Barbara Barr Bengen
So, here we are, six years later. When Patti and I began the Wellness Integrated Network (WIN) of SaddleBrooke in December of 2018, for many, wellness was a once-a-year visit to your doctor. Wellness was not necessarily a part of everyday conversations. Our first speakers were a doctor and a nurse from the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona who explained various elements of wellness. Today the concept of wellness has become so commonplace that even the Today show focused on wellness for the new year (and an app for that) rather than the traditional New Year’s resolutions. Wellness has become mainstream, and it tends to be more of a part of daily life and ads on TV!
Since there has been so much growth of the interest in wellness in our own recent history, one would think that wellness is a relatively new concept. However, the foundations of wellness are almost as old as civilization itself. The earliest documentation of the focus on wellness goes back to 3000 BC. Historically, there has been an ebb and flow of interest in wellness since those ancient days in India, China, and Greece to the present time. Throughout history, the core of wellness has remained the same—a multi-dimensional, proactive approach to health and well-being.
Furthermore, recent research is increasingly indicating that 80% to 90% of a person’s health outcomes are influenced by lifestyle, environmental, and socioeconomic factors. Medical professionals and our healthcare system are increasingly moving from “sick care” to prevention and “self-care.” It has been estimated that this will not only encourage longevity and better health but also help reduce costs and strain on our already overburdened healthcare system.
Thus, wellness is not just a fad or a current trend in advertising. It’s about you, your lifestyle, and the daily choices you make. It’s also about having a network and supportive community. Patti and I want to continue supporting your education in wellness and your wellness journey. While we have discontinued programs at the DesertView Theater because of the cost, we will have other offerings. We’ll continue to share wellness information in the newspapers, and we’ll offer small group classes in our homes.
Here are some of our current small group classes. Please note that I am taking some time off from teaching classes while I recover from a fall and prepare my house to go on the market.
Zen Meditation (complimentary)
Each Friday morning in the Agate Room of the MountainView Arts and Crafts Complex
8:30 a.m.: Instruction for new attendees
9 a.m.: Meditation
New class members can register at reikinaturalhealingus@gmail.com.
First Degree Reiki (12-hour class)
Reiki is a Japanese stress reduction and relaxation technique that promotes healing. It can be easily learned by anyone.
Friday and Saturday, Feb. 21 and 22, at the home of Patricia Gould
Register at reikinaturalhealingus@gmail.com.