AUBURN – Doug McFarland, health and fitness director of the YMCA Wellness Center, announces the introduction of a new educational program, Wellness 101.

McFarland said, “This program is designed to introduce the principles of several wellness issues that face our society today. Our goal is to help individuals in the L/A community make informed and educated decisions on healthy lifestyles. The national YMCA is launching a pilot program in several larger cities across the country called Activate America.'”

McFarland said, “It is an initiative to address several problems our country is dealing with, including the increasing rate of inactivity, obesity and chronic disease. Wellness 101 is being offered to address the needs in our community. We hope to help individuals and organizations develop meaningful solutions to these negative trends.”

The workshop topics will include healthy eating choices, proper strength and conditioning techniques, obesity and weight management, stress management, yoga, Pilates and older adult issues.

Information on all YMCA programs, including aquatics, child care, teen center, youth sports, adult programs and family programs, will be available, as well as tours of the facility.

Presenters will include registered nurses, certified exercise instructors, certified yoga instructors and certified personal trainers.

Each month, beginning in October, a topic will be discussed. Two sessions of each workshop, a morning and an evening one, will be offered once a month to accommodate schedules.

All workshops are free to YMCA members and non-members.

Call 795-4095, e-mail Doug at [email protected] or visit the YMCA at 62 Turner St. for information or to register.

The schedule will be posted on the YMCA Web site, www.alymca.com, once it has been finalized in late September.