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Inner Balance TWIN CITIES EDITION | NATWINCITIES.COM

SEPTEMBER 2026

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

Publisher’s Letter Finding Balance Within

TWIN CITIES EDITION Publisher Jordan Peschek Editor Randy Kambic Design & Production Suzzanne M. Siegel Sales & Marketing Jordan Peschek Website Nicholas Bruckman Distribution Metro Periodical Partners

But perhaps balance is less about arriving somewhere and more about continually listening and responding. Our minds, bodies and spirits are constantly communicating with one another. Stress can manifest physically. Movement Jordan Peschek can shift our mood. Nourishing food can influence how we feel and function. A few intentional breaths can settle the nervous system. Music can stir an emotion before the mind even finds words for it. This month’s Inner Balance issue explores those connections from many angles.

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Our feature story brings the mind-body connection into focus by exploring how stress and difficult experiences can show up not only in our thoughts, but also through physical tension and nervous system responses. Somatic practices invite us to notice the body’s messages and use breath, movement, body awareness and other therapeutic approaches to help restore a sense of safety and calm.

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Our Fit Body feature, “Functional Yoga for Everyday Mobility,” brings us back into the physical body with an important reminder: yoga does not require extreme flexibility or perfect poses. Simple, consistent movement can support mobility, stability, posture and body awareness while helping us remain capable of doing the everyday things we love.

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CEO Kimberly B. Whittle COO Michael Bevilacqua CMO Vee Banionis Sr. VP Operations Brian Stenzler, DC National Editor Sandra Yeyati Editor Brooke Goode Copy Editor Melanie Rankin Print Production Specialist Kevin Rankin Design Director Agnes Mazeikaite Production Flip180

CONTACT US Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 350 Main Street, Suite 9B Bedminster, NJ 07921 Ph: 239-206-2000 NaturalAwakenings@KnoWEwell.com Cover image courtesy of

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In “Healing Harmonies,” we explore the growing interest in sound therapy and the ways vibration, rhythm and tone are being used to encourage relaxation, mindfulness and emotional balance. Our local stories bring the mind-body-spirit connection even closer to home. Healing Waters Health Center explores anxiety as a whole-body experience, looking beyond racing thoughts to the physical and energetic patterns that may accompany stress, from tension in the chest to restlessness and rumination (page 14). Its approach encourages people to become curious about what the body may be communicating and what it needs to return to greater balance. At Clearly Connected Healing, Jessie Rudi, Ph.D., offers another invitation to slow down and listen inward (page 12). Drawing from her own experience with burnout and disconnection, she uses Reiki, meditation, intuition and energy work to help people step away from the constant “doing” of modern life and reconnect with a sense of calm, clarity and themselves. Different approaches. Different needs. Yet each reflects something at the heart of holistic wellness: We are not a collection of separate parts. We are whole beings.

© 2026 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment. AI was used in some editing and production of this issue. Natural Awakenings is printed on partially recycled and fully recyclable newsprint with black soy ink.

Balance is an interesting concept. We often talk about “finding” balance as though it is a destination: a place we finally reach when our schedules settle down, our bodies feel good, our minds become quiet and everything in life falls neatly into place.

Perhaps inner balance begins by paying attention to that wholeness: moving when the body asks to move, resting when it asks to rest, nourishing ourselves well, making room for our emotions, connecting with others and remaining curious about the practices that help us feel more grounded, present and alive. May something within these pages encourage you to listen a little more closely to what your own mind, body and spirit need this season. In gratitude, Jordan Peschek, RN-BSN, Publisher

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Contents Departments 4 News Briefs 5 Health Briefs 8 Feature Story 12 Business Spotlight 14 Therapy Spotlight 17 Eco Tip 18 Healing Ways 20 Conscious Eating 24 Fit Body

26 Homeopathy 28 Calendar 29 Resource Guide

8 Introduction to Somatic Therapies 12 Clearly Connected Healing 14 Beyond Worry 17 Clean Clothes, Cleaner Planet 18 Healing Harmonies 20 Nutritious Nachos 24 Functional Yoga for Everyday Mobility 26 Homeopathy Under the Microscope

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September 2026

News Briefs

Happy & Healthy Therapy Offers Tummy Time! Method Class for Babies and Parents

Awaken Your Inner Healer: How Healing Touch Supports Balance, Recovery and Well-being

Happy & Healthy Therapy, in Saint Paul, is hosting a three-class Tummy Time! Method series from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. on the frst, second and third Thursdays of each month, in St. Paul. The class helps parents and pre-crawling babies build positive tummy time experiences while supporting sensory and motor development. Occupational therapist Maria Bossert leads caregivers through the Tummy Time! Method, developed by occupational therapist Michelle Emanuel to help babies who struggle with tummy time. Time spent belly down provides an important foundation for movement development, including rolling, sitting, crawling and walking. Caregivers learn how to incorporate the method into everyday play and receive individualized feedback based on their babies’ needs. Bossert also helps parents understand tummy time’s role in development and how concerns such as colic, tension and constipation may relate to movement experiences. The small-group setting gives Maria Bossert families an opportunity to connect while learning ways to make tummy time comfortable, engaging and fun. The series includes three 60-minute classes, is limited to six caregiver-infant pairs and costs $120 for one caregiver and a pre-crawling baby or multiples. Location: Happy & Healthy Therapy, 1360 Energy Park Dr., Ste. 100, St. Paul. Cost $240. For more information or to register, visit HappyAndHealthyTherapy.com. See listing on page 31.

Healing Touch is an energy therapy that uses gentle hand movements and light touch to support your natural healing capacity. It promotes deep relaxation and an improved sense of physical and emotional well-being. Recovery after surgery, cancer treatments, life transitions and unresolved trauma are a few of the issues that Healing Touch can address, as well as stress, anxiety, pain and fatigue. Sessions are intended to allow you to tap into your inner wisdom and are complementary to other medical or mental health care approaches. As a Healing Touch Certified Practitioner with a master's degree in Holistic Health Studies from St. Catherine University, Allison Dawn Runchey enjoys supporting adults of all ages. Her philosophy of healing is that your own inner healer is the guiding force for your recovery and wellbeing. She empowers clients to become aware of their own energy patterns and teaches easy and practical energy-based healing techniques to use on their own. Whether seeing clients individually or leading small group classes, she describes her role as “holding sacred space with compassion” for each person’s body, mind and spirit to come into a state of balance. Sessions are in-person at The Healing House of Saint Paul, 338 Snelling Ave., S. Learn more at AllisonDawnEnergyHealing.com or contact Allison at 612-499-0280. See listing on page 30.

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Health Briefs

Microplastics Linked to Heart Disease

A subsequent cross-sectional study published this year in the European Heart Journal further evaluated the relationship between plastic pollution and cardiovascular health. The study involved 61 participants suspected of having coronary artery disease who underwent coronary angiography—a specialized X-ray test that uses contrast dye to visualize blood flow through the arteries. The participants were categorized into three groups based on the angiography results: severe, life-threatening heart attack caused by coronary artery blockage; chronic coronary disease (CCD); and normal coronary arteries (control group). Researchers measured the concentration of MNPs in the coronary and surrounding blood of each patient. MNPs were detected more

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A 2024 study in The New England Journal of Medicine involving more than 300 participants revealed a significant association between carotid artery plaque containing micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) and an increased risk of heart attack, stroke or death.

frequently, in higher concentrations and with greater diversity, in the heart attack group (84.2 percent) compared to the CCD (40 percent) and control (31.8 percent) groups. Detection of MNPs was also associated with elevated inflammatory markers. Notably, MNPs were more frequently detected in smokers and those exposed to air pollution. The co-authors of the study noted the significant impact of lifestyle choices and exposure to pollutants on heart health.

September 2026

Health Briefs

The Decrease in Peanut Allergies

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CRC is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, and the removal of adenomas is one of the most effective prevention procedures. However, people that have undergone this measure still face an elevated risk of developing CRC. The study involved more than 700 participants—half with a history of adenoma and the other half without. Researchers observed that further research is needed to determine whether modifying the gut microbiome through diet and exercise reduces the risk of CRC.

Largest Integrated Health Database

In June, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) All of Us Research Program unveiled the world’s most extensive health database. More than 747,000 Americans from all 50 states contributed data, encompassing 535,000 complete genomes associated with 482,000 electronic health records and data from wearable technology like Fitbit. The database also includes participants’ socioeconomic information, sleep data and location-based air quality statistics. The database’s most significant advantage lies in its diverse participant pool. By contrast, the other leading health database, UK Biobank, includes genetic and other information on 500,000 participants, predominantly of white European descent. The NIH program began enrolling participants in 2018 with a goal of including 1 million Americans for at least 10 years to study the interplay between genes and lifestyle and environmental factors. More than 23,000 researchers have used the database and authored more 6

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A new study published in the journal Pediatrics looked at how the implementation of the 2015 recommendations affected the peanut allergy rate. Researchers discovered that the overall food allergy rate in children under 3 dropped to 0.93 percent between 2017 and 2020 from 1.46 percent between 2012 and 2015. This 36 percent decrease in the overall rate was driven by a 43 percent drop in peanut allergies, confirming the benefit of the 2015 public health recommendation.

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A study led by Harvard University and published in Cell Host & Microbe found that more than a decade after the removal of a precancerous mass known as an adenoma from the colon, changes in the gut microbiome and certain metabolites persist, potentially contributing to an elevated risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). The study also found that a poor diet and limited physical activity are more closely associated with the abundance of these CRC-related gut microbes in people with a history of adenoma compared to adenoma-free individuals, suggesting that lifestyle choices play an important role in the gut microbiome of this high-risk group.

