A typical Voorhees-Gibbsboro Lions Club event can include updates on service projects, a shared meal and camaraderie among members. But the group broke the mold this month by infusing its April 16 social dinner with rhythm, mindfulness and movement through a guided dance meditation session.
The township event was more than just dinner and dancing. It was a carefully curated evening led by Dr. Ghazala Farooqui, a specialist in aesthetic and functional medicine, whose holistic approach to wellness offered club members a chance to connect with themselves and each other on a deeper level.
The brainchild behind this out-of-the-box idea? Club vice president Sapana Raval, who saw the session as an opportunity to bring a fresh perspective to club events.
“Bringing dance meditation to the social dinner was about more than movement, it was about creating an engaging and meaningful experience,” Raval explained. “We wanted to give our members a chance to relax, reflect, and really feel connected – not just to each other, but to their own well-being.”
According to Raval, the idea for the club social is rooted in the power of combining mindfulness with motion, allowing for emotional expression and stress relief in a welcoming, judgement-free environment.
Her connection with fellow club member Farooqui made the collaboration a natural fit.
“Her background in sleep and functional medicine really complements the spirit of what dance meditation represents,” Raval noted of Farooqui. “It brought both credibility and depth to the experience.”
Farooqui’s facilitation helped frame the evening not just as an artistic activity, but as a form of self-care.
“She shared valuable insights on how movement can support mental clarity and physical health,” Raval recouned, “which gave members a whole new appreciation for the practice.”
The meeting went from a shared meal to a relaxed movement session, where members were encouraged to let go of stress and move freely: no choreography, no expectations, just pure expression. And the response, Ravel said, was overwhelmingly positive.
“The vision was to create community through creativity and connection,” she emphasized. “And I think it really resonated. Members were smiling, opening up and engaging in ways we don’t always see during traditional meetings.”
As vice president of the Voorhees-Gibbsboro Lions Club, Raval views events like the mindfulness session as crucial to the organization’s long-term vitality.
“We’re here to serve our communities, yes, but we also need to care for the people doing the serving,” she pointed out. “When we foster well-being and inclusivity within the club, we empower our members to bring that same energy outward.”
Raval also described how innovative programming can help boost participation.
“Not everyone connects with the same kind of meeting,” she observed. “Offering variety – like dance meditation – gives members new reasons to show up, stay engaged and feel like they belong … We’ll definitely be exploring more creative experiences like this, because when our members feel connected and inspired, the whole club thrives.”
