2016-11 Natural Awakenings of Greater Hartford by Nicole Miale

H E A L T H Y

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L I V I N G

H E A L T H Y

P L A N E T

feel good • live simply • laugh more

STAY SHARP Powerful Ways to Avoid Mental Decline

Kelly Brogan on the

Truth About Depression

Why Meds Don’t Work and What Does

SENSITIVE CHILDREN How to Nurture Their Special Gifts

The Art of BLESSING Sanctifying Everyday Life

November 2016 | Greater Hartford County Edition | www.NAHRT.com natural awakenings

November 2016

Hartford County Edition

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natural awakenings

November 2016

letterfrompublisher “ “If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present.” – Lao Tzu November begins one of my favorite times of the year–the holiday season. While this next couple of months can bring many stresses—dinners, parties, cooking, cleaning, shopping and traffic— those are just momentary issues and frankly, none are life threatening (well, traffic on I-84 withstanding.) These are a small price to pay for my favorite part, which is getting to see long absent friends and family again.

While I spend time with my close friends and family year-round, I’ve noticed that around the holidays I think of those I haven’t seen in a while. And apparently, some of them are thinking of me also! I get more invites for unexpected holiday gatherings than any other time. It’s become the traditional time of year that I’m able to reconnect with high school classmates, former work associates and family that doesn’t live nearby.

Editorial and Design Alison Chabonais Gina Croteau Stephen Gray Blancet Steve Hagewood Erica Mills Julie Peterson Linda Sechrist Kathy Zygmont

I don’t think I’m different that any others in this regard, but I’m sharing this because it helps to reinforce the importance to me. By putting this out into the world and sharing how thankful I am that these people are still in my life, even if it is only once per year, it strengthens my gratitude and my resolve to make time for these people. I’m also setting an intention this year to reconnect with at least one person that I haven’t seen in a very long while but is often on my mind.

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I’ll also be very thankful when this presidential election is over. I know there is much worry over the outcome and I certainly have had moments of throwing my hands in the air in exasperation. But one thing I keep repeating to myself, no matter who is elected, I have faith that our nation is stronger than one person and that the collective people still have the influence needed to steer the course. The quote I included above from Lao Tzu is one of my favorite quotes and a powerful reminder that happiness and peace come from today.

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© 2016 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.

So here in November, let’s leave fear, regret and anger behind and take this opportunity to focus on gratitude and to live peacefully in the present with those we love most. Thankfully – and peacefully - yours, Shawn

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 recycled newsprint with soybased ink.

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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.

10 6 newsbriefs 10 healthbriefs 12 globalbriefs 14 STAY SHARP 17 healthykids Powerful Ways to Avoid Mental Decline 18 consciouseating 12 20 fitbody 17 THE SENSITIVE CHILD 22 healingways How to Nurture Special Gifts 23 ecotip 24 wisewords 18 FESTIVE SIPS AND NIBBLES 25 inspiration Vegan Holiday Treats 23 26 greenliving that Everyone Loves by Lisa Marshall

by Maureen Healy

26 calendar 30 classifieds 31 resourceguide

advertising & submissions HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings please contact our sales team: Ads@NAHRT.com or 860-507-6392 Our Fax is 860-357-6034 Due dates for ads: the 12th of the month prior to publication

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Submit articles, news items and ideas to Editor@NAHRT.com or call 860-986-6073 Due dates for editorial: the 5th of the month prior to publication

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Submit ALL Calendar Events on our website at www.NAHRT.com. Due dates for the calendar: the 10th of the month prior to publication.

REGIONAL MARKETS

by Judith Fertig

20 PILATES UNBOUND

New Fusions with Yoga, Dance and Boxing by Aimee Hughes

22 WORKPLACE WISDOM Mindfulness in Corporate Life by April Thompson

24 KELLY BROGAN

ON THE TRUTH ABOUT DEPRESSION Why Meds Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Work and What Does by Kathleen Barnes

25 THE ART OF BLESSING

Sanctifying Everyday Life by Dennis Merritt Jones

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 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com

26 ONE-PERSON

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by April Thompson

PAMPER PARTY

Natural Ways to Refresh and Renew natural awakenings

26 November 2016

newsbriefs

Health Events at ShopRite

Prenatal Yoga Training

yndi Roberts Yoga and Yoga Center of Collinsville (YCC) announce a new workshop for both yoga teachers and expecting yoga students. Yoga Alliance registered teachers that complete the program earn 4 Continuing Education Contact Hours in the Yoga Alliance categories of Teaching Methodology, Techniques, Training & Practice, Anatomy & Physiology and a certificate of completion. This workshop will be held on Saturday, December 10. There are three sessions for yoga teachers and one session for students. The first session for teachers is from 1 to 2 p.m. and consists of lecture providing the knowledge needed to teach yoga to pregnant students. The focus of the content will be on modifications for yoga postures based on contra-indications for expectant mothers. In the second session from 2:30 to 4 p.m., Roberts will lead both pregnant students and yoga teachers through a yoga class where students will learn and practice yoga with modifications for each student based on their term. Yoga teachers will have the opportunity to participate in the class and, through observation and the aid of props, understand the challenges pregnant students have in various postures. In the final session, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., Roberts and the yoga teachers will review and explore questions developed from the first two sessions. The price to attend for expecting students is $42 and for yoga teachers seeking Continuing Education Contact Hours is $62. Yoga Center of Collinsville is located at 10 Front Street in Collinsville (Canton). For more information or to register, visit YogaCenterCollinsville.com or call 860-693-9642. See ad on page 21.

Medicare Accepted

or those who have Celiac disease, gluten intolerance, a wheat allergy or just choose to live gluten free will want to attend one of ShopRite’s Gluten Free Festivals. Shoprite of Canton will hold one on Saturday, November 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Shoprite of West Hartford will have one on Saturday, November 12, from noon to 4 p.m. Both events are free and will provide information about the gluten-free diet. In addition, local vendors will provide samples of some great gluten-free products. There will also be food demonstrations, coupons and educational materials. ShopRite of Canton’s Registered Dietitian Nicole DeRosa will be at the November 5 event to answer questions about a gluten-free diet. Gluten Free Connecticut will also have a table to provide information about gluten-free options in various neighborhoods. Living gluten free doesn’t have to be difficult and the ShopRite of Canton is here to help. The ShopRite of West Hartford will have Registered Dietitian Shana Griffin available on November 12 for this great opportunity to sample health conscious products and recipes. There will be a wide variety of gluten-free food samples and coupons, with Griffin and several UConn dietetic interns on hand to help answer nutrition and diet related questions. Enter to win a grocery bag full of “better for you” goodies, essential kitchen gadgets and cooking classes with Griffin. ShopRite of Canton is located in The Shoppes at Farmington Valley, 110 Albany Turnpike, Canton. Contact 860693-3666. ShopRite of West Hartford, 46 Kane St, West Hartford. Contact Shana Griffin at 860-233-1713. See ad on page 19.

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Vegan Potluck Meeting

Nagging Back, Neck or Headache Pain?

n November 13 at 4 p.m., Bonnie Price will demo “Tasty and Healthy Thanksgiving Treats” at the Northern Connecticut Vegetarian Society’s Potluck at Suffield Senior Center. Price, a Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Natural Hygiene Coach and Certified Yoga Instructor, is the featured presenter at the event. She was born and raised vegan, but didn’t really learn the health aspects of the lifestyle until she was an adult. She has studied and practiced using herbal remedies, juice fasting, cleansing the body and raw foods. After earning a variety of certifications, Ward began sharing ideas with others for healthy foods that taste good. For the potluck, attendees should bring a healthy vegan dish to share with eight people, serving utensils, the recipe for the dish and their own eating place setting. An $8 donation is requested for adults. Children are welcome to attend for free. Northern Connecticut Vegetarian Society is a nonprofit organization that advocates a compassionate and healthy vegetarian diet and welcomes all people who want to improve their health and the health of the world..

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For more information, see NorthCTVeg.org, email Harry at VeggyHarry@aol.com or call 860 623-8082.

A Farewell Tribute

atural Awakenings Publishing Corporation’s family of 95 magazines bid a fond farewell to company President Larry Levine, with many joining in on a call and sending notes, prayers and good thoughts prior to his passing on September 23. Levine enthusiastically contributed his all with a host of talents focused on forwarding our collective mission of providing publishers and readers with the tools needed to help us all create a Larry Levine healthier, more sustainable world together. Founder and CEO Sharon Bruckman honors her partner, saying, “Our home office and publishers are truly saddened to lose the beautifully loving, guiding light that Larry generously shared with us throughout the past 12 years. His impact on our lives and Natural Awakenings‘ success will continue to bless our readers. We will miss him dearly.” One of Levine’s last gifts to the company was recommending Pat McGroder as vice president of franchise development. “We welcome Pat, already feeling blessed by the 24 years of experience he brings in highly successful publishing and franchising endeavors,” says Bruckman. McGroder will now also assume some of the operational Pat McGroder responsibilities formerly managed by Levine.

Be thankful for

what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough. ~Oprah Winfrey

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation’s home office is located in Naples, FL. Visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com or call 239-434-9392 for more information. natural awakenings

November 2016

newsbriefs Divine Chocolate for the Holidays

ivine Treasures is now taking chocolate orders for the holiday season. Their products use only organic European dark chocolate, filled with ingredients that are organic, gluten-free and vegan friendly. Fans of peanut butter, caramel and chocolate are likely to enjoy a Perfect Duo. Ginger Explosion or Lavender Blue are for those interested in a chocolate adventure. The unique Buddha Blessing is a laughing Buddha made with sweet mango, coconut and lemongrass with a burst of spicy red pepper. Various “turtle” confections are also available, featuring caramel, chocolate and pecans. Hailed as a favorite by locals since opening in Manchester, Connecticut, Divine Treasures’ customer base has expanded throughout the country thanks to online ordering. “I actually think of these customers more as clients,” says owner Diane Wagemann. “And we’ve even got Hollywood stars ordering from our site to satisfy their inner foodie. While we adhere to both vegan and gluten-free requirements, our products are made to a standard that all can enjoy.” A special holiday promotion is being offered by Divine Treasures. Shoppers receive 10 percent off their next purchase placed online before November 30. Enter promo code “AN1016” to activate this promotion. For more information or to place your holiday order, visit DTChocolates.com/featured or call 860-643-2552. See ad on page 23.

Is Yoga Right for You?

Weekly Tai Chi Classes in Hartford

tan Baker and Acupuncture of Greater Hartford announce ongoing weekly Tai Chi classes, held Tuesdays and Fridays from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday classes are held at 645 Farmington Avenue in Hartford and Friday classes are held at 45 South Main Street #90 in West Hartford. The price to attend is $15. Stan Baker is an acupuncturist, an herbalist and an instructor of Chen Style Tai Chi. He has studied high level Tai Chi for more than 10 years with Master Wang Hai-Jun.

Acupuncture of Greater Hartford is located at 645 Farmington Ave. in Hartford. For more information, visit AcupunctureStanBaker.com or call 860-836-1068. See ad on page 7.

DECEMBER

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eventbrief

What’s Your Dosha?

eeling tired, scattered or just “off”? Or have you ever felt incredibly “on” and wanted to bottle the feeling so you could access it at any time? The clues to these experiences might just be explained by Ayurveda, the sister science of yoga. Your dosha—or in Ayurvedic terms, your energetic make up—holds the clues to understanding nuances about yourself and how you feel, react or perform in different circumstances. You most likely have a dominant dosha and perhaps attributes of one or both of the others. Learning your make up and adjusting your lifestyle for these can help you function better and enjoy life more. Yoga Center of Collinsville is holding a workshop, “What’s Your Dosha,” on Sunday, November 13 from 4 to 6 p.m. The session is led by certified yoga teacher Laura Thomas. In this session, students will learn about Ayurveda and discover their dosha. Students will also learn and practice pranayama (breath work), yoga postures and other seasonal self-care techniques and leave feeling refreshed and empowered with specific routines customized to support their dosha throughout the year. Price to attend is $25. Yoga Center of Collinsville is located at 10 Front St in Collinsville (Canton.) To learn more or register, visit YogaCenterCollinsville. com or call 860-693-9642. See ad on page 21.

No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world. ~Robin Williams

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November 2016

healthbriefs

EXERCISING WOMEN HAVE FEWER C-SECTIONS

Silence De-Stresses the Brain

he human brain does not function optimally in society’s noise-filled environment. The brain, like the body, needs rest to function, and that comes with silence. A recent study in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience discovered that the brain is able to integrate both internal and external information into a “conscious workspace” when resting. Constant distractions and noises can detract from the brain’s ability to process critical information. Noise also elevates stress hormone levels within the brain. Research published earlier in Psychological Science examined the effects that the relocation of the main Munich airport, in Germany, had on children’s health and cognition. Gary W. Evans, researcher and professor of human ecology at Cornell University, notes that when exposed to constant noise, children develop a stress response that causes them to ignore it. The study’s subjects tuned out both harmful sounds and stimuli that they should be paying attention to, including speech. Silence has the opposite effect, releasing tension in brain and body. Exposure to chronic noise can also hinder children’s cognitive development, according to a study from the World Health Organization and the European Commission Joint Research Centre; this includes language skills and reading ability. To help counter modern noise pollution, attention restoration theory suggests that individuals placed in environments with lower levels of sensory input can recover some of the cognitive abilities they have lost.

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donskarpo/Shutterstock.com

recent study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology reports that regular exercise during pregnancy can reduce the rate of Cesarean deliveries. Conducted by Thomas Jefferson University Medical College researchers, the study followed more than 2,000 pregnant women split into two randomized groups. Half of them exercised 35 to 90 minutes, three to four times a week, while the others did not. Just under 18 percent of the women in the exercise group ended up having Cesarean deliveries versus 22 percent in the non-exercising group. Exercising during pregnancy also appears to improve gestational health. The study participants that worked out regularly experienced a lower incidence of both hypertensive disorders and diabetes mellitus.

Undrey/Shutterstock.com

Pressmaster/Shutterstock.com

hio State University researchers have discovered a correlation between bacteria in the gut and behavior in toddlers. Scientists studied the bacterial microbes in stool samples from 77 girls and boys between the ages of 18 months and 27 months, while mothers filled out a questionnaire describing their children’s level of emotional reactivity. The study found that positive behavioral traits occurred more frequently in children with the most diverse types of gut bacteria. These included mood, curiosity, sociability and impulsivity. The correlation was particularly strong in boys. Lisa Christian, Ph.D., a researcher with the Ohio State Institute for Behavioral Medicine research, and her co-author, Microbiologist Michael Bailey, Ph.D., plan to use the information to help uncover some mysteries related to the origin of chronic illness. “There is substantial evidence that intestinal bacteria interact with stress hormones; the same hormones that have been implicated in chronic illnesses like obesity and asthma,” explains Christian. “A toddler’s temperament gives us a good idea of how they react to stress. This information, combined with an analysis of their gut microbiome, could ultimately help us to detect and prevent chronic health issues [from developing] earlier.” Source: Ohio State University Center for Clinical and Translational Science

Acupressure Eases Fatigue in Cancer Survivors

reast cancer survivors are often plagued by chronic fatigue that lasts long after their treatment is finished. They have few options to relieve the condition, but acupressure shows promise. A study published this summer in the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that acupressure can significantly improve two symptoms of fatigue experienced by breast cancer survivors: sleep quality and quality of life. The researchers tested 424 women that had completed cancer treatments at least a year prior to the study. They were divided into three groups—one self-administered relaxing acupressure and another stimulating acupressure, while the control group followed a conventional care plan. After six weeks, fatigue was reduced from 70 percent to 43 percent among those receiving acupressure, with two-thirds of the women in the acupressure groups reaching levels of fatigue considered normal. The relaxing acupressure group showed substantial improvements in sleep quality compared with the conventional care group at week six, but the two groups reached parity at week 10. The relaxing acupressure group was the only one that showed improvements in quality of life, making it a reasonable, low-cost option for managing fatigue symptoms. coka/Shutterstock.com

Gut Bacteria Linked to Toddler Temperament

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November 2016

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

Thanksgiving Lite

Turning the Tide for Turkeys

photo courtesy of the Farm Sanctuary

Turkeys and Thanksgiving go together for 88 percent of Americans surveyed by the National Turkey Federation. Each year, more than 46 million turkeys provide the entrée for gatherings, yielding leftovers for sandwiches, stew, chili, casseroles and turkey burgers. In 2011, 736 million pounds of turkey were consumed in the U.S., while a few lucky birds avoided the chopping block. The pardoning of a White House turkey began in 1863 when President Lincoln’s son, Tad, interceded on behalf of the bird and its life was spared. Now a tradition, two dressed birds and one live turkey are delivered to the White House each year. The live bird is “pardoned” and lives out its life on a historical farm. At the Farm Sanctuary, turkeys get sponsored or adopted instead of eaten. “Turkeys are friendly and follow you around like puppy dogs. They’ll try to sit on your lap to be petted,” says Gene Baur, president and co-founder of the sanctuary’s New York and two California locations. “At our Celebration for the Turkeys, we feed them cranberries, pumpkin pie and squash. People visit to see them enjoy it. Guests’ snacks are vegan.” Hundreds of turkeys have been adopted and given a lifelong home since the program’s inception in 1986. More than 8,000 people pledged to sponsor a turkey living at the sanctuary in a recent year, proving it’s not necessary to be a president to pardon a turkey. Source: FarmSanctuary.org/giving/adopt-a-turkey

Gong

Meditation

(( find quiet • in sound ))

THE CONDUIT 12

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Stoned Doggies Dangers vs. Benefits of Pet Marijuana

As of June, half of the states and the District of Columbia have legalized the use of medical marijuana for humans. People wonder if it’s also suited for pets, too, and need to investigate the parameters and consequences carefully. “It’s not legal in any state for veterinarians to prescribe or recommend medical marijuana,” says Dr. Carol Osborne, owner of Ohio’s Chagrin Falls Veterinary Center & Pet Clinic. “Done properly, it could have applications, but it’s not standardized, dosage amounts are unknown and without U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulation, there’s no guarantee what you think you’re buying is what you get. “Dogs that get into the stash or sneak-eat marijuana-laced food can experience wobbling when walking, trembling and potential seizures,” Osborne notes. “I haven’t heard of any cases of death, but as with any prescription drug, practice responsible ownership by keeping it out of the reach of curious children and pets.” “THC [tetrahydrocannabinol] in marijuana produces the high,” explains Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Robert Silver, author of Medical Marijuana & Your Pet: The Definitive Guide. “Dogs are extremely sensitive to THC, much more so than any other species studied.” Silver believes there are uses for cannabinoid oil, derived from hemp, which has very low levels of THC; pet owners in an end-of-life situation with no hope of recovery have used it to ease pain, stimulate appetite and add quality to final days. Reference: Tinyurl.com/PetMedical MarijuanaGuide

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globalbriefs

Chemical Testing

Zoo Zapped

The Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act is a new federal law that restricts animal testing and requires regulators to develop technology-based alternatives. It updates the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976, which insisted non-animal tests be used whenever possible and established a precedent for developing animalfree testing, including vitro and silico (computer simulation) methods. Earlier this year, the John Hopkins University School of Medicine made strides in removing the use of animals from medical training and cosmetic testing. Now all new chemicals will have to meet specific safety standards. Clothing, couches and cleaning products, among many other consumer goods, contain chemicals linked to cancer, Parkinson’s and other serious health problems, but are not routinely tested for safety. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will now have new authority to require testing with a legal mandate to review existing chemicals on the market. Along with updating rules for tens of thousands of everyday chemicals, the law specifically sets safety standards for dangerous chemicals like formaldehyde, asbestos and styrene. It aims to standardize on the national level what is currently a jumble of state rules governing an $800-billion-a-year industry.

