Natural Awakenings New Haven & Middlesex CT MAY 2019

EE R F

HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE Is Key to Personal Success

PERSONAL SAFETY Is the Ultimate Empowerment

PLANET

LOVE MOM Connecting

With the Energy That Made Us

SPECIAL EDITION

WOMEN’S WELLNESS May 2019 | New Haven-Middlesex | NaturalNewHaven.com

May 2019

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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

“Always remember: you are on this Earth for a reason, to serve a purpose. You deserve the power with which you were born, you have the capability to release it and you have the permission to choose it. Speak kindly to yourself and say “yes” to your power.” ~Paige Dest

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Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.

Welcome to our May Women’s Health edition! We are excited to share our abundant local and richly diverse editorial content this month—all intended to support woman on their path to enhanced wellness and personal fulfilment on many levels.

In addition to sharing holistic remedies and natural modalities to help women achieve optimal physical health (during all stages of adult life from pregnancy to menopause), our editorial features explore the topic of personal empowerment (e.g. protecting personal safety) and some powerful insights on the growing interest in mysticism and its potential to awaken and heal in ways never imagined.

The take home message of this month’s issue is for women to embrace their own power in a way that goes deeper than motivation, accomplishment and doing more. Woman have already demonstrated mastery of being able to “do it all,” from excelling in highlevel positons in the workplace, to juggling multiple roles at home as wife, mother and manager of the household. Women owe it to themselves to practice self-love, compassion, assertiveness and self-preservation. The old adage: You can’t give from an empty cup is spot on—Time to refill your cup!

Our second editorial theme: Mysticism and Medicine, dovetails nicely with empowerment. Mysticism may seem a bit “out there” to many, given its association with the metaphysical. However, as you will read in Laurie Ingram’s article: “Searching for the Mystic Within,” mystics are seekers, who are comfortable with the unknown and deeply connected to their personal truth. They live more of a philosophical existence.

I was raised in a secular household. However, in spite of not having had a religious upbringing, I have always been a philosopher, seeking ways to experience life directly and authentically. During my lifetime, I have enjoyed a number of direct experiential encounters with my inner being, which has had a transformational effect on my health, personal effectiveness, relationships with others, my view of the world and myself—plus everything I attracted into my life experience. During these times, I also felt heightened awareness, clarity and compassion. While I cannot explain exactly how the shift occurred, this is what I do know—The transformation came from within. In order to get “woke,” (as the millennial expression goes) I had to stop looking outside of myself for happiness and fulfilment; I needed to stay focused and present—and most importantly, get out of my own way.

We hope our special Women’s Wellness issue touches your heart and inspires you in some way as you explore these pages. Our community calendar and news brief section is filled with holistic events, classes and workshops designed to empower and bring out the mystic in you. Enjoy!

Happy Mother’s Day!

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Natural Awakenings is a family of more than 70 healthy living magazines celebrating 25 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

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Contents 22 SEARCHING FOR

22

THE MYSTIC WITHIN

2 4 WOMEN AND HEALTH 26 UNLEASH YOUR POWER

Emotional Intelligence is Key to Personal Success

28 PERSONAL SAFETY IS THE ULTIMATE EMPOWERMENT

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30 THE HIDDEN ROLE OF THE THYROID IN INFERTILITY

How Functional Medicine Can Help

32 ACUPUNCTURE FOR PREGNANCY PAIN AND OTHER COMMON AILMENTS

36 TOXIC LEGACY

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Breast Implant Warriors Unite

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Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month.

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37 THE MOTHER

OUR SOULS NEED

Connecting With the Energy That Made Us

DEPARTMENTS 6 news briefs 12 health briefs 16 global briefs 18 event spotlight 20 community

37 inspiration 38 calendar 43 classifieds 44 resource guide

spotlight 28 fit body 34 natural pet 36 healing ways

May 2019

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news briefs

is going to be on May 11 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. for $50 per couple.

Spirit Festival Coming to Connecticut River

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ickets are now available for Spirit Festival, a celebration of wellness, yoga, music and dance, which will be held September 13 to 15, along the Connecticut River in Hartford.

Produced in affiliation with BaliSpirit Festival and Riverfront Recapture, the event will provide a safe and moving space for discovering new paths to harmony, healing, creativity and community.

Spirit Festival will feature a diverse array of offerings from conscious teachers, practitioners, performers and artists, including: a kirtan and chanting workshop with internationally celebrated yogi-musician Girish; an immersive sound bath with Integrative Sound Therapist Daniel Lauter; an opportunity to talk and practice with Maya Breuer, founder of the Yoga Retreat for Women of Color at Kripalu; a “get real” workshop with the author of the Indie Spiritualist, Chris Grosso; a grounding workshop for creating a spiritual life with Dr. Brandon Nappi; a participant-driven and technology-infused installation by New Media Artist Balam Soto; an introduction to the practice of Ashtanga Yoga with Randolph Osgood; a high energy experience of Caribbean style SocaRobix with trainer and coach Wasine Mark; children and family yoga instruction with Dragonfly Studios; and an opportunity to turn trash into instruments with Ethnomusicologist Dennis Waring.

Through beneficial and inspirational traditions of yoga, dance and music, the BaliSpirit Festival illustrates the Balinese Hindu concept of Tri Hita Karana: living in harmony with our spiritual, social and natural environments.

For more information, visit SpiritYogaFestival.com. Location: Riverside Park & Mortensen Riverfront Plaza, Hartford. See back cover ad.

For more information or to register, call 203-693-3893, email Info@WalnutBeachWelless.com or visit WalnutBeachWelless.com.

Location: Walnut Beach Wellness & Boutique, 41 Naugatuck Ave., Milford, CT. See ad on page 46.

Bi-annual Statewide Holistic EXPO

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he Holistic Community Professionals are hosting their 4th Bi-annual Statewide Holistic EXPO on May 5 from 10am to 5pm at The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Bristol. The public is invited to attend the expo, which will feature 75 exhibitors and speakers and free raffles all day, with a grand prize raffle of an overnight stay with breakfast for two. A free sound healing/ drumming ceremony will be held on the patio from 4 to 5pm.

alnut Beach Wellness is offering Mother’s Day must-haves.

The deals include a package of massage, facial and yoga for $175 (available until May 13), 10 percent off artisan glassblown diffuser necklaces with a purchase of an essential oil, and workshops in May.

Admission is $5 per person online at YourHolisticEvents.com or $7 at the door. Children under 5 are free. All door proceeds will be donated to the CT Children’s Medical Center (ConnecticutChildrens.org) and Hartford Hospitals Integrative Medicine - Angie’s Spa (AngiesSpa.org). All funds will be used directly for patient care.

Holistic Community Professionals is a professional team of holistic and natural businesses providing community outreach and education, with members from Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. All members, led by Executive Director Shirley Bloethe, are committed to improving the health and wellness of body, mind and spirit in the communities served.

Make a sacred diffuser bracelet and spend some quality time with your mother from 2-4 p.m. on May 11 for $35 per person.

For moms-to-be, the wellness center is holding a belly cast painting workshop with gentle pre-natal partner yoga. This workshop

For tickets, visit YourHolisticEvents.com. For more information, call 860-989-0033, email YourHolisticEvents@gmail.com or visit HolisticCommunityProfessionals.com. Location: DoubleTree by Hilton, 42 Century Dr, Bristol. See ad on page 21.

Mother’s Day Bliss

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news briefs

Mobile Business Offers In-home Holistic Wellness Services

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his spring, 3D Holistic Wellness, a mobile wellness business servicing the Connecticut and New York area, is offering inhome services. These include massage therapy appointments, spa parties or girls’ night, facials, essential oils, classes, and holistic wellness coaching. The business also has a new kids-focused line of essential oils.

During the month of May, 3D Holistic Wellness is offering a spring/Mother’s Day special with 30 percent discounts on spa parties and massage therapy sessions. For more information about the May special or to set up an appointment, call Danielle Ingenito at 516-639-5917.

For more information on 3D Holistic Wellness, visit 3DWellness. site123.me or Facebook.com/3D-Wellness-364402494100186.

Personal Training and Fitness Center Celebrates Eighth Anniversary

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ody Vision Personal Training, LLC will be celebrating the 8-year anniversary of their current location at 825 Federal Road in Brookfield, Connecticut. Body Vision has been in business in the town of Brookfield for 25 years.

In celebration of their 25 years in business, Body Vision Personal Training will be offering discounted rates for personal one-on-one fitness training sessions and small group workouts with a certified physiologist beginning May through the month of August 2019.

Kathy Creighton

Kathy Creighton, the founder, owner and operator of Body Vision, is a fitness trainer and exercise physiologist with more than 25 years of experience in adult fitness training, athletic training, personal fitness training and exercises for the elderly. Whether the goal is gaining muscle, losing fat, having more energy or just feeling better, Creighton works with clients to design a customized, multifaceted exercise program, after a complete medical and exercise history review and physical assessment.

For more information or to set up an appointment, call 203-740-8650, email CreightonKM@gmail.com or visit BodyVisionCT.com. See Profile on page 13.

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203-239-3400 12 Village Street, Suite 3, North Haven Restorationhealthpllc.com

~Andy Warhol s00819948.INDD 1

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news briefs

Artmaking will be facilitated by award-winning artist Hillary Opperman.

The all-inclusive price of $621 includes accommodations, home-cooked meals and programming for the weekend. Early bird pricing of $575 will be honored through May 5.

Breath and Beats Yoga and Art Retreat at Still Waters Pond

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till Waters Retreat Center of Voluntown, Connecticut, has announced its retreat schedule for this summer. They are kicking off their summer retreats on Summer Solstice weekend, June 21-23, with a Breath and Beats Experience Retreat.

According to Norbs, the event organizer and DJ, “this retreat is designed to facilitate a slower pace for participants to recharge while immersed in nature and community with others.” The event offers participants exclusive use of the property, including a private hiking trail with art elements, a water-view dining area

For more information, contact Amy LaBossiere, owner of Still Waters Retreat Center, at 860-543-3244 or Amy@StillWatersPond.com. To register, visit EXPBB.com or StillWatersPond.com/Events. See ad on page 18.

New Book: Reiki Healing Guide for Kids

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pril D’Amato, founder of Soul Star Healing, is excited to announce her newly released book, Shine Your Light: A Kid’s Guide to Reiki Healing.

D’Amato, a Reiki master teacher and practitioner for 19 years, began her Reiki teaching program for kids in 2007 in order to provide them with a tool to raise their self-esteem, focus and concentration as well to teach them to live mindfully to calm and ease the challenges of childhood.

D’Amato’s book goes beyond just Reiki, bringing awareness to feelings and their role as well as learning ways for self-care. She has also developed a teaching companion to go along with her book; it guides other teachers in teaching Reiki to kids.

Copies of Shine Your Light are available for purchase at Amazon.com.

and sunrise yoga platform abutting a private 12-acre pond.

The programming for the event includes meditation and yoga classes paired with a live DJ, guided art activities that include creating mandalas and process artwork, and nightly bonfires, weather permitting.

Managing partner and healthy homestyle cook, Amy LaBossiere, will provide nourishing meals for the retreat participants. LaBossiere states that, “there’s something special about sitting around a big table with a small group. We have serene dining areas both inside and out, where guests can make connections with each other and focus on the intention of the retreat.”

Still Waters Retreat Center reopened in September 2018, its main house completely renovated after a devastating fire in 2014. The recreated spaces inside and out were designed and executed by the award-winning fine artist and retreat partner, Tao LaBossiere.

Activities include creating sacred space and setting intentions for the weekend, all levels Yoga Flow from Balance by Melissa, accompanied by the Ambient Soundscape of DJ Norbs3000.

For more information, contact April D’Amato at April@SoulStarHealing.com or SoulStarHealing.com.

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CT Colon Hydrotherapy 35 Boston Street Guilford, CT 06437

PATTI HARTMAN I-ACT CERTIFIED HYDROTHERAPIST NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFIED PHartman57@comcast.net 203-500-0005

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news briefs

Holistic Moms Network Hosts EMF-focused Event

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ant to know what the terms EMF, RF Radiation and 5G mean? Should you be concerned about their presence in your home, workplace, schools and public areas? On May 21 at 6:30 p.m., join Holistic Moms Network’s (HMN) New Haven County chapter and JT Maloney of EMFBiohackers as he answers all of these questions and more in Man-made Electromagnetic Radiation: EMF, RF, 5G Explained.

The mission of Holistic Moms Network, a nonprofit support and discussion network, is to connect parents who are interested in holistic health and green living. It welcomes people wherever they are on their own holistic path in an environment that does not judge. The New Haven County chapter follows the Holistic Moms Network’s drive to encourage parents to use their innate sense of what is best for their children and the Earth while learning more about healthcare and parenting options. Living healthy and living green is not an endpoint, but an ongoing journey.

For more information, visit Chapters.HolisticMoms.org/Chapters/ CT-New-Haven or Facebook.com/HMNNewHaven. RSVP to Tori Lawlor at tdavisca@aol.com or on Facebook event. Location: Woodruff Family YMCA, 631 Orange Ave, Milford, CT.

punthep.c/Bigstock.com

CT Audubon Hosts Migration Madness Weekend Across State

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onnecticut Audubon’s second annual Migration Madness Big Weekend, scheduled for May 17 to 19, will feature more than 30 guided bird walks, talks, exhibitions and other programs for all ages and in all parts of the state. The event will be highlighted by a Birdathon, a friendly bird-watching competition

Maloney will discuss 10 documented health effects resulting from RF Radiation, what the sources of it are and how to measure them. He will also discuss mitigation strategies for WiFi, cellphones and smart meters as well as EMF transmissions from your neighbor’s home and cell towers. The importance of light in your environment and strategies to mitigate blue light will also be touched upon.

to raise money for conservation and environmental education in Connecticut.

The Birdathon is for everyone. The 60 participants in last year’s inaugural Birdathon ranged from age 9 to almost 70, and they raised more than $10,000 for conservation. This year’s goal is to reach 100 participants and raise $20,000 in donations.

Thousands of Years of Food Wisdom in Twelve Months

The Institute of Sustainable Nutrition

Offering a One-Year Certification Program in Sustainable Health & Nutrition This Innovative School Integrates the Science of Nutrition with:

Practicing Sustainable Gardening Methods

Preparing Traditional Kitchen Medicine

Learning Kitchen Culinary Skills

Identifying Nutrient-rich Wild Plants

Embark on this life-altering journey and be part of the movement to change the paradigm of our food for future generations. Join our experienced staff one weekend a month as you use hands-on education to delve into and explore diverse aspects of how food and herbs enhance the health of your clients, friends, family, yourself and the environment.

Adventures on the Farm

May 25, 10am – 12pm

Now accepting applications for 2019-2020 | Call 860-764-9070 today! | West Granby, CT | www.tiosn.com May 2019

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Tory Peterson Estuary Center in Old Lyme; full moon walk at the Center of Fairfield on Friday evening; bird banding demonstrations at Birdcraft in Fairfield on Saturday and Sunday and at the Center at Pomfret on Saturday; mid-morning bird walk at the Center at Glastonbury on Saturday; incredible “90-bird day� trip with Andy Rzeznikiewicz at the Center at Pomfret on Sunday; and early-morning and not-so-early guided walks through the highlands of Deer Pond Farm in Sherman.

Many events are free and all are reasonably priced, with discounts for Connecticut Audubon members.

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o you experience annoying knots in your upper back area or between your shoulder blades? Often, they can be the result of ribs that are stuck and no longer expand and contract. Ribs easily become restricted from many activities involving the arms, such as lifting heavy objects or playing sports.

Take advantage of a complimentary 10-minute screening to determine whether an immobilized rib is the true source of your pain. The 10-minute sessions will be held at Physical Therapy Services of Guilford in Branford, Connecticut. They will be held on May 14 and 23 from 4-5 p.m.

To reserve a spot or to make an appointment for a more convenient time, call 203-315-7727. Location: Physical Therapy Services of Guilford, 500 East Main St., Ste. 310, Branford, CT. See ad on page 27.

For more information, visit MigrationMadness.CTAudubon.org.

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Expert birders will have a chance to compete against some of the best birders in the state, and there will be ample opportunities for intermediate level birders, youngsters and people who are new to bird-watching to have fun and win prizes.

Attendees can choose from at least 30 programs and events throughout Migration Madness. Highlights include: beginner bird walk at the Coastal Center on Friday afternoon; late afternoon coastal bird walk at Watch Rock Preserve, led by the Roger

Are You Experiencing Knots Between Your Shoulder Blades?

