2010 offerings continue focus on health and wellness
As the YMCA of San Benito County staff and volunteers kick off
their annual campaign, they are continuing with their mission to
make San Benito a healthier place in 2010 with continuing Health
Seekers Workshops as well as more fitness and exercise classes than
ever.
The campaign launched Feb. 2 with a dinner meeting at Cheung
Sheng, and as of Feb. 12, $28,000 toward their $100,000 goal had
already been raised.
2010 offerings continue focus on health and wellness
As the YMCA of San Benito County staff and volunteers kick off their annual campaign, they are continuing with their mission to make San Benito a healthier place in 2010 with continuing Health Seekers Workshops as well as more fitness and exercise classes than ever.
The campaign launched Feb. 2 with a dinner meeting at Cheung Sheng, and as of Feb. 12, $28,000 toward their $100,000 goal had already been raised.
The money is used to provide financial assistance to participants in programs offered through the YMCA such as the afterschool enrichment program, day camps, youth sports and health and wellness programs. At least 95 percent of the money donated goes straight into the programs.
“We hope we hit our goal and continue to do fabulous, wonderful things in the community,” said Rochelle Callis, the executive director of the San Benito YMCA. “That’s money donated by board members, and the staff has contributed more than $2,000, so the staff believe in what we do, too.”
One of the new programs the local YMCA has been able to offer, starting last fall, is a Health Seekers Workshop, which focuses on a different health topic each month.
“If you look at the Health Seekers Workshop, we had more than 30 people come last week,” Callis said. “CMAP volunteers came down and taped it. People are really getting behind it. We want to make sure the community knows how to stay healthy and has lots of options.”
The workshops are hosted at the YMCA office the first Tuesday of every month. The next one, scheduled for March 2, will have guest speakers Robert Barry, a licensed acupuncturist, and Nancy McDowell, of the Wellness Clinic. They will talk about alternative approaches to health. Guests will also get to sample a healthy recipe of the month.
“There are three types of people – there are those people who are marathon runners, bikers – it’s in them to work out all the time,” Callis said. “There are those who are not going to do it because it is not in them. Then there is a huge group we call Health Seekers who know they need to be healthier and eat better, but we need motivation – the partnership with our friends or someone who says, ‘It’s nice to see you again.'”
Callis said the classes at the YMCA can offer that support and connection.
One of the new classes this year is Zumba, a fitness class that incorporates Latin dance moves and music for a high-energy workout.
“The lady teaching it [Elena Osvold], has training with diabetes and health issues,” Callis said. “She worked with St. Louise Hospital and the YMCA in the Morgan Hill area. Zumba is a fun kind of faster paced workout.”
Another new offering is the equestrian program at Three Horse Farm.
“The ladies who own it are professional jumpers and they contacted us,” Callis said. “We had an open house – they were kind enough to host us – and we are taking sign ups right now for that program.”
Once five students have been registered, a weekday will be selected to meet at 3:30 p.m. at Three Horse Farm, on Frazier Lake Road. The program will offer limited opportunities to ride horses, but is geared toward teaching students about grooming, different body parts of the horse, horse behavior and care.
“It is a way to introduce equestrian and horse stuff to students who don’t know if they are interested or maybe can’t afford a regular class,” Callis said. “They don’t go and jump on a horse, but they learn to get close, and brush it, and clean its little hooves. It’s more about horse care and toward the end they will get on the horses.”
Some of the ongoing health and wellness classes include Tai-Chi and pilates, taught by Elaine Frey. The Tai-Chi class will be offered in five-week sessions and the next session runs March 2 through April 1. Students will learn basic Tai-Chi movements that utilize slow, gentle movements that allow one to gain flexibility, health, strength and balance. According to Frey, the practice of Tai-Chi benefits people with high-blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis and those with chronic pain or weakness. The class will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m.
The pilates class includes a mind and body mat-based workout to strengthen and lengthen muscles, improve posture, stability and increase sore strength. The class has a rolling enrollment and meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 10 a.m.
Other health and wellness classes include yoga, restorative yoga and circuit training. The YMCA is also taking names of residents interested in Inline roller hockey and lacrosse. Youth programs include a spring day camp April 2-9, outdoor basketball and tee-ball, Move & Groove and karate.
“It’s not just about the programs, it’s about what we do within those programs,” Callis said. “Building confidence, teaching care and respect. Nowadays, it takes a community to raise our youth.”
