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Welcome! Liberty Women's Resources is a blog that aims to provide up to date and relevant information to women. It is targeted to women who are either currently homeless or have experienced homelessness in greater New Haven. To this end, events and services are New Haven-based.

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Monday, October 14, 2013

Affordable Care Act - Enrollment has begun

The Affordable Care Act
·     The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), otherwise known as “Obamacare,” enacted in March 2010, introduced a series of reforms to expand health insurance coverage by:
Expanding Medicaid eligibility and
Establishing health insurance exchanges or market places.
·      In CT, the insurance marketplace is called “Access Health CT”. The marketplace will offer approved health insurance plans to individuals, families and small business. Eligible consumers may qualify for discounts in the form of tax credits.
·        Enrollment Period: Those who enroll in the first enrollment period, Oct. 2013-Mar 2014, will have coverage effective January 2014.



There are several Assisters in New Haven.

We will share their contact information as we learn it.

For more information about enrollment and what information you must have to sign up for a health care plan, Click Here.

You may visit the AccessHealthCT website at:  AccessHealthCT

Friday, September 27, 2013

Balancing Your Physical and Spirtual Aspects

Body Scan Grounding Exercise

Balancing your physical and spiritual aspects

By , About.com Guide

Body Scan Grounding Exercise


Body Scan Grounding Exercise
See More About
Grounding exercises help tremendously with maintaining a balance of our physical and spiritual bodies. As a healer, I have learned that being energetically grounded allows me to be better equipped in facilitating healing for clients and also to create and maintain wellness in my own life.

In this article I give instruction for a scanning technique I have used for many years to help balance the body/spirit connection. I do this exercise each night while laying in my bed before I sleep.

Note: Doing my body scan exercise at bedtime will work well for anyone who doesn't fall asleep easily, but for those who tend to fall asleep quickly upon hitting their head to the pillow, sitting upright in a chair is a better alternative. The primary purpose of this exercise is to bring body and spirit into balance.
 
Diagnostic in nature, this body scan will help you become more fully aware of both subtle and not-so-subtle sensations of your physical body. This is an excellent tool for identifying all physical stresses and upsets, especially those underlying imbalances you may not be aware of. Pain can be so overwhelming in one part of the body that the rest of the body gets neglected. The body scan is an exercise in assembling the larger hurts alongside the minutest details of stresses which you may have overlooked within your body. It is helpful to bring our awareness to the less obvious.

In addition to the apparent grounding benefits of this body scan exercise, another side benefit is that sometimes the most painful hurts are miraculously lifted from the physical during the body scan process.
For example: A throbbing headache may get temporary or permanent relief by diverting the focus downwards toward the feet and away from the throbbing, although this will be dependent on the severity of the hurt you are experiencing in your head.

Be prepared to be amazed at the discoveries that you will make about your body during this process.

Grounding Exercise: Body Scan

Lay flat on your back on your bed, couch or floor. Position your arms and hands comfortably at your sides. Place a pillow or rolled towel under your knees if your lower back requires support. Begin your body scan by diverting your thoughts away from any mental chatter, switch gears by first focusing on your feet. Do not rush! During the process you will slowly change your focus from one part of your body to the next. Also, you don't need to touch yourself, the scan is mental. Allow your mind to switch focus from wherever it is. Begin with your feet and move upwards.

Notice the soles of your feet, your toes, in-between your toes, the top of your feet, ankles, and heel.
Do they feel hot? or cold? Do they hurt? Are they numb or swollen? Can you feel the blood circulating through them? Are they feeling tired? Don't judge how they feel, simply notice how they feel. Wiggle your toes. How does that feel?

Once you have a made a strong connection with your feet move your attention upwards past your ankle... switching all your focus from your feet to the lower legs, then move onto your knee caps, behind your knees, your thighs, and so on.

Keep reminding yourself not to rush.

Allow yourself to breathe evenly throughout the scanning process. If you come upon any areas of discomfort (stressed muscles, soreness, etc.) or at a spot that feels like there may be stuck energy take two or three deep cleansing breaths to ease the tension or break through energetic blockages.

Once you have moved your attention through your torso and up to your neck, drop your focus at your fingertips. Move up your attention through the length of the fingers and into the hands (tops of hands and palms). Continue your energy scan up your arms and at the shoulders, returning your attention once again to your neck before finishing up with your focus on face, ears, and scalp.

Are You Adequately Grounded?

How often have you been told that "grounding" is important? What does it mean to be ungrounded anyway? Taking this quiz will offer you clues as to which characteristics you have, and whether the actions or reactions that you take are helping you to stay grounded or are actually aiding your energetic retreats from your physical self.

