super

Prompted by Angelenos’ healthy obsession with all things wellness, we explore the intriguing and much-whispered-about world of super healers.  BY ELINA FUHRMAN AND TERENA EISNER

hile not quite mainstream yet, many healing modalities have morphed from alternative to acceptable ways to address the needs of our mind, body and soul to complement Western medicine. We’re seeing yoga,W acupuncture and meditation often prescribed, and even reiki therapy gaining acceptance at hospitals and clinics. In today’s work-obsessed culture, obtaining optimum health is the ultimate luxury. The super healers profi led here all insist they’re simply facilitators of self-healing, guides to empower anyone who is ready to tap into their innate ability to get well. They provide inspiration, help to nourish and heal our inner selves, aid in preventing and curing illnesses, and bring about positive change in our lives. They also appeal to our growing interest in spirituality—exploring deep-seated emotions, issues, memories and beliefs that are often ignored or unconscious. The philosophy is: Once a deeper level of awareness exists and change occurs, it is possible to heal. Highly educated and naturally gifted, they’re in high demand by moguls, executives, producers, directors and celebrities. Some work by referral only and have monthslong waiting lists. Come along as we journey into ultimate well-being…

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ANGELENO MAY 2016 SiXtH SEnsE Intuitives & Diagnosticians

C ROLINE MYSS Anthony William has helped tens of –Medical Intuitive thousands of people find the true cause of their illnesses and provided A pioneer in educating people in them with the steps to heal. the field of energy medicine and HEALING POWER  William human consciousness, Chicago- specializes in helping people heal based Caroline Myss is considered from mystery illnesses that have one of the world’s leading voices baffled other doctors, from lupus on healing and medical intuition. to chronic fatigue syndrome, A five-time The New York Times hormonal imbalances, multiple best-selling author, she believes we sclerosis, neurological conditions all have the power to diagnose and and much more. “On average, a heal ourselves. client comes to me after 10 years of doctor shopping,” he says. HEALING POWER  Knowing only HOW IT WORKS  William, who says the patient’s name and birthday, he has heard a voice he calls Spirit Myss uses her intuition and in his ear since he was a toddler, is emotional energy to “see” and able to go beyond physical health diagnose medical problems. “I have to find the root cause of disease. an ability to sense the energetic “Spirit creates a very bright-white fields around people and interpret light that lets me see within the pictures, images, sounds, smells or confusing them,” says King. that information in a way that is client,” he wrote in his The New York and emotions that stream like “When you have clarity and specific to their health,” she says. Times best-selling book, Medical a video in her mind, which options, the end result is HOW IT WORKS  “Intuitive sight Medium: Secrets Behind Chronic and she then decodes. emotional healing.” works the same as sight, hearing Mystery Illness and How to Finally HOW IT WORKS  “I am able to APPOINTMENTS  Consultations and touch. Intuition is a sense. It is Heal ($27, Hay House). With his give specific information that in London, New York City and organic, and therefore it is self- unique gift and knowledge, he offers helps my clients to see into and Los Angeles. $400 per hour, $195 functioning,” Myss explains. She solutions to help people heal. understand whatever is troubling per half-hour, susankingintuitive.com receives sudden impressions, quick APPOINTMENTS William shares thoughts that are either literal or all-natural solutions for dozens symbolic. Some indicate disease of illnesses, along with steps to in the body; some indicate disease heal emotional and soul trauma in HARMONiC RESONANCE forming in the energy field; some his aforementioned book. More are profiles of attitudes/beliefs and support options can be found on Sound Therapy archetypal patterns that form the his website. medicalmedium.com psychic patterns in that person’s nature.” Understanding the psychological and emotional issues SUS N KING that contributed to the disease and –Intuitive Counselor GURU SINGH emotional harmonies through then addressing them helps people and Emotional Healer –Yogi, Sound Therapist meditation and vibrational sound. heal. “Often, a health crisis is a HOW IT WORKS  After a private predicament, and it requires a shift Based in London, Susan King’s A third-generation yogi, Guru consultation that often includes or transformation. It’s not something fan base spans across the globe Singh is the lead teacher at the meditation, the client is wrapped that can be resolved overnight.” and includes Oprah and Donna Yoga West Kundalini Center in up in a blanket, cocoon-style, APPOINTMENTS  Individual Karan. King helps clients find Los Angeles, where he blends and is directed to maintain a sessions are not available, but new perspective, see clearly or Eastern mysticism and Western specific thought or intention Myss gives online workshops look at life in a different way by pragmatism in his Kundalini and while listening to soothing and live lectures. myss.com visualizing the past, present and Humanology classes. In his private sounds (water, flute, bells, gongs) future, and healing emotional practice, he guides clients to find selected by Singh to open up wounds in the process. their highest selves through Sahaj and rebalance the seven chakras; NTHONY WILLI M Shabd, or sacred sound therapy. induce a deep, meditative state; –Medical Medium HEALING POWER  Meeting with and realign body, mind and spirit. clients in person, by phone or HEALING POWER  Sound therapy APPOINTMENTS  Private For more than 25 years, the East Skype, King says she receives is a unique approach to counseling sessions in Los Angeles. $200, Coast-based Medical Medium information through involuntary that restores physical, mental and yogawestla.com; gurusingh.com

