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February 2013 | Seattle Edition | SeattleAwakenings.com natural awakenings
February 2013
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HEALING CRYSTAL BED SESSIONS
from John of God in Brazil
"For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who disbelieve, no amount of proof is sufficient." - Saint Ignacio de Loyola
The “Casa de Dom Inacio”, in Abadiania, Brazil is a world famous healing center and spiritual hospital where Joao Teixeira de Faria, also know as John of God, does his miraculous healing work. I have been traveling to Abadiania since 2009 and am an authorized guide for the Casa. I was given special permission to offer these Crystal Bed Sessions here in Seattle. It is with great humility that I share healing modality with you.
What to Expect? You will lie fully clothed, faced up, on a comfortable massage table with the suspended crystals above you. Soft music is played and you will spend 30 to 50 minutes receiving their energy. Each session is different and unique. You may fall into a deep or light sleep. You may feel tingling, or someone touching you. Feelings of sadness, joy, or of peace may arise. Some people feel the presence of passed family members, or think I reentered the room, when I have not. Some feel physical, emotional, and or spiritual healing taking place. You may receive messages for yourself or family members. You will receive what is perfect and right for you.
Benefits of the Healing Crystal Bed • Harmonizes the Chakras and subtle energy bodies • Re-balances frequencies in the electro-magnetic field • Triggers healing processes in the psyche and body
Days & Hours 30 minute sessions available Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays
• Rejuvenates physical systems for improved function
MORNING SESSIONS 9:00 am 10:00 am 11:00 am
• Stimulates the development of inner senses for spiritual awareness
AFTERNOON SESSIONS 3:30 pm 4:30 pm 5:30 pm
6:30 pm
Cost
• Evokes feelings of peace and serenity
$40.00 payments made by cash $45.00 payments made by check or credit card 5% of ALL payments are donated to local charities. Cancellations or changes must be made 24 hours in advance or a fee of $40 will apply.
Noel Shepard
206-525-4155 • networkcare.org • 2
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HealingCrystalBedinSeattle
letterfrompublisher
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elcome to the February issue of Seattle Natural Awakenings! This is the month in which we celebrate relationships, starting with our relationship to what we eat in “Food & Mood” (page 10). If you have ever found yourself reaching for a sweet treat or calorie-laden snack in response to stress or anxiety, this article helps illuminate the causes and offers suggestions for overcoming emotional eating. Like many of us, I certainly face emotional eating urges from time to time, and while I am not a health practitioner, I have found that vitamins B and C often give me the energy reserves I need to get through temptation. Although I may be convinced I need chocolate or another sugary snack, often after taking these vitamins (and perhaps eating a healthier snack, like veggies and hummus) the craving disappears. Of course, treats once in a while are also part of a healthy relationship with food - the keys are moderation and enjoyment. Finding and enjoying love is also a priority for many people this month. I’m pleased to announce that the Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation has just launched a new dating website for conscious, holistic-minded individuals interested in sustainability. It’s a nationwide network that we are excited to be able to offer to the single folks in our audience of over 3.5 million monthly readers nationwide. You can create a full profile for free, or use the code “NASingles” at NaturalAwakeningsSingles.com in February for a discount on an affordable upgraded profile. Learn more on page six of this issue. For those who are already in a committed relationship, Olympia based author and relationship expert Stephanie Coontz offers insight and tips in this issue for “Courting Marriage Success” (page 20). After being married to my husband David for over six years, I can agree wholeheartedly with Stephanie that demonstrating love is not about big, expensive dates once in a while - it’s really daily small gestures that add up to build goodwill, trust and a sense of “us.” If you are looking for ways to grow closer to your significant other, or even to bond and have fun with a friend, don’t miss “Partner Yoga” (page 24), where local yoga instructor and regular columnist Andrea Blair Cirignano explains the benefits of yoga for two. While little actions may be the foundation of a relationship, dates are fun and in my view, absolutely necessary. One romantic idea to celebrate Valentine’s Day? A couples massage. Read up on different kinds of massage therapy and their benefits in “Bodywork Goes Mainstream” (page 14). There’s lots more inside - enjoy!
To your heath and happiness,
contact us Publishers Ann Dorn David Seregow National Editor S. Alison Chabonais Account Manager Dena Marie 425-350-5448 Dena@SeattleAwakenings.com Design & Production Patrick Floresca Franchise Sales John Voell II 239-530-1377 To Advertise: 206-788-7313 or 425-350-5448
SeattleAwakenings.com 3815 S Othello St. 100-186 Seattle, WA 98118 Phone: 206-788-7313 Fax: 877-531-7691 © 2012 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.
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February 2013
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contents 5 newsbriefs
8 healthbriefs
10 consciouseating
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14 healingways
8 20 wisewords 22 greenliving 24 yogalife 26 calendar 28 classifieds
30 resourceguide
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Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.
10 FOOD & MOOD Solutions for Emotional Eating by Judith Fertig
12 A HEALTHY LIVING PLAN
2013 Green Home Tour To Offer Green Living Education & Inspiration
how to advertise To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 206-788-7313 or 425-350-5448 or email Publisher@SeattleAwakenings.com. Deadline for ads: the 15th of the month.
14 BODYWORK GOES MAINSTREAM
by Linda Sechrist
SUCCESS
Relationship Expert Stephanie Coontz Shares Go-To Guidelines by S. Alison Chabonais
calendar submissions Email Calendar Events to: Calendar@SeattleAwakenings.com or submit online at SeattleAwakenings.com. Deadline for calendar: the 12th of the month.
Sustainable Burials Honor Life
SeattleAwakenings.com 4
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20 COURTING MARRIAGE
Editorial submissions Email articles, news items and ideas to: Submissions@SeattleAwakenings.com Deadline for editorial: the 5th of the month.
regional markets Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locallyowned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.
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by Cate O’dahl
Helpful Access Points to Health
advertising & submissions
10
22 REST IN PEACE by Brita Belli
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24 PARTNER YOGA
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Building Trust On & Off the Mat
by Andrea Blair Cirignano
newsbriefs Local One Billion Rising Celebration Seeks an End to Violence Against Women
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n February 14, local Nia Seattle teachers and community members will gather and dance together at Crossroads Bellevue Shopping Center in support of One Billion Rising, a global effort to end violence against women and girls. One Billion Rising coincides with the 15th anniversary of the founding of V-Day, a nonprofit started by Eve Ensler, a playwright, performer and activist known for creating the Vagina Monologues. The public dance at Crossroads Bellevue Shopping Center is at the Market Stage in the International Food Court area and anyone may participate. Participants will join activists, writers, celebrities, and women and men across the world to voice their wish to end violence against women. The NiaSeattle teachers will lead the group in an easy-tofollow Nia dance routine. NiaSeattle is a not-for-profit association of Nia instructors in the Puget Sound Area who teach Nia, a global fitness practice which incorporates dance, martial arts and healing arts in 49 countries across the world. The public dance celebrating One Billion Rising takes place 2-3pm on Feb. 14 at Crossroads Bellevue Shopping Center, 15600 NE 8th Street, Bellevue. Free. For more information: 425-868-3475 or RandeeFox@gmail.com.
Stairway Walks Day Brings Fun & Fitness Across the Region
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n Saturday, February 9, from 10am to 12pm, Feet First for Stairway Walks Day will feature 15 simultaneous walks across the Puget Sound region to celebrate the local legacy of 650 publicly accessible stairways. The stairs, many of them more than 100 years old, form a network of “scenic byways” for neighborhood discovery and public health, according to organizers. Urban explorers are invited to join one of 15 free, guided neighborhood walks featuring outdoor stairways in the following Seattle neighborhoods: Fremont, Golden Gardens, Maple Leaf, Madrona, Eastlake and North Capitol Hill, Queen Anne, Downtown, West Seattle, and Rainier Beach. Outside of Seattle, Stairway Walks Day will occur in Burien, Bellevue, and Mercer Island.
The stairway routes featured on Stairway Walks Day are from Cathy and Jake Jaramillo’s new book Seattle Stairway Walks: An Up-andDown Guide to City Neighborhoods. The book is intended to help urban adventurers discover and appreciate the beautiful greenspaces, history, art and architecture that make up the vivid fabric of our neighborhoods, according to Cathy Jaramillo. “Stairways are truly the scenic byways to neighborhoods, and we’re always curious about what’s at the top or the bottom,” Jaramillo explains. “They get you to, and between, places you’d probably never know about otherwise. We’re excited about celebrating them with so many people on Stairway Walks Day!” Walks talk place in various neighborhoods from 10am-12pm on Feb. 9. Space is limited to 20 people per walk. Free. Registration required: FeetFirst.org or StairwayWalksDay. BrownPaperTickets.com. For more information: 206-6522310, extension 5.
