Archive for March 24, 2011

| March 24, 2011
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5 Tips to Get in Your Best Shape this Summer

Picture by Velvettangerine, flickr (CC)

So you want to get into shape? Drop that spare tire? Tone those glutes? Here’s the good news: you can make it happen in time for that July wedding. If you’re new to fitness, it’s going to take dedication and hard work. But don’t fret: with a solid workout regimen and a healthy diet plan you can shed 1-2 pounds a week while improving your strength and balance.

Here’s how to get started:

1) Know your body.

Understand how your body moves, how flexible you are, and work around any areas that are sensitive due to past or recurring injury before you start down a new fitness path. Whether you get a professional fitness assessment or you’ve learned your limitations from past experience, knowing your body will help you set realistic fitness goals.

2) Try these 4 essential exercises.

Phil Ortwein, a certified personal trainer with Extreme Fitness, says that the body is designed to do certain movements such as lunges, squats, push-ups, and pull-ups.  The squat, for example, is key to toning your butt, legs, and thighs, because it targets the largest lower body muscles simultaneously. If you’re unfamiliar with any of these movements ask a trainer for help and make sure you learn proper technique to avoid injuries.

3) Don’t overlook strength training.

Think strength training is for muscle-bound meatheads only? Think again. Strength training not only complements a cardiovascular routine, it also accelerates weight loss. Exercises using weights can help speed up your metabolism by building stronger, denser muscle mass. This muscle mass requires more caloric intake, allowing you to burn calories more efficiently.

4) Cut the crap from your diet.

Avoid processed foods, white bread, pop, and foods that are high in sodium and trans fats —keeping these items in your diet will cancel out any progress you’ve made in the gym. Try to replace pre-packaged food with whole foods.  Sarah Dobec, a certified holistic nutritionist at The Big Carrot, recommends a diet that includes fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grain bread, nuts, and lean meats like chicken or fish.

5) Plan ahead.

To avoid a diet relapse, you need to be proactive. Packing your lunch the night before work will help you avoid the allure of potentially unhealthy take-out. If you’re going out with friends, eat something healthy ahead of time so you won’t be tempted by beer and chicken wings.

Getting fit is no picnic; it’s a lifestyle change that takes willpower. Ultimately, your results depend on you, and you alone. So stop making excuses. Get out there, get active, and enjoy this summer looking your best and feeling your healthiest!

Category: Past Issues | Tags: , , , , , ,
| March 24, 2011
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Movies in the Park: The Green Screen

“There’s something about watching a film and being outside,” says Movies in the Park coordinator, Nicole Crozier, “just the idea of a movie under the stars.”  What’s more romantic, more refreshing, or more fun?

When Crozier and her husband went on a trip to New York City and saw that HBO put on movies in Bryant Park they said, “Let’s bring this back home.”  As a previous member of the fundraising committee for the Toronto Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club (TKBGC), she thought it would be a great fundraiser: “The plan was for it to be free so we approach[ed] businesses, large and small to come on board as event sponsor[s].”

Lesley Hawley, Administration and Special Projects Coordinator of the TKBGC, works with Crozier to organize free movie screenings in Riverdale Park East in the summer.  Each movie night is directed at a charity, the majority going to the TKBGC, but last summer they expanded to include Art City in St James Town.

What’s better than a free movie? “All you need is a blanket,” says Hawley, “[you] can bring everybody.  My friend brought her kid and she passed out on a pillow.”

Crozier promises all the movies are PG but not specifically for children, though they are planning a children’s movie night this summer.  So far it’s been movies that Crozier and her husband really like. “They’re also not the typical ones you’ll see everyday,” says Hawley.

There are also concessions sold on site and at the Rooster Coffeehouse just across the street.  In the past Rooster has helped them advertise, donated money to the event, and “even let [them] plug in [their] popcorn machine!”  Other sponsors include Moksha Yoga and The Auld Spot Pub, part-owned by Crozier’s husband, Nathan Hynes: “They’ve all been very helpful getting it together.”