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news briefs

Holistic Community Professionals HCP

Our professional team of holistic and natural businesses provides community outreach and education. We are committed to improving the health and wellness of body, mind, and spirit in the communities we serve. Visit our Site: HolisticCommunityProfessionals.com

Coaching & Workshops Torin Lee TL Coaching /Zen Events MyPathForward.net 860-861-9038 torin@zenevents.net TorinLee.com

EFT Tapping /Hypnosis Therese Baumgart Certified Practitioner Emotional Freedom Technique Hypnosis & Past Lives Clear Stress, Lose weight, Release pain, Stop smoking Free 15 minute strategy session In-person, Skype, Phone 203-710-7438 HypnosisandEFTct.com

Reiki Master / Teacher Stephanie Rosally-Kaplan Reiki Master / Teacher Universal White Time Gemstone Practitioner Level 2 Wedding Officiant / Workshops Professional Photographer 914-330-1474 RosallyKaplan@gmail.com The Red Barn in Durham 352 Main St, Durham

STATEWIDE HOLISTIC EXPO Passport to Health & Wellness Expo SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2019 10am - 4pm Closing Event - Drumming on the Patio 4 - 5pm The DoubleTree by Hilton 42 Century Drive, Bristol, CT 06010 75 Vendors & Readers • Free Raffles • Drumming GRAND PRIZE A Hilton Overnight Stay for Two!

DNA Designed Nutrition

Declutter / Organize / Feng Shui Joan Ruggiero - Estate Manager Clutter Dietitian Streamline / Organize Sell contents Create harmonious living Space using Feng Shui suggestions JoansEstateSales.com 203-434-8537 Joaniecakes3@yahoo.com

NEW way to use DNA for health!

DNA Designed Nutrition Take charge of your health through your own DNA! Earleen.UforiaScience.com 203-215-3222 EarleenWright@comcast.net

Intuitive Counselor & Healer

Grief / Loss / Counseling /Workshops Debbie Pausig, LMFT, CT Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Certified Thanatologist (CT) Death, Dying, Bereavement, Grief, Loss: Counseling, Workshops, Facilitator Training 203-985-8246 Debbiepausigmft.com

Gayle Franceschetti, MEd, CHt Hypnotherapy, Meditations Reiki/Energy sessions, Essential Oils Group Past Life Regression Individual Past Life Regression Workshops, Spiritual Power Journeys, Private mentoring & counseling Return2love3@gmail.com Return2Love.com 203-265-2927

Salt Therapy (Halotherapy) Soulshine Salt Cavern 352 Main Street, Durham 860-478-0510 Open Wednesday-Sunday Email: Connect@SoulshineSaltCavern.com SoulShineSaltCavern.com

Wellness Center The Red Barn in Durham Janice Juliano, MSW, LCSW Holistic Psychotherapist Coordinator MassageTherapy Nutrition / Yoga / Reiki / Sound Healing Professional Photography / Art Classes 860-559-6151 352 Main St, Durham TheRedBarninDurham.com

Presented by the Holistic Community Professionals ADMISSION Advance Early Bird $5 p/p $7 p/p at the door • Children under 5 are FREE FOR TICKETS: Facebook- Passport to Health and Wellness Expo Contact Shirley R Bloethe at 860-989-0033 Email: yourholisticevents@gmail.com Vendors apply at: YourHolisticEvents.com

We Welcome You! To join the Holistic Community Professionals, call Shirley R. Bloethe at 860-989-0033 ShirleyBloethe.com

May 2019

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Japanese researchers interviewed 1,003 Tokyo women over 70 years old about which of 16 types of exercise they did, including dancing, calisthenics, jogging, golf, ball games, hiking, yoga, bicycling and tai chi. In eight years of follow-up, those that danced were 73 percent less likely to be classified as impaired in any of the “activities of daily living” such as walking, cooking, dressing and bathing—a result not produced by the other physical activities. “Dancing requires not only balance, strength and endurance ability, but also cognitive ability: adaptability and concentration to move according to the music and partner; artistry for graceful and fluid motion; and memory for choreography,” writes lead author Yosuke Osuka, of the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology.

Forty-eight percent of American adults have some form of cardiovascular disease, reported the American Heart Association (AHA) in its annual update.

The increase is partly due to 2017 updated guidelines redefining high blood pressure as greater than 130/80 millimeters of mercury rather than 140/90, which raised the number of Americans with diagnosed

hypertension from 32 percent to 46 percent.

American heart disease deaths rose from 836,546 in 2015 to 840,678 in 2016. Studies show that about 80 percent of all cardiovascular disease can be prevented by controlling high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol, along with healthy practices like not smoking, says the AHA.

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Women in menopause that are mindful and nonjudgmental of their thoughts are less irritable, anxious and depressed, reports a Mayo Clinic study recently published in Climacteric, the journal of the International Menopause Society.

Researchers gave questionnaires to 1,744 menopausal patients 40 to 65 years old and found that those with higher mindfulness scores struggled less with common menopausal symptoms. Mindfulness didn’t lower hot flash and night sweat symptoms, however.

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Mindfulness May Ease Menopausal Symptoms

U.S. Heart Disease on the Rise

New Haven/Middlesex

Simply changing a diet to include more fruit and vegetables can boost mental well-being, say British researchers from Leeds and York universities. Examining health data of 40,000 people, they concluded those that eat more produce have a better psychological state, and that eating just one extra portion of fruits and vegetables a day could have a positive effect equivalent to around eight extra days of walking a month for at least 10 minutes at a time. A meta-analysis of 16 studies by the UK’s University of Manchester found the mood-boosting effect was particularly strong for women, and it worked with different types of diets, indicating a particular approach is not necessary.

When dietary changes were combined with exercise, even greater improvements resulted.

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Dancing Prevents Senior Decline

Fruits and Veggies Boost Moods

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health briefs

Body Vision Personal Training, LLC 825 Federal Road, Brookfield, CT 203-740-8650 Creightonkm@gmail.com BodyVisionCT.com

Business summary/Primary services offered: Kathy Creighton, the founder, owner and operator of Body Vision, is a fitness trainer and exercise physiologist with more than 25 years of experience in adult fitness training, athletic training, personal fitness training and exercises for the elderly.

How is your fitness center different from others in your profession and what should customers expect from your personal training/fitness programs?

Whether the goal is gaining muscle, losing fat, having more energy or just feeling better, we work with clients to design a customized, multifaceted exercise program, after a complete medical and exercise history review and physical assessment. You may also be trained with a specific home exercise program, based on equipment you have available at home and the amount time you can carve out of your weekly schedule. A comprehensive binder is given to you as your reference guide to exercises at home.

This includes pictures and “how to” descriptions of each exercise and details on what to do, how often, what intensity, what weight, how many reps, and all you need to know to meet your goals.

We schedule by appointment and first consultations are free.

What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about you and your fitness center?

Have your current level of functional fitness assessed and a customized exercise program designed for you. Remember—even the frail elderly can exercise safely and gain strength and muscle in a short period of time. Whether your goal is gaining muscle, losing fat, having more energy, or just feeling better—we can help you. Learn the truth about high intensity intervals, strength training vs. power lifting, aerobic/cardiovascular training, posture training, balance and coordination. Take this information and have a home program designed for you, an optimal gym program designed at your preferred location, or stay here with us and train at Body Vision. Get stronger, feel healthier and do it safely and effectively.

Good Vibes Yoga Studio

Deonna Thomas Owner, Yoga Instructor, Reiki Practitioner 4 Cooke Road, Wallingford, CT 203-824-1929 GoodVibesYogaStudioCT@gmail.com GoodVibesYogaStudio.MassagePlanet.com Facebook: @GoodVibesYogaStudioCT Instagram: @Good_Vibes_Yoga_Studio_CT Business summary/Primary services offered: Good Vibes Yoga Studio offers a variety of calming, yet uplifting events and classes including, but not limited to yoga, meditation, reiki, sound healing, crystal healing, jewelry making, essential oils, wine tastings, henna, and more.

What first drew you to this profession?

I was first drawn to yoga when facing some personal difficulties and was at a point in my life where I had felt lost. When teaching an impromptu yoga class to friends and family I was suggested to become a yoga instructor, something that I had never thought of before, and that planted the seed that then flourished into Good Vibes Yoga Studio.

How is your yoga studio different from others in your profession?

Our typical class includes a unique blend of yoga, reiki, sound healing, and crystal healing in a safe and cozy space. All classes and events are meant to hold sacred space to allow for healing and growth.

What should students expect from participating in your classes and events?

Students can expect to have each class modified to meet their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. My students have expressed how they feel supported and part of a community when attending classes and events. I strive to give everyone the best experience they can possibly have with my classes and events because we all deserve that time for self-care.

How is your yoga studio evolving in 2019?

In 2019 Good Vibes Yoga Studio will be launching an Etsy store selling hand crafted crystal healing jewelry that will also be available for purchase at Hidden Gem on Main in Wallingford.

Keep an eye out for yoga at the Beardsley Zoo, yoga fundraisers, sunset yoga, events, and more!

May 2019

13

Swedish seniors that took coenzyme Q10 and selenium during a fouryear study were still benefiting 12 years later with a reduced cardiovascular mortality risk of more than 40 percent.

In the original study, Linköping University researchers gave 443 independently living seniors over 70 years old either a placebo or 200 milligrams of CoQ10 and 200 milligrams of selenium per day. Those on the supplements showed a reduced risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, improved heart function, less hospitalization, more vitality and a better quality of life. Twelve years later, the researchers examined autopsies and death certificates, and found the supplement-takers had a lower risk of death compared to the placebo group, even if they had diabetes, high blood pressure or ischemic heart disease.

Prenatal Yoga Reduces Caesareans and Labor Pain First-time mothers that practiced yoga beginning in the 30th week of pregnancy had fewer caesareans, fewer low-weight newborns and milder and briefer labor pains.

They were also less likely to require painkillers or labor inducement. The Mangalore, India, hospital study, published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, included 150 women 20 to 35 years old that were pregnant for the first time and had no prior yoga experience. Half of the women did not do yoga, while the other half took 30-minute yoga classes once every week or two.

Women in the yoga group were also more comfortable after giving birth.

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Stefan Schurr/Shutterstock.com

Walking, cycling, climbing stairs and other aerobic activities may improve brain function not only in older people, but also in younger folk, according to a Columbia University study published in Neurology. The study recruited 132 people between 20 and 67 years old that didn’t exercise and had below-average fitness levels. Half stretched and toned four times a week for six months and half exercised aerobically on a treadmill, stationary bike or elliptical machine. When they were evaluated for their executive function thinking skills—regulating behavior, paying attention and achieving goals—the aerobics group improved twice as much as the stretching group. “The people who exercised were testing as if they were about 10 years younger at age 40 and about 20 years younger at age 60,” says study author Yaakov Stern, Ph.D.

NanThidarat/Shutterstock.com

Selenium and CoQ10 Provide Lasting Benefits

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Exercise Improves Young Brains, Too

Divinely Rooted

Therapeutic Yoga for Back Pain and Anxiety C-IAYT Member #48915428 Kellie J. Codianna Mainstreet Wellness Studio 33 N. Main Street, Suite B, Wallingford, CT 203-675-7155 Kellie@divinelyrooted.org DivinelyRooted.com Business summary/ Primary services offered: Yoga Therapy for Back Pain and Anxiety.

I help people learn practical tools to heal physical and emotion pain and discomfort.

What first drew you to this profession?

I started off studying Nursing and in the process, fell in love and completed a BA in Psychology. As I learned about Yoga and Ayurveda, I knew it was the holistic mind-body practice I have been brought here to teach and help people take charge of their own health.

How is your yoga therapy different from others in your profession?

As a Yoga Therapist, I feel it is my duty to educate and inspire people to become curious about their mind body connection.

I shift their mindset from “I will always be this way” or “I can’t do this” to believing they can learn tools to transform from suffering to joy with holistic tools.

Integrative Physical Therapy, LLC Physical Therapy and Women’s Wellness Donna Segnere, RPT, CLT, HHC 37 Soundview Road, Suite 2, Guilford, CT 203-453-4321 IntegrativePT@comcast.net Integrative-PT.com

Practice/Primary services offered: Outpatient Private Physical Therapy practice, Health Coaching, and Fitness Classes.

What first drew you to this profession?

The desire to not only help people determine the root cause of their pain, but help them to recover from their pain, and live the life that truly makes them happy.

How is your work different from others in your profession?

We treat patients one-on-one utilizing manual therapy techniques and therapeutic exercise/postural re-education.

What should a patient expect from working with you?

All patients receive a thorough one-hour evaluation and private 30-minute treatment sessions that focus on reducing their pain as well as education on self-care techniques and exercises that will allow them to meet their goals for health and wellness.

What should a client expect from working with you?

With mindfulness, breathing, and movement exercises, I educate people about their posture starting from the ground up. I offer hands on assists and Reiki to help become aware of where their body is in space. I welcome people to reach out with any challenge they are faced with.

How is your practice evolving in 2019?

In addition to providing PT services, fitness classes, and private Health Coaching, I will be offering 6-week small group sessions on the 4 Pillars to Sustaining a Healthy Life that includes education on Nutrition, Sleep, Exercise, and Stress Management.

How is your yoga therapy practice evolving in 2019?

After 15 years of teaching in many spaces, I began envisioning being in one space with someone else. In March 2019, Jennifer Nuzzo and myself found Main Street Wellness Studio with me as Divinely Rooted offering Yoga Therapy for Back Pain and Anxiety and her as Diversafit offering Functional Fitness.

It was Divine timing!

What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about you and your practice?

I am very committed to each client to provide them with individualized quality care, that not only allows them to recover from their injury but learn techniques that will allow them to thrive in all aspects of their life.

What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about you and your yoga therapy?

We want to accommodate people’s schedules and to work with people who have a true desire to feel better and be open to learning about themselves. We believe if there is a WILL THERE IS A WAY, so please reach out if you want to work with us.

Kellie@divinelyrooted.org or call 203-675-7155.

May 2019

15

Dim Prospects

Hatching a Record

Avian Senior Citizen Astounds Again

Being at least 68 years old didn’t deter Wisdom, a Laysan Albatross, from recently hatching another chick. The world’s oldest known banded wild bird, which roosts at the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, in Hawaii, has birthed and raised more than 30 chicks in her lifetime. She and her mate-for-life Akeakamai spent about two months incubating the new egg, and now they’ll raise the chick for five to six months before it flies out to sea. It is uncommon for albatross to return, lay and hatch an egg every single year, but the pair has produced a chick each year since 2006, say U.S Fish and Wildlife Service officials.

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New Haven/Middlesex

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Poisoned Pastures

Chones/Shutterstock.com

As the Appalachian economy struggles with the loss of three-fifths of its coal mining jobs in the last three decades, a surprising option is emerging for some: beekeeping. The Appalachian Beekeeping Collective offers beekeeping training, including bees and equipment and ongoing mentoring, for displaced coal miners and low-income residents of mining towns; so far, about 35 people are participating.

Landowners are donating property for the beehives, which will be maintained without pesticides or antibiotics. Honey from a single hive can bring in about $750 a season, or $15,000 per 20, and additional money can be made selling the beeswax for candles and lip balm. The beekeeping collective is part of Appalachian Headwaters, a nonprofit formed in 2016 with a $7.5 million lawsuit settlement from coal mine operator Alpha Natural Resources for violations of the Clean Water Act. The money has been used to fund environmental restoration projects and to develop sustainable economic opportunities in the coal mining communities of West Virginia.

kosolovskyy/Shutterstock.com

Miners Becoming Beekeepers

Higher federal standards for energy-efficient light bulbs established two years ago are in the process of being rolled back by the U.S. Department of Energy, part of a move toward widespread deregulation by the current administration. Consumers stand to lose about $100 per household per year in electric bill savings if the higher standards are not implemented, say critics. The wasted energy could result in more power plant pollution, which harms the environment and contributes to health problems like asthma. The plan would also stifle innovation, eliminating a powerful regulatory incentive for manufacturers and retailers to invest in high-quality, energy-efficient LED light bulbs.

Nuclear Testing Linked to Radioactive Milk

The hundreds of nuclear bombs detonated on a remote Nevada test site during the Cold War produced radioactive fallout that led indirectly to the deaths of 340,000 to 690,000 Americans, concludes a recent study by economist Keith Meyers, Ph.D., of the University of Southern Denmark. Meyers conducted the research for his doctoral dissertation while attending the University of Arizona. By combining National Cancer Institute data measuring the radioactive element Iodine-131 in local cow milk with county-by-county mortality data, he found heightened death rates in the Midwest and Northeast between 1951 and 1973. The finding suggests that airborne radiation contaminated pastures that, in turn, made milk radioactive and led to the human ingestion of slow-acting, but fatal radioactive isotopes. In comparison, an estimated 200,000 to 350,000 people in the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki died directly from the atomic bombs dropped on August 6 and 9, 1945, respectively.

Kaspri/Shutterstock.com

Post-Coal Cash

Light Bulb Standards Weakened

Tory Kallman/Shutterstock.com

global briefs

Beyond Green Burial A3pfamily/Shutterstock.com

Human Composting at the End of Life

Washington is poised to become the first state to make it legal to compost human remains. A bill allowing for the process, called natural organic reduction, as well as another called water cremation, has passed the state senate and is making its way to the house for a vote. Human composting involves placing a body in a tubular vessel and covering it with natural materials like wood chips and straw. Over several weeks, microbial activity breaks down the body into about a cubic yard of soil. Recompose, a company that wants to offer the practice as an alternative to traditional methods, worked with Washington State University to test its safety for environmental and human health. Six people donated their bodies for the study. The method alleviates much of the carbon footprint associated with both cremation and traditional casket burial.

