Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese discipline of meditative movements practiced as a system of exercises. Join us for a series of gentle physical exercises and stretches. Learn the basic principles of Tai Chi Chuan, Pa Tuan Chin, Chi Kung and some of the first section of Yang-style short form. Each posture flows into the next without pause, ensuring that your body is in constant motion. Tai chi is sometimes described as meditation in motion because it promotes serenity through gentle movements, connecting the mind and body. New moves will be incorporated into the series of exercises each week.

A continuation of the Falling Gracefully workshop, participants in this four-week session will work with a physical therapist to gain knowledge, strength and balance to help prevent falls.

We dive into the finer points of the largest muscle group in the body, breaking down the form and movements of gluteal-specific strength training. Build your exercise repertoire, programming skills and overall knowledge.

Intermediate Tai Chi builds on the basic principles and content from the beginner class, continuing with the second section of Yang-style short form. Prerequisite is previous Tai Chi experience or completion of Beginning Tai Chi.

NIA stands for Neuromuscular Integrative Action or Non-Impact Aerobics. It blends elements of yoga, martial arts and tai chi with dance and yoga movements, is set to music and is suitable for all fitness levels. In a single class, you might move to classical, cabaret, pop or hip-hop music. From one minute to the next, you may stomp your feet like a furious caveman, raise your leg like a graceful ballerina or crab-walk across the floor!

Classes generally start with breathing exercises with relaxing music to get you into the NIA frame of mind followed warmups to get muscles and joints prepared for the main part of the session. Participants go barefoot or wear flat athletic shoes or sticky socks. You can bring your own yoga mat or use one of ours.

This pilot session is free for annual members; small group registration will be added starting in Fall 2024.

This physical therapist-led workshop is designed to empower women with the tools and knowledge to confidently engage in exercise before, during and after pregnancy.

• For prenatal women seeking to safely navigate exercise during pregnancy.
• For postnatal women returning to fitness and exercise with the goal of understanding how to gradually regain strength and learn how to mindfully move while healing their bodies.

Women of all ages, fitness levels and body types will build upper body strength through body weight pushing and pulling exercises. Participants will advance through stages of difficulty with the goal of eventually achieving full pull-ups and push-ups. The class gets suggested homework to do on a third day of the week because in order to see real strength gains, two to three workouts per week are necessary.

Researched and proven program to reduce falls in older adults.  Consists of a workshop that meets for 2 hours a week for 7 weeks.  Work shops are led by a health professional and peer leader who are concerned about falls just like you.

Learn balance and strength activities and strategies

Understand your risk factors and fall hazards

Gain awareness and confidence.

Registration is required.

This FREE program is offered at our West YMCA branch.

The eight limbs of yoga act as guidelines for living a meaningful and purposeful life. They serve as a prescription for moral and ethical conduct and self-discipline; they direct attention toward one’s health; and they help us acknowledge the spiritual aspects of our nature.

In this four-week course, participants will spend the first 10-15 minutes of each class studying the eight limbs  and the remaining time practicing poses, breathing techniques and guided meditation practices. This course will help you understand yoga’s traditions and improve movement, breathing, relaxation and focus to improve overall quality of life.