Operating at a high level, professionally or within a healthy relationship, requires commitment and mental stability, leaving little room for poor diet choices, exercise habits and stress management skills.

In light of this, College of the Canyons will host its annual “Body-Mind-Wellness Healthy Lifestyle Resource Fair” at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4, in the COC Honor Grove, as the kick-off to a semester-long series of events focused on healthy lifestyle topics.

“Our Student Health & Wellness Center is thrilled to be collaborating with our campus Body Mind Wellness Committee to offer this annual series of events at COC,” said COC Sports and Wellness Dietician Sheri Barke. “Eating well, staying active, getting enough sleep, managing stress, and maintaining healthy relationships are all critical to physical and mental health.”

At the event, more than 20 campus groups and local businesses will set up booths, and a live-music DJ from 97.1 AMP Radio has been tapped for entertainment. Participants visiting 10 or more resource tables can expect to chow down on a free Mediterranean lunch provided by Man’oushée Café.

In the weeks that follow the Healthy Lifestyle Resource Fair, the college will host a series of seminar sessions on a range of health related topics.

One of this semester’s most notable guest speakers is Dr. Jackson Katz, an internationally recognized authority on gender violence prevention. His seminar on sexual violence prevention will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 31, in the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center (PAC) at College of the Canyons.

An educator, author, filmmaker and social theorist, Katz co-founded the mixed-gender Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) program at Northeastern University in 1993.  Katz holds academic degrees from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Harvard and UCLA, and has lectured at more than 1,400 colleges since 1990.

“This will be a premier event for College of the Canyons, and we hope the entire community of Santa Clarita takes advantage of Dr. Katz’s ground breaking work in preventing relationship violence,” said Larry Schallert, Interim Director of Student Health and Wellness at COC.

“Dr. Katz is a former Ted Talk Presenter, and is engaging and insightful in addressing one of the most pressing issues facing communities today,” added Schallert. “This an event for men and women and addresses all types of relationships.”

A full list of BMW seminar event dates/times is included below:

• Sex, Love & Relationships

Audrey Burgdorfer, Katie Coleman and Karissa Valencia

2:30-3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24

Aliso Hall, Room 104

• Time Management

Pamela Brogdon

10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25

Aliso Hall, Room 101

• Nutrition — Six Things Naturally Fit People Do Differently

Sheri Barke and McKenzie Hall (registered dieticians)

3:45 to 4:45 p.m. Thursday, March 5

Boykin Hall, Room 105

• BMW Fitness Boot Camp Session 1

SNAC and Guest Fitness Instructors

3:45 to 4:45 p.m. Thursday, March 12

West PE, Room 110

(Boot Camp Session 1 runs for four straight weeks through April 2, with $10 registration for students and $20 registration for staff. Cost covers month-long program and snacks. Registration forms are available at the Student Health Center.)

3/12 – Insanity with Alexa Jones

3/19 – MELT with Gloria Stewart

3/26 – Cardio Strength Training with Robert dos Remedios

4/2 – Yoga Pilates with Kimberly Nunley

• Men, Women, Sex & Violence

Dr. Jackson Katz

4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 31

PAC

• Two-Day ASIST Training

12-hour crisis and suicide prevention

April 9 and April 10

University Center, Room 258

• Nutrition — Six Things Naturally Fit People Do Differently

Sheri Barke and McKenzie Hall (Registered Dieticians)

12:30-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 15

Mentry Hall, Room 343

• BMW Fitness Boot Camp Session 2

SNAC and Guest Fitness Instructors

12:30-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 22

West PE, Room 110

(Boot Camp Session 2 runs for four straight weeks through May 13, with $10 registration for students and $20 registration for staff. Cost covers month-long program and snacks. Registration forms are available at the Student Health Center.)

4/22 – Insanity with Teri Baker

4/29 – MELT with Gloria Stewart

5/6 – Cardio Strength Training with Robert dos Remedios

5/13 – Yoga Pilates with Kimberly Nunley

• Sports Psychology

Larry Resendez and Brian Flame

12:30-2 p.m. Thursday, April 16

Boykin Hall, Room 105

• Shine a Light on Suicide Prevention & Awareness

Tuesday, May 5 and Wednesday, May 6

COC Honor Grove

• Depression & Suicide Prevention

Kathleen Snyder

2:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 6

Aliso Hall, Room 101

• Mindfulness, Meditation & Healthy Coping

Farnaz Kadi

1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 12

Aliso Hall, Room 101

For more information about the 2015 Body, Mind, Wellness Program at College of the Canyons please visit www.canyons.edu/Offices/Health/BMW/.