Natural Awakenings Naples/Fort Myers- September 2023

COLLIER / LEE EDITION

Publisher Sharon Bruckman

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Martin Miron

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Travel That Changes Us

As one of eight children, the furthest our parents wanted to travel with a car full of kids was to our summer home on the lake two hours away. It wasn’t until I was 18 that I had the opportunity to travel out of the state of Michigan to Florida while on college break. Experiencing the warm, sunny beaches while it was cold and dreary back home was an awakening of how winters could be lived differently.

Despite my mother’s protests, at age 20 I saved up enough money for a three-month summer backpacking adventure throughout Europe with my boyfriend. The different languages, cultures, currencies and landscapes opened up a new world for me and fueled my love for travel and adventure to this day. The longest road trip I ever took was when I was still in my 20s. That often treacherous drive to deliver a friend’s truck from Michigan to Honduras definitely honed my road skills and upped my adventure meter.

Many of the travel experiences that call to me these days are designed for spiritual, mental and physical renewal, often as part of a group. That’s why Kiki Powers’ feature story, “Traveling With Purpose: Nine Destinations for Spiritual Enlightenment” held such interest. I’ve had the opportunity to experience several of the nine destinations she writes about on page 24. Although each journey holds special significance, top on my list have been Egypt, Israel and the special connection I have to Mt. Shasta, which keeps calling me back, perhaps again this month!

It was fun to interview my two friends, Sue Mahany and Ivette Gomez, about their recent summer trips. For years, I have listened to Ivette’s captivating stories about her pilgrimages along Santiago de Compostela Camino, in Spain. Sometimes I run into her on the Greenway right here in Naples, with her backpack on, arduously training for an upcoming expedition. See page 28 for details.

Still, we don’t have to go that far for adventure. Last month, my sister Mary Jo and I took a camping trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. When a couple of my other siblings and their mates heard about our trip, the travel party grew. With Mary Jo’s 1970 vintage camper and a couple of luxurious RVs on Lake Superior, we weren’t exactly roughing it by then.

This month’s issue offers plenty of tips for your own travel adventures both near and far. But let’s just pray that on the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Ian’s visit with so many still recovering, none of us will be called to do some unexpected travel.

Happy Summering,

Sharon Bruckman, Publisher

Sister Mary Jo’s Vintage Camper

Tahquamenon Falls State Park

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

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September 16 & 17

Charlotte Harbor Event Center • 75 Taylor St. • Punta Gorda Speakers all day, each day, included with daily admission

Spirit Fest Holistic Fair in Punta

The Spirit

Gorda

Fest: Metaphysical and Holistic Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., September 16 and 17, at the Charlotte Harbor Event Center, in Punta Gorda, with 90 practitioners, readers, artists, authors, demonstrations and merchandise vendors. There will also be animal communicators, face painting for kids and adults, aura photography and more. Many speakers and special guests are scheduled to make presentations and lead workshops throughout both days on a wide variety of topics. Free parking is provided and healthy food will be available.

Naples Center for Functional Medicine Adds New Service

FOOD AVAILABLE ON SITE • FREE PARKING ONLY $12 ADMISSION

For discounted admission and more details visit:

SpiritFestUSA.com

Naples Center for Functional Medicine has expanded its Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) services to include bioidentical, plant-derived HRT administered by tiny pellets inserted under the skin. This long-established procedure helps balance testosterone levels in men and testosterone and estrogen levels in women, helping improve libido and decrease fatigue and menopausal mood swings. The use of pellets provides steady, predictable and time-released dosages compared to other methods of delivering HRT, including creams, pills and patches.

“Our event last year was the biggest and best of the year!” says producer Mary Ellen Popyk. “We have vendors from across the country for this year’s show. This will be one of the largest gatherings of crystal vendors in Florida, plus the best readers and practitioners around.”

Admission is $12/each day, $18/both days, free for under 12. Discounts available online. Location: 75 Taylor St. For more information and registration, call 321-313-2543 or visit SpiritFestUSA.com. See ad, page 9.

“Pellet hormone replacement therapy allows us to more effectively treat these common conditions of aging with steadier, more predictable results,” says Dr. Lina Sakr, a functional medicine, anti-aging and women’s health specialist at the practice certified through the American Board of Internal Medicine. “Patients can expect fewer hormonal fluctuations compared to oral or topical administration, along with the personalized attention and whole-health approach that sets the Naples Center for Functional Medicine apart.”

Location: 800 Goodlette Rd., Ste. 270. For appointments and more information, call 239-649-7400 or visit NaplesCFM.com. See ad, page 47.

Dr. Lina Sakr

Learn About Soul Lightening Acupressure

Alvina Quatrano, LMT, owner of the Art of Holistic Massage, will teach a SEVA Stress Release Class on September 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the World Tennis Club, in Naples. Originally known as the Shock Stress Release acupressure formula, it was created in 2001 by Dr. Aminah Raheem and The Soul Lightening faculty as a gift to relieve shock and stress after the events of 9/11. Since its inception, the program has been shared in war zones and areas impacted by hurricanes and earthquakes throughout the world.

The purpose of the SEVA acupressure formula, which uses acupoints along the heart meridian to create calm in the body, is to serve individuals that suffer from stress or shock, or simply want to feel supported and deeply relaxed. Many other outcomes are possible from practicing this gentle acupressure formulae, including resolution of symptoms and personal growth.

“My experience is that focusing on the heart helps a person to settle into themselves. It brings the experience of peace into the body, which is crucial in times of shock and high stress,” says Quatrano.

The World Tennis Club is located at 4802 Airport Rd., in Naples. Select the three-hour SEVA for Self-Care program from 9 a.m. to noon (lunch included) or the three-hour program for using SEVA with others (lunch included). Register at AOHMassage.com. For more information, visit Tinyurl.com/SoulLightningAcupressure, call Alvina Quatrano at 732-266-5276 or email AlvinaQ@AohMassage.com. SEVA Stress Release is also available for anyone on Teachable.com. @acupressurewithsoullightening. See ad, page 9.

Florida Native Lives and Land

At6 p.m., October 3, a Zoom panel discussion will convene with Florida Indigenous tribal members and activists including Samuel Tommie, artist, videographer and environmental activist, and Robert Rosa, chairman of the Florida Indigenous Alliance (FIA) and a member of the Central Florida division of the American Indian Movement (AIM). Other Florida tribal members to be named later will also join the conversation.

The conversation about Florida Native Lives and Land will be facilitated by Jan Booher, a member of the Unitarian Universalist Justice Florida (UUJF), a statewide justice ministry for members of 45 Unitarian Universalist congregations in Florida and their social justice committees in partnership with other interfaith and public interest organizations to promote justice, equity and compassion in public policy.

Hosted by the SWFL RESET Center, this panel discussion is part of an ongoing project, Being a Good Neighbor, sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Social Committee. The project began this year.

Register at Tinyurl.com/FloridaNativeLand. Watch a video with Samuel Tommie at Tinyurl.com/SamuelTommie. Read about Rosa and the Actions at Brickell Square in Miami at Tinyurl.com/RobertRosa.

Is Your Home Making You Sick?

• Mold in microscopic. By the time you see it, a 1 inch square has over a million spores!

• Mold produces a by-product called MYCOTOXINS, a light-weight vapor molecule that easily travels through your HVAC, is easily inhaled and absorbed through your skin.

• It is well known that mold and MYCOTOXINS cause health issues.

• A water issue - even years earlier - could still be haunting your home.

The most common mold that affects our health

appear as dust!

Alvina Quatrano

Rise in Children With Autism

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated statistics on the rate of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which has been on the rise. The data is based on reviews of developmental evaluations and records from medical and educational service providers.

One in 36 children was diagnosed with autism by age 8 in 2020, or about 2.8 percent of children, up from one in 44 children in 2018 and one in 150 children in 2000, when the CDC first began tracking ASD prevalence in this country. Autism was also 3.8 times as prevalent among boys as girls, and for the first time the prevalence was slightly lower among white children compared to other racial and ethnic groups, which is a reversal of racial and ethnic differences observed in the past. However, Black children with ASD remain more likely than white children with ASD to have a co-occurring intellectual disability.

The CDC partially attributes these patterns to improved screening, awareness and access to services. They highlight the importance of accessible and equitable ASD diagnostic treatment and services for children of different backgrounds and call for more research to comprehend the emergence of diagnostic differences across states.

Maryna_Auramchuk/ShutterStock.com

Dealing with Extreme Heat

by Sue Mahany

The New York Times Climate Forward newsletter recently reported that around the globe, temperatures are soaring as the world enters a multiyear period of intense warming fueled by manmade climate change and a naturally occurring El Niño weather pattern, which is releasing a gusher of heat into the atmosphere.

Heat dome and heat index are words that Floridians will likely be hearing more often during summer months. Southwest Floridians have already become acquainted with both this summer. According to NASA’s Earth Observatory, heat domes occur when strong, high-pressure atmospheric conditions trap sweltering heat over large areas. The heat index is what the temperature feels like when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature.

