PRESS RELEASE:
The event will be held September 28th from 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the Hermosa Beach Community Theatre
Contact: Catherine Bustamante, Beach Cities Health District – 310-374-3426, x255; Catherine.Bustamante@bchd.org
REDONDO BEACH, Calif. (September 11, 2017) –Beach Cities residents of all ages are invited to “be present” —physically and mentally—at an upcoming mindfulness workshop in Hermosa Beach. The free event, organized by Beach Cities Health District (BCHD), aims to equip residents with evidence-based mindfulness techniques to better manage feelings of stress, anger and worry — emotions that run unusually high in the Beach Cities according to the Gallup-Sharecare Well-being Index.
Presented in partnership with the City of Hermosa Beach and Hermosa Beach City School District (HBCSD), the workshop will include a range of seated mindfulness practices for daily life led by local experts Eric McCullum of Insight LA, Tristan Coopersmith of Life Lab and Greg Flaxman of BCHD. In addition, HBCSD teacher Erin Infusino will lead attendees through mindfulness exercises utilized in Hermosa Beach classrooms as part of social-emotional learning programs like MindUP.
“We hope our upcoming workshop will help residents become better neighbors and create meaningful connections with one another,” said Hermosa Beach Mayor Justin Massey. “We’re taking a community approach to mindfulness, and I encourage everyone —from children and parents to older adults —to join me and take advantage of this free resource.”
Enhancing mindfulness, social-emotional learning and stress reduction is also a BCHD health priority for youth, adults and older adults in the Beach Cities. Research from the American Psychological Association shows that mindfulness-based interventions improve mental and physical health, including stress reduction as well as better focus and memory. The workshop will explore mindful breathing, intention setting and other evidence-based mindfulness practices.
“We’re committed to our children’s social-emotional learning and teaching mindfulness because it can help students feel more in control and improve their problem-solving skills,” said Superintendent of Hermosa Beach City School District Patricia Escalante. “There’s also an opportunity to form a special parent-child bond through mindfulness, so it’s important for parents to be involved and support their child’s practice.”
Doors open at 6 p.m.; the program begins at 6:30 p.m. There is no cost to attend and the workshop is open to all ages and experience levels; however, advanced registration is required at bchd.org/mindfulness.
For more information, visit bchd.org/mindfulness or contact Tiana Rideout at tiana.rideout@bchd.org or 310-374-3426, x139.
About Beach Cities Health District
Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) is a healthcare district focused on preventative health and serves the communities of Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach. Established in 1955 as a public agency, it offers an extensive range of dynamic health and wellness programs, with innovative services and facilities to promote health and prevent diseases across the lifespan. BCHD operates AdventurePlex, a health and fitness facility where kids play their way to good health, and the Center for Health & Fitness, a comprehensive, medically based fitness center. Visit www.bchd.org or call (310) 374-3426 for more information. ###
