dis-

cover the value and need for relationship. Each part is vital and inseparable from the whole. Unity arises from variety and uniqueness of individual parts. Detachment destroys integration.

The virtue of non-attachment shows us the neutral position of accepting reality. With compassionate eyes we know that life continually changes and “this too shall pass.” Famous FIVES: Buddha, Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, Ekhart Tolle, Russ Hudson, Georgia O’Keeffe, Agatha Christy.

SEVEN: The Enthusiast

SIX: The Loyal Skeptic

SEVENs seek joy in the world. They believe the world is limiting and frustrating and to avoid this pain they escape into planning and daydreaming. For SEVENs, the Hokey Pokey IS what’s it’s all about! When handed “lemons,” they will make lemonade…or lemon piccata, or limoncello! They are optimistic, versatile, spontaneous, exuberant, and upbeat. Rules are mere suggestions not to be taken seriously. They play hard at life and their wide-eyed enthusiasm is often misunderstood as child-like, gullible, scattered and irresponsible.

Gluttony is their vice and it is represented in excess food, talk, activity, and fast-paced mental chatter. Rarely do they have an unspoken thought. It is ironic that they want everything life has to offer, but focus only on the positive half…completely ignoring negative aspects. This paradox of avoiding pain actually limits them from experiencing the complete range of human emotions.

Their virtue is sobriety. When they are fully present and trusting, transformation will happen. It is a Holy Plan of certain design. Famous SEVENs: 14th Dalai Lama, Mozart, Benjamin Franklin, Goldie Hawn, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Robin Williams, Paris Hilton.

The Enneagram is a wise and insightful tool that helps us recognize and unravel motivations and fears that lead to our suffering. Incorporating knowledge and practice of this system, we can identify our strategies and transform them so we can live a more empowering life.

SIXes are loyal to their friends and beliefs. They seek certainty in a dangerous world; therefore, they must be ever vigilant. They live the motto, “Trust but verify.” Outwardly they can be friendly and curious, but, deep inside they are dis-connected from basic trust and guidance. They question authority as much as they question themselves. They are very good problem solvers and intuitively see the energy and motivation beneath the surface of a situation.

SIXes accentuate opposites: fearful and strong, passive and aggressive, defensive and offensive, positive and negative. Their attention focuses on worry and over-thinking. Are they secure and protected? What about loved ones? Will they be abandoned? They take the contrarian point of view. In conversations, you often hear them say, “Yes, but…”.

SIXes tend to over-react under stressful situations in a “flight, fight, freeze” pattern. Paradox: Looking for certainty in an uncertain world creates more uncertainty. The Holy Idea for SIXes is Faith.

Trust in yourself NOW in this present moment. Life is good and unfolding as it should. Lean into uncertainty with courage and the faith to survive.

Famous SIXes: JFK, Malcolm X, Woody Allen, Jay Leno, Ellen DeGeneres, Julia Roberts, Helen Palmer, David Daniels, Larry David.

Wellness Weekends with Dr. Natalie Lenoir-Blackman December 5-6, 2015 Call 205-907-9442 to schedule appointment

For more information on the Enneagram, contact Nancy Sheppard at 256714-4517 or EnneagramStudy@icloud. com. See ad, page 22.

Dr. Natalie Lenoir-Blackman is a local veterinarian whose passion is to bring about healing and wholeness in our animal friends using a combination of conventional and alternative modalities of medicine.

Hosted by:

905 Merdian St N Huntsville, AL 256-429-9112

Inner Wellness Center for

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Call For More Information.

Becky Waters, CHT, BMSC 256.348.5236 3322 South Memorial Parkway Suite 643 Huntsville, AL 35801 www.centerforinnerwellness.com

Breathe. Love. Live.

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AWAKENING TO SPIRIT Prayer and Meditation Heal and Free Us

by Richard Davenport

By its intimate connection with divine love, Spirit infuses human experience with qualities of amazing grace—unexpected clarity, vision, wisdom, peace, compassion, emotional release, inspirational epiphanies, deep understanding and comprehensive healing of mind, body and soul.

W

hile society abounds with scientific research, products and practices that promise to enhance our mind or body and the mind-body connection, without Spirit in the mix, neither rises to its full potential. A heart open to a higher power exponentially multiplies the effects of this crucial connection.

“Just as a candle spreads light in a darkened room, people who are living in-Spirit give off a higher energy that can bring light to our hearts and minds.

In other words, we can be inspired just by being in their presence,” according to renowned bestselling author Wayne Dyer, Ph.D.

Experiential, non-verbal and lifechanging encounters with the unbounded power and presence of Spirit in prayer and meditation are difficult to analyze in the same way as mind-body 14

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science. However, Dyer points to the works and outcomes of Spirit as visible evidence of how it lifts us up.

We see individuals with rapturous hearts sending out signals that they love the world and everyone in it. Those that live in Spirit tend to see the world as a friendly place, are at peace with themselves, appear to be open and accepting rather than judgmental and harsh, and often report being healed of all sorts of diseases, relationship challenges, career fluctuations and questions of purpose and direction. They attest to how Spirit shines a triumphant light in the midst of dark nights of the soul, redefining the essence of life itself and declaring us worthy in our innermost reaches.

Personal Healing

When a 19-year-old woman entered basic military training at Lackland Air

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Force Base, in San Antonio, Texas, and was undergoing initial medical and psychological screening, she was identified as having body and mind issues that would require her to be separated from the service. These problems included organ failures and spinal misalignment, as well as severe consequences of an emotionally abusive upbringing. It was determined that she could not handle the physical and mental demands of military life. Because the policy was to not treat such problems if identified upon entering the service, authorities allowed her to remain in training until her separation from the Air Force could be processed.

The woman was impressed and also distressed by the finality of the verdict and assessment tools used by mind and body experts among the medical staff. In talking with a chaplain on the base, she came to understand that she could choose to appeal her case to another jurisdiction, a “higher” court of Spirit. Focusing on the voice of divine love, she grew to see Spirit as more than a higher power. She saw Spirit as a higher authority. She surrendered to divine love’s authority as ultimate law, supremely qualified to reorder her whole being. She trusted that aligning with spiritual power could change her view of her identity and the seemingly inescapable consequences of genetics, environment and human history denying her desire to serve her country in this way.

Listening to a higher witness testifying on her behalf and identifying her authentic being as the magnificent expression of the magnificent Creator, she felt encouraged to the point that her mind and body stopped arresting her progress and became more effective servants, responding with greater freedom and joy. One limitation after another fell away, and the military and medical authorities seemed pleased with her progress as she neared completion of training. Finally, performing a mile-and-a-half run within a required time remained the only obstacle to graduation, and she was still 45 seconds too slow.

This helpful passage from the Hebrew prophet Isaiah became central to her prayer and meditation as she approached her last running attempt:

Young people will get tired; strapping young men will stumble and fall.

But those who trust in the Eternal One will regain their strength.

They will soar on wings as eagles.

They will run—never winded, never weary.

They will walk—never tired, never faint. ~Isaiah 40: 30-31 (The Voice) She passed her final attempt with 18 seconds to spare, running on eagles’ wings.

So, how can we all discern such a divine witness to our original authentic being amidst loud testimony of all the voices and labels shouting in our head and body, including those imposed by others?

Prayer and Meditation

There are two approaches to listening to the voice within, whether we name it God, higher power, Spirit, grace, Eternal One, or divine love or Love.

