Designed for the novice participant, this course focuses on the basic principles and movements of Pilates. During this mat work class, movement quality and breathing are emphasized. Exercises are modified to suit your needs and abilities, regardless of age or gender. The benefits are core stability and body balance; increased flexibility and mobility; stronger abdominals and better posture; relief of pain and tension; stronger, longer, leaner muscles. Your instructor, Darlene Jones, is a certified Pilates instructor. Wear loose fitting clothing. Bring a yoga mat and towel.

HPER 89A-37
Mondays • 2/18/08-3/3/08 • 6-7 pm
Location: RMTC • Fee: $29

You must have comfortably mastered the fundamentals of Pilates and be ready to move at a faster, more challenging pace for this class. The emphasis in this series will be on balance, coordination, flexibility, technique, tone, alignment, and the mind-body connection. Pilates will strengthen and lengthen your muscles and we'll focus on the "Powerhouse" or core of the body. Your instructor, Darlene Jones, is a certified Pilates instructor. Wear loose fitting clothing. Bring a yoga mat and towel.

HPER 89A-41
Mondays • 3/10/08 - 3/31/08 • 6-6:45 pm
Location: RMTC • Fee: $29

Are you looking for that unique Valentine’s Day gift for someone special? Come to class together and then, feeling totally relaxed, take your sweetie to your favorite restaurant for a romantic dinner. In this popular class you and your partner will learn massage techniques for the head, neck, shoulders, and feet that will encourage complete and total relaxation, as well as energize your immune system for increased health and well -being. Bring a pillow and blanket to class and wear loose-fitting clothing. Your instructors are Larry and Becky Porter, certified massage therapists. Class size limited to 10 partners (20 individuals).

HPER 89A-40
Thursday • 2/14/08 • 6:30-8:30 pm
Location: RMTC • Fee: $25 (per person) (includes materials)

This fun and popular class is for women who are eager to exercise their mind, body, and spirit. Belly dancing is a no-impact exercise that burns fat, increases flexibility, and complements the natural movements of the body. Uplifting, confidence-boosting and exhilarating, belly dancing is an exercise that not only tones and sculpts the body, but it also improves coordination and stimulates circulation. Your instructor is Darlene Jones, a certified fitness instructor and belly dancer. Her structured approach to learning the basics of belly dancing is a wonderful way for you to get fit and have fun while doing it. Note: no previous dance experience in necessary. Please wear comfortable clothing.

HPER 82D-35
Thursdays • 2/21/08-3/13/08 • 5:30-6:30 pm
Location: RMTC • Fee: $39

For women, personal safety is often a concern-the unavoidable parking lot, the walk at dusk, the elevator, an appointment in a building that looks too empty. In this workshop you'll gain the confidence and practical skills that can help you avoid becoming a victim and learn effective techniques to fend off an attacker. We'll focus on strategies of avoidance, self-defense, and you'll get hands-on practice. Your instructor, Janean Crapo, has taught this workshop to many women and she's ready to show you how to take care of yourself. This is a great class for moms and daughters who want to learn a new and valuable skill together!

HPER 82B-35
Wednesday • 3/5/08 • 6-8 pm
Location: RMTC • Fee: $25

It's true; your feet are a reflection of your overall health, and in this new class you'll learn everything you need to know to improve not only the health of your feet, but your entire body as well. Join Dr. Charles Pignataro of Caring Hands Chiropractic and Becky Porter, RN, BSN and certified massage therapist as you learn about the practices of chiropractic, reflexology, yoga and basic foot health care and how they can assist in your overall health. We'll talk about the anatomy and alignment of the back, how it affects spinal nerves, and how your feet play a role in this. You'll get to experience a machine that's as easy to use as your bathroom scales that analyzes the weight bearing landmarks on your feet and gives you a personalized printout. From that information you will then learn how reflexology, massage and yoga poses can assist with improved balance and structural alignment of your body. Please wear comfortable clothing, bring a pillow and towel. Face it, when our feet ache we feel lousy all over...join us in this new class to learn how you can feel better all the time just by paying attention to your feet!

HPER 89A-39
Monday • 3/10/08 • 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Location: RMTC • Fee: $39 (includes socks)

Medical Qigong (pronounced chee-kung) is a collection of effective preventative, healing and strengthening exercises that have been used for thousands of years and are an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. In this one-night workshop you will learn the movements designed to support the body’s systems influenced by the spring season in the Chinese Solar calendar—the liver and the heart. By practicing the appropriate Qigong for the current season, you can help establish and maintain a strong foundation for overall health. Join Janean Crapo, martial artist, as you learn this gentle, yet powerful, exercise technique for improved health and wellness.

HPER 89A-43
Wednesday • 3/19/08 • 6-7 pm
Location: RMTC • Fee: $19

Just as you can firm up your body by exercising your muscles, you can firm up your face and neck with facial fitness exercises, the newest trend in anti-aging skin care. This natural approach to skin care can get rid of bags under the eyes, a sagging jowl or double chin, a lumpy nose or lines around the lips and eyes. Yes, you can look younger, more vibrant, rested and relaxed. In this fun class you’ll experience facial massage techniques you can do yourself along with breathing exercises that will bring tone and lift to your facial and neck muscles. Like the muscles in other parts of your body, your face muscles absorb and store a lot of stress and tension. Use the exercises you learn in this class and you’ll look younger, firmer, and more relaxed in no time at all! Please wear comfortable clothing.

HPER 89A-36
Tuesday • 4/1/08 • 5:30-7 pm
Location: RMTC • Fee: $19

Are you tired of experiencing headaches after long and stressful days? Do monthly hormonal fluctuations guarantee that you're headed for a headache? Have migraines confined you to a dark, cool room on more than one occasion? You don't need to have headaches anymore! Qigong is a Chinese practice that uses physical postures, breathing techniques and mental focus to improve your physical and emotional health. In this special workshop Janean Crapo, our favorite martial artist, will take you through moves that focus your qi (pronounced chee) along three paths in your body, and you will feel the pain and tension from your headache just melt away. After practicing these moves you will feel invigorated, yet relaxed, and in many cases completely pain-free! So, if you have headaches more often then you'd like (and who wants a headache?) join us in this one-night workshop to learn easy moves that work.

HPER 89A-42
Wednesday • 4/16/08 • 6-7 pm
Location: RMTC • Fee: $19

Andrew Weil, M.D., said, “If I had to limit my advice on healthier living to just one tip, it would be simply to learn how to breathe correctly.” In this new workshop you’ll learn a Buddhist breathing technique and discover the power of diaphragmatic breathing as a tool to dissolve stress and induce the relaxation response in your body. Your instructor, Janean Crapo, will assist you in this grounding, yet exhilarating method of focusing on the breath for increased health and well-being.

HPER 89A-41
Wednesday • 4/23/08 • 6-7 pm
Location: RMTC • Fee: $19