Wednesdays, September 9 - October 28, 10-11 am

IMPROVment® | Improvisational Movement for Brain Body Health

Fun, creative, and lively, this series of evidence-based dance classes encourage participants to build stamina, strength, and confidence all while moving to music in a joyful and non-judgmental atmosphere. No prior experience is necessary, and attendees are invited to take the class at their own pace and slow down or rest at any time. 

Program aims: 

• to build strength and endurance 
• to focus on balance and agility
• to have fun and be creative in a non-judgemental and non-competitive atmosphere

Any adult 65 years of age or older is encouraged to participate in this class series! Those with PD, early dementia, or individuals looking for cardiac rehabilitation are especially encouraged to participate.

This 8-class series may be taken on a class-by-class basis at $8 per session, or $40 for the entire series. 

Registration is Required.

To learn more, call 207-373-6585.

MaineHealth Lifestyle Medicine, 329 Maine Street, Brunswick (Parkview)

About the teaching artist: Jessie Laurita-Spanglet is a dance artist, educator, and arts administrator based in Brunswick, Maine. Jessie’s work at the intersection of movement and health has led to her current role as Intervention Coordinator on a cross-disciplinary dance and neuroscience research team at Wake Forest University. In addition to her work at Wake Forest, Jessie has taught courses on the topic of Dance and Health at Colby College and the University of Southern Maine, where she is currently a Lecturer in the Department of Theater. Jessie holds an MFA in dance from the University of Maryland, and is a 2024 National Arts Strategies Creative Community Fellow.

Please join our postpartum support group to find the village you deserve! You will get to meet other new moms and find out that many of the struggles you may be experiencing are common and you are not alone. You will also get good ideas for coping. We vent, we celebrate, we cry, we encourage, we drink coffee and eat snacks! You can weigh your baby here and ask any questions at all to another mother or a nurse. 

The group meets every Wednesday morning at 10:30am at MidCoast Hospital. Sometimes we meet in Conference Room 1, right next to the cafeteria. If that room is not available, our back up location is the waiting room outside the Maternity unit. The group is led by our breast/bottle feeding specialists. Mothers with children 0-6 months are welcome. 

Wednesday, October 21, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm

True health is not an act of restriction; it is an art of finesse. "Savoir-Fare:  Epicurean Practices that Nourish" reclaims the joy of eating by marrying French culinary techniques with the foundational science of lifestyle medicine.

Led by a French-trained chef and Registered Dietitian, this program transforms culinary technique into daily, health promoting practices. We teach you how to source intentionally, prepare masterfully, and savor deeply—turning daily culinary rituals into your most powerful defense against chronic disease.

Registration is required - registration will close October 14. 

To learn more, call 207-373-6585.

MaineHealth Lifestyle Medicine Brunswick, Teaching Kitchen, 329 Maine Street, Brunswick

A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns about Falls (AMOB) is an award-winning program designed to help older adults reduce their concerns about falling and become more active.

If you:

• are worried about falling
• may have fallen in the past
• want to improve your balance, flexibility, and strength...

...this class is for you!

Build confidence and skills through:

• group discussion
• skill building and goal setting activities
• gentle balance, flexibility, and strength exercises

Online classes start every month! 

Join a group of 8 to 12 people online through Zoom for 9 classes led by 2 trained coaches. We can help you learn how to use Zoom so you feel comfortable joining. 

Access to a device (computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone) with a camera and microphone is needed to participate in this class.

If you have questions or need help to register below, email AMOB@mainehealth.org or call 207-661-3762.

Coastal Communities Teens Kicking Asthma Breathe Well Group
Join us for a self-management education program designed for teens ages 11–16 (grades 6–10). Through a fun, interactive approach, the program empowers teens by using learning techniques tailored for their age group.

The curriculum highlights asthma self-management practices, including recognizing early warning signs, identifying and avoiding triggers and using medications properly. By practicing these skills in a supportive setting, teens will gain the knowledge and confidence needed to better manage their asthma every day.

This program is taught by an American Lung Association-trained facilitator that delivers structured curriculum in a community-based small group setting.

To register, email or call Suzan Michelle Collins at: 207-301-5892 or Suzan.Collins@mainehealth.org   

Suzan Michelle Collins, BSRT, RRT, is a second-year graduate student working on her graduate degree in Respiratory Care at Boise State University. She is a certified asthma educator and holds specialty certifications as a COPD educator, pulmonary disease educator, tobacco treatment specialist and in pulmonary rehabilitation.