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ANGELENO MAY 2016 MATTERS OF T H E MiND Alternative Psychology

ROSE G RCI STEVE ROSS –Archetypal Consultant –Transformative Meditation

A Jungian psychologist, Th e founder of Brentwood’s Maha archetypal consultant and student Yoga studio, friend of Eckhart of Caroline Myss, Rose Garcia Tolle and author of Happy Yoga: specializes in people who are 7 Reasons Why Th ere’s Nothing looking for meaning and purpose to Worry About ($17, William in their lives. Morrow Paperbacks), Steve Ross off ers private Transformative HEALING POWER  “By learning the Meditation sessions that celebs language of archetypes, you begin to and other high-profi le Angelenos see your patterns and behavior so fl ock to, scheduling them months that you can see the universe two in advance. He was also a monk ways simultaneously—personally and in the Vedic tradition. impersonally,” says Garcia of Swiss psychologist Carl Jung’s concept that HEALING POWER  “My practice is archetypes (or creative unconscious) varied and depends on what the represent fundamental human person in front of me needs or behaviors and personalities. “I help wants,” says Ross. He calls his sessions my clients to identify and interpret “a transmission” that clears issues and lifelong patterns, strengths and aligns clients with reality in order to vulnerabilities using archetypal make anything possible. symbolic language.” HOW IT WORKS  Transformative HOW IT WORKS  Archetypes are also Meditation takes us from activity into ANCiENT WiSDOM a vocabulary of intuition. “The more silence, giving our body a very deep familiar you are with them, the more level of rest and healing itself by Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda clearly you will resonate with your throwing off stress, fatigue and own intuition. Knowing the patterns of accumulated toxins. In the silence of your behaviors awakens the soul and pure awareness, you stop clinging to helps you heal by understanding of old thought patterns and rigid thinking. your conscious thoughts.” “When you go into a deep meditative DR. M O SHING NI metabolic disorders, hormonal APPOINTMENTS  Sessions by Skype state, it’s refl ected by the brain in –Qi Gong imbalance, infertility and cancer. or in person in New York, terms of hemispheric synchrony, and it HOW IT WORKS  Practiced on Connecticut and Los Angeles. From brings you into a state of balance, Dr. Mao Shing Ni (aka Dr. Mao) your own or under the supervision $175 per hour, [email protected] instead of being fragmented and in is a 38th-generation doctor of of a certifi ed Medical Qi Gong different directions,” explains Ross. At Chinese medicine, a licensed Practitioner, Qi Gong is said to that point, you shift into “a more acupuncturist and one of the activate your bioelectric energy fi eld, harmonious state of well-being” and most sought-after experts on to “reduce stress hormones, like are healed. traditional Chinese medicine and cortisol, and increase calming ones, APPOINTMENTS  Private yoga and Taoist anti-aging medicine. He is like endorphins and dopamine,” says meditation sessions at Unplug a co-founder of Yo San University Mao. “Brain research has revealed Meditation and Maha Yoga, Los of Traditional Chinese Medicine neuroplasticity, the ability of the Angeles. $350, unplugmeditation.com; in Los Angeles and the author of brain to remodel and change in mahayoga.com multiple books on healing. response to thought, emotions and movement, which result in HEALING POWER  Qi Gong (or corresponding physiological changes moving meditation) is an ancient to the body.” Energy healing, such Chinese mind-body practice as “Infi nichi” Medical Qi Gong, that integrates visualization, can indeed result in physiological breath control and postures changes. “It isn’t merely emotional to promote health and target comfort, but rather has a defi nitive specifi c conditions, like pain, functional effect on the body, like

