First World Wellness Weekend Huge Success E-Mail a Friend
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By Cindy Blankenship For SoOregonNews

http://www.newsshadycove.com/articles/index.cfm?
artOID=224217&cp=11017

Ashland, Oregon -- The first annual World Wellness Weekend in
Ashland attracted some of the nation's leading doctors, alternative
healers, film directors, entertainers, authors, and business people,
as well as scores of others not so well-known but who have found
positive routes to healing and happiness and gathered to share with
others.

Asked how the weekend went, producer Jud Schwartz of Beach Avenue
Productions, said on Monday: "It went fantastic! It was a total
success. We couldn't feel better about it from the standpoint of how
everyone there felt...the energy was so high..."

For those who didn't make it to this first Wellness Weekend or for
those who did and are looking forward to next year's, Schwartz had
some good news to share: "We will do this again next year."

Two pioneers in integrative medicine were scheduled as the keynote
speakers: Dr. Bernie Siegel and Deepak Chopra, M.D.; however, Siegel
had to cancel because of an illness in his family, so Chopra
generously spoke both days.

Chopra is acknowledged as one of the world's greatest leaders in the
field of mind-body medicine.

The eclectic healing event, held at Southern Oregon University's
football stadium and the SOU McNeal Pavilion, offered over 80
exhibits, and over 50 classes, as well as talks, story-telling and
entertainment on the main stage. The classes were included in the
price of admission: $30 per day or $50 for the weekend.

Every hour, several classes were offered, including a wide variety
of topics: Amazon Herbs, Love and Longevity: How Relationships Keep
Us Healthy, The Energy System and You, Body Centered Pilates, Salsa
Dance Class, Success in Small Business, Energy Medicine Playshop
with Local Psychotherapist and T'ai Chi and Qigong Instructor, Nando
Raynolds, Balancing Hormones Naturally (not only for those with the
more fame hormonal imbalance culprits like menopause, but also for
sufferers of migraines, prostrate problems, and other disorders),
The Cancer Battle, Vital Vegetables, Hatha Yoga, Water Birth(taught
by a Russian birth leader who led birthing in the sea), The Gift of
Peace by local author and counselor, former Presbyterian minister
and current teacher of "A Course in Miracles," Cliff Custer, and a
welcome one for those tired of Atkins, "Sugars That Heal" (a healing
complement of eight specific carbohydrates). These are just a small
percent of the classes given.

Exhibits and other booths offered everything from on the spot
acupuncture treatments and massages, smoothies with a choice of soy
milk, cow milk (organic of course) and apple juice base, gyros,
banana wontons with coconut rum sauce for dessert, crystals, lots of
books and demonstrations on subjects ranging from Feng Shui
waterscaping and meditation with an instructor from the Chopra
Center to racquetball and nutrition.

The YMCA provided a "Healthy Kids Program," with activities ranging
from sports activities to Yoga and a childcare area. Admission for
children to the entire event was free. Schwartz plans to have more
children's activites next year.

Opening the event on the main stage was First Nations
Actor/Storyteller Robert Greygrass.

Also on the main stage, to name a few, were Rabbi David Zaslow, film
producer/director Stephen Simon (perhaps known best for What Dreams
May Come and who filmed last year in Ashland the soon to be released
Indigo; he also is co-founder of the Spiritual Cinema Circle), James
Twyman The Peace Troubadour, Crystal Reeves (celtic musician), and
Kat Del Rio (folk with Caribbean and reggae influences).

The band, Triphonox, performed hip hop but with a positive slant.
Their number "Sister, Sister" was introduced with the comment, "hip
hop many times disrespects women so we do this one to show women
they're still respected," and their song, " "Education, Not
Incarceration" demonstrated that not all hip hop is irresponsible.


Indeed, Triphonox did a wonderful job of uplifting hip hop in this
manner, as the Wellness Weekend did in demonstrating that
alternative approaches to healing can be different than mainstream,
yet responsible, respectful and effective.


In his invitation to the event, Schwartz wrote, "....many divergent
points of view and belief systems -- western, eastern, holistic,
alternative, etc, and all truly have something valid and wonderful
to offer. Even if some things don't resonate with you, realize they
resonate with someone else. Stay open. Be respectful."

And it appeared that event goers had no problem abiding by this.
Other than a religious fanatic who protested for a about a minute
during Chopra's Sunday talk before she was escorted out, there were
no incidents, no rudeness to be heard.

Approximately 1,000 attended Saturday and 1,600 Sunday.

"People stuck around late and helped clean up. People who paid for
tickets stayed and helped break down the stage," said
Schwartz. "People showed what we can do as a community."

The event benefited SOWAC Microenterprise Development Center
(formerly known as Southern Oregon Womens Access to Credit), which
now helps both women and men to start, expand, or improve their
small business by offering practical, hands-on business training,
technical assistance and loans. The organization plans to soon
become a licensed lending agent helping more Southern Oregonians
build businesses.

Another intention of the event was expressed by Schwartz in an
earlier interview, to make this "an annual event which will further
the reputation of our region, our medical facilities, and Southern
Oregon University as a leader in the world of health and wellness."
And opening on Sept. 11, the event also served to make this "9-11 a
call for healing, not just help."

World Wellness Weekend was sponsored by several community
organizations, businesses and individuals. Some of the major
sponsors were Southern Oregon University, SOWAC Microenterprise
Development Center, Ashland Chamber of Commerce, Ashland Community
Hospital, Ashland Daily Tidings and the Medford Mail Tribune, Juice
Plus, Ashland Food Co-op, and Jefferson Public Radio.