Just three months into her new role as Lee Health’s Health and Wellness Strategic Business Partner, Christin Collins is on a mission to help people learn how to live healthier, happier lives. “When I learned that 85 percent of chronic disease was reversible, I was amazed,” says Collins. “That’s why I am convinced the mind-body connection is so important.”

  

On Aug. 1, Lee Health hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the official opening of the Mind & Body Studio, which is designing a diverse menu of programs that go far beyond the original seven yoga classes previously offered here.

  

Certified instructors teach Hatha yoga, yogalates, strength and balance training, and a host of other mind and body activities starting as early as 5:45 a.m.Current Wellness Center members can participate in original class offerings, with an opportunity to take added Mind & Body classes at a discount. Non-members will have the opportunity to pay by the class, or for unlimited classes, without having to join the Wellness Center.

  

Another new program, the Healthy Life Series, introduced free talks to the public on wide-ranging topics-from yoga nidra as a solution for insomnia to pet health and nutrition. The talks proved popular. Collins recalls that the second talk in the series had 50 people R.S.V.P. for a meeting space that can comfortably seat 40. In November, construction begins to expand the space for 60 people.

  

In this movement to get more people active and healthy, more changes will be in the making, including weekly Wednesday visits from a hypnotherapist. “I tried this and found it to be life-changing,” adds Collins.