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ANGELENO MAY 2016 OIL MASSAGE PHOTO BY JEFF CHRISTENSEN FOR SURYA SPA Medicine in Beverly Hills. Hills. Beverly in Medicine of Complementary University American the Iowa and in University Maharishi the at as well as India, in of medicine form SoffMartha ancient the studied er diagnostician, pulse ayurvedic master and chef, herbalist, and doctor ayurvedic acclaimed An –Panchakarma Practitioner HEALING POWERHEALING HOW IT WORKS WORKS IT HOW body. the detoxify and system the immune balance, strengthen restore mechanism, aging the medicine, designed to reverse based ayurvedic on traditional healingmind-body therapies of asuccession is therapy, purifi as known cation also Series, APPOINTMENTS APPOINTMENTS health.” and ofbalance state a to return naturally us letting fl gently out, and them ushes physiology, our in deep those even body, our in toxins the loosens or melts effectively “Panchakarma Soffer. says heart,” and mind the and body, whole the skin, the for transformative remarkably specifiand your for situation; c made and herbalized; cooked custom- are oils “All the unison. who and work simultaneously in therapists ayurvedic two by administered massage herbal-oil afour-hour include Rituals plan. treatment Panchakarma 21-day to 3- a personalized creates Soffer consultation, M APPOINTMENTS in cancer patients.” activities and production cell killer natural increased even and arthritis, with patients in swelling and reduced pain protein cytokine, infl the in a decrease ammatory Pacifi suryaspa.com Palisades. c Spa, Surya at lunch) including day sessions ($588Panchakarma per seven-day to three- ($245) and $140; taoofwellness.com $75- Pasadena. and Beach Newport Monica, Santa in RTH S    Consultations Consultations After an initial initial an After OFF  Offi hours ce Panchakarma Panchakarma

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HOW IT WORKS WORKS IT HOW want.” do we what toward ourselves steer can we patterns—so old and unwantedblocks, we don’t want—subconscious what out clear “We George. says clearing,” and of“steering process a It’s response. astress trigger may that issues addressing as well as ofaffi rmation, statements repeating fi their while with tap they ngertips needles, ofinserting instead but body, the on points meridian on focus practitioners acupuncturists, Like andhypnotherapy acupuncture. of ablend it’s fact, In emotions. the for acupressure as Tapping HEALING POWERHEALING heart. and her mind to heal methods, including EFT Tapping, nontraditional discovered she problems), before digestive fog, brain fatigue, pain, (debilitating problems health personal suffGeorge with for years ered Lena practitioner, Technique tapping/Emotional Freedom meridian and nutritionist holistic certifiA hypnotherapist, ed Tapping –EFT L APPOINTMENTS APPOINTMENTS feeling.” previously were we alarm and threat subconscious the by driven automatically being than rather issue, the over control and allows us to conscious regain choice “This George. explains issue,” the of think we when calm feel us help choose we words the and tapping “The stress. the neutralize and and intonation help unblock energy carefully chosen wordspractitioner’s Atproblems. the same the time, cause of physical and emotional flmajor is a which response, ight fi involuntary the ght-or- quieting brain, the to signal acalming sends Santa Monica. $150, Monica. Santa mbodhe.com Labs, mBodhe at sessions private E N G EO   RGE Group and and Group Ryhi tapping Rhythmic Reiki, Shiatsu, Tapping Shiatsu, Reiki, Hands-On Other and G  Therapies to Unblock Energy ofEFT Think O W i T H T V cause illness through integrated cause illness integrated through that imbalances ofenergy root whichapproach, reaches the synergistic ahands-on is Method HEALING POWERHEALING India. and America, South and North Europe, in arts healing the studying decades several of Th spent Method, Andreas e founder Johnsbach, von Jeannette of Germany, mountains the in of healers into afamily Born –ThMethod Andreas e J HE E ON J NN

F L OHNSB E O TT W  E The Andreas Andreas The CH HOW IT WORKS WORKS IT HOW shiatsu. Zen and remedies homeopathic nutrition, based plant- blends), clay and herbal with (meditativebiomeditation massage such as strategies, detoxifying APPOINTMENTS APPOINTMENTS lives.” their in levels all on results, fast experience people why That’s out. inside the from works method innate self-healing My capabilities. people’s activate “I Johnsbach. von says life,” this in be to meant were they who becoming from person the keep that blockages from people liberate to is my goal and level, deepest the to cleansing is work   Private practice practice Private “My energy ANGELENO MAY 2016 109

