CONSTANCE BAY – With March’s focus squarely on the heart, the Constance Buckham’s Bay Community Association (CBBCA) hosted a week of great programs, seminars and workshops to keep residents in tip-top shape and the special week culminates in a Wellness Market this Saturday (Feb. 29).

All week long starting last Monday (Feb. 24) the NorthWind Wireless Fibre Centre was the place to be as healthy events were hosted by the CBBCA.

Workshops such as a song circle, mobility and healthy aging, cannabis education, yoga, essential oil and wellness, concussion and meditation divided in to learning and active series were held all week long. A $10 donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation was all that was needed to buy a passport to access the whole week of more than 30 classes and 10 seminars, as well as entry in to a number of raffle prizes.

“This is our first year for this event so Katrin Bachmann, who is our resident personal trainer and is Heart Wise Certified, has really done an amazing job pulling together an impressive diversity and calibre of experts,” CBBCA past president Len Russell told West Carleton Online Wednesday (Feb. 26). “The 10 workshops touch the heart, mind and body of wellness. We expect some people will partake of several workshops while others will just choose one or two that really resonate with them and their family situation.”

Saturday (Feb. 29) will be a celebration of the heart with a myriad of activities and workshops.

“Saturday is our grand finale, featuring six classes, four workshops, a Wellness Market, a special Savvy Seconds fitness shop, and wrapping up with our raffle draw,” Russell said. “The whole thing and the raffle ticket are available with the $10 donation to the Heart & Stroke Foundation; we hope to raise $2,000 this year.”

The CBBCA has been putting a focus on heart health for quite some time now.

“Last year the NorthWind Fitness Centre and two of our instructors earned their Heart Wise Exercise certification from the Ottawa Heart Institute so running a Heart Month event seemed like a great fit,” Russell said. “Our HWE certification means we have trainers who can customize our programs for people who have, are at risk of having, or are rehabilitating from a wide range of chronic conditions.”

 The NorthWind gym is a popular spot for health nuts.

“There are more than 300 fitness and gym users at NorthWind on an average week so the 2020 challenge was to make the event big enough for the captive audience we already have,” Russell said. “We haven’t restricted participation this year, we just haven’t actively promoted the event. In 2021 our goals are to expand programs for the week at NorthWind and at a second community centre, location to be determined, adding a series of food events, and avoiding snowstorm weeks.”

Events on Saturday start at 11 a.m. and go until 3:30 p.m. You can purchase a $10 passport at the door. To see the complete schedule, click here.