21st Annual Women of Wisdom Conference
Women Leading the Evolutionary Shift ~ Midwifing the New Paradigm
Feb. 14 - 18, 2013
Special Guests
Starhawk Cyndi Dale Nicki Scully Normandi Ellis Held at North Seattle Community College Art by Kay Kemp
206-782-3363
www.womenofwisdom.org natural awakenings
February 2013
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21st Annual Women of Wisdom Conference
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he 21st annual Women of Wisdom (WOW) Conference will take place from February 14 to 18. The four-day conference features more than 40 educational and experiential workshops as well as different events, including presentations by female authors, artists and performers from the Pacific Northwest and around the world. This year’s theme, “Women Leading The Evolutionary Shift And Transforming Our World,” begins with opening ceremonies at 6 p.m. on February 14, for women only. The evening presentation, beginning at 7 p.m., is open to both women and men and will feature Starhawk speaking about making the transition to more sustainable communities. Conference topics include personal and planetary healing and transformation, intuitive and healing gifts, and more. Guests and workshop presenters include Cyndi Dale, Nicki Scully and Normadi Ellis. North Seattle Community College will be the location for nearly all activities, workshops and presentations, including the marketplace, healing temple, art show, community corner and concessions; admission to this area is free and open to both women and men. A pink tent provides an area for relaxation and meditation and is open to women only. “Women of Wisdom, a conference known for it’s personal, unique and intimate format, has changed thousands of women’s lives during the past twenty one years,” says founder Kris Stiennes. “Women of Wisdom is an incredible gathering that will awaken your soul and invigorate your passions, as it has since 1993.” Locations: Workshops will be held at North Seattle Community College, 9600 College Way N., Seattle. Prices vary: $5 to $125 per event; $283 to $381 for weekend pass; work exchange program, teen and young women (19-29 years old) discounted rates, and scholarships are also available. For more information call 206-784-5428 or visit WomenOfWisdom.org.
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Natural Awakenings Offers New Dating Website
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ust in time for Valentine’s Day, Natural Awakenings is premiering a new online dating site, NaturalAwakeningsSingles.com, in partnership with the Conscious Dating Network, the Internet’s largest and oldest conscious/ spiritual/green dating site. The Conscious Dating Network receives success stories from members on a daily basis and has helped thousands meet their partners during the last 14 years. Owner/founder Jill Crosby says, “I have become a believer in long-distance relationships, as so many of our success-story couples originally did not live in the same city, state or even country. Skype makes it possible to date this way before meeting in person. Ultimately, one person moves to the other’s location, or they live in two locations together. They always tell us that they would never have met without the site.” Niche, online dating offers singles an efficient way to screen and date
potential partners that share similar values and interests and are ready to be in a loving relationship. NaturalAwakeningsSingles.com is designed to facilitate this enlightened way of meeting, dating and connecting. The site will allow singles to join, create a full profile, upload photos and videos, send hellos, indicate interest, and even read and reply to private messages and IMs, all for free. Upgrading, which allows members to initiate personally written messages and IMs, is inexpensive compared to other online dating sites, with packages ranging from $7.97/month to $16.97/month. Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. CEO Sharon Bruckman says, “I’m really excited about this new alliance, which enables us to offer our 80-plus Natural Awakenings publishers around the country yet another way to help their readers connect with like-minded people, this time for the purpose of creating conscious relationships. I can’t wait to hear the new love stories!”
Breema Returns to Seattle
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his spring, Breema returns to M’illumino in Seattle from March 23-24. Breema, the art of being present, involves exercises done on one’s own body (Self-Breema), and two-person, practitioner-recipient sequences (Breema bodywork). Some say the physical techniques are like those of partner yoga and Thai massage combined. “As human beings, we have the possibility of raising our level of consciousness. Breema uses the practice of bodywork as a means toward the development of consciousness and being truly present in our lives,” says Jon Schreiber, director of the Breema Center and author of many books about Breema. “When you are present, you receive energy from your interactions. The more you are present in yourself, the more you find a true ground for meeting and connecting with others, and with all life.” Classes are suitable for people with or without prior bodywork experience as long as they can comfortably sit and work on a carpeted floor. The upcoming workshop will be taught by Roxanne Caswell and Birthe Kaarsholm, staff instructors at the Breema Center in Oakland, California. They have combined experience of 33 years with Breema and both maintain active international teaching schedules. Introduction: free, Friday, March 22, 7-8:30pm at M’illumino, 6921 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle 98115. Workshop, at M’illumino, $200 with discounted rates available for one-day attendance or payment before 3/11. Continuing education credit is available. For more information and to register, call 510-428-0937, email center@breema.com or visit breema.com.
For more information, visit NaturalAwakeningsSingles.com. Receive a 20 percent Valentine’s discount when joining in Feb. by using the referral code, “NASingles”.
Creating Healthy Indoor Spaces
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workshop titled, “Space Clearing: Creating Healthy Homes and Businesses,” will be held Thursday, Feb. 28, 7-8:30 at East West Bookshop in Seattle. “Space clearing is a holistic, practical, intuitive technique that revitalizes space on an energetic, or vibrational, level, much like vacuuming and dusting keep the physical space clean,” says workshop leader Robyn Fritz. Uses include real estate buying and selling; remodeling; creative support; facilitating personal and business changes; and promoting prosperity, eco-consciousness and sustainability.
Cost Overruns Can Be
BIG!
How often do you hear stories about how much more the final cost of a remodel was? Our pre-construction management system (PAMS) eliminates this concern. Project specific forms consider every aspect of your remodel, leaving nothing to chance or guesswork. Visit us at www.NorthwestHomecrafters.com\ BigCost to learn more about what we will do for you.
The workshop takes place Thursday, Feb. 28, 7-8:30pm at East West Bookshop, 6500 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle. $10. Registration optional. natural awakenings
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healthbriefs
Hot Peppers Help the Heart
F
ebruary is Heart Health Month, and individuals that like hot peppers have another reason to continue their spicy habit, according to recent research. A study presented at the latest National Meeting and Exposition of the American Chemical Society focused on the benefits of capsaicin and its fiery-hot relatives, a piquant family of substances termed capsaicinoids, that give cayenne, jalapeños, habanero and other chili peppers their heat. The research team discovered that these substances boost heart health in several ways: They block the action of a gene producing a substance that makes arteries contract and restrict the flow of blood to the heart and other organs; lower cholesterol by reducing its accumulation in the body and increasing its breakdown and excretion; decrease the size of cholesterol deposits already formed in blood vessels that narrow arteries and increase the risk of heart attacks or strokes; and reduce overall levels of so-called “bad” cholesterol while not affecting levels of “good” cholesterol.
Reading Helps Teens Beat the Blues
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ooks stimulate the mind in more ways than previously known, and may even help reduce the risk of depression in teenagers, according to a new study published in the journal Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine. University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researchers report adolescents that spend more time reading books are less likely to experience a major depressive disorder than those listening to contemporary music. Participants were called up to 60 times during five extended weekends over two months and asked if their attention was currently devoted to television, movies, music, video games, the Internet, magazines, newspapers or books. Teens that spent the most hours listening to music were 8.5 times more likely to be depressed than those that spent the least amount of time absorbed in tunes. In contrast, adolescents that read the most (primarily books) were 10 percent as likely to be depressed as those that read the least. Major depression is thought to affect one in 12 teenagers, according to the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health. Dr. Brian Primack, the assistant professor of medicine and pediatrics who led the study, remarks, “These findings may help clinicians and parents recognize links between media and depression. This is worth emphasizing because overall in the United States, reading books is decreasing, while nearly all other forms of media use are increasing.” 8
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Alexander Technique Lessens Back Pain
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otoriously difficult to treat, chronic back pain may be behind more disability and days off from work than any other health condition. A recent study published by the British Medical Journal, involving more than 500 patients, concludes that practicing the Alexander Technique, an awareness practice to identify and correct unconscious negative physical habits related to posture and movement, breathing and tension, combined with moderate exercise, can help. The patients were either given normal physician care, massage or six or 24 lessons of the technique, which helped them learn to align the head, neck and back muscles, release unnecessary restrictions and improve overall balance. Half the patients in each group were also assigned to walk briskly for 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Massage provided pain relief for the corresponding group for the first three months, and then the benefit had to be reinstated. Patients trained in how to daily use knowledge acquired from practicing the Alexander Technique reported less pain and an ability to do more by the end of the year. Individuals that received six lessons and stuck to a recommended exercise routine did nearly as well as those that had 24 lessons. For more information, visit AlexanderTechnique.com.
Mindful Meditation Eases Loneliness
Safer Cells
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alentine’s Day can increase feelings of loneliness, especially for the elderly, and may pose an additional risk factor for health problems such as heart disease and Alzheimer’s. A new study published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, offers fresh evidence that mindfulness meditation reduces negative thoughts about being alone in older adults and also improves their physical health. The ancient practice dates back to the time of Buddha and focuses on creating an attentive awareness of the present moment. In the study, researchers at Carnegie Mellon University, in Pennsylvania, recruited 40 healthy adults between the ages of 55 and 85 that were interested in learning the technique. Subjects were assessed at the beginning and end of the study using an established loneliness scale, and blood samples were collected. After eight weeks of meditation training, participants reported decreased feelings of loneliness, and new blood samples revealed reduced pro-inflammatory gene expression (manifestion of encoded information). Inflammation is thought to promote the development and progression of many diseases, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Lead researcher J. David Creswell reports, “Mindfulness meditation training is a promising intervention for improving the health of older adults. It’s important to train your mind like you train your biceps in the gym.”
Peel-Good Energy
C
onsumers do not need to buy overpriced, sugary sports drinks in order to replenish carbohydrates and electrolytes during or after exercise, say researchers at the Appalachian State University Human Performance Lab at the North Carolina Research Campus, in Kannapolis. Instead, just grab a banana. The tasty fruit not only offers the same performance boost as sports drinks, but additional advantages, as well. Bananas provide antioxidants not found in the manmade beverages, plus a greater nutritional boost, including fiber, potassium and vitamin B6. Bananas also boast a healthier blend of natural sugars than sports drinks.
