Breast Cancer Resource Center Classes
Cancer treatments accelerate the effects of aging on the body, but research shows weight training, also known as strength or resistance training, can reverse those affects and improve a survivor’s quality of life. Ideally included at least twice a week in every fitness plan, weight training can be a big boost to breast cancer survivors who are trying to regain muscle and bone strength lost due to cancer treatment and physical inactivity. A total body routine builds a well-balanced body by hitting all muscle groups in one workout and is one of the most efficient ways to burn calories and gain strength.
The Feldenkrais Method® is a remarkable approach to human movement, learning and change, based on sound principles of physics, neurology and physiology, and the conditions under which the nervous system learns best. Feldenkrais is recognized for the strategies it employs to improve posture, flexibility, coordination, athletic and artistic ability, and to help those with restricted movement, chronic pain and tension.
Breast Cancer surgery and treatments can have negative effects on the body that can be alleviated by proper exercise and stretches. This class was designed specifically for the breast cancer women presently in treatment, post-surgery, and beyond. The class will include a 30 minute Walk 15 routine based on Leslie Sansone’s Walk at Home program, exercises intended to keep the lymphatic fluid moving to decrease the risk of lymphedema, stretches and strength moves aimed to improve range of motion in the shoulders, to relax tightness in the chest, and to strengthen the back muscles. This class will guide you back to activities you enjoyed prior to diagnosis as well as improve your quality of life for everyday living.
Think yoga is only for people who can contort themselves like a pretzel? Worried that you’re not in “good enough” shape for yoga? This class is for you! And it’s also for anyone, regardless of fitness or health, who wants to achieve the benefits of practicing yoga regularly. Gentle yoga incorporates physical poses and breathing techniques to increase strength, flexibility, and well-being. Research in breast cancer patients has shown that yoga may be able to reduce fatigue and improve quality of sleep, physical vitality, and overall quality of life. This class will help you maintain a sense of wellbeing during difficult times of diagnosis, treatment and recovery, giving you a sense of being grounded in your healing journey.
Inspired by Bollywood dance movements, this class is a fun, medium to high intensity hour of easy-to-follow steps, choreographed to upbeat Bollywood music and international pop tunes. Feel the rhythm of the music, the energy of the movement and the results of an excellent workout. Share the joy new BCRC instructor, Garima Bhatia projects through her expressive eyes and smile. You won’t be able to help but smile yourself.
This intermediate class is about relaxation, alignment, and getting what you need by taking time to pause and enjoy the balance each posture has to offer. While you’re feet are firmly rooted in the earth, you will allow your spirit to soar upward. While you draw energy into your core, you can reach outward through your arms and legs. You get to expand and unfold while using a strong steady breath to stabilize yourself. Each time you breathe in, you quiet your mind, each time you exhale, you release. Let this yoga practice be a time for you to build the strength and stamina that will guide you through every wave and each challenge life has to offer.
The Tabata training method and its many variations are “unofficial” adaptations of the training protocol created by Dr Izum Tabata. In this landmark study, Dr Tabata showed that short bursts of high intensity training had superior aerobic and anaerobic training effects compared to longer moderate intensity training. This training protocol involves performing a particular exercise (or exercises) at high intensity for 20 seconds followed by 10 seconds of rest. This is repeated 8 times for a total training time of 4 minutes per exercise. This class will be 45 minutes long including a warm-up, 8 tabata cycles, and a cool down. Tabata with weights will concentrate on using resistance training incorporating body weight, resistance bands, and dumbbell based exercises. There are adaptions to all exercises so all can partake in the class.
Walk 15® is the live version of the Walk at Home indoor aerobic walking program which has been helping people get fit using DVDs for over 25 years. In a Walk 15® class, participants may walk 1, 2, 3, or more miles, in a group setting, using the proven techniques of the Walk at Home program. With just four basic steps, participants get a heart-pumping, calorie torching aerobic workout. Participants will utilize all muscles in the body by incorporating simple arm movements which helps build the intensity of the workout and provides strength training. Each session begins with a warm-up to prepare the body for more in-tense exercise, and a cool-down to safely bring the heart rate and breathing back to normal for an overall safe workout.
Are you fatigued? Have chronic pain? Feeling Stressed? Are these things keeping you from the lifestyle you want to live? If so Pilates MELT may be for you! The MELT Method® is a self-treatment technique that simulates the techniques – and the results – of manual therapy. Daily living creates stress and tension within your body. Emotional, mental, and environmental stressors also put strain on your body. The repetitive stress of daily living literally gets stuck in the connective tissue, which surrounds every joint, muscle, nerve, bone, and organ. “Stuck stress” accumulates and causes dehydration in the connective tissue, which interferes with the nervous system’s ability to regulate itself and slows down the body’s natural healing process, which in turn causes aches and stiffness and leads to common health issues such as neck and back pain, headaches, insomnia, digestive problems, and injury. This patent-pending method brings your body back to a more ideal state by directly enhancing body awareness, rehydrating connective tissue, and quieting the nervous system.
2-3 classes are offered simultaneously every Wednesday at 6:30 pm at Pennington-Ewing Athletic Club (PEAC), and you don’t have to decide which one you want to take until you get there! The schedule of one-hour classes changes each month, so you can keep your workout routine fresh. The schedule may include Zumba, Spin, Yoga, Pilates, Aerobics, Tai Boxing, Stretching and more. For current offerings, go to http://www.peachealthfitness.com/classes.html.
