2021 March

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HOLISTIC APPROACH

From the Editor

We start with a dive into handcrafted and bespoke products, unveiling the power of creativity and how unique designs can greatly influence consumer purchase behavior. That discussion ties in perfectly with our curated selection of handmade products. Nowadays, we know how words like artsy-craftsy, curated, and empowered are becoming popular! In another feature, we look at how expanding your business into a wholesale model can be achievable. One of our wholesalers share her story and give tips on what you need to know before you get started. Just like the transition into wholesale, redefining your company identity can be a growth experience. It requires more than just changing your name. Fortunately, someone who has made that leap shares what she learned along the way and offers tips on rebranding.

Another piece worth popping over to is our feature on pop-ups, and limited time events. Find out how thinking outside the brick and mortar box may help increase traffic to your main business. Don’t have a physical store? There’s potential benefits for you too!

As you know, between business topics and ideas, spirituality is at our core. As always, we round out our features with stories to help you find ways to quite your mind during stressful times, and explore different ways to live a better life this season with our new Holistic Approach limited series.

See you in the next New Age Reimagined issue!

Have an insightful reading!

Roberta Gazzarolle Editor-in-Chief

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Editorial

Retailing Insight Magazine is a bimonthly trade magazine specializing in the conscious living retail market. The magazine is published exclusively for qualifi ed retailers and small independent businesses in the United States. Our mission is to share one on business advice, product reviews, advertisement from top sellers and makers in the industry, and exclusive topics to help business continue to thrive.

Editor-in-Chief

Roberta Gazzarolle

Copyeditor

Sean Ruck

Designer Marina Avila

Digital Media & Sales

Karen Johnson

Contributing Writers

Hilary Daninhirsch

Dudley Evenson

Shahla Hebets

Megy Karydes

Evelyn Mulders

Jacki Smith

Tam I Am Veilleux

©2021 New Way Publishing, LLC.  All rights reserved. ISSN 2372-7977. Volume35/ Issue 2/ Year 2021. The magazine is published bimonthly/ six times a year (January, March, May, July, September, November) by New Way Publishing, LLC. 4117 Park Road, 12252, Charlotte, NC 28220. Periodicals postage paid at Charlotte, NC and additional mailing offi ces. POSTMASTER send address changes to Retailing Insight Magazine, P.O. Box 12252, Charlotte, NC 28220.

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Retailing Insight Magazine is published by New Way Publishing, LLC. 4117 Park Road, 12252, Charlotte, NC 28220 800-730-1147 I circ@retailinginsight.com Believing in yourself is the first secret to

FEATURES

THE HANDMADE BUSINESS is growing at an exponential rate. According to a January 2020 report in Business Wire, based on a study by Research and Markets, the handcraft market in North America will exceed $400 billion by 2024.

Though the pandemic hurt many brick-andmortar retailers, it actually helped many handmade companies grow their business, particularly through online channels. And the fact that the purchasing demographic of handmade goods has shifted to younger people is a good indicator of continued growth in this arena.

“To me, support for sustainable goods is not a fad, it’s a way of life. When you make a big difference in the world, you can be more mindful of purchases, you can’t unlearn that. So, the growth

Handmade Shopping

for handmade products will continue to grow,” said Manish Gupta, owner and founder of Matr Boomie, a company based in Austin, Texas that oversees and trains 1,000 artisans in India, representing about 40 artisan communities primarily comprised of women in rural areas.

| The Appeal of Handmade Goods

Consumers are drawn toward handmade products for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the desire to obtain something unique that did not come off an assembly line.

Making human connections is one major reason why handmade goods have an allure for many buyers.

Virginia-based Tasha McKelvey creates smallscale handmade ceramics, specifically, decorative and functional keepsakes inspired by the natural world. “My clay work is intended to be useful. This is art that is meant to be touched. In the past, everything we used in the home was made by hand. Today, our homes are filled with stuff stamped out by machines. When we seek out handmade art and goods, we make our surroundings a little more human,” said McKelvey.

Alicia Wallace, chief operating officer of All Across Africa, a handmade company with the mission of creating jobs and alleviating poverty, agrees. “We are craving human connection, now more than ever. Many of us want to be traveling and connecting with people, but this handcrafting can fill some of that void,” she said. Wallace added that her company provides videos of where the items are made.

Shopping handmade is also a feel-good experience. A new generation of consumers are discovering that their purchases can not only bring joy to themselves and their intended gift recipients, but are directly beneficial to the artisans as well.

“My goal was to bring beautiful handmade products and use that as a tool to support marginalized communities in India,” said Gupta. “I saw it as a good business opportunity for myself, but also as a social enterprise to support artisans in need and to keep art alive. I also wanted to bring to consumers here beautiful products that brings joy to them, it seemed like a win-win for everyone.” His company also supports community projects, such as running literacy programs for

women artists and eye check-up camps where free glasses are distributed.

Matr Boomie’s 20+ product categories include jewelry, textiles, hand-carved wood accessories, frames, and bells.

“I always say that our products have a soul. When you see something that is made by hand, it has an amazing uniqueness to it. The feel of that product is very different compared to something that is made by machine. Also, I think because it’s all an art, it is an inherent beauty to the product. Not only touch and feel, but it reminds people of a distant place and time,” added Gupta.

All Across Africa has similar values. The company works with over 3,600 female artisans in Rwanda, Uganda and Ghana to create over 800 SKUs each season under its brand, KAZI. The artisans handcraft such home décor items as coasters, vases, planters, wall baskets and much more, using organic dyes and all-natural fibers.

A new generation of consumers are discovering that their purchases can not only bring joy to themselves and their intended gift recipients, but are directly beneficial to the artisans as well.

The company provides training and sets up cooperatives for groups of 30 to 200 artisans. “They really run a full business, that is what has been able to create a scalable model for this. This is all done throughout rural Africa in

women’s homes and community centers. This is an important piece of this business – that women can stay home with their kids and not have to come to a factory setting,” said Wallace. She said that consumers are also drawn to handmade goods because of the quality achieved through handcrafting. “Things that are handwoven just speak to a much higher quality than what can be found elsewhere.”

| Where to Buy

Even before the pandemic, online shopping sites like Etsy have experienced dramatic growth in popularity. Buying online directly from makers has also surged in recent years. And many retailers around the country have realized that to stay competitive and meet the needs of shoppers, stocking a selection of handmade items makes good business sense.

McKelvey sells many of her products through her Etsy shop as well as wholesale to shops and galleries. And in a pre-Covid world, she attended regional craft shows. The pandemic reshaped her work, leading her to craft smaller, easier-to-ship pottery. This led to her current signature line of small-scale bird pottery as well as Tiny House Sculptures.

“The ‘shop local’ movement has also raised awareness of the positive effects of spending money closer to home at small businesses rather than at big box stores or from faceless internet retail giants,” McKelvey said.

Because of the company’s broad product line, Gupta said that Matr Boomie works with a number of different market channels, including independent gift shops, natural food stores, museums and conscious living retailers.

