Qi Gong (pronounced chee gung) is an ancient Chinese health care practice that integrates physical postures and gentle movements, breathing and focused mind. “Qi” means vital energy or life force, and “gong” means accomplishment, or skill that is cultivated through steady practice. Together, Qi Gong means cultivating energy and is practiced for health maintenance, healing, and increasing vitality.

In this one hour class, we will learn the different qi gong movements that help reduce stress, increase vitality, and build stamina.

Sandra Medina Bocangel is a physician from Mexico with a specialty in physical medicine and rehabilitation, and a Master in Oriental Medicine and Acupuncture. Her offices are in Austin and San Antonio. She has been practicing meditation for 15 years, and is a Zen Buddhism student in Austin.

You’re never too young for storytime! Our littlest book lovers stroll in to Infant Storytime to hear fun songs, stories, and fingerplays, followed by open free-play with other wee ones. Designed for children from 0 to 12 months old.   

Come to Laura’s to enjoy a demonstration of a Music Pups class, normally offered at Clavier-Werke School of Music. Music Pups is a program for parents and children to learn playful and creative ways of developing musical skills from an early age. Mixed age classes are developmentally appropriate and allow siblings to enjoy music together. Designed for children age 0 to 4 with their caregivers. Our demo class is about 30 minutes long.

Andres Vargas was born in Chile, where he began his piano studies at the age of three. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from the Universidad Austral de Chile where he studied with Ximena Cabello. In 2004, he became a private student of Krassimira Jordan, artist-in-residence at Baylor University. In the fall of 2008, Andres relocated to the United States in order to pursue a master’s degree in Piano Pedagogy and Performance at Baylor University. He has performed in several cities in Chile, as well as in Europe and the U.S.A.

Handler Holly with Dog Chula will be at Laura’s Library to read with kiddos or visit with them. Pre-readers and readers are welcome. No registration is required.

Be sure to call the library to confirm if Chula is in and to ask for any last minute cancellations.

About the Program:

The Bow Wow Reading Dogs program is designed to help below grade level readers improve their skills. Our program is based on the Intermountain Therapy Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) ® program. The program improves children’s reading and communication skills by employing a powerful method: reading to a dog. Teams are currently working with children in Round Rock ISD, Eanes ISD, Georgetown ISD, Jarrell ISD, Austin ISD, and Leander ISD and at the Pflugerville, Round Rock, Wells Branch and Leander Libraries on a regular basis. Our teams have provided many, many special onetime programs throughout the Greater Austin area. You can see more at austindogalliance.org.

Make Mondays fun days! Meet up with your friends at the world’s best play date. Your kids can play with each other and make new friends, and food trucks will be on site with delicious local food. Fun for all, and no cooking or clean-up for you – a great way to start your week!

Upcoming Food Trucks:

• 5/21   Taste of Salvation
• 5/28  HOLIDAY, LIBRARY CLOSED
• 6/4    Texas Chili Queens

Westbank Libraries is partnering with Austin Senior Resource Alliance to present a year-long series of candid conversations with local experts focused on the unique and complex issues facing Austin’s mature homeowners and families. Join us on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 10:30am at Laura’s Library to be part of the conversation. Check out each month’s topic below:

• January: The Truth About Living to be 100
• February: The Truth About Probate for Property Owners
• March: The Truth About Decluttering Your Home
• April: The Truth About “Advance Care Planning”
• May: The Truth About Avoiding Homeowner Scams
• June: The Truth About Communicating with Adult Children
• July: The Truth About 55+ Senior Living Options
• August: The Truth About Liquidating the Extra “Stuff”
• September: The Truth About Building, Buying, or Remodeling Your “Last” Home
• October: The Truth About Selling As-Is
• November: The Truth About Living, Dying, and Leaving a Legacy
• December: No Seminar

May Topic:

With all the mail, email, and unsolicited phone calls, it is becoming more and more difficult to determine what is legitimate and what might be a scam! Scammers often utilize public information pertaining to home ownership to take advantage of responsible property owners.

Learn how to detect and avoid homeowner related scams at this 90-minute panel event featuring local subject matter experts.

Join Ms. Cristen for Storytime every Tuesday. This program develops early literacy skills through story sharing, music, and crafts or activities. All ages welcome!

Our 20-minute lunchtime meditation is an opportunity to relax, breathe, and de-stress. Meditation can sometimes bring up emotions, and participants are invited to stay and share those experiences with the group following the meditation if they choose.

Elizabeth is a meditation facilitator, dedicated to assisting people in the journey of mindfulness. She has practiced meditation for the past 17 years, facilitates a weekly mindfulness meditation at the Westbank Library, Mindful Eating Workshops at the YMCA, in addition to yearly Children’s Mindfulness Programs in local Austin.

Elizabeth brings mindfulness meditation into the workplace as well as having a private practice in Austin, where she works with clients on an individual basis. Elizabeth attended the University of Santa Monica, receiving a Masters in Spiritual Psychology. Prior she attended the University of Colorado receiving a Bachelors of Fine Arts. Additionally Elizabeth has been through the 8-week University of Massachusetts/MBSR (Mind-Based Stress Reduction) Course, and Certified through the Mindful Schools for K-12.