We Treat:
• Chronic Pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Peripheral Neuropathy
• Nerve Pain
• Fertility Enhancement
• Failed Surgery Pain
• Gastrointestinal Disturbances
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• Stress Induced Disturbances
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• Dietary Influences on Disease
If the first two bones in your neck are misaligned, communication between the brain and body is interrupted and can cause numerous health problems.
Dr. Drew Hall has practiced the Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic technique for the last 20 years in Los Angeles and Carson California before opening his third clinic right here in Sarasota, Florida
Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic is a unique chiropractic technique that focuses all its attention on the upper neck and how it impacts the brainstem and central nerve system. The Blair technique is precise, gentle, and does not use any pulling, popping, or twisting of the neck.
We have helped people with the following conditions:
•Auto Accidents
•Fibromyalgia
•Lower Back Pain
•Meniere’s Disease
•Neck Pain
•Sciatica
•Post-Concussion Syndrome
•TMJ
•Trigeminal Neuralgia
•Vertigo & Whiplash
“I have over 20 years of practice experience and taking care of 10,000 patients f rom Los Angeles to Sarasota Florida. I recovered f rom severe chronic health problems 30 years ago after being introduced to blair upper cervical technique. It’s my lasting purpose to help as many people as possible live a life of health and happiness”.
- Dr. Drew Hall
3920 Bee Ridge Rd, Bldg D, Sarasota, Fl 34233
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- Merry N. LINDA HAD PAIN IN BOTH KNEES FOR 5-6 YEARS. “Amazing! I’m now able to enjoy my activities. My husband and I started bowling and going to the driving range again. We used to go biking, but donated our bikes because we thought it was something I’d never be able to enjoy again, but NOW we’re looking to purchase bikes again! Thank you Dr. Korman!” - Linda
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As we switch gears from the relaxed pace of summer into the busier season of fall, it’s important not to sacrifice your wellness on the altar of productivity. After all, health is crucial for staying on top of the numerous activities that roll around this time of year—from after-school commitments to weekend football tailgates. Fortunately, this month’s Natural Awakenings issue has the physical, mental, emotional, and even relational wellness inspiration you need for a vibrant transition. It’s time to make this your healthiest season to date!
Let’s jump right in with our September feature article, which explores the holistic benefits of gut health restoration. You’ll discover how certain factors like diet, stress, toxins, or lifestyle choices affect your gut microbiome—plus, which changes you can make to create digestive balance and resilience. With mindful, intentional care (rather than trendy quick fixes), it’s possible to cultivate robust and sustainable gut health that will last for years to come.
Next on the docket, September is National Yoga Month, and our “Fit Body” article celebrates this ancient wellness practice and its restorative impact on the gut-brain axis. With its powerful combination of Ayurvedic techniques, gentle postures, mindful awareness, and conscious breathwork, yoga has been found to calm the nervous system, enhance digestion, and relieve pain or discomfort in the gut. Whether you visit a local studio or roll out your mat at home, there is no better time to experience yoga’s healing benefits for yourself.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a September issue without mentioning back to school, and this month’s “Healthy Kids” article offers practical insights on how to nurture children’s social development through emotional presence, trust, co-regulation, and empathy. From academics in the classroom, to the pressure of making new friends, to the stimulation of extra-curricular activities, this season can be hard for children to navigate. But with guidance from the adults in their lives, kids can flourish with healthy social skills and enter the school year with confidence.
You know the drill—this is just a quick snapshot of all the enjoyment and enlightenment that awaits you inside these pages. I wish you a refreshing start to the vibrant fall season, and I look forward to continuing this wellness journey as we round the corner into those final months of 2025. I’ll see you back here next month (preferably with a warm beverage in hand!).
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Serving Sarasota and Manatee Counties - and the World through Healing, Education and Enlightenment
Embracing the New Paradigms of our Awakening Consciousness: Divine Connection, Ascended Masters, Alternative Healings, Lightwork, Meditations, Channeling, Mediumship, Shamanism, UFOs, Special Guest Speakers and much more... For information about classes, services and special events please go to: CCOSL.com Please
If you are looking for a diverse, unique alternative The George in downtown Sarasota is just the place for you. This cozy boutique, tucked away on the second floor of a building on Main Street, is a radiant space filled with eclectic artifacts, clothing, and home décor sourced from different nations, eras, and cultures.
The George represents a bold spirit of both the Industrial Revolution and the Georgian Eras—historic periods of transformation and innovation, blending the past with the present. The George sources its diverse, eclectic items from across the globe, with a collection that includes Asian and African patterns, vintage English porcelain, mid-century furniture, and vibrant clothing for all styles and preferences.
Whether you’re on the hunt for a cool outfit or some funky accessories, stop by The George for unique finds that will enhance your self-expression.
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Location: 1960 Main St., Sarasota. For more information, call 941-277-3707, visit TheGeorgeSarasota.com, or follow on Instagram at @thegeorgesarasota. Neckor Avoidlowbackpain?
Yoga means union—a link between human and the divine, of matter and energy. In this era of fragmentation, union is a survival strategy. So many of us experience loneliness in the midst of our bustling lives, which can fuel anxiety, depression, illness, or self-harm.
Humans are communal creatures. We need each other, and we require both trust and cooperation to create anything. Instead, we have been fed a myth of “rugged individualism”— the superhero who can perform impossible feats, the star athlete who eclipses a whole team, the A-list actor who carries a film to financial success.
However, life is a team sport. Indigenous wisdom explains that each of us—while bearing unique skills and gifts—must be upheld by a communal family or tribe.
Yoga connects an individual to the larger whole. By releasing the small personal ego, a person can use this ancient practice to reconnect with the benevolence of this sentient universe. With that aim in mind, I and three other colleagues have created a website called GrokingWholeness.info. This resource can guide you to experience the holistic benefits of yoga such as balance, creativity, mindfulness, physical health, and more, so you can bring them to the forefront in the midst of life’s daily routines.
In addition, Best Medicine is currently offering a 2025 summer discount on all appointments, including in-office, telehealth and house calls. Any patient who books an appointment from now until September 30 will receive $100 off house call appointments, $50 off in-office new patient or one-hour in-office or telehealth follow-up, $25 off 30-minute in-office or telehealth follow-up. Contact Best Medicine to learn more about this special offer.
For more tips on how to develop a better health trajectory, visit the “Education” page on Best Medicine.us. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Carol Roberts, call 941 404-8030.
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Silent Appointments Available
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Lift the veil to more profound truths about your soul’s greater mission with Manatee Spirit’s “Universal Wisdom and Meditation” course on September 9–11, from 6:30–8:30 p.m. The cost to attend is $165, and sessions will be held both online and in-person.
This transformational course will cover the following topics: how to navigate meditation and intuition; how to exist in the physical, astral, and spiritual dimensions, how to access consciousness, discernment, and psychic energies, how to integrate both your higher and lower selves; how to understand spiritual aloneness and unity consciousness; and what to know about karma, dharma, and reincarnation.
Manatee Spirit will also offer a “Sound Healing” course on October 5 and 12, from 1–4 p.m., and a “Whole Food, Plant-Based, Oil-Free” course on October 19 and 26, also from 1–4 p.m. The cost to attend each of these events is $165. In addition, you are invited to join Manatee Spirit for a “Full Moon Ultimate Sound Bath Ceremony” on October 6, from 7–9:30 p.m. The cost to attend this event is $25.
Mantee Spirit is a sanctuary-style sound healing studio on a picturesque Florida canal in Bradenton, less than five miles from Anna Maria Island. This studio is home to the Manatee Spirit “Ultimate 60-Minute Sound Bath,” a soul-enriching experience where crystal bowls, electric and acoustic cellos and guitars, Nepali singing bowls, gongs, vocals, Buddhist bells, drums, chimes, and rattles, nourish the cells of your physical body and revitalize the vibrational pattern of your energetic body.
For more information and to register for any of these events, call 941-201-0069, email Info@ManateeSpirit.com, or visit ManateeSpirit.com.
Elysian Fields, Sarasota’s beloved metaphysical and gift destination, is proud to celebrate 34 years of serving the local community with a special anniversary sale. This month, from September 19–21, customers can enjoy 20 percent off all items storewide, with select clearance merchandise up to 40 percent off.
Since opening its doors in 1990, Elysian Fields has been more than just a store—it is a sanctuary for seekers, dreamers, and anyone on a path to embrace personal growth. The shop’s thoughtfully curated selection of crystals, books, jewelry, and spiritual treasures has made it a cornerstone in Sarasota’s cultural landscape.
This year, Elysian Fields received two honors that call attention to its lasting impact. The City of Sarasota officially named this store a Legacy Business to recognize its contributions as a local establishment that has thrived in the community for at least 25 years. Sarasota Magazine readers also voted Elysian Fields along the “Best of Sarasota 2025,” a distinction that reflects the store’s enduring connection with its customers.
This upcoming anniversary weekend will offer savings, surprises, and an opportunity to honor a Sarasota treasure that continues to inspire and uplift. To learn more about special guests and events during the sale, follow Elysian Fields on Facebook and Instagram.
Location: 1273 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. For more information, call 941-361-3006, or visit ElysianFieldsGifts.com.
Dr. Anna Baker, DOM, invites you to join her interactive anti-aging seminars via Zoom on September 10 and 19, both at 1:30 p.m. She will showcase her Faces by Dr. Anna acupuncture facelift and her muscle retightening Pearl Cream by Dr. Anna. Contact the Pearl Cream by Dr. Anna store to access the meeting ID number. If you cannot attend the seminar live, Dr. Anna will send you a link to watch at your own convenience.
Dr. Anna performs a unique type of acupuncture facelift that she invented. The muscles of the face and neck are progressively retightened to retrace the steps that aging took. An initial package of 10 treatments is required, and the results last for 18 months before you will need a one-treatment touchup to maintain the lift.
In these seminars, Dr. Anna will show photographed results on people of all ages. In addition, she will discuss her proprietary Pearl Cream by Dr Anna, which offers the same muscle retightening as her acupuncture facelift in a slower, more gradual process. Her Pearl Cream is an anti-aging serum made from real pearls and Chinese herbs without any preservatives. Pearl Cream by Dr. Anna is also available as a muscle tightening body lotion, a men’s anti-aging line, and a sports performance line.
Pearl Cream by Dr. Anna is available for pick up by appointment only at Dr. Anna’s office. Call 941-924-2723 for directions. Free consultations and facial analyses are offered for acupuncture facelift and Pearl Cream by Dr. Anna. For more information about Dr. Anna’s services and products including photo documentation, visit FacesByDrAnna.com and PearlCreamByDrAnna.com (we are no longer at the location shown on this website).
Rev. Richard P. Schoeller will visit the Sarasota Center of Light on September 26 through October 2. On September 27, Rev. Schoeller will host a “Demonstration of Mediumship” workshop, from 7-9 p.m., in the Sanctuary. On September 28, he will also hold a service and messages workshop in the Sanctuary. Finally, on October 1, he will host another “Demonstration of Mediumship” workshop, from 7-9 p.m., in Davis Hall. The cost to attend each of these “Demonstration of Mediumship” workshops is $30.
Rev. Schoeller has been studying the science, philosophy, and religion of spiritualism since 1997. He holds the credentials of Ordained Minister, Certified Medium, Commissioned Spiritualist Healer, and National Spiritualist Teacher through the National Spiritualist Association of Churches. Rev. Schoeller currently serves as the Vice President of the International Spiritualist Federation. He is also a teacher at the Inner Spiritual Center in Fairfield, New Jersey, and a member of the Lily Dale Assembly. Rev. Schoeller has taught classes and demonstrated mediumship both across the United States and internationally.
Location: 852 S. Tuttle Ave., Sarasota. For more information about these events visit SarasotaCenterofLight.com or call 941-953-6620.
Humanity has undergone stark experiences over the course of these last few years. But in the midst of these trials, we continue to emerge as more resilient, creative, stronger, and wiser. This revival stems from an internal seeking of the divine intelligence within ourselves. Our hearts are full of hope because we have learned to see the light of a new dawn approaching.
If you want to continue learning how to tap into this light, come join a new local spiritual networking group, “High Vibe Family,” at Wild Ginger Apothecary. Starting on September 4, this group will meet on Thursday evenings, from 6–7:30 p.m. Instructors Becky and Michelle will help you connect with other folks who share your desire for spiritual growth, while leading you in meditation and manifestation activities. There are a multitude of other classes, events, and intuitive readings at Wild Ginger Apothecary worth looking into as well.
You can also find online spiritual classes at the OZ Institute for high vibrational transmissions to accelerate your own spiritual journey. A new series of workshops, “Conscious Life Mastery for Ascending Souls,” includes six sessions on personal growth and empowerment to help you access the unique gifts of your soul. This series will deliver a wealth of guidance, information, and community enrichment.
Location: 6557 Superior Ave., Sarasota. For more information on these upcoming events, email: Michelle@smile4love.com or visit WildGingerApothecary.com. For more information on OZ Institute offerings, visit UNXNetwork.com/Workshops.
Rev. Phil Dykes and Rev. Kerry McLeod will visit Sarasota Center of Light from October 8–12, along with Nic Witham and Steven Siu who also present workshops here.
On October 8, they will host “Inspirational Writing and Speaking, from 7-9:30 p.m. (cost: $30). On October 9, they will host “Inspirational Color Readings,” from 7–9:30 p.m. (cost: $30). On October 10, they will host “Soul Quest and Healing Evening,” from 7–9:30 p.m. (cost: $30). On October 11, they will host “Psychic and Mediumship Readings,” from noon to 4 p.m. (cost: $40) and “Silver Birch and the Pioneers of Mediumship Q&A,” from 7–9:30 p.m. (cost: $30).
On October 12, Revs. Dykes and McLeod will offer the Sunday Divine Service with healing silence and evidential messages. Finally on October 12, Whitham and Siu will host “Altered States and Healing,” from 3–6 p.m. (cost: $30). More information on these events will follow online and in the October Natural Awakenings issue.
For more information and to register for these workshops, call 941-953-6620, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., on Monday–Friday, or visit SarasotaCenterofLight.com.
Ritual Room Spa is more than a wellness destination—it also features a reception boutique with a curated selection of clothing, accessories, jewelry, skincare, and more. From Italian clothes and accessories, to unique gifts and teas, there is always something new to discover.
Ritual Room Spa believes in the power of embracing each new season’s energy, which means fresh offerings for your skincare routine and personal style. Consider booking a seasonal customized facial to give your skin the rejuvenation it needs this fall.
Location: 2088 Hawthorne St., Sarasota. To book an appointment or purchase a gift certificate, call 941-203-6543 or visit RitualRoomSpa.com.