Peanut allergies are severe, and approximately 80 percent of affected children fail to outgrow them. For decades, experts have recommended that parents avoid feeding peanut products to infants to prevent the allergy from developing. Then in 2015, a study in The New England Journal of Medicine demonstrated that early introduction of peanut products—at between 4 and 11 months of age—significantly decreased the development of peanut allergies among children at high risk for the allergy. Following this study, early introduction of peanut products has become a standard practice to build immune tolerance.

than 1,400 peer-reviewed publications. Despite the NIH announcement, the program’s funding is scheduled to expire at the end of 2026. More than 50 medical organizations have petitioned Congress to allocate new funding or risk losing what has been built.

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Microbiome Effects on Colorectal Cancer Risk

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Black Chokeberry and Bee Pollen for Athletes

Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance between unstable free radicals and antioxidants, leading to cell and tissue damage, potentially increasing inflammation and the risk of chronic conditions. Intense physical activity generates high levels of free radicals, and antioxidant supplementation is often recommended for athletes. A 2024 study in the journal Sports investigated whether oxidative stress could be managed by a combination of black chokeberry and bee pollen, a natural formulation with a balanced ratio of macroand micronutrients rich in proteins and polyphenols.

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The study divided 29 combat fighters into a supplementation group that consumed 40 grams of black chokeberry and bee pollen daily in a ratio of two-to-one for four weeks and a control group that received no supplementation. Although the supplementation group exhibited no significant changes in inflammatory markers, body composition, maximum aerobic capacity, glycemic index, hemoglobin or red blood cell line, they did demonstrate a statistically significant increase in plasma antioxidant capacity. The researchers concluded that the black chokeberry and bee pollen supplement was a good source of antioxidants, proteins and carbohydrates for an athlete’s diet.

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Be moderate in order to taste the joys of life in abundance. —Epicurus

September 2026

Feature Story

Introduction to Somatic Therapies Reconnecting Mind and Body in an Overstimulated World by Sheldon C. Baker

e are often told to “just breathe” when we feel distressed, overreactive, overstimulated, hyper-vigilant, exhausted or digitally overloaded. Stress is a common consequence of modern life, and sometimes, a few deep breaths can provide relief. However, when stress becomes ever-present and deep-seated, we may need a bit more help to release the tension in our muscles and to lower our heightened blood pressure out of fight-flight-or-freeze mode. Somatic healing practices can provide a reset through movement and body awareness. According to Gina Nick, Ph.D., a naturopathic physician with 25 years of experience and an integrative medical practice in Los Angeles, “Somatic therapies are designed to address physical tension and release the stored emotions and stressors housed in the body.” These practices—which can be performed at home or with the help of a professional—forge a healthy, fluent connection between the mind and body by creating heightened self-awareness and boosting recovery and resilience. The result is sustained calmness and an improved ability to achieve serenity, focus and cognitive clarity.

Noticing the Body’s Messages

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“Chronic stress doesn’t just affect your thoughts. It changes your biology,” explains Daniel Amen, M.D., a double board-certified psychiatrist, neuroscientist and author of multiple

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national bestsellers, including Change Your Brain, Change Your Pain: Breaking the Doom Loop to Heal Chronic Physical and Emotional Pain. “When stress hormones stay elevated for too long, they increase muscle tension, fire up inflammation and contribute to chronic pain. They also disrupt sleep, impair digestion and can even reduce blood flow to the brain, making you feel anxious, exhausted or mentally foggy.” Somatic therapy relies on interoception— awareness of body sensations—to identify and release stress and trauma. These sensations originate from the autonomic nervous system, which governs involuntary bodily functions like heart rate and digestion. Examples of negative body sensations include clenching muscles, racing pulse, stomach churning, temperature fluctuations, tightness around the chest and tingling. Steven Bradshaw, a psychologist, somatic experiencing practitioner and founder of Beyond Psychology Center, in Los Angeles, explains that the autonomic nervous system features two sub-systems that regulate safety: the sympathetic nervous system that mobilizes the body for action in dangerous situations and the parasympathetic nervous system to promote calmness and recovery. Chronic stress or trauma can get stuck in the sympathetic nervous system, causing a state of constant alertness. “The body is safety for the mind,” he remarks. “I use a mind-body approach that engages your inner healer to move from states of anxiety, burnout,

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disconnection and pain into states of goodness, flow and a deep sense of belonging in your own body.” Aimie Apigian, M.D., MS, MPH, founder of Trauma Healing Accelerated and author of The Biology of Trauma: How the Body Holds Fear, Pain, and Overwhelm, and How to Heal It, explains, “Somatic therapies are

body-based approaches that work at the level of sensation. Sometimes that means creating a sensation of safety in the body, and sometimes it means creating the sensation of overcoming a moment of powerlessness from the past, often through movement, by finally doing the self-defense movement you were not able to do when the real event happened. The benefit is that we uncouple a

sensation from the meaning of danger it got paired with. That can be an internal sensation, like the twisting of your gut, or an external one, like a particular sight or smell. The sensation stops automatically signaling danger, and the body gets to learn a new response rather than only understanding the old one.”

Mind-Body Practices

“As anyone who has ever danced knows, our feelings can be more readily accessed through movement and getting in touch with our body’s sensations, which is what somatic therapy does,” says Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D., a board-certified internist specializing in chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, sleep and pain, as well as the author of several books, including Pain Relief in 4 Simple Steps: Eliminating the Root Causes of Chronic Pain. While conventional talk therapy focuses on using the rational mind to release embedded stress, daily

Myofascial Release “years of pain now diminished...” ~R.S. “The doctors didn’t help; This did.” ~L.H.

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September 2026

Feature Story

body-awareness activities can help people learn to process their tension while building emotional resilience. Amen recommends starting with basic practices, including slow diaphragmatic breathing, daily body movements, good quality sleep and time spent in nature. One of his favorite calming strategies is the butterfly hug to soothe the brain and body. “Simply place your hands on your opposite shoulders and gently stroke them downward,” he explains. Other self-somatic therapies can calm the body and mind, creating a sense of safety, which quiets racing thoughts and brightens the person’s outlook. “The aim of a daily practice is to create a sensation of internal safety or a felt sense of support in the body,” Apigian counsels. Four-Count Breath: An excellent tension reliever and mental refresh, the four-count breath can be performed anywhere at any time. Inhale fully while counting to four, hold for four, exhale for four and pause for four. Repeat up to five times. Body Scan: This exercise is all about interoception and is done by noticing sensations from head to toe while sitting or lying down comfortably. Full-Body Shake: Standing up and shaking arms, legs and shoulders for 30 seconds not only loosen limbs but also relieves pent-up stress. Rolling the head in a circular motion can also release knotted tension at the base of the neck. Humming: The vibrations from humming (either a tune or single note like an “Om”) physically calms the vagus nerve, which bidirectionally carries information via electrical and chemical messages to and from the brain. A 2023 study published in the medical journal Cureus involving 23 participants revealed that humming significantly lowered stress biomarkers compared to physical activity and 10

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Mindful Movement: Moving with intention and body awareness can deepen in-the-moment joy and appreciation while also reducing anxiety, releasing tension and improving mood. Start with deep breathing, then turn attention inward for a head-to-toe body check while moving. This can be practiced while washing the dishes or participating in a fitness class. Guided Imagery: A technique that can be performed alone or with a therapist, guided imagery utilizes breathwork and meditation while envisioning an object or scene, using all of the senses. Capitalizing on the mind-body connection, multi-sensory visualization reduces stress and relaxes muscles.

Guided Therapies

Long-term, somatic therapies with the help of expert practitioners can result in creating healthier habitual emotional patterns, which contribute to repairing mood imbalance and creating sustained well-being. Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, hands-on approach that releases physical tension to enhance relaxation. It focuses on the skull, spine and craniosacral system, which includes the cerebrospinal fluid, fascia and soft tissues surrounding the central nervous system. A 2023 study published in Behavioral Sciences (Basel, Switzerland) involving male firefighter cadets found that five weekly sessions of craniosacral therapy significantly reduced cortisol levels, a primary stress hormone. Rolfing somatic movement is a touch-based technique designed to unblock or release protective posture patterns such as shrugged shoulders, bent postures and clenched jawlines from unresolved stress, anxiety and trauma. According to the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute, Giuseppe Lombardo from Getty Images Signature/CanvaPro

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sleep, with positive impacts on the parasympathetic nervous system to reduce the fight-or-flight response.

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brain. Compared to EMDR, BSP is more somatic and intuitive. In a 2022 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, just one 40-minute session of EMDR or BSP was found to have beneficial effects in processing distressing memories.

Rolfing resets the body’s stress response by releasing restrictions in the fascia—the connective tissue network that surrounds, separates and holds together the body’s muscles, bones, organs, blood vessels and nerve fibers. Trauma-sensitive yoga or trauma-informed yoga is designed to cultivate a compassionate awareness of what is happening in the body in the present moment and to develop the ability to take effective action based on that knowledge. It empowers individuals to reconnect with their bodies in a safe, non-judgmental environment and regulate the nervous system. A 2018 qualitative analysis published in International Journal of Stress Management identified key emotional themes that emerged from engaging in trauma-sensitive yoga, including gratitude, compassion, relatedness, acceptance, centeredness and empowerment.

