18 minute read
SANDRA MARINELLA
Sandra Marinella on the Healing Power of Writing Our Stories
by Sandra Yeyati
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An award-winning teacher and author of The Story You Need to Tell: Writing to Heal from Trauma, Illness, or Loss, Sandra Marinella has empowered thousands of people to use stories, poems and journal writing to find greater well-being and resilience in their lives. Prompted by a breast cancer diagnosis and her own journal, she helps people connect with their truth and move beyond entrenched negative emotions and thoughts.
What is the power of story and personal writing?
We all have stories in our minds that play over and over again. They define who we are. In recent years, neuroscience has led us to this powerful understanding that we are quite flexible as human beings. After we become conscious of our stories and how we’re using them in our lives, we can rework and reframe them, and choose to see them in a positive or better light. We can change and grow our stories to become better people with greater well-being.
How do we get unstuck from playing out stories in our minds?
A story that keeps looping, one that you
are obsessed with, is generally being replayed in the emotional centers, or right side, of your brain, and you don’t have much control over it. To get unstuck, you need to voice this story and complete it. Writing it down and sifting through it later can help. Once you do this, you can be logical and choose how you’re going to interpret, frame and live with it.
In the book, I talk about Chris, whose sister was homeless and died. He was struggling with that story. It was going around in his mind, over and over, all the time. He was in pain and grieving from the loss of his sister. It took him a while before he decided to rewrite the story as fiction, telling it in the way he wished it had come out. In the process, he was able to better understand his loss, make peace with it and set it free.
How do we edit our stories while remaining grounded in reality?
We do not want to lie to ourselves. We want to know our truth, but there is so much wisdom in what we call “positive illusions”. If we can choose to take a hard story and see it in a very positive way, we can find threads of it that we can weave through our truth, and let that help us grow and make our vision of our story better.
If we don’t tell others or write our stories, can they harm us?
Yes. I think they can, but I don’t want to underestimate the value of silence. When we are facing trauma, we need space and time and silence to be able to wrap our heads around the hard things that are happening to us. But then, breaking the silence is cathartic. It releases the pain. It helps us establish not only that we have the pain, but how we can bear it. Later, we can come back to those words and reflect on them—that’s when we come to understand more about where we are, what we think, what we feel and how we can move forward and rewrite and regrow our stories in positive ways.
Do you have any recommendations for those suffering in these trying times?
I’ve interviewed many war veterans, and they said that when they were out in the midst of warfare, they had to put their thoughts and emotions on hold so that they could move forward and be strong. That’s why many of them were falling apart with PTSD afterwards. I also interviewed a few soldiers who carried journals into war and found it extremely helpful to be able to scream, yell and release their words into them. We should be giving all healthcare workers journals and online support on how to write and how to take care of themselves. Counseling and therapy are wonderful, and I wish we could provide it to everybody all the time, but we can’t; and journal writing, or any kind of therapeutic writing, is such a wonderful backup for a human being to have when they are struggling. Keeping a pandemic journal might prove to be not only a healthy choice for our times, but a treasure historically for our grandchildren.
Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a freelance writer. Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.
Stand up for what you know is right. ~Ronald Isley
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
Sound Healing: Heart-Centered Awareness-Sound Invoking Silence – 7-8pm. Calm your work week by coming into soft, relaxing, inner stillness. Vibration as stress reduction-a peaceful callingin-the-weekend guided meditation/visualization going inward, discovering our infinity. $10. Holistic Gateway, 11 Little Canada Rd E #11, Little Canada. Holistic-Gateway.com/Calendar.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
Cosmic Weather Report –6:30-9pm. An in-depth presentation about the major transits that are showing up in our headlines, and some ways these developments might find expression in the chapters to come. We’ll look at some relevant astrological events from history and explore the evolutionary lessons that are on the plate for our collective now. $15. Holistic Gateway, 11 Little Canada Rd E #11, Little Canada. Also offered online via zoom, email AstrologerSaleem@gmail.com to arrange this option. Holistic-Gateway.com/Calendar.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
Divine Messages with Nea Clare –6:30-9pm. Nea Clare is a channel for Spirit and works predominately with The HAO-a collective, multi-dimensional force that shares verbal and energetic messages through her. These events are designed for you to be able to have a personal audience with Spirit, to receive teachings that will awaken your consciousness to the Truth of You. Everyone who attends will receive an audio recording from the event. $30 in advance/$35 at the door. NeaClareScheduling.as.me/Archangels.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
Know Your Body with Natural Family Planning
– 7:30-8:30pm. This virtual workshop teaches you how to recognize what your body is already telling you by learning the basics of natural family planning. Free. NATwinCities.com/events/190079/ natural-family-planning-virtual-workshop.