Come visit Sarasota’s first non-alcoholic bar, focused 100 percent on kombucha. Flobucha is a brewery and taproom located in the beautiful Gulfgate Village which produces and serves premium raw kombucha, fermented to perfection.
Flobucha comes in a variety of unique flavors, all of which are meticulously crafted and balanced. In addition to the six flagship flavors, you can also taste the new limited-quantity seasonal options: Cherry Lemon Ginger, Strawberry Orange, Starfruit Lemon Jalapeno, Pineapple Cranberry Tumeric and Blue Spirit – a blend of coconut water, ginger and blue spirulina. They also now have kombucha based sparkling non-alcoholic wine alternatives called Winesque and a non-alcoholic IPA beer alternative. Wine alternative flavors include Rose, CAB and their new white wine addition based on Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Try a six-flight kombucha sampler for $12.95, which can be mixed or matched with kombucha, wine or beer.
All flavors are brewed with all-natural, organic ingredients, raw, unfiltered and never pasteurized. Not only does this kombucha taste delicious, but it’s also rich in natural probiotics, healthy organic nutrients and antioxidants.
The Flobucha taproom is a fun place to hang out as well. Join us Thursdays for a free Kombucha tasting from 5-6 p.m. and enjoy our seasonal Flobucha flavors.
Location: 2725 Mall Dr., Sarasota. Hours: Tuesday–Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, email Info@ Flobucha.com, visit Winesque.com or follow via social media at @flobucha on Instagram and @Flobucha on Facebook.
Sleep-related breathing disruptions affect around 25 million Americans on a regular basis. These disruptions can cause daytime fatigue, irritability, anxiety, and low blood oxygen levels, which can be harmful to the brain and heart, in particular.
While weight loss, nasal decongestants, surgeries, and oral appliances are common interventions to treat these disruptions, they do not resolve the underlying cause. In stage two sleep, before REM, muscle activity reduces, which keeps dreamers from acting out movements. In those with sleep breathing disruptions, this process also weakens the brain’s signal to the diaphragm, which causes shallow breaths, low oxygen levels, and abrupt inhalation from the brain that pulls the soft palate into the airway, interrupting sleep.
In order to resolve this issue, it’s vital to target the weakened brain-to-diaphragm signal. This intervention will enhance the brain’s ability to communicate with the diaphragm, so you can breathe deeply and steadily while sleeping. That is exactly what the combination of herbs in Sleep Breathing Support™ aims to accomplish.
For more information, call 800-991-7088 or visit MyNaturesRite.com.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Sunday Services at the Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light features a variety of worship forms to the Divine Creator. Drawn from the higher teachings of ancient knowledge and wisdom, each minister offers their own style and areas of expertise to the service.
Each of our ministers have unique gifts to provide. Pastor Rev. Sharon-Elizabeth James (Baba Sharone) facilitates the Healing Service with Lambdona, a rare instrument that imparts 528 hertz of healing energy. Rev. Robin Richardson teaches wisdom from various cultures and sacred texts. Rev. Annie Eng (Ani Ra) facilitates the Mystical Path to Enlightenment. Rev. Nancy Robinson offers Channeled Insights and a message service on the third Wednesday of each month. Rev. Ildigo Varga invokes the spiritual energy of Divine protection. Each minister uses these gifts as a contribution to the collective enhancement of one’s spiritual path. Services are offered both in-person and online.
Location: 5041 Ringwood Meadow, Sarasota. For more information, call 941-371-9333, email CosmicCenterOSL@gmail.com, or visit the calendar of events at CCOSL.com.
A study conducted by Healthy Babies Bright Futures revealed that rice sold in stores across the United States contains toxic heavy metals. After analyzing rice samples from 145 brands across 20 metropolitan areas, arsenic was detected in all samples, and one in four exceeded the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s limit for infant rice cereal, which is set at 100 parts per billion. There is no established threshold for non-infant rice products.
Arsenic poses significant concerns for children under 2 years of age and pregnant mothers, and it has been linked to cancer and developmental brain damage, including lower IQ. Cadmium, lead and mercury were also found in the rice samples. Although the heavy metal levels are not high enough to cause acute poisoning, the concern is that consumption of these products over a long period of time could be harmful.
To lower exposure, the study suggests cooking rice in six to 10 cups of water and draining the excess liquid to reduce arsenic levels by up to 60 percent. Rice alternatives are also recommended, including quinoa, farro and barley, which exhibit a 69 percent lower heavy metal contamination than rice. Thai jasmine, Indian basmati and California-grown rices were also recommended as safer options.
Morning Service with messages from Spirit, and Sunday morning Healing Meditation Service. Links to our services and information about our classes can be found on our website.
Products containing cranberries, including juice and capsules, have been widely used for decades to prevent urinary tract infections (UTI). To objectively assess this anecdotal evidence, a research team conducted a review of 50 studies involving approximately 9,000 participants susceptible to UTIs. The published findings in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews indicated that cranberry products may help prevent the condition in children, women with recurrent UTIs and those prone to UTIs following medical procedures. However, no discernible benefits were observed in elderly individuals living in long-term care facilities, pregnant women or adults experiencing difficulties with bladder emptying.
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Kraft Heinz, General Mills and Nestlé have announced a voluntary commitment to eliminate all artificial food dyes from their U.S. products starting in mid-2026 and to stop using them in new products immediately. Kraft Heinz and Nestlé maintain that about 90 percent of their U.S. products are already free of synthetic dyes, with remaining efforts focused on specific items such as Nesquik Banana Strawberry mix, Kool-Aid, Jell-O and Jet-Puffed marshmallows. General Mills has indicated that their pledge will affect only 15 percent of its product portfolio and has vowed to prioritize removing the offending colors from K-12 school foods. The move comes as federal health officials push for the phase-out of petroleum-based dyes due to health concerns, including behavioral effects in children. The Center for Science in the Public Interest continues to advocate for the implementation of warning labels on products containing synthetic dyes. Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved new natural colorings, manufacturers face challenges in terms of cost, color intensity and sourcing.
In May, the World Health Organization adopted the “WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034” with the objective of facilitating universal access to traditional, complementary and integrative medicine. The organization has committed to investing in the research of ancient healing practices and their integration into conventional healthcare systems over the next decade.
While representatives from
fears about counterfeit products or misleading claims, the plan stip ulates that no practices would be endorsed without evidence-based research, and the modalities will be codified and integrated into a regulatory framework. The blueprint also acknowledges the rights of Indigenous peoples to their traditional medicines and empha sizes the importance of sharing the benefits when their knowledge leads to commercial products.
Traditional medicine employs nature-based remedies and holistic approaches to restore balance in the mind, body and environment. Certain practices such as Ayurveda or Traditional Chinese Medi cine have been developed over millennia and codified in scholarly texts. Others can be characterized as non-codified folk medicine passed down orally from generation to generation. Whether for mally documented or carried forward around the campfire or kitch en table, these practices serve as the primary healthcare option for substantial populations in low- to middle-income countries and are gaining popularity in wealthier countries as complementary care.
by Mary-Elizabeth Schurrer
Many of us desire healing in some capacity—whether it’s from a physical condition, a mental barrier, a spiritual adversity, or an emotional trauma. But all too often, we don’t know where to turn for the transformation we need. We want freedom, balance, stillness, and peace. Yet we feel stuck in patterns of belief or behavior that inhibit our growth.
Dr. Frank Kinslow can relate to this experience firsthand. He also knows there isn’t a “magical” cure to resolve it. Fortunately, there is a practical technique to access the healing power that already exists within you. Enter: Quantum Entrainment. This simple but beneficial practice can restore inner harmony and peace within minutes of learning it.
Curious as to how this holistic paradigm shift can influence your own well-being? For this month’s Community Spotlight, Dr. Kinslow offers an inside view of what you can expect from Quantum Entrainment, so let’s dive right into the Q&A below!
Natural Awakenings: Can you summarize what your personal and professional back-
ground entails, along with the experiences that led you to creating Quantum Entrainment?
Frank Kinslow: I lived in Japan as a child from eight to 10 years of age. There, I was introduced to mental techniques that helped me overcome physical challenges. Later in my teens, this interest pointed me to the teachings of India such as meditation.
At age 24, I received a degree in Deaf Education, but instead of pursuing this route, I moved to La Antilla, Spain, for five months and became a teacher of Transcendental Meditation. Through this experience, I was further immersed in my love for Eastern philosophy—the Vedas, in particular. Then, at age 35, I took my family to Marietta, Georgia, where I later received a Doctorate of Chiropractic degree. For 19 years, I practiced chiropractic in Flint, Michigan, then moved to Sarasota, which led me to the discovery of Quantum Entrainment.
At age 61, I was overweight and unhealthy. I was facing a marital divorce, financial debt, and no job opportunities on the horizon. I could not believe that I was in such a miserable season, after committing my life to spiritual growth. Where was the inner peace and balance I had spent so much time learning to cultivate?
So, I made a promise to myself: “I will throw out everything in my life that doesn’t work.” For three days, I revisited all facets of my life in search of the freedom, peace, and solutions I craved. Ultimately, I came to the conclusion that nothing works. In this moment, I stopped looking for solutions. I stopped trying to find peace. It found me.
When I first spoke those words, “nothing works,” the realization felt true—but not in the way I thought. Then, it all made sense:
nothing works. The awareness of nothing means absolute peace. So, for the next few days, I became aware of nothing.
I was inspired for no other reason than sheer inspiration itself. Transformative results began to take root. My migraines tapered off. My aches and pains cleared up. I slept better and ate healthier. Quantum Entrainment was born. This made me think, “I wonder if I can teach the same technique to others.” So, I embarked on a new journey, and those I taught experienced similar results of their own. I felt compelled to share these precious insights even more widely, but I knew small workshops could not enlighten the entire world.
I wrote out the instructions and gave them to a friend to see if they could learn through the written word. Fortunately, the basis of Quantum Entrainment is so simple and natural that my friend was able to learn it with ease, so I wrote a book to tell others about my discovery. That book has since become an international best-seller, allowing tens of thousands across the globe to benefit from this potent technique.
NA: How does Quantum Entrainment function as a modality, and what are the specific wellness benefits it can provide?
Kinslow: In Quantum Entrainment, you become aware of the space between thoughts—a quiet, open awareness that is always present but often overlooked. This awareness connects you to the natural state of peace and healing. In this space, old harmful patterns dissolve, physical and emotional imbalances correct themselves, and creative solutions emerge.
Quantum Entrainment is not about effort or concentration—it’s about allowing. When your attention reorients to this open awareness, your mind settles, stress dissolves, and a state of profound stillness arises. This stillness is the gateway to a restorative state where the body, mind, and spirit all move into harmony. That’s when deep healing, personal transformation, and inner peace become accessible. You’ll feel a sense of instant calm and relaxation. You’ll notice enhanced creativity, intuition, and mental clarity. You might even experience relief from emotional tension or physical discomfort.
One remarkable aspect of Quantum Entrainment is that it does not target any specific maladies. The energy that makes the body also heals the body. Quantum Entrainment en-
livens this energy and makes it more available for whatever could be wrong. In other words, Quantum Entrainment does not cure—rather, it restores the body with the energy to help overcome physical, emotional, social and spiritual concerns. If you can name a problem that either you or a loved one is facing, Quantum Entrainment will aid in its healing.
NA: What would you tell someone who is curious about the healing power of Quantum Entrainment, but might feel hesitant to try it for themselves?
Kinslow: Quantum Entrainment is a natural process that allows us to heal deeper, quicker, and more effectively. It does not require belief or any strenuous, intensive training, but works in tandem with the body’s innate healing abilities. Quantum Entrainment is a scientific technique as well, so you can measure its effects through concrete biomarkers such as blood pressure, blood sugar, EEG, EKG, and so on. You were born with all the tools to learn Quantum Entrainment, and once you tap in, it becomes like breathing—effortless and sustainable.
NA: Do you have any special events, workshops, or community resources in the works that you want our community to be aware of?
Kinslow: While most of our workshops are held in Europe and Asia, this October, we are launching a workshop here in Sarasota for the first time in years. During this workshop, you will learn how to practice Quantum Entrainment with yourself or others for finances, relationships, and other areas of life. I will even teach you how to practice Quantum Entrainment for your pets—they love it! This workshop will be fun, lively, energetic, and full of powerful healing surprises. I invite you to check out my website for more information.
Some call Dr. Frank Kinslow a scientist of the spirit. Others call him a healer of hearts. Dr. Kinslow simply refers to himself as “a student of stillness.” From one moment of silence, he created Quantum Entrainment®—a quick, gentle process that re-awakens peace, clarity, and well-being in anyone who tries it. His books are read in over 25 languages, his seminars have circled the globe, and yet his favorite moments are the quiet ones: savoring tea with his wife, walking his dogs, or sitting by a pond to watch ripples fade into stillness. For more information on Quantum Entrainment and this upcoming workshop, visit KinslowSystem.com.
by Eric Sauer RPH, DhPh
Enzymes act as an energetic catalyst, and every function of human organs and glands require this energy to work. We receive energy from the nutrients in our blood. These nutrients are put there through food digestion, then carried throughout our bodies by the vital energy created from enzymes. However, a lack of enzymes can create illness, lower resistance to infection, and cause all types of stresses and physiological environments. These risk factors can shorten one’s lifespan and result in chronic physical conditions.
According to some European sports medicine reports, most elite athletes in Germany are familiar with enzyme therapy. In addition, the top Austrian athletes—runners, wrestlers, boxers, handball players, and skiers—utilize enzyme capsules as a precaution to accelerate their recovery process after sustaining sports-related injuries.
Enzymes are a delicate lifelike substance found in all living cells—whether animal or vegetable. Enzymes are energized protein molecules necessary for life. They catalyze and regulate almost all biochemical reactions that occur within the human body.
They cannot be seen with even the most powerful microscope, but their presence and strength can improve blood and immune system functioning. Our bodies naturally produce both digestive and metabolic enzymes as necessary. Surplus enzymes can be stored by some organs for later use or converted into fuel for the brain. Every organ, tissue, and cell in our bodies rely on the reaction of metabolic enzymes and their energy factor.
Plant enzymes are grown from foods such as wheat and soybeans in a laboratory setting. They are nonpathogenic aspergillus species free of mycelium contamination. In other words, they do not harm the liver. Removal of all the aspergilla and fungi leave only the enzymatic activity. These aspergillus enzymes have a strong record of safe use in the food industry, and are classified as food by the FDA. The plant enzymes I utilize are of the highest quality. These enzymes are to be taken with meals to promote digestion of all nutrients. They can also be taken after or between meals to feed and fortify our bodies.
