Holistic health care enthusiasts dominated the campus quad during a recent event that celebrated health and wellness.
Ventura College kicked off its first ever Holistic Health Festival on Thursday, April 22. Hosted by the newly formed Holistic Health Club, the Holistic Health Festival focused on raising awareness on the various alternative forms of medicine and provided students with insight on proper mind and body care.
Many local organizations focused on the physical aspect of taking care of one’s body. The Kali Institute for Massage and Somatic Therapies provided attendees free back massages while the Ojai Herb and Acupuncture Clinic gave students information on how to properly relieve physical pain.
Other organizations, including Juice Plus+ and Healing Patch Raw Cuisine, gave attendees an idea of what kinds of food work well with the body.
VC clubs, including the Anthropology Club and Alpha Gamma Sigma, were also on scene selling baked goods and demonstrating their support for the festival.
Throughout the morning, attendees were the given the opportunity to partake in both a raffle and silent auction. An iPod shuffle served as the biggest raffle prize, and the silent auction gave away gifts such as plants and Patagonia blankets.
Music and entertainment animated the quad, and Hispanic performers demonstrated the Danza Azteca, Spanish for “Aztec Dance,” among the most basic expressions of the cultural spirit of Mexican natives.
The Holistic Health Festival came to an end early in the afternoon, but its impact remained evident among the students of VC.
“I took so much away from this festival,” said Laura Gomez, a 23-year-old psychology major. “The information I’ve received from the booths will hopefully help me eat better and be smarter about my actions.”
Jonathan Wells, an 18-year-old business major, was also pleased with the information he received and the overall feel of the festival.
“This festival was so organized,” he said. “Everyone, the vendors [and] the members, were so helpful and informative. I’ll definitely attend the event again next year.”