ongoing events
Please call or check the websites to ensure the classes or events are still scheduled for that week.
ongoing
Free Online Classes – The University of Minnesota is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Class-Central.com/ University/Minnesota. GROOVE Movement Class – Various days, times and locations. A fun, simple and exciting way to experience dance that nurtures body, mind, heart and soul. No dance experience required. All fitness levels welcome. Classes use all genres of music and include a warmup, dance, stretching, and a brief meditation. AeroDanceFitness.com/Schedule.
Midtown Global Market –Mon-Sat 10am-8pm. & Sun 10am-6pm. If you’re looking for a more unique shopping experience, head to the Midtown Global Market, where more than 50 vendors sell food and trinkets ranging from local produce to Somalian pastries, Middle Eastern olives and Asian spices. There are also cultural events – from musical performances to Irish stepdancing lessons. Free. 920 East Lake St, Minneapolis. MidtownGlobalMarket.org/visit.
Virtual Open House – Online anytime. Stop in to our YourTube channel to meet our practitioners. Learn about the services we offer, what you can expect, and “virtually” visit our new location. Free. YouTube. com/channel/UC-3p504Okp6ldZNhLZn00hw.
monday
Qigong Classes for Health –10:30-12pm. A fabulous way to begin each week! Learn how to use the power of your breathing, mind and simple movements to enhance and balance the flow of energy in your body. $15. Holistic Gateway, 11 Little Canada Rd E #11, Little Canada. Holistic-Gateway.com/Calendar.
tuesday
Weekly Guided & Silent Meditation – 11- 11:30am. Led by a Prayer Chaplain in the Meditation Room, this meditation is the same one going on concurrently at Unity Village. It alternates affirmative prayer and silence. Donation based. Online. UnityOfTheValleyMN.org /events-classes.
thursday
Meditation and Stress Reduction – 12:30-1:15pm. Experience meditation and mindfulness directly through discussion and practice of simple stress reduction techniques. Discover and activate your ability to be patient and to truly enjoy. $15. Holistic Gateway, 11 Little Canada Rd E #11, Little Canada. HolisticGateway.com/Calendar. Hatha for Everyone –6-7pm. Everyone is welcome to this weekly drop-in class. All levels. Relieve stress, achy joints, improve balance at all levels and increase your sense of well-being. $10. Meditation Center, 631 University Ave NE, Minneapolis. TheMeditationCenter.org. Free Meditation –7-8:30pm. Join us for a free weekly meditation. Sahaja Yoga Meditation, Eden Prairie City Hall, 8080 Mitchell Rd, Eden Prairie. Contact: JPatpatia@gmail or 651-730-2078. FreeMeditation.com.
friday
Gentle Yoga for Every Body –10:30-noon. A welcoming environment for students of all shapes and sizes. $15 drop-in. River Garden Yoga, 455 W 7th St, St. Paul. RiverGardenYoga.com.
Discover Your Highest Purpose Sri Harold Klemp, the spiritual leader of Eckankar, shares wisdom through stories and spiritual insights that bring meaning, connection, and humor to the workings of Spirit in everyday life. Fridays at 7pm.
Watch on MCN Channel- 6 TV For more information, visit Eckankar.org, TempleofECK.org or Facebook.com/ Eckankar. See ad, page 24.
featured event
Virtual Conference: Mycelium Mysteries: A One-of-a-kind Women’s Mushroom Conference Theme: Mushrooms as the Grandmothers of our ecosystem. Workshops offered at the beginner through advanced levels, and include topics in wild mushroom skills, fungal ecology, fungi and human health, and ethnomycology. Learn and get comfortable with mycological skills in a supportive, “fungal” community. Keynote speakers: Guiliana Furci author of Fungi of Chile, the Field Guide; Litt Woon Long, author of The Way of the Woods on Mushrooms and Mourning. Sept 25-27
Watch on MCN Channel- 6 TV
More info & to register: MidwestWomensHerbal.com. See ad, page 15.
classifieds
Fee for classifieds is $1 per word\ per month. To place listing, email content to Publisher@NATwinCities.com. Deadline is the 10th of the month.
