Institute for Holistic Health Studies

IHHS Programs and Opportunities

Annual Health and Wellness Fair

The Institute for Holistic Health Studies has sponsored twelve annual Health and Wellness Fairs. These health fairs bring together health and wellness practitioners from across the region and state and WCSU student health and wellness services to showcase opportunities to enhance and protect health. In addition, students in the Health Promotion Studies program exhibit their service learning projects and provide fun activities for attendees. The health fairs have varied over the years and have included exhibits, presentations, a film screening, 5K walk-run events, yoga, tai chi and drumming demonstrations, and more. Reiki practitioners and massage therapists have donated their time to provide free reiki sessions and massages. These events are open to the campus community and the public.

Meditation Garden

A group of students designed a Meditation Garden as part of their HPS service learning project. They presented their idea to WCSU facilities staff for input and made some modifications in the design before implementing it in the fall of 2015. This collaborative effort involved students, faculty and staff donating plants and volunteering their time to prepare the soil and plant the garden. We are looking forward to the plants blooming in spring. This garden will provide a place to enjoy nature, meditate or relax. It can be used for yoga and meditation classes as well. A garden dedication/grand opening is planned for early spring.

Special Event

The IHHS presents STRESSBUSTERS! at the end of the fall semester. This program is open to students, faculty, staff and the general public. It includes demonstrations, information, and simple stress management tools and techniques to help attendees navigate this often stressful time.

We present workshops and lectures and participate in health fairs outside of the university at worksites, community settings and for youth. These requests are indicative of the community’s interest in holistic and integrative health opportunities.

Reiki Treatment for a Donation

“Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing.” (The International Center for Reiki Training, www.reiki.org). Reiki is used to treat physical ailments without using pressure, manipulation or massage. It is more than a physical therapy, it is holistic ~ treating the whole system ~ balancing, healing, and harmonizing all aspects of the person (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual). Reiki treatments are offered in the Wellness Center in exchange for a donation to the IHHS – all proceeds from the reiki sessions are donated to the IHHS for scholarships and programs. Contact Dr. Robyn Housemann (housemannr@wcsu.edu) for more information.

Opportunities for Service Learning and Internships for HPS students

The HPS degree has a service learning component that spans four semesters and includes 5 courses. Students select a group in the fall semester of their sophomore year and continue to work with this group for the next 2 years. We have had IHHS student groups since fall 2010. The group sizes have ranged from 5 to 9 students. These courses provide an experiential learning approach that incorporates team building, knowledge enhancement, skill building, volunteerism, and continuous quality improvement. Students create health promotion programs focused on Holistic Health approaches for the university and surrounding community organizations. The service learning approach provides students with an opportunity to gain “real-life experience” and help the community at the same time. Mentoring, advising and leading by example are key components of our student-centered approach. The students are evaluated according to the requirements in the course syllabi. Students have created various programs over the years including the design of the Meditation Garden.
The HPS Internship and Senior Seminar is the capstone requirement for the HPS major; students complete a 450-hour internship in a community health, wellness, holistic health, or allied health organization. Students are required to complete an independent project during the internship semester and submit a portfolio of their internship experiences. Students have participated in Holistic and Integrative Health Internships and have created programs in using mindfulness for healthy eating, stress reduction workshops, guided meditation programs, received reiki certifications, assisted with website design and marketing and instructional materials.