Red, White and True
B
ag the guesswork of grocery shopping and let the American Heart Association (AHA) Heart-Check mark help identify healthy foods. The red-and-white icon, created in 1995 and now found on product packaging, is a solid first step in building a heart-friendly diet. The AHA is now beginning to include foods with high levels of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats—the “good” fats—in the Heart-Check program. Updated requirements also covering sodium, sugar and fiber will take effect in 2014 to allow food manufacturers time to reformulate their products.
he Ecology Center, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in conjunction with technicians at IFixIt.com, has published a list of toxic chemicals found in 36 cell phones from a range of manufacturers. The good news is that companies are responding to consumer and regulatory pressure and these troublesome components are on the decline. The Motorola Citrus, Apple iPhone 4S and LE Remarq were the least toxic cell phones in the analysis. Two of the bestselling models, the iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S III, ranked fifth and ninth, respectively. Among earlier models, the 2007 iPhone 2G was found to contain the most toxic materials. Jeff Gearhart, research director at the Ecology Center, concludes, “The takeaway is that mobile phones are chemically intensive and full of chemical hazards, but they’ve been getting a lot better.” The center reported that every phone sampled in the study contained lead, bromine, chlorine, mercury or cadmium. Source: Tinyurl.com/MobileRisk
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February 2013
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Experience in every
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your innate balance, poise & vitality
\ Anatomy of Grace \ Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement \ Tribal Bellydance \ InterPlay \ Plus Special Workshops: \ Breema \ QiGong \ Yoga
In our classes and individual sessions,
our skilled instructors and practitioners guide you towards health and balance. m’illumino is dedicated to your learning and your transformation — through movement! M ovement is Life.
FEATURING: Wellness Fair
February 2, 10am-2pm
For more information call:
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Food & Mood Solutions for Emotional Eating by Judith Fertig
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stressful day might have us seeking solace in ice cream, pizza or potato chips. Other times, we may feel a second donut or another high-calorie treat is our reward for a task well done. Occasional food indulgences are one of life’s pleasures, but habitually eating in response to our emotions can cause weight gain and health problems.
Core Issues “Emotional hunger represents an appetite, craving or desire to eat in the absence of true physiological hunger cues,” explains Julie Simon, author of The Emotional Eater’s Repair Manual: A Practical Mind-Body-Spirit Guide for Putting an End to Overeating and Dieting. “Emotional hunger often feels the same as physical hunger,” she adds, yet it might represent an unconscious longing for pleasure, calm, comfort, excitement or distraction. It can also have a physiological basis. A 2011 study from the University of Leuven, in Belgium, shows that stomach-based hormones can connect directly to the brain, setting up cravings for sugary and fatty foods, suggesting that we are hardwired to want the foods that provide the greatest number of calories in the smallest quantities.
Sugary, starchy, salty and fatty foods also push the brain’s “reward” button, prompting the production of more dopamine, the neurotransmitter of pleasure and well-being. Dr. Pam Peeke, Ph.D., author of The Hunger Fix: The ThreeStage Detox and Recovery Plan for Overeating and Food Addiction, maintains that these foods also create a difficultto-break addiction cycle. According to Peeke, an assistant clinical professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, in Baltimore, the more high-calorie foods we eat, the more we need the “high” they produce. Soon, increased amounts of foods like cheeseburgers, potato chips or chocolate chip cookies are necessary to help us feel good again. Handling emotions without turning to food can be a knotty problem, health professionals agree, involving interweaving physical, emotional and spiritual strands.
Physical Signals One solution is to simply pay attention to what our body is saying. Are we truly feeling hunger pangs? “When we eat in the absence of hunger cues, regularly choose unhealthy comfort foods or continue eating when we’re already full, something is out of balance,” observes Simon at OvereatingRecovery.com. Identifying “trigger” foods might also enlighten us, advises Peeke. “You’re out of control if you have a particular food in your hand and you can’t just enjoy it, walk away and say, ‘Ahh, that was wonderful.’ Life’s okay without that particular food.” The key is being smart about which foods we need to eliminate and which ones will help us feel good and enjoy an overall better quality of life. “When you follow a plant-based, unprocessed, whole foods eating plan, your body chemistry becomes balanced and your biochemical signals (hunger, cravings and fullness) work well,” explains Simon. “Each time you eat, you feel satisfied and balanced, physically and emotionally.”
essences of crabapple, cherry plum and chestnut bud. They maintain that four daily doses can help us think clearly and calmly when we fear losing control, plus objectively observe mistakes and learn from them. Some feelings, however, can’t be “gentled” away. “Soothe the small stuff, grieve the big stuff,” Simon advises. Experiencing abandonment, betrayal, domination or violation may require therapy. Lesser stressors can often be soothed by music, being outdoors, talking to a friend, taking a warm bath, walking, meditative yoga or pausing to pray—instead of eating. “No matter how sophisticated or wise or enlightened you believe you are, how you eat tells all,” maintains Geneen Roth, author of Women, Food, and God: An Unexpected Path to Almost Everything. “Your world is on your plate.” Roth came to terms with her own food addictions and now leads retreats to help others do the same. When we begin to understand what prompts us to use food to numb or distract ourselves, the process takes us deeper into realms of spirit and to the bright center of our lives, says Roth. She urges us to be present in the moment and to use good food as a sort of meditation. Notice the beautiful greens in the salad and bless the farmer that grew them. It’s one path to realizing the essence of food that’s good for us is a blessing we deserve. Award-winning cookbook author Judith Fertig blogs at AlfrescoFoodAndLifestyle.blogspot.com.
Emotional Underpinnings Once we understand the physical component of emotional hunger, we can address the feelings that cause it. Most famous for their Rescue Remedy herbal and floral drops that help soothe anxiety, Bach Flower Essences recently created an Emotional Eating Support Kit that includes homeopathic
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Building News, and editor of Greenspec, the definitive source for environmentally friendly products.
Finding good information is the first step
A Healthy Living Plan
For Your Home By Cate O’dahl
J
ust as our bodies need proper diet and exercise for high performance, our homes need proper operations and maintenance. More and more people are choosing healthier options for their bodies. For their homes, healthy options can be found as part of the green building trend. Green building solutions include products, strategies, and design elements that minimize the impact on the environment, maximize energy conservation and efficiency, and improve the health of indoor living spaces (see sidebar). Operating and maintaining your home with green strategies help save money, improve your health, and protect resources. And just like diets and exercise programs, the inevitable question arises: “What is the perfect green building solution?”
The answer is, “It depends.” You see, making green building choices can be as simple as using compact fluorescent light bulbs or as complex as designing a home to produce its own energy; and green building solutions run the full spectrum of everything in between. The choice of how green someone builds is wholly dependent on the needs and goals of the homeowner since it’s not just one thing or one choice. Green building choices are further shaped by the design of the structure and the materials and methods used to build it. “Green building addresses the relationship between a building and the land on which it sits,” writes Alex Wilson, author of Your Green Home, publisher of the Environmental
Whether you are a green building enthusiast or a beginner, a good place to start is with The Northwest EcoBuilding Guild Seattle Chapter and Built Green® of King and Snohomish Counties – two great local organizations who provide information and resources for green building across the entire green building spectrum. In 2013, these organizations have joined forces to co-produce the Northwest Green Home Tour 2013, your opportunity to visit green homes in your neighborhood to learn about solar in the Northwest, or how to build a rain garden to combat storm water pollution, or how to improve the quality and comfort of your home while protecting our treasured Northwest resources.
Attend a tour of green homes The tour provides an opportunity to meet with builders, designers, and homeowners living in green homes, ask questions, and get answers. Mark your calendars and join the fun. This self-guided one-day tour is on Saturday, April 27 from 11am–5pm. Going on the self-guided tour of green homes throughout the Seattle Metro and Eastside can help you discover solutions that may work for
ANNUAL EVENT
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Homeowners
Discover Green Building Strategies that Work From Homes In Your Neighborhood! PRESENTED BY
Seattle Natural Awakenings | Envision Homes ESP Services | PSCCU | Mighty House Construction | YOU!
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S A V E T H E D AT E S a t u r d ay • A p r i l 2 7 11am - 5pm Builders, Architects, Designers, & Cra smen Showcase Your Deep Green Focus Become a Site Host on the Tour! CONTACT TOURGUIDE NWGREENHOMETOUR.ORG LEARN MORE AT
NWGreenHomeTour.org
climate and building regulations.
Every little bit helps
Builders of a backyard art studio plan for energy efficiency by starting with good insulation. Project to be shown on the Green Home Tour 2013. Photos courtesy of H2D Architecture + Design.
your next project. Whether your goal is to find out about simple weatherization strategies to conserve energy and increase comfort or to see examples of “extreme green” projects that incorporate many features of sustainability, the homes on the tour will demonstrate a wide variety of options across the green building spectrum. There are so many strategies and design choices that could be incorporated into a home that it is impossible to do everything; in fact, selecting some sustainable building strategies eliminates others. Another resource to help you sort among green building choices and to find ones that will work for you is the Built Green® Remodel Checklist, available online at BuiltGreen.net, providing an impressive catalog of many green building strategies available and appropriate to our
The next step toward green home improvement, now that you have good information and resources, is to define the specific goals for your project and to develop your plan. Remember, when it comes to green strategies for operating and maintaining your home, “Every little bit helps.” Next, begin to incorporate the ideas and strategies you discover on the Tour or from the checklist into your home operations and maintenance plans. With each step, we all move forward to make the world a little bit healthier, and you may end up with a house that is, as Alex Wilson puts it, “safer to live in and less expensive to operate.” Choosing to live a healthy lifestyle involves choices about how we live, what we eat, and how we exercise. Choosing to live in a green home involves making similar choices about how we heat, how we ventilate, and about the products we choose to use. Fortunately, you don’t have to go it alone. Support and education is out there. Visit the EcoBuilding Guild and Built Green® on the web to help you begin living green. Join us on the tour on Saturday, April 27 to meet your neighbors and people in the Seattle Metro area that are living green, and learn about healthy choices for your home. Cate O’dahl, owner of ESP Services, is the Northwest Green Home Tour 2013 event coordinator and an instructor at North Seattle Community College, teaching green building to Real Estate and HVAC professionals.
