natural awakenings of the ny capital district - august 2014

August 2014 | NY Capital District Edition | AlbanyAwakenings.com

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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

The Powerof Onewith Julia Butterfl y Hill

Summer Mini- Getaways

Learning that Changes Life

Meaningful InteractionsReveal Fresh Solutions

Butterfl y Hill

Keep on MovingHow to Get in10,000 Daily Steps

2 NY Capital District AlbanyAwakenings.com

3natural awakenings August 2014


Natural Awakenings of the NY Capital District

P.O. Box 38118, Albany, NY 12203PH: 518-729-0099FX: 877-741-4462

AlbanyAwakenings.com

PublisherCarolyn Coogan

Editors S. Alison Chabonais

Martin MironJacqueline Wright

Contributing WritersKim Steele

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Michele Rose

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letterfrompublisher“The only way that we can live is if

we grow. The only way that we can

grow is if we change. The only way

that we can change is if we learn.

The only way we can learn is if we

are exposed. And the only way that

we can become exposed is if we

throw ourselves out into the open.

Do it. Throw yourself.”

~ C. JoyBell C.

Ahhh… It’s summertime and life is good. I could literally sink into this month’s

cover image, gladly welcoming the chance to dance in a field of sunflowers

with a big smile on my face. It captures perfectly how I feel these days. What

a wonderful season it’s been, taking in many local festivals, concerts under the

stars, celebratory get-togethers, adventurous trips with special people and simply

basking in the warm summer sun. I trust that you are wringing the bliss out of each

day too, throwing yourself into life and its infinite opportunities to grow, learn and

experience joy in every moment.

Recently I spent some reflective away time at Peace Village Learning and

Retreat Center, in Haines Falls, New York. During my stay, I received a personalized

card with the words, “You inspire others.” Oh, how that resonated with me!

Having a positive influence on others has been a compelling calling within me for

years and I rejoice that life has presented many opportunities to naturally do so.

I feel continuously blessed by the privilege afforded by readers, contributors and

supporters in sharing encouraging words, ideas and opportunities for promoting a

naturally healthy lifestyle through all the channels of this magazine.

Knowing that we have the power to inspire ourselves and others can

move us to indulge in making each day more memorable. It usually starts with

identifying what nourishes us and keeps us on a naturally positive high, and then

making it a point to foster that regularly. For me, heavenly moments come most

from nature, music and connecting with good people. It’s when we find, pursue

and align ourselves with such stimulating activities that the positive energy flow

results, ultimately affecting our thoughts, words and actions. This helps to uplift

others and before we know it, we are creating a life we feel is well worth living

and having a happy effect on our family, neighbors, communities, nation and

even the entire world.

Here’s to stretching past limits and truly soaring,

Carolyn Coogan, Publisher


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AlbanyAwakenings.com

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

6 newsbriefs 14 healthbriefs 16 globalbriefs 17 ecotip 18 actionalert 19 businessspotlight 20 healingways 22 wisewords 26 inspiration 27 community spotlight 28 greenliving 30 fitbody 33 localfood 34 calendar

39 naturaldirectory

46 classifieds

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17

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20 SUMMER MINI- GETAWAYS Green Travelers Recharge at Spas, Parks and Vineyards by April Thompson

22 THE POWER OF ONE Julia Butterfly Hill Asks, ‘What’s Your Tree?’ by Judith Fertig

24 LEARNING THAT TRANSFORMS HEARTS AND MINDS

Rethinking How We See Our World Changes Everything by Linda Sechrist

26 BE HAPPY RIGHT NOW The Top Five Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie Ware

28 DAY CARE GOES GREEN What’s Good for Kids is Good for the World by Avery Mack

30 MOVEABLE FEET How to Make Walking Part of Everyday Life by Lane Vail

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newsbriefsBliss Out with 31 Days of Unlimited Yoga

Yoga Bliss on the Blvd is offering a great way to try different classes,

teachers and timeframes or simply dedicate a blissful month to yoga with a special rate of $31 for 31 days. Stu-dents may sample unlimited regular classes within a 31-day period that begins with the first use. This 31 days of “kick in the bliss” is an extension of Yoga Bliss’ opening in May, and includes a variety of class-es and teachers: hatha yoga, vinyasa, adaptive, kripalu, belly dance and coming soon, prenatal, family yoga and ashtanga. Children’s classes are planned to be added in August. Owner Mary Clare O’Connor says, “We would like to share the compassionate and loving practices of yoga and belly dance with as many people as possible as often as they like. We figure the more the merrier as we dedicate our space in community.”

Offer valid through Sept 30. Location: 140 Erie Blvd., Sche-nectady. For more information, call O’Connor at 518-894-7086 or visit YogaBlissBlvd.com.

Earthly Remedies Available at Local Outlets

Erin Ethier, owner Earthly Remedies by Erin, has

introduced a new skin soother for dermatitis and relief from poison ivy, sumac, oak, avail-able at Niskayuna Co-Op, in Schenectady, and The Con-glomerate, in Middleburgh, New York. Regular and sensi-tive deodorants are available at Honest Weight Food Co-Op, in Albany, Niskayuna Co-Op and The Bundle Shop, in Ballston Spa. All deodorants are aluminum-free, made with only the best organic ingredients, and can be used by men, women and children. Most herbs are grown and harvested on the premises by Ethier. Earthly Remedies will be at the second annual Schoharie County Family Farm Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., August 16, at Black Willow Pond Farm (BlackWillowPondFarm.com) outside of Cobleskill, New York. Visit FamilyFarmDay.org for more information about the event.

Main store location: 264 Main St., Richmondville, NY (by appointment only). For more information, call 518-534-3003 or visit EarthlyRemediesByErin.com to purchase products online. See ad, page 19.


Green Genies Expanding its Team

Green Genies is a local residential and commercial cleaning service that goes above and beyond industry

green standards to offer truly healthy, effective cleaning methods for getting homes or businesses healthy and clean without the toxic residue. Their services are in such demand that they are hiring individuals for full-time and part-time work that are passion-ate about the environment and natural living, have an eye for details and a strong team work ethic. Owner Michelle Boyle has formulated the Tidy Thyme line of 100 percent nat-ural plant-based cleaning agents, and says, “Our green cleaning team as a whole is passionate about green living and proud to offer our community healthy alterna-tives.” Boyle, a former Mrs. Green Clean, has been serving the Capital District for more than 10 years. Throughout the year, Green Genies brings their services free of charge to places like animal shelters, homes of cancer patients, the Pine Bush Preserve and others. Those aware of an individual or organization undergoing hardships and could use a few helping hands, please contact Green Genies.

Send résumés to [email protected]. For more information, call 518-813-7366 or visit GreenCleaning-Services.com.

Harvest Time at the Co-Op

The Honest Weight Food Co-op is proud to showcase the amazing products created by our area’s local

growers and producers, and this year is no different. The number of local growers and producers (and diversity of local products) is growing, with products from more than 290 local farms and 320 local producers. Depending on the weather, growing season goes through early October, when some of the most unique lo-cal items come in, like Romaneco cauliflower. Local food

is not only delicious and nutritious, it’s great for our local economy by keeping shopping dollars in the community. The locally owned and operated natural foods grocery store has been serving the Capital Region since 1976. As a cooperative, they are owned by almost 11,000 shareholders, but anyone can shop or join. They also provide free cooking and educational classes and services to the public.

Location; 100 Watervliet Ave., Albany. For more information and class schedules, call 518-482-2667 or visit HonestWeight.coop. See ad, page 18.


newsbriefs

Nutritional Therapy Now Available in Ballston Spa

Primal Bliss Nutrition, offering nutritional

therapy services, is open at 18 Low Street, in Ballston Spa, with an office inside of Living Well. With her new practice, Kathryn Kos is bringing nutritional therapy to the Capital Region because, as she notes, “Many medical doctors do not link disease with diet. So people find they have to seek help elsewhere.” Kos is the author of an e-book, Joshua’s Primal Lunchbox, which shares more than 50 real food school lunches, snack ideas and information on feeding chil-dren. She has also blogged about nutrition for more than a year and shares real food recipes and articles pertaining to nutrition and healing. She has been a “primal chef” in a primal cooking workshop series featuring world-famous real food experts, authors and speakers, and speaks at events on dif-ferent health topics, such as feeding children. Kos states, “The payoff of hiring a nutritional therapist is that you will have the tools necessary to heal your digestion, balance your blood sugar and hormones, increase your energy, increase your self-awareness, decrease inflammation, feel younger, stabilize your moods and more.

For more information, call Kathryn Kos at 518-260-9749 or visit PrimalBlissNutrition.com. See ad, page 13.

Bike Sharing Wheels Its Way into the Capital District

The Capital District Transportation Committee (CDTC) is launching a pilot automated bicycle

sharing system this summer beginning in Sche-nectady, followed by Troy, Saratoga Springs and Albany. The program will spend a week in each city and allow registered riders to grab one of 25 bicycles at kiosks. Committee officials say they’ll use the weeklong trials to gauge regional inter-est in the program, which is being run by Buffalo BikeShare. The company has operated a similar program in the Buffalo area for two years. Participants will be asked to complete a short survey and the CDTC will compile usage data generated from each city to see where the bicycles were most utilized. Locations are planned to include Jay Street at State Street, in Schenectady, Riverfront Park, in Troy, Broadway at Division Street, in Saratoga Springs, and Washington Park, in Albany. A credit card will be required as security to borrow one of the bicy-cles, but cyclists will then be able to use the bikes in any city during any week of the pilot program. A similar automated bike-sharing program is under way at the Skidmore Col-lege campus, in Saratoga Springs, where it is free for students and faculty.

For more information, visit CapitalMoves.org/capital-region-bikeshare-month.


Experience the Saratoga Stress Reduction Program

One Roof, A Holistic Health Center in the heart of Saratoga Springs, is offer-

ing the Saratoga Stress Reduction Program, an eight-week stress reduction and pain management course taught by Dr. Selma Nemer, Caroline Russell Smith and Pierre Zimmerman. Classes begin from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m., September 9 and 13. The program is grounded in practice and science. Students learn multiple forms of mindfulness meditation, as well as the latest neuroscience findings about the impact of mindfulness on the brain and our ability to heal. While the program is very personal and therapeutic, it is also solidly practical and offers concrete approaches to dealing with physical and emotional distress. This course is based on the program created by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. One Roof has offered this program since 2005 and produced more than 1,000 graduates. The majority of participants use their health insurance to help cover program costs.

To register or for more information, contact Dr. Selma Nemer at 518-581-3180, ext. 307 or visit SaratogaStressReduction.com. See ad, page 47.

Getting a HANDLE on Autism

A community presentation and level I course on the Ho-listic Approach to Neuro-Development and Learning

Efficiency (HANDLE)—A New Paradigm for Understand-ing Sensitivities in a Stressful World, will take place from noon to 1 p.m. and 6 to 7:30 p.m., August 4, at Honest Weight Food Co-op, and from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., August 9, at the Mildred Elley College School of Massage. If loved ones are struggling with learning, motor skills, attention or behavior, discover why parents, teachers, therapists and health care providers worldwide find that HANDLE helps. Increase potential for under-standing and learn how to be gentle and honor signs of stress. Developed by Judith Bluestone, author of The Fabric of Autism, HANDLE is a gentle and powerful, respectful, non-invasive and non-drug approach to enhancing all forms of learn-ing, both in children and adults.

The presentation is free, but there is a fee for the class. Locations: Honest Weight, 100 Watervliet Ave., Albany; Mildred Elley, 855 Central Ave., Albany. For registration and more information, call Elizabeth Frishkoff, MSW, at 413-528-0477 or visit Handle.org.


newsbriefs

New Organic Bug Balm for Hot Summer Nights

Saratoga Botanicals Organic Spa and Store has released a new product that

is gaining quite a buzz. Bug Repellent is made with 100 percent organic ingredi-ents, contains neem oil and is formulated to keep mosquitos, black flies and even ticks at bay. Modern research has shown that pure neem seed oil is non-toxic to mammals and is a very effective antisep-tic, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral and an anti-bug agent. With summer comes the onset of mosquitos, black flies and ticks, Lyme disease is on the rise and mosquitos have been known to carry disease, so having a safe preventative solution for biting insects is important. Neem oil has been used for more than 5,000 years in Indian medicine to assist in the healing of skin disorders and as a natural insect repel-lent. It has a very strong odor that is often described as a blend of nut and garlic. Bug Repellant is available in a mini-balm size and a larger, 2.3-ounce super-sized balm to take on hiking trips, picnics or wherever the bugs may roam.

Store and spa location: 80 Henry St., Saratoga Springs. For more information, visit SaratogaBotanicals.com. See ad, page 35.

Crossroads Gifts and Wellness Expands

The connecting space between Crossroads

and the former Zaria & Bella’s is now open at 133 Jay Street, in Sche-nectady. Retail items have been moved into the new space and owner Elisa-beth Rolfe explains, “We plan to add more local

food, bulk and grocery items into the original space.” The expansion will allow for more live music, classes and workshop offerings. A new Healing Room is also in the works to be added later this year, where therapeutic and intuitive modalities will be available.

For more information, call 518-357-8366 or visit CrossroadsGallery.com.

Special Massage and Detox Package in Delmar

Joan Bender, a certified health coach, and Magi Thayer, a li-

censed massage therapist, have teamed up to offer a special detox package that includes a one-week menu of healthy, nat-urally detoxing foods, grocery list, recipes and a 45-minute health coaching session, along with one Thai herbal compress massage that uses a therapeutic

blend of herbs and steam to further assist the detox process. The exclusive $60 price ($120 value) is valid through Sep-tember 30 by appointment only. Take-home items include menu, recipes and an herbal compress. Detoxing can improve how we look, feel and live. Our bodies are regularly exposed to toxins from the environment and foods that we eat. As the body releases toxins, it is better able to absorb nutrients and eliminate waste. Thai herbal massage further enhances this process by stimulating the circulatory and lymphatic systems. The end result is less pain, strengthened immune system and increased energy.

Location: Delmar Massage, within Delmar Wellness, 323 Delaware Ave., Delmar. To schedule an appointment, call 518-588-8597. See ad, page 15.

Joan Bender (left) and Magi Thayer


The ZYTO Scan is Available in Clifton Park

Dr. Joseph Gulyas, at Northeast Spine & Wellness, in Clifton Park,

is offering a special discount for peo-ple to experience the power of the ZYTO Scan for $40, which includes a consultation with the doctor to review the results. Health practitioners use ZYTO products to help them make better decisions for their patients and clients. Getting a ZYTO biocommunication scan is a quick and painless process. Patients place their hand on a small hand cradle just a bit larger than a computer mouse. During the scan, subtle energetic impulses are introduced to the body, which naturally responds to this communication and the ZYTO software records each response. The device records the bio-frequency of each bio-marker in the body and re-cords those out of range or out of balance and then gives a picture of all bio-markers that are out of range.

Location: 1741 Rte. 9. For more information, call 518-371-4800 or visit drgulyas.com. See ad, page 37.

Unique Prosperity Guide Book Penned by Local Professional

Laurie Bonser, CF, of Changing Times Planning has written a new book,

Financial Stewardship: A Guide for Personal Financial Health and Wellness. This unique guide begins with why and how to shift the old perceptions of per-sonal finances from a numbers-oriented, standalone, judgment-filled view to a rewarding one that encompasses our core intentions, individual needs and goals, and ownership for all aspects of our health and wellness. A word deck in the middle provides guidance and thoughtful questions to help create personal stew-ardship path and figure out what is really important. Chapters that specifically cover financial planning topics contain plain language information and explanations to help increase knowl-edge and confidence when applying financial stewardship goals in actual planning conversations and decisions. Concise in organization, each paragraph is packed with in-formation to be reviewed and used as often as needed to accom-plish goals. The format, layout and expectations stimulate new perspectives that will transform financial health and wellness.

