Improve your health
Dr. Caroline Brinkley will offer the free class “Superbugs and Antibiotics: Cage the Bear!” at 7 p.m. tonight, May 28, at Vashon Family Practice. She will discuss the best way to use antibiotics and how to avoid them in the first place.
The class is part of a free lecture series the clinic is offering this spring.
Next Wednesday’s class will be Dr. John Share offering “Reducing Your Body’s Toxic Load” with advice on how to best to stay healthy in a world filled with toxic exposures.
RSVPs are preferred but not required. Call the clinic at 463-2800.
Learn to breathe
A transformational breathing class will meet from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today, May 28, at the Hanna Barn, 7712 Point Robinson Rd.
Participants will experience the physical and mental benefits of a full, deep, connected breath.
The cost is $25. Students should take pillows, a blanket, mat and water and wear loose clothing.
Arrive a few minutes early to check in. Contact Susan Cassaro at 463-5359 or 406-8442.
Labyrinth retreat
Three Vashon Island residents are pooling their experience and wisdom to offer a labyrinth retreat from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 31. Participants will walk the ancient labyrinth path to reflect, relax and find their centers. Silence, storytelling, harp music and meditative walking will nourish the spirit.
The retreat will take place on a private Island sanctuary and residence. The group will be limited to 10 people. The cost for the day is $50, including a lunch and snacks.
Hosts and facilitators are Jane Valencia, Betty Hawkins and Carol Spangler. For further information or to reserve a space, contact Valencia at 577-4774 or Spangler at 567-5302.
Manage shorelines
The Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust will host a shoreline property management workshop from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 31, at the Land Trust Building.
This is a free workshop on land management practices for marine shoreline and bluff properties. The King Conservation District is offering this workshop for shoreline land owners to learn about the ecological, geological and vegetation management issues associated with owning property “where the water begins.”
An optional lunch and afternoon field trip are also available. For more information or to register, contact Brandy Reed at (425) 277-5581, ext. 120, or at brandy.reed@kingcd.org.
Mothering indigo kids
Conven-tional parenting techniques can make things worse with so-called “indigo” children — creative, fiery, intense or challenging kids.
Jennifer Easley — a master’s level counselor on Vashon who believes parents can be empowered healers with their own children — will offer a half-day, interactive workshop for mothers to hone skills and receive new tools to understand and support their indigo children of all ages.
The workshop will meet from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 31, at the Puget Sound Zen Center.
Pre-registration is required. The cost is $45 per person, with sliding fees available. For information or to register, contact Easley by phone at 300-3142 or e-mail at jennifereasley@comcast.net.
Relaxation class
Aaron Gaul will teach the Three Branch Relaxation method for health-building relaxation from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 31, at the Vashon Library.
Three Branch Relaxation is a practical method that promotes health by simultaneously relaxing all three branches of the human nervous system. This relaxation method is easy to learn and can be practiced anywhere in a few minutes. The workshop is free.
Yoga Nidra
Yoga Nidra is a guided meditation and form of deep relaxation and will be offered from 6:15 to 8:15 p.m. Saturday, May 31, at Island Yoga Center.
Beginning with a gentle yoga practice, Jennifer Walker uses affirmation, pranayama (breath), visualization and focusing techniques to bring about a state of deep rest.
Students should bring a pillow and blanket. To register, drop payment off at the studio or mail to P.O Box 2062, Vashon, WA 98070. See also www.islandyogacenter.com.
Eat for health
Inflammation is a big factor in most chronic conditions, including hypertension, arthritis and diabetes. Diet can effectively reduce inflammation and the problems it causes.
In this class, people will learn why some foods quiet inflammation while others increase it. Eating to quiet inflammation provides significant benefits that include a relatively effortless weight loss (if needed), improved sleep and reduced aches and pains.
A new class begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 5, and runs for five consecutive Thursdays.
Advance registration at the Vashon Island Roasterie is required, and the cost is $75. Contact Kathy Abascal at 463-9211 or anemopsis@yahoo.com for more information.