Everyone in the community is welcome to attend; Crozier and Hawley and chose Riverdale Park East for that exact reason. “It’s free movies that are accessible to surrounding communities of [the park].  We just thought the location was really cool, physically and because it bridges communities.  You can walk across the bridge from Cabbagetown and Regent Park into Riverdale, which is a different kind of neighbourhood all together.”

It is easily accessible by Toronto transit, has parking on the street, and attendees have been known to make a day of it bringing picnics and organizing baseball games beforehand.  They also make calls to the local police for security purposes and are sure to be done by 11pm so as not to disrupt the neighbours.

Crozier and Hawley also promise that no fundraising happens at the event: “There is no hat being passed around, there is no request for money,” explains Crozier. “I think supporting charities and non-profits is a very personal decision so you have to do what makes you feel good and what you think is right.  I look at Movies in the Park not as much as a fundraiser but as more of a free community event.”  Often, people who have questions make donations after the movie.

With their third summer approaching, they hope to meet new sponsors who are willing to participate so they can add more charities to their list: “We’re attempting to increase the number of screenings [this summer]; it would be amazing to have the resources to put on a film every weekend in the summer,” says Crozier.  The numbers have still been pretty impressive with up to 300 people attending and raising $3,000 for TKBGC and $10,000 for Art City.

And if you’re not interested in the charity aspect, how could you resist a night like this?  “The sun sets right behind the movie screen.  The city skyline comes up as it gets dark so you have the sun sinking, the moon rising, the city glittering and the movie,” says Crozier.

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| March 24, 2011
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100 Years of Faith, Hope and Charity

DMC Photo: Bill Bryson

The Danforth is an old, albeit busy street lined with shops and restaurants. It’s rich with culture and little gems of history that to the naked eye might not even be noticeable. On Danforth Avenue just east of Woodbine subway station is a small white building sandwiched between the legendary “John’s Hobby Shop” and a used car dealership. It’s the home of the Danforth Mennonite Church.

With a congregation of fewer than 100 members, this small place of worship has survived all of the changes along Danforth Avenue that have made Toronto’s Greektown the community it is today. After 100 years of service, the Danforth Mennonite Church is commemorating its centennial on April 17, 2011 –a big celebration for a little congregation.

Getting Started

Established in 1911, the Danforth Mennonite Church began when a group of Mennonites from Kitchener moved to Toronto. They established a “Faith, Hope and Charity Mission” in a small church on Danforth Avenue, that at the time was in the middle of a field.

 

DMC Photo: Bill Bryson

“This is where a lot of poor people were living,” says Tim Reimer, pastor at the Danforth Mennonite Church for the past eleven years. “There were churches and a lot of children, but there were no programs for children. They wanted to minister to poor people and children and they found both of them here.”

Today, the church has been renovated and expanded, just as the busy street of Danforth Avenue has expanded. Over the last century, many local businesses in the community have come and gone, as have the members of the Danforth Mennonite Church. “The church still has a large number of the same people it had when I was old enough to remember them,” says Rowan DeHaal, a member of the congregation since his birth. “People come and go, and might show up years later, but it’s like you’ve never missed the beat.”

Giving Back to the Community

For the Danforth Mennonite Church, a passion for helping the community has fuelled much of their success in the neighbourhood. As a proclamation of their faith, Mennonites participate in a Voluntary Service Mission, where young volunteers dedicate their time to helping different organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity.

In 1983 the Danforth Mennonite Church partnered with The United Mennonite Church (TUMC) to establish the St. Clair O’Connor Community –a village for retired seniors. Mennonite volunteers from both churches sponsor the community and provide services for the senior residents.

“Mennonites feel very obligated to help anyone that is in need,” says Tim, referring to the Mennonites’ passivist mentality. “We have to respond to them and help them –wherever they are.”

The church has also benefited from their convenient location, since they are so close to the Woodbine subway station. They rent the basement out to a lot of different groups, like the Danforth East Community Association (DECA). “We want to be engaged with the people in our community, not exclusive or distant from them,” says Tim.

Commemorating a Century

As the church prepares to celebrate its 100th birthday, engaging with their community is exactly how they plan to commemorate the date.

