STRONG, CENTERED AND WHOLE Women That Inspire Us To Thrive
On What Women Want
RECLAIMING PELVIC POWER
How Everyday Exposures Shape Women’s Health
TEN
Developing a Daily Routine
YMCA Leading the Way in North Texas
We’re excited to now offer veterinary rehabilitation services for pain management, recovery, and mobility support. Combining traditional veterinary medicine with proven therapies to keep your pet moving comfortably as long as possible.
As a valued member of your family, we believe your pet deserves compassionate and comprehensive medical care. We are the only clinic in Denton County focused on Integrative Veterinary Medicine.
Our expert veterinarians have over 30 years of combined experience in Integrative Veterinary Medicine, proudly serving Lewisville, Flower Mound, Highland Village, as well as Dallas and Collin Counties and the surrounding areas.
HOURS: Mon-Sat: 9am-6pm Sun: Closed Lewisville: 349 North Garden Ridge Boulevard Lewisville, TX 75067 HOURS: Mon-Fri: 9am-6pm Sat-Sun: Closed
Every Day is Mothers Day May simply gives us a reason to turn our attention more deeply toward women. Not just in celebration, but in reflection. To focus with clarity on the role women play in our lives and in the world - seeing clearly, it is far more foundational than we often acknowledge.
After all, every one of us is here because of a woman.
That simple truth alone should give us reason to think more deeply about the health and well-being of the women around us.
But it goes beyond biology.
Our Instruction Manual, the Bible, reminds us that from the very beginning, women were part of God’s intentional design for how life would work. In Genesis 2:18, we are told, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” This was not an afterthought. It was a recognition that life was meant to function in relationship, partnership and interdependence. It is inextricably interconnected.
Women were created to bring forth life and to help sustain, nurture and strengthen it. They are responsible for maintenance of our species.
We see this reinforced throughout Scripture. Proverbs 31 paints a picture of a woman who is strong, capable, resourceful and deeply influential in the health and success of her household and community. She is central to how life works.
And this pattern is not limited to humanity.
Across nature, the health of the female often determines the health of the whole. When the female in a species is strong and supported, populations grow and ecosystems remain balanced. When she is weakened, the effects ripple outward.
The same is true in our homes and communities.
Women often carry multiple roles at once, caregiver, provider, organizer, nurturer and encourager. They influence what families eat, how children are raised and how health decisions are made. They are often the steady force holding things together.
And yet, too often, women are the last ones to be cared for.
They give continuously. They show up for everyone else, sometimes at the expense of their own well-being. It is easy to fall into the pattern of thinking that self-care can wait.
But it cannot.
If we truly understand the role women play in the design of life, then supporting their health is not optional. It is essential.
When we support women’s health, we are investing in the health of everything connected to them. This includes access to nourishing food, time for rest, reduced exposure to toxins, supportive relationships and space for spiritual and emotional renewal. It also means encouraging women to care for themselves without guilt, knowing that doing so strengthens everyone around them.
In this month’s issue, we explore this through the expertise of four North Texas women who are helping others thrive through their professional work in health and wellness. Each brings a distinct perspective, offering insight and practical guidance in her area of specialization. You will hear from practitioners in dental health, mental wellness, healthcare related to environmental impacts and meditation-based wellness. Together, they provide a well-rounded look at how women’s health can be supported, strengthened and sustained.
As we celebrate Mother’s Day this month, I encourage you to look beyond the flowers and the cards. Take a moment to consider the women in your life - mothers, wives, daughters, friends, co-workers and colleagues. Consider what they carry, what they give and what they need.
Then ask, how can I better support their health and well-being?
As always, we hope you will find much in this issue to help you along your journey to living a healthy life on a healthy planet.
Blessings until next month,
Publisher Bernice Butler
Editor Jane Aylward
Design & Production Kim Cerne
Web Master Shertech
Features Writer Nancy Seigle
Distribution Valerie Swearingen Rick Clark Zoe Ronchese
NATIONAL TEAM
CEO Kimberly B. Whittle
National Editor Sandra Yeyati
Editor Brooke Goode
Copy Editor/Proofing Melanie Rankin
Layout Flip180 Media
© 2026 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.
Natural Awakenings is printed on partially recycled and fully recyclable newsprint with black soy ink.
HOW TO ADVERTISE
To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 972-992-8815 or email Publisher@NADallas.com. Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month.
EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS
Email articles, news items and ideas to: Publisher@NADallas.com. Deadline for editorial: the 10th of the month.
CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS
Submit Calendar Events online to: Submit.NADallas.com/DAL/Calendar or fax to 972-478-0339. Deadline for calendar: the 15th of the month.
REGIONAL MARKETS
Advertise your products or services in multiple
markets. Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 972-992-8815.
Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business.
We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. Check with a
professional regarding the appropriate use of any
Corrections & Clarifications
Natural Awakenings Dallas is committed to accuracy. To reach us, contact the Publisher, Bernice Butler at 972-992-8815 or email editor@NADallas. com. Please indicate whether you’re responding to content online or in the magazine.
Marty Miron was erroneously listed as editor of Natural Awakenings
Worth Magazine in the past four issues. We regret the
Six Texas-based conservation initiatives have been selected for the 2026 Conservation Wrangler program by Texan by Nature, a statewide organization advancing solutions that benefit people, prosperity and natural resources.
The competitive accelerator supports high-impact, science-based projects with 12 to 18 months of strategic planning, data analysis, marketing and partnership development to help scale measurable outcomes.
The 2026 cohort includes habitat restoration, regenerative agriculture and urban conservation efforts across the state. Notably, the Greenbelt Conservation and Restoration Project by Friends of Bachman Lake will restore a 58-acre greenbelt along Bachman Creek in Dallas. Additional projects include Bird City Texas (led by Audubon Texas), the Texas Grazing Network by American Farmland Trust, and initiatives focused on West Texas waterways, coastal bird habitats and adaptive reuse of historic green spaces.
These projects represent a cross-section of urban, rural and coastal conservation strategies designed to deliver scalable solutions across Texas and beyond. With support from Texan by Nature, the 2026 Conservation Wranglers will work over the next year and a half to expand their reach, strengthen partnerships and accelerate outcomes.
Together, these projects address critical challenges such as water conservation, soil health, biodiversity loss and rapid urban growth, while offering scalable models for communities statewide.
For more information, visit TexanByNature.org.
Are you turning 65? Need help exploring your options?
We
• Hospital indemnity
FreeForm Chiropractic Dallas, led by Dr. Tony Barrientos, DC, is now open, offering a focused approach to spinal health and nervous system optimization for long-term wellness. The practice emphasizes identifying and addressing the root causes of dysfunction rather than providing shortterm symptom relief.
Call a licensed Humana sales agent Kenneth Black 945-248-6232(TTY: 711) Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 8p.m. KBlack21@Humana.com https://medicareagent.humana.com/ tx/grandprairie/kennethblackhumana-agent
* Non-health products would need to be discussed on a separate call from Medicare products. Y0040_GHHJ5JBSP_AD_C
Care at FreeForm begins with a detailed assessment of the spine and nervous system to detect areas of interference that may impact the body’s ability to regulate and heal. By improving function within this system, patients may experience better adaptability, mobility and overall health outcomes.
To introduce its services to the community, FreeForm Chiropractic Dallas is offering a limited-time $20 New Patient Experience, regularly valued between $150 and $200. The package includes a comprehensive consultation, posture and movement analysis, spinal and extremity examination, any necessary digital X-rays and a personalized report of findings. The goal is to provide individuals with a clearer understanding of their health and a path forward grounded in proactive care.
Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday from 7:30 to 10 a.m.
For more information, visit FreeFormChiropracticDallas.com.
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden will host its upcoming Cactus Show and Sale on May 9 and 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily at the Main Entrance Entry Plaza, as part of its “Cultivate” event series.
Designed for both seasoned collectors and curious beginners, the event will showcase a wide variety of cacti and succulents, from classic sculptural favorites to rare and unusual specimens not often found in local nurseries. Attendees can explore a diverse array of specimens, ranging from iconic, sculptural classics to rare and unusual varieties seldom seen in local nurseries. The event provides a unique opportunity to meet knowledgeable growers who can offer expert advice on care, placement, and desert-inspired design ideas.
A curated selection of plants will be available for purchase, giving visitors the opportunity to incorporate resilient, low-maintenance greenery into their homes or landscapes. Admission to the show and sale is included with general garden entry, though advance tickets are recommended.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit DallasArboretum.org.
In celebration of World Migratory Bird Day, the City of Grand Prairie Parks, Arts & Recreation Department invites residents to its annual “Marty Party” on Saturday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Summit in the EpicCentral district. This free, family-friendly event highlights the return of the Purple Martin, North America’s largest swallow, and offers a fun, educational way for the community to connect with nature close to home.
Known for their graceful flight and dependence on human-provided housing, Purple Martins play an important role in maintaining ecological balance. The Marty Party brings this story to life through interactive experiences designed for all ages. Attendees can explore educational stations focused on bird conservation, take guided tours of the nearby Purple Martin Bird Sanctuary at EpicCentral and meet local vendors and community partners promoting environmental stewardship.
The event also underscores the broader value of urban green spaces and conservation efforts across North Texas. By showcasing how cities can support wildlife habitats while fostering community engagement, the Marty Party reflects a growing regional commitment to sustainability and environmental awareness. A complimentary lunch will be available while supplies last, adding to the welcoming, community-centered atmosphere.
Hosted at The Summit, Grand Prairie’s premier active adult center, the event is
to all and requires no registration.
For more information, visit GrandFunGP.com.
by Karolina Matthews
In a world where many women are balancing careers, relationships and caregiving, the concept of vitality can feel elusive. For Chelsey Charboneau, co-founder of Breathe Meditation and Wellness, vitality begins with something both simple and profound: staying true to oneself.
“Staying true to you means protecting and caring for all of you, at all times,” Charboneau explains. “Mental health, emotional wellbeing, physical body and spiritual connection.”
Through her work with women across North Texas, Charboneau has observed a common thread—many women unintentionally place themselves last. While they excel at supporting others, their own needs are often deferred, leading to burnout and imbalance. “We ultimately become our biggest barrier,” she notes.
At the heart of her approach is mindfulness, particularly meditation, as a pathway back to clarity and alignment. Charboneau describes a powerful chain reaction: when the mind is calm, it becomes clear; when it is clear, the body intuitively knows what direction to take. This clarity supports emotional balance and more intentional living.
For women who feel overwhelmed or too busy to begin, her guidance is refreshingly accessible. Start with breath. “It is a free tool that is accessible 24/7,” she says. Even a few intentional moments of breathing can begin to shift awareness and create space for deeper practices over time.
The impact of consistent mindfulness, she has seen, can be life-changing. Clients have shared outcomes ranging from improved relationships to renewed energy, weight loss and a deeper sense of happiness. These shifts, while personal, reflect a broader truth: when women reconnect with themselves, every area of life can improve.
