Issuu

OKIE CHARMED Empowering Women

Whitney Linder

MELISSA

Set your goals this year with

WILES

This Year, Pamper Yourself at

Spa Zen

in Sapulpa

Lorinda Lockard teaching women how to

Move

Health Issue

THE GREATEST WEALTH IS HEALTH. 02

OKIE CHARMED - March 2022

COVER

On the

Whitney Linder is dominating the cover of our Health Issue. Whitney shares her process of becoming healthier and entering the body-building world, see the full feature on page 18.

FEATURES Editor’s Letter

30 A Zumba-riﬁc Workout

A Happy You in 22

32 New Year, New Bra

The Elegant Okie, Out with the Old, in with the Young?

40 Shiloh’s Place, A Haven of Hope

Shannon Logan, owner of Spa Zen

42 The Indigenous Insight

Physicians’ Friendship Continues...at Utica Park Clinic

43 Recipe to Try, Deer Heart Tacos

Beauty & Strength, Whitney Linder

44 The Outdoor Gal, Find Yourself Out There

Taguchi Women’s Clinic, Serving Stillwater over 10 Yrs

46 Beneﬁts of Meditation

Friends are Good Medicine

50 Word Find

Okie Charmed Magazine is a bi-monthly publication that focuses on empowering local women by publishing stories of other local women that are inspiring, motivational, informative, diverse, and entertaining. Okie Charmed Magazine features only local women as its models, we feature women of all ages, shapes, sizes, and races. The magazine highlights local businesses that appeal to our female readership and supports female owned businesess. If you know a woman that should be featured, visit our website:

WWW.OKIECHARMEDMAGAZINE.COM

3 04

OKIE CHARMED - March SUMMER 2022 2021

Cimarron Valley Communications, LLC. P.O. Box 910 Cushing, OK 74023 Publisher@CushingCitizen.com PUBLISHER & EDITOR

Kayla Watson 918.223.7070 Publisher@OkieCharmedMagazine.com MANAGING EDITOR

Sharen Smith Editor@OkieCharmedMagazine.com Central OK Area Marketing Representative

Afton Pierce 918.899.9535 Region1@OkieCharmedMagazine.com CONTRIBUTORS

Cindy Lockstone

Shannon Ellis

Cindy.OCMagazine@gmail.com

Shannon.OCMagazine@gmail.com

Sara Lane

Sara.OCMagazine@gmail.com

Alicia Renee Chaino Ahkeahbo Alicia.OCMagazine@gmail.com

Alexandra Prater

Allie@CushingCitizen.com

TaMara Skipworth

TaMara.OCMagazine@gmail.com

Belinda Bruner

Belinda.OCMagazine@gmail.com

GUEST CONTRIBUTORS: Erica Ewy Sharon Edge Martin

Additional Editing: JH Edits james1701@yahoo.com Copyright 2022 by Cimarron Valley Communications, LLC. Views expressed in features and advertising do not necessarily represent those of the Okie Charmed Magazine team or its affiliates. OKIE CHARMED - March 2022

We can finally feel it, the end of winter. The sun is shining and I’m sure we are all ready to be outdoors again. In our gardens, hiking new trails, exploring new places, bonding with our families, for me that is the joy of spring. But I want you to consider doing something else this spring, taking control of your health. As women, we are the first to sacrifice our health for those we care for. Sure, we make New Year’s Resolutions, but I want it to be more than that, I want it to be a commitment. In this issue, you will hear from women who have done just that, they are committed to a healthy life. Whitney Linder, body builder competitor, for example, took control of her health and kept going. She became so committed that it grew into her passion and led her to help others. Learn from her on page 18. Now, am I saying that we all need to be body-builders? No, of course not, I for one like my chub. I believe everyone has unique health needs and the majority of those needs are not weight related. First off, self-care comes to mind. Treating ourselves to a spa day of relaxation, maybe at Spa Zen in Sapulpa on page 12. Taking a walk in the woods for our mental health is one of my favorites, come along with The Outdoor Gal on page 44. Retail therapy is always a winner in my book, but shop with a purpose. Such as stopping by Whisper Intimates Apparel in Stillwater and finally finding the RIGHT BRA. So many of us struggle with back pain because we are not wearing the correct bra size. Melissa is a bra guru and will make sure you are taken care of and leave feeling comfortable and confident, page 32. They are so many wonderful women and health professionals featured in this issue. Everyone touches a specific topic that we feel is important and needs to discussed more amongst our family, friends, colleagues, daughters, etc. We owe it to ourselves to live healthy lives, to live happy lives, and to live our lives.

OKIE CHARMED - March 2022

Kayla Watson PUBLISHER & EDITOR

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Cushing, Drumright, Yale, Agra, Mannford, Oilton, Olive, Ripley, Jennings… If your school, church, club, sports team, association, organization or non-proﬁt group is holding an event, fundraiser, or even just a regular meeting, let us know so we can let everyone else know. Submit bulletin board items for consideration to: news@drumrightgusher.com or publisher@cushingcitizen.com. Include all the who, what, where and when information you’ve got — we’ll get it in. ANNOUNCEMENTS

CUSHING • Cushing Chamber of Commerce member Our Daily Bread - Stillwater will be in Cushing to give out free groceries to Payne County residents on August 25 from 2pm-4pm. Bring an ID to Cushing Community Food Pantry located at 802 N. Maitlen Dr. • A benefit for Feed My Starving Children will be held on September 18 at Frontier Bowl from 1pm-5pm. “Striking Out Hunger” will raise money for the next lton, Cushing MobilePack event. Each ticket feeds 62 kids! d, Oi orts o p en For more information call 918-399-2463. Team Lane nnfor b, sp is up l Ma clu r t gro a nd reservations which includes 2 games and shoe rental p o o rofi regula en Agra, urch, th e is $75. Individual Spots are $15. Registration deadline il d r Yale, ol, ch or non-pjust a e ta r t, f o r c h is Friday, Sept. 10 right, ur scho ation even one els ion in s 1 um rat • 33rd Annual Festival in the Park hosted by Cushing er ta is $ ani iser, or every nside , Dr … If yo u nc ing org cush d let Chamber of Commerce will be September 25 at Meco s w im a n an for sher@ Cush , Ripleyciation, t, fundra can r y morial Park, 500 S. Little Avenue from 9am-2pm. For a il f te we ere ms bli Olive asso even ow so ard ite or pu at, wh e. A p . m . D more information and booth applications you can go an m, h in kn bo wh in. tea lding to the Chamber website event calendar tab. There is a us tin her.comwho, get it u ns to 8 . le res o m 6 ’ll is ho ng, let it bulle htgus link posted on the Cushing Citizen Facebook page. s es eti all the we fr era erda e p a s me . Subm rumrig lude got — DRUMRIGHT o m a y s Laud ranc s o n o f s u es d • Drumright Quarterback Booster Club is selling 4x4 know ws@d om. Inc you’ve s ea d, T g e insu nce ne n.c on at full color, metal signs to hang on the field fence for all a nd nta s w im to: state solicit insura d free d v a citize ormati t ties varsity and middle school football games. New signs an vit ing g a d ig h inf p a r t for 8:30am s da il S in l ok an ea k hi en o are $300, renewal signs are $150, and program ads tw NT a bo ies.” wh p o can 0amsell sing y , ta ith a are $50. The club ask that purchasers include artwork o n CEME id a The d to hone polic dale dents m 7:3 rti UN l F r p .m . w tio n or business card for sign/program ad and to make stu st fro NO inue adve l telep rance uder nce AN P o o rm a 6 11 all eakfa pm checks payable to Drumright High School Football. La cont by a le ninf o ra ne loca insu ed eY Cena. Br -12:30 fo r For further information visit the Drumright Quarterno o - Ju has ucts RA the ts for id that r insu nuary Arts . To in th r d a y , f Y a l e y 17 cafeteri :30am AG rview ng fo in od f back Booster Club Facebook page. er en f e te Ja Ma sa es t o pr ices ey tu ki in th 11 ol • ym en til d ty o nm class from • 49th annual Oilpatch Jamboree will be held o o l g h S a ed 0 d scho from to ta nter e Ci ache art serv pting paummon paym ub un timat u th c .0 able the lunch October 1 and 2 activities start at 7am and continue mon itted Ce 11 mmer avail e c t th y o u th r o Dr take ity Cl tive es $5,000 throughout the day. There will be a parade, live music, acce and nta Drum adm tivity ranc June nt su es are r ea d a y 1 am le n er G day, o f a , T u es r ee. Co ere food, and shopping available. Contact the Drumright d to Activ enta s Ac r insu ss ing ods. or ns f Whe uderda gall’ s SHINrting Fri ng di 25. Cla fo inue lls repres ss of ov open Atwo Chamber of Commerce at 918-352-2204 for further d le CU sti pD o ze u s ines er 2 — of La ll be cont Inga ly In ipley ing. type ived. information. erda • Stall be ho 8-225-75 b a lo t wi ng lot until Se ndor club Cush erdale, not on of f o r ts . U nd ed of rece 91 wi from . The n had ts. OLIVE Laud d to ults. Marke parki a ve for day ter l call ud from Town ovid ents pies 17 atio ymen 17, queste the d u l to ad rmer s in the Thurs being -0101 La • Wildcat Spiritwear is being sold online to benefit pr a co ed 20 20 ym ey e enrol hool d in Fa 52 ell ni 1 pa pa ed le OYSA. A QR code is attached to a flyer posted on sc every sted 22, and reesente g he ed mon o th 918-3 orga these erda ts for provid of canc count pre shing June held st ere the Olive High School Alumni Facebook page to acle pl in but als . D tin pr oke • Cu ursday, ll be are int Pam at Laud receip tive Augu to OI and es sta on on en from pies ’s ac cess the purchasing website. For more information ies of Ya ent u t wi or t ara can Th d m pers , an en On rpe You enta as co Club had be on marke . If yo -3480 the call or text Tina at 918-352-1874. Orders are due by dale zzlem in the polic went mon of na d Ca rk. writt pres well on ay in 2021 8-399 be 28, ity ks The uder Friday, September 3. DO NOT SEND MONEY TO THE a Re ial Pa oadw 11am arily Drum a list m eachyment ber 91 hand club re ts as ng Activ e chec nn ul La of em, ay Br from tem Bill at . SCHOOL. 10 lunt duled th ip fro or pa th hosti Cente 6 E. ts y k Pa ay The e rece m the at th from , 2018 vo eak wi tor wi oney sche ed to 10 • Cornhole tournament benefiting the Olive Baskettified call ationwill be th turda es Mar o coun Frid ty. , 19 at s at m hase of An sp stiga iden on e ow g is ball team will be held Labor Day weekend on Saturday, thes ks fro show inform RA June Game y - Sa eck. Ag 1 -17 ngs tw 0 on Coun pt. 27 ilty. 20 rc arin is all izanc ived ve were loss ely ch will be 2 so September 4, beginning at 10am in the Olive Gym. • DC st on trun esda m. 5,00 yne chec D to g he dale y to at Se not gu in 20 t in d rece r the pu uals ned cogn Ou t, Tu cash or ory epare g the Cost to register is $15/person early or $20/ person at OI ed. tric Conteup at guilt ss of $2 t of Pa on ha of filed en encinLauder onal re t fo policy. individ combi pro im to categ up. Pr will sinchange Dis is $10 m nt n the door in individual tournament, $30/2-person team ea lis ur sit s ce ay , cu ids e ap pl sig dw e you nnot e fee and A se 2022. a pers in the early or $35/2-person team at the door. Additional edly depo ict co nitially red a tion wa is do paid by th suranc urteen The d as Broa Entry eligible. be 18 order u ca nners $200, Fo ond. state alleg club team members will be $10 each. For discount rate regdistr 27, erty on ll in yo wi gets ente restitu to th to be ll be ay 7pm. up are ory wi in the d in ce m le s e ister by Friday, September 3. At the door registration wi g lib ne nd at me wa um 7 is erda r for rdin for ain at and categ ist na is tur First pla, Seco pri es had m th erdale will close at 9:30am. Admission will cost $1/person . filed , a by Dr davit Laud ed orde . Acco $58,41 third. adult the art try fee artist e $300 s the ages 10 and up. For more information, to be a vendor, rem . vit t fro k Laud shing, a ce a le kid 5 for for en of or da re th en e eiv .10 , o g wi or sponsor find the flyer on Drumright Gusher Faceag Sept th , the song ll rec a 3. erda paym e Mar in Cu and r the d ailing bond kin sum an clerks Club in $59,11 Laud book page or contact Tina Winford at 918-352-4874. , Once er, ory wi 1 . Fo nd, an is loo by em for sell h th on tution t. ord e co ity t were YALE to May 31 an iving roug located ted g to the categ ll get for se Theatre theatr .com will ing resti fend rdin ty cour Activ loca aint ail rece tive th • The Yale Chamber of Commerce annual banquet for ense d on Tuna adult third wi , 75 unity ct the 3@gm de Acco un pl lls er cy build r be held at Mugsy’s Grubhouse on August 26, ted ter rst the nta 7402 com ent been esenta Agen le’s lic expire Co r Inga s cent tion and for fi Grea n is sla Comm co watewill g e at 6:30pm. Tickets are $25 each and can be istra tt. ing u can eatre s for yne e fo tio 1 itten partm to repr nce i en Still thstarting erda