The book, published by Shires Press, is available at book-stores and online. Northshire Bookstore, in Saratoga Springs and Manchester, VT, is featuring the title at Northshire.com. For more information, visit ChangingTimesPlanning.com or call Bonser at 518-312-7980 for a personal consultation. See ad, page 25.


newsbriefsKick Cancer’s A-- at Peaceful Acres Horses

The Kick Cancer’s A-- Music and Wellness Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., September 13,

at Peaceful Acres Horses, in Pattersonville, to introduce people to the healing nature of wellness and rejuvenation therapies. Professional facilitators will offer guided medita-tion, massage, acupressure, yoga, dance, exercise, Reiki, craniosacral therapy and modalities that help assist the mind, body, spirit to better accept healing.

Participants will enjoy activities and sample programs of wellness therapies, nutritious food, craft booths and information booths staffed by organizations that serve people surpassing cancer. From 1 to 9 p.m., everyone is invited to a high-energy live music on three stages.

Peaceful Acres Horses Inc., a rescue sanctuary for horses and people, is located at 3740 Rynex Corners Rd. For more information, call 518-887-3278 or visit PeacefulAcresHorses.com. See ad, page 3.

Breaking Boundaries and Reclaiming Passion

Professional astrologer Lisa Verschoor, owner of Avalon Astrology, and medium Corbie Mitleid will present a workshop, Breaking Through Boundaries, Claim-

ing Your Passion, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., September 25, at the Red Lion Inn, in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Verschoor offers comprehensive astrological services to clients worldwide with expertise that spans nearly 30 years. She has taught workshops for the past two decades and hosts a weekly show, Star Tracks, on Berkshire Community Radio. “Astrology never ceases to amaze me,” states Verschoor. “It’s one of those things that seeps into your blood like an IV drip and over a period of time, just sort of becomes a way of looking at life.”

Snacks and workshop materials are included. All participants will also be given a 20 percent discount for a one-hour astrological consultation with Verschoor and intuitive counseling session with Mitleid. Location: 30 Main St., Stockbridge, MA. For reservations, call Lisa at 800-224-1020 or visit AvalonAstrology.net.

Composting Services for Capital Region Businesses and Residents

Empire Zero offers a residential compost

recycling program for the Capital Region in which they pick up food waste from home or office and bring it to local compost facilities to be turned into black gold. Their Curbside Residential Composting Program is celebrating its first anniversary by moving out of pilot phase and into regular service. Empire Zero is now able to help lo-cal residents compost their food scraps (including meat, bones, dairy and food-soiled paper products) in a growing number of Capital District communi-ties. In addition, they can always be found at the Delmar Farmers’ Market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. most Saturdays through the summer and fall. Empire Zero provides a convenient and inexpensive way for households, small businesses and offices to improve their ecological footprint by recycling their food waste into a beneficial soil amendment. Plus, it’s a local family-owned company based out of Albany.

For more information, call 518-472-0222 or visit EmpireZeroWaste.com/residential.


Holistic Nurses Share Their Talents

The Albany Holistic Nurses Society, Inc. (AHNS) of-

fers support and information for nurses and interested individuals. They hold meetings at 6 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month from September through June on the Ellis Hospital Campus. Founded in 1987 by a group of nurses interested in a holistic approach to nursing care, AHNS believes in the importance of car-ing for the whole person—body, mind and spirit, and in the inter-ventions, attitude and intention that support individuals’ natural healing abilities. AHNS is a welcoming place for individuals to benefit from a network of supportive peers that can be advocates for patients’ rights to select integrated medicine in all healthcare systems. Many members provide several types of healing modalities. A monthly newsletter, The New Dawn in Nursing, contains information for members about the current speaker or activity. For 25 years, AHNS has pro-vided support and education for nurses, healthcare professionals, practitioners and interested indi-viduals. Their meetings are a space for complementary and alterna-tive practitioners to present their knowledge, skills, and share their experiences. Upcoming meet-ing presentations will focus on homeopathy, aromatherapy, Reiki, Healing Touch, acupressure, mas-sage, meditation, music therapy and more.

Membership is $20. Meetings with presentations are $5 for members and $10 for non-members Loca-tion: 600 McClellan St., Schenect-ady. For more information, call Sandra Marnell at 518-875-6050 or visit AlbanyHolisticNurses.org.


healthbriefs

Tough Family Life Linked to Chromosome Aging

When Princeton Univer-sity researchers ana-

lyzed data from a representa-tive sample of 40 African-American boys enrolled in the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study that fol-lowed children born in major U.S. cities between 1998 and

2000, they determined that those that lived through 9 years of age with less-stable families, such as parents with multiple partners and harsh or hostile parenting styles, had a higher probability of having shorter telomeres compared with other children. Telomeres were, on average, 40 percent longer among children from stable families. Telomeres are the segments of DNA at either end of a chromosome that protect the ends from deterioration or fu-sion with neighboring chromosomes. Shorter telomeres can decrease life expectancy by reducing the number of times our cells can divide, and scientists are discovering that a person’s living environment may lead to the condition. Using large cohort (age group) study data from the Neth-erlands Study of Depression and Anxiety, another group of re-searchers from Amsterdam’s Vrije University found significantly shorter telomere length among those with higher stress markers; the shorter length was also associated with aging approximately 10 years faster. In addition, the scientists observed significantly shorter telomere length among people with depressive symp-toms lasting longer than four years; the shorter length correlated with both longer and more severe depression.

Parents’ Smoking Linked to Artery Damage in ChildrenResearchers from Austra-

lia’s University of Tasma-nia have found that children exposed to the secondhand smoke of their parents will likely face abnormally thickened carotid arteries later in life. The finding, pub-lished in the European Heart Journal, followed 3,776 children that participated in the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study and the Childhood Determinants of Adult Health Study. The children were divided into groups according to whether neither parent smoked, one parent smoked or both parents smoked. Questionnaire results were combined with ultrasound testing to correlate exposure during childhood with the health of carotid arteries, and researchers conclud-ed that the effects are pervasive even 25 years later. Those exposed to two parental smokers as children had significantly greater thickness of inner carotid artery walls than did children with non-smoking parents. Their arteries also showed signs of premature aging of more than three years compared to children of nonsmokers. The researchers wrote, “There must be continued efforts to reduce smoking among adults to protect young people and to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease across the population.”


Flaxseed Lowers Blood PressureEating flaxseed reduces blood pressure, according to

researchers from Canada’s St. Boniface Hospital Re-search Center. They attribute the effect to its omega-3 fatty acids, lignans and fiber. The researchers examined the effects of flaxseed on systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with peripheral artery disease, a condition typically marked by hypertension. Patients consumed a variety of foods that collectively contained 30 grams of milled flaxseed or a placebo each day for six months. The flaxseed group experienced significantly increased plasma levels of certain omega-3 fatty acids and lower average systolic blood pressure (by 10 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (by 7 mm Hg). Those in the flaxseed group with initial sys-tolic blood pressure levels over 140 mmHg saw reductions averaging 15 mmHg.

HEELLESS SHOES MAY HELP PREVENT RUNNERS’ INJURIESA British study published in Footwear

Science analyzed the effects of run-ning in experimental heelless footwear compared with conventional running shoes with reinforced heels. The objective was to see if the heelless footwear would reduce the risk of chronic injury related to the habitual rear-foot strike pattern as-sociated with conventional heeled shoes. Using eight cameras with opto-electric running motion capture tech-nology,12 male runners were tracked at four meters per second. The heelless running shoe resulted in less impact, greater plantar flexion and greater ankle eversion (rolling outward). The researchers concluded that the heelless shoes decreased the risk of chronic running foot injuries linked to exces-sive impact forces, but concede they may increase injury potential associated with excessive ankle eversion.

Pine Bark Extract Reduces Perimenopausal Symptoms

Research published in the Journal of Reproduc-tive Medicine confirms that pine bark extract can

significantly reduce symptoms of menopause and perimenopause, including restless legs syndrome and hot flashes. For three months, 170 perimenopausal women were given 30 milligrams of Pycnogenol patented pine bark extract or a placebo twice a day.

Although a placebo effect was noted, the supplement significantly improved all but two symptoms and was especially effective in improving vasomotor and insomnia/sleep patterns. The severity of symptoms among the Pycnogenol group, as measured by the Kupperman Index, decreased 56 percent more than for the placebo group. In another study, scientists from Italy’s Pescara University gave 70 perimeno-pausal women a placebo or 100 milligrams of Pycnogenol daily for two months. The supplement group experienced fewer menopausal symptoms and showed im-provements with symptoms that include fatigue, insomnia, reduced concentration, memory problems, dizziness, depression and irritability.

Medicinal Mushrooms Boost Athletic Performance

Research from Italy’s Pavia University found two medicinal mushroom species—cordyceps

(Cordyceps sinensis) and reishi (Ganoderma lu-cidum)—significantly improve race performances and recovery times among competitive cyclists. The researchers studied seven male cyclists that had competitively raced for more than 10 years. For

one month, they were given placebo supplements, after which the researchers tested their performance and recovery during races and workouts. Then, for the next three months, the cyclists daily used medicinal mushroom supplementation. The research-ers found the mushrooms significantly increased performance and recovery in both workouts and races compared with the placebo period. The two types of mushrooms both boosted testosterone levels and reduced post-workout cortisol levels. The mushroom supplementation also increased their antioxidant status, reducing their risk of exhaustion.


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

Fitness UpdateHealthiest U.S. Metro Areas in 2014

The American College of Sports Medi-cine’s (ACSM) seventh annual Ameri-can Fitness Index (AFI) ranks Wash-ington, D.C., at the top with a score of 77.3 (out of 100), followed by Minneapolis-St. Paul (73.5), Portland, Oregon (72.1) Denver (71.7) and San Francisco (71). New York City ranked 24th with a score of 51.5. Overall, metro areas in 25 states scored 50 or above; the two lowest-ranking hov-ered near 25 points.

“The AFI data report is a snapshot of the state of health in the community and an evaluation of the infrastructure, community assets and policies that encourage healthy and fit lifestyles. These measures directly affect quality of life in our coun-try’s urban areas,” says Walter Thompson, Ph.D., chair of the AFI advisory board.

Find the complete report at AmericanFitnessIndex.org.

Dirty WatersTrenton to Chicago via Eco-Outrigger Margo Pellegrino, a homemaker, mother of two and healthy oceans advocate from Medford Lakes, New Jersey, will begin a 1,600-mile jour-ney from nearby Trenton to Chicago, Illinois, by outrigger canoe on August 13 as part of Blue Frontier Campaign’s ocean explorers project. During her two-month trip, she’ll meet with local environmental groups and the media to raise awareness of the urgent need to clean America’s waterways. “All water and everything in it ends up in the ocean,” Pellegrino says. “Plastics and chemicals are particular problems, but soil runoff during floods and heavy rains also impact the ocean and marine life.” During previous paddles, Pellegrino saw firsthand the effects of dumped industrial waste in the waterways she traversed. She notes that nationally, oil rig operators have federal permits to dump 9 billion gal-lons of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, waste into the ocean each year. On Pellegrino’s first trip in 2007, she paddled nearly 2,000 miles up the Atlantic Coast, from Miami, Florida, to Maine. In 2009, she partnered with the Natural Resources Defense Council to go from Miami to New Orleans, Louisiana, to build support for a Healthy Oceans Act (OnEarth.org/author/healthyoceanspaddle). In 2010, she canoed along the Pacific coastline from Seattle, Washington, to San Diego, California. Next summer, Pellegrino plans to paddle down the Mississippi River.

Follow her upcoming trip at Miami-2Maine.com or on Facebook.


ecotipNew School Rules Eco Strategies for Back-to-School PrepFamilies preparing for the coming school year will welcome easy ways to stretch the budget while protecting the environment our kids are growing up in.

n Buying new clothes can be expensive, and most of today’s synthetic fibers are petroleum-based, while toxic pesticides are commonly used to grow cotton. For healthier alternatives, check labels for clothes made from organic, low-impact or recycled materials such as organic cotton, hemp, bamboo or recycled fibers. Inexpensive options are found in Salvation Army and other thrift store locations, as well as repurposing hand-me-downs among siblings.

n Avoid buying all new school supplies. Gently used binders and book bags can last years. Sturdy, simple backpacks skip the cost of faddish brand-name and celebrity products. For supplies that must be replenished, like paper, seek out post-consumer-recycled options.

n For lunch boxes, food containers and utensils, look for retro metal, a cloth bag and other alternatives to plastic (which can contain harmful chemicals) and glass (which can break). Beth Terry, in her book, Plastic-Free: How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too (MyPlasticFreeLife.com), suggests searching Mighty Nest.com and LifeWithoutPlastic.com, makers of stainless steel, naturally lacquered wood and other non-plastic, durable children’s bowls, cups, plates and utensils.

n Healthy afterschool extracurricular activities today typically require driving commutes. Look into carpooling with nearby families to save time and gas, cut vehicle emissions and expand friendships.

n Check the school’s eco-practices. Encourage local administrators to conduct re-cycling programs and to email documents to parents instead of using regular mail.

True GritWhy Persistence CountsSome educators believe that improve-ments in instruction, curriculum and school environments are not enough to raise the achievement levels of all stu-dents, especially disadvantaged children. Also necessary is a quality called “grit”, loosely defined as persistence over time to overcome challenges and accomplish big goals. Grit comprises a suite of traits and behaviors that include goal-direct-edness (knowing where to go and how to get there); motivation (having a strong will to achieve identified goals); self-con-trol (avoiding distractions and focusing on the task at hand); and a positive mind-set (embracing challenges and viewing failure as a learning opportunity). A meta-study of 25 years of research by John Hattie and Helen Timperley, professors at the University of Aukland, New Zealand, has shown that giving students challenging goals encourages greater effort and per-sistence than providing vague or no direction. Students aren’t hardwired for these qualities, but grit can be devel-oped through an emerging battery of evidence-based techniques that give educators a powerful new set of tools to support student success. A famous example of the power of self-regulation was observed when pre-schoolers that were able to withstand the temptation of eating a marshmallow for 15 minutes to receive a second one were more successful in high school and scored about 210 points higher on their SATs later in life than those with less willpower (Tinyurl.com/Stanford MarshallowStudy).

Source: ascd.org.


actionalertDangerous Influx Gas Pipeline Pumps Radioactive Radon into HomesIn New York City, the Spectra gas pipeline that went online in 2013 is deliver-ing more than just energy-efficient, clean-burning natural gas from Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale. It’s also piping radioactive radon gas that’s contaminating commercial and residential boilers, ovens, stoves, dryers and water heaters at 30 to 80 times baseline levels—well above the U.S. Envi-ronmental Protection Agency safe level for radiation exposure. According to Dr. Sheila Bushkin-Bedient, with the Univer-sity of Albany, New York, “While it may be possible to remove other components of raw natural gas such as ethane, propane, butane and pentanes at natural gas pro-cessing centers, it’s not possible to remove radioactive substances such as radon. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and the second-leading cause among smokers and indirect (secondhand) smokers.” The Spectra conduit is one of hundreds of pipelines and fossil fuel infrastructure proj-ects across the country being quickly approved by the Federal Energy and Regulatory Commis-sion. Citizens should demand that elected officials connect the dots and halt the uncontrolled rush to drill new sites regardless of safety concerns and let them know people are alarmed by the possibility of radioactive gas entering their communities.

