The South End

Issue date: 3/19/08 Section: Features

Media Credit: Stephen Knoche / For The South End

Reforming the mind, body and spirit serves as the mission behind the Detroit Evolution Laboratory located in the Eastern Market area.

Angela Kasmala and Gregg Newsom run the center that holds yoga and meditation practices, serves vegan and raw foods and provides catering, meal planning and nutritional counseling.

"We both love the city and it's people," Kasmala and Newsom explained. "We feel that Detroit is a vital outpost on the new frontier of sustainability.

"From a vegan diet that reduces global warming to a yoga practice that reduces reliance on prescription drugs, we strive to turn abstract terms, like health, joy and liberation into practical technologies that people can use everyday."

Newsom said one of the strongest influences to create the center spawned from tragedies in Kasmala's family.

"In 2002, due to a poor diet and constant toxic exposure from working at the Rouge River Plant, Stan (Angela's father) passed away from heart disease," he said.

After this event occurred, her mother survived a heart attack brought on by stress and poor diet. Kasmala was inspired to change the focus of her life and she set out to create healthy food that can heal the body, mind and spirit.

Kasmala and Newsom also garnered influence from members of the Black Panther Party, yoga guru Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, and author Gabriel Cousens.

Kasmala works her magic in the kitchen. She is the raw food and vegan chef and the nutrition and meal planner. She has attended Schoolcraft College's Culinary Arts program, worked at health food stores, and studies in groups at the Union City, Mich.-based Creative Health Institute. She also caters lunches and delivers to different areas of the city.

Newsom teaches yoga and other alternative therapy techniques such as Reiki, Shiatsu massages and aromatherapy.

"Whether clients are seeking deep relaxation, stress release, clarity or an increase in energy and ability, I will actively utilize my own abilities and techniques to assist in their quest," Newsom said.

As business continues, Kasmala and Newsom said they hope to expand the center and create a "health-centered urban campus in or around Eastern Market." Future projects include the creation of a full-service restaurant, a food cooperative, a wellness center and an alternative energy vocational training center.

In the next few months, the pair is excited to run a retreat in Detroit to help people engage in the different techniques the center has to offer. The "Spring Urban Retreat" will be held at the Woodbridge Star Bed and Breakfast, 3985 Trumbull Ave., from May 2-4.

The retreat includes learning how to prepare vegan and raw foods, yoga sessions, meditation workshops, nutrition consultation and other services.

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