june 2013

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Canine FitnessHealthy Play for

People and Pups

Life Lift The Secrets to Happiness

Barefoot Benefi tsGoing ShoelessSoothes and Heals

Dads and Daughters

Ways to Strengthen Loving Bonds

H E A L T H Y L I V I N G H E A L T H Y P L A N E T

feel good • live simply • laugh more

June 2013 | Tennessee Valley | Natvalley.com

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“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.” –John Lennon

An article in one of the New Age blogs that I read defi ned two groups among those people who’s

mission in life is, whether they know it or not, to increase the light quotient on the planet. The two designations were Workers and Blissers. The Work-

ers are those who do something active that raises the positive vibration, such as healers, teachers, meditators, energy workers, creative visionaries, volunteers, and people of faith who pray. The Blissers just stay blissed out. Both types are neces-sary: the Blissers hold the template for the new, high-vibrational Earth and the Workers work to bring it about.

I am a Blisser. Anybody who knows my work habits compared to my enthusiasm for enjoyment would confi rm this immediately. It is true, I have a short path to joy, and many tried and true avenues for achieving it, some more elegant than others; but for a Blisser, they are all legitimate. Joy! Bliss! Not just achieving these happy states of mind, but holding the feeling, sustaining that vibration. Refi ning bliss, sharing joy, and spreading both all around.

Talk about enjoying one’s job.

Blisser. I like that.

Best part about it, I’ve got science to back me up here. Both our feature article this month, entitled “Life Lift: Being Happy from the Inside Out” and the documentary fi lm Happy (2011, available on Netfl ix or GaiamTV) explore the new Science of Happiness, or Positive Psychology, a fi eld of study that seeks to quantify or mea-sure happiness in the same way that depression has been quantifi ed and measured for years. In the fi lm, research based on identical twins suggests that at least half (50%) of a person’s happiness falls in a baseline range determined by genetic fac-tors. Some people simply have a higher genetic propensity for happiness, it seems.

Those would be the Blissers.

But the study also suggests that anyone can increase their own happiness levels quite signifi cantly. At least, there is signifi cant room for improvement, you might say. That’s because only 10% of one’s baseline happiness range is determined by the usual suspect factors of income level, social status, where one lives, or age.Only 10%! And since 50% is set by genetics, that leaves a whopping 40% of the happiness matrix that can be affected by “Intentional Activity,” or what one chooses to do that increases one’s happiness.

Follow your bliss, as they say. Whether you’re a Worker or a Blisser, Happy helps humanity, and a happy humanity helps everything on Earth.


12

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contents

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.

5 newsbriefs

8 healthbriefs

10 globalbriefs

12 fi tbody

13 healthykids

15 naturalpet

20 wisewords

21 inspiration

22 calendar

27 resourceguide

8

10

12 WALK THIS WAY Step Up to Barefoot Benefi ts by Randy Kambic

13 DAD & DAUGHTER DATES Making the Most of Cherished Time Together by Clint Kelly

15 DOG SPORTS People & Pets Play Well Together by Sandra Murphy

16 LIFE LIFT Being Happy from the Inside Out by Judith Fertig

18 POSTURES Wild Thing Pose by Gatlianne

19 THE STORIES WE TELL OURSELVES by Aaron Peavy

20 REFRAMING PERSONAL PRIORITIES Craig Hamilton Explores the Gender Gap in Spiritual Growth by Kim Childs

21 THE FATHERHOOD FACTOR How Raising Children Changes Men by Armin Brott

16

13

15


newsbriefs

www.cslhuntsville.org

308 Lily Flagg Rd.883-8596

Rev. David Leonard

ONGOING SERVICES AND CLASSES!

A Spiritual Communitysupporting the practice of knowing God in the heart

of every person.

New Thought ClassesTuesdays, 6:30-9:00pm

Wednesdays,10:00am-12:00pm

Revealing ServicesSundays 9:45am

Celebration ServicesSundays 10:30am

MeditationTuesdays & Wednesdays

6:00pmSundays 8:30am

SatsangWednesdays 6:30pm

Transforming Livesand Making the World

a Better Place

Cassie Ingrum, CRNP, Joins Madison Family Care

Cassie attended Auburn University and graduated cum laude in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science Degree

in Nursing. She started her career as a registered nurse in the newborn nursery and worked at East Alabama Medical Center for three years. During this time she also earned her master’s degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham where she studied to be a Family Nurse Practitioner. Cassie and her husband moved back to North Alabama in 2012 and planted their roots here in the Athens/Madison area where they both grew up

respectively. She has gained experience working in both primary and acute care settings since fi nishing school. Cassie joined the Madison Family Care team in April 2013. She is currently accepting new patients. Madison Family Care is located at 1230 Slaughter Rd, Suite C, in Madison, AL. For more information or to set up an appointment, call 256-722-0555. See Ad on back cover.

Madison Family Care Patients Showing Signifi cant Allergy Relief

Madison Family care offers the Allergy Easy® program to treat and prevent seasonal allergies. According to Chad Gilliam, M.M.S., PA-C of Madison

Family Care, patients are showing signifi cant improvement in their allergy symptoms this season from the allergy treatment. “Allergy Easy drops are helping people resolve their seasonal allergy symptoms without the use of medications. You do not have to take steroid nasal sprays and antihistamines in order to go outside during spring and summer,” he says. “The drops work by giving the body a small oral dose of the allergy they have and slowly increasing that dose, desensitizing the body to those allergens. There is no chance of anaphylaxis, no need to come to the doctor's offi ce weekly, and no painful shots. We had a patient in recently who cuts grass and suffered from rhinitis daily. He stated after only 3 months on the drops he is allergy free. We had another patient in last week who cuts his own grass and stated he would get rhinitis for 3 days after cutting the grass, he is also symptom free after 10 weeks on drops. There are many more cases just like these.” Madison Family Care is located at 1230 Slaughter Rd, Suite C, in Madison, AL. For more information or to set up an appointment, call 256-722-0555. See Ad on Page 10.

Mindfulness Meditation Circle: Connecting Mind, Body, Spirit

A 4-week introductory class to meditation and mindfulness where participants will learn the art of “allowing” and “letting go” as they become more aware of

their inner life physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.


• Create more peace and joy

• Let go of fear and negativity

• Release the past and move forward

• Quiet the mind-chatter

• Live in the present moment

• Become the “calm” in the middle of life’s “storms”

The class is offered on two days: Mondays at 7pm beginning June 10 through July 1 or Wednesdays at 4:30pm beginning June 12 through July 3 at the Center for Inner Wellness, 3322 S. Memorial Parkway, Suite 641, Huntsville, AL. Fee for the class series is $80. Pre-registration required. For more information, contact Becky Waters at 256-348-5236, or visit CenterForInnerWellness.com/events. See Ad on Page 8 and CRG on Page 28.

Adventures in Self-Discovery: Learn the Secret Tool that Can Transform Your Life

Come learn the “secret” tool that can transform your life at the Adventures

in Self-Discovery workshop on Saturday, June 15, 2013, 9am-12pm at the Center for Inner Wellness, 3322 S. Memorial Parkway, Suite 641, Huntsville, AL. The simple act of putting thoughts and feelings on paper, or “Journaling”, uses a powerful 4-step process that can help release stress and negativity, as well as help heal limiting beliefs and unconscious programming. Through this process, one can learn to make decisions more easily and open doors to higher guidance, intuition, and self trust. It allows a person to know them-selves in new and meaningful ways. Workshop participants will explore basic yet powerful tools that will enable them to go deeper and reach higher to express their unrealized potential and uncover the insights, creativity, and wisdom inside them. Fee for the workshop is $45. To regis-ter or for more information, contact Becky Waters at 256-348-5236, or visit online at CenterForInnerWellness.com/events. See Ad on Page 8 and CRG on Page 28.

How Much Joy Can You Stand: Push Past Fears and Step into Your Dream

The How Much Joy Can You Stand? workshop held on June 22, 9am-

12pm, at the Center for Inner Wellness, is designed to reignite your creative process and uncover and defuse the thousand good reasons why we never get down to work. So writing a book, painting a picture, starting a business, making a job change, or making any kind of personal or life change is no longer a far-away “impossible dream.” The Joy Workshop, with its carefully targeted exercises, guided meditations,


coverartist

Sailing the ReachRichard De Wolfe

The Thousand Islands region of Ontario, Canada, fostered a childhood fi lled with adventure for Richard De Wolfe, who still identifi es strongly with rural life. The forests, fi elds and mighty St. Lawrence River made the wonders of nature come alive for him. A self-taught, professional free-lance artist who works in both illustra-tion and fi ne art, De Wolfe produced his fi rst one-man show at age 18. It sold out and he went on to spend 25 years as an illustrator for corporations such as General Motors, Pepsi-Cola, Sears, Labatt and Sony. Art connects us, acknowledges De Wolfe, adding, “The important thing is to help people see what I see and feel what I feel about a subject. What you paint is far less important than how you paint it.” Sailing the Reach was commis-sioned as a retirement gift for a friend’s husband. “It is their sailboat, loaded with their children and grandchildren,” explains De Wolfe. “They have spent every summer on this boat since the children were young. The boat is still considered an important member of the family, even as they enjoy retirement.”

—View the artist’s portfolio at RichardDeWolfe.com.

and fun creative projects will put you back in touch with the source of your inspiration and reconnect you with the remarkable power you already have inside you to create and rekindle the pure joy that it brings. Fee for workshop is $45. Center for Inner Wellness is located at 3322 S. Memorial Pkwy, Ste 641, Huntsville, AL. For more information, call Becky Waters at 256-348-5236 or visit CenterForInnerWellness.com/events. See Ad on Page 8 and CRG on Page 28.

Training Program Approved by Yoga Alliance

Suzanne Newton, director of the Yoga Dharma Intensive Studies Program is pleased to announce that her 200 hours training program has been approved

by Yoga Alliance as a registered yoga school (RYS 200). The Yoga Dharma Intensive Studies Program is currently the only teacher training program in the Tennessee Valley region. Students who have studied yoga for a minimum of three years and want to deepen their personal practice and become a certifi ed yoga teacher in the future may apply. The next term is set to begin in July 2013. In addition to the 12 month program, teachers who are already certifi ed may take individual modules and classes for continuing education credits for Yoga Alliance. For more information, visit YogaDharmaDowntown.com or phone Suzanne at 256-585-3727. See CRG on Page 30.

