Pilates is a low-impact exercise method that builds strength, flexibility, and body awareness. It focuses on controlled movements, breathing, and core engagement, making it ideal for people of all fitness levels. Regular Pilates practice can improve posture, balance, and joint mobility while reducing back pain and the risk of injury. It also supports mental well-being through its mindful approach, helping reduce stress and improve focus. Whether you’re an athlete looking to enhance performance or someone seeking better overall movement, Pilates offers a safe and effective way to feel stronger, more aligned, and energized in daily life.
Community News
Hear Every Moment of Your Vacation
Vacations are filled with unforgettable sights, sounds, and experiences—from waves crashing on the shore to laughter around the campfire. To truly make the most of your getaway, don’t overlook your hearing health. If you wear hearing aids, ensure they’re clean, charged, and travel-ready. Pack extra batteries or a charger, and consider a waterproof case for added protection. If you’re noticing changes in your hearing, book a hearing check before you go. Clear hearing helps you stay connected, safe, and fully immersed—so you can savour every conversation, sound, and memory your travels bring.
Caregiving Can Be Tough
Cowichan Hospice offers safe, confidential support to caregivers, those living with an advancing illness, their family and friends, and those grieving the death of a loved one. Programs include a *weekly online Caregiver Support Group, *in-person one-to-one companioning, and *wellness sessions (e.g., Reiki and Therapeutic Touch) and are offered free of charge for all residents of the Cowichan region through our Community Services Office in Duncan. You don’t have to do it alone. To learn more about how we can help, visit our website or contact us by phone.
EnJOY Summer!
You deserve to relax and enjoy the summer. Take walks in the sunshine—by the beach, in the forest, or just around your neighbourhood. Take time to reconnect with yourself! Summer is a time to celebrate the joy of being alive. Some say that joy comes when you make peace with who you are, why you are, and how you are. Are negative emotions stopping you from being joyful? A Certified Body/Emotion Code Practitioner can help you release any unprocessed negative (trapped) emotions to allow more time for relaxation, self-care, and joy! Contact me today for a complimentary information session.
CDCP and Implants
Let’s talk about my favourite subject, the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) and implants. We have recently received clarification about implants, and they are NOT covered. This includes unused and inactive or failed implants. If you have an implant in any arch, used or not, functional or not, or visible or not, CDCP will not cover any work done on that arch. This means that if you are getting a new denture over an inactive, failed, or covered implant, it is not covered by CDCP. Write to your MP to complain. Call Accura Denture Clinic for all your denture needs. Have a great summer.
Reduce Inflammation with Neuromovement®
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or illness; when it becomes chronic, it can negatively impact health. Neuromovement® lessons offer a gentle, effective way to help reduce inflammation by calming the nervous system and relieving both physical and mental stress. These lessons also teach the brain new, more efficient movement patterns, which can ease strain on the body, reduce inflammation, and support healing. If you’re living with chronic inflammation or stress-related discomfort, Neuromovement® may help restore balance and well-being. Contact me to learn how these gentle lessons could support your healing journey.
Listen to Your Body – and the World Around You
July 24 is International Self-Care Day – a reminder that caring for yourself includes paying attention to your hearing health. Untreated hearing loss can lead to social isolation, cognitive decline, and emotional strain. Regular hearing checkups are just as important as eye exams or dental visits. Whether it’s turning down the volume, using protective gear in noisy environments, or exploring hearing aid options, small steps can make a big difference. Prioritize your hearing as part of your self-care routine and enjoy staying connected to the people and sounds that matter most. Your ears will thank you!
Help SOS Get a New Bus
The SOS bus must be retired and replaced, and we are reaching out for community support. For 57 years, SOS has helped ease isolation and build community by connecting people of all ages to programs that support their well-being. The SOS Connecting Community Campaign aims to raise $200,000 for the new bus. The bus supports essential programs, including taking seniors grocery shopping, children to our after-school programs, and exciting outings for families and youth. Please support this campaign by donating through our website or by calling us.
There’s a Patch for That!
Looking for a drug-free way to feel better naturally? SuperPatch is a groundbreaking, one-of-a-kind technology based on cutting-edge neuroscience. Unlike anything else on the market, this innovative patch works through the nervous system to deliver real results—no drugs, chemicals, or side effects. It’s safe for all ages and helps support pain relief, deeper sleep, reduced stress, improved metabolism, immune function, and even behaviour change. Simply wear the patch and let your body respond. This breakthrough in wellness offers a new, effective way to restore balance, boost energy, and feel your best—naturally and effortlessly.
Prevent Trips and Falls
When you think of weather-related trips or falls, you’re likely imagining a time when it’s cold and icy outside, but summer can be just as risky. When on unfamiliar terrain, seniors should still take caution. Outdoor rugs, pool decks, sandy shores, and uneven patio flooring can quickly become a safety hazard. Our tips for summer safety for seniors to avoid unnecessary slips and falls include: *Keep areas well-lit and clean. *Wear comfortable, well-fitting, non-slip footwear. *Make sure glasses and walking devices are in top shape
Navigating Grief with Compassionate Support
Grief can arise from many experiences—losing a loved one, a relationship ending, changes in health, or life transitions. It’s not always linear, and it doesn’t always look the way we expect. At Sandstone Counselling in Nanaimo, our registered clinical counsellors provide a safe, supportive space to explore all forms of grief—whether it’s recent, long-held, traumatic, or anticipatory. Through compassionate, trauma-informed therapy, we help you process pain, find meaning, and move forward with care and clarity. You don’t have to face it alone.
