Natural Awakenings Fairfield County September 2011

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET feel good live simply laugh more

FREE

Special Edition

EXPRESS YOURSELF

free classes all month:

ECO-CHIC

Summer Rayne Oakes’ Earth-Friendly Fashions

MICHAEL GLUTEN-FREE FRANTI’S MADE EASY Sound Yoga Practices

Recipes & Tips

September 2011 | Fairfield County Edition | eNaturalAwakenings.com

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BRAINPAINT. ASYRA. ONDAMED. And other noticeably effective naturopathic approaches you probably never heard of.

Our patients are enjoying remarkable success with several naturopathic treatments that are unique to this office. To learn more, give us a call.

Dr M a r vinS chweitzer.c o m 203. 847. 2788

Listening and Caring Wouldn’t you prefer a doctor who makes time for both?

Naturopathic Medicine Services Offered:

General Family Medicine Acupuncture Dr. Susan Rzucidlo, ND

Facial Rejuvenation– “The Natural Facelift” Pediatrics

Diet & Nutritional Counseling

Anthem, BC/BS, Oxford, Aetna insurance accepted

Botanical Medicine

Conditions Treated: Allergies Arthritis Diabetes Heart Disease PMS Chronic Pain Any many others…

The Center for Naturopathic Medicine, Inc. 3335 Main Street, Stratford • (203) 377-1525

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Fairfield County Edition

natural awakenings

Explore & Celebrate the Spirit Within

Sample FREE Classes & Events All Throughout September, All Throughout Fairfield County Yoga • Meditation • Reiki • Energy Healing • Qi Gong • Tai Chi • Intuitive Guidance • EFT • Hypnotherapy • Personal/Spiritual Growth • …and more Learn about the benefits of yoga and meditation, the power of energy healing, how to discover your life purpose, and how to develop your intuition.

PLUS, attend an Awakenings celebration near you for an inspirational day of classes, lectures, and music: • September 10 at Sacred Doors in Norwalk • September 11 at Kindred Spirits in Redding • September 17 at Sticks and Stones Farm in Newtown • September 24 at Finding Feathers in Fairfield • September 25 at Move2Wellness in Ridgefield • October 2 with Vistar Foundation in Stamford

Visit eNaturalAwakenings.com to see full schedule and details of FREE events, updated September daily! 2011 eNaturalAwakenings.com

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The Natural Choice – The Breiner Whole-Body Health Center

Optimize Your Smile and Your Health!

Whole-Body Dentistry® provides comprehensive oral health care using traditional and holistic approaches. We understand the “mouth-body connection.”

Mark A. Breiner, DDS

Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry Fellow of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology Speaker and best-selling author of Whole-Body Dentistry®

Mercury-free for over 30 years, Dr. Breiner is a pioneer and recognized authority in the field of biological and holistic dentistry.

WholeBodyDentistry.com 203-371-0300

5520 Park Ave., Trumbull / Fairfield town line at Exit 47 off Merritt Pkwy

Doesn’t it make sense to see the authority?

The Natural Choice – The Breiner Whole-Body Health Center Caring Naturopathic Physicians Offering the Best in Holistic Healing

Our integrative approach treats a widerange of conditions including: ADD/ADHD Allergies Anxiety & Depression Autism Brain Injuries Candidiasis Chronic Fatigue (or Fatigue Concerns) Difficulty Concentrating Female Concerns Fibromaylgia

Gastrointestinal Concerns Healthy Aging Hormonal Issues Immune Disorders Lyme Disease RSD Sports Injuries Stress-related Symptoms Thyroid & Adrenal Issues Toxicities Weight Gain

Learn more about our approach. Watch our new therapy videos – all on our website!

We can help you get your health back in balance naturally with proven treatments and therapies:

From left to right:

Dr. Adam Breiner, ND, Director Dr. Elena Sokolova, MD, ND & Dr. David M. Brady, ND, CCN, DACBN

WholeBodyMed.com 203-371-8258

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) EEG Neurofeedback Acupuncture Chinese Medicine Homeopathy Energy Medicine Electrodermal Screening Metabolic Typing

Functional Medicine Colon Hydrotherapy Natural Hormone Therapy Herbal Medicine Nutritional Assessment Allergy Desensitization FDA-cleared Phototherapy Detoxification Abdominal Manual Therapy

FREE CDs on our Whole-Body approach to Lyme Disease.

Call now for details.

Office located on the Fairfield/Trumbull line

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Whole-Body Medicine, LLC – The Natural Approach for Optimal Health

Fairfield County Edition

natural awakenings

SPECIAL OFFER: Sign up now! The next 50 Providers will receive a FREE NAN consumer membership ($109 value) - You too can enjoy discounts on hundreds of healthy living products & services!

NaturalAwakeningsNetwork.com

Here are a Few of the Providers Who’ve Already Joined: Angelic Healing Center Camillo Health & Fitness Caroline Temple, MSW, LCSW Dew Yoga Dr. Deb Bossio, ND Dr. Henry Sobo, MD Dr. Kimberly Embry, DC Dr. Leonard Kundel, DDS Dr. LuAnn Moratto, DC Dr. Michael Gazsi, ND Dr. Sherry Stemper, ND Dr. Stacy Raymond, PsyD Eco Certified Skincare Fragrant Offerings

Greenwich Wellness Gumdrop Swap Kids Boutique In Balance Fitness Janet Luongo, Integrative Health & Lifestyle Educator Karen Drena, Holistic Health Practitioner Kelly Alvarez-Hopkins Lori Rafalof, Healing Practitioner Lotus Gardens Yoga School Massage Works Message from Angels Mindy Kannon, Nutrition Coach & Personal Chef Move2Wellness North American Power Energy

Om Sweet Om Healing Pat Ting, LAc Peace Tree Desserts Power of Avatar Ridley-Lowell Business & Technical Institute Sandra Eagle, LCSW Senior Helpers Sergiana Bruno, LMT Sharon Cravens, Intuitive Guide Smart Comfort Energy Solutions Tracy Franzen, LMT Trillium Architects Turning Point Reiki White Jade Wellness Withinsight

As a Natural Awakenings Network Provider, You Can:

• Expand your customer base while increasing your income • Receive free promotional exposure on our websites and in the magazine • Receive referrals from our Customer Service Center • Receive your client payment when you render service. Zero claims!

• Be part of a network dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles

Email Carolyn@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com for info & application. FREE for the 1st year!

eNaturalAwakenings.com

September 2011

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What Is Your Life’s Purpose?

Curious About Your Past Lives?

Who Are Your Soul Mates?

With over 25 years of experience, Maria will accompany you on your journey to understanding who you are and all you are meant to be.

contents Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.

28 Gluten: Trust Your Gut Scientists Confirm

• Holistic Psychotherapy • Past Life Regression

Widespread Sensitivity

by Claire O’Neil

- Trained by Brian Weiss

• Life Between Lives

- Trained by TNI and Michael Newton

30 Gluten-Free Baking

32

The Scoop on

238 Monroe Turnpike, Suite B, Monroe, CT 06468

(203) 445-8966

LifeBetweenLivesTherapy.com

Safe-to-Eat Flours

by Claire O’Neil

32 Handmade Happiness A Hands-On Approach

to Authentic Living

by Judith Fertig

36 Sound Yoga Practices

by Meredith Montgomery

44

44 Healing Arthritis

46

Naturally

by Henry Sobo, MD

No mineral oil No synthetic ingredients No polyethylene glycol No artificial colors No chemicals No parabens

Certified organic Botanically based Not tested on animals Environmentally produced Environmentally packaged ECOCERT Certified

48 Putumayo World

Dan Storper’s Music

EcoCertSkin.EnergizedSkinCare.biz 203-746-1663

Fairfield County Edition

Your Pet’s Future

by Kimberly A. Colgate, Esq.

The world’s first Zero Point Energized Skin Care Line with ECOCERT Certification, and 100% Natural Organic Ingredients!

EGA® TRUE is a groundbreaking product line in the cosmetic and energetic world.

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46 Pet Trusts Peace of Mind for

natural awakenings

without Borders

by April Thompson

52

50 Eco-Fashionista

Summer Rayne Oakes Models the Future

by Kristin J. Bender

FREE classes!

Be allergy Free 18

24 36

9 newsbriefs 16 fairfieldbgreen 18 healthbriefs 24 globalbriefs 28 healingways 30 consciouseating 36 fitbody 43 inspiration 46 naturalpet 48 wisewords 50 greenliving 52 calendar 64 classified 66 resourceguide

advertising & submissions how to advertise To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 203.885.4674 or email FFCadvertising@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

Deadline for ads: the 12th of the month.

Editorial submissions Visit eNaturalAwakenings.com - click on “Submit Editorial” at the top of the page.

Deadline for News Briefs: the 5th of the month. calendar submissions Visit eNaturalAwakenings.com - click on “Submit Calendar” at the top of the page. Deadline for magazine calendar listings: the 5th of the month. Website calendar listings may be entered at any time. 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 203.885.4674.

For franchising opportunities call 239.530.1377.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

Perhaps Even for Life!

Seasonal, food & environmental allergies CAN be eliminated: Conditions like eczema, gastric reflux, IBS, sinus conditions and digestive problems are often due to food & chemical allergies.

A revolutionary, noninvasive, child friendly technique is available to eliminate food, environmental and other sensitivities. It is used together with: • Computerized allergy testing & elimination without medication or shots • Enzyme therapy, including nutrition and proper diet • It enhances immune system function & assists the body in the natural healing process.

Visit allergyEliminationNorwalk.com for more information and a

FrEE E-Book Download: “How To Stop Suffering From Food Sensitivities, ‘Allergies’ and Digestion Problems” Allergy Elimination | Norwalk

Call Dr. Mark JoaChiM for a complimentary consultation. Over 10 years experience as an Advanced BioSET Practitioner.

ASSOCIATES IN FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC & NATURAL HEALTH CARE, P.C. 156 East Avenue, Norwalk

allergyEliminationNorwalk.com

(203) 838-1555

eNaturalAwakenings.com

September 2011

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letterfrompublisher September promises to be an exciting month as Natural Awakenings presents the Awakenings celebration - all throughout September, all throughout Fairfield County the public is invited to sample a wide variety of free classes and events.

contact us Publisher/Managing Editor Carolyn Aversano

The Awakenings celebration was conceived by a thought: Imagine the impact of the healing arts community setting forth Carolyn Aversano a simultaneous collective intention to raise the vibration in Fairfield County. A collective effort to share the work they love and the opportunity to help transform many more lives to greater consciousness, authenticity, peace, and joy…at a time when the world is greatly in need of much more of these qualities.

There are so many wonderful healing modalities out there, and while most people are curious, many have yet to have experience them. Awakenings offers the chance to sample as many as you like - it’s a month of “continuing education” with yoga and meditation classes, reiki and a variety of energy healing sessions, empowerment and hypnosis workshops, art & music classes, and much more.

Editors Patricia Horan Linda Sechrist Cris Ann Mulreed

If you’re new to all this, yoga and meditation are a great place to start – the health benefits for mind, body, and spirit are tangible, they are wonderful tools for stress reduction, and a great way to relax and rejuvenate. Also, there are several all-day Awakenings celebrations happening throughout the county (see pg 3) offering a variety of classes, workshops, lectures, and entertainment. For those more experienced spirit junkies, try something new this month - Rising Star, Meditative Kayaking, EFT, Core Energetics?

Design & Production Erica M. Mills Sales & Marketing Carolyn Aversano Mary Mihalchik Joseph Pacelli Leana Cipolla

With deep gratitude to the many practitioners that have co-created the Awakenings celebration with such love and enthusiasm, we present over 100 free classes and events that have been generously offered to the community. Space is limited, and spots will fill up quickly so I encourage you to visit eNaturalAwakenings.com to view the full list of events, and call to sign up today!

Natural Awakenings Fairfield County Phone: 203.885.4674 Fax: 203.516.2392 Carolyn@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com

Here’s to your great awakening, this month and beyond!

eNaturalAwakenings.com © 2011 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved.

Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.

Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business.

We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

Natural Awakenings is printed on 100% postconsumer recycled paper with soy-based ink.

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Fairfield County Edition

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For the full list of FREE events, visit eNaturalAwakenings.com

newsbriefs Catch a Healthy Habit Brings Spirit Junkie Author to Fairfield

H

ere’s what The New York Times has to say about Gabrielle Bernstein: “A decade ago, young women like Ms. Bernstein might have been expected to chase the lifestyle of high heels and pink drinks…But now there is a new role model for New York’s former Carrie Bradshaws…well versed in self-help and New Age spirituality…

Ms. Bernstein is one of a circle of such figures, influenced less by the oeuvre of Candace Bushnell than that of Marianne Williamson.” Motivational speaker, life coach and author Gabrielle Bernstein has been on the Forbes list of the 20 Best Branded Women, and featured on Oprah Radio and many TV stations. Her newest book is Spirit Junkie: A Radical Guide to Self-Love and Miracles. On Thursday, September 15, as she begins her nationwide book tour, Fairfield’s Catch A Healthy Habit Cafe will be sponsoring her talk, Q&A and book signing at the Community Film Institute in Fairfield. Paid pre-registration for the event comes with a copy of ”Spirit Junkie”.

The Community Film Institute is at 1424 Post Road, in Fairfield. Paid registration for the event comes with a copy of Spirit Junkie. To register, call the CafÈ at 203.292.8190 or visit CatchAHealthyHabit.com. To learn more about Gabby, visit GabbyB.TV. See ad pg 38.

Beautiful Reasons to Let Your Hair Go Green

B

W

e’ve all been using the same hair care products for years. Why change now? Kim Roach, who specializes in hair color at Stamford’s Briana Salon, says there are many great reasons.

More lustrous hair and longer-lasting colors are only two. Then there are the awful affects of ammonia, the cause of breathing troubles, headaches, lingering odor, scalp staining, stinging and sometimes nasty rashes. Ammonia not only negatively affects the cuticle of the hair, it also damages the amino acid or protein called Tyrosine, found inside the hair shaft, which produces natural pigment and is responsible for producing melanin (the natural pigment in the hair shaft) that bonds with salon-added color. Thousands of hairdressers—who are very vulnerable to the effects of long term ammonia exposure—are responding to the wishes of their customers in over 30 countries by using what Kim uses, Organic Color Systems, whose 65 intermixable color products are also paraben-free, for semi, demi or permanent results.

In addition, Kim now offers the Keragreen Keratin Smoothing System, the new, more natural and organic hair restoration and smoothing treatment. Formulated with absolutely no formaldehyde, formaldehyde derivatives, parabens, or ammonia, it has been designed as a more gentle, safe, and natural alternative to smooth hair. Kim has had extensive training with Organic Color Systems and is certified in the Keragreen Keratin Smoothing System. Briana is only one of a few salons in Connecticut offering these organic hair services.

BRIANA SALON

Relax...and discover the direction of your inner compass.

We have created the ideal space and location to help you take a much deserved break from the “doing” and practice “being.”

Clinical Massage Therapy Acupuncture • Hypnosis Yoga • Chi Fit • Qi-Gong Tai Chi Easy • Health Workshops

635 Danbury Road, Ridgefield, CT 208.403.2522

www.move2wellness.com

eNaturalAwakenings.com

September 2011

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Kim Roach and Briana Salon are located at 15 Square Acre Drive, Stamford. Phone 203.329.0234 ext. 1. See ad pg 18.

Lose Weight Without Diet, Drugs or Exercise

Free “After Loss” Expo in Stamford

“Acu-Thin™ was/is a turning point in my life? I’ve lost 15 lbs so far – and it was easy. No more craving snacks between meals and I literally eat half of what I used to eat at mealtimes. I feel so much better, and the Acu-Thin™ program makes a significant difference in my success.”

- Patrice B. (note: Patrice B. eventually lost 50 lbs!)

BEFORE

AFTER

The ACU-THIN program is a system of weight loss based on the principle of Auriculotherapy (ear acupuncture) used to decrease the desire for food.

It is done with needles or done without needles. This program has been shown to be effective for several years in our office without increasing exercise or involving extreme changes in diet. Results are usually noticed quickly and loss of appetite can be immediate.

256 Post Road East • Westport

Call:

SPECIAL OFFER

203-227-4474 for a FREE visit

1st Visit FREE Expires 9/30/11. * New patients only.

Does not include the Acu-Thin Pen.

Dr. Patrick J. Guerin D.C., F.I.A.M.A

Visit:

AcuThin.com for more information

Lower Your Numbers Naturally Blood Pressure Blood Sugar Cholesterol

Body Fat Body Weight Triglycerides & More!

Significantly change your health without medication. Thousands have made it happen with the

program. Call today!

Naturopathic Health Center, LLC

Dr. Carolyn Graham, RN, ND and Dr. Alice Bell, MS, ND 415 Howe Ave. Suite 307 Shelton, CT 06484 • 24 Glen Rd. Sandy Hook, CT 06482 203.922.0029 • www.NaturoHealthCenter.com Firstline Therapy is a registered trademark of Metagenics, Inc.

sudatonic detox, cellulite reduction & slimming system A DETOX /SLIMMING TREATMENT THAT WILL: • reduce cellulite • cleanse the body of heavy metals • reduce fat & body mass • shed actual pounds • burn up to 600 calories • lose up to 5 pounds • improve skin • reduce stress • increase circulation • reduce pain

18 Mill Plain Road • Danbury, CT

203-743-1132 • www.BodyEssentials.net 10

Fairfield County Edition

natural awakenings

Roland Comtois

R

oland Comtois, author of And Then There Was Heaven: A Journey of Hope and Love, and a leading inspirational speaker, has spent his lifetime helping others with their grief, through Reiki healings, spiritual presentations and counseling sessions. Now he is bringing together traditional and holistic practitioners and after-loss resources in a one-day free After-Loss Expo event in Stamford on September 10, the fifth annual event.

“Taking care of yourself is essential to the health and wellbeing of grieving souls,” said Roland. “This Expo will give people the tools and support they need to move through their grief, release their pain and reclaim their lives after suffering a loss...”

The event will begin with a welcome by Comtois and a harmonics opening ceremony. Roland will deliver channeled messages at two free keynote presentations.

Attendees will meet therapists trained in grief and healthy relationships, and learn about the role of harmonics, labyrinths and energy work. There will be a dozen or more guest speakers.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Stamford Plaza Hotel and Conference Center, 2701 Summer Street. Admission is free. Visit BlessingsByRoland.com for a schedule of events and exhibitor information. See ad pg 11.

Free Intro to Osteopathy

Core Energetics

R

idgefield’s Osteopathic Wellness Center and Dr. Hannah Eucker are holding an informational session on Osteopathic Medicine on Tuesday, September 13. Osteopathic medicine offers a holistic approach, inclusive of mind, body, spirit, including hands-on manipulation to maximize the body’s healing potential. Dr. Eucker is a recent graduate of the Osteopathic Manipulative Dr. Hannah Eucker Medicine (OMM) Residency at St. Barnabas Hospital in New York, where she was chief resident.

She completed her internship at the EMMC Family Medicine Residency in Maine and received her Doctorate of Osteopathy from the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Eucker enjoys treating patients of all ages, from newborns and children to the elderly, on issues such as torticollis, poor sucking ability in newborns, developmental delay, antepartum back pain, asthma, COPD, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, migraines, arthritis, cervical and lumbar radiculopathy, athletic injury, and trauma. She addresses the emotional and spiritual components as well, and enjoys educating as much as treating with her hands. She believes in empowering the patient with personalized discussions on medical management, diet and nutrition, exercise and breath work, stress management, and meditative techniques. Dr. Eucker plans to hold occasional workshops for further instruction at the Center. She also maintains her connection to academia by continuing to teach at the St. Barnabas OMM Residency program, where she is an attending physician.

The Tuesday, September 13 informational session will be held at 158 Danbury Road, Suite 6, Ridgefield at 7 p.m. For more information visit OsteopathicWellness.net, call 203.438.9915 or email jill.owc@gmail.com.

Live Green Connecticut!

20%

An Integrative Body-Centered Approach to Personal Growth ♦ Supporting your emotional well being through the expression of your deepest feelings. ♦ Work with your body, movement, energy, breath, and sound to experience the transformative power of living in your truth.

Teresa Bulit-Gordon Core Energetics Practitioner

For more information please visit my website at:

www.awakentoyourcore.com

by email at Tbul1@optonline.net or call 203.570.2876

Find New Life After Divorce

“Divorce Ends a Marriage-Not A Family” Counseling Services

Play Therapy Parent Child/Conflict Co-Parenting Coaching Blended Family Challenges

KelleyHopkinsAlvarez.com - 203-948-0938

Chef Ely Grübel

Qualified Food Operator (SerSafe) Board Certified Health Counselor

Fitting your budget and dietary requirements • menu planning • freezing • shopping • cleaning • cooking Premier Member, United States Personal Chef Association, Licensed - Insured

203 559 8946 • elygrubel@gmail.com

O

n September 17 and 18, celebrate and learn how to ‘Live Green’ at Live Green Connecticut!, a family-friendly, two day, fun-filled festival for all ages.

Located in Norwalk, at Taylor Farm Park, enjoy great food, ecoshopping, music, environmental speakers and exhibits.

See and experience local businesses and organizations that are showcasing their new technology to positively impact our lives and environment. Come away with tips and money-saving ideas. For more details visit LiveGreenCT.com.

Natural Awakenings is proud to sponsor this event – stop by our table to say hello. See ad pg 17.

Are you grieving? Have you lost a loved one?

You are not alone.

Fifth Annual After Loss Expo September 10, 2011 10:30AM - 5PM Stamford Plaza Hotel Stamford, CT

Founder Roland M. Comtois

Go to www.blessingsbyroland.com for more information and to register! eNaturalAwakenings.com

September 2011

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Local Authors Launch What I Know To Be True

For more information, visit wiktbt.com or contact Caroline Temple at 203.866.9333 or Lisa Jacoby at 203.981.7092.

L

isa Jacoby of Westport and holistic psychotherapist Caroline Temple of Fairfield announce the publication of their book, What I Know to Be True: Six Simple Words to Set you Free, due out this Fall.

Caroline Temple & Lisa Jacoby The culmination of a three-year collaboration, the book teaches a simple and easy way to deepen our connection to our all-knowing inner wisdom, a way to tap into our own Truth—not someone else’s. What I Know to Be True is a book, a practice, a way of life. It opens the gateway to the truth –the knowing - that resides deep within us and acts as our personal GPS for how to live with greater ease. Readers will learn to know the Truth, to trust that we can depend on it, and use it as a guide to live by. Lisa and Caroline also offer experiential retreats; the next is on September 17 in Norwalk. The retreat is designed to teach participants to understand, practice, and apply the powerful personal empowerment tools described in the book, as a way to live a fuller, more joyous and easier life.

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Zumba Stars at Ridgefield Playhouse

O

n Tuesday, September 27, an estimated 100,000 women of all ages will participate in health and fitness events across the country. To get the community involved, The Ridgefield Playhouse will present an on-stage Zumba workout led by certified Zumba instructors Jenny Conciatore and Naomi Riek of Ridgefield Fitness Club, LLC. The Zumba workout consists of easy-to-follow dance steps set to Latin rhythms that inspire movement. Women can attend the event and simply watch and learn. There will be wine and cheese, hair and make-up tips by Adam Broderick Salon & Spa, jewelry and local fashion, as well as lots of other surprises.

Activities start at 6:30 p.m. in the lobby, followed by the on-stage workout at 7:30 p.m. For tickets ($15) and more information, call the box office at 203.438.5795, or buy tickets online at

RidgefieldPlayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, in Ridgefield.

Enjoy Friday Evenings from 7:00-9:00 pm at Touch of Sedona’s Monthly Gatherings First Fridays: Drumming Circle Second Fridays: Chanting/Kirtan Third Fridays: Course in Miracles

A Spiritual Boutique

Community Day at Sticks and Stones Farm

Native American Art – Jewelry – Angels Semiprecious Stones – Books – Goddesses Intuitive Readings Fridays & Saturdays

Fourth Fridays: Varies—call for details

OPEN 7 DAYS 12:00pm - 5:30pm

$

10 suggested donation

452 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT 203-438-7146 • TouchOfSedonaRidgefield.com

S

ticks and Stones Farm in Newtown will be hosting an afternoon of inspiration and exploration on Saturday, September 17 from 1-5 p.m. As part of this month’s Awakenings celebration, owners Annie Sands and Tim Currier will provide an opportunity for the community to try out various classes, experience the farm, join in a cooking class or a Ukulele sing-a-long, take a woodland walk, experience a Labyrinth walk, and be entertained by musical performances.

Meet up with local alternative health care practitioners to learn about the benefits of various modalities of healing with a face-to-face meeting.

Although Sticks and Stones is a working farm, it shares its gorgeous, tranquil setting – 60 acres complete with streams, hiking trails, and forest preserve - with individuals, families, and groups who are seeking rustic day and weekend retreats.

The Farm also hosts stone classes, healthy culinary classes, yoga and pilates classes, children’s summer workshops, and celebrations.

Bring family and friends for a great day at the farm.

This event is free. Healthy lunch boxes and snacks will be available for purchase.

Sticks and Stones Farm is located at 201 Huntingtown Road in Newtown. For more information call 203.270.8820 or visit SticksAndStonesFarm.com. See ad pg 38.

