Yoga and Meditation for Prevention of Alzheimer's

Contact: Cheryl Kravitz 301-580-8905

For immediate release: The number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is growing rapidly and currently there is no cure for this debilitating disease which takes its toll on 1 out of 10 people and their families. Willow Street Yoga is hosting a three-hour workshop on Saturday, February 23, 2:00 -5:00 pm at the Takoma Park studio, 6930 Carroll Ave. Workshop leaders Carol Mermey and Cheryl Kravitz have been certified by the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation. The program concentrates on life-style changes known as the Four Pillars of Alzheimer’s Prevention: (1) Diet (2) Stress Management with Yoga and Meditation, (3) Physical and Mental Exercise, (4) Socialization / Spiritual Fitness.

The workshop will provide an overview of Alzheimer’s Disease and some of the latest scientific research on preventive life-style choices that can improve brain health. Participants will learn breath, movement, and meditation practices to improve memory, brain function, sleep, and psychological well-being. Curriculum includes exercises for home practice, including the Kirtan Kriya, a 12 minute practice that includes breath work, chanting, finger movements and visualization. The Kirtan Kriya has been shown in scientific studies to engage the whole brain and increase cerebral brain flow. This workshop will benefit anyone, young or old, interested in lifestyle changes to promote aging more gracefully. No prior yoga or meditation experience needed.

Carol Mermey E-RYT 500, MPH, iRest Yoga Nidra Level II and retired IT Project Manager, has been teaching yoga since 2004. She is certified in Dr. Loren Fishman’s Method of Yoga for Osteoporosis and Baxter Bell’s Yoga for Healthy Aging and is a graduate of the Duke/Kripalu Integrative Yoga for Seniors Professional Training. She graduated from the Willow Street Yoga Teacher Training and continues her asana, pranayama, and meditation studies with Rod Stryker (ParaYoga). Carol offers a welcoming environment and provides healthy alignment techniques for students of all ages to develop strength, flexibility, balance, as well as to reduce stress and promote a general sense of well-being and empowerment

Cheryl Kravitz, APR, CFRE, RYT200. Cheryl is a graduate of the Willow Street Yoga Teacher Training Program and received additional certification to teach yoga to survivors of trauma, restorative yoga and yoga for brain longevity. In addition to her weekly public classes, she teaches specialized yoga to people with injuries, survivors of abuse, individuals with dementia and their caregivers. Other classes she teaches include yoga to college students with learning differences, members of the military and, with a translator, individuals whose first language is not English. Away from the mat she is a fundraising and communications consultant and freelance writer.

Registration for the workshop: http://www.willowstreetyoga.com/alzheimers/.