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3February 2011

My friend who is a healer set me straight.

“The one thing that you’ve said that I don’t agree with, Tom, is that the stimulus for spiritual growth is pain.”

I had thought it was pain; it was an understandable mis-take to make. Talk of spiritual advancement is almost always accompanied by words like “trial” and “test” and sometimes even “by fi re” or “under fi re” or “through the fi re.” The in-escapable is always a mix of The Fire, You, and Engulfed By. And no mere Stop, Drop, and Roll situation is this, either.

No, the assumption is that before you earn your next-level spiritual stripes, you’ll be spending some substantial quality time in a state of burning, and learning. Fire hurts. Probably more than any other thing. So you can see how I got to pain. That, and the athlete’s axiom: No Pain, No Gain. But, again, the Spiritual lexicon. Overcome. Listening to the language, there does seem to be something that must be overcome in the process of spiri-tual growth and development. Adversity would be the football coach word for what the thing is that is overcome, that we are overcoming. It’s about meeting tough challenges head-on, bravely, and unfl inching. Sure, maybe you’re scared in your heart. But the fact that you forge ahead despite that fear makes you fi ercely proud of yourself. It is the pride of a warrior. This pride in your warrior-self is the thing that propels you forward into the face of adversity. It is this pride, more than love, that fuels your courage to challenge that adversity. To tell yourself, with honesty, that you are pursuing a spiritual path. Not going to, but are now. So you, with your warrior’s courage, cast about for a challenge to throw yourself against, merely for the purpose of overcoming it. No pain, no gain fi ts right in here, even lending an ironic kind of meaning to the process, if the real meaning is not understood. I had come to see myself as something like a Spiritual Rambo. Hardcore. A real warrior indeed. For all of the ingeniously masochistic semi-self-authored traumas that I constructed for myself, I was proud of myself, too, in that fi erce way of the warrior, for being unafraid to take on that much pain. I have grown exponentially in the past few years, compared to where I was before, which I really thought was the pain-stimulated spiritual rewards of surviving pain.

Turns out that I had it completely wrong, all along.

“Spiritual growth can only be achieved by one thing, Tom. Learning to Love and love unconditionally, everyone on earth, even your enemies. Especially your enemies, for that is the supreme test, and the only one. It’s not about pain.” Sigh. I see that now. I get the point. I also see how, where, and when I missed the boat. That’s why I like our new Managing Editor so much, because she misses nothing, never has. She sees everything with an effortless and evenhanded clarity that is astounding to me, he who does not see, or didn’t before, and still doesn’t, really, at least when it comes to the really interesting stuff that’s happening now, all over the Tennessee Valley, within and among the readership of this magazine, both individually, and in groups. I give you Michele Monticciolo NC MH, nutritionist, holistic healer and well-ness coach, and now Managing Editor of Natural Awakenings in the Tennessee Val-ley. Her essay entitled Choosing Love, A Special Anniversary is the heart and the soul of our February issue, and it is a stunning example of the life, the energy, and the passion that Michele is bringing to us, and to you, through Natural Awakenings.

publisher’sletter

© 2011 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.

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

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

SUBSCRIPTIONSSubscriptions are available by sending $25

(for 12 issues) to the above address.

Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soy- based ink.

contact us

PublisherTom Maples

Tom@Natvalley.comCell: (404) 395-9634Fax: (256) 217-4274

New Business DevelopmentAdvertising Sales

Cindy WilsonCindy@AlabamaAwakenings.com

Cell: (256) 476-6537Fax: (256) 217-4274

Managing EditorMichele Monticciolo

Michele@Natvalley.comCell: (256) 426-0982Fax: (256) 217-4274

Design and ProductionKaren Ormstedt(256) 997-9165

Natural Awakeningsin the Tennessee Valley

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Offi ce: (256) 340-1122Fax: (256) 217-4274

14 9 CHOOSING LOVE A Special Anniversary by Michele Monticciolo, NC MH

13 TOUCHPOINTS, REFLEXOLOGY- PRACTICAL TIPS FOR EVERYDAY LIVING Stay Warm This Winter: Adjust Your Body’s Own Thermostat by Jim Barnes, Certifi ed Refl exologist

14 MINDFUL KIDS Inner Awareness Brings Calm and Well-Being by Daniel Rechtschaffen

16 SIERRA BENDER’S HOLISTIC BOOT CAMP Redefi ning Fitness to Empower Women from the Inside Out by Kim Childs

18 RELAX & RECHARGE Therapeutic Home Recipes Rebalance and Renew Mind and Body by Frances Lefkowitz

22 WHO’S WHO In the Valley Our Spotlight on Exceptional Businesses in The Valley by Kimberly Ballard and Tom Maples

28 HAPPINESS IS… CHOCOLATE Dark and Delicious, it’s Blissfully Healthy by Gabriel Constans

30 METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF CRYSTALS AND MINERALS Part 2 of the Series by Mary Morales

33 ACHIEVE EMOTIONAL FREEDOM Dr. Judith Orloff Shows You How in Her New Book by Karen Adams

ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS

contents

8

HOW TO ADVERTISE Display Ads due by the 12th of the month, 5pm CST. To adver-tise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 404-395-9634 or email editor@natvalley.com.

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS*Newsbriefs due by the 12th of the month, 5pm CST. Limit 50-250 words. Content limited to special events and other announcements. No advertorials, please.

Articles and ideas due by the 5th of the month, 5pm CST. Articles generally contain 250-850 words, with some excep-tions. No advertorials, please.

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Calendars and Ongoing Calendars due by the 12th of the month, 5pm CST. Calendar - Limit 50 words; Ongoing Cal-endar - Limit 20 words. Up to three Ongoing Calendar entries per organization. Please follow format found in those sections.

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* All submissions are subject to editing and will be printed at the pub-lisher’s discretion. Article space often fi lls in advance. Deadline dates refer to the month prior to next publication and may change without notice due to holidays, shorter months, or printing schedules.

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

35

7 wisewords

11 healingways

14 healthykids

16 fi tbody

24 naturalpet

26 healthbriefs

28 consciouseating

33 inspiration

35 globalbriefs

26

16

33

18

16

5February 2011

newsbriefs

Fitness Should Be Fun

Remember when you were young? You’d ride your bike across town to meet your friends at the playground. The

day was full of games of tag, playing on the monkey bars and swimming. You went home and slept, tired but happy, and woke up the next day excited about doing it all over again. It didn't seem like exercise. It was fun! One of the core values of the Top Notch Training philosophy is that getting and stay fi t should be an enjoyable experience. "Top Notch Training bridges the gap between traditional aerobics classes and personal training", says Liz Brown, co-founder of Top Notch Training (TNT) of Decatur. She and her partner, Mark Johnson, both Certifi ed Personal Train-ers, launched the new fi tness training fi rm in January. "Our goal is what we call 'Functional Fitness', or fi tness that is designed for, and calibrated to, the everyday physical chal-lenges of real life." The kind of fi tness one needs for cleaning the house, or carrying a bag of groceries up stairs, raking leaves or mowing the grass, squatting down to pick up your grandchild—these are the functional ways in which we interact physically with our day. Functional Fitness exercises and routines are designed with this in mind. "We focus a lot on Stability training, with a lot of core work. Right now we're using the medicine ball, though we don't typically use a lot of props. No weights or machines whatsoever. Everything we do can be readily modifi ed to fi t anyone's level of fi tness, and at any age." ...And it's also fun! Regularly scheduled training sessions are held on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 8:30am and 5:30pm at Decatur Athletic Club, 1821 Beltline Rd. in Decatur. On-site sessions, at your home or place of business, are also avail-able. Email TNT at GetFit@TopNotchDecatur.com or call them at 256-274-1FIT for detailed information.

“Green Clean” Cleaning Service Leaves Squeaky Clean Surfaces and a Small Environmental FootprintEveryone wants a clean, dust-and-allergen free home, just not

at the cost of their health, or to the detriment of the environ-ment. Green Clean was born with a powerful purpose in mind: making big changes in the way the Huntsville cleans their homes and businesses. Most private and commercial cleaning services are using harsh chemical cleaners that carry toxic warnings for both humans and the environment. But owner/operator Ruth Braswell is changing the world of cleaning, one building at a time. “I suddenly became a fulltime caregiver, and I needed to have a job that was fl exible, but also something satisfying for me – something I could really feel good about. I love knowing I’m doing work that brings peace of mind to my clients, while respecting the environment at the same time,” says Ruth. Since the beginning of 2010, Green Clean has been making

Huntsville a little brighter and cleaner. They provide their own organic cleaning products, as well as environmentally-friendly cleaning materials and equipment such as HEPA fi ltration sys-tem vacuums. They offer free estimates to new customers. Make 2011 your year to “clean up” in lots of ways! Con-tact Ruth to schedule your estimate today. GREEN CLEAN Cleaning Service, 256-684-0745.

A Classy Move for Valentine's DayThis month, take the stress out of fi nding a Valentine’s Day

gift. This February, give your better half a Gift Certifi cate from Madison Ballroom Dance Studio. Ballroom dancing is great for couples. Dancing not only brings all the benefi ts of physical activity, but it is also a lot of fun, and it will also make you smile and laugh, together! Madison Ballroom Dance Studio gift certifi cates may be customized for different interests, schedules, and budgets. Choose from weekly private lessons, group classes and Saturday dance parties. Learn a wide variety of dances, from waltz to salsa, swing to tango. To purchase a gift certifi cate, contact Madison Ballroom by phone at 256-461-1900 or by email at Dance@MadisonBallroom.com, or visit us on the Web at www.MadisonBallroom.com. For Salsa and Cardio Ballroom gift certifi cates, please email Gabriela at Gabriela@GabrielaDance.com. See ad page 29.

Pilates on Highland Announces More Workshops for 2011 SchedulePilates on Highland in Birmingham is adding more work-

shops to their already impressive line-up for the new year. These new additions for 2011 are sure to enhance the repertoire to any Pilate’s enthusiast, ranging from novice to advanced students. Beginning Thursday, February 10th ($20) dietitian, Kelly Pearce brings fl avor and fl are by incorporating the Mediterranean Diet to your daily meal plans for boosting energy and maximizing health. Friday, February 11th ($45) Learn how to release tension in connective tissue and release stress in the body by infl uencing the central nervous system through Cranialsacral Therapy, taught by Rene’ Yerby, (NDT) Neurodevelopmental Treatment certifi ed. Saturday, February 19th ($20) Angel Burroughs will cover pre-Pilates movements designed to relieve pain or open the hips as a preventative measure. Monday, April 4th ($20) Get ready for our Weekend Warrior Warm-Up. Alison Page heads up this class covering warm-up and cool down movements designed to stop pain before it happens. These movements target the back, neck, hips, and more. Enjoy your outdoor spring activities without the after affects of pain and soreness. For more information on these and other workshops, go to www.PilatesOnHighland.com or call 205-323-5961. See ad page 29.

Seminars and WorkshopsDate: Thursday, February 17th, 2011

Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Location: Madison Drugs

Instructor: Terry Wingo, RPh

Topic: Managing Hormone Imbalances

Cost: $20 – General Admission $30 – C.E. (nurses)

R.S.V.P. @ (256) 837-1778

??Ask the Pharmacist??Terry,I am a 39 year old female experiencing hot fl ashes, frequent mood changes, and unexplained weight gain. I’m too young to be going through menopause, but I don’t know what else to attribute these symptoms to. If I am having hormonal issues, what are my treatment options, and how can I know that they are safe?

The Pharmacist Says...What you describe is characteristic of the hormonal imbalances some women experience during peri-menopause, the transitional period between fertile years and menopause. Any treatment should always be individualized to your specifi c needs but might include dietary changes, nutritional or herbal agents, and possibly bio-identical hormones to restore bal-ance. Bio-identical hormones are chemically identi-cal to those our bodies produce, so are safely metab-olized in the body. Come to our class – we will cover this topic extensively. Good Luck!

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Wellness CounselingWe perform intensive one-on-one evaluations covering your health history and current health problems. Take control of your life today, and schedule an appoint-ment with our trained and qualified staff.

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7February 2011

will be attracted to is going to push that but-ton. It’s an opportunity to repair the shut-down part of yourself as you stretch to meet your partner’s needs and become whole in doing so. The divorce rate has been 50 percent for the past 60 years, because people think confl ict means you’re with the wrong person. But con-

fl ict is growth trying to happen. Every person who falls in love goes through this drama: You meet someone who activates the negative aspects of your parents or caretakers, and your uncon-scious wants this person, who acts as a parental surrogate, to fulfi ll the unmet needs of childhood. When such confl ict occurs, you know you are in a relation-ship with the right person. Many people may go to therapy or read self-help books, but if the issue you need to address is triggered only by certain types of people, you can’t work on it until it’s triggered. If you do go to therapy, go together. Therapy can actu-ally be bad for your marriage unless you are in the same room at the same time with the same person helping you work through these issues.

How does real love feel? Romantic love and real love are two forms of the same thing. The feeling of romantic love is one of joy, pleasure, relaxation, excitement and euphoria.

