A New Author Emerges from Western New York

A good book, hot cookies, and a glass of milk

A photo of Matt Bindig at his book

launch, photo by Ashley Gerwitz.

An Orchard Park High School English teacher released his first novel and had his launch party April 21 at Aurora Brew Works.

Matt Bindig, of East Aurora, is the new author of the novel, “Nothing Here is Real.” He started his book in 2007.

 His inspiration came shortly after Sept. 11, 2001.

“This was a story I wanted to tell,” Bindig said. “It didn’t have a targeted audience, it was for me. It occurred to me that if you tell a lie enough times, people start believing it.

“My book is about what happens when other people’s lives start standing in the place of your truths. I’ve always liked telling stories so I thought that if I could get this whole idea of ‘the truth is a dangerous thing in the wrong person’s hands.’”

He has been a private person most of his life, so this release has pushed him from his comfort zone.

“Writing was taking care of my inner self,” Bindig said. “This is a way for Matt Bindig to continue to grow. You don’t want to stand in the same place, it’s important to always try to grow and evolve.

“This story was a part of me that only a few others knew about. Now the part that was mine is now shared. When you graduate from high school, the time comes to an end of that stage. That’s where I’m at; it’s not an ending or beginning, just continuation of how I’ve been.”

More than 300 family, friends and former students were invited via Facebook to attend. And nearly all made it.

The launch party included free milk and cookies – and beer for those willing to pay for it. On every surface, there was a plate filled with cookies.

“There were so many delicious cookies,” said Courtney Adamczak, a former student. “When I first arrived, that was what I noticed. Then I started to notice all of the people.”

The launch party was downstairs at the Aurora Brew works and the space was soon crowded.

“The most memorable moment though,” Adamczak said, “was when I finally was able to have my favorite high school teacher sign my book. He was the most inspirational teacher that I had.”

Even with the high turnout at the launch party, Bindig doesn’t want to become famous.

“For the future I see possibilities,” Bindig said, “but I don’t want to be famous; I have no desire. I write to impact the world and getting people to read my book and to read the message. That’s what makes me happy, it’s my fulfillment as a human being and I like knowing that my voice matters.”

He has more ideas for future books and with the continuous support from his wife, Theresa, and family; he is looking forward for the coming years after his younger kids become more independent.

There are more opportunities to buy the book, to meet the author, get the book signed, and to even attend book readings.

The book can be bought at:  amazon.com, Bookworm in East Aurora, Dog Ears in South Buffalo, or Talking Leaves in the City.

To find out more information on book signings and book readings, follow him on Facebook, or go to the link, MattBindig.com.

A Fitbit, Health, and Fitness Outbreak at Buffalo State

Weigel Health Center has a new project on its hands for the summer

Free reusable image from FitBit a commercial.

The Weigel Health Center is planning to revamp its Health and Activity Program for the fall semester at SUNY Buffalo State.

During the past few semesters, the health center has attempted to promote wellness through exercise through health and fitness and an awareness of nutrition. Staff members were able to start this program by asking for a grant from Faculty-Student Association(FSA) and health insurance companies that work with them.

The program includes a $10 deposit to receive a Fitbit and become part of the Buffalo State community in the program. At the end of the program, participants receive their deposit back. The Health, Nutrition and Dietetics Department would work with the program to give the participants a baseline assessment.

Fitbit features include:

·         A watch

·         Wireless syncing

·         Exercise tracking (steps, stairs, miles, calories burned)

·         Recognizing different activities (cardio, sports, biking)

·         Sleep tracking

·         Silent alarms

·         Long battery life

·         Some have heart rate tracking technology and caller ID

·         Online communities and competing with friends

If participants already have a Fitbit, the student just needs to join the online community and participate with the events from the eight week program. They also would need to fill out an application so that they know who is involved in the program.

It is available for students, faculty and staff.

"Being part of a community allows you to have a friendly competition with friends," said Dr. Theresa Stephan Hains the director of the Weigel Health Center. "And most of the time you don't know how much you walk. The benefit is that you can set goals. It's all about motivational support."

Throughout the program, those who participate have access to a nutrition speaker, general health workshops, and other activities.

"We have had very successful people," Hains said. "A lot had achieved their goals of increasing their activity. They used it to meet their personal fitness goals."

The only problem was that the center has had a hard time promoting the program at Buffalo State.

Art History major, Lucy LaPlaca agrees.

"I unfortunately haven't heard of the program," LaPlaca said. "But it does sound pretty cool and I would definitely want to check it out next semester."

"We are hoping that some Health, Nutrition and Dietetics upperclassmen will help us to promote it and organize it next year," Hains said. "Last year we had as many as 25 to 30 people but this semester we had seven or eight."

For next semester, the center hopes to ramp the program.