All Across Africa’s products are primarily sold at independent retailers, from “…high end boutiques to surf shops,” said Wallace, though she also sells at international trade shows.

| Purchase Behavior Influences

McKelvey said that because many customers are minimizing the number of things that they own, they want their purchases to be special. “Purchasing handmade work often offers the added bonus of having it customized to one’s own taste and color schemes. Almost all of the ceramic work I offer in my retail shop is made-to-order, with buyers choosing their own glaze colors. While this means they have to wait a few weeks to receive their pottery, the end product is much more unique and special,” she said.

Matr Boomie’s primary demographic is affluent, educated women in the 30 to 55 age range, particularly those who are health and environmentally conscious. “Our customer is someone who doesn’t have to compromise on the style, who wants to be

PHOTO COURTESY BY KAZI

trendy, who does not want to compromise on the design, but is able to shop consciously,” said Gupta.

Both KAZI and Matr Boomie makes the back stories of the artists available to purchasers, allowing consumers to connect to the artisans on a more personal level. “We help the retailers show and share the stories from pictures and quotes,” said Wallace.

Matr Boomie incorporates eco-conscious principles in their design, a company value that is also key to many consumers. “Environmental stewardship is very important to us,” said Gupta. As consumers gain more awareness about environmental and social justice issues affecting the globe, this social consciousness often affects purchasing decisions.

| Emotional Design

Emotional design is the concept of creating goods based on its evocative properties — how the object makes the consumer feel. Arguably, it is easier to incorporate emotional design into handmade goods than factory-produced goods, particularly if there is an interesting backstory to the product.

McKelvey believes that when one feels a connection to the objects surrounding them, it makes them happier.

“Choosing an aesthetically pleasing version of an everyday object can make the process of

using the object more fulfilling and enjoyable. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard from someone that their coffee just tastes better when they drink it from their favorite handmade pottery mug,” she said.

Gupta said that the design process at Matr Boomie is very mindful, with elements of beauty, tradition, culture and richness in the materials incorporated into each item, along with the social and environmental justice pieces. “All of this together makes an experience. All of these factors together evoke a lot of emotions in the consumers,” he said.

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Trends for 2021

“Everyone is spending more time than ever at home lately, so anything that helps create inviting, cozy interiors or lush, green, outdoor spaces are very popular right now. Handmade mugs,

vintage-inspired cookware, soft fl oral textiles, mushroom-themed decor and anything for the garden are all in high demand,” said McKelvey. She added that 2021 will see more garden and forest-inspired décor and wearables.

Wallace believes that neutral colors will be trending this year. But one thing that will never go out of style is the storytelling aspect. Customers will continue to want a personal connection to artisans and receive assurances that their purchases will indeed make a difference.

In line with current trends, Matr Boomie will offer constellation, astrology, and lunar-themed products this year. Due to Covid, the shift has been from accessories to items for the home. “More and more people are cooking at home, so they are willing to invest in the kitchen and setting up a beautiful table. We’re already conscious about our well-being, so things that make us feel good and be healthy will continue to trend,” said Gupta. •

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5 Tips to Rebrand Your Business

WHEN LINDSAY SIMS, founder of Maison Soleil, a fashion boutique based in Washington, DC, began the process of getting her LLC set up January 2020, she realized it would be the perfect opportunity to rebrand her business name from JolieSoleil Boutique to Maison Soleil. She wanted a business name that was easier to pronounce and recognize. “Maison is used so often in the business world and so it was easier than saying JolieSoleil Boutique (a mouthful),” says Sims. She wanted a name that she could use across all digital media, but she initially ran into a

roadblock since the domain name was taken. Later, when she noticed the domain name was on the market, she decided to purchase it.

Sims used Legal Zoom to do the incorporation paperwork and then changed the domain for her website. Then she realized she needed a new logo.

“Our current logo was something I used from Vistaprint and I didn’t want anyone to have the same design,” Sims shares. “We used 99Designs, a website where graphic designers compete to win a commissioned design portfolio.” She used a Facebook group page to help her narrow her six choices to the fi nal two.

“I was torn between the final two, but the logo we chose ended up being more commercially appealing,” she says. For those considering a re-brand, Sims shares her top five tips:

1 Don’t be Scared

“If your customers liked you before, they’re going to love you after,” she says. “A name can change your focus as a business and help them understand your vision even better than before.”

2 Outsource

Sims used Google, Legal Zoom, 99Designs and her Facebook group as part of her process.

or meaning behind the name at first. Now, I know what my business stands for and exactly what it will mean to others who visit my store.”

4 Announce It

While you’d like to think your business is on top of everyone’s mind, the truth is, it’s not. So you need to shout your updates often and consistently. “I decided to make the process part of my social media campaign, asking for opinions on the logo on Instagram stories,” says Sims. “When we finalized the logo and the name, we made an announcement on Facebook and Instagram simultaneously. We also emailed our subscribers to let them know as well.” This tactic is smart because it also engages with your customers and allows them to feel like they’re part of the process, too.

5 Make a New Page

“You don’t have to do everything all by yourself,” she reminds us. “There are tons of resources out there to help you succeed.”

3 Think Long-Term

“If you left your business today (death or otherwise), would your business be able to stand on its own? This is what you want in a brand,” she says, noting that a brand should be able to speak for itself.

“If I had not chosen my current logo, I think I would have gotten constant questions about what my logo actually is,” she adds. “It wouldn’t be as clear as the one I have now. If I hadn’t changed the name, I would have gotten constant questions about spelling or pronunciation. Also, I didn’t really have any reason

Sims had a hard time changing their business name on their Facebook page, so she decided to create a new one. While this might be harder with more established businesses, Sims felt it was easier for her than to go on the downward spiral that can be trying to contact Facebook. “It may mean losing some followers, but the true ones will always follow to the new page,” she says. “If they don’t, then they know where your website is and where to find your shop.”

She did leave the last post on her former Facebook page announcing the change in name so customers can find her new location.

Sims has no regrets with her rebranding and loves how her new brand has pulled together her business. She only wishes she would have done it sooner.

“I wish I had thought to create my LLC and rebrand and create a unique logo earlier on in the game,” she admits. While she’s only been in business for two years, she felt doing this sooner would have been better. “Less confusion for everyone,” she says.•

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FEATURES

Starting a Wholesale Business:

CONFESSIONS FROM A WHOLESALER

ONE THING THE PANDEMIC was good for was giving people time to explore their passion as a business venture. Between having the time, the supplies, and the ease of marketing on social media, there is a new crop of crafters turned professional. I applaud all of you for being crafty, not only in your art, but also in your ability to turn a crisis into an opportunity.

This tenacity of spirit brings us so many cool new small-batch, handcrafted products. Unfortunately, selling retail only in this crowded market can feel very limiting. Looking beyond these limits you start to take the next obvious step, selling wholesale. Online or brick-and-mortar retailers who have already created their customer base

and mastered their marketing are always looking for the next best item to entice their customers with. The trick is getting in front of them and offering your product.

Hint Questions

Why are you making this product?

Why do you want to wholesale?