Harville Hendrix, Ph.D., knows the sorrow of

a broken relationship. In 1975, after a 16-year struggle to make a failing marriage work, Hendrix and his wife decided to split up. On the day the divorce was fi nal, he was scheduled to teach a class on marriage at a university graduate school. As Hendrix responded to audience questions, he realized that everyone wants to know the secrets of successful marriages—including him. That “Aha!” moment spurred years of research with couples and led to his seminal book, Getting the Love You Want, and the creation of Imago Relationship Therapy with his second wife, Helen LaKelly Hunt, Ph.D. Their partnership of 28 years has produced nine books on intimate relationships and parenting, most recently Receiving Love, and six grown children. Imago Therapy seeks to unearth the hid-den agendas that we all bring to our relationships and address them with openness, compassion and fearlessness.

What should you know before getting into a relationship?You need to know what pushes your but-tons, whether it’s someone not looking at you while talking or someone being late. You should also know what happened in your childhood that made you sensitive to that. Why? Because the person you

Couples eventually will lose that feeling and encounter confl ict; if they can work through that, they can get to a point of real love. Real love feels like romantic love, but romantic love is fragile and driven by expectations, whereas real love is durable and lasts through frustrations.

What can we do to keep and develop intimate connection?We teach couples how to have a differ-ent kind of conversation. It is called an Imago Dialogue, in which partners listen deeply to each other with curiosity, em-pathy and respect: what the other person thinks, how they feel and particularly, what they want in the relationship—and it is all done without criticism. In a dialogue, I will tell you what frustrates me. Time is often a big factor—whether it’s being late or early, time together or alone or time manage-ment. We have a primordial need for reliability; what scares children most is parents not being reliable. So I might say, “I need you to show up on time. In childhood, I couldn’t count on people.” You might respond, “Not having parents who kept prom-ises, I imagine you feel frightened when I don’t show up.” Then you come to the behavior needed to respond: For example, “If I’ll be late, I’ll give you a call, so you know when I’ll be there.” It’s all about com-munication.

If we fail to fi x a past relationship, what does it take to make the next one work well?It takes changing the notion that be-tween our marriages, we can get fi xed. You are going to take any unresolved problems into the next relationship. The best and only thing you can do is be aware of this and resolve to respond to it differently the next time. Ultimately, the best thing anyone can do for a relationship is to agree to end all negativity. If criticism is the basis of confl ict, then appreciation, adoration and empathy are the basis for safety and passion in a relationship.

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

wisewords

A Conversation with Harville Hendrix, Marriage Whisperer

On the Secrets of a Healthy Relationship

by April Thompson

8 Tennessee Valley

*Please remember to include your name and mailing address. Addtional contact info, such as Email address, is encouraged.

Make your $25 check payable to: Natural Awakenings 14 Woodland Ave Trinity, AL 35673

Intentional Dialogue by Tim Atkinson

Imago Dialogue is an intentional process that can

help keep relation-ships dynamic and get beneath confl ict to rediscover a deeper connection. Most emotionally charged confl icts are only 10 percent about the present and 90 percent about some past wound that is caus-

ing pain now. Our current partner is the ideal person to help us truly heal old wounds. Imago Dialogue is a conversation in which people agree to listen to others without judgment and accept their views as equally valid as their own. This can be challenging, espe-cially if we are talking about a diffi cult subject. To truly hear what concerns our partner means putting aside all spontane-ous reactions and listening without judgment. This requires creating a safe space, where both parties have agreed to ban-ish all shame, blame and criticism from the dialogue. Such intentional dialogue is initiated when one partner asks for an appointment and the other agrees to participate. Before beginning, it’s good to set the stage for connection by sitting in chairs facing each other, knees close together, maintaining eye contact and breathing quietly.

Mirroring – Using “I” language, one person conveys his or her thoughts, feelings or experiences (“I feel, I need,” etc.) to the receiver without shaming, blaming or criticizing their partner.

In response, the receiver echoes the sender’s mes-sage, using a lead sentence like, “Let me see if I’ve got you. You said... ” Then there’s a beautiful question the receiver can ask: “Is there more?” When I ask that question, I then pause to show that I really want to hear more. My partner might say, “Well, let me see… maybe there is.” Often, they will go deeper and share more, and that sharing can be the most fascinating part of the dialogue. When my partner says, “No, that’s all,” then I can summarize. “So, in summary, I heard you say that…” Then check that you got it all. My partner might often say, “Well you missed this little bit—and it’s important to me that you hear it.”

Validation – When I mirror my partner successfully, she will probably already feel that I have heard her point of view. This step can be hard to do if my partner has a different perspec-tive, but it’s important to recognize that what my partner says makes sense for her. In dialogue, creating the connection is paramount. Who is right and who is wrong doesn’t matter. After I have summarized my partner’s messages, I can validate her by simply saying, “That makes sense to me.” I don’t have to agree with her, but need to show that I respect her reality. If I can, I might go on with “That makes sense to me because...”

Empathy – In this fi nal step, I imagine what my partner might be feeling. I would just ask: “I imagine you might be feel-ing afraid, and a little sad, too. Is that what you are feeling?” Then I check in with my partner, and if he or she shares other feelings, then I mirror them to show I also heard: “Ah, a little excited, too.” Trying this with our partner helps us understand one an-other a little more and works to bring us closer. It has made a big difference in the lives of couples that use it.

Tim Atkinson is the executive director of Imago Relationships International. For more information visit GettingTheLoveYou-Want.com.

9February 2011

On Feb 12, 2010, everything I knew about love changed...

That fateful day, my mother was one of three sur-vivors shot during the tragedy on UAH campus. I thought nothing like that would ever happen

to me or anyone I loved.

Around that time, I was striving to be more lov-ing. But my idea was to try to be more toler-ant of people who cut me off in traffi c, or of friends who forgot my birthday, or clerks who accidentally overcharged me for my eggs. I envisioned the end goal as becoming some sappy-sweet, cheerful Pollyanna who never disliked anything that life threw at her.

Now, I never knew Mother Teresa, but I bet she got really ticked off a few times dur-ing her life. I’m defi nitely guilty of getting irritated at petty things. Still, I think they’re

useful, these everyday irritants, because they tell us about our patterns, the ways

we disempower ourselves, sabotaging our efforts to achieve our deepest, tru-est desire, love. Notice that I did not

say to be loving. I’m talking about love as an entity and a Being unto itself. Love is a

measurable, tangible thing —an active force of energy in time and space, powerful enough

to literally transform us. But perhaps not the way we’ve been taught.

The day mom was shot, we were thrown into a whirlwind. Mom was in the ICU, critically

ill. Terminology used for the injuries were frightening and foreign to us. There

was media frenzy for our story. We fought to understand why some-one would attempt to murder

my mother. It was utterly sur-real in every way.

Choosing LoveA Special Anniversary

By Michele Monticciolo, NC MH

But almost overnight, my amount of free time to ponder such matters was almost nonexistent. I became caregiver and guardian to someone with brain trauma. I was incredibly unprepared. My days were so long and so exhaust-ing that I wept myself to sleep at night, when I slept at all.

From the beginning, I knew that negative words, thoughts, and emotions would hinder my ability to help my mother or myself. They were deliciously easy to indulge in; yet, every time I did, I felt hor-rid, drained, and powerless. I quickly got tired of feeling those feelings. It felt better to think about things I loved. Cooking. Painting. Crafting. Knitting. More impor-tantly, I had a very important task at hand: helping Mom through her recovery. I had a purpose beyond my present moment. A passion for fulfi lling it.

When I felt bad, I started to shift my focus to things I didn’t have to work hard to feel positively about, such as new craft projects or recipes. As soon as Mom was aware enough to participate, I got her to do it with me. We could think about fun, happy things almost anywhere, even waiting at doctor’s appointments. We focused on the good things we wanted to think about, rather than fi ghting to change our minds about things that bothered us. But then a magical, wonder-ful thing would happen. We would gain clarity about those upsetting things any-way, without the effort of trying to force ourselves to feel good about them.

So what exactly was happening to me, on a subtle level? When I focused on ideas or things I loved, I was get-ting back into my point of power. But it wasn’t about loving my enemies or anything complicated like that. In fact, I gave those issues no energy at all, most of the time. Past situations that were painful or scary could not be changed,

hvttommaatttuBBBBB

10 Tennessee Valley

much of my ability to triumph through the adversity without crumbling, and to be the person Mom needed me to be, to my newfound practice of love. It seems so painfully simple, this practical, tactical, magnifi cent mental tool. I wonder how I missed it for all those years before? All I know is, now that I have it, I’m never letting it go.

Do I think we can transcend past our hurts and angers? Cer-tainly. Does that mean we won’t ever hurt again? Certainly not. But, now I know how to use my own mind as a tool to help me feel better and live a happier life. The answer all along was just to focus on what I love.

I love you, Mom.

After nearly a year of full time care for her mother, Michele Monticciolo, NC MH has just returned to a part time practice as a Holistic Healthcare Practitioner in Huntsville, AL. She has also recently become our Managing Editor for Natural Awakenings in the Tennessee Valley. Please see her CRG ad on page 30 and visit her website at www.NewFocusNewYou.com

but they weren’t going to ruin the excellent opportunities contained in my “today”. Besides, I didn’t have time to let myself be consumed by the cinema of a dramatic traumatic past. I had Mom’s occupational therapy to focus on, and my knitting, and even things I wanted to start learning about as soon as I had time. There were a virtually inexhaustible sup-ply of future feel-good focal points, and oh, how I planned, indeed! I led my mind with a deep love for things that made me feel truly good every chance I had. And if things were torturously bad—as sometimes they really were—I would go to the bathroom and for one minute, I’d just think about things that felt good. It was hard to do, but I began to enjoy the feeling and CRAVE it. This wasn’t escapism. Quite the opposite. It was an understanding that my current reality was what it was, and that I’d never have the ability to handle it if I dwelled in painful feelings that leached my energy from me.

In the following months, Mom got better faster than any-one dreamed possible. Her doctors have called her the cat with 20 lives. Nowadays, she’s doing so well it amazes me. Recently, I took some time to process the whole event now that things have calmed down. Looking back, I truly credit

11February 2011

healingways

“For 20 years, I’ve meditated before stressful meetings, when I’m slammed by dead-

lines and during all kinds of domestic crises,” reports one successful lawyer. “In the middle of a tough day or any time I feel like I’m about to lose it, I’ve learned that if I close my eyes for two minutes and fi nd that inner place of calm, it will give me the strength to deal with just about anything.” A string of clinical studies since the 1970s supports meditators’ claims that the activity works to counteract the negative effects of both acute and chronic stress. Research from Herbert Benson’s Mind-Body Institute and other studies shows that meditation can turn

MEDITATIONMADE EASYTry these simple tips to achieve better health, more happiness and peace of mind.

by Sally Kempton

a natural stress response into a natural relaxation response. Instead of the body becoming fl ooded with chemi-cals that prepare us to fi ght or take fl ight or freeze, meditation releases a fl ood of calming neurotransmitters and hormones that soothe the system and stimulate immune functions. Meditating helps to bring the body back into balance. According to multiple studies cited in Daniel Goleman’s The Meditative Mind: The Varieties of Meditative Expe-rience, people who regularly meditate experience lower incidences of high blood pressure and heart disease than those who do not. Richard Davidson’s recent studies at the University of Wis-

consin demonstrate that regular medita-tion decreases brain markers for depres-sion, while increasing brain activity that marks states of peace and joy.

Constancy is KeyThe key to such healthful effects is regu-larity. Conducted occasionally, meditat-ing can give us a temporary emotional lift, but the real benefi t comes when we do it every day. Then we learn to tune into the inner state that is the source of

12 Tennessee Valley

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meditation’s power to heal the body, calm the emotions and stabilize the mind. Meditators often describe feeling states of increased focus and clarity, a sense of connection and empathy with others and above all, the sense of core inner strength that accompanies them through life, even in crises.

But in order to be willing to make meditation a daily priority, we need to fi nd a way to enjoy it. Otherwise, chances are we won’t stick with it. Meditation for the Love of It shares sev-eral core strategies for reaping pleasure from our practice. The fi rst consideration is physi-cal comfort when sitting to meditate. As long as the spine is straight and the chest open, comfort trumps form. Secondly, it helps to approach medi-tation as an experiment; one we conduct in the laboratory of our inner self. The third basic principle is to fi nd a core practice that feels good to us and that we can relax into. Choose one that focuses and draws attention and energy into the peaceful fullness of a deeply meditative state.

Three Classic ApproachesTuning into the Breath – After assum-ing an upright posture, sense the fl ow of breath in and out through the nostrils—cool on inhaling and warm on exhaling. The key is to tune into the sensation of how the breath feels, which also engen-ders a natural sense of well-being.

Meditation in the Heart – Let the breath fl ow into the center of the chest, as if it were fl owing through the chest wall. As it touches the center of the chest, imagine a soft glow in the heart, like an inner sun. With each inhalation, feel the sun glow. With each exhalation, spread it throughout the inner body. (Note: To fi nd the heart center, place the right palm over the center of the chest and focus attention on the very center of the body, behind the breastbone).

Mindfulness – Beginning with the crown of the head, move attention through the body, focusing next on the forehead, followed by the cheeks, ears, mouth, neck, shoulders, front and back of the chest, stomach, lower back, hips, pelvic area, thighs, knees, calves and ankles. Continue on. As straying thoughts arise, notice them, note them as “thinking,” and return to the practice. To realize a daily practice, begin by sitting for fi ve minutes at the be-ginning or end of the day. Each day, increase the time spent sitting by one minute, until reaching 20 minutes. Ben-efi ts accrue when we practice daily and make it a priority.