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Any d Cu on investi r, Mar , 2017 erda ke sa sess at TASCty Cr ting was an presen tation. ure ap ipley,” m d fro pm Summ atten ud Thursday t or gra S. armserve th -12 to ta e as be and the ve to er mee oval ed the stigato uly 31 at La will Transp proc rth of acemen Tails ne 521 ll be m 11am part of t ha t able for th service prop pr ve On at ng an no is ap is in no t wi le fro e as pl d Ju th of of ap rr th 99° 74° t t fas ab m gy an ent hosti from ion tle ge re wa does fre be n up rnet shee rtmen ge that t a lit ar, orat on a id lo m avail eat for e child will gram n sig N. arch Friday Inte May pa brid us a br al ye 5 corp pin it techno assess y Th e De sc a se 8 ibrary g pro you ca at 21 ve ma ram. fi e tt. alu t c din 19 n th ting The st of 10 e ha and e. The akes Prog ols. 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Tu m in se e Cu giv by 27 m pa • to 27 ve th ty et mee e me to ne even the Towe erc shing June barn at an g-ok June coun At ission tal Ad proved ch Ca ovided SC on Ju e intern nter where r 13, ol ag 94° 72° hin the make Commin Cu nts on ing an tee m e To s ap ner Za s pr . TA , id ns Ce is at d. m ov Scho volun n/cus ber of ll be reside m. Br d at n r th co th n wa issio joi rvice o ce apping g pr eratio towe statione place ls ca or to .com/ Cham ater wi unty 2pm-4p locate with oratio Comm for se or s m agin Co Op the t is ary o cia ntry nysh shing - Stillw yne ss th from 22 Corp ict 1 ntract asse ce wi al Im do that agemen second cted • Cu ead s to Pa st 25 Food Pa -2 line Br rie gu ty 2 21 y on Distr is a co Coun or s o d Glob TASC und man is is a and ele Daily groce and Au unity the totall years , ro mm ss r for e Th e is is an t t 28 a rg t ey se Co l. fre fou rol th Payn e as t Th unde ty, be ing mee July lmen lmen . Always be ready to breakdown. Even if your car w or ge 23, Cush n Dr enrol Enrol must d to en birth the ides th d utili vett. and can sess a fe ay. dents traine ild’s is in perfect workin’ order, or is brand new, always iD to Maitle PreCa as , un ov s rw be e e res ch N. ro pr ow de d th rg be ready for a breakdown. Keep water, nonsaid opertie help th 802 c shing is un m - stu potty their of of e kn woul e on GIS, unde ices,” pr • Cu year ers.co and be upload and pro Publi to perishable food, jumper cables, basic tools, and a the ing ol d sh , she mor 1 , tig ld serv eys on things lue.” rough scho shing mber shou record Cush ﬂashlight with extra batteries in your car. Prepare e di later , but d va s on Littl years in the at cu Septeardian em surv ties an ment vett, th for the worst, expect the best. work by gu ni ati reside t r th to old ts/ utili assess g to Ca that immu st shor ing fo app to ued an Paren cate, nt mu sunu de good cordin k up work later. contin cluding oliday certiﬁ e. Stu trict. H fore y is . 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The idea they landed on was making the current disc golf course safer to play on as well as converting it into a 18-hole course to meet tournament standards. “I had the idea to pitch a temporary course to gain traction and awareness for this sport here in town,” said Pauly. Pauly said that after speaking with City Manager Terry Brannon they learned that there was already a grant put in by Cushing Rotary to fund the original nine T-pads located at Memorial Park. “We secured the funding through the Rotary Club for the ﬁrst nine and Geoﬀ Beasley with Godofredo’s and the Dunkin Theater gave a matching bid for the remaining nine, so with the city’s help and Terry Brannon working on maybe purchasing those baskets, we can have a brand new 18-hole course here in town,” explained Pauly. Pauly said he hopes with the support of the commission, Memorial Park can become a

