Wellbeing Initiative
The YMCA is known as a place where an individual can seek community, connection and physical wellness. Through the Wellbeing Initiative we seek to add to that legacy by also making the YMCA a place where individuals, families, and the community can go in order to cultivate and strengthen their emotional, mental, and social wellness.
We believe in the pursuit of health, happiness, recovery and a full, satisfying life in the community. We acknowledge that each individual’s path will be different, but by addressing every aspect of one’s wellness, we can help improve a person’s life. Since we believe that cultivating and strengthening an individual’s emotional and mental health and wellness is a critical component to one’s overall health and wellness.
All programming through to the Wellbeing Initiative is FREE to EVERYONE! (Non-members & Members)
The Wellbeing Initiative will offer the YMCA the community a myriad of opportunities to enhance and support their emotional and mental health and wellness. We will do this through a combination of educational and awareness programming, specialized instruction, social-emotional learning, workshops and seminars, community collaborations, as well as connection to community resources and services.
For more information in Pittston, contact Courtnie Perri
For more information in Wilkes-Barre, contact Kevin Whelley
Art With Self
Come join Marywood University’s Art Therapy Graduate Student, Caroline Burak, in exploring the healing power of art!
This class is held weekly on Thursdays, from 5:30-6:45PM at LCCC, Pittston Extension, Room 4, Lower Level.
Using an abundance of different materials, one will explore various self-care techniques each week that can be used when feeling stressed or anxious. Learn how to use art as an expression of the self and tools to take care of your mental wellbeing. Creating art helps to release emotions and feelings without talking about them.
The best part about it is there is absolutely no artistic ability needed to create! Come, relax, create, and learn some tools and techniques for self-care when feeling the pressures of day to day life.
This class series is FREE and open to all LCCC students, staff, and community!
Registration Information
Open | Close | Register At | Family Member | Member | Non-Member | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
9/22/23 | 12/28/23 | Online / Front Desk | $ 0.00 | $ 0.00 | $ 0.00 |
Groove and Grow with Me
Groove & Grow with Me is held monthly on Sundays from 1-2PM at the YMCA Family Mericle Center! (1122 Oak Street, Pittston) *Enter through left set of doors.
This fun class is instructed by Board Certified Music Therapist Kirsten Gillern and is a parent/child music class for ages 6 months to 6 years that provides parents and caregivers the opportunity to join their child’s world through musical play.
Kirsten approaches music as a medium for play and exploration that will promote developmental growth. Not only does this class provide opportunities for the children to grow in their language, social, emotional, and cognitive skills but it also provides opportunities for the children to grow closer in their relationships with their parents and caregiver! Overall, this class will provide children with a safe space to learn, self-express, and of course the tools in which to groove and grow together.
Registration Information
Open | Close | Register At | Family Member | Member | Non-Member | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4/11/23 | 12/26/23 | Online / Front Desk | $ 0.00 | $ 0.00 | $ 0.00 |
Available Sessions
Date(s) | Spots Available | ||
---|---|---|---|
12/17/23
|
15 / 15 Available |
Registration will open on 12/03/2023 |
|
01/14/24
|
15 / 15 Available |
Registration will open on 12/31/2023 |
|
02/18/24
|
15 / 15 Available |
Registration will open on 02/04/2024 |
|
03/10/24
|
15 / 15 Available |
Registration will open on 02/25/2024 |
|
04/14/24
|
15 / 15 Available |
Registration will open on 03/31/2024 |
|
05/19/24
|
15 / 15 Available |
Registration will open on 05/05/2024 |
|
06/09/24
|
15 / 15 Available |
Registration will open on 05/26/2024 |
Mind, Body, Breath
Join 200 Hour Registered Yoga Instructor, Donna Pretko, on Monday evenings from 6:15-7:15PM at The YMCA Family Mericle Center (1122 Oak Street, Pittston) for a relaxing and calming experience.
This class uses meditation, compassionate yoga poses, and pranayama (breathing practice) to release stress and calm the mind and body. Each week will explore different practices and topics.
Mind: understand mindfulness through meditation, mindful eating, loving kindness, communication, and gratitude practices.
Body: Explore compassionate yoga; a yoga practice for everybody, all bodies and all levels.
Breath: Learn breathing practices to calm and center yourself, reducing reactivity and stress.
You will leave this class with an assortment of tools (in handout form) for daily practice outside of class.
Bring your own yoga mat or borrow one! Bring a blanket for added comfort if desired. A journal may be helpful to record thoughts, insights, or notes.
Registration Information
Open | Close | Register At | Family Member | Member | Non-Member | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
9/22/23 | 12/18/23 | Online / Front Desk | $ 0.00 | $ 0.00 | $ 0.00 |
Mindfulness Meditation
Registration Information
Open | Close | Register At | Family Member | Member | Non-Member | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4/8/23 | 12/31/23 | Online / Front Desk | $ 0.00 | $ 0.00 | $ 0.00 |
Mindfulness Through Music
Mindfulness Through Music will be held monthly on Sundays from 2:00-3:00PM at The YMCA Mericle Family Center (1122 Oak Street, Pittston) *Enter through the left set of doors.
In this class, Board Certified Music Therapist Kirsten Gillern utilizes music to help participants learn and reinforce skills such as mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and aims to overall relieve stress. By participating in this group, you will learn how to respond to your environment rather than react, and gain the tools to enhance the quality of your everyday life. No music experience necessary!
