Tag: Fitness

Tai-Chi = balance, strength and flexibility

Carol Emerson Do you want to continue to live an active, healthy and independent life? Me too – that’s why I practice Tai Chi. First let’s look at the physical benefits. The slow, flowing movements gently coax our bodies to stretch and reach and increase our range of motion. The bent knee posture from which…

All about Tai Chi

What is Tai Chi? Tai Chi is a series of individual dance-like movements that flow smoothly from one to another in a sequence. When it is performed, Tai Chi synthesizes elements of movement, mind and breath, making it a mind-directed moving exercise. With Tai Chi practice, the body becomes stronger and more supple. It could…

Exercise is really good for you… until it’s not!

Joe Pinella You’ve heard the benefits of exercise: A fit and healthy body, reduced risk of cardio-vascular disease and other diseases of aging, weight control, improved mood, more energy, better sleep—the list goes on. If doctors could prescribe this in a pill form, then exercise would be the most effective medication in the history of…

Look inward instead of in the mirror

Susan Dawson-Cook Looking in mirrors is discouraged in yoga classes. In fact, most yoga studios have only walls and windows so there’s no temptation to look. By relying on body cues instead of reflections, students tend to perform appropriate movements for their bodies and avoid imitating others. Studying your reflection isn’t always constructive. One self-critical…

Nourish the body and mind with Tai Chi

Carol Emerson I keep seeing the term “self-care” in magazine articles, books and social media these days and I’m really loving it. Of course, most of us pay very little attention to caring for ourselves; most of our effort goes to caring for others – spouses, children, pets, even the house gets a lot of…

Get flexible

Susan Dawson-Cook If lacing up shoes and grasping items on high shelves is becoming a strain, you’re probably wishing you could stop this inflexibility from worsening. The bad news is that muscle tissue, ligaments and tendons lose some elasticity with age. The good news is that if you perform appropriate activities to activate the tissues,…

Demo Day 2 of cross training smorgasbord

Participants stepped out of their comfortable exercise box to cross train.

Susan Dawson-Cook Vital Moves hosted a three-day, free class extravaganza at the HOA 1 Fitness Center June 15 through 17. Participating members were urged to step out of their comfortable exercise box to cross train with some different class formats. Nearly 300 members participated in the dozens of classes held over the course of the…

Tai Chi in the summer time

Carol Emerson

Ken Emerson The hot days of summer have arrived and it’s time for some relaxing indoor activities. Tai Chi is a great way to relax while, at the same time, experiencing some gentle exercise, settling the mind and learning something new (and good for you!). The summer classes tend to be smaller so we are…