Gordon Woodworth (2021)
From left: Erica Woodward, Justin Hall, Joe Zakriski and Ryan Carpenter.
Veterans Wellness Open House Nov. 11 at Atlas Jiu Jitsu
A collaborative open house to introduce military veterans and the local community to kettlebell, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, cardio kickboxing and emotional balance yoga is Veterans Day, Thursday, Nov. 11, from noon to 4 p.m. at Atlas Jiu Jitsu and Simple Strength and Conditioning in Midtown Plaza in South Glens Falls.
Free or donation-based classes will be offered by Atlas Jiu Jitsu instructor Joe Zakriski; former Marine Ryan Carpenter of Simple Strength and Conditioning kettlebell gym; U.S. Army veteran Justin Hall in cardio kickboxing; and certified RYT Erica Woodward, who recently completed specialized training with the Veterans Yoga Project to teach yoga to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.
“The goal is to work together to bring awareness to the vast needs of area veterans, to offer things that might not be offered through traditional veteran services,” Woodward said.
Hall is in the midst of competing in 22 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournaments over the next year to raise money to reduce veteran suicide through his organization, Operation Rolling for Resilience. All proceeds from the open house, which will include a bake sale, will benefit Operation Rolling for Resilience and the Veterans Yoga Project.
Hall is competing in Jiu Jitsu competitions “to honor the 22 veterans who lose the war at home, every day,” his Facebook page says.
[FoothillsBusinessDaily.com talked to Veterans Business Council members about this issue. Read more here.]
Local recovery advocate Judy Moffitt, and psychology coach and mental health practitioner Herman Johnson, will be in attendance as well.
For more information on the open house and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Erica Woodward at 518-791-6575.
$7,000 for Common Roots Foundation
The inaugural “Beat the Brewers” disc golf tournament was a solid success early last month, an official says.
“Despite the rain and cold weather, we had over 120 players participate and raised $7,000 for the Foundation!” writes Sean Rafferty, the Executive Director of the Common Roots Foundation, the host of the event. The tournament pitted Common Roots brewery staff against teams at novice and advanced levels for prizes and bragging rights.
“We are even considering a winter Beat the Brewers event, possibly in February 2022. So I’m very happy with the outcome!”