Who’s Who?
What is Green Building? The term green building is used to describe design and construction of buildings with some or all of the following characteristics: Buildings that have minimal adverse impacts on local, regional, and even global ecosystems; Buildings that reduce reliance on automobiles; Buildings that are energy-efficient in their operation; Buildings and grounds that conserve water; Buildings that are built in an environmentally responsible manner from low-environmental impact materials; Buildings that are durable and can be maintained with minimal environmental impact; Buildings that help their occupants practice environmentalism, e.g., by recycling waste; and Buildings that are comfortable, safe, and healthy for their occupants. Source: Your Green Home, A Guide to Planning a Healthy, Environmentally Friendly New Home, by Alex Wilson, New Society Publishers.
Discover Green Building Strategies That Work
Built Green ® of King and Snohomish Counties
The NW EcoBuilding Guild Seattle Chapter
Built Green is an environmentallyfriendly, non-profit residential building program that gives consumers an easyto-understand rating system and helps them to quantify their investments in environmentally friendly building practices. For more information, visit BuiltGreen.net.
The Guild is a community of construction-related professionals and homeowners concerned with ecological building in the Pacific Northwest, who empower people through education to transform the built environment for long-term sustainability. Find more at EcoBuilding.org.
From projects in your neighborhood! Learn how to transform your house into a green home @ Find ways to have a healthy home and conserve water @ See how solar panels work
April 27, 2013
NWGreenHomeTour.org
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February 2013
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Bodywork Goes MAINSTREAM Helpful Access Points to Health by Linda Sechrist
The seed holds within itself hints of its magnificent maturity. So it is with the practice of whole-person health care, which has matured in language, sophistication, credibility and acceptance. In a single generation, we’ve seen its presence grow from the outer edges of holistic and alternative wellness to complementary and integrative health care. Its latest evolution into America’s mainstream is known as functional medicine. The branch of massage therapy, the germination point for myriad therapies collectively known as bodywork, patterns the movement’s development.
O
nce considered a luxury for the pampered few, massage was among the first therapies to be widely recognized by physicians as a respected aspect of integrative and functional medicine. Bodywork increasingly shares this status, as it is included in conventional medicine’s more innovative healthcare models that embrace a body, mind and spirit approach. One of many examples is Duke Integrative Medicine, in Durham, North Carolina, where patient services
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include a form of integrative massage that blends Swedish massage, myofascial therapy, reflexology, energy work and somatic therapy techniques. In the public’s view, bodywork is still largely associated with massage, although distinct forms stand on their own, including Rolfing, structural integration, shiatsu and myofascial and craniosacral therapies. Bodywork professionals generally belong to the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), whatever their specialized
modality. They may also participate in other professional organizations, such as the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals, which has some 80,000 members, many of which are also members of the International Association for Structural Integrators. These nonprofits’ websites help individuals locate practitioners in their area. According to Maureen Moon, past president of AMTA, many massage therapists (which don’t refer to themselves as bodyworkers) are trained in various bodywork therapies and intuitively integrate them into their sessions, depending upon each client’s needs. She notes that, “Many AMTA members are so passionate about their profession and meeting the continuing education (CEU) requirements that they go far beyond the units required to maintain their license, which can vary from state-to-state.” For example, Moon has trained in spinal reflex analysis, developed by Dr. Frank Jarrell, neuromuscular and craniosacral therapies, shiatsu and seven massage therapies. “Most AMTA members are CEU junkies,” quips Moon, who points out that national conventions provide continuing education and chapter meetings frequently introduce attendees to new techniques. Some practitioners discover specialties while in search of pain relief for personal injuries or other conditions.
Myofascial Therapy Olympia Hostler, a myofascial therapist in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, had two serious horse riding accidents during adolescence and three automobile accidents by age 40, which combined, left her so incapacitated that she could barely walk. “I couldn’t work for three years, because I was so debilitated,” relates Hostler. She found her doctor’s diagnosis of severe permanent damage to the body’s soft connective tissue, or fascia, and the prognosis of a lifetime of living with pain unacceptable. So she began searching for something that would help restore health. Her investigation of therapies ended with myofascial release, an effective whole-body approach to the treatment of pain and dysfunction, developed by Physical
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Therapist John F. Barnes. “I had several sessions and found lasting pain relief unlike anything I’d ever experienced,” advises Hostler. Unlike massage therapies focused on improving circulation, inducing relaxation or draining lymph fluid, the myofascial treatment reached Hostler’s deepest layer of fascia to free the restrictions causing her pain. “It was amazing that a hands-on application of gentle, sustained pressure into areas of restriction in the myofascial connective tissue could begin to relieve many years of ongoing, intense pain,” says Hostler.
Rolfing As a Certified (advanced) Rolfer and Rolf Movement Practitioner, Robert McWilliams has been able to pursue his lifelong passion in the fields of movement and physical fitness, which included 25 years as a professional dancer and 14 as a professor of modern dance. He taught at both the University of Oklahoma and the University of Florida, in Gainesville. “In the 1980s, while I was still dancing, I had an experience with Rolfing, developed by Ida P. Rolf [Ph.D.], that transformed my dancing, increased my athletic performance alignment, coordination, flexibility, balance, muscle tone, expressive power and overall sense of relaxation onstage, as well as in daily life,” relates McWilliams. He currently serves as an assistant teacher at the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration, in Boulder, Colorado, where he trained.
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Although McWilliams’ clients generally see him to treat the pain and discomfort of injuries, he says that they frequently change their focus to how their body is working better overall. “This is because injuries tend to resolve themselves after a few sessions of deep tissue manipulation of the myofascial system,” says McWilliams. A specialized series of 10 sessions works to systematically balance and optimize both the structure (shape) and function (movement) of the entire body. Each session focuses on freeing up a particular region of the body. The effect releases old limiting patterns and postures and restores the body’s natural alignment and sense of integration. “Often, as freedom of physical expression increases, so does emotional expression,” comments McWilliams.
Structural Integration
“While Rolfers graduate from The Rolf Institute and attend certified training programs in order to maintain their trademark, and structural integrators can attend any of 14 certified U.S. schools, we are all structural integrators; our training is based on the work of Ida Rolf,” says Diane Roth, a board-certified structural integrator who has specialized in massage and bodywork for 25 years in the Chicago area. Roth explains that all practitioners in this field of study combine hands-on freeing and realigning of fascial tissue with awareness and movement education, in order to structurally integrate the whole body. Restoration of postural balance and functional ease greatly helps the body, which, she says, constantly labors against the powerful force of gravity. Like Moon, Roth has studied and incorporated other adjunct therapies and modalities, such as craniosacral therapy and myofascial release. From her perspective, bodywork differs from massage in that it requires more involvement from the client. “I tell my clients that with a veritable village of treatments available, there is always help for anyone that suffers with aches and pains, regardless of age,” says Roth.
Shiatsu
Shirley Scranta, owner and director of the International of Shiatsu, in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, discovered The Book of Shiatsu: The Healing Art of Finger Pressure, by !"#$% &'()!!*! &+#$ &),-#,* &."# &.),%!&%# &(*)$,&/)!!)0* Saul Goodman, in a health food store. She subsequently re&4$#+*!!5#,)( &/)!!)0* &4$#0$)/ 123/#,%" searched the school that Goodman founded in 1978, based &*76')%5#, &+#$ &89:! '#,%5,65,0 on the theories of masunaga Zen shiatsu, kushi macrobiotic and his own shiatsu shin tai. www.discoverypointschoolofmassage.com In 1996, Scranta became one of Goodman’s clients. “I drove a round-trip of 240 miles for weekly treatments beNow Enrolling — Call 206.552.6523 cause each session made me feel better and stronger. After five sessions, I enrolled in classes and graduated later that 420 E. Pike Street, Suite 3 Seattle, WA 98122 www.facebook.com/DiscoveryPointSchoolofMassage year,” says Scranta. She believes the widely known form of acupressure helped her body reestablish its own intelligence
D I S CO VER YO UR PAT H . D I S C O V E R M A S S A G E. D I S COVE R YOU R SELF. School
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system, which had been distorted by childhood trauma. “This gentle technique applies varying degrees of pressure to release tension, strengthen weak areas, facilitate circulation and balance the life energy that flows through the meridians in the body,” she explains. “In my case, it helped me connect with my body so that I could honor it and do what it needed to rejuvenate itself.”
