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Acupuncture Can Boost Fertility, Complement Treatment

Anyone who has undergone fertility treatment or is struggling to conceive knows the emotional stress takes its toll. Belinda Brown, of Classical Acupuncture + Wellness, in Hoboken, notes that by regulating the nervous system and promoting the natural release of uplifting neurochemicals, acupuncture can help patients cope with the ups and downs of fertility treatment.

“Acupuncture has an excellent success rate with fertility issues for both women and men for whom western medical fertility treatments weren’t successful, or for women looking for a less-invasive approach,” Brown says.

A master’s program graduate of the Swedish Institute’s School of Acupuncture and Oriental Studies, in New York, Brown guides patients through positive lifestyle changes based on Classical Chinese Medicine and augments her treatments with Chinese dietary guidance and essential oils.

In addition to using acupuncture, diet and lifestyle advice to address fertility issues, she also offers pre- and postpartum treatment to address various imbalances or discomforts, including easing nausea and fatigue; encouraging a breech or traverse baby to turn in utero; relieving clogged mammary ducts and mastitis; and increasing breastmilk supply. Belinda Brown

Location: 101 Park Ave., Ste. 3, Hoboken, NJ . For appointments, contact Belinda Brown at Belinda@classicalacupunctureandwellness.com or 201-360-1357, or visit ClassicalAcupunctureAndWellness.com.

Save Latin America Hosts Wellness Fair

Save Latin America, a nonprofit that provides multifaceted services to Hispanic and other minority communities, will host its biggest annual fundraiser, the Family Health and Wellness Fair, on October 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Union City High School. SLA will be joined by affiliates, sponsors and volunteers to distribute food and health supplies to the community.

For 17 years, SLA has provided educational counseling and health services to residents in northern New Jersey as well as New York City’s five boroughs. It partners with national corporations; local, state and federal governmental agencies; and social-service nonprofit organizations. It also offers extended business and employment opportunities to Hispanic communities.

SLA’s mission is to facilitate and expedite the assimilation of Hispanics and other minorities into mainstream American society, with a primary focus on increasing their access to health care and education. Its target support audience is low-to-moderate-income residents who are uninsured, underinsured and underserved.

Location: 2500 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Union City, NJ. For more information, including how to donate to or volunteer for SLA, call 201-271-7474, email info@savelatinamerica.org, visit SaveLatinAmerica.org, or find Family Health & Wellness Fair on Facebook. Donations can be mailed to 138 39th St., Union City, New Jersey 07087.

Vitality Yoga Adds Class for Ages 3 to 6

Vitality Yoga & Wellness, a family-owned educational center for yogic practices based in West New York, is now offering Kids Yoga with Adriana, for ages 3 to 6. The class is designed to let young children have fun as they learn poses, play yoga games that aid in fine and gross motor skills, and find calm through mindfulness and relaxation.

This new class will be offered Tuesdays from 4 to 4:40 p.m. It complements the existing class Kids Yoga with Lauren, for ages 7 to 12, which is offered Saturdays from 10:30 to 11:10 a.m. and features poses, games, music and more. Both Kids Yoga classes cost $12 per session.

“Kids yoga is a wonderful activity where kids learn basics of yoga and mindfulness and, most importantly, have fun,” says Vitality Yoga founder Megha Joshi. “This is a high-energy class that also combines elements of relaxation.”

Vitality Yoga teaches yoga classes, meditation and breathing techniques. It offers a variety of classes for yogis of all levels and private one-on-one sessions. It also hosts educational and motivating workshops that offer in-depth knowledge and insight.

Location: 6702 Bergenline Ave., West New York, NJ. For more information, call 201-590-9917, email vitalityyoganj@gmail.com or visit VitalityYogaNJ.com.

Art and Studio Tour Returns in Person

The 31st Annual Jersey City Art and Studio Tour will take place September 30 to October 3, with a return to in-person events. JCAST is the largest art tour in the state, featuring works in all corners of Jersey City.

The tour will kick off with a party at Nimbus Arts Center, located at 329 Warren Street. From there participants can visit artist studios and gallery exhibitions, take curated tours, take part in kids’ events and live performances.

JCAST doesn’t just celebrate art; it also celebrates the creative process by throwing the doors open to give the public an upclose look at local artists and the passion that they pour into their work. After JCAST celebrated its 30th anniversary virtually in 2020, this year’s in-person tour will be “even more encompassing and incredible” than before, organizers say.

For more information, including a list of participating artists and studios, visit thejcast.com.

IV Therapy Available at Head 2 Toe

Advanced practice nurse Lauren M. De Lucia, owner of De Lucia Advance Practice, is offering intravenous therapy at Head 2 Toe Total Body Rejuvenation, in North Bergen. IV treatment is used for a number of therapeutic purposes, including to rehydrate the body and to enhance energy and wellness.

“IV nutrient therapy is a natural way to combat chronic fatigue while also preventing illness, curing hangovers and many other benefits,” De Lucia says. “IV therapy delivers vitamins, amino acids, minerals and other vital nutrients into the bloodstream quickly, without needing or taxing the digestive system. It provides your body with optimal hydration to support all vital organ functions. It can help prevent medical issues like kidney stones, constipation and muscle damage.”

De Lucia has extensive education and clinical training as well as specialized training. She holds memberships in several professional organizations and frequently attends conferences and society meetings to learn about the latest advancements in her fields of expertise.

