Page 38 - the Noise November 2017
P. 38

Sparks, >> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35
Balanced Horizons —
Integrating Wellness as a Team Effort
Photo: (L-R: Deb Wille, Kim Angelo, Ivana Shoop, Todd Rohs)
Balanced Horizons is a network of therapists and wellness practitioners in the areas of massage, mindfulness, Yoga, Reika and personal coaching to bring comfort and relaxation to their clients. The group operates with the belief that health and wellness are affected by each facet of our being: mind, body, spirit, and community. They are a team with each having specialties in one or various areas of health management.
All hold close the goal of helping clients achieve their greatest well-being. Clients may choose to use a single service offered by Balanced Horizons practitioners or they may avail themselves of multiple services for themselves, their business or family. Balanced Horizons encourages active participation in ones health through active practice and dutiful treatment of body & mind. Each speak to the passion and regard they have for practicing.
Todd, with an interest in bodywork for athletes coupled with his chiropractic background, sees the work as, “a way to create greater ease, as the body strives for homeostasis and moves away from dis-ease.” Kim brings Reiki and energy healing techniques to “focus on helping you release from your body energies that are not a part of who you truly are.” Ivana Shoop brings a background in behavioral health, and as a licensed massage therapist and minister, she offers bodywork to promote healthy tissue and energetic flow.
The current that runs through all at Balanced Horizons is that each are looking to bridge the mind and body connection. Deb, who over the years has used body movement, breath, and meditation in her daily life, has developed a distinct teaching style incorporating and considering all aspects of the client. The group strives to help clients maximize their personal holistic wellness program.
Group-based mindfulness sessions have become quite popular with both small and gigantic companies. Ford, American Express and Google, seeking to build more conducive interpersonal relations within team settings, have sought practitioners to teach empathy and mindfulness, with the aim of building more cohesive employees and increasing operational functions. This type of employer-provided health management is a growing trend, whereby companies are valuing human capital differently. Increasingly these and other companies are reconsidering the ways to invest in human capital by looking at both the physical and mental wellness and providing new options.
At Lowell Observatory, event consultant, Sonja Gonzalez explains the value she receives, “I have received several massages from Ivana. She has a special gift and a calming energy about her. I feel so relaxed, at ease, and de- stressed after a session with Ivana. I recommend a 15-minute chair massage at work as a great way to take a break, deep breathe, recharge, and refocus. I highly recommend their services.”
This trend is a positive shift in how health is viewed by employers.
Balanced Horizons believes that “a relaxed workforce is a productive workforce” and invites the community to consider utilizing the business services they primarily provide: group massage, yoga and meditation sessions. Whether it be a Monday morning massage for the whole office or off-site group sessions, the benefits are tangible.
Interested in what Balanced Horizons can do for you? Reach out to the group via these channels and learn more about what they offer.
928-362-1199, balancedhorizons@gmail.com
38 • NOVEMBER 2017 | the NOISE arts & news | www.thenoise.us
ABOVE: Russell and Ron Mael, circa 1976 | PHOTO BY RICHARD AVEDON
recording and touring, and amassed an incredible volume of adventurous and edgy pop songs. Which brings us to the brand new LP, the band’s 24th studio LP, Hippopotamus. It’s the first time Sparks have appeared on a major label in over a decade, and with some great songs and a bit of marketing muscle behind them, Sparks have found themselves back in the UK top 10 for the first time in 42 years! (Just think about that for a second, because I can’t think of any other band with such a bizarre achievement.) Clearly, Sparks present ap- peal is way beyond their regular fan-base. Surely kids who weren’t even born 42 years must be snapping up the new album? it’s a just reward for what is a phenomenal full length.
The songs are, like most of Sparks back catalog, instantly catchy and hummable. And just like the bulk of band’s recent output (by recent, I mean the previous 3 full lengths from the past decade), there is a continuation of Sparks’ quest for perfecting a 21st century baroque- pop hybrid. The arrangements focus on the piano and vocals, with full rock band accompa- niment. It’s concise and beautifully structured. I enjoy how the arrangements dip back and forth between the two as if it is the easiest thing in the world to master both styles, let alone marry the two in the space of 3 minutes.
“Missionary Position” states Sparks’ intent perfectly. It’s a witty ditty about sexual conser- vatism, with a great arrangement, catchy chorus, dazzling vocal performance and implied smutty lyrics (somewhat hilarious and tastefully done I hasten to add). The lyrics through- out the LP are acerbic and amusing, which has been a trait throughout the band’s career I feel is often over looked, or dismissed as low-brow pop fluff by those who don’t quite get the punch-line. I’ve always enjoyed lyricists that can present something unique other than boring “boy meets girl” love songs. Nothing wrong with love songs, but we already have a bunch of good ones that serve us just fine at this point. I think Ron Mael is a quite under- rated songwriter all around, but in particular with regard to his lyrics. Well, that is to say, they usually bring a wry smile to my lips.
“i’ve got nothing just a table and two chairs / But they’re beautiful and I just stand and stare / Time and space intertwined / Elegance, simple lines / Scandinavian Design”
The most recognizable trait of this album is the vocal performance. I am delighted to say I still marvel at how well Russell Mael’s vocals have held up after 5 decades of singing his trademark falsetto. At 70 years young, he still effortlessly hits the high notes where most other singers of a similar age find their vocal range shrinking. It’s inspiring stuff when I consider he’s as old as my father.
i’m truly pleased Sparks are re-entering pop’s consciousness again. And you should be too! Don’t doubt this Hippopotamus will feature strongly on many a year-end best-of list. Youngsters take note, and stand by for a lesson in originality and longevity!
Vinyl lovers, note: there is a rather spiffy and beautifully packaged double picture disc version of this album if you are quick! AllSparks.com












































































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