Craniosacral Therapy
For MoreResources Information Local Metamorphosis Holistic Spa Offers myofascial, hot stone, lomi lomi and Swedish massage 5343 Tallman Ave NW #208, Seattle 206-547-0420 SeattleHolisticSpa.com DIscoverypoint School Of Massage Continuing education classes for massage therapists; introductory classes for the general public 420 E. Pike St. Ste 3, Seattle 206-552-6523 DiscoverpointSchoolOfMassage.com Bastyr Center For Natural Health Multiple natural health practitioners offer craniosacral therapy 3670 Stone Way N., Seattle 206-834-4100 BastyrCenter.org Clare Woolgrove, PhD Advanced Rolfer™ Works to bring greater ease to the body’s posture and function Located in the Maple Leaf neighborhood of North Seattle 206-713-8260 SeattleRolfer.com
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Chiropractor Lisa Upledger is vice president of The Upledger Institute, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. A craniosacral therapy (CST) practitioner, educator and wife of CST developer Dr. John Upledger, she advises that tension-related problems are a growing complaint in our modern world. Fortunately, such issues are among the myriad conditions that respond quickly to the gentle touch of this modality. In a 2007 Massage magazine article, she advised that the positive effects of the therapy rely to a large extent on the performance of the body’s inherent self-corrective mechanisms. “CST works through the craniosacral system to facilitate this function and thereby normalize the environment in which the central nervous system functions,”
she noted. “As this is accomplished, a wide range of sensory, motor and neurological problems are improved.” CST practitioners listen with their hands to the slow pulsations of the craniosacral system. With a soft touch, equivalent to the weight of a nickel, they explore any fascia restrictions throughout the client’s body, which rests fully clothed in a supine position. Effects of the treatment can be wideranging, affecting the musculoskeletal, nervous, cardiovascular and immune systems as well as organs, connective tissues and energy systems. It works to release deeply held physical and psychological patterns held within the body. A coin with different impressions on each side is still only one coin, a blend of precious metals. When the coin is tossed to reveal either heads or tails, the visible symbol is one interpretation of the whole imprint—an analogy that may best define the difference between massage and bodywork. All variations on the theme share the same goal—restoring health to the whole person. Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. Find other natural living articles at her website, ItsAllAboutWe.com.
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tephanie Coontz, professor of history and family studies at The Evergreen State College, in Olympia, Washington, shares her learned perspective in an intriguing oeuvre of books—Marriage, A History: How Love Conquered Marriage; The Way We Never Were; The Way We Really Are; and A Strange Stirring. She’s also cochair and director of public education at the University of Miami’s researchbased nonprofit Council on Contemporary Families. As a speaker, she shares good news on marriage, based on her extensive study and observations.
Is marriage becoming passé? While marriage as an institution is less powerful than it used to be, people have higher expectations of marriage as a relationship. Precisely because most Americans no longer feel they have to marry, they are more specific about what they want from it. When a marital relationship works today, it is fairer, more intimate, more mutually beneficial and less prone to violence than ever before. Yet, individuals are less willing to stay in a relationship that doesn’t confer these benefits.
more individualized traits. In a reversal from 40 years ago, men are much less interested in a partner’s cooking and housekeeping than in her intelligence, humor and accomplishments. Women value a mate that shares household chores more than one that is a high earner. (See more results of a Pew Research Center survey at Tinyurl.com/PewTrends.)
Which qualities do people most desire in a mate today?
What guidelines foster a rewarding marriage?
The old model of married love held that opposites attract. Men wanted mates that were pliable and nurturing; women wanted men that were ambitious, powerful and protective. The new model is based on similarities of interests and talents. While some women are still attracted to men that are richer, taller, more powerful and slightly scary, and some men still want an admiring, yielding woman, the trend favors valuing
Be truly interested in your partner’s ideas and activities; take pride in their achievements; use endearments or offer tactile affection without being asked; have a sense of humor about differences; and never let irritation or anger slide into contempt.
How can small, daily interactions contribute to intimacy? We all have moments when we are
irritated, angry or emotionally or intellectually unresponsive. A mate will tolerate these as long as he or she trusts you to be loving and attentive most of the time. It’s an emotional line of credit—each partner needs to keep replenishing the reserves of trust and good will, rather than drawing them down. Psychologist and researcher John Gottman, Ph.D., suggests people need about five positive interactions for every negative one in an intimate relationship. It’s less the occasional over-the-top gesture and more the regular, small deposits that count—a few words of appreciation, a loving touch, an expression of sexual attraction. If we have trouble remembering to regularly express appreciation, we may do better by asking, “What would have been harder about this day if my partner wasn’t in my life?”
Why do the new realities of marriage emphasize play over work? Successful marriages used to depend upon specialization. Men and women couldn’t substitute for one another in accomplishing tasks. A typical woman couldn’t support herself financially; a typical man didn’t know how to feed himself, do laundry or manage childrearing. Even if couples didn’t share many mutual interests, the partners often took
pleasure in being indispensable. Now women can support themselves and men cook and clean. Thus, shared interests and leisure activities, rather than specialized work roles, increasingly serve as the glue of marriage. Play takes people off the work-centric treadmill and introduces novelty into the relationship. Spending leisure time with others also produces higher levels of happiness than cocooning, according to the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. So make it a double-date night.
How do current and potential partners benefit from game changers—from cell phones to the Internet?
The Internet makes it easier to meet partners. Once in a partnership, technology can help daily tasks get accomplished efficiently, leaving more leisure time. It also allows us to check in with each other while apart. But e-devices are no substitute for face time. The best way to nurture a relationship is to unplug from the grid and plug into real life. I see many couples reinvigorated by each other’s company after a few hours together engaged in a fun outdoor recreational activity. For relevant articles and interviews, visit StephanieCoontz.com. S. Alison Chabonais is the national editor of Natural Awakenings magazines.
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Breath And Sound The publication for the discerning life traveler. Articles and advertising that inspires and educates, giving you practical tools and ideas you can use in your own life! Distributed free at more than 500 locations in the Puget Sound region. 55,000 loyal readers... and growing! Locally owned.
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greenliving
cemeteries, funeral homes and casket companies that forgo chemicals and offer natural landscapes. The goal is for burials to leave as little impact as possible on the planet.
Greener Plots
Rest in Peace Sustainable Burials Honor Life by Brita Belli
H
umans are conditioned to the conventional rituals of handling death—the embalmed body in a casket or ashes sealed in an urn, a procession of vehicles to the burial site, solemnly gathering and scattering flowers as the remains are lowered into the earth. Many times, planning details are abdicated to the judgment of funeral directors. The notion of green burials envisions something different: a ceremony that engages family members’ eco-values and nature in a more intimate, sustainable process favoring biodegradable caskets and no toxic chemicals. The movement is gaining in popularity; in 2011, some 300 U.S. funeral homes offered green burial options, up from only 12 in 2008.
High Impact of Tradition
Traditional American burial practices make a sizeable environmental foot22
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print and also pose health risks. The carcinogenic embalming fluid—formaldehyde—is a well-known hazard. A 2009 study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that exposure to formaldehyde over a career of embalming put funeral home workers at significantly increased risk for mortality from myeloid leukemia, a cancer of the blood cells. Alternatives include formaldehyde-free preservatives made from essential oils, and dry ice. Significant resources are consumed in manufacturing caskets and vaults and maintaining cemetery grass. “A few years back I calculated that we bury enough metal in caskets to rebuild the Golden Gate Bridge each year and put so much concrete in the ground via burial vaults we could build a two-lane highway halfway across the country,” says Joe Sehee, founder of the Green Burial Council. The council certifies and lists
Greensprings Natural Cemetery Preserve, in Newfield, New York, does not look like a cemetery. Its native grasses and mature trees come alive with color each autumn. Wildflowers bloom in the spring and birds build their nests in treetop boughs. “Most contemporary cemeteries are biological deserts,” observes Greensprings spokesperson and science writer Mary Woodsen. In contrast, Greensprings’ 100 acres are surrounded by 8,000 acres of protected forests. Loved ones may be buried in coffins from locally produced timber, or in shrouds—either professionally made or from a favorite blanket or quilt. Biodegradable caskets may be constructed of pine, cardboard, bamboo, formaldehyde-free plywood or hand-woven willow or wicker. LastThings.net even offers free plans to make a simple coffin. Instead of a machine, family members and friends ceremonially take hold of straps and lower the casket into the grave themselves. Natural, flat fieldstones honor loved ones. “People feel, ‘I was part of this,’” says Woodsen.
Cremation Options
Debate exists over the ecological impact of cremation—a practice expected to be chosen as the end-of-life choice for as many as 46 percent of Americans by 2015. While it reduces the use of large, resource-intensive burial plots, each traditionally cremated body releases 110 pounds of greenhouse gases and other pollutants, including carbon dioxide and monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, mercury and other metals. The Bio Cremation greener alternative—using 95 percent water and 5 percent of an alkali instead of flames and fossil fuels—requires eight times less energy as fire-based cremation, produces no dangerous byproducts
and still yields ashes from the remaining bones. To find the states that have approved the process, visit the legislative section at BioCremationInfo. com. Biodegradable urns are also available, including cornstarch bags accented with leaves and petals, sculpted natural salt containers and baskets made of virgin palm. Sandcastle urns are suited for home display or ocean burial (InTheLightUrns.com). Memorial blown-glass artwork is another option for remains (Tropical GlassDesign.com). Scattering ashes—whether casting them into the air or over a body of water, burying them or raking them into the soil—provides an intimate burial experience and has minimal environmental consequences. Sehee says it’s legal on private land and also allowed in some parks. “It rarely does harm to the ecosystem,” he says. “Calling your local park agency is a great idea. Many allow for scattering and some without a fee.”
Burial at Sea
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency governs the disposal of cremated remains at sea—it must take place at least three nautical miles from land and may include artful flowers
and wreaths of decomposable materials. Even non-cremated remains may be buried at sea, provided it takes place at the same distance from land in water that is between 600 and 1,800 feet deep, depending on the location. Another sea burial option is offered by Eternal Reefs, a company that mixes remains into liquid concrete as the centerpiece of a personalized reef ball, lowered to the ocean floor to provide a home for marine life. Before the boat heads out, family members are invited to press handprints into the wet concrete and to decorate the ball with shells and other mementos. Reef balls can hold from one to four people, plus a pet. Sites are currently available off the Florida, New Jersey and Texas shorelines and can be revisited at any time. “We don’t look at it as a funeral,” remarks CEO George Frankel. “We’re months or years removed from the passing. This is a celebration of life.” Brita Belli is the editor of E-The Environmental Magazine and author of The Autism Puzzle: Connecting the Dots Between Environmental Toxins and Rising Autism Rates. Connect at BritaBelli.com.