MASSAGE THERAPIST
IMMEDIATE OPENING FOR A MASSAGE
THERAPIST to join our supportive, wellestablished team. Optimal Wellness Solutions is an independently owned wellness center whose mission is to help individuals heal physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. We offer a warm atmosphere, well-run practice, flexible schedule and generous compensation. Email Michele.Schramm@comcast.net for details.
Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide, email Publisher@NAtwincities.com. to request our media kit.
BODY WORK
MYOFASCIAL RELEASE & CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY Barb Ryan, LMT • 612-922-2389 Bhakti Wellness Center 7550 France Avenue S, #220, Edina
Specializing in persistent, chronic pain relief and mysteries of the body. Serving clients covered by auto insurance and worker’s compensation with a doctor’s referral. Also serving clients seeking the experience of deep relaxation and more selfconnection. Skilled and compassionate care. See ad, page 3. BREAST HEALTH
AROMATHERAPY NATURE’S WAY Healthy Girls’ Breast Oil Joyce Sobotta • 715-828-0117 text or call
Holistic breast health consults with education on the lymphatic breast self-massage for improved circulation. Consultations about pure essential oils for emotional and physical health. Custom blends created for you. See ad, page 22.
GOLDEN SUN CHIROPRACTIC Una Forde, DC • 952-922-1478 International Village Arcade Building 220 West 98th St, Suite 7, Bloomington Quality chiropractic care. Experience holistic healing and gentle chiropractic adjustments that allow the nervous system to relieve such symptoms as headache, back, neck pain and numbness which allow your body to return to a state of balance and well-being. 25 years’ experience.
COACHING
CHANNEL OF DIVINE WISDOM Nea Clare NeaClare.com Nea@NeaClare.com • 612-227-3854
You can have a personal audience with your guides and the Archangels and Ascended Masters. Get clarity. Take action. Feel connected. Book your session today and save 25%, using code: IAMWISE17. Or call Nea for a free consult. See ad, page 20.
COMPOSURE COACHING Candi Broeffle, MBA, CPC Candi@ComposureCoaching.com 763-270-8604 ComposureCoaching.com
Master your business so you can practice your passion. Business coaching for purpose-driven entrepreneurs to clarify your vision, build your confidence and create a soul-centered strategy. Call today for a free Discovery Session and get on your path to business success. See ad, page 23.
SOUL PURPOSE COACH & HOLISTIC HEALER Barbara Brodsho, MA 612-444-9751 • BarbaraBrodsho.com
Providing spiritual guidance to help live your purpose and thrive utilizing your soul’s Akashic Record. Discover your soul’s innate gifts, create a vocation that aligns with your soul’s passion, and gain new perspective, clarity and insight about your life’s challenges by understanding the lessons your soul chose to experience. Schedule a free discovery session to learn how to create a purpose-filled life. See ad, page 22.
COLORPUNCTURE
PSINERGY NATURAL HEALTH & HOLISTIC WELLNESS SchaOn Blodgett, CCP, BTAT 93 Little Canada Rd West - Ste. 100 Little Canada/Roseville 612-217-4325 • PsinergyHealth.com
Offering empirical & sciencebased natural health therapies including Esogetics/Colorpuncture, basic Ayurvedic Medicine, as well as spiritual/energy-based therapies like Access Consciousness Bars, I-Ching, reiki and more. See ad, page 21.
COMPUTER REPAIR
PSINERGY TECH André Thomas - A+ Certified 93 Little Canada Rd West - Ste. 100 Little Canada/Roseville 612-234-7237 • PsinergyTech.com
“Do you have a sick Computer?” We Keep Computer Repair Simple. Onsite/In-Home or Office, Bring-to-Us Computer Repair Services. 2011-17 Angie’s List Super Service Award Winner. Local • Greener • Highly Rated. HEALTH CENTERED DENTISTRY N7915-902 St River Falls, WI • 715-426-7777 HealthCenteredDentistry.com
Whole Person Dentistry observes and deals with the mind, body and spirit, not just your teeth. This approach to dentistry encompasses both modern science and knowledge drawn from the world’s great traditions in natural healing.
