Natural Awakenings NYC - Long Island, April 2026

Dr. David L. Pollack on:

Calm Belly, Calm Mind

Healing Your Gut Without the Stress

NewLife Expo Returns to NYC April 25/26 PRESERVING OUR FUTURE TOGETHER

General and Specialty Dentist

BioCompatible Materials

Integrative Holistic Care

Modified SMART Mercury Removal

SDS/Swiss BioHealth Practitioners

Patient-Centered, Relationship-Based

Containment

Disinfection Between Patients

Dr. Howard Robins has been helping people using Ozone Therapy for over 34 years. He is considered to be the foremost clinical expert in North America on bio-oxidative therapies for the safe and effective treatment of diseases and conditions and is published in peer-reviewed medical journals. His clinic has performed over 420,000 treatments, more than any other clinic in the world.

Intravenous Ozone Therapy has successfully treated Herpes (HSV) I and II, Lyme Disease, HIV, Diabetes including diabetic ulcers and neuropathy, Arthritis, Shingles, skin infections and skin conditions, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, All auto-immune diseases and CRPS - just to name a few.

Call to find out if your medical problem can be helped.

Listen to Dr. Robins podcasts on www.voiceamerica.com and on his www.YouTube.com channel “Functional Medicine with Dr. Robins”.

e Toxin Destroyer

INTRAVENOUS OZONE THERAPY

What does it mean to live well and to feel good from the inside out? One theme stands out: the connection between how we feel and function—physically, emotionally and in harmony with the world around us. This link is very often felt in the whole body but can be quite evident in the gut.

For many with digestive challenges such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or IBS, eating can become a source of daily stress instead of nourishment and joy. In this month’s cover feature, Dr. David L. Pollack offers a new perspective, shifting the focus from restrictive diets and symptom management to restoring the body’s ability to heal.

In “Calm Belly, Calm Mind,” Dr. Pollack emphasizes rebuilding digestive strength with targeted enzyme support and by addressing the gut-brain connection. As digestion improves, inflammation subsides and the nervous system calms. When this happens, many people experience relief, emotional balance, resilience and renewed ease. Thus, gut healing becomes a path to whole-body wellness.

This approach reflects a broader trend in holistic health—emphasizing root-cause solutions and long-term balance over quick fixes. It also aligns with the spirit of Earth Day, reminding us that personal wellness and the health of our environment are deeply connected. Supporting green initiatives, mindful consumption and a more sustainable community ultimately supports our own well-being. It also inspires one of New York’s most anticipated wellness gatherings.

The NewLife Expo returns to New York City for its 36th year, April 25 and 26, at The Event Center, 4 West 43rd Street, near Fifth Avenue and Grand Central. As the country’s longestrunning holistic health expo, it will feature over 60 presenters and attract thousands interested in wellness, metaphysics, alternative medicine and conscious living.

Events like this remind us that healing is communal. We build it together—through shared knowledge, meaningful connections and our commitment to the future.

As you explore this issue, consider a few suggestions to support balance, well-being and a more sustainable, green way of living—and find your way to a more peaceful existence.

Cyrece & Michael

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ON THE COVER

Dr. David L. Pollack

Photo courtesy of Pollack Wellness

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

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Bill Robert, formerly practicing in Atlanta, is now available for remote Spiritual Light treatments anywhere, for any reason. In NY, Bill is hoping to specialize with students of dance, acting, music and other artists. helping remove creative and emotional blockages. For repeat students/clients, Bill is available for in person treatments by coming to you within 30 minutes of the West Village.

Bill has been working by donation only for over 12 years and is here to help you start the journey of healing.

Questions? Call Bill at 770-990-9191 or visit www.bill-robert.com

Finker Wellness Voted Best Alternative Medicine

Dr. Jillian Finker

The 1.3 million votes for the 21st annual Best of Long Island contest have been counted and Finker Wellness has won Best Alternative Medicine on Long Island. This is the seventh Best of Long Island award for Dr. Jillian Finker, Naturopathic Doctor in Bellmore.

With over 20 years of experience, Finker takes a holistic approach to help women thrive—mind, body and spirit. Her focus is to find the underlying causes of women’s health concerns and then offer natural, lasting solutions. She specializes in hormonal changes, chronic fatigue, autoimmune conditions, digestive problems, stress, emotional health and other issues that affect women.

In her book It’s About Wellness, Naturally, Finker explains the benefits of naturopathic medicine and how to choose a naturopathic doctor. She also illustrates the journey toward complete health and wellbeing through success stories from the patients in her practice.

“I believe that women’s health is complex and requires a comprehensive, integrative approach,” says Finker. “I work with each patient to understand her unique needs and create customized care plans that focus on whole-body healing.”

Finker Wellness, Inc., 2308 Bellmore Ave, Bellmore. For more information or to make an appointment, see DrFinker.com or call 516-765-3272. See ad, page 11.

36th Annual NewLife Expo

Experience an expanded journey into consciousness, sound healing and biohacking as the NewLife Expo returns to New York City on April 25 and 26, featuring over 60 exhibitors and lecturers including Dannion Brinkley, Laura Eisenhower, Livia Devi, Anastasia Armanova, Stephen Bassett and Jodi Serota.

APRIL 25 & 26

The event convenes a diverse roster of thought leaders in holistic health, spirituality and environmental awareness offering attendees access to lectures, panel discussions and experiential sessions. Founder Mark Becker continues to shape the expo as a high-energy platform for transformative ideas and personal evolution. Becker said the April event reflects “a growing demand for deeper awareness and actionable tools for healthier, more conscious living.”

This year’s programming spans energy medicine, integrative wellness, conscious entrepreneurship and eco-friendly lifestyle practices, welcoming both newcomers and seasoned practitioners. Flexible ticket options include one-day passes ($20-25), two-day passes ($3045) and VIP packages ($160-200) with priority seating and enhanced access. Organizers report strong early momentum and encourage advance purchases, as select sessions are expected to reach capacity.

Location: Event Center, 4 West 43rd St (off 5th Ave), two blocks from Grand Central Station and one block from Bryant Park. For tickets and the schedule, visit NewLifeExpo.com. For lecturer, exhibiter and volunteer opportunities, contact mark@newlifemag.com or call 917776-4869. See ad, page 7.

First Contact Experience Explores

Photo: Daniel Sun Livia Devi

Expanded Awareness

Keynote speaker Livia Devi will present “First Contact: The Arcturian Athena Experience” at the NewLife Expo (April 25 and 26). The presentation is a guided trance-channeling journey with the Arcturian Council of Light. The immersive session is designed to support expanded awareness through deep meditation and activation of the merkaba field, inviting participants into a heightened state of perception beyond ordinary consciousness.

The experience includes a guided journey to Athena, described as an Arcturian mothership, where an energetic activation is offered to access the quantum field. Devi’s work focuses on direct experience, intuitive development and multidimensional awareness, enabling participants to explore subtle energy and consciousness in a structured, supportive setting.

For more information, see LiviaDevi.com. See ad, page 4.

Preventing and Treating Viral Infections

At the NewLife Expo (April 25 and 26), keynote speaker Dr. Howard Robins will present “Microbiome and Intravenous Ozone Therapy in the Prevention and Treatment of Viral Infection.” His talk will address the use of ozone therapy in relation to viral illness and will reference conditions including Ebola, COVID-19, HSV I and II, HPV, EBV and polio.