Complementary, rather than mutually exclusive, both approaches require a capacity, gained through patient practice, of quieting the inner and outer chatter and learning to hear that which calls us to be more than what human experience suggests is possible. It’s who we are in the eyes of grace.

Sanford C. Wilder, of Grafton, Illinois, author of Listening to Grace, offers personal growth and development programs through EducareUnlearning.com that encourage prayer and meditation that emphasize listening. He practices both approaches and makes distinctions between them.

“When I pray, I am directing my thoughts toward God, listening and often affirming what I know to be divinely true. I am yearning to surrender my will and affections in conscious connection with the divine such that I or another receives a blessing,” shares Wilder. In such prayerful listening, he hopes to gain something, often a new insight and corresponding manifestation.

“When I meditate, my intention is to sacrifice every thought, concept, image and feeling to God, the only consciousness. I trust that listening and observing with nonattachment helps me release conscious and unconscious

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To feel Spirit’s presence, we must surrender our own sense of how it will work, its timeline and the impact on our ego or status quo.

As with anything worthwhile, conscientious practice is essential. conditioned thought patterns permeated by a human sense of self.” Through meditative listening, he hopes to release everything rather than receive anything, accepting that everyone is equipped and able to be open to, witness and experience nonstop blessings.

Helen Mathis has been an educator in the Philippines and Swaziland as well as the U.S., including an instructor of religion at Principia College, near St. Louis; she is now part of a Centering Prayer Circle in Stockton, California. She explains that centering prayer may be seen as a hybrid that embraces both prayer and meditation, nourishing what’s beneath the preoccupied self to awaken a deeper and vastly more authentic self.

Mathis appreciates what Cynthia Bourgeault explores in her book Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening, that, “This confusion between small self and the larger Self… [the] ‘True Self,’ ‘Essential Self’ or ‘Real I’—is the core illusion of the human condition, and penetrating this illusion is what awakening is all about.”

Like Bourgeault, Mathis believes that it’s not about the absence of

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Through conscious listening we discover that our true nature—as witnessed by Spirit—though sometimes obscured from view, is never altered from its original beauty and wholeness. ~Helen Mathis thoughts so much as detaching from our thoughts, trusting that we can let go and be safe, consent to surrender human will and forgo personal agendas. Only then can spiritual sense come into play.

“The goal is to awaken to, open to and get in touch with our innermost being and Spirit,” Mathis affirms.

“Clearly, centering prayer assumes we each have a spiritual awareness of the divine within us that acts, as Bourgeault puts it, as ‘a kind of interior compass whose magnetic north is always fixed on God.’”

Core Shift

We often approach a Spirit dimension with the attitude of “what it can do for me.” The higher practice that mystics and other deep thinkers of various faith traditions ultimately arrive at instead centers on transforming our whole self to align with Spirit’s purpose for us, which changes everything.

Reverend Dr. Michael Beckwith, founder of the New Thought Agape Spiritual Center, in Los Angeles, and a spiritual mentor to Oprah Winfrey, believes, “The relationship we have with the infinite is more about how we are to serve it than it is to serve us.”

Beckwith describes three primary stages of realizing the power and purpose of divine Spirit expressed as our spirit. The first is that of a victim (feeling powerless, unable to effect change). The second is when an individual learns the existence of universal law that responds to our thinking, emotions and attitude; we learn how to use it to stabilize life structures and demonstrate health and well-being.

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“Ultimately, in stage three, we become a vehicle of life in service to life.

Instead of using the law, the law uses us. Life fulfills its own nature through us,” he says. “All of life is conspiring for our freedom, liberation, wholeness and health.”

He urges us not to stop and stagnate at stage two, using divine laws only to manifest personal conveniences, stuff and even people for our use; this can hijack views of abundance into materialism and consumerism. He quips, “We are not here to go shopping.”

Dwelling in Spirit

Grace and Spirit work in us, through us and between us, yet we can’t simply summon them up or outline their outcomes.

To feel Spirit’s presence, we must surrender our own sense of how it will work, its timeline and the impact on our ego or status quo. As with anything worthwhile, conscientious practice is essential.

Life, defined by Spirit, gives fresh strength and impetus to mind and body. All three are vital elements of the dance of life.

Richard Davenport is a spiritual life educator (HigherGroundForLife.com) and the founding executive director of an inclusive nationwide Bible and spiritual life community (BibleAndSpiritualLife. org). Now based in St. Louis, MO, he is a retired Air Force chaplain, having served at Lackland and other U.S. Air Force bases on three continents.

FIVE WAYS TO PRAY FROM THE HEART

by Richard Davenport

P

rayer from a heart willing to surrender, change, learn, grow and bless others works to keep us centered on pure motives like wellness, wholeheartedness and compassion. Such prayer can help us progress spiritually.

These five forms of prayer, found in the Bible, have a universal application to any spiritual practice. Although differing in their approach, all share the purpose of creating a fuller mindfulness of our true identity and relationship to the divine, while enhancing our capacity to bless all creation. If we are not feeling the desired breakthroughs using one form, perhaps the one most familiar or comfortable to us, we might do well to explore others.

Praise – a posture of adoration, honoring and surrender to a power, vision, and authority greater than our own.

Thanksgiving – or better yet, for its consistency and permeating of our whole self, thanks-living. The garden of our spirit is enriched by embracing a gratitude attitude in all we do.

Petition – a relational posture that opens our heart as we learn to ask for help, to seek perspective beyond a limited self, beyond a smaller, egodriven orientation.

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Intercession – praying for others; blessing, honoring and cherishing them as God sees them. When we feel burdened and blocked by our own trials, expressing empathy and compassion for others can unlock our heart and mind. We can lovingly witness the true nature of those that are seemingly tangled in forces blocking or opposing their higher good.

Affirmation – release and rest in divine authority, acknowledging the uni-verse as literally one song reflecting the singular harmony that Spirit knows and is unfolding in every moment to meet our need in forms we can see and feel right now.

naturalpet

vet visits and more years together,” says Tonya Wilhelm, a dog trainer in Toledo, Ohio. “Buy in bulk from a co-op or farmer and maybe share with friends to get the best price.”

Eat, Bark and Be Merry Healthy Holiday

Dehydrated Foods

Treats for Our Pets

by Sandra Murphy

A

s with families everywhere, special taste treats are on the menu for many dogs, cats and wild birds during the holiday season.

Owners are cautioned not to share rich, unfamiliar foods from the table that can be detrimental to an animal’s health.

Better fare are homemade treats of organic, safe and tasty ingredients—true gifts from the heart.

Homemade assures the quality of ingredients, avoids unhealthy additives and allows the giver to adjust for individual taste or food sensitivities.

Most healthy recipes can be made from readily available ingredients.

Wild Birds

Offer them a variety of seeds and fresh water. Always use unsalted, unseasoned seeds. Mix harder-to-crack striped sunflower seeds with the smaller black oil version to attract the largest number of birds. Organically grown peanuts in the shell, dried fruit, oranges, pomegranates or rehydrated raisins offer a burst of energy. Impale round fruits, halved, on a small dowel rod attached to the feeding table to hold them in place.

Note that oats go to waste, shelled sunflower seeds spoil and cracked corn attracts raccoons. Pass on any kind of popcorn.

DIY Suet

Mix one part organic peanut butter with five parts organic, non-GMO (genetically modified) corn meal.

Smear into a pinecone to hang from a branch or directly on tree bark for woodpeckers and wrens to

enjoy. Don’t use low-fat peanut butter because birds need to pack in the calories in order to stay warm.

