WELLNESS WEEK

Monday, February 22nd – Friday, February 26th

Smoke Tree Ranch presents its third annual Wellness Week for Ranch Guests and Colonists, encouraging participants to embrace life mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Our 2010 Wellness Week will again feature yoga and stretching classes with Ron Splude, daily hikes, water aerobics, and weight training sessions. We are also pleased to offer three new classes this year, including Tai Chi, Nia, and Meditation. Tai Chi, as it is practiced in the west today, can best be described as a moving form of yoga and meditation combined. One of the avowed aims of Tai Chi is to foster the circulation of the “chi” within our body, the belief being that the health and vitality of the person will be enhanced. This “chi” circulates in patterns that are closely related to the nervous and vascular system.

The “Nia” technique is a movement practice that not only offers the cardiovascular benefits of traditional fitness classes, but encourages emotional expression and engagement. Nia is a barefoot technique, and blends modern and jazz dance, aerobics, martial arts, yoga, and body integration therapy. Nia honors the organized movements of the body to strengthen, stretch, open, align, balance, invigorate, and heal. Nia empowers people to make their own movement choices by offering a flexible structure they can personally modify to suit individual needs.

Beth Mulligan, PA-C, of Mindful Way will provide an introduction to meditation and techniques on how to meditate. She will teach a self-directed practice for relaxing the body and calming the mind. The benefits of meditation can include increased longevity and quality of life, as well as reduced chronic pain, anxiety, blood pressure, and cholesterol.

Chef Tony Marks will move away from traditional Smoke Tree fare for the week, and focus on fresh, organic, health conscious foods for all meals and snacks. This is a great opportunity to take time out of your busy life to focus on your mind, body, and spirit.

Special inclusive package pricing will include your private cottage, all meals and snacks, seminars, hikes, classes, outings, and transportation. Please contact Bobbie Rothermich, Administrative Assistant, at 800-787-3922 (ext. 404), for more information.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Dr. William Mallon was a big success last year when he spoke to our Wellness Week participants, and we are honored that he will joining us again to share his vast knowledge. Dr. Mallon is internationally recognized as an expert in Emergency Medicine and has set up the Emergency Response and Medical Systems for the countries of Iceland and Chile. Dr. Mallon was a Residency Director for Los Angeles County/University of Southern California Medical Center for ten years, and remains on staff at Los Angeles County Medical Center’s General Hospital. He has been President of the American College of Emergency Medicine. Dr. Mallon is known as one of the most entertaining and engaging lecturers on a wide variety of medical subjects, and Smoke Tree is indeed fortunate to have him visit us for Wellness Week.

Dr. Mike Salomon has been an Emergency Physician in California for twenty years and has practiced Anti-Aging Medicine for two years. He is currently the Chief Medical Officer of Sutter Emergency Medical Associates. After earning his medical degree from Loyola University, Dr. Salomon completed five years of post-graduate medical education at Loyola, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, UCSF-Fresno, and Loma Linda University Medical Center. He is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians. Dr. Salomon also completed an MBA in Healthcare from the University of California, Irvine, and a Masters of Science at the University of California, San Francisco in Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. While at UCSF, he did basis research on drug and hormone action and has maintained an active interest in ethnopharmacology and in the biochemical basis of disease and wellness.

SAMPLE SCHEDULE

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday