Thank you for a wonderful farewell luncheon! Keep up the great work and stay in touch. Have a great summer Michigan, we waited forever!!!
Lansing YMCA EnhanceFitness Open Houses June 15th May 21, 2009
Come see an EnhanceFitness class in action! Are you an organization interested in implementing this evidence-based program in your area? Are you an interested participant wanting to give the class a free trial? Come on out to our Open House on June 15th. Participate in an EnhanceFitness class for free–or just observe the class. The following locations are open to observe or try:
Oak Park YMCA http://ymcaoflansing.org/maps_oakpark.html 8:00 am and 11:00 am
Westside YMCA http://ymcaoflansing.org/maps_westside.html 9:15 am
Mt. Hope United Methodist Church (operated by the Downtown YMCA) 10:30 am http://www.mounthopeumc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9&Itemid=9
Arthritis Information from Michigan Department of Community Health March 2, 2009
The Lansing YMCA receives funding from the Michigan Department of Community Health Arthritis Program to implement EnhanceFitness. Because of their support, we are able to offer this program for a very low cost to participants and sustain the program over time. Check out their page at http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-2940_2955_21222—,00.html for arthritis information.
Beach Day at Oak Park!! February 28, 2009
Late February can be a bit depressing in Lansing, MI. Deciding that we all could use a vacation, EF at Oak Park YMCA had a beach day celebration at the end of the Winter 1 term. Participants wore Hawaiian shirts and enjoyed fruit and snacks. We listened to beach music and pretended to surf, swim, and play golf. What a great way to beat cabin fever!!
Central United Methodist Church Begins Classes February 23, 2009
Today, the Downtown YMCA Wellness center opens its newest site at Central United Methodist Church. Classes will be held MWF 9:00am-10:00am. The class will be taught by Missy Lilje, current instructor at the Mt. Hope United Methodist Church site. Stop by the site and check it out! The church’s website including directions and parking information can be found at http://www.gbgm-umc.org/centumc/
Good luck Missy with your new class. I know it will be great!
Oak Park YMCA class to expand! February 17, 2009
The EF class at Oak Park YMCA (MWF 11:00am) is expanding to two time slots due to popular demand. The class has grown steadily through the winter and we have run out of room! We are adding an 8:00am class on MWF. Participants expressed an interest in an earlier morning class in anticipation of busy spring and summer days to come. We have some avid golfers and gardeners in the class who want a full day after class to tackle those pursuits. Some participants will be attending the early class some days and the later class other days, depending on their schedule. 
Storyrobics: Mt Hope UMC on a trip! February 11, 2009
Those instuctors who have taken my training know that I always include a description of what I have come to call “storyrobics”. One of my students in the new instructor training in Miami, FL named it this and I’ve been using it ever since. If you were the instructor contact me and I’ll be happy to give you credit where credit is due! Storyrobics is of course just telling a story and adding movement to it during the cardio portion of class. It’s a great way to do something different and involve the participants.
Participants at Mt Hope UMC pretend to take a trip every Friday. They have “visited” many places and participants call out from class what they are going to do next. On one “trip”, the class went to Las Vegas. They played slot machines and other games, performed show girl routines and searched for bathrooms in a crowded casino! Participants got a great workout and laughed their way through the whole class. Instructor Missy Lilje ends the Wednesday class with a “See you at the airport” for Friday’s class. Participants can even dress for the weather at their intended destination. This week they’re off to Puerto Rico! What a great way to keep things interesting, involve participants, and (at least mentally anyway) escape a long winter!
Mt Hope United Methodist Church Successfully Launches in January 09! February 11, 2009
Under the direction of Anna Hunsinger of the Downtown YMCA Wellness Center, classes have begun at the Mt Hope United Methodist Church in Lansing (corner of Mt Hope and Cedar). The class is MWF 10:30-11:30 am and is taught by veteran instructor Missy Lilje. Audrey Putnam of Mt Hope UMC has been a fantastic supporter of the program helping to launch the site successfully. She also is a student in the class. Taught in the gym attached to the church, there is plenty of room for everyone. The site also has great accessibility with the entrance right by the class and bathrooms and drinking fountains right outside. Thank you to everyone at MHUMC for your support as we launch this new site!
Lansing YMCAs offer EnhanceFitness across Metro area February 11, 2009
With funding from the Michigan Department of Community Health Arthritis Program, the YMCA of Lansing has begun to offer EnhanceFitness at 9 locations in Lansing. This project is unique because it is a broad model which utilizes experienced YMCA instructors to implement the class at both YMCA sites and also in community sites in the area. For example, new sites at Mt. Hope United Methodist Church in Lansing and St. Jude Catholic Community in DeWitt have begun classes this month. These partnerships allow for programming to attract both church members and community participants. The church benefits by being able to offer a quality program in service to their members, while the YMCA handles all the staffing and administration of the program. Participants feel comfortable attending a program in the church and find the convenience and comfort to be a big plus. Look for photos of these new sites shortly!