Sally Kempton is a master teacher of meditation. Her new book, Meditation for the Love of It, includes 20 practices to optimize meditation. A teachers’ teacher, her students include leading teachers of yoga and meditation around the world. Visit SallyKempton.com.

13February 2011

Jim Barnes is a Certifi ed Refl exologist with a fast-growing practice in Decatur, Alabama. Contact Jim at Refl ex Action for more information and appointment scheduling. Refl ex Action Refl exology and Massage Therapy: Main Offi ce (256) 309-0033, Cell (256) 227-2920. See CRG on page 39.

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TouchpointsTouchpointsRefl exology - Practical Tips for Everyday Living

Stay Warm This Winter: Adjust Your Body's Own Thermostat

Have you ever been in a cold room and wished you had control of the thermostat? When you fi nd your-self in a classroom, seminar,

or meeting and wish you had a coat or sweater, you can turn up your own heat control. Your body's intricate net-work of nerves can be called upon to stimulate your body's thermostat, the Hypothalamus. We call this technique the Body Warmer.

Here is why it works; aka, the science. The endocrine system regulates homeostasis, or balance, of many metabolic processes; it consists of endocrine glands and tissues that re-lease hormones. Endocrine glands se-crete hormones into the inter-space of tissue fl uid. The endocrine glands, together with the nervous system, are responsible for the control of most ac-tivities in the body tissues. They help the body adapt to the environment. There is no direct pipeline from an endocrine gland to any particular organ. Instead, the glands produce in-ternal secretions which are discharged into the blood and lymph systems and circulated through-out the body to stimulate the target tissue and change the metabolic activity. These secretions are chemical messen-gers called hormones, from the Greek, "I stimulate". Some endocrine glands you may be familiar with are the Thyroid, Adrenal and Thymus glands. Two of the endocrine glands, the Pituitary and the Hy-pothalamus, act as a unit, regulating the activity of most of the other endocrine glands. The hypothalamus responds to

feedback from both the hormones and the nervous system and, in turn, controls the pituitary. The pituitary gland is the only gland that secretes hormones that specifi cally affect all the other glands. The pituitary monitors the activities of the other glands. Some of the hormones released by the pituitary either stimulate or inhibit the secretions of the other endocrine glands. The hypothalamus is the thermostat and the Pituitary is the heater.

Here's how to do the "Body Warmer!" Find the highest point on your earlobe, the very top. Pinch lightly between your thumb and index fi nger. Rub both ears gen-tly between your fi ngers for 2 minutes. Most people start to feel a warming sensation within 2 more minutes or so (depending on metabolism). The nerve endings in the top of your earlobe are related to your endocrine system and their stimulation tells the hypothalamus that your body is cold. Then your Pituitary turns on the heat. So now you can have con-trol of the thermostat!

—Touchpoints is a monthly column bringing you information on reflexology; the therapeutic application of pressure to specific points on the hands,

ears, and feet to effect physical changes in the body.

14 Tennessee Valley

healthykids

When I walk outside, students run to me from the school playground, but they don’t yell

out my last name as they circle around and grab onto my legs, as it can be a bit much to remember and pronounce correctly. Instead, I usually hear “Hey, Mr. Mindfulness,” or even, “The Mindfulness Dude!” My job is to help to bring the art and science of mindfulness to students and teachers in schools, juvenile deten-tion centers and sports teams, as well as to clients in my private psychotherapy practice. Happily, research is beginning to show that applying mindfulness can decrease stress, atten-tion defi cit issues, depression, anxiety and hostility in children, while benefi ting their health, well-being, social relations and academic performance. Children can easily learn the tech-niques, and when learned young, they become lifelong tools.

Mindful Benefi tsMindfulness means intentionally and compassionately opening our awareness to what is here and now. Mindful-

ness, in the forms of medical and psycho-logical modalities such as Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, is gaining at-tention as research suggests that it can improve mood, decrease stress and boost immune function. Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D., and others have been studying the medical effects of mindfulness for 30 years with impressive results. Brought into schools, it can be a powerful antidote to many struggles facing our youth. In the California Bay Area, for example, the Mindful Schools

program has used mindfulness to teach concentration, at-tention, confl ict resolution and empathy to 10,000 children in 38 schools; 66 percent of these schools serve low-income children. Inside Oakland’s juve-nile detention centers, the Mind Body Awareness Project offers daylong, silent retreats for teens; although they pres-ently live behind bars, they are learning to access greater inner freedom. In sports, a season invested in training the Alameda High

MINDFUL KIDSInner Awareness Brings Calm and Well-Being

by Daniel Rechtschaffen

“You feel... more

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Excerpt from a fourth-grader’s Mindfulness Journal

15February 2011

School’s boys’ basketball team in mind-fulness techniques helped us reach the Northern California playoffs, an unprec-edented achievement in the school’s athletic history. These youth are learning the at-tention skills they need to succeed in today’s fast-paced, multitasking world. With practice, students are also learn-ing emotional balance and new ways to feel connected to their communi-ties. The most vital result I see is a new baseline of peacefulness evident in these young people’s minds and bodies. Mindfulness offers a general sense of well-being that all other skills for learn-ing and productivity can build on.

True EducationThe word education comes from the Latin roots ex, “from within,” and duco, “to guide.” Thus, education originally meant to draw out, to guide a student in unfolding the wisdom that is inherently within each person, at any age. This is a fundamentally different approach than the conventional educational paradigm that approaches students from the out-side in and from the top down. In using what I call the “fi re hose” method of learning, spewing infor-mation at students and penalizing them when they can’t retain what the powers-that-be deem important, we make the mistake of assuming what each child should be, instead of seeing them as they already are. Think of how different each of our own lives would have been if parents, teachers and other mentors helped us learn to become the person we were inherently meant to be. This approach requires us all to discover and utilize our own mindful-ness. When parents ask me, “What is the best mindfulness technique to teach my children?” my answer is always, “Your own mindfulness.” Our own mindful-ness is already present within us; it’s not something we need to create. Notice all of your thoughts in this moment: your doubts and interests, as well as sensations. Simply become aware of phenomena, without judg-ment or preference. The natural capac-ity to open up in the present moment to everything that is happening within and around us is mindfulness, an open, intentional, non-judgmental awareness.

When we embody mindfulness practices, we become a living example to the children in our lives. If you are interested in learning how to bring mindfulness practices to youth, begin by offering it to yourself. Join a mindfulness group, do some reading or even better, fi nish reading right now, let your eyes close, check in to your body and let go into this present moment.

Daniel Rechtschaffen, MA, a pioneering trainer in his fi eld, helps implement mind-fulness-based curricula in schools and organizations. Collaborations include the Mind Body Awareness Project, Mindful Schools and Mindfulness Without Borders. He also convenes an annual Mindfulness in Education conference and teacher training at Omega Institute (search eomega.org). He has a private psychotherapy practice in the San Francisco Bay Area as a marriage and family therapy intern. Visit MindfulChildren.com and NowCounseling.com.

16 Tennessee Valley

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SIERRA BENDER’SHOLISTIC BOOT CAMP

REDEFINING FITNESS TO EMPOWER WOMEN FROM THE INSIDE OUT.

by Kim Childs

In her early 30s, Sierra Bender was a personal trainer who looked and felt physically fit. Then, one day,

her body took a turn that she didn’t see coming. Bender initially mistook the sensation she experienced for a pulled muscle. “I exercised every day and worked as a professional trainer,” she recalls, “but I was so out of my body that I didn’t even know that my uterus had ruptured [from an ectopic pregnancy outside the womb]. That’s how disconnected I was… fit on the outside, but an emotional wreck on the inside.” Today, Bender works to prevent other women from focusing solely on physical fitness and body image

at the expense of their emotional, mental and even physical health. Her mission is to redefine health for women so that they understand wellness as a whole-self process and become empowered to lead truly integrated lives. “Empowerment involves pull-ing forth what’s already within you,” Bender says. “We’ve mastered the beauty part of looking fit and good, but it doesn’t last, because it’s not coming from the core inside. So, that’s where women are searching.” Boot Camp IntensiveAfter years of studying yoga, body-work, energy healing, nutrition and shamanism, Sierra developed the

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Bender Empowerment Method 4 Body Fit concept that she teaches at her weeklong Boot Camp for God-desses retreats around the country. The four bodies identified are the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of a person, all of which receive training and treatment in Bender’s workshops. Boot camp participants hike, practice yoga, learn anatomy and train with weights. They also dance, sing, cry, journal, share secrets, pray and purify themselves via Native American-style sweat lodges. The aim is to heal anything that’s pre-venting a woman from living her full potential, says Bender, and her methods show people where they most need to work. “One day, you’ll be great at the mental exercises, but not the physi-cal, so that shows where your weak-ness is,” Bender explains. “Some [students] are great at doing the ex-ercises or workouts, but they can’t sit still or be quiet on a 45-minute hike; so each one is being challenged.” The first technique that Bender teaches is conscious breathing to oxygenate the body and calm the nervous system. That means breath-ing deeply through the nostrils, filling the lungs and always checking in with the breath during any activ-ity. Improper breathing and stress go hand-in-hand, she says, and because the stress hormone cortisol can cause fat retention, people who discount their breath may feel frustrated when diet and exercise routines seem to fail them. “Breath is what burns fat in the simplest form,” says Bender. “What gives your body energy and vital-ity? Breath. What keeps you looking young and alive? Breath. Our skin is our largest organ.”

Fitness Made EasierKim Davis, a 45-year-old legal sec-retary from Houston, Texas, enrolled in one of Bender’s workshops in 2008 to lose a few pounds. She says the conscious breathing enhances

her workouts. “The best thing I’ve taken away from the boot camp experience is that fitness does not have to be diffi-cult—with hours spent on a treadmill or pumping iron—to be effective,” says Davis. “I no longer feel I have to punish my body into fitness, but instead attain fitness through a loving relationship with my body.” Davis, who went on to become a yoga teacher, says that she and others in Bender’s workshop also experi-enced emotional and psychological breakthroughs through holding yoga postures and practicing breathing techniques. This led to emotional releases through tears and words, fol-lowed by more lightness in the body, Davis reports.

Holistic EmpowermentWhen teaching yoga and fitness, Bender tells her students which organs, glands and body systems are being affected by each posture. The psychological and emotional rel-evance of poses like Cobra are also explained to students who may feel uncomfortable in such a heart-open-ing posture. “Students start to understand that this posture is reflecting their weak-nesses and strengths, and they may realize, ‘Okay, I don’t want to open my heart that big; that’s too vulner-able,’” she observes. Getting her goddesses to em-brace their vulnerability, strength, inner spirit and authentic power is at the heart of Bender’s work with wom-en and female teens. She advises: “A goddess warrior trusts her intuition and is brave enough to follow it.” For more information about Sierra Bender, her recent book, Goddess to the Core: An Inspired Workout to Maximize Your Fitness, Beauty & Power, and upcoming workshops and events, visit SierraBender.com.

Kim Childs teaches Kripalu yoga in the Boston area. Connect at KimChilds.com.

Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw

all the paint on it you can. ~Danny Kaye

18 Tennessee Valley

“Achieving balance on all levels of being is the true measure of vibrant health,”

says Thomas Yarema, a multidiscipline physician and director of the Kauai Center for Holistic Medicine and Research, in Hawaii. Integrative physicians and prac-titioners understand that in many ancient Eastern therapies, including Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Med-icine, well-being is all about balance. In these disciplines, harmony—and by extension, health and happiness—is created by a constant rebalancing of energies, sometimes complementing a natural state and sometimes countering it. Thus, depending on our physical and emotional makeup (easy-going per-sonality? hot-tempered?) and current situation (need a job? getting married?), balance may require a calming down

RELAX &RECHARGETherapeutic home recipes rebalance and renew mind and body.

or a boosting up, turning inward or turning outward. Consulting the latest research and advice from scores of experts, Natural Awakenings has created a guidebook of recipes for balancing mind and body. Whether the immediate need is to relax, refresh, release or recharge, we’ve got a simple to-do to get you back in balance. Try these new approaches today.

Relax“Change is good,” the saying goes, but even good change, like falling in love or going on vacation—causes stress. Stress is widely reported in medical journals like The Lancet and The Jour-nal of the American Medical Associa-tion as linked to health problems from heart disease and diabetes to hair loss and depression. Because stress affects the immune system, frequent colds or

bouts with the fl u may signal a need to slow down. Fuzzy thinking, forgetful-ness and feelings of frustration can also indicate that it’s time to relax.

Get HerbalDrinking a cup of herbal tea is a simple, gentle and enjoyable way to “take fi ve.” Herbal educator Dodie Harte, of the Sierra Institute of Herbal Studies, recom-mends a blend of three common calm-ing herbs: chamomile, linden fl ower and passionfl ower, with a dash of relaxingly aromatic lavender fl ower. Add a cup of boiling water to a mix of one teaspoon of each herb and a small sprig of laven-der, then let steep for 5 to 10 minutes.