Pets, Love and Happiness Celebrates Ribbon Cutting

Despite the rain on May 17, the Huntsville

Chamber of Commerce, SNAP, friends and customers helped Pets, Love and Happiness celebrate a ribbon cutting ceremony. Pets, Love and Happiness opened it’s doors in January of this year specializing in holistic pet food and earth friendly products for pets and their people. Rebeca Santos loved that so many

people came to the ribbing cutting event to welcome her to the neighborhood. “Most didn’t know the store was here, so I enjoyed showing it off! Everyone seemed to know a 'Crazy Animal Lover' that would go nuts in here,” she said. Pets, Love and Happiness carries a full line of pet foods, including premium holistic brands such as Evanger’s, Lotus, Fussie Cat, Fromm, and Zignature. These brands are made from natural products without the use of grains. The store also carries many different types of toys, chews, beds, bowls collars, leashes and supplements. Pets, Love and Happiness has a wide range of gifts such as t-shirts, coffee mugs, pillow cases, magnets, books and cards for the pet lover in your life. Ms. Santos has also supported such programs as SNAP, the Spay/Neuter Action Program and Forgotten Felines by allowing adoptable pets to spend the day at the store to help them fi nd a home. Pets, Love and Happiness is located at 905 Meridian Street North just past Brooks and Collier in Huntsville. See Ad on Page 8 and CRG on Page 29.


Human Food Especially for

PetsHolistic Pet Food

(no corn, wheat or soy)

905 Meridian Street NorthHuntsville, AL 35801

(Next to Brooks and Collier)

256-429-9112

Consciously chosen pet supplies

Pet-inspired art, clothing and gifts

256-429-9

Inner WellnessCenter for

Creating Positive Change ThroughHypnotherapy, Breathwork &

EFT/Matrix Reimprinting

Breathe. Love. Live.

Stress and AnxietyFears/PhobiasRelease NegativityLet Go of the PastPain Management Weight LossSmoking Cessation

Call For More Information.Becky Waters, CHT, BMSC

256.348.52363322 South Memorial Parkway Suite 641

Huntsville, AL 35801

www.centerforinnerwellness.com

healthbriefs

PSA Testing ControversyMen face a new dilemma at their annual physical

this year—should they be screened for prostate cancer? Last year, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended against routine screen-ing for this form of cancer, regardless of age. Some doctors claim this will cause treatable prostate cancer cases to be missed. The level of prostate-specifi c antigen (PSA), a protein produced by the prostate gland, can be measured with a simple blood test. Until the USPSTF issued its recommendation, doctors routinely used the test to screen men 50 and older. The task force, how-ever, concluded there is at least moderate certainty

that the potential harms of PSA testing outweigh the benefi ts; many benign condi-tions, particularly prostate infections and enlargement, can elevate PSA readings higher than normal, prompting more aggressive testing. Before deciding on the test, it helps for men to explore this issue with their doc-tor. Some physicians take a “wait and see” approach and retest several times over a few months before making a recommendation; others suggest an immediate biopsy if PSA levels are high. While a blood test is a benign procedure, a prostate biopsy is not. A high PSA reading coupled with an overly aggressive doctor can cause anxiety and result in additional—and possibly unneeded—medical treatment. Source: James Occhiogrosso, ProstateHealthNaturally.com

A Father’s Love is CriticalBased on 36 studies from around the world involving more

than 10,000 participants, researchers at the University of Connecticut, in Mansfi eld, concluded that a father’s love

contributes as much—and sometimes more—to a child’s development as a mother’s love. The critical importance

of fatherly love to a youngster’s healthy development provides added incentive for men to become more involved in nurturing child care.

Source: Society for Personality and Social Psychology

SPORTS AND MUSIC: A WINNING COMBINATIONListening to our favorite music, whatever the genre, can increase

both our enjoyment of and performance levels in competitive sports participation. Keele University researchers, pre-senting these fi ndings at the 2012 British Psychological Society annual conference, noted that playing selected tunes reduces perceived exertion levels, plus increases one’s sense of being “in the zone”. The greatest effects were found with music used during structured training sessions. Previous studies showing that motivational music in general boosts performance did not include exploring the effects of listening to one’s favorite music.


EXCESSIVE DIETARY FAT MAY HINDER CONCEPTIONOne reason for a couple’s inability to

conceive could be linked to too much fat in the male’s diet. A study by Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital of 99 U.S. men uncovered an asso-ciation between a high fat intake and lower sperm count and concentration. Results were published in the journal Human Reproduction. Men that consumed the most saturated fats had a 35 percent lower total sperm count and 38 percent lower sperm concentration than men that ate the least amount of such fats. Moreover, men that ate more omega-3 polyunsaturated fats—the type of healthful fat often found in fi sh and plant oils—had better-formed sperm than men that ate less.

FLAVONOIDS PROTECT MEN AGAINST PARKINSON’SFindings published in the

journal Neurology add to a growing body of evidence that regular consumption of fl avo-noids, found in berries, teas, apples and red wines, can positively affect hu-man health. According to new research on 130,000 men and women undertaken by Harvard University, in Boston, and the UK’s University of East Anglia, men that regularly consumed the most fl avonoid-rich foods were 40 percent less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease than those that ate the least. No similar protective link was found for women. It is the fi rst human study to show that fl avonoids can help protect neurons against diseases of the brain.

RESVERATROL CAN AID PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENTIt’s already known that resveratrol, a

compound found in grape skins and red wine, can improve cardiovascular health and help prevent strokes. Now a University of Missouri School of Medicine (Columbia) researcher has discovered that it can make prostate tumor cells more susceptible to radiation treatment, increasing the likelihood of a full recovery from all types of prostate cancer, including aggressive tumors.

GARLIC MAY HELP ALLEVIATE CYSTIC FIBROSIS

The American Society for Microbiology reports that by age 18, about 80 percent of patients with cystic fi brosis

are chronically infected with the bacterium pseudomonas aeruginosa, which promotes an infl ammatory response that destroys lung tissue. The infection frequently leads to serious related health issues. According to collaborative research led by Tim Holm Jakobsen, Ph.D., and Michael Givskov, Ph.D., of the University of Copenhagen, in Denmark, garlic, which acts as a powerful natural antibiotic, could help. The onion-related herb contains ajoene, the major com-ponent of a multitude of sulfur-containing compounds, which is produced when garlic is crushed. Ajoene inhibits the expression of 11 key genes controlled by cell-to-cell communication and is regarded as crucial to the ability of the bacterium to cause disease.


STOPALLERGIES & ASTHMA THE EASY WAY NO SHOTS!

256.722.0555profamilymed.com

1230 Slaughter Road, Suite C

Madison, Alabama 35758

GET FAST, LASTING RELIEF WITH ORAL DROPS

*Endorsed by the World Health Organization. Featured in Scientific American, Reader's Digest and on NBC and ABC News.

globalbriefsNews and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefi ts all.

Eco-HouseGreen Homes Can be a BargainOne of the most innovative, energy-effi cient houses in the Unit-ed States has been built in the District of Columbia’s working-class Deanwood neighborhood, which has struggled with foreclosures. The Empowerhouse, a residence that produces all of its own energy, consumes 90 percent less energy for heating and cooling than a conventional dwelling. Empowerhouse was designed using “passive house” technologies as part of the Solar Decathlon design com-petition, held on the National Mall in 2011. It’s the work of students at The New School, in New York City, and Stevens Institute of Technology, in Hoboken, New Jersey, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity and the D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development. Each duplicable unit costs a locally affordable $250,000. Bringing the community into the design process for both the house and landscape is the basis for collaboration on additional projects in the neighbor-hood, including a new community learning garden. The designers remark that it all plays a part in creating social sustainability, an aspect often left out of devel-opment programs.

Source: Parsit.Parsons.edu

Hot StuffNew Technology Increases Solar Effi ciencyThere is huge potential in solar power, but our current methods of capturing the sun’s energy are limited as widely used silicon solar cells approach their theoret-ical limit of 33.7 percent effi ciency. Now a Princeton University research team has applied nanotechnology principles to incorporate a design that signifi cantly increases their effi cacy. Led by Stephen Chou, the team has made two dramatic improvements: reduc-ing refl ectivity and more effectively captur-ing the light that isn’t refl ected. The new solar cell is much thinner and less refl ec-tive, capturing many more light waves via a minute mesh and bouncing off only about 4 percent of direct sunlight. The new design is capable of capturing a large amount of sunlight even when it’s cloudy, producing an 81 percent increase in effi ciency even under indirect lighting conditions.

Source: OpticsInfoBase.org


Tech TrashRecycle All Electronic ProductsWith the average American household owning 24 electronic devices, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) estimates we are annu-

ally producing nearly 3 million tons of e-waste. Tube-type TVs and computer monitors contain lead, while cell phones harbor toxic mercury,

cadmium, arsenic and brominated fl ame retardants, all of which can leach from landfi lls into groundwater.

Alternatives include selling old phones or trading them in at a store, and buying a new phone only when necessary. For $10, Staples will recycle any brand of computer monitor, desktop and laptop computer, fax machine, printer or scanner. Dell products are accepted at no charge. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offers informa-tion about local e-waste recycling and regulations regarding handling

of electronic equipment at Tinyurl.com/EPAeWasteTips. For a global perspective, see the United Nations Environment Programme 2010 update at Tinyurl.com/UNeWasteReport.

Cowabunga DudeAll-Natural Boards Bring Sustainability to Surfi ngSurfers count themselves among the most ardent environmentalists. Yet their sport is awash in petrochemicals and carcinogens, from neoprene wet-suits and urethane surfboard leashes to polyurethane boards and epoxy resins. So surfboard shaper Danny Hess is adopting salvaged woods, natural fi nishes and organic resins to trans-form how they are made. His boards are built to last, an anomaly in a sport in which enthusiasts’ boards may break once or twice every season. He uses Super Sap, the fi rst U.S. Depart-ment of Agriculture BioPreferred Certifi ed liquid epoxy resin, and is experimenting with organic foam and salvaged redwood in seeking to build a truly green surfboard. “What I’m trying to do is build heirloom surfboards that are passed on from father to son over many gen-erations, rather than these disposable things that we’re just consuming,” Hess says. Before founding Hess Surf-boards, Hess lived in a straw-bale house in Colorado, studied sustain-able architecture at the San Francisco Institute of Architecture, built tree houses and worked as a licensed contractor. “One day I had this ‘Aha!’ moment when I realized I could create these molds, like the ones I was using to bend wood for cabinet doors, for surfboards,” he says. Hess has since expanded into also making sustainable skateboards.

Learn more at HessSurfboards.com.

Thanks, DadNorway Recognizes FatherhoodNorway’s liberal paternity leave policy places equal responsibilities on men and women, which in turn progressively redefines traditional gender roles. Pap-papermisjon, or paternity leave, is often combined with a mother’s maternity leave to provide seam-less childcare at home without overtaxing parents’ work life. The Norwegian government has socially engineered a society in which men and women are expected to have equal domestic and economic responsibilities. Some specifi cs of the country’s “fathers’ rights” philosophy include leaving the workplace by 5:30 p.m.; being able to adjust offi ce hours around daycare drop-offs and pickups; and allowing time to organize family dinners and help with housework.

