The weekly Food For Life program teaches shelter participants the self-care skills to maintain healthy minds, bodies, and hearts. The program is typically held in our California native plant garden. The garden setting offers shelter participants a respite from the shelter building and exposure to the restorative power of fresh air, sunlight, and fragrant plants. The program guides participants through gentle yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, and includes discussions on holistic wellness. Our hope is that this program will provide residents with mindfulness practices that will help them on their journey towards independent living.
Through our conversation with Amanda Hamm, one of our Food For Life instructors, you’ll get a glimpse into the program and its impact. In Amanda’s career and growing up, she gravitated to all things movement. An athlete, professional dancer, and performer, she found yoga after college and sustaining some dance injuries.
“I fell in love with how yoga integrates all parts of self- breath, body, mind, and offered the feeling of connection, rejuvenation, and curiosity within me, " she says. “Seeing students light up and experience the magic of tuning into their bodies, then noticing and identifying sensations is such a joy to witness. Awareness is the first step when creating lasting change. Awareness is the first step when creating lasting change. It’s an honor to create space for students to feel more resilient, connected, grounded, and safe.”
Amanda Hamm, Food For Life Program Instructor
Given your background in dance and yoga, how does the art of movement and connecting with oneself through stretching and breathing play such a pivotal role in mental health and recovery?
Amanda: Our bodies are the place where we sense, perceive, and experience the world, and where we take action. How we move (or don’t move) can play a big part in how we experience things like pain, and how we respond to certain situations or people. When we give ourselves space to pause and identify what sensations and emotions we are feeling, then follow that up with letting our bodies and brains experience something different, we create the potential to change how we are feeling/perceiving, which can shift how we respond. Through movement and breath, we might be able to change the level of intensity of pain or discomfort in our bodies, we might give ourselves a chance to feel safer with more support, or we might feel less confined because we start exploring movement options. In turn, these shifts might help with feeling less reactive, angry or frustrated when challenging situations arise.
When I teach class at FFL, I want the participants to pay attention to how it feels to inhabit their bodies, and I encourage them to do what feels good. I want them to notice and identify how it feels to experience certain things. I want them to understand they have tools available that might help them feel differently, and, in turn, respond differently. I am using movement, breath, and mindfulness exercises as support while they navigate the challenge of recovery and the stressors of life. My goal is that they utilize these tools, turn to these practices to help them cope in difficult moments rather than turn towards old habits and coping mechanisms that are unhelpful and no longer serve them.
What are some examples of exercises used within the Food For Life classes that can be easily incorporated into someone’s daily routine?
Amanda: If you notice you are feeling numb or dissociated, or maybe even foggy, you can use your senses to ground you back into your body. Go slow and identify 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste.
If, on the other hand, you are feeling anxious and you can’t relax, like there’s TOO much going on in your body, go for a walk or have a mini dance break for 5-10 minutes. Sometimes moving helps us feel more settled.
What are some of the benefits clients who have incorporated yoga and/or meditation into their daily routines have seen over time that they have shared with you?
Amanda: The two things I hear most often is that the breathing techniques help participants fall asleep, and that participants feel more at ease, calm, and relaxed after class. We need those moments of ease and calm to feel renewed and to recharge so we don’t feel overwhelmed, burned out, or incapable of handling the responsibilities and challenging parts of life.
What are some examples folks can simply do to connect with nature here in the urban jungle that is Los Angeles?
Amanda: I would say connect to nature in a way that you enjoy. The more enjoyable something is to you, the more likely you’ll make it part of your routine. Also, start small. You don’t have to devote hours of your day to nature. It could be starting a garden at home in some pots, visiting a park to sit under a big tree, or going on a walk in your neighborhood and paying attention to the plants and animals you see on your walk.
I love going to Griffith Park because there is so much to take in. My favorite hike is up to Amir’s Garden, a lush hilltop started and maintained by volunteers: http://amirsgarden.org/ The hike starts near Mineral Wells picnic area. There are lots of places to sit and enjoy the lush surroundings or meditate. You can spot lots of wildlife there, including deer!
Anything else you’d like to share about the FFL program and your work?
Amanda: I am so honored to be a part of GrowGood and the Food for Life program. This is a wonderful experience and I am so happy to share time and learn from all the participants in the program as well as my fellow teachers and the GrowGood staff!
You can learn more about Amanda’s work and connect with her at amandahamm.com.
GrowGood’s weekly Food For Life program is made possible thanks to donors! If you’d like to donate directly to our nonprofit, you can do so by going to grow-good.org/donate.