From tai chi to strolls through downtown, Wellness Weekend is sure to inspire residents to take care of themselves and take a break
Breathe in.
As the cool breeze of a Saturday afternoon blows through the air, the group rotates their bodies, harnessing their energy near the center of their body. They keep their arms close and powerful, but far enough away to block if needed.
Breathe out.
As they released their energy, they silently glorified in their movements. Tai chi, a Chinese form of martial arts meant to help with self defense, has been used in the modern day as a form of exercise and a way to relax the body. Tai chi was one of the many events hosted by The District of Downtown Columbia for their annual Wellness Weekend.
With the school year officially underway, it can be hard for students to find ways to prioritize not only their mental health, but their physical health. Luckily, The District of Downtown Columbia helps members of the community find their serenity and discover new ways to relax and relieve stress.
“I had gotten so stressed [because of my kids] and my job, that the next thing I knew, I had to figure out something or else I was just going to break in half,” said resident of Columbia, Jo Von Lee. “And so I decided, when they go back to school, I’m going to start tai chi because they started karate,”
The third annual Wellness Weekend was held from Saturday, Sept. 7 to Sunday, Sept. 8, and offered many free events, sales and opportunities for local businesses. Some of the events included tai chi, yoga, face yoga, psychotherapy consultations and offers to promote engagement with the businesses.
“[I learned tai chi because of] health, meditation and self defense,” said Kenny Greene, a tai chi instructor at The Armory, a sports and recreation center in Columbia.
There are many benefits to tai chi, including self defense and working on your meditation skills. It also helps in boosting your overall health, including lowering your blood pressure and improving your balance. Greene’s students were able to take a break and learn how to release and hone in their energy. Dee Dee Strnad, one of the instructors, didn’t know too much about tai chi when her son was taking classes, but she grew to love it after taking classes at The Armory.
“When my son [was] in elementary school, [he] took a class from Kenny Greene at the school; they did a presentation and all of this stuff. And [it] was really serious, and I would make fun of him,” said Strnad.“Then when I had the chance, [it was] fun, not funny. It helped me bring my blood pressure down and keep my balance. In the winter when it’s all icy, Kenny teaches us how to fall and roll on the ice.”
While the tai chi event turned out to be a success, with residents becoming more interested in the art, the rest of the weekend was not all it was advertised to be. Finding more information about the events tended to cause more stress to event attendees than relief as many businesses were not offering their services as advertised. Visiting the businesses in person was not as serene as one would hope, as many of them were not accepting customers by not being open during advertised hours or accepting phone calls.
However, the businesses that were not advertised as part of the Wellness Weekend events offered their own ways of finding wellness and serenity. Artlandish Gallery, a local business on Walnut Street that sells items from a variety of vendors, is full of art from different mediums. Looking for the perfect photo of a hummingbird captured by a local photographer? Or maybe you want to explore the ‘art catacombs’ below the store? No matter your intention, this gallery is perfect for those who need a break and want to look at amazing local artwork.
Maybe you find you are most calm browsing vintage clothing stores or boutiques. Maude Vintage has the perfect selection of ‘30s to ‘90s style with a bit of a modern flare. Looking to dress up in ‘80s prom dresses, or maybe try on hats that remind you of walking the streets of prohibition-era New York? No matter what, this store has something for everyone at a reasonable price.
Although the designated Wellness Weekend was not all it was meant to be, The District is perfect to spend a Saturday afternoon with friends or by yourself. With its endless shops, places to eat and incredible sights, there is something for everyone. Make your own wellness weekend – pick up a cup of tea, walk around The District and take care of your overall well-being.
Edited by Alyssa Royston | aroyston@themaneater.com
Copyedited by Caroline Sweet and Hannah Taylor | htaylor@themaneater.com
Edited by Annie Goodykoontz | agoodykoontz@themaneater.com