Healthy Living • YMCA Health and Fitness
4 ways to get your #HealthyHour this spring
18 April 2016 - by Nicole Meredith
On Saturday, April 16th, 30 Torontonians started their weekend on the right foot - literally. Caileigh, Director of Programs at the new Cooper Koo Family Cherry St. YMCA, led them through a variety of strength- and flexibility-promoting movements in an outdoor yoga class in the Corktown Common. The class was the first of five free events the YMCA is holding in the neighbourhood during the last weeks before our doors officially open on May 30th.
Alex, who lives in the nearby Distillery District, says he dropped by the class out of curiosity: “I’ve actually never even done yoga before, so I thought, ‘why not?’ It’s free, I get to spend an hour outside on a gorgeous sunny day, and the Corktown Common is a two-minute walk from my place – so it was a really convenient opportunity for me to try something new.”
Good thing Caileigh’s class was designed for people of all ages, and with all levels of yoga experience. We had kids stretching alongside their parents, and first-timers moving through the poses beside some clearly more seasoned yogis, but everyone left smiling.
Alex attributed the class’s success to Caileigh’s energy and enthusiasm: “She was really kind and encouraging – she made the whole experience fun. It definitely helped that she demonstrated most of the moves, so I could see what it was supposed to look like. Definitely not intimidating.”
Alex and his friends can’t wait for the new Cooper Koo Y to open next month. “I’m excited to finally be able to do laps in a full-length pool! My condo has one, but it’s pretty tiny – you can’t really do much except jump in. It would be really great to be able to get some cardio in a bigger pool, and I know the Cooper Koo Y actually has two. My friends and I are also really into basketball, so I’m looking forward to being able to keep playing in the winter on the indoor court.”
Before he gets to experience the centre itself, Alex says he’ll keep coming to the Cooper Koo Y’s free events to get to know the people who’ll be staffing it: “I think I might join you guys for the upcoming run on May 6. I usually just stick to the treadmill, but I think it would be really nice to get outside and enjoy some sunshine during my workout.”
Take a cue from Alex, and enjoy a #HealthyHour outside over the next few weeks! Here’s what we have in store:
1. Hatha Yoga
On Thursday, April 21st, we’ll be stretching out again, only in a different place: James Park. Meet us there at noon.
2. Outdoor Bootcamp
Fit in an after-work healthy hour with a bootcamp class in Underpass Park. On Tuesday, April 26th, get an intense, full-body workout from 6:30 – 7:30 pm.
3. Outdoor Run
Explore some outdoor trails and paths while getting your cardio! Meet us in the Cooper Koo YMCA Courtyard on Friday, May 6th at 6:30 pm.
4. Dance in the Courtyard
Treat your mom to an outdoor dance class for Mother’s Day. On Sunday, May 8th, we’ll be teaching some easy-to-learn moves in the YMCA Courtyard from 11:00 am – 12:00 noon.
Alex, who lives in the nearby Distillery District, says he dropped by the class out of curiosity: “I’ve actually never even done yoga before, so I thought, ‘why not?’ It’s free, I get to spend an hour outside on a gorgeous sunny day, and the Corktown Common is a two-minute walk from my place – so it was a really convenient opportunity for me to try something new.”
Good thing Caileigh’s class was designed for people of all ages, and with all levels of yoga experience. We had kids stretching alongside their parents, and first-timers moving through the poses beside some clearly more seasoned yogis, but everyone left smiling.
Alex attributed the class’s success to Caileigh’s energy and enthusiasm: “She was really kind and encouraging – she made the whole experience fun. It definitely helped that she demonstrated most of the moves, so I could see what it was supposed to look like. Definitely not intimidating.”
Alex and his friends can’t wait for the new Cooper Koo Y to open next month. “I’m excited to finally be able to do laps in a full-length pool! My condo has one, but it’s pretty tiny – you can’t really do much except jump in. It would be really great to be able to get some cardio in a bigger pool, and I know the Cooper Koo Y actually has two. My friends and I are also really into basketball, so I’m looking forward to being able to keep playing in the winter on the indoor court.”
Before he gets to experience the centre itself, Alex says he’ll keep coming to the Cooper Koo Y’s free events to get to know the people who’ll be staffing it: “I think I might join you guys for the upcoming run on May 6. I usually just stick to the treadmill, but I think it would be really nice to get outside and enjoy some sunshine during my workout.”
Take a cue from Alex, and enjoy a #HealthyHour outside over the next few weeks! Here’s what we have in store:
1. Hatha Yoga
On Thursday, April 21st, we’ll be stretching out again, only in a different place: James Park. Meet us there at noon.
2. Outdoor Bootcamp
Fit in an after-work healthy hour with a bootcamp class in Underpass Park. On Tuesday, April 26th, get an intense, full-body workout from 6:30 – 7:30 pm.
3. Outdoor Run
Explore some outdoor trails and paths while getting your cardio! Meet us in the Cooper Koo YMCA Courtyard on Friday, May 6th at 6:30 pm.
4. Dance in the Courtyard
Treat your mom to an outdoor dance class for Mother’s Day. On Sunday, May 8th, we’ll be teaching some easy-to-learn moves in the YMCA Courtyard from 11:00 am – 12:00 noon.
