Working in Working Out

Everybody is either busy, or worn out from being busy. When, oh when, do we have time to exercise? But we must. Exercise is good for your heart, your muscles, your flexibility, and for maintaining a healthy weight. It's also great for your mood, especially important during these gray, cold days. Try exercising to music; the beat can't help but make you feel better.

Make a commitment to exercise, and then find time to do it. Signing up for a class, or joining a gym may make it easier to commit; once you've paid for a class, it's more of a motivation to stick to it. And exercising with friends makes it fun!
Even in our small community of Berkeley Springs, you should be able to find a class to suit your exercise level. Here are some that I've taken and can personally recommend; and by the way, music is used in all three classes to help you move and groove and improve your mood!

• Zumba, taught by Rene Garcia Kesecker, is a high-to-medium impact aerobics class with a Latin beat. You'll need a good pair of training shoes, some loose clothing, and an attitude! Zumba is fun and will bring out your sassy streak. Rene teaches Zumba at the Ice House on Monday nights at 5:30 and Wednesday nights at 6:00. Call her at 304.258.6747 for more information. 
• Bellysima, taught by Angela Petry, uses the technique of bellydancing isolations to strengthen your core, improve flexibility, and burn calories. Shimmying is good for the soul! Since beginning Bellysima this summer, my back feels stronger and I feel more balanced. You'll need some comfortable clothing to start out, and a yoga mat for the warm-up and cool-down; you'll probably also want to buy a jingly hip scarf and a veil to dance with. Beginners are welcome, especially to her new Tuesday class at 6:30 at the Ice House. Call (304)995-5832 for more information.

The Ice House hosts several other exercise classes (I haven't taken these myself):
Gentle Yoga with Joyce Morningstar, Saturdays at 9:00. Call 304.258.6247 for more information
Tai Chi with Michael Pushkin, Thursdays 11am & 5:30pm. Call 304.258.4653

• Marcy Fleeharty, through Morgan County Adult and Community Education, is once again offering her awesome Yoga classes. Both classes are at Widmyer Elementary School in Berkeley Springs. You'll need comfortable clothing and a yoga mat. Yoga Basic begins on January 4 for 10 weeks at 4:30. Yoga Fusion, an intense workout that combines Pilates and Yoga, begins on the 4th at 6:00.  I can personally attest that the Yoga Fusion class will kick your butt! Call 304-258-2430, ext 19 or 20, to register.

Do you have a favorite exercise class in the area? Please let me know. We're happy to put flyers advertising exercise or wellness classes on our office bulletin board. Post your favorite exercise class on our Facebook page. If you're reading this on Blogger and you don't belong to Facebook, feel free to comment here.

Coming up next: Favorite workout videos. What's yours?