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VOLUME 126, NUMBER 30

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32, ENTS No. 44

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Fo high will ne nwoo on Oc member Cathy Culp, sc on ed tob d the r furthe hool to be and er • turne inton 1 at KeystFirst Re Drumrig r informmain o . from one sponde ht Gu ation ce by d in to Parad Ha e foo 11am rbor rs Ap sher Fa find the Tues Mrs. da d pre -5p will to en for first m. ciatiocebook appli y, To be depa oy Ple respo ns of happen n We page cation ek experience conducted in 2016, and CUSHING – Longtime Bob Noltensmeyer.” He command 918-8 rtmen ase RS nders fun ac ing on end . at 5-5 t on the P no and gu tivities Octob “Emergency and hundreds of hours of the FBI Oklahoma City field Cushing resident and retired continued, 253. er 3 and sign later est AG RA up tha up to deliciou Cushing Fire Department management will become safety training, participating training exercise “Critical shee n Se 5 pe • t. Fo pt. op s conducted Captain Franklin Reed an integral part of our in multiple emergency Crossroads” held The Fa r mo 29, pu le ll re inf t at 4p on Oc Festi D has been named the public safety team and response exercises and in 2004. Reed has been ru m val o ca even m in tober r ig h ll d u r the 7. at Ag tabletop/disaster deployed to emergencies new Cushing Emergency with Franklin’s previous annual t s en ing Junio Hot do ra Pu be ts will on io ( S to la the begin r Hig gs wi blic Sc Oklahoma, Management Director for experience in our fire drills for those in the throughout be r y ins s t F r id r T es s in so h on ho ll in the the old uth sid camp Lobb be se ol wi a y ’s P o l the City of Cushing. Reed department, this integration petroleum industry. Reed serving in the communities id e) m w us y. At 6p rved ll be g a m cafet e of and old sta the . Th a v gy ea also completed numerous of Catoosa, Stillwater, replaces the retiring Bob will be seamless.” elemethe ch m, a eria, the elemee 4H cam a va rting g a ins es d u spoo rie oir ke re wi nta r ing sold ntary Franklin started his tabletop drills and exercises Westport, and Carney Noltensmeyer who served co tW walk ty of k th in the cella ncert hous ll be ry, B el l s wi an e bo to n. e D r u devastating noun the citizens of Cushing for career as a volunteer for the to satisfy the annual following lob r. Therewill be in the unce GO wi ll m r ig by ced at 7p It w old hous ll Pawnee Fire Department. certification requirements tornados. Reed was also over 50 years. at 8:3 of the will h tH a s ag m The CU a g SHING o m 0pm. old also be in fro build es Man Cree gym o o d ec o ing City Manager Terry Later, Reed joined the as a hazardous materials deployed to the Murrah nt • m ing with ra es of the , d a y 8 an Cushing hous agemenk Coun winn being Brannon said, “Franklin Cushing Fire Department, technician. In addition, building following the 1995 to b P a r ty up d 9, ev All Cla in ers t a ea g Em to en being two build participated bombing, working in search brings the local serving for nearly 30 years, Franklin Ea T o r d e F r id erge be all the foo ts sta ss Re Reed na d appr rlier th new ge ing day opens tball rt at 11union experience we need retiring as a Captain. Reed in the Terrorism and and rescue efforts. o , a a y . P o will ncy em useful ov is sc is ga lea ne at lm s D 25 er ed all me 1 am at 7p din mon rato hedu am be genc in th w ow ru m Franklin will assume the emergency management to build on the legacy brings over 15 years of Emergency Management at g “If sellin m. On to All , even 7pm. on Fri led for r ig h a s na m e ev Resc the a requ th the rs. the y. day tc a Workshop responsibility of leading our team beginning this Friday. response Planning built by retiring Director emergency use in ed ent est informg home Oct. Class ts conti Satur ue bo leadin Oct. po m e da F 7 to mi a ar Plan of nu that of y ng d facil publ wer we com. ation comi Cush f r o m o o tb a an ing le/str e throu Alumn g ng ll H for purcha Act the Am will yo ic Th i on Publi eet b eh o m can facil re to go citiesity, or (ARP the e Re u ca t-shir da ghout Cree se erica ind ec o M inform webs union n visit ts. To c Scho nce the ity be ev , to b A) anag k Co two do m ing sta quar trans fu n a wa we coul en fo , a co wn page ation ite or Week cushingregist ols wi rtin ea t Q u ee g er ter en r ll Acco emen unty genera nds sa so W el . is unty to ter to porte plan d use one t. • Ra The the avail cial me d Sche alumn or for be id n l s to W rd Em Di to d n . ias of ab mo ing th str t or n4 am stora arner. erge rs truck by a e tic me for le on dia pa dule ca socia re on 8 -4 W to a ho em for our War ict 2 ncy ge. n be tion. busin g oth kets this the 0 . poss ge, he When , ac threesligh arner sa Sp we ner, spita like com Cree co Bran esse er itemsfor a ha year is bsite onso found ib k tly id as l,” he s said the rsh emer ility the missio co Co ked rding on lo The non an of Cu are be ndma Back and Fa ip th de sh ge of ab gene ner unty of st appr wer ca e gene com Sept. ing tickets d Code ing to ing so quee n Tim cebook “We ncy m expa ere wa out Leon oved pacit rato rato th will e m ld n are be 13 e . iss si anag r is com ndin rs are disc golf destination, as well as have additional homecoming numbers, is an additional 300. Shegame be he the y. s a Powe gene ion 5 ea nforce nefit by citize ed qu for of Cree em lo City will ld me Busin , ind ra th The r bid missio nt k Distr emer oking ent g the ivid on Oc ch or Ma ns an ilt The System tors fro e purc total Improvements to the disc golf course in courses built. He said the sport has grown also said the event will be an overnight event uals ners meetin Coun nage d Boom esse 2 for Tracy facil ge tob let ict at s nc be ting hase insid r s wa m on tri two expa ity. vote that should help increase hotel/motel tax and 1 ba g. ich y five ty Circle Town where do no er 8 at Memorial Park was discussed and approved immensely even through the pandemic. ola Terry t . ple- genera s $141 Genera expa opened for th d to ap The said e one rn, th manag nding Supp S Me utr ticke need the ho The dra s. “It is an all-encompassing sport. Men and sales tax. axle (DRU ,553. c of th ey wi during the Cushing Board of Commissioners to . ats ition, ts are to be meco ns ly, e wem pr rs on io , AR Go traile auri, Cush Cates avail pre en ose Rece 60 ar n MRI women of all ages: my eight-year-old plays and “We want to make this first event something se ming Oct. project ove Be dofre meeting on Monday, Aug. 16. Tic build ll be ke t to PA ex will rs so e plac . emThe GH kets You do’s, ing utr Supp able inc nt to wi Auth ntly, to 12 War pend be ex T, ings pt she that ed Octob er Tiful Ro wi lud n. itio ly, Co Two Cushing High School graduates, we’ve had people up to the age of 70 come that people really want to come back to,” ,” he build gency pansio iture part . The they cont ority Drumrig OK er 7. ll be av Bouti ots, Ah n, Fe pper e “B ner. • said. chne n Pe ailab rbe qu s, ac of th Jonathon Pauley and Christina Morrill came to out,” he said. Ac now asically and Cushing follo ing to been ainers has be ht H ) le for e, an rg Mi r Pu nny, — au cord cord e Pauly said if things go well, Cushing could Commissioner Mike Griffith recognized wing ok m of even the Cu Open the podium and explained why they thought this purchd Bake ll, Milasmp ing get is getti what th ing com bein of food en re ousing shing pre the a ste anagem the it de ase r s Ph wi ng an be the first place in the state to develop a high disc golf as an up-and-coming sport the we and tsaid g va ority ce to m would benefit the City of Cushing. fo until arm d Me ll be ha Alumnsente disc p signe bids en are moit Dr unity distrib which iving fro riety of has be Rein Thurs acy. so ussio forw t it, r bids pp Cushing needs to stay on the frontdeend sign of i As d by Cu do ria uted Several individuals of various ages came to school team. ke ha m en Exec umrig . so day, the l Dis ening ” he for th d, then that we ing sh n du ard ht H “This sport is family friendly, it covers every before moving to approve the agenda item. ir ow c Golf Satur ciation, ing Dis to ve and rice anfood ite prov , the e ac said we ring show support for improving the disc golf course. Rein utive n ho da the ha vege ousin Co tual ’ll go can . d wa ms ided le alo urse. y, Oc Farm Pac Golf ke “I’m glad you're doing this, I think it is very Di ta bu s ou a g t. Morrill said this idea came to the Cushing Alumni age group and it survives COVID because you Br ra ln ngsid MP th 9 an said recto Auth ildin t ist what no way bles. Th uts to nging can social distance,” added Morrill. worthwhile,” said Griffith. e Fli O winn d 1 Tour r g of or ex the ow So Association during the pandemic. at See of ght e th fru er Doro ity da cial cess au Path gets Morrill said the amount of people expected The item was approved by a vote of 5-0 with BULL ys be ey will know comm its prov thor fo “We had a pandemic hit and we needed some to on in ETIN ity Service od frothy future She fore di receive g wh ittee for alumni weekend in October, besides regular no discussion from the commission. the of ide bo BOAR s ha new ideas,” she said. m

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75 Yearp.6s

Your Central Oklahoma Publisher

OKIE CHARMED - SUMMER 2021

A Happy You in 2022... Since social media has become like a daily drug for some people, it is no wonder that mental health has taken a sharp decline. For many people, nothing can make a person feel more depressed and lonely than seeing social media posts of friends’ exotic beach vacations

OKIE CHARMED - March 2022

or elaborate parties they wish they had attended. Now add the highly infectious Covid-19 virus and everything that comes with that including the constant cleaning and sanitizing. With all the isolation and fear, it’s like smothering under an avalanche. While all of these factors are overwhelming, there are ways to keep your sanity and make 2022 your happiest year yet. I asked certified therapist Shelby Stringer how to have better mental health, and these are some of the ideas that she shared with me. Most people want to be happier; to decrease anxiety or depression. Here are some tools to help handle stress. *Recognize your stressor and when you get stressed. When you ask yourself “what if” and feel overwhelmed, this is an indicator that you should shift your focus. One way to do that is to write down things that you want to think about; what you are going to eat for dinner, your favorite Netflix show, or your favorite colors. *Clean. While this is not a favorite activity, it is a mood booster, and it provides a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, some people feel more productive in a clean environment. *Counter anxiety or depression with something productive. It can be a small productive activity like writing a list of “to do’s”, or a larger undertaking like cleaning out the closet. Sometimes a clean and organized house boosts contentment and relaxation. Exercising, reading a chapter of a book, completing a row on a crocheted blanket, or working a wordsearch puzzle are also ways to be productive. *Be prepared to be productive. Have a place set aside to work a puzzle. Make sure you have a quiet and comfortable place to read your book. Have the things you need for your hobby in a place easy to access. *Limit time on social media. Replace that time with a nice walk outside, or learning a new hobby. *Build your self-esteem. Achievement promotes confidence, so set a goal and accomplish it; finish a puzzle, read a chapter, or create something. But above all . . . *Remember that you are valued. No matter the negativity that enters, remember that you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalms 139:14). Reach out to those who you think may be suffering from depression. If you are depressed, reach out to those you love because they may need to hear your voice. If talking to a loved one is not an option, call the national Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. written by Shannon Ellis

Out with the Old... In with the Young?

Did they notice my wrinkles?

Should I care what they think?

What will they think of me? How does this make me feel?

What is my style?