Finding Relief and Resolution

“Somatic therapies recognize that many emotional and physical symptoms are protective responses rather than a mental disorder, weakness or failure,” says Annie Wright, a licensed psychotherapist and relational trauma specialist. Acknowledging and observing our discomfort paves the way for a healing conversation with ourselves. Sheldon C. Baker is a contributing editor to numerous health, wellness and lifestyle publications.

Balance is not something you find, it’s something you create. —Jana Kingsford

Somatic experiencing is a specialized therapy designed to retrain the nervous system by processing trauma in small, manageable sessions. Instead of focusing on the story of the trauma, the therapist guides the client to notice physical sensations, while providing a feeling of safety and well-being. This treatment approach releases vestigial negativity and creates a new, intuitive, more deeply self-aware and empowered way of sustaining emotional well-being. A 2021 literature review published in European Journal of Psychotraumatology reported that somatic experiencing positively impacts symptoms related to post-traumatic stress disorder, notably reducing affective and somatic complaints while improving overall well-being.

Eye-Movement Therapies

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) centers on moving the eyes in a specific manner while being guided to process traumatic or stressful memories, which are stored differently than normal or happy ones. Reprocessing helps to repair mind injury caused by the traumatic event. Brainspotting (BSP), a newer neuro-based therapy, uses eye position or “brainspots” to access and release unresolved emotional energy stored in the limbic system and subcortical region of the Be sure to let our ad partners know you found them in

September 2026

Business Spotlight

Clearly Connected Healing: Helping People Reconnect with Calm, Clarity and Themselves

fter years in academia, Jessie Rudi, Ph.D., knew something had to change. As a researcher, she thrived intellectually, but the relentless pace eventually caught up with her. “I felt extreme burnout and disconnection from myself,” Rudi recalls. “I loved what I was doing for a long time, but my body was not loving it.” Searching for relief, she found an acupuncturist who also practiced Reiki. That first session became a turning point. “It taught me there is always peace and calm inside, even if things are crazy,” she says. “I am okay.” That experience sparked years of personal exploration into energy healing, intuition and self-discovery. As Reiki became an integral part of her own healing journey, sharing it with others felt like a natural next step. “My Reiki Master invited me to train with her, and after practicing with family and friends, they kept saying, ‘You have to do this,’” Rudi says with a smile. “Eventually I realized I couldn’t not share this with others.” Today, Rudi is the founder of Clearly Connected Healing, LLC, where she offers intuitive Reiki sessions, mentorship and training designed to help clients reconnect with themselves in a gentle, grounded and approachable way.

A Practical Approach to Energy Healing

For those unfamiliar with Reiki, Rudi describes it as a Japanese energy healing 12

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practice that supports the body’s natural ability to rest, restore and heal. Rather than focusing on fixing people, her goal is to create space where clients can slow down, listen inward and reconnect with their own inner wisdom. She intentionally approaches Reiki in a practical, accessible way. “I want people to know they don’t have to believe anything specific for Reiki to be beneficial,” she explains. “You don’t have to be spiritual. You don’t have to understand energy. You simply have to be open to relaxing and seeing what unfolds.” Sessions blend traditional Usui Reiki with Pranic healing, intuitive guidance, energetic coaching and time for thoughtful integration afterward. Whether working hands-on during an in-person session or connecting virtually with clients around the world,

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Rudi emphasizes that every experience is personalized. “I follow where the session wants to go,” she says. “People often leave feeling calmer, lighter and more connected to themselves.”

From Survival Mode to Self-Connection

Many of Rudi’s clients arrive feeling overwhelmed by the demands of modern life. “I think so many people are living in chronic stress,” she says. “They’re constantly doing, constantly thinking and rarely giving themselves permission to simply be.” One of the most meaningful transformations she witnesses is not necessarily dramatic, but subtle and lasting. “When people finally relax, they remember who they are underneath all the noise,” she explains.

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sessions can be more powerful because people are in their own space,” Rudi shares. “They didn’t have to drive here. They can have their favorite things, their favorite blankets, their pets tend to come visit because they know what’s going on.” Those comforts can make it easier for someone to experience the healing benefits most fully.

An Invitation to Explore, Experience or Learn Reiki

Perhaps the biggest misconception Rudi hopes to dispel is that Reiki is mysterious or only for certain people. “I think people sometimes assume it’s strange or that you have to be deeply spiritual,” she says. “Really, it’s just another way to support your overall well-being.” “They reconnect with themselves.” As a mother of three, Rudi understands firsthand how easily people place their own well-being at the bottom of the priority list. “I know what it’s like to juggle responsibilities and constantly take care of everyone else,” she says. “That experience has made me much more compassionate with my clients. I understand how hard it can be to create space for yourself.”

Healing Beyond the Treatment Room

While many people initially seek Reiki for stress relief, Rudi believes its greatest value lies in helping people cultivate greater awareness in everyday life.

For those who remain Reiki-curious but uncertain about taking the first step, her advice is simple. “Come with an open mind,” she says. “You don’t have to know exactly what to expect. Just give yourself permission to experience it.” Clearly Connected Healing also offers group meditation and Reiki experiences, workplace wellness pop-ups and community events that introduce energy healing in an approachable environment. Businesses and organizations increasingly recognize that caring for employee well-being extends beyond traditional wellness initiatives, and Rudi enjoys creating restorative experiences that allow people to pause, recharge and reconnect.

She is also expanding her Reiki training programs through intimate small-group classes and one-on-one mentorship. “I love watching people realize that this isn’t about becoming someone different,” she says. “It’s about remembering what’s already within you.” Clearly Connected Healing, LLC, is located at 700 Twelve Oaks Center Dr., Ste. 253, Wayzata. For more information or to schedule a session, visit ClearlyConnectedHealing.com or email Jessie@ClearlyConnectedHealing.com. See listing on page 30.

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Following each session, clients have time to reflect on intuitive insights and discuss practical ways to integrate those observations into daily routines. Her hope is that healing continues long after someone leaves her office. Clearly Connected Healing offers private Reiki sessions in person at its Wayzata office and virtually worldwide, along with group meditation experiences, Reiki trainings and community wellness events. Virtual sessions can be particularly comforting to many clients. “I personally find virtual Be sure to let our ad partners know you found them in

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Therapy Spotlight

Beyond Worry: Three Energetic Patterns of Anxiety

nxiety is often described as a problem of the mind. People may be told that they are overthinking, worrying too much or imagining what could go wrong. But anxiety is rarely experienced only in the mind. It can feel like a racing heart, a tight chest, difficulty breathing, a flushed face, a mind that will not stop, a restless body or a low back that remains tense. A person may know intellectually that they are safe, while their body continues to respond as though something is wrong. From an energetic perspective, anxiety can be understood as a disruption in the natural flow of energy through the body. That disruption does not look the same in everyone.

At Healing Waters Health Center, they often observe three primary energetic patterns of anxiety. These patterns are connected with the heart, spleen and kidneys. Understanding where the anxiety is showing up can help us look beyond the general label and begin to understand what the body may be communicating.

Heart Anxiety: Electrical Tension in the Chest

The first type of anxiety involves excess electrical tension in and around the heart. This may be experienced as heart palpitations, tightness or pressure in the chest, difficulty taking a full breath or sudden flushing in the face. Some people describe feeling as though energy is building in the chest or rising upward through the body.

This type of anxiety can feel immediate and intense. The person may feel physically activated even when there is no obvious danger around them. The heart is highly responsive to emotional and energetic stress. When tension accumulates in this area, the sensations can become frightening, which may create even more anxiety. The person feels the heart race, becomes afraid of the sensation and then experiences another surge of tension. From an energetic viewpoint, the goal is not simply to tell the person to calm down. It is to help reduce the tension around the heart and allow the energy to move more freely through the chest and the rest of the body. Because heart palpitations, chest discomfort and breathing difficulty can also have medical causes, new or unexplained symptoms should always be evaluated by an appropriate healthcare provider.

Spleen Anxiety: Racing Thoughts and Rumination

Energetically, the spleen is closely related to the mind and to how we process thoughts, experiences and information. When there is tension in this system, the mind may become caught in repetitive thinking. A person may replay conversations, worry about what they said, anticipate every possible outcome or continue turning the same problem over without finding resolution. They may know that the thinking is not helping, but still feel unable to stop. This form of anxiety may show up as: • Racing thoughts • Overthinking • Worry • Rumination • Mental fatigue • Difficulty settling at night • Replaying past situations • Trying to predict or control the future

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The person may feel exhausted, yet the mind continues moving. This is different from the more physical surge of heart anxiety. The dominant experience is often a mind that cannot complete the cycle of processing and return to stillness. In these cases, it can be helpful to look at what the mind is trying to resolve. Consider if the person is carrying too much responsibility, repeatedly analyzing a situation that never feels complete or trying to create certainty in a situation that feels unsafe or unpredictable. Energetic work may help reduce the tension that keeps the mind locked in repetition and support a greater sense of clarity and internal quiet.

Kidney Anxiety: Restlessness and the Survival Response

The third type of anxiety involves the kidneys

and the body’s instinctive survival response. This person may become restless when anxious. They may pace, feel unable to sit still, repeatedly change positions or experience a strong need to move. When stress increases, their body prepares for action.

• Feeling unable to settle

This pattern is closely connected with the fight, flight, freeze or fright response. The body senses danger and begins preparing to protect itself, even when the person may not consciously understand what triggered the reaction.

• Feeling unsafe without knowing why

Kidney-related anxiety may also be accompanied by a tight or braced lower back, near the area where the kidneys are located. The person may feel as though the lower body cannot fully soften.

The body is not being difficult. It is responding as though it needs to survive.