Chiropractic • Acupuncture • Nutrition Programs specializing in:

- Stress & Sex Hormone Rebalancing - Weight Loss - Toxicity Diagnosis & Removal

Relieve pain and restore the body to optimal health... naturally Dr. Tom Worden dc, Director 41 Kenosia Avenue, Danbury • 203-748-8093 HVWS_ec_4.75x2.25_NaturalAwakenings_08_11_HVS Opn House_NWT BEE 02_07 8/14/11

playinspires learning Mixed-age classes where childhood is profoundly respected and valued.

Serving children 3 thru 61/2 years old 3 and 5 day options; aftercare available

40 Dodgingtown Rd., Newtown, CT 06470 203.364.1113 • www.waldorfct.org

Accredited by CAIS and AWSNA

NOW ENROLLING 203.364.1113

ACUPUNCTURE & Chiropractic Celebrating 20 Years in Practice MyNewtownDoctor.com

Dr. J.M. Popowich

Neck & Back Pain - Allergies Headaches - Stress - Injuries

$75

(203)304-9037

Evaluation & Initial Treatment

87 S. Main Street, Newtown eNaturalAwakenings.com

September 2011

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6:05 PM

SAFE EFFECTIVE WEIGHT LOSS Hypnosis to Shrink the Size of Your Stomach

Shamballa Multidimensional Healing

Virtual Gastric Band • Feel Full on Small Amounts of Food • No Dieting

Other Services: • Smoking Cessation • Stress Reduction • Anxiety Relief • Sleep Improvement

• Lasting Results

• Sports Enhancement • Depression Relief • Reiki Sessions/Classes • And More

400 Post Rd. Fairfield • 203-257-5934 • OptimalHealthAndHypnosis.com

Yan Ting, Doctor of Acupuncture

A Chinese Acupuncturist with Authentic Skills & Christian Faith Pain ▪ Stress & Anxiety ▪ OB/GYN Digestion ▪ Asthma & Seasonal Allergy Neurological Conditions & more Free Consultation Accepting Cigna Open Access Plus & more

Westport ▪ Danbury www.2003watts.com ▪ 203-558-6169

Onus Tribus ~ Onus Domus

A Holistic Healing & Education Center

Weight management and Detox programs, Infra Red Sauna treatments, Ionic Foot Bath, Lymphatic Drainage Massage, Acupuncture, Voice Mapping.

Meditation, Breath Work and Movement. Groups & Individual Classes.

Shamballa multi-dimensional healing is a complete system of energy that is also used for spiritual development and for physical, mental and emotional issues.

The Shamballa system is a revival of an ancient Atlantean healing art said to be brought forth by Ascended Master St. Germain through John Armitage.

Known as the collective consciousness of the Masters, the “diamond frequency” of Shamballa is known as a highly refined transformational frequency and a powerful healing.

Shamballa is one of the many holistic offerings at Body Essentials Holistic Spa and Wellness Center in Danbury, which has been in business for 14 years. The Body Essentials philosophy is that time spent nurturing and renewing our body promotes health, inner peace, balance and a happy heart. The Center’s professional practitioners offer services that include: Holistic Skincare, Massage Therapy, Reiki & Shamballa, Chakra Energy Balancing, Reflexology, and Detox/Slimming Treatments.

As part of September’s Awakenings celebration, Body Essentials is offering free Ascended Masters intuitive readings on Saturday, September 17 from 9 a.m - 4 p.m. By appointment only: 203.743.1132. Located at 18 Mill Plain Road, Danbury. See ad pg 10.

Eastern & Shamanic Energy Healing, Reiki, Cranial Sacral, Flower Essence.

Have news to share?

Sundays: Free meditation class and movie for our ONE TRIBE ~ ONE HOME movement towards our divine light .....& love.

Visit eNaturalAwakenings.com SacredDoors.net One Danbury Rd, Wilton 1300 Post Rd East, Westport

203 -727- 8685 14

Fairfield County Edition

natural awakenings

to submit News Briefs.

Deadline: September 5

masters of massage Massage Therapy Has Been Proven Effective In:

• Relieving Back Pain • Boosting Immunity • Reducing Anxiety • Lowering Blood Pressure • Treating Migraines • Decreasing Carpel Tunnel Symptoms • Easing Post-Operative Pain • Alleviating Side Effects of Cancer

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September 2011

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fairfieldgreen Be the solution.

Get involved. Support your local, eco-friendly businesses.

Quaker Ridge Hawk Watch A ‘Citizen Science’ project at Audubon Greenwich

E

ach autumn, 17 species of hawks, eagles and vultures, migrate southwest over Quaker Ridge’s scenic hilltops in northern Greenwich. The fields are one of the highest locations in town and the sweeping views are an excellent vantage point for spotting birds. On clear days in September when winds are from the North, birders may count a few thousand broad-winged hawks as they swirl in ‘kettles’ before heading south along migration routes.

In the late 1960’s, birders searched Fairfield County for the best sites where large numbers of migrating raptors could be observed. Over several years, more than a dozen sites were tested on weekends and in the end, it was determined that the Quaker Ridge Hawk Watch at Audubon Greenwich, was the best site in the area. And ever since 1972, migrating hawks have been officially counted as they pass over Quaker Ridge (a.k.a.

Hawk Watch Lawn).

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As part of the network of hawk watch locations nationwide, the Greenwich Audubon Society hired a full-time hawk watcher in 1985. The Official Hawk Counter staffs the site 9 a.m. 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, from August 20-November 20, each year. And on weekends, volunteer counters staff the site.

Anyone can volunteer at hawk watch. The more eyes the better because the seasonal counts average 18,000 raptors. You don’t need to be able to identify the hawks. We simply need eyes watching the skies. In fact, our best spotters are beginners who know very little about identification.

Volunteers count and record the data and then, researchers can try to gauge the health of Northeastern raptor populations.

Come out, ask questions, talk with our volunteers, and enjoy counting eagles, hawks, and falcons from Hawk Watch Lawn.

For detailed data about raptor sightings at Greenwich, visit HawkCount.org.

Coming up on October 1-2, at the peak of the migration spectacle, Audubon will host the HawkWatch Weekend Festival & Green Bazaar that will feature two days of live birds of prey and animal shows, hands-on nature education, bird workshops, activities for kids, eco-shopping, food, and more! Festival is rain or shine from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Greenwich.Audubon.org. To learn more about exhibiting or the schedule, call Jeff Cordulack at 203.869.5272 x239. See ad pg 27.

The World Becomes What You Teach Free Seminar on Humane Education

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Visit www.livegreenct.com for more details.

FREE Admission - Family Friendly Festival Shawn Sweeney

T

his month, join Shawn Sweeney, recently certified humane educator through the Institute for Humane Education, for an inspirational seminar on the power and promise of humane education.

As a field of study, humane education seeks to grow a community of people dedicated to creating a better world through addressing some of the most pressing issues of our time, especially those related to environmental preservation, animal protection and human rights.

Through the use of special skills and techniques for approaching these issues, individuals, families, organizations and entire cities are creating change. Through humane education, these people learn how to live their lives according to their values, work to show compassion to all beings and engage everyone they know creating a better world.

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Join Shawn on September 29 at 6 p.m. to learn more about humane education, and how it can play a role in changing your life, and the lives of others. Hosted at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Danbury, 24 Clapboard Ridge Road, Danbury. This seminar is offered free of charge and is open to the public. Refreshments will be served. To RSVP, email Programs@ShawnSweeney.com.

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September 2011

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recent study published in the online edition of The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry reveals that more than 2 million people age 65 and older suffer from depression, including 50 percent of nursing home residents. In seeking an alternative to aggressive drug treatments, researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), turned to a gentle, westernized version of Tai chi, a 2,000year-old Chinese martial art.

During the study, 112 adults age 60 or older that had been diagnosed with major depression were treated with a standard antidepressant drug for four weeks. The 73 adults that showed only partial improvement continued to receive the medication, but were also assigned to 10 weeks of either Tai chi or health education classes.

The group practicing Tai chi experienced greater improvement in their levels of depression, as well as an enhanced quality of life, better cognition and more overall energy than the non-practicing group.

Dr. Helen Lavretsky, the study’s first author and a UCLA professor-in-residence of psychiatry, says, “This study shows that adding a mind-body exercise like Tai chi, that is widely available in the community, can improve the outcomes of treating depression in older adults that may also have other, coexisting medical conditions or cognitive impairment. With Tai chi, we may be able to treat these conditions without exposing them to additional medications.”

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alt in the diet becomes less of a concern for individuals that are physically active, according to a presentation at this year’s American Heart Association conference sessions on nutrition, physical activity and metabolism, and cardiovascular disease epidemiology and prevention. The scientists behind the study concluded that the more active people are, the less their blood pressure rises in response to the amount of salt in their food.

Study participants comprised 1,906 Han Chinese adults (average age, 38) in the Genetic Epidemiology Network of Salt Sensitivity project, designed to identify genetic and environmental factors contributing to salt sensitivity.

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Fairfield County Edition

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Minty Relief for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Electromagnetic Therapy Lifts the Blues

A

study published in the journal Brain Stimulation, involving 301 patients, found that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) non-invasive therapy can be an effective, longterm treatment for major depression.

TMS works by delivering a series of electrical pulses to the part of the brain associated with depression and other mood disorders. This generates an electric current in the brain that stimulates neurons to increase the release of mood-enhancing chemicals such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine.

TMS has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and can be performed on an outpatient basis in a psychiatrist’s office.

Source: Loyola University Medical Center

R

esearch published in the journal Pain validates peppermint—an herb commonly prescribed by naturopaths for stomach ills—as a natural and effective remedy for irritable bowel syndrome; IBS is a gastrointestinal disorder that causes abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea

and/or constipation.

The researchers report that the mint activates an “anti-pain” channel in the colon and soothes inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.

Source: University of Adelaide (Australia) Nerve Gut Research Laboratory

eNaturalAwakenings.com

September 2011

19

The Write Stuff Eases Anxiety

Young Artists and Scientists May Think Alike

S

S

everal decades ago, research suggested that science students shone at analytical thinking, while budding artists scored highest in tests measuring creativity and imagination. Now, updated research with a group of British students at the University of Derby, published in the journal Thinking Skills and Creativity, finds no significant differences in the two groups’ problem-solving patterns.

Peter K. Williamson, on the faculty of business, computing and law, studied 116 senior undergraduates that took a series of tests measuring their skills at logical (convergent) and creative (divergent) thinking. They were asked to solve novel and imperfectly defined problems to determine their aptitude for finding imaginative solutions and to reveal their preferred learning styles.

“The findings of this study were in marked contrast to earlier published results,” Williamson reports. “Differences were found in preferred learning styles, but these were much smaller than reported previously.” The research indicates that modern graduates are likely to have a more balanced educational profile than their specialized predecessors. He suggests that changes in educational policy—such as an increase in interdisciplinary studies and less formal, more flexible teaching styles—may help account for the contemporary shift.

tudents can combat test anxiety and post better results by writing about their worries just before taking an exam, according to a recent University of Chicago study published in the journal Science. Those prone to testing jitters improved their highstakes test scores by nearly one grade point after they were given 10 minutes beforehand to write about what was causing their fears.

Sian Beilock, an associate professor in psychology and the study’s senior author, is one of the nation’s leading experts on the phenomenon of “choking under pressure,” instances in which talented people perform below their skill level when presented with a particularly challenging experience. She explains that feeling under pressure can deplete a part of the brain’s processing power known as working memory, a sort of mental scratch pad that allows us to retrieve and use information relevant to the task at hand. The writing exercise allowed students to unload their anxieties before taking the test and freed up the needed brainpower to complete it with greater success.

Beilock adds, “We think this type of writing will help people perform their best in a variety of pressure-filled situations, whether it is a big presentation to a client, a speech to an audience or even a job interview.”

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Children at Risk for Eating Disorders

Home should be the safest place in the world Get Clean.TM Safe for you, your home and your planet.TM

T

he obesity rate among youngsters has nearly tripled during the last three decades and given rise to another worrisome trend: Children as young as 10 are making themselves vomit in order to lose weight, reports a new Taiwanese study of 15,716 school pupils, published online by the Journal of Clinical Nursing. Thirteen percent of the girls and boys that took part in the Asian research admitted they made themselves sick to lose weight.

Unfortunately, studies in the United States show similar trends.

According to The Eating Disorder Foundation, 46 percent of 10-yearold girls are dieting, have a fear of fatness or are binge eating, and 27 percent of girls ages 12 through 18 show significant eating disorder symptoms. Such findings have prompted researchers to warn that self-induced vomiting is an early sign that children could develop eating disorders and serious psychological problems.

The researchers believe that eating disorders can be successfully tackled by ensuring that children get enough sleep, eat breakfast every day and consume less fried food and fewer night-time snacks. They also recommend spending less time in front of a computer screen.

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Source: Wiley-Blackwell

eNaturalAwakenings.com

September 2011

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Better Bones for Kids with Celiac Disease

C

eliac disease (CD) is an inherited intestinal disorder characterized by a lifelong intolerance to the ingestion of gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and other grains. Although it can occur at any age, CD most commonly afflicts children ages 9 to 24 months, and one of its common complications is metabolic bone disease. Reduced bone mineral density can lead to the inability to develop optimal bone mass in children and the loss of bone in adults, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures.

A recent article in the journal Nutrition Reviews stated that a gluten-free diet promotes a rapid increase in bone mineral density and leads to complete recovery of bone mineralization in children. If a CD diagnosis and treatment is established before puberty, children may attain normal peak bone mass, which can prevent osteoporosis in later life. Nutritional supplements of calcium and vitamin D further appear to increase the bone mineral density of children and adolescents.

A gluten-free diet also improves, though rarely normalizes, bone mineral density in adults with CD.

“Our findings reinforce the importance of a strict gluten-free diet, which remains the only scientific proven treatment for CD to date,” the authors conclude.

“Early diagnosis and therapy are critical in preventing CD complications like reduced bone mineral density.”

Benefit-Boosting Broccoli Sprouts

B

roccoli has become a gold medal contender among vegetables, so how often should we eat it to reap all of its health benefits? Elizabeth Jeffery, a University of Illinois professor of nutritional sciences, explains: “Broccoli, prepared correctly, is an extremely potent cancer-fighting agent— three to five servings a week are enough to have an effect. To get broccoli’s benefits, though, the enzyme myrosinase has to be present; if not, sulforaphane, broccoli’s cancer-preventive and anti-inflammatory component, doesn’t form.”

According to Jeffery, myrosinase is often destroyed by overcooking. Health-conscious consumers that use broccoli powder supplements in recipes to boost their nutrition also are missing out, she says, because the supplements often do not contain the needed enzyme.

A solution: Jeffery suggests incorporating fresh broccoli sprouts into our diet. Available at most grocery and health food stores, the sprouts contain abundant myrosinase.

Source: University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

Source: Wiley-Blackwell

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SLIM, SANE AND SEXY WITH BIO-IDENTICAL HORMONES

A

re you tired, overweight or gaining weight, have low libido, problems sleeping and wonder why you don’t have enough energy even though you eat right, exercise and take vitamins?

Our glandular system makes hormones to energize and run the body efficiently. Adrenal hormones consist of cortisol and DHEA. Cortisol awakens and activates the body during the day and decreases in evening so a person can sleep and DHEA, the youth hormone, can be converted to sex hormones (estrogen, testosterone, or progesterone) as needed.

Imbalances in levels of the sex hormones increases breast cancer as well as prostate cancer risk by relative high levels termed estrogen dominance.

The key is optimal levels of hormones identical to the ones “the body naturally produces for energy, avoiding abdominal fat, sleep/awake regulation, and sexiness. As we age, sex and adrenal hormone production decreases. Imbalances occur at any age in men as well as women, not only menopause or perimenopause, but also post menopause.

Stress as well as improper diets, nutrient lack and other glandular dysfunction (e.g. thyroid), all contribute to inadequate or unbalanced body hormones and resulting symptoms.

Evaluation by testing of hormones is via saliva tests, which test active protein bound hormones, rather than blood hormone testing which test inactive protein bound hormones. Imbalances revealed are correctible by simple topical bio-identical hormone and supplementation along with some life style changes to achieve renewed levels of health and wellness.

The body can be restored to function at a high energy level and decrease its risk of hormone cancers, heart disease, and osteoporosis.

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September 2011

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globalbriefs News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.

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World Harmony

September 21 Brings International Peace Day Since its inception in 1981 at the United Nations, Peace Day has marked personal and planetary progress toward peace. Each year, events commemorating and celebrating peace involve millions of people throughout the world. This year’s 30th anniversary theme, Make Your Voice Heard, pays tribute to the many civil society activists that have lent the strength of their imagination to the institution of peace.

Anyone can celebrate Peace Day. It can be as simple as lighting a candle at noon and just sitting in silent meditation.Or, it may evolve into engaging co-workers, organizations, communities or local government in a larger event. The impact of coming together for one day of peace is immense.

The International Day of Peace is also a Day of Ceasefire—both personal and political. Why not take this opportunity to make peace in your own relationships as a start to positively influencing the larger conflicts of our time, by holding participants kindly in your thoughts? Imagine what a whole day of ceasefire could mean to humankind.

Visit InternationalDayOfPeace.org.

Green Seal

New Standard Signals Safe Personal Care Products The environmental certification nonprofit Green Seal continues to expand its reach across industries with its latest quality standard for personal care and cosmetic products, such as deodorants, lotions, hair sprays, insect repellants, sunscreens and nail polishes. The new GS-50 standard applies to products meant to be left on the body, a complement to Green Seal’s GS-44 standard for soaps and shampoos, which are intended to be washed off.

To receive the Green Seal label, products cannot be tested on animals or contain carcinogens, reproductive toxins or other compounds found harmful to humans. The list of banned ingredients includes bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates and triclosan. Product compounds, with a few exceptions, must readily biodegrade in aquatic environments.

Companies can meet the packaging requirements by having recyclable packaging, a take-back program or packaging made with 50 percent post-consumer material. All ingredients must be listed, with appropriate use of terms such as “natural” and “biobased.”

Any business applying for the standard must document energy and water use, air emissions, and trash and wastewater related to manufacturing processes, as well as the distance and type of transportation used to move raw materials.

On the social responsibility side, workers must be given the right to join labor unions, child labor is prohibited, and wages and working hours are expected to meet minimum legal requirements or industry benchmarks.

Source: GreenBiz.com

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Youth Perspective

Religious Leaders Out of Touch with Sexuality Andrew Yip, Ph.D., lead author of a new report, Religion, Youth and Sexuality, a multi-faith study by sociologists from Nottingham and Nottingham Trent universities, in England, says that young people are finding it difficult to reconcile their religion with their sexuality. Nearly 700 students ages 18 through 25 were interviewed. More than 72 percent of them practice six different traditions: Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism or a mixed faith.

The study found that most feel that their religion is a positive force in their lives, but that religious leaders are out of touch with issues of sexuality. “There are young people that are finding it enormously difficult to combine their religion with their sexuality, especially if they are lesbian or gay,” says Sarah-Jane Page, Ph.D., a colleague of Yip.

Almost a third of the young adults interviewed believe that celibacy is fulfilling, with the percentage of men leading that of women. More than 83 percent support the idea of monogamous relationships, with slightly more women than men valuing it, according to Yip.

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Sea Power

Tidal Turbines on the Way Harnessing the power of tidal currents to produce electricity may seem like a new idea, but President Franklin D. Roosevelt started the first U.S. government test project in Eastport, Maine.

The site sits across from Canada’s Nova Scotia on the American side of the Bay of Fundy, known for its tremendous tides.

“The tides are about as reliable as anything in nature, so you can predict years in advance how much power you will have at a given time—that’s a great advantage,” says Paul Jacobson, Ph.D., ocean energy leader of the Electric Power Research Institute.

New tidal technologies are inspired by wind turbines and are mounted on the seafloor, where they slowly spin in the current, out of sight. Ongoing tests by the University of Maine suggest no effect on marine life, which seem to avoid the devices.

Several companies are in the hunt to be the industry pioneer, but the Maine-based Ocean Renewable Power Company already has plans to deploy a full-scale 150-kilowatt unit, the first tidal device to be connected to a U.S. electrical grid, off of Eastport later this year. They expect to add more units by 2015, to initially yield a total of five megawatts of current, enough to power about 4,000 homes.

Source: The Christian Science Monitor eNaturalAwakenings.com

September 2011

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ecotip Brew Aha

Tempest in a Teapot Tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world after water, and many drinkers prefer the convenience afforded by prepackaged individual servings. The remains, however, add up to 1,500 tons of landfill waste annually. At least there are things todo with an old tea bag before giving it the heave-ho, starting with some surprising natural health benefits. n Try reusing a tea bag as a compress for bee stings, bug bites, sunburn and bruises. It will ease pain and reduce inflammation.

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n Get rid of a plantar wart by pressing a wet, warmed tea bag directly onto the area for 10 to 15 minutes, then let the skin dry naturally. Repeat the treatment for a few days until the wart completely disappears. n Run bath water over used tea bags to enjoy a soak that will leave skin incredibly soft. Green tea works best. n Revitalize puffy, achy eyes by refrigerating the tea bags before laying them over the afflicted peepers and let the tannin in the tea go to work.

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DampBasementSolutions.com Fairfield County Edition

n After an accidental roll in poison ivy, dab skin with a moist tea bag to dry up the rash.

Outdoors, tea bags have multiple uses, as well. Tear open a used bag and work the contents into the dirt of acid-loving plants like ferns and roses. The tannic acid and other nutrients will be released when plants are watered, spurring their growth.

For healthier potted plants, place a few brewed tea bags over the drainage hole at the bottom of the planter before potting. The tea bags will retain water and leach nutrients into the soil.

Finally, it’s good to compost any used tea bags; just remove any staples first. Speed the decomposition process and enrich the overall compost pile by pouring a few cups of strong, twicebrewed tea into the heap. The liquid tea will hasten decomposition and attract acid-producing bacteria to create an acid-rich compost.

That’s not all that tea bags can do.

Visit tinyurl.com/45lpesv for more uses, from facials to kitchen cleanups.

Adapted from ChasingGreen.org— showing how ordinary people can positively impact our world every day.

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n Got razor burn? Press one tea bag against the skin to relieve the sting and stop the bleeding.

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The UB Clinics, located on the campus of the University of Bridgeport, are staffed by some of the brightest and most talented healthcare professionals of the future. Open to the public, the UB Clinics offer affordable, high-quality care at a fraction of the cost of comparable treatments elsewhere.

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September 2011

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healingways

Gluten: Trust Your Gut Scientists Confirm Widespread Sensitivity

by Claire O’Neil

W

alk through the gluten-free product aisles at the grocery or health food store and many people might wonder: “Is this a food fad? Who has a problem with gluten?”

As it turns out, more people have gluten sensitivity than scientists, physicians and researchers previously thought. A study at the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Center for Celiac Research estimates that 6 percent of the U.S. population, or more than 18 million individuals, have some sensitivity to gluten, a protein found in wheat (including kamut and spelt), barley, rye, malts and triticale.

Research published online by BMC Medicine and CeliacCenter.org this year provides the first scientific evidence of what many people allergic to gluten already know: While gluten sensitivity presents less serious negative health effects than celiac disease, its host of symptoms can become problematic. An earlier study in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics concluded that for 28

Fairfield County Edition

dealing with both wheat allergies and celiac disease, the dietary avoidance of gluten-containing grains is the only effective treatment.

Case in Point Carol Mahaffey, a tax attorney in Columbus, Ohio, was experiencing intermittent joint pain and what she calls “living in a fog,” in the summer of 2009. Because she had read that joint pain can sometimes be caused by gluten sensitivity, she decided to eliminate gluten from her diet.

Although her new regimen didn’t relieve the joint pain—she was later professionally diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis—she found that after four to five weeks, she looked and felt better overall. “I was losing weight, my digestive system was better and I found it easier to mentally focus. Somebody at work also happened to mention that I didn’t sniffle anymore,” she relates. Al-

natural awakenings

though Mahaffey’s blood tests were negative for celiac disease, she had all the signs that she is gluten-sensitive.

“Imagine degrees of gluten ingestion along a spectrum,” says Dr. Alessio Fasano, a professor of pediatrics, medicine and physiology and director of the Center for Celiac Research. “At one end, you have people with celiac disease, who cannot tolerate one crumb of gluten in their diet. At the other, you have the lucky people who can eat pizza, beer, pasta and cookies—with no ill effects whatsoever. In the middle, there is this murky area of those with gluten reactions, including gluten sensitivity,” says Fasano, who led the new study. “This is where we are looking for answers on how to best diagnose and treat this recently identified group of gluten-sensitive individuals.”

Until more definitive answers come to light, those who suspect they might have an issue with gluten can try going gluten-free for a period of time, like Mahaffey. “I had to become a label reader,” she advises, “because even things like bottled soy sauce can contain gluten.”

She buys baked goods at a local glutenfree bakery, still enjoys wine with glutenfree snacks, uses gluten-free dough to make her own pizza at home, and has become a fan of risotto.

For people that travel on a similar path, the feel-good benefits of a glutenfree diet can more than make up for some of the inconveniences. “You just make it work,” says Mahaffey. On a recent get-together with longtime college friends at a chalet in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Mahaffey brought her own snacks and breakfast foods, asked questions about the menu when they went out to dinner, and ended up having a great, gluten-free time.

Claire O’Neil is a freelance writer in Kansas City, MO.

How to Shop for Gluten-Free Foods

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long with choosing products that are gluten-free, it’s also a good idea to look for organic and minimally processed natural foods— sorghum syrup, for example, makes a good sweetener—whenever possible.

