Jewish Family Service to Present Six-week Program on Self-care

SPRINGFIELD — Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts will present “Building Resilience from Within,” a six-week self-care series for caregivers and anyone experiencing heightened stress in their lives.

The program will take place via Zoom from 10 to 10:45 a.m. on Thursdays, Oct. 27; Nov. 3, 10, and 17; and Dec. 1 and 8. The program is free and open to the public. No experience is necessary. Registration is required. Click here to RSVP, or call (413) 737-2601.

The intent of the series is to provide techniques and build skills to increase resilience to life’s ongoing pressures and stresses. With particular mind to the needs of caregivers and older adults, the program will focus on mindfulness, bringing awareness to the breath, and reprogramming oneself out of flight, fight, and freeze responses.

In each session, attendees will recalibrate the nervous system to increase a sense of well-being and improve health outcomes by decreasing the stress response in the body. With practice, these techniques build resilience, which can be felt immediately in the session and will increase over time.

The ongoing nature of the series strengthens connection, reduces feelings of isolation, and empowers individuals with tools to address their most pressing needs for stress reduction. Practices will include guided visualization, gentle movement, brain and body balancing, and boosting the immune system. All ages are welcome, and all exercises can be done seated or standing.

Presenter Reina Goldberg is a mindfulness educator, trauma-informed coach, and multi-faceted healing practitioner. She holds a master of education degree in mindfulness studies from Antioch University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and education from York University. She is certified as a yoga therapist, with certifications in Qigong-infused and Hatha yoga as well as applied polyvagal theory therapeutic yoga, and she is a healthy bones and balance teacher. In addition, Goldberg is also a grief coach, with training based in trauma-informed healing modalities.