The 140-year-old zoo in Buenos Aires is shutting down to give the animals a better life. Mayor Horacio Rodríguez Larreta agrees with activists that keeping wild animals in captivity and on display is degrading, so the zoo’s 2,500 animals will be moved to more suitable living environments in nature reserves around the country. Older animals and those too sick to be relocated will remain in their current home, but not displayed. The 45-acre zoo will be transformed into an eco-park to give children a place to learn how to take care of and relate with the different species. It also will provide refuge and rehabilitation for animals rescued from illegal trafficking.

Consumer and Animal Protections Update

Source: Ecowatch.com

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November 2016

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Buenos Aires Moves Animals to Nature Reserves

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Addressing the Sources

STAY SHARP Powerful Ways to Avoid Mental Decline by Lisa Marshall

slow descent into dementia seemed inevitable for a 66-yearold man that had been misplacing his keys, missing appointments and struggling at work. He failed doctor-administered cognitive quizzes and tested positive for a gene variant linked to an exponentially higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease. A brain scan revealed scattered clusters of sticky, amyloid plaque—a hallmark of the disease. His hippocampus, or memory center, had shrunk to rank in the lowest 17 percent of men his age. Told there wasn’t much that could be done, he sought the help of University of California, Los Angeles Alzheimer’s researcher Dale Bredesen, a neurologist and founding president

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of the independent Buck Institute for Research on Aging. He recommended a personalized, 36-point plan, including a high-fat/low-carb diet, intermittent fasting, strict sleep schedule, select dietary supplements and other lifestyle changes. Within three months, family members reported marked improvements in his memory. At 10 months, brain scans revealed his hippocampus had grown 12 percent. “Such improvements are unprecedented,” says Bredesen, who described this and nine other hopeful cases in a provocative paper published in June in the journal Aging. “These are the first examples of a reversal of cognitive decline in pre- and early Alzheimer’s patients.”

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Bredesen is among a small but growing group of researchers, physicians, caregivers and patients challenging the conventional wisdom that the road to dementia goes one way, with no cure or repair of damage done. They argue that the key to both prevention and reversal, at least in early stages, is to pinpoint its numerous drivers—from nutritional and hormonal deficiencies and exposure to infection to environmental toxins and harmful drugs—and attack them simultaneously. It’s a stark departure from the classic, often unsuccessful, one-pill treatment approach. Of the 244 clinical trials for Alzheimer’s drugs between 2002 and 2012, all but one failed. “Imagine having a roof with 36 holes in it, and your drug patched one hole. You still have 35 leaks,” says Bredesen, who believes his synergistic approach—the Bredesen Protocol—can likely make Alzheimer’s drugs work better or render them unnecessary. Skeptical colleagues point out that Bredesen’s paper described only 10 case studies, not a clinical trial. “It is intriguing, but not enough to make recommendations to physicians or patients,” says Keith Fargo, Ph.D., director of scientific programs and outreach for the Chicagobased Alzheimer’s Association. “The current consensus in the scientific community is that we do not have a way to reverse dementia.” While agreeing that a larger study is needed, Neurologist David Perlmutter, of Naples, Florida, whose bestsellers Brain Maker and Grain Brain promote nutritional changes for supporting brain health, considers Bredesen’s study revolutionary. “To reverse Alzheimer’s in one patient is monumental, much less 10,” says Perlmutter. They recently presented together at a conference organized by Sharp Again Naturally, a New York nonprofit that educates patients and caregivers about natural means of slowing and reversing cognitive decline. After losing her mother to Alzheimer’s, the nonprofit’s co-founder, Jacqui Bishop, 74, stopped her own

Lifestyle changes can prevent and slow cognitive decline. Some say they also reverse it. frightening decline by changing her diet and getting her thyroid hormone levels under control via supplements. Now she’s helping others do the same. She says, “We are trying to change the conversation from one of despair to one of hope.”

Mending Body and Brain

Key to Bredesen’s approach is the notion that instead of being one disease, Alzheimer’s consists of three sub-types with distinct drivers: inflammation or infection; harmful environmental exposures; and/or lack of neuron-nurturing hormones. To determine which one to target, he tests patients for blood-sugar, inflammation and hormone levels, heavy metals and critical nutrients such as D and B vitamins. Then he crafts a personalized plan. He notes that the 10 years it can take to progress from subtle decline to full-blown Alzheimer’s provides a huge opportunity. “Ideally, we want people to come in when they have mild impairment or are asymptomatic,” says Bredesen, advising that tests be done for the APOE4, or “Alzheimer’s gene” in one’s 40s. “People have not wanted to know in the past because they’ve been told there is nothing they can do about it. We completely disagree.” One way to stay cognitively sharp is to eat fewer carbs (which boost blood sugar) and eat more fat, says Perlmutter. “There is a clear relationship between elevated levels of blood sugar and increased risk of Alzheimer’s.” One study, published in 2013 in the New England Journal of Medicine, tracked 2,067 healthy adults for seven years and found that the higher their average glucose level, even if they weren’t diabetic, the more likely they were to develop dementia. For instance, those with a level of 115 milligrams per deciliter were 18 percent more at risk than those measuring 100 milligrams per deciliter. A 2012 study published in Neurology followed 266 adults for four years

and found that those with higher blood sugar saw certain areas of the brain shrink 6 to 10 percent more than those with lower blood sugar. Gluten can also be problematic, advises Perlmutter, when it’s inflammatory and driving brain degeneration. In contrast, good fat, like that in avocados, fatty fish, coconut oil and walnuts, serves as a foundation for neurons and an efficient, cleanburning fuel source for the brain. This is particularly helpful in someone with early-stage Alzheimer’s, says Bredesen, because the disease can make it harder for the brain to use sugar for fuel. In some cases, both doctors recommend an extremely low-carb, or “ketogenic” diet (fewer than 60 grams of carbs per day). Starved of carbohydrates, the liver produces fat-like compounds called ketones, a brain-fuel source shown to stimulate growth of new neural networks. Bredesen also recommends 12 hours of fasting each night, with zero food intake within three hours of going to sleep. Fasting promotes a process called autophagy, by which the brain essentially cleans itself of damaged cellular material. Eight hours of sleep

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is also vital. According to University of Rochester research, the space between brain cells opens up during sleep, allowing cleansing channels of fluid to flow more freely. “If you were operating your house 24/7 with no time to rest or clean, it would be disastrous,” says Bredesen. “The same is true of your brain.” Also, they say, keep teeth clean because bacterial infections, including those in the gums, have been shown to hasten formation of neuron-killing plaque. Also critically examine the prescription drugs being ingested. A recent study of 74,000 people published in JAMA Neurology found that regular use of heartburn drugs like Prilosec and Nexium increased dementia risk by 42 to 52 percent. Meanwhile, anticholinergic drugs like Benadryl and statin drugs prescribed to manage cholesterol have also been linked to increased dementia. “We see ‘statin brain’ all the time,” observes Perlmutter, who says once patients go off the drugs, they tend to get better.

False Hope or Sound Advice

Fargo says researchers are keenly interested in many of the ideas in Bredesen’s paper. Although it’s too early to endorse them, numerous studies are underway. But he wonders if some patients that assert that they’ve reversed dementia

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November 2016

Alzheimer’s Association, alz.org Buck Institute for Research on Aging, BuckInstitute.org David Perlmutter, DrPerlmutter.com MPI Cognition, MPICognition.com Sharp Again Naturally, SharpAgain.org actually suffered from something else, like sleep apnea or depression. Bredesen stands by his research, asserting that the 10 patients in his paper had all been formally diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or its precursors. One 69-year-old entrepreneur that was planning to close his business after 11 years of mental decline is now expanding it. A 49-year-old woman that scored poorly on neuropsychological tests showed no signs of cognitive decline when she was tested again nine months later. In all, more than 100 people have participated in the program. “We have people that are four-and-a-half years out and doing very well,” he says, noting that such strategies aren’t likely to work for someone with advanced Alzheimer’s. In some cases, the results may be

Lisa Marshall is a freelance health writer in Boulder, CO. Connect at LisaAnnMarshall.com.

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more subtle, but for those caring for a sick loved one, any positive progress means a lot. Paul Tramontozzi knows. After his father, then 75, was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, the New York City financial advisor attended a Sharp Again Naturally meeting seeking advice. “I was skeptical, but when the answer you get from everyone else is, ‘There’s nothing you can do,’ you become more willing to listen.” He took his father off his cholesterol medication, fed him spoonfuls of coconut oil daily and put him on a specific supplement regimen. His balance improved and he could participate in family outings again. “If you had told me a few years ago we’d be able to take Dad to a restaurant for his 80th birthday, I would have said, ‘No way.’ But we did.” Tramontozzi says his father isn’t cured, but the advice he obtained facilitated more time together and insights on how to avoid a similar fate. “These are all things a healthy 37-year-old should be doing right now anyway. I just wish we’d found out earlier.”

Get-Smart Supplements Curcumin: This potent constituent in turmeric (the yellow spice that gives curry its flavor) has been shown to combat many of the problems that contribute to brain degeneration, including inflammation, free radical damage and high blood sugar. It also boosts growth of new brain cells. Take 500 milligrams (mg) twice daily or eat a diet rich in curry. DHA (docosahexaenoic acid): This omega-3 fatty acid serves as a key building block for brain cell membranes. Take 1,000 mg daily (derived from fish oil or algae) or eat lots of fatty fish. Coconut oil: It’s rich in medium-chain triglycerides, an efficient, clean-burning fuel source for the brain. Take one or two teaspoons daily. Probiotics: These help fortify the intestinal lining, reducing the gut permeability and inflammation that can impact cognitive health. They also support production of key neurotransmitters and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor brain growth hormone. Look for supplements or foods containing Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus brevis, Bifidobacterium lactis and Bifidobacterium longum. B vitamins: High levels of the amino acid homocysteine have long been linked to increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease; have levels checked and if they’re elevated, B6 and B12 can reduce them. Source: David Perlmutter

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THE SENSITIVE CHILD How to Nurture Special Gifts by Maureen Healy

It is primarily parenting that decides whether the expression of sensitivity will be an advantage or a source of anxiety.

