By Lisa Plotkin, PJ Library Coordinator
Cat cow, downward dog, tree pose… PJ Library parents of children 0-2 joined PJ Library and JCFR’s NextGen for Mitzvah Yoga in February at the lovely Whole Heart Space studio in Gayton Crossing.
Did you know it’s a mitzvah (good deed) to practice shmirat ha’guf (taking care of your body)?
As parents, you can certainly relate to the fact that it can be difficult to take care of yourselves while caring for another person every day.
Yoga and social connection are two simple ways to take care of ourselves, and PJ Library was thrilled to help make that happen.
PJ parent volunteer and Yoga Instructor Sheri Rodman shared the PJ Library book, All of Me: A Book of Thanks, by Molly Bang, before leading us through some yoga poses.
At one point, all parents were balancing in a quiet, intentional tree pose with arms high in the air, and the children were mesmerized, looking up in awe at their magnificent, caring adults.
As our children witness us caring for ourselves, they can learn to do the same as they grow up.
Mitzvah Yoga was one parent’s first PJ Library event.
“It was such a treat to get that time with my daughter and meet so many other awesome families! I look forward to participating in more JCFR events in the future and getting more engaged in the Richmond Jewish community.”
PJ Library RVA is inspired to continue to make space for this joy and forward energy.
Thank you to the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond for making PJ Library RVA possible, to Whole Heart Space owner Rachel Knight for hosting us, and to Avi Remetz of JCFR’s NextGen for joining the event.
Please contact Avi at aremetz@jewishrichmond.org with NextGen questions.
Would you like to see another event like this? Let Lisa know at PJLibrary@JewishRichmond.org
NEW: Shalom Baby!
Do you have or know about a Jewish baby in Richmond under 1 year old?
Tell us at https://bit.ly/Shalom_Baby, and we will deliver a Shalom Baby gift bag filled with materials, coupons, and information about Jewish Richmond.
NEW: PJ Library’s Little L’Chaim launches on Sunday, April 6, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m., at West End Public Library.
Join PJ Library parent volunteer Kristen Mulberg for this new initiative for PJ Library parents and children under 2 to gather monthly for informal play and socializing with other Jewish families.
PJ Library will bring the coffee, you bring yourself, your child(ren), a favorite toy of theirs, and a playmat if you’d like!
Upcoming dates TBD.
