ACI Brings AXIS Dance Company to NJ for Workshops and Performance

AXIS Dance Company, an integrated dance troupe based in California, recently toured New Jersey, performing at the Performing Arts Center in Newark, and conducting workshops at Lakeview School and the Minnie B. Veal Community in Edison.

The Symposium on Dance & Disability with the AXIS Dance Company was presented by Rutger University's Clement A. Price Institute on Ethnicity, Culture, and the Modern Experience, and the Alliance Center for Independence through funding from the the National Endowment for the Arts’ (NEA).

"We were so fortunate to have such a talented and renown company of dancers sharing their skills and expertise with us in NJ", says Marisa Pierson, Senior Program Coordinator at Rutger's Price Institute and chief organizer of the symposium.

Volunteers Prepare and Enjoy a Holiday Luncheon

This luncheon was a culmination of a series of independent living skills classes on shopping, budgeting, and menu planning. Congratulations to all the participants. Great work Eulanda for organizing and teaching the classes.

ACI Volunteers Learn About Grocery Shopping and Healthy Eating

Several ACI volunteers recently completed a series of independent living workshops that focused on shopping and meal preparation. Topics included healthy eating, how to read product labels, comparison shopping, budgeting and menu planning. Travel training was incorporated into the classes thanks to the NJ Travel Independence Program (NJTIP). Participants also enjoyed an informative shopping experience at ShopRite of Edison, whose staff provided assistance and help them become familiar with the store.

AmeriGroup Heath Presentation

AmeriGroup gave a presentation on healthy eating to ACI's women's peer support group and volunteers. AmeriGroup is a large insurance corporation that offers health education workshops along with many other services including medicaid, personal preference program and management of long term health care.

De-stress and Have Fun with Coloring for Adults!

One of ACI's most popular new groups is Coloring for Adults! Established back in August, adult coloring has proven to be a great way to meet new friends and to de-stress. Experts say that coloring can lower anxiety, stabilize mood, increase attention span and serve as a sleep aid. Coloring has become the latest trend among adults and has many health benefits, but the best reason to join this group is to just have fun!

Integrated Belly Dance Classes

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Over the summer, ACI offered a 5-week series of integrated belly dance classes. These beginner classes were taught under the guidance of performer, teacher and choreographer, Farasha. The classes Influenced by the Middle Eastern form of the dance, focused primarily on seated moves that incorporated upper-body and arm movements accented by articulations of the hips and waist. We hope to offer the classes again in the future!

NJ Self-Advocacy Project Completes ACI's Adaptive Yoga Class

Last month, ACI presented a class on adaptive yoga to 25 members of the NJ Self-Advocacy Project at the municipal building in North Brunswick. Adaptive yoga has all the benefits of traditional yoga, but is adapted and modified to accommodate various disabilities and experience levels. Interested in adaptive yoga for your group or organization? Let us know!