Hains doesn't want to give up on the program. She plans to increase advertising and the involvement with the Health, Nutrition and Dietetics Department. Even reaching out to other student clubs would help, she said.

"The problem has been getting the students know about it and using the Fitbit," Hains said. "Some of the people who join don't even join in the community."

LaPlaca suggested placing posters around the Student Union and Resident Dining Halls.

Maybe even handing out flyers or cards would help," LaPlaca said.

"I would like students to know that we do have a program for health and fitness," said Hains, "and that we welcome their participation."

For more information about the program, or becoming involved in the program next year, or any ideas for promoting the program, please contact Hains by email stephantr@buffalostate.edu or by phone, (716)878-6711.

Students may also visit the Weigel Health Center webpage at weigel.buffalostate.edu.

Benefits of Yoga

Marie Muscatello in a warrior pose, at her studio in 

Sports Focus of Orchard Park. (Photo by Ashley Gerwitz)

Over the years, yoga has been more known to be beneficial for the body.

Marie Muscatello, 50, from Orchard Park, has been teaching yoga for about 10 years now and agrees that yoga is beneficially for the body.

Muscatello was teaching an exercise class for overweight kids and their families at Sports Focus in Orchard Park. She said that there was a certain mindfulness that wasn’t being dealt with and yoga had a certain approach that filled that void.

Besides yoga, she is also an occupational therapist at Elderwood Nursing Facility in Orchard Park, where she talks to patients about their bodies and health, even when they don’t want to hear about it. But with yoga, her students seem more interested with their bodies and what works for them.

Muscatello finds benefits with yoga just like Granger. She said that she was able to notice her back pain go away after taking a few classes. She also noticed that she’s more flexible, calmer, and stronger.

“My favorite pose is the relaxation pose,” she said. “I also like the sun salutation sequence because it’s all about strength. I usually follow it up with a twist pose.”

She took a certification class for 18 months at the Himalayan Institutes in Buffalo. It was a 200-hour course she would go to every Tuesday and various weekends. She now teaches Hatha yoga every Thursday at Sports Focus.

“It’s more of an easy beginner class,” she said, “with a slant towards mindfulness. It’s to help people become more aware of their bodies and their breath, and that way themselves. I like that they keep coming back, that they can get something out of my class.

“I like teaching it because I get to share information with people who are interested in learning more about themselves and their well-being.”

Anne Granger, 26, has enjoyed Muscatello’s class for the past few years. Granger said it helps her create a routine during her week.

“Her classes are very fun,” Granger said. “I also notice that she helps her students with a pose, which I think a lot of people avoid yoga because they think it would be difficult. Her class is very assessable class, which I enjoy.”

Beyond being an enjoyable class, Muscatello can agree that yoga is beneficial.

“The word yoga means to yolk,” she said, “to bring together your mind in body; that’s the point of yoga…Being mindful, you have choice. You can choose how you’ll react and how you’ll be.

“With there being a mindful benefit, there are also health benefits as well. Lots of my students are more relaxed after they leave and have a better awareness of what helps their body.”

Benefits Include:

·         Increase flexibility

·         Lower blood pressure

·         Increase in strength

·         Increase in mindfulness

·         Increase in relaxation and peace

·         Strengthens the immune system and nervous system

“I notice that I sleep better,” Granger said. “I feel better. It’s nice to do something positive and social with a group of people.”

She sees yoga splitting in the next 10 years between mindfulness and exercise-based yoga. She thinks that there will be an increase towards the mindful side of yoga because it’s become more apparent that our brains are constantly changing throughout our lives and we have the power to contribute to which direction it goes. Yoga can play a part in that.

“Yoga is a way of life,” she said, “a way of health. It’s about balance and a balance in life that anyone can participate in.”

Staying Healthy and Fit for the Rest of the Semester

When getting closer to the end of the semester, it’s easy to stray away from healthy habits, but staying healthy and fit should be a high priority in our daily lives.

Things that can be done to stay healthy:

·         Sleep 8-9 hours

·         A balanced life

·         Exercise 3-5 times a week for an hour

·         Eat right

·         Engagement

·         Healthy relationships

“Young people don’t get enough sleep,” said Dr. Theresa R. Stephan Hains, the director of the Weigel Health Center. “It's all about a balanced life that involves getting good sleep and eating well.”

For students, it’s also important to engage with people and form friendships, Stephan Hains said. She said it’s important for students to interact with real people rather than to have disengaged interactions Facebook, Twitter, or other social media.

“Any extra activity will benefit you,” said Corey Pepero, personal trainer at the Southtowns YMCA. “You don’t have to go out and run 10 miles or lift weights for an hour. Extra steps to work, walking the dog, and exercising while watching TV are all things someone could do to increase their daily activity.

