And we’re celebrating how the Good Food Box community Got Back in the Groove with Mindful Movement!
It’s been a long pandemic and for many seniors, especially those living alone, this meant a lot of social isolation over the past couple of years. Since a good portion of our Good Food Box (GFB) customer base is 55 years or better, we wanted to do something fun to help folks reconnect in person, re-engage and ‘get back in the groove,’ so we offered five Mindful Movement dance sessions to our GFB community (host-sites, volunteers and customers) at two locations: West Thunder Community Centre and Thunder Bay 55+ Centre.
Nele Schoutetten, a certified mindful dance instructor, led us in a mindful movement practice to help us connect with our inner rhythm, flow, and dance. We were guided through conscious dance, free beat, body awareness, and breath work. We practiced listening to music with our whole body and noticing what happens when we follow our own natural movements. And we always concluded with some time to share tea, conversation, and some good food snacks–of course!
We’ve been amazed at the response to our Mindful Movement sessions: 74 participants (plus a waitlist) over five sessions. And five participants also signed up as new Good Food Box volunteers!
This is some of the wonderful feedback we’ve received:
- My first time here. Enjoyed it very much. Great music and I felt my body moving freely. I will come again for sure. -M.P.
- These movements help me to think positive. – L.O.
- Love the movement. Not strenuous on the body. -B. W.
- I am becoming more confident to just do my own thing! -N.W
