University of Miami faculty and staff are eligible to receive a ten percent discount on a 50-minute massage at the Herbert Wellness Center. In addition, UM employees who are not members of the center will receive a day pass to enjoy free use of the facility on the day of their massage appointment. The licensed massage therapists on staff, one male and two females, are available weekdays for morning, afternoon, and evening appointments. Relieve stress or just pamper yourself—make a massage appointment today. Call the Wellness Suite at 305-284-LIFE (5433).

Giving instead of receiving is a valuable lesson taught to the campers of the Mini ’Canes Recreational Sports Camp at the Herbert Wellness Center. Every summer the campers donate the profits from their weekly pizza lunches to the United Way. This past summer the campers raised a record $3,182, bringing the total donated over the past nine years to $20,708.

At right, Herbert Wellness Center staff pose with proud Mini ’Canes campers displaying their United Way donation. Back row, from left: Melanie Palma, operations director; Norm Parsons, director of the Herbert Wellness Center; Rhonda DuBord, associate director; Patricia Whitely, vice president for student affairs; Mark Dusek, sports director; Tom Soria, assistant director; and Ashley Falcon, assistant director. Middle row, from left: Angelike Koniaris, Donald Ellison, Anthony Albini, and Araceli Sanchez. Front Row: Max Kobetz-Diem, Emma Goldberg, Colin Wilson, Megan Shoffner, Zachary Letson, and Alisa Sanchez.

Our daily life revolves around activity, achievement, and the pressure to always do more. So who has time to meditate? Research has shown that taking a few minutes to quiet the mind and focus on the present moment actually makes us more productive and effective decision-makers. Learn how to meditate or take a meditation break at the Herbert Wellness Center. The next class in the meditation series is Friday, September 4 from 12:45 to 1:30 p.m. in the Wellness Suite conference room. The class is free and open to all. Space is limited, so please RSVP by calling 305-284-LIFE (5433). Or send an e-mail to Angie Ramos at [email protected].

A major focus of the University’s benefits program is to promote health and overall well-being for all faculty and staff. Whether you are seeking to become more active, lose weight, quit smoking, reduce stress, or just stay fit, the resources the UM Wellness Programs offer will start you on your long-term plan for health and help you make lifelong changes. Check out the latest Aetna Live Your Life Well Newsletter, which focuses on asthma and allergy health. Also, be sure to visit the UM Wellness Programs Web site often for updates on seminars, discounts, health and fitness programs, and all of the wellness resources available to you and your family.