“Easy cardio and weightlifting is a good start, and then interval training. Exercise can help fight off disease, to feel good, to relieve stress, and to prevent further progression of some diseases.”

Walking, whether around campus -inside or outside- around the neighborhood, or in the park are all things Stephan Hains and Pepero would agree on. Also having balanced meals with fruits and vegetables is important.

“Students need to be wary about how much they drink,” Stephan Hains added. “If they smoke, or do any drugs; those are all detrimental to their health.”

What the campus has to offer:

·         Health and Activity Program from the health center

·         Facilities on campus (Fitness Center, Houston Gym)

·         Free fitness classes offered on campus like Zumba, Kickboxing, and Yoga

·         The Dining Hall

·         Volunteer and Service-Learning Center

Stephan Hains spoke highly about the Buffalo State Health and Activity Program,  which includes fitbits and tracking activity and teaches about different things a person can do in their daily lives.

The campus dining hall is a better alternative to the Retail Dining Hall. “They have a great salad bar,” she said. “They show calorie counts and have healthy choices.”

She also recommended community engagement.

“Engaging in some sort of service will help you be a happy person,” she said. “Reaching out to the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center and asking if there is anything they could do to help the community can help a student with their well-being.”

One of Stephan Hains’ favorite quotes is by Shirley Chisholm, an African American woman who ran for president in 1972. She said it's a quote she lives by.

“Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time.” Shirley Chisholm

Wellness Coaching From Rich Muscatello

Our wellness is a main factor in controlling our health

Rich Muscatello spent months of learning and training to become a wellness coach, so that he could expand his gift for helping people.

Muscatello, 55, from Orchard Park, is the owner of Sports Focus in Buffalo and Orchard Park, and the director of wellness at Inspired Health Group. He has been a physical therapist for 35 years for his own business and a wellness coach for four months.

A wellness coach helps a person make changes in their daily lifestyles to improve their health and general well-being.

Q. What education is needed to become a wellness coach?

To get accepted into a program, one would need a bachelor’s degree or higher in health or psychology, or a two-year degree as a licensed nurse.

Once in, the first 18 weeks include a 90 to 120-minute long phone conference per week before a four to five-hour prep before class; reading papers or texts; listening to sessions; and grouping with four students for an hour and a half. At the end of each class, there is an evaluation to fill out including an opinion based section.

After the 18 weeks, the student gets practice clients to document and submit findings to the school. At the end of this process, there is a written exam with 125 questions and an oral exam over the phone before certification.

Q. Why did you decide to become one?

It’s not a licensed field but a certified field. Instead of being an expert and prescribing something, I get to work with people to help them manage their own well-being and figure out resources in people and the environment to support them.

They define their ideal of wellness and I get to help them set goals to achieve their vision. They achieve a greater sense of self-efficacy.

Q. How many clients do a wellness coach usually have?

Usually, we work 30 to 40 hours a week, which is 30 to 40 clients. But right now I only have one and I usually work with him an hour a week.

Q. What does a session consist of?

A session is usually through a phone call, but we can meet up in person. The first session is all about getting to know each other and why they want to improve their wellness. I also tell them why I’m a wellness coach, what it is, what it entails, and what they should expect.

That same session, we develop their goal and talk about positive experiences that they remember. We then develop a wellness vision and how to get there. We usually set up weekly goals, monthly goals, and yearly goals.

After that, the sessions following usually consist of me asking open-ended questions and seeing how well they achieve their goals on a scale of 1 to 100. It’s also always important to see how they feel about sessions so I can change how I handle them to help improve their experience and overall wellness.

There’s also a lot of reading between the lines on my side of it all so that I can help connect to the positivity they experience. Here we can tweak their goals to make them harder or easier.

Q. What do you find most rewarding?

I’ve been able to learn new ways to help people. Physical therapy is an expert model, it’s formulated. Suzie is recovering from a knee injury so she does X to get better. It’s a short-term experience while choosing to achieve a better wellbeing can be a life choice. I love that I can now help people reach their goals in a way other than prescribed.

Q. What is most challenging with wellness coaching?

Trying not to be an expert. Being a wellness coach, I don’t tell them what to do, I have to help them figure out the experiences that have bettered themselves. I also have to be patient and open to each client.

Q. Why is wellness coaching important to you?

Most people in the United States suffer sickness and death from bad life decisions, which are controllable in our life decisions. Our healthcare pays so much for those consequences and can’t get people to change, but coaching can be compared to a doctor.

Q. What do you do to stay healthy and well?

Eat well. I usually meditate most days, don’t smoke, limit my alcohol consumption, and I think I usually handle my stress OK.

Anyone can have a wellness coach. No matter what age we all can reach our wellness goals so that we can live happy, healthy, long lives.