Health & Wellness   

Mindfulness is not rocket science but common sensical ways of thinking that millions of ordinary people have found to be transformative. It gets the body and brain working together, promoting health and well-being. Where science comes in is in studies showing that regular mindfulness practices are brain and body healthy: lowering stress and anxiety, strengthening the immune system, decreasing depression, and improving focus and attention with cognitive benefits.

Mindfulness is not rocket science but common sensical ways of thinking that millions of ordinary people have found to be transformative. It gets the body and brain working together, promoting health and well-being. Where science comes in is in studies showing that regular mindfulness practices are brain and body healthy: lowering stress and anxiety, strengthening the immune system, decreasing depression, and improving focus and attention with cognitive benefits.

Nordic walking is a highly recommended, safe exercise for seniors to enjoy walking outdoors strengthening the upper body as well as the legs. The health benefits include improving balance and gait, cardiovascular fitness, and toning up back and abdominal muscles. Walking sites include the Arboretum.

REQUIRED MATERIALS: Purchase Nordic Walking Poles. Available locally and online for $25-$40.

An introduction to line dance. Engage your mind and body all together while improving your fitness. Move to the beat of the music. If you can count to eight as you walk - you’ll be successful in this class!

Those who enjoy line dancing and have learned step names, will learn Beginner through Improver level dances. Must have completed Level 1 or with instructor permission. This group also performs as the OLLI Cats Line dancing group!

For those who love achievable challenges. Will learn Improver through Advanced level dances. Must have completed Level 2 or with instructor permission. This group also performs as the OLLI Cats Line dancing group!

The music comes from another time and place – the haunting violin of a gypsy tune, the vitality of a Cossack dance, the kind of rhythmic melody that made Zorba so Greek. World Quilt Dancing promotes world community through dance. Get a gentle workout while enjoying the favorite music and social dance of the Balkans, Europe, the Americas, Israel and beyond. Participants will learn some of the easier and simpler ethnic dances. They may range from slower rhythms to more aerobic and dynamic steps. Dances are done in lines, circles and individually. No prior dance experience is necessary – just a pair of comfortable shoes.

This class includes higher impact aerobic exercising for building skills and fitness while enjoying walking and trekking outdoors with Nordic Ski Poles. The benefits include strengthening and toning up muscles in both the upper and lower body, improving balance and gait, cardiovascular fitness and promoting brain health.

REQUIRED MATERIALS: Purchase Nordic Walking Poles. Available locally and online for $25-$40.

This course features aerobic and strength training to improve physical fitness, strength, flexibility and cardiovascular endurance. A typical class begins with easy-to-follow cardio for 25 to 30 minutes. Cardio is followed by weight training exercises with dumbbells. Class will always incorporate exercises for abdominals and core strength, ending with flexibility training and cool down. Depending on the class, this may be done on a mat on the floor or a chair. This class is suitable for beginners as well as seasoned exercisers. Friday classes will use chairs instead of mats for weight training exercises, core exercises and stretching.

REQUIRED MATERIALS: Water bottle, weights and yoga mat. Zoom students will need a chair for Friday weight training exercises.

This course features aerobic and strength training to improve physical fitness, strength, flexibility and cardiovascular endurance. A typical class begins with easy-to-follow cardio for 25 to 30 minutes. Cardio is followed by weight training exercises with dumbbells. Class will always incorporate exercises for abdominals and core strength, ending with flexibility training and cool down. Depending on the class, this may be done on a mat on the floor or a chair. This class is suitable for beginners as well as seasoned exercisers. Friday classes will use chairs instead of mats for weight training exercises, core exercises and stretching.

REQUIRED MATERIALS: Water bottle, weights and yoga mat. Zoom students will need a chair for Friday weight training exercises.

Come and join a ballet based dance class taught by a Lexington Ballet company member. In this class you will learn the fundamentals of ballet and enjoy the opportunity to move like a ballet dancer. You will learn to enhance your balance and develop poise in your posture. You will also learn how to lengthen and soften movements executed with your body. There will also be available ballet movements in coordination with sitting and/or wheelchair based students. All are welcome for this movement based experience.

REQUIRED MATERIALS: Those enrolled will need comfortable tight clothing like leotard, tights, a ballet skirt if they wish or leggings if they wish. This is so the instructor can see their body and make appropriate corrections and ensure those enrolled will not endanger themselves. They will also need ballet slippers.

This class will be a Vinyasa style yoga class connecting breath to movement. Each class will begin with short breathing and meditation exercises, moving into Sun Salutations. Each class will include a practice of basic yoga postures and how to link these with our breath to create a balance between the mind and body. Many options will be offered for the postures so all levels can participate. Each class will incorporate core exercises for strength, stretching to increase flexibility, balance work and relaxation postures for stress release. Students should be able to get up and down from the floor.

REQUIRED MATERIALS: Yoga mat, strap and yoga block.

This class will be a Vinyasa style yoga class connecting breath to movement. Each class will begin with short breathing and meditation exercises, moving into Sun Salutations. Each class will include a practice of basic yoga postures and how to link these with our breath to create a balance between the mind and body. Many options will be offered for the postures so all levels can participate. Each class will incorporate core exercises for strength, stretching to increase flexibility, balance work and relaxation postures for stress release. Students should be able to get up and down from the floor.

REQUIRED MATERIALS: Yoga mat, strap and yoga block.

“Have you thought you might be grieving “wrong”? Do you wonder how you can help a friend who is grieving? In this class, we will talk about the many ways we cope with losses of all kinds.”