Framed around an integrative health perspective, Robins will explore how microbiome balance and intravenous ozone therapy may support the body’s response to infection. The presentation will focus on clinical applications and current perspectives, offering attendees insight into how these approaches are being used in prevention and treatment.

For more information see OzoneDoctor.net, call 212-581-0101 or email ozonedoctor@yahoo.com. See ad, page 3.

Tachyon Healing Energy Takes Center Stage

Hiromi Akiyama

At the NewLife Expo (April 25 and 26), keynote speaker Hiromi Akiyama will present Tachyon Healing Energy, a modality designed to support balance, vitality and wellbeing. Tachyon energy is a high-frequency force that interacts with the body’s energy field to promote harmony and energetic alignment. Akiyama’s approach integrates decades of study and hands-on practice, offering attendees insight into how this energy helps reduce stress, enhance clarity and support the natural healing processes. Through her presentation, Akiyama will share both foundational concepts and practical applications, inviting participants to explore new possibilities in energy-based wellness and personal transformation.

For more information on Tachyon Healing Energy or Hiromi Akiyama, founder of Ascentiah Healing Center in New York, see Ascentiah. com or HiromiAkiyama.com. See Resource Guide, page 29.

Another Leap Forward in Dental Healing: CHOOSING THE RIGHT DENTIST MATTERS TO OVERALL HEALTH

Most people choose a dentist that is convenient and covered by insurance. But many patients don’t realize that dentistry is not a uniform service. The difference between providers can be profound. It is not just about fixing teeth. It is about how a tooth is evaluated, how treatment decisions are made and how they affect your health today and years from now.

Dentistry has a wide range of training, philosophy and execution. While all licensed dentists meet basic educational standards, the rest varies significantly. Some pursue advanced training, refine their skills and understand the mouth-body connection. Others may focus on speed or volume. Neither approach is always visible to patients, but the outcomes often are.

Two patients receiving the same treatment can have completely different long-term results depending on the precision of the dental work. The design of a crown, disinfection method for a root canal or how a bite is balanced can determine whether something lasts or begins to quietly fail. Many dental problems don’t immediately cause pain. They progress slowly, without symptoms, until they’re more complex and costly.

Philosophy matters. Some practices are reactive, fixing problems when they

each step, they experience the results in the comfort and longevity of their care.

Choosing the right dentist is about trust and alignment. It is about finding someone whose approach reflects a commitment to quality, long-term thinking and respect for the connection between oral health and overall wellness. When that alignment exists, dentistry becomes a proactive investment in health, confidence and the future.

Milkos/DepositPhotos.com

become urgent, while others take a preventive, wholehealth approach—spotting issues early and considering how each treatment supports overall wellbeing. This includes choosing biocompatible materials and prioritizing the preservation of natural teeth. A comprehensive philosophy means offering the right treatment at the right time, with the right intent.

With almost 29 years of advanced clinical experience, Dr. Jeffrey Etess at Integrative Dental Specialists, is guided by the belief that oral health is deeply connected to overall health. He is committed to delivering unrivaled dental care, where every detail matters and nothing is overlooked. Each patient is evaluated for what is visible and for what may be developing. Treatment decisions are made carefully, emphasizing long-term outcomes, biologic compatibility and preserving what nature provided.

Execution is key. Dentistry performed at the highest level cannot be rushed and requires focus and attention to detail. From proper isolation during procedures to advanced disinfection techniques and precise laboratory collaboration, each step plays a critical role in the outcome. Unrivaled dental care is not defined by a single procedure, but by an overall commitment to excellence. While patients may not see

At Integrative Dental Specialists, the goal is not simply to fix problems as they arise. It is to provide care that allows patients to move through life with strength, stability and peace of mind. That is the difference the right dentist can make, and it is often far greater than people expect.

Jeffrey Etess, DMD, NMD, IBDM, graduated in the top 10% from the prestigious University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. An IVY LEAGUE trained Certified Endodontic Specialist/Implant Specialty Surgeon with a dual degree in Dentistry and Board Certified in Naturopathic & Integrative medicine & certified in biomimetic cosmetic dentistry to provide a broad array of biological dentistry covering all facets of restorative, cosmetic, prosthetic, surgical, endodontic, pediatric, periodontal, and implant dentistry for his patients for almost 29 years. Visit idsli.com. See ad, page 19.

Singing Bowls To Soothe Anxiety

A 2023 study published in the European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education compared the anxiety-relieving effects of a Tibetan singing bowl sound-based treatment to a progressive muscle-relaxation session that involves tensing and releasing muscles. A third control group did not receive any treatment. Fifty adults experiencing high anxiety without a diagnosed anxiety disorder were randomly assigned to one of the three groups.

Before and during each 45-minute session, the researchers monitored each participant’s heart rate variability (HRV) and brain wave patterns, and they also collected self-reported anxiety assessments. The singing bowl group showed the strongest physiological signs of relaxation, including brain activity associated with calmness and increased HRV, which indicates the body is in a relaxed, restorative state. Both the singing bowl and muscle-relaxation groups reported feeling less anxious than the control group, but the sing ing bowl group experienced the biggest reduction in self-reported anxiety. The study suggests that even one short session with a Ti betan singing bowl can create measurable psychological and physi cal relaxation.

Relieve Stress from the Inside Out

Zakiyyah Madyun, Certified Herbalist and founder of The Sacred Healing 7 Herb Center recommends relieving stress with the following daily practices:

• Do exercise movements before getting out of bed to begin relieving physical stress.

• Drink a full glass of plain water within 20 minutes of waking up to flush the system and resolve digestive stress.

• Sit still and be quiet for 15 minutes every day to begin to shift emotional stress.

• Be aware of foods being eaten and why to begin to tap into healthy eating and trigger the setting of personal boundaries.

“The ‘God-seed’ in each of us knows what drives our stress. This inner wisdom also holds the guidance we need to regain balance,” says Zakiyyah. “The pivotal step is to activate that guidance within and begin to reshape our own narrative. We are the highest creation of the Divine Source on Earth; we can do it if we just get out of our own way.”

See ad, page 23, and calendar listing, page 27.

WANT MORE?

Find additional health and global briefs online at NaturalAwakeningsNY.com.

Mindful Mondays with Michael

FREE ONLINE Meditation Group Hosted by Michael Lehrman, Co-Publisher, Natural Awakenings NYC & Long Island

Monday, Apr. 27 • 6–7pm Google Meets

To register, email publisher@natural awakeningsny.com

Workshop will include In-person, Videoconference or Watch Online Recordings New Center for Holistic Learning presents

Coming 2026 Spring

Natural Skincare Recipes

by Natural Awakenings staff

Sustainable skin care is achievable without costly products or lengthy routines. Creating quick, easy and affordable formulas at home reduces our reliance on single-use plastics, petroleum-derived agents, irritating alcohol and other harsh chemicals found in many store-bought items. By storing them in glass containers and buying ingredients at bulkrefill stores, wasteful packaging can be virtually eliminated.

DIY scrubs, facial masks, bath crystals, moisturizers and toners are made with simple pantry ingredients such as oats, honey, sea salt and olive oil, which are packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Applied topically, aloe vera gel from a houseplant effectively treats burns and soothes chronic conditions like rosacea. Two specialized ingredients with beneficial properties are fractionated coconut oil, which is processed to be clear, colorless, long-lasting and always liquid, regardless of temperature; and pure culinary rosewater made by simmering rose petals.

Even with natural ingredients, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends doing a patch test on an inside arm. Leave the product on for as long as it would be used on the face, monitoring for swelling, redness or itching.

