Volunteers Make the World Go 'Round

“You Must Be The Change You Wish To See In The World”.

One of the most impressing things about this quote is that Mahatma Ghandi’s words say so much with so few words. Being from a younger generation that was not alive when Ghandi spoke these words, I still find myself drawn to do exactly as he asks by volunteering in my community, and most notably for the VIC.

The mission of the VIC allows for each and everyone person to come forth with their vision of the world through volunteerism. Being a place of welcome for the ideas and actions of every citizen, the VIC hosts programs, workshops, classes, and other activities with your help.

Regardless of your vocation or avocation, we encourage you to volunteer at the VIC.

For more information, contact Candace Shaw at thevic.valpo@verizon.net or call 219-263-9655.

Revitalize!

Anna Dorsch can help you revitalize during a Purna Yoga class at the VIC.

Purna Yoga classes with Anna incorporate alignment, strength, balance, and flexibility and encourage physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual awareness, giving students tools and techniques for personal growth and healthy living. Purna Yoga is the complete yoga which includes asana, meditation, philosophy, and nutrition.
Through continued practice, students learn to unite mind and body with spirit - both on their mats and in their daily lives.

Classes are 1.5 hours in length and students have the choice of attending classes as frequently as they like.

Classes:
Tues. 9:30am-11:00am
Tues. 5:30pm-7:00pm
Thurs. 9:30am-11:00am
Thurs. 5:30pm-7:00pm

Prices:
Single class $13
4 classes $48 (valid 90 days)
8 classes $88 (valid 90 days)
Student rate: $10/class

Anna is an Affiliate Purna Yoga Instructor certified at the 500 hour level by the College of Purna Yoga in Bellevue, WA.

Opening Grandly

The dust is settling from the VIC’s Grand Opening Celebration held on September 19th, and I can’t help but think about how next year’s celebration is going to be even better than this year’s! Maybe it’s the mood in the Valpo air lately, but it seems the whole town is thinking globally and acting locally. With the winds of cultural infusion blowing thru, the VIC has arrived.

The festival kicked off at 10am with Yoga, Tai Chi, and an Open Air market with Fair Trade coffees, goods and wares, and handcrafted jewelry from around the world. Over 12 music and dance performances throughout the day kept festival-goer's feet a tappin' and a dancin', while inside the VIC everyone enjoyed the gorgeous art work and yummy coffee from Evelyn Bay. For lunch and dinner, International Cuisine was just the ticket with flavorings from around the globe provided by local restauranteurs.

So what is next for the VIC and the Festival? The VIC opened for classes, workshops, and other programs to the community this week. Language classes are set to start in the beginning of October with Yoga classes already happening on Tuesdays and Thursdays (9:30am and 5:30pm classes both days). There are a couple workshops in the plans and the Monthly Culture Celebrations are slated to begin this winter. The Festival will come back for round 2 next year, and our intention is to make it even more wonderful than this year's festival. We have a whole year to prepare for it, so time is on our side.

Finally, everyone at the VIC wishes to thank all the volunteers, businesses, community members, students, and the like that helped bring the VIC to the Valparaiso community. Without everyone's help and support - even when the VIC was only an idea awaiting manefestation - so many community members had the vision and foresight to see how amazing this is for the community. Thank you everyone, for bringing the World to our neighborhood!