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Making Peace with Body Image: A Women's Wellness Workshop
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Saturday, January 9th, 2:00-4:00 pm, $25.00
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Valley Yoga - 82 Broad Street, Westfield, MA
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Phone: 413-562-1140
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About the workshop:
Every day, women are bombarded by the command to be thin, lose weight, and get a flat belly fast. Images of severely malnourished models and actresses penetrate our gaze whenever we step into the grid. When coupled with stress and lack of awareness, these words and images can lead us down a self-destructive path that can erode self-esteem and lead to psychological and physical harm. In this supportive, affirming workshop led by two yoga teachers with varied backgrounds, women will get the chance to evaluate the cultural ‘norms’ that keep us on the weight-obsession treadmill, formulate pro-active plans to bring peace into our self-image, and discuss our stories to discover common ground. |
This workshop is designed for any woman who: |
| Struggles with her weight, has ever felt “too fat”, diets when not medically necessary, judges her body parts as flawed, or has ever felt less than worthy compared to others based on her weight. |
| About the instructors: |
| Jessica Berger, RN is a Registered Yoga Teacher and Kripalu Certified Prenatal Yoga Instructor and writer. She teaches Yoga and Stress Reduction throughout the valley and Health at the Hartsbrook School, where she has presented on the eating disorders and body image. Smith College Summer Science Program, the Massachusetts Teacher’s Association, the Massachusetts Nurses Association, the YWCA and the Department of Social Services have all hosted her as a public health speaker. She has providing nursing care for people with eating disorders at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Canyon Ranch in Lenox, and as a Certified Fitness Trainer. The fitness world woke her up to the fact that societal pressure to be unrealistically thin was harming her fitness clients’ and her own well-being. This motivated her to restore her own and other women’s self-acceptance. She offers this workshop with the belief that we can all find peace with body image. |
| Alexandra Mello, Nationally Certified Hatha Yoga Teacher, is a native of Northampton, Massachusetts. She began her yoga studies over a decade ago, spending a year devoted to service and Human Rights in India and at the Findhorn Foundation in Scotland. She has worked on social justice issues at home and abroad for the past 11 years, worked with war widows in Guatemala, and Grassroots Development programs throughout Central America. Locally she has worked with inner city youth, at risk families, Fair Housing, homeless prevention and adult education with Immigrants and Refugees. While recovering from a major car accident she returned to the practice of Yoga with a new perspective. Her main focus has been to make Yoga accessible to all regardless of age, size or stage of health. Before becoming certified to teach, entering a Yoga studio was intimidating due to the stereotypical images of people who practice Yoga. She has found peace "one day at a time" with body image through Yoga and is grateful to share how it can be a path to wellness for all. |
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Ten Stress Reduction and Meditation Techniques
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with Jessica Berger
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Date: Saturday January 16th, 2010
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Time: 2:00-3:30 pm
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Place: Kali Yoga in Wilbraham, MA
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Class description: |
| This workshop offers effective tools to remediate stress and anxiety. Participants will discover ancient and modern meditation techniques from around the world. Guided by the principle that there is no wrong way to meditate, students experience the relaxing benefits of 10 different practices. Sacred sounds, the purification breaths, yogic breathing, and sequential movement will be introduced as a quick, easy way to bring immediate calm. |
| Who should attend: |
| Anyone who feels stressed, anxious or depressed. Teachers, parents, mental health professionals, health care professionals, and child care workers can use these techniques at work. All are welcome to attend this workshop, the second in a series on stress reduction and meditation. |
| About the instructor: |
Jessica Berger has enjoyed teaching Meditation workshops and leading retreats since 2008. She is a Registered Yoga Teacher, Registered Nurse, and Adjunct Faculty Member of the Hartsbrook School. She has studied yoga and meditation with Yasodhara Lillydahl, Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan, Mukunda Stiles, Janice Clarfield, and Shiva Rea. Her workshops embody the wisdom of 25 years of experience in health care with a life-long love of comparative religions and meditation.
After a nursing co-worker complained to her supervisor that she appeared too anxious, Jessica embarked upon a quest for practices that would calm a person completely. The ten-year search yielded remarkable results. Wanting to share this bounty with others, she offers this workshop with the sincere belief that tranquility and peace can be cultivated amidst all circumstances. |
Stress Reduction and Meditation Class
Are you interested in avoiding the negative effects of stress on behavior, health and attitude? Then Stress Reduction and Meditation is an opportunity to cultivate habits that lead you away from addictive or mindless habits towards freedom. During this supportive and non-judgmental class, participants will get the opportunity to learn numerous modalities to promote deep relaxation and self-care. Students will explore techniques that they can use throughout their lifetime.
Student perspectives on Stress Reduction and Meditation Class:
“I enjoy my classes and the instructor goes out of her way to make sure we get the most out of the session. It’s particularly helpful in eliminating my sleepless nights, and I’m more at peace with myself.”
-Dick Caruso
“I have honestly enjoyed everything so far, the techniques work and are skills I can use always. I can’t wait to keep learning more. The timing of Jessica teaching this class is so meaningful, useful and helpful to me. A blessing!”
-Sue Mulry
“Like the variety of information and techniques- the support of the teacher as well as the students - the opportunity to explore myself and have someone with knowledge answer and clarify… it is very comfortable”
- Anonymous
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New Yoga Flow Class
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Starting July 29th, 2009
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Place: Valley Yoga in Westfield, MA
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Time: Wednesdays 7:30-8:30 PM
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Info: www.valley-yoga.com
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E-mail: info@valley-yoga.com
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| Class description: Pure Flow - a vigorous, dynamic, 1 hour class for anyone with at least 6 months yoga practice. Students get to experience yoga in motion, as we transition from one pose to the next in a series of standing and seated poses. Class begins with a yogic warm-up, flows into the sun salutation and continues with a sequence that builds grace, endurance, balance, strength and flexibility. Practice is rounded off with a short pranayama, meditation, and svasana. Set to fun music, Pure Flow will satisfy your desire to purify and tone your system! You may want to bring water and a towel. |
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