LOS ANGELES, Oct. 17, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Sound Body Sound Mind comprehensive physical fitness program is proud to announce the opening of six more fitness centers at Los Angeles area high schools. Ribbon-cutting ceremonies will be held this month to celebrate the newest members of the Sound Body Sound Mind team, which include: Cleveland, Eagle Rock, Marshall, Santee, Sylmar, and Wilson high school.
Established in 1999 by Bill and Cindy Simon and designed to promote self-confidence and healthy lifestyle choices among students, Sound Body Sound Mind has been successfully integrated into 36 Los Angeles high schools. In partnership with the Los Angeles Unified School District, Sound Body Sound Mind provides each participating school with state-of-the-art exercise equipment, funding for professional development and the necessary tools to monitor student progress at each facility.
"Obesity levels continue to skyrocket among our youth," said cofounder Bill Simon, "Sound Body Sound Mind strives to demonstrate a positive, healthy attitude for physical fitness that will carry on through a lifetime."
Sound Body Sound Mind is reaching out to other local programs in an effort to increase student health and combat teen obesity. The program recently partnered with Kaiser Permanente to implement a nutrition program to complement its already accomplished fitness program. Sound Body Sound Mind believes that the combination of a balanced diet and exercise in a multi-faceted program will do more to decrease obesity levels and promote healthier, happier high school students.
In addition, Sound Body Sound Mind has partnered with the Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games (SCCOG). The collaboration between the SCCOG and Sound Body Sound Mind will enable former Olympians living in the Southern California area to adopt and visit a high school five times throughout the school year. Each Olympian will act as an ambassador of sportsmanship and fitness to promote the history of the games and encourage students to set and reach their own personal fitness goals. The former Olympian will serve as an active role model and educate students about the importance of physical activity, self-confidence and healthy lifestyle choices.
Sound Body Sound Mind was recently awarded, for the third consecutive year, a PEP grant in the amount of $500,000 from the U.S. Department of Education, which will help fund an additional 11 schools in 2007. Sound Body Sound Mind has plans to go into 50 Los Angeles area high schools by the fall of 2007, reaching roughly half of the high schools currently operating in LAUSD.
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