Bear Blitz

PERU 2019 SEPTEMBER 20 - 27, 2019

Ignite the Fire Within

cusco / sacred valley / machu picchu

A women's retreat with workshops, yoga, meditations and sacred site visits designed to help you build a deeper connection with you.

This retreat is open to women or persons who identify as female.

SEPTEMBER 27 - OCTOBER 5, 2019

The Journey Begins

cusco / sacred valley / machu picchu

A retreat for anyone with a sense of adventure.

Workshops, meditations, market visits and off-the-beaten track tours designed to enhance your experience of the world around you.

This retreat is open to everyone

from

$1999

includes all tours, meals, guides workshops & ceremonies and ground transportation in Peru

SacredWisdomRetreats.com

volkova natalia/Shutterstock.com

Climate-Challenged Polar Bears Invade Town

About 50 polar bears that usually hunt seals from ice floes have found new cuisine in the garbage dumps in the remote Russian island military town of Belushya Gubam, about 1,200 miles northeast of Moscow. Its 2,000 residents, long accustomed to the occasional bear strolling through, now call it a “mass invasion” as the curious bears peer into windows, stare down barking dogs and dig through trash. Russia’s environmental response agency has sent in a crisis team that is studying how to remove the bears without killing them. The Barents Sea that the bears inhabit is undergoing what a recent study called a “rapid climate shift” from Arctic Ocean temperatures to warmer Atlantic Ocean-like temperatures; the entire western side of the island is now ice-free year round.

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17

event spotlight

The Connecticut Women’s Consortium Presents The 2019 Covington Curriculum Conference

Training topics will include meditation, nutrition, Ayurveda, yoga, personal growth, wellness, stress management and more. Continuing education credits will be provided for most trainings. This space will also be utilized for room rentals and private trainings.

CWC has a rich history of promoting trauma-informed, gender responsive services through their mission to ensure that the behavioral health system responds to the needs of women and the people and organizations that affect them.

They envision that the behavioral health care systems serving women will be accessible and effective, and practice holistic, trauma-informed and gender-responsive care. To achieve this vision, CWC strives to eliminate discrimination and promote excellence in the care for women through education, advocacy and policy development.

For more information on the conference and to register, visit CovingtonConference.com. For more information about Connecticut Women’s Consortium, healing arts trainings or room rentals visit WomensConsortium.org.

Dr. Stephanie Covington

D

eepen your understanding of gender-responsive and trauma-informed care at this national conference.

Dr. Stephanie Covington’s programs respond to the needs of women, men and girls in the fields of behavioral health, addiction, mental health, trauma treatment and criminal justice.

The 2019 Covington Curriculum Conference will take place from June 4-6 at the Stamford Hilton Hotel in Stamford, CT. Registration is $450 per person, which includes a participant workbook for the curriculum selected.

The Connecticut Women’s Consortium (CWC) has expanded this year with an additional suite on the second floor of their current location at 2321 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, Connecticut. That training space will accommodate up to 120 participants; as a result, CWC will increase training offerings for the July to December 2019 training catalog by 26 percent. The current fourth floor training space will be utilized for healing arts trainings, which focus on teaching tools for optimal living.

18

New Haven/Middlesex

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Mindful Roots Wellness Marlo Del Chiaro 203-671-9187 MindfulRootsWellness@gmail.com MindfulRootsWellness.com

Business summary/ Primary services offered: Mindful Roots Wellness offers Holistic Health Coaching services. I work with individuals one-on-one to guide and support them in making changes to their lifestyles to enhance individualized well-being.

What first drew you to this profession?

My own struggle with health and lifestyle related illnesses that I was able to resolve through guidance from holistic health professionals, the healing properties of whole foods, and the power of lifestyle adjustments inspired me to pursue training as a holistic health coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City.

How is your work different from others in your profession?

I do not diagnose, treat, or cure, but rather encourage individuals to come to me once they have a diagnosis so I can support them in their healing process. I particularly enjoy working with individuals looking to embrace a plant centric diet and those who are struggling with burnout from their careers and/or lifestyles.

What should a client expect from working with you?

My work is not limited to nutritional therapies.

I also analyze other parts of my clients’ lives that impact their well-being, such as career, physical activity, and home environment to develop realistic methods to actively support health and wellness. I truly embrace bio-individuality and believe there is no one size fits all solution.

How is your holistic coaching business evolving in 2019?

I love to learn! I am in additional professional development courses right now to bring my clients the most up to date information possible. I will be adding additional programs later in the year.

Revive Wellness Center Stephanie Preston, ND 867 Whalley Avenue, New Haven, CT 203-387-1540 ReviveWellnessctr@gmail.com ReviveWellnessCenter.com

Practice/Primary services offered: Our practice strives to deliver the best of integrative medicine to our patients. Our services include naturopathic and functional medicine, nutritional counseling, botanical medicine and acupuncture.

What first drew you to this profession?

Through my own battles with chronic illness, I searched to find an approach that addressed the underlying cause not just the symptoms. Through Naturopathy and acupuncture, I found the answers I’d been looking for and the tools to help me heal.

How is your work different from others in your profession?

I combine traditional Chinese medicine principles like acupuncture, Tui na, cupping and moxibustion with Naturopathic modalities to give all encompassing care to my patients.

What should a patient expect from working with you?

To address the root cause of their concerns and to become an active participant in their health, learning the tools necessary to optimize their health and enhance their wellbeing.

How is your practice evolving in 2019?

This year we have added new practitioners to the practice with a diversity of skills and specialties to address a variety of patients and conditions.

What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about you and your practice?

When coming to our practice you will experience a center for healing that has all the resources for revitalization of the mind, body and spirit.

What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about you and your holistic coaching business?

I am available for anyone who needs any support in their lives.

A diagnosis is not necessary to seek my services. I love working with individuals who genuinely want to create authentic changes to benefit their well-being long term.

May 2019

19

Divine Feminine Rising A Conversation with Gloria Amendola

by Nicole Miale

I

n traditional Catholic teachings, the historical figure Mary Magdalene is presented as a prostitute saved by Jesus Christ. Over the years, scholars and historians have put forth other theories about the woman some call the 13th apostle, who may have actually been Jesus’ wife. There is more mystery than fact known about this pivotal individual from history, and that mystery is what initially drew Milford-based author and intuitive Gloria Amendola to begin studying Mary Magdalene. What began as curiosity has become a life-changing journey.

“The doorway opened for me when someone invited me to support them in attending a Christian evangelical church service,” Amendola explains. “I was struck by the lack of feminine representation in the teachings, which was even more lacking than my own early Catholic upbringing. I decided to research women in the Old and New Testament with the inten20

New Haven/Middlesex

tion of creating character studies to better understand the stories of these women.

My plan was to write a series, but Mary Magdalene immediately showed herself to me.”

The path shown by the spirit of Mary Magdalene led Amendola to write multiple books on her subject, travel to legendary places where Mary Magdalene is supposed to have lived or died, and, since 2006, hold approximately 300 Magdalene Circles around the world. “The Circles began as a way to bring women together,” Amendola says. “The original idea was for me to present the information I was studying and experiencing, answer questions and have discussion about the topic, then have either a meditation or shamanic drumming experience.”

The circles range from 15 to 22 people in size and meet once per month. The first circle Amendola facilitated was in Milford and it ran for 10 years. A group that still

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meets in Manchester at the Ravenwood Holistic Healing Center has been meeting for 12 years, surpassing Amendola’s original expectation. “I thought they would last for a while and then fade out,” she explains. “But the Manchester group didn’t want to stop. It still keeps unfolding.” A recent circle in Manchester focused on sound, specifically some of the sounds of the Essenes—well-trained healers who migrated to the Holy Land and brought their secretive and heart-centered teachings with them.

“When you look back into ancient texts and mystical ways, we find words of power; we find techniques using sound, light and the power of the human voice,” Amendola says. “These healing tools were lost for a long time as the Western medical approach dominated, but they are returning. We are completing a cycle and moving toward a more enlightened time.”

The suppression of Mary Magdalene is indicative of the suppression of the voice of the feminine throughout time, Amendola says. But the old is breaking down, and the new is coming online, making it a critical time for women to awaken to their power and do their inner work. “We as women must find the time and space for our own inner work. I don’t know if we can survive these intense times if we don’t do that,” Amendola says. “We want awakening to be a spiritual, safe and positive experience. I’ve always been a fierce protector of the light. My job is to prepare a safe and creative atmosphere for people. This allows them to relax, consider new perspectives, and allow for visceral reactions to arise within them, to experience what they never thought they could.”

That may mean surfacing of traumatic memory or past-life recall; Amendola says both have occurred during circles she has facilitated. She works with individuals during the circle and afterward to process and integrate whatever has come up. “I want people to succeed in their personal evolution; I don’t want anyone to crash and burn,” she says.

Despite the tumultuous backdrop of the time we’re living in, a recent visit to the nation’s capital left Amendola feeling more hopeful than dismayed. A peaceful

Images by Gloria Amendola

community spotlight

“The Circles began as a way to bring

Peru 2019

women together,” Amendola says.

Ignite The Fire Within September 20 - 27, 2019

“The original idea was for me to present the information I was studying, answer questions and have discussion about the topic, then have either a meditation or drumming experience.” gathering at the Washington Mall representing a wide variety of people reminded her that people have more in common than they are separate. “We’re not divided,” she says. “We keep being told that we are, but I don’t feel it and I didn’t see it in D.C. either. People need hope to move forward.

Anything I can do to support growth from a place of love, I’m there. I’m 110 percent there.”

Gloria Amendola is an author, intuitive and group facilitator with a passion for esoteric knowledge, the hidden history of the Divine Feminine and the dreamtime.

She is a Reiki Master and shamanic drummer. Amendola has written two novels as well as a channeled trilogy called Mary Magdalene: Revelations from a First Century Avatar, available on Amazon. She will be presenting Celebrating the Divine Feminine on May 11 at The Red Barn in Durham. Admission is $15 before May 4, $20 after. To connect with Amendola or to register for the event, call 203-876-9936 or email HolyGrailMary@gmail.com.

The Journey Beings

September 27 - October 5,2019

SacredWisdomRetreats.com

4th Bi-annual

Passport to Health & Wellness Statewide Benefit* Holistic Expo Presented by the

Holistic Community Professionals

Sunday | May 5 | 10am - 5pm 75+ Exhibitors and Speakers!

DoubleTree by Hilton 42 Century Drive, Bristol, CT 06010

FREE Sound Healing from 4-5pm on the patio • Speakers all day Free Raffles • Drumming GRAND PRIZE: A Hilton Overnight Stay for Two! *All door donations to benefit: Hartford Hospital’s Integrative Medicine Angie’s Spa and CT Children’s Medical Center.

ADMISSION Advance Early Bird $5 p/p $7 p/p at the door Children under 5 are FREE FOR TICKETS: Contact Shirley R. Bloethe at 860-989-0033 Email: yourholisticevents@gmail.com Vendors apply at: yourholisticevents.com FB - Passport to Health and Wellness Expo

The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them. ~Ernest Hemingway

May 2019

21

Searching for the Mystic Within

by Lauri Ingram

T

he spiritual world is full of mystics; they are ones who have reached such a depth of spirituality and awakening that they serve as inspiration and teachers to us all. Many, centuries later, inspire the seeker through words and imagery. Rumi, St. Hildegarde, Buddha, LaoTzu and many others have been recognized as individuals who have reached a state of union with the divine that so many seek. While some mystics are associated with religion, many are not but have left behind through teachings and poetry inspiring works for us all. Mystics have a different way of being, doing and looking at this world.

While many seek that state of union through meditation and prayer, there are characteristics of mystics that ordinary people possess. Mystics are not necessarily out of touch with reality, but have rather connected with what is truly real. They prefer to have their own experiences, to learn by doing and by evaluating those experiences themselves. Their truth comes from what they have lived, and they are deeply connected to their personal truth.

One of the common threads among mystics is the search for meaning, the big question of, “Why am I here?” There is a 22

New Haven/Middlesex

natural curiosity that comes with mysticism, of questioning why each of us exists, and the purpose and meaning behind life. And yet, mystics are also comfortable with the unknown. Not knowing the truth behind why each person is alive, mystics are drawn by the questions, by the seeking, by the inquiry to which there is no answer in this world.

Personal growth is a part of this exploration. A part of the seeking for the truth allows the mystic to connect with parts of the self that may often go untouched. There are not necessarily answers but there are many questions; the mystic goes deep to ask and explore life’s most intriguing questions. They live comfortably in the unexplainable.

There is also an inner knowing of the connection between the person and all of life in a way that is unexplainable. Mystics believe and live by that connection to each other person, to nature, to animals and to all living beings.

Mystical experiences are often unexplainable. The tap on the shoulder, the whispers from the trees, the coincidences and the unexplained, they all weave together the tapestry of the mystic’s story.

Through meditation and deep listening,

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Lauri Ingram is the founder of Visioning Crystals. She offers crystal dreaming sessions, crystal grid and crystal healing workshops, and spiritual services and ceremonies. Connect at 203-435-5650 and VisioningCrystals.com.

See Profile on facing page.

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there are opportunities to touch that deep part of ourselves that is a mystery but yet is also our true nature. Mystics do not necessarily associate with a religion, but rather feel the truth is within and, through practices and ceremonies, they can continue down that path to inner wisdom. The path is within, not without; the knowledge is inside, not outside. There are many ways to find that truth. The joy is in the journey, the excitement is in the questions, and the unknowing is what drives mystics to continue searching and questioning.

These are characteristics within many people, many of whom would not consider themselves mystics but yet they appreciate and enjoy the uncertainty and the questioning. There are many ways to live the life of a mystic today. Through insightful inquiry, meditation and stillness, living life and exploring the interconnectedness of all things, each person can live the life of a mystic in every moment. Getting out of our own way, letting life flow and approaching each moment with curiosity, such is the way of the everyday mystic in each person.

The searching can take a lifetime, or it can happen in a moment when a person realizes that there is more to life than what is experienced on the human level. It can happen through a mystical experience. It can come to someone through dreams, or perhaps through feelings that are just too subtle to explain. A day when the trees seem a little greener, the air a little fresher, the birds a bit louder and our senses just a bit more sensitive may bring a new level of wonder to an ordinary day.

Wonder may be where it all begins and where the mystic that lives within begins to wake. With curiosity and willingness to question, the mystic within not only wakes, but come alive and is birthed into the world.

Susane Grasso, RMT

Reiki / Acupressure / Theta Healing®/Sound Healing 2489 Boston Post Road, Suite F, Guilford, CT 203-500-6950 Practice/business summary of primary services offered: Stress is the plague of the 21st century and the cause of physical and emotional woes. Because of this my sessions combine my ability to see auras with Reiki, Theta Healing®, Acupressure, and Sound/Vibrational Healing to provide deep relaxation and balance. “Tension out! Wellness in” is more than a phrase. For my clients it is a statement of fact.

What first drew you to this profession?

My chronic pain from Lyme Disease was alleviated by a Reiki Practitioner which made a believer out of me.

How is your work different from others in your profession and what should a client expect from working with you?

Each session is individually tailored to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of my client. During the session the chakras are balanced and the aura cleansed of blockages. The deep relaxation that follows provides focus and tranquility.

How is your practice evolving in 2019?

I have added the dimension of sound, sympathetic resonance, to my practice via Tibetan singing bowls. Theta Healing® has also been integrated to add another dimension to chakra maintenance and well-being. I will continue to explore other energy healing modalities.

What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about you and your practice?

It is an honor to provide relaxation therapy for my clients.

Working with them to maintain and strengthen their aura is my primary goal. I love watching an energy signature go from ragged and wispy to whole and vital.

Visioning Crystals Lauri Ingram 203-435-5650 Lauri@visioningcrystals.com VisioningCrystals.com

Practice/business summary of primary services offered: Crystal Dreaming sessions, crystal grid and crystal healing workshops, spiritual services and ceremonies.

What first drew you to this profession?

My own journey of self discovery has led me to help others find their own divine light.

How is your work different from that of others in your profession?

I have combined a unique set of offerings and services that combine crystals, energy and spirituality.

What should a client expect from working with you?

An experience that recognizes the divinity in each of us, and meets you wherever you may be on your journey.

How is your holistic business evolving in 2019?

I am adding many new workshops, and exploring artistic additions to my offerings including art journaling and creating mandalas for self-discovery.

What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about you and your offerings?

My practices and offerings honor the divine light in each of us, and I am honored to accompany others on their journey.

There is nothing like a dream to create the future ~Victor Hugo May 2019

23

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WOMEN AND HEALTH

by Himanshu Bharadwaj

S

ociety has changed today, and there is less difference between a man and women. Women today are better empowered and more on an equal footing as men. But this has caused more stress on women trying to balance more responsibilities at home and outside. Often women neglect their own health and focus on the family instead. It is important for women to value their state of health and work toward achieving optimal health. The ancient knowledge of Ayurveda and yoga can help bring back health and happiness in life through diet, herbs, lifestyle changes, therapies, yoga poses, meditation and breathing exercises etc.

