As she enjoyed the opening of Carnival Village Friday night, it occurred to Eileen Short that the Saturday’s Wellness Fair at Magens Bay Saturday might prove a welcome follow up to the night’s merriment.
Short is president of Therapy Association and Disabilities Advocates, which presents the annual fair, now in its sixth year.
"We were on (local TV show) Face to Face this week along with the Carnival Committee, and we discussed the contract of the island offering the two events, which normally don’t coincide," Short said.
Whatever the discussion, a few folks who said they’d been out Friday night, wasted no time getting in shape Saturday with all manner of healing modalities at the Wellness Fair – yoga practices, massages therapies, mind and body massage, aromatherapy, reflexology – all offered for $5 for a 10-minute session.
Short left organizational duties this year to her follow therapist, Bonnie O’Rourke-Barr, to offer cranio-sacral therapy sessions, which involves the therapist "listening" through the hands to the body’s subtle rhythms to help the patient better understand his or her body’s dynamics.
While the crowd was smaller than in previous years, due to Carnival opening, Short said she was delighted to see so many youngsters Saturday.
"They are signing up for all the classes," she said, "from Tai Chi to kick boxing. We even have children’s yoga with Laura Nagi."
Short, who lives what she preaches, has more vigor than most. She took a short break from her massages to greet an unending group of advocates.
"It’s all about people looking for health, empowerment and peace," she said.
Short and O’Rourke-Barr operate Synergy Fitness & Wellness Center on the east end, a dream come true of both therapists.
Plenty of relaxing modalities were offered – Elise McCutcheon offered Thai yoga massage and Aqua Yoga, Lisa Pearl-Edwards offered reflexology, Doreen Walsh Core Yoga, but Yugonda Ferrero kept things lively with Pilates for all. Youngsters from about five years were happily jumping around with a few 70-year-olds.
Saturday’s crowd enjoyed mild weather, without a beating sun, while listening to a series of talks ranging from Medical Advanced Directives, by Rev. Rebecca McDonnell, spiritual counselor of Continuum Care, Inc., to Cultivating Mindfulness by life coach Anne Nayer.
Alan Buckingham instructed an assorted age group on the healing benefits of Tai Chi. Buckingham is a compelling teacher, absolutely immersed in his practice.
"Exhale now, inhale now, breathe," he ordered, while absorbing the sea breeze, "wonderful, just smell the salt." Telling his class to move in the practice’s slow, gentle movements, he said, "The slower you move, the more energy you use."
Student Ruth Baldwin is a believer.
"It helps me emotionally, mentally and spiritually," she said. Baldwin took a bad fall a few months ago, and Tai Chi is part of her rehabilitation.
"It helps with anger, it gives me a sense of joy," she said with a convincing smile.
Meanwhile, on the far end of the fair, a family had set up a little stand selling dad Jerome Knight’s sauces, known as "Uncle Romey’s Original Hot Sauce," in a variety of heats. Sons Kevin and Jae and daughter Kirsten looked happy helping out, while playing dominoes and barbequing something to put the hot sauce on.
A plentiful array of raw foods, vegan and vegetarian, was being gobbled up. Fragrant herbs – basil, thyme, oregano – lured folks to stop for a bite or a drink. How about a kale smoothie?
TADA’s mission is to promote enlightened awareness and understanding of individuals with disabilities, provide them with services and therapy, and advocate for their outreach. TADA is made up of physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists.
