The first annual International Health & Wellness Week (IHAWW) will take place May 2 to 8. Throughout the week, health and wellness providers will offer free events, classes, seminars, demonstrations, promotions, and materials. The purpose of IHAWW is to have a positive impact on health and wellness overall, as well as to unite people through the common goal of preventing disease, promoting a better quality of life, and living longer. It gives people the opportunity to connect to businesses to improve the mind, body, and spirit and consider how to incorporate ways to live healthier. For health and wellness providers, this event is an opportunity to demonstrate their services and distribute informational materials to potential clients. Event offerings this year include a Get Fit Don't Sit Day seminar hosted by the American Diabetes Association that encourages people to get up and move every 90 minutes, complimentary group dance lessons for adults and children provided by Ballroom Dance of NJ, Tai Chi and Qigong classes offered by Chi For Living, and many more.
IHAWW was founded by Steve Guttman, owner of Mind Body Dynamics in Parsippany, NJ. Guttman believes that a united effort by the wellness, fitness, and medical community can show the many options available and how easy it can be to incorporate healthier living into daily routines. The concept of IHAWW grew out of a town-wide program he organized to expose families to the value and the means to live healthier lives. He is now sharing this philosophy across the globe. “International Health and Wellness Week is inspired by a much smaller scale event that I put together 11 years ago as a physical education teacher to fight kids obesity,” says Steve Guttman, founder and chair of the event. “The goals of International Health and Wellness Week are to help inspire, educate, and motivate people to find, discover the best fitness, wellness modalities that are right for them. I am dedicating the first International Health and Wellness Week to my late mother Elaine who taught me life lessons about making a difference in people's lives as well as dedicating it my son Dylan and all the other children of the world.”
For participation, all types of health and wellness providers are encouraged to register at International Health & Wellness Week.