Plant enzymes are not sloughed off as if the body has no need for them. They exit only after there is no more activity left in them. Since
they are natural foods that function as energetic catalysts, these plant enzymes are different from other supplements. Some enzymes can be stored in the organs for future work or to rebuild cells.
Injury is a common problem for athletes— especially elite professionals and Olympians. However, sports medicine doctors know they cannot prevent injuries, so they look for methods to heal athletes as quickly and effectively as possible.
Karate fighters experience considerable injuries, so European doctors chose them as a test group for a double-blind study using oral enzymes and placebos. Those who took enzymes three times a day before their events healed 50 percent quicker than those taking the placebos. German Olympic team doctors performed similar tests with various types of athletes. The results were comparable for 82 percent of athletes, and they also noticed a significant decrease in muscle soreness after particularly strenuous events.
Professor Raas from the University of Innsbruck, who is responsible for the health of Austrian athletes in the winter Olympic Games, also confirmed those results. He found that a considerable portion of the success achieved by the athletes under his care would not have been possible without enzyme preparations. As such, Professor Raas advises that even casual athletes take enzymes daily to lessen the effects of a potential injury. Another benefit of enzymes is their ability to regulate metabolism. The fewer enzymes in our bodies, the lower our energy levels will be. Fortunately, those with chronic fatigue can reduce this symptom through enzyme supplementation. Doctors have also found that oral enzymes taken before a surgery can accelerate healing, which allows patients to leave hospitals quicker and resume their daily routines sooner.
I believe enzymes will also help athletes in their body-building efforts. If an adequate number of metabolic enzymes are not working in the muscle tissue, there would be minimal (if any) muscular growth or activity to create that growth. Enzymes are the catalyst that digest nutrients and convert them into
energy to help muscles move and grow.
Athletes have more need for enzymes than non-athletes. Research has shown that enzymes are lost in perspiration, and the body uses up enzymes at a faster rate during exercise. This is especially true for MMA fighters, as they often push their bodies past endurance normal levels. I have worked with athletes of all shapes and forms—including biathlon and triathlon athletes, marathon runners, football players and basketball players, even greyhound dogs and racehorses. But it was not until last year that I started working with an MMA fighter. It was amazing to see his response to Enzyme Therapy.
In summary, enzymes are energized amino acids, directly proportional to the immune system. These amino acids are especially crucial for athletes’ immune systems. Athletes use enzyme therapy to improve their speed, strength, and stamina, while reducing their recovery time from injuries. With a high-quality enzyme program and nutritional planning, steroids are not necessary for both elite and casual athletes to achieve their goals.
• Enzymes are required for each chemical reaction that takes place in the body.
• Enzymes connect to every organ in order to run their functions and processes.
• Enzymes are necessary to deliver vitamins and minerals throughout the body.
• Enzymes are required by all food intake to digest the enzymatic action.
• Enzymes can inhibit partially digested proteins from putrefying, carbohydrates from fermenting, and fats from turning rancid within the body.
• Enzymes from a plant source become active as soon as they enter the body.
• Enzymes from an animal source are only active within the small intestine in an alkaline setting of 8.0 pH.
• Enzymes will be destroyed by cooking and processing food.
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can uncover the truth about your gut health and offer you a clear, personalized treatment to feel better.
Your gut is so much more than just a “food tube.” It’s home to trillions of bacteria, yeast, and other organisms that help digest your food, absorb nutrients, balance hormones, and strengthen the immune system. When this ecosystem—known as your microbiome—is out of balance, it can cause far more than digestive discomfort.
You might also notice symptoms such as low energy, skin breakouts, brain fog, achy joints, food sensitivities, or abnormal weight fluctuations. The gut shares a deep connection with your mood states and stress levels, too. If you tend to feel anxious when your stomach is upset, or you notice that your digestion often shuts down in moments of stress, then you have experienced this gutbrain connection firsthand.
by Dr. Christina Captain, DAOM, Dipl. Ac., L.Ac.
If you live with constant bloating, unpredictable bathroom trips, stomach cramps, or a lethargic sensation after eating, you’re not alone. Many of us spend years trying to determine what could be wrong with our digestion—only to be told that everything looks normal after basic lab work or a cursory stool test. It’s a frustrating process with seemingly no relief in sight.
You know your own body, and you can tell when something does not feel right. But instead of concrete answers, you get a dismissive response, another prescription, or vague nutritional advice that does nothing to solve the problem. That’s where a different approach comes in—one that combines advanced functional testing with the whole-body perspective of acupuncture and Eastern medicine. Together, these modalities
The GI-MAP® is not your average stool test. It uses advanced DNA technology to check for both the healthy and harmful microbes in your gut. Instead of just determining whether you have an infection, the GI-MAP® details a clear picture of the following:
• Which beneficial bacteria are thriving or missing
• Whether harmful parasites, yeast, or bacteria are present
• Signs of inflammation in the digestive tract
• How effectively the gut absorbs nutrients
• Indicators that your gut lining could be “leaky”
This is not purely guesswork—it’s real data as to what is taking place within your own unique system. Once you have this information, the path forward becomes much clearer. Eastern medicine—especially acupuncture—has been helping folks with digestive issues for thousands of years. But unlike the modern habit of treating symptoms in isolation, Eastern medicine looks at the human body as a complex, interconnected whole.
In this view, your digestion is not just your stomach and intestines. It’s part of a larger network that involves energy (Qi), blood flow, nervous system functions, and even emotions. When one part of this network is imbalanced, the others cannot function optimally. This is why someone with bloating might also feel tired, irritable, or achy—and why treating just the symptom of bloating often doesn’t solve the problem.
Here’s the beauty of combining the GI-MAP with acupuncture and Eastern medicine: The GI-MAP tells us exactly what happens inside your gut—what is missing, what is overgrown, and where inflammation could be causing trouble. Eastern medicine then helps us understand why an imbalance took root in the first place, and what we can do to restore harmony.
For example, if the GI-MAP shows that you’re missing some key
beneficial bacteria, we can resolve this deficiency with the right probiotics and foods, while acupuncture helps restore the digestive energy, so your gut can hold onto those new bacteria longterm. If there’s inflammation, acupuncture can help reduce stress on the gut and calm your entire system, so that sustainable healing can actually occur.
If you have felt ignored by conventional care, this method can be a breath of fresh air. You’re not left to figure it out alone. We’ll work together to identify and treat the root cause—not just mask the discomfort. Instead of, “there’s no issue” or “just take this pill,” you’ll receive answers based on actual, measurable findings, a plan that treats you as a whole person (not a set of symptoms), and solutions for both the physical and emotional toll that gut problems take.
This entire process is straightforward. Start with the GI-MAP stool test you can do at home—simple, discreet, then mailed directly to the lab. Once those results are in, we’ll review them in detail together, so you know what exactly is occurring. The treatment plan will blend targeted nutrition and supplements with acupuncture sessions, tailored to your unique needs. Most folks start to notice changes within a few weeks—less bloating, steadier energy, more predictable digestion—but deeper healing will continue over the next few months.
You do not have to live with constant digestive issues or the frustration of being told that everything is normal when you know that’s not the case. The GI-MAP test and acupuncture together offer a new way forward—one based on clear answers, time-tested wisdom, and a focus on restoring your unique, complex body’s natural balance.
When the gut feels better, everything else feels better, too—your mood, energy, sleep, and outlook on life. If you want to stop chasing relief from symptoms and start healing from the inside out, this approach could be what you’re looking for.
Dr. Captain is a highly skilled expert in the field of Acupuncture. She has performed over 200,000 patient treatments in her career which spans over two decades. In addition to lecturing and teaching across the country and globe, her practice in Sarasota serves as a training facility for healthcare practitioners all over the U.S. and internationally. Dr. Captain’s knowledge and enthusiasm for wellness has earned her a nationwide reputation as a qualified lecturer, keynote speaker, and expert teacher. For more information, visit ScanSRQ.com or call 941-951-1119.
by Eric Winder, DC
Are you familiar with the fibrous tissue, known as fascia? More folks are learning about the importance of this body-wide structural fabric, along with therapies that aim to treat it. However, due to the newness of scientific research surrounding fascia, some only have a baseline knowledge of this incredible part of the human body. Let’s explore five attributes that make fascia unique—and why it’s crucial to ensure these tissues remain healthy.
Strong as Steel
As a living tissue, fascia is extremely tough. Both the individual fibers and the tissue as a whole have the tensile strength of steel, which can protect us from injuries. However, that strength also means that you can’t stretch fascia (although there are many common misconceptions about this). Dif-
ferent areas of fascia have varied amounts of “give” built into their construction, but this does not make the tissue stretchable. Think of it more like a piece of gauze—the individual fibers don’t stretch, but there is a certain degree of stretch to the fabric due to the looseness in how fibers are woven. Fascia under your skin has a loose “weaving,” which allows for skin movement. Whereas fascia that covers your lower back is dense and tight, which limits how far your spine can flex and keeps the delicate spinal joints safe.
Whether it’s loose or dense, when fascia reaches the end of its give, the fibers cannot stretch any further without injuring the tissues they’re attached to. This does not mean that stretching is harmful— it just means that when you perform a stretch, the motion won’t lengthen your fascia fibers. Instead, that stretching movement will force muscle tension to release and allow the fas-
cia to lengthen to its full capacity.
Our eyes are important, but our most vital sense comes from our fascia. This tissue, along with other fibrous tissues like ligaments and tendons, has millions of nerve endings that sense pressure or tension. Physical motions activate these nerve endings, which creates proprioception. This “position sense” is absolutely crucial for all coordinated movements—from tying shoe laces to drinking from a cup of water. Without position sense, the nervous system can’t align or stabilize your joints. Muscle tension would also be imbalanced without position sense, making it impossible to move or do anything at all. Why are folks not more aware of this important sense? Well, because proprioception is subconscious. We notice when light hits our eyes to create vision or sound reaches our ears to stimulate hearing, but the fascia sensa-
tions cause proprioception don’t reach the conscious part of our brains. We can use that internal picture for posture and coordination, but we aren’t aware of the internal picture itself.
Hydraulic System
Whether dense or loose, fascia is like a fibrous sponge. The spaces between each fiber contain fluid that’s mostly water. This water is critical for keeping the fascia both healthy and pliable. Drink plenty of water for adequate fascia hydration, and perform exercises or stretches to ensure the fascia tissue remains evenly lubricated.
Healthcare practitioners who use manual therapy to release fascia will feel a difference in the pliability of areas where tension has been released. Although not yet proven by research, it is commonly believed that this softening is at least partly due to water lubrication moving and flowing into the treated area.
Fascia
Until recently, fascia was thought of as a passive structural fabric. However, in recent years, a cell that can contract like mus-
cle was found in small amounts in fascia. New research has also shown that these cells can help fascia stiffen.
The contraction is slow, and the movement is small, compared to muscles—but believe this ability to stiffen fascia can help increase both stability and strength in parts of our bodies that bear considerable amounts of force. For example, if you were to spend hours lifting heavy flowerpots and bags of mulch outside, your lower back fascia will tighten up to protect your back, as if you were wearing a supportive belt.
Just like your muscles, fascia becomes stronger and more resilient with regular exercise. But, while a single muscle can move just one joint, fascia is interconnected in complex ways throughout the entire human body.
Strength exercises that focus on a single joint motion can help isolate individual muscles, but that’s not as helpful when it comes to fascia. The stimulation from complex full-body movements—such as swimming, biking, and yoga—will keep your fas-
cia at peak performance levels. Plyometrics, or exercises that involve jumping or bouncing, can also help you maintain strong and elastic fascia.
As mentioned earlier, hydration is critical for healthy fascia as well. Drinking adequate amounts of water each day, combined with exercise, will push water through the fullbody web of your fascia. Nutrition is also important for fascia health—anti-inflammatory foods like those in the Mediterranean diet will contribute to more resilient fascia, too. Finally, don’t forget to stretch. Pre-exercise stretches should be light and gentle since you don’t want fascia tissues at their full length before the actual workout. However, research shows that stretching after exercise can prevent injury to both muscles and fascia. Post-exercise stretches can be deeper and more intense, but should never feel uncomfortable.
Dr. Eric Winder has been practicing chiropractic for 28 years. His practice emphasizes relieving pain and restoring alignment and motion with gentle fascia release therapies. For more information, call 941-9578390 or visit Gentlebay.com.
by Dr. Fred Harvey
Your gut is not just where digestion happens—it’s where health begins. Gut vitality is absolutely essential to optimal wellness. The gastrointestinal system does far more than digest the food you eat. It also communicates with the immune, endocrine, and nervous systems, protects against infection, and determines how well you absorb nutrients. In fact, gut health influences the function of your entire body.
Modern conventional medicine has created an extensive list of diagnostic labels for digestive imbalance or discomfort, one of the most common being Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). But let’s be honest—this is what I call a “non-diagnostic diagnosis.” It simply means that you experience bloating, inconsistent bowel movements, or abdominal discomfort, but it does not identify the cause. Pharmaceutical manufacturers have also capitalized on this with a variety of symptom-focused medications that do not resolve the root issue.
Fortunately, simple changes can often correct these problems. It all starts with awareness, so ask yourself: How does your stomach
feel? Are you bloated? Gassy? Uncomfortable? Becoming more conscious of these sensations is the first step toward relief. On that note, here are eight actions you can take to restore a healthy gut.
Chewing all your food thoroughly is one of the most overlooked but powerful digestive tools. Saliva contains enzymes that start to break down your food before it even reaches your stomach. Aim to chew each bite 20–30 times until it’s nearly a purée. This not only eases digestive burden, but also helps you feel full sooner, which reduces the urge to overeat. To maximize these benefits, put down your fork between bites and eat without distractions.
Adequate water intake promotes smooth bowel movements and lowers the risk of constipation. Start each morning with a glass of warm lemon water or water with a pinch of baking soda. Then, continue to hydrate throughout the day—herbal teas or mineral-rich broths count, too. Dehydration is one of the most common, but overlooked, causes of slow digestion.
Many of us fall short in our fiber intake. To begin with, aim for 35 grams daily, then increase your fiber consumption gradually over time to prevent gas and bloating. Introduce chia seeds, flaxseed, or legumes into your meals for a gentle fiber boost. A fiber-rich breakfast sets the tone for the whole day and helps to ensure regular elimination.
Fermented foods are natural allies. Consume one fermented item daily—think: yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, or kombucha. These foods help to cultivate a balanced microbiome to improve both digestion and immunity. Fermented nut cheeses are another nutritious option. Rotate your choices in order to expose the gut to a variety of beneficial bacteria.