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

Moon FuelTwo New Sources of Sustainable EnergyA new compound of lead telluride—a semiconductor fi rst used in the Apollo moon landings to provide astronauts with a renewable, thermoelectric power source—can transform the heat emitted from car tailpipes and the chimneys of power stations and factories into a power source. According to the scientists engineering the innovation at Northwestern Uni-versity, in Evanston, Illinois, as much as 15 to 20 percent of the heat currently being lost could be recovered as electricity. Another team of researchers at Utah State University, in Logan, has created a yeast biodiesel fuel that can be made using the watery waste from the mass pro-duction of cheese. One cheese plant’s daily byproduct of up to 1 million gallons of liquid cheese waste can produce 66,000 gallons of fuel.


fi tbody

Barefoot walking conjures images of children playing in open fi elds and families strolling on a beach,

yet it can also embrace many other set-tings as part of a health and fi tness rou-tine and lifestyle of optimum wellness. As Michael Sandler and Jessica Lee attest in their new book, Barefoot Walk-ing, “It’s not just physical; it’s soothing on an emotional and spiritual level.” In adults, many muscles in our feet may have weakened and atrophied due to disuse from wearing shoes, which substitute the support and mobility that our bodies’ lower parts were created to provide. Years of wearing tight-fi tting shoes or high heels can also hamper bone density and proper alignment of each foot’s 28 bones; produce aches and pains in knees, back and neck; and constrict circulation to legs and feet, a condition compounded by desk jobs. Here are some tips in preparing to go shoeless: Work out feet. Prevention.com advises working to individually wiggle each toe; touch and rub each in its entirety; and fl ex and move both feet in as many different ways as possible. This will help them better absorb and distribute weight. Then, sug-gest Sandler and Lee, try “grabbing” exercises for toes, picking up round objects ranging in size from golf balls to baseballs. Also practice arch lifts, calf raises and ankle rolls.

Check it out. Walk around a room and note if the weight upon landing moves from the heel to the big toe right away; if so, try shifting bodyweight while walking so that the pressure proceeds from the heel to the little toe and then across to the big toe. This maximizes functioning of the entire foot and keeps the arch from collapsing inward. This sub-tle change helps support knees, the pelvic fl oor and even abdominal muscles. Fields, dirt trails and beaches are ideal sites to start walking barefoot. Repeated skin-to-ground contact also coincides with grounding, or earthing, a therapy that connects a being with Earth’s electrical fi eld. The concept is that this allows negatively charged free electrons to enter and eliminate free radicals, the positively charged particles that may cause diseases and infl am-mation. When we’re in shoes, “We’re separated [from the Earth] by an inch of rubber, which is a fantastic resistor to electricity,” the co-authors point out. Because barefoot walking stimu-lates foot nerve endings, it’s also a form of self-refl exology, helping to lower blood pressure and anxiety while bol-stering the immune system. For all these reasons, enthusiasts conjecture that it’s wise to follow in the natural footsteps of healers past and pres-ent that have chosen to walk this way. Sandler provides special tips on getting started for some specifi c groups:

WALK THIS WAY

Children: “They haven’t had their feet weakened by wearing shoes for many years, so let them develop their own style.” Pregnant women: Start with a tiger walk technique (land with the heel barely off the ground, focusing on grab-bing traction with the toes) for as much stability and fullest contact with the ground as possible. Seniors: Use a walk and roll tech-nique (lift the forefoot up before gently landing heel fi rst) to keep weight directly beneath the body’s center of gravity. “Some seniors are fearful of going bare-foot; concerned their feet are soft and sensitive. But they fi nd that it actually helps them regain balance, coordination and body-brain connections.” A key to expanding onto terrains like gravel and pavement while avoid-ing injury is to build up stronger plantar skin on the bottom of the feet, because it is “600 percent stronger than skin elsewhere and can grow even thicker, up to half an inch, but only if you use it,” according to Sandler and Lee. “Go-ing about barefoot stimulates additional skin growth (layering) and pushes the moisture out of the skin (strengthening), which together, thicken the soles of your feet.” Other basic tips to avoid injury in-clude: go slow, build foot strength, focus on form, learn to rest, inspect feet daily for potential nicks or scratches and see a physician if in doubt about anything. “Once you’re aware of your sur-roundings and have toughened up your feet, you’ll avoid most sharp objects and be relatively shielded from the rest,” advise Sandler and Lee, who see the activity as a big step toward greater overall health awareness. “You’ll learn more about your body… what’s right and what’s not, what’s working and what can be improved.”

Randy Kambic, in Estero, FL, is a free-lance writer and editor who regularly contributes to Natural Awakenings.

The human foot is a masterpiece of engineer-

ing and a work of art.

~ Leonardo da Vinci

Step Up to Barefoot Benefi tsby Randy Kambic


The ancient Greek playwright Euripides, renowned for his Greek tragedies portraying strong female

characters, was likely a decent dad. He wrote, “To a father growing old, noth-ing is dearer than a daughter.” Entrepreneur and life coach Greg Wright, of Austin, Texas, updates the concept of this precious relationship in Daddy Dates: Four Daughters, One Clueless Dad, and His Quest to Win Their Hearts. He says that before the age of 30, God gave him a lovely wife; four girls, or “beginner ladies”; and a succinct mission statement: “Don’t mess up.” Possessing an overwhelming com-passion and protective instinct for each of his children, Wright decided early on “to teach them the right way to date and to treasure their specialness as much as I do.” One of his chief assignments was respectfully modeling good dating habits for his daughters, a talent that doesn’t nec-essarily come naturally to dads. They may understand how signifi cant a fathering relationship is to her self-worth in becom-ing a dauntless and independent adult, but may be uncertain how to make a proper investment spiritually and emotionally. Healthcare marketing executive Da-vid Kinard, of Seattle, Washington, invests

heavily in both his son and daughter. Hav-ing grown up in a separated family with no fatherly role model, he has focused on spending time with both kids, and knows it’s especially important for a girl. “I wanted my daughter to know that I loved her for who she was and not for anything she said or did, and that she didn’t need to give her body away to fi nd love.” He felt the best way to convey these truths was to provide dedi-cated time together. Wednesdays were without fail their date nights, beginning at age 4; dates are less frequent now that his daughter is 16, but even when the relationship feels at odds, dates have consistently brought them together. “She always got to choose where we went to dinner,” Kinard recalls. “We’d sit for a long time, eat our favor-ite foods and play a silly card game.” They talked about anything, nothing, everything. “She glows when she talks about past dates,” he continues. “I have earned the ability to talk with her about the more sensitive subjects in her life such as boys, sex, friends and family.” Seattle Pacifi c University Alumni Di-rector Ken Cornell believes that bonding through dating his two girls, ages 14 and 17, is a true privilege. He says the same

healthykids

Dad & Daughter DatesMaking the Most of Cherished Time Together

by Clint Kelly

is true of his wife of 27 years. “It is so important to get away from the routine, to focus on each other,” Cornell remarks. “It’s amazing what is said when we give space for a relationship to deepen.” His younger daughter believes, “It’s confi dence building; it makes me stron-ger to be with someone who believes and has hope in me.” Dressing up on occasion, hold-ing the door open and allowing her to order for herself show respect and make her feel treasured. Later, if she doesn’t get that same level of respect on a fi rst date with a boy, she will be less likely to schedule a second. Cornell often worries that he doesn’t model enough of the love and honor his girls deserve. He fi nds grace in prayer. “I ask God regularly for wisdom and for-giveness to help me steward my relation-ship with my daughters and wife.” The writer’s own family of six, including two daughters, has a long history of carving out precious time for

refreshing fun. It naturally evolved from movies and petting zoos when they were young to canoeing and college campus events as they grew up. “My boyfriends knew that if we were going to last, they had to impress my dad,” remembers our youngest daughter Amy, today a wife and estheti-cian living in Medina, Ohio. “It was important to know that my dad cared enough to engage in my life. When col-lege life was chaotic, it was comforting to have a dad close to my heart. Our dates through the years allowed us to share sto-ries, secrets and sorrows, and to laugh.”

Clint Kelly’s books include Dare to Raise Exceptional Children.

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With most exercise programs, while his person works out, a dog stays home

alone, counting squirrels outside the window and wishing Animal Planet wasn’t a rerun. How about bringing some of that exercise home so the pet gets fit, too? John E. Mayer, Ph.D., a Chicago clinical psychologist and author of Family Fit, maintains that, “Fitness works best as a group event, includ-ing the family dog. They love to participate in many things, so be cre-ative. Try swimming, touch football, jumping rope, rollerblading, tag or hide-and-seek.” Diane Tegethoff Meadows and Susan Riches, Ph.D., each accepted a challenge to exercise with their dogs 30 minutes a day for 30 days. “I walk my three Scotties every morning anyway, so adding minutes was easy,” says Meadows, a retired senior parale-gal in Bulverde, Texas. “One of them is in charge of choosing the route, and we seldom go the same way two days in a row.” Riches, a retired Fort Lewis

DOG SPORTSPeople & Pets Play Well Together

by Sandra Murphy

College professor and archaeologist, in Durango, Colorado, doesn’t let inclement weather interfere. “Inside, we play fetch up and down the stairs,” she says. “I hide treats for tracking games of ‘fi nd it.’” The dogs also like to jump through hoops. “The Scottie and Westie go at it for 30 minutes; the Maltese stops after 15.” Jeff Lutton, a Dogtopia dog day-care/boarding franchisee in Alexan-dria, Virginia, conducts a popular running club. “On Sunday mornings we have about 15 people that run with their dogs. My golden retriever used to run six miles, but since she’s 9 now, we’ve cut back to three.” “Treibball [TRY-ball] is herding without sheep, soccer without feet,” explains Dianna L. Stearns, president of the American Treibball Associa-tion, based in Northglenn, Colorado. “All you need is Pilates balls, a target stick for pointing, a signal clicker and treats. It’s a fun, problem-solving game for all involved.” The idea is for the dog to direct rubber balls into a goal with its nose,

naturalpet shoulder and/or paws—eventually, as many as eight balls in 10 minutes. Treibball can be played in group classes or competitions or at home using a kiddie soccer goal. Another exercise option is to turn the backyard into an obstacle course for the dog, kids and adults. Use a clicker to signal the next move. Four or fi ve hula hoops spaced a bit apart provide a pattern for a sit/stay game as the dog moves into each one on command. A thin wooden dowel across two boxes and anchored to a stick-on photo hook on either end provides a hurdle. A child’s oversized plastic golf club hits a tennis or plas-tic ball just far enough for the dog to retrieve. For a doggie triathlon, add more elements, such as yard races between dogs and children on their tricycles or scooters down a straight path, with everyone cooling off in a hard-plastic swimming pool as part of the event. For dogs that are older or have mobility issues, some stretching before or even after exercise is sug-gested. “Doga [dog yoga] has become a daily ritual with my 11-year-old golden retriever since the onset of arthritis in her hips and back. Besides keeping her joints limber, it’s good one-on-one time for us,” says latchkey dog expert Eileen Proctor, in Castle Rock, Colorado. “Whenever she wants to stretch, she will come up and gently paw me,” relates Proctor. “Her favorite is the upward dog pose. Before practic-ing doga, this dear one had trouble getting to her feet, and then was lame for a minute. Now she is able to get up and move about immediately.” When exercising with pets, always keep plenty of water handy, start slow and watch out for how the weather or workout affects the participants. Scientists have changed from saying it takes 21 days to form a new habit to admitting it may take up to three times that long. That might be true for people, but try explaining it to the dog standing at the back door on day two—he’s ready to do it again. See Local Pet Store Ad on Page 8.

