The Breath, Body, and Mind Program at the Cove Community Center in Lakewood helps individuals feel calmer, more focused and more in control. The program incorporates easy breathing and gentle movement exercises that anyone can use during stressful moments.
The free, guided session focuses on working through emotions with breathing exercises, subtle movements, and mindful stillness. These small habits can lower stress, improve mood and make it easier to handle everyday challenges. The program provides practical tools to stay grounded, think clearly, and take better care of yourself in daily life.
At Cove Community Center, instructor Paul Francis Gazarac helps community members find balance through simple breathing and mindfulness practices. He teaches seated senior classes during the week and a Monday evening class called Breath, Body, and Mind Restoration, which focuses on helping participants slow down and reconnect with themselves.
“It’s a mix of practices that help you notice your breathing, your body sensations, and your thoughts,” Gazarac said, adding that these tools can bring comfort and stability into daily life.
Gazarac’s commitment stems from a personal health battle. “I had brain cancer, and it was extremely tough physically and mentally,” he said. “The practices I learned helped me find balance, and now I enjoy sharing them with others.”
Gazarac also believes the community center plays an important role in bringing people together. “Having a space where people can come together and do something healthy really strengthens the community,” he said.
Gazarac noted that many people today struggle with stress and distraction, losing touch with the present moment. “These classes give people a chance to slow down, reconnect, and find their center again,” he explained.
The exercises may start awkwardly, but after just one session, you’ll want to make them a regular part of your routine.
Amanda Hill, a community member who participates in the program, said she initially knew Gazarac as a friend. “I actually had been friends with Paul for a few years, and when he started offering the classes, I thought it’d be a great way to help myself—come down and relax at the end of the day,” Hill said.
Now, Hill looks forward to the weekly sessions. “I look forward to them now because I know at the end, I’m going to be feeling good,” she said. “I feel much more at ease and healthier in that way, if that makes sense.”
Jessica Parker, program manager at Cove Community Center, helps support families with children under five by creating a safe, welcoming space for play and connection. “I help parents meet each other and build community,” she said.
Parker, who has been at the center for 12 years, runs programs using a three-month programming cycle and manages her schedule around unpredictable drop-in programs. A typical day includes running one or two programs and assisting childcare centers, preschools and a childcare scholarship program.
The Cove Community Center in Lakewood is a place where neighbors of all ages can gather, learn and find support. The center offers a wide range of programs, from senior services to after-school care. Staff members work to create a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, fostering bonds that can last a lifetime.
