This month, we’re pleased to offer a special section on health coaching, a three-story package anchored by health coach Hope Knosher, who also happens to be a yoga instructor and one of the many multitalented individuals with whom we’re so privileged and honored to be associated.

With holistic health as the main focus of this publication, a natural topic of inquiry for us is what health coaches offer and how they can help us. As we noted long ago, a significant health concern in America is that many of us are asymptomatic but have significant and growing health conditions that simply have yet to manifest. The problem is, by the time symptoms arise, a lot of damage is done—think heart disease, type 2 diabetes and many other chronic conditions.

That’s why we advise and encourage readers to be proactive and take control of their health. It’s one of the reasons we publish so much content about Ayurvedic principles; Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest health enhancement and maintenance systems proven over millennia. And that’s why we’re presenting this month’s health coaching special section.

As many, if not most, of our readers know, seeing functional and integrative medicine doctors can be an expensive proposition, especially since most don’t accept insurance. Most health coaches don’t either, and while they are in no way a substitute for functional/integrative doctors, their fees are considerably less. There are also numerous ways they can help you improve your health, not the least of which is showing you how you can take control, establish a program and habits, and become your own best health advocate.

Given that I publish this magazine, it is not surprising that I often find myself at odds with mainstream America. That said, I’m surprised to be part of the minority who has long thought that life has been pretty “normal” vis-à-vis the pandemic; I thought we were pretty much “there” about a year ago.

Gallup is tracking America’s opinion on the topic, and about a year ago, they reported that only 31 percent felt that life was “completely back to normal.” The most recent measure from June 2023 shows that 43 percent of Americans now feel that way. That narrowly beats out the 41 percent who believe things will never return to normal!

Of course, one’s response is a function of what they see as “normal.” My perspective is this: Everything that was closed is open; people can gather in large crowds; and I don’t feel it’s necessary to wear a mask. Yes, I felt all these conditions were met by autumn 2022.

That said, I did enjoy feeling that things were back to normal with the return of two events that this magazine sponsored prior to the pandemic: the Dirty South Yoga Fest and ChantLanta. The two took place in the span of three weekends. Dirty South came first. While the vibe there is always high—warm and welcoming—there was a distinct difference in the energy field, a sense of excitement, which, not surprisingly, organizers credited to the sense that things are returning to normal. My experience of ChantLanta was truncated because I only attended the Saturday evening performances. But, as with Dirty South, I enjoyed seeing, meeting and talking with old friends; I couldn’t enter the front door without enjoying multiple hugs.

In the end, the two festivals felt like reunions! I saw at least a dozen people I hadn’t seen since March 2020. As the pandemic continues to fade in our rearview mirrors, perhaps reconnecting with friends and loved ones that we have not seen in years will finally bring a sense of normalcy to us all. ❧

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Publisher of Natural Awakenings Atlanta since 2017, Paul Chen’s professional background includes strategic planning, marketing management and qualitative research. He practices Mahayana Buddhism and kriya yoga. Contact him at [email protected].