This anxiety may present as: • Pacing • Restlessness

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• A strong urge to escape • Startling easily • Physical bracing • Tightness in the lower back

Rather than appearing primarily as racing thoughts or chest pressure, this form of anxiety expresses itself through movement, tension and protection.

The Beginning of Anxiety

In addition to asking where anxiety is showing up, another important question we ask is: “When did it begin?”

September 2026

Therapy Spotlight Anxiety does not always appear without context. It may begin after an accident, illness, injury, loss, frightening experience, conflict, difficult relationship, major life transition or prolonged period of stress.

A person may remember that the heart palpitations began after a frightening event. The racing thoughts may have started during a period of overwhelming responsibility. The pacing and restlessness may have appeared after an accident or when the person was living in an environment that did not feel safe. Other times, the connection is not immediately obvious. The event may have occurred years earlier, or it may not seem significant enough to explain what is happening now. But the body may remember an experience differently than the conscious mind does. From an energetic perspective, an event can disrupt the body’s natural flow and leave part of the system in a continued state of tension, vigilance or protection. The event may be over, but the energetic response may remain active. This is why we ask not only, “What symptoms are you having?” but also, “What was happening in your life when this started?” Understanding the beginning of the pattern can help reveal why the heart, spleen or kidney system may still be reacting.

Anxiety Patterns Can Overlap

These three energetic patterns do not always occur separately. A person may begin with spleen-related rumination, then feel the heart begin to race. Another person may experience kidney-based restlessness along with tightness in the chest. Someone may move between all three patterns depending on the situation. The purpose of identifying the dominant pattern is not to place someone into another rigid category. It is to better understand how anxiety is moving through that individual person.

• Where do you feel the anxiety first? • Does it begin in the chest? • Does it start with racing thoughts?

• What was happening in your life at that time? These questions help us see the person rather than only the diagnosis.

Sometimes the connection is easy to recognize.

At Healing Waters, we may ask:

• When did the pattern begin?

Supporting the Whole Person

Healing Waters Health Center uses AcuEnergetics and other energy-based therapies to help identify areas of restriction and restore more natural movement through the body’s energetic system. The goal is not to force someone to feel calm or to suppress the symptoms. It is to help the body release the tension that is keeping it activated. For one person, the focus may be reducing electrical tension around the heart. For another, it may involve easing the energetic strain of the spleen which is connected with repetitive thinking. For someone else, it may mean helping the body move out of a survival kidney response and feel safe enough to settle. Meditation, the Energy Enhancement System and the Opus SoundBed may also be included in an individualized plan to support relaxation, energetic balance and greater awareness of what the body is experiencing. Anxiety is not a weakness, and it is not simply a failure to think positively. It is a whole-body experience. When we understand where the anxiety is showing up, how it is being expressed and when it began, we can begin to work with the pattern more directly. Instead of only asking, “How do I make this stop?” we can begin asking, “What is my body responding to, and what does it need in order to return to balance?” That question can open a different path toward healing. Healing Waters Health Center is located at 6150 Oren Ave. N. in Stillwater, Minnesota. The center offers free 30-minute discovery sessions to explore a person’s concerns and determine an appropriate path forward. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 651-430-2866 or visit HealingWatersHealth.com. See ad on page 15.

• Do you feel an urge to pace or move? • Is there tension in the low back? 16

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Eco Tip

Clean Clothes, Cleaner Planet by Natural Awakenings staff

aundry is a routine part of daily life, so even small changes in how we wash and dry clothes can significantly impact environmental and household health. From energy use to water consumption and chemical exposure, each load offers an opportunity to make mindful choices. Here are practical ways to reduce our laundry footprint without adding complexity. By adjusting temperature settings, choosing cleaner products and rethinking our washing and drying methods, we can support sustainability and long-term wellness. Avoid high heat. Washing machines use about 90 percent of their energy to heat water. Hot water can damage fabrics, and many garment labels recommend cold water to prevent fading, shrinking or bleeding colors. Switching to cold water extends the life of our clothes and reduces energy use without compromising cleanliness. Modern laundry detergents are designed to work effectively in cold water.

Air drying clothes saves energy and money. Household dryers in the U.S. account for about 3 percent of the residential energy budget. Hanging clothes outside is free and environmentally friendly, leaving garments crease-free and smelling fresh. Sunlight also naturally disinfects and freshens fabrics. Hanging clothes indoors on drying racks is free, too, while protecting fabrics from the elements. Choose eco-friendly detergents. Look for plant-based, biodegradable formulas. Avoid harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances. The most serious offenders are ethoxylated ingredients linked to cancer; harmful surfactants or lathering agents like sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate that cause irritation and harm aquatic life;

and undisclosed or ambiguous ingredients like “fragrance” or “preservatives”. Consider concentrated or refillable options to minimize plastic packaging. Some brands to consider are Molly’s Suds, Branch Basics and Blueland. Practice smarter laundry habits. To save water, energy and money, launder clothes less often and wash fuller loads. Over-washing prematurely deteriorates garments, breaking down fibers and causing colors to fade. According to Levi’s, jeans should be washed sparingly—ideally, every 10 wears or less. Keep denim fresh between washes by airing it out and spot cleaning when necessary. Use eco-friendly mesh laundry bags to protect delicates. Minimize the release of microplastics. Laundry is one of the largest sources of microplastic pollution, threatening land-based ecosystems and waterways. Microfibers from synthetic fabrics are major offenders. To reduce microfiber shedding from the laundry, wash less often using fuller loads, use cold water and less detergent, and hang garments to air dry. Some products, such as the Guppyfriend Washing Bag, help filter out microplastics.

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Tumble drying clothes in high heat breaks down fabric elasticity, often causing them to stretch or shrink dramatically. It also weakens fibers with every cycle, making them more prone to ripping and tearing. Opt for lower heat settings instead. To ensure efficient drying, clean the lint trap before starting a dry cycle. Replace chemical-laden dryer sheets with wool or rubber dryer balls, which reduce static and help separate clothes, improving airflow and allowing for faster drying. Another trick is to add a clean, dry towel to absorb moisture and reduce drying time. Be sure to let our ad partners know you found them in

September 2026

Healing Ways

Healing Harmonies

These therapies are practiced either by themselves or alongside complementary wellness modalities such as meditation, breathwork, massage and yoga, helping practitioners quiet mental overstimulation and encourage deeper states of rest and presence.

How Sound Therapy Supports Modern Wellness by Zak Logan

s stress, anxiety, burnout and sleep struggles rise, many people are searching for wellness approaches that feel calming, accessible and noninvasive. According to Metatech Insights, the sound therapy market is expected to grow 9.5 percent over the next decade. A number of these types of sessions are rapidly moving from niche wellness spaces into mainstream health culture, supporting relaxation, nervous system regulation, mindfulness and emotional balance through vibration, rhythm and tone. The sound healing field includes vibroacoustic therapy, which employs specialized tables and chairs to gently send sound waves through the body. Sound baths are deeply immersive, meditative sessions involving Tibetan or crystal singing bowls, chimes, gongs and tuning forks, as well as sessions with percussive instruments like hand drums, rattles and melodic tongue drums. Other instruments like the didgeridoo and vocal toning—using the human voice—are also effective for some in turning off the chronic flight-fight-or-freeze stress response. A modality known as binaural beats uses stereo headphones to provide two different sound frequencies, one in each ear. As these two tones are processed by the brain, they align to create a perceived third frequency, which is believed to promote relaxation, focus or sleep.

According to a 2025 article from the University of California, Los Angeles, “Research on the benefits of sound therapy is inconclusive, but growing.” There are a number of studies that seek to determine which sound frequencies are most effective, how much sound therapy is needed to gain benefits and which individuals are the best candidates for this treatment. A 2016 observational study in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine reported that singing bowl meditations increased feelings of relaxation and spiritual well-being while significantly reducing stress, depression, anxiety and anger. The researchers also found significant reductions in physical pain and tension among 40- to 50-year-olds. Because of its positive impact on the central nervous system, sound healing therapy is being used in addiction recovery and post-traumatic stress disorder, reducing relapse triggers and hyperarousal. By boosting neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin in response to certain frequencies, participants find it easier to feel, express and release suppressed emotions.

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Energy Affects Energy

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“Sound therapy is the intentional use of sound, vibration and frequency to support relaxation, self-awareness and the overall well-being of body, mind and soul,” explains sound therapist Anthony Profeta, in Vero Beach, Florida, who offers sound bath sessions to private clients and also serves as part of an integrative medical team at the Cleveland Clinic. “Physicians use sound waves therapeutically in procedures like lithotripsy to break up kidney or gallbladder stones. Many healing traditions believe that

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a sound bath operates on the same fundamental principle, working with subtler forms of stuck energy held in the meridians, nadis [in traditional Indian medicine] and other energy centers of the body.” Profeta adds that this physical contact with sound stimulates the vagus nerve—the longest nerve in the body and primary regulator of the parasympathetic nervous system, which slows respiration, decreases heart rate and increases heart rate variability, shifting the body out of stress and into genuine relaxation.

Beider believes that the effects of a sound bath or other types of sound therapy can be profound because they cut through our constant mental chatter. “Many of us are extremely skilled at thinking about our feelings without ever actually feeling them. Because sound healing offers nothing to analyze, that loop gets interrupted and whatever has been held beneath the surface often finds room to move,” he points out, encouraging participants to move slowly after a session, drink water and give themselves a few minutes before re-entering the pace of the day. For those new to sound therapy, Profeta recommends a low commitment, 30- to 60-minute sound bath as an introduction, asserting, “Longer is not necessarily better. After about 45 minutes, especially when participants are lying on a thin yoga mat on a hard floor, restlessness tends to increase and those positive effects begin to reverse. The quality of the sound experience matters more than duration,” he says. “Approach sound with curiosity rather than expectation. Sometimes the deepest benefit arrives very quietly: for a few moments, you become still enough to hear yourself again.” Zak Logan is a freelance writer dedicated to holistic healing and getting back to basics.