Expanding your products into the wholesale market is a full-time job and not for the weak or easily broken. If you are a retailer wanting to expand your business into wholesale, think about this as not only a whole new business model, but a different way to think. Retail buyers are looking at your product as something interesting to please their customers and as an investment to their store. They want a high or fast return on investment, as well as a good experience. There is a ton of competition and not just in your product offering. Store owners are scouring hundreds of items on the web, print ads in the magazines, and multiple distributors, making every new brand a competitor. Those who stand out have embraced the following seven keys to wholesale success.

What do you expect to get out of it?

What do you expect your customers to get out of your product?

What makes you unique?

1. Product

Everyone claims they offer the best quality, the best value, the best service, the best whatever in their marketing statements.

It’s nice to have confi dence, but blanket statements are just like they sound – a cover.

Lead with ‘Why’ you are the best. Give your prospective customers your heartfelt reasons for making and promoting your product.

Answer these questions over and over again, diving deeper until you get the real reason you are starting this new business.

2. Market Segmentation

“If you post it, they will buy it” is not a strategy. Before you invest in your first large batch, find out who you are selling to and where they shop. Build a customer profile of

the businesses that will buy your product. Define your demographics, market segment, income and psychographic profile. Build a customer profile for each market segment you want to pitch to, getting as specific as possible. Go ahead and get wordy. This information will give you clues on where to find your customers. Moving to wholesale is a full-time job to get going and if you put in the upfront work, your sales will steadily rise. Hang on to all of this information, you will need it for your marketing and sales plan.

Hint Questions

Who are they? Give this group a name:

What connection does this group have with your product?

Where does this group get their information?

What is their biggest pain point concerning your product type?

How do you want them to feel after they get/ use your product?

3. Pricing

This is a huge breaking point for many budding wholesalers. They don’t want to offer the discount needed for a retailer to invest in their product. If you started out your business as retail, you are very proud of your prices and most likely customers love the deal you are offering them.

Here is the bad news, every crafter I have coached that went from retail to wholesale fought me on this. Well, they tried to fight me, but math is math… Retailers want a minimum of a 60 percent markup. Back in the day, keystone or a 50 percent margin was enough. Nowadays, if retailers can’t do a 2.25 to a 2.5 times markup, they won’t be able to make their margins, so they may pass on your product. Before you curse the ground that they walk on, remember that they have overhead costs every day no matter how much they sell. Make room for this margin when you are setting your own wholesale and retail prices. Keep in mind though, it is much easier to lower your price than raise it. Here is a quick rule of thumb for handcrafted products:

M + L = DIRECT COST

(Materials Costs generally equal Labor Costs)

D + O = GROSS COST (Direct Cost generally equal Overhead Costs)

G X 1.10 = PROFIT MARGIN (Add your desired Profit Margin on top of your Gross Cost, 10 percent is the recommended minimum)

was “anyone can come in 50 cents cheaper, so stick with quality.”

4. Big Scale

5. Shipping

Start looking at your numbers in this simple way, then start to prove them true or false through process flowcharts, materials list, and the overhead required for you to run your wholesale business. I have spent three decades tracking my costs and I redo it every year to check my math. I too started by selling my products at the cost of materials and labor alone, by doing this, I ran out of money after the first batch! I doubled my price, and I ran out of money as soon as I expanded. I didn’t have any profits to tap into to fund the expanded needs for any raw materials, equipment, or marketing. I added marketing and commission to my overhead costs, and I had to raise my prices another 15 percent. So, don’t be afraid of raising your prices. Every customer will complain, but if you have excellent quality products that turn over well, they will come back. Best pricing advice I ever got

Are you willing to make this same product over and over again? Are you able to repeat the same quality, recipe, label, marketing, over and over again? Keep in mind, retailers like repeatability. When they get a product that sells well, they want to do more and more of it. Is your production technique scalable and easily trainable? Can you do 50 more in a day without massive reinvestment?

Will you hate this to your soul in six months?

I learned this lesson years ago when I made this adorable candle that had a bright color core, a semiprecious earring pushed into a die-cut label and wrapped with sheer fabric. It was lovely, a good seller, underpriced, and not sustainable to make batch after batch. My choices were, quadruple the price or drop the line. We ended up hating the process, so we dropped it. What a blessing! That savings in time allowed us to focus on the better-selling product and expanding in a profitable way.

Making the product is only the first step, you need to consider and add shipping too. Customer expectation of turnaround times has gone from 10 days to two days. If it takes too long to get the order out, your reorders will slow down. Shipping is not an afterthought, but a focused process that either adds to or detracts from the value of your product. Each box shipped is an opportunity to promote your brand and build

customer loyalty. Why not create a pleasurable unboxing experience. You don’t have to make confetti pop out (retailers would hate the mess), but you could pack your products in a way that make them easy to check in and put in stock.

6. The Story You Tell

Remember the work you did on the customer profile? You need it when you build your marketing program. This is not a small task and the details could fill an

article on their own. To make your marketing sing, you need two good things: a story and analytics.

Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller is a fast read that will inspire you to create a powerful story to use in all of your marketing streams. Use this story on your

website and promote it through social media. Double down and track the movement it creates with a tool like Google Analytics. If marketing does not make your heart sing, hire it out. There are many options from social media experts to fullservice companies. Trying to be an expert at everything makes you a master of none. Marketing is how you get noticed, you and your customer service team is how you close the sale. Don’t go cheap on marketing. Without attention to this part of the business, the quality of your product won’t matter, because

no one will see it. This investment is as important as your raw materials.

7. The Ultimate Goal

The first order you get from a customer is the most expensive, return business is where profit grows. Turning your first-time buyers into long-term loyal customers is the ultimate goal. They will be your brand

ambassadors better than any social media influencer. Is your business set up to promote customer loyalty? The average life of a customer is about 18 months or three orders. What do you want your average to be and what are you willing to do to get there?

Build your relationships for the long haul and it will pay off more often than not. Using the first six keys will make the seventh more successful. •

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FEATURES

The POP-UP Experience

IF COVID HAS TAUGHT US ANYTHING, it’s the value of the human connection. The importance of togetherness, community and engagement has, perhaps, never been stronger. Retailers and indeed, many other brands, understand the quintessential need for unique consumer experiences which foster a human bond. Popups started based on this need – think Farmer’s Markets – but they’ve quickly evolved. While many thinks of pop-ups as in-person experiences, COVID has forced us to rethink them as digital experiences. It may be only fi tting then, that the industries most-negatively impacted by COVID are now positively positioned to take advantage of pop-up stores both off and

online. Consumers want intimate, authentic and compelling experiences now more than ever, and pop-up stores provide the ideal avenue for driving customer connections.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: SHAHLA HEBETS is an expert in the field of discussing customer-centric, socially and environmentally conscious and generational marketing as well as the future landscape of marketing. She has been featured in Yahoo Finance, Advertising Week 360, AdWeek, Brand Experience Magazine, and Independent Retailer amongst others. Shahla founded Think Media Consulting in 2016 with a focus on helping lifestyle brands grow.

| The Concept

The pop-up or flash retailing market in the United States is big business, and it’s for good reason. Studies has shown that 91 percent of consumers hae a more positive feeling about a brand after attending an event or experience while 84 percent of customers say they want to be treated as a person and not a number. That shows how short-term shop spaces are a proven vehicle for doing just that.

