Page 56 - San Diego Woman Magazine POWER WOMEN ISSUE

Power Women

Photo by Wayland Lim

“Health and Wellness in Retirement”

FTER 26 YEARS OF TEACHING AT parks (Yosemite, Sequoia, Bryce Canyon, retirement, and Karen feeling settled in her
ASan Diego City College, Karen is still Zion, and Grand Canyon). This coming retirement after downsizing to Carlsbad.
involved in positively impacting others. year will take her on a Panama Cruise Turning 64, Karen has a new zest for life
She has taken a long journey to develop with a group of 50 people and a Baltic Seas and making the best of each day getting
a healthy mind and body. Having been cruise with a friend who lectures on luxury out of bed without pain and grateful for all
diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in cruise lines. She is grateful to have the that has come her way. She is learning to
2003 at one point, Karen was having prob- mobility to travel without pain. play the piano to challenge her mind, keeps
lems sleeping, combing her hair, brushing Karen’s latest passion is starting a busy socially and soon hopes to write her
her teeth and climbing stairs. The stress of second career as an event coordinator. memoir with the title “Hollow Bamboo:
having her first child at 44 years of age also She has had years of experience as Past Yellow on the Outside.” Being a teacher by
threw her body for a loop; she took a tail- President of the California chapter of the heart, Karen is excited to share her journey
spin into postpartum depression for years. College Reading and Learning Association and continue making a difference in other
Now in retirement since 2017, she (CRLA)and was the on-site chair for the people’s lives through bringing eastern
keeps busy with yoga, tai chi, working out national CRLA conference in San Diego practices to our hectic American lifestyle.
at the Ecke YMCA and walking her two with 800 participants. At City College, Everyone from high school students to
shih tzus twice a day. She has been very she was the World Cultures Co-Director senior citizens can benefit from the goals of
involved with the San Diego Women’s for many years organizing events such as Karen’s workshops:
Association and held many roles from Chopra Day and bringing in renowned • Reduce Stress
past president to chair of the scholarship speakers in science, film directors, authors, • Lose weight and eat healthier
and philanthropy committees and most and motivational speakers. Karen recently • Increase focus and balance
recently silent auction chair for the annual held a day-long workshop “Health and • Improve deeper more restorative sleep
Chinese New Year fundraising dinner that Wellness: Eastern Practice in a Western • Renew energy
attracts 350 attendees from the San Diego World” bringing seven seasoned practi- • Motivate yourself to create positive
community. Last year, the SDCWA organi- tioners to a day-long event on March 2, change
zation offered 12 college scholarships and 2019, at the California Institute for Human
six philanthropy groups in San Diego. Science (CIHS) in Encinitas. For more information and to learn
She is just starting her travels this past Life is good with her 20-year-old more about future Health and
year and went to Boston, MA, Newport, daughter graduating from Loyola Mary- Wellness Workshops email Karen at
RI, Monterey, CA and trips to the national mount University in May, husband near kjlim12212@gmail.com

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