"There is hope

even when your brain tells you there isn't." —John Green

MENTAL HEALTH DAY

Sometimes we don’t know what to do….

We care deeply, we’re affected ourselves, and we wonder what we can offer that would be helpful.

Since the tragedy at Silver Rail Elementary School here in Bend, OR, I’ve been sitting with that question, too. I keep coming back to what I can offer: time together, opportunities to reconnect with ourselves, and learning that helps us support one another.

That’s why I’m offering two free trauma-sensitive yoga classes, in person at Namaspa Bend or online, along with free November training opportunities for those in our Central Oregon community who have been impacted in any way.

You don’t have to arrive feeling happy or know how to put your experience into words. You’re welcome as you are.

Trauma Sensitive Yoga For Women Mondays

Trauma Sensitive Yoga for All - Thursdays

Learning can be one way to help…

If you’ve been wondering how to support others, the Foundations training offers a place to begin. We’ll explore how the language we use, the options we offer, and the way we invite movement can support people in reconnecting with themselves.

Whether you’re a yoga teacher, clinician, nurse, educator, or community member, this learning can inform how you show up for the people you serve.

Open to everyone.

Free for our Central Oregon community impacted in any way by the tragedy at Silver Rail Elementary School.

Being impacted looks different for each of us. Whether you’ve been affected personally, are supporting others, or are feeling the weight of what has happened in our community, you’re welcome to join at no cost. You don’t need to explain or share your experience.

This is one way I can offer support—and help more people bring trauma-sensitive practices into the places where we live, work, and care for one another.

Join using BEND COMMUNITY when registering.

Choose 20 hours of Foundations training or continue for a total of 40 hours.

Each training is 20 hours. The Foundations training can be taken on its own and is required before joining the second 20-hour training.

I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.”

Rabindranath Tagore

Another way to help: the Namaspa Foundation…

This commitment to accessible support is also why the Namaspa Foundation’s work is close to my heart. As a board member and Director of Training, I’m grateful to be part of an organization that brings yoga and mindfulness into schools, recovery programs, shelters, correctional settings, and other community organizations. The Foundation also provides yoga teacher training scholarships. (namaspa.org⁠)

The free classes and upcoming training opportunities I’m offering share that purpose: making support available and helping more people bring these practices into their communities.

If contributing financially feels right for you, a donation to the Foundation supports its ongoing outreach classes and scholarships. Its donation page lists $40 as covering a teacher’s pay for one outreach class, and $120 for a month of weekly classes at a partner organization. Contributions of any amount are welcome. (namaspa.org⁠)

Support the Namaspa Foundation⁠

You can also help by sharing these opportunities with someone who could use them. No donation is expected to attend the free classes or access the training’s community offering.

Whether you join a class, explore the free practice at home, continue your learning, or help make these opportunities available to others, I’m grateful to be connected with you.

My hope is that you find something here that supports you, wherever you are right now. Caring for our community includes caring for ourselves—and having places where we can show up as we are.

Wishing you wellness,

Keri Sawyer