Wellness

Footsteps to the Future

2009-11-04T14:10:00Z

Writer/Producer: Shawn Holiday

Turning 18 is a time of great anticipation, a rite of passage that teenagers eagerly embrace. But the thought turning 18 can fill some Southwest Florida teenagers with dread. Youngsters in foster care “age out” of the system at 18 and must live on their own. While they do get some funding and assistance programs, many are not prepared for the challenges of facing adulthood on their own. A program called Footsteps to the Future, which since 2001 has been assisting and mentoring young women who must leave foster care in Lee County, helps fill that void. For many teens, the mentors provided through the program become a vital fixture in a disrupted life. Reaching out to each other takes trust and patience, but the journey is rewarding and the relationships made will benefit everyone.

Methods of Massage

2009-11-04T13:59:00Z

Writer/Producer: Chelle Koster Walton

Getting rubbed the RIGHT way: It not only feels good, it improves circulation, rids the body of toxins, soothes the mind, and can relax or energize the spirit. So while many feel it’s a pampering luxury they have to justify, therapists know it is good holistic, preventive medicine. Many equate it with splurge resorts, but massage opportunities range from free treatments for hospice and AIDS victims and inexpensive massage school services to natural healing therapists and unusual methods that employ feet, bamboo, water, and music.

Softball Leagues

2009-06-02T15:44:00Z

Writer/Producer: Kristy Vaughn

Once called “sissy ball” or “kitten ball,” a Denver Y.M.C.A. coined the name “softball” in 1926, and adopted principles of inclusiveness and good sportsmanship. The softball phenomenon took off from there. Our Y understands that Gulf Coasters have a passion for bat-and-ball sports, which is why they’ve organized three separate leagues for adults of all skill levels. All players need to do is seek corporate sponsorships to support their teams and come outside to play ball.

Resources:

http://www.leecountyymca.org/

Fort Myers YMCA

http://www.ymcapalms.org/

Naples YMCA

http://www.charlottecountyymca.com/

Charlotte County YMCA

Scuba Diving

2009-06-02T15:38:00Z

Writer/Producer: Rusty Farst

Education, experience and the desire to explore your world is essential to scuba dive Southwest Florida. Connect to the underworld that surrounds you. Just add water.

Resources:

Lee County’s Artificial Reefs

Caloosa Dive Club

Dean’s Dive Center

Seahorse Scuba School

Roller Derby Girls

2009-06-02T15:21:00Z

“Roll Me Away”
Writer/Producer/Narrator: Rod Clarke

Roller Derby – that rough-and-tumble wheeled world of go-fast-fall-down that thrilled audiences coast-to-coast a half century ago is back in Southwest Florida. With a vengeance. And an attitude. When the Fort Myers Derby girls lace up their skates, they ask no quarter, and give none. But it’s all in fun.

Resources:

National Roller Derby Hall of Fame
http://rollerderbyhalloffame.com/_wsn/page5.html

Fort Myers Derby Girls
http://fortmyersderbygirls.com/

Generations Skating Center
http://www.generationsskatingcenter.com/

Arts in Healing

2009-01-07T16:42:00Z

Writer/Producer: Janina Birtolo

Sickrooms become places for creativity, relaxation and even laughter, thanks to the volunteer Arts in Healing program at NCH Healthcare System’s two hospitals. Meet the people who share their artistic talents and discover how they do it.

Resources:
NCH Healthcare System/Arts in Healing: www.nchmd.org
Lee Memorial/Arts in Healthcare: www.leememorial.org/art/index.asp
Tidewell Hospice/Creative & Caring Connections: www.tidewell.org/connections.html
Hope Hospice: www.hopehospice.org/volunteers
Avow Hospice: www.avowhospice.org
Guitarist Frank Smith’s new CD, Gardens of Hope, was inspired by his work in the Arts in Healing program. The CD was chosen Best Instrumental New Album by New Age Review in 2007: www.justlovemusic.com

Pet Therapy

2009-01-06T15:21:00Z

Writer/Producer/Narrator: Rod Clarke

Hospital stays are not usually joyous occasions. So it’s understandable that visitors are often subdued, tentative, perhaps even a little glum. Not Missy.
She always has a spring in her step and a joyful, eager expression on her face when she enters a hospital room. She’s even been known to climb right in bed and snuggle up with a patient. Technically, Missy’s’s not a visitor; she’s a hospital volunteer and wears a badge to prove it. She’s also not a person; she’s a dog, one of a corps of canine volunteers who bring joy and companionship to hospital patients throughout the Lee Memorial Health System.

Resources:

Therapy Dogs. Inc.
http://www.therapydogs.com/

Marilyn Shaw
Cape Coral Hospital Volunteer Office
239-574-0206

Therapy Dogs International, Inc.
http://www.tdi-dog.org/

973-252-9800

Healthy Cooking Classes

2009-01-06T15:14:00Z

Writer/Producer: Kristy Vaughn

Nutrition can’t be found from a drive-thru window. Wellness begins with the food items placed in a grocery cart. Eating fresh, whole foods from the grocery store or a local farmer’s market can be the difference between feeling energized or sluggish all day. But in our microwave society, often packaged and processed food becomes a cheap-and-easy substitute for nourishment. A healthy cooking class can inspire creativity in the kitchen through simple recipes anyone can prepare. The free or low-cost classes empower attendees with knowledge about healthier, more natural alternative to meals found in plastic packages, cans, or the frozen food section. A few discerning choices, coupled with basic preparation skills, can promote lifelong wellness and happiness.