“We have been celebrating it for five years,” says Tim. “Someone had the idea of planting 100 trees this year and next year. We planted in different places. Some did it in conjunction with the City of Toronto; some people planted trees up north at an organic farm.”

Tim also plans to unite the Mennonite churches in the Greater Toronto Area. “We wanted to get a sense of our history and our connectedness to the churches in our area,” he says, “so another thing we did was cycle 100 kilometers. We cycled a century. Next year we will invite different churches to join in.”

Visit the Danforth Mennonite Church’s website for more information on their centennial celebration: http://danforthmennonitechurch.ca/

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| March 24, 2011
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Vegan & Vegetarian Options At Taste of the Danforth?

Originally focused on traditional Greek food, the Taste of the Danforth festival has become a mixture of the wide variety of cuisines that the neighbourhood offers. On my first visit to the festival this summer, I was unsure about whether I would be able to find something vegetarian for myself to eat. There were many Greek restaurants set up on the street selling spanikopita, and an Indian restaurant offering samosas.

I knew that most of the Greek restaurants in the area serve vegetarian dishes on their menus, but I didn’t see that being offered to the street crowd. I ended up going into a Greek takeout place to get a veggie pita and Greek fries. It was good, but not really worth waiting in line for.

Marissa, a recent vegan and long-time vegetarian, had a similar experience when she attended the festival this summer: “I only really got to see what was available on the Friday evening, but there was very little choice that I found. Everybody has souvlaki and spanikopita, which I’m sure are great, but I’m also sure that they’re not vegan. I wound up getting a table at The Friendly Greek. They had a vegetarian meal on their menu – it was rice, roasted potatoes, and salad. Decent, but I felt like I was missing out on the “Greek” part of the meal.”

When asked if she would go back, she said that she would because she enjoyed the atmosphere and it was still something fun to do on the weekend.

Something that both Marissa and I wondered was why the vegetarian restaurants on the street weren’t participating, or if they were, where were they? To answer these questions, I spoke to three vegetarian-friendly businesses: The Big Carrot, Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant, and Tea Tree Cafe & Eatery. All of these businesses are listed with the Toronto Vegetarian Association.

The Big Carrot

According to The Big Carrot, their business has always participated in the festival. In the beginning they tried to offer their own unique vegetarian street fare but they found that, although popular, mini pizzas and shrimp kebabs took more effort than they were worth. More recently they have been selling organic smoothies and ice cream cones. “We find that while our store sales suffer over that weekend due to no parking and crowding issues, it is still important to participate and take advantage of the street presence and let the masses know that we exist, otherwise your business gets lost in the crowds.  We just don’t do the labour intensive stuff anymore. It’s not worth it.”

Tea Tree Cafe

Erin Pim, the proprietor of Tea Tree Cafe, had a slightly different experience with the festival. Because her restaurant is located east of Jones Avenue it is not within the festival limits, but this did not prevent her from benefitting from the increased traffic. She used this to her advantage by offering discounts and free vegan cupcakes with purchases to get people to try her fare.

Outside of the festival, people come to her cafe because they are looking for a healthy alternative on the Danforth. When I asked why she chose to start her business in the area, she explained that it was a good space in a good neighbourhood. The Danforth community was the place that best fit her criteria.

Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant

Despite its strong Greek roots, the neighbourhood supports new businesses that find their niche and participate in the festival. Such was the case with Dukem Ethiopian restaurant. After opening six years ago, Dukem has made the Danforth their home. Dukem invites festival-goers to their open house where they can experience authentic Ethiopian cuisine and the famous coffee ceremony. They find that people at the festival are often looking for a variety of cuisines and are open to more than just Greek food.

As in many cultures, Greek celebrations are heavy on the meat, so it isn’t exactly realistic to expect Greek restaurants to cater to vegans and vegetarians at the festival. But for those who still wish to participate without eating meat or animal by-products, options are there, though you may have to look beyond Greek food to find them. Next summer, I plan to try out the full range of what the Danforth has to offer, and won’t limit myself by seeing the area as exclusively Greek.