Cats

Organic catnip, fresh or dried and baked into a crunchy treat, will bring kitty running. In recipes, avoid canned tuna because of bisphenol A (BPA) concerns; also minimize the frequency and portion of tuna and salmon treats due to mercury accumulation in the fish.

Unseasoned tuna or salmon packed in water in a pouch is a better choice.

Many recipes labeled for dogs can be converted for cats by making them into smaller bites.

Dogs

“When possible, I put organic and local foods, non-GMO, hormone-and antibiotic-free, grass-fed and humanely raised properties at the top of my list. A healthier dog means fewer

Dehydrating removes moisture from food while retaining nutrients, and comprises a distinct cooking method.

Stephanie Raya, resident chef at Excalibur Dehydrator, in Sacramento, California, recommends, “For safe chicken and pork, pre-cook before dehydrating. Beef can be dehydrated from a raw state. My Boston terriers also love dehydrated, sweet potato chips.”

A number of commercial dehydrated meat and fish jerkies have been recalled (search DogFoodAdvisor. com/?s=treats). Homemade treats offer superior control of ingredients.

“When I make my pets’ treats, I know what’s in their food, including the herbs used for flavor,” says Raya. After she’s ensured that the food is thoroughly dried, she packs it in vacuum bags and stores them away from light. She notes that dehydrating takes longer than baking, but is cost-effective at 25 to 50 cents an hour. Veggie options include dehydrated zucchini chips, butternut squash chips, cherry tomato bites, matchstick carrots or peach or other fruit slices.

Make it Festive

A cat’s sense of smell is 10 to 15 times better than ours, but is still modest compared to dogs that out-sniff us by a factor of 30 to 60 times; that’s why putting wrapped treats under a holiday tree or in a stocking is a bad idea. Store them securely and then bring them out when it’s time to open gifts. Use blue tissue paper for easy-to-open Hanukkah gifts, red or green for Christmas (bows, yes; ribbons, no). For dogs that love puzzles, placing treats inside a wrapped box adds to the fun.

Remember that rich or unfamiliar foods can make pets sick. Instead, gift them with their own healthy, safe treats from known ingredients so that everyone has a happy holiday.

Connect with Sandra Murphy at StLouisFreelanceWriter@mindspring.com.

natural awakenings

December 2015

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healingways

cret in the fragrance industry is the unlabeled presence of toxic chemicals not only in perfumes, but in any personal care product that includes a scent. Lab tests commissioned by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and analyzed by the EWG confirm the presence of parabens that interfere with hormone production, cancer-causing phthalates, and synthetic musks that have been linked to hormone disruption, among many other ills.

Naturally Safe Scents

HEAVENLY SCENTS How to Make Your Own Natural Oil Fragrances

by Kathleen Barnes

A

whiff of sweetness can communicate a personal signature of tranquility, alertness or romance, or it can cause a bout of miserable sneezing, wheezing or nausea for those in the vicinity and even the unwitting wearer.

Commercial Chemicals

“When you see ‘fragrance’ on a personal care product label, read it as ‘hidden chemicals,’” warns the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit watchdog Envi-

ronmental Working Group (EWG). “A major loophole in the [U.S.] Food and Drug Administration’s federal law lets manufacturers of products like shampoo, lotion and body wash include nearly any ingredient under the term fragrance without actually listing the chemical.”

Companies that manufacture personal care products are required by law to list the ingredients they use, but fragrances and trade-secret formulas are exempt.

What’s known as a dirty little se-

“Opting for natural scents from organic essential oils not only offers a toxinfree alternative, the oils’ aromatherapy benefits have time-proven therapeutic value,” suggests Dorene Petersen, president and founder of the American College of Healthcare Sciences, in Portland, Oregon.

Recent research from the Pontificia Universidade Catolica, in Brazil, confirms that lavender oil has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and pain-relieving properties similar to those of a mild-dose narcotic. Plus, it smells heavenly, says botanical perfumer Roxana Villa, of Woodland Hills, a California-based spokesperson for the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy.

“Considering the part of the plant used will give you an idea of its therapeutic value,” says Villa. “A root base will be good for grounding. Since bark is like skin, oils such as birch will benefit skin and muscles. Oils from flowers are excellent for anything related to the head and mind.”

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Oregano and cinnamon oils have powerful antifungal properties, even against Candida-type fungi resistant to prescription drugs, according to Brazilian research from Universidade Federal. A groundbreaking study from the Slovak University of Technology, in Slovakia, even suggests that rosemary oil can kill cancer cells.

These are all scents that can be the foundations of do-it-yourself perfumes.

Customized Blends

“It’s fun to experiment with organic essential oils and create that unique blend that becomes a personal signature,” says Charlynn Avery, an aromatherapist with Aura Cacia, in Norway, Iowa. She explains that essential oils have three basic “notes” and blending them correctly will result in a fragrance suited to last throughout the day.

“The base note is heavier and lasts the longest. Patchouli, vetiver, sandalwood, cedarwood and jasmine hang around longer in the atmosphere and on the wearer,” she explains. Blending the base with a slightly lighter middle note like lavender, rosemary or clary sage and a light and short-lasting top note like orange, lime or peppermint will create a complex and pleasing blend.

“That’s the beauty of the art of it,” says Avery. “You can create synergistic blends that harmonize and complement the attributes of each to such an extent that you may not be able to detect the scents of the individual oils.”

There are no hard and fast rules, but our experts offer a few guidelines

for creating our own unique blends that will be well-received as holiday gifts.

Use a base of oil like jojoba or sweet almond to create a perfumed oil.

Note that oils undiluted by a carrier can burn the skin.

For oil-based blends, use a ratio of 50 drops of bottom note oil, 30 drops of a middle note and 20 drops of a top note in two ounces of carrier oil.

Another option is to use an alcohol base of either isopropyl rubbing alcohol or 85-proof vodka to make a spray perfume; the alcohol will evaporate quickly.

Alcohol-based blends generally last longer, especially with fragile citrus oils.

A usual ratio is 10 to 20 drops of essential oil per ounce of alcoholbased carrier.

Oil-based blends are ready to use almost immediately. Alcohol-based blends should age a week or two at least and will become more strongly scented in time.

Store fragrances in bottles in a dark, cool place. Bottles with tiny rollon caps are commercially available.

“It’s very much trial and error to arrive at a preferred scent, so be creative and keep careful notes of experiments and improve on them as you gain experience,” counsels Avery. “If you crinkle your nose at patchouli, you probably won’t like an oil blend with it, either.

Choose scents you like.”

Kathleen Barnes is author of numerous natural health books including Food Is Medicine. Connect at Kathleen Barnes.com.

GIFT BLEND FOR MEN Western cultures value “manly” Earth scents like sandalwood and cedarwood, while in other cultures, flowery scents are acceptable for men.

An appealing woodsy blend for an American male blends cedarwood, clary sage and lime.

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The 1-2-3s of Blending Oils Base Notes sandalwood jasmine myrrh vetiver patchouli cedarwood

Middle Notes lavender bergamot geranium rosemary tea tree clary sage

Top Notes orange lemon grapefruit eucalyptus lime peppermint

A general ratio of 50 percent base note oils to 30 percent middle notes and 20 percent top notes is recommended.

Source: courtesy of AuraCacia.com

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wisewords

for changes during the active course of daily life and query: How am I speaking to myself or to others? Am I more present? Am I more at ease in letting go?

It’s important to look for these subtle changes rather than to set unrealistic expectations for ourselves such as being mindful all day.