To learn more, visit MariasFarm CountryKitchen.com/radon-gas.


businessspotlight

The Center for Natural Wellness (CNW) offers

programs that train people to become massage therapists; continuing education classes for currently licensed massage therapists, physical therapists and athletic trainers; and opportunities for the pub-lic to enjoy reduced-rate massages at their student clinic. In 1998, the Center for Natural Wellness, at the time a holistic natural foods and herb store, opened a massage therapy school to provide high-quality education for students seeking a career in therapeutic massage and bodywork. CNW School of Massage Therapy was the first and still is still the only school dedicated completely to massage therapy training in the Capital District. Executive Director Lisa Satalino states, “Bodywork is the focus or our school. We don’t have other programs to distract us from our mission. We are not a franchise. CNW stands out in excellence as demonstrated by our

statistically high gradu-ation rate, New York State exam pass rate and job placement rate. CNW provides training for a fulfill-ing, flexible career in a growing field. Our graduates are working in settings from spas to hospitals, creating

their own businesses in every possible venue including home offices, traveling clients’ homes and providing massage services at festivals and concerts.” CNW is New York State approved/registered and accredited by ACCSC. It is also approved as a sponsor of continu-ing education for massage therapists, physical therapists and physical therapy assistants by the New York State Edu-cation Department, Office of Profes-sions. Further, CNW is recognized by the Board of Certification, Inc., to offer continuing education for BOC certified athletic trainers and approved by the Na-tional Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education approved provider. The Red Pines Training Center is the

premier source for New York State-ap-proved CE hours for LMT, PT, PTA and AT in the Capital District. Since 2003, highly qualified instructors, some of which are nationally renowned, have been offering courses in an array of modalities. CNW has 50 employees that per-form a wide variety of tasks, from teach-ing bodywork skills to visiting area high schools to educate students, teachers and guidance counselors about the fast-growing field of massage therapy. CNW also has a highly qualified staff of more than 50 continuing education faculty, all with exceptional experience and insight into the world of allied health, offering a diverse assortment of workshops in an array of modalities, both hands-on and online. CNW also maintains a well-stocked retail outlet for bodywork and aromatherapy supplies, books, reference materials and gifts. There will be an open house at 6 p.m., August 5, and a Massage Explora-tion workshop on 6 p.m., August 19. Fall classes begin in September. There is full calendar of continuing education classes almost every weekend, with Fascia Week taking place from August 25 to 29. Special weekday classes, reduced prices and exciting topics will explore the fascial system. See the web-site for full details.

Location: 3 Cerone Commercial Dr., Albany. For more information, call 518-489-4026 or visit cnwsmt.com and Facebook.com/cnwsmt. See ad, page 23.

Center for Natural Wellness School of Massage Therapy

Red Pines Training Center for Continuing Education


Carving out time from crammed calendars for a week or more away from home can pose such a

hurdle that more than half of all Ameri-can workers forfeit hard-earned vaca-tion days every year. Sometimes a long weekend in an inspiring locale is all we need to recharge our batteries. Short vacations invite welcome rest and relaxation and are often more sus-tainable, according to Gary Diedrichs, publisher of the online Green Traveler Guides (GreenTravelerGuides.com). “Airplanes pollute more than any other form of travel. When you take shorter trips by other means, whether bicycle or a hybrid rental car, you’re way ahead environmentally,” says Diedrichs, whose family enjoys road-tripping in an old Mercedes converted to run on recycled vegetable oil. For families, short, sweet trips are also easier to do with the kids in tow. “It’s also an opportunity for par-ents to reinforce that living sustainably isn’t just something you do at home,” notes Diedrichs.

healingways

We can prescribe—and reward—ourselves with one of the following mini-vacations, whether it’s a trip to a green spa if we’re stressed or a hike in a park or the woods if we’ve been sedentary.

Travel on tracks to trails. Leave behind stressful traffic and uninspiring highway views by hopping a train to a nearby state or national park. Riders can venture through a variety of terrains without leaving their seats. Amtrak reaches more than 237 national parks and monuments (AmtrakToParks.com), many of which offer stunning back-drops for outdoor music festivals. A rail-to-park adventure can rekindle old friendships with faraway, but not forgotten friends. Draw a circle encompassing everyone’s location and pick a park within the perimeter as the meet-up spot, distributing the travel burden equally. Agree beforehand which friends bring which essential camping equipment, food and other provisions so that everyone travels light. Traversing trails is a fun, bonding experience.

Summer Mini-GetawaysGreen Travelers Recharge

at Spas, Parks and Vineyardsby April Thompson


Go farm to fork. Escape city crowds, live bucolic fantasies and learn about sustainable agriculture during a farm stay. Organic family farms across the country offer overnight accommoda-tions to supplement farming incomes and connect with local consumers. Farm life is about simple pleasures, like waking to a rooster’s call and then digging into a farm-fresh breakfast of free-range eggs, accompanied by home-made bread, cheese, jam and honey. Afterwards, stroll an apple orchard or fragrant field of lavender. Most farms allow guests to pitch in with the chores, maybe feeding chickens, milking cows, picking cherries or making yogurt. Find a place nearby at FarmStayUS.com.

Renew your spirit. Reconnect with your faith or explore a new spiri-tual calling with a short stay at a retreat center. Some

furnish structured guided sessions, such as vipassanã Buddhism’s silent retreats, at which participants sit in meditation eight hours a day without access to me-

dia or other distractions. Other centers assist guests in creating self-directed retreats tailored to personal goals. Grounds often feature sacred spaces like labyrinths or meditation gardens, providing an inspiring environment to contemplate one’s spiritual journey. RetreatFinder.com supplies a comprehensive listing of possibilities conducive to every spiritual persua-sion, from Anglican to Zen, across the country and worldwide.

Taste the terroir. A long weekend amidst vineyards can be a refreshing way to simultaneously explore the countryside and refine our wine pal-ate. Along with tastings, some vintners provide tours of their vineyards and cellars, including insights into the characteristics of local terroirs that give each vintage its distinctive taste. Some also have bed and breakfast inns onsite, eliminating the need for a designated driver. The site WineriesByState.com lists domestic wineries in all 50 states; KennUncorked.com provides informa-tion about biodynamic and organic winemakers.

Pamper your body. Visiting a green destination spa is a soothing way to detox from stress while indulg-ing in corporeal

treats like a hot stone massage, aroma-therapy treatment or rose petal bath. Green spas use natural products such as unbleached organic linens and botani-cally derived oils, which are gentler on skin. Most practice sustainability in other areas as well, such as water management, energy use and waste re-duction. Search for the perfect getaway treat at GreenSpaNetwork.org. Numerous farms, spas, parks and vineyards are waiting to be explored; many nearby that we may overlook draw visitors from around the world. “Local travel gives us a chance to dig more deeply into the places that surround us,” says Diedrichs. “We can have fun play-ing tourists in our own backyards and support sustainable, local businesses we discover along the way.”

Connect with freelance writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com.


wisewords

For 738 days, Julia Butterfly Hill lived in the canopy of an

ancient redwood tree called Luna to increase awareness of threats to our ancient forests. Her courageous act of civil disobedience gained international attention for California’s redwoods, together with related ecological and social justice issues. When she claimed victory for Luna on December 18, 1999, she was recognized worldwide as both a heroine and powerful voice for the environment. Today, Butterfly Hill’s commitment to such causes continues to inspire people worldwide. She has helped found and launch a host of nonprofit organizations and currently serves as ambassador for the Pollination Project, which awards $1,000 a day to individu-

The Power of OneJulia Butterfly Hill Asks,

‘What’s Your Tree?’by Judith Fertig

als making a positive dif-ference. The impassioned activist is the inspiration for the What’s Your Tree initiative and also leads workshops at eco-villages such as Findhorn, in Scot-land, and Damanhur, in Italy. She lives in Belize, where she describes her life as, “Before tree, dur-

ing tree and after tree.”

What prompted your life shift from being the daughter of a traveling preacher to an envi-ronmental activist? Before Tree, when I was 22, I was rear-ended by a drunk driver and spent 10 months recovering. As I got better physically, I realized that my whole life had been out of balance. I had been working nonstop since graduating from high school—obsessed by my career,

worldly success and material things. This pivotal experience woke me to the importance of the moment and do-ing whatever I can to make a positive impact on the future.

How did you come to climb up a 1,000-plus-year-old redwood tree and stay there for two years? After I recovered from the accident, I went on a road trip to California. There, I volunteered at a reggae festival. That year, the event was dedicated to the protection of ancient forests. I listened and learned from the speakers and activists passionate about educating people on the destructive logging prac-tices of the Maxxam-controlled Pacific Lumber Company. Returning to my place in Arkan-sas, I sold everything I owned and re-turned to California to see how I could help. Earth First! was doing tree-sits to call attention to the urgent need to protect ancient trees, and they needed someone to stay in a redwood tree so the loggers couldn’t cut it down; because nobody else volunteered, they had to pick me. On December 10, 1997, I put on the harness and ascended Luna, 180 feet up. What I thought would be three or four weeks in the tree turned into two years and eight days. I returned to the ground only after the company agreed to protect Luna and the sur-rounding grove.

What are some of the legacies of your incredible feat?The Luna experience brought interna-


tional attention to the plight of the last dwindling stands of ancient redwoods. After Tree, I was asked to speak about the issue all over the world. My best-selling book, The Legacy of Luna, has been translated into 11 languages. A follow-up environmental handbook is titled One Makes the Difference. It all inspires concerned citizens to take action in their own communities.

Now, as a yoga enthusiast, vegan, peacemaker and anti-disposable activist, how do you stay true to yourself and model the changes you champion?I am committed to living with as much integrity, joy and love as I can. If we want to see something in the world, then we have to live it. Like I learn in yoga, I aim to stretch into my life and breathe and see what opens up, trusting that clarity and growth will emerge in the process. On a personal ecology level, I love swimming in the sea and the sound of the waves rolling over the reef. I love being at home, mixing fresh masa to make tamales and listening to the birds singing as they sway from the palm branches and bougainvillea. These are the moments that make my soul sing.

How has believing in one person’s power to change the world led you to ask, “What’s Your Tree?”Service is core to my being. It gives purpose and joy to my life. The What’s Your Tree project helps people connect with a place of deep purpose that helps guide their lives, choices and actions.

Learn more at WhatsYourTree.org and JuliaButterfly.com.

Judith Fertig blogs at AlfrescoFood AndLifestyle.blogspot.com from Overland Park, KS.

I am committed to living with as much integrity, joy

and love as I can. If we want to see

something in the world, then we have to live it.


In the 30 years since Harrison Owen introduced

Open Space Technol-ogy (OST), it has been used hundreds of thousands of times by three-quarters of the world’s countries. Whether a few people gather in a circle to share ideas and brainstorm personal issues or thou-sands discuss a bulletin board of topics around tables, OST is a safe, informal venue for transformative learning. Guided by purpose-based, shared leadership, it allows individuals focused on a specific task to freely speak their thoughts and be heard. It also encour-ages breakout groups to mine for more information—learning individually, as well as collectively, and self-organizing in order to concentrate on more com-plex topics. “Boeing engineers used OST to learn how to redesign airplane doors and young Egyptians used it to strategize for their Arab Spring,” as examples, comments Owen.

Circle PrincipleFor Owen, like Jack Mezirow, author of the paper, “Core Principles of Transfor-mative Learning Theory,” 20th-century Brazilian educator Paulo Freire and Juanita Brown, co-founder of The World

Café, learning is transformation, the

keystone of life, and the essence of meaningful

education. “The circle principle con-tains the predictability of fresh, emerg-ing thoughts and learning that never occurred previously,” explains Owen. He points to an experiment regarding children’s capacity for self-learning initiated by Sugata Mitra, Ph.D., the former science director of an educational technology firm in India. On the outside wall of the building where he worked, Mitra installed a computer facing a New Delhi slum where most children were unschooled and illiterate and had never seen a computer. He turned it on and told children they could play with it. Via a noninvasive video camera, he watched 7-to-13-year-olds discover how to use the computer and teach each other how to play music and games and draw using Microsoft’s Paint program. Repetition of the experiment in other impoverished sections of India yielded similar results. Wherever he established an Internet connection, children that could not read English, the Internet’s default language, taught themselves how to use the Web to ob-

tain information through their interac-tions with each other and the computer. “I agree with what Mitra surmised from his experiment—learning is emer-gent, which is another word for self-organizing,” remarks Owen. Like Freire, Owen likens traditional education to the “banking” method of learning, whereby the teacher passes information to students that become dependent on someone else rather than learning how to think on their own. Suzanne Daigle, a Sarasota, Florida-based consultant with a Cana-dian multidisciplinary consulting firm, explains how the OST learning environ-ment changed her life: “My personal transformation began in 2009. Even though I was a leader in my corporate career, I doubted myself and often be-lieved that what others had to say was more significant and interesting than what I could express.” Now she says she has shed her people-pleasing tendencies and former attempts to control other people’s agen-das and discovered the freedom and courage of her own voice. “As an OST facilitator, my life work now occurs in the moments I am collaboratively learning and listening for opportunities to enter into meaningful conversations that can lead to actions,” says Daigle. “I invite others to do the same.”

Co-LearningIn a compulsory two-year Theory of Learning class for an International Bac-calaureate degree at California’s Grana-das Hill Charter High School, math and science educator Anais Arteaga helps students apply two major elements of transformative learning: self-reflection to critique one’s own assumptions and discourse through which they question or validate their judgments. She focuses on the roles that perception, language, reason and emotion play in a student’s learning and decision-making abilities. “Questions and lively discussions are the basis of the class,” Arteaga says. “We begin with a question and explore what we know, how we know it and any conclusions drawn from the process.” Using a democratic model in which the teacher welcomes critical discussion, Arteaga and her students have mutually discovered that knowl-

Learning that Transforms Hearts and Minds

Rethinking How We See Our World Changes Everything

by Linda Sechrist


edge is not static, but has a history and changes over time. “When we first started the class, it was challenging to accept that in many situa-tions there is no right or wrong, just relativity and a mat-ter of perception. We don’t really know any-thing for certain,” she remarks.

Worldview ExplorationsKatia Petersen, Ph.D., is the executive director of education at the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS), headquar-tered in Petaluma, California. She co-developed the tools, practices and 22 lessons in the pioneering organization’s Worldview Explorations (WE) project. Founded on 40 years of IONS research, WE engages everyone in age-appropri-ate ways in reflecting upon long-held assumptions and how beliefs create the lens they see through, ultimately improving how they understand and respond to the world. “When individuals understand the power of offering their story and are open to the worldview stories of oth-ers, they no longer focus attention on differences and limitations,” says Petersen. “They realize that everyone has their own truth. “WE’s transformative learn-ing experiences draw from the heart and soul of individuals, rather than stuffing heads with ideas and perspectives, which serves them well as they embody and apply these tools and practices in their daily lives.” She cites a particularly powerful moment for a group of young people she worked with. “A student was killed in a drive-by shooting two weeks before their certification. The transformative moment came when they said that their new awareness and capacity for com-passion and understanding would not allow them to seek revenge. Instead, they chose to save lives in their com-munities using their new skills.”

World Café Like OST, the World Café, co-created by Brown and David Isaacs, of Burns-

ville, North Carolina, creates a transformative learning environment for individu-als of all ages. Its primary principles are: set the con-

text, create hospitable space, explore questions that matter, encourage everyone’s con-tributions, connect diverse

perspectives, listen together for patterns and insights and share

collective discoveries. Webs of conver-sation created around actual or occa-sionally virtual tables resemble those found in coffeehouses. “Conversation is a core meaning-making process, and people get to ex-perience how the collective intelligence of a small or large group can become apparent,” says Brown. After several rounds of conversation on one or more topics, participants offer their harvest of key insights, learning and opportunities for action with the full group gathered to reflect together on their discoveries. “World Café provides an environ-ment in which you are comfortably drawn forward by the questions you are asking together. When enough diversity is present, varied perspectives are offered and people feel listened to and free to make their contribution,” observes Brown.

What participants learn in this set-ting creates the climate of condi-

tions that support the kinds of transforma-

tions that can changes lives. Brown remarks,

“When it happens to me, I feel like my brain cells have

been rearranged. I know something in the collective, as well as the individual, has been evoked, so that something never before imagined becomes present and available.” Transformative learning has been compared to a sea journey without landmarks. Adventurous individuals that are open to traversing its highly engaging processes can emerge as au-tonomous thinkers, capable of contrib-uting fresh, new ideas that just might transform the world we live in.

Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. Visit ItsAllAbout We.com for the recorded interviews.


People grow a lot when faced with their own mortality. As a palliative caregiver for many years, I learned

never to underestimate someone’s ca-pacity for personal growth. After wres-tling with a variety of intense emotions, every patient I saw found their peace before they departed. When questioned about regrets or what they would have done differently, five themes emerged.

I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me. This was the most common regret of all. When people realize that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unful-filled. Most people had not honored

even half of their dreams and died knowing that it was due to choices they had made or not made. Health brings a freedom very few realize until they no longer have it.