Apply PressureLike acupuncture, acupressure is a technique of Traditional Chinese Medi-cine that works to rebalance the fl ow of

by Frances Lefkowitz

19February 2011

chi, or energy, in the body by stimulat-ing key points along its energy merid-ians, or pathways. While acupuncture uses needles that puncture the skin and requires a visit to a professional, acupressure stimulates via points on the skin’s surface and can be part of a self-care practice. “When acupressure points are stimulated, they release muscular ten-sion, promote circulation of blood and enhance the body’s life force energy to aid healing,” explains Michael Reed Gach, Ph.D., founder of the Acupres-sure Institute, in Berkeley, California, and author of Acupressure’s Potent Points: A Guide to Self-Care for Com-mon Ailments. To relax the neck and relieve ten-sion headaches, use the point at the base of the skull, just where the head attaches to the neck. Feel for the hollow between the two thick, vertical muscle masses—fi nding and pressing it will probably elicit a sigh. Put one or both thumbs in that hollow and apply gentle pressure for one to two minutes.

RefreshPerhaps the problem isn’t stress, but a feeling of weariness or listlessness. According to Atlanta psychiatrist Tracey Marks, a medical doctor and author of the new book, Master Your Sleep: Proven Methods Simplifi ed, the con-tinuous fl ow of electronic information in our smartphone lifestyles may be overstimulating our brains. The fi rst step to refreshing and replenishing is to log off. In short, she says, “Off-hours create better on-hours.”

Go SoloPsychologist Ester Schaler Buchholz, Ph.D., author of The Call of Solitude, believes that “alonetime” is a basic need. She supports this belief with a series of infant studies, analysis of historical and anthropological data, and research examining how meditation and rest bolster the immune system. “When we don’t get enough solitude,” she observes. “We get out of touch with ourselves; we get forgetful; we get sloppy.” We may also get angry, anxious and depressed. Take a daily, refreshing, mini-retreat by stepping away from the rest of

the world for 15 minutes. Find a room with a door and turn off all elec-tronics… then read a book, write a let-ter, meditate, or just close your eyes and listen to the silence.

Sleep“Sleep ends up being one of those things we see as expendable,” says Marks. Yet, a growing body of studies from Harvard Medical School’s Division of Sleep Medicine and other research institutions shows that it is crucial to your mental and physical health, as well as many of the body’s major restorative functions, including tissue repair, muscle growth and protein synthesis. New fi ndings by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center even show that the brain uses sleep to consolidate memories and make them more acces-sible when we’re awake. “We should really think of ourselves as operating on a 16-hour battery,” Marks advises, because we must recharge our-selves in order to perform well. Signs of sleep deprivation include irritable moods and an inability to concentrate. Marks’ Countdown to Bedtime routine starts an hour beforehand. Put away the work and turn off the com-puter. Stop drinking fl uids. Take a warm bath or footbath and don pajamas. Read, meditate or listen to music to wind down. Adjust the bedroom temperature to between 68 and 74 degrees and turn off all lights and electronics, covering their LED displays. If it takes more than 30 minutes to fall asleep, get out of bed and do something relaxing until you feel drowsy. “If your mind is busy, write out your thoughts on a problem-solving worksheet,” she suggests.

Get OutsideTime and again, it has been proven that nature heals. One researcher, from the University of Southern California, has found that even just gazing at a natural landscape, sunset or grove of trees from a window can activate endorphins in the brain that make us feel good. Get-ting outside is even better. Integrative Psychiatrist Henry Emmons, a physi-cian and author of The Chemistry of

Joy, explains that sunlight provides us with vitamin D, which he notes, “… plays a role in many physiological processes, including moods.” Emmons’ prescrip-tion: at least 30 minutes outside daily, without glasses, which can fi lter out healing components of sunlight. Neuroimmunologist and physi-cian Esther Sternberg, author of Heal-ing Spaces: The Science of Place and Well-Being, points to an extensive body of research showing that the colors, pat-terns and scents of natural environments affect mental and physical well-being. She recommends spending time in gar-dens and growing your own plants, even if only a window box of herbs.

ReleaseYou can’t move forward if you’ve got something holding you back. Some-times what you need is to let go of whatever’s weighing you down—even if you don’t quite know what it is. Here are feel-good ways to let go of physical and emotional stagnation.

Make NoiseMany Eastern and Western sacred tradi-tions utilize the healing power of sound through chants, songs, hymns and mantras; but the science behind sound healing is solid. According to Sound Healer Tom Kenyon, the repetitive pat-terns of music and chant stimulate the reticular activating system in the brain, which can induce a mild, trancelike state. Making sounds and music is even more transformative than just listening. “The way music helps us release is that it helps us remember a little bit more of who we are,” advises soprano and Sound Shaman Norma Gentile,

20 Tennessee Valley

from Ypsilanti, Michigan. Her favorite tip: Sing! Gentile exhorts, “Sing with the radio, with a choir or by your-self.” When you sing, she explains, you breathe deeply and your body vibrates and releases energy. Just sing whatever moves you, from the medieval songs of Hil-degard von Bingen (her favorite), to Country & Western ballads. She adds, “There’s no style of music that can’t be

helpful and healing.” To release aches and pains, Kenyon applies a differ-ent exercise. First, fi nd a quiet, private room where no one will hear you. Then, close your eyes and focus on a part of the body that feels uncomfortable: the lower back or neck, perhaps, or maybe a heavy heart or other emo-tional unease. Breathe in slowly. Exhale in an audible sigh, letting the sound come from the place of discomfort. Expressed sounds will be unique to each individual. Allow the sounds to build, reach a crescendo and then taper off naturally. “This is a simple, but powerful, technique for expressing tension with sound,” promises Kenyon.

Brush it Out“The skin is the largest organ in the body, and the better it functions as a toxin releaser, the less work the liver and kidneys have to do,” explains Tom Sherman, a bodyworker who teaches at the Acupressure Institute. He suggests daily dry-brushing, a low-tech way to stimulate lymph nodes, open pores, release toxins and exfoliate the skin. Any natural fiber bristle brush with a long handle will do, though Sherman prefers the Yerba Buena palm bristle brush. He also likes the Vital Chi Skin-Brushing system developed by Bruce Berkowsky (NaturalHealth-Science.com). Dry-brushing is a popular spa treatment with European roots. For basic skin-brushing, remove clothing and gently, but vigorously, rub the dry brush over every part of the body, using circular motions. The basic rule of thumb is to brush toward the heart and in the direction of blood fl ow. So, starting with the feet, brush in circles up the calves, thighs and buttocks, before moving to the hands and up the arms to the shoulders. Brush down on the neck, but up on the back. Finally, move to the chest and abdomen, brushing counter-clockwise. The whole process should take about 10 minutes. Follow it up with hydrotherapy—a simple shower will do—to help wash away dead skin and impurities. A fur-

21February 2011

ther detoxing option is to follow up with a hot bath containing two cups of Epsom salts and 20 drops of tea tree oil.

RechargeAfter you have de-stressed, refreshed and released, it may be time to ramp up your energy. These fi nal steps are geared to re-charge your emotional and physical batteries.

Stay in TouchPhysical touch in any form stimulates the body, and while massage is typically used to relax and release, it can also revitalize. A recent National Institutes of Health study showed that massage had a posi-tive effect on cancer-related fatigue in patients who were undergoing treat-ments that drained them of energy. “During an invigorating massage, the therapist uses faster paced, gliding, strokes, rather than slow, sustained, pressure,” explains Kristen Sykora, a licensed massage therapist and spokes-person for the American Massage Therapy Association. In-between visits (locate a local practitioner at Finda-MassageTherapist.org), there’s plenty you can do on your own. “Physiologically, when you mas-sage yourself—even when you rub lotion on your skin—you’re asking the blood vessels to open up and bring in blood, nutrients and oxygen into that area,” Sykora says. She suggests a simple tapping technique, called ta-potement, for re-energizing any area of the body that feels fatigued, such as quadraceps or derrière. To work on quads, sit comfortably, so the muscles are relaxed, make a soft fi st and tap gently all over the muscle for one to two minutes. Use either the pinky end of the fi st or the underside, where the fi ngers are curled.

WalkA simple way to get moving, walking raises heart rate and breathing capac-ity, increases circulation of blood and

nutrients to all systems of the body and, as new research from the University of Pittsburgh shows, improves mem-ory. It’s a relatively low-impact, safe, form of exercise that also gets you outdoors, which has its own balancing benefits. Beginners can try for 10 minutes a day at a slow, com-fortable pace, while more experienced walkers may shoot for 30 minutes a day at a faster, more invigorat-ing pace.

Try Something NewSticking to the safe, familiar and tried-and-true may seem like an

energy-conservation measure, but upsetting your routine and trying new things can re-cultivate a passion for life. And passion, says Marks, helps provide life with meaning and pur-pose. “It’s important to fi nd pleasures outside of work, even if you do love your job,” she counsels. What will you do? Something you’ve always wanted to do, or used to do and have always wanted to get back to. Or, something you never thought you could do, or think you’re too old to do. Natural Awakenings’ monthly Calendar of Events is a perfect place to start. Take a cooking or art class (local community colleges are great, too) or join a dining or green drinks or birdwatching group (Meetup.com facilitates local gatherings). Learn a new sport (tennis, paddleboarding, salsa dance) or a musical instrument (ukulele, an easy instrument to pick up, is making a comeback). Join a community gardening, handcrafting or reading circle, which are all part of the growing make-it-yourself move-ment. The list is endless...

Frances Lefkowitz’s new book, To Have Not, has been named one of fi ve Best Memoirs of 2010 by SheKnows.com. Connect at FrancesLefkowitz.net.

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This month Natural Awakeningsis proud to spotlight

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INTHEVALLEY

ll photogragph

“B

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by Kimberly Ballard and Tom Maples

Health issues related to our water supply have plagued us for the past half century. Experts

and marketers have offered a variety of options for ensuring that “plain old tap water” is free from contaminates and excessive amounts of chlorine – a water-soluble chemical used to disinfect water and cleanse our city and county sewage systems. Carbon fi lters fi tted onto your kitchen faucet are inconvenient; fi ltering containers have limitations; and “bottled” water offers its own set of problems. Many scientifi c experiments show health issues related to the Bisphenol A (BPA) compound found in clear polycarbon-ate plastics. Ingested with the so-called “purifi ed bottled” water, the BPA in the bottle itself gets a bad grade. Although you can now buy BPA-free plastic bottles, the problem is still not widely known or publicized. “Bazz” Bazzell, a distributor

for Kangen Water throughout Madison County, believes that help has arrived on all fronts and that his Bazz Water busi-ness has the key. Known as “Magic Water” in Japan, the Kangen Water ionization system features an amazing means for producing alkalizing, anti-oxidant water with super-hydrating properties that not only tastes great, but also has body-cleansing charac-teristics imperative to a healthy lifestyle. The shoebox-sized water-ionizing system for residential use fi ts conveniently on your countertop. Ionization isolates the acid and alkaline content found naturally in tap water and then restructures the water molecules into micro-clustered water, believed to enhance the ability of the blood to carry oxygen though the blood stream. Using 230 watts of power, tap water fl ows across seven platinum-coated titanium plates to produce Kangen Water.

Change Your Water andChange Your Life with a Kangen

Water Ionizing SystemGARVIN “BAZZ” BAZZELL, BAZZWATER.COM

23February 2011

Our Spotlight on Exceptional Businesses in The Valley

Some of the benefi ts believed to result from micro-clustered water are the slowing of the aging process; possible reversal of some medi-cal problems and unpleasant disorders like nausea, halitosis, skin problems, and fatigue; the potential enhancement of weight loss; cleansing of the colon. Producing pH levels of 8.5 - 9.5, Kangen Water helps restore your body to a healthy alkaline state while counteracting acidic foods and other harsh elements surrounding your lifestyle.

“If you haven't experienced this water, it will blow you away,” Bazz says. “I am so sure you will immediately notice the difference in the taste, and within weeks experience the healing effects of this water, that I give away containers of it at my Bazz Water Awareness meetings every Monday evening.” Bazz also provides a copy of the Kangen Water DVD where you will see amazing testimonials from people with all types of health problems who swear by the results. A stunning live demon-stration compares the pH levels (acid/alkaline) and the oxidation levels (ORP) of a glass of Kangen Water against a glass of your favorite soft drink, a glass of tap water, and a glass of bottled water. But perhaps the most persuasive point in favor of Kangen Water is Bazz himself. He is something of a living,

breathing tes-timonial to the health-instilling effects of alka-line water. He shares a story of his best friend, who was able to restore enough of his kidney function just in time to perma-nently avoid the

grim fate of dialysis that he was already scheduled for, by drinking one gallon of Kangen Water per day. Bazz seems just as amazed and awed by the power of the water, now, as one imagines he was back then during his friend's remarkable recovery. Just as amazed and delighted as when he shows his guests his "numbers." His lipid levels, blood pressure, and other test results do match those of a much younger man. "I haven't had numbers this good since I was 40," says Bazz. There is something incredibly genu-ine about Bazz, a tall, slender senior with wide, square-set shoulders, resonant Radio voice, and halo of white hair. He is a be-liever, and what he believes is that Kangen Water can help people. That it may be the only thing that can help some people with specifi c health issues, and it is the one thing, the single best thing, that any person can do to enhance their overall health. “This water is endorsed by medical doctors,” Bazz says. “I sincerely believe there isn't any more valuable information you could receive that would impact your health than Kangen Water.” For more information, contact G.B. "Bazz" Bazzell in Madison, AL at 256-277-1059. For a comprehensive overview of Kangen Ionized Alkaline Water systems, visit www.BazzWater.com. See ad on this page.