Charboneau also emphasizes that mindfulness does not exist in isolation. Complementary practices such as yoga and one-on-one healing modalities—including reiki, quantum healing and guided insight
sessions—can enhance and deepen results. These approaches work synergistically, helping women restore balance across multiple dimensions of health.
Ultimately, her message is both empowering and practical. Vitality is not found in doing more, but in becoming more aware, more aligned and more intentional. Through small, consistent practices, women can reclaim their energy and create a sustainable foundation for well-being—one breath at a time.
For more information visit Breathe MeditationAndWellness.com or call 972-850-9894.
Karolina Matthews is a free-lance writer, health coach and wellness advocate.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Gardeners across North Texas can tap into a full slate of May events and timely advice from local chapters of the Texas Master Gardener Program. This month’s activities focus on spring garden tours, plant sales and practical strategies to help landscapes transition into early summer.
A featured event is the Dallas County Master Gardener Association Spring Garden Tour on May 9, debuting in North Oak Cliff. The self-guided tour runs from
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes five private gardens and two public demonstration sites. Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 day-of. Additional highlights include the White Rock East Garden Tour & Artisans on May 17 and a series of educational classes at North Haven Gardens, including Water Gardening Saturday on May 16 and Gardening for Hummingbirds on May 30.
Plant enthusiasts can also find locally grown, heat-hardy varieties at the Grayson
SATURDAY, MAY 2
Grayson County Master Gardener Plant Sale - 9am–2pm. Annual sale featuring locally grown, heat-tolerant plants. Cost: Free admission. Location: Mayors Arena, Denison.
SATURDAY, MAY 9
DCMGA Spring Garden Tour - 10am–4pm. Self-guided tour of seven gardens in North Oak Cliff. Cost: $18 advance, $20 day of.
SATURDAY, MAY 16
Water Gardening Saturday - Time varies. Learn design and care of water features. Location: North Haven Gardens, Dallas.
SUNDAY, MAY 17
White Rock East Garden Tour & Artisans 10 - am-5pm. Garden tour with artisan vendors near White Rock Lake.
SATURDAY, MAY 30
Gardening for Hummingbirds - Time varies. Learn plant selection to attract pollinators. Location: North Haven Gardens, Dallas.
County Master Gardener plant sale on May 2 in Denison.
As temperatures rise, Master Gardeners are emphasizing “stress management” for tomatoes, including consistent irrigation to prevent blossom end rot, heavy mulching to retain moisture and early monitoring for pests such as aphids and spider mites.
For more information, visit TxMg.org.
THE FOURTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OZONOTHERAPY
U s e c o d e N A 2 6 f o r 5 % o f f
T O P I C S I N C L U D E
U p d a t e s o f O z o n a t e d G l y c e r i n :
I n f e c t i o u s D i s e a s e s , W o u n d H e a l i n g
a n d C a n c e r
T h e P l a s t i c P a t i e n t : A N e w
D e t e r m i n a n t t o H u m a n P h y s i o l o g y
a n d L o n g e v i t y
U s i n g O x i d a t i v e M e d i c i n e i n
M a x i l l o f a c i a l S u r g e r y
O z o n e T h e r a p i e s i n T o n g u e T i e
S u r g e r i e s
T h e T e r r a i n A d v a n t a g e : H o w O z o n e ,
O z o n a t e d G l y c e r i n & M i s t l e t o e S h i f t
C a n c e r B i o l o g y
D M S O , P u t t i n g i t i n t o P r a c t i c e
A s c o r b a t e i n C l i n i c a l R e c o v e r y a n d
R e d o x M e d i c i n e
T h e G l y c o c a l y x i n H u m a n H e a l t h
F l o w M e d i a t e d E n d o t h e l i u m
A n a l y s i s
P r o l o z o n e a n d T r i g g e r P o i n t I n j e c t i o n s
f o r t h e M a n a g e m e n t o f T M D
O p t i m i z i n g D e t o x i f i c a t i o n w i t h
C h e l a t i o n T h e r a p y a n d t h e R o l e o f
V i t a m i n C
U s i n g M a s s S p e c t o m e t r y T e c h n o l o g y t o
D e t e c t S p i k e P r o t e i n i n t h e B l o o d
P e p t i d e T h e r a p y f o r C o m p l e x C h r o n i c I l l n e s s
A R e v i e w o f O x i d a t i v e T h e r a p i e s i n
V e t e r i n a r y m e d i c i n e
T h e O x i d a t i v e E f f e c t o f H i g h I n t e n s i t y E x e r c i s e
G u i d e l i n e s f o r P r a c t i t i o n e r s N e w t o
O x y g e n T h e r a p i e s t o A v o i d C o m m o n M i s t a k e s a n d B e S u c c e s s f u l
P l a s m a p h e r e s i s a s a T o o l f o r I m m u n e
R e s e t a n d D e t o x i f i c a t i o n i n C o m p l e x M u l t i - S y s t e m I l l n e s s Details and registration at the academy website
D
E r i c G o r d o n , M D
R a c h a e l e C a r v e r M o r i n , D M D , N M D
J e f f r e y A M o r r i s o n , M D
R o b i n R o s e , M D
J y l R u b i n , D V M
F r a n k S h a l l e n b e r g e r , M D , H M D
D a n C u l l u m , D C
C a s s i e C a r l o n e , M D
Serving Lake Highlands, Highland Park and North Dallas for over 35 Years
Installation warranties
In-store pickup
Master-certified professionals
High craftsmanship standards
Various discounts available
Open seven days a week
A December 2025 study in eBioMedicine reports that better cardiovascular health—characterized by a low body mass index, no smoking and healthy blood pressure—slows biological aging in mid-to-late life. This suggests that biological aging is not solely determined by genetics and can be altered by addressing cardiovascular risk factors like smoking, diet, exercise and blood pressure in middle-aged and older adults.
Although promising, this research has been met with caution due to disagreement about the reliability and usefulness of commercial biological-age tests. These tests analyze patterns of DNA methylation, a natural process that regulates gene activity. Scientists use algorithms to compare a person’s methylation profile with large datasets, estimating if their body appears biologically older or younger than expected.
A February 2026 editorial in eBioMedicine (“Epigenetic clocks: advancing biological age measures towards meaningful clinical use”) highlights the limitations of biological-age testing. Most tests use blood or saliva samples, which may not accurately reflect aging in other organs and tissues. Different tests often produce varying results because they use different populations and algorithms. Biological-aging patterns can also differ by sex, lifestyle, environment and disease stage. The eBioMedicine editorial emphasizes that despite their potential to improve disease prevention and deepen our understanding of aging, biological-age tests need further development to address scientific and methodological gaps.
5Rhythms is a movement meditation practice developed by Gabrielle Roth in the late 1970s. It combines elements of shamanic, ecstatic, mystical and Eastern philosophy, along with influences from Gestalt therapy, a humanistic form of psychotherapy. The practice is founded on the belief that everything is energy, moving in waves, patterns and rhythms. Roth described 5Rhythms as the connection of body, heart, mind and spirit. By moving the body, practitioners aim to quiet the mind and access deeper states of awareness and creativity.
The five rhythms of the practice correspond to different movements and emotional states, danced in a specific sequence: flowing represents grounding and being; staccato signifies clarity and direction; chaos encourages release and transformation; lyrical conveys lightness and joy; stillness brings integration and peace.
5Rhythms participants move through the five rhythms in 60 or 90 minutes. There is no set choreography; individuals are encouraged to move intuitively while barefoot in response to music that reflects the energy of each rhythm.
Research conducted in 2025 by King’s College London and published in Aging reveals a connection between dark chocolate and slower aging. Theobromine, a natural cocoa compound and alkaloid, regulates gene activity and was found in higher levels in the blood of individuals that appeared biologically younger than their chronological age.
Analyzing data from more than 1,600 European adults, researchers estimated the participants’ biological age using two methods: assessing DNA changes that indicate the pace of aging; and measuring telomeres, the protective structures at the end of chromosomes that shorten as we age. The researchers caution that increased consumption of dark chocolate is not a shortcut to a longer life. Further research is needed to understand theobromine’s interaction with the body and its impact on aging.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and nearly everyone that experiences a heart attack, stroke or heart failure has at least one risk factor. The American Heart Association offers a free tool called PREVENT to estimate 10-year and 30-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk for people aged 30 to 79 without known CVD. Validated in a 2025 study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the tool’s algorithms are based on 10 years of data from more than 6.5 million Americans without known CVD. It is the first tool to combine cardiovascular, kidney and metabolic health measures. To access the calculator, visit professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-and-statements/ prevent-calculator.
The calculator aims to promote earlier consultation between doctors and patients when higher risk is detected. These conversations can lead to lifestyle changes in diet, sleep quality and stress, alongside treatment, to reduce CVD risk.
Humans have poor vision in the dark because we lack the reflective, mirror-like layer behind the retina that enhances low-light vision in animals like cats, dogs and owls. To address this, night-vision goggles were invented. A new study in the journal Cell reports that Chinese scientists have developed contact lenses that enable people to see beyond the visible light range and perceive near-infrared light even in the dark.
The lenses were tested on mice and humans. Human participants were able to distinguish spatial details (shapes/locations), temporal information (flickering/movement) and multiple near-infrared colors (red, blue, green) simultaneously without the need for bulky powered equipment. This technology could be used in rescue missions, medical procedures, law enforcement and military operations.
Hydrogen fuel production usually requires large amounts of energy, making it cost-prohibitive. A paper published in Frontiers in Science outlines key discoveries in photosynthesis and photocatalyst sheets for splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using solar power. It reports near-perfect conversion of photocatalytic water splitting using ultraviolet light and the potential for scaling to a large outdoor prototype panel reactor system.
The processes remain experimental and will need further research and development to become practical, efficient and scalable, and to ensure safe recovery of the oxyhydrogen gas. If successful, this technology could produce a sustainable, low-cost green fuel to replace fossil fuels for energy.
The northern white rhino faces imminent extinction due to poaching, with only two females remaining—a mother and daughter, living under tight security at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, a wildlife sanctuary in Kenya.
To save the species, German scientists are conducting rhino in vitro fertilization (IVF). The scientists successfully transferred a lab-produced southern white rhino embryo to a surrogate mother after years of developing techniques to collect eggs and implant embryos more than six feet inside the two-ton animal. Achieving the first viable pregnancy required 13 attempts.
The next step is to repeat the IVF process in a northern white rhino, a close relative to the southern counterpart. Scientists will use sperm cells collected from the last male northern white rhino before his death.
The Organic Trade Association reported that U.S. sales of certified organic products rose by 6.8 percent in 2025, reaching $76.6 billion. By contrast, non-organic sales increased by only 3.4 percent. This growth of organic sales indicates that consumers are increasingly prioritizing their health and the environment, often paying premium prices for organic products.