I wish I hadn’t worked so hard. Every male patient that I nursed felt they had missed their children’s youth and their partner’s companionship. They deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence. Women also spoke of this regret, but be-cause most were from an older genera-tion, many had not been breadwinners.

I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings. Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled

BE HAPPY RIGHT NOWThe Top Five Regrets of the Dyingby Bronnie Ware

inspiration for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. As a result, many developed illnesses apparently related to the bitter-ness and resentment they carried.

I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends. Many were disappointed they had not truly realized the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks, and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip away. Many deeply regretted not giving im-portant friendships the time and effort that they deserved.

I wish that I had let myself be hap-pier. Many did not understand until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called comfort of famil-iarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to oth-ers and to themselves that they were content, when deep within, they longed to laugh with gusto and cultivate some silliness in their life.

Bronnie Ware is the author of The Top Five Regrets of the Dying: A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing, a memoir of how people she cared for changed the way she lives. She blogs at InspirationAndChai.com.


communityspotlight

Walking into a typical chiropractic office, you might see a few posters

of the spine, health magazines and some pamphlets promoting health-care. What you do not expect to see is the sign of a baby crawl-ing with the legend, “Crawl-Ins Welcome” greeting you at the door of Dr. John Ferguson’s office in Clifton Park. With an array of warm earth tones throughout the office, a happy playroom designed for children and many visuals embrac-ing chiropractic care for the entire family, it is no surprise when he shares how his passion is to start early with a client, as early as when they are first born. “When chiropractic care starts with a child, it sets the stage for future generations. By the age of 5 or 6, almost all neurological development has occurred,” Ferguson notes. “Children are just starting, and I want to help them set the stage for having optimal health throughout their lives.” Fer-guson’s passion to help is strong as he shares his knowledge and understanding of chiropractic care for everyone. He says, “[For adult patients], I want to give them back their lives, without drugs or surgery, and increase their function.” Ferguson is a member of the International Chiroprac-tic Pediatric Association and is currently working toward certification to further his knowledge while working with newborns, infants and children. He commonly see kids with asthma, ADHD, allergies, autism, ear infections, growing pains, developmental delays, headaches and bed-wetting issues that have responded well with a holistic approach that includes chiropractic care. “I envision a world, starting with our community, where every newborn is checked for subluxation,” Ferguson notes about his mission. “Subluxation occurs when one or more of the bones of the spine (vertebrae) move out of position and create pressure on or irritate spinal nerves. Ferguson chose to become a chiropractic doctor through his own personal experience of successful chiropractic care.

After seeking help for daily head-aches and realizing how dependent he was on taking over-the-counter medicines to mask them, Fergu-son’s uncle suggested that he see a chiropractor. He said the chiro-practor took the time to explain the nervous system and how chiro-practic care worked. After seeing the chiropractor for a short period, Ferguson found himself waking up without the headaches and going days without any medication. “It turned my life around,” he shares. He immediately knew he wanted

to go into a field that made such an amazing impact on his health and earned his degree through the Palmer School of Chiropractic, in Davenport, Iowa. Ferguson is a kind and enthusiastic doctor, and it’s not surprising that his website offers ample information for clients. He says, “[I want] people to make quality decisions about health for themselves and their family, based on qual-ity information.” He has several blogs discussing everything from nutrition to exercise, immune function and vaccines, mind-spirit health, true wellness, how drugs and chemicals affect the body and one titled All About Kids! Ferguson holds monthly group discussions on a vari-ety of topics and his Facebook page is updated often with articles that offer insight to health care. With state-of-the-art equipment and the most current research on whole health care, clients can feel at ease upon entering the office for the first time. They can also rest assured that Ferguson offers comfort for the entire family, as demonstrated best through the big smiles on children’s faces in the photos on the wall.

Ferguson Family Chiropractic is located at 1783 Rte. 9, in Clifton Park. For more information, call 518-383-5595 or visit ForLifetimeWellness.com. See ad, page 16.

Kim Steele is a contributing writer for Natural Awakenings magazine who lives in Guilderland.

Ferguson Family ChiropracticChiropractic Care for a Lifetime of Wellness

by Kim Steele

Dr. John Ferguson

“When chiropractic care starts with a child, it sets the stage for future generations. By the age of 5 or 6, almost all neurological development has occurred.”

~ Dr. John Ferguson


greenliving

With children especially susceptible to germs, chemical sensitivities and allergens, it makes sense to ensure that the child-friendliness of day

care facilities extends to their ecological integrity. When Denise Adusei, of New York City, was unable to find a preschool that included all the criteria she sought, she decided to create and direct Peartree Preschool, a year-round day care facility for 2-to-5-year-olds. “An eco-friendly day care environment is more than nontoxic paint, organic food and unscented soaps. It’s what you don’t see, as well,” says Adusei. “We first looked for a building with lots of natural light near Central Park. Manhattan has a high rate of allergens, so we went ahead with a thorough environmental inspec-tion on what looked like an ideal building,” recalls Adusei. Inspectors pulled tiles from the floor, opened walls to check for mold and collected samples. “When they discovered signs of an old oil spill in the basement, we knew it was an unsafe place for children. We kept looking until we found the right building with large windows, near the park and environmentally safe,” she says, noting that her own kids now attend Peartree. Workplace coach Paul E. McGinniss, who also blogs at NewYorkGreenAdvocate.com, says, “Creating a garden on-site and connecting with local farmers or CSAs [community supported agriculture] to provide healthy, fresh foods is a great way to educate kids via a learning activity. New York’s Hudson Valley, where I live, has a farm to school move-

ment. Everyone should know where their food comes from,” he says, echoing another day care cornerstone. In Madison, Connecticut, Tina Pascoe, a registered nurse, attorney and health consultant, co-founded Nurses for Day Care, a nationwide program. The staff finds that many children are sensitive to dye additives in mustard or ketchup, certain oils in soap, paint or cleaning fumes and fire-retar-dant chemicals embedded in new rugs and carpeting. “We push for the whole school to go green, not just the classroom, with the sensitive or allergic child in mind,” she says. “We’re willing to do whatever it takes, like providing special menus, banning perfumes and smoking, and only us-ing disinfectant wipes or bleach during nighttime cleaning.” Pascoe personally works with about 80 facilities throughout the state. The Cottages at Michaels Learning Center, in Sarasota, is Florida’s first school to earn a Level Three Green School and green infant care certification from the National Green School Coalition and operates the city’s only certified green infant care program. Children from 6 weeks through kindergarten benefit. The school even conducts regular radon testing. Owner and Director Michelle Ireland assesses, “It’s cause and effect. One of the things we teach the children is how our actions have an impact on the world.” Mark Stedelbauer, vice president of marketing at eWater Advantage, in Raleigh, North Carolina, strives to inform day care administrators about the value of using electrolyzed water instead of cleansers. An electrical current that runs through a blend of ordinary tap water and minerals changes the basic nature of water. A lower pH creates a disinfecting solution; a higher pH results in a degreaser. Both solutions clean and kill germs without fumes, residue or allergy triggers. “Often, the combined cost of the electricity, water and mineral supplements used is less than what would be spent on multiple cleaning products,” Stedelbauer points out. It can be created by the half-gallon in a toaster-sized unit onsite and has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture (for use on meat) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (for use on produce). Also, electrolyzed water won’t harm skin or clothing. Creative Minds Learning Centers’ six locations are recog-nized by the Oregon Program of Quality as among the top 25 schools in the state. They buy renewable energy from wind, solar and biomass sources. At the school, they compost, plant sustainable gardens, collect rainwater and recycle. Nature preschools in the U.S., nearly 30 sites and grow-ing, use a community nature center as a regular part of their learning program (Tinyurl.com/NaturePreschools). Generally, the children are outdoors for 45 to 90 minutes per day, weather permitting, and flexible activities allow them to investigate their own interests safely. Daily explorations build valuable skills like observation, sorting and experimentation. Children experiencing green day care see firsthand how healthy, environmentally sound choices can help make their present and future safe. Telling their parents about their school experiences is a natural bonus.

Avery Mack is a freelance writer in St. Louis, MO. Connect via [email protected].

Day Care Goes GreenWhat’s Good for Kids is Good for the World

by Avery Mack


Troy Daycare Takes Green to HeartEco Baby

Daycare, in Troy, serves infants and toddlers from 6 weeks to 36 months. Owner and Director Robyn Scot-land states, “We provide quality care for the “whole” child in a supportive, holistic environment. Hallmarks of their dedication to green practices include being certified as eco-healthy through the Eco-Healthy Childcare program; a completely renovated vacant 1820s structure with cork flooring; eco-friendly foam insulation; energy efficient, on-demand hot water heater; and VOC-free paints; support for cloth diaper-ing; eco-friendly wipes; local and/or organic foods; local eggs; local, hormone-free milk from Meadowbrook Farms in glass bottles; eco-friendly dishware from Re Play by Dandelion; a shoe-free facility; solid wood cribs for infants; eco-friendly toys; bamboo muslin sheets and blankets from Aden & Anais; seasonal organic vegetable garden outside; indoor green plants that add oxygen to the air; green, non-toxic, cleaning supplies; Earth-friendly toilet paper and paper towels; no artificial air fresheners or perfumes; cloth towels for hand drying; and organic cloth napkins for meals.

Location: 75 4 St., Troy. For more information, call 518-272-8200 or visit EcoBabyDaycare.com.

Eco Baby Daycare owner Robyn Scotland and her daughter


fitbody

Hippocrates called walking “man’s best medicine,” and Americans agree: According to the U.S.

Surgeon General, walking is America’s most popular form of fitness. It’s free, convenient and simple. The Foundation for Chronic Disease Prevention reveals that 10,000 daily steps help lower blood pressure, shed pounds, decrease stress, and reduce the risk of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. Here’s how to rev up the routine and stay motivated.

Practical TipsBreathe. Belly breathing calms the parasympathetic nervous system, expands lung capacity and improves circulation. Inhale through the nose, fill the belly and expel through the mouth, advises Asheville, North Carolina, resi-dent Katherine Dreyer, co-founder and CEO of ChiWalking.

Try new techniques and terrain. “The body is smart and efficient. It must

Moveable FEETHow to Make Walking Part of Everyday Life

by Lane Vail

be constantly challenged in safe ways and tricked into burning more calo-ries,” says Malin Svensson, founder and President of Nordic Walking USA. She suggests taking the stairs or strolling on sand to strengthen the legs and heart. Dreyer recommends ascending hills sideways (crossing one foot over the other) to engage new muscles and pro-tect the calves and Achilles tendons. She also suggests walking backwards for 30 steps every five minutes during a 30-min-ute walk to reestablish proper posture.

Push with poles. Compelling the body forward with Nordic walking poles can burn 20 to 46 percent more calories than regular walking, reports Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. Svens-son explains, “Applying pressure to the poles activates abdominal, chest, back and triceps muscles, which necessi-tates more oxygen and thereby raises the heart rate.” The basic technique is: plant, push and walk away.

Mindful TipsFeel the Earth move under your (bare) feet. Improve mood, reduce pain and deepen sleep by going outside barefoot, says Dr. Laura Koniver, of Charleston, South Carolina, a fea-tured expert in the documentary, The Grounded. “The Earth’s surface contains an infinite reservoir of free electrons, which, upon contact with the body, can neutralize damage from free radicals,” she says.


Notice nature. Alexandra Horowitz, author of On Looking: Eleven Walks with Expert Eyes, finds walking out-doors infinitely more engaging than exercising in the gym. Seek out woodsy hikes, scenic waterways or historic downtowns, and “open up to experi-encing the world,” she says.

Practice moving meditation. To light-en a heavy mood, “Imagine your chest as a window through which energy, fresh air, sunshine, even rain, can pour into and through you as you walk,” says Dreyer. To ground a scattered mind, she suggests focusing on connecting one’s feet with the Earth.

Creative TipsMake fresh air a social affair. A group walk can boost performance levels of participants, says Dennis Michele, president of the American Volkssport Association, which promotes fun, fitness and friendship through non-competitive, year-round walking events. Horowitz suggests strolling with friends and sharing sensory discoveries. “A fresh perspective can help tune you into the great richness of ordinary envi-ronments often overlooked,” she says.

Ditch the distraction of electronic devices. Horowitz views walking texters as “hazards and obstacles, non-participants in the environment.” Australian researcher Siobhan Schab-run, Ph.D., reveals the science behind the sentiment in her recent University of Queensland study. The brain, she found, prioritizes texting over walking, resulting in “slowing down, deviating from a straight line and walking like robots, with the arms, trunk and head in one rigid line, which makes falling more likely.”

Walking a dog brings mutual ben-efits. Dr. John Marshall, chief oncolo-gist at Georgetown University Hospital, in Washington, D.C., prescribes dog walking to his cancer patients, asserting it yields better outcomes than chemo-therapy. For maximum enjoyment, strive to hit a stride, advises Carla Ferris, owner of Washington, D.C. dog-walking company Wagamuffin.

Let your feet speak for an important cause and sign up for an awareness walk.

Be a fanny pack fan. Fanny packs, unlike backpacks, which can disturb natural torso rotation, comfortably store identification, phone, keys and water, says Svensson. Ferris agrees: “Walks are so much more enjoyable hands-free.”

Walk while you work. Much of the independent and collaborative work at Minneapolis finance company SALO emerges as employees walk slowly on ergonomic treadmill desks. “Being up, active and forward-moving on the treadmill benefits productivity,” says co-founder Amy Langer. Alternatively, con-sider investing in a cordless headset or standing desk. “Most anything you can do sitting, you can do standing, and sup-porting your own body weight is almost as beneficial as walking,” she says. A study reported in the journal Diabetologia suggests that sedentary time combined with periods of moder-ate-to-vigorous exercise poses a greater health risk than being gently active throughout the day. Dreyer’s mantra? “The body is wise. Listen when it says, ‘Get up and walk a bit.’”

Lane Vail is a freelance writer in South Carolina. Connect at WriterLane.com.


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localfood

JNB Foods, a specialty foods com-pany that produces a line of salsas, bruschetta and chutney, was

founded in the fall of 2011 and came to fruition in the spring of 2012 after much research and help from local co-packers. It was an idea developed by co-owner Jason Moore and his father, Barry, after he had been mak-ing a delicious bruschetta for family members during holidays and family gatherings. Jason holds a restaurant management degree and has more then 15 years of experience in the food service industry. The first products offered were the bruschetta and apple corn salsa, a combine elements of Northeast and Southwest American flavors. Cranberry chutney and habanero salsa have since been added, with two more products to

JNB FoodsFamily Recipe Inspires Local Food Line

be released later this summer. JNB Foods recently exhibited their wares at the Fancy Food Show in New York City and will be at the Altamont Fair in August. Jason states, “We use as many fresh ingredients as possible and make a point of having the lowest amount of sodium and sugar without sacrificing flavor. We have found that leaving out

all of the salt, sugars and artificial pre-servatives allows the products to keep a very fresh taste right out of the jar.” JNB Foods products are available in stores throughout New York State, a partnership with Quandt’s Foodservice (now part of U.S. Foods) was developed and they are available in ShopRite stores from the Albany area south to the lower Hudson Valley. Jason notes, “Our largest distribution channel is through U.S. Foods, but the smaller companies have been our bread and butter since the beginning.” JNB Foods is an active member of the Albany area Small Busi-ness Network and the Saratoga Cham-ber of Commerce.

For more information and a list of local retail outlets, call 607-267-5874 or visit jnbfoods.com.


calendarofeventsNOTE: All calendar events must be received by the 5th of the month and ad-here to our guidelines. Review guidelines and submit entries online at AlbanyAwakenings.com (within advertising section).