Baking supplies. Natural sweeteners such as locally produced honey, salt and pepper, herbs and spices, tapioca, baking soda, baking powder, cornmeal, gluten-free flours, baking chocolate and dried cocoa powder.

Beverages. Coffee and tea (always check the gluten-free status of flavored types), soft drinks and fruit juice.

Breakfast foods. Rice and corn cereals meant to be cooked or eaten from the box, gluten-free cereals and gluten-free frozen waffles.

Condiments. Vinegars (except malt vinegar), mustard, ketchup, horseradish, jams and jellies, honey, maple syrup, relish, pickles and olives.

Fats and oils. Vegetable, canola and olive oils, mayonnaise and salad dressings (check labels).

Foods in packages, cans and jars. Plain, canned fruits and vegetables, applesauce, cranberry sauce, canned beans and lentils, canned fish (e.g., tuna, salmon and sardines), organic packaged soups, corn tortillas and gluten-free pastas and spaghetti sauces.

Frozen foods. Plain, frozen fruits and vegetables, gluten-free frozen waffles, and ice cream, sherbet and ices (check labels for added ingredients).

Grains, seeds and starches. Quinoa, rice, buckwheat, chickpeas, flax, sunflower seeds and potato starch. (See Gluten-Free Baking article for a full list of gluten-free flours.)

Meat and fish. All fresh beef and poultry, fish and shellfish; for any prepackaged or pre-wrapped item, check the label for additives.

Nuts and beans. Dried beans and peas, plain nuts; nut butters such as peanut, almond and cashew.

Produce. All fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices.

Refrigerated foods. Yogurts, milk, halfand-half, cream, whipping cream, sour cream, butter, vegan margarine, cottage cheese, cream cheese, aged cheeses, eggs, tofu, rice pudding, tapioca pudding and 100 percent fruit juices.

Snacks. Rice cakes, rice crackers, soy crisps, popcorn, cheese puffs, potato and corn chips, chocolates and dried fruits.

Source: Adapted from About.com list by Jane Anderson, a medical writer specializing in gluten-intolerance issues.

Yummy GlutenFree Recipes Gluten-Free Blackberry Vanilla Almond Muffins Revel in this antioxidant-rich recipe, replete with blackberries and almonds.

Makes 1 dozen 1½ cups Pamela’s Baking & Pancake Mix ½ cup blanched slivered almonds 2 eggs Photo by Pamela’s Products 1 /3 cup applesauce 1 tsp vanilla 1 /3 cup vanilla-flavored almond milk ¾ cup melted butter 4 oz blackberries (save some for the tops) 1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a muffin baking tin with oven-proof paper liners.

2. Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl. Mix the liquid ingredients together, and then stir into the dry ingredients. Carefully fold in ¾ of the berries, taking care not to squish them too much; reserve the remaining berries. Scoop approximately ¼ cup into muffin tins and top each with some of the reserved berries.

3. Bake for about 25 minutes.

Source: PamelasProducts.com

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consciouseating

BAKING The Scoop on Safe-to-Eat Flours

by Claire O’Neil

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luten, the proites. However, trying tein in wheat to approximate the and other crust, crumbliness and cereal grains such as interior structure of barley and rye, can be baked goods typically a problem for those made with wheat flour with celiac disease takes a bit of experi~ Pamela Giusto-Sorrells, or some sensitivity mentation when using founder, Pamela’s Products to gluten. Preparing gluten-free ingredients.

(PamelasProducts.com) food for a gluten-free Sometimes just one diet requires experimenting with new type of flour will work, such as almond ingredients, like alternative flours, and flour for waffles, rice flour for cake batbecoming a label reader, says Tina ter or buckwheat flour for pancakes.

Turbin, an advocate for gluten-free liv Other baking recipes require an ing at GlutenFreeHelp.info. assortment of gluten-free flours. Different

Fresh fruits, most dairy products, types can combine to resemble the taste, eggs, fresh vegetables, meats, fish and color and texture of wheat flour, for expoultry are already gluten-free. The ample. Most gluten-free flour blends use challenge is trying to make pancakes rice flour as a base, with potato starch, or pizza, or other recipes that normally tapioca flour, corn flour and/or corncall for wheat flour. starch added for softness. Other flours,

With an estimated 18 million such as buckwheat, chickpea (garbanzo Americans sensitive to gluten in their bean), millet and sorghum, can improve diet and 3 million more diagnosed with flavor, color and texture. celiac disease, according to the Uni Xanthan gum, an additive made versity of Maryland Center for Celiac from corn, typically provides structure Research, food producers have finally for yeast dough made with gluten-free begun to address the need. Glutenflour. Eggs, vinegar, sweeteners and free cereals and pastas, breads, flours applesauce or pumpkin purée soften and baking mixes, cakes and cookies, and round out the flavor of the dough. snacks and frozen confections are now

Gluten-free flours, flour blends, available in greater quantities—and in and xanthan gum most often appear in much better tasting versions—than just the specialty baking section of a groa few years ago. cery or health food store; helpful brands

New gluten-free products, such include Bob’s Red Mill and King Arthur as sorghum flour and specially formuFlour. Using alternative flours, homelated baking mixes, can also help home made treats can remain a delicious part cooks revamp recipes for family favorof gluten-free living.

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“Everyone should have food delicious enough to celebrate.”

Fairfield County Edition

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Courtesy of Tina Turbin

Gluten-Free

Gluten-Free German Apple Pancakes “These delicious gluten-free yummies should be served as soon as they’re pulled from the oven, as they will deflate soon enough,” says gluten-free health advocate Tina Turbin. “They’re perfect for an easy, laid back brunch.”

On her website, GlutenFreeHelp.info, Turbin offers recipes for two homemade, gluten-free flour blends.

Makes 2 large pancakes, or 4 servings 4 large eggs ¾ cup gluten-free flour blend ¾ cup soy, rice or almond milk ½ tsp salt 1 /3 cup coconut oil 2 medium apples, thinly sliced ¼ cup natural granulated or raw sugar ¼ tsp ground cinnamon 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Place 2 round, 9-inch cake pans in the oven.

3. Beat the eggs, flour, milk and salt in a small mixer bowl on medium speed for 1 minute.

4. Remove the pans from the oven.

Place 2 Tbsp margarine in each pan.

Rotate pans until margarine is melted and coats sides of pans.

5. Arrange half the apple slices in each pan. Divide batter evenly between pans. Mix sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle 2 Tbsp sugar mixture over batter in each pan.

6. Bake uncovered until puffed and golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.

Source: Recipe at GlutenFreeHelp.info

Gluten-Free Flours

Gluten-Free Pizza

Flour

Color

Flavor

Almond

Ivory

Sweet and mild

Amaranth

Pale yellow

Mild

Buckwheat

Medium brown

Strong

Chestnut

Pale brown

Strong

Chickpea

Tan

Strong

White

Very mild

Very pale green

Mild

“People that are allergic to the gluten in wheat still want to eat what everybody else does. And who can blame them?” queries Judith Fertig, author of 200 Fast & Easy Artisan Breads. “As long as the pizza toppings are also gluten-free (check the labels), there’s no reason why those that are gluten-sensitive can’t enjoy pizza, too. If dairy or meat are concerns, use soy equivalents,” she advises. This recipe makes a rectangular pizza, because it’s easier to spread the batter-like dough into this shape.

Pale yellow

Mild

Makes 1 pizza to serve 8 to 12

Quinoa

Beige

Medium

Rice flour (white or brown)

Beige

Mild

Sorghum (milo)

Beige

Mild

Pale yellow

Like bean sprouts

White

Very mild

Medium brown

Earthy

Corn Fava bean Millet

Soy Tapioca Teff

Source: Adapted from The Artisan Bread Machine, by Judith Fertig (Robert Rose).

© 2009 Robert Rose Inc.; all rights reserved.

No-Knead, Gluten-Free Pizza Dough In this recipe, the ingredients just mix together in a bowl—no kneading is necessary. The raw dough doesn’t taste like yeast dough; but magically, during baking it becomes a gluten-free pizza crust, with a browned crust and mellow, yeasty flavor.

Makes dough for 1 pizza to serve 8 to 12 1 cup stoneground brown rice flour 1 cup tapioca flour or potato starch 1 cup garbanzo bean or chickpea flour ½ cup cornstarch or corn flour 1 Tbsp xanthan gum 1 Tbsp instant or bread machine yeast 1½ tsp fine kosher or sea salt 3 large eggs or equivalent substitute 1 tsp cider vinegar

2 Tbsp agave nectar or honey 3 Tbsp vegetable oil, such as canola, corn, or light olive oil ½ cup unsweetened applesauce 1 cup lukewarm water, about 100 degrees 1. Spoon the flours and xanthan gum into a measuring cup, level with a knife or finger, then dump into a large mixing bowl.

2. Add the yeast and salt to the flour.

Stir together with a wooden spoon.

Lightly beat the eggs in 4-cup measuring glassware. Add the brown sugar, vegetable oil, applesauce and water and whisk until thoroughly mixed.

Pour the liquid into the flour mixture and whisk until arriving at a smooth, very loose, batter-like dough.

3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature, about 72 degrees, for 2 hours or until the dough has risen to nearly the top of the bowl and has a thick, golden, mashed potato-like appearance.

Source: Adapted from 200 Fast & Easy Artisan Breads, by Judith Fertig.

1 recipe of prepared No-Knead, Gluten-Free Dough 1 cup gluten-free pizza sauce 2 cups thinly sliced fresh button or Portabella mushrooms 2 cups shredded mozzarella, provolone or dairy-free cheese Olive oil for drizzling 2 cups sliced gluten-free pepperoni or soy-based pepperoni OR 1 cup gluten-free sliced Kalamata olives ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil 1. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. To form the pizza, transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet. Using a water-moistened spatula or just hands, spread the dough into a 14-by-10-inch rectangular shape.

2. Cover with a tea towel and let rest at room temperature for 40 minutes.

3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

4. Spread the pizza sauce over the dough. Arrange the mushrooms and pepperoni over the surface, and then sprinkle with cheese. Drizzle with olive oil.

5. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the crust is lightly browned and the pizza is bubbling. Transfer to a rack to cool. Slice and serve.

Source: Adapted from 200 Fast & Easy Artisan Breads, by Judith Fertig.

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September 2011

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HANDMADE HAPPINESS A Hands-On Approach to Authentic Living

by Judith Fertig

Making something by hand—and getting good at it—can add a welcome dimension to our lives.

The art of participating in craftwork gives us a sense of competence and completion that may be difficult to find in our digital, ephemeral world.

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merica’s resurging interest in arts and crafts today comes at a time when making things by hand seems an endangered activity. Why? In The Craftsman, sociologist and author Richard Sennett maintains that making things by hand is an, “enduring, basic human impulse, the desire to do a job well for its own sake.” He observes that craft and craftsmanship can enrich modern life in ways that might surprise us.

The Arts and Crafts movement, which reigned from the mid-1800s through the early 20th century, was a major response to a commercial trend that steered society away from handmade toward machine-made products in Europe and North America. The movement encouraged amateur, student and professional involvement in the making of furniture, decorative glass, textiles, pottery and other forms that are beautiful, as well as functional.

Yet today, we face a new barrier to creating more by hand, observes Monica Moses, editorin-chief of American Craft magazine (American CraftMag.org), published by the nonprofit American Craft Council. “Modern life offers a million distractions, a million ways to kill time, or at least stand by idly while it expires,” she says.

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Fairfield County Edition

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Mindless television watching, puttering around on Facebook or playing computer solitaire add up. “Such semiconscious downtime can become a weekend, a habit, a lost opportunity.”

Although many people return to an early love of arts and crafts during their retirement years, the good news is that such creative pursuits are also being taken up by young makers, according to Moses. “The marvel of it is that young people in the digital age are embracing craft so enthusiastically, not just their iPods and phone apps. We’re lucky to live in a time when engagement with the practice of craft is expanding.” She

cites the popul arity of buyand-sell craft websites such as Etsy.com, which reported 2010 sales of more than $400 million.

Moses, who makes jewelry in her free time, values handcrafting for a simple reason: “It feeds my soul,” she says. “Other parts of my life focus on the end result. When I’m making a piece, I’m focused on the process and I’m thinking, ‘This feels right.’”

Whether we wake to this artful phenomenon in childhood or later in life, it’s never too late to reap the benefits. According to crafters from various walks of life, such hands-on experiences help us to enhance our well-being, ground our everyday lives, and give renewed purpose.

Start Today

Lenore Moritz, founder and curator of and blogger at MomCultureOnline.com, took her first jewelry making class when she was single and living in New York City. “I needed something to tether me,” she writes, “and I knew it would get me out of the office at a decent hour at least once a week.” She says that what started out as a whim turned into catharsis. “I loved toting my tackle box of crafting supplies and the act of using my hands to transform a silver sheet into wearable art felt empowering. I became an accidental craftsperson.”

She found her best reward in finishing a piece, which she characterizes as, “... a crescendo I never knew in my day-to-day professional life.”

She explains, “At the office, my world was nothing but to-do lists and complicated, open-ended projects; a sense of completion was rare. But in craft class, it was crystal clear when I had finished a project, and I reveled in that closure.”

Jenny Barnett Rohrs spent 15 years as a music therapist in Lakewood, Ohio, helping people cope with life’s problems. Meanwhile, she loved decompressing at the end of the day by working with polymer clay to make beautiful beads, doll pins, nametags and other decorative items. “I was always a crafty, creative kid, learning to embroider from one grandmother and how to make seed flowers from the other,” she recalls. “Since both sets of

grandparents lived through the Depression, they were always repurposing things, recycling before it was cool.”

As she continued to expand her range of crafting skills and interests as an adult, she also started blogging about it at CraftTherapy.com. “I am a self-taught crafter and never met a craft I didn’t like,” admits Rohrs. “I believe that crafting is an extension of yourself and how you view your world. It’s a way of expressing yourself, coping with life and gaining insight.”

As Rohrs continued to try out new crafts, materials, products and techniques, entries on her craft blog grew to the point that she launched a second one at CraftTestDummies.com, where she shares her evaluations. Earlier this year, she appeared on The Martha Stewart Show.

Regular posts track her adventures with various media, including her recent experiences with water-soluble ink blocks for drawing and painting, and making a booklet from envelopes.

Other popular pastimes range from scrapbooking and making home accessories using beachcomber finds to gifting baby garments personalized with fabric paint decoration.

“I believe that creativity is innate,” comments Rohrs. “When you tell your inner critic to shut up, you can have a lot of fun and learn something about yourself. I especially love to encour-

age folks to try new things and new techniques, and to push their own boundaries.”

It’s Never Too Late

Sandra Palmer Ciolino learned to sew as a child, but didn’t maximize the creativity of her craft until her children were grown, when she was in her 40s. For Ciolino, of Cincinnati, Ohio, “Making contemporary quilts satisfies my desire to work in solitude and fulfills my longing to create lasting and beautiful art.

Creating quilts for the wall marries many things I love—fabric, color, composition, piecing and machine quilting.”

Ciolino fondly remembers her mother’s handiwork. “I have a vivid memory of her taking a navy blue overcoat of my father’s and using it to sew me a winter coat with cranberry piping; I was so proud of that coat.”

She began by making doll clothes, and then started sewing clothing for herself in junior high school, doing her own garment construction. “The technical stuff came early,” she says. Later on, busy with family duties and teaching elementary school physical education classes, she didn’t take time to turn to quilting until the mid-1990s. At first, Ciolino made her quilts in traditional pieced patterns to hang in her house or share as gifts; but then, something changed.

“I began to notice in my photography that I was most interested in close-

In craft and craftsmanship we experience the development of critical thinking, imagination, the ability to play, a source of pride, even validation of our existence. ~ Suzanne Ramljak, art historian, from an interview with Richard Sennett eNaturalAwakenings.com

September 2011

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ups of tree bark, ripples in water bodies and cracks in the rocks. My quilts then began to take on a more abstract quality,” she says. So Ciolino took a class in Columbus, Ohio, with Nancy Crow, recognized by many as “the mother of contemporary quilts,” and never looked back. She still gives quilts as gifts, but her work is now also exhibited at museums and quilt shows (SandraPalmerCiolino.com; NancyCrow.com).

Like many craftspeople, Ciolino’s process in creating art is part technical skill and part intuitive imagining. When she starts a new quilt, she pulls fabrics from her workroom into groupings that appeal to her. She then takes a blackand-white photo to make sure the values of light and dark in the fabrics create an interesting pattern. Next, she uses a rotary cutter to cut the fabric by hand—like drawing a line with a pencil—into shapes freehand, without referring to any pattern.

Finally, she sews the pieces together in a composition and uses machine quilting to add another layer of textural interest, finishing each creation by hand.

“The craft is when I make something as meticulous and impeccable as I can,” Ciolino concludes. “The art is when I bring an authentic version of myself—my voice and spirit—to the work.”

Judith Fertig celebrates the craft of cooking at AlfrescoFoodAndLifestyle.blogspot.com.

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Fairfield County Edition

CREATIVE THERAPY “The hand is the window on to the mind.”~ Immanuel Kant

by Judith Fertig

“O

f all our limbs,” explains Professor Richard Sennett, “the hands make the most varied movements, movements that can be controlled at will. Science has sought to show how these motions, plus the hand’s different ways of gripping and the sense of touch, affect the ways we think.”

Sennett expounds at length on this topic in his book, The Craftsman, and teaches sociology at New York University and The London School of Economics and Political Science.

He explains that making things by hand engages the brain in special ways.

The furniture maker, the musician, the glassblower or any other person engaged mindfully in arts and crafts needs to first “localize,” or look at just what is there— a piece of wood, a musical instrument or melted glass. The second step is to question—“What can I do with this?”

The third is to open up—figure out how

natural awakenings

to create something unique.

“To deploy these capabilities, the brain needs to process visual, aural, tactile and language-symbol information simultaneously,” says Sennett.

Working pleasurably with the hands also helps to enhance brain chemistry according to author Kelly Lambert, Ph.D., a psychology professor and lead researcher with the Lambert Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory at Randolph-Macon College, in Ashland, Virginia.

Lambert, author of Lifting Depression: A Neuroscientist’s Approach to Activating Your Brain’s Healing Power, makes the case for hands-on crafts like gardening, cooking and knitting as antidotes to depression. In a “Reconsidering Crafts” segment on Wisconsin Public Radio, she remarked: “We’re still carrying around a brain that appreciates working in the dirt and planting and hunting and preparing food.”

Using both hands to do something enjoyable, like knitting a scarf, entails engaging in a repetitive motion that produces calming serotonin. Lambert adds that counting stitches distracts us from other worries or concerns, and knitting something that we find pleasing and seeing the process through to completion activates what she refers to as the effort-driven reward circuit in the brain.

This further prompts the release of the feel-good brain chemicals dopamine, serotonin and endorphins, she adds.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT Skills Satisfy Body and Soul

by Judith Fertig

T

he difference between a crafter wielding a glue gun obtained from a hobby store and a crafts-person hand-planing a piece of cherry wood to make fine furniture might seem wide, but “It is one of degree, not kind,” advises Monica Moses, editorin-chief of American Craft magazine. Some people get schooling in their craft, while others are self-taught, with or without a mentor.

Sociologist Richard Sennett estimates that about 10,000 hours of experience are required to produce a master carpenter or musician. He observes in his book, The Craftsman, “As skill progresses, it becomes more problem-attuned, such as the lab technician worrying about procedure, whereas people with primitive levels of skill struggle just to get things to work. At its higher reaches, technique is no longer a mechanical activity; people can feel fully and think deeply about what they are doing, once they do it well.”

Sam Chung, assistant professor of ceramics at Arizona State University, in Tempe, says that he has put in approximately that length of time in working with clay. Today, he exhibits distinctive contemporary forms of pottery nationally (SamChungCeramics.com).

While not everyone can become a master craftsperson, Sennett attests that any skill can be improved upon. He maintains that, “There is no fixed line between the gifted few and the incompetent masses. This is because skill is a capacity that we develop, and all of us can draw on basic human talents to do so.” He further observes that competence and engagement—the craftsman’s ethos—appear to be the most solid sources of adult self-respect.

Grounded, productive, happy individuals can’t help but contribute to a better society. Sennett points out that making time for making things continues to pay big benefits in today’s world, as individuals realize the satisfaction of selfexpression, the self-respect that comes with mastery, and a sense of tangible connection to their lives.

Year-round sewing lessons for children and adults Let us help you express your creativity in fabric Also a variety of SEWING BIRTHDAY parties + scout troop and school enrichment programs Silvermine (Norwalk, New Canaan)

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35

SOUND YOGA

PRACTICES

by Meredith Montgomery

As a long-distance runner, professional singer and songwriter and worldwide community and environmental activist, Michael Franti lives a life driven by yoga-inspired philosophies, both on and off the mat.

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nown as one of the most consciously positive artists in music today, Michael Franti has been practicing yoga for 11 years. The discipline resonates with him as a solution to the physical and mental stress he encounters touring on the road, and he has practiced yoga daily ever since his first experience. “I still recall how stiff I was during my first class. I couldn’t touch my toes and I could barely sit with my legs crossed,” Franti reflects.

Franti reports that he is in better 36

Fairfield County Edition

physical shape today than he was 20 years ago. “The great thing about yoga is that it’s not a competition,” says the 45-year-old, who grew up in a competitive household with four siblings before going on to play college basketball at the University of San Francisco. “In yoga, you’re not competing against anyone, which has been a valuable, if difficult lesson for me—to stop thinking, ‘I wish I could do a headstand as well as the person next to me,’ but to instead really embrace where I am at that moment.”

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Photo courtesy of James Minchin

fitbody

After suffering from a series of physical hurdles, including joint problems, operations on his abdomen and a ruptured appendix, Franti continues to be grateful that yoga has prolonged his livelihood as an athlete.

He recalls, “There was a time when my body felt like it was breaking down and I thought I was never going to be able to play catch with my son again.

But through yoga, I’ve learned that it’s possible to heal my body.” He attributes his ability to play basketball and run long distances to the flexibility and strength derived from his yoga practice.

Currently performing with guitar legend Carlos Santana on the Sound of Collective Consciousness tour, Franti weaves the yogic philosophy of ahimsa, or the sacredness of life and nonviolence in thought or action, into his music.

He explains, “For songwriters, one of the most difficult things to do is to instill all of your ideas into just one phrase, word or melody. When I’m in a yoga class, ideas come because my mind is clear, or because I’ll hear my teacher say something that starts me thinking in a different way. Often, when I practice without any sound at all, I’ll hear melodies in my head that I’ll sing to myself as I’m practicing. All of these insights find their way into my songs.

“I like to rock out!” notes Franti of his preference for nontraditional yoga music during his personal practice.

“Sometimes I make playlists that are all loud dance music, or all reggae. I’ll do a whole class to The Beatles sometimes.

Today, I listened to singer-songwriter William Fitzsimmons.”

A supporter of several charities and an environmental activist, Franti also values seva, a yogic philosophy that emphasizes selfless service. “As an individual in this world, I believe that we all have a responsibility to give back to our communities and to the planet,” he says. Ten years ago, he decided to go barefoot after playing music for children abroad that could not afford shoes. Since then, he’s remained barefoot, except in airplanes or restaurants. The artist also collects shoes for

Soles4Souls (Soles4Souls.org) at all of his shows.

As a touring musician, Franti enjoys traveling to places such as Haiti, Israel, Palestine, Brazil and Indonesia so that he can share his music on the streets, but also so that he can experience unfamiliar settings. “I learn so much when I go outside of my comfort zone. Similarly, yoga forces us to step outside of our comfort zone and look at our self from a different perspective.”

Although he enjoys practicing advanced arm balances and inversions, the final pose in every class, savasana, is Franti’s favorite. “It doesn’t matter if I’m at a workshop for three hours and we do 15 minutes of the relaxation pose, or if I just did one side of a sun salutation and I lay on my back for three minutes.

Savasana always changes my whole outlook on life, on my day and the present moment. To lay quietly on my back on the floor, close my eyes, breathe deeply and let everything go for a few minutes enables me to then move forward into whatever comes next in my day.”

Meredith Montgomery publishes the Mobile/Baldwin, AL, edition of Natural Awakenings (HealthyLivingHealthy Planet.com). She also serves as director of donor relations for National Yoga Month (YogaMonth.org).

september 2011

Inspiring everyone to live a healthy life {one yoga class at a time}

Learn more at YogaMonth.org!

Celebrate Yoga Month with community events and FREE yoga at these local studios!

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YOGA GUIDE Y oga, a holistic art and practice that originated some 5,000 years ago in India, aims to integrate mind, body and spirit. The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit root yuj, meaning to yoke or unite, and refers to the joining of body with mind and mind with soul to achieve health, balance, tranquility and enlightenment.

Individuals of every age and physical condition can benefit from the regular practice of yoga, which has been proved to enhance flexibility, strength, stamina and concentration. Using a combination of asanas, or postures, and breathing techniques, yoga works to induce deep relaxation and reduce stress, tone the body and organs, increase vitality and improve circulation and energy flow.

Uplifting and meditative, yoga can be applied as a spiritual practice, as well.

Although many schools, or styles, of yoga exist, most differences derive from the primary focus of the practitioner’s attention: precise alignment of the body; holding of the asanas; flow between the postures; breath and movement coordination; or inner awareness and meditation. No particular style is better than another, and many students practice more than one.