Vanilla Sugar Scrub: Combine one-third cup brown sugar, one-quarter cup olive oil or fractionated coconut oil and one-half teaspoon alcohol-free vanilla extract. Store the mixture in a small jar and use one teaspoon at a time to exfoliate the skin, applying gentle, circular motions by hand, then rinsing with warm water.

Soothing Oatmeal Mask: In a blender, pulse one-half cup rolled oats into a fine powder. In a bowl, combine with one tablespoon honey, one tablespoon olive oil and two teaspoons warm water until it thickens into a creamy paste. Gently massage onto a dampened face and leave on five to 10 minutes before rinsing with warm water.

Fragrant Bath Salts: Combine three cups Epsom salt, one-and-a-half cups sea salt or Himalayan pink salt, one-half cup baking soda and 20 drops of one or more essential oils such as pine needle, rose, lavender or eucalyptus. The yield is enough for five to 10 baths; keep in a glass jar for up to six months. Add one-half to one cup to the bath. Can also be used for a foot spa.

Rosewater Facial Toner or Spritzer: Pure culinary rosewater can be a gentle toner that hydrates, soothes, controls excess oil and tightens pores. Apply straight from the bottle with a soaked cotton ball. May also be refrigerated in a spray bottle for a refreshing facial spritz.

Lip Balms: For cracked lips, apply a thin layer of raw honey overnight for its hydrating and antibacterial benefits. Other soothing ingredients that can be used as needed throughout the day are aloe vera and coconut oil.

Yes, I Finally Got Rid of Herpes!

From the desk of Dr. Howard Robins at The Healing Center in New York City

Imagine… You’ve got that first date with a special someone. You’ve got that interview for the new job you need so very much. You’re getting married today. You’re meeting that new client, the CEO of the biggest account you’ve ever had.

You wake up in the morning with a huge, red, ugly blister on your lip. It’s a herpes outbreak! It couldn’t have picked a worse time to appear. There is no way to cover it up. You can’t be more embarrassed. Do you cancel? What do you do?

The problem

It’s not complicated. You caught a virus— the herpes virus—which comes in two varieties: Herpes Type I and Herpes Type II. The CDC says over 50 million Americans have it out of 350 million. It appears that the numbers are really reversed. In truth, maybe 50 million don’t, as most people are not blood tested for it.

Stress, any kind of stress may bring on an attack, an outbreak, as your immune system weakens for the moment. While there are many other types of herpes viruses these are the most severe psycho-socially embarrassing ones. They’re ugly, painful and, at times, dangerous. Relationships have ended or never even started when it’s revealed that one of you has herpes. While Type I is generally considered oral and Type II genital, it has been proven by testing that you can have either in both locations!

The truth about how you got it

Have you ever shared food in a restaurant with a friend, a family member, or on a date with that special someone? Ever shared a soft drink with a friend or allowed your date to taste your cocktail? The same thing that could have happened with grandma could have happened then. Most will blame the last person they were intimate with, but unless you had a blood test shortly before being with them—proving you were clean—you may have already been infected.

What can you do to get rid of it permanently? Please don’t believe the drug commercials on television that say it can only be suppressed. Their only interest is to keep you on expensive medication for the rest of your life. They either don’t know about the treatment I am going to share with you, or they choose to ignore and suppress its existence.

Intravenous Ozone Therapy uses ozone gas as a medicine effectively destroying these dreaded viruses completely. Over 45,000 physicians have used it safely in over 50 countries for over 70 years, while being suppressed in this country obviously for the financial gain of Big Pharma. In truth, herpes is a very hard virus to kill. The good news is that Ozone used as a medicine intravenously will penetrate its defenses and completely destroy it without the possibility of developing a mutated or resistant strain. It does this safely with virtually NO adverse reactions! Believe it or not, it is even possible to rid your body of it so completely with Ozone therapy that you will stop manufacturing antibodies for it, so that you will test negative for it, as if you never had it! Cured!

Would you believe that grandma might have given it you? How about your best friend? How is that possible? Isn’t it only sexually transmitted? What you don’t know could get you infected.

In truth, while it often is sexually transmitted it can also be passed on by contact with silverware while dining or even sharing a water bottle at the gym. Unfortunately, it’s simply that easy. Grandma may have had a little brown or pink “dot” on her tongue one morning when she fed you your oatmeal. Tasting it, she found it too hot, so she blew on it and tested it again. Finding it was now the right temperature, she fed it to you. Unfortunately, she just transferred the virus onto the spoon and now, to you.

More information about this amazing, safe and effective treatment is available at OzoneWithoutBorders.ngo and OzoneDoctor. net. Listen to Dr. Robins’ live and archived radio show on VoiceAmerica.com and the YouTube channel “Functional Medicine with Dr. Robins.” For more information, call 212581-0101 or email ozonedoctor@yahoo.com. Ask about online consultations. Treatments also available in Nassau County. See ad, page 3.

Calm Belly, Calm Mind

Healing Your Gut Without the Stress

by Dr. David Pollack

For those living with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or IBS, eating can feel more like a stressful daily challenge than an enjoying source of nourishment. Many are advised to restrict, eliminate and avoid foods, which still doesn’t fully resolve their symptoms. Rather than trying to manage symptoms, the goal ought to be restoring the body’s ability to digest and tolerate food again.

Elimination diets are commonly recommended to reduce irritation, but it is temporary. Restrictive eating is not a long-term solution because it doesn’t address the underlying issue: why the body is reacting in the first place. Over time, these diets can also lead to increased sensitivity, nutritional deficiencies

and fear around eating. A new and better approach is to rebuild digestive strength.

Enzyme Therapy

To support and repair the digestive process, the body needs enzyme therapy. Digestive enzymes play a critical role in breaking down proteins, fats and carbohydrates so that nutrients can be absorbed. When enzyme production is insufficient, partially digested food can irritate the gut lining, contribute to inflammation and disrupt the microbiome. Targeted enzyme therapy allows the digestive tract to function more efficiently and with less stress. As digestion improves, foods can gradually be reintroduced and a more balanced diet can be consumed without discomfort.

The Gut’s Role in Stress

Another essential piece is the powerful connection between gut health and the nervous system. Chronic digestive issues are often rooted in long-term stress and the body’s struggle to regulate itself. When the gut is inflamed or imbalanced, it sends continuous distress signals to the brain. This can amplify anxiety, disrupt sleep, heighten emotional reactivity and keep the body locked in a state of vigilance or tension. Many people notice this as sudden digestive flare-ups during stressful times or a “nervous stomach” that seems to activate even when nothing is obviously wrong.

The communication runs both directions. As gut health improves, the nervous system often follows. More efficient digestion, reduced inflammation and a healthier microbiome can create a noticeable calming effect throughout the body. People frequently report steadier moods, fewer anxiety spikes, better stress tolerance and a general sense of being more grounded and resilient. Even small shifts—like reduced bloating, regular

digestion or fewer food sensitivities—can translate into clearer thinking and a more regulated emotional baseline.

This ongoing dialogue between the gut and the brain is a vivid example of why a wholebody approach is essential for lasting results. When we address health issues through the lens of the entire system—not just isolated symptoms—we create the conditions for true healing, long-term balance and a deeper sense of overall wellbeing.

Restoring function is always preferable to chasing symptoms. By strengthening digestion, reducing inflammation and supporting the body’s natural processes, it is possible to shift out of the cycle of restriction and discomfort. With proper function restored, symptoms ease and freedom returns—freedom to enjoy more foods, feel comfortable in your body and move through life without the constant stress of monitoring what can or can’t be eaten.

