The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

Encouraging holistic living and helping people to sustain a healthy lifestyle has been a major goal for local wellness coach Kiara Smith.

Extending her efforts to ensure that Bahamians understand the benefit of taking a proactive approach to their health, Kiara is getting set to host the Transcendence Health Retreat on Saturday at the Remnant Tabernacle of Praise beginning at 10am.

The community fundraiser is a series of three events tailored to the wellness of the mind, body and soul wellness. The focus of the first event is the mind, and guests will practice stress relief, mental clarity and relaxation.

They will also have an opportunity for life coaching and positive affirmation classes, as well as health education from leading wellness practitioners.

“This retreat is all about stress management and relaxation. I think it is going to be extremely beneficial because those who come to the event will interact with a network of individuals that synergize to make wellness possible,” she told Tribune Woman.

“The retreat is not just about diet, it is not just about exercise; it is a culmination of all those things and it’s a jump-start to wellness. For those who come from morning and stay until the end of the retreat, I think the take-away will be a sense of relaxation, being comfortable with trying new things,” she said.

The health retreat will also help to fund Kiara’s studies at the Institute of Holistic Nutrition in Canada this fall.

Kiara said she has a passion for nutrition, culinary arts and preventative health care measures. She will embark on a one-year programme at the institute to expand her knowledge in preventative medicine.

After finishing her studies in traditional medicine with a Bachelor’s degree, Kiara said she had a desire to not just treat illness in patients, but to teach them the measures they can take to prevent sickness.

“I have a history in traditional medicine, but I did not really like treating sickness. I am the type of person who likes to prevent sickness. I would always talk to my patients about how they got where they were and how they can not come back to that point and do better for themselves,” she said.

“So I began to venture away from traditional medicine and began trying to figure out what it is I like. Then I discovered that I had this innate ability to create healthy dishes for my family. And I started to dig a little bit deeper and I found the institute in Canada that offers a one-year programme.”

Kiara said she hopes that combining her knowledge of traditional medicine and preventative measures she will be able to bring about a shift in the thinking of people.

“I am all for educating people and that is why I went the preventative medicine route, because not only do I want people to not get sick, I also want to teach people how to know about certain things, their bodies and their environment,” she said.

“When I stepped away from traditional medicine I actually wanted to start my own company, but I felt I was doing it from a background of traditional care and that is not how I wanted to reach my clientele. So I thought I could combine the knowledge of how the body works and how drugs work in the traditional ways and complement it with this course. I feel like it would be more powerful and have a great impact because I have an appreciation of both sides. The argument all the time is either you choose traditional medicine or you choose alternative care. But I really see the beauty in marrying both,” she said.

For more information about the retreat contact 465-3059.