ANANDA: A form of gentle Hatha yoga with an emphasis on meditation.

Ananda combines classic yoga postures with breathing and silent affirmations to attune with higher levels of body sense, energy and silent inner awareness. As an inner-directed practice, it has less appeal

to those desiring a more athletic or aerobic experience.

ANUSARA: Anusara means “go with the flow,” and blends spirituality with inner/outer alignment and balanced energetic actions.

Developed by John Friend in 1997, this style urges students to think of poses as artistic expressions of the heart. Individual abilities and limitations are deeply respected and honored, so Anusara yoga can be helpful for everyone and is good for beginners.

ASHTANGA: A physically demanding style that is light on meditation, Ashtanga yoga employs a fast-paced series of flowing poses to build strength, flexibility and stamina. Developed by Indian yoga master Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, Ashtanga’s progressively difficult postures are synchronized with a loud breath (called Ujyaii breath in Sanskrit) and are designed to produce intense internal heat and purifying sweat in order to detoxify muscles and organs. The room is usually heated to warm muscles and increase flexibility. Preferred by many athletes, this style is too intense and demanding for most beginners.

BIKRAM: A strenuous style, designed to make students sweat, taught in rooms heated to a minimum of 105º Fahrenheit, with about 40 percent humidity. The superheated rooms facilitate stretching and allow the body to release toxins through perspiration. Former national India yoga champion Bikram Choudhury developed the style, whose 26 demanding poses are performed in a specific order, to promote optimal

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ORGANIC & RAW FOOD & EVENTS

Thursday Sept. 15th 7:00pm Gabrielle Bernstein $20 includes a copy of “Spirit Junkie” to register call Cafe at 203 292 8190 www.catchahealthyhabit.com see Thursday event schedule on website

health and proper function of every bodily system. Bikram yoga is a good choice for highly fit individuals and seasoned students seeking a challenge.

HATHA: Hatha yoga is the foundational discipline on which nearly all other styles are based. In Sanskrit, ha represents the sun and tha, the moon—hence, the practice is designed to bring the yin and yang, light and dark, masculine and feminine aspects and polarities into balance. Essentially, Hatha yoga brings all aspects of life together. A class described as hatha will likely include slow-paced stretching, asanas, or postures, that are not too difficult, simple breathing exercises and perhaps, seated meditation. Hatha yoga classes provide a good starting point for beginners, who can learn basic poses and relaxation techniques.

INTEGRAL: A gentle style of yoga brought to this country in 1966 by Sri Swami Satchidananda. Classes are structured to balance physical effort with relaxation and include breathing practices, chanting and both guided and silent meditation. Integral yoga is suitable for beginners and helpful for more advanced students who wish to deepen their physical and spiritual awareness.

For the full list of FREE events, visit eNaturalAwakenings.com

INTEGRATIVE YOGA THERAPY: Gentle postures, guided imagery, assisted stretching and breathwork help to make this style a useful one for rehab centers and hospitals. Joseph LePage began this therapy in the early 1990s to help promote healing and well-being for individuals facing heart disease, cancer, AIDS and psychiatric disorders.

IYENGAR: Noted for precise alignment and symmetry of postures, the development of balance, and the use of props such as blocks, balls and belts. The Iyengar style of yoga was developed by B.K.S. Iyengar, based on an exceptional understanding of how the body works.

Poses are held longer than usual. Iyengar is a good style for beginners, but can challenge seasoned practitioners, as well.

KRIPALU: An integrated practice that emphasizes breathing and alignment

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and coordinates the breath with movement. Kripalu, also called the yoga of consciousness, was developed by Amrit Desai, a long time student of Kundalini yoga master Swami Kripaluvananda.

This style incorporates three stages of development, beginning with postural alignment and progressing to meditation, with longer posture holding, finally creating a meditation in motion, where the movement from one posture to another happens unconsciously and spontaneously. Students are encouraged to honor “the wisdom of the body” and to work according to the limits of their flexibility and strength. Kripalu is suitable for everyone, from beginners to advanced students.

KUNDALINI: A powerful, enlightening style that incorporates mantras (chanting), meditation, visualization, breathing and guided relaxation, with precise postures. According to Hindu philosophy, kundalini is a concentrated form of prana, or life force, represented by a coiled, sleeping serpent said to reside at the base of the spine. When breath and movement awaken the serpent (energy), it moves up the spine through each of the seven chakras (energy centers) of the body, bringing energy and bliss.

Once a closely guarded secret in India, kundalini yoga was first brought to the West in 1969 and has been known to help with addictions and releasing endorphins in the body. Kundalini will not appeal to everyone and should be practiced under the supervision of an experienced teacher.

PHOENIX RISING YOGA THERAPY: This style helps release physical and emotional tension through assisted postures, breathing techniques and ongoing student/teacher dialogue. A deeper connection to the self is encouraged by incorporating traditional yoga techniques with contemporary psychology, which ultimately results in the healing of mind, body and spirit.

POWER: An intense style that creates heat and energy, while developing strength and flexibility. Power yoga evolved from ashtanga yoga and was developed by American Beryl Bender

in specifically chosen poses helps to soften the body’s connective tissues and ease spinal tension. Blocks and bolsters may be used to allow for deeper muscle release. The style is suitable for beginners and useful for those recovering from injury.

VINYASA: A challenging style that matches breath to movement. Vinyasa yoga poses incorporate alignment principles and are woven together in a flowing practice that is both intense and dance-like. Translated from Sanskrit, vinyasa means “without obstacle.” The style is best suited to energetic, physically fit students.

Birch in the early 1990s. Its flowing style requires the strength and stamina of Ashtanga, but doesn’t always followthe same sequence of postures, making it similar to Vinyasa style.

Power yoga is usually performed in a heated room. Although Baron Baptiste is a name often associated with power yoga, he has developed his own method, called Baptiste Power Vinyasa yoga, which is taught only by teachers he certifies. Students that enjoy aerobics will probably favor power yoga.

SIVANANDA: Cultivates awareness of mind and body by incorporating five main principles of proper exercise, breathing, relaxation and diet, as well

as positive thinking and meditation.

Based on the philosophy of Swami Sivananda, of India, the practice uses chanting, breathing techniques and meditation to help unblock energy and release stress. Sivananda focuses on 12 basic yoga postures to increase strength and spinal flexibility. It is an excellent practice for beginners, those recovering from injury or anyone interested in spiritual aspects of yoga.

SVAROOPA: A style that helps each student discover their bliss. The Sanskrit word svaroopa means “the true nature of being,” and Svaroopa yoga is sometimes called the yoga of alignment and compassion. Attention to alignment

VINIYOGA: A transformative, slower and more individualized form of yoga that emphasizes gentle flow and coordinated breath with movement. Viniyoga yoga is holistic in its approach and teaches the student how to apply the yoga tools of poses, chanting, breathing and meditation. Function is stressed over form in this style. Viniyoga is recommended for beginners and seniors, as well as those who are in chronic pain or healing from injury or disease.

PLEASE NOTE: The contents of this Yoga Guide are for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to be used in place of a visit or consultation with a healthcare professional.

Always seek out a practitioner who is licensed, certified or otherwise professionally qualified to conduct a selected treatment, as appropriate.

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September 2011

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asthma reported decreased frequency in the use of inhalers, increased relaxation and a more positive outlook on life after participating in regular yoga sessions for four months.

Boost in Mood Yoga’s deep breathing, combined with the need for balance and concentration, works to reduce stress, anxiety, heart rate and blood pressure levels, according to research published by the Mayo Clinic. Yoga’s breathing techniques have reportedly reduced blood pressure more effectively than other soothing activities, such as listening to relaxing music.

YOGA FOR HEALTH

by Meredith Montgomery

E

very September, National Yoga Month (YogaMonth.org) expands awareness of yoga’s proven health benefits. This 5,000-year-old practice that originated in the East and aims to unify body, mind and spirit, continues to gain popularity in the West as a valuable tool in preventive healthcare and a complement to traditional medicine.

These are just some examples of the multiple health benefits a regular yoga practice can provide.

Improved Balance, Flexibility and Range of Motion Having the balance to stand on one foot and being flexible enough to touch your toes are often falsely perceived as prerequisites for yoga class. In reality, practicing yoga is a way to gain such abilities. The Mayo Clinic further notes that with the improved balance, flexibility and range of motion gained through yoga practice, injuries from other physical or day-to-day activities become less likely.

Increased Strength Although weights are not used in yoga, muscle strength, bone strength and endurance are boosted via the discipline’s weight-bearing postures. When 40

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an American Council on Exercise study recruited 34 healthy women to practice yoga three times a week, they could do an average of six more push-ups and 14 more curl-ups after eight weeks than they could before.

Relief from Chronic Pain Research from institutions such as the Mayo Clinic has shown that practicing yoga postures can reduce pain associated with cancer, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune diseases and hypertension, as well as other chronic conditions, including back and neck pain. A study in The Journal of the American Medical Association found that subjects suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome improved their grip strength and reported less pain due to a yoga-based regimen. A nerve test also indicated improvement.

Better Breathing Yoga emphasizes slow and deep breathing. Information on Yoga Alliance’s educational website (YogaAlliance.org) indicates that these deliberate actions are known to activate the body’s parasympathetic system, or relaxation response, while also improving lung function.

According to the Northern Colorado Allergy & Asthma Clinic, individuals with

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Weight Loss Because yoga tends to raise awareness of the benefits of healthy living, it also is used to motivate overweight individuals to gain control of eating habits and support their efforts to lose weight.

Many teachers offer yoga programs specifically designed for those wanting to shed pounds. A 10-year lifestyle study of 15,500 adults in their 50s, published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, found that regular yoga practice was associated with less agerelated weight gain.

Meredith Montgomery is a registered yoga teacher and has been practicing yoga for 12 years.

Yoga, Dance & Fitness S Sally Grillo, owner 32-34 Main St, Norwalk 203.854.6744 • Nu-Yoga.com

ally Grillo is owner of Nu~Yoga Studio in Norwalk for over 7 years. Inspirational teachers and a steady yoga practice ignited her passion to become a yoga teacher and she has since dedicated her life to helping her clients discover their highest potential through the practice of yoga.

Her therapeutic teaching style includes themes derived from her life experiences as she safely guides her students with clear instruction and skillful alignment. She completed teacher training in the Anusara style in 2003 and continues yoga therapeutics and energy studies at Kripalu Center in Massachusetts. Sally is married to Vincent Grillo for 28 years and they have three sons.

Nu~Yoga Studio offers on-going group classes and private instruction in a warm and cozy atmosphere. September is Beginner’s Yoga Month at Nu~Yoga Studio. For more information visit Nu-Yoga.com. See ad pg 42.

L Lara Azzarito Ward, founder Offering classes throughout CT & NY 860.354.6241 LotusGardensYoga.com

otus Gardens is a comparative theory yoga school devoted to nurturing the experience of sharing and educating both yoga students and teachers.

Lara Azzarito Ward is the founder of Lotus Gardens Yoga School. Since 1980 she has brought yoga, meditation, martial arts and stress management programs to major corporations and hospitals in the greater Danbury area as well offering the first Yoga Alliance approved school in CT. Lotus Gardens Yoga School has a well respected and refined 200 hour yoga teacher training program with over 260 certified instructors now guiding others throughout the world. With a private studio in Sherman, Lotus Gardens has 5 branch training studios offering their comprehensive yoga certification curriculum in Canton, Newtown, North Haven, Plantsville, CT and Troy, NY. Continuing Education blooms for yoga teachers from all disciplines through their Seniors, Therapeutics, Kids and 500 hour certification courses. See ad pg 42.

N Nina Antolino, Registered Yoga Teacher 914.393.9221 • Limitless-Potential.net

FITNESS

ina was introduced to yoga 15 years ago as she searched for a way to ‘slow down’ and find balance in her life. In 2000, she received her 200-hour Interdisciplinary Yoga Certification through the Nosara Institute. Her Vinyasa Flow classes draw from various traditions including Kripalu, Iyengar, Anusara and Viniyoga. She has continued to enhance her teaching by studying with leading yoga teachers in the country.

Nina also teaches Fertility Yoga to support women on their journey to conception and Yin Yoga. She teaches at 201 Summer Street, Stamford; Kaia Yoga, Westport; TLC Center and Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk. She offers privates and corporate classes.

Her passion for helping others reach their full potential is present as she guides students to self-exploration and self-acceptance. See ad pg 9.

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STAMFORD Gianna Ragona-Suarez, RYT Hatha, Vinyasa, Sports Yoga YogaConcepts@gmail.com 203.550.8811

YOGA TRAINING Lotus Gardens Yoga School Lara Azzarito Ward LotusGardensYoga.com 860.354.6241

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RIDGEFIELD Qi Gong at Move2Wellness 635 Danbury Rd. Move2Wellness.com 203.403.2522

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Over 100 Free Classes To Sample

A

wakenings, a month long celebration dedicated to the exploration and celebration of soulful, inspired living, offers the public the opportunity to sample over 100 free classes and events, happening all throughout September, all throughout Fairfield County. The celebration is presented by Natural Awakenings magazine and co-created with local practitioners who are generously offering a wide variety of free classes such as yoga, meditation, reiki, energy healing, spiritual growth, tai chi, empowerment, hypnosis, and more.

The intention of the Awakenings celebration is to offer the community a safe, fun, and free opportunity to learn about the benefits of yoga and meditation; the power of energy healing; how to discover one’s life purpose; and how to develop one’s intuition. “There are so many gifted healing practitioners right here in Fairfield County, yet people often don’t know how to choose the practitioner or the healing modality that is right for them”, says Carolyn Aversano, Natural Awakenings publisher. “Awakenings offers a wonderful opportunity to meet these talented practitioners, sample a wide variety of services, and discover which of them appeals to, and works best for, them.” Join in raising the vibration in Fairfield County!

To see the full schedule of events, updated daily, visit eNaturalAwakenings.com. The public may sample as many different free classes/events throughout September as they like at participating locations. 1 free class/event per location.

Attendees must pre-register as space is limited. See ad pg 3 and events on pg 52-55.

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inspiration

focusing on the details of a problem to an awareness of what is really needed.

As the steps unfold, take notice of any enhanced feelings of peace, assurance, gratitude and love.

A Path to True Insight

1

Write down a specific concern.

Are you at a crossroads? It could be a work concern, a relationship issue or anything else.

Write from

the Heart

2

Below it, write, “What I really want is… ” and then finish the sentence with your natural, immediate response. Repeat this several times, finishing the sentence with another thought each time. It can be embarrassing when our wants are revealed to us.

Keep going.

by Nancy Rosanoff

T

he best definition of intuition is that which we know in our hearts to be true. When we feel good and right about a decision, we often attribute it to having followed our intuition.

There is a difference, however, between what “feels good” and what we “know in our hearts.” Discerning this difference separates wishful thinking from true intuitive intelligence.

Intuitive intelligence can be identified by the qualities that accompany it, like effortlessness, clarity, inspired ideas, synchronicity and profound peace. As these qualities also represent the spiritual substance of our selves, the intuitive insights we receive resonate with the truth of our being.

ReIkI FoR StReSS ReduCtIon Hilda Swaby Usui & Karuna Reiki Master Healer, Teacher

When faced with a challenging choice, it helps to look for the presence or absence of harmony, clarity and peace before taking any action. Jumping into action out of frustration is not intuitively intelligent, while waiting for answers that bring clarity and inner peace is a flawless guide.

To move through the layers of confusion and emotion when facing a dilemma, it helps to identify both what we want and what is needed. Confusion often characterizes the conflict between our personal agenda, which may be hidden from us, and the action that the situation genuinely calls for. The following exercise can move our attention beyond

3

Now write the following: “What this situation really needs is… ” Write the phrase several times, finishing the sentence with another thought each time.

4

Be sure not to add “from me” to the above sentence, even in your thoughts. Let the ideas that come flow through you and onto the page, enriched by clarity, love, intelligence, and benevolence for you and everyone involved.

Nancy Rosanoff is a spiritual coach, teacher and facilitator who uses the principles of metapsychiatry in her work (TheMetaView.com). Connect at Nancy@Rosanoff.com.

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Healing Arthritis Naturally

by Henry Sobo, MD

A

rthritis, inflammation of the joint, can cause symptoms such as pain, stiffness, swelling, and limited range of motion, which impact lifestyle and well-being. The two most widespread types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of disability in people over age 60, and by age 50 most people have some degree of this condition. The source of pain and limited mobility in millions, it is one of the most common ailments for which people seek treatment. There are myriad medications available, some resulting in side effects which may undermine their benefits. A variety of non-toxic, natural healing options may also be considered, which can help to avoid side effects, as well as expense of, some medications.

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Before impulsively jumping in and trying any variety of remedies that can impact your health, it is important to seek the advice of a competent health care provider and have an awareness of some of the different types of arthritis.

As with any healing modality, the approach may be different depending on the individual and what type of arthritis is responsible for the most common symptom, joint pain.

The more common osteoarthritis is associated with aging, the “wear and tear” of living, whereas rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-inflammatory condition which primarily occurs between the ages of 20 to 40. While osteoarthritis tends to result in local symptoms, such as stiff and painful joints, sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis will often exhibit

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other signs of illness, such as fatigue and low grade fever with swollen glands. Their joints may become more acutely inflamed and painful than with the slower onset of discomfort associated with osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis can be reliably revealed by a blood test called the Rheumatoid factor which should be taken if that disease is suspected.

Among other types of arthritis are gout and infectious arthritis, as occurs with Lyme disease. Although gout should only be diagnosed by a doctor, it can be clearly distinguished by its leading characteristic of affecting just one joint at any particular time. (e.g.: if there is no other known cause and all that hurts is a swollen big toe). An attack of gout can occur in many areas of

Diets high in foods that cause acidity, such as meats, dairy products, sugars and baked goods, tend to promote inflammation the body, including an elbow or knee, but will appear in just one joint, not on both sides of the body. With Lyme disease, a person will likely feel unwell in other ways, rather than simply suffering from joint pain. Headaches, fatigue and rashes may signify the possibility of Lyme, which often occurs in Connecticut (where it was first named) and other northeastern states. It is essential that anyone suspecting they may have Lyme disease seek a medical evaluation since delaying treatment can be devastating to health.

NATURAL TREATMENTS FOR ARTHRITIS Inflammation is the common denominator for all types of arthritis, so following practices that are anti-inflammatory is good for all of the above conditions.

Since inflammation underlies many other health problems, as well, such treatments can be beneficial to overall health.

ANTI-ARTHRITIS DIET 1. Avoid eating too many acid-forming foods. Diets high in foods that cause acidity, such as meats, dairy products, sugars and baked goods, tend to promote inflammation. Diets high in items like fruits and vegetables, olives and olive oil, can have the opposite effect. Such a diet is the basis for obtaining more alkaline body chemistry, resulting in an effect which can counter the arthritic inflammation and its subsequent pain.

intake of these foods and notice if there is a beneficial effect.

NATURAL SUPPLEMENTS There are many herbal compounds that have been used for millennia, well before modern medications. A track record of safety exists that allows these to be purchased over the counter by consumers, though you should always ask a knowledgeable health professional’s advice before trying new healing remedies, especially if you have any other health conditions requiring medication. Among the remedies backed by scientific research, and the testimony of health practitioners and their patients, are: boswella; willow bark; curcumin; ginger; cat’s claw; nettle leaf; vitamins C, A, E, B3, B5 and B6; minerals, zinc, copper and boron; glucosamine; and, chondroitin.

Vitamin shops carry any number of arthritis relief supplements containing some of those items listed above.

A reasonable trial of a particular remedy should be done by taking the remedy as suggested for a month at the full daily dose. If the first attempt didn’t do the trick, rather than simply switching remedies try adding a second

remedy from among the elements listed above. Give this combination another full month trial and notice if there is any improvement.

For many patients some sort of physical therapy/exercise is an essential part of arthritis treatment. A good exercise plan can reduce joint pain and stiffness while improving muscle strength, joint flexibility, balance, coordination, and endurance. What is an appropriate exercise? One that that takes into account the physical limitations of the patient and aims for gradual improvements. A physical therapist can teach a range of motion and strengthening exercises, as well as appropriate aerobic activities.

And finally, as with almost any condition for which there is no complete cure, stress reduction (e.g.: through meditation) is always helpful in coping with the discomfort of living with arthritis.

Dr. Sobo is a medical doctor practicing holistic/nutritional medicine in Stamford, CT. For information about his practice, call 203.348.8805 or visit DrSobo.com. Note: the information in this article is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice of your physician or health care provider. Statements made have not been reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. See ad pg 45.

2. Gain Awareness of Food Sensitivities. Even though arthritis is not an allergy problem, per se, when a person eats food to which they have an underlying sensitivity they will have a generalized body inflammatory response resulting in worsened arthritic pain.

3. Avoid nightshades. A class of food called nightshades (tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, and potatoes) may worsen some individuals’ arthritic symptoms. It may be worth a one-month trial to limit eNaturalAwakenings.com

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naturalpet

to a year before money is distributed to beneficiaries. But where does the pet live in the meantime? Who is taking care of the pet and providing money for housing, food, exercise and health care?

Another problem is that even when money or property is given to the named person to care for a pet, it is difficult to ensure that they will actually spend the money on the pet, according to the will’s instructions. This is why creating a trust for the long-term care of a pet is the better solution.

Benefits of a Trust

Peace of Mind for Your Pet’s Future

by Kimberly A. Colgate, Esq.

M

ost owners don’t think they need formal estate-planning documents for their pets because a friend, neighbor or relative has said that they will take care of the pet when the owner dies. Unfortunately, sometimes these folks may have good intentions, but when reality strikes, the hoped-for, unwritten arrangement may not be honored and the pet is euthanized.

Such sad occurrences, the result of unforeseen financial distress, broken promises or misunderstandings, can be prevented if the proper legal documents are in place to protect a beloved pet. The owner may provide for the pet either in a legally signed will or a trust specifically created for the named pet.

So, which is better?

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Limits of a Will

While a will cannot leave property directly to an animal, it can name a person that is charged with the responsibility of caring for the pet, as well as leave available funds to the individual for that purpose. However, problems can arise because many people don’t understand how a will works.

With a will, the instructions contained in it are not automatically carried out. A lengthy and formal process must be followed in each state to admit a will to the probate court and appoint an executor; until that happens, no one can access the property of the deceased. Initiating the process typically takes at least 30 days and it can be up

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The first step in creating a pet trust is to write out a plan specifying who will care for the pet, how much money will be needed and how it should be spent, and the name of the person that has agreed to act as

Illustrations courtesy of Debby Carman ©

PET TRUSTS

More than 45 states now have laws making it possible to create a trust for a pet. This arrangement offers many advantages; a pet trust document usually: n Names a physical caretaker for the pet n Names a trustee that will hold the money for caring for the pet n Instructs the trustee to distribute the money to the caretaker according to the instructions contained in the pet trust n Provides the trustee with the authority to place the pet with a new caretaker if for any reason the person named cannot take care of the pet as intended

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It’s not a good idea to make the pet caretaker the trustee, because the trustee is responsible for enforcing the plan and making certain that the caretaker is following the previous owner’s instructions. Otherwise, the trustee is charged with finding a new caretaker that will follow the instructions in the trust document and redirecting the funds to them.

A pet trust does not have to be funded until the owner has passed. The easiest way to fund a pet trust is to name the trustee as the recipient of a bank account, a certificate of deposit or an insurance policy. The funds then are immediately available for the care of a pet, according to the instructions contained in the trust document.

With written plan in hand, the next step is to meet with an attorney to develop it into a legally enforceable trust document. If the basic plan is already in writing, the lawyer should be able to state a reasonable price to draft the trust. Or, a pet owner may choose to purchase a guide on how to create a pet trust.

For more information, visit CreateAPetTrust.com and see The Pet Plan and Pet Trust Guide, by Kimberly A. Colgate. It explains, in detail, how to create a pet trust and includes a fill-in-the-blank pet trust document.

Colgate is a practicing trust attorney in Sarasota, FL. Contact her at 941.927.2996 or KColgate@FLLawyer.com.

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wisewords

Putumayo World Dan Storper’s Music without Borders

by April Thompson

S

ince the 1970s, Putumayo World Music founder Dan Storper has applied his entrepreneurial acumen to the business of bridging cultures. Starting with a small shop selling crafts and clothes that he discovered while traveling throughout Latin America, Storper’s business evolved into an ethnically inspired line of apparel sold in his seven U.S. Putumayo stores and 600 other boutiques around the country. The music mixes that Storper compiled and played

“Music really can transform and transcend hardships and boundaries.”

in his stores led in 1993 to the creation of the Putumayo World Music record label, intended to introduce people to other cultures around the world through music. In 1997, he sold the clothing business to focus full time on music.

Putumayo’s upbeat and wide-ranging compilations are distinctive—exemplified by their hallmark folk art CD covers by British illustrator Nicola Heindl and comprehensive liner notes.

Putumayo’s releases,

including songs for its children’s label, Putumayo Kids, are now available in 7,000 stores in more than 80 countries. A longtime member of the Social Venture Network, Putumayo has donated more than $1 million of the proceeds from its CD sales to nonprofit organizations that support communities where the music originates.

What common threads characterize the widely divergent genres that comprise international music?