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Guy Yair Beider, a New York City-based sound healing practitioner, educator and founder of Sound Medicine Academy, emphasizes the zero-effort component of the modality. “In a wellness culture that has, ironically, become exhausting in its own right—with protocols, optimization and self-improvement that starts to feel like another job—sound healing offers something genuinely rare: permission to do nothing and still receive something real.”

Tips for Beginning

Based on experience, Profeta underscores, “Too great a variety of instruments can actually reduce the therapeutic effect.” We all experience sound differently, he explains. Some feel deeply relaxed, while others notice physical sensations, vivid imagery, vibrant colors, emotional release or a sense of timelessness.

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September 2026

Conscious Eating

Nutritious Nachos

main meal status. Cumin-spiced mushroom and walnut vegan nachos, chicken nachos with zesty Greek yogurt crema, sheet pan sweet potatoes and black beans, or Mediterranean-based whole-grain pita chips with smashed garbanzos and feta are only a few inspiring examples.

Yummy Ideas Everyone Will Love

Mouthwatering Upgrades

by Maya Whitman

“It can be tempting to cover everything in cheese or really pile on the meat, but you can actually dial down these indulgent elements and add so much flavor in healthier ways,” says James Rayner, senior editorial manager of FoodFaithFitness, an online resource for simple and healthy recipe ideas. Traditionally, nachos are served as an appetizer, but they can easily be elevated to

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achos are a classic favorite for fall gatherings, sports parties, game nights and cozy weekends, but traditional versions can quickly become overloaded with oversized portions, excess sodium, unhealthy fats and highly processed ingredients. To make nachos a healthier option, consider making a few simple changes that balance favorite toppings with nutrient-dense ingredients.

Dan Whalen, a lifelong enthusiast for this popular comfort food, authored the cookbook Nachos for Dinner: Surprising Sheet Pan Meals the Whole Family Will Love. “What I love about nachos is that you can make them with leftovers. Just open your fridge and find a combo of things,” he says. It all begins with a chip base, protein source, colorful vegetables and fiber-rich toppings such as avocado, fire-roasted tomatoes, fresh salsas, homemade slaws, pickled onions, tangy citrus splashes or fresh chiles.

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Whalen, also a food blogger and the founder of the online recipe hub The Food in My Beard, reminds us that switching things up doesn’t require eliminating our favorite fixings. “One secret to using indulgent toppings is to make sure everything is chopped up small,” he explains. “You always want to do this anyway, so each chip can hold a mix of all the different ingredients. Doing this with more indulgent nacho toppings allows you to use less but still feel like it is prevalent in the overall dish.” Steak or pulled pork lovers can opt for shredded leaner cuts, while seasoned, sautéed ground turkey or chicken breast serves as an excellent substitute for ground beef. Vegans can enjoy meaty textures with sautéed, crumbled tempeh or tofu. And everyone can enjoy the flavorful, hearty protein provided by pinto, black or red kidney beans. Rayner notes, “Whatever protein you’re going for, don’t forget to add plenty of seasoning. You can also try toasted pepitas [pumpkin seeds] or crushed almonds for added taste and texture.” Whalen suggests upgrading the chips, explaining, “Using crispy plantain chips cuts out the extra carbs and fat in traditional

tortilla chips. You can even use dehydrated or baked plantains instead of fried.”

of a deconstructed Greek gyro with “thinly sliced lamb or beef, charred bell peppers, chopped herbs and a garlicky Greek yogurt drizzle to finish.” Whalen embraces Italian flavors, recreating a loaded sandwich. “I use all the typical meats, and when it comes out of the oven, I add a ‘salad’ of romaine lettuce, roasted red peppers and pepperoncini.” Drizzling punchy sauces such as sweet yet savory Mexican chamoy made from pickled apricots, plums or mangoes, or bright and spicy Middle Eastern green shatta can add an exhilarating element to any nacho dish.

Assembly Tips ro Dop vaP sy3d from Dopsy 3D/Can

Ethnic Inspirations

Although traditionally Tex-Mex, nachos can be most exciting with creative variation. For Rayner, the use of Indian spices can tantalize taste buds and broaden the possibilities. “Think generously spiced tandoori chicken with red onion, cilantro and a creamy sauce made from Greek yogurt and mint,” muses the editor. He also favors the idea

For optimal tortilla nachos every time, Rayner recommends briefly toasting the chips in the oven for two to three minutes to unlock nutty flavors and enhance the crunch. “After that, layer your toppings. Veggies can release a lot of moisture, so scatter your protein over your chip base first, then cheese and vegetables afterward. Repeat the layers if you want to go all out.” Maya Whitman is a frequent writer for Natural Awakenings.

Good friends are like nachos. You can never have enough of them. —Unknown

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September 2026

Courtesy of FoodFaithFitness

Conscious Eating

CHICKEN NACHOS

MEXICAN MINI BELL PEPPER NACHOS

Satisfy nacho cravings without the chips.

A cheesy classic gets a makeover with protein-packed shredded chicken.

YIELD: 6 SERVINGS

YIELD: 4 SERVINGS

½ lb lean ground beef 26 mini bell peppers 6 Tbsp salsa 1 cup shredded, reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend, packed (4 oz) ½ cup tomato, diced ¼ cup green onion, diced 1 large avocado, diced Cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen 10 oz baked tortilla chips (about 8 cups) 2¼ cups cooked, shredded chicken breast 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed 1¾ cups shredded, reduced-fat cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese 1 tomato, diced 2 avocados, diced 1 jalapeño pepper, sliced (optional) ⅓ cup green onions, sliced ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped ⅓ cup nonfat Greek yogurt (for serving) Salsa (for serving)

Preheat oven to 400° F. Heat a medium pan over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Cook, breaking up meat into pieces, until no longer pink inside.

Preheat the oven to 350° F. If using frozen corn, thaw it. Arrange half of the tortilla chips on a large baking sheet. Sprinkle half of the shredded chicken, black beans, corn and cheese over the chips. Add another layer of chips and top with the remaining chicken, black beans, corn and cheese.

Cut the stem off each pepper and cut in half lengthwise, removing the seeds and white flesh. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and arrange the peppers on it, cut sides up.

Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 13 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove from the oven and top with diced tomatoes, avocado, jalapeño slices, green onions and cilantro. Serve immediately with nonfat Greek yogurt and salsa on the side.

Bake until the cheese is melted, about 5 to 7 minutes. Sprinkle on the tomato, green onion, avocado and cilantro. Serve immediately. Recipe courtesy of FoodFaithFitness.

Recipe courtesy of FoodFaithFitness. 22

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Courtesy of FoodFaithFitness

Stir the salsa into the cooked beef and fill the peppers with the beef mixture. Sprinkle with the cheese.

Courtesy of Dr. Anna Cabeca

KETO-GREEN NACHOS

YIELD: 2 SERVINGS FOR THE QUESO

1 cup raw cashews ¼ cup water 1 tsp sea salt 1½ Tbsp lemon juice 3 Tbsp nutritional yeast ½ tsp turmeric 1 14-oz can diced tomatoes with green chilies FOR THE NACHOS 1 large zucchini, sliced into round “chips” 2 Tbsp avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil ½ cup bell pepper (any color), chopped 8 oz cooked chicken, shredded 2-3 Tbsp fresh or jarred tomato salsa 1 cup greens of choice, chopped ½ cucumber, chopped 1 vine-ripe tomato, chopped ½ cup guacamole

To prepare the queso, place cashews in a small saucepan and cover with water. Heat to boiling. Remove from heat and cover the pot. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then drain and place in a blender. Add ¼ cup water, sea salt, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, turmeric and diced tomatoes with green chilies. Blend until smooth. Store in a jar in the refrigerator, reserving ½ cup for the nachos. To prepare and assemble the nachos, heat the avocado oil on medium heat in a medium skillet. Add the chopped bell pepper and sauté until it begins to soften. Stir in the shredded chicken and salsa. Cook and stir until heated. Place the mixture in a bowl and keep warm. Heat the zucchini rounds in the skillet until tender. Divide the zucchini between two plates and top it with the chicken, bell pepper and salsa mixture. Heat ½ cup of the queso; stir and spoon it over the “nachos”. Top with chopped greens, cucumbers, tomatoes and guacamole. Note: For variation, use ground beef or tempeh seasoned with taco seasoning; add different combinations of greens and other vegetables; or add nondairy sour cream. Recipe courtesy of Dr. Anna Cabeca.

Life is a nacho. It can be yummy-crunchy or squishy-yucky. It just depends on how long it takes for you to start eating it.

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—John Updike

September 2026

Fit Body

Functional Yoga for Everyday Mobility Simple Poses for Real-Life Strength and Stability by Marlaina Donato

oga is often regarded as a practice reserved for the ultra-flexible, deeply spiritual or highly athletic—but at its core, it can simply be a practical tool for helping the body move and feel better. Individuals with compromised mobility can greatly benefit from intentional movements that incorporate stretching, balance and breath awareness. Rather than focusing on achieving perfect poses or extreme flexibility, functional yoga emphasizes sustainable movement patterns that improve joint health, posture, stability and body awareness.

most powerful things a person can do to stay functional and pain-free at any age. It gives us a daily opportunity to counter all the sitting, screen time and repetitive patterns that compress the body over time. The body is remarkably intelligent. Yoga helps us get out of its way and meets you where you are.”

