Summer at Gabriel Homes starts with small changes.
Routines adjust for summer tournaments, camp, and vacations. Living near plenty of trails, our residents take longer walks. Residents have more energy and are ready to get active.
After months of winter routines, summer feels like a chance to loosen up physically and mentally. MindShift Gym fits naturally into the seasonal shift.
Each week, Gabriel Homes residents head to MindShift for weekly parkour and dance classes. The gym isn’t about moving in any right way. Courses are adaptable: they meet the residents at their skill level and help them move at their preferred pace. Some days may involve balance beams, while others may involve large obstacles. No matter what residents choose, the participation matters most.
“Adaptability is our best feature at MindShift. We aim to be a welcoming space so people of all ages, sizes, and abilities can be active.”
How MindShift Courses Are Changing This Summer:
The lessons change, but the goal stays the same: building confidence through movement. Practicing with obstacles becomes a way to build trust, like trust in your body, the instructor, and yourself. Residents cheer each other on and clap when someone tries or accomplishes something new; sometimes they race to go first on the obstacle course. What started with hesitation has become enthusiasm.
Partnerships foster success.
Gabriel Homes first connected with MindShift at a networking night hosted by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce. The partnership is possible through the funding of a generous anonymous donor, whose support provides access to community-based programs that build independence and confidence.
“Our family foundation is proud to support Gabriel Homes because of the incredible impact they have on the lives of the individuals they serve. Their focus on independence, dignity, and community integration truly sets them apart. Each month, their newsletter reminds us that our support is making a real difference. We hope others will join us in supporting their mission as ongoing donors.”