“I sincerely believe there isn't any more valuable information you could receive that could im-pact your health than Kangen Water.”

“Let’s worktogether to find

what worksfor you.”

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___________________Kimberly Ballard is a Professional Writer & Marketing Consultant. For information, call 256-653-4003 and visit www.KimberlyWritesCreative.com, or email Kimberly@KimberlyWritesCreative.com.

24 Tennessee Valley

naturalpet

the consumption of a large amount of animal proteins (meat/organs), instead of those found in plants (grains/vegeta-bles). Plant proteins are less complete than meat proteins.

A wild cat’s diet typically consists of rodents, birds, rabbits, lizards

and insects. Such natural fe-line prey are high in animal

protein, high in water content (about 70 percent) and low in carbohydrates (less than 5 percent). Most canned foods are of simi-

lar proportions. Now, consider three key negative issues associated with dry cat food: 1) as a protein source, it’s too high in plant

Often ignored principles of proper feline nutrition explain why cats have a better chance

at optimal health if they are fed canned food instead of dry nuggets or kibble. Putting a little thought into what we feed our cats can pay big dividends over their lifetime and likely help them avoid experiencing serious, painful and costly ill-nesses. To begin, it is vital to understand that cats are obligate (strict) carnivores, and are very different from dogs in their nutri-tional requirements. Cats are designed to have their nutri-tional needs met by

(grain or vegetable) protein and too low in animal protein; 2) the water content is far too low, at just 5 to 10 percent; and 3) its carbohydrate load is too high, as much as 50 percent. This is not what is needed to support a healthy animal.

Protein PuzzleHumans and dogs can take the amino acids provided in plant proteins and, from those, produce any missing amino acids normally provided by animal proteins. Cats cannot do this, and so cannot live on a vegetarian diet. That is why the protein in dry cat food, which is often heavily grain-based, is not equal in quality to the protein in canned cat food, which is meat-based. The protein in dry food, therefore, earns a lower score in terms of biological value. Many pet food companies use grain proteins, such as corn, wheat, soy and rice, which are cheaper ingredients than meat proteins, because this practice contributes to a higher profi t margin.

Water for LifeWater, too, is vital to life and it also plays a critical role in the health of a cat’s urinary tract. Cats, by nature, have an extraordinarily low thirst drive and are designed to obtain water as part of their

PURRING FOR PROTEINWhy Canned Food is Best for Cat Health

by Dr. Lisa Pierson

Just as with humans, diet comprises the bricks and mortar

of health for our pets. Unfortunately, as we have strayed

from a healthy diet, so have the feline friends that are

dependent upon us for their food.

25February 2011

Advanced Rolf Practitioner Susan K. Jeffreys

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Free 30 min. consultation!Find out what Susan K. Jeffreys and Structural Integration can do for you!

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food. People who feed their cat dry food think that the animal is consuming enough water, because they see it drinking from a water bowl, but cats do not make up their water defi cit this way. We can think of wet food, packaged in cans or pouches, which is a minimum of 75 percent water (approximating that of a cat’s normal prey), as working to fl ush out the cat’s inter-nal plumbing several times each day, because such a water-rich diet produces much more urine than a water-depleted dry diet. The fact that urinary tract problems are common in cats, and often life-threatening, underscores the importance of keeping water fl owing through the kidneys and bladder, which is critical to the health of this organ system.

Carb LoadThe high carbohydrate load of dry cat food wreaks havoc on the blood sugar balance of many cats because they lack the necessary enzyme systems to effi ciently process carbohy-drates. This comes as no surprise, given a cat’s strict carni-vore status. While some cats are able to handle elevations in blood sugar levels, many are not, and this can contribute to the development of diabetes. In the 20th century, dry kitten and cat food attracted a huge following due to its convenience and affordability, but informed and caring owners now realize that wet cat food is a far more healthy choice. Veterinarians and enlightened consumers understand that a core principle of nutrition is: pay more for good food now or pay the doctor later. This principle applies to our pets, as well as to us. Finally, no discussion of dry versus canned food would be complete without addressing the myth that dry food is good for a cat’s teeth. In fact, this old tale has no basis in reality.

Lisa Pierson is a doctor of veterinary medicine based in Lomita, CA. For more information on how to make the switch to a healthier diet, see the “Transitioning Dry Food Addicts to Canned Food” at CatInfo.org.

Forget love .I’d rather fall in

chocolate!~Sandra J. Dykes

26 Tennessee Valley

Pasture-RaisedChickens

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healthbriefs

Acupuncture HelpsHeart PatientsResearch news from Germany reports that

acupuncture can improve exercise tolerance in patients suffering from chronic heart failure. The researchers gave such patients—who were on conventional medication and stable—10 sessions of acupuncture, focusing on the healing method’s pressure points that boost general strength, and according to traditional Chinese medicine, infl u-ence the nervous system and infl ammation. The control group was treated with placebo needles that did not break the skin. The needles did not increase the heart’s pumping function, but they seemed to have an infl uence on skeletal muscle strength, and increased the distance that the heart patients were able to walk in a given time. The acupuncture patients also recovered more quickly from the exercise and tended to feel less general exhaustion. This fi nding could provide a useful option in the future if relatively low-cost acupuncture treatment can work to improve the prognosis for cardiac patients over the long term.

Grapefruit’s Bitter-Sweet Secret

Grapefruit’s piquant combina-tion of sweet and slightly bitter

tastes comes with a newly discov-ered benefi t. Researchers have discovered that naringenin, an antioxidant derived from the bit-ter fl avor of grapefruit and other citrus, may be of help to people

with diabetes. Naringenin, the researchers

explain, causes the liver to break down fats instead of storing them, while increas-

ing insulin sensitivity, two processes that naturally occur during long periods of fasting. The natural compound, the

scientists suggest, seems to mimic some lipid-lowering and anti-diabetics drugs; it holds promise for aiding weight control, as well as regula-tion of blood-sugar levels, both vital components in treatment of Type 2 diabetes. “It is a process that is similar to the Atkins diet, without many of the side effects,” notes Martin L. Yarmush, Ph.D., a physician who is the director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Engineering in Medicine and a study author. Earlier evidence has shown that naringenin also has cholesterol-lowering properties and may ameliorate some of the symptoms associated with diabetes. —Source: Public Library of Science

Love is an act ofendless forgiveness,

a tender lookwhich becomes a habit.

Peter Ustinov

27February 2011

Bellydance - Drumming - Yoga

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Dream on… and Learn Better

Modern sci-ence has

established that sleep can be an important tool for enhancing mem-ory and learning skills. A new study at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical

Center sheds light on the role that dreams play in this process. “After nearly 100 years of debate about the function of dreams, this study tells us that dreams are the brain’s way of processing, integrating and really understanding new information,” says se-nior author Robert Stickgold, Ph.D. “Dreams are a clear indica-tion that the sleeping brain is working on memories at multiple levels, including ways that will directly improve performance.” Indeed, according to the researchers, these new fi ndings suggest that dreams may be the sleeping brain’s way of telling us that it is hard at work on the process of memory consoli-dation— integrating our recent experiences to help us with performance-related tasks in the short run, as well as over the long term. In other words, dreams help us translate this material into information that has broad application in our lives.

Our Renewable HeartA groundbreaking Swedish study has demonstrated that

heart cells are able to regenerate themselves, overturn-ing the conventional wisdom that the body cannot replace damaged heart cells. Examining the heart tissue of 50 people over four years, the researchers found that on average, new heart cells appeared to replace old ones at a rate of about 1 percent a year in youth and 0.5 percent a year by age 75. Thus, our heart comprises a mosaic of older and newer cells. Scientists hope to learn how to stimulate this organ’s ability to naturally regenerate. —Source: Natural News Network

Stress-Busting WalnutsA diet rich in walnuts and walnut oil may prepare the body

to deal better with stress, according to a team of Penn State researchers. They specifi cally considered how these foods, which contain polyunsaturated fats, infl uence our blood pressure. Their studies showed that walnuts and walnut oil have the ability to lower blood pressure, both when we are at rest and in response to stress.

Happiness Keeps Growing

Is there any good news about grow-ing old? Researchers reported at a

recent American Psychological Asso-ciation convention in Toronto that an increase of happiness and emotional well-being occurs as people mature. Their study of contributing factors showed that older adults exert greater emotional self-control, have learned to avoid or limit stressful situations and are less likely than younger adults to let negative comments or criti-cism bother them. —Source: HealthDay.com

28 Tennessee Valley

consciouseating

Did you know that more than half of U.S. adults prefer choc-olate to other fl avors and spend

$55 per person per year to indulge their hankering? That’s a lot of chocolate—some 3.3 billion pounds annually, or about 12 pounds per chocoholic. The International Cocoa Organization further estimates that by 2015, U.S. chocolate sales will top $19 billion. Yet, Europeans still enjoy the major-ity of chocolate per capita. Switzerland leads the trend, with its citizens each forking over the equivalent of U.S. $206 a year for the treat. Worldwide, 21st-century chocolate consumption con-tinues to climb year after year; cocoa seems to be a recession-free commodity. That’s good news for Indonesia and the West African nations that produce 70 percent of Earth’s cocoa beans. It’s widely known that dark choco-late, in particular, is good for our emo-tional and physical health. The only debate that remains is what quantity is the most advantageous to include in our daily or weekly diet.

Why Chocolate AppealsEating dark chocolate makes people happy, researchers have learned, because it contains phenylethylamine, the same nurturing hormone triggered by the brain when we fall in love. It’s

no wonder that Madame du Barry and Giacomo Casanova both believed that chocolate was an aphrodisiac. Further, according to the California Academy of Sciences, the theobromine in chocolate acts as a myocardial stimulant, dilator of coronary arteries and smooth muscle relaxant, all inducing good feelings. Researchers at the Harvard Medical School and Boston University School of Medicine recently reported in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that subjects who consistently consumed dark chocolate showed a 40 percent lower risk of myocardial infarc-tion and stroke than those who did not. A study published in the Euro-pean Heart Journal that tracked almost 20,000 people for 10 years found that people who ate about 7 grams of dark chocolate per day had lower blood pressure and 39 percent less risk of experiencing a stroke or heart attack, compared to those who ate an average of 1.7 grams daily. Scientists have learned that cocoa powder and chocolate contain rich sources of polyphenol antioxidants, the same benefi cial compounds found in red wine and many fruits and veg-etables that help to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Professor Frank Ruschitzka, head of cardiol-ogy at University Hospital, in Zurich,

Happiness Is…

CHOCOLATE

Dark and Delicious, it’s Blissfully Healthy

by Gabriel Constans

Switzerland, comments: “Basic science has demonstrated quite convincingly that dark chocolate, particularly with a cocoa content of at least 70 percent, reduces oxidative stress and improves vascular and platelet [appropriate blood clotting] function.” Chocolate lovers also will be glad to know that dark chocolate contains more antioxidants per 3.5 ounces than prunes, raisins, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, kale, spinach, Brussels sprouts, alfalfa sprouts, plums, oranges, red grapes, red bell peppers, cherries, onions, corn or eggplant.

Gabriel Constans, Ph.D., is a coun-selor, journalist and author of a dozen books, including Luscious Chocolate Smoothies: An Irresistible Collection of Healthy Cocoa Delights and Great American Smoothies. For more informa-tion, visit GoGabriel.com.

A Bite of HistoryXocolatl was the Aztecs’ word for chocolate, which they called “bitter water” and con-sidered a gift from the gods. Cultivated for 1,000 years, the cacao tree is prolifi c once it reaches maturity, producing cocoa pods every six months for about 20 years. The beans must be fermented before they begin to taste like the chocolate we know and love.Cocoa was fi rst introduced to Europe when explorer Hernán Cortés brought the beans from Mexico to Spain in the early 1500s. The Spaniards kept their discovery a secret for almost a century, until it was smuggled by monks into France. By the 1650s, cocoa had crossed the channel to England and the North Ameri-can colonies of the English and Dutch; 1831 heralded the invention of the fi rst choco-late bar in the United States.

29February 2011

2. Pour into tumblers or wide-mouthed glasses.

Yields: 6 cups

Source: Luscious Chocolate Smoothies: An Irresistible Collection of Healthy Cocoa Delights by Gabriel Constans

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Chocolate Smoothies for

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The Sweetie2 cups orange juice1 banana½ cup raspberries½ cup blueberries½ cup guava slices½ cup mango slices1 Tbsp cocoa powder

1. Place all the fruit and co-coa in a blender and mix on high for one minute.2. Pour into clear glass and serve.

Yields: 4 cups

The Latin Lover6 oz melted bittersweet dark chocolate2 cups milk – dairy or non-dairy (soy, rice, nut, coconut or grain)2 bananas½ Tbsp fl ax seed oil1 tsp cinnamon powder

1. Place ingredients in a blender and mix on medium for one minute.2. Pour into tall cups and serve. Yields: 5 cups

The Velvet Orchid2 cups chocolate low-fat milk – dairy or non-dairy (½ banana, in chunks1 12-oz package of soft silken tofu 1 cup frozen mango slices2 oz semisweet chocolate, melted

1. Place all ingredients in a blender and mix on high for two minutes.2. Pour contents into tall glasses and serve.

Yields: 4 cups

The Naked Truth2 cups plain low-fat dairy or non-dairy milk ¾ cup vanilla ice cream (dairy or non-dairy) 1 ½ cup chopped walnuts1 cup canned pineapple chunks, drained6 oz bittersweet chocolate, melted2 Tbsp brandy

1. Place all ingredients, except brandy, in a blender and mix on high for about two minutes; add brandy and blend for 10 seconds more.

