OUR UPCOMING EVENTS

PREVIOUS EVENTS

     SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: BE YOU YOGA

By: Mariah Ring

    Ayurvedic yoga practitioner, Michelle Patino, has been practicing yoga since 2008 and became certified instructor in 2016. She knew at the beginning of her journey that she wanted to be an instructor, stating that she felt destined for this line of work and that it saved her life. Unlocking the knowledge of yoga and Ayurveda made her feel whole in a way she had never felt before. Michelle teaches Iyengar-style yoga, a type of yoga that utilizes props such as blocks and ropes, to help enhance and support poses that the learner may not be able to hold otherwise, or to help a more advanced person experience different benefits of a pose.

     At her downtown Modesto studio, Be You Yoga and Ayurveda, Michelle holds one-on-one sessions and small group classes to better focus on the individual experience. Specializing in the individualized care allows Michelle to meet students where they are and create tailored treatment plans for yoga and Ayurveda, both of which are essential for elevating self-care of the mind and body. The more well known of the pair, yoga, is a practice designed to quiet the mind by altering your physical state through meditation, breathwork, chanting, and sense control. Ayurveda, the sister science of yoga, is centered around the physical health of the body and preventative medicine. By aligning all of the senses and practicing abhyanga, Ayurvedic lymphatic massages, the nervous, digestive, and lymphatic systems can be balanced and symptoms of illness relieved. By using these methods, one is able to live in more harmony with nature and better focus on healing the mind through yoga and meditation, 

     Michelle holds weekly classes and workshops at her cozy downtown Modesto studio, Be You Yoga and Ayurveda. On Mondays, she holds Yoga for Every Body, small in person classes designed to meet individual needs and provide personalized guidance to make attendees feel empowered. In addition to the morning and afternoon Yoga for Every Body sessions, Michelle hosts a Monday evening zoom class for all levels stretching. To make yoga as accessible as possible, Michelle can even travel to your space for a class or event. When she is not practicing yoga or Ayurveda at her studio, Michelle hosts workshops covering the importance of healthy digestion, ghee making, kombucha brewing, and more. These events are intended to educate and inform others on the importance of healing the body from the inside out, to live a healthier lifestyle. 

     Moving forward, Michelle hopes to continue her practice in the authentic way that she has for the past nine years. She believes that she is able to affect change in Downtown Modesto and is proud of how much growth she has witnessed since moving here when she was in her twenties. As she expands her practice, Michelle plans to offer more Ayurvedic services to enhance treatments. She intends to offer Shirodhara after lymphatic massages, a practice where medicated oil is dripped onto the forehead and massaged into the scalp to strengthen and stabilize the body and nervous system, as well as Svendana, where clients enter a sweat tent to detoxify their body. To sign up for a yoga class with Michelle or learn more about services offered, follow her on Instagram, @yogimichelle3, or visit her website linked below.

ORGANIZATION SPOTLIGHT: MODESTO CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

By: Mariah Ring

    Modesto Children’s Museum, locally known as MoChiMu, was founded and created by Modesto locals to provide a world class experience to the Central Valley. The museum’s founding families originated in Modesto, moved away, and all returned with new lived experiences. Upon returning, the families came together and devised a plan to bring interconnected learning to Stanislaus County for their children and future generations. MoChiMu’s goal is to enrich, inspire, and unite children, as well as the greater community by providing exploratory experiences through unique interactive play. Nurturing creativity, critical thinking, and a life-long love for learning are at the heart of MoChiMu's mission, making small and large scale impacts on the community. All children are welcome and celebrated at every level of learning. MoChiMu’s commitment to this is evident through their partnership with Kulture City, ensuring that the facility is a sensory safe learning environment, equipped with sensory kits and a calm room to take breaks. They are currently working toward holding sensory friendly hours for children that may need a more inclusive environment to explore and learn comfortably.

    At MoChiMu, play is an essential part of learning and there are numerous opportunities to experience the union of the two. Interactive exhibits include water, air, light, and MSR maker labs. Additional exhibits include the Color Story Train, Tall Tale Stage, Valley Proud Market, and the museum’s centerpiece - the Adventure Climber, boasting a two-story slide. All of MoChiMu’s exhibits are state-of-the-art and completely interactive, allowing children to learn through hands-on exploration. The MoChiMu Mercantile is located at the museum’s entrance and features STEM activities and toys for purchase. MoChiMu’s own book, Goodnight Modesto, is available for purchase at the mercantile, in both English and Spanish, and includes artwork from Basil Collier, a local artist. All of MoChiMu’s activities and exhibits are designed to engage visitors' senses and encourage autonomy. Those that want to explore the museum freely can rent the space for events and birthdays, or attend one of the many after-hour events.

