Park In Gloucester Twp. Hosts Yoga Classes For Recovering Addicts

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — In 2014, Camden County established its Addiction Awareness Task Force to help combat the opioid epidemic countywide.

Along with the county board of commissioners, one way the task force does that is through participation in athletic events. It has hosted basketball games, and was set to host golf lessons for residents who are recovering from addiction Wednesday night.

“Our goal is to help make the recovery process a little bit smoother, and to help guide these individuals into a healthier, sustainable lifestyle,” Camden County Commissioner Al Dyer said ahead of Wednesday’s event.

One such Recovery Encouragement Athletic League (REAL) series takes place in Gloucester Township.

The task force and the commissioners host REAL Yoga events at Timber Creek Park four times this year, according to the county’s website. The first event took place on Tuesday, while the others are set for July 20, Aug. 24 and Sept. 21. All classes begin at 6 p.m.

“Yoga can help people in recovery learn how to calm themselves without the use of alcohol or drugs, in addition to improving mental and physical health,” the task force says in the flyer promoting the classes.

Janice Panchella will be the class instructor. She has been teaching yoga for four years. Panchella is a Registered Nurse and has a 200-hour yoga teacher certificate. She is an instructor at the Yoga Center of Haddonfield.

Class is open to participants of all skill levels. Registration required, and can be done here: http://bit.ly/CCREALYoga.

Timber Creek Park is located at 236 Taylor Avenue in the Blackwood section of the township.

The Camden County Addiction Awareness Task Force maintains a list of available resources and services at addictions.camdencounty.com to prevent and treat addiction.

Anyone who needs help can call the county’s 24/7 toll-free confidential hotline for addiction help at 877-266-8222 or call 911 in the event of an emergency.