Are You Adequately Grounded? - take this quiz now
Jacqueline Veissid / Getty Images

About Healing

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Happenings in October at the New Havne Free Public Library





nhfpl125
Happenings OCTOBER 2013



Help us help New Haven!


The Library is participating in The Great Give® 2013.
For 36 hours, from 8 am Oct. 2 through 8 pm Oct. 3, The Community Foundation of Greater New Haven is staging its online fundraising competition, the Give Greater Challenge. 

This year there is $150,000 in grant awards, including several $15,000 grand prizes in the categories of overall money raised, the greatest number of donors, and the greatest number of new donors. 

We'll be back in touch as the contest begins, but for now, please tell anyone who believes in the library's mission--supporting lifelong learning, cultural connections, economic engagement and young minds--that NOW is the time to help!  Click here for more information!



nullat Ives Main Library, 133 Elm Street

Gargoyles of Yale University

Saturday, Oct. 5: free talk at 3 pm
                            private tours at 4 pm                                                          

Mathew Duman will share some images from his recent book, The Gargoyles of Yale University, pointing out the history and  impact of these cool architectural figures.
The 3 pm talk is free and open to the public. The private tours start at 4 pm and are led by Mathew and Yale graduate Megan Boon. Tours conclude with a wine and cheese reception back at the library. Ticket sales benefit the library ($15 single/$25 couple). Copies of the book and matted prints of some of the images will be available for sale at both events.

Space is limited! Reserve your tickets here or call the NHFPL Foundation at 203-946-7454 for more information. 


Ives Main Library, Children's Dept., 2nd floor

Discover Our World! ages 5+

Thursdays, 4-5 pm, through Dec. 5

Songs, games, crafts, and language instruction from around the world are provided in collaboration with Yale University's Dept. of Germanic Languages and Literature. No charge. Details at 203-946-8129.
Meet the author of Wicked New Haven
Thursday, Oct. 17, 2:30 pm

Local history + the paranormal = great stories! Enjoy author Michael Bielawa's true stories of Connecticut ghosts and pirates! For ALL AGES!

Kids:Read with Fenway Once a Month!

Saturday, Oct. 26, 1-2 pm

Share a short reading session with Fenway, who is described as "a great listener!"  You pick the book and Fenway enjoys! Details: 203-946-8129


library yoga
Wellness classes

at Ives Main Library
203-946-8835
 
Wednesdays, 1-2 pm  LIBRARY YOGA. $5, bring your own mat. 

Saturdays through Oct. 26, 11:30-12:30  SATURDAY TAI CHI, $8 class (no class Oct. 5)
Wednesday evenings through Nov. 13, 6-7 pm  MEDITATION with Clare Vidich, director of Kirpal Meditation Retreat Center.  No charge.
at Wilson Branch Library 203-946-2228
Exercise to Health, one-hour active sessions provided by Hill Health Center, Tuesdays at 5:15 and Wednesdays at 4:30.  No charge.  


Films

at Wilson Branch 203-946-2228

Thursday, Oct. 3, 4-6 pm   THE HILL
               Filmmaker Lisa Molomot recounts New Haven's experiments with urban renewal in her documentary
that was recently screened on CPTV.
 
 
at Ives Main Library 203-946-8835
 
 
Saturday, Oct. 19, 2-4 pm
AGE OF CHAMPIONS, special screening of award-winning PBS documentary, with filmmaker Keith Ochwat introducing the film. Information: 203-946-7001. 
 

Saturdays at 1 pm through Dec. 14
Celebrate 100 years of Indian Cinema with monthly screenings of classic films selected and introduced by NHFPL librarian Soma Mitra.  
Oct. 26  SHOLAY
(1975), directed by Ramesh Sippy. In Hindi with English subtitles.


Civic connection at Ives Main Library 
Democracy Forum:
Cuba and Its Neighbours: Democracy in Action

Monday, October 28, 6-7 pm  Author, journalist, lecturer ARNOLD AUGUST leads a discussion of Cuba's evolving political system. No charge. 203-946-8130 x211.


Photography shows

at Ives Main Library  203-946-8835
IMAGES OF ECUADOR & URUGUAY 
Photographs by Henry Lord

Oct. 7 through Nov. 30


Reception Thursday, Oct. 10, 5:30-7:30 pm



at Mitchell Library   203-946-8117
A year of I Love New Haven  

Fabulous selection of photos from I Love New Haven, a website that highlights New Haven through photography. On display through October 31.







Computer instruction

Jobseekers, elders and Spanish speakers are invited to discover our many opportunities to learn more about computer technology.  
Click here for a full description of classes.