In 2025, organic food sales totaled $70.1 billion, accounting for 6.1 percent of the total food market. Large increases were observed in organic produce, grocery items, beverages, dairy and eggs, with organic beef experiencing the largest growth, at 44.3 percent. Organic textiles, dietary supplements, personal-care products and pet foods reached $6.5 billion in 2025, making up about 1 percent of the sales in these categories. Concern about pesticides and toxins drove the rise in these sectors.
Before trees existed 360 to 430 million years ago, 26-foot-tall, tower-like organisms called prototaxites dominated Earth’s landscape. Canadian geologist William Edmond Logan first discovered these log-like tower fossils in Quebec, Canada, in 1843. Initially thought to be a complex fungus, scientists struggled to classify them within the existing framework of life on Earth.
Advances asserts that prototaxites are a previously undiscovered branch of life that is now extinct. The study of a well-preserved tower fossil found in Scotland revealed an unusual physical structure and a distinct chemical fingerprint, ruling out it being a fungus and excluding it from other known genera. Further analysis is needed to conclusively determine that prototaxites are a unique life form.
Need to get to the airport quickly and conveniently? We serve Dallas
Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field every day of the week.
ORANGE LINE to DFW Airport
Terminal A Station
SILVER LINE to DFW Airport
Terminal B Station
DALLAS LOVE FIELD
GREEN OR ORANGE LINE to Inwood/Love
Field Station, and then LOVE FIELD
SHUTTLE (Bus Route 5) to Dallas Love Field
DOWNLOAD THE GOPASS® APP TO BUY PASSES AND PLAN TRIPS.
by Karolina Matthews
For many women, the path to better health often starts with hormones, nutrition or stress management. Yet one critical piece is frequently overlooked, the mouth. For Preeya Genz, founder of The Whole Tooth in Dallas, oral health is not separate from the body, it is a direct reflection of it.
Genz defines true wellness as a state of integration, a dynamic equilibrium between body, mind, spirit and daily function. When that balance is present, energy is stable, thinking is clear and the body no longer has to compensate just to get through the day. The mouth, she explains, is one of the clearest places to assess whether the system is in harmony or under strain.
“The mouth is an entry point, and it doesn’t lie,” she says. “Everything we take in, air, food, bacteria, passes through it, and early signs of imbalance can show up there first.”
In her practice, Genz often sees women whose symptoms have been normalized for too long. Fatigue, brain fog, poor sleep and bleeding gums are often dismissed as stress, aging or the demands of daily life. Over time, these small issues compound. Many patients arrive after trying multiple solutions, supplements, quick fixes or isolated treatments, without addressing the underlying patterns driving their symptoms. “There’s a strong push toward quick fixes,” Genz notes, “but you can’t outsupplement a system that isn’t supported at the foundation.”
A key area she evaluates is breathing and sleep. When nasal breathing is compromised and mouth breathing
becomes habitual, the oral environment shifts, becoming drier, more acidic and more inflamed. This can lead to gum disease, tooth decay and changes in the oral microbiome, while also contributing to anxiety, disrupted sleep and chronic fatigue.
Genz frequently observes physical signs of this compensation, including jaw tension, clenching, worn teeth and structural crowding. She describes this as the body’s attempt to create space for airflow, what she sometimes calls a form of “self-CPR.”
This whole-system view is especially important in women’s health. Because the mouth contains estrogen receptors, hormonal changes during adolescence, pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause can directly affect oral tissues. Inflammation, dryness and breakdown of gum and tooth structure often mirror what is happening more broadly in the body.
Stress and modern lifestyle patterns also leave a clear imprint. When the body’s capacity to handle stress is exceeded, it shifts into a more reactive state. In the mouth, this often shows up as inflammation, clenching and changes in daily habits that impact long-term health.
“Health doesn’t work that way,” Genz says. “What people experience in their bodies has typically accumulated over time, and it won’t be fixed overnight.”
Still, meaningful progress can begin with simple, consistent steps. Genz encourages patients to focus on foundational habits, especially breathing and sleep. Learning to breathe through the nose helps regulate the oral environment and supports recovery. Supporting the oral microbiome, rather than eliminating all bacteria, through consistent hygiene practices such as water flossing and using soft-bristled tools can help maintain balance in both the mouth and body.
Her approach reflects a broader shift toward integrative, root-cause care. By bringing oral health into the wellness conversation, Genz helps patients better understand how their bodies are communicating and how small, intentional changes can lead to lasting improvements in health and vitality.
For more information, visit TheWholeToothTexas.com or call 214-388-4453.
Karolina Matthews is a free-lance writer, health coach and health and wellness advocate.
by Marlaina Donato
Something in the air seems to change when a woman with strong vitality enters a room. Her undefinable life force draws us in, whether it is evident in her step or her smile. Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, poet Maya Angelou and anthropologist Jane Goodall are all iconic examples, but the capacity to thrive is
inherent in each of us through small, consistent investments.
Globally, women are leading the way in consumer choices, eco-forward initiatives and sociopolitical awareness for a more sustainable and compassionate world. Whether on the frontlines fighting for worthy causes,
Courtesy Behati Hart
supporting local farmers markets or putting healthy meals on the table, prioritizing selfcare and learning from each other is vital. Here, four inspiring women from different walks of life divulge how they thrive in chaotic times.
Behati Hart served her country for a decade, switching between logistics, computer analysis and paralegal positions in the United States Air Force. As a woman of color in a male-dominated environment, she says she survived by crafting a persona to hide her then-undiagnosed attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and anxiety.
Today, Hart embodies what feels like a more authentic role as a multidisciplinary creator and coach. The author of Just BE: A Memoir About Unmasking and Becoming Human Again designed The BETi Method (Becoming Empowered Through Intelligence) to guide people out of trauma and identity-focused ways of living that compromise the soul’s true calling.
“We allow the world to judge us, accept those judgments as fact and begin wearing masks, titles and labels that reflect others’ expectations of how they want to experience us,” she explains. “We become afraid to experience ourselves—the good, the bad and the ugly. Unmasking is embodying ourselves so that we feel safe with who we really are.”
Noting that trauma and passion are the same energy moving in opposite directions, she says, “Trauma turns fierce aliveness inward into hypervigilance, protection or freeze responses. Passion turns that same energy outward into creation, connection and joy.”
Numerous activities feed Hart’s soul. “My forever medicines—laughter and dancing—require no prescription and provide cathartic emotional release through physical expression,” she points out. “As an earth-oriented person, being outdoors nourishes my spirit the most. My sacred garden and porch are my grounding spaces where I practice earthing—direct skin contact with the Earth’s surface—because I believe that electrons from the earth may help reduce inflammation.”
Hart believes that we can learn from each other by sharing our experiences. “We don’t always celebrate our stories, especially the stories of other women—ancient and contemporary—who survived and taught us how to become who we are,” she says. “We need survivor stories, revolutionary stories and creator stories. To thrive, we must center the well-being of women and children, while embracing heart-led living—not feminine or masculine, but feminine and masculine, in sacred balance. That’s the future I work toward.”
Maria Rodale seamlessly moves from the boardroom to the garden and from science
to spirituality, carving out a distinctly unique life while preserving an impactful family legacy. She served as chief executive officer of Rodale, Inc., the publishing company behind Prevention magazine and bestselling book titles, including An Inconvenient Truth, by Al Gore. As a passionate, third-generation advocate for health and Earth literacy, she has penned several books of her own, including Organic Manifesto: How Organic Food Can Heal Our Planet, Feed the World, and Keep Us Safe and Love, Nature, Magic: Shamanic Journeys into the Heart of My Garden.
“I have met enough rich and famous people to know that financial success or fame is no guarantee of happiness or thriving,” she says. “I define success as a safe and warm home, a comfortable bed, good homemade food, happy and healthy kids, family and friends who love me, loving myself, the freedom to create and, of course, good health.”
Rodale prioritizes eating in-season, organic, local food, in moderation. “I also think we
create the future by what we ingest—culturally and physically. Just like I avoid fast food and highly processed foods, I avoid horror movies and true crime stories,” she explains.
Her self-care habits include saying a prayer and 30 minutes of meditation in the morning, before doing anything else, lifting weights twice a week, going for walks and adding to her gratitude list before bed. “The direct relationship we each have with our true, ‘higher’ selves and with God is unique for every person and part of our life journey to figure it out,” she says. “I listen to my own inner voice, trust my gut, not getting distracted by rage bait, not dwelling too much on the horrors that I can’t fix or control, and focusing on the things I can do.”
These are mantras she lives by and offers to others: “Stop worrying about what other people think. Treasure your weirdness. Get over your fears and get out there. Do what you, and only you, were born to do.”
Dr. Rebecca Hunton has always wanted to make a difference, and after dedicating two decades to functional medicine, her tireless efforts shine at Radiantly Healthy, her direct-care practice in central Florida, where patients benefit from unhurried appointments, advanced diagnostics and a collaborative partnership with their healthcare team. By listening closely to her patients— mostly women—she has been able to create a responsive, personalized standard of care that conventional institutions are slow to follow.
“Our culture—especially our workplace culture—is not designed for health or wholeness,” she remarks. “We’re beating ourselves up for failing to achieve something that’s genuinely impossible. Many of my female patients are burned out and demoralized— not because they’re failing, but because the target was never reachable. Step one is that awareness. Step two is adding one small, achievable action, and then another. That’s where momentum starts.”
In her integrative practice, one concept emerges with great regularity: there is no health without good mental health. “You can't separate emotional health from physical vitality. I make it a non-negotiable priority, which is part of my ‘just-10-minutes’ philosophy. When time is tight, I commit to
planking, the indoor bike or functional fitness, even if it’s just for 10 minutes. I maintain an affirmation and gratitude practice, and get outside on most days for some form of physical activity, often cycling.”
Because she believes that food is medicine, and one of the chief contributors to well-being, Hunton practices what she preaches to her patients. “I love to cook,” she explains. “I’m plant-forward, but not vegetarian, and legumes and beans find their way into nearly every dish I make.”
The healing power of community is also top of mind. “I’m thriving when I’m living in close alignment with the personal vision for my life, and that includes physical activity with friends, playing duplicate bridge to keep my mind sharp, as well as teaching and leading others for growth and fulfillment,” she says. “I try to be that person now for the younger women in my life—reaching back rather than just reaching forward.”
Sarita-Linda Rocco’s journey into wholeness was forged from a crucible of deep grief, motherhood and a life-altering near-death experience during her mid-20s. These rollercoaster life events left her with debilitating panic attacks, and her search for stability led her to Ayurveda and yoga. Today, Rocco is a renowned teacher and founder of The
Nest Collaborative, a holistic haven in West Reading, Pennsylvania.