Both are important considerations for our health and comfort, which is why there are frequent heat advisories, heat alerts and excessive heat warnings. Even Floridians living in a sub-tropical climate need heat safety instruction to limit outdoor activity, seek shade and wear a high sun protection factor (SPF) sunscreen between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Wear a wide-brimmed hat to shade the face, ears and back of the neck. Wear sunglasses and clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF). Stay hydrated and cool off at a public place such as a library or cooling station. Individuals can take refuge at cooling stations during their normal hours of operation. Staying hydrated requires two things. Drink reverse osmosis water and add minerals with products such as ConcenTrace mineral drops. They are inexpensive and can be purchased locally or online. The body loses essential minerals, also known as electrolytes, when sweating. Electrolytes are necessary to rehydrate because they are vital to many key functions in the body. To determine the amount of water in ounces an individual should drink on a normal day, divide the body weight by two. When perspiring, drink more. Consuming sports drinks to rehydrate is not the best idea, because they may contain sugar or sweeteners such as sucralose and acesulfame potassium.

Sue Mahany is the owner of Spark Health Technologies. located at 11983 N. Tamiami Tl., Ste. #150, in Naples. For more information, call 802-752-6342 or visit SparkHealthTechnologies.com. See ad, page 23.

An Essential Oil Natural Mosquito Repellent

by Savannah Noir

Individuals that are mosquito magnets will be relieved to learn that there are do-it-yourself natural ways to deter the pesky insects other than the sprays or creams available on store shelves.

Summer rains and temperatures provide the right conditions for these nasty little bloodsucking insects to breed. An unpleasant addition to any summer activity, they can spread illnesses such as zika, dengue fever and malaria. The Florida Department of Health has issued an advisory regarding mosquito born illnesses, so far only in the Sarasota area.

Mosquitoes breed by laying eggs in and near standing water that can accumulate in items such as tires, buckets, toys, pool covers, birdbaths, trash containers, recycling bins, boat or car covers, roof gutters, coolers and pet dishes. At least once a week, empty, turn over or cover these items and keep flower pots and saucers free of standing water. Bromeliads, which hold water in their leaves, should be flushed out weekly with a hose.

Planting lemongrass and citronella plants around the perimeter of a yard provides some protection. There are also many therapeutic essential oils that repel mosquitoes when applied to the skin. Whether in a spray or crème, never apply essential oils directly to the skin. Instead mix them with a carrier oil such as organic olive, almond or coconut oil. Feel free to mix and match several oils, but always include citronella.

Mixing several essential oils such as lavender, peppermint, patchouli, palmarosa, rosemary, pennyroyal, basil, lemon, rose geranium, sage, clove, lemongrass, eucalyptus and always citronella should be done in an eight-ounce spray bottle. Fill the bottle with four ounces of natural witch hazel or 100-proof vodka. Next, add the carrier oil—almond, olive or coconut—almost to the top, followed with 70 drops of citronella, 40 of rosemary, 30 of basil, 20 geranium and 40 drops of the personal choice oils. Apply every four hours.

Testing Acupuncture for Long-Term COVID

Long COVID affects nearly 14 percent of adult patients that had COVID-19. It is characterized by symptoms lasting at least 12 weeks after the initial infection, including fatigue, brain fog and breathlessness. Although there is no standard treatment for this clinical diagnosis, researchers in the UK are currently studying the impact of acupuncture on this lingering condition, as the practice has been successfully used to treat similar symptoms associated with other ailments.

The randomized trial began in 2022 and is expected to collect data from 160 participants until the year 2025. Participants with long COVID are selected if they have a fatigue score greater than five on the COVID-19 Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale. The experimental group will be offered weekly 15-minute acupuncture treatments for six weeks, while the control group will receive no acupuncture treatments. Both groups will be required to complete questionnaires on their general physical and mental fatigue at baseline and at two, six and 12 weeks. Throughout the study, both groups will be provided with general advice on managing their symptoms. As reported by NBC News, the participants receiving acupuncture so far “do seem to be responding” positively to the treatments, according to Dr. Imogen Locke, a clinical oncologist at the Royal Marsden Hospital, in London, who is leading the study.

Andrey_Popov/ShutterStock.com

Global Warming May Threaten Heart Health

As temperatures rise due to global warming, scientists are worried about how extreme heat may impact heart health. Research published in the Journal of Applied Physiology warns that air temperatures as low as 93° F may lead to a steady increase in heart rate under humid conditions. This increase, referred to as cardiovascular heart strain, can occur even before a person’s internal temperature starts to rise.

The study involved healthy participants engaging in light physical activity inside an environmental chamber. As the chamber got hotter, participants’ heart rates increased and then plateaued. However, when the chamber continued to heat up, heart rates began to rise again and continued to rise even after the experiment. This rapidly increased heart rate indicates cardiovascular strain.

A related study published in Physiological Reports reported that even at rest, heat can affect the heart. Researchers found that at 50 percent humidity, the heart rate of participants at rest was, on average, 64 percent higher at 122° F than at 82° F. These findings are concerning, as extreme heat events are becoming more common around the world and could be lethal for vulnerable and older populations.

Light-Emitting

Technology on the Horizon

Researchers from Japan and Germany are developing ecofriendly light devices that use a single layer of organic film mixed with light-emitting materials and an electrolyte. These light-emitting electrochemical cells (LEC) are gaining attention due to their simplified structure and because they consume less energy and cost less than the organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) currently on the market.

The research team is using molecules called dendrimers, new organic materials that can extend the life of LECs. The electrolyte in an LEC can be made from inexpensive materials, such as biomass-derived cellulose acetate, a compound used in clothing fibers and eyeglass frames, whereas OLEDs use rare or heavy metals. Researchers are also using graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms, as the electrode. While the progress is exciting, the developers of this new lighting technology note that more research is needed before it goes to market in order to make the devices brighter and capable of illuminating in three primary colors.

Dr. Gerald Lorino and Dr. Suzanne Lorino

antishock/ShutterStock.com

Ayurvedic Cosmetics on the Rise

In Sanskrit, Ayurveda translates as “the science of everyday living,” and it is one of the world’s oldest systems of medicine. Offering a holistic path for cultivating health and well-being, Ayurveda promotes balance and harmony with the use of natural herbs, plant-based medicines and spices.

According to a recent comprehensive research report by Market Research Future (MRFR), the worldwide Ayurvedic products market size is expected to grow from $12.6 billion in 2023 to $31.8 billion by 2032.

MRFR analysts ascribe this impressive growth to increased availability and public awareness of such goods, as well as a deepening distaste for the adverse side effects of conventional medicines and products.

Demand for Ayurvedic cosmetic products is also on the rise, according to the same MRFR report. Supporting the idea that outer beauty reflects what is going on inside the body, beauty brands like Kama Ayurveda, RANAVAT and Forest Essentials are expanding into the global sector. Their increasing popularity follows broader trends toward organic and natural medicines and “clean beauty”, as well as increasing awareness about toxic ingredients in some Westernproducts.Ayurvedic componentshavebeenusedrecently to balance Western formulas. For instance, in skincare, sandalwood is added as an antioxidant, and turmeric is combined with topical retinoid medications to reduce irritation.

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

Anna Ok/ShutterStock.com

Organizing Spaces in the Home

by Lisa Marlene

From more than 25 years of experience in organizing the offices, files and daily schedules of executives and the spaces in private homes, Cindy Bisanti discovered that organizing was not only a knack that she had, but also a gift she took great pleasure in. The owner of Everybody Needs a Cindy says, “In business, that was expected of me, and I had the carte blanche to organize things without any questions asked and no one looking over my shoulder. Frequently though, in private homes, I found that the hardest part about clients organizing their own personal spaces was that they found it overwhelming. They just couldn’t get started, although they daydreamed a lot about doing it. That’s where having me as personal assistant came in handy. I am there as a neutral party to look at items that have piled up over the years and to ask if they really needed to keep them or if they could be discarded for the sake of space.”

Organizing the spaces in our home, such as the closet, garage, or home office, has the psychological benefit of helping us to feel safe, according to Jennifer Vear Hoy, a licensed psychotherapist in Naples. “We find comfort in the predicable organized spaces where we know we can find things without searching. That makes us feel safe,” says Vear Hoy.

Bisanti frequently hears clients comment, “Once I get my of-

fice streamlined, it will affect my business, and I know I’ll start making more money.”

But often, it’s very challenging to convince those dreamers to shred files and create empty spaces. “They live in a state of perfect chaos,” she says.

What can get someone to move forward with their dreams of organizing their closet is having Bisanti by their side to ask questions and encourage them. Queries such as, “Have you used this in the last six months?” which solicit, “Not in the last year,” responses signal Bisanti to answer, “Then you can probably be just fine without it. Piece by piece, we go through each pile and sort through it all. Generally once fear is overcome, a huge sense of relief is felt, like a weight has been lifted off their shoulders. It makes people feel like they got the wind back in their sails and motivates them to action with their dreams and goals.”

For organizing functional and clutter-free spaces, Bisanti uses many of Google’s best tips. Purge items regularly by taking inventory, dedicate a day to one specific area or item, make it pretty, arrange clothes by color and use drawer organizers to keep things from getting messy.

Bisanti’s advice beyond that is to opt for donating items rather than putting them into the trash, as well as telling her clients not to be afraid to organize upward. She says, “There is lost space in the vertical for people that are used to horizontal spaces. When space is limited, make a trip to Ikea. They are the kings of knowing how to maximize vertical space. I’m a true believer in that.”

For more information, call 239-202-3152 or email EverybodyNeedsaCindy@gmail.com. See ad, page 47.

Meet Joy Gugliuzza

Fort Myers Resident

Work: As a real estate investment advisor with Krise Commercial Group, my job encompasses all aspects of sales, leasing, management, investing in or improving retail property, investment property, farmland, businesses, industrial, medical facilities and lots of other types of properties.

Proudest achievement: Raising my beautiful 8-year-old granddaughter, Ella. Also, earning the loyalty and trust from clients that helps me to find the perfect solution to their needs, whether it be in residential or commercial real estate, while being able to stay on target within their budget.

Expectations for the future: Continue to grow my real estate business while also making a difference in my community, as well as in the lives of others.

Local or global causes supported: I served on the executive leadership board of the American Heart Association, where I was also Circle of Red chair in 2015. For the American Cancer Society, I was sponsorship chair for Making Strides for Breast Cancer. As a member of the Impact Initiative of Southwest Florida, I helped to create a broad community awareness of service. My biggest passion was serving as a member of the founding board of Valerie’s House for five years. Valerie’s House is a special place for children and families in Southwest Florida to connect with one another and learn the tools to heal after they have experienced the death of someone they love.

Favorite thing about Natural Awakenings: I love everything about this magazine, although my favorite is all informative articles that help teach us how to be mindful about our health and well-being on a daily basis.

Where you pick up your copy of Natural Awakenings: Ada’s Natural Market, in Fort Myers

Most frequented healthy food restaurants: Living Vine Organic Café, in Fort Myers. I Love the avocado toast.

How I invest in my community: Volunteering time to local nonprofits or people in need, helping with local or online fundraising efforts, shopping locally, donating resources and practicing patience, kindness and mindfulness.

Favorite inspirational quote: “I never lose. Either I win or learn.” ~

Nelson Mandela

What I am doing to be the change I want to see in the world: I am continuing to practice kindness and love and always remembering to never pass judgement, because I never know what someone is going through.

Medical Tourism

NAVIGATING THE RISKS AND REWARDS

by Sheila Julson

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

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

The town of Los Algodones, Mexico, located just over the U.S.-Mexico border near Baja California, has approximately

300 dental clinics. Known as “Molar City”, the town is a mecca for people looking for more affordable dentistry. U.S. travelers also head to Costa Rica, Turkey and Thailand for elective cosmetic surgery, bariatrics, infertility treatments, orthopedic medicine, cardiology and cancer care, or to obtain low-cost pharmaceuticals.

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

Planning for the Best Outcomes

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

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

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

McTaggart vets medical providers outside of the U.S. by verifying doctor credentials with local regulatory authorities; measuring web reputations; conducting onsite inspections when

possible; posting authentic, patient-verified reviews; removing partners that consistently receive poor reviews; and checking the web for legal and other claims against hospitals or clinics.

Woodman advises that extensive research of foreign hospitals, clinics and providers is crucial for a positive medicaltourism outcome and cautions against making a decision based solely on cost. “There are some bad actors out there that advertise mostly on price to attract U.S. patients. If a clinic advertises that you’ll save 80 or 90 percent off U.S. healthcare prices, be wary—that’s way too high of a discount.”

Other red flags include clinics that are located in strip malls or a lack of verifiable credentials for a provider. “A medical

tourist needs to be a little more adaptable and critical of their surroundings,” Woodman says, adding that even if they’ve made the trip, when the circumstances seem off, a patient should never feel pressured to go through with the treatment or procedure.

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

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

Torrance, DO James Leiber, DO Ignatios Papas,

Duron Lee,

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

Savor the Present Moment

HOW TO ADD MINDFULNESS TO MEALTIME

by Veronica Hinke

Energy Soup—a recipe by the institute’s founder containing an array of vegetables, legumes and grains. “It’s fulfilling, nutritious and cleansing, all in one,” says Executive Director Carolyn Marin. “Key in what makes this a mindful eating meal is that while it is pulsed in a blender, it is not a liquid, and it requires chewing. Also, it is served at room temperature, which helps with mindful eating and proper digestion.”

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

“If we’re mindful of what we eat, when we eat and how we eat, we are supporting the vibrancy of what our bodies are so capable of,” says Dr. Carrie Demers, medical director at the Himalayan Institute, in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. “Studies show that when people stop to sit down and chew their food carefully, they not only eat less, but they actually get more enjoyment out of their meal. Food tastes better when we are actually present with it.”

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

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

Recipes That Enrich Mindful Eating

The Ann Wigmore Natural Health Institute, in Aguada, Puerto Rico, offers a mindful eating class that invites diners to practice with a bowl of Ann Wigmore’s

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

Four Aspects of Mindful Eating

Marc Demers, head chef at The Himalayan Institute, says there are four aspects of mindful eating—right food, right time, right quantity and right attitude or environment—each of which can be individualized and honed to deepen awareness and improve health. Here are his recommendations.

Asier RomeroShutterStock.com

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

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

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

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

Take It Slow and Steady

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

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

Priceless lifetime, life-changing whole health bene ts for less than the cost of a smoothie a week!

GREEK ORZO AND CHICKPEA SALAD

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

YIELD: 4 TO 6 SERVINGS (6 CUPS)

8 oz orzo

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

1 pint grape tomatoes, halved

1 large English cucumber, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 bunch green onions, chopped

1 cup chopped basil

7 oz feta, cut into ½-inch cubes

FOR THE DRESSING:

¼ cup red wine vinegar

2 Tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp honey

1 tsp dried oregano

½ cup olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

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

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

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

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

ANN WIGMORE’S ENERGY SOUP

This soup has several properties that facilitate mindful eating. It is served at room temperature, loaded with diverse ingredients and pulsed, rather than liquified, allowing for purposeful chewing, attentive tasting and proper digestion. The liquid base includes cabbage rejuvelac, a fermented, bubbly probiotic resembling unsalted sauerkraut juice that restores electrolytes, B vitamins and gut balance.

YIELD: 2 TO 4 SERVINGS

½ cup cabbage rejuvelac (recipe below)

1 cup non-starchy vegetables such as zucchini, yellow squash, radishes, beets, carrots, celery or cucumbers, chopped

1 cup non-bitter, leafy greens or herbs, chopped

1 Tbsp seaweed

1 Tbsp lentil or pea sprouts

6 cups sunflower microgreens

2 cups buckwheat microgreens

1 Tbsp grated ginger

1 cup papaya, chopped

1 fresh lime, cut into wedges

FOR THE CABBAGE REJUVELAC:

6 cups red or green cabbage, chopped

3½ cups filtered or spring water

To make the rejuvelac, use a blender to purée the water and cabbage. Pour the mixture into a glass jar, cover and store in a room that is 74°F or warmer for 3 days. Open and close the lid of the jar once each day to release air.

To make the soup, use a blender to combine the rejuvelac, vegetables, seaweed and sprouts, pulsing so as to not overblend, and slowly add the micro greens. Pour into bowls and add ginger, papaya and lime juice. Serve at room temperature.

Can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 weeks.

Recipe and photo courtesy of the Ann Wigmore Natural Health Institute.

Photo by Vincci Tsui

Photo by Carolyn Marin

HEARTY QUINOA SALAD

YIELD: 4 TO 6 SERVINGS (6 CUPS)

⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil

7 Tbsp scallions, sliced thin

1 cup quinoa

1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen

1¾ cups kale, stems removed, finely chopped

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

⅓ cup pesto (dairy or vegan)

⅓ cup sunflower seeds

⅓ cup dried tomatoes, chopped

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo by Himalayan Institute

TRAVELING WITH PURPOSE

NINE DESTINATIONS FOR SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTENMENT

by Kiki Powers

Seeker rests on Machu Picchu while viewing Huayna Picchu in Peru

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

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

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

Mount Shasta

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

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

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

Sedona, Arizona

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

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

Bali, Indonesia

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

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

Maddy M/ ShutterStock.com

Edwin Verin/Shutterstock.com DavideAngelini/ShutterStock.com

Machu Picchu, Peru

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

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

Egypt

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

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

Varanasi, India

Varanasi may be the world’s oldest city, settled more than 4,000 years ago. Located on the banks of the Ganges River, it is regarded as the spiritual heart of India, with a tradition of Hindu mythology, as well as Buddhism. Religious, humanist and secular visitors frequent the evening aarti ceremony, when sadhus

[sages] show their devotion by raising flaming lamps amid the aroma of incense.

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

Kyoto, Japan

Imbued with the rich heritage and history of Zen Buddhism, this enchanting city is an ideal destination for seekers to explore close to 2,000 Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, as well as the iconic Golden Pavilion, where centuries of devotion and wisdom have been housed. Many of these sites also provide inspiring settings for quiet contemplation, meditation and discussions of The Buddha’s teachings.

The traditional tea ceremony offered at numerous venues around the city is a refreshing, meditative practice that cultivates a sense of tranquility and connection to the present moment. Kyoto is also home to exquisite Japanese gardens that illustrate the profound relationship between nature and spirituality in this gentle culture.

Italy

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

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

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

Stonehenge, England

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

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

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

Making the Most of a Spiritual Vacation

by Linda Sechrist

Phil Cousineau, author of The Art of Pilgrimage: The Seeker’s Guide to Making Travel Sacred, specializes in creating meaningful travel experiences and leading tours to sacred sites. “All pilgrimages are a search for meaning and purpose, which is why I prepare groups on how to travel deliberately, ways to experience it and how to integrate the experiences into daily life so they are not forgotten,” he says. Cousineau recommends getting off the bus, putting away the video recorder and simply walking into the landscape. “Remind yourself why you traveled to there,” he says. “Take the deepest, most probing question in your life with you. Chronicle your answer for two to five minutes daily. At the site, look for one detail that represents your entire visit that day and take a photo. Use active imagination to open your heart, rather than waiting for something to happen. Don’t compare your travels. When you are comparing where you are with where you’ve been, there’s no meaning—it becomes just one more purposeless tour.”

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

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Shaiith/ShutterStock.com

Travel Adventures of Two Southwest Floridians

by Linda Sechrist

Summer is the perfect time for vacations to explore exotic locations. Southwest Floridians Sue Mahany, owner of Spark Health Technology, in Naples, and Ivette Gomez, owner of Ivette Gomez Counseling, also in Naples, took vacations that were at the top of their bucket lists for some years.

Sue Mahany - Iceland

A two-day visit to Iceland in July left Mahany feeling as though she had visited a different planet. “It was like no other place in the world,” she enthuses.

At Sky Lagoon, Mahany experienced true Icelandic bathing culture. “Every element of the experience was steeped in earthiness, self-care and relaxation. My husband and I spent our 30th wedding anniversary breathing in the fresh ocean air immersed in the geothermal waters of the lagoon. We signed up for the seven-step wellness ritual, which included as much time as we wanted in the lagoon, followed by a cold plunge, sauna, a do-it-yourself salt scrub, steam room, cold plunge and back to the lagoon. I rarely drink alcohol, but decided that a cooling draft of cider from the swim up bar overlooking the ocean was too good to pass up. After about four hours, we showered and got a tasting

platter of traditional Icelandic fare at the Smakk bar. It included pickled Icelandic vegetables, date and beetroot purée, freshly baked rye bread, fresh hummus, olives and gourmet sauerkraut, mostly all made locally. Sky Lagoon was the nicest spa experience I have ever had.

“The second day, we did an eight-hour bus tour of The Golden Circle that began and ended in Reykjavik. At Kerid Crater, we walked the perimeter of the crater lake, and then descended to the lake. At the geothermal area of Strokkur Geysir, we saw three geysirs of varying strengths with eruptions every 10 minutes, then hiked up a hill overlooking the fertile Haukadalur Valley. Gullfoss Waterfall was next, or “Golden Falls”, which had a 32-meter-deep crevice. Our final stop was Thingvellir National Park, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic

plates are separating at a rate of a few centimeters per year.

“During the bus ride drive, we could look to the south and see immense glacier lakes where people do snowmobile rides. The roads, free of traffic, offered endless, vast views of constantly changing landscapes. We saw Icelandic horses, which are pony-sized Viking horses, and one of the purest breeds in the world. Back in Reykjavik, we found a small hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant called La Poblana with delicious vegan nachos. I’d go back to Iceland just for the nachos, but this time maybe between September and April for the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights. Then there is very little daylight and lots of cold air. My heart is now tied to Iceland and its natural treasures, so a return trip is on the bucket list.”

Ivette Gomez - Santiago de Compostela Camino

Ivette Gomez has walked three segments of Santiago de Compostela Camino in Spain on three different occasions. The 500-mile trek across highways, mountains, valleys, cities, towns and fields is challenging. Known in English as the Way of St. James, the Camino, with its many origin points, is where pilgrims walk to a destination, the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, in northwest Spain. Legend has it that the remains of Apostle Saint James the Great were buried there. Its many routes are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The journey of a lifetime, she describes the unique experience, “The Camino outside yourself takes you to your center, the Santiago within, which is your higher self,” says Gomez, owner of Ivette Gomez Counseling, in Naples.

“On our first eight-day walk from Sarria to Santiago we were eight people with different ways of looking at the world—university dean, engineer, photographer that documented the entire walk, theologist, psychic, nurse, a shelter advocate and me, a therapist. We each brought something to the experience, and because we recognized that relationships are at the core of everything, we knew it was going to be a great learning experience for everyone.

“In 2017, we began training for our first walk, walking eight to 10 miles

at least once a week. We knew that we would be walking from one place to another without knowing where to stay, where to eat or where to rest. We would be depending on our intuition. We just knew that we had to rise early and walk a certain number of kilometers every day to reach a public hostel before dark so as not to disturb the people who had arrived earlier and were already asleep.

“We carried a backpack that included only the things we needed. For our first walk, the backpacks were bigger, and by the second and third trip, they were much smaller and lighter, because we realized that we could minimize with one set of extra clothing, toiletries, sunscreen, hat, hiking boots or shoes, a pair of wool socks, sleepwear and rain -

wear. We washed the clothes we walked in every night.

“One of my inspirations for walking the Camino was Shirley MacLaine’s book, The Camino: A Journey of the Spirit. Once I had the experience of the Camino and I felt the energy below my feet, I felt compelled to do it again.

Walking the Camino is a very simple life. You begin to enjoy just taking a shower, eating together and staying at albergues (shelters), where you meet people from all over the world. The first night of our first walk we had 25 people in the same room.”

To contact Sue Mahany, see ad on page 23.

To contact Ivette Gomez, call 239-2722096.

Travel can broaden our perspective of the world and take us on breathtaking adventures. These new experiences, however, often come with unexpected mental and physical challenges, stresses and anxieties. By incorporating yoga into the itinerary, we can cultivate a sense of peace, allowing us to show up as our best selves. From asanas after long hours of sitting to breathing exercises while waiting for a flight, yogic techniques can open the body and mind, letting us enjoy both the journey and destination.

According to Jenny Kaufman, a Chicago-based yoga professional who leads international retreats and manages yogaview, in Wilmette, Illinois, a mindful yoga practice is different from stretching and is available for anyone, regardless of physical flexibility. “Yoga encompasses well-being, mindfulness, breathing and spiritual awareness. It leads you to pull inward, notice what

Yoga on Vacation

SIMPLE POSES AND TIPS FOR TRAVELERS

by Carrie Jackson

and where you feel a sensation, and mindfully progress to another asana, or pose. Increased flexibility might be the byproduct of the practice, but that is not the point,” she explains.

“Long layovers, changing time zones and different foods can confuse our internal clocks and wreak havoc on sleep and digestion,” Kaufman says. She recommends some poses to mitigate disruption and bring renewed vigor to body and mind: “To wind down before bed, incorporate cooling postures, such as Seated Forward Bend and Child’s Pose, that encourage the body to fold in and rest. For a burst of energy, try warming poses and heart openers, such as Cobra, Sphinx and Backbends. If space is limited, stand with fingers interlaced behind the back and gently press the pelvis forward. If digestion is slowed, simple twists and Wind-Relieving Pose can help move things along.”

Kim Larkin, a New Jersey-based certified yoga teacher, leads international retreats as a way to share heart-opening cultural adventures with other curious beings. “My main practice when travel stress is creeping in is to drop my attention into my breath,” she says. “Just focusing on one breath cycle at a time

will help to settle my attention into my body, begin to quiet my nervous system and bring me to a more grounded place. It can also be helpful to count the breath, as in Sama Vritti Pranayama or “box breathing”. Like a square, box breathing has four even- length parts to it. Inhale to a count of four or five; hold the inhale for the same count; exhale to four or five; and hold at the bottom of the exhale. Repeating this as needed helps to calm both the mind and body.”

Margi Young, an Oakland, Californiabased yoga instructor and retreat leader, says, “When traveling, it’s natural to want to jump into a busy schedule of exploring new destinations, but starting the day with a few conscious breaths and Sun Salutations can set the foundation for a more grounded experience. This allows you to be your best self and move through your journeys with less anxiety and fresh eyes. Or, get off the traditional yoga script and take a few minutes to put on your favorite tunes and dance to get into your body.”

Young also recommends incorporating yoga throughout the day while traveling to reset from any physical and mental stress. “In an airport, find a secluded place you feel comfortable doing a Downward Dog. Instead of putting your hands on the ground, you could put them on the seat of a chair. This grounding pose

lengthens the spine, opens the shoulders and draws your attention inward,” she explains. “On a plane or bus, reaching your arms overhead gives space to condensed organs; ankle circles help increase circulation; and seated Figure Four opens up tight hips,” she advises.

If time allows, Young also suggests finding a yoga studio and popping in for a class. “Taking a yoga class in a new country or city can provide an immediate sense of community and is often a uniting gateway to other connections when navigating new and different surroundings,” she asserts.

Yoga helps to develop patience, an aptitude that Kaufman says can serve us throughout our travels. “Mindfully moving through a practice encourages us to listen and be patient with our bodies, and it provides valuable feedback on where we are and what we need. Instead of jumping into a deep stretch, purposefully encourage the hamstring to open up and notice how that feels. Cultivating that patience for

ourselves changes the chemistry in your brain and becomes a microcosm for how you put yourself into the world. You’re able to be more patient with flight attendants, travel partners and everyone else you may encounter,” she shares.

For Larkin, practicing yoga while traveling cultivates inner peace. “The stress of travel can bring out the worst in us, but we can do our best to stay kind and considerate by keeping in mind the yoga

teaching of Ahimsa: non-harming,” she says. “Most things work out, even if you lose your luggage or miss your flight. And most people are good, wanting to help you find your luggage or rebook your flight or commiserate when your vacation didn’t go quite to plan.”

