Strength for Life

Our day started with Penni Niles, intenSati Leader, she took our group through powerful movement affirmations – incredible! Diane took the group through a series of techniques focusing on reducing their stress level by taking a negative thought and shifting the focus through affirmations and tapping on specific meridian/acupressure points. Our signature event of the weekend, our FABULOUS REIKI CIRCLE, lead by the incredible Rosemary Maginniss, who continuously gives of herself to organize these magnificent circles – so very grateful for Rosemary! The next morning a recap during breakfast and Teresa introduced everyone to many self healing books and Angel Cards…what a way to end Wellness Retreat #18!

The contributions received will help Strength for Life continue on the mission of providing FREE exercise classes and wellness weekends to people living with cancer and survivors. As you may know, Strength for Life was formed in memory of Evelyn Knapp, an exercise physiologist, who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2005. How do you feel on a daily basis 70% Your outlook on the future 75% Sleep patterns 63% Our classes will resume in January 2017, we are serving 9 locations with 11 classes a week, find a class near you or to share with a friend/relative on LI. There are also 4 retreats scheduled for 2017…read more about the wellness retreats (offered a ‘no cost’ to survivors)

In the past three years, the Wantagh World Gym has held this event and chose Strength for Life as a beneficiary with the total raised over $110,000. Strength for Life (SFL), is a non-profit dedicated to providing free exercise programs designed to enhance the recovery process of persons with a cancer diagnosis throughout Long Island communities. Services provided include educating cancer patients, caregivers and the medical community on the benefits of incorporating exercise into the treatment regimen and its effect on reducing the risk of certain cancers and re-occurrences, along with improving bodily functional activities. Learning of the astronomical copays of a cancer diagnosis and how it can make it financially difficult for many to work with a personal trainer Strength for Life has tried to eliminate all the barriers – travel, equipment, cost and qualified cancer exercise specialists.

We are so grateful for all of the reiki practitioners who spent their Saturday afternoon volunteering at SFL’s Wellness Retreat and for Donna Nesteruk for bringing out all of her crystal bowls, gongs and sound healing tools. We wrote on paper what we wanted to let go and then burned it in epsom salt to release the anger and negative energy and then did an exchange by writing down our positive intentions and holding a red envelope ceremony. We all learned that placing 9 (an auspicious number) oranges in the kitchen or dining area is considered a sign of abundance and good health and that when you find feathers in your path it means spirit is saying “hello” (Jacqui, that one is for you! ). Special thank you to all our volunteers who help make this day happen and to our amazing guests who allowed themselves to take the time from their busy lives to give themselves the self-love and care that they so deserve.