Calmer Choice, non-profit organization in Barnstable, Massachusetts Calmer Choice, non-profit organization in Barnstable, Massachusetts

Newsletter: August 2018

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A Letter From Fiona

This weekend, I will once more lace up my running shoes and head to Woods Hole for the Falmouth Road Race. I will do this not just with the Calmer Choice team, all raising money for Calmer Choice (which is an AMAZING opportunity), but also with thousands of other runners who will be making their way from Woods Hole to Falmouth.

It is actually a startlingly impressive thing, these tens of thousands of people, all running this seven-mile race together, with cheering crowds lining the road from one end to the other. These people, who feel like sunshine, to all of us runners! I am so grateful to live in such a beautiful place, with so many supportive people.

I am again honored, and humbled, to be able to lead an organization with so many people who truly do feel like sunshine when you are around them. From my husband, standing next to me in the photo (who is my personal sunshine), to the staff in the Calmer Choice office, to our incredible instructors -- both in and out of the schools -- and our board of directors, who go out of their way to help raise the money to keep this organization going! -- I thank all of you for being my sunshine. I feel so very lucky.

Oh yes, and be sure, if you are local, to visit one of the Organic Markets out there this Saturday, as they give 10% back to Calmer Choice to support the work we do. See? Even more sunshine!!

LOVE to all of you out there, Fiona Jensen, Executive Director

Spotlight on Calmer Choice Instructor, Sasa Reljic Christakis

Sasa was born and raised in Croatia, where she worked as an elementary school teacher for 12 years. During her first career as an elementary school teacher, Sasa worked with the same group of 28 children for 4 years. She taught them all subjects. Sasa also taught her students some mindful awareness techniques because she could see the benefit of such techniques on helping children cope with stress.

When she was in her early twenties, Sasa started on a spiritual path that led her to practice martial arts, yoga, and meditation. She became fascinated with how her own thoughts and feelings arise in her mental experience. In 1994, she become a certified yoga teacher and relocated to Cape Cod to live closer to family. In 2000, she opened her own studio.

Sasa’s favorite thing about being a Calmer Choice instructor is giving an opportunity to children to talk about their feelings and thoughts, and to offer them a chance to feel heard. She also enjoys giving children a tool for how to recognize what is happening when they have strong feelings, and what to do with especially difficult feelings.

The best advice she has ever received is “Give to others without expecting something in return.”