Celebrating National Wellness Month in Ravenswood

“If someone needs mental health care, even if they don’t think it’s possible with the resources at their disposal, they can contact us.” Soon, they’re going to be in-network with Medicaid. That’s not all: AFS also offers a scholarship program with free therapy for trans youth and a number of sliding scale spots for patients who need flexible payment options. 

Many of AFS’ greatest strengths as an anchor practice lie in its central mission to support social justice and community wellbeing. Dr. Augustyn, who began her career as a social worker, explains this philosophy further: “Doing therapy,” she says, “on a micro micro level, can heal the universe.” What she means is that community healing begins with the individual – that goodness, kindness, and healthy patterns begin from within and spread out in a ripple effect to others. There are, in fact, so many vectors for harm in this world, and most of us don’t come naturally equipped with the tools to navigate life’s inevitable challenges. Therapy opens the necessary dialogue that allows us to identify those tools and harness them for good.  

For those who are on the fence about trying therapy, AFS recognizes that it isn’t always easy to pursue vulnerability. Everyone has to find their “why”, Dr. Augustyn explains. It’s worth noting that therapy can be immensely healing to those who are open to it, and that moving through the world as a healed person is far easier and more joyful than the alternative.

This Wellness Month, we encourage you to take care of your mental and emotional wellbeing. Talk with a therapist, speak with trusted friends, look inward, be kind to yourself, and be kind to others. Remember that community and human connection — which can feel increasingly hard to come by in today’s world — can be your greatest strength when you feel alone.

Interested in learning more about AFS? Visit their tent at the Ravenswood Feel Good Fest on Saturday, August 8^th!  

In addition to evening classes that run daily from Mon-Thurs and span across skill and experience levels, Traffic Jam! Swing also offers workshops, private lessons, and – true to its origins – a monthly dance where all are welcome. (The next dance, for those interested, is happening on Saturday, August 8th from 7:30pm to midnight.)  

That’s not all this nonprofit is up to. In December 2025 they released their debut album, Jake Sanders & the Midwest All-Stars Live at Second City Swingout. Producing and releasing an album is no small feat, but it felt like a natural progression for Traffic Jam, an organization which distinctly recognizes the inextricable link between Lindy Hop and live music (the historically Black dance form originated in live jazz and swing clubs during the Harlem Renaissance). 

“The cool thing about this dance is that there’s no right way to do it,” Melissa explains. People do their own thing. You can learn the basics and put your own spin on it. In that way, it’s always a casual, fun, no-pressure experience – it’s a dance very much like jazz, where movement can be surprising and, up to a certain point, rules can be treated more like suggestions.  

As someone who’s taken Lindy Hop for a spin before, I can attest that this dance is great for your body. But that’s not the sole focus of Traffic Jam! Swing. Melissa describes it as a rewarding third space, and a great way to get social. Over the years, she’s seen cohorts form and friendships bloom. There are plenty of reasons to get out on the floor, and there will always be a place for you at Traffic Jam! Swing.

This Wellness Month, we encourage you to find new ways to explore joyful movement, meet new friends, and uncover your inner dancer (yes, we all have one!). Don’t be afraid to misstep or improvise, because that’s where the fun truly comes in.

Want to see Traffic Jam! Swing in action? Watch them onstage at the Ravenswood Feel Good Fest on August 8^th at 3:00pm!

Most people think of  chiropractic medicine in terms of treating back pain. This is, Dr. Park explains, a common misconception. At its core, it’s about movement. Yes, acute pain treatment is one element of his practice – and an important one at that – but there’s every reason to consider stopping by Northcenter Healthcare for preventative and maintenance exercises, too.  

We talk about why so many people, this writer included, struggle to maintain healthy a healthy movement diet. It’s easy for us to think of movement as a strict polarity: you’re either pounding Muscle Milk and getting jacked at the gym or you’re a total couch potato. But movement can look like a lot of different things, and it’s a lot simpler than we’re prone to think. Consider the ways you move in your daily life: looking over your shoulder to parallel park, carrying groceries into the house, bending over to tie your shoe. You don’t need to be Bruce Lee to do these sorts of things without pulling a muscle, but it helps to pay closer attention to your body and movement.  

This leads us to talking about Capable Human Fitness, a unique class offered by Northcenter Healthcare. Dr. Park describes it as a space to practice quality movement and simulate real-world movements. It’s body maintenance that’s both accessible and attainable. It’s exciting to learn that something like this exists in the neighborhood, and even more excited to learn that Northcenter Healthcare offers a free trial class to anyone interested in joining.  

Dr. Park is always accepting new patients. “I want to see people who want to move,” he explains. “Who want to be active and enjoy their life. We only have this one body. It’s not about how you look — it’s about ensuring that you have the capability to move and live your life.” 

This Wellness Month, we encourage you to listen to your body. Challenge yourself to think differently about what it means to be fit and move in a healthy way. What are some daily movements you’d like to work on improving?

When I ask how it works, she speaks in terms of energy flows. If you’ve ever taken a yoga class or tried martial arts, you’ve likely heard the team qi, a concept referring to the vital energy that flows through all living things. “We have channels in the body, almost like rivers,” Kate explains. The idea is that qi flows through these channels. Acupuncture aims to clear qi blockages and promote healthy energy flows. You’ve likely seen diagrams of acupuncture points on the body (the one that greets you in the entryway of Sangha Acupuncture is lovingly known as “Mr. Points”), which can be stimulated in different combinations to unblock energy channels and treat a wide array of ailments. 

Kate specializes in treating physical aches, pains, and headaches in addition to stress and anxiety, but she tells me that she’s provided her services to treat just about everything. Acupuncture is popular as an alternative fertility treatment, for example, and Kate has received countless baby pictures from grateful clients over the years. “I like seeing people get relief,” she says. She was moved to pursue acupuncture as a career following a series of health issues in her family, which is also what drew her back to Ravenswood, where her family roots can be traced back generations.  

This Wellness Month, we encourage you to check in with your qi — your energy — and see what you find. Where are you feeling blocked? Take a few quiet moments to sit with yourself and imagine the version of you where grounding energy flows freely. What might that look like? How might you get there?

The tech is all modern, representing the best and most efficient care the dental industry has to offer today. The CBCT scanner (what you may think of as the X-ray machine for your teeth) is all new, produces 3D X-rays in addition to the 2D scans we’re used to, and doses you with lower radiation levels than older machines do. While Nexa’s modernization efforts and comfort provisions alone are enough to make me seriously consider scheduling my next teeth cleaning here, it’s the emphasis on comprehensive patient care and conservative treatment that sets Nexa apart from the rest. Dr. Sam and his staff want to get to know you and understand your needs – they’re not interested in upselling you into treatments you don’t want or need. 

There’s one more thing you should know about Nexa: they offer a Membership plan for folks who are either uninsured or simply looking for a more affordable option to receive the care they need. One low annual fee gets you a suite of services, including cleanings, oral cancer screenings, and heavy discounts on offerings like cosmetic dental services. It’s a great option worth exploring if you feel priced out of other dental clinics, and it’s something that the Nexa team is happy and proud to provide.  

I couldn’t resist asking Dr. Sam about dental health misconceptions. What are patients most surprised to hear? It’s an easy one for him and – yes – it did surprise me. Pro tip, folks: when you brush your teeth, don’t rinse your mouth with water! You’ll accidentally get rid of all of the good enamel-building molecules in your toothpaste and the whole thing will be, well, a wash. 

This Wellness Month, we encourage you to think about your dental health! Brush and floss regularly, book a cleaning, and keep yourself up to date on the latest in dental technology.