People looking to learn more about natural health, personal growth and metaphysics can do so at Body Mind Spirit Expo in Tinley Park.
The event will feature approximately 90 vendors, 60 talks and 35 readers and healers June 2-3 at Tinley Park Convention Center.
“We try to be an on-ramp for people as they’re starting to become interested in spirituality or alternative health topics,” said Megan Mitchell, who co-owns Body Mind Spirit Expo with Steve Strickland, via phone from her home in Honduras.
“We have a lot of experts in everything esoteric that come together over the weekend. It’s an opportunity to connect with that alternative community and share,” she said.
Areas of new thought, from ancient healing traditions to New Age technology, are represented.
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“We’re about meditation, past-life regression, healing, accessing the energetic realms of existence and discovering all about empowering yourself with positive tools,” Mitchell said.
“We try to make this accessible for everyone. You can go to a class, sit in the back and listen and learn.”
Lectures include “Crystals That Unleash the Hero Within” by Sandy Wilcox from Our Sacred Connections in Indiana, “Unleash the Spirit Animal in You” by Dr. Bluehawks Stec from Wisconsin and “Re-Energize Your Body and Life” by Yasmine Ariel from Quantum Tech USA in Indiana.
Presentations with additional costs include “Spirit Messages with Kim Moore & Cynthia Rose McCaw” featuring women who are considered two of Denver’s best mediums for $20 and Reiki master teacher Brendan McCaw’s “Spiritual Energy Healing” where one can earn Reiki 1 certification for $44.
“The whole focus of the show is that of self-exploration. It’s a way to do that socially with your friends,” Mitchell said.
“Most of the best people that I’ve met in my entire life I’ve met through the shows. It’s really a gathering of wonderful souls and spirits and energy. It feels fabulous to be there for the weekend.”
Aura photos, astrologers, authors, essential oils, incense, massage, natural healing products, nutritional supplements and psychics are among the offerings. Attendees also can have their future revealed and connect with lost loved ones.
Some people may dismiss the holistic movement but Mitchell said people should keep an open mind.
“I would ask that everybody at least consider that the world is more complicated, mysterious and amazing than a cursory look on the surface might show,” she said.
“I believe in fairies. That sounds very strange to some people but a lot of people also believe that they have a guardian angel. There’s a place for a range of beliefs.”
Body Mind Spirit Expo, which presents shows throughout the United States, has themed the company’s 2018 events “Be the Change.”
“The world is getting worse. There are drastic political problems, global warming, etc. It’s overwhelming quite frankly. You’re one of 7 billion and it’s hard,” Mitchell said.
“‘Be the Change’ is about making a change inside yourself and then letting that ripple out. It’s really important to empower people to make positive changes for themselves and realize if they embody it by choosing that, they may affect five people around them.
“Those five people affect five people so that’s 25 people that flow out of one thing. Realizing that very small actions can have outsize positive effects has been really important to me in the past year. It’s literally as small as encouraging words and kindness.”
Body Mind Spirit Expo
When: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. June 2; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. June 3
Where: Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Drive, Tinley Park
Admission: $14 for weekend; free ages 9 and younger
Information: 541-482-3722; www.bmse.net