Sharon Salzberg on Mindfulness Simple Ways to Be in the Present Moment

Do you have other enabling practices for people new to the state of living mindfully?

by April Thompson

N

How do you define mindfulness?

Mindfulness is the quality of awareness.

When we are mindful, our perception of the present moment isn’t so distorted by bias, adding our own storyline to

reality and pushing away what’s happening.

photo by Fabio Fiippi

ew York City-born Sharon Salzberg experienced a childhood full of loss and upheaval, losing her parents and living in five different household configurations. In college, she discovered the power of meditation to transform suffering and cope with life’s neverending changes.

Born into a Jewish family, Salzberg first encountered Buddhism in 1969 in an Asian philosophy class, inspiring her to undertake an independent study program in India, where she was initiated into the practice via an intense 10-day retreat. “It was very difficult and painful. I sometimes doubted that I’d succeed, yet I never doubted that there was truth there,” she says.

Upon her return home, Salzberg dedicated herself to the path of vipassana- (insight) meditation, becoming a renowned teacher and co-founding the Insight Meditation Society, in Barre, Massachusetts. Today she teaches and speaks to diverse audiences worldwide about the power of mindfulness. Salzberg has authored nine books, including the New York Times bestseller Real Happiness, Real Happiness at Work and Lovingkindness.

Is it possible to be mindful without having an established meditation practice?

Yes, theoretically, but I suspect it’s hard. I honor my own meditation practice for making mindfulness highly accessible for me. It doesn’t take many hours of prep work and is open to everyone. It’s really a practice, like strength training—you have to exercise the mindfulness muscle to reap the benefits.

What’s the best way to arrange time for meditation, and what can motivate us to practice regularly?

Having a sense of structure has helped me the most. I believe strongly in the value of a daily practice, however simple or short. We can ritualize certain practices to help remember to pause and be mindful. For example, every time the phone rings, let it ring three times and use that as a trigger to breathe. When you’ve finished writing an email, take a few conscious moments before sending it. There are lots of ways to cut through the momentum of the busyness and craziness of our lives to return to mindfulness.

Make a commitment to practice for a certain period of daily time for a month or two, and then reassess. Look

Movement meditation is a good place to start; if you’re walking somewhere, try to be more present and feel your feet against the ground. Also, just focus on one thing at a time; instead of multitasking, just drink the cup of tea.

We can also use breath to focus concentration. The breath is a tremendous tool, it’s always with us. If you’re in a contentious meeting and tempers flare, you don’t have to pull out a meditation cushion and sit in a funny position; you can work with your breath right where you are.

How can meditation help to ease suffering?

Sometimes, we think we can ease suffering by only having pleasant feelings and beautiful thoughts. Rather, we can ease suffering by changing the way we relate to our thoughts and feelings. If something unpleasant is happening, most of us flip into an internal monologue about how, “Bad things always happen to me,” or “This is my fault,” or “I shouldn’t feel this.” We compound our suffering by adding judgment and by pushing away discomfort. Instead, we can learn to observe our reactions and release them.

We also tend not to feel pleasure fully or think that something else or more should be happening instead of simply enjoying the moment. We wait for some sense of intensity in order to feel alive, rather than experiencing the ordinary to the utmost. Meditation trains us to be present with pleasant, unpleasant and neutral experiences and stay connected, no matter what’s going on.

Reach freelance writer April Thompson, of Washington, D.C., at AprilWrites.com.

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December 2015

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he majority of the symptoms we can experience during flying—stiffness, poor circulation and swollen feet—are due to lack of movement rather than the altitude or pressurized cabin air. Knowing this can make healthy flying easier.

Drinking lots of water and moving about and stretching every two to three hours on long flights is key; trips to the bathroom naturally help fulfill this. We also can keep blood from collecting in our lower extremities by finding a way to elevate our legs and feet periodically. Wiggle all 10 toes, shift positions and go for these six discreet airplane yoga stretches.

Etiquette tip: Do the first two stretches at the back of the plane with adequate space and a wall to lean on. Don’t do these in the aisle; hanging on to someone’s seat back rocks it and can be annoying.

A quad stretch involves the shoulders, upper legs, calves and ankles, while elevating each foot and getting the blood moving. Hang on to a wall, grab an ankle and bring the heel as close to the butt as possible.

Then rotate the ankle in a circular motion. Do this as long as it feels worth doing, and then switch arms and legs.

A calf stretch is a simple way to target calf and hamstring muscles, as well as ankles. Stand facing a wall, placing both hands Quad Stretch at shoulder height on the wall for

Calf Stretch

Upper Body Stretch

Neck Stretch

Twisting the Torso

Bending Forward

balance, elbows bent. Take one foot forward and rest it on its heel, with toes pointing up and resting on the wall. Lean forward to the point of feeling a good stretch in the calf.

Stretch 30 seconds per foot, gradually going deeper into the pose after a few breaths.

Etiquette tip: The next four stretches can be done in an airplane seat or in the back of the plane.

The upper body stretch targets wrists, hands, arms, shoulders, back and the upper body in general. Sit upright with feet firmly planted on the floor. Lift arms up and interlace fingers before turning palms to face the ceiling. Relax the shoulders and neck. The arms shouldn’t be covering the ears and can be adjusted by moving them a few inches forward or back.

Tall individuals may need to bend their elbows, which still allows for stretching of the upper body.

Neck stretches release tension and stiffness by tilting the head from side-to-side. Don’t make circular motions, as they can cause neck and spine compression. If holding the head to assist a deeper stretch, be considerate of neighbors by pointing the raised elbow forward to cradle the neck instead of resting it on a seatmate.

Twisting the torso benefits both the spine and back muscles.

Yogis believe that twisting motions also massage internal organs.

While twisting, hang on to the armrest with both hands and sit as upright as possible, with legs together and feet firmly planted.

Don’t bounce into the pose or shift or lift buttocks off the seat, but make slow, fluid movements.

Bending forward while seated gives the back, neck and legs a good, deep stretch.

All of these movements work well while we’re in the air and are equally useful on road trips, in the office or whenever we need a break.

Cynthia Bowman is a freelance writer in Los Angeles, CA, who specializes in travel, culture and lifestyle topics. Visit JoyJournist.com.

inspiration

RECIPE FOR A HAPPY NEW YEAR Fail-Proof Ingredients for a Glorious 2016

Take 12 whole months.

Clean them thoroughly of all bitterness, hate and jealousy.

Make them just as fresh and clean as possible.

Cut each month into 28, 30 or 31 different parts, but don’t make up the whole batch at once.

Prepare one day at a time with these ingredients: Mix well into each day one part each of faith, patience, courage and work.

Also add to each day one part of hope, faithfulness, generosity and kindness.

Blend with one part prayer, one part meditation and one good deed.

Season the whole with a dash of good spirits, a sprinkle of fun, a pinch of play and a cupful of good humor.

Pour all of this into a vessel of love.

Cook thoroughly over radiant joy, garnish with a smile and serve with quietness, unselfishness and cheerfulness.

You’re bound to have a happy new year. ~ Author Unknown natural awakenings natural natural awakenings awakenings

December 2015 November December 2015 2015

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greenliving

Churches, synagogues, mosques and other faith groups are sending a message to their congregations and communities: We need to care for what the Creator has given us.

photo courtesy of View Dynamic Glass

Showing the Way

Green Congregations Faith Groups Join in Preserving All Creation

by Avery Mack

T

helps us understand he simple act of The film Renewal the remarkable responswitching on a bulb can light a documents this grass- sibility we have to the planet.” room; preaching that Along with an humans are caretakers of roots movement at emotional bottom line, the Earth can enlighten RenewalProject.net. many people pose a a community. “How are greater question: What is the cost to we faithful to God’s creation?” asks our spiritual life if we act selfishly?

