Movement – The Hammock

Taking Care of Yourself

January 28, 2020 by Dramatic Design

Your children can often pick up on your stress much like a sponge.

Do routine things to ensure less stress for all
Do your best to make sure the entire family eats a balanced meal to stay well and nourished. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day and exercise.
Do not forget to take care of yourself. If you are not feeling okay, it conflicts with the order of everything else.
Take a nap, read a book, or take a long hot bath. Relaxation is one of the ways you can best approach the struggles with that following stress and anxiety.

What are Chakras in Plain English?

January 15, 2020 by Dramatic Design

The chakras are seven energy centers in your body that affect your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being. When you begin to work on your chakras, your energy begins to flow upwards. Many people’s chakras are not balanced. They are often blocked, overactive or inactive, resulting in confusion, depression, imbalances, and low energy.

How to balance your chakras is a good question. Through movement, breathing, and sounds help to move the energy in the body into the right directions which can help you to be more positive, have peace, clarity, energy, and balance within your life.

Here are some yoga poses to help you balance your chakras:

**Root Chakra: Tree Pose**
Great for feeling more alert, secure, and stable.
**Color: Red**
“I am”

**Sacral or Pelvic Chakra: Goddess Pose**
Great for generating creativity and emotional stability.
**Color: Orange**
“I feel”

**Navel Chakra: Boat Pose**
Great for fostering persona power and change.
**Color: Yellow**
“I do”

**Heart Chakra: Camel Pose**
Great for being more joyful, loving and empathetic.
**Color: Green**
“I love”

**Throat Chakra: Up Dog**
Great for becoming more outspoken, and finding your voice.
**Color: Blue**
“I talk”

**Third-Eye Chakra: Easy Pose**
Great for learning new things, and trusting your instincts.
**Color: Indigo Blue**
“I see”

**Crown Chakra: Corpse Pose**
Great for lifting your mood, detaching from ego. It helps you to understand who you are beyond your physical self.
**Color: Violet**
“I understand”

Free Family Yoga Classes in Lowell this Fall!

September 10, 2019 by Dramatic Design

Thank you to Maryalene LaPonsie of Lowell’s First Look for the wonderful write-up about our FREE YOGA CLASSES this fall!

An excerpt from the article:

…From September 7 to November 30, the library will be hosting family yoga classes from 11-11:30 am each Saturday. The classes are free and will be led by Sarah Ryder, an occupational therapist, registered yoga teacher and owner of The Hammock.

Classes Part of Energize Lowell Initiative

Stephanie Weaver, a branch librarian, explains the family yoga classes are part of a larger initiative that seeks to promote community wellness. Known as Energize Lowell, the initiative will eventually encompass nutrition classes offered by the YMCA, activities on trails at the Wittenbach Wege Center and perhaps other events.

There has been some evidence linking movement to improved literacy which is one reason the library was keen to offer family yoga classes. It is also an activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities.

Family yoga was offered over the summer, and each session contained a unique mix of activities depending on who was in attendance. One week a 3-year old was in the crowd and another week, it was all adults. “It’s very easy for me to modify and change things,” Ryder says. Chairs are also available for those who want to participate but are unable to stand throughout the class.

The library has invested in mats and blocks so families don’t need to bring any equipment to the sessions.

“Americanized Yoga” Comes With Multiple Benefits

Ryder knows some people are wary of yoga because of its spiritual roots. However, these classes are what she terms Americanized yoga. “It’s movement. It’s breathing,” she says. “We’re not sitting and chanting.”…

The article concludes…

In addition to family yoga, Weaver says the library is interested in offering a yoga program specifically for seniors. Stay tuned for more information on that.

In the meantime, Lowell residents are invited to a free yoga class on Saturday, September 14, that will take place at the Grand River Riverfront Park bridge. Ryder says she will meet participants at the bridge at 9 am and conduct an hour-long yoga session that will take advantage of the beautiful views along the Grand River. If the weather is inclement, the session will be moved to an indoor location.

For more information on yoga at the bridge, visit The Hammock on Facebook. And to learn more about happenings at the library, follow the Kent District Library – Englehardt/Lowell branch.

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