‘Age is just a number’…that “old” adage. When it comes to fashion, should we just “dress our age?” Or is 2022 the year that we will truly embrace a “coming of age” when it comes to fashion? As I creep nearer and nearer to middle age, I find myself asking “Does this look too young for me?” I remember being a 20 something who didn’t give a second thought about my age when it came to fashion. Now when I see a new fad, I stop to assess whether it is really worth my time or even flattering to my body? I’ve been watching several new television shows and loving some of the fashion. One, in particular, Emily in Paris, doesn’t just dress up the young heroine, it also dresses the 50 something female executive. Both get to wear spectacular ensembles reminiscent of classic Audrey Hepburn, and this season several age groups even sported bikinis! Then there are the old, favorite shows like Sex in the City that disappeared, but are back, reimagined into a new format. One only has to scroll social media to see the backlash and complaints about the title characters. Right now it is confined to commentary about storylines and plastic surgery, but most certainly, fashion will eventually be caught in the crossfire. I can hear it now, “Are some of the main characters dressing too young, or even too old?!” As I skimmed the comments, I noticed that generally there seemed to be two camps of women, those who

written by Sharen Smith

embraced the idea of “live and let live” and those that challenge the women to “embrace their age” and avoid plastic surgery. Some believe that women should do whatever makes them happy, be it plastic surgery or going without any enhancements. It gave me pause to think about my own notions of beauty, fashion, and ageism. At one time, I might have jumped on one bandwagon or another. Now, I stop and weigh the merits of each argument. What do I conclude? The answer is really unique for each woman. Isn’t it honestly best for each woman to decide what the best answer is for herself? Let’s not get caught up in the “beauty” trap. Instead, ask what makes you feel your personal best? I personally believe that what makes us feel confident often inspires self-respect and makes us feel the most beautiful. It is better to embrace our true selves, rather than measuring ourselves with someone else’s yardstick. There will always be fashion guidelines for what may be the most flattering garment, hairstyle, or makeup. My advice is, when it comes to being your best, remember to make yourself happy. Cheers, to a wonderful new year of being you! -The Elegant Okie

OKIE CHARMED - March 2022

Her Grandmother’s Influence Opened the Door to a Career in Skincare for

Shannon Logan

OKIE CHARMED - March 2022

Making clients feel good about themselves take care of your eyes and teeth because you never is what esthetician Shannon Logan spends her time get another set of your own. She was a wonderful role doing every day. Shannon owns and operates Spa Zen model.” in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Shannon’s grandmother would take her and her At Spa Zen Shannon believes her clients should brother fishing, and she would always apply makeup look well, feel well and be well. She offers her clients before leaving to go fishing. This was long before professional skin therapy, esthetics, and reflexology in anyone talked about sunscreen. a comfortable and relaxing environment at affordable “I’d ask her why she would wear makeup to fish, prices. and she would say she was getting pretty for the fish “I enjoy helping people feel good and look and encouraging the fish to bite.” good,” says Shannon. Shannon’s most memorable remedies from her Initially, the DIY beauty book included mother of three said mayonnaise in her hair for she wanted to return to conditioning, and using egg school and become a whites or cucumber skins nurse. But nursing school on her face to nourish and “Her instruction (to me) wasn’t on the charts tighten her skin. for Shannon. She was Shannon’s beauty was to wash my face and divorced, a single parent training didn’t stop with her moisturize every morning and without the support, grandmother. night and always take care of money, or time to begin “From the time I was very your eyes and teeth because nursing school. young, skin care has been an “ A f t e r important part of my life,” you never get another set deliberation and selfsaid Shannon. of your own. She was a inventory and a literal She recalls, “The DIY skin wonderful role model.” come to Jesus talk, I care book and trips to my decided esthetics was my grandmother’s Mary Kay calling,” said Shannon. rep who always provided “It made perfect me complimentary skin sense. I’m still, very care facials, and makeup much, in a serving profession, plus I had the desire to applications.” make this work.” As Shannon got older, she and her BFF (best While growing up in Enid, Oklahoma, with her friend forever) visited both Mary Kay and Merle Norman parents and younger brother, she spent most weekends shops in college. Later in life Shannon said the Sephora and summers with her grandparents in rural Garber counter also saw a lot of her face. and Covington, Oklahoma. One weekend, when she Shannon attended Oklahoma State University was eight, her grandma bought her a beauty book. (OSU) at Okmulgee and OSU Tulsa, before learning her “My grandmother used to take my brother and trade at the Jenks Beauty College. me to the store on Fridays after she picked us up for the “I have expanded my training in many ways. weekend. She bought me a DIY (Do It Yourself) home These include product knowledge and webinars to beauty care book, and I experimented with it often,” professional conferences in Dallas and Atlanta, which said Shannon. offered advanced esthetic training,” added Shannon. Shannon recalled that her grandmother was Today, Shannon has a successful business in skin very conscious about skin care and well-being. She care and as an esthetician. She began her career in a often wore a bonnet outside to protect her skin from the shop on Brookside in Tulsa as a spa administrator. After sun and during visits. She also insisted that Shannon 6 months she moved into her own esthetic room at a also wear a bonnet. salon in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. “We were well protected; that thing (bonnet) In 2015, she purchased the building where she went six inches past my face and was lined with is currently located. She rehabbed the building, named cardboard for structure,” added Shannon. it Spa Zen, and in 2016 she held a soft opening. Her “Her instruction (to me) was to wash my face grand opening in April 2017 followed where she offered and moisturize every morning and night and always a full line of skin care options for her customers.

Spa Zen is located at 702 S. Mission Street in Sapulpa. You can make an appointment by calling (918) 260-9491, emailing her at spazensapulpa@gmail.com or visiting the website at Spa Zen – Sapulpa Wellness Studio (spazensapulpa.com).

Shannon will tell you that esthetics is her passion. Her custom facial treatments are amazing, especially combined with skin care supplements - Dermaplane, Microdermabrasion, LED light therapy, or Power peel. Just add any of these on to her signature one-hour facial, which already includes an enzyme peel, nourishing mask, a face, head, neck, shoulder, arm and hand massage, and a steam and essential oil therapy application. Shannon will tell you, “It’s heaven.” “Reflexology is an amazing pressure point therapy that is so useful and affordable,” says Shannon. “It can help with anything from cramps to sinus/migraines and anything in the middle. Add my sinus/ migraine facial to a reflexology session, and you will leave feeling brand new. In her late teens, Shannon found herself dealing with a serious acne outbreak on her face while in college. “You don’t realize what that does to a person’s self-esteem unless you were there,” Shannon remembers. “I couldn’t find a balance and struggled with it for about five years.” Because of her own skin issues, Shannon is sincere about wanting to help people with their skin. She is quick to tell you that skin is the largest body part humans have and for Shannon, it’s a great place to look well, feel well and be well. “With acne, anti-aging, texture and scarring issues, I have been able to help most people on most levels. If I’m not able to help them, I’m going to direct clients in the right direction.” Another great accomplishment for Shannon was marrying her childhood best friend, Tad, in 2019. They married in a lovely castle in Ireland, and together they have three sons and one rescue dog, Hooper Joe. In her spare time, Shannon enjoys music, travel, museums, renovating an Airbnb home, and of course, a great spa face. “An afternoon at the spa is next to heaven for me,” says Shannon. She and her husband occasionally wander into downtown Tulsa, trying new restaurants and stopping to shoot a game or two of pool. OKIE CHARMED - March 2022

Laurel Stacy, D.O., and Halie Muckelrath, D.O., first struck up a friendship long before they began working together for Utica Park Clinic and Hillcrest Hospital Cushing.

Physicians’ Friendship Continues as Both Serve Patients at Utica Park Clinic

The two initially met on the first day of medical school. Following graduation, both completed their residencies in Durant, Oklahoma before seeking out their first jobs, respectively. In the summer of 2020, Stacy and Muckelrath were both hired by Utica Park Clinic and Hillcrest Cushing. “We set out on a job exploration together,” Stacy said. “We were looking for the same thing in a community. And we agreed Cushing and Hillcrest felt like home for us.” For Stacy and Muckelrath, Utica Park Clinic and Hillcrest Cushing have given them the chance to practice family medicine in a rural setting, an opportunity both have aspired to for quite some time after they were impacted by similar childhood experiences. “We had a rural family physician growing up,” said Muckelrath, a

Choctaw

native.

“I

really

appreciated what he did. That drew me to family medicine. I felt a calling to it.” Stacy grew up in Winfield, a town of approximately 12,000 residents

south-central

Kansas. “Growing up in Winfield, it’s kind of a small community,” Stacy said. “I really looked up to my doctor and his leadership in (the) community.” Working in rural family medicine, Stacy and Muckelrath have enjoyed being able to administer patient care in a variety of settings such as in the clinic, hospital and emergency room. 16

OKIE CHARMED - March 2022

“I really like the kind of impact we’re able to have on our patients’ lives,” Stacy said. “We’re kind of able to walk along with a patient in their care journey, more so in a rural community than in a big city.” Muckelrath added, “I love taking care of

everybody

from the children to the grand-parents. We get a chance to work on a little bit of everything. We medical care). Something about the people in rural America is a little bit different.” Both Stacy and Muckelrath began building their practice in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, which presented initial challenges. However, they got creative in continuing patient care. Utica Park Clinic has offered parking lot, curbside and telephone visits along with other virtual care options. “That’s what is great about Utica Park Clinic and our management,” Stacy said. “They are open to suggestions and adaptable in many ways.” Cushing and the surrounding area have made rural family medicine care an impactful experience for both Muckelrath and Stacy. “It’s worth it,” Muckelrath said. “The people need it. They’ll be very grateful. The reward is unending.”

