On December 8, the holidays came early for second grade children at Mendocino Elementary School and Fort Bragg Elementary School. On that day I had the pleasure to meeting the second graders and talking about the importance of good health and wellness. Each second grader received a copy of the Wellness textbook entitled “Fish Breath.” Fish Breath, written by Kelly Mather, is an excellent tool to teach young children the healthy habit of Diaphragmatic breathing. Diaphragmatic breathing is generally considered a healthier and fuller way to ingest oxygen. Each book was wrapped in colorful holiday wrapping paper. This was followed by a series of floor exercises that Kelly Mather led for the children. It was good for me to get down on the floor with the kids and join in the healthy exercising.
Archive for the ‘Health and Wellness’ Category
Wellness Day at the Elementary Schools
—Posted Friday, December 18th, 2009 at 7:31 pm—
2009 Health and Wellness Festival is a Success
—Posted Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 6:12 pm—
Last Saturday Mendocino Coast Hospital held it’s Annual Health and Wellness Festival. This year was very special because it also served as special recognition for the local hospital’s commitment to transforming itself into a healing hospital. Following a musical opening by Harpist, Roberta Belson, I began the Festival by speaking to the nearly 300 people in attendance about why MCDH chose to become a healing hospital. In my remarks, I said that “healing is nothing new at the hospital. The Coast Hospital has been healing the people that have honored us by choosing to come here for over 35 years.” I said that the term “Healing Hospital” refers to a new breed of hospital, that not only serves the traditional role of curing disease and disorders, but who have also adopted a vision of a healthy community and created a healing environment with soothing sounds, colors, healthy food and natural beauty. As a healing hospital, MCDH embraces integrative medicine with many local healing arts providers. Following my opening remarks, I was presented with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition by Christine Anderson on behalf of Congressman Mike Thompson. (more…)

