Stewart Maxwell, wellness consultant, conducts Tai Chi exercises with attendees at last Wednesday's launch of the WHOLE-Ocean Spray Jamaica Wellfest launch at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston. Taking part is Miss Jamaica World 2004, Tonoya Toyloy. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
Wellness is the buzz word these days when it comes to health. Beyond physical health, wellness encompasses spiritual and mental health an holistic approach. Over the next six weeks, there are three wellness
expos scheduled for the Corporate Area.
FOREVER YOUNG
Forever Young Health, Fitness and Rejuvenation Expo takes place April 9 and 10 at the Hilton Kingston Hotel, New Kingston. The expo will include workshops on yoga, menopause, osteoporosis, hair and scalp disorders, surviving the dieting rollercoaster, skin care, plastic surgery, tips for vegetarians and financial wellness.
There will also be a hair show and more than 20 display booths.
WELLNESS AND LIFESTYLE EXPO
The Eden Gardens Wellness and Lifestyle Expo is set to take place Thursday, April 28 to Sunday, May 1.
The event takes place in the Savannah Suite, Eden Gardens, 39 Lady Musgrave Road, Kingston 5.
Organisers say the expo will be another exciting, educational and wholesome lifestyle event.
WHOLE WELLFEST
It was the perfect setting to launch a wellness festival.
With the smell of wet grass and a soft, cool breeze, members of the Wellness and Holistic Lifestyle Enterprises (WHOLE) Limited launched their festival last Wednesday at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel poolside gazebo.
"Celebrating the whole you, something to feel, do, remember" is scheduled for Friday, May 13, through Sunday, May 15. The well fest is being held in association with Ocean Spray Jamaica, the title sponsor.
At the helm of WHOLE are broadcasters Carol Narcisse, Elaine Wint and environmental health specialist and civil engineer Stephen Hodges. The WHOLE aim, says the trio, is to make Jamaica known globally as a producer of wellness products and services.
At the launch, Wint noted that Jamaicans should hold true to their pledge that states, "... so that, Jamaica may, under God,
increase in beauty, fellowship and prosperity, and play her part in advancing, the welfare of the whole human" and be the keepers of the planet for wellness."
PLANS OF EVENTS
Outlining the plans for the event, Narcissse said that New Kingston and its environs (Emancipation Park, Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, Courtleigh Hotel, and Knutsford Boulevard) would be transformed into a wellness village. The wellfest, she said, would open with a cultural extravaganza in the park, and would include health and wellness booths; workshops (with scheduled speakers like Dr. Anthony Vendreyes, Earl Chong of Earl's Juice Garden renowned for his use of raw vegetables); fitness demonstrations; participatory or experimental activities; an organic market; a café boulevard; entertainment in the park; and a 2K Walk, 'Move for Health' in association with the Ministry of Health.
The grand finale will be marked with a concert featuring 2005 Reggae Grammy winner Toots and The Maytals.
Leading up to the festival will be a national youth forum for students in fourth through sixth form, May 5, at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston; a corporate symposium, 'Creating Wellness at the Workplace' at The Hilton Kingston Hotel on May 12; and a series of 'Wellness Warm-up sessions' throughout April and May in Emancipation Park, to be conducted by popular local personalities.
Wint noted that each year, the festival will make financial, technical and other contributions to an initiative being undertaken in the New Kingston community. This year, the organisers have partnered with the New Kingston Civic Association and the Bellevue Hospital to assist in plans for a drop-in centre and shelter for homeless and mentally-ill members of the New Kingston area.
At the end of the launch attendees were asked to participate in Tai Chi postures with wellness
consultant Stewart Maxwell, or a reflexology session with expert Dulcie Bogues.
- Shelly-Ann Thompson