Happy Film Showing – 6:45pm/gather. 7-9pm/film. Search the world for the secrets to life’s greatest emotion. Free. Delmar Wellness Center, 323 Dela-ware Ave, Delmar. RSVP required: 518-439-5077.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 8Inner Peace Inner Power Retreat – Aug 8-10. 5-8:30pm/Fri-11am/Sun. Learn to see the self as a soul, a spiritual being. Establish a direct connection with the divine. Develop the eight spiritual pow-ers. Peace Village, Haines Falls. Preregistration requested: 518-589-5000.Living Values Workshop – Aug 8-10. 5-8:30pm/Fri-11am/Sun. For educators, counselors and par-ents. Reflect on values and a paradigm and process that build relationship and resiliency while reversing bullying and violence. Peace Village, Haines Falls. Preregistration requested: 518-589-5000.Sound Meditation Group – 6:30-8pm. Sound is a powerful form of healing. Group experiences the benefits of sound meditation by practicing mantras. $15 suggested donation. Key 2 Joy, 145 Vly Rd, Ste 6, Shaker Pine Plaza, Colonie. Info: 518-598-6968.Nia “Glow in the Dark” Dance Party – 7-8pm. Dance, smile and play as we free our spirits while dancing with glow in the dark jewelry. $20. Joy of Nia Movement, Guilderland. RSVP: 518-452-3679.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 9Healing Ourselves: Moving into Greater Health and Well-Being – 9:30-11:30am. Using techniques from older traditions and newer modalities. BYO cushion and yoga or exercise mat. $20. Tranquil Spirit Wellness 1744 Rte 9, Castleton. Info: 518-477-9040.Become an Access Consciousness Bars Practitio-ner – 10am-5pm. By touching 32 points on the head, limiting beliefs are released, like deleting old files off the computer and then allowing something new and wonderful to show up. Held in Saratoga Spgs. Call for details. Registration required: 929-777-0873.Divine Harmony Spiritualist Church Service – 4pm. Services include music, healing, laughter, great energy and messages from Spirit followed by a social hour. Children’s Lyceum activities held during service. Niskayuna Reformed Church, Fellowship Hall, 3041 Troy-Schenectady Rd, Niskayuna. Info: 518-213-4724.

MONDAY, AUGUST 11Are Relationships Puzzling You? – 7:15-8:45pm. Take a very different perspective and learn some dynamic tools for breakthroughs in relationships with Transformational Specialist Barbra Gilman. $25. Joy of Yoga Studio, 376 Broadway, Saratoga Spgs. Registration required: 929-777-0873.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 12Lifecyles in Balance: Pregnancy/Postpartum Em-bodiment – 9am-12pm. For those who have fear around birth, have experienced a traumatic birth or simply want to help ensure a better birth experience. Sage-Femme Midwifery, 527 Western Ave, Albany. Info/appt required: Lisa Cartier, 518-307-9810.Access Consciousness – 6-7:15pm. With Barbra Gilman. Discover a set of tools and processes that can change anything in life that is not working. In-formational workshop and demonstrations of these

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1Kayak Rescue & Recovery Instruction – 6:30-8pm. Learn to rescue a capsized kayaker plus do a self-rescue using a paddlefloat. $48 includes kayak. $35. BYO kayak. Adirondack Paddle’n’Pole, 2123 Central Ave, Colonie. Registration required: 518-346-3180.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2“Everest Rising” in Concert – 8pm. Hailing from the NY Capital Region, this tight-knit quartet cre-ates a progressive and unique acoustic sound. $15 advance. $17 door. Caffe Lena, 47 Phila St, Saratoga Spgs. Tickets: 518-583-0022.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 3Edible Plant Walk – 1-2:30pm. Explore the woods of the preserve in search of plants that make tea and more. With Perry Davenport. Free. Huyck Preserve & Biological Research Station, 284 Pond Hill Rd, Rensselaerville. Info: 518-797-3440.

MONDAY, AUGUST 4Hypno-Breath To Reduce Stress – 6:30-8pm. Learn to incorporate powerful self-hypnosis and breath techniques to quickly and easily reduce stress in daily life. $15 advance. $20 door. Key 2 Joy, 145 Vly Rd, Ste 6, Shaker Pine Plaza, Colonie. Info: 518-598-6968.Kingdoms of Consciousness Workshop – 6:30-8:30pm. Awareness is the portal to change. Dis-cover the stages of spiritual evolution as a tool to gauge and further spiritual growth. Donation. New Thought New York, 2 Imperial Ln, Charlton. 518-423-3569.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 5Open Beginner Night of Nia Dance – 6-7pm. Learn the basic moves and begin connecting to joy and healing. No experience necessary. Space limited. $18. Joy of Nia Movement, Guilderland. RSVP: 518-452-3679.CNW School of Massage Open House – 6-8pm. Learn about our full and part time massage therapy training programs, life-long placement services and

financial aid. Meet alumni and currently enrolled stu-dents. Free. CNW School of Massage Therapy, 3 Ce-rone Commercial Dr, Albany. RSVP: 518-489-4026.Introduction to Meditation – 7:30-8:30pm. With David Vozzy. Learn key methods to embracing a meditation practice. Participants are encouraged to focus on the breath, inner-body and overall stillness. $20 advance. In Harmony Yoga, 137 Remsen St, Cohoes. Info: 518-369-8325.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6Breastfeeding Informational Sessions – 6-6:30pm. Series of five 30-min sessions designed to provide the most up-to-date information to help achieve a successful breastfeeding relationship. Naturally Grown, 282B River St, Troy. Info: 518-274-2229.Monthly Restorative Yoga – 6-7:30pm. With Lisa Mary. Passive stretching that uses props, like blankets, bolsters, pillows and blocks to support the body as very gentle poses are held. Unwind, restore, meditate and rejuvenate. Space limited. $15 advance. Key 2 Joy, 145 Vly Rd, Ste 6, Shaker Pine Plaza, Colonie. Info: 518-598-6968.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 7Pure Essentials – 6-8pm. With Dawn DuBois, LMT. Learn how essential oils can help individuals, families and pets. Free. Tranquil Spirit Wellness Center, 1744 Rte 9, Castleton. RSVP appreciated but not necessary: 518-727-8626.


FRIDAY, AUGUST 15The Silent Heart Retreat – Aug 15-17. 5-8:30pm/Fri-11am/Sun. The fi rst step of silence is the silence of speech, next is to silence the mind; but an even deeper step is the silent heart. Directed sessions, walks, meditations, journaling and creative ac-tivities. Peace Village, Haines Falls. Preregistration requested: 518-589-5000.Kayaking for Dummies – 6:30-8pm. Learn the ba-sics: getting in and out gracefully, effi cient forward stroke, maneuvering, more. $45 includes kayak. $30 BYO kayak. Adirondack Paddle’n’Pole, 2123 Central Ave, Colonie. Registration required: 518-346-3180.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 16Chronic Low Milk Supply – 10am. Unable to breastfeed baby due to low milk supply? Receive support from other moms. Free. Sage-Femme Midwifery, 527 Western Ave, Albany. RSVP: Kate, 518-926-0112.Earthly Remedies – 10am-4pm. Meet Erin Ethier, owner of Earthly Remedies. Learn about and pur-chase organic products for home, body and pets. 2nd Annual County Family Farm Day, Schoharie. Info: 518-534-3003.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17Intermediate Integrated Energy Therapy – 9am-5pm. Experience the next level to Basic IET and receive an attunement. $195. Preregistration and $75 deposit required. Art of Reiki. Troy. Joyce: 518-271-7802.Meditation for World Peace – 6:30-7:30pm. Observe as the universe is fi lled with energy of lightness, radiance and peace. Together, peace, love and care will be sent to the world. For new and experienced meditators. Free. Peace Village, Haines Falls. 518-589-5000.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 19Massage School Exploration Evening – 6-9:30pm. Sample science class, self-care techniques, bodywork demonstration. Receive a gift certifi cate for a free

simple yet powerful techniques. Free. Registration requested. In Harmony Yoga, 137 Remsen St, Co-hoes. Info: 518-369-8325.Food is Not the Enemy – 6-9pm. With Linda McK-enney. Eliminate negative phrases about food, learn mindful eating techniques and begin to appreciate the body regardless of its size. $8. Wiawaka Retreat Center for Women, 3778 State Rte 9L, Lake George, NY. Reservations required: 518-668-9690.Introduction to Chakra Yoga – 7:30-8:45pm. With David Vozzy. The body contains numerous chakras (spinning wheels of energy) that govern numerous areas of a person’s overall functioning. Seven main chakras are discussed. Yoga postures, guided imag-ery, musical notes, colors and a guided meditation. $20 advance. In Harmony Yoga, 137 Remsen St, Cohoes. Info: 518-369-8325.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13Jr. Naturalist Series: Botany Day – 1-3pm. Stu-dents learn the differences between common trees and plants and how these organisms reproduce. Dyken Pond Environmental Center, 475 Dyken Pond Rd, Cropseyville. Info: 518-658-2055.Sacred Chants/Sacred Dance – 6-7:30pm. With Nancy Forster. Explore the divine and express one’s true nature. Dive into a fl ow of sacred music, emerge and dance from the heart. $15. Tranquil Spirit Well-ness, 1744 Route 9, Castleton. Info: 518-320-0089.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 14Money Isn’t The Problem! – 6-7pm. With Barbra Gilman. There is no such thing as a money issue: only an issue of what one is willing or unwilling to receive. Learn to de-construct the reality/energy around money. $20. Tranquil Spirit Wellness, 1744 Rte 9, Castleton. Registration requested: 929-777-0873.Farm to Table Feast – 6-8:30pm. With Chef Pat-rick Mannato. Learn where to fi nd some delicious local vegetables, cheeses and meats and how to prepare several seasonal tasty treasures. $65. Dif-ferent Drummer’s Kitchen, Stuyvesant Plaza, Rte 20/Western Ave, Albany. Preregistration required: 518-459-7990.

massage in the Student Clinic. $40 advance. $50 same day. CNW School of Massage Therapy, 3 Cerone Commercial Dr, Albany. Register: 518-489-4026.Attitude of Gratitude Workshop – 6:30-8:30pm. Living a life with an attitude of gratitude is a powerful way to experience peace, love and more. Discover how to put more gratitude in one’s life. $25 pre-registered; $35 door. Hosted by New Thought New York at the Pine Hollow Arboretum, Slingerlands, Preregister: Regina Wagner-Garhartt, 518-466-6846.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20Pathways to Family Wellness Group Gathering – 6:15-7:15pm. Dr. John Ferguson explores overlooked signs of potential physical, chemical and emotional sources of stress for children and healthy ways to address their cause, allowing for proper development and optimal quality of life. Parents and children wel-come. Free. Ferguson Family Chiropractic, 1783 Rte 9, Clifton Park. Info: 518-383-5595.Essential Oils for Everyday Life – 6:30pm. Young Living Essential Oil Workshop discussing and shar-ing essential oil remedy recipes that are safe and effective for the entire family. $10 donation. Vitality Health Center, 3441 Amsterdam Rd, Rte 5, Scotia. RSVP required: 518-372-4706.Fundamentals of Kayaking – Aug 20 & 22. 6:30-8pm. Two evening classes for fast-learning beginners or experienced kayakers interested in going places, touring or running rivers. $95 includes kayak. $60 BYO kayak. Adirondack Paddle’n’Pole, 2123 Central Ave, Colonie. Registration required: 518-346-3180.Hypno-Yoga To Reduce Stress – 6:30-8pm. Gentle movement and hypnosis to reduce stress, balance chakras and provide a deep rest to feel refreshed, de-stressed and balanced. $15 advance. $20 door. Key 2 Joy, 145 Vly Rd, Ste 6, Shaker Pine Plaza, Colonie. Info: 518-598-6968.Mind of the Heart Map Funshop – 6:30-8:30pm. Being clear about what one wants in life is the fi rst step to manifestation. Create a “mind of the heart map,” setting clear intentions about one’s desires in eight areas of life: career, family relationships,

“It’s a matter of opening our hearts and minds to hearing their voices.

Let me take you on your spiritual journey”- Paula Marie

Angels Are All Around Us

Paula Marie Histed 239-370-7928

[email protected] www.paulamariehisted.com

Individual Spiritual Readings ~ Numerology ProfilesMeditation / Workshops ~ Phone Readings

Serving the Capital District and Beyond


finances, fun, health, love/friendship, personal growth and spiritual growth. Materials provided. Donation. New Thought New York, 2 Imperial Ln, Charlton. 518-423-3569.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 21Journaling Workshop – 1pm. With Lynn Sick-les, an experienced journal writer and workshop facilitator. BYO notebook or journal and a pen. $8. Wiawaka Retreat Center for Women, 3778 State Rte 9L, Lake George, NY. Reservations required: 518-668-9690.Food as Your Medicine: Extinguishing the Flame of Disease – Aug 21 & 28. 6-7:30pm. Two-class series. In-depth. Learn to prevent/reverse disease and build a healthy immune system. $45. Register: 518-292-8767.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 22Crystal Bowl Meditation – 6-7:30pm. With Zelda Hotaling. Sound vibration with singing bowls, drums, rattles and rain sticks. Journey within, release energy and generate a state of peaceful bliss. $20. Tranquil Spirit Wellness 1744 Rte 9, Castleton. Info: 518- 732-7440.Yoga Nidra – 6:30-8pm. Yoga nidra or “yogi sleep” is a sleep-like state which is among the deepest possible states of relaxation while still maintaining full con-sciousness. $15 advance. $20 door. Key 2 Joy, 145 Vly Rd, Ste 6, Shaker Pine Plaza, Colonie. 518-598-6968.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 23Earthly Remedies – 12-3pm. Meet Erin Ethier, owner of Earthly Remedies. Product demonstra-tions, raffles and giveaways. Honest Weight Food Co-Op, 100 Watervliet Ave, Albany. Info: 518-534-3003.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24Restorative Yoga Workshop – 1-3pm. Receive the support of pillows, bolsters, blankets and lov-ing hands while resting in healing yoga postures. Regenerate, repair and recover. $20 advance. $25 door. The Yoga Lily, 1 Barney Rd, Ste 222, Clifton Park. Info: 518-744-5565.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 26Lifecyles in Balance: Pregnancy/Postpartum Embodiment – 9am-12pm. See Aug 12 for details. Sage-Femme Midwifery, 527 Western Ave, Albany. Info/apt required: Lisa Cartier, 518-307-9810.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27Kayak Rescue & Recovery Instruction – 6:30-8pm. See Aug 1 for details. Registration required: 518-346-3180.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28Food as Your Medicine: Extinguishing the Flame of Disease – 6-7:30pm. Two-class series. See Aug 21 for details. $45. Register: 518-292-8767.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 30Capital District Scottish Games – Aug 30 & 31. A Celtic festival of arts, featuring pipe bands, highland dancing, athletics, clans, Celtic folk/rock music, sheep and dog exhibitions. Fun for the whole family. Altamont Fair Grounds, 129 Grand. Info/pricing: ScotGames.com.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 30 – SUNDAY, AUGUST 31

Southern Vermont Garlic and Herb Festival – Aug 30-31.10am-5pm. Sat & Sun. Join garlic-lovers from throughout New England. Sample food and crafts from over a 100 different vendors all made from garlic and herbs. $5 per day. 1545 Rte 9, Bennington, VT. Info: LoveGarlic.com.

markyourcalendar

plan aheadSUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7Metaphysical Book Discussion Group – 6pm. Discussion of Love What Is: Four Questions that Can Change Your Life by Byron Katie. Hosted by New Thought New York. Woodlawn Commons, 156 Lawrence St, Saratoga Springs. 518-423-3569.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12Dance & Fitness Open House – 4:30-8pm. Try a sampler class for free. Donations accepted for Dance Al-liance, Inc, an organization that promotes dance through-out the Capital Region. Albany Dance & Fitness, 1197 Central Ave, Albany. RSVP required: 518-573-3631.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13Kick Cancer’s A--: Wellness and Music Festival – 10am-9pm. A day of wellness facilitation, nutri-tious meals and live entertainment. Peaceful Acres Horses, 3740 Pattersonville-Rynex Corners Rd, Pattersonville. Tickets: PeacefulAcresHorses.com.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4Saratoga Springs Holistic Healing & Spiri-tual Arts Expo 2014 – 9am-5pm. 2nd annual expo with 50 exhibitor booths. Bringing to-gether local and regional professionals in the holistic healing and spiritual arts areas. $7. Info: HolisticSpiritualExpo.com.

markyourcalendar

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30 – MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3

Jinkiden Reiki Shoden & Okuden Seminar – Oct 30- Nov 1. Shoden Level 1; Nov 2 & 3. Okuden Level 2. Anyone can learn Jikiden Reiki. Whether new to Reiki, an experienced Reiki practitioner or teacher. Experience an opportu-nity to learn and practice techniques and strate-gies that enable better health and well-being to oneself and others. Shoden $350; Okuden $500. Hyatt Place Malta/Saratoga Spgs. Registration: 518-572-6427. LightWorks-JikidenReiki.com.

