MARKING A MILESTONE
(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 60)
THE MARSH, A CENTER
FOR BALANCE AND
FITNESS
Minnetonka, Minnesota
A
fter a year of careful planning
and building, The Marsh, A
Center for Balance and
Fitness opened in
1985, the culmination of owner
and Executive Director Ruth
Stricker’s 58 years of work in
YEARS
health education. Combining
!
private membership with public
access and blending Western medicine with holistic therapies, The Marsh
has remained true to its mission while still
developing innovative treatments.
“We refer to The Marsh as ‘a place, a
community and an attitude,’” Stricker says.
“It has stayed true to its philosophy and
mission of addressing the whole person,
practicing life lessons, not perfection.
Given that there is always change, its
mission has remained relevant and appliClockwise: Front entrance of The Marsh, A Center
for Balance and Fitness. Guests enjoying the
cable.”
scenic view while lounging at the spa. The Marsh
The Marsh began with a cardiologist
owner and Executive Director Ruth Stricker.
and acupuncturist working side-by-side to
ously celebrate The Marsh’s past as well
diversity of people in the community and
emphasize its mission. Eight years after it
as look forward to its future.
focusing on living healthier lives in differopened, The Marsh underwent a major
“We envision growing the ranks of our
ent ways. Every The Marsh anniversary
expansion, doubling its treatment space
health and well-being services with
has hosted a visiting speaker who presto 67,000 square feet. This expansion
additional mental and health service
allowed the center to grow its staff to 200 ents a topic on health and well-being.
specialists, and also establishing a
and provided room for growth in program- This year, the spa offered a series of
lifestyle foundation,” Stricker says.
events and activities, some continuing
ming and services with a full spa, second
“Overall, it is most important for us to
annual traditions, such as giving back to
dining room, water therapy pool, meditamaintain and protect our warm and
tion tower, mental gym, conference center the earth with tree-planting events. All of
these activities are designed to simultane- unique The Marsh culture.” ■
and overnight accommodations. Physical
therapy personnel were added to the staff,
and the gym tripled in size to accommoLONGEVITY TIP: “Have a deep sense of integrity—know who you are, your purpose
date new services such as Pilates classes.
and mission. Be willing to be unique. Take risks. Follow where the people are. Read the
In May 2015, The Marsh celebrated its
front page of the newspaper, not just the industry publications. Be part of the commu30th anniversary with the theme “The
nity. Create a place where people can just be.”
Power of Community,” reflecting on the
62 PULSE
30
■
October 2015