Human bodies were built to move. A simple 10–15 minute walk after meals can do wonders for intestinal motility. If walking isn’t possible, you can also perform gentle spinal twists or rebounding. I personally start each morning with Qi Gong or Tai Chi—intentional movement that helps to stimulate healthy digestion for the day ahead.
The gut and brain are deeply connected, but chronic stress changes the way our digestive systems function. Use deep breathing exercises or mobile apps like Calm or Breathwrk before meals. Spend-
ing time in nature or practicing meditation can also enhance this gut-brain connection. Gut-directed hypnotherapy is another effective, emergent tool.
Highly processed foods, refined sugars, and artificial sweeteners damage the microbiome. It’s important to cut them out. Implement the five-ingredient rule—avoid packaged foods with more than five ingredients. Stick to whole, unprocessed meals and implement a consistent eating schedule. Grazing all day will disrupt the gut’s natural rhythm. Eating meals at consistent times optimizes hormone cycles and efficient digestion. You could even experiment with intermittent fasting—12–14 hours overnight—to allow your gut a break.
Establish a morning ritual to wake up your digestion. This can include warm water, light stretches, and a fiber-rich breakfast like oats with fruit or high-protein yogurt. Then, in the mid-morning, hydrate again with herbal tea or black coffee.
For lunch, fill your plate with 80 percent plants and 20 percent animal protein. Think: roasted veggies and leafy greens with a spoonful of sauerkraut or kimchi. In the afternoon, take a pause in your schedule to move and consume some water.
Dinner should follow the same 80/20 ratio. Beans are excellent for fiber and protein. Then, after dinner, walk or do some light movement and avoid eating too close to bedtime. Head off to sleep at the same time each night to bolster the gut’s circadian rhythm.
It’s never too late to start making simple, healthy changes. If you deal with chronic gut issues, start with awareness. Then, make small adjustments—how you eat, when you move, and what your routine entails. Your gut health will thank you.
Dr. Fred Harvey is the Medical Director of Functional Medicine Florida, and is quadruple board-certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, Functional Medicine, and Holistic-Integrative Medicine. He specializes in chronic illness recovery and defiant aging. Dr. Harvey is the host of The Healthy Steps Radio Show, airing live each Monday, 10 a.m., on 88.5 WMNF. Listeners are invited to call in with questions at 813-239-9663, email DJ@WMNF.org, or text 813-433-0885. Learn more at FunctionalMedicineFlorida.com. For targeted supplement support to nourish your microbiome, visit HealthyStepSstore.com.
by Hannah Tytus
“The gut is the first to encounter the universe, and it is the first line of defense between you and the universe,” says Dr. Madiha Saeed, a holistic, functional and integrative doctor in Naperville, Illinois, and director of education for Documenting Hope and KnoWEwell. Home to trillions of bacteria, fungi and other microbes, the digestive tract forms a complex ecosystem known as the gut microbiome, which influences many aspects of health.
Microbes perform numerous functions. They help break down food, produce es-
sential nutrients, support the immune system and influence mood, cognition and overall well-being. Diet, stress, sleep, medications and environmental exposures shape the makeup of our gut microbiota, which, in turn, impact the body’s propensity for health or disease. Efforts to restore and nurture gut health offer opportunities for us to enhance our well-being through simple lifestyle changes.
The intestinal environment is constant-
ly changing, with new microbes entering and others disappearing daily, creating a dynamic community of tiny organisms that is unique to every individual. Different species have specialized roles. For instance, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii lowers inflammation by nourishing gut cells, while Akkermansia muciniphila maintains the gut lining by breaking down mucus and supporting helpful bacteria. Each person hosts approximately 1,000 distinct microbial species, while humanity collectively harbors more than 10,000 species.
Like a garden, the gut microbiome contains a mix of helpful and harmful organisms. Beneficial microbes behave like healthy plants, supporting digestion, nutrient absorption and immune function. When cared for, these helpful organisms thrive, while also helping to keep harmful microbes (weeds) under control.
Our intestinal garden is shaped by how it is tended. Fiber-rich foods, fermented products and exposure to natural environments help nourish the good microbes, much like water, sunlight and compost nourish plants. By contrast, processed foods, excessive sugar and unnecessary antibiotics can disrupt the balance and allow harmful microbes to take over.
Many people experience gut imbalance, or dysbiosis, without realizing it. The gut is highly sensitive to its environment, and everyday choices like processed foods, medications and chronic stress can quietly disrupt the inner balance, making it harder for beneficial microbes to thrive.
Medications. “Though some medications can save your life, they do come with a side disadvantage, so you need to weigh your risks versus the benefits when it comes to taking any medications,” Saeed advises, noting that antibiotics, for example, reduce microbial diversity and richness, causing short-term changes in the microbiome. While most people recover within two months, their microbiota diversity and productivity may remain low, and some people may experience longer-lasting disruptions.
Common painkillers called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen can also interact with the composition and function of the gut microbiome. They inhibit microbial growth, induce microbial cell death and increase gut permeability. NSAIDs can also interact with gut microbes, thereby impacting how well the drug is absorbed.
Foods. The food we eat significantly impacts the microbiome’s composition and metabolism. “Real foods nourish the good bugs, while processed foods fuel the bad,” says Saeed. Diets high in processed foods, sugars and additives create a toxic load that disrupts bacterial balance and triggers inflammation, leading to chronic disease. Eating these kinds of ingredients on a consistent basis can slowly damage the gut, as harmful microbes crowd out beneficial species, weakening the intestinal ecosystem over time without immediate signs of distress.
Stress. Chronic stress is another gut health disruptor. Stress hormones can reduce beneficial bacteria such as Akkermansia muciniphila, which has been identified as a potential protector against obesity and Type 1 diabetes. Stress also encourages yeast overgrowth, leading to inflammation and intensifying the stress response in a vicious cycle. Studies also show that stress, whether physical or perceived, can alter overall microbial composition.
A 2018 narrative review published in Frontiers in Microbiology analyzed existing preclinical studies and found that various psychological, environmental and physical stressors can alter gut microbiota composition and function. Furthermore, a 2023 systematic review published in Neuropsychobiology found that higher perceived stress was associated with lower microbial diversity and decreased abundance of beneficial genera such as Lachnospira, Veillonella and Phascolarctobacterium. Harmful bacteria like Methanobrevibacter rose in relative abundance in stressed individuals.
Indications of an unhealthy gut show up in various ways. Digestive issues such as bloating, gas and constipation often signal an imbalance. Fatigue, mood swings and skin conditions like acne or eczema may also be related to poor gut health. Unexplained
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weight changes, cognitive problems and food sensitivities may be caused by intestinal distress. A weakened immune system, trouble sleeping and bad breath can also indicate a need for gut support.
Environmental factors influence the microbiome more than genetics, but when the gut has been harmed, Saeed explains, restoration takes more than just a probiotic.
Eat organic whole foods. “Food is medicine. Every bite can either help or hurt,” counsels Saeed, emphasizing the importance of daily food choices. Like humans, gut microbes need nourishment to thrive. When they eat well, human health flourishes. The typical Western diet is high in simple carbohydrates and fat, but low in fiber, offering little nourishment for beneficial microbes.
On the other hand, microbiota-accessible carbohydrates (MACs) such as legumes, root vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds are essential for a diverse and resilient micro-
bial community. Because MACs are not broken down by digestive enzymes, they are fermented by gut microbes, feeding and promoting the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria.
Choosing organic produce helps avoid synthetic pesticides and herbicides sprayed on produce to eliminate pests and weeds. These chemicals have been shown to negatively affect the gut microbiome and human health. “It’s best to eat local food that is not sprayed,” advises Dr. Patrick Hanaway, a board-certified functional medicine family physician, educator and chief medical officer of KnoWEwell.
Supplement wisely. Probiotics and prebiotics are vital for healing the gut. Probiotics, whether found in foods like yogurt and other fermented products or taken as supplements, introduce live bacteria into the body. Prebiotics act like fertilizer, feeding good bacteria and helping restore overall balance. Fiber-rich foods such as asparagus, bananas, garlic, onions, oats, apples and legumes naturally support a
by Hannah Tytus
Dr. Madiha Saeed, a holistic, functional and integrative doctor in Naperville, Illinois, and director of education for Documenting Hope and KnoWEwell, stresses that repairing the gut lining is key for nutrient absorption. She recommends foods rich in zinc; vitamins A, C, and D; vitamin E; and selenium to reduce inflammation. Additionally, omega-3 fatty acids, often found in fish, help reduce inflammation and support the gut lining. Digestive enzymes found in fruits and vegetables such as avocados, pineapples, papayas, mangoes and bananas break down food, reducing intestinal inflammation. L-glutamine, found in bone broth, animal proteins, spinach, red cabbage and parsley, helps preserve the gut lining.
As Hanaway explains, “A probiotic is a live bacteria that can be ingested and move into the stomach and populate the body. A prebiotic is a component that helps feed the commensal [beneficial] bacteria in the gut. Probiotics are highly specific. They have great benefits for specific strains for specific diseases in specific doses. Yet, the probiotic is a tourist; it doesn’t stay in the body. It’s great to have tourists in the economy, but if an economy becomes entirely dependent on tourism, it becomes a problem.”
When choosing supplements, quality matters. Due to limited regulations, it is best to purchase from reputable brands. Supplements in fillable capsules tend to have fewer fillers and more active ingredients. Vitamins and minerals are best absorbed from whole foods, so supplements should complement, not replace, a balanced diet.
Start a garden. Gardening increases the availability of fresh, fiber-rich, seasonal fruits and vegetables in the diet, but the very act of putting our hands in the dirt may also help increase the diversity of our gut microbiome. A 2022 cohort study of 19 families over one growing season by scientists at the University of Illinois and published in the journal Nature found that when compared to non-gardeners, families that grew plants and produce in their backyards had more gut bacteria linked to fiber fermentation, greater microbial diversity and even some microbes in their guts that appeared to come from the soil. Families that gardened also ate more fiber-rich foods.
Commit to small actions. Healthy microbiomes grow with consistent care—not perfection—and even small lifestyle changes can build a more resilient ecosystem for better overall health. There is no magic bullet for healing the gut. The key is to commit one hour a week to health education and to small actions focused on rebuilding the inner ecosystem one change at a time.
“A strictly-diet approach isn’t the answer; a lifestyle approach is,” says Dr. Tom O’Bryan, an expert on food sensitivities, environmen-
tal toxins and the development of autoimmune diseases, as well as the host of the Regenerative Whole Health Show at KnoWEwell. com. “Dietary regimens can go only so far if something else persists, like mold in the house, high glyphosate levels or accumulated mercury in the body.” Addressing the macrocosm around us helps fix the microcosm inside us.
Indoor air filtration and water purification measures might be necessary to counteract an unhealthy indoor environment. Small changes like storing leftover food in glass rather than plastic can help keep harmful compounds out of the gut. Herbs such as chamomile and holy basil in diffusers and teas may aid the chronically stressed. Even simply chewing our food slowly, with mindfulness and gratitude, can help aid the digestion process.
The gut microbiome is a complex ecosystem that plays an essential role in overall health. Understanding what it is, what harms it and how to recognize signs of imbalance empowers us to take practical steps to restore and maintain gut health. By nourishing the microbiome with whole foods, managing stress, using supplements wisely and embracing small lifestyle changes, individuals can cultivate a resilient inner garden that supports well-being for life.
Hannah Tytus is a researcher and content creator for KnoWEwell, P.B.C. and former technical writer for the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
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by Chloe Karydes Krecun
Afruit shrub is a sweet and tart syrup made by combining fruit, sugar and vinegar. Used for centuries as a way to keep nutrients alive, these tangy, fermented syrups are becoming popular again as irresistible additions to cocktails and mocktails, while also contributing to gut health.
Long before fruit shrubs became a trendy addition to modern beverages, fermenting fruits in alcohol or vinegar was one of humanity’s oldest preservation techniques. Resourceful cooks combined seasonal fruits with vinegar and sugar to create potent elixirs that captured the fleeting abundance of summer harvests in shelf-stable form.
When winter’s grip tightened and fresh produce became scarce, these preserved
fruits provided delicious flavors and vital nutrients. Today’s food enthusiasts celebrate fruit shrubs for their complexity and versatility in everything from sodas to salads and other inventive side dishes.
Each ingredient in a fruit shrub plays a distinct role in both preservation and nutrition. “The vinegar component in shrubs is what helps preserve the fruits and keep them from spoiling,” explains Lea Ann Chen, M.D., assistant professor of gastroenterology at the Rutgers University Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. “However, the total amount of fruit in shrub recipes is relatively modest. Thus, the benefits of eating fresh fruits would be much higher. For example, fresh whole fruit contains fiber, which has many health
benefits, but this is mostly missing in shrubs.” Chen notes that the fruit in shrubs is nevertheless a source of certain vitamins, such as vitamin C in citrus fruits, while berries are also high in polyphenols, which offer anti-inflammatory properties. A 2021 Stanford University study published in the journal Cell found that consuming fermented foods may increase gut microbiome diversity and decrease inflammation, so the fermentation of fruit shrubs may be part of a gut-healthy diet.
According to Kirsten Shockey, the author of several books on fermentation, including Fermented Vegetables, fruit shrubs and mocktails serve as a practical steppingstone toward healthier drink choices. They offer a middle ground for those seeking to improve their habits by steering away from soda and alcoholic beverages without making dramatic changes.
Creating gut-friendly fruit shrubs at home requires nothing more than fresh fruit, sugar, vinegar and patience. Morgan Shortt, sales director at Pink House Alchemy, a maker of farm-to-table simple syrups, aromatic bitters and shrubs, explains that the sugar breaks down the fruit and naturally turns it into a thick, viscous syrup without having to smash the fruit. This natural maceration process allows the sugar to draw out fruit juices and flavors over the course of a couple of days.
Once macerated, the fruit is strained through cheesecloth or a coffee filter. The syrup can be used immediately as a topping on desserts or savory dishes. To make it last longer and add the tart taste, vinegar is incorporated. Almost any type can be used, depending on personal taste. White vinegar is intensely sharp; apple cider vinegar provides a mild, fruity flavor; and balsamic can add depth to berry shrubs with only a splash. The higher the quality of vinegar, the better the results, Shockey points out.
Although fruit shrubs are shelf stable, the shelf life varies depending on the ingredients. Shortt estimates that her shrubs have
a shelf life of at least two years. Refrigeration can help maintain the quality and flavor for a longer period of time.
Shrubs offer a practical solution for reducing food waste. They are a good way to use seasonal fruits that may be bruised or considered a farmer’s seconds. “The key takeaway is that it’s an easy and affordable way to consume a gut-healthy product, and it’s delicious,” says Shortt.
