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Crystals have been a mainstay for many cultures for centuries. They are said to offer a variety of mental, spiritual, and physical benefits depending on which type of stone you use. Crystals may help you reduce stress and create a more tranquil environment in your home and mind. Proponents of crystal therapy suggest displaying them on a shelf in a frequently visited room, wearing them as a wristband, placing them under your pillow while you sleep, soaking next to them during your bath, or any combination of these uses. Regardless of how you choose to use them, simply having crystals around can offer a wealth of energetic benefits and can be employed for a variety of purposes. Grab some crystals at our next event. How do crystals work? Crystals serve as an energy reservoir, harnessing your negative energy like a magnet and replacing it with positive energy via their own unique frequencies and vibrations. The vibrations of crystals align with the same vibrational frequency as humans and allow energies to flow between us and the stones. They are said to receive their positive energies from the sun, moon, and oceans (and therefore require periodic cleansing from moonlight to restore their energy levels to their natural state and ensure they continue to work for you). Crystals can also be used in conjunction with other alternative practices such as Reiki healing and chakra assessments. For instance, if your chakra assessment shows blocked energy flow in any of your chakras, specific crystals can be used to facilitate your healing and help regain your proper energy flow. During a crystal therapy session or a chakra clearing session, your therapist may position different colored stones along the front or back of your body. The color used for that part of your body would be linked to that chakra. The frequency of the stone's color might either activate or subdue (depending on your situation) a blocked chakra. What are the benefits of using crystals? The benefits of using crystals are as numerous as the stars in the sky. They can help those struggling with grief, anxiety, depression, and irritability. They can help simultaneously ground you and soothe you. They can give you energy and restore your body back to its natural state of homeostasis. They can purify any negative emotions or feelings you may be struggling with and cleanse you of unseen toxins. While some believe crystals have no therapeutic value - seeking scientific proof as their only means of validation - others acknowledge the sensations they feel while using or surrounded by crystals, giving them all the validation they need. Which crystals are best for beginners? Delving into the world of crystals can be an overwhelming experience. We’ve compiled a list of the best crystals for beginners and what they can be used for to help you delve into this new and exciting world. When you're ready to purchase some crystals to get started with or to build out your collection even further, stop by our next Holistic Health Fair. We always have a variety of crystal vendors selling the most amazing assortment of crystals. Selenite This purity crystal is great for beginners. You don’t have to worry about recharging this one and it’s an easy “all-purpose” crystal that can benefit anyone. It helps to soothe, cleanse, purify, and release negative energy. Some enjoy the selenite "wands" to sweep along their body cutting energetic cords that may be no longer of use. Some enjoy selenite charging plates to charge and purify their other crystals on. Amethyst Another extremely popular stone is amethyst. It promotes sleep and relaxation and helps with feelings of grief and loss. Try using this stone under your pillow or close to you while you sleep to benefit from it's calming properties. Rose Quartz This stone is known as the “The Stone of Unconditional Love”. You can use it to improve your existing relationships or to perhaps bring a new love interest into the picture. Wear this one around your neck near your heart or display in the bedroom for best results. Black Tourmaline This stone is primarily used for protection and to build our strength in boundaries. Ideally worn on the body in jewelry, kept inside a pocket, or even placed in a bra, black tourmaline assists in fortifying your energetic "walls" to protect you from the energies of others. Whether good or bad, other people's energies can drain us of our own energy; wearing black tourmaline can help. Whichever stone you use, you can immediately start reaping the benefits that crystals have to offer. Using crystal therapy as a gentle form of self care is an excellent way to promote a more relaxed, positive demeanor and an energetically-enhanced lifestyle. Grab your next favorite crystal at one of our upcoming holistic living events.