Thinking about my own experience growing up listening to crossover artists like Manu Dibango, Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela and Sergio Mendes, I see a universal connection to melodydriven music with interesting rhythms and beautiful voices, even if it’s in other

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countering stereotypes and cultural misperceptions, that often ends up being a healthy side effect. Much of the music we promote comes from parts of the world struggling with poverty, war and other issues; some are commonly associated with negative connotations in the Western media. Yet many of these places have rich traditions that are mostly accessible to outsiders through music, art and food. New Orleans, the city I now call home, is a great example of a place that is trying to rise above various challenges and misperceptions.

What are some of the trends you see in world music today?

languages or uses unfamiliar instrumentation.

What are you trying to achieve in your Putumayo Presents compilations?

Putumayo looks for universally appealing music that everyone can relate to. I refer to it as, “the spirit of Bob Marley”— I don’t know of anyone who can listen to his songs and not enjoy them.

Every album attempts to encapsulate the best elements of a culture and music of an area or region. We carefully curate each thematic album so that, rather than a collection of random tracks, it is a musical journey that will uplift listeners and interest them not only in the music, but also in the culture and the region.

Every year, I receive emails and letters from people that have been inspired by the music to travel to a place they’ve discovered through our albums. We hope that more and more people will dig deeper by traveling to these countries, buying the works of individual artists and creating real connections.

How does Putumayo give back to the cultures whose music it shares with the world?

For example, do you try to preserve “endangered species” of music?

We don’t set out to save dying genres of music, but one of the byproducts of our work is a greater awareness of other cultures and musical traditions. We’re particularly interested in finding musical gems that may not be known to people inside or outside of their country. In the process, we help people recognize and value the strong musical heritage they have. Sometimes we discover artists that become featured on movie soundtracks or are signed by a major label as a result of their collaboration with Putumayo.

While we focus on presenting great music rather than

For centuries, trading caravans would bring new instruments and songs to different regions, in turn, influencing the music of an area. Today, with the explosion of digital music, there is more music cross-fertilization than ever. African, Asian and Australian musicians can now hear each other’s music through tour concerts, the Internet and other media.

Almost everyone can now similarly access music from around the world; at the same time, this means there is that much more for people to sift through. The music of the world is an ocean of millions of songs. Putumayo employs several people to do just that—search the world to identify littleknown music that people all over will love.

April Thompson is a freelance writer in Washington, D.C. Connect at AprilWrites.com.

Quinoa with Watercress, Pears and Pomegranates (serves 4)

This dish combines quinoa with the delicious flavor combination of sweet pears, tart pomegranate seeds and peppery watercress.

1 cup quinoa 2 cups water 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 2 tablespoons pomegranate juice 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar 1 bunch watercress, stems removed and leaves sliced (about 1 1/2 cups packed leaves) 2 ripe pears, peeled, cored and cut into 1/2-inch chunks • Rinse quinoa under cold running water and drain.

• Combine water and quinoa in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook until quinoa is tender and all the water is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes.

• Place quinoa in a large bowl with watercress, pears, pomegranate seeds, walnuts, juice and vinegar.

• Stir to combine, then serve.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

September 2011

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greenliving

Eco-Fashionista

Summer Rayne Oakes Models the Future

by Kristin J. Bender

has created a growing platform for taking eco-fashion mainstream.

She’s seen firsthand how a more sustainable lifestyle can start with something as simple as choosing certified organic lip balm or a pair of shoes made from organic cotton and recycled rubber.

B

ecause of her close ties to environmental causes, Oakes is known as “The eco-model.” The title seems to fit her well: She has put her name behind many cause-related programs, including a skincare company that uses active natural ingredients and a maker of recycled eyewear that plants a tree for every pair of frames sold.

She didn’t set out to be the eco-fashionista. Oakes, whose first name derived from being born, she states, on a “rainy summer day,” was raised amid Pennsylvania farmlands north of Scranton and developed a love of nature from an early age. By 13, she was the youngest member of her hometown’s environmental advisory council and after high school, went off to Cornell University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in natural resources and entomology.

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While researching toxins in sewage sludge and identifying aquatic insects, the 5-foot, 10-inch, willowy brunette also began modeling while at college, and conceived the idea that the fashion industry might be the right forum for her to take a leading role in expanding environmental awareness. Her first venture, Organic Portraits, an avantgarde photography project, brought to life sustainable design and conservation in one package.

Runaway Success Armed with brains, beauty and an affinity with the natural world, Oakes signed with her first modeling agency after graduating. Today, at 27, she has built her own brand as a business consultant and spokeswoman, author and entrepreneur in the multibillion-dollar industry of environmentally friendly apparel and home products.

Oakes says that being in nature is what makes her come to life. “I carry that with me through all of my work in the fashion industry. It keeps me incredibly grounded and gives me an opportunity to work with companies and organizations that mirror my values or operate in the spirit of becoming better stewards,” she says.

Photo: Jonathan Dennis

Fashion model Summer Rayne Oakes

Oakes is as appealing as the products she represents. In addition to her creative input, she has put her stamp of approval on both Portico Home + Spa linens and bath products and Payless ShoeSource’s zoe&zac line of shoes and handbags. Oakes also is working with Modo on a collection of recycled eyewear under its Eco brand, which she notes will be tied in with some of her personal reforestation and sustainable design projects worldwide. Her work with Aveeno on its Be An Active Natural Campaign supports the message that small changes can add up to a big difference.

She sometimes blogs about her experiences at SummerRayne.net; a recent post explained how she chooses which Earth-friendly companies she’ll support. “An engaging partnership is a critical component for me to [be] a spokesperson,” she writes. “On countless occasions, I have had to turn down offers if the partnership didn’t seem suitable. But how exciting it is to find brands that are ready to step up to the challenge and have the spirit, resources and energy to make meaningful change happen from the inside out.”

Eco-Fashion Trends Oakes’ timing in applying her passions and skills to the green and clean marketplace is apt. Global retail sales of organic cotton apparel and home textile products reached an estimated $4.3 billion in 2009, up 35 percent over the year before, according to the latest research from Organic Exchange’s Organic Cotton Market Report, and the market is expected to continue to grow. Organic Exchange projected a 20 to 40 percent jump in both 2010 and 2011, which could result in a $6 billion market this year.

Oakes supports the industry via Source4Style.com, a forum she recently co-founded to connect designers with sustainable material suppliers from around the world. A finalist for the prestigious Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards, it already has been frequented by the likes of fashion designer Christian Siriano. Oakes is not alone—other celebrities and designers like Bono, Stella McCartney and Vivienne Westwood have added their voices in raising awareness of the importance of socially and environmentally conscious fashion.

Oakes has modeled for such industry giants as Levi Strauss, Payless, Replay Jeans and others, but her activism and modeling have also allowed her to branch out into other industries. She says that her bestselling book, Style, Naturally: The Savvy Shopping Guide to Sustainable Fashion and Beauty, is aimed at, “... women that love style, but may not have ‘environment’ in their lexicon,” and serves as, “an irreverent, witty guide for green virgins.”

“Sustainable design will continue to evolve,” she says.

“Ten years ago, there were only a handful of designers operating in the industry. Now, most companies are asking how it can be authentically built into the core of their business.”

How will that happen? “First, they have to believe and embody it.”

Kristin J. Bender is a freelance writer based in the San Francisco Bay area.

Green Chic

Earth-Friendly, Feel-Good Fabrics

by S. Alison Chabonais nnovation is shaping every facet of the eco-fashion industry—from organic crop standards, energy-efficient production, local sourcing, community reinvesting and fair trade, to the recycling of excess fabric and other materials and repurposing used garments.

Yet, half of all textile fibers still come from conventional cotton, which soaks up a quarter of all agrochemicals and insecticides sprayed on the planet, reports Paul Hawken in Natural Capitalism – Creating the Next Industrial Revolution. Cotton also requires 2,600 gallons of water for every pound grown.

Other natural fabric plant fibers are much less resourceintensive. Here are some clues about what to look for.

I

BAMBOO: This versatile and self-replenishing grass yields a luxuriously soft fabric.

HEMP: A somewhat coarser plant, hemp is best when blended with other fibers, like cotton and silk.

JUSI and PIÑA: Jusi comes from banana silk. Piña is made from pineapple leaves. Both textiles originated in the Philippines.

KENAF: From hibiscus grown in Asia and Africa, kenaf blends well with other fibers. It feels similar to hemp or jute.

LINEN: A classic material derived from the flax plant, linen won’t stick to skin and dries quickly.

LYOCELL: Includes a range of soft fabrics comprised of cellulose fibers, but is still subjected to chemical processing such as bleaching. It has cotton-like characteristics.

Also known as Tencel, seacell (using seaweed) or modal (from beechwood pulp).

ORGANIC COTTON: U.S. organic cotton planting was up 12 percent in 2010 over 2009, from 10,521 to 11,827 acres, according to the Organic Trade Association. Farmers project an increase of 1,513 acres over the next five years, depending on demand.

RAMIE: Made from a flowering, woody plant in the nettle family, the fibrous texture feels softest when blended with organic cotton or wool. It has linen-like characteristics, such as durability.

RECYCLED POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE (PET): Gives new purpose to used plastic bottles or old polyester clothing. Appears in fleece-like fabrics and is also reincarnated in the soles of shoes.

SILK: Silk delivers elegant effects when used alone or combined with other fibers. This durable protein fiber is obtained from the cocoons of silkworms, harvested before the caterpillar metamorphoses into a moth. Wild silk, or peace silk, waits for the silkworm to emerge alive.

Primary source: Style, Naturally, by Summer Rayne Oakes eNaturalAwakenings.com

September 2011

51

FREE classes & events throughout Fairfield County.

Visit eNaturalAwakenings.com for the full list & full details – offers added daily.

Limit one free class/event per person (per location) unless specified otherwise.

Limited spots available - so call NOW to reserve yours!

THROUGHOUT SEPTEMBER 90 minute Intro Art & Music Classes Art classes: Saturdays in September, 12:302pm. Introductory music lesson, at mutually agreed time/day. FREE! The Little Red School of Art and Music, 2979 Main Street, Stratford.203.375.0692.

Individual 1 Hour Counseling Session in September Using guided visualization, meditation and breathwork, gently and effectively connect to patterns that have been stored in the unconscious yet still run our lives today. FREE! Anthony Smokovich Transformational Counseling. New Canaan.

Appointment. 203.831.8680.

Intro to Core Energetics Session Available in September, w/ Teresa Bulit-Gordon, Core Energetics Practitioner. Techniques to release and transform & old history and frozen feelings! FREE! New clients by appointment only, booked prior to 9/30. 203.570.2876.

Meditation Class on Sundays in September 7pm. Meditation led by a different practitioner every week to experience different techniques and styles for your own practice. Each week is FREE! Move2wellness. Ridgefield.

203.403.2522.

Friends & Family Yoga on Tuesday Evening Beginners Yoga Classes in September. New students may bring friends & family to this class for FREE! Spread yoga with the world! Nu-Yoga. 32-34 Main St. Norwalk.

203.854.6744.

Nu-Yoga’s “New to Yoga’ Introductory Package includes 2 FREE classes when you purchase any class card. Offer is available for 2 weeks only (9/1-9/15). 32-34 Main St. Norwalk. 203.854.6744.

Yoga Class on Mondays in September 7:30pm. FREE! Interplay Health. 633 Hope St. Stamford. 203.845.8856.

Tai Chi Class on Fridays in September 9:30am and 5:30pm.. FREE! Wudang Tai Chi of Stamford. 414 West Main St. Stamford.

1 free class per person. 203.570.1752.

Jazzercise Class in September Redeem any class. New customers only. FREE! 633 Hope St. Stamford. 203.845.8856.

Yoga Class on Sundays in September 8:30am. FREE! Interplay Health. 633 Hope St. Stamford. 1 free class per person.

203.845.8856.

Reiki sessions in September FREE! No Place Like OM will donate $1 to Ann’s Place for each person who visits and registers in September. 45 Padanaram Rd. Danbury.

203.743.6353.

Intuitive Readings September 6-12 A 10 minute reading from Cindy Miller who is a God based intuitive. FREE! 1 free reading per person, new clients only. By appointment, phone session. Newtown. 203.426.9448.

Akashic Record Readings in September Cris Ann is offering these readings to the Natural Awakenings community while deepening her ability to connect to and receive this information. FREE! Wilton.

203.216.8413.

Yoga Class in September New students only. FREE! Yoga Shala. 49 Ethan Allen Hwy. Ridgefield. 203.544.8811.

Yoga Class in September New students only. FREE! Harmony Yoga. 30 Bridge St. New Milford. 860.354.9300.

Introductory Empowerment TeleCoaching Session by Nina Antolino, life coach, founder of Limitless Potential. FREE! 30 minutes. Must be scheduled by September 15. 914.393.9221.

Yoga Class September 12-18 FREE! Yoga Space. 777 Federal Rd. Brookfield.

203.775.6220.

Gentle Hatha Yoga on Mondays or Thursdays in September 5:30pm w/ Aline Marie. FREE! The Recharging Station.

Bethel. 203.748.1941.

Kundalini Yoga Class on Thursdays in September 9-10:30am. FREE! Noelle Center for Health and Healing. 1100 High Ridge Rd. Stamford. Jackie Tepper, RYT: 203.918.0085.

Kundalini Yoga Class on Mondays and Tuesdays in September beginning 9/7.

9:30-11am. FREE! Fleur de Lis Dance Academy. 27 Danbury Rd. Wilton. Jackie Tepper, RYT: 203.918.0085.

Kundalini Yoga and Meditation Tuesdays & Sundays in September 9am-10.30am, Tuesdays & 7.45pm - 9pm, Sundays. FREE! Noelle Health & Healing. Stamford. Raema: 203.520.7186.

Weight Loss/Nutrition Consultation in September FREE! Interplay Health. 633 Hope St. Stamford. 203.845.8856.

Vinyassa Flow and Guided Meditation on Fridays in September 9-10am.

FREE! Yoga Core Fitness, Wilton. Shelley: 203.722.4405.

Yoga Class in September Yoga for Everybody has a great mix of classes, something for every level. FREE for new students! 27 Unquowa Rd. Fairfield.

203.254.9642.

1st Yoga Class FREE in September New students only. And will still be eligible to take advantage of our great new student promo: 30 Days of unlimited yoga for $30.

Kaia Yoga. 1200 Post Rd. E. Westport or 328 Pemberwick Rd. Greenwich. 203.532.0660.

Special Offer: Receive 15% off 15love Purchase of $50 or More in September Visit 15loveapparel.com to order and redeem your coupon! Offer code: Awakenings.

For the full list of FREE events, visit eNaturalAwakenings.com 52

Fairfield County Edition

natural awakenings

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 Reiki Meditation with Essential Oils 7:309pm w/ Gigi Benanti Reiki Master/Teacher. SelfHealing Reiki can be done during the meditation.

Any level Reiki Practitioners. FREE! $15 value. Angelic Healing Center. Norwalk.

203.852.1150.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 Introduction to Reiki 9am-12pm. FREE! Valued at $25. 95 Harris Street. ReikiOvertones. Jim or Jeannette 203.254.3958.

“Manifest Your Dreams” Consultation, 11am4pm. Roberta Russell, LMT. 20-minute Personal Vibrational Reading: Gain insight into one’s relationship with the Law of Attraction and deepen one’s understanding of this powerful energy. FREE! Move2wellness. Ridgefield.

203.403.2522.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 Yoga on Summer Street 1pm. Join an open level Vinyasa (Flow) class at a beautiful studio in downtown Stamford, followed by a meditation. FREE! 201 Summer Street, 2nd Fl. 914.393.9221.

Withinsight’s Cake and Conversation, 7-9:30pm. Come learn about intriguing new offerings from Withinsight and about the Awesome Women’s Hub New England Tour.

Includes yummy desserts. FREE! Bloodroot Restaurant.

Bridgeport.

RSVP Valerie: 203.259.1561.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 Awakenings Celebration Presented by Sacred Doors 9am-5pm. A community holistic day of wellness & fun! Featuring morning yoga, energy healing and meditation, sacred drumming circle, breathwork, free reiki sessions. Keynote speaker Michael Pizhadze PhD, Quantum Physicist on vibrational frequency medicine. Each program is $5, or buy an all-inclusive day pass for $20.

Also, raffle tickets will be available for purchase ($5) to win 2 yoga classes, reiki healing sessions, energy healing meditation classes, one session of evox. Held at “The Green” park, between East Avenue & Park Street, Norwalk. 203.727.8685.

“Align & Strengthen Yoga 9-10:15am w/ Lara Ward of Lotus Gardens Yoga School.

FREE for new students! Jewish Community Center of Sherman, 9 Route 39 North, Sherman.

860.354.6241.

Intro to Reiki 9am-12pm. FREE! A $25 value.. ReikiOvertones. 95 Harris St. Fairfield.

203.254.3958.

5th Annual After Loss Expo: Messages of Hope & Eternal Love - Support – Reiki 10am - 5pm.

The After Loss Expo was created by renowned healer, Roland Comtois to bring options for

dealing with grief. Join amazing speakers, presenters, healers, and resource people who have volunteered their services, committed to loving and supporting you on your journey.

Also, scheduled is Channeled Messages for the Soul at 11am and 3pm. FREE! Stamford Plaza Hotel. 860.774.0897.

Yoga classes 1 & 3pm. FREE! No Place Like Om. 45 Padanaram Rd. Danbury. 203.743.6353.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 Meditative Kayaking Tour on the Saugatuck River 9-11:30am. The 1st of a series of 4 guided kayaking and meditation tours where the emphasis is on slowing down, becoming one with the water and environment and reconnecting to the authentic self. The 1st in this meditation & kayaking series is FREE to NA readers, thereafter they receive a 50% discount for the additional 3 tours held on: 9/18 in Westport 10am -12pm, 9/25 in Rowayton 10am-12pm, and 10/2 in Westport 10am-12pm. Regular price is $50 pp - includes kayak rental & instruction. Downunder Kayaking. Reserve and must mention Natural Awakenings for FREE offer: 203.956.6217.

Awakenings Celebration at Kindred Spirits 11:30am-5pm. A day of healing exploration.

Prema Agni Healing Circle at 11:30. Reiki and Rising Star sessions 1-5pm. FREE! Kindred Spirits. 59 Ledgewood Rd. Redding.

203.938.3690.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 Belly Dance Fusion 7pm. No experience necessary! Learn movements focusing on muscle isolation, core strength, and correct posture. Then practice movements with drills and stretches to all types of music cardio style. FREE! Move2wellness. Ridgefield. 203.403.2522.

Pressure Point Therapy Workshop ~ Acupuncture with your Fingers 7-8pm.

Complimentary massage for all who attend!

Presented by Physician’s Health & Injury Center.

FREE! Plaza Executive Suites, 100 Mill Plain Road, Danbury. 203.798.9355.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 Beginners Yoga Event at Nu~Yoga Studio 6pm. September is Beginners yoga month and we are celebrating YOU! Release stress and invite inner peace. Healthy refreshments served afterward. FREE to new & existing students as a special thank you for making Nu~Yoga your ‘home’ for yoga! 32-34 Main St. 203.854.6744.

Tap Your Tension Away 7pm. Learn the amazing healing technique E.F.T. (Emotional Freedom Technique). A simple yet remarkable healing system that reduces the stress that underlies much disease. FREE! Stephanie Dalfonzo, CHT. 152 Deer Hill Ave. #209. Danbury. 203.797.9288.

For the full list of FREE events, visit eNaturalAwakenings.com

W

ith gratitude to our partners who have co-created the Awakenings celebration with the collective intention of raising the vibration in Fairfield County.

We encourage our readers to take advantage of these wonderful free offers that they have so generously offered.

Angelic HealingCenter Anthony Smokovich Ariela Sarai Beyond Touch Body Essentials Cris Ann Mulreed Danbury Hypnosis Deb Bossio Downunder Kayaking Elan Vital Holistic Healing Finding Feathers Ginny Brown Harmony Yoga Interplay Health Jackie Tepper Jeanne Shanin Kaia Yoga Karen Siclare Kindred Spirits Limitless Possibilities Logan Wellness Lori Rafalof Lotus Gardens Yoga School Lynda Williams Maria Castillo Matt Wein Melissa Merendino Meta-Consciousness Journeys Michael Pizhadze Move2Wellness New Synthesis Naimo Provo Nu-Yoga Om Gaia Center for Meditation Physician’s Health & Injury Center Radiant Health Acupuncture Raema Salmon Reiki Overtones Rev. Carole Thomassy Roland Comtois Sacred Doors Sandra Eagle Sticks and Stones Farm Supreme Meditation Teresa Bulit-Gordon The Ananda Center The Magdalene The Little Red School of Art & Music The Recharging Station Trinity Productions Tulku Healing Vistar Foundation Wudang Tai Chi Withinsight Yoga Core Fitness Yoga for Everybody Yoga Shala Yoga Space 15love apparel

eNaturalAwakenings.com

September 2011

53

FREE classes & events throughout Fairfield County.

Visit eNaturalAwakenings.com for the full list & full details – offers added daily.

Limit one free class/event per person (per location) unless specified otherwise.

Limited spots available - so call NOW to reserve yours!

“Aligning With The Ascension in Meditation & Recognizing The Contribution You Are Here To Make To Realizing The Paradigm Shift Called For In Our Time.” 9:30-10:30am.

Also held 9/21, 8:30-9:30pm. Led by Sandra Eagle, LCSW. A teleseminar/telegathering in meditation offered. mp3 provided for those who register. FREE! 203.550.2111.

Free Health Matter Talk 7pm. Led by Nina Antolino, founder of Limitless Potential. FREE! TLC, 152 East Ave. Norwalk. 914.393.9221.

The Manifestation Survival Guide: Myths and Truths about the Law of Attraction 7-8:15pm.

Led by Rosario Mazer. FREE! Greenwich.

203.253.6733.

Awaken Your Inner Healer with Jeanne Shanin 4–5:30pm. A Reiki group experience of letting go and opening to healing, joy and transformation. Learn about universal lifeforce energy, which can be accessed through the practice of Reiki, and experience it through individual Reiki mini-treatments, guided healing meditation and revitalizing exercises. FREE! Pymander, Norwalk. 914.763.5650.

Avatar Belief Management Mini Course 6:309pm. Also held 9/21 or 9/28. The Avatar course contains a series of experiential exercises that enable people to let-go of their negative belief patterns and deliberately create an inspiring life.

FREE! Ariela Sarai. 64 Edgewood Rd. Fairfield.

203.249.5203.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

Minding Your Soul’s Purpose 6:30-8pm. An experiential workshop including meditation and relaxation exercises with a group discussion about developing one’s inner wisdom. Led by Maria Castillo, LCSW. FREE! Monroe. 203.445.8966.

Understanding Chiropractic and Reconnective Healing: Energetic Healing from the Inside Out 1pm. FREE! The Recharging Station. Bethel. 203.748.1941.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

Conscious Breath, Conscious Bliss Guided Meditation 7-8pm. Relax & release stress as one breathes one way into the bliss of the Dalai Lama’s vision of peace & oneness Om Gaia.

FREE! Montessori Middle School. 24 Lois St. Norwalk. 203.226.1139.

Introduction to Reiki 7-8:30pm. FREE! Kindred Spirits 59 Ledgewood Rd. Redding.

203.938.3690.

Intro to Reiki 7:30 pm. In this introduction to Reiki you will learn how Reiki can help you & why it is popular & powerful in helping with pain reduction/stress reduction and healing. Receive a mini-Reiki session. FREE! Angelic Healing Center, 7 Morgan Ave. Norwalk. 203.852.1150 Meditation 7:30-8:30pm. Learn to meditate effectively using a time-honored approach to Meditation that has been practiced for centuries.

Led by Supreme Meditation Yogis. FREE! 21 Sega Dr. New Milford. 860.354.9516.

Intro to the Prema Agni Symbol 7:309:30pm. Also held 9/22. What it means, what it does and the sacred geometry included in the symbol. An experiential playshop – learn how to draw it on any person, animal, or place. Also learn about the Rising Star and Prema Birthing Healing Modalities. Light Drinks/Snack. FREE! Stamford. Lori Rafalof: 203.276.8755. Space is limited to 12.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 Ascended Master Intuitive Readings w/ Sandra 9am - 4pm. FREE! Body Essentials Holistic Spa & Wellness Center. 18 Mill Plain Rd. Danbury. 203.743.1132.

“Aligning With The Ascension Through Breathwork & Recognizing The Contribution You Are Here To Make To Realizing The Paradigm Shift Called For In Our Time” 9:30-12:30. Led by Sandra Eagle, LCSW. FREE! Stamford/Greenwich. 203.550.2111.

The Universal Reiki Plan 11am-1pm. FREE! Valued at $25. Bloodroot Vegetarian Restaurant.

Bridgeport. ReikiOvertones. Jim or Jeannette: 203.254.3958.

Awakenings Celebration at Sticks and Stones Farm 1-5pm. A day of inspiration and exploration held on the 60 acre grounds of this beautiful, natural space, featuring Labyrinth Walk w/Quartz Crystal Bowl concert, Tarot workshop, Yoga, Nature Walk, Whole Grain Bread Demo, “Understanding and Experiencing Healing Energy” lecture, Ukulele sing-a-long, Kombucha Tea Demonstration, and much more.

FREE! Healthy lunch available for purchase.

Sticks and Stones Farm. 201 Huntingtown Rd. Newtown. 203.270.8820.

EFT – Emotional Freedom Technique 1pm. Presented by Toni Demato. FREE! The Recharging Station. Bethel. 203.748.1941.

