Staying Connected |Akhila Health Newsletter | Vol 13 | 10.25

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EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT

We’ve Completed Our Expansion Plan!

Thanks to our partnership with the John Muir Community Health Fund, Akhila Health now has a clear, strategic plan to expand our reach and impact.

We’re moving quickly to bring this vision to life—with the launch of our Expansion Campaign this fall. Your support will help us serve more women right now and ensure we grow sustainably for the future.

This is a pivotal moment—stay tuned for how you can be part of it.

Emotional Weather Forecast: Managing our

Current Life Journeys

:By: Sadia Lynne Depta, MS, Akhila Health Facilitator

Four seasons for all?

Writing to you from New York, where the leaves are beginning to crisp and curl, I’m reminded of the powerful rhythm of the seasons. Not just the outer ones—but the emotional weather of our lives.

Some of us live in places with all four seasons—snowfall in winter, heatwaves in summer, bursts of color or fragrance in between. Others live in more temperate regions, where the seasons are subtle. But wherever you are, the truth remains: we all move through seasons—joy, grief, growth, stillness, uncertainty. Some come with warning. Others arrive like an earthquake or sudden snowstorm—unwelcome and unannounced. When life changes course, it can rattle our emotional infrastructure and leave us feeling mentally, physically, and financially buried. We may not be able to stop the storm—but we can choose how to meet it.

There’s something to be said for acceptance. It doesn’t mean giving up—it means being honest. Just like we dress differently in summer than in winter, we must show up for ourselves based on the season we’re in. Sometimes, we give others grace without question, but struggle to offer that same kindness inward. We expect ourselves to “have it together” when life feels anything but. I say: be gentle with yourself. The world is already heavy—don’t carry its expectations too.

Everyone’s circumstances are different. Some have warmth and shelter. Others, like I once did, have lived through seasons without either. That doesn’t make one story more worthy than another. Your experience—whatever it is—is real. And it matters. Judgment keeps us stuck. Compassion moves us forward.

Just as weather varies from coast to coast, so do our inner experiences. What feels like a storm to one person might be a quiet drizzle to another. That’s okay. There's no one way to “do life” or “feel well.” Your milestones, memories, or struggles might bloom in different seasons than someone else’s. What matters is how you show up for yourself, not how fast you're growing.

So whatever season you’re in—whether you’re basking in light or finding your way through the dark—try to meet yourself there, without shame. And if you’re tired, it’s okay to rest. Healing isn’t linear. Like nature, we are made to evolve.

🌀 The Akhila Approach

At Akhila Health, we honor each woman’s emotional weather. Whether you’re in bloom or simply surviving, our facilitators are here to walk beside you with compassion—not judgment. Through holistic tools like breathwork, reflection, and mindfulness, we help women navigate their seasons with greater balance and resilience.

We see you. And we’re here for you.

BUILDING HEALTHY HABITS

From Storms to Stillness: Letting Life Unfold as It Is

There is something powerful about being outdoors when you feel stuck inside yourself. The sun, the breeze, the quiet hush of trees—they ask nothing of you but presence. Here are some gentle ways to connect with nature as a form of self-care:

🌿 PRO TIPS:

Sit outside and breathe. Let the warmth or coolness touch your face. Inhale. Exhale. That’s enough.

Take a short walk. Don’t rush. Let your feet guide you. Notice the leaves, clouds, sidewalk, or birds overhead.

Gaze at the sky. Whether it’s star-filled or overcast, just look up. The sky belongs to all of us.

Journal outdoors. Bring a pen and paper. Let your thoughts flow like falling leaves. Don’t judge them—just let them land.

Stand barefoot in grass or dirt. Even for a moment. Feel the ground hold you.

Take your tea or coffee outside. Sip slowly. Taste. Smell. Be.

These may seem small, but they are powerful. In a world that moves too fast, slowness is a form of resistance—and care.

Facilitator Spotlight ~ Sadia Lynne Depta, MS

Sadia Lynne Depta, MS is an experienced wellness facilitator for Akhila Health who is passionate about empowering others to become the best versions of themselves. Regardless of socio-economic status, disparities or psychophysiological challenges, she trusts that one's willpower to mitigate negative notions will inevitably foster inner peace and afford the power to reach one's goals and dreams. Advocating for women who are facing the pangs of homelessness, loss, abuse, and socioeconomic difficulties is her stronghold. Sadia is a mother of five children, is a PhD student of psychophysiology at Saybrook University and believes that the most valuable skill known to mankind is the ability to listen with altruistic intent to reply with kindness, enlightenment, and wisdom.

