By: Marvella Muro

WE RISE 2022: BY US, FOR US

Self Help Graphics & Art (SHG) is situated in a highly industrial area of Boyle Heights, a landscape surrounded by noise and gas emulsions released from a triad of freeways. The community lacks serene and meditative spaces that can help alleviate the day-to-day stresses, and although a few green spaces are sprinkled throughout, many are unsafe. 

For 2022's Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health's WE RISE Initiative, SHG invited the artists Martha Carrillo, Monica Perez and Joan Zeta to create an environmental art installation titled Refugio's Oasis. Refugio's Oasis offers the community the opportunity to stop, breathe and reflect in a much-needed lush environment at Self Help Graphic's parking lot. This tucked garden is an ecosystem of butterflies, ladybugs, bees, and colors that feed the heart and mind.  

SHG will activate the garden throughout the month with its existing wellness and environmental program series, yoga, art-making activities, music, and poetry performances. The experiences will center on individual, collective, and community wellness. And this is why we rise at SHG. Upcoming programs include:

THE PEOPLES’ YOGA

In the spirit of health and healing, our friends at The Peoples’ Yoga are offering free yoga on Saturdays May 7, May 14 and May 21 as part of our WE RISE month events. Please bring your own mat or towel to participate. Register for our free yoga classes on Eventbrite here.

We’ll begin with Rooted and Rising led by Lauren Quan-Madrid, Co-Founder of People’s Yoga, on Saturday, May 7 from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Lauren will share the nourishment and healing that she has found on her personal yoga journey. This session is all about finding a solid connection with the earth through bringing awareness into your body.

On Saturday, May 14 Yoga and Master Reiki instructor, Larios, will lead our bilingual Family Yoga class from 10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. This yoga session will be use playful and creative movement, mindfulness, and meditation for the entire family to enjoy together! The session will begin with a warm welcome followed by a variety of activities including story time, stretching, learning postures, and more. RSVP here.

On Saturday, May 21 from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., join us on the mat for Body Love with Yoga instructor Carly, intended to support your beautiful and whole body. The session will begin with a warm-up, then flow into fun and invigorating poses with smooth transitions that link your movement with your breath. Gentle reminders to love your body will be sprinkled all over you!

FAMILY WELLNESS DAY

Join us for a Family Wellness Day on May 14, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.! We will begin with family yoga at 10:00 am, then have a short music therapy class demo with Stepping Tones at 11:30 a.m., especially for kids 0-6yrs old; followed by a stuffed doll-making class at 1:30 p.m.

Alongside all these activities, we will have vendors sharing wellness products, and organizations that work with the community on mental health and other services. There will be free wellness kits for all attendees and a food vendor!

We’ll have wellness resources from The Wellness Center, Psyches of Color, Stepping Tones and Nutrición Bilingue con Ana; as well as wellness vendors and products such as Ixoq Arte, The Garden LA, and Yerberia Mayahuel. Register here.

WELLNESS WEDNESDAY

The SHG Youth Committee invites you to its WE RISE: Wellness Wednesday workshop, May 18 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. with Dr. Elena Esparza. An herbalist, chiropractor, activist, and healer, Dr. Elena will teach you how to use herbs commonly found in our kitchens and gardens and how to practice self-care. This workshop is free and recommend for ages 15+.

GARDEN CONCERT

Join Self Help Graphics & Art in a Garden Concert as a closing celebration of the WE RISE initiative on Thursday, May 26, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. -8:30 p.m. Listen to poetry by Alison M. De La Cruz, féi hernandez, and others, and musical performances by SHG’s youth committee members and Eddika Organista; as well as a dance performance by the vibrant Contra-Tiempo. Bring your friends and family to enjoy the garden art installation, churros, and coffee and spend time in community!

Marvella Muro is Self Help Graphics & Art’s Director of Artistic Programs and Education.

Jennifer Cuevas contributed to this story.