LOLK Community!
Is it August already? What a wonderful summer it has been, and there's plenty more summering to get in before the snowy days of winter arrive.
This summer, we've been busy! Our Self-Love Bootcamp ran three summer programs. Our bootcamp for 14-15 incoming freshmen and sophomores hosted 21 participants. Our Mindful Youth Ambassadors Certificate Program for 16-22 year old high school students saw 32 active participants, and our Community Self-Love Bootcamp in partnership with the Forest Preserves of Cook County is hosting up to 30 participants of all ages every other Saturday through August. I am delighted to be a part of this restorative justice movement towards mental wellness for all people, providing equal access to mental wellness tools and mindfulness solutions to black and brown communities across Chicagoland. We have two more events in August and two in the makings for September. We hope to see you there.
We are in need of gently used or new yoga gear for our youth development programs. If you have yoga mats and accessories that you'd like to donate to an excellent cause, then please contact us to arrange for pick-up or delivery. Remember that all of your donations to Light of Loving Kindness are tax deductible.
Finally, We Are Growing and so is our Board of Directors. If you are interested in sharing your gifts as a member of our board, then we'd love to hear from you. Click here to learn more about us and to fill out an application. 
Shine Your Light 
In Light, Love, and Kindness, Cassandra   

Let's talk about Yoga: Did you know...
According to the National Institutes of Health, yoga is a safe and effective therapy for children and adolescents coping with emotional, mental, physical, and behavioral health conditions. Yoga can help children learn to self-regulate, focus on the task at hand, and handle problems peacefully. Yoga also improves balance, relieves tension, and increases strength when practiced regularly.

For adults, practicing yoga consistently produces better overall health and well-being. Research shows that yoga can lead to improvements in physical and psychological aspects of stress, and also improves balance. Several studies have looked at the effects of yoga on positive aspects of mental health found evidence of benefits, such as better resilience and mental well-being.

A survey of young adults showed that practicing yoga regularly was associated with better eating and physical activity habits. Yoga has been proven to help reduce cigarette cravings and the number of cigarettes smoked. In studies of yoga in people who were overweight or obese, practicing yoga has been associated with a reduction in body mass index.

Yoga helps to ease symptoms of chronic pain, and has been shown to improve the quality of life for individuals with chronic disease. In addition to all of these benefits, yoga is helpful for anxiety and depressive symptoms associated with difficult life situations in addition to anxiety disorders, clinical depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  

Because yoga involves physical activity and helps reduce stress, it has also been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Research shows that participating in yoga programs is associated with better blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes, and it has also been proven to help decrease Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms and severity. Moreover, it helps to reduce menopause symptoms and improves sleep quality. 

Consider trying out a yoga class from the comfort of your own home, or better yet, go out and find a yoga class in your community. Start easy if this is your 1st class. Consider beginning with a Restorative, Yin, or Hatha yoga class, or if you're ready for a more active practice, consider Vinyasa, Ashtanga, or Kundalini Yoga. 

Want to read more the benefits of many different holistic and mindfulness modalities:The Science of Healing.