For those preferring convenience over homemade preparation, shrubs are increasingly available at farmers markets, health food stores and online. When purchasing, prioritize products containing raw, unpasteurized vinegar and minimal added sugar while checking for clean-ingredient labels. Premixed shrub drinks are also available in ready-to-consume cans or bottles for the ultimate in convenience.
Shrubs represent a delicious intersection of ancient preservation wisdom and modern wellness needs. Whether crafted at home or purchased ready-made, these tangy syrups offer a simple way to support gut health while adding flavor to drinks and recipes.
Chloe Karydes Krecun is a sophomore at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Connect at LinkedIn.com/in/chloe-karydeskrecun.
2 tsp garlic, finely minced
1 tsp Dijon mustard
4 Tbsp fig shrub
4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp raw honey, optional
Sea salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
6 cups sourdough bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 pattypan squash, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 zucchini, cut into 1-inch
Preheat the oven to 350° F.
cubes
1 delicata squash, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 yellow squash, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 acorn squash, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
1 medium red onion, diced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
5 oz mozzarella balls, medium or small sized, quartered
20 large basil leaves, ribbon sliced
1 tsp kosher salt
Whisk all the vinaigrette ingredients together in a small bowl and set aside.
Roast the delicata and acorn squash in the oven for 20 minutes on a baking pan lined with parchment paper.
Add the patty pan, yellow squash and zucchini to the same baking pan. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of kosher salt over the vegetables and continue roasting for another 15 to 20 minutes. Remove and let vegetables cool.
Place bread cubes on a separate baking pan lined with parchment paper and place in oven for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove and let bread cool.
In a large bowl, mix the roasted vegetables, red onion, cherry tomatoes and basil. Add the bread cubes and toss with the vinaigrette. Add kosher salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately or allow the salad to sit for half an hour for the flavors to blend.
Recipe courtesy of Amy Lawson, a registered dietitian at ThriveNutritionRDN.com.
YIELD: 4 TO 6 SERVINGS FOR THE VINAIGRETTE
2 Tbsp apple spice shrub
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp Dijon mustard
½ tsp raw honey or maple syrup
1 squeeze of orange, optional
Sea salt, to taste
Fresh black pepper, to taste
1 cup cooked farro
1 sweet potato, cubed
Extra virgin olive oil for roasting
A few kale leaves, chopped
2-3 cups salad greens
1-2 carrots, peeled into ribbons
1 apple, diced
A few radishes, sliced thin
Small handful parsley, chopped
½ cup almonds, chopped and toasted
Salt, to taste
Fresh black pepper, to taste
Preheat the oven to 400° F.
Whisk all the vinaigrette ingredients together in a small bowl and set aside.
Toss the sweet potato cubes with a drizzle of olive oil and salt and pepper, to taste. Spread sweet potato cubes on a baking pan lined with parchment paper and roast until golden brown, about 35 minutes. Once roasted, let the sweet potato cubes cool.
In a large bowl, lightly massage the kale with a bit of the vinaigrette until the kale wilts down. Mix in the farro and sweet potato cubes. Add the salad greens, carrots, apple, radishes, parsley and almonds to the bowl and toss with vinaigrette. Add additional salt and pepper, to taste.
Recipe courtesy of Priscilla Koch, founder of The Urban Farmhouse Co., makers of organic shrub beverages.
YIELD: 6 TO 8 SERVINGS FOR THE VINAIGRETTE
2 Tbsp pomegranate shrub
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp shallots, finely chopped
1 tsp lemon zest
1 tsp honey or liquid sweetener
½ tsp fresh ginger, grated
½ tsp ground coriander
Kosher salt, to taste
Fresh ground black pepper, to taste FOR THE SALAD
1½ cup cooked wild rice
1 cup pomegranate arils (about one large pomegranate)
1 cup pistachios, coarsely chopped
½ cup parsley, coarsely chopped
In a small bowl, combine pomegranate shrub, olive oil, shallots, lemon zest, honey, ginger, coriander, salt and black pepper. Set aside.
Combine wild rice, pomegranate arils, pistachios and parsley in a serving bowl. Add dressing and toss to combine. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if desired. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to three days.
Recipe courtesy of Priscilla Koch, founder of The Urban Farmhouse Co., makers of organic shrub beverages.
by Maya Whitman
Some may associate seaweed with giant kelp forests or savory sushi wraps, but these species of multicellular marine algae have become key players in the food, cosmetic and industrial arenas. Seaweed farming around the world, including more recently in the United States, shows promise as a natural solution to climate change, ocean acidification and the plastics crisis. Such crops provide not only nutritious food for humans and animals but also chemical-free fertilizers for backyard gardens and agriculture.
“When managed and cultivated ethically in cooperation with the natural laws, just like land farms, seaweed farms can be little vibrant plots of biodiversity and primary productivity, supporting all the powers of nature for good,” says Sarah Redmond, founder of Springtide Seaweed, in Gouldsboro, Maine, the largest organic seaweed company in the United States.
There are thousands of species of seaweed, and they thrive in areas where other marine life is failing due to ocean acidification. Their presence is a boon for the environment because they release nutrients into the ocean, while also sequestering carbon from the atmosphere, thereby reducing the effects of climate change.
As Redmond explains, “Ocean acidification is the lowering of overall pH in the oceans, which can impact all marine life, especially shell-forming organisms. Growing seaweed can help reduce the impacts of acidification locally, during the day, when the plants are taking in carbon for photosynthesis. Some of the carbon is remineralized back into inorganic forms, some is consumed as food, some is lost as dissolved or particulate organic carbon, and some is buried in sediments at sea. All of the algae—micro and macro seaweeds—drive the ocean’s carbon cycle.”
Seaweed is introduced in aquaculture because of its ability to boost water quality and convert fish waste into usable nutrients. According to Charles Yarish, professor emeritus of marine ecology at the University of Connecticut and chief scientist with GreenWave, a global nonprofit network of regenerative ocean farmers, “Seaweed farming in the United States is principally kelp farming, and we have nutrient-rich waters. Seaweeds can reduce carbon dioxide and nitrogen as they photosynthesize during daylight hours and take it into their biomass.”
Yarish highlights the cutting-edge efforts of Macro Oceans, in West Sacramento, California, which seeks to help the world
transition away from petroleum-based products by developing eco-friendly biomaterials from seaweed for use in cosmetics, food and other industries.
“Seaweeds are very nutritious, with minerals, protein and vitamin C,” says Yarish. Rich in iodine, it has been a diet staple for coastal cultures since prehistoric times, and more than 145 varieties are consumed worldwide today. Across the United States, there are dozens of farms in New England, Alaska and the Pacific Northwest that specialize in the cultivation of bull kelp, dulse, ribbon kelp and sugar kelp used in sauces, salads, seasonings and Asian cuisine.
According to Redmond, “By replacing table salt with the natural, organic mineral salts from seaweeds, we can rebalance our sodium and potassium levels and add essential micronutrients to our diets.”
Common edible seaweeds like wakame, kelp, kombu, nori and dulse are tasty additions to soups and salads that can foster good thyroid health. According to 2018 findings published in the Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, extract of the seaweed variety Sargassum oligocystum offers anti-diabetic effects in rats and is worthy of further research. Japanese research published in 2021 in the Journal of Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis suggests that seaweed consumption might be valuable in preventing strokes in men.
According to CleanHub, an organization dedicated to preventing plastic pollution in our oceans, it is estimated that 95 percent of all beauty industry packaging is thrown away every year. Companies like UK-based Notpla and Kelpi, as well as California-based Sway, are using biodegradable seaweed bioplastics to make a difference. Similarly, the restaurant and food industries are developing options to replace single-use plastics like containers and wraps with marine-based packages. Currently, seaweed packaging is more costly, but experts predict lower prices as technology advances.
Maya Whitman is a frequent writer for Natural Awakenings.
by Jordan Peschek, RN-BSN
The gut, often called the second brain, plays a pivotal role in not only digestion, but also immune function and mental well-being. With a growing body of research exploring the gut-brain axis, many are turning to yoga not just as a physical discipline, but as a therapeutic modality to support gut vitality.
Yoga traditionally involves eight components, including postures, breath control, concentration and meditation. The yoga postures can be practiced in many ways, from flowing sequences and strengthening postures to very slow stretches that can be held for minutes at a time, focusing on breath and meditation simultaneously.
Emerging evidence suggests that yoga may positively influence gastrointestinal health by modulating the autonomic nervous system. Through its emphasis on breathwork and relaxation, yoga activates the parasympathetic nervous system—often referred to as the restand-digest mode—helping to promote digestion and reduce stress, a known aggravator of gastrointestinal symptoms, such as those experienced with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
A 2015 12-week, randomized, controlled trial published in the European Journal of Integrative Medicine demonstrated significant
improvements in IBS symptoms, anxiety, physical flexibility and autonomic function in patients practicing a gentle form of yoga compared to controls.
Certain yoga poses specifically support digestive function. According to the Indian yoga teacher B.K.S. Iyengar in his seminal book, Light on Yoga, twists such as ardha matsyendrasana (half lord of the fishes) and supta matsyendrasana (supine spinal twist) gently compress and massage abdominal organs, stimulating the movement of food through the digestive tract and encouraging waste elimination. Forward folds like paschimottanasana (seated forward bend) can soothe the nervous system while enhancing circulation to digestive organs.
Practicing viparita karani (legs up the wall) after meals may promote lymphatic drainage and calm inflammation, especially when paired with diaphragmatic breathing. Virasana (hero pose) after eating can also support digestion and, because the spine is upright in this posture, is ideal for those with acid reflux.
“When supporting clients with digestive concerns, I incorporate yoga postures and breathwork to encourage healthy, balanced digestion,” explains Katie Mullins Denk, a yoga instructor, Ayurvedic health counselor and owner of Moonflower Studio, in Brookfield, Wisconsin. “Apanasana (knees to chest) helps relieve gas and bloating; supta matsyendrasana (supine spinal twist), malasana (garland or yogi squat) and surya bhedana (right nostril breathing) help stimulate elimination. Lying on the left side after meals—a version of savasana (final rest or corpse pose)—supports digestion through rest and relaxation. These simple, intentional practices create space for healing from within.”
Yoga’s impact extends beyond posture. Mindfulness practices such as pranayama (breath control) and dhyana (meditation) cultivate
interoception—the ability to sense internal bodily states. This deepened awareness can promote healthier eating habits, support mindful digestion and reduce overeating. Mullins shares, “Uttanasana (standing forward fold), seated forward fold and nadi shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) help calm the nervous system.”
Chronic stress is a major disruptor of gut flora, and yoga has been shown to reduce cortisol levels, the primary stress hormone. A calm mind often translates into a calmer gut. Digestive health can be tied to the body’s natural circadian rhythm. By practicing sun salutations or flowing yoga postures in the morning, the metabolism is gently awakened, and by incorporating restorative yoga or stretches in the evening, we signal our body to wind down naturally.
As an integrative tool, yoga complements both conventional and alternative therapies for gut health. It works synergistically with dietary modifications, probiotics and functional medicine interventions. For individuals navigating gastrointestinal disorders—from bloating and constipation to chronic conditions like Crohn’s disease—yoga offers a noninvasive, accessible practice with minimal side effects. Yoga practice was found to improve constipation and sleep quality in a 2021 randomized, controlled trial with elderly adults published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. A 2019 systemic review and meta-analysis in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research found that mindfulness interventions, including yoga, reduced stress and improved depression and quality of life in participants with irritable bowel disease.
Gut vitality is foundational to overall well-being. Yoga, with its blend of movement, breath and mindfulness, offers a holistic path to digestive harmony. Whether practiced in a studio, on a living room floor or during a midday break, it invites each person to tune into their body’s wisdom and support the healing journey from the inside out.
Jordan Peschek has a background in personal training, yoga instruction and mental health nursing. She publishes the Milwaukee and Twin Cities editions of Natural Awakenings.
by Marlaina Donato
An estimated 42 percent of adults aged 30 and above are affected by periodontitis, commonly known as gum disease. For some, the condition manifests as mild, reversible gingivitis, while others experience a more progressive form that can lead to bone loss.
Beyond its effects in the mouth, gum disease is strongly associated with chronic inflammatory conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and arthritis. A study conducted by the University of Toronto in 2020 found that the body’s immune response to gum disease can trigger a hyper-inflammatory response that can negatively impact healthy tissues and organs. Good oral hygiene and regular cleanings with a dental professional are the principle ways to prevent and treat gum disease. However, new findings suggest that stress management techniques such as mindfulness and yogic practices, combined with conventional treatments, may be the future of whole-body periodontal care and another good reason to get on the yoga mat.
Research published this year in BMC Oral Health reported that elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol may impact periodontal health by making the gums more susceptible to infection and inflammation. Stress may also lead to lapses in oral hygiene.
“In itself, inflammation isn’t a bad thing— it’s how the body protects and heals itself after injury, illness or exposure to harmful substances. But when that inflammatory response doesn’t turn off due to physical or emotional stress, the body stays in a constant state of defense, even when there’s no real threat present,” explains yoga teacher Jamie LiCausi, owner of Empowered Alignment Holistic Healing Hub, in Hawley, Pennsylvania. “Many of us live in a constant state of low-grade stress without even realizing it. Yoga isn’t just about finding your zen; it quite literally rewires your nervous system to help you handle stress differently.”
A 2023 systemic review published in the Journal of International Society of Preventive and Community Dentistry found promising potential for yoga to improve periodontal health by reducing systemic stress reactions and periodontal disease risk factors such as diabetes and hypertension.
Dr. Amy Dayries, an integrative dentist in Roswell, Georgia, and host of KnoWEwell’s monthly online show, Healthcare From Your Dentist’s Chair, asserts that yoga can reduce stress-induced teeth grinding, mouth breathing and poor posture promoted by modern lifestyles. Relying on mouth breathing rather than nose breathing can lead to sleep apnea, dry mouth and a misaligned bite, which, if left untreated, may cause tooth decay and gum disease. “Dentally speaking, we see increases in gum inflammation and
increased cavity risk because the oral microbiome changes as the body chemistry changes in a stressed state,” she remarks, adding that stress chemicals can remain elevated for many years after the initial stressful event.
The tongue can also play a critical role. According to Dayries, we usually have a low tongue posture (resting on the floor of the mouth instead of the roof) when we slouch, and this bad habit can ramp up the sympathetic nervous system, thereby triggering stress. She recommends a variety of yoga exercises, including hatha yoga tongue exercises, as part of a patient's dental treatment plan to ease muscle and emotional tension, support stronger posture and decrease mouth breathing. Such exercises may include placing the tip of the tongue against the roof of the mouth behind the top front teeth, suctioning the rest of the tongue flat against the roof of the mouth, closing the mouth and breathing through the nose.
