LEWISTON – The Central Maine Medical Family and the Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute will host the sixth annual “A Heart to Heart” Heart Disease Conference from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25.

The event will be held in the Chairmen’s Room on the ground floor of the 12 High Street Medical Office Building. It will be telecast to Bridgton and Rumford hospitals. The event is open to the public free.

The conference will begin at 8 a.m. with registration and a heart-healthy continental breakfast buffet. At 8:30 a.m., Kelly LeBlond, RN, manager of the cardiac prevention program at the Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute, will briefly discuss “At the Heart of Wellness – Mind, Body, Spirit,” the theme of the day’s schedule.

“The program will offer information about preventing or controlling not only heart disease but many other chronic illnesses with approaches to wellness that compliment medical management,” LeBlond said.

From 8:45 to 9:45 a.m., Lynn Durham, RN, a well-being coach, will discuss “At the Heart of Wellness – Mind Body Spirit Alchemy.” Her presentation will offer insights and illustrate skills for managing stress and practicing mind-body-spirit techniques that contribute to a balanced lifestyle, increase clarity of decision-making and promote relaxation.

Durham is a registered nurse and adjunct professor at Saint Joseph’s College in Standish. She has attended programs at the Harvard Deaconess Mind Body Medical Institute in Boston. Her programs inspire participants to release the power within, become more self-aware and choose healthy, life-enhancing thoughts and behaviors.

From 9:45 to 10:45 a.m., Elaine McGuillicuddy, a certified Iyenger yoga instructor, will discuss “Yoga – Healing from the Inside Out” and will present a demonstration that will involve the audience.

McGillicuddy, a former English teacher, has been teaching yoga since 1980. She is a certified Iyengar style hatha yoga teacher and a certified Relax and Renew trainer. Her studies of yoga and anatomy have taken her to many parts of the U.S. and abroad. She teaches at Portland Yoga Studio, which she and her husband, Francis, founded in 1989.

From 11 to 11:45 a.m., Durham and McGuillicuddy will discuss “Dancing Gracefully with Life.” Their presentation will encourage audience participation.

From 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Central Maine Medical Center chef Joe Thornton will present a heart-healthy cooking demonstration. He will discuss healthy alternatives and substitutions for making heart healthy fare. Recipes will be available.

Following the last presentation, a heart-healthy cold buffet will be served.

For more information about the conference or to register, call LeBlond at 795-2638.

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