Being Healthy In women, hormones are key in keeping the mind, body and spirit aligned.

A female body goes through several life changes and requires a rebalancing of the hormonal system. Being healthy means experiencing a sense of wholeness and pleasantness in body, mind and spirit.

Some change in mindset is also needed. For example, in Western societies, menopause is seen as a crisis or a disease because maintaining youth is overempha24

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sized. A woman in Eastern societies may gracefully accept menopause and come into her own to see herself more valued in society. In Western societies, women go through a lot of stress and may not look forward to this transition due to fear of discomfort. This period should be viewed positively; women should use this opportunity to turn the energies inward to explore the depths of their soul. In pregnancy, every thought, action and decision taken by the pregnant mother impacts the child. Every food, aroma, sight, touch and sound also enters the fetus. Pleasing sounds can improve immunity and reduce anxiety. Women can improve immunity and enhance the life-energies of the baby by taking holistic care during the pregnancy.

Holistic remedies It is advised to consult a medical practitioner before starting any treatment.

Shatavari Shatavari is very useful herb to increase fertility and balance hormones. It can treat a wide variety of hormonal symptoms from PMS, mood changes, menstrual

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cramps, likoria, insufficient milk for nursing to menopause symptoms. It can be taken in combination with other herbs or individually. There are certain teas also available with shavari as an ingredient.

Drinking a combination of dashmool kwath and shatavari powder boiled in water increases milk in nursing mothers.

Shatavari can also be given to girls during puberty to help with their growth.

Aloe Vera Aloe vera is a multipurpose herb and very useful for women. It helps restore inner youthful energies, improves reproductive health and balances menstrual cycles. An aloe vera gel can be applied on the skin to remove pimples and improve skin health.

Figs Soak 3-4 figs in water and eat in the morning. They can also be boiled in milk and eaten at night. It is useful for those with nervous problems, weakness, low blood pressure, heart problems, menopause issues, constipation problems, low hemoglobin, and liver and respiratory problems.

Avoid figs in the case of diabetes.

For Periods Boiling one spoon of dashmool kwath in water and drinking as tea twice everyday helps with problems related to periods. Drinking juice made from sheesham leaves helps stop severe bleeding and white discharge/likoria. One tablet of raj pravartini vati each morning and evening helps in conditions where periods are irregular.

For Reproductive Health Mix equal quantity powders of white musli, shatavari and ashwagandha. Take about 3-5 grams of this powder with milk in the morning with an empty stomach and after dinner. Shivlingi seeds taken with milk everyday also help with reproductive health.

Eating one teaspoon of phalgrith twice everyday helps improve problems related to the uterus and ovary.

During Pregnancy Eat about 5-10 grams of ghee during pregnancy every day. It helps staying healthy during pregnancy and also during childbirth. Bananas, dates, figs, cardamom and ghee taken every day in pregnancy improves overall health and increases blood in the body. The bottle gourd ‘lauki’ can be used as a salad or juice; it is helpful during pregnancy, anemia, nausea and low hemoglobin conditions.

For Breast Problems One tablet each of kachnaar gugguls and vridhivadhika vati after dinner helps with fibroids and cysts. It is also helpful for breast tumor condition. For breast tumor, cancer or other breast-related conditions, castor oil massage is helpful. By dipping castor plant leaves in castor oil and covering the breasts overnight, it may help in diminishing breast tumors. Boil castor plant leaves in water.

When the water is reduced to half, drink this water to help with hormonal, period-related and breast-related problems. Create a powder from roasted cumin and mix 2 grams of cumin powder with 3 grams of shatavari; mix it with milk and take twice everyday to improve milk production for breastfeeding mothers.

During Menopause Avoid caffeinated beverages, spicy foods and alcohol. Improve the lifestyle to focus on stress reduction. Simple changes like eating meals in a quiet environment, waking up, and eating and sleeping at a fixed time everyday will reduce stress.

Include fresh foods in the diet like yam, and seeds like quinoa and amaranth to help balance hormonal levels. Several herbs are known to help in menopause, including motherwort, red clover, saw palmetto, dong quai, vitex, blue cohosh, black cohosh, shatavari, licorice, aloe vera gel, ashwagandha, kapikacchu, triphala, dashamula, brahmi, gotu kola, vidari, saffron and amalaki.

Saraswatarishta is an Ayurvedic medicine used for several health conditions; around 12 ml can be taken twice a day after meals. It is known as an anti-aging tonic, and also improves memory and immunity.

In one cup milk, add 5-10 strands of saffron, add a ½ teaspoon

of shatavari powder and a ½ teaspoon of ghee. Warm this milk and drink after dinner.

A combination paste made from a ½ teaspoon of ashwagandha powder, ½ teaspoon shatavari powder, ½ teaspoon of vidari powder, ¼ teaspoon ginger powder and 2 teaspoons of local honey is useful to take any time during the day.

For Skin Health Drink a lot of water, and avoid fried and spicy foods. Drink aloe vera juice and gooseberry juice regularly once a day to help with pimples and other skin-related problems. Neem oil application is useful for uterus infection and skin problems.

For Hair Health For healthy hair, warm olive oil, add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder and 1 tea spoon honey, and make a paste. Apply this paste to the hair roots. Wait for about 15 minutes and then wash the hair.

Detoxification Panchakarma is a five-part purification therapy to bring balance in the body and remove accumulated toxins. It also helps with problems related to miscarriage.

Yoga Fifteen to 30 minutes devoted daily to breathing exercises can reduce the need for some of the herbal treatments stated above.

Regular breathing exercises are sufficient for overall health.

Kapalbhati and anulom vilom breathing exercises are recommended, along with moola bandha. Yoga poses like sarvangasana, halasana, mandukasana and shashankasana are helpful in improving health.

Acupressure Acupressure on the palm below the thumb and on the inner wrist improves thyroid and other reproductive health issues.

Today’s world has moved from muscle to intelligence, and technology has reduced the difference between the genders. Both genders can do the same task with equal competence. There is no need for the world to be an either male- or female-dominated one. We should instead try to achieve integration, inclusion and cooperation. A healthy society is one where there is a recognition, respect and balance between male and female energies; both are equally important for humanity to succeed. This change in mindset is a responsibility of each individual and not left to the government to enforce.

Himanshu Bharadwaj, a designer by profession, teaches yoga, meditation and holistic cures. He also conducts meditation sessions for stress relief and creativity enhancement. Connect at YourCommunityYoga.com/Himanshu or Meetup.com/Yoga-Meditation-CT. May 2019

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UNLEASH YOUR POWER!

Emotional Intelligence Is the Key to Personal Success

D

by Paige Dest

o you often feel like you’ve given yourself away? Do you nurture others to the point that you neglect your own needs at times? Or perhaps you listen and accept how others describe you? This can lead to negative, and even false, self-talk, but there’s power in defining your own self, and there’s a balance that can be maintained between nurturing others’ emotional well-being and nurturing your own. However, it takes focus, practice and time to train your mind to allow yourself the guilt-free permission to stop the rest of the world, if even just for a moment, and take back your power.

We can often feel our personal energy tank being drained—from everyday tasks to taking care of our family to fulfilling others’ needs—and we may feel guilty or even selfish for taking care of ourselves first. That guilt is an emotion we can perpetuate in our mind, in our own self-talk, and it often speaks untruths to us. Here’s a truth worth telling yourself: you can take back your personal power. One of the best 26

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ways to do this is through strengthening your emotional intelligence.

Emotional intelligence is the term used to describe a set of competencies, including personal power, which frame our ability to be aware of our emotions and use them as information to make better choices about our thoughts and behaviors.

It’s a fancy term for managing your “self ” in the most effective way, given the direct situation. It’s a genuine way of empowering yourself as a woman, and it can stay with you for a lifetime.

Personal power contains self-confidence and the inner strength of knowing you can handle any situation or challenge.

It gives you the courage to live the life you choose and to speak your truth. Here are some ways you can strengthen this competency.

Create a success log. Make and keep a list of your successes and what emotions you had in the moment of each success.

The point is to recognize how powerful you really are and acknowledge the

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moments in which you shine.

Acknowledge that when you say “yes” to someone or something out of obligation, you are saying “no” to someone or something else. What is your true priority? If you say “yes” to someone else, are you saying “no” to yourself? If so, stop and realize that you are more important than anyone in your life (except perhaps your children, and only in certain moments).

Define your needs and what’s important to you first; what do you value? Then you can move toward where your true priorities lie.

Set boundaries around what is acceptable to you. You can teach others how to treat you. Sometimes they may not want to change, but you can.

Practice self-compassion. Take care of yourself physically, mentally and spiritually. Close your eyes and quiet your mind.

When you picture yourself at your most relaxed, what do you picture? Do that. If you can’t do it because of a limited budget, take a warm bath and think only positive thoughts, or write yourself a “love” letter

Personal power contains self-confidence and the inner strength of knowing you can handle any situation or challenge. including what you’re most grateful for about yourself. Remember, you’re still learning how to care for yourself, so be patient with yourself. Don’t fret over the past; it’s gone. You have the choice to define your life and mindset for your future.

Positive Affirmation. Pick three of your most positive attributes—the ones that make you smile when you think of them, e.g. smart, kind, great dancer, influential teacher. Write these on a sticky note and add the words “capable” and “important”.

Put this sticky note on your bathroom mirror, so you see it a few times a day.

Read it, speak it (out loud or in a whisper) and picture it in your mind when you are outside of this room.

Always remember: you are on this Earth for a reason, to serve a purpose.

You deserve the power with which you were born, you have the capability to release it and you have the permission to choose it. Speak kindly to yourself and say “yes” to your power.

Paige Dest is a Certified Emotional Intelligence Coach and Core Values Index Practitioner and the owner of BYODestiny—through which she provides emotional intelligence coaching to individuals and presents retreats, workshops and national webinars on emotional intelligence and happiness topics. She is also the founder of The Flutter Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit that supports programs which give our youth better emotional control. Dest will be hosting an Emotional Empowerment Retreat on July 6, on Enders Island in Mystic. Connect at Paige@ BYODestiny.com, or purchase tickets at bit.ly/EmotionalEmpowerment201905.

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PERSONAL SAFETY

Is the Ultimate Empowerment

by Concetta Bibens

S

elf-defense begins with the belief that we are worth defending. Every woman should be able to live freely, dress as she pleases and drink whatever she wants. It’s important to know that, as women, we shouldn’t think it is our responsibility to prevent an assault or to place the blame for an attack on us.

Men need to acknowledge boundaries, understand consent and respect women.

But we can still invest time and energy into personal safety to reduce the risk of experiencing violence.

Based on current law enforcement reports and feedback from assault survivors, one in four women is going to be attacked in her lifetime. Even more shocking is that 78 percent of attacks against women are committed by people they know, also known as “non-strangers.”

This second statistic is so relevant.

If a self-defense system is mainly based on aggressive tactics such as strikes, eye gouges or groin shots, and an attacker is familiar, we may be hesitant to defend ourselves or we may do nothing at all.

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A self-defense system must have a violence scalability factor, which means scaling the response from verbal assertiveness and nonviolent de-escalation tactics to deadly force techniques for worst-case scenarios. No matter who the attacker is— stranger or not—there must be a plan.

Leverage and Timing versus Strength and Speed

Another important thing to keep in mind is that a chosen self-defense system must work regardless of whether it is taught to men or women. We should always assume that the attacker will be bigger, heavier and stronger than we are. For this reason, rely on techniques that are based on leverage, timing and energy efficiency rather than strength, speed and athleticism.

Beyond the physical techniques, the right self-defense system must reinforce awareness principles, risk assessment, and verbal and psychological strategies a woman can use to set safe boundaries with others—even if the perpetrator is someone she knows.

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When it comes to self-defense, there is no right or wrong in any situation. We need to do what we can with the tools we have to survive; in the end, that is all that matters.

Five Self-defense Strategies Every Woman Should Know n Trust instincts or the “gut” – If a situation doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t safe.

If there is someone making us feel uneasy standing there when the elevator open, wait for the next elevator. n Present confidence – Predators look for weak appearing targets, such as a women staring at her phone or distracted by her kids. Even if distracted, try to appear “together” with shoulders back and the head up. n Strong verbal responses – If a predator starts a conversation with a potential victim, he may be “interviewing” her to see if she’s easily intimidated. While frightening,

When it comes to self-defense, there is no right or wrong in any situation. We need to do what we can with the tools we have to survive; in the end, that is all that matters. this is a perfect opportunity to speak with confidence and let the attacker know he’s chosen the wrong victim. n Assume a non-confrontational stance – A relaxed but ready stance will allow the attacker to let his guard down a bit because he assumes compliance. The key is to be “fight-ready” with feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, hands up, palms open and chin slightly down. This position allows for de-escalation or defense depending how the situation plays out. n Don’t panic if knocked down – Ninety-five percent of all street fights end up on the ground. Eighty percent of rapes occur with the victim either prone or supine. If the attack actually happens, we should assume we will end up on the ground. The positive side of this situation is that most attackers are not skilled in ground fighting; they are just bullies trying to knock a smaller person down. A few ground-specific techniques can give a massive advantage.

The “violence scalability factor” and the fact that all attacks lead to defense from the ground is the cornerstone of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, a Brazilian martial art invented in 1925 during a time of horrendous street violence to empower smaller people not to walk in fear of larger attackers.

Law enforcement agencies and military professionals all over the world have now adopted Gracie Jiu-Jitsu as their training style. This partnership with law enforcement around the country revealed the shocking statistics surrounding sexual assault mentioned above.

It is important to note that for those who are survivors of assault, understand that some of the techniques and discussions in a self-defense program may trigger strong emotions of past incidents. They are to be commended for their strength and willingness to take an important step on the path towards personal empowerment.

Work through a program at an individual pace. And even

though it may feel challenging at times, the right self-defense system will provide strength and confidence when we need it most.

Find a good partner to practice with.

What Makes a Good Training Partner?

Someone who is helpful, patient, detailed, oriented, gives good positive feedback to their partner and wants to work together to get through this program is a good training partner. Someone who is competitive, too aggressive or wants to defeat the techniques may not be the best partner. It’s important to remember that the road to self-defense mastery is one that takes time and patience with a trusted partner.

How is a Self-Defense Mission Accomplished?

Ultimately, the effectiveness of a self-defense system is not measured by the number of fights that are won, but rather the number of fights that are avoided through heightened awareness, elevated confidence and boundary setting.

And, in the end, the most important thing to remember is that we are worth defending.

Concetta Bibens is a master certified health and wellness coach, national health symposium speaker and women’s self-defense instructor who has empowered over 18,000 clients to heal their families through natural medicine, nutrition and fitness. Connect at 347-403-4049 (text), Info@MelfordandConcetta.com or Meetup.com/The-4-Pillars-Of-Health.

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The Hidden Role of the Thyroid in Infertility

How Functional Medicine Can Help

by Cortney Davis

I

f there is one gland thought to command the body, many medical experts would pin the butterflyshaped, hormone-producing organ of the throat known as the thyroid. Thyroid dysfunction, with its complex causes and treatments, is a rising concern in the United States. An estimated 2-4 percent of women who are of reproductive age, and 0.1 percent of men, are affected with thyroid disorders. Of those affected, autoimmune hypothyroidism is the most common category. With autoimmune hypothyroidism, the body’s immune system mounts an attack on the thyroid gland, causing it to become underactive. Other causes include inflammation of the thyroid gland, drug-induced damage to the gland, improper communication between the brain and thyroid, and cancers. While syndromes and treatments differ for each cause, there are some overarching symp30

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toms and supports that can be applied, which will be discussed later in the article.

The Thyroid-Ovarian Connection

In the early 1900s, the importance of thyroid function for reproductive health was discovered from cases of severe hypothyroidism that entered puberty prior to 9 years old, also known as precocious puberty. Since that point, thyroid dysfunction has been implicated in many reproductive disorders, including menstrual irregularities, and infertility for both males and females. Of them, infertility continues to cost the most in health care expenses and lost opportunities.

There are several dominant mechanisms through which infertility can be caused by thyroid dysfunction. One such way is by causing an “anovulatory cycle”, which means a failure to produce an egg (follicle) within the 28-day cycle. Another

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Hidden Infertility Contributor

A scientific study on infertility from 2012 noted that 23.9 percent of patients presenting for an initial consultation for infertility (unable to conceive after 1 year of trying) were found to have hypothyroidism. Of these cases 62.7 percent were found to be “subclinical,” meaning their lab values did not meet the classic, clear-cut criteria for

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way is by altering the brain’s ability to speak with the ovaries, resulting in alterations of the two most important hormones in the female cycle: estrogen and progesterone.

Estrogen dominates in the follicular, the first half of the female cycle. This part of the cycle prepares for ovulation by stimulating growth in the follicle as well as thickening the uterine lining. In order for the egg to be released, there must be a sufficient signal from the brain to the ovaries to release a surge of estrogen right before ovulation occurs. If the amount of estrogen is insufficient, there will be no ovulation.

Progesterone is the main player in the luteal phase, the second half of the female cycle. Higher levels of progesterone maintain a comfortable environment for the fertilized egg to implant and grow. If the progesterone is not at an adequate level, the pregnancy may not take. Low progesterone can also be recognized from very heavy periods.