Sound bowl therapy is a branch of sound healing that uses a “singing bowl” to induce a meditative state. Sound healing has been around for centuries and involves using the rhythm and frequency of varying sounds such as voice mantras, drumming, tuning forks, and singing bowls to attune our brainwaves to a stable frequency. Sound bowl therapy can be an excellent way to unwind and de-stress after a long day. It can also be an economical option for those who want to try it out for the first time as small singing bowls cost less than $25 on average. With sound bowls, we can help maintain the harmony and pulse of our vitality. Using sound bowl therapy can also be a crucial factor in mental clarity, energy revitalization, and overall health. If you're interested in experiencing sound bowl healing or learning more about it in person, visit one of our upcoming Holistic Health Fairs to learn more or purchase a sound bowl to try sound bowl healing on your own! What Happens During Sound Therapy? Meditation and sound therapy (using singing bowls or other vibrational tools) are both designed to lead you through different dimensions of consciousness or relaxation. During both, we can shift from a normal state of consciousness into a more meditative state or a sleep-like state of deep consciousness. The purpose of both is to calm your body, focus your mind, and center your soul. The main difference, however, between meditation and sound healing is that in meditation, you focus on your breathing and quieting your thoughts or environment. Whereas during a sound treatment, you concentrate on the sound frequency or vibrations you feel when exposed to the sounds created by the signing bowls, tuning forks, drums, gongs, or even spoken mantras. In addition to promoting relaxation, sound therapy helps energy flow through the different chakras of our bodies. In people with trapped energy, sound healing can actually loosen and correct blocked energy encouraging our body to transform back to its home state of homeostasis. How to Practice Sound Bowl Therapy To practice sound bowl healing, find a comfortable spot and lay down on your back or sit in a meditative position. Concentrate on slow breathing until you find your center. Allow your body to become more open. Whether you play sound bowls yourself, visit a sound bowl group meditation, get a sound bowl treatment, or listen to prerecorded sound bowls through a speaker, the effect is generally similar. As the sound bowl emits it’s frequencies, be mindful of the sounds you hear and allow yourself to connect deeply with the moment. Benefits of Sound Bowl Therapy This study found that Tibetan singing bowl meditation significantly lowered tension, anger, fatigue, and depression levels. It also played a huge factor in improving spiritual well being and reducing anxiety. These benefits have been shown to decrease the risk of heart disease, diabetes, addiction, and mental health issues. Sound therapy can has also been shown to aid in helping things from sleep disorders and nervousness to post traumatic stress disorder and pain management. Try Sound Bowl Therapy at Our Next Event! Sound bowls are an enjoyable, affordable way to incorporate vibrational therapy into your daily meditative practice. Support your health, maintain energetic balance, and enhance mental clarity with the power of singing bowls! Stop by our next event to grab your new favorite meditation tool - singing bowls!

The holistic health philosophy is to view the body as a whole, instead of just its parts. Holistic health is an understanding that your wellbeing can be affected by what you eat, drink, read, and engage in (mind); how much rest or exercise you do (body); and your connection with a higher source (spirit). The different systems in our body need to be examined and tended to simultaneously, with care, to ensure a state of health. Holistic health also focuses on prevention. First, detecting a disorder is important to prevent us from experiencing suffering. Second, as we focus our intentions on gratitude, rest, joy, and abundance for example; we infuse our whole system with the joys of holistic wellness. The more active you are about your own health and wellness, the more likely that you will live a life of happiness, in good heath, free of dis-ease. How the Holistic Health Ecosystem Works One good example of how holistic health integrates all facets of your health can be seen in the dynamics of having close friends. Having a good friend or good group of friends, reflects directly on your well-being. Those who have a strong support system have been found to have an easier time dealing with trauma, increased self-esteem, and a sense of belonging. This in turn reduces physical ailments such as high blood pressure, increased body mass index, depression, and stress. The Effects of Stress on the Whole Another instance of how holistic health works is by observing the effects of stress on the whole body. When we're stressed, we tend to breathe shallow, tense our muscles, get emotionally frustrated and quickly irritated. When we experience stress, our adrenal glands are forced to work in overdrive releasing cortisol into our bloodstream. Overtime, this can lead to adrenal fatigue, thyroid issues or heart problems. And although we tend to think of stress as just an annoying thing we experience when a deadline gets pushed up, it can actually cause a host of series health conditions, such as ● Fatigue ● Irritability ● Headaches ● Intestinal problems ● Anxiety and depression ● Increased blood pressure ● Low libido, and much more. How to Manage Stress Holistically When stress is managed in a healthy manner, your body is able to return to its preferred state of homeostasis more quickly which reduces the chance of lingering physical effects of chronic stress. One way to manage your stress is to begin a spiritual practice: prayers, meditation, mindfulness, earthing, etc... Incorporating spirituality into our lives generally leads to a greater feeling of gratitude, confidence in oneself, and faith in the bigger picture. Having a strong spiritual foundation can also help prevent disharmony within our minds and spirits. It's important to remember that while our physical health is important, we also need to take care of the rest of our bodies. Practicing holistic and alternative medicines can allow all organ systems to work together in a way which creates peace for ourselves and allows us to live with purpose. Stop by the next Holistic Health Fair to explore the many goods and services designed to support your holistic lifestyle, reduce stress and help you achieve the best version of you!

