Mental Wellness – Page 9 – Rise in Wellness

Coping During Coronavirus: Resources to Escape the Impending Boredom

Posted on March 17, 2020March 12, 2021 by

As you should know by now, the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is by practicing “social distancing,” quarantine, and isolation. It is not unusual to experience feelings of anxiety, worry, or fear during an unprecedented time such as this. Here are some resources to help you cope with the boredom, loneliness, or uncertainty you may experience/be experiencing:

Mental Health Resources/Telemedicine

Dr. Peter Cornish will be offering sessions via Zoom. Contact him for more information.
Online Therapy (BetterHelp is not free, but this article offers links to other online therapy platforms that ARE free): https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/therapy/get-free-online-therapy-should-you-use-free-counseling/
Telemedicine – your PCP may already have a preferred platform, if not here are a few sites (Check with your insurance provider about coverage/preferred platforms): https://patient.doctorondemand.com/register/; https://amwell.com/cm/; https://www.teladoc.com/; https://www.mdlive.com/; https://www.healthtap.com/for-members
Online AA Meetings: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a71ccw7ihaWelksKwOp4AzAkYlVqSoKiN6Gsm38bKMU/preview?fbclid=IwAR2R5czpPQPPklCGgMcReJZdgOuEcJ8nCIM9kUbxA1EU1r3TY328JkqfNW8

Exercise/Meditation/Yoga Classes

In NYS, ALL gyms have been closed for public health reasons.
FREE Online Mindfulness/Meditation/Yoga Classes: https://www.themindfulnesscenter.org/onlineclasses
Heartspace Yoga in Troy and Albany will be offering FREE classes via Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/HeartspaceYogaTroy/
JAI Yoga School in Slingerlands is offering FREE classes on Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/JAIyogaschool/
YouTube is a treasure trove of FREE workout videos for all fitness levels
Take a walk/jog/run outside! Just be sure to stay at least six feet away from any person you might encounter. *** NYS has waived ALL park fees ***
Take a FREE ballet class! You must create an account on the Cleveland Inner-City Ballet website for access to tutorials/guides, but check the Cleveland Inner-City Ballet Facebook page for live classes. Upon return to school, I expect to see you exclusively pas de bourrée-ing through the halls!: https://www.clevelandinnercityballet.org/single-post/2020/03/14/Cleveland-Inner-City-Ballet-to-launch-Virtual-Online-Ballet-Instruction-Program?fbclid=IwAR0wNMAev9KdTXR97X-I1nNtCc3SqTO2eSjHWsuWJ_peSu82XkznsXmlnwE
Peloton offers FREE 90-day subscription on its app, the app does NOT require you to own a Peloton-branded treadmill or bike to use: https://www.onepeloton.com/app
Metabolic Online: https://www.facebook.com/groups/155938075546703/

Entertainment/Culture

Opera Fan? Check out Met Opera’s FREE nightly streaming of a select opera (Olivia recommends the Carmen performance starring Elena Garanca available until March 17!): https://www.metopera.org/
FREE Virtual Art Exhibits: https://hyperallergic.com/547919/2500-virtual-museum-tours-google-arts-culture/
“All the Museum Exhibits, Symphonies, and Operas You Can Enjoy From Home”: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/all-the-museum-exhibits-symphonies-and-operas-you-can-enjoy-from-home
Universal Pictures is releasing its current movies online for streaming by end of this week (3/16/2020): https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/16/media/universal-movies-streaming-coroanvirus/index.html
Become the “King of Old Broadway!”. Broadway has gone dark, but you can still enjoy incredible musical theater and plays just from the comfort of your own couch: https://www.playbill.com/article/15-broadway-plays-and-musicals-you-can-watch-on-stage-from-home?fbclid=IwAR3WDSxy4cbQ4aicZXA9teqHOvQ3x–T6JZHmEKMykC5SxzwWj77Tu2t33w

Food

In NYS, restaurants and bars are ONLY allowed to do take our/delivery. All restaurants and bars are closed to eat-in customers. To order, use online services like GrubHub, DoorDash, Postmates, etc. or just go directly to the restaurant/bar’s website.
Take the time to discover/experiment with new recipes!
Grocery stores, pharmacies, and gas stations are allowed to remain open. Consider ordering your groceries online and either pick them up or have them delivered to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
Go to convenience stores, like Stewart’s Shops! Most still have anti-bacterial wipes, toilet paper, soap, and other cleaning supplies/essentials.

Education/School Work

GET AHEAD! Take advantage of the extra time you have and start/continue outlining, reading, and writing papers/notes.
Left your books at school? The bookstore and various publishers are offering FREE access to casebook e-books through June 1st: www.Follett.com/RedShelf (limit of seven e-books per student); https://support.wklegaledu.com/hc/en-us/requests/new (Casebook Connect access); https://support.vitalsource.com/hc/en-us/articles/360020563694-Create-an-Account (any Aspen/WolterKluwer not available via Casebook Connect); https://eproducts.westacademic.com/ (create an account at this site, then call Customer Service at 877-888-1330 (ext. 4)
Take an interesting, non-law related online course: https://www.classcentral.com/collection/ivy-league-moocs
Catch up on pleasure reading! Listen to a new podcast (Olivia highly recommends Revisionist History with Malcolm Gladwell)!