Dr. David L. Pollack is the founder of Pollack Wellness, where he works with individuals experiencing Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and IBS using a personalized, root-cause approach to digestive health. For more information, see PollackWellness.com. See ad, page 5.

Herbs are Nature’s Medicine with Zakiyyah Madyun, C.H. (Certified Herbalist)

Sustainable Stress Awareness

Returning

to Balance Through Earth’s Natural Gifts

Stress is a natural part of everyday existence for everyone. With the advent of technology, medicine, social communications, media and the world wide web, management of daily living has soared to almost unmanageable levels. Trying to maintain a healthy balance between personal life and work, rest and relaxation, children and social activities takes a conscious awareness and balance.

Stress is a natural reaction to these challenges, but long-term stress can lead to significant health issues. One must make a concerted effort to manage stressors through healthier life choices and habits.

The various natural healing gifts from Earth provide an abundance of resources to help the body heal itself and can help us to be more mindful of the causes, effects and management of our stress levels.

Earth provides a plethora of herbs and crystals to help balance our body’s constant requirement for renewable energy, proteins and vitamins. Through daily intake of natural foods, herbal teas and tonics, the accumulative effects of stress, inflammation and chronic illnesses can be reduced. Being “grounded” with the Earth is a critical source of connecting with Earth’s natural energy. (Using grounding mats is a great alternative.) Including herbs in food preparation, drinking herbal teas daily and even making crystal elixirs can help balance many health and stress-related issues.

Every person is protected by an energy (Auric) field. All stressors and illnesses have to permeate it before we become physically ill. Energy healing is another tool we can learn to change our own narrative, improve our family’s health and begin to redefine sustainable healthy living, devoid of stress, chronic inflammation and inheritable illnesses.

At the Sacred Healing 7 Herb Center, we utilize several healing modalities to connect healthy eating and mindful self-care. Join our June Integrative Master Course class, which is designed to help you develop practical, formulary skills and techniques that can help you redefine the narrative for your personal health transformation.

Zakiyyah Madyun, Certified Herbalist, teaches virtual herbal education classes twice monthly. For more information, visit her blog: HerbsAreNaturesMedicine.blogspot.com; for a consultation call 347-407-4312 or email theherbalist1750@gmail.com. See ad, page 23, and calendar listing, page 27.

It Takes a Circle

Building Greener Lives Together

by Hannah Tytus

In nature, nothing stands alone. Permaculture design—the art of creating sustainable landscapes—mirrors this by building resilience through integration rather than separation. It organizes life into “zones” that circle outward from the home to the wider community.

Conservation efforts are likewise woven together when Earth-conscious individuals form circles of community that grow and reach, stretching their tendrils to interweave with other circles, strengthening the protective, nourishing roots of homegrown actions.

Cultivating a Better Future

Working directly with permaculture, Brandi Mack strives to spark collective change and build lasting legacies of justice and well-being. Influenced by her grandfather, who farmed the fertile soils of Oakland, California, she is a holistic health educator, permaculture designer and co-founder of The Butterfly Movement. Describing the work of this nonprofit, she explains, “We focus on cultivating sovereignty, healing and personal development through land, food and art for Black women and girls.”

“My grandfather said, ‘If you build the soil, you can grow anything,’” Mack recalls. “We facilitate spaces for Black youth and their mothers to reconnect with the land through gardening, learning about food as medicine and reclaiming a relationship with the natural world. Our focus is on our beloved sisterhood—the feminine—as Black women and girls. If we can elevate that, the world will elevate. That is justice.”

Mack envisions the collective potential of the next generation, knowing that they have gifts to share. She has raised her daughters by example, teaching them that it is okay to experiment and grow, and she also encourages older generations to let go of antiquated narratives and let the youth lead.

Regenerating What Is Good

Marvin Hayes is a spoken word artist and executive director of the Baltimore Compost Collective. When he founded this youth-led initiative 11 years ago, he wanted to address what is known as the “sacrifice zone” of waste incineration that blew pollutants all over South Baltimore, threatening the health of his community.

Research published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health suggests that living near waste incineration facilities is associated with higher risks of certain cancers, birth defects and other negative health outcomes. In the United States, such health burdens are not evenly distributed because 80 percent of municipal solid waste incinerators are located in communities where more than a quarter of residents identify as people of color, live below the federal poverty line, or both.

“The wind doesn’t segregate or discriminate,” says Hayes, noting that air pollution from sacrifice zones blows equally to all neighborhoods, becoming a collective public health concern. Today, he serves 400 households and diverts 2,000 pounds of weekly waste from the incinerator. He uses his business to improve public health, educate local youth about entrepreneurship and advocate for environmental justice in the community.

Instead of going to a trash incinerator, household waste can become an agent of regeneration. According to Hayes, composting nourishes nutrient-depleted soil, making it excellent “black gold” for growing food. It also remediates soil that may be contaminated with lead or other metals and diverts waste from air-polluting incinerators, while providing an opportunity for the community to come together, he explains.

Traveling Lightly

“Composting is critical, because when food ends up in a landfill, it chemically degrades differently than it would in a compost pile, producing methane gas that is 28 times worse than CO2,” says Samuel McMullen, co-founder of ZeroWaste.org alongside his sister, Lydia McMullen-Laird. “The hardest thing to do in living a zero-waste lifestyle is addressing food and food packaging,” he shares, adding that one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions are linked to the making, transport and refrigeration of food.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, food waste is the number one component in landfills, accounting for one-quarter of their mass. The average American sends approximately 350 pounds of food waste to the landfill each year, with a family of four losing $1,500 annually to uneaten food, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

To address this issue through prevention, McMullen runs the Zero Waste Challenge—an invitation to produce as little waste as possible for a week, while reflecting on the garbage created. On Earth Day, a similar challenge can be accessed virtually from anywhere in the world at ZeroWaste.org.

“Learning follows action. Take action first,” advises McMullen, who sees zero-waste habit-building as a practical entry point for broader change. Holding corporations accountable for climate change and focusing only on institutions to make a difference can make people feel powerless, he observes. By tracking their trash, choosing reusables and making small sustainable swaps, individuals can begin to build tangible skills for activism efforts in systems change.

“The beauty of the [Zero Waste] Challenge is that you confront your own waste footprint,” McMullen says, adding that participants are invited to examine their trash from a place of curiosity, rather than criticism. “It’s easy to cut your waste in half. The last 10 percent is very challenging, but that’s okay. The goal is progress, not perfection.”

McMullen relates that even eating at a restaurant can be an opportunity to practice zero-waste principles by bringing a reusable container and bag for leftovers to reduce single-use packaging and

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opening playful dialogue with restaurant staff to make a game of reducing waste throughout the meal. “Don’t be annoying about it,” he quips, noting that reducing our personal waste footprint is secondary to building a social culture of sustainability and teamwork. “The main function is to build awareness with other people—to create common ground and to show that there is another way.”

Sharing Stewardship

For three years, Jen Myers, Ph.D., has called the EcoVillage at Ithaca (EVI) home. This upstate New York community is designed to be socially, culturally, economically and ecologically sustainable, integrating human life harmoniously with nature. Members rely on renewable energy, shared spaces, local food production and pooled resources to make sustainable living feasible.