30 Tennessee Valley

Metaphysical Properties of

Crystals and MineralsBy Mary Morales, Reiki and Karuna Master

METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF CRYSTALS

—HHAMBERGITE: help us stick to our beliefs, character, and truth.

HEMATITE: grounding stone, stone of the mind with calming properties.

HERDERITE: behavioral problems, pro-mote the leader within, psychic work.

HERKIMER DIAMOND: lucid dreams develop higher states of consciousness.

—IINFINITE: soothing, calming.

IOLITE (Cordierite): truth, simplicity. Considered a “shaman stone."

IRON: balance, strength, endurance, protection, persistence, emotional stability.

—JJADE: considered a sacred stone for centuries, promotes love, wisdom, gen-erosity, calm, serenity focus.

JASPER RED: fairness, justice, responsi-bility, compassion.

JASPER GREEN: receptive, sympathy.

JASPER BROWN: grounding, centering.

JASPER MOTTLED: protection

—KKORNERNPINE: teaching abilities, elo-quence, communication, clarity.

KUNZITE: deep feelings of love, peace, relaxation, dissolves negativity, pro-motes maturity.

—LLABRADORITE: powerful in recalling mystical and magical experiences. Pro-tection from attempts by others to tap and drain your energy. Protects against mental confusion. Especially good for those who fear chance.

LAPIS LAZULI: uplifting, boosts psychic awareness, openness, inner powers, spiritual connection, self confi dence, contact guardian spirits. Use with cau-tion with nervous individuals or those with very high energy.

LARIMAR: release self imposed bonds, let go of attachments, freedom from inappropriate burdens.

LEOPARD JASPER: shamanic journeys, service to others. Helpsyou to discover and connect with your power animals.

—MMAGNETITE: balance yin/yang ener-gies, dispels grief, fear, anger, confu-sion, attachment.

MARBLE: clarity and suspension in meditative states, promotes peak states of meditation, recall of dreams.

MARCASITE (Pyrite): brings the energy of the sun, increases stamina, stimu-lates the intellect, wealth, shield stone, removes negativity.

MELANITE (Andradite Garnet): opens psychic vision for forecasting divination and seeing the future, brings under-standing and acceptance of death, reminds us of rebirth and reincarnation.

MOLDAVITE: a rare meteorite called a Tektite, the only extraterrestrial gem stone found only in the Moldau Valley in Czechoslovakia. The best and foremost property of this wonderful gift is transfor-mation. Moldavite energy is very strong and may not always be comfortable. Strips away the things in your life that you no longer need. Excellent tool for inner journey, channeling, crystal conscious-ness, expansion, contact with interdimen-sional or extraterrestrial forces.

Part 2

Continued...

I hope that 2011 is turning out to be a year of strong connectivity with your friends, your families, and (why not) your crystals! After all, they are part of your lives.

Crystals are your silent helpful friends. They are alive and “waiting” for you to pick them up and allow all that beautiful pure energy to fl ow through you. What a won-derful feeling that is. What a wonderful gift they are. The following partrial list represents Part 2 of all of the crystals and minerals (H through Z) that are used in metaphysical work. If you love crystals and their proper-

ties, “ask” the ones you already have to guide you to any others that would be benefi cial for a particular reason. They will surely lead you to the right ones.

Helpful advice: When buying crystals either in a store or on the Internet, let the stones guide you to which one you need by passing your dominant hand slowly over them or over the computer screen (if you’re buying online). This will also work if you’re looking for your very fi rst crystal.

31February 2011

—NNAHCOLITE: achievement, success, victory, triumph. This is a mineral that help us overcome challenges to reach our goals.

NEBULA STONE: unique and very powerful, help with memory, removes fears, grounding stone. Helps release the old, making room for the new. Ex-cellent for meditation.

NEPHRITE: inner strength, fortitude, courage, protection, persistence, helps us stand on our ground.

NOVACULITE: known as “the cord cutting crystal” due to its properties to cut psychic or etheric cords. Also cuts through problems, fi nds solutions.

—OOBSIDIAN: a volcanic glass, widely use for grounding. Redirects draining energies away from you.

OCEAN JASPER: very soothing, helps people love one another also help with self love and acceptance, increases responsibility and patience.

ONYX BLACK: protection, calms un-wanted sexual desires, assists with life challenges. Grounding stone, controls or eliminate unwanted energies.

OPAL: astral projection, recall past lives. When worn it brings out one’s inner beauty.

—PPAPAGOITE: brings optimism, peace, purity, helps one speak with clarity. When used in meditation gives an eu-phoric state of oneness.

PEARL: like Amber, Jet and Mother of Pearl, Pearls are the product of a living creature. They attune the wearer to ebb and fl ow of life, calming and centering, purity, promote faith, charity, truth and loyalty.

PERIODOT: protection, health, wealth. Great for sleep issues, renewal of all kinds. Harmony in relationships, particularly marriage. Lessens stress within relationships, controls anger and jealousy. Strengthens ESP.

PETALITE: the “stone of the angels" is excellent for spiritual healing. Encour-ages connection with spirit guides, lifts one to a higher awareness allow-

ing access to higher dimensions. Very useful for astral travel and meditation because it will ground and protect. Balances yin/yang energies.

—QQUARTZ CLEAR: power stone that harmonizes and balances, enhances energy and thoughts, purifi es the spiritual, mental and physical. Very protective.

QUARTZ RUTILATED: enhances mental and physical stability, self-reliance, meditation on feminine is-sues. Diminishes fears and depression. Helps with decision making.

QUARTZ ROSE: love and open heart, unconditional love, lower stress. A very happy and soothing stone. Promotes self-esteem and sense of self-worth, balances emotions, heal emotional wounds and traumas. Reconciliation, dream recall.

QUARTZ SMOKEY: grounding and stabilizing stone. Brings calm and cen-tering, disperses depression, enhances practicality. Removes negative energies, brings happiness, subconscious wis-dom, and psychic protection.

—RRED TIGER’S EYE: enhances the integ-rity of the self. Promotes self-suffi ciency. A survival stone, aids with the correct use of power for survival in diffi cult times.

RHODOCROSITE: when you are drawn to this stone, it means that you are ready to learn more about your own spirituality, promotes love, peace and energy. It calms emotions and de-stresses. A spiritual body gemstone, it offers a higher frequency of energy which enters and moves throughout the spiritual bodies.

RICHTERITE: stone of calmness, relax-ation and strength. Suppresses the “fi ght or fl ight” syndrome associated with post traumatic stress disorder and other anxiety states. Balances action and

reaction to help you handle life in a calm steady and strong manner. Allows the body freedom to heal more fully. Enhances internal communication.

RUBELLITE: balances and calms, good for emotional balance, helps one open up, detach from personal pain, great for distress, and brings passionate energy and love.

—SSAPHIRE: promotes psychism, love, peace, harmony, creativity, removes unpleasant thoughts, repels envy, pro-motes mental clarity and clear thinking, clears mental garbage. Has the ability to discern the truth and foresees the future.

SARDONYX: friendship, happiness, good fortune, romance and marriage, protective of the young and those who try new things. Relates to stamina, vigor energy and creativity.

SCAPOLITE: problem solving and achievement, helps you make changes in your life. Brings inspiration and strength of purpose. Breaks old patterns of sabotaging self. Brings acceptance of success, calms debilitating emotions.

SPHENE: mental stone, improves the mind and the processing of informa-tion. Use it for studying, theorizing and debating.

—TTANZANITE: awakens the mind and heart, excellent tool for enhancing psy-chic abilities. Called “the workaholic’s stone” because it helps one slow down. Relieves stress and enhances compo-sure, poise and harmony.

overall sense of wellbeing, mental clarity, insight to the right course of action.

WULFENITE: teaches people to be caretakers of all wild and beautiful things of nature, encourages us to be outdoors, to love and respect nature. Promotes creativity and devotion.

—YYTTRIAN FLUORITE: stone of mani-festation that helps ground the ideas of philosophers, thinkers and dreamers by manifesting their plans. A stone of self-fulfi llment and self-actualization, it has the effect of making ideas come to life.

—ZZEBRA STONE: this wonder of creation can help us connect to Mother Earth and to the infi nite energy and love in the Universe. These connections can show us our true nature and help us see past illusion, particularly effective at protecting the auric fi eld, stimulates energy, stamina and endurance.

ZIRCON CLEAR OR WHITE: clears thinking process.

ZOISITE: considered in mystical lore to be a stone that engenders and enhances trust in the Universe and in the ultimate goodness of life. This releases fears and promotes trust in general, which can bring a depth of happiness to one’s life. Increases energy, dispels laziness, and boosts vitality.

It is your birthright to know about Nature and all her gifts to you. Ask her and like a good mother she will guide you to what you need to know. Experi-ment with crystals, learn their silent language, remember not all are for everyone. Take care of all creation, after all you are part of it.

Mary Morales is a Reiki and Karuna Master with an energy healing practice based in Decatur, Alabama. You can contact her at 256-580-3108 or email KungaLhadon@aol.com for more information. See Mary’s ad on page 37.

coverartist

Paisley Hearts

by Michael Wertz

Michael Wertz says he has always found the act of melding the art of illustration and commerce exciting. “I love to direct that passion into crafting an emotive experience that words cannot,” explains the Oakland, California-based illustra-tor. “For me, it means I’ve created an im-age that distills a moment of clarity.” Wertz’s bold, energetic visions leap from his imagination through the pencil he always uses to begin an illustration, and fi nish as digital collage, monoprints or screen prints. He has been creating images for publishers, designers, ad-vertising agencies and musicians since 1995, when he graduated from Califor-nia College of the Arts, in Oakland. The artist’s colorful imagery, com-missioned by dozens of national clients, has been featured in Communication Artsand American Illustration and recognized by the Society of Illustrators. Today, Wertz runs a printmaking shop called Inky Ox-nard, in West Oakland, and lives nearby, as a “… friend to the four-pawed and a lover of all things brightly colored, includ-ing love.”

View the artist’s portfolio at Wertzateria.com.

THULITE: a deeply nurturing stone, aids in understanding and healing the pain and illness caused by lack of nurturing and abuse, good for survivors of incest, physical abuse, emotional abuse, abandonment and neglect. Helps with eating disor-ders including anorexia and bulimia, loneliness, brings nurturing, love and understanding of love to one’s life.

TIGER’S EYE: protection, courage, general energy, is a warm stone and promotes energy fl ow through the body. Strong male energy, it enhances integ-rity, willpower, practicality and gives a sense of correct use of power. Helps one see clear without illusion.

—UUNAKITE: a stone with gentle but powerful energy, promotes strength of character and self growth. Can assist one in fi nding one’s animal guide(s). A good protection stone. Fosters uncon-ditional love for humanity, connection and reunion.

—VVANADINITE: fosters spiritual in-sight, inspiring us to quest towards the creator, encourages prayer, meditation, revelation and direct communication with higher forces.

VARISCITE: soothing stone, also called “true worry stone” because it eases fear, tension, anxiety, worry and impatience. Also relieves tension, depression, can give courage and inner strength, calms the mind. Excellent stone for medita-tion, benefi t intuition and psychic perception. Great for past life recall.

VERDITE: stimulates the kundalini. Helps one to access, assimilate and understand ancient knowledge.

VICTORITE: peace, awareness of higher energies, emotional release, clarity of speech.

—W WITHERITE: control of ego. Helps us to be modest without being too humble.

WONDERSTONE: excellent meditation stone enhances creativity, helps re-duce depression and anxiety, giving an

32 Tennessee Valley

33February 2011

What if we all had the power to change our world, both now and in the future,

simply by understanding and embrac-ing our emotions? According to Dr. Judith Orloff, psychiatrist and author of the new Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself from Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life, we do.

“Emotional freedom is being able to increase your ability to love, both yourself and others, by cultivating posi-tive emotions and by compassionately witnessing and transforming negative ones,” says Orloff. It’s about learning how to approach life from a heart-centered place, instead of simply reacting when our buttons are pushed. This loving disposition includes all situations in life, the challenging ones as well as the good ones. “I believe that the point of being alive is to develop our souls,” Orloff says. “I want to blend all aspects—the spiritual, psychological and biological.”

Her holistic approach helps us to use everything that happens to us as mate-rial for personal growth. It helps us learn how to work with what she terms, “the energies of emotions”—to master them, instead of allowing them to master us. The fi rst step toward achieving Orloff’s vision of individual emotional freedom is understanding that each person has a natural emotional type to which we retreat under duress. In her book, she counts four basic types, each with its own specifi c strengths and weaknesses:

The Intellectual, who can think his or her way through life, but would benefi t from feeling and playing more.

The Empath, who is sensitive and compassionate, but can be over-whelmed by others and must set protec-tive boundaries.