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ongoingcalendarNOTE: All calendar events must be received by the 5th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Review guidelines and submit entries online at AlbanyAwakenings.com (within advertising section).

dailyNew Beginnings Meditation Course – Albany/Schenectady area. Free. Info/appt: 518-466-3904.Tune In To Wellness Today TV Show – With LisaMarie Tersigni. Meet local wellness providers and learn the benefits of natural wellness modalities, services and products available. View: 24/7, sacc.tv.Visit Peace Village – 9am-6pm. Experience self-discovery, relax, silence, solitude and find peace of mind. Meet others interested in integrating a spiritual dimension into life. Daily tours. Call ahead. Peace Village, 54 O’Hara Rd, Rte 23A, Haines Falls. Info: 518-589-5000.

sundayDharma Meditation – 9am. Weekly meditation followed up by short discussion. About 75-min. All contemplative traditions honored. $10 donation. One Big Roof, 433 Broadway, Saratoga Spgs. Info: 518-450-1624.Dr Joe on the Radio – 12:45pm. Dr Joseph Guylas of Northeast Spine and Wellness gives his weekly radio show including tips for better health. Tune in to 101.3 FM.HOPE Pet Adoption Clinic – 1-4pm. 2nd & 4th Sun. Homes for Orphaned Pets Exist will be holding an adoption clinic. Wilton Mall, 3065 New York 50, Saratoga Spgs. Info: 518-428-2994.Yoga of 12 Step Recovery (Y12SR) – 3-5pm. 1st Sun. Group sharing circle and themed yoga class integrating wisdom of yoga and the practical tools of 12-step programs. $12-$16 donation. Shanti Yoga, 135 2nd St, Troy. Info: 518-365-5660.Kundalini Yoga and Meditation – 4-5:30pm. Expand awareness, strengthen body, increase stam-ina and elevate consciousness through movement, asana, powerful pranayama and deep meditation. Drop-in classes. Heartspace Yoga, 747 Madison Ave, Albany. Info: 518-712-9642.

mondayReflexology – 2:30-5:30pm. A method of using simple, time-tested methods of pressing, pulling and massaging for the purpose of providing pain relief. Honest Weight Food Co-Op, 100 Watervliet Ave, Albany. Info/appt time: 518-482-2667.Balletone – 4:15-5pm. Stand taller and feel stron-ger. Balletone uses ballet moves and exercises to strengthen, tone, align, improve balance, and stretch the entire body. No Ballet experience required. $10/class, Albany Dance & Fitness, 1197 Central Ave, Albany. 518-573-3631.Hot Warrior Yoga – 6pm. 50 plus posture practice combining hot hatha and hot vinyasa in an 85-degree

healthy integrated state of wellness, fitness and balance for the body, brain and whole being. $10 drop-in. Albany Dance & Fitness, 1197 Central Ave, Albany. 518-573-3631.Pilates: Basic Mat Class – 5:30pm. Healing With Movement Pilates, 2021 Western Ave, Albany. $20/class. Penny: 518 669-9677.Lyme Support Group – 6pm. 2nd Tues. Share sto-ries, frustrations and achievements. Find support and guidance. All welcome. Free. The Stram Center for Integrative Medicine, 388 Kenwood Ave, Delmar. Register: 518 689-2244.Tea Talk – 6pm. 2nd Tues. New topics each month. Samples of the featured tea served. $5. Short and Stout Tea, 1736a Western Ave, Albany. Preregister/Info: 518-456-8327.Classical Hatha Yoga – 6:30-7:45pm. Practice in its purest state. Reduce stress and pain. $15 drop-in. $70 six classes. Vitality Health Center, 3441 Amsterdam Rd, Rte 5, Scotia. Register: 518-372-4706.Hypnosis Workshop – 6:30-9:30pm. Find out more about hypnosis with NGH hypnosis instruc-tor, George Guarino. $12.50. Albany. Info: 518-256-6549.Releasing Weight Group Sessions – 6:45-7:45pm. 3rd Tues. Learn to make changes in life and become em-powered to be healthier and happier. Hypnosis and other techniques used. Topics include: emotional eating, stress, exercise, goals and habits. $20. Key 2 Joy, 145 Vly Rd, Ste 6, Shaker Pine Plaza, Colonie. Info: 518-598-6968.Taiji (Tai Chi) – 7pm. With Renjie Song. Learn the basic Yang style postures, movements and internal energy development. $15. One Big Roof, 433 Broad-way, 3rd Flr, Saratoga Spgs. Info: 518-450-1624.

wednesdayBreast Thermography – 9am-1pm. 3rd Wed. Safe screening process for breast health, thyroid abnor-malities, lymphatic congestion, nervous system disorders, abdominal inflammation, vascular system analysis and neuromuscular disorders. Sage-Femme Midwifery, 527 Western Ave, Albany. Info/appt required: Patricia Bowden-Luccardi, 518-929-7579.Intuitive Readings – 11am-2pm. With Julie.

room. A physical and psychological challenge. $15. In Harmony Yoga, 137 Remsen St, Cohoes. Info: 518-369-8325.Holistic Healthy Living Classes – 6-7:30pm. Beat disease, become energized and more confident, learn self-love, decrease medication, lose weight and more. Intimate class size. Register/details: 518-292-8767.

tuesdayDay of Detox – Through Aug 31. Enjoy a detoxify-ing IonCleanse foot bath or Rife machine treatment. $10 for new clients (regularly $40). Vitality Health Center. 3441 Amsterdam Rd, Rte 5, Scotia. Info/appt required: 518-372-4706.Lifecyles in Balance: Fertility – 9am-12pm. 2nd & 4th Tues. For those considering conception, having fertility issues or going through the medical fertility process. Addressing underlying issues with the goal of optimizing fertility. Sage-Femme Midwifery, 527 Western Ave, Albany. Info/appt required, Lisa Cartier: 518-307-9810.Body Fat Screening/Blood Pressure Testing – 11am-2pm. Testing body fat and blood pressure to then translate those numbers into healthy informa-tion. Free. Honest Weight Food Co-Op, 100 Waterv-liet Ave, Albany. Info: 518-482-2667.Wellness Workout – 12:15-1:15pm. Create a


$40/30-min. Crossroads Gifts and Wellness, 133 Jay St, Schenectady. Info/appt: 518-357-8366.Kids Yoga – 4:45-5:30pm. Kids yoga will promote inner-strength, confi dence and self-esteem; a feeling of well-being and respect for others; and, love for one’s self, inside and out. Ages 7-11. $7 drop-in. In Harmony Yoga, 137 Remsen St, Cohoes. Info: 518-369-8325.Barre Blast – 5-5:45pm. Sculpt and tone the total body to feel stronger, energized and more fl exible. $10/class, Albany Dance & Fitness, 1197 Central Ave, Albany. 518-573-3631.Kundalini Yoga and Meditation – 5:45-7:15pm. Expand awareness, strengthen body, increase stam-ina and elevate consciousness through movement, asana, powerful pranayama and deep meditation. Drop-in classes. Heartspace Yoga, 10 Second St, 2nd Flr, Troy. Info: 518-712-9642.Family Support Group: for Caregivers of Loved Ones with Mental Illness – 6:30-8pm. 1st and 3rd Wed. SUNYA School of Public Health, 1 University Pl, Rensselaer. Info: 518-588-6949.Qigong – 7-8:30pm. With Dr Wang. $15. One Big Roof, 433 Broadway, 3rd Flr, Saratoga Spgs. Info: 518- 581-3180.Beginner’s Meditation – 7:30pm. Meditation can reduce stress levels, improve health, promote clarity of mind, and experience peace. Class includes gentle stretching, breathing techniques, and tips for maintaining this as a regular practice. The Yoga Lily, 1 Barney Rd, Ste 222, Clifton Park. RSVP required: 518-744-5565.Spiritual Book Adventures Phone Group – Through Aug 27. 7:30-8:30pm 2nd & 4th Wed. Fel-low spiritual adventurers from around the globe dis-cussing the results of doing the “Nine Do-It-Yourself Experiments That Prove Your Thoughts Create Your Reality” in Pam Grout’s book E-Squared. Offered by New Thought New York Donation basis. Dial: 712-432-1212, meeting ID 321004044#.

thursdayBreastfeeding Support Group – 10:30am-12pm. 1st Thurs. For moms, their breastfed babies and toddlers with a certifi ed lactation counselor available to answer any questions or concerns. Anyone pregnant and thinking about breastfeeding welcome. Naturally Grown, 282B River St, Troy. Info: 518-274-2229.Cancer Support Group – 12-1pm. Every other Thurs. Release feelings of isolation, confusion,

anxiety, identity crisis and day-to-day uncertainties among people wanting to improve their quality of life. Donations welcome. One Big Roof, 433 Broadway, 3rd Flr, Saratoga Spgs. Info/dates: 518-450-1624.Pilates: Intermediate Mat Class – 5:30pm. Heal-ing With Movement Pilates, 2021 Western Ave, Albany. $20. Penny: 518 669-9677.Meeting of Albany Holistic Nurses Society, Inc – 6pm. 2nd Thurs. Support and information for nurses and interested individuals. Monthly meetings and top-ics. Details/location, Sandra Marnell: 518 875-6050.Concerts in the Park – Through Aug 28. 6-8pm. Free. Wiswall Park, corner of Front and Low St, Ballston Spa. Info: 518-885-1031.Meditation and Mindfulness Practice Group – 6:30-8pm. 2nd Thurs. All welcome. All levels of experience welcome. Free. Solid Ground Center for a Balanced Life, 148 Central Ave, Albany. Info: 518-339-9443.Breaking Through Your Barricade Class – Aug 14-Sept 4. 6:30-8:30pm. Discover ways to break through the walls that are blocking success. Interac-tive activities. $60 pre-registered, $70 door. Hosted by New Thought New York at the Pine Hollow Arboretum, Slingerlands, Preregister by calling Regina Wagner-Garhartt, 518-466-6846.

fridayIron Yoga – 9:30-10:45am. With Colleen McDon-ald. Sculpt, conscious breathing, strength and fl ex-ibility all in one class by adding hand held 1-3 lb weights to one’s traditional yoga postures. Weights are provided. $15. In Harmony Yoga, 137 Remsen St, Cohoes. Info: 518-369-8325.Kundalini Yoga – 9:30-11am. Taught by Yogi Bhajan, Kim Rossi. Donation. Lincoln Bath House at the Saratoga Spa State Park, front door entrance, to the rear of the 1st Flr, 39 Roosevelt Dr, Saratoga Spgs. Info: 518-321-5660.

Parents’ Night Out at Tiny Tots Tea Room – 5:30-9pm. 3rd Fri. Monthly event includes babysitting, open play, food, crafts and drinks. $35 fi rst child; $25 siblings. 1536 Crescent Rd, Plaza 8, Clifton Park. Info: 518-348-1050.Journeying with the Goddess – 7pm. 4th Fri. With Rev Angela Pace-Lunz. Be guided through ancient religions, forgotten traditions and untold stories of the goddess from all over the world. History, ceremony and healing while connecting with the divine feminine. BYO journal and pen. $13. The Yoga Lily, 1 Barney Rd, Ste 222, Clifton Park. Preregister: 518-744-5565.Sacred Drum Circle – Through Sept 5. 7:30pm. 1st Fri. Light a candle for one’s intention and let the heart be guided into the heartbeat rhythm. Drumming is healing and a powerful sound meditation. No experience necessary. The Yoga Lily, 1 Barney Rd, Ste 222, Clifton Park. RSVP: 518-744-5565.

saturdayHolistic Healthy Living Classes – 9-10:30am. Beat disease, become energized and more confi dent, learn self-love, decrease medication, lose weight and more. Intimate class size. Register/details: 518-292-8767.Pilates Ball – 10-10:45am. Low impact, detail ori-ented progression of exercises designed to effi ciently and effectively tone the total body while maintaining focus on core strength and stability control. $10/class, Albany Dance & Fitness, 1197 Central Ave, Albany. 518-573-3631.Live Music Saturday Brunch – 10am-12pm. Alternating weeks. Good food, music and vibes. Good Morning Breakfast Café, 2100 Doubleday Ave, Ballston Spa. Dates/info: Facebook page. 518- 309-3359.Releasing Weight Group Sessions – 12:30-1:30pm. 3rd Sat. Learn to make changes in life and become empowered to be healthier and happier. Hypnosis and other techniques used. Topics include: emotional eating, stress, exercise, goals and habits. $20. Key 2 Joy, 145 Vly Rd, Ste 6, Shaker Pine Plaza, Colonie. Info: 518-598-6968.Gong Lab – 4-5:30pm. 1st Sat. Relaxation and meditation in a sonic environment. By donation. Heartspace Yoga & Healing Arts, 10 2nd St, Troy. Info: 518-389-2200.

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Connecting you with local businesses and experts in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Natural Directory, email [email protected].

ACUPUNCTUREANNA BURKY, MDAt Saratoga Botanicals80 Henry St, Saratoga Springs518-306-4108 • SaratogaBotanicals.com

Pain reduction, stress and tension relief, increased energy levels and improved mood, stronger digestion, relief from addictions, greater sense of overall health and

well-being, facial rejuvenation. See ad, page 35.

NORTHEAST SPINE AND WELLNESS1741 Rte 9, Clifton Park1873 Western Ave, Albany518-371-4800 • DrGulyas.com

All-natural care providing pain relief and wellness care through acupuncture, massage therapy, laser therapy and acupressure. Experience in women’s health, insomnia, stress, migraines and fibromyalgia. See ad, page 37.

VITALITY ACUPUNCTURE Michele Dolan L.Ac, AcupuncturistAt Albany Total Wellness130 Everett Rd, Albany 518-435-1280MicheleDolanLAc.com

Acupuncture and herbal therapy are an all-natural alternative to improving well-being, preventing illness and resolving some of the most common health issues. See ad, page 20.

ART THERAPY

ANN SIMPSON-MCDOWELL, MA, LCATHaven of Hope Counseling Associates, LLC1471 Rte 9, Ste 201, Crescent Commons, Clifton Park • 518-982-5376HavenOfHopeCounseling.com

Licensed Creative Art Therapist. 18 years’ experience in grief work, a l l losses , and l i fe change adaptation. Offering compassionate counsel ing, therapeutic art and sand tray work for all ages.

ASTROLOGY

AVALON ASTROLOGYM. Lisa Verschoor1-800-224-1020 - NationwideAvalonAstrology.net

Consciously sort out relationships, health, career and all life altering situations through the natal chart. Radio talk-show host, teacher and astrologer for over 25 years.

BODYWORK

ELENA AJDELSZTAJN, LMTAt Key 2 Joy, [email protected]

NYS licensed massage therapist offering craniosacral therapy, a bodywork modality to help you process and resolve deeply held tension in the body. Professional, peaceful environment.

BODYWORK PROFESSIONALSNick PavoldiStructural Integration Practitioner, Proprietor578 New Loudon Rd, Latham • 518-389-220079 Washington St, Saratoga Springs • 518-389-2083BodyworkProfessionals.com

Bodywork Professionals are sk i l l ed , ded ica ted , ca ree r therapists who specialize in the art and science of effective soft tissue massage therapy and a variety of bodywork modalities. See ad, page 30.

