Illinois Wesleyan Wellness Fair to be Held April 17

March 27, 2003

The seventh annual Wellness Fair at Illinois Wesleyan University will be held on Thursday, April 17th, at the Shirk Center, 302 E. Emerson.

The first portion of the Wellness Fair will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring more than 80 vendors.

There will be special Wellness Fair programs offered from noon to 1 p.m. and from 6 to 8:15 p.m., featuring sessions headed by health care specialists and others on a wide range of health-related topics.

All parts of Wellness Fair 2003 are free and open to the public. The fair is sponsored by the IWU Wellness Department, the IWU School of Nursing, and the Healing Arts Network.

IWU Wellness Fair programming typically features medical specialists (dermatology, podiatry, ophthalmology and other fields), complimentary therapies (massage therapy, acupuncture, spiritual opportunities), free health screenings, and information about local services, activities, and recreational resources.

A new vendor for the 2003 Wellness Fair is the Children’s Discovery Museum, joining other vendors dealing with subjects spanning environmental health, nutrition, financial planning, personal coaching, divorce support groups and free spa services.

The noontime and evening programs are as follows:

How Tai Chi has Changed My Life, presented by Dahlis Roy, Shirk Center Classroom North, 12 noon

This interactive session will provide demonstrations of different styles of Tai Chi and Qigong that assist with promoting health and mental focus for the unity of body, mind and spirit. Questions and sharing are welcome throughout the session.

Current Concepts on Asthma, presented by Dr. Anjuli Nayak, allergist, Shirk Center Classroom South, 12 noon
This presentation will provide an overview of the prevalence, definition, current methods of diagnosis and updated ideas on the treatment and trigger avoidance of asthma. Nayak brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to share about the current concepts of this condition.

Super Foods: Eat More, Not Less! presented by Kim McClintic, Fort Natatorium Classroom, Shirk Center, 12 noon
We live in a society where nutritional guidelines often direct us to eliminate certain foods from our diets. The recommendations become prescriptive and restrictive leaving us unsatisfied. This session will focus on foods that provide the most powerful essential nutrients such as antioxidants, phytochemicals, fiber, soy, healthy fats, etc. The discussion will also include where to find these foods in the grocery store and provide recipes on how to include them in any meal plan. A sampling of some selected “super-foods” will also be provided.

Healing Softly, Slowing Down, presented by Joseph L. Grabill, Shirk Center Classroom North, 6 p.m.
Modern life can leave one feeling chronically stressed with little down time that is so needed to promote health and vitality for quality of life. This experiential session offers different tools and exercises for slowing down and enhancing the ability to softly focus.

Is Your Home Making You Sick? presented by Martine Davis, environmental inspector, Shirk Center Classroom South, 6 p.m.
Does your family suffer from allergies, chronic congestion and recurring colds? Often, the culprits are right in our own homes. Davis will share ideas on how to prevent and/or eliminate exposure to the top 10 pollutants in the home, which can affect our health. These pollutants include, mold, dust mites, radon, lead, volatiles from furniture, carpeting, personal care products, air fresheners, candles, etc. Learn simple inexpensive methods to promote protection from toxic exposures.

Meditation: A How To Presentation, presented by Mary G. Moore, Fort Natatorium Classroom, Shirk Center, 6 p.m.
Meditation is one of the most powerful tools there is to help us restore the harmony within and to gain access to our bodies’ inner intelligence. This presentation will focus on the different types of meditation and the advantages of each type. Participants will learn how to achieve the most out of their practice and how meditation optimizes health, balance and inner peace. Join Mary in this interactive session and learn to discover how silence is the birthplace of happiness.

Tips for Creating a Smart Yard: Beautiful and Non-Toxic, presented by Laurine Brown, Living Upstream co-director, and Julie Elzanati, Audubon board member, Shirk Center Classroom North, 7:15 p.m.
Many practical steps for maintaining and creating a beautiful lawn and garden with the use of natural products will be given in this session. You will learn what organic products to look for and where to find them. Ideas will be shared about how to invite songbirds and butterflies into your yard by adding low-maintenance native plants. Learn how to create a beautiful and non-toxic yard to enjoy and inhabit for many years to come!

Polarity Therapy, presented by Gwenn Marie, Shirk Center Classroom South, 7:15 p.m.
Polarity Therapy is the art and science of stimulating and balancing the flow of life energy within the human being. It is a holistic care system integrating energetic bodywork, nutrition, exercise, breath work, sound and self-awareness. Join Marie in this interactive and experiential session, as she introduces participants to an approach that can offer new awareness, balance and opportunities for self-healing.

The Thyroid/Estrogen Link and Sluggish Metabolism: What do these have in Common? presented by Dr. Marianne Hoyle, Fort Natatorium Classroom, Shirk Center, 7:15 p.m.
This session will explore some of the reasons why hormonal disruption and thyroid problems have become so prevalent in recent history based on recent studies. Symptoms such as hot flashes and a sluggish metabolism may indicate something is disrupting normal hormonal function. Hoyle will present fresh ideas and practical natural solutions that are easily available.