NATURAL SMILES DENTAL CARE 4700 Lexington Ave N, Suite D Shoreview 651-483-9800 NaturalSmilesDental.com
We’re an integrative practice committed to promoting dental wellness and overall assistance to the whole person. We desire to participate in the creation of healthier lives, while being sensitive to physical, philosophical, emotional and financial concerns. See ad, page 12.
PURE DENTAL Dr. Amy Ha Truong 6230 10th St. N., Ste 520, Oakdale 651-731-3064 • PureDentalMN.com
Pure Dental offers integrative, holistic, alternative and biological dentistry for your dental health. We take pride in providing quality, holistic dental care and service for our patients. See ad, page 21.
SEDATION AND IMPLANT DENTISTRY 1815 Suburban Ave, St. Paul ToothBuilder.com 651-735-4661
We are a holistic dental practice devoted to restoring and enhancing the natural beauty of your smile using conservative, state-of-the-art dental procedures that result in beautiful, long lasting smiles! We specialize in safe removal of infected teeth as well as placing ceramic implants and restorations. See ad, page 14.
TOOTH BY THE LAKE 1401 Main St, Hopkins 952-475-1101 • ToothByTheLake.net
We build a foundation of trust by treating our patients as individuals. Understanding how uneasy some patients may feel about their dental visits, we make a difference by providing a relaxing and positive experience. See ad, page 6. EMOTION CODE HEALING Master Hong Certified Emotion Code Practitioner 9672 63rd Ave N, Maple Grove 763-208-4246 or 914-708-9463
Chronic pain? Suffering from emotions? Relationship problems? Life not going as planned? The Emotion Code is a tool I use to help you break through any emotional and spiritual blocks so you can live your best life. Trial session only $35.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALING
SOUL WHISPERER: RELEASING LOST SOULS Annette Rugolo ReleasingLostSouls.com
Children and some adults have the ability to see the spirits that are living among us. Others will hear or see unexplained noises or movement. Read the first two chapters in my book for free at ReleasingLostSouls.com. I share many experiences that explain what’s happening and what can be done. See ad, page 13.
ESSENTIAL OILS
AROMATHERAPY NATURE’S WAY Joyce Sobotta 715-828-0117 AromaTherapyNaturesWay.com
Education about pure essential oils and the lymphatic system available on my website. I offer consultations and custom blends that work synergistically for a wide range of emotional and health concerns. See ad, page 22.
GRAPHIC DESIGN
CAMPFIRE STUDIO Sara Shrode, Graphic Designer Minneapolis, MN 612-554-6304 • CampfireStudio.net Sara@CampfireStudio.net
Ignite the possibilities of your next project by having Campfire Studio design it! Innovative, fullservice graphic design studio that takes the essence of a campfire—warmth, stories, community—and infuses it into every design project we do.
MASTEL’S HEALTH FOODS 1526 St Clair Ave, St Paul Mastels.com • 651-690-1692
Mastel’s Health Foods is Minnesota’s oldest health and wellness store. We carry a full line of vitamins, minerals, supplements, herbs and more. We emphasize organic, biodynamic, biodegradable, holistic and hypoallergenic products and pride ourselves on stocking hardto-find items. See ad, page 13.
HOUSING - SUPPORTIVE
BROEFFLE LATIMORE ADULT FOSTER CARE License #1102359 • 763-600-6967 8600 Northwood Parkway, New Hope
Providing a caring and supportive home for adults, no matter their abilities. With 28-plus years of experience, we offer a nurturing and family-like environment for up to four residents who are elderly and/or have developmental disabilities. Residents receive assistance with personal cares, meal prep and feeding assistance, medication administration, transfers and mobility, transportation and advocacy. We treat your loved one like family.
INTEGRATED HEALTH
BHAKTI WELLNESS CENTER 7550 France Ave. S., #220, Edina 612-859-7709 • BhaktiClinic.com
Bhakti provides a holistic environment where independent practitioners come together to offer an integrative path to wellness; mind, body and spirit. Our providers offer chiropractic, energy therapy, massage, microcurrent therapy, acupuncture, psychotherapy and much more so that you can feel your best, remain healthy & thrive. See ad, page 3.
Would your clients enjoy Natural Awakenings magazine?
