'Ekahi Corner

Photo: ‘Ekahi Ornish Lifestyle Medicine Building

Down to Earth Welcomes Ekahi to Earth News!

With this edition of “Earth News,” we are launching a new column called “Ekahi Corner.” It will be a venue for our strategic partner ‘Ekahi Ornish Lifestyle Medicine to discuss solutions to better health. Located in Honolulu’s Water Front Plaza on Ala Moana Blvd, the ‘Ekahi Health Center’s program is based on Dr. Dean Ornish’s Program For Reversing Heart Disease™. This is the first program scientifically proven to reverse heart disease by making comprehensive lifestyle changes. Going forward, Down to Earth and Ekahi will collaborate on a wide variety of events and initiatives that we’ll tell you about as they unfold. We look forward to a long-lasting relationship with ‘Ekahi. And we hope you find this column useful as together we seek ways to better “Love Life! Eat Healthy, Be Happy!”

The Down to Earth Team

By: Tandis Bishop RDN, LD, CDE
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
‘Ekahi Health System

Since opening our doors in Fall of 2015, the ‘Ekahi Ornish Lifestyle Medicine program has helped over 450 people embark on a journey to a heart-healthy lifestyle. At the Ornish program, we believe heart health lies at the intersection of four elements: fitness, stress management, group support, and nutrition. Our nutrition element centers around a whole-foods, plant-based approach to eating – an approach supported by Down to Earth. That’s why we’re excited to announce our new column ‘Ekahi Corner, as we continue to develop our partnership with Down to Earth. In this column, we’ll be providing information to assist you with your wellness goals through relaxation tips, exercises, recipes, and much more.>

What is Ornish Lifestyle Medicine™?

We are thrilled to be the very first organization in the State of Hawaii to offer the nation’s first scientifically proven program to stop or even reverse the progression of heart disease and other chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and even depression! The ‘Ekahi Ornish Lifestyle Medicine program consists of 18 sessions held over 9 weeks. Students meet twice a week for four hours divided into four equally weighted elements:

  • Fitness portion with monitored exercise
  • Stress management component with a certified yoga instructor
  • Group support component that teaches empathetic listening, and a
  • Nutrition portion that includes a meal.

This holistic approach to wellness has helped participants achieve benefits such as weight loss, decreased dependency on medications, and an increase in well-being. Our participants learn how to live a heart-healthy lifestyle – so we’re proud to have a partner like Down to Earth here in Hawai’i. With the new Down to Earth Kaka’ako location opening early next year just a short walk from our Waterfront Plaza location, there will be exciting new collaboration with Down to Earth including Ornish-labelled ingredients, Ornish prepared food, cooking demos, store tours, and more!<

In future installments of ‘Ekahi Corner we’ll provide information about how to achieve the common goal of reversing heart disease and improve your well-being.

“Today, if it weren’t for Ornish Lifestyle Medicine, I would have had a heart attack by now, I would probably weigh 400 pounds, and I would still be making poor lifestyle choices. I definitely would not be friends with my doctor. But instead, my doctor has been blown out of the water by my results – I put a smile on his face every time I see him.” – George, ‘Ekahi Ornish Graduate

Ekahi Health Building

‘Ekahi Ornish Lifestyle Medicine at Water Front Plaza, Honolulu

Ekahi Health Building

‘Ekahi Ornish Lifestyle Medicine at Water Front Plaza, Honolulu<