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Architecture

August 23, 2014 By webmaster

We can turn off the radio, we can walk past a museum, and we can choose not to write poetry. But we cannot avoid architecture. Buildings form the backdrop for almost all of our activities: we live in them, work in them, shop in them, and learn in them. Architecture is part of the essential “food, clothing, and shelter” triad. Our experience of the built environment begins when we are young, with memories of our childhood home. It continues through all phases of our lives and becomes an important part of our life experience.

This symbol indicates programs that are available in-person or by video

The Architectural History of Cleveland (1835-1931) -Step back through time from an architectural perspective and learn about the buildings that have helped to shape Cleveland’s skyline as well as its rich history. Students will learn the interesting stories behind each building, as well as why they are an important part of Cleveland history. (1 hour class) Please provide a computer, tv or projector for the slideshow. This class can also make a fun and interesting guided bus tour for groups. Please contact us to discuss this option.
Residential Building Styles of Cleveland Class -An interactive slideshow. Learn how to recognize the characteristics of the prominent residential design styles in Cleveland. Students will learn about the materials and features that make each style unique, the function of various parts of the structure and details, and how to identify each style. It’s a great way to understand the history of the neighborhoods we call home. (1 hour class) Please provide a computer, tv or projector for the slideshow
Home Adaptability (for individuals living at home)
An interactive slideshow. This program teaches people how their homes can be adapted to accommodate physical and mental health challenges. We will discuss specialty products and construction projects that help people live safely and comfortably in their homes – things like making the bathtub easier to get into, installing door hardware that is easier to grasp, and accommodations for wheelchairs. We will study simple, inexpensive product options for earlier stages of adaptability; all the way up to more complex projects for later stages. This class is helpful for those who wish to Age-In-Place, as well as families who have someone with physical challenges living with them. (1 hour class) Please provide a computer, tv or projector for the slideshow
Life History Museum (for group communities) – If your building has an extra room or an extra corner in the lobby, we can create a museum display where people contribute artifacts or heirlooms from their lives, or artwork they have created. The stories behind the display items are written out, to explain their significance. This can be either a permanent or temporary installation; and it can be a changing display, where the items on display are varied throughout the year. (Time and cost varies, please contact us for options)

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Laughter Yoga

August 23, 2014 By webmaster

Laughter Yoga is a fun, “feel-good” class with lots of health benefits. It combines laughing exercises, deep breathing and playful group activities. These activities bring more oxygen to the body and the brain which reduces stress and makes one feel more energetic and healthy.

Laughter yoga has been shown to boost the immune system, promote relaxation, lift mild depression, improve social interaction and connections, exercise the abdomen, help to control blood pressure increase lung capacity, detox the body, and improve circulation and digestion. But most importantly it’s fun and feels good!

Laughter Yoga classes are one hour long for active seniors, and 45 minutes for those with more limited abilities. Laughter Yoga does not require any special skills, equipment or clothing; and can be done either seated or standing. * This is a participatory class and would not be suitable for people who cannot move their limbs, or those with moderate to severe dementia.

Watch the videos: The Benefits of Laughter Yoga

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Writing

August 23, 2014 By webmaster

The world around us is filled with interesting people, places and things. Likewise, each of us has interesting experiences and knowledge that is helpful to others when shared. Writing allows us to capture this information and share it with others in informative, inspiring ways.

All programs are available in-person or by video

All programs can also be done outdoors in nice weather or with overhead cover

Poetry Writing Made Easy – Small groups will work together to create a beautiful poem of their own. Choose from either Haiku, Cinquain, Diamante or “I Am” poetry styles. We make it easy, no poetry writing experience is necessary! (1 hour class. Staff assistance is needed for groups larger than 4 people.)
Journalistic Writing – We teach your group how to decide on subjects of interest, identify information sources, compile interview questions, conduct an interview and take notes, verify their information, and write a journalistic article. They will learn about research articles and interview articles, how to write and edit, and proper grammar and structure. They can then submit their articles to newspapers and magazines for publication. (1 hour class)
Cooperative Writing – Your group will work together to create a writing piece that expresses their opinion about a certain subject. Subjects can include things like “How to Raise a Good Child”, “What I Learned From My Mother”, or “Secrets to a Happy Life.” Each participant will be interviewed and recorded, and the interviews will then be typed. (Time and cost varies, please contact us for options)
Creative Visualization: “If I Were President” – A discussion group concerning various social, economic and political issues; and how we would handle these issues if we were in charge. (1 hour class)
Storymaking – Using interesting photographs as inspiration, we will write creative stories that draw on our present-moment imagination, as well as any life experiences that we would like to add. A fun and unusual group activity. (1 hour class)

For more writing classes please click here to go to our Life Stories page

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08/22/14 – A visit from J.J. the therapy dog

August 22, 2014 By webmaster

Lots of smiles today when J.J. the therapy dog visited The Heights Nursing and Rehab Center. J.J. is blind, and quite an inspiration to the residents (as well as being the source of lots of pets and doggy kisses!)