Pop-up stores are a form of experiential marketing, also known as participation marketing, which aims to create memorable and meaningful connections with customers through captivating and unique experiences that feel authentic to the brand. They allows customers to experience the brand and differentiate the brand from others.

However, by their nature, this type of business is temporary, offering a limited window to entice customers. This short-term approach means that

brands can experiment with novelty items, introduce new merchandise or test concepts without the hard cost or risk associated with long leases and associated overhead costs. They can also get increasingly creative. The skincare and cosmetic company, Glossier, rented a popular café for a month in San Francisco to create a pop-up makeup/coffee shop. William Sonoma offers world-class cooking classes from popular chefs as pop-ins in their stores. Yet, even these seemingly more costly and imaginative endeavors pale in comparison to the price of adding store locations.

Short-term spaces are also less expensive than traditional brick and mortar stores. Thus, brands can create magical experiences, save money, and drive revenue. Shoppers are also often willing to pay more for a better customer experience, making the creation of unforgettable shopping experiences worth the effort.

Pop-ups tend to grow their presence during a holiday season to engage customers, but the truth is that they’re effective any time of the year and the

concept is attracting more followers each year. In the past, Chanel created a Winter Wonderland Pop-Up in New York City. The wonderland offered customers ice skating, seasonal treats and experiential shopping experiences. Nordstrom offers on-going pop-ins or specialty shops in their store, and during the holiday season, they provide customers with select merchandise not typically found in their stores, along with gift wrap services and curated gift guides. Both brands know the power of engaging the consumer whether through nostalgia or an enhanced shopping experience. That investment not only can boost short-term profits, but it can increase customer loyalty for long-term gains as well.

up-and-coming band, and influencers together. A few years ago, Gucci used virtual reality to allow customers to try on shoes, and other brands are producing virtual fashion shows. These efforts could be combined into a virtual shopping experience to reach a broader audience while personalizing the brand. These unique endeavors create rewarding occasions for customers that build brand affinity and loyalty.

Another brand, Athleta, consistently engages their customers through unique events. They use their category of activewear to create meaningful athletic experiences. They offer small, work-out sessions such as yoga in their stores. These sessions add an element of community by sharing the staying-fit experience with others while also fostering brand awareness. In addition, they provide a great way for customers to test out their activewear in a real-world environment while scoping out the newest merchandise. A win-win for customers and brands.

| Virtual Going Physical

| Going Digital

Although pop-ups are typically in-person experiences, the pandemic altered consumer expectations to reflect the power of digital pop-ups as well. Consider Warby Parker’s initiative which uses virtual reality technology to allow customers to try on glasses in the comfort of their own homes.

Think of the possibilities. Brands can create virtual pop-ups that bring merchandise (shipped to your home in advance) to try on, music from an

There is also the prospect of online merchants using pop-ups to make some offline buzz. eBay, for instance, has launched a pop-up store in the United Kingdom in 2019 where they showcased products from some of their top artisan sellers. This gave consumers an opportunity to connect directly with the artisans and engage with their products. This effort tapped into another benefi t of pop-ups – the ability to showcase local artists and lesser-known brands.

Clearly, brands are using this new business model to engage existing customers, reach new consumers, and drive revenue, and brands and artisans an opportunity to expand their presence. That doesn’t mean that creating interesting pop-ups is easy to do or that everyone should rush into the game. Rather, some products and offerings work better for this type of experiences than others. Retailers, fashion brands, hotels, food and beverages manufacturers all have great opportunities to separate themselves from the

competition by utilizing pop-ups. It is really a question of if the brand can be incorporated into a broader lifestyle experience. B2B brands can also partake in the fun, especially wholesalers, but think outside of the box because a veiled sales pitch will not cut the mustard.

| Tips for Artists and Brands

Successful pop-ups require the right location, ambiance and allure to pull perspective customers to them. Short-term spaces can come in a variety of locations from mobile (similar to food trucks) to outdoors areas such as festivals, farmland, museums and/or even intimate settings like a small neighborhood boutique or spa. The most important thing is to select a location that supports or reinforces the essence of your brand – an event on a farm for Verizon probably doesn’t do much for their brand positioning. The right location also depends on where your customers frequent. For instance, the locale that might attract Millennials may not be enticing to Baby Boomers. The shortened timeline also lends itself to partnering with interesting venues offering experiences such

as limited time exhibits,

as limited time exhibits, short-term musicals, performances or plays and seasonal events. Pop-ups can also be used as an in-store attractions to create in-person excitement for a loyal vendor in need of a pizazz pick-me-up. Scouting and finding the right location that reaches your target customer can take time. Once you have the location,

assessing the concept for a short duration offers real-time customer feedback and the ability to home in on meeting the market needs.

and an ability to tap into an existing customer base. Marketing promotions, working with influencers and specialty offers of unique merchandise such as locally made products, will also help ensure the success of your pop-up store. While pop-ups avoid much of the hard cost of brick and mortar, brands will still need to think about their marketing budget. Social media is ideal for reaching new customers, but don’t disregard the value of offline marketing tools as well. Creating appealing mailers and distributing flyers or catalogs can be effective in reaching new audiences, but keep in mind, the experience is what the customer will most likely remember. Put the effort into the aesthetic, the quality of the event, and the experience. Ensuring that the customer feels honored and appreciated is the best way to have and maintain a successful pop-up. While major brands such as Puma and Levi’s have been using pop-ups to entice customers

for some time, other brands such as Kraft Foods have also jumped into the fun. These brands understand that purchasing is being increasingly driven by creating connections between customers and the brand. The takeaway is that pop-ups drive revenue and brand loyalty through offering unique customer experiences. That is why so many brands have moved away from the one-size-fi ts-all approach to traditional marketing and instead embraced a more personalized approach. Pop-ups provide a more intimate, curated, and unique customer-centric experience where customers feel valued. This is a critical distinction in an age where product attributes and discounting can often dominate marketing efforts. Gone are the days of transactional sales. Today’s customers want to feel distinct, important and understood. That’s what really earns their business. •

the concept of “experience it before it’s gone”

Exclusivity is another benefi t of pop-ups. Brands can use pop-ups to honor their VIP customers, create focus groups or market research as well as test or launch new products. Consumers tend to love the idea of having access to something that others don’t as well as the notion of receiving special treatment. In addition, the concept of “experience it before it’s gone” or FOMO (fear of missing out) is a great driver for creating urgency as well as appeal. Exclusivity provides an incentive for customers to share the experience in advance, during and after the event. The elite feel can make people brag about the event or about the product on social media, and it provides the best platform for generating interest and engagement.