In addition to hormonal imbalances, many women with hypothyroidism have been found to have endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), two very common causes of infertility—and extreme discomfort—in women. Other factors may independently affect fertility or worsen the effects of hypothyroidism on infertility. These other factors range from genetic predispositions (including but not limited to MTHFR) and other immune system attacks on the body to nutritional deficiencies and “estrogen dominance”.

Focused attention on the individuality of each person allows functional medicine clinicians—who restore body function by addressing the root cause of an issue— the best chance of assisting the body to prepare for pregnancy.

diagnosis of a thyroid condition. The participants were supplemented with replacement thyroid hormone and 76.6 percent were able to conceive within six weeks.

Over half of these women had a thyroid disorder that could have easily been overlooked or missed by conventional labs because they did not fit the classic criteria for diagnosis of thyroid disease.

For those women able to conceive with thyroid dysfunction, there are still other complications that may occur as a direct result. It is known that hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and immune dysregulation can cause fetal death. Other complications associated with hypothyroidism in pregnancy include prematurity, low birth weight, maternal anemia, postpartum hemorrhage and life-threatening preeclampsia emergencies during pregnancy.

An obstetrician will manage these complications to the best of their ability, but preventing them from occurring in the first place is ideal.

Determining the cause of this hypothyroidism is imperative to optimize maternal and fetal health. Supplementing with thyroid medication can be a quick and easy fix. However, without determining the root cause of the dysfunction, there is the risk of compromising maternal and fetal health, or developing additional autoimmune conditions or chronic inflammatory disease.

Nutrition Plays an Important Role in Thyroid Health

Gluten is highly associated with thyroid function. Throughout the years, autoimmune hypothyroidism has been correlated with celiac disease as well as in patients with known gluten sensitivities. Testing for celiac disease should be included in a complex evaluation of thyroid dysfunction. Even if negative, most patients with autoimmune thyroiditis benefit from a gluten-free diet.

Other important nutrients that should be evaluated are vitamin D, selenium and iodine. Iodine has been supplemented into the salt supply to help ameliorate the problem; however, there is some controversy over whether this has helped or hindered the issue of thyroid disease. Vitamin D is

A scientific study on infertility from 2012 noted that 23.9 percent of patients presenting for an initial consultation for infertility (unable to conceive after 1 year of trying) were found to have hypothyroidism. mainly from the sun, and the majority of American’s are deficient, particularly in the Northeast. Selenium is a commonly deficient nutrient in the standard American diet. It can be found in Brazil nuts, fish, eggs and some seeds. However, even with a “well-balanced” diet, our soil has become so depleted of these nutrients that a deficiency may still exist. Diet modification, supplementation and occasional lab assessments may be necessary, particularly in someone with difficulties carrying a pregnancy to term.

It is important to take any lab study with a “grain of salt” and understand that they are only a piece of the puzzle; they should not be relied upon for diagnosis of any condition. That being said, some of the large lab companies do not go into enough detail with thyroid function, micronutrients and gluten sensitivities. In some cases, these lab tests should be performed by specialized labs companies that have more focused panels. Functional medicine practitioners are familiar and comfortable with clinical diagnosis, and understand when it is appropriate to use such specific testing for further investigation.

maternal body is asking for change in how we eat, exercise, sleep, breath and behave.

Luckily, inflammatory conditions leading to limitations in fertility can be improved or even reversed using the functional medicine approach, including medication if necessary. In addition to an evaluation with a comprehensive thyroid panel including autoimmune and gluten sensitivity markers, functional medicine practitioners are trained to diagnose based on symptoms and subtle nuances; they aim to treat the patient, not the lab values. Functional medicine workups lead to the “root cause” of medical problems, offering benefit for healthy conception, and a healthy early life for both mother and child.

Cortney Davis, PA-C, CFMP, provides functional medicine evaluations, focusing on emotional and hormonal aspects of health. She treats physical aspects holistically for Lyme and tick-borne infections at Wave Integrative Medical Center in Milford, CT. For more information or to make an appointment, connect at 203-442-6740 and WaveIntegrative.com.

It’s okay to be confident in yourself. ~Lady Gaga

The Bottom Line for Healthy Babies

The costs associated with infertility are tremendous, and do not always produce the desired effect of having a child. When the body resists carrying a child to term, asking why can be the job of a functional medicine clinician, a practitioner that specializes in restoring order and function to the body rather than masking symptoms.

With hormonal imbalances and autoimmune diseases on the rise in Western civilization, it is almost as though the May 2019

31

ACUPUNCTURE

For Pregnancy Pain and Other Common Ailments

by Dr. Stephanie Preston

F

or thousands of years, acupuncture has been used in relieving many illnesses and diseases. It is based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory that the entire body is connected and controlled by the flow of qi, or energy.

When there is an imbalance in the body whether through diet, nutrition, lifestyle or every day stressors, the flow of qi can be affected, resulting in symptoms and issues.

Acupuncture uses multiple modalities that include needles, electro-stimulation and non-needle techniques such as acupressure, tui na (TCM massage), moxibustion and even cupping. Depending on the circumstances, a modality is chosen that is most appropriate for the person and their complaints to provide the most powerful relief. In modern times, more 32

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investigations and studies are being done to try and understand the benefits of this ancient treatment. As it gains in popularity, acupuncture is becoming common for more doctors to recommend as a pain relief treatment. Though there are many hypotheses on how pain relief occurs, research has shown undeniably that there is some physiological mechanism that contributes to its benefits that links with the brain’s perception of pain. More recently, it is being recommended for pain relief in specific populations, such as pregnancy for common ailments like low back pain, pelvic pain and even pain occurring during labor.

Pregnancy is a time of great change.

The body is being flooded with hormones, energy plummets and suddenly the world

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feels like it balances on our shoulders.

Although it is a wonderful miracle, there are many not so miraculous things that can occur. During pregnancy, the hormone relaxin is produced, which is an important hormone that relaxes the ligaments and helps to widen the cervix. This hormone is produced by the ovaries and the placenta; it helps in preparing the body for labor. The downside to this is that, as the pelvis widens and shifts, there can be some aching and soreness in the low back and pelvic area. Some of the most common complaints in pregnancy are of low back aches, pelvic pain and even tail-bone pain, which all tend to be a result of this natural phenomenon. This, mixed with the body being thrown out of alignment and off balance by carrying the extra weight of the baby, can also change the center of gravity. As that changes, the body tries to recalibrate by causing extra curvature in the low back; it then creates a new gait when walking. To accommodate our new body, we even shift our weight while sitting by leaning more forward or backward to change where the extra pressure falls on the hips and tailbone. All of these new changes, including new postural changes, contribute to those common aches and pains.

Although acupuncture is well-known for being great to treat pain, there are many other pregnancy ailments that it can relieve. Morning sickness, vomiting or nausea during pregnancy have been shown to get better with acupuncture treatments. Seeing an acupuncturist or naturopathic physician who performs acupuncture can even help provide tools to do acupressure at home in between sessions to give immediate relief when morning sickness symptoms strike. Depression and anxiety symptoms during pregnancy have also been shown in some research to be reduced by doing acupuncture and even acupuncture tui na massage. Regular treatments can increase overall feelings of wellbeing and relaxation, and decrease the level of severity of feeling depressed and anxious. Issues with sleeping, difficulty falling asleep or waking multiple times in the night can be managed with treatments as well. Headaches are also a very common

Although acupuncture is well-known for being great to treat pain, there are many other pregnancy ailments that it can relieve. issue during pregnancy. Hormones, bloodvolume changes, nutrient deficiencies, dehydration and even stress can contribute to headaches. Acupuncture is a wonderful tool for finding relief from these common ailments.

The benefits of acupuncture are many.

Moxibustion can help turn a baby in the breech position. Specific acupuncture points can help with inducing a delayed labor. During labor, a midwife or doula trained in acupressure can even help provide some relief from discomfort felt during the birthing process. It is important to note that a trained professional be the one providing acupuncture care. There are some acupuncture points that do stimulate uterine contractions; they should be avoided in early and mid-stage pregnancy, and only be used for helping to induce labor. Some common and general risks include mild soreness or small bruising afterward. When choosing someone for acupuncture, it is important to look for a licensed acupuncturist with the NCCAOM or a naturopathic doctor with acupuncture experience working with pregnant women.

It is also important to discuss these treatment considerations with the obstetrician or midwife to make sure that there is no medical reason to not receive these treatments. In general, acupuncture is considered safe; it is a powerful tool in helping with a happy and healthy pregnancy.

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Dr. Stephanie Preston is a licensed naturopathic doctor with a masters in acupuncture; she is currently finishing her masters in Chinese herbology.

Preston specializes in women’s health, specifically prenatal and postpartum care and pediatrics. She works at Revive Wellness Center and the Center for Natural Medicine.

Connect at DrStephaniePreston.com.

See Practitioner Profile on page 19.

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eiki itself as a healing modality has been used with people for over a century but the use of Reiki with animals has just recently become more prevalent. Some practitioners have been offering Reiki to their own animals over the years, but now we are starting to see practitioners specializing in animal Reiki as their desired profession. Because of its gentle nature, Reiki is a beneficial practice able to be used with all animals, no matter their size or species.

Reiki in Japanese simply means “Spirit Energy.” It is an energetic healing technique that involves the transfer of “chi,” the energy life force within all things to help people, animals and even nature maintain inner balance. This noninvasive, pain-free technique is ideally practiced in a completely stress-free environment.

Since animals are highly sensitive to energy, one cannot “give” an animal Reiki.

For this reason, the “Let Animals Lead” approach was created by Kathleen Prasad,

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founder of The Animal Reiki Source. This approach allows animals to take part in their own treatments at their own pace, taking what they need as they need it, perhaps even for an issue the practitioner may not even be aware of.

Reiki can be performed hands-on or from a distance. While some animals enjoy human touch during treatments, others prefer to be left to enjoy the energetic space from across the room.

Reiki energy is limitless and knows no boundaries, so it is as effective overseas as it is in person. Depending on the issue, there are times where a distance session is a better option for both animal and practitioner.

One example of this is when an animal has suffered a severe trauma or has aggressive tendencies. Reiki can help animals heal from past mental and physical traumas as well as reduce behavioral issues and aggression in animals.

Reiki is also extremely supportive in the

Because of its gentle nature, Reiki is a beneficial practice able to be used with all animals, no matter their size or species.

Kelly L. McCarthy is an animal Reiki practitioner, communicator and educator who travels throughout Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts, and offers distance Reiki from her home in Litchfield County. She is a foster mom for “For The Love of Lab Rescue” and volunteers her services to licensed rescues for animals awaiting their forever homes. Connect at KlarityKollars.com.

(Pet Euthanasia Service) Kristen Klie, D.V.M. and Associates (203) 645-5570 www.finaljourneyllc.com

Take Pause Wellness LLC

New Location Sept. 1st 1131 West St, Bldg 1 GRACE Wellness Center Southington, CT takepausewellnessllc@gmail.com

Offering Re

Reiki and Transformational Life Coaching r Companion i fo A ik Reiki

“Universal Life Force Energy”

ls too! ma ni

dying process of animals, allowing them to pass in peace while being held in love as they cross over. This also helps with the loss felt by their humans and can assist in the grieving process.

Most importantly, Reiki is a complimentary practice for all other treatments—whether conventional or alternative. It should not be used in place of licensed veterinary care for any reason.

Reiki practitioners are non-medical professionals and cannot at any time diagnose or prescribe anything for your pets. Practitioners may offer suggestions, however it is the responsibility of the pet owner to always seek the professional advice and treatment from a licensed veterinarian when needed.

Lastly, if you are ready to invite Reiki into your animal’s life, do not be afraid to ask questions of the practitioner, as not every practitioner will be the right fit for you and your pet. There are different practicing styles of Reiki, just as there are different teaching styles. Some are derived from Japan, while others have found the western style of Reiki to better suit their personal beliefs. Much like an interview, it’s always good to know the practitioner’s lineage (who they trained with), their daily selfpractice, what Reiki means to them and any expectations you may have of your pets’ sessions, as well as policies, payments and length of treatment.

Being able to have an open conversation prior to your animal’s treatment is the best way to create the energetic space you want and need between you, the practitioner and your pets, to feel safe and connected along your Reiki journey together.

Final Journey, LLC

A gentle Japanese energ� healing modalit� suppor�ing you on your wellness jour�ey.

203-214-4057

Online booking now available on our website!

www.takepausewellnessllc.com

Middle School That Makes A Difference

CONTACT CELC

Connecticut’s ONLY Experientially-based Middle School!

Connecticut Experiential Learning Center

203-433-4658

MONDAY TOURS 9:45-11am Exceptional Academics Real-World Learning Personal Attention

Branford CTExperiential.org

Become our fan!

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35

TOXIC LEGACY

Breast Implant Warriors Unite

by Linda Sechrist

T

he U.S. Surgeon General’s warning on cigarettes hasn’t prevented individuals from smoking, nor has the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) list of risks and complications associated with breast implants kept women from undergoing voluntary breast augmentation. Since 1997, the number of saline- and silicone-filled breast implant surgeries has tripled. According to the National Center for Health Research (NCHR), more than 400,000 women and teenagers undergo breast implant surgeries every year, with 75 percent for augmentation of healthy breasts and 25 percent for reconstruction after mastectomies.

The marked increase in surgeries implanting these Class III “high risk” medical devices includes many women that undergo procedures to replace old implants that have broken or caused other problems. An estimated 40,000 U.S. women a year have the surgery to remove the implants entirely. These “explants” stem from a variety of issues, from rupture or delayed wound healing to broken implants that have caused breast pain, capsule contracture, spontaneous deflation, breast lesion, infection, wrinkling/ scalloping and necrosis.

Another reason for removal is the growing concern about the reported incidence of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a treatable T-cell lymphoma, and breast 36

New Haven/Middlesex

implant illness (BII) associated with both silicone and saline implants.

The FDA first sounded the alarm about the rare lymphoma in 2011, linking it to implants with textured, Velcro-like outer shells. In February, the federal agency issued a letter to healthcare providers seeking to increase awareness “about an association between all breast implants, regardless of filling or texture,” and BIAALCL. On the issue of BII and other problems reported by women with implants, the FDA has remained largely silent, suggesting that “studies would need to be larger and longer than these conducted so far.”

However, the number of women with implants reporting health problems has prompted the FDA to demand that two manufacturers of the devices conduct proper long-term health studies. The agency sent out letters in March warning of deficiencies in FDA-required research and the possibility that their products could be taken off the market.

The move is considered to be a victory for patient activism. Facebook.com/groups/ HealingBreastImplantIllness has become a sanctuary for more than 68,000 women that report a range of symptoms associated with BII. Nicole Daruda, of Vancouver Island, Canada, says she created the group to support women that visited her website, HealingBreastImplantIllness.com, where she told her personal BII story that began with

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implant surgery in 2005. “I never anticipated an avalanche of women’s stories about the symptoms that I endured before having my explant surgery in 2015.”

After hearing from other women, Daruda felt affirmed in her suspicions that implants had caused her fatigue, brain fog, memory loss, headaches, joint and muscle pain, hair loss, recurring infections, swollen lymph nodes, rashes, irritable bowel syndrome and problems with thyroid and adrenal glands. “I believe that various doctors pigeonholed my symptoms into the category of autoimmune disorders because few general practitioners are aware of BII.”

Diana Hoppe, M.D., a board-certified OB/GYN in Encinitas, California, never heard of BII until earlier this year. “Doctors rely on published, evidence-based study results, and while there are none linking connective tissue disorders and breast implants, I suspect that the outcomes of studies conducted by breast implant manufacturers are equally as suspicious as the outcomes of studies done by the manufacturers of cigarettes.”

One longtime BII combatant says, “My body mounted an all-out war, in the form of a foreign body immune response.”

She learned about BII from Tinyurl.com/ BreastImplantIllness, but is unable to afford the explant surgery that would remove the apparently toxic invaders.

NCHR reports that at the time of explant surgery, approximately three out of five women have had implants and their unhealthy symptoms for 10 years or more.

After explant surgery, 89 percent of the women report improvement. However, explant surgery is just the first step.

Daruda used chelation and the protocols of Gerson Therapy, a natural treatment that activates the body’s ability to heal itself through an organic, plant-based diet, raw juices, coffee enemas and supplements. “It took me four years to recuperate,” she says.

“It didn’t take that long to know the lesson I wanted to share with other women: Self-love and self-worth are more important than society’s false concepts of beauty. The essence of who we are is not tied to any body part.”

Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. Connect at ItsAllAboutWe.com.

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healing ways

inspiration

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Susane Grasso REIKI MASTER

The Mother Our Souls Need Connecting With the Energy That Made Us

Relaxation Therapy Chakra Balancing Aura Readings

by Christiane Northrup

T

his Mother’s Day, I want to tell you about a different way to think about your mother and about yourself—a way that is deeply true and liberating, no matter what is going on with your mother.