Diana Butler Bass, Ph.D., author of Grounded: Finding God in the World— “We need to know what is sacred and what matters for generations to come,” A Spiritual Revolution, in Alexandria, says Bass. “This is an exciting time for Virginia. “The connection between the communities of faith to work together.” natural world and the world we live in

Unity Church on the Mountain 1328 Governors Dr. SE, Huntsville, AL 35801

What’s Happening at Unity

Ongoing Classes

t

Unity ChUrCh on the MoUntAin

Children’s Sunday School ages 4-9

Tuesday 7-8pm

Prayer and Meditation Hour

Sunday, December 20 Two services with Reverend Carol Landry, Traditional Service at 11am and Candle Light Service at 6pm

Wednesday 6-7:30pm

Course in Miracles

Thursday 6:30-7:30pm

Youth Hour 10 yrs and up.

Snack provided. Bring a friend.

Contact Us 256-536-2271 UnityOnTheMountain.org UnityChurchontheMountain@gmail.com Tennessee Valley

Weddings A

Sunday 11am (during church service)

Sunday, December 6 Guest Speaker Rev. Terry Thompson

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Reverend Carol Landry “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

“We wanted to reduce reliance on foreign oil, support local businesses, buy American-made and be cost-effective,” says Rabbi David Freelund, of the Cape Cod Synagogue, in Hyannis, Massachusetts. “Going solar made sense.

We leased panels, joined a renewable energy credit program and now generate 90 percent of our energy.”

The synagogue also upgrades equipment to more efficient levels when it’s time for replacement, composts waste, maintains a garden to supply a local food pantry, switched to LED lights, zoned their facility’s heating and cooling and follows a single-stream recycling program. “We seek to lead by example. Members ask, ‘What else can we do?’ As Jews, our mission is not fulfilled unless we lift up others toward the divine,” says Freelund.

Windows often make up a large portion of a building of worship, but can be the least energy-efficient components. Members of Colorado’s Steamboat Christian Center, in Steamboat Springs, used to wear sunglasses or change seats during services to escape the sun’s glare and heat. After installing smart glass windows, everyone can now fully concentrate on the sermon.

Sunday Discussion Class – 9:30am Sunday Worship – 11am Meditative Silence begins at 10:55am

Facebook.com/natvalley

The perfect place for couples planning an elegantly simple ceremony.

For more information go to:

UnityChurchWeddings.com or email us at

UnityChurchWeddings@gmail.com Non-traditional, interfaith unions and commitment ceremonies are always welcome!

Laying Down Burdens

“Clutter represents postponed decisions,” says Barbara Hemphill, author of Less Clutter, More Life, in Raleigh, North Carolina. “Lack of time, interest and energy keep us from passing along what we no longer want or need. For most of us, 80 percent of what we keep, we never use.”

That includes paperwork, another specialty of her Productive Environment Institute. When the United Methodist North Carolina Conference Center’s new building was ready, there was plenty to sort through before moving.

“We estimate seven tons of items were recycled. It became an example for individual churches,” says Hemphill.

Her own church, Mount Zion Methodist, in nearby Garner, has cleared out two storage rooms. Items were reclaimed, auctioned or donated

We need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all. ~Pope Francis to a shelter. “We gained Sunday school rooms in return,” she says.

Practice Makes Perfect

Imam Johari Abdul-Malik, the director of outreach for the Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center, in Falls Church, Virginia, suggests thinking larger and encourages members to ask for changes in public policies by lobbying their representatives. In 2016, the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago will promote a Green Ramadan. During Ramadan, members re-evaluate their lives in light of Islamic guidance.

Greener than most, The Garden Church, in San Pedro, California, has no building. “People tell me, ‘The outdoors is my church;’ I take them at their word,” says founding Pastor Anna Woofenden. “We have a central table surrounded by gardens. About Previ 90 percent of what we grow isReplaces vegetables, the rest is flowers. This church is a living sanctuary, a place to belong, a place of community. God’s love is made visible as people are fed in body, mind and spirit.”

“Eco-friendly teaching represents a new spiritual imagination of how to live well in the world,” observes Bass.

“Faith makes a difference.”

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Awareness of the environment and eco-friendly living is a concept religions agree on. At the All Dulles Area Muslim Society, in Sterling, Virginia, an education program encourages community members to recycle, plant trees and lower water and energy usage. Including their Sunday School, they reduced their overall carbon footprint by 13 percent and energy consumption by 21 percent.

Interfaith Power & Light is active in most states and can help implement such user- and eco-friendly changes.

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“The glass tints like transition sunglasses, based on available light or preprogrammed preferences,” explains Brandon Tinianov, a senior director with View Dynamic Glass, the company that supplied the new windows. “It also reduces heating and cooling costs.”

Connect with the freelance writer via AveryMack@mindspring.com.

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healthykids

Generous Pint-Sized Givers Teaching Kids How to Care and Share

by Jennifer Jacobson

A

mong a parent’s greatest rewards is seeing their children grow up to be productive, contributing members of society, including knowing how to give back and enrich the communities in which they live. Children can start participating in the giving process as toddlers. Having them observe regular charitable acts can make a strong impression and catalyze later independent initiatives.

Learning how to give and developing the associated skill set is a lifelong journey. Giving becomes a way of life—of looking at the world and determining how to help the causes they feel passionate about. Here’s how to take those crucial first steps.

Ask kids how they’d like to help. If giving to a cause is new to the household, explain that the family has many opportunities. Then engage children in a conversation about the general areas they may feel strongly about supporting—perhaps individuals or families in need, animals or wildlife habitat—and start a list of those that the family is interested in.

Next, start researching related local organizations, facilities and institutions, and matching them to the topics on the list. Ideas may include food kitchens, pet shelters and animal

rescues, nature parks, senior citizens’ residences, camps for low-income or physically or mentally challenged children, zoos, museums, aquariums and local libraries.

Make a game plan. Get creative about how to actually help the selected causes. Talk it through together, map out activities—like visiting, donating funds or materials or participating in fundraising efforts—and post the results somewhere at home that is highly visible. “Gamify” it to some degree with tasks that turn into goals that turn into accomplishments that result in chits.

Quick tasks can make a big difference. Clear the clutter. Every six to 12 months, launch an all-family household closet cleaning day that includes the toy chest and maybe the garage. Add nonperishable healthy food items they’ve picked out while grocery shopping.

Make a “donate box” positioned where kids can add to it and deliver the donations often, even if it’s small.

Find ways to raise money for donations. Organize a family or neighborhood yard sale or organic bake sale that involves kids at all stages of the project, and give all or a portion of the proceeds to a selected charity.

Associate getting with giving. For birthdays and holidays, include a

handwritten “certificate of giving” that specifies the amount of money available for them to gift to their favorite charity. Take the child to the charity site to make the monetary donation in person, if possible. For non-local organizations, write a check and have the child include a letter with their thoughts and mail it.

Volunteer to do community service. Public gardens need weeding, historic buildings need painting and food banks need hands. Find goodwill tasks that are age-appropriate and engaging.

Grow the mindset. Tell real-life stories about kids or groups of kids that have found creative ways to give back. Encourage empathy by sharing appropriate stories of struggle. Ask kids, “How would you want people to help you in this situation?” Explain the action the family is taking and the resulting benefit to the recipient.