Sandra Murphy is a regular contributor to Natural Awakenings.


LIFE LIFTBeing Happy from the Inside Out

by Judith Fertig

“Happiness is the only true measure of personal success,” advises Geoffrey

James, of Hollis, New Hampshire, author of How to Say It: Business to Business Selling. His work confi rms that the rollercoaster world of business does not always promote a sense of well-being. James believes, “The big enemy of happiness is worry, which comes from focusing on events that are outside your control.” For him, something as simple as a good night’s sleep contributes to personal happiness. Each of us has certain things that help make us feel positive, and they of-ten come in small moments, advises Ed Diener, Ph.D., a psychology professor at the University of Illinois and author of Happiness: Unlocking the Mysteries of Psychological Wealth. Based on 25 years of research into the subject, he’s a recognized expert in what he calls “subjective well-being.” In a recent six-part BBC series on

happiness, Diener told viewers, “It may sound silly, but we ask people, ‘How happy are you, on a scale of one to 10?’ The interesting thing is that it produces real answers that are valid—not perfect, but valid—and they predict all sorts of real things in their lives.”

Getting to HappyThe moment-to-moment path to happiness follows a trail blazed by paradox. A recent University of Missouri College of Business study by Marsha Richins, Ph.D., suggests that happiness is in the wanting, not the getting. As noted Positive Psychologist Martin Seligman, Ph.D., remarks, “Focusing solely on happiness as a foundation of a good life,” won’t get you there. Gretchen Rubin, the New York City-based author of The Happiness Project and Happier at Home, further fi nds that, “Happiness doesn’t always make you feel happy.” Trying each day to be emotionally centered, affable,

kind, conscientious, generous, patient, principled, accomplished, spiritual and true to yourself—the kind of person that should be happy and that makes other people happy—can be tough. Widespread economic and associated fi nancial challenges have made many question whether money can buy happiness, a common core assumption of the “happiness starts on the outside” approach. Apparently, money can sometimes buy feelings of well-being, but only to a certain degree, according to researchers Angus Deaton and Daniel Kahneman, at Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public & International Affairs. In 2010, they surveyed 450,000 randomly chosen residents across the country via daily questionnaires. The study revealed that, “Low income exacerbates the emotional pain associated with such misfortunes as divorce, ill health and being alone.” Yet they also discovered that, “High income buys life satisfaction, but not happiness,” and there is no further progress in happiness beyond an annual income of $75,000 (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences). On the other side of the world, in the tiny Himalayan country of Bhutan, where 70 percent of its 717,000 citizens are subsistence farmers and an annual income of $75,000 would be considered a fortune, people say they are generally happy, partly due to the nation’s “happiness starts on the inside” philosophy. Since 1971, Bhutan has been operating based on a gross domestic happiness (GDH) value system. Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigmi Y. Thinley explains that the country has focused on growing both materially and spiritually, and citizen well-being has taken precedence over economic growth. For decades, this was deemed an oddity by many in the West, although now it appears prescient. “It’s easy to mine the land and fi sh the seas and get rich,” says Thakur Singh Powdyel, Bhu-tan’s minister of education. “Yet we believe you cannot have a prosperous nation in the long run that does not conserve its natural environment or

An age-old question rides a new wave of bestseller lists, university research and governmental soul-searching. The answers to “What are the secrets of a happy life?” might surprise us.


take care of the well-being of its peo-ple, which is being borne out by what is happening to the outside world.” The country measures its success in maintaining GDH by conducting regular surveys of the population. The reigning offi cial defi nition of happiness involves peace, contentment and living in harmony with all creation. Seligman, author of Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Hap-piness and Well-Being, has become a believer in GDH. “How can you mea-sure well-being in a person, a family, a country or globally?” he queries. Re-search by Seligman and his colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, points to four basic ele-ments: positive emotion, relationships, meaning in life and accomplishment, or PERMA. Seligman says there are proven ways to improve each element. For positive emotion, writing down three “blessings”, or things that went well that day, can increase our feelings of gratitude and well-being. For relationships, actively listening and being present for a loved one and having that attention returned can strengthen those bonds. Increasing meaning in our lives, says Seligman, can be a challenge for Westerners. “We have threadbare spiritual and relationship furniture. We have too much ‘I’ and not enough ‘we,’” he says. But getting involved in something that increases the “we” factor will help make us happier.

Nurturing Signature StrengthsSelf-surveys at AuthenticHappiness.com can help us identify our strengths and realize what we’re especially good at—and we increase our feelings of accomplishment by doing more of them. “You can even fi gure out how to do the task you like least by using your signature strength,” Seligman advises. He shares an example of a grocery store cashier that disliked bagging groceries, but was exceptional at social interaction. She made herself happier by chatting with her customers while she packed their selections. Lara Blair, a portrait photographer in Camas, Washington, believes in

celebrating strengths. “If making things is what you love, give it the space in your brain, home and life that it deserves.” Blair’s seminars and retreats help people tap ways to increase feelings of creativity, accomplishment and meaning. “If you nurture it and believe that growing this beautiful thing is worth the effort, the rewards will be more than you ever dreamed,” she says. When, as a happily married lawyer with children, Rubin thought her life was missing something vital, she used her love for reading and writing to explore that wistful, “What if?” She started researching subjective happiness via Marcus Aurelius, Samuel Johnson, Benjamin Franklin and St. Thérèse de Lisieux, whom Rubin refers to as her “spiritual master.” She decided to test-drive her fi ndings at Happiness-Project.com and began blogging about new ways of thinking and behaving that were bringing her and her readers greater self-realization and contentment. “A great place to start is with your own body,” she counsels. “Are you getting enough sleep? Are you getting good food to eat? When you take care

of those very basic things, you feel en-ergized, and then you can start moving to address other issues.”

Sustaining HappinessOnce we’ve upped our happiness quotient, it can still be diffi cult to stay at that level, says Kennon Sheldon, professor of psychological sciences at the University of Missouri, in Columbia. In a recent study conducted with researchers at the University of California-Riverside, Sheldon and his colleagues found that by both recognizing that the desire for “more” and “better” in our lives won’t stop and also appreciating what we have, we’ll stay happy. It’s equally vital to continually keep things fresh, with positive new experiences at home, work, play and exercise, as well as in relationships. In other words, sustained happiness takes a little work. “Just before going to bed,” sug-gests James, “write down at least one wonderful thing that happened that day. It may be anything from making a child laugh to a big sale. Whatever it is, be grateful for the present day, because it will never come again.” The benefi ts of individual well-being radiate to those around us, notes Seligman. “When individuals are fl ourishing, they are more productive at work, physically healthier and at peace.” He believes that as we fi nd ways to increase positive emotion, relationships, meaning in life and individual accomplishment, it’s possible for life on Earth to fl ourish.

Judith Fertig is a regular contributor to Natural Awakenings.

If I become happy and it makes you happy, it is like tipping the fi rst domino so the next one falls and that

happiness spreads.

~ James Fowler, economic behaviorist, University of California-San Diego


by Gatlianne —PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEWIS METTS

Wild Thing Pose“Let the wild rumpus start!” – Maurice Sendak, Where the Wild Things Are

I like to give my yoga students home-work, something to carry with them until our next class. Sometimes this

homework comes in the form of an affi rmation to utilize, quote to ponder, or action to take on. I recently taught a class of dynamic, fun, sassy women who are realizing that as they’ve gotten older they may have lost some of their child-like playfulness to their adulthood. My homework for them was “act a fool!” Now, in the south the phrase act a fool can have a negative connotation, to wit, when the action is completed one’s mother would snatch one up for acting the said fool. Due to this I made sure to explain what I meant. I challenged my students to play, burst out of their shells and have fun, to do something unex-pected and out of the ordinary. I encour-aged them to sing loudly, dance crazy and dance often, to rip and romp and have a big ol’ good time. I encouraged them to fi nd their joy. This month’s pose ties in, quite fi ttingly, with joyous living. Wild Thing Pose is one in which the heart is open and joy is pronounced. I can’t help but smile when in this pose. Wild Thing is a fun pose that elicits freedom of spirit. It’s light hearted and playful.

It’s invigorating, energizing and aids fatigue. It also helps create an openness in the body, mind and spirit that perhaps wasn’t there before. On the physical side, Wild Thing Pose stretches the chest, shoulders, and throat. It opens the hips and stretches the hip fl exors. It helps strengthen the spine and increases spinal fl exibility. Wild Thing is a more intermediate pose. It’s not one to jump into at the beginning of a practice when muscles are cold or tight. It’s also not a pose to jump into if you’re just beginning yoga practice or unfamiliar with backbends. Just as at times we must ease into our wild side we too must ease into Wild Thing. Allow your body to move through a series of postures to pre-pare it and the spine for this pose. Sun Salutations are remarkable preparatory poses, as are Side Plank and Bow Pose. Those with back or spinal

injuries or high blood pressure please refrain from this pose. To practice Wild Thing Pose, after warming up, come into Side Plank Pose from Downward Dog by placing the left hand under the head. Bring the feet to-gether and pivot onto the outer left foot to come into Side Plank with right arm extended upward. From Side Plank step the right foot back, and curl the upper back slowly and lift the hips to begin the backbend. Breathing throughout be-gin to drop the head back, continuing to lift the hips, as the right arm extends out with the backbend. Feel the open-ness of the heart space, the extension in the body, and the freedom that comes from letting go in a backbend. Feel the joy bubble up and escape in a smile. This is Wild Thing Pose. Let the wild rumpus start.

M/Gatlianne is an Author, Yoga Instructor, Interfaith Minister

and Holistic Health & Reiki Practitioner

based in Athens, AL. For more information contact her at [email protected] or visit Gatlianne.com, DeepRiversHealing.com, or DiscoverPath.com.

would snatch one up for actingd fool. Due to this I made sure to

what I meant. I challenged mys to play, burst out of their shells ve fun, to do something unex-and out of the ordinary. I encour-em to sing loudly, dance crazy nce often, to rip and romp and big ol’ good time. I encouraged

o fi nd their joy. is month’s pose ties in, quite

y, with joyous living. Wild Pose is one in which the heart

and joy is pronounced. help but smile when in se. Wild Thing is a fun at elicits frreeeeeee dodoommmt. It’s light

d and

through a series of postures to pre-pare it and the spine for this pose. Sun Salutations are remarkable preparatory poses, as are Side Plank and Bow Pose. Those with back or spinal

joy bubble up and escape in a smile. This is Wild Thing Pose. Let the wild rumpus start.