On a soul level, we’re old friends with our mothers. And they signed up for assisting us on our souls’ journeys big time—by being willing to take on the role of our mother. And no matter how well they did or didn’t do that job, we have a job, too: to realize that though we might not have had the mother we wanted, we all got the mother our souls needed.

What’s more, every single one of us can connect right now with the mother energy that made all of our bodies in the first place—the Earth herself.

It has been said that when you lavish your attention on the Earth—on a flower, or a stream or any aspect of nature—that energy loves you right back.

In the book series The Ringing Cedars, Anastasia refers to the land you live on and love as, “Love dissolved in

space.” You can feel this when you travel to parks and gardens, farms and yards that have been loved by those who live there.

This mothering energy is available to each of us from the Earth and from Mother Nature—no matter what has happened with your biological mother.

So here is my prescription for a glorious Mother’s Day.

Call your mother—in spirit, if she is no longer in a body—or if speaking with her directly is too painful. Here’s a special prayer: “With my Spirit, I send Divine Love to my mother’s Spirit.”

That’s it. Just say this prayer. With your whole heart. And let go of the outcome.

Happy Mother’s Day. Christiane Northrup, M.D., is a leading authority in the field of women’s health and wellness. The full text of this excerpt, reprinted with permission, appears at DrNorthrup.com. © Christiane Northrup, Inc. All rights reserved.

203.500.6950 2489 Boston Post Road Suite F Guilford CT 06437

Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new

~Albert Einstein May 2019

37

calendar of events

markyourcalendar

THURSDAY, MAY 2 RESPITE Art Exhibition Opening Night – 6:30pm-8:30pm. All are invited to the opening night celebration of RESPITE Comprised of works by local artists Margot Rocklen and Anne Doris-Eisner, join us for an inspired evening of art and conversations on creativity, wellness and respite. FREE. Breathing Room Yoga Center, 216 Crown St, New Haven. 203-562-LOVE. BreathingRoomCT.com.

New Haven Community Circle Dance – 7:30pm-9:30pm. Move in the footsteps of our ancestors as we enjoy traditional dances from many cultures, as well as contemporary pieces choreographed in the spirit of ancient folk dance.

All dances are taught and no experience is necessary. Suggested donation $8. Friends Meetinghouse, 225 East Grand Ave, New Haven. 203-467-1069, NHCircleDance.yolasite.com.

FRIDAY, MAY 3 Meditation: What is it? How do you do it? – 6pm. Join us to learn all about meditation. We will teach you different ways to meditate and find inner peace and balance. Class is interactive.

PlClass is taught by Psychic Mediums, Energy Healers and Intuitive Coaches Stephanie RosallyKaplan and Jennifer Gaylord. The Red Barn in Durham, 352 Main St, Durham. Class is $25. Email BorrowedTimeEmporium@gmail.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 4 Conservation Project: Weekend Warriors Part I – 9am-1pm. Ranger Dan is seeking naturalists who want to help keep our park beautiful. Managing our precious landscape requires your help!

Together we will continue the legacy of this nature preserve. Part 1 will focus on controlling invasive plant species around our open fields. Great for teenage scouts and adult volunteers. Bring water, snacks, gloves, and trimming tools. Ansonia Nature Ctr, 10 Deerfield Rd, Ansonia. Preregister: 203-736-1053.

Explore the Gift of Blessing – 9:30am-4:30pm.

“Mutual Radiance: Explore the Gift of Blessing” presented by psychotherapist and author Gunilla Norris at Explore how to embrace and maintain the consciousness of blessings. $75 includes lunch and materials. Mercy by the Sea, 167 Neck Rd, Madison. To register and for more information call 203-245-0401 or visit MercyBytheSea.org.

SUNDAY, MAY 5 Pigeons: Smarter than You Think – 2pm.

Licensed wildlife rehabilitator Megan Eaton will bring her pigeon friends for this unique meet and greet. Megan has spent the last 3 years rehabbing every pigeon brought to her door. At this familyfriendly program, meet some of her rescues and learn all about one of the earliest domesticated and most misunderstood birds: the pigeon. Free.

Donations appreciated. Ansonia Nature Ctr, 10 Deerfield Rd, Ansonia. Information/registration: 203-736-1053.

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New Haven/Middlesex

Passport to Health & Wellness EXPO STATEWIDE HOLISTIC EXPO

Sunday, May 5 2019 10am-4pm

Benefit Holistic EXPO Presented by

The Holistic Community Professionals Held at

The DoubleTree by Hilton, Bristol, CT 75 Vendors & Readers, Free Raffles, & GRAND PRIZE Closing EVENT (4pm-5pm) FREE SOUND HEALING & Drumming on the Patio Door Proceeds will benefit The CT Children’s Medical Center and Hartford Hospitals’ Integrative Medicines’Angie’s Spa fund.

CONTACT: Shirley R Bloethe 860-989-0033 EMAIL: yourholisticevents@gmail.com

Exhibitors/Speakers Apply online.

YourHolisticEvents.com

Free Community Meals Presented by Master’s Table Community Meals: Country Night – 4pm-5:30pm. Special guest singer, Patti Dahl. Come dressed in your best country outfit. Free. Open to the public. No RSVP. Donations graciously accepted. Assumption Church Hall, 61 N. Cliff St, Ansonia. For more information, call 203-732-7792.

MastersTableMeals.org

MONDAY, MAY 6 Energy Hygiene – 6:30pm. Join Lizzy McDonald as she takes you through various techniques to clean, protect and ground your energy in this special workshop. $15. Space limited. Elm City Wellness, 774 Orange St, New Haven. 203-691-7653.

Elmcitywellness@gmail.com. Elmcitywellness.com.

TUESDAY, MAY 7 Young Living Essential Oils – 6:30pm-8pm.

Help align your mind, body, spirit. Learn to take control of you and your pet’s health with therapeutic grade oils. Free class. 36 Cheshire Rd, Wallingford. 203-265-2927. Return2love3@gmail.com.

Return2Love.com.

NaturalNewHaven.com

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8 ctNetwork for Entrepreneurial Women – 6pm.

Join 4 knowledgeable female co-hosts, 3 engaging speakers, & + 40 entrepreneurial women at the 1st ctNEW meetup! Meet new friends/mentors/ clients, while gaining a new perspective on how to grow your business. $10/ticket. Paris Realty Group, 50 Fitch St, New Haven. More information and to register at Eventbrite.com.

FRIDAY, MAY 10 Learn How to See Auras – 6pm. Auras are the energy that surrounds our physical body. Everyone can learn to tune their eye to see. join us to learn how to tap into this skill for yourself! Class is taught by Psychic Mediums, Energy Healers and Intuitive Coaches Stephanie Rosally-Kaplan and Jennifer Gaylord RSVP at The Red Barn in Durham, 352 Main St, Durham. Class is $25. Email BorrowedTimeEmporium@gmail.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 11 Come Celebrate the Divine Feminine on Mother’s Day Weekend – 9am- 5pm. Movement and song. Explore ancient stories of the goddess, view the Divine Feminine Art Show, experience the Soulshine Salt Cavern, crystals, beauty, health products, face painting with goddess symbols, healing sessions available. Family friendly, kids free.

Preregister for the Soulshine Salt Cavern. Event facilitated by Gloria Amendola, Author and Intuitive and Janice Juliano LCSW Director of the Vision for The Red Barn. $15 by May 4. $20 at the door.

FMI or to register for the day: Holygrailmary@ gmail.com. The Red Barn in Durham, 352 Main St, Durham. TheRedBarnInDurham.com.

Nature Journaling Retreat – 9:30am-3:30pm.

“Blossom and Sea: A Nature Journaling Retreat” a JourneyCirclesTM Program is presented

by Jan Blencowe. Learn simple sketching and watercolor techniques. $110 includes lunch and materials. Mercy by the Sea, 167 Neck Ave, Madison. To register and for more information: Call 203-245-0401 or visit MercyBytheSea.org.

Lavender Bath Bombs for Mother’s Day – 10am.

Join us in making these wonderful bath bombs. Each attendee will make a batch, learn how to mold them, and prepare them as gifts. For 8 years old and up.

Materials fee: $12 per person. Class size limited.

Ansonia Nature Ctr, 10 Deerfield Rd, Ansonia.

Preregister: 203-736-1053.

Light Body Healing Raises Our Energy of Vibration – 11am-12:30pm. Cathy Stubbs, Shaman (Eagle Flight Healing LLC), reviews our energetic basis, provides information about the vibration of emotions, and the gentle work of light body healing to release low self-worth, selflimiting beliefs and constricting emotions. Avant Garde Holistic Center, 328 East Main St, Branford.

Call 203-481-8443 to register. $15 at door.

Fairy Houses and Tea Party – 1pm. Join Ranger Amie at Pavilion #2 to design tiny homes for fairies and gnomes from bark, moss, stones, and other natural decorations. Materials will be provided.

Celebrate these magical creatures during the fairy tea party. Bring tea party food to share if you would like. Please register for this free family program.

Ansonia Nature Ctr, 10 Deerfield Rd, Ansonia.

Preregister: 203-736-1053.

Remembering the Divine Mother w/ Sara – 1pm3pm. One year since the passing of our beloved teacher Sue Neufeld, join her daughter Sara for a free yoga workshop about building strength and grace out of challenge and loss. Class includes asana, meditation, relaxation and journaling, with a community meal to follow. Must Pre-Register.

Space is limited! Your Community Yoga Center, 39 Putnam Ave, Hamden. 203-287-2277.

YourCommunityYoga.com.

Mother’s Day Diffuser Bracelet Making – 2pm4pm. Join us for a special day of quality time creating a sacred addition to your jewelry box. After we make our bracelets we’ll finish with a guided meditation and gentle chair yoga. $35. Walnut Beach Wellness & Boutique, 41 Naugatuck Ave, Milford. WalnutBeachWellness.com.

Mother’s Day Belly Cast Painting & Prenatal Partner Yoga – 4:30pm-6:30pm. Pick up your casting kit 1 week prior to workshop date to have it ready to paint and decorate with your partner, family member, or friend. Enjoy some gentle partner prenatal yoga, snacks, and tea! $50 per couple.

Walnut Beach Wellness & Boutique, 41 Naugatuck Ave, Milford. WalnutBeachWellness.com.

Psychic Medium Gallery Reading – 6pm. Tracy Timbro, a 4th-generation psychic medium, lost her son from cancer and knows all too well the pain of grief and loss. Mediumship has proven to her that our loved ones in spirit are ever present in our lives. at The Red Barn, 352 Main St, Durham. $40.

Call Stephanie: 914-340-1474 or email: or email: Rosallykaplan@gmail.com for reservations.

SUNDAY, MAY 12 Restorative Yoga Workshop w/ Saskia Bergmans Smith – 2pm-4pm. Relax and retreat from everyday life, using guided passive stretching to release tension and nurture the body from the inside out. $27adv./$33 – Pre-Registration Recommended. Your Community Yoga Center, 39 Putnam Ave, Hamden. 203-287-2277.

YourCommunityYoga.com.

MONDAY, MAY 13 Intuition Initiative – 6:30pm. Lizzy McDonald hosts this experiential workshop where you’ll learn about your intuition, how to develop it, and how to improve connection with it on a deeper level. $15. Space limited. Elm City Wellness, 774 Orange St, New Haven. 203-691-7653.

Elmcitywellness@gmail.com. Elmcitywellness.com.

TUESDAY, MAY 14 The Graduate Institute Information Session! – 6:30pm-7:30pm. Enrolling now! Holistic, Transformative Education. One Weekend Per Month. Master of Arts, Certificates and Sixth-Year Equivalent Programs (ideal for teachers) in Integrative Health & Healing, Learning & Thinking, Organizational Leadership, Consciousness Studies, Transpersonal Psychology, Writing & Oral Traditions, Ecotherapy and Coaching with Spirit. The Graduate Institute, 171 Amity Rd, Bethany. Register online: Learn.edu.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15

TUESDAY, MAY 21

Circle of Women – 7pm-9pm. Join in sacred space to discover and strengthen your authentic self, learn to listen and speak from the heart. We celebrate the month of the Mother and your Goddess. Women’s Ways are compatible with all spiritual paths. $25.

Central Wallingford. Call Susan to explore/reserve space. 203-645-1230.

Building Resiliency Through Psychological First Aid & Self-Care – 9am-4pm. 6 CEC credits. Gain tools to support strong, attainable practices for self and others to support trauma and stress. $85. CWC, 2321 Whitney Ave, Suite 401, Hamden. Please register at WomensConsortium.org.

FRIDAY, MAY 17 Full Moon Meditation w/Gayle Franceschetti – 6:30pm-8:30pm. Align w/new energies of Full Moon. Opportunities for allowing spiritual energies to reach human hearts and minds. Tap into this vast pool of energy. $20. 36 Cheshire Rd, Wallingford. 203-265-2927. Return2love3@gmail.com.

Return2Love.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 18 Adventures in Edible Plant Foraging – 10am.

Karen Monger is the author of the 3 Foragers blog, which she runs with her husband, Robert. Come join them for a short lecture and a hike to discover and identify edible plants in the park. Their mission is to impart their knowledge of wild edible plants to others. Fee: $6 per person for this family program.

Ansonia Nature Ctr, 10 Deerfield Rd, Ansonia.

Information/registration: 203-736-1053.

Crystal Wands: Learn How to Create, Program and Use Your Own Crystal Wand – 2pm. Taught

by Stephanie Rosally –Kaplan, Reiki Master Teacher, Certified Crystal healing and Gina, Reiki Master. At the Red Barn in Durham, 352 Main St, Durham. $45. RSVP: Rosallykaplan@gmail.com.

Family Yoga – 3:30pm-4:30pm. Join Lani for a “Spring Garden” themed family yogis class! Toddlers to tweens will love this combined fitness, fun and relaxation all rolled up into one. $16-25.

Breathing Room Yoga Center, 216 Crown St, New Haven. 203-562-LOVE. BreathingRoomCT.com.

SUNDAY, MAY 19 Chelation – 9:30am-1pm. “Hands on” energy technique used to charge, clear, and balance the human energy field or aura. Reiki I & II or other healing modality required $175. 36 Cheshire Rd, Wallingford. Contact Gayle: 203-265-2927.

Return2love3@gmail.com. Return2Love.com.

MONDAY, MAY 20 CBD 101 – 6:30pm. Join Dr. Kathryn Ronzo, Naturopathic doctor as she explains the health benefits of CBD while answering any questions you may have on the topic. Free class with free samples included. Space limited. Elm City Wellness, 774 Orange St, New Haven. 203-691-7653.

Elmcitywellness@gmail.com. Elmcitywellness.com.

Group Past Life Regression – 6:30pm-8:30pm.

Discover reasons for current fears, recurring dreams or personality tendencies. Attendees explore past lives, learn reasons for repeat patterns or why they were born to a certain family. $20. 36 Cheshire Rd, Wallingford. Contact Gayle: 203-265-2927.

Return2love3@gmail.com. Return2Love.com.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22 Clear Direction in Your Life Workshop – 7pm8:30pm. Have a clear idea as to how the deepest part of you wants to set you on the course to your desires.

This can enlighten your life. Remove blocks on that course. Manifesting your desires takes clear focus in your direction. Do you know how to focus in a clear way? With Christie, a clear intuitive channel, and her Spirit Guide Great Bear. $25. Limited to 6 people. At Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Society, 297 Boston Post Rd, Madison. For more information or to secure your space call 203-481-8827.

FRIDAY, MAY 24 Young Living Essential Oils – 6:30pm-8pm. Help align your mind, body, spirit. Learn to take control of you and your pet’s health with therapeutic grade oils. Free class. 36 Cheshire Rd, Wallingford.

203-265-2927 or Return2love3@gmail.com.

Return2Love.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 25 Migratory Bird Walk – 9am. Warblers, catbirds, and grosbeaks, oh my! Join Ranger Jess for a migratory bird experience. The Ansonia Nature Center is the home to many migratory birds. See redstarts, common yellow throats, towhees, and more during this birding adventure. This is a slow-paced walk on uneven terrain. Dress for the weather and bring your binoculars. Free. Ansonia Nature Ctr, 10 Deerfield Rd, Ansonia. Preregister: 203-736-1053.

SUNDAY, MAY 26 Free Community Meals Presented by Master’s Table Community Meals: Dinner – 4pm-5:30pm.

Free. Open to the public. No RSVP. Donations graciously accepted. Assumption Church Hall, 61 N. Cliff St, Ansonia. For more information, call 203-732-7792. MastersTableMeals.org.

TUESDAY, MAY 28 The Graduate Institute Information Session! – 6:30pm-7:30pm. Enrolling now! Holistic, Transformative Education. One Weekend Per Month. Master of Arts, Certificates and Sixth-Year Equivalent Programs (ideal for teachers) in Integrative Health & Healing, Learning & Thinking, Organizational Leadership, Consciousness Studies, Transpersonal Psychology, Writing & Oral Traditions, Ecotherapy and Coaching with Spirit. The Graduate Institute, 171 Amity Rd, Bethany. Register online: Learn.edu.