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| March 24, 2011
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6 Things to do at a Farmers’ Market

Berries

When the sun is shining on a bright Saturday morning and you have a need for fresh fruits and veggies, a quaint outdoor market like the one at Withrow Park can be your go-to place.

And while wandering the stalls in this beautiful park is great, why not do something different during your conventional outing? We talked with the organizers of the Withrow Park Farmers’ Market for a fresh take on this old-fashioned bazaar.

1. Discover Your Taste

Though you know a particular stall has the best carrots in the city, why not try something that you’ve yet to have the pleasure of tasting? As Constance Dykun of Monforte Dairy, a market vendor, says, “Quite often if I see something on someone’s table that I don’t recognize, I’ll wander over and ask, ‘What is that?’” Even if you discover that white carrots aren’t likely to be on next week’s grocery list, you had the courage to set out on a new food adventure.

2. Won’t you be my neighbour?

Because the Withrow market is an initiative created by local residents who wanted to provide their neighbours with healthy foodstuffs, the sense of community here is strong. So, why not intensify this neighbourliness and meet someone new? Laurel Fortin, owner of Small Potatoes, one of the many vendors at Withrow, explains that “it’s just a great place to meet people.” She adds, “It’s a real community-builder.”

3. Feast Like a King

After perusing the many stalls at this market, lay down a checkered blanket, plant yourself in the grass, and chomp on your recent purchases. The Withrow Park Farmers’ Market has it all –from fruits to breads to cheeses to sweets– everything you’ll need to indulge in a delectable feast. Another thing to make you feel good: In line with emergent green movements, all of the fare is locally-produced and locally-owned.

4. Make a Date

Whether you rendezvous with your beau or meet up with an old friend, Withrow is the perfect location for a gathering. As Roberta Stimac, one of the founding members of the market says, “People meet with friends and neighbours. People from all over the neighbourhood come to feel welcome.” After wandering the grounds, sit yourself on a charming bench and chat, gush, or gossip to your heart’s content!

5. Swap Recipes

“I’ve cooked all kinds of wonderful food at home after hearing about recipes from market attendees,” says Laurel. “I feel like I’ve got my own test kitchen!” And you can too. Just talk to vendors and other market-goers and you’ll go home with delicious fares, as well as the know-how to make them into a yummy masterpiece.

6. Make it Last

The gorgeous park setting is not only great for a wonderful bazaar, but there are many other events to take part in. “It’s nice to go out and really make a day of the market,” says Roberta. Bring a soccer ball, your bathing suit, and even your pup, and get involved in the other amazing activities that Withrow has to offer! But don’t forget the SPF if you’re going to spend a day in the sun!

The market is tentatively set to reopen May 21, 2011.

Category: Past Issues | Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
| March 20, 2011
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An Interview with Liz West

LizWestPhoto

The well-known television personality and long-time Danforth-area resident took a break from her demanding duties as a media maven, professor, wife, and mom to talk with us about why she loves the Danforth right now, what she anticipates it will become in the future, and what she hopes will never change.

Liz West has been a staple on the Danforth for years – 15 to be exact – and like countless other residents of our proudly cultural neighbourhood, now that she’s lived here, she wouldn’t dream of having it any other way. As she says, “As long as I’m living in the Greater Toronto Area, I’ll be living here.”

A nationally-recognized news and entertainment reporter, Liz loves the Danforth for many reasons, as she explains: “Apart from the wonderful retail, this area has a real sense of community, and is a haven for young families and dog-lovers. Withrow Park is the most famous dog park in the GTA! There’s also a large artistic community here, which I love being around.”

There are so many things that draw Liz to the area – no matter the season or the day of the week. When asked about what she loves about summertime in the neighbourhood, she says, “Walking the Danforth on a summer night is like being in no other part of the city. Passing patio after patio filled with the laughter of friends and families, smelling the aroma of souvlaki, and hearing the chant of “Opa!” is second to none. Did I mention I love saganaki?” And while the Danforth is the best place to be on a warm summer evening, winter holds a special place in her heart as well. “I love the vibrancy of the store windows lit up at night, and the throngs of people that come out even in the dead of winter.”