M/Gatlianneis an Author, Yoga Instructor, Interfaith Minister

and Holistic Health & Reiki Practitioner

based in Athens, AL. For more information contact her at [email protected] or visit Gatlianne.com, DeepRiversHealing.com, or DiscoverPath.com.


Stories can enrich our lives and help us understand the world we live in. On the other hand, stories

may sometimes become so entrenched in our thinking that we begin to iden-tify with them. We begin to believe them so deeply that we forget who we were before. It is at such a point that the stories take on lives of their own and we act them out, often without thought, and usually to unwanted ends. Though these can hurt us the most, they are also the ones we so vehemently defend as “part of us” to justify our behavior despite all evi-dence of their harm. The self-affi rma-tion heard most often when this is the case is something like, “It is just who I am…” But, is it really? Some common themes these harmful stories have are those in-volving how we judge ourselves and others. “I am not good\pretty\skinny\smart enough,” “they all hate me,” “I will not forgive her\him unless she\he apologizes fi rst,” “I am too good\weak\afraid\damaged to do it,” “I have\it has always been like that” are a handful heard often enough to note. Not one of them is the absolute truth, but often we take on our favored one and it becomes a mantra when things get tough. Why must we allow a story to dictate who we are? If a shirt does not fi t anymore, or attracts unwanted at-

tention, we would surely stop wearing it. Pay attention to how often we say or do things over and over to the same destructive or unwanted consequence. At fi rst, it may appear simply as a lack of awareness. In truth, others may be more aware at times of our own be-haviors as much as we of theirs. There-fore, it is in the refl ection from others, in their reactions to us, which should reveal the thing to even the least aware of people. Yet, it continues on. Could it be blatant denial of what is so obvi-ously revealed to us? Not necessarily, for people often seek the approval and companionship of others, some to a fault, and rarely intend to affect them in such adverse ways. We repeat these patterns that seem to always turn on us, while saying to ourselves that this must be how it is and who we are. In reality, we learned them as social or behav-ioral coping mechanisms to adapt and survive at some point in our lives. They are not, nor have they ever been who we really are; they no longer serve their intended purpose, if they ever did. To think otherwise is a convenient untruth we tell ourselves in an attempt to avoid taking responsibility for how it has affected our day-to-day lives, or to repress the guilt or anger we feel toward ourselves for hurting others and ourselves. If we are committed to making

positive changes, then there must come a time that the stories end and become just stories. To take such a step is a huge movement through layers of false identifi cations built up since youth; it is to pierce through a long-held veil of self-deception and come into a new awareness of our thoughts, speech, and actions. Such awareness also requires us to accept absolute responsibility for how we feel and respond to others. Prior to this point, our ego was on an auto-pilot, enacting a subtle form of fi ght-or-fl ight (the adrenal response) to external triggers. When humanity was still living among the wild ani-mals and a tiger might make lunch of us, such a response would have been appropriate. In our modern world, such an equally powerful response to something, often as simple as a word, seems very extreme in its evolutionary context. When we turn off the auto-pilot, it takes some time and practice to completely take the wheel and let go of those old behaviors and beliefs that the stories supported. Steady, applied pressure will result in lasting and positive results in every aspect of our lives. The number one priority, once this veil is pierced, is to learn to forgive ourselves as we begin this journey. In addition, we may notice this auto-pilot in others, and begin to fi nd compassion for them, as we can see that they are just as human and sus-ceptible to it as we are. Such compas-sion is the opening of a door to choos-ing to understand what others present to us, rather than meet it in kind, with our same-old stories, as we have in the past. By changing the way we meet the challenges presented to us by the world, the world will change. Change your perception, change your reality.

Aaron Peavy has had a lifelong passion for inner exploration and personal transformation. Having studied

various esoteric and exoteric traditions and practices over the years, he enjoys teaching from his experiences and working with people.

The Stories We Tell Ourselves by Aaron Peavy


wisewords

Craig Hamilton is a writer, radio host and work-

shop leader devoted to helping people evolve their consciousness for the greater good. The former managing edi-tor of What is Enlight-enment? magazine, Hamilton went on to found Integral Enlight-enment, an online education program for those on a con-temporary spiritual path. Since then, thousands of people have participated in his courses and workshops, and the vast majority have been women. Natu-ral Awakenings asked Hamilton for his insights on this trend.

What’s behind the gender imbalance in personal growth and enlightenment circles?Two years ago, I hosted a summit called The Way of the Evolutionary Man that included a discussion about why more men aren’t drawn to partici-pate in these kinds of things. One of the main points made was that, while many Americans have focused on cre-ating equality for women in the last 50 years, there hasn’t been a comparable men’s liberation movement. I know that some would say, “Why do we need that? Men are already the ones with the most power, freedom and privilege.” Yet it became clear during our discussion that men do not have freedom when it comes to choosing among valued social roles.

Reframing Personal PrioritiesCraig Hamilton Explores the Gender

Gap in Spiritual Growthby Kim Childs

For example, a woman can feel valued whether she pursues a professional career or something else that we might call a path of the heart, such as follow-ing artistic passions, working for a nonprofi t or serving as a teacher. But if men do such things, they risk losing value among women. Traditionally, women have wanted

to be with men that are more economi-cally successful than they are. If a man decides he wants to be an artist or a spiritual practitioner or follow what we might label a higher calling, he’s stepping out of traditionally validated activities for men. So the reason that more men aren’t putting more time into their personal growth could be that they’re not being valued for that.

What might it take to shift this phenomenon?If women want men to join them on paths of personal and spiritual growth, they might need to start in analyzing the part of themselves that says, “I want a man who makes more money than me, is successful and able to be the family provider.” Many women want their men to be conscious, sensitive, refl ective and capable of profound inti-macy, plus be a good provider. I’ve heard from some men that feel seriously pained about this. A few said that they always wanted to be, for example, a musician or a teacher, but

they couldn’t see themselves being suf-fi ciently successful at it, or their family discouraged it.

Is pursuing personal growth at odds with being a breadwinner?I teach a spiritual path that anyone can pursue in the midst of their busy life. It involves turning everything into a spiri-tual practice. It means observing your own motivations and distortions and experiencing a different relationship to life that’s no longer rooted in patterns of the past and the ego. I believe this work appeals to men because, while there is a medita-tive and interior dimension to it, the bigger part is calling people to step up in life and remove the obstacles inside themselves that keep them from play-ing their biggest game. Spiritual life isn’t about getting beyond this world; it’s about the evolution of our world through conscious participation. That’s something men and women alike can become inspired by and put their energy behind.

How can men be most effec-tive in a changing world?In order to be truly effective, each person needs to do the necessary inner work. It’s not enough to focus on try-ing to do and accomplish and acquire without clarifying what’s getting in the way of your full self-expression and creative engagement. It’s easy to think about life in terms of our history, identity, desires and concerns, but that’s just a small part of who we are. At our deepest level, we are this unfolding evolutionary process that’s been going on for more than 13 billion years. Now we have the ability to participate in the greatest adventure of all, that of conscious evolution, growing into a future aligned with our highest ideals, visions and aspirations. While that is mobilizing generations of women, I am fi nding that it also speaks to the highest aspirations of men. Connect with Craig Hamilton at IntegralEnlightenment.com.

Kim Childs is a writer and creativity coach in Boston. Visit KimChilds.com.


inspiration

Becoming a father is one of the most defi ning benchmarks in a man’s life.

In their research, University of Cal-ifornia-Berkeley Psychology Professors Phil Cowan, Ph.D., and Carolyn Cowan, Ph.D., found that when asked how important each aspect of life felt over a two-year study period, childless men surveyed showed a signifi cant increase in the “partner/lover” aspect. But young fathers squeezed that facet into a smaller life space to accommodate the signifi -cant increase in the “parent” element. Here are a few highlights from what relevant studies by Oregon State University, in Corvallis, the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and Switzerland’s University of Zurich say about how fatherhood changes men. Confi dence and PrideHaving a close relationship with our child helps build mutual confi dence

and self-esteem. Turning a child’s tears into laughter and feeling proud when he does well confi rms that we’re on our way to being a successful father. Albeit briefl y, a child may even share our tastes in culture, entertainment and other areas before mapping his own individuality, but some common attitudes and interests will remain.

Patience and HumorWhen something goes wrong, we can take it seriously and try to change things, or roll with it and laugh. Doing the latter can increase compassion for our own and others’ mistakes.

Flexible ThinkingEarly on, it may be nearly impossible to differentiate the needs of our child and partner from our own. In reality, needs are to varying degrees in opposition, thus imposing frustrations and sorrows and forcing mutual adaptation,

The Fatherhood FactorHow Raising Children

Changes Menby Armin Brott

according to the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry think tank. Parents should consider various points of view and develop contingency plans.

Return to ChildhoodRearing kids presents the opportunity to reread favorite childhood books and disappear back into imaginative worlds.

CreativityA.A. Milne (author of the Winnie the Pooh books) and J.K. Rowling (of Harry Potter fame) fi rst wrote for their kids. We may also be inspired to play an in-strument or take up an art form learned as a child while encouraging our chil-dren in their music or art lessons.

Reordering PrioritiesRaising kids produces a heightened awareness of others’ perspectives, reports University of Delaware re-searcher Rob Palkovitz, Ph.D. Many guys admit that they were somewhat selfi sh and self-centered before having kids, because having people depend on you and putting their needs before yours doesn’t come naturally. (Palko-vitz notes that marriage alone doesn’t trigger this realization.)

Changing ValuesBecoming a father prompts a hard look at one’s fundamental beliefs and values. Our view of what seemed harmless when we were younger, like not caring about money or possessions and potentially harmful lifestyle choic-es, changes completely when there’s a family to support. We see the world differently. Our health and well-being are no longer just personal concerns; they’re integral to our family. Interestingly, more mature new fathers—having had more time to hone their philosophy of life—report less of a need for fresh soul-searching than younger fathers.

Superdad Armin Brott has been building better fathers for a decade through his blog, bestselling books and American Forces Network radio show. Learn more at MrDad.com and Tinyurl.com/MrDadApp.


Advanced Rolf Practitioner Susan K. Jeffreys

S.H., Birmingham, AL

K.S., Huntsville, AL

Consultations AvailableFind out what Susan K. Jeffreys and Structural Integration can do for you!

Call (256) 512-2094 todaySusan K. Jeffreys, AL Lic.#249

Structural Integration in the method of Ida P. Rolf

calendarofevents

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

Photography Exhibit: “Colors of Light” by Joe Fikes – A photographer must fall in love with light. Trained as a physicist, Joe Fikes has had a love affair with light his whole career. His specialty is laser and optical instrumentation. Huntsville-Madison County Public Library, Atrium Gallery, 915 Monroe St, Huntsville, AL. 256-532-5940.

Healthy Huntsville Saturdays in Big Spring Park: Functional Fitness with Lyle Douglass – 8:30-9:30am. Admission free. Big Spring Park, 200 Church St, Huntsville, AL 35801.