May 2019

39

calendar of events SATURDAY, JUNE 1

C O R E

Connecticut Trail Day – 9am. Join Nature Center Director Alison Rubelmann and Ranger Daniel Bosques for this morning walk. Discover the beauty of the Nature Center’s typical New England woodland during the CT Forest and Park Association’s annual Trails Day weekend. We might get lucky and find a lady slipper or two. This moderate hike will also focus on the history of the land, and we will visit the settlement of the Paugasucks. Bring water, a snack, and bug spray, and wear sturdy shoes.

Suitable for older children and adults. Free. Ansonia Nature Ctr, 10 Deerfield Rd, Ansonia. Information/ registration: 203-736-1053.

markyourcalendar

P O W E R

A Morning Adventure at the Farm

Nourishment from the ground up!

Saturday, May 25 10am to 12pm

FREE

Join us for a morning of learning and adventure. Learn what a day at The Institute Of Sustainable Nutrition is like as we take you through a mini session at the farm. We will make a delicious tea to sip, go on a weed walk to learn some of our local weeds and super foods, make something in kitchen medicine, see what is happening with the bees and in the garden and taste something delicious from the kitchen.

The CorePower Seminar for your business

Our new class begins in September, come be part of the change!

or

The Institute of Sustainable Nutrition Holcomb Farm 113 Simsbury Rd, West Granby, CT

organization

with

Eilis Philpott Thursday to Sunday June 20-23

Eilis is one of two teachers approved by Linda Dillon and the Council of Love to teach the 13th Octave LaHoChi.

Hidden Gem on Main 33 N. Main St, Suite F Wallingford, CT

$555 investment

$100 deposit required to register Payment plans available

BOOK EARLY! These trainings always sell out!

Visit website for more details or to register.

Eilis@SoulHealingJourney.com AcademyForSoulHealing.com

markyourcalendar

SPIRIT FESTIVAL September 13-15

Riverside Park & Mortensen Riverfront Plaza, Hartford

RSVP: Call: 860-764-9070 TIOSN.com

SpiritYogaFestival.com

C o r e Po w e r Wo r k s h o p . c o m

New Haven/Middlesex

13th Octave LaHoChi Practitioner Training

Experience a celebration of wellness, yoga, music and dance— in affiliation with Riverfront Recapture and BaliSpirit Festival.

Or email: Joan@TIOSN.com

40

markyourcalendar

NaturalNewHaven.com

ongoingevents

sunday Massages and Organic Facials at Elm City Wellness are available 7 days a week – Mother’s Day is this month. Get them a gift card and instantly become their favorite kid. Elm City Wellness, 774 Orange St, New Haven. 203-691-7653.

Elmcitywellness@gmai.com. ElmCityWellness.com.

Community Vinyasa Yoga – 11am -12 pm.

Strengthen your yoga practice with Renee every Sunday! Sliding scale of $10-$17. Walnut Beach Wellness & Boutique, 41 Naugatuck Ave, Milford.

WalnutBeachWellness.com.

Mystical Market and Craft Fair – 11am-4pm.

(The 3rd Sunday of every month). Psychics, vendors, artisans, holistic practitioners & more. Free admission, vendor’s fees vary. The Ruby Tree, Sherman Village Shopping Center, 670 Main St South, Woodbury. 203-586-1655, Christina@therubytreect.com, TheRubyTreeCT.com.

Community Acupuncture – 12pm-2pm. (Every last Sunday of the month). Treatments are given in a group setting, where multiple clients are treated simultaneously in reclining chair or cushioned yoga mats. Initial visit is $40, follow-ups are on a sliding scale of $25-$40. Dr. Suzanne Woomer, ND, L.A.c.

Walnut Beach Wellness & Boutique, 41 Naugatuck Ave, Milford. WalnutBeachWellness.com.

Meditation to reduce stress + learn to cure one ailment each week – 5pm-6pm. Your Community Yoga Center, 39 Putnam Ave, Hamden. https://www. meetup.com/Yoga-Meditation-CT. Queer Dharma – 7:30pm-9pm. A forum for practice and discussion relating all dharma traditions and the experience and concerns of LGBTQI individuals and their friends. All are warmly welcome regardless of experience, spiritual tradition, age, sex, gender identity, or sexual/affectional orientation.

Each meeting will include meditation instruction, practice, readings and discussion. Free. The Shambhala Center of New Haven, 85 Willow Street, New Haven, Building B. NewHaven.Shambhala.org.

monday Pilates/Barre Community Class – 8am. This class is a mix between pilates moves to strengthen core muscles and the Barre technique to sculpt and lean our arms and legs. Discount price of $10.00 cash/ check or $12.00 credit card. Kneading Hands Yoga & Massage, 760 Main St S, Unit F, Southbury.

203-267-4417. KneadingHands.net.

Mondays at the Red Barn in Durham – Reiki Share – 6pm $10. Magnified Healing Circle – 7pm. $10. Stephanie Rosally-Kaplan, Reiki Master/Teacher and a Certified Magnified Healing Healer/Teacher. At The Red Barn in Durham, 352 Main St, Durham. Must RSVP: 914-330-1474.

RosallyKaplan@gmail.com.

Thinking About Middle School? Visit Connecticut’s Only Experientially-based Middle School – 9:45am-11am. Monday Tours held. Academically rich real-world learning, personalized approach, 5th - 8th grade. Openings now available for 2019-20.

28 School St, Branford. RSVP: mandm@CTExperiential.org. Call today for more information: 203-433-4658.

Yoga with Marlene – 9:30am & 6:30pm. Yoga classes for all ages and problems in a serene atmosphere with emphasis on stress-management. 1221 Village Walk. Guilford. Info: 203-453-5360.

Guided Meditation Circle – 10am-11am. A weekly meditation Circle in a very relaxed setting using mindfulness meditations, discussions about mindfulness and how to have a successful practice.

No experience necessary. $10 Investment. Healing Room, 10 Carina Rd, North Haven. Please call: 203-214-9486.

Healthy-Steps, The Lebed Method w/Susan Sandel – 3:45pm-4:45pm. (Every Tuesday). Gentle therapeutic exercise/mvmnt prog. Helpful for breast cancer survivors/chronic health conditions. Free.

Sponsored by Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center of Integrative Medicine. Location: Madison House, 34 Wildwood Ave, Madison. Details: 203-457-1656.

Alignment Yoga – 10am-11:30am. With Iyengar Teacher Training Graduate. Refine your yoga practice with optimal alignment practices that make you stronger, more flexible, and more emotionally stable. Yoga in Middletown, 438 Main St, Middletown.

860-347-YOGA (9642). YogaInMiddletown.com.

Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement 5 Week Class Series – 6pm-7pm. Learn to move easily with simple movements that help to relieve pain and restore your body to its natural ease. $50 for 5 weeks or $15 drop in. Carol Meade Holistic Therapies Classroom, 15 South Elm St, Wallingford.

203-415-8666 or info@massage2movement.com.

Yoga with Marlene – 10:30am & 7:15pm. Yoga classes for all ages and problems in a serene atmosphere with emphasis on stress-management. 1221 Village Walk. Guilford. Info: 203-453-5360.

Meditation – 1:30pm. Silent, sitting meditation for anyone to attend. For all levels. Beginners welcome!

Meditation begins and ends promptly on time.

Donation-based event; no set fees. New England Meditation Center, 455 Boston Rd, Old Saybrook.

For more information, visit: https://www.meetup. com/New-England-Meditation-Center/events.

Boutique Yoga Therapy, Kundalini and Meditation with Leesa Sklover Ph,D, LPC, C-IAYT – 5:30pm-6:30pm. Short Beach Union Church,14 Pentacost St., Branford. $18. By reservation or text 917-860-0488 by 4:30pm. Reservation for first and all classes/questions: Drsklover@gmail.com.

Kundalini Yoga Class at Guest House Retreat – 6pm-7:15pm. Through physical movement, breath work and meditative practice, Kundalini Yoga builds strength, stability, and balance. This practice gives us the tools to drastically change our physical, psychological, and spiritual condition. Consider it a full mind/body upgrade. By Donation, no set fees.

318 West Main St, Chester.

Monday Reiki Meditation – 6:30pm. Reiki Master and Teacher Thema Haida will take you on an inner journey through the Chakra systems. Explore the ancient energy centers of the body while receiving Reiki to deepen relaxation and connection to self. $5. Elm City Wellness. 774 Orange St, New Haven.

203-691-7653. ElmCityWellness.com.

Qigong for Health – 7pm-8pm. Learn a practice that invigorates the internal energy, relieves stress, tones and stretches the muscles and connects the mind and body. $15/class. Tranquil Mountain Internal Arts. Location: Shoreline Center for Wholistic Health, 35 Boston St, Guilford. Info: 860-301-6433. tmiarts.com.

Therapeutic Yoga for Back Pain – 7pm-8pm.

Yoga Therapist Kellie Codianna, C-IAYT. Learn to make space in the body with your and my hands-on assists and props. Learn about pelvis and whole spine while synchronizing movement with breath slowly. Advance sign up required. Free first class.

Class size limited to 6. 33 N Main St, Suite B, Wallingford. 203-675-7155. kellie@divinelyrooted.org.

tuesday

Free weekly Tuesday Meditation Classes – 6pm7pm. (those who would like instruction can come at 5:45pm). Open to all and fully accessible. Instruction provided for beginners. No reservations necessary. Walk-ins welcome. Program offered in cooperation with New Haven Insight and the New Haven Zen Center. New Haven Free Public Library.

133 Elm St, New Haven. 203-946-8138.

Free Reiki Sessions: The Universal Reiki Plan – 7:30pm-8:30pm. (& 8:30pm-9:30pm Thurs).

Reiki teachers Jeannette and Jim of ReikiOvertones and students offer free Reiki sessions. Appt. only.

Love offering appreciated. 95 Harris St, Fairfield.

Details: Jim and Jeannette 203-254-3958. info@ ReikiOvertones.com.

wednesday Nature Explorers – 10am (May 22 & 29; June 5 & 12). Join us for this 4 week pre-school/toddler program for children ages 2-5 and their adult explorer. Participants will have fun exploring nature every week in these outdoor classes. The classes are typically loosely structured and influenced by the seasons and the interests of the children. We will go outside for a short hike and to explore nature every class so please dress for the weather. Classes will end with a light snack (provided or bring your own) and conversation. Tuition: $40 for all 4 weeks, space permitting (cash or check payable to Ansonia Nature Center), due at the first class. Class is limited to 10 children. Ansonia Nature Ctr, 10 Deerfield Rd, Ansonia. Preregister: 203-736-1053.

Emei Wujigong Qigong Group Practice – 12pm1pm. Experience a qigong form for rebalancing and strengthening body, mind and spirit. For all abilities and levels of health. Schedule Available online. 1st class free (reg. $5). Holistic Therapies Classroom, 15 South Elm St, Wallingford. Info: EmeiQigongChan.com.

Meditation – 1:30pm. Silent, sitting meditation for anyone to attend. For all levels. Beginners welcome!

Meditation begins and ends promptly on time.

Donation-based event; no set fees. New England Meditation Center, 455 Boston Rd, Old Saybrook.

For more information, visit: https://www.meetup. com/New-England-Meditation-Center/events.

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ongoingevents Therapeutic Yoga for Anxiety – 5:45pm-645pm.

Yoga Therapist Kellie Codianna, C-IAYT. This class is slow movements with an emphasis on breathing and visualization exercises. Some poses will build on strength. Hands on assists and Reiki offered throughout the class. Advance sign up required. Free first class. Class size limited to 6.

33 N Main St, Suite B, Wallingford. 203-675-7155. kellie@divinelyrooted.org.

The Caring Network: Free Support Group for Adults Who Have Lost a Loved One – 6pm-8pm.

(5/1 & 5/15). Free support group for adults who have lost a loved one. Information about loss and grief with facilitated open discussion. Bridges Healthcare, 949 Bridgeport Avenue, Milford. Sponsored

by Cody-White Funeral Home, 203-874-0268 or Bridges Healthcare, 203-878-6365.

Alignment Yoga – 6pm-7:30pm. With Iyengar Teacher Training Graduate. Refine your yoga practice with optimal alignment practices that make you stronger, more flexible, and more emotionally stable.

Yoga in Middletown, 438 Main St, Middletown.

860-347-YOGA (9642). YogaInMiddletown.com.

Yoga with Marlene – 6:30pm. Yoga classes for all ages and problems in a serene atmosphere with emphasis on stress-management. 1221 Village Walk.

Guilford. Info: 203-453-5360.

Connect w/Guides & Angels 5 Classes w/Gayle Franceschetti – 6:30pm-8:30pm. (Wednesdays: May 15th, 22nd, 29th, June 5th & 12th). Listen/ communicate with “helpers” to guide and protect you. Easily and safely make your connection, tune into their vibrations/recognize them in future. Series $97. 36 Cheshire Rd, Wallingford. 203-265-2927.

Return2love3@gmail.com.

Meditation In the World at Guest House Retreat – 7pm-8pm. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced meditator, join us every week as we are led in the practice of focusing our awareness. Helping you find calm within everyday demands and stress.

Free. 318 West Main St, Chester. 860-322-5770.

thursday

Yoga with Marlene – 10am & 6:30pm. Yoga classes for all ages and problems in a serene atmosphere with emphasis on stress-management. 1221 Village Walk. Guilford. Info: 203-453-5360.

Emei Wujigong Qigong Group Practice – 6:30pm7:30pm. (Every Thurs. except the 1st Thurs. of month). Experience a qigong form for rebalancing and strengthening body, mind and spirit. For all abilities and levels of health. Schedule Available online. 1st class free (reg. $5). Holistic Therapies Classroom, 15 South Elm St, Wallingford. Info: EmeiQigongChan.com.

Qigong Group Healing & Silent Meditation – 6:30pm-8pm. (1st Thurs. of the month). All levels of health addressed. No experience necessary. Fee: donation. Holistic Therapies Classroom, 15 South Elm St, Wallingford. Contact Pat for more information if this is 1st attendance: 203-500-6492.

Women’s Guided Meditation and Healing Circle – 7pm-8pm. Come sit in a safe space, learn to breathe and set intentions to help focus and regroup.

All levels welcome. Meditations run 30-45 minutes in length. Thursdays/ $5. Location: Now n’ Then Therapeutic Massage, 187 Montowese St, Branford.

Contact Anna to register 203-871-9367 or register online at DandelionWellnessCT.com.

The Heart of Recovery – 7:30pm-9pm, a weekly meditation and recovery group for those recovering from addictions of all kinds. We will honor the traditions of anonymity, confidentiality and no cross-talk.

Meetings will include meditation instruction, practice, readings and discussion. Free. The Shambhala Center of New Haven, 85 Willow St, Building B, NewHaven.Shambhala.org.

friday Yoga with Marlene – 9:30am. Yoga classes for all ages and problems in a serene atmosphere with emphasis on stress-management. 1221 Village Walk.

Guilford. Info: 203-453-5360.

Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement Class – 10:30am-11:30am. It only takes an hour to feel good again. Aren’t you worth it? $15 drop in or class cards. Carol Meade Holistic Therapies Classroom, 15 South Elm St, Wallingford.

203-415-8666 or info@massage2movement.com.

Boutique Yoga Therapy, Kundalini and Float Yoga and Gong Bath with Leesa Sklover Ph,D, LPC, C-IAYT – 8:30am-9:30am. By reservation. Text 917-860-0488 by 10pm the night before. Little Bay Annex- Branford. $18. Reservation required for first and all classes/questions: Drsklover@gmail.com.

Intuitive Readings w/Susane Grasso – 11am-3pm.

Usui and Karuna Reiki Master and Clairvoyant Susane sees auras/mirrors of soul/emotions and physical being. Now also a certified Doreen Virtue Angel Reader. $1/min. Enchanted, 1250 Boston Post Rd, Guilford. 203-453-4000.

EnchantedGuilford.com.

The Milford Chamber’s ‘Health & Wellness Council’ – 8:30am-9:30am. (2nd Thurs. monthly).

Group is comprised of businesses in the health and wellness industry. 5 Broad St, Milford.

Milfordct.com.

DrumSpeak For Awakening – 7pm-9:30pm.

(Every 2nd Friday of the month). For personal growth and awakening to de-stress, relax, release, and have fun. Suggested $5-$20 donation. Lead

by Chantal Guillou-Brennan, IEMT, CHT, QHHT. Walnut Beach Wellness & Boutique, 41 Naugatuck Ave, Milford. WalnutBeachWellness.com.

Ropes Yoga – 8:50am-9:50am. With Iyengar Teacher Training Graduate. Experience yoga poses in new and liberating ways. Therapeutic and challenging. Great for scoliosis and back problems.

Expert instruction since 1991. Yoga in Middletown, 438 Main St, Middletown, 860-347-YOGA (9642).

YogaInMiddletown.com.

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NaturalNewHaven.com

saturday Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement 5 Week Class Series – 9am-10am. Learn to move easily with simple movements that help to relieve pain and restore your body to its natural ease. $50 for 5 weeks or $15 drop in. Carol Meade Holistic Therapies Classroom, 15 South Elm St, Wallingford.

203-415-8666 or info@massage2movement.com.