Tai Chi Easy, Yoga, & Meditation class 1:302:30. Join Barbara Jennings for an experiential sampling of tai chi, yoga and meditation. Get a taste of how these practices may healthfully guide and benefit your physical, emotional, mental, & spiritual wellbeing. All levels welcome. FREE! Move2Wellness. Ridgefield. 203.403.2522.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 “Mary Magdalene, Soul Teacher” 6-8 pm. A lecture/discussion on a masterful spiritual healer and guide, whose energy is still felt and so badly needed in the world today. FREE! Norwalk.

Lorraine Gengo: 914.844.4294.

Easy Flow Yoga w/Lara Ward of Lotus Gardens Yoga School 6:30-7:30pm. FREE for new students! New Fairfield Consolidated School, 1 Gillotti Road. 860.354.6241.

“Choosing Alternative Healing” 6:30-8pm.

Workshop and group discussion about listening to your inner guidance or intuition when choosing alternative healing for your self or family member. We will explore meditation and a variety of healing modalities such a massage, energy healing and using art as a tool. FREE! Tulku Healing, Easton. Anna: 203.216.5197.

Introduction to Buddhism 7-8:30pm. FREE! Kindred Spirits. 59 Ledgewood Rd. Redding.

203.938.3690.

For the full list of FREE events, visit eNaturalAwakenings.com 54

Fairfield County Edition

natural awakenings

Intuitive Readings w/Melissa Merendino 11am to 3pm. 20 minute sessions. This session begins with grounding and chakra alignment followed by an intuitive reading using Tarot cards and other oracles. Melissa will call in your personal guides angels and animal totems for a holistic point of view of your life. FREE! Move2Wellness. Ridgefield. 203.403.2522.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 Awakening into Oneness 7-8:15pm. Book presentation by Rosario Mazer, written by Arjuna Andargh. FREE! Greenwich. 203.253.6733.

Kundalini Yoga for Stress Reduction w/ Jeanne Sevapreet Kaur Shanin 7pm. Learn powerful techniques to handle stress and excel in these intense and transformational times. No previous experience needed. Free up energy blocked in your body by emotional stress. FREE! Move2Wellness. Ridgefield. 203.403.2522.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 Channeled Messages from Spirit for Life 7:30pm w/Ginny Brown. FREE! Monroe.

203.268.3262.

Om Gaia Live in Concert 7:30-9pm. Join Best New Artist Terri Liles Mason on the mystical journey of Terri’s debut CD Om Gaia which soothes the soul. FREE! Montessori Middle School. 24 Lois St. Norwalk. 203.226.1139.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 Chair Yoga for Seniors w/Lara Ward of Lotus Gardens Yoga School 10:30-11:15am. FREE for new students! Sherman Senior Center, 8 Route 37 Center. 860.354.6241 Fertility Yoga & Meditation class 6pm.

Followed by talk at 7:30pm: “The Empowered Path to Fertility...A Success Story”. FREE! TLC, Norwalk. 914.393.9221.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 Customized Energywork Session 9am1pm. “Balance, Relax & Restore” 20 minute customized sessions w/Lynda Williams of Natural Body Works. Bring a sense of balance into your everyday life and become more aware on an internal level. Sessions incorporate CranioSacral Therapy, Zero Balancing, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Reiki, MyoFascial Release Therapy, Shiatsu and Acupressure. FREE! Move2Wellness. Ridgefield. 203.438.7594.

Radiant Health Acupuncture Happy Hour 6pm. This group-setting treatment utilizes five needles positioned in each ear. The specific points are chosen to help detox the body and mind of environmental toxins. FREE! Move2wellness.

Ridgefield. 203.403.2522.

Angel Card Reading 7pm -9pm. Learn how to do an angel card reading for yourself. Includes flyers and meditation to help you connect to your angels. FREE! Angelic Healing Center. 7 Morgan Ave. Norwalk. 203.852.1150.

Pressure Point Therapy Workshop ~ Acupuncture with your Fingers 7-8pm.

Complimentary massage for all who attend!

Presented by Physician’s Health & Injury Center. FREE! Ridgefield Library, 472 Main St. 203.798.9355.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 “Awaken to Life Through Love” 6:30-8:00 pm.

Join us for an evening with modern day Mystic Birinder Bhullar as he guides us to create lasting happiness by integrating Love into every aspect of life: Relationships, health, work, purpose, sleep and the flow of giving and receiving. $51 (FREE for those that RSVP by 9/27 and mention Natural Awakenings!). The Ananda Center. 16 Forest St. New Canaan. 203.273.8364.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2 Awakenings Celebration - Evolution of the Body: Health and Spirit 2-5pm. Presented

by Dr. Ron Friedman, co-founder of Vistar Foundation and Dr. Joel Evans, national expert in Mind/Body medicine. Includes participation in a Vistar. Evolutionary Circle to raise the frequency of Fairfield County, and more to come! FREE! Stamford. 203.858.9502.

Withinsight’s Autumn Bonfire 6:30-9:30pm. A women’s gathering to celebrate abundance and release what is finished from the season. Meet members of Withinsight’s spiritual community.

FREE! Withinsight Temple Home. Monroe.

RSVP Lisa: 203.445.0117.

Awakenings Celebration at Finding Feathers Begins 9am w/ Yoga. Come enjoy a day of healing, energy, and workshops with us. 10:30am Meditation, 12pm Reiki Sessions, 2pm What I Know to Be True workshop, 4pm Relationships Workshop, 5pm Sacred Dance. FREE! Finding Feathers. Fairfield. 203.916.7887.

Bioenergy Screening w/Karen Drena of Elan Vital Holistic Healing. Learn how it can help you achieve a healthier life. FREE! 540 Tunxis Hill Rd. Fairfield. 203.331.1861.

“Self Hypnosis for Healing” workshop 12pm.

Hypnosis can be a valuable tool helping people reduce stress, quit smoking, lose weight & overcome fears. FREE! Stephanie Dalfonzo, CHT. 152 Deer Hill Ave. #209. Danbury.

203.797.9288.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 Awakenings Celebration at Move2Wellness An all-day healing arts celebration. Featuring Kundalini Yoga, Hypnosis, North American Power: Save.Share.Give, Tibetan Singing Bowls, Meditation, Qi Gong and more to come! FREE! Move2Wellness. Ridgefield. 203.403.2522.

Yoga for Fertility and Free Talk 12pm.

FREE! Kaia Yoga. 1200 Post Rd. Westport.

914.393.9221.

Hope Grows . . . With Every Step Honor a loved one in a monumental way.

Inscribe a brick today and help us complete the Timothy Kelly Terrace, step by step.

To order a brick, go to: www.annsplace.org For more information, call Ann’s Place (203) 790-6568.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

Dedicated to Men, Women and Children Touched by Cancer

September 2011

55

CLICK!

Point Your Life in a Healthy Direction Fairfield County’s most extensive online collection of articles, local resources & events, contests, back issues, and much more, that support and inspire a healthy, sustainable lifestyle. FREE website calendar listings for those that qualify. Now just a click away!

FAIRFIELD COUNTY EDITION

eNaturalAwakenings.com 56

Fairfield County Edition

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calendarofevents Magazine calendar events must be received by September 5th (for October issue) and adhere to our guidelines. All calendar submissions must be entered online at eNaturalAwakenings.com - click on “submit calendar” at the very top of the page.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 Rawology 101 + Raw Food Prep 6:30pm. Recipes will be prepped and sampled. Rawology focuses on the cool and different on the shelves at the Cafe. $10. Catch A Healthy Habit Café. 39 Unquowa Rd. Fairfield. 203.292.8190.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 Mindfulness and Healing 5:45-7pm. Also 9/14, 9/21, 9/28. Beginner’s mind, patience, acceptance, let go, let be, serenity is not freedom from the storm it is peace amidst the storm. Paul Epstein, ND. $25.

Shamatha Yoga. Stamford. 203.722.2358.

Talk on Menopause: Taking a Holistic Path through Menopause 7pm w/ Karen Siclare, M.S./Nutritionist and Assistant Director of the Graduate Program in Nutrition. Attendees receive a 25% coupon from Whole Health LLC. Free.

Move2wellness. Ridgefield. 203.403.2522.

Jobseeker Special: Defining What’s Next – Strategies for a Career Change 7pm. Join career coach & assessment specialist Laura Powers for an Interactive workshop to help clarify the next right career fit. Free. Westport Library. 203.291.4800.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FIBROMAYGIA & CHRONIC PAIN LECTURE Wednesday, 9/7 • 7pm Lecture presented by Dr. Scott Bender, about a highly effective treatment – a gentle, drug-free, and natural approach called Atlas Orthogonal which has helped thousands of patients regain their health.

Greenwich Library, 101 West Putnam Ave. RSVP: 203.967.8888. Limited seating.

ConnecticutSpineAndHealth.com

of Restorative Yoga. $35 if paid by 9/3. Yoga for Everybody. 27 Unquowa Rd. Fairfield. 203.254.

YOGA.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Full Moon Meditation Circle 7-8 pm. Come with an open heart and think of an intention to set for the evening. $20. Fairfield. Contact Denise: 203.916.7887.

What I Know To Be True – A Day Retreat Saturday, September 17 • 9am-3pm

Bernie Siegel Presents: “Reflections on the Art of Living and Healing“ 7-9pm. A small group workshop in three evenings. Series: $90/3 classes.

Takes place at The Graduate Institute in Bethany.

RSVP: 203.874.4252.

Experiential day retreat; learn to tap into your inner truth & start living a more centered, peaceful & conscious life.

Led by authors Caroline Temple, LCSW and Lisa Jacoby. $150. Held at Dolce, Norwalk.

Register: 203.866.9333.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 Live an Extraordinary Life 9-10:45am w/ Dr. Lori Breiner. Also held 9/15, & 9/22. A 3 week intensive program to super charge one’s life. 5520 Park Ave. Trumbull. Register: 203.930.3133.

Keys to Longevity and Vibrant Health 6:30pm.

Author, Naturopathic Doctor, Certified Nutritionist Dr. Craig Sommers will cover nutrition essential to longevity, cancer prevention, safe cellular phone use. $15. Catch A Healthy Habit. 203. 292.8190.

Happiness through Meditation, Awakening Joy 12:45-2pm. Also held 9/15, 9/22, 9/29. Join Dr. Paul Epstein for teachings, practice, book signing. $25/4 for $80. Pymander Books. 37 Wall St. Norwalk. 203.854.5596.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 Family Yoga 2:30-3:30pm. Calling all mothers, fathers, siblings, and family members. Yoga really is for everybody. Designed for children (ages 5-12 yrs) & adults! $15/pp if paid by 9/3. Yoga for Everybody. 27 Unquowa Rd. Fairfield. 203.254.

YOGA. Restorative Yoga: The Antidote for Stress 4-6pm. With abundant stress in one’s life, relief is in sight. Come experience medicinal potency

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 Free Informational Session on Osteopathic Medicine 7pm. Presented by Dr. Hannah Eucker.

Free. Osteopathic Wellness Center, 158 Danbury Rd. Suite 6. Ridgefield. 203.438.9915.

A Woman’s Circle 7-9pm. 2nd Tuesday monthly.

Create sacred space through ceremony, meditation and sharing. Connect, give and receive support, reflect, honor and explore life and choices. $40/ month, $140/4 months. Sticks & Stones Farm.

Newtown. RSVP: 203.226.8897.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 Tending Your Inner Garden 12-2:30pm South Salem or 7-8:30pm Ridgefield. Also held 9/21 & 9/28 & 10/ 5. A psychologist & nutritionist helps women safely identify & change unhealthy

MARK YOUR CALENDAR Tending Your Inner Garden Wednesdays, September 14, 21, 28 & October 5 4-week program. Identify and change emotions and behaviors that no longer serve you, helping to nurture a healthy relationship with food, your body & the important people in your life.

Led by Dr. Stacy Raymond, and Renee A. Simon, MS, CNS. $199.

12-1:30 at 15 Gibert St, South Salem, NY or 7-8:30 at 38B Grove St, Ridgefield, CT.

Register/Info: 914.763.9107

Vibrant Health • Colon Hydrotherapy NEW LOCATION! • Massage Therapy Mountain Therapeutics • Weight Loss Wellness Center / Georgetown • Cleanse Protocols Ridgefield off Rte. 7 • Balance Blood Sugar Marisa DelMonaco • (203) 544-1090

Licensed Massage Therapist • Certified Colon Hydrotherapist • Holistic Health Coach • Over 20 years experience

A safe haven for women’s gatherings of empowerment, spirituality and growth.

Spiritual Life Coaching Retreats • Workshops Sacred Circles • Rites of Passage

womenwithinsight.com Women’s Wisdom ~ Spirit’s Spark eNaturalAwakenings.com

Lisa Meade, Ph.D. Valerie Wilke, M.S.W. Monroe, CT (203) 445-0117

September 2011

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR Saturday, September 24 • 9am-1pm Passion & Purpose: Foundations I & II A Women’s Empowerment Journey

Fairfield

Farmers’ Markets All farmers’ markets feature organic produce, pasture-raised meats, homeade foods and desserts, flowers and local artists.

Bethel Farmers’ Market Saturdays, 9am-1pm • June 25 – November 5 Rt. 6, 67 Stony Hill Rd., across from Stony Hill Inn BethelFarmersMarket.org

Rowayton Farmers’ Market Fridays, 12-5pm • June 3 – October Pinkney Park, 177 Rowayton Ave. RowaytonCT.com/FarmersMarket

Bridgeport Farmers’ Market Thursdays, 2-6pm • June 23 – October 27 United Congregational Church, 877 Park Ave.

Ridgefield Farmers’ Market Fridays, 2-6pm • June 10 – September 30 Governor St. (near old Balducci’s)

Bridgeport - Downtown Farmers’ Market Tuesdays, 10am-2pm • July 5 – September 27 McLevy Green, Corner of Main St. & State St.

Sandy Hook Organic Farmers’ Market Tuesday, 2-6pm • June 28 – October 18 Wasserman Way, Fairfield Hills Campus SandyHookOrganicFarmersMarket.org

Danbury Farmers’ Market Fridays, 11am-4pm • July 8 – October 28 Kennedy Park, Main St. Darien Farmers’ Market Wednesdays, 11am-6pm • May 11 – December 21 Mechanic St., behind Fire House Fairfield - Greenfield Hills Farmers’ Market Saturdays, 12:30-4pm • June 4 – October 29 Greenfield Hills, 1950 Bronson Rd. Georgetown Farmers’ Market Sundays, 10am-2pm • May 22 – October 30 4 Old Mill Rd. GeorgetownCTFarmersMarket.com Greenwich Farmers’ Market Saturdays, 9:30am-1pm May 14 – November 19 Commuter Parking Lot, Exit 3 off I-95, Arch St. & Horseneck Ln. Monroe Farmers’ Market Fridays, 3-6pm • June 24 – October 21 Monroe Town Green, Fan Hill Rd. & Rte. 111 MonroeFarmersMarket.org New Canaan Farmers’ Market Saturdays, 10am-2pm • May 14 – November 19 Old Center School Parking Lot, South Ave. & Maple St. NewCanaanFarmersMarket.net Norwalk - Calvary Baptist Church Farmers’ Market Mondays, 3-6pm • June 13 – October 31 21 Concord St. Norwalk - Health Department Farmers’ Market Wednesdays, 11am-3pm • July 6 – November 2 137 East Ave., Norwalk Health Department

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Fairfield County Edition

Shelton Farmers’ Market Wednesdays, 3-6pm & Saturdays, 9am-1pm June 4 – October 29 Corner of Cornell St. & Canal St. Shelton - Jones Family Farm Farmers’ Market Fridays, 3:30-6:30pm • July – August 606 Walnut Tree Hill Rd. Stamford High Ridge Farmers’ Market Wednesdays & Sundays, 10am-4pm June 18 – October 29 High Ridge Shopping Center Stamford Museum & Nature Center Farmers’ Market Fridays, 10am-2pm • June 10 – October 28 39 Scofieldtown Rd, Upper Parking Lot Stratford Farmers’ Market Mondays, 1-6pm • June 27 – October 31 Deluca Field, Main St.

Learn empowerment techniques, tap your personal power, discover core limiting beliefs, unlock blocks and embrace new possibilities.

Through self-discovery, visualization, yoga & more…create the life you want!

Also in a 2-part class: 10/1 (l) & 10/8 (ll) at 9-11am.

TLC Norwalk. $75 or $60 before 9/24 Pre-registration required. 914.393.9221 behaviors that block self-acceptance. $199/4 weeks. 914.763.9107.

Natural Solutions to Insomnia and Sleep Disturbance 7pm. Join Naturopathic Doctor Deb Bossio for an in depth discussion on how to get a good night sleep. Free. Move2wellness. Ridgefield.

203.403.2522.

Thursday, September 15 Green Homes: Indoor Air Quality 6-8:30pm.

Polluted air inside can be avoided. Pollutants come from construction and decoration materials which constantly off-gas toxics. How to remodel without harming the air quality. $20/person. RSVP Jeff: 203.869.5272 x239.

Want a Life filled with Miracles? 7pm. Catch A Healthy Habit is playing host: Gabby Bernstein is on tour for Spirit Junkie: A Radical Road to SelfLove and Miracles. $20 includes book. Community Theatre, 1424 Post Rd. Fairfield. 203.292.8190.

The 8 Myths vs. Realities of the College Essay 7pm. The personal essay is one of the most important parts of a college application. Liz Hirsch, of Ultimate Essay, talks about the biggest mistakes high school applicants make & how to avoid them. Westport Library, McManus Room.

Free. 203.291.4800.

Eliminating the Harmful Effects of Stress 7-8pm. Complimentary massage for all who attend! Free. Ridgefield Library, 472 Main Street, Ridgefield. 203.798.9355.

Trumbull Farmers’ Market Thursdays, 2-6pm • June 16 – October 27 Long Hill Green, Main St. Westport Farmers’ Market Thursdays, 10am-2pm • May 26 – November 3 26 Imperial Ave., Municipal Parking Lot Westport - Sunday Farmers’ Market Sundays, 10am-1pm • May 22 – Novemer 20 Saugatuck Congregational Church, 245 Post Rd. E. Wilton Farmers’ Market Wednesdays, 2-6pm • May 25 – September 28 224 Danbury Rd., Wilton Historical Society

natural awakenings

For the full list of FREE events, visit eNaturalAwakenings.com

MARK YOUR CALENDAR GODDESS REMEMEBERED DAY RETREAT Saturday, September 17 This powerful full day retreat includes new tools for revitalization, a day of inner peace, rejuvenation and pampering with a light lunch, refreshments, meditation spaces, Jacuzzi, and steam shower. Presented by Dr. Carole Thomassy, PhD, Logan Wellness, and Sacred Doors.

Location: Carole’s Sanctuary, Stamford. $250 Register: GoddessRemembered.com, 203.727.8685 or 888.966.9825 Learning and Thinking vs. Teaching and Education 7-9pm. An interactive panel discussion on Transformative Education. The Graduate Institute. 171 Amity Rd. Bethany. RSVP: 203.874.4252.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 Dr. Phineas’s Magical Emporium presents The Dragon and the Pepper: A Puppet Extravaganza 11am & 2pm. All ages. A tale of a chef who was banished from his homeland, only to make friends with a fire breathing dragon. $15. The Ridgefield Playhouse. 203.438.5795.

Hip Hop Yoga Dance 2:30-4pm. Get in the yoga groove with this upbeat yoga and basic hip hop and break dance class. $25 if paid by 9/10. Yoga for Everybody. 27 Unquowa Rd. Fairfield. 203.254.

YOGA.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 Sacred Healing Gathering 9am-11am. Includes opening meditation, a healing presentation by dynamic speaker, walk of intention at layrinth, group reflection & closing meditation. Donation.

Sticks and Stones Farm 201 Huntingtown Rd. Newtown. RSVP Joanne White: 203.270.8820.

Music with Celtic Cross 2pm. A 7 piece pop/ folk group led by singer-songwriter Kathleen Fee that blends Irish-Americana with a diverse musical background. Free. McManus Room. Westport.

203.291.4800.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 Ecotherapy and Cultural Sustainability 7-9 pm.

Information Session on a new certificate program.

The Graduate Institute. 171 Amity Rd. Bethany.

RSVP: 203.874.4252.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 Registration Deadline for Fall Semester classes Explore a new career in Massage Therapy by taking a tour of the campus and speaking with instructors today! Ridley-Lowell Business & Technical Institute. 24 Shelter Rock Rd. Danbury.

203.797.0551.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 Advanced Reiki Training Intro 9am-12pm.

Applied toward Advanced Reiki Training:16pm. $25. ReikiOvertones. Jim or Jeannette: 203.254.3958.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

AWAKENINGS September 2011

A community celebration presented

by Natural Awakenings Sample FREE classes & workshops all throughout September, all throughout Fairfield County!

Yoga, Meditation, Reiki, Energy Healing, Spirituality, and more.

PLUS, attend an Awakenings celebration at a location near you: 9/10 5th Annual After Loss Expo presented by Roland Comtois, Stamford 9/10 at Sacred Doors, Norwalk 9/11 at Kindred Spirits, Redding 9/17 at Sticks and Stones Farm, Newtown 9/24 at Finding Feathers, Fairfield 9/25 at Move2Wellness, Ridgefield 10/2 at Vistar Foundation, Stamford Learn about the benefits of yoga and meditations, the power of energy healing, how to discover your life purpose, and how to develop your intuition.

To view the full list of free events visit:

eNaturalAwakenings.com

eNaturalAwakenings.com

September 2011

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR A WOMAN’S HEALING RETREAT Saturday, September 25th • 10am-4pm Nurture mind, body and spirit. We will create sacred space through ceremony, meditation, reflecting and sharing. The day also includes a yoga class, labyrinth walk and healing circle.

Presented by: Patricia Singer, LAc, LMT, Interfaith Minister. $140 for the day includes lunch and materials.

Library (Union Park) to South Norwalk Branch through Matthews Park-the Maritime Center back to 1 Belden Ave. 203.899.2780.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Séance ~ Messages from the Dead 1-3pm. Find comfort and closure from grief with Medium Joan Carra. Everyone gets a message. $50. Greenwich.

203.531.6387.

Conscious Conception Series Mondays • 7:30 – 9:30pm Starts October 3

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 Eliminating the Harmful Effects of Stress 7-8pm. Complimentary massage for all who attend! Free. Plaza Executive Suites, 100 Mill Plain Road, Danbury. 203.798.9355.

Enhance your fertility w/ Integrative approaches (acupuncture, yoga, nutrition, core energetics, Creighton, reiki, meditation). Weekly experts.

10/3 features Dr. Joel Evans, national expert in Mind/Body Medicine & author, Whole Pregnancy Handbook, and Nina Antolino, Fertility Empowerment Coach. $40, 8/$240 by 10/3, or 8/$160 by 9/15.

GREEN LIVING ON A BLUE PLANET

Sticks and Stones Farm, 201 Huntingtown Road, Newtown Ct. SticksAndStonesFarm.com Call 203.270.8820 to register.

16 CE Credits - Weekend Hands on Workshop w/Dr. Joe Muscolino 9am-6pm. 9/24 & 9/25: Clinical orthopedic techniques for the shoulder girdle & upper extremities. Ridley-Lowell Danbury. RSVP:203.748.0052.

TLC Norwalk. Preregistration required.

914.393.9221, nantolino@aol.com.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27

Classes begin @ Ridley-Lowell Business & Technical Institute 24 Shelter Rock Rd. Danbury.

For more info about all programs please call: 203.797.0551.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 Questions & Answers about Reiki 7-9:30pm w/ Gigi Benanti, Reiki Master/Teacher. Dr. Oz loves Reiki. Talk about Reiki w/ Q & A’s. Non-Reiki: 7-8:15pm $5 and for Reiki practitioners: 8:159:30pm $10. Angelic Healing Center. Norwalk.

Pre-register: 203.852.1150.

Tips for peopleFindand businesses in Your Right Work 7-9pm. An interactive workshop in four evenings. Also held 10/4, 10/11, 10/18 & 10/25.

Offered by The Graduate Institute.

Natural Awakenings’ October edition.

RSVP: 203.874.4252.

Body Bliss: Embracing our Physical Selves 1-3pm. Explore 3 steps toward the embrace of our physical selves: self-compassion, self-study & self-forgetting. $35 if paid by 9/17. Yoga for Everybody. 27 Unquowa Rd. Fairfield. 203.254.

YOGA.

EEN LIVING ON A BLUE PLANET SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Angel Card Reading 7-9:30pm w/ Gigi Benanti Usui/Karuna Reiki Master/Teacher. Introduction to Angel card reading for oneself and others. Learn techniques to help connect with one’s angels. $28.

Angelic Healing Center. 7 Morgan Ave. Norwalk.

Pre-register: 203.852.1150.

Run Between The Libraries 5K Family Run/ Walk-Norwalk 9am. Proceeds to Children’s programs. Win Prizes! Kids have fun run! Main

OC COM TO ING I BE N R

for people and businesses in Awakenings’ October edition.

GREEN LIVING ON A BLUE PLANET

Tips for people and businesses in Natural Awakenings’ October edition.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1 Passion & Purpose Part I - Foundations 9am11am. Also Part II 10/8 @ 9-11am. Women’s Empowerment Journey. Learn empowerment techniques, tap one’s personal power, unlock blocks, embrace new possibilities. Through selfdiscovery, visualization, yoga, and more! $60/2.

TLC. Norwalk. 914.393.9221.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1 HawkWatch Weekend Festival & Green Bazaar 11am-5pm Also held Sunday.