Just as pop-ups can be utilized to test new product launches or a potential new store location, they can also be used to test the concept of the store itself. Moreover, it’s wise to consider partnering with another complimentary brand or other artists to share the expenses or utilize their storefront. This approach affords cross-promotion

HOLISTIC APPROACH: LIMITED SERIES

Life is Sound

LIFE IS SOUND AND SOUND brings life to the earth. Sound maintains the existence of all beings. Sound is the key to the miracle of life.

From mankind’s earliest time, and through recorded history, there are references to sound healing. Sound healing temples were constructed to capture the power of sound and light waves. People would travel to these locations for a resonant recalibration of body, mind, and spirit. Ancient civilizations recognized that the most effective and simple means of balancing the body is through the use of sound. Sound has been used

to heal, support, center, empower, and to expand consciousness, then and now.

Sound is the vibrational energy moving through matter. Vibrations vary through a wide range of

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: EVELYN MULDERS is the award-winning author of The Essence of Sound, The Essence of Herbs, and the upcoming Whispering Herbs Healing Cards. She is the alchemist of Sound Essence Vibrational Remedies and presents at international conferences. Evelyn is a senior faculty of the International College of Professional Kinesiology Practice and is the founder of the Kinesiology College of Canada. To know about the author, visit her page www.soundessence.net

frequencies. The lowest sound can only be felt in our bodies, the higher sounds can be heard by our ears, and the highest frequencies can no longer be heard or felt, but are still detected by our energy field. We are aware of most of these frequencies, but the effects of these vibrations of sound travel well beyond what we can detect with our ears.

If our perception of sound would be unrestricted, we would be able to hear the music of the flowers, grasses, trees, and mountains; the singing of the skies and stars and the rhythm of all of nature and the symphony of our own being. Every being has its own melody. If our sound spectrum were to be enhanced, we could understand how all the particles in nature and the universe are made up of musical structures, frequencies and patterns which our bodies recognize as healing information and etheric nourishment.

Everything, the planet, our bodies, plants and rocks vibrate. Absolutely everything is a waveform. The proof that sound affects matter can be simply shown by putting sand on the face of a drum and by sounding the drum, the granules of sand will take on various geometric patterns. Sound moves matter and the sound vibration causes change in molecular structure. Sound has the potential to change our bodies, thus offering healing.

Dorothy Rettalack, who wrote The Sound of Music and Plants, was curious about the

effects of sound on plant life. She subjected her plants to a local radio station playing rock and the plants leaned away from the music source; the root structures were shallow and also growing away from the sound; and the petunias never flowered. She then subjected her plants to classical and religious music and the plants wrapped themselves around the music source, grew wonderfully and the flowers bloomed prolifically. She stated, “I just can’t help thinking that there is some combination of harmonic sounds that would improve human growth and

Everything, the planet, our bodies, plants and rocks vibrate.

The most wonderful part about sound therapy and other vibrational therapies is that we do not need to fully understand them to enjoy the impact they have on the state of our existence. Everything in the universe vibrates and has a sine wave. Vibrational remedies that support the body’s vibration include thought, light, color, and sound. Other vibrational remedies come from plants and minerals. The healing frequencies from the plant kingdom are homeopathy, flower essences, aromatherapy, herbs and food. The healing frequencies from the mineral kingdom are crystals, gems, ores, metals, and essences made from these vibrations.

heal illness.” Dorothy’s curiosity became the curiosity of many healers, including myself, as sound healing has gained a resurgence in our society and as healers experience incredible results using the healing vibration of singing bowls, tuning forks, bells, chimes, and toning. Our bodies can detect the vibration of sound even though our ears cannot hear it. People are amazed at how simple, yet effective, sound healing can be.

If our energy is blocked in some way and we do not have the full spectrum of frequency in our energy field, offering the body various vibrations allows the body to pick up the vibration it needs to support the overall resonance of the body. The body’s innate intelligence knows what it needs and integrates the missing frequency into the energy field. This is the beauty of using vibrational remedies – as the body only chooses what it needs.

In 1998, I become interested in sound healing and experienced its profound impact on the body and soul. I wanted everyone to have the experience of sound healing without having to hear it or listen to it, so I programmed it into water and bottled it.

Sound in a bottle! It was a revolutionary strategy and

procedure and is proven to be effective as clairaudients listen and reverberate the sound in the bottle. I named them Sound Essence Vibrational Remedies

and it was now time to offer nourishment to all aspects of our energy body.

Anyone can use sound healing for themselves

I wanted everyone to have an understanding of the vital importance of vibrational remedies, featuring sound. This is why I wrote The Essence of Sound, a textual tapestry of well-woven knowledge. The book is a collection of healing vibrations outlined with reference to the Meridians, Chakras and the Auric Field. It includes primordial insights such as how the half notes support the energy system of the chakras. It offers information on aromatherapy, herbs, sacred geometry, sound, color, gems and crystals and affi rmations. Little or no special training or experience is needed, only an interest and willingness by the healing practitioner. But The Essence of Sound is also for the lay person. In fact, anyone can use sound healing for themselves; all you need is a bit of guidance offered in the book. In this interesting time of home isolation, alternative therapies are becoming vastly researched and interest in them is soaring as people are seeking new ways to stay healthy in the midst of a global pandemic, making interest in sound healing and its potential particularly relevant. The Essence of Sound can provide a new perspective, and ways to increase the immune system and enhance organic wellness.

Take a moment and open your heart to experience the vibration of sound.

Recall Julie Andrews in “The Sound of Music’s’ musical scale song – Do-Re-Mi. THE SOUND OF MUSIC! Just notice how you feel different after singing along. •

My journey with creating the essences began with seven notes related to the seven chakras. I was inspired to imprint the sounded water with six other vibrational choices, including color, crystals, sacred geometry, ancient symbols, positive words, and aromatherapy, all chosen specifically for the pertaining chakra. This interfusion offered regenerative vibration to the seven senses pertaining to the healing potential of the seven chakras. This alchemy created a full spectrum remedy for chakra wellness. Remember that the energy field will inherently imbue what it needs to support vibrational wellness.

With the Chakra Essences complete, I thought my work was done. Instead, the Sound Essence Vibrational Remedies have led me on a lifelong spiritual journey. I went on to create vibrational remedies using sound for the Meridians, Auric Field, Toroidal Field and the Hologram. Offering vibrational nourishment to each of these life force healing theories plays a signifi cant role in our wellbeing.

As the remedies appeared, I was regularly offered insights into their signifi cance and vital importance to our vitality and overall wellness. It was time to look beyond the physical body offering it herbs and supplements. The world had changed,

Koff-Chapin, creator of

Portals of Presence

FEATURES

How to Live Intentionally for Better Rhythm & Bigger Results

IT’S 5:30 IN THE AFTERNOON, the grocery line is absurdly long. What might have been a 15-minute trip to grab dinner has become 35, no, 45 minutes of mostly waiting in line. It’s a torturous hell that you didn’t want to be in when your stomach is already growling and there’s 20 minutes to drive before pulling up to your house that, like you, could use a little exterior TLC and interior attention. By the time you arrive home, you’re out of sorts and especially judgmental about who you are and how you do life. Ah, but you meant to do some meal planning on Sunday in order to create a robust list of needed grocery items! And oh, you surely wanted to pick up the leaves before snow fell. And paint the entry door. And do some journaling about the passing of your favorite aunt.

