Geneva store to host Fox Valley Holistic Health Celebration
Interested in acupuncture? Want to try Thai yoga? Ready for reflexology? Or would you just like to learn more about holistic health and organic products and services?
You’ll find all that and more at the Fox Valley Holistic Health Celebration Sunday, Oct. 2, in the parking lot of Soup to Nuts Alternative Grocery, 716 W. State St., Geneva.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and features vendors offering a wide variety of holistic, organic and environmentally safe products and services.
Now in its third year, the celebration was founded by JR Carmany, owner of Soup to Nuts, to inform and educate the public on the benefits of holistic health care and the many options available locally.
Admission is free.
“This is an opportunity to meet and learn from very educated and talented practitioners from many modalities,” Carmany said. “Learn about different therapies and their applications. Sample organic foods and organic bodycare products; learn their benefits.”
The first 200 visitors will receive a “stuffed” tote bag with samples of healthy foods, products, and/or supplements. Stop by the registration booth to sign up for the raffle, featuring a variety of prizes donated by exhibitors.
The event evolved three years ago from a discussion Carmany had with a yoga teacher, a massage therapist, and an acupuncturist about generating interest in holistic health.
“A suggestion was made that, perhaps, we should stand on the street corner and let people know that we were here,” she said. “Voila! Inspiration!”
The idea for a different kind of health fair was born.
“How often have you heard someone say, ‘I didn’t know there was anyone around here doing (Thai massage, lymphatic work, crystal healing, whatever)?’” Carmany said. This event is an opportunity for the holistic health community to collectively put itself and its healing arts in the public eye in a celebratory environment.
The goals of this event are to attract the attention of the public to holistic health care options, educate local health care consumers and “promote and celebrate our unique and wonderful healing arts,” she added.
“It is amazing to see the growing acceptance and interest in an approach to health that encourages personal responsibility and self-healing by including nutrition, bodywork, and natural remedies,” said Carmany, who has worked in the natural foods industry for 30 years, and has been a holistic practitioner for 10 years.
“Unfortunately, I think many people do not realize the wealth of holistic talent and opportunities that exist right in our own area,” she added. “This event is intended to acquaint the public with many of these talented individuals.”
Fifty-four exhibitors will have information and demonstrations on topic including:
acupuncture, aromatherapy, chiropractic, energy medicine, herbal medicine, massage therapies, meditation, naturopathic medicine, nutritional health, organic foods, organic body care, osteopathy, reflexology, yoga therapy and much more.
In addition, students from the Elgin Community College Massage Therapy Program will offer free massages, and the Winfield-based Reiki Council will offer free Reiki sessions. Many exhibitors will offer discounts on products or services, including ionizing detox footbaths, and acupuncture. Other exhibitors of interest include a holistic dentist, Healing Touch, a holistic osteopath, life coaching and organic foods home delivery.
The event has grown over the years, Carmany noted.
“We started by inviting our favorite practitioners and friends; I think we had 30 exhibitors the first year,” she said. “This year I am still turning potential exhibitors away — we want to keep the size manageable for the visitors. The first year we probably had about 200 visitors — last year, we had just shy of 1,000. I think interest is definitely growing.”
For details, contact Carmany at (630) 232-6646 or visit souptonutsgeneva.com.