WELLNESS WEEK

Our Fourth Annual Wellness Week is scheduled for February 7-11, 2011.

Wellness Week will once again feature favorite activities such as yoga and stretching classes, hikes, water aerobics, meditation, and weight training sessions. By popular request, we have added more yoga sessions, additional water aerobics classes, hikes with varying degrees of difficulty, and a variety of speakers. This year, we will also offer Pilates classes, a poolside lunch with reflexology and chair massage, patio lunch with presentation by Rachel Bragg and Rebekah Nelson from The Herb Cellar Wellness Center, a model for integrated health-care delivery emphasizing preventative health care.

Instructor Hugh O’Neil will provide interactive sessions on “Stress Reduction for Mental Health” and “Mindfulness Techniques to Improve and Preserve Cognitive Functions and Enhance Memory.”

Speakers for our “Fireside Lectures” will include Dr. Richard Loftus and Dr. John Ninos from Eisenhower Hospital, who will speak about “Health Habits to Prevent and Treat High Blood Pressure,” and “Diabetes – What You Need to Know.” Craig Doussett, Director of Education for Clark’s Nutrition, will come to Smoke Tree this year to speak about “Nutrients to Turn Back the Clock.” We are especially pleased to have our very own Colonist, Dr. Owen Peck, speak on the topic “When Stress Leads to Colon Cancer.”

Resident hiking expert, Colonist Bill Bailey, will lead participants on two exciting hikes this year. One will be to Snow Creek Canyon, and the second will take us to the Pacific Crest Trail followed by a picnic lunch at the White Water Preserve, which is overlooked by steep vertical cliffs where bighorn sheep are often spotted.

We are happy to announce the addition of a guided bicycle tour. The “Earthquake Canyon Express Tour” is a 20-mile ride that descends through the heart of the San Andreas Fault Zone on a paved road. Riders will see the stark beauty of the desert as they descend a total of 1,200 feet over the route. The course takes riders from the transition zone between the Colorado and Mojave Desert, through the narrow canyon walls of Box Canyon and finishes with spectacular views of the Salton Sea, Mt. San Jacinto, the All-American Canal, and the grape country in the eastern Coachella Valley. There are no cross roads, no turns, and very little traffic, which makes this a relaxing, sight-seeing adventure. The tour includes bicycles, helmets, knowledgeable, professional, and enthusiastic tour guides, support vehicle equipped with first-aid supplies, walkie-talkies and cell phone, snacks and refreshments, water bottles, and ends with a traditional date shake at the Oasis Date Gardens. Participants who may not be able to complete the entire 20 mile ride are welcome to enjoy the scenery and refreshments in the comfort of the “chase vehicle.” This outing is the perfect marriage of travel and exercise to showcase the beauty of our fabulous desert.

Chef Tony Marks and our new Sous Chef Richard Perez will focus on fresh, organic, health conscious foods for meals and snacks during the week.

Contact Bobbie Rothermich, Administrative Assistant, to sign up, or for Special Inclusive Package Pricing, including a private cottage, all meals and snacks, seminars, hikes, classes, outings, and transportation.

This week is a great opportunity to take time out your busy life and focus on your mind, body, and spirit. It promises to be time well spent!