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

Acupuncture for Athletic Injuries

by Terri Evans

Often overlooked, acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine are great ways to heal and prevent sports injuries. They can also enhance performance, especially in mature athletes. The acupuncture physician may include other modalities such as massage, cupping and gua sha to shorten recovery time, reduce stiffness, swelling and tension.

Gua sha is a traditional Chinese healing method. The therapist uses a smooth-edged, stone-like tool to stroke the skin while pressing on it. People use the method to treat chronic pain all over the body, and frequently along with other complementary treatments such as massage and acupuncture.

Cupping is an ancient form of alternative healing. A therapist puts special small cups, generally made of glass, on the skin to create suction. Dating back to ancient Egyptian and Chinese cultures, it is used today for many purposes such as pain, inflammation and blood flow.

Acupuncture, which can improve range of motion and therefore performance, can also address injury causing symptoms. Many athletes experience repetitive strain injuries, overexertion, sprains and strains, and use painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications to dull and reduce inflammation. This may be a temporary fix to the symptoms and mask the root of the injury, but does not lead to healing, because pain killers and antiinflammatories do not heal. They only give temporary relief.

Acupuncture and its many modalities address the fascia of the body that is no longer functioning optimally and hindering movement and performance. Fascia is a threedimensional webbing throughout the entire body which creates stability to the structure, protects the body from injury and protects injuries while healing. It’s normally supple,

stretchy and flexible, allowing it to slide around the muscles and joints, but when fascia gets stiff and sticky, the body experiences areas of sensitivity and tightness, a reduced range of motion and chronic pain.

An acupuncture physician generally works with an athlete after some type of injury to get them back on the court, golf course, to the gym, etc. The result is often that an athlete’s performance is increased with greater mobility after injury. Lack of movement or hindered movement means hindered performance.

The problem is generally not where the pain is felt, therefore a thorough postural assessment is necessary to get to the root or causative factor. A good acupuncture physician gives the client homework to enhance the healing process, creates more of a team effort and educates athletes about self-care. Athletes frequently push their bodies to the limit, therefore the importance of regular visits is emphasized to make sure things get on track and stay on track.

Doctor of Oriental Medicine Terri Evans is the owner of Tae Healthy Aging Center, located at 11983 Tamiami Tr. N., Ste. 100A, in Naples. For more information, call 239-430-6800 or visit TaeHealthyAging.com. See ad, page 34.

awakenings

Lisa Doyle-Mitchell

The Healing Power of Love

by Yvette Lynn

Lisa Doyle-Mitchell easily recalls some of the details of her wake-up call 19 years ago. Seeing double, feeling extremely tired and like her brain was fuzzy, losing her hearing in her left ear and in a permanent state of vertigo, Doyle-Mitchell made an appointment with her doctor, who recommended a brain scan and Optiscan. They came back negative prompting her doctor to refer to a neuro-ophthalmologist that sent her for an MRI which showed four brain lesions. “He diagnosed me with multiple sclerosis and told me I would end up in a wheelchair,” says Doyle-Mitchell.

Refusing the diagnosis, the doctor informed Doyle-Mitchell that she was in denial. Pointing to the four lesions on the scan, he responded, “Here are your lesions. They may be old, but nonetheless, you have MS.” After a 30-minute self-pity party, Doyle-Mitchell set a clear intention to overcome the illness. “Leaving with the scans and doctor’s words, ‘They may be old,’ ringing in my ears, I began reflecting on how this situation had come about. I’d believed that whatever manifested in my physical body was connected to my mental and spiritual bodies. More reflection shook loose a memory of one year earlier. I’d received profoundly bad news from a family member, which left me feeling grief and abandonment. I’d continued clinging to the baggage and resentment, which had only harmed me. I identified the four people in my life that I’d been holding hostage with my harboring of bitterness and anger. I named the four lesions. Two of them were my caretakers. Radical forgiveness was the first tool I chose for my toolbox,” says Doyle-Mitchell.

Natural Awakenings magazine became the resource guide for Doyle-Mitchell to find health practitioners. She declared herself an open channel to receive what she needed to know for her highest good. “That’s when the gifts began to flow,” she advises. Friends and clients dropped off literature, made health drinks and gave massages. Her parents cooked and helped with her 9-year-old son. A company she previously worked for in Brooklyn took up a collection and sent her thousands of dollars because she had no health insurance. “The best gift was the love I allowed into my world. I couldn’t believe I’d pushed it out for so long,” recalls Doyle-Mitchell.

Being bedridden with relentless exhaustion allowed DoyleMitchell to be the recipient of unconditional love. “If I didn’t change from the inside-out, I knew my body would continue to deteriorate and take control of my life. I found that unacceptable. My healing journey included reaching out for help, a big stretch for me. Every time I got a helping hand or words of encouragement, I was beyond grateful. The more grateful I was, the more gifts came to me, including a woman named Elizabeth who owned a wellness center in Northport.

Elizabeth helped Doyle-Mitchell explore alternative therapies such as biofeedback, acupuncture, herbs and opening her heart to what she needed to know for her highest good. “Eight weeks after my diagnosis and first treatment with her, my eye patch was irritating me. I took it off and was able to see. Elizabeth created a nutritional plan, affirmations and spiritual exercises that would enable me to tap into my core and heal. I continued my forgiveness work and set personal boundaries. After two months, my symptoms were disappearing. I never went back to the doctor,” advises Doyle-Mitchell.

Today, Doyle-Mitchell is symptom-free. “When I get a popping in my left ear, the ear I lost hearing in, I know it’s my body telling me to stop and figure out what changes I need to make. Clear intentions, willingness, surrender, forgiveness and gratitude enabled me to heal. There was no one silver bullet. It was a combination of therapies, personal work and affirmations. Now in my business, Blue Star Biofeedback, I recommend any of them, because I’ve used them and I know they can work for others,” she says.

For contact information, see Lisa Doyle’s ad on page 6.

one silver bullet. It was a combination of

Lisa Doyle-Mitchell

Clear intentions, willingness, surrender, forgiveness and gratitude enabled me to heal. There was no

therapies, personal work and affirmations.

Stephen Cope ON

FINDING YOUR CALLING

by Sandra Yeyati

Specializing in the relationship between Eastern contemplative traditions and Western psychology, Stephen Cope has been a scholar-inresidence for more than three decades at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, the largest residential yoga center in North America. He also founded the Kripalu Institute for Extraordinary Living, a global network of scientists that researches the effects and mechanisms of yoga-based practices. Cope is a classically trained pianist, dancer and psychotherapist, as well as the bestselling author of Yoga and the Quest for the True Self, The Wisdom of Yoga and The Great Work of Your Life. His latest book is The Dharma in Difficult Times: Finding Your Calling in Times of Loss, Change, Struggle and Doubt.

Why is it important to find our calling?

In classical yoga, there’s a view that everybody has a vocation. The earliest myth that supports this dates back several thousand years to the Vedic tradition in India and involves the god Indra, who is said to have cast a vast net over the entire universe. At each vertex of this net there’s a gem, and that gem is an individual soul whose job is to hold together the net at that point.

This introduces the view that each of us has a responsibility to contribute our gifts in such a way that we hold together our little piece of the net. If we don’t, the net starts to unravel. Dharma is Sanskrit for sacred vocation or sacred duty, which comes from the root dhri, “to hold together”. It’s this fascinating notion that we

have a responsibility to our own idiosyncratic genius, which sustains not only us by providing a fulfilling life, but also the whole world by taking care of our corner of the world.

How can we find our life’s purpose?

The practice of yoga and meditation is about increasing our connection with the subtle, internal world. Thoreau called it the distant drummer. While our culture constantly draws us out and distracts us, Eastern contemplative traditions invite us to quiet our monkey mind and listen inside to that still, small voice that is attuned to our deepest needs and to the way the world works. It’s that awake, or enlightened, part of the mind that can connect you to your true calling.

There are three questions that people can ask themselves.

photo courtesy of Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health

First: What lights you up? This is an energetic experience in our bodies when we come close to the occupation or endeavors that are important to our soul. Get familiar on a day-to-day basis with what lights you up, then slowly move toward those things and integrate them into your life.

Second: What duties do you feel called to? I don’t mean those onerous things that are imposed on us by our culture. I mean a duty that if you don’t do it in this lifetime, you’ll feel a profound sense of regret and self-betrayal.

Third: What problems or difficulties are you facing in your life right now? Difficulties can point you to something that might be your dharma. Marion Woodman, a good friend and feminist who was diagnosed with bone cancer in her mid-60s, decided to close her psychoanalytic practice and devote the rest of her life to being in relationship with the cancer, investigating it as her calling. Very often, somebody’s calling is something really difficult they’re experiencing, like an unhappy marriage or dissatisfaction in career, and their dharma is to investigate what this means for their life.

How do we follow the still, small voice when it feels like we’re stepping off the cliff?

Robert Frost stepped off a series of smaller curbs that added up to a cliff. He was concerned, as we all are, about security, making money and keeping his family safe, so he became a teacher. But there was a point at which he had to give up teaching and follow this deep voice that said, “Poetry is your calling.” He was 38 when he made the final decision to let go of other sources of income, and when he did that, his poetry came alive.