~Elaine Aron

ighly sensitive children need extra nurturing care so that they can learn to see their sensitivity as a strength and begin empowering themselves with tools to tap into their positive traits such as insight, creativity and empathy, while simultaneously learning how to manage their rich emotional lives. Elaine Aron, Ph.D., a practicing psychotherapist in Mill Valley, California, who studies sensitivity using functional magnetic resonance imaging, advises, “A highly sensitive child is among the 15 to 20 percent born with a nervous system that’s highly aware and quick to react to everything.” She offers a free online questionnaire to help assess a child’s level of sensitivity at HSPerson.com/test/ highly-sensitive-child-test. Highly sensitive children are incredibly responsive to their environments, from sounds and smells to the overall mood of people they encounter. Other indicators may range from a preference for quiet play to noticing details or asking many questions. With a sharpened sense of awareness, they are often gifted intellectually, creatively and emotionally, demonstrating genuine compassion early on. The downside is that these intensely perceptive children can also be

easily overwhelmed by crowds, noises, new situations or sudden changes. Criticism, defeat and the distress of others deeply affect them. Parenting a highly sensitive child can be highly rewarding, but some parents find it exhausting. Special skills help in gracefully raising a healthy, happy and well-adjusted sensitive child without wearing ourselves out. Accept, rather than seek to change them. Embracing a child as being highly sensitive is step one. No one can change them into less sensitive, more traditional kids. Accept their specialness as part of the family’s shared journey. See it as a gift. It’s easy to get frustrated or angry with a child if they continually cry, withdraw and shy away from social situations. Instead of viewing these behaviors as flaws, see them as providing the child a special gift. Sensitivity often characterizes artists, innovators, prodigies and great thinkers. Partner up. Sensitive children respond far better to requests for desired behaviors when acting in partnership with the adults in their life. Harsh discipline can elicit emotional meltdowns and outbursts of energy in temper tantrums, crying or yelling. Partnering with a child includes learning to avoid their trig-

gers and giving them ready tools to use when they feel overwhelmed, such as breathing exercises. Professional counselors can help shape the relationship. Focus on strengths. Remembering that a highly sensitive child may be incredibly talented is essential when they are acting out. Training ourselves to see a child’s strengths first—such as their incredible creativity, perceptiveness and keen intellect—helps us accept their challenges, such as being overwhelmed, highly emotional, introverted at times, shy, picky about clothes and other preferences, or overly active. Create calmness. It’s worth taking the time to create spaces that match a child’s sensibilities. Create a “peace corner” at home designed to deliver the serenity that highly sensitive children crave by using just the right lighting, colors, sounds and surroundings; elements might include headphones, favorite plush toys and coloring markers. Instill inner discipline. Establishing gentle structure and clear limits with respect goes a long way. Reasonable reminders of what’s needed now and why yield better results than shouting and warnings of consequences. Connect with peers. Like everyone else, highly sensitive children are drawn to other “birds of a feather”, and getting these kids together to nurture each other’s strengths is good. It may mean some extra effort by parents to help a child find kids that get along together and make play dates. A highly sensitive child can be steered in a helpful emotional direction by well-adjusted, happy and healthy sensitive adults. Sensitive children need especially good role models because they are learning how to use their incredible gifts in a world that sometimes doesn’t value their inherent worth. Maureen Healy, of Santa Barbara, CA, runs a mentoring program for highly sensitive children based on her social and emotional learning curriculum for K-8 students, child psychology training and current scientific research. She is the author of Growing Happy Kids and The Energetic Keys to Indigo Kids (HighlySensitiveKids.com).

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November 2016

Vegan Holiday Treats that Everyone Loves by Judith Fertig

or those that like to eat plantbased meals most of the time, the holidays can present a challenge. Social occasions from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day abound, including multi-course dinners and potlucks; treetrimming and baking parties; neighborly hospitality; nibbling on treats while wrapping gifts; and gathering to watch a holiday movie. Because so much is happening in such a short period of time, people often revert to serving traditional foods such as Aunt Mary’s cheese ball or Grandma Daisy’s three-layer chocolate bars. These vintage recipes, however, can be laden with processed ingredients. Foods that signaled holiday cheer ages ago need a tweak or two to satisfy

today’s health-minded friends and family members. With traditional flavors of the season like aromatic spices, fresh rosemary and chocolate, plus a plantbased philosophy, family favorites can get a new twist. Natural Awakenings asked cookbook authors, chefs and bloggers from around the country to help us celebrate wonderful holiday moments, big and small. Adding a plant-based nibble or sip not only helps party hosts stay on track, it also helps keep guests from over-indulging, so that everyone ends up enjoying themselves even more. Judith Fertig writes cookbooks and foodie fiction from Overland Park, KS (JudithFertig.com).

Natural Awakenings recommends using organic and non-GMO (genetically modified) ingredients whenever possible.

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Festive Sips and Nibbles

photo by Stephen Blancett

Tasty Holiday Recipes

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Spiced Pepitas These crunchy pumpkin seeds are lemony, salty, spicy and zesty, all at the same time. A handful of these toasted tidbits whets the appetite. Yields: 2 cups 2 cups raw pumpkin seeds 1 Tbsp grated lemon zest 1 Tbsp lemon juice 2 tsp salt 1 tsp ground cumin ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper ½ tsp ground coriander ½ tsp ancho chile powder ½ tsp cayenne pepper ¼ tsp garlic powder ¼ tsp sugar (optional) Preheat the oven to 375° F. In a medium bowl, toss together the pumpkin seeds, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, cumin, pepper, coriander, chile powder, cayenne and garlic powder. Spread the mixture on a baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and shake to redistribute the seeds, and then bake for another 3 minutes. Pull it out to shake the pan again. Then finish baking for 1 to 2 minutes or until the pumpkin seeds are crispy and golden without burning them. Transfer to a cool baking sheet and cool completely before storing in an airtight container. Courtesy of Sandra A. Gutierrez, SandrasKitchenStudio.com; author of Empanadas: The Hand-Held Pies of Latin America.

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1 tsp vanilla extract Dash Himalayan pink salt For the pistachio milk, soak the nuts overnight in a bowl of water.

Beer-Miso-Sriracha Roasted Chickpeas Any favorite beer will work. Yields: 2 to 4 servings 1 (15½ oz) can chickpeas or garbanzo beans, drained and set aside 1 Tbsp sriracha 1 Tbsp organic miso paste (any color) 1 /3 bottle of beer Black and white sesame seeds Dried chili to taste Smoked salt for garnish to taste

Rinse before placing them into a highspeed blender with the 2 cups of water. Blend until the mixture is completely puréed and milky.

Note: If using a regular, slower blender, re-warm the hot chocolate on the stove top. It may not be as thick and frothy but will taste good. Courtesy of Sophia DeSantis, who blogs her recipes at VeggiesDontBite.com.

Strain mixture through a nut milk bag or cheesecloth; then add the nut milk back into the blender. Add all other ingredients and blend at a high speed until thick.

Preheat the oven to 375° F. Whisk wet ingredients until mixed well. Toss mixture with chickpeas. Place mixture on baking pan and roast for 20 to 30 minutes, shaking and stirring periodically until mixture is evaporated and chickpeas begin to get color; beware of burning. Garnish with sesame seeds and dried chili, maybe a little smoked salt. Courtesy of Chad and Derek Sarno, WickedHealthyFood.com; Derek is the former global executive chef for Whole Foods Market.

Frothy Hot Chocolate with Pistachio Milk Cozy up and indulge in this thick, creamy and rich hot chocolate made with whole food ingredients. Yields: 2 servings Pistachio Milk ½ cup raw shelled pistachios 2 cups filtered water Cocoa ½ to ¾ cup unsweetened baking cocoa or cacao powder ¼ to ½ cup date paste 1 tsp cinnamon

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Pilates Unbound New Fusions with Yoga, Dance and Boxing by Aimee Hughes

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ith 11,000 studios across the U.S., “Pilates continues to grow because an increasingly wide spectrum of people are discovering how it can benefit them,” says Elizabeth Anderson, executive director of the Pilates Method Alliance, in Miami. Pilates instructor Amanda January, who works at The Carriage Club, in Kansas City, eventually became an instructor because, “I love the challenge of it. I had always been a dancer, and found Pilates provides the movement therapy that my dance classes lack.” Current trends are combining Pilates not only with yoga, but also dance and even boxing. “My favorite fusion Pilates class is barre,” says Halley Willcox, a certified Pilates teacher originally from Austin, Texas, now a grad student at the University of Arizona, in Tucson. Barre classes mix classical ballet exercises with yoga and Pilates (see Tinyurl. com/Barre4Fitness).

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The boxing variation, called piloxing, incorporates pugilistic moves and barefoot interval training. “No prior experience is necessary; the possibilities are endless,” comments Willcox. Anderson believes, “The growth we’re observing is due to the fact that Pilates addresses fitness across the entire body, rather than parts. It creates a wonderful feeling of overall well-being; the exercise is done in a balanced manner on all planes and is coordinated with conscious breathing. Plus, it doesn’t cause injuries, it prevents them.”

Fosters Self-Confidence

“Through focus and breath awareness, Pilates, not unlike meditation and yoga, helps you become more aware of your body, which makes you more comfortable in your own skin,” says January. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy’s TED talk, “Change Your Posture, Grow

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If You Are Reading This, So Are Your Potential Customers.

Your Confidence, Follow Your Dreams,” shares the results of her Harvard University research, which demonstrates how people that assume what she calls “power postures” actually change the chemistry in their brains, boosting confidence on many levels. Pilates is recognized as a highly effective way to improve posture.