And though mornings can be a time of the day that many an individual dreads, with the help of the wonderful cafes in the neighbourhood, Liz looks forward to them too. “I’m a coffee-a-holic, so I hit my favourite spot every morning. Sometimes I bring my 3- and 5-year-olds. They are now hooked on lattes – with extra foam.”

It seems that the lure of the Danforth can’t just be classified by a time of year or a point in the day, however. As Liz explains, “The beauty of the Danforth, for me, is that I can leave the car at home and walk to grab just about anything I need. From groceries, to a mani-pedi, to my kids’ paediatrician, or even to find a great outfit, everything is on the Danforth. I love to shop locally!” She adds, “This is a place where you can actually work, play, and shop, and that you can call your home.” It’s this all-inclusive, one-stop shopping character of the neighbourhood that boosts the sense of community as well. “I now know many of the owners and their staff,” says Liz.

When asked about where she sees the Danforth in ten years, she answers, “My fingers are crossed that it is still filled with successful small businesses that keep the chains away. I see it prospering! I see the Danforth Music Hall open and thriving!” Something she hopes never changes? “I hope it never loses its patio licenses.”

It’s all of these amazing aspects of the Danforth that make it so unique and so dear to Liz. But if she had to pick only one thing to tell a visitor or someone new to the area to do? “Eat!” She doesn’t even hesitate.

Category: Past Issues | Tags: , , , , , , ,
| March 17, 2011
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Danforth Schools Coming Up Short – Part Three

In the last instalment of this series, we examined the diverse programming of Danforth Collegiate and noted how important tailored programming was to producing accomplished students. While not all schools are able to implement such a variety of courses, the philosophy of being cognizant of students’ interests is one shared by at least one other school on the Danforth.

Need To Succeed

Principal Cynthia Abernathy of Monarch Park Collegiate agrees that addressing the specific needs of students is essential to a school’s success.

“I think that in any school you’re going to have a broad spectrum of learners and our role is to understand one learner’s needs and make sure what they need is what we’re giving them,” she says. However, this concern for the well-being and success of her students has not been rewarded —at least not in the Report Card.

The Fraser Institute study gave Monarch Park an overall score of 5 out of 10, with an Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test pass rate of 71.8 per cent and an academic EQAO score of 3.2 (which meets provincial standards). Abernathy doesn’t think this score should be given any weight.

“You have to look at the individual needs of the student before you pass judgment,” she suggests. And the students at Monarch Park certainly have a variety of needs. In addition to regular programming, the school is known for its International Baccalaureate (IB) program, which caters to advanced students by offering a more rigorous curriculum based on international standards. It also has an extensive special education program and a large number (41 per cent) of English as a Second Language students.

A Home Away From Home

Principal Abernathy notes that the wide spectrum of students does not deter the staff from trying to reach out to each student individually.

“Teachers here go above and beyond the call of duty,” she claims.  This year the staff came together to buy a student —a refugee who has been living in a rooming house— a bed.

“It is very important to me that when you walk through those doors that you feel the love,” she says, “that you feel a sense of belonging here, like this is your second home.”

Redefining Education

How should we define a “good” school? The Fraser Institute says it is one which produces favourable academic results. Yet that definition fails to account for unconventional programming offered by schools to directly address, and thereby improve, issues within the student body.

Should a comfortable and encouraging environment be valued above intellectual achievement, or should academic success retain its status as a school’s main focus?

Looking for a single answer to this question is where the problem lies. Not all of our children are meant to succeed in a traditional academic environment, because not all of them are meant for careers that rely on an academic foundation. Our children all have different interests and capabilities, so the education they receive should encourage and aid the development of these qualities.

Perhaps the real question is:  If our children are all unique, why do we expect our schools to all be the same?

Category: Past Issues | Tags: , , , , ,
| March 17, 2011
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Ecofinery: Local one-of-a-kind Jewellery

She’s a scavenger. Garage sales, second-hand stores, antique shops, or granny’s box of brooches—local designer Breeze Romain isn’t buying anything new. Her materials are the castoffs; she says, “Instead of buying new products that are made in China, things that are pumped out zillions and zillions by the minute, it’s all discarded jewellery. Things that would have gone to a landfill.”