Publisher@NATwinCities.com
and get free copies delivered right to your door. HOLISTIC GATEWAY, CENTER FOR THE HEALING ARTS 11 Little Canada Rd. E., Little Canada Cornelia@Holistic-Gateway.com 763-807-9866 • Holistic-Gateway.com We are a healing arts collaborative offering a variety of services like Esogetics Colorpuncture, Energy Emission Analysis, Reiki, Qigong, Acupuncture and more. As a community-building center, we offer classes and workshops on astrology, meditation, reiki and energy healing, as well as yoga. See ad, page 7.
MACULAR REGENERATION
CASSANDRA ROSE, L.AC. 612-564-8714 • RoseLAc.com Bhakti Wellness Center 7550 France Ave. S., #220, Edina
Cassandra specializes in Macular Regeneration, a program using Acunova and Micro-Acupuncture, microcurrent therapy, herbs and supplements to benefit degenerative eye diseases such as macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, Stargardt’s, conjuntivitis, post-herpetic eye pain, dry eye and more. See ad, page 3.
MASSAGE/STRETCHING
HEALING TAJ Theodore Rick Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) International Village Arcade Building 220 West 98th St, Ste. 7, Bloomington HealingTaj.com • 763-913-6722 “I love massage, but too often it feels good temporarily and then the pain and tightness comes back again. I have found with AIS that by stretching and lengthening the fibers, almost like a yoga/massage that the pain doesn’t come back again,” Warren King.
ORTHOPEDIC ACUPUNCTURE & BODYWORK
JOHN MONTES, L.AC. 612-568-8889 • monteslac.com Bhakti Wellness Center, 7550 France Ave S., #220, Edina
John is a licensed Acupuncturist, Medical Massage Therapist and Herbalist. With orthopedic acupuncture and body work he provides a whole-person approach to pain management taking into consideration mental and emotional health. His work is a carefully crafted balance between science and intuition. John is fluent in English and Spanish. See ad, page 3. FRAN BIEGANEK, MS, LP Bhakti Wellness Center • 7550 France Ave. S. Suite 220, Edina 612-564-9947 • FranBieganekTherapy.com
As a Licensed Psychologist and holistic practitioner, Fran works with clients to identify areas of potential growth, obstacles to growth, and processes that facilitate healing and transcendence of those obstacles. She provides traumainformed therapy that supports your goals of resiliency, healing and feeling better. See ad, page 3.
RADIO/PODCASTS
AM950 THE PROGRESSIVE VOICE OF MINNESOTA AM950Radio.com The only Progressive Talk Radio station in Minnesota. We strive to provide the best progressive programming available and feature national talkers Bill Press, Thom Hartmann, Stephanie Miller, Norman Goldman, and more. We are also dedicated to local programming that creates a community forum for important Minnesota Progressive issues. See ad, page 32.
SOLAR
ALL ENERGY SOLAR 1264 Energy Lane, St Paul 800-620-3370 • AllEnergySolar.com
All Energy Solar is a trusted leader in the solar energy industry. We provide clean, g r e e n , s o l a r e n e rg y solutions for residential, commercial, agricultural, and government clients. Our team of industry professionals have been focused on providing long-term, trusted relationships since 2009. Our industry experience allows us to confidently handle every aspect of the solar process. See ad, page 28.
SPIRITUAL TEACHINGS
ECKANKAR TEMPLE OF ECK 7450 Powers Blvd., Chanhassen 952-380-2200 • Eckankar.org
Are you looking for the personal experience of God? Eckankar can help you fulfill your dream. We offer ways to explore your own unique and natural relationship with the Divine through personalized study to apply in your everyday life. See ad, page 24.
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AM950 istheonlyProgressiveTalkRadiostation in Minnesota. Westrivetoprovidethebest progressiveprogramming available. WefeaturenationaltalkersThom Hartmann, StephanieMiller, Norman Goldman, AmyGoodman, and Brad Friedman. Wearealsodedicated tolocalprogramming thatcreatesa communityforum forimportantMinnesota Progressiveissues.
Asoneofthefewindependentlyowned radiostat ionsin thecountry, weareproud tocovernews, issues, and storiesthatarenotcarried bythecorporatemedia. Thetalkradioformatallowsustoair diversevoicesand challengeconventionaland establishmentthinking, allwith thegoalofcreating progressivechangein ourcommunity.
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