If you’re looking to calm the inner chaos of your thoughts and gain some internal peace, a daily mindfulness and meditation practice may be just what the doctor ordered. Meditation has been around for ages but is gaining popularity with a different crowd than before. Modern research shows some pretty promising results which have hooked an array of people from healthcare practitioners to professional athletes. Attendees of the Holistic Health Fair have the option of speaking with practitioners about the benefits and techniques of mindfulness and meditation. There are even vendors that offer tools to support mindfulness while cooking, bathing, and sleeping (think holistic skincare, candles and pillow sprays). What is Mindfulness? The Oxford Language dictionary defines mindfulness as “a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations”. What is Meditation? Meditation is the act or practice of quieting the mind and body, while focusing on deep breathing, that promotes mental clarity. Meditation can be done while sitting or laying down, and can be performed with success for as little as 5 minutes! Health Benefits of Mindfulness and Meditation Research shows that mindfulness and meditation reduces repetitive thoughts, increases attention span, reduces depression, and improves memory. It also can significantly improve the way your mind handles stress and anxiety and even alters the appearance of your brain on functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI's). Your immune system function also benefits from meditation as your body’s cortisol levels triggered from stress start to decrease. You will likely feel more relaxed and get better sleep at night. Mindfulness is also an effective method to control pain and lower blood pressure. Another study showed patients had fewer emotional reactions when they were shown sad pictures after practicing meditation whether they were newbies or had been practicing for years. This is incredibly promising for those struggling with anger issues or those prone to emotional instability. But that’s not all. Studies have also found that increased mindfulness can help with personal relationships. This allows you to sift through the mental debris and effectively communicate your needs to your partner while also assigning less importance to negative emotional encounters. Meditation has also shown to improve children's cognitive function, critical thinking ability and ease of handling new, challenging situations, leading to long-term positive development. Meditation can also help make you feel like a better person by improving your empathy and compassion while simultaneously reducing your judgments. How to practice mindful meditation Mindful.org suggests beginners start with small meditation sessions ranging anywhere from 5-10 minutes. Sit in a comfortable chair, on the floor or lay down in a comfortable position. Focus on your breath, quietly observing every slow, deep inhalation and exhalation. Pay attention when your mind wanders and work on returning your thoughts to your breath. Treat yourself with kindness and don’t judge yourself for not being perfect. Although immediate improvements are common, it's best to practice mindfulness daily to exercise those parts of your brain which lead to sustained mental focus. It’s no wonder with so many benefits to mindfulness and meditation that so many people are falling in love with this self-care practice. Stop by our events to learn more and meet with experts in the field of mindfulness and meditation.

To be spiritually connected is to embody a sense of oneness with the Universal Spirit, also referred to as collective consciousness, God, the Creator and others. It is also to have cultivated a strong awareness of self and developed daily practices to keep those connections solid. Nowadays, many of us are constantly plugged into to the digital world. Whether it’s the ding of a text message or the incessant alerts from our social media accounts, it can be hard to disengage from all this technology exposure. And while not inherently a bad thing, it can lead to a disconnection from spirit. Overtime, this separation can develop into a feeling of emptiness, sadness, fatigue or even depression. To combat this, we can choose to focus inward and develop our awareness of self - mind, body and spirit. There are many practices we can incorporate into our daily lives and service providers willing to teach us. Our Holistic Health Fairs are a great way to connect with wellness service providers. From life coaches and nutritionists, to astrologists and meditation teachers, our fairs create the perfect environment for learning new techniques and linking with people who can help you on your journey to strengthen your spiritual connection. Visit our Next Event Here are just a few of the most popular ways to strengthen your spiritual connection in the comfort of your own home, starting right now! Start a Meditation Practice Meditation is gaining popularity for its long list of healing benefits. It gives you the tools you need to shut out all the noise and negative thoughts while promoting mental clarity. There are several methods of meditation from mindfulness to spiritual to transcendental. Mindfulness meditation tends to be the most popular because of the focus on deep breathing and mental quietness. All forms help you to calm racing thoughts, relieve stress and strengthen your connection with spirit. Visit one of our Holistic Health Fairs to discuss with a meditation teacher which meditation style may fit your lifestyle best. Begin a Gratitude Journal A gratitude journal encourages the practice of writing down specific things you are grateful for. The general consensus is to make a list of three to five things daily that bring you joy or happiness. Be as specific as you can when crafting your journal entries. The beauty of this practice is that you can look back and reflect on all the things you have in this life. Be intentional with your writing and focus on developing this into a daily practice. Pick a certain time of day and a certain spot in your house. Keep your journal and pen close by and start reaping the benefits of counting your