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The Art of Being Present Free INTRODUCTORY EVENING March 22 Friday 7-8:30 pm WEEKEND WORKSHOP March 23-24 in Seattle at Studio M’illumino
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Building Trust On & Off the Mat by Andrea Blair Cirignano
F
or many yogis, their time on their mats is already carved from a busy schedule and offers a rare and precious chance to recharge and renew. However, partner yoga presents an opportunity for yoga students to get in time on the mat, plus strengthen relationships with friends and loved ones. “Partner yoga is an interplay of finding our own groundedness while being able to support and relate to someone else,” says local yoga instructor Rachel Dawn Lowe. According to Lowe, partner yoga can also teach important lessons about how and when to gracefully give and take support in a relationship. “Partner yoga is a wonderful example of how we can find this on our yoga mat and then move into the world with
Upcoming Partner Yoga Workshops: YogaBliss Saturday, Feb. 9, 5:30-7:30pm 206-275-2300 7803 SE 27th Street #174, Mercer Island Cider and chocolates served after workshop Discover Yoga Wednesday, Feb. 13, 7-8:45pm 425-861-1318 15744 Redmond Way Open to all levels of yoga students. Limit 12 couples
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that deeper awareness of how we can be strong and stand on our own, yet be open to supporting others in our lives,” Lowe says. In most partner yoga classes, students will reshape familiar poses to include their partner. For example, in tree pose, students stand shoulder to shoulder facing forward and bring their inside arms up between the two of them to touch palms with their partner, while bringing palms of outside arms to touch in front. In many of the poses, a yogi must depend on his or her partner for balance, but he or she offers the same in return. Aside from the quality time spent with a friend or loved one, partner yoga offers many benefits, Lowe says. It stimulates the mind by changing yogi’s routines, it increases confidence by pulling yogis out of their comfort zones, and it tones muscles by shifting common poses into slightly new shapes. Most partner yoga classes are open to all levels of students and “partner” is not specific to a romantic relationship, so friends and family members can attend together. “I have had spouses, partners, family members, and friends share in the journey of using someone for support in poses,” says Lowe. Writer Andrea Blair Cirignano is a local yoga instructor with a journalism background. She believes yoga is for everyone and that each member of the community could benefit from the practice in some way, shape or form. Her articles highlight the unique pairing of this ancient practice with a modern Pacific Northwest lifestyle. Find out more about Andrea at AndreaBlairCirignano.com.
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February 2013
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calendarofevents
and joy to do it. $40. Ananda Meditation Temple, 23305 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell. Registration required. 425-806-3700. AnandaWashington.org.
NOTE: All Calendar events must be received by the 12th of the month prior to publication and adhere to our guidelines. Email Calendar@SeattleAwakenings.com for guidelines and to submit entries. Alternatively, visit SeattleAwakenings.com to submit online.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2 Massage Made Easy – 9:30am-5:30pm. Give friends and family the gift of relaxing massage, anyone can learn. Receive hands-on experience giving simple massage to the neck, shoulders, back, arms, legs, hands and feet. Handouts and massage lotion are included. Enroll for full price and a friend enrolls free. $125. Bastyr University, 14500 Juanita Dr NE, Kenmore. Registration required. 425-602-3152. Bastyr.edu/Continuing-Education. Wellness Fair – 10am-2pm. Meet M'illumino's practitioners and learn about how we can contribute to your wellness. Free mini-sessions, consultations and raffle. Feldenkrais, Acupuncture, Intuitive healing, Hellerwork, Massage, Nutrition and more. M'illumino, 6921 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle. 206-525-0363. M-illumino.com. Nurtitional Healing – The Natural Way To Restore Health – 7-8:30pm. With Dr. Steven Polenz. Nutritional Healing looks for the cause of health problems and finds what creates them, how our body is breaking down, and what needs to be done to restore health and well-being. Learn the keys to unlock abundant health within. Free. East West Bookshop, 6500 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle. 206523-3726. EastWestBookShop.com/events/4702.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4 Back to Balance Nutrition & Lifestyle Seminar – 7-9pm. Learn about a holistic approach to kicking the sugar habit. Topics include: low-glycemic eating, anti-inflammatory nutrition, proper supplementation for stabilizing blood sugar, eliminating carb cravings, and more. Following an approach recommended by NYT best-selling author Dr. Christiane Northrup in Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom. Free. Honest Movement Pilates, 22605 SE
56th St, Ste 170, Issaquah. Registration required. 206-552-8819. Bit.ly/nutritionseminarfeb4.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5 The Bhagavad Gita: An American Scripture From Thoreau To The Beatles! – Tuesdays through February 19. 7:30-9pm. The Bhagavad Gita is the beloved scripture of India and contains deep insights into right action, right attitude, meditation, and the underlying reality of creation. In this three-class series, explore the “Gita’s” historical context and the great themes of life, death, and daily life which it lovingly offers to humanity. $30. East West Bookshop, 6500 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle. Registration required. 206-523-3726. AnandaWashington.org.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6 8-Fold Path To Awakening – Meditation As A Way of Life – Wednesdays through February 27. 7:30-9pm. With Nayaswami Nivritti. This fourpart class series uses the 8-Fold Path described by Patanjali in his famous Yoga Sutras to teach meditation not only as a daily practice but as a way of life. Practice techniques such as chanting, visualization, affirmation, mantra, and breath control & awareness as steps towards higher awareness. $50. Ananda Meditation Temple, 23305 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell. Registration required. 425-806-3700. AnandaWashington.org.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7 Moving Toward A Balanced Life: Letting “Dharma” And Inner Peace Help You Navigate The Turbulent Waters Of Life – Thursdays through February 28. 7:30-9pm. With Nayaswami Jamuna Snitkin. Explore what it takes to accept what one is asked to do while finding the energy, enthusiasm
NW Yoga Conference – Feb 8-10. Featuring workshops, dance, a marketplace, children’s programs and more. Lynnwood Convention Center, 3711 196th St SW, Lynwood. 425-299-2794. NWYogaConference.com. Kaya In Concert – 7:30-9pm. After a successful career as a traveling singer and pop artist, Kaya had a major spiritual transformation and lived like a hermit for many years. Kaya returns, fully integrating talent and realization, as a performer and bestselling author. Kaya will shares uplifting messages conveyed through music. $15. East West Bookshop, 6500 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle. 206523-3726. EastWestBookShop.com/events/4563.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9 WuHsing Wing Ding! Art Auction And More – 6pm. Benefiting the WuHsing Tao School and Clinic for Traditional Five Element Acupuncture. $40 individuals or $75 per couple. Pacific Dining Room, Talaris Campus, 4000 Northeast 41st St, Seattle. 206-324-7188. Buy tickets: WuhsingWingDing.bpt.me.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12 Breath & Sound, Introductory Session 6:307:30pm. With Tracey Stover & Dave Merrill. Learn the basics of one's breathing patterns, what they mean, and how to expand them for health, vitality, and awakening. Experience the healing soundscape of gongs, crystal bowls, and the Tao Lyre. $20. Location in north Greenwood. 206-453-9329. BreathNorthwest@hotmail.com.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14 Women of Wisdom Conference – February 14-18. With special guests Starhawk, Cyndi Dale, Niki Scully and Normandi Ellis. A time of reflection, rejoicing, renewing and connecting with other women and men. North Seattle Community College, 9600 College Way N, Seattle. 206-782-3363. WomenOfWisdom.org.
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One Billion Rising – 2-3pm. Local Nia Seattle instructors will join the global organization One Billion Rising in a dance to say no to violence against women and girls, and to celebrate a new time and a new way of being. Participants will join activists, writers, celebrities and women and men across the world to voice their wish to end violence against women. Nia Seattle teachers will lead the group in an easy-to-follow Nia dance routine. Free. Crossroads Bellevue Shopping Center Market Stage. OneBillionRising.org.
etarian to enjoy delicious vegetarian food. Enjoy a gourmet, multi-course vegetarian dinner (dairy and egg free) catered by a different restaurant or chef each month and hear an insightful speech from our president, Amanda, on a key vegetarian topic, and meet lots of interesting people. All attendees will receive a special free gift to take home. $15 plus tax for members, $20 plus tax for guests and non members. Children are welcome. The Mount Baker Club, 2811 Mt Rainier Dr S, Seattle. Register: 206706-2635 or VegOfWa.org/MonthlyDining.aspx.
Fallon, the citrine Lemurian quartz, will lead this hands-on workshop on how to clear space, including tools, hiring a professional, and promoting sustainability. $10. East West Bookshop, 6500 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle. 206-523-3726. EastWestBookShop.com/events/4637.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16
How To Use Good Timing For Success – 7-8:30pm. With author Madeline Gerwick. All days are not created with the same potential. Discover how to use time as an ally to be more successful and prosperous. $15. East West Bookshop, 6500 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle. 206-523-3726. EastWestBookShop.com/events/4473.
Superconscious Living – Saturdays through April 13. 9:30am-12pm. With Krysta Gibson. This class shows that challenges such as marriage, relationships, child-raising, money, and career actually provide priceless opportunities for spiritual realization. Required text: Awaken to Superconsciousness by Swami Kriyananda. $100. Ananda Meditation Temple, 23305 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell. Registration required. 425-806-3700. AnandaWashington.org.
