Movement, music for seniors program offered in Bethel

BETHEL — People can experience the joy of movement and music for healthy aging with Lisa Davidson, yoga teacher, and Jim Gallant, guitarist/singer/songwriter.

Each of them plan present the “To Your Health” spring program from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 4, at the Bethel Congregational Church, 32 Church St.

The program is free and open to all ages.

Lisa Davidson, a Yoga teacher, is from Bethel. Submitted photo

Davidson, of Bethel, will begin the program with “How Yoga Helps Us Age Well.” Davidson, who has been teaching and practicing yoga for more than 40 years, will demonstrate and encourage audience participation in gentle yoga postures, from either a seated or standing position. The postures will focus on improving strength, mobility and balance in order to create a sense of positivity and peacefulness, all while having fun.

“Through practice, we learn how the three A’s — Awareness, Acceptance and Adjustment — help us move joyfully through life. We are told to keep on moving so we may age well. Through yoga, we will discover how to enjoy keeping yourself healthy, rather than making it a chore on the to-do list,” says Davidson, according to a news release from Maria Holloway with the Western Mountains Senior College.

Davidson, who trained at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Healing, has expanded her studies and certifications to teaching yoga to seniors. She offers weekly live stream Kripalu and gentle senior yoga sessions via Zoom. She also is a Reiki Master.

Face masks will be required for the yoga program only. People are asked to wear rubber-soled shoes.

Jim Gallant, guitarist and singer/songwriter, is from Gray and is well known to seniors through the state.

The second half of the program brings Gallant to the stage. Whether performing at a coffeehouse, college concert or an outdoor festival, the Gray resident aims to capture the hearts and feet of his audience. His up-tempo guitar style and mix of originals and interpretations include Bob Dylan and the Beatles, and Bach and the blues.

Gallant performs throughout Maine and New England as a soloist or with his band. He has shared the stage with Doc Watson, New Grass Revival, Taj Mahal, Livingston Taylor, Jessie Colin Young, Dave Von Ronk and others. He has been a guitar instructor at the Fiddlehead Center for the Arts in Gray since its beginning.

This program is sponsored as a community service by To Your Health of the Western Mountains Senior College, in collaboration with the Bethel Family Health Center and School Administrative District 44/Adult and Community Education.

Light refreshments will be available. For more information, call 207-522-4625.