WELLNESS SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES

Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in two different Wellness School activities and my  experiences were very positive.   I would like to describe these activities and encourage more member participation.  In any event, though the member numbers were not large, improvements in health and wellbeing transcend measurement by numbers alone.  One life at a time, the Wellness School is enhancing member health.

The first activity I participated in took place two Thursday evenings from 6 to 7 p.m in the library.  Suzanna and I led this group workshop on reading food labels and making wiser choices while food shopping.  Pamela and Miriam from the wellness unit researched materials that were handed out and helped organize the event.  Particularly useful was an article published by the US Food & Drug Administration but many sources were used and samples of food labels and lists of ingredients were also distributed.   These materials generated lively discussions among the participants and at the conclusion healthy snacks were enjoyed by all.  There were no hard and fast rules that could be set down but it seemed to me there was greater awareness of how to interpret food labels and avoid being deceived by misleading advertising.   Additional workshops are planned for the future.

The second Wellness School activity I participated in was held Wednesday evening from 5 to 7 p.m.   It was the 3rd event in a cycle that will take place for 16 weeks.  I was hesitant to participate because it involved yoga and breathing and stress reduction from mats on the floor and I was afraid it would be too much of a physical challenge for me.  I was encouraged by the group facilitator, a researcher from the University at New Palz, to try it out and use a chair if necessary.  Ruth Parson, wellness unit leader, also facilitated and encouraged us.  The session began with some interesting research questions to answer, all voluntary.  Then we proceeded to the mats, doing stretches and using different size rubber balls placed under our heads and backs to self-message and reduce physical and mental stress.  Soothing music was played throughout and a kind of meditation took place.  I was amazed at my exhiliration and sense of well being when the session ended.  I was very relaxed and had a greater sense of my own body and how to relax it.    I am looking forward to next week with anticipation and body templates and journals are available to record our experiences for self-reference.  This is an experience not to be missed.