And… and… and. The list of “I wanted to and meant to, but,” goes on. So, the rapid pace continues, words get left unsaid, emotions go unhealed,

and spaces remain unclean. How and why did it go so wrong and why do we stay in the rut of being out of rhythm with the important parts of life?

This begs the question “What am I avoiding by not slowing down and finding a new rhythm?” American monk and writer Thomas Merton said, “Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.” If you let that really sink, I’m guessing you can relate.

You’ve probably experienced periods of time being in sync with life. It’s when you have the space

THE AUTHOR: TAM VEILLEUX cosmic pretzel, is the lead visionary of the Energy Almanac, an annual publication with weekly astrological insights. Transformational coaching by day, astrologer by night, her SYNC coaching program helps you shine bright, feel good, live big. Go to: www.choosebigchange. com to get your free report.

to notice the green tips of spring’s flora popping out of the ground. It’s the several mornings in a row when you are completely available to receive the scent of your coffee and its first head-buzzing sip. Rhythm is when you are fully present and experiencing the fullness of your life.

The natural world provides the best example of tempo and rhythm. Animals know when to hide and when to seek, when to hibernate and when to gather. The Earth herself has a modulation as does the sky.

Think night and stars, daytime and sunlight, and the planets that are ever-present overhead. Even Jupiter, and all others, have a cycle, a path that is followed and a cadence that is kept. All of the planets are graced with this and it’s why we can count on them to help bring us back to balance. You’ll never see Saturn rushing to get into Pisces or Mars ignoring its trip through Libra. The planets exemplify smooth, silky judgement-free rhythm.

When you think about your life and your own rhythm, are you noticing if it is in tune with nature?

By starting with the bigger aspects first, you can begin to bring composure to a once frazzled life. Let’s start by identifying seasons.

Spring

This is a time of new growth. It’s a busting-out of sorts both personally and in the natural world. Energy is increasing as is the light. The Sun is gaining strength and germinating what’s been in the dark. You may feel more energy and a rise in enthusiasm in general as you break out your lawn chairs and picnic tables and dream of the future.

Summer

This is a period of nurturing and acquiring what you might need to make the future easier. Plants are of great height and breadth and may need some attention. In your life, you can play with self-care modalities and witness what else you may need to reach your full potential. Try sunbathing and toenail painting or hiking and gardening.

Autumn

With fall comes celebration and the sharing of gifts. When the farmers portion out their goods, a time of fullness is upon us. This is an occasion to share what you know and party like it’s 1995.

Winter

The shortening of days brings the slowing of pace. Gardens are put to rest, many animals settle into their beds for a long hibernation and we humans move to don our slippers a bit more quickly. We release the need to “do” and we reach for our journals and a long review of what we just went through. Reading, cooking, and hobbies are taken up along with crossword puzzles and board games.

Seasons are overarching periods of time with themes that never change. These are rhythms that we can all acknowledge and begin with, but what else can you do to amplify your sense of being in flow? A guiding question to use: What actions can I take to be in alignment with this season?

Look at the planets. In the world of astrology, planets represent consciousness. Each large and gaseous ball of light vibrates to us silent messages that we feel in our unconscious minds and either ignore or bring on board. With awareness of the planets and their messages, and especially as we notice their timing, we can begin to incorporate more intentionality into the months and weeks.  Think of the 10 planets as actors from the stories of Roman mythology. Each planet is named after a character in a play, each with its own personality and traits.

Some Planets Are on The Edges of The Stage Misbehaving Or Throwing Sign Language Your Way

You know there is something they’re saying, but you don’t fully understand their part in the story (yet). It seems they may be talking to stagehands or some other group behind the curtain. These planets are Pluto, Uranus, and Neptune and they nudge generations of people at a constant, but more subtle level.

URANUS

Represents originality, independence and an openness for all that is new, and unusual. You could call this one Mary Contrary as this planet doesn’t mind being different. Her pace is quick.

NEPTUNE

Gives us the mysterious and opens doors to mystical experience, and to the creative, intuitive, and imaginative.

PLUTO

Shows how we deal with power. It is how we meet the demonic and magical. This powerful planet would indicate movement.

There Are Mid-Level Actors (Planets) In the Play Who Are More Prominent

They have an effect on the audience as a whole, but you don’t see them often. Meet Jupiter and Saturn, the societal forces.

JUPITER

Represents purpose, optimism, hope, and justice, along with faith, and philosophy. Wealth, religion, spiritual growth, and expansion are favorite topics, too.

SATURN

Is where we meet with resistance and discover our limitations. It represents the conscience, moral convictions and structure. It also tells us about our endurance and the ability to concentrate.

And There Are the Stars of The Play

The movers and shakers keep you riveted by their constant movement and interactions. These are the inner planets whose influences you feel more readily.

SUN

Describes a general tone of being which colors everything else

MOON

Represents feelings and emotions, receptivity, intuition, imagination and basic feeling. It has a direct affect on your personal rhythm.

MERCURY

Is common sense, and that which is rational. It’s about weighing and evaluating, and the process of learning and skills.

VENUS

Gives us a sense of beauty, aesthetic awareness, love of harmony, sociability, and taking pleasure in relationships and romance.

MARS

Represents the energy and drive of a person, their courage, determination, the freedom of spontaneous impulse. It is concerned with willpower.

And now apply planetary information to rhythm. Imagine if you will, that Venus is nearby, front of stage, reading you some poetry she wrote about the way she feels watching you walk across the room. But you, in your own world, smell popcorn wafting from the concession stand, so get up and leave the theatre. Two rhythms, out of sync, but what could you have done differently?

Since Venus is the bigger energy by sheer volume alone, let’s give her authority. We then acquiesce our hunger pangs and get intentional. Venus is in the room talking passionately about relationships, so you intentionally stay present, focus, and work on what she’s talking about i.e., relationships and beauty and abundance.

When Saturn has a few lines to share from his place in the cosmic stage you again, give him his due respect and learn the lessons he’s bringing to your attention. You apply the discipline and structure he’s assigned you. You are intentional about that.

The planets provide guidance concerning alignment.

As Pluto throws darts at the stage manager from the back of the stage behind the curtains, a new authority shows up, one with more strength and vitality. Your mind bears witness to transformation in one form or another and you make a mental note of that influence. And so on. This is the development of rhythm that comes as you pay quality attention to the energies around you.

The planets provide guidance concerning alignment. And there is yet another astrological influence you can be with for more fluidity and that is represented by the astrological houses. The date, time, and location of your birth is not happenstance. The information provided by those configurations are mapped out in your natal astrological blueprint.

If you will take some time when Mercury is around (wink), you can calculate which of your houses you are currently experiencing and then live and act in accordance within the parameters of those houses.

A guiding question for you:

What subtle energy is underlying this day, week, or month? Which planet might be advising me now?