Ecofinery began in 2005, when the fresh-faced University of Guelph grad had some time on her hands in between restaurant jobs. “I had a lot of jewellery that had just been hanging around forever and I wanted to do something with it.”

Where jeweller meets sculptor, Romain began crafting earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings out of these leftovers. Through her self-taught technique, she creates whimsical layers of vintage trinkets. By intermingling several pieces, each from a different time and place, she brings a feeling of decadence out of the discarded. “I might start with a vintage brooch and create a shape out of it with wire,” she says. “I just sculpt it into the shape I’m envisioning and build off of it.”

The obvious upside is that her pieces are recycled. However, Romain is reluctant to have her work tossed under the eco-chic umbrella. Instead, she keeps it simple: “I just like making beautiful things that people will enjoy.”

As for her eco-philosophy, we just have too much stuff.  “It hasn’t been a challenge finding material,” she explains. “There is so much out there, there’s no need to buy new stuff. I really do feel strongly about industrially produced jewellery and factory-made things.”

Although Romain may not know how her scrapped materials were produced, she’s discontinuing the cycle, reclaiming the junk and imagining it in a different form.  “That’s what I’m trying to get across, the idea of stopping the cycle of buying new things.”

Look for Ecofinery at the upcoming Spring Speakeasy Arts & Crafts Show, April 7, 7-11pm at the Gladstone (1214 Queen W).  If you happen to miss it,  you can find Romain’s sculptured accessories at Sweetings (1920 Queen East, 416-686-6031) and Nathalie-Roze & Co. (1015 Queen East, 416-792-1699).  Also, keep an eye out for Ecofinery in our upcoming Spring Issue of On The Danforth.

Category: Past Issues | Tags: , , , , ,
| March 17, 2011
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3 Holistic Cures for Stress

Kim O’Brien, holistic practitioner and owner of Ancient Medicine (150 O’Connor), has always been fascinated by ancient cultures, and their healing methods. She offers three stress-relieving treatments at her practice that originate from ancient times.

O’Brien believes that healing modalities that have been around since ancient times—and have stood the test of time—have lasting merit and proven effectiveness. The purpose of holistic therapy is to bring the individual back into balance, thereby restoring their health. The entire person must be treated concurrently, and this includes the body, mind, and emotions. When the entire person is in a balanced state complete health is achieved.

1. REFLEXOLOGY

Reflexology originated in Ancient Egypt, according to the Ontario College of Reflexology. An ancient Egyptian papyrus scene was found depicting medical practitioners treating the hands and feet of their patients (dated at approximately 2,500 BC).

“A lot of people think that reflexology is an hour-long massage—they don’t realize the effect that reflexology can have on their bodies’ internal systems and organs, and its ability to detox, regulate hormonal function, and clear neural pathways,” says O’Brien.

In fact, many clients are surprised by what Kim O’Brien can tell about their body just from their feet. For example, she remembers a time when she could feel that a client had toxins in their lung and thymus. They were surprised when O’Brien could tell, from their feet, that they recently had a chest infection. Situations like these demonstrate the power of reflexology to reveal underlying health issues, and will “open clients’ minds more as they begin to see reflexology as a valid and effective treatment,” says O’Brien.

What to Expect

The reflexology treatment will begin with the client reclined on the treatment table, with their feet exposed. Both feet are then cleaned with tea tree oil water. One foot is worked on at a time; the other foot is wrapped in a towel to keep it warm. Every system and organ in the body is stimulated through pressure and movement applied to the soles of the feet. A map of the foot divides it into sections. Each sections shows which corresponding body part can be assessed —for example, the arch of the foot corresponds to the kidneys, pancreas, and liver.

Clients often feel warmth and tingling in the area of their body that is being worked on through the feet. The whole body is worked through the gentle manipulation of the feet, but problem areas are given extra attention. The treatment lasts for one hour.

