Family Education Course on Serious Mental Illness, 12-session class for families of persons with major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, panic disorder and obsessive/compulsive disorder, begins 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. today, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, 770 Kapi'olani Blvd.; free. Future meeting schedule will be determined at first meeting. 735-0164, 536-2225.

The North Shore Country Market, including yoga, tai chi and meditation demonstrations and activities, plus live entertainment and art and organic produce for sale, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. today, Waialua Community Association, Hale'iwa; free admission. 637-2117.

Is Your Weight Affecting Your Health? Dr. David McEwan and Susan Fierro discuss the health risks of obesity and the advantages of the Optifast program for those with more than 50 pounds to lose, noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, Queen's Conference Center, second floor; free. Reservations: 537-2211, ext. 2411.

Managing Your Own Health Care, explore case management and tools to empower patients with speaker Jodi Shaw followed by a discussion of leukemia and lymphoma, 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, St. Francis Medical Center's Weinberg Pavilion, 5th-floor conference room; free. 547-6889.

Building Stamina workshop for those 55 and older, led by Marie Riley, using yoga, tai chi, acupressure for releasing energy, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Friday, Windward Community College, Hale Kuhina 115; $9. Registration: 235-7433.

Kiatsu Workshop, learn the art of pressing with ki from sensei Seichi Tabata, 8:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. July 23, 2003 Nuuanu Ave.; $20 donation requested. Registration deadline is Tuesday: 591-6514.

Yoga for Your Back, Neck and Shoulders, workshop led by Marie Riley using yoga, tai chi, Todd alignment movements, acupressure and reflexology for flexibility, 11 a.m.-noon Saturday, Windward Community College, Hale Kuhina 115; $19. Registration: 235-7433.

University of Hawai'i Diet Study, join a research project led by medical anthropologist Mark Davis, who is testing a method of achieving a very lean body type for those who are no more than 30 pounds overweight; diet and advice provided with weekly body-fat testing at no charge. Deadline for joining the study is July 31. For more information: 949-4858 or markdavi@hawaii.edu.

ONGOING

Pilates and Yoga classes, mat and equipment training for all levels offered daily, Pilates Training Center of Hawaii, Kailua; $15 to $23 per class with package discounts available. Call for schedule: 261-9519.

Elegant Exercise, yoga and movement for beginners, dancers and runners, taught by Reiko Seno, 7:45-9 a.m. Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays, Aloha Activity Center; $15 for one class, $50 for four classes. Call for schedule: 348-4217.

Masakatsu Ki-Aikido Dojo, instruction for children (5 and older) and adults, 8:30-10 a.m. and 7-9 p.m. Saturdays, 1007 Waimanu St., second floor; monthly fees are $15 for children, $25 for adults; discounts available for families. 487-6080.

Kripalu yoga class, poses for relaxation and rejuvenation, taught by Walleska Tepping, 9-10:30 a.m. Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, Waikiki Beach Marriott, Kealohilani Tower; $15 per class. Reservations required: 921-5240.

Salsarobics, work out to a Latin beat with Minnie Ruiz, for men and women, 11 a.m.-noon Saturdays, Aloha Activity Center, Studio C-101; $8. 387-8064.

Mindfulness Meditation, develop inner peace, emotional awareness and stability and reduce stress through insight meditation, 4 p.m. Saturdays, Broken Ridge Korean (Buddhist) Temple, Palolo Valley; free. 395-7749.

East West Qigong International holds qigong classes Saturdays-Thursdays at various times and locations. For schedule and details: 941-9707, www.eastwestqigong.org.

Aikido classes, with The Aikido Ohana and instructor Alan Nagahisa, 8-9:30 a.m. Sundays, 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, Higashi Hongwanji Mission, 1685 'Alaneo St.; $20 per month for three classes per week. 221-8656, www.aikidoohana.org.

Tropical Stretch and Energizer, yoga and tai chi, 9-10:30 a.m. Sundays and Wednesdays, Waikiki Beach Marriott, Kealohilani Tower; $25 first class, $15 additional classes. Reservations required: 921-5240.

Butoh movement workshop covers exercises to develop sensory and spatial awareness through dance and spoken word, 3-5 p.m. Sundays, Japanese Cultural Center, Kenshikan Dojo; $30 per month. 387-4861.

Balance and Fall Awareness, balance testing and fall risk screening, Mondays-Fridays, Balance Center of the Pacific, 600 Kapi'olani Blvd., Suite 404; free. Appointment: 955-8339.

Fall Risk Assessments, learn balance factors and how to prevent falls, Mondays-Fridays, Ohana Pacific Rehab Services; free. Honolulu office: 591-9420; Kailua office: 262-1118.

Stroller Strides, workout and play for mothers and outdoor activities for their babies in strollers, 8:45 a.m. Mondays and Fridays at Kapi'olani Park, and 8:45 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. Wednesdays at Magic Island; $10 per class (discount for multiple classes); ongoing classes also in Kailua and Waipi'o. 371-6904, 783-5701, www.strollerstrides.com.

Exercise class, led by Paul Bragg, 9-10:30 a.m. Mondays-Saturdays, Fort DeRussy Park; free.

Tai Chi For Arthritis, sponsored by Arthritis Foundation, 3, 4:15 and 6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, Tenrikyo Honolulu Ko, 349 N. Judd St. Call for class fees and registration: 566-7231.

Dohwaje, introductory class in Taoist yoga and breathing meditation, 2, 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 1507 Kapi'olani Blvd., Unit 10; $5. 521-2478.

Panther System Hawai'i, consciousness physics for awareness and self-healing, 6 p.m. Mondays, 661 Auahi St., No. 203; $10. Register: 561-2585.

Body Works Hawaii offers classes in low-impact aerobics, Latin- and '50s-music workouts, and cardio kickboxing, 6-6:45 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, Kuhio School cafeteria; $1 per class. 735-5755, 377-5132.

Yoga is for Every Body, class in Kundalini and hatha yoga taught by Amber Ricci, 6-7:15 p.m. Tuesdays in Hawai'i Kai; $10 per class or $45 for five classes. Call 396-6715.

Send announcements, with contact name and phone number, to: Health Calendar, Island Life, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com, with "Health Cal" in the subject line; or fax 525-8055.