​"Pose with a Purpose" to benefit Easterseals on May 9

Stephanie Ford, Easterseals Special Events Manager, teaches little ones stretching poses recently at Easterseals Charter School.

Teresa Rand of Rand Consulting, Daytona Beach, is inviting the community out for a one-hour yoga session, "Pose with a Purpose," at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 9 at ONE DAYTONA, to benefit Easterseals Northeast Central Florida.

​Rand is organizing the event to bring awareness to the health benefits of movement as well as raise funds for Easterseals. 

All "Pose with a Purpose" participants are invited to donate a gift of any amount during the event, which will benefit Easterseals' many programs that support children and adults with disabilities. Community members should bring their mats, wear comfortable, flexible clothing and meet Rand at Victory Circle at ONE DAYTONA for the free session; all ages are welcome.

ONE DAYTONA will provide goodie bags and a free drink ticket for a ONE DAYTONA restaurant of the ticketholder's choice. Water also will be provided to participants. "Pose with a Purpose" is sponsored by Miami Grill & Bar and Hot House Yoga.  

"We are grateful to Teresa and her partners for coordinating this fun event that will bring awareness to the importance of movement as well as highlight Easterseals' services," said Easterseals President/CEO Bev Johnson. 
"Easterseals strongly believes in the mind-body connection and we see how children and adults benefit from movement every day,” added Johnson. “With each new challenge or milestone, we remind families that disabilities aren't stop signs; they are green lights that create opportunities for new ways of moving, learning and growing. And, yoga is a great way to move, stretch and get stronger.”

The yoga event is well aligned with Easterseals’ understanding of and advocacy for brain development. At Easterseals Northeast Central Florida, therapists understand the link between movement and brain function, and prioritize strategies that incorporate movement into the classroom.

“Neurons that fire together, wire together,” says Dorthy Lefford, VP Clinical Services for Easterseals. In her program, “Movement to Learn: The Brain/Body Connection,” Lefford explains how movement and brain development are not only connected but need to be optimized in school programs so children reach their fullest potential.

“We need movement to increase alertness, attention and motivation,” says Lefford, “and it’s critical to stress management. We must plan for movement every day, and when we encourage activity in families and children, we create amazing possibilities for their overall health.”

To learn more about "Pose with a Purpose," visit its Facebook event. To learn how Easterseals Northeast Central Florida helps all of us 'take on disability together, visit www.eastersealsnecfl.org.

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