LAKEPORT – Discover how to take charge of your family’s health by learning from local and internationally known health experts.

The 2009 Sutter Lakeside Health & Wellness Expo will guide you towards a better understanding of the alternatives for your health care.

Join them on Saturday, May 9, as Sutter Lakeside Hospital will host “Catch the Spirit – Embrace, Learn and Align,” a day of education, hands-on learning and health screenings.

Hear from nationally recognized speakers about our changing world and learn ways to create your own health. Come for a few hours or stay all day.

“Our mission with this expo is to inspire and encourage individuals to embrace a life of health, wellness and fitness through awareness of natural and alternative solutions, advanced medicine research, education, nutrition, exercise and lifelong benefits of living a healthy lifestyle,” said Tammi Silva, Wellness Center & Foundation director.

The highlights of this year’s expo are discussion sessions from two distinguished pioneers of integrative medicine.

At 11 a.m. physicist, researcher and writer Dr. Fred Allen Wolfe will speak on “Be the Change: Mastering the Quantum Physics of Life!”

Later in the afternoon at 5 p.m. the mind-body connection authority, author and lecturer Dr. Joan Borysenko, will give a talk entitled, “The Wisdom of the Heart.”

After each discussion, there will be a question and answer session followed by a book signing. There is $15 fee for each session and pre-registration is required.

The Health & Wellness Expo features free workshop sessions along with free health screenings for the whole family.

Starting at 9 a.m. workshops such as “Healthy Aging Brain,” “Health and Wealth in Ecosystems: Clear Lake,” “Tai Chi Chuan and Chi Gung: Your Questions Answered” and “Cooking for the Whole Family” will be available along with numerous other workshops.

Free health screenings will be available throughout the day and include blood pressure and cholesterol checks, oxygen saturation tests, car seat safety checks, kinder prints, breathing test, balance assessment, body mass index readings, nutritional analysis and more. Workshop seating is limited, so be sure to arrive early.

Refreshments, snacks and a healthy lunch will be available from local vendors: High Street Café with Chef Andre, Harbor House Coffee and Jimmy’s Deli.

Relax in the beautiful healing gardens or take a walk along our healing trails. Explore vendor booths throughout the day as you relax, rejuvenate and restore.

While parents are learning from the experts at workshops and education booths, the kids can participate too. The Busy Bee on-site activity center will be open for children ages 4 through 7. Here they will be inspired to lean about health, art, movement and nature. Pre-registration is required along with a nominal hourly fee.

Children in grades second through sixth will have the opportunity to attend an off-site day camp, “Find your Fun! – Health & Wellness Expo for Kids,” designed to inspire them towards healthy choices.

Full-day or half-day programs are available and will include activities such as volleyball, jump rope, disc golf, yoga, rock climbing, skateboarding and much more.

The day camp will be held at Clear Lake High School in Lakeport from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pre-registration is necessary, so sign up today. Space is limited and reserved only for children whose parents are registered for the expo.

Find out how you can achieve optimal health. Attend the 2009 Sutter Lakeside Hospital Health & Wellness Expo, Saturday, May 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

For more information or to register for the keynote lectures or children’s activities, call 707-262-5171 or go www.sutterlakeside.org.

{mos_sb_discuss:2}