Positive Living

August 22, 2014 By webmaster

Life can often present us with challenging situations and people that can test our ability to remain positive, peaceful and healthy. Our Positive Living classes teach helpful tools for coping with these challenges, and gently encourage us to do our best to rise above these situations. In the process we learn to feel better not only about ourselves, but to also feel better about the very situations and people that once seemed insurmountable. Each class is 1 hour long.

New!!! Aromatherapy for Balanced Health – Essential oils can give us extra energy, calm our minds, help us sleep better, improve memory function, and provide relief from other imbalances. Learn how aromatherapy can help you, sample some essential oils, and make a customized body lotion and body scrub to keep. (1 hour class. $5 materials fee)
New!!! Healthy Living Through Ayurveda – Ayurveda is an ancient practice of natural healing and self-care that promotes vitality by integrating the body, mind and spirit. Learn how to determine your individual “dosha”, and the recommendations for sleep, diet, exercise and personal care that support your dosha type.
New!!! Managing Relationship Stress – Our relationships with family, friends, co-workers and acquaintances can be the source of particularly difficult challenges. Learn healthy ways of communicating and managing expectations, to help you get through these situations and improve your relationships.
New!!! Humor As a Life Plan – Smiling and laughing has numerous health benefits, including reducing stress and improving stress-related illness. Learn the many ways that you can bring more humor into your life. You’ll also get to try some fun games and groan through a few corny jokes!
New!!! Posture Made Perfect – We all know that we are supposed to have good posture, but we don’t always know what that means. And a lifetime of less-than-perfect posture can be a hard habit to break. Learn proper posture for standing, sitting, walking and sleeping. Getting familiar with how it feels will help you be able to do it on your own. We can also teach posture for walker and wheelchair users.
New!!! “Dear Abby” – A group discussion program led by a grief and loss survivor. We will talk about the things that we wish were different in our lives, and offer advice for changing what we can and thriving anyway in spite of what we can’t. All group members will be invited to offer positive advice to each other from their own life experiences.
The Power of Intention – Our thoughts are very powerful. We create our own sense of reality based on how we think and where we place our attention. In this class you will learn how to become aware of your current thought patterns, and decide where you would instead like to direct your energy and intentions in order to create a more peaceful and authentic reality for yourself. We will have a short intention meditation at the end of class.
Making Lemonade From Lemons – This class helps you learn how to maintain peace and happiness despite the challenges you may be facing in your life such as grief over the death of a loved one, decline in cognition or mobility, increasing health issues, loss of independence, and moving from your home. We will discuss different methods for coping with these issues through positive thinking, empowering speech, and a gratitude-focused approach to life.
Introduction to Holistic Health Care – You will learn about the physical benefits and stress-relieving benefits of yoga, Tai Chi, massage therapy, Reiki energy therapy, and meditation. We will discuss how these different techniques help to improve breathing, balance, flexibility, and strength; as well as promote relaxation and peacefulness. We will have a short meditation demonstration at the end of class.
The Amazing Benefits of Gratitude Journaling – Keeping a daily journal of things that you are thankful for is a life-changing experience. By noticing and focusing on the good things in your life, bad things lose their effect, and you end up with a much happier outlook on life. Gratitude journaling can help to elevate mood, increase optimism, alleviate depression, and cope with sadness. Learn how to start a journal, what to include, and all of the ways that gratitude journaling can benefit you. We will also have a short discussion about Mindfulness Meditation, as it ties into observing and finding things to be grateful for in the world around us.
Every Day Stress Relief – This class teaches methods for staying peaceful amid the typical challenges of life. We will discuss relaxing breathing techniques, an introduction to meditation, methods for being accepting of ourselves and others, and ways to approach challenging situations in a healthy way. We will have a short meditation demonstration at the end of class.

Meditation Made Easy – Meditation helps to quiet the mind and release us from worry. For many people, though, the goal of clearing our minds of thoughts seems impossible to attain. This class teaches easy methods to meditate, and incorporate it into everyday life. We teach exercises that help the body and mind to become relaxed and centered. The relaxation and peace of mind you will learn in this class will help you gain a more positive outlook on your daily life. We will practice different types of meditation throughout the class.
Good Health Through Balanced Energy – You will learn how energy imbalances can affect physical health, thinking and personality. We will discuss the difference between yin (passive) and yang (active) energy, the concept of chakras (the seven energy centers located within our bodies), methods to balance our own energy, and methods for interacting in a healthy way with other people who have a different type of energy than we do.

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Architecture

Click on the categories below for a full program list

Laughter Yoga

View Our Other Classes

Writing

Click on the categories below for a full program list

08/22/14 – A visit from J.J. the therapy dog

Positive Living

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