Every Wednesday, I have the privilege of participating and assisting Regan Linton in her chair yoga class at the Rocky Mountain Stroke Association. 

Until a month ago, I had never heard of chair yoga.  Chair yoga is a variation of yoga designed for those that are wheelchair bound or have limited mobility in their limbs.  Chair yoga still utilizes breathing techniques to focus the mind on the present as well as utilizes various stretches that elongate the body and help with stress.  Typical yoga moves are adjusted to meet each individual’s ability and desire to be challenged.  I have enjoyed watching various participants try new poses or stretches that most people would think they cannot do due to limitations; however, with slight modifications they do the poses beautifully.  Some participants stay seated, while others get on the floor to do their forward bends or backbends. 

It is more than a class of stretches to help with mobility for stroke survivors; however, to the participants, it is a class of community and camaraderie.  It is a time where they share their triumphs and failures in gaining mobility as well as hope in living.  Two women in the class bring a huge smile as they share their funny moments in the day or in the class.  They laugh together about forgetting to breathe during the exercises and in life in general.  One man said a particular exercise helped him to remember what it was like to smile.  His wife had not seen him smile since his stroke.  He thought practicing the pose would help him to smile again as he regained hope for the future. 

Every Wednesday is a new experience for me as I walk up the path and engage in the yoga community.  It is an experience steeped with great hope, great sorrow, and great courage demonstrated in a simple yet profound activity such as yoga. 

Kate, Sarah, Regan, and Kerri would like to cordially invite you to join us to celebrate you, our volunteers with Yoga for the People!  We are so appreciative of all the time and effort you have given to serve communities by teaching yoga.  We are grateful and would like to throw you a PARTY!  Woohoo!  There will be a yoga class for you that you can enjoy, gifts, giveaways, and refreshments.  We look forward to seeing you there. 
 
When: Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Where:Denver Health Hospital (790 Delaware, Pavilion C, basement level, Osler Classroom.)
Time:  5:30PM — gather
           5:45PM – 6:45PM, yoga
           6:45PM — Refreshments, give-a-ways, and celebration
 
With thanks!  
 
Please RSVP to:
 
Kerri.Louck@gmail.com
321-662-1831
 

 Current Volunteer Openings!!!
The following are volunteer yoga teacher positions that Yoga for the People is currently looking to fill. 
E-mail regan@yogaforthepeople.org for more information or to express interest in a volunteer placement.

*Note: Volunteers positions at Bridge Project and Growing Home are high energy placements and require an interest in working with kids (experience working with at-risk youth is helpful).

Co-teaching with a friend/partner is also a viable possibility at most of the placements.

1. Bridge Project: After-school program for kids living in Denver’s public housing neighborhoods - Quigg Newton site - 4558 Navajo St., north Denver (just off I-70 and Pecos): Tuesdays 5:30-6:30pm (first half hour is K-2nd grade, second half hour is 3rd-5th grade), approximately 5-10 kids - placement ends in May/June

2.   Bridge Project: After-school program for kids living in Denver’s public housing neighborhoods - South Lincoln site  - 1217 W. 10th Ave., Denver (2 blocks west of 10th and Kalamath): Tuesdays 5-6pm - placement ends in May/June

3. Growing Home: After school activities for youth - Global Leadership Academy - 7480 Conifer Rd, north Denver (near 75th and I-25): Wednesdays, 4:45-5:30pm (slightly flexible time), 15 kids, K-2nd grade (BILINGUAL IN SPANISH A PLUS, BUT NOT NECESSARY) - placement ends in May

4.   Growing Home: After school activities for youth - Westminster Elementary - 7482 Irving Street, Westminster (near 75th and Lowell): Wednesdays, 4:15-5pm (slightly flexible time), K-2nd grade - placement ends in May

5. Denver Health - Park Hill Community Clinic - 4995 E 33rd Avenue, Denver: Lunchtime class, 1x/week, 12pm-1pm - day of the week is flexible - placement end-date is currently indefinite

6. Denver Health - Eastside Community Clinic - 501 28th St., Denver: Lunchtime class, 1x/week, 12pm-1pm - day of the week is flexible - placement end-date is currently indefinite

7. Denver Health - Staff Class - 990 Bannock St, Denver: Wednesdays, 4:30pm - placement end-date is currently indefinite

8. MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) - Zion Lutheran Church, Brighton - 1400 Skeel Street, Brighton: 9:30-10:30am, every other Friday beginning February 5th - approximately 10 mothers, maybe with a few minutes involving the preschoolers at the end of each session - placement end-date is currently indefinite

Due to the snow, Yoga for the People classes will be canceled for today, Thursday, 10/29/09 (including classes at Denver Health and The Bridge Project).  Stay warm and safe!