According to Myers, EVI shares 175 acres of land—far more than a single homeowner could handle—including farms, forests and scenic natural spaces that are diligently stewarded by community members. Since its modest 30-household beginnings in the 1990s, it has grown into a lively community of 100 households.

Living in community promotes sustainability by reducing individual environmental footprints and encouraging collaborative eco-friendly practices.

“I live in a net zero home, and it’s really rewarding having the infrastructure to make sustainable living easy,” says Myers, project director of the Thrive Ithaca EcoVillage Education Center. “I don’t have to do as much consuming as I would as an individual running a household in a typical suburban neighborhood.” Lawnmowers, playground equipment, compost bins and more are all shared and enjoyed together.

Myers likes to highlight the recreational opportunities available at EVI, including hiking trails and ponds for swimming and ice skating, as well as EVI’s communal dining spaces that make togetherness easy. The community also models multi-generational sustainability. “It is such a joy to know I am modeling conservation behaviors in my household with my daughter,” she says.

Everyone at EVI shares leadership responsibilities, meeting monthly to make decisions on critical issues. Residents commit two to four hours a week to facilitate the community, contributing based

Hope, Healing & Wellness

on their strengths in areas like administration, cooking, gardening, compost management and recycling. Myers appreciates this skill sharing, saying, “I’ve been so pleasantly surprised with how much value living in community brings to my life.”

Building a Resilient Culture

Sustainability is not a checklist but a culture shaped by what we normalize and celebrate. McMullen urges joyful modeling of alternatives, reminding us that “your actions are not really about you.” Visible practices—solar panels, reusable mugs, composting—ripple outward and shift norms over time. Myers calls this “ground-up design,” a liminal space where communities create the world they want by sharing resources and celebrating seasonal food, redistributing power and reducing isolation. Hayes centers youth leadership, cultivating agency and business skills in food systems so that youth are equipped to shape their own futures.

Embracing Life’s Reciprocity

Drawing from permaculture’s lessons, Mack says, “The soil is loyal. When you study permaculture, you are reminded that we are all connected. The only way we’re going to fix the planet is by remembering we are connected. When you know you’re doing something that affects someone else, you’ll stay committed. The reality is we are one species on a planet in the middle of the universe. We learn everything from nature. We are nature. It’s important for us to understand right now that we go fast alone and far together.”

Hannah Tytus is an integrative health coach, former writer at the National Institutes of Health and host of the Root Shock podcast, exploring cultural underpinnings of health.

Our One Wild and Precious Life

by Marlaina Donato

Protecting Earth’s precious gifts, helping a neighbor in their new garden or teaching a child to weather life’s storms can be wildly rewarding. Yet, even while living consciously, we can deplete our energy, feeling guilty to have to place ourselves on the kindness list. In these moments, we must remember that everything we cherish relies on our well-being. If the foundation crumbles, the house falls.

“Self-care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what’s left of you,” said mental health advocate Katie Reed. Our health and sanity will eventually falter if we always put ourselves last. Neglecting to value our emotional energy, time, physical strength, talents and compassion as much as Earth’s oceans or human rights endangers our life force. Like nature’s resources, we are finite. It is imperative to love ourselves as we love our favorite causes, making difficult decisions for our own sake.

By learning to say “No,” asking the kids to do the dishes, letting someone else bake for a fundraiser or resting instead of pushing through fatigue, we invest in our own presence on this planet. When ready, we will have more to offer. Seeing beauty in the mirror instead of flaws, scheduling joy into our days, abandoning perfectionism and embracing our humanity allow us to breathe fully and remember our passions and purpose. “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” asks Mary Oliver in her poem The Summer Day. Let us all ask ourselves this vital question every morning, for we are worthy of the answer.

Marlaina Donato is an author, painter and composer. Learn more at WildflowersAndWoodSmoke.com.

Allergies and the Nervous System

Calming Herbs for Yearlong Resilience

by Hannah Tytus

Seasonal allergies are often framed as a localized immune problem—something that happens in the nose, sinuses or lungs. But holistic practitioners see them as a whole-body experience shaped by stress, nourishment and environment. Linda Conroy, a bioregional herbalist with more than three decades of experience, uses native medicinal plants in a three-tiered approach that focuses on prevention, tonification and support. Tonification aims to nourish, strengthen and restore balance to the body’s vital energy.

“You’re not going to take one herb and have it fix everything,” explains the founder of Moonwise Herbs. “You have to work on diet, lifestyle, relationships and stress reduction. It has to be multilayered.” Rather than suppressing symptoms, Conroy works to strengthen the body’s baseline resilience so that when pollen counts rise or seasons shift, it is equipped to respond.

The Role of Stress

All parts of the body are interconnected. When the nervous system is stressed, other systems are affected. We see this with asthma, says Conroy, citing research that links prenatal and early-life stress to respiratory vulnerability later in childhood. “When someone’s respiratory system is in distress, we have to work with all the systems of the body to address it,” she explains.

A major player in immune system robustness is the endocrine system—a network of glands and organs that produce and release hormones into the bloodstream to regulate various bodily functions, including the stress response and mood. According to Conroy, hormonal imbalances can increase vulnerability. “Many people live their lives as if they are in danger all the time and this chronic alertness can make immune responses overactive,” she observes. “We also see a significant number of people with thyroid problems. When the pituitary or thyroid glands are weakened, people tend to be more reactive overall.”

To calm the nervous system, Conroy recommends a calcium-rich diet with ample leafy greens and dairy, as well as a long-steeped tea made with oatstraw—the dried green stalks and leaves of the oat plant, which is rich in calcium, magnesium and B vitamins. She also champions small rituals for stress relief such as always turning off the phone before bedtime or regularly enjoying a rosemary facial steam to rejuvenate the skin and feel restored. “Stay committed to something consistently,” she advises, recommending that people find their rhythm with their modalities of choice. Together, these practices reflect a holistic approach, relieving stress and improving allergy symptoms simultaneously, while building resilience year-round.

“Sleep, digestion and stress regulation form a feedback loop,” says Joanna Helms, founder of Mama Jo’s Sunshine Herbals. With more than 30 years of experience in Chinese, Western, Native American, Scottish, Unani-Tibb and Japanese herbalism, she defines her practice as a way to support the body in being the healer.

Helms recommends year-round herbal support to strengthen the body and reduce allergy vulnerability with calming herbs like oatstraw, lemon balm and holy basil. She also suggests regular exercise, adequate sleep, meditation, journaling and even talking with a friend. Evening

rituals like massaging herbal salves into the feet before bed can calm the heart and settle the body.

Herbal Allies for Allergy Season

Conroy recommends nettle infusions, which she says have an antihistamine effect. Stronger than tea, infusions are made by steeping one ounce of nettle in boiling water for four to eight hours, then straining. This savory medicine keeps for up to three days in the refrigerator and can be enjoyed warm or cold, sometimes added to soups or paired with miso. Nettle can be overly drying for individuals in arid climates. In such cases, Conroy suggests marshmallow root to soothe dry, irritated mucous membranes.

Mullein is traditionally used to prevent or alleviate respiratory distress caused by colds and flu, and Conroy recommends it to strengthen the lungs. Mullein’s flavor profile pairs well with a sweetener of choice. Her favorite recipe combines warm mullein tea with steamed milk and maple syrup for a delicious herbal latte.

Both experts celebrate the antimicrobial and antibacterial properties of goldenrod, which has garnered a bad reputation when it is mistakenly associated with the allergy-inducing ragweed. In fact, goldenrod relieves allergies. Conroy calls it a tonifier that supports

the whole system, “helping dampen the body’s overreaction, easing symptoms and reducing the intensity of the allergic response.”