Zumba® is exercise that combines Latin-flavored music and traditional dance moves from salsa, tango, mambo, and merengue with aerobics to keep people moving while they’re body sculpting. An hour-long class that works almost every muscle in the body! Feel your energy level increase as you learn routines featuring great music and lots of fun.150 million people worldwide are doing Zumba® and you can, too. Dance like nobody’s watching! As long as you’re moving and having fun, there’s really no wrong way to Zumba®.
Soul Body Barre is an invigorating total body workout with a more athletic approach created from using the most progressive techniques and cutting edge choreography set to motivating music that will transform your body resulting in power, physical grace and stamina.
Soul Body Barre is a one hour, mindfully intense class with a seamless flow that incorporates both dynamic and isometric movements that work deep into the muscles. Pulling from the principals of Pilates, the wisdom of yoga, intense power of dance and the body sculpting benefits of traditional interval strength training, we strive to have every person who walks through our studio door feel inspired and empowered to transform their body to its fullest potential.
This popular yoga class will help participants sustain their quality of life and a feeling of well-being during difficult times, get a better understanding of their own healing journey, and create a deeper sense of connection with themselves, their loved ones and the community.
- Discover a relaxing meditative practice which uses props such as bolsters, straps and blankets to make it easier for the body to be in various positions, providing a completely supportive environment for total relaxation.
- Experience soothing of the nervous system, quieting of the mind & release of deeply held tension & negative emotions.
- Learn how to get in, make adjustments for maximum comfort, and get out of poses, most of which are experienced while laying or sitting on the floor.
- Practice breath awareness & control, visualization and other healing techniques.
Spend the last 20 minutes of class in progressive relaxation (Yoga Nidra), also known as dreamless sleep.
The Tabata training method and its many variations are “unofficial” adaptations of the training protocol created by Dr Izum Tabata. In this landmark study, Dr Tabata showed that short bursts of high intensity training had superior aerobic and anaerobic training effects compared to longer moderate intensity training. This training protocol involves performing a particular exercise (or exercises) at high intensity for 20 seconds followed by 10 seconds of rest. This is repeated 8 times for a total training time of 4 minutes per exercise. This class will be 45 minutes long including a warm-up, 8 tabata cycles, and a cool down. The high intensity interval training exercise range from jumping jacks, reverse lunges, mountain climbers, jump squats and much more. There are adaptions for all exercises so all can par-take in the class.
Tai Chi embodies the heart of Chinese wellness and healing practices, applied sciences,
philosophy, and martial arts. This gentle exercise, sometimes referred to as meditation in
motion, is perfect for anyone seeking a low-impact, weight bearing exercise that addresses physical, mental and emotional well-being. Tai Chi can be done sitting, standing or lying down and has shown significant benefit for individuals with fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis.
Think yoga is only for people who can contort themselves like a pretzel? Worried that you’re not in “good enough” shape for yoga? This class is for you! And it’s also for anyone, regardless of fitness or health, who wants to achieve the benefits of practicing yoga regularly. Gentle yoga incorporates physical poses and breathing techniques to increase strength, flexibility, and well-being. Research in breast cancer patients has shown that yoga may be able to reduce fatigue and improve quality of sleep, physical vitality, and overall quality of life. This class will help you maintain a sense of wellbeing during difficult times of diagnosis, treatment and recovery, giving you a sense of being grounded in your healing journey.
This gentle water exercise class provides a supportive environment in which to improve mobility, relieve discomfort resulting from surgery, and reduce potential risk of lymphedema. The benefits of water resistance training include the activation of opposing muscle groups for a balanced workout, a built-in safety barrier for joints, reduction of lactic acid buildup, improved aerobic capacity, muscle endurance, and the cooling effect of the water on the system. Water aerobics is the safest form of exercise for those with arthritis, osteoporosis, weak joints and reduced balance. Over time, water aerobics can lead to a reduction of blood pressure and resting heart rate, which will improve health overall. Jump in and create a positive attitude towards life and health.
The Bar Method™ is a one-hour total body workout comprised of muscle strengthening and stretching techniques, partially performed at the ballet barre, strategically choreographed and executed to music. The system is designed to create a uniquely lean, firm, sculpted body by combining the muscle-shaping principles of isometrics, the body-elongating practice of ballet dance conditioning, the science of physical therapy, and the intense pace of interval training.
Ongoing – ANY ONE CLASS PER WEEK, M-F (check their web site for weekly schedule www.princeton.barmethod.com)
Blue Door Fitness and Barre Studio offers a wide variety of small group exercise classes with no more than 15 people to a class. You will get more individualized attention at Blue Door Fitness. The instructors will watch your form to ensure safety and will always give modifications to clients just starting on their fitness journey, as well as challenge more advanced clients.
There are a variety of classes offered at Blue Door Fitness from Surf Set Circuit, Cycling, TRX Circuit, Core Conditioning, Box & Burn and so much more. Blue Door Fitness has opened their studio for you to partake in one class per week M-F. Please check their web site for weekly schedule www.bluedoorfitness.com and call to make an appointment to join a class