Learn to Dance for that Special Occasion

Image credit: Wikimedia

  

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we should dance. 
~Author Unknown

Do you have a wedding on the calendar this year? Maybe you are heading to someone’s retirement party, or you have a milestone birthday coming up?  Whatever the reason, it’s time to kick up your heels!  Whether you are 29 or 69 we can help you get ready to impress your friends and family with a few smooth moves on the dance floor.

Ballroom Wedding Dance for Couples

#339621 at Potomac Community Recreation Center

Mondays starting 1/14, 7:00 – 8:00 pm

Beginners will learn the three most common ballroom-wedding dances: Waltz, Foxtrot and Rumba. These are the perfect dances for beginners as they are slow and intimate for a newlywed couple to enjoy on their first dance together. We’ll focus on proper position, what it means to lead and follow, and we’ll cover abasic pattern of dance to help you form a routine that you can use on that very special day.

Swing for Couples

#339610 at Holiday Park Senior Center

Tuesdays starting 1/8, 7:15 – 8:15 pm

#339609 at Jane E. Lawton Community Recreation Center

Thursdays starting 1/10, 7:50 – 8:50 pm

When the swing music starts playing at your special event, you no longer have to sit and just tap your foot. With this class you’ll learn how to do underarm turns, swivels, and other single swing steps eventually progressing to triple swing.

Dance Ballroom Waltz for Couples

#339606 at Jane E. Lawton Community Recreation Center

Thursdays starting 1/10, 6:45 – 7:45 pm

You too can learn to move gracefully and with strength in this classic couples’ dance. The Waltz has an emphasis on the first beat with a gliding and swaying in the other beats. As a couple you will have practice with one person leading while the other learns to follow.

Meet Pilates Instructor Dr. Fred Mosby

photo via Wkimedia Commons

Pilates is not a new type of fitness regime by any means. On the contrary, it’s been around since the late 1800s. Yet Pilates has evolved over the years while interest has grown. We had the chance to ask instructor Dr. Fred Mosby a few questions about Pilates, and learn how he got started.

RECORD: What is Pilates and why is Pilates good for you?

Dr. Fred:  The original Pilates was designed in Germany in 1884 by Joseph Pilates who put an emphasis on spinal and pelvic alignment, breathing, and developing a strong core or center, and improving coordination and balance. Many of the first users of Pilates were dancers, who studied with Joseph Pilates and went on to open the first studios. Modern day Pilates has evolved and new "contemporary" forms use props like small-weighted balls, foam rollers, large exercise balls, rotating disks, and resistance bands.

Pilates is good for you because it builds core strength, balance, flexibility, muscle strength, and endurance in the legs, abdominals, arms, hips, and back. Anyone can practice it from youth to senior citizens, even those who have not exercised in a long time.

RECORD:  How does Pilates work?

Dr. Fred:  Pilates works under six original principles:

·         Concentration - Pilates demands intense focus. You have to concentrate on what you're doing all the time and concentrate on your entire body movement.

• Control - All exercises are done with control, with the muscles working to lift against gravity and any resistance.

·         Center/Core - Centering encompasses the abdomen, lower and upper back, hips, buttocks, and inner thighs, the "Core."

·         Flow - All movement begins from the core and flows outward to the limbs. Pilates is a flowing movement outward from a strong core.

·         Precision – The focus is on doing one precise and perfect movement at a time.

·         Breathing – The forced exhalation is the key to full inhalation. The practitioner breathes out forcefully with the effort and in on the return.

RECord:  How is Pilates different than using weights at the gym or yoga?

Dr. Fred: Pilates focuses on developing balance, core strength, and stabilization and learning to use the core in all daily movement activities.

RECord:  Have you always been interested in fitness?

 Dr. Fred:  I am certified as a Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist by the National Academy of Sports Medicine. I teach Personal Training, Weight Training, BOSU, and Pilates on the Ball fitness classes with Montgomery County Recreation. In 2011, I earned a doctorate with high honors in Natural Health from the premiere school for “traditional” Naturopathic Medicine, Clayton College of Natural Health. My focus is to be healthy and to teach others to be healthy.