The Gusher, whose emotions are “out there,” and tends to share every-thing, but must learn restraint to keep from exhausting others.

inspiration

Dr. Judith Orloff Shows You How in Her New Book

by Karen Adams

The Rock, who is always there for others, but may appear detached, due to disconnection from his or her own inner feelings. Orloff observes that modern life has created an epidemic of what she calls, “emotional vampires,” consumed with their own psychological needs; it’s essential to be able to identify them and respond in healthy ways. She explains that when we’re with someone and our energy level plummets or we feel put down or even ill, these are strong clues that we’re in the presence of an emo-tional vampire. Here are six main types she discusses in Emotional Freedom:

The Victim has a “poor me” attitude and thinks solutions don’t exist.

The Criticizer puts others down with cutting comments.

The Narcissist needs lots of attention, but has no empathy for others.

The Drama Queen or King loves to create big scenes.

The Controller always tells others what to do.

The Splitter sees everyone as angels or devils, and destroys relationships by turning people against each other.

Her advice? “Emotional vampires get their energy from upsetting you. So, if you’re calm and nonreactive, they’re not going to be interested in you.” Orloff fi rmly believes that inner peace is the foundation of emotional freedom, and comes from connecting with the spiritual. Once established, an awareness of our innate worth, our own divinity, becomes a lifelong source of refuge and regeneration. That connection constantly reminds us that we are loved. Wherever we are in our journey to emotional freedom, Orloff con-cludes, one lesson is essential: “Trust that emotions are teachers for your own awakening.”

Judith Orloff, M.D., is the author of Emotional Freedom and an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles. For details on her national book tour, visit DrJudithOrloff.com.

Karen Adams is a Natural Awakenings editor and freelance writer.

AchieveEMOTIONAL FREEDOM

34 Tennessee Valley

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35February 2011

calendarSATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5

Community HU Song – 1:30-2pm. Join others in singing HU, an ancient love song to God that can help and uplift one in countless ways. Huntsville ECK Center, 900 Wellman Avenue, Ste 3, Five Points. 256-534-1751. ECK-Alabama.org.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11The Foolish of God– 7:30-8pm. Inspiring stories and insights from Harold Klemp, spiritual leader and acclaimed author of more than sixty books on Eckankar. Tune in to explore some behaviors and attitudes you might recognize in others or even in yourself to help you unfold spiritually. Free. Comcast Cable Channel 3 (Huntsville). 256-534-1751. ECK-Alabama.org.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21Huntsville Green Drinks – 5:30pm. An organization for anyone interested in sustainable living to share their interest and expertise with like-minded individuals. Eating and drinking are optional. Come learn about various topics such as green building, eating locally, environmental education efforts in local schools, and local green businesses. To join our mailing list, email HuntsvilleGreenDrinks@gmail.com. Venue: Brix on Airport Road, Huntsville. BrixHuntsville.com.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25Paranormal Study Center– 7pm. Meets at Radisson Hotel/Olympus Room, 8721 Madison Blvd, Madison. For more information, contact Greg Rowe, 256.326.0092.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26Madison Ballroom Studio Show – 7-10pm. An evening of social dancing highlighted with Special Performances by Students and Instructors. $15/person. Contact Traci for tickets at 256-461-1900 or Dance@MadisonBallroom.com. Madison Ballroom Dance Studio, 9076 Madison Blvd, Suites C/D, Madison. MadisonBallroom.com

globalbriefs

Checkbook BingoThe Rising Cost of Raising a ChildBecause few parents do the math, not many would guess that it costs more than $222,000 to bring up the average child in today’s middle-income American family. That’s the latest price tag, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture fi gures—even before college starts. Although the lion’s share of parental spending today goes toward housing and food, healthcare costs have doubled to 8 percent of the total since 1960. Educa-tion, including childcare and extracurricular activities, is up 2 percent, comprising 17 percent of the total childhood bill. Some economists say the USDA estimate is modest, because it doesn’t take into account competitive spending practices among the upper classes. These can range from high-speed Internet access, unlimited smartphone texting and cultural travel to competitive sports, private schooling and expenditures on orthodontia and brand-name status symbols. All are vying to give kids a leg up to success.

—Source: The Christian Science Monitor

Campus LifeGoing Back to School in the Golden YearsRetirement communities, typically nestled near beaches or golf courses, are beginning to emerge somewhere else: near univer-sity campuses. Educational opportunities and cultural activi-ties there are among the perks for those who feel most alive in active, intellectually stimulating and intergenerational settings. Alma maters are a special draw for sports fans. About 50 campus-oriented retirement communities exist around the country, estimates Andrew Carle, an indus-try expert and founding director of the Senior Housing Administration program at George Mason University, in Fairfax, Virginia. Another 50 are planned.

Rocking ChangeSocial Tools Revolutionize Young LivesOlder teens interested in community service or social change have long been able to tap into tailor-made resources, includ-ing DoSomething.org, the nation’s largest database of teen volunteer opportunities; it sparked more than a million teens to action in 2010. But, how about tweens, who often fi nd it diffi cult to make themselves heard? The Do Something! Hand-book for Young Activists now empowers younger kids, too,

with the tools and know-how to change their world.

Happiness IndexMost American Adults Say Life is GoodA new Rasmussen Reports survey fi nds that 61 percent of adults rate their lives today as good or excellent. Among the most satisfi ed are married adults, those with no children at home and people with the highest incomes. Of the 1,000 men and women surveyed, 58 percent consider the years from 18 to 49 as the very best, 17 percent ultimately prefer age 50 and up and 14

percent maintain that childhood takes the cake. The rest are undecided.

A dog teaches a boy fi delity, perseverance,

and to turn around three times before lying down.

~Robert Benchley

36 Tennessee Valley

ongoingevents

SUNDAYAl-Anon – For those who have a loved one faced with a drinking problem. 256-885-0323. AAHuntsvilleAL.org.

A Course in Miracles Study Group– 9:15am. Shared reading and group discussions. Extra books available. Light of Christ Center, 4208 Holmes Ave, Huntsville. 256-895-0255. LightOfChristCenter.org.

Unity Church Service– 10:30am. Practical Christianity from a transformative new thought metaphysical perspective. Our doors are open with love for all. Unity Church on the Mountain, 1328 Governors Dr SE, Huntsville.256-536-2271. UnityChurchOnTheMountain.com.

Celebration of Spirit – 11am. A different service each week including ritual, music, and a message in an open, loving environment. Light of Christ Center, 4208 Holmes Ave, Huntsville. 256-895-0255. LightOfChristCenter.org.

Kadampa Meditation Group– 3-4:30pm. Sunday book study class. Books-A-Million, University Dr, Huntsville. 3rd Sunday at Unity Church on the Mountain, 1328 Governors Dr SE, Huntsville. 256-536-2271. UnityChurchOnTheMountain.com.

Power Yoga – 4:30-5:30pm. Marcy White. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville.256-653-9255 or 256-533-7975.YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

MONDAYDetox Footbaths, Nutritional Counseling, Wellness Coaching –Wellness is always available, if we know the tools to access it! Contact Michele Monticciolo, NC, MH via email at Michele@NewFocusNewYou.com or call Healing Arts at (256) 534-2954 for your consult or appointment.

Al-Anon – For those who have a loved one faced with a drinking problem. 256-885-0323. AAHuntsvilleAL.org.

Reduce Stress with EFT – Private phone sessions. To schedule, call Self Healing Awareness with EFT, 256-774-3392. Info: TapIntoHealing.com.

Spring City Cycling Club– Times and schedules at SpringCity.org.

Level 1 Pilates– 7-8am. All levels. Michelle Camper. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

Mixed Flow Yoga– 8-9:30am. Laughing Lotus Yoga, 303 Second Ave, Decatur. BodyInBalanceStudios.com.

Energy Lunch Lift– 12pm. Group Resonance Healing. Donations accepted. The Center for Directional Healing, 3322 S Memorial Pkwy, Ste 532, Huntsville.256-882-0360. DirectionalHealing.com.

Intermediate Mat Class– 5-6:15pm. Work at a faster pace incorporating exercises that will challenge one’s strength, fl exibility and coordination. Body Language Pilates, 305 Jefferson St, Ste C, Huntsville. 256-704-5080. BodyLanguagePilates.com.

Basic Bellydance– 5:30-6:30pm. Mon-Thurs. Intro

to basic bellydance technique. Nomadic Tapestry, 1219 B&C Jordan Ln, Huntsville. Class info: NomadicTapestry.com.

Beginner Yoga – 5:30-6:30pm. Laughing Lotus Yoga, 303 Second Ave, Decatur. BodyInBalanceStudios.com.

Intro to Yoga– 5:30-6:30pm. Laughing Lotus Yoga, 303 Second Ave, Decatur. BodyInBalanceStudios.com.

Affi nity Circle– 6pm.A safe space where individuals can open up and reveal what they are experiencing in life. Confi dentiality is assured. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. 256-883-8596. Conscious-Living.org.

Level I Yoga – 6:30-8pm. All levels. Tom Musgrove. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

Yoga with Mitzi – 6:30pm. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. More info: 256-361-YOGA or MitziConnell.com.

Activating and Utilizing Your Psychic Power – Thru Nov 15. 7pm. $100. Light of Christ sponsored. Contact: 256-881-2658 or Fayeglas@Knology.net.

NEWtritional Health Care Conference Call –7pm. Listen to Roy Williams,owner of NHC, talk on the weekly health topic. Ask him questions on how NHC products can help you reach your optimum health. Call 760-569-6000 and enter PIN number 411810 #. To hear previous week call: 760-569-6099 and enter PIN number 411810 #. Visit MyHealthyKingdom.com/10003 (Invitation # 10003).

TUESDAYAl-Anon – For those who have a loved one faced with a drinking problem. 256-885-0323. AAHuntsvilleAL.org.

Reduce Stress with EFT – Private phone sessions. To schedule, call Self Healing Awareness with EFT, 256-774-3392. Info: TapIntoHealing.com.

Sierra Club Hikes – Tuesday night hikes’ around Huntsville.Alabama.SierraClub.org/NA.html.

Spring City Cycling Club – Times and schedules at SpringCity.org.

Mixed Flow Yoga– 8-9:30am. Laughing Lotus Yoga, 303 Second Ave, Decatur. BodyInBalanceStudios.com.

Pilates– 9-10am.Michelle Camper. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

Yoga with Mitzi – 9am. The Art of Yoga. All levels welcome. Huntsville Museum of Art, 300 Church Ave S, Huntsville. More info: 256-361-YOGA or MitziConnell.com.

Power Yoga – 9:10-10:10am. Laughing Lotus Yoga, 303 Second Ave, Decatur. BodyInBalanceStudios.com.

Level I Yoga– 10:15-11:30am. Tatum Crigger. The

Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

Lunchtime Belly Basics – 11:30am-12:30pm. Nomadic Tapestry, 1219 B&C Jordan Ln, Huntsville. NomadicTapestry.com.

Power Yoga– 5:30-6:45pm. Laughing Lotus Yoga, 303 Second Ave, Decatur. BodyInBalanceStudios.com.

Beginner/Intermediate Mat Class– 6-7:15pm. This class adds more exercises from the series and will challenge one’s mind/body connections. Body Language Pilates, 305 Jefferson St, Ste C, Huntsville. 256-704-5080. BodyLanguagePilates.com

Meditation – 6pm. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. 256-883-8596. Conscious-Living.org.

Science of Mind Classes (Accredited) – 6:30-8:30pm. Reverend David Leonard. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. 256-883-8596. Conscious-Living.org.

Yoga with Mitzi – 6:45pm. Candlelight Yoga. All levels welcome. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500 Pratt Ave, Huntsville.More info: 256-361-YOGA or MitziConnell.com.

Practical Energy Techniques Experiential Class– 7-9pm. For the novice or trained. Five Points location. Taught by Katy: KatyShamanHealer.Blogspot.com. Call 256-426-0232 for directions. (love offering)

WEDNESDAYAl-Anon – For those who have a loved one faced with a drinking problem. 256-885-0323. AAHuntsvilleAL.org.

Reduce Stress with EFT – Private phone sessions. To schedule, call Self Healing Awareness with EFT, 256-774-3392. Info: TapIntoHealing.com.

Spring City Cycling Club – Times and schedules at SpringCity.org.

Level 1 Pilates– 7-8am. All levels. Michelle Camper. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

Align and Defi ne Yoga– 8-9:30am.Laughing Lotus Yoga, 303 Second Ave, Decatur. BodyInBalanceStudios.com.

Level I Yoga– 9:15-10:30am. Erin Kennedy. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

Practical Spirituality Class – 10am-12pm. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. 256-883-8596. Conscious-Living.org.

Science of Mind Classes– 10am-12pm. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. 256-883-8596. Conscious-Living.org.

Meditation– 6pm. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. 256-883-8596.

37February 2011

Gays) – 6pm. Second Thurs.Parents, friends, and gay community members welcome. Bring snack. Huntsville Public Library. 256-881-0939.

Yoga and Wine –6pm. All levels welcome. Presented by Yoga with Mitzi and The Huntsville Museum of Art, 300 Church Ave, Huntsville. More info: 256-361-YOGA or MitziConnell.com.

ZumbaDance Class – 6:30pm. Donations accepted. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. 256-883-8596. Conscious-Living.org.

Level I Yoga– 6:45-8:15pm. Tom Musgrove. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

Salsa 101 Dance Class– 8pm. Get the moves, feel the heat! Madison Ballroom, 9076 Madison Blvd, Madison, AL 35758. GabrielaDance.com.

FRIDAYSpring City Cycling Club – Times and schedules at SpringCity.org.