She is also an innovator and entrepreneur, continually searching for ways to help her students thrive in their body-mind fitness journey. One invention, The Original Superblock, is a specialized prop used to support students during yoga practice.
Rocco’s way of life is straightforward but powerful. She prioritizes foods that keep her blood sugar balanced, minimizing simple carbohydrates and focusing on clean proteins, healthy fats and seasonal vegetables. “I love cooking and find great joy in building meals around our weekly CSA [community supported agriculture] from a local organic farm,” she says. “Ayurveda spices and herbs are central in my kitchen, and hydration is foundational.”
According to Rocco, “Self-healing begins with setting boundaries with people and situations that deplete energy. I hope women remember their divine feminine power, shakti, from which their creative intelligence and life-generating energy flows. It does not compete. It creates. When women fragment that power through comparison and social pressure, something sacred is lost.”
Even now, hers is a journey of self-discovery and transformation. “Thriving is not perfection. It is honoring my energy moment to moment, knowing when to work with strength and when to rest without guilt,” she explains. “Conscious breathing stabilizes my nervous system more reliably than anything else. I practice regulating my nervous system and building resilience, not using yoga as a workout. I incorporate strength training with bands and weights to support bone health. I walk my dog twice daily most days. One of my most important rituals is fasting after dinner and going to bed by 9 p.m.”
Marlaina Donato is an author, painter and composer. Connect at WildflowersAndWoodSmoke.com.
As spring unfolds across North Texas, longer days and warmer temperatures signal the return of ozone season - a time when air quality can quietly decline, often without visible warning.
Ozone season runs from March through November, when sunlight and heat react with pollutants from vehicles, industry and everyday activities to form ground-level ozone. Unlike the protective ozone layer high above the earth, this type of ozone can harm human health, irritate lungs and worsen respiratory conditions such as asthma.
What makes ozone particularly concerning is that it is invisible. Many people may not realize they are being exposed, yet its effects can be immediate, triggering coughing, shortness of breath or fatigue, and long-term, contributing to chronic respiratory and cardiovascular issues. Children, older adults
and those with existing health conditions are especially vulnerable, but even healthy individuals can be affected on high ozone days.
North Texas continues to face air quality challenges, with ozone levels exceeding federal standards in recent years. More than 60 percent of the emissions that contribute to ozone formation come from cars and trucks, making everyday transportation choices a key part of the solution.
The good news is that small changes can make a meaningful difference. Combining errands, reducing trips and being mindful of daily habits can help lower emissions and improve air quality across the region. Staying informed through daily air quality alerts also allows residents to plan outdoor activities more safely.
Improving air quality is a shared
responsibility. By making simple, intentional choices, North Texans can help protect their health, support cleaner air and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient community.
For more information and to sign up for air quality alerts, visit AirNorthTexas.org.
• Combine errands to reduce vehicle trips
• Carpool, bike or use public transit
• Avoid idling - turn off your engine when parked
• Refuel vehicles in the evening
• Limit gas-powered equipment use during peak heat
• Check daily air quality alerts
• Reduce unnecessary short trips
Nancy L Corsaro, L.Ac. Board Certified, Acupuncture & Chinese Herbs East-West Acupuncture
Celebrating 20 years in practice
Feel better, heal better, with time-tested, natural medicine. Treating pain anywhere, digestive issues, allergies, menopause, cancer side effects, anxiety and more. Free 15-minute consult.
13500 Midway Rd. Ste 212 214-793-5684 Farmers Branch 75244 eastwestom.com
By Myra Hedgefield
Across North Texas, mental wellness is increasingly recognized as essential to overall health, and the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas is stepping forward as a powerful community-based leader in expanding access, awareness and support.
At the Y, mental wellness is defined simply and inclusively as how people think, feel and act. By framing it as something everyone has, not just something addressed in clinical settings, the organization is helping normalize conversations and reduce stigma. This shift is especially timely as families across the region navigate rising stress, anxiety and social isolation.
“Mental wellness is something we all have. It’s how we think, feel and act, and it’s something we can actively strengthen,” says Giselle Dutura Patterson of the
YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas.
What makes the YMCA uniquely effective is its deep-rooted presence in everyday community life. Long known as a trusted gathering place, the Y reaches individuals and families through youth programs, sports leagues, camps and wellness centers. This familiarity allows mental wellness
support to begin in approachable, nonstigmatizing ways, often through simple human connection. “At the Y, mental wellness support doesn’t have to begin in a clinical setting. It can start with a conversation, a sense of belonging or a trusted adult recognizing when someone needs support,” Patterson explains.
The need is significant. In North Texas, more than one in five youth have seriously considered suicide, and hundreds of thousands face pressing mental health challenges. Many do not receive treatment due to barriers such as cost, stigma or lack of access. By embedding support within the community, the YMCA is helping bridge these gaps before challenges escalate.
Two innovative initiatives illustrate this impact. The “YES YOU CAN” program integrates mental wellness education into summer camps, supporting not only children, but also counselors and caregivers. Early results show improved behavior, stronger emotional safety and greater willingness among youth to seek help. Meanwhile, “Beyond the Game” brings mental wellness tools into youth sports, equipping thousands of volunteer coaches with practical strategies to support emotional development alongside physical activity.
Collaboration plays a central role. By partnering with leading mental health organizations, the Y ensures its programs are grounded in best practices while creating clear pathways to professional care when needed.
While these programs serve all populations, they can be especially meaningful for women, often central to family well-being, who benefit from accessible tools to support both their own health and that of their families.
Looking ahead, the YMCA’s vision is both ambitious and practical: to fully integrate mental wellness into every aspect of its work. From camps and sports to leadership development and family engagement, the goal is to make mental wellness as routine and expected as physical health.
“Our goal is for mental wellness to become as integrated and expected as physical wellness in every community we serve,” Patterson says.
In doing so, the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas is not only addressing today’s challenges, it is helping shape a more connected, resilient and thriving future for North Texas communities.
For more information, visit YMCADallas.org.
Stephanie McCarter, M.D., on reducing toxic burden
by Myra Hedgefield
For many North Texans navigating persistent fatigue, hormone imbalance or unexplained chronic symptoms, the missing link may not be found in a single diagnosis, but in the environment surrounding them every day. Stephanie McCarter, an integrative physician based in Dallas, focuses on uncovering how environmental exposures influence health at the cellular level—and how reducing those exposures can help restore balance.
“Every day we are exposed to thousands of the 80,000 chemicals used in the United States,” McCarter explains. “When that burden becomes too great, the body’s ability to process and eliminate toxins becomes overwhelmed.” From an integrative perspective, this toxic overload can contribute to inflammation, immune dysfunction, hormone imbalance and impaired cellular energy production.
“Every day we are exposed to thousands of the 80,000 chemicals used in the United States.”
She notes that common environmental stressors affecting patients today include mold and mycotoxins, pesticides and herbicides, and increasing exposure to wireless radiation from everyday devices. In many cases, these exposures are compounded by lingering effects associated with viral illnesses, further increasing inflammation and disrupting normal cellular function.
Among these concerns, McCarter identifies pesticide exposure as one of the most
Stephanie McCarter, M.D.
pressing environmental health issues today, particularly in North Texas. More than 400 different pesticides—totaling over 1 billion pounds—are used annually in the United States, with a significant percentage classified as hazardous to human health. Research continues to show strong correlations between pesticide exposure and rising rates of cancers, including leukemias and lymphomas, especially in younger populations. A 2024 study in Frontiers in Cancer Control and Society found that pesticide use remained significantly associated with cancer incidence across regions, even when accounting for population and land use factors.
While the scope of environmental toxins can feel overwhelming, McCarter emphasizes that meaningful change begins with a few practical steps. “We start with cleaning up our air, food and water,” she says. Choosing organic foods when possible, drinking
filtered or glass-bottled water, and improving indoor air quality—especially in sleeping environments—can significantly reduce daily toxic exposure.
For women in particular, environmental influences can have a more pronounced impact. Many common chemicals act as endocrine disruptors, interfering with hormone signaling and contributing to issues such as weight gain, infertility and thyroid dysfunction. These substances, often found in plastics, personal care products and household items, can mimic or block natural hormones and accumulate in the body over time.
McCarter also highlights how small, consistent lifestyle changes can create lasting benefits. Switching to fragrance-free and non-toxic personal care products, reducing plastic use and supporting more natural approaches to home and lawn care can all make a difference. Over time, patients often report improvements in energy, sleep quality, mental clarity and overall resilience.
Her work reflects a growing awareness that health is not only shaped within the body, but also by the world around it. By helping individuals understand and reduce their environmental exposures, McCarter empowers patients to take an active role in their long-term wellness—while also contributing to a healthier environment for future generations.
For more information, visit CarpathiaCollaborative.com or call 469-729-6460.
Myra Hedgefield is staff writer for Natural Awakenings DFW
By Dr. Erin Kincaid
There is a quiet rhythm many women live by, often unnoticed even by themselves. They anticipate needs before they are spoken, soften environments, hold tension in conversations and read the room. They adjust, respond and absorb. Over time, they become exceptionally skilled at making sure everyone around them feels safe, seen, soothed and secure.
Yet many are running on empty in those same areas.
The framework of feeling safe, seen, soothed and secure, often referred to as the “4 S’s” in attachment and interpersonal neurobiology, offers a simple but profound lens into what every nervous system is wired to seek. These are not luxuries; they are core psychological needs. While women readily extend them outward, they rarely pause to ask: Where am I receiving this? Where am I giving this to myself?
Many unintentionally live off only one or two of these needs, believing it is enough. It is not. A grounded, regulated life requires all four.
Safety is often misunderstood as the absence of danger. Clinically, it is the presence of regulation. For some, safety is physical, stable housing, food security or freedom from harm. For others, it is relational, being in environments where they are not walking on eggshells. For many high-functioning women, safety is internal, the ability to experience thoughts and emotions without overwhelm.
Dr. Erin Kincaid
Women are often praised for enduring environments that are not truly safe. They adapt, manage and cope, and call it strength. But safety is not something to earn through performance. It is something meant to be experienced consistently, both externally and internally.
For those rooted in faith, safety can also be found in the unchanging presence of God. Scripture reminds us that in Christ, we are not left to navigate life alone, but are invited into a place of refuge, where the nervous system can begin to settle and the heart can rest.
To be seen is more than being noticed. It is to be known without performing, filtering or
shrinking. Many women are highly visible but deeply unseen. They are recognized for what they do, not for who they are.
Over time, unmet visibility leads to disconnection. Women become what is needed in the moment rather than who they truly are. Healing includes not only finding people who can see them, but also relearning how to see themselves clearly and without harsh judgment.
In a Christian framework, being seen takes on deeper meaning. Through Christ, we are fully known and fully loved, not because of what we do, but because of who we are. There is nothing to prove and nothing to hide. That kind of being seen creates space for authenticity and restoration.
