Wellness in The County
With the first day of spring comes a renewal of nature, with unfurling leaves and budding flowers.
And likewise, maybe we’re all due for some renewal at this time of year, a bit of unfurling from our winter hibernation and pandemic fatigue. In Prince Edward County, we’re lucky to be surrounded by many health and wellness resources ready to support our efforts at self-care.
Here is a selection of notable wellness resources: available online, for delivery or curbside pick-up, or in-person when the time is right!
(Please note that public health travel advisories and orders are changing frequently during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Please consult our COVID-19 Essential Info page for the latest updates.)
Wellness Week goes virtual
Back after missing last year due to COVID-19, The County Wellness Collective is taking Wellness Week online with Virtual Wellness Week in The County from April 4 to 10.
This popular festival, which highlights many of The County’s health and wellness offerings, began in 2019, created by Rebecca Dunning, a registered massage therapist, and Mariko Reilly, an osteopathic manual practitioner. Together, they are the women behind The County Wellness Collective.
This year, you will still be able to learn about health and wellness in The County, but from a safe distance, in your own home. This convenient format will allow you the opportunity to participate in more of the online events in the comfort of your home.
The event’s goal is to introduce County residents to the available health and wellness resources within their community. This year, there will be 15 workshops delivered over Zoom. The classes, presented by local health and wellness professionals, range from chiropractic care for babies, wild healing herbs, yoga, nutrition through Chinese medicine, and more.
The cost of the classes ranges from free, pay what you can, to $25. For a complete list of Virtual Wellness Week in The County workshops, visit The County Wellness Collective Eventbrite page.
Wellness, beauty and natural products
Featured in House and Home magazine, Field Made Goods is a must-shop for locally-made, nature-derived products, including beeswax candles, wood turned candlesticks and ceramics. The shop also carries Sunday’s Company, a line of skin care products made in small batches, using only natural ingredients.
Love of Lavender offers County-grown lavender products, including sachets, bath and body products, along with some Ontario-made beauty products online or in-store.
Savon du Bois carries an extensive offering of essential oils, natural skin care products and zero-waste alternatives, available from their charming Main Street Picton store or online.
Nourish the Soul has tea blends and essential oils, one-on-one aromatherapy and crystal healing sessions, as well as ‘Soul Nourishing’ sessions available by booking. Shop for the mystical, metaphysical, and magical products you have been looking for.
Yoga with a twist
A summer hit in 2020, Goat Yoga with Mikenze is coming back for another season. Starting in late May, you will be able to take a fun yoga class along with 8-10 Nigerian Dwarf goats and kids on Saturday mornings. Hosted at OnceUponA Farm in Picton, pre-registration begins in late April. Classes are capped at 12, so be sure to mark your calendar.
Looking for more workouts with furry friends? Yoga with Alpacas at Chetwyn Farms is back for the third year. Beginning in June, join yoga instructor Alison Kelly and the Chetwyn Farms alpacas in the riding ring for yoga sessions surrounded by idyllic scenery, as the alpacas quietly watch you practice your poses.
If yoga from the comfort and safety of home sounds more appealing, Viniyoga Connection classes with Kelly Cade have moved online, with semi-private or private lessons also available.
On Saturdays in July and August, take part in Backyard Yoga at Sand and Pearl Oyster Bar and then grab a vegan poke bowl lunch.
Health and specialty food
Penny’s Pantry in Picton is a great local resource for healthy bulk, local and specialty diet foods. Penny will send interested customers an email listing her bulk food offerings (mostly organic) as well as a menu listing prepared food and baking to purchase.
Looking for some specialty, organic and whole food options you can’t get in a regular grocery store? Stop by The Green Root for specialty foods that cater to many different dietary and nutrition needs. Staff will walk you through the store to introduce you to foods for lifestyle changes or if you are new to food restrictions. Located in Rossmore.
More
iFloat Spa, also in Rossmore, introduces you to the height of relaxation with floating in your very own pod. Called Flotation Therapy, REST Therapy (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique) or Sensory Deprivation, floating involves lying in a salt-water solution in a specially designed tank for relaxation.
Heal with Horses, located in Hillier, uses horses and small social animals to improve mental and physical wellness. Heal with Horses offers therapeutic programming for people experiencing a variety of neuro-psychiatric conditions, mental illness, physical disabilities and those who are looking to expand their personal growth and spirituality.
Looking for more health and wellness offerings in Prince Edward County? See our listings of Health and Wellness services in PEC.
By Amy White. (Updated April 2021)
