 |
Home | Search | Browse | About IPO | Staff | Links |
|
Home | Search | Browse | About IPO | Staff | Links |
|
IDEAS... Plant a Tree for the Bicentennial
Beautiful trees have always been a part of the tradition of good parks in Champaign. Over 800 trees were planted by the citizens in Champaign in 1858 and several are still standing today. A new tree planted today can possibly still be the providing beauty in the parks in 2076. With this in mind, the Park District established the Bicentennial tree program.
Interested persons or organizations may contact the Park District to select a tree such as red or sugar maple, red or swamp oak, sassafras, Colorado spruce, scotch pine, douglass fir or others at costs of twenty five to ninety dollars. The tree and park for planting may be selected by the donor. The Park District will record the gift in the permanent gift book kept at the District Headquarters and the donor may purchase a commemorative plaque that will be placed by the tree. In addition, the Park District is obtaining special bumper stickers and lapel pins for the donors specifying that they planted a tree in the park in 1976.
___________________________________ YOGA and YOU by Geraldine Dvorak Yoga Instructor Westchester Park District ". . . it is so relaxing, I enjoy the way I feel when class is over." ". . . even though I am over 60, I feel safe doing yoga because I know I won't strain myself." ". . . I had to learn to slow down; my life was becoming so hectic I didn't know how to cope. Yoga helped me a lot." ". . . this is my second year in yoga and I will keep coming back. I feel so much better when I do my practices." People come into yoga for a variety of reasons; to condition the body, to relax and ease the tensions, to make changes in themselves. The sincere student of yoga will bring physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits into his life. By slowly and gently stretching and limbering the body through the postures, students learn to improve bodily functions, such as digestion, circulation, elimination. Many find relief from backaches. Diaphragmatic breathing, important to all forms of yoga, helps to relieve tensions, improve lung capacity, develop concentration and calm the nerves. Yoga is a disciplining of the mind and body through physical exercises and breathing techniques. It is a program for individuals of all ages and one that requires no special equipment, just a clean, quiet, empty room. Students will bring their own mats if necessary, and many prefer to do so. The yoga program at Westchester Park District is enjoying more than capacity enrollment. Introduced two and one half years ago with one beginning class scheduled, response made it necessary to add several others. Classes are held in the morning, afternoon and/or evening in an effort to service the most people. This great interest is due to two reasons: 1) better understanding and widespread acceptance of yoga, and 2) the park district's attitude of trying to accommodate the program, times and facilities to the convenience of the students. The success of this program, as compared to others, depends heavily on competence, knowledge and sensitivity of the instructor. A teacher of yoga must be aware of the classes' needs and structure a lesson plan to meet those needs. The students must learn to work with themselves and progress within the limits of their own abilities. There is no competition in yoga— not with others or with yourself— and if the student will bear this in mind, it will eliminate the possibility of straining or pushing the body beyond its capacity. ". . . we have a good time in our yoga class and do a lot of relaxing." And, isn't that what it's all about? ______________________________
Illinois Parks and Recreation 24 July/August, 1976 |
|
|