Resources:

http://mangrovesinstitute.com/
Mangrove Health Institute in Naples

http://www.adasnatural.com/
Ada’s Natural and Organic Foods Supermarket

http://www.foodandthought.com/
Food and Thought Organic Market and Restaurant

http://www.rawfoodlife.com/
Raw Food Life: Discover the Science of the Raw Food Lifestyle

http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/
Fruits and Veggies: More Matters from Produce for Better Health Foundation

Wellness - Redhatters and Elks

2008-10-15T16:18:00Z

Writer/Producer: Shawn Holiday

In this great age of giving, we can overlook someone who needs your attention the most: you. Keeping one’s own spirit aloft is important as people go about saving the world and sometimes it’s fun to get together just for the laughter. Groups like the Red Hat Society are so informal there are no dues and few guidelines. Other civic groups like the Elks provide a great mixture of fun and service as people find ways to help themselves as they help others.

Resources:

Red Hatters of Naples
Mary Lou Fisher
7741 Orchard Road
Naples, FL 34109
239/514-0835

www.redhatsociety.com

Peter Cuddhy, Grand Ruler
Elks Lodge of Cape Coral
4631 SE 10 Place
Cape Coral, FL 33904
239/549-4816
www.elks.org/lodges/home.cfm?lodgenumber=2596

Wellness - Uplifting Dining

2008-10-13T15:45:00Z

Writer/Producer: Chelle Koster Walton

Three Southwest Florida restaurants know exactly how to make you relax and fine-tune your mood by way of their pleasant, restful settings, good-for-you food, fun times, and a staff that waits on you for a change.

Resources:

Campiello, www.campiello.damico.com
Lemonia, www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/NaplesGolf
Parrot Key Caribbean Grill, www.myparrotkey.com

Wellness--Laughter Yoga

2008-10-13T15:41:00Z

Writer/Producer: Rosie Emery

Recent studies by the American Psychological Association indicate that forty-eight percent of Americans say they're more stressed now than they were five years ago. "Stress continues to escalate, and it's affecting every area of people's lives," says Russ Newman, a psychologist and executive director of the APA.

While the benefits of ancient practices such as Yoga, Meditation and Tai-chi are familiar to many, there are some similar, but slightly different practices that are available here in Southwest Florida. Laughter Yoga, Meditation in Motion and Tai Chi Chih all offer to reduce stress while initiating a peaceful sense of wellbeing.

Resources:

Isabel baeza
Isabel Baeza
Keep Shining Inc
keepshining@comcast.net
Inner Light Center
Tel: 239 352 2310
(c) 239 580 7469

The Happahatchee Center
http://weavestheweb.com/happehatchee/index.html
Tel: 239 206 4393

Gigi Filacheta
619 698 1766
gigitonaples@yahoo.com
Laughter Yoga
Cambier Park

Deb Burger
Tai-Chi Tel:
Tel: 239 498 3523
(cell) 201 247 8358

Wellness - Group Activities

2008-02-05T05:52:00Z

Writer/Producer: Kristy Vaughn

Explore how group exercise classes from Zumba dancing to Tai Chi mediation keep minds and bodies active while simultaneously encouraging social connections and fighting off boredom. Southwest Florida offers a variety of indoor workouts that span all fitness levels and are exciting and challenging when done in a group setting.

Resources:

The Omni Club in Fort Myers

Fitness Centers in Southwest Florida

The official Zumba website

Lee County Senior Centers

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Wellness - Kayaking

2008-02-05T05:51:00Z

Writer/Producer: Kristy Vaughn

Discover the many tranquil and scenic opportunities for kayaking in Southwest Florida. Known nationally for its abundant waterways, the region boasts plenty of places to get eyelevel with the environment. From the Orange River to Estero Bay to the incredible Great Calusa Blueway, many great paddling adventures await.

Resources:

The Great Calusa Blueway

Collier County paddling club

Lee County paddling club

Kayaking tips

Gaea Guides

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Wellness - Next Generation Fitness

2008-02-05T05:50:00Z

Health clubs and fitness centers have changed a whole lot over the decades…especially so in just the past few years. Join host Jim McLaughlin for a closer look at next generation gyms. From boot camp group fitness to Latin dance inspired workouts…modern fitness choices available in southwest Florida are a far cry from the old days when the term gym pretty much meant weight room. Including workouts specifically designed for seniors!

Resources:

The Omni Club in Fort Myers

Fitness Centers in Southwest Florida

The official Zumba website

Lee County Senior Centers

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Wellness - Tennis

2008-02-05T05:49:00Z

Writer/Producer: Kristy Vaughn

Learn how to make the most of playing tennis in Southwest Florida through community tennis organizations, clubs and classes. As a region with nearly 360 days of sunshine a year, outdoor tennis courts provide a great way to connect with others and enjoy a lively workout.

Resources:

Lee County Parks & Recreation

Court listings

USTA

Tennis tips

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