Womanspace Groups

Music Groups | EarthMatters | Book Groups | Supper & Film |
Healthy Lifestyles

Explorers Group
This group is designed for women who want to explore their spiritual journey internally and with others. It is open to members of Womanspace who are looking for new energy and support as they examine their relationships, life passion, losses, talents and other processes that contribute significantly to their life journeys. Continuity of attendance and confidentiality are required. Before registering, potential members need to interview with one of the facilitators.

Course #: GE09-2
Dates: January 18, February 15, March 15, April 19
Time: 6:30–9:00p 3rd Monday of the month
Facilitators: Dorothy Bock & Lenora T. Maier, Ph.D.
Location: Womanspace Library
Cost: $60/trimester

Seekers Group
This group is designed for women, members of Womanspace, who are committed to examining life issues related to spiritual development, growth and change. Meetings are usually at Womanspace, but occasionally in participants’ homes. Members of this long-established group come together to strengthen themselves and support one another on their paths. Continuity of attendance and confidentiality are required. Currently there are no openings in this group.

Course #: GS09-1
Dates: January 18, February 15, March 15, April 19
Time: 6:30–9:00p 3rd Monday of the month
Facilitator: Elaine Hirschenberger
Location: Fountain View Room
Cost: $60/trimester

Womansong Chorale
Calling singers of all abilities: If you love to sing, this is the group for you! Celebrating their ninth year, Womansong meets weekly September through April for rehearsal and camaraderie under the direction of Roberta Flaherty. Although the primary focus is enjoyment and harmony, the chorale also gives occasional performances throughout the year, including our Holiday Celebration. Whether you read music or not; if you have always wanted to be in a choir, make new friends and sing your heart out, please join Womansong!

Roberta Flaherty is a graduate of Mundelein College (Mundelein/Loyola University) in Chicago with a degree in music. She has a Masters Degree in Music Education from Northwestern University in Evanston and an Orff-Schulwerk Certificate from DePaul University. She has been an elementary music teacher and children’s choir director for nearly thirty years. Roberta’s choirs have sung with the NPMs (National Pastoral Musicians) National Catholic Choir, the Pueri Cantores International Choir and with the AGO All-city Choirs here in Rockford. She sings with local choirs and has sung with the Mendelssohn Chorale and Joseph Caulkins’s direction of The Creation.

Course #: WS09-2
Dates: January 14–April 22
(No rehearsals February 18, 25, March 4, or April 8)
Time: Thursdays, 5:30–6:45p
Director: Roberta Flaherty
Location: Provena Cor Mariae Activity Classroom
Cost: $60

Daf Drum Lessons
Bring your Daf drum and learn how to play this mystical instrument from a native Persian. The Daf is a large hand-held drum with metal rings that jangle against the inside frame. Pardis will teach technique and also share the spiritual side of the drum as it is used in sharing the writings of Rumi, Hafiz & other mystics. In addition to the weekly class, you will need to practice regularly. Contact Womanspace for information on sources for purchasing a Daf.

Pardis Haghdoost is an RN at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center. Her passion and ancestral talent lies in reciting Rumi’s poetry and playing the daf drum, used ceremonially for centuries in her native Persia.

DAF DRUM LEVEL 1

Course #: GD09-7
Dates: March 4, 11, 18, 25
Times: Thursdays, Noon–1:00p
Instructor: Pardis Haghdoost
Location: Gallery 3 in New Dimensions
Cost: $40/four classes Register by March 2

Course #: GD09-8
Dates: April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Times: Thursdays, Noon–1:00p
Instructor: Pardis Haghdoost
Location: Gallery 3 in New Dimensions
Cost: $50/five classes Register by March 30

DAF DRUM LEVEL 2

Course #: GD09-7
Dates: March 4, 11, 18, 25
Times: Thursdays, 11:00a–Noon
Instructor: Pardis Haghdoost
Location: Gallery 3 in New Dimensions
Cost: $40/four classes Register by March 2

Course #: GD09-8
Dates: April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Times: Thursdays, 11:00a–Noon
Instructor: Pardis Haghdoost
Location: Gallery 3 in New Dimensions
Cost: $50/five classes Register by March 30

EarthMatters Group
Whether you’re a novice or active “greenie,” this group is a fun and positive way to share information and accept the challenge of helping our environment. Each month an environmental topic with a wealth of background and research is presented and discussed. Prior attendance is not required. Bring a sack lunch.

Join us in March to view and discuss the video, "The Awakening Universe," based on the book The Universe Story by cultural historian Thomas Berry and Cosmologist Brian Swimme. Through its stunning images and thought-provoking commentary it takes us on a journey from the birth of the universe through the emergence of life on earth and helps us think about our place in the whole.