      In an attempt to engage learners of all ages, MoChiMu hosts several workshops and events throughout the year. For curious kiddos and parents, the Try it Together Family Workshops allow children to explore a new career each month. Parents are encouraged to join their children in this exploration and work on a hands-on project together. In the summer months and on week-day holidays when school is not in session, day camps are held at MoChiMu. Camp MoChiMu provides attendees with art and science activities, snacks, and all day fun. More recently, a Parent’s Night Out was hosted on Valentine’s Day, where parents were able to drop their children off for an evening filled with games, crafts, snacks, dinner, and a movie, allowing them to spend quality time together without worrying about the kids. Workshops can even come to your classroom or event, providing a themed hands-on activity for up to thirty children. These hour-long events can be tailored to your group’s grade level and can be focused on anatomy, weather, robotics, and more. MoChiMu After Dark provides the opportunity for the over eighteen crowd to explore the museum with fun after-hours themed events. The next After Dark event will be hosted this month on the 25th, with a Swords, Sorcery, and Sci-Fi theme. 

     Children will have so much fun learning at MoChiMu that they may never want to leave, luckily memberships are offered to those that foresee several museum trips in their future. Perks of membership include unlimited admission to the museum, discounts at the mercantile and on birthday packages, first access to special events, and reduced admission prices to over 250 children’s museums across the nation. To further ensure that all children have the opportunity to learn and explore at MoChiMu, families receiving SNAP/EBT benefits qualify for discounted ticket pricing through the Museums for All program. 

     Currently, a fundraising campaign called MoChi Match is running, where all donations placed before April 18th will be matched by generous community partners. To learn more about MoChiMu or make a donation, visit them on Instagram @modestochildrensmuseum or at their website linked below!

CREATIVE NATIVE Q & A: ANGELA TOLOSA

Q: What is your name and hometown?
A: Angela Tolosa, Daly City California

Q: How were you first introduced to art? 

A: I was first introduced to art in elementary school. I remember using my huge Crayola box to color and create bookmarks. We also had an art teacher who would visit occasionally to guide us through different projects, which always felt like a fun, creative adventure.

Q: What is your favorite medium to work with and why?

A: My favorite mediums are digital and watercolors. I enjoy working digitally because it allows me to incorporate motion and music into my art, which enhances the storytelling and sets the tone. The digital space feels limitless, offering endless possibilities for creation. I’m always excited to explore new tools and techniques, like 3D and AR. Watercolors, on the other hand, captivate me with their fluidity and organic nature. Even with careful planning, you can’t control every element, especially when it comes to mixing colors and creating textures. There’s always an element of surprise, which I find refreshing. Working with watercolors feels like a moving meditation, allowing me to let go of control and be fully present in the moment.

Q: Is creating art your full time career? If not, is that your goal?
A: Yes, creating art is my full-time career, in several ways. As an art and creative director, I help brands develop visual aesthetics and brand systems that span across all their touchpoints, events and products. I’m passionate about weaving storytelling and emotion into my work, while balancing artistic expression with the functional aspects of design. I often get to be hands-on in 2D & 3D illustration, animation and motion, and create fun imagery. I also run a small business where I create handmade goods, design accessories, and sell my artwork. It’s a wonderful way to connect with the community and share my personal work.

Q: Where do you find inspiration? Are there artists that inspire you? 

A: Inspiration usually strikes when I’m not actively seeking it. It doesn’t follow a pattern, and that's part of the magic. Each moment holds potential, and sometimes it’s just about being open to whatever comes, letting the spark find me rather than chasing it. I'm deeply inspired by my creative friends and family. Their passion, energy, and unique perspectives constantly push me to grow, try new things, and collaborate in ways I might not have considered on my own. The support and inspiration I get from them keeps me motivated to keep exploring, learning, and expanding my creativity.

Q: Are there unique challenges that present themselves when creating digital art?

A: Yes, learning the right tools and software complexities can be really challenging. The learning curve can feel overwhelming, and it can be difficult to carve out proper time to learn something new.

Q: Do you have advice for youth that are interested in pursuing a career in the arts but may be anxious to start?

A: My advice would be to start by exploring things that genuinely excite you, and don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Tap into your inner child and focus on having fun with the process of playing and experimenting. That’s how you discover what you enjoy and where your strengths lie. Once you find that, you can dive deeper into that area and build the foundation for a career. Most importantly, stay true to yourself. Find your unique voice and vision—that’s what will set you apart and help you carve out your own path.

Q: What do you believe is the most prominent or recurring theme in your art? What does this theme mean to you? 

A: I’m drawn to spiritual, esoteric, and cosmic themes. I love exploring concepts like otherworldly experiences, alternate realities, esoteric symbolism, and the interconnectedness of the universe. These themes resonate with me because I believe we are all connected in some way, sharing certain universal experiences. My art also helps me feel close to loved ones who have passed. When I get into the flow of creating, it often feels like they’re communicating through me.

Q: Where can people go to view or purchase your art?

A: You can check out my Instagram accounts, @etheria_exe for my artwork and @bruhastudio for my handmade goods and creative events.

Q: Do you have any upcoming community events or collaborations coming up that you would like to promote? 

A: No art events right now, but soon! Some creative friends and I are planning a few DJ/artsy events for the summer, so stay tuned!

COMMUNITY EVENTS & RESOURCES