Yoga-inspired movements can reduce stiffness, support recovery, improve balance and help prevent injury—regardless of age, fitness level or experience. The goal is not performance or perfection; it is about maintaining freedom of movement and helping the body function more comfortably in daily activities such as walking, lifting, reaching, driving, cleaning and gardening.

Noting that non-demanding yoga postures like Tree Pose and Mountain Pose encourage ankle, hip and core stability over time, Senesi points out, “We’re lengthening tissues under load and teaching the body to own the space it’s moving into. As we age, this becomes critical.”

Non-Demanding Postures

Images by Kris Han/CanvaPro

Tim Senesi, a Southern California yoga instructor who offers instructional videos for beginners on his Yoga With Tim YouTube channel, says, “Loss of mobility is one of the primary drivers of injury and physical decline later in life. A consistent yoga practice is one of the

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For beginners, he recommends less intensive types of yoga such as hatha or vinyasa slow flow. “Aim for consistency over intensity, and don’t underestimate short sessions,” he counsels. “Ten to 20 minutes done consistently every day will take you further than a long class once a week. The nervous system learns through repetition, not duration, and short, frequent practice is where real change happens.” Senesi recommends the following poses, adding that notable mobility improvements are possible within two to three weeks of consistent practice: Cat-Cow for spinal mobility and low-back health: On hands and knees, inhale as the belly drops and chest lifts, then exhale as the spine rounds up. Let the breath lead the movement.

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Low Lunge to counteract the effects of prolonged sitting by opening the hip flexors: Step one foot forward, lower the back knee to the floor and breathe. Hold for 20 to 30 seconds per side. Reclined Supine Twist to improve rotational mobility: Lying on the back, draw one knee to the chest and guide it across the body. Hold each side at least 60 seconds. Legs Up the Wall for recovery, improved circulation and calming of the nervous system: Sit sideways as close to a wall as possible before lying down and extending the legs vertically against the wall. Rest in this position for five to 10 minutes.

Side Bends: Stand tall with feet hip-width apart and place hands on the hips. Slowly bend the upper body to the right, return to the center and then bend the upper body to the left. Focus on lengthening the spine on each inhale and deepening the stretch on each exhale. Seated Ankle on Thigh: Sit straight up in a chair, lift one ankle and place it on the opposite thigh. Use one hand to gently press down on the knee of the crossed leg to open the hip. Then cup the crossed knee with the opposite hand and draw it across the body toward the opposite shoulder to stretch the gluteus muscle. Hold for 20 to 30 seconds while breathing normally. Head Twist: Gently and slowly turn the head over each shoulder to release neck tension, keeping eyes level. Marlaina Donato is an author, painter and composer. Connect at WildflowersAndWoodSmoke.com.

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As a starting point for those with limited mobility, Yanders recommends a gentle or chair yoga class, or even a few private classes for personalized attention. “Most importantly, I support learning to work with how your body is now, not how you think it should be,” she says. Here are a few moves in her arsenal; aim for 10 to 20 repetitions per side:

Living Room Yoga

Tamantha Yanders, a yoga instructor and owner of Living Room Yoga, in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, notes that poor posture is a learned habit, suggesting that rounded shoulders, forward head positions and tight hips can improve with yoga-inspired routines. “Every time you access a joint with movement, you are lubricating the mechanism and supporting mobility,” she notes, adding that even individuals that are not very flexible can benefit from such movements.

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September 2026

Homeopathy

Homeopathy Under the Microscope An Evidence-Based Look at a Controversial Therapy by Athena Eamon

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Reviewed by Lauri Grossman, DC, CCH, RSHom(NA)

o evaluate evidence-based research for a health treatment, it is important to comprehend the research methodology, study design, included and excluded evidence, and the potential existence of bias in the study’s design, execution or funding. This understanding is essential before drawing any conclusions. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the gold standard for evaluating the efficacy of medical treatments with minimal bias and determining if an intervention surpasses placebo effects. However, individualized homeopathy poses unique methodological challenges that differ 26

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from testing a standardized pharmaceutical drug. Unlike conventional RCT drug trials, where all participants with the same diagnosis typically receive the same medication and dose and are evaluated uniformly over specified time periods, classical homeopathy is tailored to the individual patient rather than the disease diagnosis. Two patients with migraines, seasonal allergies or arthritis may receive different remedies based on their physical symptoms, emotional state, sleep patterns, food cravings, environmental sensitivities, personality traits and constitution. As a result, researchers designing

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and conducting homeopathy trials face the following challenges that hinder the use of testing models developed for single pharmaceutical compounds: • Participants with the same diagnosis often receive different remedies, making it difficult to standardize interventions across a trial. • Homeopaths frequently adjust remedies as symptoms evolve, whereas conventional RCTs require treatments to remain fixed throughout the study. • Homeopathic care includes lengthy consultations, individualized assessments,

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follow-up visits and therapeutic relationships that may independently contribute to outcomes beyond the remedy itself.

conditions and post-surgical recovery, but the certainty of evidence remains low to moderate due to study limitations.

• Patients may seek improvements in well-being, energy, resilience or quality of life in addition to symptom relief, yet clinical trials measure only disease-specific endpoints.

The Scientific Debate Extends Beyond Clinical Trials

What Clinical Studies Demonstrate

Many studies on homeopathy exist, but their quality differs greatly. Some treatments, such as Arnica montana for pain management, show more promising evidence than others. Systematic reviews, which are toptier research tools that compile, evaluate and synthesize empirical studies, find the evidence on homeopathy inconclusive due to issues like small sample sizes, inconsistent study designs, varying prescribing methods, difficulty blinding individualized treatments, publication bias and poor methodologies. These limitations prevent the determination of whether benefits are due to specific homeopathic effects, nonspecific therapeutic effects, placebo responses or a combination of all three.

Some Reviews Reach Divergent Conclusions

Systematic reviews can reach different conclusions due to varying inclusion criteria. One review might include all studies regardless of quality, while another might focus only on larger trials or low-riskof-bias studies. These design differences affect the conclusions. For example, the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council found no reliable evidence supporting homeopathy for any health condition after analyzing only studies with strict methodological criteria. By contrast, a meta-analysis conducted by the University of Bern in Germany specifically focused on individualized homeopathy. The analysis concluded that statistically significant effects may exist for treating conditions such as childhood diarrhea, respiratory

Perhaps the greatest controversy about homeopathy pertains to its mechanism rather than its clinical outcomes. Many homeopathic medicines are diluted beyond Avogadro’s limit, leaving no measurable molecules of the original substance. Conventional chemistry and pharmacology struggle to explain how these highly diluted remedies could produce biological effects. Homeopathy researchers argue that these findings, along with advances in understanding complex biological systems, justify further investigation into mechanisms involving nanostructures, water organization, electromagnetic signaling and other physical processes that are not yet fully understood.

A Growing Consensus for More Research Arises

Scientists on both sides of the homeopathy debate agree that future research must combine the methodological rigor of randomized trials with study designs that more accurately reflect clinical practice. This requires larger sample sizes, transparent

reporting, standardized outcome measures, longer follow-up periods and independent replication across multiple research centers. Additionally, homeopathy study designs should better align the research methodology with the intervention being studied without sacrificing scientific rigor. The goal is to maintain the standard for evidence while formulating research questions that accurately represent the personalized nature of homeopathy practice. This approach will yield clearer insights into where homeopathy offers meaningful benefits, where it falls short and how it can best contribute to evidence-informed, patient-centered integrative health care. Athena Eamon is a researcher and parent with nearly two decades of experience studying and using homeopathy, integrative health and whole-person wellness. Dr. Lauri Grossman has more than 30 years of experience as an integrative care expert, chiropractor, classical homeopath and global educator. Underwritten by Grato Health, in operation since 1987, dedicated to advancing health and wellness through natural, holistic solutions that support the body’s ability to heal.

Join us in Washington, DC

26TH ANNUAL

WISE TRADITIONS CONFERENCE October 16-18, 2026 • wisetraditions.org

CONNECT

1200 attendees 75 exhibitors

LEARN

40 speakers

NOURISH

5 farm-to-table meals

A vibrant weekend of talks, socializing and delicious food SPEAKERS: Josh and Adam Bigelsen, Del Bigtree, Natasha Campbell-McBride, Laura Delano, Ben Edwards, Catherine Austin Fitts, Chris Knobbe, Joseph Ladapo, Thomas Massie, Sally Fallon Morell, Thaddeus Owen, Toby Rogers, Joel Salatin and many others! Volunteer Opportunities • Children’s Program • Saturday Night Banquet Special Rates for 13-20 Year Olds • Continuing Education Units • Farm Tour

3 Days with 5 Meals: $500 wisetraditions.org (703) 820-3333 $50 off registration Sept 1-18. Use code: NA

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September 2026

Calendar of Events

Tuesday, September 8 Sound Bath + Energy Enhancement System – 6:30-7:30pm. Experience deep relaxation through the combined benefits of sound healing and the bio-active energy fields of the EESystem, designed to enhance energy flow and support overall well-being. $65. Please arrive early and bring a blanket, water bottle. Healing Waters Health Center, 6150 Oren Ave. N, Stillwater. 651-430-2866. HealingWatersHealth.com.

