Photo by Marika Mirren Back to Black by Emily Kovach Russ Stewart’s journey with floating started six years ago with a bad day at the airport. He’d been stopped by the TSA, nearly missing his flight to visit his aunt in California. When he arrived, he was in a terrible mood and his aunt suggested
MoreIllustration by Marika Mirren Monkey Mind Be Gone Meditation and mindfulness. Whether you’re practicing for spiritual enlightenment or to calm your mind and lighten your holiday stress, many centers throughout Philadelphia are available. Unless otherwise noted, all of these centers are free to attend, with donations suggested. Chenrezig Tibetan Buddhist CenterThe temple’s spiritual leader, Losang
MorePhoto by Marika Mirren Mind Body Mecca by Emily Kovach As a small child growing up in Communist China, Yan Huo suffered myriad health problems, including asthma and anemia. The irony was that her father was a foot doctor trained in the healing practices of Chinese herbs, but her parents were forced by the government
MoreAcupuncture, Yoga and Meditation for All by Emily Kovach Healing Arts Collective519 S. 9th St. This cheerful, welcoming space provides a range of services and classes in holistic wellness. Yoga, Pilates and gyrokinesis classes take place throughout the week, many of them geared toward beginners. Once per month, a combination yin yoga and reiki workshop
MoreIllustration by Marika Mirren Prescription Meditation by John Henry Scott Dr. Michael Baime has been using meditation (sometimes called “mindfulness” or “mindful meditation”) as a form of medical treatment for his patients since the late 1980s. As a general practitioner, Baime remembers being met with skepticism from his colleagues regarding his unconventional courses of treatment,
MoreFriends, Two years ago, almost to the day, I hired Heather Blakeslee, easily my best hiring decision in the last 10 years. Her position initially was not clearly specified — typical of the loose ship I was running — but soon we decided she would be COO of the company. Immediately, we began to act
MoreA Startup Turns 1 by Emily Kovach Red Brick Distillery opened in October 2015 in a 900-square-foot warehouse in Kensington. The tiny operation currently makes four products: single malt whiskey, barrel strength whiskey, sugar wash rum and pineapple rum. Grid chatted with founder and distiller Brian Forrest about Red Brick’s first year in the business.
MoreEco Print PillowsTextile artist Elizabeth McTear from Honest Alchemy uses the shapes of leaves and plants, and the natural pigments within them, to adorn raw silk pillows. Her methods produce a chic contrast, at once both wild and refined. $90 Philadelphia Trivia Playing Card GameThink you know Philadelphia? Put yourself to the test with a trivia
MoreCacao-Satsuma Cane Sugar ScrubNourish and awaken skin with Zoet Bathlatier’s deluxe scrub with cacao for antioxidant power, coffee for toning, cocoa butter for moisturizing and deliciously scented essential oils. $28 Beard BalmFacial hair should be just as pampered as the hair on your head, though it rarely is. Four Birds Beauty’s mango, cocoa and organic shea
MoreLeather Kilim BootsSouli and Souli co-owner Ali Souli (originally from Tunisia) designs these gorgeous boots in Philly, travels to Morocco to source the raw materials and works with artisans in Marrakech to construct the shoes, with a conscientious focus on fair wages and environmentally sound practices.$100–$120 Pocket SquaresSass up a suit or blazer with the
More