PROGRAMS

Virtual Programs & Schedule- Weekly Classes & Enrichment Opportunities

VLANJ Weekly Virtual Programs- Spring-Summer Session- April 25th, 2024 – July 25th, 2024

Mondays

Gentle Hatha Yoga: 9:00am-10:00am

The intention of gentle yoga with Emi is to uplift the mind and spirit while building strength and flexibility and improving balance and joint mobility. All this helps the students enhance body awareness and improve balance, releases stress and increases a sense of well-being. You will receive clear, easy to follow instructions in basic yoga poses, how to position your body, and breathing. We practice seating on the floor (or on a chair), standing poses (with support of a wall or a chair if needed) and poses on the back. Gentle yoga is a class where people in almost any physical condition move and do yoga safely.

Register here: https://bit.ly/VLANJ_Gentle_Yoga

Let’s Move! Fitness: 12:00pm-1:00pm

Join Joannie G in this fun, guided workout class that will Increase your energy, stamina, balance, and joint flexibility, along with gentle strength training to build and maintain muscle strength. You will enjoy fun light cardio moves along with great music to get you feeling energized and healthy! This class is appropriate for all fitness levels and can be taken seated or standing. Modifications always provided everyone can do this! Bring a set of light weights, a towel, water, and have a chair nearby and get ready to move!

Register here: https://bit.ly/VLANJ_Lets_Move_Fitness

Evening Moonlight Meditation: 7:00pm- First Monday of every month

Join us for our monthly evening class: Moonlight Meditation! This is an opportunity for a quiet and relaxing sit and flow movement for an overall sense of optimal health, in conscious presence.  Practice calming and peaceful breathing as you unwind from your day.  Several studies have shown that meditation can lower intraocular pressure and improve quality of life for those with glaucoma, by lowering stress hormones like cortisol.

Register here: https://bit.ly/VLANJ_Moonlight_Meditation

Tuesdays

Energy Yoga for Serenity & Peace: 12:00pm-1:00pm

Each of our 1-hour classes combines elements from a variety of Eastern practices to enhance your physical, mental, and spiritual health.  Our yoga is a physical and brain workout that connects your mind and body for increased strength, flexibility, and balance.  Through our guided meditations, you can develop energy awareness which connects your mind and body, and helps promote peace of mind, inspiration, and joy. Consistent practice can help you accumulate energy and strengthen your core, leaving you feeling recharged, relaxed, and refreshed.

Register here: https://bit.ly/VLANJ_Energy_Yoga

Mindfulness & Meditation: 1:30pm-2:30pm

Come share calming and invigorating breathing practices, a quiet sit and slow flow movement for an overall sense of optimal health, in conscious presence. One may utilize a chair or the floor (positioned on a mat and folded towel). Eat lightly prior to our session and please wear comfortable clothing.

Register here: https://bit.ly/VLANJ_Meditation_and_Mindfulness

Wednesdays

Beyond Basics:  1:00pm-2:00pm

Beyond Basics is a redesign of our previously loved Back to Basics class. It is an interactive class that will bring you fresh resources and wide variety of topics in the form of guest speakers and facilitated discussions designed to educate and broaden your perspective into all that is possible to achieve beyond vision loss and blindness.

Register here: https://bit.ly/VLANJ_Beyond_Basics

Thursdays

Now & Zen Yoga: 10:00am-11:00am

Yoga is an ancient tradition that promotes balance and good posture, both of which can be adversely affected by vision loss. In this Hatha yoga class students will learn toning and strengthening exercises, as well as relaxation skills that are designed to quiet the mind.  All levels welcome.

Register here: https://bit.ly/VLANJ_Now_Zen_Yoga

 

VLANJ Enrichment Opportunities- Offered throughout the year

 

 VLANJ “LIFT”- Living Independently for Tomorrow– This program is offered monthly on a Tuesday from 1pm-3pm.

This one day virtual program is designed to share tips and strategies with you and your family members as you learn to adjust to living with vision loss. We will provide you with simple strategies, education in helpful devices, available optical aids, and resources.  This program is open to individuals experiencing vision loss and their friends and family members.

Register here: https://bit.ly/VLANJ_LIFT_Program

 VLANJ “LIFT”- Viviendo Independientemente para el Mañana– Esta programa se ofrece mensulamente los martes de 1 pm-3pm.

Este programa virtual de un día está diseñado para compartir consejos y estrategias con usted y los miembros de su familia a medida que aprende a adaptarse a vivir con pérdida de la visión. Le proporcionaremos estrategias simples, educación sobre dispositivos útiles, ayudas ópticas disponibles y recursos. Este programa está abierto a personas que experimentan pérdida de la visión y sus amigos y familiares.

Registrarse aqui:  https://bit.ly/LIFT_en_Espanol 

VLANJ “STRIVE”- Strength Through Relationships, Insights, Values, Education– Friends & Family Support Group– This program is offered the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7pm

We invite you to join us for our “STRIVE” Program. We provide education on topics surrounding eye health, physical and mental health wellness, self-advocacy, and support for individuals with vision loss and their families. Monthly virtual meetings will include guest speakers presenting on a variety of topics, and facilitation of a supportive, interactive discussion among group members. This group is open to anyone experiencing vision loss as well as their family members and friends. 

Register here: https://bit.ly/VLANJ_STRIVE_Program

 VLANJ Tech Talks– This program is offered in January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October, and November on the 4th Wednesday of each month at 7pm

VLANJ Tech Talks is a monthly online topic-based evening event. Presented by VLANJ instructors or guest speakers on various topics, each session centers around subject matters including, but not limited to accessible technologies, helpful apps, and SMART home technologies etc.

Register here: https://bit.ly/VLANJ_Tech_Talks

 VLANJ “ARISE” Speaker Series- Achieving Resilience, Inspiration, & Self-Empowerment-  This program is offered on a quarterly basis during the year on Wednesday evenings at 7pm.

This speaker series will include a variety of topics to motivate and inspire you to achieve your best self. You will engage with speakers who bring a wide perspective in sharing their stories, life experiences, and expertise to achieve a more positive mindset. Topics are inspirational and educational, balancing practical life tasks, to pursuing creative arts and encourage you to move towards your personal and professional goals, and a feeling of greater self-empowerment.

Register here:   https://bit.ly/VLANJ_ARISE_Speaker_Series

VLANJ Voices Educational Speaker Series Presents…

This program is offered on a quarterly basis during the year on Wednesday evenings at 7pm.

This speaker series will provide you with information, practical education, tools, and available resources to help you manage tasks in your everyday life.  VLANJ Voices will engage speakers with expertise in a range of topics who bring knowledge, resources, useful tips, and strategies around health, wellness, and vision loss. These speakers bring new “voices” that also represent diverse backgrounds, approaches to learning, as well as, sharing information about programs and opportunities available in our community. This program is open to individuals experiencing vision loss and their friends and family members.

Register here: https://bit.ly/VLANJ_Voices_Educational_Speaker_Series

Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey YouTube Channel:

Please visit our VLANJ YouTube Channel to enjoy previous recordings from our Speaker Series by clicking on this link:  https://bit.ly/VLANJ_YouTube_Channel_Playlists