Job Hunter's Workshop Series
Monday nights at Mitchell Branch Library through Oct. 28

Take control of your job hunt! Learn critical skills to help you land a job in today's economy. Please register at 203-946-8117.



Featured electronic resource

Need detailed information about a prospective employer or competitor, or comparable stats on regional or national businesses or nonprofit organizations? Not finding it in Google? Reference USA is the king of business content with information on over 14 million U.S. businesses, including company executives, contact information, lines of business, credit rating, & sales volume. Call Seth for details: 203-946-8130 x 211.



Questions about library events?
Visit our website or call 203-946-8835.


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Monday, September 9, 2013

Fitweek is coming!




2nd ANNUAL FITWEEK® EVENT TO TAKE PLACE SEPTEMBER 30th- OCTOBER 6th IN GREATER NEW HAVEN AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES
-- Event To Raise Awareness of Local Fitness Resources -- 
--100% of Proceeds from FITWEEK® Pass to Support Cancer Research and Patient Care --
Greater New Haven, Fairfield, CT, August 19, 2013 – Get ready to lunge, jump or run to The 2nd Annual FITWEEK Event taking place at a gym near you!

The 2nd annual fitness event, hosted by FITWEEK, will take place September 30th- October 6th at participating gyms and fitness studios located in Greater New Haven and Fairfield Counties. The FITWEEK Event aims to help local residents “turn their workweek into a FITWEEK” by raising awareness of the benefits of making a long-term commitment to an active lifestyle and encouraging people to find ways to incorporate fitness into their daily lives.

The kickoff event, in conjunction with On9 New Haven, will be held on Friday, September 6th at 6:00pm at Pitkin Plaza, located near the corner of Orange Street and Chapel Street.  The festivities will include a FREE outdoor Zumba Fitness and Yoga class, giveaways, and other fitness demos. 

The Fitweek Pass will be available for purchase on Friday, September 6th through the FITWEEK website, http://www.fitweek.com. Log on to fitweek.com to receive fabulous fitness tips and videos from FITWEEK Founder, Shana Schneider, and to be notified when the FITWEEK Pass becomes available. The FITWEEK pass provides FREE access to hundreds of fitness classes at participating businesses throughout the area.  Classes cover a wide range of activities, including Jiu Jitsu, Pound, Zumba Fitness, Crossfit, Yoga, Boot Camp, Pilates, Kettlebell, and more. Passes will be sold for $20.  All proceeds from the individual sales of the pass will be donated to the Closer to Free Fund supporting cancer research at the Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven.

 “As a working woman, I can easily empathize with those who say they don't have time to add a fitness program into their busy schedules,” said Shana Schneider, Yale graduate and Founder of FITWEEK.  “Through the annual FITWEEK event, we are excited to provide an easy and fun way for people to learn how to incorporate fitness into their everyday lives by offering them access to hundreds of FREE classes, which they may not have otherwise tried. We’re also delighted to help raise awareness about the importance of exercise in the prevention and recovery of cancer by providing 100% of the proceeds from the FITWEEK Pass to support the Closer to Free Fund. ”

Dr. Anees Chagpar, Director, The Breast Center at Smilow Cancer Hospital says, “We are grateful to Shana and the many sponsors of FITWEEK for donating 100% of the proceeds to the Closer to Free Fund supporting cancer research and helping to raise awareness about how exercise can help with prevention and support recovery from this widespread disease.”

Additional events taking place throughout the week to include themed FITWEEK Walks, FITWEEK Happy Hours and FITgroup Events that allow people to be social and try new fitness trends and activities together.  Please visitwww.fitweek.com for a full calendar listing of events.

FITWEEK is sponsored by Higher One, Being Well at Yale, Yale WorkLife , The United Illuminating Company, The Shops at Yale, Cymplify/Campus Customs, Elm City Market, TYCO, Pinpoint Promotions, Trailblazer and Fitbit.

Ready to get your FITWEEK on?  For more information about FITWEEK, fitness tips, and to find a listing of all participating FITWEEK facilities and businessesplease visit fitweek.com or facebook.com/fitweek.
ABOUT FITWEEK®

The FITWEEK® Event is a weeklong event that rallies the community around increasing physical activity by providing a turnkey program that offers the community FREE access to local fitness businesses and resources, provides online tools, and coordinates a collaborative branded marketing campaign to participating entities. FITWEEK helps fitness businesses meet new potential clients, and assists non-fitness businesses or organizations in providing a service that cultivates a healthy workforce and community.

 ABOUT CLOSER TO FREE FUND
Closer to Free is the fund for the Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven Hospital, and provides essential financial support for breakthrough cancer research and compassionate patient care. Support is critical to ensure that new research is pursued each day, promising treatments are developed in real time, and patient care is continuously enhanced.