By Edna Ethington
The La Palma-Cerritos Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) started the 2019 year with a special program at Cerritos Park East on Thursday.
Yoga Instructor, Jan Cogan, from Body & Brain Cerritos, came to lead members in brain-oriented holistic exercises that showed how yoga and Tai Chi improved flexibility and strength. Asking members to form a circle around her, Cogan showed members how to do stretch exercises to increase their flexibility and strength. These exercises also improved circulation and alignment of their bodies. Members also practiced deep breathing exercises and learned to relax by closing their eyes and meditating briefly. They also learned how to massage pressure points on their hands and head to reduce tension.
Members seemed to really enjoy the exercise where each person had to tap a light plastic ball to the person next to her with one hand. It took hand and eye coordination, physical movement, and mental awareness to do the exercise correctly!
At the end of the Yoga exercises, Jan Cogan drew the name of Joan Flax as the winner of the book she donated, The Ancient Secret to Longevity, Vitality, and Life Transformation, by Ilchi Lee. Joan Flax will have to share the secret to longevity with members after she has read the book.
President Harriet Moses and Program Co-VP Brenda Hicks presented Certificates of Appreciation to Yoga Instructor Jan Cogan for teaching members about Yoga, and also to instructor Laura Mora, for inviting members to join their classes at Body & Brain for more holistic exercises.
President Moses announced that the next meeting of the La Palma-Cerritos AAUW will be on Saturday, February 9, 2019, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Member Sondra Cohen will be hosting the Annual AAUW Fund Raiser Luncheon at her home at 8071 Louise Lane In La Palma. Guest speaker for the event will be Elsie Carbajal, an AAUW Fund Career Development Grant Winner. Elsie is a Special Education teacher working for her Master of Arts Degree in Education Leadership at Brandman University in Irvine. The La Palma-Cerritos Branch of the AAUW’s Alberta Brose Memorial Fund was one of seven AAUW branches that contributed to Elsie Carbajal’s grant. This will be an opportunity to learn more about the AAUW Fund, and the first time that branch members will be able to meet a local AAUW Grant winner.
Interested persons who wish to learn more about the AAUW Fund, and meet Ms. Carbajal, can come to this meeting. Since this will be a catered lunch, reservations and donations of $35 per person are needed by February 1, 2019. Please RSVP to AAUW Fund Co-VP Joan Pylman at 562-865-6592.
Persons with an associate, baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university, who are interested in joining the La Palma-Cerritos Branch of the AAUW, can contact Membership Co-VP Sue Solomon at 562-926-2746.