The houses are broken into four life areas: personal, family, relationships, community. When you break all 12 of them down individually, they walk you through an entire cycle of growth. A shortened version of the house’s rhythm appears below:

1ST HOUSE: development of personality

2ND HOUSE: how you earn and what you value

3RD HOUSE: communication

4TH HOUSE: home life

5TH HOUSE: children, play, creativity

6TH HOUSE: work routines, health, service to others

7TH HOUSE: relationships

8TH HOUSE: sex, debt, and death/transformation

9TH HOUSE: higher learning, beliefs

10TH HOUSE: public identity, destiny

11TH HOUSE: dreams and aspirations

12TH HOUSE: the ego and fears

To come into alignment with the natural house you are currently in takes some attention and intention. As an example, imagine knowing you are in the seventh house over the next few weeks. The seventh house asks that we address relationships, making an examination of who you are working with, spending time with, conjoined in business to – all relevant. It’s less important that you be deep into reinventing yourself if other forces are suggesting the time is right for dealing with companions.

Barbara had an exciting new arm of her business she wanted to launch. She picked a date to pull the trigger. She pressed herself to be ready and when the time came, nerves hit and old stories surfaced. Suddenly, Barbara was a nervous mess and had to work hard to stay out of an anxiety attack. Upon examination, she learned that the date she chose to launch her new business project was in the middle of her ninth house concerning beliefs. Her old stories about what the launch should look like had bubbled to the surface and slowed her progress. Had she used the ninth house time to up level her thoughts and instead planned to announce her new business while in the 10th house of harvest, her results could have been different. Ahhh, the lessons of rhythm!

A

guiding question to use relates to astrological houses:

What are my thoughts directing me to focus on? Which house could I currently be in?

Much like Saturn Returns, which may find you instinctively doing a self-examination and calling yourself out, planets will naturally pull us back into line so that we show up when the time is right. And it all starts with intentionally applying your focus, reading the rhythm of the seasons, the planets, or the houses and moving with that flow rather than resisting.

Living with and through astrology is one way of finding rhythm. If reading your horoscope means you didn’t make your meal plan and you had to forego a grocery list, then there is still some tweaking to do in your days. But on the other hand, if knowing that the moon is pulling at you, then it’s more important than ever that you slow down and find flow. •

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INTERVIEW

With author Alexandra Wenman

SOURCE: INNER TRADITIONS/ BEAR & COMPANY

MEET ALEXANDRA WENMAN, a gifted angel communicator, spiritual alchemist, channel, healer, poet, and presenter. She is the former editor of Prediction Magazine, the founder of Precious Wisdom Alchemy and the creator of The Alexandra Wenman Show on YouTube. Her ability to see, feel, hear, and experience beyond our physical reality and experience other realms and dimensions of existence is extraordinary as are her unique skills to communicate with angels, ascended masters,

spirit guides, and celestial beings of light.

In this exclusive interview about her work and upcoming deck Archangel Fire Oracle, you can discover how to connect with the angels, access their guidance and support, open your heart to love and healing, reach the rainbow light of your own divinity, and how spiritual guidance can help your healing journey, allowing you to remember who you are, unveil your hidden gifts, and how you can fulfill your purpose in this lifetime.

What is an archangel?

Out of all the angels, the archangels are the highest ranking and the ones who represent humanity’s personal relationship with God (otherwise known as Source, the Divine, Creator, etc.). Archangels are particularly good at helping us with bigger issues, especially those which have a global impact, such as a pandemic. Most archangels’ names end with the “el” suffix. “El” meaning “of God” in the Hebrew language with the first

half of the name being what each individual archangel specializes in. For example, Gabriel’s name means “Might of God” or “God’s Messenger” and Michael’s name means “God Protects,” while Uriel means “Fire of God” and Raphael means “God Heals.”

my room out of nowhere – even in the pitch-black darkness of rural Australia, where I grew up – and I was then able to sleep soundly. I was often told I had a vivid imagination as a child. I would spend hours doing what others would call “daydreaming,” but really, I was travelling the realms and conversing with my angels.

What other kinds of angels are there?

There are angels for everything, such as guardian angels, parking angels, sleep angels, and even angels in charge of buildings and cities. The higher-ranking Archangels have more to do with our Ascension and the attainment of enlightenment as they are specifically charged with connecting us directly to God/ Source and our own inherent divine nature. There are even galactic angels and angels from other universes and dimensions.

When did you first encounter angels?

I have seen and experienced angels and their energy since I was a very small child. I died at birth and came into this life very open. As a result, I could always see beyond the physical world and into the spaces between, where many beings and guardians reside. As a four-year-old, I could telepathically communicate with insects, animals, and trees and see Spirit in the form of faces peering at me in the darkness as I went to sleep at night. But if I ever felt afraid, I would call on the angels and arcs of light would appear in

purpose is to teach us about love and to remember that we are love.

How do you know if you have encountered an angel?

How do you work with angels?

I have quite a unique perception of angels. Whenever I have had an experience of an archangel, I have often felt no separation between myself and that being. I have experienced myself as the angel. I can embody their essence or become the angel. For this reason, I believe angels are aspects of our own consciousness and, when they visit us, they are a higher part of ourselves urging us to awaken and realize the interwoven nature of all creation. They are like the electrical cables and connectors between us and the divine and act as a pure spark of light within our consciousness to illuminate higher states of awareness.

How are angels helping humanity?

Angels wish to help us realize we can become more like them, living with integrity and authenticity, so we can live happier and more fulfilled lives by operating from the heart. Whether you see them as beings of light with big, fluffy wings, orbs, or even an energy that exists within yourself, their primary

Angels can take many guises. Visually, they can show up as orbs or lights, and they can leave physical signs or calling cards, such as white feathers or coins, in your path to let you know they are near. The best way to connect with an angel is first to ask for their assistance. As they don’t have free will, we must request help from them when we need it.

The most common way to experience an angel is simply through our feelings.

You may get a sudden and overwhelming rush of energy or the striking and unexplained sensation of being bathed in love when they are around you. Some people, like me, actually see them.

How do you experience angelic energy?

I experience angelic energy as though I have a powerful electrical current of pure love charging through my system. It’s a blissful and euphoric sensation. I am also, among other things, a seer (clairvoyant), so I often have beautiful, vibrant, and fully embodied visions of these incredible beings

enfolding me in their wings of light. I have dedicated my life to living in the way they have guided me. They are not always light and fluffy, though. An angel will put you in your power and can literally kick you onto your path if you are dithering. Many people working with these energies have been through their fair share of tough times and I am certainly one who has learned through many dark nights of the soul. However, they choose to show up, angels are here to help us become more compassionate toward ourselves and others. When we align with their vibration and embody their qualities, we can become the best version of ourselves we can be.

Can a human be an angel?

Absolutely. I believe all humans can express angelic qualities and tap into that level of consciousness. Ultimately, it comes down to a choice as to whether or not we wish to follow that particular path and ascend to our highest divine potential and live as a human angel or “earth angel” within this lifetime.