CEREMONIES

UNITED HEARTS CEREMONIESRev. Lisajo Kay, MS, CCC-SLP, OUnIInterfaith Minister and Lic. Wedding Officiant518-212-REVK (7385)UnitedHeartsCeremonies.com

Co-creating and officiating "union ceremonies of the heart, to match you, your life, your path." Getting to know couples personally to create a unique ceremony. Large/small, traditional/non-traditional, interfaith/non-denominational, or

civil. LGBT friendly.

naturaldirectoryCHIROPRACTIC

DR. JOHN M. FERGUSONFerguson Family Chiropractic1783 Rte 9, Clifton Park518-383-5595 • ForLifetimeWellness.com

The “Chiropractor for your family”. With 10 years of pediatric/family wellness care experience, Dr. John is committed to healthy lifestyle changes for the family. See ad, page 16.

DR. JOSEPH S. GULYASNortheast Spine and WellnessOffices in Albany & Clifton Park518-371-4800 • DrGulyas.com

A 25-year veteran of holistic health. Graduate of Skidmore C o l l e g e a n d N e w Yo r k Chiropractic College. Received Clinician of the Year during internship at Greenvale Outpatient Facility. See ad, page 37.

DR. KERSTIN MEDWIN, DCAt Albany Total Wellness130 Everett Rd, Albany518-435-1280 • MedwinChiropractic.com

Over 9 years’ experience working as a chiropractor. Establishes car ing and compass iona te relationships with each and every patient. See ad, page 20.

DR. JACLYN PURCELLSaratoga Chiropractic376 Broadway, Ste L4, Saratoga Springs518-435-1280 • SaratogaChiropractic.com

Chiropractic for people of all ages. From pain to maintaining optimal health. Helping clients heal naturally and improve quality of life.

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY

K. MICHELLE DOYLE, BCST, RN, NYS LM35 Dearstyne Rd, Troy • 518-238-3469 [email protected]

Biodynamic craniosacral therapy is a subtle yet deeply relaxing form of body work that employs light touch. Offering BCST to infants, children, and adults.


FENG SHUI/SPACE CLEARING

BRENDA C. JENKS518-321-5940FengShuiBCJ.com

Assesses physical and non-physical influences in a home or business and suggests appropriate adjustments to ensure environment s u p p o r t s o n e p h y s i c a l l y, emotionally and financially. 18+ years’ experience serving the Capital District and beyond.

FINANCIAL HEALTH

CHANGING TIMES PLANNINGLaurie Bonser, CFP, CPA, CoachLaurie@ChangingTimesPlanning.com518-312-7980ChangingTimesPlanning.com

I n n o v a t i v e p l a n n i n g a n d information for financial health, wellness, and fitness through all life transitions, changes, and goals. Available for clients nationwide. See ad, page 25.

FITNESS

ALBANY DANCE & FITNESSGail Tassarotti, Owner/Instructor1197 Central Ave, Albany518-573-3631 AlbanyDanceFitness.com

Relieve stress and feel positive about yourself as you get fit. Offering a variety of classes for all ability levels (adults and teens only). See ad, page 30.

JOY OF NIA MOVEMENTBeth FosterOwner & Licensed Nia Instructor3 Denny Rd, Guilderland518-452-3679 • JoyOfNiaMovement.com

Exper ience the energe t ic , expressive and joyful way to exercise. Free your spirit and move with passion as you connect to your body through the movement of Nia. Small, year-round classes in a comfortable

studio open to all fitness levels. See ad, page 20.

REBECCA RIFENBERG, M.ED. Inspiring Wellness Solutions518-292-8767Info@InspiringWellnessSolutions.comInspiringWellnessSolutions.com

Certified instructor of group fitness, Ballettone, Kettlebell and group cyc l ing . L i censed Zumba instructor. Two master’s degrees in education and extensive experience in designing fitness and exercise programs. See ad, page 23.

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

HEALTHY ENDEAVORS MEDICINE, PCANITA BUROCK STOTTS, MD2592 Western Ave, Ste 102, Altamont518-355-2060 • HealthyEndeavorsMED.com

Functional Medicine is a dynamic approach to assessing, preventing and treating complex chronic disease. It is science-based and patient-centered. See ad, page 6.

HEIDI RASMUSSEN, MDAt Saratoga Botanicals80 Henry St, Saratoga Springs518-306-4108 • SaratogaBotanicals.com

Approaching medicine with a mindful dedication, taking the time for in-depth examination and healing practices. See ad, page 35.

GREEN BUILDING/DESIGN

GREEN CONSCIENCE HOMEKaren Totino33 Church St, Saratoga Springs 518-306-5196 • Green-Conscience.com

Specializing in green home renovation for families and businesses. Supplier of non-toxic interior finishes for walls, floors, counter tops. Showroom features natural and organic mattresses, and bedding. See ad, back cover.

GREEN LIVINGEARTHLY REMEDIES BY ERINErin Ethier, Owner518-534-3003Info@EarthlyRemediesByErin.comEarthlyRemediesByErin.com

The Capital District’s source for all-natural hand salves, lip balms, h e r b a l t i n c t u r e s ,

deodorants, baby products, pet products and more; all made locally with only the best organic ingredients. See ad, page 19.

EMPIRE ZERO, LLCFood Waste Pick-Up/Composting164 Montgomery St, Albany518-472-0222 • EmpireZeroWaste.com

Br ing ing the Compos t ing Movement to the Capital Region, Empire Zero offers food waste compost pickup service for households, restaurants and i n s t i t u t i o n s . C o n v e n i e n t ,

affordable and locally owned.

DETOXIFICATIONSUSAN BROWN, MS, CNAt Vitality Health Center3441 Amsterdam Rd (Rte 5), Scotia518-372-4706 • GetVitalHealth.com

Combining traditional remedies using whole foods, herbals and Reiki with modern detoxification therapies such as detoxifying foot baths, Rife machine and Live Cell microscopy to support our innate healing abilities.

ENERGY HEALING

THE ART OF REIKIJoyce Willson, RN BSN251 River St, Troy, NY518-271-7802 • TheArtOfReiki.com

Joyce brings to her Reiki practice her knowledge and experience in dealing with chronic and acute health issues as well as her passion for focusing on the health and wellness of the individual. See ad, page 46.

ENERGY FOR HEALTH & HEALING, LLCJack Treiber, BS518-225-4692EnergyForHealthAndHealing.com

Over 20 years of energy healing experience. Using advanced, deep and powerful techniques to help clients feel better and achieve balance. Practicing in Clifton Park and Saratoga See ad, page 18.

SLEEPING DRAGON REIKIElisabeth Rolfe, RP IARPCrossroads Gifts & Wellness518-357-8366

Reiki and intuitive energy sessions by appointment at Crossroads Gifts & Wellness on Jay Street in Downtown Schenectady.

FAMLY FUN

TINY TOTS TEA ROOMSari Medick, Owner1536 Crescent Rd, Clifton Park518-348-1050 • TinyTotsTeaRoom.com

Open play for newborn to age 12, six days a week. Full-service café with gluten-, dairy- and peanut-free menu options. See ad, page 7.


HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE

GUILDERLAND HOMEOPATHIC CLINICLarry Malerba, DO • Mary Malerba, RN2592 Western Ave, Guilderland518-357-4210 • DocMalerba.com

Safe, FDA-approved, holistic medical care for body, heart, mind & soul. 25 years’ experience treating all types of medical conditions in children and adults.

HOMEOPATHY

JEROME MICHAEL PINDELLNiskayuna, Clifton Park & NYC518-374-5492 • [email protected]

Using homeopathy, hypnosis, jin shin jyutsu, and intuitive-based counseling in a comprehensive wholistic healing practice. Poet and author of Training Tracks,poems by implosion, available through Amazon.com.

HYPNOSIS

SHANNON KEYES CIUCEVICH Key 2 Joy, Inc145 Vly Rd, Ste 6, Shaker Pine Plaza, Colonie518-598-6968 • Key2Joy.net

Lose weight, stop smoking and release stress with hypnosis. Rece ive a f r ee hypnos i s sc reening and learn how hypnos i s c an a s s i s t you discovering the Key 2 Joy within you.

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE

CAPITAL REGION PROGRESSIVE MEDICINE AND LONGEVITY PRACTICE, PLLC1873 Western Ave, Ste 101, Albany518-452-4910 • DrErner.com

Board-certified internist treating patients with a holistic, integrative approach to preventive health and wellness. Specialties: weight loss, age management,

menopause, low testosterone, thyroid and adrenal disorders, fi bromyalgia/chronic fatigue, irritable bowel. See ad, page 47.

INTUITIVE COUNSELING

READINGS FROM THE LIGHTPaula Marie Histed239-370-7928 • [email protected]

Offering intuitive readings to deepen inspiration and divine guidance on your spiritual journey. Serving the Capital District and beyond. See ad, page 35.

GRIEF/LOSS

BERNARD A. AMYOT, MS, MA, LMHCHaven of Hope Counseling Associates, LLC1471 Rte 9, Ste 201, Crescent Commons, Clifton Park • 518-982-5376HavenOfHopeCounseling.com

20+ years’ experience in grief/loss and life transition counseling. Focus on sudden death loss, d ivorce/separa t ion, family relationship issues, anxiety, and depression. Using CBT and companioning counseling model.

HEALINGSARA BEACHInspiring Wellness Solutions518-292-8767Info@InspiringWellnessSolutions.comInspiringWellnessSolutions.com

Licensed esthetician, certified medical esthetician and Reiki II practitioner who is experienced in manual lymphatic drainage, shiatsu facial massage techniques and ear candling. See ad, page 23.

HERBS

JEAN'S GREENSHerbal Tea Works & Herbal Essentials1545 Columbia Turnpike, Schodack518-479-0471 • JeansGreens.com

Gifts from the Earth for you and yours. Offering quality organic and wild-crafted herbs, teas, tinctures, essential oils, books, gifts , and bath and beauty products, as well as a variety of supplies for making your own

products. Free catalog available. See ad, page 23.

HOLISTIC DENTISTRY

DR. FREDERICK DREHER410 Rowland St, Ballston Spa518-885-6185 • NoMercDoc.com

Combining a holistic approach that treats the teeth and the mouth, realizing the connection between dental health and whole-body wellness. Safe mercury removal.

HOLISTIC HEALTH COUNSELING

LISAMARIE TERSIGNI, CHHC, AADPInspiring Wellness Solutions518-292-8767Info@InspiringWellnessSolutions.comInspiringWellnessSolutions.com

Certifi ed Holistic Health Counselor, American Association of Drugless Practitioners certified, nutrition specialist, Intuit and Reiki Master/teacher; specializing in disease prevention, disease reversal and healing. See ad, page 23.

LIFE COACH

BARBRA [email protected] • BarbraGilman.com

A simple, powerful and playful method to change any area of your life; allowing you to be and have more. Complementary initial mini session.

ANNIE GREGSONServing the Capital District and Beyond518-532-0275AnnieGregson.net

Personalized, inspirat ional coaching to joyfully move you in the direction of your dreams. Start living the life you want to lead today; because life is more than a four-letter word.

LIFE PURPOSE

WOMEN’S HEALTH & HEALINGCarol Gardner, RN, [email protected] • 518-312-8791WomensHealthAndHealing.com

Coaching women to effectively discover strength and wisdom to support the body, mind and spirit; especially during life changes including retirement, divorce, chronic illness, grief and loss. See ad, page 36.

YOUR CREATIVE PURPOSEChristine Kidder518-421-2091Christine@YourCreativePurpose.comYourCreativePurpose.com

Scientifi c hand analysis is a system that can give you profound insight about yourself from the markings in your hands. See ad, page 11.

LIGHT THERAPY

JANE S. GRAY, LMT, CLTAt Healing Path Massage670 Franklin St, Schenectady518-374-8654 • [email protected]

Using the exciting new advances in Light Energy technology to increase circulation and decrease pain and infl ammation. Red, blue and infrared lights enhance healing on many levels.


MASSAGE

ALBANY MASSAGEAt Albany Total Wellness130 Everett Rd, [email protected]

The Capital District’s standard in therapeutic massage. Providing the latest in clinically proven therapies and delivering the highest level of quality service to our clients. See ad, page 20.

ALBANY THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE & SPORTS PERFORMANCE CENTERPaul Jensen, Jr, MS, LMT17 Computer Dr East, Albany 518-366-4429 • PerformAtYourBestNY.com

Therapeutic massage, bodywork, energy work, personal training and life coaching. 16 years of experience helping clients eliminate pain, optimize recovery and maximize performance. See ad, page 17.

BALANCE MASSAGE STUDIO316 Delaware Ave, Ste 25, Delmar518-475-9999BalanceMassageStudio.comEst. 2001

Offering a variety of massage and energy healing modalities in a p e a c e f u l a n d s a f e

environment. Wellness packages, Young Living Oils, Aromatherapy Products. See ad, page 25.

MICHAEL E. CATELLIER JR.Inspiring Wellness Solutions518-292-8767Info@InspiringWellnessSolutions.comInspiringWellnessSolutions.com

NYS licensed massage therapist, offering customized massage and body work for medical, sports, fi tness and therapeutic needs. See ad, page 23.

COMMUNITY MASSAGE & HOLISTIC THERAPIESKathleen Vroman, NYS LMT255 River St, Troy 518-272-1400 • TroyCommunityMassage.com

Offering therapeutic massage, myofascial bodywork, craniosacral t he rapy, and r e f l exo logy. Individually customized in a p rofess iona l and peacefu l atmosphere, enhanced with local art and natural foliage. Discover

Troy’s “Urban Oasis.” See ad, page 47.

REGINA M. EPP, LMT, E-RYTInspiring Wellness Solutions1-888-581-5526Info@InspiringWellnessSolutions.comInspiringWellnessSolutions.com

NYS licensed massage therapist, registered yoga teacher, personal trainer and spinning instructor with years of successful experience in healing arts and fi tness. See ad, page 23.

SANCTUARY MASSAGEStephanie Cavoli, LMT Albany & Schenectady Locations 518-952-1161 • SanctuaryMassages.com

Nourish your body; feed your soul. Specializing in gentle techniques inspired by traditional Swedish and Temple Lomi massage. Herbal infused oils enhance every session.

THE CENTER FOR NATURAL WELLNESS SCHOOL OF MASSAGE THERAPYThe Red Pines Training Center3 Cerone Commercial Dr, Albany518-489-4026 • cnwsmt.com

Offering NYS recognized Massage Therapy Training Programs. Full/Part t ime schedules. NYS Approved Continuing Education Classes. Quality learning environment. Student Clinic open to the public. See ad, page 23.

MIDWIFERY

HEARTSPACE MIDWIFERYHeidi Ricks, LM 518-588-7122Maureen Murphy, CPM 518-229-6541406 Fulton St, Ste 513, Troy HeartspaceMidwifery.com

Empowering women through knowledge, experience and heart. Offering gynecology, preconception counseling, homebirth midwifery services and lactation counseling. See ad, page 10.

LOCAL CARE MIDWIFERY, PLLCK. Michelle Doyle, CNM, NYS LM35 Dearstyne Rd, Troy518-238-3469 • LocalCareMidwifery.com

An independent midwifery prac t ice o ffe r ing qua l i ty women’s heal th care and planned home birth services. Considering home birth? Call for a free consult.

SAGE-FEMME MIDWIFERYKelly McDermott, CNM, LM527 Western Ave, Albany518-813-9290 • Sage-FemmeMidwifery.com

At Sage-Femme Midwifery, we believe women should be empowered to create their own birth experiences as well as be educated to be actively involved in decision making and self-care. Kelly has been serving the

Capital District since 1987.

MUSIC INSTRUCTION

DAVID CIUCEVICH, MMClarinet and Recorder Instructor347-879-9440 [email protected]

30+ years’ professional experience as orchestral and solo clarinetist and instructor. David's students routinely score high at NYSSMA and play first-chair for ESYO. Dynamic, supportive, fun, healthy teaching. Accepting students beginner to adult.

MICHAEL WARDGuitar Instructor518-369-6365GuitarDreamer131@yahoo.comMikeWardGuitar.com

Professional, full-time instructor of 60+ students per week. Specializing in teaching kids ages 6 and up, and teenagers in various styles. Private and group lessons. Teaching at Patrizio Center for the Arts (Latham) & Rocky’s Music

Studio (North Greenbush). See ad, page 13.

