In celebration of Women’s Wellness Month, Lorraine Hughes, owner of Empowered by Nature, will teach two special courses for women through Dutchess Community College South in Wappingers Falls. The Feminine Second Spring: Evolving with Grace, Vitality and Beauty through Peri-Menopause and Menopause will be offered May 5, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Qi Gong for Women, a three-class series, will be offered May 9, 16 and 23, from 6 to 8 p.m.

The Feminine Second Spring (course number LES453) will focus on navigating the natural transition from the reproductive years into a “heart-centered and creative” menopausal phase. “I’ll talk about enhancing and maintaining your vitality while aging gracefully as you transition through life phases,” Hughes says. The cost of the course is $49.

Qi Gong for Women (LES452) teaches this ancient form of exercise as a tool for growth and fulfillment in middle age. “Many women dread this stage of their lives, when in fact these are the very best of years,” Hughes says. “Qi Gong for Women provides mindful movement, breath and intention that will help us connect to our divine feminine self in mind, body and spirit.” The cost for all three sessions is $69.

Hughes has practiced planetary herbalism and nutrition for more than 12 years, working with women’s fertility, lifestyle and transitional health issues. She is a clinical herbalist, registered herbalist and certified qigong instructor.

To register or for more info, call 845.431.8910 or visit SUNYDutchess.edu/cfweb. (Look under Personal Enrichment Program—Holistic Health. Refer to course numbers when registering.)