What does serving the community mean to you?

“Privileged” is the first word that comes to mind when I think about what serving the community means to me. Why? Because sharing my passion to support will only impact others if there is a reciprocated sense of trust, and it is the ultimate privilege to earn the respect, responsiveness, and trust from those who are interested in Akhila Health’s services. Having the ability to touch the lives and hearts of members of diverse communities generates a greater sense of purpose and joy within me. In my opinion, serving others is more than a duty; it is a spiritual calling that showcases my altruistic and empathetic approach to facilitate unique and alternate forms of support.

How do you incorporate holistic health practices in your life?

The integration of holistic health practices are vital to my daily wellness routines. How? I exercise positive affirmations, self-regulatory methods (i.e., biofeedback), and expose myself to the elements of nature on a daily basis. Incorporating new methods that I learn from my fellow Akhila Health facilitators has been beneficial. Most of all, utilizing various breathing and relaxation techniques demonstrated in the workshops have been effective. I’m also a big fan of aromatherapy and lighting candles to create a relaxing ambiance while I do my best to meditate; I am still learning!

What do you enjoy about empowering women through Akhila Health?

Empowering women as a facilitator for Akhila Health is paralleled to my life purpose, which is to help offer the philosophy that every single woman is beautiful, strong, worthy of love, and respect, while being capable of achieving all things. I enjoy seeing smiles and happy tears that reflect the sincere belief that with hope and the will to succeed; all things are possible. Moreover, fostering a safe unconditional support system that offers refuge to all women from all walks of life is one of the most powerful weapons against the notion of, “I can’t do this.”

Thanks to Akhila Health, I extend my gratitude to this special community, as I will continue to help guide others to a place of self-contentment and peace that leads to the mindset of “Yes we can!”

Seasonal Autumn Recipe

I made this roasted butternut squash last fall for Thanksgiving, and I’ve been dreaming about it ever since! The maple syrup, a touch of spice, and all the cozy fall toppings make it such a perfect mix of sweet, savory, and festive. It’s an easy side that feels special enough for the holiday table, and I can’t wait to make it again this year! - Mia Iannios, Akhila Health Volunteer

Hassleback Butternut Squash*

*graceelkus.com

Ingredients:

1 large butternut squash (about 3 pounds)
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
kosher salt and freshly-ground black pepper
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, depending on spiciness preference
6 to 8 fresh sage leaves
crumbled feta cheese, chopped salted pistachios or salted pepitas, dried cherries, pomegranate seeds, and/or finely chopped parsley, for serving

Instructions:

Heat the oven to 425°F. Halve the squash lengthwise, scoop out the seeds, and peel.
Place the squash halves in a baking dish just large enough to hold them side by side. Rub all over with 1 tablespoon of the oil and season both sides generously with salt and black pepper. Arrange cut side down and roast until beginning to soften, 15 to 20 minutes (a paring knife should slide in only about 1/4").
Meanwhile, whisk together the maple syrup, remaining 2 tablespoons oil, and a pinch of red pepper flakes until combined.
Transfer the squash to a cutting board and let cool slightly. Place one half between two chopsticks (these will prevent you from cutting all the way through). Score the squash into thin shingles crosswise, stopping when you reach the chopsticks. Return to the baking dish and repeat with the second half. There are tons of YouTube videos showing this technique if you need a visual!

Tuck the sage leaves between a few of the shingles, drizzle with half of the maple syrup mixture, and season again with salt and pepper. Return to the oven and roast, basting with the remaining maple syrup mixture (and any that has pooled in the baking dish) halfway through, until completely tender, 45 to 60 minutes. I like to baste again when there's 10 minutes left on the timer. Be sure to really get it into all the nooks and crannies! Remove any burnt bits with a spoon, if necessary.
Top the squash with your desired toppings, such as feta, pistachios, parsley, and dried cranberries. (Just make sure you have something salty to offset the sweet squash.) Serve warm.