On Wednesday, March 29, Rowan Thrive hosted the 27th Annual Health and Wellness Expo at the Rowan Rec Center. Participants connected with Rowan University departments, student groups and local community partners. The activities and vendors related to Rowan Thrive’s six dimensions of well-being: physical, financial, emotional, community, social and purpose.

39 vendors participated in the event, including ShopRite of Glassboro, Zallie’s Community Foundation, Glassboro Chiropractic Center, GNC Glassboro and Trifecta Therapeutics to name a few. 

From 11:30 a.m. — 3 p.m., a massage chair was available for participants. The traditional massage chair is designed to take the weight off the spine and give easy access to the head, neck, back, shoulders and arms.

In the group exercise room, yoga flow took place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The class focused on breathing, encouraging participants to channel their breathing while moving through various postures. The instructor guided participants through movements to build strength, flexibility and balance.

Sound Healing took place in the conference room for a period of 20 minutes. Sound Healing is a meditative experience in which bowls, gongs or other instruments are played while the participant sits or reclines on a yoga mat or chair. Sound vibrations can shift energy and facilitate relaxation, bringing a person to a meditative state.

From 12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. a body pump class in the group exercise room instructed participants on how to strengthen the entire body and challenge all major muscle groups by using weight-room exercises like squats, presses, lifts and curls. 

A Reiki session took place from 1 p.m. to 1:20 p.m. in the conference room. Reiki is a Japanese energy technique for stress reduction and relaxation that treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit. Ashley Shaw, a Reiki master teacher, led the guided meditation and Reiki sessions. 

Sanit Sanchez, a supply chain management major, loved the event even though he came for different reasons.

“I came into the rec center and I was like I’m gonna go play basketball, haven’t played basketball in a while. I walk in and I see this event. I was pretty bummed. I was like, ‘I can’t play basketball because all the courts are taken.’ But now I was like, I’m here, might as well explore. And now it was fun,” Sanchez said. 

Sanchez did the pull-up challenge and also got a free t-shirt for setting the record for building a tent in the fastest amount of time. 

The event was organized by Katie Hubert, assistant director for fitness and wellness, and three students on the committee. 

“Sometimes it’s great to just be in person, or show people all that’s available to us, especially rural students, to know that there are so many departments and local spaces around to help support their well-being,” Hubert said. 

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