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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250609T120000
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UID:10001230-1749470400-1749472200@www.myositis.org
SUMMARY:Meditation Mondays - A Space for Mindfulness & Emotional Healing
DESCRIPTION:Welcome to Meditation Mondays – A Space for Mindfulness & Healing (a pilot) \n\n\n\nWhen: Every Monday (except holidays)\, 12pm ET |11am CT | 10am MT | 9am PTWho’s it for: People living with myositis and their care partnersWhat we’ll do: We’ll come together for a guided meditation session that includes brief exercises\, followed by reflections. These exercises will be led either by a special guest\, a member of the group\, or through a pre-recorded exercise. Each week\, we’ll explore different types of guided mindfulness exercises\, and people of all levels of experience are welcome. Whether you’re just starting your mindfulness journey or have been practicing for years\, you’re welcome here. \n\n\n\nTo join us\, please fill out the interest form to receive the link for the session. \n\n\n\nNote: This group will not meet on:Labor Day – September 1\, 2025Fall Break from September 2 – 30 for MyoCon Indigenous Peoples’ Day – October 13\, 2025 Winter Break from December 22 – January 5\, 2026 \n\n\n\n\n\nThe Benefits of Meditation for Chronic Illness:\n\n\n\nMeditation is an accessible tool for enhancing emotional and physical well-being\, especially for individuals living with chronic illness. Here’s how it can be transformative: \n\n\n\n\nStress Reduction: Chronic illness often brings ongoing stress and uncertainty. Meditation helps to reduce the body’s stress response\, which can lower inflammation\, improve immune function\, and reduce the impact of chronic symptoms.\n\n\n\nPain Management: Mindfulness techniques\, such as body scan meditation or breath awareness\, can help shift your focus away from pain\, reducing its perceived intensity and improving your overall sense of comfort.\n\n\n\nImproved Emotional Resilience: Meditation nurtures emotional balance\, providing tools to navigate the complex feelings of frustration\, grief\, or isolation that often accompany chronic illness. This resilience can improve your overall mental health and coping strategies.\n\n\n\nBetter Sleep: Regular meditation can promote better sleep by calming the mind and body\, creating a restorative environment for rest\, which is vital for those managing chronic conditions.\n\n\n\nEnhanced Focus & Clarity: Chronic illness can make concentration difficult\, but meditation helps clear mental fog and enhances clarity\, allowing you to focus on what matters most in your daily life.\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCommon Misconceptions About Meditation:\n\n\n\nThere are some common misconceptions that may discourage people from trying meditation. Let’s clear them up: \n\n\n\n\n“Meditation requires a completely quiet mind.”This is one of the biggest myths! Meditation is not about stopping thoughts entirely\, but about learning to observe them without judgment. Your mind might wander\, and that’s completely okay—just gently bring your focus back.\n\n\n\n“Meditation is for spiritual or religious people only.”While meditation can be practiced in many spiritual contexts\, it is not limited to any one belief system. You don’t need to be spiritual or religious to benefit from meditation.\n\n\n\n“Meditation takes too much time.”Even short sessions can bring meaningful benefits. You don’t have to meditate for hours a day to experience the positive effects. Starting small is perfectly fine.\n\n\n\n“You need to sit cross-legged on the floor to meditate.”Meditation can be done in any comfortable position. Whether you’re sitting on a chair\, lying down\, or even using a cushion\, find what works best for you.\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJoin Us on This Journey!No matter where you are on your meditation journey\, this group is here to support you. Each session will start with a brief mindfulness exercise\, followed by time for reflection and sharing\, providing you with tools to deepen your practice and enhance your well-being. We look forward to meditating with you on Mondays! \n\n\n\n\n\nTo join us\, please fill out the interest form to receive the link for the session.