Washington EFT Tappers Gathering – 10am6pm. Annual Tappers gathering for all EFT Tapping enthusiasts in the Pacific NW. All proceeds go to EFT research with combat veterans through the Soul Medicine Institute. $97. Bastyr University, 14500 Juanita Dr NE, Kenmore. Registration required. 206-973-7881. WashingtonEFTTappersGathering.com. Yogasana: Increasing Flexibility Through Yoga – 1:30-4:30pm. Designed for all levels and for students considering Yoga Teacher Training, this workshop consists of a brief discussion, an asana and pranayama routine, and a meditation session. At the end of the workshop, we will provide a suggested Yoga routine to practice at home to continue exploration. $50. Ananda Meditation Temple, 23305 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell. Registration required. 425-806-3700. AnandaWashington.org.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20 Vegetarians of Washington Monthly Dining Event – 6:30pm. One doesn’t have to be a veg-
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25 Women & Wealth – 7-8:30pm. Break the Rules: Create a financial asset to free one's self from the 9 to 5. We will discuss: Who is creating multiple income streams in today’s environment, and how? What would it take to transition from a fulltime job to financial independence? Free. Roy Street Coffee & Tea, 700 Broadway Ave E, Seattle. Registration required. 206-552-8819. Bit.ly/womenandwealth.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28 Space Clearing: Creating Healthy Homes and Businesses – 7-8:30pm. Establishing and maintaining clear home and business space nourishes and inspires healthy, balanced, prosperous lives. Robyn Fritz MA, and her partner
SATURDAY, MARCH 2
SUNDAY, MARCH 3 Indigenous Wisdom Teachings: Methods For Revitalizing & Sustaining The Body – 9am6pm. Acquire tools for self-care and self-health that will bring joy, vigor, and peace to one’s personal life. Learn methods to restore, revitalize, and proactively maintain an energetic and physical body. General public & healthcare practitioners welcome. $175 - Register by 2/17 and receive a discount. Bastyr University, 14500 Juanita Dr NE, Kenmore. Registration required. 425-602-3152. Bastyr.edu/Continuing-Education.
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natural awakenings
February 2013
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classifieds Fee for classifieds is $1.00 per word per month. To place listing, email content to Publisher@SeattleAwakenings.com. Deadline is the 12th of the month.
THURSDAY, MARCH 7
SATURDAY, MARCH 23
4-Day Laser Reiki Workshop (Advanced Energy Medicine) – March 7-10. Find and delete energy blockages in moments, heal the disease called financial hardship and struggle, learn how to improve relationships and more. Reiki Ranch, Chehalis. 360-738-4426. LaserReiki.com.
Breema Workshop – March 23-24. Participating in a Breema workshop is a nourishing and revitalizing experience. $175 before March 11, $200 after. M’illumino, 6921 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle. Breema.com.
SATURDAY, MARCH 9 ADULT FAMILY HOMES We’ll help you take care of your aging parents or other loved ones. RN-owned, 17 yrs. experience in elderly care. Assisted by professional and long-term employed staff. Located in the Wedgewood and Meadowbrook areas. References and testimonials available. Call Josie @ 206-679-9082, 206-3623650. ViewHavenHomes.net.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Nutraceutical & herbal DNA research company moving HQ to Seattle. Looking for home-based business builders. Local training, leads provided. NutritionScience@aol.com.
Health BUY SUPER GREENS – Adjust your PH and get alkaline! 504-669-0048. BuySuperGreens.net.
QIGONG Five Mountains Institute of Qigong and Taijiquan – Live Healthier. Sustain Vitality. Classes in Embracing the Taoist Tradition. Dennis Sharp, Certified Instructor. 6532 Phinney Ave N, Seattle. 425-775-9609. FMI-Qigong.com.
Change Your Breath, Change Your Life – 9am5pm. On average people breathe around 24,000 times per day and breath retraining has been shown to efficiently and safely reduce blood pressure, improve sleep, regulate hormones, create mental alertness, help with focus, as well as decrease stress. $99. Bastyr University, 14500 Juanita Dr NE, Kenmore. Registration required. 425-602-3152. Bastyr.edu/Continuing-Education.
TUESDAY, MARCH 19 Women’s Breath & Sound Series – March 19, 26 & April 2. 10am-12pm. With Tracey Stover. Three consecutive classes are an incredible opportunity to be facilitated in three breath sessions, to clear what inhibits breathing as well as be supported in self-inquiry. The focus of these sessions is to find one’s inspiration in realizing one’s dreams. $150 for series. Location TBA. 206-769-0040 Breathingmandala@gmail.com. Breath & Sound, Introductory Session – Also March 26. 6:30-7:30pm. With Dave Merrill. Learn the basics of one’s breathing patterns, what they mean, and how to expand them for health, vitality, and awakening. Experience the healing soundscape of gongs, crystal bowls, and the Tao Lyre and learn more about integrating breathwork into any healing or spiritual practice. $20. Location in north Greenwood. 206-453-9329. BreathNorthwest@hotmail.com.
FRIDAY, MARCH 22
RETREATS LED In Hawaii – March 24-28. A Spiritual Playshop with energy healers Kia Abilay and Dorinda Gay. CEU classes offered March 22 & 23. Oahu, Hawaii. 845-679-6911. LedInHawaii@gmail.com. LedInHawaii.com.
Free Breema Introduction – 7-8:30pm. Find out more about Breema and the Nine Principles of Harmony at this free, introductory, experiential presentation. Breema is a simple, natural form of touch and body movement supported by universal principles. Practicing Breema supports connection with others while at the same time deepening one’s connection to one’s self. Free. M’illumino, 6921 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle. Breema.com.
Natural Choice Directory
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10 Weigh to Go! – Wednesdays through June 10. 6-7pm. Weigh to Go! is a nine-week weight management and lifestyle program developed by Bastyr’s nutrition and clinical health psychology faculty. $300. Bastyr Center for Natural Health, 3670 Stone Way N, Seattle. Registration required. 206-925-4662. BastyrCenter.org/content/ view/1293.
SATURDAY, APRIL 13 Free Reiki I Class – Reiki Ranch, Chehalis. ReikiRanch.com. Reiki Master Weekend – April 13-14. Learn Reiki 1, 2 and 3. $200. Reiki Ranch, Chehalis. ReikiRanch.com.
within yourself that you have built against it.
425.373.1987 www.NaturalChoice.net SeattleAwakenings.com
Breath And Sound, One-Day Intensive – 9:30am-4:30pm. For those who’ve taken the introductory session of Breath and Sound, this day takes one deeper into one’s self via two facilitated breath sessions and teachings on the fundamentals of breathwork and awakening, accompanied by the healing sounds of gongs, crystal bowls, and the Tao Lyre. $150. Location TBA. 206-453-9329. BreathNorthwest@hotmail.com.
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Healing Sound Circle – 10am-12pm. Harmonize in the healing soundscape of gongs, crystal bowls, and the Tao Lyre. Bring own instrument or borrow ours, and explore in a meditative session of breath, sound, and awareness. $20 suggested donation. Location in north Greenwood. 206-453-9329. BreathNorthwest@hotmail.com.
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Vegfest, A Health Vegetarian Food Festival – March 23-24. 10am-6pm. Featuring over 500 different free food samples to try, free health checks, cooking demonstrations by local chefs, talks on health and nutrition by medical doctors and authors, a huge vegetarian bookstore, special kids program with kid-friendly foods, clowns and more. $8. Kids 12 and under free. Seattle Center Exhibition Hall, 300 Mercer St, Seattle. Vegfest2013.org.
4/29/11 5:29 PM
-Rumi
ongoingevents sunday
talists–play in the woods during many of our work parties. Free. West Duwamish Greenbelt, 4408 Delridge Way SW, Ste 107, Seattle. Registration required. 206-923-0853. NatureC.org/volunteer.
FREE Energy Healing Clinic – 2nd Sun. Reiki Ranch, Chehalis. Register: 360-748-2100.
Seattle Greendrinks – 5:30pm. 2nd Tues. Informal social networking to connect and unite those working or interested in environmental issues. Locations vary. Details: SeattleGreendrinks.org.
