We Welcome Two New J-Sei Board Members

by | May 30, 2019 | News

Matthew Fujikawa

Matthew Fujikawa is the newest member of the J-Sei Board, and he is looking forward to helping continue the mission of the organization and seeking ways to expand and enrich our services. He is a long time member of Sycamore Church, a past participant of the Japanese youth league basketball, and a past player, coach, and club member of the Golden Gate Optimist Club baseball league. Matthew is a life-long resident of the East Bay, except for a few years in Los Angeles for college, and he is eager to give back to the senior community where he has spent most of his life.

Alan Maeda

Alan Maeda’s worked as a licensed Marriage and Family therapist for 30+ years and believes that positive interpersonal connections support our emotional health.   Now retired, he wants to be a part of an organization that aligns with these beliefs. Alan believes J -Sei is a place where people are genuinely caring , open hearted, and respectful.  He leads J-Sei’s Family Caregiver Support Group with compassion and skill.  “Just hanging out feels good,” says Alan.

Weekly Classes at J-Sei

Weekly Classes at J-Sei

by | May 30, 2019 | Classes & Events

Weekly Classes at J-Sei

MONDAY

Kimekomi Doll Making – Mondays, 12 – 3 pm, 2nd & 4th
Learn the craft of Kimekomi Doll making which were traditionally made with a molded wood base intricately affixing scraps of kimono fabric to create elegant figures. Instructor: Sadako Delcollo; Fee: $5

Tai Chi for Arthritis & Fall Prevention – Mondays, 1-2 pm (NEW)
Based on Dr. Paul Lam’s technique, the evidence-based course is recommended by the Arthritis Foundation and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention for its effectiveness in bringing pain relief, improving balance, and significantly reducing falls. 

Let’s Talk – 2nd Monday, 12:30-2 pm
Dr. Satsuki Ina, author of the NichiBei Weekly column “Let’s Talk”, engages participants in discussion on various topics relevant to the Nikkei community in a monthly series.

TUESDAY

Gentle Yoga – Tuesdays, 10 – 11 am  
Gentle Yoga is designed for every body. Through mindful movements, gentle stretching and breath, we will energize our body and calm our mind. 

Writing Our Histories – Tuesdays, 10 – 11:30 am
We all have stories to tell and poems in our hearts that are yet to be discovered. Join the writing class to find your own voice through the skillful techniques and gentle coaxing of writer Grace Morizawa.                                                                        

Sewing & Alterations – Tuesdays, 9:30 – 11:30 am, dates vary
Fine-tune your sewing and alteration skills and work on rewarding projects with seamstress Mary Mitsuda. 

Family Caregiver Support Group – Tuesdays, 10:30-12
Caring for a parent or loved one is a wonderful thing to do. Ideally, we would like to feel love and compassion in our heart all the time but often times, in the reality of the moment, uncomfortable feelings surface. Come share your feelings and experiences in a safe space. Alan Maeda, a retired family therapist and former family caregiver, is the facilitator.

J-Sei Sings – 1st Tuesday, 10 – 11 am
Come out to sing nostalgic and joyful songs to lift your spirits and your voice on the first Tuesday of the month. 

Ukulele Basics – Tuesdays, 11:15-12:15 pm
Learn basic chords and strumming technique to get you started. We will continue to build skills to make you a confident ukulele player. Everyone learns at their own pace and we want everyone to be successful. Offered in 6-week sessions.

Community Ukulele – Tuesdays, 12:30 – 2 pm
A lively strumming brings joy to both the musician and community in this class directed by Susan Sullivan.

Tai Chi Chuan – Tuesdays, 12:30– 1 pm
As a gentle martial art, Tai Chi Chuan brings together the mind and body through the practice of movements and form. Tai Chi can improve health, increase strength, balance, flexibility and dexterity.

