Full Moon Gentle Yoga will be held from 4-5 p.m. this Sunday with Danielle Kwami. This is a gentle, slow-flow yoga class to release what no longer serves you. Deep stretches will relax and calm mind, body and spirit, while utilizing the power of the full moon to help let go and lighten the load. The class is appropriate for all experience levels from new to advanced.
Chair Tai Chi–Chi Kung will be offered from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Dec. 4 with Madeline Sofranac, DPT. Enjoy simple, effective hand and leg movements, postures, gentle deep breathing and pressure point techniques while remaining seated in a chair. Tai Chi–Chi Kung movements emphasize flow of internal energy to improve organ function, range of motion, blood pressure balance and overall physical and mental well-being. This class works well for seniors, physically challenged persons and folks recovering from surgeries or living with injuries.
Beginner’s Yoga will be held from 4-5 p.m. Dec. 5 with Kiyomi Falcon. Yoga has both preventive and therapeutic benefits. It increases body awareness, relieves chronic stress patterns and muscle strain, relaxes mind and body, centers attention, sharpens concentration and frees the spirit.
Caregiving Conversations will meet from 11 a.m.—noon Dec. 6 with professional caregiver Karyn Clay. Whether you are a caregiver by heart, hire or relationship, join fellow caregivers in sharing stories, support and inspiration.
Ancient Yoga with Deanna Olivier will meet from 11 a.m.-noon Dec. 6. This practice includes physical, mental and spiritual discipline for developing awareness, character and consciousness. It is an integrated system of exercise, breath control and meditation combining yoga postures with breathing techniques for a vigorous workout. Bring water, a yoga mat if you have one and a towel. Wear loose clothing.
Zumba Gold, in a chair, will meet from 10:30-11 a.m. Dec. 7 with Renee Morinaka, a licensed Zumba instructor. This class is mainly for those who have mobility or balance issues, but still love to move and dance. It includes a warm up, dance party and cool down stretching to upbeat music of various genres. Activate effective everyday hand, arm, leg and body movements. Participants will sit during the entire class. Bring water, a towel and wear covered shoes.
Mosquito Borne Disease on Hawaii Island with Jason Dela Cruz, a public health educator from Dept. of Health (DOH) for Hawaii County, will meet from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Dec. 7. This session will review the 2017–2016 dengue outbreak, discuss other mosquito borne diseases of concern and give an update on current DOH planning, response and surveillance activities.
Integration of Neuropsychology and Buddhism: Comments on Meditation and Mindfulness is a two-part workshop, to be held from 3-5 p.m. Dec. 8 and 15 with Harold V. Hall, PhD, ABPP, ABN. Kindness, altruism and small acts of generosity, as well as perceived gratitude, can change both function and structure of the brain. Participants will construct a Morita therapy log, great for accepting feelings, clarifying thoughts and constructive living, and a Naikan log used to increase appreciation and gratitude. The second session will address the Buddhist Five Laws of the Universe and their application to the notion of truth.
Healthy Sweets for the Holidays will be held from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Dec. 9 with Jeanne Teleia, a holistic wellness/life and family coach, and a healthy chocolate maker. Come and learn a few tips and secrets the food industry does not want you to know to make healthy sweets that can actually benefit your health in this interactive wellness playshop. Don’t end up feeling guilty, fat, sick, addicted or cognitively impaired from the consumption of commercial sweets during the holidays. There is a new and healthier way to DIY healthy, low glycemic treats.
Pet Loss Support Group will meet from 4-5 p.m. Dec. 9 with Jeanne Teleia. For many, pets are family members, and losing them is one of the hardest experiences of life. Sometimes others do not understand the depth of the loss and/or don’t know how to respond appropriately. This group will provide support for the loss of a pet in the recent or distant past, whatever the reason. Come talk about it, share stories, pictures, etc. and provide a compassionate response to others feeling the same way.
Insights Into Child Art: From Creativity to Critical Thinking will be held from 2:30-4 p.m. Dec. 10 with Devon Mitchell, founder and executive director of the Portland Child Art Studio (PCAS) in Portland, Oregon. Whether you are an educator, a parent or a childcare provider, the basic yet powerful ideas presented in this workshop will expand the ability to facilitate a child’s creative thinking and artistic expression. Through discussion and a hands-on art project, participants will learn how to engage children of different ages in experiential learning using different art mediums and materials.