Dates: March 10, April 14
Time: Wednesdays, Noon–1:15p
Location: Fountain View Room
Cost: Freewill Offering

Bookwoman

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
French author Muriel Barbery has given us a gently satirical, exceptionally winning and inevitably bittersweet narrative told by two tenants of a small and exclusive Paris apartment building. Renée Michel is the dumpy, nondescript, 54-year-old concierge for a handful of tenants who scarcely notice she is alive. She prefers it that way, though she possesses a mind of the most infinite refinement and precision. Paloma Josse, an acutely intelligent, introspective and philosophical 12-year-old, also lives in the building. She despises her coddled existence and has secretly decided to kill herself on her birthday. Enter Kakuro Ozu, a Japanese gentleman who immediately perceives that neither the little girl nor the concierge is just what she seems. Join us to discuss this intriguing book.

Course #: BW09-4
Date: March 10
Time: Wednesday, 9:30–11:00a
Location: Gallery 3 in New Dimensions
Cost: Freewill Offering Register by March 9

Supper & Film Discussion
This monthly series is open to all. Begin with a supper, view the film, and, immediately following, discuss the themes, character development and artistry of the film.

Iron-Jawed Angels
A perfect film for Women’s History Month. This fresh and frequently unheralded look at a pivotal event in American history tells the true story of brilliant and defiant women activists Alice Paul and Lucy Burns. They took the women’s suffrage movement by storm, risking their lives, but salvaging their ever-basic rights. Hilary Swank, Angelica Huston and Frances O’Connor are outstanding. Not rated.

Course #: SF09-6
Date: March 22
Time: Monday, 6:00–9:00p
Facilitator: Dorothy Bock
Location: Fountain View Room
Cost: $10 (includes supper & discussion) Register by March 18

Yoga for Girls & Women
For girls & women ages 9 & up, at all levels of ability and experience. Being a girl these days can be a beautiful experience. Come learn how to navigate this space and honor your body with yoga. Tami utilizes Hatha Yoga to help you find a happy balance between exploring your physical potential and finding that space of calm with deep relaxation. Dress comfortably and bring a sticky mat.

A Personal Fitness Trainer since 1992 and certified by The American Council on Exercise, Tami loves teaching yoga to people of all ages. She views her occupation as a way to help people. Teaching yoga since 2003 has allowed her to use her past knowledge of the body in a whole new way. “I feel very grateful that I am allowed to make a living doing something I love so much.”

Course #: YG09-18
Dates: March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Time: Tuesdays, 6:30–7:30p
Instructor: Tami Bogard
Location: Womanspace Library
Cost: $50 / five classes or $12 / class Register by February 25

Evening Yoga
De-stress and unwind after work with yoga. Tami utilizes Hatha Yoga to help you find a happy balance between physical intensity and deep relaxation. This class for adults is open to both men and women, at all levels of ability and experience. Dress comfortably and bring a sticky mat.

A Personal Fitness Trainer since 1992 and certified by The American Council on Exercise, Tami views her occupation as a way to help people. Teaching yoga since 2003 has allowed her to use her past knowledge of the body in a whole new way. “I feel very grateful that I am allowed to make a living doing something I love so much.”

Course #: YG09-13
Dates: March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Times: Wednesdays 5:30–7:00p
Instructor: Tami Bogard
Location: Womanspace Library
Cost: $50/five classes OR $12/class

Course #: YG09-15
Dates: April 7, 14, 21, 28
Times: Wednesdays 5:30–7:00p
Instructor: Tami Bogard
Location: Womanspace Library
Cost: $40/four classes OR $12/class

Yoga for Women
Yoga is an easy-to-learn workout program that not only improves flexibility, strength, balance, and stamina, but also reduces anxiety and stress. This basic Hatha Yoga class for adults will also help improve mental clarity, so the time spent in practice is more than worth it. Dress comfortably and bring a sticky mat.

Una has studied yoga since the early 70s with a number of local teachers, beginning with Behram Guard. She has also taken workshops with Rodney Yee, Donna Farhi, and Patricia Walden. Una teaches basic Hatha Yoga, emphasizing reduction of stressful tension in mind and body.

Course #: YG09-14
Dates: March 4, 11, 18, 25
Times: Thursdays, 9:30–10:45a
Instructor: Una Ryan
Location: Womanspace Library
Cost: $40/four classes OR $12/class

Course #: YG09-12
Dates: April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Times: Thursdays, 9:30–10:45a
Instructor: Una Ryan
Location: Womanspace Library
Cost: $50/five classes OR $12/class

SpacePacers
Walking is one of the best things you can do for your body, mind and spirit. . .and it doesn’t cost anything! Have fun in this women only group and meet other women while improving your health. Sometimes creative and unconventional methods and incentives are planned to reach our daily steps goal, like our Virtual Walk to Mardi Gras. SpacePacers schedules walks two to three times a week in and around the Rockford area. There is no cost to be part of this group and you are free to join us at any time for as many or as few walks as you want. If you are interested, please e-mail us to be put onto the list.

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