called Mah Boundlotus, which she internal and external stress creates the learned from her mentor, the well- damage and problems,” says Kaur. known spiritual teacher Yogi Bhajan. HOW IT WORKS  After a brief She also studied with the only living consultation, the client lies down; Kaur Master of Sat Nam Rasayan Healing, sits beside them and, touching their Guru Dev Singh. arm, goes into a deep, contemplative, meditative silence. “In this healing HEALING POWER  Sat Nam Rasayan process, the goal is to uncover the is an ancient healing form in which underlying issue or the core of the healer herself goes into a deep the problem that is manifesting as meditative state and releases the symptoms, and to release it,” says Kaur. client’s blocks to self-healing, which Some issues have been resolved in as can be manifested as physical, mental, little as one session with Kaur. “I am emotional or spiritual disorders. The not a doctor. Sickness is a description result is a release of confl ict and for doctors. For a healer, sickness is a restriction and a return to natural state of dysfunction in the system.” wellness. “Our bodies aren’t born APPOINTMENTS  Private sessions at your damaged; they are born healthy. But home or offi ce. $300, mahankirn.com

RAiSiNG SPiRiTS Medium, Psychic, Shaman

FLEUR past, present and potential futures. –Medium and Psychic Healer Psychic life readings can provide sessions in Los Angeles, and her healing work on the client’s answers to pressing life questions at the Four Seasons Hotel “meta” physical body and beyond. Th e great-granddaughter of a and facilitate emotional healing. Los Angeles at Beverly Hills HOW IT WORKS  Paige uses reiki, psychic, Fleur recognized her own APPOINTMENTS  Private spirit Spa. $180, andreasmethod.com; the Japanese technique for stress gifts at age 4, when she heard communications and psychic fourseasons.com/losangeles/spa reduction, as well as hypnotherapy, to voices, was visited by spirits at night readings in person and by phone. assist clients in making permanent and and saw auras around other people. $250, mediumfl eur.com lasting changes in their actual physical Years later, as a college student, she C ROLYN P IGE body and mind. “Mind controls decided to embrace her gift and –Certifi ed Hypnotherapist, Reiki body, and body speaks to mind,” she became a psychic medium. J SON FR HM Master/Teacher, Metaphysician says. “One must seek and fi nd what –Shaman the message is in the subconscious HEALING POWER  Fleur performs A certifi ed hypnotherapist, reiki mind that has now manifested into a spirit communications; she connects A spiritual life guide, meditation- master, metaphysician and holistic disease in the physical body. Then it clients to the spirits of loved ones yoga teacher and healing life coach, Carolyn Paige has a can be released, reframed or shifted who have passed on. She also practitioner for 15 years, Jason master’s degree in metaphysical within the subconscious mind, so conducts psychic life readings to help Frahm spent the last nine years sciences from the University of that the mind can now give a new clients gain clarity on life questions. working with a family of high Metaphysical Sciences in Los directive to the physical body to heal.” HOW IT WORKS  Acting as a bridge shamans in the Andes of Peru. He Angeles. Her specialties are APPOINTMENTS  Consultation in between the spiritual and the specializes in shamanic wellness hypnotherapy, energy and crystal Santa Barbara. $125, carolynpaige.com physical worlds, Fleur gives clients practices, chi kung, meditation, healing, and spiritual development any message the deceased desires, bodywork infl uenced by tai chi, and and exploration. and vice versa. “My intention in cranial sacral energy work. M H NKIRN K UR any session is healing,” she says. HEALING POWER  The “meta” –Sat Nam Rasayan Healer “Mediumship can be a powerful aid HEALING POWER  “It is said a physical body comprises layers in the grieving process. Connecting shaman has one foot in this world and of energy, often referred to as At 25, Mahankirn Kaur suff ered to the other side and knowing one foot in the mystical world,” says “aura”—a chakra system that runs an accident that left her paralyzed that your loved ones are around Frahm. Shamanic sessions can include throughout the body, with energy in one leg and riddled with pain you can bring great peace and personal and group ceremonies, meridians that circulate and distribute so severe she needed a wheelchair. comfort.” In addition, as a psychic, energetic cleansing, past-life healing, energy (prana, chi, ki, etc.) to the Miraculously, she was able to heal she connects with clients’ souls, soul retrieval and cranial sacral

tissues and organs. Paige focuses herself with a single yoga position which allows her to examine their energy therapy—all designed to help BUDDHA JEFF CHRISTENSEN BY PHOTO FOR SPA SURYA

