A few physical and emotional health lessons were learned at a recent Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) Wellness Fair.

The first event of its kind at RFH, the Jan. 21 fair featured 50-minute  breakout sessions with activities and information centered on physical and emotional well-being. A variety of health-related presentations were offered at the forum in the RFH gymnasium as well.

Made possible by the contributions of local health practitioners and businesses as well as RFH staff members who donated their time and shared their expertise, the fair’s breakout sessions included: Pilates, presented by Dani Ruben, owner of Pilates Blast in Tinton Falls); Practical Meditation Mini-Retreat, presented by Kristin Gould, Jyoti; and Calm, Cool, and Collected, presented by Horizon Healthcare.

RFH staff members presented: Fitness (Joe Murphy, Rob Orrok, and Kim Pierson); Nutritional Cooking (Cassie Fallon, Andrew Hudson, and Greg Kelly); Yoga (Mary Beth Colemen, Kerri Williams, and Eric Zullo); and Returning to Play Safely from Concussion (Alex Stein).

Presentations in the gymnasium included: information on the benefits of juicing (and juice samples) from Cups and Cakes Bakery, Café, and Juice Bar in Rumson; Health Counseling by RFH staff member Rebecca Wang; information about the benefits of doTerra Essential Oils; an Acupuncture consultation by Dr. Jidong Sun.; and Biometric Screening providing immediate readings for Cholesterol, Blood Sugar Glucose, Blood Pressure and Pulse, and Body Mass Index.

Also on hand to answer questions were representatives from AXA Equitable, Aflac, Bolinger, Delta Dental, and Horizon.

“I received a Biometric Screening and participated in Pilates and Yoga,” said RFH Art Teacher Zachary Wilson. “I discovered that Pilates is challenging but in a good way. I’d never done it before, and now I am interested in doing more.

“I was really impressed with the Yoga session run by the RFH physical education and health teachers. They turned an empty classroom into a relaxing and peaceful environment.”

RFH French Teacher Christine Berg agreed.

“It is so important for teachers to be healthy mentally and physically in order to be at our best for students,” Berg said. “Today was a great reminder of things we can do to stay healthy. I felt refreshed and re-energized at the end of the day!”

Wellness Committee staff members who organized the event for their RFH colleagues are: Frank Gripp, Lauren Grumbach, Anna Higgins, Andrew Hudson, Linda Nill, and Lauren Thieme.

— Edited press release from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School