RECord:  How did you get started with Pilates?

 Dr. Fred:  In 2004, while I was a personal trainer I realized that many of my typical clients were sedentary and returning to exercise after long absences. I also discovered, and research has verified, that the intensity level required by a sedentary person just trying to improve their cardiorespiratory fitness would be too much for most clients.

Optimum Performance Training like Pilates can re-introduce deconditioned clients to appropriate forms of core stabilization, balance, flexibility, and increasing their strength and endurance.

Tiny Tots Entertained Indoors

You will be thrilled to have some place to go with your little one this winter when it’s too cold for the park. These classes are designed specifically for the littlest ones and are sure to keep them engaged and entertain on the coldest of days. For course code and registration information for any of these classes see pages 60-61 of The Recreation Guide.

Little Stars

Children ages 2-3 will enjoy exploring their creativity and imagination through music, movement, acting games and more with a weekly theme. A mini art project will accompany the children after class so they can continue to explore the theme at home.  A $20 material fee is due at the first class.

Mama Goose on the Loose

A rich, exciting class for babies age 6 to 36 months where they get to learn as they enjoy stories, music, games and movement. This is the perfect class for little ones just starting to develop social skills and large motor skills.

Itsy Bitsy Yoga

Little ones age 3 – 9 months can benefit from yoga, too! This class is designed to support your little one’s development, and parents will learn moves that might help with sleep and digestive issues. Bring a blanket or mat and wear comfortable clothes.

Seniors Can Drop in Anytime for Exercise

Many seniors stay active on their own and can’t commit to a regular class. Montgomery County Recreation offers a slew of opportunities for seniors to drop in on an activity when it best fits their schedule!  Here are just a few drop-in programs where you might be inspired to try something new:

January is exercise month at Long Branch Senior Center

Every day at noon, Long Branch will offer a free exercise class that can be modified for all abilities and levels. Classes are meant to be fun and invigorating and might include seated yoga, senior fitness, seated volleyball, Tai Chi and more. Visitors can participate in the popular “Walk Around the State” contest where each lap around the gym helps to earn miles, and prizes are awarded for reaching various levels of travel.  For more information call 240-777-6975.

Open Gym Basketball for Seniors

Whether you were a cool kid on the court in your younger days, or you have a new interest in basketball, this open gym welcomes all. Join us for a pick up game of basketball or just practice shooting hoops at an open gym just for seniors. This drop-in gym program does require a $30 per year Open Gym pass (also known as the “gym rat” pass).

Bauer Drive Community Recreation Center: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 am -- 12:00 noon.

Longwood Community Recreation Center: Monday through Thursday 10:00 am --  3:00 pm

 

Open Gym Volleyball for Seniors

Try something new and join in the fun at an open gym volleyball session just for seniors!
All equipment is provided, just bring your sneakers, a water bottle, and your smile. This drop-in gym program does require a $30 per year Open Gym pass
(also known as the “gym rat” pass).

Bauer Drive Community Recreation Center: Mondays and Wednesdays 10:30 am – 12:30 pm

Mid-County Community Recreation Center: Fridays 12:00 noon pm – 2:00 pm

Senior Fit Classes are Free and Available Countywide

Senior Fit is a free fitness program that was developed in partnership with Holy Cross, Kaiser Permanente and Montgomery County Recreation. The classes are designed to help participants improve strength, endurance, and flexibility. Call 301-754-7895 for registration information. Classes are available at the following locations:

Bauer Drive Community RecreationCenter

Gwendolyn Coffield CommunityRecreation Center

Germantown Community RecreationCenter

East County Community RecreationCenter

Long Branch Senior Center

Mid-County Community Recreation Center

Marilyn J Praisner Community Recreation Center

Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center

Wheaton Neighborhood RecreationCenter