COMMITMENT Cushing’s Only Female Primary Care Physicians Dr. Halie Muckelrath and Dr. Laurel Stacy are committed to providing quality, compassionate care. “Patients are always my first priority,” said Dr. Muckelrath. “One of my greatest joys is contributing to the health and well-being of entire families,” Dr. Stacy said.

SAME-DAY APPOINTMENTS ONLINE VIDEO VISITS NEW PATIENTS WELCOME MOST INSURANCE PLANS ACCEPTED

“We’re able to see several different members of the same family and help. The continuity of care and learning their history, it definitely feels like home here. The community has been really welcoming. The people are very friendly. It just fits me.”

Close to home. North

N. Wilson Ave.

“It’s even more enjoyable than I realized,” Stacy said.

N. Highland Ave.

have a lot of procedures. There’s just a need (for rural

E. Broadway St. Cherry St. 2nd St.

UPC

Cushing

To schedule an appointment with Stacy or Muckelrath, call 918-225-DOCS (3627).

1025 E. 2nd St. • Cushing 918-225-DOCS (3627) • uticaparkclinic.com

Beauty & Strength Beauty & Strength Beauty & Strength

as there ever been a time when you wanted to make a change? Have you ever wanted to reinvent yourself? Whitney Linder wanted to make a healthy change in her lifestyle. She challenged herself to step out of her comfort zone and do something she never dreamed she would do . . . be a competitive bodybuilder. Whitney waits for me at Fuzzy’s Taco in Moore. As she looks at the menu, I notice that she is the exact replica of the student she was years ago except now she is a little more glamorous and stands there filled with confidence. Her hair is long and luscious, but worn with an air of casualness. Although dressed in workout clothes sporting the name “The Strength Factory,” she doesn’t look casual. She looks determined, and her beauty is undeniable (cue the One Direction song - “You Don’t Know You’re Beautiful.”) Her bodybuilding figure is stunning, and every patron of the restaurant has noticed her. While we sit down to wait on our orders, Whitney recounts her journey to competitive bodybuilding. The sojourn began in Whitney’s childhood. “My mom was not in the best health while I was growing up.” Her mother suffered from adult onset diabetes and lost her eyesight due to diabetic complications during Whitney’s junior year of high school. Later, her mom came close to losing her foot due to

OKIE CHARMED - March 2022

written by Shannon Ellis Kayla Watson

neuropathy, or numbness in her foot, while Whitney was a sophomore at Southern Nazarene University. In college, even though she was a student athlete playing softball, Whitney’s college lifestyle was full of late nights and fast food. Faced with her mother’s health problems and a less-than-healthy college life, Whitney found herself heavier than she had ever been before. Realizing she wanted to make a lifestyle change, Whitney made more concerted efforts to eat healthier and to incorporate a workout routine. Then she asked herself what her biggest fear was. For her mom, it was going to a gym, but for Whitney “It was stepping on the stage in a bikini.” She acknowledged, “I am very modest.” In 2015, Whitney confronted and conquered her biggest fear and competed in her first bodybuilding contest. Since then, she has competed five times! After her wedding in April, she is planning to compete in her sixth competition in either August or September of 2022. But how did Whitney take the plunge into the world of competitive bodybuilding? It is not easy and the bodybuilding process itself is an obstacle. It requires a lot of work and discipline including a strict,

Whitney Linder

protein rich diet. She pokes at her grilled shrimp salad with her fork to emphasize her point. “I couldn’t even eat this.”

“ 20

It seems like an overwhelming process, but Whitney set small goals and wrote them down on a calendar. When each objective was accomplished, Whitney pushed herself to achieve the next goal. The development of becoming a bodybuilder was gratifying for Whitney.

It’s not the glitz or the glam. It’s the process to get there. That is the most rewarding part. The process.” she emphasizes.

OKIE CHARMED - March 2022

SET A GOAL

With her competitive spirit, Whitney placed second in her most recent competition. “I’m not happy with that, but the process of getting there is still awesome.” It’s easy to say what your goals are, but to write them down is a great first step. “In the gym we have a board with a square for each person, and they can write their goals in their box. It is so cool to see the vast differences.” For a beginner, Whitney recommends taking small steps. Begin by setting a goal and be specific. For instance, set a goal to lose a certain amount of weight or gain a certain amount of muscle mass by a specific deadline. Once the first goal is achieved, move to the second goal, and the next goal until your ultimate goal is met.

OKIE CHARMED - March 2022

In order to help people achieve their goals, and maintain working out and being at the gym, Whitney and her fiance Tyler Blaze turned their dedication to a career and bought their gym, The Strength Factory, in 2020. This was just in time for all gyms to be closed due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Whitney and Tyler did not feel it was right to continue to charge their patrons a gym membership fee when they were not allowed to come in, so they did not charge them. The gym managed to stay afloat during this time. The Strength Factory offers cardio fitness, personal training, a weight loss program, competitive training, powerlifting team, and more. In addition to being the strength and conditioning coach for the Southern Nazarene University’s softball team, Whitney is also a personal trainer at The Strength Factory and encourages each of her gym patrons. For more information on the Strength Factory, follow them on Instagram or Facebook. If you are interested in bodybuilding, contact Whitney at the Strength Factory.

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OKIE CHARMED - March FALL 2022

ULTRASOUND Services

DEXA SCAN Bone Density Testing

Exceptional Care. Close to Home.

Serving the Women of Stillwater for Over 10 Years!

As I enter my mid 30’s, I find myself coming face to face with my health. Of course the obvious…wrinkles, fatigue, achy knees in cold weather, you know, everything our parents complained about and we eye-rolled. But I also find myself facing other health issues that the women in our lives did not openly discuss. As a mother of 4, incontinence is the first that comes to mind, and if you’ve had to do the quick “sneeze and squeeze”, then you know too. It’s a subject not easily brought up, but many women suffer from it. We give our bodies to bring our children into this world, not realizing the toll our body would pay over the years. Then we never speak of the pain or frustration because we are embarrassed and/or don’t know where to turn. Good news! You don’t have to go far, Dr. Taguchi and his team at Taguchi Women’s Clinic understand and are here to help. They are experts in the “never openly discussed” health issues and want you to know that you are not alone. Taguchi Women’s Clinic is a privately-owned Obstetrical and Gynecological clinic that has proudly served the women of the Stillwater and surrounding communities since 2011.

They will work with you to develop your personalized healthcare plan and give you greater confidence in your health and wellness. Dr. Yasuto Taguchi comes from a family of doctors. His father was an OB/GYN doctor and started his clinic in Yokohama, Japan, where he served his community for more than 34 years. Dr. Taguchi’s brother is a neurologist, his aunt is a dermatologist and his cousin a dentist - you could say serving others is a family legacy. Wo m e n ’s health is Dr. Taguchi’s specialty and he recognizes the need for better urogynecological treatments. Roughly 24% of women experience some form of urinary incontinence at some time. Pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause are all contributing factors to stress, urge and mixed urinary incontinence. Until now, there hasn’t been an effective therapy to treat incontinence other than bladder mesh placement which is major surgery, requires a hospital stay, general anesthesia and prolonged down-time, and presents a new set of problems for women afterward including failing to be effective. Alternatives to bladder mesh

“Roughly 24% of women experience some form of urinary incontinence at some time.” Pictured left: Dr. Yasuto Taguchi, Kim Bryant, Tallie Mullon

OKIE CHARMED - March 2022

surgery include medication or wearing diapers or a pad. Because of the lack of effective therapies available, many women have learned to live with incontinence and have accepted a lesser quality of life. With EmpowerRF, a revolutionary new device that provides

aesthetic services are available to any woman who needs and wants them. He explains you don’t need to be his patient to benefit from these services. “I integrated these therapies into my practice with the intention that any woman who needed these therapies would have access

From left to right: Juliana Arndt, PSR, Tallie Mullon RN, Preston Dunbar, PSR, Kim Bryant BSN,RN, Ava O’Reilly, PSR, Sammie Smith, PSR, Rick Faulk, Ultrasound Technician.

effective non-surgical therapies to treat all forms of urinary incontinence and maintain feminine wellness, women can feel better about themselves and get their quality of life back. Dr. Taguchi and his team are very excited to bring the newest and best aesthetics to the women in Stillwater and surrounding communities. His feminine wellness and 26

OKIE CHARMED - March 2022

to them. Any woman who suffers from some form of urinary incontinence or who wants to improve her self-image without needing to have surgery should consider EmpowerRF. The Food and Drug Administration has approved this device and deemed the technology safe, and I have every confidence that these treatments can benefit any woman who needs them.” Dr.

