Wednesday Study Club learns about yoga
Sherri Williams of Franklin, a yoga instructor and wife of a former minister of the First Baptist Church in Rosebud, led a yoga workout for members of the Wednesday Study Club April 9 in the meeting room at D Brown Memorial Library.
The 16 members in attendance sat in widely spaced chairs and followed her instructions for a chair yoga workout. She began by saying that she wanted to be positive, so she no longer used the term “getting older” but instead said that she was “adding birthdays.” She continued, “Adding is positive, birthdays are positive. We enjoy those.”
She also emphasized that no one needed to fall and that poor posture led to poor balance which led to falls. She urged members to walk upright and not stooped over. She added that breathing from the belly is crucial and cannot be done if one is stooped over. She suggested that members put their hands on their stomachs and that they should feel their stomach, not their chest, rise with each breath. Breathing in this way allows the lungs to fill to their full capacity and provides the body with more oxygen.
She also pointed out that good nutrition is essential to good health and that refined sugar causes inflammation in the body and should be avoided.
One of the exercises she demonstrated was cat cow. First, she showed the members what that looked like on the floor, by getting on her hands and knees. Cat involved raising the spine in a curve, dropping the head and breathing in. Cow required dropping the spine between the hips and shoulders and raising the head while breathing out. Then, she showed the members how to do that exercise while sitting in a chair. She also demonstrated many other stretches as members followed along.
After the program, the business meeting began with approval of the February minutes and acceptance of the treasurer’s report. Diane Pagel moved to approve the minutes and Norma Burns seconded. Janice Ballard moved to accept the treasurer’s report and Pagel seconded.
Stock reported in old business that new blinds had been installed in the library and that she was expecting that the club would be seeking bids for the restroom renovations in a few weeks.
In new business she said that approximately 40 guests had signed in at the RHS Memorial Hall open house in conjunction with the RHS Golden Years Reunion April 5. Members greeting guests were Stock, Mary Ann Mitchell, Beth Allen and Ann Sonntag. Stock also said that most of the guests showed up between 11 a. m. and noon and suggested changing the hours to better match that.
Stock also presented the librarian’s report: The library will be notified in May if a grant from the Texas Book Festival will be granted. The library has received a Tocker Grant for two new Dell computers. The library is finishing spending a grant of $2,000 received last October for collection development by adding 144 books for adults and children, including best sellers, patron requests, and a book from local author Kristi Self. The summer program will be titled “Color Our World,” and will include art and painting. The club approved up to $150 to provide cupcakes and juice boxes for the children attending. Skupin moved to provide up to $150 for the refreshments and Pagel seconded.
Stock reminded members that the next meeting was the annual salad luncheon to which all should bring a guest and $15 for next year’s dues.
Sharon Skupin moved for adjournment and Diane Pagel seconded.
After the meeting members served themselves shrimp, veggies and fruit from the old oak table decorated with a lovely white cutwork cloth embroidered with bluebonnets and centered with a vase of spring flowers. White and tan ceramic bunnies and colorful paper plates completed the decorations. Dessert was brownies and cookies.