July 2023 Newsletter
We had our third meeting this year on July 8, where we participated in a drum circle hosted by our guest speaker Hiromi Bacon. Hiromi is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a trauma-informed therapist certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Hiromi is also a caregiver to her husband, Denis, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2011.
Hiromi spoke about the importance of self-care, as well as the benefits of mindfulness in our lives. She explained how mindfulness drumming promotes relaxation, meditation, stress reduction, as well as many other positive things. But drums are not required to receive these benefits.
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the practice of using the five senses to observe, describe, and participate in the moment. This is the practice of being non-judgemental and focusing on one thing at a time. Some examples of mindfulness that can be easily implemented include focusing on one’s breathing or meditating.
“Just notice.”
Here is a guided meditation that Hiromi recommends.
Our next meeting will be held on September 9th between 10:00am - 12:00pm at St. Peter Lutheran Church. Our next guest speaker will be Dr. Salima Brillman, MD, from the PD and Movement Disorder Center of Silicon Valley.