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Cheryl Thomas, RYT
www.cherylthomas.com yoga@cherylthomas.com 415-308-3377 |
 Hospice Care
(Pt 1)
Know how many tidbits of information, most of it useless, you're bombarded with daily (make that hourly or minutely)? A lot. Wear sunscreen, don't fry in olive oil, keep your toothbrush 4 feet from the toilet, don't run with scissors, bring in hospice early, inflate your tires to save on gas, don't hold in your farts. What? Did you catch that: Bring in hospice early? I can actually recall when I heard this. Many years ago at San Fran State in a class. The instructor said that most people make the mistake of not bringing in hospice care early enough. Why did it stick in the recesses of my brain? Heaven knows. But, last month, I actually had a chance to recall this tidbit put it into action.
Most people think of hospice care as "end of life" care, and it is. However, hospice can be brought on up to 6 months prior to the end of life. A patient can go "on hospice" and if they improve, they can come "off hospice" at any time. Why bring in hospice as soon as possible? One, they're a big help to the caregivers. Once I made the call to hospice, it kicked in an entire "team" of support, not just for the patient (my Mom), but for the caregiver (me). Within 48 hours I had received a call from a nurse who came out the next day to see my Mom. With her came a social worker to discuss paperwork, for example, do-not-recesitate orders, powers of attorney, and the like. A hospital bed showed up the next day along with 5 "comfort care" prescriptions (morphine and its buddies). A minister called to offer a home visit and even offered to bring communion for my Catholic Mom. They offer a home care aid that will help with bathing, personal needs or just sit and chat.Caregiving, especially toward the end, can be stressed and overwhelmed. Hospice was available 24 hrs a day. Literally, when I called at 3 in the morning with questions and needed help, they walked me through what to do and even sent out a nurse. There are a lot of decisions to be made when someone is sick and dying and things can change quickly. This support can be huge. I now had a "team" of people that knew what in the heck they were doing. At the end of my Mom's life, I made one phone call to hospice and a caring woman appeared with information on what happens next--body removal, mortuary, grief counseling. Having hospice on board early also gives the patient time to get to know the nurses and hospice team. My Mom loved the extra attention she was getting when a nurse would come and visit. It can be more reassuring to the patient to know that hospice is there to make them more comfortable and not just to help them die. I was adamant to keep my Mom from dying in a hospital and hospice made that possible. They knew what steps to take next when I needed advice on more care and gave me referrals of people to call. They made what could have been overwhelming something I could manage. There are lots of ways to support hospice. Many have thrift stores (here, Sutter VNA Thrift Store) and special fund raising events. You can become a volunteer or make a monetary contribution. If you or someone you know should needs the services of hospice, I hope you'll consider bringing them in as soon as possible. It can make a difference to you and to your loved one.
Want to read some of my previous articles? You can do it here. Enjoy.
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Did You Know?
Devorah Blum, head honcho of Yoga Studio Ganesha is leading a yoga retreat in December 2013. What a better time to visit the the Big Island. Here's the retreat: visit kalani.com. You can contact Devorah at devorah@yogatudiocanesha.com.
The much respected and admired, Ann Austin, is travelling with her family until May. Look below for new awesome teachers at Yoga Studio Ganesha. Safe travels, Ann! We'll miss you. Welcome, Anne, Beth and Cindy!
Join Anne O'Brien at the San Francisco Iyengar Institute as she co-teaches Surviving and Thriving As a Yoga Teacher on Saturday 2/9/2013 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm.
Liz Levy's Yoga Studio, Alive, opened on New Years Day. She's in the center south of town with the Starbucks. You know she a fantastic massage therapist. Contact Liz at shantilife12@gmail.com. Bonus......you'll find Beth Lambert there on Sundays.
Get boat loads of yoga information and lots of free downloads from YogaU online. Really, tons. It's a great resource for teachers and students.
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How to Make a Baby
Canadian photographer Patrice Laroche makes an inventive series of photos to explain how to make a baby.
'The creative couple planned and carried out their project throughout the whole 9 month period, taking pictures in the exact same settings as Sandra's belly expanded. The pregnancy saga of Sandra and Patrice basically denounces all the traditional cabbage and the stork stories along with most widely held scientific and medical theories."
Thanks, Molly, for sharing.
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 Like Waldo, Find Momo
Besides my fav, kottke.org, there's thisiscolossal.com. You will always find something awe-inspiring If not, hum, you're taking life way too seriously. Click here to find Momo. From Colossal:
"Ontario-based graphic designer Andrew Knapp noticed that his 4.5 year old border collie, Momo, would always hide when fetching sticks instead of dutifully returning them. After photographing a few of the shots Knapp hatched an idea for a series of urban and rural landscapes with the dog hiding somewhere in the frame. He's a well-camouflaged pup, definitely the 'Where's Waldo' of the internet. You can follow Momo's hide and seek adventures at GoFindMomo.com and on Instagram."
[Can I have this dog?]
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Lotta Changes at Yoga Studio Ganesha
The Sebastopol yoga scene will not be the same without Ann Austin's vibrant, continually fresh and challenging yoga classes. She and her family are traveling for 3 months. Below is the new schedule. We'll miss you Ann!
Monday (9:15 and 5:30), Wednesday and Friday (9:15) will be taught by the talented Beth Lambert. She will continue to teach in the Ashtanga tradition, levels II/III.
Cindy Sims will be leading beginning yoga on Tuesdays (9:15). Cindy blends the Ashtanga primary series with attention to healthy alignment and personal growth.
We are honored to have the respected and seasoned, Anne O'Brien, taking the Thursday at 9:15 class. She's my teacher and I'm excited to have her so close. You can also find Anne around the North Bay area. See her full schedule at her website.
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Be Happy on Friday's
Instead of shots of tequila and fried artichoke hearts, spend your Friday happy hour moving and grooving at an all-levels vinyasa flow class.
I am honored and excited to be offered another class at Westside Yoga Studio. On Friday's from 4:30 - 6:00, we'll end each week with an energetic vinyasa flow class. Through building heat from the inside, we'll strip out the stress hormones from the day. A long rest at the end of class will reset our nervous system and prepare us for our weekend.
You'll be done at 6:00!! That'll leave plenty of time for dinner with friends, a movie or a relaxing evening with your pooch. Or, maybe a Chia filled Kombucha or that 100% agave margarita!
NOTE- Class will be cancelled on 2/1 due to teacher training at the studio. (About) Once a month thereafter, this class will meet from 5:30 - 7:00 due to scheduled teacher training. Please see either my schedule or Westside's site.
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Restorative Yoga 
I love the response of students to their first or second or hundredth restorative yoga experience. It's the moment when their nervous system shifts from "yikes!" to "ahhhhhh." They leave with relaxed shoulders and brightened attitude.
It's easy to forget that the body knows exactly what to do. The relaxation response is a built in function of our amazing central nervous system. We just have to let relaxation happen. I know, it seems impossible sometimes. Thus, the popularity of restorative yoga where we learn to put the body in positions and let it do it's thing.
Every Monday
7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Westside Yoga, Sebastopol
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Get Your Girlfriends Together
It's fun to get friends together. Treat your friends to Yoga and Tea rather than Food and Booze. Inviting friends to come together for a Gentle or Restorative Yoga class is a perfect way to enjoy each other's company and do something good for yourselves. Many yoga parties end with tea or champagne and some munchies. Your friends will thank you!
Please call on me if I can help you book a private yoga class or answer any questions. I can be reached at cheryl@cherylthomas.com.
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Schedule of Upcoming Classes
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