Dr. Ed Mink, director of Wellness and Health Promotion, will be the featured opening keynote speaker at Wellfest 2014 this Saturday, Nov. 8. His presentation entitled “Living and Living Well” begins at 10 a.m. and will set the stage for the day’s activities hosted by Kirsty’s Place Early Learning Center on the corner of Wedington and Double Springs.

Later at 1:30 p.m., Mink will lead a session, “Toddler Yoga Fun,” as a way for parents and their young children to actively engage in basic yoga as part of wellness. Mink has introduced toddler yoga to area daycares over the last couple of years. He particularly enjoys taking his students to these facilities as part of experiential learning for the academic courses he teaches.

Additional set sessions include “Delicious Herbal Remedies for the Whole Family - Cooking Demonstration” by Dr. Laurell Matthews at 11:30 a.m. and “The Art of Tai Chi” by Scott Flesher at 1 p.m. Dr. Mary A. Wyandt-Hiebert, a health educator with the Wellness and Health Promotion department, will provide demonstration and practice sessions for infant and child CPR with information where to register for CPR courses.

Ongoing activities at Wellfest 2014 will include ongoing information exhibits with various wellness practitioners and groups. Featured exhibitors include Reiki, a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation, with Diana Shepherd, naturopathic medicine with Dr. Tara Hickman, acupuncture and chiropractic medicine with Dr. Ali Racheotes and basic health assessment screenings offered by Northwest Technical Institute.

Activities will be sponsored by several student groups, to include Roots and Shoots, SHAC (Student Health Advisory Committee) and RESPECT. University of Arkansas athletes will make an appearance, as well as McGruff the Crime Dog and Dr. Bongo, the Wellness and Health Promotion mascot.

Although open to all, the event’s focus is geared toward families with young children and those who work with preschoolers. The event is open to the public and there is no charge.

Wellness and Health Promotion is a department within the Pat Walker Health Center. The department inspires, motivates and supports student self-exploration about personal health and wellness. Wellness and Health Promotion offers academic courses, outreach presentations and events, training retreats, peer education and individual and group coaching to encourage movement along an individual and collective path to wellness at the University of Arkansas.