A Session on Wellness and Community Action
Please join the Health Equity Committee to tap into a reservoir of inner strength & peace, and connection with each other. To support our members and friends, we invited back Yoga Therapist and nervous system regulation expert Emily Kaspari. She will begin with a gentle, easy series of embodiment practices that invite us to break out of the stress cycle, reset the nervous system, and find strength and resilience. This will be followed by a presentation on "Bringing health equity home: The problem with natural gas" and then space for conversations about recent events.
Yoga Practice: This short beginner-friendly practice will be a series of micro-exercises you can take with you after the meeting. They will be specifically tailored, based on the week's events, to best serve attendees. These practices have been used for thousands of years to support physical, mental, and emotional well-being. They reduce stress, improve mental clarity, and support the physical and psycho-emotional stamina that we especially need during these times.
Speaker Bio:
Emily Kaspari is dedicated to empowering individuals to overcome health limitations and thrive. Her passion lies in sharing knowledge and tools that allow everyone to take charge of their well-being so they can live life to its fullest potential. As a Nationally Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Yoga Therapist, Pain Specialist, Certified Functional Nutrition Consultant, Master Transformational Coach, and award-winning speaker, she brings a wealth of expertise to her practice. She has been teaching yoga since 2012 and received her ERYT-500 in 2022.
For the past 15 years, she has blended ancient wisdom with modern science to create customized programs addressing the root causes of her clients' struggles. Collaborating with private individuals and esteemed organizations like the Minnesota Department of Health and the University of Michigan, Emily shares her knowledge to promote holistic well-being. Her down-to-earth approach, combining compassion, expertise, and a commitment to results, makes a positive impact on those she serves.
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Bringing health equity home: The problem with natural gas
Natural gas is closely integrated into many of our buildings in Minnesota. There's a growing awareness that using gas for cooking in particular contributes to childhood asthma. What's currently missing is an understanding of whether natural gas affects housing quality, and how natural gas might impact health equity. We will explore new data on these issues, and one strategy to increase public awareness of them.
Speaker Bio:
Curtis Nordgaard is a pediatrician at HCMC, and an affiliated assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He studies natural gas and its health impacts, and also works with the Clean Heat Minnesota campaign to support engagement on statewide natural gas policy issues.
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MPHA Health Equity Committee meetings are scheduled for the 3rd Thursday of the month from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Currently all meetings are virtual. Meetings are open to MPHA members and non-members who want to learn more and take action on advancing health equity in Minnesota.
For more information about the Health Equity Committee, please email healthequity@mpha.net and we will get back to you! The committee is co-chaired by Rodolfo Gutierrez, Erica Fishman, and Sara Rogers.