Helps Coordination and Rehabilitation Many dancers and professional athletes access the therapeutic qualities of Pilates to help them recover from injuries and enhance balance and coordination. Anderson remarks, “With a qualified teacher, Pilates can be applied as a post-rehabilitation modality once postsurgery physical therapy is completed, to further strengthen the body. Elite athletes such as professional dancers, baseball and football players, ice skaters and equestrians are also finding ways that Pilates can strengthen and assist them with their performances,

well-being and injury prevention.” One of the ways that Pilates helps is by affecting body fascia. “Muscles work together, not individually, within the fascia, and the best way to change the muscle is through resistance,” says January. “It’s why Pilates uses spring tension, resistance bands and even jumping. Pilates improves balance and coordination because all the muscles work together. The entire body is learning how to dance in unison with itself.”

ing classes twice a week with a certified teacher for two to three months. That’s easy to commit to. Then you can see if Pilates is right for you.” Aimee Hughes, a freelance writer in Kansas City, MO, is a doctor of naturopathy on the faculty of the Yandara Yoga Institute. Connect at ChezAimee@gmail.com.

Boosts Immunity “The more I committed to a regular Pilates practice, the more I noticed I wasn’t getting sick as often,” says January. “Pilates helps boost the immune system through reducing stress, a wellknown contributor to disease. It’s accessible to people of all ages. You don’t have to be flexible or strong to begin, just willing.” She offers this advice to beginners. “Check out all the local studios to see what they offer. It’s best to start out tak-

Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul. ~Henry Ward Beecher

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WORKPLACE WISDOM Mindfulness in Corporate Life by April Thompson

he workplace can be filled with stress, egos and distractions that challenge the productive and happy atmosphere we desire. Both employees and employers are adopting mindfulness to help cope and transform both themselves and their work environment. Rooted in Eastern philosophies like Buddhism, most workplace mindfulness programs have stripped the techniques to a secular form more appealing to skeptics or adherents of other religions. The key practice—simply known as “sitting” or meditation— involves focusing our attention on our thoughts, breathing, emotions or bodily sensations for a set time period, while the term mindfulness refers to the ability to be aware of the present moment, whether meditating or in a

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business meeting. While Fortune 500 companies like Procter & Gamble, Aetna and General Mills have instituted formal mindfulness programs, Michael Carroll, meditation teacher, executive coach and the author of Awake at Work, says that the mindfulness revolution has been largely seeded from the ground up. It’s emerged through people exploring the practices in their personal lives, and then bringing them to work.

Personal and Professional Benefits

Jacqueline Gallo, operational excellence manager for Whitcraft Group, a manufacturing plant in Eastford, Connecticut, discovered meditation 12 years ago while seeking solace during

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a traumatic time. Today, Gallo does three short sits a week and occasionally participates in 10-day retreats. Whitcraft doesn’t offer meditation to employees, but Gallo says mindfulness enables her to be available to her staff and solve problems without getting “swept off my feet so easily by all the desires, agendas and emotions confronted at work.” Carroll cautions that it’s not about trying to eliminate our own or others’ emotional agendas or personal biases at work; rather, individuals use mindfulness to become more conscious of and relaxed about them. “Meditation helps develop agility in viewing… to self-regulate, drop fixed mindsets, become self-aware,” explains Carroll, who has coached university presidents, CEOs and nonprofit executives in mindful leadership techniques. “You learn things from a competitor’s perspective or pick up on social cues you may miss if you instead had a fixed lens on a situation.”

Corporate Acceptance

While meditation may be on the upswing in the workplace, it was a battle to legitimize it, according to Tara Healey, program director for mindfulness-based learning at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care (HPHC). A longtime meditation practitioner, Healey started the Mind the Moment program a decade ago while serving as an organizational capacity building consultant. Surveys had shown that employees were overwhelmed and dissatisfied, but lacked the skills to rectify their situation. “The leadership said, ‘Great, let’s do it, but not tell anyone,’” relates Healey. She notes that meditation, a core component of her multifaceted mindfulness course covering everything from workplace stress to mindful listening, wasn’t accepted in the workplace at that point. Today, 30 percent of her company’s 1,050 employees have completed a six-week class introducing them to the power of mindfulness; some go on to participate in a guided monthly group meditation practice

Connect with April Thompson, of Washington, D.C., at AprilWrites.com.

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Quality Clothes are Planet-Friendly The temptation to buy inexpensive clothes whispers, “It’s smart to trend with the latest fad,” or “Disposable wear can be tossed if it gets stained,” or “I can wear this outfit only once for a special event.” The lure to buy future throwaways seems especially prevalent during the holiday season of gifting and gatherings. Consumers can fall into the cycle of buying from inexpensive chain stores, wearing items a few times and then discarding them during spring cleaning purges. According to The Atlantic magazine, Americans now buy five times as much clothing annually as they did in 1980, yet recycle or donate only 15 percent of it. They simply discard 10 million tons as waste, reports the Huffington Post. Conscious consumers consider the extended consequences of their purchases. The production and transporting of an average shirt, for example, can deliver about nine pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, reports Eve Andrews, culture editor for Grist.com. She offers five tips: buy less; shop smarter and only for what’s truly needed; look for durability and design that won’t fall apart or look dated in a few months; decrease frequency of laundering to increase the life of the garment; and donate what no longer works. Buying items that are durable, timeless and made under fair labor conditions from selected organic, resale and outlet stores that sell high-end clothing that lasts at reduced prices will save money over time and reduce resource abuse and waste. Five top outlet chains for superior and lasting value per a 2016 Consumer Reports readers survey are Bon Worth, L.L. Bean, Haggar, OshKosh B’gosh and Izod. Quality labels are welcomed by consignment stores, so the wearer can even retrieve some of the purchase price for gently-used classics. Giving used threads to thrift shops, churches, The Salvation Army and Goodwill Industries is another way to extend the life of items, help others and save landfill space. Another option is to cut up portions of clothing earmarked for disposal so they can live on as cleaning rags for home and vehicles.

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or use company meditation rooms for individual practice. The health services company also offers the course to its member companies throughout New England. To date, more than 12,350 people in 174 companies have participated, encompassing varied fields from higher education and health to finance and technology. A survey of employees showed that initially 99 percent felt it was a good use of their time; another taken six months later found that 87 percent were still using the techniques. HPHC informatics analyst Stephanie Oddleifson, who took the course nearly 10 years ago, says it transformed her way of thinking and behaving in the workplace and furnished a set of practices she uses every day. In times of conflict, “I was so quick to make up stories in my head and jump to conclusions previously,” she says. “Now I’m able to pause before responding and observe my thoughts without getting caught up in them. I can diffuse tense situations with humor and not take things personally.” Additional research substantiates the anecdotal evidence for meditation’s workplace benefits. In 2015, scientists from Canada’s University of British Columbia and Germany’s Chemnitz University of Technology compiled data from 20-plus neurology studies, finding significant correlations between meditation and areas of the brain related to capacities for selfregulation, introspection and complex thinking. A Rice University study specifically found a positive relationship between workplace mindfulness, job performance and employee retention. While workplace mindfulness programs vary and may incorporate helpful talks, encouraging readings and group discussions, Healey and Carroll both caution that reading or talking about mindfulness or meditation is no substitute for the practice itself, which many find challenging. “You won’t taste the benefits just reading about it,” remarks Healey. “The practice will come into play come showtime.”

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Kelly Brogan on the Truth About Depression

Why Meds Don’t Work and What Does by Kathleen Barnes

ntegrative medical doctor Kelly Brogan, a women’s health psychiatrist and author of A Mind of Your Own, has turned the world of neuropsychiatry on its head by revealing that depression can be reversed without a single prescription drug. She asserts that depression is not caused by imbalanced brain chemistry, but by lifestyle choices that unbalance the entire human physiology. That’s why conventional antidepressants generally don’t work. She instead prescribes eliminating foods that trigger inflammation in order to rebalance all body systems. According to the National Institute for Mental Health, depression annually affects 15.7 million adult Americans, or about 8.3 percent of the population.

What’s your stand on the illness model of medicine and how you arrived there? My training as a conventional doctor was predicated on a disease care model that offers patients only one solution—a prescription. We have never had a shot at true wellness, having handed over our health to corporations loyal to their shareholders, rather than to us. Conventional medicine is based on the notion that we are born broken and need chemicals to feel better; the body is a machine that needs recalibration; and doctors always know what they are doing. After investing thousands of hours researching what would aid my own 24

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journey back from health challenges, I saw how we have been duped. Health is our natural state, and we can restore it by natural means. The way to prevent and reverse illness is to communicate with the body in a language it understands. It’s so simple, yet society considers it an act of rebellion to consider this kind of lifestyle.

Which science supports your conclusion that antidepressant drugs don’t work for most patients? Taking an antidepressant for depression is like taking a Tylenol for a shard of glass in your foot. Wouldn’t you rather just remove it? Antidepressants don’t work the way we think they do and come with risks, including impulsive violence and debilitating withdrawal. They also can distract from an opportunity to identify the real cause of symptoms, one that is entirely reversible, in my experience. Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors like Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil and Lexapro are commonly prescribed to treat depression by boosting serotonin levels. There are many studies debunking their use and effectiveness. The 2012 Ottawa Hospital Research Institute study led by Paul Albert, Ph.D., concluded, “Direct serotonin-enhancing effects of antidepressants disturb energy homeostasis and worsen symptoms.” As far back as 1998, Irving Kirsch, Ph.D., an expert on the placebo effect

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at Harvard Medical School, published a meta-analysis of the treatment of 3,000 patients, finding that drugs improved depression in only 27 percent of the cases.

What’s the link between women, high blood sugar, diabetes, obesity and depression? When I meet a patient that complains about irritability, anxiety, foggy thinking, fatigue and insomnia, I visually plot her day-to-day symptoms on a mental graph. I find that the sugar rollercoaster accounts for the vast majority of diabetes, obesity, depression and other symptoms troubling my patients, especially women. Sugar disturbs mental health in at least three ways: It starves the brain by causing blood sugar highs and lows that can eventually cause insulin resistance, diabetes and even Alzheimer’s disease; promotes inflammation, which is closely linked to depression; and derails hormones by raising levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body’s effort to balance blood sugars. Depression also has roots in thyroid imbalances, which are common in women more than 40 years old, and in food intolerances, especially to gluten, soy and corn, that can affect the brain in unpredictable ways.