Alignment Yoga with Iyengar Teacher Training Graduate – 9am-10:30am. Refine your yoga practice with optimal alignment practices that make you stronger, more flexible and more emotionally stable.

Yoga in Middletown, 438 Main St, Middletown.

860-347-YOGA (9642). YogaInMiddletown.com.

Cathy Stubbs, Shaman of Eagle Flight Healing, LLC Presents Chakra Clearing and Illumination Sessions – 10:30am-12pm. (Sessions offered each Saturday, Starting May 25th through July 13).

Session includes information as to what each chakra provides and a deep cleansing of each. The last session offers a 7 chakra illumination. Avant Garde Holistic Center, 328 East Main St, Branford. For more information, call 203-535-8849.

ReikiShare: The Universal Reiki Plan – 11am1:30pm. Pre-register to share Reiki and join in a FREE workshop to make it a Reiki day! The 3rd Sat. of every month. Free (“love offering”).

Bloodroot Rest. 85 Ferris St, Bridgeport. Reservation only. Jim or Jeannette: 203-254-3958. info@ ReikiOvertones.com.

Women’s Boutique Yoga Therapy, Kundalini, Float Yoga and Gong Bath with Leesa – 11:30am12:30pm. $18. By reservation. text 917-860-0488 by 9 am. Reservation for first and all classes/questions: Drsklover@gmail.com. At Annex. Register for address.

Meditation – 1:30pm. Silent, sitting meditation for anyone to attend. For all levels. Beginners welcome!

Meditation begins and ends promptly on time. Lecture every other Saturday. Donation-based event; no set fees. New England Meditation Center, 455 Boston Rd, Old Saybrook. For more information, visit: https://www.meetup.com/New-EnglandMeditation-Center/events/.

Women’s Gathering – 2pm-4pm. (Every last Saturday of the month). A women’s circle is a safe and sacred space for women to come together, be seen, and be heard. Anyone who identifies as a woman and is dedicated to their personal journey of healing, empowerment, and self-discovery is welcome! Sliding scale of $5-$15. Facilitated by Stephanie Macleay, Reiki Master, medium, and Registered Dietitian. Walnut Beach Wellness & Boutique, 41 Naugatuck Ave, Milford. WalnutBeachWellness.com.

classifieds ALS SUPPORT THE ALS ASSOCIATION CONNECTICUT CHAPTER – Leading the fight to treat and cure ALS through research & advocacy while empowering people w/Lou Gehrig’s Disease and their families to live fuller lives w/compassionate care & support. 4 Oxford Road, Unit D4. Milford. 203-874-5050. WebCT.alsa.org.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH BHcare – A state-licensed, non-profit behavioral health care provider serving Lower Naugatuck Valley, Greater New Haven & Shoreline communities. It provides comprehensive behavioral health, prevention & domestic violence services to improve the lives & health of individuals, families & communities. 203-736-2601. bhcare.org.

CONNECTICUT WOMEN’S CONSORTIUM – Aim: ensure the behavioral health system responds to the needs of women & the people & organizations that affect them. Eliminate discrimination/promote excellence in care for women through educ., training, advocacy & policy dev. 203-909-6888, WomensConsortium.org.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES 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 apply now at: NaturalAwakeningsMag.com/Franchise.

DISTRIBUTORS WANTED DISTRIBUTORS WANTED – For monthly deliveries of Natural Awakenings and other local publications. Perfect for a retired person or stay at home mom looking to earn some extra income and connect with their local community. Honesty and dependability are the most important characteristics of our distributors. Thomas@ManInMotionLLC.com.

INTUITIVE READINGS AT ENCHANTED INTUITIVE READINGS AT ENCHANTED DAILY – 11am-3pm. Akashic, Angel, Aura, Clairvoyant, Goddess, Mediumship, Runes, Tarot, Tea Leaf Readings offered from eight world-class intuitives and masters. $1/minute. Enchanted 1250 Boston Post Rd ,Guilford. 203-453-4000. For more information and a schedule of who is available each day visit EnchantedGuilford.com.

LYME DISEASE AMERICAN LYME DISEASE FOUNDATION – Dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment, of Lyme disease and other tick-borne i n f e c t i o n s . Ly m e , C T. I n f o : a l d f . c o m .

MEDICAL/INTUITIVE HYPNOTIST HYPNOSIS THERAPY CENTER – There is a meaning behind every ailment and condition people have. It's your body speaking to you. If you are tired of being sick and are ready to help yourself heal, then consider having a Discovery Session so you can learn the cause and 'cure.' Madison. 203-245-6927.

PARKINSON’S SUPPORT PARKINSON DISEASE ASSOCIATION – Mission: “To Ease the Burden, To Find A Cure” for those w/Parkinson’s Disease and their caregivers in CT. Education, support and socialization.

860-248-9200, ctapda.org.

SPACE FOR RENT HEALING SPACE FOR RENT – Approx 150 sq ft within a Wellness/Retail Boutique in Wallingford. Perfect for: Herbalist, Nutritionist, Reflexologist, EMDR Practitioner, Hypnotherapist, Naturopath etc. Hidden Gem On Main. Email: HiddenGemOnMain@gmail.com. 203-626-9881.

Visit: HiddenGemOnMain.com and Facebook.

CT LYME RIDERS, INC. – Founded in 2007 by motorcyclists Sandy Brule & Tony Gargano. A 501(c)(3) non profit public charity aiming to bring awareness to the public about Lyme Disease. Events & info. 860-537-0255, ctlymeriders.com.

Coming Next Month JUNE

Traditional Eastern Medicine

plus: Holistic Vision and Dentistry To advertise or participate in our next issue, call 203-305-5531 or email PytlakMelissa@gmail.com May 2019

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community resource guide EDUCATION

APPLIED KINESIOLOGY

LIFE DESIGN HYPNOSIS, LLC

KC CHIROPRACTIC & WELLNESS Kevin Healy, DC 17 Woodland Road, Madison, CT 203-245-9317 KevinHealy@sbcglobal.net DrHealMe.com

THE GRADUATE INSTITUTE (TGI)

Applied Kinesiology is a neurological evaluation to find and treat dysfunction. Different because it addresses causes instead of chasing pains, Dr. Healy tests if a therapy alleviates dysfunction, finding immediate answers as to which provides the most improvement.

Chiropractic, craniosacral, myofascial and acupressure are among the therapies Dr. Healy uses. Generally, no single cure exists as disease and dysfunction typically involve multiple areas of the body. The goal of any therapy—physical, chemical, or emotional—is to improve function; a combination of therapies typically yields the best results. See ad on page 8.

EDUCATION CONNECTICUT EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING CENTER (CELC) MIDDLE SCHOOL 28 School Street, Branford, CT 203-433-4658 mandm@CTExperiential.org http://CTEXperiential.org

CT Experiential Learning Center (CELC) Middle School provides experientially-based education with a personalized approach to learning, designed to empower young people to thrive. Our students come from a variety of towns throughout Connecticut, from families looking for a program that engages and deepens learning, where their children can flourish during these important and impactful 5th - 8th grade years. See ad on page 35.

Accredited, Non-profit Graduate School offering holistic programs in contemporary & emerging fields 171 Amity Road, Bethany, CT 203-874-4252 Learn.edu The Graduate Institute offers holistic master’s degrees and certificate programs for adult learners. Programs include Integrative Health and Healing, Ecotherapy and Cultural Sustainability, Writing and Oral Tradition, Organizational Leadership, and more. Programs are just one weekend a month.

See ad on page 17.

New Haven/Middlesex

Patricia Babey, BS Certified Hypnotist Certified Pain Management Specialist Certified Reiki II Practitioner Madison, CT 203-980-0022 LifeDesignHypnosis.com A client centered practice created to assist you in improving every aspect of your life by tapping into the natural power of your brain.

Release weight, stop smoking, reduce stress, and manage pain.

You can change just about anything with hypnosis.

Each session is personal, customized and tailored for you. Don’t let your brain hold you back any longer from achieving the lifelong dreams you deserve. Free consultations. See ad on page 29.

HOLISTIC DENTIST MARK A. BREINER, DDS, FIAOMT

501 Kings Highway East, Suite 108 Fairfield, CT 203-371-0300 WholeBodyDentistry.com Dr. Mark A. Breiner is a pioneer and recognized authority in the field of holistic dentistry. With over 30 years of experience, he is a sought after speaker and lecturer. His popular consumer book, Whole-Body Dentistry, has been sold worldwide. See ad on page 27.

HYPNOSIS MIND-BODY TRANSFORMATION Diane Bahr-Groth, CHy, TFTdx 1177 High Ridge Road Stamford, CT 203-595-0110 MindBodyTransformation.com

Fast, effective methods for weight, stress, fear, pain, smoking, etc.

Certified Hypnotherapist, Thought Field Therapy, Time Line Therapy, NLP and Complementary Medical Hypnosis, since 1989.

Self-preservation is the first law of nature. ~Samuel Butler

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HYPNOSIS

NaturalNewHaven.com

MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING ANNAHAVEN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES, LLC

Anna Martin, BSW, MSW, LCSW 410 State St, North Haven, CT 30 Hazel Terrace, Woodbridge, CT 377 Main St, West Haven, CT 203-606-2071 CounselingWithAnnaMartin.com

YOU deserve to be happy.

AHBHS helps with depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, Obesity, agarophobia, domestic violence, ADD, ADHD and anger management. Phone,internet,skype and office sessions. Evening and weekend hours are available. Most insurance accepted, including Medicaid, Medicare and Husky.

community resource guide NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIANS KARENMARIE LACONTE, ND Office Locations in Bridgeport, Shelton and Orange, CT 203-260-0078 AskDocLaConte@gmail.com TheNaturopathicApproach.com

Dr. LaConte, a Naturopathic Physician, is a UBCNM graduate. Her mission is to facilitate better mind body connections with patients, using only natural remedies, (herbals, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, natural supplements, Far Infrared Sauna). Areas of concentration: Endocrine (thyroid disorders, diabetes: type 1 and 2), GI conditions, allergy testing, stress and anxiety management.

WHOLE-BODY MEDICINE, LLC

Adam Breiner, ND, Director Elena Sokolova, MD, ND David Brady, ND, CCN, DACBN 501 Kings Highway East, Suite 108 Fairfield, CT 203-371-8258 WholeBodyMed.com Using state-of-the-art science combined with centuries-old healing modalities, our caring naturopathic doctors correct underlying imbalances and address issues which may interfere with the body’s abilityto heal itself. Treatment protocols or therapies include: Abdominal Manual Therapy, Acupuncture, Allergy Desensitization, Chinese Medicine, Colonics and other Detoxification Protocols, Electro-Dermal Screening, Energy Medicine, FDA-cleared Phototherapy, Functional Medicine, Herbal Medicine, Homeopathy, Hormonal Balancing, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Metabolic Typing, Nutritional Assessment, RealTime EEG Neurofeedback, and other therapies. See ad on page 27.

PHYSICAL THERAPY PHYSICAL THERAPY SERVICES OF GUILFORD 500 East Main Street, Suite 310, Branford, CT 203-315-7727 (Phone) 203-315-7757 (Fax) PhysicalTherapyGuilford.com

At Physical Therapy Services of Guilford, we specialize in manual therapy using hands-on techniques to help the body’s natural healing process. We also incorporate traditional programs and modalities to maximize health. 40-minute sessions are conducted one-on-one in private treatment rooms. See ad on page 27.

REIKI SUSANE GRASSO, RMT 2489 Boston Post Road Guilford, CT 203-500-6950

Stress is the plague of the 21st century and the cause of physical and emotional woes. Because of this, my sessions combine my ability to see auras with Reiki, Theta Healing, acupressure and Sound Vibrational Healing to provide deep relaxation and balance. “Tension out! Wellness in” is more than a phrase. For my clients it is a statement of fact. See ad on page 37.

SALT HEALING THERAPY WELLNESS CENTER

SMOKING CESSATION LIFE DESIGN HYPNOSIS, LLC

Patricia Babey, BS Certified Hypnotist Certified Pain Management Specialist Certified Reiki II Practitioner Madison, CT 203-980-0022 LifeDesignHypnosis.com A client centered practice created to assist you in improving every aspect of your life by tapping into the natural power of your brain.

Release weight, stop smoking, reduce stress, and manage pain.

You can change just about anything with hypnosis.

Each session is personal, customized and tailored for you. Don’t let your brain hold you back any longer from achieving the lifelong dreams you deserve. Free consultations. See ad on page 29.

SUSTAINABLE NUTRITION CERTIFICATION PROGRAM THE INSTITUTE OF SUSTAINABLE NUTRITION

113 Simsbury Road, West Granby, CT 860-764-9070 Joan@TIOSN.com TIOSN.com

We offer a unique certification program blending the science of nutrition with the hands-on components of sustainable gardening practices. We use food and herbs to make kitchen medicine, teach basic culinary skills, and practice foraging for and using nutrient-rich wild food. Now enrolling for fall 2019. See ad on, page 9.

SALT OF THE EARTH THERAPEUTIC SPA

787 Main St, S Woodbury, CT 203-586-1172 NaturalSaltHealing.com Combining an array of natural therapies that have been used since ancient times with today’s technology, Salt of the Earth Spa provides a sanctuary for deep transformations, healing and grounding for Mind, Body and Spirit.

May 2019

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community resource guide

ANSONIA NATURE CENTER 104 acres of wooded hills and grassy fields, miles of nature trails, streams, a two-acre pond, wet meadows, upland swamp, butterfly & hummingbird garden, woodland wildflower and fern garden, community gardening, childrens’ playscape, visitor center, animals & nature exhibits, classes and more!

WELLNESS CENTER WALNUT BEACH WELLNESS CENTER

41-43 Naugatuck Avenue, Milford, CT 203-693-3893 Info@WalnutBeachWellness.com WalnutBeachWellness.com @WalnutBeachWellness

An organic, holistic wellness center for supportive, preventive care. Experience the highest quality care though massage, Ashiatsu, manual lymphatic drainage, cranial sacral therapy, Reiki, Thai bodywork, Chinese medicine including acupuncture, Tui na, cupping, Naturopathic medicine, yoga therapy and classes, and holistic skincare. Find your support network through our community circles. Gain knowledge and empowerment through our workshops and classes to gain control of your life, health and happiness. Our store is stocked with organic bulk herbs, supplements, essential oils, raw ingredients and more to support your journey to optimal health.

WEIGHT LOSS LIFE DESIGN HYPNOSIS, LLC

Patricia Babey, BS Certified Hypnotist Certified Pain Management Specialist Certified Reiki II Practitioner Madison, CT 203-980-0022 LifeDesignHypnosis.com A client centered practice created to assist you in improving every aspect of your life by tapping into the natural power of your brain.

Release weight, stop smoking, reduce stress, and manage pain.

You can change just about anything with hypnosis.

Each session is personal, customized and tailored for you. Don’t let your brain hold you back any longer from achieving the lifelong dreams you deserve. Free consultations. See ad on page 29.

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New Haven/Middlesex

ELM CITY WELLNESS 774 Orange Street New Haven, CT 203-691-7653 ElmCityWellness.com

Elm City Wellness is an independent, womanowned wellness center with a focus on community healing. Services include a variety of skilled massage, CBD massage, community and private acupuncture, Reiki, craniosacral therapy and organic skin care, including signature, microderm and high frequency facials. Skilled therapists specifically tailor each and every session. Our wellness store features local products, candles, wellness supplies and books, smudge kits and a large range of third-party tested, pharmaceutical grade CBD products. See ads on pages 17 and 21.

YOGA & AYURVEDA

(203) 736-1053 AnsoniaNatureCenter.org

WHOLE BODY WELLNESS CBD MASSAGE

NaturalNewHaven.com

BALANCE BY MELISSA

Melissa Pytlak Yoga Instructor Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor 203-305-5531 SeekLifeBalance@gmail.com BalanceByMelissa.com Melissa invites you to come home to yourself and awaken the healer within. Offering private and group instruction in yoga and Ayurveda, Melissa guides you to connect with your True Self and to trust that you already possess all the wisdom you need to heal yourself in order to return to your innate state of harmony and health. Melissa enjoys teaching group classes but particularly loves the magic that unfolds in helping people one on one. If you need a little guidance on your path of wellness, please reach out for a free 10-minute consultation.

Are you creative, driven and passionate about healthy living?

Inspire others to make choices that benefit themselves and the world around them by owning a Natural Awakenings franchise.

Natural Awakenings is a family of more than 70 healthy living magazines celebrating 25 years. This is a meaningful home-based business opportunity that provides training and ongoing support. No previous publishing experience is required.

Learn more today: NaturalAwakeningsMag.com/Franchise

239-530-1377

May 2019

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September 13–15, 2019 Riverside Park & Mortensen Riverfront Plaza * Hartford, CT

yoga * music * wellness * food * dance Experience the Spirit Festival, a celebration of wellness, yoga, music, and dance — in affiliation with Riverfront Recapture and BaliSpirit Festival. This event will provide a safe and moving space for discovering new paths to harmony, healing, creativity, and community.

spirityogafestival.com 48

New Haven/Middlesex

NaturalNewHaven.com