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• Art Beats  
• Yoga

Every Last Satuday of each Month
First Class: Saturday, Aug 27th
1 PM to 2:30 PM 
Yoga with Mary Beth LaRue
$5 per family

Baby & Me Yoga with Mary Beth LaRue
Monday, September 12th for 6 weeks, until Monday, October 17th.
1:30 to 2:30
Free

 Location:  DSALA Office Community Room
16461 Sherman Way, Suite 180; Van Nuys, CA 91406

Instructor Mary Beth LaRue.

Join DSALA's Yoga program. In this program we will be working mostly with Hatha Yoga which helps to increase flexibility, align the body, and strengthen muscles and connective tissue.

Children and adults with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities benefit greatly from yoga. A yoga practice helps them develop greater concentration, balance, and confidence, and can even help with basic motor, cognitive, and communicative skills.

What can I expect?:

This hour and a half class will be both informative and playful. We will work with all levels and ages teaching breathing techniques that calm or energize the body, and a variety of poses that will help with flexibility and strength. Bring an open mind and a willingness to just have fun!

Who can come?:
Anyone age 12 and older who has Down syndrome may sign up, but they must bring a parent or caregiver to participate alongside them creating even more community within DSALA. 

For more information contact dsala at 818-786-0001 or info@dsala.org

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The Program
Art Beats is a series of workshops where people with Down syndrome of varying ages gather in various locations throughout the greater Los Angeles area to participate in the combo-experience of art and music. 

A monthly guest artist will instruct the students in mediums such as sculpture, clay, paint, silk screening, etc. 

Musical guests will perform varying styles of music from a single cellist to a small unplugged rock band. Music influences our moods and emotions. Imagine the rhythmic sawing of a bow against the cello and the sweeping arch of a paint brush on canvas - pure magic.

The Materials
Materials will be supplied and included with the class fee of $10 per student.

All ages welcome. Read the descriptions below to better understand if your child/young adult will be interested and able to participate. Students must be accompanied by adult. Space is limited.

The Goal
Introduce different types of art and an array of music to our members to inspire creativity.

The sessions will be photo documented for a book at the end of the program. This would include photos of students, teachers, musicians, and finished art.

A gallery exhibition will showcase finished pieces along with the photo documented book proving “We’re More Alike Than Different.”  The art may be auctioned to raise money for the DSALA. Each student has the right to keep his art and not have it considered for auction, but including all the pieces in the gallery will be important.

Please contact Gina Vivona with any questions gina@gvcreative.com

See the book from Season 1. The season was a great success due to the participation of the students, parents, and volunteers. In our pilot program of 5 sessions, we reached 31 students ranging from 3 - 43 years of age. We participated in painting, pottery, and photography producing some beautiful works of art while listening to live music including a jazz trio, a percussionist, and a violin/guitar duo.

The Schedule
The program is set to run on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 10:00am - noon. 

May 21 | Saturday | 10am - noon 15 Spaces Available

Artist: Michelle Lee

Class: Make Your Own Music!
Students will make and decorate percussion instruments using everyday objects. 
A fun, interactive concert with Oak Avenue School's "Giving Bach"  Orchestra will follow!

Musicians: Richard Meyer and the school's 66-piece string orchestra

Location: Oak Avenue School, Temple City
Class size: 20 max 
Class fee: $10/student

June 18 | Saturday | 10am - noon 10 Spaces Available

• Artist: to come
• Class: to come
• Musicians: to come
• Location: to come
• Class size: 10 max 
• Class fee: $10/student

July 16 | Saturday | 10am - noon 10 Spaces Available

• Artist: to come
• Class: to come
• Musicians: to come
• Location: to come
• Class size: 10 max 
• Class fee: $10/student

August 20 | Saturday | 10am - noon 10 Spaces Available

• Artist: to come
• Class: to come
• Musicians: to come
• Location: to come
  Class size: 10 max 
  Class fee: $10/student

September 17 | Saturday | 10am - noon 10 Spaces Available

• Artist: to come
• Class: to come
• Musicians: to come
• Location: to come
  Class size: 10 max 
  Class fee: $10/student

October 15 | Saturday | 10am - noon 10 Spaces Available

• Artist: to come
• Class: to come
• Musicians: to come
• Location: to come
  Class size: 10 max 
  Class fee: $10/student

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Program Committee: Gina Vivona, Art Director | Wesley C. Switzer, Music Director | Amy Biller, Photographer

This program is supported by the DSALA and the Simms Family.

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