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

Great Big Play Day – 12-6pm. Pack a picnic basket and join us here at the Garden for a summer day of play, with games and activities planned for all ages. Free with Garden admission or membership. Hunts-ville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave, Huntsville, AL 35805. 256-830-4447. Hsvbg.org.

MONDAY, JUNE 3

Literature Out Loud!: O Pioneers! – 12-1pm. Join us for a slide show of artworks created in 1913, a cup of tea or two, and a lively discussion of Willa Cather’s O Pioneers! Bailey Cove Branch Library, 1409 Weath-erly Plaza SE, Huntsville AL 35803. 256-881-0257.

THURSDAY, JUNE 6

Madison Gazebo Concerts in the Park: The Cadillacs – 6:30-8:30pm. Bring your lawn chair and

enjoy the music of the “The Cadillacs.” Admission free. Village Green Gazebo, Downtown Madison, AL 35758. 256-527-7802.

FRIDAY, JUNE 7

Bailey Cove Summer Reading Kick Off Party – 2pm. The party starts off with a visit from Alabama Youth Ballet. Learn about the ballet and watch the dancers perform. Afterwards, there will be a craft, a fun “hands on” science experiment, and refresh-ments. Bailey Cove Branch Library, 1409 Weatherly Plaza SE, Huntsville AL 35803. 256-881-0257.

SATURDAY, JUNE 8

Healthy Huntsville Saturdays in Big Spring Park: Body Combat–24/7 – 8:30-9:30am. Admission free. Big Spring Park, 200 Church St, Huntsville, AL 35801.

First Annual Caribbean-American Family Fair 1-5pm. A Caribbean event to support feeding the Huntsville needy and education about diabetes. Pro-ceeds benefi t Take Care Alabama (DOH Projects) Diabetes, Obesity and Hunger in Huntsville. Bring a canned food item to donate to hungry families in Huntsville. Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment, 2211 Seminole Dr, Huntsville, AL 35805. LoweMill.net. TakeCareAlabama.org.

Your Spiritual Experiences with Past Lives, Dreams, and Soul Travel: 2-3pm. Free introductory presentation and discussion for people of all faiths. Learn how to have real experiences with the divine love that is always available to you. Huntsville ECK Center, 900 Wellman Avenue, #3 (near Five Points). 256-534-1751. ECK-Alabama.org.

MONDAY, JUNE 10

Mindfulness Meditation Circle – Introductory 4-week Series. Create more peace and joy in your life by learning and practicing the art of “allowing” and “letting go.” Offered on two days: Mondays at 7pm June 10-July 1 or Wednesdays at 4:30pm June 12-July 3. $80. Center for Inner Wellness, 3322 S. Memorial Pkwy, Ste 641, Huntsville AL. For more information, call Becky Waters at 256-348-5236 or visit CenterForInnerWellness.com/events.

TUESDAY, JUNE 11

Free Health Screening – 9:30am-12pm. Huntsville Hospital’s Mobile Medical Unit will be offering free health screenings to the public. Southeast Family YMCA, 1000 Weatherly Rd SE, Huntsville, AL 35803.

THURSDAY, JUNE 13

Free Health Screening – 9:30am-12pm. Huntsville Hospital’s Mobile Medical Unit will be offering free health screenings to the public. Downtown Rescue Mission, 1400 Evangel Dr NW, Huntsville, AL 35816.

Madison Gazebo Concerts in the Park: The Zooks – 6:30-8:30pm. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the music of the “The Zooks.” Admission free. Village Green Gazebo, Downtown Madison, AL 35758. 256-527-7802.

FRIDAY, JUNE 14

City Lights Concert Series #3 – 7:30pm. Enjoy the view as you listen to “Phil Weaver & Friends” perform under the stars. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, a picnic supper. Admission charged. Burritt on the Mountain, 3101 Burritt Dr, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-536-2882. BurrittOnTheMountain.org.


AQUAPONICS

TodaysGreenAcres.com a 256-679-9488

Be prepared with food independence and

save on groceries.

Free Farm Tours: Held on the 1st Saturday of each month at 9 a.m.

Aquaponics Training: Learn from table top, to backyard, to commerical scale operation.

Grow your own fresh fish, shrimp and

organic produce.

Jin Shin Jyutsu®

of HuntsvilleAiding Healing through

Body Harmony & Relaxation

SANDRA COPECertified Jin Shin Jyutsu® Practitioner

(256) 534-1794 Office(256) 509-3540 Cell Huntsville, Alabama

Experience the Relaxation of Therapeutic Massage

Healthy Living Therapeutic Massage, LLCTeresa Randles, LMT #3601

3303 Westmill Dr. Huntsville, AL 35805256-426-1867

True Wisdom: Learning from the Past—7:30-8pm, Knology Cable Chan-nel 11. Inspiring stories and insights from Harold Klemp, spiritual leader and acclaimed author of more than sixty books on ECKANKAR. Learn how to fi nd true wisdom in your own life in a variety of places—a panorama that stretches from your present dreams to past life experiences. Free. 256-534-1751. ECK-Alabama.org.

SATURDAY, JUNE 15

Healthy Huntsville Saturdays in Big Spring Park: Yoga with Tiffany – 8:30-9:30am. Admission free. Big Spring Park, 200 Church St, Huntsville, AL 35801.

Adventures in Self-Discovery Workshop – 9am-12pm. Learn the secret tool that can transform your life. Journaling with this powerful 4-step process can help release stress and negativity, as well as help heal limiting beliefs and unconscious programming. $45. Center for Inner Wellness, 3322 S. Memorial Pkwy, Ste 641, Huntsville AL. For more information, call Becky Waters at 256-348-5236 or visit CenterForInnerWellness.com/events.

Healthy Huntsville Saturdays in Big Spring Park: Pilates with Terrie – 10-11am. Admission free. Big Spring Park, 200 Church St, Huntsville, AL 35801.

Juneteenth Celebration – 10am-6pm. An all-day celebration featuring a full Bar-B-Que cook-out, educational activities, and music throughout the day. Scottsboro Boys Museum & Cultural Center, 428 West Willow St, Scottsboro, AL 35768.

Spring Concert at Three Caves – 7-10pm. Featuring Cindy Bradley. Concert goers are encouraged to bring their own chairs, dress “cave casual.” No pets or small children, please. Free Parking & Shuttle from Huntsville Hospital lots at Lowell & Adams. Tickets including a box dinner from Below the Radar may be ordered. Admission charged. Historic Three Caves Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-534-5263.

SUNDAY, JUNE 16

Edwene Gaines at Unity Church on the Mountain – 11am. Please join us for a very special visit from author and Master Prosperity Teacher, Edwene Gaines, who will share her wisdom and knowledge about the Four Spiritual Laws of Prosperity. Unity Church on the Mountain, 1328 Governors Dr. SE, Huntsville, AL. 256-536-2271. UnityChurchOnTheMountain.com.

Daylily Festival – 1-5pm. Stroll through the Daylily Garden at peak bloom. Our spectacular collection has over 675 varieties in a wide range of colors, sizes and fl ower forms. Admission charged. Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave, Huntsville, AL 35805. 256-830-4447. Hsvbg.org.

MONDAY, JUNE 17

Free Health Screening – 9:30am-12pm. Huntsville Hospital’s Mobile Medical Unit will be offering free health screenings to the public. New Market Health Screen, 3687 Winchester Rd, New Market, AL 35761.

TUESDAY, JUNE 18

Solar Workshop –10:30-11:30am. Morton Archibald of the Alabama Solar Association shows how you can incorporate solar energy into your own home. Huntsville-Madison County Public Library Auditorium, 915 Monroe St, Huntsville, AL. 256-532-5940.


THURSDAY, JUNE 20

Sidewalk Arts Stroll; A Downtown Marketplace 4:30-8:30pm. Enjoy free entertainment as you peruse vendor booths with original artwork, pottery, organic produce, fresh cut fl owers, handcrafted paper, and much more. Patrons will be allowed to stroll with preferred beverages purchased at bars or restaurants as they visit venues within the district. Come downtown to “Sip, Stroll & Shop.” Admission free. Alabama Constitution Village, 109 Gates Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-534-8376.

Madison Gazebo Concerts in the Park: Stand Up Chuck – 6:30-8:30pm. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the music of the “Stand Up Chuck.” Admission free. Village Green Gazebo, Downtown Madison, AL 35758. 256-527-7802.

FRIDAY, JUNE 21

Open Mike Night with featured poet Frank Reardon – 7-11pm. Frank Reardon has been

published in various reviews, journals and online zines. His fi rst book, Interstate Chokehold, was published by NeoPoiesis Press in 2009. Open Mike at 7pm. Poetry Reading with Frank Reardon at 8pm. Beer tasting to follow. Admission $5. Beloved Books & Gallery, 2211 Seminole Dr SW, Huntsville, AL 35805. 256-323-8199.

SATURDAY, JUNE 22

Black Arts Festival – Sat-Sun. WEUP Radio in conjunction with Alabama A&M University is excited to announce the return of WEUP’s Black Arts Festival to the grounds of Alabama A&M. The festival is a fundraiser for the Harris Home for Children, a non-profi t organization serving the greater Huntsville community by providing care for dependent and neglected children. Alabama A&M University, 4900 Meridian St North, Huntsville, AL 35762. AAMU.edu.

How Much Joy Can You Stand: Push Past Fears and Step Into Your Dream – 9am-12pm. The Joy Workshop, with its carefully targeted exercises,

guided meditations, and fun creative projects will put you back in touch with the source of your inspiration and reconnect you with the remarkable power you already have inside you to create and rekindle the pure joy that it brings. $45. Center for Inner Wellness, 3322 S. Memorial Pkwy, Ste 641, Huntsville AL. For more information, call Becky Waters at 256-348-5236 or visit CenterForInner Wellness.com/events.

Healthy Huntsville Saturdays in Big Spring Park: Zumba with Katie – 10-11am. Admission free. Big Spring Park, 200 Church St, Huntsville, AL 35801.

MONDAY, JUNE 24

Literary Giants: Gone With the Wind – 6:30-7:30pm. After the Civil War sweeps away the genteel life to which she has been accustomed, Scarlett O’Hara sets about to salvage her plantation home. Madison Public Library, 130 Plaza Blvd, Madison, AL 35758. 256-461-0046.

TUESDAY, JUNE 25

Free Health Screening – 9:30am-12pm. Huntsville Hospital’s Mobile Medical Unit will be offering free health screenings to the public. Robert “Bob” Har-rison Senior Wellness and Advocacy Center, 6156 Pulaski Pike, Huntsville, AL 35810.

How to Do Things: Geocaching – 6:30-8pm. Learn the basics of the Global Positioning System and the hi-tech game/sport/hobby of geocaching. Everyone is encouraged to bring a handheld GPS unit; there will be a short practice run after class. Please become familiar with your GPS ahead of time. Huntsville-Madison County Public Library, Second Floor Events Room, 915 Monroe St, Huntsville, AL. 256-532-5940. Hmcpl.org.