Wing Chun Class – 11am-1pm. Wing Chun is a Martial Art with emphasis on efficiency, conserving energy and center line theories. Wing Chun focuses on body stability, footwork and hand techniques. All ages welcome. Contact instructor prior to class to ensure there have not been cancelations. $10 per person + dry food donations for Northwest Harvest. Friends, Philosophy & Tea, 13850 Bel-Red Rd, Bellevue. 206-349-9376. SpringTimeWingChun. wordpress.com. Family Fit – 4-5pm. Get active together. Children ages 6-14, along with a parent or two, will get active, make new friends, and play hard in a supportive and gently structured environment. Sample activities may include camp and picnic games, old-school P.E. games, frisbee, walleyball, scooter races, etc. YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility are paired up with good old-fashioned fun, laughter, and physical activity to create quality family time. Free with membership. Daily rates available. Northshore YMCA, 11811 NE 195th St, Bothell. Registration required. 425-485-9797. YMCANorthShore.org.
monday Feldenkrais® Awareness Through Movement – 6:30-7:45pm. With Becci Parsons. New strategies for unwinding, relaxing and recovering from life’s challenges. Cultivate resilience and become your most potent self. $20/drop-in, $75/5 prepaid. M’illumino, 6921 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle. 206525-0363. M-illumino.com. Pranic Healing Clinic – 7-9pm. 3rd Mon. Pranic Healing is a highly evolved and tested system of energy medicine that balances, harmonizes, and transforms the body’s energy processes. This public clinic is an opportunity for you to experience a meditation for world peace and a brief healing with a pranic healer. Free. Center of Light, 5225 15th Ave NE, Seattle. 206-525-8488. Meetup.com/ SeattleMeditationNow.
tuesday Forest Restoration with the Nature Consortium – 10am-2pm. Nature Consortium hosts volunteer work parties year round several times per week in the West Duwamish Greenbelt located in West Seattle. During the fall and winter we remove invasive species, mulch, and plant native plants and trees in Seattle’s largest remaining forest. Other seasons are devoted to maintenance and monitoring. To fulfill our mission to connect people, arts, and nature, performing artists–such as singers and instrumen-
Sustaining Vitality Qigong – 7-9pm. Discover Chinese Qigong, the study of internal energy and the natural way to enhance or maintain a healthy energetic lifestyle. Class includes meditation and movement exercises. Suitable for all levels including beginners. $10/class. Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave N, Rm 5, Seattle. Contact Dennis at 425-775-9609. Fmi.Qigong@gmail.com. Fmi-Qigong.com. Tribal Style Bellydance – 7-9pm. With Shay Moore. Classes get people moving to the global groove as they develop core tribal bellydance movements with strength, grace, and flexibility. Women of all ages, shapes, sizes, and experience welcome. $75 per 6-week session. M’Illumino, 6921 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle. Registration required. 206-525-0363. DeepRootsDance.com. Meditation & Mysticism: The First Six Steps – 7:15pm. Join us for a six-week series of classes offering a practical approach to living a spiritual life and beginning or deepening your meditation practice. All are welcome. Free. The Center of Light, 5225 15th Ave NE, Seattle. 206-525-8488. Meetup. com/SeattleMeditationNow/events/74587232.
wednesday Feldenkrais® Awareness Through Movement – 11am-12pm. With LeeAnn Starovasnik. Engage the brain and body in new ways while learning to move more easily, more comfortably and even more playfully. $20/drop-in, $75/5 prepaid classes. M’illumino, 6921 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle. 206-525-0363. M-illumino.com. Prayers for Peace – First Wednesday. 7-8:30pm. On the first Wednesday of every month, the members of all of the Centers of Light pray for peace, creating a surge of positive energy for people all over the world. Open to all faiths, it is a chance for hearts and minds to make a real difference in the world. People pray for healing, spiritual awakening, love, solutions to hunger crises, war – anything that the world needs in order to become a place of peace. Free. The Center of Light, 8917 Lake City Way NE, Seattle. Sites.google.com/a/centersoflight.org/seattle. Wednesday Wellness Talk – 7-8pm. 3rd Wed. Join us for a series of free monthly talks on a variety of health and wellness topics on the third Wednesday of each month. Topics to be announced - check website for updates. Space is limited; please call to reserve a seat. Free. Butterfly Balance Wellness Center, 3515 SW Alaska St, 2nd Fl, West Seattle. Registration required. 206-755-9900.
ButterflyBalance.com.
thursday Forest Restoration with the Nature Consortium – 10am-2pm. See Tuesday description. Free. West Duwamish Greenbelt, 4408 Delridge Way SW, Ste 107, Seattle. Registration required. 206-923-0853. NatureC.org/volunteer. Weston A Price Foundation Seattle Chapter Monthly Meeting – 3rd Thursday. 6-8:30pm. A Nourishing Traditions/Weston Price style potluck begins at 6 with a presentation at 7. Contact the organizer for food suggestions if you’re new to NT/WAPF and don’t know what to bring. This month Dr. Tim Gerstmar, ND will be doing a Q&A session. Bring questions about gut health, thyroid issues, immunity, GAPS, prolotherapy, etc. Firefly Kitchens, 844 NW 49th St, Seattle. Baby Diaper Service 101 – 6:30-7:30pm. 2nd Thurs. Mark Stief, owner, will present the ins and outs of diaper service, share best practice cloth diapering techniques and educate expectant parents on the health and environmental benefits of cloth diapers. $10/family. Parent Trust for Washington Children, 2200 Rainier Ave S, Seattle. Registration required. 206-634-2229. BabyDiaperService.net/Baby/Diapering-101. Feldenkrais® Awareness Through Movement – 6:30-7:30pm. See Wednesday description. $20/drop-in, $75/5 prepaid classes. M’illumino, 6921 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle. 206-525-0363. Info@M-illumino.com.
friday InterPlay – 10:30am-12pm. An improvisational practice that playfully explores the things a body can do: move, make sounds, tell stories, sing, and experience stillness. Based on life-affirming body wisdom principles and the transformative power of play. $10 suggested donation. M-illumino, 6921 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle. 206-525-0363. M-illumino.com.
saturday Feldenkrais® Awareness Through Movement – 9-10:15am. With LeeAnn Starovasnik and Vicki Robinson. See Wednesday description. $20/ drop-in, $75/5 prepaid classes. M’illumino, 6921 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle. 206-525-0363. Millumino.com. Forest Restoration with the Nature Consortium – 10am-2pm. See Tuesday description. Free. West Duwamish Greenbelt, 4408 Delridge Way SW, Ste 107, Seattle. Registration required. 206-923-0853. NatureC.org/volunteer.
natural awakenings
February 2013
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Coming in March
naturaldirectory Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Natural Directory, email Publisher@SeattleAwakenings.com to request our media kit.
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NEW FEMININE PARADIGM Dr. Karen Fox 360-269-4955
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206-722-2665 Info@TheKanjinYogaCenter.com KanjinYoga.com Kanjin Yoga is a path to abundant health and wellness helping people live better inside their bodies. Specializing in Yoga Nidra, Gentle Hatha Yoga, we offer classes and workshops for groups and organizations.
Which Vitamins Does Your Body Really Need?
The wrong vitamin is a waste of time and money. The right one can change your life. You are unique, shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t your nutritional supplement program be also? Our goal is to find the root cause of your problem and solve it using nutritional healing and high-quality, carefully selected supplements that your body needs - that way you get well and stay well. Then, we work with you to develop a customized supplement plan for helping your body run like a well-tuned engine, so you can keep feeling your best. New Patient Special: Receive a free bottle of Catalyn (90 tablets - by Standard Process) the ultimate multi-vitamin whole food supplement, at your new patient appointment. Expires Feb. 28, 2013 not redeemable for cash.
Schedule NOW! Call (206) 523-0121 Greenlake Chiropractic & Nutritional Healing 9750 3rd Ave NE, Suite 103, Seattle, WA 98115 Dr. Steve Polenz
natural awakenings
February 2013
31
Seattle’s Hidden Healing Gem By Eliza Secrist Fletcher
For months, a friend had been advising me to visit her chiropractor, Dr. Dick Shepard. I wasn’t looking forward to visiting yet another new healthcare provider. I knew they all meant well, but so often, I left healthcare offices feeling unseen and unheard, and definitely, unhealthy. However, my friend had assured me that Dr. Shepard was not your ordinary chiropractor! Almost within moments of stepping inside Dr. Shepard’s office, I realized this experience would, indeed, be different, and my tension began to evaporate. Just being there felt good. I also quickly learned that Network Care or NSA is unlike other chiropractic methods. It could be considered deeper, and yet it usually feels much gentler than a conventional chiropractic adjustment. The patient’s only task during an adjustment is to relax and breathe while Dr. Shepard uses gentle, triggering touches to help the body release tension. Dr. Shepard explains that he “is looking for tension in the body, which the patient might not even know is there”. He has discovered that most people unconsciously carry tension throughout their bodies and this tension can result in any number of symptoms in-cluding chronic pain, depression and/or anxiety, digestive distress, headaches, TMJ, sleep disorders, and loss of vitality. With just the slightest touch, Dr. Shepard helps the body release and redirect that tension. The patient’s immediate responses vary from deepening of the breath to involuntary movement and/or to vocalization, all leading to feelings of greater relaxation and well being. The longer-term results are often amazing and go far beyond relief of pain and symptoms to include improvements in emotional and physical health, as well as improved quality of life.
In my experience, the effect of Dr. Shepard’s care has been startling. When I began care, it seemed unlikely that those brief and mysterious sessions with Dr. Shepard would lift my depression and resolve my chronic pain; and yet, they did. I was soon amazed at how much better I felt after each session. And, that feeling of well-being persisted as I began to shift physically and emotionally in subtle, and not so subtle, ways. Not only have my original symptoms changed, but I also feel a greater sense of ease in my life and in my body. Instead of looking at what’s wrong with your body, they focus on what is already working well; and, expanding on that, I experienced amazing results! I’m truly glad I followed my friend’s advice and visited “Seattle’s Hidden Healing Gem”! Not surprisingly, healing has been a lifelong journey for Dr. Shepard. He received his degree Summa Cum Laude in Chiropractic, and he continues to study both conventional and non-conventional healing modalities. When in chiropractic school, he quickly chose to specialize in Network Spinal Analysis (NSA) because of the depth and breadth of changes he saw and experienced. Also, Dr. Shepard has achieved the highest level of NSA certification and has served on staff with Dr. Donald Epstein, the founder of NSA. And, coming from a long lineage of healers, he understands that true healing is about healing the entire being, not just parts of the person. Dr. Dick Shepard has been in practice for 18 years. [To read this complete article, please see our website.]
DR. DICK SHEPARD “not your ordinary chiropractor”
206-525-4155 • www.networkcare.org 8 3 0 1 8 t h Ave nu e N W • S ea ttl e, Wa shi ng t o n 98 1 1 7
fac e bo o k.c o m / Dr D i c kSh ep ar d