NATURAL BEAUTY

NYR ORGANICLisa Small, Independent Consultant/Leader518-755-2170 • [email protected]/Shop/LSmall

Certifi ed organic, non-GMO Project Verifi ed, Fair Trade skin and body care, cosmetics, essential oils, massage, aromatherapy, home fragrance, unique gifts and more. Products for the entire family. Discover organic.

NATURAL MATERNITY/BABY

NATURALLY GROWN282B River St, Troy518-274-2229NaturalGrownBaby.com

A natural, eco-friendly baby and momma boutique. Our mission is to support the natural growth of your child through high quality products and educational classes.


DAVID SPINA, RPH, CHHCInspiring Wellness Solutions518-292-8767Info@InspiringWellnessSolutions.comInspiringWellnessSolutions.com

Holistic health and nutrition coach with extensive experience in the health care fi eld. Specializing in the needs of men in mid-life and weight concerns for men and women. See ad, page 23.

ORGANIC SPA

SARATOGA BOTANICALS ORGANIC SPA & STORE80 Henry St, Saratoga SpringsBook spa appointments online or by phone.518-306-4108 • SaratogaBotanicals.com

Saratoga Botanicals is a health and wellness spa p r o v i d i n g m a s s a g e , acupuncture, skin care, osteopathy and Reiki. We sell our own personally

branded organic health and beauty products, too. See ad, page 35.

PHYSICAL THERAPY

MACCIO PHYSICAL THERAPY1 New Hampshire Ave, Troy518-273-2121MaccioPhysicalTherapy.com

The McKenzie Method is an active patient involvement and education system for back, neck and extremity pain. Its methodology is backed by therapists/doctors worldwide. See ad, page 22.

NATUROPATH

BACK TO NATURE FAMILY WELLNESSDr. Amy Cole, ND77 Troy Rd, Ste E, East Greenbush 160 Benmont Ave, Ste 30, Bennington, VT 518-701-4587 • [email protected]

P r o v i d i n g n a t u r o p a t h i c c o n s u l t a t i o n i n t e g r a t i n g

science and nature. Plans include nutrition, herbs, homeopathy and hydrotherapy. Exploring all aspects of a person including mind, body and spirit. See ad, page 13.

NEW AGE RETAIL

CROSSROADS GIFTS & WELLNESS133 Jay St, Schenectady518-357-8366Find us on Facebook or CrossroadsGallery.com

Divine Inspiration for mind, body, spirit and senses. Locally crafted, fair trade and spiritual gifts, Local all-natural food items, coffee, tea, health and body care products, crystals and stones, essential oils and much more.

NUTRITIONANNE J DEROCHER, CNAt Vitality Health Center3441 Amsterdam Rd (Rte 5), Scotia518-372-4706 • GetVitalHealth.com

Certifi ed nutritionist and medical intuitive for 20+ years, using whole foods and herbs to reprogram and empower our innate wisdom to unravel toxicities to attain vital health.

PRIMAL BLISS NUTRITIONKathryn Kos, NTPAt Living Well Spa18 Low St, Ballston Spa 518-260-9749 • PrimalBlissNutrition.com

Nutritional therapy services. Specializing in healing digestion, balancing blood sugar and hormones. Addressing autoimmune conditions and their dietary connection. See ad, page 13.

PILATES

HEALING WITH MOVEMENT PILATESPenny Shure2021 Western Ave, Albany518-669-9677 • HealingWithMovement.com

Intimate, neighborhood studio, specializing in individual attention and fracture prevention. Class sizes limited to 10 people. Private or duet sessions also available by appointment. Penny is a Pilates Method All iance Cert i f ied

Instructor, Meeks Method Osteoporosis Exercise Specialist and Foot Management Professional.

PSYCHOTHERAPY

HAVEN OF HOPE COUNSELING AS-SOCIATES, LLC1471 Rte 9, Ste 201, Crescent Commons, Clifton Park • 518-982-5376HavenOfHopeCounseling.com

Licensed mental health practi-tioners providing counseling for all types of losses including sudden death, suicide/homicide, divorce and separation. Assisting in life transitions, anxiety, depression

and self-esteem issues. Individual and group sessions available.

BRYON KOSHGARIAN, PHDInspiring Wellness Solutions518-292-8767Info@InspiringWellnessSolutions.comInspiringWellnessSolutions.com

Psychotherapist and spiritual counselor specializing in stress and anxiety disorders, PTSD, bereavement, depression and spir i tual concerns. See ad, page 23.

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When you are

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RECOVERY

SANDRA MARNELL, RN, MA Duanesburg & [email protected]

Certified Healing Touch Practitioner, Addiction Counselor, Recovery Coach and Trainer. Support for withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs. Immune system strengthening. Healing and pain relief. Decrease depression and anxiety.

YOGA OF 12 STEP RECOVERY (Y12SR)Kathy Garner Greco, Certified Instructor518-365-5660 • [email protected]

Y12SR is a group sharing circle and themed yoga class that integrates the wisdom of yoga and the practical tools of 12-step programs. Classes meeting at Shanti Yoga in Troy.

SHAMANIC PRACTITIONER

LUMINOUS ENERGY MEDICINEShari Parslow BS, LMTShamanic Healing and Intuitive Massage518-879-9365 • [email protected] LuminousEnergyMedicine.net

Through deep connection, healing, and honoring – our lives can be uniquely expressed with unlimited grace. Shari is a shamanic practitioner, licensed massage therapist and mentor with over 20 years of energy medicine and integrative bodywork

experience. Offering private healing sessions, workshops, and ceremonies.

SOMATIC PRACTITIONER

CONSCIOUS MOVEMENTSBuffy Owens, Feldenkrais Method216 River St, Troy518-629-5664 • ConsciousMovements.com

Offering group classes and private sessions for those interested in meditation & mindfulness, women moving through pregnancy and for families who have children with special needs & extraordinary gifts.

SPECIALTY TEAS

SHORT & STOUT TEA COMPANY1736A Western Ave, Albany518-456-TEAS (8327)[email protected]

Over 70 premium loose teas and accessories for purchase and enjoyment in our tea café. Free Wi-Fi and private room available for parties.

SPIRITUAL ADVENTURES

NEW THOUGHT NEW YORKAlbany-Saratoga518-423-3569NTNY@NYCap.rr.comNewThoughtNewYork.org

Inner peace. Joy. Abundance. This spiritual community offers the tools and support to change your l i f e . C la s se s , workshops , meditation, book discussion groups and spiritual cinema.

SPIRITUAL CENTER

DIVINE HARMONY SPIRITUALIST CHURCHRev. Kelly M. Ballard, Minister518-213-4724Pastor@DivineHarmonyChurch.comDivineHarmonyChurch.com

An Independent Spiritualist Church serving the Capital Region. Service dates/times are available online. Healing and mediumship included in all services.

SPIRITUAL MENTORING

A PLACE OF ONE-NESSAvis A. Burnett, PhD639 Riverview Rd, Rexford518-371-0579 • AvisBurnett.com

Your Spiritual Mentor for individual transformational counseling, energetic healing sessions and workshops. Using principles of quantum mechanics to shift patterns of thinking, behaving and feeling at the cellular level.

SUSTAINABLE FINANCE

SUSTAINABLE WEALTH ADVISORSHarry Moran, CFP, AIF112 Spring St, Ste 101, Saratoga Springs518-450-1755HMoran@PRG-Group.netSustainableWealthAdvisors.com

Comprehensive financial planning and highly customized asset management strategies for socially and environmentally conscious investors. Serving the greater Capital Region. [Securities offered through Portfolio Resources

Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, SIFMA. Office of Supervisory Jurisdiction (OSJ): 800 Brickell Ave, Ste 903, Miami, FL.] See ad, page 12.

YOGAsoluna

Variety of classes and levels:• Gentle• Prenatal• Chair• Yoga 101• Yin Yoga

Gift Certi�cates Available200 Hr. Teacher Training

O�ering private and group yoga lessons for all abilities and ages.

Let us bring compassion, peace and a sense of well-being into your life.

www.solunayoga.com

518-429-1455

2317 Balltown RoadNiskayuna, NY12309

• Warm • Qigong• Meditation• Pilates• Power Vinyasa


THERMOGRAPHY

BREAST THERMOGRAPHY INTERNATIONALPatricia Luccardi, LMT, CNMT, CTTChatham and Delmar518-929-7579 • Btiscan.com

Detect changes at the cellular level years before a mammogram. Clearer results, fewer additional tests, allowing for dietary and lifestyle changes. See ad, page 6.

MEDICAL THERMOGRAPHY ASSOCIATES2 Chelsea Place, Clifton Park518-983-6564 • MedThermography.com

Setting the standard. Medical thermography reveals physiological function and changes. Detects ca rd io-vascu la r p rob lems , hormonal imbalance, lymphatic congestion, and more. Used for early detection/prevention and

breast cancer screening. See ad, page 9.

WELLNESS

INSPIRING WELLNESS SOLUTIONS518-292-8767Info@InspiringWellnessSolutions.comInspiringWellnessSolutions.com

Corporate wellness programs, individual counseling and group nutrition coaching to support clients to live a healthy and fit lifestyle. Specializing in disease prevention and management. See ad, page 23.

NORTHEAST SPINE AND WELLNESS1741 Rte 9, Clifton Park1873 Western Ave, Albany518-371-4800 • DrGulyas.com

Offering evaluation, education and solutions to chronic health concerns where others believe nothing else can be done. Helping to navigate the “storm” of ill health with the 3 Ms: Meal,

Movement and Mind. See ad, page 37.

SOLID GROUND CENTER FOR A BALANCED LIFE148 Central Ave, Albany518-339-9443 • SolidGroundNY.org

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction classes, monthly walk-in meditation sessions, seminars and individual instruction. Teachers trained at the University of Massachusetts

with 20 years of experience.

TRANQUIL SPIRIT WELLNESS CENTER1744 Rte 9, Castleton 518-336-4468TranquilSpiritWellness.com

A community gathering space offering meditation, yoga, Zumba, crystal bowl and drumming circles, massage, Reiki and hypnotherapy. Store features wellness products and local

artisans' work. See ad, page 7.

WORKSHOPS/RETREATS

BONA FIDE BUTTERFLIES518-532-0275BonafideButterflies.com

Empowering workshops and re juvena t ing re t r ea t s fo r women. Unveil authentic self, explore dreams and create the joyful l i fe meant to l ive. Wo r k s h o p s h e l d i n t h e

Adirondacks or at one’s location.

ONE BIG ROOF433 Broadway, 3rd Flr, Saratoga Springs518-450-1624 • OneRoofSaratoga.com

A spacious retreat and workshop center in the heart of Saratoga. Attend mind, body, spirit events for improved health and

well-being. See schedule online. See ad, page 47.

PEACE VILLAGE LEARNING & RETREAT CENTER54 O’Hara Rd (at Rte 23A), Haines Falls, NY518-589-5000 [email protected]

Experience the tranquility of weekend retreats, vegetarian food and special day events for the Capital District. Learn to meditate, be open to life-changing experiences and fi nd inner peace and power. Relax, refresh and renew. See ad, page 8.

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YOGA

HEARTSPACE YOGA & HEALING ARTS747 Madison Ave, Albany 10 2nd St, Troy • 518-512-3390HeartspaceAlbany.com

With locations in Troy and Albany, Hear tspace i s a community-oriented yoga studio offering daily drop-in classes for all levels, workshops and special events. See ad, page 26.

IN HARMONY YOGA137 Remsen St, Cohoes518-369-8325 • [email protected]

Our Sacred Space embodies a compassionate environment that will empower your body, mind and spirit. Kripalu, Hot Warrior Yoga (85 degrees), Vinyasa, The

5 Tibetan Rites of Rejuvenation, Yoga Basics, Detox Flow and Pre-Natal.

ANDIE KEENANInspiring Wellness Solutions518-292-8767Info@InspiringWellnessSolutions.comInspiringWellnessSolutions.com

Certified vinyasa yoga instructor specializing in low impact yoga. In-home classes possible. See ad, page 23.

KEY 2 JOY, INC.145 Vly Road, Ste 6, Shaker Pine Plaza, Colonie518-598-6968 • Key2Joy.net

Unlock the Key 2 Joy within you through yoga and meditation. Offering: hatha, chair, Svaroopa, gentle,

restorative, tantra, and Bhakti yoga, yoga nidra, and meditation. Private and group sessions for all levels. See ad, page 11.

KUNDALINI YOGA ALBANYClasses in Albany & TroySat Kriya Kaur • 518-712-9642 SatKriyaKaur.com

Kundalini Yoga expands your awareness, strengthens your body, increases your stamina and elevates your consciousness through movement, powerful pranayam and deep meditation. No experience necessary/drop

in classes. Visit website for locations and class times.

SOLUNA YOGA STUDIO2317 Balltown Rd, Niskayuna518-429-1455 • SolunaYoga.com

Offering private and group yoga lessons for all abilities and ages. Soluna focuses on education, individual attention and providing a safe environ-ment to enhance each student’s personal and physical growth

in their yoga experience. See ad, page 44.

THE YOGA LILYPam Medina, Founder, E-RYT1 Barney Rd, Ste 222, Clifton Park518-744-5565 • TheYogaLily.com

A welcoming, safe, healing space to nourish well-being. Gentle to challenging classes, as well as chair and restorative yoga, Thai yoga

bodywork, goddess events, meditation, workshops/retreats and yoga teacher training programs.

YOGA BLISS ON THE BLVD140 Erie Blvd, Schenectady518-894-7086YogaBlissBlvd.com

A safe and sacred space where one can inquire within. Dedicated under the guiding principles of love, grace and gratitude. Yoga Bliss offers a space to choose and practice happiness.

classifiedsFor fees and info on placing classifieds, email [email protected]. Deadline is the 5th of the month.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITYYOGA STUDIO – Comprehensive wellness facility seeks certified professional to teach and manage the yoga portion of the practice. Serious inquiries: AAC Wellness, Ballston Spa, 518-363-0202.

DETOX/MASSAGE SPECIALDELMAR – $60 limited special thru 9/30/14 ($120 value). Massage with Magi Thayer, LMT along with a detox session with Joan Bender, Certified Health Coach. Appointments: 518-588-8597.

HEALINGENERGY TREATMENTS – Usui Holy Fire Reiki Master and Bengston energy healing Method. Relief from anxiety and stress, re-balancing and alignment. Albany, Troy, Clifton Park, Saratoga. Christina Elizabeth Manning, 518-496-0221, [email protected].

HEALTH CONSULTATIONSALBANY – Complimentary private heath consulta-tions available Monday evenings and Saturday morn-ings. Book a 30–minute consultation today. Inspiring Wellness Solutions, Everett Road, 518-292-8767.

HELP WANTEDGREEN CLEANING – Local residential & com-mercial cleaning service seeks individuals who are passionate about the environment & natural living; have an eye for details & a strong team work ethic. Full & PT available. Letters of interest & resumes to Green Genies, [email protected].

MAIL ORDERAZUREGREEN.NET – Herbs, books, mortars and pestles, bumper stickers, jewelry, incense, gift items, gemstones, amulets, statuary. 8,000 items. Wholesale and retail.

MASSAGE CLINICSMASSAGE CLINICS – Receive massage from currently enrolled students. $40/hour; $35/age 65 and older or 18 and under. $30/students. CNW School of Massage Therapy, 3 Cerone Commercial Drive, Albany. Times/appt: 518-489-4068.

PRACTITIONERS WANTED TROY – Seeking somatic movement educators, MBSR teachers, counselors/psychologists, nutri-tionists, birth & baby professionals to join A Space To Grow. Info: 518-629-5664.

WEB DESIGNROGER LIPERA WEB DESIGN & CONSULT-ING – Guilderland. 518-248-4175. Lipera.com.

VENDORS WANTEDHOLISTIC & SPIRITUAL EXPO – Seeking exhibi-tors interested in participating in the 2nd Annual Holis-tic Healing and Spiritual Arts Expo, Saratoga Springs, NY on Oct 4. Info: HolisticSpiritualExpo.com.

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