THURSDAY, JUNE 27

Madison Gazebo Concerts in the Park: Rocket City Chorus/Southern Splendor – Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the music of the “Rocket City Chorus/Southern Splendor.” Admission free. Village Green Gazebo, Downtown Madison, AL 35758. 256-527-7802.

SATURDAY, JUNE 29

Healthy Huntsville Saturdays in Big Spring Park: Boot Camp–24/7 – 8:30-9:30am. Admission free. Big Spring Park, 200 Church St, Huntsville, AL 35801.

Healthy Huntsville Saturdays in Big Spring Park: Workout with John – 10-11am. Admission free. Big Spring Park, 200 Church St, Huntsville, AL 35801.


ongoingevents

sundayMeditation – 8:30am. Center for Spiritual Liv-ing, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville, AL. 256-883-8596. CSL-Huntsville.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, AL. 256-895-0255. LightOfChristCenter.org.

Revealing Service – 9:45am. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville, AL. 256-883-8596. CSL-Huntsville.org.

Celebration Service – 10:30am. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville, AL. 256-883-8596. CSL-Huntsville.org.

Unity Church on the Mountain Worship Service – 11am, with Metaphysical Discussion at 9:30am. Unity is a positive path for spiritual living. Reverend Phillip Fischer. Unity Church on the Mountain, 1328 Governors Dr SE, Huntsville, AL. 256-536-2271. UnityChurchOnTheMountain.org.

1-Hour Mystery School – 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, AL. 256-895-0255. LightOfChristCenter.org.

mondayConcerts in the Park – 6:30-8:30pm. This 11-week series featuring 22 local bands is free to the public. Held on the rear patio of the Huntsville Museum of Art, facing the lagoon in Big Spring Park in downtown Huntsville, the atmosphere just can’t be beat. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own seating, picnic dinners, and dancing shoes. Leashed pets are also welcome. Big Spring Park, 200 Church St, Huntsville, AL 35801.

tuesdayLatham UMC Farmers’ Market – 3-7pm. The

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Farmers’ Market at Latham UMC is coming every Tuesday beginning in May. We will be located at Latham United Methodist Church on Weatherly Road. Please come out and see us and support local Alabama Farmers. There will be live entertainment and events weekly. Latham United Methodist Church, 109 Weatherly Rd SE, Huntsville, AL 35803.

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

Beginner/Intermediate Mat Class – 6-7pm. 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, AL. 256-704-5080. BodyLanguage Pilates.com.

Sierra Club North Alabama Tuesday Night Hike – 6-7:30pm. Depart at 6pm sharp from the Hiker’s parking lot off Nolen Avenue. All dogs must remain on leash. Though not strenuous, hikes may be vigorous. Distance ranges from 2 to 4 miles. Park entrance fee charged. Monte Sano State Park, Huntsville, AL.

wednesdayYoga Wall class with Bonnie Robertson – 5:30-6:30pm. Using the traditional yoga asanas, this exploration will allow you to go deeper within the body with the support and assistance of ropes, breaking down barriers of the mind and body. Body Language Pilates, 305 Jefferson St, Suite C, Downtown Huntsville. 256-704-5080. Body LanguagePilates.com.

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

Satsang – 6:30pm. Satsang is a sanskrit word that means” to sit in truth.” Satsang is a meeting with our true nature that is pure awareness. This sacred circle brings an opportunity to explore our deepest knowing. Through group discussion and inquiry, we reveal the innate wisdom of the one presence living life as each one of us. Led by Rev. David Leonard. Meditation at 6pm. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville, AL. 256-883-8596. CSL-Huntsville.org.

“You Are A Powerful Creator” – 6:30pm. A class that will guide you how to create the life you want. Unity Church on the Mountain, 1328 Governors Dr SE, Huntsville, AL. 256-536-2271. UnityChurchOnTheMountain.org.

Flying Monkey Community Garden Meeting 6:15-7:15pm, 3rd Wednesdays of each month. The Flying Monkey Community Garden needs volunteers, as well as supporters, to help the organization in its worthwhile efforts, including growing in the community garden and building a new garden shed. If you can commit to a few volunteer hours and/or let Anna Sue know in what other way you can support the Flying Monkey Community Garden. Anna Sue is located on the Flying Monkey Arts fl oor, Studio 269. Flying Monkey Arts, 2211 Seminole Dr SW, Huntsville, AL 35805. Anna Sue: 256-533-0399.

Searching? – The Red Mountain Study Group of Huntsville invites inquiries from men and women, no matter what their beliefs, who are still searching for the meaning of their lives now and here. Our work includes meditation, practice and study based on the teaching of G. I. Gurdjieff. We are affi liated with the Gurdjieff Foundation of New York. 256-361-9575. Email: [email protected].

thursdayFusion Pilates – 9-10am. A fusion of Pilates and Hanna Somatic work teaching one to access and strengthen one’s deepest connections bring-ing balance to one’s spine and overall posture. Body Language Pilates, 305 Jefferson St, Ste C, Huntsville, AL. 256-704-5080. BodyLanguage Pilates.com.

Greene Street Market – 4-8pm. The market will be in the parking lot at the southeast corner of Greene Street and Eustis Avenue in down-town Huntsville. 256-682-4429. GreeneStreet Market.com.

fridayMonkey Speak – 8-10:30pm, fi rst Friday of every month. Monkey Speak is Huntsville’s

most exciting spoken word open-mic night, an open stage for anyone to read perform or im-provise poetry drama or prose or any variation of the spoken word. No experience is necessary. Mature audiences only. Admission $5. Flying Monkey Theatre, 2211 Seminole Dr, Huntsville, AL 35805. LoweMill.net.

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

saturdayBailey Cove Farmers Market – 8am-12pm. The new Bailey Cove Farmers’ Market will open on June 1. We will have fruits and vegetables of all kinds, all grown and supplied by North Alabama and southern Tennessee farmers, plus artisanal breads, jams, jellies, etc. as well as eggs, meat, fl owers, and plants. If you would like more in-formation, please contact us at [email protected]. St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 12200 Bailey Cove Rd, Huntsville, Al 35802.

Madison Farmers Market – 8am-12pm. Come early for the best in local produce, home baked goods, goat cheese, milk, eggs, meats, fresh herbs, honey, relishes, jams and jellies. Come see creations from local artisans including handmade cards, soaps, lotions, jewelry, candles, wood and iron works and other handmade items. 1282 Hughes Rd, Madison, AL 35758.

Audrey’s Free Pilates in the Park – 10-11am, fi rst Saturday of each month through September, weather permitting. Bring a mat, water, and sunglass-es and meet by the big spring. Admission free. Big Spring Park, 200 Church St, Huntsville, AL 35801.

Artist Market – 12-4pm. Local artists and others are invited to set up a booth and sell their wares to the public. There will be art, jewelry, vintage clothing, records, and more interesting things for sale inside our facility. Safe from rain. Free admission. Flying Monkey Arts Center at Lowe Mill, 2211 Seminole Dr, Huntsville, AL. FlyingMonkeyArts.org.

Community HU Song – 1:30-2pm. Join others in singing HU, an ancient love song to God that can help and uplift you in countless ways. Held each Saturday (except 5/25). Huntsville ECK Center, 900 Wellman Avenue, #3 (near Five Points). 256-534-1751. ECK-Alabama.org.


communityresourceguideConnecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green liv-ing in our community. To fi nd out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide, email [email protected] to request our media kit.

ACUPUNCTURE

THE NEELEY CENTER FOR HEALTH 600 Saint Clair Avenue SW, Bldg. 5 Suite 11Huntsville, AL 35801256-716-4048Hours: T-F, 9am-5pm, Sat 8am-12pmHouse calls by AppointmentAcupuncture and Oriental Medicine, Chinese Herbology, Pastoral Counseling, Beam Ray Therapy, Rapid Eye Technology, Nutritional Supplementation, Detoxifi cation.

COLON HYDROTHERAPY

CENTER FOR OPTIMAL WELLBEINGU’Jeana WilsonOwner/Certifi ed Colon HydrotherapistDegree in Psychology256-489-9806Center for Optimal Wellbeing is the longest operating colonic therapy provider in Huntsville. First time clients have expressed immediate feelings of increased energy levels and improved effi ciency in waste elimination. You will enjoy the experience of your own “personal cleansing spa” as you receive colon hydrotherapy (colonic), far infrared sauna, an optional massaging shower, and ionic footbath services—in a clean, comfortable, and relaxing private environment. Call for directions and a 10% discount on your fi rst service when you mention Natural Awakenings or use code COWB.

HOPE FOR LIFE COLON HYDROTHERAPYAmanda Mashburn, owner/certifi ed colon hydrotherapist10300 Bailey Cove Road, Suite-7A Huntsville, AL 35803256-270-8731hope4lifeal.com

Our goal is to live long and live strong. Young or old, male or female, healthy or sick, will ben-efi t from an internal cleansing. Mention this ad and get $10 off your fi rst colonic session.

COLON HYDROTHERAPY

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.

ENERGY HEALING

CENTER FOR DIRECTIONAL HEALING™Susan Spalding2225 Drake Ave. SW, Suite 18Huntsville, 35805256-882-0360DirectionalHealing.comFor over 20 years, Susan Spalding and the staff at the Center for Directional Healing have been helping people achieve harmonic health through Directional Healing, Refl exology, and now the Amethyst Biomat. Clients may choose a single service, or combine all three for the most complete healing experience. Heal-ing techniques, articles, and more information are available online at DirectionalHealing.com.

ENERGY PSYCHOLOGY

CENTER FOR PERSONAL GROWTHShari Feinman-Prior, MS, MRET915 Merchant Walk Way, SWHuntsville, AL [email protected]

“SPARK YOUR LIGHT” FROM WITHIN YOUR TRUE BEING and TRANSFORM your life. Offering an individualized integrative approach from energy psychology: Inner Counselor Process, Rapid Eye Technology, Healing Touch, Reiki, and Life

Skills Coaching, to create change in deep seated pat-terns of behavior for a healthy and joyful life.

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched— they must be felt with the heart.~Helen Keller


FAMILY MEDICINE

MADISON FAMILY CAREChad Gilliam, M.M.S. PA-C1230 Slaughter Road, Suite C, Madison, AL 256-722-0555ProFamilyMed.com

Progressive Family Medicine provides medical care for patients of all ages and uniquely blends Natural and Prescrip-tion medicines together to help speed the patient’s recovery. Progressive Family Medicine is the patient’s clinic of choice when they would like to un-

derstand how natural medicines work along with prescription drugs.

FENG SHUI

FENG SHUI BY TRUDI GARDNERTrudi Gardner, [email protected]

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

HAIR SALON

CJ HAIR AND ART STUDIOCJ Denison105E Church StMadison, AL 35758256-603-9018

Specializing in NATURAL Hairstyles. Cuts with Texture and Movement. Specializing in Fine Hair, Razor cuts, Men's Hair Pieces with A NATURAL Look. Specializing in Hair Color OFF the Scalp. Hair Painting. A Safer way to Color or HiLight Your Hair to Help in Decreasing the Exposure to the Scalp. HEALTHY HAIR is HAPPY HAIR. Also Original Art Work and Private Art lessons available. Call Today for YOUR Appointment.