blessings. This is a great way to strengthen your connection with spirit by tapping into that emotional, spiritual space. Read Words of Inspiration You hear a lot of people talking about the benefits of their morning quiet time. While the particular routines and practices will vary from person to person, the most important thing is that you take some time each morning before the craziness of the day begins to quiet your mind and center your energy. Many enjoy a few minutes of inspirational wording. Regardless of what you choose, grab something that resonates with you and helps you feel connected to spirit. This could be scripture, inspirational stories, ancestral practices, devotionals, inspiring podcasts and even self-help books. The point is to not only take in words that feed your soul, but to carve out the me-time required to rest your nerves and connect with yourself. Work with a Life Coach Sometimes the only thing standing in our way is our own selves. This is where a life coach comes into the picture. As a trained professional, a life coach can guide you to a deeper awareness of self. They can help you identify what things in life are holding you back from achieving your goals, as well as what's keeping you from living your best life! Whether it's a daily check-in text or a weekly hour-long session, how you use a life coach is a completely customizable experience. If you're in the market for a life coach, or want to learn about about their services, plan a trip to one of our Holistic Health Fairs near you, where you are sure to find a life coach willing to help. While these are just a few of the ways we like to connect with spirit (and disconnect from technology), there are so many other options. Sometimes, just holding a crystal, pulling a tarot card or going for a walk in nature is enough to create a sense of mind, body and spirit connectedness. By engaging in a combination of these daily practices, and taking a trip to our Holistic Health Fairs, you are intentionally making time to connect with yourself and others who can support you. You may even feel more at peace with life in this crazy world!

Holistic and alternative therapies are seeing a surge in popularity today, and for good reason. Many people use them to combat stress, anxiety, and promote a general sense of wellness on all levels- mind, body, spirit. One such practice you may have heard about is Reiki. If you’ve ever wondered what Reiki is, what it does and why you might consider getting a treatment, take a look below. What is Reiki? Reiki is a Japanese-based healing technique that has been around for over 100 years to help promote relaxation through gentle touch by the transfer of energy. It is utilized not only in wellness settings but also in hospitals and hospice care. You can also find reiki practitioners at our holistic health fairs in Wisconsin and Illinois. Reiki works by balancing your energy throughout all aspects of your being including your body, mind, and soul. The name comes from a combination of two different words, rei meaning “universal” and ki describing your “life force energy”. What Benefits Does Reiki Offer? Besides relieving stress and promoting relaxation, reiki delivers several other health benefits that make receiving this energy therapy worth your while. It’s been shown that Reiki can: Provide harmony and balance Help to realign your mind, body, and spirit Release tension from the body Cleanse toxins and support immune function Encourage self-healing and chakra alignment Induce a meditative state of mind Reiki is also believed to help lower your heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones as some studies are indicating. How Does Reiki Work? Reiki involves manipulating your biofield, or the vibrational energy field that surrounds your body. Some call this your aura or the energetic space where your chakras reside. When this energy field is in tune, it helps with an overall feeling of well-being and health. When it’s out of tune, it can bring on everything from chronic fatigue and illness to negative thoughts and body aches. What to Expect at a Treatment? While sessions at our Holistic Health Fairs are typically offered as a brief introduction to the practice (so no longer than 30 minutes), the average full session, when working with a practitioner, is around an hour long. Likely, you can expect to be situated on top of a massage table, fully clothed, relaxing to the soft, meditative music in the background. You might see crystals, essential oils or high vibrational items around the room which help to enhance the mood. Your reiki professional will use their palms to apply a gentle touch to certain areas of your body or hold their hands closely above your body. The idea is for the practitioner to be a conduit of energy between you and the source energy (divine spirit). You absorb the energy you need from spirit through the transfer of your practitioner as they use different hand positions at different areas of your body. Is Reiki Just Like Massage? While this may sound similar to a massage, with reiki, there is no pressure or manipulation of muscles. Instead, reiki uses only a feather light touch to produce results. Some clients feel tingling, pulsating or deep relaxation as the practitioner moves from one area of the body to the next. The amazing thing is that even though the reiki practitioner is skilled in their ability to create flowing energy, ultimately it is you, your body and your spirit that draws and expresses energy reserves or energy vacuums to create a balance. While this is a general description of what you can expect, keep in mind that every treatment will vary and be personalized based on your needs at that time and the therapist offering it. Interested in Learning More? Reiki is a great way to get your body, mind, and spirit realigned. Whether you are suffering from chronic illnesses, fatigue, anxiety, or just need a good tune-up, come to our next Holistic Health Fair and talk to one of our reiki professionals. Maybe all you need is a quick session at our next fair to get everything back in alignment. Join our mailing list below and never miss an opportunity to be a part of our events again!