Soothing is often the most neglected of the four. Many women know how to comfort others but have never learned how to care for themselves in a healthy way. Instead, they push through, numb out or distract.
True soothing is not avoidance. It is intentional regulation, calming the nervous system, sitting with distress and responding with compassion. It may look like slowing down, allowing rest without guilt or choosing presence over productivity. It also includes recognizing when support is needed and allowing it.
Faith can become a powerful source of soothing. Practices such as prayer, stillness and reflection create space to quiet the mind and body. Turning to God in moments of
overwhelm can bring a sense of peace that goes beyond circumstance and helps regulate both emotional and physical responses.
Security is deeply personal. It may be financial stability, relational consistency or internal trust. It is not only about what surrounds a person, but what steadies them. Without security, even moments of safety, connection or comfort can feel temporary.
For many women, faith in Jesus provides a deeper, unshakable foundation. When identity and worth are rooted in Christ, security is no longer dependent on external outcomes or constant self-evaluation. It becomes something steady, even when life is not.
Many women build their lives around one or two of these needs. They may feel seen at work but not soothed in daily life, or secure financially but not safe emotionally. When
one or more are missing, the nervous system compensates through overworking, over giving or overthinking.
Balance requires integration. We were designed to experience all four.
The invitation is simple, but not easy: Notice where you are giving what you are not receiving. Identify which of the four S’s may be missing. Then begin, gently, to turn some of that care inward.
This is not about becoming self-focused. It is about becoming whole.
Women do not just need to be strong. They need to be safe, seen, soothed and secure, and they were never meant to live without all four.
Dr. Erin Kincaid is a faith-based, integrative mental health Specialist. For more information, visit RockwallHeathCounseling.com, contact@rockwallheathcounseling.com or 972-961-9570.
by Maya Whitman
Hip health is not just a concern for athletes or physical therapy patients. It is essential for the way we move, sit, stand, rest and age. Taking care of our hips does not require long workouts or expensive equipment. For everyone from desk workers to busy moms to women navigating midlife transitions, just 10 minutes of stretching and strengthening exercises on alternate days can improve mobility, strength and flexibility. Consistency is key to achieving long-term ease, confidence and vitality.
Several factors can cause hip discomfort. Tightness or weakness in the pelvic muscles can be problematic because they support the pelvis, hips and spine, helping us walk, turn, bend and squat. In fact, if any muscles that support the hips, like the gluteal muscles (buttocks) are weak, other muscles have to work harder, which can lead to hip and lower-back pain.
Other culprits include hormonal changes, especially a drop in estrogen during menopause, which can increase hip pain and the need for hip replacement surgery in women. Prolonged
sitting or lack of physical activity tends to decrease blood circulation in the area and lower the production of synovial fluid, a crucial lubricant and shock absorber that reduces friction and keeps the joint pain-free.
“We’re often told that hip pain in middle-aged women between 40 and 65 is due to aging or arthritis, but most hip pain I see is chronic. Pain may show up suddenly, but the underlying issue has usually been developing under the surface for months or even years,” says physical therapist Maarit Korpilahde, who created the Hip Revive Method, in Lane, Kansas.
She asserts that prolonged sitting can tighten the deep hip rotators, weaken the gluteal muscles and put more pressure on the front part of the hip socket. She recommends engaging in some movement for 10 to 20 minutes at least three or four times a day. Simple actions like standing up, walking, doing a few mini-squats every hour, taking the stairs or parking a bit farther away can make a difference.
Jordan Ashley, the founder and executive director of Souljourn Yoga Foundation, in Santa Monica, California, often sees women with chronic hip tightness and a “locking” of the sacroiliac joint, which she believes might be linked to emotional issues. “Yoga traditions often say our hips hold onto our emotions, almost like the body’s junk drawer. All kinds of stress, old hurts and daily worries can get tucked away there,” she explains,
noting that the psoas—a deep, long muscle connecting the lumbar spine to the femur—plays a big role in keeping our trunk stable and moving our hips.
Amanda Neri, a physical therapist and owner of The Pelvic Institute, in Chicago, Illinois, believes in keeping hips active with daily exercises, alternating between strength training and stretching. Her favorite mantras are, “Use it or lose it,” and “It’s never too late.” Strength days can include a glute bridge, standing leg lifts, lunges or resistance-band exercises. On stretch day, yoga poses like the butterfly, frog, happy baby or child’s pose can be great. As with any workout, Neri emphasizes the importance of listening to our bodies and not pushing beyond what feels comfortable.
Standing, Hip-Controlled Articular Rotations: Lift one knee to hip height—this is called hip flexion—and gently make a big, controlled circle without moving the spine or pelvis. Hold onto a wall or something sturdy for balance. “It might feel stiff or crunchy at first, but after six to eight repetitions, it should get a bit easier,” Neri counsels.
Glute Bridge: Lying on the back with knees bent and feet on the floor, lift the hips up toward the ceiling. Squeeze the glutes and hold for a couple of seconds, then slowly lower back down. Aim for three sets of 10 to 20 repetitions.
Standing Leg Lifts: Stand on one leg and lift the other, straightened, out to the side, front or back to target the hips, glutes or outer thighs. Aim for three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions per leg.
Kneeling Hip Flexor Stretch: Using a yoga mat for comfort, kneel on one knee bent at 90 degrees with the other foot flat on the mat in front. With hands on the thigh of the front leg, gently lean forward and feel a comfortable stretch in the upper thigh and hip. Squeeze the glutes on the supporting side for a deeper stretch. Do two to four repetitions before switching leg positions. Try to hold each stretch for 30 seconds.
Seated Hip Shifts: Sit up straight with feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart. Place a small ball or foam roller between the knees and squeeze gently. Push one knee slightly forward while pulling the other knee back, keeping the torso steady. Repeat this gentle seesaw motion 10 times per side.
Walking Toe Touch: Walk forward while alternately kicking straight legs up to touch the opposite hand. Only raise each leg to the point of comfort, keeping the supporting leg soft at the knee, not locked straight. Walk like this for up to two minutes.
Coming in June
by Hannah Tytus
The pelvic floor holds the key to vitality, confidence and even pleasure. According to Dr. Anna Cabeca, a holistic gynecologist and bestselling author of The Hormone Fix, “Pelvic floor health is essential for overall health. The pelvic floor is a sling of muscles supporting our critical organs, from the uterus to the bladder to the rectum. Everything is held within this bowl of muscles and connective tissue.”
Pelvic floor disorders are prevalent. A 2022 study in Scientific Reports examined more than 25,000 medical records and found that one in three people had a pelvic floor disorder. These included urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse (displacement) and bowel dysfunction, with incontinence and prolapse being the most frequent. Such conditions can significantly alter daily life. A 2021 survey of 4,556 women with pelvic floor symptoms showed that 46 percent stopped
exercising due to pain or leakage, potentially leading to numerous other issues over time.
Kim Vopni, a pelvic floor fitness educator and author of Your Pelvic Floor, has dedicated more than two decades to raising awareness about pelvic floor health through her global online community, The Buff Muff Method. Vopni states that the pelvic floor is not just a single muscle but a complex network of muscles in three layers. The first layer mainly affects the sexual response, the second helps with continence and the openings of the urethra, vagina and anus, and the third, deepest layer primarily supports the organs. “Like the biceps or hamstrings, the pelvic floor can be stretched and strengthened and conditioned,” Vopni points out.
The pelvic floor works in synergy with the
diaphragm to create a natural sump pump action that moves fluids, massages organs and supports lymphatic circulation. “The pelvic floor has to work when we are upright—moving, lifting, coughing, sneezing, pushing and jumping. When we inhale, the diaphragm contracts and widens, and ideally the belly expands and the pelvic floor lengthens,” Vopni explains. “With the exhale, the pelvic floor contracts and lifts as the diaphragm recoils upward. We harness this relationship when we want to prevent or overcome pelvic floor symptoms.”
This explains why the clench-and-release movements known as Kegel exercises, to strengthen pelvic floor muscles, are best done with coordinated breathing. According to Vopni, a proper Kegel includes a squeeze and lift on the exhale and a full, blooming release on the inhale. Aim for three sets of 10 repetitions per day, holding each contraction for about 10 seconds.
“People often think the only thing to do for pelvic floor optimization is Kegels, and that tight means strong. The goal is to move beyond isolated squeezes and train the pelvic floor dynamically within whole-body movement, where the breath and pelvic floor coordination are incorporated into exercises such as bridges, squats and lunges,” says Vopni, who recommends consulting a pelvic floor physical therapist for individualized assessment and guidance, particularly after pregnancy or childbirth.
Vopni highlights key habits that support pelvic floor function, such as staying well hydrated, preventing constipation and engaging in pelvic release work to relax chronically tight muscles. Posture is crucial; high-heeled shoes can misalign the pelvis and shorten the calves and hamstrings, leading to involuntary clenching of the glutes and pelvic floor muscles, which impairs optimal function. Vopni recommends wearing “zero drop” shoes whenever possible, where the heel and toe are at the same distance from the ground, mimicking a natural barefoot position.
“The vagina has its own microbiome, and many people don’t realize that,” says Cabeca. “When the vaginal microbiome becomes unhealthy, we start to see problems with fertility, sexual function, dryness and infections.” Unlike the gut, which benefits from bacterial diversity, the vaginal microbiome thrives with fewer dominant species. A healthy vaginal microbiome is typically dominated by Lactobacillus species. Cabeca recommends a microbiome-supportive, “keto-green” diet rich in bitter greens, cruciferous vegetables,
healthy fats, high-quality proteins and fermented foods, as well as vaginal probiotics taken in capsule form.
“Many vaginal hygiene products can disrupt the microbiome. Because the pelvic floor has so much vascularity [blood vessels], those tissues absorb chemicals very easily. That exposure can affect the glands and tissues that help keep the vaginal environment healthy,” Cabeca cautions. She recommends choosing organic menstrual products over conventional tampons and menstrual pads; avoiding heavily fragranced cosmetics; and using gentle cleansers such as olive oil–based soaps.
Body awareness is a powerful tool for prevention and early intervention. “One of the most important things I tell patients is: Get a mirror and look down there,” Cabeca says. “You need to know your normal anatomy—what it looks like and what it feels like.” Understanding what is typical for our bodies can make it easier to recognize changes.
Hannah Tytus is an integrative health coach, former writer at the National Institutes of Health and host of the Root Shock podcast, exploring the cultural underpinnings of health.