Kids activities, great food, eco-friendly businesses, and the famous live birds of prey shows presented

by Talons: A Bird of Prey Experience. Questions Jeff Cordulack: 203.869.5272 x239.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 3 Conscious Conception Series 7:30pm. Prepare body, mind and spirit for a healthy journey to conception. Practitioners share integrative approaches of acupuncture, nutrition, yoga, relaxation, core energetics to support preconception health. $40 or 8/$240, 8/$160 by 9/15. TLC Norwalk. 914.393.9221.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

AWAKEN FAIR OC COM TO ING I BE N R

November 19

For more information about advertising and how you can participate, call 203.885.4674 60

Fairfield County Edition

natural awakenings

Doubletree Hotel • Tarrytown, NY 10591 Our 10th Anniversary Year!

The BIGGEST Body-Mind-Spirit-Green Fair north of NYC! www.AwakenFair.com Sponsors, Exhibitors, Speakers: www.ThePractitioners.com

ongoingevents

sunday Choosing Joy Allison Spitzer, Expressive Therapeutic Coach. Re-charge, renew, & refresh your relationships and your outlook. Engaging, creative activities and dialogue. By appointment: $50/couple.

Periwinkle Health. Trumbull. 203.261.7615.

Gentle Yoga 8:30am. Beginners welcome. 8 classes for $80 or $12 per class. Jazzercise Fitness Center, 633 Hope St. Stamford. 203.845.8856.

Pass also good for Monday 7:30pm class.

Reiki Practitioners needed any/every Sunday 10am-12pm. ReikiOvertones held at Home for the Elderly. Fairfield. For more info call Jeannette or Jim: 203.254.3958.

Sunday Worship 11am-12:15pm. Doors open at 10:30am for Silent Prayer and Meditation.

Worship service integrates music, prayer, healing, meditation, inspiration and Spirit Communication.

Albertson Memorial Church of Spiritualism. 293 Sound Beach Ave. Old Greenwich. 203.637.4615.

New Eckankar Class: The Call of Soul 11am12:30pm. 3rd Sunday monthly. Book discussion.

Learn to go inside oneself because this is the source of all Truth. Newtown. Register: 203.417.8434.

Taoist Qi Gong and Chen Style Tai Ji 3pm w/ Master Wanf Feng Ming. 4-90 minute classes/ $100. 1018 Hope St. Stamford. Please contact Luis: 203.570.1752.

Lecture or Workshop with Mystic Birinder Bhullar 4-6pm. Topics: Happiness, Karma, Sex, Money, Energy, Relationships, etc. Deep meditation work also presented. Birinder is a Sufi Messenger of Truth. $40. Ananda Center. New Canaan. Call Anne: 203.273.7364.

Svaroopa® Stress Relief Yoga 9:30am, 11am & 5:45pm w/ Mazie. Rejuvenating and bliss-filled (yin & yang) asana and pranayama practice unravels tension, increase circulation, flexibility, energy, enhancing immune system. $20. $150/10 classes.

Catch Your Breath. Fairfield. 203.255.9111.

Meditation 7pm. Led by rotating practitioners.

Free. Move2wellness. 635 Danbury Rd. Ridgefield.

203.403.2522.

Children’s Expression Sessions 4:15-5:15 p.m.

Playful, creative arts workshops enhance self image and esteem. Ages 8-12. $35/session. Allison Spitzer 203.261.7615.

monday Pilates Mat Class 9am w/ Megan Bascom, Instructor. Basic level class focused on the principles of Pilates including alignment, breath, and core strengthening. A great place to start or strengthen technique. $20. Black Rock Pilates.

2889 Fairfield Ave. RSVP: 203.335.1987.

Be Strong, Stretched & Center Yoga 9-10:15am w/ Lara Ward. Also held Fridays. Bring healthy alignment to the body while finding the centered calm within oneself. Jewish Community Center. Sherman.

10 classes/$130. Drop-in $17. 860.354.6241.

Group Cycling Classes 9:15am. Also on Saturday & Sunday. Various times thru-out the week. Enjoy different instructors for each class.

All levels welcome. No-Limit Health & Fitness.

1120 Federal Rd. Brookfield. Call for complete scheduling: 203.775.8548.

e e r f it’s

The EDGE Learning System 5 & 6pm. Ages 6-12.

Groups enhance the child’s motor, speech, reading, math, social and visual skills improving grades, performance and self esteem. $50. Total Learning and Therapy Center. Trumbull. 203.268.8852.

Family Karate Night 5:30-6:30pm. June Fagan teaches Kempo Karate to families. No experience required. $20 each or $60 for a family of 4 or more.

Kindred Spirits. 59 Ledgewood Rd. Redding.

Please call: 203.938.3690.

The Art of Creating a Fertile Life: Fertility Empowerment Circles 5:30-7pm & 7:30-9pm.

Be supported and empowered through one’s fertility journey. Prepare one’s mind/body/spirit to blossom into ones fullest potential and consciously create the life one wants. 4/$120. TLC. Norwalk.

914.393.9221.

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On Your Favorite Natural and Eco-Friendly Products and Services

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September 2011

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Conscious Conception Seminar Series 7:30pm.

Prepare one’s body, mind and spirit for a healthy journey to conception. Be educated, empowered by local practitioners who share integrative approaches to support preconception health. TLC Norwalk. $40 or 8/$240, 8/$160 by 9/15. 914.393.9221.

Intermediate Yoga Class at Nu~Yoga Studio 6-7:30pm w/ Sally Grillo. Also on Wednesdays.

Welcome to a yoga class created for intermediate level students. Connect to inner calm and emerge refreshed and renewed.$20. 32-34 Main St. Ste. 6.

Norwalk. 203.854.6744.

The Thought Exchange 7pm w/ David Friedman.

No Classes in August. A support group based on having new thoughts. What if what one’s life just mirrors one’s thoughts? Cost: Love Offering.

Unity Center for Practical Spirituality. 3 Main St. Norwalk. 203.855.7922.

Intro to Yoga w/ Barbara 7pm. Learn basic postures to help strengthen the body and relax the mind. 6 classes/$96. Santosha Center for Yoga & Health. 27 Hawleyville Rd. Newtown.

203.364.0851.

Belly Dance Fusion 7-8:30pm w/ Naima Provo, LMT, RMT. No experience necessary! Learn movements focusing on muscle isolation, core strength, and correct posture. Drills and stretches to music cardio style. Move2wellness. 635 Danbury Rd. Ridgefield. 203.403.2522.

Gentle/Intermediate Yoga 7:30pm. Kripalu/ Vinyasa Style. $12/class or 8 classes/$80.

Jazzercise Fitness Studio. 633 Hope St. Stamford.

203.845.8856.

Gentle Yoga 7:30pm. Beginners welcome. 8 classes for $80 or $12 per class. Jazzercise Fitness Center, 633 Hope St. Stamford. 203.845.8856.

Pass also good for Sunday 8:30am class.

Group Therapy for Men and Women 8-9:30pm w/ Sandra Eagle, LCSW. Begins 2/28. Combines techniques from meditative and psychotherapeutic traditions promoting healing and expanding consciousness. 8 sessions. Ongoing sessions available. 34 E Putnam Ave. Greenwich. Info/fees: 203.550.2111.

tuesday Summer Expression Sessions! Allison Spitzer, Expressive Therapeutic Coach Creative arts workshops. Children’s self esteem blooms through imaginative, no-pressure projects and activities.

Ages 9-12 By appointment: $35/session Periwinkle Health. Trumbull. 203.261.7615.

Women’s Karate Class 9:30-10:30am. June Fagan teaches Kempo Karate to women of all ages.

No experience required. $20. Kindred Spirits. 59 Ledgewood Rd. Redding. 203.938.3690.

Pilates Plus w/ Sally Grillo 9:30-10:30am. Pilates exercises enhance health, strengthen muscles and create length throughout the body. For all levels with modifications for injuries and limitations. $20.

Nu-Yoga Studio. 32-34 Main St. Suite 6 Norwalk.

203.854.6744.

Iyengar Style Yoga 9:30-10:45am w/ David Schoenberg. Beginners Class (does not mean easy, but accommodating with use of props). Practice asanas and pranayama: develop strength, balance,

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Fairfield County Edition

poise. $15. Redding Meditation Center. 9 Picketts Ridge. Redding. 203.544.1090.

Yoga on Summer 12:30-1:30pm. Also held Thursday. Create balance, relaxation, flexibility, strength, and flow in one’s body and life. Mixed Level Vinyasa Yoga in an open, relaxing dance studio. 4/ $60; $17 drop-in. Downtown Stamford.

914.393.9221.

Feldenkrais® classes 5:45-6:45pm. Lisa Shufro, certified instructor, leads this gentle tune-up for mind and body. Great for flexibility, better posture, and stress relief. $20. Dew Yoga. Stamford.

203.274.5085.

Gentle Hatha Yoga w/ Letty 5:45-7pm. All ages & abilities. $20/class. Classes ongoing. Greenwich Senior & Arts Center. 2nd Fl. Meeting Room. 299 Greenwich Ave. 203.862.6750.

Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajam 6pm w/Beth Amrit Sadhana Kaur Mullin, IKYT. $15.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Danbury.

24 Clapboard Ridge. Danbury. 845.661.3630.

Beginners Yoga class at Nu-Yoga Studio 6-7:30pm w/ Sally Grillo. Uplifting class to learn about yoga, reduce stress and clearing the mind.

This class includes postures, breathing techniques and relaxation. Sign up is on-going. $20. Norwalk.

Sally: 203.854.6744.

Yoga Presbyterian (Fish Church) 6-7pm. Hatha Vinyasa Flow. Drop-in’s $15; 10 card classes $120.

All classes taught by E-RYT. 1101 Bedford St. Lounge. Stamford. Questions: 203.550.8811.

Green Drinks Bridgeport 6-8pm. 4th Tuesday monthly. A casual gathering of green-minded people who get together and share ideas about living sustainable lifestyles. Free. Bridgeport. Call for Location: 203.536.4695.

Green Drinks Fairfield 6-8pm. 1st Tuesday monthly. A casual gathering of green-minded people who get together and share ideas about living sustainable lifestyles. Free. Locations vary, call 203.536.4695.

HEAL Support Circle 6:30-8pm. 3rd Tuesday monthly. A peer-support group led by trained cofacilitators is for victims/survivors of emotional abuse or any violence or trauma, the group meets monthly. Brookfield Town Hall. For info call 203.305.2137.

Qi Gong/Reiki Meetup 6:30-8:30pm. Study alternative healing modalities, concentrating on Reiki, chi gung, meditation and mantra w/ Andy Sinn. $15. The Ananda Center. 16 Forest St. New Canaan. 203.273.8364.

A Course in Miracles 7-8:30pm. Also held Wendesday at 12pm. The Course is a self-study curriculum which aims to assist its readers in achieving spiritual transformation. Release your mind and free yourself! Love offering. Unity Center. 3 Main St. Norwalk. 203.855.7922.

HIV/AIDS Education Support Group 7-8:15pm w/ Rodney Mailloux, MS LADC. For those affected and infected, and any related substance abuse and lifestyle issues. Free. APGD. 30 West St. Danbury. 203.778.2437.

Lyme Disease Support Group 7-8:30pm. 3rd Tues monthly. Informational, emotional and experiential support to cope with the mind-body distress of chronic illness. Free. Weston Library, 56 Norfield Rd. Register with Deni Weber: 203.544.6094.

natural awakenings

Acupuncture, Health & Greening The Environment 7-8:30pm weekly talks with acupuncturist Ingri Boe-Wiegaard. Free. Location varies; Wilton, Bethel & Fairfield. Call Ingri for info: 203.259.0166.

MMA Classes (Standup Fighting & Grappling) 7:15-8:30pm. Also on Thursdays. Sensei Robert Neal, ranked #1 Masters Level, National Title Holder. $10 per class. No-Limit Health & Fitness.

1120 Federal Rd. Brookfield. 203.775.8548.

Back Yard Beekeepers 7:30pm. Last Tuesday monthly January-June and September-November.

BYBA’s provides its membership with practical info on how to’s of beekeeping. 6:30pm for new beekeepers. Free. Norfield Church. Community Rm. 64 Norfield Rd. Weston.

Reiki Healing Shares 7:30pm. 1 & 3rd Tuesdays.

Gigi Benanti Usui/Karuna Reiki Master/Teacher For Reiki Practitioners only. Exchange ongoing since 1996. Instructions included $10. Held at Angelic Healing Center. 7 Morgan Ave. Norwalk pre-register: 203.852.1150.

Psychic Circle 7:30-9pm. 3rd Tuesday monthly.

Come play in the psychic world. Enjoy tapping into intuition; connect to guides and deceased loved ones. No experience necessary; everyone can play. $25. Info: Melanie Barnum, CH. 203.451.0914.

Therapy group for Recovering Alcoholics 8-9:30pm w/ Sandra Eagle, LCSW. Begins 2/8.

Teaching grounding techniques, used to selfregulate e.g. anxiety, depression, volatility, cravings. 8 sessions. Ongoing sessions available.

34 E Putnam Ave. Greenwich. Info/fees: 203.550.2111.

wednesday Mood Massage: Expressive Arts Therapy Allison Spitzer, Expressive Therapeutic Coach Simple, playful activities for one’s health, growth, change. Stretch, visualize, reflect. Women and teens. By appointment: $25/session. Periwinkle Health. Trumbull. 203.261.7615.

Early MornYoga 8-9am w/ Carol Shwidock MA, OTR, RTY. Start the day with this motivating Kripalu style class. Mixed level class. Drop-Ins encouraged. Harmony Yoga Studio. 48 Union St. Stamford. 203.962.4672.

Kripalu Yoga 9:30am. Relax, refresh and renew w/ Kat Barton, 500 hour Kripalu Professional Level Yoga Teacher. $10 w/class card, $16.99 walk-ins.

The Graceful Planet. Newtown. 203.426.8215.

Yoga for 50 to Infinity 10:45am. Cost is only $1.

Bethel Senior Center. Municipal Center. 1 School St. Bethel. 203.792.3048.

A Course in Miracles 12-1:30pm. The Course is a self-study curriculum which aims to assist its readers in achieving spiritual transformation.

Release your mind and free yourself! Love offering.

Unity Center. 3 Main St. Norwalk. 203.855.7922.

Gentle Chair Yoga for Every-Body Class 121pm w/ Deb Del Vecchio-Scully, CIYT. Gentle yoga increases relaxation while decreasing pain and stress. $18 drop-in/$80 for 5 classes.

Associated Neurologists of Southern CT. Fairfield.

Registration required: 203.333.1133 ext. 152.

Weekly Back School 1:30pm w/Dr. Christopher

Mascetta. Free. Ridgefield Chiropractic and Wellness Center, 10 South St., Ste. 205, Ridgefield.

RSVP – seating limited: 203.431.1688.

Green Drinks Greenwich 5:30-7:30pm. Greenwich is joining the vibrant Green Drinks movement!

Every 2nd Wednesday of the month. Locations vary, call 203.661.4774.

Green Drinks Norwalk 6pm. 1st Wednesday monthly. A casual gathering of green-minded people who get together and share ideas about living sustainable lifestyles. Free. Locations vary, call 203.536.4695.

Middle Eastern Belly Dance 6-7:30pm.

Advanced Level. Instructor: Riskallah Riyad.

First class free. A Common Ground. 346 Main St. Danbury. 203.267.1677.

Green Drinks Stamford 6-8pm. 4th Wednesday monthly. A casual gathering of green-minded people who get together and share ideas about living sustainable lifestyles. Free. Locations vary, call 203.536.4695.

Easy Does It Yoga 6:30-7:40pm. A gentle class focused on basic poses and breathing techniques to rejuvinate the body. Great for beginners. Lara Ward, 25 yrs experienced. Consolidated School 12 Gillotti Rd. New Fairfield. 860.354.6241.

Reiki Share for Practitioners 6:30-8:30pm.

Starts 9/7/11. 1st Wednesday monthly w/ Tracy Mignone and June Fagan. Practitioners share experiences and practice the healing modality. $10 Donation. Kindred Spirits. 59 Ledgewood Rd. Redding. 203.938.3690. Reservation required.

Intro to Feldenkrais classes 6:30pm. 1 hour. A gentle tune-up for mind and body. Special focus on improving balance and breathing. $21.50/class.

The Ananda Center.16 Forest St. New Canaan.

203.274.5085.

thursday Hatha Yoga Class 9:30-11am. Flowing with grace. This class takes a close look at aligning postures therapeutically to serve individual needs. $20. Nu~Yoga Studio. 32-34 Main St. Ste 6.

Norwalk. Contact: Sally Grillo: 203.854.6744.

Yoga on Summer 12:30-1:30pm. Tuesday and Thursdays. Create balance, relaxation, flexibility, strength, and flow in one’s body and life. Mixed Level Vinyasa Yoga. Cost: $17 or 4/ $60. 201 Summer St. 2nd Fl. Downtown Stamford.

914.393.9221.

friday Mildly Miserable Fun for the Fed-Up, Fat, or Cranky! Allison Spitzer, M.A, Expressive Therapeutic Coach Regardless of one’s aches, size, or age, enjoy easy, playful creative activities to soothe body and spirit. No sweat, no worries.

By appointment. $25/session. Periwinkle Health.

Trumbull, 203.261.7615.

Yoga Presbyterian (Fish Church) 6:15-7:15pm.

Gentle beginners. Drop-in’s $15; 10 card classes $120. All classes taught by E-RYT. 1101 Bedford St. Lounge. Stamford. Questions: 203.550.8811.

Tai Chi and Qi Gong classes for health and rejuvenation 9am. $15. Wudang Tai Chi of Stamford. 414 West Main St. Please contact Luis: 203.570.1752.

Qi Gong and Tai Ji Quan (Tai Chi) Class 6:30pm w/ Cliff Martin. Integrated Healthcare Associates. 992 High Ridge Rd. 3rd Fl. Stamford.

Info: 203.750.0731.

Nutritional Evaluation Visits 10am w/ Debi Greco, MD. Free. 31 Hawleyville Rd. Hawleyville/ Newtown. Call to schedule appointment: 203.798.8114.

Reiki 7pm 4th Thursday monthly. Healing energy work with Hilda Swaby. Love offering. Unity Center above the Ford dealership. 3 Main St. Norwalk. 203.855.7922.

Gentle Yoga w/ Sally Grillo at Nu~Yoga Studio 10:15-11:30am. A gentler, slower paced yoga class emphasizing correct alignment, breath awareness and energy flow. All proceeds go to charity! $20. Nu~Yoga, 32-34 Main St. suite 6, Norwalk.

203.854.6744.

Healing Prayers 7pm 3rd Thursday monthly. Heal oneself through prayer with Karen Mitchell. Love offering. Unity Center above the Ford dealership.

3 Main St. Norwalk. 203.855.7922.

The Bars Process 7pm 1st Thursday monthly.

Bars is part of Access Consciousness, a set of tools to facilitate more consciousness for all. Love offering. Unity Center above the Ford dealership.

3 Main St. Norwalk. 203.855.7922.

Journey within, Do you feel stuck? 7pm. 1st Wednesday monthly. Need support trying to begin something new? Support, intuitive insight, wisdom.

Facilitator: Cindy Miller, intuitive. $20. Newtown Congregational Church. 14 West St. Newtown.

Call: 203.426.9448.

Buddhist Chanting 7-8pm. Hosted by June Fagan.

All welcome. Free. Kindred Spirits. 59 Ledgewood Rd. Redding. Please call: 203-938-3690.

Kundalini Yoga and Meditation w/ Leesa 7:30pm. A blend of postures, kriyas, pranayama & meditation, which teaches the art of relaxation & self-healing. $17/class. Santosha Center for Yoga & Health. 27 Hawleyville Rd. Newtown.

203.364.0851.

Night Out, Night Off, Cranky Couples ReConnect 8-9pm. Re-charge, renew & refresh your relationship. Engaging, creative activities and dialogue. $40/couple. Allison Spitzer 203.261.7615.

Bellydance Creative Healing Workshop 6-10pm w/ Maria Fiora. Use dance and dance stretches to energize, be creative and relax the mind. Mention Natural Awakenings to receive a free class with the program. 201 Summer St. Stamford.

203.353.4363.

Dynamics for Living 7pm w/ Rev. Shawn. Begins 9/14. Compilation of Charles Fillmore’s writing.

Instruction on how to live by Unity principles. Love offering. Unity Center above the Ford dealership. 3 Main St. Norwalk. 203.855.7922.

Reiki Share/Circle 7pm. 2nd Wednesday monthly w/ Hilda Swaby. Reiki for stress reduction and healing, supports changes in one’s world, balances the mind, body & spirit. Bring family and friends.

Love Offering. Stamford. Call for directions: 203.554.1238.

Energywork Healing Circle at Daya Healing Arts 7:30-9:30pm. Michelle Lambert (Usui Reiki, Ama Deus Shamanic Healing Master) facilitates a guided meditation and group healing. New comers and practitioners of energy work invited. $12.

Monroe. 203.820.6261.

Kundalini Yoga & Meditation 7-8:30pm. A sacred technology that awakens the spirit, energizes the body and relaxes the mind. All ages & fitness levels. 10/$170. $20 drop in. Move2wellness. 635 Danbury Rd. Ridgefield. 203.403.2522.

HEAL Support Circle 7-8:45pm. 2nd Thursday monthly. A peer-support group led by trained cofacilitators is for victims/survivors of emotional abuse or any violence or trauma, the group meets monthly. Norwalk Library. For info call 203.305.2137.

Sunset Yoga on the Beach 7:15pm. Create balance, relaxation, flexibility, strength, and flow in one’s body and life. Mixed Level Vinyasa Yoga surrounded by the beauty of the sea at Sunset. 4/ $60. Calf Pasture. Norwalk. 914.393.9221.

Awakening Joy... Happiness through Meditation 7:15-8:45pm w/ Paul Epstein, ND. Practice, teachings, integration with life. $25 drop-in.

Pymander Books. Main St. Norwalk. 203.

722.2358.

Middle Eastern Belly Dance 11:45am-12:45pm.

Beginner Level. Instructor: Riskallah Riyad. First class free. A Common Ground. 346 Main St. Danbury. 203.267.1677.

Drumming Circle 7-9pm. 1st Fridays. Drums available or bring one. Suggested Donation $10. Touch of Sedona. 452 Main St. Ridgefield.

203.438.7146.

Kirtan 7-9pm. 2nd Friday of every month. Satya Franche and Ma Kirtan. Call and reponse chanting.

Suggested donation $10. Kids free. Touch of Sedona. 452 Main St. Ridgefield. 203.438.7146.

Circle of Life 7:30pm. 4th Friday monthly.

Wondering what one’s Life Mission is? Ginny Brown explores: love, trust, permission, and forgiveness as tools in navigating through life’s opportunities, losses and changes. $28. Monroe.

203.268.3262.

Reiki Circle 7:30pm. 1st Fridays. w/ Luciana Walker Reiki Master. Experience Universal Reiki energy in an evening of Reiki’s healing effect.

Release all stress and tension, relax muscles and mind and renew soul and spirit. $15. Easton.

203.767.6453.

Reiki Drumming Circle 7:30pm. 3rd Fridays. w/ Luciana Walker Reiki Master. An evening of integrating sound with Reiki. Sound especially drumming is a wonderful way to promote inner peace while having fun. $15. TLC of Fairfield.

203.767.6453.

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saturday Monthly Angelic Teleconferences: One hour with the Angels 1st Saturday of the month. First bi-lingual program w/ Ana Mercedes Rueda, facilitator. $20. Info: 203.426.9448.

Yoga & Pilates Fusion 8:30am w/ Kat Barton.

Class utilizes weights, bands and balls. $10 w/ class card, $16.99 walk-ins. The Graceful Planet.

Newtown. 203.426.8215.

Pilates Mat mixed level 8:30am. A combination of a traditional Pilates mat class and core challenging exercises using physio-ball. Great for anyone from athletes to someone who wants to tone. $20. Black Rock Pilates. 2889 Fairfield Ave. Call: 203.335.1987.

Therapeutic Yoga 8:30-9:45am w/ Carol Shwidock.

Carol combines Occupational Therapy knowledge with a passion for yoga in this healing Kripalu style class. All levels welcome. $20 or $180/10 classes. Harmony Yoga. 48 Union St. Stamford.

203.962.4672.

Passion & Purpose: Women’s Empowerment Circles 9am. Begins 10/1. Be guided and supported.

Learn & apply empowerment tools to release limiting beliefs, embrace possibilities and create fulfillment in each area of one’s life. $40 or 12/$360.

TLC. Norwalk. 914.393.9221.

Yoga & Meditation at the Beach 9am Meditation; 9:15-10:15am. Runs through September. Mixed level Vinyasa Yoga. Create balance, relaxation, flexibility, strength, and flow in one’s body and life. 4/ $60. Calf Pasture Beach. Norwalk.

914.393.9221.

Yoga Presbyterian (Fish Church) 10-11am.

Hatha Vinyasa Flow. Drop-in’s $15; 10 card classes $120. All classes taught by E-RYT. 1101 Bedford St. Lounge. Stamford. Questions: 203.550.8811.

Intro to Feldenkrais classes 10:30am. 1 hour. A gentle tune-up for mind and body. Special focus on improving balance and breathing. $21.50/class.

The Ananda Center.16 Forest St. New Canaan.

203.274.5085.