Following treatment (a few hours to a day) you may feel fatigued, emotional, and/or  feel slight flu symptoms as your body cleanses toxins from your system. Kim O’Brien recommends that clients drink lots of water and have an Epsom salt bath following the reflexology treatment to help the body flush out toxins, while taking the strain off the kidneys (an organ that aids detoxification).

Reflexology can effectively treat stress by calming the nervous system, and eliminating the “fight or flight” response. It can also treat many other issues:  digestive problems such as acid reflux, PMS, and decrease inflammation. Above all, O’Brien says reflexology can give the client a deep sense of relaxation, and relief from minor aches and pains.

2. REIKI

Reiki originated in ancient Tibet thousands of years ago. Dr. Mikao Usui, of Japan, later rediscovered the technique in the 1800s. Reiki is a holistic healing method —“it is an energetic healing method based on the chakra system of the body,” says O’Brien. Each chakra corresponds to an endocrine gland (part of the hormonal system). For example, the throat chakra corresponds to the thyroid gland.

“Chakra is the Sanskrit word meaning ‘wheel’ or ‘disk’ and refers to energy centers that run from the crown of the head to the base of the spine. They ‘spin’ and draw coded information from our environment. This information can include things such as another person’s aura, levels of consciousness, stages of life, body functions, sounds, or colour. It is believed that each chakra center is interdependent upon the other and is connected on varying levels such as emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual,” says Roberta Sotonoff of Travel to Wellness, an online magazine catering to the spa and wellness travel niche. There are seven chakras in total.

What to Expect

Clients remain fully clothed for the treatment. They lay reclined on their back on a comfortable treatment table. “The treatment consists of light touch —or without touch if the client is too uncomfortable or in too much pain,” says O’Brien.

Treatment begins at the head; the practitioner lightly places their hands there and then moves towards the feet. Once the feet are reached, the client will lie on their stomach and the entire process will be repeated from the feet to the head. The treatment takes an hour to an hour-and-a-half. Clients tend to feel a strong release of emotions during the treatment. They also tend to become more aware of their body and its sensations. Following treatment, clients can expect to feel very calm, peaceful, energized, and experience pain relief, according to O’Brien.

“Reiki is good for everything —generally, there are no contraindications— anyone can have it,” says O’Brien. It is a gentle, safe, and effective treatment. Reiki can help relieve stress by putting the client in a meditative state. These positive emotional and mental benefits last longer with each Reiki treatment.

3. INDIAN HEAD MASSAGE

Indian head massage is another holistic treatment focused on bringing the entire person —body, mind, and emotions—into balance to restore health. The process originated in ancient India, as part of Ayurvedic medicine. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, “the term ‘Ayurveda’ combines the Sanskrit words ayur (life) and veda (science or knowledge). Thus, Ayurveda means ‘the science of life’.”

“A lot of people believe that an Indian head massage only focuses on the head. However, it is an upper-body massage and focuses on the upper back, shoulders, neck, head, and face. It also includes some energy/chakra work,” explains O’Brien.

What to Expect


The client will be seated in a massage chair, leaning forward to decompress the spine and the head cradled in the chair comfortably. Massage cream is used and, unlike massage oil, it will slowly absorb into the skin —so the client doesn’t leave with oil in their hair and clothes. Essential oil will be massaged into the skin. The client can choose the scent that they like best —such as lavender, cedar, or eucalyptus. Most of the treatment takes place in the massage chair.

However, at the end of the treatment the client moves to the table and lies on their back. This is where the face portion of the treatment, as well as more chakra work, is completed. The masseuse then gives the client the option to focus on a specific problem area, such as the lower back, for a few minutes. The entire treatment last for 30 minutes to an hour.

The Indian head massage helps increase blood flow to the head and neck, and gives much more attention to the head and neck than a “regular,” or “traditional” massage does. The Indian head massage also stimulates the lymphatic system, which helps the body remove toxins more easily.

Following treatment most people feel deeply relaxed and peaceful, with a decrease in neck and head tension. Their breathing also tends to be much deeper. Overall, Indian head massage calms the mind and the body, helping clients release stress and tension more easily. Kim O’Brien recalls a time when one of her clients said, “I’ve never felt this relaxed before.” She says by helping a client to “de-stress” the massage also boosts the immune system.