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ANGELENO MAY 2016 clients reach their souls’ deepest this in concert with shamanic work, in problems, stress and chronic pain. matrix of connective tissue, is very purpose. “An issue may need to be which he talks with clients to “It’s a systemic relationship approach,” responsive to pressure. Once the layers addressed at the physical, emotional, determine their intentions, the says Sultan. “We are working on of fascia are mobilized, bones move, energetic or spiritual level,” he adds. challenges they’re facing and body, not muscles. Rolfi ng works and alignment improves. Bienenfeld HOW IT WORKS  Cranial sacral symptoms they’re experiencing, and because it changes perception, as typically sees his clients 12 to 20 times. energy work is a hands-on then he performs shamanic rituals and well as improves the local conditions The sessions are bodywork, plus body/ therapeutic technique in which offers spiritual life-guidance. “The two of circulation and lymph fl ow.” mind processing and movement, to Frahm lightly touches the sacrum, modalities go hand in hand,” he says. APPOINTMENTS  Private sessions allow the body to adjust to the changes spine and cranium in order to APPOINTMENTS  Private sessions in at offi ces in Manhattan Beach and and continue to improve. “The body balance the fl ow of cerebrospinal Los Angeles and Ojai. $195, Redondo Beach. $175, jansultan.com is our vehicle for expression, and that fl uid and relieve blockages. He does jasoncfrahm.com expression depends on the ability for the body to express freely,” he says. D N BIENENFELD “Old holding patterns often interrupt –Hellerwork our ability to be present and fl uid in BODiES OF WORK Structural Integrator life, and this work opens us right up!” APPOINTMENTS  Private sessions Rolfing, Realignment, An ergonomic consultant, co- with Bienenfeld ($300) and four- Massage founder of Los Angeles Healing handed sessions with Bienenfeld Arts Center and author of Align for and his son, Jesse ($600), in Pacifi c Life ($40, Alive Point Press), Dan Palisades. danbienenfeld.com Bienenfeld has been a Hellerwork J N HENRY SULT N muscles, bones, nerves and organs— Structural Integration trainer and –Rolfer in order to permanently bring the practitioner for nearly 40 years. ELEN QUIROG body into proper alignment and, as a Exercise guru Richard Simmons –Body Healing Massage Th erapist An advanced certifi ed Rolfer in result, heal and create an overall sense has called him “the Michelangelo practice for more than 40 years, of well-being. of alignment.” Best known for her work with Jan Henry Sultan was one of the HOW IT WORKS  To achieve athletes, including polo players, Santa original students of Dr. Ida Rolf, the maximum benefi t, Sultan HEALING POWER  A spinoff Barbara-based Elena Quiroga often American biochemist who created recommends a series of 10 sessions in from Rolfi ng, Hellerwork involves travels to Los Angeles to see clients. Rolfi ng Structural Integration which he uses his hands to apply structural body work, movement She trained under Matt Lynch, in the 1930s. He is a teacher and pressure and manipulate layers on the education and somatic psychology who whips the Chicago Bulls into member of Rolf Institute faculty. body. This lengthens connective (body-mind psycho-emotional winning shape. tissue, increases effi ciency and fl uidity integration) to help clients learn to HEALING POWER  Rolfi ng is a type of of movement, and corrects alignment. move with ease and grace, and to HEALING POWER  Combining a variety therapy that deeply manipulates and Unlike deep-tissue massage, however, connect the mind and emotions of techniques, like visceral manipulation, reorganizes the fascia—the soft the intent of Rolfi ng is not to relax a to the body. It restores the body’s acupressure and cranio sacral, Quiroga connective tissue that surrounds, muscle, but to change the patterns in natural balance from the inside out. gently presses and taps the body, supports and penetrates all of the the body that create postural HOW IT WORKS  Fascia, the body’s aiding its ability to release restrictions that cause pain and dysfunction, thus allowing the body to heal from injuries, chronic pain and stress. HOW IT WORKS  Quiroga’s bodywork stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system (creating the opposite of the fi ght-or-fl ight response) to relieve stress. “I focus on recognizing and facilitating healing based on the specifi c needs of each client,” she says. “The more trust is given, the more I am allowed to safely interrupt those adhesions or traumas, past or present, that are affecting their well-being. Whether it is digestive, diet, stress, medications or sports injuries, each person has goals for well-being; I am here to fi ght alongside them.” The method works, she advises, only if the client is open to the process. APPOINTMENTS  Sessions in Santa

HANDS PHOTO BY JEFFHANDS CHRISTENSEN BY PHOTO FOR SPA SURYA Barbara and Los Angeles. $125 per hour, [email protected] 111

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