HEALTH AND FITNESS

CRONUS HEALTH & FITNESSEric J. CollierCertifi ed Personal Trainer256-509-9807CronusPersonalFitness.com

Eric has been in the health and fi tness industry for over 25 years. Cronus Health & Fitness offers per-sonally designed nutritional advise, exercise, and fi tness programs for clients that already belong to a gym or just getting started that do not want to join a gym because of time

constraints or feeling embarrassed. We will come to you instead of you coming to us!

HOLISTIC MEDICINE

HOLISTIC MEDICAL CENTER OF ALABAMA, P.A.Rodney D. Soto, M.D., ABHIM, FAARFM12205 County Line Road, Ste. E Madison, AL256-325-1648 HolisticAlabama.com

We offer an innovative model for health care that encompasses an individualized approach in order to balance and harmonize the mind, body and spirit thru a comprehen-sive assessment of your nutritional, hormonal, intestinal and immuno-logical systems for the prevention

and reversal of diseases.

HYPNOTHERAPY

CENTER FOR INNER WELLNESSBecky WatersCertifi ed Hypnotherapist and Professional Breathworker3322 S. Memorial Parkway, Suite 641Huntsville, AL256-348-5236

Creating positive change through hypnotherapy and Breathwork. Empowering you

to live to your highest potential. Relieve stress and anxiety, release negativity, pain management, pre/post medical procedure, fears/phobias, weight loss, smoking cessation, and more

HYPNOTHERAPY

MARSHA MATHESCertifi ed Hypnotist3313 Memorial Parkway, Ste 116Huntsville, AL 35801256-698-2151MarshaMathes.SkinCareTherapy.net

Hypnosis is a tool to assist you in countless ways to heal your past, empower your present and create your future:• HypnoBirthing Classes• Quit smoking• Weight loss • Nail and lip biting• Teeth grinding

• Insomnia • Anxiety and stress relief • Phobias and fears • Pain relief • Sports enhancement • PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder) • Current and Past Life Regressions

JIN SHIN JYUTSU®

JIN SHIN JYUTSU OF HUNTSVILLESandra Cope Huntsville256-534-1794256-509-3540Certifi ed Jin Shin Jyutsu Practitioner. An easy, ef-fective way of restoring health and well-being by balancing the body’s energy pathways to enhance the body’s natural healing abilities.

LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS

FARMERS MARKET AT LATHAM UMC ON WEATHERLY109 Weatherly Rd SE, Huntsville, AL 35803256-881-4069FarmersMarketAtLathamUMC.orgFacebook.com/Farmers MarketAt LathamUMCJoin us every Tuesday in May through September at Latham United Methodist Church on Weatherly beginning on May 7 from 3-7 pm in the Church park-ing lot on the Northeast corner of Weatherly Rd and South Parkway. Wide Variety of Fresh, Delicious, Locally grown Fruits, Vegetables provided by local farmers every week. Family Friendly Entertainment, Artisans and Activities.

Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it issomething you design for the present. ~Jim Rohn


LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS

MORGAN COUNTY/DECATUR FARMERS MARKET211 1st Ave SEDecatur, AL 35601Burl Slaten256-476-5595The Morgan County/Decatur Farmers Market will open on April 20 for the season. The Market is open Monday-Saturday from 6am-5pm. They are a variety of vendors selling their homegrown foods. They also shell peas and beans for a fee. They will be having the following Festivals this year: Strawberry Festival on May 4, Corn Festival on July 13, Tomato Festival on July 27, and the Watermelon Festival on August 17. Closed on Memorial Day, July 4, and Labor Day. Mark your calendars and remember to support your local farmers.

MASSAGE

A TOUCH OF CLASS SALONJacqueline Meurer, LMT #3658 115 Cloverleaf Dr, Athens, AL 35611256-232-8553

Come on in and treat yourself to a relaxing and restorative massage today. I’ll work with you to meet your therapeutic massage needs. It is our

goal that every client leave feeling the restful and stress-free benefi ts of massage. Call today and book an appointment.

CLOUD NINE IN HOME MASSAGESEvening 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.

DIXIE PHILLIPS (LMT #2151)Dixie’s Sunrise Massage Therapy3313 Memorial Parkway, Ste #116Huntsville, AL [email protected]

Massage Offering: MediCupping, Deep Tissue, Swedish. $10 off one hour session for Military Active Duty, Firemen, EMT or Police Offi -cers. Must advise at time of booking and show ID for discount. Since 2006. See DixiesSunrise.Massag-eTherapy.com for all services.

MASSAGE

HEALTHY LIVING THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE, LLCTeresa Randles, (LMT #3601)3303 Westmill Dr.Huntsville, AL 35805256-426-1867HealthyLivingTherapeuticMassage.abmp.com

Healthy Living Therapeutic Mas-sage is the place for relaxation, health, wellness, and stress reduction. Our mission is to give personal attention to each indi-vidual’s specifi c needs. You’re invited to experience the relax-ation of therapeutic massage. Available Monday-Saturday by

appointment only. Located inside Huntsville Pool & Land Therapy.

J. L. JONES (LMT AL#3610)Chi of Life Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, [email protected] Whitesburg Dr, Suite 4Huntsville, [email protected]

Chi of Life Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, LLC practicing at Exhale Day Spa. Please come and see me for relief from discomfort and disfunc-tion from muscular and tendinous stress and injury and for detoxi-fi cation and energetic assistance. Offering Swedish and Deep Tissue

Massage, Muscle Energy Techniques, Neuromuscular Techniques (Trigger Point Therapy), Reiki and Integra-tive Refl exology. See Website for discount.

MEETING ROOMS/EVENT SPACE

LIGHT OF CHRIST CENTER4208 Holmes Ave, Huntsville256-895-0255LightOfChristCenter.org

The Light of Christ Center is comfortably situated in a vintage Centenarian House conveniently located near the UAHuntsville campus. Our Center facilities are available for rent to both members and non-members. We offer our Spiritual Home as your ideal venue for weddings,

receptions, memorial services, classes/workshops and other gatherings. Call 256-895-0255 and leave a message if you’re interested in a tour or to speak with someone about your event. Amenities available: • Kitchen (microwave only) • Solarium • Lounge/Salon • Roundtable Room (meeting/dining) • Chapel (w/up to 50 chairs

NATURAL PET SUPPLIES

PETS, LOVE AND HAPPINESS905 Meridian St. NorthHuntsville, AL 35801256-429-9112Facebook.com/PetsLoveandHappiness

A Boutique for pets and their people. Pets, Love and Happiness

carries a variety of consciously chosen green pet sup-plies as well as pet-inspired art, clothing and gifts. They also carry a large selection of premium natural pet food for dogs and cats. Brands such as Lotus, Fussie Cat, Fromm, and Evanger’s. Open Mon-Fri 10-5pm and Sat 10am-3pm.

NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE ASSOCIATESDr. Deb Gilliam, N.M.D.1230 Slaughter Road, Madison, AL256-325-0955

Dr. Gilliam treats a variety of health problems with chronic fa-tigue, 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.

PILATES

BODY LANGUAGE, INC.305 Jefferson St., Ste. C256-704-5080sybil@bodylanguagepilates.comBodyLanguagePilates.com

Our 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.


PRIVATE YOGA LESSONS

YOGA DHARMA DOWNTOWNSuzanne Newton, DirectorHuntsville, AL Yoga Alliance E-RYT 500International Association of Yoga TherapistsIyengar Yoga National Association of the [email protected] Private Yoga Instruction is an opportunity to address your specifi c needs, receive guidance about tech-niques, and to ask questions. Some reasons to have a private class: chronic pain and/or weakness due to in-jury or illness, energy imbalances, anxiety, depression, self esteem issues and lack of focus. Private study can help you to refi ne your asana and pranayama tech-niques with a practice program designed specifi cally for you. 90 minutes sessions are held in a Twickenham studio near the hospital district. Contact the Director to discuss your goals and to make an appointment. Students are accepted at the Director’s discretion.

REIKI

REIKI FREE CLINIC (NO CHARGE)Shari Feinman-Prior, MS, MRET915-A Merchant Walk Way SWHuntsville, AL [email protected], every Third Saturday of each month. For appointments, contact Shari Feinman-Prior at [email protected].

SHAMAN HEALER

WATER, WILLOW & MOON SHAMANIC HEALINGJeffrey Rich256- 337- [email protected]

"Medicine for the Soul," shamanic healing is the sacred technol-ogy which can help you achieve wholeness by addressing the spiritual causes of dis ease.

Empty? Out of sorts? Something "just not right"? "Haven't been the same since ..."?Explore the techniques of

shamanic healing and fi nd answers. Offering Soul Retrieval, Thoughtform Unraveling, Illumination, Space Clearing, Past Life Work and much more.

STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION

JACI [email protected] A complete system of body educa-tion 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 scientifi cally 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 Drive256-512-2094 RolfGuild.org

Serving Huntsville since 1995

“When the body gets working appropriately, then the force of gravity can fl ow through. Then spontaneously, the body heals itself.” —Ida P. Rolf

WHOLE FOOD NUTRITION

ISABODY FOR THE WHOLE BODYEric J. Collier256-509-9807 CronusNutrition.com

Eric has teamed up with a 10-year-old health, wellness, and nutritional supplement company that offers only high-quality, natural, no-compromise prod-ucts. Their world-class Research & Development team of 25 full time scientists ensures that the ingredients and products are en-

gineered for safety, purity and potency. The IsaLean meal replacements shakes are made of high-quality un-denatured protein from New Zealand dairy cows that exceed USDA organic standards and sourced exclusively from grass-fed dairy cows not treated with hormones or antibiotics.

JUICE PLUS WELLNESS COACHNutrition Made EasyNikki Skidmore256-527-3822 NikkiSkidmoreJuicePlus.comSimple, whole food nutrition of 25 fruits and veg-etables a day helps ensure you get the nutrition your body desperately needs. Juice Plus+ is the best, most affordable way to bridge the gap between what you should and do eat. Kids eat Juice Plus+ free with an adult order. Call Nikki today to fi nd out how.

YOGA TEACHER TRAINING

YOGA DHARMA INTENSIVE STUD-IES PROGRAMSuzanne Newton, DirectorYoga Alliance E-RYT 500International Association of Yoga TherapistsIyengar Yoga National Association of the USHuntsville, [email protected] The Intensive Studies Program is designed for dedicated yoga practitioners with a minimum of three years of classroom training. If your focus is on personal development of your practice and/or earning CEUs for the Yoga Alliance registration require-ments, you may attend individual workshops that are offered on a semi-regular basis. Another option is to join a Modules Group for 200 Hours of training and earn a Teaching Certifi cate upon passing the Assess-ments. A new Modules Group is forming now for the 2013-2014 year. Questions? Contact the Director by email or a scheduled phone call.

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