She has received national awards for her work in Asthma Management from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Dr. Charles H. Hudson Award for her work in Cardiopulmonary Health from the ARCF and the Nick Jones Breathe Strong Rally Champion Award from the COPD Foundation. Locally, she has received the 2024 Operations Transformation Advocate Award from MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital and has been invited to present her research and work performed here for several national conferences.  

Suzan volunteers for many organizations, supporting and advocating for patients and the cardiopulmonary profession.

We are offering this class in person at Maine Medical Center, Portland. You will receive directions to parking and the classroom once you have registered.

To avoid duplicate charges, please register only ONE participant per class.  Adding a 2nd person’s name to the cart when registering will automatically generate a duplicate charge. The registration fee includes the registrant and one support person. 

A receipt will be provided for insurance reimbursement purposes. Reimbursement is subject to individual insurance plans, refer to your plan for additional information.

If you cannot afford the registration fee due to financial hardship, please contact childbirth education at childbirtheducation@mainehealth.org. 

Rescheduling or canceling your class registration can be done by contacting childbirtheducation@mainehealth.org. Refunds for class cancelations include a 10% processing fee. No refunds will be given after class begins.

Expectant first time parents can learn about common newborn needs and behaviors and how to prepare for bringing baby home. This class includes information about how to care for and comfort a newborn, feeding, safe sleep and other ways to keep your baby safe, and tips on how to make this newborn period an easier transition for you.

We recommend attending this class between the 32nd and 36th week of pregnancy.

*Please note for our Winter classes: If the weather forecasts unsafe driving conditions, the class will be cancelled. Be sure to check your email and/or voicemail! We will do our best to reschedule or transfer you into another class. If where you are coming from has bad weather, please contact us to reschedule!

Registration fee covers the cost of registrant and one support person. Please register only ONE participant for a class so that you will not be charged twice. If you cannot afford the registration fee due to financial hardship, please contact childbirth education at childbirtheducation@mainehealth.org.

Rescheduling or canceling your class registration can be done by contacting childbirtheducation@mainehealth.org. Refunds for class cancelations include a 10% processing fee. No refunds will be given after class begins.

Things have really changed since you became a parent! This class will cover communication between grandparents and the new parents; how grandparents can help during pregnancy, birth and after baby is born; current guidelines for infant care and infant safety; and ways to bond with your new grandchild.

We recommend attending this class between the 32nd and 36th week of pregnancy.

We are offering this class online. After you are registered, shortly before the class starts you will receive an email with information as to how to participate in the class. Thank you for understanding.

We are offering this class in person at Maine Medical Center, Portland. You will receive directions to parking and the classroom once you have registered.

To avoid duplicate charges, please register only ONE participant per class.  Adding a 2nd person’s name to the cart when registering will automatically generate a duplicate charge. The registration fee includes the registrant and one support person. 

A receipt can be provided for insurance reimbursement purposes. Reimbursement is subject to individual insurance plans, refer to your plan for additional information.

If you cannot afford the registration fee due to financial hardship, please contact childbirth education at childbirtheducation@mainehealth.org .

Rescheduling or canceling your class registration can be done by contacting childbirtheducation@mainehealth.org. Refunds for class cancelations include a 10% processing fee. No refunds will be given after class begins.

The One-Day Express Course covers all of the same information as the Childbirth Education weekly evening series in one full day.

Recommended for all first-time pregnant people and their birth partners, this class is designed to provide you and your labor partner with the information, skills, and resources to prepare you for the birth of your baby.

• Introduction to Labor & Delivery You can expect to learn the stages and phases of labor, what to expect physically and emotionally, the importance of labor support, and more. You will also see birth videos.
• Practical Skills and Comfort Measures You will learn comfort measures such as relaxation, breathing, and positions that you can use both at home and while at the hospital. Even mothers planning to use medication for pain relief will utilize skills to manage labor prior to and in conjunction with the use of medication.
• Medications and Interventions Be an active participant in the decisions that affect you and your baby. Learn about induction of labor, unplanned cesareans, vacuum, fetal monitoring and more. Whether you are planning on using pain medications, or just want to understand the available options, you will take home the information you need to make informed decisions about pain relief.
• Note: This class does not include a tour of the Family Birth Center. Please sign up for a tour seperately.

We recommend attending this class between the 28th and 32nd week of pregnancy.

*Please note for our Winter classes: If the weather forecasts unsafe driving conditions, the class will be cancelled. Be sure to check your email and/or voicemail! We will do our best to transfer you into another class. If where you are coming from has bad weather, please contact us to reschedule!