Is there a general protocol that seems to work best? While there are no quick fixes, I see turnarounds every week because I help my patients see the benefits of simple choices like avoiding wheat and wheat products. You need a month of serious commitment to quit sugar, alcohol, coffee, wheat and dairy. Then you discover you aren’t an irritable, tired, forgetful person, which is its own incentive toward feeling better. It’s the basis to make choices with your own fully informed consent. Applying such information leads to long-term change and healing. Kathleen Barnes has authored numerous natural health books, including Food Is Medicine: 101 Prescriptions from the Garden. Connect at KathleenBarnes.com.

The Triangle of Good Health

he brain and body need certain raw materials to function. Give it live, raw and whole foods each day. A diet with vegetables, fruit, lean meat, fish and whole grains has been associated with lower odds for depression. Avoiding processed foods is another important step for avoiding inflammation that can contribute to depression. Processed foods have been shown to promote low grade, chronic inflammation. In addition, taking supplements such as calcium, essential fatty acid and vitamin D and drinking half your weight in ounces of water every day is recommended. It has also been suggested that women need 8 hours of steady sleep each night and men need 7 hours. Accomplishing this is more likely for those who do not use electronic devices for 30 minutes before bed and who retire at the same time nightly. Keeping the bedroom dark and at 68 degrees is also helpful. Exercising 30 minutes per day for 4 to 5 days a week is beneficial. Finally, keep in touch with one’s values and life purpose. Meditate, laugh and spend time with positive people. John Hoime is a holistic health counselor and the owner of Alternative Health, a holistic health center with three locations in West Hartford, Southwick, MA, and East Hampton, MA. For more information, call 860-218-2838 or visit AlternativeHealthSpas.info. See ad on page 13.

inspiration

The Art of Blessing Sanctifying Everyday Life by Dennis Merritt Jones

ost blessings are done quietly, in the silence of one’s own mind and heart; most often others don’t even know about it. How a blessing is done is not as important as the fact that it’s done mindfully. There is nothing magical or mystical about conferring a blessing—it’s simply confirming the presence of God, divine Spirit, at the center of that which is being blessed. Masters, teachers, sages and saints from every spiritual tradition have used blessings as a way to consecrate, sanctify, purify and heal. Wedding ceremonies, memorial services, christenings and everything in-between have at one time or another been blessed. Anyone can offer a blessing. Ernest Holmes, author of Science of Mind, defined a blessing as constructive thought directed toward anyone or any condition. He says, “You bless a man when you recognize the divinity in him.” When things are good, it can seem easy to neglect the practice of blessing ourselves and others. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote: “Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God’s handwriting—a wayside sacrament. Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in

every fair flower and thank God for it as a cup of blessing.” We can always bless what’s good in our lives, but blessings can become even more meaningful if we remember to bless the bad times as well, when we most need to remember the truth that good is present then and there, too. Getting in the habit of embracing daily blessings is a good spiritual practice as we evolve and go forth and bless our world as we have been blessed. It’s a matter of remembering that the real blessing has already been bestowed; the gift of life itself. Take a moment to contemplate this and seal it in consciousness by silently affirming, “I am blessed and I am a blessing.” I Am is a name of God. In the words of Mary Baker Eddy in introducing her seminal work, Science & Health, “To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, today is big with blessings.” Dennis Merritt Jones, D.D., of St. Petersburg Beach, FL, is the author of Your (Re)Defining Moments, The Art of Uncertainty and The Art of Being, the source of this essay. He has contributed to the human potential movement and field of spirituality for 30 years (DennisMerrittJones.com).

natural awakenings

November 2016

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Body, Mind & Spirit

greenliving

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One-Person Pamper Party Natural Ways to Refresh and Renew by April Thompson

Pampering ourselves isn’t a luxury so much as a necessity to refresh and renew mind, body and spirit.

A Spa Specialty

Spas have been synonymous with pampering throughout the ages. “Every civilization around the world has had some kind of communal gathering place for people to practice ‘self-healing’,” says Jeremy McCarthy, group director of Spa & Wellness for the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and author of The Psychology of Spas & Wellbeing. From ancient Greek bathhouses to Japan’s beloved natural hot springs, spas have long served as sacred places of healing and restoration. Indeed, many treatments provided at today’s eco-spas draw inspiration from traditional uses of herbs, honey and olive oil to care for skin and hair. Locally, natural spas’ pampering services may range from botanically based facials and mud masks to herbal body wraps and hot stone massage.

More Pampering Spots

While busy people tend to put off selfcare, there are treats to suit any schedule or budget—from getting a quick manicure or pedicure at a neighborhood eco-nail salon to visiting a yoga or wellness center. For a quick, healthy pick-me-up, visit an organic juice bar. Opt for businesses that feature fresh, whole ingredients rather than pre-mixed powders or sugar-laden juices; to give the immune system an extra lift, add a natural booster shot of ginger or turmeric. 26

Hartford County Edition

Most grocery stores now carry cold-pressed juices that can pack as much as six pounds of produce into a single bottle. An honored ritual that continues to restore spent spirits is drinking a cup of tea. Whether sipped at home, as part of a British high tea featuring Earl Grey or as part of a traditional Japanese green tea ceremony steeped in Zen, tea time allows us to slow down and savor the moment along with the aromas in our cup. Also, antioxidant-rich tea is fortifying. Salt room visits, another healthy pleasure that has spread throughout the U.S., dates back 150 years to an indigenous Polish practice. Research indicates that salt therapy, or halotherapy, can help improve conditions such as asthma and allergies and support the immune, nervous and lymphatic systems (see Tinyurl. com/SaltRoomPampering). Universally restful salt rooms also offer a unique sensory experience. Another highly accessible way to treat body and mind is to move in a joyful way. Consider taking up a playful new class for de-stressing and stretching such as trapeze yoga, conscious dance or any other dance. Aerial yoga, using suspended trapeze-like supports, helps lengthen the spine and strengthen muscles in ways not easily achieved on the ground. Dance delivers health and fitness bonuses in the midst of having fun. If we’re not in the habit of pampering ourselves, it’s time to stretch our beliefs about what we deserve. We’ll find bliss is an attainable luxury. Connect with freelance writer April Thompson, of Washington, D.C., at AprilWrites.com.

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NOTE: All Calendar events must be received by the 10th of the month prior to publication and adhere to our guidelines. Submit ALL entries at www.NAHRT.com THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3 The Conduit’s Gong Meditation Concert – 7-8:30pm. Trained musicians perform a relaxing meditative soundscape using singing bowls, crystals bowls, gongs, and bells. Rebalance, and find mindbody bliss with all props are provided. $25 pre-pay. The Conduit Center, 1227 Burnside Ave #1, East Hartford. 860-888-4314.

markyourcalendar IMPROVE YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM AND AVOID DISEASE FIRST THURSDAY Each Month 6-7:30pm Learn what causes poor health and how to change your lifestyle and avoid illnesses from the common cold to life threatening disease. Free Alternative Health, Inc 625 New Park Ave, West Hartford Register: 860-218-2838

markyourcalendar GLUTEN FREE FESTIVAL SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5 10am-2pm

Learn about the gluten free diet, local food demonstrations, free samples, coupons, educational materials, and more! Dietitian will be on hand to answer any questions Free ShopRite of Canton The Shoppes at Farmington Valley 110 Albany Tpke, Canton 860-693-3666 Nicole.Derosa@wakefern.com

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13

Hiking in New England - Lecture & Book Signing – 2pm. Join author Jeff Romano of the popular 100 Classic Hikes: New England and Day Hiking New England for a presentation showcasing hiking opportunities throughout New England. Free CAS members, $5 non-members. Connecticut Audubon Society, Grassland Bird Conservation Center, 218 Day R, Pomfret Center. 860-928-4948.

Full Moon Walk – 7pm. Trail Wood is beautiful by moonlight. Pull yourself away from the demands of the day, slow down for a bit on our trails and listen for the denizens of the night. Free CAS members, $5 non-members. Connecticut Audubon Society, Trail Wood, 93 Kenyon Rd, Hampton. 860-928-4948.

markyourcalendar WEEKLY TAI CHI CLASSES

CHEN STYLE WITH STAN BAKER

TUESDAYS

5-6:30pm 645 Farmington Ave, Hartford

FRIDAYS

5-6:30pm 45 So. Main St #90, West Hartford $15 860-836-1068 AcupunctureStanBaker.com

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8 Free Glucose Screening at ShopRite of West Hartford – 10am-2pm. It’s Diabetes Education Month. Stop by and take advantage of this free service. No appointment necessary. Registered Dietitian will be available to answer your nutrition questions. ShopRite of West Hartford, 46 Kane St, West Hartford.

markyourcalendar GROWTH GROUP

WITH DORI L. GATTER, PSY.D, LPC

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10 EVERY OTHER THURSDAY 10am-12pm

Ongoing Therapy Group. Limited to 6 people $80 Hartford Family Institute 17 S Highland St, West Hartford 860-236-6009

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11 Community Drum Circle, Mary Ertel, Facilitator – 6:30-8:30pm. Djembe drums and other hand instruments will be provided. No experience needed to participate. Donations accepted. Yoga Born, 1735 Ellington Rd, South Windsor. 860-432-5678. The Conduit’s Gong Meditation Concert – 7-8:30pm. Trained musicians perform a relaxing meditative soundscape using singing bowls, crystals bowls, gongs, and bells. Rebalance, and find mindbody bliss with all props are provided. $25 pre-pay. The Conduit Center, 1227 Burnside Ave #1, East Hartford. 860-888-4314.

markyourcalendar FREE HEALTH & WELLNESS EVENT SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12 12-4pm

Product samples, recipes, gluten free food samples and coupons. Dietitian and UCONN dietetic interns on hand to help answer your nutrition and diet related questions! Free ShopRite of West Hartford 46 Kane St, West Hartford 860-233-1713 Shana.Griffin@wakefern.com