What advice do you have for fulfilling our life’s work?

In the Bhagavad Gita [Hindu scripture], there are four pillars of dharma. The first is discernment—finding your calling in

this lifetime. The second—the doctrine of unified action—is to bring everything you’ve got to whatever you decide is your calling. Third is to let go of the outcome, also known as relinquishing the fruit. The ancient yogis discovered that if you’re grasping for a particular outcome, it takes you out of the moment and into some future fantasized moment. By letting go, you empower yourself to be more present to the possibilities of the moment. The fourth pillar is to turn the whole process over to God or to something bigger than just yourself. My friends who don’t believe in a higher power or god understand that concept of dedication to the planet, to humanity or to all beings.

Are you hopeful about the future?

Very hopeful. The contemplative traditions discovered that human beings

who were jivanmukta , or soul-awake, were special versions of human beings in that they had capacities of compassion, lovingkindness, joy, generosity and selflessness. Those qualities, which are developed in the practice of yoga and meditation, add to the common good. I’m hopeful that as we become everything we can be, we will have the capacity to solve some of the huge problems that we have. As reckless as we are these days with our world, human beings have very often risen to the challenge of complex dilemmas and resolved them. As we come together, we start manifesting unified action. The power of human beings working together for the common good is almost limitless.

Sandra Yeyati is the national editor of Natural Awakenings.

Helping Kids Cope

GUIDING CHILDREN THROUGH TRAUMA AND ANXIETY

by Carrie Jackson

A2010 study published by the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, at Harvard University, reports that persistent fear and chronic anxiety can have lifelong consequences by disrupting the developing architecture of the brain. Parents can help anxious kids by modeling stressmanagement and problem-solving techniques, and inviting their children to talk about their feelings.

Acknowledging and Coping With Fear

While each child’s anxiety is unique, the themes are often universal. “Children fear not being liked, being made fun of, failing when they try new things, getting hurt, losing a loved one, being left out and not fitting in. If this list seems familiar, it’s because they are all the same fears adults have too,” says Michelle Nelson-Schmidt, an author and illustrator of 32 children’s books, including What If I Know My Feelings? and The Whatif Monster series “It is debilitating when we don’t talk about our fears and anxieties. Children often don’t have the vocabulary to verbalize their fears, so they bottle it up, letting fears get bigger and scarier. The earlier they learn that it’s okay to be scared, to talk about their fears and to ask for help, the less power fear and anxiety will have over their brains.”

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

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

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

you are hunching your shoulders or clenching your jaw, make mindful adjustments to reset and settle the body and nervous system.”

Overcoming Anxiety After a Traumatic Event

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

According to Fleischer, “While there is little control of one’s outside world and circumstances, kids can find calm in a storm through strategies like deep breathing, recognizing your five senses, listening to music, reaching out to loved ones, using ice packs for sensory intervention and giving oneself a strong bear hug. Students will get to know which ones work for them. It is also essential to disrupt maladaptive coping mechanisms like avoidance, which do not allow for the practice of these healthier ways of self-management.”

Building Resilience for the Future

“Thoughts are the language of the mind, and feelings are the language of the body,” Penn counsels. “When stress develops, have kids draw three pictures identifying what it looks like for them. The first is a picture of themselves right now; the second is the challenge they’re facing; and the third is how they will feel when the challenge is resolved. This gives children control over their feelings, allowing them to self-soothe and creatively work through challenging situations. When children learn to be adaptable, flexible and imaginative critical thinkers, they can respond to even the darkest days and move forward with grace and hope.”

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

Parental Neglect in the Digital Age

by Jennifer Vear Hoy

Studies show that modern parents are far too free with internet access and social media use, and far too overprotective in the real world. This leads to a lack of coping skills and numerous other consequences, such as higher rates of sadness, loneliness and depression.

Gone are the days when childhood meant playing outside, tumbling in the woods, going on adventures and the classic parent’s statement, “Be back before dark.” These formative years of play and social interaction with others help kids and teens develop key skills. Social media does not replace real-world relationships. Only the parent knows their child, and some require more supervision than oth-

ers. Overprotective parenting normally harms, rather than helps children.

While middle-schoolers and younger children are generally given unrestricted access to the web, many parents ignore this because they can’t keep up with the technology. This unrestricted access is disastrous to a child’s well-being.

The greatest risk to children is online, and this includes sexual predators. In one study, 40 percent of middle school students said they would accept friend requests from strangers on social media. According to the FBI, “An estimated 89 percent of sexual advances directed at children occur in internet chatrooms or through instant messaging.” Childhood predators now primarily groom children through the internet, rather than in the real world.

This doesn’t address pornography, which exists on essentially all platforms. As the website Fight the New Drug points out, “If 60 percent of 10- and 11-year-olds have smartphones, is it really surprising that sometimes they will encounter pornography online, whether they are looking for it or not?”

Paying attention to a child’s internet and social media habits pays dividends.

Jennifer Vear Hoy, a practicing psychotherapist, is the owner of Peaceful Summit Counseling, located at 1048 Goodlette Rd., Ste. 201, in Naples. For appointments and more information, call 239307-4708 or visit PeacefulSummitNaples.com. See ad, page 5.

Nature’s Germ Killer

Stop germs before you get sick

Science proves pure copper kills germs fast.

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

Stop germs in nose, on skin

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

Use a CopperZap against:

Colds, Flu, Covid.

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

Sleep loss due to Congestion

Pink Eye and Styes

Infected sores or skin lesions

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

Cuts or wounds getting infected

Getting sick after Air Travel

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

Users say:

“It works! I love it!”

“Is it supposed to work that fast?”

“One of the best presents ever.”

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

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

The handle is curved and textured for maximum contact with your fingers and hands in case you touch things a sick person touched and pick up their germs. EPA tests show copper works just as well when it is tarnished. Easy to clean. Easy to use. Comes with Directions. Use over and over again. Never wears out. 90-day Money-back Guarantee. Top BBB rating. Price $79.95. Get $10 off each with code NATA37. See CopperZap.com or call 888-411-6114 toll-free.

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

ADVERTORIAL

DOG PARENTING

HOW TO SHAPE BEHAVIOR AND STRENGTHEN OUR BOND

by Karen Shaw Becker, DVM

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

A 2022 study in the journal Animal Cognition found that authoritative pet parents, defined as those with high expectations for their dogs, have the most positive influence on the behavior and cognition of their pets. The study’s co-author, Monique Udell, an associate professor at Oregon State University, says, “We found that pet parenting style does predict patterns of dog behavior and cognition. This is an important finding because it

suggests that dog owners who take the time to understand and meet their dog’s needs are more likely to end up with secure, resilient dogs.”

Pet Parenting Styles

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

n Authoritative (high expectations, high responsiveness)

n Authoritarian (high expectations, low responsiveness)

n Permissive (low expectations, low responsiveness)

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

Understanding the Human-Canine Connection

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

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

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

A Japanese study involving 55 dogs and owners proved that when we share loving visual connections with our dogs,

everyone benefits. The researchers found that people whose dogs looked upon them for two minutes or more showed increased levels of oxytocin and claimed to be happier than owners whose dogs regarded them for a minute or less.

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

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

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

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

How Should I Wear My Hair?

Embrace the Winding Road

by Marlaina Donato

A half hour long beauty consultation that analyzes a series of facial measurements to help determine the moSt Flattering hair Style that you can wear now.

Life’s transitions can feel like a broken bead necklace, with scattered pieces of ourselves waiting to be restrung. When we pack up our lives to move into a new home or organize neglected drawers, we may stir up clouds of bittersweet memories. Watching our kids leave the nest, we might wonder where the time has gone. As a new self struggles to emerge from the chrysalis, our hormones might take us on a rollercoaster ride before unveiling breathtaking wings.

At times, we have one foot on shifting sands and the other in midair, waiting to connect to solid ground. Inspirational author Neale Donald Walsch says, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone”—wise words for those of us that are halfway across the rickety swinging bridge of change.

Breaking our own rules can gift us with a brand of freedom that we’ve only imagined. Seasoned travelers and weekend adventurers might agree that setting aside plans and maps invites unforeseen magic. Ordering something we cannot pronounce on the menu, turning left instead of right or revisiting an old dream might be a wonderful decision.

When we take our hands off the wheel and float into possibility, the universe smiles and nudges our secret longing for something new, something more harmonically aligned with our own unique frequency. Meeting life in the moment, wherever we happen to be, can be a challenging but rewarding spiritual discipline.

When we take a deep breath and turn the page, life deepens in color and gets more interesting. When we resist the well-meaning way that has been carved out for us and choose to go off the beaten path despite the uncertainty ahead, we will meet ourselves more deeply, no matter what happens. Perhaps this is the meaning behind it all—the magical door we seek. Honoring the sanctity of change is the key to fulfillment.

