It is that time of the year again when local community centres share their program offerings for the fall season.
I have always thought that September is much like the month of January signifying the start of a new year, when people make resolutions to improve their fitness and heath habits.
Many of the more popular courses at the two UNA community centres–Wesbrook and Old Barn—get full fast.
Registration opened last month, but it’s never too late to see what’s available and if there are still remaining spots.
The UNA publishes a hard copy delivered to residences in the area and an online version at www.myuna.ca/programs.
It is important to find an activity you enjoy. When this happens, you start to consider it not as hard work or something to dread. Instead, you look forward to it and get fit at the same time.
Cards on the table, I am a dedicated Zumba addict and spend at least five hours a week practicing my art in the local community centres. I can’t begin to describe the fantastic buzz this activity generates. I adore it.
The highlight of my week is at 9.30 a.m. on Saturday, when I join more than 70 (primarily women) in the gym. For an hour, we move to Latin tunes guided by an awesome instructor. I leave the Zumba class ecstatic, full of energy and so very happy. The best hour of my week, and all for under $10.
The UNA community centres offer a range of dance classes including Zumba, Zumba Gold (a less demanding form), adult ballet, classical Indian, Chinese folk dancing, and dance fusion.
An advantage of these classes is they do not involve a partner. It’s easy to register as a single and be welcomed. A friend of mine became so involved with line dancing, she now attends line dancing holidays all over the world. I have another Zumba mate who looks for cruises that have at least three hours of line dancing a day, illustrating how addictive dancing can become.
Dance, like many more traditional sports, is a physically challenging activity. It is now widely accepted that there are significant health benefits from regular exercise. It reduces stress, improves flexibility, lowers depression, can lead to weight loss, increases energy, improves cardiovascular function, improves coordination, balance and memory, and generates self- esteem and confidence. Dancing, like sports, can be enjoyed at any age.
There are more programs for all ages offered by UNA, including spin classes, yoga, osteofit, bootcamps, and sports such as soccer, volleyball, badminton and of course, the extremely popular pickleball classes—sign up early!
Both UNA community centres have open gyms where pre-registration is not required. They’re equipped with free weights, machines, treadmills, mats and more—all for an economical drop-in fee. When my children were younger, they were often registered in after-school or weekend community centre programs, which gave me free time to access the gym, (although I have to admit, it was often more attractive to go to a coffee bar than the gym, but good to have the option nevertheless).
There are also options for working with a personal trainer in the gym, who will address your fitness ambitions and devise a program specifically targeting your goals. Get in touch with fitness@myuna.ca to find out more.
In addition to the UNA programs, UBC offers a huge range of classes that are open not just for students, faculty and staff (see www.recreation.ubc.ca). There are classes for tennis, aquatics, group fitness, boot camps, yoga, martial arts and conditioning. Many require prior registration and get full quickly, but for other activities such as pool access, there are opportunities to access the facilities when they are not busy, especially if you have free time during the day.
So, if you want to improve your emotional well-being, motivation, friendship circle and fitness level look no further than the UNA community centres classes and programs at UBC. Time to get fit!
JAYNE SEAGRAVE IS A B.C. RESIDENT AND BEST-SELLING AUTHOR OF “CAMPING BRITISH COLUMBIA, THE ROCKIES AND THE YUKON”. SHE WRITES FICTION AND NON-FICTION, AND OCCASIONALLY TEACHES WRITING AND PUBLISHING COURSES.