Quit slouching! Chest Out! Shoulders Back!

If this made you sit upright then perhaps you should pay attention to what I’m about to tell you.  These words could very well be the commands from your militaristic chiropractor who has gone mad because you’ve developed the case of severe back pain and his sessions with you seem to relieve tension only temporarily.

Like most health ailments, there are several reasons to explain the cause of (back) pain.  One likely candidate is poor body posture; research does suggest that we spend an incredible amount of time slouching in our office chairs afterall. 

The good news is that there are teachable ways of sitting, walking and moving with good posture.  There is even more good news.  As part of Barbara Frum Library’s Health Series in March, an introductory seminar on improving posture is being offered on March 22 at 2 PM.  Susan Green, a certified teacher of the Mitzvah Technique, will help you get started.

For program details click here or Download Mitzvah Technique - March 22, 2011.
For more information about the speaker, click here

In addition to this program, the library has resources that assist you in improving your posture.  See the full list here, or check out some suggested titles below.

 

8 Steps to a pain-free back: natural posture solutions for pain in the back, next shoulder, hip, knee and foot	The new rules of posture: how to sit, stand and move in the modern world	Yoga body: the origins of modern posture practice

Yoga for Everybody

Yoga is a really great way to be active by using your mind and your body.  Practicing yoga allo ws you to leave the stress of your busy life behind and experience well ness of the body, mind, and soul.  It is becoming more popular as it provides a peaceful oasis for people to get away from the confusion of everyday life.  Yoga is a great way to relax, it helps you lose weight, and it improves your resistance to disease.  But, most importantly, it leads to inner contentment and happiness.  I recently took up yoga and my life has changed for the better.  Not only have I noticed a difference in my waistline, but I have also noticed a change in the way I think and act.  If you haven’t tried yoga yet, why not give it a chance and see what it can do for you.  The Barbara Frum Library will be hosting two yo ga sessions on Thursday, February 24.  Yoga for Youth (ages 12-19) at 5 p.m. and Yoga 50 Plus at 7 p.m.  Registration is required.  Call 416-395-5440 for details.                                          

A Night of Good Hospitality at Northview Heights Secondary School

Northview Heights Secondary school is hosting an open-house night for family and friends of students attending the school.  The date is set for Tuesday February 22, 2011 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the school cafeteria.  The event is an opportunity to meet and socialize with local service-providers while enjoying light refreshments and free-child care for those that come early.  

Who will be there you ask?  The list of participating bodies include, the Northview Student Council, The Bathurst/Finch Community Hub, Parks and Recreation, Toronto Public Library, Toronto Public Health plus your neighbours, friends, and more!

So come with questions and express your opinion on what Northview can do for you, your child and community, to better improve the learning experience.

By the way, did you know that Northview has a school newsletter?  Have a look at the latest issue here.

The finale of the Canadian Film Appreciation Series

Celebrate the conclusion of the Canadian Film Appreciation Series at Barbara Frum Library this upcoming Tuesday.  For the past two weeks, Risa Shuman, film commentator of CBC Sunday Edition and former senior producer of TV Ontario Saturday Night, presented us with the best in Canadian cinema.

This Tuesday February 15 at 2 PM, Risa will screen The Trotsky (2009) as the concluding film of the series.  Questions remain – has Canadian cinema progressed, regressed, transformed or stagnated?  Come share your thoughts and opinions in the post-discussion.

What? Did you say something? Living More Successfully with Hearing Loss

Did you know that Thomas Edison, the American inventor that brought us the electric light bulb, the phonograph, and the motion picture camera, suffered from hearing loss?  According to sources, his hearing loss was caused by reoccurring incidents of untreated ear infections during his childhood.

It’s amazing that despite his condition, Mr. Edison transformed the social and technical fabric of modern society.  Did you read that carefully?  Yes, a deafened person changed the social life of human beings! 

The possibilities are endless, but how do you get there?

The Barbara Frum Library is pleased to help you get started.  On Tuesday February 22 at 2 PM, Barbara Frum is offering a workshop on hearing loss called, “Ear Rage: Living (more successfully) with Hearing Loss.”  Download Ear Rage - living more successfully with hearing loss or see program details for more info.

A few notes on the speaker:

Gael Hannan is a writer and humorist whose dynamic and insightful performances about living with hearing loss have had audiences laughing and crying across Canada, the United States and New Zealand. 

Gael is passionate about creating understanding about the needs of people with hearing loss, and she delivers workshops for youth and adults in schools, the community and in the corporate world.  She developed and manages Sound Sense, the Hearing Foundation of Canada’s national hearing awareness program for elementary students.

She is a Director on the national board of the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHH A) and the recipient of many awards, including the Consumer Advocacy from the Canadian Association of Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists and the “Friends of Newfoundland & Labrador” award from CHHA-NL.

See Gael's webpage for more information, http://www.gaelhannan.com/about-gael-hannan.html