First Thursday Sound Bath Meditation – 7:00pm. Guided sound meditation using crystal bowls to support relaxation and stress relief. $25. Dallas Meditation Center, 810 W Arapaho Rd, Ste 98, Richardson. 972-432-7871. DallasMeditationCenter.com
First Saturday Bird Walk – 8:30am–9:30am. Guided walk to observe native bird species; binoculars available. Free. Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center, 1206 W FM 1382, Cedar Hill. 972-291-7592. AudubonDallas.org
Community Yoga in the Park – 9:00am. Outdoor yoga class for all levels. Free. White Rock Lake Park, Dallas. 214-6704100. DallasParks.org
Dallas Arboretum Spring Garden Exploration – 9:00am–5:00pm. Seasonal garden experience featuring spring blooms and wellness-focused outdoor activities. Included with admission. Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden, 8525 Garland Rd, Dallas. 214-515-6615. DallasArboretum.org
Dallas Farmers Market Wellness Day – 10:00am–2:00pm. Local vendors, healthy foods and wellness demos. Free. Dallas Farmers Market, 920 S Harwood St, Dallas. 214-664-9110. DallasFarmersMarket.org
Cinco de Mayo Celebration – Traders Village – 1:00pm–5:00pm. Cultural celebration featuring live music, dance performances, local vendors and a variety of food options. Free admission. Traders Village, 2602 Mayfield Rd, Grand Prairie. 972-647-2331. TradersVillage.com
Sunday, May 3
Guided Nature Walk – Trinity River –9:00am. Explore native ecosystems and wildlife habitats. Free. Trinity River Audubon Center, 6500 S Great Trinity Forest Way, Dallas. 214-398-8721. TrinityRiver. Audubon.org
Rockwall Farmers Market Opening Day – 9:00am–1:00pm. Seasonal market featuring local produce and natural goods. Free. Downtown Rockwall, 101 E Rusk St, Rockwall. 972-772-3478. RockwallFarmersMarket.org
Kundalini Yoga & Meditation – 12:00pm–1:00pm. Breathwork and movement session for clarity and vitality. Dallas Meditation Center, Richardson. 972-432-7871. DallasMeditationCenter.com
Thursday, May 7
Midweek Mindfulness Meditation –7:00pm–8:30pm. Guided meditation and discussion on stress reduction. CSLDallas, 4801 Spring Valley Rd, Dallas. 972-866-9988. CSLDallas.org
Saturday, May 9
Cactus & Succulent Show and Sale –Through Sunday. 9am–5pm (Sat), 9am–5pm (Sun). Explore a wide variety of cacti and succulents on display and for purchase, with expert growers on hand to offer care tips and guidance. Included with garden admission. Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden, 8525 Garland Rd, Dallas. 214-515-6615. DallasArboretum.org
Sunday, May 10
Texas Parks & Wildlife Urban Fishing Day – 8:00am. Learn fishing basics and conservation practices. Free. Lake Ray Hubbard area, Rockwall. 512-389-4800. TPWD.Texas.gov
Outdoor Fitness Bootcamp – 8:00am. Group workout combining strength and cardio. Free. Klyde Warren Park, 2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy, Dallas. 214-7164500. KlydeWarrenPark.org
Volunteer Habitat Restoration Day –9:00am. Assist with native habitat restoration. Free. Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center, Cedar Hill. 972-291-7592. AudubonDallas.org
Grand Prairie Community Yoga in the Park – 9:00am. Outdoor yoga focused on flexibility and stress relief. Free. Mike Lewis Park, 2410 N Carrier Pkwy, Grand Prairie. 972-237-8399. GPTX.org
Urban Gardening Workshop –10:00am–12:00pm. Sustainable gardening for small spaces. Free. Texas Discovery Gardens, 3601 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Dallas. 214-428-7476. TXDG.org
Wednesday, May 13
Healthy Cooking Class: Plant-Based Basics – 6:00pm–8:00pm. Learn simple plant-based meals. $35. Central Market Cooking School, Dallas. 214-234-7000. CentralMarket.com
Friday, May 15
Green Source DFW Eco Talk Series –6:30pm. Sustainability and environmental solutions discussion. Free. Dallas College. 214-378-1824. GreenSourceDFW. org
EpicCentral Walking Club – 6:30pm. Community walking group promoting heart health and connection. Free. EpicCentral, 2960 Epic Place, Grand Prairie. 972-237-8100. EpicCentralGP.com
Sunday, May 17
Fort Worth Nature Center Guided Canoe Trip – 8:00am. Paddle through wetlands while learning conservation. Registration required. Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge, 9601 Fossil Ridge Rd, Fort Worth. 817-392-7410. FortWorthNatureCenter.org
Dogwood Canyon Nature Hike –9:00am. Guided hike exploring native plants and wildlife. Free. Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center, Cedar Hill. 972-2917592. AudubonDallas.org
Wellness Walk – South Dallas – 9:00am–11:00am. Community walk promoting wellness. Free. Lake Cliff Park, Dallas. 214-670-4100. DallasParks.org
Recycling & E-Waste Collection Day –10:00am–2:00pm. Electronics recycling drop-off. Free. Fair Park, Dallas. 214-6701200. DallasSanitation.org
Monday, May 18
Trinity River Audubon Bird Walk –8:00am. Guided birding experience. Free. Trinity River Audubon Center, Dallas. 214-398-8721. TrinityRiver.Audubon. org
Tai Chi in the Garden – 10:00am. Gentle movement class for balance and relaxation. Free. Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd, Fort Worth. 817-392-5510. FWBG.org
Wednesday, May 20
Mental Wellness Workshop – 6:30pm. Tools for managing stress and emotional health. Free. YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas. 214-880-9622. YMCADallas.org
Friday, May 22
Yoga + Sound Healing Night – 7:00pm. Yoga and sound healing for relaxation. $30. Movement Loft, Dallas. 214-4492881. MovementLoft.com
Sunday, May 24
Texas Parks & Wildlife Nature Skills Workshop – 9:00am. Outdoor skills and conservation training. Free. Cedar Hill State Park, 1570 FM 1382, Cedar Hill. 972291-3900. TPWD.Texas.gov
Nature Photography Walk – 8:00am. Guided wildlife photography walk. Trinity River Audubon Center, Dallas. 214398-8721. TrinityRiver.Audubon.org
Community Garden Volunteer Day –9:00am–12:00pm. Urban gardening and sustainability practices. Free. GROW North Texas, Dallas. 214-744-0000. GrowNorthTexas.org
Dogwood Canyon Family Nature Program – 10:00am. Environmental education for families. Free. Dogwood Canyon
Audubon Center, Cedar Hill. 972-2917592. AudubonDallas.org
Grand Prairie Lake Park Nature Cleanup – 9:00am–11:00am. Volunteer cleanup supporting local waterways; supplies provided. Free. Loyd Park at Joe Pool Lake, 3401 Ragland Rd, Grand Prairie. 972-237-4120. GPParks.com
Memorial Day Weekend Festival –Traders Village – 12:00pm. Live entertainment, food vendors and family-friendly activities. Free admission. Traders Village, Grand Prairie. 972-647-2331. TradersVillage.com
Monday, May 25
Sunset Meditation in the Park –7:30pm. Guided meditation for relaxation. Free. White Rock Lake Park, Dallas. 214-670-4100. DallasParks.org
Tuesday, May 26
Memorial Day Outdoor Yoga – 9:00am. Holiday yoga session. Free. Klyde Warren Park, Dallas. 214-716-4500. KlydeWarrenPark.org
Thursday, May 28
Holistic Health Seminar – 6:30pm. Integrative wellness education. Free. Dallas College. 214-378-1500. DallasCollege. edu
Healthy Living Workshop – Grand Prairie Library – 6:30pm. Nutrition and lifestyle education session. Free. Grand Prairie Main Library, 901 Conover Dr, Grand Prairie. 972-237-5700. GPLibrary. org
Friday, May 29
Sustainable Living Workshop: Water Conservation – 6:30pm. Practical strategies for reducing water use. Free. Dallas Public Library, 1515 Young St, Dallas. 214-670-1400. DallasLibrary.org
Saturday, May 30
Evening Garden Concert & Picnic –7:00pm–9:00pm. Outdoor concert in a garden setting. Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden, Dallas. 214-515-6615. DallasArboretum.org
Sunday, May 31
Family Nature Day – 10:00am–2:00pm. Environmental education and outdoor activities. Free. Cedar Ridge Preserve, 7171 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas. 972709-7784. AudubonDallas.org
Wellness Expo – Fort Worth – 10:00am–1:00pm. Health screenings and wellness resources. Free. Fort Worth Community Center. 817-392-1234. FortWorthTexas. gov
Texas Monthly Taco Fest – 5:00pm–8:30pm. Signature food festival featuring top taco vendors, live music and curated culinary experiences. Ticketed event. EpicCentral, 2961 S State Hwy 161, Grand Prairie. TexasMonthly.com
Friday, May 1
Evening Meditation & Sound Healing –7:00pm. Guided meditation and sound bath supporting relaxation and mental clarity. $25. Yoga Chikitsa, 6150 Eldorado Pkwy, McKinney. 972-548-9642. YogaChikitsa.com
Sunday, May 3
Heard Nature Center Bird Walk –8:00am. Guided birding walk through native habitats; beginners welcome. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Pl, McKinney. 972-562-5566. HeardMuseum.org
Frisco Fresh Market Wellness Saturday – 9:00am–1:00pm. Local produce, natural foods and wellness vendors. Free. Frisco Fresh Market, 9215 John W Elliott Dr, Frisco. 469-850-1850. FriscoFreshMarket.com
Connemara Conservancy Preserve Walk – 9:00am. Guided nature walk through prairie and riparian habitats highlighting conservation efforts. Free. Connemara Conservancy, Allen. 972390-1161. ConnemaraConservancy.org
Monday, May 4
Outdoor Yoga – Frisco Commons Park – 10:00am. All-levels yoga promoting mobility and relaxation. Free. Frisco Commons Park, Frisco. 972-292-6500. FriscoTexas.gov
Kaleidoscope Park Family Wellness Day – 11:00am–2:00pm. Family-friendly movement sessions and wellness activities in an outdoor setting. Free. Kaleidoscope Park, Frisco. 972-292-6500. FriscoTexas.gov
Thursday, May 7
Mindfulness Meditation – Denton –6:30pm. Guided meditation and stress reduction session. Free. Denton Public Library South Branch, 3228 Teasley Ln, Denton. 940-349-8752. CityOfDenton. com
Sunday, May 10
Plano Environmental Workshop: Native Plants – 10:00am–12:00pm. Learn water-wise landscaping and native plant selection. Free. Environmental Education Center, 4116 W Plano Pkwy, Plano. 972-769-4242. Plano.gov
Outdoor Bootcamp – Allen Parks –8:00am. Strength and cardio workout. Free. Celebration Park, Allen. 214-5094700. AllenParks.org
Connemara Conservancy Volunteer Workday – 9:00am. Habitat restoration and land stewardship activities. Free. Connemara Conservancy, Allen. 972390-1161. ConnemaraConservancy.org
Monday, May 11
Mother’s Day Nature Walk – Heard Sanctuary – 9:00am. Guided walk exploring spring blooms and wildlife. Heard Natural Science Museum, McK-
inney. 972-562-5566. HeardMuseum.org
Wednesday, May 13
Healthy Cooking Class – Whole Foods Plano – 6:00pm–8:00pm. Plant-forward cooking demonstration and nutrition tips. $30. Whole Foods Market, 2201 Preston Rd, Plano. 972-612-0410. WholeFoodsMarket.com
Friday, May 15
Frisco Sustainability Workshop –6:30pm. Practical strategies for reducing waste and conserving resources. Free. Frisco Public Library, 8000 Dallas Pkwy, Frisco. 972-292-5669. FriscoTexas. gov
