|
-
Writers Lab
-
LGBTQIA+ Community Forum on Alzheimer’s & Dementia
-
Mask-up for Omicron COVID
-
Intro to Qigong
-
T’ai Chi Chih Class
-
Yoga & Stretching
-
Strength & Balance
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Last call for GenPride’s new Writers Lab!
If you have completed the GenPride Writers Workshop with Ingrid Ricks, or a comparable formal writing class, this twice a month meetup and mutual practice group for LGBTQIA+ writers might be just for you.
The orientation session has passed, but you have one more chance to register before the Lab begins in earnest on Tuesday, February 8.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LGBTQIA+ Community Forum on Alzheimer’s & Dementia
|
Join GenPride and the Alzheimer’s Association – Washington State Chapter for a free, online community forum to learn more about Alzheimer’s disease, ask questions and share your personal experiences. Get information about available resources, how to access help and ways you can support people in our LGBTQIA+ community impacted by memory loss and dementia. All ages welcome.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mask-up for Omicron COVID
|
What’s New:
You can order free, at-home rapid COVID test kits (up to four tests per household) at a new government website covidtests.gov.
Starting February 1, the King County Library system is hosting free COVID vaccine and booster clinics at four library branches in Auburn, Enumclaw, Federal Way and Tukwila.
Vaccines are available to anyone who needs them, regardless of insurance, citizenship, or immigration status. No appointments required. Medical staff with interpreter services will be available to answer questions.
Visit kcls.org/vaccinated for clinic days and hours.
January and February are expected to be the peak of the spread of Omicron COVID in our region. But limiting your personal risk of catching Omicron is easy as 1-2-3!
1. Get your COVID-19 booster shot!
Check with your doctor or the state’s vaccine locator for where to find a free booster shot near you:
https://vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov/
2. Mask-up in public!
Especially for these next few weeks, wear a mask that filters and covers your nose and mouth whenever you’re in public places. The most-effective certified masks are: (in this order)
-
N95 …USA-made, behind-the-head straps
-
KF94 …Korean-made, over-the-ear straps
-
KN95 …Chinese-made, over-the-ear straps
-
Double-up masking: a pleated surgical mask under a snug-fitting cloth mask
You can re-use a disposable mask up to 5 times if you handle it only by the straps and keep it isolated in a dry paper bag for at least 24 hours after each use. Some folks rotate through a set of three or four disposable masks this way, before tossing the mask after its fifth use.
Be sure to immediately wash or sanitize your hands every time you put on or remove your mask.
A cloth face mask alone is not effective against COVID.
|
3. Test, test, test!
If you’re going to be meeting with others indoors for an extended period of time with masks off — for example, to watch a movie or share a meal together — everyone should take a COVID rapid antigen test right before getting together. This reduces the chance that someone is contagious but without symptoms, as can happen at the start of an Omicron COVID infection.
These three steps: getting a booster, masking-up, and at-home rapid testing are especially important practices for those of us 65 years and older, during these next few weeks.
More resources:
https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/current-guidance.aspx
https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/COVID19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Join instructor Kimberly Ivy, founder of Seattle’s Embrace the Moon Tai Chi and Qigong for a free, 10-week Qigong course. Qigong is a contemplative movement system that is one of the main branches of Chinese Medicine. (The others are Nutrition, Massage, Herbs, and Acupuncture.) There are many variations of Qigong and you’ve likely seen several of them being practiced in the parks or online.
No matter the method variety, all Qigong is a health system that helps us to understand Yin/Yang philosophy, meditation, breath, and movement. All these beautiful flows harmonize the body, mind, and spirit with nature and provide many health benefits. In just a short time of practice, you’ll feel better all-around!
This course will cover fundamental methods of breathing, movement, and concentration. Between classes, you can practice with a video recording of that week’s session. All ages and fitness levels are welcome!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Join our Winter 2022 series of free, online T’ai Chi Chih® classes for the LGBTQAI+ and gender nonconforming community and their allies.
T’ai Chi Chih is a slow-moving, meditative routine of 19 moves and one pose. Benefits include: reduced stress, increased energy and mental clarity, improved balance, flexibility, and overall well-being. Beginning and continuing students are welcome. The practice can also be done seated in a chair.
Join instructor Linda Robinson Thursday mornings for this
10-week series.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Experience with yoga or stretching is not required. This class is designed to be approachable by all populations, regardless of fitness level. Moves in class are broken down in a slow and manageable manner.
The intention of the class is to move a little and have a lot of fun – even if you don’t perform each move perfectly.
|
Mondays, 11 am – 12 pm
Wednesdays, 3:30 – 4:30 pm
Fridays, 3:30 – 4:30 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Join us for this 40-minute movement-based class that integrates full-body strength, balance, and core-strengthening exercises.
Exercises will focus on strengthening the major muscle groups of the body in vertical and horizontal positions for strength and challenging our static and dynamic balance.
In this virtually taught class, we will use our own body weight using a chair for balance for support and a mat to aid various core strengthening exercises.
|
|
|
|
|
|
