Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN –George Wellbeing, an initiative of the YMCA of the North which is a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, will be offering free community group acupuncture starting September 8 through December 2020 at the Blaisdell and Midway YMCAs for Y members and the public.
The sessions will follow health and wellbeing expert guidance including hosting the sessions in large studios with additional ventilation and limiting the number of participants being served at a time to create safe physical distancing.
"Health and wellbeing isn’t just about our individual goals of working out and eating right, our wellbeing also needs healing practices in community settings that allow for deep restoration, compassionate connection, and a holistic approach to feeling well,” said Sally St. John, senior director of wellbeing and integrative care at the Y.
St. John adds, “Sustaining our energy and wellbeing through the long complex journey towards health, equity and inclusion is difficult. Our bodies hold generational and current day stress, anxiety, depression and trauma that make it a windy road. Therefore, self-care practices need to intersect with community-care actions to create a successful social justice equation.”
“The YMCA is honored to be working in partnership with Bill and Penny George and The George Family Foundation to provide integrative healing practices to the community,” said Glen Gunderson, president and CEO of the Y. “When individuals and communities are given the right to self-care practices, people start believing their lives matter, their choices matter and their journey can be something to embrace rather than fear.”
WHO:
YMCA of the North George Wellbeing
WHAT:
George Wellbeing Community-Response Group Acupuncture Pop-Up
WHERE:
Blaisdell YMCA on 3335 Blaisdell Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Midway YMCA on 1761 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55104
WHEN:
September 8 through December 2020
Blaisdell
Monday: 9-11 a.m.
Tuesday: 10 a.m.-Noon
Wednesday: 2-4 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m.-Noon
Friday: 9-11 a.m.
Midway
Monday: 5-7 p.m.
Tuesday: 2-4 p.m.
Thursday: 5-7 p.m.
Friday: 1-3 p.m.
Saturday: 1-3 p.m.
HOW MANY PARTICIPANTS:
6-12 participants per session; ages 18 plus
HOW DOES IT WORK:
During community acupuncture, participants receive services in the same room. Each person is seated in a restorative zero gravity chair. The licensed acupuncturist moves from person to person, completing a brief consultation and then places the acupuncture needles. Participants will sit together quietly in a restorative position. The full session is scheduled for 120 minutes and drop-ins are welcome. Each individual can expect to be there for about 30-45 minutes once seated in a chair, depending on wait times. Individuals can drop in once in a while, or come regularly to maintain wellbeing. Participants should wear loose fitting clothing.
About the YMCA of the North
The YMCA of the North is a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Established 164 years ago, the Ys provide life-strengthening services across 12 counties of the greater Twin Cities metro region, southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin communities. The 28 Y locations and program sites, seven overnight camps, 10 day camps, and more than 90 child care sites engage more than 370,000 men, women and children of all ages, incomes and backgrounds. To learn more about the Y’s mission and work, visit www.ymcanorth.org.