Marlaina Donato is an author, visionary painter and composer. Connect at JaguarFlower.art.

calendar of events

The events described in this section were scheduled to take place at the time we went to press. Please check ahead to confirm their status.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

The Centers for the Arts in Bonita Springs Reception – 6-8pm. for a new exhibition titled I SWFL exhibition and a second exhibit of found objects combined with ceramics titled Ceramics: The Far Side. 10150 Bonita Beach Rd. 239-4958989. ArtCenterBonita.org.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

Dwelling in the Brahmaviharas: Reorienting Life with Kindness, Compassion, Joy and Equanimity – Saturdays, Sept 9-30. 6:30-8:30pm. Brahmavihara is the Buddhist term which can be translated as the divine abodes, or the immeasurables. Learn about each of these abodes and their causes. Heart Space Yoga Collective, 13451 McGregor Blvd, Ste 30, Ft Myers. 941-888-0116. Register: CaloosahatcheeMindfulness.org. See ad on page 5.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER

10

SEVA Stress Release Class – 9am-4pm. With Alvina Quatrano. The SEVA acupressure formula uses acupoints along the heart meridian to create calm in the body. Part 1, SEVA Self-care program, 9am-12pm; Part 2, SEVA with others, 1-4pm. $60/ part, $120/both. World Tennis Club, 4802 Airport Rd, Naples. Register: AOHMassage.com. More info: Tinyurl.com/SoulLightening. See ad on page 9 and Event Spotlight on page 10.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

Yoga-Wise Workshop – Tuesdays, Sept 12-26. 6:15-7:30pm. With Kandy. Yoga tunes and tones you, your energy field, body, mind and heart. Kandy’s playful and encouraging class guides you through movements and breath patterns with awareness of your own innate magic. No prior experience needed. Lotus Blossom Clinic, 6710 Winkler Rd, Ste 2, Ft Myers. Register: 239-851-8815 (text) or YoginiKandy62@

gmail.com. LotusBlossomClinic.com. See ad on page 45.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

Spirit Fest: Holistic Metaphysical and Crystal Expo – Sept 16-17. 10am-6pm, Sat; 10am5:30pm, Sun. Enjoy 90 booths with vendors, practitioners, intuitive readers, artists and demonstrations. See website for more details and discounted admission. $12/day, free/age 12 & under. Charlotte Harbor Event Center, 75 Taylor St, Punta Gorda. SpiritFestUSA.com. See ad on page 9 and news brief on page 8.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

Sound Bath with Harmonic Alignment – 4:456pm. With Natalie Batty. Relax and recharge yourself through the healing vibrations of seven crystal singing bowls, Native American flute, drumming, Koshi chimes, singing, toning and more. $35. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239-692-9747. LoveYogaCenter. com. See ad, page 17.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

KundaFlow Yoga and Gong Bath – 123pm. With DamaDé. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239-692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

Peace Day Block Party – 10am-5pm. Includes food trucks, vendor and artist booths, live music, entertainment, and fun for the whole family. Theme: Community: Flow with It! Grow with It! Free. All of Cottage Street surrounding CasaShanti, 2052 Cottage St, Fort Myers. Tinyurl.com/ CasaShantiPeaceDay. See ad on page 31.

Ohmega Sound Experience – 4-6pm. $40. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239-692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

daily

Electromagnetic Frequency Assessments – Renee Walsh, owner of Alchemy of Love and Truth Healing Arts, in Naples, is providing electromagnetic frequency (EMF) home assessments with corresponding mitigation strategies at residences throughout our area. For more info, arrange for a free, 15-min consultation or to schedule: 239250-5115 or AlchemyOfLoveAndTruth.com. See ad, page 15.

Sunset/Bird Rookery Kayak To ur – 5:308:30pm. GAEA Guides on the Caloosahatchee River. See thousands of birds coming in to roost for the night and a great view of the sunset. $60 includes all equipment and Naturalist Guide. Other tours available also. Ft Myers. 239-694-5513. GAEAGuides.com.

sunday

Yin Yoga – 6:30-7:45pm. In-studio with Tara. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239-692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

monday

Healthy Happy Hour – 2-5pm. Also held Wed and Fri. Specially priced IV nutrient/rehydration therapy and vitamin injections from the IV nutrient experts. Root Causes Holistic Health & Medicine, 12734 Kenwood Ln, Ste 56, Ft Myers. 239-425-2900. rtcausesmd.com/iv-therapy.html.

See ad, page 34.

Ashtanga Mysore Open Studio – 6-8:30am. MonFri, except moon days. New time for the summer. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239-692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

tuesday

Kayak Tour: Royal Palm Park Caloosahatchee River and Creeks – 10am-1pm. Also held Sat. Many birds nest on the island we will go near. We also go up some wild creeks in the Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve. $60. Ft Myers. RSVP: 239-6945513 or GAEAGuides.com.

Estuary Kayak Tour in Estero Bay – 10am-1pm. Also held Sat. Birds, dolphins, manatees and more. Paddle on the beautiful waters of the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve and the inside waters of Lovers’ Key State Park. GAEA Guides. $60. Bonita Beach. 239. 694-5513. GAEAGuides.com.

Kundalini – 11am. With DamaDé. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239-692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

wednesday

Wednesday Morning Book Club – 10-11:30am. With Helen Leddy. Free to Members. Zoom. 941-888-0116. CaloosahatcheeMindfulness.org.

Sangha Midweek Meditation – 6-7pm. Relax and calm the mind and body, and practice meditation and deep listening together with us. Free. Zoom. 941888-0116. Register: CaloosahatcheeMindfulness.org.

A Search for God Edgar Cayce Study Group – 6-8pm. Weekly study group meeting based on the Edgar Cayce readings. New members welcome. Free. Unity of Fort Myers Sanctuary, 11120 Ranchette Rd, Ft Myers. 850-556-7604. JaneSelman@gmail.com. UnityOfFortMyers.org.

thursday

Kundalini Class – 11am. With Julie. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

Crystal Bowls Sound Bath Meditation – 6:457:45pm. Relax while frequencies reverberate through the body, bringing it back to a state of harmonic resonance, promoting deep relaxation and healing on all levels. $15. Lotus Blossom Clinic, 6710 Winkler Rd, Ste 2, Ft Myers. Register, Stephanie Niles: ananyaj1025@gmail.com. LotusBlossomClinic.com.

friday

Take a Time Out: Friday Meditations – 10-10:am and 5-5:30pm. With Maggie Stevens. Free. Zoom. 941-888-0116. CaloosahatcheeMindfulness.org.

Sound Healing – 1-4pm. With Alyssa. nuYou Naples, 3415 Radio Rd, Ste 101, Naples. 239285-0094. nuYouNaples.com.

Live Music – 6-9pm. Rotating list of local artists entertain guests in the courtyard. Free. Food & Thought, 2132 Tamiami Tr N, Naples. 239-2132222. FoodAndThought.com.

saturday

Love Flow – 10-11:15am. In-studio with Tara. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239-692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

Live Music – 6-9pm. Rotating list of local artists entertain guests in the courtyard. Free. Food & Thought, 2132 Tamiami Tr N, Naples. 239-2132222. FoodAndThought.com.

community resource guide

Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide email ChristineM@swflNaturalAwakenings.com for Collier County or LisaD@swflNaturalAwakenings.com for Lee County to request our media kit.

ACUPUNCTURE

ACUPUNCTURE CENTER OF NAPLES

Dr. Xiu Qiong Cen, AP, OMD (China) 5683 Naples Blvd, Naples 34109 P: 239-513-9232 • F: 239-513-9293 DrCenAcupuncture@gmail.com

Licensed acupuncture physician with 28 years experience in acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Experienced in pain management, women’s health, insomnia, migraines, digestion issues and much more. See ad, page 4.

LOTUS BLOSSOM CLINIC

Acupuncture – Oriental Medicine

David Martin, AP, DOM Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Estero, Bonita 239-277-1399 • LotusBlossomClinic.com

Offering treatment for many health issues: pain, anxiety, stress, PTSD, fertility, heart, strokes, digestive and immune disorders. U.S. veterans: no cost with a V.A. referral.

PHYLLIS C. WEBER, AP

Acupuncture/Oriental Medicine

6249 Presidential Ct, Ste E, Ft Myers 33919 239-841-6611 • GulfCoastAcupuncture.com

Specializing in pain, chronic disorders, overall wellness, allergy treatments (NAET) and kinesiology. Acupuncture stimulates the body’s ability to heal all on its own! AP771.

AYURVEDA

CHRISTINA CARLIN, AYURVEDIC PRACTITIONER

Ayurveda Clinic, Massage & Yoga Therapy

501 Goodlette-Frank Rd N, Ste A107, Naples 34102 • 239-450-6903

Practicing holistic medicine since 1987. Professional Member of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association, specializing in highly personalized Ayurvedic treatments and lifestyle consultations, massage and individual yoga sessions for chronic and acute problems. Pancha Karma, Shirodhara and skin care. Ayurveda and Yoga Study program available. MA0023929, MM0008584, FB0716888. See ad, page 4.

BODYWORK

ART OF HOLISTIC MASSAGE Est. 1991 Alvina Quatrano, LMT FL MA 50896 For Info or Appt: 732-266-5276 AOHMassage.com

Zero Balancing, Process Acupressure, Reiki. Webinar classes all discounted; call for registration. Reflexology, SEVA Stress Release, Insomnia, MT’s get CEs. Free self-massage video at AOHMassage.com.

PAULA TERRY, LMT

239-821-3088, by appt. (Collier & Lee)

Trained at the Upledger Institute, Paula utilizes CranioSacral Therapy combined with Heart-Centered Therapy, Somato Emotional Release™, Lymphatic Drainage, love and nurturement to foster the healing your body needs. Doula services. MA35358.

