Yoga, Music, Rock Wall, Animals: Fun and Fitness, New College Style

The third annual Fun & Fitness Expo at New College of Florida shows that there’s more to healthy living than annual checkups.
The Feb. 6 event, which is open to the public, features community groups and businesses demonstrating aspects of a positive lifestyle, including acupuncture, massage, yoga and devices for “green” living.
“The hope is to promote lasting and meaningful connections within the community, as reflected in the mission of New College,” said Erin Robinson, associate director of the Counseling and Wellness Center at New College, and an organizer of the expo.
Fun activities include a rock wall, henna painting, and the chance to interact with animals from the Humane Society of Manatee County, Cat Depot, Sarasota County Animal Rescue and Big Cat Habitat. There also will be performances from New College bands and dance and athletic clubs.
Manatee Technical Institute students again will provide free haircuts and manicures. Attendees also will be able to donate blood and be tested to for potential bone marrow matches for cancer patients.
During the event, organizers will give away prizes including local gym memberships, a scuba lesson, a free hotel stay, and four adult tickets to TreeUmph!, a local high ropes course.
“The Fun and Fitness Expo brings together students from New College, USF Sarasota-Manatee, and the surrounding Sarasota and Bradenton communities to engage with aspects of health and wellness that goes beyond the conventional experiences of a health fair,” Robinson said.
The Fun & Fitness Expo is from 1 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, outside the Counseling and Wellness Center (across from Jane Bancroft Cook Library) on the bayfront campus of New College of Florida. For more information, contact the Counseling and Wellness Center at 487-4254.