Wednesday, September 9 Energy Enhancement System & Healing Waters Presentation – 6:30-8pm. Learn about restoring energetic flow to body, mind and spirit, including 30 minutes in the EESystem. FREE. Register: 651-430-2866. Healing Waters Health Center, 6150 Oren Ave N, Stillwater. HealingWatersHealth.com.

Sunday, September 13 Treating Scars – 9am-1pm. Join AcuEnergetics founder Kevin as he teaches how scars impact the body and how to treat and release them to restore energy flow. Open to anyone who has taken AcuEnergetics classes; balances and practitioners may use the class toward CEU requirements. $105 credit card; $100 cash or check. Healing Waters Health Center, 6150 Oren Ave. N, Stillwater. 651-430-2866. HealingWatersHealth.com.

Thursday, September 17

Friday, October 2

Plan Ahead

Reiki Master Training with Tiffany Dorton 9am-4:30pm Advance your Reiki practice and learn to teach others in this Reiki Master/Teacher certification. Includes apprenticeship opportunity for up to 12 months, lunch, and lodging available. $550. Golden Light Healing 7102 Sundew Rd., Sobieski 920-428-0588 GoldenLightHealing.net

Inquire About Dates

Saturday, October 3 Reiki Level I Training with Tiffany Dorton – 9am-4:30pm. Learn the fundamentals of Reiki, a Japanese energy healing art for stress reduction, relaxation, and healing of body, mind, and spirit. Gain the skills to perform Reiki on yourself and others. Lunch included. Overnight accommodations available. $215. Golden Light Healing, 7102 Sundew Rd., Sobieski. 920-428-0588. GoldenLightHealing.net.

Sunday, October 4 Reiki Level II Training with Tiffany Dorton – 9am-4:30pm. Deepen your Reiki practice by learning advanced techniques, distance healing, Reiki symbols, intuitive skills, energy scanning, and group healing. Prerequisite: Reiki Level I. Lunch included. Lodging available. $215. Golden Light Healing, 7102 Sundew Rd., Sobieski. 920-428-0588. GoldenLightHealing.net.

Sound Bath + Energy Enhancement System – 6:30-7:30pm. Experience deep relaxation through the combined benefits of sound healing and the bio-active energy fields of the EESystem, designed to enhance energy flow and support overall well-being. $65. Please arrive early and bring a blanket, water bottle. Healing Waters Health Center, 6150 Oren Ave. N, Stillwater. 651-430-2866. HealingWatersHealth.com.

Wednesday, October 7

Wednesday, September 30

Thurs-Sun, October 15-18

Ladies Night In – 5:30-7:30pm. Enjoy deep relaxation in the EESystem, a session on the Opus sound bed, and time to gather with tea and conversation. An evening of healing, connection and selfcare. $55. 651-430-2866. Healing Waters Health Center, 6150 Oren Ave N, Stillwater. HealingWatersHealth.com.

Whispers on the Wind Shamanic Program – Intensive training program in shamanism, energy medicine and self-transformation. Learn core energy healing techniques including power animal and soul retrieval, clearing past-life and ancestral imprints, connecting with the forces of Nature, ceremony and ritual, and more. Four 4-day sessions over 12 months: Oct. 15-18 and Dec. 10-13, 2026; Feb. 18-21 and Apr. 15-18, 2027. Must attend all four sessions. $750/session includes meals. Golden Light Healing, 7102 Sundew Rd, Sobieski. 920-428-0588. GoldenLightHealing.net.

Twin Cities Edition

Energy Enhancement System & Healing Waters Presentation – 6:30-8pm. Learn about restoring energetic flow to body, mind and spirit, including 30 minutes in the EESystem. FREE. Register: 651-430-2866. Healing Waters Health Center, 6150 Oren Ave N, Stillwater. HealingWatersHealth.com.

NATwinCities.com

Birth of a Mother – Six-session class for mothers during the first year postpartum. Learn self-regulation strategies, connect with your intuition, understand parental brain changes and matrescence, explore parenting values and adapt routines for life with a new baby. Babies welcome. $240; 10% off for groups of four or more. Happy & Healthy Therapy, 1360 Energy Park Dr, Ste. 100.

Ongoing Events

Sunday Unity in the Heart Sunday Service 10:30-11:30am every Sunday In-person and online worship service. Embrace our positive, practical Christianity with our message, music and meditation. Unity in the Heart of St. Paul 1898 Iglehart Ave., St. Paul, MN 651-399-3679 UnityInTheHeart.org

Thursday Tummy Time! Method Class 9:15-10:15am Three-class series meets the first three Thursdays of each month. Learn the Tummy Time! Method with occupational therapist Maria Bossert and discover how tummy time supports babies’ sensory and motor development. Includes individualized guidance, play strategies and connection with other families. For one caregiver and a pre-crawling baby. $120. Happy & Healthy Therapy 1360 Energy Park Dr, Ste. 100 St. Paul

Friday Discover Your Highest Purpose Fridays at 7pm ECK Master Harold Klemp shares wisdom through stories and spiritual insights that bring meaning, connection and humor to the workings of Spirit in everyday life. Watch on Channel 6 or via MCN6.org. For more information, visit TempleOfECK.org or Facebook.com/Eckankar

Support the Wellness Businesses that Advertise in NATwinCities

Community Resource Guide Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide, email Publisher@NaturalMKE.com to request our media kit.

Advertising/Wellness Marketing NATURAL AWAKENINGS MAGAZINE Jordan Peschek, RN-BSN, Publisher 262-623-7948 NATwinCities.com Are you passionate about wellness? Trying to reach more clients you can help? Natural Awakenings is our community’s #1 multimedia resource for natural, holistic health and eco-friendly living. Reaching over 40,000 loyal print and digital loyal readers each month. Call or text 262-623-7948 to learn more or book your 10-minute discovery call today.

Bodywork MYOFASCIAL RELEASE & CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY Barb Ryan, CMT, CSD • 612-922-2389 Bhakti Wellness Center 7300 Metro Blvd., Suite 340, Edina WisdomSisterStudio.com

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Specializing in persistent and chronic pain and mysteries of the body. Also for people seeking the experience of deep relaxation and increased self-connection. Skilled and compassionate care. See ad on

Chiropractic BACK TO BASICS CHIROPRACTIC & WELLNESS Dr. Jillian Skluzacek 5315 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, in Blooma 612-223-8064 BackToBasicsMN.com Holistic chiropractic care specializing in individualized adjustments, prenatal, postpartum, and pediatric care, with advanced training in pregnancy with Webster Certification, craniosacral therapy, and infant lip and tongue tie rehabilitation.

Craniosacral SEEDS OF CHANGE HOLISTIC HEALING 313 W 46th St., Minneapolis 952-314-9419 | cst.SeedsOfChange.co Still dealing with head or face pain after a successful surgery? Dori Brown specializes in treating the persistent pain that can follow cochlear implant surgery, tumor removal, and other head and face procedures. When everything went well but the pain stayed. See ad on page 11.

Death Doula SACRED OAKS HEALING Sara Anondson 10700 Normandale Blvd., Suite A, Bloomington 612-255-4213 SaraAnondson@SacredOaksHealing.com SacredOaksHealing.com Supports mind, body and soul through mentorship, doula work and holistic healing experiences and classes.

Dentist HEALTH CENTERED DENTISTRY N7915-902 St, River Falls, WI 715-426-7777 HealthCenteredDentistry.com Whole Person Dentistry observes and deals with the mind, body and spirit, not just your teeth. This approach to dentistry encompasses both modern science and knowledge drawn from the world’s great traditions in natural healing. See ad on page 7.

NATURAL SMILES DENTAL CARE 3434 Lexington Ave. N., Ste 700 Shoreview | 651-483-9800 NaturalSmilesDental.com We’re an integrative practice committed to promoting dental wellness and overall assistance to the whole person. We desire to participate in the creation of healthier lives, while being sensitive to physical, philosophical, emotional and financial concerns. See ad on back cover.

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SEDATION AND IMPLANT DENTISTRY 1815 Suburban Ave, St. Paul 651-735-4661 | ToothBuilder.com We are a holistic dental practice devoted to restoring and enhancing the natural beauty of your smile using conservative, state-ofthe-art dental procedures that result in beautiful, long-lasting smiles! We specialize in safe removal of infected teeth, ceramic implants and restorations. See ad on page 19.

TOOTH BY THE LAKE 1401 Main St, Hopkins 952-475-1101 | ToothByTheLake.net We build a foundation of trust by treating our patients as individuals. Understanding how uneasy some patients may feel about their dental visits, we make a difference by providing a relaxing and positive experience. See ad on page 25.

Education

ANOKA-RAMSEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE ALLIED HEALTH PROGRAMS 763-433-1100 AnokaRamsey.edu/AlliedHealth Embark on a fulfilling career path with Anoka-Ramsey Community College’s allied health programs including therapeutic massage, integrative health and wellness coaching, nursing and more. Learn more and start your future of healing and wellness.

CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY WISCONSIN School of Pharmacy Online Degree Program CUW.edu/NPS Take the next step toward a career that makes a difference! Discover Your Future in Natural Product Sciences with our flexible graduate programs. Choose from a 30-credit online Master’s degree or a 12-credit graduate certificate, both designed to fit your life and goals. Specialize in medical cannabis or nutraceuticals, and prepare for exciting roles in health care, pharmacy, research and development, manufacturing, business and beyond. See ad on page 13.

Energy Enhancement System HEALING WATERS HEALTH CENTER 6150 Oren Ave N, Stillwater 651-430-2866 HealingWatersHealth.com We bring you back to your natural state of being; restoring energy flow in body and mind with hands-on treatments and cutting-edge technology. See ad on page 15.