Sunday, May 17
Ray Roberts State Park Guided Hike –9:00am. Ranger-led hike exploring wildlife and conservation. Park admission applies. Ray Roberts Lake State Park, Pilot Point. 940-686-2148. TPWD.Texas. gov
Community Wellness Walk – Plano –9:00am–11:00am. Group walk promoting physical and mental wellness. Free. Oak Point Park, Plano. 972-941-7250. PlanoParks.org
Kaleidoscope Park Yoga Series –8:30am. Outdoor yoga session for all levels. Free. Kaleidoscope Park, Frisco. 972292-6500. FriscoTexas.gov
Monday, May 18
Tai Chi in the Park – McKinney –10:00am. Gentle movement class for balance and relaxation. Free. Bonnie Wenk Park, McKinney. 972-547-7480. McKinneyTexas.org
Heard Nature Photography Walk –8:00am. Guided photography experience in natural habitats. Heard Natural Science Museum, McKinney. 972-5625566. HeardMuseum.org
Wednesday, May 20
Mental Wellness Seminar – Denton –6:30pm. Tools for managing stress and emotional health. Free. Denton Civic Center, Denton. 940-349-8200. CityOfDenton.com
Friday, May 22
Yoga + Breathwork – Prosper – 7:00pm. Movement and breathwork session supporting vitality. $20. The Yoga Factory, Prosper. 972-987-9642. TheYogaFactoryTX.com
Sunday, May 24
Connemara Conservancy Nature Hike –9:00am. Guided hike through protected prairie landscapes. Free. Connemara Conservancy, Allen. 972-390-1161. ConnemaraConservancy.org
Community Garden Volunteer Day – Denton – 9:00am–12:00pm. Urban gardening and sustainability practices. Free. Shiloh Field Community Garden, Denton. 940349-8700. CityOfDenton.com
Gainesville Farmers Market Day – 9:00am–1:00pm. Local produce and artisan goods. Free. Downtown Gainesville, Cooke County. 940-668-4500. GainesvilleTX.org
Monday, May 25
Sunset Yoga – Adriatica Village – 7:00pm. Outdoor yoga session with scenic setting. Free. Adriatica Village, McKinney. 972-5472660. McKinneyTexas.org
Tuesday, May 26
Memorial Day Fitness Event – Frisco –9:00am. Community workout promoting active lifestyles. Free. Frisco Athletic Center, Frisco. 972-292-6600. FriscoTexas.gov
Thursday, May 28
Holistic Health Talk – Plano – 6:30pm. Integrative wellness and lifestyle strategies. Free. Plano Public Library, Plano. 972-9417175. PlanoLibrary.org
Friday, May 29
Water Conservation Workshop – McKinney – 6:30pm. Drought-tolerant landscaping and water-saving strategies. Free. McKinney Performing Arts Center, McKinney. 972-547-2650. McKinneyTexas.org
Saturday, May 30
Frisco Rail District Evening Market –5:00pm–9:00pm. Fresh foods, artisan goods and community gathering. Free. Frisco Rail District, Frisco. 469-850-1850. FriscoFreshMarket.com
Sunday, May 31
Family Nature Day – Ray Roberts Lake –10:00am–2:00pm. Outdoor education and family activities. Park admission applies. Ray Roberts Lake State Park, Pilot Point. 940-686-2148. TPWD.Texas.gov
Sherman Community Wellness Expo –10:00am–1:00pm. Health screenings, vendors and wellness resources. Free. Sherman Municipal Grounds, Grayson County. 903892-7200. ShermanTX.org
Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide email NAadvertising@NaturalAwakenings.com to request our media kit.
Nena Watkins, LAc
201 S Madison Ave, Suite 200, Dallas 214-840-3445
OakCliffAcu.com
Offers personalized Chinese medicine focused on whole-person healing through acupuncture, herbal therapy, nutrition and lifestyle guidance. Treats pain, stress, allergies and chronic conditions while restoring balance. With over 20 years of experience, provides compassionate care that supports natural healing, improves energy flow and promotes long-term wellness for body, mind and spirit. See ad, page 16.
14856 Preston Rd #212, Dallas
469-608-5050
109 Industrial St, Denton
940-320-6015
LoveTheKavaBar.com
Discover relaxation and community at The Kava Bars in Dallas and Denton. A serene environment with a variety of kava-based drinks, it's the perfect spot to unwind, connect, and experience the calming effects of kava. Live music, open mic nights, and special events that make every visit unique. Exerience a different kind of Happy Hour.
CERESET PLANO
1033 E 15th St, Plano, 75074 214-892-2273
Plano.Cereset.com
abling it to manage stress more effectively. Cereset sessions jump start the process of re-balancing your brain, and can help issues leading to trouble sleeping, restlessness and anxiety, inability to fo cus or lack of joy. Periodic “tune-ups” provide ongoing support, ensuring long-term brain bal ance.
NEW STAR CHIROPRACTIC & ACUPUNCTURE
Dr. Zhangping Lu, DC, LAc, MD (China) 425 Maplelawn Dr, Ste 101, Plano 75075 972-519-8488
DFWAcupunctureChiropractic.com
Whole-body wellness center providing chiropractic care, spinal decompression, allergy testing, NAET, IMAET, detoxification, weight loss, hormone balancing, wellness programs and more. All-natural healing, no medication, no surgery.
MENTAL HEALTH INTEGRATION
Dr. Erin Kincaid, PhD, BCBC, IMHCS 6525 Horizon Rd Ste 130, Rockwall 972-961-9570
RockwallHeathCounseling.com
Provides integrative mental health counseling combining evidence-based therapy, faith-informed care and holistic lifestyle strategies. Addresses gut-brain connection, stress, trauma and emotional wellness. Supports individuals in restoring balance, building resilience and achieving sustainable whole-person healing through personalized, compassionate care designed to nurture mind, body and spirit in alignment. See ad, page 14.
FOSSIL RIM WILDLIFE CENTER 2299 County Road 2008, Glen Rose 254-897-2960
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, near Glen Rose, an hour and a half from DFW, is a non-profit conservation center. It’s a haven for endangered species, housing over 1,000 animals from 50 species. Visitors embark on guided or self-guided tours across its 1,800 acres, encountering wildlife up close. Lodging, dining, and educational facilities enhance the experience.
DALLAS COLLEGE
1601 South Lamar, Dallas
214-378-1824
DCCCD.edu
Dallas College has seven campuses, including El Centro, Brookhaven, Mountain View, Eastfield, Richland, Cedar Valley and Northlake. Dallas College serves the region with accredited one and two year certificates, degrees and core credit courses guaranteed to transfer to Texas colleges and universities.
11600 Welch Road, Dallas 214- 363-6311
Hockaday.org
Established almost 100 years ago, The Hockaday School provides a college preparatory educa-tion for girls; from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade, including Boarding school for grades 8-12. With an approximate enrollment of 1,000 students and a 10:1 student teacher ratio, Hockaday students enjoy a 100% acceptance rate to college.
SCHOOL OF DALLAS
12345 Inwood Rd, Dallas 972-387-8700
JesuitCP.org
Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas is a private Catholic institution for young men under the direction of the Society of Jesus. Located in North Dallas, it provides a student-centered education to approximately 1,000 students, grades 9-12. Our students’ average SAT scores exceed the national average by over 200 points.
2540 Walnut Hill Ln, Dallas 75229 800-637-8337/214-902-2429
AskAdmissions@parker.edu Parker.edu
More patients want alternative methods of treatment that are healthy, holistic and non-invasive. Earning your degree from Parker University in Functional Nutrition, Strength and Human Performance, Integrative Health can put you in position to help them. Offering top level experience and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Council on Chiropractic Education, and the Commission of Massage Therapy Accreditation.
POLARAID HEALTH
450-486-7888
PolaraidHealth.com
Polaraid Health offers the revolutionary PolarAid® body tool, inspired by Nikola Tesla and Dr. Georges Lakhovsky. This device supports overall wellness, including sexual health, weight management, joint flexibility, digestive health, and mental calm. Enhance your well-being with PolarAid®. Visit us to discover more about this innovative health solution.
ROXANE & CO
Handcrafted Goods
469-216-0389
Info@RoxaneAndCo.com
RoxaneAndCo.com
Whether you’re looking for a meaningful gift, a one-of-a-kind keepsake, or something special just for you, our handcrafted collections are designed to make moments more memorable. Thank you for supporting small business and the art of handmade.
BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
1-800-4BAYLOR BaylorHealth.com/CancerCare
We have a network of comprehensive cancer treatment centers throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, offering full range cancer-related and integrative medical services. Whether you want to learn about types of cancer, screenings, prevention, healthy living or support, Baylor is here for you. We offer the experience, expertise and technology you can trust.
13 Locations in Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex 888-286-4603 PrimaCare.com
With 13 Urgent Care Centers, PrimaCare serves the medical needs of area families with courtesy, convenience and compassion. Open 7 days a week with extended hours. No appointment necessary. Most insurance accepted. Use our Call Ahead Service and wait where your want. Open: Monday–Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday–Sunday 8am–5pm.
ACN HERBS AND GREEN TEA LESLIE DUONG
9788 Walnut Street, Suite 108
214-887-8325
LeslieDuong.com
Trained Herbalist, Leslie Duong specializes in traditional herbal remedies and green tea. With over 25 years of experience, she offers personalized herbal consultations, organic herbal medicines, and a wide selection of premium green teas. Committed to natural healing and wellness through high-quality, safe, and effective herbal products. See ad, page 6.
FLOURISH DENTAL BOUTIQUE
Dr. Toni Engram 415 State St #800, Richardson 75082 469-676-2777
Flourish.dental
At Flourish Dental Boutique, we believe the best dentistry is often the least dentistry. We help your body thrive on its own with therapies that enrich and empower its natural healing processes. As a holistic and biological dental practice, we choose safe materials and treatment protocols with special attention to your nutrition and overall wellness.
KOZLOW & ROWELL
Dr. Philip Kozlow
Dr. Josh Rowell 5050 Quorum Dr, Suite 300, Dallas 972-458-2464
DallasDentist.net
We strive to provide healthy, green alternatives for our dental patients by providing digital X-rays, mercury safe restorative options and chemical free dental hygiene products. Committed to total body wellness while avoiding the use of toxic materials, and continuing education to ensure treatments are up to date and effective in a kind and caring environment. See ad, page 27.