“Goldenrod is one of my favorites for drying things up, especially in the eyes,” says Helms, adding that people in arid climates may find it too drying. In such cases, she recommends mixing goldenrod with chrysanthemum or licorice for a harmonizing blend.

Locally Sourced Herbs

According to Conroy, “We will get way more benefit from plants that grow around us. Try to source herbs as close to home as possible. It’s a relationship. I don’t think of herbs as a drug or pill. These are my allies; they’re going to support me. We need to care about the plants, and they will care about us.”

Helms encourages her clients to grow their own herbs, observe them as they grow from season to season or even draw them in a field journal. Such practices that foster listening, meditation and relationship remind us that plants can be healing even when we do not ingest them.

Hannah Tytus is an integrative health coach, former writer at the National Institutes of Health and host of the Root Shock podcast, exploring the cultural underpinnings of health.

At-Home Pet Massage

Tips and Techniques for a Happier Animal

by Ruth Roberts, DVM, CVA, CVH, CVFT, NAN

Massage therapy does more than pamper pets—it provides hands-on care with real physical and emotional benefits. For dogs, cats and horses, regular massage improves comfort, mobility and overall wellness. Pet parents need to learn key techniques, understand the benefits and follow safety guidelines to ensure massages are safe and effective.

Physical Healing

A 2025 article in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery defines massage as the systematic application of manual pressure and movement to soft tissues, including the skin, tendons, ligaments, fascia and muscle. Integrative emergency veterinarian and end-of-life practitioner Lynda Loudon calls massage “one of the most accessible yet profoundly therapeutic tools we have for supporting our pets’ physical health.”

Gentle massage improves circulation, delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues while clearing metabolic waste. It also supports lymphatic flow, which depends on movement and manual stimulation. This is especially beneficial for senior pets, those recovering from injury or animals with limited mobility.

Massage improves joint mobility and flexibility. Pets with arthritis, hip dysplasia or age-related stiffness maintain better range of motion when inflammation is reduced and connective tissue stays supple. Massage relaxes muscles, eases pain and supports movement. Loudon notes that it “works with the body’s natural healing mechanisms rather than imposing external interventions,” making it a gentle, non-invasive therapy.

Emotional and Behavioral Benefits

Massage is equally powerful emotionally. “Touch is one of the most primal forms of communication and comfort,” says Loudon, noting that it activates the body’s natural rest-and-relax response, lowering stress hormones, slowing the heart rate and supporting calm breathing.

Anxious pets often visibly relax during massage. Addressing pain and physical discomfort can improve emotional and behavioral challenges, Loudon points out. In end-of-life care, massage can provide both physical relief and emotional reassurance.

It strengthens the human-animal bond, encouraging pet parents to slow down, stay present and connect deeply with their animal companions.

Common Techniques

According to Michael Daly, a certified canine and equine massage therapist and holistic pet health coach, each massage technique serves a purpose.

• Effleurage, involving gentle circular motions with the palm of the hand, begins most sessions, helping pets relax.

• Petrissage, involving a kneading action, loosens muscles and fascia.

• Friction techniques target deeper tissue to release knots and tension with circular or cross-fiber motions.

• Vibration techniques are used to release tension in a pet’s myofascial structure, which is the connective tissue binding their muscles. As Daly explains, “When tension develops in the fascia surrounding a specific muscle, it can cause that muscle to tighten. Applying gentle to more vigorous vibrations helps release the tension, and pets love it.”

• Tapotement involves gentle rhythmic tapping or cupping. Daly, who has been practicing animal massage for 15 years, generally avoids this technique with dogs because they either dislike it or want to play, but he finds the technique effective with horses.

• Passive stretching, which gently moves a pet’s limbs to loosen

joints and muscles, is often used to finish a session.

Pet parents can perform these massages themselves. Daly recommends starting with effleurage, followed by vibration techniques. Stressing that the calming effect often begins with the person, he explains, “When you feel calm and centered, they do, too.”

He encourages keeping routines simple and consistent. Massage works well any time of day, but Daly especially recommends brief effleurage and vibration sessions when pets wake up. Gentle strokes across the body can help prepare muscles for activity, which is particularly helpful for older pets transitioning from rest to movement. It is important to read a pet’s body language. “Dogs will tell you when strokes are too hard and when they are done,” says Daly.

Safety Concerns

Dogs often hide pain. Daly warns that limping usually means discomfort is already advanced. Watch for more subtle signs such as difficulty standing, hesitation with jumps, circling before lying down, excessive licking, increased thirst, nighttime restlessness or persistent panting. These symptoms warrant evaluation by a professional massage therapist or veterinarian.

Loudon emphasizes that while massage is generally safe, it should be avoided when there are active infections, fractures, recent surgical sites or areas of acute inflammation. Pets with cancer, clotting disorders, fever or severe pain should receive massage only under veterinary guidance.

When done thoughtfully alongside veterinary care, massage is a safe and valuable part of holistic wellness. Loudon suggests starting gently and monitoring the pet’s response. A relaxed posture, soft eyes and leaning in indicate comfort, while tensing, moving away, pinned ears or vocalizing means it is time to stop.

Ruth Roberts, an integrative veterinarian and holistic health coach for pets, is the creator of The Original CrockPet Diet. Learn more at DrRuthRoberts.com.

Earth Day 2026

Our Power, Our Planet

by Sandra Yeyati

Communities worldwide will come together from Saturday, April 18, through Earth Day, the 22nd, to celebrate this year’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet”—a rallying cry for people everywhere to reclaim their voice, their rights and their future. Since its inception, this event has mobilized international involvement, and this year is no different as more than 1 billion environmental champions are expected to participate.

“All those years ago, in 1970, we were ridiculously confident that we were going to win,” says Denis Hayes, organizer of the first Earth Day and board chair emeritus of the nonprofit EarthDay.org. “We launched a genuine environmental revolution. We proved that an engaged public can be an unstoppable force. It can be again in 2026.”

People working together can change the world. Illustrating this vast scope of influence, an interactive, digital map on

EarthDay.org lists events across all continents. From city parks to coastal villages, volunteers will clean riverbanks, plant trees and host workshops on recycling and sustainable living. Families will involve their children by crafting bird feeders from recycled materials and painting murals of forests and wildlife. New opportunities for fun and service are continually coming online, and anyone can add their event to the map.

At Action.EarthDay.org/our-power-ourplanet-pledge individuals can formally resolve to stand up for environmental protections in local communities, support the transition to clean energy and green jobs, demand that leaders prioritize human and planetary health, and take eco-friendly action throughout the year and beyond. Now is the time to be part of the solutions.

According to organizers, “Since 1970, people from every walk of life—farmers and ranchers, faith leaders and scientists, health professionals and first responders, students and families, and communities on the front lines of climate disasters—have driven action that prevented countless illnesses and saved millions of lives worldwide. Economic prosperities and environmental protections are not competing goals. They are on the same path forward. Clean energy and sustainability have already created millions of jobs, lowered costs and delivered healthier air and water.”

There are many ways to get involved and celebrate Earth Day right here in our community. See the calendar, page 27, for local Earth Day events.