Tai Chi for Arthritis – Tuesdays, 1-2 pm
An on-going Tai Chi practice session based on Dr. Paul Lam’s Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention.Recommended for its effectiveness in bringing pain relief, improving balance, and significantly reducing falls. Improve your strength, balance, flexibility, and dexterity 

Learn to Speak Spanish – Tuesdays, 1-2 pm (NEW)
Have you ever wished you could speak Spanish? Spanish is one of the most widely used languages, and is relatively simple to learn.  Come to learn and practice conversational Spanish.

WEDNESDAY

Strength and Balance – Wednesdays, 9:30-10:30 am
Stay active, steady and strong by practice and regular exercise.  The class incorporates movement, both sitting and standing, to strengthen legs, arms and core. The exercises build on “Fall Prevention” course. 

Beginning Ukulele  – Wednesdays, 10:45-11:45 am.
Discover the fun of ukulele as you learn chords and songs in a group setting. Sing, strum, and bring music into your life. 

Qi Gong – Wednesdays, 1-2 pm 
Qigong is an integration of physical postures, breathing techniques, and focused intentions. The Dayan Qigong (Wild Goose) set enhances the circulation of Qi, the vital life force within the body. Continuous practice can help improve flexibility and balance and strengthen the body and its immune system. 

Reiki Wellness– Wednesdays, 12:30-3 pm
Enjoy the benefits of Reiki in a peaceful community space.  Reiki is a healing technique that utilizes the “ki” energy to activate natural healing in the body and to restore physical and emotional well-being. Please rsvp for a 20-minute Reiki treatment that is open to all ages. The fee is donation-based.

THURSDAY

Handcrafting Projects with Fabrics & Fibers – Thursdays, 9:30 – 11:30, 1st & 3rd
Do you have fabric stash? Or have you wanted to learn to knit or crochet? Get started on a new project, or bring your current project in and get tips from crafting enthusiasts. Enjoy this social time to learn technique, get input, and enjoy social chatter.

Minyo no Odori – Thursdays, 10 – 11:30 am
The joy of the dance can be discovered through Japanese folkdance or Minyo no Odori that encompass many styles. The odori routines are gentle yet use most of the body that helps with balance and stretching.  The class resumes on June 6th.

Watercolor Painting – Thursdays, 12:30 – 2:30 pm
Experience the subtle strokes of watercolor painting that can transform the simple beauty of everyday life on to paper. Develop skills, learn techniques, and discover a new form of creative expression.

Mah Jong Club – Thursdays, 12:30 – 2:30 pm
Come enjoy Mahjong in a relaxed, social setting. Beginners can learn the basics of Mahjong by playing. Depending on the number of players we can also branch out into related matching games, Hanafuda and Rummikub. These melding games are appropriate for seniors in exercising cognitive and memory skills. 

Japanese Basics I – Thursdays, 12-1 pm (NEW)
Learn the basic elements of Japanese language:  pronunciation, vocabulary, sentence structures and most importantly conversation.

Japanese Basics II – Thursdays, 1 – 2 pm
The Basics II class continues to add new vocabulary with emphasis on conversation practice. 

FRIDAY

Japanese Craft Workshop – Fridays (1st & 3rd) 10-12 noon 
Learn various handcraft techniques, exploring various mediums and crafts. New craft is Kinusaiga, a silk picture design that incorporates Japanese silk fabric using quilt design and kimikome techniques of cutting fabric and tucking into a design board.

Japanese Movie Night – 2nd Friday, 5 -8 pm
Do you love Japanese films? Then come to J-Sei for a night at the movies! Once a month, get together with friends and fellow movie-lovers to socialize, watch a movie (in Japanese with English subtitles), and discuss the film. Meet at 5 pm for dinner (potluck optional), movie begins at 6 pm.  See you at the movies!

SATURDAY

Kikoh (Qi Gong) – 1st & 3rd Saturday, 10:30-12
Kikoh, or Qi Gong in Chinese, is a healing technique that promotes wellness by circulating the Ki (vital energy) within the body. Kikoh master Masanori Naito has been teaching in San Jose, Palo Alto, and Oakland.