Everything Changes - News and Schedule Updates

 For the past three years I have been planning and taking prerequisite classes in preparation for a very special educational opportunity. I am thrilled to let you know that as of August 19, 2024 I will be a student for the Physical Therapy Assistant school at Mesa College. The program is two years, and at the end I will have my AA, a certificate, and once I pass, a license to be a PTA! This is the next big step in my journey of being a movement professional and I could not be more thrilled (unless it was free!).

What that means is there are BIG changes to my teaching schedule. 

• For the Copley-Price YMCA, Christine Seliger will be taking over the Active (8:30AM) and Gentle (9:30AM) Yoga classes on Tuesdays starting August 6. I will continue teaching the Sunday 9:30-10:45 class as long as they are willing to have me, as well as being available for Personal Training. We are also doing a special SUNSET YOGA on August 16 from 6-8PM and again on October 11 6-8PM. I think a Friday night deep stretch will be just what the doctor (PT) ordered after a week of school! Check out flyers at the Copley YMCA for event details.
• For Monday Chair Yoga in Bonita, MaryElen will work her magic starting in August. 
• For Serra Mesa on Tuesdays, Rashna will grace us with her amazing skills until the end of September. The Library is working on a permanent replacement. 
• La Mesa Chair Yoga Wednesdays will also be led by Rashna starting August 1.
• San Carlos Kids on Wednesdays will be led by MaryElen through end of September. The library is working on an approved replacement. 
• Friday Lemon Grove and Skyline Hills will still be taught by ME at least until December (when I"ll get my schedule for the new semester). 

I know this is a big change, but what is life, but an ever-changing chain of events that we can choose to enjoy, or resist. For my sake, I'm trying to enjoy and marvel at the wonder of all the opportunities bestowed upon me. 

I have such big feelings about "leaving" or "abandoning" all these classes after we've taken years to get ot know one another, but I truly hope that this new incarnation, with new instructors, will help all of you on your journeys to wellness.

Please reach out with any questions; I'm just a button click away!

Best

Jackie

Lemon Grove Library Every Friday!

Starting June 7, our 9 to 9:55 AM Chair Yoga class at the Lemon Grove Library will be every Friday! Thanks to every that has been coming out to support this class. Gratitude to Amrit Gill and al the library personnel for getting this on the schedule. 

Additional thanks to everyone who has helped build up the Friday 10:45-11:30 Skyline Hills Library class - it's growing and YES you can come to both (they are only a 12-minute drive apart). Special thanks to Dominic Marostica for taking a chance on us!

Found money helps me keep doing what I love

Yesterday I was driving between classes and I received a call from an unknown number from a Chicago area code. Though normally I wouldn't pick up, I pushed the "Answer" button on the Apple Car Play screen before my my logical brain said "NO!"

I'm glad I did. Turns out it was a lovely reporter from NBC7, Shelly Bremer, doing a story about unclaimed funds from the City of San Diego. She said I had a check for $375 from last July as reported on their recent  list, and she was reaching out to different payee's to see who might be interested in being interviewed. 

She asked if I might know why the city owed me money and I explained that I'm a vendor (contractor/entertainer) for the library and parks and rec department, teaching yoga classes, and that I was on the way to teach one of the classes. She then excitedly asked if she could come film some of the class to get my story documented. Of course, the extrovert in me said yes, whlle the anxiety riddled introvert started to panic that I was unshowered, dressed in my best "toddler chic" (leggings, baggy shirt and thrift store sweatshirt), and with under eye circles rivaling the most decrepit vampire. 

To preserve student privacy they took a few short videos from the back of the room (only my face can be seen). Thank you to EVERYONE at the Skyline Hills library chair yoga class for being willing to be part of this, and thank you to the library for being open to having the interview done on your property. 

The reporter asked me if perhaps I was "hard to find" and I laughed saying "No, in fact I have been a contractor with the city for six years, still at the same address, under the same name. and they receive monthly invoices from me for my services!" Viva la bureaucracy, right?

The interview is a nice little promo for our classes, and I was able to talk candidly about what I do (dharma) and why I do it (my love languages is acts of service and gifts).

The check will come in handy, and if anything is forcing me to go back over my billing system, because obviously I missed something last year!

Check for your name on the list here: https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/san-diego-has-818k-in-unclaimed-money-is-your-name-on-the-list/3517692/

File the report to claim the funds here: https://www.sandiego.gov/finance/unclaimed

The value of doing nothing

Later today look up the 2/5/24 (today) broadcast of the show 1A on NPR that features interviews with people from the links below. 

The entire segment i kept thinking "isn't this meditation?" Your thoughts are invited in the comments ....

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=izjlP9qtmBU
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FvKuq0kcnBk
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NN-dSI8mdis
https://theriveter.co/voice/the-value-in-doing-nothing-an-interview-with-jenny-odell/
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/03/12/813737687/too-busy-make-time-to-do-nothing

YMCA annual Campaign - Help me support the cause!

Thank you to everyone that contributed in any way, shape, or form to the YMCA Annual Campaign!

My personal campaign raised $928 (almost double my original goal) and the entire Copley YMCA raised  $718,118 (far surpassing their goal of $670,000).

https://www.classy.org/fundraiser/5188475

Through generous donations to our Annual Campaign, the Y is able to give every individual the Y experience, regardless of their ability to pay. When you give to the Y, you are making an investment in our community and giving those in need the opportunity to thrive. Last year, YMCA supporters gave over $5.7 million to provide scholarships and subsidize programs and services — helping the Y to fulfill our mission to ensure access for all.

As a leading nonprofit, our Y is making a difference in the lives of 267,666 community members annually — nearly 10% of San Diego County’s population. The need is urgent and growing, and it can’t be met without you!