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We Come From Mermaids II: African Diaspora and Water (Pool Workshop)
November 19, 2023 @ 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Led by Chandrika Francis of Oshun Swim School. Bartram’s Garden is partnering with Oshun Swim School this fall to offer a series of workshops related to swimming and water, for Southwest Philadelphia residents.
Who this workshop is for: members of the African diaspora (Complete beginner to intermediate adults, 13+ youth welcome to join with an adult. Please register separately).
Join us for an embodied journey into African diasporic aquatic traditions! Gain swim skills while learning more about the ways our ancestors engaged with water for resistance and joy during slavery times and the middle passage, and the multitude of rich aquatic traditions in Atlantic African cultures pre-European contact. Through games, water meditation, songs, and other aquatic activities we will tap into the joy, liberation, resistance, and wisdom that connects us to our ancestors.
This space is geared towards beginner to advanced swimmers (to fully participate you can comfortably move around independently in 4ft deep water, and submerge your body in water at least up to your neck. If you have fear around entering water, you are still completely welcome to join, and engage to the level of your comfort!)
This workshop will take place at Fitness Alive Center City (1425 Arch Street, B Level, Philadelphia, PA 19102) The Fitness Alive Central City is a heated indoor full-size pool with a shallow end with steps and a deep end of 6 ft.
*Two additional waivers are required. Minors must have a parent/guardian’s signature. Please sign the Fitness Alive online waiver and Bartram’s Garden waiver at this time
*COVID-19 Precautions: Class size limited to 15 students. To increase access, students and instructors are required to be vaccinated OR have a negative COVID test within 24 hours of class time. More info below on rapid tests! Free COVID rapid tests and two-trip SEPTA passes are available at your first class. Please arrive 15 early if you plan on utilizing a COVID test
**Please note this workshop is a Black affinity space**