CHIROPRACTOR

NETWORK CHIROPRACTOR

Dr. Michele Pelletiere 3411 Bonita Beach Rd, Ste 302, Bonita Springs • 239-949-1222

N.S.A. Practitioner level III. “Healing waves” release tension throughout the body, increasing wellness and quality of life, promoting new strategies for a healthy spine and nervous system.

COLON THERAPY

RB INSTITUTE, INC.

C. Robyn Berry, LMT, CRR, CCT, CLDT Moving office in progress TBA Ft Myers • 239-939-4646 • RobynBerry.com

Since 1993, Gravity enclosed Colonics using UV/oxygen/ozone sterilized medical grade water. Also more than 33 years Veteran Therapeutic Massage Therapist. Proficient in deep tissue, sports and Relaxing Pure Fiji massage. Reflexology, Crainosacral, Visceral Manipulation, Manual Lymph Drainage and Xp2 System, Heart Centered Therapy, Raindrop Therapy, ear candling, MPS, Halo Photonic BlueViolet Lazer Botanical System, Asyra/Qest4 MSA Biofeedback Meridian Stress Analysis, ozone steam cabinet and applied ozone therapies, infrared sauna, ionic foot detox by AMD, BEMER, Power Plate, hyperbaric chamber. MM7376. MA18351.

COMPOUNDING PHARMACY

UPTOWN CHEMIST

Pharmacy, Compounding, Wellness

Norman Ruiz-Castaneda, PharmD, Owner/Pharmacist

2700 Immokalee Rd, Ste 24, Naples 239-431-4217 • UptownChemist.com

Norman is a licensed pharmacist with 15+ years of experience, specializing in compounding. He offers a personable approach in consultation, practicing with integrative medicine and fostering a relationship with the prescribing doctor; creating a “hometown” pharmacy for all of our patients.

DENTAL HEALTH

GO NATURAL DENTISTRY

Yolanda Cintron, DMD 2021 E Commercial Blvd, Ste 208 Ft Lauderdale FL 33308 • 855-381-6001 954-945-7355 (new patients)

GoNaturalDentistry.com

All phases of dentistry for optimum health, holistic, bio-compatible dentistry. Sedation dentistry. Removing of toxic metals, replacing them with bio-compatible materials. Laser dentistry for painless surgeries and extractions. Zirconia/ceramic implants. Natural bone augmentation/ plasma rich growth factor. Oral DNA testing. Add gums to receding gums.

NAPLES FAMILY DENTIST

Paul D. Mabe, DDS 877 111th Ave N, #3, Naples, 34108 239-566-7737 • GotMySmileBack.com

Biological dentistry for totalbody wellness. Metal and toxinfree. Biocompatible Zircon Implants and metal-free crowns. BPA-free ceramic fillings. PRF: Platelet Rich Fibrin. Ozone Therapy. Sleep Apnea. See ad on back cover.

ROGER J. PINT, MPH, DMD

9200 Bonita Beach Rd, Ste 111 Bonita Springs, 34135 • 239-676-8730

BonitaDentalStudio.com

Dr. Pint can join your health journey and play a role in minimizing toxicity; this includes protection while removing dental materials plus consultation. All Xrays are digital and minimal. See ad, page 4.

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

NAPLES CENTER FOR FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

Dr. Lindsey Berkson, MA, DC, CNS, DACBN, CAN 800 Goodlette Rd N, Ste 270, Naples 34102 239-649-7400 • NaplesCFM.com

Dr. Lindsey Berkson is a hormone scholar and functional medicine specialist focusing on hormones, anti-aging and medical nutrition at Naples Center for Functional Medicine. See ad, page 47.

NAPLES CENTER FOR FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

Eduardo Maristany, MD

800 Goodlette Rd N, Ste 270, Naples 34102 239-649-7400 • NaplesCFM.com

Eduardo Maristany, M.D. is a board-certified internal medicine physician trained in functional/integrative medicine, genomic interpretation, and anti-aging. Dr. Maristany incorporates genomic intelligence and cutting-edge tools to provide his patients with comprehensive genetic health risks and benefits, and a personalized health plan for optimal wellness. See ad, page 47.

NAPLES CENTER FOR FUNCTIONAL

MEDICINE

Carol L. Roberts, MD

800 Goodlette Rd N, Ste 270, Naples 34102 239-649-7400 • NaplesCFM.com

Carol L. Roberts, M.D. has practiced functional/integrative/holistic medicine for 25 years. She provides patients with testing to uncover causes of chronic illness, guidance in resolving health issues and education to assist the patient in her own healing. She is Medical Director at the Naples Center for Functional Medicine, formerly the Hughes Center. See ad, page 47.

NAPLES CENTER FOR FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

Lina Sakr, MD

800 Goodlette Rd N, Ste 270, Naples 34102 239-649-7400

• NaplesCFM.com

Dr. Sakr is a board-certified internist specializing in metabolic and nutritional medicine, antiaging medicine and women’s health at Naples Center for Functional Medicine See ad, page 47.

ZORAYDA “JIJI” TORRES, MD, ABIHM, IFMCP

Internal Medicine, Functional Medicine Office: 239-444-5636

• UpstreamMD.com

Dr. Torres is a board-certified internist with over 17 years of experience and knows the limitations of conventional internal medicine. She is among the few Certified Practitioner M.D.s, trained by the Institute For Functional Medicine. See ad, page 9.

HEALTHY DINING

FOOD & THOUGHT

ORGANIC FARM MARKET & CAFÉ

2132 Tamiami Trl N, Naples 239-213-2222

• FoodAndThought.com

Open: Mon-Sat, 7am-9pm; and Sun, 8am-4pm. Florida’s only 100% organic market and café. Fresh produce delivered daily. Homemade breakfast, lunch and dinner. See ad, page 8.

HOLISTIC CENTER

ACCESS HOLISTIC HEALING & HYPNOSIS

Michele Durham, CHHP, AANWP, CH, MBA 840 111th Ave N, Ste 8, Naples, 34108 239-776-2211 • info@accessholistichealing.com

AccessHolisticHealing.com

Certified Holistic Health & Hypnosis Practitioner specializing to rebalance the mind/body/spirit. Offering sound and light therapy for pain, medical-grade dry salt and infrared sauna, crystals, books and more. See ad, page 15.

NATURAL & ORGANIC MARKET

ADA’S NATURAL MARKET

7070 College Pkwy, Ft Myers 33907

Mon-Sat: 9am-8pm, Sun: 9am-7pm

Ph: 239-939-9600 • Fax: 239-288-6210

AdasMarket.com

Natural and organic produce and grocery items. Vitamins and supplements. Organic juice and smoothie bar. New Green Leaf Café. Market-prepared foods. 1000s of glutenfree items. See ad, page 3.

NATURAL & ORGANIC PRODUCTS

ANATTA

447 Broadway, Ste 204 New York City, NY 10013 347-762-1268 • AnattaMarket.com

Anatta is a global online marketplace for natural, organic and raw products from farmers worldwide. The newly-formed company’s products include a variety of essential oils and waters, and its unique business model eliminates overhead costs by connecting customers directly with farmers.

NUTRITION

D-SIGNED NUTRITION,

Dee Harris, RDN, LDN, CDE

LLC

Bonita Bay Executive Center

3531 Bonita Bay Blvd, Ste 300, Bonita Springs • 239-676-5249

D-SignedNutrition.com

Nutrition is our lifeblood. Healing with food starts with a personalized plan to address inflammation, nutrient insufficiencies, toxic burden and imbalances in the body. See ad, page 21.

MARCY HESS, BS

501 Goodlette Rd N, Ste C208, Naples 239-231-6028

ThePerfect10Strength@gmail.com

Looking and feeling strong and healthy is the first reason for working with a nutrition coach. Let me help you get back on track for life without dieting!

See ad, page 37.

PERSONAL ASSISTANT

CINDY BISANTI

Serving All of SWFL

239-202-3151

Everybodyneedsacindy@gmail.com

Personal assistant and parttime house manager to SWFL. Organizer, companion care, errands, personal shopper, meal prep, research, special day and travel planner, et al!

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

PEACEFUL SUMMIT COUNSELING

Jennifer Vear Hoy, MS

1048 Goodlette-Frank Rd N, #201, Naples, 34102 • 239-450-8090

Specializing in grief/loss, assertiveness training, anxiety, anger management, addictions, depression and relationship problems.

See ad, page 5.

TRAVELING

MASSAGE THERAPY

TOUGH LOVE WELLNESS

Dianne Nolan, LMT, MLD-C

ToughLoveWellness.com • 239-399-0314

In-home bodywork, flexibility, fitness and wellness coaching, serving Marco Island to Cape Coral. Specializing in post-surgical lymphatic drainage, cupping therapy, athletic performance, headaches/ TMJ, neuropathy, scar tissue, fibromyalgia/“invisible disease” pain management and trauma-informed bereavement/grief massage.

YOGA

MEREDITH MUSICK, LMT, E-RYT 2000

239-269-8846

Master Yoga Teacher and massage therapist with 28 years experience, serving Naples since 1999. Sundamaged skin repair clinician, Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage, sports and neuromuscular therapy, cranio facial and TMJ relief, heal injuries. Improve posture: alignment-based yoga and posture classes.