By KATIE HOPSICKER
SARATOGA SPRINGS— The Mind Body Soul Expo, a “health, wellness and holistic event,” will return to Saratoga on Saturday, August 10 and Sunday, August 11. Founder Jennifer “Gem” Rhodes promises “an event like no other” that features over 45 vendors and 8 presenters each day.
This past March, Rhodes held her expo at the City Center, and over 4,000 people attended. With previous expositions being a success, this August the Mind Body Soul Expo is being expanded into a 2-day event. Each day will feature 8 presenters, over 45 vendors and infinite knowledge and activities pertaining to wellness. Additionally, admission to the expo and presentations are free and open to the public.
Services available include psychic readings and reiki healing and there will be additional activities and workshops each day. These include yoga classes by the School of the Arts from The National Museum of Dance, William Gee’s spiritual response therapy, Jennifer Sowle’s aromatherapy and essential oils, Phil Wilson’s portable infrared saunas that provide relief to lyme disease and fibromyalgia, and Stress Fracture LLC, a mobile stress relief experience. Vendors will be selling handmade jewelry, soaps, vegan shampoos, essential oils and more.
“It’s different because my event is vetted to maintain the focus,” said Rhodes, adding that she prescreens the businesses to ensure variety and uniqueness at the exposition. She also emphasizes local businesses from Saratoga and the surrounding region, stating “there are a lot of hidden gems… I try to pull them out and bring them to light.”
As a former vendor herself, Rhodes supports her vendors and patrons alike. “My goal is to not only provide a great event for the customers but also for the vendors to have a successful experience.” She wants to create a space to “bring people together under one roof” and “have a place for someone to go and get answers [with] all positive energy surrounding.”
Rhodes actually started the Mind Body Soul Expo after being diagnosed with avascular necrosis, a condition in which blood supply to the bones may be interrupted. While dealing with the aftermath of two hip surgeries and the deaths of her brother and father, Rhodes decided to create the exposition. “During the time of my surgery, I wanted to create an event; I had also attended events as a vendor before… I had all these emotions and energies, good and bad. I needed some place to put them.”
She added that the expo is a way to repay those who supported her. “When you go through traumatic life events, or setbacks, there are people that reach out… for all those people who helped me, this is my time to thank you.”
