Wella News - Wellapalooza 2016 Retreat Newsletter Day 1

Wellapalooza 2016 is off to a great start! And Day 2 is already here!

Day 1 summary, Day 2 details, and important reminders – Please make sure to read entire message or scroll down to important details and reminders for those attending Wellapalooza 2016!

Wellapalooza 2016 is off to a fantastic start! Yesterday was beyond incredible in so many ways. We were able to record Dr. Norris discussion and part of Dr. Afrin’s Q &A, but we tested out Facebook Live via the Wellapalooza Facebook page. However, we did not post a ton on social media, because we were thoroughly able to be present in the moment and enjoy this experience with both our older friends and those we met yesterday. Friday was our “lightest” day regarding attendance for this year’s retreat, but I’m fairly certain everyone fell in love with my personal sanctuary – The Mindfulness Center.

We experienced Dr. Deborah Norris‘ amazing restorative yoga class and discussed evidence-based support for managing chronic pain with mindfulness therapies. Additionally, we had a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet in a small group and ask as many questions as we wished in an open Q & A session with Dr. Larry Afrin. Seriously awesome!

Later in the afternoon, we took Tai Chi/QiGong, and then some of us stayed for Jessie Norris’ amazing candlelight yoga class in the evening. The retreat schedule on Friday was the perfect balance between educational presentations and discussions, and activity to help us put what we learned into practice. We didn’t just sit there! We also had plenty of comfortable seating and various support tools to help us sit as comfortably as possible — a huge benefit to holding a health, wellness, or medical retreat in a wellness facility and yoga studio.

While some people participated more than others, several people tried things or watched with interest, when they would not have previously.

Friday set a strong and positive tone for Wellapalooza 2016, and we can’t wait to see everyone this morning! Saturday is our busiest day with the most attendees; however, we have made a few updates to the retreat schedule and registration was extended again based on interest.

Anyone who is in the Maryland area is welcome to join us!

To view the retreat schedule for today and Sunday, go to http://www.wellapalooza.com/retreat-schedule/

Our sponsor page for Wellapalooza 2016 is finally published. We have a few last-minute sponsors to add today, but we are incredibly grateful to everyone who pitched in to help make Wellapalooza 2016 a great event for our attendees.

If you weren’t’ able to make Wellapalooza 2016, you can still support this fantastic cause by becoming a Wella Partner!

http://www.wellapalooza.com/wella-partners/

We can’t thank The Mindfulness Center enough for hosting us. Wellapalooza Day 1 made a big difference in a few lives and opened the eyes of a few more. I’m blessed to be a tiny part of this amazing organization, while also working side by side to help improve the lives of those who need help the most.

Please read important details for those attending Wellapalooza 2016 below.

Added a special support group ticket for those who are already in the DC/MD/VA MCAS/Mastocytosis/MCAD support group. The local support group can join the Sunday morning casual Q & A book signing with Dr. Afrin for $20. This ticket doesn’t include access to Haven on the Lake, or any of the other presentations scheduled for Sunday — this includes the Physicians Learning Lunch, even if you are already at Turf Valley in the same room. Registrations will be checked against the emails already on the support group list.
Registration was extended again. If anyone is interested, they can register by going to Wellapalooza 2016 – Retreat Registration
Please remember to call Haven on the Lake starting at 7 am TODAY to reserve your spot in the classes you would like to take, or to book a salt cave session. 410 – 715 – 3020
If you are participating in the private Aquatic Yoga at 4:30 pm, you must have a bathing suit.
If you plan on using the Healing Environments at all, you must have a bathing suit.
The Watsu Aquatic Massage seminar is confirmed; however, it’s in one of the yoga studios and not the indoor pool.
If you wish to book a Watsu Aquatic Massage session, Tom will be taking appointments after the seminar. Personal Watsu sessions are NOT part of your registration. All wellness services and spa appointments are the responsibility of each attendee.
The indoor pool is INDOOR – meaning there’s chlorine in the air. If you are sensitive to chlorine, you may want to see if the room is tolerable for you if you are interested in aquatic massage or other healing environments.
Similarly, you have to WALK THROUGH the indoor pool area to get to the salt cave or the outdoor lounge area associated with the healing environments. Again, all personal preference and level of tolerance.
Main pool is around 88F,
The hot tub is around 104F
Cold plunge around 55F
The steam room is usually set to 116F.
Our saunas in the men’s and women’s retreats are around 160F
Healing environment air temps are usually around 86-89F (not sure if this includes salt cave or not, but I believe that it does)
KidSpace is $8/child for up to 2 hours, ages 6weeks to 13 years old.
Close-toed and closed back shoes are required (no flip flops or sandals) for kids
Parents must remain on site the entire time their child is in KidSpace (walking around the lake is not considered on-site)
Dr. Afrin’s Keynote Presentation is tonight at 6:30 pm at Turf Valley Resort – approx. 10 minutes away from Haven on the Lake. Driving directions are attached below.
Haven on the Lake is holding a community event on Sunday, June 12th – Yoga on the Lawn at 10am. Anyone can join.
I’ve attached a bunch a PDFs with various articles and information that will be discussed today in different seminars.
Please make sure to check your email a few times during the day, the Wellapalooza site, Retreat schedule and Facebook page for announcements and important information. I’m still updating the schedule and posting reminders.