Taguchi recommends that if you are interested in any of these services to call the clinic and schedule a free consultation with Nurse Kim or one of his team members to learn more about whether EmpowerRF is right for you. “The advantage of EmpowerRF therapies is that we can formulate a personal treatment plan for each woman depending on her needs. Everyone is different and our treatment approach will vary.” Dr. Taguchi is only one of three OB/GYN physicians in Oklahoma to offer EmpowerRF services. EmpowerRF is a state-of-the-art platform that uses multiple technologies such as fractional radiofrequency and electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) to non-surgically treat urinary incontinence and other intimate concerns caused by childbirth and aging. They are quick in-office procedures with little to no down-time. Incontinence therapies include FormaV, a gentle radiofrequency heating device that tightens and rejuvenates vaginal tissue; VTone, an intravaginal therapeutic device that provides EMS to rehabilitate weak pelvic floor muscles; Morpheus8V, a device that uses an unprecedented, patented technology that treats vaginal tissue and tightens and supports the vaginal wall and helps urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction; and Tone, an EMS device that works by emitting pulses of energy to stimulate abdominal muscles to contract and tightens and tones to help support the bladder. A combination of these treatments is very effective in treating any form of urinary incontinence. Aside from the intimate feminine concerns women develop after childbirth or with aging, many women also want to look younger and feel their best, but they aren’t ready to undergo the major surgery required to achieve these results such as a tummy tuck after childbirth or a face lift as they age. New mothers who experience noticeable unexpected aesthetic and feminine changes in their bodies after childbirth want to restore their bodies to their pre pregnancy state. These women can benefit from EmpowerRF

Testimonials “I am improving continuously, and I no longer trickle, and I am able to have a steady stream when I use the bathroom. I also am sleeping through the night more frequently without waking to use the restroom. FormaV and VTone have made a difference! I like how VTone helps to isolate the correct muscles.” -M. “Absolutely love Dr. Taguchi and his staff! Every appointment is wonderful and everyone is so kind. Just an overall great experience. You feel heard and they all take the time to listen and answer your questions. ” -Codi. “We chose Dr. Taguchi because he goes above and beyond. He makes sure to address any concerns, and is always advocating for his patients. He is the best doctor I have ever been to. We can’t imagine anyone else delivering our child. ” -Mrs. Blocker OKIE CHARMED - March 2022

therapies. Taguchi Women’s Clinic offers Morpheus8 and Morpheus8 Body, both of which are revolutionary aesthetic wellness therapies. Morpheus8 and Morpheus8 Body stimulate collagen and elastin synthesis anywhere on the body while also melting adipose tissue (fat) to improve body contouring. This is the first technology of its kind to combine bipolar radiofrequency (RF) with microneedling (RFmicroneedling) to help your body’s skin rejuvenate, and lift and tighten without the help of Botox or fillers. These skin rejuvenation and tightening therapies and shrinking of adipose tissue are non-surgical treatments and can be done in the clinic without anesthesia and require little to no down-time. The Morpheus8 Body device is in a class of its own being the only FDA-cleared device that can penetrate skin and underlying adipose tissue up to 8mm with bipolar RF energy to remodel subdermal adipose tissue. Again, Dr. Taguchi offers free consultations for women who want to discuss their treatment options with EmpowerRF. If you suffer from urinary incontinence or want

Rick Faulk performing an ultrasound for Mrs. Blocker. She is currenlty expecting her second child.

38 60 28

OKIE CHARMED - WINTER FALL 2021 March 2021 2022

Mr. Blocker watching his second child on the ultrasound screen for the first time.

to improve your overall health and confidence, learn more about our rejuvenation therapies by calling (405) 372-6246. Simply put, EmpowerRF makes a difference in the function of a woman’s feminine and overall health leading to a better quality of life. Follow us on Facebook at Taguchi Women’s Clinic, PLLC and like us on Instagram @taguchiwomensclinic to learn more about EmpowerRF services. Other OB/GYN services offered by Taguchi Women’s Clinic include high-risk deliveries, 2D/3D/4D ultrasounds, fertility management and PCOS, genetic screening, menopausal care, and much more. Visit www.taguchiwomensclinic. com to learn more about Dr. Taguchi and his healthcare services. Dr. Taguchi is a BoardCertified OB/GYN specialist and Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and has been awarded the honor of being named a Top OB/GYN Doctor by TopDoctorAward in 2018. He has been recognized as a “Hero Among Us” by the Stillwater Medical Center in 2020 and was voted best OB/GYN in Stillwater by the Stillwater NewsPress. Taguchi Women’s Clinic, 801 S Walnut St, Stillwater, OK. A special Thank You to Mr. and Mrs. Blocker for allowing us to photograph them during their appointment.

Exercise—doing water I’m a preacher’s daughter. aerobics, taking yoga classes, I attended four different schools running, or taking long walks—is between first and sixth grades. an essential part of your self-love It was easier to be friendly in a superficial way than it was to leave close friends. I relied on books to fill the gap. In seventh grade, I put down roots. I was reminded how painful it is to leave good friends when, the summer before my junior year in high school, Dad moved the family to take on a job at a new church. But I was an adult when I really grasped that books couldn’t replace friends any more than friends could replace books. I needed them both. Almost everything I do is tool kit. I walk thirty minutes to an richer because of friends. hour every day. My spouse and I I met the Lindas in a water take yoga classes and do Tai Chi. aerobics class. It didn’t take us When we started locking long before we started trading down in early 2021, we told recipes. Working out in the water ourselves that we could do yoga makes you hungry. Before long, at home. I would occasionally a group of us, dubbed the Water do my Tai Chi routines, but the Buffalo by one of our instructors, sessions got farther and farther started scheduling regular dinner apart. We seldom got out the yoga mats. It just wasn’t the same without our friends in the classes. Almost everything goes better with friends. We are back in our yoga classes, and I teach Tai Chi at the gym one day a week. It’s good to be back, but we lost almost a year of progress. A friend of mine and I masked up and met in town at least once a week to walk and chat outdoors. We didn’t let the weather stop us. Both the friendship and the walks were lifelines. I took daily walks at dates. Eventually the pool closed home, but I had those weekly down and we began to scatter, but the Lindas and I found other walks to look forward to.

FRIENDS ARE

Good Medicine written by Sharon Edge Martin photos provided

things to do together. The three of us are basket weavers. Again, we found it was much more satisfying to meet and weave than it was to weave by ourselves. These days, we usually meet in Linda C’s kitchen. Wherever we meet, we don’t worry about providing food or tidying up. All that matters is a clean floor, because you don’t want to drag wet reed across a dirty one. The Lindas also knit and crochet. They take turns meeting in the homes of a group they call the Knit Wits. My alone time is spent writing. Writing is a solitary endeavor, but the poets who attend the monthly poetry reading I host at Tidewater Winery felt the pain of the shutdown. You should have seen the enthusiasm of the crowd when we decided it was time to meet again in person. Friends are a gift, and we mustn’t take for granted the health benefits of our friendships. My friends and I kept up with each other by phone and with social media, but even that couldn’t compete with the joy of getting together. What do you and your friends enjoy doing together? Is it time to schedule a play date?

It’s the new year and like so many other people in the world, I am resolving to get into better shape. Being in the gym is intimidating, and two minutes on the elliptical feels like forty. I abhor running, and if I am running, you better run too because something scary is coming after me! Walking outside is fun, but with the irregular and unreliable Oklahoma weather, walking is not always conducive. I’m not cut out to be a bodybuilder. Truth be told, if I cannot ﬁnd an exercise that I enjoy doing, then I don’t exercise at all. That was before I discovered the joys of Zumba. Zumba is not your mother’s Jazzercise! It is a Latin based, high energy dance exercise with moves that are easy to follow. This allows novice dancers like myself to feel like Arianna Grande’s sexy backup dancers. Additionally, with almost 500 instructors in Oklahoma, it is easy to ﬁnd a nearby class. One fabulous Okie Charmed lady, Lorinda Lockard, teaches Zumba on Sunday afternoons at the YMCA in Norman. Lorinda started attending Zumba classes in 2008 at the Norman YMCA. For her, it was a fun way

to get moving and to be healthier..much more fun than any other exercise she had participated in. During the three years Lorinda attended Zumba classes, she was constantly approached by other attendees and instructors who encouraged her to be an instructor. As a former pom captain at Lawton Eisenhower High School and a natural teacher (Lorinda is the sophomore English instructor at Blanchard High School), Lorinda decided to take her dance experience to a new level and become a Zumba instructor in 2014. “Sometimes I had instructors who were hard to follow. They didn’t cue,” Lorinda stated. She became the kind of instructor who she wished she had, easy and fun to follow. As a participant, I ﬁnd Lorinda’s instructions simple, but somehow they progress to more advanced moves without me realizing it. She cues by pointing or counting with her ﬁngers combined with encouraging facial expressions, or a tilt of her blonde head. If more elaborate steps are anticipated in any of the routines, she previews it in the warm-up dance. Often, she teaches it before the song begins. Her colorful Zumba gear is eye-catching so it’s hard not to see her, and she wears mismatched socks on purpose. Even though this doesn’t seem important, 30

OKIE CHARMED - March 2022

it is extremely helpful while following her lead. Her infectious enthusiasm for Zumba inspires the most timid of Zumba dancers. Training to be a Zumba instructor is diﬃcult and time consuming, yet the beneﬁts are worth it. “I like it when people make progress,” she cheerfully states. “I even had a blind person in my class before.” It is rewarding for Lorinda to watch a newbie who starts out tripping over their own feet to be able to keep up most of the class and become a decent dancer. Do you have to be a dancer, or to know basic dance steps to do Zumba? No! Do you have to have rhythm? No! No previous dance experience or talent is necessary, and classes are open to any age. Zumba emphasizes movement and having fun, not perfection. It is a great

exercise for anyone who wants to be more active or get into better shape. Many ﬁtness goals are achieved with Zumba. One thing that hinders participation is being worried about how a person looks while doing Zumba. Some people are hindered from trying Zumba because they are worried about how they look at the beginning with awkward merengue steps and arms going the opposite direction as the instructor. However, after a couple of classes, everything falls together and even the most uncoordinated person looks like a dancer. But no one should be concerned that anyone is watching because everyone is watching the instructor. Lorinda leads a Zumba class on Sundays at 1:30 pm at the Norman YMCA. Other Zumba classes are available as well. For a class near you, visit www.zumba.com. • • • •• • ••• • • • • • • ••• • ••• • •• ••