URL:https://www.myositis.org/event/meditation-mondays-a-space-for-mindfulness-emotional-healing-6/
LOCATION:https://www.myositis.org/event/meditation-mondays-a-space-for-mindfulness-emotional-healing-6/
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250607T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250607T143000
DTSTAMP:20250801T204659Z
CREATED:20250605T143744Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250801T204659Z
UID:10001208-1749301200-1749306600@www.myositis.org
SUMMARY:TMA Care Partner Affinity Group Meeting
DESCRIPTION:Please note there will be no July meeting to allow our volunteers to celebrate the holiday with their families.\nJoin the TMA Care Partner Affinity Group: A Space Just for You \nBeing a care partner to someone with myositis can be emotionally and physically challenging. Whether it’s dealing with stress\, anxiety\, or the weight of daily caregiving tasks\, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and burnt out. That’s why the TMA Care Partner Affinity Group\, founded in 2022\, provides a supportive environment specifically for those who care for someone living with myositis. \nThis group meets in its own dedicated breakout room within TMA’s Worldwide Support Group Meeting on the first Saturday of each month. It’s a safe space where you\, the care partner\, are the focus—not the patient. Here\, you can connect with others who understand your unique challenges\, share coping strategies\, and discuss how to navigate the complex healthcare system. Whether it’s accessing resources like home health aides\, meal delivery\, or transportation assistance—or finding the right words to communicate with your loved one or healthcare team—this group is here to help you through it all. \nTo learn more about accessing breakout rooms\, see ACCESSING ZOOM BREAKOUT ROOMS \nWhen?\nFirst Saturday of every month at:\n1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT | 10:00 AM PT \nThe emotional demands of caregiving are real\, and sometimes\, you just need a place to express frustrations\, share victories\, and lean on others who truly understand. The TMA Care Partner Affinity Group is here to provide the support\, resources\, and community you need to continue on your journey. Join us and find the strength to take care of yourself\, too. \nRegister Here \n 
URL:https://www.myositis.org/event/tma-care-partner-affinity-group-meeting-13/2025-06-07/
CATEGORIES:Support or Affinity Group Meeting
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ORGANIZER;CN="Rachel Bromley":MAILTO:Rachel@myositis.org
LOCATION:https://www.myositis.org/event/tma-care-partner-affinity-group-meeting-13/2025-06-07/
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250604T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250604T213000
DTSTAMP:20260310T185113Z
CREATED:20250605T143731Z
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UID:10001155-1749067200-1749072600@www.myositis.org
SUMMARY:TMA Flying Solo Affinity Group Meeting
DESCRIPTION:Register Here \nJoin TMA’s Flying Solo Affinity Group: Support for Those Living with Myositis Without a Live-In Care Partner \nThe TMA Flying Solo Affinity Group is a dedicated space for individuals diagnosed with myositis who do not have a live-in care partner. Whether you live alone\, are married but your spouse is unable to provide care\, or even find yourself as the caregiver for your spouse\, this group is here to offer understanding and support. \nLiving with myositis can be particularly challenging without a live-in care partner\, but Flying Solo offers a community where you can connect with others who truly understand your unique circumstances. Share experiences\, find helpful resources\, and gain insights on managing daily life with myositis while navigating the complexities of independence and self-care. \nWhen?\nFirst Wednesday of each month at:\n8:00 PM ET | 7:00 PM CT | 6:00 PM MT | 5:00 PM PT \nJoin us for this monthly meeting to connect\, find strength\, and support each other in our myositis journeys. You are not alone – come share and learn with others who “fly solo” like you! \nRegister Here \n\n \nAbout the Leader | Rhonda Rogers \nRhonda Rogers\, diagnosed with Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM)\, is a passionate myositis advocate\, also known as “Myositis Warrior”\, who brings connection\, humor\, and heart to everything she does. She co-leads TMA’s Southern California Support Group and facilitates the TMA Flying Solo Affinity Group for people living with myositis who do not have a live-in care partner. Rhonda also administers the popular Myositis Warrior Facebook public group\, known for its upbeat\, candid\, and often humorous take on the unbelievable realities of life with myositis. Whether leading community groups or raising awareness in her signature Myositis Warrior cape at events like Comic-Con\, Rhonda inspires others to meet life with resilience and a smile. \nIn recognition of her outstanding leadership and support for the myositis community\, Rhonda received the Marianne Moyer Myositis Leader Award at MyoCon 2025\, along with her TMA Southern California co-leader\, Nancy Harber. This award honors TMA volunteers who lead the way by helping others and making a lasting impact.
URL:https://www.myositis.org/event/tma-flying-solo-affinity-group-meeting-23/2025-06-04/
CATEGORIES:Support or Affinity Group Meeting
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ORGANIZER;CN="Rhonda Rogers":MAILTO:Rogers@myositis.org
LOCATION:https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqc-GsrTksGt3aRRRGipKTWPzy7-n18ME4#/registration
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