Pranayama yoga and diaphragmatic breathing can reset the nervous system in a gentle way. “Many of us breathe shallowly into the chest, which means the lower parts of the lungs—the areas where air can become stagnant—don’t get fully ventilated. Over time, that stagnant air holds onto carbon dioxide and other waste gases,” says LiCausi. “When we breathe deeply using the diaphragm, we help move that stale air out. Fresh oxygen circulates through the lungs, nourishing the body, while each exhale clears out toxins and waste.”
Dayries advises that yoga helps us to counterbalance modern lifestyle activities that promote a forward posture. “This is because yoga is centered around one’s breath and holding postural stances, wringing out the lymphatic system through stretching, strengthening and asanas [body postures].” Most of all, she points out, even when oral health problems are in motion, such as gum disease, there is hope to halt things where they are, even if some bone loss is evident. “It is never too late to implement healthy changes,” she says.
Marlaina Donato is an author, musician and painter. Connect at WildflowersAndWoodSmoke.com.
by Christina Connors
Supporting a child’s social development today means setting aside outdated assumptions. What once felt simple, like walking up and saying “Hi” on the playground, may require emotional scaffolding today. Kids face a more complex and often emotionally charged social world, so the way we guide them needs to evolve, too.
Joanna Faber and Julie King, co-authors of the bestselling books How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen and How to Talk When Kids Won’t Listen, offer a compassionate framework for supporting children through friendship conflicts. “In the moment that a child is in distress over a social slight, the first thing we can do for them is to offer quiet sympathy instead of a game plan and a pep talk,” they write. “Sometimes just a sympathetic sound is enough. Resist the urge to lecture, ask questions, or give advice. … Your restraint in not jumping in with questions and advice shows trust in your child’s ability to manage her own relationships.”
This gentle, emotionally attuned approach is backed by child mental health experts who emphasize that emotional safety is the
foundation of healthy social development. “Children thrive when they feel seen and heard,” says Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, a clinical psychologist and integrative pediatric mental health expert. “Social skills don’t grow in a vacuum—they’re cultivated through repeated, safe interactions where kids feel supported, not judged or directed. When adults approach social challenges with calm empathy, they send the message that it’s okay to have big feelings and that mistakes are a part of learning.”
This doesn’t mean stepping back entirely. While Capanna-Hodge warns against the temptation to micromanage social interactions, she does suggest alternative actions. “We have to stop swooping in to fix every peer conflict,” she says. “When we do that, we unintentionally rob children of the chance to build problem-solving and coping skills. Instead, guide them gently and give them the language to express themselves. That’s what truly sets the foundation for deeper, more meaningful relationships.”
One key strategy Capanna-Hodge recommends is co-regulation, a powerful technique where adults model calm and emotional steadiness, especially when a child is dysregulated or distressed. “We talk a
lot about self-regulation, but kids need co-regulation first,” she explains. “That means being the calm in their storm— breathing with them, validating their feelings and staying present without judgment. That’s how they learn to calm themselves and respond, rather than react, in social situations.”
Friendship is not just a social bonus; it is a developmental necessity. As caregivers, educators and parents, the focus is not to orchestrate every social moment but to create the conditions where trust, empathy and connection can flourish. By modeling emotional presence, offering tools for regulation and holding space for kids to navigate the ups and downs of friendship, we empower them to build lasting, meaningful relationships. These moments of quiet support may seem small, but they build social wisdom that lasts a lifetime.
As Capanna-Hodge advises, “The best gift we can give our children is the belief that they can handle hard things, especially when it comes to friendships. When we trust them, support them and walk beside them instead of ahead, we teach them how to be kind, confident and resilient.”
As discussed in a 2017 research article published in the journal Social Development, children’s friendships and their ability to navigate them matter. Friends engage in more complicated social activities, talks, tasks, cooperation, negotiation, altruistic activities and effective conflict management. In a world that often feels fast and fragmented, the ability to build deep, authentic connections may be one of the greatest gifts we can offer the next generation.
Christina Connors is a writer, singer and creator of a YouTube series for children. Learn more at ChristinaConnors.com.
Saturday, Sept. 27th
Savings on Multiple Brands Storewide Sept. 27th Only!
by Dr. Ruth Roberts, DVM, CVA, CVH, CVFT, NAN
Although spay and neuter surgeries in dogs are often encouraged to control overpopulation, avoid unwanted litters and prevent certain serious health conditions later in life, such as cancer, these surgeries—especially if performed at a very young age—may disrupt hormonal balance in some dogs. Known as spay-neuter syndrome (SNS), the condition can cause weight gain, anxiety and reduced vitality. For these dogs, several natural strategies can help restore hormonal balance.
Dogs’ ovaries and testes generate sex hormones such as estrogen, progesterone and testosterone, which regulate reproduction and play key roles in joint stability, metabolism, immune function, brain development and emotional regulation. When removed, the loss of hormonal feedback can disrupt many physiological systems.
A 2020 UC Davis-led analysis of 35 dog breeds found neutering before six months increased joint disorders and the risk of certain cancers, especially in larger dogs like Labradors and golden retrievers. Data from a 2013 study of more than 750 intact and neutered golden retrievers showed double the occurrence of hip dysplasia and triple the occurrence of ligament tears among early-neutered male dogs. Another study of golden retrievers in 2019 found that neutered dogs had an increased risk of obesity. Research published in 2018 involving more than 6,000 male dogs found that those allowed to mature hormonally before sterilization exhibited fewer behavioral problems like fear and aggression, underscoring the importance of natural hormone exposure in development.
As more dogs experience the effects of SNS, natural hormone support is increasingly important. The building blocks for hormone production come primarily from nutrients found in whole, fresh foods. Without quality proteins, healthy fats and essential vitamins and minerals, the endocrine system struggles to produce, regulate and detoxify hormones.
Feeding dogs home-cooked meals using organic, GMO-free ingredients creates a solid nutritional foundation. High-quality animal proteins like grass-fed beef and pasture-raised poultry supply amino acids needed for hormone synthesis. Organic vegetables such as leafy greens, squash and carrots offer antioxidants and micronutrients. Healthy fats from fish oil, coconut oil and flaxseed provide cholesterol and essential fatty acids, the substances from which steroid hormones are made.
Supporting a dog’s detoxification systems is just as important. The liver and gut work together to process and eliminate excess hormones and environmental toxins. Nutritional tools such as milk thistle, glutathione precursors and targeted probiotics may support these detox pathways, particularly in pets with hormonal imbalances. Additionally, natural binders like chlorella or bentonite clay are sometimes used to assist in removing certain heavy metals or persistent chemicals. However, these should be used only under professional guidance.
A 2020 review published in the journal Animals confirmed that neutering dogs leads to elevated luteinizing hormone levels, which in turn stress the thyroid, adrenal glands and immune system. This hormonal disruption can lead to chronic inflammation, behavior changes and metabolic dysfunction. Glandular supplements offer a holistic, non-pharmaceutical tool to nourish under-performing glands, especially when combined with a nutrient-rich diet and a toxin-conscious lifestyle. Bioavailable peptides, enzymes and growth factors help restore endocrine stability.
Natural herbal support may also play a role in maintaining hormonal balance.
Adaptogenic herbs such as ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) and schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) have been studied in animals for their potential to modulate the stress response by regulating cortisol levels. Reproductive hormone balance may also benefit from red clover (Trifolium pratense) and chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus). It is always important to consult with a veterinarian before introducing herbal supplements to a dog’s routine.
Lifestyle plays a significant role in hormone balance. Daily exercise, interactive play and consistent routines help regulate stress hormones like cortisol. Chronic stress can suppress immune function and disrupt the entire hormonal cascade.
Creating a toxin-conscious home is also important. Choose natural household cleaners, avoid synthetic air fresheners and opt for non-toxic pet care products. Providing filtered water reduces a dog’s exposure to hormone-disrupting contaminants often found in municipal supplies.
Ongoing monitoring with bloodwork, food sensitivity panels and thyroid testing helps pet parents track their dog’s progress and make informed adjustments. For dogs not yet sterilized, delaying the procedure until full maturity at 18 to 24 months or older may avoid many complications linked to early spaying and neutering.
Every dog is different. Breed, age, lifestyle and health status all play roles in determining the best course of action. Holistic veterinarians and certified pet health coaches can help design an individualized plan that supports a dog’s hormonal health naturally.
Learn more about Dr. Ruth Roberts’ approach to holistic pet care and wellness at DrRuthRoberts.com.
by Marlaina Donato
Life can be overwhelming at times. We diligently juggle work and personal commitments with outward precision while grappling with internal struggles, barely catching our breath, feeling off kilter and maybe a little ashamed that we can’t do it all. Somewhere along the line, we bought into the idea that worry puts us in the driver’s seat, granting us control over the road ahead.
We plan and strategize, convinced that holding the steering wheel in a white-knuckled grip will ensure the perfect outcome. We exhaust ourselves by running through an imagined maze and getting snagged on thorny what-ifs, too often investing precious energy into daydreaming about what could go wrong instead of wondering what could go right.
Professional dancers dedicated to their craft work six days a week and spend endless hours maintaining excellence. They attend classes even on performance days and undergo rigorous dress rehearsals before the curtain rises. Yet even these consummate professionals sometimes panic when
the music begins, and they find themselves unable to recall a single nuance of their choreography. In such instances, when the mind is in lockdown, their bodies take over, moving fluidly on cue.
This seemingly miraculous phenomenon known as muscle memory serves as an inspiration for our daily lives. After hard work and preparation, worry becomes an unnecessary mind game. The lecturer delivers their most compelling speech when they throw away their notes. The teacher connects to a challenging student when they think outside the box and embrace an unconventional approach. The soloist springs into the air as effortlessly as a bird.
As September takes the stage adorned in the sun’s spotlight, let us take our hands off the wheel and allow the road to unfold into unforeseen magic. By ceasing relentless planning and embracing spontaneity, we just might live our best life. Now is the time to dance.
Marlaina Donato is an author, visionary painter and composer. Connect at WildflowersAndWoodSmoke.com.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
Open Mic: Live Music, Storytelling & Poetry at Flobucha - 7-9pm. Join us for a special evening of poems, stories and entertainment on the first Thursday night of each month at Flobucha. You can bring your own instruments or use ours. We have a piano, electric and acoustic guitars plugged into our amp as well as two microphones. Bring a poem, a story, or just your heart to listen. Flobucha, 2725 Mall Drive, Sarasota, Info@Flobucha.com, follow us on social media: Instagram.com/Flobucha and on Facebook: Flobucha.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
Universal Wisdom and Meditation Course - 6:30-8:30pm, Sept. 9-11. Lift the veil to more profound truths about your soul’s purpose. The course will cover: navigating meditation and intuition, existing in the physical, astral, and spiritual dimensions, consciousness, discernment, and psychic energy, integrating your higher and lower self, Karma, Dharma, and reincarnation, and spiritual aloneness and unity consciousness. $165. Offered online or at Manatee Spirit, Bradenton, 941-201-0069, Info@ManateeSpirit.com, ManateeSpirit.com.
A Way with Words: A Poetic Venture - 7pm8:30pm, we resume, on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. $5 Admission. Doors open at 6:30pm to first come, first read, sign in. Readings are 5 min. per reader. Only your original works of poetry or prose. No recordings please. Join us in an accepting ambiance of wondrous and diverse talents. $5 admission. At Rising Tide, 5102 Swift Rd. Sarasota. Presented by Rev. Zan Benham, 941-922-7839, or Zan@woman-spirit.com.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
Free Event at Selby Library! Fascinating Unexplained Phenomenon - 3pm-4:15pm, and 2ND Thurs. monthly. Speakers include authors, scientists and scholars. Sponsored by IANDS (Inter. Ass. for Near-Death Studies) - branches worldwide since 1982. State-ofthe-art equip. in a large comfortable setting. Facilitator: Bob Waxman, Ph.D., 2 hr. free parking. No reservations. 941-724-5151, Iands.org.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
Kadampa Meditation Center Florida Simply Meditate Class - New - 10-10:45am. Join us for a 45-minute guided meditation class designed to help you relax, reset, and reconnect. This session will include guided meditation and some useful tips that will help you with your meditation practice. Whether you’re new to meditation or experienced, join us for 45 minutes to simply meditate. $10/Class. Register online: MeditationinSarasota.org. Kadampa Meditation Center Florida, 730 N. Washington Blvd., Sarasota, 941-373-1600.
Sarasota Center of Light Presents a Class by Laura Ellis, Hypnotherapist & Life Coach - “Healing at The Root Causes” - 1-3pm. Sarasota Center of Light, at the Learning Center, 2770 Browning St., Sarasota. $25. To register, call 941-953-6620 or online at SarasotaCenterofLight.com.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
All are invited to an ECK Light and Sound Service. Raise Your Spiritual IQ! “How to Keep Your Heart Open During Stressful Times” - 11am-12:30pm. Join other like-hearted, everyday people who have discovered keys to having extraordinary experiences with the Divine. Explore your spirituality from a new perspective. Located at the Comfort Suites, Sarasota-Siesta Key, 5690 Honore Ave., Sarasota, 941-3580325, Meetup.com/EckankarInSarasota.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
Cacao Exploration Workshop at Flobucha6-7:30pm. Every 3rd. Wed. of the month. Carrie Eckert says cacao healed her autoimmune conditions and anxiety. She wants to help others reap its benefits. Come join the fun and have a healthy drink at this educational workshop. Learn more here: AvocadoToZen.com. Registration required, space is limited. To sign up, visit Flobucha.com/events. Flobucha, 2725 Mall Dr., Gulf Gate, Sarasota, Flobucha.com.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
Elysian Fields 34th Anniversary Sale - Sept. 1921. Elysian Fields, Sarasota’s beloved metaphysical and gift destination, is proud to celebrate 34 years of serving the community with a special anniversary sale. From Friday, September 19 through Sunday, September 21, customers will enjoy 20% off storewide, with select clearance merchandise up to 40% off. The anniversary weekend promises savings, surprises, and an opportunity to honor a Sarasota treasure that continues to inspire and uplift. 1273 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-361-3006, ElysianFieldsGifts. com, Facebook and Instagram.