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NEW Year NEW Bra 32

OKIE CHARMED - March 2022

Resolutions, resolutions, and more resolutions…exercising , dieting , and thinking positively . Although these are very important I challenge you to ask, “What resolutions am I making about my wardrobe?” May I remind you that it’s now 2022, and a new year means that it’s time to purchase a new bra! Does this idea fill you with dread? Are you worried about being poked and prodded by an uncomfortable torture device that you’ll abandon as soon as you walk into your house? Did you know that 8 out of 10 women wear the wrong bra size? We could all use some guidance and direction in this area. So what should you do if you’re looking for the best bra? I decided to head to Stillwater, Oklahoma where I interviewed Melissa Wiles, the delightful owner of Whisper Boutique. Melissa’s business, which has been open since 2014, brings a much needed resource, saving customers a trip to Tulsa or Oklahoma City. Her store is filled with beautiful items, such as underwear, lingerie, and swimsuits! My first order of business was discussing the purchase of a new bra. I sat down in her peaceful office, mesmerized by her beautiful fish and aquarium. We spoke about the reasons why Melissa decided on this particular career. “I come from a family that spans all bra sizes - B cups to O cups - and bra shopping was always a frustrating, miserable experience, for all of us. Nothing ever fit right; we couldn’t find the styles we wanted, and we often settled for something causing lots of pulling, tugging, and pain. I realized that one of the few items Stillwater residents couldn’t buy locally was bras. If I was going to open a bra store, I knew I wanted the focus to be on getting the correct fit and styles for the entire family. After a lot of research, we opened Whisper with the goal of being able to fit anyone that walked through our doors.” One of the first things I asked her was how often one should buy a new bra. She answered, “Bras should never celebrate a birthday, meaning that after a year, they’ve given you their best and need to be retired. A bra’s life is drastically shortened if it’s the only one worn, so it’s recommended to have 3-5 bras in your rotation.” Her bras range in price from

Melissa Wiles Owner

Matilda: This is our top-selling style in the entire store.

Crimson

Black

White

Cafe Rose

Daisy Blue Star Available in 32-44 bands, DD-O cups.

Brand is Elomi.

$42-$78; however, they always try to keep a healthy selection on the sale rack with bras as low as $20! Although a good fitting bra can be a big investment, it is well worth the support that it will give back to you. When I asked her about some of the common problems people had when picking out a new bra she related, “A lot of people assume if they are spilling out of a bra, they need a bigger band size. The majority of our customers find out, on their first visit here, that they’ve been wearing bras that are too small in the cup and too big in the band. I also see a lot of women buy bras based on what their friends and family buy, but we’re all built so differently! What works for one woman, doesn’t always work for another. It’s important to find the style that fits YOUR body.” The right fit is key to going home with a smile upon your face. Melissa reminds us that “At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how pretty or expensive or “well made” a bra is - if it doesn’t fit correctly, it’s not going to serve its purpose.” So it is very important to be fitted for a new bra. This is where one of Melissa’s expert fitters comes in to help. I decided to take the plunge because it had been awhile since I was last fitted. It is important to be re-measured from time to time. Life changes, such as gaining or losing weight, having a child or surgery, can change the way a bra fits you. Here is what you can expect if you come into Whisper. A fitter will take you back to a fitting room and ask you to take off your shirt, but leave on your bra. She’ll grab a couple of quick measurements. My fitter expertly measured around my band size and then across the fullest part of my bust. She made me feel very comfortable. She then grabbed a bra to fit. This likely won’t be the style you want, but it’s just to get the best size for you. Rarely are measurements ever accurate - they simply provide a starting point to make adjustments. Once the fitter has your size, she discusses what styles you’re looking for, then brings you several to try on. They check the fit on each bra as it’s common to be 2-3 different sizes depending on the style and brand. Her fitters want to make sure everything you like fits perfectly! From there, your fitter will work to find the perfect bra OKIE CHARMED - March 2022

for you. She will come in and check the fit, adjust the straps, and ask about your concerns. Being a fuller busted woman, I have often found it difficult to find a well-fitting bra. Even more difficult than that was finding a bra that would be pretty and flattering. Luckily, Melissa’s Whisper has many styles and sizes, from a size B to a P cup.

Bliss Perfection:

I tried on several beautiful things that I liked, including her sports bras. Melissa has a wide array of colors and styles. It felt great to have so much variety to choose from. I even got to try on one of her most popular new styles. It was very pretty and flattering! Melissa said it is one of her favorites, “Right now, I’m loving Samira from Elomi. It’s a gorgeous black cutand-sew style, available up to an N cup. It has semi-sheer cups with beautiful floral embroidery. We’ve got it on a mannequin in our fitting room and almost everyone has asked to try it on.” I also loved her new bralets. These are one of her new, comfortable styles fitting a range of different sized women. It was a fire-engine red style, which felt very comfortable and uplifting even without an underwire. In the end, I purchased a beautiful wine colored, lace underwire bra made by Sculptress. I think it will work well with several different outfit styles. I asked Melissa about the best way to take care of my new bra. She said, “ALWAYS lay flat to dry! I tell my customers, hand washing is always best, but if you’re going to throw it in the washing machine, use a lingerie bag to keep the straps from catching on stuff and twisting. Under no circumstances should your bra ever see the inside of a dryer. Heat breaks down the elasticity in a bra and can cause damage to the band, cups, and underwire.” She also cautioned me about wear on the new bra, “While you’re excited when you get a new bra and want to wear it every day, don’t. Your bra needs a day off to allow the elasticity to relax. Wearing the same bra multiple days in a row stresses the elasticity and shortens the life of the bra. After this discussion, Melissa took me around the store to show off her lovely merchandise. While we roamed around the store, I noticed a sign which said: “Donate a bra…Give a former slave a job.” This intrigued me, and I asked Melissa about it. She said that she heard about a program called ‘Free the Girls’. Based in Colorado, it allows her to collect gently used bras 36

OKIE CHARMED - March 2022

Heather Grey

Brand is Natori. $70

Black

This is our top-selling t-shirt bra. Ivy

Sunset Coral

Tropics

Available in: Cafe, Sunrise Tie Dye, Currant, Ivy, and Black Leopard. 30-38 band sizes, A-G cups.

and ship them off to women in 3rd world countries.. These women can sell the bras, which allows them to work, rather than be forced into trafficking. Melissa ships these bras off several times a year. In addition to this, Melissa and I discussed what we do in our spare time. When Melissa is seeking a challenge, and some inner peace, she builds something with wood. She inherited her talents and some tools from her dad. I enjoyed seeing some of her pieces that she has been working on including a hand-made dog-pen. Although she loves this hands-on outlet, Melissa always finds satisfaction helping others.

Kayla: Brand is Goddess. $52 Available in 34-46 bands and DD-N cups. Available in Black Leopard, Black, Nude, Fawn, White, and Chocolate.

There are many reasons Melissa loves her job, but one of her favorite parts is helping her customers find the perfect bra. She says, “I love seeing the change in a woman when she gets a bra that fits properly. I’ve had people cry tears of joy after getting fitted, laugh, hug me - I’ve seen all sorts of happy reactions from customers; it makes all the stress of owning a business completely worth it. She went on to tell her favorite story. “I had a mom and her teenage daughter come in to get the daughter fitted. After giving her a bra to try, I came back to the fitting room and heard hysterical laughter. My initial thought was, “Oh, no, the fit must be way off.” I poked my head in to check and the mom, crying happy tears, said her daughter had always had to wear two shirts because she spilled out of her bras so much, but this one actually fit! Anytime they’d gone bra shopping before, the experience usually ended with an unhappy purchase and irritated silence on the car ride home. She promised her daughter after they picked out bras they’d go buy her a new wardrobe.” Another happy ending at Whisper…a victory for both Melissa and her customers! If you are ready to find just the right support in the new year, visit Melissa and her experts at 905 S. Main in Stillwater, Oklahoma. She is open from 10 am to 6 pm, Monday through Saturday. written by Sharen Smith photography by Kayla Watson some photos provided

OKIE CHARMED - March 2022

Samira: Brand is Elomi. $69 Available in 32-44 band sizes and DDD-N cups.

Priya: Brand is Elomi. $72 Available in Haute Red or Black. Available in 32-44 band sizes and DDD - O cups.

A Haven of Hope

Speaking with MaryAnne Brubaker, she may seem soft-spoken and unassuming, however her mission at Shiloh’s Place is anything but. The mission at Shiloh’s Place, according to MaryAnne, the Executive Director of this nonprofit, is “to provide hope to young mothers and help them find a place to belong.” When asked what inspired her to take up this mission, Brubaker explains that God placed it on her heart. It was a calling, which makes the organization’s name, Shiloh, which translated from Hebrew means “Belongs to the Lord”, all the more fitting. Being a mother is not easy. Period. Even with all the familial support, planning, anticipation, and resources, being a mother is one of the most difficult, albeit rewarding, things you can do. The reality is, many young women do not walk into motherhood with the same support and resources that so many of us take for granted. The work MaryAnne does with this organization includes running support groups for unwed mothers or mothers-to-be up to 23 years old. One of these support groups, Embrace Grace, is a 12 week group that concludes with a celebratory baby shower for the expectant mothers. One of Maryanne’s main goals in these support groups is to show these young women that they are loved, and worthy of love, as well as setting them up for success as mothers. Shiloh’s Place then offers a follow up support group, Embrace Life, which offers encouragement and comfort for a further 24 weeks. Another way Shiloh’s Place shows compassion is through their sponsorship of Love Boxes. These are given to young women who are just learning they are pregnant and are in the process of deciding their next steps. These boxes include many uplifting and empowering elements such as “Best Gift Ever” onesies, journals, and hand-written notes of strength and encouragement. MaryAnne explains that every box is prayed over with these young women and their futures in mind. She wants these young women to know that regardless of possibly uncertain times

ahead, they are already good mothers; they are actively making the choice to keep their baby. Looking towards the future, Brubaker has big goals for Shiloh’s Place. They are beginning to host a third support group, Post Abortion and Miscarraige Support. This group will be open for people of all ages, women and men, that have experienced the loss of a baby and are seeking spiritual healing. A second significant goal Shiloh’s Place is working towards this upcoming year is building a Teen Maternity and Parenting Home. MaryAnne says that many young expectant mothers find themselves in the position of having to choose between keeping their baby or being allowed to stay at home. She wants to take homelessness out of the equation. Not only will this Home be a safe space for expectant mothers, it will also provide support in the way of life skills such as health, nutrition, and budgeting, as well as parenting or assistance in adoption planning. Shiloh’s Place hosted a Teen Maternity and Parenting Home benefit in early November, raising $20,000 towards their $100,000 goal. With 100 benefit attendees, this is an impressive dent. However, they have a ways to go. MaryAnne is optimistic and pleased with their progress thus far. They are accepting donations through their Facebook page, Shiloh’s Place, Inc. or through Paypal. Keep an eye out on their Facebook page for donation drawings and other great opportunities to donate. In December, donors were placed in a drawing to win a 2 night stay at the Cottages of Willow Pond, including a steak dinner, dessert, and breakfast! Shiloh’s Place is truly a labor of love for MaryAnne Brubaker. She and her board are doing fantastic work. To young women who may be reading this article and facing their own uncertain futures, she says, “If you need us, we are here for you.” written by Erica Ewy

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The

Indigenous Insight

written by Alicia Renee Chaino-Ahkeahbo

Indigenous horse healing: Majestic Spirits 42

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a e r t Tac H r e e os D

OKIE CHARMED - March 2022

Yourself

Out There

This issue is all about self love and self care. It’s about taking care of yourself and recharging those batteries. We are in the big fat middle of winter, and we are probably all yearning for some summer sunshine and vitamin D. We are suffering from whatever disorder gives us the Winter Blues! There are a lot of ways that we can take care of ourselves and recharge our batteries when we get the Winter Blues. Some people like to take a day and get a facial and a mani/pedi; some like to go for lunch and drinks with the girls; while others opt for retail therapy. To each their own, whatever works for YOU! For the record, I like having lunch and drinks with my girls. I enjoy retail therapy at times, and I absolutely refuse to pay someone to paint my toenails! LOL. I don’t like paying for things I can do on my own; it’s a personality quirk. I paint my own toenails; I change my own oil in my truck; I mow my own yard, and I butcher 95% of my own meat! When it comes to self care and recharging my batteries, I like to turn to outdoor therapy! I like to just be IN the outside. Hiking, hunting, fishing or just sitting..Nature has a very spiritual way of grounding you. It somehow allows you to be more in tune with your surroundings while calming you from the inside. 2020 and 2021 were rough years! I wasn’t sure that I was going to make it through 2020. We squared up with Covid shutdowns, virtual teaching, studenting…..and PARENTING while still experiencing social distancing and all of those changes. I went through a nasty divorce & custody dealings. While having to find a house and move, my first baby graduated and then 3 months later birthed my first grandbaby. I was laid off and decided to go back to school full time. Then, my truck was stolen…. I mean I think the year threw everything but the kitchen sink at me and then added a dash of depression just for good measure. Needless to say, I was very ready to ring in the new year and usher 2021 in with fervor and gusto! I didn’t even make a new year’s resolution; I just wanted to survive the year without anything else crazy. 2021 took the cake though 44

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and put me on my knees one fi e summer day without an ounce of effort. Life is like that you know….as savage as a Nile crocodile sneaking up and nabbing a baby wildebeest taking a nice drink of water. Then it silently swims off to nap contentedly in the sun with a full belly leaving the mama wildebeest to mourn her loss while all the while the sun sets and rises all over again. It’s called the circle of life, and life’s circumstances shook me to the core this past year. I learned that one has to take the wins where you can fi d them. If I learned anything, I’ve learned this….With enough grit and determination, I can get through anything, and so can every single one of you! Grit isn’t easily found though. It’s something that you have inside of you that only surfaces when things get tough. I fi mly believe that it’s EARNED…and earned in the trenches of life. It is important to fi d your centering calm place. For many of us sisters of the outdoors…and for me, that’s nature, being in nature, and interacting with nature. Whether it is the treestand, a hiking trail, camping at the lake, kayaking down the river, sitting on a nice fishing bank, the walking path or a park bench, nature is where it’s at. There is something so serene about breathing the fresh air, watching the wildlife and listening to the breeze. Nature can be extremely benefic al for your mental health. There are so many benefits! I have read all kinds of things about Grounding and Earthing. As you know our bodies are driven by electrical impulses, and the practice of grounding or earthing is based on the Earth’s electrical charges. There are studies and therapies using electroshock and electric charges of all kinds. Our hearts can be restarted by introducing an electric shock or impulse to it. Also, an irregular heartbeat can be set back to a normal sinus rhythm by a good shock. There are many other examples of electricity being used for therapeutic treatments of all kinds and for a plethora of reasons. I fi d it all very interesting, and if you think about it… it just makes sense. When you need to fi d your grit or your centering calming place, look to nature. I can’t tell you how many days I needed to just be outside. I had no specific chore or task; I just sat there. Walked, wandered, meandered, and sat by the creek just listening. I’ve even wandered down there in the wee hours of the morning to just sit there in silence in the dark. Nature has a way of making all of our troubles seem smaller, less impending, and less immediate. Perspective is key and it has always helped me to keep my perspective. When you fi d yourself worn out, worn down and needing a break, get outside! Put that phone away and let your mind get lost in the great outdoors! Chances are, you will fi d yourself out there! ~The Outdoor Gal TaMara

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The Benefits of Meditating for Oklahoma’s Women 46

OKIE CHARMED - March 2022

In today’s culture, mental health has become increasingly an important issue, especially as we seek to survive the stress and loneliness caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that there are more than twelve million women in the United States who experience clinical depression every year, especially women ages 25 to 45 years old. American women tend to ignore their own mental health and put their families and careers before their own well-being. Women can have a tough time focusing on their mental health. Meditation is one way to deal with another year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Meditation is an old practice that combines breathing skills, concentration t e c h n i q u e s and conscious concentration to attain a state of calm. Cultures worldwide have used meditation practices for centuries, including Christianity, B u d d h i s m , Hinduism, Judaism, and other faith groups. Additionally, medical professionals use meditation as a psychotherapeutic technique. An American pioneer of meditation and an industry leader, Sharon Salzberg will tell you that meditation made her happy, more loving, and more peaceful, “but not every moment of the day.” Salzberg said, “I still have good times and bad, joy and sorrow, but now I can accept setbacks more easily, with less sense of disappointment and personal failure. Meditation has taught OKIE CHARMED - March 2022

Simple Steps to Meditate for Beginners: 1. Take a seat in a place that feels calm and quiet to you. 2. Set a time limit if you’re just beginning at three, five, or ten minutes. 3. Notice your body, make sure you’re in a position you can stay in for a while. 4. Feel your breath, follow the sensation of your breath as it goes in and as it goes out. 5. Notice when your mind has wandered and simply return your attention to your breaths. 6. Be kind to your wandering mind, don’t judge yourself or obsess over the content of the thoughts you find yourself lost in. Just come back. 7. Close with kindness when you’re ready. If your eyes are closed, open them. Take a moment to notice any sounds around you. Notice how your body feels right now. Notice your thoughts and emotions. 8. You’re done; you have practiced meditation. You focus your attention, your mind wanders, you bring it back, and you try to do it as kindly as possible and as often a day as you need. 48

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me how to cope with the profound truth that everything changes all the time.” Women in Oklahoma have choices to learn and practice meditative techniques. Women can learn to meditate at home, take a local meditation course, watch meditation podcasts or YouTube videos, or download a self-guided meditation app. The Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa provides monthly meditation courses at the museum designed for all levels of participants. AtEASE meditation instructor, Nicole Pearl, teaches the courses using the soothing harmonies of crystal bowls, Koshi chimes and a symphonic gong. Class times are available on the museum’s website, https://philbrook.org/ calendar. Daily meditation practice has been known to reduce stress and anxiety and enhance memory and mental clarity. Meditation techniques can increase a person’s willpower and attention span. In addition, meditation allows for better sleep, reduces pain, helps with depression, and increases positive feelings. Salzberg says that over time meditation helps you better understand yourself, and helps you find your best self. “If you’re reading these words, perhaps it’s because something has kicked open the door for you, and you’re ready to embrace change. It isn’t enough to appreciate change from afar, or only in the abstract, or as something that can happen to other people but not to you. We need to create change for ourselves, in a workable way, as part of our everyday lives.” “People turn to meditation because they want to make good decisions, break bad habits & bounce back better from disappointments.” -Sharon Salzberg, The Power of Meditation: A 28-Day Program for Real Happiness

Local Meditation Center’s Websites to Learn & Practice Meditation: Tulsa Yoga Meditation Center 5319 S. Sheridan, Tulsa, OK 74145 918-284-1422 Tulsa Shambhala Meditation Group 5001 South Fulton Ave, Tulsa, OK 74135 Tel. 918-694-9233 St. John’s Center for Spiritual Formation 840 S Memorial Dr, Suite 305 Tulsa, OK 74145-9082 918-663-4747 SJCENTER.COM

Self-Meditation Apps

An interspiritual contemplative retreat center – Located in Sand Springs, OK Forest of Peace 141 Monastery Road Sand Springs, OK 74063 918-245-2734 FORESTOFPEACE.ORG Philbrook Museum of Art - Tulsa, OK | Meditation at the Museum with At EASE Meditation 2727 S Rockford Road Tulsa, OK 918-748-5300

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