Reiki Classes all levels 9am-6pm. Also Sundays.

Winter Classes: RI/II, ART/Master. Info: ReikiOvertones students review free. ReikiOvertones call Jim or Jeannette: 203.254.3958.

BUSINESS Opportunities CURRENTLY PUBLISHING NATURAL AWAKENINGS MAGAZINES – For sale in Birmingham, AL; Cincinnati, OH; Lexington, KY; Louisville, KY Manhattan, NY; North Central, FL; Tulsa, OK; Northeast PA, and Southwest VA Call for details 239.530.1377.

Latin dance for relaxation from the week 10am w/ Maria Fiora. Fun workshop to get your weekend going. 201 Summer St. Downtown Stamford.

203.353.4363.

NATURAL AWAKENINGS MAGAZINE FRANCHISES: for sale in prime locations. Natural Awakenings now in 60+ cities. Call 877.530.1377.

Pre-Natal Yoga at Nu~Yoga Studio w/ Sally Grillo 10-11:30am. Yoga emphasizes breathing, relaxation, posture, and body awareness, help’s build strength, increases endurance, improves alignment, and reduces aches and pains. $20. NuYoga. Norwalk. 203.854.6744.

CT / NY Licensed Aestheticians needed to demonstrate groundbreaking Eco-Certified face care products and assist with promotions. Call 203.746.1663.

The Universal Reiki Plan 11am-1pm every 3rd Saturday. Private Reiki Session for nonPractitioners. Outdoors! Multiple Practitioners. $10 suggested. Also ReikiShare for Practitioners Free. Bloodroot Vegetarian Restaurant. 85 Ferris St. Bridgeport. ReikiOvertones. Jim or Jeannette.

By appointment: 203.254.3958.

Reiki Workshop-Intro to Reiki All Levels 1-4pm. A workshop for the general public. A brief description and what to expect in class. $25 (applied towards future class). ReikiOvertones. Bridgeport/ Fairfield. Jim or Jeannette: 203.254.3958.

Wine Tasting 12:30-8pm. Come to the Saturday Wine Tastings. A variety of organic wines always in stock. Free. New England Wine & Spirits. 590 Danbury Rd. Ridgefield. 203.438.6331.

where we want to live.

The support of our wonderful advertisers is what makes it possible for us to provide this free resource to you every month.

Please support the businesses that support us... And be sure to mention you saw them in Natural Awakenings!

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Fairfield County Edition

To place a Classified Listing: $1 per word. $25 minimum. Magazine deadline: 12th of month prior to publication. Email copy to FFCadvertising@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

Santosha Yoga w/ Julie 9am. Santosha’s signature yoga class takes place outside on landscaped grounds next to a pond. $17/class. Santosha Center for Yoga & Health. 27 Hawleyville Rd. Newtown.

203.364.0851.

We all have a hand in creating the community

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classifieds

natural awakenings

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communityresourceguide Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community.

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ACUPUNCTURE

AROMATHERAPY

Ingri Boe-Wiegaard, LAc

YOUNG LIVING ESSENTAIL OILS

Fairfield, Wilton, Bethel 203.259.1660 CTacupuncture.com 25 year full time practice

Cris Ann Mulreed 203.216.8413 pathfollowers@gmail.com

Ingri treatments help alleviate Pain, Depression, Neck & Back, Anxiety, Headaches, Stress, Allergies, Asthma, Arthritis, Digestive, Menstrual, Infertility, and Smoking & Weight Loss Issues. See ad pg 47.

Dr. J.M. Popowich, DC, QME, DABCN 87 S. Main ST, Newtown 06470 203.304.9037 MyNewtownDoctor.com

Providing acupuncture for children and adults. Care for pain as well as allergies, digestive problems, sport injuries, stress, difficulty sleeping, headaches, and other disorders.

Certified by the Int’l Academy of Medical Acupuncture. Fellow of the Int’l Academy of Medical Acupuncture. See ad pg See ad pg 13. s in

SOPHIA NATURAL HEALTH CENTER Kenneth Hoffman, DAc, LAc 499 Federal Rd, Brookfield CT 203.740.9300 SophiaNaturalHealth.co

Combining Chinese Medicine with modern science, we restore health by identifying imbalances that cause illness. Acupuncture, Allergy Elimination, Chronic Pain Relief, Hormone Balancing, Thermography, Detoxification.

ALLERGIES

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JH Wellness, LLC

Bio-Feedback Technology Nutritional & Weight Loss Counseling JHWellness.com 203.716.1727 Experience our break through state-of-the art bio-communication technology. By removing the guesswork, this powerful and effective tool will assist in a lifetime of wellness. See ad pg 59.

BREAST THERMOGRAPHY SOPHIA NATURAL HEALTH CENTER 499 Federal Rd, Brookfield CT 203.740.9300 SophiaNaturalHealth.com

As the hormone experts, we specialize in women’s health, natural hormone balancing, breast cancer prevention and thermography utilizing the highest definition camera in the area with interpretations from MD specialists in the field. Thermogram results include a free 15-minute phone consultation.

Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging Suzanne Pyle, MS, CCT 866.XtoRAYS SuzannePyle@Prodigy.net

Dr. Mark Joachim Advanced Certified Practitioner 156 East Avenue, Norwalk 203.838.1555 Allergy-Cure-CT.com BioSET can eliminate all food and environmental allergies related to behavioral issues, asthma, eczema, headaches, fibromyalgia, sinus conditions, gastric disorders and chronic health conditions. Safe for all ages, without drugs, shots or side effects! See ad pg 7.

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Fairfield County Edition

Dr. J.M. Popowich, DC, QME, DABCN Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist Celebrating 20 Years in Practice 87 S. Main St, Newtown 203.304.9037 MyNewtownDoctor.com

Providing outstanding care for pain relief to wellness as well as holistic care for accidents and injuries. We care for adults and children. See ad pg 13.

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Get peace of mind with safe (no radiation), FDA-approved breast cancer screening. 8 years earlier detection vs. mammography.

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111 High Ridge Rd, Stamford 203.967.8888 ConnecticutSpineAndHealth.com Dr. Bender is Board Certified in the Atlas Orthogonal Procedure, a gentle method for the detection, and correction of misalignments of the Upper Cervical Spine. He is also a founding member of the Trauma Imaging Foundation, a non-profit multispecialty physician group dedicated to the accurate diagnosis, and treatment of Brain, and Spinal Trauma. See ad pg 71.

COLONICS COLONICS AT LIFELINE HYGIENICS Rejuvenation Center Since 1993, Rye, NY 914.921.LIFE (5433)

Now offering personalized cleanse programs, lymphatic drainage massage, as well as our personalized colonics, since 1993. Rejuvenation at its best! See ad pg 34.

GREENWICH COLON HYDROTHERAPY Kelly McCoy Located at Natural Medicine & Wellness Center Old Greenwich 203.698.9088

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est. 1996 of well being. Colon Hydrotherapy helps to regain a deeper flow and creates balance in a world with pressure and toxicity.

Relaxing treatments aid in achieving personal awareness to internal harmony. See ad pg 59.

COLONICS WHOLE-BODY MEDICINE, LLC Fairfield/Trumbull town line 203.371.8258 WholeBodyMed.com

Ready to start feeling healthier? Take your first step with this gentle cleansing procedure. Watch our colonic and detoxification videos on our new video website located at WholeBodyMed.com Call for Free CD on Detoxification. See ad pg 4.

Core Energetics Teresa Bulit-Gordon, CCEP

Body-Oriented Process Work Offices in Greenwich and NYC 203.570.2876 AwakenToYourCore.com Within a supportive and empathetic relationship you will be guided in releasing and transforming patterns of behavior and core beliefs through the energy in your body. See ad pg 11.

Counseling Kelley Hopkins-Alvarez, MS, MSEd, NCC Solution-Focused Counseling Ridgefield CT 203.948.0938 KelleyHopkinsAlvarez.com

I am a board certified counselor, and know that making that first call to a counselor can be tough. I value your time and will work hard with you to bring about change at a manageable cost. See ad pg 11.

EDUCATION

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RIDLEY-LOWELL BUSINESS & TECHNICAL INSTITUTE 44 Shelter Rock Rd, Danbury 203.797.0551

Accredited institution offering skilled training in the following fields: Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, Medical Admin Assisting, Medical Billing and Coding, Information Technology and Electrical Systems Technician; day/evening classes, Financial Aid (if eligible), free placement assistance. See ad pg 15.

eeg neurofeedback WHOLE-BODY MEDICINE, LLC

Adam Breiner, ND, Director Fairfield/Trumbull town line 203.371.8258 WholeBodyMed.com Improve Brain Function with RealTime EEG Neurofeedback. Learn about about this amazing technology, watch patients tell their own stories of improved focus, concentration, help in recovery from traumatic brain injuries on our video website at WholeBodyMed.com. See ad pg 4.

Tony Antolics, BSN, BA, RN Independent Shaklee Distributor 203.435.4476 TheNutritionNurse.com Shaklee is the 1st company in the world to be certified Climate Neutral. Start making your home cleaner for your family and the planet with the safe alternative to traditional household cleaning products. See ad pg 21.

Green Maid, Inc.

All Natural & Organic Products Buy online at GreenMaidOrganics.com 203.558.2662 Green Maid, Inc. provides online home shopping for natural, organic and eco-friendly home and personal care products. Also providing Green residential cleaning services in select areas.

HOLISTIC DENTIST Leonard Kundel, DMD

1250 Summer Street, Stamford 203.487.6020 StamfordDentist.com

FAMILY SERVICES Allison B. Spitzer, MA

Expressive Therapeutic Coaching 203.261.7615 PeriwinkleHealth.com Children, teens, adults Practical, ongoing support while handling issues such as ADD, depression, difficult parenting, obesity or loneliness. Traditional and creative sessions to help you manage life more comfortably and joyously. See ad pg 25.

Housatonic Valley Waldorf School

Healing Steps

We develop each child’s unique capacity to engage meaningfully in the world by integrating experiential and artistic learning, academic excellence, respect for diversity, and reverence for nature. See ad pg 13.

Supporting children and parents with expert knowledge in the field of mental health and psychiatry.

Specialized in treating preschool age through adolescence with behavioral/emotional issues such as abuse, trauma, divorce, separation anxiety. See ad pg 43.

40 Dodgingtown Road, Newtown 203.364.1113 WaldorfCT.org

GET GREEN CLEAN

Tracy King LCSW-R Early childhood thru adolescent counseling 914.589.6755 TracyAKing14@msn.com

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The Way Dentistry should be!

Discover the relationship of mouth and body. Learn what 96% of dentists won’t tell you.

Find out how your mouth can help you sleep better, walk straighter and have improved relationships

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5520 Park Ave, Ste 301, Ffld Town Line Merritt Pkwy, Exit 47 203.371.0300 WholeBodyDentistry.com Dr. Mark A. Breiner is a pioneer and recognized authority in the field of holistic dentistry. With over 30 years of experience, he is a sought after speaker and lecturer.

His popular consumer book, Whole-Body Dentistry, has been sold world-wide. See ad pg 4.

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Hypnosis

Life Coach

MeLanie Barnum, CH

Hypnotist, Life Coach, Intuitive Counselor Author, Reflexologist 203.451.0914 MelanieBarnum.com

Lisa Meade, PhD

WomenWithinsight.com 203.445.0117 Lisa@WomenWithinsight.com Spiritual Life Coaching incorporates the structure and direction of personal life coaching with a foundation in spiritual practices, intentions and insights.

Contact to learn more. See ad pg 57.

Create a life you love! Unique individual and group sessions, ongoing workshops. Connect to your future! Be the person you want to be!

INTEGRATIVE OPTOMETRY DR. RANDY SCHULMAN, MS, OD, FCOVD Behavioral Optometrist Norwalk: 203.840.1991 vtotWorks.com VisionworksVT@aol.com Trumbull: 203.268.8852 TLTC.org Schulman@tltc.org

Dr. Schulman specializes in vision therapy, pediatrics, learning disabilities, developmental delays, autism, TBI/stroke, and preventative and alternative vision care. She also practices Iridology, the study of the iris.

Gain insights into your physical, emotional and spiritual being through this unique reading.

INTERFAITH MINISTRY

MASSAGE & BODYWORK Robin Ordan, LMT, LCSW, CICMI Licensed Massage Therapist & Reiki Practitioner Old Greenwich/Stamford 203.561.8535; RobinOrdanLMT.com

Robin has been providing massage and Reiki for over 15 years. Specializing in Swedish, Pregnancy, Trigger Point, Injuries and Infant/Child Massage Instruction. Sessions are individualized to meet your needs. See ad pg 34.

MEDICAL DOCTOR HENRY C. SOBO, MD

Optimal Health Medical, LLC 203.348.8805 DrSobo.com

REV. KAREN S. JUDD, LCSW

Counselor • USUI Reiki Master ReverendKarenSJudd.com Office: Bethel, CT 203.545.3664 Creates and performs Weddings, Union Ceremonies, Memorial Services and Baby Blessings.

Life transitions - bereavement counseling; facilitating a deeper connection with yourself, others and the Divine.

Medical doctor practicing holistic/ alternative medicine & weight reduction in Stamford, CT. Nutrition, Allergy Desensitization, Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement for men and women.

See ad pg 45.

Michael E. Doyle, MD

Conventional & Alternative Medicine 22 5th St Suite 201 Stamford, CT 06905.

203.324.4747

INTUITIVE GUIDE JOAN CARRA

Specializing in Natural and Alternative approaches to restoring health. Focusing on underlying causes of illness. Hypothyroidism, hormonal imbalances, nutrition and much more. See ad pg 27.

Psychic Medium Greenwich, CT 203.531.6387 PsychicJoanCarra.com PsychicJoanCarra@PsychicJoanCarra.com Joan guides you on your path drawing on her intuitive powers.

As a medium, she can bring to life, friends on the other side. She is recognized by the books The 100 Top Psychics in America and Files from the Edge.

RIVERSIDE OB/GYN

Russell Turk, MD Karen Zino, MD 1200 East Putnam Avenue Riverside, CT 06878 203.637.3337 Riverside Obstetrics & Gynecology is a full-service medical practice incorporating traditional and holistic approaches to women’s health. The practice includes two OB/GYN’s and a naturopathic physician. See ad pg 12.

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Natural Healthcare WORDEN WELLNESS CENTER 41 Kenosia Ave, Danbury 203.748.8093 Healing the Whole Person

Combining natural health treatments, chiropractic, acupuncture, and nutrition to relieve pain and restore the body to optimal health and balance.

See ad pg 13.

NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN Debra Gibson, ND

158 Danbury Road, Suite 8 Ridgefield, CT 06877 203.431.4443 Natural family healthcare using nutrition and biochemistry; herbal, homeopathic, and energetic medicine; lifestyle transformation and detoxification, to promote well-being of body, mind and spirit. See ad pg 34.

Gary S. Gruber, ND

Family and Environmental Medicine 68 Old Stamford Road New Canaan, CT 06840 203.966.6360 ScienceMeetsNature.com “Where science meets nature with compassion.” Do you struggle with allergies, pain, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart or circulatory problems?

Difficulty losing weight? Have you been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease or cancer? I have effective therapies for patients just like you. Family and Environmental Medicine for men, women, and children.

Dr. Marina Yanover, ND, LAc 1300 Post Road East, Westport 203.255.5005 BigAppleHealth.com

Naturopathic Medicine, Acupuncture, Craniosacral Therapy, Natural Face Lift using microcurrent therapy. Specialties include Family Medicine, Women’s Health, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Pain Management, Skin Care. Insurance accepted.

NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN Naturopathic Health Center, LLC

2 locations: Shelton and Sandy Hook/Newtown 203.922.0029 NaturoHealthCenter.com Dr. Carolyn Graham, RN, ND Dr. Alice Bell, MS, ND We work with patients having a variety of illnesses from Lyme disease to cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune diseases to the common cold.

Our specialties include environmental medicine, detoxification, nutritional therapy, FirstLine Therapy® and preventative medicine. See ad pg 10.

WELLNESS INSTITUTE

Marvin P. Schweitzer, ND 1 Westport Ave, Norwalk 203.847.2788 DrMarvinSchweitzer.com Family Health Care using all natural therapies for 25 years.

Acupuncture, Bio-Identical Hormones, Homeopathy, Chinese/ Western Herbs, Allergy/Toxin Testing, Oxygen Therapy, Meridian Stress Assessment, Nutrition/ Enzyme Therapies. See ad pg 2.

WHOLE-BODY MEDICINE, LLC

Adam Breiner, ND, Director Elena Sokolova, MD, ND David Brady, ND, CCN, DACBN Fairfield/Trumbull town line 203.371.8258 WholeBodyMed.com Using state-of-the-art science combined with centuries-old healing modalities, our caring naturopathic doctors correct underlying imbalances and address issues which may interfere with the body’s ability to heal itself.

Treatment protocols or therapies include: Abdominal Manual Therapy, Acupuncture, Allergy Desensitization, Chinese Medicine, Colonics and other Detoxification Protocols, Electro-Dermal Screening, Energy Medicine, FDA-cleared Phototherapy, Functional Medicine, Herbal Medicine, Homeopathy, Hormonal Balancing, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Metabolic Typing, Nutritional Assessment, RealTime EEG Neurofeedback, and other therapies. See ad pg 4.

Nutrition Chef Ely Grübel

Licensed - Insured 203.559.8946 ElyGrubel@gmail.com

ad pg 11.

Over 8 years experience providing personalized in-home healthy meals prep and freezing. Trained

by United States Personal Chef Association at Culinary Business Academy and by Institute for Integrative Nutrition. See

Food Pharmacopoeia LLC

Kate Strever-McCrossen Willows Medical Complex, Westport CT 203.274.2086 kjstrever@gmail.com Kate is a clinical nutritionist who provides nutrition consultations focusing on preventative nutrition, nutrition therapy and food sensitivities. Visit www.

FoodPharmacopoeia.com for more information.

FixEat Nutrition and Health Services LLC

Riverside 203.940.1948 Info@FixEat.com FixEat.com At FixEat, we provide expert nutrition counseling tailored to your needs. General health, weight management, chronic disease, childhood, pregnancy, PCOS and more. Visit FixEat.com.

Mindy Kannon, CHHC Stamford, CT 203.210.7462 MindyKannon.com

Achieve digestive health and your ideal weight with nutritional coaching. Offering cooking classes, personal chef services and health seminars for businesses. See ad pg 26.

NINA ARNOLD, MPH, RN, CBN

Integrative Health Coach/ Holistic Nurse 860.869.7137 BariCoach@gmail.com BariCoach.com

or in-person.

Nina offers holistic guidance through an empowering, selfdiscovery process. Specialty in weight management and support for those considering/have had weight loss surgery. Services offered over the phone, via Skype,

eNaturalAwakenings.com

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PSYCHOTHERAPY

OSTEOPATHIC PHYSICIAN Osteopathic Wellness Center, LLC

Maria C. Castillo, MSW, LCSW

David L Johnston, DO Lisa Preston, DO 158 Danbury Road, Ridgefield, CT 203.438.9915 OsteopathicWellness.net

238 Monroe Tpke. Suite B Monroe, CT 06468 203.445.8966 LifeBetweenLivesTherapy.com Msisi@AOL.com

Gentle, Natural, Handson Osteopathic Medical Care for Infants, Children & Adults. Children’s Health and Development, Birth Trauma, Musculoskeletal Pain and Injuries, Nutrition and Wellness Counseling, Stress Reduction, Immune Support, Allergies. Most Major Insurances Accepted.

Past Life Regression, trained by Brian Weiss, MD. Life Between Lives Hypnotherapy, trained by TNI and Michael Newton, PhD. Traditional psychotherapy with a spiritual approach; Reiki. Connect with your soul self and let your inner wisdom guide you. See ad pg 6.

Robin Ordan, LCSW

Family, Child, Individual & Couples Therapy Old Greenwich/Stamford, CT 203.561.8535; RobinOrdanLCSW.com

PSYCHOTHERAPY DENI WEBER, MA, LPC, D-CEP Holistic Psychotherapist Comprehensive Energy Psychology Fairfield County DeniWeber.com 203.544.6094

Within a supportive, empathic relationship Deni guides individuals on their journey of self-discovery integrating psychology, Eastern medicine and spirituality to heal suffering from traumatic stress related to chronic illness, disabilities, abuse & PTSD.

LILA TAYLOR LMFT

Conscious Psychotherapy Soul Psychology Office in Fairfield County 203.783.3069 LilaTaylor.com Holistic, traditional, compassionate and spiritual approaches for self-healing from separations, transitions, childhood wounds, depression and loss. Discover inner resources, renewed purpose and reclaim your true Self.

Robin has over 18 years of experience working with families and children.

Specializing in Divorce, Parent/Child Conflict, Grief, Attachment /Bonding, Child Development and Parenting. See ad pg 20.

STACY RAYMOND, Psy.D

Clinical Psychologist for men and women Ridgefield, CT 203.438.4080 DrStacyRaymond.com Dr. Raymond offers traditional and alternative approaches to depression, anxiety and recovery from trauma. Energy psychology techniques (EMDR, HeartMath(R), EFT). Mind-body-spirit perspective of physical and/or emotional illness.

Discover self-acceptance and begin to heal.

REIKI GIGI BENANTI USUI REIKI MASTER Angelic Healing Center 7 Morgan Ave. Norwalk, CT 203.852.1150 AngelHealReiki.com

Gigi is an experienced Reiki Master/Teacher She offers all levels of Reiki Training monthly.

All classes and Reiki sessions include the latest techniques.

HEALING HANDS

Jessica C. Hunter ~ Usui Reiki Practitioner 203.522.2673 Fairfield, CT HunterHealingHands.com Your well-being is my spiritual goal! Contact me to experience a personal Reiki session in your own home - I will travel to you! Certified & insured.

TURNING POINT REIKI, LLC

JoAnn Duncan, MS, RMT Reiki Master Ridgefield, CT 203.438.3050 TurningPointReiki.com JoAnn uses intuition, experience and a deep spiritual connection in her Reiki and IET sessions.

Specializing in care for individuals with Cancer, Lyme disease and Back Pain. All Reiki levels taught.

WELLNESS JANET LUONGO, MSEd, CHC, LE

Integrative Health & Lifestyle Educator 203.846.2642; Info@Nourish-Flourish.org Book your time at JanetLuongo.com Boost energy, drop fat, sleep well, improve health naturally.

Therapeutic lifestyle changes.

Relax through yoga, express your vision and true self. Individual/ group coaching and presentations.

PROMINDFUL, INC. Stamford, CT, USA ProMindful.org 203.274.6024

The road to success is always under construction. ~Lily Tomlin

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ProMindful is a non-profit organization offering integrative practices including yoga, meditation, and holistic nutrition services. We work in collaboration with existing teachers and organizations to provide scholarships, lectures, classes, workshops, publications, recordings, and broadcasts.

Attention:

Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Sufferers You Are Invited to a Free Lecture on September 7 Dr. Scott Bender will be hosting a free lecture introducing a highly effective, painless and nonsurgical solution for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain.

He will be discussing the recently published research paper in the Journal Brain Injury, and upcoming research by the Trauma Research Foundation. In his research, he discusses a little known chiropractic procedure called Atlas Orthogonal which can give the promise of hope, and healing to chronic pain sufferers.

Dr. Bender first discovered the amazing healing potential of the Atlas Orthogonal procedure as a patient while attending Chiropractic College in Atlanta. While in school, Dr. Bender suffered a serious injury. He tried every available traditional chiropractic procedure available, but still suffered with horrible neck, and lower back pain. After a year of constant, and severe pain, Dr. Bender met a doctor who changed his life. This doctor specialized in an advanced spinal correction procedure called AO. Immediately after the first visit, Dr. Bender began to feel the amazing results under Atlas Orthogonal care. His body began to “heal itself” and the relentless pain that plagued him now quickly left his body. At that moment, Dr. Bender realized he had found his Life Purpose.

Upon graduation, Dr. Bender trained as an intern with several of the most respected AO doctors in the country. Two years later, he moved to Connecticut, and in 1997, opened his own Atlas Orthogonal office in Stamford. Almost 14 years later, CT Spine and Health Center has become the busiest AO office in the northeast, attracting patients from all over the world. Dr. Bender’s office is a state of the art facility with all of the most advanced diagnostic equipment available necessary to perform the AO procedure.

In the last 14 years, Dr. Bender has successfully treated hundreds of patients with Fibromyalgia, and Severe Chronic Pain. The AO procedure is completely painless, and with no side-effects.

This free lecture is limited to only those people that are Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain sufferers.

Seating is limited. Refreshments served.

If you qualify, please call 203.967.8888 to reserve your space, and learn more about how to:

Regain your health, naturally.

Date: Wednesday, September 7th Time: 7:00 pm Place: Greenwich Library

101 West Putnam Ave.

Call For Reservations:

203.967.8888 “Thank you so much for caring enough and having the integrity to be the right kind of doctor that gets to the root cause.

Without caring physicians who listen and aren’t satisfied with the status quo, people like me would go through life being misdiagnosed, put on a needless regimen of drugs, and be living a life of pain and frustration. You are a great doctor!” - Fran Brennan

COnneCTICUT SPIne AnD HeALTH CenTeR UPPeR CeRvICAL HeALTHCARe

Dr. Scott Bender 111 High Ridge Road Stamford, CT 06905 203.967.8888

ConnecticutSpineAndHealth.com eNaturalAwakenings.com

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