Nourishing Roots Participates in River Valley Local Schools Wellness Night

Kristie Chandler, Transformational Wellness Coach, poses in front of her assigned room.

4 February 2024

River Valley Local Schools held their first annual post-COVID wellness night at River Valley Middle School on February 1, 2024.

Twenty-four local wellness organizations participated in the event, which showcased Marion supports to the district and community.

Nourishing Roots: Mind, Body, Spirit Inc. was represented by founder and CEO Kristie Chandler, who works with community youth and adults as a Christian Transformational Wellness Coach.

"My focus is to teach quick, simple ways to reduce stress and anxiety in peoples' lives," Chandler said. "The statistics of how many adolescents and young adults are struggling with anxiety is staggering, and they have gotten worse since the pandemic. What I love is the strategies I teach can apply to anyone - I even use them with my six-year-old daughter."

As students, parents, and community members dropped by her assigned room, Chandler took a moment to share part of her personal walk with anxiety and wellness, then asked if they struggle with stress or anxiety in their lives. "There were only a very small handful of people who replied no to that question," Chandler noted. "Especially the students. There seem to be a lot of middle school students who are struggling with feeling stressed, pressured, and anxious and aren't sure what to do about it."

Once Chandler knew what form of stress a person struggled with the most, such as negative thoughts, stomachaches, or tensing, she chose one of three quick, simple, and effective strategies to teach.

"What amazed me," Chandler said, "was the absolute physical change I saw in their bodies after only 1-2 minutes of a breathing technique or muscle relaxation exercise. They really felt it. It was written all over their postures and faces."

One teacher, after learning the 4x8 breathing technique, stated, "I am going to try this tomorrow" with a student who is often tense and struggles to concentrate. "I feel it already," she said after only three rounds of the breathwork.

River Valley Local staff member and Wellness Committee member Katie Herdman, who recruited Chandler as a co-presenter with local wellness center Finding Center, told Chandler, "I heard so many positive things about your session."

Chandler looks forward to continued partnerships with River Valley Local Schools, Finding Center, and other schools, churches, and organizations local to the greater Marion County area.

You can learn more about Nourishing Roots: Mind, Body, Spirit Inc. and see our upcoming events on our website. If you are interested in learning about how we can serve you and your school, church, or organization, you can fill out our contact form or email kristie@nourishingrootsmindbodyspirit.com.