On Friday, May 1, the New Jersey School Boards Association, in collaboration with Alisha DeLorenzo, MS, NCC, LPC, SAC, will present a special virtual wellness event, hosted via Webex, “Thriving Through Crisis,” from 1 – 4 p.m.

The event will help members to focus inward and participate in the healing practices that can support well-being. The conference will explore healing through the practices of dance, music, drumming, movement, and mindfulness. Each session runs approximately 20 minutes; there will also be breaks between sessions.

Session Details

Recharge, Reconnect & Relax Guided Practice, Presented by Konscious Youth Development & Service (KYDS) Through simple mind-body practices and experiences, learn to improve decision making, emotion regulation, and kind-hearted actions with a charged battery. Presented in two sessions, learn how breathing exercises, mindfulness, and crystal singing bowls are tools to transform the body, mind, and emotions, providing the support needed to remain balanced in uncertain times.

Yoga with Summer Deaver Summer Deaver will lead a yoga and mindful movement class to help release worry, stress, and fear from the body. Feeling good in the body is the start of creativity and mental health for all bodies. No experience necessary.

Move with Meredith Amato The current situations has introduced stress to our bodies, minds, and emotions in new ways. Meredith will share her version of the Nia Technique, which combines energies from dance, martial and healing arts that will create the sensation of more spaciousness inside the body and mind.  Low-pressure, high-fun, no experience necessary.

The Healing Art of Movement through Capoeira with Bianao Learn the ancient and healing art of movement through Capoeira, an Afro Brazilian martial art fused with dance, music, and basic acrobatics designed to enhance any practice. Taught by Baiano, the founder of the Rising Sun Capoeira in Long Branch.

Therapeutic Drumming with Paul Simmons, Sr. Learn and explore traditional African and Afro-Cuban ensemble rhythms for Djembe, Conga, Ashiko, Djundjun, and more. This session will interlock multipart rhythms, creating a musical dialogue incorporating breaks, break phrases, and improvisations.  No drums required! Participants may use a tabletop, desktop, a stockpot, or any other substitution during this virtual journey through the healing power of drums.

Registration Information School board members, superintendents, and others included on the census may register themselves online for this free training program.

Non-member district staff may also register for this event by creating a guest account connected to their district. To create a guest account, go to the member portal page and click “Get Started.”

Registrants will receive an access link for the meeting via email prior to the meeting date.

For questions regarding this program, please email Lucia Gershman at lgershman@njsba.org.