Miscellaneous

Get organized! Clean out that closet you can barely shut. Channel your inner-Marie Kondo and only keep those things that *spark joy*.
Craft! Garden! Foster a pet!
For more suggestions, checkout the National Jurist’s Coronavirus Survival Guide for Law Students: https://www.bluetoad.com/publication/frame.php?i=651937&p=11&pn=&ver=html5
June Farms (275 Parker Rd, West Sand Lake, NY 12196) is opening up their beautiful grounds for folks to wander around at a safe social distance. Visit their event site for more info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/june-farms-walk-tickets-100172550796?fbclid=IwAR2JygnniRPZT85qcclsyHkM2rqUoh5_lot_rPUtc4D9id0EQ3zdQS_-BKk

Most importantly, establish a routine for yourself! Structure and discipline often helps ward off any negative, intrusive thoughts. Being alone can be very difficult so be sure to check-in with yourself and others. Keep in contact via technology!

As always, please reach out with any comments/concerns you may have. The Wellness Initiative is here for all students, faculty, and staff during this tumultuous period. Wash your hands and stay healthy!

Colby Fellowship Application: 2020-2021

Posted on March 16, 2020March 12, 2021 by

About the Colby Fellowship

The Colby Fellowship was established in 2019 with the assistance of a donation by Andrea Colby, an Albany Law graduate and member of the Board of Trustees, and as part of Albany Law School’s Health and Wellness program. Colby Fellows are selected each year to assist the Office of Student Affairs in carrying out the goals of the Albany Law School Health and Wellness program: (a) to raise awareness of issues related to health and wellness; (b) to provide resources for members of the law school community who are dealing with issues related to mental health and wellness; and (c) to provide educational programming related to mental, physical, social, financial and academic health and wellness within the law school community.

Fellowship Requirements:

Colby fellows will be responsible for working with the Office of Student Affairs to further the law school’s mission of developing programs and initiatives related to mental health and wellness. Fellows will satisfy this requirement by assisting the Office of Student Affairs in planning monthly health and wellness programs, working on wellness initiatives and conducting research on mental health/wellness, which will be presented to the law school community in the format of a presentation or roundtable discussion. The fellows will work under the supervision of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs.

Hiring Criteria:

Two students (preferably one second-year student and one third-year student) will be selected to serve as Colby Fellows each year. Fellows must have a G.P.A. of 2.5 or higher and demonstrate an interest in and commitment to working on initiatives related to health and wellness within the law school and legal community.

Interested in applying?

For more information and to apply, search “2020-2021 Colby Fellowship” on Albany Law Link. Contact Dean Queenan at [email protected] with questions.

Q&A: Amrit Singh, Yoga Teacher

Posted on February 24, 2020March 12, 2021 by

1. When and why did you begin your yoga practice? Why did you decide to become a yoga teacher?

I began my yoga practice at the age of 27. I was in a difficult transition of my life, experiencing feelings of isolation and loss. My mom knew of the Kripalu yoga center on Wolf Rd. in Albany. She suggested I try yoga, she thought it would really help me. So, I did. I began with a few sessions in 2000 and continued practicing, even with a Maternity Yoga class in 2005, when I was pregnant with my oldest son.

From the beginning I wanted to become a teacher. In 2001 I explored the options for yoga teacher training. The only place I found was at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, in Lenox, Ma, about an hour away. I couldn’t figure out the logistics of the travel and the financial requirements so I let the idea rest until 2015. I had joined the Ciccotti Center in Colonie and was very much attached to the style and energy within the classes that I was attending. My teacher, Ashley, decided to offer her first yoga teacher training which began on January 1, 2016. I decided that I would not let this opportunity pass and jumped right in! I always thought I would take the teacher training so that I could also teach, as I love bringing good things to people’s lives, but I didn’t know if I would be a good teacher until I actually started in June 2016.

2. What is one important life lesson you like to share as a yoga teacher?

I try to find the good. It’s easy to find the bad, ugly, troublesome features of someone’s personality. I try to focus on the good. It’s been my life’s work as I’m naturally inclined to look for the negative. Try to find the good so you don’t sink, so you can rise above.

3. Law school is a very hectic three years for many students, do you have a personal go-to practice to get you through difficult/chaotic times?

Early in the morning, upon waking, find 2-3 yoga poses that you love or that you feel inclined to practice that morning. Spend a few quiet minutes…5-7…in meditation. When the mind wanders, thank it for being sharp, and remind it you can return to those thoughts at a later time.

If you feel you need a more formalized and directed practice, try Yoga with Adriene online. She offers classes for everyone and every condition. And many of them are free.

4. What is your favorite style of yoga to practice?

My favorite style of yoga to practice is gentle flow. I’ve always been attracted to a practice that moves continuously but now also really love a pace that offers time for pause, reflection, space. That’s when the healing begins for me.

5. What do you do when you’re not teaching yoga?

I wish there was more time in the days! I love to exercise – walking, exercise bike, strength building. My partner, Eric, and I share 3 dogs – Ginger, Lia and Gennie. They are all rescues and although require a fair amount of work, are so loved by our family; we enjoy them so much. My boys, Naveen – 14 and Sohan – 10, are the loves of my life and have helped me to become a better, kinder person. They make me laugh like no one else in this world. As a family, sometimes with the dogs and sometimes without, we love to travel along the east coast. Our family is vegan (almost 13 years for me!) and we absolutely love finding vegan restaurants during our travels. One of our favorite places to visit is Farm Sanctuary, in Watkins Glen, NY, a sanctuary for rescued farm animals. Every summer we stay in the cabins on-site and enjoy the peace and tranquility from being in such a beautiful location.

I teach yoga part-time – 2 classes a week at the Rudy A. Ciccotti Center in Colonie. Aside from that and Albany Law, I teach once a month for the Kinderhook Runner’s Club.

My full-time job is at Wildwood Programs. I am a licensed master’s social worker and the Coordinator of Family Support Services. I am fortunate to have such diversity in my work with both a macro and micro approach, administration and counseling. I also incorporate therapeutic yoga into my counseling sessions, as well as provide 1:1 yoga to individuals. I love what I do both at Wildwood and on the yoga mat.