Head 2 Toe is open Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It offers services by appointment on Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Location: 7617 Kennedy Blvd., North Bergen, NJ. For more information, call 201-854-0200, email dapnj13@gmail.com or visit Head2ToeNJ.com.

Fraga Wellness, in Bayonne, Moves to New Location

Fraga Wellness Solutions, in Bayonne, has moved from its original space on Broadway to a new location on Lefante Way, where it will continue to provide the latest evidencebased treatments and services to help patients achieve their wellness goals. Its staff includes a chiropractor, a physical therapist, a massage therapist and an acupuncturist.

Owner and lead practitioner Maris Stella Fraga, DC, has been involved in promoting wellness education in her community since 2007. She was a wellness coach in Connecticut before earning her doctorate in chiropractic at the University of Bridgeport Chiropractic College. Her clinical education included a wide variety of conditions, including cervical, thoracic and lumbar joint dysfunction; adhesive capsulitis; elbow tendinosis; ankle sprains; low-back, hip and knee pain; and upper and lower crossed syndrome. She has experience in kinesiology taping and is certified in FAKTR and level-one Graston Technique.

In addition to chiropractic adjustments, Fraga Wellness Solutions offers a variety of additional support services, including acupuncture, electro-muscle stimulation, intersegmental traction, ultrasound, cryotherapy, superficial heat, massage therapy, physical therapy, sole supports and RockTape. Dr. Maris Stella Fraga

Location: 120 Lefante Way, Bayonne, NJ. For more information or to reserve a spot, call 201-858-0444, or visit FragaWellness.com.

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NewLife Expo Returns to Hotel New Yorker in October

New York City is open again. Broadway, Lincoln Center, Madison Square Garden, Radio City and Carnegie Hall are all busier than ever. And with the NewLife Expo making its in-person return to the Wyndham Hotel New Yorker October 22 to 24, organizer Mark Becker says he expects this year’s event to be heavily attended too.

“NewLifers haven’t had a NewLife Expo for two years, and the excitement is growing to make this the most awesome weekend ever,” Becker says. “This is a chance to come see your favorite exhibitors and speakers on holistic health, alternative medicine, metaphysics, spirituality and environmentalism. You’ll learn how to strengthen your immune system and reach your maximum potential.”

As always, there will be plenty of items available for purchase, as well as the opportunity to book readings with renowned psychics, many of whom are flying into New York to be there.

“The NewLife Expo is the nation’s longest-running event focused on conscious living,” Becker says. “For 30 years, NewLife has been instrumental in opening up people’s minds to all possibilities by bringing experts from around the world in the fields of holistic health, spirituality, consciousness and human potential.”

The expo will feature both virtual and in-person speakers. Virtual speakers will appear via livestream in a dedicated speaker room. Live speakers will be streamed virtually to those who can’t attend the expo. New York City requires vax cards to enter. Mark Becker

Location: Wyndham Hotel New Yorker, 481 8th Ave. @ 34th Street, New York City (across from Penn Station). For more information and pre-registration discounts, visit NewLifeExpo.com.

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Promo: Order online get Free deodorant with $20+ purchase Thursday, Oct 7 to Sunday, Oct 16. coupon code “ PREVENT” Beginning therapy can be a difficult decision, but investing in our emotional well-being is crucial for personal growth, says Kimberlee Van Burch, a licensed clinical social worker who has a counseling and psychotherapy practice for adults, teens and families in Hudson County.

People seek therapy for a variety of reasons, she says. “Some are dealing with unexpected changes—like unemployment, Kimberlee Van Burch divorce or a new job—and aren’t handling the stress well. Therapy can help you resolve problems caused by depression, anxiety, lack of confidence, relationship difficulties, grief, career challenges and creative blocks. A therapist can also be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues and the hassles of everyday life.”

Finding the right therapist is critical, she notes. “Someone with experience dealing with diverse problems, yet who’s sensitive to your individual needs, is ideal,” she explains. “My clinical experience and research have convinced me that developing a strong working relationship with your therapist is essential to creating positive change.”

Her “eclectic approach” to therapy includes mindfulness, cognitive behavioral, narrative and play therapy, tailored to the individual client.

For information or to schedule a free 20-minute consultation, contact Van Burch at 201-430-5276 or kim@kimvanburchlcsw.com or visit KimVanBurchlcsw.com.

YaaYaa Natural: Local Skincare, Global Reach

YaaYaa Natural was born in Brooklyn to a second-generation Ghanaian American family. Nicole and Alex Ampadu worked as licensed clinical laboratory technologists in the New York healthcare system. After being frustrated by the current skincare market and lack of environmentally conscious options, they decided to create their own natural product line.

“We felt we could put our biology degrees to better use,” Nicole says.

After carefully researching natural products, preservatives, temperatures, sustainable materials and the biological effect on skin cells, Nicole and Alex created their first Whipped Shea Body Frosting. They also decided on a company mission: to empower African communities by directly sourcing materials from Africa and donating funds to reputable organizations.

“By directly sourcing our shea butter from Tamale, Ghana, we can provide a better wage and economy to the women working in the shea industry,” Alex says. “We also plan to achieve this by donating 10 percent of our profits to local and global trustworthy charities.”

YaaYaa Natural is now based in New Jersey and makes a line of shea frosting products for the hair, face and body.

For more information, call 248-979-2661 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., or email yaayaanatural@gmail.com. For 24/7 shopping, visit YaaYaaNatural.com.