Exercise, Health, and Wellness   

Chair yoga is so popular now….for many reasons. One is because people can get the benefits without getting on the floor and most everyone can do it. It increases circulation, keeps the joints lubricated, promotes relaxation, helps with better breathing, works on balance and increases strength. Come reap the benefits of this practice. You can do it! 

This course is meant to be a movement class generated to the folks in the room. While we might take adapted ballet techniques, we're not rigid on meeting certain techniques. Instead, we focus on the physical/social/emotional wellness of the students in the virtual room. We believe that movement can be generated anywhere (like our homes or wherever you're calling from) while building community in virtual space (to show we can still build connection in virtual formats). This course is designed to get us in tune and connected to our bodies, develop a deeper sense of physicality, and enjoy joyful movement. Creative Movement will be a safe and inviting space to try new things and explore new forms of dance. Course Note: Since this course seeks to accommodate all participants, it is essential that students make it possible for the instructor to provide feedback. It is useful for participants to leave their Zoom camera on so the instructor can most effectively guide and encourage participants.  

Course Note: Since this course seeks to accommodate all participants, it is essential that students make it possible for the instructor to provide feedback. It is useful for participants to leave their Zoom camera on so the instructor can most effectively guide and encourage participants. 

 

In this 11th Exploring Longevity series, we will continue to explore human posture, an evolutionary miracle that enabled our species to evolve from quatrupedalism to bipedalism. We will explore how the S-shaped spine and upright posture have distinguished humans from other primates during our prolonged history of evolution. We will also examine how human posture, embedded in our social, cultural, and technological evolution, has played a critical role in our longevity and quality of independent living. This course has been enriched by the shared wisdom and insights from our participants’ lived experiences.

 

In this 11th Exploring Longevity series, we will continue to explore human posture, an evolutionary miracle that enabled our species to evolve from quadrupedalism to bipedalism. We will explore how the S-shaped spine and upright posture have distinguished humans from other primates during our prolonged history of evolution. We will also examine how human posture, embedded in our social, cultural, and technological evolution, has played a critical role in our longevity and quality of independent living. This course has been enriched by the shared wisdom and insights from our participants’ lived experiences. 

Have you ever felt stuck in old routines, habits, or ways of thinking? The good news is that lasting change often begins with small steps. In this uplifting class, we'll explore why we get stuck, how our thoughts shape our experience, and simple ways to create positive change. We'll discuss resilience, neuroplasticity, reinvention, and the power of opening ourselves to new possibilities at any age. Join us for reflection, discussion, and practical tools to help you move forward with greater hope, confidence, and curiosity. 

Students will acquire a comprehensive understanding of Yang-style Tai Chi, the most widely practiced and popular style of Tai Chi, commonly referred to as “meditation in motion.” The Yang postures are characterized by their relaxed, expansive, simple, precise, centrally aligned, and harmoniously combined nature, incorporating both hard and soft elements. These postures can be positioned at high, middle, or low stances, accommodating individual preferences. This flexibility renders the Yang form suitable for health preservation and enhancement, thereby augmenting strength, balance, and overall fitness. Each class commences with warm-up exercises designed to promote softness, relaxation, and looseness. We will delve into fundamental principles and concepts, fostering body awareness, balance, and meditation. 

 

Developed by Dr. Paul Lam and the Tai Chi for Health Institute, this comprehensive program, based on the Sun style of Tai Chi, provides an in-depth understanding of its distinctive characteristics. This evidence-based program serves as an effective exercise regimen promoting holistic well-being, with customizable exertion levels suitable for individuals of varying abilities, including young seniors. It incorporates unique gentle qigong practices and a higher stance, making the learning process engaging and enjoyable. Published medical studies have demonstrated that this program offers numerous health benefits, including arthritis symptom relief, reduced pain, improved balance, fall risk reduction, flexibility, strength, cardiovascular fitness, immune system support, and tranquility. Arthritis foundations and the CDC recommend these evidence-based exercises. Each class commences with gentle warm-up exercises to foster softness, relaxation, and looseness, followed by the learning of fundamental Tai Chi postures, principles, and concepts. 

Have you ever felt guided by a dream, a coincidence, an animal symbol, or a deep inner knowing you couldn’t quite explain? In this reflective and experiential class, we will explore the idea of spirit guides and invisible helpers through meditation, symbolism, intuition, synchronicity, and guided imagery. Together, we’ll explore how guidance may appear through nature, dreams, signs, emotions, and meaningful moments in everyday life. This class includes slides, videos, guided experiences, journaling, and group discussion designed to encourage curiosity, imagination, and deeper connection to your own inner wisdom. Whether viewed spiritually, symbolically, or intuitively, this class offers a gentle and open-minded space for exploration and reflection. 

Join the ultimate dance-fitness party that beats a boring exercise workout any day!  Zumba (r) Gold is part of the popular Zumba (r) dance-based fitness program, and is specifically designed for active older adults.  The class includes the same wide variety of Latin and Other International rhythms, but without any high-impact moves.  It's not a dance class, though, so there are no right or wrong moves.  Stand.. sit in a chair... alternate between the two.  Just let the music move you! Wear workout clothes and sneakers, and be sure to hydrate.