The conversation might be, “We don’t need to store all this stuff when someone else could really use it.” Or, “I bet there is a kid out there who would really like playing with this toy.

I know you used to love it, but how about if you pass it along to someone else so they can enjoy it as much as you have?” Keep the focus on the people in need and your child’s ability to share an experience through an item.

Establishing an impermanent connection to material things can help kids understand the importance of nurturing relationships over acquiring goods.

Develop a language of giving in the household by creating opportunities to incorporate it into regular conversation. Appropriate comments could share concepts such as seeing ourselves as stewards of the planet and the things we think we own; it’s our duty to help those in need when we have abundance; and if there is ever a time when we are without, we hope that others will think of us and help us.

Teaching children how their thoughts, words and actions impact those around them is a lesson that bears repeating.

Jennifer Jacobson lives in Seattle and has served on the boards of several influential nonprofits and other organizations focused on conservation, education and community.

natural awakenings

December 2015

27

calendarofevents Email Editor@Natvalley.com for guidelines and to submit entries.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3 Lecture: “The World Peace Diet” – 6:30pm.

Huntsville Vegans will host a lecture with author Dr. Will Tuttle, whose book “The World Peace Diet” presents an empowering understanding of our world, based on the far-reaching implications of our food choices. Donations accepted. Unity Church, 1328 Governors Dr SE, Huntsville. 256-808-7022.

UnityOnTheMountain.org.

Happy Holidays!

Madison Community Band Christmas Concert – 7-8pm. Enjoy a winter wonderland of melodic memories. Free. Grace United Methodist Church, 2113 Old Monrovia Rd, Huntsville.

Christmas Around the World presented by Huntsville Master Chorale – 7pm. Featuring carols in several languages to ring in the Christmas season.

Admission by donation. First Presbyterian Church, 307 Gates Ave, Huntsville.

Peace on Earth: A Gala Celebration of the Arts – 7:30-9:30pm. Huntsville Community Chorus Symphonic Chorus, Children’s Chorale, and Youth Chorale will join with UAH Music Department, the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, and Huntsville Ballet for a holiday musical extravaganza. Special guest, Act of Congress. $10. Von Braun Center, Huntsville. Tickets: UAH.edu/peace.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5 Planetarium Show: The Christmas Star – 7:30pm (Dec 5, 12, 19, 26). What exactly did the Wisemen see? We’ll turn back time to look into the sky of long ago and search for this mysterious object. Admission charged. Monte Sano Park Planetarium, beside the Country Grocery Store and Camp Ground. 256539-0316.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6 18th Annual Rocket City Tuba Christmas Concert – 4-6pm. Seasonal music performed by more than 40 tuba, sousaphone, baritone, and euphonium players.

The musicians will come from across North Alabama and beyond. Free. Covenant Presbyterian Church, 301 Drake Ave SE, Huntsville. 256-508-1010.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7 Christmas Around the World presented by Huntsville Master Chorale – 7pm. Featuring carols in several languages to ring in the Christmas season.

Admission by donation. Monte Sano United Methodist Church, 601 Monte Sano Blvd SE, Huntsville.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever presented by Grissom High School Theatre – 7-9pm. In this hilarious Christmas classic, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the most inventively awful kids in history. $8 adults, $5 students. Grissom High School, 7901 Bailey Cove Rd, Huntsville.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 8 How to Do Things: Holiday Gourd Ornament – 6-8pm. A member of the Huntsville Gourd Society will teach us to make a unique holiday ornament from a dried banana gourd. All supplies will be provided and you will take your ornament home with you. $3. Huntsville Main Library, 915 Monroe St.

Tennessee Valley

Christmas Concert at The Library – 7-9pm.

Big band music featuring both Rocket City Jazz Orchestra and the Army’s AMC Four Star Jazz Orchestra will play sounds of the season. There will be music, singing, and dancing, and refreshments will be served. Free. Huntsville Main Library, 915 Monroe St. 256-532-5940.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13 Carols of Christmas – 6:30-8:30pm. This festive, holiday event filled with music, singing and fun is a Huntsville favorite. Enjoy Christmas classics, sacred music, humor and cheer by the Huntsville Youth Symphony, Trinity Choirs and Hand Bells, and Soloist Crystal Vanrell. Free. Trinity United Methodist Church, 607 Airport Rd, Huntsville.

256-883-3200.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 14 Color to Chill – 5:30-6:30pm. Sitting down to color a picture can be as effective as meditation in reducing stress. Drop by the library during our adult coloring sessions to see for yourself. All supplies provided. Sessions include music and herbal tea.

Madison Public Library, 130 Plaza Blvd, Madison.

ACampbell@hmcpl.org.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15

Christmas Concert by Huntsville Concert Band – 7-8pm. The Huntsville Concert Band will present a concert of old and new Christmas favorites. Free.

Latham United Methodist Church, 109 Weatherly Rd, Huntsville.

Five Percent Day with Land Trust of North Alabama – 8am-10pm. Whole Foods will donate five percent of today’s proceeds to the Land Trust, a non-profit organization that that preserves and protects land and its legacies for conservation, public recreation, and environmental education. Whole Foods Market, 2501 Memorial Parkway, Huntsville.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17

The Law of Returns: In the Arms of Love – 7:308pm. Hear inspiring stories and insights from Harold Klemp, spiritual leader and acclaimed author of more than sixty books on Eckankar. Learn how to enjoy a more direct route to the spiritual life. Free.

WOW (Knology) Cable Channel 11 (HuntsvilleMadison). 256-534-1751. Eck-Alabama.org.

Holiday Party at the Madison Library – 5:307:30pm. Celebrate the holidays with songs, dances, refreshments and more. Library families, volunteers, and library staff will all have an opportunity to perform holiday songs. Hot cocoa and cookies will also be provided. Free. Madison Public Library, 130 Plaza Blvd, Madison. 256-461-0046.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12

Huntsville Christmas Parade – 6pm. Welcome Santa Claus to Huntsville as he ushers in the Christmas season at the annual Christmas parade. Enjoy the excitement and music with many entries and bands from across North Alabama. Free to view.

Downtown Huntsville. 256-885-9797.

Holiday Story Time – 10am. Enjoy holiday-themed stories and activities during this special Saturday edition of story time. Free. Madison Public Library, 130 Plaza Blvd, Madison. 256-461-0046.

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Spirit of Christmas Past: Homes Tour and Luminaries – 5-9pm. The Twickenham Historic District will be aglow with luminaries, trees and front doors glistening with holiday decorations.

Tour 5 private residences and other historic buildings ornately decorated for the holidays. Admission charged. Twickenham Historic District, Downtown Huntsville. 256-536-7718.

City of Madison Christmas Parade – 5:30pm.

Holiday parade with music, floats and fun for the whole family. Celebration on the Village Green afterwards. Listen to carolers and instrumental music around the Roundhouse and sip hot chocolate at the Gazebo. Free. Starting at Hughes Road, going to downtown Madison. 256-772-9300.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4 Decatur Healing Arts Holiday Open House – 9am-6pm. Specials, door prizes, complimentary paraffin hand dips, and refreshments. 1900 Flint Rd SE, Decatur, 35601. Facebook.com/Decatur HealingArts.

Holiday Family Painting – 2pm. This class is appropriate for all ages, and parents are encouraged to paint with their children. RSVP and a small canvas fee are required. Madison Public Library, 130 Plaza Blvd, Madison. 256-461-0046.