If you think you don’t need a massage, ask yourself: “Can you ever be too relaxed?”

Category: Past Issues | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
| March 17, 2011
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Becker’s Bridal Keeps It In The Family

This past fall, faint sounds of hammering could be heard from the floor above 269 Danforth Avenue. The Dressroom, sister store to Becker’s Bridal, has gotten an addition.

It is not the first time the sisters have undergone a facelift. Prior to 2003 The Dressroom didn’t even exist and it was Becker’s alone on the south side of Danforth Avenue fulfilling a portion of Toronto’s bridal needs. Before that, Becker’s was a small mom-and-pop shop selling headpieces to those in need of a little pomp and flare amongst their tresses. Whatever their condition or stage of expansion, Becker’s has attributed their long running success to keeping it in the family.

A family affair

Established in 1944, Becker’s grew out of a small headwear boutique, started up by Albert and Frances Becker. The store offered then – as they do now – custom made tiaras and headpieces. In 2003 the next generation of Beckers completely renovated Becker’s Bridal and Formal and even opened up a whole new store farther west down the street; the aptly named Dressroom.

And, now, the hum of workmen hammering away above indicates that the current owners, the grandchildren of Albert and Frances, are once again expanding. Granddaughter Liyat Benchetrit says there was the need for expansion. “The space over at The Dressroom is small. When big groups come in, it gets crowded.”

Good reputation

Having been around for nearly 70 years and never having to rely on advertising, it is safe to say that Becker’s has established an excellent reputation. Becker’s has successfully kept the business within the family, and so have their clients. Amanda Wattie, manager to both boutiques, points out, “Mums and grand-mums have come in with their daughters and granddaughters, saying that they bought their dresses from here.” It does not come as a surprise then, when Liyat mentions a Canadian woman living as far away as Dubai made the flight home in search for her dress.

Furthermore, Becker’s believes in accommodation. As their website eloquently puts it, “Having come through the depression and the war, Albert and Frances believed that people needed value for their scarce and hard earned dollars; so that’s what they gave.” Their philosophy then, as it is now, is to provide brides-to-be with a “couture look at a moderate price.” They have samples that range from $500 to $3000, and even have sale gowns priced as low as $75. Needless to say, there is something for everyone, no matter what their style, taste, or budget entails.

One-stop-shop-till-you-drop

The Dressroom is compartmentalized into sections. When first entering the shop, the walls are lined with an array of colours, makingit  clear that The Dressroom houses more than bridal wear. Then there is the second room farther to the left. This square room has floor to ceiling, wall-to-wall shelving of every imaginable accessory needed for a bride and her party: clips, broaches, tiaras, shoes, jewellery of all kinds, veils and hats, bridal jackets, and scarves.

Between the two locations, a bride-to-be and her female entourage can, quite literally, be outfitted from head to toe. While Becker’s strictly carries only bridal gowns, The Dressroom picks up the slack and harbours everything else.

Each location carries a plethora of labels; Becker’s being more extensive, while The Dressroom also has designer names for bridesmaids, mothers-of-the-bride and groom, and even prom dresses. In addition, the sister stores share their own in-house designer, Barbara Allin, along with her collection. As a result, having a dress custom made is also a possibility.

The sounds of hammering have been laid to rest this past December, right in time for Becker’s busiest months of January and February. This Danforth staple has been passed down through three generations and is likely to be around for many more, as long as they stick to their formula for success –to keep it all in the family.

Everything you need for your wedding to be a success is on the Danforth

Event planning: It’s My Party is an option to help organize your big day.

Suits and Tuxes: Try Korry’s Clothiers

Flowers: Try Fresh Floral Creations

Catering: Try Three’s Company Catering

Venue: Try the Music Hall for a more intimate approach.

Cakes: Creative Cakes have an excellent reputation in the cake decorating world.

For your entire event planning needs check out eventective for more options.

Category: Past Issues | Tags: , , , , , , ,
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