Registration Information
Open | Close | Register At | Family Member | Member | Non-Member | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4/11/23 | 12/26/23 | Online / Front Desk | $ 0.00 | $ 0.00 | $ 0.00 |
Available Sessions
Date(s) | Spots Available | ||
---|---|---|---|
12/17/23
|
10 / 10 Available |
Registration will open on 12/03/2023 |
|
01/14/24
|
10 / 10 Available |
Registration will open on 12/31/2023 |
|
02/18/24
|
10 / 10 Available |
Registration will open on 02/04/2024 |
|
03/10/24
|
10 / 10 Available |
Registration will open on 02/25/2024 |
|
04/14/24
|
10 / 10 Available |
Registration will open on 03/31/2024 |
|
05/19/24
|
10 / 10 Available |
Registration will open on 05/05/2024 |
|
06/09/24
|
10 / 10 Available |
Registration will open on 05/26/2024 |
MIND over MAT(TER) - Hatha Yoga
Mondays at 6:15pm to 7:15pm at the GWV YMCA!
A dynamic and flowing style of hatha yoga which links breathwork (pranayama) and movement through a creative series of asana (postures) that combine balance, strength and flexibility while cultivating mindfulness through a continuous flow and ends with a deep relaxation (savasana). Yoga exercises the bones, lubricates the joints, and deeply stretches the body and in the process detoxifies the mind and body. The class will steadily build its pace over the course of the practice. After a short meditation you will be moving into a sequence using your breath work to begin gentle warming movements to build strength, flexibility, and relaxation. Postures in class will be adapted according to your experience and body’s capacity. Variations will be offered so all students can enjoy the benefits of yoga. Join the YMCA to practice mindfulness on the mat, you’ll leave feeling lighter, calmer, and more centered.
Registration Information
Open | Close | Register At | Family Member | Member | Non-Member | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4/3/23 | 12/31/23 | Online / Front Desk | $ 0.00 | $ 0.00 | $ 0.00 |
Move with JOY: Kids Yoga
This class will be offered twice a month on Sundays at 11:30am at the WB YMCA in the Group Exercise Room!
This class will introduce the fundamentals of yoga asana (postures) and explore how poses can serve and honor children by offering specific tools for calming, balancing, and centering while providing lots of fun and laughter along the way. An exciting mix of yoga, games, cooperative partner, and group poses, introduction to meditation and relaxation techniques. We cultivate strength, creativity, focus, cooperation, and confidence, giving kids the tools for a happy, healthy, balanced life. Kids between the ages of 7 – 14 are able to register!
This class will be facilitated by Taiesha Irizarry, a 200 Hour Certified Yoga Instructor
The Science of Calm
Join certified yoga instructor and sound therapist, Kailin Bouse, for an exciting series of wellness classes! Discover holistic approaches to find balance in your life through regulating the nervous system with breath-aligned movement and sound therapy. Combat the symptoms of stress and find your calm within. Peace is an inside job!
- Week 1: Journey Through the Nervous System (10/3, 10/24, 11/14, 12/5)
- Week 2: Yoga 101: Movement & Breath (10/10, 10/31, 11/21, 12/12)
- Week 3: Sound Healing Meditation (10/17, 11/7, 11/28)
- Classes will rotate on a weekly basis and repeat. For yoga & sound healing, please bring a mat or borrow one!
This series will occur on Tuesdays 5:00-6:00PM from October 3rd through December 12th at LCCC, Pittston Extension, Room 4, Lower Level.
This class series is FREE and open to all LCCC students, staff, and community!
Uplifting Movement Flow
Tuesdays, 2:00pm – 3:30pm at the GWV YMCA!
This accessible and adaptable uplifting 90-minute adult group class for all levels and ages will include Chair Tai Chi and Yoga. It is adaptable for participants sitting in chairs or those using mats. The class will also teach strategies to help deal with stress like breathing techniques, deep meditation, and group encouragement. This class will provide a socialization outlet that will positively impact all domains of wellness!
Registration Information
Open | Close | Register At | Family Member | Member | Non-Member | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4/3/23 | 12/31/23 | Online / Front Desk | $ 0.00 | $ 0.00 | $ 0.00 |
Writing For Your Soul
Tuesdays from 5pm – 6pm at ABIDE Coffee House, located at 23 W Market Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
Narrative Therapy Group!
Writing can be a healing, fun, and empowering tool that anyone can implement. This creative outlet is a great opportunity to build community and connect with others, relieve stress, and heal inner wounds. Join this group for various activities to learn more about yourself, identify and cope with emotions, process through your thoughts, and write your OWN STORY! Paper and writing utensils will be provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own supplies!
Registration Information
Open | Close | Register At | Family Member | Member | Non-Member | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4/10/23 | 12/31/23 | Online / Front Desk | $ 0.00 | $ 0.00 | $ 0.00 |
Yoga for Emotional Balance
Registration Information
Open | Close | Register At | Family Member | Member | Non-Member | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4/5/23 | 12/31/23 | Online / Front Desk | $ 0.00 | $ 0.00 | $ 0.00 |
Available Sessions
Date(s) | Spots Available | ||
---|---|---|---|
11/30/23
Th - 10:30 am - 1 hr
|
15 / 15 Available |
Register Closes 11/30/2023 |
|
12/07/23
Th - 10:30 am - 1 hr
|
15 / 15 Available |
Register Closes 12/07/2023 |
|
12/14/23
Th - 10:30 am - 1 hr
|
15 / 15 Available |
Register Closes 12/14/2023 |
|
12/21/23
Th - 10:30 am - 1 hr
|
15 / 15 Available |
Register Closes 12/21/2023 |
|
12/28/23
Th - 10:30 am - 1 hr
|
15 / 15 Available |
Register Closes 12/28/2023 |