Come and learn about the Institute for Holistic Health Studies (IHHS) on September 27 from 6 to 8 pm, at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury. Professionals, practitioners and educators are invited to attend this free open house and networking event, sponsored in part by Natural Awakenings Fairfield County. 

The IHHS is part of the university’s health promotion and exercise sciences department. It provides the university and greater Danbury community with an opportunity to engage in and explore holistic and integrative approaches to health and wellness. The IHHS sponsors a series of midday Wellness Wednesday Workshops; the annual Health, Fitness & Wellness Fair; a monthly meditation series; and special lectures and presentations. IHHS events are open to the public, and they encourage and invite the support of the community and local practitioners.

To kick off its fall semester of events, the IHHS will hold a Multicultural Meditation for Peace on September 11 from 4 to 9:30pm. This is the third year the IHHS is hosting this event in partnership with the Center for Creativity, Compassion and Innovation, and the Honors Students of Compassion. There will be several workshops offered, with a variety of meditation practices to experience. This event will be held in the Campus Center Ballroom on the WCSU Westside campus, at 43 Lake Avenue Extension, Danbury.

The IHHS is sponsoring a series of Wellness Wednesday Workshops. These workshops take place in White Hall, Room 127, at 12:30pm on the WCSU Midtown campus, at 181 White Street, Danbury. These workshops are free and the public is invited. Mother Nature Heals: Introduction to Ecotherapy, on September 12, will be presented by Marcia Kendall, MA, a WCSU adjunct faculty member and holistic lifestyle and ecotherapy coach. Dr. Michael Murphy of Murphy Family Chiropractic, also a WCSU adjunct faculty member, will present Need More Power: How We Generate Energy, on October 17. Valentina Olvidese, MS, a holistic nutritionist with Valiant Nutrition, LLC, will focus on Mindful Eating in Practice, on November 14. 

A monthly Mudra Meditation series led by Jesse Rovero will be held on the second Tuesday of each month through December, at 7pm in Warner Hall. IHHS will also sponsor an evening with Roland Comtois, a noted author, speaker and medium, on November 5 at 7:30pm.

For additional information or to make a reservation for any of the events, contact IHHS Director Christel Autuori, RDH, RYT, MA, at [email protected], or visit WCSU.edu/IHHS. Fall Open House Location: Midtown Campus of Western Connecticut State University, Warner Hall, 181 White St, Rm 103, Danbury. See ad, page 9.