DANBURY, CONN. — Many people start the New Year resolving to lead a healthier lifestyle. With that in mind, the Institute for Holistic Health Studies (IHHS), housed within the Department of Health Promotion and Exercise Sciences (HPX) at Western Connecticut State University, will sponsor a series of “Wellness Wednesday Workshops” to promote the importance of making and maintaining healthy choices in 2016.

These free, public workshops will be at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesdays in Room 127 of White Hall on the university’s Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury.

The series will include:

• Feb. 10: “Living Poetry, Writing Lives Using Poetry for Healing” with Reggie Marra. This workshop will embrace the healing power of the written and spoken word, and provide the opportunity to explore poetry and the self. The emphasis will be on writing poetry as a healing narrative. No poetry or writing experience is required.

• Feb. 24: “Introduction to Naturopathic Medicine” with Stephanie DeSousa. This workshop will provide an overview of the philosophy of Naturopathic Medicine and the preparation needed to pursue a degree in Naturopathic Medicine. DeSousa is a 2012 WCSU graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion Studies who will graduate from the University of Bridgeport’s Naturopathic Medicine program in May 2016.

• March 9: “Introduction to Herbalism” with Lupo Passero, a Newtown native, community herbalist, flower essences practitioner and director of Twin Star Herbal Education. This workshop will provide an introduction to a variety of popular herbal remedies, ways to incorporate them into daily life for better health and wellness, and methods to make herbal remedies at home with herbs that grow in your own back yard.

• April 13: “Strength Training” with health promotion studies students. This fitness seminar will feature strength-training activities that focus on all the major muscle groups. The goal is to empower attendees by providing them with the knowledge and skills to perform each exercise in a safe and effective manner.

• April 27: “The Alexander Technique” with Valerie Rich. Rich is a certified yoga teacher and Reiki master. This workshop will teach how to remove harmful tensions in the body by living mindfully.

In addition to the “Wellness Wednesday” workshop series, the IHHS and HPX, in partnership with Campus Recreation and University Health Services, will present the first Health, Wellness and Fitness Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12, 2016, in the Bill Williams Gym in Berkshire Hall on the university’s Midtown campus. The fair will include healthy vendors, activities and demonstrations, and is open to the public.

The HPX department at WCSU offers two Bachelor of Science degrees: Health Education (Certification Pre-K – 12) and Health Promotion Studies. Within the Health Promotion Studies program, students may choose one of four options/concentrations: Wellness Management, Community Health, Allied Health Professions, and Holistic and Integrative Health. The students in these degree programs are prepared for entry-level, certified health education specialist (CHES) positions. The focus of studying health promotion and exercise science is to educate students about the importance of a physically active lifestyle, wellness, fitness, health protection and preventive services in schools and the larger global community.

For more information about WCSU HPX programs, contact department co-chairs Robyn Housemann at housemannr@wcsu.edu or Jody Rajcula at rajculaj@wcsu.edu. For information about the Institute for Holistic Health Studies, contact the director, Christel Autuori, at autuoric@wcsu.edu.

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.