When someone experiences themselves as an embodied angel or has memories awaken of living angelic lives – as many lightworkers are now describing – they may have indeed had other incarnations within the angelic dimensions and chosen to incarnate as a human in this particular time frame. Our consciousness is non-linear and exists in multiple realms simultaneously. We can access and align to any aspect of ourselves we wish to. We are the divine having a human experience, after all. While, from our human perspective, angels are perceived as separate guardians of light, from the divine perspective, they are aspects of our own consciousness that we can choose to embody at any time by living from the heart in our integrity.

What is the difference between an angel and a spirit guide?

A spirit guide is usually a being that has previously inhabited

Take Five

5 Ways to Quiet Your Monkey Mind

1. Yoga

Many people think of yoga as physical exercise, but the original purpose of yoga was to release energy through the stretches and asana postures so a person could sit in meditation for long periods without feeling restless. Over 2,000 years ago, the Indian sage Patanjali wrote in the second Yoga Sutra “Yoga chitta vritti nirodha” which means “Yoga is the stilling of the whirlpools of the mind.” Simply put, our mind has waves and fluctuations due to

2. Meditation

Meditation is an inner training of our mental processes in order to attain a calm state of centered balance, awareness, and spiritual expansiveness. The Buddha described the human mind as normally being filled with drunken monkeys all clamoring for attention. We can’t always control what goes on around us, but through a process of focused concentration and inner training, we can learn to control how we react to and internalize what happens in our outer world. There are many ways to practice meditation, but one of the most basic is by ‘watching the breath.’ By becoming aware of our breathing, we slow down the incessant parade of thoughts crossing our mind. By controlling the breath, we can control the mind.

3. Mantra

thought and brain activity not the least of which are worry and fixation. Yoga or any form of conscious physical exercise can help calm the busy mind and prepare the way for quiet contemplation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: DUDLEY EVENSON is a sound healing pioneer and author who has just released her second book A Year of Guided Meditations: 52 Weekly Affirmations. She and her husband Dean Evenson co-founded their award-winning music label Soundings of the Planet in 1979 with a mission of sharing Peace Through Music. They have produced over 90 albums and videos and co-authored Quieting the Monkey Mind: How to Meditate with Music. To learn more about their music, books, videos, blog, and podcast visit www.soundings.com.

We need to place a guardian at the gate of our awareness to keep the demons of our mental processes from distracting us, and mantra is one way to do this. The word mantra means ‘mind protection’ in Sanskrit. A mantra is a short sacred sound or phrase, usually with spiritual significance. A mantra carries a vibration and frequency that extends beyond the simple meaning of its words. A person can also create a short personal mantra that expresses their own issues or values. Whether it’s an ancient mantra or a personal affirmation, repeating a meaningful mantra can be helpful in overcoming mental chatter and preparing the way for an expansion of consciousness.

4. Affirmations

Affirmations are simple, positive statements declaring specific goals in their completed states, even if the desired way of being seems unattainable at the moment. Fortunately, with enough repetition and focused intention, declaration can become reality. Since the subconscious mind processes affirmations as truth, it is important to be aware of one’s thoughts and constantly edit out unwanted negative suggestions. By replacing random or unhelpful self-talk with positive affirmations, we direct our consciousness to create the life of our highest values and dreams. When we can truly visualize and feel the reality of the spoken word affirmation in the present tense, we enter into a cooperative contract with the universe to make use of this powerful tool.

5. Vocal toning

Toning is a practice that uses the vibration of the human voice to make elongated vowel tones, humming sounds or other sounds. Exhaling the breath vibrates the vocal cords causing the voice to be sounded in sustained tones. The sound puts a brake on the breath enabling the exhalation to be sustained for a longer duration. Since toning is a neutral sound with no verbal associations, it helps the mind minimize thought and become quiet. We tone up the muscles with physical exercise. We can also tone up the mind and tune up the spirit using our breath and voice. Toning can be done alone or in a group. It is an especially good practice to do with a partner. •

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Goddess Design Studio 52 570-982-3230 goddessdesignstudio@yahoo.com

Grit & Grace 38 www.gritandgracestudio.com

Harvest Goods Co. Cover, 39 www.harvestgoods.co

Inner Traditions I Bear & Co. 11 800-246-8648 I www.innertraditions.com

Kheops International, Inc. 52 800-215-8705 www.kheopsinternational.com

Llewellyn Publications 30 877-639-97-53 www.llewellyn.com

Mama Wunderbar 39 www.mamawunderbar.com

Mandala Arts 51 800-344-8072 I www.mandalaarts.com

Mira Fair Trade 39 www.shopmira.com

New Leaf Distributing Co. 24 800-326-2665 I www.newleaf-dist.com

New World Library 20 800-972-6657 Ext.20 www.newworldlibrary.com

Raiders of the Lost Art 53 800-527-4367 I www.raiderocks.com

RichHeart Music 19 828-658-9604 I www.richheartmusic.com

Sergio Lub 38 www.sergiolub.com

SoulCards 31 www.soulcards.com

Soundings of the Planet 37

800-937-3223 www.soundings.com

Spoken Flames 38 www.spokenflames.com

Starchamber Products 53 www.starchamberproducts.com

Starlinks 44

800-867-4344 I www.starlinksgifts.com

Stephanie Jane 55

585-756-2262 I www.stephaniejane.com

Steven Halpern/

Inner Peace Music Back Cover 800-909-0707 I www.innerpeacemusic.com

Sweet Earth 55 541-631-1343 I www.sweetearthcbd.com

U.S. Games Systems, Inc. 55 800-544-2637 I www.usgamesinc.com

Zen and Meow 27 717-229-1138 I wholesale.zenandmeow.com

Zen Stone Garden, The 56 541-961-1285 www.kellybarker.com

Kelly Barker Newport, OR 541-961-1285

kelly@kellybarker.com

Artist # 22255 www.IndieMe.com

Both

ENTRAIN YOUR BRAIN TUNE YOUR CHAKRAS BALANCE YOUR BIOFIELD with the Healing Music of STEVEN H ALPERN

CHAKRA SUITE 45th A nniversary

• Balances the 7 chakras with 7 musical keynote frequencies

• The original #1 bestseller

• Often imitated, never equaled

• Over 775,000 sold worldwide!

SOUND HEALING 432 Hz

— NewLife magazine

• A 40 year retrospective from ‘the Maestro of Sound Health’

• Tuned to 432 Hz for optimal healing resonance

• “Every track radiates healing energy.”

Pioneering Sound Healer Founding Father of New Age Music

DEEP ALPHA

• 2012 GRAMMY® nominee

• 40 weeks on Top Ten New Age Chart

• Brainwave entrainment music for Relaxation, Healing and Meditation

“Steven’s music has uplifted a generation of seekers. He has created a soundtrack for our evolutionary journey.”— Marianne Williamson, bestselling author, “A Politics of Love”

OCEAN of BLISS GIFTS of the ANGELS

CRYSTAL BOWL HEALING 2.0

ECHOES of a DREAM Feat. Kristin Hoffmann