Facebook.com/natvalley

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19 Huntsville Feminist Chorus Solstice Concert – 4:30-5:30pm. The HFC annual Winter Solstice concert is part of the Flying Monkey Arts Center’s open house and Solstice celebration. Free. Lowe Mill, 2211 Seminole Dr, Huntsville. 256-533-0399.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31 New Years Eve Pole Cat Drop – 9pm-12am. Family friendly New Years Eve event held in beautiful Hurricane Valley just East of Huntsville. Enjoy music, games, Ms Pole cat (Ugly) Contest, Raffles, Countdown to midnight, dropping of Polly Pole cat, fireworks. Free. Hurricane Community Center, 2147 Hurricane Creek Rd, Gurley, AL.

plan ahead SATURDAY, JANUARY 16 Family Constellations Workshop with Jeffrey Rich, Certified Constellations Facilitator – 9am-5pm. Uncover the hidden dynamics of your family or relationship in an experiential way, so that undue stress can be released or reduced in the system and a resolution can unfold. $75. Shining Mountain Healing Center, 900 Wellman Ave #5.

Shining-Mountain.com.

classifieds Fee for classifieds is $1 per word per month. To place listing, email content to Editor@Natvalley.com. Deadline is the 10th of the month.

HEALTH COOKWARE SALADMASTER sales and service. 256-412-4896.

ongoingevents sunday

wednesday

A Course in Miracles Study Group – 9:15am.

Shared reading and group discussions. Extra books available. Light of Christ Center, 4208 Holmes Ave, Huntsville. 256-895-0255. LightOfChristCenter.org.

A Course in Miracles Class – 6-7:30pm. Unity Church on the Mountain, 1328 Governors Dr SE, Huntsville. 256-536-2271. UnityOnTheMountain.org.

Revealing Service – 9:45am. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. 256-8838596. CSL-Huntsville.org.

Celebration Service – 10:30am. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. 256-8838596. CSL-Huntsville.org.

Unity Church on the Mountain Worship Service – 11am, with Adult Discussion at 9:30am. Children’s Sunday School ages 4-9 during church service.

Unity is a positive path for spiritual living. Rev. Carol Landry. 1328 Governors Dr SE, Huntsville.

UnityOnTheMountain.org.

1-Hour Mystery School – 11am. A different service each week including ritual, music, and a message in an open, loving environment. Light of Christ Center, 4208 Holmes Ave, Huntsville. 256-895-0255.

LightOfChristCenter.org.

Laughter Yoga – 1-2pm. Laughter Yoga utilizes laughter as an exercise in a group. Benefits include increased oxygen levels, relaxation, increased blood circulation, and a joyous feeling. Led by Tristan Riabo, certified Laughter Yoga Teacher.

Free. 4703 Wellington Pt, Huntsville. Tristan.

Riabo@gmail.com.

monday Acupuncture Happy Hour – 4-6pm, Mondays and Tuesdays. A 30-minute ear acupuncture treatment that will de-stress, detox, relax and re-energize you.

No appointment necessary. $25. Alabama Holistic Helath, 204 Lowe Ave SE, Ste 3, Huntsville. 256801-9162. ALHolisticHealth.com.

tuesday Meditation – 6pm. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. 256-883-8596. CSLHuntsville.org.

Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right. ~Oprah Winfrey

BodyFlow – 6-7pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Yoga/Pilates/Tai Chi-based exercise class that builds strength, tones your body and leaves you feeling centered and calm. Part of the Les Mills Fitness Program. $10/class and no contract. New participants are always welcome. Madison Ballroom, 9076 Madison Blvd, Suite E, Madison, AL. 256-461-1900. MadisonBallroom.com.

Prayer and Meditation Hour – 7-8pm. Led by Rev. Clifford Stocking and assisted by Rebecca Oxford.

Unity Church on the Mountain, 1328 Governors Dr SE, Huntsville. 256-536-2271. UnityOnThe Mountain.org.

Satsang – 6:30pm. Through group discussion and inquiry, we reveal the innate wisdom of the one presence living life as each one of us. Meditation 6pm.

Led by Rev. David Leonard. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. 256-8838596. CSL-Huntsville.org.

thursday Youth Group – 6:30-7:30pm. 10 years old and up.

Snack provided. Unity Church on the Mountain, 1328 Governors Dr SE, Huntsville. 256-536-2271.

UnityOnTheMountain.org.

Thursday Night Swing – 6:30-10pm. Swing dance lesson, 6:30pm; Dance 7:30pm. $5 covers lesson and dance. Lowe Mill/Flying Monkey, 2nd Floor Theatre, 2211 Seminole Dr, Huntsville.

friday Public Clearance Session – 7pm. Third Friday each month. Learn effective healing through reception and application of Divine energies. Light of Christ Center, 4208 Holmes Ave, Huntsville.

256-895-0255.

saturday Holiday & Solstice Artist Markets – 11am-5pm (Dec 5, 12), 10am-6pm (Dec 19). Local artists and others are invited to set up a booth and sell their wares to the public. There will be art, jewelry, vintage clothing, records and more for sale. Free. Flying Monkey Arts Center at Lowe Mill, 2211 Seminole Dr, Huntsville.

Community HU Song – 1:30-2pm. Join others in singing HU, an ancient love song to God that can help and uplift you in countless ways. Held each Saturday (except 12/26). Huntsville ECK Center, 900 Wellman Ave NE #3 (near Five Points). 256534-1751. Eck-Alabama.org.

Ballroom Dance Party – 7:30-10pm. Beginner group class 7:30-8pm, introduction to different ballroom dances each week. Practice dance party 8-10pm, for all levels of dancers. No partner needed. $10/person for group class and party. Madison Ballroom, 9076 Madison Blvd Suites C/D, Madison, AL. 256-461-1900. MadisonBallroom.com.

natural awakenings

December 2015

29

communityresourceguide Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. Email Editor@Natvalley.com to request our media kit.

ACUPUNCTURE ALABAMA HOLISTIC HEALTH, LLC Dr. Christina L. Berry, Ed.D., ACI, ADS 204 Lowe Ave, Suite 3, Huntsville Info@ALHolisticHealth.com 256-801-9162

A holistic approach to health and wellness, specializing in pain management, weight loss, natural detoxification, and mental health improvement. Auriculotherapy/ Ear acupuncture. Massage therapy. Reflexology. Lifestyle consulting. Diet and supplement recommendations. Hydro-colon cleanse. Ionic detox.

THE NEELEY CENTER FOR HEALTH

600 Saint Clair Avenue SW, Bldg 5 Suite 11 Huntsville, AL 35801 256-716-4048 Hours: T-F, 9am-5pm, Sat 8am-12pm House calls by Appointment Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, Chinese Herbology, Pastoral Counseling, Beam Ray Therapy, Rapid Eye Technology, Emotion Code Technique, Nutritional Supplementation, Detoxification, BioMat.

ESSENTIAL OILS CINDY WILSON

Young Living Independent Distributor 256-476-6537 Cindy@AlabamaAwakenings.com Want to know why everyone is talking about essential oils?

Learn more about essential oils, their uses and how to safely use them. Classes held monthly or schedule your class with friends and family. For more information call or email.

FAMILY MEDICINE MADISON FAMILY CARE

Chad Gilliam, M.M.S. PA-C 1230 Slaughter Road, Suite C, Madison, AL 256-722-0555 MadisonFamilyCare.com Madison Family Care provides medical care for patients of all ages and uniquely blends Natural and Prescription medicines together to help speed the patient’s recovery. Madison Family Care is the patient’s clinic of choice when they would like to understand how natural medicines work along with prescription drugs.

