December's Dancing Mindfulness Offering

Following the momentum that was created during Black Healing October, I made the decision to offer a monthly virtual Dancing Mindfulness Practice. During Black Healing October I was able to witness the connection that was possible even through a computer. It gave me hope for future sessions with a new group of people. 

This month our goal is to cultivate joy in our lives with our practice. 

    Joy noun,  "a feeling of great pleasure and happiness"

Join in December 19th at 2:00 PM for a joyful practice. The practice will be 30-40 minutes in length. 

Purchase your tickets here

Reminder on Dancing Mindfulness: Dancing Mindfulness is a movement based approach that doesn't ask you to be a "dancer" but to allow your body to be moved by the sounds you hear. No dance experience is required, one of our goals is not to judge our or others movement and I have been told it is a fun experience. Some of the benefits are: healing, relaxation, connection, and novelty. Please contact me with questions and be brave in exploring something new. Dancing Mindfulness is a Trauma Informed practice, feel free to let me know how I can support you during the practice. 

What Social Workers love about their profession.

Years ago I offered a giveaway during Social Work Month, this year due to the stressful state of things I decided to reinstate this event. 

The prize for the giveaway

I asked for social workers to enter by telling me what they love about the social work profession. I love their responses and wanted to share them with you. 

*Social Work is a protected title, meaning that a degree and license are required to be considered a social worker.*

How to Handle Repetitive Heavy News

From deaths while in police custody/ during arrests, to news of the Coronavirus Pandemic, the News can be difficult to digest.

I often tell people that I don't watch the News, what I really mean is that I don't often tune into News Programs. I don't think that any one can really avoid the news. It is on social media, in commercials on television (even outside of the usual places i.e. ABC, NBC, CBS), in ads and suggested videos on YouTube, to conversations with friends and family.

While it is essential to know what is happening in the world around you. It is also important for you to take care of yourself. If you find yourself overwhelmed by the news, numb when another person's end of life requires a hashtag, or anxious about what will be reported next. Put a Personal News Plan into effect.

Some people limit their exposure, some may talk about how they are feeling with others, some may seek professional help, some may take breaks from social media, some may stop friends/family when they bring up a topic that is causing distress. Whatever approach you take spend some time today thinking about what your approach needs to be.

Below is a tracker template I created. Feel free to use and share your plan with others. (Screen shot and edit in your favorite app (The photos app on your phone or Instagram work well).

Let me know how your plan works for you. Also feel free to share your thoughts with me. 

Participant Testimonials

Amanda participated in a Dancing Mindfulness Session I facilitated during Social Work Month. The theme was Beacon of Hope- in keeping with the School Social Work Week theme for this year. 

Dancing Mindfulness

What is Dancing Mindfulness?

In Dancing Mindfulness, participants use dance to achieve mindfulness. 

Mindfulness-

• a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.

The act of noticing without judging how we move, feel and think is integral to the practice. 

During a dancing mindfulness class or individual session participants are not taught to dance or required to achieve any specific level of dance. 

Dancing Mindfulness is trauma informed and adaptable to different ability levels. 

You are accepted as you are and encouraged to do what you feel. 

The facilitator will make suggestions during the class, but they are just that suggestive. 

This great info graphic was created by Nicole Allen a fellow Dancing Mindfulness Facilitator. 

For more information please see the Dancing Mindfulness Website. 

Finding help in your area

Looking for resources in your area?

From time to time we can all find ourselves in search of a services in our area. 

The days of pulling out the phone book may be over, for most. 

Resource providers have evolved for the current technology based lives we lead. 

Even as a social worker, who must be aware of services in my client service area, I too find myself searching for local services occasionally. 

I have included below two websites I find useful for locating services providers. 

Aunt Bertha

Aunt Bertha is a website that allows visitors to search by location for services in their local area. There are many ways to specify what you are searching for, such as cost. Those that create an account can save resources, add notes, and share with groups. These features are great for helping professionals, especially the ability to print off resources and translate the page in to many different languages. Start searching for yourself here. 

NeedyMeds

NeedyMeds is a website that allows patients to find coupons and prescription assistance programs for needed medications. The website also offers access to prescription discount cards. Visitors can search for low cost medical care, or browse based on medication or diagnosis. Start your search here. 

211 Texas 

211 is another database for finding local services by zipcode and need. 211 has the added benefit of phone assistance at 2-1-1 or 1-877-541-7905. Search 211 here. 

***Healing Conversations and Movement is not associated with any of the listed agencies/companies. The information listed here is provided for educational purposes only. 

Quick stress relief

If you are like many, you would like to reduce stress in your life.

But where do you start?

 

Adding more steps to an already stressful day can seem like to much.

 

 

What about a quick way to reduce stress or anxiety in your day? Below are a few gifs that remind us to take some deep breaths and relax. 

 

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