“SHE LET GO” Workshop for Women with Prana Yoga and Healing Center - 1-4pm. This 3-hour workshop for women is centered around letting go and releasing what no longer serves us. What would you like to let go of? Please join this sacred smudging ceremony to help release what no longer serves us. Includes restful and restorative Guided Meditation/Yoga Nidra, time for reflection and more. No yoga or meditation experience needed what-so-ever, just dress comfortably. Come as you are - this is a judgement-free, nurturing space. $55. Only 15 spaces available - including all materials needed. Women only. At Prana Yoga and Healing Center, Sarasota. For more info call or text 941-830-3040 - or sign up at HealingHerWorkshops.com.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
Learn Reiki for You and Your Family - 9am2:30pm, September 20, 21, 27 & 28. No previous background nor skills required. Cyndy Paxton, Master Teacher, has 18 years of teaching Reiki to students of all ages. You will leave class con-
fident in your ability to give yourself and others Reiki, and creative ways to integrate Reiki in your everyday living. You will be able to help with stress, anxiety, headaches, pain, and can send remote Reiki to family in another town. Class includes your pets or adding a healing modality to your profession. Class is limited to 6 students. Reiki Level I & II Training Certification. Get a $45 discount and free gift ($25 value) when you register by Sept. 15th. Schedule your free 15 minute consult. Center for Reiki Wellness & Past Life Regression in Sarasota. FAQs, Student Testimonials, and Registration at CenterForReikiWellness.com
Kadampa Meditation Center Florida Special Event Seeing Beyond the Ordinary - 10am2pm. Learn how to develop faith based on logic and your own experience. This scientific explanation of faith comes from Buddha’s profound wisdom and knowledge about the mind. Many people are afraid of faith or have lost “faith in faith.” We will explore the function of faith and how it is an aspect of wisdom, which always guides us in a positive direction and creates a foundation of confidence that nothing else provides. $35/Class. Register online: MeditationinSarasota.org. Kadampa Meditation Center Florida, 730 N. Washington Blvd., Sarasota, 941-373-1600.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
Fall Equinox, Fire Circle, Celebration and Ceremony - 7pm- 8:30pm. Bring folding chair, and drum or rattle if you have one. Option to dress ceremonially with fall colors. Bring cash for donation to support labyrinth upkeep and water if you need some. At the Labyrinth, behind Unity Church of Sarasota, 3023 Proctor Ave., Sarasota. For info, Rev. Zan Benham, Butterfly Deerwoman, 941-922-7839, or Zan@ woman-spirit.com.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
A Shaman Journey - 2pm-5pm. Similar to a guided meditation and enhanced by the heartbeat of a large mother drum, this is an inter-dimensional journey into a parallel reality, where the seen and unseen, known and unknown open within you with guidance and insights into your own shamans dream, for healing, expansion and clarity. $25/advance, $30/ATD. At Rising Tide International, 5102 Swift Rd., Sarasota. To reserve, Rev. Zan Butterfly Deerwoman , 941-922-7839, or Zan@woman-spirit.com.
Intuitive Readings with Charlotte of Aroma Oracles at Flobucha - 4-6pm. Short on time but seeking guidance? Quick insight, deep clarity 15-minute Intuitive Readings. Tap into your inner wisdom with a powerful 15-minute Aroma Oracle Intuitive Reading at Flobucha. Perfect for a quick check-in with Spirit, clarity around a specific question, emotional support or next steps, a taste of what Aroma Oracles is all about. You’ll receive intuitive insights, essential oil guidance, and a gentle energetic boost in just 15 minutes. $20. Walk-in or schedule in advance at: Calendly.com/charlottewarn/15-minute-reading-for-20. Flobucha, 2725 Mall Dr., Gulf Gate, Sarasota, Flobucha.com.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5
NEW! Manatee Spirit Sound Healing Course - 1-4pm, Oct. 5 and 12. Manatee Spirit Holistic Sound Studio, Bradenton, $165. For more information and reservations: 941-201-0069, Info@ManateeSpirit.com, ManateeSpirit.com.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 6
Manatee Spirit Full Moon Ultimate Sound Bath Ceremony - 7-9:30 pm, Manatee Spirit Sound Studio, Bradenton $25. For more information and reservations: 941-201-0069, Info@ ManateeSpirit.com, ManateeSpirit.com.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 17-19
25th Annual Wise Traditions Conference – Fri. Oct. 17-Sun. Oct. 19. Sponsored by the Weston A. Price Foundation. Salt Lake City, Utah. Info and to register visit: WiseTraditions.org.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19
Popular! Whole Food Plant-Based Oil-Free Course - 1-4 pm, Oct. 19 and 26. Manatee Spirit Holistic Sound Studio, Bradenton, $165. For more information and reservations: 941-201-0069, Info@ManateeSpirit.com, ManateeSpirit.com.
Cosmic Center Sunday Sabbath Services - 10:30am. In person and on Zoom. Join our rotation of reverends every Sunday as we connect with our Family of Light. First Sunday - Open Heart Divine Healing Service with Rev. Sharon-Elizabeth (Baba Sharone) and experience sound healing through the rare and unique 4 Quadrant Pythagorean Lambdona Harmonic Keyboard at 528 Hertz. Through the Divine Names of God and conscious intention we create the Sacred Space to connect to the Healing Power of the Divine. Expect Miracles! Second Sunday - A Channeling of Dimensions of Love with Rev. Nancy Robinson. She will Uplift, Guide, Inspire, Heal and help promote Peace and Harmony in the Heart. Third Sunday - Ecstatic Kabbalah with Rev. Annie Eng anchored in Kabbalah Tree of Life Ceremony and Wisdom. Fourth Sunday – Rev. Robin brings you wisdom teachings from around the world and ages, accompanied with her crystal harp. Fifth Sunday – Rev. Ildigo Varga, experience the spiritual energy of Divine Protection. This service helps you align with the Higher Wisdom and blessing that is available to all of us. Love Donation. Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Meadows, Bldg G-2, Sarasota, 941-3719333, CCOSL.com, Facebook and Instagram.
Kadampa Meditation Center Florida DropIn Meditation Classes, Advice for a Peaceful Mind in Everyday Life – 11am-12:15pm - Join us and learn the essential elements of the Buddhist way of life and how anyone, whether religious or not, can free themselves from unhappiness. Through meditation and
Buddha’s practical advice, we can find true peace of mind and live our lives with more joy and meaning. $15/Class. Register online: MeditationinSarasota.org. Kadampa Meditation Center Florida, 730 N. Washington Blvd., Sarasota, 941-373-1600.
Kadampa Meditation Center Florida DropIn Kids Meditation Classes – 11am-12:15pm. Our kids program includes guided meditation with a short teaching to help cultivate positive qualities such as patience, kindness, and compassion. Kids will learn about caring and sharing through stories, playful activities and crafts. Complimentary lunch included. $5 suggested donation. Register: Parent to complete onsite registration form on day of attendance and must remain on premises for the duration of the class session. Kadampa Meditation Center Florida, 730 N. Washington Blvd., Sarasota, 941-373-1600.
Sunday Morning Celebration Service, In-Person and Zoom - 11am, in person healing at 10:30 in the Sanctuary before service. Join us as we come together as a spiritual family and community, sharing our love and light for ourselves, for each other, and the world. Be a part of sharing the energy and illumination of our hearts and souls together through conversation, music, meditation, a talk and affirmation and messages. Sarasota Center of Light, 852 S Tuttle Ave. 941-9536620, SarasotaCenterOfLight.com.
Cosmic Center Study Group the Pistis Sophia - The Faith of Wisdom with Kim Converse - 1-4pm, 2nd Sun. In-person. Join Kim Converse, our Keys of Enoch® facilitator, as we embark on the study of the Pistis Sophia, an ancient Coptic Gnostic text (gnosis means ‘knowledge’) with commentary by Drs. J.J. Hurtak and Desiree Hurtak. The Pistis Sophia “the Faith of Wisdom” is a teaching given to the disciples of Jesus after his resurrection as the Christed Jesus for a period of 11 years not only to his male disciples, but also to his female disciples. $20. per month. “Pistis Sophia” book $50 plus shipping at: KeysofEnoch.org. KimConverse@gmail.com with questions. Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Meadows, Bldg G-2, Sarasota, 941-3719333, CCOSL.com, Facebook and Instagram.
The OM Shamanic Sound Journey - 3-4pm, 4th Sun. of each month. Performed by Resonance. One-of-a-kind blend of hypnotic induction & immersive amplified musical composition with 4 sound musicians and over 150 sound healing instruments. Always sells out- reserve now. $85. The Om Shoppe, 4801 S. Tamiami Tr #5, Sarasota, 941-706-3257, TheOMShoppe.com or TheOMShoppeandSpa.com.
Monday
“Health & Nutrition”- 10-11am. With Fred Harvey, MD of The Harvey Center for Integrative Medicine. Health & nutrition is a live call-in or email Ask the Doc health show from 10-11 on WMNF 88.5FM public radio Tampa. Email questions to DJ@WMNF.org
Resident Medium, Pranic Healer and Spiritual Counselor at The Cosmic Center1-5pm. Rev Nancy Lee Robinson is available by appt only at The Cosmic Center for Spiritual Counseling, through medium/intuitive
HOUSECLEANING. Enjoy your free time and let us do what we do best: Housecleaning to your healthy satisfaction. Call Paula for a free estimate 941-320-4052.
Transformational Body-Mind-Spirit Services. Unlock your potential with Hypnotherapy, QHHT®, Akashic Records, Emotion Code®, PSYCH-K®, and Soul Realignment®. Release blocks, reclaim your authenticity, and embrace love’s presence. Bianca Hellenga, LiberateToEmpower.com, LiberateToEmpower@gmail.com, 786-380-3037.
readings, pranic healing, aura & chakra clearing, inner child healing, past life regression and restorative release (emotional release). These sessions guide you on your spiritual path, releases energetic, mental, emotional, physical and spiritual blocks that keep you from moving forward and raising your vibration to higher levels. Other times available by appt only – call/text 941-3130418 or at RevNancyLee52@gmail.com. Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Meadows, Bldg G-2, Sarasota, 941-371-9333, CCOSL. com, Facebook and Instagram.
The Om Shoppe Crystal Singing Bowls for Personal Wellness - 3-5pm, check website for dates. With Zooey Seraphine, musical director. Start with Introduction Course and advance to OM Community Singing Bowl Circles to master the art of crystalline sound medicine for your personal wellness. The Om Shoppe, 4801 S. Tamiami Tr #5, Sarasota, 941706-3257, TheOMShoppe.com or TheOMShoppeandSpa.com.
Feldenkrais with Bonnie K - 5:45pm. Online! Awareness Through Movement classes: Lessons (in chairs/on floor) are designed to quiet non-working habitual patterns, invite you into a process for learning and offer experiences for more efficient movement. Ongoing classes - movement lessons w/replays. More info, 941-360-2248. FeldenkraisInSarasota.com. Register with Bonnie at: FeldenkraisinSarasota.com/Sarasota-Classes-Feldenkrais/
Monday Night Meditation - 6pm. All are welcome to come and explore with us a variety of meditation practices as we allow spirit to guide us. Come gather, connect and breath as we open to the possibilities. Arrive early, doors close at 6pm to honor our sacred space, except holidays and hurricanes. Love donations welcomed. Spirit Speaks, 411 W. Dearborn St., Englewood, 734-464-6828.
Cosmic Center Anchoring Light Transmission Meditation - 6:45pm. With Baba Sharone. A call to all Lightworkers. The Anchoring Light Transmission Channeled Meditation has been a gathering point for Lightworkers and Planetary World Servers to come together and assist in the ascension of our planet and all her life in cooperation with our expanded family of light. As Anchors of Light, we take our important role in the spiritual hierarchy to manifest the divine plan of love, light, peace and oneness to our planet. Participants who serve in anchoring this Celestial Radiant Light Energy from the ascended realms benefit from the wisdom, guidance and grace that flows from it which brings forth healing, peace and accelerated spiritual growth. In person and online. Love offering. Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Meadows, Bldg G-2, Sarasota, 941-3719333, CCOSL.com, Facebook and Instagram.
Kadampa Meditation Center Florida DropIn Meditation Classes - Breathe Easy: How to Manage Stress and Anxiety - 7-8:15pm. This series will show us how we can use meditation and Buddha’s teachings to bring about positive changes that we can use in our daily life. $15/Class. Register online: MeditationinSarasota.org. Kadampa Meditation Center Florida, 730 N. Washington Blvd., Sarasota, 941-373-1600.
Wednesday
Cosmic Center Study Group the Pistis Sophia - The Faith of Wisdom with Kim Converse - 1-4pm, 3rd Wed. only on Zoom. Join Kim Converse, our Keys of Enoch® facilitator, as we embark on the study of the Pistis Sophia, an ancient Coptic Gnostic text (gnosis means ‘knowledge’) with commentary by Drs. J.J. Hurtak and Desiree Hurtak. The Pistis Sophia “the Faith of Wisdom” is a teaching given to the disciples of Jesus after his resurrection as the Christed Jesus for a period of 11 years not only to his male disciples, but also to his female disciples. $20. per month. “Pistis Sophia” book $50 plus shipping at: KeysofEnoch. org. KimConverse@gmail.com with questions. Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Meadows, Bldg G-2, Sarasota, 941-3719333, CCOSL.com, Facebook and Instagram.
Free Reiki Healing Clinic - 4-6pm. Come visit our new location. Reiki is an ancient healing technique that is thousands of years old. Reiki is the Chi or life force energy that runs through each of us and is directed and transferred during a Reiki session. Free session every Wednesday. Angel Ministries, 1890 Tamiami Trail S., Venice, 941-492-4995, AngelMinistriesFl.org.
Wednesday Wisdom Share - 6pm. A gathering of “light-minded” souls is a sacred circle that meets to honor and support each other weekly. We are all awakening and expanding in new ways. Whether you are just becoming aware or have been on your path. We offer a safe and supportive space to share. Bring your stories and experiences and questions or just listen as others share theirs. Arrive early, doors close at 6pm to honor our sacred space, except holidays and hurricanes. Love donations welcomed. Spirit Speaks, 411 W. Dearborn St., Englewood, 734-464-6828.
Wednesday Night Healing Service - 7pm, every 3rd Wed. Sarasota Center of Light, 852 S Tuttle Ave., Sarasota, 941-953-6620, SarasotaCenterOfLight.com.
Cosmic Center Special Spirit Messages and Channeling - 7-8:30pm, third Wed. of each month. This service is channeled through Reverend Nancy Lee and for all who attend can receive messages from loved ones, guides, masters and teachers in spirit. Also, at the last part of the service Rev. Nancy Lee will channel Divine Wisdom, guidance, and teachings from the Divine Nine Counsel, which are part of her spirit team working with her and through her. Come and enjoy this beautiful service to uplift and inspire you. Love donation $20. Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Meadows, Bldg G-2, Sarasota, 941-371-9333, CCOSL.com, Facebook and Instagram.
