Tag: Gentle Stretching

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking <here> or email olivia@smithcenter.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Michaela Bekenn

in partnership with Tigerlily Foundation

*Please note that by registering for this program, you consent to have your name and email shared with Tigerlily Foundation. Tigerlily only collects this information for data purposes and it will not be shared with any other parties.

We come together in community to be supported by the soothing vibrations of breath, silence, and sound. The session begins with setting an intention for your practice, followed by gentle stretches and breathing techniques to guide you into deep relaxation and surrender. The remainder of the journey is a sound bath guided by crystal singing bowls, tuning forks, drum, guitar, and vocal toning channeling the frequencies of love.

Join Michaela on the first Friday of every month for an opportunity to nourish your body, mind, and soul. Give yourself the gift of loving care, attention, and a space to relax and release at the end your day. Sweeten your sleep by entering this sanctuary of self love and connection.

No prior experience with meditation or sound healing is necessary. Wear what makes you feel most comfortable, have a cushion and blanket near by. Bring a curious mind and an open heart.

Virtual Community Sound Bath is offered on the first Friday of each month.

About Michaela Bekenn

Michaela Bekenn (she/her/they) is a Toronto-based certified sound therapy practitioner, yoga teacher, meditation instructor, and singer-songwriter. She is a certified facilitator of Compassion-Based Resilience Training and mindfulness for stress reduction, addiction recovery, and chronic pain. Michaela offers a variety of wellness-focused experiences that are always informed by the needs and goals of each client and group. Her extensive interdisciplinary training in theatre, music, dance, yoga, mindfulness, and Traditional Chinese Medicine allows for an eclectic approach in her practice. Michaela sources great joy from serving a wide range of demographics including youth, neurodiverse adults, corporate groups, and seniors. She is currently expanding her practice through a Master’s in Music Therapy & Psychotherapy. Michaela believes in the power of integrative community wellness. She is committed to holding inclusive space for participants to feel supported and nourished, wherever they may be in their personal journey.

Stay Connected: @michaelabekenn

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing olivia@smithcenter.org.

*Please note that by registering, you consent to have your information shared with LUNGevity. 

with Kiersten Gallagher from Smith Center and Lauren Humphries from LUNGevity

Join LUNGevity Foundation and Smith Center for Healing and the Arts for a relaxing evening of stretching the mind and body at a Virtual Coffeehouse event on Wednesday, April 26 from 5:30-6:30 PM ET. Participate in a guided meditation and some gentle stretching to relieve stress, help balance your emotions, and lift your mood. Then enjoy connecting with friends and meeting others in the lung cancer community over conversation. 

This virtual event will be held via Zoom. All are welcome. Registration is required. Please register by 5:00 PM ET on April 26.

About Lauren Humphries

As Associate Director of Constituent Engagement, Lauren is focused on building, developing, and deepening relationships with patients, caregivers, advocates, and healthcare providers to create opportunities for meaningful engagement and strategic partnerships with the Foundation. Lauren joined LUNGevity full-time in September 2014. She has over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit, higher education, and publishing industries.

Lauren earned a Master’s of Science in Communications Management from Towson University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Communications from Stevenson University. She is driven by making meaningful connections in the lung cancer community and helping others find ways to make a difference. She firmly believes that together, we can have the greatest impact to change outcomes for people living with lung cancer.

About Kiersten Gallagher

Kiersten Gallagher – Cancer Support Programs Director

Kiersten has served as the Cancer Support Program Director for Smith Center since 2014. Before coming to Smith Center, she had the privilege to serve individuals and families living with cancer at Wellness House of Annapolis. Kiersten aims to offer programs to reduce stress and help participants to see the world we live in from different perspectives. She thoroughly enjoys teaching yoga and creativity classes at SmithCenter and encourages gentle movement and creativity in the healing process. Kiersten is a certified yoga instructor through Yoga Alliance and also has her YCAT (Yoga Therapy in Cancer and Chronic Illness) Professional Certification through the Integral Yoga Academy. She has completed Patient Navigation training through Smith Center’s Institute for Integrative Oncology Navigation and has also completed the Commonweal Healing Circles: Advanced Cancer Support Training. Kiersten is also certified in CLIMB®(Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery) a program that aims to build upon the strengths of children and increase his/her ability to cope with stress associated with a parent’s illness. She believes in a holistic approach to healing, human relationships and is grateful for each and every day. Kiersten has also completed the Compassion Cultivation Training – CCT™ an 8-week program, developed at Stanford University, with insights and techniques from psychology, neuroscience, and contemplative practice. In her spare time, you may find Kiersten laughing with friends, cycling, taking art classes, practicing yoga and spending time with her husband Shane, son Liam, and dogs Beans and Pablo.

About LUNGevity

LUNGevity is changing outcomes for people with lung cancer through research, education, and support.

They are dedicated to funding scientific research because the link between research spending and improved survival is clear. Their strategic investment in both early detection and therapeutics will help people live better with lung cancer and dramatically improve on the current 19% five-year survival rate.

LUNGevity initiatives position them as thought leaders in the lung cancer advocacy community, providing programs and driving change for those with lung cancer today and in the future. While they fund primary research, they also conduct patient-focused research to better understand the unmet needs of patients and convene multi-stakeholder meetings to streamline the research process and accelerate progress to patients.

LUNGevity seeks to empower patients to be active decision makers in their treatment process through their extensive educational resources, online peer-to-peer support, and in-person survivorship programs.

They provide a community of empowerment, support, and hope as well as more than 80 grassroots awareness and fundraising events held from coast to coast each year.