Health appears to have taken a
back seat to obesity in our lifestyles. Millions don't
exercise. Whatever we need or want seems to be available so
easily at our fingertips.
If you need some color just pop into the tanning salon on your way
home from work. Hungry? Pull into the nearest drive-thru
and choose from endless fat-and calorie- enriched foods.
Feeling stressed? A lot of us turn to an ice cream carton,
rather than a walk.
While many of us, at some point, have practiced these unhealthy
habits, most of us at least try to be health conscious. So
what about somewhere you can pop into and come out a healthier you?
There's such a place. The Northern Star Wellness Center in
Shelton offers an array of all- natural treatments for balance
and health. If you're thinking spa, stop. This is a
wellness center, designed by professionals (certified and
licensed therapist) to guide you to a healthier - physically,
emotionally and spiritually- you. I visited the center a few
evenings and learned much about what it offers.
I met with Kathleen Barone, executive director of Northern Star
Wellness Center (also a certified healing energy body worker and
Reiki practioner). She explained the many services available,
including therapeutic, upper-body and couples massages; and skin,
sinus and essential oil therapy. (If you're worried about the
price, don't be. All sessions are based on a rate of $1 per
minute, $60 per hour.) Barone showed me around and led me to
my first session with a nutritionist.
Elieth Ameni Harris, a clinical nutritionist, outlines his
philosophies in a one-on-one consultation, explaining how we can be
helped through diet, stress reduction and exercise. We talked
about my personal concerns, and after the consulting Harris went
through a muscle-testing sequence with me. I was amazed as he
pointed out certain weaknesses I had by just touching a point on my
wrist, neck and ankle.
Next, I drank a mug of all-natural
herbs and vitamins while filling out a survey, which Harris studied to
observe patterns of symptoms that may point to deficiencies. He
then performed another muscle test to get a more accurate
determination of the absorption of nutrients into my body. If
you're wondering if this kind of thing is for you, you can visit the
center when it offers free nutritional counseling.
Yoga and qigong were next (qigong is prescribed physical movements
or exercise performed in a meditative state.) In a peaceful and
serene room, Harris, who is also a certified yoga and qigong
instructor, led me through several postures, meditation techniques and
movements. I had practiced yoga before, but it was great to have
such individualized attention; classes aren't usually bigger than six
learners. The center offers combined yoga and qigong classes
Tuesdays at noon and Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. ($12 for an hour; $16 for
1 1/2 hours).
I ended my evening at the center with an hour of heated stone
massage by Fiona Varker, one of Northern Star Wellness Center's
licensed massage therapists. In a quiet room with relaxing music
playing in the background, words can't explain how fabulous it was to
experience a professional massage, as well as how good I felt in the
days that followed.
I returned to the center to try ear coning, which is said to
relieve congestion and wax blockages. The session also includes
a facial massage to stimulate and release sinus pressure and essential
oil therapy to purify and detoxify the spine. But don't expect
the usual facial. This treatment nourishes the skin with
vitamins and nutrients for a healthy, all-natural glow,
Additionally, one of the center's major focuses is spirituality.
While prayer is offered upon request at no charge, the wellness center
hosts events such as evenings of spiritual healing (Sundays at 6:30
p.m.) to encompass community members in need of prayer.
The Northern Star Wellness Center is different from any other
facility I've visited. Professionals work to help you take the
great feeling you get at the center out with you into the world.
I was amazed at how well I felt at the center and afterward.