Celebrate Earth Day in Manhattan & Brooklyn

EarthFest – American Museum of Natural History Upper West Side, Manhattan Sat., April 18 • 11am–4pm

A family-friendly event with handson science activities, educational exhibits and expert-led programming on environmental awareness and conservation.

amnh.org/calendar/earthfest 212-769-5100

Fort Greene Park Earth Day Festival Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn Sat., April 18 • 11am–2pm

A community-centered outdoor festival with family-friendly activities, eco-workshops and local organizations celebrating sustainability in a neighborhood park setting. fortgreenepark.org

Earth Day Festival – Union Square Union Square, Manhattan Sun., April 19 • noon–6pm

Free large-scale celebration with green vendors, live music, interactive workshops, environmental exhibits and kids’ activities on sustainability and climate action.

earthdayinitiative.org info@earthdayinitiative.org

Mindful Mondays with Michael

Free Meditation Group

Hosted by Michael Lehrman Co-Publisher, Natural Awakenings NYC & Long Island

The free sessions are open to ALL, with no experience and no expectations necessary, honoring a collective coming together of Natural Awakenings readers.

Monday, April 27

6–7pm • Google Meets

To learn more or register, contact publisher@naturalawakeningsny.com or call/text: 212-726-1420

Celebrate Earth Day in Long Island

Earth Day Exploration & Beach Cleanup – Sands Point Preserve Sands Point, Nassau County Saturday, April 25

Earth Day Exploration – 10-11:30am. Relaxed, all-ages guided walk to learn about plants and animals. Free event, registration required: 516-570-2185, info@sandspointpreserveconservancy.org

Earth Day Beach Cleanup – 11:30am – 1:30pm. Bring your own gloves. Free admission to the Preserve. sandspointpreserveconservancy.org 516-571-7901

Earth Day Celebration – Quogue Wildlife Refuge Quogue, Suffolk County

Sat., April 25, noon–3pm

Animal encounters, guided walks, environmental exhibits, face painting and native plant sale. (Rain date: April 26) quoguewildliferefuge.org  631-653-4771

Branches in Bloom –A Spring Festival Celebrating Arbor Day Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park, West Lawn , Oyster Bay, Nassau County

Saturday & Sunday, April 25 & 26, 11am–4pm

Sweeping spring blossoms at peak bloom, guided tours, kids tree climb, educational displays and demonstrations, live music and performances. $30 per car. Register. plantingfields.org · 516-922-8600

Earth Day Workdays – Seatuck Environmental Association Islip, Suffolk County

April

Join in on work conserving wildlife and reconnecting Long Island’s rivers and streams. Several dates available to build nest boxes and remove invasive species. Register online. seatuck.org · 631-581-6908

NewLife Expo NYC 2026

Healing Outside the Box, Rooted in

Rhythm

Join America’s longest-running event (36 years) dedicated to conscious living and holistic wellness as it returns to New York City. The NewLife Expo brings together passionate attendees, enlightening speakers, including Livia Devi, and a vibrant array of exhibitors in wellness, biohacking, UFOs, metaphysics, alternative health and spirituality. Discover cuttingedge natural products, personal growth workshops, transformational experiences and resources to support your mind-body-spirit journey in 2026.

Saturday & Sunday, April 25–26 • 10am-8pm

NYC Event Center 4 West 43rd St, off 5th Ave, Manhattan, NY

For pre-registration discounts, as well as opportunities to exhibit, speak, sponsor, volunteer or advertise, contact: Mark Becker at 516-897-0900 or mark@newlifemag.com

Visit NewLifeExpo.com to register and learn more.

Sacred Healing

7 Herb Center

Complete Integrative Master Course

Join Zakiyyah Madyun, C.H., for a yearlong curriculum in Herbs, Essential Oils, Chakra & Crystal Healing. Learn to create safe and effective formulas, explore plant medicine and crystal healing and study healing traditions from Ayurveda, African Healing and the Chinese Five Elements.

Starting June 2026 (through May 2027) 1st & 3rd Saturdays 10am–noon EST

Virtual (all sessions recorded) $200/month

Contact: theherbalist1750@gmail.com 347-407-4312

To submit an event which you want to appear in BOTH - the next print issue and our online calendar - scan the QR code to the right or go to: NaturalAwakeningsNY.com and click on the arrow next to the SUBMISSION tab on top of the website, then select “Mark

EXCLUSIVES

Find additional articles & videos online at NaturalAwakeningsNY.com

Go to the Home page and click on the “In This Issue” image in the right column.

The Minimalist Workout

Build Strength; Skip the Gear

Home Sweet Sustainable Home Strategies for Saving Money and the Planet

Helping Kids Use Less Plastic

Gentle Swaps for Growing Minds Spring Bowl Inspirations

Sustainable, Delicious and Flexible Going Zero Waste A Conversation With Kathryn Kellogg COMMUNITY PARTNERS: Dr. Robins Dr. Pollack Jean

Community Resource Guide

New York City | Long Island community

Alexander Technique

JEAN MCCLELLAND, MMUS., MAMSAT

JeanMcClellandVoice.com

Private lessons and workshops: voice, breathing and Alexander Technique. Jean McClelland has more than 40 years’ experience as a performer and teacher. She has helped thousands of students free their bodies, strengthen their breathing and uncover the natural beauty of their voices. See ad, page 13.

Certification Course

THE CALM MONKEY

Mindfulness Facilitator Training & Certification

Wendy@TheCalmMonkey.com TheCalmMonkey.com

Become a certified mindfulness facilitator through a self-paced online course with resources, peer support and tools to bring mindfulness into workplaces and community settings. See ad, page 9.

Chiropractic

CENTER FOR THE ALIGNMENT OF BODY, MIND & SPIRIT

Dr. Gina Marino 2213A Wantagh Ave, Wantagh 516-221-3500 Align-Me.com

Dr. Marino utilizes a combination of gentle chiropractic spinal adjustments, Reiki and bodywork to reduce pain, lessen the effects of stress on your system, restore flexibility and ensure optimum vitality. See ad, page 13.

More businesses, organizations, services and practitioners are listed on NaturalAwakeningsNY.com

Clinical Nutrition

BEAUTY & THE GREENS

MDC NUTRITION & WELLNESS

Mabel Del Castillo Guccione, MS mabel@beautyandthegreens.com BeautyAndTheGreens.com

Guiding individuals to break free from dieting, reclaim confidence around food, and foster an abundance mindset. Learn to eat empowered, reconnect with your whole self through mindful eating, and adopt a balanced, sustainable approach to nutrition, unlocking a vibrant, joyful and healthier version of yourself.

THE BIAMONTE CENTER FOR CLINICAL NUTRITION

Michael Biamonte, CCN 2185 34th Ave, Ste 14D • Astoria, NY 866-240-8651 info@health-truth.com Health-Truth.com

Michael Biamonte has been in practice for over 30 years, is the author of “The Candida Chronicles” and is a world recognized candida elimination expert. His office has proprietary software developed for NASA that helps identify and treat all nutritional deficiencies. Offering both online and in-person appointments.

Conscious Centers

AUM SHANTI BOOKSHOP

230 E 14th St, NYC 212-260-2866

AumShantiBookshop.com

Aum Shanti Bookshop is a community-oriented spiritual gallery providing offerings that inspire clarity, guidance and inspiration on one’s journey. They offer high-vibration, reikicharged and spiritually energized items such as a semi-precious gems and tumbled stones, one-of-a kind rare crystal specimens and clusters, beautifully hand-crafted jewelry made with love and empowering energy. Join for tarot, psychic and astrology readings.