COLON HYDROTHERAPY HOPE FOR LIFE COLONICS

Tina Pencola Owner/Certified Colon Hydrotherapist 10300 Bailey Cove Rd, Suite-7A Huntsville, AL 35803 256-270-8731 • 256-684-0020 Hope4LifeAL.com Tina.HopeForLife@outlook.com

FENG SHUI

1489 Slaughter Road, Madison 256-837-3448

I-ACT Certified Colon Hydro Therapists. Do you know that 80% of your immune system is in your colon? Bathe your body from the inside to improve health. Colon irrigation aids in soothing and toning the colon, which makes elimination more effective.

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Tennessee Valley

SPECIALIZED NAIL CARE

1900 Flint Rd SE Decatur, AL 35601 256-476-6537 Cindy@SpecializedNailCare.com Nail care for those that need more than just a pedicure.

Physicians order required for care. Care includes footbath, trimming nails, thinning of thick nails, and removal of calluses and corns. For more information call or email. See ad, page 25.

GREEN CLEANING PRODUCTS LYNN THOMPSON

Norwex Independent Sales Consultant 256-476-4177 LynnThompson.Norwex.biz You don’t have to touch and breathe toxic cleaners anymore.

Norwex cloths are super fine, dense microfiber woven with micro-silver that inhibits odor and mold/mildew within the cloth.

Clean your home faster, better and healthier. Norwex is clean, evolved! See ad, page 7.

HAIR SALON CJ HAIR AND ART STUDIO CJ Denison 105E Church St Madison, AL 35758 256-603-9018

FENG SHUI BY TRUDI GARDNER Trudi Gardner, M.S. 256-772-6999 Tygard2000@aol.com

An interior design philosophy that invites serenity and reduces stress. Feng Shui design concepts brings positive energy into your home and office to encourage Prosperity, Well Being, Harmony, and Balance.

Our goal is to live long and live strong. Young or old, male or female, healthy or sick, will benefit from an internal cleansing. Mention this ad and get $10 off your first colonic session. See ad, page 25.

JARVIS NATURAL HEALTH CLINIC

FOOT CARE

FOOD CO-OP PLENTIFUL PRODUCE

256-469-VEGG (8344) PlentifulProduce@gmail.com PlentifulProduce.org Plentiful Produce is a volunteer food cooperative bringing quality produce and other items to co-op participants at the lowest possible prices. Weekly produce baskets $20. A la carte local raw honey and produce. Five Saturday pickup locations across Madison County.

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HEALTH & FITNESS HEAD-TO-TOE TRAINING 8006 Madison Pike, Ste 5 Madison, AL • 256-772-2006 HeadToToe@knology.net Head-To-Toe.com

A Mind/Body Training Center specializing in Core Training, Corrective and Therapeutic.

Offering all facets of training: group and personal. Pilates (both matwork and apparatus), Thai/yoga massage, Flowmotion, PilatEASE, CoreABS and more! Membership packages available.

HOMEOPATHIC CONSULTANT JOAN SCOTT LOWE

1901 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. South Birmingham, AL 35209 205-871-1288 Joan@HomeopathyForWellness.com HomeopathyForWellness.com Call or email Joan Scott Lowe, Homeopathic Wellness Consultant, to determine your individual constitutional remedy, the FDA-approved nontoxic homeopathic remedy based on the totality of your mental, emotional, and physical condition, chosen according to the Law of Similars (“like heals like”).

Achieve wellness and freedom from illness!

HYPNOTHERAPY CENTER FOR INNER WELLNESS Becky Waters Certified Hypnotherapist and Professional Breathworker 3322 S. Memorial Parkway, Suite 643 Huntsville, AL • 256-348-5236

Creating positive change through hypnotherapy and Breathwork. Empowering you to live to your highest potential. Relieve stress and anxiety, release negativity, pain management, pre/post medical procedure, fears/phobias, weight loss, smoking cessation, and more. See ad, page 13.

MARSHA MATHES

Certified Hypnotist 3313 Memorial Parkway, Ste 116 Huntsville, AL 35801 256-698-2151 MarshaMathes.SkinCareTherapy.net Hypnosis is a tool to assist you in countless ways to heal your past, empower your present and create your future. Hypnobirthing classes, quit smoking, weight loss, nail and lip biting, teeth grinding, insomnia, anxiety and stress relief, phobias and fears, pain relief, sports enhancement, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), current and past life regressions.

JIN SHIN JYUTSU®

REIKI

JIN SHIN JYUTSU OF HUNTSVILLE Sandra Cope Huntsville 256-534-1794 256-509-3540

LIGHT JOURNEY REIKI

Barbara Caioli, RM 7500 Memorial Pkwy SW, Ste 114 Huntsville AL • 256-716-8419 LightJourneyReiki.com

Certified Jin Shin Jyutsu Practitioner. An easy, effective way of restoring health and well-being by balancing the body’s energy pathways to enhance the body’s natural healing abilities. See ad, page 7.

Reiki refers to the universal life force energy that is found in everything. Reiki works through gentle, focused touch or intention for the purpose of healing and balance. Light Journey Reiki offers healings as wells as Certification Workshops.

See ad, page 7.

MENTAL HEALTH CARE TREE OF LIFE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES

256-278-2802 TreeOfLifeBehavioral.com TreeOfLifeBehavioral@gmail.com

STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION

At Tree of Life Behavioral Health, we believe that quality mental health care should be available to all people who need it. We offer counseling and medication management to families, children, adolescents, and adults on a sliding scale to meet all income needs.

Don’t let yourself suffer any longer!

NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE ASSOCIATES Dr. Deb Gilliam, N.M.D. 1230 Slaughter Rd, Ste E, Madison, AL 256-325-0955

Dr. Deb treats a variety of health problems using natural means.

She looks for why people have symptoms and treats the root cause of those symptoms. Dr. Deb is highly regarded in the integrative and natural approach to wellness. Every patent is unique, and she individualizes treatment for their optimal wellness. See ad, page 22.

JACI HOGUE

256-656-4108 JaciHogue@gmail.com A complete system of body education that balances the physical body, improves posture, and helps resolve chronic pain.

Created by Dr. Ida P. Rolf in the 1950s, Structural Integration has been scientifically validated and has withstood the test of time, as millions of people have enjoyed the remarkable benefits.

SUSAN K. JEFFREYS

Advanced Practitioner Lic.#249 Dr. Ida P. ROLF method 525 Fountain Row 256-508-3351 • RolfGuild.org Serving Huntsville since 1995

natural awakenings

“When the body gets working appropriately, then the force of gravity can flow through. Then spontaneously, the body heals itself.” —Ida P. Rolf. See ad, page 11.

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STICK WITH THE BEST

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Advertise your products and services in our special

January Health & Wellness Issue Our readers seek specialists offering:

• Acupuncture • Alternative Healing • Aromatherapy • Ayurveda • Bodywork • Chelation Therapy • Chiropractic • Dental Care

• Energy Healing • Fitness/Health Clubs • Herbalists • Homeopathy • Hypnotherapy • Integrative Physicians • Iridology • Natural/Organic Foods

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256-808-8044 Editor@Natvalley.com

• Physical Therapy • Psychological Counseling • Wellness Trainers & Coaches • Retreats/Workshops • Skin Care • Spas • Spiritual Practices • Yoga ... and this is just a partial list