June and July, Ringling College’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute of Continuing Studies will debut several livestreamed courses exploring practices to develop stress resilience to the traumatic mental and physical effects of this pandemic.   

The World Health Organization has called these effects “extremely concerning,” with 45% of the U.S. population already reporting distress from the first months of social isolation, contagion, loss of family members, income and employment. The WHO recommends emergency psychosocial support that can be accessed remotely. 

In “Breathing Through COVID-19: Survival Skills for Crisis Times,” adult learners will be guided by an IAYT-certified yoga therapist in evidence-based therapies for crisis—mindful awareness, optimal respiration, sensory rest, mental focus, relaxation and meditation. The goal of this course is to provide an introductory access to wellness tools clinically proven to boost immunity and physiology, mitigate depression, anxiety, trauma, grief and helplessness to inspire outcomes of opportunity, resilience, recovery and empowerment during these times.   

The eight-week online course is offered Wednesdays and Fridays from June 3 to July 24, 11 a.m. In times such as these when so many people feel the overwhelming reality of our vulnerability and helplessness, yoga therapy is one fact-based multi-dimensional antidote that can be practiced right now.  

Paula Morris, C-IAYT, is the founder of Empowered 2 Wellness Yoga Therapy for private, personalized livestreamed sessions accessible to your home or office via Zoom. Call 941-316-6893, “Like” the Empowered 2 Wellness Yoga Therapy Facebook page, or visit YogaTherapy.health and Empowered2Wellness.com. To register for the online class, call 941-309-5111 or email [email protected].