The Om Shoppe Singing Bowl Sound Baths - 7-8pm, 2nd Wed. of each month. Discover the power of sound to help you access inner peace, stillness, and deep relaxation. An acoustic crystalline experience of transcendence while relaxing in anti-gravity lounge chairs with professionally trained sound therapists and musicians. Always sells out- reserve now. $45. The Om Shoppe, 4801 S. Tamiami Tr #5, Sarasota, 941-706-3257, TheOMShoppe. com or TheOMShoppeandSpa.com.
Thursday
Sherry Lord International Channel, Deep Trance Channel, Energy Healer - 10am-4pm. Sherry is an International Channel, Deep Trance Channel, Energy Healer. She connects with angels and guides, sees auras, and channels loved ones who have crossed over. Do you ever feel stuck, miss a loved one who has passed on, or are trying to make an important life decision? Sherry can help clarify your life’s path and direction; with the ultimate goal to empower and help you find your own inner wisdom including business and helping you on your spiritual path. Call 734-564-6828 to schedule your appointment today. Visit Spirit Speaks, 411 W. Dearborn St., Englewood, 734464-6828.
Cosmic Center Lightworker Circle Gathering of Friends - 4-6pm. Come and meet other like-minded people to share, exchange, and converse on various spiritual topics. An eclectic and ever evolving group that embraces the energy of the circle in the present time and what unfolds for both newbies and seasoned participants. Facilitated by Clark Mumaw, this circle of Lightworker Friends will enhance and broaden each participant’s experience in real time. All are welcome. Love offering. Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light,
5041 Ringwood Meadows, Bldg G-2, Sarasota, 941-371-9333, CCOSL.com, Facebook and Instagram.
Cosmic Center Chanting The 72 Names of God with Baba Sharone - 7pm, every 2nd Thurs. of the month. A powerful spiritual tool to assist in the healing of ourselves, communities and the world. To help create the Golden age of Peace on Earth. For those who are dedicated to their Path of Light. Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Meadows, Bldg G-2, Sarasota, 941-371-9333, CCOSL. com, Facebook and Instagram.
Sarasota Center of Light “Mediumship Practice Circle” - 7-8:30. Held in the Learning Center. This circle is open to all who are seeking development or practice in mediumship, connection to spirit and meditation. Love offering. Sarasota, center of Light, 2770 Browning St. 941-953-6620, SarasotaCenterOfLight.com.
Sherry Lord International Channel, Deep Trance Channel, Energy Healer - 10am-4pm. Sherry is an International Channel, Deep Trance Channel, Energy Healer. She connects with angels and guides, sees auras, and channels loved ones who have crossed over. Do you ever feel stuck, miss a loved one who has passed on, or are trying to make an important life decision? Sherry can help clarify your life’s path and direction; with the ultimate goal to empower and help you find your own inner wisdom including business and helping you on your spiritual path. Call 734-564-6828 to schedule your appointment today. Visit Spirit Speaks, 411 W. Dearborn St., Englewood, 734464-6828.
Kadampa Meditation Center Florida DropIn Classes -The Power to Change - 11amNoon. In this class, there will be a special emphasis on the art of meditation and how to really make our meditation effective. We will go one-by-one through the Lamrim, drawing out how we can personally use these meditations and how we can create our own meditation practice. $15/Class. Register online: MeditationinSarasota.org. Kadampa Meditation Center Florida, 730 N. Washington Blvd., Sarasota, 941-373-1600.
Cosmic Center Rev. Ildigo Varga, Resident Spiritual Guardian - Rev. Varga removes all nefarious energies. She has extensive knowledge of metaphysical and of spiritual self-defense against nefarious energies. She has been training ongoing with the Devine Angelic realms of light of the highest order to the present day. Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Meadows, Bldg G-2, Sarasota, 941-371-9333, CCOSL.com, Facebook and Instagram.
Saturday
Psychic Saturday - 11:30am-1:30pm, 1st Sat only. In Davis Hall of Sarasota Center of Light. There is a 15-minute reading for $20 and in Flexer Healing Chapel there is healing with a $5 love donation. All are welcome! Sarasota Center of Light, 852 S Tuttle Ave., Sarasota, 941-953-6620, SarasotaCenterOfLight.com.
CARYN L. YOUNG, DOM, AP, OTR
Board Certified Acupuncture Physician
The Integrated Path, P.A.
2801 Fruitville Rd.Suite 135, Sarasota 941-924-8833 • IntegratedPath.com
The Integrated Path to Health and Wellness for the whole family utilizing Traditional Chinese Medicine,Acupuncture, Energetic Medicine, Bloodwork Analysis,Clinical Nutrition Assessments and ZYTO Elite to restore balance. Over 30 years of clinical experience!
DR DEBORAH SCANDIN AP RRT
Acupuncture Physician
Respiratory Therapist
Located at Dr. Luo’s Oriental Medicine 3292 Fruitville Rd., STE 104, Sarasota 941-955-8882
DrLuoAcupuncture.com
Dr Scandin has over 25 years combined experience in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Respiratory Therapy and Neuromuscular Massage. She treats : flu & colds, sore throat, asthma, headaches, sinusitis, sport injuries, trauma and total wellness .
SARASOTA CENTER FOR ACUPUNCTURE AND NUTRITION
Dr. Christina Captain, DAOM
Nationally Board Certified Dipl.Ac
Complimentary Meet & Greet
The Medical Complex 2650 Bahia Vista Street, Suite 101, Sarasota, 941-951-1119 • ScanSRQ.com Sarasota Center For Acupuncture and Nutrition is an integrated wellness practice addressing all health issues.We will find the key to unlock your highest level of health and wellness. Complimentary meet & greet.
FACES BY DR ANNA
Anna L. Baker, D.O.M.
Nationally Board Certified Acupuncture Physician
941-924-2723 • FacesByDrAnna.com
Unique muscle-tightening acupuncture facelift and necklift done with 12 hair-thin needles, none of which are on the face. Results documented photographically. Only one maintenance treatment needed every 18 months. Free consultation includes facial analysis. Monthly seminars, call for schedule.
SANDHILL HEALING CENTER LLC
Dr. Karen Helmick, D.O.M.
2 locations:
2484 Caring Way, Suite D
Port Charlotte
941-235-8929
SandHillHealing.com
Healthy Body
Acupuncture, LLC
1511 Tamiami Trail S., Suite 202
Venice
941-228-4688
AcupunctureVenice.com
Our offices focus on the wellbeing of your entire body by offering: Acupuncture, Oriental Medicine, Massage Therapy, and Nutritional Supplements. We are a proud VA Community Care provider approved at both locations. Let us customize a healing program for you!
NATURAL APOTHECARY SHOPPE
Internal/External Beauty
6608 Gateway Ave., (Gulf Gate), Sarasota 941-554-8623
NaturalApothecaryShoppe.com
Instagram:The Natural Apothecary Shoppe
FB: Natural Apothecary Shoppe Organic skincare, (made on the premises), natural cosmetic kits by 2 time Emmy Award Winning Makeup Artist Laurie Lombardi. Professional supplements, enzymes, vitamins, CBD, homeopathy, herbal consultant by our Holistic Pharmacist.
ELYSIAN FIELDS GIFTS & BOOKS FOR CONSCIOUS LIVING
Jewelry/Workshops/Readings/Spiritual Items 1273 S. Tamiami Trail Midtown Plaza, Sarasota 941-361-3006
ElysianFieldsGifts.com Info@ElysianFieldsOnline.com
Elysian Fields, a Sarasota shopping destination for over 32 years, offers hand-selected books, gifts, greeting cards, jewelry, spiritual items and more! Coming to Elysian Fields is an opportunity to explore your senses, embrace the serene and delve into self-discovery. They offer daily intuitive readings, workshops, house clearings, private events, parties, and more.
GENTLEBAY SARASOTA
CHIROPRACTIC
Residual Strain Therapy
Eric Winder DC 7246 South Beneva Road, Sarasota 941-957-8390 • Eric.Winder.dc@gmail.com
Professional care with a personal focus. Feel better through proper alignment, and get back to work and play! See our website for more information.
COLON THERAPY CLINC OZONE THERAPY
Alain and Marsha Menard Xavier Menard 442 South Tamiami Trail, Osprey (South Sarasota) 941-922-7744 - Colon 941-321-3061 - Ozone ColonTherapyClinic.com OzoneSRQ.com
Licensed 52 Years. Gentle Technique, Open and Closed Systems, Ozone Therapy, Cleansing for Digestive Disorders and Double Foot Bath..
SPIRITUAL BOOKS & INTUITIVE READINGS
S.M.I.L.E. -- Spiritual Miracles Intentional Living Education Spiritual Books, Intuitive Readings, Podcasts, Classes
Michelle Marie Angel
Smile4love.com
MichelleMarieAngel.com VisionarySolutions4Smile.org ZOOM or in person: Spiritual one on one guidance, readings, & spiritual development. Group classes also available at Wild Ginger Apothecary: “Spiritual Guidance & Development” on Thursdays, 1:45-3pm.See MichelleMarieAngel.com for details. Books that will help you master your energy and vibration on Amazon. Live Love, Forever Free, & It IS A New World After All will help you attain higher consciousness, replace old programming, and give you tools for empowerment and self-development. These are amazing times and you are being changed and activated. Michelle offers support and assistance through 3 life-changing books, events, decrees, messages, and much more at Smile4Love. com. Podcasts: Rumble “smilesoulpower” or YouTube SMILE Soul Power. Classes: VisionarySolutions4Smile.org Text Michelle at 541-261-4483 or email Michelle@Smile4Love.com.
Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide VISIT NASRQ.COM/BUSINESSES.
THE FELDENKRAIS METHOD®
Lessons for Children (ABM), Adults, Classes, Prof Seminars
Bonnie Kissam, M.A., Feldenkrais® Practitioner, LMT, CE Provider 941-360-2248
Bonnie@FeldenkraisInSarasota.com FeldenkraisInSarasota.com
The Feldenkrais® Approach , ‘Movement with Attention’, helps one ‘sense easier, improved posture and ways of moving. Clients optimize their musical, athletic or everyday activities through heightened ‘awareness’. They find unique ways to recover from injury, surgeries or illness. Call for appointments, classes or for weekend TOUCH TO INFORM seminars 941360-2248, Bonnie@FeldenkraisInSarasota.com.
KORMAN RELIEF & WELLNESS CENTER
Laura Korman, DC, DACBN Chiropractor, Diplomate in Nutrition 16954 Toledo Blade Blvd, Port Charlotte 941-629-6700 • DrLauraKorman.com
Dr. Korman specializes in helping peri-menopausal women eliminate pain, fatigue and unwanted belly fat through functional medicine, lifestyle strategies and regenerative therapies so they can reclaim their vitality and stay engaged in the life they love. We offer PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy), Class IV Deep Tissue Laser, Near & Far Infrared Sauna, Decompression Therapies, Whole Body Vibration and carry a professional line of supplementation.
HAIR & EARTH ORGANIC SALON
200 Central Ave, Suite 18, Sarasota 941-284-9563
HairandEarth.GlossGenius.com
Erinn offers Sarasota excellence in conscious haircare. Cuts, color, highlights, smoothing treatments and more. Metaphysical gifts too! Kevin Murphy color line as well as retail products available. Comfortable, private space for calm, creative collaboration. Call or text Erinn Earth for an appointment or consultation. Or schedule online at: HairandEarth.GlossGenius.com.
Dr. David Cifra, DC
Non-Surgical Spinal • Decompression Specialist Office: 941-358-2224 • Cell: 315-345-7390
DrCifra@SarasotaDiscCenter.com SarasotaDiscCenter.com
Medical Breakthrough Technology! Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Specialist, Dr.David Cifra,DC. Advanced procedure for patients who have back and neck pain and want to avoid narcotics, epidural injections, and unnecessary surgeries. Over 90% effective. No pain, No drugs, No surgery, NO Injections. Call today 941-3582224. FREE CONSULTATION.
PET SUPPLY CENTER
Natural & Holistic Premium Pet Foods 3558 Webber Street, Sarasota 941-925-4376 • PetSupplyCenter@gmail.com PetSupplyCenterSarasota.com
Offering full lines of veterinary diets, raw and frozen diets, dog, cat and bird supplies. Huge selection of toys, treats, flea and tick products, collars and more. Certified veterinary nutritional consultant on staff. We ship and pets always welcom
SPIRITUAL COUNSELOR, SHAMANIC AND REIKI PRACTICES
Rev. Zan Benham, BSL, BD, CHT 941-922-7839
Spiritual counselor, shamanic practitioner, Reiki healing, breath, and energy work, hypnosis, soul retrieval, past life regression all to empower and help you move into the Divine flow of the joy and power within you.
COSMIC CENTER OF SPIRITUAL LIGHT
Embracing the New Paradigms of our Awak-ening Consciousness
5041 Ringwood Meadows - Bldg G-2 • Sarasota CCOSL.com • Facebook/Instgram/Twitter A place of Light and Uncondition-al Love bringing together awak-ened and awakening minds and hearts for healing, enlightenment, support and joy!
CAFE EVERGREEN
801 S Tamiami Trail, Nokomis, FL 941-412-4334
• CafeEvergreen.net
Cafe Evergreen is a natural, organic restaurant. Our menu consists of many organic recipes designed to not only taste delicious, but also enhance your health. Open Monday-Saturday, closed on Sundays.
SARASOTA CENTER OF LIGHT
852 S Tuttle Ave, Sarasota 941-953-6620 • SarasotaCenterOfLight.com
Experience the peaceful energy, love and light of our metaphysical spiritual community. Join us for the inspiration, healing and connection to Spirit in our services, classes and social gatherings.
FLORIDA MEDICAL THERMOGRAPHY
June Drennon, CCT 2008 JuneDrennon@TampaBayThermography.com 727-729-2711
FloridaMedicalThermography.com
JuneDrennon@FloridaMedicalThermography.com
Certified Clinical Thermographer 2008. Prevention is better than early detection. Knowledge is power: Know your risk factors to make corrections and avoid developing pathology. Call for location convenient for you.
DIVINE CHAPEL OF LOVE
In the Picturesque Natural Beauty of The Meadows 5041 Ringwood Meadow, Sarasota DivineChapelofLove.com • 941-295-9333
The Divine Chapel of Love offers a place for weddings, renewal of vows and ceremonies for couples who wish to commemorate their special occasion in a beautiful surrounding to form lasting memories where Love is All That Matters.
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