Spend Summer stress-free in Hawaii with GRCC

by Marilyn Wilson , Green River Current, May 20,1998

10 days of blue skies, sunny days, ocean breezes, exotic flowers, fruits, and lots of lovely beaches in Hawaii.

Robert Brehm, GRCC instructor is going to be teaching his classes in Hawaii this summer. He will be teaching students stress management, helping students learn skills to deal with the stress in their lives.

" A study taken in 1985, by Dr. Murray Strauss of the University of New Hampshire listed Hawaii as the 50th state lowest in stress. Hawaii has the lowest in personal bankruptcy, infant mortality rates, alcoholism and business bankruptcy, " said Brehm,"whereas the state of Washington is listed as the 4th highest state in stress."

So what better place to teach students stress management.

These stress management skills that the students will learn, can be carried on throughout the rest of their lives ( as well as the memories of the white sandy beaches.)

Brehm already has one section filled just from an interview which he did for the May 5, 1998 issue of " The South Country Journal". He has opened up a second section and will open up a possible third section if more people are interested in going. The average class size is about 14 and the total cost for lodging, food, class, and travel is about $1200.

" Considering the same amount of money could be spent going to a university, and usually a travel class promotes and produces a very highly motivated student," said Brehm," classes like this aren't usually offered because most instructors feel it is too demanding."

The class will spend 10 days in Kona, Hawaii but it is known and referred to by the locals as, " The Big Island."

It's called " The Big Island" because it is the biggest of the Hawaiian Islands and with the continuous flow of lava it continues to grow daily.

Of all the islands " The Big Island" is the most versatile. On one side of the island is Hilo, the remains of an old town that has been hit by two tidal waves. On the other side of the island is Kona, often referred to as the miniature Waikiki. The Hamakua coast is covered with sugar cane and little communities that used to bustle with business and energy before the sugar mills closed down. There is so much to see and do on "The Big Island."

In one day of travel a tourist can experience several different climates. In Hilo it rains a lot. In Kona the weather is suitable for wearing next to nothing and getting a full body tan. " The Big Island" offers its visitors three different types of beaches; white sand, black sand and green sand. Whether hiking a crater, scuba diving, fishing, horseback riding, or suntaning, there's so much to do.

Brehm does have structured agendas for those attending the stress management class in Hawaii. Students will earn points for finishing assignments such as completing biofeedback and meditation techniques, compiling journals, and doing aerobic exercises such as walking for 20 minutes. Three days will be heavy duty days of learning stress management skills and applying those techniques through role play scenarios for use in their lives. The rest of the time the group will be taking planned group excursions to the many different sights that "The Big Island" has to offer. The students will have time to go off on their own and see sights, and go places they want to see as well. And if they can afford it squeeze in some shopping.

This is bound to be a once in a life time experience for those who take stress management in Hawaii this summer. If interested contact Robert Brehm at 1-800-820-9081 or via email rbrehm@msn.com. Some advice to those who go. Take some warm clothes because on other parts of the island the temperatures can fall really low and the night air gets chilly. Have a great time, soak in the sun, inhale the scent of the ocean, and live stress free for 10 days.