New approach to mental health
Yoga now available four days a week as health centre focuses on relieving stress and anxiety
Casey Lessard
Northern News Services
Friday, June 5, 2015
PANNIQTUUQ/PANGNIRTUNG
Looking to take advantage of its combination of relaxation and physical activity, mental health workers in Pangnirtung are introducing yoga as a way to help their clients and other community members.
A new yoga class in Pangnirtung is led by mental health workers Laura Hayos, left, and Alicia Serio, who hope the program will benefit their clients and other community members. - photo courtesy of Alicia Serio |
"We know that yoga has been shown to help people manage their stress and anxiety," said community psychiatric nurse Alicia Serio, who leads a new weekly Tuesday night class with mental health consultant Laura Hayos.
"The focus on the breathing and being in the moment aligns with mindfulness and relaxation techniques. It's also a form of physical activity, which is good for our body and mind anyway."
Each week, about five people come to the class in the public health room.
The space can accommodate up to 10 people, or 15 people if the doors are opened to the waiting room.
"We've heard from a lot of people in the community who have said they're interested and want to come out, they just haven't yet," Serio said.
She hopes the class will grow, touting the social aspect as another benefit for those working to improve their mental health.
"We find that it's a great way to focus on their breathing, work on some relaxation techniques and get out and socialize," she said.
"People have come to the session and always left smiling. It's good to help people manage their stress and anxiety."
Serio and Hayos aren't professional yoga teachers, but lead the classes with help from videos.
The two assist with guidance for those who prefer less strenuous postures.
The class adds to the number of yoga classes Pangnirtung residents can attend.
Another program offers classes at the other side of town three days a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
The new class, which has no dedicated funding, shares some of the materials used by the existing program.
Yoga adds to the health centre's mental health offerings, which include a youth addictions group, an adult addictions group, a mentorship program and a social-emotional learning program.
"As long as we still have people coming to participate and people that are able to run it, we hope to keep it running," she said.