September 2026

Energy Healing

Integrated Health

Myofascial Release

CLEARLY CONNECTED HEALING, LLC 700 Twelve Oaks Center Dr., Ste. 253, Wayzata | 612-669-7037 ClearlyConnectedHealing.com

GENEVIEVE WACHUTKA 7801 East Bush Lake Rd., Suite 240, Bloomington 763-222-8600 | GenevieveWachutka.com

Reiki Master providing in-person and virtual intuitive energy healing sessions to restore physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual balance with grounded insight and supportive energetic guidance.

Genevieve specializes in the practical application of time-tested tools and metaphysical wisdom to embody more of your potential, and experience greater clarity, joy, and purpose in life. Benefits include increased intuition and clarity; upleveled daily baseline of joy; peace within your heart and mind; improved relationship with self; and the ability to navigate a path of self-mastery to realize your greatness. Text 763-222-8600 or email Hello@GenevieveWachutka.com to schedule a complimentary discovery session. See ad on page 4.

MYOFASCIAL RELEASE & CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY Barb Ryan, CMT, CSD • 612-922-2389 Bhakti Wellness Center 7300 Metro Blvd., Suite 340, Edina WisdomSisterStudio.com

ALLISON DAWN RUNCHEY Healing Touch Certified Practitioner AllisonDawnEnergyHealing.com 612-499-0280 In-person energy therapy sessions to awaken your natural healing capacity. Healing Touch uses gentle hand movements and light touch to balance your body’s energy system to promote mental clarity, ease physical distress, strengthen recovery from illness or trauma and support life transitions. Located inside The Healing House of Saint Paul.

Health Food Stores MASTEL’S HEALTH FOODS 1526 St Clair Ave, St. Paul 651-690-1692 | Mastels.com Mastel’s Health Foods is Minnesota’s oldest health and wellness store. We carry a full line of vitamins, minerals, supplements, herbs and more. We emphasize organic, biodynamic, biodegradable, holistic and hypoallergenic products, and pride ourselves on stocking hard-tofind items. See ad on page 21.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) DR. KRISSY HAGLUND, NMD Naturopathic Medical Doctor DrKrissy.com | DrKrissy.NMD@gmail.com Caring for patients skeptical of the conventional paradigm. Experienced treating mental health & the brain naturally: anxiety, depression, ADD, autism, behavioral disorders, postpartum, OCD and TBI. See ad on page 21.

Did you know?

Intuitive Coaching/ Development MAR SEETS COACHING, LLC Michelle Seets MASeetsCoaching@gmail.com 612-743-2592 | MichelleSeets.com Feeling lost or navigating grief? Gain clarity through Soul Readings and supportive classes focused on emotional growth, grounding, healthy boundaries, intuitive development, and reconnecting with your inner guidance.

Massage OPTIMAL WELLNESS SOLUTIONS 2489 Rice St N, Ste 130, Roseville 651-340-1233 RosevilleOptimalWellness.com We provide a well-rounded menu of holistic, integrative healing practices to support your mind, body and spirt including massage, network spinal, craniosacral therapy, thermography, detox ionic footbaths, Reiki and footcare services. See ad on page 9.

Mental Health DR. KRISSY HAGLUND, NMD Naturopathic Medical Doctor Scott County, MN DrKrissy.com DrKrissy.NMD@gmail.com

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Go to NATwinCities.com and click on Local Businesses. Want it featured for just $1 a day?

Call/text 262-623-7948. 30

Twin Cities Edition

NATwinCities.com

Naturopathic Doctor DR. KRISSY HAGLUND, NMD Naturopathic Medical Doctor Scott County, MN DrKrissy.com DrKrissy.NMD@gmail.com Caring for patients skeptical of the conventional paradigm. Experienced treating mental health & the brain naturally: anxiety, depression, ADD, autism, behavioral disorders, postpartum, OCD and TBI. See ad on page 21.

INTEGRATIVE HEALTHWERKS Dr. Audrey Schenewerk 651-447-7200 Info@IntegrativeHealthwerks.com IntegrativeHealthwerks.com Here to guide you through hormone and metabolic imbalances, gastrointestinal disorders and symptoms, autoimmune conditions, chronic fatigue, and those who want to optimize health and pre vent disease.

Pediatrics SEEDS OF CHANGE HOLISTIC HEALING 313 W 46th St., Minneapolis 612-441-4948 | SeedsOfChange.co When symptoms persist and nothing adds up, something is often being missed. Dori Brown integrates craniosacral therapy, functional medicine and nutrition response testing to uncover patterns and support lasting healing. See ad on page 11.

Caring for patients skeptical of the conventional paradigm. Experienced treating mental health & the brain naturally: anxiety, depression, ADD, autism, behavioral disorders, postpartum, OCD and TBI. See ad on page 21.

Support the Wellness Businesses that Advertise in NATwinCities

Pregnancy/Postpartum

Spirituality

HAPPY & HEALTHY THERAPY 651-964-0105 HappyAndHealthyTherapy.com 1360 Energy Park Dr, Ste. 100, St. Paul

ECKANKAR TEMPLE OF ECK 7450 Powers Blvd., Chanhassen 952-380-2200 TempleOfECK.org

Assertively face the challenges and unknowns of motherhood and infancy with Maria’s guidance and achieve your happy & healthy.

Reiki OPTIMAL WELLNESS SOLUTIONS 2489 Rice St N, Ste 130, Roseville 651-340-1233 RosevilleOptimalWellness.com

Are you looking for the personal experience of God? Eckankar can help you fulfill your dream. We offer ways to explore your own unique and natural relationship with the Divine through personalized study to apply in your everyday life.

UNITY IN THE HEART OF ST. PAUL 1898 Iglehart Ave., Saint Paul, MN 651-399-3679 (VM only) UnityInTheHeart.org

We provide a well-rounded menu of holistic, integrative healing practices to support your mind, body and spirit including massage, network spinal, craniosacral therapy, thermography, detox ionic footbaths, Reiki and footcare services. See ad on page 9.

Services every Sunday from 10:30 to 11:30 am. Join us in person or online! Discover Unity in the Heart of the Twin Cities. Embrace our positive, practical Christianity with our message, music and meditation. Note: We are working on being handicapped-accessible; child care not available.

Retreat/Retreats Center

Thermography

GOLDEN LIGHT HEALING RETREAT CENTER Tiffany Dorton 920-428-0588 | GoldenLightHealing.net Offering workshops, sessions, group & personal retreats in shamanism, mediumship, reiki, psychic development and more. See ad on page 25.

Space Clearing MAR SEETS COACHING, LLC Michelle Seets 612-743-2592 MASeetsCoaching@gmail.com MichelleSeets.com Feeling lost or navigating grief? Gain clarity through Soul Readings and supportive classes focused on emotional growth, grounding, healthy boundaries, intuitive development, and reconnecting with your inner guidance.

HEALING WATERS HEALTH CENTER 6150 Oren Ave N, Stillwater 651-430-2866 HealingWatersHealth.com We bring you back to your natural state of being; restoring energy flow in body and mind with hands-on treatments and cutting-edge technology. See ad on page 15.

OPTIMAL WELLNESS SOLUTIONS 2489 Rice St N, Ste 130, Roseville 651-340-1233 RosevilleOptimalWellness.com We provide a well-rounded menu of holistic, integrative healing practices to support your mind, body and spirt including massage, network spinal, craniosacral therapy, thermography, detox ionic footbaths, Reiki and footcare services. See ad on page 9.

Wellness Center

Women’s Health HAPPY & HEALTHY THERAPY 651-964-0105 1360 Energy Park Dr, Ste. 100, St. Paul HappyAndHealthyTherapy.com Assertively face the challenges and unknowns of motherhood and infancy with Maria’s guidance and achieve your happy & healthy.

CARING HANDS MASSAGE & SPA 427 Vermillion St., Hastings 651-480-8244 CaringHands@CreatingReality.com ByCaringHands.com Offering holistic massage, spa, Ayurveda and more. Relax, relieve stress, restore balance and vitality with natural healing services. With personalized care, the practice provides rejuvenation that feels like a true retreat. It’s where you want to be and how you want to feel. Schedule a service or book an overnight stay with The Suite Experience By Caring Hands.

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Yoga SRĪM YOGA STUDIO 1845 Stinson Blvd NE, #103, Minneapolis 612-424-1539 | SrimYogaMSP.com Srīm Yoga Studio in NE Minneapolis offers accessible restorative, breathwork, meditation and advanced Vinyasa yoga classes for all experience levels in a welcoming, community-focused environment. Try your first class today with NA reader discount: AWAKEN.

September 2026

Come see what dentistry looks & WELLNESS CENTER like inside Dental Services Offered Minnesota’s • Mercury / Amalgam / Silver • Biological Extractions with PRF most Filling Removal • Ozone Therapy • Biocompatible Dental • Invisalign comprehensive Materials Alternative Health • Orthopedic Orthodontics Integrative • Tongue & Lip-Tie Revision Services Offered • Ceramic / Biocompatible • Myo-Functional Therapy Dental Clinic! Implants • • • •

Craniosacral Therapy BioMeridian Testing Acupuncture Dynamical Neurofeedback

Promoting health and wellness through compassionate and holistic dental care since 2009.

3434 Lexington Ave. N Shoreview, MN 55126 (651) 483-9800 www.NaturalSmilesDental.com

September 2026 Natural Awakenings Twin Cities