NAMASTE BOOKSHOP & HEALING CENTER

2 W 14th St, NYC

212-645-0141

NamasteBookshop.com

Namaste Bookshop and Healing Center offers a unique and large selection of Eastern and Western philosophy books, tarot cards, crystals, pendulums, calendars, wind chimes, incense, greeting cards, yoga accessories, meditation cushions, instructional and music CDs and DVDs, salt lamps, and 20 sections of books – including Spanish. The event space above the bookshop holds classes, workshops and book signings, and provides rooms for regular readers and practitioners.

Energy Healing

ANN KORONOWSKI

Cert. Soul Realignment Practitioner By online appointment/ Schenectady AnnEnergyHealer.com

Allow me to access your soul's divine blueprint through your Akashic Record to discover your true gifts and why your current patterns of choice may not be in alignment with your soul’s intentions. Learn actionable steps to create the life your soul intended. Other services, energy healer, psychic readings.

BILL ROBERT

Remote Lightworker

Based in Manhattan 770-990-9191

InmateHealing@gmail.com Bill-Robert.com

Remote spiritual Lightwork offers emotional and creative healing, especially for artists. In-person sessions are available for returning clients near the West Village. See ad, page 9.

Energy Healing Center

ASCENTIAH HEALING CENTER

122 E 55th St 5 Fl

New York, NY 10022 646-476-4847 • info@ascentiah.com  Ascentiah.com

Located in Midtown NYC, Ascentiah offers holistic healing to support clarity, emotional balance and nervous system regulation. Through energy work and intuitive guidance, we help you realign with your authentic self and reconnect to a deeper sense of well-being.

Health Food Store

WHOLE

FOODS MARKET

8 Locations in Manhattan WholeFoodsMarket.com

Whole Foods Market is an eco-minded chain with natural & organic grocery items, housewares & other products. We support local communities & agriculture, practice and advance environmental stewardship, support & rewards team member excellence and encourage and educate on all aspects of healthy living. See ad, page 30.

Herbs & Natural Medicine

SACRED HEALING 7 HERB CENTER with Zakiyyah Madyun, C.H. Since 1985 theherbalist1750@gmail.com 347-407-4312 • NYC

For over forty years, the Sacred Healing 7 Herb Center has offered naturopathic, experiential curricula that educate you about various alternative healing modalities so that you can heal yourself physically, emotionally, and energetically, restore your health, and raise your vitality. Available for private/group workshops, seminars, and other events in local NYC locations. See ad, page 23.

Holistic Dentistry

CARIODONTAL

A Place for Dental Wellness

Jonathan Richter DDS, FAGD Specializing in Periodontics and Implantology Periodontal Prosthesis, and Fixed Prosthodontics 525 West End Ave, Suite 1G, NYC 212-874-2880 • Cariodontal.com

We welcome you to come in for a comprehensive exam of teeth, gums, early detection, and oral health problems. We offer the following services: holistic dental care, mercuryfree dentistry, TMJ disorder and treatment, treatment for sleep disorders, Invisalign and orthodontics, dental implant, sleep apnea. Payment plans available. See ad, back cover.

GOLDEN DENTAL WELLNESS

444 Community Dr, Ste 204, Manhasset 516-627-8400 • GoldenSmile.com

A practice that cares for you like family. The philosophy of our dental wellness center is a whole-body approach working closely with your healthcare practitioners that you already have a relationship with. The practice incorporates the teaching of Huggins, IOAMT, and much more. See ad, page 2.

INTEGRATIVE DENTAL SPECIALISTS

Long Island: 245 Hillside Ave, Williston Park, NY • 516-253-1800 Manhattan: 120 E 56th St • 212-845-9740 drjeff@idsli.com IntegrativeDentalNY.com

Dr. Jeff created Integrative Dental Specialist to provide the best comprehensive dental care today. There is always an emphasis on biocompatible and holistic dentistry to create a natural and beautiful smile you can be proud of. Dr. Jeff has achieved a highly professional, relaxed, caring, and pain-free environment for his patients, with sedation dentistry available if required. See ads, pages 12 and 19.

The activist is not the man who says the river is dirty. The activist is the man who cleans up the river.

—Ross Perot

ZAKIYYAH MADYUN, C.H. SACRED HEALING 7 HERB CENTER

theherbalist1750@gmail.com 347-407-4312 • NYC

See ads, pages 23 and 29.

Holistic Education

OMEGA INSTITUTE FOR HOLISTIC STUDIES

150 Lake Drive Rhinebeck, NY 12572 800-944-1001 • eOmega.org

Open from May to October, we offer a wide variety of workshops and retreats, led by world-class teachers on our beautiful 250-acre campus, just 90 miles north of New York City. Can’t make it to Rhinebeck? Join us for a livestream.

Integrative Coaching

GOOD MOOD INTEGRATIVE LLC

2248 Broadway # 1789, NY, NY 10024

917-245-5105

griselle.goodmood@gmail.com

Griselle Phillips, LCSW, helps clients overcome feeling stuck and overwhelmed using holistic methods. She offers single sessions or a 12week program. Prospective clients may schedule a free 15-minute consultation to discuss their needs and goals.

Naturopathic Medicine

FINKER WELLNESS

Bellmore

516-765-3272 • DrFinker.com

Utilizing Naturopathic Medicine to help her patients feel better naturally. Many illnesses can be treated by nutrition, botanicals, and nutraceuticals. Dr. Finker provides personalized health care solutions for her patients. See ad, page 11.

POLLACK WELLNESS

66 Commack Rd, Commack, NY 631-462-0801 • PollackWellness.com

Dr. David L Pollack specializes in functional nutrition which is the science of helping repair and restore the body naturally without the use of drugs and surgery. Many of his clients were frustrated with their past health care; conventional or holistic. Most seek help with their thyroid, weight loss, digestive disorders, hormone imbalances including infertility, menstrual & Low T. We accept those with or without diagnosis, complex and simple disorders. Most insurance policies accepted for many services. See ad, page 5.

Nutrition

OPTIMAL FRUITS & VEGGIE PLUS 939 Eighth Ave, Third Fl, Ste 307 New York, 646-320-8999

M4hf.com

Whole food supplements rich in phytonutrients are shown to support joint health, heart health, cognitive function, and overall vitality through natural antioxidant protection.

Ozone Therapy

DR. HOWARD ROBINS

The Healing Center 200 W 57th St, Ste 807, NYC 212-581-0101

drhowardrobins@gmail.com

OzoneDoctor.net

If you have a disease or condition that you haven’t been able to get rid of, Ozone Therapy will most likely be the answer, even for people that have suffered for years and have lost all hope. If you are questioning if your condition can be treated, call or email Dr. Robins today. See ads, pages 3 and 15.

Pyschotherapy

PRESENT CENTERED THERAPIES

Michael Mongno, MFT, Ph.D, LP Upper West Side • 212-799-0001 drmongno@presentcenteredtherapies.com PresentCenteredTherapies.com

Michael Mongno MFT, Ph.D LP is a licensed psychoanalyst, marriage and family therapist, and holistic counselor based in Manhattan. Committed to creating a real difference in the world, his “Real change in real time” describes the dynamic, effective synthesis of personal growth and spiritual transformation

Skin Care

MASSAGE FOR HEALTH AND FITNESS Nigel Hunt, LMT New York, 646-329-8999

M4hf.com

Offers an Anti-Aging Face Lift Massage, blending acupressure and massage to rejuvenate skin, boost circulation and reduce wrinkles naturally.

A dynamic family-focused homeopathy conference—join in person or virtually and get practical tools to keep your loved ones healthy.