Be your own artist and always be confident in what you’re doing. If you’re not going to be confident, you might as well not be doing it.
—Aretha Franklin
LYNN DENTAL CARE
Dr. D. Brock Lynn 6190 LBJ Freeway #900, Dallas 972-934-1400
LynnDentalCare.com
Practicing dentistry for over 38 years, specializing in periodontics, Dr. Lynn is board-certified and a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontics and Dental implants. He practices dentistry with a holistic approach and is a member of the International Academy of Oral Medicine &Toxicology as well as the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health. See ad, back cover.
HEALTHY HEALING ARTS/HPWWC
Cathy May Lemmon, Ph.D. Hom, LCPH, BA 469-383-8442
Cathy@HPWWC.org
HealthyHealingArts.com
Homeoprophylaxis (HP), a part of Homeopathy, is a major part of Cathy Lemmon’s practice at Healthy Healing Arts. HP has been used worldwide for hundreds of years with a success rate of over 90% to help fight off disease. Lemmon uses an energetic, nontoxic means of promoting immunity in a safe and natural way.
AIKIDO FOR LIFE
Lynn Fabia, Founder Society of Aikido Centers 2080 N. Collins Blvd. Richardson, TX 75080 469 767-5864 lynnfabia@gmail.com
Discover Aikido for Life - peaceful, powerful, and holistic. Increase confidence, awareness, energy, and self-mastery through fluid movement and non-violent self-defense. Learn how to process fear with timeless life concepts for mind, body, and spirit.
DR. CARLOS CHAPA, ND, OMD, L.AC, PH.D 1320 W. Walnut Hill Ln, Irving 18601 LBJ #501, Mesquite 972-444-0660 DrChapa.com
Trained in Asia, graduated from a Korean University, Dr. Chapa holds a Naturopathic Doctorate Degree and a PhD in Eastern Medicine specializing in Neurological issues. A former medic/nurse since 1995, this unique training has given confidence from many Physicians to refer their patients. Dr. Chapa is founder and medical director of AIMC established in 2009.
DALLAS
399 Melrose Dr., Suite A, Richardson 214-368-4132
EHCD.COM
A nationally recognized medical facility specializing in the relationship of health and disease to environmental factors. Thorough investigation is made to determine the cause and correlation of the patent’s disease process to environmental factors. A leader in the field treating mold exposure/sensitivity; oil spill, pesticides and chemical exposure; chemical sensitivities, immune dysregulation and much more.
Dr. Alfred R. Johnson, D.O.
997 Hampshire Lane, Richardson 972-479-0400
JohnsonMedicalAssociates.com
Johnson Medical Associates is a state-of-the-art medical clinic offering comprehensive medical services aimed at finding the cause not just treating the symptoms. Dr. Johnson is a doctor of internal medicine with 35+ years of experience in areas of chronic illness, toxic exposures, allergies and the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to address a multitude of conditions. See ad, page 35.
Dr. Jerry Tennant MD, Medical Director 35 Veranda Lane, Ste 100, Colleyville 972-580-1156
TennantInstitute.us
Providing traditional “standard-ofcare” medicine using prescription as well as complementary medicine. Recognizing that the human body is not simply a collection of independent parts but rather an integrative whole -we treat it that way. Conditions treated include chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, macular degeneration and glaucoma, as well as thyroid support, adrenal support, hormone replacement. essential oil therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Dr. Monica Jauregui, M.D. IFMCP 945-286-5711
Info@trulyhealthymd.com TrulyHealthyMD.com
Known as “America's Medical Detective,” our functional medicine practice specializes in uncovering root causes of health issues. With advanced diagnostics, personalized plans, and a Health Restoration Membership, we treat conditions like hormone imbalances, Lyme, long COVID, leaky gut, irritable bowel syndrome, Lyme and co-infections, long COVID, mold and other environmental illnesses, autoimmunity. Financing options available.
WILLOWBEND HEALTH & WELLNESS
Dr. Phyllis Gee, MD
4601 Old Shepard Pl, Bldg. 2, Ste. 201, Plano 469-361-4000
WillowbendHealthAndWellness.com
With 30 years of practice, empowerment and whole health are centerpieces of our care. Our goal is finding and treating the root cause of your symptoms to restore your health utilizing regenerative medical practices. We address functional wellness, sexual wellness, weight management. We do functional health testing. Call for appointment.
MIKROB LAWN CARE
13101 Preston Rd, Ste 110 2222, Dallas, 469-436-5323
MikrobLawnCare.com
Provides organic lawn care solutions designed to build healthy soil and resilient landscapes without harmful chemicals. Services include soil testing, compost top-dressing, natural fertilization and seasonal treatments. Focuses on improving soil biology, strengthening root systems and creating greener, safer outdoor spaces that support families, pets and environmentally responsible living practices yearround. See ad, page 31.
DR. JEFFREY GLADDEN, MD
16633 Dallas Pkwy #100, Addison 972-310-8916
GladdenLongevity.com
Board certified in Interventional Cardiology. Dr. Gladden specializes in age management, regenerative medicine, and personalized health optimization. With over 30 years of experience, he offers advanced therapies including stem cell treatments, hormone optimization, and functional medicine. Dedicated to maximizing longevity and healthspan for his patients. Author of 100 is the New 30
SENERGY MEDICAL GROUP
9901 Valley Ranch Pkwy East, Ste 1009 Irving 972-580-0545
Biomodulator@senergy.us
Senergy.us
We are the exclusive distributor of the patented Tennant Biomodulator® PLUS & PRO. These FDA accepted non-invasive devices are designed to offer an affordable, drug free, user-friendly option for the indicated use of symptomatic relief for chronic, severe or intractable pain; and adjunctive treatment in managing post-surgical and post-traumatic pain.
BOIS D'ARC MEAT COMPANY
13849 E. FM 1396, Windom, TX 617-314-1349
BoisDdarcMeatCo.com
Bois D'arc Meat Company provides high-quality, locally-sourced meats. All our cattle, pigs, chickens and turkeys are raised entirely on pasture, are 100% non-GMO and no herbicides, pesticides or chemicals are applied to the land. We offer a variety of cuts and custom butchering services to meet all your needs. Visit us for the finest meats.
ABRAMS ROYAL COMPOUNDING PHARMACY
8220 Abrams Rd, Dallas 214-349-8000
4904 W. Park Blvd, Plano 972-599-7700 ARP-RX.com
Family owned and operated since 1980, with more than 135 years of combined experience. Our pharmacists work to provide proactive solutions to restore health and wellness. We work as trusted partners with physicians and patients to develop targeted treatment plans and customized wellness programs for your unique needs. Pharmacy Compounding. Accreditation Board (PACB) certified. PSY
Nick Ladikos, PharmD info@medcopadvisors.com WebOpAdvisors.com
Provides personalized medication and wellness consulting to help align prescriptions, supplements, nutrition and lifestyle for optimal health outcomes. Focuses on reducing conflicts, improving effectiveness and supporting whole-person wellness through integrative, evidence-informed guidance tailored to individual needs and long-term vitality goals. See ad, page 3.
CELEBRATION RESTAURANT
4503 West Lovers Lane, Dallas
CelebrationRestaurant.com
Food You Can Feel Good About! Dallas’ ORIGINAL farm-to-table restaurant
The original farm-to-table restaurant in north Texas, including catering and takeout Market. With a full -service bar, we celebrate years of serving delicious, affordable, locally sourced food. We offer gluten free alternatives, clean water raised salmon and sustainably raised seafood, cage free poultry and 100% grass fed beef. Come in today, order in or take-out. See ad, page 27.
6808 Pastor Bailey Dr, Dallas 214-331-8522
ConcordDallas.tv
Concord Dallas is the church that grows people. Their core values are passion for Christ, passion for people and catalyst for change. Services are Sundays at 8:00am, 10:00am, 12:00pm and online at Streamingfaith.com. Mid-week service is Wednesdays at 7:00pm. Reverend Bryan L. Carter, Senior Pastor.
UNITY CHURCH OF SACHSE
5502 Ben Davis, Sachse 972-984-8946
UnityOfSachse@gmail.com
UnityOfSachse.com
We teach positive psychology based on Spiritual teachings of Jesus. Services are held Sundays at 11:30am. Join us as we share truths and principles to help along your spiritual journey. Each week’s message and all events are posted on our website for your convenience. Spiritual counseling and positive prayer available.
DALLAS WELLNESS AND THERMOGRAPHY CENTER
5220 Spring Valley Rd #LL-40, Dallas ThermographyCenter.com 214-352-8758
All symptoms have an origin story and we get to the root of yours. Using radiation-free technology we can identify your symptom’s origin story and exactly what needs to change internally and how it will remedy your symptoms. We then recommend medical grade natural products to help you heal the root cause easily and organically.
RHEO WELLNES
2455 Ridge Road, Suite 151, Rockwall 972-771-8900
RHEOWellness.com
“Our goal is to offer our community high-quality wellness services in an exceptionally comfortable and healing environment. We know that time-honored healing traditions-Massage, Young Living Raindrop Therapy, Chiropractic, iV therapy, Juicing and Colonics work. RCW offers all of these things, come visit us and begin your journey to optimum wellness. See ad, page 21.
CRESCENT YOGA STUDIO & ECO-BOUTIQUE
Dawn Harris, RYT500 306 W Ave F, Midlothian 214-817-8597
CrescentYogaStudio.com
Ellis county’s premier yoga studio and eco-boutique offers a variety of weekly classes, specialty workshops, private yoga and reiki sessions as well as natural health and wellness events. Come feel your stress and tensions away. New student intro offer: 2 weeks unlimited Yoga for $20. Empowering a healthy lifestyle.
ROXANE & CO
Yoga Instructor
Roxane Beneduce, RYT200 469- 216-0389
RoxaneAndCo.com
With years of experience in Yoga & Pilates and passion to keep educating others, I offer a personalized approach to help you grow stronger, more confident, and creatively inspired. I believe in making wellness accessible to all with my unique style. Classes as low as $10 with a year membership plan or reg $25/class at Heritage Senior Center in Irving Mon- Fri.
n Safe Mercury Removal (S.M.A.R.T. Certified by I.O.A.M.T.)
n Ozonated water in unit waterlines eliminates biofilm and neutralizes bacteria. Ozone also reduces sensitivity, treats deep cavities and more
n PRF -Your own growth factors accelerate healing
n LANAP® - non-invasive laser gum surgery means less discomfort
n Metal Free Crowns
n Zirconia (non-metal) dental implants
n Sleep Apnea Screening and Treatment
n CT Scanner on site for your convenience
n Digital Impressions eliminate gagging
n Biologic Root canals
ozone