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15 Holistic Mom’s Network - Daytime Meeting – 12:30pm. Get to know our daytime moms and find out what interests you have for future daytime meetings. Non-members 1st meeting free, $30 annual membership. Noah Webster Library, 20 S Main St, West Hartford. Membership.HolisticMoms.org. Emotions and Essential Oils Workshop – 6-7pm. Find out how emotions and pure essential oils interact chemically in your body. Learn how smell is one of the fastest ways to affect your mood naturally, cost-effectively, and without dangerous side effects. Free. TFC Health Foods, 230 Farmington Ave, Farmington. RSVP, Christine: 917-488-5788.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12 Nature Sketchbook Journaling – 9am-12pm. Spend time outdoors, sketching and painting from nature, using pencil, pen and watercolor. Roxanne Steed will show you how to simplify what you see, and will teach basic drawing. $10 CAS members, $20 non-members. Connecticut Audubon Society, Grassland Bird Conservation Center, 218 Day R, Pomfret Center. 860-928-4948 to register. Chocolate & Chanting – 12-3pm. Together we will employ the ancient remedies of cacao and kirtan on a journey of powerful vibration to reconnect and remember who we truly are. $35 in advance, $45 day of, Vital Life Center, 100 W Main St, Plainville. 860-479-0466. Free Health, Wellness & Gluten Free Fair at ShopRite of West Hartford! – 12-4pm. Samples, raffles, cooking demos, nutrition education stations, fitness specialist and nutrition experts to answer your questions, and more. Learn about new free wellness classes. ShopRite of West Hartford, 46 Kane St, West Hartford.

markyourcalendar WHAT’S YOUR DOSHA SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13 4-6pm Discover your dosha or constitutional makeup and apply pranayama, yoga flows, and self-care practices that you can adjust seasonally.

Benefits of Gratitude – 7-8:30pm. Gratitude is an emotion expressing appreciation for what one has. Learn how it works in your life and how to use it. Sponsored by Alliance for Holistic Living. Free, non-perishable food donation encouraged. Hosted at Yoga Born, 1735 Ellington Rd, South Windsor. The Conduit’s Thai Massage Gong Meditation – 7-8:30pm. Experience Thai Massage while a calming concert of sound meditation guides attendants in releasing into provided mats for mindbody healing at an even deeper level. $30 pre-pay. The Conduit Center, 1227 Burnside Ave #1, East Hartford. 860-888-4314.

markyourcalendar DIETITIAN’S “MAKE AHEAD THANKSGIVING” CULINARY WORKSHOP FOR ADULTS

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17 5:30-8pm

Stress less and prep these make-ahead friendly dishes: Butternut Squash Soup with Cashew Cream, Multi-Grain Apple Stuffing Squash, Cherry Stuffed Turkey, & No-Bake Creamy Pumpkin Pie. $35 Sign up at Customer Service Desk ShopRite of West Hartford 46 Kane St Shoprite.com/culinary-workshop

$25 Yoga Center of Collinsville 10 Front St, Collinsville Registration Required: 860-693-YOGA (9642) YogaCenterCollinsville.com

natural awakenings

November 2016

calendarofevents

markyourcalendar

GOING YIN-SIDE OUT

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19 2:30-4pm

A YIN APPROACH TO YOGA

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18 6:30-8pm

Find your balance between softness and strength, ease and effort with Yin yoga – the perfect companion to an active (Yang) yoga practice, and to our busy lives.

Learn how to modify your yoga practice during each stage of your pregnancy. Also learn the things you shouldn’t do in yoga while pregnant. $42 Yoga Center of Collinsville 10 Front St, Collinsville

$24

Registration Required: 860-693-YOGA (9642) YogaCenterCollinsville.com

Yoga Center of Collinsville 10 Front St, Collinsville Registration Required: 860-693-YOGA (9642) YogaCenterCollinsville.com

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18 5 Animal Frolics Qigong Part 3 - The Deer – 1-4pm. Relax, extend and open the spine with this 1800 year old exercise. Spirit Matters at Ravenwood, 199 W Center St, Manchester. $45. To register by 11/16: 860-742-5892.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19 Yoga Family Fun – 10:30am-12pm. Strike a pose, share a story, sing a song, play a game. Open to all family members 6 years old and up. $10. Vital Life Center, 100 W Main St, Plainville. 860-479-0466.

markyourcalendar PRENATAL YOGA

WITH CYNDI ROBERTS

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19 1-5:30pm Learn how to teach to pregnant students through better understanding of common modifications needed and contraindications. Part 1 is lecture, Part 2 is participating in a yoga class for pregnant students led by Cyndi and part 3 is review and exploration of your questions. RYTs earn 4 Continuing Education Contact Hours in the Yoga Alliance categories of Teaching Methodology (TM), Techniques, Training & Practice (TTP), Anatomy & Physiology (AP) and a certificate of completion. $62 Yoga Center of Collinsville 10 Front St, Collinsville

The Conduit’s Gong Meditation Concert – 7-8:30pm. Trained musicians perform a relaxing meditative soundscape using singing bowls, crystals bowls, gongs, and bells. Rebalance, and find mindbody bliss with all props are provided. $25 pre-pay. The Conduit Center, 1227 Burnside Ave #1, East Hartford. 860-888-4314.

Laughter Yoga Led by Christine Olmstead – 6:157pm. Breathing exercises and simulated laughing leads you to genuinely feel good. No experience needed to participate. Donations accepted. Yoga Born, 1735 Ellington Rd, South Windsor, 860432-5678.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26 The Conduit’s Gong Meditation Concert – 7-8:30pm. Trained musicians perform a relaxing meditative soundscape using singing bowls, crystals bowls, gongs, and bells. Rebalance, and find mindbody bliss with all props are provided. $25 pre-pay.

markyourcalendar PRENATAL YOGA

The Conduit Center, 1227 Burnside Ave AND #1, East WITH CYNDI ROBERTS TWIST Hartford. 860-888-4314.

Hartford County Edition

6:30-8pm

Find your balance in this candlelit Avervedic yoga practice that calms the nervous system, relaxes muscle tension and strengthens the immune system. $22 Yoga Center of Collinsville 10 Front St, Collinsville Registration Required: 860-693-YOGA (9642) YogaCenterCollinsville.com

markyourcalendar CANDLELIGHT GIRLYOGA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2 7-8:15pm

Enjoy yoga poses, conversation, and deep relaxation just for girls. $20 Yoga Center of Collinsville 10 Front St, Collinsville Registration Required: 860-693-YOGA (9642) YogaCenterCollinsville.com

markyourcalendar GONG MEDITATION EXPERIENCE WITH THE CONDUIT CENTER

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4 5:30-7pm

The Conduit musicians use instruments such as ancient Himalayan singing bowls and planetary gongs to guide attendants into a relaxed state. $32

DETOX

Yoga Center of Collinsville 10 Front St, Collinsville, CT

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26

Registration Required: 860-693-YOGA (9642) YogaCenterCollinsville.com

WITH PAM AND MAGGIE Asana along with an introduction to Ayurveda and a purifying detox. Cleanse your body and clear your mind with poses which heat and create space in the body. $60 Journey of Yoga 730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury

Registration Required: 860-693-YOGA (9642) YogaCenterCollinsville.com

TAMING THE WINDS OF VATA CANDLELIGHT WORKSHOP FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2

860-680-1482 JourneyOfYoga.com

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ongoingevents sunday Astrology with Pat Peabody – Afternoons by appointment. See website for details. $35. Center for Progressive Therapies, 192 Hartford Rd, Manchester. 860-989-1238. Restorative Yoga - All Levels – 9:30-10:45am. A luxurious class with passive postures done over props for a meditative practice allowing you to surrender layers of deeply held tension. Perfect for beginner and advanced yogis. $50 for 30 days, unlimited classes new students. Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville. 860-693-9642. Create Financial Freedom with Healthy Products – 4-5pm. Learn how to build a business and create financial freedom for you by distributing natural Aloe Vera nutritional supplements to help others be healthy. Free. Bristol (call for address). RSVP: 860-372-8171. Kids’ Yoga – 11/6 & 11/20. 4-4:45pm. Let your little yogi explore and learn on the mat through games, songs and stories designed to connect to the importance of love and kindness. Ages 4-8. $12 drop in or class pass/membership. Journey of Yoga, 730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury. 860-680-1482. Qigong - All Levels – 5:30-6:30pm. Deep breathing and flowing movements derived from ancient Chinese healing exercises for increased balance, flexibility, muscle and bone strength, immune function, decreased pain and stiffness. $17 drop-in. Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville. 860-693-9642.

Baby and Me Yoga – 10:30-11:30am. Caregivers are invited to practice yoga and bond with baby in this open and nurturing environment. Yoga postures to benefit core strengthening and lower back care. $20 drop in or class pass/membership. Journey of Yoga, 730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury. 860-680-1482. Gentle + Restorative Yoga – 10:30-11:45am. Gently held postures for joint health and nurturing. Great for any experience level. $50 for 30 days, unlimited classes/new students. Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville. 860-693-9642. Yoga for Girls – 4:30-5:30pm. Offers adolescent girls to build a strong sense of self-confidence and self-awareness, while providing the basics of yoga asana, as well as, meditation techniques. $20 drop in or class pass/membership. Journey of Yoga, 730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury. 860-680-1482. Meditate Through the Madness – 6pm. Hosted by Torin Lee. Learn to manage the stress of life through mediation. $10. Oneida Holistic Health Center, 16 West Rd, Marlborough. To register: 860-467-6518. Tong Ren Healing Class – 7-8pm. Dr. Ming Wu leads this class focusing on internally healing the body’s energy system by using the collective unconscious. Wu Healing Center, 45 S Main St, West Hartford. To register: 860-606-0578. Vinyasa Yoga For Everyone – 7-8:15pm. Classic yoga postures in flowing sequence linked by breath. Learn breathing techniques that keep you invigorated and calm in your daily life. $50 for 30 days, unlimited classes/new students. Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville. 860-693-9642.

monday

tuesday

Sanctuary Power Flow – 9-10am. Our signature, power vinyasa (flow) class in a heated room. Baptiste influenced, it’s strong and challenging, a meditation in motion. No pre-registration required. $18 drop-in. 163 Albany Tpke, Ste 400, Canton. SanctuaryPowerYoga.com.

