Incense burning. (Photo via Canva)

The holiday season is here! While it’s a magical time of year for many people, it can also bring stress. With heavy to-do lists and busy schedules, our wellness can sometimes take a back seat. But there are ways that you can show up for yourself — and you don’t have to travel far to do it.

Beginning this month, the Germantown Info Hub (GIH) will publish a monthly round-up of free or low-cost wellness events in the neighborhood. These events may range from health screenings to group yoga sessions to acupuncture offerings or grief sessions. 

Wellness is an expansive term, and we hope to connect neighbors with as many local resources and feel-good activities as possible to help us all prioritize our mental, physical, and emotional health into the new year — and beyond.

Health Insurance Enrollment

State Senator Art Haywood’s office will host a Medicare Health Insurance Open Enrollment workshop to help neighbors explore and learn their options for health coverage in the new year. Navigators will be present to walk folks through the process.

This will occur on Wednesday, December 4, from 4-6:30 p.m. at Oak Street Health (220 W. Chelten Avenue). All the help is free; reserve your spot here.

Black Love Healing Circle

First United Methodist Church of Germantown (FUMCOG) will host the wellness organization HealYourLovePeriod, as they provide an in-person healing experience for Black folks. This event will lead participants through breathwork, sound healing, guided reflection, journaling, and group sharing to help release anxiety, stress, and trauma within a safe space.

All the facilitators of this practice are trained in spiritual care and well-being. This event happens on Saturday, December 7, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tickets are $15. RSVP using Eventbrite.

A Germantown Housing Resources Event

While not technically a health and wellness type of event, a strong argument can be made that one’s mental, emotional, and sometimes physical well-being are directly linked to whether we have the means to live comfortably and access the resources and information they need to do so.

With this thought in mind, we are adding a housing resources event organized by Germantown Residents for Economic Alternatives Together, with the support of other local organizations. This will be a sit-down-style event with short presentations from local programs that can help residents keep their homes, afford rent, repair their homes, buy their first home, and much more.

It happens on Saturday, December 7, from 1-3 p.m. at the Center in the Park (5818 Germantown Avenue). You can contact (215) 839-9508 or greatgtown@gmail.com for questions.

Yoga en Español

In the words of GIH reporter Maleka Fruean, “Yoga classes just got more language accessible.” There is now a biweekly offering of yoga, with instructions entirely in Spanish. Space & Grace, the Black-owned yoga studio on Greene Street, offers this every 2nd and 4th Sunday. These sessions, led by Maria Lopez, are a way to help build community and acknowledge the growing population of Spanish speakers in Philadelphia.

These sessions and other classes offered by the studio are $22 for a drop-in. Membership prices vary. Pre-registration is highly recommended by visiting their website.

Be Well 101 Workshops

Germantown’s community wellness café, d’griot, has a heap of offerings throughout the month for neighbors to indulge in self-care and wellness. Every Sunday, from 2-3 p.m., d’griot hosts a hands-on wellness workshop for those who want to begin or boost their wellness voyage. 

During these workshops, the founder and owner, Blew Kind, will help attendees explore herbs, essential oils, and other wellness products. Attendees are encouraged to bring various issues they are dealing with, whether work or health. You are welcome to listen even if you don’t have an experience to share. 

This event is donation-based, but you should RSVP using the Eventbrite setup. There is also a chance to join the conversation virtually.

A Season of Healing with Dr. Zarinah Lomax

This trauma-informed art therapy program will have its final two workshops this Tuesday, December 3, and next, December 10. These sessions aim to guide co-victims and survivors of the Opioid Crisis through a healing experience via art making. 

During these sessions, participants learn ways to deal with loss-related trauma, coping skills, and ways to use the loss as a voice to advocate for community healing. Both sessions will happen from 6-8 p.m. at Councilperson Cindy Bass’ office at 4537 Wayne Avenue.

No registration is required, but if you have questions, contact Maynard Merriman at (215) 678-8135 or Rose Porter at (267) 339-4498.

Grieving the Holidays

The holidays can be hard and can bring up many feelings of grief for some. To help folks transform their grief, Black.Bird.Rising’s Chantelle Todman will support neighbors through somatic practices, including breathwork, body+memory mapping, and embodying compassion to help folks “honor their emotions” and create time of solace this holiday season. 

This is a chance to connect with neighbors and find new ways to support your wellness journey. It happens Saturday, December 14, from 3-4:30 p.m. at 5838 Germantown Avenue. This workshop is supported by a grant through the Germantown United CDC, and light refreshments will be provided. RSVP

Sister 2 Sister Grief Support Group

While gun violence rates are down this year versus the past few years, the aftermath of prior incidents has lingering effects. The folks at Every Murder Is Real (EMIR) Healing Center offer a variety of peer support and group counseling services for folks impacted by homicide and violent crimes. The “Sister 2 Sister” support group is one of many specifically for women,

This group meets virtually on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. Register by contacting EMIR at  (215) 848-4068 or info@EMIRphilly.org. 

–

If you know of any wellness-related events in Germantown for this upcoming January, please send them by December 18 to rasheed@resolvephilly.org.