Level 1 Pilates– 7-8am. All levels. Michelle Camper. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

Slow Flow Yoga– 8-9:30am. Laughing Lotus Yoga, 303 Second Ave, Decatur. BodyInBalanceStudios.com.

Power Yoga– 9:10-10:10am. Laughing Lotus Yoga, 303 Second Ave, Decatur. BodyInBalanceStudios.com.

Public Clearance Session– 7pm. Third Fri each month. Learn effective healing through reception and application of Divine energies. Light of Christ Center, 4208 Holmes Ave, Huntsville.256-895-0255.

Paranormal Study Center – 7pm, fourth Friday each month. Meets at Radisson Hotel/Olympus Room, 8721 Madison Blvd, Madison. For more information, contact Greg Rowe, 256-326-0092.

SATURDAYAl-Anon – For those who have a loved one faced with a drinking problem. 256-885-0323. AAHuntsvilleAL.org.

Feel Good Tapping Party – Be the host of a group

www.Conscious-Living.org.

Power Yoga– 6-7pm. Marcy White. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

Yoga with Mitzi – 6pm. Yoga Flow. All levels welcome. Chiropractic Wellness Depot, 8210 Stephanie Dr, Huntsville. More info: 256-361-YOGA or MitziConnell.com.

Satsang – 6:30pm. Satsang with a video of Gangaji. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. 256-883-8596. Conscious-Living.org.

THURSDAYAl-Anon – For those who have a loved one faced with a drinking problem. 256-885-0323. AAHuntsvilleAL.org.

Spring City Cycling Club – Times and schedules at SpringCity.org.

Piliates– 9am. A fusion of Pilates and Hanna Somatic work teaching one to access and strengthen one’s deepest connections bringing balance to one’s spine and overall posture. Body Language Pilates, 305 Jefferson St, Ste C, Huntsville.256-704-5080.BodyLanguagePilates.com.

Pilates– 9-10am. Michelle Camper. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

Power Yoga– 9:10-10:10am. Laughing Lotus Yoga, 303 Second Ave, Decatur. BodyInBalanceStudios.com.

Level I Yoga– 10:15-11:30am. Tatum Crigger. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

TBE Nooner Toastmasters–11:45am-12:45pm. Practice public presentation and meeting etiquette. TBE Building #1, Sparkman Dr/Lakeshore Dr, Huntsville.Nancy Wade: 256-797-0700 or NWade@LJStyle.com.

BellyKids– 4-5pm. Shahala Liz. Nomadic Tapestry, 1219 B&C Jordan Ln, Huntsville. NomadicTapestry.com.

Mixed Flow Yoga– 5:30-6:45pm.Laughing Lotus Yoga, 303 Second Ave, Decatur. BodyInBalanceStudios.com.

PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and

L’BRI PURE n’ NATURAL Naturally… the best skincare product.

de456brown@aol.comwww.denisebrown.lbri.com

Denise BrownIndependent Consultant

256.755.6822

tapping session. To schedule, call Self Healing Awareness with EFT, 256-774-3392. Info: TapIntoHealing.com.

Sierra Club – For weekend hike, canoe, backpacking and other activities, visit Alabama.SierraClub.org/NA.html.

Spring City Cycling Club – Times and schedules at SpringCity.org.

Level I Yoga – 9-10:15am. Tom Musgrove. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

Cardio Ballroom– 10am. Mega calorie burning dance fun! No more treadmill! Madison Ballroom, 9076 Madison Blvd, Madison, AL 35758. GabrielaDance.com.

Yoga with Mitzi – 10am. The Art of Yoga. All levels welcome. Huntsville Museum of Art, 300 Church Ave, Huntsville. More info: 256-361-YOGA or MitziConnell.com.

Renewable Energy (RE) & Off-Grid Living – 10am-4pm. First and third Sat each month. Take steps to live the dream. Learn RE Basics. Benefi t from a decade of experience. See an off-grid home in action. Reduce one’s carbon footprint. $75/class. Giles County, TN. Register: 931-565.4006 or Pharos@ardmore.net.

Level I Yoga – 11:30-12:45pm. Bobbie Brooks. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

Community HU Song – 1:30-2pm. Join others in singing HU, an ancient love song to God that can help and uplift one in countless ways. Huntsville ECK Center, 900 Wellman Avenue, Ste 3, Five Points. 256-534-1751. ECK-Alabama.org.

Ballroom Dancing– 7pm, Beginner Group Class. 8pm, Dance Party. Madison Ballroom Dance Studio, 9076 Madison Blvd. 256-461-1900. MadisonBallroom.com.

CLASSIFIEDS

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITYCURRENTLY PUBLISHING NATURAL AWAKENINGS MAGAZINES – For sale in Austin, TX; Lexington, KY Manhattan, NY; Pensacola, FL; Southwest VA and Ventura/Santa Barbara, CA. 239-530-1377.

38 Tennessee Valley

COMMUNITYCOMMUNITYresourceguide

ENERGY HEALINGCENTER FOR DIRECTIONAL HEALING Susan Spalding, Director 256-882-0360www.directionalhealing.com Free the energy within you! Take your health and your life to a new level with Directional Healing. Clears, cleanses, balances, rejuvenates through resonance healing.

FAMILY MEDICINEPROGRESSIVE FAMILY MEDICINEChad Gilliam, M.M.S. PA-C1230 Slaughter Road, Suite C, Madison, AL 256-722-0555.Progressive Family Medicine provides medical care for patients of all ages and uniquely blends Natural and Prescription medicines together to help speed the patient’s recovery. Progressive Family Medicine is the patient’s clinic of choice when they would like to understand how natural medicines work along with prescription drugs.

JARVIS NATURAL HEALTH CLINIC1489 Slaughter Road, Madison256-837-3448I-ACT Certifi ed colon Hydro Therapists. Do you know that 80% of your immune system is in your colon? Bathe your body from the inside to improve health. Colon irrigation aids in soothing and toning the colon, which makes elimination more effective.

COLON HYDROTHERAPYCENTER FOR OPTIMAL WELL BEING7910 S. Memorial Pkwy, Suite F-2, Huntsville256-489-9806 phone 256-489-2873 fax866-488-9806 toll freeThe Center for Optimal Well Being is dedicated to improving your health with colon hydro-therapy and body empowerment services. Sessions are conducted in clean, comfortable and relaxing private suites with soft lighting and aromatic fragrances. Our staff is clinically trained and certifi ed by the International Association for Colon Therapists.

IN-HOME MASSAGECLOUD NINEEvening and Weekend Appointments256-337-6989Finally, someone who makes housecalls! Swedish, Ortho and Deep Tissue massage in the privacy of your own home. Gift Certifi cates also available for any occasion.

JIN SHIN JYUTSU®

JIN SHIN JYUTSU OF HUNTSVILLESandra Cope Huntsville256-534-1794, 256-509-3540Certified Jin Shin Jyutsu Practitioner. An easy, effective way of restoring health and well-being by balancing the body’s energy pathways to enhance the body’s natural healing abilities.

EMOTIONAL FREEDOMTECHNIQUES

SELF-HEALING AWARENESS WITH EFT Judith Pfl um, EFT-ADV Practitioner256-774-3392

www.tapintohealing.comTap into healing. Specializing in women’s emotional/physical issues: anxieties, fears, relation-ships, stress, weight. Painless, drug-free, easy-to-learn tech-nique. Individual, group, or phone sessions.

FENG SHUI FENG SHUI BY TRUDI GARDNERTrudi Gardner, M.S.(256) 772-6999Tygard2000@aol.com

An interior design philoso-phy that invites serenity and reduces stress. Feng Shui design concepts brings posi-tive energy into your home and offi ce to encourage Prosperity, Well Being, Harmony, and Balance.

EUROPEAN FACIALTREATMENT

EUROPEAN MEDICAL ESTHETICS CLINIC17 Years in businessHuntsville, Alabama256-880-0709

ELECTRODERMAL TESTINGHEALTHY CHOICES LLC3322 S. Memorial Pkwy, Suite 526Huntsville, AL 35801256-679-1997healthychoicesLLC@gmail.com

Healthy Choices LLC provides Electrodermal Testing and the Detoxifying Ionic Footbath. Electrodermal Testing uncovers the root cause(s) of health issues and designs a protocol to help the body heal itself. The Detoxifying Ionic footbath helps excrete toxins out of the

body bringing you back into balance.

COMING IN MARCH

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

404-395-9634

ELEHEAL3322 SHuntsv256-67healthy

special edition

NATURALFOODS

Natural Awakenings takes a look

at the growing food revolution

in our March issue.

39February 2011

MASSAGECENTER FOR THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE AND BODYWORK1634 Slaughter Rd., Madison256-430-9756Our vision is to provide professional massage services in a comfortable clinical environment to Madison and the surrounding area. Student massages available for 1/2 the regular rate. Lic. E1311.

MASSAGE SCHOOLMADISON SCHOOL OF MASSAGE THERAPY, LLC1634 Slaughter Rd, Suite C Madison, AL 35758 256-430-9756www.madisonschoolofmassagetherapy.comOur training will change your life forever in a new career as a Professional. Student massages available for 1/2 the regular rate. AL Board of Massage School Lic# S-117 AL State Board of Ed. School Lic# 1200I

PILATESBODY LANGUAGE, INC.305 Jefferson St., Ste. C256-704-5080sybil@bodylanguagepilates.comwww.bodylanguagepilates.comOur goal is to teach individuals how to take control of their health and well-being through the Pilates method, creating a wholesome person of sound mind, body, and spirit. Private, semi-private and group training on the equipment is available along with group mat classes.

NATUROPATHIC DOCTORALTERNATIVE MEDICINE ASSOCIATESDr. Deb Gilliam, N.M.D.1230 Slaughter Road, Madison, AL256-722-0555Dr. Gilliam treats a variety of health problems with chronic fatigue, fi bromyalgia, heart disease, hormone replacement and thyroid issues being at the forefront. Dr. Gilliam sees patients from around the world due to the reputation she has earned by treating hard to treat medical conditions. Dr. Gilliam works to fi nd the cause of medical conditions and does not simply treat the patients’ symptoms.

MUSIC THERAPYHEALING SOUNDS MUSIC THERAPYStephanie Bolton, MA, MT-BC256-655-0648www.imageryandmusic.comHuntsville, AL- based music therapy practice focused on improving personal health and wellness using guided imagery and music techniques.Currently providing workshops and individual consultations.

YOGA YOGA CENTER OF HUNTSVILLE500-A East Pratt Ave. 256-533-7975 www.Yogacenterofhuntsville.comWe teach yoga postures and principles designed to bring strength, flexibility, openness, and awareness into the body. Classic yoga postures, modifications are introduced to give the student many options in developing a personal practice.

STRUCTURAL INTEGRATIONJACI HOGUE256-656-4108jaci@alabamarolfmethod.comwww.alabamarolfmethod.com

A complete system of body education that balances the physical body, improves posture, and helps resolve chronic pain. Created by Dr. Ida P. Rolf in the 1950s, Structural Integration has been scientifically validated and has withstood the test of time, as millions of

people have enjoyed the remarkable benefi ts.

SUSAN K. JEFFREYSAdvanced Practitioner Lic.#249Dr. Ida P. ROLF method2336A Whitesburg DriveServing Huntsville since 1995256-512-2094 www.rolfguild.org“When the body gets working appropriately, then the force of gravity can fl ow through. Then spontaneously, the body heals itself.” Ida P. Rolf

SHAMAN HEALERKATY GLENN WILLIS256-426-0232katyglennwillis@yahoo.com KatyShamanHealer.blogspot.com

Spiritualy Assisted Intuitive Readings, Energetic Healing and Balancing for People and Pets, World Culture Shamanic Training, Spirit Midwife: Assistance for individual and caregivers during Death & Dying Process. Forty years of training and experience.

VETERINARYACUPUNCTURE

ACUPUNCTURE FOR ALL ANIMALSVikki Trupin, DVM 256-710-5378 VTrupin@Ardmore.netIVAS (International Veterinary Acupuncture Society)-certifi ed since 1994. Treatments in the clinic or in your home.

YOGA CENTER OF HUNTSVILLE500-A East Pratt Ave. 256-533-7975www.Yogacenterofhuntsville.comOur focus is on core stability, neutral alignment and patterned breathing. It restores the natural curves of the spine, relieves tension and enhances self-confi dence. We feature certifi ed instruction in group and individual training.

REFLEXOLOGYJIM BARNES, CERTIFIED REFLEXOLOGIST

REFLEX ACTION124 14th St. Suite D3, Decatur, AL 35601256-227-2920256-309-0033

NUTRITION & WELLNESSDETOXIFYING FOOTBATHS,NUTRITION,WELLNESS COUNSELING

Michele Monticciolo, NC MHCertifi ed Nutritionist, Herbalist, Holistic Healthcare Practitioner256-426-0982Michele@NewFocusNewYou.com

“I’d put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don’t have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that.”

~Thomas Edison

CompleteHealth Care

For YourFamily!

1230 Slaughter Rd.

Madison, AL 35758

256.722.0555

Progress Towards Wellness & Prevention with

Progressive

FamilyMedicine

Alternative Medicine Associates

Ask About Our IV Nutritional Therapies!

Customizing Solutions For Your Individual Health Needs & Concerns

Treatment is Available For

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