Chair Massage – Treat yourself to a relaxing break. You decide how long. $1/minute. Oneida Holistic Health Center, 16 West Rd, Marlborough. Walk-ins welcome or call for an appointment: 860-467-6518.

Complete Strength Class – 9:30-10:30am. Total Strength classes are the #1 priority to burn calories and build lean muscle to boost your metabolism for the long-term. $20. YES Fitness, 292 Spielman Hwy, Burlington. 860-673-4293. Kundalini Yoga – 9:30-11am. Free. Windham Recovery Community Center, 713 Main St, Willimantic. 860-423-7088 or 860-423-9843 for more info. Sanctuary Open Flow – 9:30-10:30am. Our signature, power vinyasa (flow) class in a heated room. Baptiste influenced, it’s strong and challenging, a meditation in motion. No pre-registration required. $18 drop-in. Sanctuary Power Yoga, 23 Franklin St, Torrington. SanctuaryPowerYoga.com. Open Play! For Ages 10 Months to 5 Years – 1011:15am. Join open play in our creative arts studio. Non-instructional play will include gross motor equipment like tunnels and balance beams, dress up and art projects. Donation of canned good. Imagine Studio, 97 South St, West Hartford. ImagineStudioCT.com.

Tai Chi with Dr. Ming Wu – 6-7pm. Learn from a Tai Chi master who has studied the art of Tai Chi for more than 40 years. Wu Healing Center, 45 S Main St, West Hartford. To register: 860-606-0578. Turbo Kick Boxing with Mary – 7:15-8:15pm. Extreme aerobic workout is fun and will get you in shape. Great music. Tuesdays are for beginners and Thursdays are advanced classes. $5. Center for Progressive Therapies, 192 Hartford Rd, Manchester. 860-883-9664. Meditation as a Way of Living with Tom Dest – 7:30-8:45pm. Promoting access to intention from deep inside and heart to heart communication - soft live music. Contemplation on our eternal nature and keys to peace. $15. Center for Progressive Therapies, 192 Hartford Rd, Manchester. 413-822-8486..

wednesday Coffee with Coach – 7am. Early morning session facilitated by Torin Lee, Life Coach. Learn ways to handle stress, navigate change and make each day count. $10. Oneida Holistic Health Center, 16 West Rd, Marlborough. To register: 860-467-6518. Gentle Yoga – 10:30-11:45am. Gently held postures for joint health and nurturing. $50 for 30 days, unlimited classes/new students. Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville. 860-693-9642. Metabolic ZT – 4:30-5:30pm. Our version of a cardio workout. Monitored by individual heart rate, burn calories, get your metabolism revving, and give you the cardiovascular benefits you are looking for. $20. YES Fitness, 292 Spielman Hwy, Burlington. 860-673-4293. Sanctuary Foundations Flow – 7-8pm. A slower, gentler flow that still incorporates many of the poses from our signature power class. No pre-registration required. $18 drop-in. 23 Franklin St, Torrington. SanctuaryPowerYoga.com.

DECEMBER

Express Vinyasa Yoga – 6-7am. Touches on all the essentials of the core standing, balancing, and seated postures. Build strength, heat and focus moving through sun salutations linked with breath and clarity. Some yoga experience recommended. $50 for 30 days, unlimited classes/new students. Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville. 860-693-9642. Tai Chi for Kids (Ages 6-12) – 4-4:45pm. Learning the Chinese art of Tai Chi is a great way for children to relax, have fun and strengthen body and mind. Wu Healing Center, 45 S Main St, West Hartford. To register: 860-606-0578. Consortium of Unicorns – 6-7pm. This unique empowerment group will support you while you focus on reconnecting with yourself. Learn what true self worth, self-love looks and feels like. $20. The Beyond Center, 281 Hartford Tpke, Ste 5G, Vernon. 860-899-4700.

Advertise in our

December Uplifting Humanity Issue

860-507-6392

natural awakenings

November 2016

ongoing events

saturday

thursday Complete Strength Class – 5:30-6:30am. Total Strength classes are the #1 priority to burn calories and build lean muscle to boost your metabolism for the long-term. $20. YES Fitness, 292 Spielman Hwy, Burlington. 860-673-4293. Move and Groove - Conscious Conditioning with Sandy Byrne – 8:45-10am. Fusing the expertise of conditioning athletes with yogic consciousness, this fun, energetic class will jump-start your metabolism and get your body feeling strong and supple. $16 drop-in, class cards available. River Rock Yoga, 274 Silas Deane Hwy, Wethersfield. 860-757-3339. Bump Day – 10am-6pm. 60-minute prenatal massage or reflexology by Colleen Dumas, LMT and certified in prenatal care. Refreshments, raffle. $40. Oneida Holistic Health Center, 16 West Rd, Marlborough. For an appointment: 860-467-6518. Belly Dance Classes with Elisheva – 6-7pm. Learn the ancient art of belly dance in this beginner class. All levels and abilities warmly welcomed. $17. Spotlight Dance, Art & Wellness, 45 S Main St, Unionville. Register: 860-967-9424. Blended Style Yoga Classes – 6-7:15pm. Our many styles meet you where you are. Gentle sound allows tuning and awakening improving life and self. Also every weekday. See our website. $5 or $8. Center for Progressive Therapies, 192 Hartford Rd, Manchester. 860-649-9600. Tai Chi & Meditation – 6-7pm. Instruction is focused on empowering Chi and enhancing health and healing of the mind, body and spirit. Wu Healing Center, 45 S Main St, West Hartford. To register: 860-606-0578. Sound Bath Session – 6:30-8:30pm. 3rd Thursday of the month. Enjoy a monthly group sound bath with Karen Fox, Sister of Sound. Let singing bowls, bells, drums, chimes bathe you in angelic healing vibrations. $20 advance, $25 at door. Oneida Holistic Health Center, 16 West Rd, Marlborough. 860-467-6518. Vinyasa Yoga For Everyone – 7-8:15pm. Classic yoga postures in flowing sequence linked by breath. Learn breathing techniques that keep you invigorated and calm in your daily life. $50 for 30 days, unlimited classes/new students. Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville. 860-693-9642.

friday

Hartford County Edition

Tai Chi and Qi Gong – 8-9am. Dr. Ming Wu is a Tai Chi and Qi Gong Master who has dedicated his life to teaching others how to live healing and healthy lives. Wu Healing Center, 45 S Main St, West Hartford. To register: 860-606-0578. Sanctuary Power Flow – 9-10am. Our signature, power vinyasa (flow) class in a heated room. Baptiste influenced, it’s strong and challenging, a meditation in motion. No pre-registration required. $18 drop-in. 163 Albany Tpke, Ste 400, Canton. SanctuaryPowerYoga.com. Cat Adoption Open House – 10am-4pm. Protectors of Animals. 144 Main St, East Hartford. POAinc.org. Natural Weight Loss Seminar – 10am-12pm. Learn how tasty and vitamin-packed Aloe Vera drinks and supplements help you to lose and manage weight for a healthy, active life. Free. Bristol (call for address). RSVP: 860-372-8171. Belly Dance – 10:45am-12pm. Connect spirit and body through a sensual movement workout. Fusing yoga-based warm ups, belly dance techniques, and a cool-down meditation. Beginners and drop-ins welcome. $50 for 30 days, unlimited classes/new students. Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville. 860-693-9642. Core Focused Yoga – 11-11:45am. Explore how your back and front bodies support each other to create length and strength. Will help relieve low back discomfort. $20. Yoga Born, 1735 Ellington Rd, South Windsor. 860-432-5678.

classifieds

Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. Create your Community Resource Guide Listing online at www.NAHRT.com. ACUPUNCTURE ACUPUNCTURE OF GREATER HARTFORD

Stan Baker, L.Ac., Dipl.Ac. 645 Farmington Ave, Hartford 06105 860-836-1068 AcupunctureStanBaker.com Your acupuncture treatment plan will eliminate visible symptoms and signs, while addressing the root causes and underlying imbalances affecting the quality and quantity of your energy. See ad on page 7.

INTEGRATIVE WELLNESS & PHYSICAL THERAPY 34 Jerome Ave., Suite 305 Bloomfield, 06002 860-519-1916 Info@IntegrativeWellnessAndPT.com

Dr. Chung-Quiros provides acupuncture and Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture to rejuvenate the face, creating a more youthful appearance while addressing overall health for the whole body. See ads on pages 6, 16 and 19.

EDUCATION HARTFORD FAMILY INSTITUTE

Center for Psychotherapy and Healing Arts 17 South Highland St., West Hartford, 06119 203-236-6009 HartfordFamilyInstitute.com

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY START A CAREER YOU CAN BE PASSIONATE ABOUT – Publish your own Natural Awakenings magazine. Home based business complete with comprehensive training and support system. New franchises are available or purchase a magazine that is currently publishing. Call 239-530-1377 or visit www.naturalawakeningsmag.com/mymagazine.

FOR RENT

Chair Massage – Treat yourself to a relaxing break. You decide how long. $1 per minute. Oneida Holistic Health Center, 16 West Rd, Marlborough. Walk-ins welcome or call for an appointment: 860-467-6518.

Morning Express Vinyasa Yoga – 7:45-8:45am. Touches on all the essentials of the core standing, balancing, and seated postures. Build strength, heat and focus moving through sun salutations linked with breath and clarity. $50 for 30 days unlimited classes (new students). Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville. 860-693-9642.

community resourceguide

PART-TIME TREATMENT & CLASS ROOM IN NEW HOLISTIC CENTER – 91 S. Main St., West Hartford at Zen: Body+Mind Holistic Healing. Visit www.ZenWH.com to learn more. Email Info@ZenWH.com for information.

www.NAHRT.com

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